Tarot and Duel Monsters are sort of the same thing in a sense.
You draw cards in both of them, and you don't know what you're going to get until they're drawn. Each card has a meaning (except Tarot lets you have the cards upside-down) and everything can change depending on whether or not you get a good or bad draw.
But the thing is that just because you get these cards, it doesn't automatically tell you what exactly is going to happen. Instead, it's up to you to decide what to make with what could be the keys to your future-whether it's to avert it or to make it happen.
So here, I'm about to duel someone who is out to find his destiny. Whether or not it's going to be of any good, I'll just have to wait and see…
Until then, it's time to duel.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
4th Draw
0-0-0-0-0-0
Aura Break
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"Adversity causes men to break; others to break records."
-William Arthur Ward
It's already 2 in the afternoon when Ash and his new group of friends find themselves in front of the Bound Scepter of Destiny once more. No one is dueling in front of it for the moment, but the energy from Seto and Jounochi's duel is still there, ready to possess anyone who wants to try to succeed where Seto Kaiba failed. Ash looks at the Duel Disk on his left arm before looking at the scepter once more.
"What's up, Ash?" asks Serena, noticing the Pokémon trainer not moving. She sighs. "Don't tell me you want a go at the scepter?"
"Well, yeah…" Ash begins. "But something about what I saw when Seto was about to pull the staff. It's like...it was like this happened before."
"Because it did," says Mokuba. "Seto and Jounochi dueled here about a year ago, and it ended the same way. However…"
"However?" asks everyone else. Mokuba sighs as he stares at the statue's eyes.
"Everything changed when Seto decided to humor Jounochi and take the scepter out of the statue's hand...:"
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"You have to be careful with that!" says Jounochi, seeing the cocky CEO approach the scepter. "That thing's sacred and all!"
"Please," Seto snorts with a roll of his eyes. "You know all of that is complete-"
He never gets to finish the sentence, for the second his hand touches the staff, he is thrown back by a blast of red magic. Both Jounochi and Mokuba look in horror as Seto drops to his knees, both hands on his head.
"SETO!" Both cry out as the brunette CEO starts gasping for air, his head on fire and feeling like it's being pricked by hundreds of needles.
"G...get away!" Seto shouts. "Stop, don't come any closer!"
Sweat falls down his forehead, his heart is pounding like a drum, but still his mind is being tormented by images of long ago…
Images that, for some reason, are so familiar to him.
But he could never process them as he collapses to the ground with a soft thud, the last thing he recalls is him saying something before everything fades into darkness.
"Jouno…" Seto whispers. "I'm...so sorry…"
Then, the great CEO falls unconscious.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"And ever since then, he's been obsessed with trying to pull that scepter out," Mokuba finishes. "He says that someone was calling out to him, sending him memories from the past to better communicate."
"What types of memories?" asks Masato. Mokuba closes his eyes.
"It's in bits and pieces, but they're all about Seto and Jounochi from thousands of years ago. Sometimes the memories show them riding on dragons, or in bed…" This gets a gasp from the girls. "Or they're fighting one another with weapons…"
"Was one of those memories about Jounochi about to kill Seto with an axe?" Ash interrupts.
Mokuba jumps back in alarm. "Yeah, I think Seto mentioned a memory like that once…Wait a second..." He pauses then leans towards Ash. "How exactly would you know such a thing?"
"Back when they were dueling, I saw Jounochi about to kill a bleeding Seto and…"
"And that's why you told Jounochi not to attack?" asks Rebecca. "I thought you were just crazy."
"And when Seto was about to pull the Scepter...I saw him chasing a young boy who held the scepter in his hands…" Ash closes his eyes as he tries to recall the memory. "The boy looked like a younger Seto which doesn't make any sense at all."
"Why did the boy have the Scepter in the first place?" asks Varon. Ash shrugs his shoulders.
"I wish I knew," he answers. "And I wish I knew why I had those visions in the first place."
"Maybe you can figure that out with a duel," Haruka suggests. "How about it? You against me, and the winner gets to pull the Scepter out."
"I dunno if that's a good idea, Haruka," says Miruko. "I mean, he's never dueled before now, and you want him to duel for a scepter that no one, not even Yugi, has ever pulled out?"
"Yep!"
Ash stares at Haruka, then at the Scepter, then finally his Duel Disk. Pikachu looks in confusion before Ash smiles at her.
"I accept your challenge," he says. "Come on, let's duel!"
"Before you can, you need a spiffy battle phrase," says Serena. "Take your time."
"Okay...I think I'll go with…"
"Time's up!" Serena suddenly declares. "We can't have you think it over or else this duel will never begin."
And suddenly, inspiration strikes.
"That's it!" says Ash as he draws his cards. He then lifts his arm up and watches his Duel Disk activate. "Haruka, your time us up...my time is now!"
"Not bad," says Haruka with an approving nod of the head as she draws five cards. She then attaches the veil of her costume in front of her mouth. "But watch out...the wheels of Fate are turning even as we speak."
"Let's duel!"
(Haruka: 8000) - - - - - - - (Ash: 8000)
"So…" says Haruka. "Since this is your first duel, I'll let you go first. You do know what type of deck you're playing, right?"
"Uh…." Ash begins as he quickly remembers to draw a card. After staring at the cards in his hand, he answers, "...no?"
Everyone face faults.
"You mean to say you haven't even lookedat your deck to see what you got?!" Miruko exclaims.
"Wait!" says Ash, staring at a monster. "Okay, I think I'm using something called 'Destiny Heroes'."
"Interesting…" Haruka muses. "Now, do any your monsters have four stars or less?"
"Yeah, all of the monsters I have are at Level 4. Why do you ask?"
"You can only Normal Summon or Set a monster that's Level 4 or less. To summon a Level 5 or 6 monster, you need to tribute a monster. If you want to summon a Level 7 or 8 monster, that requires two monsters. However, you can only Normal Summon one monster at a time, unless you have cards that give you an additional summon. Got that?"
"Okay, I think I do," says Ash. "So now I'll start by summoning... Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude in Attack Mode!"
A figure emerges from a pillar of diamonds before shards spill out in all directions. It is a superhero dressed in blue with a green cape and a belt buckle in the shape of a 'D'. His white hair is spiked up, his eyes are covered by a crystal visor, and his body is surrounded by large chunks of diamonds (except, for some odd reason, his left leg). (1400 ATK)
"Okay," says Ash, reading over the text of his monster. "It says here that I can look at the top card of my deck and, if it's a Spell Card, I send it to the graveyard and then its effect activates on my next turn. So…"
Pikachu pulls out a card with a paw and both he and Ash show it to Haruka. Haruka smiles.
"Congratulations," she says. "That's Destiny Draw, a really good Spell Card. You can draw an additional two cards on your next turn."
"Cool!" says Ash, sending the card to the graveyard. "Okay, I also have some Trap Cards."
"Those are played face-down, then you can activate them once I start my turn," Haruka explains. "So, how many will you place?"
