Thetrueazure: Here it is the final part to this epic duel!
Kazuma: Good, I need a vacation.
Thetrueazure: Shut up. I would like to thank Serpentdragon for helping me with these final chapters.
"A-An attack power o-of over 55,000!" Terra said with fear in his voice.
"And as long as Apollyon is on the field, his attacks cannot be stopped, so that pesky ability that Shine Synchro has is completely useless," Hero said which shocked everyone, especially Kurogasa. "Now then, I activate the (Azure) Speed Spell - Forbidden Power!" Hero yelled as the Speed Spell depicted as dragon with a dark aura around it. "By giving up seven Speed Counters, I can select one Synchro Monster and if there is any attack boosts on them, they become permanent!" Hero said as both his and Shin's Runner slowed down while a dark aura surrounded Apollyon.
Shin/Hero: 8350: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 10
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 10
Nami: 6300: SPC: 10
Terra: 4500: SPC: 10
Akira: 4500: SPC: 6
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 7
"Now then," Hero looked at the field for his unfortunate target for an attack. Then his eyes rested on Nami who had a look of horror on her face. "Let us see if you can survive this attack. Apollyon, crush her."
"With pleasure," Apollyon breathed deeply, gathering a large amount of darkness in his mouth. "Dark Destruction!" Apollyon fired a powerful stream of darkness at Leviathan and Nami.
"What'll you do now, Water User?" Hero asked as the attack neared her. "You can dodge the attack, but it will hit the Light User instead."
"Nami, move!" Ritsu yelled as Nami smiled at him.
"I know you can defeat him, Ritsu, you have us at your side."
"NAMI!" Ritsu yelled as a giant explosion occurred, sending Nami onto the street.
Shin/Hero: 8350: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 10
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 10
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 10
Akira: 4500: SPC: 6
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 7
"NAMI!" Everyone yelled as she seemed unconscious with an activated trap card on the field.
"The (Azure) Cling to Life Trap Card," Hero said to himself. "When the owner's Life Points reach 0, by removing from play a Dragon Synchro, you get to keep 100 Life Points." Hero's frown turned into a small smirk. "Even though she has Life Points left, she is unable to ride, meaning she is unable to duel, but you still get to use her Graveyard."
Ritsu gritted his teeth in anger and glared at Hero and Apollyon. "Bastards!"
"What's the matter, Light User? If you want to avenge your friend, you better do it fast because since the Water Dragon left the field, the Fire User's Dragon Knight loses 500 attack points," Hero said as the attack on Dragon Master Knight dropped (8500 - 8000). "I end my turn."
"Tch, what now?" Ritsu thought. "Nothing we have will even come close to Apollyon! We've got to think of a strategy and quick, otherwise we're done for."
Ch.72 The Final Battle Pt.4
"Nami! Nami!" Akira shouted back in horror, fearing for the safety of his girlfriend.
Hero just laughed at the sight, finding it rather amusing. "Oh, how cute! The Wind User is worried about his beloved! Well, perhaps Shin will be kind enough to have Master Apollyon eliminate you next! Shin?"
The Tech Genus Duelist just nodded as he rode to the front of the pack. "Draw."
Shin/Hero: 8350: SPC: 4
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 11
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 11
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 11
Akira: 4500: SPC: 7
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 8
Adding his card into his hand, he then said, "I will now have Master Apollyon attack Arashi - Dragon of the Raging Storms."
However, instantly, Kurogasa flipped up a facedown. "Nice try, Shin, but I activate Threatening Roar, preventing you from declaring attacks this turn! I may not be able to stop Apollyon's attacks when declared, but I can keep him from declaring them all together this turn!" Suddenly, a menacing roar erupted from Kurogasa's Trap Card, sending a shockwave at Apollyon who barely even flinched.
"Heh... That tickled," the dark dragon lord mocked. "Shin?"
Shin nodded to his master's statement and grabbed a card from his hand. "I activate the (Serpentdragon) Speed Spell - Rage of the Darkest Dragon. By giving up 4 SPCs, if a monster with 'Apollyon' in its name is unable to declare an attack; you can deal damage equal to half its attack to an opponent. And I choose you, Wind User."
Shin/Hero: 8350: SPC: 0
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 11
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 11
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 11
Akira: 4500: SPC: 7
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 8
"Akira, look out!" Terra shouted as he saw Apollyon charge up.
"Darkness Rage!" Apollyon shouted as he fired his attack, a dark bolt of lightning.
Looking to the others, Akira said, "Guys, finish these dirt bags off for me." Just then, as the attack struck him, his face down flipped up.
"AKIRA!"
Shin/Hero: 8350: SPC: 0
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 11
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 11
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 11
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 8
When the smoke cleared, everyone looked back to see Akira was sprawled out, barely alive, and his Duel Runner a total wreck. However, he had activated a Cling to Life Trap Card just like Nami, removing Arashi to do so.
Hero spat as he rode on. "Pathetic... You Elemental Duelists just don't know when to do die, do you? Oh well... On the bright side, he's out of the Duel, and with the Dragon of Wind removed from play, the Fire User's Dragon Master Knight grows even weaker," Hero said as the dragon knight lost more power (8000-7500).
Shin then silently took a card from his hand. "I set one card facedown. End turn."
Ritsu gritted his teeth angrily. He was absolutely livid, not only did those two knock his surrogate sister and his friend out of the duel, but they had the gall to insult them. "I will make you pay." Ritsu placed his hand on his deck. "I draw!"
Shin/Hero: 8350: SPC: 1
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 4500: SPC: 8
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 9
"I summon the Tuner monster Hope Dragon (3/1500/1000) in attack mode!" Ritsu yelled as his signature tuner appeared on the field. "Next I activate the speed spell (Azure) Advance Charge! By removing 4 Speed Counters, I'm allowed to Special Summon a Warrior-Type monster from my hand and I pick Dark Knight Apprentice (2/1000/1000)!" Krad's signature Tuner appeared on the field as well right beside the other dragons.
"Bring it, User of Light and Shadows," Hero smirked.
Ritsu's left eye glowed crimson red and his right eye glowed azure blue. "This is a new ability I unlocked; Twilight Soul! I tune my Level 8 Raikou with my Level 3 Hope Dragon and I tune my Level 8 Belial with my Level 2 Apprentice!" Hope Dragon and Dark Knight Apprentice turned into their respective Synchro Gates and surrounded both dragons, turning them into eight stars.
When the stars of heaven converge, they open the door to a new power! Become that power that lights the way to our future! Synchro Summon! Divinity's Resolve, Inazuma - Dragon of the Divine Light (11/3200/2700)!
Hidden in the darkness, a true soul awakens! Emerge from thy slumber and aid me in my quest against evil! Synchro Summon! The supporting pillar of darkness, Kage – The Dragon of the Aiding Shade (10/3100/2300)!
Both dragons of Heaven and Shadows evolved forms appeared on the field with all of their glory. "Kage's effect activates; Soul Return!" Kage created a sphere in his hand as the souls of Kaimen and Arashi returned to Nami and Akira's graveyard. "I set one card facedown and end my turn. Bring the heat, Satoshi!"
Satoshi nodded as he rode to the front. "You got it! Draw!" Drawing his card, he added it to his hand immediately.
