-Finally a cure?-


In an unspecified location…


Somewhere in Majo Kai was the Hideout of Majo Isabelle. She had been given this place by a Shadow and was even given something to research thoroughly. Right now, she was in a large room that was her laboratory; her fairy, Bebe, was in her usual black cat form and taking a break on one of the chairs.

"Bien, bien, bien. This has certainly been a nice turn!" Majo Isabelle usually wore a lovely red dress to compliment her dark hair. She still was, albeit with a white lab coat and goggles for protection, even as she carefully lifted a vial containing some kind of purple fluid. "With this, I will-"

A loud noise interrupted her research; said noise came from the laboratory door being blown down, startling Majo Isabelle and Bebe. A group of Witches barged in, one of whom she recognized off the top of her head as Majorin. Majo Isabelle was still startled, but Bebe reacted quickly and leapt over everyone for a quick swipe at Majorin. Majorin deflected the fairy effortlessly.

In seconds, Majorin, who was joined by Amelia, Majo Heart, Majo Don, Majo Vanilla, Majo Sloan, and Majo Miller had secured the laboratory, placed Majo Isabelle in anti-magic shackles, and had her crystal taken. They had also put Bebe, who had changed into her true form, inside a cage.

"What a pleasant surprise," Majo Isabelle said through clenched teeth, "To what do I owe this occasion, Bruja Rin? !"

"That is on a need-to-know basis, "Majorin replied, "You have the right to remain silent!" Majorin turned towards Amelia and Majo Don. "Take her away!"

Amelia and Majo Don saluted and led the Bruja off.

"Which of this research do we take?" Majo Miller asked.

"We don't have time to sift through it all, "Majo Heart replied, "We'll take all of it."

"The entire thing could be of use for Majo Kai," Majo Vanilla said.

"We'll talk more on this later. For now, return to the Castle." Majorin ushered everyone out. She stopped just outside the door and noticed that Skaj was leaning against the wall. "Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Skaj-san."

"Eh, whatevs," Skaj replied. He vanished back into the darkness before Majorin could say anything else. She left the complex.

Majo Sloan gave a hearty chuckle. "This takes me back to my younger years," she reminisced, "Only without the whole 'SWAT Team' performance."

"Don't get too caught up in your memories, Majo Sloan-san" Majo Don said, "You'll forget what's at hand."

Soon, we'll have the cure for this virus, Majo Vanilla thought, She will be cured, Majo Monroe Nee-san.


At the clinic…


Majo Heart had returned to her post. She and the other Witches had helped her sift through the research on the virus; they had, without a doubt, returned to their normal duties and left Majo Heart to her research. Majorin had provided her with one of the magical PCs from the Castle for use in storing the data and helping her to research and figure out a cure.

Doremi, Hazuki, Aiko, Pop, and Onpu were already in the clinic, keeping Momoko and Hana company. They all noticed Majo Heart's entry.

"Konnichiwa, Majo Heart-san," Doremi greeted.

"I see you're all doing your duty as friends," Majo Heart said softly, "How are they doing?"

Momoko grimaced. "It's spreading at an alarming rate." Momoko pushed the covers off, revealing the dark splotches, veins, and dark metallic scales that had grown on her limbs. "That was just from the past two hours alone."

"Hana-chan wishes I were doing well too," Hana said. She too pulled her covers off, revealing her infection. She had simply shown that she was just as bad off as Momoko.

"With this research, I will be able to help you." Majo Heart placed the PC on the desk. "The data stored on this is all of the research we found from what was taken from Majo Isabelle's hideout."

"Yosh!" Aiko exclaimed, "You'll be better in no time, Momo-chan!"

"Hana-chan too!" Pop exclaimed.

"I'll need some peace and quiet, so I will have to ask you to leave for the time being," Majo Heart said, "Gomenasai."

The Ojamajos looked down at Momoko and Hana with worry. Momoko and Hana gave a look that reassured them, but they still worried nonetheless.

"If you need the quiet, then we will leave," Doremi said, "Minna, let's go."

And with those words, the Ojamajos, sans Momoko and Hana, left the clinic.


In the Majo Kai Castle…


Majorin and Amelia were face to face with Majo Isabelle. All three were in a dimly lit room and sat at a table.

"Now tell us, Majo Isabelle," Majorin began, "Have you been researching the virus?"

"What virus?" Majo Isabelle asked mockingly.

Skaj appeared in the room. "Remember me?"

"Y-you-!"

"I gave you a sample and have monitored your research. No point in hiding anything."

"In that case, si."

"And what have you found out on it?"

Majo Isabelle chuckled. "I'm not too sure I'm up for saying anything else."

Bebe pulled her lower eyelid down and blew them all (except Majo Isabelle) a raspberry.

"I should make you up for it," Skaj said. He drew a card and chains came out.

Majo Isabelle bit her lip. "You give me that sample, been my advisor, and now force me to give away my secrets? !" Majo Isabelle glared daggers at Skaj and Majorin. "I will have nothing to do with Reina's healing nor with you. Besides, she seems to enjoy her new role."

"Urusai!" Majorin angrily shouted, "Jou-sama would never do this on her own! That virus is what's making her!"

Majo Isabelle chuckled. "Oh, struck a raw nerve, have I?"

Majorin realized what Majo Isabelle was doing and calmed down. "It will be in your best interests to help with the cure. We all know that you intend to take control over Majo Kai."

"And what are you getting at?" Majo Isabelle glared at Majorin.

"If this virus-" Majorin began, but was interrupted by Skaj.

"The Verz virus warps the minds of those it infects, turning them into mindless engines of destruction." Skaj continued in Majorin's stead, much to her chagrin. "You wouldn't be able to rule Majo Kai with it on the loose. In fact, that virus might end up ruling YOU!"

Majo Isabelle winced.

"Don't you see, Majo Isabelle?" Majorin continued, "This virus will destroy everything! And I'm sure you that's something you won't be willing to allow."

"…" Majo Isabelle only glared at Majorin and Skaj.

"We have other ways of making you cooperate." Majorin said menacingly. "Pray that we don't resort to that."

"A little ruthless of you, Bruja Rin?" Majo Isabelle sneered. "Very well. I'll help, but under one condition."

"Not having you condemned to life as a Witch Frog for high treason should be payment enough," Majorin retorted, "It will be in your best interests to help us regardless."

Majo Isabelle glared daggers at Majorin. She also felt that Majorin could be more ruthless more often… "Very well. I'll do my best."

"We'll be keeping a close eye on you," Amelia warned, "Any 'funny business,' and we will make IT swift."

"…" Majo Isabelle could only smirk.


At the clinic…


Majo Isabelle had arrived at the clinic to give Majo Heart a hand with making a cure for the Verz. Keeping a close eye on her was Amelia, Majo Don, and Majo Miller. The latter two decided that keeping an eye on a dangerous criminal was worth risking their duties for…especially since said criminal was a means to get the cure faster.

Hana and Momoko were more than a little uncomfortable with Majo Isabelle in the room. Hana was the worst off of the two; she was having occasional flash backs to her first encounter with the diabolically insane Spanish Witch.

Majo Don had been tasked with making sure Bebe was still in her cage. Bebe did the only thing she could do to her warden: Mock and Troll her.


In Ningen Kai…


Aiko was at the beach, watching the sunset with sorrow. She wished she could've stayed with Momoko and Hana longer, but had to respect their wishes. She had her harmonica, and decided to express her sadness with a tune.

It went on for a few minutes before she stopped to catch her breath.

