Crystal
After a long walk, Crystal and the others had finally arrived at the Acropolis waiting for Bonz, Sid, and Zygor to appear. Normally there would have been lights illuminating the ruins of the temple, but they were all turned off leaving them in shadow. No doubt it was Bonz's handiwork.
"This place sure is spooky at night," said Carter. "I've always wanted to see the ruins, but not like this. I never thought I'd actually want to leave the Acropolis."
"Grow some backbone," said Bailey, turning the safety off her weapon. "Baker, Anderson, come with me. Once that Duelist shows up, we'll ambush them and arrest them before they can say: "It's time to Duel."
"Hoorah," said Baker.
Crystal stepped forward to the front of the ruins while Bailey and her men hid from sight. All was silent. Even the carnage Black Tyranno caused in the streets below seemed to have died down. The Termnnian soldiers must have wiped the memory of half the city by now, they were so fast. Rain drip-dropped from the cold, purple clouds above, illuminated in an orange tinge from the city lights. The wind howled as if the ghosts of Ancient Greece were telling her to leave at once and leave their temple in peace. Then, a familiar purple fog enveloped her.
"Here they come," said Tyson. "Good luck, Crystal."
Crystal said nothing and held her ground as the three Eldoris came walking out of the fog with evil grins on their faces.
"So," said Bonz, "you decided to show up after all. I hope you know what's at stake here, Golden Egg."
"I do," said Crystal. "Are you going to hold your end of the bargain and give me the Titan if you lose."
"I shall," said Bonz. "You have nothing to worry about. Now, it looks like you're going to need a partner."
"Whatever for?" asked Crystal.
"Because," said Bonz, "this is going to be a Tag Team Duel. I choose your pretty little friend over there."
"Figures," Amistad said looking at Patty. He was looking forward to joining Crystal and aid her dragons with his Noble Knights.
Patty stepped away from the group and stood next to Crystal. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Bailey and her men approaching.
"Dis is gonna be a good match," said Sid.
"And who will your tag partner be?" asked Patty.
"Don't move!" shouted Bailey, shining the Tac Light on her AR. "Don't none of you move or we'll shoot!"
"This guy," said Bonz, not at all worried that he was in the sights of an assault rifle.
A puddle of darkness formed behind Bailey and her men. From it, a familiar figure arose out of it. PaniK had returned to finish his business with Patty. Using his sledgehammer-sized fists, he smashed the skulls of Baker and Anderson. He then grabbed Bailey by the scuff of her neck and headbutted her, knocking her out. He tossed her over his shoulder like a rag doll and she rolled down the rocks, safely coming to a stop.
"Well, so much for that plan," said Michael. "You two be careful."
PaniK sniggered villainously while he stomped to Bonz's side, forming his Duel Disk of darkness made solid.
"Patty," he said. "I see you're still coming to grips with what I told you."
"You keep back you creep!" shouted Patty. "I've had enough of your mind games for one night. It's time to end this PaniK."
"Ha!" laughed PaniK. "You think one lousy little Duel is going to keep you safe from me? Regardless of the outcome, Patty, I will keep coming to you until you've accepted who you really are. One of us!"
Patty growled, activating her Duel Disk. "Are you going to play, or are you going to start monologuing the whole night? Let's get this over with! The sooner Crystal and I win that Titan, the sooner we can get on with our lives!"
"As you wish," said Bonz.
Witty Phantom appeared next to Patty in a ghostly form. His pocket was radiating with a ball of darkness.
"What the hell do you want?" she asked.
"This fool has knowledge of the Shadow Realm. But, he is not here to help you as I am. Remember that card I dropped in your room?"
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Consider it a part of your deck now. The beast grows impatient and the darkness inside of you makes him hungry."
He put a few cards in her Extra Deck.
"Good luck to you, Pamela. Show the Shadows what you've got."
"Just stay the hell out of my way," Patty snarled.
Witty Phantom cackled as he vanished into thin air.
"DUEL!" they all shouted.
LP 4000
"I will start things off," said Bonz. "I special summon, Howling Zombie! But he will not stay for long, because I'm going to sacrifice him in order to summon Lich Lord, King of the Underworld!"
ATK/2400 DEF/1200
LV 6
"Ha, I set a card face-down and end my turn. Now we go to you, Crystal."
"Draw!" said Crystal. "I summon Infernal Dragon in attack mode! (ATK/2000 DEF/0 LV 4) Now, I use the spell card, Dragon Shrine. I send two dragons from my deck to the Graveyard. Now I activate the spell, Return of the Dragon Lords to bring back one of my newest dragons. Making his big debut from my deck, say hello to Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!"
A golden dragon flew down from the sky and landed with a great crash behind Crystal.
Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand
ATK/2800 DEF/2800
LV 8
Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand spread his wings and shined his own light over the ruins as a choir sang for his arrival. Crystal stood still. As still as a statue. Was she going insane, or did she understand the lyrics of the choir? The song was being sung in a completely alien language, but she understood it as though it was plain English. Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand looked down at his master.
Holograms have never done this before. He seemed much more alive than some artificial being made of light. Crystal felt warmth and love radiating through her body when she looked into the Dragon Lord's eyes. A feeling of recognition rushed through her.
Do I know you?
"It can't be!" said Crystal. "I've seen this card played lots of times, and this has never happened!"
"You okay, babe?" Amistad asked.
"I…I'm fine," said Crystal.
"Come on, hurry up!" cried Nick. "I want to see more dragons!"
"You got this, Crystal! Kick some ass!" said Tyson. "It's only your first turn, and already the big boys are coming out!"
"So be it," said Crystal. "My Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand's ability kicks in. I will banish your Lich Lord from the game and he gains 100 ATK and DEF times the level of the targeted monster, so Felgrand gets six hundred points." (ATK/3400 DEF/3400) "That will do it for me."
"And now it is time for me to bring the pain!" said PaniK. "DRAW!"
Being the expert that he was, PaniK formed a series of combos with his spells that allowed him to Special Summon the monsters he needed to perform of Synchro Summon. Coming from a portal of darkness emerged his newest beast. Dark Highlander. (ATK/2800 DEF/2300 LV 7).
PaniK made an evil laugh.
"Now, as long as Dark Highlander is out in play, neither of us can Synchro Summon. Now for good measure, I play Monster Reborn to return none other than the King of Yamimaki in attack mode!" (ATK/2000 DEF/1530 LV 5). "I lay a card face-down, and end my turn. Patty, it's your turn, my dear."
"Fuck you!" Patty said, drawing her card. She used a spell called Worm Gate of Ha Des, which removed Dark Highlander from the game until the end of her turn. With him gone, she could perform her own Synchro Summon for the turn before he came back. Her monster, a twin-headed monstrosity known as Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons. (ATK/3000 DEF/3000 LV 8).
"Woah," said Zygor. "What a monster!"
Beelze was a strange demonic dragon. It had the body of a serpent and a torso with two long arms. On the chest were two yellow orbs that looked like eyeballs and a head came out from the torso, skinny and antlered. Two snake-like dragon heads whipped around in the darkness itching for battle. Its body was colored in scarlet red with both sides of the body lined with golden diamonds.
Patty finished her turn by using spells which aided her in searching her deck, adding what she needed to her hand. She summoned Zera the Mant through Ritual Summon, adding more power to her lineup on the field. Despite this, Bonz and PainK still had smug looks on their faces. Sid and Zygor were impressed, but not worried.
Zera the Mant
ATK/2800 DEF/2300 LV 8
"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," she said.
"So, it looks like we're up against dragons tonight, PaniK," said Bonz.
"And just look at the one Patty summoned," said PaniK. "I told you she was one with the darkness. Just look at that thing. A dragon summoned from the deepest, darkest dimensions of the Shadow Realm."
Patty had to admit something was off with her Beelze. A Diabolic Dragon deck was very popular in the Pro Leagues, but when summoned he didn't act like this. Patty kept her eyes on the monster hissing with a sickening bloodlust on both the dragon heads. They even slithered around Patty's personal space with affection as if they were glad she summoned them.
She hated to admit it, but it looked like she and Crystal were not of this world. Both dragons that they played acted strangely when they were summoned. They were alive and happy. That was certainly not the case if someone else had summoned them.
"It can't be," said Amistad.
"What?" asked Michael. "Are you finally beginning to understand your friends are not who you thought they were?"
"But how is this possible?" Amistad asked, feeling heartbroken at the thought of Crystal leaving him. "I…I could have sworn she was a normal college girl. She…she went to University with me. We traveled the world together."
Crystal heard him. She had not the heart to look at him in his current state. Amistad was clearly devastated, and it tore her heart to pieces.
"I kissed her. I made love to her!" Amistad continued. "She felt like any other girl. But…she's an alien born from an egg. Born from another world."
"That doesn't change a thing!" Crystal said, eyes focused on the field. Her two dragons hissed and snarled alongside Patty's. Her club dress waved dramatically in the stormy wind.
"It changes everything," said Jeannie. "What's going to happen to us? What's going to happen to the company that's been given to you? Patty…Crystal…You can't leave. You've been like sisters to me."
Jeannie got on her knees and wept.
"So, that's it, huh?" said Nick. "Just going to change our lives and go?"
"Shut up, Nick!" shouted Patty. "We're not going anywhere! We're staying here! I don't care what any of these Termnnians say about us. This is our home! This is where we were born! You are the only family we need! Jeannie, baby, it's okay."
"She's right," said Crystal. "We're not going anywhere."
Michael scoffed. "They're stubborn I'll give them that."