"I think...I will place one card face-down and...uh, can I attack?"
Haruka shakes her head as she sees a card materialize behind Diamond Dude. "Not until after I finish my turn. So, let's see…"
She draws a card, stares at it, then smirks. Ash blinks and looks at Masato.
"Max...Masato," he begins. "What type of deck does your sister use?"
"A Prophecy deck with Spellbook support," Masato answers. "And trust me, my sister is practically invincible with this deck. Good luck."
Ash gulps as Haruka chooses a card.
"I'll start by playing Spellbook Star Hall," she announces.
A Spell Card appears, depicting a hallway decorated with white pillars and criss-crossing shadows while blue glowing crystals shine above.
"Now, whenever I play a 'Spellbook' card," Haruka explains. "My Star Hall gains a Spell Counter, and each Spell Counter gives my Spellcaster monsters an additional 100 Attack Points.
"So, let's give my Spell Card a boost. I play Spellbook Library of the Crescent!"
Another Spell Card appears, depicting an empty chamber with pillars glowing with blue lines and an image of a black circle with a crescent moon surrounded by blue wires of light. Meanwhile, Haruka takes three cards from her deck.
"Since I have no 'Spellbook' cards in my grave, I can take three from my deck and show them to you. The catch is that you choose the card that stays in my hand, and the rest get shuffled into my deck. I also can't play any other Spell Cards except 'Spellbook' ones on the turn I play this card, but that's a proper trade-off.
"So Ash, what will it be?"
Ash looks as three hologram projections of Haruka's drawn cards, trying to read their effects as the audience looks on.
"So," says Miruko. "What are the chances of him actually defeating Haruka?"
"That depends on a lot of factors," says Mokuba. "But considering that this is his first time dueling...he's done the minute Haruka gets 5 Spellbooks in the graveyard."
"Or if she gets three in her hand," Serena notes. "At the very least, if he can somehow knock her down to half of her lifepoints, then he might have a chance to be a powerful duelist."
Ash gulps as he stares at the three cards, not sure as to what the right move will be. Then, he just points to the card in the middle.
"That one, huh?" asks Haruka. "Okay, your call."
She places the other two cards (Hidden Spellbook and Spellbook Library of the Heliosphere) into her deck while the lone card (Spellbook of Secrets) is added to her hand.
Meanwhile, a star shines above Spellbook Star Hall. (SC: 0 -) 1)
"Now I'm summoning a monster," says Haruka. "The first of my Prophecy monsters, he who represents beginnings and unlimited possibilities, I summon...Fool of Prophecy in Attack Mode!"
Emerging onto the field is a teenage boy with short purple hair topped with a green and yellow hat lined in white. He wears a black shirt with two ribbons inscribed with runes, dark green pants attached with spring green belts, a long yellow coat lined with white and a white and green striped scarf wrapped around his neck. His weapon is a gold staff marked with a black fleur-de-lis and he chews on a twig in-between his teeth. (1600 -) 1700 ATK)
"This card is you, Ash Ketchum," Haruka explains. "You are off on a journey and who knows what you will encounter along the way? This will be quite interesting to see.
"And next, I'll refill my hand with my Spellbook of Knowledge."
A new Spellbook Spell Card appears, this one showing four different Prophecy monsters in a circle, raising their weapons into the air at a red book with white lines, clamped with silver rings and a blue orb in the center.
"This card lets me draw two cards from my deck if I send a Spellcaster or a 'Spellbook' Spell Card from my hand or field to the graveyard," says Haruka, showing Ash the Spellbook of Secrets card from her hand. "And I have just the card I need. Thanks."
Not good...Ash thinks as Haruka's hand goes from four, to two, to four again in a few seconds. If she had that in her hand, I should have gone with that Trap Card instead!
Meanwhile, Spellbook Star Hall has another Spell Counter, and Fool of Prophecy possesses 1800 Attack Points.
"All right then," says Haruka, pointing at Ash. "Fool of Prophecy, destroy Diamond Dude now!"
Fool of Prophecy smirks as he runs toward his target, bringing his staff back before Ash smiles.
"I activate my Trap Card, D - Shield!" Ash exclaims. "Now Diamond Dude goes into Defense Mode and can't be destroyed by your Fool because my Trap Card equips itself to my monster!"
A Trap Card, depicting Destiny Hero - Doom Lord surrounded by chunks of rock levitating around him, flips and a barrier protects Diamond Dude as he kneels in Defense. (1600 DEF) Fool of Prophecy frowns when his attack does nothing and marches his way back to Haruka.
"Not bad," says Varon. "But any beginner could pull that off."
"I'll set a card face-down and end my turn," says Haruka as a card appears behind Fool of Prophecy. "Your move."
Ash nods his head as he draws a card.
"My Destiny Draw activates," he says. "So now I get an additional two cards."
Pikachu draws two new cards for his partner as Ash looks at them.
"And now, Diamond Dude... let's try this again!"
Diamond Dude begins to glow as Ash flips the top card of his deck over. He groans when he finds that it's D - Chain.
"A Trap Card," says Haruka. "And a good one at that. Too bad, because now that card goes to the bottom of your deck."
"I still have a Normal Summon," says Ash, while Pikachu slips the card to the bottom of Ash's deck. "I summon Destiny Hero - Defender in Defense Mode!"
Emerging from the ground is a large golem made of dark stone with a single red eye glaring at Haruka. He crouches in defense. (2700 DEF)
"That...was a foolish move," says Raphael notes.
"And next," Ash continues. "Okay, I have a Spell Card with a symbol of a compass. That's a Field Spell, right?"
"Mm-hmm," Haruka answers.
"Okay then, I play the Field Spell Card...Dark City!"
As he slips the card into his Duel Disk, the scenery changes to a city at night, a crescent moon shining down between the two duelists and skyscrapers with lit windows surrounding everyone else. It feels like something out of a film noir.
"Reminds me of that movie with the same name," Amelda notes. "Very dark movie."
"Now," says Ash. "Whenever a Destiny Hero fights one of your monsters but has less attack points than the target, they get an additional 1000 Attack Points during the Damage Step. So, I place Diamond Dude in Attack Mode…"
The Destiny Hero stands up. (1400 ATK)
"And now I attack Fool of Prophecy with Diamondback Punch!"
Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude rushes toward Haruka's Spellcaster, his arm covered in diamonds as his attack score rises to 2400.
"Not so fast," says Haruka. "I play Defense Draw!"
Fool of Prophecy blocks the punch with his staff before hurling the Destiny Hero back to Ash's side of the field. Meanwhile, Haruka draws another card.
"This card drops the attack strength of your monster to zero for this turn, while simultaneously letting me draw a card," Haruka explains. "So, you'll have to end your turn there."
Ash frowns and ends his turn.
"Right, I'm up," says Haruka drawing a card. "Oh, and Ash?"
"Yeah?" asks Ash.
"You should have read the effect on Destiny Hero - Defender, because he lets me draw an additional card during my Standby Phase.
"WHAT?!" Ash exclaims as he sees Haruka now with a hand of six cards.