I know I shouldn't trust Majo Isabelle, Aiko thought to herself, Demo ne, she's done far more research on the subject then Majo Heart. Aiko clenched her fist. It should've been Majo Heart-san who did all the research, not her!

Aiko resumed playing her tune, but it had taken a more angry tone.

"What a sad song."

Aiko stopped playing with a start. In moments, she had jerked her head towards the source of the voice. On top of a massive rock sat a teenage boy. He had white hair and pale skin and wore a white button-up shirt and black pants.

"Wh-who are you?" Aiko demanded.

The boy turned to face Aiko. "Do the Lilim play such songs all the time?"

Aiko's eyes went wide. What in god's name was a 'Lilim'? What was he talking about? "I don't. I normally play a happier tune. Demo ne…"

The boy hopped down onto the sand. Aiko got a better look at his face; she noted the smile he had and his red eyes. They weren't glowing, but Aiko felt unnerved by them.

"Why do you play such a tune now?" the boy asked, "You did mention after all that you played happier tunes."

"I…I can't really explain." Aiko turned her head away. "It's complicated."

"Is that so?" The boy took a few steps to the side. "Is it really as complicated as you imagine? Or are you unwilling to face it head on?"

Aiko shot a look at him. "O-of course! I'll do anything to get Momo-chan healed!" Aiko's eyes went wide with shock. "I…I shouldn't have said that."

"There are no worries there," the boy reassured, "If you intend on getting your friend healed, then they have to mean a lot. Is your friend that precious?"

"She means the world to me!"

The boy only nodded. He left, climbing the stairs. "If your friend is that precious, then do whatever it takes."

"I will!" Aiko wondered who he was…and wondered how she could thank him for helping her.


At the Mahou-Dou…


Aiko opened the door with renewed hope and enthusiasm, startling Doremi and Onpu.

"You're in a bright mood today, Ai-chan," Onpu remarked as she sweat-dropped, "At least you're not depressed."

"Doremi-chan?" Aiko asked.

"Nani?" Doremi replied.

"We should go and give Momo-chan and Hana-chan our support!"

"Demo ne, we've been asked to give Majo Heart-san some peace!"

"We could always watch from the windows outside the castle," Hazuki suggested.

"That's a great idea, Hazuki-chan!" Onpu praised.

"That means we'll-" Doremi began.

Suddenly, something hit them. A feeling? A jolt? Whatever it was, it filled them with dread and worry.

"S-something's wrong!" Aiko stuttered, "Momo-chan!"

"If it's what I think it is-" Doremi's eye went wide with shock. "We have to get to the clinic!"


At the Castle of Majo Kai…


The Ojamajos, sans Pop, wasted no time in getting to the Castle and making their way to the clinic. When they arrived, the place was an utter mess. Chairs and tables were strewn everywhere and the beds that used to hold Momoko and Hana were in disarray, complete with ripped covers and torn sheets. Majo Heart, Majo Isabelle, Amelia, Majo Don, and Majo Miller were panting and looking at the now-shattered window.

"Wh-what happened here?" Doremi asked with dread.

"I'm afraid Momoko and Hana have fallen to the Verz," Majo Heart said sadly, "We tried to keep them down, but the virus had given them dark powers to use against us."

"Just like Jou-sama," Onpu surmised.

Bebe shot Doremi a look of pure smugness. She then shot Aiko a similar look that was asking "Problem?"

Doremi puffed up her cheeks in annoyance. "Fuu, fuunu, FUU!"

"They haven't left the grounds," Majo Don said, "If you hurry, you can still catch them!"

"Minna." Everyone turned to Onpu. "How can this be possible? How can Hana-chan and Momo-chan fall to the Verz this quickly?"

"I'm afraid anything we come up with will be little more than theories and conjecture." Majo Heart gave a grim look. "For now, you must stop Hana-chan and Momoko-chan!"

"We will!" Doremi promised.

"Count on it!" Aiko added.

"Good luck," Amelia said.

The Ojamajos flew out the shattered window and began their search.

"We were close to figuring out the cure," Majo Heart lamented, "And now we're back to square one."

"At least we can progress more easily now," Majo Isabelle sneered, "We solved it before, we can do it again."

Majo Heart grunted in frustration at Majo Isabelle's attitude.


In the Majo Kai Entrance Hall…


The Ojamajos had one last place to check. They opened the doors to the entrance hall with a start and headed in. It was dark inside.

"We've been waiting for you, minna-san," came a voice.

Doremi recognized that voice but wanted to be sure. "Hana-chan! Is that you?"

"Hai, mama," The light came back on, revealing both Hana and Momoko.

The Ojamajos gasped at what they saw. Momoko and Hana were covered in veins and dark spots. Indeed, several veins had wrapped around their faces and snaked their way around them. Parts of their uniforms were ripped due to scale-like growths.

"Momo-chan-!" Aiko could hardly speak.

"Ai-chan?" Momoko began, "I would love it if you joined me. Onegai?"

"Eh?"

"Hana-chan wishes you all would accept us!" Hana said, "Just give in! And we can be together!"

"We won't!" Doremi said defiantly, "We lost Jou-sama to the Verz! And we're not about to lose you!" Doremi activated her duel disk. "But I will make you a deal: If I defeat you, then you will come back to us and forget about getting us infected!"

Hana activated her duel disk. "If Hana-cha wins, you join us! Fair enough?"

"Deal!"

"Doremi-chan!" Aiko called as she activated her duel disk, "You can't beat them alone! I'll help you!"

"I'll join in as well," Momoko added, activating her duel disk, "When you lose, maybe we can go out on our first date as infectees?"

Aiko grit her teeth. "I won't!"

Momoko looked hurt. "You don't care about my feelings do you?"

"It's not that, Momo-chan," Aiko cried, "I just want you back to your old self!"

"Hana-chan is fine with my new form!" Hana said, "We'll win and allow you to experience it!"

"Hana-chan…" Doremi muttered. I promise, we'll have you back to normal!

"Doremi-chan! Ai-chan! Good luck!" Hazuki called.

All four of them drew their five cards and their LP meters went to 8000. "Duel!"

"I'll start things off!" Doremi declared, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Doremi took a look at her card. "First off, I'll activate the field spell Naturia Forest!"

And with that, the scenery changed to reflect the beautiful forest. "Every time I negate the activation of one of your cards or effects, I can add one Lv3 or below Naturia from my deck to my hand!"

"Sugoi!" Hana exclaimed, "Demo ne, It won't matter."

Doremi winced at the comment. "Next, I will activate the spell card One for One! With it, I can discard one monster to special summon any Lv1 monster from my deck!"

"Ok, Doremi-chan!" Momoko called, "I'll activate Maxx "C" from my hand!" Momoko discards her card. "Until the end of your turn, whenever you special summon a monster, I draw a card!"

"Hana-chan will do the same!" Hana winked as she discarded her Maxx "C".

"I'll discard this card to special summon Naturia Vein form my deck." Doremi discarded Naturia Cosmobeet. Naturia Vein appeared with 300 Def.

"And that lets us draw a card!" Momoko shouted. Both she and Hana drew their cards, returning their hands to five.

"Next, I'll summon Naturia Cliff!" Doremi gave a serious look as her monster came to the field with1500 Atk. "Now, I'll tune Lv4 Naturia Cliff with Lv1 Naturia Vein!" Both monsters went into the air and vanished in a flash. "The Forest guardian prowls the floor, keeping all in peace! Synchro Summon! Awareru, Naturia Beast!" Naturia Beast emerged from the forest brush with 2200 Atk.

"And you know what happens," Hana said. Both she and Momoko drew another card.

