Episode 45: The Brains and the Brawn Part 2
Yugi is standing next to Zenith, who is lying on a bed in a hospital room. Zenith gulps. He says with panic in his voice, "Why must they make me wait?! The suspense is killing me!" He starts to get up. "That's it! I'm out of here!" Yugi pushes him back down onto the bed.
He says, "Come on Zenith. Be reasonable, you've made it this far. Don't back down now."
Through the window on a door, they can see a silhouette appear, and the door begins to open. Zenith starts to pant. "No, I can't do this! The evil, monstrous doctor is here!"
The door fully opens and an attractive female doctor walks in. She says, "What was that about a monster?"
Instantly, all of the panic in Zenith dies away. He says to himself, "Maybe this won't be so bad after all."
Yugi shakes his head and sighs.
Zenith says to the doctor, "Oh, it's nothing. Don't worry about it. So, how did a lady like you end up in at a wretched place like this?"
The doctor laughs. She says, "Why don't you just focus on telling me what happened to your leg."
Zenith looks a little nervous. He says, "Well…um…I was…um…" He looks at Yugi, as if asking for help.
Yugi says, "We were running to our next duel, you know, for the World of Duel Tournament, and he, um, got so excited, that he didn't look were he was going and he tripped."
Zenith nods and says, "Yep. That's exactly what happened."
The doctor nods and says, "Alright. Let me just go get the proper device, and I'll heal you right up."
Zenith says, "You won't give me a medical scan, will you?"
The doctor laughs and shakes her head. "Of course not. We only give medical scans if the patient asks for one. Why, do you want one?"
Zenith shivers. "Oh no. Not me. No thank you."
"Alright then, I'll be right back." The doctor walks out.
Yugi says, "See, it's not that bad."
Zenith says, somewhat distractedly, "No, she's not that bad at all."
Yugi laughs, and the doctor walks back in holding a small device. She says, "Alright, I'm just going to pass this little machine here over your leg a couple times. And your leg should be better in minutes." She holds it over Zenith's leg and presses a button. Out of the bottom of the devise, a green light is cast down onto the leg. She moves it up and down the leg a couple of times, and then presses the button again. The light stops.
Zenith says, "Wow! It feels better already!"
The doctor smiles and says, "Don't get ahead of yourself. I want you to stay for another half an hour or so. Make sure that you're fully healed. Then you can check out whenever you want."
Yugi thinks, Wow. The power of modern medicine. I can't believe it.
Tori and Brutus are still in the middle of their duel with Savage and Enigma. They are still arguing. Brutus shouts, "You didn't even declare an attack on your turn!"
Tori shouts back, "Yeah! Of course I didn't! I wasn't allowed to! Do you even know how to duel?!"
"Of course I know how to duel! That's why I attacked! Because I know that it takes an attack to win!"
"Haven't you ever heard the phrase, a good defense is the best offense!?"
"You have it wrong! It's a good offense is the best defense!"
Enigma thinks, Maybe the Field of Darkness works too efficiently. We'll never conquer this duel if they keep up like this.
Just as Enigma finishes thinking this, Savage shouts out, "Hey you two! Don't forget, we're in the middle of a duel here!"
Tori and Brutus both look at him. Brutus says, "Alright fine. I'll finish up my turn. Since I control no monsters, I can special summon Solo-Soldier (Dark/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 0)! Then I'll set two cards and end my turn (Brutus' hand: 2)."
Enigma draws. He states, "After that fight, I was afraid I'd never get a turn. I'll tribute my Cryptic Locke, in order to summon Cryptic Confucius (Dark/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 0)." The new monster is another man, but this one is oriental, with a long, thin beard, and wearing ancient Chinese robes. In one hand he holds a scroll. "Cryptic Confucius allows me to send up to the top five cards from my deck to the grave. He will then gain 500 attack points for every one I send. I'll send all five (ATK: 2500). Now Cryptic Confucius, attack Solo-Soldier!" Confucius' scroll unravels and a beam of energy shoots from it.
Tori thinks, I could use the effect of my Monolithic Moai to redirect the attack to it, but that would mean helping Brutus. The sooner he's out of this duel, the better. I'd better not do anything.
The beam of energy hits Brutus' monster and destroys it (Brutus' LP: 3300). Enigma says, "When Confucius destroys a monster by battle, I'm allowed to draw a card. And with that, my turn concludes (Enigma's hand: 5)."
