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 within one of the higher levels of Boxford Corporation, Emily was facing Diesel 10. Hurricane, meanwhile, was resting over at a nearby corner.
"Do you know how long I've been waiting for this?" Diesel 10 was asking. "Forever! If Marik didn't intervened that one time, I would have succeeded in my goal!" He then chuckled madly. "That's the thing about grudges. For someone who's got nothing left to live for... someone like me, grudges give me a reason to live! You see, it wasn't easy for me to get a second chance from the 'captain' to destroy Thomas. The only reason I could, was because Frankie, or rather Driote, could sense how powerful my hatred and lust for revenge against Thomas was... She sympathized with me!"
"Diesel 10, what you're telling me is a load of malarkey!" snapped Emily, knowing that Driote would never be sympathetic towards anybody except for the most loyal of her subjects. "You claim that Driote sympathized with you over the want of revenge? Give me a break! Driote is only using you as a test subject for her schemes, and one test subject that she will most certainly toss to the side when it's all over!"
Diesel 10 raised an eyebrow, not saying anything back. This allowed Emily to continue...
"You're only part of the band because Frankie and the commanders were starved for information about Sailor John. They were naive enough, desperate enough, and stupid enough to believe anything you or your pal Boomer told them, even though you knew nothing about Sailor John in the first place. When you told them that John was killed by Thomas, he, myself, and our friends were going to be short-listed as sacrifices for the R.A. Project, just so you could have a shot of revenge against Thomas!"
"Oh, wow! I honestly couldn't have put it better myself!" laughed Diesel 10, just before giving Emily a quick look over. "It would seem the rumors I've heard from the 'captain' were true!" He then pointed at his enemy, but mainly at her chest. "You do have the big brains to match your big bust!"
Emily, feeling deeply uncomfortable, blushed out of anger over that extremely unnecessary and perverted comment by the older Diesel 10, causing the ochre-haired man to simply laugh even more.
"Oh, what's the matter? You don't like having a sexy body? You hate your 'gorgeous curves'?"
"Just stop it!" hissed Emily. "So long as you're still around, I have much bigger problems to worry about than worrying about your insults!"
"What? Did you say 'bigger'?" taunted Diesel 10, deliberately mistaking the serious line from Emily for yet another sexual joke. "Oh, ha ha ha, you just made a joke about yourself - namely your figure!"
"That tears it!" Emily shouted, clearly fed up with the sexual insults. "I will show you no mercy!"
"That, I doubt. Because with 'The Wicked Eraser' in my possession, NOTHING and NOBODY will stop me."
Emily responded by activating her Duel Disk. Since Diesel 10's Duel Disk was still active due the fact so little time had passed since his duel with Hurricane ended, he didn't need to do anything of the sort as a result.
"Are you ready, Diesel 10?!" demanded Emily (LP: 4000).
"No need to say that, Ms. Bossy Pants!" retorted Diesel 10 (LP: 4000). "I'm always ready - ready to win, that is!"
And so, after both players drew five cards respective, the match finally commenced...
Title: No Cure for the Foolish
"DUEL!" Emily and Diesel 10 announced at once.
Nearby in a corner, Hurricane, having been set there by Emily earlier, weakly tried to watch the duel, hoping that Emily would be able to win so that she and him could go and help Thomas fight against Frankie (or rather Driote).
Turn One: Diesel 10 (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Cracking Dragon", "Puzzle Reborn", "Gearspring Spirit", "Dragonoid Generator", "Swift Scarecrow", and "The Wicked Eraser"
"If it's alright, I'll take the first turn." offered Diesel 10, adding the drawn card into his hand. "Hmm... I like this one."
Emily frowned. "Did he get it already?" she thought to herself. "Or did he instead..."
"Alright, I've decided on my first card!" declared Diesel 10, taking a card from his hand. "First, I'll pay 1000 Life Points..." He took a Life Point hit (LP: 4000 - 3000), before holding his card out. "...in order to activate a Continuous Spell - 'Dragonoid Generator'!"
The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"During my Main Phase, up to twice per turn, I can Special Summon one 'Dragonoid Token' in attack position, and I can't Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn, also during the End Phase my opponent Special Summons one 'Dragonoid Token' to their field in attack position even if this card leaves the field."
"Knowing you, you're going to use your card's effect immediately." figured Emily.
"Once again, you've got the brains to match your beauty!" teased Diesel 10, before holding his good hand out. "I Special Summon two copies of 'Dragonoid Token'!"
Appearing onto the field were two dragon-like creatures (Level: 1/ATK: 300/DEF: 300) x2.
