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: The Links that Bind Us
Opening up in the unknown dark world, Azrael, still standing at the top of the Incan pyramid, had overheard Lisa's declaration of killing him. He started to laugh at the threat, aware that she had no way to beat him despite holding several temporary advantages.
"You don't seem to realize it," he called out, as, down below, Lisa listened to him, "You can't beat me no matter how hard you try!"
"Don't count on it!" retorted Lisa.
"Huh?" frowned Azrael.
"Dave's sacrifice has left me with his 'Life Stream Dragon'…" Lisa explained, as focus briefly went towards 'Life Stream Dragon' flying above her. It then went towards the GY aboard Akatsuki, "And all the cards from his GY—everything I need to beat you."
Back atop the Incan pyramid…
"You're crazy!" berated Azrael, unconcerned, "The effect of 'Pure Synchro Heart' will only allow you to share David's GY until the end of your upcoming turn, meaning that unless you are somehow able to miraculously defeat me on precisely this turn, the fool's sacrifice will be in vain—which it already is, because it will be totally impossible for you to defeat me at all!" Then, to close off his turn, he held up two cards taken from his hand and he placed them down, which caused two Set cards to appear on the field before fading away for later use, "I Set two cards and end my turn! Now, Lisa, it's your final turn! Try beating me with everything and anything left for you!"
Back below, Lisa nodded carefully, then walked back to Akatsuki and climbed aboard. After what seemed like forever, she looked upward and spoke up.
"That's the only thing I'll ever agree with you on," admitted Lisa, "No matter what you throw at me, this will, indeed, be the 'final' turn!"
Revving the Duel Runner, Lisa took off and the duel resumed itself from there. Lisa (LP: 4000) and Azrael (LP: 3400) were determined to take the other person out no matter what. The following were on their respective fields…
-Lisa: Controlled 'Naturia Horneedle' (Level: 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 100), 'Naturia Camellia' (Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 700), 'Life Stream Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 2900/DEF: 2400), and a Set card.
-Azrael: Controlled 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' (Level: 10/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400), 'Thought Ruler Archfiend' (Level: 8/ATK: 3700/DEF: 2300), 'Earthbound Geoglyph' (Spell Card), and two Set cards.
"Okay, here's what I have to work with with the cards Dave left for me," thought Lisa, "He put his faith in me," She looked at her Deck, "And I can't let him down, not now."
Back atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael smiled and folded his arms, waiting for Lisa to draw a card and make a pointless move. Back within the geoglyph walls…
"If there is another card waiting for me, I need to draw it," Lisa told herself, mentally, still staring at the top of her Deck, "Otherwise, this will be the end of the road for me, and I'll have failed everyone whom I care for—no, I can't think that way! No matter what, I need to make Azrael pay for taking Dave away from all of us," At last, she spoke up, "Here I go, you bastard! This will be my final draw!"
"Indeed, it will be," agreed Azrael, "Please make it a good one, otherwise I will finish you off very painfully on my turn."
"That won't be necessary," cut in Lisa, "I will draw that one final card I need to beat your face in," To prove it, she finally drew her card with a Destiny Draw, "DRAAAAAAW!" Despite her bravado, she felt terrified of getting the wrong card, "Please let this be the card I need! Please!"
Turn Eight: Lisa Drake (LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (4): "Naturia Bamboo Shoot", "Naturia Jasmine", "Ancient Forest", and "Ancient Devotion"(!)
Upon turning it over, the drawn card was a Spell Card called 'Ancient Devotion'. The sight of which caused her to gasp and do some more thinking.
"C-Can this…be the card I need?" thought Lisa, reading all about it, "'Ancient Devotion' is an Equip Spell that can only be equipped to 'Ancient Fairy Dragon'…"
Her thoughts were immediately cut off by Azrael laughing in a deranged way.
"What's so funny?" demanded Lisa.
Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael stopped his laughter enough to speak up and reveal the reason why.
"Because by beginning your turn, you're about to become fully trapped with no way out!" thundered Azrael, before holding his right hand out, "Observe! The Trap Card, 'Dark Psycho Probe'(!)!" One of the two Set cards reappeared on the field, flipped face-up, and revealed itself, "If I control a DARK Psychic Synchro Monster: I must declare 1 card name; if that card is in my opponent's hand, they must discard all copies of it, otherwise I must discard 1 random card," He smiled smugly, "I already know a specific card you have in your hand, and it's the Field Spell, 'Ancient Forest'! So you need to send it to your GY."
Back below, Lisa gritted her teeth and did as she was told; she took a card ('Ancient Forest') from her hand and sent it to the GY.
"Is that all your card can do? Because if it is, I'm not worried about it in the slightest," insisted Lisa.
"Then allow me to show you the lingering effect of 'Dark Psycho Probe'!" offered Azrael.
