This story was done in collaboration between me and Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and we both own the OCs that are used in the story. Credit to author AaronCottrell97 for a few ideas and character suggestions (especially the duel layout for the story, along with the flashback to Driote's backstory). Everything else belongs to their respective owners:

Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel

The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry

Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami

WARNING: As of now, this story will be rated entirely M for bloody violence, depictions of gore, sexual content (including a moment of language being used in context to sex), and some nudity. Reader discretion is strongly advised.


Opening up inside one of the control rooms, Frankie was busy talking to Hurricane via communications...

"Don't listen to that so-called 'Supreme Queen'!" Frankie argued, overhearing Emily's voice telling Hurricane something. "You will do as I command, and finish the job! Do it, and I promise I will reward you handsomely."

At long last, the image of Hurricane found his voice on the matter...

"No... I won't do it!"

"What...did you just say to me?" Frankie angrily asked, with her eyes twitching with madness.

"I will not kill those three, Frankie." refused Hurricane. "I'm 'not' a murderer! Most importantly, you're not the Frankie I once knew!"

Frankie was enraged. "Why you-! Hurricane, do you have any idea who you're talking to?!"

"I 'do' know who I'm talking to!" The image of Hurricane retorted, with his eyes shut tightly. "The Frankie I knew would never want anybody to die no matter how upset she was with them!" He opened his eyes fiercely and glared. "You're not Frankie; you're a monster! You have the real Frankie sealed away, and I will do everything in my power to save her and stop you from completing the R.A. Project!"

Frankie, watching as the communication cut off, was beyond furious with being betrayed by her own best friend.

"HURRICANE!" she freaked out, slamming her hands on the keyboard while seething. "After all we've been through together, this is how you decide to repay me?!"

"Looks to me like you've lost your best duelist." Spencer grinned, who had been watching the whole scene. "It serves you right for all the inexcusable things you've done. I guess being around Billinton and his friends softened him up a little bit."

Frankie was huffing and puffing, trying to calm herself down and resist a sudden urge to awaken. After a few seconds, she seemed to smirk over an idea she suddenly had.

"Who needs him, anyway?" The blue/green-haired girl whispered.

Spencer raised an eyebrow, watching as his enemy turned to look at him with a dangerous look on her face.

"You know, I seem to recall how Thomas Billinton was the first person to ever defeat you in a duel, Spencer." Frankie noticed, bringing up a familiar memory. "Your very first defeat, the spark that ignited your rivalry with him."

"What are you implying?" demanded Spencer.

"I'm merely offering you the chance to get revenge." continued Frankie. "How about you join me? Together, you can win against your rival, and I can make him pay for ruining my life!" She held her hand out. "Interested?"

"You want me to join forces with you?" Spencer frowned, slapping the hand away from him. "After you kidnapped my Little Brother and stole this company from my family?! Sorry, but I'm not interested! Whether I duel with Billinton again is always on our own terms."

Frankie was not pleased. "Then it looks like I have no other choice."

"Huh?" blinked Spencer.

"You can refuse me all you want-" Frankie went on. "-but I'll 'make' you obey me through a duel!"

"Hmph! A duel, you say?" scoffed Spencer. "You really think you can defeat me?"

With that said, Frankie, smirking evilly, held a card ('The Wicked Avatar') up to show her new enemy. Spencer, seeing the card, seemed a bit surprised by it.

"Spencer Gresley, my 'God' will defeat you." Frankie whispered, sounding deathly menacing.

(elsewhere...)

In another part of Boxford Corp, James and the others were still making their way down the building.

"I hope Thomas and Emily will both be okay." worried Henry.

"With Hurricane by their side, they should be okay." reassured Toby. "At least, I hope so."

As the party continued on, Gordon seemed to spot somebody up ahead...

"Hey!" he cried. "My Aunt and Uncle are up ahead!"

Indeed; Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) were both busy working on a door panel with a device in-hand. While the hacking they've done got them this far, currently they ran into some trouble hacking the panels and doors farther up the building.

"Uncle Jim! Aunt Leslie!" The voice of Gordon called out.

"Gordon?" wondered Mr. Gresley (Boxford).

The two Co-Presidents of Boxford Corp turned and saw Gordon and his friends all approaching.

"Gordon!" gasped Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), seeing her nephew. "You're here, too?"

"That's right." confirmed Gordon.

"What are you both doing down here?" asked Edward.

"We're trying to hack our way through the building and find the Duel Ring Server." explained Mr. Gresley (Boxford). "Spencer's gone ahead to deal with Frankie." He then looked to a door he and his wife were hacking. "Unfortunately, we're having some trouble."

"Trouble, good sir?" quizzed Nia.

"Thanks to Frankie taking control of the building, even if Jim and I manage to release the lock on a gate and go through, they change the security code and lock it again right behind us." Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) answered. "If the pirates hadn't broken the executive elevator, then we could've gone straight there."