"I now have two monsters!" laughed Diesel 10. "You know what this means, right?"
"You'll end your turn?" deadpanned Emily, obviously knowing what was about to happen next.
"Wrong! I'm gonna sacrifice both of my monsters!"
Both 'Dragonoid Tokens' faded away in streaks of blue, just as Diesel 10 took another card from his hand and held it up.
"I Tribute Summon 'Cracking Dragon'!" he boomed.
Appearing onto the field was the familiar, and powerful, enormous black mecha-like dragon with cyan-colored stripes and yellow spikes (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 0).
"'Cracking Dragon'..." Emily murmured.
"You remember this monster, don't you?" joked Diesel 10. "You and Thomas both saw it when I dueled with Hurricane."
Emily, so suddenly, managed a smile.
"You're right; we did." she confirmed. "However, I'm prepared to fight against it."
"So you say... As you can tell, 'Cracking Dragon' can't be destroyed by battle with a monster that has an equal or lower Level." reminded Diesel 10, before slotting a card into his Duel Disk. "Now, I'll set one card facedown and end my turn."
A facedown card materialized on the field.
"And now, you, Emily, will be allowed to Special Summon two 'Dragonoid Tokens', since I've Summoned two 'Dragonoid Tokens' this turn!"
Two 'Dragonoid Tokens' appeared on Emily's side of the field.
"And-" Diesel 10 went on. "-the main, terrifying effect of 'Cracking Dragon' activates! CRACK FALL!"
'Cracking Dragon' fired a blast at Emily's whole field.
"When my opponent Normal or Special Summons exactly one monster, and no other monsters are Summoned, while this monster 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 then, if I do this, inflict damage to my opponent equal to the Attack Points lost by this effect." explained Diesel 10. "Both your Tokens lose 200 Attack Points, and that combined will result in you taking 400 points of damage!"
The blast struck Emily's field, causing both 'Dragonoid Tokens' to grow weaker (ATK: 300 - 100), and Emily to cry out and brace herself from the force of the attack/effect (LP: 4000 - 3600).
"Already on my first turn you've taken damage!" Diesel 10 boasted. "Are you sure you can handle a strong, handsome man like myself?"
Emily drew a card without saying anything in response (as what she could have said might have been vulgar).
Turn Two: Emily Stirling (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Mirror Mail", "Wingweaver", "Fairy Dust", "Herald of Perfection", "Wingweaver Specter", and "Dawn of the Herald"
Almost immediately, the 'Dawn of the Herald' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"From my hand, I'll activate 'Dawn of the Herald'!" announced Emily. "This card is used to Ritual Summon 'Herald of Perfection'. I must Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equal exactly 6 or higher." She then held another card out. "For sacrifices, I'll send 'Wingweaver' from my hand to the Graveyard!"
The six-winged Fairy-Type monster briefly appeared before vanishing into streaks of light.
"Come forth - 'Herald of Perfection'!" commanded Emily, placing her card onto a Monster Field slot on her Duel Disk.
Appearing into the field was a conjoined pair of large, winged spheres shooting out multicolored beams (Level: 6/ATK: 1800/DEF: 2800)..
"As 'Herald of Perfection' was Ritual Summoned by 'Dawn of the Herald', the effect of 'Dawn of the Herald' activates!" As Emily spoke, she allowed a card ('Dawn of the Herald') to eject from her Graveyard and fade away into oblivion. "I can remove this card from my Graveyard, and then target one of the monsters in my Graveyard that was Tributed for that Ritual Summon and return that target into your hand."
The spirit of 'Wingweaver' briefly appeared on the field, before turning into card form and returning to Emily's hand.
"So, you have 'Wingweaver' back." grunted Diesel 10.
"I do." confirmed Emily.
Diesel 10 smirked. "Although that was a smart move, do you even remember 'Cracking Dragon'?" He then gave the command to his ace monster... "CRACK FALL!"
'Cracking Dragon' let loose another blast, striking Emily and her field. Diesel 10 chuckled wickedly from what just transpired. When the smoke cleared, not only was 'Herald of Perfection' shown to still be at full power (ATK: 1800), but Emily was also undamaged (LP: 3600).
"What?!" recoiled Diesel 10. "Why didn't you and your monster take the hit?!"
"You were so busy bragging, that you paid no attention to 'Herald of Perfection's' effect." scolded Emily, taking a card ('Wingweaver Spector') from her hand and discarding it. "During either player's turn, when my opponent activates a Spell Card, Trap Card, or Monster Effect, I can send one Fairy Monster Card from my hand to the Graveyard; I can negate the activation, and then, if I do this, destroy it."
