This story was done in collaboration between me, Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and DaveMan1000 (both here and on DeviantART), and we own the OCs that are used in the story. AaronCottrell97 (known as stevecottrell on DeviantART) provided the Duel Layouts and additional ideas. Everything else belongs to their respective owners:
Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel
The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry
Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami
Gundam SEED characters, Orb, Blue Cosmos, M1 Astray, Strike Rouge, Murasame (c) Sunrise
Character of Lisa Drake (c) DaveMan1000
Character of David Xadashi (c) DaveMan1000
WARNING: Once again, this story is rated T for violence, some blood, suggestive themes, and some language. Reader discretion is advised.
WARNING 2: If you haven't read "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles Season 2", "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles Season 4", "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles (Pyramid of Light", "David Xadashi", "Lisa Drake", or "Team 4D's", you might want to do so before reading this story
Title: The Earthbound Servants
Opening up in the streets of New York City, the protests were ongoing as people (with some even carrying signs) were chanting "Help free Orb!" or simply "Free Orb!" repeatedly, seeing as they wanted Rex to assist the governor of Connecticut with negotiating the freedom of the Orb Duel School from Sergey's control likely through a ransom payment. Speaking of Rex, he was busy doing something about the protests, but in a non-authoritarian way.
(elsewhere…)
Inside city hall's main office, Rex, seated at his desk, was in the middle of having a video conference with General Damas Drake, a tall and robust man, with locks of white hair around the side and back of his head, and a sharp expression that was slightly intimidating. Lazar was the one who made the video chat possible. During the emergency conference, Rex had requested the assistance of 'The All-Star Squad' currently stationed in 'Bangor - Maine' to help keep the peace in the biggest US city for a couple of weeks.
"And that's all we know of the situation," finished Rex, "So, I ask you; will you help us calm the citizens of New York City for at least a little while?"
"Hmm… A rather deadly predicament," mused the image of General Damas thoughtfully, before nodding, "But I assure you it's nothing my team won't be able to handle. We'll do what we can to make sure no panic happens amongst the people of our country's largest city."
"Excellent," Rex said, looking very thankful, "I hope to hear from you in two days after your group has arrived and settled into the city. Good evening, General Damas Drake."
The image of General Damas nodded again, before the video chat ended. Nearby, Lazar flipped on the light switch and turned the lights back on. Rex stood up from his desk and then felt something very unpleasant in the air.
"G-Governor?" pressed Lazar, noticing that his boss looked a little unwell, "Sir, are you okay?"
"This feeling…" groaned Rex, sitting back down on his chair while bringing his right hand to the side of his head, "I'm beginning to feel a sinister sensation of sorts."
"Sinister sensation?" repeated Lazar.
"Yes," Rex confirmed, before feeling well enough to stand back up. There was a serious, uneasy look on his face when he realized that the truth could not be kept hidden from the Signers any longer, "Lazar, prepare my helicopter; we are going to Hartford. Due to the gravity of the situation, I've decided that it's finally time to show the Signers why they were ultimately chosen by the Crimson Dragon."
"As you command, governor," obeyed Lazar, bowing.
(elsewhere…)
Back on the streets of Hartford, both Fudo Go and Duelist Crusher had turned a corner to enter another empty street as the Turbo Duel between Matt and Sergey proceeded. Currently, these were the standings:
-Matt (LP: 4000): Controlled 'Stardust Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000) and had two Set cards.
-Sergey (LP: 4000): Controlled 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1500), 'Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken' (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 1200), and "Earthbound Prison" (Spell Card).
"Urrrgh…" grunted Matt.
"Listen up! I activate effect of 'Geo Kraken'!" announced Sergey, as 'Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken' stood up while moving its tentacles about, "Once per turn, during my turn, if a monster(s) is Special Summoned to my opponent's field: I can destroy as many monsters my opponent controls that were Special Summoned this turn as possible, and if I do, inflict 800 damage to my opponent for each."
Matt gasped, "Now I understand!" he realized, going over the possible strategy his opponent had planned, "That's why you used the effect of 'Earthbound Prisoner Line Walker' to make it seem like I Special Summoned 'Stardust' during your turn; it's so you can use 'Geo Kraken's' effect to destroy it!"
"It's too late to panic over it!" Sergey pointed out, as Matt looked worried, "Once I destroy 'Stardust', you will be attacked directly by both of my monsters, wiping out your LP in instant and therefore making me winner!" He then grinned with triumph, "I will win on my very first turn!"
"Which is why I won't let you do such a thing!" retorted Matt.
"What?!"
"From my hand, I'll activate the monster effect of 'Junkuriboh'!" The dirty blonde-haired young man began, holding a card out before sending it to the GY. The 'Junkuriboh' Monster Card sank into a black hole (GY) as the explanation went on, "When my opponent activates a card or effect that would inflict damage to me (Quick Effect): I can send this card from my hand or field to the GY; I must negate the activation, and if I do, destroy that card!"
Briefly appearing on the field to the left of Fudo Go, was 'Junkuriboh'. 'Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken', meanwhile, unleashed a dark breath-like attack towards 'Stardust Dragon'.
"Go forth, 'Junkuriboh'! Destroy 'Geo Kraken'!" ordered Matt.
'Junkuriboh' obeyed, and, while hollering "Kuri Kuri!" a couple of times, charged like a bullet making a suicide run towards the gigantic kraken-like 'Earthbound' monster, bursting right through the dark-like breath attack, striking, and making a hole in 'Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken' body before the enemy monster fell down and exploded from destruction. Best of all, with its effect negated before it was destroyed, Matt would not lose 'Stardust Dragon' nor take any effect damage.
"It does not matter!" sneered Sergey, convinced he was still going to take down 'Stardust Dragon', "I still control 'Geo Gryphon', and its own effect activates!" He ended the sentence by holding his right hand out, while 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' prepared to attack, "If an 'Earthbound' monster(s) I control is destroyed: I can target 1 monster my opponent controls; I must destroy that target."
From there, 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' charged towards 'Stardust Dragon', attempting to bring it down in an attempt to avenge 'Earthbound Servant Geo Kraken'.
"Unfortunately, it's not that easy!" shouted Matt, before motioning and holding his right hand up in the air near his ace monster, "I activate 'Stardust Dragon's' first effect!" While announcing his monster's effect name, 'Stardust Dragon' let out a roar before something miraculous started happening to it, "Victim Sanctuary!"
'Stardust Dragon' dissolved itself into a barrier of stardust-like energy, reflecting the blow from 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon', causing the wicked creature to roar in pain and explode.
"What?!" flinched Sergey.
"'Stardust Dragon's' monster effect!" began Matt, "When a card or effect is activated that would destroy a card(s) on the field (Quick Effect): I can Tribute this card; I must negate the activation, and if I do, destroy it. Although 'Stardust' sacrificed itself, it has destroyed 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon'!"
Sergey fumed, "Ты бля…!" he swore in Russian, before taking a card from his hand and slotting it into his Duel Runner, "I Set card face-down and end my turn!"
A face-down card materialized on the field before fading away for later use.
"Now that it's the End Phase, I'll bring 'Stardust' back with its second effect!" declared Matt, just as, while he explained the effect in-question, 'Stardust Dragon' reappeared in the sky from specks of light and stardust (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000), "During the End Phase, if this effect was activated this turn (and was not negated): I can Special Summon this card from my GY!"
'Stardust Dragon' let out a roar as it turned to look down upon the enemy duelist it was facing.
"'Stardust Dragon' returns, does it?!" flinched Sergey, looking upward.
"And there's more to do!" continued Matt, as he made one of his Set cards reappear on the field beside him (on his left), "I activate a Trap, 'Meteor Stream'!" The Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "When a monster is Special Summoned during the turn it was sent from the field to the GY as a Tribute: I must inflict 1000 damage to my opponent."
'Stardust Dragon' let out another roar before flying higher into the sky and flapping its wings, sending several balls of fire raining down onto the field around Duelist Crusher. Sergey grimaced as his LP got hit (LP: 4000 → 3000). But when that happened, the shock devices on the Duel Runner activated, electrocuting the hulking Russian man and causing him to scream again.
"What?!" gasped Matt, when he saw what was going on.
As the shock ended, a sweating Sergey, with his bowed slightly, huffed and puffed several times from the agonizing pain before his mouth formed a scabrous smirk as he looked up with sheer madness in his eyes.
"Beautiful!" proclaimed Sergey, "The pain I was inflicted with was absolutely beautiful! Champion duelist, continue to show me the wonderful beauty of destruction!"
Matt simply winced, but quickly shrugged the disturbing image out of his head as he finally drew a card and began his turn.
"It's my turn!" announced Matt.
