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 (stronger than normal due to it being from a flashback), some blood, suggestive themes, and, for this chapter, some strong 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: Hymn of the Heart
Opening up on the highway near the Canadian border, Justice roared along the road at the appropriate speed limit—which meant Michael was making his way to Albany in hopes of helping David and Lisa fight Azrael, but he still had a long way to go before he reached them.
"Hang on, you two," thought Michael, as he continued on his way, "I'll be there as soon as I can."
(elsewhere…)
Back in the unknown dark dimension, the two-on-one Turbo Duel was ongoing. These were the following stands:
-David (LP: 4500): Controlled 'Power Tool Dragon' (Level: 7/ATK: 2300/DEF: 2500), 'Gadget Box' (Spell Card), and a Set card.
-Lisa (LP: 3000): Controlled 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' (Level: 7/ATK: 2100/DEF: 3000), 'Armored White Bear' (Level: 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1400), 'Naturia Forest' (Spell Card), and a Set card.
-Azrael (LP: 3000): Controlled 'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode' (Level: 11/ATK: 3500/DEF: 3000), and a Set card, while his turn was ongoing.
"No matter what you both do to try and stop me, I will break the chains of equality," vowed Azrael, "I activate 'Psychic Wheelder's' second effect!" He held his right hand out, "If this card is sent to the GY as Synchro Material: I can target 1 monster on the field with less ATK than the Synchro Monster that used this card as material; I must destroy it! 'Psychic Nightmare' had 2400 ATK!" Down below, focus on 'Armored White Bear' as it soon shattered into shards of glass, "Lisa, your monster, 'Armored White Bear', will be the one to get destroyed!"
At first, Lisa was unable to pay attention to her own monster's destruction because of the speech Azrael gave, even as the remaining glass pieces flew past her. That was something David noticed before trying to get her attention.
"Lisa-chan! Focus!" called David, just as Lisa looked up from hearing his voice and turned her head slightly, "You can't let Azrael's words put you down! Together, we'll defeat him and prove his theory wrong!"
"Dave…" murmured Lisa.
Back in the sky, the enlarged, faded image of Azrael scowled over David's intervention. Back in the geoglyph below, Akatsuki and The Wild Card turned a corner, went straight ahead, then turned another corner.
"I activate 'Armored White Bear's' second effect!" proclaimed Lisa, as a card was shown slipping slightly out of her Deck, "If this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, or if this card in my possession is destroyed by an opponent's card effect…" She took the card and held it ('Regulus') up, "…and sent to my GY: I can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Beast monster from my Deck or GY, except 'Armored White Bear'!"
"'Regulus'?" quizzed Azrael, "That thing's another pesky Spirit-based monster."
"That's right," confirmed Lisa, before placing the card ('Regulus') onto a Monster Zone on her Duel Runner, "Appear now, 'Regulus'!"
Appearing on the field was a male lion wearing armor (Level: 4/ATK: 1700/DEF: 1000).
"How damn annoying," hissed Azrael.
"Aww, what's the matter?" taunted Lisa, "You don't like it when you get rid of my monsters I simply replace them with newer ones?"
"How dare you mock me!" Azrael yelled out, taking a card from his hand, "This card will teach you to never defy me!" He placed the card ('Psychic Barbarity') onto his field, "I banish 'Psychic Nightmare' from my GY and skip my next Draw Phase to activate the Spell Card, 'Psychic Barbarity'!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field, just as 'Psychic Nightmare' briefly returned for a few seconds before fading away in a blue streak.
"Until the end of this turn, when I gain LP: I can target up to 2 face-up monsters on the field; I must…" explained Azrael, "…inflict damage to their owners equal to half the combined original ATK of those monsters, and if they take 2000 or more damage, they draw 1 card."
"That's not fair!" objected David.
Unfortunately, Azrael did not care about it being fair or not; what mattered to him was defeating the two younger Signers, starting with Lisa, whom he hated the most. At last, he entered the Battle Phase.
"'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode', attack 'Ancient Fairy Dragon'!" ordered Azrael.
'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode' obeyed, raising both blasters and firing them upon 'Ancient Fairy Dragon', who roared in pain without being destroyed.
"But you can't destroy 'Ancient Fairy' thanks to the third effect of 'Naturia Empty Husk'!" Lisa pointed out.
Back atop the Incan pyramid…
"I know that," acknowledged Azrael, "But attacking will activate my monster's first effect, inflicting damage to you equal to your own monster's DEF and making me gain LP equal to her ATK!"
"And when that happens, you'll use 'Psychic Barbarity' to target 'Ancient Fairy' and inflict damage to me through half of her ATK," realized Lisa, "Which would finish me off…" She then smiled with confidence, "Which is why I won't let you pull it off!"
"What?!" flinched Azrael.
Back below…
"I activate the first effect of 'Naturia Durian'!" announced Lisa, "When my opponent activates a card or effect that would inflict damage to me, while 'Naturia Forest' is on the field or in either GY (Quick Effect): I can…" She held up two cards ('Naturia Durian' and 'Synchro Monument') "…send this card and 1 other card from my hand to the GY; I must…" Both cards were sent to the GY, "…negate the activation, and if I do, destroy that card!"
'Ancient Fairy Dragon's' eyes started glowing as it continued to get pelted by laser blasts.
"Counterattack, 'Ancient Fairy Dragon'!" commanded Lisa, "Take down 'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode'!"
'Ancient Fairy Dragon' obeyed, and, with its whole body glowing, roared and unleashed Eternal Sunshine. 'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode', despite being much, much stronger, couldn't stand up to the attack and, after sparking a few times, exploded from destruction. The enlarged, faded image of Azrael in the sky watched in dismay from his powerful monster being destroyed.
"'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode'-!" cried Azrael, before eyeing the opposition with anger in his eyes, "Damn it! You bitch!"
Back below, despite being cursed at, Lisa was unfazed and resumed her move.
"I activate 'Naturia Forest's' effect!" she went on, drawing a card, "If I negate the activation of a card my opponent controls: I can add 1 Level 3 or lower 'Naturia' monster from my Deck to my hand."
The card, in-question, was a Monster Card called 'Naturia Jasmine'(!), which was placed into Lisa's hand. Currently, her hand contained 'Naturia Cherries', 'Naturia Pumpkin', 'Vision Synchro', 'Naturia Bamboo Shoot', and 'Naturia Jasmine'. Back atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael seethed to himself before making another move himself.
"I activate the second effect of 'Psychic Charity'!" thundered Azrael, holding up a card ('Psychic Charity') taken from his GY, "If a Psychic monster I control is destroyed by an opponent's card effect and sent to the GY: I can…" The card vanished from between his fingers, "…banish this card from my GY; I must…" He drew a card, "…draw 1 card!"
The card was a Spell Card called 'Future Glow'. However, Azrael wasn't done with bringing out powerful monsters. In fact, one of them was about to make a return visit.
"Next, I'll activate the second effect of 'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode'!" ranted Azrael, "When this card on the field is destroyed: I can target 1 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' in my GY; I must Special Summon that target!"
Reappearing on the field was the huge, white android armed with two hand blasters (Level: 9/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500).
"One way or another, you can't evade or deflect my attacks forever!" exclaimed Azrael, as his Battle Phase continued. As he gave the order to strike, 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' raised its blasters and fired from them, "'Hyper Psychic Blaster', attack 'Regulus'!"
The blasts looked like they were going to hit 'Regulus'. Not only would the first effect of 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' inflict piercing damage to Lisa, the second effect would, at the end of the Damage Step, then make Azrael gain LP equal to the surplus of his Synchro Monster's 3000 ATK and 'Regulus's' 1000 DEF—which, in turn, would cause the effect of the 'Psychic Barbarity' Spell Card to resolve. But that wouldn't happen so long as David was still around.
"(罠、発動,) Torappu hatsudō, (Trap activate,) 'Synchro Big Tornado'!" declared David in Japanese, just as his Set card reappeared on the field in-front of The Wild Card, flipped face-up, and revealed itself, "I must target 1 face-up Synchro Monster I control and 1 face-up monster my opponent controls; my opponent's targeted monster loses ATK equal to the DEF of my targeted Synchro Monster!" As he gave the order, 'Power Tool Dragon' flew in and smashed 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' with Crafty Break, "I will protect Lisa-chan from your onslaught, Azrael!"
After 'Power Tool Dragon' backed off, 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' sparked a few times as its ATK fell considerably (ATK: 3000 → 500). Due to now being stronger, 'Regulus' glared fiercely before jumping into the sky and away from the laser blasts fired by Azrael's monster. Speaking of whom, the faded image of Azrael in the sky watched what had happened with disappointment.
"Because 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' has less ATK than 'Regulus', I lose 500 LP," admitted Azrael (LP: 3000 → 2500). He then entered his thoughts about the whole thing, "Damn you, David Xadashi… Now I'm beginning to see why Vincent hated you so much."
Back below…
"How's that?!" beamed Lisa, "Always two steps ahead of you!"
Back atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael fumed to himself for a few seconds before smiling smugly.
