Due to the "email alert" problem this website has been having lately, I suggest we just check on our PM Inbox regularly on the site rather than simply wait for an alert. Also, I want you guys to be aware that I'm thinking of cross-posting this story on AO3 since I keep hearing it's a much better fanfic website. I've sent out in an invitation request and I expect to hear back from them soon. I'll let you know. With that out of the way, time to deal with the final Elite Psychic! Can Aki prevent Neo Domino Academy from being destroyed by Dorothy? How can she beat someone who can see the future? One thing is certain: This showdown will very be personal for them both.
Also, Happy Halloween!
Yugioh: The Hope of Six
Chapter 58: Arcadia Arc – Part 13
"Alright then. Yugo and Rin are probably on their way to their locations right now while Rua and Ruka are waiting back at their home for their Elite. Kiryu and Sherry are with Aki's parents at the mansion to protect them." Yusei said while glancing over at his still worried girlfriend.
"Once we all take down our respective Elites, we will meet up to go after Divine and end this." Aki added with conviction. She really wanted this whole nightmare to be over. She had had enough of her past coming back to haunt her. The former Arcadia Elite spent the previous month worrying about Divine, his plans, and ultimately how she and her friends were going to stop him. Now was the time to start fighting back, and she intended to win that fight.
"Everyone… Good luck." Yusei said before putting on his helmet and revved up his vehicle. After everyone else did the same, they sped off toward their destinations. He and Aki went one way, while Jack and Crow took the other. While riding, Yusei glanced at Aki with concern. "How are you feeling?" He asked. His girlfriend narrowed her eyes, still facing forward.
"Ready to put an end to all this." She replied in a steely tone. Yusei couldn't argue with that.
"So am I." He replied. He could tell Aki had had enough of Divine causing pain and suffering to others. His return had cost them Mizoguchi, whose death put Sherry through hell. And now Aki's own family was threatened. He knew Aki would not stand for another loss of innocent life. She would fight to prevent that loss. And he intended to be right there with her to insure that they won that fight.
Aki herself had her own concerns. Although she had chosen to defend Neo Domino Academy from one of Divine's Elites, a part of her really wanted to stay behind to protect her parents. They were her family. Moreover, she felt certain that Divine himself would go after them. The thought made her stomach churn. Still, she had to remember that Kiryu and Sherry were there with them. She had to put her faith in them to keep her mother and father safe. Like she had to put her faith in her other friends to stop the Elites. And right now, Aki needed faith in herself to stop the Elite Psychic she was about to face. She had no clue which Elite would target the school. Whoever it was, she knew it would be a tough battle. She was extremely grateful that Yusei was with her now.
"Yusei…" Aki looked over at her boyfriend as they rode together. "Thanks for being with me." Yusei smiled back at her.
"Always."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The track at Neo Domino Academy was currently dark and deserted. Or rather, it used to be. Shortly before midnight, a lone rider drove onto the middle of the track. The rider then removed their helmet, revealing a hooded woman wearing a mask of a small girl. She sighed as she gazed around.
"This place, so full of energy… full of hopes and dreams of those that wish to claim them." The woman giggled. "Boy, those people sure are stupid. Having to follow the rules and all that. What a major drag." She followed with a sigh. "It will feel so exhilarating to see this whole thing crumble away into nothing. Of course, I've already seen it happen in one of my visions. But still, it will be so much better to see it happen in the present than in the future." The woman looked her watch. "Just a few more seconds, and then… bye bye stupid school! Hehehe!"
"Dorothy!" The woman swung her head around and saw something that truly surprised her. Behind her were two more riders… one of whom she knew all too well.
"Aki?! What in the freaking heck?! You're not supposed to be here! And neither are you!" The Elite shouted annoyingly as she pointed a finger at the young man next to her old ally. 'When I saw this place burning to the ground, Aki was nowhere to be seen. How could she be here now? Man, I hate not being seeing the whole picture when seeing the future.'
"She's the Elite that can see into the future." Yusei said after seeing the woman's mask. Aki nodded in agreement.
"Unfortunately." Aki replied, wishing it had been anyone else.
Dorothy groaned. "I just hate it when things don't go my way." She then gave Aki her full attention. "Aki, why aren't you back in your cozy mansion keeping mommy and daddy company? Aren't you afraid something really, really bad might happen to them? Like say… them dying?"
"They are in good hands." Aki replied in a confident voice. "My only concern right now is stopping you, Dorothy."
"How did you even know I would be here? I'm the one with the power to see the future." Dorothy complained.
"Yet you didn't know I would turn up." Aki jibbed, making her former ally complain under her breath. "I didn't know it would be you, but I did learn from a very reliable source that Divine would send one of his Elites to destroy this school. I'm here to prevent that."
Dorothy shook her head and gave an exaggerated sigh. "Aki, Aki. Please don't make me battle you. We are both Psychic Duelists. We both served Master Divine." She then held out a hand. "There's no reason for us to get our hands dirty by going head to head like this. Just come back to us. Me and Master Divine want you to come back. The Arcadia Movement is your home. We are your family."