At least I don't have anything left to do this turn, Doremi thought ot herself, "Turn end."

"Yosh! Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Hana took a look at the card she drew. "Hmm! Hana-chan will star off by summoning Sacred Pollux!" Hana's monster flew down from the sky, landing with 1700 Atk. "Pollux-san no kouka hatsudo! Hana-chan will summon Sacred Gredi!" Pollux raised his arm. Gredi answered, descending with 1600 Atk."Gredi-san no kouka hatsudo! Hana-chan can special summon one more Sacred!"

"I'll chain to that with my own Maxx "C"!" Doremi shouted. She discarded just as Gredi raised his own hand.

"Hana-chan will summon Sacred Kaust!" Kaust answered Gredi's call and landed with 1800 Atk.

"I'll draw one card, Hana-chan," Doremi replied.

"Now, I'll overlay Pollux-san, Gredi-san, and Kaust san for an Xyz summon!" All three of Hana's monsters vanished into a glowing red vortex that opened up at the ceiling.

"Watch out, Doremi-chan!" Aiko called, "She's about to summon the card she used to beat Momo-chan and me with!"

"You mean Number 16: Shock Master?" Doremi asked, "Great."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that, Ai-chan," Momoko winked.

"Nani?" Aiko replied.

"The mighty and the weary are one after time! Pass your solemn oath! Descend, Vylon Disigma!" Hana raised her hand, reaching out for her monster. It descended onto the field, sporting 2500 Atk as it did.

"Vylon…Disigma?" Doremi asked as she drew form Maxx "C"'s effect, "What's that?"

"Now, Hana-chan will activate its ability: by detaching one material, Disigma can absorb one of your Atk position Effect monsters! I choose Naturia Beast!"

Vylon had one of the three lights orbiting it fly into it head. Then a beam shot from that very spot, striking Naturia Beast. It worked like a tractor beam, dragging Doremi's monster into it before it vanished completely.

"Nani? !" Doremi looked in shock. "Naturia Beast!"

"Hana-chan will activate three Star Signs of the Sacred!" Hana played her cards. Three Star Signs with the Crest of the Sacreds formed overhead. "Turn end."

Kuso! Hana-chan already has and edge! Aiko thought to herself, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Aiko looked at her cards. "Foolish Burial no kouka hatsudo!"

Suddenly, a burst of leaves emerged from within Vylon Disigma, shattering Aiko's spell card. "Nani? !"

"Hana-chan controls Naturia Beast now," Momoko explained, "Including its effects."

"Eh?" Doremi went speechless.

"It joined our side, Doremi-mama!" Hana chortled, "Soon, you'll join with us too!"

"Not gonna happen!" Aiko replied, "I'll summon XX-Saber Boggart Knight!" Aiko's monster appeared with 1900 Atk. "When Boggart Knight is normal summoned, I can special summon any Lv4 or below X-Saber form my hand!"

"AI-chan, Ai-chan, Ai-chan," Momoko taunted, "You should be more careful with your plays!"

"Nani?" Aiko shot Momoko a look of worry.

"I'll discard another Maxx "C"!"

"Tch!"

"Ai-chan! Be careful!" Onpu called, "Don't go overboard with special summons!"

"I'll try not to," Aiko replied. I need field presence! "I'll continue with Boggart Knight's effect and special summon XX-Saber Fulhemlknight!" Fulhelmknight answered Boggart Knight's call and arrived with 1300 Atk. "And since I have two X-Sabers on my field, I can special summon XX-Saber Faultroll!" Both monsters look up and see Faultroll land in with 2400 Atk.

"That makes two cards for me, Ai-chan," Momoko said, "Arigatou!" Momoko winked at Aiko, making her blush.

"Eh, y-you're welcome, Momo-chan." Aiko stuttered. She still found Momoko beautiful despite the scaly growths and veins on her body. "Anyway, I'll tune Lv4 Boggart Knight with Lv3 Fulhelmknight!" Both of Aiko's monsters vanish in a flash of light. "Warrior from afar, lend your strength, and together we will triumph! Synchro Summon! Battle, X-Saber Urbellum!" Aiko chanted as X-Saber Urbellum appeared with 2200 Atk.

Momoko grinned as she drew another card.

"I'll now use Faultroll's ability!" Aiko declared, "Return, XX-Saber Fulhelmknight!" Faultroll drove his massive blade into the earth, tearing it open and allowing Fulhelmknight come back. Momoko drew another card. "Now, I'll tune Lv6 Faultroll with Lv3 Fulhelmknight!"

"Ai-chan!" Onpu called, but to no avail.

"Ai-chan's letting Momo-chan draw too many cards!" Hazuki panicked.

"I know."

"Leader of your tribe, come forth and be my guide! Synchro Summon! Commander of all X-Sabers, XX-Saber Gottoms!" Aiko chanted. In moments, XX-Saber Gottoms appeared with 3100 Atk. "I'll set two cards. Turn end!"

"And that makes ten cards in my hand." Momoko smiled. "Arigatou, Ai-chan! I'll be sure to remember this when you lose! Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Momoko drew her card.

Onpu, Hazuki, and Doremi looked worried. Momoko now had eleven cards in her hand and they were afraid that she might build up a massive field presence.

"I'll activate the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon!" Momoko called, "And I think I'll destroy THAT card!" Momoko's card called forth a twister that snaked its way towards Aiko's set card.

"Reverse card, open! Gottoms' Emergency Call hatsudou!" Aiko activated it mostly due to it being the target of Momoko's card. "Since I have an X-Saber on my field, I can special summon two X-Sabers from my graveyard. Return, Boggart Knight and Fulhelmknight!" The twister missed the card as Boggart Knight and Fulhelmknight answered Gottoms' alarm.

"Hmm." Momoko pondered her next move. "I'll summon Gem Armadillo!" Momoko's monster appeared with 1700 Atk. "Gem Armadillo no kouka hatsudou!" Momoko adds Gem-Knight Lazuli to her hand.

"Ai-chan, fight!" Hazuki cheered.

"I'll activate Gem-Knight Fusion!" Momoko declared.

"I'll-" Doremi began.

"Matte, Doremi-chan!" Aiko warned, "Reverse card, open! Solemn Warning hatsudou!" Aiko activated her trap and her LP dropped to 6000. The figures on the card gave their warning and nulled Momoko's spell card.

"Not bad, Ai-chan," Momoko shot Aiko a flirtatious look, making her blush.

"Uh, arigatou, Momo-chan!" Aiko stuttered. Even though she had scaly growths and black veins on her body, Aiko still found Momoko beautiful. "D-demo ne, it still doesn't mean I'll go easy on ya!"

"Oh, Ai-chan," Momoko replied with a hurt look. She then grinned. "I'll just activate a second Gem-Knight Fusion!"

"N-Nani? !" Aiko gasped.

"Momo-chan did draw many cards before her turn came up," Hazuki surmised. She straightened her glasses. "So, it can be justified."

"I'll chain by discarding Maxx "C"!" Doremi declared, "Now, I'll draw for every one of you special summons!"

Momoko sighed. "I'll send Gem Armadillo and the Gem-Knight Garnet in my hand to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Zirconia!" And with that, Momoko's new monster thundered in with 2900 Atk.

"And that makes one!" Doremi shouted as she drew her card.

"I'll banish the Garnet in my graveyard to return my Fusion to my hand." Momoko took her card out. "I'll now activate it again, this time for something stronger! I'll send Zirconia, Tourmaline, and Lazuli to my graveyard for a fusion summon!"