"So, you two are trying to find the Duel Ring Server?" asked Mavis.

Mr. Gresley (Boxford) nodded. "If we can retake control of the server, we can stop Frankie's project. Not only that, we can also release every lock in the building."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" asked James.

Gordon stepped forth. "No, James." he refused. "You guys get out of here; I'll stay behind to help my Aunt and Uncle."

"Gordon?" gasped Rebecca.

"I won't let my Aunt and Uncle both go alone in a dire situation like this." continued Gordon, looking dead serious. "They're part of my family, and if they get hurt, I'll never forgive myself for it."

"Gordon..." whispered Henry, obviously feeling for the tall, blue-haired boy. He then nodded in agreement. "Okay, Gordon. We understand."

"Stay safe, man." warned James, before looking to everyone else. "Come on, let's get out of here."

And the rest of the class continued to make their way down the building. Gordon, Mr. Gresley (Boxford), and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) each watched until they were out of sight.

"Now let's keep going." instructed Mr. Gresley (Boxford). "The way to the Duel Ring Server has to be somewhere."

Gordon nodded in agreement.


Title: When Giants Duel, Part 1: Enter the Burning Abyss


"Your 'God'?" questioned Spencer.

Back inside the control room, the silver-haired young man and Frankie were in the middle of a conversation regarding a 'God' Card the latter claimed to possess.

"Do you expect me to believe that?!" shouted Spencer, as an image of the Egyptian Slab from the museum was shown. "There are only three known 'Gods' in existence - 'Slifer', 'Obelisk', and 'Ra' - and they're all in the possession of Thomas Billinton!" Images of the three 'Egyptian God' Cards ('Slifer the Sky Dragon', 'Obelisk the Tormentor', and 'The Winged Dragon of Ra') were shown around him."There had only been three 'Gods' drawn on the ancient Egyptian Stele that Discord used as the theme for his 'Egyptian God' Cards. There can't be any other 'God' Cards."

"One would believe that to be true." Frankie stated, looking and sounding remarkably calm. "But I can assure you that my 'God' Cards are very much real." She then held up the 'The Wicked Avatar' Monster Card again. "They are cards that Discord disavowed. 'Gods' which were never meant to exist..."

"What?" frowned Spencer.

"Discord created the 'Egyptian God' Cards, but they surpassed even his expectations." continued Frankie. "They were so powerful, that they seemed to be truly possessed by the Gods. For that reason, it is said that Discord agonized over them, and even tried to destroy them by his own hand."

"I see." Spencer muttered. In his mind, it was a different story... "What are you babbling on about, anyway?"

"But in the end, they were his creations, and Discord loved them too much. So much that he couldn't bear to destroy them, and instead sealed them away in Egypt, where Duel Monsters first originated." Frankie pointed out, speaking as if she knew the whole backstory. "However, I believe you more than I do of what came after. But, that isn't the end of the story."

"It's not?" asked Spencer.

"No." confirmed Frankie. "While Discord felt sure sealing the 'Gods' was best, he still feared what would happen if they were to fall into the wrong hands or went on a rampage. So just to be on the safe side, he created a new set of 'Gods' that were strong enough to subdue the 'Egyptian Gods' should they be stolen." She then had a psychotic smirk on her face and she spread her arms out in welcome and images of the three 'Wicked God' Cards ('The Wicked Avatar', 'The Wicked Dreadroot', and 'The Wicked Eraser') were shown behind her. "In this case, 'my' own 'Gods'!"

Spencer was silent for what seemed like forever; there were three new 'Gods' created to keep the 'Egyptian Gods' in check? Why didn't Discord say anything about them?

"Are...those 'Gods' you say you have really as strong as the 'Egyptian Gods'?" Spencer asked, sounding half convinced.

"Yes." confirmed Frankie. "They're just as powerful as the three 'Divine-Beasts' of Egypt! You should know why they weren't completed; because their power was enough to actually frighten Discord J. Crawford himself!"

"Powerful enough to frighten Discord?" Spencer thought to himself. "They're that powerful?"

"But you know, it's funny." chuckled Frankie. "Discord's cowardice will allow me to avenge Uncle John's death and return him to the living. I've carried out John's will, and poured it into the 'Wicked God' Cards I now own." She raised the 'The Wicked Avatar' Monster Card again. "THIS is the 'God' that will pass judgement on Thomas Billinton."

Spencer, with his head lowered and a shadow over his eyes, seemed to started snickering.

"Huh?"

The snickering got louder, and soon Spencer raised his head as the snickering became hysterical laughter.

"You really are Sailor John's niece; that means you're just as out of touch with reality as he was!" he taunted. "I'll admit that those cards aren't bad, but they won't be enough to defeat Billinton. Do you know why?"

