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
Song used in Intro and Outro (c) Unknown
WARNING: Once more, this story is 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 outside Knapford Hospital, all was quiet with an exception of occasional ambulances coming in or out of the parking lot.
(elsewhere...)
Inside one hospital room, Rosie was shown to be asleep in her bed. Currently present in the room were both Stanley and Percy, with the latter feeling so much better from his duel with Diesel 10.
"Rosie..." whispered Percy.
Soon, the cherry red-haired girl's eyes slowly opened. When her vision came back, the first thing she saw was...
"S-Stanley! It's you!"
Stanley smiled. "Hey." he greeted. "How are you feeling?"
"Lousy." answered Rosie, sitting up with a sad, disappointed look on her face. "I tried my hardest to stop Diesel 10, but in the end, it was all for nothing. Diesel 10 defeated me again." She then took a card out of her Deck and looked at it. "That card you gave me, Stanley... I used it to try and win, but it still wasn't enough. Diesel 10 was right. I really 'am' a loser."
The card in-question was the 'Trident Dragion' Synchro Monster Card.
"Rosie..." Stanley whispered, before reaching over and touching Rosie's shaking hands. "You're not a loser."
Poor Rosie looked over to stare at Stanley with tear-filled eyes.
"I'm...not?" she sniffled sadly.
Stanley shook his head. "Besides, we just found out that your loss to Diesel 10 was unfair."
"Unfair?" repeated Rosie.
"The only reason you lost is because Diesel 10 cheated during the duel." Percy explained, remembering the whole thing. "You see, he was using two-sided coins the whole time to make sure he always got the results he needed."
Somehow, that made Rosie feel even worse.
"I should have realized it then." The cherry red-haired girl berated herself. "I should have known that his coin flips were off when we were dueling! But, I didn't even suspect a thing throughout... I feel like I've let all of you down."
"Hey, hey! Take it easy, Rosie..." advised Percy. "Despite his cheating, I defeated him in the end. He's out of our hair for good."
There was a long silence. It was broken when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." called Stanley.
The door opened, revealing Nia, Rebecca, and the rest of the class (minus Gordon).
"Hey." greeted James.
"Everyone?" blinked Rosie. "What's going on? What are you all doing here?"
"That's easy, we got our new friends to the hospital to recover." answered Mavis.
"While they're resting, the rest of us came to see how you're doing." added Henry.
"Well, I'm still alive." said Rosie dully, looking down. "But how are Thomas and Emily both doing? Shouldn't you be there helping them out?"
"Before we tell you about that, there's something really important we need to let you, Stanley, and Percy each know." Edward pointed out.
And so, the story began. Once it was finished...
"No way!" gasped Rosie.
"So 'that's' what they're for!" realized Stanley, looking at his Bio-Band. "Not to mention Frankie's planning to bring her Uncle back from the dead!"
"Can we also trust Hurricane to help us?" wondered Percy.
"To be frank, I'm rather sketchy towards that guy." frowned James. "He knew what Frankie was doing was totally wrong, yet he chose to help her anyway. But, at this point, there isn't much we can do about it. All we can do is hope that he, Thomas, and Emily stop both Frankie and Driote before it's too late."
"Gordon, meanwhile, is helping his Aunt and Uncle put an end to the R.A. Project." put in Nia. "I'll admit that it's extremely dangerous with those pirates still roaming the building, but there isn't any other choice at the moment. He knows exactly what he's doing, and so we must trust in him along with his Aunt and Uncle."
The whole class was silent on the matter.
Title: When Giants Duel, Part 4: Rebirth of Avatar
Back inside one of the hallways higher up in Boxford Corporation, a repeat of earlier was shown...
"Return to me - 'Revolution Falcon'!" commanded Hurricane.
'Raidraptor - Revolution Falcon' returned to the field, but, just as quickly, was then absorbed into the familiar Overlay Network. The body of a new 'Raidraptor' Monster was shown appearing from the Overlay Network; it was sparking with power and electricity as Hurricane commenced with a Summon Chant...
"Falcon of my very soul! With your heart of unwavering conviction and deep affection, become my sturdy last defense and descend!" chanted Hurricane, before making a new card appear in-between the index and middle fingers of his right hand. He then held the card up and let loose a hot-blooded scream of... "Rank Up Xyz EVOLUTION! Appear! Rank 12 - 'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon'!"
The new 'Raidraptor' Monster was a gigantic fortress-like falcon with red armor and littered with cannons and other artillery (Rank: 12/ATK: 3800/DEF: 2800).
"Amazing! He was able to Xyz Summon a Rank 12 monster!" breathed Thomas, having never seen a Rank 12 monster before.
"Hurricane's pain is coming through." whispered Emily. "The feelings he's buried inside him for so long... This monster represents all of it."
Back in the duel field...
"The effect of 'Rank-Up Advantage'!" announced Hurricane, drawing a card. "When an Xyz Monster is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Rank-Up-Magic' Spell Card, I can draw one card."
His drawn card was the 'Adversity' Trap Card.
"And if you think you can use Monster Effects, Spells, or Traps to stop 'Final Fortress Falcon', you're wrong!"
"Say what?!" cried Diesel 10.
"'Final Fortress Falcon' is the final stronghold and the key to my victory! If this monster has a 'Raidraptor' Xyz Monster as Xyz Material, it is unaffected by other cards' effects." explained Hurricane. "This gives it complete protection from any and all of your Card Effects."
"Hey! That's not fair!" growled Diesel 10, though this was hypocritical coming from the likes of him. He then took a card from his hand. "Even then, I still can defend myself. After all, you've Special Summoned three monsters, am I correct?"
Hurricane raised an eyebrow, but not saying anything in response.
"Since you did-" As Diesel 10 spoke, he placed his card onto his Duel Disk (sideways). "-I'll Special Summon 'Trifortressops' in defense position!"