The ground trembled as Lazuli and Tourmaline entered Zirconia through its fists. The energy exploded…and a new creature could be seen through the glare.

"Master of the Gem-Knights, come together as one and bring the Sword of Honor to all those who fight without purpose!" Momoko's chant was followed by the glare fading, revealing Gem-Knight Master Dia and its 2900 Atk. "Lazuli no kouka hatsudou!" Momoko returned Gem-Knight Tourmaline to her hand. "For every Gem-Knight in my graveyard, Master Dia gains 100 Atk!" Gem-Knight Master Dia's Atk went to 3100.

"And that's two!" Doremi shouted again as she drew another card.

"I'll set two cards. Turn end."

"Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Doremi shouted, "Hana-chan! Onegai! You don't have to do this!"

"Demo ne, Doremi-mama," Hana replied, "I don't want to become a monster without you!"

"We'll make sure you don't! I promise!" Doremi replied, "I'm activating the spell card Smashing Ground. If you can give us a chance!"

Hana closed her eyes. "I can stop it with your own Naturia Beast, Mama." Hana opened your eyes again. "I'll…I'll…I'll let it through!"

"Hana-chan…" Doremi's tears welled up. I'll make sure this isn't in vain!

"Hana-chan seems to be resisting the Verz," Onpu guessed, "It's a good sign demo ne…"

"We don't know how long Hana-chan can keep it up!" Hazuki continued fearfully.

Doremi's spell smashed the ground underneath Gem-Knight Master Dia. The powerful monster tried to regain his footing but was no match for the spell.

"Hana-chan!" Momoko called, "Naze yo?"

Hana didn't respond.

"I'll summon Naturia Pumpkin to my field." Doremi continued her move by summoning her monster with 1400 Atk. "Since one of you has a monster, I can special summon any Naturia form my hand!" Naturia Pumpkin called for aid. Naturia Cosmobeet answered and emerged from the brush with its 1000 Atk. "Now, I'll tune Lv4 Pumpkin with Lv2 Cosmobeet!"

Both of Doremi's monsters vanished in a brilliant flash. "The Naturia guardians lend aid to those in need. When the time comes, your tricks are of no use! Synchro Summon! Naturia Barkion!" And with that, Doremi summoned Naturia Barkion, complete with its 2500 Atk. "I'll attack Vylon-"

"Doremi-chan!" Onpu called, "Vylon has an Earth monster equipped to it! If it battles an Earth monster, then it'll win! Always!"

Doremi gave a look of shock. Hana's card had given her an advantage over both her AND Aiko since both of their decks were primarily Earth monsters.

"In that case, I'll attack Momo-chan directly!" Doremi pointed in Momoko's direction.

"Ai-chan!" Momoko called, "You wouldn't let Doremi-chan do this to me, would you?" Momoko gave Aiko a look of faux sadness.

"If we're gonna cure you, Momo-chan," Aiko replied, "Then I have no choice."

Momoko's look turned to anger. "Suit yourself. Reverse Card, open! Mirror Force hatsudou!" Momoko was surrounded by a rainbow-colored spherical barrier from her trap card.

"Momo-chan! Fight it!" Hazuki cried.

"You can't let the Verz change you like this!" Onpu called.

"But it feels too good," Momoko replied, "I've never been this powerful!" Momoko emphasized it by enveloping a dark aura around herself. "And soon, you too will feel it!"

"Naturia Barkion no kouka hatsudou!" Doremi replied, "Whenever my opponent activates a trap card, I can banish two cards from my graveyard to negate its activation!" Doremi takes out the Smashing Ground and One for ne she had used and gave them to Barkion. "Onegai?"

Doremi pays Barkion's cost. And with that, Barkion rushes forth, shattering the Mirror Force and striking Momoko. She is blown back as her LP drops to 5500.

"Naturia Forest no kouka hatsudou!" Doremi shouted, "Since I negated the activation of one of your cards, I can add any Lv3 or below Naturia to my hand." Doremi adds her card, Naturia Cherries. "Card set. Turn end."

"I won't hold back anything else, Mama," Hana said, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Hana grinned at the card she drew. "Vylon Disigma no kouka hatsudou!" Immediately, one of the two remaining lights orbiting Disigma was absorbed into it. "Hana-chan will target XX-Saber Gottoms!"

"I don't think so, Hana-chan! Go, Effect Veiler!" Doremi discarded her card. In moments, Effect Veiler appeared over Vylon Disigma and bathed it in a silvery light. Within seconds, the beam that Vylon Disigma was using to absorb XX-Saber Gottoms fizzled and evaporated. "Effect Veiler didn't negate your monster's activation, so I can't use Naturia Forest's effect."

"Doremi-chan! Arigatou!" Aiko called. "Now, Hana-chan can't automatically defeat Earth monsrers!"

"But only for this turn," Onpu warned, "Effect Veiler only lasts until the end phase."

"You saved Ai-mama with your card," Hana said, "But you can't stop this. Vylon Disigma! Attack X-Saber Urbellum!" Vylon Disigma did as commanded and fired a beam to accomplish it. Suddenly, XX-Saber Fulhelmknight jumped in the way of the attack and blocked it with his sword. The beam couldn't get through, but Fulhelmknight's sword was damaged. "Nani? !"

"Fulhelmknight can negate any one of your attacks!" Aiko explained. She took a look at his damaged sword. "But he can only do it once as long as he's face-up."

"Sugoi, Ai-mama!" Hana said with enthusiasm, "I'll activate Monster Reborn!"

"Reverse Card, open! Dark Bribe hatsudou!" Doremi replied. Monster Reborn fizzled and stopped as Hana received a coin that allowed her to draw a card. "Since I negated the activation of your card, I can use Naturia Forest's effect!" Doremi added Naturia Cosmobeet to her hand.

"That's okay, Mama," Hana replied, "Hana-chan will summon Sacred Debaran!" Hana's monster appeared with 1300 Atk. "Debaran-san no kouka hatsudou! Hana-chan can special summon any Lv3 Sacred from my hand! I choose Sheratan-san!" Sacred Sheratan answered Debaran's call and appeared with 700 Atk. "Now, Hana-chan will overlay Debaran and Sheratan for an Xyz summon!"

And with those words, both monster turned into light and rocketed towards an opening vortex. "Awareru! Sacred Hyades!" Hana called, and Sacred Hyades descended from the vortex with 1900 Atk. "Since Hana-chan summoned a Sacred Xyz monster, I can draw from my Star Signs!" All three of Hana's Star Signs of the Sacred glowed brilliantly in resonance with Sacred Hyades, allowing Hana to draw three cards total.

"Hyades-san no kouka hatsudou! Hana-chan can detach one material to change all of your monster's battle positions to face-up defense!"

One of the lights that orbited Hyades went into its blade. With one swing of the now glowing blade, all of Doremi's and Aiko's monsters went to Def position.

"Card set! Turn end!" Hana looked at Doremi. "Hana-chan regret not stopping your card."

"Hana-chan…" Doremi said.

"Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Aiko exclaimed as she drew her card. She gave it a look and smirked. "I'll summon XX-Saber Darksoul!" Aiko's monster appeared and swung its scythe, but only had 100 Atk. "Now, I'll tune Lv3 Dark Soul with Lv3 Fulhelmknight!" And once again, both monsters vanished in a flash of light. "A slicing dervish with a soul of strength lends aid to those whom she deems worthy! Synchro summon! Awareru, XX-Saber Hyunlei!"

Aiko's new monster emerged from the flash and reached for her sword.