Tori draws. She thinks, Alright, I guess I'll have to do this with out help from that good for nothing Brutus. The pressure's on. She says aloud, "I'm going to re-carve my Monolithic Moai. I tribute it in order to summon Monolithic Statue Warrior (Earth/Level 6/Rock/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000)!" Monolithic Moai gets chipped away and reforms into a statue of a shield and sword wielding warrior. "Now Statue Warrior, attack Cryptic Confucius!"
Brutus blurts out, "What! And you call me the dumb one! You don't even have enough attack to beat that monster!"
Tori snaps back, "Why don't you just shut up, and allow me to explain my effect!? I was about to say that since I tributed a Lithic monster in order to summon Monolithic Statue Warrior, he's able to automatically destroy any monster he attacks that has a higher attack than it! Unlike some people, I think my moves through!" Statue Warrior raises its sword and charges at Cryptic Confucius. Enigma's monster fires an attack at it, but Tori's monster deflects it with its shield and then slashes through the monster. "I believe I've made my point. I end my turn (Tori's hand: 4)."
Savage draws. He says, "Guess who's turn it is! I summon Barbarous Drnyl (Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 0)!" This monster is large, muscular, beastly soldier, holding a spike ball attached to a chain. "Then I'll activate Barbarous Strength! This card super-charges my monsters with 700 attack points each (Barbarous Garggl's ATK: 3000) (Drnyl's ATK: 3000)!" Both monsters begin to glow red, and grow larger. "Now it's time for the destruction! Barbarous Garggl, attack Brutus directly!" Garggl raises its club and charges at Brutus.
Brutus objects, "Not so fast! I activate one of my facedown cards, Spirit Block! When I activate this card, I can banish one monster from my grave in order to negate your attack!" An apparition of Solo Soldier appears on the field and blocks the attack.
Savage says, "Alright, I'll just keep on attacking! But this time, I'll target Tori's monster!" Drnyl starts to spin its spike ball and chain and then lets it fly at Tori's Statue Warrior.
Brutus thinks, I could activate my other facedown card and protect Tori, but what would be the point of that? She's only dragging me down. All that talk about strategy and planning. Ha! That's not how you win duels. I'll be better off with out her.
Drnyl's weapon smashes Tori's statue to ruble (Tori's LP: 2900). Savage says with amusement, "Oh, pretty. On to my end phase, during which, both of my monsters destroy themselves since they both declared an attack, but that's not a bad thing. That's because when two of my Barbarous monsters destroy themselves at the same time, I can special summon Barbarous Ylvon (Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 0) from my hand!" The two old monsters destroy themselves but are then replaced by a new, fiercer monster. This monster is a gigantic gorilla-like beast, wearing partial armor plating and holding a giant club with a spike protruding from it. "My turn's over now (Savage's hand: 4)."
Brutus draws. "And now it's time for me to make up for the mistakes of my partner, yet again. I pay 1000 life points (Brutus' LP: 2300) in order to summon Necro Soldier (Dark/Level 4/Zombie/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 0)." Out of the ground raises a rotting zombie, covered in rusted armor, and holding broken sword. "Then I activate Determined Fighting Spirit, which allows me to draw two cards since I control a monster with at least 2000 attack." Brutus draws his cards. "I'll set another card and then attack Enigma directly." Brutus' monster creeps towards Enigma and slashes its sword (Enigma's LP: 1700). "I'll end my turn with that (Brutus' hand: 3)."
Enigma draws. He taunts, "I can sense the hostility between the two of you. It is very palpable. But who am I to worry about your personal matters. Since I control no monsters, but at least one of my opponents do, I can special summon Cryptic Aristotle (Dark/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 0) from my hand." Enigma's monster is a man wearing a white Greek robe with a bushy beard. "Aristotle gains 1000 attack for every Cryptic monster on my field (ATK: 1000), but I don't think that's enough, so I'll evolve it!" The monster glows a brilliant white. "I evolve Cryptic Aristotle into Cryptic Plato (Dark/Level 7/Spellcaster/Evolution/ATK 0/DEF 0)!" The monster is similar to the last, but he has a longer beard and also the addition of a mustache. He wears light red robes. "Now my Plato on the other hand, gains 500 attack for every card in my hand. I have five (ATK: 2500). Now, Cryptic Plato, attack Tori directly!" Enigma's monster raises it hands towards the sky, and suddenly a beam of light shoots down towards Tori.
