Act 7: Excess Express.
43: Fawful's Fury.
We have a new location on the map.
However getting to that new location is proven to be problematic, not to forget the warning Azrael gave us, we're up against Exodus now and we don't know what we can expect from him.
Mario showed the map to Professor Frankly.
'Now this here is a problem.' The professor spoke, he pointed at a line on the map that went from Rogueport to the new location. 'Your next Crystal Star is located in Poshley Heights, that place is a remote city where the rich and famous people live.' Frankly turned around he looked through his drawers then he pulled out another map. 'As you can see on this map there was a road once leading to Poshley Heights however the road fell into disrepair and there was no money to repair it nor did anyone care because a more convenient way was introduced.' Frankly tapped the line on the second map. 'A railroad, the Excess Express the fasted train in the region, a luxurious train and affordable as well, however with all the problems of late Don Pianta got his hands on the train.' Frankly sighted: 'And ever since Don Pianta got his hands on that train the prices are off the rails!' Everyone looked at Frankly but nobody laughed.
'Well.' Mario said while he stood up from his chair: 'I have dealt with Don Pianta before, we did end his turf war with Ishnail that got the prices of the blimp to drop, he must have a reason for the train prices to be so high, maybe we could help him again?'
Mario knocked on the heavy door, slowly it opened up. 'Mario!' Don Pianta roared as soon as the Duelist.
Don Pianta as always sat behind his desk, the door was opened by one of the employees of the casino, Mario saw a lot of paperwork in front of the Don, a huge banner hang behind him on the wall it read: ''Don Pianta for Mayor!''
On the floor stood several carton boxes filled with buttons with a picture of Don Pianta on it with the word ''Mayor'' written under it.
'What can I help ya wit.' Don Pianta asked.
'It looks like you're doing well for yourself.' Mario said, Don Pianta smiled.
'Ya got dat right, after Ishmail's unfortunate... accident I saw the crime that plagued this town, I decided that it would be time for a new mayor, so I decided to hold elections, competition rises from every corner, but I am far ahead.' Don Pianta stood up. 'This time I am doing things fair, no blackmailing or intimidation, Mario ya showed me the light, I have plans for this city.' Don took one of the badges and handed it over to Mario.
'Now what can I do for ya?' Don sat down behind his desk again, Mario also took a chair and sat down.
'I need to go to Poshley Heights, the only way to get there is by train, which is very expansive.'
Don laughed. 'Ya still after them Crystal Stars?'
Mario nodded.
'I can help ya lot.' Don Pianta said: 'If yer willing ta do something for me first.' Don Pianta looked Mario in the eyes.
'Of course I will help you.' Mario replied.
'Good, there is this guy Fawful and his crony Popple da two of them keep pestering me, they wanna buy my ground.' The Don explained.
'Any idea why?' Mario asked.
'Dat Fawful wants to use a huge drill to drill out da Thousand-Year Door, since he cannot enter it he want ta drill into the Palace of Shadows skipping the door.'
Mario shook his head in disbelieve. 'Don Pianta, Fawful is mad with power, the Palace of Shadows is not in this world, the Palace of Shadows is located in the Dark World, if Fawful would drill behind the Door he would simply see the back of the door, however drilling behind the door would cause a gigantic sinkhole destroying most of, if not all of Rogueport.' Mario stood up. 'Don Pianta if I will deal with Fawful and Popple will you get me on the train?'
Don Pianta nodded: 'How I see it Mario by taking out Fawful ya help everyone, besides when I am mayor I will fix the road to Poshley Heights so people can get there by car, dat way I will be able to lower da prices of da Excess Express, I had to rise prices because of the state of da railroad it won't hold out for another year.'
Mario and Don Pianta shook hands after they had made the deal.
As Mario exited the casino a familiar face was waiting for him. 'Ruby.' Mario groaned.
'I have come only to talk.' Ruby spoke, she showed her hands to show she was unarmed.
'Can you do it fast? I am in a bit of a hurry.' Mario replied a bit annoyed.