"Reverse Card, open! Solemn Judgment hatsudou!" Hana smirked as she activated her trap. She gave them half of her LP and they proceeded to give their judgment. Hyunlei was sentenced to death and her summon was negated. "Ai-mama won't be destroying any of Hana-chan's spells!"

Aiko winced. "If that's how you want to play, then I'll attack Hyades with XX-Saber Gottoms! Double X Slash!" Gottoms drew his sword and brought it down against Sacred Hyades. Hyades tried blocking it, but his blades were sliced to pieces by the first X Slash. The second took Hyades down and lowered Hana's LP to 2800. "Gomen ne, Hana-chan."

"Usou!" Hana called.

If I had something to negate Vylon Disigma's effects, then I'd attacked it instead, Aiko thought to herself, "X-Saber Urbellum, attack Momo-chan directly!" Urbellum drew his sword and prepared to attack.

"You wouldn't hurt me, Ai-chan?" Momoko gave a pleading look to Aiko.

"I have no choice, Momo-chan," Aiko replied. "Go." And with that, X-Saber Urbellum sliced at Momoko with an X-shaped slash, reducing her LP to 3300. "Urbellum no kouka hatsudou! Since you have 4 or more cards in your hand, I can place one of them on top of your deck. I choose that one." Aiko pointed to Momoko's middle-left card.

"Ai-chan…" Momoko said as she put her card back on top.

"Now, I'll attack you again with Boggart Knight." Aiko turned her head away as her monster obeyed her command.

Boggart Knight went for an X-shaped slash. It landed, reducing Momoko's LP to 1400 and throwing her to the ground.

"Ai-chan…it hurts…" Momoko was breathing heavily. She stumbled to her feet. "Naze yo…Ai-chan?"

"Momo-chan…I-!" Aiko stuttered.

"Ai-chan! Don't listen to her!" Onpu called. "It's not the real Momo-chan talking!"

Aiko didn't know what to say. But she had only one thing left to do at this point. "I'll end my turn. And during my End phase, I can add any X-Saber form my deck to my hand since Darksoul was sent to the graveyard." Aiko added XX-Saber Faultroll. "Your move, Momo-chan."

"Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Momoko looked at her card, even though it was the sae one that Aiko returned to the top of her deck. "I'll summon Gem-Knight Alexandrite!" Momoko's monster appeared with 1800 Atk. "Alexandrite no kouka hatsudou! I can tribute him to special summon any Gem-Knight normal monster from my deck! Awareru, Gem-Knight Crystal!" Alexandrite vanished and paved the way for Gem0Knioght Crystal to appear. Crystal pounded his fists together and prepared to defend his home with his 2450 Atk.

"Next, I'll banish the Gem-Knight Alexandrite on my graveyard to return Gem-Knight Fusion to my hand!" Alexandrite's spirit was shown crumbling to dust to allow his comrades another chance to combine. "Now, I'll activate Gem-Knight Fusion! I'll send Gem-Knight Tourmaline and Gem-Knight Sapphire to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Amethys!" Momoko's monster appeared with 1950 Atk.

"Now, I'll overlay Crystal with Amethys for an Xyz summon!" Both Gem-Knights turned into light and fly right into a rainbow-colored vortex. "Descend! Number 11: Big Eye!" A massive shape appeared. The shape quickly changed form, eventually growing an eye and revealing its 2600 Atk. "Big Eye on kouka hatsudou! I can detach a material from it and take control of one of your monsters! I choose XX-Saber Gottoms!" One of the lights orbiting Big Eye was absorbed into its eye. The eye glowed, and XX-Saber Gottoms couldn't resist the monster's allure.

"G-Gottoms!" Aiko called, but it was of no use. Gottoms was now against her.

"Gottoms, attack Boggart Knight with Double X Slash!" Momoko commanded. Gottoms complied and took down his own comrade, reducing Aiko's LP to 4800. "Turn end!"

"Doremi-chan, you have to do something!" Aiko called, "Or Momo-chan's gonna beat us with Gottoms!"

"I'll do something, Ai-chan!" Doremi replied, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Doremi looked at the card she drew and smiled. "I'll summon Naturia Pumpkin!" Doremi shouted. Her monster emerged fomr the brush woth 1400 Atk. "And since you have monsters, I can special summon another Naturia form my hand. I'll choose Cosmobeet!" Pumpkin let out a call and Cosmobeet answered, emerging with 1000 Atk.

"Now, I'll tune Lv4 Pumpkin with Lv2 Cosmobeet!" Both of Doremi's newly summoned monsters vanished in a flash. "Great Dragon of the Ice Barrier! Heed my cry and help us! Synchro Summon! Break free, Brionac, Dragon of the Ice Barrier!" Doremi chanted, and a massive wall of ice appeared behind her. In moments it started breaking, until finally it shattered, revealing Brionac and its 2300 Atk. "Brionac no kouka hatsudou! I can discard one card to return any other card on the field to the hand! I choose XX-Saber Gottoms!"

Brionac's icy gale snapped Gottoms out of Big Eye's control. He gave an apologetic gesture to Aiko before returning to her extra deck.

Aiko turned to Doremi. "Doremi-chan…arigatou!"

"Demo…demo ne, he was supposed to be helping me us win!" Momoko pouted.

"Momo-chan! Snap out of it!" Aiko urged, "Onegai! Return to your former self!"

Momoko said nothing.

"Momo-chan…" Doremi said, "I'll overlay Brionac with Barkion for an Xyz summon!" Both Brionac and Brakion turned into light and flew for an opening vortex. "Awareru, Photon Streak Bounzer!" And Doremi's new monster emerged with 2700 Atk. "Now, I'll attack Vylon Disigma with Bounzer!"

"And since Vylon Disigma has no Light monsters equipped," Onpu began, "Bounzer can beat it!"

"Eh!" Hana gave a look of shock.

Bounzer struck Disigma with a beam of pure light. Disigma retaliated with a beam of its own, but was overwhelmed. Disigma was impaled by Bounzer's beam, destroying it and reducing Hana's LP to 2600.

"Disigma!" Hana called.

"Turn end." Doremi said flatly. Onegai, Hana-chan! Come back to us!

"…" Hana glared daggers at Doremi. "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Hana looked at her card and smirked. "Hana-chan will activate the spell card Pot of Avarice!" Hana's voice was now laced with anger and venom. "I'll return Vylon Disigma, Sacred Pollux, Sacred Gredi, Sacred Kaust, and Sacred Hyades to my deck!" Hana returns them and shuffles. "And then I'll draw!"

Hana smirks at what she drew. "I'll activate the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon! And I'll use it to level your Naturia Forest!" Hana now had a look of cruel insanity as the whirlwind from her spell tore at Doremi's Naturia Forest. Within moments, the entire thing was gone. "Now you'll never get Naturia monsters from negating again!"

"Hana-chan…" Doremi was shocked at what her daughter was saying. "Hana-chan! This isn't you! Snap out of it! Onegai! ONEGAI!"

"URUSAI!" Hana yelled angrily, "It still Hana-chan's turn! So I'll play Sacred Leonis!" Hana's monster appeared with 1000 Atk. "Leonis' effect lets me normal summon an extra Sacred, so I'll summon another Leonis!" Leonis gave a call, and a second answered. "Now, I'll overlay them for an Xyz summon! Awareru! Sacred Hyades!"

And with that, Sacred Hyades emerged from the opening vortex with 1900 Atk. The three Star Signs glowed brilliantly, allowing Hana to draw three more cards. "Sacred Hyades no kouka hatsudou!" One of the lights orbiting Hyades went into his blade. "Now, all-!"

