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, Akatsuki (c) Sunrise
Character of Lisa Drake (c) DaveMan1000
Character of David Xadashi (c) DaveMan1000
Jak and Daxter characters, Spargus, Tough Puppy, Sand Shark, Dune Hopper, Gila Stomper, Slam Dozer, Heat Seeker, Dust Demon, Desert Screamer (c) Naughty Dog
Crash Bandicoot characters, Wumpa (c) Activision
Ratchet & Clank characters, Veldin, Sargasso, Shatterbomb (c) Insomniac
Sly Cooper characters (c) Sucker Punch
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: Shooting Star Down
Opening up inside the dark hideout of the Dark Signers, members of 'The All-Star Squad' led by Rex and Jak were searching for someone. So far, they found nobody. They soon came across a pair of big doors. Jak looked at one soldier and nodded. The burly soldier nodded back and faced the door.
(inside…)
Within the next room, the door was being bashed on, and soon broke apart by the burly soldier to allow the others inside; Rex was the first one to enter the room and take a look around for the target. There appeared to be nothing but a table and chair in the room—and Rutger was shown calmly sitting on the chair, almost happy to see visitors.
"Welcome," sneered Rutger.
Jak stepped forth, "If you're the leader of the Dark Signers," he said firmly, holding up a blaster, "I suggest you give yourself up!"
"How good of you to come, Rex," greeted Rutger, ignoring Jak entirely, "Let me first give thanks, but what is the issue with your uncouth friends?"
Jak seemed to take offense over being called uncouth, but Rex remained as calm as could be.
"This is just part of their jobs," smiled Rex.
"I see," accepted Rutger, "However, this is going to be a somewhat complicated matter," His eyes then started glowing purple, "I want to make sure that we're alone."
The soldiers saw their shadows on the floor enlarging and looked up, finding a gigantic spider hanging above them.
"Fire!" hollered Jak.
He and the soldiers aimed their blasters and fired on the spider, but the bullets were not having any effect on the creature—who then retaliated by opening its mouth and firing threads at the soldiers, constricting them except for Jak. Before the spider could try webbing Lisa's Father up, Rex quickly shoulder-shoved Jak aside.
(outside…)
Outside the room, Jak tumbled and fell down, just as a metal barricade lowered and sealed the room up.
"No!" cried Jak, getting back up and banging repeatedly on the barricade, "Governor! Governor Godwin, can you hear me?! Dammit!"
Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do to try and save Rex, meaning he had no choice but to turn and flee.
(inside…)
Back in the room, Rutger stands up from the table he was sitting at.
"Now there's no one to disturb us," acknowledged Rutger.
"Brother, you remember that time, right?" pressed Rex, referring to Rutger as his (Rex) sibling, "I protected your reputation from being irreparably damaged."
"How could I forget?" grinned Rutger.
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Several stills of Flashback Rutger and Flashback Dr. Fudo engaging in a fight, the start of a fire, and the fire department racing to put the fire out while also rescuing Young Matt were shown in that specific order.
"Many years ago, that accident at the home of the Fudos claimed the lives of myself, Mu, and Murrue while leaving Matt homeless on the city streets," narrated Rutger, "It was very unfortunate."
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"That's right. It's because you wanted to restart the Ultimate Coordinator project despite the government not giving you any permission," recalled Rex, "Mu put a stop to it after it almost claimed the lives of his wife and unborn son when we tried it again after failure upon failure," He closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them once more, "When I found out about the incident at the Fudo home, I managed to use my growing influence in politics to cover it all up in order to protect you, my older brother, from scrutiny."
"Hmph! How kind of you, Rex, my younger brother," replied Rutger.
"However, I can't let you destroy the world," continued Rex.
Rutger responded by grabbing the collar of his cape and hood and tossing them aside.
"I'm only doing this to appease the 'Earthbound Immortals'," he insisted, "It's their will!"
"If your true enemy are the Signers," Rex interjected, "then why attack everyone else? They have nothing to do with this battle, so why continue to go after them like a pack of wolves?"
"To make the Signers give up, of course," answered Rutger cruelly, as faded stills of the Signers being forced to fight innocent civilians, especially their loved ones, and even witnessing others get hurt or killed were superimposed over him and Rex, "So long as their loved ones are alive, the Signers have a strong reason to fight against us. But should they 'lose' that reason to fight, they will be so distraught that they will have no choice but to ultimately surrender to our might!"
With that said, the faded stills ended as he took something, a Duel Disk, off the table and tossed it to Rex, who caught it. Rutger then pressed a few buttons on his own Duel Disk and caused the table to sink into the ground.
"You know what we must do, yes?" pressed Rex, now equipped with the Duel Disk.
"Yes," Rutger agreed, "Matt Fudo will learn what he truly is should one of us win this duel," As he (Rutger) finished going over the rest of the duel conditions, Rex simply listened as calmly as ever, "Something 'you' neglected to tell him."
"Brother, your plans with the Dark Signers will end here," retorted Rex.
Both duelists activated the Duel Disks, beginning their duel.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the middle of Hartford, Matt, Michael, and James R. faced Orga, Clotho, and Shani. A huge Turbo Duel rematch was about to begin, and both sides wanted revenge on the other for various reasons. Rin, meanwhile, was staying as far away from where the next geoglyph would appear.
"This Turbo Duel is gonna be more destructive and fun than the last one," bragged Orga, "Try looking forward to it like we are."
"Dark Signers!" interrupted Matt, narrowing his eyes while sounding very cold and cutting, "Your destructive plans will end here."
James R. and Michael both nodded in total agreement. The three Bio-CPU boys, believing they would defeat the three strongest Signers, were unconcerned about failing Azrael or Rutger. At last…
"Field Spell…" began Matt, raising the index finger of his right hand.
"'High Speed World'…" put in Michael, also raising the index finger of his right hand.
"Set on!" finished James R., also raising the index finger of his right hand.
They each pressed a button on the monitors of Fudo Go (Matt), Wheel of Fortune (Michael), and Blackbird (James R.), causing a whole new Spell Card to be materialized and activated.
"Duel Mode, engaged," came a computerized voice aboard the three Duel Runners, "Manual Mode activated."
From there, the three Duel Runners became surrounded by a purple dome as Manual Mode activated. Ready to dominate the duel, the Biological CPU trio went and did the same thing.
"Field Spell…" began Clotho, raising the index finger of his right hand.
"'High Speed World'…" added Orga, also raising the index finger of his right hand.
"Set on!" Shani concluded, also raising the index finger of his right hand
They each pressed a button on the monitors of Calamity (Orga), Raider (Clotho), and Forbidden (Shani), causing a whole new Spell Card to be materialized and activated.
"Duel Mode, engaged," came a computerized voice aboard the three Duel Runners, "Manual Mode activated."
From there, the three Duel Runners became surrounded by a purple dome just like Fudo Go, Wheel of Fortune, and Blackbird as Manual Mode activated. Clotho then raised his glowing right arm into the air and let out a loud yell, causing the area to become trapped inside another wall of ghostly fire (geoglyph). Luckily, Rin was outside of the danger zone.