Tori declares, "I activate the effect of the Lithic Meteorite in my hand! Since you declared a direct attack, I can special summon it (Earth/Level 4/Rock/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 2000), and negate halve the damage I would take!" A fiery ball of rock falls from the sky and intercepts the beam of light, allowing only part of it to hit Tori (Tori's LP: 1650). The fire ball then falls onto her field, revealing a smooth, black chunk of rock with a face pattern on it.
Enigma says, "So you evaded the bulk of my attack. Very well. I equip Plato with Philosophical Mind. I may have to give 500 attack, since I have one card less in my hand (ATK: 2000), but this card prevents my Plato from devolving at the end of the turn, which, by the way, is here now (Enigma's hand: 4)."
Tori draws. "Finally, it's my turn. Why don't you watch how a real duelist gets it done Brutus? I tribute my Lithic Meteorite in order to summon Monolithic Holy Relic (Earth/Level 6/Rock/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2100)!" The meteorite carves away into an idol of some unknown deity. "I can only summon this monster by tributing a Lithic Meteorite, but it's worth it, because when I tribute Lithic Meteorite to summon another Lithic monster, that monster can attack directly during the turn that it's summoned! Monolithic Holy Relic, attack Savage directly, Meteor Flare!" The eyes of the idol start to glow, and suddenly a meteor falls from the sky and strikes Savage (Savage's LP: 1500). "But that's not all! When my Holy Relic declares an attack, it can automatically destroy a monster on the field. I destroy Cryptic Plato." Holy Relic summons another meteor to destroy the monster.
Enigma states, "Did I forget to mention? As a bonus, my Philosophical Mind also protects my monster from being destroyed by card effects. Oops." The meteor is redirected, and does no damage.
Tori looks frustrated. "Alright, fine. I'll set a card and end my turn (Tori's hand: 3)."
Savage draws and says, "Oh, looks like it's my turn. I can't wait to destroy both of you. I'll make sure that it's as long, drawn out, and-"
Enigma cuts him off, "Oh just make your move you big oaf."
"Fine. I will."
Tori looks surprised. She thinks, It would appear that Brutus and I aren't the only unhappy family here. Interesting.
Savage continues, "I evolve my Barbarous Ylvon!" The monster begins to glow, and grow. "I Evolution Summon Barbarous Trwill (Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Evolution/ATK 2700/DEF 0)!" The monster that emerges from the light still resembles a gorilla, or at least a primate of some kind. It appears a little more hominid, and has brown fur. In addition to the armor covering scattered parts of its body, it also has a large, golden sash. It holds a massive mace. "When I summon Trwill, I can destroy one card on the field! I destroy Necro Soldier!" Trwill hurls its mace at Brutus' zombie, which is then destroyed.
Brutus says, "You should know better than to destroy a zombie! Don't you watch any horror holos? The zombies can regenerate. And so can mine, all I have to do is pay 700 life points (Brutus' LP: 1600)." Brutus' monster rises from the grave.
Tori says, "Come on Brutus, you're just sapping away your life points with that monster! Is it really worth it!?"
Brutus responds, "How about I'll duel how I want to duel, and you duel how you want to duel!?"
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
Savage says, "Well if you two are done, I'll just continue my move! Barbarous Trwill, attack Monolithic Holy Relic!" Savage's monster charges at Tori's.
Tori says, "I activate Lithic Endurance! This card makes it so that you can't destroy any of my Lithic monsters by battle this turn!" The attack hits Tori's monster, but it's not destroyed (Tori's LP: 1450).
Savage says, "Alright, I'll just have to equip my monster with Barbarous Shield!" A shield appears in the hands of the monster. "Like my partner's card, this card prevents my monster from devolving! And that's my turn (Savage's hand: 4)
Brutus draws. "It's time to prove that it was worth keeping my Necro Soldier around! I tribute it in order to summon Brutal Massive Dragon (Earth/Level 6/Dragon/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 0)! Then I'll activate Warrior's Determination! This spell allows me to special summon a level four or lower Warrior type monster from my grave. I bring back my Goblin Attack Force (Earth/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 0). Then I'll tribute Goblin Attack Force in order to allow my dragon to declare an attack! But that's not all! He also gain attack equal to half of the monster I tributed until the end of this turn (ATK: 3950)! Now Brutal Massive Dragon, attack Barbarous Trwill with Brutal Bombardment!" Brutus' dragon unleashes a barrage of spike-missiles.
Savage says, "I activate the second effect of Barbarous Shield! By discarding one card, I can negate an attack!" Savage's monster raises its shield and deflects the spikes.
