Yu-Gi-Oh! D.T.
Chapter 6: Gareth's Dilemma, The Resolve of Flames
November 23, 3050 8:31 AM
The man in the black cloak entered through the front entrance of the Museum of Duel Monsters History, looking for the super rare card he was instructed to obtain. The museum contained the cards used by former dueling champions: Yuki, Truesdale, Phoenix, Mutou, Fudo, all of them. At least, that's what everybody thought. Throughout the years, the Dark Chasers had succeeded in stealing the actual cards and replacing them with replicas, fooling the public into thinking that the pieces of cardboard they were looking at had been used by famous duelists. The success of these thefts from one of the most highly guarded structures in the world proved just how powerful the Dark Chasers were, and just how right he had been to join them. Smirking condescendingly at the ignorant tourists around him, the man walked straight towards the gallery that showcased the legendary Yusei Fudo's ace monster, Stardust Dragon, which had only recently been discovered buried underground. Standing in the center of the exhibit, the man glanced inconspicuously at the security cameras, memorizing their locations and identifying their blind spots. Smiling to himself, the man made his way outside the museum, already knowing how he would go about stealing the card that night.
November 23, 3050 8:40 AM
In the dim CEO's office on the twentieth floor of the silver D.T. Corporation building in Muto City, Gareth sat in his leather chair thinking deeply about his loss. Eric had told him that he was too busy trying to destroy his opponents instead of having faith in his cards, that he had succumbed to despair and used dueling as an excuse to bring his opponents down to his level. Until now, Gareth had always believed that he was strong because of his grand ambitions, but all along, by pursuing those ambitions the way he did, he was weak. He stared intensely at his cards laid out on his glass table, trying to figure out a flaw in the deck that had never failed him before. His current deck was a compilation of the strongest cards used by his ancestors for generations, including several cards he added himself. Indeed this deck had brought him victory time and time again, but he wasn't satisfied. He had lost to Eric. Yet, he found that the duel he lost was far more enjoyable than all of the hollow victories he had previously achieved. It was true that that was the toughest and funnest duel he'd had in a long time. The last duel he remembered struggling in was the last one he fought against his father before he died of illness, which also happened to be the last duel he remembered enjoying.
Gareth had been using his own deck at that time, the deck that he had built as a child containing all the cards he liked. Since his father's death, Gareth had locked that deck in a safe in his room, deciding that in order to embrace his duty as the successor to his father's company, he had to grow up and become mature. In order to do so, he had abandoned his childhood and pursued anything and everything that would make him stronger. Through years of effort, he had constructed what he deemed to be the ultimate deck that wouldn't lose to anyone. And he hadn't lost, until his duel with Eric. From watching his duels, Gareth observed that Eric's cards weren't particularly strong. Yet, he had managed to win again and again by getting the cards he needed when he needed them. There was no scientific explanation, no logical theory to describe why Eric was such a strong duelist. He and his deck simply gave it their all with unshakeable faith in each other and shined brilliantly as they did so. After that duel, Gareth became extremely curious and truthfully envious of the relationship Eric had with his deck. Determined to seek the answers he desired, Gareth suddenly felt an urge to pay his childhood cards a visit.
November 23, 3050 8:56 AM
As he did every other day, Eric walked to the local market to buy his iced tea. When he opened the glass door, he immediately noticed that the owner Gaige, a middle-aged man, was crying. A man in a luxurious business suit stood smiling next to him, accompanied by two burly bodyguards. He was plump and short with a balding head of gelled back hair and a thin mustache that seemed to arch upwards, the reason for which Eric assumed was the man's constant smiling. With a crying store owner and a dirty-looking businessman, he sensed that there was definitely trouble.
"What's the problem, Mr. Gaige?" Eric asked, approaching them.
"Go away, pest!" the store owner yelled. "This isn't the time to bug me!"
Eric and the owner Moria Gaige never seemed to avoid a quarrel when they saw each other. Whenever Eric bought something at the store, he would always try to haggle his way into getting discounts, as he was constantly short on money. Accordingly, Mr. Gaige continually rejected his Eric's attempts to save a buck or two and scolded him for his shamelessness. Yet, there was no bitterness between them. In fact, their bickering had become a routine activity that both engaged in with equal fervor.