"Guys…" she murmured, before getting out her cellphone, "I guess the others should know what's going to happen."
(elsewhere…)
In one of Orb's cafeterias, the rest of the group were waiting for their friends to return safely once the three Astray girls had dealt with the Biological CPU trio. Suddenly, they heard Lisa's phone ringing, so Lisa took it out and answered the call.
"Yo, this is Lisa," greeted Lisa.
"Lisa, this is Rin calling," The voice of Rin responded.
"Rin?"
Ashima, Carlie, David, and everyone else looked over, with a few (Carlie and David) leaning in to listen in.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the heart of Hartford…
"Is everything alright?" The voice of Lisa pressed, "Are Asagi and her friends okay?"
"Lisa, I… I really don't know how to tell you this, but…" As Rin spoke, she had to fight really hard to not burst into tears, "Asagi, Mayura, and Juri… They were killed by the Dark Signers."
As soon as those words left her mouth, Lisa was heard screaming from the other line—followed by a crash sound and the call ending prematurely. Holding her phone away with a wince, Rin had a feeling Lisa didn't take the news of her three oldest friends being dead too well.
(elsewhere…)
Back in Orb's cafeteria, a shocked and heartbroken Lisa was huffing and puffing from her outburst, while, on the ground, her cellphone was now broken from the fall. Needless to say, everyone who was watching was dreading to know why Lisa screamed and dropped her phone.
"Lisa, what just happened?" worried Carlie.
"Asagi… Juri, and Mayura…" whispered Lisa in sadness, before turning to face everyone else, "They were taken by Orga and his pals!"
"What?!" exclaimed Ms. Simmons.
"Then what are we standing around for?" questioned Zack, "Let's go rescue them!"
"No, none of you understand!" Lisa corrected emotionally, as Zack, David, Carlie, and Mr. Kisaka all listened, "They weren't captured, they were killed in action! And now Matt, Mike, and James are dueling the Biological CPU for revenge."
The news that Asagi Caldwell, Mayura Labatt, and Juri Wu Nien were dead devastated everyone in the cafeteria.
"(そんなことはありえない,) Son'na koto wa arienai, (It can't be,)" realized David in Japanese.
"Not them, too," came from Carlie.
"First Ms. Misty, then Megan, Elsworth, Sean, Janice, and Discord, and now them," murmured Ashima. Drying her wet eyes, she made a suggestion, "Everyone, we should go and pay our respects to our fallen friends."
"I'm all for that," accepted Lisa.
"Agreed," nodded David.
"No argument there," finished Carlie, with Zack nodding.
And so, it was decided they would head to the zone where the next Turbo Duel was going on.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the geoglyph, all six Duel Runners were growling and roaring to life as their respective riders prepared to duel.
"Asagi, you and the others will be avenged," thought Matt, "I swear it!" He spoke aloud, "Let's go!"
"Turbo Duel!" put in James R..
"Acceleration!" finished Michael.
All six Duel Runners took off down the road. As they reached the first bend ahead, Clotho, not about to let any of the good guys win, pressed a few buttons on Raider's dashboard, transforming the Duel Runner into its MA Mode, increasing its speed even further and allowing it to pass Fudo Go and reach the bend first, giving him the first turn of the whole duel. Clotho (LP: 4000), Orga (LP: 4000), and Shani (LP: 4000) were ready to face Matt (LP: 4000), Michael (LP: 4000), and James R. (LP: 4000), and this time they would win. Outside the geoglyph, Rin silently watched, praying for the Signers to win the duel. And back in the geoglyph, Raider turned back into its Duel Runner form.
"I go first!" boasted Clotho, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn One: Clotho Buer (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Infernity Beetle", "Infernity Knight", "Wave-Motion Inferno", "Infernity Archfiend", "Infernity Necromancer", and "Blaster Cartridge"
Speed Counters: 0
His drawn card was the Spell Card known as 'Blaster Cartridge', currently a very good start to make his hand empty.
"Spell Card, 'Blaster Cartridge'!" began Clotho, holding his drawn card out before, with the swing of his right arm, slotted it into his Duel Runner. He then proceeded to excavate the top four cards of his Deck and sent them straight to the GY, "I must send the top 4 cards of my Deck to the GY; I must…" He then drew a card, added it into his hand, then took the activated 'Blaster Cartridge' Spell Card from his Duel Runner and placed it, face-down, on top of his Deck, "…draw 1 card, then place this card on top of my Deck. If I draw this card placed on top of my Deck by this effect, send it to the GY."
Matt, Michael, and James R. each braced themselves for what would come next. Speaking of what would come next, Clotho looked at a card ('Infernity Mirage') he took from his hand and smiled with deadly intention.
"I Summon 'Infernity Mirage'!" began Clotho, placing his card onto his Duel Runner.
Appearing on the field was a robed shaman wearing a mask that projected red feathers which also acted as hair (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).
"Next, I'll activate the Continuous Spell, 'Wave-Motion Inferno'!" The voice of Clotho went on, as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of Raider, "While I have no cards in my hand, face-up 'Infernity' monsters I control gain 400 ATK/DEF!"
"That's not what you're aiming for though," acknowledged Matt.
"You're right, it's my card's second effect I want to use!" confirmed Clotho, just as his face-up 'Wave-Motion Inferno' Spell Card sank into the moving ground, "I can send this face-up card from the field to the GY; I must…" He gathered all of the cards from his hand, "…send all cards from my hand to the GY," Without skipping a beat, he discarded his whole hand, "And with that, my Handless Combo is complete!"
"Tch!" scowled Matt.
"That guy-!" growled Michael.
"I activate 'Infernity Mirage's' monster effect!" declared Clotho, "If I have no cards in my hand: I can Tribute this card," While explaining the rest of the effect, 'Infernity Mirage' found itself also sinking into the moving ground, "then target 2 'Infernity' monsters in my GY; I must Special Summon them!" He held up two cards ('Infernity Archfiend' and 'Infernity Wildcat') taken from his GY, "I Special Summon 'Infernity Archfiend'…" Both cards were placed on separate Monster Zones on his Duel Runner, "…and 'Infernity Wildcat'!"
Appearing on the field were two familiar 'Infernity' monsters; the first was the lean and mean Fiend monster with long arms and devil horns (Level: 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1200), and the other was the red cat with flames coming from parts of its body (Level: 3/ATK: 1400/DEF: 0).
"Clotho must be going for a Dark Synchro Summon," muttered James R., "It's so like him!"
"I activate 'Infernity Archfiend's' second effect!" boomed Clotho, drawing a card, "When this card is Special Summoned: I can add 1 'Infernity' card from my Deck to my hand," His drawn (really added) card was the 'Infernity Break' Trap Card, "I must have no cards in my hand to activate and to resolve this effect."
"All he needs is a Level 4 Tuner in order to Dark Synchro Summon," remembered Michael.