"So be it," said Loxley. "The Titan is all I need anyway. It would have been nice to have the Golden Egg to come along with us. And perhaps unravel the mystery behind Patty's darkness."
"Some mysteries are better left unsolved, handsome," said Patty.
"This is all so very touching," said PaniK. "But I believe Patty ended her turn. Therefore, the effect of your Worm Gate of Ha Des wears off, and now my Dark Highlander returns for battle!"
The wormhole opened, releasing Dark Highlander. He floated down next to PaniK, rejoining King of Yamimaki.
"Yeah!" Bonz drew his card. "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can leave this forsaken world. "Now, Crystal, your shiny dragon may have removed my Lich Lord from the game, but I have plenty more monsters to cause you some hurt. I use the Ritual Spell, Revendread Origins. Now, I tribute these two cards from my hand and bring forth the mighty, Revendread Slayer!"
"Crystal!" Patty cried out when the creature revealed itself. "It's that monster who attacked us in the club!"
"Yeah, sure looks like it," Crystal agreed.
Revendread Slayer
ATK/2400 DEF/0
LV 6
"Now listen up," said Bonz, "because this is going to get really interesting. The monsters I sacrificed for my Revendread Slayer may have exceeded the Level he has, but it's totally worth it for these two nasty effects. First off, I sacrificed my Vendread Revenants, and in doing so they give my Revendread Slayer a special ability. I can target one Special Summoned monster on the field and banish it. And I choose Zera the Mant!"
Revendread Slayer's bladed appendages cut Zera down to size and rid him from the field.
"NO!" shouted Patty. "ZERA!"
"And it only gets much worse," said Bonz. "The second monster I used to Ritual Summon Revendread Slayer was my Vendread Chimera. And when this nasty creature is used for a Vendread Ritual Summon, all of your monsters will lose 500 ATK points."
Vendread Chimera rose from the ground. It was an unshapely mutant, mix-matched with various creatures from dragons, dinosaurs, and even bugs. It opened its mouth and released a virus into the air that infected their monsters.
"Oy, nice moves boss!" said Sid.
"Yeah, ya got 'em on da ropes now!" cheered Zygor.
Bonz, loving the admiration from his friends, held out his arm dramatically and commanded the attack. "Now, Revendread Slayer! Attack Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons!"
"Hold up!" said Tyson. "Your virus may have weakened their dragons, but Beelze is still stronger than your Revendread Slayer by 100 points. It's a suicide attack!"
"Wrong pea-brain!" said Bonz. "Once per turn, I can discard a Zombie monster from my Graveyard, and my Revendread Slayer gains 300 extra attack points. Do the math, junior! That's two hundred points stronger than Patty's miserable dragon!"
Revendread Slayer slashed at Beelze multiple times but to no effect. Sparks flew into the air, illuminating the darkness of the ruins for a few brief seconds before he gave up and returned to Bonz. Patty still lost 200 Life Points, dropping her down to 3800.
"What happened?" said Bonz. "Why wasn't your dragon destroyed?"
PaniK sniggered. "Because Beelze is a powerful beast of pure darkness who cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects."
"Wh-what!" said Bonz.
"That's not all," said Patty. "When involved in battle, Beelze gains ATK equal to the damage I took, raising his ATK to 2700."
PaniK laughed and looked down at Bonz. "Don't underestimate someone who is one with the darkness like Patty is."
"You're starting to annoy me," said Patty. "Are you done or what, zombie boy?"
Bonz looked at his hand and growled. Yup. He was done. "Argh, I end my turn."
"My turn," said Crystal. "Draw! I will attack PaniK's King of Yamimaki with my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand!"
"I think not!" said PaniK. "Reveal face-down card: Shadow Spell. This card will stop your dragon's attack and reduce his ATK by 700 points!"
Black chains made of darkness made solid slithered out of the ground and wrapped themselves all around Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand's body. The dragon writhed and struggled to get free.
"Don't even tink about it!" sneered Zygor. "Youze ain't goin' nowhere!"
"That's what you think!" said Patty. "Activate face-down card! Trap Jammer! This will negate your trap's activation and destroy it, so now Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand is free."
Crystal smiled and looked at Patty, jumping with excitement. "Patty I could kiss you right now!"
"Hey, I'd love to see that," said Nick.
Jeannie whacked him behind the head.
"Ow!"
Patty looked at her partner and grinned. "Why so happy?"
"Because," said Crystal, "since you've countered their trap, I can summon this baby to the field. Behold, Van'Dalgyon the Dark Dragon Lord!"
The large purple, humanoid dragon landed on the field with a great crash, that shook the ground. He spread his wings sending dust everywhere.
Van'Dalgyon the Dark Dragon Lord
ATK/2800 DEF/2500
LV 8
"And now for his special ability," said Patty. "Because I countered your Trap Card's effect, Crystal's Van' Dalgyon can destroy one card on the field. So, say goodbye to your Dark Highlander!"
