Episode 75: Inner Demons Part 1

Yuni is taking a nap in his room aboard the space station. He's tossing and turning. The scene changes to show his dream. He is standing in a dark field at night. It's raining. Lightning strikes and thunder sounds. Suddenly, Yuni's father runs by. He shouts, "Jade, come on! He's nearly caught up with us!"

Yuni's mother catches up, she's panting. She says, "We've been running for hours Ben! I can't keep up! I can't carry on."

"Come on, we need to keep moving! We don't have any time to stop!"

"Alright, fine. Let's go."

Suddenly, a malevolent voice says, "You two aren't going anywhere!" In the flash of a lightning bolt, the silhouette of a figure in Disciple of Darkness robes is revealed.

Yuni's father says, "Oblivion."

Oblivion says, "Give me back the card, and your ends will be merciful."

Yuni's father says sternly, "That card doesn't belong to you! It has power greater than you could comprehend!"

"I comprehend its power better than you do. You know nothing of it."

Yuni's mother says, "The card is meant to be used for good! You would abuse its power!"

Oblivion shouts, "Enough! Give me Another Hope now!"

Yuni's father smirks. "I'm sorry Lord Oblivion, but that would be impossible. The card is hidden. You'll never find it!"

Oblivion shouts in anger, "Noooo! You two will pay for this!" Another bolt of lightning, and Oblivion can be seen raising his arm. "Shadow Leech!" Tendrils of shadows stretch from his hand wrap around Yuni's mother and father.

The last thing that Yuni's mother says before she engulfed is, "Yuni…forgive me…" Both fall limply to the ground.

Oblivion walks over to the bodies of the two and says, "I will find Another Hope. I will obtain it's power. Your sacrifice was in vain." Oblivion laughs maniacally.

The scene changes. Yuni is now standing in an ally way, seeing what looks like the end of a duel. Apep is on one side Oblivion is on the other. Apep's life point meter says 0 and Oblivion's says 4000. Oblivion says, "You lose Chaos Lord. Now I banish your body and mind!" He holds up his arm and it looks as if shadows shoot out of his hand and begin to wrap around Apep. Apep tries to struggle free, but to no avail.

Yuni shouts, "Apep, no!"

Apep turns his head around to Yuni and a solemn look crosses his face. He then hangs his head in shame and is fully engulfed by the shadows. He then disappears in the shadows as they recede.

Another change. Now Yuni is watching the end of Zenith's duel with Oblivion. Oblivion explains to Zenith, "To add to that strength, Apocalyptic Corruption grants each of my Darkness Evolution monsters with 500 extra attack points (ATK: 5500)!" Zenith's look of horror turns to one of utter despair.

Yuni cries out, "Zenith, no!"

Oblivion declares, "Attack now, destroy this runt who thought he could hinder me!" Oblivion's monster charges at Zenith with its sword raised. Zenith hangs his head in defeat. The attack makes contact (Zenith's LP: 0). The duel ends. Zenith says nothing, and continues to hang his head. Oblivion says, "And now you pay for getting in my way. Go, Shadow Leech!" Shadowy tendrils snake out from Oblivion and wrap around Zenith.

Yuni shouts in despair, "No!"

As the tendrils cover Zenith, he turns to face Yuni. A single tear falls from his eye. He says meekly, "I'm sorry Yuni. I've failed you." The tendrils disappear. Zenith falls unconscious.

Just as that vision ends, yet another begins. Now it is Brutus dueling Oblivion. Oblivion is shaking his head and saying, "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but this is not the end of me. I activate the effect of Apocalyptic Guard of Misery from my hand."

Brutus looks completely shocked. He exclaims, "What!?"

"You heard me. By banishing it from my hand, I may negate your attack." A ghostly form of a fiendish shadow creature wearing heavy armor and holding two large shield appears and intercepts the attack.

A look of utter despair crosses Brutus' face. He falls onto his knees. Yuni shouts, "Come on Brutus, get back up! This duel isn't over yet!"

Brutus slowly looks towards Yuni and says with despair, "It is…" As he looks down at the floor beneath him and explains morbidly, "At the end of the turn, the effect of Goblin Attack Army will destroy itself. When the monster equipped with Maximum Power is destroyed, it inflicts damage to me equal to that monster's attack."

