"You ready to rock, sheriff?" asked Axiom.
"Um, yes?" responded Hitch, unsure how to respond.
"Good because I already know how this is gonna go down. With me winning."
"That's a mighty big statement!" barked Hitch.
"It's not a statement, sheriff. It's destiny—just as it's destiny for Crystal Prep to squash you and your pathetic team. So let's not keep her waiting any longer!" said Axiom as he strapped on his duel disk in one swift motion, came online, and projected a purple card tray. Hitch did the same as he projected a green card tray.
"Opponent detected. Streaming data. Duel mode set. Initiating. Commencing duel." said their duel disks as they began to change the field around them.
Axiom's Life Points: 8000-
Hitch's Life Points: 8000-
The boys' portraits appeared as Axiom's picture was highlighted in yellow to indicate he got the first move.
Turn 1: Axiom (Hand 5)
"Seems destiny has already decided who'll win. Here goes!" said the boy as he drew. "First, I'll play my Clock Tower Prison field spell!" The entire field around Hitch and Axiom changed as a medieval courtyard rose beneath their feet. Two clocktowers behind the boys, the gateways to the roads leading away from the stronghold, rested on the water.
"What is this?" said Hitch, unfamiliar with the change in the field.
"Why don't we just say that with every tick of this clock… I come closer to victory!" smirked Axiom as the giant face of the clock was shown with the minute hand on twelve and the hour hand on six. "Now, hands of fate, turn! And usher in the doom!" instructed the Crystal Prep boy as he pointed to the sky.
The clock began to spin counterclockwise as the clouds in the sky rolled by. Soon, both the minute and hour hands lined up and rested at the twelve mark as it let out tolling, with the moon now clear and free from clouds behind it.
"Next, I'm playing a card you should be familiar with. I summon Elemental HERO Clayman(800/2000) in defense mode!"
"Wait! You also have a deck of heroes?!" said Hitch, unable to believe that Axiom had the same cards as Mario.
"Your move!" said Axiom.
Turn 2: Hitch (Hand 5)
"My move!" said Hitch as he drew his card and looked at his starting hand.
"Whoa, chill out, sheriff. Don't you know what time it is?" smirked Axiom. "It's time to get a new watch!"
"Huh?" responded Hutch.
"But don't worry. I happen to have a clock! And it's ticking towards your defeat!" stated the Crystal Prep boy. The clocktower behind Axiom began to move as the minute hand rotated while the hour hand landed on one, then two, and then stopped at 3. The bell then tolled three times. Hitch just looked at the clock, anxious about what it might mean, but returned his focus to making his move.
"I activate the spell card, One for One. So, by sending one monster from my hand to the graveyard, I can special summon a Level 1 monster from my deck. So, I send my Speed Warrior to bring out my Tuningware(100/300). Next, I summon Junk Synchron(1300/500)! And thanks to Junk Synchron's ability, I can revive a Level 2 or lower monster in my graveyard in defense mode, as long as I negate its abilities. So I revive Speed Warrior!" declared the boy as the monster he sent earlier appeared.
"Now I tune my Level 3 Junk Synchron with my Level 2 Speed Warrior and Level 1 Tuningware!" Junk Synchron pulled a cord on itself, transforming into three giant green rings as Hitch's other monsters jumped in between with a yellow light surging through. "I Synchro Summon! Wake the world as you lance the heavens! Stardust Assault Warrior(2100/1200)!" A robotic warrior with a color scheme of white and blue and bits of yellow on its joints appeared, and some javelins were attached to its wrists.
"Thanks to the effect of my Tuningware, when I use it to Synchro Summon, I draw one card. Next, I activate Stardust Assault Warrior's special ability. When it's synchro summoned, and I control no other monsters, I can summon 1 'Junk' monster from my graveyard, so I'm bringing back my Junk Synchron!" stated Hitch as his yellow monster was back. "Now, Stardust Assault Warrior, attack his Elemental HERO Clayman! And thanks to his other effect, he can inflict piercing damage. Go, Shooting Driver!"
