Episode 131: Planet Series Release: The Blazing MARS
From a far off distance, a wall is blown off the castle as a man falls out, a door appearing under him and sucking him inside.
Snake: Guess the truth about Icarus was true after all; he sinks like a stone rather than fly!
Rat is walking down the hall when two people stand in his way.
Apollo: Hang on. If you want to see Jupiter, you need to have a pass.
Diana: Quit joking. We need to stop him. If he gets to Lord Jupiter…
Apollo: Hey come on, I know that. Just trying to lighten the mood.
Rat: ….Get out of the way.
Apollo: Not gonna happen. Try again later.
Rat: …Very well. …But you asked for it.
He activates his Duel Disk. Apollo and Diana nod to each other and activate theirs as well. Axel, Yusuke, Seth, Salia, Koga, Arnold, Tamika, Alicia, and Dante all run down different halls. Neo hides behind a wall as a bunch of robed figures rush by as he knocks one out while Corey leaps down from the ceiling and lands on one. Prometheus steps back as Mars still grins at him.
Opening
At the duel, Prometheus is panting as he has Grinder Golem [ATK 3000/DEF 300 LV 8] and nothing else. Mars has The Bloody MARS [ATK 2900/DEF 2700 LV 8] and also has no other cards out. [Prometheus LP = 1200][Mars LP = 1400].
Mars: Scary isn't it? A true Planet Series card in its true power. You could never understand this level of power Prometheus. Having you as part of our ranks…makes the Olympians weep.
Prometheus: Not good. I was hoping he wouldn't summon it. The Bloody MARS. I couldn't even beat that thing without Yusuke's help. Not good…
Mars: From my hand, I equip a second Horn of the Unicorn. Now my monster gains 700 attack points [ATK 3600/DEF 2700 LV 8]. Get ready, I attack Grinder Golem. Go, Lightning Shot!
MARS roars and lightning fires out of its horn, blasting apart Grinder Golem. Prometheus is electrocuted and screams in agony as he is flung back against the wall, making it crack [Prometheus LP = 600]. His mouth opens in frozen agony as he slides to the ground.
Mars: Hmph. Is that all the strength you've got? That can't be all the power you have. Get up you. I'm not even close to finished with you yet.
Prometheus: This isn't good…if he keeps up this abuse, he won't even leave me in one piece. Not good…I…I'm not prepared for this!
Yusuke is running in the hallway and slows to a stop.
Yusuke: What on earth is going on? I'm getting a really bad feeling all of a sudden. Everyone…are you okay?
A robed figure is blasted away as Leon rushes forward. He turns in shock and gasps.
Leon: Yusuke?! Why are you here?!
Yusuke: I'm here to help. I heard things were in a bad state, so…
Leon: Get out of here moron! What, are you brain dead or something?!
Yusuke: Hey, what's with that kind of language?! I'm trying to help you guys!
Leon: Don't you get it? They WANTED you to come! You've just made it easier for them! Go home right now!
Yusuke: I can't…
Leon: What do you mean you can't?! Turn around and go home!
Yusuke: I don't mean physically. You guys have helped me and my friends before. That makes you my friends too. And if I turned my back on you…how could I look at myself in the mirror?
Leon: …Jeez. Fine, but stay behind me. If you fall, we're screwed.
Yusuke: Alright. Come on; let's go make sure everyone else is okay.
They run off down the hallway. Prometheus attempts to steady himself and draws, almost collapsing.
Mars: Does it hurt? Are you in agony? Well, too bad. Even if you beg me, I won't stop. I'll make you feel so much pain you'll beg me to put it to an end. But I won't. I won't let the pain ever end. I'll make you feel pain beyond any amount of pain ever felt.
Prometheus: Mars…why do you hate me so much? I don't understand….I just don't understand. What have I ever done to make you so angry?
Mars: What have you done you ask? It is simple as this. You're weak. You're the weakest man I've ever met.
Prometheus: I'm…weak?