But this time was different. Eric sensed that Gaige was truly suffering from a painful grief. As much as he disliked Gaige's constant badgering, Eric simply couldn't stand seeing him in this wretched state. Taking a deep breath, Eric approached, intent on finding out what was happening.
"The way I see it," Eric said, "I'm a customer and I have the right to complain."
"Fine! If I tell you, will you go away?" Gaige shouted. "My son Hajime bombed his last test. He's in an expensive dueling college on scholarship but the school has a strict policy on grades. They told me that I have to pay a fine or else he'll be expelled! I can't afford that! My only option is to sell the store! Now leave!"
"Now this doesn't seem very fair," Eric pouted. "This officially gets me involved."
"How so, maggot!?" cried Gaige.
"If you close the store, how am I going to get my ice tea?"
"You're complaining about your stupid tea when I'm facing a major crisis?" the store owner exclaimed. "Just get the hell out!"
Ignoring Gaige's words, Eric walked up to the tubby businessman.
"Who are you?" Eric asked him bluntly.
"My name is Jorgan," the man snickered. "I'm here representing Duelist Elite to collect Mr. Gaige's signature for proof of sale."
"You're selling your store directly to the school?" Eric asked the store owner. "Is that even legal?"
"It doesn't matter!" Gaige yelled. "They said that if I don't sell the store, my son will be expelled!"
"Sounds fishy to me," Eric said.
"I assure you," Jorgan smirked, "we have the best of intentions."
"I'm sure you do," Eric scoffed. "Listen, I don't really understand any of this legal stuff, but I'm not going to sit here while my local convenience store gets shut down."
"What do you propose?" Jorgan asked, his moustache appearing to perk up even more.
"Duel me," Eric said. "If I win, you'll let this whole thing slide."
"Interesting," Jorgan said. "And what have you to offer?"
"This," Eric said, flashing his Moonstar Dragon card. "This is a super rare card, right? I'll give it to you if you win."
"That's-!" Jorgan exclaimed, his moustache lifting off his face. "That's a Nature Dragon!"
"Yeah," Eric sighed.
He was annoyed that everyone but him seemed to know about the fabled Nature Dragons when he himself was in possession of one.
"What do you say?" Eric asked firmly.
"Please excuse me for a moment," Jorgan said, wiping his brow with a handkerchief.
Is he really that worked up? Eric thought to himself. Over these Nature Dragons that I haven't even heard of until a few days ago?
The plump businessman pulled out a cell phone from his pocket and dialed a number. After explaining the situation to his boss, he nodded several times before hanging up. The smile on his face revealed his answer.
"Very well," Jorgan said. "I accept this duel."
Without any delay, he pulled out a computer and began typing up a contract. Already annoyed by the delay with the phone call, Eric impatiently scribbled his signature on a tablet without even bothering to read the contract. A few minutes later, both stood facing each other on opposite sides of a shopping aisle and activated their duel disks, signaling the beginning of their duel.
"Duel!" both declared simultaneously.
November 23, 3050 9:24 AM
Eric stood with his eyes wide open, panting on the verge of defeat.
"What the hell is this?" Eric exclaimed. "How can you-?"
November 23, 3050 9:29 AM
The game ended in a tie, with Eric narrowly bringing his opponent's Life Points to zero. Glad that he didn't lose, Eric breathed a large sigh of relief. However, upon seeing his opponent's suspicious smirk of content, he knew that something was wrong.
"I guess that means that you owe me your Nature Dragon," Jorgan chuckled.
"What do you mean?" Eric asked. "You didn't beat me."
"Our agreement," Jorgan snickered, "was that I excuse Mr. Gaige if you defeat me. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Therefore, you must concede your bargaining chip."
"Bull!" Eric exclaimed. "You didn't beat me either!"
"On the contrary," Jorgan smiled deviously, "our contract specified that unless you win the duel, you must forfeit your Moonstar Dragon. You did read the contract before you signed it, did you not?"
"You bastard," Eric said through gritted teeth, "you tricked me!"
"I cannot approve of these baseless accusations," Jorgan chuckled, "but as a professional, I will forgive you. Now, if you'll please hand over your card."
"Over my dead body," Eric spat.
