Episode 144: As a Baron, As a Father

In a field, two people are dueling.

Boy: Spell card, Polymerization! This lets me combine monsters together. I fuse my Silver Fang and Darkworld Thorns. Now from my deck I can summon Flower Wolf!

Man: I do not think so! Trap card, Spiritual Fusion. This lets me take your Materials and fuse my own monsters. I combine both my Thunder Dragons into Twin- Headed Thunder Dragon. Now a Spell and Trap card combination, Shock Wave and Ring of Defense.

The boy flies back and hits the ground [Boy LP = 0].

Boy: Damn it! I just can't win! What's the point in even dueling? I suck!

Man: Hey, hey. Remember something my son. Even if you lose, that shouldn't matter. Dueling should be fun. Besides son, you could never be a loser. After all, the baron must be strong. It doesn't matter on physical strength, but he must be emotionally and mentally strong. He must be able to make the right decision in the thick of danger, but he also must know what is right, even when the world thinks he is wrong.

Boy: I'll remember dad!

He hugs the man as they both laugh. Baron's flashback ends as he continues to watch.

Baron: What happened? What happened…to the man I once called my father?

Alphonse: It's over!

Rika: Trap card, Negate Attack. Now your attack is negated and the turn ends!

Lighting hits the shield and diffuses around it.

Alphonse: Hmph. Whatever. Your fighting won't protect you. Soon enough, I'll win girl. Last chance to surrender.

Rika: I thought I already told you…I will not surrender! As long as I can fight, I will!

Dante watches for a few more seconds and walks off.

Opening

At a basketball court, Axel is dribbling the ball alone. He throws it and it bounces off the rim towards the fence as Tamika picks it up.

Axel: You going to give me an earful again?

Tamika: I just want to know what you plan to do now.

Axel: What do you mean? I thought that would be obvious. Yusuke and Seth may be feeling depressed, but I'm not. As soon as I'm good and ready, I'll crush all those Crossed Brotherhood guys. That Dante guy knows something, I'm sure. Damn! I forgot he said he'd answer our questions.

Tamika: Will you really be able to go? Knowing that you might have to fight Brutus there?

Axel shoots again and it sails over the fence. Axel begins to shake.

Axel: What kind of stupid question is that? I…I'm not scared! You're just too damn weak! I'm strong! I'll be able to fight no matter what! Hide like scared puppies, see if I care! I'll crush every last one and their Yomishin cards!

He shakes more violently and almost falls to his knees. Tamika walks over without saying anything and hugs him as he begins to cry.

Axel: Damn air…it's so putrid here it's making my eyes water.

Tamika: I understand moron. We're all scared. But we'll stop them.

Dante: Sorry, am I interrupting anything?

They break apart freaking out as Dante stands there.

Axel: I-We-She…how much of that did you see?

Dante: Enough. Say, if you need some resolve…I know where you can get it.

Axel and Tamika blink and glance at each other confused as Dante grins. Alphonse and Rika continue to duel [Baron LP = 3600] [Rika LP = 1400]. Alphonse has no other cards on his field other than Thunder- End Dragon [ATK 3000/DEF 2600 RANK 8] while Rika has no cards on her side of the field.

Rika: Here I go, draw! Damn, I might be in serious trouble here. Thunder- End Dragon still has one Overlay Unit. If he chooses to use it, my field will be empty. All I can do is hold on for as long as I can. I set a monster, turn end.

Alphonse: Hmph. Yes, I suppose that is all you can do isn't it? I draw! Heh. Spell card, Future Fusion. This lets me send the proper Fusion Material monsters to the graveyard. Now in two turns, I will be able to summon the Fusion monster in question. But of course, I won't need to! I'll be able to put an end to this now. I remove an Overlay Unit from Thunder- End Dragon and destroy your monsters.

Lightning strikes it as a pit opens in the ground, swallowing Dragon.

Rika: When Sacred Knight's Trap Master is destroyed either by battle or by effect, the Battle Phase is skipped right to the Main Phase 2.

Alphonse: So it would not have mattered either way. But still, no matter. You're only delaying the inevitable. Sooner or later your defense will falter; it is only a matter of time. Turn end!

Baron: Using Thunder- End Dragon's effect on just one monster? Just like you father. You want to end things quickly.

Rika: Looks like it is back to me, draw! I use Rebellion of the Sacred Knights. By removing 3 Scared Knights in my graveyard from play, I get to draw 2 cards. Yes! With this, I take down Thunder- End Dragon! From my hand, I summon Sacred Knight's Sniper [ATK 1500/DEF 900 LV 4]. When this is the only monster on my field with Sacred Knight in its name, then once per turn I can destroy a monster on the field.

Leonid: What?!

Rika: And don't forget that was not a physical attack. I still have my Battle Phase! Take him down Sacred Knight's Sniper! Bullet de Fleur!

It vanishes in a swirl of petals. Alphonse looks around as it appears on a high ledge, pointing the gun. Alphonse turns in shock as a bullet hits him, making him step back [Alphonse LP = 2100].

