Episode 121: Exceed Summon, Vylon Distigma
It is a bright morning. Alicia is racing down the road.
Alicia: Milk, butter, sugar. Milk, butter, sugar. Jeez, mom should have just gone last night. Why do I have to do chores?
She comes to a stop near the square.
Alicia: Hey kids dueling. Guess I'll stop for a bit.
Kid: I attack your monster with Luster Dragon #2!
Other figure: Trap card, Negate Attack!
The attack is repulsed.
Alicia: Hey, these two are pretty good.
Other figure: I Overlay my level 4 Vylon Soldier and level 4 Vylon Charger.
Both turn into lights and fly into a spiral.
Figure: With these two monsters, I construct the Overlay Network. Exceed Summon! Recycle Rerhinobot [ATK 2700/DEF 2000 RANK 4]. Now from my hand, I use Limiter Removal. This doubles the attack points of my Machine monster [ATK 5400/DEF 2000 RANK 4].
Kid: Uh oh!
Other figure: Battle!
It charges forward and rips the monster in tow as the kid falls back [Kid LP = 0]. The other figure laughs and jumps up, his hood falling off. Alicia smiles but then looks shocked. She stands up.
Alicia: N….Neo?!
The figure looks down. He looks just like Neo except with one red eye. He also gasps and steps back.
Alicia: Neo, it is you! What's going on?! Why…why do you still exist?!
She walks forward as Neo turns and runs off, vanishing into the crowd. Alicia puts her arm down and looks confused.
Opening
At the usual spot, Axel stands up.
Axel: Neo?! Are you sure?!
Tamika grabs him and holds a hand over his mouth.
Tamika: Yeah, just broadcast it to the entire world! That's okay!
Axel: Well excuse me for being surprised! What do you mean you saw Neo?
Alicia: Like I said, I'm not even sure if it was him. I saw him. Or someone who looked a like him. He was using Vylon monsters, which made me wonder.
Tamika: Look, you obviously were seeing things. Neo was destroyed during the battle with Armen right? So how could he be back? What did he magically un- blow up or something?
Alicia: I can't explain it, okay? I just get the inkling that he was who I thought he was. Call it a hunch.
Axel: She may have a point. After all, Aslo had transferred his consciousness. Who says Neo didn't?
Tamika: Because when he died, he seemed pretty final about it. Besides, let's say you're right. Why did he run away from you?
Alicia: Well….okay, I haven't really figured that part out yet. Maybe he was scared! That's' it, he was concerned we'd be angry at him for last time!
Tamika: Even if that was the case, you say he used Exceed monsters? Neo always used Synchro monsters. Why would he change his deck so drastically?
Axel: Exceed monsters used to be big, but the fact is you just don't seem them much anymore. Maybe he wanted to be new or different.
Alicia: See, Axel agrees with me!
Tamika: I don't know Alicia….I think you're just trying to convince yourself here. Unless we are over 90% sure, I don't think we should pursue this. I mean, have you even considered what it would do to Yusuke?
Alicia: Actually…that's why I'm talking to you guys first.
Axel: Huh? Why?
Alicia: Neo was Yusuke's good friend. I don't want to get his hopes up only to crush them. So that's why I'm doing some prior investigating. I'll discover if this really is Neo or not. So please, not a word of this to Yusuke.
Tamika: Jeez. If you really think it's a good idea…
Yusuke: What's going on?
Everyone freaks out as he is standing there.
Yusuke: Are you guys okay?
Axel: Hey, we're fine! So uh….what are you doing here?
Yusuke: Well, I WAS hoping to talk to you guys. Dex's mom has been really sad lately. I was wondering if we should go over and try to cheer her up.
Tamika: Sorry, we're busy!
Yusuke: Really? Oh, well maybe later…
Axel: We'll be busy later too!
Yusuke: Seriously, what's going on? You guys are acting strange.
Alicia: You know, lots of work to do! Oh, look at the time! We'd better get to work!
They all take off. Yusuke holds out his arm and pulls it back.
Yusuke: What's with them? Oh well. I guess I'm going by myself…
He slowly turns and walks off. Axel and Tamika look out from behind the building.
Axel: He's really been in a funk lately. With what happened to Dex and everything else going on….
Tamika: ….Fine. We'll help you Alicia.
Alicia: You well?
Tamika: If there's a chance this is Neo, we could really use his help. What do you need us to do?
Alicia: I'm glad you asked! I've got a plan actually.
All over town, duels are going on. Kids are dueling in a square as one attacks Dododo Warrior with Frozen Fitzgerald. Axel drives by and keeps going. Elsewhere, a kid Exceed Summons Daigusto Emeral and destroys his opponent's Elemental Hero Sparkman. Tamika drives by and sighs, shaking her head. Two duelists race down the road as Alternative Fusion combines two monsters into Twin Photon Lizard, only to be destroyed by Solemn Warning. Alicia watches from far away and looks down, driving off. At the booths, the three sit around.
Axel: We've been around the entire city. And no sign of him anywhere.
Tamika: Either you were hallucinating or he doesn't duel much.