"Premature celebration," Azrael commented, before taking and holding a card ('Future Glow') out for a couple of seconds before placing it down on the platform, "The Continuous Spell, 'Future Glow'! I must activate this card by banishing 1 Psychic monster from my GY, and note its Level; all Psychic monsters I control gain ATK equal to that Level x 200!" From there, emerging from the dark abyss (GY) was the 'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode' Effect Monster Card before fading away into dust, before focus went towards 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' as its ATK went up again (ATK: 500 → 2700), "I banish 'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode' from my GY, who has a Level of 11. This will cause my Psychic monsters to gain 2200 ATK!"
David and Lisa were concerned, yet also relieved they were able to stop Azrael from gaining LP and then inflicting serious damage to them. Back atop the pyramid, Azrael was making a last second move.
"I Set one card!" began Azrael, laying down on a card and causing a face-down card ('Talisman of Reversal') to materialize on the field, "From there, I'll enter my End Phase."
Down below…
"End Phase? If that's the case, the effect of 'Psychic Barbarity' should expire," thought Lisa, "No, there must be something else he can do—but what could it be?"
Back atop the Incan pyramid…
"And now, I'll activate a Trap, 'Supernatural Regeneration'!" assumed Azrael, as the Set card on the left flipped face-up and revealed itself, "I might have failed to gain LP through attacking this turn, but, in case of emergency, I have this card to fall back upon!" Down below inside the geoglyph, as he explained the effect of his card, Lisa and David listened carefully, "During the End Phase: I must gain 1000 LP for each Psychic monster sent to the GY this turn."
Lisa gasped.
"Four Psychic monsters were sent there this turn alone," noted David urgently, "You'll gain 4000 LP as a result of it."
"Correct!" laughed Azrael, as he spread his arms out and gained his LP (LP: 2500 → 6500), "I have 6500 LP! And since I've gained LP, the effect…" The 'Psychic Barbarity' Spell Card reappeared face-up on the field, "…of 'Psychic Barbarity' activates! By targeting 'Power Tool Dragon' for David, and 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' for you, Lisa, the both of you will take damage equal to half the combined original ATK of those monsters!"
Bolts of lightning came from the dark, cloudy sky and struck David (LP: 4500 → 2300) and Lisa (LP: 3000 → 800) respectively, causing them to scream as they lost a considerable amount of LP. Standing atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael watched and laughed sadistically over the agony his enemies were in.
"Feel despair!" boomed Azrael, "Feel helplessness! Feel fear! But since you took 2000 or more damage from my card, you get to draw a card," Down below, Lisa and David were busy huffing and puffing from the significant blow they took at the same time, "Let's hope you two can at least get something good or another."
"Shit…!" cussed Lisa painfully, before drawing a card, "Draw!"
"Draw!" added David, drawing a card.
These were the cards both duelists managed to get:
-Lisa: 'Pot of Acquisitiveness' (Spell Card)
-David: 'Morphtronic Scannen' (Tuner Monster Card)
"My turn is now over," concluded Azrael, "You two better try harder for your respective turns, because on my next turn, I'm going to end the whole duel."
Down below…
"Yeah right! Keep on dreaming!" denied Lisa, "This duel is just getting started!" She drew a card, "It's my turn!"
Turn Five: Lisa Drake (LP: 800)
Deck: 40
Current Hand (7): "Naturia Cherries", "Naturia Pumpkin", "Vision Synchro", "Naturia Bamboo Shoot", "Naturia Jasmine", "Pot of Acquisitiveness", and "De-Synchro"
Her drawn card was a Spell Card called 'De-Synchro'.
"This is a start, but I need to reinforce my low LP first," thought Lisa, before speaking aloud, "I activate 'Ancient Fairy Dragon's' second effect again!" As she went through the effect, the face-up 'Naturia Forest' Spell Card shattered into shards of glass while causing all of the trees in the area to vanish, "During my Main Phase: I can destroy as many cards in the Field Zones as possible (min. 1), and if I do, gain 1000 LP, then I can add 1 Field Spell with a different name than the destroyed card(s), from my Deck to my hand!" She closed her eyes and started glowing all gold-like, "Plain Back!"
From the glow, Lisa recovered some of the LP she lost from the last turn (LP: 800 → 1800). When that ended, she took a card from her Deck, looked at it ('Ancient Forest'), then placed it into her hand. Suddenly, the faded image of Azrael in the sky smiled and spoke aloud.
"Face-down card, open!" announced Azrael, as his remaining Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself as focus went towards it, "'Talisman of Reversal'! When my opponent adds a card(s) to the hand, except during their Draw Phase: I must draw cards until I have the same number of cards in my hand as my opponent!" He was then shown drawing eight cards, "I draw eight new cards!"
Back below…
"Dammit! Azrael…" Lisa muttered to herself, before looking at the "De-Synchro' Spell Card in her hand one more time. She then looked upward and addressed 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' with a sense of regret, "Sorry, 'Ancient Fairy', but this is something that has to be done."
"It is alright, Lisa," reassured 'Ancient Fairy Dragon', "If this is what it will take for you and David to win, I will allow myself to go."
"'Ancient Fairy'," whispered Lisa, before narrowing her eyes and slotting the card into her Duel Runner, "I activate the Spell, 'De-Synchro'!" The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of Akatsuki, "I must target 1 Synchro Monster on the field; I must return that target to the Extra Deck, then, if all of the monsters that were used for the Synchro Summon of that monster are in my GY, I can Special Summon all of them," She raised her right hand into the sky, particularly in the direction of 'Ancient Fairy Dragon', "I target 'Ancient Fairy Dragon', returning her to the Extra Deck!"
The Signer Dragon turned into a ball of light, which floated around until it touched Akatsuki, creating two more balls of light which floated above Lisa.
"I Special Summon 'Naturia Empty Husk' and 'Naturia Rosewhip' from my GY!" stated Lisa.
Reappearing on the field were two 'Naturia' monsters. The first one was the empty, ghostly shell of a coconut with cartoonish eyes (Level: 4/ATK: 0/DEF: 800), and the second was the green rose-like monster (Level: 3/ATK: 400/DEF: 1700). Back atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael was very amused by Lisa's choice of move to get rid of 'Ancient Fairy Dragon'.
"Abandoning the ace of your whole Deck… How heartless of you!" mocked Azrael.
"Shut up!" countered Lisa, just as she made another move, "Next, I'll activate 'Regulus's' monster effect!" A card ('Naturia Forest') emerged from her GY, which she took and placed on top of her Deck and caused it to shuffle automatically, "Once per turn: I can target 1 Field Spell in my GY; I must return it to the Deck!" From there, her lone Set card reappeared on the field, flipped face-up, and revealed itself, "And now, the Trap Card, 'Ancient Sunshine'!"
"That card-!" gasped David.
"If I control a face-up 'Regulus': I must…" explained Lisa, holding up a card ('Ancient Fairy Dragon') taken from her Extra Deck, "…banish 1 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' from my Extra Deck, and if I do, inflict 2100 damage to my opponent, and if I do that, destroy all cards I control. I cannot attack the turn I activate this card!"
From there, the spirit of 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' reappeared in the sky for a few more seconds, glowing a multitude of colors as it bestowed 'Regulus' a new power—which he put to good use. His horn fired a beam of light into the sky, hitting the faded image of Azrael and causing him to grimace from the attack from atop the Incan pyramid (LP: 6500 → 4400). However, by using such a power, 'Regulus' collapsed on the ground and shattered into shards of glass, followed by 'Naturia Empty Husk' and 'Naturia Rosewhip'.
"Sorry about this, you guys," thought Lisa, discouraged.
"How pathetic!" The voice of Azrael commented, causing Lisa to look into the sky and see the faded image of him talking down on her, "I fail to see why you would destroy all of your monsters so recklessly just to inflict 2100 damage to me!"
"I'm not finished just yet," reminded Lisa.
"What?" growled Azrael.
"I activate the second effect of 'Naturia Empty Husk'!" As Lisa said that, she regained some more of her lost LP (LP: 1800 → 2400), "If this card I control is destroyed by card effect and sent to the GY: I must gain 600 LP!"
Back atop the Incan pyramid…
"I see… You've regained most of the LP I took from you last turn," accepted Azrael calmly, but that was only on the outside. On the inside, he was feeling furious about the turnabout move and much more, "Damn you, Lisa, undoing all of the pain and suffering I brought upon you!"
Back below…
"Next, I'll activate the Spell Card, 'Pot of Acquisitiveness'!" continued Lisa, slotting a card into her Duel Runner. Materializing face-up on the field in-front of Akatsuki was the mentioned Spell Card, "I must target 3 banished monsters; I must shuffle all 3 into the Deck, then draw 1 card," She raised her right hand into the air, "The three banished cards I choose are 'Psychic Nightmare', 'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode', and 'Ancient Fairy Dragon'!"
The spirits of all three mentioned monsters appeared in the sky, with two ('Psychic Nightmare' and 'Hyper Psychic Blaster/Assault Mode') being returned to Azrael, and the remaining one ('Ancient Fairy Dragon') being returned to Lisa herself.
"Now, I'll draw a card," urged Lisa, drawing a card ('Miracle Synchro Fusion'). She added it into her hand, took a different card, and placed it onto a Monster Zone on her Duel Runner, "I Summon 'Naturia Pumpkin'!"
Appearing on the field was the peaceful green pumpkin monster (Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 800).
"From there, I'll activate my monster's effect," rambled Lisa, "When this card is Normal Summoned while my opponent controls a monster: I can…" She took a card from her hand, and, soon after finishing speaking, placed it onto her Duel Runner, "…Special Summon 1 'Naturia' monster from my hand! Come, 'Naturia Cherries'!"