Aki tightened her grip on her D-Wheel's handles. "I have a family: It is not with any of you!"
Dorothy lowered her hand, and her head before shaking the latter again. "I really didn't want to hear that, Aki. Now you've hurt my feelings. Hearing your rejection in such a tone…it makes me want to cry." She said while sniffing, her body trembling. "I'm so sad because of your bad behavior. It's just too much for me to take. You are so cruel, Aki. Unbearably cruel." Dorothy then started to cry… or at least sounding like she was. Aki, however, wasn't fooled one bit.
"Cut it out, Dorothy. We both know you're faking it." At this, Dorothy dropped the act and acted more angry than sad.
"Ugh, you always were such a killjoy, Aki. Taking the fun out of everything. And now you want to butt in on my own fun tonight."
"There is no fun in destroying a school!" Yusei retorted fiercely. "The students here need it, including Aki! You can't take that away from them!"
"You really want to stop me?" Dorothy challenged in a childish tone. "Cause if you do, you will regret it."
"I'm not afraid of you." Aki told her old Elite comrade. "Dorothy, I will duel you for the school's survival!"
"Are you serious?" Dorothy asked, acting what she heard was hearing the most absurd thing ever. Aki's determined expression did not change, nor did she give a reply. "I guess that means "yes"…" The masked woman sighed deeply as she put her helmet back on. "Well, if you insist on dueling me, then let's have my favorite kind: A Riding Duel!"
"Fine by me." Aki said, accepting the challenge before putting her helmet on again as well.
"I'll be right here." Yusei told her. Aki nodded at him before she rode to the track's starting line, where Dorothy was waiting.
The moment hey both started up their vehicles for this upcoming Duel, something unusual happened. "Future Speed World. Set on. Choose your Field at this time."
This completely stunned both Yusei and Aki. "Future Speed World?" Yusei asked aloud. 'What happened to Speed World 2? And what did it mean by "Choose your Field."?'
"What's going on Dorothy? What is this?" Aki demanded.
"Oh yeah. There's a little twist for this game." Dorothy chuckled at Aki. "This won't be your typical run of the mill Riding Duel. See, I never really liked how in Riding Duels, that you can't use regular Magic cards without losing half of your Life Points. You are only allowed to use "Speed Spells". Such a huge pain in the butt, in my opinion. So I went ahead and did something about it."
"Meaning what?" Aki asked.
Dorothy giggled again. "Oh, I'm so glad you asked. See… I made my own version of Speed World! Tehehehe!"
"Her own version?" Yusei wondered aloud. He didn't like where this was headed, and neither did Aki.
"I call it Future Speed World, just like you heard the computer say! Pretty cool name, don't ya think? Anyways, it's a special creation of mine from way back before we were forced to scatter and hide like rats. I hadn't had a chance to use it in an actual Riding Duel, but now's a good time as any! Here's how it works…" Dorothy pressed the dueling screen on her D-Wheel. "When a Riding Duel is about to start, Future Speed World allows both Duelists to choose a Field Magic card from their Deck. Just type it in on the Duel screen. Future Speed World becomes that Field card and gains it's Effects along with it's own. This applies to both sides of the Field for the entirety of the Duel. If there isn't a Field card in your Deck, one is randomly selected from the core card database based on your Deck in the system. There are no Speed Counters to worry about either. You can either inflict 800 points of damage to your opponent for each card you played that turn, draw 1 card from your Deck, or destroy 1 card on the Field once per turn. Of course, the Field card itself is excluded from that last one. And the best part about Future Speed World is that you are allowed to use normal Magic cards instead of Speed Spells without any drawbacks! What do you think? Major improvement over the "official" Riding Duels, right?"
"How did you make your own version of Speed World and override the previous one?" Yusei asked.
"I'm more tech savvy than you think, Yusei Fudo." Dorothy answered coyly before addressing Aki again. "Once we both choose our Field cards, they will become active and the Duel begins. I'll let you go first, since you insisted so much on trying to stop me."
Aki ignored the jab and entered her Field card. "I will do more than try. As for my Field card… I choose White Rose Cloister." The moment she typed it in, the track around them became filled with rows and rows of white roses with an old structure where Yusei currently stood.
"Of course you would choose something involving roses." Dorothy said with amusement. "As for me, I'm going for something far more futuristic. I pick Kozmo – Emeraldopolis." The area changed again. The scenery from Aki's Field remained, but now a new setting was being mixed in. Nestling in with the white roses was a futuristic city composed of tall emerald green buildings.
"Field cards chosen and active. Autopilot on. Stand by." The Computer announced before both women's D-Wheels began to warm up the engines.
"Man Aki, this is going to be such a blast! You should know… I mean that quite literally!" Dorothy said with a childlike laugh.
"Whether I play by your rules or someone else's… I am not losing to you!" Aki declared before the battle to save Neo Domino Academy got underway and the two sped off.