Hitch's monster leaped into the air and reeled its right arm back while coming down. It thrust its arm out as the tip of its lance hit Clayman, which shattered upon impact.
Axiom's Life Points: 7900-
"And now, Junk Synchron, attack!" said Hitch, commanding his smaller monster to charge forward. Junk Synchron took off as it delivered a punch to Axiom, who blocked it with his duel disk.
Axiom's Life Points: 6600-
"I'll end my turn with a facedown," said Hitch.
Turn 3: Axiom (Hand 4)
"My move. And I'll play the spell card, Polymerization! So I fuse together Elemental HERO Avian and Burstinatrix!" declared Axiom as both monsters appeared before entering a swirling vortex. The two warriors merged into a fiery man with a bird-like helmet, wings, and a claw on his right hand. "I Fusion Summon! Meet Elemental HERO Phoenix Enforcer(2100/1200)!"
"Huh?" said Hitch, looking confused at seeing Axiom's monster.
"What's wrong, sheriff?" mocked Axiom, seeing the boy's confusion.
"Don't Avian and Burstintrix create Flame Wingman?" asked Hitch as whenever Mario fused those two monsters together, he formed that specific monster. Not the one Axiom just brought out.
"You're just like a Canterlot High student. You're inferior to our teachings at Crystal Prep. I'm surprised your buddy over there never told you!" Axiom said as he pointed up at the booth where Mario was. Hitch glanced up to see his friend, who stood there with a glare and crossed arms.
"You know, I'm surprised you never told your friends the true power of your deck, primo. Imagine how they would react if they saw it in action. But I get it. You wouldn't want to chase them away if they found out how powerful the son of the great World Champion is." Flurry smiled as Mario kept his scowl at the field and Hitch.
"Now check out its attack. Go, Phoenix Flame!" stated Axiom. His monster flew toward Hitch's Stardust Assault Warrior as it thrust out its claw, which Hitch's monster countered by driving its lance forward.
The two attacks met, causing a smokebomb explosion. Hitch raised an arm to cover up while Axiom stood with a smile. Once the smoke cleared, only Phoenix Enforcer was left, as Hitch's monster was gone.
"Guess I forgot to mention Phoenix Enforcer's special ability. He can't be destroyed in battle!" said Axiom with a smirk as Hitch gritted his teeth. "Oh, well. I'll throw this down and end my turn."
Turn 4: Hitch (Hand 3)
"It's about time," said Hitch as he drew.
"Speaking of time. It sure does fly when you're having fun!" smirked Axiom, pointing upwards at his clock tower behind him. The hour and minute hands began to move as the smaller one stopped at four, then five, and finally resting at six with the bell tolling again. "Too bad 'time's' on my side today!"
"Alright, I get it. No more 'clock' references," said Hitch as he was getting a bit annoyed. "I'll begin by activating my facedown, Graceful Revival. Now I can bring back a Level 2 or lower monster sleeping in my graveyard, and I choose my Tuningware. Next, I'm summoning Jet Synchron(500/0)." Out came a tiny jet engine with a face on it. "Now I tune my Level 3 Junk Synchron with my Level 1 Jet Synchron and Level 1 Tuningware!" Junk Synchron pulled the cord on its body and transformed it into three giant green rings that circled the other two, which flew into them as a yellow light surged. "I Synchro Summon! Blast off, Jet Warrior(2100/1200)!" A red jet appeared before it began to transform and struck a pose with its hands out, ready to battle.
"And thanks to my Tuningware's ability, I draw a card. But that's not all; since I used Jet Synchron to synchro summon, I can add a 'Junk' monster from my deck to my hand. Then, Jet Warrior's ability activates. Since it was synchro summoned, I can target one card you control and send it back to your hand. So say goodbye to your Phoenix Enforcer!" declared Hitch as his Jet Warrior shot out an orb of electricity from its hands that made contact with Axiom's monster as it vanished. "And since Phoenix Enforcer is a fusion monster, it goes to your Extra Deck, meaning you have to resummon it all over again."
"Do I look worried?" smirked Axiom.
