Episode 120: Riches are Friends

In town, everyone looks up in shock and horror. Dark clouds are swirling around the bank as police run towards the door, only to be knocked back.

Policeman: What is going on?! We can't enter the building!

A helicopter approaches the building from the sky. Something blows off the propeller and the helicopter hurtles towards the ground, the pilot ejecting himself before it crashes.

Chief: Damn it. It's as though there is something that prevents us from entering.

In a dark room, all 11 watch.

Snake: This is better than a movie! Look at them, completely ignorant to the Shadow Game! Little do they know they won't be able to enter the building until it is too late. Mortals never cease to amuse me.

Horse: Yes, but is it okay that they are getting this close to the building? After all, if they uncover our plans things will become…difficult.

Vergil: Brothers, you are far too concerned. There is nothing to fear. Even if they know, nothing they do can stop us. Besides, Edward Teach is but a pawn. No…less than a pawn. If we can use him to capture some pieces, by all means. But if he cannot serve us, there are much better pieces to play.

Axel is racing towards the bank as Dante and Baron both look towards it. Edward is still laughing as his monster is forming from shadows.

Opening

In the duel [Tamika LP = 2000] [Edward LP = 1900], the monster finally turns into a solid form [ATK? /DEF? LV 10]. He has no other cards out as Tamika looks confused with a set card and Skull Flame Dragon boosted by Flare Resonator [ATK 3300/DEF 1500 LV 8].

Tamika: Um….look, I know you're happy about that, but your monster isn't very intimidating. How can I? It's smiling at me.

Edward: Ah yes, playing the brave act. Well I'm sad to say you won't be for long. If the Spells and Traps I removed to summon this monster were cards that allowed me to draw, I draw the number of cards equal to the total number of cards the removed Spells and Traps would let me draw. Pot of Greed is two, Jar of Greed is one, and Reckless Greed is two. Therefore, I draw 5 cards.

Tamika: So that's the reason for all the draw cards! Big deal. Your monster has 0 attack points.

Edward: Not quite. You see, Avarice needs me to discard my entire hand before his effect, but after I draw, he gains 700 attack points for every card in my hand. Look at that, there are five cards in my hand now! [ATK 3500/DEF 0 LV 10].

Tamika: 3500 attack points in just one turn!?

Edward: Do you see? Only through drawing cards can you truly win duels! Greedy King--- Avarice attacks. Desire's Ray!

The mouth on its gut opens and spews a toxic stream. Dragon is hit and roars in pain as it blows up. Tamika screams in pain as the smoke flies by, throwing her against the glass window [Tamika LP = 1800]

Tamika: The hell…?!

Edward: The Harvest has begun. I wonder if your soul will make a good bargaining chip for Father Vergil.

Tamika: My soul…as a bargaining chip? As if. My soul is worth much more than anything you could find.

Edward: Yeah, keep it up. The Underworld eats your soul like candy! Turn end.

Tamika: You talk way too damn much. I'll shut that mouth of yours. Draw! As I thought, he wants to preserve all the cards in his hand. If that's the case, I want to strike quickly and strike fast. I set a monster and a card to end my turn.

Edward: Only playing defense? That won't help you in the long run. Here we go. Battle!

Tamika: Wait, you're not drawing?

Edward: That is the disadvantage to my Avarice. As long as he is on the field, unless it was through a card effect, I am not allowed to draw a card. But with this much power, such a thing isn't necessary! I attack the set monster. Desire's Ray!

The mouth grins again and spits out black fog that hits the set monster. It flips up [Burning Skeleton] and screams as it burns up.

Tamika: Got you! Trap card, Supernova. When a FIRE monster is destroyed as a result of battle, the attacking monster is taken out with it.

Edward: Fool. You think such a thing is going to work against me?! By discarding one card from my hand, the destruction of my monster is negated at the cost of losing 700 attack points [ATK 2800/DEF 0 LV 10].

The monster is engulfed by an explosion and emerges, still grinning and laughing.

Tamika: No way. But you can't draw. That means your monster is limited by the number of cards in your hand.

Edward: Yes, that is the fatal flaw in my monster. But answer me, even if you exploit such a thing, how will you be able to fight back? My monster can negate its destruction four more times. And then you need to destroy it one more time. I know your deck is mainly for dealing damage, not destruction effects. So in other words, there's nothing you can do.

Tamika: Hmph. Keep up the smug attitude. I'll shut you up once and for all once my turn comes around again.

Edward: Oh, I'd love to see that. Go on then, show me your resolve and skill. Turn end!

At the base of the building, Axel comes to a stop and runs up the stairs, banging on the doors.

Axel: Open up already! Damn you, open up!

Alicia: Axel, what's going on?!

Axel: Tamika! Tamika's up there dueling!

Yusuke: Whoa, slow down! Why would Tamika be dueling?

Axel: Well…she's doing a favor for me….

Seth: A favor you say? What kind of favor?

Axel: Well…look, now isn't the time to talk about this! We gotta get in there.

Dante: It's no good.

Yusuke: You're….Dante!