Van'Dalgyon held his hands over one another and created a large ball of energy colored dark metal purple-tinged with black. He launched the energy ball at Dark Highlander and destroyed him.
"NO!" roared PaniK.
But it wasn't over. Felgrand continued his attack and incinerated the King of Yamimaki. PaniK's Life Points went down to 3900.
Crystal laughed. "And now that he's destroyed your monster, Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand's effect activates. I can Special Summon 1 dragon from my Graveyard, so here comes Tyrant Dragon!"
Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand held out his hand and created a portal of golden light that formed into an arcane circle. Tyrant Dragon came flying out of the circle and joined the battle.
"But he can't be Special Summoned without a tribute," said Crystal, "so I have to send my Infernal Dragon to the Graveyard." She held the card to her lips. "Thank you," she said and kissed the card before putting it in the Graveyard.
"Your dragon won't be around for long!" shouted Bonz. "Remember, once per turn, my Revendread Slayer can banish a Special Summoned monster from the game! Say goodbye to your Tyrant Dragon!"
"NO!" Crystal shouted in despair as Revendread jumped into the air and sliced Tyrant Dragon's head off.
"Aw man," said Nick. "That's one sick monster!"
"You're going to pay for that!" said Crystal. "Your Revendread Slayer won't kill another one of my dragons, I'll see to that! Because now I overlay my Divine Dragon Lord Felgrand and Van'Dalgyon to Xyz Summon, Hieratic Sun Dragon, Overlord of Heliopolis!"
A dragon that was created from the flames of a bright sun and armored in gold, trimmed in white forged itself from fire coming out of Crystal's heart. The flaming dragon stood ten meters tall. When he finally emerged into the world, he let out a great cry that rang across Athens.
Hieratic Sun Dragon, Overlord of Heliopolis
ATK/3000 DEF/2400
Rank 8
"You never fail to impress, babe," said Patty, staring at the monster triumphantly standing over Crystal. "Your dragons are incredible."
"Well, wait till you see what he can do," said Crystal. "I remove an Xyz Material from my dragon, and tribute monsters from my hand or my field, and destroy cards my opponents have on the field equal to the amount I destroyed. I only need one. So, say so long to your disgusting Revendread Slayer, Bonz."
"Augh! Oh no!" Bonz shouted in despair.
Hieratic Sun Dragon summoned a column of flames that spun towards Bonz's most lethal monster and burned him to ashes.
"I set a card face-down, and end my turn," said Crystal.
"Ha! There!" Nick boasted, pointing at Bonz and PaniK. "Where's all that tough-guy talk now? You losers don't have any monsters and our friends have some of the most powerful dragons in the game ready to take you down."
"Is that so?" said PaniK. "Well, you're a complete and utter fool if you think we're through. But what can you expect from a feeble little mind of an Earthlings? My turn. Draw! Yes, perfect. I have drawn a card that will lead to your demise this night, ladies!"
He showed them the card.
Carter scoffed. "Is that all you've got? A Despair from the Dark? His attack points are formidable, but he requires two tributes to be summoned, and you don't have any monsters on the field for such…"
"Shut the fuck up, Poindexter!" shouted PaniK. "I am well aware of what's on my field. This isn't my first time playing the game you know. True, Despair from the Dark is a powerful monster, but rest assured, this is his weakest form."
"Weakest form?" asked Patty. "I didn't know Despair from the Dark had any other forms."
"There is a lot about our world that you don't know, my dear," said PaniK.
"We have cards out there that can make mincemeat out of your puny little dragons," said Bonz. "Watch, and we'll show you. PaniK. It's time to summon our most supreme monster!"
"Indeed, it is," PaniK said, sticking out a fork-like tongue. "I play Polymerization, and fuse Despair from the Dark with two dark monsters in my hand!"
"And two from mine!" Bonz said holding up his tributes.
The clouds above the Acropolis began to swirl violently until they created a vortex to an unholy world. Lightning flashed in the sky.
PaniK held out his arms, laughing as the summoning was complete. "From the deepest depths of Yami come forth, the almighty lieutenant of Zorc Necrophades. Emerge into this pitiful world and wreak your vengeance upon my foes! Rise! Level 12! Despair the Supreme Dark!"
A titan of shadow rose out of the ground giving out a horrid screech as though a thousand women were shouting frightfully in unison. He was more than 200 meters tall. A creature that was darkness, pure darkness formed into a living creature. His wings spread, spanning 400 feet. Burning red eyes pierced the night and a mouth with flames as though it were a portal to Hades. Lightning flashed revealing a brief silhouette of the beast. He had a muscular chest and powerful arms as long as a skyscraper.