Appearing on the field were the familiar, living cherry bunch-like monster (Level: 1/ATK: 200/DEF: 200). Very quickly, something happened to it.
"Level 1 'Naturia Cherries' tunes Level 4 'Naturia Pumpkin'!" The voice of Lisa ordered.
'Naturia Cherries' turned into a single Synchro Ring, which 'Naturia Pumpkin' floated into from below before turning into four orbs of light while a Summon Chant was heard from Lisa.
"Bare your fangs against oppressors trying to destroy the land, guardian of the tranquil forest!" chanted Lisa, as the three orbs of light within the duo of Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Appear now, 'Naturia Beast'!"
Appearing onto the field, as the Synchro Summon sequence came to an end, was the familiar green tiger-like monster with tree-like qualities (Level: 5/ATK: 2200/DEF: 1700).
"And with that, I'll activate 'Naturia Mole Cricket's' second effect again!" proclaimed Lisa, just as a card ('Naturia Mole Cricket') emerged from her GY and the cartoonish-looking cricket monster reappeared on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0), "If my opponent Special Summons a monster(s) from the Extra Deck or I Special Summon a 'Naturia' monster(s) from the Extra Deck, while this card is in my GY (except during the Damage Step): I can Special Summon this card."
The image of Azrael in the dark sky was agitated, but stayed quiet as Lisa continued with her turn.
"I also activate 'Mole Cricket's' first effect!" said Lisa, just as 'Naturia Mole Cricket' faded away in a blue streak, "During the Main Phase (Quick Effect): I can Tribute this card; I must Special Summon 1 'Naturia' monster from my Deck," She held up two cards ('Naturia Marron' and 'Naturia Butterfly') taken from her Deck, "or I can Special Summon 2 'Naturia' monsters if my opponent controls a monster with the highest ATK on the field (even if it's tied)!"
Appearing on the field were two more 'Naturia' monsters. The first was the familiar chestnut plant with cartoonish eyes (Level: 3/ATK: 1200/DEF: 700), and the second was the pink, cartoonish butterfly (Level: 3/ATK: 500/DEF: 1200).
"I activate 'Naturia Marron's' second effect!" As Lisa spoke on, two cards ('Naturia 'Ragweed' and 'Naturia Camellia') emerged from her GY, which were taken, placed in the Deck and causing it to shuffle, "Once per turn: I can target 2 'Naturia' monsters in my GY; I must shuffle both those targets into the Deck," She drew another card, "then draw 1 card!"
Lisa had drawn the 'Naturia Forest' Spell Card, which she decided to use once more.
"Time for nature to become kind and gentle again," remarked Lisa, as she slotted her card ('Naturia Forest') into her Duel Runner, "Field Spell, 'Naturia Forest', activate!"
Beautiful trees started rising from the ground, returning the scenery to the most peaceful-looking forest in the world. Once that was done…
"Level 3 'Naturia Butterfly' tunes Level 3 'Naturia Marron'!" exclaimed Lisa.
'Naturia Butterfly' turned into three Synchro Rings, which hovered over, lowered, and overwhelmed 'Naturia Marron' before turning it into three orbs of light as a Summon Chant from Lisa ensued throughout.
"Defenders of the winged earth, soar to heights and bestow grace to all who desire peace and harmony!" chanted Lisa, as the symbols 3 + 3 = 6 were shown briefly just before the four orbs of light within the two Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Come forth, 'Naturia Barkion'!"
Appearing onto the field, as the Synchro Summon sequence came to an end, was the cartoonish-looking dragon-like monster (Level: 6/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1800).
"These two monsters of mine are strong as they are, but I have something better," noted Lisa, before holding up the 'Miracle Synchro Fusion' Spell Card, "I activate the Spell Card, 'Miracle Synchro Fusion'!"
"Lisa-chan is going to fuse her two Synchro Monsters into one," David realized immediately.
From there, the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of Akatsuki.
"I must Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck that lists a Synchro Monster as material, by banishing Fusion Materials listed on it from my field or GY," explained Lisa, as she spoke about two Synchro Monster Cards ('Naturia Beast' and 'Naturia Barkion') on separate Monster Zones, "They are 'Naturia Beast' and 'Naturia Barkion'!"
On cue, 'Naturia Beast' and 'Naturia Barkion' both started merging together and Lisa rode Akatsuki with a large image of the artwork of the 'Polymerization' Spell Card looming in the background as she echoed a Summon Chant throughout.
"Beast of nature, unite with the winged servant of all that is pure, and let shine a golden age in the land of beauty and prosperity!" chanted Lisa, "Fusion Summon! Appear now, 'Naturia Exterio'!"
Appearing onto the field, when the Fusion Summon sequence came to an end, was 'Nature Beast' wearing a headdress that looked like 'Naturia Barkion's' head (Level: 10/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400).
"I now have a monster that's stronger than your 'Hyper Psychic Blaster'," Lisa pointed out, as focus went towards 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' (ATK: 2700), "An ATK of 2800 can defeat it, since it still has 2700 ATK!" She then looked disappointed, "Unfortunately, due to the effect of 'Ancient Sunshine', I can't attack this turn," The only thing she could do was take a card from her hand and slot it into her Duel Runner, "I Set one card and finish my turn!"
A face-down card materialized on the field in-front of Akatsuki before fading away for later use.
"Here I go! It's my turn!" announced David, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn Six: David Xadashi (LP: 2300)
Deck: 49
Current Hand (2): "Morphtronic Scannen" and "Morphtronic Mix-up"
From there, focus went towards the face-up 'Gadget Box' Spell Card as a second Morph Counter was removed.
"I remove another Morph Counter from 'Gadget Box'," The voice of David began, just as a robot with six mechanical arms appeared on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0), "This lets me Special Summon another 'Gadget Box Token'!" He then looked determined, "I also activate the second effect of 'Revolution Synchron'!" Focus went towards 'Power Tool Dragon' as it let out a roar, causing its smaller counterpart to reappear on the field with a very reduced Level (Level: 1/ATK: 900/DEF: 1400), "If I control a Level 7 or higher Synchro Monster while this card is in my GY: I can send the top card of my Deck to the GY, and if I do, Special Summon this card, also its Level becomes 1."
"Just be forewarned that this effect can only be used once per duel," recalled Azrael.
"A fact I am very well aware of," retorted David, just before pointing forth using his right hand, "Once more, the first effect of 'Power Tool' activates!" His Deck automatically shuffled, "Power Search!"
A card then emerged from the middle of his Deck, which David took hold of and drew. It was shown to be a Spell Card called 'Morphtronic Cord'. David added it into his hand, then made the big move.
"My Level 1 'Revolution Synchron' tunes…" continued David, as 'Revolution Synchron' flew into the sky, "…Level 7 'Power Tool Dragon' and Level 1 'Gadget Box Token'!"
'Revolution Synchron' turned into a single Synchro Ring, which 'Power Tool Dragon' and 'Gadget Box Token' both flew into before becoming orbs of light (seven for 'Power Tool Dragon' and one for 'Gadget Box Token') and a Summon Chant was heard from David.
"Docking courage and power will lead to a revolution for peace!" chanted David, as the symbols 7 + 1 + 1 = 9 were shown briefly before the eight orbs of light within the single Synchro Ring turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Protector of love and justice! Come forth, 'Power Tool Braver Dragon'!"
The beam of energy burst apart, revealing a bigger, stronger, more upgraded version of 'Power Tool Dragon'—featuring newer and bigger weapons. More accurately, it resembled 'Life Stream Dragon' wearing armor based on 'Power Tool Dragon' (Level: 9/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2300). Back atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael was beginning to get annoyed with David. Back below, it got all the more annoying when Lisa spoke up.
"Thanks to Dave's Synchro Summon, it's time for 'Mole Cricket' to rise again!" reminded Lisa, holding up a card ('Naturia Mole Cricket') taken from her GY, "I revive 'Naturia Mole Cricket'!"
Reappearing on the field, again, was 'Naturia Mole Cricket' (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).
"Now, it's my turn, Lisa-chan!" cut in David, "I activate 'Power Tool Braver Dragon's' first effect! Brave Search!"
"Brave Search?" repeated Azrael.
"If this card is Special Summoned: I can equip up to 3 Equip Spells with different names from my Deck and/or GY to this card," revealed David, drawing three cards and holding them ('Life Extreme', 'Break! Draw!', and 'Air Cracking Storm') out, "I equip these cards to my monster!"
'Power Tool Braver Dragon' started glowing gold as it gained several new powers, roaring out after a few seconds of gaining strength. Back atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael grew further annoyed over David and Lisa's continued persistence despite them being no match for him. Back below…
"Now, I'll activate 'Naturia Mole Cricket's' first effect again," informed Lisa, holding up two cards ('Naturia Camellia' and 'Naturia Horneedle'). She placed them onto her Duel Runner at the same time, "Come, 'Camellia' and 'Horneedle'!"
Appearing onto the field were two more 'Naturia' monsters. The first was the cartoonish-looking bee or hornet monster (Level: 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 100), and the second was the cartoonish-looking camellia flower monster (Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 700).
"I activate 'Naturia Camellia's' first effect," Lisa went on, drawing a card ('Naturia Synthesis') and looking at it, "If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: I can send…" She sent it to the GY, "…1 'Naturia' card from my Deck to the GY."