"And time to give myself more Spellbook cards," says Haruka. "I summon Spellbook Magician of Prophecy in Defense Mode!"
Appearing next to the Fool is a boy in blue and white robes, a hat covering white hair (which is shown as a bang sticking out in the middle of his forehead) as a white and blue book hovers in front of him. His expression is that of one completely and utterly bored. (500/400 -) 700/400)
"My Magician is the first person the Fool meets on his journey," Haruka explains. "And he gives me the ability to take a 'Spellbook' card from my deck to my hand."
"How many of those cards do you have?" Ash exclaims. Haruka shrugs her shoulders.
"Depends on if you mean how many are in my deck or how many I have in total," she answers, taking a card to her hand. "And now, I activate the effect of my Fool of Prophecy."
"Does he give you a card?"
"No, he sends a 'Spellbook' card from my deck to the graveyard. Like so."
Haruka takes a card from her deck then slips it into her graveyard, all while Masato counts on his fingers.
"Oh yeah," he says. "Ash is doomed when Haruka ends her turn."
"Now I'll use the card I got from my Magician," says Haruka. "I play Spellbook of Power!"
A new Spellbook appears, this one a red color with a fiery background. Then, a matching Spellbook appears in front of the Fool of Prophecy, who begins to read it in earnest.
"This card grants 1000 Attack Points to a Spellcaster until the end of my turn," Haruka explains. "And for every monster he destroys in battle, I get to take a 'Spellbook'' card to my hand from my deck.
"Plus, I get another Spell Counter for my Spellbook Star Hall. Cool, huh?"
"Fantastic…" Ash murmurs as Fool of Prophecy closes the book (which vanishes soon after) as a fiery aura surrounds him and his attack jumps to 2900. Meanwhile, Spellbook Magician of Prophecy has 800 Attack Points and Haruka's Spellbook Star Hall now has three Spell Counters.
"Now my Fool," says Haruka, pointing to Destiny Hero - Defender. "Attack with Foolish Flail!"
Fool of Prophecy smirks as he runs to the blocky Destiny Hero and whacks it with his weapon four times before the monster is destroyed and Haruka has taken another Spellbook card (Spellbook Organization) to her hand.
"I'll end my turn with a face-down card," says Haruka. "And now, here is where the fun begins."
Fool of Prophecy spits the twig out of his mouth and raises his staff upright. A dark aura manifests around him, and the carefree look in his eyes turns into a glare.
"W... what's going on?" asks Ash, feeling a shiver fall down his spine. Even Pikachu can sense something wrong.
"My Fool's special ability," Haruka answers. "On the turn that I use his effect, and I have five different 'Spellbook' Spell Cards in my graveyard, I can tribute him to Special Summon a Level 5 or higher Dark Spellcaster from my deck onto the field.
"Say farewell to the Fool and let us welcome the 13th member of the Major Arcana...Reaper of Prophecy!"
The Fool of Prophecy becomes consumed by black and violet flames before he is replaced with an imposing figure dressed in a purple robe with a black hooded cloak lined with silver. A silver half-mask covers the left side of his face, and his weapon is a wicked scythe with a black blade. (2000 -) 2300 ATK)
"He...he's not that terrifying…" Ash stammers. The Reaper of Prophecy smirks.
"That's only because I haven't activated his effects," Haruka says. "You see, depending on the number of 'Spellbook'' Spell Cards in my graveyard, my Reaper can unleash up to three different effects."
"Three?!" Ash yells.
"Yes, three," Haruka reiterates. "For example, with just three 'Spellbook'' cards, he gains 600 Attack Points. With four, I can take a 'Spellbook' Spell Card from my deck to my hand. And the last one…" she chuckles.
"I can Special Summon another Level 5 or higher Dark Spellcaster from my deck to the field! So, hail to my Emperor of Prophecy!"
Ash looks in fear as 1) Reaper of Prophecy has his attack raised to 2900, 2) Haruka takes another card to her hand (Spellbook of Life) and 3) the newest Prophecy monster appears, a figure dressed in a golden cloak with a black tunic with a violet skirt decorated with silver trim and grey And black ribbons inscribed with runes. He leans to the side against a slab of stone with an arrogant grin on his face and a golden fan in his right hand (2300 -) 2600 ATK)
"Yep, Ash is done for," says Rebecca.
"Thanks for the encouragement!" Ash shouts at the audience as he draws his card. "Okay, so I'm activating my Diamond Dude's effect once more!"
Pikachu flips over a third card, this one a Spell Card called Reinforcements of the Army.
"Not bad," says Haruka. "You can take a Level 4 Warrior from your deck to your hand. And, the best part is, every Destiny Hero that can be Normal Summoned is a Level 4 Warrior."
"Awesome!" says Ash. "And now, I choose to summon Destiny Hero - Dunker in Attack Mode!"
Emerging on the field is a Destiny Hero wearing a blue sleeveless top, green shorts and has dreadlocks for hair. (1200 ATK)
"And check this out," Ash continues, looking through his hand once more before choosing a card. "If I discard a Destiny Hero from my hand, you lose 500 lifepoints!"
Haruka says nothing as Ash sends a card to the graveyard. Then, Destiny Hero - Dunker dribbles a large orb of energy before making a toss at Haruka, where the orb bits her Duel Disk.
(Haruka: 7500) - - - - - - - (Ash: 8000)
"Finally!" Miruko shouts. "Someone loses lifepoints!"
"That's not all," says Ash. "The Destiny Hero I discarded was Destiny Hero - Dynatag, and when I 'Banish' him…" Ash pauses. "How does that work?"
"Just take the card out of the graveyard and pocket it it," says Haruka. "I'm sure there's a pocket in that costume. Say...where did you get that costume anyhow?"
"Yugi's grandfather gave it to me," Ash answers as a card ejects from his graveyard. He notices a card holder strapped to his waist and pockets his card as he adds, "Don't know why, though."
"Hmmm…" Haruka looks at Dunker glowing with energy.
"Now, Dynatag increases the attack score of my Dunker by 1000 until the end of my turn," says Ash. "And since all of your monsters are stronger than him, then he gets an added bonus from Dark City!"
Smart! Haruka thinks as Destiny Hero - Dunker now has 2200 ATK. Although, he left himself open for my Trap Card.
"All right," says Ash, pointing at Haruka's Spellbook Magician of Prophecy. "Diamond Dude, attack!"
Diamond Dude fires a cluster of diamonds that pierce through the defensive magician.
"And now, Dunker," Ash continues. "Attack Emperor of Prophecy with Destiny Slam Dunk!"
Destiny Hero - Dunker dribbles a new orb of energy before running to Emperor of Prophecy. (2200 -) 3200 ATK)
"Time for a curve ball," says Haruka. "I activate Attack Guidance Armor!"
A demonic Armor appears and flies toward Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude. Ash looks in alarm as Destiny Hero - Dunker turns around and charges after his fellow Warrior.
"No, stop!" Ash exclaims. "Your target is that Emperor!"