Appearing onto the field was a black, robotic Triceratops (Level: 6/ATK: 16/DEF: 2800).
"If Summoned this way, it is unaffected by other cards' effects, but loses 500 Defense Points during each player's Standby Phase."
"That won't stop me." said Hurricane in a low, threatening tone. He then entered the Battle Phase... "BATTLE!"
'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon' took to the sky and aimed all weaponry at 'Cracking Dragon', awaiting the attack name to be said/screamed...
"I use 'Final Fortress Falcon' to attack 'Cracking Dragon'!" Hurricane hollered. "ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT!"
A barrage of cannon fire was unleashed, striking all across Diesel 10's field and covering it with thick, heavy smoke. Within the smoke, Diesel 10 tried bracing himself from the force of the attack, but ultimately got thrown back violently. In addition, the face-up 'Rare Metalmorph' Trap Card shattered into shards of glass. When the smoke cleared, Diesel was shown lying on his stomach (LP: 400 - 100).
"I..." he struggled to speak, whilst trying to get back up. "I'm...not out."
"You should just stay down." warned Hurricane. "While 'Final Fortress Falcon' has attacked, my Battle Phase involving it has not ended yet."
Diesel 10 looked up; a look of shock appearing on his face.
"Up to twice per turn, when this attacking monster destroys a monster by battle, I can remove one 'Raidraptor' Xyz Monster from my Graveyard; 'Final Fortress Falcon' can attack again in a row."
Thomas and Emily were both surprised (in a good way, thankfully). Meanwhile, a card ('Raidraptor - Rise Falcon') ejected from Hurricane's Graveyard, which faded away into oblivion.
"This is where it all ends." declared Hurricane, readying to attack once again. "'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon', attack 'Trifortressops'!"
'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon' obeyed, unleashing more cannon fire upon the opposition and clouding the field again. When the smoke cleared, 'Trifortressops' was shown to be gone.
"The final blow!" shouted Hurricane, as another card ('Raidraptor - Stranger Falcon') emerged from his Graveyard and faded away. "By removing 'Stranger Falcon', I'll get to attack one last time!" He gave the command... "'Final Fortress Falcon', attack the enemy player directly! ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENT!"
'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon' fired an enormous barrage of explosives right at Diesel 10. It looked like it was all over for the ochre-haired man. As expected, explosions clouded his side of the field, leaving behind a thick blanket of smoke behind.
"I win." whispered Hurricane, watching as nothing but smoke remained on Diesel 10's field.
All was quiet on the field. Thomas and Emily, meanwhile, both knew that their new friend had won the duel. Hurricane, meanwhile, turned and started to walk away with a pleased smirk on his face. All of a sudden, there was the sound of sinister chuckling...
"Huh?" gasped Hurricane, no longer smiling.
"Who says...I'm defeated?" The voice of Diesel 10 echoed. "In fact, I'm far...from done dueling with you..."
When the smoke cleared away, a monster called 'Swift Scarecrow' was shown protecting a evilly smiling Diesel 10, with his Life Points remaining untouched (LP: 100).
"What?!" cringed Hurricane.
"No way!" put in Emily.
"Impossible!" finished Thomas.
Diesel 10 burst into maddening laughter. "When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack, I can discard this Monster Card, 'Swift Scarecrow'; your attack is negated, and the Battle Phase comes to an end."
"It can't be..." whispered Hurricane, looking at the palm of his right hand. "I had this duel...won!"
'Swift Scarecrow' then shattered into shards of glass. With the audience...
"Hurricane..." whispered Emily.
"Diesel 10 stopped his direct attack!" complained Thomas, before delivering some good news at the very least about 'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon'... "But, as long as 'Final Fortress Falcon' keeps its Overlay Unit, it's immune to all other Card Effects, meaning Diesel 10 can only destroy it by battle, even then he would have to Summon something with an Attack Power of at least 3800 to do so, and Hurricane is an extremely difficult opponent to just foolishly attack."
Back in the duel field...
"My Battle Phase may have come to a forceful close, but my turn's not over." insisted Hurricane, before holding his right hand out. "I activate 'Final Fortress Falcon's' Monster Effect! Once per turn, I can detach one material from this monster and return all of my removed 'Raidraptor' Monsters to my Graveyard."
"What?!" gasped Diesel 10. "You're removing your monster's only Overlay Unit?!"
"I just said that." Hurricane pointed out, as several banished cards materialized into his Graveyard. "But, don't think that was a bad move on my part; because 'Final Fortress Falcon' will be getting an Overlay Unit back."
The face-up 'Xyz Override' Spell Card started to activate.
"I activate the effect of my Field Spell - 'Xyz Override'!" continued Hurricane, allowing a card in his hand ('Overlay Armor') to fade away into oblivion. "If an Xyz Monster on the field would activate its effect by detaching its own Xyz Material(s), its controller can Banish one card from their hand facedown instead of detaching one of those Xyz Materials."
As expected, the Overlay Unit reappeared around 'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon'. From there, Hurricane took the remaining two cards from his hand and slotted them into his Duel Disk, causing two facedown cards to materialize on the field.
"Finally, I'll set two cards and end my turn!" finished Hurricane. "Now, come! Diesel 10! Come and fight me, if you dare!"
"Oh? You 'dare' me, you say?" smirked Diesel 10, clearly pleased, drawing one card. "Well, I believe you'll regret uttering those words when I'm through with you."
Turn Five: Diesel 10 (LP: 100)
Deck: 41
Current Hand (7): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Red Reboot"
His drawn card was a Trap Card called 'Red Reboot'. Adding the card into his hand, Diesel 10 picked another card to play.
"As you control an Xyz Monster-" The ochre-haired man went on, holding the card out. "-I'll Special Summon a second copy of 'Starship Spy Plane'!"
Another 'Starship Spy Plane' appeared on the field (Level: 4/ATK: 1100/DEF: 500).