Tori gasps. "But that would mean…"

Brutus' monster shatters away, and a burst of energy hits Brutus (Brutus' LP: 0). Brutus finishes for Tori, "I lose."

Oblivion grins malevolently. "Your mind is mine." He holds out his hand and the shadowy tendrils wrap around Brutus and slowly begin to fully cover him.

In his last moments of life, Brutus looks straight at Yuni and says, "I'm so sorry. I regret nothing…" Brutus falls unconscious. The duel ends.

In an action that didn't occur during the duel, Oblivion turns and looks at Yuni. He threatens, "All your friends have fallen to me. They fought for you, and now they are gone. You are next. The Another Hope card and the infinite lost power of Yugoha will be mine." He laughs evilly. Yuni wakes up suddenly, panting.

He looks over at a clock. He says to himself. "I've still got five minutes before my duel with Oblivion. Can I really do this?"

Yugi asserts, What kind of question is that!? To expect any less of yourself is to insult all of those you just saw who fell trying to protect you.

Yuni nods. Yes, of course. I'm just nervous.

That's a good thing. If you weren't nervous, then you would go into this duel expecting to win, and that's how you lose.

Yuni nods again. He grabs the holo-locket around his neck and activates it. He looks for a while at the hologram of him as a child along with his parents. Then he deactivates the hologram and opens the locket to reveal the Another Hope card. He thinks, Mom, Dad, you sacrificed yourselves to protect this card. I know how important it was to you. I will not fail you. I will defeat Oblivion and end his threat once and for all.

Yugi, sounding a little unsure of himself, suggest, So…I've been thinking. Everything that we've been through over the past couple months… Yuni nods him on. Well, it's all been about that card, right?

Yeah, it really has been.

Well, I was thinking, why not add it to your deck?

Yuni lifts in eyebrow in interest. You think I should put a card with no effect in my deck?

I know it's a blank card, but what if it has some sort of hidden power? What if it's the key to defeating evils such as Oblivion. I think it's worth a try.

Yuni begins to nod in agreement. You're right. Let's do it. He looks upwards and says, "Did you hear that Mom and Dad? I'm putting your card in my deck."

Yugi comments, Now it will be like they're there with you.

Yuni smiles and nods. He pulls the card out of his holo-locket, opens his deck case, and slips the card in. He says aloud, "Alright, let's do this. Get ready Oblivion, because here I come!"

In the duel arena, a count-down clock is at thirty seconds. Everyone is gathered except for Yuni. Tori looks worried. She says, mostly to herself, "Hurry up Yuni, please."

Oblivion grimaces. "It looks like your friend took the smart path and got out while he still could. Oh well, I'll just have to hunt him down myself, after I take that Crown of Kings as my own that is."

Just then, Yuni's voice announces, "Don't speak so soon Oblivion. I wouldn't make it that easy for you." Yuni steps in through the doors.

Tori exclaims, "Yuni, you're here!"

Yuni smiles at her. "Was there any doubt?" Tori shakes her head and smiles. Yuni walks up to Celestia and they both look towards Oblivion. He asks her, "So I'm going to do this, but I just need to know one thing."

Celestia asks, "And what would that be?"

Yuni hesitates. "If I defeat him, but I am unable to release him from his Darkness…"

Celestia nods in understanding. "Then do what you must. His threat must be stopped once and for all."

"All right, I'll do it."

The oversized hologram of the Minister of Dueling appears in the center of the arena. He announces, "Alright duelists and spectators around the world, are you ready for the duel of decade - no - the match of the millennium!?" A prerecorded sound of applause is heard. "Let's get this final match of history's biggest Duel Monsters tournament underway!" Yuni and Oblivion make their way to their positions in the zero-gravity arena. The Minister continues, "It's time for our final duel between Yuni Oha and Oblivion!" Another applause. "And let's not forget the prize…" He beckons over to the side of the duel arena opposite of the observation platform and a spotlight shines down on to a pedestal that holds the crown once worn by Dartz, King of Atlantis. "The Crown of Kings! This magnificent crown was worn by the King of Atlantis, the first society to be associated with Duel Monsters! And of course, let's not forget the true prize…the winner will become the first person to obtain the title of King of Games in 5,000 years!" Another applause. "Who will it be, Oblivion, the duelist of darkness, or Yuni, the champion of Cyber-Techs!? Without further ado, let's get this duel started!"

