Episode 136: Let's Play, Hellish Toy Deck!

In a hotel room, Baron is slurping noodles out of a cup.

Ren: The room bill is done. As soon as we're ready, we can check out.

Baron: That's good. Dear old dad will track our expenses here if we delay.

Rika: I've already found a new hotel for when we get home. But are you sure you want to do this? Absolutely sure?

Baron: Yeah. We've waited long enough. Most of the small fry have been taken care of. I want to help Yusuke and the others, but I have my own objectives to accomplish. And at this Castle, my goals await.

He stands up, throwing his cup behind him as it lands in the trashcan.

Baron: Let's go.

Opening

In the castle, Jupiter sighs as he sits next to Juno.

Jupiter: Nike, give me a report.

Nike: Sir! We've sustained heavy losses. Nearly half the Council of Elders, including you and your wife, have been taken out. We've tried to hold them back as long as we can, but there seems to be no end to them. Even with Yusuke and his friends here, we can't hold them back forever. Sooner or later, they'll break our last line of defense.

Jupiter: I see. Deploy all reserve fighters. Call any operatives on outside missions and tell them to report back as soon as possible.

Nike: Understood. You should leave as well.

Jupiter: I will not. My soldiers are here fighting as hard as they can. If I flee, I resemble a coward. I will stay and support my troops until the bitter end!

Nike: As you wish…

She bows and rushes away. Juno turns and looks concerned.

Juno: Dear, are you sure? There's a good chance we won't survive the battle if we stay.

Jupiter: I understand that. A part of me does want to run away. But at the same time, a part of me wants to stay and fight with my soldiers. If I flee, I set a bad example for them. We must stand strong, or else we fall.

Juno: I understand…in that case, I'll stay too. Until the very end.

Elsewhere in the castle, a man is screaming as Rabbit stands there. She holds out her hand as a monster behind her roars. Its neck extends and a beam fires, burning up his Sleeping Lion. The man flies back through a door.

Rabbit: Yawn…these guys are such a bore. Barely even worth fighting. Is there no one fun to play with?

She turns and smiles.

Rabbit: He's coming. I'm glad. We'll be able to play again after so long.

A jet plane streaks through the sky. Ren and Rika pilot as Baron sits in the back.

Ren: We are approximately 20 minutes from our destination.

Rika: Are you really sure? Once we get in there, there's no going back.

Baron: I was expecting as much. Well, we've come this far right? There really is no turning back now.

Ren: With all due respect Lord Baron, we can handle this ourselves. No need for you to sully your hands by coming with us.

Baron: It is kind of you to say that. But I have to go. If I don't, things will look bad for me. Besides, my goal waits for me at this place.

Ren: Very well. We'll be landing within a few minutes.

The plane lands on a hanger. Baron is the first one off and looks around, kicking a small rock off the edge.

Baron: Wow…that's a long way down.

Rika: Such a big place. Dare I say it even puts the Spanish Villa to shame?

Ren: We will not get anywhere standing here.

Baron: Well said. Come on, let's head in. I've got some food in the oven. Let's make it quick.

He and his guards head inside. They come to three hallways branching off in different directions.

Baron: Well, this is a snag. Who gets which path?

Rika: Is dividing up really a good idea?

Baron: It'll be better than walking around as a group. Besides, I can't involve them. Charlotte's here somewhere, I know it. Cover more ground.

Ren: With all due respect Lord Baron, it is too risky leaving you attended. At least allow one of us to go with you.

Baron: That's really not a good idea. They won't attack us in a group. It really would be for the best if we split up. Trust me.

Ren: …As you wish Lord Baron. Come on Rika, let's go.

Rika: Understood. Please be careful Lord Baron.

All three run in separate directions.

Ren: Fear not my lord. I will finish them all off. I'll do anything to make sure you don't become their target.

Dante walks down the hallway as hooded figures lie defeated all around, being sucked into doors.

Dante: Small fry. Vergil's standards really aren't as high as they used to be. If that's not bad enough, I could have sworn I sensed that guy a few minutes ago. Damn…is Baron really here? Why? What does he hope to gain by being here?

Baron keeps walking down the hallway and seems to remember something. A woman screams and Baron runs into the room, seeing a shattered window and a maid sobbing. Baron's eyes widen as his flashback ends.

Baron: As soon as I find them, I'll make them pay.

Ren looks out from behind a wall and sees the corridor empty. He rushes down the hallway and sneaks down another corridor.

Ren: I knew it was going to be empty with all the fighting, but this is a little too empty.

He hears something and turns quickly, seeing a ball falling down a flight of stairs. He looks confused and walks over, picking it up.

Ren: A ball? In a place like this.

Rabbit: Oh my, my ball! Don't get away like that! Stay right here.

Ren: A child? What are you doing here? You must leave at once. It is dangerous here.

Rabbit: Dangerous? Oh, I don't think so. I'm having fun here. All the people fall so easily though, so that's kind of disappointing.

Ren: W-What?

Rabbit: Tell me, is Alphonse here?

Ren: You must be referring to the young lord. My apologies for asking…but are you my enemy?