"And guess what? My monster's effect activates!" laughed Diesel 10, pointing at his opponent's field. "When this monster is Special Summoned from the hand, I can target one Spell or Trap Card my opponent controls and return that target to the hand. I choose the card on the right!"
The facedown card on the right faded away, while a card ('Adversity') reappeared in Hurricane's hand. From there, Diesel 10 took another card from his hand and held it out...
"From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Monster Reborn'!" continued Diesel 10. "I Special Summon 'Cracking Dragon' from my Graveyard!"
"Hold it!" interrupted Hurricane, as his remaining set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "Counter Trap - 'Raptor's Storm', activate! When my opponent activates a Spell or Trap Card while I control a 'Raidraptor' Monster, I can negate the activation of your card, and, if I do this, destroy it."
"Idiot!" insulted Diesel 10, causing Hurricane to stop. "Unlike before, I'm fully prepared for your counterattack." He then took a card from his hand and held it out. "Counter Trap - 'Red Reboot'! I can activate this from my hand by depleting half of my Life Points." His Life Points took a hit (LP: 100 - 50). "Now, when my opponent activates a Trap Card, I can negate the activation, and then, if I do this, set that card facedown, then they can set one Trap Card directly from their Deck. For the rest of this turn after this card resolves, my opponent can't activate Trap Cards."
"Damn!" grunted Hurricane, adding a card into his hand. "I'll set this Trap Card."
A facedown card materialized on the field, followed by the face-up 'Raptor's Storm' Trap Card fading away and reappearing as a facedown card.
"Now, where were we? Oh yes!" joked Diesel 10. "I Special Summon 'Cracking Dragon'!"
'Cracking Dragon' reappeared on the field (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 0).
"Why is he building his field?" wondered Thomas. "None of his monsters have the power to fight 'Final Fortress Falcon'!"
"I'm not done." cut in Diesel 10, taking and holding a card out. "Spell Card - 'Iron Call'! If I control a Machine-Type monster, I can target one Level 4 or lower Machine-Type monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon that target. Its effects are negated. I must also destroy it during the End Phase."
Within seconds, one of Diesel 10's 'Hack Worms' returned to the fiend (Level: 1/ATK: 400/DEF: 0).
"It's done." whispered Diesel 10. "I have three monsters."
There was a long silence in the whole area. Diesel 10, selecting another card from his hand, showed off a nightmare face of his own. Whatever card he was going to play next, it was likely going to be bad.
(elsewhere...)
In another part of Boxford Corp HQ, Gordon, Mr. Gresley (Boxford), and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) each were running towards a pair of large doors.
"This is it!" announced Mrs. Gresley (Boxford). "The Duel Ring Server!"
"Now let's shut down Frankie's Project once and for all." said Gordon.
Quickly taking out a card from his coat pocket, Mr. Gresley (Boxford) inserted the card into a slot, then pressed a few buttons, causing the red light to turn green and open the doors leading into the room.
"Alright!" whooped Gordon, running inside.
Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) both ran into the room.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the room, Mr. Gresley (Boxford) shut the electronic doors.
"Phew..." panted Gordon. "We finally made it..." He then looked up at a large machine. "So this is the Duel Ring Server, huh?"
"Master Jim! Mistress Leslie!" The voice of several suits called out.
Several suits ran over to greet their bosses and even Gordon.
"You're here!" The lead suit proclaimed. "Thank goodness!"
"Roland!" smiled Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"You're all safe!" added Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
The lead suit, Roland, who served the Boxford family as a right-hand man and business adviser, nodded in agreement. Gordon, meanwhile, started to feel a draft of a sorts.
"Brrr!" The tall, blue-haired boy shivered. "Hey... Is it just me, or is it freezing in here? My breath is really fogging up."
"Wait! Where's all this heat coming from?!" exclaimed Mr. Gresley (Boxford), looking over a nearby console.
"Um, no, Uncle Jim... It's cold, not hot." corrected Gordon.
Just then, an alarm started blaring from the main machine (Duel Ring Server), catching the attention.
"The Duel Ring Server is giving off an abnormal amount of heat!" A scientist panicked, typing away on a nearby console. "The cooling system can't keep up!"
"That's...bad, isn't it?" gulped Gordon.
"Any more of this and it'll overheat!" realized Mr. Gresley (Boxford). "Grr! What did they do with the Duel Ring Server?!"
"Those pirates input data for some new cards..." A second scientist explained. "...and the Server has been using all its processing power to perform strange calculations ever since."
"That's not all." A third scientist spoke up. "Since Master Spencer went up to duel at the Apex Arena, it's gotten even worse!"
"What?! Spencer's dueling?" gasped Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"Don't tell us... he's dueling with Frankie?" added Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"What was that?! Spencer and Frankie are dueling?!" questioned Gordon.
Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) approached another monitor. "I'll set up a video link with the arena right now!"
With a few button presses on the keyboard, the female Co-President managed to establish a link with the Apex Arena on the top of Boxford Corp. The first thing everyone in the chamber saw was a large containment tube with Skiff trapped inside.
"Skiff!" realized Gordon. "If he's there, where's Spencer?"
"Hold on, what's that... that black monster?" wondered Roland, approaching his bosses.
It was then, the two Co-Presidents of Boxford Corp put two-and-two together...
"SPENCER!" Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) both screamed.
(elsewhere...)
Back outside atop the Apex Arena, 'The Wicked Avatar' winded up and threw a punch, striking and shattering 'Keeper of the Shrine' into shards of glass upon contact. Before Spencer knew what was happening, the fist finally connected with him.
"RRRRRAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!" The silver-haired young man roared in absolute agony (LP: 199 - 0).
Driote, meanwhile, howled with absolute laughter over the pain and suffering she was inflicting. Discord and Skiff, meanwhile, were both watching the whole scene in absolute terror while knowing there wasn't anything they could do to put a stop to it. At long last, Spencer fell to the ground facedown.