"Humor me." huffed Frankie.

"Because nobody in the world can defeat him!" The silver-haired young man went on. "He's unstoppable in the field of dueling! Of course, the only one who 'can' defeat him - is me!"

"You're wrong." insisted Frankie. "I 'will' beat Thomas, even if no-one else can, 'I' will." She then walked to a nearby cabinet and opened it. "Now then, I'd like to ask you something."

Spencer said nothing at first; he merely watched what Frankie was doing. Inside the cabinet was a Duel Disk. The blue/green-haired girl took it out and equipped it onto her left arm.

"As you can see, I have three 'Gods' of my own." she went on. "Would you like the option of fighting them?"

Spencer grinned. "Greatest question I've heard all day!" he said sarcastically, before clenching his right hand into a determined fist. "Yes, I'll take you down, and then I'll tame your 'God' with my own hands!"

"I'm pleased to hear that." said Frankie smugly. "Now, where shall we have our fated match?"

"Follow me." offered Spencer, turning around. "We'll fight atop the Apex Arena."

With that said, both duelists left the room.

(elsewhere...)

In another part of Boxford Corp, Gordon and his two relatives were busy trying to find the Duel Ring Server room. Without Keycards, they had to hack their way forth.

"Nothing yet." sighed Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).

"We'll find it." said Gordon confidently. "When we do, we can shut the R.A. Project down for good!"

Then, there was trouble...

"Over there!" A voice (male) shouted.

"A kid and the two Co-Presidents of this company!" A second voice (male) added.

Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) gasped. "Oh no! We've been spotted!"

"It's those pirates again!" groaned Gordon, dismayed to the bone. "Can't they leave us alone?"

Running down the hallway to the intruders were four regular pirates.

"Nice try, you three!" The third pirate sneered. "You're not gonna make it further."

"Our orders from Captain Frankie are to stop you, and that's what we aim to do!" The fourth pirate agreed.

Gordon cracked his knuckles. "Guess I have no choice."

"Gordon, what are you going to do?" asked Mr. Gresley (Boxford).

"I'll fight these guys with my bare hands!" answered Gordon. "We have to get to the Duel Ring Server and shut this whole operation down!"

"Ha! You, kid, want a piece of us?" The first pirate taunted, clearly not afraid. "You seriously want to fight us?"

Gordon stared coldly without uttering another word.

"I'll take that silence as a yes." The second pirate commented, as he and his comrades all cracked their own knuckles. "Okay, kid, you've got yourself a fight."

Just then, before anything could happen...

*BOOM!*

One of the nearby doors burst apart, revealing a familiar-looking Duel Runner.

"What the-?!" The fourth pirate uttered.

The Duel Runner was being revved up, but didn't make a move...yet. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) gazed at the Duel Runner, and then at who was riding it.

"Who are you?" asked Mrs. Gresley.

Gordon, however, knew who it was...

"You!" he exclaimed. "Why are you here?"

The rider was revealed to be Ace, and there was an unreadable expression on his face. The blonde-haired young man cast a quick glance at Gordon in order to answer his question.

"Because-" Ace began. "-I'm now on your side."

With that said, he revved his Duel Runner up one last time before driving straight towards the gang of pirates, causing them to panic and try to avoid getting run over. With a clear path, Ace turned towards the group he just saved...

"Better get going." he warned, before flashing a quick smile. "I'll handle these bozos."

"Ace, you traitor!" The second pirate cried out, clearly outraged.

Quickly, Gordon, Mr. Gresley (Boxford), and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) each ran past Ace down the hallway, leaving the blonde-haired young man to face four angry pirates.

"So, do you guys wanna do it the easy way or the hard way?" grinned Ace.

The four pirates charged forth, causing Ace to sit back down on his Duel Runner and rev it up.

"Fine, the hard way it is."

(elsewhere...)

Outside atop the building, an advanced-looking arena - the Apex Arena - was activating and rising up. Standing atop were both Spencer and Frankie, ready to have a duel.

"I can't believe I let you and your pirates run the whole building!" complained Spencer. "I'm so furious that I don't know where to start!"

"And yet... as you rage..." teased Frankie, before licking her choppers as her eyes bugged with slight madness. "...my project is nearing completion."

"Your 'Rebirth of Avatar Project', if I'm not mistaken." Spencer remembered.

"Yes. Soon, I will have enough energy to revive my Uncle John, and all will be right." continued Frankie "If you're a Duelist, you can't defy the laws of power." She then pointed at her soon-to-be opponent. "In other words, you don't have what it takes to stop the Project."

"You-!" hissed Spencer, not taking those words very well. "Are you telling me I'll lose to somebody like you?!"