"Photon Streak Bounzer no kouka hatsudou!" One of the lights orbiting Bounzer was absorbed as Dormei activated its ability. "I can negate the activation of an effect monster's effect and inflict 1000 damage to whoever owned it!" And true to Doremi's word, Bounzer used a photon beam that seemed to weaken Hyades. The beam then struck Hana, lowering her LP to 1600. "Hana-chan! You can't let the Verz control you! Fight it!"

"Momo-mama and ad me tried to help you all," Hana said, "and this is how you thank us? ! Your own friend and Daughter? !" Hana' swords were growing increasingly hurtful. "You. Are no. Mama of mine!"

The words drove into Doremi's heart like a white-hot knife. "Hana-chan…!"

"Doremi-chan! That's Hana-chan talking!" Aiko warned, "It's the Verz! Its making her do this!"

"Personally, I believe that Doremi-chan deserved it." Momoko gave a smug look. "Hana-chan was her daughter after all."

"It's still my turn," Hana said venomously, "So I'll Chaos Overlay my Hyades for Xyz summon!" Sacred Hyades turned into light and flew into a more imposing opening vortex. "Awareru! Sacred Ptolemys Messier 7!" And with that, Hana's ultimate monster emerged with 2700 Atk. "Messier 7! Attack Urbellum!"

Messier 7 did just that…by blasting Urbellum with a burst of sacred energy. Urbellum couldn't stand up to the attack and was vaporized, reducing Aiko to 4300 LP.

"Turn end."

Hana-chan calms down when she summons that card, Aiko thought to herself, Could it be-?

"Watashi no Turn!" Aiko declared.

"Ai-chan!" Momoko called, "Onegai! Just give in!"

"Demo ne, Momo-chan I'm trying to save you!"

"You can't cure me or Hana-chan. And if you continue to resist, then we'll never be together again!" Momoko allowed tears to well up. "I want you to be with me!"

"But Momo-chan-!"

Momoko gave Aiko a look of pure, genuine sorrow. "Ai-chan…I can't live without you!" Momoko began approaching Aiko. "The Verz is better than it sounds, Ai-chan. If you refuse it, then we'll never be together! I don't it to separate us!"

Momoko reached Aiko. "Onegai?"

Aiko saw the look in Momoko's eye. "But what if we can cure you? We'll be together then?"

"And if they can't, then you'll have failed to live up to your promise. Onegai shimasu, give in!" Momoko embraced Aiko.

What if she is right, Aiko thought to herself, What if a cure CAN'T be made? What would happen to Momo-chan and Hana-chan?

"I…I want us to be together, Momo-chan," Aiko said. She then placed her hand on top of her deck. "I surrender."

"Ai-chan!" Doremi, Hazuki, and Onpu shrieked.

Doremi looked at Aiko with a mix of shock and sadness. Ai-chan…

"AI-chan," Momoko gazed at Aiko with tears in her eyes, "Arigatou!" Momoko shared a passionate kiss with Aiko, who returned it with just as much passion. A dark aura manifested around Momoko; within moments, it had spread to Aiko. "Let's never be apart again, Ai-chan."

"We have to do something!" Hazuki stuttered.

"Too late," Onpu said sadly, "Look."

Aiko's body was already showing signs of infection, and it was rapidly progressing.

"You're right, Momo-chan," Aiko said, "It does feel good." Aiko turned towards Doremi. "Gomennasai, Doremi-chan, but what if a cure couldn't be made? What would've happened to Momo-chan and Hana-chan?"

"Ai-chan…" And with that, Doremi's mind had shut down, causing her to collapse.

"Since Ai-chan surrendered, Momo-chan can take her turn," Onpu explained sadly.

"That's right Onpu-chan," Momoko said, "Watashi no turn!" Momoko's top card glowed a bright yellow. "Arigatou, Ai-chan. I won't forget you!" Momoko used DESTINY DRAW to draw her card. "First, I'll detach Big Eye's last material to activate its ability and take control of Doremi-chan's Photon Streak Bounzer!" Big Eye consumed it last material, and the glare from its eye struck true, putting Bounzer in a trance.

"Next, I'll activate the spell Monster Reborn! I'll use this to bring back Gem-Knight Master Dia!" Momoko's card cut open to ground, allowing Gem-Knight Master Dia to come back. "Since I have 6 Gem-Knights n my graveyard, Gem-Knight Master Dia gains 600 Atk!" Master Dia's Atk goes to 3500. "Now, I'll attack Doremi directly with Bounzer!"

Momoko's stolen Bounzer struck Doremi true, reducing her LP to 5300.

"I'll now attack with Master Dia! Show her what you're made of!" Gem-knight Master Dia slammed Doremi with his sword, reducing her to 1800 LP. "Turn end."

Doremi was still spaced out. She was able to draw, but didn't have the will to go on. "Turn end."

"Watashi no turn! Draw!" Hana said. She took a look at her card and then at Doremi. "Doremi?"

"Hana-chan…" Doremi muttered. "Gomennasai…I couldn't save you from the Verz…"

Hana's glare softened into tranquility. "You've come to your senses, Mama?" Hana looked Doremi directly in the eye. Doremi softened up a bit.

"Hana-chan…" Doremi smiled, "Finish me off!"

"Doremi-chan!" Hazuki cried, "You can't let them do this! You can't end up like Jou-sama or them!"

"Doremi-chan!" Onpu called, "Onegai!"

"Minna, gomennasai," Doremi lamented, "I've failed. I can't stop them both on my own. The best that I can do is be there for Hana-chan…even when I'm corrupted."

"Mama! Hana-chan forgive you!" Hana cried in joy. "Sacred Ptolemys Messier 7, attack Doremi directly!"

Messier 7 blasted Doremi with its powerful light, bringing her LP to 0.

Hana ran up to Doremi as the duel faded. "Mama! Daijoubu?"

"This is bad! Hazuki-chan, we have to run for it!" Onpu called, "Hayaku!"

"Un!" Hazuki agreed. Unfortunately, Aiko and Momoko blocked the way.

"Onpu-chan? Hazuki-chan?" Aiko asked, "Will you join us?"

"We promise it won't be as bad as you think," Momoko added.

Onpu and Hazuki turned back around and saw Doremi now had a dark aura spreading form Hana and onto her. Within moments, she too showed the black spots and veins that Hana and Momoko had.

Somebody? Anybody?


Back in reality…


Aiko's eyes went wide. Them losing the duel? It had all been in her head. But Momoko was still looking at her with pleading eyes. Aiko grinned.

"Momo-chan?" Aiko began.

"Yes?" Momoko beamed.

"Gomennasai, but Doremi-chan and I have to win this!"

"Ai-chan-?"

"Ai-chan! Fito!" Hazuki cheered.

"Un! Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Aiko shouted. She looked at the card she drew, eyes going wide in shock. "I'll activate the spell card Pot of Avarice! Now, I'll return XX-Saber Fulhelmknight, XX-Saber Boggart Knight, XX-Saber Faultroll, X-Saber Urbellum, and XX-Saber Hyunlei to my deck, shuffle, and draw two cards!" Aiko took a moment to catch her breath before doing any of that. She drew afterward and got a look that said "YES!"

"I'll summon XX-Saber Boggart Knight," Aiko declared as her Boggart Knight came in, "And I'll use his effect to special summon XX-Saber Fulhelmknight!" Boggart Knight gave a call that Fulhelmknight answered. "And since I have two X-Sabers out, Faultroll can come in!" Fulhelmknight looked up in respect as Faultroll landed next to his comrades.

