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 in the large dueling area, Hurricane and Diesel 10's match had begun with Diesel 10's activation of a Spell Card called 'Sargasso the D.D. Battlefield'.

"'Sargasso the D.D. Battlefield'?" gasped Emily.

"What kind of effects does that card have to offer?" wondered Thomas.

"I'd tell you what they are-" Diesel 10 grinned deviously. "-but why spoil the surprise?" He then turned his attention back to Hurricane. "So instead, I'm just gonna wait and let you trigger those effects on your own. So enjoy the suspense while you can." With that said, he took a card from his hand, and placed it onto a Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk. "And since you have no monsters on your side of the field, I can Special Summon 'Hack Worm' in attack mode!"

Appearing onto the field was the robotic worm-monster (Level: 1/ATK: 400/DEF: 0).

"A monster with an Attack Power of only 400?" pondered Emily, before realizing something... "Thomas, I think Diesel 10 might be planning a Tribute Summon."

"Correct!" Diesel 10 responded, placing another card onto his Duel Disk. "But why settle for one 'Hack Worm' when I can Special Summon another?"

A second 'Hack Worm' appeared on the field, joining its comrade in hissing and such.

"But they ain't gonna be around for long." Diesel 10 went on, thrusting his left arm out. "'cause I'm gonna sacrifice the both of them to bring out a 'new' monster!"

The two 'Hack Worms' vanished in blue streaks.

"Come forth - 'Cracking Dragon'!"

Appearing onto the field was an enormous black mecha-like dragon with cyan-colored stripes and yellow spikes (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 0).

"This is a new ace of mine!" laughed Diesel 10. "Its effect prevents it from being destroyed by battle with enemy monsters that have a Level that's equal or lower than itself!"

Hurricane scowled, while both Thomas and Emily didn't look any better for wear.

"So, it can't be destroyed that easily by battle?" questioned Hurricane.

"Nope!" confirmed Diesel 10, before taking two cards and slotting them into his Duel Disk. "But just in case you try any funny business..." Two facedown cards materialized on the field. "...I'll set two cards and end my turn!"

"'Cracking Dragon', a monster with an Attack Power of 3000, can't be destroyed by monsters with a Level of 8 or lower." thought Hurricane, looking at his hand. "Is this supposed to play a role with 'Sargasso'; are they even connected, or is that monster just to keep my attention?"

"Alright, Hurricane... It's your turn!" called Diesel 10. "Draw your card, if you dare!"

"Here I come, Diesel 10!" shouted Hurricane, drawing a card. "It's my turn!"


Turn Two: Hurricane Decapod (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Raidraptor - Avenge Vulture", "Raidraptor - Pain Lanius", "Raidraptor - Sanctuary", "Raidraptor - Evasion","Overlay Armor", and "Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius"


His hand contained 'Raidraptor - Avenge Vulture', 'Raidraptor - Pain Lanius', 'Raidraptor - Sanctuary', 'Raidraptor - Evasion', 'Overlay Armor', and the drawn 'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius'.

"Good!" Hurricane thought to himself, before holding his drawn card out. "I Summon 'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius'!"

Appearing onto the field was a 'Raidraptor' Monster with a serpent-like body (Level: 4/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000). However, Diesel 10 only started to laugh once the enemy monster was on the field.

"You've Summoned a monster, and already you get yourself into trouble!" he proclaimed. "I activate 'Cracking Dragon's' effect! CRACK FALL!"

"What?!" gasped Hurricane.

'Cracking Dragon' opened its mouth and fired an electrical blast at 'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius', striking the 'Raidraptor' Monster, which also hit Hurricane.

"GWAAGHH!" The brown/red-haired boy screamed, taking some damage (LP: 4000 - 3200).

"Hurricane!" cried Emily.

In addition, 'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius' also grew weaker (ATK: 1000 - 200).

"Ha ha ha! How was that?!" taunted Diesel 10. "When my opponent Normal or Special Summons exactly one monster, and no other monsters are Summoned, while 'Cracking Dragon' is on the field, I can make that monster lose Attack Points equal to its Level times 200 until the end of this turn, and, if I do this, then I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to the Attack Points lost by this effect."

Hurricane grimaced. "'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius' is a Level 4 monster..." he struggled to say. "200 times 4 equals 800; so, 'Napalm Dragonius' lost 800 points and I took 800 points of damage."

"That's right!" As Diesel 10 spoke, his first facedown card flipped up and revealed itself. "Next, I'll activate a Trap Card - 'Pulse Mines'! If I control a Machine monster, and I do, I can change my opponent's attack position monsters into defense position, also, until the end of this turn, if a monster(s) is Normal or Special Summoned to my opponent's field, they are immediately changed into defense position."

'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius', against its will, went into a defensive stance (DEF: 1000). Hurricane growled at the situation he was in, but then smirked with confidence shortly after.

"I'll admit that was a good trick." he commented, taking a card from his hand. "However, I already have a remedy for it."

"You do?" huffed Diesel 10.

"I do." Hurricane confirmed, before holding his card out. "As I took Effect Damage, I can Special Summon 'Raidraptor - Avenge Vulture' from my hand!"

Appearing onto the field, in a defensive stance, was a vulture-like 'Raidraptor' Monster (Level: 4/ATK: 1700/DEF: 100). Suddenly, 'Cracking Dragon' started to attack again.

"'Cracking Dragon's' effect activates again!" laughed Diesel 10. "CRACK FALL!"

'Cracking Dragon' obeyed, opening its mouth and releasing another electrical blast, this time at 'Raidraptor - Avenge Vulture'. Raidraptor - Avenge Vulture was hit, causing it to lose Attack Points based on its Level times 200 (ATK: 1700 - 900). From there, Hurricane cried out as his Life Points took another hit (LP: 3200 - 2400).

"Had enough?" Diesel 10 went on, enjoying his opponent's pain.

"Far from it!" retorted Hurricane, pointing forth. "Now it's your turn to take damage!"

"What?!"

"I activate 'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius's' effect!" The brown/red-haired boy announced. "Once per turn, I can inflict 600 points of damage to my opponent. However, monsters in my possession can't activate their effects for the rest of this turn, except for 'Raidraptor' Monsters." he then pointed at Diesel 10. "Now, Diesel 10! You will take 600 points of damage!"

'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius' opened its mouth and charged a blast, firing it off at the enemy duelist. Diesel 10, bracing himself, got hit and pushed back (LP: 4000 - 3400).

"In addition, I'll Special Summon 'Raidraptor - Pain Lanius' from my hand!" continued Hurricane, placing another card onto his Duel Disk. "This works by targeting one 'Raidraptor' Monster I control; I can Special Summon this monster from my hand, and, if I do this, have its Level become that target's current Level until the end of this turn."

Appearing onto the field was a large mechanical bird-like 'Raidraptor' Monster (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 100).

"As you can see, I've chosen 'Raidraptor - Avenge Vulture' for the target." explained Hurricane. "As a result, 'Pain Lanius's' Level will move from 1 to 4!"

'Raidraptor - Pain Lanius' had its Level modified to 4 (Level: 1 - 4).

"Hey! That's too broken of an effect!" whined Diesel 10. "It must have some sort of a side effect or something!"