Motioning with his hand, Jorgan called on his two bodyguards to retrieve Moonstar Dragon. Realizing the situation, Eric tried desperately to fight back but was easily overpowered by Jorgan's bodyguards, who kicked him several times before tossing him out of the store. As he was writhing with pain on the ground, they searched through his deck and pulled out the card they were instructed to obtain. Bursting with rage at his opponent's trickery and even more so at his own powerlessness, Eric screamed into the air and slammed the ground with his fists until they bled. The pain on his hands were nothing compared to the pain of losing his most cherished card yet again. As his tears trickled onto the floor, Gaige came over and put his hand on Eric's shoulder.
"That was some really brave stuff out there, kid," he said, trying to comfort Eric. "I appreciate you trying to help. I guess I misjudged you."
Eric stared at him, shocked at his sudden change in behavior towards him.
"Thanks," he mumbled as he sat there on the ground mourning the loss of his card.
Suddenly, a burst of wind blew Eric's hair back. Raising his head, Eric saw that Gareth had arrived on a crimson duel runner, gleaming from a new layer of wax. As Gareth raised one of his overarching handles and dismounted his vehicle, Eric tried to avoid eye contact.
"What happened?" Gareth asked. "A duelist of your caliber shouldn't be on the ground."
"I lost Moonstar Dragon," Eric muttered. "I couldn't protect it."
Gareth was, in a word, aghast. Having lost to Eric, Gareth had regarded him as a top-class duelist whose skills and spirit were unmatched. Yet, here he was, laying in the shame of defeat.
"God damn!" Gareth yelled. "Just a few days ago you were strong enough to beat me and now you're moping around? I can't believe how weak you are despite your dueling skills!"
"Sorry," Eric pouted. "I was just trying to make things right."
Gareth remained silent after hearing Eric's dejected words. If there was anything Gareth despised, it was seeing someone he acknowledged as a worthy individual losing their dignity. His vision of strength was a burning flame, brightly announcing its presence and searing through any obstacle in its path. Gareth regarded anyone who submitted to the strength of others and lost the will to fight as weak and hopeless. However, after meeting Eric, he witnessed a different kind of strength, a strength that seemed to glow even brighter within a weak individual. Although Eric was indeed weak, he outshined everyone in his moments of true strength. Right then, Gareth understood that Eric was strong, but not in the way he imagined. Just as Eric was stronger than anyone, he was also weaker than anyone. The brighter the light, the darker the shadows. He didn't like it, but Gareth recognized that Eric had a dark side, a dark side he now resolved to protect Eric from at all costs. Taking a deep breath, Gareth quelled his anger and turned to face Eric.
"Tell me what happened," Gareth said.
At that moment, Gaige stepped forward to explain the situation.
"I see," Gareth said after understanding what had occurred. "A classic case of the rich taking advantage of the poor."
"I take offense to that remark," Jorgan snickered. "Mr. Lambert here made an offer and I merely accepted it. I have the contract here if you would like to confirm your suspicions."
"Just shut up," Gareth said. "I've seen your type too many times to count. You're just trying to get as much money as you can without any regard for the lives you're ruining."
"I have no business with you," Jorgan said whimsically. "I shall now take my leave."
"Oh no you don't," Gareth interceded. "You're going to duel me!"
"I tire of this nonsense," Jorgan sighed. "Guards-."
It was pointless. No sooner had he said those words than Gareth struck the two bodyguards in their solar plexuses, incapacitating both of them in a flash.
"You're going to duel me right now," Gareth said. "If I win, you're going to annul the sale of the store and return Moonstar Dragon."
"V-very well," Jorgan said, a bead of sweat rolling down his face from the sight of his guards being taken down so easily. "And if I win?"
Without missing a beat, Gareth pulled out Crimson Blaze Dragon.
"Another Nature Dragon!" Jorgan exclaimed excitedly. "I accept!"
"You can't!" cried Eric, "His deck is-"
"It doesn't matter," Gareth interrupted. "Based on his sick personality, I already have an idea of how someone as strong as you could lose to a petty man like him. People like him are tricksters, and straightforward people like you are their worst matchup."
"But-!" Eric tried to protest.
"Don't worry," Gareth said with a smile. "I'm not the same person you dueled. I'll show you the true color of my flames. I'll get Moonstar Dragon back for you. Just like the old days."
Eric stared in awe and admiration at the man he had refused to acknowledge just days before. In the basement of D.T. Corporation's headquarters, Gareth had looked upon Eric as the shining beacon of light that pulled the darkness from his heart. At this very moment, their roles had been reversed.