"What?! It has a lingering effect?"
Back atop the Incan pyramid, the face-up 'Dark Psycho Probe' Trap Card started glowing a dark purple as it demonstrated its new power by energizing '' and 'Thought Ruler Archfiend'.
"If my opponent discards a card(s) by this effect, until the end of this turn, monsters my opponent controls cannot attack directly, also the first time each face-up DARK monster I control would be destroyed by battle, it is not destroyed," revealed Azrael, "That means even if you do find a way to overpower my 'Thought Ruler Archfiend' or find a way to attack my 'Earthbound Immortal', either monster will still survive in spite of me losing LP," He then reached over to the other Spell & Trap Zone and flipped the remaining card ('Ultimate Earthbound Immortal') over, "Next, I'll activate this Set card!" The remaining face-down card flipped face-up on the field and revealed itself, "The Continuous Trap, 'Ultimate Earthbound Immortal'!"
"Not that!" growled Lisa.
"If a Normal Summoned/Set 'Earthbound Immortal' monster is on the field: I can target 1 face-up monster on the field; I must destroy it!" cackled Azrael, "With this defensive combo all prepared, there's absolutely no way you can defeat me this turn—or ever! David's foolish sacrifice was all for nothing!"
"So you think…" responded Lisa ominously.
Azrael stopped, "What?"
"Despite your efforts to roadblock me, I already have everything I need here," continued Lisa, then holding up a card ('Morphtronic Impact Return') taken from her GY, "I activate the second effect of Dave's 'Morphtronic Impact Return'!" The card faded away into oblivion from in-between her fingers, "I can banish this card from my GY, then target 1 of my 'Morphtronic' monsters that is banished or in my GY; I must Special Summon it in Defense Position!" From there, reappearing on the field was the humanoid, robotic clock monster (Level: 2/ATK: 600/DEF: 1100), "I Special Summon 'Morphtronic Clocken'!"
With everything set, 'Naturia Horneedle' and 'Morphtronic Clocken' flew/floated into the sky.
"My Level 4 'Naturia Camellia' tunes…" The voice of Lisa announced, as the above scenario partially played out while 'Naturia Camellia' glowed green, "…Level 4 'Naturia Horneedle' and Level 2 'Morphtronic Clocken'!"
'Naturia Camellia' turned into four Synchro Rings, which 'Naturia Horneedle' and 'Morphtronic Clocken' soared into before turning into orbs of light (four for 'Naturia Horneedle' and two for 'Morphtronic Clocken') as a Summon Chant was heard.
"Transform into the latest form of the strongest forest king, and unleash the fierce roar on the oppressors!" chanted Lisa, as the symbols 4 + 2 + 4 = 10 were shown briefly just before the six orbs of light within the four Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon!" From there, a huge paw emerged first, followed by the other paw, and finally the armored body of what appeared to look like a huge lion monster "Come forth, 'Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree'!"
Once again, 'Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree' appeared to resemble 'Naturia Leodrake' in a few details, but he instead wore white majestic armor, was even bigger, and was even stronger (Level: 10/ATK: 3100/DEF: 1900). Back on top of the Incan pyramid, Azrael chuckled to himself.
"How useless," remarked Azrael, "I activate the third effect of my Field Spell, 'Earthbound Geoglyph'!" He drew a card and looked at it, "If a Synchro Monster(s) is Special Summoned (except during the Damage Step): I can…" The card was a Spell Card called 'Earthbound Immortal Revival', "…add 1 'Earthbound Immortal' Spell/Trap from my Deck to my hand!"
Back below…
"My turn's far from being finished, you know!" retorted Lisa, "I activate the second effect of 'Naturia Durian'!" A card ('Naturia Durian') ejected from her GY before fading away, then focus went towards the face-up 'Ultimate Earthbound Immortal' Trap Card in the sky as it shattered into shards of glass, then a card ejected from her Deck, "During my Main Phase, if I control no 'Naturia' monsters: I can banish this card from my GY, then target 1 Spell/Trap my opponent controls; I must destroy it, and if I do, add 1 Spell from my GY to my hand!"
"My 'Ultimate Earthbound Immortal'!" cried Azrael, before scowling, "Damn your good luck, Lisa Drake!" A sneering, mad smile reappeared, "But your new monster's 3100 ATK still isn't enough to defeat my 'Thought Ruler Archfiend' and its 3700 ATK!"
Back below…
"You're wrong as ever, Azrael," scoffed Lisa.
"Wrong?!" hissed Azrael.
"This is the Spell Card I added into my hand, and I'm gonna activate it immediately," As Lisa spoke on, she held up her added card, then turned it ('Dragon's Tranquil Barrage') over, "'Dragon's Tranquil Barrage'!" With the swing of her right arm, she slotted the card into her Duel Runner, "I equip this card to 'Life Stream'!"