Turn Three: Matt Fudo (LP: 4000)
Deck: 50
Current Hand (2): "Devoted Gardna" and "Enduring Soul"
His drawn card was a Trap Card called 'Enduring Soul', which he added into his hand before entering the Battle Phase.
"Battle!" Matt went on, "'Stardust Dragon', attack Sergey directly!" While speaking, 'Stardust Dragon' reared itself head back while charging its attack, "Roar! Cosmic Flare!"
'Stardust Dragon' obeyed, firing off the white blast of energy towards Duelist Crusher.
"Counter Trap, open!" exclaimed Sergey, "'Earthbound Beginning'!" While talking on, his Set card was already shown to be face-up on the field, "When my opponent's monster declares a direct attack while I have 3000 or less LP: I must halve the battle damage I take from this…" He was smiling madly while finishing his explanation, "…battle, and if I do, activate 1 Field Spell Card directly from my Deck."
Cosmic Flare struck Duelist Crusher, knocking it back a little bit as Sergey's LP dropped once again (LP: 3000 → 1750). Alas, this also activated the shock devices on the Duel Runner, zapping Sergey and making him yell out in pain. Despite that, he simply drew a card ('Earthbound Wilderness'(!)) and chuckled maliciously when the shocking ended.
"Now I activate a Field Spell from my Deck!" declared Sergey, before slotting the card into the Field Zone on his Duel Runner, "I destroy 'Earthbound Prison' and activate 'Earthbound Wilderness' in its place!"
Before long, purple flames started erupting on the sides of the road, trapping both duelists on the open road until the Turbo Duel finally ended with either player being defeated.
"Wh-What is all-?" spluttered Matt, before he overheard sinister chuckling, "What did you-?"
To make matters worse, when Matt looked over his shoulder at his opponent, Sergey's eyes started becoming dull and empty as a large purple spider symbol appeared on his chest and his mouth formed an absolutely insane slasher smile.
"Now that 'Earthbound Wilderness' is active, neither of us can escape until duel is over!" snickered Sergey, "And there be more to my card… Neither player can Summon monsters in Defense Position, also face-up Attack Position monsters on the field cannot change their battle positions! Even worse! If an 'Earthbound' Fusion or Synchro Monster I control destroys an opponent's monster by battle; that monster is banished instead of being sent to the GY!"
He started to laugh loudly and rather demonically.
"What in the world's happened to him?" thought Matt, still looking over his shoulder at Sergey, "Where did that symbol of a purple spider on his front even come from?" He then realized something and froze, "Hold on a moment-!"
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Flashback Matt, Flashback Michael, Flashback James R., Flashback Carlie, Flashback Lisa, Flashback David, and Flashback Zack all found themselves within an unknown darkness. There, they came upon a tall Incan pyramid. There, they saw lots of people gathered below the steps kneeling and bowing.
(new scene…)
Eventually, the Signers all came upon a vision of the city of Hartford, where a huge bolt of purple energy tearing through Hartford, causing Flashback Lisa's hometown to look more like a deserted mess than a proper American city. The purple energy down below continued to tear across buildings until it formed the geoglyph of a giant purple spider.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"What we saw back then during the tournament…" Matt told himself, before raising his voice in anger, "You bastard! What information do you have about if or when this city will be in ruins?! I demand an answer!"
"All I'll say is that this world will reach its end real soon," replied Sergey, "Before long, even the red mark which all of you possess will be dyed a pitch black!"
Matt scowled.
"I activate second effect of 'Earthbound Prison'!" continued Sergey, as his LP became halved (LP: 1750 → 875), "If this card in the Field Zone is destroyed: I must halve the LP of the player that destroyed this card, and if I do, all face-up monsters they currently control have their effects negated."
Due to the LP loss, Sergey, a third time, suffered an electrical shock from the devices on Duelist Crusher. Like before, however, he shrugged it off in enough time to resume smiling dementedly. And since no more monsters were on Sergey's field, nothing else happened. Without much choice (since he already attacked), Matt entered his Main Phase 2 and took a card ('Enduring Soul') from his hand before slotting it into his Duel Runner.
"I Set one card face-down and end my turn!" finished Matt.
Another face-down card materialized on the field before fading away for later use.
(elsewhere…)
Back in Orb's Turbo Duel Arena, Lisa had arrived and noticed some slight damage to the place.
"Whoa, was there a Turbo Duel going on in this area, or did I miss a party, instead?" Lisa joked to herself, before looking around and noticing the Astray trio, Mr. Murdoch, and the docking bay staff nearby, "H-Hey! There they all are!"
She started running over to the nearby scene. Speaking of which, Mr. Murdoch and the staff were attending to the injuries Asagi, Mayura, and Juri each endured during the duel they were just in; Asagi only had three band aids on her face, while Mayura had some bandages being wrapped around her forehead and temples due to a mild concussion she suffered, and Juri was merely sitting on a chair with a ice pack (given to her by Mr. Murdoch) pressed against her exposed, sore right leg.
"Asagi! Juri! Mayura!" The voice of Lisa called out, causing the three Astray girls, plus Mr. Murdoch, and the docking bay staff to look nearby. There, they saw the pink-haired girl running towards them, "There you three are! Are each of you okay?!"
"Lisa!" called Mr. Murdoch.
"Thank the heavens you're safe!" A female docking bay worker added.
"Is there a likelihood you won against one of the invaders?" A male docking bay worked finished hopefully.
"You betcha! Those jerks were no match for the likes of me, the great Lisa Drake!" boasted Lisa, with her left hand on her hip and pointing at herself with her right hand's thumb. She then eased up while staring at her three friends with slight concern, "Anyway, what about you three? You aren't badly hurt, are you?"
"Ouch! We're fine, Lisa," winced Juri, while she then winked and a painful smile rested on her face, "Okay, I'll admit we're sort of fine. When Mayura and I got thrown off our respective M1 Astrays, I injured my right leg slightly and Mayura suffered a mild concussion—but, thanks to Asagi's final turn, we won ourselves a Battle Royale-styled Turbo Duel against three former Blue Cosmos students who call themselves 'The Extended'."
With that being said, Asagi gestured nearby with the thumb of her left hand towards the three unconscious duelists known as Sting, Auel, and Stella.
"The Extended?" wondered Lisa, before getting a thought on something, "You know, that sounds similar to a term called 'The Biological CPU', which is something Orga, Clotho, and Shani each like to call themselves," She then shook her head as she quickly remembered something that happened while she was inside the school (her birthmark glowing and reacting hard), "Back on topic, I have some important news to give… Matt is currently Turbo Dueling Sergey in the city."
"What the-? He is?" wondered Mayura.
Lisa nodded.
"Hold it right there! Now, it's not that I don't believe you or anything, but how exactly do you know that?" Mr. Murdoch asked suspiciously.
"I know because of the birthmark on my right forearm," answered Lisa, looking down at her gloved right forearm, "While I was looking for signs of friendly faces inside the building, I felt an extremely powerful sensation coming from my birthmark. I don't know what it's all about, but the sensation was very painful and it made me sense something dangerous is out there—unlike anything I ever felt since getting the birthmark."
"Unlike anything you ever felt? Are you sure?" pressed Asagi, growing really worried when she received a nod of confirmation from Lisa, "Matt…"
(elsewhere…)
Back on the streets of Hartford, several people were surprised and scared by the flames burning on the sides of the road, and were left wondering what was happening. Sure enough, Fudo Go and Duelist Crusher rushed by as Sergey began his next turn.
"It's my turn!" he declared, drawing a card.
Turn Four: Sergey Volkov (LP: 875)
Deck: 52
Current Hand (2): "Earthbound Rescue" and "Card of Demise"
On cue, the 'Card of Demise' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of Duelist Crusher.
"I activate the Spell Card, 'Card of Demise'!" continued Sergey, just before studying his newly drawn hand, "I must draw until I have 5 cards in my hand, but send all cards in my hand to the GY during my 5th Standby Phase after activation."
His hand now contained 'Earthbound Rescue', 'Earthbound Spell Sealer', 'Earthbound Gate', 'Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper', and 'Earthbound Emergence'(!).
"Now, let's move on with our beautiful duel!" slurred Sergey, before taking and holding a card ('Earthbound Rescue') out, "From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card, 'Earthbound Rescue'!"
"'Earthbound Rescue'?" repeated Matt.
"If there is a face-up card in the Field Zone: I must add 1 'Earthbound' monster and 1 Spell Card from my GY to my hand," explained Sergey, before taking 'Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper' (Effect Monster Card) and 'Harmonic Synchro Fusion' (Spell Card) from his GY, "I take 'Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper' and 'Harmonic Synchro and add them both back," He then took one of the cards ('Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper') from his hand and held it out for a few seconds before placing it onto his Duel Runner, "Now, since I have card in Field Zone, I'll Special Summon 'Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper' from hand!"