Once the contract was drawn, Gareth and Jorgan took their respective sides and activated their duel disks.
"Duel!" both players said at once.
"Since I am giving up the most here," Mr. Jorgan said obnoxiously, "I should go first. I summon Evil Accountant in attack mode."
A short, red goblin with a grotesque face dressed in a black business suit appeared from a black portal, snickering sharply as if to taunt its opponent.
(Evil Accountant: Level 4/DARK/Fiend/ATK-0 DEF-0/Effect: Each time your opponent draws a card, inflict 1000 damage to their Life Points)
"As I expected," Gareth grinned. "Your cards reflect your true, ugly self."
"Your rude comments won't unnerve me," Jorgan chuckled. "I'm a professional businessman, after all. I set 2 cards. Turn end!"
"My turn!" Gareth declared.
"You take 1000 damage for that card you just drew from Evil Accountant's effect!" laughed the banker.
Jorgan's monster sucked Life Points from an unfazed Gareth, laughing hysterically as money rained down from the sky. (3000/4000)
"I Special Summon Rising Dragon from my hand!" Gareth said.
The ground burst open to reveal a familiar umber dragon, ascending violently into the sky.
(Rising Dragon: Level 5/EARTH/Dragon/ATK-2000 DEF-0/Effect-This card can be Special Summoned from your hand if you have no monsters on your side of the field. If you summon it this way, its ATK is cut in half)
"Now," he continued, "I summon Red Tinker in attack mode!"
A red, midget imp emerged from a red portal, hopping playfully left and right.
(Red Tinker: Level 2/FIRE/Fiend/ATK-1000 DEF-1300/Effect-If a card you control is destroyed, look at the top card of your opponent's deck. If it is a monster, deal 500 points of damage to your opponent)
"I'm tuning level 2 Red Tinker with level 5 Rising Dragon," Gareth said. "A burning flame of the soul smolders brightly! Kindle the fire of destruction! Synchro Summon! Burst forth, Houka Lizard!"
Gareth's monsters erupted into columns of fire, swirling and sizzling intensely as they gradually merged to form one large pillar of bright red flames. As the fire dissipated, what remained was a vicious-looking reptile with metallic scales and a flaming vertebra.
(Houka Lizard: Level 7/FIRE/Reptile/ATK-2600 DEF-1500/Effect-You can pay 1000 Life Points to destroy one card on the field)
"I activate my Continuous Trap Synchro Tax!" Jorgan chuckled, unimpressed by the sight of a powerful Synchro monster. "This deals you 1000 damage when you Synchro Summon!"
(When your opponent Synchro Summons a monster, deal 1000 points of damage)
Once more, Gareth's Life Points were deftly sucked from him and transformed into raining bills. Yet, Gareth still remained unshaken. (2000/4000)
"Houka Lizard," Gareth declared, "attack Evil Accountant! Burning Blast!"
"I activate the Continuous Trap Attack Reflection Shield!" Jorgan cackled. "My monsters can't be destroyed and you take 1000 damage for attacking!"
(Your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle. Each time your opponent declares an attack, deal 1000 points of damage)
"However," Gareth countered, "you still take damage!"
The metallic lizard unleashed a torrent of blazing flames at the wicked businessman, burning away a large majority of his Life Points. However, his monster still remained, laughing its chubby head off. (1000/1400)
"Turn end," Gareth said.
Eric mentally noted that Gareth had changed his summoning chant, but his actions were still as crude and destructive as ever. Yet, there was something different about him. He was playing the same way with the same kinds of cards, but his mentality was different. He was still beaming with a confidence that verged on arrogance, but there was a certain sincerity about it. Gareth was in a dire situation, but for some unexplainable reason, Eric had faith that he would win.
"You know," Jorgan said, "I've already won. I can just end my turn and make you take 1000 damage from Evil Accountant's effect on your Draw Phase, and you have no set cards to protect you from it."
"Why don't you try it?" Gareth said, challenging him.
"You're just as pathetic as that other duelist," laughed Jorgan. "My turn. I summon Double Tax Collector in attack mode!"
Another sinister-looking businessman fell onto the field from the sky, brandishing a suitcase full of money.
