Episode 145: When the Clouds Part

In a dark world, Seth opens his eyes. He stands up and walks around, looking at the dark colored water.

Seth: What is this place?

???: I believe you know.

The first Fate appears. Seth turns to her in surprise and looks around.

Seth: I think you're wrong there. This place doesn't look familiar to me.

Fate 1: That is because this world is dark and cold. This used to be the world of your soul Seth. It used to be full of rainbows and light. But now the light is lost.

Seth: This world…used to be full of light? How do I restore light to this world?! This can't really be my soul.

Fate 1: Only by facing what you have lost head on will you be able to restore light. Understand the wounds that fill your heart. Restoring them is the key. But first you must obtain a new power.

She begins to vanish. Seth's eyes widen and he holds out his hand.

Seth: Wait, please don't go!

Seth wakes with a start as he is in a bedroom. He looks outside at the storm clouds as he has no expression.

Opening

In the stadium, Yusuke rides away dueling someone else.

Yusuke: And now D.D Samurai Neo attacks directly.

It speeds forward, slashing with both blades and knocking them off. [Man LP = 0].

Announcer: And another sizzling win from Yusuke! Looks like our new king won't lose easily!

Yusuke stops and looks around the stadium.

Yusuke: They're cheering now…but if they knew how weak I really was, they wouldn't be cheering for me.

Seth is on the top set of seats watching. Koga and Arnold walk behind him.

Seth: I used to be done there. Fighting as a king. But now I'm nothing.

Arnold: Seth…look, we know you are upset about Salia. But you need to get over it. She wouldn't want you to be sad.

Koga: Yeah! Besides, all we've gotta do is go to their home base and save her! Dante says he knows a way to their base. All we need is go there and we can win!

Seth: Not with me. Against Neo, to save my friend Nick, and even Salia. Every time I needed to win, I've failed. If I go I'll just mess things up.

He looks down and walks off. Koga holds out his hand as Milo sighs and shakes his head. Leon is also nearby and opens one eye, standing up and follows Seth outside.

Leon: So that's it? You're done already?

Seth: What choice do I have? I'm doing this for everyone's benefit. They won't have to worry about me.

Leon: Oh, I get it. You're trying the noble approach. Man, is that lame.

Seth: What did you say?!

Leon: You used to be confident of your own skills. Now that you aren't king anymore, you don't see a reason to fight. You're just like Yusuke now.

Seth: Don't try to understand. You didn't lose your friend.

Leon: Oh don't I? I lost a lot of friends when Olympus Castle fell. You think you're special because it was your friend? Or…now that you aren't king, do you even feel strong?

Seth: What? What…did you just say to me?!

Leon: I'm right aren't I? You always used to claim being king meant nothing to me. But now that you've lost your title in the tie with Yusuke, you haven't been the same. Well?

Seth: No! You're wrong! I…no. I've been feeling the same way myself. I keep telling myself I'm as though as ever but…I lost to Neo. I couldn't face Armen. I couldn't save my friend Nick…or Salia. How?! How can I fight if I can't protect my precious things?! Maybe that lady was right. My heart will always be clouded…

Leon: Lady? Can it be?! Could it be my original hypothesis was correct…and he is the 3rd hero of the prophecy? As of late I've doubting it, but if it is true…Hey Seth, duel me.

Seth: Why? So you can keep showing how weak I am?

Leon: Hey, you said it yourself right? You want to find out if your power is genuine or if it was just the king label. Why don't we use this duel as a way of finding out? And if you really impress me, I might just teach you Accel Synchro.

Seth: Accel Synchro? …Fine Leon. But I'm going to go all out!

Leon: Just what I'm hoping for.

In an apartment, Axel looks around. Everyone is seated as Dante bites into a donut. Axel glances at empty boxes all over.

Axel: Say…how many donuts do you eat anyway?

Dante: Daily? 37 is the highest I can count to.

Tamika: That diet will kill you.

Dante: Hasn't yet.

Alicia: Are we supposed to be talking?