"Riding Duel! Acceleration!"
(Aki: 4000) (Dorothy: 4000)
"Just to show that I'm a "good girl", I'll let you go first! Show me if you still got it, Aki!" Dorothy insisted as they rounded the first corner.
"Fine. My turn! Draw!" Aki strongly suspected the Elite would "see" what her move was, but all she could do was do what she can. "I activate one of the Effects of White Rose Cloister! Because I currently control no Monsters, I can Special Summon a "Rose Dragon" or a "Plant" Monster from my hand once per turn! I Special Summon a "Plant" Tuner Monster, Blood Rose Witch!"(LIGHT; Level 1; ATK: 800; DEF: 1700). A little girl with long blood red hair and holding a thorn staff with a ruby on it appeared. "Now that I control a "Plant" Tuner, I can Special Summon White Rose Dragon from my hand!" (DARK; Level 4; ATK: 1200; DEF: 1000) A small black and white dragon with a white rose on it's back materialized next to the Tuner.
"I bet I know what's coming!" Dorothy taunted like a child. Aki ignored her.
"I am Tuning my Level 4 White Rose Dragon with my Level 1 Blood Rose Witch! Pure Lady of the white garden! Give life to everything around you! Synchro Summon! Appear in Defense Mode! Synchro Tuner! Garden Rose Flora!" (LIGHT; Level 5; ATK: 800; DEF: 1600) A woman with long blonde hair wearing a white silk dress appeared, replacing the two Monsters that were used to bring it out. "When White Rose Dragon is sent to the Graveyard as a Synchro Material, I can send 1 Level 4 or higher "Plant" Monster from my Deck to my Graveyard! I am sending my Revival Rose!" She hoped she could use it later. "I Set 3 cards facedown and end my turn."
'Predictable…' Dorothy thought with a sigh. "You think you got yourself secured with your opening move? Just watch as I prove you wrong… and punish you for deserting us! My turn! Draw!"
"What does she plan to do?" Yusei wondered aloud, worried she had already foreseen Aki's strategy.
"First off, I Set my Scale 2 Hallohallo and my Scale 8 Kozmo – Tototel in my Pendulum Zones!" On one side of Dorothy's Field was a small cloaked figure with an carved pumpkin as it's head. The other side had an advanced robotic dog.
"What?!" Aki said, not quite believing what she just heard. Nor did Yusei.
"She can't!" He said, just as shocked.
"With this, I can Special Summon Monsters with Levels 3 to 7! Pendulum Summon! Appear! Kozmo – Dorothel (LIGHT; Level 3; ATK: 1500; DEF: 1000) and Kozmo – Dark Eliphaiber!" (DARK; Level 5; ATK: 2200; DEF: 1800) The first Monster was a young woman with long red hair and dressed like she was raised to be a pilot. The other was also a woman, but had long brown hair and had on a black and purple lined dress with a pointy hat on top of her head. She also wore a dark purple mask.
"Pendulum Summon?!" Yusei and Aki exclaimed in greater surprise. Dorothy laughed giddily at their reactions.
"I SO expected that for you! After all, I did have a vision of it happening!"
'But how? How could Dorothy Pendulum Summon? I thought only Yuya could do that?' Yusei asked in his mind. No one else should be able to pull it off. He was certain… until a new thought occurred to him. 'Could it be…?'
"Dorothy! Where did you learn to do that?" Aki demanded.
"I'm not surprised that you wouldn't know. It was a big deal a while back, but like with Fusion Summons, it became a rare sighting over time. I found out about Pendulum Summoning recently and decided to boost up my Deck with it." The childish woman explained before turning another corner. "I also found out something called "Action Duels", but the system that operates them is not to my liking. Automatically itself shutting down if I don't "play too nice" is something I don't want to bother with. So I just stuck with only using my Pendulum Monsters."
'Did something happen in the past involving Yuya that caused Pendulum Summoning and Pendulum Monsters to be known in this world?' Aki wondered. She and Yusei would have to talk to Yugi and Yuya about this after everything was settled. The former returned her focus on the Duel as Dorothy continued her turn.
"Kozmo – Tototel's Pendulum Effect! All LIGHT "Kozmo" Monsters I control gain 200 Attack Points!"
(Kozmo - Dorothel's ATK: 1500 + 200 = 1700)
'Both of Dorothy's Monsters can destroy Garden Rose Flora in battle. I need to make my move now!' Aki decided before she did her counter. "Trap card open, Blooming Rose! It allows me to Special Summon "Rose Tokens" equal to the number of cards in the Field Zones and Graveyard in Defense Mode! With 2 Field cards in play, I get 2 Rose Tokens!" (DARK; Level 2; ATK: 800; DEF: 800) A rose weigh green, thorny arms now stood on either side of Aki's Synchro Tuner.
'Now's her chance.' Yusei thought, strongly feeling what Aki would do next. His instincts were right.