Reappearing on the field was the black lizard-like creature with the light blue outline, and the shackle around its tail (Level: 5/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1600). Not being finished with preparing for his next big strategy, Sergey held one more card ('Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper') for a few seconds as he spoke out some more.
"And then, from my hand, I'll Summon the Tuner monster, 'Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper'!" Sergey said, before placing the card onto his Duel Runner and motioning his right arm about, "Come, 'Ground Keeper'!"
Appearing onto the field was another black creature. This one had a purple outline, and resembled a legless being (Level: 1/ATK: 300/DEF: 300).
"Since he has 'Harmonic Synchro Fusion' back, he's going to both fuse them and tune them together," Matt thought to himself, "I'm certain that's what he'll do!"
Sure enough…
"Then I activate Spell Card 'Harmonic Synchro Fusion'!" announced Sergey, as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field beside him (on his right), "I must Special Summon 2 monsters from my Extra Deck (1 Fusion Monster and 1 Synchro Monster), by using monsters I control as both Fusion and Synchro Materials. (These Special Summons are treated as a Fusion Summon for the Fusion Monster and a Synchro Summon for the Synchro Monster.)"
'Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper' and 'Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper' both split into two.
"I first tune Level 5 'Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper' into Level 1 'Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper'!"
As the command to tune was being given, 'Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper' turned into a Synchro Ring which 'Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper' flew into, becoming five orbs of light in the process as a Summon Chant ensued.
"Spirit bound to the earth, shake all of creation with your mystic power!" chanted Sergey, as the symbols 5 + 1 = 6 were shown briefly just before the five orbs of light within the single Synchro Ring turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 6! 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin'!"
Appearing out of the beam of light and in the air, was a huge, black, fiendish creature with a blue outline, horns, and was bound in shackles (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1000).
"And now, I'll fuse 'Stone Sweeper' and 'Ground Keeper' together!" continued Sergey, "Watch what they become!"
And so, 'Earthbound Prisoner Stone Sweeper' and 'Earthbound Prisoner Ground Keeper' start fusing together with the artwork of the 'Polymerization' Spell Card looming behind them.
"He who is bound by stone, become one with he who is bound by the earth and grasp the land," chanted Sergey, as the Fusion Summon sequence slowly came to an end, "Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 6! 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina'!"
Appearing out of the Fusion Vortex and in the air, was a huge, horned, black creature with yellow outlines, and was also bound in shackles (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1000). Once they were on the field, both 'Earthbound Servant' monsters started attacking buildings in their path, damaging several homes and office buildings while people watching on the sidewalks started screaming and fleeing from the destruction in terror, almost getting injured in the process.
"Stop it!" cried Matt, "Keep the innocent people out of this!"
Sergey chuckled, "I'm going to make you suffer," he pointed out, "To do so, I'm going to present you a choice."
"Choice, did you say?" wondered Matt.
"The effect of 'Geo Gremlin'!" The hulking Russian man went on, "Once per turn, during my Main Phase 1, if there is a face-up card in the Field Zone and this card was Special Summoned this turn: I can target 1 monster my opponent controls; my opponent chooses whether to destroy that monster or not. If it is destroyed by this effect, I must skip the Battle Phase of this turn. If not, I must gain LP equal to its ATK."
Matt remained in a stunned state, but soon eased up slightly as he listened.
"It's very, very simple; basically, if you choose to destroy 'Stardust Dragon', my Battle Phase for the turn is skipped, and you can delay your eventual fall in battle…" explained Sergey, before banging his right fist onto the side of Duelist Crusher, "However, if you decide to not destroy it, I gain LP equal to 'Stardust's' ATK, which is 2500!"
Judging from the look on Matt's face as the explanation ended, it was pretty obvious which choice he would pick. Over with Sergey…
"Even though both 'Geo Gremlin' and 'Geo Gremlina' both have 2000 ATK and Matt will likely not destroy his monster, I'm not worried in slightest!" thought Sergey, smiling to himself, "Both decisions will play into my hands, seeing as I have yet to reveal the terrifying power that 'Earthbound Wilderness' has. It also helps that if Matt does destroy 'Stardust', it will result in 'Geo Gremlina's' effect activating, destroying all of my monsters and then inflicting their total ATK as damage to the opponent—4000 to be exact, and Matt has 4000 LP, therefore defeating him! I simply can't lose in this state!" He spoke aloud, "Champion duelist! It's time you made your choice!"
"Sorry, but there never was any choice to begin with!" retorted Matt hotly.
"So you will choose to destroy it?!" dared Sergey, still smiling wickedly.
Matt then smiled grimly, "As a matter of fact, yes," he started to say, "I will."
Sergey eased up in surprise, wondering why Matt would choose to destroy 'Stardust Dragon' so easily. Unfortunately, there was a small detail about that monster that Sergey forgot all about…
"'Stardust Dragon'!" ordered Matt, as his monster started glowing, "Victim Sanctuary!"
'Stardust Dragon' obeyed, turning into particles of stardust, which rained upon 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlin', causing the enemy monster to howl in agony before melting away due to its destruction as Sergey looked mildly surprised.
"Clearly, you've forgotten all about 'Stardust's' first effect," scolded Matt, holding up his 'Stardust Dragon' Synchro Monster Card, "When a card or effect is activated that would destroy a card(s) on the field (Quick Effect): I can…" While sending to to the GY, the card sank deep into the abyss (GY), "…Tribute this card; I must negate the activation, and if I do, destroy it."
"Hmph! You still made an optimal move in destroying 'Stardust'!" observed Sergey.
"Did I though?" said Matt ominously, which caused Sergey to ease up a bit. He then raised his right hand up for a moment before lowering it and pressing a button on his Duel Runner, "Continuous Trap, open!" On cue, behind Fudo Go, a face-down card flipped face-up and revealed itself to be… "'Stardust Wish', activate!"
Sergey's already upset scowl intensified when he saw the activated card.
"Once per turn, if a 'Stardust' Synchro Monster I control is Tributed to activate its own effect (except during the Damage Step): I can target that monster; I must Special Summon it," explained Matt, as his opponent looked over his shoulder and listened, "My opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect's activation," He then motioned his right hand into the air, "Take flight, 'Stardust Dragon'!"
In a burst of specks of stardust and light, 'Stardust Dragon' reappeared on the field as though nothing happened to it (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000). Left most upset when he lost his monster and would not gain LP, Sergey made another card called 'Earthbound Emergence' materialize face-up on the field in-front of Duelist Crusher.
"From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card, 'Earthbound Emergence'!" yelled Sergey, "If there is a face-up card in the Field Zone: I must target 1 'Earthbound Servant' monster in my GY; I must Special Summon it with its effects negated, and if I do, gain LP equal to its ATK," He held both fists up for a few seconds before swinging them to his sides, "The monster Special Summoned by this effect is destroyed during my second End Phase after this card's activation," When the explanation finished, he pointed into the sky as something started to happen there, "Resurrect, 'Geo Gryphon'!"
Within seconds, descending from the sky and onto the field, was the giant Griffin-like creature (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1500).
"Now I gain LP equal to the revived monster's ATK!" reminded Sergey, recovering a significant amount of LP (LP: 875 → 3375), "'Geo Gryphon' has 2500 ATK, so I gain that much LP! And now, I'm going to crush you and your hope of victory!" He pointed forth with the index finger of his right hand, "Battle! I use 'Geo Gryphon' to attack 'Stardust Dragon'!"
'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' obeyed, letting loose a loud roar as it flew in for battle.
"But why?" questioned Matt, "Both monsters share the same ATK!"
"Is that so?" smirked Sergey, before finally dropping yet another bombshell, "This is the true power of my Field Spell, 'Earthbound Wilderness'!"
Ghostly spirits of thye deceased started appearing from the flames on the side of the road, floating into the air and swarming 'Stardust Dragon', making it roar out in pain.
"'Stardust Dragon'!" cried Matt, before looking over his shoulder at and directing his shock towards his opponent, "What are you doing to it?!"
"The second effect of 'Earthbound Wilderness' activates!" responded Sergey, "Once per turn, if an 'Earthbound' Fusion or Synchro Monster I control declares an attack: All monsters my opponent controls lose 400 ATK for each 'Earthbound' Fusion and/or Synchro Monster I control," He then smiled insanely over the advantage he possessed, "If I control both 'Earthbound' Fusion and Synchro Monsters, my opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect's activation," A stunned Matt continued to listen to what his opponent was telling him, "And don't even try forgetting about my Field Spell's third effect, since once my 'Earthbound' Fusion or Synchro Monster destroys your monster, it's banished instead of going to GY."
