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Yu-Gi-Oh! Battle of the Heavens
Episode 77: “Before the Storm”
Greg stood outside Duelist Academy, his Duel Disk activated and staring across at Johan Anderson, who glared back at him. In front of the blue-haired boy stood his Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus, a white winged horse with a sapphire horn, two facedown cards, and a ruby crystal that represented Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle.
In front of Greg stood…nothing. His right hand lay on top of his deck, prepared to draw a card.
How did things come to this? Greg wondered.
Then he remembered…
* * *
7:00 AM that morning…
Greg woke up to his alarm. After turning it off, he got dressed, took some toast, and walked outside. And entered the forest.
As he walked and ate, he began thinking about all that had happened so far in the tournament.
Christy…Zane…Greg stood stock still, remembering all the losses. Aster…SOPHIA!!!” He screamed the last name aloud, punching a nearby tree. Ignoring his bleeding hand, he continued, “WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?!?! HOW CAN I SAVE YOU?!?! PLEASE HELP ME!!!” His scream shook the trees, causing birds to fly off. Then, the 20 year-old boy fell to his knees…and began to sob.
The salty tears poured down his face and made puddles on the ground…and they didn’t stop for a while.
When they did, he wiped his face clean, stood up, and activated his duel disk. Holding it up he said “I will save you…”
Suddenly, all his Heroes appeared in front of him. Greg smiled. “No matter the cost.”
As one, Greg and his monsters punched the air. Then, they disappeared. Greg deactivated his duel disk and was about to go back to the Academy, when…
“No matter the cost, huh?”
Greg whirled around. There stood Violet, her arms folded. “I thought you weren’t speaking to me.”
Violet ignored him. “So, Johan, Jaden, me, and the others…we’re just sacrifices then? Just tools to pawn off?”
Greg glared at her. “If necessary.”
Violet glared back. “You know, I don’t know why I even fell in love with you. You’re just a heartless b****** who only cares about himself”
Greg flinched slightly. “No. I just want revenge.”
“Revenge shouldn’t be your motive!” Violet snapped. “You should want to save everyone!”
“THEN HOW DO I DO THAT?!” Greg roared, causing Violet to step back. “HOW CAN I SAVE THEM?! YOU TELL ME VIOLET, YOU TELL ME!!”
Violet looked at him for a moment…and shook her head. “You’ve lost all reason. You’ve been blinded by anger…I don’t know you anymore Greg” She sounded close to tears now. “Consider this…me leaving you. For good.” With that, she turned and ran off towards the Academy.
Greg stood there for awhile, waiting…waiting for a reaction…anything…but nothing came…Just emptiness…uncaring emptiness…
* * *
When Greg emerged from the woods hours later, he had every intention of going back to his room and taking a shower…but…
“GREGORY HENRY!!!”
Greg whirled around and activated his duel disk, only to lower his arm: There was Johan, with Mars, Jaden, and Alexis. “Yeah?”
Johan looked peeved. “DON’T ‘YEAH’ ME!!! WHAT’S WITH VIOLET CRYING HER EYES OUT?!”
Greg shrugged. “She’s all upset over nothing, I suppose.”
Johan’s mouth fell open.
“She’s saying that you broke up with her” Mars interjected softly.
Greg snorted. “Actually, it’s the other way around. Anyway, what’s the big deal? One less distraction”
“‘ONE LESS DISTRACTION?!?!’” Johan roared, almost leaping at Greg despite being restrained by Jaden. “WHAT ARE WE THEN?! DISTRACTIONS?!?!”
“No, we’re sacrifices” Alexis replied, glaring at Greg. “Just tools to defeat Hell Kaiser."
Greg took a step back. “Guys…I didn’t mean…”
“YES YOU DID AND YOU KNOW IT!!” Johan yelled back. “YOU DON’T GIVE A D*** ABOUT US, JUST AS LONG AS YOU DEFEAT HELL KAISER!!”
“YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE!!!” Greg screamed. “YOU…NONE OF YOU!!! YOU GUYS HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO LOSE SOMEONE WHO’S CLOSE TO YOU!!”