Dante: Nice to see you again. What was I saying? Oh, right! It won't do any good. You see, the Shadow Game has begun. It's not like the previous ones though. This one has a much more powerful aura. A Card of Darkness must have been summoned.

Seth: Who's this guy?

Alicia: He says his name is Dante. We've met.

Seth: Hm…tell me, how do you know so much?

Dante: Call me an expert. I've been looking into this kind of stuff. Anyway, your friend is in a lot of trouble.

Alicia: Well then we need to get up there, right?

Dante: Do you pay attention? It's no good. Once the Shadow Game has begun, there's no stopping it. You better hope your friend has skills. If they don't, there is no way they will be able to win.

Axel: Tamika…damn it. You'd better not lose or else!

Tamika: Here we go, my draw! Trap card, Resonation! If there is a monster with Resonator in its name, I'm allowed to revive it. Come on back, Flare Resonator [ATK 300/DEF 1300 LV 3]. At the end of this turn, the monster I summoned is removed from play. That's not all. I summon Skull Conductor [ATK 2000/DEF 0 LV 4]. Level 4 Skull Conductor tunes to level 3 Flare Resonator.

Resonator becomes 3 rings that Conductor 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]. Since Flare Resonator was used as the Tuner monster, he gains 300 attack points [ATK 2900/DEF 700 LV 7].

Edward: What?!

Tamika: Battle! I attack your monster. Flaming Battle Sword.

It rushes forward and slices the monster in half. Edward grunts and grins [Edward LP = 1800].

Edward: You don't learn. I'll just diss another card and make his destruction negated [Overflowing Treasure]. [ATK 2100/DEF 0 LV 10].

Tamika: In that case, I'm done. Your monster is weaker now. Sooner or later, you'll run out of cards in your hand. And when that happens, your monster's attack points will be zero. Then you won't be able to fight back!

Edward: My, my. You really thought this through, didn't you? Sorry, but I'm not exactly planning on giving up. Draw. She's right though. The cards in my hand are running out. In that case….I set a monster in defense mode. I also set a card. [ATK 700/DEF 0 LV 10]

Tamika: But why?! You're decreasing the attack points of your monster by getting rid of cards!

Edward: I'll fight the way I choose to fight. If you have a problem with that, deal with it. I change my monster to defense mode [ATK 700/DEF 0 LV 10]. Turn end.

Tamika: Here we go, my turn! This guy's nuts. All I need to do is attack twice and his monster will be destroyed. Besides, if he really had a Trap set, he would have kept his monster in attack mode. Obviously he has nothing he can play. In that case, I'll take that ugly thing down this turn. Here we go, draw! I summon Burning Skull Boomerang [ATK 1500/DEF 500 LV 3]. I attack your monster with Conquistador.

It draws its sword and quickly cuts the monster. Edward hisses and grins.

Edward: You never learn. I toss another card [Fiber Jar].

Tamika: But that was the last card in your hand. You're defenseless [ATK 0/DEF 0 LV 10]. With no attack or defense points, that thing is of no threat to me. Time to put an end to this! I attack your Avarice with Burning Skull Boomerang. Go, Burning Throwback! Is this….really going to work?

Edward: Let me answer your question. No. Trap card, Attack Guidance Armor. This forces you to instead attack my set monster.

Tamika: He did have a Trap!

The monster twirls and slices through the set monster. It flips up as Tamika gasps.

Tamika: Morphing….Jar?!

Edward: That's right! When Morphing Jar is flipped, we send our hands to the graveyard. But of course, I have no cards. So you are the only one who tosses cards. And you know its other effect don't you? When Morphing Jar uses this effect, we each draw five cards. And now that my hand has been refreshed, my monster gains even more attack points, 700 for each card [ATK 3500/DEF 0 LV 10].

Tamika: No way….damn, this is the best I can do, but I use the effect of Boomerang. When it successfully manages to attack, it returns to my hand. I set two cards and end my turn.

Edward: Yes…that is all you can do. My turn. I use the Spell card Pot of Greed. This allows me to draw 2 cards from my deck. As a result, my hand now has 6 cards [ATK 4200/DEF 0 LV 10].

Tamika: Good. I might just be able to get away with this.

Edward: Now I use a card from my hand [ATK 3500/DEF 0 LV 10]. It is quite a cost, but the card is well worth it. Heavy Storm.

Tamika: You've got to be kidding me!

Edward: Now all your Spell and Trap cards are destroyed.

Tamika: No….my Traps….

Edward: A Trap is pointless. Nothing can stop my power! Battle! I attack your Conquistador with Avarice.

It sends out purple mist again. The monster chokes and turns to dust as Tamika watches with horror, getting blasted back against the window, making it crack [Tamika LP = 1100]. She coughs and spits out a chunk of a tooth as she slides to the floor.

Edward: Do you see now? My Card of Darkness is too powerful. Ever so slowly, it will lap up your soul. There's no point in fighting. Just give up and it will be painless.

Tamika: I….refuse!

Edward: …Excuse me? I was going to pardon you and you refuse?

Tamika: I made a promise. And I'll damn well keep it, no matter what!

Edward: A promise…amusing. Very well. The hard way then. Turn end.

