Episode 71: Mind vs. Matter
Yuni slams his fist against a wall and shouts in frustration. Yuni, Tori, and Brutus are alone in the duel arena. All of them look sad and upset. Tori approaches Yuni and says solemnly, "Yuni…"
Yuni puts out a hand to stop her. Mostly to himself, he says, "This is all my fault…I let him get into that duel. I never should have let him."
Tori continues, "Yuni, it's not your fault. Remember, he wanted to do it. It meant a lot to him."
Yuni shakes his head. "He wouldn't have done it if I hadn't encouraged him."
Yugi tries to say, Yuni, come on. He was my friend too. You have to-
Yuni cuts him off, This is your fault too! You're the one who convinced me to encourage him!
Yugi sounds hurt. Yuni…
Brutus, who has remained silent up until this time, states, "Yuni, you can't be so hard on yourself. This is what Zenith wanted. Even if there was the slightest chance of him defeating Oblivion so you didn't have to, he was willing to take that chance. He admired you. He wouldn't have been able to live with himself if you didn't let him do this."
Tori nods in agreement. "We're all sad that he's gone, but that doesn't change the fact that Oblivion is still at large. We must remain strong so that we can beat him."
Yuni retorts, "So that we can beat him? We? How about me? I'm the Lord of Chaos! Oblivion has taken my parents, it's because of him that Apep had to lose to Konton, and now he's taking my friends! And I'm the one who's supposed to stand against him! Me! Not you!"
Tori and Brutus both hang their heads in despair. Tori says meekly, "I hope you don't really believe that Yuni."
Just then, the Minister of Dueling announces via intercom, "Alright duelists, it is time for the duel between Brutus Marc and Tori Rekishi to begin! If everyone would please report to the duel arena!"
Yuni shakes his head with frustration. "You know what? You two go ahead and have fun dueling. I've got to get out of here." Yuni storms out the door just as Seto and Kodane are coming in. he bumps into Seto on the way out.
Tori turns to Brutus and sighs. She says, "Maybe he just needs some time alone. I can't imagine what must be going on inside of him. He's under so much pressure. I think that I'd snap."
Brutus nods in agreement. He takes a deep breath. "Hey Tori, about that. I was thinking…and, well, I was hoping that you would throw this next duel."
Tori looks taken aback. She demands, "Why would I ever do that!?"
Brutus asserts, "Because whoever wins it is going to have to face Oblivion in the next round. I don't want you to have to do that."
"I couldn't possibly do that Brutus. You know that."
Brutus hangs head. "Tori…please. It needs to be me who faces Oblivion."
"No Brutus. It doesn't need to be you. We will both duel, and we will duel to the fullest of our abilities. Whoever wins is the one who is more prepared to face Oblivion."
Brutus nods. "Alright then. Are you sure?"
Tori nods. "Absolutely."
Everyone has assembled on the observation platform except for Yuni and Zenith. The Minister of Dueling's hologram appears and announces, "All right, it is time to begin the final duel of the quarterfinals! Brutus Marc and Tori Rekishi, please take your positions!"
Brutus and Tori each maneuver themselves into their respective spots on the field. Each activate their Duel Gauntlets. The Duel Computer announces, "World of Duel Finals duel now commencing. Brutus Marc, with 4350 life points vs. Tori Rekishi, with 5600 life points. Scanning decks…decks accepted. Commence dueling."
The Minister declares, "It has been decided that the first move will belong to Brutus Marc!"
Brutus draws and thinks, I have to win this. I couldn't live with myself if I let Tori beat me, and then she lost to oblivion. It has to be me. There is no other option. He says aloud, "Let's get this show on the road! I summon Fallen Seraphim (Dark/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 0)!" In a beam of light an angelic being of light descends onto the field. Brutus continues, "Then I'll activate Pass-Off! As long as I control this spell card, any effect damage that would be inflicted to me is inflicted to you instead! Now, at the end of every turn, Fallen Seraphim inflicts 500 points of damage to me, which actually means that you have 500 damage coming your way!" Brutus' monster transforms. While still recognizable as the same person, it has now become demonic and dark. It looks back at Brutus menacingly and a ray of darkness is sent towards him. A barrier of energy wraps around Brutus and the beam hits it, bounces off, and hits Tori (Tori's LP: 5100) (Brutus' hand: 4). After inflicting the damage, Fallen Seraphim returns to its previous form.
