Card of the Day: Machine Emperor Fortress
Episode 101: Stop Project Tou: To Grayson.
At Seth's house, police are speaking to Seth, who is leaning on crutches, and Salia, who is helping to support Seth.
Officer: Okay, we're going to ask this ONE more time. Have you seen Yusuke or any of the others since the breakout?
Seth: You're not listening to a thing I've been saying. I already told you that I haven't.
Officer 2: Please forgive us King, but this is not personal. This is simply protocol and…
Officer: Don't apologize to him! He's a suspect!
Officer 2: But he's the king….
Officer: Former king. And besides, just cause he's a good duelist doesn't mean he's not guilty. Hell, I think you were behind the breakout as a whole if you don't mind me saying….king.
Seth: That's fine. But if I'm weak, what does that make you?
Officer: You….
Officer 2: Just….just give us a call if you see or hear anything suspicious.
Seth: I will.
Officer: Brat….what right does he have to talk like that? He lost. We owe absolutely no obligation to him.
The two officers walk off as Seth turns.
Seth: You can come out now.
A bunch of doors open as Yusuke and the others emerge.
Opening
Everyone is seated at a table as Axel is eating fast while everyone else picks at their meals.
Seth: Don't starve yourselves. Eat as much as you want. Koga and Arnold are out getting more food.
Yusuke: It's not that. We're just….not very hungry.
Axel: Speak for yourself. That prison food was nasty. It's nice to get some real chow.
Tamika: We're not on a picnic here. We're fugitives from the law. Armen and Grayson are up to who knows what. And here you are stuffing your face.
Axel: I'm getting my strength up! Who knows what could be waiting for us.
Alicia: Tamika has a point. Sooner or later we'll have to think about some kind of plan of action.
Seth: Sadly, I'm no longer the king. They're letting me have this place for one more week and then I'll be kicked out. You guys better do what you need to do before then.
Dex: We could go to our parents. I'm sure they would listen to reason.
Yusuke: I don't think that'll work either. Even if we tell them, that only puts them in danger as well. Not to mention…..well, a lot of people look up to Armen. They might not even believe us if we told them the truth.
Salia: Well, what else can we do? We can't actually let Armen and Grayson win right? What can we do?
Tamika: ….We go after Grayson.
Axel: ….Whoa, come again?
Seth: Yeah, repeat that please.
Yusuke: Do you have some kind of plan Tamika?
Tamika: We go after Grayson. That should be our next course of action. Grayson seems to be the main frontal force behind their duo. If we can stop him, we stop their plans. Or at least weaken them.
Dex: …Well…it's not the fact it sounds like a bad idea but…are you sure you aren't doing this for yourself?
Tamika: And what does that mean? Brat…
Alicia: Your brother works for Grayson. Are you sure you don't want to fight Grayson just for him?
Tamika: Are you accusing me of treason!?
Seth: Hold on guys, let's all just calm down for a second….
Tamika: I'm just trying to help you guys! I don't see you guys coming up with better suggestions! Call our families? Ha! Do you really think that will make a difference in this situation?
Axel gets up.
Yusuke: Tamika calm down….
Tamika: You don't know what it's like! For the man who ruined your life to now have your brother in his grip! It hurts….it really hurts! So stop trying to act like you….
Axel stands in front of her and slaps her across the face. Everyone looks on in shock as Tamika falls down.
Dex: Axel!
Tamika spits blood and stands up, glaring at Axel. He glares at her and then holds out his hand. Tamika hisses and takes his hand.
Tamika: You didn't have to hit me THAT hard.
Axel: You seemed like you needed it.
Seth: Well, now that that's over, what is our next move?
Axel: I think we should do as she said.
Yusuke: You really think so?
Axel: Think of Armen and Grayson as a giant gun. Armen forms the metal frame. Grayson forms the ammunition. If we can take out Grayson, we disarm most of their operations. And there might be some…..other perks to the job as well.
Tamika: Axel….
Yusuke: …..Fine, I cave. It's a plan, that's something. We might as well get to it.
Dex: But hold on, we need to form some other detailed plan! We can't just barge in there and expect our plan to work.
Alicia: Dex is right. We need to form some kind of plan.
Yusuke: Grayson is bound to know something about what Armen is planning as well. It would be a good idea to speak with him. Some of us should distract his goons. That way Tamika, you can go face him.
Tamika: Me? But….
Yusuke: Don't pretend to protest. We can all see it. This is what you want to do Tamika. You're begging for the chance to do this. So don't worry Tamika. Grayson's all yours.
Axel: We're going to cover for you. So spend as much time as you want with him.
Tamika: Thanks guys….I promise, I'll make it up to you.
Axel: Burgers. All you can eat.
Tamika: That I can manage.
Seth: I wish I could help. But with this busted leg, I doubt there's much I could do.
Yusuke: Hm….I think you can help us somehow. If you're willing to listen.
Seth looks up. In town, near the harbor, Grayson's thugs are wandering around the warehouse.
Thug: Damn I'm bored. Say, gimme a swig of that whiskey.