(Double Tax Collector: Level 2/DARK/Fiend/ATK-0 DEF-0/Effect: Double any effect damage your opponent takes)
"I can end you as is," Jorgan said, "but for security purposes, Double Tax Collector will double all effect damage you take. I set 3 cards face down. Turn end! Now you draw, which eliminates the rest of your Life Points! I win and you lose! You can go ahead and give me your Nature Dragon!"
"This was exactly what he did to me," Eric growled. "He had so much effect damage that I couldn't negate everything."
"Hmph!" Gareth grunted. "That's why you couldn't win."
"What do you mean?" Eric asked curiously.
"The way you duel depends on faith in your cards, right?" Gareth said. "You protect your monsters and put your faith in them to help you win. I think it's really admirable and it suits you perfectly."
"That's right," Eric replied. "They've never failed me before."
"But sometimes," Gareth said, "you can fail them. When you face people with no respect for their opponents or Duel Monsters itself, your optimistic faith in your cards isn't enough. You can't protect them from all the evil in the world if you don't have the resolve to burn all the evil in your path."
"I thought you said you changed," Eric frowned. "How is this different from your past beliefs?"
"In a lot of ways," Gareth admitted, "I can't change. I will always be affected by the atrocities I've seen in my life and I can never forgive the scum who caused them. But one thing's changed. You've shown me that being a true duelist means giving it my all without compromising my integrity. I've thought about it for a long time, and now, it's time for me to show you my answer, my burning resolve, my blazing flame of justice!"
"Just draw your last card," Jorgan chuckled.
"I will," Gareth said, "but first, I activate the effect of the Tuner monster Eater of Flames from my hand. When I'm about to take effect damage, I can Special Summon it and negate the damage!"
As Gareth's Life Points began to be drained from him, an exotic, dark-skinned man dressed in colorful garbs entered the field from a red portal, converting the extracted Life Points into flames and eating them to prevent its master from taking damage.
(Eater of Flames: Level 1/FIRE/Spellcaster/ATK-500 DEF-200/Effect: You can Special Summon this card from your hand to negate taking effect damage. You can decrease a monster you control's ATK by 500 and its level by 1 to negate effect damage)
"You avoided the damage!" Eric exclaimed. "That monster, it's-!"
"You can tell, right?" Gareth smiled. "This monster was one that I had used when I was a child, and probably one that you've fought against in preschool. I realized something after meeting you. The reason why I stood up to those bullies back then wasn't because I wanted to punish evil. It was because I wanted to protect you from it."
"So this," Eric gasped. "This is the way you duel. This is your resolve."
"That's right," Gareth said. "I had forgotten my true reason for fighting: to protect innocent people from the evil in this world. I let the fire in my heart grow dark because I was lost in my grief and hatred. But now, my determination can't be shaken. This monster is the symbol of my true self that I had abandoned years ago and that I reclaim right here and now!"
"Yeah," Eric said. "I can see that you have a strong bond with that card. It seems happy, like it's just been reunited with an old friend."
"Can we just get back to the duel?" Jorgan grunted. "I'm becoming rather impatient."
"I wouldn't ask for that if I were you," Gareth smirked. "Houka Lizard, attack Evil Accountant! Burning Blast!"
"I activate the Continuous Trap Life Force Shield!" Jorgan declared. "I pay 100 Life Points to negate battle damage!"
"Making your opponent pay so much while you pay so little," Gareth said. "How fitting for a greedy pragmatist."
(You can pay 100 Life Points to negate battle damage)
"Economics is my field of expertise," Jorgan boasted. "Let me show you what happens when you play my game. When you attack, Attack Reflection Shield activates, dealing you 1000 damage!"
"I activate Eater of Fire's effect," Gareth countered. "I can reduce Houka Lizard's level by 1 and ATK by 500 to negate effect damage!"
The metal lizard released another flurry of fire, only to be reflected and eaten by Eater of Flames. (Houka Lizard: Level 6/ATK-2100) (1000/1300)
"Next," Gareth declared, "I attack with Eater of Fire!"
"L-life Force Shield and Attack Reflection Shield activate!" Jorgan stammered.
The same sequence of events occurred, resulting in Houka Lizard's further weakening. (Houka Lizard: Level 5/ATK-1600) (1000/1200)
"This will be your last turn," Gareth announced. "I set 4 cards. Turn end!"