'Yes I know you are I have overheard you talking to the Don, you want to get rid of Fawful, I know where he is.'
This piqued Mario's interest. 'I want to get rid of Fawful as well.' Ruby quickly started to explain: 'You know the guild I am a member of together with Fawful, Popple, Simon Croco and Faust, well we all know Faust used our resources for his own evil plans, since he disappeared and Simon landed in jail it was Fawful who wanted to continue the guild, Popple simply follows Fawful because Fawful promised Popple power, I however don't want to see that Faust's research ends in Fawful's hand, I have given the local authorities the location of the base they will deal with Faust's research, I want to tie up the loose ends Popple and Fawful.'
'So what do you want to do Ruby?' Mario asked.
'Well if you don't mind I want to join your group.'
Mario was surprised by her answer. 'I can see why, you've given us hints in the past, Ruby if you can show me you really want to help us out and this is not some sort of trick you may come with us if the others agree.'
Ruby and Mario shook hands to seal the deal. 'So if I take out Fawful and Popple that will prove it?' She asked, Mario nodded.
'Good, Mario follow me to the east side of Rogueport that is where Popple is at the moment, if I take Popple out that is sure to draw out Fawful.'
The moment Mario and Ruby entered the eastern parts of Rogueport they saw Popple pickpocketing an inattentive woman. 'Popple!' Ruby bellowed, the Shadow Thief froze on the spot.
'Ruby! To what do I owe the pleasure?' Popple asked.
'I'm here to take you down, I've already called the police, they are on their way, the police knows where Faust's hideout is they will soon raid it.'
Popple slowly backed away as Ruby moved closer to him. 'You fear me.' She said with a smirk. 'I'm not afraid of you.' Popple whimpered.
'You are and you always were.' Ruby pointed at Popple and the Shadow Thief cowered down to the ground as if lightning would simply strike him down. 'You are marked.' Ruby said with a smile. 'From now we are locked in a Duel by my psychic powers, once a winner is declared the loser of the Duel passes out, I am not here to kill you Popple, but when you wake up you will be in a nice police cell.' Ruby activated her Duel Disk, Popple's Duel Disk also activated, a wire made of pure energy came out of Ruby's chest and connected itself to Popple's chest.
'You won't take me!' Popple suddenly roared seemingly full of confidence. 'Fawful has a plan see and I will make sure he can complete it!'
Popple drew his opening hand, as did Ruby. 'Popple.' She said: 'When I am done with you I'll go after Fawful, it is time this little guild of ours gets disbanded, Faust wanted to use our talents for his own benefit, he disappeared and you and Fawful only want to use Faust's legacy to cause chaos.' Ruby also drew her opening hand. 'Duel!' Both of them shouted.
(Popple: 8000) - (Ruby: 8000)
'I will start this Duel, because I do not care about letting ladies go first see.'
Ruby sighted but said nothing.
'I'm gonna start out by Normal Summoning Chronomaly Mud Golem.' Before Popple appeared a human-sized Japanese Dogu, it had one glowing, yellow eyes and it carried two short swords. (1700 ATK)
'Now that I control a Chronomaly Monster I can Special Summon Chronomaly Moai see.' Next to the Dogu appeared the typical statue found on Easter Island, this one had lines painted across it's face. (1600 DEF)
'I end my turn.'
Ruby drew her hand, she took a long look at her cards, she smiled which Popple didn't see then she looked up. 'I'll pass.' She said.
This made Popple laugh like crazy. 'I will take you down Ruby! Then Fawful will reward me, I will be famous see!'
Popple drew his card. 'First I change my Moai to Attack Mode.' The yellow lines across the statue's face started to glow. (1800 ATK)
'Next I Summon Chronomaly Crystal Bones see!' The thing that appeared next was exactly what it was called, an entire skeleton minus the skull completely made of crystal. (1300 ATK)
'Now I'll launch a triple direct attack see!' Both the Dogu and the Moai shot lasers at Ruby the Crystal Bones walked up to Ruby and punched her in the stomach.