"Then maybe this will. Jet Warrior.…"
"Hold on, sheriff! 'Cause I'm activating my facedown. And it's a real game changer!" declared Axiom as he pointed downward at his set card that began to rise. "The trap, D - Time!"
"What?"
"Thanks, Hitch. You triggered this trap when you made my Phoenix Enforcer leave the field. Now I can unleash a new breed of heroes from my deck!" declared as his deck ejected two cards for him to grab. "They're known as the Destiny Heroes!"
"Destiny Heroes?" said Hitch, as he had no clue such cards existed.
"Correct, in fact. My D - Time trap lets me add as many Destiny HEROs as I want as long as their combined levels don't exceed the level of my Phoenix Enforcer!"
"Well, you still don't have any monster to protect. Go, Jet Warrior, go get 'em!" said Hitch as his monster boosted forward to deliver a punch at Axiom, who moved a bit after blocking the attack.
Axiom's Life Points: 4500-
"I'll end my turn!" said Hitch.
"Destiny HEROs…." said Mario as he gritted his teeth.
Roll looked at her brother as she saw her older sibling's attitude change upon seeing and hearing the mention of Destiny HEROs. Flurry smirked as she knew she'd get this type of reaction from her cousin once he found out what deck Axiom had.
Turn 5: Axiom (Hand 3)
"It's my turn. And I summon Destiny HERO Doom Lord(600/800)!" stated Axiom, as at the top of his clock tower, there stood his monster. A warrior wearing a red cape, a black body with blue armor, and a face resembling a knight-like helmet with a white face with red eyes.
"No offense… but he seems weak," commented Hitch.
"Let's test that theory, then, sheriff! Doom Lord, show 'em what you've got!" commanded the Crystal Prep boy. "Oh yeah. Did I mention… his ability?" Doom Lord jumped off the top of the clock tower as it flew toward Hitch's monster. "Now, Destiny HERO Doom Lord, send him packing with Impending Doom Grip!" Doom Lord thrust its clawed hand out to grab Hitch's Jet Warrior by the throat as it struggled to break free from the chokehold. Jet Warrior then glowed in a white light before vanishing.
"See ya," smirked Axiom, "In the future, that is."
"What did you do to my monster?" asked Hitch.
"He's gone… for now. Ya see… each turn, my Doom Lord can send one of your monsters two turns into the future!"
"That doesn't make any sense," said Hitch.
"To you. 'Cause you got a lot to learn, Hitch. Not just about destiny itself, and unfortunately for you, right now… I'm controlling yours. And your future is looking pretty grim!" laughed Axiom. "Now I'll set this card facedown and end my turn."
"Let me guess. Since you used the Doom Lord's effect, you can't attack, huh?" Hitch guessed.
"A CHS student is right for once," mocked Axiom as Hitch gritted his teeth.
Turn 6: Hitch (Hand 4)
"Let's try this again, shall we!" said Hitch as he went to draw.
"Ah, ah, ah. How many times will you forget the nine-story clock towering above your head?" said Axiom as his clock began to move again. This time, it spun until it stopped at exactly nine, with the bell tolling.
"Huh?" said Hitch as he drew his card.
"It's 9:00 o'clock, sheriff. The countdown to your defeat is almost over! You hear that bell, don't you?" said Axiom as it rang loud for all to hear. "Well, it tolls for you, Hitch! I told you you were destined to lose."
"Well, I don't believe in that. Whatever you're planning, I've got the cards in my deck to stop it," proclaimed Hitch as he tried to figure out what to do next.
"Wrong. No one can stop the hands of fate," stated the Crystal Prep boy.
"Don't be so sure! I summon Max Warrior(1800/800)!" A monster wielding a staff with a magnet-shaped U appeared. "Attack his Doom Lord! And during the battle phase, Max Warrior gains 400 extra attack points." Hitch's monster thrust out its weapon rapidly, easily taking out Axiom's monster.
Axiom's Life Points: 2900-
"What's that whole speech you keep saying about destiny? 'Cause the way this duel is going, I'm gonna win before you've touched my Life Points!" stated Hitch.