DUEL RESULTS: Driote wins!
"I-Impossible!" groaned Spencer, slowly getting to his hands and knees. "Did I just lose to a psychopath like Driote...? It can't be..."
He then looked up at 'The Wicked Avatar' and 'The Wicked Dreadroot'.
"Those 'Wicked Gods' with their insane power... Was I beaten by them?"
'The Wicked Avatar' and 'The Wicked Dreadroot' both growled, watching as the lowly human tried getting back to his feet in defeat. As Spencer got back up, faded images of years ago were shown around him.
"Does this mean that this insane bitch will win my family's company...and use it for her own purposes?" Spencer thought to himself, before seeing something in-front of him. "Huh?"
Looking at his shadow, a black 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' started to emerge. Once fully formed, the shadowy 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' roared at Spencer. Terrified, the only thing Spencer could do about it was this...
"No... NOOOOOO!" he screamed like no other.
"Spencer-boy!" cried Discord.
"Big Brother!" screamed Skiff.
Once he managed to calm down a bit, Spencer held his left hand over his left eye. Driote, meanwhile, walked over to the silver-haired young man, laughing in delight.
"That's right!" cackled Driote. "Let your fears show the true side of you; a spineless rich boy who knows not of the real world." Her face then softened a little bit (although it remained very evil-looking). "Since my beloved Anakin was unable to reach me, I'm glad I got to duel you, Spencer Gresley. You were the only other person who was able to entertain me so much! Not even my favorite slut and sexiest 'friend', Anastasia, was able to provide me with so much excitement."
Spencer finally looked up at Driote in absolute anger and hatred.
"The only reason you won-" The silver-haired young man hissed, clenching his right hand into a fist. "-is because you cheated. I would have won if you-"
He cut himself off when he saw 'The Wicked Avatar' (in its black sun form) hovering above the 'Artist of Insanity' herself.
"Now then, there's a matter of poor Skiff." chuckled Driote, turning and looking at the containment tube. She took out her remote once again. "I think I'll kill him now for the giggles!"
"Let him go!" Spencer demanded, trying to get up with the pain forcing him to stay down.
Driote, meanwhile, deliberately ignored her enemy's demands and such, aiming the remote at the containment tube. However, before the button could be pressed, the Bio-Bands chose that moment to activate. Spencer and Driote, both glowing, screamed in extreme pain from the energy being drained from their bodies. Not only that, Driote, while screaming, accidentally hit the wrong button. The wrong button ended up opening the containment tube, releasing Skiff from his prison.
"Spencer!" he cried, running out of the tube.
Although both duelists remained conscious, they were on their hands and knees whilst huffing and puffing hard.
"I...didn't count on this...happening." wheezed Driote, realizing she should have killed Skiff when she had the chance to do it. Suddenly, she felt a familiar sting in her heart. "N-No...! Not now! Not when I finally gained all of my...power!"
Clutching the sides of her head, the blue/green-haired young woman stood up and started crying out in pain. Spencer, still badly weakened, looked up, wondering what was going on. Before long, pink energy surrounded Driote, causing her to look up into the sky and let out a long, agonized scream.
*BOOM!*
The energy exploded, causing Spencer, Skiff, and Discord each to brace themselves and look away. Soon, the bright light dimmed, and the energy died down. In the place of Driote was none other than...Frankie.
"You killed my parents, not me." Frankie whispered to herself (or Driote, we don't know), before changing the subject. "This is my only chance to act, and there isn't a lot of time before Driote tries to regain control of my body." She then looked up with a slightly insane-looking smile on her face (with the remains of her already shattered mind and sanity deteriorating bit-by-bit). "I'm not going to let that stupid doublecrosser have her way with MY project. I 'will' revive Uncle John, and I'll, ha ha ha, have the last laugh in the end!"
Frankie then looked at her Bio-Band, realizing something very important...
"I only need one final supply of energy. The light of his cards will become Uncle John's avatar and restore him to life. I just need my guinea pig of 'our' experiment to Summon the final 'Wicked God', and offer its energy to Uncle John's avatar!"
(elsewhere...)
Back within the hallway of one of the higher (but still lower) levels of Boxford Corp, there was a very nightmarish look on Diesel 10's face...
"I sacrifice all three of my monsters!" he announced, holding his card up.
Diesel 10's three monsters ('Hack Worm', 'Starship Spy Plane', and 'Cracking Dragon') faded away in streaks of blue. A beam of dark power then blazed out from behind the ochre-haired man, who was still holding his card up.
"Through the powers of darkness, the foolish opposers will be erased from existence!" chanted Diesel 10, before slamming his card onto a Monster Field slot on his crackling Duel Disk. "Show yourself - 'The Wicked Eraser'!"
As the dark beam finally died down, a sickly-looking serpentine draconian beast was shown to be on the field behind the laughing Diesel 10 (Level: 10/ATK: ?/DEF: ?).
"The...third 'Wicked God'!" realized Thomas.
"How did Diesel 10 get something like that?!" added Emily.
Over with Hurricane...
"Are you saying...Frankie gave you that second chance...to test the third 'Wicked God' out?!" The brown/red-haired boy questioned.
"'The Wicked Eraser'... The Attack Power and Defense Power of this monster both are equal to the number of cards my opponent controls times 1000." explained Diesel 10, before pointing forth. "Look at your field! You have five cards at the moment!"
Looking across his field, Hurricane knew that his opponent was right on the button.
"That's why you used 'Red Reboot'!" called Thomas.
"It let you make Hurricane set another card in order to make 'The Wicked Eraser' stronger!" added Emily.
'The Wicked Eraser' grew stronger (ATK: 0 - 5000/DEF: 0 - 5000).
"An Attack Power of...5000?!" cringed Hurricane.