Oblivion looks straight at Yuni and says, "What you have seen before has been merely a fraction of my power. Be honored by the fact that I utilize my full power against you!" Oblivion balls up his fist and begins screaming towards the roof as he shakes his fists. Dark energy begins to flow through him. His Duel Gauntlet of Darkness appears on his wrist. He stops the violent motion and opens his eyes, revealing them to now be glowing red. He is still cloaked in an aura of shadows. His cloak ripples, as if being blown by the dark energy around him.

Yuni says determinedly, "Oh yeah, well watch this!" Yuni closes his eyes and looks down, allowing his body to go limp. A beam of light and dark energy comes down onto him. His body spins around several rotations in the beam. The yin-yang on the back of his hand lights up and his Duel Gauntlet becomes covered in various patterns of Chaos, and it too glows with light and darkness. He suddenly jerks his head up and opens his eyes, which are now colored dark purple and gold. While the beam of energy ceases, a light and dark aura still surrounds Yuni. Like Oblivion, his clothes appear to be blown and rippled by the energy around him. He attaches his deck box to his Duel Gauntlet and declares, "Duel on!"

The Duel Computer announces, "Final Duel of the World of Duel Tournament now commencing. Yuni Oha, with 4200 life points vs. Oblivion, with 8000 life points. Scanning decks…decks accepted. Commence dueling."

The Minister announces, "For this final duel, Oblivion will be taking the first move!"

Oblivion draws. "Prepare yourself for your last duel Prince Yu-Gi-Oh! Once I defeat you, I will take your mind…both of your minds, and then I will take your Another Hope. With that, along with the dark powers hidden within the Crown of Kings, I will rule the world!" He looks to his hand. "I summon Apocalyptic Sentinel of the End (Dark/Level 4/Fiend/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 1000)!" Oblivion's card is a tall and slim monster of shadows. It wears dark armor and holds a spear. "Then, since it's only level four, I equip my monster with Apocalyptic Doomsday Devise, doubling its attack strength (ATK: 3000)!" Oblivion's monster doubles in size. Make your worthless move Yuni (Oblivion's hand: 4)."

Yuni says with determination, "It won't be worthless!" He prepares to draw. Just as he is, he has a vision. He is suddenly in a strange void. He is balancing on a thin path of grey that seems to continue on into infinity. To his left and below him is pool of swirling dark purple and black energy. On his right and below him is a similar, but different pool of white and gold energy. Yuni continues to walk, one step at a time, forward. He asks, "What's going on here?"

The voice of Apophis, the Will of Chaos answers, "You are accessing the full potential of your powers of Chaos."

"And what am I doing here?"

"This is a visual representation that allows your mortal mind to understand the precipice that you stand on. Right now you walk the Path of Balance. From this path you can draw from either the Pools of Darkness or Light, without disrupting the Balance. The predicament of such a situation is that it would be much easier to draw greater energy if you could dive into either pool, but if you did, you would destroy the Balance. Just as the it can be hard to maintain the Balance, it is easy to fall from the small path that you now walk. And just as when one does fall into disbalance, it can be nearly impossible to make it back up to the Path of Balance, so tread cautiously."

Yuni nods in understanding. "I'm ready for this." The vision ends. Yuni draws. He declares, "Since you control a monster with at least 3000 attack, and I control no monsters, I can special summon Cyber-Tech Summon Mage (Light/Level 8/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2000)!" Yuni's monster is a cyborg, female magician. It holds two staffs, one in each hand. "When this monster is special summoned, it automatically brings out another Cyber-Tech from my hand, such as Cyber-Tech Acolyte (Dark/Level 4/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 1900)!" This next monster is another cybernetic magician. This one wears armor that appears similar to the Cyber-Tech Magician's, only less encompassing. "Then, whenever a monster is special summoned, Summon Mage gains 400 attack points (ATK: 3400). Now that it has enough strength, let's attack the Apocalyptic Sentinel of the End!" Out of each of the monster's staffs, a beam of blue energy is shot. The two beams twist around each other and strike Oblivion's monster, destroying it (Oblivion's LP: 7600). "Now let's attack him directly Cyber-Tech Acolyte!" The monster raises its staff, an imitation of Cyber-Tech Magician's, and fires a small ball of dark energy at Oblivion, who takes the attack without flinching (Oblivion's LP: 6100).