'Stardust Dragon' grew weaker (ATK: 2500 → 1700). 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' continued with its attack, and Sergey was absolutely certain that there was nothing his opponent could do to stop the attack, and when it connected 'Stardust Dragon' would be banished instead of being sent to the GY. Of course, there was one thing Matt could do about it…
"I activate the second effect of 'Stardust Wish'!" announced Matt, "Monsters Special Summoned by this effect cannot be destroyed by battle while in Attack Position!"
'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' collided with 'Stardust Dragon', throwing the weakened monster right into an abandoned building and destroying the structure—thankfully, 'Stardust Dragon' survived the battle despite getting injured a little bit.
"'Stardust Dragon's' destruction has been negated!" proclaimed Matt, as his ace monster took to the skies again.
"But you'll still take the damage!" reminded Sergey.
Matt glowed red and grimaced as his LP took a hit (LP: 4000 → 3200). The worst bit, however, was the shock devices aboard Fudo Go, which activated once damage to LP was sustained, electrocuting Matt as he screamed in pain. When the shock was done, Matt was already exhausted from the pain. Unfortunately, Sergey still had another monster that could attack, and it was…
"'Geo Gremlina', attack 'Stardust Dragon'!" ordered Sergey.
'Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina' obeyed, charging and punching the weakened 'Stardust Dragon', who blocked the attack and forced the enemy monster to return to the other field. Matt, however, glowed red and took some more battle damage (LP: 3200 → 2900), and then endured another electrical shock from the devices on his Duel Runner. The sight of his opponent being in pain caused Sergey to laugh in sadistic delight.
"You are a Coordinator, right?" he joked in a sick, twisted way, "You should be able to recover quite easily from attacks like that!"
Matt weakly looked up in anger, but was not able to say anything back.
"I Set two cards face-down and end my turn!" finished Sergey, swinging his right arm and making two face-down cards materialize on the field around him as they then faded away for later use, "From here on out, our duel is about to become more beautiful!"
Matt kept huffing and puffing from tiredness as a result of being injured. Currently, he was at a big disadvantage. Although the second effect of the 'Stardust Wish' Trap Card would save 'Stardust Dragon' from destruction through battle, it would not stop him from taking battle damage, and he could not switch his monster into Defense Position, and even if he somehow could do that, the 'Stardust Wish' Trap Card's second effect would not activate if his monster was in Defense Position. Nevertheless, giving up was not an option, since everyone involved with Orb was counting on him to win.
"I… I'm not finished!" panted Matt, drawing a card, "I won't give up!"
Turn Five: Matt Fudo (LP: 2900)
Deck: 49
Current Hand (2): "Devoted Gardna" and "Cosmic Flare"
His drawn card was a Spell Card called 'Cosmic Flare', which he believed would be very helpful in a situation where the opponent tried to attack.
"I Set one card face-down and end my turn!" Matt finished, as a face-down card materialized on the field behind Fudo Go before fading away for later use. He then looked over his shoulder at his opponent with a firm glare in his eyes, "Now, Sergey, it's your turn!"
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! You're truly pathetic, champion duelist!" taunted Sergey with a long, booming laugh, "With my 'Earthbound' Deck, I am unbeatable! Do you hear me? UNBEATABLE!"
Matt frowned, "I've heard that phrase many times from arrogant duelists and managed to prove them wrong by coming out on top," he thought to himself, "But with this instance, I'm starting to believe that he might be right about his Deck being unbeatable, seeing as I've never even seen or heard of the 'Earthbound' archetype before this duel."
Both Fudo Go and Duelist Crusher turned onto another street as the Turbo Duel between Matt and Sergey proceeded, with less and less people watching and wondering what was happening. Sergey, since it was his turn, drew a card.
Turn Six: Sergey Volkov (LP: 3375)
Deck: 47
Current Hand (1): "Earthbound Fusion"
Card of Demise: Four Standby Phases left
A few seconds after seeing his drawn 'Earthbound Fusion' Spell Card…
"Face-down card, activate! 'Cosmic Flare'!" announced Matt, as one of his Set cards reappeared on the field in-front of Fudo Go, flipped face-up, and revealed itself, "I must target 1 'Stardust' Synchro Monster I control; this turn, if that Synchro Monster I control battles an opponent's monster, I must shuffle that opponent's monster into the Deck at the start of the Damage Step," Within his mind, he had everything thought of, "This will let me eliminate those two monsters without much of a fuss, should he decide to attack 'Stardust Dragon'."
"That won't work!" cut in Sergey, as a face-down card on the field in-front of Duelist Crusher flipped face-up and revealed itself, "Counter Trap, 'Earthbound Spell Sealer', activate! When my opponent activates a Spell Card while I have a face-up card in my Field Zone: I must negate the activation, and if I do, destroy that card."
"What?!" flinched Matt, before turning to see his face-up 'Cosmic Flare' Spell Card glitch out and shatter into shards of glass, "Oh no!"
"Battle!" continued Sergey, entering his Battle Phase, "'Geo Gryphon', attack 'Stardust' again! This will activate second effect of 'Earthbound Wilderness'! Your monster loses 400 ATK for each 'Earthbound Servant' Fusion or Synchro Monster I control!"
Once again, 'Stardust Dragon' grew weaker (ATK: 1700 → 900). 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' struck 'Stardust Dragon', but, thanks to the second effect of the 'Stardust Wish' Trap Card, it was spared from destruction and managed to push the enemy monster away after a bit of a struggle.
"'Stardust' is not destroyed!" rejoiced Matt.
"But you'll still take the damage!" said Sergey again.
For a third time, Matt glowed red and took battle damage (LP: 2900 → 1300). And, also for a third time, the shock devices on Fudo Go activated, zapping Matt far more powerfully and making him shout in agony.
"And now, 'Geo Gremlina', you will attack 'Stardust Dragon'!" commanded Sergey, liking the sight of his opponent getting hurt all very much, "Now, товарищ, take 1100 more damage!"
'Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina' punched at 'Stardust Dragon', yet again. 'Stardust Dragon' got hit, but was able to force 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina' back. Despite that, Matt's LP got reduced even further from the battle (LP: 1300 → 200), and it resulted in an electric shock so powerful that when it affected Matt, he nearly collapsed from it. With only 200 LP left, Duelist Crusher was able to pass Fudo Go and take the lead on the road.
"However, as much as I want duel to last forever, I'm going to end things this turn," warned Sergey.
"E-End things…this turn?" Matt repeated weakly.
To prove his point about ending the duel on the current turn, Sergey took and held his final card ('Earthbound Fusion') out.
"From my hand, I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell, 'Earthbound Fusion'!" announced Sergey, while placing his card into his Duel Runner, "If there is a face-up card in the Field Zone: I must Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters I control as Fusion Materials," He managed to hold both his hands out in triumph, "I fuse 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' and 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina' together!"
A giant stone heart appeared in the sky, causing 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' and 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gremlina' both to get sucked inside. This resulted in the heart beginning to beat.
"Gigantic beast with wings of punishment! Demon that clings to the land! Become one and rise from the depths of the underground!" chanted Sergey, before bringing both hands together with another insane smile on his face, "Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 10! 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha'!"
With one final beat, the stone heart exploded in a giant, purple fire. Emerging from the flames and into the sky, was a huge, black, Winged Beast-styled Fiend monster with red outline (Level: 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 1800).
"An ATK…of 3000?" worried Matt, struggling to retain consciousness.
"Yessss… I will break you!" promised Sergey, as his Battle Phase resumed, "Now, 'Geo Grasha', attack 'Stardust Dragon'!" He then revealed a nasty surprise about 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' while it stood tall and released a wave of darkness all across the area, striking 'Stardust Dragon' and completely weakening it until it was practically defenseless and/or powerless in a way (ATK: 900 → 0), "Then, I'll activate my monster's effect! If this card battles an opponent's Fusion or Synchro Monster while there is a face-up card in the Field Zone: The ATK of the opponent's monster becomes 0!"
The remaining waves of darkness also struck nearby buildings, shattering their windows and, in the case of the buildings with weaker foundations, reduced them to rubble as people fled for their lives in a state of terror.
"Even if your Trap Card, 'Stardust Wish', prevents 'Stardust's' destruction, it will amount to nothing since your LP will become depleted once the attack is complete!" Sergey said threateningly, before finally announcing his monster's attack name as dark energy surrounded 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' like a whirlwind, "Darkness Miasma!"