"This is where it ends for you!" cackled Diesel 10, entering the Battle Phase. "'The Wicked Eraser', wipe the floor with 'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon'!"
'The Wicked Eraser' stood up, awaiting the attack name...
"DIGESTIVE BLAZE!"
'The Wicked Eraser' blasted out a stream of power from the massive beak atop its demonic second face, striking 'Raidraptor - Final Fortress Falcon'. The 'Raidraptor' Monster let out a final screech before finally exploding from its destruction.
(elsewhere...)
Outside the building, there was a glowing light coming from the various glass windows, followed by an earthquake-like shake up.
(elsewhere...)
Back inside the hallway, a screaming Hurricane was sent flying across the room until he slammed into the nearby railing. While the railing didn't break and result in him falling, the brown/red-haired boy's Life Points did not survive the attack (LP: 700 - 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Diesel 10 wins!
"Hurricane!" cried Thomas.
"He...lost!" put in Emily, who was equally horrified of the sight.
The two teenagers ran over to check on their new ally to see if he was hurt.
"Hurricane! Are you okay?!" pleaded Thomas.
Hurricane, badly injured from being slammed into the railings, weakly opened his eyes.
"This is all my fault..." The brown/red-haired boy murmured sadly, bleeding from some scratches on his face. "I should have stopped Frankie when she first began this project... However, because I felt so guilty for letting her down I did nothing to prevent it from happening, and now it's too late to turn back..."
Just then, Diesel 10 slowly approached the trio, grinning smugly.
"Hate to break it to ya, Hurricane, but 'I'm' the number one pirate of this here band!" he teased, before lunging forth and grabbed the Black Disk and forcefully pulled it off Hurricane's left arm. "Gimme that!"
Having his Duel Disk forcefully pulled off of him caused a great deal of agony to Hurricane's left arm, making him cry out in a mixture of surprise and pain. With the Black Disk now in his hands, Diesel 10 took Hurricane's Deck out, tossed it aside, and then inserted his own Deck in its place. He then took his old Duel Disk off, and put the Black Disk on.
"Haw haw haw haw! I always knew I was THE best duelist in town!" bragged Diesel 10, laughing. "This Black Disk is proof of it!"
Before anyone could say anything, the Bio-Bands activated, causing Diesel 10 and Hurricane to both scream as they were drained severely, but Diesel 10 managed to withstand it better than Hurricane was able to (since he had been in some big duels not long ago), giving the Energy Absorption Device the final supply of energy required to launch Rebirth of Avatar.
(elsewhere...)
Outside atop the Apex Arena, a massive explosion sounded at the top of the building, and Frankie was laughing madly over it.
"Spencer Gresley! Are you watching?!" she asked. "Do you hear that?! Can you feel it?! The beautiful burning of his soul!"
Spencer, without uttering a word edgewise, gritted his teeth while he remained on his hands and knees.
"The final dose of energy has been supplied. The Rebirth of Avatar Project can now be completed!" With that said, Frankie took a card ('The Wicked Avatar') and readied it before raising it high into the sky. "Right here, right now... I Summon thee! Rebirth of Avatar!"
As electricity cracked around 'The Wicked Avatar', various lightning bolts struck the center of the field. Discord, joined by Skiff, gazed up into the sky with worry.
"The duel's over, but..." began Discord.
"But what?" asked Skiff, clearly not liking the whole thing.
"The 'Avatar's' still there...?! Has Rebirth of Avatar started?!"
(elsewhere...)
Back within the Duel Ring Server, something was happening to the machine. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), meanwhile, had witnessed their eldest son losing the duel.
"NO!" screamed Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"SPENCER!" added Mr. Gresley (Boxford), before slamming his fists onto the console in a fit of frustration.
"The Duel Ring Server's howling..." One suit mentioned.
"That girl Frankie must have started something!" added another suit.
"Wait, what about Thomas and Emily?" Gordon spoke up. "Where the heck are they?! Did they actually lose or something?" He looked to his Aunt and Uncle. "Aunt Leslie and Uncle Jim, you both must find Thomas and Emily, please!"
And so, both Mr. and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) got to work searching for Thomas and Emily.
(elsewhere...)
Back in the hallway of the upper level, Diesel 10, looking as creepy as ever before, admired his new Black Disk before looking back at Thomas.
"Thomas, the time has finally come for me to enact my revenge on the boy I hate most in the whole world." As the ochre-haired man spoke, he pointed forth at his most hated enemy with his good hand. "I challenge you to a duel to the death... Come and face me!"
Before Thomas could reply...
"Thomas?! Emily?! Where are you guys?!" The voice of Gordon echoed. "Please answer if you can hear my voice!"
"That was Gordon!" cried Emily.
"Gordon?!" realized Thomas, seeing a nearby video screen. He ran towards it. "It's coming from that!"
Diesel 10 seethed with rage. "Don't ignore me, you coward!" he shouted, taking a gun out of his pocket and pointing it right at Thomas. "Get back here and face me, or else I'll blow a hole between your Goddamn eyes! I mean-AAAAAAAAHHHH!"
Diesel 10 never got any further, as he found himself dropping his gun and collapsing to his knees while clutching his aching groin, since Emily had gone and delivered a well-deserved, and long overdue might I add, kick to where it truly hurts. Combined with the energy drain, Diesel 10 then fell into the fetal position from the pain.
"Nobody threatens my Tommy and gets away with it!" snapped Emily, just before kicking the gun away from Diesel 10 so that he couldn't pick it up. In her mind... "You know? I actually enjoyed doing that."
While that was going on, Thomas had reached the video screen and started speaking into it...
"Gordon! It's you!" The blue-haired boy was saying. "It's Diesel 10! He's-"
"No time to deal with that scumbag!" The image of Gordon pointed out. "Driote is starting her project! She beat Spencer! Things aren't looking so good as a result...!"
