Episode 160: These Scars the World Gives Us

In the city, more and more Olympians are getting blasted back. Juno falls to the ground and collapses. Prometheus pants and keeps backing away.

Prometheus: Can't…keep this up…much longer.

Leon: Damn it, just hold on Prometheus! We need to hold on a little bit longer! Yusuke and the others are almost there!

Prometheus: No…good.

His Spiritual Dao Master is smashed by a Smoking Dog. Prometheus screams and flies back [Prometheus LP = 0].

Leon: No…Prometheus! Prometheus!

Prometheus: Yusuke…sorry. I know I can leave things in your hands…win!

He is pulled through a door. Leon watches in horror as more figures surround him. His hand glows and he screams in rage.

Dante: Okay, that's it. Now you've done. Delta Accel Synchro! Airship Goliath, show yourself!

The monster emerges from the ground and roars as many figures cry out while Leon looks on.

Opening

Everyone begins running down a flight of stairs. In the room with the Inferno, Vergil watches through a screen and grins.

Vergil: I suppose that is enough playing with them. I might as well let me meet again. They won't be able to fight anymore either way. So it is not really going to make a difference.

He presses some switches. Everyone keeps running when the ground shakes slightly.

Alicia: Huh?

Neo: Seismic activity?

They keep running and everyone meets in a room.

Axel: Looks like they aren't bothering to keep us apart anymore.

Baron: Why bother? We all get the same impression right? They must be so far along in their plans that they're confident no one is going to get in the way.

Tamika: From the way these crystals are glowing, one of us is still fighting.

Seth: Yusuke…Yusuke has to be the one fighting now.

Koga: But what can we do? We don't even know where he is right now.

Arnold: Yeah. He could be anywhere in this damn place.

Alicia: Yusuke…this way! Let's go this way!

Rika: How can you be so sure this is the right way?

Alicia: Just…call it a hunch.

Everyone begins to follow her as she runs. Neo turns and sees Chimera behind.

Neo: What's up?

Chimera: Dante still isn't here…what is he up to?

Sigma: Hey, who cares? He'll probably catch up or something.

Chimera: Maybe…yeah, just being paranoid. Come on, let's catch up.

At the duel, Yusuke and Faust continue to stare each other down [Yusuke LP = 1100] [Faust LP = 2700]. Yusuke has no cards on the field while Faust has the face up Dimensional Fissure and Necro Archangel [ATK 2900/DEF 1800 LV 9].

Faust: Now then, it is your turn. Let's wrap this up already. The plan is about to reach its final stage. I'm not going to delay our goals because of you.

Yusuke: Yeah, don't worry. I'll finish things up quickly Faust.

Faust: I'm glad you understand. You finally accept defeat and surrender to us?

Yusuke: That's funny. I don't recall saying that. I just said…I'm going to finish things up quickly! Here goes, draw! You sure gathered a tough monster quickly Faust. But I've faced tougher monsters than that! I use the Spell card Pot of Greed and draw 2 cards from my deck. I summon Boost Motor [ATK 600/DEF 200 LV 1]. This monster can wage a direct attack no matter what cards you have out. Get him!

It flies forward and smacks Faust in the stomach. He steps back and coughs, glaring ahead [Faust LP = 2100].

Faust: That doesn't even qualify as a scrape. My monster will destroy yours in a heartbeat.

Yusuke: Maybe it will. Maybe it won't. I end my turn.

Faust: No set cards? Is he opening saying he can't win? Or…is he trying to bait me with an attack? Either way, that annoying monster has to go away. I draw. A monster card. I could finish you in one blow, or I could draw it out in two. Hmph. I'll do this and leave you defenseless. Spell card, Back to Square One. I discard one card and send one monster back to your deck. Now your monster cannot protect you anymore. And with no set cards, this is the end! Necro Archangel wages a direct attack! Black Seraphim!

Yusuke: I discard Battle Gate! When I'm attacked, I can ditch this card and negate all battles this turn!

A gate appears and blocks the attack.

Faust: Hmph! You think blocking my first attack is enough to save your life? All you've done is bought yourself one more turn. Sooner or later you won't be able to defend yourself.