Shin/Hero: 8350: SPC: 2
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 0: 12
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 10
As he closed his eyes briefly, grabbing his card, he thought, 'This one is for you, Shiko.' He then opened them to reveal his orange-red dragon eyes. "I summon the Tuner monster Inferno Spirit (3/1600/800) in attack mode!" The flaming spirit of the dragon appeared on the field with a roar. Then, looking to Apollo, he shouted, "Ready, Apollo!?"
The Dragon of Fire gave his master a thumbs up. "Let's do it, Satoshi!"
Nodding, Satoshi then said, "I tune my Level 8 Apollo - Dragon of the Flames with my Level 3 Inferno Spirit for a Synchro Summon! Feel my power! Burning Resolve!" Just then, as Satoshi briefly had a flaming aura around him, Inferno Spirit split into three fiery Synchro Gates.
As the inferno dragon awakens from its long slumber, it shall incinerate everything that opposes it! Show your foe your unwavering resolve! Synchro Summon! The resolve of the Inferno, Nova - Dragon of the Inferno (11/3300/2500)!
With a mighty roar, Apollo appeared in his evolved form as the Dragon of the Inferno, spreading his four wings. Satoshi then said, "Now, I activate Nova's special ability! By discarding one monster from my hand, I can deal my opponent damage equal to half the discarded monster's attack points! So, I'll discard my Tyrant Dragon! And with a total of 2900 attack points, you take 1450 damage!"
Kurogasa pumped his fist into the air. "Alright, go Satoshi!"
"Nova, burn away their life points with Mega Burner!" At Satoshi's command, Nova released a beam of heat energy from his mouth that hit both Hero and Shin.
Shin/Hero: 6900: SPC: 2
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 0: 12
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 10
While the two recovered from that, Satoshi then grabbed two cards from his hand. "Now, I set two cards facedown and end my turn."
Nami opened her eyes to find herself on the pavement next to her wrecked duel runner. 'I guess I'm out.' Nami tried to get up but the moment she moved, blinding pain shot through her body. "D-Damn it!"
"Don't move too much Nami." Leviathan said. "You took the brunt of that attack; if you were anybody else, you would have been dead in an instant."
"Hehe, then I should thank the Lord I got out alright." Nami looked at her dragon. "What happened while I was out?"
"While you were out, Shin's turn came around," Leviathan explained. "He...Took out Akira."
Nami's eyes widened, she looked to see Akira only a few feet away from her. 'This is going to hurt like hell.' Nami rolled to her stomach, trying her hardest to ignore the pain and began to crawl to Akira. Each movement sent unbearable pain through her body, even though Leviathan was trying her best to numb the pain. After a few minutes, she made it to Akira and grabbed his hand. "Wake up, Akira."
Akira began to stir as he tried to sit up. "N-Nami?"
"Don't move," Nami said and gave a slight laugh. "Apollyon sure did a number on us." She moved forward and placed her head on his chest.
Akira looked at the screen of his wrecked runner. "Looks like Satoshi brought out Nova and was able to deal some damage."
Nami nodded as she said, "Now, hopefully, Terra can, too, because he's up."
"Nice job, Satoshi!" Terra exclaimed as he rode to catch up with the Fire User.
"Thanks, now keep the damage going!" He replied to the Earth User.
With a nod, Terra rode to the front of the pack. "Draw!"
Shin/Hero: 6900: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 12
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 11
Adding his new card to his hand, Terra saw there was not much he could do at that point. "I activate the effect of Speed World 2, removing 7 SPCs to draw one card!"
Shin/Hero: 6900: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 5
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 11
He then drew his new card as he slowed down and decided on a move. Looking at his cards, though, after his draw, he came to a realization. 'No way! With this move, I... I can win this! I can defeat them right now!' Taking a deep breath, he and Gaia exchanged a nod as he began his turn. "Okay, for starters, I activate the next effect of Speed World 2, removing 4 more Speed Counters to deal you 800 damage for each Speed Spell I have, and I have two for a total of 1600!" He shouted as he showed the two, turning his Runner to face Hero and Shin. Lightning shot out then from the front of his Runner, one bolt hitting each of them.
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 4500: SPC: 1
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 11
Hero grunted as he felt the force of the blast. "Urgh... I'll get you for that, Earth User."
Terra just smirked as he said, "Really, because I still have more in store for you! Firstly, I set two cards facedown. Now, Gaia's effect activates! I can now deal you 400 points of damage for each card on the field! With the six dragons we have and the eight facedowns, that's a total of 14 cards, equaling 5600 damage, enough to take you both down!"
"WHAT!?" Hero and Apollyon roared in angry disbelief and terror.
"Go, Terra!" Ritsu shouted.
Kurogasa pumped his fist into the air, cheering, "You got this!"
Satoshi then shot him the thumbs up and said, "Make the win, buddy!"
Pointing to Hero and Shin, Terra commanded, "Gaia, wipeout their Life Points! Gravity Impact!"
Gaia took to the skies, charging up the powerful gravity wave intended to defeat their enemies once and for all...
But it was all for naught. Just then, Shin activated his facedown card. "Trap, activate. Nature's Reflection!" Just then, a huge glowing stone tablet appeared in front of Apollyon and them. "With this card, all effect damage we would take gets sent back to you... Meaning you lose, Earth User."
"NO!" Terra shouted in sudden realization of his rash move. He had come so close to winning it for them only to fail. Looking down in shame, a single angry tear trickled down his face as he said, "I'm sorry, guys..."
Gaia was unable to stop the wave of gravimetric energy he released as it hit the tablet and was reflected back to Terra. All Terra could do was activate his previous facedown as the gravity wave hit, damaging his Runner and causing him to spin out.
"TERRA!" Ritsu, Satoshi, and Kurogasa shouted in horror as their friend spun out.
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 11
Looking at his monster in confusion, Hero growled angrily as he saw that Terra, just like the others, had activated a Cling to Life, removing Gaia from play to do it. "Urgh... Are you ALL going to make that same overused maneuver!? ...Well, I guess it doesn't matter. He STILL can't Duel any longer, and now it's just the three of you. And once more, Shinamori's dragon knight loses more power." Dragon Master Knight's aura started to dissipate (7500 - 7000).
New Domino City.
Since Yusei, Jack, Shin and Kazuma summoned their aces they nearly wiped out all of the clones, the remaining clones were taken out by everyone else as it seemed relatively clear for them to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Finally finished." Iris said and fell over. "Damn dragons were like cockroaches, you kill one and two more take its place."
"At least we were able to destroy them." Yuki said as she looked at her husband. "How are Ritsu and the others doing?"
Shin remained silent as he homed in on their signal and brought it up on the air display in front of them. They were shocked to see the current scoreboard.
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 11
"Apollyon took out Nami, Akira and Terra!?" Miharu said in shock as they each saw the said three unconscious, but alive on the pavement next to their wrecked runners.
"Terra," Jihl said in worry as Akiza placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "How could those two be that powerful?"
"Apparently, Apollyon also had an evolved form he saved for this moment." Shin explained. "And it's currently the strongest card on the field with over 50,000 attack points."
"Over 50,000!" Melody yelled in shock. "None of their cards even hold a candle to that kind of power."