"If the shoe fits. Besides, you were defeated by my Uncle, so what makes you think you can beat a girl like me?" While speaking, Frankie's eyes gleamed with evil. "Not only that, Emily Stirling couldn't even win against my Deck. You also seem to hold Emily's dueling skills at high esteem; I wonder why that's the case?"

"The 'Wicked Gods' seemed to have bloated your ego." The silver-haired young man retorted. "If you're truly worthy of owning a 'God', then you should prove it! Show me their power! If even Emily wasn't able to defeat you, my victory will be made all the sweeter." He clenched his right hand into a fist; there was fire in his eyes. "After I tear you apart, you and your 'Gods' will grovel at my feet!"

Frankie softly laughed. "Then I think we've chatted long enough." She activated her Duel Disk. "Let's get down to our duel."

"I'll reset your entire project to zero!" declared Spencer, activating his own Duel Disk. "Before we're done, I'll have you begging for mercy!"

Once Decks were shuffled and inserted into Duel Disks, five card hands were drawn as the match commenced...

"Time to duel!" Spencer and Frankie both declared at once (LP: 0 - 4000) x2.

Yup, one of the biggest duels thus far had commenced...

"The first attack is mine!" declared Spencer, drawing a card. "Draw!"


Turn One: Spencer Gresley (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Twin-Headed Behemoth", "Clone Dragon", "Attack Guidance Armor", "Mosaic Manticore", "Three Strikes Barrier", and "Castle of Dragon Souls"


His hand contained 'Twin-Headed Behemoth', 'Clone Dragon', 'Attack Guidance Armor', 'Mosaic Manticore', 'Three Strikes Barrier', and the drawn 'Castle of Dragon Souls'. Adding the card into his hand, he took another and readied it.

"From my hand-" Spencer went on, placing the card onto his Duel Disk (sideways). "-I'll Summon 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' in defense mode!"

Appearing onto the field was a two-headed-looking, purple-scaled dragon (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1200).

"A 'Twin-Headed Behemoth'." Frankie smiled to herself, licking her chompers. "How deliciously wonderful!"

"Furthermore, I'll Special Summon 'Clone Dragon' in defense mode!" continued Spencer, placing another card onto his Duel Disk. "When I Summon a monster, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand."

Appearing onto the field was the rainbow-colored egg.

"Now, when this monster is Special Summoned this way, its name, Attack Power, and Defense Power all become the same as the Summoned monster's."

The egg morphed into a replica of 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' (Level: 1/ATK: 0 - 1500/DEF: 0 - 1200).

"If I recall, that monster can't attack unless you pay 1000 Life Points." commented Frankie.

"I don't need to use it to attack, you fool." growled Spencer, slotting two cards into his Duel Disk. "It's better for defending than attacking."

Two facedown cards materialized on the field.

"Now, I'll set two cards facedown and end my turn!"

"It's my turn!" announced Frankie, drawing a card. "Draw!"


Turn Two: Frankie Clarke (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss", "Tour Guide From the Underworld", "Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Waking the Dragon", and "The Traveler and the Burning Abyss"


Her drawn card was a Trap Card called 'The Traveler and the Burning Abyss'.

"Spencer, I hope you're ready to enter the 'Burning Abyss'." Frankie commented softly, making Spencer wonder what his opponent was talking about. With that said, she added the drawn card into her hand and took another out. "Let's start with this card..."

On cue, a Monster Card called 'Tour Guide From the Underworld' materialized face-up on the field.

"Come forth - 'Tour Guide From the Underworld'!"

Appearing onto the field was a red-haired woman dressed in a blue tour guide outfit (Level: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 600).

"What!?" gasped Spencer. "Did you say 'Burning Abyss'?"

"That's right." purred Frankie. "'Burning Abyss' is an archtype I own; a whole Deck I've built myself. I hope you'll like its absolute power!" She held her right hand out. "When 'Tour Guide From the Underworld' is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one Level 3 Fiend monster from my hand or Deck, but its effects are negated, and it can't be used as Synchro Material."

Appearing onto the field was a monster known as 'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' (Level: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1500).

"I'll Special Summon 'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' from my Deck." continued Frankie, before pointing forth as the familiar Overlay Network appeared in the center of the field. "I overlay the Level 3 'Tour Guide From the Underworld' and 'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"

The two fiends ('Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' and 'Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') flew into the Overlay Network on the ground as Frankie began a Summon Chant...

"He who braves the land of darkness, arise on high and smite the wicked!" chanted Frankie, just as the Xyz Summon sequence died down and the Overlay Network exploded. "Xyz Summon! Descent! Rank 3 - 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'!"

Appearing onto the field, once the Xyz Summon sequence had finished, was the brave 'Dante' himself (Rank: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2500).

"An Xyz Summon on the first turn!" frowned Spencer.