"Thanks for the help. Now I can play this! It's my Destiny Signal trap card!" said Axiom as his facedown flipped up and produced a shining light toward the sky with the letter D.
"That's real original," muttered Hitch as Axiom's trap looked like a carbon copy of Mario's Hero Signal card in his deck.
"I heard that!" responded Axiom. "You're just bitter that I have the upper hand! Well, I can't say that I blame you. Because, after all, if you hadn't triggered my trap card, I wouldn't be able to summon a new Destiny HERO to the field! Meet Captain Tenacious(800/800)!" Out came a muscular warrior as he had his bottoms looked to be made of rock and strapped to his arms. They looked like a hardened shell that, when curled up, fit together to form a shield.
"Since my Max Warrior destroyed a monster, until my next Standby Phase, his attack and defense points are cut in half, and it becomes Level 2. I end my turn."
Turn 7: Axiom (Hand 2)
"My move. And now that the introductions are out of the way, the captain can demonstrate his hidden talent! Hit it!"
"Talent?" responded Hitch.
"Now, Captain! Show time! Let's give this amateur a taste of what you can really do!" proclaimed Axiom as a gear appeared next to his monster as it began to rotate. Soon, it flashed and disappeared as Doom Lord stood in its place.
"Not again," groaned Hitch.
"What to do?" questioned Axiom as he looked at the cards he held. "I know. I'll summon another Destiny HERO! Meet Diamond Dude(1400/1600)!" Another hero emerged as this one had a tattered brown cape with its body having bits of diamond and a visor made of the mineral. "And like his friends, he's got a talent! He likes to play card tricks! So I'll flip a card. And if it happens to be a spell, it goes to the graveyard till my next turn!" Axiom then drew the top card of his deck and looked at it with a smirk. "Well, would you look at that? It's my Misfortune spell card. And how appropriate. Because now Misfortune's in your future!"
"You're friend's done," said Phin as they could see Hitch could not win. "Axiom's about to show him what fate has in store."
"Now, who should I sic on you next? I know! My Diamond Dude!" proclaimed the Crystal Prep boy as he gave the command. His monster thrust out one of the sharp crystals on the back of its hand and pierced Max Warrior, causing its destruction.
Hitch's Life Points: 7500-
"Now Captain Tenacious! Attack him directly!" said Axiom as his second monster went to strike Hitch, causing the boy to cover up as he took it.
Hitch's Life Points: 6700-
"Doom Lord, your turn!" Axiom's final monster rushed forward, thrusting its hand out to strike at Hitch. The attack had a bit more power behind it, as the monster knocked the boy down to the floor as if to teach him a lesson. Hitch groaned when he hit as he struggled to get up.
Hitch's Life Points: 6100-
"What were you saying about not touching your Life Points?" mocked Axiom. "I'll place this little number facedown and then call it a turn. So, do you feel like you've lost control?"
Turn 8: Hitch (Hand 4)
"Not quite! Now-"
"Sorry, bro, but I call the shots! And my 'time' has arrived!" proclaimed Axiom as he interrupted Hitch.
The boy then looked up as Axiom's clocktower began to spin. It had completed the last quarter of its left before both hands were back lining up at twelve. The bell then tolled, echoing the loudest it'd been.
I don't know what that clock will do, but I better act fast!
"I summon Red Sparrow Summoner(1600/1500)!" Out came a girl spellcaster, as standing next to her was a female sparrow-girl that was her spirit persona. "And wait till she 'clocks' you."
"Don't quit your day job, sheriff," mocked Axiom at the weak, witty pun Hitch tried to make.
"Now attack his Captain Tenacious!" said Hitch, looking to remove that monster so Axiom couldn't revive his others.
"Sorry to burst your bubble. But it's trap time! Go D - Shield!" stated the Crystal Prep boy as his set card flipped up. It made more pieces of rock attached to Captain Tenacious, creating an extra barrier and switching the monster into defense mode. The attack made contact and did nothing.
"Unh!" groaned Hitch.