'Life Stream Dragon' was immediately energized with great power.
"I must equip only to a Level 8 or higher Dragon Synchro Monster," explained Lisa, before going over the first effect, "The equipped monster can attack all monsters my opponent controls, once each, during each Battle Phase, but it must attack the monster with the highest ATK first," When she saw the faded image of Azrael in the sky fume in silence, she pressed on, "I know what you're thinking; these attacks won't actually defeat you nor your monsters," A cheeky smirk appeared on her face, "But there's still one more monster I need to ensure their destruction and your defeat."
"One more monster?" repeated Azrael, "Like what?"
"Allow me to show you," suggested Lisa, as she pressed a button on her Duel Runner. When she did that, she held her right hand upward, "I activate a Trap, 'Vision Synchro'!" Her final Set card reappeared on the field in-front of Akatsuki before flipping face-up and revealing itself, "Immediately after this effect resolves, I must Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster using monsters in my hand as material, but return it to the Extra Deck at the end of this turn," Reaching into what remained of her hand—containing 'Naturia Bamboo Shoot', 'Naturia Jasmine', and 'Ancient Devotion'—she held up two cards taken ('Naturia Bamboo Shoot' and 'Naturia Jasmine'), "These two will do nicely… Level 5 'Naturia Bamboo Shoot' and Level 2 'Naturia Jasmine'!"
Appearing on the field were a set of bamboo seeds with cartoon eyes and limbs and a vine of white jasmine flower petals with cartoon eyes. Both monsters floated upward as 'Naturia Jasmine' turned into two Synchro Rings, which hovered over, lowered, and overwhelmed 'Naturia Bamboo Shoot' while turning it into five orbs of light as a Summon Chant was heard throughout.
"The holy light of protection, shine now and become eternal life!" chanted Lisa, as the symbols 5 + 2 = 7 were shown briefly before the five orbs of light within the two Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! A regal birth, 'Ancient Fairy Dragon'!"
Appearing from the beam of light and flying through the sky, was the blue serpent-like dragon with the aqua-colored mane and fairy-like wings and armor on the torso (Level: 7/ATK: 2100/DEF: 3000).
"I activate 'Naturia Jasmine's' second effect!" exclaimed Lisa, "If this card is sent to the GY for the Synchro Summon of a Beast, Dragon, or Rock monster: I can target 1 monster my opponent controls; I must negate the effects of that monster until the end of the turn!" Focus went towards 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' in the sky, "I target your 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu', Azrael!"
'Ancient Fairy Dragon's' eyes started glowing gold as it flew into the sky and let loose a beam of energy from the mouth, striking 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' and making it screech in agony. Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael yelled in pain as though he was the one who got struck. Back below, reappearing on the field were two mechanical earphone monsters. One resembled a boy, and the other resembled a girl—but they were still one and the same monster.
"Next, I'll activate the third effect of 'Morphtronic Earfon'!" The voice of Lisa went on, as the above scenario played out. As the rest of the explanation proceeded, 'Morphtronic Earfon' shrunk itself, floated over to, and equipped to 'Ancient Fairy Dragon', "I can target 1 Synchro Monster on the field; I must equip this card from my field or GY to it."
Back above…
"Tch… Now that your dragon is equipped… 'Earfon's' first effect will let it make…two attacks during the Battle Phase…" winced Azrael, still in agony.
Back below…
"You're right, 'Ancient Fairy' now can attack twice," agreed Lisa, before holding up another card, "However, I still have one more card to play, and it will be the key to your defeat."
"Wh-What is it?" stammered Azrael, growing nervous.
"Allow me to show you," said Lisa softly, before slotting her card ('Ancient Devotion') into her Duel Runner, "I activate the Equip Spell, 'Ancient Devotion'!" The mentioned Spell Card appeared face-up on the field in-front of Akatsuki, "I equip this card to 'Ancient Fairy Dragon'!"
"That card…!" gulped Azrael.
In the sky, 'Life Stream Dragon' flew towards 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' and growled softly, with 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' returning the gesture before focus went towards 'Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree' down below as it gave itself up.
"Well, how do you like that?" teased Lisa, "'Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree' is giving up its power to help 'Life Stream' and 'Ancient Fairy'!"
"Explain yourself!" roared Azrael, "What the hell is going on?! What is 'Ancient Devotion'?!"
"I must equip only to 'Ancient Fairy Dragon'," began Lisa, as, while 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' in the sky began absorbing the remains of 'Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree', she started going over the first effect, "Once per turn: I can Tribute 1 monster I control; until the end of the next turn, the equipped monster gains ATK equal to the Tributed monster's Level x 200!"
Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael's eyes twitched as he took a step back out of shock over what he was now facing.