Mars: Your powers are strong, but you will not use them. You do not have a killer instinct. Do you know why on the savannah, the lion survives? Simple. Because it knows it must kill the antelope in order to survive! But you are a lion without fangs. You cannot kill for your own survival. That is why…you're weak!
Prometheus: You consider it weakness? Maybe you aren't a Council member after all. Lord Jupiter always told us violence is rarely the key. If you feel hatred and aggression is necessary, perhaps it is a good thing you're not part of this group!
Mars: There you go again! You think you're so damn smart don't you?! Fine, try and defeat me! Show me for a fact your way of thinking is true and exact.
Prometheus: As you wish! I draw! I set a monster and a card. With that, I end my turn.
Mars: Hmph. Is that really all you can do? So you're going to keep your univalent natures up. Very well. If you are so eager to die, I'll be more than happy to grant your request. Here I go, draw! I summon Great Angus [ATK 1800/DEF 600 LV 4]. Battle. Great Angus attacks your set monster.
It roars and rushes forward, chopping it in two.
Mars: Now for me to end it! The Bloody MARS, finish this fool off once and for all! Claws of Blood!
It roars and rushes towards Prometheus. He looks up in shock as the claws slash him, knocking him far back. He screams as he rolls towards the far wall.
Mars: It's over. I'll be taking your soul now and…
Prometheus: Trap card, Spiritual Settlement. This negates all damage I would have taken. In addition, I can summon one Spirit monster from my deck from attack points equal to or less than the damage I took. However, assuming I choose this, his effect is negated. Come on out, Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi [ATK 2800/DEF 2900 LV 8].
Mars: Ha ha ha! Even now, that's your best effort?! It is far too weak for any practical use against me.
Prometheus: We'll see. It's enough to deal a heavy blow.
Mars: But even if you attack Great Angus, it won't be enough to win. Turn end.
Prometheus: Damn…he's right. If I even have a small chance of victory, I need to draw a good card right here and now. Here I go, draw! I use Spell Books From the Pot. Now we each draw 3 cards.
Mars: Letting me draw cards too? You must really be getting desperate now.
Prometheus: Alright, let's see…yes! I use the Spell card Mystical Space Typhoon! This lets me destroy your Horn of the Unicorn!
Mars: Damn…big deal. My monster can still take you out [ATK 2900/DEF 2700 LV 8].
Prometheus: I equip the Spell card Sword of the Inner Soul. This negates the effect of the monster it is equipped to, but that monster gains 900 attack points [ATK 3800/DEF 2700 LV 8].
Mars: Quick Play Spell, Book of Moon. Now I can change the Battle Position of a monster. You, ugly monster, hide in defense mode.
Prometheus: Sword of Inner Soul can prevent that from affecting my monster!
Mars: That so? In that case, I change Great Angus to defense mode.
Prometheus: Your MARS is no longer safe! Go get him Hino-Kagu-Tsuchi! Blazing Sword!
It flies and swings the sword, set on fire by Tsuchi and chops MARS in half. It roars as it blows up and Mars is pushed back [Mars LP = 500]. He scrapes his claws against the ground to slow to a stop and begins to laugh.
Mars: Ha ha ha! I knew you could make that face! That's just the face I wanted to see. The face that says you could slaughter your opponent. The face that says you are willing to wipe away the existence of your enemy and still have no qualms.
Prometheus: You say that as though we are similar. But let me make something clear to you, Mars. I am NOTHING like you. You fight out of your own hatred. I….fight for the Olympians. And if protecting their honor means destroying you, I will not enjoy it…but I will.
Mars: Whatever the reason. Either way, the Shadow Game has escalated. None of us will be able to escape until the duel is done. And that goes for your friends as well.
Beast King Barbaros is destroyed as Romulus pants. He looks up as the hooded figure is blasted away by Alicia.
Romulus: You…
Alicia: Is everything okay?
Romulus: I…don't know. We were attacked so suddenly. The others, I…
Alicia: Don't worry. I'll go check on them.