"I now activate the Monster Effect of Garden Rose Flora! Once per chain, during my opponent's Main Phase, I can Synchro Summon using Flora as Material! I am Tuning one of my Level 2 Rose Tokens with my Level 5 Garden Rose Flora! Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Black Rose Dragon!" (FIRE; Level 7; ATK: 2400; DEF: 1800) Aki's Ace Monster burst onto the field with it's petal like wings spreading out and roared.
'As expected…' Dorothy thought, fully prepared with her own counter…
"Black Rose Dragon's Monster Effect! When it is Synchro Summoned, I can destroy all cards on the Field! Black Rose Gale!" The flower like dragon began to envelop itself in flames…
"Like I'd let you!" Dorothy shouted. "Kozmo – Dark Eliphaiber's Monster Effects! Once per turn, when another Monster's Effect is activated, I can pay 1000 Life Points to negate that Effect!"
(Dorothy: 4000 - 1000 = 3000)
"Tch." Aki grunted in agitation. With her ability, Dorothy had to have known she would try to use Black Rose Dragon's Effect. Aki didn't realize, however, that it was just the beginning.
"There's more! If that Effect is negated, then that Monster is destroyed!"
"No!" Aki cried out before her dragon was obliterated.
"Dorothy got rid of Black Rose Dragon with ease. Did she really see a vision of this before it happened?" Yusei asked himself.
"Glad that pesky weed was pulled!" Dorothy said with glee. "What's next? Oh yeah, I Equip Dorothel with Kozmo – Rayblade! The Psychic "Kozmo" Monster Equipped with this card gains 500 Attack and Defense Points!" The younger female Monster now held a blue double bladed energy sword.
(Kozmo - Dorothel's ATK: 1700 + 500 = 2200; DEF: 1000 + 500 = 1500)
"This won't be good." Aki said to herself.
"Alrighty! Time for some action!" Dorothy declared before proceeding. "Battle! Kozmo – Dark Eliphaiber, attack that Rose Token! Wicked Witch's Bane!" A jagged, dark purple energy sword was drawn in the masked Monster's hand. It held the blade high, preparing to slice apart it's target…
"Trap card open, Rose Blizzard! When a Monster I control is about to be attacked by an opposing Monster, that Monster is switched to Defense Mode and the attack is negated!" Dorothy hardly reacted as her attack was stopped short.
"Totally saw that coming." She taunted. "That's why I have my other lady to pick up the slack! Kozmo – Dorothel, shred the Rose Token to pieces! Star Killer Slash!" The red haired Monster leaped up, twirled the double blade above it's head and sliced Aki's Token in half. "By the way Aki, when the Monster Equipped with Rayblade destroys a Defense Mode Monster, the difference between the attacking Monster's Attack Points and the defending Monster's Defense Points is dealt to you as damage!"
"Grrn!" Aki groaned as she witnessed her Token's destruction and felt the pain from the attack.
(2200 - 800 = 1400)
(Aki: 4000 - 1400 = 2600)
"Dorothel's Monster Effect! Whenever it inflicts battle damage to my opponent, I can pay 500 Life Points to add a "Kozmo" card from my Deck to my hand! My first pick is Kozmo – Forerunner!"
(Dorothy: 3000 - 500 = 2500)
"First pick?" Yusei questioned, confused by the statement.
"I activate a Monster Effect too!" Aki retorted. "When a Monster I control is destroyed, I can Special Summon Revival Rose from my Graveyard! I'm Summoning it in Defense Mode!" (DARK; Level 4; ATK: 1300; DEF: 1300) A three red rose creature arose from the ground to protect it's master.
"Oh, now you have something to protect you? If you think the battle's over, you're way wrong! Rayblade has one more handy Effect: It allows the Equipped Monster to attack Monsters up to twice each Battle Phase!"
"What?!" Aki and Yusei shouted in shock.
"Dorothel, strike down Revival Rose!" For the second time, Dorothy's first Monster moved in for the kill. Like before, Aki lost one more Monster and took another hit.
(2200 - 1300 = 900)
(Aki: 2600 - 900 = 1700)
"Hang in there Aki!" Yusei called in support.
"Now to add another "Kozmo" card to my hand via Dorothel's Effect! This time I'm picking Kozmo – Dark Eclipser!"
(Dorothy: 2500 - 500 = 2000)
'She's not letting up.' Aki thought wearily.
"Okay Aki, it's high time you felt the pain and agony of your betrayal! I activate Future Speed World's Effect! I inflict 800 points of damage to you for each Magic card I activated this turn! I activated the Pendulum Effect of Kozmo – Tototel and my Kozmo – Rayblade Magic card! That's 2 cards, meaning your Life Points just took another big hit!" Aki yelled in pain from the two balls of light hit her.
(800 x 2 = 1600)
(Aki: 1700 - 1600 = 100)
"Aki!" Yusei cried, deeply worried.
Aki momentarily lost control of her D-Wheel due to the impact. Fortunately, she got back on track just in time. "That was too close." She muttered. Yusei gave a sigh of relief that Aki was alright.