Yuki thought for a moment. "The only card that might have a chance against him is Twilight, and that's a big if," Yuki said as she thought. "I hope you have a plan, Ritsu."
Back at the Duel
As Kurogasa rode to the front of the pack; he closed his eyes briefly and tried to focus. It was down to him, Satoshi, and Ritsu. He needed something to even the odds, something to do to balance out the immense power of Apollyon in his true form. He had enough SPCs to try and destroy Apollyon, but chances were that either Hero or Shin had cards in their hands to prevent his destruction, so that was no good. And regardless of which cards in his Graveyard he chose if he tried to access Leonidas's effect, none would even make a dent against the dark dragon lord. 'I've just got to trust that my Deck will give me something.' Placing his hand over his Deck, he closed his eyes briefly before saying, "Draw!" he then pulled the top card of his Deck to start his turn.
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 4
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 12
Examining the cards in his hand, he saw a potential move, but he decided to increase his odds. "I activate the effect of Speed World 2, removing 7 Speed Counters to draw one more card!"
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 4
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 5
Kurogasa slowed down a bit as he drew his card, increasing his hand to six cards. "I can't summon anything, but I can at least set up something to damage them some more. If I lower them enough, then Satoshi should be able to damage them with Nova, and then Ritsu would just need to find a way to take out the small chunk left." Sighing, he said, "I set two cards facedown and end my turn."
Hero chuckled at Kurogasa mockingly as he rode up to him. "What's the matter, Signer? Starting to realize that your fight is hopeless?"
"In your dreams," Kurogasa retorted. "Just make your move, Hero."
Hero smirked. "I suppose I can put you out of your misery." Hero placed his hand on his deck. "I draw!"
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 5
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 6
"I activate the Trap Card Full Salvo!" Kurogasa yelled as one of the facedowns he placed last turn flipped face up. "Here's the deal; I ditch my entire hand, and I get to deal 200 points of damage for each card sent." Kurogasa sent his entire hand to the graveyard which consisted of for cards. "I had four cards, so you take 800 points of damage! Open wide!" Four missiles shot out from the card and slammed into the two duelists.
Shin/Hero: 4500: SPC: 5
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 4500: SPC: 6
Hero's patience was at an all-time end as they lost their life points. "That's it! Apollyon, end this pathetic Signer's existence!" Hero yelled. "And like I said before, his attacks cannot be stopped, so you're a sitting duck!"
Kurogasa looked at Ritsu and Satoshi as Apollyon was preparing for his attack. "Don't give up guys; I know you can beat him. Don't let the others' sacrifice be in vain."
"Dark Destruction!" Apollyon fired a concentrated blast of darkness that engulfed Leonidas and Kurogasa, destroying his Runner and sending Kurogasa onto the side of the road, barely alive.
"KUROGASA!" Ritsu and Satoshi yelled in horror.
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 5
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
"KUROGASA!" Kuraki yelled in horror as well as she saw her boyfriend barely alive on the side of the road with his Cling to Life Trap Card active as it removed his Shine Synchro.
"And then there were two," Hero said with a laugh. "Are you two still going to fight after we have utterly destroyed your friends?"
"We won't give up!" Ritsu yelled. "We WILL end this war!"
"Big words for someone facing me," Apollyon said.
"I'll end my turn while the Fire User's pathetic excuse for a dragon gets weaker," Hero said as Dragon Master Knight grew even weaker (7000 - 6500).
Hero then looked to Shin and said, "Alright, Shin, finish of the Fire User and then the Light User will be easy pickings!"
Shin gave a nod as he rode up to the front to begin. "Draw."
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 5
Ritsu: 2600: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
He barely even gave the card a second glance. "I activate Speed World 2's first effect. I remove 4 Speed Counters to damage the Light User. I have two Speed Spells, meaning you take 1600 damage." He revealed his two Speed Spells as he turned around and blasted the lightning bolt at Ritsu, causing him to growl in pain.
"Ritsu!" Satoshi yelled, looking to his friend.
From their spot, as they saw this on the monitor, Yuki cried out, "RITSU! NO, MY SON!"
Doing his best to comfort her, Ritsu's father held his wife as he watched the Duel and thought, "Stay strong, son, you can make it!"
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 1
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
As the smoke faded, Satoshi looked as he saw Ritsu covered in more wounds and burns. "You alright, man?" Ritsu's rival-turned-friend asked.
Ritsu nodded, spitting a bit of blood out as he rode along. "I will be..."
Hero just laughed, finding it all amusing. "Ah ha ha! This is too fun! The Light User watches his friends go down one-by-one while he gets tortured! I love this! Now then, Shin, finish off the Fire User!"
Shin nodded, cracking an uncharacteristic smirk. "Lord Apollyon, kill the Fire User and destroy Nova. Dark Destruction!"
Apollyon laughed maniacally as he charged his attack. "Farewell, Nova!"
As the blast went flying off, Satoshi looked to Nova who gave him the nod. "Not quite, Apollyon! I activate my face down, Defense Draw!"
"WHAT!?"
Satoshi nodded as he said, "Now, I take no Battle Damage and I get to draw a card!"
Growling, Hero said, "Perhaps, but our master still destroys your dragon!" The moment he finished that sentence, the blast from Apollyon collided with Nova, causing the Dragon of the Inferno to roar in agony as he was destroyed. The rest of the blast tried to hit Satoshi, but he was protected by a barrier created by his Defense Draw. Nonetheless, the energy from it really shook up his Runner, almost making him spin out.
"Nova isn't gone for long! Because next, I activate my Miracle's Wake Trap Card, reviving Nova! So, return, Nova - Dragon of the Inferno!" Satoshi shouted as a huge burst of flames erupted from his Graveyard as he finally regained his balance. Then, exploding out of a massive fireball, nova gave a mighty roar as he returned to the field.
"Dang, that was WAY more painful than I expected!" Nova groaned as he cracked his neck.
"Sorry, buddy," Satoshi said, sadly.
Nova then shot him a thumbs up and said, "It's all good, partner. We're both alright... For now. We can still barbeque Apollyon!"
Shin growled angrily as did Apollyon, seeing their attack was useless. Lacking another move, Shin said, "Turn end."
Ritsu shook his head to try and stay conscious, he had 1000 life points left, three cards left in hand and four cards on the field. "I draw!" Ritsu drew his next card.
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 2
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 12
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
"I activate the effect of Speed World 2; I give up 7 speed counters in order to draw an extra card!" Ritsu yelled as his runner slowed down while he drew his fifth card.
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 2
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 5
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
"No matter what you draw, it will be useless against us!" Hero said with a laugh. "Why don't you just give up? I promise I'll make your death quick and painless."
"Not a chance in hell!"
"That can be arranged," Apollyon said.
"Shut up! I activate the Speed Spell Speed Fusion! Since I have more than 4 Speed Counters, I can fuse Inazuma and Kage in order to make Twilight!" Ritsu yelled as a portal appeared in the sky as Kage and Inazuma flew into the portal. "I unite the souls of both the deepest shadow and the highest heaven! Open the gate of chaos and awaken from your slumber so that you may lend us your power to destroy evil!"
"Ohhh! This is starting to get good!" Hero said with glee.