She rushes off. Elsewhere, Axel blasts away two figures at once.
Axel: More where that came from!
Tamika, Chimera, Neo, and Seth also knock figures back. Koga pants as a robbed figure vanishes.
Koga: I don't know how much longer I can keep this up guys…
Arnold: Indeed. They certainly are resilient, give them that.
Salia: We've got to keep fighting guys! Don't give up right now!
As they walk around, someone appears to follow them.
Mars: Looks like it is my turn, draw! I flip Summon Great Angus [ATK 1800/DEF 600 LV 4]. Now I use the Spell card Raw Materials. This lets me reduce its power to zero and draw 2 [ATK 0/DEF 600 LV 4] Heh. You did a good job right up to this point. But this is as far as you go. I'll give you props for destroying my soul. But…my Dark Soul still exists.
Prometheus: Dark Soul?
Mars: Let me show you my Card of Darkness! By removing three monsters from play, I can Special Summon a new card. Witness my new power, my new soul. What you and the rest of the Olympians have made me become! Show yourself, The Blazing MARS!
Fire bursts out of a door. Prometheus covers himself as the fire freely burns. He looks in shock as a monster rises from the fire [ATK 2600/DEF 2200 LV 8].
Prometheus: What? But…The Bloody MARS is the Planet Series card, the only of its kind! What's this second Planet Series card?!
Mars: This card responded to my Dark Soul and changed as well. And now it will be the knife I stick into your chest. I use his power! I release one monster and deal 500 points of damage.
It roars and shoots fire, hitting Prometheus, sending him flying back [Prometheus LP = 100]. He screams and rolls over, putting out the flames.
Mars: Oh no, I'm not letting you go that easily! Spell card, Riryoku! This lets me halve your monster's attack points and raise my own monster's power by the same amount [ATK 1900/DEF 2900 LV 8][ATK 4500/DEF 2200 LV 8]. Battle. I attack your monster. Farewell Prometheus. You can repay me for all the crap you put me through with your soul. Go, Red MARS Blaze!
The monster roars and spits fire. Prometheus lies there and shivers, standing up and shooting out blue light.
Prometheus: NO! By releasing my Sword, all damage this turn is negated!
The fire hits Tsuchi and burns it to cinders. Prometheus stands his ground and is not pushed back.
Mars: Hmph. A lucky escape. But it will not occur then. This monster is too powerful. Face it. You're done.
Prometheus: Mars…you've sunk even lower than I thought.
Mars: …Say again? My ears must have been clogged.
Prometheus: You used to be honorable…you used to have pride. But now? You've tossed all of that away! You've sunk so low you don't even have anywhere else to go. Now you're not even a shadow!
Mars: You did this to me! If anyone is at fault here, it's you! That's why I must kill you! You were always jealous of me, starving for power! You were even willing to betray and undermine our entire cause to make that happen!
Prometheus: You're wrong! I looked up to you! You…all of you were my idols. I wanted to be just like you, helping the weak and innocent, defending the balance in the world, being a hero! But you…now you're the opposite of everything the organization stands for! Don't you get it Mars? Your own paranoia…it's made YOU the traitor!
Mars: No…you're wrong….shut up! Shut your damn mouth! Stop talking about things you do not understand!
Prometheus: Fine…I'll let this talk for me! Draw! I set a monster and end my turn.
Mars: Fool. With only 100 life points, there's nothing you can do. Victory is out of your reach. Face it, you lose!
Prometheus: No! I refuse to give up! I'll show you...what you gave up!
Mars: Fine. Come on, monster! Hmph. You got lucky. Battle! The Blazing MARS attacks.
It spits fire and burns the set monster.
Mars: It is not like it matters. As soon as I draw a monster, you lose. This is the end. You're going to die.
Prometheus: My turn, draw! I set a card and end my turn.
Mars: Why?! You can't play anything! Nothing, nothing at all! Why aren't you afraid?! Why won't you cower or bow before me!? Isn't there at least a little fear in your heart?!
