Yu-Gi-Oh! Synergy

A Duo's Affair (Part 1)

Previously on Yu-Gi-Oh! Synergy: After a sinister Shadow Duel between Alistor and Wally is interrupted by the arrival of the Holders, Alistor, having become corrupted by darkness, confronts Railo and challenges him to a Shadow Duel - seeing Railo as the one responsible for Terra's misfortune. During the duel, Alistor torments Railo mentally with his powers; and verbally. Railo eventually defeats Alistor and vows to rescue both him and Terra. Having defeated Alistor, Railo and the Holders prepare themselves to confront Wally. Meanwhile, Lustros, having grown tired of Darkos's actions, assembles a group of Shadow Hunters and orders them to eliminate the Holders.

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In a dark setting, a cloaked figure stands staring down at the ground. "Asuka. We will return to life as we knew it. I promise you that", the cloaked person says to themself.

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Having defeated Alistor in Keyron, Railo, Kiram, Winona and Dante prepare themselves to confront Wally. As they stand in front of the temple, the enormous doors open. Dante and Winona are the first to walk in. Kiram shortly follows, but then he turns to realize Railo standing - not having taken a single step.

Kiram quickly walks back toward Railo. "Hey man. Aren't ya coming?"

"I don't like what all of this has turned into", Railo responds, still looking down.

"What do you mean?" Kiram asks.

"Dueling. It's not just about having fun or winning simple duels. It's all different now", Railo responds. "The Shadow Duels. The high stakes. I don't think I can ever enjoy another duel again."

"Hey you guys coming or what?!" Dante shouts from up ahead.

"Yeah just give us a sec", Kiram responds. He then returns his attention to Railo. "Rai. You can't just give up on dueling. It's not like you to give up on something you're so passionate about."

Railo turns to look at Kiram. "Kiram, I don't think you're understanding what I'm trying to tell you", Railo begins. "This isn't just some game of fun anymore. The game that I admire so much has slowly become something I can no longer tolerate. You saw what Wally did to Demeter and Pylon and you saw what Darkos did to Dante's father. People's lives have been put at risk way too much lately. I don't like seeing my friends get hurt! I don't like to see people suffer!" Railo begins to tear up, from both fury and sadness. "And you know what the worst part of it is?" Railo continues, "that I have to hurt people in order to help others. Do you think I enjoy that?"

"But that's what you have to do in order to help", Kiram responds. "People like Wally and Darkos don't deserve your compassion. They do things to hurt others and they need to be stopped no matter what it takes."

"You're not seeing the big picture here Kiram", says Railo. "How much better am I than them, if in order to help, I have to hurt innocent people. Alistor was innocent. He came here to protect Terra and ended up getting caught between Wally and Darkos's evil. You don't know how much it tore me apart having to duel against him and even more when I saw him fall the way he did. Things didn't have to be like that!"

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Inside the temple, Winona notices Railo shouting. "Do you think we should...", begins Winona.

Dante nods. "No. It's their deal. Let them handle it. We need to find Wallace. Him and I have a score to settle."

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In another section of the temple, Wally stands smiling. 'The fun is about to begin' Wally thinks to himself.

"It appears that your friends are on their way to visit me", says Wally sarcastically.