Brutus says with reluctance, "Alright, I'll just end my turn then and my dragon's attack returns to normal (ATK: 2800) (Brutus' hand: 2)."
Enigma draws, and smiles. He says, "My draw has just doomed you both. I activate Corruption of Shadows!"
Tori and Brutus both shout, "No!" Upon noticing that they both said the same thing at the same time, they look at each other and quickly look away and cross there arms.
Enigma continues, "Now go, Darkness Evolution!" Cryptic Mind is destroyed and Cryptic Plato becomes cloaked in shadows. "I summon Darkness Evolution: Cryptic Father of Philosophy, Socrates (Dark/Level 8/Spellcaster/Evolution/ATK 0/DEF 0)!" The new monster is similar to the last, it still has a beard and mustache, but its hair is balding. It wears a regal dark purple robe. "This marvelous monster gains 500 attack for every Cryptic monster in my graveyard and on my field."
Tori quickly does the math and says, "But that's only 1500 attack points."
Enigma says, "Incorrect. Remember the effect of Cryptic Confucius?"
Tori thinks and then says, "You sent five extra cards to your grave!"
Enigma says, "Precisely. And four of them were Cryptic Monsters, so I have seven monsters total (ATK: 3500). Now Father of Philosophy, attack Monolithic Holy Relic!" Socrates attacks in a similar way to the last monster, and summons a beam of light that hits and destroys Tori's monster (Tori's LP: 450). "And as your downfall commences, my turn concludes (Enigma's hand: 4)."
Tori draws. "I don't speak for both of us, but my downfall is nowhere near! I activate two copies of Lithic Lost Treasures! Both of these cards allow me to send up to two Lithic Monsters from my deck to my grave! I'll send two copies each of Lithic Boulder and Lithic Granite Slab! Now for my ultimate monster! I banish all nine Lithic monsters in my grave in order to summon Megalithic Pyramidal (Earth/Level 10/Rock/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?)!" Bits and pieces of all of Tori's destroyed monsters start to appear and rearrange themselves. They form into a massive Egyptian pyramid. The four corners of the pyramid extend out and form into legs and the tip of the pyramid levitates off the rest of it. On the surface of tip, an Eye of Ra appears. "Pyramidal gains 500 attack points for every Lithic used to build it (ATK: 4500)! Go Megalithic Pyramidal, attack Socrates now, Pyramidal Smash!" Tori's monster starts to pound the ground and causes earthquakes.
Enigma says, "I activate the effect of Socrates! He allows me to activate the effect of a spell or trap card right out of my grave, by banishing it! I activate the effect of Philosophical Theory! This card negates your attack against a Cryptic monster I control!" A barrier is generated around Enigma's monster, and nothing happens.
Tori looks annoyed. "You may have survived through this turn, but you won't survive my next! I end my turn (Tori's hand: 1)."
Savage draws. He says, "I'm lucky. Since my partner already has a Corruption of Shadows in play, I don't have to get my own, so let's go, Darkness Evolution!" Barbarous Trwill becomes cloaked in shadows. "I summon Darkness Evolution: Barbarous Zrenggyll (Dark/Level 7/ATK 3200/DEF 0)!" The monster that emerges from the shadows is a monstrous man-beast creature. It's armor covers it better than its previous forms, and it holds a massive flail. "You two are doomed. In fact, with your doom comes the doom of Yugi. Maybe you two shouldn't have spent so much time arguing, and more time dueling!"
Suddenly Tori is hit with realization. She thinks, He's right! This isn't about
Brutus and me, this about Yugi, this is about Yuni! Why were we even arguing? I can't think of any good reason. Wait a second! That barrier around us! It has to be causing it! We were arguing before, but it was a petty argument. But once the barrier was projected, we wanted to be rid of the other forever, even if that meant letting the other lose this duel! I have to make piece with Brutus. Tori says aloud, "Time out! Time out! I need to talk with Brutus!"
Savage says, "Hey, there's no time outs!"
Enigma says, "Let them amuse themselves Savage. After all, they're so at each other's throats, who are we to stop them."
Savage nods in understanding and says, "Oh, well if you put it that way, go ahead."
Tori walks over to Brutus. He says angrily, "What do you want?"
Tori pleads, "Brutus please, calm down. This isn't you speaking."
"What are you talking about? I'm in full control. Get away from me."
"No Brutus, think about it. We're doing this for Yugi and Yuni! This isn't about us. This barrier around us, it's affecting our thought processes. Please, just think about it. We may have argued before, but we didn't hate each other."