Prometheus: Of course I'm scared. I'm petrified even. But if I give up…I will dishonor everyone! And I will not let that happen. Never!
Mars: You are so damn annoying! That pride of yours? I'll smash it into dust! Draw. Now, this is your end. I summon The All-Seeing White Tiger [ATK 1300/DEF 500 LV 3]. You lose. I use the effect of MARS. I release my Tiger and deal 500 points of damage.
Prometheus: I remove Damage Eater from play and raise my life points by that amount.
Fire hits him and is sucked inside the Duel Disk [Prometheus LP = 600].
Mars: You only planned for one attack! You can't possibly avoid this! Say farewell to this life! Make room for the rest of your pitiful group. Finish him The Blazing MARS. Blazing Meteor!
Prometheus: This is my last chance…come on, no counters! Trap card, Zen Mode! This negates all damage until the End Phase of my next turn. In addition, I can summon one monster from my deck. I summon my Enlightened Statue [ATK 1300/DEF 900 LV 3].
Mars: A Tuner monster? Big deal! You have nothing to Synchro Summon with! Even if you Synchro Summon, your only Synchro monster is Spiritual Dao Master. It will not be enough to help you win the duel.
Prometheus: I'll show you…what the true meaning of hope is! I will claim victory right here and now! Draw! With this card, I'll claim victory! I summon Karma Warrior [ATK 1600/DEF 700 LV 4]. I tune my level 4 Karma Warrior and level 3 Enlightened Statue.
Statue becomes 3 rings that Karma flies through, becoming 4 stars [4 + 3 = 7]
Prometheus: Souls, the basis of life, break free of fleshy vessels and obtain a new power. Synchro Summon, Spiritual Dao Master [ATK 2500/DEF 2000 LV 7].
Mars: You always were so predictable as to use that same monster. It's too weak, just like you. My hatred will live on. You won't be able to quell it yourself!
Prometheus: …I'm sorry Mars. But I must put an end to your hatred. If it goes on, it will never end. I must break the cycle of violence! I use the effect of Karma Warrior. By removing it from play when my monster has fewer attack points and I have less life points than you do, one monster gains 1000 attack points [ATK 3500/DEF 2000 LV 7].
Mars: Impossible! It's stronger than my monster!? No…I refuse to accept it!
Prometheus: Start accepting it. Mars…this is the end. Spiritual Dao Master, attack!
Mars: No! I will not lose here! Damn it, there's got to be something I can play, something!
Prometheus: This is the end Mars. This is all anger and sorrow will bring you, more anger and sorrow. Finish him! Spiritual Technique Twin Swords!
It flies through the air and swings both swords in the air, slashing both in the shape of an X. MARS roars as it is chopped apart and blows up. Mars screams as he is blasted back [Mars LP = 0]
Mars: No…how could I…?
A door opens and begins to suck Mars inside. He screams and digs his claws into the ground, being pulled inside regardless.
Mars: No! My anger won't stop here! I'll get revenge, I swear! I swear!
The door slams shut. Prometheus pants and almost collapses, catching himself before he does. Yusuke and Leon turn from the corner and run forward.
Leon: There you are Prometheus! What happened?
Prometheus: Mars….it was Mars…
Yusuke: Mars? Are you okay?
Prometheus: Don't worry. I'll be fine. I've won, that's what matters.
Suddenly, he tenses up. Yusuke and Leon tense up as well as darkness begins to distort the area around them. They all turn in shock as Faust is walking towards them.
Faust: Well, well. You've come after all…Yusuke Iruiza.
To be continued
Dante: Today, we'll be going over The Blazing MARS. This is the second MARS card. By releasing a monster, deal 500 points of damage. Plus, it can be summoned just by removing three monsters.
Yusuke: Doesn't Baron usually do this?
Dante: Yeah, well….he didn't come to work today. I hope he's doing something important.
Rika, Ren, and Baron are looking at each other seriously.
Ren: Do you…have any threes?
Baron and Rika: Go fish.