Thug 2: No way man! I already paid for this using my own money. Buy your own booze.
Thug: Come on dude, haven't you heard of sharing?
Seth: Excuse me.
He is sitting there on his bike.
Thug: What?
Seth: My D- Wheel crashed. Could you help me?
Thug 2: Ugh. Fine whatever. What do you need help w….ohmagod! You're Seth!
Seth: Heh heh. I guess I am, yeah. I'm glad you even acknowledge me. Most people won't even glance at me now that I'm no longer the king.
Thug 2: Hey, you'll always be king in my book! Please, give me your autograph! It's for my daughter.
Seth: Sure, what's her name?
Thug 2: ….Ichen….
Thug 3: Say, what's going on over there?
Thug 4: Looks like the King.
Suddenly, Yusuke and the others race out from the road and surround the place.
Thug: What the hell?!
Thug 2: What's going on here?!
Seth kicks him in the face and ink from the paper hits his face.
Seth: Don't worry. That autograph is for you.
Thug 5: Damn! Get those damn brats!
Alicia, Dex, and Axel around the facility. As they do, a D- Wheel sneaks by into the building. A fly camera spots this as Grayson and Chimera are in a room.
Grayson: Time to get to work.
Chimera: Mm.
Grayson picks up a Duel Disk and Chimera follows him out of the room.
Axel: We'll distract as long as we can. Tamika, we're counting on you here.
Tamika: I….won't let you down guys!
She races through the doors. Thugs race out to stop her as she runs right through them. As he races, Chimera suddenly races forward and right next to Tamika.
Tamika: Brother?!
Chimera gestures and races ahead. Tamika frowns and follows him. The two head through a set of steel doors that open up into a wide room. Tamika and Chimera come to a stop as the doors lock.
Tamika: Why did you bring me here?
Grayson: And so we meet again.
He stands there grinning as he puts his Duel Disk on. Chimera gets up and puts one on as well.
Tamika: What's going on here? Hey!
Grayson: What you wanted of course. You came here to find out what Armen is up to. Well you see, Project Tou was our partnership. Sadly, that is over now. I no longer have any obligation to help him. If you come to work for me, I might just tell you.
Tamika: Bite me.
Grayson: Such foul language! Very well, I knew it would come to this. If you can beat both me and Chimera, I'll tell you. Lose and you must come work for me.
Tamika: Corey….say it's not true!
Chimera simply looks down. Tamika clenches her fist and her Duel Disk activates.
Tamika: Fine. It's not like I have much of a choice!
Grayson: We'll be following Triangle Duel Rules. That way you won't get extra life points.
Tamika: How kind of you.
All 3: Duel! [Tamika LP = 4000] [Chimera LP = 4000] [Grayson LP = 4000]
Grayson: I will go first. Draw. I summon Machine Emperor Wisel Ein [ATK 1800/DEF 0 LV 4]. Next I use this Field Spell from my hand. Go, Machine Emperor Fortress.
A large fortress of steel appears.
Grayson: Now my Machine Emperor monsters are not affected by the effects of your Synchro monsters.
Tamika: So he has Machine Emperors also….
Grayson: Not much else I can do this turn. I suppose I'll just end my turn.
Chimera: Here we go. I draw.
Tamika: Brother, please….
Chimera: I have no choice Tamika. Just…go down easily. It won't be as hard for both of us. Here we go. I use the Spell card Core Compression. By discarding on Koa'ki Meiru monster [Koa'ki Meiru War Arms], I get to draw 2 cards. I place a monster in face down defense mode. Next I set a monster and end my turn.
Tamika: Back to me. I draw. I summon Skull Knight [ATK 1800/DEF 1000 LV 4]. That ends my turn.
Grayson: Now that the first round is over, battles are allowed. Let's spice up this little game of ours, shall we?
Tamika looks determined. Outside, duels are going on.
Dex: Machina Spider attacks you directly!
Alicia: Warrior Princess Erika attacks!
Two people spin out as Axel takes down two people at once.
Axel: Come on Tamika, hurry it up! Don't even waste a fraction of a second in there.
Thug: You jerk! Come on, bring it!
Axel: Let's go!
Grayson: Back to me. My turn. I summon Machine Emperor Grannel Ein [ATK 1600/DEF 1200 LV 4]. When another Machine Emperor is on the field, their attack power rises [ATK 1700/DEF 1200 LV 4] [ATK 1900/DEF 0 LV 4] Once per turn, I can halve the attack and defense points of my opponent's monster. What other monster to pick other than yours Tamika?
Tamika: Trap card, Burn. This lets me negate the effect of your monster and halve its attack points.
Grayson: Heh heh. Too bad for you. Trap card, Machine Emperor Iron Wall. This lets me negate an effect against a Machine Emperor and destroy it. Also, if Machine Emperor Fortress is on the field, I draw a card from my deck. And now my effect triggers after all [ATK 900/DEF 1000 LV 4]
Tamika: In that case…..Trap card, Threatening Roar. This means you can't attack me this turn.