"WH-WHAT?!" screeched Azrael.
In the sky, 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' finished absorbing the remains of 'Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree' and grew stronger than ever before (ATK: 2100 → 4100). Back below…
"Battle!" announced Lisa, entering the Battle Phase, "Go forth, 'Life Stream Dragon'!" As she gave the order for it to attack, 'Life Stream Dragon' roared and flew towards 'Thought Ruler Archfiend' as the face-up 'Dragon's Tranquil Barrage' Spell Card activated, "Attack 'Thought Ruler Archfiend'! As of now, the second effect of 'Dragon's Tranquil Barrage' activates! When it battles an opponent's monster, it gains ATK equal to half of its current ATK during damage calculation only!"
In an act of defiance, 'Thought Ruler Archfiend' opened its mouth and fired off a dark breath attack, but 'Life Stream Dragon', growing stronger, easily dodged it (ATK: 2900 → 4350). After dodging enough attacks, 'Life Stream Dragon' opened its own mouth. Down below, Lisa finally announced the attack name…
"Life's Beauty Howl!" called Lisa.
The golden breath attack was fired off towards a weaker 'Thought Ruler Archfiend'.
"Due to the lingering effect of 'Dark Psycho Probe', the destruction of my DARK monster through battle is negated only once!" panicked Azrael.
Life's Beauty Howl struck 'Thought Ruler Archfiend', greatly injuring it.
"But you'll still take the damage!" countered Lisa.
From his spot on top of the Incan pyramid, Azrael howled in agony as he lost LP from the attack (LP: 3400 → 2750).
(elsewhere…)
Outside the hideout of the Dark Signers, Matt and the others all finally arrived after what seemed like a long drive.
"We're here! Let's go find them!" offered James R..
"Hold up there, Sherlock Holmes," interrupted Zack, before pointing at the sealed up entrance, "That door is locked in case you were thinking of rushing in."
"Think you can hack it open?" offered Matt.
"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" snorted Zack, bringing out his laptop and some cables, "Just leave it to me."
Once the cables were connected, Zack immediately went to work hacking the system.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the unknown dark world, 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' faced off against the weaker, already damaged 'Thought Ruler Archfiend'.
"It's your turn, 'Ancient Fairy'!" The voice of Lisa echoed, just as 'Ancient Fairy Dragon's' eyes glowed and it unleashed another golden breath attack, "Take down 'Thought Ruler Archfiend'!"
'Thought Ruler Archfiend' was struck by the attack, roared in further agony, then exploded from destruction since the effect of the 'Dark Psycho Probe' Trap Card only worked once. Azrael once again screamed from the damage to his body and the loss of LP (LP: 2750 → 2350). All that was left was 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu', and Azrael, still reeling from the attacks, could do nothing but look on in sheer terror. Down below, Lisa was going to enjoy making the man she hated the most for everything he'd done to her.
"These final attacks are for everyone who died fighting you Dark Signers. Sherry, Shinji, Discord…!" vowed Lisa, before, in the sky, 'Life Stream Dragon' charged another attack, "'Life Stream Dragon'! Life's Beauty Howl!"
The attack was unleashed, striking 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' and significantly damaging it. Azrael, meanwhile, once again felt the exact same pain his own monster felt and screamed in response to it while also losing more LP (LP: 2350 → 800). The only monster left to attack was 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' due to the first effect of 'Morphtronic Earfon'.
"Feel the pain of everyone you've needlessly hurt! Sean, Janice, and David!" yelled Lisa, "'Ancient Fairy Dragon', attack 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu'!" As 'Ancient Fairy Dragon's' eyes glowed again, it took off for the highest part of the sky as the attack name was announced, "Eternal Sunshine!"
Once in position, 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' opened the wings and allowed its whole body to glow a rainbow-like color before unleashing the brightest glowing sensation yet. Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael was wincing hard, but it was nothing compared to 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu', who was screeching from the light before beginning to burn away. In an effort to avoid death or make sure someone died with it, 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' furiously reached into the sky to grab 'Ancient Fairy Dragon' in an effort to pull the Signer Dragon with it to Hell, too. However, 'Life Stream Dragon' flew in at great speed and headbutted the God in its chest, causing 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu' to fall over and explode from destruction. Atop the Incan pyramid, Azrael was stunned and unable to say anything.
"You mentioned earlier that 'Ancient Fairy' was the weakest of the Signer Dragons," The voice of Lisa pointed out, "But, in the end, she's the one who finished you and the evil 'Earthbound Immortal' off!"
Finally, unable to process that he lost the duel yet being aware it happened, Azrael screamed as not only the last of his LP emptied completely, but his whole body and even the pyramid burned away from the light (LP: 800 → 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Lisa Drake and David Xadashi win!