Yusuke: We'll see about that Faust! Here I go, draw! I resummon Boost Motor [ATK 600/DEF 200 LV 1]. And since he's back, I'll use his power and wage one more direct attack!

It flies forward and rams into Faust. He coughs again and almost falls over as he glares ahead [Faust LP = 1500]

Yusuke: With that I set a card and end my turn.

Faust: How dare you…how dare you wound me?! You think you can still win this fight?!

Yusuke: I can't give up, I know that much.

Faust: Those eyes…I can't stand that expression in your eyes. So full of….HOPE. Ridiculous. There is no such thing as hope. You are only fooling yourself by ignoring the truth. All that awaits you is despair. Draw! I use the Spell card Fissure and destroy Boost Motor.

The ground swallows it as Archangel charges its attack.

Faust: Time for the ending. Necro Archangel, strike this fool down. Black Seraphim!

Yusuke: You're getting sloppy Faust! I have a set card right here. Trap card, Airbag! Now all damage is blocked!

The bag shoots out and blocks the attack.

Faust: Damn…lucky break, having that set card. I end my turn.

Yusuke: Alright Faust, here goes! This is my comeback! Draw. I use the Spell Greed Reuse. Now one Pot of Greed is reused, but at the end of this turn my hand is discarded. I summon Dimension Dumpster [ATK 1600/DEF 400 LV 4]. When summoned, one removed monster is summoned. Come on, Building Block [ATK 800/DEF 600 LV 2]. I tune level 4 Dimension Dumpster and level 2 Building Block.

Dumpster becomes 4 rings that Block flies through, becoming 2 stars [4 + 2 = 6].

Yusuke: Winds speed past faster than noise and slash the opponent to pieces with fast and graceful strokes. Synchro Summon, Sound- Speed Slicer [ATK 2400/DEF 1900 LV 6].

Faust: Hmph. It is too weak to match my monster. In the end you fail.

Yusuke: Don't count me out yet! Like with me, my cards work off their friends to get stronger. Spell card, Reconnecting Circuits! By negating the effect of my own monster, this raises the power of Slicer by 1000 [ATK 3400/DEF 1900 LV 6].

Faust: Over 3000 attack points?!

Yusuke: Here goes! Get him Slicer! Sickle Sonicboom!

It creates energy in its blade and fires it off. The blast cuts Archangel in half and it blows up. Faust is knocked back by the blast and rolls around [Faust LP = 1000]

Yusuke: Looks like I have the advantage now Faust! Sorry, but you won't win this duel. I end my turn.

Faust: Inconceivable…there's no way I'll let you win. I must win this duel for the father. For you to win…I will not allow that! I draw. I use the Spell card Collapsing World. Now I send the top 3 cards of my deck to the graveyard and draw 2 new cards. Unlucky, those three were monsters, so they are removed from play. I summon Necro Eater in defense mode [ATK 1400/DEF 1900 LV 4]. Once per turn, I can remove from play one card I control and gain 600 life points. I will banish my own Dimensional Fissure. Eat it and give me life anew [Faust LP = 1600]. Turn end.

Yusuke: Leaving a lot to chance aren't you? All I need is a monster with 1600 attack points and this duel is basically over. Do you…not care at all how things will go?

Faust: Things happen as they will. There's no point trying to change things. If you are to lose, you lose. If you are to win, you win. Why bother trying to change that?

Yusuke: Faust… I know you don't believe that! Last time we dueled I could tell you have a heart! I'm getting that heart back! Here goes, draw! I use the Spell card Spell Books From the Pot. Now we each draw 3 cards. I summon Dimension Material [ATK 0/DEF 300 LV 2]. I use his power and equip him to my monster [ATK 2700/DEF 1900 LV 6]. I halve his attack points in order to hit you directly [ATK 1350/DEF 1900 LV 6].

It creates energy in its blade and creates a wave, hitting Faust and sending him flying back. His mask falls off as he struggles to stand [Faust LP = 250].

Yusuke: Just give up Faust. Things don't need to continue as they are. I don't know what Vergil promised you, but you can't get it by doing things like this. Please, just quit the Brotherhood. You're an honorable duelist. Don't work for them. I set a card, turn end.