'Herald of Perfection' then unleashed an attack of its own, striking 'Cracking Dragon' and causing it to explode due to destruction.
"Ngh... You're so lucky!" grumbled Diesel 10. "But not THAT lucky - unless I'm referring to you being blessed by puberty."
Emily scowled in response, watching as her opponent's set card then flipped face-up and revealed itself, causing her to become surprised at what it was.
"I activate a Trap Card - 'Puzzle Reborn'!" Diesel 10 went on. "If exactly one monster I control, and no other cards, is destroyed by a Card Effect, I can target that monster and Special Summon that target!"
As expected, 'Cracking Dragon' reappeared on the field like nothing had happened to it.
"I'll Special Summon a monster, too!" announced Emily, taking a card from her Graveyard and holding it out. "Appear - 'Wingweaver Spector'!"
Appearing onto the field was a ghostly version of a younger-looking 'Wingweaver' (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 2100).
"'Wingweaver Spector'?" quizzed Diesel 10.
"If this monster is sent to the Graveyard-" explained Emily. "-I can Special Summon it from there." She then smirked. "And since she has an Attack Power of zero, 'Cracking Dragon's' effect has no affect on her."
"You know, you could have done something else to take down 'Cracking Dragon'." Diesel 10 pointed out. "Had I activated 'Puzzle Reborn' at another time, you could have used 'Herald of Perfection's' effect to negate and destroy my Trap Card, thus preventing 'Cracking Dragon' from returning."
Emily kept smiling. "Oh really?" she quizzed. "What if I were to tell you that I have other ways of taking it down along WITH you?"
"Huh?" cringed Diesel 10.
"I sacrifice the two 'Dragonoid Tokens' you've given me!" continued Emily, as her two monsters faded away in streaks of blue. "With two sacrifices, I'll Tribute Summon 'Wingweaver'!"
Appearing on the field was the graceful 'Wingweaver' herself (Level: 7/ATK: 2750/DEF: 2400). However...
"CRACK FALL!" shouted Diesel 10, giving an order to his ace monster.
A blast from 'Cracking Dragon' was unleashed, causing another explosion on Emily's field. When the smoke cleared, 'Wingweaver had become weaker (ATK: 2750 - 1350), while Emily had taken more damage (LP: 3600 - 2200).
"Care to try something else?" teased Diesel 10.
"I will." accepted Emily, taking and holding a card out. "I activate a Spell Card - 'Fairy Dust'! I can target one monster I control; until the end of this turn, its Monster Type becomes Fairy, and its Level increases by one."
"Both your monsters are already Fairies." frowned Diesel 10. "However, you can still increase one of their Levels."
As expected, the monster chosen was 'Herald of Perfection', causing its Level to increase from six to seven (Level: 6 - 7).
"The time has come for the 'Supreme Queen' to show herself!" continued Emily, before giving the command... "I overlay the Level 7 'Wingweaver' and 'Herald of Perfection'! With these two Fairy monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"
The two monsters turned to light and flew into the Overlay Network, with a familiar Summon Chant following...
The Overlay Network began to work its usual magic, while Emily performed the Summon Chant...
"Perfect Herald and Fairy Queen, meld your powers into one! Queen of the heart's deepest earnings, come forth, and reward the hearts of the purest ones most deserving!"
Before long, an explosion of light erupted from the Overlay Network, causing Diesel 10 to flinch slightly from the light show. Emily, meanwhile, remained unflinching as her eyes glowed all blue with power flowing through her veins.
"Xyz SUMMON!" Emily cried out with such force, while the explosion of light soon started dimming. "Descend into our battle, Rank 7 - 'Supreme Queen of Desires'!"
Floating in midair above the field was Emily's newest ace monster in all her 'desired' beauty (Rank: 7/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2750).
"'Supreme Queen of Desires'?" recoiled Diesel 10.
"And my monster will grow stronger!" continued Emily. "'Fairy Dust's' remaining effect activates! A Fairy-Type Xyz Monster that was Summoned using the targeted monster as Xyz Material gains one effect! If it is Xyz Summoned, I can activate this effect; it gains 500 Attack Points, and it also can't be destroyed by battle."
'Supreme Queen of Desires' grew stronger (ATK: 3000 - 3500).
"Best of all, your 'Cracking Dragon's' effect won't work on 'Supreme Queen of Desires', because she's an Xyz Monster, and those monsters have no Levels to speak of!"