Tori draws. She thinks, Brutus is a good duelist, but he can't possibly be good enough to defeat Oblivion. I've got to beat him, it's the only way to protect him. She declares, "Don't think that I'll go easy on you just because we're friends! I'm going all out! I summon Lithic Geode (Earth/Level 4/Rock/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 2200)!" Tori's monster is a large boulder, but it appears to be cut in half, revealing purple crystal innards. Some of the crystals are arranged so that they look like a face. "This monster allows me to summon another monster, as long as it's a tribute summon using Lithic Geode as a tribute! So I'll do just that and carve Lithic Geode into Monolithic Crystal Guardian (Earth/Level 6/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 3000)!" The massive geode is carved away to reveal a new monster. It's a humanoid form carved from one large chunk of purple crystal and appears to be a monster made for defending, between shields built into its arms and projections all around its body, similar to armor.
Brutus comments, "A nice monster, but you made one mistake."
Tori raises an eyebrow. "Oh did I?"
"Yeah, you summoned it in attack mode. I thought that you were supposed to be the smart one."
Tori says sarcastically, "Oh how silly of me. What a mistake. I guess that it's a good thing that I have the ability of Crystal Guardian then! Once per turn, I can swap its attack and defense until the end of the turn!" The armor and shield pieces of crystal fall off of the monsters and then sharp, weaponized crystals grow in their place (ATK: 3000) (DEF: 0). "Let's attack now Crystal Guardian, Shimmering Slash Attack!" Tori's monster lunges at Brutus' and slashes down with a sharpened crystal, destroying the monster (Brutus' LP: 3650).
Brutus counters, "Little did you know, but when my Fallen Seraphim is destroyed, it inflicts me with 1000 points of damage, but thanks to Pass-Off, you'll be taking that damage instead!" Brutus' monster returns, but in its dark form, only to fire its energy beam and disappear again. The attack is reflected towards Tori (Tori's LP: 4100).
After taking the damage, Tori explains, "After declaring an attack, Crystal Guardian switches itself to defense mode, and then at the end of the turn, its attack and defense return to normal." The monster sheds its sharp crystals and regenerates its defensive ones (ATK: 0) (DEF: 3000) (Tori's hand: 4).
Yuni is sitting in the infirmary in a chair next to a bed. In the bed, Zenith lies unconscious. Yuni thinks in despair, Zenith, I'm so sorry. Oblivion was my burden, and now you're gone because of it. It's my fault.
Yugi, who also sounds sorrowful, says, Come on Yuni. Don't be so upset.
Don't lie to me. I know you. You're just as upset as I am.
Yugi sighs. I am, but that doesn't mean that I'm lying. He sighs again. I've been through this before. It's not that I'm suggesting that you get used to this kind of stuff, but you learn that you can't let it get to you or you'll be weak going into your final battle. Besides, it's just as much my fault as it was yours. I convinced you to allow him to go into that duel.
Yuni shakes his head. He looks at Zenith. I just don't know what to do.
Brutus begins his turn and draws a card. He declares, "I can't let you fight Oblivion! I summon Acidic Giant (Water/Level 4/Aqua/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 0)! Normally, Acidic Giant would inflict 1000 points of damage to me, but you know better than that!" Brutus' massive, oozing monster drips acid onto him, but it hit's the barrier of Pass-Off and bounces off towards Tori, showering her with corrosive acid (Tori's LP: 3100). "Then, since I control a level four monster with more than 2000 attack, I can special summon United Force (Dark/Level 4/Machine/Union/ATK 2000/DEF 0)!" The monster is a dark purple robot, which appears to be partially incomplete, since it's missing parts such as a head, feet, and hands.
Tori observes, "How odd of you Brutus. That monster's effect stops it from declaring any attacks. It doesn't fit your style."