Brutus stops and thinks. He sighs and says, "You're right, and as much as it goes against what every fiber of my being is demanding I do, I'll work with you…for Yuni. What should we do?"
"I'd be willing to bet that we're not the only ones being affected by the barrier, earlier, Enigma called Savage an oaf. I'll bet that we can turn them against each other!"
Brutus says, "That's a great idea, let's do it."
Tori states, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
Brutus says, "Yeah. Um, Washington said that, right?"
Tori palms her face and says, "Close enough. Let's go." Tori walks back to her spot and says, "Alright, resume the duel."
Brutus says, "I will destroy you Savage! I'll make sure your life points hit zero first!"
Tori says with false anger, "Why would you do that! Enigma is obviously the stronger one! We need to beat him first!" Tori stops as if to think, and then she says, "Hey, wait a second. If you both win, who will take the credit for defeating two of Yugi's strongest allies?"
Enigma says, "Why naturally I would. This was my plan after all, and as you said, I am the stronger one."
Savage shouts, "Wait a second, wait a second! I'm the muscle around here. If it wasn't for me, you would have lost by now! I'd say that I should get the credit!"
Enigma says, "You big oaf! Your power wouldn't be anywhere without my plan!"
Savage says, "Well you know what!? You don't get to take any credit if you don't have a mind! I'll destroy you! I activate the effect of Zrenggyll! When it's summoned I can destroy one card on the field! I'll destroy your Socrates!"
Enigma cries out, "You wouldn't dare!"
"I do dare! Do it Zrenggyll!" Savage's monster crashes its mace down at Enigma's.
Enigma returns, "You'll pay for that you insolent oaf! When Socrates is destroyed by a card effect, I can destroy a monster on the field! I destroy your Zrenggyll!" A beam of light shoots from Enigma's monster to Savage's
Tori and Brutus both begin to laugh.
Enigma looks at them and demands, "What!? What is it!?"
Tori says, "You guys! You just lost this duel for each other!"
A look of horror crosses both of their faces and Enigma shouts, "No! We've been influenced by the Field of Darkness! No!"
Savage says, "I have no other move left! You two will pay for this! I end my turn (Savage's hand: 5)."
Brutus draws. "It time to stop you once and for all! I tribute Brutal Massive Dragon in order to summon Brutal Lord, the Dragon of Power (Earth/Level 8/Dragon/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 0)! My mighty, massive monster gains attack equal to the attack of the monster I tributed to summon it (ATK: 5600)! It might destroy itself at the end of the turn, but it won't take that long to beat you two!" Brutus looks towards Tori and says, "Hey, can I borrow your monster Tori?"
"Be my guest."
"Alright, I activate Seduction of Power! This card allows me to take control over one monster with 2000 or more attack on the field until the end of the turn." Megalithic Pyramidal moves towards Brutus. "Now I have both of my monsters attack the two of you! Go Pyramidal Smash and Brutal Wave of Destruction!" Each monster attacks one of the two Disciples directly (Enigma's LP: 0) (Savage's LP: 0).
The Duel Computer says, "Tori Rekishi and Brutus Marc win. For overcoming great adversity, and turning their opponents against each other, Tori and Brutus are each awarded with 652 points. For totals of 2,277 and 1,887 respectively. For falling apart as a team, Enigma and Savage have each been awarded with 72 points each, for totals of 72 and 72 respectively."
The Field of Darkness shatters around them. Enigma shouts, "No! how could my superior mind have fallen for such elementary tricks!?" He looks at Tori and Brutus. "You two shall pay!" Suddenly both Enigma and Savage look up towards the sky and freeze. After a few moments, Enigma says, "It looks like you two shall have to wait. It is time to destroy Yugi Muto."
Brutus questions, "What do you mean?"
Savage answers, "All available Disciples of Darkness are being called to trap and destroy Yugi! He won't survive another hour!" Suddenly both Enigma and Savage turn into shadows and disappear.
Tori says, "This doesn't sound good. We've got to go help Yugi! Let's go to the hospital!"
Tori starts to run off, but Brutus says, "Hey Tori?"
Tori stops and turns around. "Yeah Brutus?"
"I'm so sorry. I almost caused us to lose that duel. Please, let's promise never to fight like that again."
"It wasn't your fault Brutus. We were being manipulated. But yes, let's try to avoid fighting. Now come on, Yugi needs us."
Brutus shouts out, "Don't worry Yugi, we're on our way!"