"I know that!" snapped Diesel 10, clearly annoyed.
"However, the use of 'Wingweaver' for the Xyz Summon is what I'm really aiming for!" declared Emily. "As a result of 'Wingweaver' being used as Xyz Material, 'Supreme Queen of Desires's' effect activates! She negates the effects of all other face-up monsters on the field once per turn, and you can't activate cards or effects in response to the activation of this effect."
"For crying out loud, you damned bitch!" Diesel 10 cringed.
"You think that's bad? Wait until you see the next effect of my monster." taunted Emily. "Once per turn, I can remove an Xyz Material from this monster; if I do this, she gains 500 Attack Points for each monster on the field that had an effect negated when she was Xyz Summoned this turn, while also gaining additional attacks during the Battle Phase."
The two monsters were 'Cracking Dragon' (Diesel 10) and 'Wingweaver Spector' (Emily).
"With two monsters having their effects negated, 'Supreme Queen of Desires' gains 1000 Attack Points and two additional attacks during the Battle Phase!"
'Supreme Queen of Desires' grew stronger again (ATK: 3500 - 4500).
"Here we go!" declared Emily. "'Supreme Queen of Desires', attack 'Cracking Dragon'!"
'Supreme Queen of Desires' obeyed, rising into the sky as her whole body began glowing a bright white light.
"HEAVEN'S JUDGEMENT!"
With a loud cry, a powerful shockwave was released from her body. 'Cracking Dragon' was hit and exploded due to its destruction, causing Diesel 10, while bracing himself, to cry out (LP: 3000 - 1500).
"That was the first attack!" boomed Emily. "Now for the next!" She gave the command... "'Supreme Queen of Desires', attack Diesel 10 directly!"
'Supreme Queen of Desires' unleashed a second shockwave from her person. It looked certain to finish Diesel 10 off, but Emily knew that it looked and sounded WAY too easy. Sure enough, as the shockwave got closer to him, Diesel 10 made his move...
"Appear - "Swift Scarecrow'!" shouted Diesel 10, sending a card ('Swift Scarecrow') from his hand to the Graveyard. "When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack, I can discard this card; the attack is negated, and the Battle Phase ends."
The scarecrow-like monster briefly appeared and took the hit from the second attack.
"Your Battle Phase has come to an end!" jeered Diesel 10.
Emily remained unfazed by the failure of her attack; only resorting to slotting a card into her Duel Disk.
"I set one card and end my turn." The dark green-haired girl said calmly, just as a facedown card appeared on her field.
Diesel 10 laughed madly. "That was your last chance!" he declared, drawing a card. "Prepare to lose, sweet cakes!"
"Sweet cakes?!" Emily thought to herself, fuming.
Turn Three: Diesel 10 (LP: 1500)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (3): "Gearspring Spirit", "The Wicked Eraser", and "Wicked Contract"(!)
His drawn card was a Spell Card called 'Wicked Contract'. Upon seeing the card, Diesel 10 burst into more cackling laughter.
"My victory has been decided!" The ochre-haired man exclaimed. "But first... I'll activate the effect of 'Dragonoid Generator' and Special Summon two more 'Dragonoid Tokens'!"
On cue, two more 'Dragonoid Tokens' appeared on the field.
"Diesel 10 says his victory has been decided?" Emily said to only herself. "How can that even be? If he drew a 'Wicked God', then he wouldn't be able to Summon it due to the fact he doesn't have enough monsters to sacrifice."
Just then...
"Emily, I wish to show you something." offered Diesel 10, taking a card from his hand and showing what it was. "This is a monster known as 'Gearspring Spirit'. According to its text, it can't be Normal Summoned or Set."
"But, then, what's the point of having a card like that?" Emily asked.
"You see, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand by only having Machine monsters in my Graveyard." answered Diesel 10. "And that's all the kind of monsters I have in my Graveyard!" He placed his card onto his Duel Disk. "I Special Summon 'Gearspring Spirit'!"
Appearing onto the field was what looked like a cloaked mannequin with a set of gears coming out of the shoulders (Level: 8/ATK: 100/DEF: 100).
"He has three monsters!" thought Emily.
"Before the fireworks start, I'd like to show you a little something about my monster." smirked Diesel 10. "Once per turn, I can target one face-up monster my opponent controls; its Attack Points becomes zero until the End Phase."
"What?!" Emily recoiled, clearly not expecting something like this.
'Gearspring Spirit' started releasing vibration-like waves across the field, hitting 'Supreme Queen of Desires' and causing her to become weakened considerably (ATK: 4500 - 0).