"Pika Pikachu!" Pikachu shouts, trying to get the charging Destiny Hero to listen.
"Sorry," says Haruka. "But Dunker is about to go after the one wearing the cursed armor. Don't worry; diamonds are unbreakable, after all.
"Unfortunately, since Diamond Dude has lower attack than Dunker, you lose your power boost from Dark City."
Destiny Hero - Dunker hurls the orb at his fellow Destiny Hero, but Diamond Dude still stands (although Ash has lost some lifepoints). Dunker shakes his head in confusion as the Attack Guidance Armor vanishes.
(Haruka: 7500) - - - - - - - (Ash: 7200)
"I'm not done yet," says Ash. "I set two cards face-down and end my turn."
As two hologram cards appear behind Ash's Destiny Heroes, Haruka draws a card. She smiles at what she has drawn.
"I activate the effects of Reaper of Prophecy," she says. "So now he gains an additional 600 Attack Points, I take a Spellbook card to my hand, and I'll Special Summon the tempter of man himself... Prophecy Destroyer!"
Reaper of Prophecy has 3500 ATK, Haruka adds a card to her hand (Spellbook of Eternity) and, with a rumbling from the earth, a demon appears, with grey skin, curved horns, monstrous wings and a red-hot sword. (2500 -) 2800 ATK)
"Oh and one more thing," says Haruka, flipping three of her cards over (Spellbook cards she has gathered from her Spellbook Magician and Reaper of Prophecy). Everyone else flinches.
"I feel so sorry for the kid," Varon remarks.
"Why are you showing me your cards?" asks Ash. Pikachu cocks his head to the side, also confused.
"I have to do this if I want to summon my High Priestess of Prophecy from my hand," Haruka explains. "So get ready, because a storm is coming!"
A divine wind blows through the field as the newest Prophecy monster appears. Sitting on a slab of blue crystal, the High Priestess has hot pink hair topped with a white peaked hat with matching ribbons inscribed with runes. Her outfit is a sleeveless top with opera gloves, a half-cape, matching skirt and knee-length boots all colored white with silver trim and light green orbs. In her hands is a glowing green Spellbook (2500 -) 2800 ATK)
"S... she's not that scary," Ash stammers out.
"Oh really?" Haruka chuckles. "You haven't seen her effect; if I Banishes a 'Spellbook' Spell Card from my hand or graveyard, I can destroy one card. So, hate to say this, but Diamond Dude has overstayed his welcome."
As Haruka takes a card out of her graveyard and slips it into a silk pouch tied to her side by a silk belt, High Priestess of Prophecy stands up and fires a blast of white magic that penetrates through Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude and causes him (and D - Shield) to be sent to the graveyard. Ash gulps as he watches four Prophecy monsters glare at him.
"So then," Haruka's lip curls into a sinister grin. "Prophecy Destroyer, attack Destiny Hero - Dunker with Devil Sword Slash!"
The Devil of the Prophecy monsters strikes, sword wreathed in flames as he flies toward Ash. He panics before he remembers his face-down cards.
"I activate…D - Counter!" he shouts. "Now your Prophecy Destroyer is destroyed!"
As Prophecy Destroyer is blown back by Ash's card, Haruka calmly ejects three cards from her graveyard and slips them to the pouch.
"Not for long!" she says. "When he's sent to the graveyard, I can Banishes three 'Spellbook' cards from my graveyard for him to return. And the last thing you need to do is anger a demon."
Prophecy Destroyer rises as he glares at Destiny Hero - Dunker. (2500 -) 2800 ATK) Then, he flies toward his target and slices the warrior in half.
(Haruka: 7500) - - - - - - - (Ash: 5600)
"Now," says Haruka. "Let's end this!"
Emperor, Reaper and High Priestess of Prophecy raise their hands into the air as they form three beams of magic that fuse into one large beam that they fire at Ash. Ash quickly ejects a card from his graveyard.
"I activate my other card, D - Fortune!" he shouts. "When you attack me directly, all I have to do is Banishes a Destiny Hero from my graveyard and end your Battle Phase!"
A Trap Card depicting Destiny Hero - Diamond Dude in front of a duelist (identified by his grey dress pants and shoes) absorbs the attacks as Pikachu unleashes a sigh.
"Damn right it's called Fortune," says Rebecca. "But he has no other monsters to defend himself now."
"I end my turn here," says Haruka. "Good luck."
Man. Ash thinks to himself as he draws a card. Masato wasn't kidding about his sister. I hope May never becomes a duelist; I probably would never survive her cards.
Okay, so this Trap Card could work...but I have to hope that Haruka thinks she has the advantage or I'm done. Here goes…"
"I summon Destiny Hero - Drilldark in Defense Mode!" Ash announces.
With a loud whirr, a dark blue and red skinned Destiny Hero emerges with his right hand a drill, the fingers of his left hand are miniature drills and drills protrude from his hips and knees. (1200 DEF)
"It says I can Special Summon another Destiny Hero from my hand with a lower attack than him," Ash explains. "But I don't have that.
"Instead, I use Monster Reborn to bring back Destiny Hero - Dunker!"
The dreadlock Destiny Hero emerges, also in Defense Mode. (1700 DEF)
"Huh?" asks Masato. "Why not use Defender?"
"Because I'll give Haruka an additional card, as if she needs one at this point," Ash answers, placing a card face-down. "Besides, is that what all her strategies relies on? Gaining additional cards and hurling books in front of my face? That doesn't sound like a cool strategy when you compare them to how Serena and Rebecca used their cards, or Masato and his Synchro monsters, or even Mokuba and those Burning Abyss fellows."
At this, Haruka frowns.
"Those Spellbook cards have been the firepower that has given me an advantage," she says. If one pays attention, they can hear that her voice is tense from behind her veil.
"You can't always use textbook knowledge to fight," Ash continues, hastily looking back and forth. "I mean, I know a friend named Max (who looks exactly like you, Masato), who lost a battle because he focused on using what he learned in books instead of the battle itself. Is that how you learned how to duel?"
Haruka balls her free hand into a fist as she glares at Ash.
"...I admit that you have a point. I did learn dueling theough reading, and yes the strategy I use isn't as 'interesting' as the strategies of my friends.
"But there's a difference between having a good deck and actually being capable of using it." Haruka calmly draws a card when Ash signals the end of his turn. Then, she narrows her eyes as she adds, "And you know what? Just for that remark, I am gonna have fun destroying you!"
Her Prophecy monsters prepare their attacks once more as Mokuba realizes something.
"Wait a minute," he says. "Haruka has all those Spellbook cards in her hand, right?"
"Yeah," answers Serena. "So?"
"So, why isn't she using her High Priestess of Prophecy's ability to destroy Ash's monsters? Unless…" Mokuba's eyes widen. "Ash was goading her to attack! And she fell for it…"
"Hook, line and sinker!" Ash finishes. "I activate my Trap Card, D - Fusion!"