(Popple: 8000) - (Ruby: 3200)
'Are you done?' Ruby asked annoyed, this surprised Popple to say the least. 'You can act tough all you want, you won't last another turn see!' He yelled.
Ruby drew her card. 'I don't need to last another turn.' She took three cards from her hand. 'I activate Polymerization and I Fuse Gem-Knights Alexandrite and Tourmaline!' Two warriors appeared one wore silver armor the other golden, both armors were decorated with gem stones, the two Monsters swirled together. 'I Fusion Summon Gem-Knight Topaz!' A bigger warrior clad in orange-brown appeared, his cape flowed in the wind. (1800 ATK)
'Next I use a second Polymerization.' Ruby continued, again the vortex opened up. 'This time I Fuse Gem-Knights Obsidian, Ruby and Emerald!' Three warriors appeared one clad in black armor with a ring of black beads around him, the second one wore red armor the third wore green armor. 'I Fusion Summon Gem-Knight Lady Brilliant Diamond!' This time the lady in grayish armor appeared, her red cape flowed in the wind she held her sword pointed at Popple, the diamonds that decorated her armor shone in the sunlight. (3400 ATK)
'Now.' Ruby continued: 'I Release Topaz so I can Special Summon Gem-Knight Master Diamond from my Extra Deck!'
Topaz and Lady looked at each other, Topaz disappeared, the sword of Lady started to glow, she then slammed the sword into the ground, a pentagram appeared and out of the pentagram came the male warrior clad in heavy armor, his sword decorated with several gems. (2900- 3500 ATK)
'I use the Effect of Master Diamond, I Banish Topaz so Master Diamond gets it's Effect.' Master Diamond became a tad weaker. (3500- 3400 ATK)
Next the gigantic sword started to glow. 'Master Diamond can attack twice now and when it destroys a Monster you lose Life Points equal to the Attack Points it has in the Graveyard!' Ruby crossed her arms, Popple took a few steps back then Master Diamond charged in, first it cleaved the Moai in half, the warrior picked up the two pieces of Moai and crushed Mud Golem between the two pieces, then he took the sword back in it's hand a mighty swing of the sword send Popple flying the Shadow Thief landed on his back, next Lady Brilliant Diamond charged in she shattered the Crystal Bones, Popple wanted to scream but his Life Points quickly reached zero, before the Shadow Thief could react Ruby's spell kicked in and he passed out.
(Popple: 0) - (Ruby: 3200)
Ten minutes later Popple got loaded in the back of a police van.
At that moment the rest of Mario's friends came around the corner.
'Where did they come from?' Ruby stammered.
'I texted Mallow and asked him to come here, I've explained things and he would relay it to the group.' Mario explained.
'Yes, we've discussed things and we are willing to give Ruby a chance, but if this is a trick it is over for her.'
When they were all done introducing themselves to Ruby and shaking hands Ruby's D-Gazer started to beep.
'It's Fawful, he got wind of the fact that I took down Popple and that Faust's hideout got raided, he want to end things at the docks.'
A few minutes later Mario and Ruby arrived at the docks, the rest of the group stayed behind at the inn.
Fawful was standing with his back to Ruby and Mario he was gazing out to sea.
'Ruby.' Fawful spoke as he slowly turned around.
'My research is the salad topping on the delicious salad that is Faust's research.' He activated his Duel Disk, his glasses sprung to life as his D-Gazer went active, Ruby put on her mask that was her D-Gazer then she activated her Duel Disk. 'You always underestimated me!' Fawful yelled: 'I will have fury!'
Ruby pointed at Fawful the same thin line that had connected Ruby and Popple earlier now connected her and Fawful. 'So you used your powers to connect us? Fawful will wash over you as a group of ants over a bowl of syrup!' The scientist cackled.
(Ruby: 8000) - (Fawful: 8000)
'I shall start this off.' Ruby stated after seeing her opening hand, she picked a card. 'I Summon gem-Knight Garnet.' Before Ruby appeared the knight clad in red armor, a garnet etched into the chest of it's armor. (1900 ATK)
'I end my turn.'
