Episode 150: Moving Forward Towards The Future

In Cynemia City, more hooded figures arrive on the battlefield and keep attacking. Angelo cries out as he flies back through an open door as Diablo falls to his knees, getting pulled inside one as well.

Steve: Can't…can't keep this up for much longer.

Greg: I'll admit this ain't easy. Even Grannel can't keep up forever…

An Ultimate Tyranno roars and smashes through Grannel. Greg cries out as steps back, getting pulled inside a door. All the guards look on as more keep moving forward.

Armen: My, my. The police force cannot keep up nowadays.

Grayson: Things were better when I was in control. Back when they were a lot stronger.

Armen and Grayson stand there.

Hooded figure: Sokuji Armen and Grayson. Will you join our cause? They've locked you up.

Grayson: I'm afraid we need to decline your generous offer.

Armen: You see, we also desire world control. And well…let's just say I don't feel like sharing it with a bunch of peons like you.

Opening

In a stadium, Brutus is racing around the arena fighting someone else.

Brutus: And now White- Horned Dragon attacks your Crimson Sunbird. Horn Drive Buster!

Dragon roars and charges up its attack, firing and destroying the opposing monster. His opponent screams and slows to a stop [Woman LP = 0]. Brutus slides to a step and pumps his fist into the air.

Announcer: What an outstanding win! We have a new champion, Brutus Marcus!

Brutus opens his eyes in the present and smiles. [Brutus LP = 2800] [Axel LP = 1300]. Brutus and Axel have no set cards while Brutus has Evolzar Laggia [ATK 2400/DEF 2000 RANK 4]. Axel has White- Horned Dragon on the field [ATK 2200/DEF 1400 LV 6]

Brutus: White- Horned Dragon…my first partner. It was thanks to you I even become so famous in the first place. It's nice to see Axel has taken care of you.

Axel: This was your ace card. I'm not perfect, but I know to treat cards, a duelist's soul, with respect. Have you forgotten that?

Brutus: Come now, do not insult me. I was a Pro- Duelist. I know more than anyone else that you need to treat your cards with respect. But in order to achieve my goal, I had to toss away all traces of my humanity. And that includes….treating my cards with respect.

Axel: And you really think that'll help you make those goals a reality? Let's find out then! Let's see who can make their goals real! White- Horned Dragon's power! When summoned, five Spell cards are removed from play. For each one, he gains 300 attack points. I remove five Spells and give him 1500 attack points [ATK 3700/DEF 1400 LV 6].

Brutus: I see…so that was the reason.

Axel: Battle! Attack his Evolzar Laggia! Horn Drive Buster!

Dragon roars and charges up energy in its horn, firing and destroying Laggia. Brutus roars in pain as the blast engulfs him [Brutus LP = 1500]. He gasps in pain as Axel stands there looking angry.

Axel: I don't want to destroy you with your own card. I have more respect for you than that.

Brutus: Not bad….looks like my servant Viral was right to be interested. You really are worthy of holding a Fate Crystal.

Axel: How can you support them?! Wasn't it Viral who caused your accident?! They were the reason you are even doing what you are doing now!

Brutus: Is that what you believe? You are wrong child. I do what I do out of free will. If anything, I am grateful to the Crossed Brotherhood for what they did. They showed me just how fickle human beings really are. One moment you can be on top of the world, and the next you fall so low you see nothing but the bottom of the topsoil. This world is like that. I am fighting to change that sad fate!

Axel: And you think that these methods will really change anything? Fine…looks like I really will need to beat you! I set a card and end my turn.

Brutus: My turn, draw! I use the first I use the Spell card Paradise Lost and remove from play a Field Spell in my graveyard to draw 2 cards. Next I use the Spell Pot of Greed to draw 2 cards from my deck. Now I use the Continuous Spell card Compensation of Evolution. When an Evolsaur monster is summoned through the effect of an Evoltile monster, one card on the field is destroyed. Next I summon Evoltile Gephyro [ATK 200/DEF 400 LV 1]. From my hand, I use another Spell card, Evo- Force. Now I destroy an Evoltile monster on the field. From my deck, an Evolsaur monster is Special Summoned with its effect.