Neo: Doesn't look like Seth is here yet.

Sigma: If he doesn't get here soon, I'm eating all the free food.

Dante: He'd better get here soon. I've got something important to say.

Yusuke: Seth…what's going on with you?

Seth and Leon are lined up next to each other.

Leon: You sure you want to do this?

Seth: I have to do this. It's the only way I can be at ease. Even if I win, and even if I lose. Neo Speed World, set on!

D- Wheels: Duel mode, auto-pilot standby.

Both: Duel! [Seth LP = 4000] [Leon LP = 4000]

They both take off from the starting line. Neptune and Prometheus walk by and see this duel going on.

Prometheus: Why's Leon dueling Seth?

Neptune: Come on. We need to go to meet Yusuke and the others.

Prometheus: Later. This actually interests me.

Leon: Go on former king. I'll give you the undying honor of going first.

Seth: Hope you don't end up regretting that. Here I go, draw! I set a monster in defense mode. I also set two cards and end my turn. I've seen Leon fight several times before. His deck is built around being able to Synchro Summon in a heartbeat. I've got to take him down before he Accel Synchro Summons. Or worse, he summons dis Delta Accel Synchro monster.

Leon: What's wrong? Scared about my deck? Don't worry! I won't use Accel Synchro in this battle.

Seth: Huh? Why?

Leon: Ain't it obvious? This duel won't last long enough for me to be able to get the chance! Here I go, draw! [SPC: Leon = 1 Seth = 1]. I summon the Tuner monster Junk Synchron [ATK 1300/DEF 500 LV 3]. When I control a Junk monster, I can summon this card from my hand. Come on, Junk Servant [ATK 1500/DEF 1000 LV 4]. During the turn I have already summoned, I can Special Summon this card from my hand. Come on, Missile Synchron [ATK 0/DEF 0 LV 1]. I tune my level 1 Missile Synchron and level 4 Junk Servant.

Synchron becomes 1 ring that Servant flies through, becoming 4 stars [1 + 4 = 5].

Leon: Launch away Catapult Warrior [ATK 1000/DEF 1500 LV 5]. Battle! Junk Synchron attacks the set monster.

It flies forward and crushes the set monster.

Seth: When Color Warrior- Lucky Emerald is destroyed, I draw cards.

Leon: Crush him Catapult Warrior!

Seth: Trap card, Blank Canvas! This lets me black an attack.

The monster hits the attack and flies back.

Leon: You may have dodged me that time. I use Warrior's power! I release Junk Synchron and deal his power as damage.

Synchron is shot forward and hits Seth. He gasps as he is blasted forward [Seth LP = 2700].

Leon: I end my turn. Come on, you can do better than this! So far I'm really disappointed.

Seth: Don't…don't you mock me! I'll show you what I'm made of! I draw [SPC: Seth = 2 Leon = 2]. There's his set card. If I attack carelessly, he'll spring a Trap on me for sure. Right now I should play defense. I can hold back whatever he plays anyway. I set a card. I set a monster and end my turn. Color Warrior- Solid Brown has enough defense points to hold back his attack. As long as he doesn't summon anything stronger than Catapult Warrior, I should be in a good situation.

Leon: No point in trying to defend yourself. I'll take you down no problem. If you aren't going to fight me, then you might as well just give up and go home. Here I go, draw [SPC: Seth = 3 Leon = 3]. I use Speed Spell- Rushing Chance. I choose a Speed Spell from my deck. I don't have to pay Speed Counters to use it, but I can't gain Speed Counters for the same number of turns as Speed Counters I should pay. I'll use Speed Spell- Accel Draw and draw 2.

Seth: But then you won't gain Speed Counters for 10 turns.

Leon: Not that I'm going to need them. This duel will be over in 1/10 of that timeframe! I summon Mad Archfiend [ATK 1800/DEF 0 LV 4]. Since I Normal Summoned a monster this turn, I can Special Summon my Turbo Booster [ATK 0/DEF 0 LV 1]. And that's not all! Since I summoned a monster this turn, I can Special summon Missile Synchron [ATK 0/DEF 0 LV 1].