"Now it's your time to be wrong. This card is going to make my attacks stronger than ever! It's a Union monster, and it can be equipped to any level four monster with 2000 or more attack that I control!" The monster, which can be more accurately described as armor, attaches itself to Acidic Giant. It is an awkward fit, since the monster barely has a humanoid form, but it manages to equip itself. The parts of the monster now being encased by the armor is condensed so the armor can fit. "While equipped, United Force does two things. First, it negates Acidic Giant's effect, meaning I don't have to pay any life points to attack, and second, it gives it 500 extra attack (ATK: 3100)! Now Acidic Giant, destroy Tori's Crystal Guardian with Corrosive Clench!" Brutus' monster stretches out its hand and grabs onto Tori's monster, crushing it. "After I set a card, my turn is finished (Brutus' hand: 2)!"
Tori draws. "Which means it's my turn! I activate Lithic Excavation! Now by discarding the Lithic Boulder in my hand, I can special summon two Lithic Slate Tokens (Earth/Level 1/Rock/Token/ATK 0/DEF 1000)!" Two identical slabs of rock appear on Tori's field. Each has a face pattern carved onto them. "Then I get to perform two normal summons this turn, but only if both of them are the tribute summon of a Lithic monster. So I'll tribute one token to summon Monolithic Sphinx (Earth/Level 7/Rock/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2500), which I can summon with only one tribute, if I use a Lithic monster as a tribute, and Monolithic Statue Warrior (Earth/Level 6/Rock/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000)!" The two slabs carve away into the sphinx and the statue. She commands, "Now Statue Warrior, attack Brutus' Acidic Golem!" Tori's monster raises its stone sword in preparation to attack.
Brutus thinks, What's she playing at? My monster is too powerful. Unless… Brutus thinks back to the last time that Tori used that monster. Its effect can destroy any monster it attacks that has a higher attack than it! Monolithic Statue Warrior slams its sword down on Brutus' monster. The armor around the monster shatters. Brutus explains, "If the monster equipped with United Force would be destroyed by card effect, I can destroy United Force instead (ATK: 2600)!"
Tori comments, "I'm impressed Brutus. You didn't make a single comment about my monster destroying yours."
Brutus grins. "I'm not that stupid. I remember the last time you used that card."
"Then you should be able to guess what comes next! Go Monolithic Sphinx, attack Brutus' Acidic Golem, and destroy it for real this time!" The giant sphinx pounces onto the monster and crushes it (Brutus' LP: 3450). "I set a card and end my turn (Tori's hand: 0)."
Yuni is still sitting at Zenith's bedside in despair, when the door to the infirmary swooshes open. A female medic walks in. Yuni looks up at her and she says, "I've come to do some further tests on your friend. He's showing some very strange symptoms. For some reason we can't explain, all of his vital signs are exactly what they should be, except for his brain. He's showing absolutely no brainwave activity. I've never seen anything like it." After considering something for a moment, she adds, "He also showing a few abnormalities on the basic scan, nothing too serious, but they may give us a clue."
Yuni, mostly to himself, says, "It'll be no use. You'll never figure out what's wrong with him."
The medic smiles politely. "Come on now, let's not think that way. I'm sure we can find something. I was just about to perform a full on medical scan on him, it should tell us something."
Yuni jumps up and shouts, "No!"
The medic stares at him questioningly. "What's wrong?"
Yuni calms a little. "Zenith was deathly afraid of medical scans. He wouldn't want you to do that." He adds under his breath, "It wouldn't do anything anyways. You'll never find out what's wrong with him."
The medic looks thoughtful. "I guess since we're having trouble contacting the boy's parents to get permission for the scan and he seems to be in a fairly stable condition, we can wait for now. But if his situation gets worse or we manage to contact his parents and they want a scan, the we'll have to administer one."
Yuni questions, "His parents?"
"Yes, it would appear that the information provided to us by Zenith is outdated. We are having problems contacting any of his family." Yuni nods. She starts back towards the door. "I guess since we're not going to perform the scan, I'll just be leaving." She exits.
Yuni sits back down. He sighs. He thinks, If only a medical scan really could solve our problems…
Out of nowhere, a disembodied voice, the one of Zenith says, Ugh, you know that I hate those things!