Rabbit: Aw, don't put it like that. It's like soccer or chess. I'm on the other team.

Ren: Hm…one more question. Do you know a small child by the name of Charlotte el Alejandro?

Rabbit: …Maybe?

Ren: I see. Then you leave me no choice. For the sake of the young lord, I must fight you.

Rabbit: I had a feeling you would say that. Fine, fine! Let's play and have fun! But you'd better be more amusing than the useless lumps here!

Both of them draw their Duel Disks and put them on, activating as well.

Both: Duel! [Ren LP = 4000][Rabbit LP = 4000].

Baron walks down the hall when beeping goes off. Baron checks something in his pocket and looks down.

Baron: Ren is fighting then. I am sorry for deceiving you but…

He turns and runs as Rabbit begins to giggle.

Rabbit: Sorry. I've just been looking forward to this for so long…it's going to be so much fun!

Ren: Right…just go if you will. I have other matters to attend to.

Rabbit: Aw….really? That's not fun at all! Come on, stay for a little while and play! I set a monster in face down defense mode. Then I set a card and end my turn.

Ren: A set monster and a card. Right then, now I can go on the offensive! Here I go, draw! I must act cautiously. I will not fall into a Trap you have set for me. I summon Karakuri Bushi mdl 6318 Muzanichiha [ATK 1800/DEF 600 LV 4]. Battle. Go and strike down her set monster!

The robot draws its sword and swings cutting through the set monster.

Rabbit: Got you. When Mecha Bunny is flipped up, he deals 500 points of damage to the opponent.

Bunny's eyes glow and fire lasers, hitting Ren as he steps back [Ren LP = 3500].

Rabbit: Then one more monster from my deck is taken and set on the field.

Ren: Another Bunny huh? Not bad. But the monster is weak. I'll overcome it slowly. I set a card and end my turn. Yes, go ahead and attack. I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised by my set card. When my monster is attacked, he goes to defense mode. Then I can use the Trap card Karakuri Trick House and destroy her monster. I'll be able to counter her no matter what she tries.

Rabbit: Looks like my turn once again. Draw. I Flip Summon my Mecha Bunny [ATK 800/DEF 100 LV 2]. Since he was flipped up, he deals 500 points of damage to you.

Bunny fires rays again as Ren steps back, breathing deeply. [Ren LP = 3000]

Ren: Effect Damage, that is the theme of your deck. Hmph. I do not judge others, but it seems like an awfully cowardly way to duel.

Rabbit: Too bad for you. You're stuck with me and I want to get the most out of this play date. I summon Plastic Soldier [ATK 500/DEF 500 LV 2]. When this card is summoned, one Machine monster of level 2 or below can be revived from my graveyard. Come on out, Mecha Bunny [ATK 800/DEF 100 LV 2].

Ren: Three monsters…I see, an Exceed Summon!

Rabbit: I Overlay both level 2 Mecha Bunnies and Plastic Soldier.

All three monsters turn into lights and fly inside a spiral.

Rabbit: With these three monsters, I construct the Overlay Network. Exceed Summon! Show yourself, Block Golem [ATK 2000/DEF 0 RANK 2].

Ren: Not bad. You summoned a relatively tough monster.

Rabbit: Let's battle, okay? Block Golem, take out his monster.

Ren: When my monster is attacked, he retreats into defense mode [ATK 1800/DEF 600 LV 4]. Trap card, Karakuri Trick House. When a Karakuri monster has its Battle Position changed, one card on the field is destroyed. I destroy Block Golem!

Rabbit: No good, sorry. By removing one Overlay Unit [Unit = 2] and negate a Spell or Trap card. My monster isn't destroyed. Not to mention my monster deals 400 points of damage whenever it destroys a monster.

Golem roars and smashes the set card. Ren flies back and rolls on the ground [Ren LP = 2600].

Ren: That hurt….so this truly is a Shadow Game.

Rabbit: That's right, that's right! So don't die too soon kay? That's not fun at all. I set a card and end my turn.

Ren: If this is your sick twisted idea of fun, then you truly disgust me. Here I go, draw! I summon Karakuri Soldier mdl 236 Nisamu [ATK 1400/DEF 200 LV 4]. Now I activate the Continuous Spell card Karakuri Anatomy. When a Karakuri monster is summoned, one Counter can be placed on this card. And when I gather a certain number of Counters, I can Release this card and draw one card for each Karakuri Counter. With that, I set a card and end my turn.

Rabbit: Is that really it? Aw, that really is no fun. Jeez Ren, you're as boring as ever.

Ren: This child knows me and the young lord? Could she be…no, don't think that! I must protect the young lord at any price. But still…his goal in the end is to…

Rabbit: There you go spacing out. You always do that whenever you are wound up about something. And of course, knowing you, that's all the time. I always used to say you needed to just chill out and have fun. Come on, seriously, relax! Here I go, draw! I summon Debris Dragon [ATK 1000/DEF 2000 LV 4]. When this card is summoned, I can revive one monster with 500 or less attack points from my graveyard. I revive the monster Plastic Soldier [ATK 500/DEF 0 LV 2]. Trap card, Wind- Up Key. One Machine monster on the field that was Special Summoned gains 2 levels [ATK 500/DEF 0 LV 4].