Seth: Another one? Don't tell me…his plan is to Synchro Summon!?

Leon: I tune level 1 Missile Synchron and level 5 Catapult Warrior.

Synchron becomes 1 ring that Warrior flies through, becoming 5 stars [1 + 5 = 6]

Leon: Synchro Summon! Missile Warrior, take to the sky [ATK 2500/DEF 2000 LV 6].

Seth: Not good…he has a lot of monsters on his field.

Leon: Let's battle! Missile Warrior, smash the set monster. Rocket Fist.

Seth: Sorry, but my set monster is Color Warrior- Solid Brown [ATK 100/DEF 2500 LV 3].

Leon: Not too bad. But when Missile Warrior attacks a monster, he can destroy the opposing monster and negate his own destruction.

Seth: Trap card, Permanent Marker. This negates the destruction of a Color Warrior monster.

Warrior hits it and creates a massive explosion as Brown survives.

Leon: Not bad. Mad Archfiend, get him! Bone Splash!

Seth: What?! But his defense points are higher!

The bones hit Brown as it smacks them back. Leon hisses [Leon LP = 3300] but grins.

Leon: I release Turbo Booster at this time. Now your Color Warrior is destroyed since I failed to beat it.

It fires and the monster blows up as Seth looks on.

Seth: Not…yet! Trap card, End of the Rainbow. I send three cards from my deck to my grave and revive the destroyed monster [ATK 100/DEF 2500 LV 3].

Leon: Like a bug. I can't squish it no matter how hard I try. I set a card. Turn end. Come on Seth, is this the best you can do?! If you won't go all out, you'll be crushed in a heartbeat!

Seth: Me…lose? No…I won't! Here I go, draw! [SPC: Seth = 4 Leon = 3]. I release Solid Brown to summon Color Warrior- Majestic Magenta [ATK 2200/DEF 1100 LV 5]. Attack Mad Archfiend!

It lashes its whip and smashes Archfiend. Leon doesn't respond [Leon LP = 2900]

Seth: And now her effect, which deals 600 points of damage to you.

Magenta hits him again as he slows to an almost stop [Leon LP = 2300]

Leon: That's the spirit! Keep it up. Don't disappoint me here. After all, I'm the former 9. I need a real fight to be satisfied.

Seth: Sorry to disappoint. But I'm not here to entertain you. I'm here…to fight for my future! Turn end!

Leon: Your future…huh. In that case, it looks pretty damn bleak! Here I go, draw! [SPC: Seth = 5 Leon = 3]. I summon the Tuner monster Plaguespreader Zombie [ATK 400/DEF 200 LV 2]. Level 2 Plaguespreader Zombie tunes to level 6 Missile Warrior.

Zombie becomes 2 rings that Warrior flies through, becoming 6 stars [2 + 6 = 8]

Leon: Synchro Summon! Berserker Crusher [ATK 2900/DEF 800 LV 8]. You wanted to see me go all out Seth? Well here you go! Smash his Magenta.

Seth: Trap card, Pigment Storm! Now…

Leon: Counter- Trap, Seven Tools of the Bandit. I pay 1000 life points and negate your Trap [Leon LP = 1300].

Crusher smashes through Magenta and it blows up. Seth cries out as the shockwaves hit him [Seth LP = 2000].

Seth: Impossible…he saw through my Trap?

Leon: Come on, I'm not stupid! I'm not going to just attack recklessly! How do you think I got this ranking? I wasn't just standing around twiddling my thumbs. I was getting stronger too. At this point, I'm ready for Yusuke!

Seth: Yusuke you say? Well don't forget…I'm your opponent!

Leon: True, true. Time you started acting like it though. Turn end!

Seth: Here I go, draw! [SPC: Seth = 6 Leon = 3]. Yes, with this I'll win. He didn't see through my real aim. I set a monster. Next I place 2 cards face down and end my turn.