And Clotho was going to get it—using his 'Infernity Wildcat'.
"I activate 'Infernity Wildcat's' second effect!" As Clotho explained away, a card ('Infernity Knight') ejected from the GY before fading away into oblivion after a second, "While I have no cards in my hand: I can banish 1 'Infernity' monster from my GY; I must…" It was then the Level of 'Infernity Wildcast' was changed (Level: 3 → 4), "…increase or decrease the Level of this card by 1 until the end of this turn."
"Level 4!" gasped James R..
"Here it comes, 'Hundred Eyes Dragon'!" added Matt.
Clotho simply smirked, having a far better monster to use against the three members of Team 6D's.
"That would be too easy and predictable," he chortled, before holding out his right hand, "Level 4 'Infernity Wildcat' tunes Level 4 'Infernity Archfiend'!"
'Infernity Wildcat' turned into four Synchro Rings, which hovered over, lowered, and surrounded 'Infernity Archfiend', turning it into four orbs of light as a new Summon Chant was heard.
"Between Heaven and Hell… This being appears from Purgatory!" chanted Clotho, as the symbols 4 + 4 = 8 were shown briefly just before the four orbs of light within the four Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! 'Void Ogre Dragon'!"
Appearing in the sky, as the Synchro Summon sequence ended, was a huge red and black-colored dragon with two wings and sharp claws (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 3000). This was a monster the Signers had not expected to see.
"'Void Ogre Dragon'-!?" cried James R..
"He has a third ace monster!" put in Michael.
"And like 'Infernity Doom Dragon' and 'Hundred Eyes Dragon', it has 3000 ATK!" fretted Matt.
"Like it?" dared Clotho, satisfied, "You guys will face this monster's wrath in due time. I end my turn!"
"Hmph! A comment only a clown would say," scoffed Michael, before trying to draw a card, "It's my-!"
"Wait, Mike!" Matt cut in, causing his best friend/rival to stop, "Let 'me' take the first turn for the team," He narrowed his eyes, "I might be able to make Orga, Clotho, and Shani pay for taking the lives of Asagi and her friends."
"Very well," Michael, after a beat, accepted.
"Go for it, man!" encouraged James R..
"It doesn't matter which of you goes next," snorted Orga, "You guys won't beat us, this time!"
"That remains to be seen," countered Matt, before drawing a card, "It's my turn!"
With it being the second turn, every player in the duel gained a Speed Counter:
-Clotho: 0 → 1
-Matt: 0 → 1
-Shani: 0 → 1
-James R.: 0 → 1
-Orga: 0 → 1
-Michael: 0 → 1
Turn Two: Matt Fudo (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Jet Synchron", "Stardust Wish", "Boost Warrior", "D2 Shield", "Assault Synchron", and "Synchro Chase"
Speed Counters: 1
Matt's drawn card was a Spell Card known as 'Synchro Chase'. Nodding over seeing it, Matt was going to use the card immediately.
"Continuous Spell, 'Synchro Chase', activate!" proclaimed Matt, slotting the card into his Duel Runner. Materializing face-up on the field in-front of Fudo Go was the mentioned Spell Card, "My opponent cannot activate cards or effects in response to the effect activations of my Synchro Monsters with 'Warrior', 'Synchron', or 'Stardust' in their original names!"
"Great move!" praised James R..
"Don't bet on it," dismissed Clotho, "I activate 'Void Ogre Dragon's' effect!" As he explained the effect, 'Void Ogre Dragon' let out a roar, flew over, and slashed its right claw at the face-up 'Synchro Chase' Spell Card—causing the card to shatter into shards of glass just two seconds later, "Once per turn, when my opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card while I have no cards in my hand (Quick Effect): I can negate the activation, and if I do, destroy it!" He looked positively overjoyed, "'Synchro Chase' has been destroyed!"
"That's too bad!" taunted Orga, "That card would have made it harder for us to counter your best moves considering the monsters you use!"
All of a sudden, 'Void Ogre Dragon' retreated into the dark sky and started firing off Infernity Chaos Flames (its signature move for the Battle Phase) across the area, doing extreme damage.
"Stop it, please! Don't put any more lives in danger!" wailed Matt, as 'Void Ogre Dragon' finally ceased attacking. Growing angrier over the Dark Signers' putting more innocent lives in needless danger, he resumed his turn by readying a new card in his right hand, "I Summon 'Jet Synchron'!"
He placed the card ('Jet Synchron' onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Runner, and appearing on the field was a jet-like Machine monster (Level: 1/ATK: 500/DEF: 0).
"That's not all!" yelled Matt, as he placed another card ('Boost Warrior') onto another Monster Zone on his Duel Runner (sideways), "I also Special Summon 'Boost Warrior'!"
Appearing onto the speeding field was a red-haired warrior dressed in armor (Level: 1/ATK: 300/DEF: 300).
"If I control a Tuner, I can Special Summon this card (from my hand) in Defense Position," revealed Matt, just as 'Boost Warrior' took to the skies and 'Jet Synchron' started to transform, "Level 1 'Jet Synchron' tunes Level 1 'Boost Warrior'!"
'Jet Synchron' turned into a single Synchro Ring, which 'Boost Warrior' soared into before turning into one orb of light as a Summon Chant from Matt echoed throughout.
"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 of light 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, as the Synchro Summon sequence ended, was the robotic, humanoid racing car-like monster (Level: 2/ATK: 200/DEF: 1500).
"Alright! 'Formula Synchron' has arrived!" thought James R., looking pleased.
"I activate 'Jet Synchron's' first effect!" announced Matt, "If this card is sent to the GY as Synchro Material: I can…" He took a card from the middle of his Deck, "…add 1 'Junk' monster from my Deck to my hand!"
The 'Junk' card in-question was the 'Junk Giant' Effect Monster Card, but he wasn't done with getting more cards into his hand.
"The first effect of 'Formula Synchron' also activates!" continued Matt, drawing another card, "When this card is Synchro Summoned: I can draw 1 card."
His drawn card was the 'Swift Scarecrow' Effect Monster Card. Outside the geoglyph…
"The appearance of 'Formula Synchron', a Tuner Synchro Monster, means once 'Stardust Dragon' arrives…" Rin was saying, but left the sentence to hang despite it was a good feeling, "Please win, Matt… Everyone…"
She closed her eyes and brought both hands together to send a silent prayer to her friends currently dueling. Back in the geoglyph, Matt resumed his turn.
"If my opponent controls a Level 5 or higher monster, I can Special Summon this card (from my hand)!" Matt explained, with a card ('Junk Giant') readied between the index and middle fingers of his right hand. He placed the card onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Runner, "Come, 'Junk Giant'!"
Appearing onto the field was the large robot made of metal with two large spikes coming out from the shoulders (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 2400).
"A Synchro Summon using this card as material cannot be negated," reminded Matt, going over 'Junk Giant's' second effect.