"It does." Hurricane pointed out. "I take damage equal to 'Pain Lanius's' target's Attack Power or Defense Power. I'll choose Defense Power!"

A red aura glowed around Hurricane, causing him to take damage (LP: 2400 - 2300).

"You never learn, do you?" sighed Diesel 10, before giving the command... "CRACK FALL!"

'Cracking Dragon' let loose another blast, striking 'Raidraptor - Pain Lanius'.

"You seem to love taking pain!" The ochre-haired man went on. "So you can say goodbye to 800 more Life Points!"

Hurricane kept his head down as he lost Life Points, but instead of 800 he lost...100 Life Points (LP: 2300 - 2200).

"What?!" cringed Diesel 10. "You only lost 100 Life Points?!"

"You clearly need to learn more about your monster's power." scolded Hurricane. "'Cracking Dragon's' inflicts damage to the opponent equal to the Attack Points my monster loses."

Diesel 10 was not pleased. "It what?!"

"When 'Pain Lanius' was Special Summoned, its Level changed from 1 to 4, meaning it would lose 800 points." Hurricane went on. "However, 'Pain Lanius's' original Attack Power is only 100, meaning it only lost 100 Attack Points, so I only take 100 damage."

"Dammit!" cursed Diesel 10. "That's why you weren't worried about 'Cracking Dragon' making an appearance!"

"That's right." confirmed Hurricane, before slotting a card into his Duel Disk. "I activate a Spell Card - 'Raidraptor - Sanctuary'!"

The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.

"If I control three or more 'Raidraptor' Monsters, I can draw two cards."

With that said, Hurricane drew two new cards. Both cards were 'Card of Ascension' (Spell Card) and 'Raidraptor - Mimicry Lanius' (Effect Monster Card). He added both cards into his hand, and decided it was time to uppen the ante.

"Now, I'll overlay the Level 4 'Raidraptor - Avenge Vulture', 'Raidraptor - Napalm Dragonius', and 'Raidraptor - Pain Lanius'!" The brown/red-haired boy went on. "With these three Winged Beast monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"

The three 'Raidraptor' Monsters dove into the Overlay Network as Hurricane began a Summon Chant...

"Obscured falcon, raise your sharpened talons in front of adversity, spread your wings of rebellion!" chanted Hurricane, before he raised a new card and placed it onto his Duel Disk. "Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4 - 'Raidraptor - Rise Falcon'!"

Appearing onto the field, as the Xyz Summon sequence came to an end, was the large robotic bird with four wings (Rank: 4/ATK: 100/DEF: 2000).

"You've Summoned one of your best early monsters!" frowned Diesel 10, before smirking. "But thanks to 'Pulse Mines', your Special Summoned 'Rise Falcon' will be forced into defense mode!"

The 'Pulsing Mines' Trap Card flipped face-up and activated, causing some explosions around 'Raidraptor - Rise Falcon', causing the monster to go into a defensive stance (DEF: 2000).

"But, Hurricane's still in a good position." commented Thomas. "'Rise Falcon' is unaffected by 'Cracking Dragon's' effect."

"Because 'Rise Falcon' doesn't have a Level." added Emily. "He did take major damage in the process, but it was still worth it in the end."

"Fool!" exclaimed Diesel 10, causing both Thomas and Emily to recoil. "Do you think I'm stupid enough to not know what was up?!" He then grinned evilly. "I was hoping Hurricane would Xyz Summon something. Why? Because I can now activate the effect of my Field Spell - 'Sargasso the D.D. Battlefield'!"

All of a sudden, a lightning bolt suddenly rained down and struck Hurricane, causing him to scream in pain.

"Hurricane!" Thomas and Emily both called out, worried and surprised.

Hurricane fell to a knee as he took damage (LP: 2200 - 1700), while Diesel 10 laughed madly at the sight.

"W-What the hell?" Hurricane coughed. "What kind of...trick was that supposed...to be?"

Alas, no answer was given... Not yet, anyway.


Title: When Giants Duel, Part 2: Igniting the Blue Flame


Back outside atop the Apex Arena, the duel between Spencer and Frankie raged on...


Turn Four: Frankie Clarke (LP: 4000)
Deck: 42
Current Hand (7): "Waking the Dragon", "Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss", "Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", and "Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss"


"It's my turn!" declared Frankie, having drawn a card. She looked pleased. "Just as easily, I've drawn another good card!"

However, the opponent was better...

"I activate a Continuous Trap!" cut in Spencer.

"What?!"

The silver-haired young man's set card flipped face-up and revealed itself to be...

"'Castle of Dragon Souls'! Once per turn, I can remove one Dragon monster from my Graveyard from the game, and then target one monster I control; it gains 700 Attack Points until the end of this turn even if this card leaves the field." Spencer explained, just as a card ('Twin-Headed Behemoth') ejected from the Graveyard. "I'll remove 'Twin-Headed Behemoth' from the game in-order to target 'Mosaic Manticore' and raise its Attack Power by 700 points!"

'Mosaic Manticore' grew temporarily stronger (ATK: 2800 - 3500). Was Frankie worried? Not even close.

"Nice try, but I have something far better than that." she commented. "Are you ready? Then here is my card!"

Spencer readied himself for whatever his opponent was about to try. From there, Frankie added the card into her hand, took another from the hand, and held it out.

"From my hand, I'll activate a Ritual Spell - 'Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss'!" The blue/green-haired girl announced. "This card is used to Ritual Summon 'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss'. For the ritual to work, I must Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equal 6 or more." She took two cards and held them out. "I'll send both 'Farfa' and 'Cir' from my hand to the Graveyard!"

'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' and 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' both appeared on the field, being used for the ritual as Frankie began a Summon Chant...

"Deep in the bowels of the Burning Abyss, amid the chaos and the ruin, one of the greats demons reigns supreme!" chanted Frankie, before her eyes started glowing all golden yellow. "RITUAL SUMMON! Ignite your fury, Level 6 - 'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss'!"

Appearing onto the field, when the Ritual Summon sequence ended, was a demonic-looking 'Burning Abyss' Monster with demon horns and large wings. In both hands were demonic swords (one red and blue). The new monster stood ready for battle (Level: 6/ATK: 2700/DEF: 2200).

"You like?" grinned Frankie. "This card gains its name from the character Malacoda, from the Divine Comedy written by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. In the poem, Malacoda served as the leader of the Malebranche, a band of demons who guard the Fifth Bolgia of Malbolge, the Eighth Circle of Hell."

"Hmph! I've seen far better!" snorted Spencer.

"Oh, don't be such a sourpuss! You'll like what my monster can do. But first, I have a Monster Effect to activate!" As the blue/green-haired girl spoke on, a card ('Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') ejected from her Graveyard. "The effect of 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'! If this monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can target one monster on the field and Banish it until the End Phase."

The spirit of the mentioned 'Burning Abyss' Monster appeared and struck 'Mosaic Manticore', causing it to vanish into oblivion.

"Not only that, I'll also activate 'Cir's' effect!" continued Frankie, taking a card from her Graveyard and placing it onto her Duel Disk (sideways). "If this monster 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."

Appearing face-up on the field was a Monster Card called 'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'.

"Appear - 'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"

Appearing onto the field from the face-up Monster Card, was a large, purple-skinned fiend with horns on his head, and a wicked looking scepter in his hand (Level: 3/ATK: 100/DEF: 2100).