'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' reared its head back and unleashed a powerful darkness-based breath attack. 'Stardust Dragon', in a futile attempt to protect itself, got into a defensive stance as the attack came closer and closer to hitting it. Just when it looked like Matt would be defeated and/or killed, he made a move seemingly out of desperation…
"I activate the special ability of 'Devoted Gardna'!" announced Matt, managing to take a card from his hand and discarding it. The 'Devoted Gardna' Monster Card sank into the abyss (GY) before the spirit of a humanoid male monster wearing a black suit and purple tie appeared on the field, merged with 'Stardust Dragon' and enhanced its power enough to grab and hold back Darkness Miasma until it ceased, "When a face-up monster I control with 1000 or less ATK is targeted for an attack: I can send this card from my hand to the GY; I must reduce any battle damage I would take from this battle to 0!" He sighed, if also really tired out and badly inured, with relief over surviving the attack (LP: 200), "And thanks to the second effect of 'Stardust Wish', my monster is not destroyed!"
"Keh! Pointless struggling!" dismissed Sergey, "Monster's survival doesn't help when you're left with only a very small 200 LP and said monster has 0 ATK!"
He was right about that harsh detail; Matt, clutching his chest with his right hand, was shown to still be huffing and puffing while struggling to retain consciousness after being electrocuted to near lethal levels. On the other hand, Sergey, despite getting shocked around the same amount of times, wasn't even fazed and was going to continue dueling until he was the winner.
"Look at me, I'm not even tired out!" boasted Sergey, "You wanna know reason for it? It's because the pain I have endured and endured throughout the duel is so beautiful! This is what makes me live… It's what gives me purpose in life!" He then pointed at his opponent mockingly, "But you can't live like that, because you're not dueling machine like I am!"
"As much as I want to disagree, he's right; I won't… I won't last much longer," thought Matt, very exhausted, knowing that Sergey had a point. He then started to believe he had lost the whole duel, "Am I really going to lose to Sergey? Have I failed all of Orb, as well as my friends? Have I also failed at being a Coordinator?"
Suddenly, he recoiled when he thought of the word 'Coordinator', having a quick flashback.
FLASHBACK
In the hallway of the Turbo Duel Arena in New York City, just before David and Lisa's duel, Flashback Matt was busy speaking to Flashback Ms. Simmons.
"As I told you outside, it will take some time to embrace being a Coordinator," said Flashback Ms. Simmons helpfully, "But until you feel comfortable with it, you should continue to keep your mind calm and clear; you should simply focus on your life and the dueling. Do not let anyone or anything try to shatter your concentration," She shook her head, "I know it's not the world's most helpful advice regarding life-changing events like learning of your origins, but try to remember that if you can, okay?"
Flashback Matt nodded, "I will," he vowed, "Listen, I seriously appreciate the advice, Erica. I really mean it."
"Think nothing of it," smiled Flashback Ms. Simmons, "I've been interested in taking someone like you under my wing ever since I saw how well you duel."
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended, and Matt, having recalled the memory and advice from Ms. Simmons, closed his eyes and breathed in and exhaled, calming his mind (it would come in handy very soon).
"Now, дурак!" insulted Sergey, still smiling eagerly, "Would you like to surrender instead of allowing your suffering to continue?" He held up his right hand and pointed forward using the index finger, "I give you the chance, now! Don't make me wait too long, or I'll take your silence as wanting the pain to proceed."
Matt kept his eyes closed for a few more seconds before finally opening then gently and giving his answer to the so-called offer.
"No," responded Matt, which surprised Sergey quite a bit, "I said it once before, and I'll say it again! I'm going to win the duel and free Orb and everything it stands for in the world of dueling," He clenched his right hand into a fist, "That's a promise I aim to keep, no matter what happens to me!"
"No surrender?!" spat Sergey, starting to become quite angry over his 'generous' ultimatum being refused by his somewhat stubborn opponent, "Your LP are only 200, your 'Stardust Dragon' has no ATK, 'Earthbound Wilderness' prevents you from using Defense Position, and a lone, powerful enough electric shock will kill you even if you are Coordinator!"
"That is true," admitted Matt wearily, looking down slightly at the Deck holder on his right wrist, "Even as a Coordinator, I'm still only human. Even such genetically modified humans are not invulnerable to getting severely injured or worse," He then raised his head and glared more fiercely, "However, since I am a Coordinator, I plan to turn things around this turn and make the impossible 'possible'!"
Sergey growled, "I end my turn!" he finished, entering his End Phase, "This will be your very last battle!"
Both Duel Runners turned another corner and onto another street, while Matt, bracing the index and middle fingers on top of his Deck, stopped his draw for a moment to think about what was at stake for him and his friends. Unless he pulled through with this draw, he was going to lose the duel and Orb would remain under enemy control for who knows how long—worst of all, his friends would be imprisoned there for the rest of their lives.
(elsewhere…)
In the entrance hallway of Orb, Michael and James R. both had arrived and looked around, hoping that there were no more enemies for them to fight in hand-to-hand combat.
(elsewhere…)
In one hallway, Carlie and Sherry both had gotten into a violent encounter with another group of punks.
(elsewhere…)
In another hallway, David, Zack, Ms. Simmons, and Mr. Kisaka all arrived outside a locked up classroom, where one student (male) can be seen through the door's window, banging on it and begging for help in the name of himself and his trapped classmates.
(elsewhere…)
Within Orb's Turbo Duel Arena, Lisa was busy talking to the Astray trio, Mr. Murdoch, and the docking bay staff about her duel with the arrogant punk and kicking the butts of the punks who tried fighting her physically.
(elsewhere…)
Inside Bradley International Airport, Discord, Mr. Zimmerman, Sean, Janice, Gabriella, Ren, and Futaba all waited and waited, hoping that the Signers, the three Astray girls, Mr. Kisaka, and Ms. Simmons all would win back Orb and make it back to all of them alive.
(elsewhere…)
Back with Matt, he closed his eyes once more and prayed with his cards.
"My cards… I need you to come through for me," thought Matt, before drawing what could possibly be his very last card, "Please, give me your answer…"
Turn Seven: Matt Fudo (LP: 200)
Deck: 48
Current Hand (1): "Stardust Xiaolong"
His prayers were answered; upon opening his eyes, he saw that his drawn card was the 'Stardust Xiaolong' Monster Card. Before long, a small, grim/confident smile appeared on his face.
"It's here," uttered Matt quietly.
Sergey, looking over his shoulder, wondered why his opponent was smiling even though he (Matt) only had a single card in his hand and the situation seemed very hopeless. Sure enough, the final turn of the whole duel officially began.
"I activate the second effect of 'Jet Synchron' !" announced Matt, immediately sending his drawn card to the GY, "If this card is in my GY: I can send 1 card from my hand to the GY; I must Special Summon this card, but banish it when it leaves the field."
Another card ('Jet Synchron') ejected from the GY, which Matt took and placed onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Runner.
"Come, 'Jet Synchron'!" The voice of Matt commanded.
Appearing onto the field was the jet-like machine (Level: 1/ATK: 500/DEF: 0).
"Furthermore, I'll also activate the effect of 'Stardust Xiaolong'!" As Matt spoke, a card ('Stardust Xiaolong') also ejected from his GY, "If I control a 'Stardust Dragon': I can Special Summon this card from my GY in Attack Position."
From there, as the above explanation went on, appearing onto the field was the Chinese Dragon-like version of 'Stardust Dragon' (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 100).
"'Stardust Xiaolong'?" pondered Sergey.
"I tune Level 1 'Stardust Xiaolong' into Level 1 'Jet Synchron'!" The voice of Matt proclaimed, as 'Jet Synchron' flew into the air and turned into a single Synchro Ring, "Let's rev it up!"
As those words were said, 'Stardust Xiaolong' flew into the one Synchro Ring while turning into a single orb of light as a familiar Summon Chant from Matt followed.
"Clustering wishes will call out a new speed's horizon! Become the path its light shines upon!" chanted Matt, as the symbols 1 + 1 = 2 were shown briefly just before the single orb within the lone Synchro Ring turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! The power of hope, Synchro Tuner, 'Formula Synchron'!"
Appearing onto the field was the robotic, humanoid racing car-like monster (Level: 2/ATK: 200/DEF: 1500). Sergey was surprised and mostly none too happy to see that monster now of all times, since whatever came next with the appearance of 'Formula Synchron' would likely not be fun—it being not fun for him, that is.
"Synchro Tuner, is it?!" gasped Sergey.
"I activate 'Formula Synchron's' first effect!" declared Matt, drawing another card, "When this card is Synchro Summoned: I can draw 1 card."
His drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Balance Blaster', and the second Matt saw it caused him to realize a full, game-winning combo involving it, the 'Shooting Star Dragon' Synchro Monster Card, the 'Necro Defender' Monster card (in his GY), his Set 'Enduring Soul' Trap Card, and five other unknown cards (Tuner monsters). Afterwards, he resumed his turn.
"The ultimate power I have obtained!" began Matt, before finishing with… "Clear Mind!"