Thomas was surprised. "Even Spencer lost...?"
(elsewhere...)
Inside the Duel Ring Server, Gordon shook his head (meaning that, yes, Spencer lost). Meanwhile, a team of scientists were working to regain control of the whole building.
"We've nearly recovered full control of the skyscraper." The first scientist reported.
"However... the Duel Ringer Server won't accept Master Jim or Mistress Leslie's control codes!" The second scientist added.
"Blast it..." groaned Mr. Gresley (Boxford), clearly frustrated.
"Master Jim, the data of certain cards in the Duel Ring Server is being downloaded to one place, including a card called 'Five-Headed Dragon'." A third scientist declared, noticing something on one screen.
"'Five-Headed Dragon'?" asked Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"Wait a moment!" interrupted Gordon. "Those cards, without a shadow of a doubt, must be the ones that are in Sailor John's Deck! It's exactly as Hurricane had said earlier!"
"Gordon..." whispered Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), approaching her nephew and looking at a small screen. "Here! I found where it is - the Energy Absorption Device, which is on the floor above where the two dears are."
Gordon nodded. "Thomas, Emily, we'll focus on stopping the Project from the control room." he was saying to the image of Thomas. "If we can regain control of the Duel Ring Server, then we can put a stop to the R.A. Project."
(elsewhere...)
Back on the upper floor...
"You two should hurry on to the rooftop." The image of Gordon went on. "We have released the locks on every door in the building, meaning you no longer need to worry about Card Keys, and Thomas..." He turned his attention specifically to Thomas. "...there isn't a moment to waste - get up there, and put a stop to that psycho!"
"Consider it done." Thomas accepted eagerly.
"T-Thomas... you can't defeat...Driote a-alone!" protested Hurricane, reaching out with his right hand. "You'll need some help in...the fight!'
"Hurricane, I 'do' have help." reminded Thomas, holding up his Deck. "As long as I have the support from the friends in my Deck, I'm confident I can win."
Hurricane became silent from hearing that. From there, the video screen turned itself off. However, there was a small problem... Diesel 10, that is. Fortunately, Emily already had a solution to that problem...
"Thomas, you go on ahead." she suggested. "I'll stay behind and face Diesel 10."
Thomas, without uttering a word, seemed to hesitate. He remembered that his lover was almost killed by one of the three 'Wicked Gods' not too long ago. He did not want that to happen again. Emily, seeing the scared hesitation, immediately pulled Thomas in for a deep, passionate kiss. Once it ended...
"Tommy, I promise you I'll be okay." The dark green-haired girl encouraged. "We 'will' see each other again when it's all over. I also know you'll be okay against our greatest enemy." She then winked. "After all, you've beaten her once before, so you can likely do it again."
After hesitating, Thomas finally nodded and started to approach the nearby elevator. Just then, after entering it and before the doors could close...
"Wait, Thomas!" Emily called out, running over with a card in her right hand. "Take this card with you!"
She handed the card to Thomas, who looked it over. It was a Monster Card called 'Twilight Winged Soul'(!).
"'Twilight Winged Soul'." Thomas whispered. "Emily, why would you give me this card?"
Emily never answered the question; she instead turned and went to confront Diesel 10, resulting in the elevator doors closing. Nearby, Hurricane had been watching the whole scene without uttering a word regarding it. Diesel 10, however, was far from pleased about Thomas leaving before they could duel.
"Come back here, Thomas! THOMAS!" roared Diesel 10 in pure hatred. When his greatest enemy disappeared into the elevator, he turned his attention to Emily. "In that case, because of that cheap stunt you pulled on me, I'll gladly take my revenge by instead killing you; the so-called 'perfect' girlfriend of Thomas Billinton's! Now, I want you to come and face me, you *$%#!"
Despite being called THE worst swear word in history, Emily instead got into a dueling stance without uttering a word back.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the elevator, Thomas was looking at his Deck again.
"I know how dangerous Driote truly is, and she's gotten even stronger than before." he thought to himself. "Will Anakin's power alone be enough to win this time, or will I need more power to succeed...?"
The blue-haired boy then looked down at his Millennium Puzzle, a power he had long since neglected. The last time he used its power was to deliver a Mind Crush to Vinnie Montreal (who was currently in prison once again). After that, Thomas had mostly relied on the power of the 'Supreme King'. Soon, the elevator opened up, showing Thomas that he was on the next floor.
"Here I come, Driote!" Thomas announced, running out of the elevator.
(elsewhere...)
Within the hallway, Thomas was running as fast as he could. However, he encountered trouble in the form of four pirates.
"You wanna get by? Then duel us!" One pirate threatened.
Rather than stop and duel the pirates futility, Thomas instead drew a card with a dangerous look in his eyes. If there was one thing he did not have, it was time.
"Get out of my way!" Thomas shouted, holding the card up. "THUNDER FORCE!"
As the Millennium Eye symbol glowed on Thomas's forehead, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' appeared in the sky and fired a powerful blast of electricity at the pirates. Usually, they would have brushed it off as a hologram. However, thanks to Thomas's Millennium Puzzle, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon's' power became real. As a result, the attack vaporized the screaming pirates on contact, meaning Thomas had KILLED them. Did he show remorse or hesitation for doing the deed? Not this time.
(elsewhere...)
Back outside atop the Apex Arena, Frankie was, again, laughing madly over what was going on.
"This is it!" she cried. "My moment of glory! The resurrection has begun!"
Spencer was still on his knees, and Skiff and Discord both could only watch in shock as the power stream passed into the Energy Absorption Device (inside the building).
"Do you see? Do you hear? Spencer Gresley!" boomed Frankie. "Each card contains a piece of its creator's soul... and now those pieces are shimmering with the power of the duels! Right now, the Duel Ring Server is analyzing the data of every card in John's Deck and distilling that power..."