The Trap Card flips over, revealing a black capital D with a blue and red spirit circling it. Then both Destiny Heroes get sucked into the card.
"What is he summoning now?!" asks Rebecca.
"A Destiny Hero Fusion," Ash answers. "By fusing two Destiny Hero monsters, I can summon the one and only Destiny Hero - Dystopia in Attack Mode!"
Emerging from the Trap Card is a tall figure, taller than Prophecy Destroyer, with midnight blue skin and silver trim, yellow shoulder pads, knee pads, fingers and a mask marked with a red 'D' in the center. In his hands are two orbs of darkness. (2800 ATK)
"And don't even bother trying to battle or use your High Priestess to get rid of him," says Ash. "On the turn I use D - Fusion, Destiny Hero - Dystopia can't be destroyed in battle or card effect!
"Oh and one more thing. When Dystopia is Special Summoned, I can choose a Destiny Hero from my graveyard and inflict damage equal to that monster's attack score. I select Destiny Hero - Drilldark to inflict 1600 points of damage!"
Destiny Hero - Dystopia hurls his orb of darkness straight through Haruka's monsters and strikes her Duel Disk, but not before knocking her off her feet (she doesn't scream though).
"Nee-san!" Masato exclaims.
(Haruka: 5900) - - - - - - - (Ash: 5600)
Haruka is speechless as she sits up. Rarely does she have someone trick her into losing her cool, but to have this done by someone dueling for the first time? Talk about an embarrassment.
She says nothing as she stands up, removes her veil, slips a card face-down and signals the end of her turn.
Don't know what he does next. she thinks. But it's best to be prepared.
"My move," says Ash, drawing his card. "And cool, I got Card of Sanctity so I can get a new hand of 6 cards!"
Cards rain from the sky as Ash draws five new cards. Haruka, who already has six cards in her hand, says nothing. The only look on her face is that of tranquility.
"And now," says Ash, looking at his hand. "Time to cut your monsters down to size! I equip Dystopia with Twin Flashing Swords - Tryce!"
An Equip Spell Card of two rapiers crossed on a strange stone pedestal emerges. Soon, a replica of the swords are in Dystopia's hands. (2800 -) 2300 ATK)
"Is he insane?" asks Rebecca. "Why would he make Dystopia weaker?"
"Maybe to take advantage of Dark City?" Miruko suggests.
Ash chuckles. "No, to do something better. You see, if the attack strength of Dystopia changes from his original attack score outside of the Damage Step (which is what happens when I use Dark City), I can destroy a card on the field.
"And the card I choose is...Reaper of Prophecy!"
Dark energy outlines the swords in Dystopia's hands before he slices the Reaper in half. Then, for a very odd reason, Dystopia goes back to 2800 ATK.
"And when I destroy a card, Dystopia's attack goes back to the way it was," Ash adds. "Now, it says that these swords let me attack twice."
"But even if you attack, two of my monsters have the same attack strength as Dystopia," Haruka notes.
"You're right. I should fix that with these!"
Ash plays two cards: Mystical Space Typhoon and Megamorph. The former destroys Haruka's Spellbook Star Hall, the latter equips to Destiny Hero - Dystopia (2800 -) 5600 ATK).
Meanwhile, the attack scores of Haruka's Prophecy monsters drop by 300 with both High Priestess and Prophecy Destroyer at 2500 and Emperor of Prophecy at 2300.
"When Spellbook Star Hall is destroyed while it has Spell Counters on it, I can Special Summon a Spellcaster from my deck whose level is equal or less than the number of Spell Counters it had," says Haruka. "Since it had 3, I'll Special Summon Hermit of Prophecy in Defense Mode!"
A wizard with a long white beard, and dressed in a purple robe and wizard hat, appears in Defense Mode. His outfit cois decorated in white trim and blue orbs, while he wields a gold ornate scepter topped with a strange mirror-like emblem. (700 DEF)
"He won't help you now," Ash smirks. "Destiny Hero - Dystopia...Attack her Destroyer and High Priestess!"
Dystopia leaps into the air, swords ready to slice both monsters in half. There is a collision as everything is covered in smoke.
"Is it even possible?" asks Serena. "That kid is actually gonna get a win over Haruka?"
"Not today!" cries a voice.
The smoke clears as Haruka now has two monsters on the field, but something is off about her lifepoints.
(Haruka: 3700) - - - - - - - (Ash: 5600)
"Huh?!" Ash exclaims. "But...but…that should have worked!"
Haruka smiles as her face-down card is revealed: Nutrient Z.
"Of course!" says Mokuba. "Haruka gained 4000 lifepoints before Ash attacked which buffered the blow and kept her standing.
"Plus, now that Ash has more lifepoints, Destiny Hero - Dystopia has his attack cut in half thanks to Megamorph!"
"He does?!" Ash exclaims, seeing his Destiny Hero sport 1400 ATK.
Haruka chuckles and claps her hands. "Gotta hand it to you; that was a very close call. Too bad it will have to end soon."
"I still have cards in my hand," says Ash, placing a card face-down. "Your move."
My Sakuretsu Armor should take care of her Emperor. Ash thinks. Her Hermit has no way of beating me.
If Haruka can read his mind, she will be laughing on the inside. Instead, she calmly draws a card.
"I play Spellbook Organization," she starts. "This allows me look at the top three cards of my deck, then rearrange them to my liking."
A Quick-play Spell Card appears, showing a red book surrounded by red rings of light with other books behind it. Haruka takes three cards from her deck, quickly shuffles them around, then slips them back in.
"And since that counts as a Spellbook card, my Hermit gains two levels and an additional 300 Attack Points."
The Hermit of Prophecy sighs as power washes over him. (LV 3 -) 5, 1200 -) 1500 ATK)
"So your Hermit is now at Level 5," says Ash. "Just like the Level of your Emperor."
"Yup." says Haruka. "So, do you know what that means?"
"Uh…" Ash answers before he turns to Pikachu. "Do you?"
Pikachu shakes his head in reply. Meanwhile, everyone else understands and stays quiet as Haruka chuckles.
"Here's a hint," says Haruka. "Remember when Serena summoned Ghostrick Alucard? She needed an Overlay Network where she used two monsters with the same level to summon him.'
"I remember," says Ash. Then, it quickly dawns on him what Haruka is about to do. "Wait, you're going to…"
"You dare had the gall to insult my strategy. You asked for this. I unleash the Overlay Network to Xyz Summon...Empress of Prophecy!"
Both Hermit and Emperor leap into the sky before Dark City is covered in light. When it fades, a new figure appears, seated on a throne. She dresses in an elegant white and green robe trimmed with gold and decorated with orange orbs, her hair is silver with that falls to her shoulders and topped with a small white hat. In her left hand is a fancy scepter and leaning on the side of her throne is a large shield with orange orbs. Her eyes open, showing pools of gold. (2000 -) 1700 ATK)
"Ok…" says Ash. "She... she's not that scary."
The Empress raises an eyebrow and chuckles. That same expression is mirrored on Haruka's face.