Grayson: I can't? Too bad. I set a card. That ends my turn. At this time, the effect of Grannel no longer affects your monster [ATK 1800/DEF 1000 LV 4]
Tamika: All this I took him lightly….he's much stronger than I realized….
Chimera: Here we go. It's my turn, I draw. I flip summon my set monster. Flip, Koa'ki Meiru Sea Panther [ATK 1900/DEF 1200 LV 4]. Now I summon Koa'ki Meiru Speeder [ATK 1200/DEF 1200 LV 3]. Now let's battle. Koa'ki Meiru Sea Panther attacks Skull Knight. Water Claw.
It slices the monster in three and it blows up. Tamika is almost blown away by the explosion [Tamika LP = 3900].
Chimera: And now a direct attack from Koa'ki Meiru Speeder. Rush Kick.
It appears right in front of Tamika and side kicks her. She steps back gasping in pain and coughs [Tamika LP = 2700].
Tamika: Corey….
Grayson: Nicely done. Show absolutely no mercy.
Chimera: Yes. I end my turn. I send Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru to the graveyard and negate the destruction of Koa'ki Meiru Sea Panther. Trap card, Core Shield. This allows me to negate the destruction of a Koa'ki Meiru monster through its own effect.
Tamika: He really doesn't waste time. I forgot how good he really was. Grayson is bad enough, but now I must deal with Corey as well. I can't afford to lose the duel but….I can't hurt my brother….
Grayson: As I planned. She is unwilling to go all out on the off chance she could wound her brother. And of course, if she isn't giving it her all, it will be laughably easy to defeat her.
Tamika: Here we go. Draw. I summon Flare Resonator [ATK 300/DEF 1300 LV 3]. I tune my level 3 Flare Resonator and level 4 Skull Knight.
Resonator becomes 3 rings that Knight flies through, becoming 4 stars [3 + 4 = 7]
Tamika: The kindling of the heart and soul sparks a warrior who embodies bravery and justice! Synchro Summon! Begin the war, Lava Conquistador [ATK 2600/DEF 700 LV 7].
Grayson: Ho. Synchro Summoning are you? Do you really think that is a good idea? After all, I run a Machine Emperor deck. And Machine Emperor Fortress negates the effects of Synchro monsters.
Tamika: Maybe you do. But even so, damage can still be dealt to you. And if I deal a lot of it, effects aren't really going to matter, are they? Lava Conquistador, attack Machine Emperor Grannel Ein! Go, Lava Slash!
Chimera: Trap card, Koa'ki Meiru Shield. Since there are two Iron Cores in my graveyard, I can destroy all monsters in attack mode. Core Shield counts as my second Iron Core.
The attack hits a wall and the monster blows up.
Tamika: Corey….
Chimera: I'm sorry….but this is for your own good. Just do as Grayson says. He'll help support mom and dad. There won't be a need for running or hiding.
Tamika: I won't.
Chimera: Why sis?! I'm doing this because I love you! I betrayed you for a reason!
Tamika: I'm not angry because you betrayed me. I'm angry….because you betrayed yourself. I set a card and end my turn.
Chimera: I….betrayed myself?
Grayson: Don't let it bother you. After all, she is trying to trick you. You're only safe with me. The police will pin all the blame on you.
Chimera: Yes…that's true.
Tamika: So now you're a robot? Good to know.
Chimera: Tamika….
Grayson: Now, now, save the bickering for later. It is so unsightly. Here we go, draw. I summon Machine Emperor Skiel Ein [ATK 1200/DEF 1000 LV 4]. This card gains 200 attack points for every other Machine Emperor on the field. In addition, Grannel and Wisel both gain power as well [ATK 1600/DEF 1000 LV 4] [ATK 2000/DEF 0 LV 4] [ATK 1800/DEF 1200 LV 4]. Now let's go ahead and finish you off. Skiel, Wisel, and Grannel! Attack her directly!
Tamika: Trap card, Fire Resist Wall. Now all non-FIRE monsters can not attack or use their effects. I can only use this if I have no monsters on my field.
A wall of fire appears and blocks the attacks.
Grayson: Damn…what a failure. Well, not like it matters. I set two cards. Turn end.
Chimera: Here we go, draw. I release both my monsters for Koa'ki Meiru Maximus [ATK 3000/DEF 2500 LV 8].
Grayson: Yes, good! No destroy her Fire Resist Wall!
Chimera: Yes.
Tamika: Are you really going to do as he says? Please Corey! Don't lose your soul to him.
Chimera: But if I don't….
Grayson: Your family is dead. That's all there is to it.
Tamika: Together we can put him away! Please Corey!
Grayson: I promise to spare her. But not if you betray me.
Chimera: I….I….
His fist clenches as he looks from Grayson to Tamika, his other hand shaking as he sweats. Tamika looks scared as Grayson looks annoyed while everyone is still fighting.
Axel: Would you hurry Tamika?!
Ending
Narrator: The bond between people is everlasting, especially between siblings. Siblings, even when far apart, are always united through their similar blood, and nothing changes that. Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! Riders of Fate, Episode 102: Why Big Brothers Are Born First.