Despair the Supreme Dark
ATK/5000 DEF/4800
LV 12
Jeannie whined and buried her face in Nick's arm. "What is that?" she cried.
"The biggest Duel Monster I've ever seen," Tyson yelled over the wind. "Five thousand attack points? How is that even fair?"
"How can they stop that thing, guys?" Nick said, looking at Michael and Loxley. "You guys are Terminals, right? You've got to know something about that monster?"
"I've never seen it before in my life," said Loxley. "Probably forged by Bakura to aid them in this Duel no doubt."
"That's just a hunch," said Michael. "As for how to destroy him, I'm not sure. A beast like that has to come with special abilities."
Sid laughed from his spot, balling his fists with triumph. Zygor howled like a drunken wolf and pounded his thick, barrel-like chest.
"Look at our new monster!" he shouted. "Dere ain't nothin' yooze got dat can take him down!"
"You're fucked ladies!" said Sid, joining in on Zygor's laughter.
"It must be a Termnnian card," said Patty. "I've never heard of that thing before."
"Now I'm beginning to understand Yuri's predicament with Black Tyranno," said Crystal. "Just look at that thing."
"Well, the bigger they are, the harder they fall!" said Patty. "We can take him down!"
"No, you can't," said Bonz. "Despair the Supreme Dark is unlike any monster you've ever seen, or ever will see again after we're done with you bitches. First off, he cannot be destroyed in battle or by card effects. And that's just one of his many deadly abilities!"
"You mean he has more?"
"Yes," hissed PaniK. "Let me show you! Despair the Supreme Dark! Attack Hieratic Sun Dragon!"
Despair screeched and grabbed Crystal's Sun Dragon.
"NO!" cried Crystal, watching her beast get grabbed by the towering behemoth.
He squeezed with all his might causing the dragon to screech in despair.
Zygor loved the sight. "Dat's it! Squeeze da life outta dat puny dragon!"
The dragon's life force was being sucked out of his body. Then, PaniK's Life Points increased to 6900.
"His Life Points went up!" shouted Nick.
"Must be one of his special abilities," said Loxley.
"You are so right," said PaniK. "When my Despair attacks a monster, my Life Points will increase equal to the ATK points of the target monster."
"Only the best for Bakura's minions," said Michael.
The blue light of dawn began to outline the horizon around Athens causing him to worry because he could not stand the light of day, but with Despair the Supreme Dark as his beast, he was confident he could end the game soon. The Sun Dragon shattered to pieces. The battle dealt 2000 points of damage to Crystal's Life Points. The powerful gust of shadow knocked her on her back.
PaniK pointed and laughed at Crystal. "This Duel is ours!"
PaniK-6900
Bonz-4000
Patty-3800
Crystal-2000
Patty ran for her friend and helped her up. "Come on, Crystal! If you lose, I lose with you."
"That's not going to happen, babe," said Crystal. "We're down, but not out. I think it's your turn."
"Yeah, don't worry, though. I'll find a way for us to take down that beast."
"You do that," Crystal said, wiping dirt off her dress. It was torn at the hem. "Well, I guess this dress's clubbing days are over."
"Don't sweat it," said Patty. "Consuelo knows a thing or two about sewing. She'll have that dress up and running in no time once we get back to Aquarius."
"Sounds good, Pats, let's see what you can whip up this turn."
"You got it, babe," said Patty. "Let's win this game and head home. DRAW!"
She played a spell, a risky one, known as Card of Sanctity, which forced all players to draw until they had six cards in their hand. It meant more options of Patty and for Crystal, but it also meant Bonz and PaniK had options to counter their options. Still, it was more than they had a minute ago, and she figured out a way used more spells to search her deck until she got the right cards she needed for a Fusion Summon. She used Polymerization and called upon a beast known as Dragonecro Nethersoul Dragon. He was also serpent-like in design and had a skeletal type of appearance. He towered more than five meters over Patty, snarling ferociously.
ATK/3000 DEF/0
LV 8
With ATK points like that, it was a fearsome foe to behold, but it was about to go a transformation as soon as she summoned a Dark Tuner and transformed it into Dragocytos Corrupted Nethersoul Dragon with an ATK of 4000 and a DEF of 2000. Just like Beelze, Dragocytos could not be destroyed by battle.
"I choose to end my turn, by playing three cards face down," she said. "Okay, Bonz, show us what you got."
"Oh, indeed I will," said Bonz. "Even though your Dragocytos cannot be destroyed in battle, our Despair the Supreme Dark can still attack and increase our Life Points while decreasing yours in the process. But instead, I will target Crystal and end her! Despair the Supreme Dark! Attack her Life Points directly!"
Despair the Supreme Dark raised his fist and slammed it down on Crystal. A cloud of dust erupted into the air. The impact caused the ground to quake.
"I win!" said Bonz.
"Were it so easy," said PaniK.