"I activate 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss's' effect!" announced Frankie, just as 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' allowed an Overlay Unit to fade away. "Once per turn, I can detach one Overlay Unit from this monster and choose another number from one to three, then I must send that many cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard; until the end of this turn, this monster gains 500 Attack Points for each card sent to the Graveyard this way."

With that said, she drew the top three cards ('Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', 'Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and 'Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') of her Deck and held them out (without showing the artwork of the cards).

"I'll send the top three cards of my Deck to the Graveyard." The blue/green-haired girl went on. "500 times 3 equals 1500, and that means 'Dante' gains 1500 Attack Points until the end of this turn!"

'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' grew even stronger (ATK: 1000 - 2500).

"Oh, and guess what? I've sent 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' to the Graveyard! You know what that means? I get to activate its effect!"

"As I expected." thought Spencer, unamused.

"If this monster is sent to the Graveyard-" explained Frankie. "-I can target one monster on the field and Banish it until the End Phase."

The spirit of 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' appeared on the field, ready to attack on command.

"Remove 'Twin-Headed Behemoth'!"

The spirit struck 'Twin-Headed Behemoth', causing it to vanish into oblivion.

"My monster!" cried Spencer, as he heard Frankie laugh scornfully.

"'Twin-Headed Behemoth's' effect; if it's destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, it can be Special Summoned during the End Phase with an Attack Power and Defense Power of 1000 only once per duel." Frankie teased. "It's a handy effect if your opponent blindly destroys it, but useless if banished.

Spencer scowled in response.

"Even if I hadn't banished it, its effect would never get activated." Frankie thought to herself, looking at her hand and field. "Not with what I have planned, anyway." She then spoke aloud... "As of now, I'll activate the effect of 'Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"

"What?!" cringed Spencer.

"If this monster is sent to the Graveyard-" The blue/green-haired girl explained. "-I can target one Set Spell or Trap Card on the field; the target is then returned to the owner's hand." She pointed at one of the facedown cards on Spencer's field. "I pick the card on the left; it returns to your hand."

The facedown card ('Castle of Dragon Souls') turned into light and returned to Spencer's hand.

"I still have plenty of Monster Effects to activate!" Frankie went on, just as a card ('Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') ejected from her Graveyard. "'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss's' effect activates! If this monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' Monster from my Deck, except 'Graff'."

"You sent it to the Graveyard through Xyz Summoning!" accused Spencer.

Frankie laughed. "Obviously!" She then took a card from her Deck and placed it onto her Duel Disk. "I Special Summon 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"

Appearing onto the field was a huge grayish Fiend-Type monster with huge muscles (Level: 3/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1200).

"Oh ho, and I have another effect to activate - compliments of there being no Spells or Traps on my field!" A gleeful Frankie went on, taking a card from her hand. "I Special Summon, from my hand, 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"

Appearing onto the field was a huge grey fiend with wings, a broken off horn, and a spiked mace (Level: 3/ATK: 1700/DEF: 1000).

"Geez! How many Monster Effects do you even need?!" demanded Spencer, rather exasperated by the amount of effects his opponent was activating.

"Plenty enough to win!" answered Frankie, before pointing forth. "And guess what? I'm overlaying the Level 3 'Cir' and 'Barbar'!"

The Overlay network reappeared, absorbing both 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' and 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'.

"Xyz Summon!" Frankie yelled out. "Appear - 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'!"

Appearing onto the field, after the short Xyz Summon sequence ended, was a second copy of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' (Rank: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2500). Frankie then drew the top three cards ('The Terminus of the Burning Abyss', 'Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss', and 'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') of her Deck and sent them to the Graveyard.

"And, I'll remove an Overlay Unit to increase this monster's Attack Power by 500 points based on the number of cards I send from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard!" declared Frankie, just as an Overlay Unit faded from her second copy of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'. "I've sent three cards, so 500 times 3 equals 1500!"

The second copy of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' grew stronger (ATK: 1000 - 2500).

"And this still isn't the end!" The blue/green-haired girl went on. "Before I'm finished and ready to attack, I'll have Xyz Summoned one last copy of 'Dante'!" Her Graveyard started glowing all white. "If 'Cir' is sent to the Graveyard, I can target one 'Burning Abyss' Monster in my Graveyard, except 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and Special Summon it."

Reappearing on the field was 'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and was followed by a Monster Card called 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' also appearing face-up on the field.

"Since I control no Spell or Trap Cards, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand." explained Frankie, holding another card out. "Show yourself - 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"

Appearing onto the field was a dragon-like Fiend-Type monster (Level: 3/ATK: 1100/DEF: 900).

"How many more of these monsters do you plan to summon this turn?" Spencer asked, getting a bit annoyed with Frankie's strategy.

His answer came in the form of the Overlay Network reappearing in the center of the field.