Yuni looks at Zenith's comatose body and exclaims, "Zenith!? But…but…how?"
Zenith's voice states, Do not worry about that. Just know that even now, I stand by your side.
"What's going on?"
I should ask you the same thing. Your two best friends are out there dueling, trying to see who is going to face off against Oblivion, the same guy who banished my mind! Why are you in here moping over me, when they're out there!? They need all of your support now! Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.
Yuni looks down in shame. "You're right. I don't know what's gotten into me." He looks back up, now with new found confidence. "Thank you Zenith." Yuni runs out.
Brutus, who is about to draw, looks over towards the observation platform. He thinks with regret, Man, I really wish Yuni was here. I'm doing this all for him and Tori. He must be really depressed. He frowns.
Just then, the doors open up and Yuni runs in. Tori and Brutus both exclaim, "Yuni!"
Yuni smiles at them. He says, "Don't worry guys, I'm here for you. Now come on, let's see some dueling!"
Brutus and Tori return their attention to each other. Brutus grins and declares, "I draw!" as he draws. "I'll start things off by activating Call of the Haunted and special summoning Acidic Golem back from my grave! Then I'll activate Determined Fighting Spirit! Since I control a monster with more than 2000 attack, I can draw two cards!" Brutus does so. "I tribute Acidic Golem in order to summon the Brutal Massive Dragon (Earth/Level 6/Dragon/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 0)! Then I'll immediately tribute it in order to special summon Brutal Lord, the Dragon of Power (Earth/Level 8/Dragon/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 0)!" Brutus' dragon morphs into its new form.
On the sidelines, Yuni thinks, Hey, that's the card I gave Brutus right before my mind was banished!
Yugi explains, Yeah, he's been using that card lately. It's one of his new favorites. Yuni smiles upon hearing that fact.
Brutus explains, "My Brutal Lord gains attack equal to the attack of the monster used to summon it (ATK: 5600)! Then I activate Monster Reborn and revive the Brutal Massive Dragon! He won't stick around this time either though, because I'm Evolving it into Brutanic Master Dragon (Earth/Level 8/Dragon/Evolution/ATK 3500/DEF 0)!" Brutus now has two imposing dragons on his field. "To make this move all the better, I'll activate my facedown trap, Anti-Skill Zone! This card negates the effects of all other cards that are face up on the field!" Brutus gains a solemn look. "I am sorry Tori, but it is time for me to win this duel, now that they're free from their pesky effects, I'll have Brutal Dragon, the Lord of Power attack Monolithic Statue Warrior! Go, Power Wave of Destruction!"
Tori declares, "Don't count me out yet! I activate the Counter Trap card, Ancient Mystery! This card allows me to tribute my Statue Warrior in order to negate your attack! Also, you take damage equal to half of the attack of the monster I tributed!"
Brutus grins. "Sorry, but I've got my Pass-Off, meaning you'll take the damage!"
"Think again! You negated its effect with Anti-Skill Zone!"
Brutus' eyes go wide with shock. "Shoot, I did!" Tori's monster blows up, and shards from is hits Brutus, causing damage (Brutus' LP: 2250). Brutus recovers. "Fine, Brutanic Master Dragon, unleash Brutanic Apocalypse on Monolithic Sphinx!" Brutus' monster fires its massive spike-missiles at Tori's monster, destroying it (Tori's LP: 2400). "Now I'll set a card. Normally, at the end of my turn, both of my monsters would destroy themselves, but their effects are negated, so I don't have to worry about it, but my Brutanic Master Dragon does Devolve (Brutus' hand: 0).
Tori draws. She declares, "I activate the Pot of Greed!" Tori draws two more cards. She smiles. "I banish the five Lithic monsters in my grave in order to summon Megalithic Serpent Mound Dragon (Earth/Level 10/Rock/Effect/ATK ?/DEF 0)!" The pieces of various Lithic monsters assemble themselves into Tori's stone serpent. "This monster's attack is equal to the number of monster that I banished to summon it times 700 (ATK: 3500)! Then I activate the effect of Serpent Mound Dragon! By sending the top three cards from my deck to the grave, I can draw two cards! All three cards I just sent were Lithic monsters, meaning I can banish them in order to summon Megalithic Pyramidal (Earth/Level 10/Rock/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?), whose attack and defense is equal to all of my banished Lithic monsters times 500 (ATK: 4000)!"