"I wished you'd actually fell off and busted something, but that wasn't how the future showed me how you'd lose so I'll let it pass." Dorothy then spoke much more seriously. "It hurts, doesn't it Aki? The pain and agony of betraying everything you were supposed to be? You made a terrible mistake by deserting the Arcadia Movement. Now, you are paying the price… and it's a doozy."
Aki gritted her teeth and locked eyes with her opponent. "I don't regret not returning to the Arcadia Movement! It is Divine and his Elites, including you, that will regret attacking my real family!"
Dorothy scoffed at her. "Man, you really got messed up in the head to believe that nonsense. But lucky for you, I'm done dealing damage to you this turn. I just have a few more moves to make before I'm done. For my next one, during either of our turns, I can banish Kozmo – Dorothel to Special Summon a Level 4 or higher "Kozmo" Monster from my hand! In my good girl's place I'm bringing out Kozmo – Forerunner!" (LIGHT; Level 7; ATK: 2800; DEF: 1400) A huge, silver space craft materialized on Dorothy's Field. "And like with Dorothel, my LIGHT ship gets a boost from Tototel's Effect!"
(Kozmo - Forerunner's ATK: 2800 + 200 = 3000)
"That's one of the Monsters she added to her hand." Yusei recalled. "Is she also…?"
"Now I will do the same thing with Kozmo – Dark Eliphaiber! I'll banish it to Special Summon a "Kozmo" Monster from my hand that is Level 6 or higher! Guess which one I'm thinking. Yep! Time to bring out my Kozmo – Dark Eclipser!" (DARK; Level 9; ATK: 3000; DEF: 2600) A violet and black ship that is even bigger than Forerunner emerged on next to it's counterpart. "Both Forerunner and Dark Eclipser cannot be targeted by my opponent's card effects! Lastly, I play Graceful Charity to draw 3 more cards before discarding 2. Now… I end my turn."
Aki widened her eyes in horrified shock. 'She had another Magic card in her hand! If she played that before using Future Speed World's Effect…' They passed the starting line before Dorothy finished Aki's thought.
"You're probably wondering why I didn't play that last card before using Future Speed world to damage you? First off, that wasn't how I will defeat you according to my future seeing powers. Also, I wanted your suffering to last as long as possible before I crush you. After all, you deserve every bit of it… traitor."
"It doesn't matter what future you saw! I will defeat you Dorothy!" Aki retorted strongly. Yusei believed that too, with every fiber of his being. Dorothy shook her head.
"You can't change what's coming your way. When I see a future… it happens. Always."
"You're wrong Dorothy!" Yusei shouted. "The future is not something set in stone! It can be changed to how anyone wants it to be!" The young man knew this better than anyone after the difficult battle against Z-One.
"You big moron." Dorothy insulted under her breath. "Well Aki? What are you gonna do for a comeback?"
While frustrated for the setback, Aki wasn't giving up. Not by a long shot. "My turn! Draw! I banish Blood Rose Witch from my Graveyard to return Black Rose Dragon to the Extra Deck! I next play Pot of Greed to draw 2 more cards! Then I draw another card with Future Speed World's Effect!" She didn't have anything in her hand that could turn things around… but she could buy herself some time. "I can Special Summon Rose Fairy since it was added to my hand by a card effect! I Summon it in Defense Mode!" (WIND; Level 3; ATK: 600; DEF: 1200) A small pink fairy with a red rose in it's head appeared to defend it's master. "Then I Normal Summon another Rose Fairy!" A second copy appeared next to the first. "I now play Closed Plant Gate! This Magic card can only be used when I control 2 face-up "Plant" Monsters with the same name! During the next turn, you cannot declare an attack! Then I play Monster Reborn to revive Garden Rose Flora from the Graveyard! After that I use the other Effect of Blooming Rose in my Graveyard! By placing it in the bottom of my Deck, I can banish Rose Flora until the next Standby Phase!"
"That ain't gonna fly! When my opponent activates a Trap during either of our turns, I can banish a "Kozmo" Monster from my Graveyard to have Dark Eclipser negate and destroys that Trap! I banish Kozmo – Wicked Senator!"
"Darn it." Aki cursed. "I end my turn."
"Now Dorothy can't defeat her on her next turn." Yusei said, pleased that Aki had set up a good defense.
Dorothy giggled. "Oh Aki… you're only delaying the inevitable. Just because I can't attack you this turn doesn't mean I can't do anything to you. Watch and see! Teehee! My turn! Draw!"
'What are you up to now, Dorothy?' Aki pondered in her mind.
"First, during my Standby Phase, Kozmo – Forerunner gives me 1000 Life Points!" As she said this, the silver ship showered it's master with a bright glow.
(Dorothy: 2000 + 1000 = 3000)
"Dorothy's advantages just keep growing." Yusei said, still hoping Aki could pull a win.