Axel: What?! He's summoning an Evolsaur right away?!

Brutus: Come on, Evolsaur Cerato [ATK 1900/DEF 1400 LV 4]. Now that an Evolsaur monster has been summoned, one monster you control is destroyed. I destroy White- Horned Dragon. Evolve Bomb!

Axel: I can't allow this! Trap card, Chain Link Life! Now I can negate the destruction of one monster on my field by paying 500 life points.

A blast of energy hits Dragon as chains bind it to Axel. The monster is not destroyed as Axel screams [Axel LP = 800]. He gasps as smoke rises from him.

Brutus: I see, trying to protect your powerful monster. Even with such a strong monster, it will not help.

Axel: I'm not keeping this out for power. I'm keeping it out…to show you the old Brutus is not dead! Just because you are the way you are now does not mean the old you is gone.

Brutus: So that's the reason? You are more philosophical than I thought. But I have to disappoint you in that regard. That Brutus is nothing but a phantasm now. There is no point in bringing back a ghost who doesn't exist anymore. Since Cerato was summoned through the power of an Evoltile monster, he gains 200 attack points [ATK 2100/DEF 1400 LV 4]. I set a card and end my turn.

Axel: Well we're just see now won't we? Here goes nothing! I summon Magna Drago [ATK 1400/DEF 600 LV 2]. Let's battle! I attack your Evolsaur monster. Magna Flame, Horn Drive Buster.

Brutus: Quick Play Spell card, Evo- Miracle. Now one monster on my field that was Special Summoned is not destroyed this turn.

Both attacks hit the monster as it stands against the blows.

Axel: Hmph. Your small fry of a monster still isn't good enough. I'll make sure to make things quick, don't worry. I set a card and end my turn. Are you going to stop this insane game?

Brutus: I cannot afford to. I must win this duel no matter what.

Axel: Sorry, but I can't let that happen!

Brutus: My turn, draw. I summon Evoltile Lagosuchus [ATK 1200/DEF 500 LV 3]. Now I send one Evolsaur monster from the deck to the graveyards. I change my monster to attack mode [ATK 2100/DEF 1400 LV 4]. Battle. I attack with my Evolsaur. Destroy his weak little Magna Drago.

Axel: Not so fast! Trap card, Half or Nothing. Now you can have the option of continuing your attack with half the power you used to have or simply cancel your attack altogether.

Brutus: A defensive card? That seems so unlike you given the deck you use.

Axel: Power isn't everything. I guess you could say those guys have rubbed off on me a little.

Brutus: You don't say? Enjoy those friends while you have them. Soon they will turn their backs on you. I choose to stop my attack. Turn end.

Axel: Here goes, draw! Have to take my chance now while he can't fight! I set a card. Magna Drago attacks Lagosuchus.

It spits fire and burns up the monster. Brutus barely reacts [Brutus LP = 1200].

Axel: Since it just dealt effect damage to you [ATK 1600/DEF 600 LV 2], he gains an additional 200 attack points End it White- Horned Dragon! Go, Horn Drive Buster!

His other monster is vaporized and creates a huge explosion. Axel pants as he watches, but then his eyes widen.

Brutus: Not bad boy. You almost had me that time. Sadly for you, I removed the Spell card Screen of Damage. Now all damage taken during that last battle is halved. Instead of taking 1600 points of damage, I'll take a mere 800 [Brutus LP = 400]. Really now Axel, you know I've been in tougher situations than this.

Axel: Exactly. That's why I'm going all out against you! I end my turn with that.

Brutus: Looks like the order of turns has reversed. Here I go, draw! I use the Spell card Magic Conversion Ceremony. I can pay half my life points and destroy one Spell or Trap card on the field to draw 3 cards [Brutus LP = 200]. Then I set a card and set a monster in face down defense mode. Turn end.

Axel: Drawing cards? I see, you're aiming to summon another monster. Too bad I won't let you! Here I go, draw! I set a monster also. I don't need anything else to take you out! Battle. White- Horned Dragon attacks the set monster. Horn Drive Buster!

It roars and fires, taking out the set monster.