Leon: …I draw [SPC: Seth = 7 Leon = 3]. I set a card. I also set a monster. Battle. Crusher, wipe out his set monster.

It looks down and punches the monster.

Seth: Got you! Trap card, Guidance to the Northern Lights. Trap card, Black Rainbow! Guidance lets me summon Aurora Borealis Dragon by releasing all monsters, but Black Rainbow allows me to remove monsters instead. I remove all 7 Color Warriors in my graveyard. This lets me summon Aurora Borealis Dragon [ATK 4900/DEF 0 LV 9].

Leon: Well, well, well. Look what it is. Come on; show me what the glittery dragon can do.

Seth: Here I go, draw! [SPC: Seth = 8 Leon = 3]. That's right…I've never cared what people cared. I've always used my card for victory. Aurora…guide me to victory! I pay 6 Speed Counters [SPC: Seth = 2 Leon = 3] and give him 600 attack points [ATK 5500/DEF 0 LV 9]. Bring an end to this battle! Radiant Aurora Blast!

Leon: Trap card, Synchro Barrier. I release Berserker and negate all damage I take for two turns.

Seth: Maybe so, but your set monster is still my target!

The attack speeds by and burns the set monster.

Leon: Not bad! But my Sonic Chick can negate destruction by a monster with 1900 or more attack points.

Seth: No problem. Now that I have this monster, victory is within reach! Leon, I'm going to defeat you and master Accel Synchro! Turn end [ATK 4900/DEF 0 LV 9]. Go on, use Accel Synchro. I'll overcome it.

Leon: Looks like I was right after all. Within the label of king, you really are a useless lump.

Seth: Hm?

Leon: Let me show you…the roar of my deck! Here I go, draw! [SPC: Seth = 3 Leon = 3]. I summon the Tuner monster Turbo Rocket [ATK 0/DEF 0 LV 1]. I tune my level 2 Turbo Rocket and level 1 Sonic Chick.

Rocket becomes 2 rings that Chick flies through, becoming 1 star [2 + 1 = 3]

Seth: His Synchro-Tuner, Tri Master?

Leon: Come on, Turbo Cannon [ATK 0/DEF 0 LV 3].

Seth: What?!

Leon: Come now! You think I use the same monsters every duel? I don't rely on one card all the time. If the sun shined in the same place, the clouds would always hide it. That's why I shift my sun. So the light always shines after the clouds part!

Seth: The sun…shines. Shift…the light.

Leon: Battle! My Turbo Cannon, unleash your power! Once per turn, I can vaporize one monster and deal its power as damage. I destroy your Aurora Borealis Dragon! Turbo Fire!

It points its arm and fires. Dragon roars as a chunk is taken out of its neck and it blows up. Seth screams as the explosion engulfs him [Seth LP = 0 and he slows to a stop. He sits there for a minute and looks away.

Leon: What's up? Have you decided?

Seth: I have…yes. My heart is still clouded. I don't know if going there will tell me what I need to know…but I need to try. Salia would not want this.

Leon: Way to put it. Say, take this. It might help.

He throws a card towards Seth. He grabs it and glances. He looks up and nods. Dante and the others wait when Seth walks in.

Baron: Look who finally decided to join us.

Seth: I'm sorry it took me so long everyone. I had to decide. Now I have.

Arnold: Glad to hear it!

Koga: Let's work together!

Dante: Good. We're all gathered together right? Then I'll go ahead and tell you what you need to hear. I know where the Crossed Brotherhood holds their base.

Rika: How do you know that?

Dante: Because….I used to be one of the Crossed Brotherhood's founding members.

To be continued

Baron: Today we'll be going over Turbo Cannon. By selecting a monster, you can destroy it and deal its power as damage. It's good for a quick finish.

Yusuke: I'm curious Leon, why didn't you use Airship Goliath.

Leon stops and thinks to him running off, leaving the card on a desk.

Leon: Uh….you know, just didn't feel like it.