"First off," Haruka begins. "My Empress gains 300 Attack Points for every Xyz Materials attached to monsters I control, which includes herself.
"Second, should I choose to detach an Xyz Material from her, I can look at the top five cards of my deck and, if any of them are Spellbook cards, then I can destroy as many cards equal to the number I have drawn. Afterthat, I can rearrange the cards I drew to my liking and place them back onto my deck. Now you see why I summoned Hermit of Prophecy? Or did you really believe that he had no way of 'helping me'?"
Ash and Pikachu share a look of horror as Haruka draws five cards. Then, she shows Spellbook of Judgement and Spellbook Library of the Heliosphere at the two.
"Sorry," she says. "But Dystopia has overstayed his welcome!"
As her attack score goes from 2600 to 2300, Empress of Prophecy waves her staff as two orbs of magic strike the Destiny Hero, causing Ash to shield himself from the explosion. Haruka then rearranges the cards before slipping them back onto the tip of her deck.
"Next," Haruka continues. "I play Spellbook of Eternity to bring back a Banished Spellbook back to my hand. And I choose Spellbook of Power."
A Spellbook card appears, depicting a white Spellbook with blue orbs. Meanwhile, Haruka searches through the silk pouch tied to her side for her Spellbook of Power before adding it to her hand.
"Even if you use it on your Empress, I'll still be standing," taunts Ash. But it is more to comfort himself into thinking he has a chance of winning...which he doesn't.
"Who said I was using it on her?" Haruka retorts. "I play Spellbook of Life to bring back my High Priestess of Prophecy by Banishing a Spellcaster from my graveyard and revealing my Spellbook of Power to you!"
A new Spellbook card (depicting Temperance of Prophecy observed by Divine Grave - Northwemko) appears as Haruka shows Ash her Spellbook of Power. Then, High Priestess rises from the ground, glaring at Ash. (2500 ATK)
"And what type of ability does Spellbook of Life have?" asks Ash.
"It increases the level of the Spellcaster Special Summoned by the level of the Spellcaster Banished," Haruka answers, playing Spellbook of Power. "Good for Xyz Summoning, you know."
A red Spellbook appears in the hands of High Priestess of Prophecy who quickly skims its contents before glowing with fiery energy. (2500 -) 3500 ATK)
"And one more thing," says Haruka.
She plays another card, Mystical Space Typhoon, that blows across the field and shatters Ash's face-down card.
"Since when did you have that in your hand?" Ash exclaims.
"Funny you should ask that," says Haruka. "I just drew it this turn."
"So...that means…" Ash bows his head and so does Pikachu.
"Sorry about this," says Haruka, glancing at the Bound Scepter of Destiny. Ryou's words echo in her mind before she speaks. "But there will be a next time.
"Now my Empress and High Priestess...attack directly!"
High Priestess of Prophecy unleashes her beam of magic while Empress of Prophecy casts a spell with her scepter that fires a blast of lightning at Ash's Duel Disk, the boy screaming in pain as his lifepoints fall to zero.
(Haruka: 3700) - - - - - - - (Ash: 0)
"Fate has decided," says Haruka, watching the holograms vanish. As she places the cards back into her Duel Disk, she approaches Ash. "Not bad, for a beginner."
"It was fun, though," says Ash, slowly standing up. Pikachu nuzzles his partner, to which Ash smiles back. He gathers his cards. "So...I guess this means you get a shot at pulling that scepter out, huh?"
"Actually…" Haruka hesitates as she looks at the statue again before she turns to Ash. "I'm going to let you do it."
"What?!" Everyone else exclaims. Even Pikachu looks in confusion.
"But you know the tradition, Haruka!" says Masato. "Only the winner of the duel is allowed to pull the scepter out. Ash lost his duel-"
"But he showed heart and conviction, and that alone can make you the winner in the end," Haruka interrupts before looking at Ash once more. "Plus, if it wasn't for my Nutrient Z, he would have been the victor instead of me. So Ash...are you ready?"
Ash turns to the statue and nods. "Yeah, I wanna see where this goes."
"This definitely won't end well," Rebecca notes as she sees Ash approach the statue, his hands grasping onto the part of the staff closest to the glowing red gem. "Why would a staff choose a total rookie like him to be the chosen one anyway?"
"That's not something we should worry about," says Raphael. "Has anyone asked themselves what would happen after that scepter was removed? Or what type of power that thing contains? If we put Mokuba's story into consideration, then either the scepter has a mind of its own or…"
"Or?" asks Miruko, slightly nervous.
"It might contain something we're powerless against."
Ash grins as he takes a deep breath. As he's about to start pulling the scepter out of the statue's hands, he hears a voice.
Are you…?
But the voice never finishes the sentence as Ash is too excited to not waste this opportunity, even though countless of duelists have failed before him. Grasping the scepter tightly, he begins to pull. It takes a few seconds before everyone notices the scepter is slowly slipping out of the statue's hands.
"W...what?!" Varon exclaims. "He's actually doing it?"
"Haruka," Mokuba whispers. "Did you...did you know about this?"
"No." Haruka shakes her head. "I wasn't expecting this at all…"
With a cry of joy, Ash successfully pulls out the Bound Scepter of Destiny, holding it like it is a trophy to the shock of everyone who is seeing this. There is silence as Ash turns to Haruka and her friends, looking in confusion.
"I pulled the scepter out!" he says. "Shouldn't we all be celebrating or something?"
And then, the red crystal begins to glow and sparks of magic begin to emit from the tip.
Ash can only think of that time in Cameran Palace where he, dressed as Sir Aaron, was given Sir Aaron's scepter and how he unleashed Sir Aaron's Lucario from within just by posing like the legendary hero. Sure, Lucario was cold and stoic after believing that Sir Aaron betrayed him all this time, but he turned good in the end after understanding the truth.
But this...something feels wrong here.
It feels like the scepter is draining him of his energy, his body feels like it's on fire, but he can't let go of the scepter. It's like it's glued to his hand!
"What are you doing?!" Mokuba exclaims.
"I have no clue!" Ash answers, feeling the scepter move back and forth as if searching for something. Then, after Ash can plant both feet down and he points the scepter to the ground, a beam of energy shoots forth, coalescing into a human form.
"Um, on a scale of 1 to 10...how do we rate this on the weird-o-meter?" asks Serena.
Ash waits for the light to fade, seeing a familiar yet different person appearing in front of him.
"Seto Kaiba?" he whispers, staring at the staff, then at the person. "T...that can't be right."
The figure looks similar to Seto Kaiba, but there are many obvious differences between the two. For one, their skin tones are different as night and day-with this figure having tanned skin and brown hair a shade darker than the CEO of Kaiba Corp.-and is dressed in a blue priest outfit with a matching hat that would easily be seen in the times of Ancient Egypt. Gold accessories decorate both hat and tunic, but the most distinctive part of the get-up are the massive white dragon wings that emerge from his back-wings similar to those of a Blue Eyes White Dragon.
