Episode 119: The Greediest Monster!
In a dark room, a man is typing on multiple keyboards.
Man: Money….money!
He taps a button and a screen goes black. He grins and taps more buttons. A bank account drops to zero as he snickers.
Man: More…more money!
He taps more buttons as he stands and laughs. He releases a dark aura and grins like a lunatic as a monster appears behind him, grinning and laughing.
Opening
At school, the final bell rings. Yusuke stretches.
Yusuke: Classes have been getting so much harder! What with the hospital and being King, I can't keep up.
Tamika: That's what happens when you try to do too much. We are getting older. The work is bound to get even harder than this.
Yusuke: Man, what a drag! How come Seth doesn't need to do this stuff?
Alicia: Cut him some slack. After all, he just got back. He used to be tutored, so it's not like he needs to come back.
Yusuke: I guess so, but it still stinks! It's just so unfair. Hey Alicia, hey let me copy your homework…
Alicia: No!
As they argue, Tamika turns and sees Axel in the hallway. Her eyes widen and she walks over.
Tamika: Axel?
Axel: Huh?! T-Tamika!?
Tamika: Hey. What's going on? I haven't heard from you in a few days. What are you doing here? Don't you go to that fancy prep school in the city?
Axel steps back and runs off. Tamika tries to give chase, but Axel rips down the hall before she can stop him. She pulls her hand back and looks confused.
Yusuke: Huh? What's up?
Tamika: Could have sworn that was Axel just now.
Alicia: Axel? Why would he be here? He goes to Cynemia Prep. Believe me; he wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this.
Yusuke: I don't see the pox on public school. They have to wear those uniforms all day. Talk about money for the sake of money.
Tamika: I could have sworn though…
Alicia: They say if you see too much of someone, you start to see them everyone. You probably just imagined the whole thing.
Tamika: Yes, I get it! I made the whole thing up!
They walk out as they see some buildings being nailed shut.
Yusuke: A lot of property has been bought out lately. I really don't get it. What do people want by taking homes and businesses away from others?
Tamika: I've learned its just life. Rich people just want more money. They get a taste and they need more, no matter who they stomp on to get it.
Alicia: That seems kind of pessimistic, don't you think?
Tamika: Pessimistic is sometimes the same thing as honest.
Yusuke: Either way, it's sad. At least Seth found a place to stay.
Tamika: Hmph. Too bad he couldn't keep his mansion. Now we need to find a new hiding place to meet up.
Yusuke: We can go to my place. Axel's house is pretty big too. Come on, let's head over.
They walk into the wealthier part of town. People seem to be giving Tamika dirty looks as she gives them dirty looks back.
Alicia: Come on, give it a rest. Don't give anyone a reason to dislike you.
Tamika: Whatever.
Yusuke knocks on the door. A few minutes later, a man opens the door.
Man: What?
Alicia: Um…doesn't the Seshia family live here?
Man: I don't know what you're talking about. This is the home for the Heirdalgo family. No Seshia family lives here.
Yusuke: That's not right. We know this is his house.
Man: Well he doesn't live here anymore! Now get off my property before I call the police!
He slams the door in their faces. They all look at each other confused. At a house, Salia walks in sighing.
Salia: I'm home…
Seth: Salia, you never told me your mother was so sweet. Now I see why you make such good tea.
Salia: Glad to see you're enjoying yourself….
Salia's mother: My, I never knew the king was such a nice boy. Salia, make sure you hold on to this one.
Salia: Mother!
Seth: Heh heh. Sorry, it's just interesting seeing you two interact. I'm glad I came back here…even though you guys have to take care of me.
Salia: Don't think anything of it! We don't mind one little bit!
Salia's mother: Yes, it livens up the house having you here. Besides, in the housing market, you won't find anything else.
Seth: true….
In the rougher part of town, Tamika rides down the road.
Tamika: No one seems to be out today. I was hoping to have a Riding Duel, but it doesn't seem like anyone wants a challenge.
An explosion occurs from far away.
Tamika: There we go. Someone must already be dueling.
She races towards the area. Someone falls to their knees.
???: Let that be a lesson to you. No one is tougher than me, got it!?
Tamika: Hang on….Axel?!
Axel: Huh?
He turns and sees Tamika there. His eyes widen and he begins to shake.
Tamika: What are you doing in this part of town? I thought you hated coming down here.
Axel quickly races off.
Tamika: Hey, I asked you a question! Get your scrawny rich butt back here!