Faust: You don't. You don't understand anything at all. You don't know the pain I've experienced in life! How dare you even try to comprehend my pain?! You…you cannot possibly sympathize with me! You've never lost like I have!

He clenches his fist as he begins to remember.

Faust: I was always neglected as a child. My father was always out getting drunk and my mother was always working. I was isolated and alone, friendless and without companions. I dedicated all my time to science and research as a way to escape the world. I once believed there was no point in this world and there was nothing worth loving. But all of that changed on the day I met Claire. She was just as passionate about science as I was and of the world. I began to feel as though I was not alone in the world. That those words I read about, love and hope, actually existed. And then on that day, three years ago,

In a lab, Faust and Claire are both writing on clipboards.

Claire: Okay! You ready? This is going to change the world.

Faust: Yeah. This machine will create a new clean source of energy. The entire world will be safer and cleaner.

Claire: Then we'll know who to thank, right Dr. Faust?

Faust: I couldn't have done it without you Claire. Say Claire…there's something I wanted to ask you.

Claire: Let's wait until after the experiment. I want to help people as soon as possible.

She puts on her goggles as Faust nods and does the same. A large reactor begins to hum and glow. Claire checks a screen and nods as she and Faust grin. Suddenly, the reactor turns red and alarms blare. Faust runs over and checks the screen, looking up.

Faust: Oh no! The reactor's overloading! It…it's going to blow!

Claire: Faust!

She runs over and drags him back as the whole place blows up. In the ashes, Faust sits up grabbing his face.

Faust: Claire….Claire….

He passes out. He then opens his eyes and sits up on a table. The doctor grins.

Doctor: You are a lucky man! You almost didn't make it, but you sure are a fighter. You're going to make a full recovery in no time as long as…

Faust: Claire….where's Claire?

He looks over and sees a body covered with a sheet. He stands and tries to run over as the doctors have to hold him down.

Faust: Claire! No! Please, take anything else! Take anything else except her! Please don't take her! Claire!

Faust screams in anger and falls to his knees. The flashback ends as Faust glares at Yusuke.

Faust: Now can you see? This world will feel my full hatred. Only then can this world change. I will ensure that anger and sorrow will be erased forever and no one has to suffer like I did. Surely you won't stand in my way knowing that.

Yusuke: I'm sorry Faust. But I still have to stop you.

Faust: What did you say? You, the so called hero of fate would deny people happiness!? You would force them to experience sorrow, fear, and anguish?!

Yusuke: I know that people don't like those things. They don't want to feel sad or angry. But the fact of the matter is those things are part of life Faust! If you get rid of them then life just won't be life! Sure, despair gets people down, but it also gives them hope! And with that hope, they can get out of despair and create a better life for themselves!

Faust: You…you are even more wicked than I thought. You won't even listen to reason anymore. Very well….I'll open your eyes and change the face of this world! Draw! Spell card, Dark World Dealings. Now we each draw one card and discard one card. Then I summon Necro Puppet Master [ATK 1300/DEF 700 LV 3]. When this monster is summoned, he summons one Necro monster removed from play. Come on, Necro Slayer [ATK 1300/DEF 200 LV 3]. I release three DARK monsters now.

Yusuke: It's coming now…

Faust: Surround the world in darkness! Swallow it and together we shall forge a new and better world. Yomishin- Diablo!

The gates are torn off their hinges as the monster appears, cackling [ATK 3000/DEF 1000 LV 10].

Faust: When this monster is summoned, the base power of all monsters decreases to 0. Of course you have your equipped cards, but that is it [ATK 1300/DEF 1900 LV 6]. I use Mystical Space Typhoon and destroy that Equip Spell [ATK 300/DEF 1900 LV 6]. Any monster, no matter how tough, is weak to the power of fear, you are no exception. This is the end! Finish him Yomishin Diablo! Claws of the End!

Yusuke: I made a promise to myself Faust. I wouldn't be afraid, no matter what. Even if I'm scared, I won't succumb to terror! I'll keep hope and move forward! I release Dimension Material and negate my monster's destruction. Then I use my Trap, Predicted Violence. This turn, all damage is negated. And since my Trap doesn't target your monster, they go through.