"An angel?!" Miruko gasps. "No...it's more like…"
The figure grunts as they slowly open their eyes-a shade of blue similar to Seto Kaiba's. But, to Ash (and for a reason he is unable to explain), he can see into them and note that something isn't right...especially when he sees them briefly flicker to a darker hue before returning to those clear blue ones.
"Stay back…" says Rebecca, preparing her sword. "We're warning you…"
"Give him some time," says Amelda, lowering Rebecca's sword hand. "Let's not jump to conclusions so quickly."
Ash gulps as Pikachu tenses up, electricity sparking in his cheeks. The Seto Kaiba look-a-like places a hand on his chest as he looks at Ash.
"Are you...the one who released me?" he asks. Ash looks at the Egyptian Kaiba, then at the staff, then slowly nods his head.
"I did." he answers, slightly bowing foward (which looks slightly awkward since the costume is weighing him down). "I'm Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town. And you are?"
"Oh, I should introduce myself." The tall figure properly stands up as other people begin to notice the situation, talking to themselves or pulling out their cellphones to record what they are seeing. "I am Seth, High Priest of the White Dragons, cousin of Pharaoh Atem himself, and husband to Jouno, Divine Soldier of the Black Dragons. Tell me, can you direct me to where my Jouno might be?"
"Uh…" For some reason, Ash wants to be able to tell Seth that he's never heard of someone named "Jouno"...but a quick glance at the staff slightly flickering causes him to hesitate. That strange feeling he's sensed when he first saw Seth's eyes is paralyzing him with fear. He doesn't know if the others can see this, but he certainly hopes they do.
"Hmm…" Seth just smirks as he looks off into the distance. "No matter...I can sense him even if the mountains separate us." He laughs. "Fear not, my beloved...I'll be there very soon."
"W...wait!" Ash stammers out, reaching out to grab onto Seth's hand. "You shouldn't-"
Before he can finish his sentence, a blast of electricity knocks Ash back. When Pikachu prepared for a Thunderbolt attack, Seth stops that with a magical blast of energy that knocks the Mouse Pokemon into the air before falling into a crumpled heap on the ground. Seth soon teleports away through the use of his wings cocooning him and then shrinking into a small spark of light.
After a few tense seconds, Ash slowly gets up as Rebecca can only glare at Amelda.
"I still say we should've attacked him," she mutters. "What did he want?"
"He…" Ash groans as he stares at the staff. It gives out a few weak sparks as Ash closes his eyes and feels some powerful force overcome him. Then, he opens his eyes in alarm. "He...he's going to hurt someone. We have to stop him!"
"W..what?!" Mokuba exclaims. "What do you mean by that?"
"I can't explain," Ash staggers to his feet. Pikachu does the same. "But we need to find where Jounochi is before he ends up hurt or worse…"
There is silence as everyone absorbs his words. Raphael pulls out a cellphone from his satchel.
"We'll split into two teams," he says. "Rebecca, you're sticking with me and your brothers for now in order to find Yugi and see what he knows about that staff."
"But what about-" Rebecca stops when Raphael stares her down. In fact, she also sees similar stares in both Amelda and Varon-it is rare to find all three of her older brothers in agreement like this, so the only thing she can do is nod her head. "All right then."
The siblings head off as Ash stares at the scepter stuck to his hand. He has tried to offer it to someone else but, just as it says, the thing is now bound to him.
"Mokuba," says Haruka. "You know your brother and his boyfriend well. What would Jounochi be at a time like this?"
"Having a snack, of course," says Mokuba, as if it is the most obvious thing in the world (which it kinda is).
"But you know how much Jounochi can eat, and there are plenty of places one could have a meal at this time. The question is where would he and your brother be?"
Mokuba taps a finger to his forehead for a second or two before it hits him.
"We have to go now," he says.
0-0-0-0-0-0
Where is Jounochi, you may ask?
He is currently having a crepe with Seto at the Thousand Pieces food truck, stuffed with strawberries and topped with whipped cream while the CEO ordered a Nutella and banana crepe topped with chocolate whipped cream for himself. Millefui, alongside her sister Kanata (dressed as Zoodiac Tigermortar and has just returned from passing out fliers for said food truck), sigh at the two men sharing a moment.
"Isn't that so romantic?" Kanata swoons. "I hope that Haruka-san and I can do that later today."
"Too bad Serena's not here to see this," Millefui notes, secretly taking photos of the lovebirds through her cellphone (smiling on the inside when she successfully has a snapshot of Seto poking Jounochi on the nose and leaving a bit of whipped cream like it is a kiss.) "Oh well, guess she'll have to…"
"Millefui, who's that?"
Millefui lowers her phone and looks to where her sister is pointing. "Are we talking about that guy who looks like Seto but from Ancient Egypt?"
"Yep."
"Then I have absolutely no idea!"
Both Jounochi and Seto seem to agree with Millefui, and soon, Seto stands up, not facing his doppelganger, but calmly asking him one question.
"How did you get out?"
Seth momentarily blinks, but the shock is replaced with a warm smile as he wraps an arm around his modern counterpart's waist and then reached out to Jounochi also. Millefui and Kanata gasp and Jounochi is ready to murder someone.
Millefui feels her cellphone vibrate and looks at it. "Serena just texted. She says that we have to prevent that priest from getting too close to Jounochi."
"I dunno…" says Kanata. "I mean, it is kinda hot."
"And Haruka added that the priest might hurt someone if we don't stop it now."
"What are we waiting for?" asks Kanata, picking up a kitchen knife from a knife rack with her right hand (her left hand is currently covered with an oversized gauntlet). "We have to do something."
Meanwhile, Seto curls his hand into a fist, his left eye glowing white as he keeps his voice calm.
"What's wrong?" Seth asks in confusion. "Don't you recognize me?"
"That's the thing," Seto answers. "I do."
Materializing in his left hand is a sword made of light that he thrusts deep into Seth's abdomen, causing the priest to stagger back. Meanwhile, Jounochi has summoned his axe weapon from the shadows.
"What's going on?" asks Kanata, kitchen knife at hand. Her sister has a frying pan as a weapon that she brandishes like a shield. Jounochi turns to them.
"Trouble," he says. "And lots of it."
Seth pulls the sword out of his stomach and snarls. His eyes glow with a powerful light that temporarily blinds the sisters as Jounochi prepares his axe.
"I dunno who you are or what you're planning," he begins. "Scratch that, I do know who you are but…"
He ducks just as Seth unleashes a bolt of lightning that leaves a scorch mark at the side of the food truck. Millefui cringes.
"Mom is gonna get so mad when she sees that," she notes.
"What does he want?" asks Kanata.
"He wants me," Jounochi answers, watching Seto summon a variety of knives made of light with a wave of a hand. "Or not. It's kinda complicated."
"How so?" asks Kanata.
"Well, remember that thing with that Pyramid of Light…"
"It's related to that?" Millefui hisses as Seth shields himself from a storm of knives by covering himself with his wings. Then the priest unfurls those wings and tackles Seto not unlike a quarterback in a football game.