"That was only the start." whispered Diesel 10, who was going to truly enjoy making Thomas suffer by putting down Emily. "Now, I'll sacrifice all three of my monsters!"
Diesel 10's three monsters (both 'Dragonoid Tokens', and 'Gearspring Spirit') 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 next 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, the familiar sickly-looking serpentine draconian beast was shown to be on the field, letting loose a roar to signal its arrival (Level: 10/ATK: ?/DEF: ?).
"The Monster Effect of 'The Wicked Eraser'! The Attack Power and Defense Power of this monster are each equal to the number of cards my opponent controls times 1000." explained Diesel 10, before pointing forth. "You control three such cards, thus giving 'The Wicked Eraser' an Attack Power and Defense Power of 3000!"
'The Wicked Eraser's' power rose to great heights (ATK: ? - 3000).
"And thanks to the effect of 'Gearspring Spirit'-" Diesel 10 went on. "-poor 'Supreme Queen of Desires' has lost all of her strength! You only have 2200 Life Points left, too! One attack by 'The Wicked Eraser', and you'll be defeated!" He then drew the top ten cards of his Deck and allowed them to fade away into oblivion. "But first, I've a Continuous Spell to activate!"
On cue, a Spell Card called 'Wicked Contract' materialized face-up on the field.
"By removing the top ten cards of my Deck facedown from the game, I'll activate 'Wicked Contract'!"
"'Wicked Contract'?" Emily blinked. "What does that card do?"
Her answer came in the form of Diesel 10 beginning to convulse in pain as a powerful dark aura formed around him. Once it faded, multi-colored markings were branded on Diesel 10's face.
"W-What's happened?!" spluttered Emily.
"Take a face full of digestive enzymes!" shouted Diesel 10, entering the Battle Phase. "I use 'The Wicked Eraser' to attack 'Supreme Queen of Desires'!" He then announced the attack/effect name... "DIGESTIVE BLAZE!"
'The Wicked Eraser' blasted out a stream of power from the massive beak atop its demonic second face.
"It's over..." winced Hurricane, weakly looking up in horror. "Diesel 10 wins..."
As the attack got closer and closer...
"Goodbye!" cackled Diesel 10.
"I'm not out!" retorted Emily, before pointing at her set card. "I activate a Trap - 'Mirror Mail'!"
The facedown card flipped up and revealed itself, causing a special suit of armor to cover 'Supreme Queen of Desires's' whole torso.
"When a face-up monster I control is targeted for an attack, its Attack Power becomes equal to that of the attacking monster!" explained Emily. "As so! 'The Wicked Eraser' has an Attack Power of 3000, and thus 'Supreme Queen of Desires's' Attack Power will be set to that amount!"
'Supreme Queen of Desire's' power rose to equal that of 'The Wicked Eraser' (ATK: 0 - 3000).
"Due to the effect of 'Fairy Dust', "'Supreme Queen of Desires' can't be destroyed by battle!" reminded Emily. "Too bad the same, however, can't be said about 'The Wicked Eraser'!" She gave the command to her monster... "HEAVEN'S JUDGEMENT!"
'Supreme Queen of Desires' obeyed, countering the opposing attack with a blast of light. The shockwave scythed through the Digestive Blaze attack and through 'The Wicked Eraser's' neck. As 'The Wicked Eraser's' head began to fall, Diesel 10 smirked with triumph, having known that the attack wouldn't have defeated Emily in the first place.
"Alright, my attack worked!" cheered Emily, watching as 'The Wicked Eraser's' head hit the ground and its body began to droop, black blood dripping from the neck stump. "I actually defeated a 'Wicked God'!"
As blood dripped past Diesel 10, he started to snicker quietly.
"Huh?" gasped Emily, surprised that her opponent was laughing.
"Now you've done it." whispered Diesel 10. "You've REALLY done it!"
As soon as 'The Wicked Eraser's' blood hit the ground, it surged forth in a black wave, covering the floor around the two duelists and turning the room into a black void.
"W-What the hell?" coughed Hurricane, trying to get a look at what was happening.
Back in the duel field, 'Wingweaver Specter' and 'Supreme Queen of Desires' both began to sink into the blood, vanishing beneath the surface, as well as Diesel 10's 'Dragonoid Generator' Spell Card. As the 'The Wicked Eraser's' body began to dissolve, more blood was spurting about.
"Diesel 10, what's going on?!" demanded Emily. "What's happening to our field?!"
"Oh, I've forgotten to mention something... When 'The Wicked Eraser' leaves the field-" explained Diesel 10, giggling madly. "-it takes every other card on the field down with it!"