"And now, I'll activate 'Morphtronic Earfon's' third effect!" interrupted David, just as the twin boy and girl Machine monsters reappeared on the field before becoming earphones for 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' to wear, "I can target 1 Synchro Monster on the field; I must equip this card from my field or GY to it!" He nodded and went over his monster's first effect, "While this card is an Equip Card, the equipped monster can make up to 2 attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase!"
Back atop the Incan pyramid…
"That gives your monster four different Equip Cards and four different powers," muttered Azrael.
"Three is all that I need, actually," The voice of David corrected.
"Three of them?" hissed Azrael, "What the hell do you mean by that?"
Down below…
"I activate 'Power Tool Braver's' second effect!" replied David, just as 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' roared and removed one of its new powers ('Morphtronic Earfon') before charging in and headbutting 'Hyper Psychic Blaster', "During the Main Phase (Quick Effect): I can send 1 of my Equip Spells equipped to this card to the GY, then target 1 Effect Monster on the field; I must either change its battle position, or until the end of this turn, negate its effects!" He swung his right fist with triumph before entering the Battle Phase, "By sending 'Morphtronic Earfon' to the GY, Azrael, I've negated the effects of your 'Hyper Psychic Blaster'! Now, my 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' will attack!"
'Power Tool Braver Dragon' took off for the skies, while 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' aimed both blasters and tried shooting the monster out.
"Attacking a monster that's still stronger than your own… What are you thinking?" demanded Azrael.
"Yet again, your arrogance and ignorance prove to be instrumental in your shortcomings," retorted David, much to Azrael's disgust. He then revealed his plan, "The first effect of 'Life Extreme' activates! If the equipped monster battles an opponent's monster, the opponent's monster loses 1500 ATK during that damage calculation only!"
"What?!" panicked Azrael.
And so, he was forced to watch as 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' suddenly shorted out and lost some of its ATK (ATK: 2700 → 1200). Now with the advantage, 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' charged in from the sky towards its prey.
"Brave Break!" The voice of David called out.
*SLASH!*
In one swift movement, 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' slashed through 'Hyper Psychic Blaster' and returned to the sky—just as the weaker monster sparked before exploding from destruction as Azrael watched from the top of the Incan pyramid.
"Why you little…!" seethed Azrael (LP: 4400 → 3100), before easing slightly, "That…wasn't a bad attack."
Back below…
"I also use this opportunity to activate the effect of 'Break! Draw!'!" responded David, "If the equipped monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: I must…" He drew a card, "…draw 1 card!"
His drawn card was the 'Morphtronic Accelerator' Spell Card, which he placed into his hand and resumed his Battle Phase.
"Then, I'll activate the effect of 'Air Cracking Storm'!" announced David, as he turned a corner and followed Akatsuki while the enlarged, faded image of Azrael watched from the sky, "When that attacking monster destroys my opponent's monster by battle: I can activate this effect; it can make a second attack during this Battle Phase. My other monsters cannot attack the turn I activate this effect."
"This attack will be a direct one then!" smiled Lisa.
Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael gasped when he saw 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' arrive in a flash. Before anything else could happen, the ruthless blonde-haired man was struck by a powerful blow from David's monster.
"AUGH! Rgh…" grunted Azrael, losing most of his LP (LP: 3100 → 600).
Back below…
"You will never win," promised David, looking up into the sky at the enlarged, faded image of Azrael, "You will never hurt anyone again."
Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael had his head bowed and his eyes covered by a shadow—but his mouth soon formed…a smile. In fact, a quiet snicker even escaped. Down below, David and Lisa listened to Azrael's laughter getting louder and more hysterical. At last, the enlarged, faded image of Azrael in the sky raised his head, dispelled the shadow, and commenced laughing like a complete maniac.
"What's so funny?" huffed Lisa.
"Indeed," agreed David, "Quite bold of you to laugh in the face of defeat."
Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael stopped laughing long enough to speak up.
"You impress me, boy," sneered Azrael, addressing David, "Once again, you have shown me that you're perfectly willing to kill, just like with Vincent the night our war began."
Back below, David gasped upon being reminded of that incident.
"No, you're wrong," argued David, "I am fulfilling my duty as a Signer! Nothing more!"
"Yeah!" defended Lisa, "Like you're one to talk about being morally right!"
The enlarged, faded image of Azrael in the sky paid no attention and continued with his breaking speech.
"You honestly expect me to believe that garbage?" spat Azrael, "Hardly. You know you're as bad as Vincent was, David, if not worse."
Back below, David was about to fire off another retort when a new, but familiar, voice cut him off…
"Robo-boooooy…" The voice of Vincent echoed.
David's eyes immediately widened at the voice of his former enemy. Looking to The Wild Card's side, David could see the faded, ghostly figure of Vincent Stevens floating about and keeping up, with the same arrogant smirk every present on his face.
"Hello, 'Davey-san'," greeted Vincent mockingly, "Did you miss me?"
The scared David didn't respond to the apparition, allowing Vincent to carry on.
"The old man's right, you know," he stated, "For all the times you claim to be all nice and humble, you're just as much of a snob as I was."
"Tha-That… that's not true!" David objected, beginning to freak out, "I don't look down on others like you did!"
"Oh 'puh-lease'," replied Vincent sarcastically, "I remember when you first beat me in the school tournament years ago," Faded stills of what he (Vincent) remembered about David were superimposed over both duelists, "Such as when you shot down everyone that wasn't your friends who cheered you on, gave nobody the time of day, blew off all the fans you made, and acted so high and mighty that I'm surprised people still respect you."
"No! I… I…!" flailed David.
"But it's true!" accused Vincent, "You know that I am right, always right! All you really ever wanted was respect, and when you got it, it was never good enough for you! I at least let all those schmucks know I loved the attention. You, however, treated others like crap and kept playing the victim for years. It's honestly quite sad."
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
That evening, after Flashback Vincent's defeat, Flashback David was standing on the stage beside Flashback Mr. Atkins, with the audience all standing below with excitement.
"Let's give a big hand to the winner of the 'Duel Monsters: Duel Until You Drop' tournament!" announced Flashback Mr. Atkins, "David Xadashi!"
The audience started clapping in response, while Flashback David was handed the poster of Thomas Billinton.
"Well done, David," praised Flashback Mr. Atkins, "You must be feeling very proud."
"(どうもありがとうございました) Dōmo arigatōgozaimashita (Thank you very much), Mr. Atkins," said Flashback David in Japanese, looking at the poster, "I do feel proud."
With that said, the aqua blue-haired boy turned and walked off the stage. While walking by the audience, many of the people who originally picked on Flashback David started praising him—such as…
"Yo, David! You rule, dude!" called Flashback Derek.
"You have got to teach us how you made moves like that!" put in Flashback Johnny.
"Yeah! I bet it's a wonderful story to tell!" finished Flashback Eric.
Flashback David frowned, but said nothing. The reason for it was clear; the people who picked on him were only praising him because he (Flashback David) defeated Flashback Vincent in a duel and won the tournament. Flashback David was clearly much too smart to fall for such false admiration like that. Soon, David was approached by his two overjoyed best friends.
"Great job, Dave!" praised Flashback Sean, "You've finally defeated Vincent!"
"Not to mention you've earned the respect of the whole student body," added Flashback Janice.
"I didn't," Flashback David interrupted, talking gloomily while surprising Flashback Janice and Flashback Sean, "Can't you both see? Nearly everyone here has bullied me for as long as I can remember, especially Vincent-kun and his friends. They're only praising me now because I won the tournament."
"Dave…" whispered Flashback Janice.
"I'm not going to be fooled by such empty praise from my peers," continued Flashback David, before walking away, "I haven't earned anyone's respect today."
Flashback Sean and Flashback Janice both looked sad and worried for their best friend forever as he left the area for home.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"That's not it," protested David, who was so focused on remembering the past that he wasn't being careful with focusing on the road, "That isn't true!"
"You touched the hearts of so many people that day! The lowly peasant taking down me, the 'Level-up King'," continued Vincent, "But rather than use that to inspire others, you shoved them all away, your pride made you bitter, you showed everyone that they were beneath you, you only thought about yourself!" He then grinned evilly as he delivered the final punch, "The second you got a taste of superiority, you didn't want to give it up. Face facts! You're just like me."
Vincent's words cut deep into David, who couldn't muster up a good response. Frightened, David clutched the sides of his head as The Wild Card started to move out of control. Lisa saw David beginning to suffer a panic attack and had to call out to him before it was too late.
"Dave, snap out of it!" hollered Lisa, "Don't listen to Azrael! He's trying to get inside your head!"
"Lisa-chan?" peeped David, looking up.
Vincent cursed to himself and disappeared for now. Meanwhile, the enlarged, faded image of Azrael in the sky had been watching and appeared slightly pleased that Vincent was, in fact, more useful than expected. Back below…
"Dave, just hang in there!" encouraged Lisa, "Don't let Azrael use Vincent to mess with you. Our goal is to defeat that bastard, together!"
Hearing Lisa's voice calling out to him, David calmed down enough to regain control of The Wild Card and continue dueling, just as the top of his Deck began glowing. Realizing that the Crimson Dragon was giving him a card to use, David knew what to do to grab it.