Even he could tell the two girls were still in the match, and he was right. Crystal was still standing; a Trap Card had activated.
"What is that?" asked Bonz.
"It's called Dragon's Blood Elixir," Crystal coughed. "With this card, I can banish a dragon from my Graveyard and increase my Life Points equal to its ATK points. I removed my Sun Dragon from the game and my Life Points went up by 3000."
"But that attack still should have destroyed you!" said Bonz. "It was an equal 5000!"
"My elixir can also reduce any damage I take by half," Crystal added. Her Life Point meter displayed 2500.
"You saved yourself for now," said Bonz. "I set a card. My turn is over."
It was Crystal's turn. She drew but shrieked feeling her body getting riddled with pain.
"Crystal?" asked Jeannie. "What's wrong?"
"She doesn't look so good, you guys," said Tyson.
Michael scoffed. "What are you guys blind? She got punched by a giant. I'm sure you'd be fine and dandy if the same thing happened to you."
"You jackass!" said Nick. "She needs help!"
Tyson could no longer contain his patience. Michael's pretentious attitude got on his last nerve. "Come on, man. Stop sneering like that. This aint no ordinary Duel."
Amistad stepped forward. "Let me take her place. She needs rest!"
"It's too late fer dat, hotshot!" said Zygor. "No one's goin' anywhere!"
"Just stay back Amistad!" said Crystal, cringing from the stinging pain. "I can handle this. Just stay back! I mean it!"
"But Crystal!"
"Hey, when we get back to the hotel, you can give me a massage." She sealed the deal with a flirtatious wink. "Clothing optional," she added.
"Oooo," hooted Patty, she started shaking her hips.
For the first time the entire night, Amistad smiled. Even in the face of danger, the two of them found the courage to start joking around. "Well, that sounds enticing. Do me a favor and win, okay."
"You got it," said Crystal. "Patty, I hope you don't mind, but can I borrow your Nethersoul Dragon?"
"Ha!" Patty laughed. "I read you loud and clear." She gave Crystal a thumbs up. "Go for it."
"Just what are you planning?" PaniK was not happy with their sudden cheer, especially not with a monster like Despair the Supreme Dark on his side of the field. "No matter, my monster cannot be destroyed in battle."
Crystal chuckled defiantly at PaniK. "No, he can't. But you can still be attacked and take damage."
"So, what?" said Bonz. "Your dragons are too puny to take on Despair."
"You sure about that?" Patty said, turning on the ATK point meter for Despair.
"WHAT!" shouted PaniK. "What's happening!"
Bonz too noticed something was off with the attack points. "Hey! What the hell happened? His ATK just decreased to 2500!"
Patty folded her arms. "My Nethersoul Dragon is the cause of that. During our Standby Phase, he can half the ATK points of a monster, and what's more, you take damage equal to those points. Bonz. You haven't taken any hits, so be a dear and take the damage."
"WAIT!" cried Bonz, seeing Nethersoul Dragon launch a powerful jet of flames at Bonz. His Life Points went down to 1500. "AAARRGGH!" Bonz cried as the flames enveloped him.
Crystal sniggered at his misery. "I set three cards face-down. And end my turn."
"Come on," said Jeannie. "One more hit and Bonz loses."
"And the match will be won," said Amistad. "For if just one of the partner's Life Points reaches zero, the game ends."
"I think not," said PaniK. "For now, it's my turn. I will attack your Nethersoul Dragon with my Despair the Supreme Dark!"
Nethersoul Dragon was destroyed, and PaniK's Life Points increased to 9900.
PaniK-9900
Bonz-1500
Crystal-2500
Patty-2800
"Oh, the suspense is killing me!" said Jeannie. "No matter what Patty and Crystal summon, those two creeps find a way to stay on top!"
"It's that Despair the Supreme Dark," Amistad commented, looking at the foul creature in the eyes. "It's not fair. His attack points are at the top of the charts and he can increase their Life Points with each attack!"
"Have faith in your friends," said Michael. "They might just turn this around. You guys give up way too quickly."
"My turn," said Patty. "Draw!"
On this turn, after searching through her deck with spells that granted her the cards she needed, Patty transformed Beelze into an even fiercer creature. Beelzeus of the Diabolic Dragons. Beelze gained armor. His body turned from red to a deep purple. The golden diamond turned into glowing lavender orbs. His arms became muscular and the body thicker. The orbs on the chest grew larger and translucent, and it even formed a mouth. The heads growled as they grew an even fierce look. The head that emerged from the torso grew long, wavy black hair.
Beelzeus of the Diabolic Dragons
ATK/4000 DEF/4000
LV 10
"Another impressive dragon," said Bonz. "Too bad it won't do you any good. Our monster will bring you both to defeat piece by painful piece. And with the end of your turn, comes mine. I will attack Crystal directly!"