"I overlay the Level 3 'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' and 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!" announced Frankie, as her two monsters were absorbed into the Overlay Network. "Appear - 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'!"

Predictably, a third copy of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' emerged onto the field (Rank: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2500). Also predictably, that copy's first Overlay Unit faded away, while Frankie herself drew the top three cards of her Deck ('Gaap the Divine Soldier', 'Trap of Darkness', and 'Fiendish Rhino Warrior') and sent them to the Graveyard.

"I remove an Overlay Unit from my third copy of 'Dante'!" she continued. "I send the top three cards of my Deck to the Graveyard; and, like before, 500 times 3 equals 1500! The third copy of 'Dante' gains 1500 Attack Points!"

The third copy of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' grew stronger (ATK: 1000 - 2500). At that point, all three copies of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' (ATK: 2500) x3 stood ready for battle, while Spencer stood ready with only 'Clone Dragon' (DEF: 1200) protecting him from attack.

"I almost feel disappointed the duel has to end so soon!" laughed Frankie. "Go forth, 'Dante' #1! Attack 'Clone Dragon'!"

The first 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' obeyed, lashing his whip towards 'Clone Dragon'. The Dragon-Type monster was hit, causing it to shatter into shards of glass.

"'Clone Dragon...!" grimaced Spencer (LP: 4000).

"Since 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' is gone until the end of the turn-" taunted Frankie, looking eager to end the duel here and now. "-you're wide open for a direct attack by the remaining two 'Dantes's'!" She then pointed forth. "'Dante #2', direct attack!"

The second 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' obeyed, lashing his whip towards Spencer. However, it wasn't meant to be...

"Facedown card, activate!" declared Spencer, as his remaining set card flipped face-up and revealed itself to be... "'Attack Guidance Armor'! It lets me redirect an attack to the monster that is equipped with the Cursed Armor."

Appearing out of the face-up 'Attack Guidance Armor' Trap Card was the well-known enchanted armor with red eyes.

"This card obviously works like a magnet-" Spencer explained. "-redirecting your attack towards another monster on the field. 'Attack Guidance Armor' will attach to the third 'Dante'!"

The armor instantly latched itself onto the third copy of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'.

"Dammit!" scowled Frankie. "That means the second 'Dante' will be forced to attack the third copy!"

"And they share the same Attack Power!" reminded Spencer. "Both monsters will destroy each other as a result!"

Sadly so... Both copies of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' attacked each other, causing both copies, seeing as their respective Attack Power were exactly the same, to shatter into shards of glass.

"Now you're back down to one copy!" taunted Spencer.

"Of course." agreed Frankie, who had recovered very quickly. "I suppose it wouldn't have been satisfying to win so easily against an opponent like you." She then held her right hand out. "Seeing as both copies of "Dante' are dead, I can add two copies of a 'Burning Abyss' Monster from my Graveyard into my hand due to their effect."

Two cards ('Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' and 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') ejected from the Graveyard, which the blue/green-haired girl took and added into her hand. From there, the first copy of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' went into a defensive stance (DEF: 2500).

"If 'Dante' attacks, he is changed into defense position at the end of the Battle Phase." explained Frankie. She then slotted a card into a Spell/Trap slot on her Duel Disk. "Finally, I'll set one card facedown and end my turn!"

A facedown card materialized on the field.

"HOWEVER! Even though I'm finished with my turn, my usage of Monster Effects has not ended."

"They haven't?" grumbled Spencer. "Great... What else is there for her to do?"

"One of the earlier cards I've discarded from my Deck is 'Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'." continued Frankie, just as she took a card ('Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') from her Deck and added it into her hand. "During the End Phase, if this monster is in the Graveyard because it was sent there this turn, I can add one Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from my Deck into my hand, except for 'Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'."

Just then, 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' returned to Spencer's side of the field.

"Since it's the end of my turn, the effect of 'Farfa' ends; returning 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' to you. In addition, 'Dante's' effect also expires, returning his Attack Power to normal."

'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss's' Attack Power dropped to its original amount (ATK: 2500 - 1000).

"I hate to admit it, but that Frankie is actually quite good, and the "Burning Abyss" archetype is just as impressive and versatile as I heard it to be." Spencer thought to himself. "But I refuse to lose to her, not when there is so much at stake." Finally he drew a card. "Draw!"


Turn Three: Spencer Gresley (LP: 4000)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (4): "Mosaic Manticore", "Three Strikes Barrier", "Castle of Dragon Souls", and "Monster Reborn"


On cue, the 'Monster Reborn' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.

"I activate 'Monster Reborn! Return to me - 'Clone Dragon'!"

The multi-colored egg returned to the field.

"However, both my monsters will now be sacrificed!" Spencer went on, removing both cards from his Duel Disk and replacing them with a new card. "I Tribute Summon 'Mosaic Manticore' in attack mode!"