"D - Shield. My heroes never leave home without it! And you can see why, right? Because now Captain Tenacious can't be destroyed in battle!"
"You see what I mean. Axiom took a monster that resurrects other monsters and made it invincible. Your friend is done." stated Phin after observing her friend's tactics.
"Why don't you let me take it from here?" mocked Axiom to Hitch.
"I'll slap a facedown and call it!"
Turn 9: Axiom (Hand 1)
"My move," said Axiom as he drew.
"Wait a second. Since two turns have passed, I get my Jet Warrior back!" said Hitch as his monster appeared due to the Doom Lord's effect wearing off.
"Congrats. But if you remember, I get a card back, too—the one in my graveyard—my Misfortune. Or should I say, your Misfortune!" stated Axiom. "Because when I skip my battle phase, half the attack points of one of your monsters come right out of your Life Points! And I choose your Jet Warrior!"
Hitch's Jet Warrior fired its attack, only for a barrier to rise around Axiom and his monsters. The barrier reflected the attack toward the boy who held on.
Hitch's Life Points: 5050-
"You turned him against me!" said Hitch, not a fan of Axiom's underhanded tactic.
"There's more. Remember my Doom Lord? Well, he's about to cut your little reunion short by sending your Jet Warrior packing again!" Doom Lord rushed forward as it grabbed Jet Warrior by the throat, and made it vanish. "Don't worry. He won't be going too far. Just two turns into the future."
"Again?" groaned Hitch as he couldn't do anything.
"I almost feel sorry for him," said Flurry with a smile. "Due to Axiom's destiny cards, he's lost control of his own monsters. Like I said, I almost feel sorry for a stud like him."
"Hitch can't make a move because all his moves have been pre-determined! And that's just how Axiom likes to duel—breaking the formula when it comes to dueling and Duel Monsters," said Phin, as the boy's unique skill made him catch Flurry's eye and join the team.
Turn 10: Hitch (Hand 3)
"It's my move. Red Sparrow, attack Doom Lord!" commanded Hitch as his female magician took aim and blasted its foe off the field. As the smoke cleared, Hitch saw Axiom standing there, but he was shocked to see that despite his monster's destruction, the boy's life points remained the same.
"Huh?"
"Well, well, well. Looks like I'm still standing. I wonder if it has something to do with this clock behind me. You know, the one I've been talking about for the past 15 minutes!?" said Axiom, pointing his thumb at the giant thing. "It's about time I told you what it does. Every time during your Standby Phase, I received a Clock counter. And since my clocktower has proclaimed at least four counters, I can't lose a single Life Point as long as it's here! I'm invincible!"
"What?" said Hitch, as he did not expect that.
"I told you. Your future is already decided. And destiny has me winning."
"I summon Righty Driver(100/300)!" proclaimed Hitch as he held out his card.
Out came to be a small female girl-like machine. It was blue, and a sheet of metal attached to it made it look like flowing hair. It had a small blue crown on its forehead to match the rest of its color scheme with a metal pipe that was its hairpin, sticking out just a bit longer than its body.
"When I summon her, her ability kicks. She can bring out a friend to join her. So warmly welcome Lefty Driver(300/100)!" A similar monster appeared, but this was one yellow with bits of yellow and had a similar metalpipe hairpin on the left side of its hair. "And when Lefty Driver is special summoned, she becomes Level 3 until the end of my turn. Alright, girls, mind giving me a hand?" Righty Driver turned into a single giant green ring that circled her sister as a yellow light surged.
"I Synchro Summon! Come on out, Armory Arm(1800/1200)!" stated Hitch as a red metal razor-sharp arm appeared. "I end my turn."
Turn 11: Axiom (Hand 2)
"You think you're tough, huh? Well, wait till my captain's special ability kicks in!" the boy said as he drew his card. His monster made a gear appear before it spun and revived its fellow comrade. "Diamond Dude! It's time for your special effect, my man!" Axiom flipped the top card of his deck to look at it before showing it to Hitch. "Since I just flipped over a spell card, I can use it next turn once I store it in my graveyard. And in the meantime, Doom Lord, strut your stuff! Float that Armory Arm into the future!" Axiom's monster jumped and grabbed the floating mechanical arm as it vanished.