He giggled again as 'The Wicked Eraser' severed head sunk into the bloodied surface, followed by its whole body.
"I can't believe the 'Wicked God' can do this!" Emily thought to herself, but then noticed something on Diesel 10's field. "Hey! Why isn't 'Wicked Contract' going down, too?"
It's true; the 'Wicked Contract' Spell Card was still face-up on the field, completely unfazed by 'The Wicked Eraser's' effect.
"You dumb broad!" insulted Diesel 10. "'Wicked Contract' is invincible! It can't be targeted or destroyed by Card Effects." He then put a slasher smile onto his face. "Besides, you should be more worried about your loser friend over there!"
Emily looked over towards Hurricane. To her surprise, the defeated 'Wicked God's' blood surged from the ground and began coiling around Hurricane, covering him.
"Hurricane!" she called out in horror, but then started getting covered in blood as well. "H-Hey-!"
Diesel 10 laughed. "Well, well! It looks like taking the cards wasn't enough for 'The Wicked Eraser'!" The ochre-haired man declared, also getting coiled with blood. "It's going to take you, Hurricane, and me along with it, too!"
Soon, most of Emily's body was completely covered by the blood, and she was struggling to break free.
"What's going on; my vision has gone completely black, I can't hear or smell anything." Emily wondered to herself. She then raised her hand, growing increasingly horrified with what was happening to herself. "My body's losing all sensation! W-What's happening to meeeee?"
"Well, Emily. Are you feeling what I've felt once before?" taunted Diesel 10, catching Emily's attention. "This is the feeling of death!" When his opponent said nothing in response, he went on... "Now, the effect 'Wicked Contract'! Once per turn, during my Main Phase, I can Special Summon one Level 10 or higher DIVINE monster from my Graveyard, ignoring its Summoning conditions, although it can't attack for the rest of the turn! Return to me - 'The Wicked Eraser'!"
Very quickly, 'The Wicked Eraser' rose from its blood and unleashed another fierce roar, causing Emily to regain her senses, shocked to see 'The Wicked God' back from the dead so soon and easily.
"It's back!" The dark green-haired girl winced, before realizing she was able to speak and move again. "Although I've woken up. Somehow it felt like I was getting swallowed up, sucked down into the darkness. And it felt like I was never going to be able to come back." Looking at Diesel 10, she saw something in her enemy's eyes. "Diesel 10... He's just like Frankie; they're both possessed by the 'Wicked Gods'."
Diesel 10 grinned. "I'm amazed you somehow managed to escape the grip of death, as I'm all too familiar with 'The Wicked Eraser's' death grip." he commented. "Let me tell you a little tale..."
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Inside the main office of Boxford Corp, Flashback Driote, having taken over Frankie's body, was cruelly and mercilessly torturing Flashback Diesel 10 with her superior power and strength after catching him trying to steal her Deck (mainly the three 'Wicked God' Cards). Being the 'Artist of Insanity', she was clearly loving every second of inflicting pain and torture on her victim. When the blue/green-haired young woman finally ceased the torturing process, Flashback Diesel 10 was shown lying on the floor, battered, bloodied, you name it. To Flashback Driote's surprise, the wounded Flashback Diesel 10 still had the strength to move slightly.
"You still live?" asked Flashback Driote.
"I..." Flashback Diesel 10 struggled to speak. "I...won't die... I refuse...to die... Not until I get revenge on...Thomas!"
Flashback Driote smiled, slightly impressed by the resilience of her victim. At last, she came to a decision on what to do with Flashback Diesel 10...
"After seeing how desperate you are for revenge, and the fact you're the only pirate to defeat one of Thomas's friends, I'll give you one last chance."
"R-Really?" gasped Flashback Diesel 10, quickly sitting up. To his surprise, he was given a couple of cards. "Huh? What are these?"
"These are some new cards 'we' designed to work with the 'Wicked Gods'." answered Flashback Driote. "The main Monster Card I'm going to give you, is a copy of 'The Wicked Eraser'."
Eager to include the new cards in his Deck, Flashback Diesel 10 tried to take the cards, but they were suddenly pulled back from him.
"However-" Flashback Driote warned in a serious tone. "-this is the only chance you will get. If you fail, then it will cost you heavily." With that said, she started transferring her dark powers into those cards. When the transfer was done, the blue/green-haired young woman smiled creepily. "Now, do you know what I've done just now? No, of course you don't."
"Well, duh!" deadpanned Flashback Diesel 10, but became silent when he saw Flashback Driote giving him a dangerous look.