“Yes we have” Jaden replied coolly. “I have when I lost Johan. I have when I lost Alexis, Chazz, Tyranno, and Atticus. I have when I lost Aster, Adrian, Zane, Freed, Jim, and Axel”
It was then when Greg remembered what Jaden went through when he was 16. He bowed his head. “I’m sorry…I didn’t…”
“Think?” Johan snapped. “Yes you did! You knew exactly what you were saying to Violet, and you meant every word!”
Greg was shaking now. “I…I…”
Johan shook Jaden off and walked a few feet away from Greg. When he turned around again, his duel disk was activated and his deck was in its slot. “Duel me now, Greg. Show me your repentance. Show me that you’re no revenge-driven monster”
Greg stared at Johan, still shaking. “Johan…please…I can’t…”
“DUEL ME NOW!!” Johan yelled.
Greg, with a sinking feeling in his stomach, drew his opening hand with Johan.
Johan – 8000 Greg – 8000
“Draw!” Johan cried, drawing his opening card. He looked at his hand. Sapphire Pegasus, Amber Mammoth, Topaz Tiger, Crystal Counter, Pot of Greed, and Card Destruction, he recited. Perfect. “I summon Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus to the field in ATK mode! (1800 ATK) Next, I’ll activate his ability, which lets me look through my deck, select a Crystal Beast, and put it in my Spell/Trap Zone, so I’ll choose Ruby Carbuncle. Next, I’ll set one card facedown (Crystal Counter) and end my turn.”
Greg placed a hand on his duel disk…and paused. I can’t do it, he thought. I can’t fight anymore. I don’t want to. But Johan isn’t giving me any choice! I guess…I’ll just lose. Solemnly, he drew his sixth card and added it to his hand, which now consisted of Avian, Burstinatrix, Polymerization, Fifth Hope, Hero Barrier, and Hero City.
Greg sighed. “I summon Elemental Hero Avian in ATK mode (1000 ATK).” In a flash of light, the green-bodied, white winged, claw wielding hero appeared. “I end my turn”
Johan drew his next card. (Amethyst Cat) “I summon Topaz Tiger in ATK mode! (1600 ATK)” In a flash, the black and orange striped tiger wit ha silver blade horn appeared next to Sapphire Pegasus. “Next, I activate Pot of Greed to draw two more cards! (Emerald Turtle and Cobalt Eagle) Now I activate Card Destruction! We each discard out hands and draw cards equal to the amount we discarded!”
Greg slid his hand into his graveyard slot. As he did so, Johan noticed Burstinatrix and Polymerization.
What’s he up to?! Johan wondered. He could’ve been winning right now if he had summoned Flame Wingman. Why is he leaving himself open?
Johan looked at his new hand: Rainbow Dragon, Rainbow Life, Crystal Abundance, and Crystal Blessing. “Now all the requirements are set! I now summon RAINBOW DRAGON!! (4000 ATK)”
As he held the card up, seven different colors shot into the sky behind Johan, swirling and fusing together to form a white dragon with jewels embedded on its body and a silver horn and wings with yellow feathers.
“Topaz Tiger, attack Avian!” Johan ordered. “And when my Tiger attacks a monster, he gains 400 ATK! (1600 à 2000 ATK)”
The tiger leapt into the air and landed on the Hero, bashing him to bits.
Johan – 8000 Greg – 7000
“Sapphire Pegasus, attacking him directly! Sapphire Tornado!”
The horse leapt into the air and unleashed a sparkling blue tornado from its horn, which smashed into Greg.
Johan – 8000 Greg – 5200
“Now I sacrifice Ruby to increase Rainbow Dragon’s ATK by 1000!” Johan announced.
As the crystal slid into the graveyard, Johan’s monster was covered with a red aura. (4000 à 5000 ATK)
“Rainbow Dragon, direct attack!” Johan ordered. “Rainbow Reflection!”
Rainbow Dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of rainbow light at Greg, knocking him to the ground on all fours.
Johan – 8000 Greg – 200
Johan stared at the crumpled figure on the ground. “Its hard to imagine that you actually helped me prepare to fight the Shadow Riders.”
Greg just stayed hunched on the ground, not replying.
Johan shook his head. “Coward” he said in a carrying whisper.
Greg slowly looked up. “What…did you call me?”
Johan stared evenly back. “I called you a coward. You are a lowly, no good, stinking coward!”