"See you in two turns!" smirked the boy. "Next, I'll hook up Captain Tenacious with the spell card, Ring of Magnetism! Of course, like most bling-bling, it comes with a price. The ring bearer has to give up a few points. The upside is you're only allowed to attack the monster wearing the ring!"
"Now Hitch is forced to attack an invincible monster! He's got no moves left to make," said Phin.
"I think we're done here. Phin, go to the next step," said Flurry.
"Right, Cap!" stated the girl as she left her friend and her cousins to continue watching the duel while she went to do her next job of Flurry's plan.
"See, Axiom has this idea that everything is predetermined. So he shows that by controlling every part of the duel," stated the Crystal Prep girl to her cousins.
"That's kinda deep when you think about it," commented Roll as she saw Axiom's line of thinking and how it reflected his playstyle.
"Give up?" asked Axiom.
Turn 12: Hitch (Hand 2)
"It's my move. Here goes!" said Hitch, hoping to draw something. "Nice! I activate Double Cyclone! With the power of this spell card, I can target one spell or trap on both sides of the field and destroy them. So, from my side, I'm destroying my Limiter Overload. And by doing that, its effect kicks in. Allowing me to revive my Speed Warrior in defense mode. And as for which card I'm destroying from you… I'm choosing Big Ben over there!"
The entire field began to shake as a giant cyclone appeared and began to tear apart Axiom's field spell. As it began to shake, the Crystal Prep boy smiled while Hitch's monster reappeared.
"Hey, Axiom. It sounds like the bell is tolling for you now!" proclaimed Hitch. So how does it feel?"
"Awesome!" the boy responded with a devious smile. "I was hoping you'd do that!"
"You… were?"
"Did you honestly believe I'd let you make a decision of your own? I wanted this to crumble! To release the monster hiding inside! And now… come on out! Destiny HERO - Dreadmaster(?/?)!" From the rubbles of the clocktower came a large shadow. Its eyes pierced through the shadows before jumping and revealing a large, muscular brute with chains wrapped around its ankles and wrists. It also had a chain with a golden lock with the letter D. The brute also wore a helmet as it roared.
"It won't be much longer now. If you thought my other heroes were a sight to fear, wait till you see what this guy can do! There's a reason they call him Dreadmaster!" stated Axiom as his monster towered behind him. "When Dreadmaster's summoned, the first thing he does is destroy any of my non-Destiny Heroes! They're not worthy of being in his presence. That's not all, it gets worse. Dreadmaster's attack points equal the combined power of every 'Destiny HERO' on my field! So this big guy has a total of 2800 attack points!"
"Not bad," said Hitch as he gritted his teeth, knowing he added to Axiom's growing field. "Now, I activate the effect of my Jet Synchron in the graveyard. By sending one card in my hand to the graveyard, I can bring him back. However, when he leaves the field this time, he's banished. Now I tune my Red Sparrow Summoner with my Jet Synchron!" Jet Sychron turned into a single giant green ring. As it circled its comrade, a yellow light surged through. "From two come one, and from one will come great power. Watch as they merge their might! I Synchro Summon, Junk Speeder(1800/1000)!" A robotic warrior in white and blue quickly dashed onto the field before the boy and struck a fighting stance.
"And when I synchro summon this bad boy, I can activate his effect. Now, I can summon as many 'Synchron' tuner monsters as I want from my deck in defense mode. So I'm bringing out my Satellite Synchron(700/100)! And I'll also play this feathered little guy, Sonic Chick(300/300)!
"Have you forgotten that you can only attack my Captain Tenacious, who is invincible, I might add?"
"Don't worry, I already know that. Because I activate my Satellite Synchron's special ability, since I a Synchro monster with 'Warrior', 'Synchron', or 'Stardust' in its original name on my field or graveyard. My Satellite Synchron can became Level 4 until the end of the turn. Then... I'm now gonna tune my Sonic Chick, Satellite Synchron and Junk Speeder together!" declared Hitch as Satellite Synchron turned into four giant green rings as they circled both Junk Speeder and Sonic Chick. "I Synchro Summon! Satellite Warrior(2500/2000)!" A satellite appeared before it transformed to reveal a gold and white warrior with rockets strapped to its legs and wrists. The wings on its back expanded into an X as they were colored blue and shined with stardust particles.