"Fusion Summon! Become the dawn of all evil! Our messenger of chaos! Twilight-The Dragon of Chaos (12/3600/2800)!" The portal above them exploded in a shower of stardust as the combined form of Kage and Inazuma appeared on the field and readied its blade.
"So the final battle is upon us," Twilight said to himself as he pointed his blade at Apollyon. "Very well, I shall see to it that you're vanquished!"
"I'd like to see you try, puny dragon," Apollyon said mockingly.
"Since Kage left the field, Twilight gains all of his attack points!" A shadowy image of Kage enveloped Twilight in a dark aura (3600 - 6700). He then looked at the field as well as his comrades' Graveyards. "If I use Twilight's effect, I should have enough to get rid of him, but the cards they have in their hands are probably able to counter his ability. I have to play it safe for now."
"What's the matter, Light User? Lost your nerve?" Hero asked.
"I set one card facedown and end my turn," Ritsu said as one reverse card appeared on the field.
Hero saw this and laughed. "This is too rich! You're nothing but talk! You talk a big game about protecting your comrades, but they're either an inch to death, or they're about to be!" Smirking, Hero then said, "And thank you for fusing your beasts together! Now, thanks to you, your friend's Dragon Master Knight grows weaker still with one less dragon on the field (6500-6000)!" Laughing hysterically by this point, he said, "It's hopeless! Even with your most powerful dragon out, you're still nothing! And, oh, the disgrace of letting your friends die for you, how path-!"
"SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Hero paused mid-sentence as he turned his head to Satoshi after his outburst.
Glaring daggers at Hero, his body radiating a fiery aura, Satoshi said, "Listen to me, dirt bag, Ritsu is more honorable a man than you will ever be! He did not betray his friends, unlike you! He always stood up for them! We would all willingly give up our lives to give him the chance to bring Apollyon down! Because he would do the same for us! That power, the power to unite others, it's what earned him my respect and changed me from his bitter rival to his friend! And now, I'm going to prove it! This is the power he taught me, the power to fight for others! DRAW!"
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 6
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 12
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Ritsu just watched in awe as he murmured to himself, "Satoshi..."
Meanwhile, as Satoshi pulled the card from his Deck, he thought of everyone he was fighting for: the other Elemental Duelists, Kurogasa, his siblings Sakura, Hikari, and Daichi, their friends, and Shiko... Flipping the card over, he quickly examined it and nodded. He was ready. "Here I go..." Revealing the card he drew, he said, "I activate (Serpentdragon) Speed Spell - Grail of the Dragon's Blood! By activating this Speed Spell and sacrificing 6 Speed Counters, I can sacrifice one Dragon-Type monster on my field and select another one to give their attack to! So, I'll release my Dragon Master Knight to give his 6000 to Twilight - Dragon of Chaos!" Suddenly, appearing on the field above Satoshi's head as he drove on was a golden Holy Grail with dragons encrusted in jewels over it. As Dragon Master Knight turned into a ball of light, it went into the grail, filling it with red dragon blood. The grail then went to Twilight who took it in his hands and drank it, increasing his attack (3600-9600).
Shin/Hero: 5300: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 6
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 6
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
"Thank you, Satoshi," Twilight said before downing the contents of the grail, causing gold and purple flames to ignite around Twilight's sword.
Hero scoffed as he watched this. "Pathetic. Twilight still does not come close to matching Master Apollyon's power."
Seeming as if he didn't even here Hero, Satoshi then said, "Now, I activate the effect of Nova! I discard my Armed Dragon LV 10 to deal you and Shin 1500 damage! Go, Mega Burner!"
"You got it!" Nova shouted as he absorbed the spirit of Armed Dragon LV 10. "Eat flames! Mega Burner!" After charging up the blast in his mouth, he opened his jaws wide and released the powerful fire stream, completely surrounding Hero and Shin in the flames.
Shin/Hero: 3800: SPC: 3
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 6
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 6
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Satoshi then gave a sigh as he watched the effect. Knowing he had done what he could, he then said, "I end my turn by setting one card face down." Looking to Ritsu, he then said, "Ritsu... I've done what I can... Now, finish these guys off, for all of us..." Smiling, he said, "It's been an honor to fight with you. Please, promise me you'll look after my sisters and brother and... And Shiko, for me..."
Ritsu's eyes widened in shock at what Satoshi just said. "Satoshi…"
Hero smirked. "Time to down another dragon." Hero drew his next card. "I draw."
Shin/Hero: 3800: SPC: 4
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 7
Satoshi: 4500: SPC: 7
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
"Such a shame, you could have been a powerful general," Hero said. "But we learned our lesson from the Shadow User."
Satoshi glared at Hero with hate in his eyes. "Do your worst."
"Ohhh, bad choice of words," Hero said as he added the drawn card to his hand. "Apollyon, wipe this Fire User off of the field."
"Prepare to join your parents, Fire User," Apollyon growled as he prepared to attack. "Dark Destruction!" Apollyon fired a concentrated blast of darkness at Nova and Satoshi.
Satoshi could only smirk as the attack closed in on him. "Bring the light of hope to the battlefield Ritsu." A massive explosion ripped through the field.
With Sakura, Hikari and Daichi.
The three Shinamori siblings were staring out of the window at the darkened sky as they were worried about their brother.
Daichi looked like he was about to say something until one of their family pictures fell to the floor. Sakura rushed to the fallen picture to see that it was a picture of them with Satoshi when he won his first pro match, only there was a large crack running through Satoshi.
Hikari saw the crack and looked worried. "Is big bro going to be alright?"
"He'll be fine." Sakura assured her twin. "I hope." She added in her head.
When the smoke cleared, it showed Satoshi unconscious and barely alive, but before the attack hit him, he was able to activate his Cling to Life Trap Card and removed Nova for the cost.
Shin/Hero: 3800: SPC: 4
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 7
Satoshi: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
"SATOSHI!" Shiko yelled as she saw him hit the pavement.
"That just leaves Ritsu left," Shinji said as he looked at the field. "The odds are not in his favor."
Miharu grabbed Shinji by the collar and slammed him against a tree. "What are you saying?! Are you saying that Ritsu will lose?!"
Lester placed a hand on his girlfriend's shoulder in order to calm her down. "He's not saying that, but Ritsu is dealing with a very powerful dragon on the field, the odds are against him."
"But he was still able to pull through!" Miharu countered.
"And he will, we just need to have faith in him," Melody said as they looked at the display.
"And the Light User is the only one left," Hero said with a laugh. "Not that it matters in the slightest; you're still going to lose. I end my turn."
Ritsu growled angrily at Hero. "You'll pay for that... I'll make you pay for everyone one of my friends you've hurt: Krad, Keira, Yuzuki, Terra, Akira, Nami, Kurogasa, Satoshi, all of them!"
Hero just laughed. "You really think so!? Last I looked, it's Shin's turn! And as powerful as your Chaos Dragon may be, he can't stop the power of Lord Apollyon! Shin, finish off the Light User for the master and win us this Duel! Let's send the souls of the five remaining Elemental Duelists and their Signer friend to the Underworld to join the Shadow User and his little girlfriend!"
Shin then lost all his stoic features as he gave a maniacal laugh. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! AH-HA, HAHAHA! Time to DIE! DRAW!"