The geoglyph of the Monkey died down until Lisa was left all alone in the spot where David had died from the duel loss.
"I did it," whispered Lisa, taking off her helmet and climbing off Akatsuki, "I defeated Muruta Azrael… I… I couldn't have done it without Dave's help," Upon speaking about her deceased boyfriend, her eyes watered, and she collapsed on her knees to cry some more, "Wh-Wh-Why did he have to do it? 'Why'?!"
As poor Lisa started to grieve from David's death once again, it was interrupted by the sky beginning to brighten up. Looking upward, Lisa saw that Ancient Fairy Dragon was watching over her.
"Lisa, do not grieve for David," soothed Ancient Fairy Dragon, "Just wake up from your slumber…"
"My…slumber?" uttered Lisa, before suddenly feeling tired, "Wh-What? What's…?"
She collapsed on the ground in a deep sleep.
(elsewhere…)
Inside the core of the whole control tower, Lisa was still inside the pod Azrael mentioned putting her in before the duel started. With the duel finally over, she slowly found herself stirring and beginning to wake up. Once her eyes were opened, Lisa gathered her bearings and forced the pod open.
"Dave? David?!" yelled Lisa, before remembering where he was, "He's in one of the pods!"
Sure enough, she found the pod with David inside. Pressing a few buttons, she was able to open it up and pull David out of it.
"Dave, Dave wake up!" begged Lisa, "It's over! The duel's over!" She kept shaking David in hopes of getting a response, "Please wake up!"
To her relief, David's eyes started to open as he regained consciousness.
"Azrael…? The 'Earthbound Immortal'…?" peeped David, slowly coming to his senses, before seeing Lisa's face, "L-Lisa-chan?"
Lisa's eyes filled with tears again; but this time, they were tears of relief.
"Dave!" shrieked Lisa, hugging David tightly, "David, you dumbass! How could you worry me so badly?! Never scare me like that again!"
"Lisa-chan… I'm sorry," apologized David, "I only did what I thought would help us win," He was then carefully let go by Lisa, who dried her eyes, "I wanted to protect you from being targeted and killed by 'Earthbound Immortal Cusillu'."
"You did that and more," reassured Lisa, "Listen, I'm sorry I yelled at you. But it's over now, we've defeated Azrael together."
Speaking of Azrael, she and David overheard a third pod opening up. Azrael, still wearing his business suit, was seen stepping out of it with a throbbing head.
"How could I… Even with an 'Earthbound Immortal' on my side, I…" mumbled Azrael, looking at the palms of both hands in complete and utter defeat, "How could I—it—lose to a pair of teenagers?!"
Lisa and David watched for a few seconds before the former narrowed her eyes.
"You're all washed up, you know that?" said Lisa coldly, causing Azrael to look over as she let loose so much more, "You went down a dark, murderous, unforgiving path just because Discord's Father had fired your own Father? That's just ridiculous; I bet it sucks your old man was fired, but that's also part of life."
Enraged and full of nothing but hate for the Signers (but mainly Lisa), Azrael turned and ran towards the nearby console and began typing away on it.
"Hey! What'd you think you're doing?!" demanded Lisa.
Azrael then turned and glared at the two youngest Signers with a deranged look on his face.
"If I can't defeat you Signers in a duel, then I'll just kill you another way!" The blonde-haired man proclaimed, his right eye practically twitching from the loss of sanity, "I've triggered the self-destruction mechanism! In two minutes the whole building will explode, and you'll be buried alive!"
"Bastard!" shouted Lisa, "You'd risk killing yourself just to get rid of us?!"
"Oh, 'I'm' not the one who's going to die," sneered Azrael, as he tapped a single button on the control panel without looking away from the two Signers, "Rather, I'm gonna make sure you two are the only ones who end up in Hell!"
Nearby, an elevator rose up from the ground, and Azrael ran into it in order to make his escape.
"Farewell, Lisa Drake of Orb!" said Azrael darkly, saluting mockingly, "We will not meet again!"
"Stop him!" exclaimed David, running towards the escaping Dark Signer.
Unfortunately, the elevator doors closed before he could reach it; the last thing seen as the doors shut themselves tightly was Azrael smiling evilly. Without wasting any more time, David turned and raced towards the console and started typing away in an attempt to deactivate the self-destruction sequence, while Lisa looked up at the big monitor and noticed it was displaying the timer—which was at '1:29' and counting down.
"Damn that Azrael!" cursed Lisa, before looking at Dave, "Dave, any luck on your end?"
David continued typing, but was having no luck at all. Despite being very skilled in computers and other mechanicals, this was something even he couldn't do.
"No, Lisa-chan," replied David.