With that last part shouted, he started crackling with absolute power as a large image of the Seal of the Crimson Dragon appeared behind him and Fudo Go.
"C-C-Clear Mind, you said?" cried Sergey.
And so, the ultimate comeback commenced.
"I tune Level 8 Synchro Monster, 'Stardust Dragon'," Matt went on, motioning his right arm about while also thrusting the right hand out. While still speaking, 'Stardust Dragon' flew above him and Fudo Go, "into Level 2 Synchro Tuner, 'Formula Synchron'!"
'Formula Synchron' immediately turned itself into two balls of light and was absorbed into an unknown force straight ahead, causing the symbols 8 + 2 = 10 to be shown briefly. Not only that, Fudo Go started to gain speed while also allowing flames to surround it. 'Stardust Dragon' let loose a roar as it flew above Matt and followed him, just as he began a highly familiar Summon Chant…
"Clustering crystal dreams open the door to a new evolution! Become the path its light shines upon!"
More and more flames surrounded Fudo Go as it went faster and faster, just as Matt gave quite possibly one of the strongest, most hot-blooded screams anyone in the streets of Hartford could ever hear…
"Accel Synchro!" The dirty blonde-haired young man echoed, motioning his right arm out to his right at the very end of the scream.
Very quickly, a familiar card ('Shooting Star Dragon') materialized out of thin-air and in-between Matt's fingers. Not only that, both Fudo Go and 'Stardust Dragon' were also now moving/flying at the speed of light while burning like a shooting star—eventually vanishing into what looked like a green ring-like vortex without a trace.
"He…vanished!" stammered Sergey, looking around for his opponent.
Within seconds, however, Fudo Go (and its rider) reappeared from the same vortex, overtaking the surprised hulking Russian man and Duelist Crusher. Not only that, following Fudo Go before flying into the sky happened to be a VERY familiar dragon…
"Be born, 'Shooting Star Dragon'!" boomed Matt.
Soaring gracefully through the night sky before stopping above Fudo Go, was none other than 'Stardust Dragon's' bigger, more powerful, more evolved form (Level: 10/ATK: 3300/DEF: 2500).
"'Shooting Star Dragon'…!" hissed Sergey, initially looking upward while being shocked. He then became absolutely furious with Matt, "You bastard…!"
Back within the sky, 'Shooting Star Dragon' quickly found itself facing off against 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' as they roared at each other. The two titans were about to duke it out! One would fall, and the other would remain standing. The fate of Orb and everyone there rested in 'Shooting Star Dragon' being able to overcome this deadly enemy monster.
"Then, from my hand, I'll Summon 'Balance Blaster'!" continued Matt, placing his final card onto his Duel Runner.
Appearing onto the field was a dark red Machine monster with a blaster-like head, two arms, and no legs (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).
"I've gathered all of the cards that will bring about my victory!" As Matt said that, both 'Shooting Star Dragon' and 'Balance Blaster' flew above him (the former) and hovered in-front of him (the latter) respectively, "This duel is about to end!"
"Or will it end here with your triumph?" interrupted Sergey, causing his opponent to ease up slightly. His Set card then reappeared on the field beside the Crusher (on its right), flipped face-up, and revealed itself, "Continuous Trap, 'Earthbound Gate', activate! If there is a face-up card in the Field Zone, and my opponent activates a card or effect that would inflict damage to me while I control an 'Earthbound' monster: I take no effect damage if the amount is more than or equal to 1000," He continued to look derange over his impending victory, "So, if you think you have way to inflict some easy effect damage upon me, like with 'Balance Blaster', you're wrong!"
Matt sweated uneasily over that play, but then remembered that he still had what he needed to defeat Sergey. From there, he made the spirit of 'Necro Defender' briefly appear on his field.
"I activate the monster effect of 'Necro Defender'!" declared Matt, holding out his retrieved card (taken from the GY) before allowing it to dissolve away into oblivion, "During my Main Phase: I can banish this card from my GY, then target 1 monster I control; until the end of this turn, I take no battle damage from battles involving that monster," He looked up at 'Shooting Star Dragon', "I choose 'Shooting Star Dragon' to accept this power!"
The spirit of 'Necro Defender' combined with 'Shooting Star Dragon'. Just then, a face-down card rematerialized on the field beside Fudo Go (on its right), flipped face-up, and revealed itself.
"Then, I'll activate a Continuous Trap, 'Enduring Soul'!" Matt went on, "If a face-up Attack Position monster I control would be destroyed by battle: I can activate this effect; that monster is not destroyed by this battle, and if I do, it loses 800 ATK after damage calculation."
"It makes no sense!" argued Sergey, looking and sounding both confused and frustrated, "How do all of this grant you victory if I cut off your potential winning move?"
"I activate 'Shooting Star Dragon's' first effect!" announced Matt, before looking at his Deck, "Once per turn: I can excavate the top 5 cards of my Deck, shuffle them back in, also…" He nearly finished his explanation, "…this card's maximum number of attacks per Battle Phase this turn equals the number of Tuner monsters excavated."
"Additional attacks per Battle Phase?" Sergey repeated, still not looking happy.
"Right," confirmed Matt, before going into his thoughts, "If I want to complete my combo and win this ultimate battle, I'll need to rely on the power of both 'Shooting Star Dragon' and the bonds I share with my friends. Everyone at Orb is counting on me to save them… My friends, please lend me your thoughts and prayers."
He closed his eyes. From there, the birthmark of the Dragon's Head on his right forearm started glowing underneath his jacket's sleeve.
(elsewhere…)
Inside the entrance hallway of Orb's school, Michael and James R. both were wondering what was going to happen now after they made it out of the lunchroom, when the two young men felt their respective birthmarks (Michael: Dragon's Wings, James R.: Dragon's Tail) glowing.
"Matt!" realized James R..
"He's asking us for our wishes," figured Michael.
(elsewhere…)
In one of the hallways of Orb, Carlie and Sherry both were currently alone after the latter had defeated another delinquent in a physical fight when the former felt her birthmark (Dragon's Foot) glowing underneath her gloved right forearm.
"Carlie, what's-" stammered Sherry.
"Something tells me Matt needs my help," replied Carlie, before becoming determined, "And my help is something he'll get."
(elsewhere…)
Somewhere outside the building (namely in the Turbo Duel Arena), Lisa, Mr. Murdoch, the docking bay staff, and the Astray trio (still nursing their injuries) all have been quiet for the last little while after the first had discussed how she did in a duel and an actual fist fight. Before long, Lisa felt her birthmark (Dragon's Hand) beginning to glow underneath her gloved right forearm.
"Now what?" groaned Lisa, which brought the eyes of everyone in the area towards her. Closing her eyes, she got the general idea, "Hold on a moment, I don't feel any pain from this glowing sensation… Instead, I can feel warmth—like Matt is calling out."
"Matt's in-trouble?" gasped Asagi.
"Yeah," Lisa nodded, opening her eyes and looking at her wavy blonde-haired friend, "He's asking for my thoughts and prayers. Otherwise, he won't be able to defeat Sergey."
"Then do it!" urged Juri.
"We can't let Matt lose a duel this important for all of us and Orb!" added Mayura.
Lisa nodded silently.
(inside…)
Inside another hallway of Orb, Zack, David, Ms. Simmons, and Mr. Kisaka all were in one hallway trying to help some of the students trapped in one of the locked classrooms get out by using Zack's laptop to hack the system. All of a sudden, David's birthmark (Dragon's Heart) started glowing.
"Dave?" wondered Mr. Kisaka.
"Your birthmark is reacting," added Ms. Simmons.
"It is, Ledonir-senpai and Erica-senpai," acknowledged David, noticing the glowing birthmark on his right forearm, "Fudo-san is facing Sergey, and…he requires my aid."
"He does?" pondered Zack, before closing his eyes and feeling it, "Yes, you're right… Matt is calling for our prayers."
(elsewhere…)
Back on the streets of Hartford, Matt felt the wishes and thoughts from his fellow Signers surging through his Mark of the Dragon, encouraging him to win this very important duel. From there, he excavated his first card.
"The first card!" yelled Matt, before noticing it was the 'Turbo Synchron' Monster Card (a Tuner monster), "From James, the Tuner monster, 'Turbo Synchron'!"
A faded image of James R.'s head and upper body combined with the birthmark of the Crimson Dragon's Head. Matt then excavated his second card, which he saw was the 'Nitro Synchron' Monster Card.
"The second card! From Lisa, the Tuner monster, 'Nitro Synchron'!" Matt went on, readying the mentioned excavated card in-between the index and middle fingers of his right hand. He then felt a faded image of Lisa's head and upper body both combined with his birthmark of the Crimson Dragon's Head while speaking a little more, "That's two so far."