"I control three monsters!" boasted Frankie.

It was true:
-'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' (DEF: 2500)
-'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss' (ATK: 2700)
-'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' (DEF: 2100)

"So, you do." smirked Spencer. "However, there's a slight problem with that; I was hoping you'd get three cards out."

"What?!" Frankie scowled. "You were?"

"Oh yes, because of that, you've fallen into a trap of mine." As Spencer spoke, his remaining set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "I activate a Trap - 'Three Strikes Barrier'! If my opponent controls exactly three cards, I can activate one of three effects!"

These were the effects Spencer was going through...
● "this turn, your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle."
● "this turn, you take no battle damage."
● "this turn, each time your monster inflicts battle damage to your opponent, you gain the same amount of LP."

"Which effect are you going to choose?" questioned Frankie.

"The second one, obviously!" Spencer answered. "This turn, I take no Battle Damage of any kind!"

"Tch! So annoying..." With nothing else to do, Frankie entered her End Phase. "I end my turn here. And with it being the End Phase, 'Mosaic Manticore' is Special Summoned back to your field!"

As predicted, 'Mosaic Manticore' returned to Spencer's side of the field, just as as the silver-haired young man drew a card without saying a word.


Turn Five: Spencer Gresley (LP: 4000)
Deck: 52
Current Hand (1): "Rage with Eyes of Blue"


His drawn card was the 'Rage with Eyes of Blue' Spell Card. Pleased, the silver-haired young man turned his attention back to his face-up 'Castle of Dragon Souls' Trap Card.

"Once again, I'll activate the effect of 'Castle of Dragon Souls'!" Spencer went on, just as another card ('Clone Dragon') emerged from his Graveyard before fading away into oblivion. "I remove 'Clone Dragon' to target 'Mosaic Manticore' and increase its Attack Power by 700 points!"

'Mosaic Manticore' again grew stronger (ATK: 2800 - 3500). The Battle Phase then commenced...

"I use 'Mosaic Manticore' to attack 'Malacoda'!" declared Spencer. "BREATH FIRE!"

'Mosaic Manticore' obeyed, breathing a blast of fire at 'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss'. As the attack got closer and closer, Frankie let out a triumphant laugh.

"The effect of 'Malacoda' activates!" she announced, sending a card ('Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') from her hand to the Graveyard. "Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can send one 'Burning Abyss' Monster Card from my hand to the Graveyard, allowing me to target one face-up monster my opponent controls; until the end of this turn, that target loses Attack Points and Defense Points equal to the Attack Power and Defense Power of the 'Burning Abyss' Monster sent to the Graveyard this way."

The spirit of 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' appeared on the field briefly.

"The 'Burning Abyss' Monster I've discarded is 'Barbar'." continued Frankie. "It has an Attack Power of 1700 and a Defense Power of 1000, meaning 'Mosaic Manticore' loses 1700 Attack points and 1000 Defense Points!"

The spirit of 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' attacked 'Mosaic Manticore', causing the golden Manticore to grow much weaker before finally fading away (ATK: 3500 - 1800/DEF: 2500 - 1500).

"Oh no!" recoiled Spencer.

"And that's not all." Frankie went on, as three cards ('Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss', 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and 'The Traveler and the Burning Abyss') emerged from the Graveyard one-by-one before fading away into oblivion. "If 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' is sent to the Graveyard, I can target up to three 'Burning Abyss' cards in my Graveyard, except for 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and remove them from the game, and, if I do this, inflict 300 points of damage to my opponent for each card." She smiled insanely. "By removing three cards, you're dealt 900 points of damage!"

Spencer started glowing, causing him to cry out as he sustained some damage (LP: 4000 - 3100).

"And don't think that's the worst bit!" Frankie pointed out.

"You're right!" realized Spencer, knowing what the worst bit was. "'Mosaic Manticore' is still attacking!"

The flame attack from 'Mosaic Manticore' soon struck and overwhelmed 'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss'. Spencer remained stunned, while Frankie remained calm with a smirk on her face. When the fire died down, 'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss' was still standing.

"Your attack has backfired!" Frankie laughed loudly. She then gave the command to her own monster... "Counterattack at once, 'Malacoda'!"

'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss' obeyed, raising both swords and slicing at 'Mosaic Manticore'. The now weaker 'Mosaic Manticore' howled before exploding due to destruction. Spencer braced himself from the force of the attack as he sustained some major damage (LP: 3100 - 2200).

"At this point, you should just give up and spare yourself from an incoming humiliating defeat!" insisted Frankie. "I'm completely invincible!"

Spencer, after recovering and being demanded to surrender, narrowed his eyes and glared defiantly and dangerously at his enemy.

"My heart and soul are a blue flame that can never be extinguished!" he declared, readying his only card. "It is these moments where my pride - my greatest servants - respond to the cry of my heart!"

Frankie scowled, watching as the 'Rage with Eyes of Blue' Spell Card materialized face-up on Spencer's side of the field.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Rage with Eyes of Blue'!" Spencer declared, holding his card out. "I Banish this card, and as many cards as possible from my hand, field, and Graveyard facedown, in-order to, if I do this, Special Summon up to three copies of 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my Deck."

"T-Three copies?!" gasped Frankie, actually showing signs of worry.

As expected, the face-up 'Rage with Eyes of Blue' Spell Card and the face-up 'Castle of Dragon Souls' Trap Card both shattered into shards of glass, while every remaining card in Spencer's Graveyard ejected from his Graveyard before fading away into oblivion. This resulted in three cards ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon', 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon', and 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon') ejecting from Spencer's Deck and materializing face-up on the field.

"My embodiment of both my pride and soul!" thundered Spencer, raising his right hand into the sky as a lightning bolt struck the center of the field. "Come forth - 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'!"

When the light of the center of the duel field died down, hovering above the field were all three copies of 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons'. The three powerful dragons of destruction let out a roar to signal their arrival (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500) x3. For the first time in a while, Frankie not only flinched, but also showed visible fear on her face, having to face three of some of the strongest monsters in the whole game. It got so much worse when one of the 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' started charging its signature attack.

"Your fate has been sealed, niece of Sailor John." Spencer declared viciously. "Burn this image into your eyes for eternity!" He gave the command to his first dragon... "My first 'Blue-Eyes' will attack 'Malacoda'! 'Blue-Eyes', show our visitor absolutely NO MERCY!" He finally announced the attack name... "BURST STREAM OF DESTRUCTION!"

The first 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' unleashed its devastating attack, vaporizing 'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss' on contact. Frankie, bracing herself from the force of the ferocious attack, cried out as she sustained some damage from losing her monster (LP: 4000 - 3700).

"You aren't qualified to possess a 'God'!" boomed Spencer hatefully. "Frankie Clarke! Leave your 'God' Cards behind and get off my property, now!"

Once things were calm, Frankie started snickering quietly, causing Spencer to frown. The snickering got louder before Frankie raised her head with a vicious smile now on her face. While initially afraid of them, she was now...happy in seeing the three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' on her hated enemy's field.

"That's right, Spencer..." The Pirate Captain proclaimed gleefully. "Keep raging and hating me more and more!" She then cast a glance at her Bio-Band while going into her thoughts. "I only need a little more energy before I can begin the revival of Uncle John." The blue/green-haired girl then looked up at her opponent; the sadistic smile still present. "The more you do so, the more pain and agony it will cause you and your beloved dragons!"