"So what about it?" rebutted Shani, "None of us even care about that," His focus on the road ahead resumed, "With what Orga, Clotho, and I have planned, we aren't afraid of any Synchro Monster you try to bring out."
"What does that mean?" thought Matt, unsettled, "Do they have some way to…" He shook his head, "I guess it doesn't matter what they're planning to do since the only way for Mike, James, and I to win is to continue moving forward," He made another move, "I activate the first effect of 'Assault Synchron'!" While explaining the effect, appearing on the field while doing two somersaults in the air before posing was a small, black assault plane-like 'Synchron' monster (Level: 2/ATK: 700/DEF: 0), before it soared beside 'Junk Giant', "During my Main Phase: I can Special Summon this card from my hand, then take 700 damage, also while it is face-up in the Monster Zone, I cannot Special Summon from the Extra Deck, except Synchro Monsters."
Matt then started glowing red, grimacing as he lost some LP from his monster's effect (LP: 4000 → 3300), but only for a moment as his turn resumed again.
"My Level 2 'Assault Synchron' tunes Level 6 'Junk Giant'!" announced Matt
'Assault Synchron' turned into two Synchro Rings, which 'Junk Giant' soared into before turning into six orbs of light while Matt echoed a familiar Summon Chant.
"Gathering stars will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon!" chanted Matt, as the six orbs of light within the duo of Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Take flight, 'Stardust Dragon'!"
Appearing from the beam of light and flying into the sky, was the majestic-looking white/silver dragon itself (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000). The second it showed up, 'Stardust Dragon' let out a loud roar, signaling it was time to evolve further and defeat the three Dark Signers.
"Now 'Stardust' arrives! If Matt can Accel Synchro Summon, we'll win the duel easily!" thought Michael, eager to see 'Shooting Star Dragon' or 'Stardust Warrior' arrive, "Don't let me down, Matt!"
As expected, Fudo Go started to gain more and more speed for the big Synchro Summon. Rather than become nervous regarding Accel Synchro, Orga instead looked like he was about to laugh over seeing it happen.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey! You loser!" he called out mockingly, "Do you even realize what you're about to do?"
"That Synchro Summon you're attempting is an abomination of Synchro Summons!" accused Clotho, also not looking afraid of the upcoming Accel Synchro Summon. His focus then went to 'Stardust Dragon' and 'Formula Synchron', "It won't stop any of us from annihilating you, and it certainly won't help you save your friends from being given permanent Game Overs when we get our hands on them!"
Matt suddenly gasped in shock when he heard those words as mental images of Asagi, Mayura, and Juri each lying within the wreckage of their destroyed M1 Astrays, dying, flashed before his eyes as his state of Clear Mind started to weaken. Angrily shaking his head with his eyes shut briefly, he became further enraged because he was NOT going to let anymore of his friends suffer at the hands of the Dark Signers—not after David lost Sean and Janice to Azrael, while he himself, Michael, James R., Carlie, and Zack all lost Discord, their adopted Father, also to Azrael not very long ago.
"SHUT UP!" screamed Matt, just as his Duel Runner started losing the flames around it, "I'm going to crush the three of you!" He then gave the command, "Level 2 Synchro Tuner, 'Formula Synchron'," While motioning his right arm about , thrusting the right hand out, and, during the remains of his command, 'Stardust Dragon' flew above him and Fudo Go, "tunes Level 8 Synchro Monster, 'Stardust Dragon'!"
'Formula Synchron' 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 more speed as more and more flames surrounded it again. 'Stardust Dragon' let loose a roar as it flew above Matt (with his Signer Mark also glowing with power), just as he began a very familiar Summon Chant…
"Clustering crystal dreams open the door to a new evolution!" chanted Matt, raising his right hand into the air above 'Stardust Dragon', "Become the path its light shines upon!"
More and more flames surrounded Fudo Go as it went faster and faster. However, the three Bio-CPU boys were far from finished tearing into their enemy's head, like Shani was going to do after Orga and Clotho both did so.
"Well, it seems like you want your friends to die, Coordinator scum!" taunted Shani, "By doing a Synchro Summon like that, you've effectively sealed their fates! We're going to enjoy 'playing' around with them when this is all over."
Again, Matt became shocked as Clear Mind weakened even further, but he, while shutting his eyes once more, tried to block the stinging words out of his head before yelling out in an almost panicking tone of voice…
"Accel Synchro!" cried Matt frantically.
Just then, the flames surrounding both 'Stardust Dragon' and Fudo Go completely died down as the former seemed to roar in pain, while 'Formula Synchron' also reappeared on the field. As a result of Matt's mind becoming plagued not by calmness and the want of justice as it usually was—but instead by rage and the want of revenge—Clear Mind had been successfully broken and the Accel Synchro failed!
"What?!" exclaimed James R..
"Impossible!" added Michael, "The Accel Synchro…failed!"
Orga laughed wickedly, "Well, this sure was a disappointment!" he joked, "We were hoping to see what you would have pulled from that Synchro Summon!"
"Instead, it was just a farce!" finished Clotho, "Now, let's play a new game… It's called 'Killing Blow'!"
Matt remained completely stunned over what just transpired; he actually failed to achieve Clear Mind and Accel Synchro Summon when he never failed to do it before.
"Why? Why did I fail in Accel Synchro?!" Matt thought to himself, "Was I not in a state of Clear Mind?"
"You may think you're the greatest duelist in this country," Shani was saying, "However, in the end, you're just a wannabe who can't even fight to protect his friends or loved ones! After all, you couldn't protect your adopted Dad from Headmaster Azrael or many of those friends of yours from our wrath, so what makes you think you can protect anybody?" Matt, as he (Matt) listened, continued listening to his (Shani) words while remaining in a stunned state, "Tell us, why don't you!"
There was no response from poor Matt.
"Actually, don't bother!" dismissed Clotho, as he pressed a button on his Duel Runner, "Check out this special attack!" Reappearing on the field behind Raider was his Set card, "Face-down card, open!" The Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself to be… "'Infernity Break'! If I have no cards in my hand: I must…" A card ('Infernity Inferno') ejected from his GY, while focus went towards 'Stardust Dragon', "…target 1 'Infernity' card in my GY and 1 card my opponent controls; I must banish the first target, and if I do, destroy the second target!"
The face-up 'Infernity Break' Trap Card started glowing red as two hands stretched out of the card itself, first grabbing the ejected 'Infernity Inferno' Trap Card and then started to go for 'Stardust Dragon' in the sky. At first, a dull-eyed Matt was paying far too much attention to the fact he failed Clear Mind for the first time ever. When it looked like Matt's lack of focus would be the end of 'Stardust Dragon'…
"Matt, pay attention!" bellowed Michael, as Matt's eyes suddenly returned to normal, "Clotho's going to banish 'Stardust'! Do something about it!"
"What?" wondered Matt, before noticing the red hand about to grab 'Stardust Dragon', "'Stardust Dragon'!" He then made another move, "I activate 'Stardust Dragon's' first effect!"