Brutus: A nice blow. But unfortunately for you, my destroyed monster was Evoltile Westlo [ATK 700/DEF 1900 LV 3]. And because you destroyed him and flipped him up, I can Special Summon an Evolsaur monster from my deck. I choose Evolsaur Elias [ATK 100/DEF 2400 LV 6]. Since he was summoned through this method, I can Special Summon another Evolsaur monster from my hand. Come on out, Evolsaur Terias [ATK 2400/DEF 600 LV 6].

Axel: Two Level 6 monsters?! Damn, I change Magna Drago to defense mode and end my turn [ATK 1600/DEF 600 LV 2].

Brutus: My turn, draw! I use the Spell Card of Burial Magic. I remove 3 Spells from play and draw 2 cards. You know what happens now, don't you boy? With this, victory is mine. I Overlay my level 6 Evolsaur Terias and Evolsaur Elias.

Both turn into lights and fly into a spiral.

Brutus: With these two monsters I construct the Overlay Network. Show yourself, Evolzar Solda [ATK 2600/DEF 1000 RANK 6].

Axel: A Rank 6 Exceed monster. This isn't good…

Brutus: I equip him with Fair Meteor Crush. Now he has the ability to attack and deal Piercing damage. This is the end of the line boy. Even defense cannot hold a wall against me! Evolzar Solda attacks, Final Evolution!

Axel: Trap card, Soul Drain! I decrease the attack points of one monster on the field by the attack points of your monster and negate all attacks from that monster this turn. Solda has 2600 attack points while White- Horned Dragon has 3700. [ATK 1100/DEF 1400 LV 6].

The attack fires and hits but does not destroy Drago as White- Horned falls to the ground.

Brutus: So now you are weakening my monster? I have to say I feel slightly offended. Have you final decided to stop protecting that dead weight?

Axel: Hell no! This is the trump card I will use to win the duel!

Brutus: Why?! Why do you refuse to let go of the past?

Axel: I won't let go because I know you wouldn't want to be like this the way you used to be.

Brutus: Listen up brat. I choose this path because it is all I have left. Do you any idea the things I've been through? No, you could not. You lived a relatively happy and easy life. A life full from misery and pain. After my accident, I was left unable to walk or ride a D- Wheel. In one duel, my honor and glory was taken away. But it was not just that. My pride was also stolen from me on that day. I attempted to enter the world of dueling once more, but things had already changed. No one looked at me as a champion anymore. They saw me in a wheelchair as being a ghost of my former self. My fans were gone after just one day. Tell me something Axel Seshia…why should I support a fickle world like that?! Where a hero becomes a villain after one day?!

Axel: Brutus…those people did not take pity on you. If they were true fans, they would support you no matter what. After all, they came to see all your duels didn't they? Only a true fan would go to such extremes wouldn't they?!

Brutus: Do not trick me with your words! Now that I've already set down this path, I may not turn back! You of all people must understand. This is a matter of pride. The Seshia family has been the wealthiest for decades, and now you have been kicked down to living in the slums. If anything, you should join us Axel Seshia! We can help you get back that pride you lost all those years ago! Either way, you have no choice. The Yomishin will rise and devour you no matter what. And by next turn, it will not matter anymore once I finish you!

Axel: …You want to know why I won't join you? Simple. My pride will not allow me to resort to fighting with a bunch of psychopaths like you!

Brutus: You are blinded by your own ignorance! You speak like it is so easy to just turn away. But….but how do you turn away from something you can get back so easily? It is at the expense of others but…how can you live otherwise?

Axel: I felt the same way once. I had a void nothing could fill. No matter what, I could not get friends. Everyone felt obligated to be nice, but only because of my name. No one really cared for me. So I became cold and used my arrogance as a shield to curb my own loneliness. But now…I don't need to do that! I have friends who support me. As long as I have them, my pride will keep me strong!

Brutus: You…turn end.

Axel: Here goes, draw! I Flip Summon my Blue Kid [ATK 700/DEF 400 LV 2]. I tune level 2 Blue Kid, level 6 White- Horned Dragon, and level 2 Magna Drago.

Drago becomes 2 rings that Dragon and Kid fly through, becoming 8 stars [2 + 2 + 6 = 10].