"Grrr," grumbled Mr. Jorgan. "I admit you are good, but still nothing against a professional businessman! I summon Maximum Attack Warrior in attack mode!"
A muscular fighter clad in a futuristic-looking suit appeared on the field from a black portal.
(Maximum Attack Warrior: Level 4/DARK/Warrior/ATK-2000 DEF-2000/Effect-This card gains 100 ATK or each Spell and Trap card on your side of the field)
"When I make an investment," Jorgan smirked, "I expect to have great returns! Maximum Attack Warrior gains 500 ATK for each Spell and Trap card on my side of the field. I have 5 so it has a total of 2500 ATK!"
Tubes extended from the warrior's suit and attached themselves to Jorgan's Spells and Traps, empowering it with energy.
"You are truly a businessman through and through," Gareth sneered.
"Indeed," Jorgan snickered. "Maximum Attack Warrior, attack that troublesome Eater of Fire!"
"I activate the Trap card Fire Wall!" Gareth shouted. "I halve all battle damage and prevent my monster's destruction!"
(If a Fire attribute monster is selected as the target of a card that destroys a monster or about to be destroyed in battle, halve all battle damage. No monsters can be destroyed this turn)
"Did you fail math?" Jorgan jeered. "Halving battle damage will still deal you 1000 damage, which is enough to finish you off!"
"Next," Gareth said, ignoring him, "I chain the Quick Spell Burst into Flames! This decreases your monster's ATK by 800!"
(When your opponent's monster attacks or is attacked by your Fire attribute monster, decrease that monster's ATK by 800. If its ATK is greater than that of your monster, you can negate all battle damage this turn and draw 1 card)
The ATK boosted warrior charged at Eater of Flames, only to be set afire and stopped by a burning wall of flames. (400/1100)
"You're only delaying the inevitable," Jorgan smiled. "No matter how long you stall, you'll run out of resources long before me."
"Like I said," Gareth grinned, "That was your last turn. On my Draw Phase, I use Eater of Fire's effect on Houka Lizard to negate the damage from Evil Accountant!"
Once more, the lizard's attack, reflect, and absorb effect was observed. (Houka Lizard: Level 4/ATK-1100)
"Now," Gareth smirked, "I summon the Tuner monster Fry Cook of Fire!"
Gareth's fry cook descended onto the field along with its grill, waving its spatula in anticipation.
(Fry Cook of Fire: Level 4/FIRE/Warrior/ATK-1400 DEF-1000/Effect-Once per turn, you can tribute one monster you control to Special Summon 2 Fire Burger Tokens (Pyro type/ Fire/level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0))
"No matter how many Synchro monsters you summon," Jorgan boasted, "You can't get past my impregnable defense! My contracts have no loopholes!"
"That's the mentality that makes you a good businessman," Gareth said, "but not a good duelist! My blazing flame of justice will burn all evil in its path!"
At that moment, Eric's heart began racing as a familiar rush flowed through him. He knew exactly what was coming.
"I'm tuning level 4 Fry Cook of Fire with the now level 4 Houka Lizard," Gareth announced. "A burning flame of the soul smolders brightly! Kindle the fire of blazing salvation! Synchro Summon! Reduce to ashes, Crimson Blaze Dragon!"
The two monsters burst into flames and condensed into two fireballs, which twirled momentarily in the air before slamming into each other to create a massive explosion of scorching infernos, with cinders flying messily in every direction. What stood in the aftermath of this fiery chaos was Gareth's most powerful monster, the tremendous crimson dragon with menacing black thorns. When untainted by black flames, Eric could see that there was a certain majesty and beauty to the sheer strength that this monster exuded.
(Crimson Blaze Dragon: Level 8/FIRE/Dragon/ATK-2800 DEF-1600/Effect-When this monster is Synchro Summoned, deal 500 points of damage to your opponent. Each time this monster attacks, discard one card from your opponent's hand. If they don't have cards in their hand, destroy 1 card on the field instead or deal 500 points of damage to your opponent)
"S-synchro Tax activates!" Jorgan stuttered as he gazed in frightful awe at the revered Nature Dragon of Fire. "You take 1000 damage!"
"I activate Eater of Fire's effect on Crimson Blaze Dragon to negate damage!" Gareth countered.