"What?!" Clotho panicked (falsely).
"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!" The voice of Matt explained, as 'Stardust Dragon' was grabbed by one of the two hands and began to get crushed—but then it started dissolving into specks of stardust to evade getting banished. The stardust then rained down on the face-up 'Infernity Break' Trap Card and caused it to glitch out before shattering into shards of glass, "'Infernity Break' is negated and destroyed!"
Despite losing his card, Clotho merely burst into more laughter over Matt's failure to both reach Clear Mind and pull off Accel Synchro.
"You know something?" mocked Orga, equally amused by the situation, "This whole thing reminds me so much about the last duel against Asagi and her friends."
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
The shown clips were of Flashback Mayura attempting to use the effect of 'Scrap Bandicoot' to banish it and 'Scrap Twin Dragon' from her GY and tune them into 'Atomic Scrap Dragon', but Flashback Shani canceled it out with 'Evigishki Neremanas's' third effect.
"When Mayura attempted to Synchro Summon, she ended up failing at it thanks to Shani," narrated Orga, as 'Evigishki Neremanas' then proceeded to dive into the ground and attack Flashback Mayura directly, "She was then fatally struck down for her troubles!"
The pink M1 Astray exploded only seconds after getting impaled by 'Evigishki Neremanas', taking Flashback Mayura out of the duel.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"Shut up!" howled James R. in anger.
"Why?" said Shani innocently (not), "Orga was just making a simple fact," He narrowed his eyes into another wicked sneer, "You guys know it's true, and we know it's true."
Matt's right hand shook with rage, wanting to crush the three Dark Signers more than ever over them continuing to drag the names of Asagi, Mayura, and Juri through the mud. 'Stardust Dragon' might have been gone, but it wouldn't remain that way for much longer.
"You three won't get away with this!" shouted Matt, "I activate the second effect of 'Assault Synchron'!"
"Mm?" quizzed Clotho.
"If a face-up Dragon Synchro Monster(s) I control is Tributed or banished (except during the Damage Step): I can…" explained Matt, as he held up the 'Assault Synchron' Tuner Monster Card (taken from the GY) and allowed it to fade away into oblivion, "…banish this card from my GY, then target 1 of those monsters; I must Special Summon it!" With the swing of his right arm, he held his hand up, "Resurrect, 'Stardust Dragon'!"
Reappearing in the sky was 'Stardust Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"Battle!" Matt declared, recklessly entering his Battle Phase. While giving an order, 'Stardust Dragon' flew around before coming upon a seemingly defenseless Shani Andras, "'Stardust Dragon', get ready to attack!"
Outside the geoglyph, Rin was silently surprised and scared by the amount of aggression and fury that Matt was displaying in the duel, since it was not like him to act in such a manner.
(elsewhere…)
Back inside the hideout of the Dark Signers, Azrael and the hooded Misty, with Rutger still busy dealing with Rex, were watching the Turbo Duel on the crystal globe. Misty was genuinely surprised that Matt failed Accel Synchro. Azrael, on the other hand, was pleased by what he saw.
"So, the Coordinator actually failed to pull off the one thing that led to Carlie's defeat and my previous plan's failure," mused Azrael, who was happy for his three students, "Well done, you three…" The crystal glove displayed footage of 'Stardust Dragon' reappearing on the field and preparing to attack Shani directly, "You have quite possibly eliminated the greatest and most terrifying threat to a Dark Signer," He folded his arms, "You've done exceptionally well on this day."
"It's not over," Misty pointed out.
"Hm?" frowned Azrael, looking over.
"Clear Mind is only 'one' of the greatest weapons the Signers have," corrected Misty stoically, "There's also Michael Atlas's Burning Soul—something we can't easily take away from him."
"Hmm… You do make a good point," Azrael agreed thoughtfully, "I think we might need to find a way to eliminate that threat, too."
(elsewhere…)
Back within the geoglyph, Matt gritted his teeth with a look of sheer rage on his face when…
"Matt!" The voice of Michael called out, getting Matt's attention. He, despite having some anger issues of his own, was rather worried about what would happen if an attack was declared at the wrong time, "Don't let the Dark Signers get to you! Attacking now is what they 'want' you to do!"
"I don't care!" Matt yelled back, making Michael recoil in surprise, "The Dark Signers have taken away so much from us! I 'have' to make them pay for it!"
"Matt…!" whispered James R., equally stunned.
"Go forth, 'Stardust Dragon'!" ordered Matt ruthlessly, as his ace monster opened its mouth to charge an attack, "Cosmic Flare!"
The white, stardust-like breath attack was fired towards Forbidden.
"Man, you really are that pathetic!" sneered Orga, before holding up a card ('Gladiator Beast Noxious') taken from his hand, "I activate 'Gladiator Beast Noxious's' first effect!" While explaining the effect, appearing onto the field was the familiar cheetah in a purple clad armor (Level: 5/ATK: 0/DEF: 1000)—who then got in the way of Forbidden and got struck by Cosmic Flare, but ultimately survived it without a scratch, "When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: I can Special Summon this card from my hand, and if I do, change the attack target to this card, and proceed to damage calculation. This card cannot be destroyed by that battle!"
"That means your attack has done crap!" jeered Clotho.
"And I'm left undamaged!" agreed Shani.
"And then, I'll activate 'Noxious's' second effect!" Orga added in, sending a card ('Gladiator Beast Secutor') from his Deck to the GY—causing it to sink into the abyss, "If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster: I can send 1 'Gladiator Beast' monster from your Deck to the GY," He then looked very gleeful, "As of this moment, I'll activate my monster's third effect!" While talking away, 'Gladiator Beast Noxious' faded away in a blue streak, and 'Gladiator Beast Augustus' (Level: 8/ATK: 2600/DEF: 1000) appeared on the field in the previous monster's place and posed for battle, "At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card battled: I can shuffle it into the Deck; I must Special Summon 1 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my Deck, except 'Gladiator Beast Noxious'!"
"'Gladiator Beast Augustus'!" remembered Michael.
"When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster: I can Special Summon 1 'Gladiator Beast' monster from my hand in Defense Position," explained Orga, going over his monster's first effect, "I must shuffle it into the Deck during the End Phase!"
A card then ejected from the middle of his Deck, which he took, looked at it, and grinned with very malicious intent since it was perfect for this moment.
"Come, 'Gladiator Beast Sagittarii'!" demanded Orga, placing the card onto his Duel Runner (sideways).
Appearing onto the field was the familiar-looking centaur armed with a bow and arrow (Level: 3/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1000).
"He's brought that monster out for a good reason," Matt told himself.
And there was such a reason…
"I activate the first effect of 'Sagittarii'!" announced Orga, taking a card from his hand, "If this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast' monster: I can…" He sent the card to the GY, "…discard 1 'Gladiator Beast' card; I must…" From there, he drew two more cards, "…draw 2 cards!"