Greg slowly stood up. “No…one…calls…me…COWARD!!” He roared as he drew the top card of his deck and added it to his hand, which now consisted of Avian, Sparkman, Bubbleman, Polymerization, Clayman, and Pot of Greed. “I activate Pot of Greed to draw two more cards! (Skyscraper and Graceful Charity) Now I activate Graceful Charity to draw three more (Miracle Fusion, Hero Barrier, and Stratos) and discard two (Stratos and Clayman). Now I activate Polymerization! I fuse Avian, Sparkman, and Bubbleman together to form Elemental Hero Tempest! (2800 ATK)” The monster that appeared out of the multi-colored vortex had Avian’s head—with a visor—and his wings. He had Sparkman’s body with Bubbleman’s colors. On his left arm had a claw gauntlet and on his right was a futuristic blaster.
Greg’s eyes began to glow. “I now activate Miracle Fusion! I remove Avian, Bubbleman, Clayman, and Burstinatrix from the game.” As he said their names, the Heroes appeared behind him. “In order to summon the ultimate Elemental Hero: ELEMENTAL HERO ELECTRUM! (2900 ATK)” As the four monsters, disappeared into the vortex, it crackled with rainbow lightning. The monster that emerged was completely gold with the E-Hero emblem embossed on his chest. “Now my monster’s ability activates: for every monster on your side of the field at shares an attribute with Electrum, he’ll gain 300 ATK. And Electrum is ALL attributes! (2900 à 3800 ATK) Also, all the cards that are removed from the game are shuffled back into their owners decks. Now, I activate Skyscraper!” As the card was placed in the Field Spell slot, skyscrapers rose around the duelists.
Greg pointed at Topaz Tiger. “Battle! Electrum, attack Topaz Tiger! Elemental Blast!”
Electrum rose into the air and gathers a rainbow ball between his hands. He then released it, blowing apart the tiger and making his crystal appear in Johan’s Spell/Trap Zone.
Johan – 5800 Greg – 200
“Tempest, attack Sapphire Pegasus! Thunderbubble Tornado!” Greg yelled.
Tempest jumped into the air and raised his gun. From it came a swirling stream of lightning-filled bubbles that collided into the winged horse, sending it to join Topaz Tiger.
Johan – 4800 Greg – 200
“I set one card facedown and end my turn” Greg finished.
Johan, smiling, drew his next card. (Mystical Space Typhoon) “Battle! Rainbow Dragon, attack Elemental Hero Tempest! Rainbow Reflection!”
The monstrous dragon unlashed another torrent of rainbow energy from its maw…
“Trap Card activate!” Greg called out. “Go Hero Barrier! Since I have a Hero on my side of the field, I can negate your attack!”
The rainbow blast hit the purple shield the erupted in front of Tempest, sending shockwaves of energy rebounding everywhere.
“I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy my facedown card” Johan continued. “And then I’ll follow it up with Crystal Blessing to add Cobalt Eagle and Amber Mammoth to my Spell/Trap Zone in their crystallized forms.” In two small flashes out light, an emerald and amber appeared on the field. “I end my turn”
Greg drew his next card. (Mirror Gate) “Since you only have one monster that shares an attribute with Electrum, his ATK decreases to 3200. I set one card facedown and end my turn”
Johan drew his next card. (Fair Trade) “Battle! Rainbow Dragon, attack Electrum! Rainbow Reflection!”
Rainbow Dragon unleashed another torrent of energy…
“Trap Card go!” Greg called out. “Mirror Gate activate!” This switches ownership of the two battling monsters around, so I get Rainbow Dragon and you get Electrum, who gets his ATK restored to 3900 along with all the battle damage I would normally take.”
The two monsters, right as they were preparing to do battle, switched places in a blink of an eye. Then Rainbow Dragon blasted Electrum away.
Johan – 3900 Greg – 200
Johan looked at his hand. “I activate Fair Trade! We both draw cards equal to the amount of Spell/Trap cards on my field, meaning we each draw 4! (Johan: Rare Value, Last Resort, Instant Crystallization, and Rainbow Path. Greg: United We Stand, Negate Attack, Mage Power, and De-Fusion) I then set one card facedown (Instant Crystallization) and end my turn.
Greg drew his next card…and smiled. “Game over.”
Johan raised an eyebrow. “How?”