"And then I'll us Faultroll's effect and revive the Darksoul still in my graveyard!" Faultroll drove his massive blade into the ground, splitting it open. When he withdrew it, Darksoul had grabbed a hold of it and landed on the ground. "Now, I'll tune Lv3 Darksoul with Lv3 Fulhelmknight! A slicing dervish with a soul of strength lends aid to those whom she deems worthy! Synchro summon! Awareru, XX-Saber Hyunlei!"

Aiko's monster vanished in a flash, being replaced by the X-Saber member Hyunlei. "Hyunlei no kouka hatsudou! I can destroy up to three spell and traps on the field! Gomen ne, Hana-chan."

Hyunlei took her blade and sliced all three of Hana's Star Signs of the Sacred, bringing an end to Hana's Sacred Xyz powered draw engine.

"Now, I'll ovcerlay Hyunlei with Faultroll for an Xyz summon!" Aiko declared firmly. Her monsters vanished into a rainbow-colored vortex. "Awareru, Number 25: Photoglide Fullmetal Focus Force!" Emerging from the vortex was a monster that had the vague appearance of a camera. It had 2800 Atk. "Now, I'll attack Big Eye with Focus Force!"

Aiko's monster looked as though it were preparing to take a photo. Instead of a flash, there was a beam. And it struck Big Eye, destroying it and reducing Momoko's LP to 1300.

"Now, I'll attack you directly with Boggart Knight!" Aiko gave a solemn look to Momoko. "Forgive me."

XX-Saber Boggart Knight struck true with his X-sabped slash, reducing Momoko's LP to 0.

Momoko loses!

Momoko was thrown to the ground in a daze.

"Momo-mama!" Hana called. She then began breathing heavily and angrily. "She was your closest friend, Ai-mama; and this is how you treat her? ! Hana-chan will make you suffer!"

"Hana-chan!" Doremi and Aiko called.

"Save it!"

"I'll add one X-Saber to my hand since Darksoul was sent to my graveyard." Aiko said. "Turn end."

"Watashi no Turn!" Hana placed her hand on the top card of her deck. "The light of the Sacred will burn strong!" Hana's top glowed a brilliant white from her use of DESTINY DRAW. "Now, Hana-chan will activate the spell Dark Hole! Sayonara!" And the Vortex that came from Hana's card swallowed u every monster on the field, including Sacred Ptolemys Messier 7.

"Demo ne, Hana-chan! Your Messeir 7-?" Doremi stuttered.

"I couldn't use its power anyway," Hana said, "Not with Bounzer stopping it!"

Hana-chan needs the cure more than Momo-chan does, Doremi thought, No matter what it takes.

"Next, I will summon Sacred Pollux!" Hana declared. "And Pollux will allow me to summon Sacred Kaust!" Pollux and Kaust both come to the field. "Kaust no kouka hatsudou! Twice per turn, I can raise or lower a Sacred's Lv by one! I choose make them both Lv5!" Kaust glows brightly and transfers some of that power to Pollux.

"Now, I'll overlay Pollux and Kaust for an Xyz summon! Awareru, Sacred Pleiades!" Hana's monsters went into yet another vortex, allowing Sacred Pleiades to descend with 2500 Atk. "Now, I'll attack Ai-mama directly!" Sacred Pleiades gathered energy into his blade. He then swung at Aiko with it, reducing her LP to 1800. "Turn end."

"Watashi no Turn!" Doremi shouted. "I won't give in!" Doremi shouted again as the top card of her deck glowed a bright pink. She drew via her DESTINY DRAW. "I'll activate the spell Dark Hole!" In seconds, the vortex from Doremi's spell swallowed Sacred Pleiades. "Turn end."

"Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Hana said angrily. "I'll summon Sacred Sheratan!" Hana's monster appeared with 700 Atk. "Sheratan will let me get a Sacred to my hand. And now I'll attack you directly!" Sheratan sniped at Doremi using his weapon of choice, reducing her to 7300 LP. "Turn end."

Hazuki turned to Onpu. "Onpu-chan? Is it just me or is Hana-chan becoming tired?"

Onpu gave a hard look towards Hana and noticed that she had begun panting slightly. "I think she is, Hazuki-chan," Onpu said in a worried tone.

"Hana-chan…"

"Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Aiko looked at her card with uncertainty. "I'll set one monster. Turn end."

Hana was indeed panting slightly. "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Hana drew her card and smiled when she looked at it. "I'll summon Sacred Leonis! But then I'll use his effect and tribute him to normal summon Sacred Esca!" Hana's monster appeared with 2100 Atk. "Sacred Esca no kouka hatsudou! I can add and Sacred to my hand when it's normal or special summoned!"

Hana added her card and then turned back to Doremi. "Esca, attack Doremi directly!" Esca did as commanded and struck with its claws, reducing Doremi to 5200. "Sheratan, you attack too!" Sheratan struck Doremi with another one of its attacks, reducing her to 4500 LP. "Turn end."

The Verz is making Hana push herself too far! Doremi thought to herself, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Doremi winced at the card she drew. "I'll set one monster. Turn end."

"Watashi no…Turn! Draw!" Hana stumbled, but managed to draw her card. "I'll summon Sacred Pollux to my field! I'll then use Pollux's effect to summon Kaust!" Hana was breathing heavily now. But the look Doremi saw in her eyes had taken on some feral qualities. "Now…I'll attack Aiko's set card with Pollux!"

Pollux rushed Aiko's set monster, Darksoul, with his sword. Darksoul didn't stand a chance and was destroyed.

"I'll now attack you directly with Kaust!" Hana grinned maliciously as her monster did as commanded.

No way…! Aiko thought, Have I failed?

Aiko was blown down by Kaust's attack. Her LP hit 0.

Aiko loses!

"And now." Hana started waving her arm around. "Pororin Pyuarin HanaHana Pii! Infect Ai-mama!" The white-colored magic that Hana was using became black as night and rushed towards Aiko.

"Ai-chan!" Hazuki and Onpu called.

"Ai-chan!" Doremi's eye went wide. She had no time to think and drew her poron. "Pirika-!"

"Peruton Petton Palalila Pon! Defend Ai-chan!"

Everyone's eyes went wide with shock as a burst of yellow magic came in between Aiko and the Verz. They all turned and saw Momoko just barely standing up.

"Momo-chan!" Doremi called.

"If you can cure us, then I'll help all the way!" Momoko said defiantly, "I won't let Ai-chan become infected!"

Hana hissed in anger towards Momoko. Suddenly, Momoko's magic started to falter.

"Ai-chan! Momo-chan!" Doremi called again.

"Paipai Ponpoi Puwapuwa Puu!" Hazuki chanted.

"Pururun Purun Famifami Faa!" Onpu chanted.

"Defend Ai-chan!" They both shouted.

To beams of Purple and orange magic mixed with the yellow magic that was holding the Verz back.

"Leave this to us!" Hazuki, Onpu, and Momoko shouted. "Just concentrate on beating Hana-chan!"

"Minna, arigatou!" Doremi said. She turned back to Hana. "Hana-chan, I promise you won't end up like Jou-sama!"

Hana merely hissed again. "Doremi…" Hana grinned with both anger and some kind of twisted joy. "Esca! Attack Doremi's set monster now!"

Esca did as ordered, smashing Doremi's set monster. It was revealed to be Naturia Cherries.

"Naturia Cherries no kouka hatsudou! I can take a Naturia and special summon it in facedown position!" Doremi knew that she had to bluff Hana or she might not win.