Sergey scowled, watching as his opponent excavated a third card.
"The third card!" After saying that, Matt turned the drawn card over and revealed it was the 'Debris Dragon' Monster Card, "From Mike, the Tuner monster, 'Debris Dragon'!"
A faded image of Michael's head and upper body combined with the birthmark of the Crimson Dragon's Head. Still not done excavating cards (he had two more to go), Matt excavated his next card.
"The fourth card!" he announced pridefully, seeing it was the 'Effect Veiler' Monster Card, "From Carlie, the Tuner monster, 'Effect Veiler'!"
A faded image of Carlie's head and upper body combined with the birthmark of the Crimson Dragon's Head. Matt then had one last card to excavate, and he needed it to also be a Tuner monster or he would not be able to defeat Sergey.
"The final card!" exclaimed Matt, after bracing the index and middle fingers of his right hand on top of his Deck in preparation to draw (again), "This draw will lead me into my future!"
(elsewhere…)
Inside a hallway within the Orb Duel School, David continued to stare at his glowing birthmark of the Heart of the Crimson Dragon. Because of his great respect for Matt, he really wanted him (Matt) to win the duel to determine Orb's fate (namely to save it).
"Fudo-san," The aqua blue-haired boy whispered, closing his eyes.
(elsewhere…)
Back on the streets, Matt, closing his eyes, finally excavated his card (slow motion) with a Destiny Draw. After a few seconds of keeping them closed, he fiercely opened his eyes.
"The fifth card!" thundered Matt, holding his final card ('Hyper Synchron') up, "From Dave, the Tuner monster, 'Hyper Synchron'!"
A faded image of David's head and upper body then combined with the birthmark of the Crimson Dragon's Head, while Matt shuffled all five excavated cards back into his Deck one card at a time. Before long, the full Seal of the Crimson Dragon materialized on Matt's back (as shown from the mark glowing there).
"Thanks to the bond I share with my friends, five Tuner monsters have been excavated…! This will allow 'Shooting Star' to attack five times!" The voice of Matt reminded, while Sergey looked especially freaked out by the complete rebound made by his (Sergey) opponent. He then motioned his right arm about while finally entering the Battle Phase for the final attack, "Go forth, 'Shooting Star Dragon'!" He then announced his monster's attack name as 'Shooting Star Dragon' rose higher into the night sky with a mighty roar, "Stardust Mirage!"
'Shooting Star Dragon' obeyed, splitting itself into five colored copies. Before long, the first, orange-like copy dove towards 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha'.
"Идиот," uttered Sergey in Russian, "You already forget 'Geo Grasha's' effect?" 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' stood tall while gathering some more darkness, "If this card battles an opponent's Fusion or Synchro Monster while there is a face-up card in the Field Zone: The ATK of the opponent's monster becomes 0!"
'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' released another dark shockwave, striking the five colorful copies of 'Shooting Star Dragon' in the sky and weakening them all the way to nothing in terms of power (ATK: 3300 → 0).
"You thought 'Shooting Star' would save you and your friends' school? That be laughable!" cackled Sergey, as his 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grash' made more darkness appear all-around it while charging for another destructive attack, "Counterattack now, 'Geo Grasha'! Darkness Miasma!"
'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' obeyed, firing off a powerful blast of dark-based fire towards the five 'Shooting Star Dragons'—or, more accurately, the real copy.
"It's all over!" roared Sergey dementedly, completely forgetting that the counterattack would not destroy 'Shooting Star Dragon' nor damage Matt, "Scatter into nothingness, Matt Fudo!"
"Don't forget that I have 'Enduring Soul' activated," reminded Matt, "By reducing 'Shooting Star Dragon's' ATK by 800 after damage calculation, I can prevent it from being destroyed."
"You can't use Trap Card if 'Shooting Star's' ATK is already 0!" Sergey pointed out, "All you can do with monster is watch it suffer immensely, as you lose duel and everything you hold dear!"
"I wonder about that," smiled Matt, which resulted in Sergey becoming quiet and uneased. He then lost that smile as he pointed forth, "You've become so stuck in your madness and delusions of hurting me, that you've pretty much forgotten that I banished 'Necro Defender' from my GY—who's effect prevents me from taking battle damage this turn."
Once again, Sergey looked freaked out upon being reminded of that tidbit.
"However, this is also where I'll activate the effect of 'Balance Blaster'!" Matt spoke on, "When the ATK of a face-up monster I control would change: I must inflict damage to my opponent equal to the amount of ATK that would have been changed, instead," While still speaking, the five colorful copes of 'Shooting Star Dragon' stood ready in the sky while facing 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha', "You might know what it does normally, but what you don't know is that I can combo this with 'Enduring Soul'—inflicting 800 damage for each attack I make!" He remained determined, while Sergey listened with a sense of disturbance, "And in case you've also forgotten, 'Shooting Star' can attack up to five times this turn!"
"W-What?!" cringed Sergey, not expecting this sort of play.
The face-up 'Enduring Soul' Trap Card made a spirit of 'Balance Blaster' appear, which fired off a burst of blue energy, hitting the orange copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' and making it strong enough to rip through Darkness Miasma and strike 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha', damaging the enemy monster slightly. Sergey cried out as he sustained an electrical shock and his LP took a hit due to the combined effects of both the 'Enduring Soul' Trap Card and the effect monster known as 'Balance Blaster' (LP: 3375 → 2575).
"That was only my first attack," warned Matt, "I still have four more to go!"
At first, while gripping the sides of his head with both hands as he felt himself pulsing for a moment, Sergey was totally shocked and frightened over the fact he was about to lose the duel in a matter like this. However, his fear was soon replaced…by excitement.
"Beautiful…" he breathed.
"Hm?" pondered Matt.
"Beautiful!" shouted Sergey madly, "Matt Fudo, this duel is beautiful beyond belief! Let's make our duel even more beautiful! Go! FINISH ME OFF, NOW!"
Initially grimacing over the hulking Russian man's nightmarish sadomasochistic characteristics, Matt remained aware that he (Sergey) was giving him the chance to win the duel. With that, he took his one chance to put an end to the nightmarish match.
"I use 'Shooting Star Dragon' to attack again!" declared Matt.
The green copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' charged forth, while the face-up 'Enduring Soul' Trap Card again made a spirit of 'Balance Blaster' appear, which also fired off a burst of blue energy, hitting the copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' and making it strong enough to strike 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' and damage the enemy monster more powerfully. Sergey once again yelled as he suffered another electric shock and his LP dropped (LP: 2575 → 1775). It was then the yellow copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' flew forth. After recovering from the second attack, 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' tried attacking back with another Darkness Miasma.
"It's useless to try fighting back!" said Matt harshly, before sweeping his right arm about, "Once more, I'll use the effect of my Continuous Trap, 'Enduring Soul', to reduce 'Shooting Star's' ATK by 800," As he spoke on, 'Balance Blaster' began to react, "From there, I'll again use the effect of 'Balance Blaster' to instead make you take 800 damage!"
For a third time, the face-up 'Enduring Soul' Trap Card made a spirit of 'Balance Blaster' appear, which fired off a burst of blue energy, hitting the yellow copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' and making it strong enough to rip through Darkness Miasma and strike 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha', damaging the enemy monster moderately. As a result of the attack, Sergey screamed as he got shocked again and took more damage (LP: 1775 → 975). The red copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' then charged towards 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha'. For the fourth time, the face-up 'Enduring Soul' Trap Card activated and made a spirit of 'Balance Blaster' appear, which also fired off a burst of blue energy, hitting the red copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' and making it strong enough to strike 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' and damage the enemy monster significantly.
"AAAAAAUUUGGGHHH!" shrieked Sergey, enduring another painful electrical shock as his LP dropped (LP: 975 → 175).
"And now, the final blow!" shouted Matt powerfully, motioning his right arm (with the Mark of the Dragon glowing brightly) about and thrusting the hand forward, "So long as I believe in the power of my monsters and my friends, there is nothing we can't overcome!" In the sky, the blue copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' waited for the command to be given, "'Shooting Star', end this duel!"
The blue copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' eagerly obeyed, charging towards 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' with one final Stardust Mirage. In an act of desperation and sheer defiance, 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha' tried firing off one final Darkness Miasma in an attempt to take down 'Shooting Star Dragon', only for the face-up 'Enduring Soul' Trap Card, for the fifth and final time, to activate again; a spirit of 'Balance Blaster' then appeared from the face-up card, which also fired off a burst of blue energy, hitting the blue copy of 'Shooting Star Dragon' and making it strong enough to plow right through Darkness Miasma and strike 'Earthbound Servant Geo Grasha', causing the enemy monster to roar in agony and finally explode from all the damage it had taken (even though it was not destroyed). Sergey, meanwhile, suffered from another devastating electrical shock and again screamed horribly as he finally got defeated (LP: 175 → 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Matt Fudo wins!