Tori cheers, "Yeah Yuni, you knocked him down to size! Way to go!"

Oblivion begins to chuckle. Yuni asks, "What's so funny?"

He responds, "You. You think that destroying my one monster and inflicting some damage to me is going to make a difference. You're wrong. You did exactly what I wanted you to do."

Yuni is shocked. "What?!"

"Yes, because at the end of the turn that my Sentinel is destroyed, I'm allowed to special summon one Apocalyptic monster straight from my deck. Come forth, Apocalyptic Ghoul of Catastrophe (Dark/Level 6/Fiend/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 2200)."

Yuni acts as if it's no big deal. "So what, my monster is still more powerful than yours (Yuni's hand: 4)."

Oblivion shakes his head. "We both know that that is not my objective. During my Draw Phase, the Ghoul of Catastrophe allows me to add an Apocalyptic spell or trap card my hand instead of drawing." A card is moved from his deck to his hand. "I'll summon Apocalyptic Knight of Destruction (Dark/Level 4/Fiend/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 0), then I'll Evolve both of my monsters!" Both monster simultaneously begin to glow. "I Evolve the Apocalyptic Ghoul of Catastrophe into Apocalyptic Archfiend of Demise (Dark/Level 7/Fiend/Evolution/ATK 2500/DEF 2300) and the Apocalyptic Knight of Destruction into Apocalyptic Ruler of Massacre (Dark/Level 6/Fiend/Evolution/ATK 2500/DEF 2000)! In case you don't remember from when I defeated your friend Brutus, when the Ruler of Massacre is summoned, I can send the top four cards of my deck to the grave in order to add a card from my grave to my hand. I'll bring back my Apocalyptic Doomsday Device." Oblivion grins menacingly. "Now I'm sure that you can guess what card I added to my hand with the Ghoul of Catastrophe was." Yuni slowly nods, realizing what is coming next. Oblivion continues, "I activate Apocalyptic Corruption! Prepare to meet your doom! Go, double Darkness Evolution!" Both of Oblivion's monsters are cloaked in shadows. "I summon Darkness Evolution: Apocalyptic Phantasm of Doomsday (Dark/Level 9/Fiend/Evolution/ATK ?/DEF 0) and Darkness Evolution: Apocalyptic King of Carnage (Dark/Level 8/Fiend/Evolution/ATK 2500/DEF 2000)!" Yuni looks at the two monsters with horror. "That's right, you are now facing the two monsters who single-handedly defeated both of your friends! Your hope for escape is gone!"

Yuni quickly wipes the look of horror off his face and challenges, "All right than, come at me!"

"I'm sure you remember this, but when Phantasm of Doomsday is summoned, it automatically wipes out your field and gains 1000 attack for each card it destroys!" A pulse of dark, destructive energy is sent out from Oblivion's monster. It destroys both of Yuni's monsters (ATK: 2000). "Also, my King of Carnage gains 300 attack for every Apocalyptic monster in my grave, which currently totals two (ATK: 3100). For even more power, Apocalyptic Corruption boosts each of my Darkness Evolution monsters' attack power by 500 (King of Carnage's ATK: 3600) (Phantasm of Doomsday's ATK: 2500)."

Yuni declares, "You aren't the only one with a few tricks up your sleeve! When Cyber-Tech Acolyte is destroyed by a card effect, I can summon a Cyber-Tech Magician from my deck (Dark/Level 7/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2100)!" Yuni's signature monster appears resolutely on the field.

"If you are so eager to have your favorite monster destroyed, then fine. Who am I to complain? Apocalyptic King of Carnage, attack the Cyber-Tech Magician!" The monster charges at Yuni's, ready to destroy it, but the attack bounces off, doing nothing.