Shin/Hero: 3800: SPC: 5
Ritsu: 1000: SPC: 8
Satoshi: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Shin drew the card into his hand but didn't even bother to look at it. He already knew he had what he needed to win the Duel, and that was Master Apollyon. "Master Apollyon, at long last, have you revenge on the Elemental Dragons and their masters! Destroy the Duelist of Light! ULTIMATE DARK DESTRUCTION!"
Apollyon let out a monstrous cackle as he said, charging up his attack. "Goodbye, brother, to you and your little pet human!" His four eyes glowed bright red as he charged up bolts of black lightning as his wings flapped wide open, releasing a dark wind that shook many buildings around the area, knocking over some of the smaller ones. "DIE NOW!" He declared as he released the storm of black lightning.
"Ritsu!" Shin H. and Yuki shouted as they held each other.
"Brother!" Kazuma and Miharu shouted together as the attack went flying towards Ritsu.
"Dammit!" Ritsu looked as the attack closed in on him. He braced himself as the attack struck Twilight, causing him to roar in agony, but did not get destroyed instantly, instead the Chaos Dragon held his arms up to prevent the blast from reaching Ritsu.
"I WILL NOT LET YOU HARM MY MASTER!" Twilight roared.
"Twilight!" Ritsu yelled as the dragon shattered, causing the the blast to race towards him. "Damn, I activate the Trap Cards Card of Last Will and Cling to Life!" Ritsu removed Twilight as the blast struck him. Then, it took everything Ritsu had to not scream as the blast slammed into him.
Shin/Hero: 3800: SPC: 5
Ritsu: 100: SPC: 0
Satoshi: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
"RITSU!" Everyone yelled in shock and horror as the smoke disappeared. When it faded, it showed Ritsu still on his Runner, but trying his best to stay awake.
Hero glared at the Light User. "You're like an annoying fly, every time we swat you away, you always come back for punishment."
Ritsu gave a weak smile. "What can I say; I got my stubbornness from my mother." Ritsu placed his hand on his deck. "Since Twilight was destroyed, the effect of Card of Last Will allows me to draw until I'm holding five cards. Not only that, but Twilights effect allows me to Special Summon either Belial or Raikou from my Graveyard and I choose Raikou!" While Ritsu drew until he had five cards, a portal appeared above him as the dragon of light appeared once more.
"Big deal," Hero scoffed.
"I activate the effect of (Azure) Dimension Crossing Dragon (2/1000/1000) from my hand!" Ritsu held up a card that depicted a ghostly white dragon coming out of a dimensional rift. "By discarding this card from my hand after I take Battle Damage, I can select as many removed from play monsters whose attack is less than or equal to the damage I took and put them back into their owners' Graveyard."
Hero looked bored. "So you can bring back virtually every monster removed from play and move them to the Graveyard. So what?"
"That's right, and I choose Nova, Gaia, and Leonidas!" A portal appeared as a brown, red and gold orb shot out and landed into their owner's graveyard.
Shin went back to his stoic facade. "End turn."
Ritsu placed his hand on his deck. "I need to draw the right card to win this match, I will make Apollyon pay!" The top card of Ritsu's deck began to glow multiple colors. "I DRAW!"
Shin/Hero: 3800: SPC: 6
Ritsu: 100: SPC: 1
Satoshi: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Ritsu's eyes shifted to his dragon eyes, only they were different, instead of the crimson red and azure blue eyes, they were now multi-colored. "I summon the Tuner monster (Azure) Messenger of Hope (3/1600/1400) in attack mode!" A bright light enveloped the field as a dragon in golden armor appeared on the field. "Ready, Raikou!"
"Of course!"
"Right! I tune my Level 8 Raikou with my Level 3 Messenger!" The armored dragon roared as it turned into three multi-colored gates and surrounded Raikou, turning the heaven dragon into eight stars.
Satoshi who was waking up next to his runner looked at the monitor. "We're by your side, Ritsu, end this war once and for all," Satoshi said as his eyes turned to orange dragon eyes.
Terra looked at the monitor as well with his golden brown dragon eyes. "Give them hell."
Akira and Nami looked at their monitors as well with their elements active, green and blue dragon eyes glowing. "You can change the winds of destiny, Ritsu, with us at your side."
"We may not be related by blood, but I've always treated you like a brother. I know you can do this, Ritsu!" Nami said.
Ritsu heard their voices through his helmet. "Thank you guys, I will not fail you!" Ritsu's eyes opened to show that they were multi colored dragon eyes.
During the final moments of despair, the light of hope shall pierce through the darkness and bring forth the great power of the elements! Synchro Summon! Turn despair to Hope, (Azure) Orion - The Dragon of Hope (11/4000/3000)!
The entire field was enveloped in a golden light while the dark clouds above parted revealing a massive golden dragon whose size rivaled Asteroid with six colored wings indicating an element; red for fire, blue for water, green for wind, brown for earth, black for shadows and white for light.
For once, Apollyon looked at the golden dragon in fear. "O-O-Orion?! Impossible, you need the power of all the elements in order to being him out!" Apollyon got a good look at Ritsu's eyes as his fear grew. "I-I-Impossible!"
"That's right! This is the power my friends gave me! Elemental Soul!" Ritsu explained. "But I'm not done yet! I activate my other facedown known as (Azure) Six Element Seal!" Six colored chains shot up from the ground and ensnared the dragon.
"W-What is this?!"
"Six Element Seal; when activated it latches onto you, but that's not even the awesome par," Ritsu said as he pointed at the dark dragon. "Orion, attack Apollyon and end this war!"
"You're wasting your time!" Hero shouted. "Apollyon has 55,700 attack points; you can't possibly match his power!"
Ritsu, however, seemed undeterred. "I activate Orion's and Six Element Seals special ability! Elemental Resonance!" Twelve orbs shot out from the Elemental Users' Graveyards and flew to Orion. "By removing from play any number of Dragon-Type Synchros from the Graveyard with 'Raikou, Belial, Leviathan, Apollo, Golem, or Kaze-Ryu' in their names or Synchro Material requirements, I can add their total attack to Orion, meaning he's getting a huge power boost!" Orion absorbed the orbs as his power skyrocketed (4000 - 39,600).
"That's still nothing in the face of our master!" Hero yelled. "Face it, you lost!"
"I wouldn't be sure about that," Ritsu said with a smirk. "I activate the effect of Six Element Seal; by sending this card on the field to the Grave and selecting a monster with 'Hope' in their name, they gain all of Apollyon's attack points while Apollyon loses all of his attack points!"
"WHAT!?" Shin, Hero and Apollyon yelled at the same time as the seal activated, draining Apollyon of all his power. Orion, on the other hand, absorbed the darkness as his power became unmatched (39,600 - 95,300), (55,700 - 0).
The Order and the Signers looked at the dragon in shock and awe. "A-An attack power of over 90,000!" Miharu said as she couldn't help but look at the majestic dragon. "So, this is the true power of the elements?"
"NO-NO-NO-NO, NOOOOO!" Apollyon roared. "THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE! I WILL NOT BE SEALED, AGAIN!"
"You won't be sealed," Ritsu said and glared at the dragon. "YOU'LL BE DESTROYED! ORION! COSMIC NOVA!" Orion opened its massive jaw as his wings sent elemental energy into it, creating a massive ball of energy and fired it at the dark dragon.