"From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card, 'Morphtronic Accelerator'!" declared David, as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field with the swing of his right arm, "I must return 1 'Morphtronic' monster from my hand to the Deck, then target 1 card on the field; I must destroy that target, and if I do, draw 1 card!" He held up a card ('Morphtronic Scannen') and returned it to his Deck, "I return 'Morphtronic Scannen' to the Deck to…" Focus went towards the face-up 'Future Glow' on the field as it shattered into shards of glass, "…target and destroy your 'Future Glow'!"
"Tch!" uttered Azrael angrily.
"No matter what happens in this duel, I will protect Lisa-chan with my life!" thundered David, before drawing the glowing with a Destiny Draw, "DRAAAAAAW!" Entering his thoughts, he was surprised that the card was a Trap Card called 'Pure Synchro Heart'(!), "'Pure Synchro Heart'… This is a very special card I've never seen before… Then again, I shouldn't be surprised that the Crimson Dragon gave it to me, since it provided aid for Fudo-san and Atlas-sama at different times with 'Majestic Dragon'."
From there, he looked up and studied Lisa ahead on Akatsuki, wondering if he should take the risk or find another way for them to beat their enemy. Closing his eyes, David Xadashi made his choice…
"I…Set one card," admitted David, slotting the card into his Duel Runner. It caused a face-down card to appear on the field in-front of The Wild Card before fading away for later use, "And now, my turn has ended."
"What did he draw?" thought Lisa, "And will it help us?"
Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael paid no attention to what David drew, believing the card would not be of any help anyway.
"Well, it doesn't matter to me what you've played," assumed Azrael, "Neither of you are a match for me!" He got ready to make his move, "It's my turn! Due to the effect of 'Psychic Barbarity', I have to skip my Draw Phase for this turn."
Turn Seven: Muruta Azrael (LP: 600)
Deck: 39
Current Hand (8): "Forbidden Droplet", "Earthbound Geoglyph", "Called by the Grave", "Earthbound Immortal Cusillu", "Deranged Enhancer"(!), "Lightning Storm", "Dark Psycho Probe"(!), and "Triple Tactics Talent"
Looking over his hand, Azrael noticed he had 'Forbidden Droplet', 'Earthbound Geoglyph', 'Called by the Grave', 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu', 'Deranged Enhancer', 'Lightning Storm', 'Dark Psycho Probe', and 'Triple Tactics Talent' all accounted for.
"One of you is going to lose this turn," promised Azrael, "And I have the perfect hand to make sure it happens!"
"I somehow doubt it," rebutted Lisa, skeptical about the declaration. As she went on, she spoke about 'Naturia Exterio', "'Naturia Exterio's' monster effect lets me banish a card from my GY and send the top card of my Deck to the GY to negate the activation of the opponent's Spells/Traps and destroy them."
"I suppose that's a good point," acknowledged Azrael, "But…"
"Huh?" recoiled Lisa.
"From my hand, I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell, 'Forbidden Droplet'!" declared Azrael, placing a card down on the platform. It caused the mentioned Spell Card to materialize face-up on the field, "I must send any number of other cards from your hand and/or field to the GY; choose that many Effect Monsters your opponent controls, and until the end of this turn, their ATK is halved, also their effects are negated."
Back below inside the geoglyph…
"Aww crap!" cursed Lisa, "That's a card where we can't respond to its activation depending on the cards sent to the GY!" Focus went towards 'Naturia Exterio', "The effect of 'Exterio' is useless here!"
In the sky, the enlarged, faded image of Azrael held up a card ('Deranged Enhancer').
"I send the Monster Card, 'Deranged Enhancer', to the GY," reported Azrael, laying the card down, "Lisa, your 'Naturia Exterio' will have its ATK halved and effects negated."
"Figures since it's the easiest target!" complained Lisa bitterly.
'Naturia Exterio' started glowing purple as it lost its effects and got weakened in power (ATK: 2800 → 1400).
"And there's more…" warned Azrael, as he held up a card ('Lightning Storm') in between the index and middle fingers of his right hand, "The Spell Card, 'Lightning Storm'! If I control no face-up cards: I must activate 1 of these effects."
These were the effects written on the 'Lightning Storm' Spell Card:
-"I must destroy all Attack Position monsters my opponent controls."
-"I must destroy all Spells and Traps my opponent controls."
Lightning started raining from the sky, attempting to level all of David's monsters, but David was far too smart to let that happen.
"I won't let you!" countered David, "I activate 'Power Tool Braver's' second effect again!" As he explained the effect, 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' gave up one of its powers ('Break! Draw!') to switch its battle position (ATK: 2500 → DEF: 2300) as the lightning bolts struck it, "During the Main Phase (Quick Effect): I can send 1 of my Equip Spells equipped to this card to the GY, then target 1 Effect Monster on the field; either change its battle position, or until the end of this turn, negate its effects!"
Because it was no longer in Attack Position, 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' was able to withstand the lightning strikes.
"I also activate the second effect of my Equip Spell, 'Life Extreme'!" stated David, as the face-up 'Gadget Box' Spell Card soon shattered into shards of glass, "Once per turn, if a monster's battle position is changed (except during the Damage Step): I can target 1 card on the field; I must destroy it! I destroy my own 'Gadget Box'!"
Atop the Incan pyramid…
"Grr… Very well, I'll target something else," grumbled Azrael, as focus went towards, down below, 'Naturia Exterio', "Lisa, I'll destroy your weakened 'Naturia Exterio' instead!"
Struck by fresh lightning, 'Naturia Exterio' appeared to explode from destruction—just as Lisa hastily made a card emerge from her GY. On top of the Incan pyramid, Azrael smirked when he believed he destroyed 'Naturia Exterio'. Back below, when the smoke cleared away, it was revealed that Lisa's monster survived.
"What?!" gawked Azrael.
"Mm!" Lisa grinned right back, before making her 'Naturia Synthesis' Trap Card materialize face-up on the field in-front of Akatsuki with the swing of her right arm, "I activate the third effect of my Trap Card, 'Naturia Synthesis'! If my 'Naturia' monster(s) would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish this card from my GY instead!"
In the sky, the enlarged, faded image of Azrael was more than fed up with the two younger Signers at that point. Luckily, he still had the perfect cards to deliver him victory. Atop the Incan pyramid, he took a card from his hand.
"It's time for me to show you both the power that took the life of Discord J. Crawford," proclaimed Azrael, laying down a card ('Earthbound Geoglyph') in the Field Zone on the platform, "First, I'll activate…" On cue, the 'Earthbound Geoglyph' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field, "…the Field Spell, 'Earthbound Geoglyph'!"
Back below…
"Not again!" cried Lisa, watching as her face-up 'Naturia Forest' Spell Card shattered into shards of glass.
"The first effect of 'Earthbound Geoglyph'!" recalled Azrael, as the enlarged, faded image of himself watched from the sky, "While any Level 10 monsters are on the field, neither player can target this card with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by card effects," From there, his (Azrael) focus went towards David back below, "And you, David, I must thank for activating a monster effect."
"(何?!) Nani?! (What?!)" flinched David.
Back atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael took another card from his hand and prepared to play it.
"From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card, 'Triple Tactics Talent'!" announced Azrael, placing the card down on the platform. That caused the mentioned Spell Card to materialize face-up on the field, "If my opponent has activated a monster effect during my Main Phase this turn: I must activate 1 of these effects."
These were the effects written on the 'Triple Tactics Talent' Spell Card:
-"I must draw 2 cards."
-"I must take control of 1 monster my opponent controls until the End Phase."
-"I must look at my opponent's hand, and choose 1 card from it to shuffle into the Deck."
Down below, David was forced to watch as 'Power Tool Braver Dragon' found itself being taken over by Azrael.
"'Power Tool Braver'!" wailed David.
"The second effect of 'Earthbound Geoglyph'!" reminded Azrael, as focus went towards the 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' Effect Monster Card in his hand, "I can treat 1 Synchro Monster as 2 Tributes for the Tribute Summon of an 'Earthbound Immortal' monster."
Back below, David and Lisa fearfully awaited the arrival of one of the most terrifying creatures in all of Duel Monsters. Standing atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael broke into insane laughter as he made the move…
"And now, I'll Tribute 'Power Tool Braver Dragon'!" began Azrael.
'Power Tool Braver Dragon' turned into a colorful ball of light before rising towards the geoglyph in the sky. On cue, the area started shaking itself to pieces, with David and Lisa struggling to stay on their moving Duel Runners without wiping out or crashing into the flame walls of the geoglyph itself. Meanwhile, atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael placed his card ('Earthbound Immortal Cusillu') onto a Monster Zone on the platform.
"Advent, 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu'!" ordered Azrael, raising both arms into the sky.
As expected, the familiar-looking heart appeared from the geoglyph in the sky, beating as it absorbed the souls it already stole before exploding with power. From within the flame walls of the geoglyph, appearing from the ghostly flames was the gigantic monkey creature with black and yellow skin, and a long tail (Level: 10/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400). 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' gazed upon the two Duel Runners inside the geoglyph walls, aiming to crush the Signers riding them. Back atop the Incan pyramid…
"Like all of the 'Earthbound Immortal' monsters, 'Cusillu' has three important effects," revealed Azrael, "The third effect! This card can attack my opponent directly. Fourth! This card cannot be targeted for attacks, but does not prevent my opponent from attacking me directly. And fifth! This card is unaffected by the effects of my opponent's Spells/Traps! But this card's second effect is a doozy for me… If there is no face-up Field Spell on the field, I must destroy this card during the End Phase of this turn," He closed his eyes and giggled dementedly before opening them again, "Except I won't let anyone destroy my Field Spell!" When, down below in the geoglyph, neither David nor Lisa spoke up, he, back atop the Incan pyramid, continued some more, "Now, as my special guests, I will also treat you to the appearance of a Dark Synchro Monster."