As the purple flames on the sides of the road began to die down, Sergey's Duel Runner, Duelist Crusher, then started crackling with blue electricity before finally swerving out of control, rushing off the road, and crashing into a nearby building. Stopping Fudo Go on the other end of the street, Matt, without any hesitation, climbed off and ran to where Sergey had crashed. The building wall was destroyed, Duelist Crusher was utterly trashed, and Sergey, badly injured and bleeding heavily, was lying on the ground with rubble on top of his body (except his head and neck) with his eyes open and a big smile on his face. On the back of his neck, a small black spider fell off and dissolved before it could hit the ground. Not only that, the huge glowing purple marking on his chest (buried) blinked a few times before it faded away, as well.
"Beautiful… beautiful… beautiful…" Sergey was uttering repeatedly in a delirious-like way.
It took him only a minute and it was surprisingly hard work, but Matt managed to clear away the rubble enough to pull Sergey out despite how heavy he was. As soon as he was freed and being pulled from the crash site, Sergey very quickly slapped Matt away, causing him to fall back onto the ground, making it appear he did not want anyone to help him.
"Do not interfere with my beautiful finish," insisted Sergey, as his dull eyes started to return to normal. Once they were normal again, they began to drop as he started losing consciousness, "Farewell… champion duelist."
"Sergey Volkov…" whispered Matt, before bowing his head and closing his eyes, "May you rest easy…"
And he meant those words, one hundred percent—despite hating Sergey for almost killing the three Astray girls that night in New York City, being the main force behind the attack and take over of the Orb Duel School, as well as killing the honorable punk in a cold, cruel fashion, Matt honestly couldn't help but pity him (Sergey) over how defeated and broken he looked at the moment.
"Beautiful…" said Sergey again, before his eyes finally closed whilst the smile never left his face, "That duel was so… so beauti-"
The sentence was never finished, since he had fallen unconscious. With that said, Matt, while keeping his eyes closed and head bowed, removed his helmet and held it to his chest as an act of respect for his opponent. Suddenly, the sound of police sirens filled the air, which caused him to open his eyes and look nearby; several police cars and a police van were pulling into the area. Matt immediately recognized where police cars originally came from.
"Those police cars are from the NYPD…!" he gasped, "Does this mean-?"
They were… Emerging from the cars were several police officers, including, from the leading car, Paul Truman and Maria Strienhart.
"Matt!" called Maria, as she and her boss ran up to see the American Duel Monsters champion, "Matt, are you okay?"
"Officer Truman, Officer Strienhart?" blinked Matt.
"Am I glad we found you," said Paul, with no signs of hostility in his tone of voice. He then looked nearby at the unconscious Sergey as a few police officers were shown standing around him, "And we see you've caught the most dangerous criminal ever from Russia."
One of the police officers looked over Sergey and found he was still alive, but was going to remain knocked out for a fairly long while—which was a good thing for the police. Without wasting any time, the police officers cuffed Sergey, and led him to the police van before loading him inside, closing the doors, and driving off.
"We'll take him to the hospital for treatment, then we'll bring him back to headquarters in New York City," advised Maria, "There, he'll stay in jail until we can schedule his trial with the jury."
"But why?" frowned Matt, looking at Paul curiously and firmly, "Why did you come to help me if you hate me for what you claim I did to you?"
Paul sighed with remorse," I…was wrong," he admitted, "I claimed to take my job seriously, but Officer Strienhart here opened my eyes to what I truly am; that I'm a selfish man who only cares about repairing a bruised ego."
Matt said nothing.
"I looked for any excuse to arrest you when we met up again in New York City," continued Paul, bringing up a few old scenarios, "Defeating you in Governor Godwin's tournament in an attempt to humiliate you, arresting you after you were framed, you name it. However, beginning now, things are going to be different between you and me. I no longer see you as a scumbag, a possible criminal, or a foe that needs to be detained—but as an ally towards truth and justice," He held his right hand out, "That is, if you will accept the likes of me as an ally."
Matt still remained silent as he started long and hard at Paul. Within those eyes of Paul's, Matt saw no signs of a lie or malice towards him, but rather the truth and the want for forgiveness. At last, Matt managed a small smile and accepted the handshake.
"I accept your apology and offer for an alliance," accepted Matt, "Truthfully, I never once held a grudge against you over your misdeeds towards my friends and I."
Paul and Maria both smiled in response (the former especially), glad that things between both parties would be smooth sailing from that point on. Just then, the heartwarming moment got ruined when Matt remembered something very important.
"Oh yes! Sergey's followers are still at the Orb Duel School!" he recalled, "The innocent people there are still in danger!"
"Then we haven't a second to spare," acknowledged Maria, before giving a command to the other police officers marking the area for inspection, "All units, the gang Sergey leads is still at large and occupying Orb! Proceed to the school in order to remove them, now!"
The remaining police officers returned to their cars and drove out, sirens ablaze. Maria and Paul's police car followed from behind, leaving Matt behind to do some thinking about the duel and Sergey, since he had many questions that never got officially answered. The first question on his mind, when he removed his glove and rolled up his sleeve to expose the birthmark of the Crimson Dragon's Head, was why did the birthmark react so strongly when 'Earthbound Servant Geo Gryphon' and the likes show up.
"Why did my birthmark react to those monsters?" Matt asked himself, mentally "It was as if the Crimson Dragon was trying to tell me something urgent, like it was deeply unsettled… And the purple spider mark on Sergey was the same one that I and the others saw in the vision that the Crimson Dragon showed us," A very dark thought came to him, "And Sergey… He couldn't have done or thought of this all on his own. I believe that someone else must have been working with Sergey, or instead manipulating him as a puppet—someone who possibly knows that I'm a Coordinator."
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Inside the headmaster's office, the door was forcefully kicked open by Flashback Matt, who walked inside and carefully looked around.
"Добро пожаловать," The voice of Flashback Sergey greeted, in the Russian language.
"Sergey Volkov," acknowledged Flashback Matt calmly, looking up ahead.
Seated in the chair and looking out the window was Sergey Volkov, the hulking Russian criminal. He turned and placed his elbows on the surface of the desk and grinned upon seeing one of the intruders.
"I have been dying to meet you, Matt Fudo," said Flashback Sergey, standing up and facing his enemy with malice, "However, you are a fool for coming to see me alone. For you see, I have no intention of giving up the school—especially if the person opposing me happens to be a Coordinator."
"You know…that I'm…a Coordinator?" stammered Flashback Matt, losing his calmness. He then shook his head and raised his voice, "But how? How do you know that?!"
All of a sudden, Flashback Sergey, as some serious pain came upon him within his head, seemed to flinch over the hard question; how exactly did he know that Flashback Matt was a Coordinator? He didn't even know what a Coordinator was. The more Flashback Sergey tried to figure it out, the greater the pain in his head.
"Well?" demanded Flashback Matt frantically, "Tell me! How do you know I'm a Coordinator?" He watched as Sergey clutched the sides of his head and winced, "Answer me, now! I said tell me the answer, damn you!"
"I… I…do not…know," groaned Flashback Sergey, before easing up as the pain seemed to go away, "I seemed to just…randomly figure it out."
Flashback Matt was left most perplexed by that statement; Flashback Sergey revealed that he knew that he (Flashback Matt) was a Coordinator, but then claimed he (Flashback Sergey) didn't actually know and simply guessed correctly. What was going on?
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"There's just no way Sergey could have 'randomly figured out' that I'm a Coordinator just out of nowhere," Matt thought to himself, "He's intelligent to be sure, but he can't be anything like a mind reader or something," He then started to walk back to Fudo Go, and, when he got close enough, climbed aboard it and slipped his helmet back on, but made no effort to drive away just yet, "Someone out there must have met and given Sergey his 'Earthbound' Deck, and that same person must have deliberately made Sergey reveal himself by attacking Orb. If this unknown person really is opposed to the Crimson Dragon, they must have done it in order to lure out the Signers. It amounts to a declaration of war. I'm beginning to suspect that the attack on Orb was only the beginning. A kind of opening salvo…"
From there, a very concerned Matt revved Fudo Go up and drove out of the area, following the police cars towards the Orb Duel School. Was it all true? Was Sergey really being manipulated by somebody just to try luring out the six Signers? Unfortunately, with Sergey being completely out and also being taken to a hospital, Matt was left with so many unanswered questions about what was going on. Well, unknown to him, the answers to the questions he had, and so much more, would be given to him quite soon.