"How's that gonna help you?"
"Watch. When Satellite Warrior is synchro summoned, I can target as many cards as you control, as I have Synchro monsters in my graveyard. And I currently have two. So that means I can destroy two cards you control. And the ones I choose are your Captain Tenacious and Dreadmaster! And for each one I destroy, my Satellite Warrior gains 1000 extra attack points!" stated Hitch as his monster began to power up and prepared to unleash a light show.
"Sorry, dude. Go, Dread Barrier!" stated Axiom. Dreadmaster heard the command of his master as he reeled one of his fists back and slammed the chain attached to his wrist on the ground; it broke apart, and pieces flew upward to create a barrier from Hitch's monster.
"What's happening?" wondered Hitch.
"See, when Dreadmaster is summoned to the field in attack mode, Dread Barrier kicks in. Protecting all Destiny HEROs from damage and destruction!"
"Great," groaned the CHS teen.
"It's hopeless, man. Listen. You see, your dueling skills may not be half bad. However, there's something I have that you'll never have: purpose. A reason to duel besides having fun."
"What else is there?" asked Hitch as he was curious.
"Typical. You've just proven my point."
"Seriously?" said Hitch.
Turn 13: Axiom (Hand 2)
"Now… where were we? Oh, I remember! We were at the end!" said Axiom as he drew his card, and Jet Warrior reappeared on Hitch's field. "Here comes something else from the past. My Fusion Destiny!" The card that Axiom stored in his graveyard appeared as it glowed. "Now I can conduct a fusion summon using monsters in my deck, but it's destroyed at the end of my turn. So I combine Destiny HERO - Drilldark and Decider!" Axiom's two monsters appeared before being sucked into the swirling vortex. "With the help of this next Monster, your fates are about to take a terrifying turn for the worst! I Fusion Summon Destiny HERO - Dystopia(2800/2400)!"
"This doesn't look good," said Hitch at seeing the monster descend.
"Oh, you're right about that. Now, I activate Dystopia's special ability. When it's summoned, I can target one Level 4 or lower 'Destiny HERO'' monster in my graveyard, and you will take damage equal to its attack points. And I choose my Drilldark!" Axiom's monster appeared as it swooped in and took a quick shot at Hitch's Life Points.
Hitch's Life Points: 3450-
"Next, I play this spell card, Forbidden Chalice. I target one monster on the field, and it gains 400 extra attack points till the end of the turn. So I choose your Satellite Warrior!"
"What's the catch?" asked Hitch, wondering why Axiom chose to power his monster instead of his.
"Simple. Your monster can't use its special abilities. Next, I'm playing the spell card called D - Soul Burst! Now, I target one 'Destiny HERO' and cut its attack points in half. By doing that, we both take damage equal to the lost total. And I choose my Dystopia!" said Axiom as a wind blew over the field, causing Hitch to cover up as he took another hit to his Life Points.
Hitch's Life Points: 2050-
When the wind died, Hitch lowered his arm as he panted heavily. He then looked at Axiom as the boy stood with a smirk. He focused on his Life Point counter, which remained the same.
"How come yours didn't change?"
"Simple by returning my Destiny HERO Decider from my graveyard to my hand, I don't take any effect damage. So I sidestepped my own card. Now, Dystopia's ability triggers since its attack points changed. It can destroy one card on the field. And I choose your Satellite Warrior!" stated the Crystal Prep boy. Dystopia opened its hand as its palm began to suck in Hitch's monster. The boy watched as his monster was pulled toward the vacuum as it disappeared into the palm of Dystopia.