Spencer scowled furiously.

"Besides, if you won't continue to show your anger and hatred, then I'll MAKE you show them!" As Frankie spoke on, she pointed at one of the other 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' present. "If 'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss' is sent from the field to the Graveyard, I can target one card on the field and send it to the Graveyard." She then laughed madly. "The card I'll send to its death is your second 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'!"

The spirit of 'Malacoda, Netherlord of the Burning Abyss' reappeared on the field and slashed its blades at the second 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon', causing it to let out a roar before exploding.

"You'll regret this!" screamed Spencer, who was fueled by further vengeance, pointing forth and giving a command to his third 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'. "'Blue-Eyes', avenge your fallen ally and lay waste to 'Rubic'!"

The third' Blue-Eyes White Dragon' was more than happy to obey, firing its own blast at 'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', causing the wicked monster to scream in agony as it vaporized by the purity of the light. Frankie, despite losing her monster, did not look concerned with the loss.

(elsewhere...)

Back down within the space-like dimension, Hurricane was still on a knee whilst huffing and puffing from getting hit by the lightning bolt.

"What kind of...trick was that supposed...to be?" demanded Hurricane, trying to get back up.

Diesel 10 smirked. "The effect of 'Sargasso the D.D. Battlefield'! Each time a monster is Xyz Summoned, the Summoning player takes 500 points of damage."

Over with the 'audience'...

"Diesel 10 knew that 'Cracking Dragon's' effects were useless against Xyz Monsters!" realized Thomas. "That's why he activated 'Sargasso' to make up for any damage that 'Cracking Dragon' can't inflict when Hurricane Xyz Summoned."

"Not to mention Hurricane can't sustain too much more damage." added Emily.

Back in the duel field...

"Hurricane, you've Summoned 'Rise Falcon', whose effects only work on Special Summoned monsters, which are worthless on "Cracking Dragon" since it was Normal Summoned." Diesel 10 was saying to his opponent. "Even if you want to attack, you can't! 'Pulse Mines' forces your Special Summoned monsters into defense mode."

Hurricane, despite his predicament, wasn't fazed by the setback. Instead, he took and held a card out.

"Spell Card - 'Card of Ascension'!" The brown/red-haired boy declared, before sending a card ('Raidraptor - Mimicry Lanius') from his hand to the Graveyard. A card ('Rank-Up-Magic Raid Force') then ejected from his Deck and he took hold of it. "It lets me send one Monster Card from my hand to the Graveyard in-order to add one 'Rank-Up-Magic' Spell Card from my Deck into your hand." His Graveyard then started glowing all white. "In addition, I'll also activate the next effect of the 'Raidraptor - Mimicry Lanius' in my Graveyard!"

"And what's the effect?" yawned Diesel 10, looking quite bored.

"During my Main Phase, if this monster is in the Graveyard because it was sent there this turn, I can remove this card from the game and add one 'Raidraptor' card from my Deck into my hand, except for 'Raidraptor - Mimicry Lanius'." As Hurricane spoke, a card ('Raidraptor - Silent Roar') ejected from his Deck and he added it into his hand. "I'll add 'Raidraptor - Silent Roar' from my Deck into my hand."

"Whatever!" dismissed Diesel 10. "I already know what you're planning on doing next."

"In that case..." Hurricane went on, before slotting a card into a Spell/Trap slot on his Duel Disk. As expected, the 'Rank-Up-Magic Raid Force' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "I'll activate 'Rank-Up-Magic Raid Force'! It lets me target one face-up Xyz Monster I control and Special Summon, from ,y Extra Deck, one 'Raidraptor' Monster that is one Rank higher than that target, by using that target as the Xyz Material."

"You'll take 500 more damage if you do this!" warned Diesel 10.

"Some risks are worth it." insisted Hurricane, before giving the command... "I use 'Rise Falcon' to build the Overlay Network!"

The Overlay Networked reappeared in the center of the field, absorbing 'Raidraptor - Rise Falcon' as Hurricane began a Summon Chant...

"The unseen bold falcon. Reveal your wings' unknown power here and now!" chanted Hurricane, before raising his right hand into the air and letting out a hot-blooded scream of... "Rank Up Xyz EVOLUTION! Come forth! Rank 5 - 'Raidraptor - Stranger Falcon'!"

Appearing onto the field, when the Xyz Summon sequence ended, was black and yellow falcon-like 'Raidraptor' Monster (Rank: 5/ATK: 2000/DEF: 2000). Once again, a lightning bolt struck Hurricane, causing him to scream as he sustained more damage (LP: 1700 - 1200).

"By the effect of 'Sargasso', you take 500 more points of damage due the Summon of an Xyz Monster." reminded Diesel 10.

Hurricane recovered. "As 'Stranger Falcon' has an Xyz Monster as an Overlay Unit, it gains a new effect!" he belted out. "Once per turn, I can detach one Xyz Material from this monster, and then target one monster my opponent controls and destroy it, and then, if I do this, inflict damage to the opponent equal its original Attack Power."

"Oh $*#%!" Diesel 10 cringed, knowing that 'Cracking Dragon' was about to go boom.

As expected, 'Cracking Dragon' let out a final roar...

*BOOM!*

...and went kaboom; clouding Diesel 10's side of the field with thick smoke. Diesel 10, bracing himself from the force of the explosion, cried out as his Life Points took an enormous hit (LP: 3400 - 400).

"One more attack like that-" Emily was saying to Thomas. "-and Diesel 10 will be finished!"

"Come on, Hurricane..." Thomas muttered under his breath. "You can win!"

Back in the duel field, three facedown cards materialized on the field before Hurricane.

"I'll set three cards and end my turn." The brown/red-haired boy finished, just before he heard some laughter. "Huh?"

Over on Diesel 10's side of the field, he was chuckling to himself. Eventually, Diesel 10 raised his head and revealed a sadistic smile on his face.

"You said 'End Turn', right?" asked Diesel 10, mockingly. "Those were your words, right?" He then spread his arms out in welcome. "In that case; take this!"

Another lightning bolt rained down and struck Hurricane, causing him to, again, scream in pain.

"Hurricane!" cried Thomas.

"Not again!" added Emily.

Diesel 10, seeing what was happening, laughed in sick amusement. When the attack ended, Hurricane stumped back, clutching his chest, while taking more damage (LP: 1200 - 700).

"I believe I forgot to mention something about 'Sargasso'!" The ochre-haired man went on. "During each player's End Phase, the turn player takes 500 damage if they control a face-up Xyz Monster."

Hurricane scowled in response without uttering a word edgewise. With the 'audience'...

"Both duelists are already under 1000 Life Points." commented Emily.

"Yeah." agreed Thomas. "One more big attack could finish either player off." He narrowed his eyes. "We just have to hope that Hurricane is the one left standing."

They would need all the hope in the world for a miracle to bestow Hurricane.

(elsewhere...)

Outside atop the Apex Arena, it was silent... Currently, the fields and score were as followed:
-Frankie (LP: 3700) controlled 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' (Rank: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2500).
-Spencer (LP: 2200) controlled two of three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500) x2.

"How does it feel, Spencer?" taunted Frankie. "How does it feel to know there's nothing you can do to win against me?!"