Alphonse: You're joking…out of all the lucky draws…

Rika: I believe our decks are alive and respond to their duelists. When they need help, the deck provides. I believe my deck reads my desire...and answers me! I set a card and end my turn.

Baron: Rika…you haven't changed at all. You still fight with all your power. Good luck. Don't lose!

Alphonse: Yes…I recall you being tough in the past. And although I am not sure if it involves miracles or anything like that, but you have seemed to have good luck. You do understand though girl…if your deck responds to your desire to win, then my deck responds to my desire to win. Here goes, draw! Heh. I use the Spell card Count Up.

Baron: Count Up?! At a time like this?!

Alphonse: When Count Up is used, I designate a card that goes by turns and raise its count by one. At this point, Future Fusion only has 1 Counter. Using Count Up, I increase the number of counters by 1, to 2. Future Fusion's power! After two turns, the monsters I discarded are fused.

Rika: Hold on…so Thunder- End Dragon was just a decoy?!

Alphonse: From my graveyard I combine two Thunder Dragons.

They both fly into a spiral as lightning is flung in all directions.

Alphonse: Show them your power, Twin- Headed Thunder Dragon [ATK 2800/DEF 2100 LV 7]. Recall how I said it would end? Well now…it ends! Twin- Headed Thunder Dragon, wipe her out! Double Lightning Burst!

Rika: Trap card, Sacred Flourish. This lets me take one Trap card from my opponent's graveyard when I have a Sacred Knight monster on the field and use it as this card. The card I take is your Half Unbreak. All damage I take in this battle is halved and my monster is not destroyed in battle. Rather than take 1300 points of damage, I'll only take 650.

The lightning hits Sniper and blitzes past it to hit Rika. She is pushed back slightly, but holds her ground [Rika LP = 750].

Leonid: Just a handful of life points left. Mop this up your highness!

Alphonse: It won't be much longer. Baron, prepare to return home.

Baron: I will not! Didn't I tell you I still have a mission?! I'm going to find Charlotte and…

Alphonse: I could not care less about her! That little girl has always been so weak! She is too weak to be a baron's son, or a baron's brother.

Baron: You stupid old fool! That's what I've always hated about you! You always looked down on Charlotte, your own daughter!

Alphonse: What choice did I have?! I'm s baron! I have an entire country full of people to take care of! I must guarantee their safety, no matter what! After all these years, you are still just a foolish child. You do not understand that a baron must put his country before anything else! Even if your own family is involved. I sacrificed Charlotte for the good of my country! And you Baron, the only way you will be strong is if you sacrifice that as well.

Rika: Don't say that! Don't talk about your daughter as though she is dead weight! Even if a baron must focus on his country, he still has his family! You cannot just throw your daughter aside!

Alphonse: You still understand nothing. Clearly defeat is the only way you will learn! I end my turn!

At Yusuke's house, Yusuke and Alicia still sit there. Someone knocks on the door.

Yusuke: Yes?

Dante opens the door and walks in.

Alicia: Dante? Why are you here?

Dante: Just wanted to ask a question. You still are looking for resolve, right Yusuke? Well, I know where you can get it.

Yusuke: Resolve?

Rika: Here goes, draw! The Trap card Fleur Guard. This will protect my monster. Thanks to his power, Sniper cannot use his effect until next turn. If I can just survive one more time, I'll be able to win. Here I go, I set a card. Then I change my Sniper to defense mode and end my turn [ATK 1500/DEF 900 LV 4].

Baron: Rika, you're setting up a Trap. But my dad won't fall for something like that.

Alphonse: Here I go, draw! Come on girl…did you honestly think I would fall for such an obvious Trap? From my hand, I use Mystical Space Typhoon. This lets me destroy one Spell or Trap card on the field. I destroy your set card!

Rika: No way! How?!

Alphonse: Didn't I already tell you girl? My deck is responding to my wishes. As long as I can keep drawing cards, my deck will always provide me with the keys to victory! And now that your Trap card is gone, Twin- Headed Thunder Dragon attacks!

It shoots twin bursts of lightning, destroying the monster. Rika watches and falls to her knees. Baron steps forward as Leonid grins.

Alphonse: I will accept your surrender Rika, as well as your offer of resignation. No matter what, you just were not a match for me. Accept that while you still have a shred of dignity.

Leonid: This result was only to be expected. One of the Conquistos cannot match the baron himself.

Baron: Damn it! Rika, you're not seriously going to let it end here are you?!

Rika: I'm sorry young lord…but I only have so much power. This is all I've got. I couldn't protect you once again.

She looks down at her Duel Disk and seems to have a memory. Charlotte cries out as Tin Archduke is destroyed. She falls to her knees and laughs.

Charlotte: You're so amazing Rika!

Rika: Huh? Eh…come on, I'm not that good. I'm still learning.

Baron: Even so, you really know how to duel! I like you Rika. You're not stuck up like the other guards, or feel obligated to be our guardian. You're like a friend.

Rika: It's kind of you to say…but I'm nobody. You're both the children of a baron. Thousands of years from now, people will still be telling stories about you. Me? I'm just the bodyguard. I'm not even worth a footnote.