(elsewhere...)
Inside the Duel Ring Server chamber, the big machine was reacting to the effect of the R.A. Project.
"...pouring it into the Energy Absorption Device..." The voice of Frankie narrated.
(elsewhere...)
Back outside atop the Apex Arena...
"...and the 'Wicked God' is combining that power and the absorbed energy from the Bio-Bands to create a new organic human body." Frankie went on, slowly growing madder and madder. "Right now, the soul is in chaos! But when it enters the human body, it will regain consciousness and come to life!" She finally held up a card bearing the image of Sailor John. "This card will be the trigger to bring my Uncle back to life! Behold Spencer, and everyone else watching! Behold the culmination of the R.A. Project!" The blue/green-haired girl placed the card onto a Monster Field slot on her Duel Disk. "I Summon the late John Clarke!"
The whole Duel Disk flared with electricity. 'The Wicked Avatar' sent out a wave of power.
"What's going on?" wondered Discord.
On the platform, Spencer kept his head down without uttering a word. 'The Wicked Avatar' began to swirl, and Frankie gasped happily as black smoke began to fork out from 'The Wicked Avatar', forming the body of the late Sailor John. But there was a small problem; it was only with part of his head left to form. Not only that, 'The Wicked Avatar' suddenly began to vanish.
"'The Wicked Avatar'...is vanishing..." whispered Frankie.
"What's going on?" wondered Skiff. "It's like he's frozen in the middle of the Summoning...!"
"U-Uncle John?!" stuttered Frankie, before turning towards Spencer. "What-?"
"..." mumbled Spencer. "..."
Frantically, Frankie grabbed Spencer by the coat lapels, pulling him close to her mad, enraged face.
"Spencer!" The blue/green-haired girl freaked out. "You said something! I heard you! What did you say?! WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!"
Just then, a female voice (with a British accent) was heard coming from lapel radio...
"We did it, Spencer..." The voice of Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) echoed in triumph. "...Duel Ring Server stopped!"
Spencer, with his head still down, then chuckled to himself.
"You may have created that weird program..." The silver-haired young man was saying, before raising his head with an evil-looking smile on his face. "...but I just put an end to it!"
"You... How?!" A horrified Frankie protested, growing more and more uncontrolled. "Once the program was activated, no one should have been able to stop it from outside!"
Just then, to Frankie's greater horror, the Bio-Bands on her's and Spencer's wrists started cracking and breaking apart.
"No! No!" she screamed. "What's happening to the Bio-Bands?!"
(elsewhere...)
Inside one of the hallways, Thomas was still running when he felt something on his wrist breaking part.
"Huh?" Thomas gasped, seeing his Bio-Band breaking into pieces. "My Bio-Band... It's-!"
(elsewhere...)
Within one of the other hallways, both Emily and Diesel 10 felt their Bio-Bands breaking apart.
"Our Bio-Bands!" realized Emily. "They're...destroyed!"
"Good riddance to these pieces of crap!" huffed Diesel 10, relieved. "Now I can duel you with my full power!"
Emily again stood ready. "I'm not afraid of you!"
(elsewhere...)
Within one of the lower levels, Ace, having finished fighting more pirates, was leaning forth and trying to catch his breath when he felt his Bio-Band breaking apart. Whatever the case, the blonde-haired young man said nothing about it.
(elsewhere...)
Inside Rosie's hospital room, the group witnessed the Bio-Bands on the wrists of Percy, Mavis, Edward, James, Stanley, and Rosie breaking apart. Like Ace, however, they were silent on the matter. Of course, I could be wrong...
"Hey! These things are gone!" cheered James. "We're free!"
(elsewhere...)
Back atop the Apex Arena, Frankie was even more enraged, horrified, and confused with what's been going on.
"I don't know who it is..." continued Spencer arrogantly. "...but someone is still fighting in this building. I sent a program stop order into the Duel Ring Server, piggybacking it on the monster data from that duel!" He then seemed to laugh evilly. "That program stop order 'virus' seems to have affected your precious 'Wicked God' Cards and the Energy Absorption Device as well, which must have also deactivated all of the Bio-Bands..."
What neither of them knew was that the monster data Spencer was able to use to his advantage was Thomas Summoning 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' to deal with the pirates in his path. Either way, his 'The Reason You Suck Speech' was enough to push Frankie over the edge...
"You lousy Mother-!" Frankie snarled, shoving Spencer off the Apex Arena without the need of finishing her sentence (thankfully).
Fortunately, Discord and Skiff both were able to catch the silver-haired young man's body. On the platform, Frankie turned back towards Sailor John in horror and sadness.
"Uncle John... please open your eyes..." she begged. "Please... look at me..."
The image did turn and look at her niece. However, what Frankie did not know was that this image of Sailor John was what he looked and acted like 'before' his discovery of the ruins and carvings, meaning he hadn't gone mad with the want of power. The image of Sailor John frowned in disappointment at what Frankie had been doing.
"I'm so disappointed in you, Frankie." The 'dead' man was saying, with static in his speech, filled with nothing but contempt in his tone. "You've been killing and hurting so many people. Even your own parents... You are better than this."
"U-Uncle...!" Frankie shook hard, reaching out to her beloved Uncle. "Please...!"
But the damage, I'm afraid, was already done, and the image of the late Sailor John burst and faded away. Having lost her Uncle yet again, Frankie could only let out a horrified scream over it.
"Both Sailor John and 'The Wicked Avatar' disappeared..." whispered Discord.
"Guess that means the R.A. Project is a failure..." added Skiff.
On the other hand, Spencer silently smirked with triumph, having gotten the last laugh. On the platform, Frankie sunk to her knees as everything (especially reality) started hitting her like a bull in a China Shop. Nearby, the elevator doors opened, revealing three familiar faces...
"We're here!" The voice of Commander Laura whispered.
"Come on!" added the voice of Commander Leon.