"Dark Synchro?!" repeated Lisa.
"But first…" mused Azrael, as he took and held another card ('Called by the Grave') out, "Quick-Play Spell, 'Called by the Grave', activate! I must target 1 monster in my opponent's GY; I must banish it, and if I do, until the end of the next turn, its effects are negated, as well as the activated effects and effects on the field of monsters with the same original name!"
Back below, a hand emerged from the ghostly flame walls near Lisa and Akatsuki, reaching into the former's Duel Runner and causing it to swerve a little bit.
"H-Hey! What the hell are you-?!" quivered Lisa.
The hand then pulled out 'Naturia Mole Cricket', which, atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael noticed and smiled fiendishly.
"That revolting, annoying pest of yours has gotten more attention then it should have," sneered Azrael, before swinging his right arm about, "Vanish, 'Naturia Mole Cricket'!"
And, down below in the geoglyph, the hand crushed the poor monster like, what else, a bug, preventing Lisa from bringing it back any longer. Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael chuckled to himself.
"'Naturia Horneedle' is a monster that can destroy other monsters by Tributing another 'Naturia' monster in response to an opponent's Special Summon," observed Azrael.
"But there's the second effect of 'Naturia Camellia'," cut in Lisa, "If I would Tribute a monster(s) to activate a 'Naturia' monster's effect, I can send the top 2 cards of my Deck to the GY instead. Regardless, any number of monsters you try to Special Summon will be immediately destroyed."
"Hmhmhm… What a fool," snickered Azrael.
Lisa eased up slightly, wondering what Azrael was planning to do next. Sure enough…
"I activate the first effect of 'Deranged Enhancer'!" raged Azrael, as an enlarged image of a card ('Deranged Enhancer') appeared in the background behind him on the left, "If this card is in my GY: I can target 1 Level 4 non-Tuner monster in my GY; I must…" A second enlarged card ('Assault Sentinel') appeared on the right, "…Special Summon both this card and that monster in Attack Position, but negate their effects, and if I do, immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 DARK Psychic Synchro Monster, using only those 2 monsters," Down below, Lisa, while listening to him, gritted her teeth, "These Special Summons cannot be negated, also my opponent cannot activate cards or effects when a monster(s) is Special Summoned this way."
"This is it…" uttered Lisa dreadfully.
Back atop the Incan pyramid…
"Here I go…" smiled Azrael, "Level 4 'Deranged Enhancer' dark tunes Level 4 'Assault Sentinel'!"
Appearing on the field were two monsters. The first one was a scruffy, psychotic doctor with many needles, and the second was the familiar tan-furred animal wearing armor and wielding a blaster. 'Deranged Enhancer' then turned itself into four balls of darkness. They were then absorbed into 'Assault Sentinel', before exploding into a total of eight balls of darkness, which then began spinning together in a circle above as a short, yet sinister-sounding, Summon Chant was heard.
"Surge, my black flames of vengeance!" chanted Azrael, as the symbols 4 + 4 = 8 were shown briefly just before a massive beam of darkness exploded from within the eight dark stars, "Dark Synchro! Come, 'Thought Ruler Archfiend'!"
When the beam of darkness died down, there, standing on the field, was the familiar two-winged demon-like monster (Level: 8/ATK: 2700/DEF: 2300). Towering over the Incan pyramid from behind was 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu', and flying in the sky was 'Thought Ruler Archfiend', both being among the strongest monsters in all of Azrael's Deck. Speaking of Azrael, there was still more for him to do before commencing his attack.
"'Deranged Enchancer's' second effect activates!" continued Azrael, as focus went towards 'Thought Ruler Archfiend' and it glowed purple and gained a new power, "A Synchro Monster that used this card as material gains 1000 ATK!"
'Thought Ruler Archfiend' grew even stronger (ATK: 2700 → 3700).
"There's also the third effect of 'Earthbound Geoglyph'," recalled Azrael, drawing a card and looking at it, "If a Synchro Monster(s) is Special Summoned (except during the Damage Step): I can add 1 'Earthbound Immortal' Spell/Trap from my Deck to my hand."
The card he picked was the 'Ultimate Earthbound Immortal' Trap Card, the perfect card he needed to fully cement his victory.
"The time has come, Lisa Drake!" boomed Azrael gleefully, "You will be the first Signer to die! But before I do attack you, I want you to kneel before me, beg for mercy, and scream my name…" Down below, Lisa listened to him while, again, gritting her teeth, "…in your final moment!"
"Go to Hell," Lisa sneered defiantly.
Back above, an unbothered Azrael smiled over the comment and decided it was time to weaken Lisa and bring her down for good so that he could become happy again.
"Battle!" rambled Azrael, entering the Battle Phase. As he ordered the attack, 'Thought Ruler Archfiend' opened its mouth and fired a blast of dark energy at 'Naturia Exterio', "'Thought Ruler Archfiend', attack 'Naturia Exterio'!"
The weaker monster was struck by the dark energy and shattered into shards of glass. That caused a bolt of lightning from a dark cloud in the sky to strike Lisa, making her scream as her LP fell to absolutely critical levels (LP: 2400 → 100). Back on top of the Incan pyramid…
"The first effect of 'Thought Ruler Archfiend'!" screeched Azrael, regaining more of his lost LP (LP: 600 → 3400), "If this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: I must gain LP equal to that monster's original ATK in the GY!"
Back below…
"He undid most of the significant damage from my last turn," thought David, helplessly, "And I am slowly depleting all my resources…" He looked down at his shaking right hand, and gasped upon seeing that it was covered in blood, "T-That's…!"
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
After winning the Turbo Duel, Flashback David charged at Flashback Vincent, forcefully grabbed him by the collar and delivered a hard punch to his face, followed by another, and another, and another until an audible *SNAP!* was heard, as Flashback David's strikes had broken one of Flashback Vincent's cheek bones—but Flashback Vincent didn't seem to even flinch.
"Ooh, how nice!" he remarked, as he spat out some more blood, "Now it's my turn!"
Flashback Vincent then threw a punch of his own. Luckily, Flashback David ducked it and pulled Flashback Vincent up by the collar until he (Flashback Vincent) was standing, and with an explosive display of strength, threw bully-turned-Dark Signer to the side right onto some jagged pieces of metal from the destroyed The Beast. Flashback Vincent continued to laugh as he rolled onto his back; several cuts adorning his face. Standing up and wiping some blood away, the wicked smile never left his face.
"Where was all 'this' when I was wielding a fake gun and groping your girlfriend's boobs in-front of you?" Flashback Vincent asked mockingly, lifting up his left hand, "Oh yes, they were soft, firm, and totally not fake!"
Such a response only served to anger Flashback David further as he (Flashback David) charged again, only for Flashback Vincent to grab a stray shard of metal from the wreckage and start swinging and stabbing it at the aqua blue-haired boy, who just narrowly missed it due to getting out of the way in time. Flashback Vincent whistled in an impressed tone before Flashback David charged him (Flashback Vincent) again, this time ducking to avoid the sharp metal and grabbing Flashback Vincent in a headlock from behind. Using their differing body weights, Flashback David hefted himself onto Flashback Vincent's shoulders and began repeatedly pounding on his head and face with fists and elbows respectively.
"AHHH! HA HA HA HA HA HA!" howled Flashback Vincent tauntingly, with each strike only making him laugh harder.
Getting more furious at his blows doing nothing, Flashback David then jumped up and brought his (Flashback David) entire body down onto Flashback Vincent's head. The force was enough to completely knock him down to the ground, face first. Flashback Vincent slowly rolled over, glancing up at the enraged Flashback David; his smile was still not floundering, but instead growing more excited by the moment.
"Look at yourself!" accused Flashback Vincent, as Flashback David gritted his (Flashback David) teeth, "Reduced to an animal wildly lashing out! I love it!"
"(うるさい!) Urusai! (Shut up!)" shouted Flashback David in Japanese.
Flashback Vincent got back up, and Flashback David rushed forward once more. The two enemies resumed fighting, eventually grappling with each other, trying to overpower the other in a feat of strength.
"She was there, you know… because of you," cackled Flashback Vincent insanely, trying to provoke his enemy further. He (Flashback Vincent) started to slowly force Flashback David onto a knee, "I might have struck the final blow, but you, 'you' were the one who killed Gabriella!"
"No! NO!" hollered Flashback David in stubborn denial.
"Yes! And now you want to kill me for 'your' misdeed!" bellowed Flashback Vincent, continuing to force Flashback David onto his (Flashback David) knees, "As kind and sensitive you seem and claim to be, deep down," He showed off his most terrifying evil smile yet, "you know that you're just…like…me!"