"NOOOOOOO!" Apollyon roared and lunged at Ritsu. "IF I GO, I WILL TAKE YOU WITH ME!" Apollyon's claw stabbed Ritsu in the back, and while thankfully Ritsu was able to shift his Runner so the claw would miss his heart, unfortunately the claw still hit his back, causing him to spit up a lot of blood while the ball of energy destroyed the dark dragon lord. "NOOOOOO!"
Shin/Hero: 0: SPC: 6
Ritsu: 100: SPC: 1: Winner
Satoshi: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Nami: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Terra: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Akira: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Kurogasa: 100: SPC: 0: OUT
Shin and Hero both looked on in shock as Apollyon was destroyed by Orion's attack. Then as they saw the remains of the blast coming towards them, they both shouted in terror, "AHHHH!" The blast hit their Duel Runners, wrecking them completely and sending the two flying into the air, far down the block.
Ritsu, meanwhile, skidded his Duel Runner to a stop, panting as he did before finally, in pain, rolling off his Runner and laying on the ground, feeling proud despite his pain. "I can't... Believe it... We won... We-we... Finally beat Apollyon..."
At that moment, the Signers, the Order members, and the rest of the Elemental Duelists' friends came rushing over to Ritsu. "Ritsu!" Yuki yelled as she dropped to the ground, cradling her son's head on her lap. "Oh, my Ritsu, you're hurt! Shin!"
Shin H. didn't need another word. He dropped to his knees and rolled Ritsu over slightly to examine his back. "Oh no, this is really bad..." Taking off his jacket, he began ripping off some of the material to use as bandaging for Ritsu's wound. Looking to the others, he said, "Kazuma, Miharu, stay here to help your mother and I with your brother. The rest of you, go check on the other five!"
"Yes, Sir!" Everyone shouted as Shin H., Yuki, Kazuma and Miharu worked on keeping Ritsu alive.
Ritsu opened his eyes to find that he was in an unknown void. "Great, I died...Yuzuki is probably going to bring me back to life and kill me herself for doing something that reckless."
"Can you really fault her for that brat?" Ritsu looked up to see Orion on a perch staring down at him. "Hello, master of Raikou."
"Please, I'm not Raikou's master," Ritsu said which surprised the powerful dragon.
"Then what are you?" Orion asked Ritsu. "If you are not Raikou's master, then what are you?"
Ritsu smiled and looked at Orion in the eyes. "I'm his friend."
Orion looked at the human in shock. "You are a very interesting human, like your friends. I asked every one of them the same question and they gave me the same answer you just did: you see your dragon as a friend." Orion gave a toothy grin. "I see my great-grandson chose wisely."
Ritsu's jaw hit the floor. "WHAT?!"
Orion gave a hearty laugh. "Yes, I am Raikou's great-grandfather, the first guardian of light, the leader of the original Elemental Dragons and the strongest dragon." Ritsu had a hard time processing the information given to him; but then again, after everything he had gone through in the last year, nothing really surprised him anymore. "All of that aside, I did not bring you hear to chit-chat."
"Wait, so I'm not dead?"
"You're hanging on by a thread which is why I will use my powers to heal and revive your friends," Orion said as Ritsu looked in shock.
"Heal and revive?" Ritsu wondered. "What do you mean revive?"
"I mean I shall revive the Shadow User, his girlfriend and the boy named Hogo," Orion clarified.
"You can do that?!" Ritsu asked while Orion only smirked.
"I'm the dragon of hope for a reason."
In the City (Satoshi)
The group running to find Satoshi were Jack, Shinji, and Shiko. "Satoshi! Where are you!?" Shiko shouted frantically as she ran about, trying to find him.
"Satoshi, you out there, man!?" Shinji called as he looked around for the Fire Duelist.
Looking about, Jack yelled, "Yo, Shinamori, come out here, King!"
As they looked, Shinji caught sight of the wreck of Satoshi's Duel Runner. "Guys, over here!" Jack and Shiko ran over to him and saw the damaged Runner. "He has to be close," Shinji said when the two got there.
The three continued looking, pushing over debris from the fight when finally, as she turned over a rather large piece of cement, Shiko shouted, "Satoshi!" While Jack and Shinji ran over to her, she dropped to her knees and pulled Satoshi out of the rubble and laid his head on her lap. As a few tears fell down her face, she said, "Oh no, Satoshi, please... Please be alright." While Shinji and Jack tried to dress his wounds, she continued to cradle his head in her lap as she brushed his hair out of his face. "This isn't like when you punched the wall... I need you to help us get you better..." Silently crying a little more, she then kissed his forehead and said, "Please wake up..."
Just then, the three looked up as they saw a miraculous sight: a rainbow. But then, each of the bands split up. Then they each turned into miniature ghostly versions of Orion. The red then turned and flew down towards Satoshi. Flying into Satoshi, his entire body was encased in a red light, shocking all three. When the light faded, miraculously, Satoshi was healed. And then, as Shinji, Shiko, and even Jack gasped as Satoshi's eyes slowly fluttered open.
"I-I'm alive...?"
As Jack and Shinji shook hands with a smile in joy, Shiko, now with happy tears hugged Satoshi tightly. "Satoshi! You're alright!" She then pressed her lips against his cheek happily, making the Duelist of Fire blush slightly. "I was so afraid that you had died!"
Satoshi laughed slightly as he said, "Well, luckily... I'm hard to kill." Then, staring at Shiko silently, he said after a few moments, "This... May not be the best time, but... I've been meaning to ask for a while now and before I lose the chance... Shiko, will you go out with me?"
Shiko gasped and looked at Satoshi in shock for a moment before smiling as she grabbed the collar of his riding suit and pulled him in for a passionate kiss on the lips. The two were blushingly happily as Shiko said with a giggle, "What do you think?"
Satoshi then chuckled and said, "That I asked for a date and got a girlfriend."
Near the city (Terra)
"Terra!" Akiza called out with Jihl. "Where are you?"
Jihl noticed the rainbow across the sky as it split and went to six different directions; she noticed a brown light soaring past her. "Akiza! Over there!" Jihl pointed towards the light streak and ran to where it landed with Akiza following her. When they made it, they saw Terra standing there with a confused look on his face.
"I'm alive? But-" Terra was about to finish, but he was tackled to the ground in a flying hug, courtesy of Jihl. "J-Jihl?" Terra blushed.
"Thank God you're alive," Jihl said with tears falling down her face. "When I saw you spin out, I thought I was going to lose you."
Terra smiled as hugged her. "It'll take more than that to take me out." Terra assured her. "I was going to wait, but how about we go out together?" Jihl looked at Terra with a shocked expression on her face as she blushed while her glasses slid down her face.
"Y-Y-Y-Y-You mean l-l-like a d-d-date!?"
Terra nodded a bit, blushing lightly himself. "Yeah... I mean, I... I've had something of a crush on you for a bit. You're smart and beautiful, Jihl."
As Akiza smiled at her and nodded, Jihl, after talking a deep breath nodded at Terra with a smile as she sat up slightly and said, readjusting her glasses, "I, uh... Would love that." She then hugged Terra warmly again.