"It's been a real blast, Hitch! But even you can't escape fate. Dreadmaster, let's send him out with a bang!" commanded Axiom. The large brute leaped into the air as it landed before his monster. With just one palm strike, Dreadmaster destroyed Jet Warrior, creating an explosion. The attack transferred to Hitch as he was taken off his feet and crashed to the floor hard.
Hitch's Life Points: 0-
Winner: Axiom
The field returned to normal as Axiom looked at Hitch on the floor.
"Oh, well. Told you. You can't hide from destiny." said Axiom as he saw his laid-out opponent. He then turned to gaze upward at the spectator booth where Flurry and her cousins were.
"Your friend's got skills, but just not enough to keep up with us," said Flurry to her cousins. "Oh, well."
Axiom then looked as returning from her task was Phin; however, she wasn't alone. The girl had retrieved the rest of their friends as they entered the room. The Crystal Prep students began to circle around the field as Hitch started to come to. The boy got to his hands and knees when he took notice of the group starting to surround him from all sides with their duel disks strapped on. The rest of the group got on the field and stared at CHS teen like a pack of wolves about to ambush a wounded animal. Hitch could see he was trapped and at the mercy of the teens as he looked to at least stand up and fight.
"Hitch!"
The boy who turned as coming in was Sunny, who was leading the charge of their friends. The boy sighed as Sunny and the others slipped through and got on the field. The girl kneeled to check on her best friend while the others stood around them, watching the Crystal Prep students.
"Are you okay?" asked Sunny.
"Yeah, I'm good," said Hitch, as seeing his friends arrive gave him some newfound strength. He began to stand up.
"Well, the gang's all here," said Flurry as she began to head down, as Mario and Roll did.
The three cousins arrived at the field as Flurry's group surrounded Sunny and the gang. Sunny had Hitch's arm leaning against her as she checked on him. Pipp, Izzy, and Zipp had their duel disks ready while standing guard. Flurry smiled as she turned to her cousins; she snapped her fingers to allow her group to allow Roll to slip through to confront her friends. The girl took a deep breath and approached Sunny and the others. Sunny saw Roll approach her as she had a concerning look.
"I'm sorry, Sunny," said Roll, giving her friend a similar look before turning to her cousin and brother. "Forgive me, prima… but I'm choosing to side with my friends."
Sunny gasped when she heard that. She looked and saw Roll stick her hand out; the girl exchanged looks between it and Roll before sticking her hand out and firmly grabbing it. Roll then pulled Sunny into a hug, and it nearly made Sunny tear up.
"Alright!"
"Yeah!"
"Yes!"
The others were delighted after hearing that Roll would join them in the fight. Roll and Sunny broke their embrace, the latter relieved to have her friend back and fighting on their side. Roll also smiled before turning around and taking a stance as Sunny and Hitch stood beside her. It was now more even as Flurry's group was taken a bit back by their captain's cousin joining the team. Roll kept her gaze on her cousin as Flurry crossed her arms and showed no signs of weakness.
"Primo," said Flurry as she looked at Mario.
The boy uncrossed his arms and put them in his pockets, sighing. He looked at his friends and his sister, who looked at her older sibling. The boy just kept on staring at the situation in front of him before letting out a scoff and walking away. Flurry smiled, seeing her cousin's action as she snapped her fingers. Her crew then backed off as they began to follow their leader. Sunny and the others kept their eyes on the Crystal Prep gang to see if they tried any tricks, but they just watched them follow Flurry out of the building. As they were leaving, Roll looked at her brother, who was walking side by side with their cousin. Flurry put an arm around Mario and tapped his shoulder. The girl sighed as it was clear she made her decision, and now… she would have to live with the consequences.
Hope I made the right decision, Dad.
Author's Note: As I said in the previous chapter's notes, this duel was originally supposed to be a part of the last chapter I created. But since it was rather long, with just this duel itself, I thought it best to split into two chapters to get more content and not let this duel overshadow the main takeaways in the last chapter. And in this chapter, we get an insight as to what deck Axiom uses. And of course, the biggest reveal is we get Roll's decision... and she's chosen to side with Sunny and the gang. Yet... there's still missing one last member, and Mario... still doesn't seem like he's gonna join.