"Then for Wicked Senator's Effect! If I control a DARK "Kozmo Monster while Wicked Senator is banished, I can Special Summon the latter to my Field! Look at my Tuner Monster, Kozmo – Wicked Senator!" (DARK; Level 2; ATK: 500; DEF: 500) Before Dorothy stood an old woman in a pale tunic with dark yellow eyes. "I activate the Pendulum Effect of Hallohallo! Once per turn, I can roll a six-sided die and change the Level of one of my Monsters to match roll's result until the end of the turn! Go Pumpkin Roll!" A big orange die with black numbers rolled out and bounced around until it landed on a 3. "Nice! Just what I had foreseen! Now my Wicked Senator will become a Level 3 Monster!"
'I've got a really bad feeling about this.' Aki thought with dread.
"I've been looking forward to this! I am Tuning my Level 7 Kozmo – Dark Eclipser with my now Level 3 Kozmo - Wicked Senator! Great ruler of the dark galaxy far, far away! Arise now and rule with unmatched power! Synchro Summon! Show yourself! Kozmo – Wicked Empress!" (DARK; Level 10; ATK: 3500; DEF: 3500) A dark cloaked, female figure stood ominously with a violet face filled with rotted teeth and glowing yellow eyes. "When this old hag has been Synchro Summoned, I can send a Monster from your Extra Deck to the Graveyard! Namely, your Black Rose Dragon!"
Aki tried to remain calm as Dorothy continued to make her situation worse.
"Angry? Well guess what? It's going to get worse! When my Wicked Senator has been used to Synchro Summon Wicked Empress, I can destroy one Monster you control! I'm pulling out one of your copies of Rose Fairy!" One of Aki's remaining Monsters rotted away until nothing remained. "Future Speed World's Effect is next! I'll destroy your other Rose Fairy!" Another big ball of light and the second Rose Fairy was also gone.
"Dorothy got rid of all of Aki's Monsters without needing to attack!" Yusei said, continually alarmed by the situation.
"Next up, the Effect of Kozmo – Emeraldopolis! Once per turn, I can return a banished "Kozmo" Monster to my hand! I'm getting back my Kozmo – Dark Eliphaiber! Then, since I was able to retrieve my Monster, I lose Life Points equal to it's Level times 100! Being a Level 5 Monster, I only lose 500 Life Points, but it's no big deal to me!"
(5 x 100 = 500)
(Dorothy: 3000 - 500 = 2500)
"My Wicked Empress has another handy Effect! Once per Duel, I can add Kozmo – Dark Planet from my Deck to my hand!"
"What is she planning this time?" Aki questioned. Dorothy started to laugh maniacally.
"Watch Aki! The card that will end you! By banishing "Kozmo" Monsters from my hand whose total Levels equal 10 or higher, I can Special Summon my biggest and most powerful weapon from my hand! I banish my Level 5 Kozmo – Dark Eliphaiber and my Level 6 Kozmo DOG Fighter to unleash the one and only: KOZMO DARK PLANET!" (DARK; Level 10; ATK: 4000; DEF: 4000) Hovering over the entire Dueling track was a floating fortress with a glowing green digital sphere in the center. It cast an enormous shadow over everything. Aki and Yusei looked up in terror at the highly advanced nightmare hovering above. "Like my Forerunner, it also cannot be targeted by my opponent's card effects! With everything now in place, I end my turn." Dorothy saw the look of panic on Aki's face. "It frightens you, doesn't it? That floating crown jewel of my Deck will not only blow you away, but it will also reduce this entire school to rubble! That is my vision of victory Aki! No matter what you do on your upcoming last turn, it won't make a freaking difference! I win in the end!" Dorothy gave a shrill laugh.
Aki was shaking even though she was riding her D-Wheel. While making another turn, she pondered how in the world she was going to stop Dorothy's rampage. 'How can I beat Dorothy? Her ability to see the future has not left me any openings at all. I haven't been able to touch her one bit! She will destroy everything here! Is there any way I can…?' Her thoughts of doubt were interrupted by her loyal boyfriend, whom she turned to see.
"Aki! Don't listen to her! It's not over! You can still win and stop her! Changing the future is possible! We proved it before! Now let's prove it again! Together!"
Yusei then held up his arm, which showed his glowing birthmark. At the same time, Aki's own birthmark glowed. She felt the hope and encouragement from the man she loved. "Together." Her fear and doubt melted away as she prepared to begin her next, and quite possibly, last turn. "My turn! I now activate the second Effect of White Rose Cloister! During my Draw Phase, before I draw, I can declare a care type and reveal the top card in my Deck! It is either a Monster, Magic, or Trap card! If that card is the type I guessed, then I can use another Effect this turn!" Aki closed her eyes, then readied herself to pick up her top card.
Dorothy wasn't worried at all. 'What an idiot! I know that Aki will NOT get the card she guessed! My powers showed me that! She's going to be so disappointed when she sees it!' She couldn't wait to laugh in her old friend's face.