Alicia: I don't get it. I thought for sure we'd find him….come on, let's keep going!
Tamika: Well….
Alicia: What?
Axel: Look, we should just give up. I mean, we searched for hours. What, we're just going to find him sitting right next to us?
???: Yum!
Everyone freezes up. Neo is at the next table eating ice cream.
Neo: Extra hot fudge.
He suddenly turns and sees them. They stare at each other and they surround him. He stands up in shock and he looks around when his eyes glow red.
Neo: Hey, what are your problems?! A guy can't enjoy a sundae in peace?!
Tamika: That voice….Sigma!
Sigma: Uh, yeah? Who the hell are you?!
Alicia: Sigma…Neo…it's us!
Neo: You….
He tries to take off as Axel grabs him.
Axel: Oh I know you're not pulling that amnesia crap again.
Neo: Let me go! I don't know you!
Axel: Yeah, sure! That's why you ran away!
Sigma: I ran away because you jumped me you crazy pansies! I don't know you! Now let me go!
Tamika: He sounds pretty convincing. Maybe he's telling the truth.
Axel: I don't buy it. Let's take you to a construction site and make you talk.
Sigma: You people are insane!
Alicia: Wait, before all that….duel me.
Neo: Huh? Duel?
Tamika: What's that going to solve?
Alicia: We dueled Neo to get his memory back before. Maybe we could do it again.
Axel: Are you sure?
Sigma: Sounds like fun!
Neo: Hey, don't I get a say in this?!
Sigma: Nope.
Alicia: I am.
Axel: …Well, whatever. Just don't lose.
Alicia: I won't.
Neo and Alicia stand across from each other.
Neo: What a pain. I just wanted some ice cream.
Sigma: Shut up and duel kid.
Alicia: You ready?
Neo: I guess…
Their Duel Disks activate as Neo's eyes turn all white.
Both: Duel! [Neo LP = 4000][Alicia LP = 4000].
Neo: I'll start! Yes. I set a monster. I set a card and end my turn.
Alicia: A set monster…draw! I summon Strong Holder of the Gauntlet [ATK 1700/DEF 1000 LV 4]. I attack your set monster.
It races forward and crushes it [Shining Angel]. Neo blocks the impact.
Neo: When Shining Angel is destroyed, I can Special Summon a LIGHT monster with 1500 or less attack points. Come on, Vylon Charger [ATK 1000/DEF 1000 LV 4]. Trap card, Miracle's Wake! When a monster was destroyed in battle, it returns. Come on, Shining Angel [ATK 1400/DEF 800 LV 4].
Alicia: Nice job! Is he going for a Synchro Summon? No, if he did, he would have summoned a Tuner monster. I set two cards and end my turn.
Neo: My turn, draw!
Alicia: Synchro Summon?
Neo: …I summon Vylon Decago [ATK 1000/DEF 0 LV 3]. Spell card, Wish Upon a Star. Now since there are two monsters with equal attack points, their levels become equal. Decago becomes level 4 [ATK 1000/DEF 0 LV 4]. I Overlay level 4 Vylon Charger and Shining Angel.
Angel and Charger become lights. They fly into a spiraling galaxy.
Neo: With these two monsters I construct the Overlay Network. Exceed Summon! Come on, Wind- Up Zenmaister [ATK 1900/DEF 1500 RANK 4].
Axel: Exceed Summon!?
Tamika: Why? Decago had less attack points.
Neo: Decago's effect. By removing two Spell or Trap cards, I can destroy two Spell or Trap cards. Shoot em dead!
Alicia: My Traps….
Neo: Zenmaister's power! I remove one Overlay Unit [Unit = 1] to change your monster to defense mode [ATK 1700/DEF 1000 LV 4]. Decago gains 300 attack points for every card destroyed this turn [ATK 1600/DEF 0 LV 4]. Battle! I attack the monster. Deca Fire!
It points and fires 10 times, destroying it.
Neo: And now a direct attack from Wind- Up Zenmaister.
It looks down and extends its fist, punching her in the gut and sending her flying [Alicia LP = 2100].
Alicia: I see….even with Exceed monsters, you're really strong.
Neo: I set a card. At this time, the effects of Decago and Wish Upon a Star cancel out [ATK 1000/DEF 1000 LV 3]. Turn end.
Tamika: His skills haven't gotten rusty. He's as tough as ever.
Alicia: This is my first time really fighting him. He's just as powerful as he looks. But I've faced tougher. Yeah….I can win! Here I go, draw! I summon Power Crusher of the Hammer [ATK 2200/DEF 0 LV 4]. I smash your Exceed monster! Attack, Hammer Smash! That way you can't hurt me.
Neo: Trap card, Reinforced Space. This strengthens the power of an Exceed monster by 300 for each of its Overlay Units. As you can see, I have one [ATK 2200/DEF 1500 RANK 4].
Alicia: Oh no!
Hammer crashes into Zenmaister as it blows up, taking them both out.
Neo: Your monster goes to defense mode anyway. As such, your goal was to eliminate the higher monster and take out the lower one next turn. Don't mess with me! I'm much stronger than that!