The claws scrape against the monster as it stands strong [ATK 0/DEF 1900 LV 6]. The wind almost sends Yusuke flying back, but he holds his ground. Everyone else runs in and looks in shock.

Axel: That guy summoned his Yomishin!

Faust: Why…why won't you quit?! You are clearly scared! Why won't you give into despair?! Is your false hope truly that strong?!

Yusuke: I'll teach you the value of hope Faust! You used to have hope as well.

Baron: That guy….he is something.

Tamika: That he is.

Faust: That's because hope doesn't give you anything! Just because you want things to change doesn't mean they will. I threw away hope long ago. Vergil pulled me into the darkness and showed me how pointless hope truly is.

Faust sits in the rain as Vergil stands over him.

Vergil: Well aren't you a sad sight? What's wrong? Has despair overcome you?

Faust: Leave me alone. I don't want to do anything.

Vergil: Let me help you. There are others like you. Those who hate the world and want to change it. Join us and the shape of the world will change forever.

Seth: Faust…Yusuke will show you the light. That's just what he does.

Yusuke: Faust…I'll stop you. Here goes, draw! This is my last turn! Dimension Material returns using his own effect [ATK 0/DEF 300 LV 2]. I release Dimension Material and Advance Summon my Garbage Crane [ATK 2000/DEF 1500 LV 5]. When summoned, one Machine monster is revived with a decreased level. Come on out, Wonder Rocket [ATK 1000/DEF 1000 LV 3-2]. Level 2 Wonder Rocket tunes to level 5 Garbage Crane.

Rocket turns into three rings that Crane flies through, becoming 5 stars [2 + 5 = 7]

Yusuke: Light speeds into a rushing warrior that destroys with blinding speed. Synchro Summon! Light-Speed Horseman [ATK 2600-0/DEF 1000 LV 7].

Faust: Any monster summoned is subject to terror! What does this earn you?!

Yusuke: I equip Sound- Speed Slicer with Pain Transfer and Revenge Promise. I attack Diablo with Horseman.

Chimera: But that's suicide!

Neo: No, I know what he's planning.

Yusuke: I use his power and release himself to negate all damage.

Diablo slices it in three.

Faust: I told you it is pointless!

Yusuke: Pain Transfer and Revenge Promise activate. Pain Transfer raises Slicer's power by the damage I would have taken had it not been negated. [ATK 3000/DEF 1900 LV 6] while Revenge raises his power by the original attack points of my destroyed monster [ATK 5600/DEF 1900 LV 6].

Faust: No! My monster only affects original attack points!

Slicer flies forward, its blade growing in size as it slices downward, cleaving Diablo in half. It screams in agony as it blows up, sending Faust flying back [Faust LP = 0]. Yusuke runs over and checks on him. Faust's pendant has shattered and he holds the fragments in his hand.

Faust: I don't understand. My sadness ran deeper than anything else. I thought for sure it would drown your hope. How? How did you overcome the terror?

Yusuke: Simple Faust. I believed I could win. As long as you believe in hope, there is hope. After all, if you always look at the negative parts of life, then you'll never grow. Sure this world hurts us, but the pain isn't eternal. Someday it will fade.

Faust: You…are the dumbest, weirdest, most childish person I have ever met. And yet…you are so much like Claire it hurts. Yusuke Iruiza…show me. Show me your hope and what you can do with it.

A gate opens as Faust is pulled inside. Yusuke watches with sadness and looks ahead.

Yusuke: Vergil's right down there.

Koga: Hey, we're all not here.

Arnold: Dante's not here.

Rika: Figures. I knew we couldn't trust him.

Yusuke: Hold on, Dante? What is he up to anyway?

Vergil sits in his throne. He opens his eyes and does a quarter turn. As someone stands behind him.

Vergil: How dare you show your treasonous face….Dante?

To be continued

Baron: Today we'll be going over Revenge Promise. The equipped monster gains power equal to the power of another destroyed monster. Friends really do help each other.

Rika: There are only five episodes left.

Dante: Make sure you all come and watch my next duel! Come on, I'll give you a donut!

Baron: Security!