The mighty red dragon's flames began to be absorbed, only to be interrupted and eaten by Gareth's life-saving monster. (Crimson Blaze Dragon: Level 7/ATK-2300)
"Now it's your turn to pay!" Gareth shouted. "When Crimson Blaze Dragon is Synchro Summoned, you take 500 points of damage!"
Jorgan whimpered as Crimson Blaze Dragon shot a massive fireball at him, exploding with great turbulence. (400/600)
"I activate my Trap card Out of Business!" Jorgan screamed. "I destroy Crimson Blaze Dragon and gain Life Points equal to its ATK!"
(Destroy one monster on the field and gain Life Points equal to half of its ATK points)
"By now you still don't know," Gareth smirked, "that you can't stop the flames of justice! I activate my Trap card Crimson Blaze! As long as Crimson Blaze Dragon is on my field, my monsters are unaffected by all monster, Spell, and Trap card effects!"
"What?" Jorgan exclaimed with a crackling squeal.
The gargantuan red dragon raised its head and howled viciously, creating a massive heat wave that set Jorgan's entire field ablaze, rending all of his cards powerless before its blistering might.
(Activate only if "Crimson Blaze Dragon" is on your side of the field. All of your monsters are unaffected by monster, Spell, and Trap effects until the end of the turn)
"Crimson Blaze Dragon," Gareth declared, "attack Evil Accountant! When it attacks, you discard 1 card from your hand. Since you don't have one, I can destroy a card on the field instead, such as your Life Force Shield!"
"I activate my Trap card Currency Transfer!" shrieked Jorgan in desperation. "I tribute Maximum Attack Warrior to have Evil Accountant's ATK become 2500!"
(Tribute one monster you control to have another one of your monsters gain the same number of ATK points as the tributed monster had when it left the field)
"How many times must I say it?" Gareth smirked. "Nothing you do can stop my flames! I activate my Trap card Extreme Combustion! All of monsters gain 1000 ATK!"
"Impossible!" Jorgan exclaimed. "How could you predict everything I had prepared?"
"A shrewd businessman like you is nothing but predictable," Gareth grinned. "Everyone knows that when you're about to go bankrupt, you want to liquidize as many of your assets as possible. Your own greed cost you this duel! Scorching Flame of Destruction!"
The goblin accountant sucked the life energy from Maximum Attack Warrior, filling its briefcase with stacks of bills to use as a shield. However, Crimson Blaze Dragon unleashed another powerful gust of fire, incinerating all of the goblin's money and destroying its last remaining line of defense. In one forceful stroke, the mighty red dragon released a massive fireball that struck the goblin and exploded so violently that Jorgan lost his footing and fell due to the shock. (400/0)
(All of your Fire attribute monsters gain 1000 ATK. At the End Phase, their ATK become 1000 less than the original ATK. During your next End Phase, they regain their original ATK)
Without a moment's rest, Gareth walked over towards Jorgan, tore the bill of sale to shreds, and snatched Moonstar Dragon from his pocket. Their teeth chattering nervously, Jorgan and his guards retreated to their car in an unsightly scramble and drove off without a word.
"Looks like history is repeating itself, Eric," Gareth said as he returned Moonstar Dragon.
"Thanks," Eric said, embracing his beloved card. "I'll make this up to you one day."
"Does that mean you're gonna be joining my company?" grinned Gareth.
"Not a chance," Eric smirked back.
"I thought so," Gareth said with a disappointed but accepting sigh.
Leaving things at that, Gareth drove off into the horizon with a feeling of immense satisfaction. Eric watched him disappear, thinking that he was glad they had met. In just these last couple days of hectic chaos, he had discovered someone who was different from him, whose views he didn't entirely agree with, but who had earned his respect and admiration.
"It must be nice," Gaige said whimsically, "having such nice friends."
"Friends, huh?" Eric said to himself.
It was true that he had acknowledged Gareth as his first friend in kindergarten, but after they had been separated for so long and after seeing what he had become, Eric wasn't sure. Yet, he felt that something had changed recently. He wasn't sure if Gareth had truly abandoned his dark motivations or if he was simply lying, but in the duel he had just observed, he felt something different, a warm sensation that reminded him of when they had first met. He wasn't quite ready to trust Gareth's words, but at least for now, he could trust his feelings.
"Yeah," Eric smiled. "Friends."