He hugged her back as he then scooped her chin up slightly to sweetly kiss her on the lips.
Watching this made Akiza smile. "I'm sure they'll be very happy together..."
Near the City (Akira and Nami)
Crow, Lester, Leo, and Luna were on their search for Akira and Nami, calling out their names as they did.
"Akira, are you there!?"
"Nami, can you hear us!?"
"Hey, are you guys alright!?"
However, as they began to become fearful of finding them, Leo noticed something up in the air. "Guys, look! Up in the sky!" Pointing out the rainbow to them, Leo and the others watched as the rainbow split into six different light streams. However, he could not help but notice that the green and blue lights were flying together.
"What is that?" Crow asked as the two lights passed them. They followed the lights to see Akira and Nami standing next to their wrecked Duel Runners, hugging one another.
"Akira! Nami!" Luna ran to them and enveloped them in a crushing hug. "Thank God, are you okay?"
"Can't...breathe.." Akira got out as Luna let them go as she laughed nervously. When she let them go, he said, "I don't know what happened. All of a sudden, this light enveloped us and then we're perfectly fine."
"It had to have been Ritsu," Nami said and looked at the others. "He won?"
They nodded. "He did, but Apollyon tried to take Ritsu with him and stabbed him with one of his claws," Lester explained as Nami looked shocked.
Placing his hand comfortingly on Nami's shoulder, Akira looked to Lester and asked, "Is Ritsu gonna be alright?"
"I don't know," Lester shrugged. "His parents and siblings are there right now, trying to see if they can do anything."
Worried, Nami said slightly panicked, "Then we need to get to him! I could have Leviathan try to heal him!"
With a nod, Crow then said, "Then what are we standing about here for!? Let's get back to the Himuros!" He and the others then began to run back to where Ritsu was, hoping he was okay.
Near the City (Kurogasa)
Yusei, Kuraki, Melody, and Iris were all busy looking for Kurogasa. For Kuraki, every minute felt like an entire year. She felt herself on the verge of a panic attack as she searched the wrecked streets for any sign of her boyfriend.
"Kuraki," Iris said, "I know you want to find Kurogasa, but if you keep up this pace, you're going to wear yourself out.
"I know, but I don't care!" Kuraki shouted as she continued to run about, trying to find any sign of Kurogasa. "Kurogasa's always been there for me when I needed him! Now it's time I returned the favor!"
Just then, Melody looked up and saw an unbelievable sight in the sky. "A... A rainbow?" Then, as the others watched it, it suddenly split into separate streams. In particular, the yellow stream went flying ahead towards the direction they were going. "Could that be...?"
While they followed the stream of the rainbow, Yusei looked at his arm as he felt his Signer Mark react. "I think it is... That rainbow stream is headed straight for Kurogasa!"
"Then let's follow it!" Kuraki said as they chased the streak of light as the light landed near a building. When they made it they saw Kurogasa standing next to his runner. "Kurogasa!" Kuraki was overjoyed to see her boyfriend as she ran towards him and tackled him to the floor.
"Ow, hey Kuraki," Kurogasa said with a smile as the others ran towards him.
"You're alive, you're alive!" Kuraki said as she cried.
"Yeah, thanks to Ritsu and the Crimson Dragon." Kurogasa said and looked at Yusei. "How is Ritsu?"
"He's alive, but barely," Yusei said as Kurogasa stood up.
"The others found Akira, Nami, Terra and Satoshi," Iris explained. "They're heading to where Ritsu is right now."
"Then let's go! I'm not letting him die!" Kurogasa said as they ran back to the Himuros.
Near the City.
As the rainbow split, a purple streak of light crashed down, causing smoke to envelope the area. "W-What happened?" A female voice asked.
"I can barely remember what happened," A male voice answered as everything came back to him and the female. "So Ritsu finally did it, he finally kicked that overgrown lizard's tail."
"So we're alive?"
"Yeah, I sense Ritsu is in town. Let's go to him!"
In the City (Ritsu)
As the others came back towards them, Ritsu's family was still kneeling around him. "We stopped the bleeding, now we can only he'll wake up," Shin said worriedly as he placed his hand on his son's shoulder.
Yuki had his head cradled in her lap as she gently ran her fingers through his hair. "Oh, Ritsu... Please, wake up, sweetheart. Your family is here... Your friends are here..."
As the others stood back, the four other Elemental Users and Kurogasa came over to Ritsu, looking at him with worry.
"Come on, Ritsu," Satoshi encouraged.
"You can do it," Nami said.
"Wake up, man," Terra pleaded.
"Come back to us," Akira said.
"We're all waiting for you, buddy," Kurogasa added.
Just then, their dragon eyes all glowed as Kurogasa's Mark of the Dragon reacted. From the sky, a golden beam from the rainbow flew down and flowed over Ritsu, completely covering his body. The light was so bright that everyone had to avert their eyes. However, when the light finally faded, Ritsu's whole body was free of its wounds. Then, his eyes slowly fluttered open. "It... It worked...?" Looking up, he then saw his friends all standing over him and okay. "Guys? You-you're okay!?"
"Ritsu!" Everyone exclaimed, overjoyed the Light User was alright. His mother and sister hugged him tightly, followed by his father and brother, and then his friends.
"Well... It's nice to see you're all here," another voice said.
Everyone gave a gasp of disbelief when they heard the voice. Turning towards it, they saw that they were indeed correct. While everyone else was speechless, Ritsu barely managed to whisper out one word.
"...Krad?"
Everyone looked in shock as Krad and Keira walked up to them. "Yo!"
"Krad!" Everyone shouted.
"H-How?!" Miharu asked in shock, she saw Krad and Keira be consumed by black flames.
"Orion." Ritsu stood up. "The old man revived everyone caught into this war and healed us."
"Leave it to the old man to do that," Raikou said with a grin.
Krad walked up to Ritsu and held out his fist. "Nice work, brother." Krad grinned at Ritsu who smiled and put his fist against Krad's.
"I wasn't alone; I had everyone supporting me through that duel," Ritsu said with a grin and everyone smiled as well. Just then, six bright lights came from the Elemental Users' decks. They took out their Elemental Dragons' evolved forms as the cards started to fade away.
"What's happening?" Keira asked.
"It seems we used every ounce of their power when Orion was summoned," Ritsu explained as their cards vanished.
As Inazuma, Kage, Nova, Gaia, Arashi, and Kaimen disappeared from their Decks, Satoshi said, "So, our dragons lose their advanced forms? Heh, well, I guess it took a lot of power to save Krad and Keira from the Underworld."
Akira nodded as he said, "Oh well... At least they were there when we needed them. Thanks to their help, we were able to win the war."
"Yeah, and the good thing is, the dragons themselves are still here," Krad said as Ritsu gave him back Belial, causing his purple dragon eyes to appear momentarily.
The Dragon of Shadows looked down at his original master and friend and said, his voice shaking slightly, "Krad... It's good to see you back, you and Keira..."
Krad smiled up at his dragon, wiping away a tear as he said, "You, too, buddy..."
Just then, there was one last stream from the rainbow that appeared. When the orange stream from the rainbow hit the ground, it brought forth another person. Everyone then gasped when they saw it was in fact Hogo.
"Hogo?!" Satellizer exclaimed in shock.