Baron: …In that case, why don't you become our big sister?

Rika: Huh?

Charlotte: Sure! That way you will be remembered! What do you say big sister?

Rika: You guys…I don't know what to say.

Rika grins as she stands.

Alphonse: Again? I suppose it cannot be helped. If you're so adamant, I'll have to beat you the old fashioned way.

Rika: Like I said…I will not lose. After all, I'm more than a bodyguard! I may have to spend my entire life serving the royal family and I'm not royalty…but the royal family IS my family! Here I go, draw! I drew it! I use the Spell card Miracle Synchro Fusion!

Alphonse: Miracle Synchro Fusion?! Of all the lucky…!

Rika: By removing Fusion material monsters in the graveyard, one being a Synchro monster, I can Fusion Summon. I combine my Chevalier de Fleur and Centaur Mina.

They combine in a tornado of roses and flowers.

Rika: Avatar of the flowers, show yourself! Chevalier Centaur Mina [ATK 3400/DEF 1900 LV 9].

Alphonse: Tch. Her real ace. I don't see her use it that often.

Rika: Battle! Chevalier attacks your Twin- Headed Thunder Dragon! Go, Rapier de Rosa!

It gallops, drawing its sword, chopping the monster in half. Alphonse roars in pain [Alphonse LP = 3000].

Baron: Nice hit!

Leonid: Gr…not yet! He still has life.

Rika: Turn end.

Alphonse: …My turn, draw. I set a card and end my turn. My set card is Blowback Blast. When a monster attempts to destroy this card, it destroys that monster and deals its power as damage. Once per turn. Chevalier Centaur Mina can destroy a set card. She won't take a risk. She'll get rid of my set. And when she does…

Rika: Here I go, draw! Nothing I can use. I'll just have to take a chance. What should I do? I'll just have to go for it. Take this! Rapier de Rosa!

Alphonse: What!? You did not use its power?! Why?!

Rika: Simple. Because you know the way I fight. So I did something you would not be able to stand up against.

Alphonse: …Why? Why do you stand against me!? Do you think I know less than you?! I'm their father! I did all this…because I loved them! Charlotte was always so frail, so weak. I was trying to make her strong so she could grow up. And she left me…just like her mother did. I didn't want to lose my son too…

Rika: I know. But Baron understands that as well. That's why he came all this way, don't you see? He came to bring the family back together. He wants you to have your daughter back, and he wants his sister back. It wasn't to split you all apart.

Alphonse begins to tear up and remembers a birthday party with Baron and Charlotte as well as playing a game together and a group hug. He begins to tear up and looks at his set card, then puts his arms at his side. Chevalier cuts him across the chest and he flies back [Alphonse LP = 0]. Leonid freaks out as Rika sighs and wipes her forehead.

Rika: Didn't think I was going to win that one.

Baron: Very nicely done Rika! That's why you're my bodyguard after all.

Rika: Thanks, but it really wasn't that great. After all, I barely won.

Leonid: Inexcusable! There's no way I'll let this slide! I'll take you all on myself! I'll…

Alphonse: Let it go Leonid.

Leonid: Sir?! But I must protest that…

Alphonse: Let it GO Leonid. I lost fair and square, a deal is a deal. We shall return to Spain right away. No more complaining or I shall leave you here.

Leonid: Gah…I'll remember this!

They begin to walk off. Alphonse stops and turns around.

Alphonse: My son, Baron…please bring Charlotte back and return home safely.

Baron: …I can promise you I will father. You might as well get dinner on the table.

Alphonse: That's my son alright. I'll make all of your favorite dishes!

He walks off as Baron smiles. He looks towards the sky.

Baron: I know what I want to do now Rika. Your duel has shown me what direction I want to move in. And would you look at that? Looks like I'm not the only one.

Yusuke, Alicia, Axel, Tamika, Neo, and Chimera stand nearby. They all look on as Axel snorts.

Axel: I could have done better of course. But if she can beat a baron, we can beat these Brotherhood guys.

Tamika: That's really all you can say? Jeez, compliments don't match you.

Chimera: He has a point though.

Neo: If she can fight, then we will too. We're all in this together after all.

Yusuke: She battled even though she was afraid. And look at me, scared of my own shadow. I guess I look pretty pathetic huh? Dante…just say the word and we'll be ready to fight.

Dante: Glad to hear it. We'll be moving out soon. Should I tell them now? No…it's still too soon.

Alicia: Eh? Hold on, we're not all here. Seth's not here.

Yusuke: Hey, now that you mention it, you're right. Where's Seth?

Dante: About that…he said he wouldn't come with us.

Yusuke: What?! Seth said that?!

In a dark room, Seth looks outside with a photo of him, Salia, and Arnold and looks down in sorrow.

To be continued

Baron: Today we'll be going over Chevalier Centaur Mina. This monster can destroy a set card once per turn. In addition, her high attack points will end the duel in a heartbeat.

Axel: Come on, she uses flowers as a weapon? That's pathetic!

He looks around as petals swarm around him. He screams and runs around as they engulf him as Baron sighs.

Rika: Don't insult my deck.