"No, you won't," said Crystal. "I reveal my Trap Card. Hallowed Life Barrier. I discard a card and the damage I receive turns to 0."
"They're starting to get on my nerves!" said Bonz.
"No matter," said Panik. "There's only so much they can do before we finish them once and for all."
But he couldn't be any more wrong. It was time to end the game. It was time to reclaim the Titan. Crystal placed her fingers on the top of her deck. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
I will never forget you, my friend. I don't know where you are, but rest assured, I'm always thinking of you. And I know you'll always be there for me. Do me a favor and aid me in this Duel. Guide me to victory, baby.
She drew her card, holding it up high for a moment before she gathered the courage to look at it. She smiled. Tears dripped from her eyes.
I love you.
Crystal opened the musical necklace. The only keepsake she had of Yuri's.
The song she called Passionate Duelist played in the music box.
"FOR YURI!" she shouted, holding up the card.
It was Return of the Dragon Lords. With it, she revived her Felgrand Dragon and summoned a Tuner to perform a Synchro Summon. She summoned a three-headed dragon called Trident Dragon. At fifty meters tall, he was an impressive beast. He was red on top and vanilla on the bottom. Each of his three-horned heads had bright green eyes and his wings spanned across the Acropolis.
Trident Dragon
ATK/3000 DEF/2800
LV 10
"I was hoping you'd play that," said Patty. "You know what you have to do, right?"
Crystal nodded. "I will use Beezeus's effect!" she announced. "Once per turn, I can target one of your monsters and reduce its ATK to 0."
Bonz and PaniK both gasped in fear as the realization of their failure began to sink in.
"And this will prove to be the beginning of the end. I will use my Trident Dragon's effect. When he's Synchro Summoned, I can destroy two cards I control, so my face-down cards go bye-bye. And in doing so, he gains one additional attack for each card I destroyed this turn."
"That's three attacks!" said Jeannie.
"They're gonna win!" said Tyson.
"NO!" cried PaniK.
The three dragon heads charged up their attacks and fired at Beezeus one by one, striking him in the chest.
PaniK shouted in horror while shielding his face with his massive forearm from the blasts. His coat swayed in the fierce gusts created by the blasts. 3000 times three was 9000 points of damage.
Trident Dragon lowered its heads, breathing heavily to recover from the attacks it launched. Smoke billowed in between their teeth.
"And that still leaves Beelzeus!" said Patty. "Mind if I do the honors, Crystal?"
"Let's do it together!" said Crystal.
"This is for Yuri you sons o' bitches!" Patty said through clamped teeth, seething with fury.
"NO!" cried Bonz.
Sid was ready to run away. "I told ya we should have taken the Titan and ran!"
"Boss do something!" roared Zygor.
"I c-can't!" said Bonz.
"Say goodnight, PaniK!" said Patty.
Beelzeus's dragon heads charged up their attacks and fired blood-red laser beams at Despair the Supreme Dark.
The monstrous creature whom Bonz and PaniK claimed was invincible screeched in defeat and anguish as the blast went right through him.
Despair the Supreme Dark turned into a column of black smoke and returned to the Shadow Realm from whence he came. With no partner to continue on with, Bonz's remaining Life Points went down to 0 as well.
"They did it!" cheered Tyson. "YES!"
Bonz sulked to his knees in defeat. He looked around and noticed that PaniK was gone.
"Hey, where did you go?"
Just then, Commander Meloni and his men stormed up the hill to the ruins pointing their weapons at Bonz and his gang.
"Easy! Easy!" said Zygor, going on his knees and putting his hands on his head.
"Oy, oy, take it easy lads?" said Sid as the soldier surrounded him.
"GET DOWN FROM THERE!" a soldier shouted. "HAVE YOU NO RESPECT!?"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm getting down now."
Meloni approached with Bailey by his side. She was bandaged up from her fall but was still okay.
"That's him, dad," she said, adjusting her cap.
"Where's your boss?" said Meloni.
Bonz looked around stupidly. "Uh…boss?"
"Don't play stupid with me, asshole!" said Meloni. He searched Bonz and removed the Titan from his person. "You're in a lot of trouble. Bonz, you and your flunkies are under arrest for meddling in other worlds. Summoning monsters in another world. And destruction of public property. You three bastards aren't going to see the light of day again, I promise you. It's the Dark Tower of Domino for you."
"NO!" cried Bonz, as Bailey handcuffed him. "NOT THE DARK TOWER!"
"Wait!" said Zygor, as he was constrained, too. "Come on, we didn't mean it!"
Meloni looked at the kids, gathering around Crystal and Patty. "You kids going to be okay?" he asked.
"We are now, thanks," said Crystal. "Where's Black Tyranno?"
"He took off into the countryside," said Meloni. "Don't worry we'll find him. You kids look like you've gone through hell tonight." He handed them a wad of Euros. "For your trouble. Treat yourselves to a big breakfast, and relax. You're in sunny beautiful, Athens after all. We'll take care of the rest."