"Spare me of your dumb talk!" snapped Spencer, pointing at his enemy. "It's your turn, now!"

Frankie chuckled. "As you wish, Spencer!" She then drew a card. "Draw!"


Turn Six: Frankie Clarke (LP: 3700)
Deck: 41
Current Hand (3): "Waking the Dragon", "Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", and "Card of Sanctity"


Her drawn card was the 'Card of Sanctity' Spell Card. She then resumed her unhinged chuckling.

"Oh, what do we have here?" Frankie was saying. "I've drawn a card that will provide 'both' of us some relief.

In a flash, the 'Card of Sanctity' Spell Card materialized face-up onto the field.

"'Card of Sanctity'!" The blue/green-haired girl announced, drawing four cards. "This card requires both players to draw cards from their Decks until they are holding six cards in their hands!" She then pointed forth. "Now, Spencer! Draw until you have six cards!"

Spencer did as he was told. Both players had the following:
-Frankie: 'Waking the Dragon', 'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', 'Tour Guide From the Underworld', 'Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', 'Overlay Regen', and 'Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'
-Spencer: 'Dragon Spirit of White', 'Soul Exchange', 'Estrangement Dragon', 'Graceful Charity', 'Keeper of the Shrine', and 'Checksum Dragon'

"From my hand-" Frankie went on, placing a card onto her Duel Disk. "-I'll Summon 'Tour Guide From the Underworld' in attack mode!"

A second copy of 'Tour Guide From the Underworld' appeared on the field (Level: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 600).

"'Tour Guide's' effect!" declared Frankie, taking a card from her Deck and placing it onto a Monster Field slot on her Duel Disk. "I Special Summon, from my Deck, another copy of 'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"

Another copy of 'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' appeared on the field (Level: 3/ATK: 100/DEF: 2100).

"I should point out; 'Rubic' is also a Tuner Monster!" laughed Frankie, making Spencer scowl as intensely as ever before. At last, she gave the command... "I'm Tuning my Level 3 Effect Monster, 'Tour Guide From the Underworld', with the Level 3 Tuner Monster, 'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"

'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' turned itself into three Synchro Rings, which 'Tour Guide From the Underworld' soared through while turning into three orbs. The symbols 3 plus 3 equals 6 were shown briefly, along with a Summon Chant...

"Poet of Justice and Purity, take on a new instrument of communication, and let your messages ring out in eternity!" chanted Frankie, before spreading her arms out in welcome. "Synchro Summon! Play the Song of Justice - 'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss'!"

Appearing onto the field, when the Synchro Summon sequence ended, was a human male wearing the clothing of a classic minstrel and wielding a strange-shaped guitar (Level: 6/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1000).

"Allow me to tell you a bit about 'Virgil'!" offered Frankie. "In the Divine Comedy written by the Italian poet Dante Alighieri, Virgil was made into Dante's guide through Hell and a great part of Purgatory." She then took a card from her hand. "But enough of storytime! I activate 'Virgil's' Monster Effect! Once per turn, I can discard one 'Burning Abyss' card, and then target one card my opponent controls or in their Graveyard and shuffle it into the Deck."

Upon Frankie discarding a card ('Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'), 'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss' began to play a tune on his guitar.

"I'll target one of your precious 'Blue-Eyes' and send it back into your Deck!"

The tune from 'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss's' guitar overwhelmed one of the remaining 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' on Spencer's field, causing it to turn into an orb of light and float until it touched Spencer's Deck.

"'Blue-Eyes'-!" cried Spencer.

"And now, the effect of 'Graff'!" declared Frankie, taking another card from her Deck. "Come forth - 'Cir'!"

A second copy of 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' appeared on the field (Level: 3/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1200). From there, 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' stood into a battle ready position (ATK: 1000).

"So he doesn't get left out, I'll switch 'Dante' into attack mode!" continued Frankie. "And before you say anything about 'Dante' not having anymore Overlay Units, allow me to show you a little something." She took and held another card out. "'Overlay Regen', activate!"

As expected, 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' regained one of its lost Overlay Units.

"I can target one face-up Xyz Monster on the field; this card is attached to it as an Xyz Material."

Spencer readied himself, watching as the newly gained Overlay Unit faded from 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'.

"And, just like that, I'll remove the Overlay Unit!" As Frankie spoke, she drew the top three cards ('Crane Crane', 'Divine Evolution', and 'The Selection') and sent them to the Graveyard. "I will send the top three cards of my Deck to the Graveyard, giving 'Dante' 500 more Attack Points per card sent!"

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

"As much as I want to applaud you for those 'magnificent' plays, they aren't helping you!" scoffed Spencer. "My remaining 'Blue-Eyes' still has an Attack Power of 3000!"

"Wrong!" retorted Frankie, just as another card ('The Terminus of the Burning Abyss') ejected from her Graveyard. "The effect of 'The Terminus of the Burning Abyss' activates! During my Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard, I can remove this card from my Graveyard, and then target one 'Burning Abyss' Monster on the field; it gains 800 Attack Points and Defense Points until the end of my opponent's next turn."

On cue, 'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss' grew stronger (ATK: 2500 - 3300/DEF: 1000 - 1800). Spencer knew this was a bad thing for himself...

"BATTLE!" announced Frankie, entering the Battle Phase. "I use 'Virgil' to attack the last 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'!" She then announced the attack name for her monster... "AVICE'S SONG!"

'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss' obeyed, playing another tune on his guitar. 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' let out a roar of agony before shattering into shards of glass. Spencer, covering his ears, let out a yell from the song's tune as his Life Points took a hit (LP: 2200 - 1900). Frankie then laughed maniacally over the fact that all three of Spencer's dragons were gone just like that.

"It's all over!" she announced. "Your field is completely empty!"

Spencer growled in response.

"Once again, Spencer... You will fail to save your company AND family, just as you did against my Uncle!"

"Shut up!" shouted Spencer, sounding angry like before. "You're just as much of a soulless abomination as your senile Uncle was! He was a monster! He tried to ruin my family's reputation for his own selfish purposes. And you're, right now, doing the exact same things he did; lie, cheat, and threaten harm to those who stand against you!"

Frankie, rather than get angry over her Uncle being insulted, she instead smiled with dark intentions.

"Yes... give into your absolute hatred!" The blue/green-haired girl whispered. "I should probably ask you this before I end things between us; how can you care so much for Skiff when he was raised by one of your so-called 'most despised enemies'? How could you consider Skiff a part of your family if he was raised by my Uncle? Tell me! Tell me before it's time for the duel to end!"

"I'll tell you." began Spencer. "Because unlike the rest of your two-faced, backstabbing crew, Skiff had the two things you lack; and they are Common Sense and Reality! He knew when to leave Sailor John when he learned of the bastard's true colors - how much of a monster John truly was!"

Frankie, losing her patience, scowled in response. No matter what was being said, she 'still' refused to believe that her Uncle was as evil as other people were saying he was.

"I want to admit something; adopting Skiff into the family was one of the best things to have ever happened to me and our parents!" continued Spencer, clenching a fist. "No matter what, I WILL save both him and the company or risk everything trying!"

"Good luck with that!" exclaimed Frankie. "I'm ready to attack you directly with my remaining monsters!"

"My field won't be empty for much longer!" interrupted Spencer.

