Episode 31: The Last Miracle
"So that's him, huh? Geez, wasting my power on an Anim? What's the master thinking?"
"That's what Lord Darsus said. Obey his orders, Drake, if you know what's good for you."
"Geez, you're a spoil sport, you know that Garu? Fine, I'll take care of him."
"You better. Oh, and remember, Lord Darsus wants his soul, so…"
"I know, Garu. I've got everything I need right here," Drake said as he lifted a small, fashioned, green stone attached to a chain that hung around his neck. "You'll have that soul by nightfall."
"You better deliver, Drake, or I'll be after your soul. I'll be watching," the mysterious Garu told Drake as he turned and disappeared through the brush.
'That bastard. After I finish this Tiamat, I'll be the one who takes your soul.'
"Vaila, how are feeling?" Bann asked as Vaila began to stir from her sleep.
"Much better now. I think overdid it. I didn't pay enough attention to how much life I had left when I used the Battle Advance."
Zakei walked into the cave where they were resting.
"Good, you're awake. Thought we lost you."
Migome, who was tending to Vaila's wounds, looked up at Zakei and frowned.
"Tiamat is standing watch. If you're feeling well tomorrow, we'll be moving out in the morning."
"Hey!" Migome yelled at Zakei. "She was just in a fierce duel. You have to give her more time to heal than that."
The cave went silent for a while.
Finally Zakei spoke, "I'm sorry. I'm not a very good leader. I just…" but he didn't finish. Instead, he turned and walked out the cave.
An explosion outside soon broke another awkward silence among Bann, Vaila, and Migome.
"What the hell? Migome, stay here. I'm going to see what's happening."
Bann ran out the cave, stopping as he saw Jesi and Zakei both hit by a huge dragon in the sky. Critias, Armed Dragon, and Blue-Eyes White Dragon were trying to fight it, but losing badly. Recks was already on the ground, as Black Tyranno vanished.
"What's going on?"
"Don't just stand there, help us!" Zakei yelled as he got back to his feet.
"Right. I summon Timaeus!"
Timaeus, Dragon of Time appeared to help the other three dragons. However, even it wasn't strong enough to destroy the dragon. It dragon's tough armor deflected all attacks.
"Ha ha ha ha ha. Bolgree Dragon, destroy them all!" yelled an approaching voice.
Cannons on the dragon's back and arms began to charge. Bolgree Dragon started to form a fireball in his mouth. Finally, he launched his assault at Blue-Eyes, Timaeus, and Critias. Bann hit the ground and Jesi and Zakei flew against the mountainside again. Only Tiamat still stood.
The laughing man finally walked out of the trees.
"Now that the interference is out of the way, I can duel you, Tiamat. My master wants your soul in tact so it can be fed to the beast."
"The beast?"
"I honestly think that it would be better just to kill you now, but I have orders."
"Who the hell are you? If it's a duel you want, I accept."
"Good. You can call me Drake, and judging from your performance just now, I have serious doubts that you can beat me. Let's start with a test, shall we?"
Armed Dragon and Bolgree Dragon vanished.
"I'll start. I summon Dragon Human. Then, I will give him the dragon's aura of Dragonic Attack."
A blue aura surrounded the horned man. He lifted his fist. The swirling winds took the shape of a dragon and roared.
"That's for my turn."
'Is this a joke? That thing is… weak. And with no protection, he's just dying to have it beaten. Is he just putting on a show?' "You wanna lose, fine with me. I cast a spell. Then I summon Armed Dragon and activate Level Up! Now, Armed Dragon, attack Dragon Human. Armed Punisher!"
Armed Dragon ran at Dragon Human, striking him with a massive fist.
"Well, I see you aren't so bad after all, summoning a strong monster like that on your first turn."
"Yeah, and he's about to get a whole lot stronger. Armed Dragon, Level Up again!"
Armed Dragon changed again, growing larger. His spikes turning into blades, and more grew out of his tough hide.
"Excuse me if I'm not impressed. I summon Bolzarius Dragon. When he's the only monster on my side of the field, his attack doubles! Now, attack Armed Dragon!"
"Not fast. I activate Tyrant Wings!"
Large glowing wings sprouted from Armed Dragons back. He lifted into the air and opened his mouth, unleashing a green fireball that incinerated Bolzarius Dragon and inflicting more damage to Drake.