In a last ditch effort to find a way out, he pulled out a retractable cord from his left gauntlet and plugged it into the console in an attempt to override the system. But the second he did, an electrical surge rushed from the console and into his gauntlet, causing it to suddenly spark and explode. David quickly tore off the flame-engulfed device and threw it to the ground. Rubbing his slightly burnt arm in frustration, David turned back to Lisa with a grave look.
"It's no use, Azrael's locked the system up completely," David stated gravely, "I can't open the doors, summon the elevator, or do anything to stop the self-destruct sequence. I see no way out…"
"Then…that's it?" whispered Lisa, stunned beyond belief, "This… this is really the end?"
David wished he had a proper answer to share.
(outside…)
Back outside, Zack had soon reached something in his hacking.
"What the-?" gasped Zack, before realizing what it was, "Oh no…"
"What's wrong?" pressed Michael, walking up, "Did something stop you from getting any further?"
"No, I just found a timer," Zack corrected, as the laptop monitor displayed the same timer as the one inside the hideout, "It looks like the whole place is rigged to explode in about a minute or so."
"WHAT?!" Matt and the rest of the group shouted at the same time.
Uh-oh…
"If that's the case, I say we run for it!" requested James R., turning around, "Come on! On the double!" When he started to flee, he was stopped by both Ms. Simmons and Mr. Kisaka, "Wh-Why are you stopping me?"
"We're not going anywhere until we know that David and Lisa are safe," replied Mr. Kisaka firmly.
James R. was afraid of that.
"Come on, you two," Matt muttered under his breath, "Hurry and get out of there."
(inside…)
Back inside the Dark Signer's headquarters, Lisa was frantically banging on the elevator doors despite it being futile.
"Azrael!'" she yelled, "Get us out of here right now, you scumbag!"
"Lisa-chan, stop it. It's no use," insisted David despairingly.
"Goddammit!" Lisa fired back angrily, "I won't let that friggin' bastard get away with this!" She then began to wildly punch and kick at the doors, "Azrael! AZRAEL!"
David stood back as he watched Lisa continue to scream, curse, and furiously pummel the elevator doors to no avail, only for a small explosion from the shaft to knock her backwards onto the floor with a shriek. David quickly rushed to her side, only for several other small explosions to ring throughout the area around them, with chunks of the ceiling also beginning to cave in. The two teenagers embraced fearfully as more debris began to surround them.
"Dave, wh-wh-what are we gonna do?" worried Lisa, with her eyes beginning to water again, "We're trapped with no way out… Are we really…going to die?"
All David could do was wrap his arms around his pink-haired girlfriend and hold her tight while trying to remain calm despite his own panicked state.
"Lisa-chan… I honestly can't see a way out of this…" David said sadly, "I'm so sorry that I failed you…"
"No! You're not the failure here!" sobbed Lisa, "'I'm' the reason we're in this mess in the first place! If I just stopped to think for one damn second, we'd be… we'd…"
She trailed off, unable to finish what she was about to say as she hugged David tighter, crying into his shoulder. David also embraced Lisa tighter, tears streaming down his own face as he saw the countdown was now at '0:35'. Pulling herself up, Lisa wiped the tears from eyes and locked eyes with David.
"Well, if this is it…" began Lisa, wrapping her arms around David's head, "Then at least we're together."
"Till death do us apart," David added.
Despite the dire situation, Lisa couldn't help but chuckle slightly at David's choice of words.
"A bit early for that, don't you think?" she joked with a weak smile.
"There truly is no time like the present," David responded with a smile of his own.
As several more small charges went off, causing even more parts of the roof to cave in, David and Lisa simply paid no attention to any of it.
0:20
"Dave… can I have a kiss?" Lisa asked lovingly.
"You needn't ask," David smiled in response, as the two leaned in and gently locked lips.
0:10
They then broke away and brought each other back into a silent hug. This time with content smiles as they awaited to face the end together. What neither of them noticed, however, was during their long, emotional, and tender embrace, their Signer birthmarks were beginning to glow.
(outside…)
Outside, Matt, Michael, and James R. all noticed their own birthmarks beginning to glow and react.
"The Crimson Dragon!" realized James R., "Why's it contacting us? What's going on?"
"I don't know, but whatever the reason, it must mean David and Lisa are in terrible trouble," figured Matt.
Everyone else gasped.
(inside…)
Back inside the building's control center, Lisa and David continued to hug each other as they remained unaware of their glowing birthmarks, while the timer ticked from '3', to '2', to '1'…
"I love you," David and Lisa both whispered at the same time.
The time limit finally hit '0', and the console immediately erupted in a blaze of fire, triggering several more explosions from all areas, overwhelming both the youngest Signers as they were consumed by the inferno, seemingly killing them.