Alicia: Damn….I really thought that would work against him. I'd better go back to defense mode. I set a card and end my turn.
In town, Yusuke races down the road.
Yusuke: I wonder where everyone else is. They've been gone all day. Sigh…maybe I'll check the dueling.
He starts to head to the square. Neo's eyes glow red.
Sigma: What are you wasting time on? Finish her!
Neo: Okay, okay! Jeez. I summon Vylon Soldier [ATK 1700/DEF 1000 LV 4]. Battle. Soldier attacks you directly!
Alicia: Trap card, Kunai With Chain! This negates your attack and changes your monster to defense mode [ATK 1700/DEF 1000 LV 4]
Neo: You can't stop my second attack! Get her Vylon Decago.
It fires multiple times, blasting her head [Alicia LP = 1100].
Alicia: Ow….
Neo: Hm….okay! Turn end!
Axel: Man, she's sucking out there.
Tamika: Give her a break. Look at what she's going up against. I can't really say I blame her.
Alicia: It's as I thought, he's just as good as before. Even so….I won't give up! I can't afford to give up after coming so far! I draw! Yes! I set a monster in defense mode as well as a card. Turn end.
Neo: That's all? Unimpressive. Here we go, my turn! I summon Vylon Vanguard [ATK 1400/DEF 1000 LV 4]. Now time to take you out. Come my superior force. Attack her!
Alicia: Trap card, Waboku! This prevents my monsters from being destroyed and all cards affecting me.
Soldier runs into a new monster [ATK 1400/DEF 700 LV 4], who repels its attack.
Neo: That's fine. It won't make a difference. I'll beat you either way. Nothing you can do will beat me!
Alicia: Maybe. But even so, I can't give up!
Neo: Eh?
Alicia: Yusuke is waiting for me to succeed. Anything that makes him happy….is something I want. And your happiness…as well.
Neo: Why?! You don't even know who I am! Why would you do so much for me when you don't even know my real identity!? You're taking a chance that I really am who you know. Why?!
Alicia: I think I already said the reason why. Because if I can help people, by all means, I'll work towards helping them! Draw! I release my Selfless Holder of the Twin Swords to Advance Summon my Warrior Princess Erica [ATK 2500/DEF 1700 LV 7]. When this monster is summoned, I can return all monsters with a lower level than her to the owner's hand. Say goodbye to all your monsters.
Neo: Trap card, Darkening Light. This lets me remove all three of my LIGHT monsters from play.
Tamika: But why?
Alicia: What is he doing…? Whatever! I attack with Warrior Princess Erica.
It leaps into the air and chops the man right down the middle. Neo gasps and falls to one knees in pain [Neo LP = 1500].
Neo: Nice hit….Alicia.
Alicia: Neo…!?
Neo: Sorry. But once again….I'm not who you want me to be. Draw! At this time, my three monsters return [ATK 1000/DEF 0 LV 3] [ATK 1700/DEF 1000 LV 4] [ATK 1400/DEF 700 LV 4]. From my hand, I use Synchro Boost. This raises the level and attack points of Vylon Decago by 1 and 500 [ATK 1500/DEF 0 LV 4]. I Overlay level 4 Vylon Decago, level 4 Vylon Vanguard, and level 4 Vylon Soldier.
A Spiral appears and all three fly in.
Axel: Three monsters?!
Alicia: No way….
Neo: Show yourself! The herald of light, guardian of peace. Show yourself and shine! Vylon Distigma.
A sphere appears and begins to change, growing arms and wings. It glows and roars, releasing light. [ATK 2500/DEF RANK 4].
Axel: Whoa….
Alicia: But…but they have the same attack points!
Sigma: Please! That can't stop our ace monster!
Neo: I remove an Overlay Unit from Distigma [UNIT= 2] to use its power. I can select one of my opponent's monsters and make it an Equip card. Light Hand!
The monster turns into light and is absorbed.
Alicia: No….my monster!
Neo: It's over. Vylon Distigma attacks directly. Light Mirage.
It holds out its hand and light charges up. It crushes the light in its hands and tosses it as a barrage of light energy. Alicia is hit and blasted away [Alicia LP = 0]. Neo slowly deactivates his Duel Disk and walks away.
Alicia: Neo…
Neo: I'm not who you think I am. This was just a mistake.
Yusuke: Neo…
Yusuke is shaking as he walks towards him. Neo looks sad and turns.
Neo: You have me confused for someone else.
Yusuke: Neo!
Neo: I'm….not who you want me to be.
He turns and walks away. Yusuke puts his arm down and falls to his knees, crying. Alicia watches this and turns away as Neo also seems to shed tears, wiping them away.
To be continued
Baron: Today we'll be going over Vylon Distigma. This monster can absorb another by removing an Overlay Unit. Used by Neo….
Neo: Honestly, why do people keep confusing me for this Neo?
Baron: What do you mean? You look exactly like him!
Neo: Actually, if you look, the left side of my hair is 3 centimeters longer than this Neo guy's.
Baron: Eh….come on, how can anyone notice that!?