"I will overlay Kaust and Polux for an Xyz summon! Awareru! Sacred Omega!" Hana declared as her monster descended with 2400 Atk. "Turn end."

She bought it! Doremi thought, "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Doremi's eyes went wide with shock. "Yosha! I'll summon Naturia Mantis and flip over Naturia Cherries!" Doremi shouted as her monsters appeared with 1700 and 200 Atk, respectively. "Now, I'll tune Lv4 Mantis with Lv1 Cherries!"

Both of Doremi's monsters vanished in a flash of light. "A driving force of certainty makes its way through the hordes. A flash of hope becomes my ally! Synchro Summon! Get ready, Ally of Justice Catastor!" Doremi's chant signaled the appearance of Ally of Justice Catastor and its 2200 Atk. "Now Catastor! Attack Sacred Omega!"

Catastor fired its beam. Omega's spiked energy shield was disintegrated by the beam, and Omega was destroyed in a completely one-sided battle.

"Tch!" Hana winced. She glared at Doremi with hate filled eyes.

"Turn end." Doremi said. Hana-chan? Will you ever be able to forgive me?

Hana didn't say a word as she took her turn. She drew her card and smirked. "Sacred Sheratan!" Hana called. Her monster appeared with 700 Atk. "Adding this." Hana said again as she used Sheratan's effect. "Overlay! Xyz summon! Awareru! Wind-Up Zenmaines!" Both Sheratans vanished into a vortex, allowing Wind-Up Zenmaines to emerge with 1500 Atk. "Zenmaines attack!"

Zenmaines attacked Catastor. Catastor fired its beam again. "Zenmaines no kouka hatsudou!" Hana detached one of its materials to prevent its destruction from Catastor's effect. Zenmaines struck, but Catastor was too powerful for it. "Again!" Hana detached its last material to keep Zenmaines from being destroyed by battle.

Hana' LP dropped to 900.

"Zenmaines no kouka hatsudou!" Hana pointed at Catastor. Zenmaines grabbed Catastor in its claw, crushing it. "Turn end."

"It's all coming down to this," Doremi muttered. She turned to Aiko, Momoko, Hazuki, and Onpu. I have to hurry! Hazuki-chan, Onpu-chan, and Momo-chan can't hold off Hana's magic forever! Doremi got a determined look. "Watashi no turn! Draw!" Doremi's eyes went wide again. "This is it! I'm summoning Naturia Dragonfly!"

Doremi's monster appeared with 1200 Atk. "Dragonfly no kouka hatsudou! For every Naturia I have in my graveyard, it gains 200 Atk!" Dragonfly's Atk went to 3600. Hana gasped in shock. "Dragonfly, attack Sacred Esca and save Hana-chan!"

Naturia Dragonfly rammed Esca with a determined look in its eyes. It struck true and with all the power of the fallen Naturia monsters, defeated Esca. The tailwind from the attack pressed onwards and blew Hana onto the ground, reducing her LP to 0.

Doremi wins!

"Hana-chan!" Doremi ran up to the white-themed Ojamajo. "HANA-CHAN!

Hana stirred. "Mama? What happ-" Hana gasped. "G-Gomennasai! Mama!" Hana dove into Doremi's arms. "Gomennasai! Gomennasai! Gomennasai!"

"It's alright Hana-chan!" Dormei reassured, "You weren't yourself! It's all better now!"

"Doremi-chan!" Aiko, Hazuki, Onpu, and Momoko called. Doremi turned her head and saw that Hana's spell was still going. "Hana-chan!"

"I know," Hana said. She dismissed the spell and thus allowing the others to catch their breaths. "Mama! I couldn't fight it!"

"It's alright, Hana-chan!" Doremi hugged Hana. "You're safe now!"

"I beg to differ, Doremi-chan," Onpu warned, "Look."

Doremi stood back p and eyed Hana. She nearly fainted from sadness at the sight: Hana was still covered in scaly growths and veins…a definite sign that she was still infected. It wasn't much better with Momoko either.

"Minna, we have to-!" Onpu began.

"Doremi-chan!" called the familiar voice of Majorin, "Minna-san!" Majorin had come down the stairs. With her were Amelia, Majo Heart, Majo Don, Majo Sloan, and Majo Isabelle. "Daijoubu!"

"We're fine, Majorin-san," Doremi said, "We beat them both and they just returned to their usual selves."

"More or less," Onpu added.

"In that case," Majo Heart began, "We believe we have a cure made!" She pulled out a vial containing a green fluid. "If this works, then the both of them should be rid of this virus once and for all!"

"Have you-?" Aiko began.

"We don't have time, AI-chan!" Momoko yelled, "Is that enough for two?"

"No," Majo Heart said, "But this will ensure it." She pulled out a second one. "Now, drink up! We can't let this virus a chance to recover!"

Without question, Hana and Momoko took one vial each, removed the lids, and drank. It wasn't large, but it felt and tasted weird.

"Now what?" Doremi asked.

"We wait." Amelia said.

It seemed to be an eternity. Suddenly, Hana saw some of the black spots on Momoko's arm vanishing! At the same time, the veins on her body were also vanishing! As for the growths? They were cracking like brittle steel and falling off. Hana glanced at her own body and saw the same thing happening to her. In moments, both were free of the unsightly cosmetic effects of the virus.

"Are…Are we…?" Momoko asked.

"I'll check." Majo Heart used her Verz detection spell. She gave a hard look at both as she scanned both. She then smiled. "You're both free of the virus!"

"We-we're free?" Momoko stood with her jaw hanging open.

"We're free!" Hana leapt to Doremi. "We're free, Mama!"

As the Ojamajos were celebrating, Majo Isabelle couldn't help but face-palm. "Worthless." She then attempted to slip away.

"And where do you think you're going?" Amelia gave a sly grin. Majo Isabelle glared at Amelia. "Nowhere."

"Majo Heart! You're awesome!" Aiko cheered.

"Majo Heart, arigatou!" Hana and Momoko both said.

"But Majo Isabelle did most of the work!" Majo Heart replied.

"Well, they're clean now," came the voice of Skaj, "Now you just have to beat her majesty!"

Everyone turned and saw Skaj standing at the top of the stairs. He was smirking.

"We will save Jou-sama if it's the last thing I do!" Majorin vowed.

"If that's what you're gonna do," Skaj replied. He vanished back into the shadows.

"And when we do, I'm going to sharpen my skills so I can continue to protect her."


In Kada's shack…


Kada was lounging around, practicing his dueling skill with Eva when Skaj showed up. Kada turned his head towards the Shadow. "Status report?"

"They got it!" Skaj replied, "They got the damn cure ready!"

"And?"

"Well, let's just say that it only works when the infected lose in a children's card game."

Kada closed his eyes in thought. "Jou-sama's new dueling strength has already been figured out by her game with Hana and Momoko. Black Queen, on the other hand…"

"Eh, no one's dueled her yet," Skaj said. "Should I?"

"No. she will kill you immediately if you lose. I will duel her." Kada turned back to Eva. "Keep a sharp eye on Majorin and Amelia."

"Whatever," Eva replied.

"Oh, have some faith!" Skaj said.

"I will do what I'm going to do." Kada asserted. "I would like to duel against Black Queen myself and get an idea as to her own skill."

Kada began modifying his deck in preparation for what he was going to face. But no matter what, he knew he couldn't advance his plans along; the rest was in the hands of Majorin, Amelia, and the Ojamajos.


-End of Chapter-


A/N: Sorry this took so long. I had to restart several times on the duel and that really dragged me down. I also rushed this one again. I'll be sure to be extra careful when writing these duels and the later chapters.