Yusei fully believed his girlfriend can get the card she needed. 'Believe Aki. Believe…'
Aki snapped her eyes open and made her move. "The card type I choose is… a Monster!" The female Signer took her card and looked at it. Dorothy waited for Aki's reaction of hopelessness. But… it was a huge smile of triumph. "It IS a Monster: Green Rose Dragon!" Yusei grinned widely at Aki's success. Dorothy did not.
"WHAT?! IMPOSSIBLE! THAT WASN'T THE CARD I SAW YOU REVEAL IN MY VISION! HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED?! HOW?!" The Elite practically shrieked in terrified shock. She nearly fell off her D-Wheel from how caught off guard she was.
"Because I have guessed right, for the rest of my turn, all Level 7 and higher Synchro Monsters I control gain 1000 Attack Points!" Aki placed her revealed card back on top of her Deck. "Now, I draw!" With having thwarted Dorothy's future seeing, Aki felt more confident than ever that she would win this Duel. "I activate the Effect of Future Speed World to destroy 1 card on the Field!"
"You can't! My Wicked Empress can't be destroyed by your card effects and my other Monsters can't be targeted by your card effects either!" Dorothy reminded her enemy. Aki's smile widened.
"I'm not choosing one of your cards! I'm destroying… my remaining facedown card!" Dorothy's surprise grew from this action.
"Why destroy one of your own cards?!" She demanded heatedly.
"That was a Quick-Play Magic card called Basal Rose Shoot! If it is destroyed while Set, I can Special Summon Black Rose Dragon or a Monster that mentions it that was banished or in my Graveyard! Thanks to you, my Ace is right where it needs to be!" Dorothy got desperate at this point.
"Now way! I activate the Effect of Dark Planet! During either of our turns, when a Magic card is activated, I can negate the Effect and destroy that card by banishing a "Kozmo" Monster from my Graveyard! I banish my Kozmo – Wicked Senator to rid you of your Basal Rose Shoot! I won't allow you to get your dragon back!"
"You can't stop me!" Aki retorted. "Since a "Rose" card was negated and destroyed by an opponent's card effect this turn, I can Special Summon my Tuner Monster, Green Rose Dragon, from my hand!" (LIGHT; Level 3; ATK: 1300; 1100) A dragon made up of light and dark green petals with a green rose on it's back emerged. "When Green Rose Dragon is Special Summoned this way, I can Special Summon Black Rose Dragon from my Graveyard, but with it's Effects negated! Appear once more! Black Rose Dragon!" Aki's Ace Monster returned at last. "And remember, thanks to White Rose Cloister, my dragon grows stronger!" The flower like dragon glowed a soft white as it's power increased.
(Black Rose Dragon's ATK: 2400 + 1000 = 3400)
"It might be able to beat my Forerunner, it's not strong enough to vanquish my best Monsters!" Dorothy protested. Aki's smile remained.
"I know. I'm about to unleash something that can!"
"You what?!" Dorothy said in shock.
Aki raised her arm up, her birthmark still glowing. "I am Tuning my Level 7 Black Rose Dragon with my Level 3 Green Rose Dragon! Flames of love! Burn the blood of your hated enemies! Let a new flower bloom! Synchro Summon! APPEAR! BLOOD ROSE DRAGON!" (FIRE; Level 10; ATK: 3200; DEF: 2400) A lighter colored version of Aki's dragon with four wings appeared on the Field, ready to win the battle for it's master.
'Amazing!' Yusei thought with awe.
"BLOOD ROSE DRAGON?!" Dorothy couldn't believe this. That Monster never appeared in her visions! Aki somehow changed everything, and it was not in the Elite Psychic's favor! 'But still, it shouldn't matter! My Kozmo – Epilogue Trap card in my Graveyard will help both my Wicked Empress and myself! She will still lose!' But once again, she was very much mistaken.
"When Blood Rose Dragon is Synchro Summoned, all cards in both of our Graveyards are banished!"
"WHAT?!" Dorothy cried out in disbelief. She couldn't believe that just happened! Aki went on.
"What's more, since Black Rose Dragon was used for it's Synchro Summon, Blood Rose Dragon destroys all other cards on the Field! Blood Rose Burst!" With a mighty roar and flap of it's wings, a ring of burning petals came forth and shredded nearly all of Dorothy's Monsters. The Elite watched as her biggest weapon fell from the sky in dozens and dozens of pieces. Only Wicked Empress remained on the Field. "Like with Black Rose, Blood Rose Dragon also gets a boost!"
(Blood Rose Dragon's ATK: 3200 + 1000 = 4200)
"I told you that Wicked Empress isn't going anywhere from your card effect! Even if you attack now, you won't be able to hit my Life Points that hard!" Dorothy yelled.
"Wrong again!" Aki replied with renewed faith in herself. "When Green Rose Dragon goes to the Graveyard as Material for a "Rose Dragon" Synchro Monster, the Attack Points of all my opponent's Monsters on the Field become 0!"