Fawful looked over his hand, then he drew his card. 'My fury starts here!' The crazy scientist said, he opened his Field Spell slot: 'Fawful has a plan and that plan starts with Toon Kingdom!' Everyone in the vicinity was lifted from the ground as a green book materialized under them, a castle made out of beige bricks popped up from the pages, it had three towers one of the left and right side and one in the middle, a flagpole with a red flag at the top stuck out of the middle tower, the gate made with thick iron bars was shut down, left and right of the gate stood two torches, their flames flickering in the wind, several dead trees grew in front of the castle. 'I order to activate this upgraded version of Toon World, Fawful needs to Banish three cards facedown.' The scientist proceeded by taking the top three cards from his Deck and placed them in one of his many pockets without looking at the cards.
'Now since you control a Monster and Fawful doesn't I Special Summon Toon Cyber Dragon!' The cartoon version of the big mechanical dragon popped up it's head from behind the right tower, it spewed some flames into the sky then it proceeded by chewing on the roof of the tower. (2100 ATK)
'Since Toon Cyber Dragon cannot attack the turn it is Summoned, Fawful's turn ends here.'
'Fawful I have no time for your pathetic Toon Monsters.' Ruby sighted, she drew her card. 'I activate Polymerization!' As she played the Spell card the Fusion vortex opened behind her. 'I Fuse Lapis and Lazuli!' Two female knights appeared in the vortex one wearing pinkish armor she had blue eyes and the other wore grayish armor and she had green eyes, the two Monsters started to swirl together. 'I Fusion Summon Gem-Knight Lady Lapis Lazuli!' Out of the vortex stepped a woman clad in blue robe-like armor, she had blue hair and blue eyes. (2400 ATK)
'Lapis Lazuli...' Ruby started but Fawful stopped her.
'I would consider not to attack.' Fawful said with a smug look on his face. 'While you were busy with poor Popple, Fawful has rigged the entirety of Rogueport with bombs!'
Ruby looked at Mario, slightly panicked.
'Ruby, he might be lying.' Mario said Fawful laughed as a reaction. 'Fawful speaks the truth.' He took a remote control from under his Duel Disk and pressed one of the buttons, a loud explosion was heard from the docks, black smoke quickly rose above the buildings. 'That fink-rats was a bomb under water, no damage was done, but if Fawful takes even a single point of damage all bombs will go off, the Duel Disk recognizes when Fawful takes damage from himself or from his opponent, self-inflicted damage won't trigger the bombs.'
Fawful waited a few moments so his threat could sink in. 'I have fury!' He shouted when he saw the look of despair in Ruby's eyes. 'And after you are dealt with Ruby it is the turn of those fink-rats.'
Mario grabbed Ruby by her shoulder. 'Ruby can you stall him?' He whispered. 'I can, but you can't remove those bombs by yourself.' She whispered back. 'I can't, but I have Don Pianta, he wanted us to deal with Fawful and Popple because they became a nuisance, now Fawful became a terrorist, if Don Pianta will be the next mayor of Rogueport he will have influences already I will ask him for help, once we got the bombs I'll let you know.' With these words Mario ran off.
'Fawful, I'll end my Battle Phase, then I change Garnet to Defense Mode and end my turn.' Garnet knelt down and shielded itself with it's arms. (0 DEF)
'Fawful's turn you fink-rat!' The scientist drew his card.
'I activate Toon Rollback.' Fawful inserted the Spell card in his Duel Disk.
'This allows my Toon Cyber Dragon to attack twice.' Fawful spoke: 'Since Fawful's Toon Kingdom counts as Toon World Toon Cyber Dragon can attack directly!' Ruby braced herself, Cyber Toon Dragon inhaled some air, making it's mouth ridiculously large, then it fired two laser beams in quick succession, Ruby got hit twice she was blown back a bit but she managed to hold her ground.