Both 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' and 'Clone Dragon' faded away in blue streaks, and appearing on the field in their place was a golden Manticore with two large wings (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2500). The Battle Phase immediately began...

"I use 'Mosaic Manticore' to attack 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'!" boomed Spencer, giving the attack/effect name. "BREATH FIRE!"

'Mosaic Manticore' obeyed, breathing a wave of fire towards 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'. The human monster was overwhelmed and destroyed. Frankie, meanwhile, braced herself from the force of the powerful attack, although no damage was inflicted.

"'Dante's' effect!" she managed to say, while taking a card ('Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') from her Graveyard and adding it into her hand. "It-!"

"I already know what it does!" snapped Spencer, growing irritated. "You've used it not long ago!"

Frankie scowled in response, watching as her opponent slotted two cards into his Duel Disk.

"I set two cards facedown-" As Spencer spoke, two facedown cards materialized on the field. "-and end my-"

"Stop right there!" interrupted Frankie, causing her opponent to freeze. "I activate a Trap - 'The Traveler and the Burning Abyss'!"

The set card flipped face-up and revealed itself.

"I can target any number of 'Burning Abyss' Monsters in my Graveyard that were sent there this turn and Special Summon them in defense position." Frankie went on, just as her Graveyard started glowing all white again. "Return to me - 'Dante'!"

Within seconds, 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' returned to the field.

"Ah ha ha ha ha! You won't get rid of my monsters that easily, Spencer!" cackled Frankie.

"I know." thought Spencer. "Although I'm doing fine for the time being, my battle against those 'Burning Abyss'-related cards has only begun."

Indeed; Spencer had ways to go before he could hope to defeat Frankie, niece of the late Sailor John.

(elsewhere...)

Inside another hallway in one of the upper floors of the building, Thomas, Emily, and Hurricane were making their way to the top floor. They were close, but they still had a little bit to go.

"We're nearly there, right?" asked Emily.

"We should be." confirmed Hurricane. Just then, he stopped his two allies from proceeding. "Hold it!"

"What's wrong?" Thomas wondered.

"Someone's coming." answered Hurricane. "You two better hide behind that corner; I'll deal with whoever's coming this way."

Thomas and Emily hid while Hurricane checked to see who was coming. Thankfully, it was only a low level-looking pirate who was approaching.

"Commander!" The pirate realized, not knowing that Hurricane had turned against the group. "I'm sure glad to see you!"

"Have you got a report?" asked Hurricane.

The pirate nodded. "We're just about to enter the final phase of the R.A. Project." he answered. "I was going to let the captain know, but she's busy at the moment."

Hurricane nodded. "I see."

"However, we have a small situation." The pirate went on. "The two Co-Presidents of Boxford Corporation and one of those kids are trying to get to the Duel Ring Server."

"They're wh-" Emily tried to whisper, but Thomas quickly covered her mouth to silence her.

"Is that so?" questioned Hurricane, pretending to still be a part of the group. "Then make sure they don't get to it."

"There's more." The pirate continued. "Ace has arrived, but has turned traitor and is helping our enemies get to the Duel Ring Server. What should we do?"

"Get more grunts over to guard the Duel Ring Server, obviously." answered Hurricane, before asking a question of his own... "What about one of our prisoners, Skiff?"

"Something's gonna happen regarding him, and Spencer's gonna get a front row seat for the show." While speaking, the pirate turned his back on Hurricane (big mistake). "Our captain's-"

*CHOP!*

The pirate didn't get far enough; for as soon as he turned his back on Hurricane, the brown/red-haired boy chopped the pirate between the neck and collarbone, making him collapse. With the coast clear, Thomas and Emily both emerged from their hiding spot.

"So, Spencer's dueling Frankie." pondered Thomas. "Doesn't surprise me; I mean, he is trying to rescue Skiff and the company."

"Still, Spencer better not let his guard down in the duel." put in Emily. "He doesn't know about Driote. And about Skiff; I don't know what Frankie, or rather Driote, plans to do regarding him, but it likely isn't going to be good."

Thomas shook his head, but it was in agreement regarding poor Skiff.

"It's not much farther from here." said Hurricane, pointing down the hall. "Come on!"

Walking down the hallway, the trio soon found themselves in a larger area.

"Where's the elevator?" asked Thomas.

"Just over there." replied Hurricane, pointing up ahead.

Unknown to Thomas, Emily, and Hurricane, there was somebody atop a walkway watching over them like a hawk.

"In that case, let's use it." suggested Emily.

Just then...

"You think you three can just waltz through here like you own the place?" A familiar voice (male) echoed.

The trio stopped.

"That voice..." whispered Thomas.

"Is that-?" put in Emily.

Up on the walkway, which was two floors up, the shadowed man leaped off the balcony. Hurricane turned, looked up, and gasped.