'Damn, that monster much stronger than the last. I still beat it but… what's up with this guy?'
"Well, my suspicions were wrong. It seems you are a lot stronger than I thought. I'll give you that. But you still are no match for me."
"That coming from a guy with no protection, staring down an empowered dragon with the ability to attack twice is funny. Allow me to laugh. Heh heh heh heh heh."
"We'll see who gets the last laugh. Meanwhile, I cast two Spells. Go."
"Armed Tyrant Dragon, attack directly with Ultimate Armed Cannon!"
Armed Tyrant Dragon rose into the air again, opening its mouth and charging up a gigantic green fireball.
"Not so fast. I activate Dragon Calling! This allows me to Special Summon a weaker dragon, so I summon Bolstar Dragon! And don't forget his special ability, increasing his attack even further!"
"So? His attack is still weaker than Armed Tyrant Dragon's. Destroy that thing with your Ultimate Armed Cannon!"
Armed Tyrant Dragon unleashed two green fireballs from its mouth. The first hit Bolstar Dragon and the second… hit Bolstar Dragon?
"What the hell? That thing shoulda been barbequed!"
"My armored dragons are far superior to your run-of-the-mill dragons. Their tough armored hides protect them from any attacks from dragons. That's why I was sent to battle you. You can't destroy my dragons."
"Oh yeah? Then I'll just have to try the Genocide Cutter." 'No! Oh man, I can't use it!"
"Something wrong? What happened to this special attack you were just talking about?"
'I can't use the Genocide Cutter. I have nothing to feed Armed Dragon with, and if I can't use it, how can I beat that thing?'
"Can't do anything? Then I guess it's my turn… and I think I'll start it with this!"
Drake ripped off the chain he wore around his neck. At the end glowed a green gem, which he flung into the air. A large circle appeared in the air spinning as it surrounded Tiamat and Drake. The circle stopped spinning and a large hexagram shaped appeared in the circle. The same symbol appeared on Drake's forehead and his eyes turned red. The same happened to his dragon.
"Welcome to your doom. I activate the Seal of Orichalcos!"
"No…"
"This powers up my armored dragon, giving him just enough attack to overtake your Armed Tyrant Dragon. Now, attack him!"
The Armored Dragon, Bolstar flew into the air to meet his opponent. Both dragons launched their attacks, ending in an explosive finale as the two met. When the smoke cleared, Bolstar flew overhead and Armed Tyrant Dragon fell to the ground, engulfed in red flames.
"Do you see it? The power that Orichalcos grants? It's overwhelming."
'The power his dragons possess. He truly knows how to use the Orichalcos' magic to its maximum power.' "I activate Call of the Haunted, Special Summoning Armed Dragon back to the field. He's slightly weaker than the last one you faced, but he'll do fine. Then I activate my second young dragon, Red-Eyes Black Chick, who I now age into the Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"
A small dragon hatchling appeared on the field. I coughed up a small black flame. Then it transformed, aging into its much older and stronger form.
'I can't destroy that thing, but at least I can put up a defense for the moment.' "I'll cast a Spell."
"That pathetic defense won't help you. I activate Polymerization, fusing Lord of Dragons and Divine Dragon Ragnarok to summon Lord Dragun. Using his special ability, I can now Special Summon Bolmeteus Steel Dragon. Then, I summon Bolfye Dragon."
Lord Dragun appeared on the field, wielding the Flute of Summoning Dragon. He had a human head and torso, but his lower body was that of a dragon's. He lifted the flute to his lips and blew, calling Bolmeteus to the field, a blue, heavily armored dragon standing on all four legs. Finally, Bolfye Dragon, a small dragonoid stepped onto the field next to the others.
"Now, I activate Bolfye's effect, sacrificing two Fire monsters, Bolmeteus Steel Dragon and Bolstar Dragon, to summon an Armored Dragon from my Creepool."
Bolmeteus and Bolstar vanished. In their place, the same huge dragon that took out Blue-Eyes, Timaeus, and Critias in one shot flew overhead. It bent back its head and let out a mighty roar.
"Bolgree Dragon of the Sun, attack Armed Dragon with Solar Wind Crusher!"
Bolgree Dragon charged up the cannons on its right and left arms, unleashing its attack on Armed Dragon, who didn't stand a chance. Because it was in defense, Tiamat took no damage. Bolgree then proceeded to charge up the attack from its mouth.