Axel: A silver lightning bolt descends and rips heaven, hell, and the earth. Synchro Summon! My surging soul, Blue-Eyes Silver Dragon [ATK 3800/DEF 3000 LV 10].

Brutus: Your most powerful monster! I was waiting for this moment! I remove one Overlay Unit from my monster and negate the summoning of your monster, destroying it [Unit = 1].

Axel: I use the power of Chain Link Life and negate that summoning [Axel LP = 300].

Brutus: Why are you so intent on protecting those monsters?! The past is not worth protecting! The only thing you can do is move on and toss away the past!

Axel: You're the one who is wrong! You can't throw away the Brutus you used to be! You will always be the same hero people looked up to you. Even if you try, people will still remember and support you!

Brutus: No…this is me! I will not turn back! Trap card, Exceed Final Charge. I pay all Overlay Units [Unit = 0] and double the power of my monster [ATK 5200/DEF 1000 RANK 6]. You can't challenge me!

Axel: I can…and will! I use the set card One for One. Now I discard a card and summon a level 1 monster. Come on out Level Cutter [ATK 0/DEF 100 LV 1]. This card can be Special Summoned from the graveyard when I control two Dragons. Come on back, Newborn Dragon [ATK 0/DEF 0 LV 1]. I've obtained new power…new power I'll release here! I tune level 1 Level Cutter and level 1 Newborn Dragon.

Cutter becomes 1 ring that Dragon flies through, becoming 1 star [1 + 1 = 2]

Axel: Stir up the storm as lightning and shock the world below you. Synchro Summon! Synchro- Tuner, Stormy Synchron [ATK 300/DEF 500 LV 2].

Brutus: I know what your plan is! Unfortunately, as long as Exceed Final Charge is out, my Exceed monsters are not affected by cards. You can't destroy it with Stormy Synchron!

Axel: That isn't my aim. I tune my level 2 Synchro- Tuner, Stormy Synchron, and level 10 Synchro monster, Blue- Eyes Silver Dragon.

Stormy becomes 2 rings that Dragon flies through, becoming 10 stars [2 + 10 = 12]. Axel screams as his Fate Crystal glows, releasing large amounts of energy as Brutus watches in shock.

Axel: The heavens guide the shining light to the earth and cleanse the earth with its pure white lightning! Become the savior of the sky and earth! Accel Synchro! Show yourself, Silver Storm Dragon! [ATK 4000/DEF 3800 LV 12].

Brutus: I see. You summoned your Accel Synchro monster. But at this point, it will not help you win this duel! My monster still overpowers yours!

Axel: Don't underestimate me! I attack with Silver Storm. When he battles, all other cards besides his target are destroyed. And for each one, you take 600 points of damage. Go, Lightning Divine Punishment. Heaven's Force- Destruction Silver Lightning!

The Dragon roars and fires lightning in all directions, taking out the Continuous Trap. It then fires a beam of energy from its mouth as Brutus watches in shock before closing his eyes and chuckling [Brutus LP = 0]. He is sent flying back out of his chair, hitting the ground. Axel deactivates his Disk and runs over.

Brutus: What an amazing duel…to think I've missed out on being able to fight in such great duels…

Axel helps him stand up and supports him. Brutus begins to laugh as a door opens.

Brutus: I can't feel angry after that. Thank you Axel…for showing me a great duel. I used to think I would never have that again.

Axel: Even if the world ignores you, ignore the world and make your dreams come true.

Axel puts the White- Horned Dragon in his hand as he chuckles and sheds a tear.

Brutus: You have the potential to be an even greater hero than I was. Oh…and that girl. Her name is Tamika, right? Take good care of her Axel. She cares for you very deeply…as you do with her.

He looks down as chains pull him inside the doors, which slam shut. Axel watches in sorrow as a door in the wall opens.

Axel: Looks like I can keep going. Don't worry Brutus…I'll reclaim your honor.

He stomps down the stairs as Brutus's chair sits empty.

To be continued

Baron: Today we'll be going over Chain Link Life. By paying 500 life points, you can negate the destruction of a monster. And you can use it as for water skiing.

Yusuke: Oh come on, no you can't!

On the ocean, Rika drives a boat as Baron Waterskies using the card.

Yusuke: Why do I doubt him…?