(Ruby: 3800) - (Fawful: 8000)
'Now Fawful Summons Toon Cannon Soldier.' The scientist continued the comical version of the real Cannon Soldier appeared before him. 'Now Fawful releases Toon Cannon Soldier and Special Summon Toon Dark Magician Girl!' The Cannon Soldier exploded into confetti, from out of the confetti appeared a Chibi version of the real Dark Magician Girl, she winked at Ruby, when Ruby gave no reaction she puffed her cheeks and looked away. (2000 ATK)
'Fawful's turn end for now, and next turn I shall wash over you like flees over a dog!'
'Yes Fawful go on, keep gloating like that.' Ruby thought, she drew her card. 'I Normal Summon Gem-Knight Iolite!' A knight clad in blue armor appeared before Ruby, it had two guns attached to it's wrists. (1300 ATK)
'Next I Set a card facedown and I end my turn.' Ruby concluded her turn as a hidden card appeared vertically behind her Iolite.
'Fawful's turn! And this turn Fawful will see your tears of salt!' The scientist drew his card. 'You'll have to wait Fawful.' Ruby said: 'I activate Threatening Roar!' Ruby's Trap card spun around, a deafening roar sounded over the Field both Toon Dark Magician Girl and Toon Cyber Dragon drew back behind the castle.
'Cowards!' Fawful roared: 'I Release the both of you for Toon Dark Magician!' Toon Dark Magician Girl and Toon Cyber Dragon disappeared into an explosion of confetti out pf the cloud of confetti came the Chibi version of Dark Magician, he made rude gestures with his hands and staff. (2500 ATK)
'Fawful uses the Effect of Toon Dark Magician, by discarding a Toon card Toon Dark Magician can Special Summon a Toon Monster from Fawful's Deck!' Fawful showed a regular Toon World card before he discarded it, Toon Dark Magician then slammed his staff on the ground, a pentagram a bobble appeared on the page of the book then it broke open as the cute-looking Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon broke through the page, the dragon stuck out it's tongue then showed it's behind to Ruby, who merely sighted. (3000 ATK)
'Since Fawful cannot attack, his turn ends.'
Ruby drew her card, she looked at her hand, then she looked around her if she could see Mario but he was nowhere in sight. 'Come on Mario, you have to come through here, if not for me do it for Rogueport, my Deck can't keep stalling Fawful forever.'
'For now I Gemini Summon Iolite.' Ruby stated, her Monster started to glow for a few seconds. 'Now I Set a card.' Ruby continued as she placed the card in her Duel Disk, it materialized vertically in front of her. 'I end my turn.'
'Fawful has FURY!' The mad genius cackled.
'Toon Dark Magician direct attack on Ruby!' The Dark Magician stuck out his tongue to Ruby before twirling his staff around a bit he ended up pointing the staff at Ruby, an explosion of purple smoke appeared out of the staff, followed by a ridiculously large beam of dark magic that blew Toon Dark Magician back, he slammed with his back against the castle.
'Nice try Fawful, I activate Mirror Force!' Ruby's Trap card spun around, the barrier erected itself between the two Fields, the attack of Toon Dark Magician bounced back.
'Nice try! But your Trap has no use, Toon Kingdom allows Fawful to Banish a card for each Monster that would be Destroyed then those Monsters aren't Destroyed!' Fawful took the top two cards from his Deck and he pocketed them, a barrier appeared around the Toon Dark Magician and the Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon, the magical attack from Toon Dark Magician completely oblitherated the castle.
'Blue Eyes Toon Dragon! Your turn!' The dragon inhaled making his cheeks ridiculously large. 'Fawful pays 500 Life Points for this attack, since this is self-inflicted damage, the bombs won't go off.'
As soon as Fawful was done explaining Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon unleashed it's attacks with a loud burp, a storm of lightning washed over Ruby.
(Ruby: 800) - (Fawful: 7500)
'Fawful is not done yet! The scientist took a card from his hand. 'By discarding this Toon Summoned Skull, Toon Dark Magician can Special Summon a Red-Eyes Toon Dragon from Fawful's Deck!' Toon Dark Magician created another one of his pentagrams, next to the Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon appeared a cuter version of the famous Red-Eyes Black Dragon, flames came out of it's nose. (2400 ATK)
'Now through the Effect of Red-Eyes Toon Dragon Fawful Special Summons a Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon from his hand!' With a roar a second Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon appeared. (3000 ATK)
Ruby was looking at her hand, she had no more cards to stall Fawful.