"NO!" Dorothy cried like the child she pretended to be. She could do nothing but watch as her one remaining Monster was stripped of all it's power.
"I told you that the future is something that can always change! I'm finishing this now Dorothy! Battle! Blood Rose Dragon, attack Kozmo – Wicked Empress! Blood Rose Firestorm!" A stream of swirling blood red fire spewed out from the dragon's mouth and consumed the evil creature opposing it.
"NO! GAAHHHH!" Dorothy screamed as she felt the impact of her former comrade's finishing blow.
(Dorothy: 0)
The Elite Psychic lost control of her D-Wheel and fell off. The vehicle itself fell to it's side and skidded off the track until it settled several feet away. Dorothy rolled on the ground and hit her head against a nearby pole. Her helmet provided protection, but her skull felt like it was ringing from the impact.
Aki herself pulled over near where her opponent landed, with Yusei meeting up with her. "You alright?" He asked. Aki nodded.
"I'm fine. Thanks Yusei." She said with a smile.
"She's down! Now's our chance! Move in!" Before Dorothy could recover, the police squad hiding nearby sprung out and ambushed her. Within seconds she was cuffed, her helmet removed (quickly followed by forcing the head band in her that suppressed her powers) , and was read her rights. "That should do it. Now, let's see what you look like under that helmet and behind your mask." Once she was secured, the head officer reached down and pulled her mask away. Dorothy's real face was that of a freckled, short haired red head. When she opened her eyes, they were emerald green.
Aki gasped. The face she saw was one she never expected to be a dangerous Psychic Duelist. "Wait. Yusei, I… I know her."
"Who is she?" Yusei asked.
"Her name is Ruby Silvers. She used to go to school with me awhile back. We were in the same grade together. She was a quiet but polite person that seemed easy to talk to. She was also really smart and had good grades. Nothing appeared to wrong with her. But Ruby stopped coming to school one day and disappeared about…" Aki gasped again and her eyes widened at the sudden realization. "A month ago."
"That was around the time Divine escaped from prison." Yusei added. Aki nodded.
"I was so obsessed with Divine getting away and worrying about what he was planning that I never considered the possibility that Ruby's disappearance could be connected. I mean, I didn't know any of the masked Elites' true identities, but I never suspected she would be one of them."
"Aki. You had no reason to believe Dorothy would be someone you knew." Yusei assured her, hand on her shoulder. Aki looked down, frowning.
"I know. But still…" She trailed away.
"No! This is SO not what the future showed me! It's all totally unfair!" Yusei and Aki turned to see Dorothy, aka Ruby, trying and failing to make a run for it. She then turned to Aki, her eyes filled with anger and betrayal. "This is all your fault, Aki! You did this to me!"
Aki slowly approached her, her eyes narrowed and filled with regret. "You did this to yourself, Ruby." She then brought up the one question that mattered to her. "Did you go to our school just to keep an eye on me?" Ruby met her gaze, but with no regret of her own.
"It was an assignment I took upon myself. I pretended to be some ordinary classmate to blend in, to be close to you. After our old base fell apart, I watched you to see how you were after learning of Master Divine's arrest. To my shock and dismay, you didn't seem to care about him, us, or the Arcadia Movement itself. You weren't even trying to come up with a plan to bust him out! I wanted to strangle you for abandoning us! You left Master Divine to rot behind bars!"
"Divine took control of me and forced me to duel Misty! He forced me to hurt someone against my own will! I could never go back to work for a cold, heartless manipulator like him!" Aki retorted angrily.
"If you were still so loyal to Divine then why didn't you break him out yourself?" Yusei questioned as he moved to stand next to his girlfriend. Ruby scowled at him before turning back to Aki.
"I couldn't! Not on my own! I wanted to get the gang back together and do it then, but I had no idea how to reach the others without raising suspicion! I wanted to try to talk to you first, but then the WRGP and Z-One debacle happened so I never got the chance to confront you about it! Not long after, Master Divine miraculously escaped! No help from you!" Aki almost felt pity from her old colleague… almost.
"My time with the Arcadia Movement is over. And now, so is yours." Ruby snarled before the officers restraining her took her away.
Aki gave a great sigh and leaned on her boyfriend. "I'm glad that's over." She admitted softly. Yusei nodded in agreement.
"Me too. You did great out there." He said to her. Aki rewarded Yusei with a kiss.
"I did great because you were there for me." She replied warmly. Yusei smiled back.
Before another was said, another voice chimed in. "Yusei! Aki! You read me?" The pair walked back to their D-Wheels after hearing the familiar voice.
"Windy! We hear you!" Yusei responded.
"Is something wrong?" Aki asked. The Wind Ignis gave his report.
"Everyone else was successful in defeating their respective Elite Psychics at the other target areas, like you were. However…"
"What?" Aki asked further. Windy's response was not good.
"That was just the good news. The bad news is that while they took down their own Elites, Kiryu and Sherry have been captured and are being held hostage… by Divine himself."
To be continued.