She races off after him. They race down the streets as people quickly move out of the way. Axel looks back and sees Tamika is still chasing after him. He begins to sweat as he speeds up, racing down a thin alley. Tamika quickly turns and follows him. Axel jumps over a fence as Tamika does the same. He speeds up even more and races past some train tracks and leaps over a broken train car. Tamika does the same.
Axel: You gotta be kidding me! Is anything going to stop this crazy chick?!
Tamika: Pull over! Pull over or I break your D- Wheel.
She begins to bang into him. He snarls and the two smash into each other when their tires go over a bump, sending them both sprawling. Axel gets up and tries to run as Tamika lunges and grabs him.
Axel: Let go!
Tamika: No!
Axel: LET GO!
Tamika: I won't!
Axel: Why are you so concerned for me?! What does what happens to me matter to you?!
Tamika: We're friends you moron! Wasn't that the whole point of Armen and Pandora?! Why…why do you try to do things alone?
Axel: Because…no one needs to be burdened with my problems. I can take care of myself…
Tamika: That's not the point! You think we like the idea you don't talk to us?! Axel…you are strong, but you aren't immortal. You can't do everything alone. That's why you need to depend on others.
Axel: But…you'll think lowlier of me…
Tamika: Moron!
Axel: Stop calling me a moron!
She starts punching him.
Tamika: I'll call you a moron as many times as I want because you ARE one! No matter what happens, you'll always be Axel. Nothing can ever change that fact. So go on already and tell me what's wrong. If you don't, I'll kick the air loving crap out of you!
Axel: It….was the bank. It took all my money.
Tamika: What?!
Axel: You heard. They came for no reason and took everything. That's why I need to live here now. You don't understand! That's why I couldn't tell you guys! Look at me now….I'm so pathetic. How could I do anything useful now? Not in my condition, not now…
Tamika: …Moron. If that's what the issue was, you should have just told us. Why were you so scared anyway?
Axel: It's just…you don't get it! This concerns me and me alone! I didn't need to get you guys involved in what my plans were. I'm going to get back my wealth, no matter what. It's my fight, no one else's.
Tamika: You really are a moron, you know that? If whoever did this knows took your home and money, they know who you are. If you go, it'll be suicide.
Axel: So I just give up then? Great plan…
Tamika: No, what you do is shut up…and leave things to me.
Axel looks up in shock as Tamika looks serious. In the city, the man from earlier is on the phone.
Man: It's wonderful! I made so much money today! You've given me such a great gift Vergil! I seriously can't thank you enough for this!
Vergil: Yes, I am glad you are amused Edward. But you must not forget our end of the bargain. You do remember, I trust?
Edward: Of course! I'm a man of my word. Half of the profits will be given to you people, don't worry. After all, it is your Card of Darkness that has given me all this.
He hears a shuffle. He turns his chair around and glances.
Vergil: That is good. Then we have no further business to discuss tonight.
Edward: Goodbye.
He hangs up the phone and snickers.
Edward: I can smell you little girl.
Tamika walks towards him. She glances towards a large stack of papers.
Tamika: That wouldn't happen to be those contracts you stole from everyone, now would they?
Edward: I should have guessed one of you would come sooner or later. Let me guess, you want a cut of the profits as well? Perhaps we could negotiate a deal.
Tamika: Sorry, no thanks. What you can do is rip up those papers and give the money you stole back to the people who need it.
Edward: Now why would I want to do something like that? Tell you what kid, you've got a lot of spunk. I'll treat you to a little contest. How does that idea sound?
Tamika: Either way it won't make a difference. I'll crush you and take back those contracts?
Both activate their Duel Disks.
Both: Duel! [Edward LP = 4000][Tamika LP = 4000]
Edward: Time to test this out. Shadow Game!
His eyes glow. A dark aura resonates from him and surrounds the two of them. Tamika looks around in shock and grabs her throat.
Tamika: What the….getting harder to breathe…
Edward: Now that the Shadow Game has begun, there is not escape unless you manage to win.
Tamika: Win huh? You should know who you're talking to. I'm Skull, the Burning Hot Riding Duelist! Anything you throw at me I can just as easily throw back at you! Draw. I set a monster in defense mode. I also set a card and end my turn.
Edward: Is that the best you can do? How disappointing. Draw! I use Pot of Greed. This lets me draw 2 cards. Now I use another Spell, Upstart Goblin.
Tamika: Another draw card?
Edward: I get to draw one card. And as a result, you gain 1000 life points [Tamika LP = 5000].
Tamika: What does drawing cards really do for you?