"Thanks," said Crystal, taking the money. "And thank you. For all, you've done. I think it's best that this world doesn't know about yours."
"Right," said Meloni. "I'm sorry I have to do this to you guys, but you need a memory wipe."
"Hey!" said Nick. "Come on, cut us some slack!"
"Yeah, we knew Yuri!" said Carter. "Are you going to be so cruel as to make us forget about our friend?"
"They did help us out dad," Bailey said looking up at her father. "Give 'em a break."
Meloni sighed. "Very well. But you guys are under oath to secrecy. If any of this gets out, we're not arresting anyone. You're under pain of death, got it?"
"Yes sir," said Nick. "You won't have to worry about a thing."
"Hmm," said Meloni. He looked at Bailey. "And as for you, we need to get your supplies for school."
"School?" Amistad asked, rubbing Crystal's shoulders.
"My little one is going to university at a prestigious school in our world," said Meloni. "Your pal Yuri was supposed to go there next month. I'm sorry about your loss, by the way. Speaking of which, any of you guys know a lad named Darius?"
"Yeah," said Loxley. "He was captured by Bakura. Did you find him."
Meloni went silent. "Just bits and pieces."
Loxley froze. "I see."
"They were looking for the Titan. Do you have it?"
Loxley nodded.
"Good. Make sure this card goes to its rightful owner. Termnnia needs a king, and word on the street is, we've found one."
"Yeah," Loxley said with a nod. "Michael. Let's get going."
"I'll go with you," said Ren. "It seems I have no place here anymore."
"Got that right," said Patty. "Do as all a favor and get out of our lives. All of you!"
"No need to tell me twice," said Michael, stepping away from the group. "This world is so boring."
"Hey," said Bailey. "Eredas has a new king now. Prince Michael is back!"
"That's not our place," said Meloni. "We'll let those government big wigs decide what to do with the prince."
"And Black Tyranno?" Crystal asked.
"He's no longer your concern," said Meloni. "Ask about our affairs again, and we're wiping your memories clean, understand? Your time with us is over. So just forget about what you saw tonight and move on with your lives. MOVE OUT!" said Meloni, leading his troops down the hill. Bonz, Sid, and Zygor followed in chains; their heads hung in shame.
"Well, I don't know about you guys," said Tyson. "But I'm up for some breakfast and a shower."
"Same here," said Amistad. "Besides, this one owes me a massage."
"I think it was the other way around," said Crystal. "But that's going to be for later. I'll catch up with you guys. I just…I need to be alone for a moment."
"If you want," said Patty. "But I think we need to stick together. The night is over, but there's still the possibility this Bakura character and his friends are still out there."
"He's no longer around," said Crystal.
"How do you know?" asked Jeannie.
Crystal shrugged. "I can feel it."
"Whatever you say," said Amistad. "You know where to find us. And don't take long, we have a flight to catch later."
"Of course," said Crystal. "Don't worry about me."
She left her friends behind and took a long walk to the city center where a beautiful fountain was still illuminated despite the sky turning metallic blue from dawn. Even though she had won the match, won the Titan, and got to stay on Earth with her friends, she now had to cope with the fact that she was never going to see Yuri again. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Three years. After three long years of worrying her head off her shoulders and weeping to the sea, she just learned that Yuri was gone.
She heard the clip-clop of hooves. She raised her head up, searching for the horse and rider she was sure was coming to approach her. But it was still dark. She couldn't see. Then he came into view at last. A knight adorned in platinum armor and a white cloth-of-gold cape rode in from the shadows of the waning night. He was not wearing a helmet, but his face was still hidden in the dark behind wavy black hair that resembled smoke. To her shock, the ground began to quake as Black Tyranno stomped from out of nowhere and stood behind the knight.
Crystal wanted to run, but her curiosity got the best of her. Just who was he?
The lights from the fountain revealed a smile across the knight's face. Black Tyranno sniffed the air and grumbled.
"You?" breathed Crystal. It was the knight from her dreams. "It's you! You're here to send him home aren't you?"
The knight said nothing and took a healthy red rose from his cape. He smiled, filling Crystal's weary soul with warmth. He kissed the rose affectionately and tossed it at Crystal. It fell gently to her feet.
Crystal picked it up and sniffed it. The scent was far sweeter than any rose she had ever smelled.
The knight then turned to leave after opening a portal of light behind him. Black Tyranno bowed his head as if to say: 'Goodbye'.
Crystal did curtsey and watched as the knight and the Black Tyranno vanished into the portal. When he did, a loud screech echoed in the dawn's sky. Crystal looked up and saw a golden dragon flying out of the clouds. It was massive and radiating a bright, red, aura.
The Winged Dragon of Ra was in Athens.