Matt gritted his teeth, having failed to do any damage on his turn. Nevertheless, the duel had just begun, and he would fight until he defeated and made the Dark Signers pay for their crimes.
"I Set two cards…" While speaking, Matt took two cards from his hand and slotted them into his Duel Runner, "…and end my turn!"
Two Set cards materialized on the field in-front of Fudo Go before fading away for later use.
"Now that your turn is over, I'll shuffle 'Sagittarii' back into my Deck!" exclaimed Orga, just as 'Gladiator Beast Sagittarii' turned into a ball of light, floated over, and entered Calamity, "All safe and sound for next time!"
"Your turn was nothing but a waste of time," Shani scolded, while Matt continued to angrily listen, "You never even brought out a remotely strong monster to fight us!"
Outside the geoglyph, Rin watched the duel before she heard the sound of Duel Runners approaching. Sure enough, she looked nearby and found Bloody Kiss, The Wild Card, Akatsuki, and two Murasames driving up and stopping.
"Rin!" called Lisa.
"Lisa! Everyone!" realized Rin.
"Matt, Mike, and James are dueling, right?" pressed Zack, while running up to Rin, "What's the score? Are our friends winning?"
"C'mon, don't hold out on us!" pressured Lisa, "Out with it!"
"I wish I could tell you they're the ones with the advantage," sighed Rin, before turning and looking at the geoglyph—mainly what was inside it, "But things aren't going so well for Matt and the others."
"What…do you mean by that?" fretted Carlie, already fearing the news.
"During his first turn," explained Rin, remembering the scene well, "Matt brought out 'Stardust Dragon' and 'Formula Synchron'. He then attempted to enter Clear Mind and Accel Synchro Summon 'Shooting Star Dragon', but…"
"What? What happened to Fudo-san, Rin-san?" pressed David.
"Orga, Clotho, and Shani broke Matt's access to Clear Mind with taunts and threats—threats to go after everyone held dear to him," Rin answered, having watched the scene with her own eyes, "It caused the Accel Synchro to fail."
Everyone gasped.
"I remember!" realized Ms. Simmons, "In order for a Coordinator to enter and stay in Clear Mind, they must have a heart full of nothing but calmness and the want of justice."
All eyes came upon her, but nobody dared to speak up. This allowed her to continue with her explanation.
"But when Asagi and her friends were killed right in-front of him, Matt's heart became full of hate, rage, and the want of revenge," explained Ms. Simmons gravely, "It does not mix with Clear Mind, which resulted in the failure to stay in the state and the failure to Accel Synchro."
"That means Matt, Mike, and James are in serious trouble if 'Shooting Star Dragon' or 'Stardust Warrior' can't appear," admitted Zack.
"Trouble?" worried Ashima, "Matty…"
"Damn those Dark Signers!" cursed Lisa, as her focus went towards the Biological CPU trio inside the geoglyph, "They're still playing absolutely dirty!"
Speaking of Dark Signers, it was now Shani's turn, and he had a lot he wanted to do to bring down the three strongest Signers.
"I'll show you how a real duelist fights!" taunted Shani. He then drew his own card, "It's my turn!"
Every player in the duel gained another Speed Counter:
-Clotho: 1 → 2
-Matt: 1 → 2
-Shani: 1 → 2
-James R.: 1 → 2
-Orga: 1 → 2
-Michael: 1 → 2
Turn Three: Shani Andras (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Focused Aquamirror", "Gishki Grimness", "Evigishki Mind Augus", "Gishki Aquamirror", "Ice Barrier", and "Contact with the Aquamirror"
Speed Counters: 2
Shani's drawn card was the 'Contact with the Aquamirror' Spell Card. He added the card into his hand, which contained 'Focused Aquamirror', 'Gishki Grimness', 'Evigishki Mind Augus', 'Gishki Aquamirror', and 'Ice Barrier'. He then reached for one of the cards ('Focused Aquamirror') there.
"From my hand," The voice of Shani began, taking his card and readying it before slotting it into his Duel Runner, "I'll activate the Normal Spell, 'Focused Aquamirror'! I must add 1 'Gishki' monster from my…" He held up another card, this time taken from his Deck, "…Deck to my hand."
The 'Gishki' monster he took was the 'Evigishki Soul Ogre' Ritual Monster Card; he would bring that monster out shortly, but, for now, he would play something else.
"I Summon 'Gishki Grimness'!" boomed Shani, placing a card onto his Duel Runner.
Appearing on the field was the humanoid swordfish-like monster wielding a trident (Level: 2/ATK: 600/DEF: 700).
"I activate Gishki Grimness's' second effect!" continued Shani, "If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: I can Special Summon 1 'Gishki' monster from my Deck, except 'Gishki Grimness', also I can only declare attacks with Ritual Monsters until the end of this turn," He held up another card ('Gishki Abyss') taken from his Deck, "Come, 'Gishki Abyss'!"
Appearing onto the field was an aquatic warrior with the head of a shark (Level: 2/ATK: 800/DEF: 500).
"When 'Gishki Abyss' is Summoned: I can add 1 'Gishki' monster…" revealed Shani, holding up another card taken from his Deck. The card in-question was the Monster Card known as 'Gishki Shadow', "…with 1000 or less DEF from my Deck to my hand, except 'Gishki Abyss'!" With the card placed in his hand, he was all ready to bring out his first Ritual Monster, "I activate the Ritual Spell, 'Gishki Aquamirror'!" The mentioned Spell Card was already face-up on the field in-front of Forbidden, "This card can be used to Ritual Summon any 'Gishki' Ritual Monster. I must also Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels exactly equal the Level of the Ritual Monster I Ritual Summon!"
"Normally, you have to do just that," recalled Matt, "But…"
"That's right, I can instead use the first effect of 'Gishki Grimness'!" confirmed Shani, just as 'Gishki Grimness' faded away in a blue streak, "If I Ritual Summon exactly 1 WATER Ritual Monster with a card effect that requires use of monsters, this card…" He smiled deviously, "…can be used as the entire Tribute."
A part of the road started erupting into a pillar of water. Before long, several tentacles started emerging from the water pillar, followed by the body of a huge man-eating fish—while a Summon Chant was heard from Shani throughout.
"Life is ancient, borne from the depths of the ocean. Messenger of terror, emerge from the abyss with your forbidden sorcery!" chanted Shani, "Ritual Summon! Level 6! Come forth, 'Evigishki Mind Augus'!"
As the watery surge ended, 'Evigishki Mind Augus', as it was called, readied for battle (Level: 6/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"I activate 'Evigishki Mind Augus's' monster effect!" declared Shani, "When this card is Ritual Summoned: I must target up to 5 cards in any GY(s); I must shuffle those targets into the Deck," He, Orga, and Clotho then smiled, knowing what was going to happen next, "The cards I target are the following… The 'Gishki Grimness' and 'Gishki Aquamirror' in my GY, 'Blaster Cartridge' in Clotho's GY, and…" While finishing the explanation, Matt's eyes widened with shock, "…both the 'Jet Synchron' and 'Junk Giant' in your GY, Coordinator scum!"