"What?!"

To prove his point, the silver-haired young man took a card from his hand and placed it onto his Duel Disk. On cue, a Monster Card called 'Keeper of the Shrine' materialized face-up on the field.

"I Special Summon 'Keeper of the Shrine' from my hand!" announced Spencer.

Appearing onto the field was a dwarf-like man with a white beard wearing bits of red armor and had two dragon wings sticking out of his back (Level: 4/ATK: 0/DEF: 2100).

"'Keeper of the Shrine'?!" flinched Frankie. "But, how?"

"While this monster is in my hand or Graveyard, if a face-up Dragon-Type monster on the field, except 'Keeper of the Shrine', is sent to the Graveyard by a Card Effect or because it was destroyed by battle-" explained Spencer, as a card ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon') ejected from his Graveyard. "-I can Special Summon this monster, then, if that monster sent to the Graveyard is a Normal Monster, I can add one Dragon-Type Normal Monster from my Graveyard into my hand."

The card added into his hand was the 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' Monster Card. Despite the setback, Frankie was still convinced she could win.

"I'll use 'Dante' to attack 'Keeper of the Shrine'!" declared Frankie.

'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' used his whip and struck 'Keeper of the Shrine', knocking the male monster back and causing him to shatter into shards of glass.

"Regardless of that setback, I'm still planning to win!" Frankie went on. "I use 'Cir' to attack you directly!"

"Face reality, Frankie!" cut in Spencer, taking a card from his hand. "As a duelist, you're no match for me!" He then held his card out. "Come forth - 'Checksum Dragon'!"

Appearing onto the field was a red mechanical-like dragon with glowing green tips on the wings (Level: 6/ATK: 400/DEF: 2400).

"What?!" raged Frankie.

"That's right." smirked Spencer, going into taunting his opponent. "When an opponent's monster declares an attack, I can Special Summon 'Checksum Dragon' from my hand, then gain Life Points equal to half of this monster's Defense Power."

Frankie grew angry, watching as her opponent regained Life Points (LP: 1900 - 3100).

"Looks to me like it's a whole new duel, right?" teased Spencer.

"Damn you!" hissed Frankie, taking a card from her hand and slotting it into her Duel Disk. "I set one card and end my turn!"

A facedown card materialized on the field.

"As it's the end of my turn, 'Dante's' effect wears off."

'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss's' Attack Power returned to normal (ATK: 2500 - 1000).

"That was your last chance at trying to defeat me!" declared Spencer, preparing to draw. "Now, with it being my turn, I'll show you how 'I' duel! As you can see, the 'Gods' always end up in the hands of the ultimate duelists!"

With that said, he drew a card with a Destiny Draw.


Turn Seven: Spencer Gresley (LP: 3100)
Deck: 45
Current Hand (6): "Dragon Spirit of White", "Soul Exchange", "Estrangement Dragon", "Graceful Charity", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", and "Pot of Greed"


Without wasting a second, Spencer held his drawn card out.

"I activate 'Pot of Greed'! I draw two more cards!"

After drawing the two cards, the silver-haired young man added the cards into his hand and took out another to play...

"Next, I'll activate 'Graceful Charity'!" As Spencer spoke, he drew three more cards, added the cards into his hand, took two from the hand and sent them to the Graveyard. "As you can see, it allows me to draw three cards. However, I must discard two cards from my hand as a cost."

His new hand contained 'Dragon Spirit of White', 'Soul Exchange', 'Estrangement Dragon', 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon', 'The Ultimate Creature of Destruction', 'Double Summon', and 'Frontline Fusion'. Upon seeing what cards were in his hand, Spencer snickered quietly to himself before bursting out into evil laughter of his own.

"I fail to see the humor with your hand." deadpanned Frankie.

"That's because I hold in my hand the winning game strategy!" declared Spencer, as a card ejected from his Graveyard. "First, I'll activate the effect of the 'The White Stone of Legend' I sent to the Graveyard by 'Graceful Charity'!" While speaking on, another card ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon') ejected from the Deck. "If this monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can add one 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my Deck into my hand."

"Two of the three eliminated 'Blue-Eyes' are back in your hand." grumbled Frankie. "Too bad you won't get the monsters you need to Summon them!"

"Are you certain?" grinned Spencer.

Frankie raised an eyebrow. She then gasped when the 'Soul Exchange' Spell Card materialized face-up on her opponent's field.

"Not that!" she panicked.

"Spell Card - 'Soul Exchange', activate!" announced Spencer, retracting his fingers from one of the Spell/Trap slots on his Duel Disk. "Both players can tribute monsters controlled by their opponent, as if those monsters were under their control."

"You control no monsters!" complained Frankie, watching as 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' and 'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss' both went over to her opponent's field.

"Now I have two monsters!" Spencer boasted, feeling very pleased. "The ones I need to sacrifice!"

"You're gonna bring one of your 'Blue-Eyes' out again, aren't you?"

"Wrong!" The silver-haired young man denied, taking a card from his hand. "I have something so much better for now."

"Better, you say?!" cringed Frankie. "What could be better to you than your 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'?"

Both 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' and 'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss' faded away in streaks of blue.

"Now, appear before me - 'Dragon Spirit of White'!" commanded Spencer, slamming his card onto a Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk.

Appearing onto the field was a fully white version of 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).

"'Dragon Spirit of White'?!" whispered Frankie, surprised once again. She recovered to activate a Monster Effect. "As 'Dante' was sent to the Graveyard, I can add one 'Burning Abyss' Monster from the Graveyard into my hand."

A card ('Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') ejected from Frankie's Graveyard, and she took and added it into her hand. Spencer, however, was far from ending his turn...

"As 'Dragon Spirit of White' was Normal Summoned-" he went on. "-I can target one Spell or Trap Card my opponent controls and Banish it."

'Dragon Spirit of White' fired a powerful blast towards Frankie's side of the field. The blast struck her facedown card, causing it to flip face-up and reveal itself.

"'Waking the Dragon'-!" grimaced Frankie, watching as her Trap Card shattered into shards of glass. She then smirked a bit. "But it isn't so bad; if this set card in its owner's control has left the field because of an opponent's Card Effect, and is now in my Graveyard or is banished, I can Special Summon one monster from my Deck or Extra Deck, free of charge."

As expected, another copy of 'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss' appeared on the field (Level: 6/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1000). Sadly for Frankie, her opponent was not stupid...

"You're not the only one who has come prepared." Spencer declared, just as the 'Double Summon' Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "From my hand, I'll activate 'Double Summon'!"

"You're going for another Normal Summon?" questioned Frankie.

"Indeed!" As Spencer spoke, he placed a card onto his Duel Disk. "Come forth - 'Estrangement Dragon'!"

Appearing onto the field was a large, brown dragon with no arms, yet two huge eyes on each side; one green, the other red (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1500).

"'Estrangement Dragon'?" dismissed Frankie. "What's the point of Summoning that monster?"

"It's my secret weapon; the moment where my dueling surpasses your expectations." answered Spencer. "If this monster is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one monster from my Deck with the same stats as this monster to my opponent's field in attack position."

Frankie watched helplessly as a copy of 'Estrangement Dragon' appeared on her side of the field (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1500).

"What's going on?!" she demanded.