Yuni explains, "The turn that Cyber-Tech Acolyte is destroyed, Cyber-Tech Magician monsters I control can't be destroyed!"

Oblivion looks annoyed. "So be it. In that case, I'll have to set two cards and then end my turn (Oblivion's hand: 2)."

Yuni prepares to draw a card. He takes a deep breath and thinks, Alright this is for you guys. He draws. In it's current state, my magician won't be helping me that much. Let's fix that. He closes his eyes and takes another deep breath. When he opens his eyes again, he finds himself walking across the Path of Balance. He declares, "I summon upon the Powers of Chaos, in order to perform a Chaos Evolution!" Light and dark energy begins to flow into Yuni from either side of the Path of Balance. The energy is stored within him. The scene changes back to the duel and Yuni releases the absorbed energy into his magician, who becomes cloaked in it. "I banish the Cyber-Tech Summon Mage and Cyber-Tech Acolyte from grave in order to Evolve my Cyber-Tech Magician! O, Will of Chaos, hear my plead, grant me the power that I need! White as day, black as night, Cyber-Tech Magician, unleash your might! I summon Discordon, the Cyber-Tech Magician of Chaos (Light/Level 9/Spellcaster/Evolution/ATK 3300/DEF 2900)! Now my Magician of Chaos, negate the effects of all of Oblivion's cards!"

Oblivion declares, "Activate facedown card, Dark Guard! Since I played this card, effects cannot be negated this turn! I hope you weren't betting on that gambit pulling off."

Yuni grins. "Actually, I wasn't. I activate the Cyber-Tech Spellbook of Tempest! This card destroys all of your spell and trap cards! That includes your Apocalyptic Corruption, which when destroyed, takes all of your Darkness Evolution monsters with it!" Yuni's monster reads the spell and a massive windstorm sweeps over the field, destroying Oblivion's spell.

Oblivion declares, "I activate my other facedown card, Darkness Intrigue! This card prevents my Darkness Evolution monsters from being destroyed! Also, by destroying Apocalyptic Corruption, you've allowed me to activate my ultimate card, and gain access to my ultimate power! I activate straight from my deck The End of Days! This card acts as a replacement for Apocalyptic Corruption, but it is also so much more!"

Yuni grins. "Then I'll just have to destroy it too! By banishing the spellbook in my grave, I can activate its effect again!" Discordon casts the spell once more.

"It's too bad that you'll fail again. As long as I control at least one Darkness Evolution monster, The End of Days cannot be destroyed!"

"What!?"

"You heard me. You just wasted your card."

Yuni looks distressed. "We're still stronger than his monster Discordon, let's attack the Phantasm of Doomsday with Yin-Yang Stream!" The attack hit's the monster, but it is not destroyed (Oblivion's LP: 5300).

"The effect of Darkness Intrigue continues to protect my monsters for the remainder of the turn. Face it, I'm always a step ahead of you. You're never going to be able to defeat me. All of your friends' sacrifices have been in vain."

Yuni is angered by this statement. "Don't you dare say that!"

"But we both know that it's true."

"No it's not! I activate the Cyber-Tech Spellbook of Chaos, which allows me to send a Light and Dark monster to my grave! I'll then banish them both in order to maintain my magician's presence on the field." Yuni then sets a card. "My friends will not have given their lives in vain (Yuni's hand: 2)!"

Oblivion grins with malice and draws. He taunts, "Oh, but they already have, and I can feel your anger about it surging through you. You know as well as I do that this duel is a lost cause for you…especially once I do this." Oblivion holds his hand up towards the roof and declares, "Go, Supreme Darkness Evolution!" Oblivion's Darkness Evolution monsters each become cloaked in shadows once more. They begin to morph and change. "I summon Supreme Darkness Evolution: Apocalyptic Abomination of Judgment Day and Supreme Darkness Evolution: Apocalyptic Emperor of Annihilation!" Two massive, behemoth monsters emerge on Oblivion's field. Both are cloaked in shadows, revealing only a silhouette. Oblivion declares, "The end is here!" and begins to laugh malevolently. Yuni gulps nervously.