Clotho kept smirking as he held up a card ('Blaster Cartridge') and shuffled it into his Deck, and Matt took his own two cards ('Jet Synchron' and 'Junk Giant') and shuffled them into his Deck. However, Shani was not done.
"Spell Card, 'Contact with the Aquamirror'!" he announced, as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field beside him (on his left), "If I control a WATER monster: I must activate 1 of these effects, or if I control a WATER Ritual Monster, I can activate both of these effects, in sequence!"
These were the effects written on the Spell Card in-question:
-"I must look at all Set cards in my opponent's Spell & Trap Zone!"
-"I must look at the top 2 cards of either player's Deck, then place them on the top of the Deck in any order!"
"No!" gasped James R., "Because you control 'Evigishki Mind Augus', a WATER Ritual Monster…!"
"You can use both effects!" finished Matt.
"You guys catch on really well," snickered Shani, "That's right, I get to use both effects—starting with the first one," His (Shani) attention went towards Matt, "Alright, you Coordinator, show us what your Set cards are!"
"Damn! I have no other alternative," thought Matt in frustration, before speaking aloud, "Alright, fine!"
From there, both of his face-down cards reappeared on the field in-front of Fudo Go, flipped face-up, and revealed themselves. On the monitor of Raider, Clotho saw that both cards were Trap Cards known as 'Stardust Wish'—which was one card he recognized from his first duel with Matt—and 'D2 Shield'.
"Hmm… Both your cards are quite good," remarked Clotho sarcastically, "Way too good, if you ask me."
"But now that we know what we're up against, we'll know how to counter your counter attempts!" insisted Orga.
"And there's more!" slurred Shani, as focus went towards James R., "You, bird-boy, will show me the top two cards of your Deck!" He remained sneaky and slimy, "That way, I can change the order of which one you'll draw them if the first is something I don't like."
Without uttering a word back, James R. drew his two cards, looked at them, and held them out as Forbidden slowed down enough to end up beside Blackbird.
"'Black Sonic' and 'Blackwing - Kochi the Daybreak', are they?" teased Shani.
"'Black Sonic' in particular is a nice card," observed Orga, "It can even be activated from the hand in the right circumstances. Too bad I can't say the same for your monster."
"Your Tuner monster, 'Blackwing - Kochi the Daybreak', can't be used as Synchro Material if Special Summoned," remembered Shani, "That makes it the antithesis of Tuners everywhere!" He grew increasingly mad and gleeful, "Alright! Place 'Kochi the Daybreak' on top of your Deck!"
James R. silently looked at his two cards and did what he was told to do; on his turn, he was going to draw the 'Blackwing - Kochi the Daybreak' Tuner Monster Card instead of the 'Black Sonic' Trap Card, but so be it.
"You're pathetic," hissed Shani, as he took a card ('Gishki Shadow') from his hand and readied it, "Right now, I'll activate the second effect of 'Gishki Shadow'!" While he explained away, he sent his card to the GY, causing another card to eject from the center of his Deck—which he took and saw was another copy of the 'Gishki Aquamirror' Spell Card, "I can discard this card; I must add 1 'Gishki' Ritual Spell from my Deck to my hand."
Outside the geoglyph, the group watching the duel gasped.
"Damn it all!" cried Zack, "Shani's going for another Ritual Summon!"
Back in the geoglyph…
"Ritual Spell, 'Gishki Aquamirror'!" declared Shani, as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of Forbidden. It was then both 'Gishki Abyss' and 'Evigishki Mind Augus' faded away in streaks of blue, "I Tribute Level 2 'Gishki Abyss' and Level 6 'Evigishki Mind Augus'!"
Another explosion of water ensued, soon revealing a huge, standing on two legs, aquatic monster with two, powerful-looking arms as a Summon Chant from Shani ensued.
"At the ocean's depth lies a gate, leading to a deeper abyss. Messenger of terror, embrace the unrivaled pressure of Mother Ocean!" chanted Shani, "Ritual Summon! Come out! Level 8! 'Evigishki Soul Ogre'!"
'Evigishki Soul Ogre', one of Shani's favorite monsters, snarled and prepared for battle (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2800).
"Not only that, I'll activate the second effect of 'Gishki Aquamirror'!" While Shani rambled on, one of his 'Gishki Aquamirror' Spell Cards emerged from the GY, was taken, and shuffled into the Deck while causing another card ('Evigishki Mind Augus') to also emerge, get taken, and put into the hand, "I can shuffle this card from the GY into the Deck, then target 1 'Gishki' Ritual Monster in my GY; I must add it to my hand."
"This is not good," thought James R., "We're already facing 'Void Ogre Dragon' with 3000 ATK, 'Gladiator Beast Augustus' with 2600 ATK, and 'Evigishki Soul Ogre' with 2800 ATK."
"As of now, I'll activate 'Evigishki Soul Ogre's' monster effect!" announced Shani, before sending his retrieved card ('Evigishki Mind Augus') back to the GY, "Once per turn: I can discard 1 'Gishki' monster," He looked up while talking, "then target 1 face-up card my opponent controls; I must shuffle that target into the Deck!"
The light green-haired boy started eyeing 'Stardust Dragon', finding it to be the most annoying monster he ever faced.
"You're such a pest!" muttered Shani irritably, before raising his voice, "Disappear!" He gave a command to 'Evigishki Soul Ogre' as it started summoning water, "Extreme Tidal Surge!"
'Evigishki Soul Ogre' obeyed, sending the massive amount of water across the road. From there, 'Stardust Dragon' was hit by the water and roared in pain before dissolving into specks of stardust, which rained upon Fudo Go as it returned to Matt's Extra Deck.
"'Stardust'-!" winced Matt, before shutting his eyes with regret, "Please forgive me."
"Battle!" declared Shani, entering the Battle Phase before looking down at the monitor of Forbidden, wondering who should be attacked first, "Let's see… Which punk will I attack?" A sinister glare was shown in his eye as he made his decision, "I know…"
James R. waited, wondering who the unlucky target would be.
"My first target will be you, bird brain!" The voice of Shani insulted.
"I figured as much!" complained James R..
'Evigishki Soul Ogre' charged towards Blackbird, aiming to take a big bite out of it.
"You want my LP, you'll have to go through this guy first!" countered James R., taking a card ('Blackwing - Ghibli the Searing Wind') from his hand and revealing its first effect, "When my opponent declares a direct attack: I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" He placed the card onto a Monster Zone (sideways) on his Duel Runner, "I Special Summon 'Blackwing - Ghibli the Searing Wind' in Defense Position!"
Appearing onto the field was the small bird-like creature with three sets of black and white wings, three feathery tails, and a red hairdo (Level: 3/ATK: 0/DEF: 1600).
"Tch!" grumbled Shani, deciding to call off attacking James R. for now. He (Shani) then eyed Michael Atlas, who had no cards on the field, "You-!" The Battle Phase resumed, as he furiously took his anger out on another player, "'Evigishki Soul Ogre', attack the 'Former King' directly!"