Brutus comments, "They're still not strong enough to defeat my Brutal Lord!"
"That's because I'm not done yet! I equip Serpent Mound Dragon with Megalithic Engine! This card increases the attack of the equipped monster so that it has 100 more attack than your strongest monster (ATK: 5700)! Now Serpent Mound Dragon, attack Brutus' Brutal Lord!" Tori's monster unleashes a volley sharp rocks at Brutus' monster, destroying it (Brutus' LP: 2150). "Then I'll have Pyramidal attack Brutal Massive Dragon with Pyramidal Smash!" Tori's massive monster rocks the ground, and the resulting shockwave destroys Brutus' monster (Brutus' LP: 950). "I'll set a card and then at the end of my turn, Megalithic Engine destroys itself (ATK: 3500). It's your move Brutus (Tori's hand: 0)."
Brutus draws. "And I'll take it! I activate my facedown card, Vengeance of Power! By paying half of my life points (Brutus' LP: 475) , this card brings back each monster with 2000 or more attack that was destroyed last turn! Also, I can return an Evolution monster to the Extra Deck!" Brutus' Brutal Lord, the Dragon of Power and Brutal Massive Dragon return to the field. "Then from my hand, I'll summon Power Copy (Dark/Level 4/Fiend/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 0)!" A formless being of shadows appears before Brutus. "I can only summon this card while I control a monster with more than 2000 attack, and when it is summoned, it copies the name of one of those monsters, in this case, Brutal Massive Dragon!" Its shape changes to match that of the Brutal Massive Dragon. "Which means that I can evolve it into Brutanic Master Dragon!" Brutus now controls all three of his most powerful monsters. "When I Evolve Power Copy, its next effect activates, lowering the attack of Serpent Mound Dragon by 1000 (ATK: 2500)! Then I'll banish Acidic Golem from my graveyard in order to grant my Brutanic Master Dragon 2600 extra attack points (ATK: 6100) and the ability to attack! Go, use your Brutanic Apocalypse on Megalithic Pyramidal!" Brutus' monster attacks and destroys the other (Tori's LP: 300). "I'm sorry Tori, but I'm winning this duel, right here, right now. It will be me who faces Oblivion. I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I allowed you to face such a dangerous opponent. Brutal Lord, attack Serpent Mound Dragon and win me this duel!" Brutus' monster readies to attack.
Tori raises her arm, as if she is about to declare the activation of a card. She thinks, I could activate my trap card and inflict damage to both of us equal to the attack of a monster that hasn't attacked yet, such as Brutus' Brutal Massive Dragon, and that would force a tie. According to the rules, if we tie, then we'll have a rematch. A rematch which I could win. She looks at Brutus and sees the determination on his face. She lowers her hand. The attack hits her monster (Tori's LP: 0).
The Minister of Dueling announces, "And Brutus Marc is the winner! He will move to the semifinals were he will face off against Oblivion! And so that ends day one of the exciting World of Duel Finals! You will all be guided to your rooms were you will sleep for the night. Semifinals begin first thing tomorrow! Until then, good night!"
Tori and Brutus return to the observation platform. Yuni says to Brutus, "Good job. That was a great duel." He looks at Tori also. "And I mean for both of you."
Tori smiles. "I'm just glad that you decided to show up."
Yuni scratches the back of his head, as if he's not sure what to say. "Yeah…I had some inspiration." He looks at Brutus. "Are you sure that you want to face Oblivion? Do you think that you're ready?"
Brutus nods with confidence. "Yes. I'm sure."
Yuni smiles. "Then I'm with you all the way."
Tori adds, "And so am I."
The group begins to walk out. On the way out, Brutus asks, "By the way Tori, what was that card you had facedown?"
Tori smiles. "Oh, it was nothing. It would have had no effect on the duel."