"Not so fast. Red-Eyes, counterattack with Burst Breath."
Red-Eyes flew into the air, unleashing its own attack on Drake's monsters. Bolfye Dragon and Lord Dragun both vanished in the flames but Bolgree still flew above, charging its Solar Wind Crusher.
"No more defense. Attack!"
Bolgree shot the attack from its mouth and immediately began to charge the cannons on its back. His first attack hit Tiamat, throwing him onto the walls of the Seal. The second attack struck doing the same, leaving Tiamat a charred mess on the floor. The flames were still burning him when he got up.
"You survived, but I can tell that you have very little life left. This will all be over soon. Then your soul will be sent to Lord Darsus."
"Who?"
"Oh, excuse my manners. My master, Lord Darsus, he is an amazing man. In fact, it was he who gave me the incredible power you see before you. Of course, in return for this power, he wants us to gather as many souls as we can so we can feed the beast."
"That's enough Drake."
"What? His friends are all unconscious. His soul will be gone soon. He can't tell anyone. Leave me be, Garu. I promised you this soul by nightfall, and I will deliver."
"You better, because you have only five minutes before the sun drops beneath the horizon. Then I can kill you, just like you wanted to do to me."
Drake's eyes widened as he turned in shock toward Garu. "How… how did you?"
"How did I what? Know? Don't take me for a fool, Drake. I knew exactly what you were thinking up on the rock. The Orichalcos works wonders, allowing me to peer into your heart. Don't worry, if you survive, I will bring both your soul and his back to Lord Darsus, but if you lose, I will make sure you don't have a body for your soul to come back to."
A look of complete terror appeared on Drake's face. He turned back toward Tiamat.
"Tough break."
"Shut the fuck up! I will beat you! And then I will beat you! You have only a little bit of life left. Make your last fucking move!"
"I activate Level Tuning. This allows me to Special Summon my Armed Dragon back to the field. Then I summon my last young dragon, Baby Dragon."
A small, orange dragon popped up next to Armed Dragon, looking completely out of place amongst the dragon behemoths.
"But I'm done yet. I activate Time Warp!"
A bubble surrounded Baby Dragon and Bolgree Dragon, aging both a thousand years. Since Baby Dragon was just a child, it survived, becoming a fully-grown Thousand Dragon. However, Bolgree Dragon aged and died, fossilizing and breaking apart.
"Now that your Dragon is out of the way, my Thousand Dragon is free to attack you directly."
"I activate Soul Rope, giving up some of my life to Special Summon a weak monster from my Creepool! Go, Bolcin Dragon!"
The dragonoid flew down to protect Drake from the attack. Tiamat called off the attack, since both monsters attacks were equal.
"I'll cast a Spell. Go ahead, Drake."
"I think I will. Time to end this. I think it's time to let you in on Bolcin's ability. Since he is an armored dragon, he won't be destroyed when he attacks your Thousand Dragon, but your dragon will. And when Bolcin destroys him, he will take a large chunk out of your life, the last chunk. Bolcin, take that dragon out!"
"I activate Hallowed Life Barrier!"
Bolcin struck Thousand Dragon, who exploded. Pieces of the dragons melting body flew across the field, but bounced off the shield of light that now protected Tiamat.
"I cast one Spell and activate Cree Destruction. This destroys whatever Cree is in our minds and refreshes them with new Cree from our Creepool. Now, I can activate the Spell I just cast, Dragon's Mirror, fusing the Bolshack Dragon of the West that I just destroyed with the Bolstar Dragon that I got rid of, summoning AstroBolshack Dragon!"
The enormous red dragon floated high above the field.
'I… I have to beat that thing?'
"I cast a Spell and end my turn."
'I… I need to use the Genocide Cutter… It's the only way to beat that thing. No!' "I… I switch Armed Dragon to Defense… That… and a Spell… ends my turn."
"See, Garu? I've got him against the ropes. Without his precious Armed Dragon's special ability, he is no match for me!"
Garu remained silent and continued to watch. 'You're such a fool Drake. Soon you'll learn what true power is.'
"Ah hah! My AstroBolshack was only for intimidation. It's time to show you the true power of my Cree with the Master Dragon. Now, I sacrifice AstroBolshack to unleash you!"