"Again, I've figured out the weakness of your 'Malebranche' members of the 'Burning Abyss' archtype." began Spencer. "First, if there's another monster other than itself in play on its controller's field, 'Estrangement Dragon' can't be attacked, and when it's Special Summoned by this effect, it's sent to the Graveyard at the end of the turn. Now, care to add to that?"

"Y-You did find the weakness of the 'Malebranche' members." admitted Frankie, greatly annoyed. "For you see; if a non-'Burning Abyss' Monster is on my field, the 'Malebranche' monsters will be destroyed - like 'Cir' here!"

On cue, 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' shattered into shards of glass. Frankie braced herself as some of the shards soared passed her, but quickly recovered to add a card from her Graveyard and place it onto her Duel Disk. "However, you've helped me! "Cir's' effect lets me Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' Monster from my Graveyard!"

On cue, 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' reappeared on the field. However, due to its own effect, it was destroyed seconds after appearing—which was what Frankie was counting on to happen.

"With 'Farfa' destroyed, its effect lets me target one monster on the field and Banish it until the End Phase." continued Frankie, letting out a triumphant laugh. "Say goodbye to 'Dragon Spirit of White' until the end of the turn! For you see, 'I'm' the one to have surpassed your expectations!"

"Nonsense!" dismissed Spencer. "You did exactly what I expected you to do, proving that I truly have surpassed your expectations!"

"W-What do you-?"

"I activate 'Dragon Spirit of White's' effect!" The silver-haired young man announced. "As you control a monster, I can tribute this monster and Special Summon one 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my hand."

A white light completely surrounded 'Dragon Spirit of White', much to Frankie's shock. When the light dimmed, a roaring 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' stood on the field in 'Dragon Spirit of White's' place (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500).

"No!" cried Frankie. "Farfa's' effect missed the timing!"

"Not only that-" continued Spencer, taking a card ('Master with Eyes of Blue') from his Graveyard and adding it into his Deck. "I can shuffle 'Master with Eyes of Blue' from my Graveyard into the Deck, and then target one Effect Monster I control; I can send it to the Graveyard, and, if I do this, Special Summon one 'Blue-Eyes' Monster from my Graveyard, other than the sent monster."

'Checksum Dragon' let out a roar before fading away in a blue streak.

"With 'Checksum Dragon' targeted and sent to the Graveyard-" Spencer went on, taking and placing a card onto his Duel Disk. "I'll Special Summon another 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my Graveyard!"

Appearing onto the field, with a roar, was a second 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500).

"Are you ready? Then let's battle!" thundered Spencer, entering the Battle Phase. "My first 'Blue-Eyes'; I'll use you to attack 'Virgil'! BURST STREAM OF DESTRUCTION!"

The first 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' obeyed, letting loose a blast at 'Virgil, Rock Star of the Burning Abyss', vaporizing him on contact, and striking Frankie head on.

"NGH! GRRRR!" The blue/green-haired girl winced, bracing herself from the power of the attack as she sustained damage (LP: 3700 - 3200). When it ended, she drew a card. "When 'Virgil' is destroyed, I draw one card."

It was a Monster Card called 'Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'. However, the attacking was far from finished...

"I use my second 'Blue-Eyes' to attack 'Estrangement Dragon'!" continued Spencer, once again giving the attack name of his monster... "BURST STREAM OF DESTRUCTION!"

The second 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' let loose a blast of its own, vaporizing the copy of 'Estrangement Dragon', and striking Frankie again. When the attack faded away, the Pirate Captain was brought to a knee (LP: 3200 - 1700).

"And finally, I'll use 'Estrangement Dragon' to attack you directly!" Spencer went on, as 'Estrangement Dragon' charged forth. "Go! ESTRANGEMENT BURST!"

'Estrangement Dragon' obeyed, firing a powerful blast blast directly at Frankie. The attack struck her head on, causing her to scream as she went flying across the platform until she was laying near the edge of it; her Life Points also dropped to critical levels (LP: 1700 - 200).

"However, my rage and vengeance have not been quenched, and it won't be until I've beaten you into the ground!" As Spencer ranted, he took and held another card out. "Quick-Play Spell - 'Frontline Fusion', activate! During my Battle Phase, I can Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters from my hand or side of the field as Fusion Materials." He then took and held another card up. "I fuse the lone 'Blue-Eyes' in my hand with the two already on the field!"

The third 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' briefly appeared on the field next to its two fellow dragons before all three flew into the Fusion Vortex.

"This is the ultimate monster, the most glorious and powerful of all!" boomed Spencer, raising his right hand into the sky. "'BLUE-EYES ULTIMATE DRAGON'!"

When the Fusion Summon sequence ended, appearing onto the field from a huge burst of light was the supreme three-headed 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' itself (Level: 12/ATK: 4500/DEF: 3800). Ready to end the battle, 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' let loose a monstrous roar from its three heads.

"It's all over!" declared Spencer. "Once I declare a final direct attack, the duel will end with my victory! Now, before I announce my attack, do you have something you wish to say to me?"

There was no answer; Frankie was still laying on the ground, injured from the direct attack. Not only that, it looked like she had nothing to say about her impending loss. Either way, Spencer was in a position to win! When the silver-haired young man saw that Frankie was still laying on the ground and had her head bowed (with a shadow over her eyes), he thought she had no way of fighting back and was going to accept her incoming loss. No matter what happened next, Spencer was going to take his chance here and now.

"Hmph! I can see that you know you can't win against me." smirked Spencer. "You've no monsters on the field to guard your Life Points, while I control the strongest, most magnificent monster in the whole game."

'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon' let loose another roar in agreement.

"One attack from my 'Ultimate Dragon', and I'll win the duel! You, the niece of Sailor John, should have known better than to try and pick a fight with me and my family."

Frankie, still on the ground with her head bowed, slowly started chuckling, causing Spencer to raise an eyebrow. Soon, Frankie's laughter grew louder and louder. Eventually, she raised her head, where a demented-looking smile laced onto her vein-exposed face. It was a sign that she had...awoken.

"JUST KIDDING!" The possessed blue/green-haired girl cackled.

"What?!" scowled Spencer. "You're kidding about what?"

Frankie (possessed) continued chuckling. "It's so funny my stomach hurts!"

The silver-haired young man remained silent, allowing Frankie (possessed) to try and get back up while speaking on...

"My, you sure are an interesting duelist..." Frankie (possessed) mumbled. "You honestly thought you could beat 'us'..."

"Quit your bullcrap!" snapped Spencer, growing impatient. "What are you trying to say?"

Frankie (possessed) didn't answer at first; her laughter instead continued to grow louder and harder, and then, before too long, the possessed teenage girl raised her head—which was showing an absolutely terrifying-looking nightmare face.

"Then shall I show you?!" Frankie (possessed) yelled excitedly. "Your reward for even getting this far?!"

And thus, pink/purple energy began surrounding Frankie (possessed) as she let loose an ear-piercing cry.

"W-What the-?!" gasped Spencer.

"AH HA HA HA HA HA! SPENCER GRESLEY!" screamed Frankie (possessed), as she laughed in absolute insanity.