"How were you released?" Seto demands, forming a shield over his left arm that unleashes a blast of list that knocks the priest back. "Who pulled the Scepter out?"
"I think it was that kid who dueled Haruka!" says Kanata, reading a message on her sister's cellphone.
"What kid?" asks Seto, dodging another blast of lightning aimed for him at the last second.
"He dressed as a Breaker the Magical Warrior," Millefui answers, recalling the food contest hours ago. "What was his name again? Ashton...no, Ash! His name was Ash! He had the Pikachu on him too!"
"He…" Seto doesn't finish his sentence as he is blindsided by a whip made of light that lassoes him and hurls him toward the side of the food truck. Jounochi stands in front of the girls as Seth saunters towards his counterpart, a scowl on his face.
"I thought I got rid of you last time, boy," Seth snarls, hand wrapped around the neck of Seto Kaiba. "Looks like you didn't learn your lesson, did you?"
"Let him go this instant!" Jounochi shouts, eyes briefly glowing red. "He tried to free you for so long and this is how you treat-"
The last word never escapes his lips as Seth, not once loosening his vice-like grip on Seto's throat, unleashes a bolt of lightning from his hand that strikes Jounochi in the chest and knocks him on top of Millefui and Kanata, the girls struggling to push the older boy off of him (and for Kanata, to prevent stabbing him with his knife)
"Seth…" Seto gasps out. "Please...stop…"
Seth returns his hateful gaze toward Seto, but before he can answer,
"NO!"
Ash, with Pikachu close behind him, runs as fast as he can, despite being in his cosplay and, without even thinking how it happens or why it happens, hurls an orb of aura (one that he has not unleashed since the Tree of Life incident) straight at Seth, knocking the priest to his side. Behind him are his friends, who help Jounochi stand up.
"What's going on?" asks Millefui. "How did you know these guys would be here?"
"You know how much my brother loves your mother's homemade crepes," Mokuba answers, somewhat jokingly. He then watches as Ash, still with Pikachu on his shoulder, stands in front of Seto, looking quite haggard from running a far distance.
Seth slowly stands up, his eyes dark as he unleashes a feral roar at Ash. Ash, still with the scepter in his hand, just points it at his opponent.
"If you want some, come get some!" he exclaims.
"He is gonna kill himself!" Kanata exclaims. "Haruka, what do we…"
"Ash knows what he's doing," Haruka interrupt, but she tries to mask her doubt as she looks at the scene.
Seth lunges towards Ash as the Pokémon trainer calmly waits until the last moment to place his hand out in front of the possessed High Priest, glowing with the power of aura. Everything slows down as Ash's hand is placed over Seth's heart.
"Stop this now!"
And then, there are two screams as Ash feels his aura powers flow out of his body and into something that lays deep within the High Priest...a seal, perhaps? Ash has no clue at this point...but all he knows is that whatever it is, it is powerful and evil, and that the real Seth has to be freed from its influence.
A bright light surrounds the two, but Ash refuses to step back, not until the last of the magic that is blocking Seth's heart is vanished, faded away and obsolete…
Until then, he will take the pain. He's done it many times before.
"ASH!" cry his best friends. Pikachu sees his partner in danger and begins to unleash a powerful Thunderbolt. He is only stopped when Ash turns to him and says,
"Don't do it yet, buddy! Trust me on this!"
Pikachu stops, not wanting to see Ash hurt but cannot refuse a command from him, and can only nods his head as Ash looks into Seth's eyes. They flicker from a blue tinged with darkness, to a shade of blue that signify light and goodness. Good; just a little more time.
"Ash, don't do this!" says Haruka, mentally berating herself for not seeing Ryou's warning sooner. "You'll kill yourself!"
"I'll be fine," says Ash, gritting his teeth. "Besides, I've handled worse than this. Almost there...hang on…"
Everyone looks in horror and awe as the aura around Ash begins to disappear. Seth lets out a gasp as he steps back, all before Ash turns to Pikachu.
"Do it now!" he says. "Give him a Thunderbolt and save him!"
"Pika….CHU!" Pikachu unleashes its Thunderbolt, directing it toward Seth as the High Priest can only let out a scream of agony before he collapses on the ground. Ash drops to his knees, panting for breath as Seto places a hand on his shoulder.
"W...what did you just do?" he whispers. Ash smiles weakly.
"He's been cooped up in that scepter…" He answers. "He's been possessed by a fragment of darkness for all this time, hating himself for what he caused...I released the dark force that corrupted him...he's free...now…"
Ash collapses to the side, all while everyone else can only shout his name. Seto places a hand on his forehead while Pikachu rushes toward his friend.
"He's burning up with a fever," he says. "We need to get him to a hospital and fast."
"Wait..." Ash mutters, turning to where Seth's unconscious body is at, his hand just inches away from the High Priest's own. "Take him too...he needs help…"
"This guy just tried to kill my older brother!" Mokuba exclaims, taking a step toward Ash. "And we're supposed to help him?"
"No, he's right," says Seto, slowly standing up. "We're getting them both."
"But Seto…"
"That's final, Mokuba."
Mokuba hesitates, staring at what is an Ancient Egyptian version of his brother that is asleep and not out to kill anyone else, before sighing.
"You heard my brother," he tells his friends. "Let's help him up."
Serena and Haruka help Seth to stand on his feet, both of them nervous as to whether or not he'll awaken and go berserk again, but nothing happens. As Millefui and Kanata wish their friends good luck, Masato looks behind them.
"I sure hope Rebecca found help," he says. "Because who knows what type of nasty things are going to be appearing after that."
Jounochi carries Ash in his arms, even motioning Pikachu to climb onto his shoulder. The electric mouse complies, wanting to make sure to stay with Ash no matter what. Before Ash's eyes close, he takes one final look at Seth and smiles.
You're free...he thinks to himself. Everything is going to be all right…
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Hidden in the darkness, a figure starts to awaken.
It has been far too long since it has been considered while. A fragment of itself has been lodged within crystal prison in the hopes that one day, the boy who sealed him away, would eventually be exorcised and gone for good.
But five thousand years have passed, and things have changed.
It thinks that soon, very soon, the plan to unleash chaos upon the world will be enacted and a new world, one in it's very own image, will be construed.
Already it has chosen a vessel who shares in it's ideals, but the time to strike...is not ready.
The first thing, it thinks, is to send a message, a warning, that it has not forgotten what happened years ago. It remembers, it has all the time in the world to remember, and also all the time in the world to strategize to plan and to think of proper punishments for those who tried to strike at it.
As the saying goes, "Revenge is a dish best served
0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Serena: Okay, that was unexpected….
Haruka: This is bad. This is all my fault!
Kanata: Calm down, Haruka! I'm sure there's a reasonable explanation for all of this.
Mokuba: Tell it to the High Priest who seems to be berating himself right about now.
Millefui: Well, we can't sit around and do nothing. Next time, Ab Initio chapter 5 - "Cursed Body".
Ash: Please...someone...this can't be right...