Edward: Simple. This! I return 4 cards from my hand to my deck [Hiro's Shadow Scout, Big Eye, Morphing Jar #2, and Cyber Jar] to summon Drawler [ATK ?/DEF ? LV 3]. This card gains 500 attack points for each card I returned to my deck in that way. There are four cards each for a total of 2000 attack points [ATK 2000/DEF 2000 LV 3]. Battle! I attack your set monster. Rolling Press!
It rolls towards the set monster and crushes it flat. Tamika's deck glows.
Tamika: Huh?
Edward: Any monster destroyed by Drawler is thrown back to your deck.
Tamika: I don't consider that a problem. Trap card, Shattering Skull. This deals 500 points of damage when a monster I control is destroyed and summons one of the same copy from my deck.
Skull fragments buffer him [Edward LP = 3500] as Burning Skull Head appears [ATK 1000/DEF 800 LV 3].
Edward: It won't make a difference. I set two cards and end my turn.
Tamika: My turn, draw! I summon Heat Speeder [ATK 800/DEF 600 LV 2]. Level 2 Heat Speeder tunes to level 3 Burning Skull Head.
Speeder becomes 2 rings that Head flies through, becoming 3 stars [2 + 3 = 5]
Tamika: May these monsters creates the flames that tame the inferno of the underworld. Become a wicked nova and melt! Synchro Summon! Burning Underworld Tank [ATK 2300/DEF 500 LV 5]. Battle! I attack Drawler.
It aims and shoots a cannonball through it, making it blow up [Edward LP = 3200].
Tamika: When Burning Underworld Tank destroys a monster, I can revive another. Come back, Burning Skull Head [ATK 1000/DEF 800 LV 3]. Direct attack!
It flies forward and spits fire, sending him back [Edward LP = 2200].
Tamika: Hmph. You're not so tough. I set a card and end my turn.
Edward: You're pretty good girl. Looks like I won't be able to go easy on you anymore. Draw! Trap card, Jar of Greed. This lets me draw a card. Trap card, Reckless Greed. This lets me draw 2 more cards. Now I use Card of Demise!
Tamika: No way!
Edward: This lets me draw 5 cards from my deck, though I lose my entire hand in five turns. I return 6 cards from my hand to my deck to summon Drawler [ATK ?/DEF ? LV 3]. Since 6 cards were returned to the deck, he gains 3000 attack points [ATK 3000/DEF 3000 LV 3].
Tamika: No way…
Edward: This is my hell of drawing. Battle! Drawler attacks your Burning Skull Head. Rolling Press.
It rolls over and crushes Skull. Tamika cries out as shrapnel flies and cuts her [Tamika LP = 2000]. She falls to her knees and grabs her arm, seeing blood.
Tamika: Blood? But…
Edward: This is my Shadow Game. There is no escape girl. Your only fate is death. Be ready to die.
Tamika: Hmph. Don't count me out yet! Draw. I summon Flare Resonator [ATK 300/DEF 1300 LV 3]. Level 3 Flare Resonator tunes to level 5 Burning Underworld Tank.
Resonator becomes 3 rings that Tank flies through, becoming 5 stars [3 + 5 = 8]
Tamika: May these monsters creates the sparks that ignite the burning flames of my soul. Become a savage fire and burn! Synchro Summon! Skull Flame Dragon! [ATK 3000/DEF 1500 LV 8]. Since Flare Resonator was used as the Tuner, Dragon gains 300 attack points [ATK 3300/DEF 1500 LV 8]. Attack Drawler. Dead Fire Blast!
It spits out a lot of fire that burns up the monster. Edward hisses from the pain [Edward LP = 1900].
Tamika: I'm winning this duel now. You gave up your entire hand. Reckless Greed means you're not allowed to draw next turn. Face it, you're done!
Edward: Oh no my dear girl…you just brought me victory. My turn. I remove Pot of Greed, Jar of Greed, and Reckless Greed. By removing 3 Spell or Trap cards, I can Special Summon my Greedy King- Avarice. Show yourself, my Card of Darkness!
A dark swirl appears as something rises. People look in shock as darkness swirls around the top of the building.
Alicia: What's going on?!
Axel: Tamika…
Edward: Get ready girl. I'm greedy for your soul!
Tamika turns pale and steps back as a grinning monster appears in the darkness.
To be continued
Baron: Today we'll be going over Drawler. This card gains 500 attack points for every card in your hand that you return to the deck. Make sure you have a full hand before playing this.
Narrator: Greed breeds more greed, which breeds even more greed. No matter what, never let it tempt you. Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! Riders of Fate: Episode 120: Riches are Friends.