Before the silver-haired young man's eyes, Frankie Clarke, as the pink/purple energy surrounding her exploded with great power, felt her original outfit tear away from her body and briefly left her in the nude, but the powerful energy quickly started materializing new clothing to replace the ones that she usually wore. In addition, 'Frankie' also began to gain an older, even more rugged and dirty-looking appearance. As soon as the pink/purple energy started dimming and the transformation ended, 'Frankie', now a young woman, smirked smugly at her opponent.

"Who...?" Spencer stuttered, shocked at what he just witnessed. He then pointed at his 'new' opponent. "Who are you?! Why were you impersonating Frankie? Tell me where the real Frankie is, this instant!"

"'Real'? Who might THAT be?" The young woman asked in false shock, before pointing to herself. "My name is 'Driote'. You're so slow! I'm also 'Frankie'!"

"Driote?" questioned Spencer. "But... but I don't understand." He then scowled in response. "How could you be Frankie?! This doesn't make any sort of sense! I mean, a few moments ago I was dueling Frankie, but then she... she..."

"Huh! You still don't get it?" hissed Driote, folding her arms while looking annoyed over how dense her opponent was being. "Then allow me to get the ball rolling... I, the great Driote, am the past self of Frankie Clarke!"

"Past self?" Spencer asked, having a strong feeling on the answer. "You mean...like Thomas is Anakin, and Emily is Anastasia?"

"Correct, correct, correct! You are absolutely right!" Driote confirmed, slightly pointing the index finger of her left hand up in cheek-like amusement. "Even poor, pitiful Frankie has an incarnation from the past—namely yours truly. However, I'm sorry to say that unlike both the friendly Anakin and Anastasia, Frankie's past self, again me, wasn't a very nice self... I'm an artist as you can quite see, but the kind of artist that I'm known as...is the 'Artist of Insanity'!" The blue/green-haired young woman began to giggle in fits of absolute madness. "All of my acts of senseless murder... kidnappings and torture... destruction of whole kingdoms... All of my obscene, inhuman acts and sins were, and still are, my own works of art!"

"Works of...art?" stuttered Spencer, beyond shocked with what he's hearing.

"Oh yes, my friend! On some occasions, I even use the blood, other bodily fluids, and the parts of people and animals I torture and kill as my paint oils and colors for my special pieces..." Driote admitted eagerly, as various images of her actions from the past were shown. "My greatest of pieces... They are works that take very little time for me to actually create, but end up being perfect regardless of what I even do." She finally finished her explanation, as her eyes bulged madly, with... "Ta-da! Now you know who I am, and what I've done many, many years ago!"

The stunned silence from Spencer allowed Driote to continue speaking...

"But to be honest, all this crap about wanting to get revenge and revive an Uncle who's dead?" she ranted still. "Please! Frankie might have wanted that wish granted, but not me! I'm doing all of this just for the friggin' $*#%(s) and giggles."

"So, I see..." Spencer thought only to himself.

"Besides, that's not even the best part; as soon as that foolish girl stole and completed the very same 'Wicked God' Cards she stole from Industrial Illusions, she started to occasionally display emotions to what I often display whenever things go 'my' way!" continued Driote, giggling once more. "Hehehehe... the emotions from the title of 'Artist of Insanity', that is!" The young woman then laughed hysterically regarding it, wiping a tear from her eye. "It doesn't help that Frankie learned all about me while she was in the Duel Monsters spirit world, ranging from seeing memories of me 'ruling' the kingdom of Chelyumn to all of my wonderful works of art! Hence why, despite her intelligence getting a big increase, she told nobody of her experiences and tried to just move on with her life upon returning home—well, at least until those idiotic pirates showed up in that lame life, one day. Then, bit-by-bit, she learned to embrace 'our' power!"

When Spencer still did not say anything in response, Driote went on rambling...

"Frankie's rage and lust for revenge fueled my spirit within her heart and soul, which, when combined with the dark influence from the 'Wicked Gods', allowed for her to tap into my power if ever needed to be used against her enemies." The blue/green-haired young woman explained. "But what she didn't know was that her continuing to use the power while walking down the path of darkness would eventually make me grow strong enough to claim complete control of her body. Hurricane warned her many times of going further down this evil path, but did 'we' listen to him?" She then seemed to speak in Frankie's own voice. "No, 'we' did not listen to Hurricane. However, it was always for 'our' best interests!" The 'Artist of Insanity' spoke in her normal voice. "Or, rather, 'MY' personal interests!"

With that said, Driote laughed psychotically. After what seemed like forever, Spencer, although he remained horrified over learning just how truly monstrous and insane Driote was, managed to regain some of his composure as he smiled with triumph.

"Unfortunately, Driote, your future so-called works of art will never get a chance to be made." The silver-haired young man pointed out. "You're one attack away from being completely destroyed by the power of 'Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"

Driote froze from what seemed like shock or fear, but then burst into insidious laughter again. This resulted in Spencer easing up a bit, wondering what was so funny.

"Don't you remember, though? I seem to recall saying that I've a reward for you." Driote reminded, pointing at her opponent before taking a remote control out of her pocket. "Consider it as thanks for fighting Frankie and almost beating her!"

With the press of a single button, a large containment tube rose from the nearby hole in the center of the floor. Spencer neutrally watched the scene, but his eyes widened with horror when he saw who was inside - only able to say one thing in a low whisper...

"No way...!"

"So, tell me, Spencer..." Driote sneered, smiling evilly. "What do you think of your reward?"

Inside the containment unit was...

"Skiff!" cried Spencer. He turned to glare at the laughing Driote. "How dare you!"

"What's the matter, Spencer?" taunted Driote, speaking with Frankie's voice once more. "Don't you even like your reward? It happened to be very hard for me to track something like this down, you know!" The blue/green-haired young woman then burst into laughter in her main voice. "That's right! Skiff, this traitor, is your reward! Of course, a reward like this doesn't come without drawbacks."

"Drawbacks?!" demanded Spencer. "What are you talking about?"

"That's right... You have a decision to make." Driote went on, pointing at her opponent. She then started speaking as Frankie once more... "You can attack me directly, thus winning you the duel and forcing me to give up my plans for reviving Uncle John using Boxford Corporation's technology..." The young woman then held up her remote once again, resuming her main voice. "...but with a single press of the button, Skiff here will be shocked by over fifty-thousand volts - he likely wouldn't survive the electrical torture."

"What did you say?" Spencer cringed, realizing what his new enemy aimed to do to Skiff. "You'll kill him?!"

"Maybe, maybe not." shrugged Driote. "I suppose it will all depend on if I'm in the mood to do it." Frankie's voice was then used... "On the other hand, if you choose to call off your attack, I'll be given a chance to try and finish you off." Driote's main voice came back... "But at least Skiff will be spared from getting literally the biggest shock in his life, and then having his own blood being used as my paint!"

Spencer shook with anger. "You crazed bitch...!" he snarled.

"So, what are you going to do, Spencer?" questioned Driote, clearly sickly amused with her opponent's rage towards her. She then spoke in Frankie's voice. "Is victory much more important to you? Or is it family?" She went back to her main voice. "We're all waiting to hear your answer! And you won't want to take forever in making your decision, because I have very limited patience, so hurry it up!"

With that being said, the blue/green-haired woman erupted in loud, long, evil, scornful laughter over her opponent having to make quite possibly the hardest decision of his life, while Spencer scowled and realized that no matter what choice he made... he would lose something important to him in the very end.

To be Continued!