(outside…)
Outside, the whole building was engulfed in multiple explosions, while everyone else watched with nothing but horrified looks on their faces. Not only that, the glowing birthmarks on Matt, Michael, and James R.'s respective right forearms soon stopped glowing, which might have signaled that the worst had come to pass.
"No way…" whispered Ashima.
"It's not possible!" uttered James R..
Matt, while limping towards the burning building, was left completely stunned by what he was seeing and now believed that David and Lisa both were dead. He shut his eyes and grit his teeth for a moment before he gazed towards the sky and let out an anguished scream over his two seemingly deceased friends. Ashima approached and placed her left hand onto her despairing boyfriend's shoulder, but she was shedding tears over the deaths of her two friends.
"Lisa…" whispered Ms. Simmons sadly.
"We will honor their brave sacrifices," requested Mr. Kiska, closing his eyes, saluting, and bowing his head in respect to the demise of David and Lisa, "A moment of silence, please."
And so, everyone stared at the building that used to be the headquarters of the Dark Signers, aiming to stay behind for a few minutes to pay their respects to David Xadashi and Lisa Drake, the two youngest Signers of the group. Suddenly, Ms. Simmons looked up and gasped at something from the burning building.
"Is that-?" she breathed.
Everyone else looked up, seeing the flames around the building coming together into the sky and the full body of the Crimson Dragon.
"The Crimson Dragon!" realized Zack.
The Crimson Dragon faded away, leaving behind a fireless but ruined control tower, and, after a couple of seconds, emerging from the building safe and sound were none other than David and Lisa, coughing from the dust and smoke but otherwise okay.
"LISA!" Mr. Kisaka, Ms. Simmons, and Ashima began.
"DAVE!" Matt, Michael, James R., and Zack finished.
A joyous reunion ensued, with Ms. Simmons and Ashima hugging David, and James R., Zack, and Mr. Kisaka hugging Lisa. Matt and Michael both watched, but were obviously relieved that Lisa and David were fine.
"We're all so relieved you two are safe," assured Mr. Kisaka.
"Same here," agreed Lisa.
"No kidding," put in David, "But how? It was such a blast… Lisa-chan and I should've been incinerated."
"It was the Crimson Dragon!" recalled Zack, "It must've protected you from the explosion."
It was then James R. realized that two people were missing from the whole thing.
"Wait a second, where are Sherry and Shinji?" reminded James R., causing David and Lisa to gasp upon remembering the two mentioned duelists, "Didn't they go with you to find Azrael?"
"Why aren't they getting out, too?" The voice of Zack urged.
The joyous atmosphere died down and became solemn.
"I'm sorry, but they didn't make it," replied Lisa sadly.
"Shinji-san and Sherry-san perished in their duel against Azrael," admitted David.
James R. himself gasped, devastated by the death of his long time friend and friendly rival and even saddened by the death of Sherry now that he and her managed to patch things up. He also realized that once he told Carlie of Sherry's death, she (Carlie) would be heartbroken now that both young women were back to being best friends.
"Sherry… Shinji…" murmured James R..
"Dammit!" swore Michael, angry and saddened at the same time. He (Michael) then eyed David, "What about Azrael? Is he dead?"
"Unfortunately, he isn't," answered David.
"He ran and left us behind like the coward he is," came from Lisa.
"Then it looks like we'll be seeing him again soon," muttered Michael, before looking at Matt, "Until we do, there's only one Dark Signer left."
"Misty Tredwell," confirmed Matt, "And she's in Syracuse."
"Carlie, Truman, and Strienhart are heading there as we speak," remembered Zack.
"That means we need to get to Syracuse quickly," requested Ashima.
"I'm all for that," accepted Lisa, "But there's one problem… If it took all of us this long to get to Albany and the other locations, how long do you think it will take for us to reach Misty's location?"
That was a good point; they likely wouldn't make it in time if they took the Duel Runners to Syracuse. All of a sudden, Matt, Michael, James R., Lisa, and David all felt and saw their respective birthmarks (Matt: Dragon's Head, Michael: Dragon's Wings, James R.: Dragon's Tail, Lisa: Dragon's Hand, David: Dragon's Heart) glowing and responding to their desire to go and help Carlie out. The Crimson Dragon soon reappeared in the night sky with a roar. Before anyone could speak up about it, the legendary dragon swooped down and scooped the whole group and their Duel Runners up.
"Wow! We're flying!" admired Ashima.
"Now this is riding in style!" grinned James R..
"Hang on, Carlie," thought Matt seriously, as the Crimson Dragon flew off into the distance, "We're coming."
(elsewhere…)
In another part of the woods, an exhausted Azrael was seen emerging from a cavern, having used the hidden elevator in the hideout to escape. He looked around to make sure no Signer nor an ally of theirs was around before bending over with his right hand on his right knee.