"She won't get away this time!" The voice of Commander Sledge finished.
The three (ex)-pirate commanders emerged, causing Skiff and Discord to both turn and see them.
"Hey!" cried Discord.
"You three!" put in Skiff.
"Relax, Skiff... Our beef is with the 'captain' up there!" reassured Commander Leon. "You will be spared of our wrath."
With that said, the three (ex)-pirate commanders climbed the platform until they were facing the unresponsive Frankie.
"What's the matter, 'captain'? Was your project a big failure?" taunted Commander Laura.
"Well good, because we're ready to get our revenge upon you!" added Commander Leon.
"Without the Bio-Bands, Sledge and his comrades have nothing to worry about!" grinned Commander Sledge, cracking his knuckles. "Sledge is ready to duel and win!"
But Frankie didn't seem to even hear or realize that the commanders were standing there, as if she were in a deep trance. Currently, the blue/green-haired girl was thinking about all of the horrible things she had done in her mad quest to revive Sailor John and get revenge upon Thomas...
"Mom, Dad, and Uncle John...were right." Frankie mumbled, as faded images of her actions leading up until now were shown around her. "I've been kidnapping and torturing so many innocent people, just so that I could fulfill my selfish desires to resurrect my dead Uncle." Images of Driote murdering her Mom and Dad were then shown. "In a way, I also ended up being responsible for the deaths of Mom and Dad..."
Her eyes became dull and empty, her breath was shallow, she was shaking like a leaf, she felt very sick (not only with remorse, but also in the stomach)...
"My entire plan was to bring one family member back from the dead." As the blue/green-haired girl mumbled on, she looked at the palms of her shaking hands. "Yet in trying to do so, I ironically killed my whole family with my own hands...while my attempt at bringing Uncle John back ended up being a complete failure. My parents died all for NOTHING, and it's all my fault..."
"What are you babbling on about?!" demanded Commander Sledge.
The (ex)-pirate commander's words were ignored...
"What have I done? What have I done?!" Frankie, slowly raising her voice, was saying repeatedly, as everything came crashing down upon her. "WHAT HAVE I DONE?!" Suffering from a mental breakdown and falling into complete insanity, she then turned her rage towards...herself. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU TOOK EVERYTHING FROM ME! YOU RUINED MY LIFE!"
Commander Laura blinked. "What's...going on?"
"Who is she talking to?" asked Commander Leon.
"Hey! Look at the girl!" warned Commander Sledge, pointing forth in surprise.
A familiar pink energy started surrounding the now insane, raging Frankie, who was doing nothing but screaming and threatening whatever it was that was around her.
"GET OUT!" she was shrieking. "GET OUT OF ME!"
Unknowingly, Frankie's anger, hatred, sadness, and despair only caused the spirit of Driote deep inside her heart and soul to grow even more powerful. Soon, the pink energy around her exploded once again as she kept screaming and raging, causing everyone in the area to brace themselves and cover their eyes. When the light and energy died down, Commander Leon, Commander Laura, and Commander Sledge each got a good look at what happened to 'Frankie'.
"Hey! What's-?" demanded Commander Laura. "Hey, kid! What's going on?"
With her head down, 'Frankie' started snickering to herself, which grew louder and louder. Upon raising her head and revealing the terrifying nightmare face, the snickering had became absolutely insane laughter.
"A kid, am I? Oh no, that simply won't do." 'Frankie' dismissed, just before revealing her true identity to those who didn't know. "And don't bother calling me Frankie, because she's completely eliminated! Now, there's only Driote... entirely just Driote! Frankie, as you can tell, is now nonexistent!"
"What the hell?!" gasped Commander Sledge.
"My own plans for the R.A. Project may have been cut short, but thanks to poor Frankie, I don't even need those plans anymore since I finally have complete control of that stupid girl's body! She can't see anybody... she can't reach anybody... she can't hear anybody... and she can never come back! In fact, all she can do now is just sit in the cold, empty darkness while I roam freely once more!"
Below the platform...
"Frankie's gone?" whispered Discord. "That can't be possible!"
Back on the platform, Driote finally eyed her three (ex)-pirate commanders...
"Well now, I have to deal with the likes of you three, eh?" she teased.
"We can totally take you on!" insisted Commander Laura, as she and her two best friends stood ready for a duel.
Driote snorted. "You wish... As of now, you three have long since outlived your purpose while serving that pitiful girl." The blue/green-haired young woman pointed out. "You three can take a long trip..." She thrust both hands forth. "...off the tower!"
With that said, Driote sent out a powerful blast of darkness from her very being, which hit Commander Leon, Commander Sledge, and Commander Laura. The force of the attack was so strong that it, in slow motion, sent the three (ex)-pirate commanders off the platform and over the edge of the very big building. Spencer, Skiff, and Discord each slowly watched in silent horror as Commander Leon, Commander Sledge, and Commander Laura each fell towards the street below, screaming to their deaths. Soon, movement speed returned to normal...
"No way..." peeped Skiff.
"Even they're..." put in Spencer, who didn't even bother finishing his sentence.
Meanwhile, a certain someone showed no regret for the killing...
"The fools knew not whom they were dealing with." Driote cackled towards the audience (Spencer, Skiff, and Discord), ecstatic about committing yet another beautiful (in her own words) murder. She then looked at the palms of her opened hands. "Oh, killing people so needlessly! How I love it! Now all I need is for the arrival of my 'beloved' Anakin!" The blue/green-haired young woman then clenched both hands into fists. "And then, once he's gone, my artist reign and rule will rise again! No one will be able stop me! NO ONE!"
And so, the 'Artist of Insanity' laughed and laughed into the night sky as thunder and lightning rumbled about, signaling an incoming storm. It was very clear; Anakin's final encounter with 'Queen' Driote was soon going to happen, and it was not going to be a pretty encounter...