"Uh, what hit me?" Hogo asked as he rubbed his head, he looked to see everyone staring at him. "Um...Hi?"
"Do you...Remember anything?" Satellizer asked Hogo who started to think, then the memories rushed back to his head, he clutched his head in pain.
"I...I remember Apollyon, he...He killed my family and altered my memory to make me think it was Raikou," Hogo explained. "He also controlled me to do his bidding."
"I...See," Satellizer said sympathetically.
"I don't know if it'll be enough, but I'm sorry," Hogo apologized.
"Don't worry about it." Ritsu gave a dismissive wave. "I'm pretty sure Shin and Hero were just like you."
"Speaking of them," Terra said, "If that's the case, then we should probably go find them."
Shinji in particular looked eager to find them. "Yeah! I need to see that Hero is okay!"
Nami, though, sat down on a rather large piece of debris behind her as she said, "So, is this really it? Is Apollyon really gone for good? Is the war truly over?"
"Looks that way," Ritsu said and looked at the clearing sky.
"Yeah." Akira sat next to Nami. "So much has happened; from the Dragon's Cup to dueling the Order, it's almost like a dream."
"But it's as real as it can get," Satoshi said.
Shin then happily placed his hand on his son and Satoshi's shoulders with pride as he said, "And you all should be extremely proud of yourselves now. You all did something truly fantastic here today."
"Thanks, Dad," Ritsu said with a smile. "Though..."
Looking to his son, curiously, Shin said, "What is it, Ritsu?"
"I can't help but feel like there's something else... Something else out there..."
Before Shin could say anything, though, Ritsu got a look of sudden realization. "Yuzuki! I have to go see her!"
Shin smiled at his son. "Yuzuki is back in the Order recovering."
Ritsu nodded and was about to get on his runner and noticed something. "Stupid dragon! Apollyon wrecked my runner!" Ritsu would have said more, but caught a black helmet with Crow smiling.
"Go on, Ritsu! Yusei, Jack, and I will fix all of your Runners later." Crow said.
"Hey, I didn't agree to this!" Jack protested, but fell on deaf ears.
"Go to Yuzuki, Ritsu," Yuki told her son. "Though be prepared for a lecture for doing something reckless...Again."
Ritsu laughed slightly at his mother's comment as he said, sheepishly scratching the back of his head, "Right... She's probably got the mother of all recklessness lectures waiting for me." Then, turning to Crow, he shook his hand and said, "Thank you, Crow."
The Signer smiled at Ritsu as he shook his hand and said, "I'm glad my daughter was lucky enough to find a guy like you."
Ritsu blushed slightly at that as he threw on his helmet and hopped on the Blackbird. "I'll see you all back at the Order. Right now, I gotta go find my girlfriend!" Revving up the Runner's engine, he then rode off as everyone cheered him on.
"Go get her, lover boy!"
"Go give her a big smooch!"
"Ride to her, Ritsu!"
The Order of the Elements
Ritsu at last arrived back at the Order's headquarters in the old Arcadia Movement building. As soon as the Blackbird came to a stop, he threw his helmet onto the seat and ran inside, desperate to see his girlfriend after both of them almost dying. Rushing through the halls up to the floor she was on, he ran straight to her room, shouting, "YUZUKI! Yuzuki, I'm here! Yuz-! -uki?" When he got there, though, she wasn't in her bed. In fact, she wasn't in the room at all. "W-Where is she?"
He then heard a tapping noise behind him. As he turned, he saw Yuzuki standing with her hands on her hips and by the looks of it, she was not very happy. "Hello, Ritsu, I saw something interesting on the monitors."
"Y-You did?"
"Yeah, congratulations on destroying Apollyon." She then smacked him across the head. "But if I ever see you do something that reckless again, the Wanderer won't be able to save you that time!"
Ritsu grunted in pain as he felt the blow to his head. "Okay, okay... I'm sorry..."
But then, Yuzuki smiled as she then wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed him against the wall in a passionate kiss. "And that was for saving my life."
Ritsu chuckled sheepishly as she pulled away, blushing brightly. "Heh heh... You're welcome. But, how could I live with myself if I let the girl of my dreams die?"
Yuzuki gave a sly smirk. "You probably couldn't. Let's face it, you're hopeless without me," Yuzuki said with a giggle which was replaced with an 'eep!' when Ritsu picked her up bridal style. "W-What?"
"You're still recovering right?" Ritsu said with a smile. "You should be resting."
Yuzuki puffed her cheeks. "I'm fine! I told your mom I was fine but she wouldn't hear it!"
Ritsu just chuckled as he carried her onto the bed. "I have to make sure you're alright! I want to make sure you're okay!" He then dropped her onto the bed before hopping onto it next to her. "Now, to check your vitals." As he said that, he then began to tickle Yuzuki, making her laugh as she flailed and kicked about.
"HAHAHA! Ritsu-HAHA-Stop it!" Yuzuki laughed as she tried to get Ritsu to stop tickling her. "HAHA! Oh, man, Ritsu-HAHAHA- Stop it!"
Grinning, Ritsu said as he kept tickling her, "You didn't say 'please!'"
Finally, as her legs kept kicking into the air, Yuzuki shouted, "HAHAHA-Okay, okay! HAHAHA! Please stop tickling me!"
Hearing what he requested, Ritsu finally stopped tickling her before the two cuddled together, lying in bed in each other's embrace.
"So, it's finally over?" Yuzuki asked.
"Yeah, Apollyon is gone for good," Ritsu said as Yuzuki snuggled closer to him.
"I'm glad; it was very stressful trying to live life when you have a psychotic dragon wanting to rule everything," Yuzuki said. "Maybe now things will calm down."
"I doubt it," Ritsu said.
Yuzuki looked to Ritsu with concern at that. "What do you mean? Is there something else out there?"
"I'm not sure," Ritsu replied before smiling confidently at Yuzuki. "But whatever it is, we will be ready for it."
Yuzuki smiled at her boyfriend's confidence as she kissed his cheek. "I know you will." Then, her smile turning into a grin, she said, "Well, now that you're this big war hero, I think you deserve a reward. We should do something romantic, just you and me."
Ritsu smiled at that. "I'd like that. You have something particular in mind?"
"Hmm..." Yuzuki thought for a moment. "I think that after I'm done recovering, we go out to dinner, just the two of us."
"You're not gonna kill my wallet right?" Ritsu joked which made Yuzuki smack him in the head. "OW, kidding, kidding."
"Better be," Yuzuki said. "After that, we should get a house for just the two of us; we can give your old house to Krad and Keira."
Ritsu thought about it for a moment. "I'd like that." He then kissed her forehead. "I love you Yuzuki."
"I love you too Ritsu."
Ch.72 END
Thetrueazure: YES! Ritsu and the others won the war!
Ritsu: Damn straight!
Thetrueazure: Now all that's left is to write the epilogue with Serpentdragon.
Ritsu: Wait! We're not done!?
Thetrueazure: No.
Ritsu: Lovely, until next time.
Ritsu: We beat Apollyon and everything is back to normal right? Well mostly, let's see how thing are a year after the war
Next Time; Yugioh 5D's Power of the Six Elements; Epilogue and Preview for the Sequel?
"This is going to be troublesome."