Ren: But why? With its level at four, you will not be able to Synchro Summon you would have been able to normally.

Rabbit: Silly! I wasn't going to Synchro Summon! I Overlay my level 4 Debris Dragon and Plastic Soldier.

Dragon and Soldier turn into lights and fly into a spiral.

Rabbit: With these two monsters I construct the Overlay Network. Exceed Summon! Show yourself, Top Twister [ATK 2400/DEF 2000 RANK 4].

Ren: Using a Tuner monster for an Exceed Summon? That's rather unorthodox if you don't mind me saying.

Rabbit: I don't mind. I like playing this way. Doing the same thing over and over again just gets dull and boring.

Ren: You are quite a spunky little thing aren't you? Tell me, someone like you does not seem evil or malicious. Why do you work with the Crossed Brotherhood? Are you truly seeking the destruction of the world, or perhaps there is some ulterior motive?

Rabbit: Destroy? You're joking right? We are not trying to destroy the world. We are trying to save it.

Ren: Save it? You cannot save the world the way you are doing it.

Rabbit: So now you're questioning my ethics? You really are a boring man after all. I remove one Overlay Unit from Golem [Unit = 1] and destroy Karakuri Anatomy. Then I remove one Overlay Unit from Top Twister [Unit = 1]. Now for this turn, he can deal Piercing damage. Get ready. Top Twister, take out his set monster! Whirling Death!

Ren: Trap card, Malfunctioning Damage. For this turn only, any damage I take through battle is negated, but only if a Machine monster was involved in the battle.

His monster is torn to pieces.

Ren: When he is destroyed, I get to summon a level 4 or below Karakuri monster in my deck. From my deck, I summon a second Karakuri Ninja mdl 236 Nisamu [ATK 1400/DEF 200 LV 4].

Rabbit: Another toy to play with! Block Golem, crush it! Toppling Fist!

The monster punches and crushes the monster.

Ren: Once again, I can summon a Machine monster from my deck. Come on out and shine, Karakuri Barrel mdl 96 Shinkuro [ATK 400/DEF 400 LV 2].

Rabbit: A Tuner monster eh? Exactly what I predicted you were going to try. That's always been you. Nothing else

Ren: You know me pretty well. It's getting annoying honestly. Keep going and I'll really get mean.

Rika runs down the hall and sees Baron.

Rika: Young lord, is it my uncle!?

Baron: I think so. He must be fighting someone right now.

Rika: Is he okay?

Baron: I'm not sure. But let's go see. After all, a baron must protect their servants.

Ren: Here I go, draw! With this, I can deal a heavy blow. But should I risk our only lead? Yes…a servant must protect their baron at any price, be it personal, financial, or emotional. I summon my Karakuri Ninja mdl 919 Kuick [ATK 1700/DEF 1500 LV 4]. I use the Equip Spell Synchro Boost, raising his level by 1 and attack by 500 [ATK 2200/DEF 1500 LV 5]. I tune level 2 Barrel and level 5 Ninja.

Barrel becomes 2 rings that Ninja flies through, becoming 5 stars [2 + 5 = 7].

Ren: March great army and be prepared to fight in the name of the law. Synchro Summon! Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 Burei [ATK 2600/DEF 1900 LV 7]

Rabbit: Right, when your monster is summoned, you can summon one more monster from your deck. I remove my last Overlay Unit from Golem to negate that effect [Unit = 0].

Ren: So my army will not grow. My force is strong enough as is. When Shogun is summoned, the Battle Position of one monster changes. That ugly monster, that Twister…to defense mode [ATK 2400/DEF 2000 RANK 4].

Rabbit: So you knew? When Twister is in attack mode, if he has at least one Overlay Unit anyway, he becomes the target of your attack.

Ren: And that leaves your other monster defenseless! Shogun, strike down Golem!

Shogun draws the sword and leaps into the air, slashing downward and splits the monster in two. Rabbit screams as she flies back [Rabbit LP = 3400].

Ren: …This is enough playing around. Me and my niece Rika are the current leaders of the Conquistos, the guardians of the royal family. I raised you since you were an infant. You think I wouldn't recognize you…Charlotte el Alejandro?

Rabbit stands up. She sighs and then laughs.

Rabbit: You always were so damn bright! I always made fun of you for being such a bookworm…but you're a bright one.

Rabbit reaches up and yanks down her hood. Blond hair falls as Ren clenches his fist. Rabbit grins and flips her hair behind her back.

Rabbit: Tell me…does my big brother still like being called Baron? Or has he finally accepted the name our father gave him? Oh well…won't matter anyway. Because once I'm done with you….I'm going to kill him.

To be continued

Baron: Today we'll be going over Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 Burei. When this card is Synchro Summoned, you can summon one more Karakuri from your deck and change the Battle Position of one monster.

Rika: I have to wonder something…if we're here, what are the Conquistos doing.

A bunch of people sit in one room.

Man: …So….anyone want to see a movie?

No one answers.

Man: …Well I tried.