"They're gone," panted Azrael crossly, pretty sore from losing a duel, "Damn those Signers! I was so close to wiping them out myself!" He looked up and smiled sadistically, "But David and Lisa are at least out of the way regardless! I can still win by heading to Syracuse and seeing Misty destroy Carlie before ordering her to do the same thing to the Coordinator and the rest of his friends…"
With that said, Muruta Azrael turned and ran off to find a car to steal; he had to reach Misty before the Signers did.
(elsewhere…)
Meanwhile, on the balcony of his mansion in the middle of the night, Rex looked out the window in the direction of where the former hideout of the Dark Signers was, having beared witness to the Crimson Dragon save the lives of David and Lisa—yet while relieved, he was also very disappointed they failed to eliminate the Dark Signer.
"So despite the efforts of young David and Lisa, Azrael still lives on," Rex was saying, shaking his head scornfully, "Azrael, Azrael… What a disappointment you are."
Knowing it was almost time for him to take matters into his own hands, Rex turned and walked back inside.
(elsewhere…)
A little later outside another big fancy home, Lazar was in the process of visiting his wife and son.
(inside…)
Inside the bedroom, Lazar was busy tucking his son, Kaoru, in bed. Kaoru almost completely resembled his Father, face wise.
"Good night, Kaoru," smiled Lazar.
"Good night, Dad," replied Kaoru.
Once the young boy was asleep, Lazar turned off the lights and gently closed the door.
(elsewhere…)
Downstairs, Lazar stopped smiling and sighed with sadness.
"Honey, are you alright?" The voice of a woman asked with concern. She, who resembled a female version of Lazar, walked up, "You seem so distracted."
"It's my boss, Atsuko," answered Lazar, as he and his wife sat down at the table, "Ever since he returned from seeing the Dark Signers, he's been behaving strangely."
"Strangely?" repeated Atsuko.
"Yes… I'm thinking I should go and check up on him at some point," sighed Lazar, before taking his wife's hands and staring into her eyes, "Atsuko, you know I will do anything to protect you and Kaoru. I need to tell you this; if anything should happen to me in this battle with the Dark Signers, I want you both to flee this country with all of the money we have and head to the United Kingdom, alright?"
"Lazar…" worried Atsuko, as her eyes welled with tears and she started weeping softly, "Oh, Lazar…"
(elsewhere…)
Back in Syracuse, Misty was waiting outside the control tower when she sensed the arrival of a Signer.
"It's you, Ms. Carlie," Misty told herself, "You have finally arrived."
(elsewhere…)
Speaking of whom, Carlie, Paul, and Maria were seen arriving and stopping at a gas station to refuel after the long journey. While Paul and Maria were busy refueling the police car, Carlie was busy looking over her Deck in anticipation of fighting a Dark Signer.
"How can I face a friend-turned-Dark Signer?" thought Carlie gravely, "Especially one who is convinced I've killed her sibling?"
Before she could go inside to pay for the gas, Maria took notice of Carlie's brooding behavior and walked over.
"Ms. Carlie? Are you alright?" asked Maria gently.
"No, I'm not," denied Carlie, "Very soon I'll be heading into battle against a Dark Signer—one whom I know very well."
"What?" gawked Paul, walking over, "What do you mean you know the Dark Signer?"
"It's none other than Misty Tredwell!" blurted Carlie.
The new information shocked Maria and Paul since they heard Misty had been killed in New York City and briefly investigated the incident but never finding out who did the deed.
"Misty is a—it can't be," objected Maria, horrified.
"It was Azrael who killed Misty, and the spirit of the 'Earthbound Immortals' revived her after likely manipulating her into siding with the darkness to gain revenge on the murder of her younger brother, Toby Tredwell," continued Carlie, as faded stills of Azrael killing Misty were superimposed over everyone throughout. She narrowed her eyes darkly, "Misty insists I'm the one who killed Toby."
"You? A killer? That's ridiculous," stated Paul.
"He's right," added Maria, "We know you'd never do such a thing."
But a very determined Carlie seemed to ignore them and, after revving it up, rode Bloody Kiss out of the gas station towards the control tower on her own, hoping to settle things with Misty and get her to realize the truth of the matter. Would Carlie succeed? That's unknown at this time.
Well, would you take a look at this; this is the first chapter of this fanfic in a good while. It's posted on Christmas Day even! Best of all, this is the 100th chapter! Man, talk about dedication on our end. Sorry about the lengthy wait, but we've all been pretty busy with other projects and the likes, and, unfortunately, there will be another hiatus for this story while we get the final chapters and how they will go all sorted out—while also working on more projects like the Thomas/MMPR fanfic and more remastered versions of "The Sodor Chronicles - Season 2". It's definitely gonna be an exhausting 2025.
Anyway, have a Merry Christmas, everyone!