'Evigishki Soul Ogre' obeyed—but instead of charging in to take a chunk out of the opponent's flesh, it instead summoned some more water and sent it across the road towards the vulnerable Wheel of Fortune.
"Mike!" Both Matt and James R. yelled out.
"Your attack won't work against me!" snarled Michael, as he readied a card ('Battle Fader') in-between the index and middle fingers of his right hand, "When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: I can Special Summon this card from my hand, then end the Battle Phase!" He placed the card onto his Duel Disk (sideways), "Come, 'Battle Fader'!"
Appearing onto the field was a small, fiendish being with a bell attached to it (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0). Upon appearing, 'Battle Fader' started chiming, causing the water attack to bounce harmlessly off and not hit Wheel of Fortune. This left Shani upset that he would not be able to hurt anyone on his turn.
"I Set one card and enter my End Phase!" grunted Shani, taking and slotting a card into his Duel Runner, "As of now, the second effect of 'Focused Aquamirror' activates!" A card ('Focused Aquamirror') emerged from the GY before fading away into oblivion, causing another card to slip from the top of the Deck, which he took and slotted into a Spell & Trap Zone, "During the End Phase, if I control a WATER Ritual Monster: I can banish this card from my GY; I must Set 1 'Aquamirror' Spell/Trap directly from my Deck or GY, except 'Focused Aquamirror'!"
Two face-down cards materialized on the field behind Forbidden before fading away for later use. Back outside the geoglyph…
"Shani's attacks allowed for James and Mike to get monsters out," remarked Carlie.
"But Shani got rid of 'Stardust Dragon'," reminded Zack, "That leaves Matt with only 'Formula Synchron', and even if he gets out another Level 8 Synchro Monster or brings 'Stardust' back out, he can't reach a state of Clear Mind and Accel Synchro Summon, so he has to rely on other Synchro Monsters to win."
"Those three…" murmured Lisa, sounding genuinely impressed by how much more dangerous Orga, Clotho, and Shani had gotten, "They really have gotten much stronger since the last time we saw them."
"They were already strong duelists in Governor Godwin's tournament even before becoming Dark Signers," acknowledged David, "But now… How will Fudo-san, Hogan-kun, and Atlas-sama win against such formidable adversaries?"
"Especially since both sides have revenge on their minds," frowned Mr. Kisaka.
Back in the geoglyph, Matt looked back down at his Deck, remembering how Shani defeated and sent 'Stardust Dragon' straight back into the Extra Deck.
"Dammit!" swore Matt, before he sensed something, "Huh?" Looking to his right, he found Junkuriboh floating beside him, "Oh! Junkuriboh…"
"Kuri kuri!" squeaked Junkuriboh.
"Yeah, it's all true; Clear Mind has been broken, preventing me from Accel Synchro Summoning," admitted Matt glumly, "It's all because of my anger and hatred towards the Dark Signers for all that they've done."
Junkuriboh became upset, "Kuri…"
"Discord, Megan, Misty, Sean, Janice, Asagi, Mayura, and Juri… Everyone who I and my friends hold dear…" ranted Matt, "The Dark Signers are killing them and many other innocent people," His right fist shook briefly, "Because we aren't strong enough to protect them—I'm not strong to keep everyone safe…"
"Excuse me?" The voice of Orga called out.
"Mm?" blinked Matt, looking up.
"Are you done talking to yourself?" snorted Clotho, "Or are you so scared of losing to us that you need to talk to an imaginary friend to try calming your nerves?" He grinned teasingly, "Of course, I don't blame you for thinking that, since we're obviously too much for you guys to handle!"
"So, James, it's your turn!" dared Shani, "Go ahead and draw 'Blackwing - Kochi the Daybreak'!"
James R. made no effort to make a move just yet; he was busy thinking about Mayura and how she, Juri, and Asagi were killed by the Dark Signers. A trio of flashbacks then ensued.
FLASHBACK
First was Flashback Shani defeating Flashback Mayura.
"Now, 'Evigishki Neremanas', attack directly!" shouted Flashback Shani.
'Evigishki Neremanas' obeyed, diving into the ground as though it were water. Flashback Mayura cautiously looked around for any sign of the enemy monster when she heard a sound and gasped before turning her head to the right in a slight panic—just in time for 'Evigishki Neremanas' to suddenly appear and stab into the pink M1 Astray with its sharp teeth, tearing into the Duel Runner and causing it to explode seconds later and take Flashback Mayura out of the duel.
(new scene…)
Next came Flashback Orga defeating Flashback Juri.
"'Gladiator Beast Andabata', let her have it!" commanded Flashback Orga, as 'Gladiator Beast Andabata' posed with its sword, "Eliminate Juri Wu Nien!"
'Gladiator Beast Andabata' obeyed, pointing its sword forth and firing off some laser blasts. Flashback Juri avoided the first two attacks, but the third one struck the center of her purple M1 Astray as it began sparking. The thought of dying terrified Flashback Juri, and she tearfully screamed as the damage to the Duel Runner caused an explosion and seemingly took her with it—just like it did with Flashback Mayura.
(new scene…)
And finally, the part where Flashback Clotho brought out his 'Earthbound Immortal' monster and used it to finish off Flashback Asagi.
"Heh! There's no escaping the Dark Signers, and you know it," huffed Flashback Clotho, who was going to enjoy slaughtering Flashback Asagi as he entered his Battle Phase, "'Ccapac Apu', do me a favor and give Asagi Caldwell a Game Over!"
'Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu' obeyed, looming over the vulnerable M1 Astray and started to bring its hand down upon it. A terrified Flashback Asagi, unable to even scream, watched with widened eyes. The gigantic hand from 'Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu' had gotten so close to the ground that it caused rubble to break and collide with Flashback Asagi and her M1 Astray, causing her to fly off the Duel Runner as it exploded. She hit and tumbled along the ground repeatedly before laying completely still as her LP emptied and finally ended the duel.
END FLASHBACK
The flashbacks ended.
"Mayura… We, or I, will avenge not just you," thought James R., "I will also avenge your two best friends—everyone who is a victim to the sick games the Dark Signers play!" He spoke aloud, "You know what, I don't care if you guys know what my drawn card will be!"
"Huh?" gasped Shani, while Orga and Clotho were just surprised.
"Even though you guys know, you'd better prepare yourselves for my thunder!" roared James R., as he drew his card, "It's my turn!"
Outside the geoglyph, the group watched as James R. Hogan took his first turn. With Matt's first turn being a bust as a result of failing to stay in Clear Mind, would James R. have a far better chance? Well, you'll have to find out in the next chapter.
And part 1 of this very big rematch has begun at long last. To our greatest of dismay, Matt, Michael, and James R. are not doing so hot at this point, but will that change starting with James R.'s turn? Who knows? Either way, stay tuned for part 2, and be sure to keep staying safe in these pretty dangerous times.