The blue dragon stepped onto the field behind Drake. It seemed to mock Armed Dragon with its size, twice the height of Tiamat's signature dragon. The Seal appeared above its eyes, just like with the rest of the dragons, as its eyes glowed in red fury. It roared, or rather laughed, seeing what was once a strong dragon reduced to defending.
"Bolmaster Dragon, Dragon of Destruction, carry out your ultimate wrath and destroy Armed Dragon with Destruction Razor Cannon!"
Two large cannons on the dragon's back began to charge as the dragon bent down to aim. It unleashed the blast on Armed Dragon.
"I activate Armed Defense. It increases my Armed Dragon's defense by that of your Bolmaster Dragons. That means my Armed Dragon's defense is equal to your Bolmaster Dragon's attack."
"It would be, but Bolmaster's attack increases when he attacks!"
A shot hit Armed Dragon, cutting him in half. Then a third shot from Bolmaster's mouth blew up the remains.
"So much for that."
Tiamat fell to his knees. 'Shit. Without Armed Dragon, what the hell and I supposed to do? Even if I can bring him back, I haven't been able to use the Genocide Cutter once, and there is no way I can use it on that thing. I don't have anything strong enough to activate it with.'
"Tiamat, you will find a way. Look at what you have before you."
"War…" 'Warrior Dai Grepher… the night on the tower…'
Tiamat looked over his options again and smiled.
'You're right. This duel isn't over yet.' "I activate Monster Reincarnation, returning Armed Dragon to my mind. Then I activate the Graveyard in the Fourth Dimension, returning the stronger Armed Dragons back to my Creepool. Finally, I'll end my turn by summoning Armed Dragon, using Earthquake to switch him to Defense Position, but that's not all. I'm setting a trap." 'Let's just hope this plan of mine works.'
"So, you have a weakling? That won't help you. Bolmaster, attack Armed Dragon with Destruction Razor Cannon!"
Bolmaster launched his attack at Armed Dragon, but the attack was blocked!
"What?"
"Look at my dragon and yours very closely."
The little Armed Dragon now wore a heavy suit of armor, protecting him from the attack, while Bolmaster Dragon was now missing his.
"What did you do?"
"I activated my trap, Type Switch. Since and Armored Dragon can't be destroyed by a normal one, I figured I'd borrow your for a while." 'Well, that worked, but I still don't have a way to destroy that dragon.'
"Look again."
'Huh? What is this? Oh well, a new Dragon Cree might be just what I need right now, but first…' "… I'm leveling up my Armed Dragon twice, using the power of Level Up! Then I'm summoning Warrior Dai Grepher."
"Wise choice, Tiamat. I won't let you down," Dai Grepher said as he stepped onto the field."
"And I'm giving him the power to attack twice this turn with Double Attack, offering Hundred Dragon as a Tribute for the effect. Finally, I'm gonna summon this. Hermos!"
A large red dragon flew onto the field.
"That thing doesn't scare me."
'Interesting. So he has one too. Well it looks like they've all been awakened. I'd say it's been nice, Drake, but it'd be a lie,' Garu thought as he continued to watch on in great interest now.
'What? This thing has horribly weak attack!'
"Trust in your instincts. You'll know what to do with it."
'Okay, if you say so. Oh, I get it now.' "Hermos, fuse with Armed Dragon to form…"
The two dragons fused into one in a flash of light.
"… Armed Cannon Sabre!"
Warrior Dai Grepher picked up the large sword.
"Now, I transfer half my life and one Cree to that sword."
The sword began to glow, igniting with green flames.
"Dai Grepher, attack with Genocide Slash!"
The warrior plunged the sword into Bolmaster Dragon, causing it to explode in a violent fury. Dai Grepher hit the ground and charged at Drake, plunging the sword into his gut. The Seal began to close around Drake as his eyes and went blank.
"Nah…"
"Couldn't beat a weakling, could ya? The beast doesn't deserve a soul like yours." A large axe formed in Garu's hand. He lifted it and threw it at Drake's body. It broke through the Seal and landed right in Drake's back. He fell down, soulless and dead. "Consider that a warning, Anim. One of these days, you or one of your friends is gonna have to face me. I'll let you off free this time," he said and walked off into the woods.
Tiamat looked at his wounds. They all healed. The others were also starting to stir from their sleeps. The axe in Drake's back evaporated and vanished.
'What the hell is going on here?' Tiamat thought.
Next time on City of Fire: Kitty Litter