"Look out!" he warned.

Thomas and Emily both dove out of the way, but Hurricane found himself getting punched in the face by the shadowed man.

"Take that, you little $*#%!" The man cried out, getting satisfaction out of hitting the brown/red-haired boy.

Shouting in pain, Hurricane was sent flying across the room until he hit the floor.

"HURRICANE!" Thomas and Emily exclaimed at once.

The shadowed man was revealed to be...Diesel 10, and he was laughing over what he did.

"Did that feel good!?" The ochre-haired man mocked. "Because there's plenty more where that came from!"

He then resumed his laughter. Emily ran over and helped Hurricane back up, who then glared at Diesel 10 in a rage.

"You bastard!" Hurricane snarled, throwing a kick at the man.

"Whoops! Too slow!" taunted Diesel 10, avoiding the kick by Hurricane easily.

"Frankie should have disposed of you for your failure after I defeated Laura, Sledge, and Leon!" said Hurricane angrily. "Why are you still here?! Answer me!"

"Oh, please!" Diesel 10 dismissed, folding his arms. "As you can see, my desire for revenge on Thomas was too strong for me to give up, as Frankie herself realized." He grinned psychotically. "So, she gave me another chance."

Thomas, Emily, and Hurricane (especially him) were each surprised by this statement.

"But before I deal with Thomas, I want to take down the traitor." continued Diesel 10, pointing at Hurricane. "But more importantly, I want that Black Disk for myself; it'll prove that 'I'm' the ultimate duelist of this whole group." He then giggled maniacally. "Besides, none of you can proceed without a Keycard."

"You're saying Frankie gave you another chance?!" demanded Hurricane.

"To give me this opportunity to get revenge?" Diesel 10 said with a dark grin. "You bet she did."

"I don't believe you!" growled Hurricane. "In Frankie's current condition, I doubt she would willingly give anybody another chance!" He then smirked coldly. "But if you want to be eliminated that badly, I'll give you that honor!"

"Hurricane!" protested Thomas.

"Thomas and Emily, you two need all the strength you can preserve for your fight against Frankie." Hurricane pointed out, before turning back and glaring at Diesel 10. "Besides, I still have the strength to continue dueling. I'll definitely defeat this guy!"

"Hurricane..." worried Emily, hoping that her new friend could win.

Before long, Diesel 10 and Hurricane, with Duel Disks activated and hands drawn, faced each other.

"DUEL!" Diesel 10 and Hurricane both exclaimed at once (LP: 4000) x2.

Very quickly, the secondary match commenced...

"It's my turn!" announced Diesel 10. "Prepare yourself; my brand new Deck is gonna tear you limb-from-limb!" He drew a card. "Draw!"


Turn One: Diesel 10 (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Hack Worm", "Wiretap", "Pulse Mines", "Cracking Dragon", "Hack Worm", and "Sargasso the D.D. Battlefield"


His drawn card was a Spell Card called 'Sargasso the D.D. Battlefield'. Upon seeing his card, Diesel 10 looked back at Hurricane and let out a long, psychopathic laugh.

"I've got the winning strategy all planned out." he declared. "Are you ready for the final fight of your life?!"

"I won't lose!" insisted Hurricane.

"In that case..." As Diesel 10 spoke, the Field Spell zone on his Duel Disk opened up and he slid his card inside. "...Field Spell - 'Sargasso the D.D. Battlefield', activate!"

The scenery around them began to change dramatically as the ground beneath them started to crumble and break away.

"W-What the-?" gasped Thomas.

"What's happening?!" quivered Emily.

Diesel 10 smiled evilly, while Hurricane wondered what was happening to the field. Before long, the scenery had completely changed into a series of floating pieces of broken floor drifting aimlessly in a space-like atmosphere. There was also floating ruins resembling remnants of battleships and aircraft carriers.

"'Sargasso the D.D. Battlefield'?" wondered Hurricane, gazing at the unknown surroundings. "What kind of card is this?"

Over with the 'audience'...

"Where are we, Thomas?" asked Emily.

"This looks like outerspace." figured Thomas. "Whatever the reason Diesel 10 played it, we'll find out sooner or later.

Back in the duel field...

"This is it, Hurricane!" cackled Diesel 10. "'Sargasso' will be the last place you'll ever see - alive!"

Hurricane braced himself, as the ochre-haired man loomed over him whilst laughing madly. Whatever happened to Diesel 10 earlier on with Frankie (or Driote), it's pretty clear the encounter drained what remained of his psyche or something. Diesel 10 was now determined to either defeat Hurricane, or simply kill him. Either way, two big duels within Boxford Corporation have commenced, and we have no idea who's going to be the winner of either of them. What do you think? Any ideas who will win? None? Okay then. Stay tuned for the continuation!

To be Continued!