Tamika: Draw! I set a monster and a card. Just need to hold on for one more turn now. Tell me something. What are you doing all this for?

Edward: Why? Do I need a reason?

Tamika: What do you mean?

Edward: I think it'd be obvious. Stealing money, stealing souls, stealing dignity, why not?! Those who say possessions are meaningless obviously have nothing to their name, so of course they would say something like that. But in the end, possessions are everything! They give you pleasure, power, respect! I want it all! Everything this world has to offer me. And when I'm done, I'll loot heaven and hell also! Until everything is mine!

Tamika: I see. Greed is the only thing that exists in your heart. Well, let me tell you something!

Everyone is still outside looking with worry.

Tamika: Possessions mean nothing when you're all alone. All the money in the world doesn't mean anything if there's no one to spend it on. Toys mean nothing if there is no one to play with. Even happiness means nothing if no one else can be happy! True riches…are friends!

Edward: …You know something girl? You're really starting to annoy the piss out of me. Fine, keep talking. It'll give me an opening to shut you up! I use the Spell card Grazing Arm [ATK 2800/DEF 0 LV 10]. Now when I destroy a monster when the monster I have is of a higher level, 500 points of damage are dealt to the opponent. Get her Avarice! Desire's Ray.

It spits out more purple smog and tears through the set monster. Tamika screams in pain once more [Tamika LP = 600].

Edward: Scream! Scream more! Anything you have to lend me is something special! Turn end.

Tamika: Heh…you made a mistake. Now I'll end it.

Edward: You sound confident. Perhaps you're delirious. Do you want to stop for a drink of water?

Tamika: Why would I….when I'm about to win?! Here we go, draw! Trap card, Descending Lost Star. This lets me revive one Synchro monster with a decreased level. Come on, Skull Flame Dragon [ATK 3000/DEF 1500-0 LV 7]. Now I release it to Advance Summon my Heat Eater [ATK 1000/DEF 0 LV 6]. When this monster is released by releasing a FIRE monster, it gains the attack points of that monster [ATK 4000/DEF 0 LV 6].

Edward: Impossible! 4000 attack points?!

Tamika: Go! Regurgitate Fire!

It spits out fire at the monster. It makes noises of pain as Edward is almost blown away. [Edward LP = 600].

Edward: You don't learn! I just need to toss another card [Spirit of the Pot of Greed] and his destruction is negated [ATK 2100/DEF 0 LV 10]. Don't you get it fool!? My monster is invincible!

Tamika: Exactly what I was hoping for. You're so obsessed with keeping that monster alive. And that is going to be your downfall right now! Spell card, Chance from Beyond! By taking one monster I summoned this turn and sending it to the grave, I can revive a monster removed from the field this turn. Come on back, Skull Flame Dragon [ATK 3000/DEF 1500 LV 8]. And what's more, this monster is also allowed to attack.

Edward: N-No! W-Wait a second….

Tamika: Goodbye. The fires of purity will melt your greed.

It shoots out a stream of fire and burns up the monster. It stops grinning and screams as it melts. Edward screams as the fire knocks him back [Edward LP = 0] and he is thrown back. A gate opens up and chains out, dragging him in.

Tamika: It looks like the gate is taking you. That's what you deserve, scum. Now, our deal…

Edward: Deal? I don't recall making a deal with you. I already gave the profits away. You'll never get them back!

Tamika: What did you just say?! Stop lying to me!

Edward: It's true! Ha ha ha! Your dumb friend will never see his money again! Even I don't know where it is now!

He laughs as he is pulled inside the gate. Tamika holds out her hand as she falls to her knees. Everyone else bursts in.

Axel: Are you okay?!

Tamika: No….

Alicia: What happened? Are you hurt?

Tamika: Axel….I couldn't get your wealth back. Sorry…

Axel: …Sorry? You…you moron!

Tamika: Huh?!

He grabs her by the collar.

Axel: That doesn't mean anything! What, you think if you got hurt, that doesn't mean anything!? I…I see now. I can live without money. Just don't you die in the process, okay? Or else!

Tamika: Axel….okay.

Yusuke: Axel….you've really grown up.

Axel: What do you mean?! Are you saying I've been a kid!?

Everyone then breaks into laughter as Yusuke looks down.

Yusuke: I have to wonder though….what did they need all that money for?

In a dark room, Rasputin prepares a syringe. He sticks it into Vergil's arm and he sighs.

Rasputin: Do not despair Father.

Vergil: I will though. This tuberculosis will catch up to me before my goals are seen.

Rasputin: I promise you Father….they won't.

Faust stands outside the room and walks away.

To be continued

Baron: Today we'll be going Greedy King- Avarice. This monster can only be summoned by removing three Spell or Trap cards. You draw any cards those removed cards would let you draw, and it gains 700 points for each one. But I have to wonder what makes this monster so greedy since it can't let you draw cards.

Dante: I'd think that'd be obvious. It takes all the cards for himself.

Baron: Hey, how did you get in here!?

Narrator: A friend is someone special, and losing one means losing a part of yourself. But lament too much and you will never move on. Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! Riders of Fate: Episode 121: Exceed Summon Vylon Distigma.