With his anger reaching a boiling point, Flashback David started to stand back up and overpower Flashback Vincent in their grappling before pushing him (Flashback Vincent) onto the ground. Now with the advantage, Flashback David jumped onto Flashback Vincent and just started swinging, not caring about anything else, only wanting to make his enemy feel nothing but hurt. After punching that smug, crazy face in enough, Flashback David managed to knock out some of Flashback Vincent's teeth. When Flashback Vincent attempted to shield himself, Flashback David simply grabbed his arm and kicked the elbow inwards with an ugly snapping sound. Flashback David followed suit by striking one of Flashback Vincent's knees to the side, easily dislocating the bone. Before long, everything just became a blur to Flashback David as continued to wail on Flashback Vincent in a berserk rage.
"(大嫌い, 大嫌い, 大嫌い, 大嫌い!) Daikirai, daikirai, daikirai, daikirai! (I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!)" wailed Flashback David in Japanese, with each punch being thrown and connecting with Flashback Vincent's face, "(大嫌い, 大嫌い, 大嫌い, 大嫌い!) Daikirai, daikirai, daikirai, daikirai! (I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!)"
Before long, Flashback Vincent was still on the ground, more battered and bloodied than when he emerged from the wreckage of The Beast. Standing back up, Flashback David huffed and puffed, but didn't calm down so easily. Looking at the ground, he found a very sharp piece of The Beast; it was the same one Flashback Vincent had tried to use before, and picked it up. Looking at the shard, he knew exactly how to end things for good. Flashback Lisa, knowing what was about to happen, took off running towards the scene of violence.
"Stop it, Dave!" pleaded Flashback Lisa.
Flashback David, still armed with the shard metal, looked at the mortally wounded Flashback Vincent and raised the make-shift weapon in his (Flashback David) right hand.
"(地獄へ行け!) Jigoku e ike! (Go to Hell!)" roared Flashback David in angry Japanese.
Before the killing blow was dealt, Flashback Lisa managed to grab Flashback David's wrist and force him to stop before it was too late.
"Don't do it, it's not worth it," she begged quietly, "Vincent… he's going to die, anyway."
"Let go of me, Lisa-chan!" demanded Flashback David harshly, shaking his grabbed wrist but Flashback Lisa wouldn't let go. That angered him further, "I said let go!"
The two of them started arguing and struggling—with Flashback David trying to get Flashback Lisa to let go of his wrist so he (Flashback David) could finally kill Flashback Vincent and fully complete the revenge he (Flashback David) wanted so badly, and Flashback Lisa was trying to make Flashback David drop the weapon and not commit murder. Later, after Flashback David had tried and failed to make peace, Flashback Vincent was shown laying on the ground, dying.
"In the end, even after losing this duel," confessed Flashback Vincent, as all six members of Team 6D's all listened to his explanation while in a state of shock, "I still won overall because I got my big wish granted; your friend snapped and tried to kill me with his bare hands!" From there, his whole body began to disintegrate into dust. He showed absolutely no fear over it, and only continued to smile like a complete madman, "In the end, you proved you 'are' just like me…! Well done… I guess this means I'll be seeing you later, robo-boy—in the bowels of Hell!"
With that said, Vincent Stevens crumbled away as final psychotic laughter echoed throughout the area and even the dark sky, leaving Team 6D's all alone on the streets of Hartford.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended, and a distressed David then heard Vincent's ghost speaking again.
"That's 'my' blood on your hands, robo-boy," The voice of Vincent mocked, before his ghost was, once again, actually seen gloating beside The Wild Card (on its left), "You can't run from it forever! Everything will catch up to you at some point in your life."
As hard as David tried to reject what Vincent was saying, there was some truth to those words that were just too difficult to ignore.
"Vincent-kun is right about me…" whimpered David, "No matter how much I try to deny it all, I am just like him if not worse," He shut his eyes and let loose his tears, "Why should I go on…? I would just go on hurting others…"
"David…" A gentle female voice called out.
"Huh?" peeped David, opening his eyes.
(elsewhere…)
David suddenly found himself in another dark abyss, but he wasn't alone; the other SIgner Dragons were there, too. It was also Ancient Fairy Dragon who called out to him in order to bring him to that area.
"The servants of the Crimson Dragon!" remembered David.
"You didn't forget about your promise, did you?" asked Red Dragon Archfiend firmly.
"You vowed you would protect your friends," Black-Winged Dragon pointed out.
"Only you can protect Lisa," concluded Ancient Fairy Dragon.
"I have never neglected the vow I took, and have remained steadfast in my efforts to uphold it," insisted David, but then felt fear and trauma once more, "But I… How am I able to continue if I'm as horrible as Vincent-kun?"
"No, David," rebutted Stardust Dragon, "As violent and angry as you got that night, you are, and always will be, a good person."
"Just like what you told Lisa about Azrael's own words, you can't let Vincent's own keep eating away at you," agreed Life Stream Dragon, "If you do, you'll continue to sink."
"The only way forward is to fight," reassured Black Rose Dragon, "You have to defeat Vincent's spirit."
"Defeat…Vincent-kun's…spirit?" murmured David.
"Are you stupid, robo-boy?" The voice of Vincent echoed, as he appeared in the dark area, "They said the only way you'll recover is by getting rid of me!" He smiled nastily, "But I know you'll never succeed. So long as you're scared of me, the 'Level-up King', I'll keep on haunting you."
David watched in terror, wondering what he was going to do.
"Do not be afraid, David!" The voice of Ancient Fairy Dragon encouraged, "We believe in you!"
Hearing her voice caused David to shut his eyes and gather all of his courage together. When that was done, he opened them, frowned, and took two steps forward. Vincent was amused by what he was seeing. Was David really going to step up to the challenge? Just then…
"Why should I challenge you?" began David calmly, "You're no more."
"Eh? What are you talking about?" pondered Vincent, with some growing concern in his tone, "I'm floating in midair, challenging you to a fight!"
"What I did that night to you will stay with me for the rest of my life. I don't deny that, and I fully intend to take accountability for it," admitted David, "But as long as I have friends and loved ones in my life and I don't turn them away, I will slowly learn to move on from my trauma."
"Wh-Wh-What kind of crap a-are you spouting?!" panicked Vincent.
"What I am saying is you no longer have any kind of hold on me, Vincent," berated David fiercely, before pointing upward with his left hand, "You are nothing! You spent your entire life trying to put me down, and I bested you! You are no 'King' of anything! You were undone by your own fragile ego and hubris! Nobody will mourn your passing! And with that, I order you, a Dark Signer, to be gone from my life!"
Realizing that his favorite target was no longer scared, Vincent, becoming frightened himself, could do nothing but scream as he faded away, never to be seen again. When the ghost of Vincent Stevens was fully gone, David collapsed onto his hands and knees, exhausted from showing that much courage in a short amount of time.
"You have done it, David," The voice of Stardust Dragon praised, causing David to look up.
The six Signer Dragons surrounded the aqua blue-haired boy from the sky. One couldn't tell if they were smiling, but their current tone of voices seemed to indicate they were very pleased.
"You faced your fear of Vincent and have defeated him," stated Red Dragon Archfiend.
"The only thing left to do is to face Azrael and defeat him," finished Black Rose Dragon, "We know you can do it."
"(ありがとう,) Arigatō, (Thank you,)" whispered David, "I…never could have done it without your guidance."
"That's why we're here, to help guide you and your friends," advised Life Stream Dragon, "Now, you know what you have to do, right?"
"You still have a mission to complete," finished Ancient Fairy Dragon, "David, you're the only one who can save Lisa."
David nodded and closed his eyes.
(elsewhere…)
Upon opening his eyes again, David was back in the dimension and Turbo Duel.
"I know what I must do!" announced David, as he motioned his right arm about and crossed it to his chest, "I will protect my friends from the Dark Signers!"
It was then the birthmark of the Dragon's Heart on the forearm began glowing more intensely thanks to his conversation with the Signer Dragons.
(elsewhere…)
Across the state of New York, Matt, Michael, Carlie, and James R. all watched as their respective birthmarks (Matt: Dragon's Head, Michael: Dragon's Wings, Carlie: Dragon's Foot, James R.: Dragon's Tail) glowed and faded away.
"The mark," gasped Carlie.
"The battle is getting intense," came from James R..
"Someone needs my help," figured Michael.
"Dave… Lisa…" uttered Matt.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the unknown dimension, Lisa watched her own birthmark of the Dragon's Hand fade away from her right forearm.
"What's going on?" wondered Lisa.
Meanwhile, the full Seal of the Crimson Dragon materialized on David's back. On top of the Incan pyramid, Azrael, although he couldn't see the mark, watched with a look of surprise on his face.
"You've been granted the power of the Crimson Dragon!" he spluttered, but quickly recovered and continued the Battle Phase, "But you still can't stop me! 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu', attack Lisa Drake directly!"
'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' obeyed, throwing a punch in the direction of Akatsuki inside the geoglyph. A frightened Lisa watched the approaching fist and shut her eyes, waiting for the end to come and send her to everyone who died.
"I will protect Lisa with my life!" interrupted David, taking the two remaining cards from his hand and discarding them, "I discard up to two cards to activate my Trap, 'Pure Synchro Heart'!" His Set card flipped face-up on the field in-front of The Wild Card and revealed itself, "This is the power given to me by the Crimson Dragon with which I will give to my friend!"
"What the hell is that card supposed to be?" demanded Azrael.