'Come on Mario hurry up.' She muttered at that exact moment Mario came running onto the docks, followed by his friends, some of Don Pianta's men and the Don himself.
'Fawful it's over.' Mario said: 'With the help of Don Pianta and my friends all your bombs were found and dismantled, Ruby you can end it now.'
Fawful took a few steps back he was muttering to himself. 'No! My bombs!' He then roared: 'You fink-rats!
Ruby then chuckled: 'This is over Fawful.' Ruby drew her card.
'I use the Effect of Iolite, I Banish Lapis from my Graveyard.' Ruby took the card from her Graveyard and pocketed it. 'Now I add Lazuli to my hand.' She explained, Ruby then took the second card from her Graveyard.
'Next I activate Polymerization, to Fuse Garnet and Iolite from my Field with the Lapis in my hand!' The Fusion vortex opened up all Monsters Ruby named stepped into the swirling void. 'I Fusion Summon Gem-Knight Lady Brilliant Diamond!' The female knight stepped out of the portal, she looked at all the Toon Monsters before she heaved her sword. (3400 ATK)
'Now I activate my Monster Reborn to Special Summon Garnet!' Before Ruby reappeared the Gem-Knight in red. (1900 ATK)
'Next I shall activate the Effect of Lapis Lazuli, by sending a Gem-Knight from my Extra Deck or Main Deck to the Graveyard she can deal 500 damage for each Special Summoned Monster on the Field, there are: Your two Blue-Eyes Toon Dragons, the Red-Eyes Toon Dragon and on my side of the Field Garnet, Lapis Lazuli and Lady Diamond.' Ruby summed up the Monsters, Lapis Lazuli spread her arms, Ruby took Topaz from her Extra Deck and discarded it, Fawful got struck six times by blue lightning.
(Ruby: 800) - (Fawful: 4500)
Fawful looked at the device on his Duel Disk that controlled the bombs, in the hopes Mario was wrong but the device gave no kick.
'I am not done yet Fawful, next I send Lapis Lazuli to the Graveyard and I Special Summon Master Diamond through Brilliant Diamond's Effect.' Next to the lady knight appeared the male knight holding the claymore over his shoulder. (2900- 3300 ATK)
'I use the Effect of Master Diamond by banishing Lapis Lazuli from my Graveyard.' Ruby quickly retrieved the card from her Graveyard and pocketed it, Master Diamond became a tad weaker. (3300- 3200 ATK)
Then the blue gem on his sword started to glow. 'I send Emerald from my Deck to the Graveyard.' Ruby retrieved another card from her Deck and discarded it, Master Diamond became stronger. (3200- 3300 ATK)
Again blue lightning struck Fawful six times.
(Ruby: 800) - (Fawful: 1500)
At this point Fawful knew the Duel was over, he fell to his knees, his head in his hands, he was sobbing and screaming ''Why?'' over and over again.
Ruby crossed her arms, first Master Diamond tore through the Red-Eyes Toon Dragon.
(Ruby: 800) - (Fawful: 600)
Followed by Lady Brilliant Diamond tearing through the Toon Dark Magician.
(Ruby: 800) - (Fawful: 0)
The moment Fawful's Life Points hit zero he stopped sobbing and screaming and he fell onto the ground unconcious.
Just like Popple before him he was loaded into the back of a police van.
Don Pianta and the others watched as the police van disappeared in the distance. 'Good job Mario, now this nut-job is off da island it is a bit safer, once yer done with the Palace of Shadows I can start renovating the island as mayor.' Then the Don took an envelope out of an inner pocket of his suit jacket. 'As promised here are them tickets, da train will depart tomorrow.'
Next time:
As the Excess Express departs with Mario and his friends on board Exodus' plan is also set in motion, first up is Beldam whatever she has planned can't be good. ''Sirens on the Train.'' Coming next.