Greg smiled. “First, I set two cards facedown (Negate Attack and De-Fusion). Next I activate Mage Power and equip it to Tempest, increasing his ATK by 500 for every Spell/Trap Card on my side of the field (2800 à 4800 ATK). Next, I activate Scapegoat to give myself four sheep tokens!” In a flash of light, four multi-colored sheep appeared on Greg’s field. “Now I activate United We Stand, increasing Tempest’s ATK by 800 for every monster I control! (4800 à 8800) And don’t forget Mage Power, which increases it by another 500!”
Johan paled. “But that means…”
“IT HAS 9300 ATK!!” Greg roared. “TEMPEST, DESTROY RAINBOW DRAGON WITH THUNDERBUBBLE TORNADO!!”
Tempest jumped into the air and raised its gun…
Johan grinned. “I activate my Dragon’s ability! I sacrifice my four crystals to increase its ATK to 9000!”
The four crystals turned into streams of light and zoomed into Rainbow Dragon, covering him with a rainbow aura.
Greg smirked. “Still not enough to beat Tempest”
Johan smirked back. “I activate my facedown card: Instant Crystallization! I can take one Crystal Beast from my graveyard—such as Sapphire Pegasus—and add it to my Spell/Trap Zone.” The blue crystal appeared on the field behind Rainbow Dragon. “Now I sacrifice it to increase Rainbow Dragon’s ATK by another 1000!”
The crystal turned into a blue stream of light, adding its color to the Dragon’s rainbow aura. (9000 à 10000 ATK)
“RAINBOW DRAGON, COUNTERATTACK!” Johan yelled, pointing at the Hero. “RAINBOW REFLECTION!”
The dragon opened its maw once more and unleashed a torrent of rainbow energy.
“TEMPEST, ATTACK WITH THUNDERBUBBLE TORNADO!” Greg roared.
Tempest unleashed its lightning-water tornado from its gun. The two blasts met in midair and stayed there.
Greg smirk grew wider. “Johan, you forgot something”
Johan raised his eyebrows. “What?”
Greg gestured to the skyscrapers surrounding them. “Skyscraper gives my Tempest an extra 1000 ATK if it battles with a stronger monster. (9300 à 10300 ATK)
Tempest unleashed a bit more power and slowly, the ball of energy that connected the two attacks started getting forced back towards Rainbow Dragon. When it collided with the monstrosity, it created a huge explosion that knocked both duelists off their feet.
Johan – 3600 Greg – 200
“I end my turn” Greg said as he climbed to his feet. (Tempest: 10300 à 9300 ATK)
Johan climbed to his feet and drew his next card. (Monster Reborn) “I set one card facedown (Rainbow Life) and end my turn.”
Greg drew his next card. (Stratos) “Tempest, finish this! Thunderbubble Tornado!”
Tempest unleashed another blast of energy from its gun, which collided into Johan, covering him in smoke.
Greg grinned. “Game over.”
The smoke cleared, and Johan was still standing. “Nope”
Greg’s jaw dropped. “How?”
Johan grinned. “I activated Rainbow Life. All damage I would take this turn is added to my Life Point total instead.”
Johan – 12900 Greg – 200
Greg scowled. “I summon Stratos in ATK mode! (1800 ATK)” The new Hero had light blue armor, a light blue helmet plus a visor, and metallic wings. “And thanks to his ability, I can add another Stratos to my hand. I now end my turn”
Johan drew his next card. (Crystal Shower) “I activate Monster Reborn! This brings back Rainbow Dragon! (4000 ATK)” In a burst of light, Johan’s dragon returned to the field and unleashed a primal roar.
“Rainbow Dragon, attack Stratos!” Johan ordered. “Rainbow Reflection!”
Rainbow Dragon unleashed was could’ve been the final rainbow blast of the duel…if it didn’t smash right into an energy shield.
Greg grinned. “I activated Negate Attack. This stops your dragon’s attack and ends your battle phase. (Tempest: 9300 à 8800 ATK)”
Johan sighed. “I end my turn”
Greg drew his next card. (Hero Counterattack) “I set my draw card facedown (Tempest: 8800 à 9300 ATK). Tempest, attack Rainbow Dragon! Thunderbubble Tornado!”
Tempest jumped into the air and unleashed another blast of energy from its blaster, blowing the dragon away.