"Well, what are you waiting for!?" growled Flashback Driote, rapidly losing her patience with the lack of movement from the ochre-haired man. "Take the cards! Unless you'd rather die through more of my 'artistic' torture?!"
Flashback Diesel 10 started reaching for the cards. As soon as he touched them... he felt something unlock in his heart. And that something was...darkness. The sight brought a dark smile onto Flashback Driote's face; it would seem she forgot to bring something up about the cards...
"Oops! I forgot to mention a little something about them..." Flashback Driote joked sadistically. "You have a little test to pass first. If you wish to use these cards to achieve your perfect revenge, then you must sign the forbidden contract and sell your soul to 'The Wicked Eraser'. By doing so, if your desire for revenge is powerful enough, you will be able to utilize its powers to its full potential and dominate your enemies..." She then added dangerously... "...but, if you even lose one more duel, then your life will be forfeit." The 'Artist of Insanity' let out an evil laugh. "That is, you'll only get to live if you can even survive the test in the first place!"
Darkness began bursting from both the 'The Wicked Eraser' Monster Card and the 'Wicked Contract' Spell Card and began consuming the screaming Flashback Diesel 10 completely.
(elsewhere...)
Within the darkness, Flashback Diesel 10 couldn't see, smell, hear, or feel anything whatsoever.
"Is this...the land of death?" The ochre-haired man weakly asked aloud. "Am I...dead?" He then shook his head. "No! I can't die here! I refuse to die in a place like this! I won't die...until I get rid of...him!"
Barely being able to concentrate, Flashback Diesel 10 kept trying to repeat to himself that he wasn't weak. He refused to let this be his end, not when he was so close to finally having his vengeance against the one boy he hated more than life itself. Flashback Diesel 10 wanted Thomas to burn in Hell; he wanted Thomas to die; he wanted to prove that he was supreme; he wanted nothing more than to kill the Supreme King - Thomas Billinton! If it meant Flashback Diesel 10 had to sell his soul to the 'Wicked Gods' in order to get the kind of power he wanted to destroy Thomas, then so be it!
"Damn you, Thomas!" Flashback Diesel 10 snarled to himself, with his peeked fury and hatred at the mere thought of Thomas growing even greater than ever before. "I, Alexander Swindon, will destroy you, no matter the cost!"
Fueled by his unrelenting hatred of Thomas and overwhelming desire to put an end to his life, Flashback Diesel 10 began to regain all of his senses and fight against death's embrace. As he did so, multi-colored markings began to be engraved all across his body, spreading all over. No matter what, Flashback Diesel 10 would win out and earn the power he so craved for!
(elsewhere...)
Back in reality, with one last ferocious roar of rage and hatred towards Thomas, Flashback Diesel 10 finally broke free and found himself back in the real world with the colorful markings still covering his body, which proved he had successfully passed the test and signed the contract, thus giving him the absolute power he always craved for. Even Flashback Driote was surprised (somewhat) and impressed by the determination.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback came to an end.
"So, you see, that's how it happened." finished Diesel 10. "By giving up my soul, I now have the power to destroy anyone who dares to stand up to me!"
Emily, having heard enough of the tale, knew that her enemy had further crossed the Moral Event Horizon by selling his soul to the devil willingly and without any sort of hesitation. She was utterly disgusted by it!
"There's no cure for the foolish." Emily said severely, shaking her head. "Doing something like this has shown me just how truly pathetic you really are, Alexander Swindon!"
"So what? I really don't give a $*#^ what you think of me!" spat Diesel 10, clenching his good hand into a fist and swinging his arm about. "All I do know about you, is that you're Thomas's slut of a girlfriend! Once you're dead, he'll break completely!" He then entered the End Phase. "I end my turn!"
With the turn now over, two 'Dragonoid Tokens' appearing on Emily's side of the field. The two cards on Emily's field caused 'The Wicked Eraser's' Attack Power and Defense Power both to rise (ATK: 0 - 2000/DEF: 0 - 2000).
"Now, are you going to hunt me down all the way into the jaws of death?" Diesel 10 dared, speaking and giggling creepily. "Hehehehehe..."
"This is bad." Emily thought to herself, looking at her Deck. "My hand is completely empty at the moment... If I don't draw something that can help me this turn, I'm done for."
She drew a card.
Turn Four: Emily Stirling (LP: 2200)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (1): "Pot of Greed"
On cue, the 'Pot of Greed' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed'!" announced Emily, drawing two more cards. "I can draw two cards."