"'Pure Synchro Heart' is the symbol of my bond with Lisa-chan!" replied David, "I must banish 2 monsters (1 Tuner and 1 non-Tuner) from my GY; I must Special Summon 1 'Power Tool' Synchro Monster or 1 Dragon Synchro Monster from my Extra Deck whose Level equals the total Levels of those banished monsters. (This is treated as a Synchro Summon). If I discarded 2 cards to activate this card, until the end of the next turn, I must treat both GYs as 1 GY!"
"What?! Both of your GYs are treated as one and the same?!" exclaimed Azrael.
"You're giving Life Stream Dragon to me?!" added Lisa.
She then covered her eyes slightly when the sky suddenly lit up, revealing the Crimson Dragon, something Azrael had not expected to see in 'his' world. Back below, David held up two cards ('Power Tool Dragon' and 'Morphtronic Telefon') taken from his GY.
"From my GY, Level 1 'Morphtronic Telefon' tunes Level 7 'Power Tool Dragon'!" thundered David.
Reappearing on the field was 'Power Tool Dragon' and the telephone-designed 'Morphtronic' monster as both were absorbed by the Crimson Dragon and the symbols 7 + 1 = 8 were shown as a Summon Chant was heard from David throughout.
"The courage and power to protect the future of the planet is a revolution!" chanted David, before his eyes started glowing all white, "Synchro Summon! Evolve, 'Life Stream Dragon'!"
The Crimson Dragon breathed out a large fireball, which dissolved back into 'Power Tool Dragon'. All of a sudden, its body armor started breaking away, giving the dragon a more flesh and blood-like appearance—although it retained the chisel-like weapon that 'Power Tool Dragon' had on its left arm. Now flying through the sky, 'Life Stream Dragon' stretched its arms out and let loose a roar to signal its arrival (Level: 8/ATK: 2900/DEF: 2400). Lisa watched in amazement as 'Life Stream Dragon' was now fighting on her behalf, wondering what David was thinking by giving her control of his own ace monster. She decided to worry about it later and first focus on regaining her lost strength.
"The first effect of 'Life Stream Dragon' activates!" exclaimed Lisa, "When this card is Synchro Summoned: I can make your LP become 4000!" She started glowing all gold while feeling her injuries being healed, "Damage Shutter!"
With that, she regained all of the LP she lost throughout the duel (LP: 100 → 4000), much to Azrael's growing fury.
"There's also the second effect of 'Life Stream'!" put in David, "You take no effect damage!"
Back atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael was both shocked and furious that his one chance to get complete revenge on Lisa has been ruined by David Xadashi's intervention.
"Stop it! This is pathetic!" howled Azrael, slamming his hands on the platform, "That was just a small breather on your part! It's got to be a sense of false hope!"
Down below…
"Don't you understand? You tried to make me succumb to despair," argued David, "But thanks to the Signer Dragons showing me the way, I snatched hope from despair! There's hope beyond despair!" Focus went towards his back, and the glowing birthmark there, "And hope is what will lead to your downfall!"
Back atop the Incan pyramid…
"Screw your hope!" screamed Azrael, only growing angrier by the second, "Everyone in this world knows that fear and despair reign supreme, and I'll prove it by defeating you Signers inside this realm!"
"You're wrong!" dismissed David, as Azrael and Lisa listened to him, "Despite despair being nearly everywhere around us, there will still always be hope hidden somewhere. You just got to know where to find it. I've made a solemn promise to keep Lisa safe, and that's what I'll do," He then made a challenge, "Azrael, if you truly believe that fear and despair are the only constants in the universe, why don't you put it to the test and attack me?"
Azrael seethed in silence. Back below, Lisa was shocked that David was continuing to provoke Azrael, which was a very bad idea in her eyes.
"David, what the hell are you thinking?!" accused Lisa, "Azrael's already mad as it is! Don't piss him off further!"
Alas…
"You don't seem to have much to show, for one of such big talk," teased David, "Unleash your hell and despair upon me if you dare!"
In the sky, the enlarged, faded image of Azrael lost all of his remaining patience; so David wanted an attack to come his way? Then an attack shall indeed come. With only 2300 LP left, the result of a direct blow from an 'Earthbound Immortal' monster with 2800 ATK would be David's defeat.
"You want me to attack you?! Fine, I will!" snarled Azrael, completely full of hatred and rage. As he gave the order to attack, 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' stood tall and felt power in its body from its user's anger before throwing a punch, "'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu', attack David Xadashi directly!" On top of the Incan pyramid, pure madness was seen in his eyes, "DIE, YOU DAMN SIGNER!"
In almost a splitting image of what happened the night the war began, the gigantic fist came right towards The Wild Card and David. Unlike with Discord, however, David showed absolutely no fear of the incoming direct attack; he instead realized he kept his promise to protect Lisa and smiled with resignation as the huge fist finally collided and caused a massive explosion that could be seen a good distance from outside the geoglyph. As The Wild Card was destroyed, David was thrown across the road before enduring a very rough landing. Stopping Akatsuki to watch the scene, Lisa felt helpless to do anything.
"DAVID!" shrieked Lisa.
Nearby, a fatally wounded David laid on the ground with the scrap remains of his Duel Runner around him as his LP gauge emptied completely (LP: 2300 → 0).
David Xadashi has been eliminated!
Over with Matt, James R., Ashima, Zack, Ms. Simmons, and Mr. Kisaka somewhere in New York, the former two had regained their birthmarks, but felt a sense of dread from it.
"What on Earth is this feeling?" Matt asked himself.
"Matty, what's the matter?" worried Ashima.
There was no response from Matt, while, on Skygrasper, James R. had the same feeling about what was going on.
(elsewhere…)
Back in northern New York, Michael had regained his own birthmark.
"Did someone lose to a Dark Signer?" frowned Michael, before looking up and concentrating on the road ahead, "I guess I'll find that out soon."
(elsewhere…)
Near the city of Syracuse, but still a few miles away, Bloody Kiss and the police escort drove down the highway. It was then Carlie gasped and looked down at her right forearm, seeing it glowing once more—but with a sense of dread, similar to what Matt, James R., and Michael were likely feeling, too.
"It can't be…" thought Carlie, "Did Dave or Lisa lose to Azrael?"
The brown-haired young woman didn't have time to ponder that, for she, Paul, and Maria needed to reach Syracuse and find Misty soon.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the unknown dark world, the severely injured David laid on the ground as Lisa ran up to him, got down, and cradled his broken body in her arms.
"Dave, you idiot! You friggin' idiot!" cried Lisa desperately, "Why did you do it? Why did you go and do something so unbelievably stupid just to save me!?" She shook David hard, "WHY?!"
David opened his eyes and looked up into Lisa's while smiling weakly.
"Hey… Everyone knows that people tend to do irrational stunts when they are in-love," he commented jokingly, before closing his eyes in a relaxed state, "Even so, I don't regret doing what I did because you're too important…to me…"
Lisa's eyes watered and some sobs escaped from her mouth, especially as David opened his eyes, caressed her cheek with his hand, and delivered his final words to her.
"Lisa-chan, please do me a favor," requested David softly, as his body began to turn to stone, "Fight Azrael to the finish, and punish him for all of his crimes… I know you can…"
Before he could finish making his request, his eyes closed and he fully turned to stone.
"Dave? David?! Don't leave me, please!" begged Lisa, trying to get a single response from David. She didn't get one, and his body soon crumbled away to dust and blew around from the wind, leaving her all alone, "Goddammit…" Devastated more than ever before, she started to cry and scream loudly while punching the ground futilely, "Goddamn you! Goddamn you all! Goddamn it all to hell!"
With one more punch, Lisa broke down sobbing uncontrollably as her tears fell and gently touched the ground. Still stationed on top of the Incan pyramid, the remorseless Azrael watched his enemy grieve over her friend's defeat and death. All that was left was to defeat her, and his revenge would be complete.
"Aww, isn't that just so sweet," cackled Azrael, "The knight in shining armor takes the bullet for his princess."
Down below, Lisa took a sharp, yet shuddering, breath at Azrael's words. Sure enough, the enlarged image of Azrael in the sky pressed on with his speech.
"First your best friends, then members of your family, and now the love of your life," he smiled mockingly, "Poetic really. You took away my world, so I take away yours. But don't feel so sad, you'll be joining them soon. I'm not cold enough to let you live alone with that heartache."
(elsewhere…)
Back in the core of the control tower, focus went to the three pods with David, Lisa, and Azrael each inside.
"The pods we're inside are wired to explode once your LP are reduced to 0 and the duel is completely over," narrated Azrael, "This will ensure your deaths for real, while I get to leave unharmed!"
(elsewhere…)
Back in the unknown dimension…
"With how things are going, you might as well believe the boy is truly deceased," warned Azrael, standing on top of the Incan pyramid, "Without any help, you can't beat me no matter how hard you try."
With her head bowed and a shadow over her eyes as she continued to shed tears, Lisa slowly turned into the direction of Azrael to face him, with his sneering grin boring into her eyes despite them not being seen. That man had taken nearly everything from her, and every smug word that came out of his mouth only made her angrier and angrier.
"I'll kill you," whispered Lisa, before balling her hands into tight fists, "Do you hear me?"
Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael didn't respond back to the threat. Back below, seeing as there wasn't a response, Lisa Drake raised her head and showed absolute rage in her tear-filled eyes as she, to make herself quite clear, added something truly venomous into her already vulgar speech pattern, and I quote…
"I am going to fucking kill you!"