Johan – 7600 Greg – 200
“Stratos, attack directly!” Greg ordered. “Wing Wind Blast!”
Stratos jumped into the air and activated the propellers on his wings, creating a tornado that smashed into Johan.
Johan – 5800 Greg – 200
“I end my turn” Greg said as his Heroes came back to the ground.
Johan drew his next card. (Gem Tree) “I activate Crystal Shower! I can return Sapphire Pegasus, Ruby Carbuncle, Emerald Turtle, Amber Mammoth, and Cobalt Eagle to my deck, shuffle it, and draw two cards. (Pegasus and Crystal Miracle) I now summon Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus in ATK mode! (1800 ATK) “ In a flash of light, the white winged horse reappeared on the field. “Now I can bring Ruby Carbuncle to my Spell/Trap Zone.” In another flash, a ruby crystal appeared in Johan’s back row. “I now set one card facedown (Crystal Miracle) and end my turn”
Greg drew his next card. (Instant Fusion) “Stratos, attack Sapphire Pegasus!”
The two monsters jumped at each other and collided in midair, blowing each other up.
“Tempest, attack him directly!” Greg called out.
Tempest aimed his gun and prepared to fire…
“Trap Card go!” Johan called. “Crystal Miracle activate! By sending my Ruby to the grave, I can negate your attack!”
Greg grinned. “I activate De-Fusion! This splits Tempest back into its separate parts!” In a flash of light, Avian (1000 ATK), Sparkman (1600 ATK), and Bubbleman (800 ATK) appeared on the field.
“Now my monsters, triple direct attack!” Greg ordered. “United Hero Blast!”
The three Hero put their hands together and unleashed a stream of blue, gold, and green energy that collided into Johan, knocking him back a step.
Johan – 2400 Greg – 200
“Now I activate Instant Fusion!” Greg continued. “I fuse my three monsters together to bring back Elemental Hero Tempest! (2800 ATK)” In a flash of light, Greg’s signature monster reappeared.
“Tempest, direct attack!” Greg ordered. “Thunderbubble Tornado!”
Tempest jumped into the air and unleashed a final blast of energy, which knocked Johan off his feet.
Johan – 0 Greg – 200
Greg smiled as the holograms disappeared. For some reason, he felt…lighter, as if he had relived a lot of his stress in the duel.
He looked at Johan, who was getting back to his feet. “Thanks Johan.”
Johan grinned and rubbed the back of his head. “Anytime”
Greg sighed and looked at Jaden, Alexis, and Mars. “Listen, guys…I never meant…”
Alexis waved her hand, as if she was brushing his apology aside. “Let’s forget about that.”
“Yeah” Jaden chimed in. “Let’s focus on you and Violet.”
Greg sighed again and looked at his feet. “Forget it guys…it’s over…”
Johan shook his head. “Dude, if you’re going to give up on love” He tossed something at Greg, who caught it, “you might as well give your King of Games status to Hell Kaiser.”
Greg looked at the object in his hand: it was the ring box. Looking at his friends, he asked “Do you think I should go for it?”
They all nodded. “You both have suffered a lot” Mars said.
“You need each other” Jaden added.
Greg just looked at the small box in his hand.
* * *
Knock, knock, knock.
Greg stood outside Violet’s door. I hope the guys were right, he thought.
Suddenly the door opened and reveal Violet. After one glance she made to shut the door, but Greg stopped it with his hand. “Vi, please…”
“Don’t call me that” she snapped back.
Greg sighed. “Violet…I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the way I’ve been acting. I’m sorry for everything I said in the forest. I’m sorry for being a selfish, revenge-driven b******. I’m sorry…”
He was silenced by Violet hugging him. “It’s okay” She whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry too”
Greg just wrapped his arms around her and held her.
After a minute, he let go. “The match it is tomorrow.”
Violet nodded. “You’ll win.”
Greg reached into his pocket and pulled something out. “But in case I don’t…”
He dropped to one knee in front of her. Violet looked ready to faint.
He held up his right hand and opened it. Sitting in the middle of his palm was a diamond ring, sparkling in the light. “Violet Jones…will you marry me?”
Violet stared down at him for a few moments. Then she sighed…and it wasn’t a good sigh. “Gregory Henry…”
End of Episode