The drawn cards were 'Cupid Volley' (Effect Monster Card) and 'Aurora Paragon' (Effect Monster Card).
"'Cupid Volley'..." Emily thought to herself. "This will be a risky course of action... I would risk powering up 'Eraser' by playing this card, but it might just give me a fighting chance." She then took and held one of her cards out. "Come forth - 'Cupid Volley'!"
Appearing onto the field was the female archer with green hair (Level: 1/ATK: 600/DEF: 600). Seeing as another card was played by the opponent, 'The Wicked Eraser' grew stronger (ATK: 2000 - 3000).
"'Cupid Volley'?" huffed Diesel 10.
"'Cupid Volley's' effect activates!" Emily went on. "I can choose a number from 1 to 3, then send that many cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard; this will increase this monster's Level by the number of cards sent to the Graveyard this way, until the end of this turn." She then drew the top three cards of her Deck. "I pick the number three!"
Upon looking at her cards, she grew dismayed with what they were.
"No... These cards won't be of any help."
The cards were 'Kuribon' (Effect Monster Card), 'Primal Cry' (Spell Card), and 'Graceful Tear' (Trap Card). Unhappy, Emily sent the three cards to the Graveyard, increasing 'Cupid Volley's' Level by the number of cards sent to the Graveyard - namely by three (Level: 1 - 4). Emily then felt a presence; the spirit of Kuribon appeared beside her, looking sad over the fact she couldn't be of any help to her friend.
"It's okay, Kuribon." reassured Emily, smiling kindly at the female 'Kuriboh'. "You shouldn't feel bad." She then closed her eyes while losing her smile. "Considering I'm really afraid of the 'Wicked God'."
"Kuri?" Kuribon cooed.
"I haven't forgotten my defeat at the hands of Driote and 'The Wicked Dreadroot'." The dark green-haired girl went on. "The fear and terror I felt from the overwhelming power of the 'Wicked God'... I would have been killed by it had it not been for Thomas protecting me."
As Emily opened her eyes slightly, a flashback started up.
FLASHBACK
In a nightmare sequence the night before she and Thomas were allowed to leave the hospital, Emily found herself alone and facing both Driote AND 'The Wicked Dreadroot'.
"Anastasia, it's wonderful for you to be here!" gloated Driote. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to sacrifice you to the darkness!" She then gave the command to 'The Wicked Dreadroot'... "'The Wicked Dreadroot', it's time! Kill Princess Anastasia!"
'The Wicked Dreadroot' obeyed, raising its claws for the kill. Emily tried to run, but for some reason, her entire body was frozen - it was frozen with terror regarding the 'Wicked God' and its great power. All she could do was close her eyes and await the end...
(End Dream)
Flashback Emily suddenly woke up in her hospital bed with a start; her breath was shallow, and she was shaking hard over the horror and death she had nearly experienced.
"Emily?" The voice of Flashback Thomas called out.
Flashback Emily looked beside her and saw Flashback Thomas with a concerned look on his face.
"Are you alright?" he asked gently.
"Oh, Tommy, it was just awful." explained Flashback Emily, still breathing hard. "I was facing Driote and 'The Wicked Dreadroot', and I couldn't move when the attack was made. I was so scared of the 'Wicked God'... I almost died..."
"Afraid?" Flashback Thomas repeated.
"Yes, Thomas, I'm truly afraid of the 'Wicked Gods'. If just one of them was that powerful, just how powerful are the other two?"
Flashback Thomas was silent for a long time. Eventually, he took Flashback Emily's hand and held it gently.
"It's alright to be afraid." The blue-haired boy whispered. "Ever since we came back from the Duel Monster spirit world, I was constantly afraid of losing you and the others. But eventually, I realized that hiding from my fears made the situation worse. No matter what fears we have in life, we have to face them to truly conquer them and become better people."
"Thomas..." Flashback Emily whispered, before she heard her lover start to breakdown into tears. "Thomas? Are you...okay?"
"But... during your duel with Driote, I was...afraid." Flashback Thomas wept. "I thought I was going to lose you once again... I was so terrified when watching Driote almost kill you, and she would have succeeded if I didn't step in... It was my fault; if I had been able to duel Driote instead, you would never have been defeated, and I wouldn't have almost lost you once again."
Flashback Emily started to cry as well. Soon, the two teenagers tearfully hugged each other, sobbing and trying to console each other.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"So you see, Kuribon, I was truly frightened when facing 'The Wicked Dreadroot'." Emily went on, looking at Kuribon. "And, truthfully, I'm still terrified of it along with the other 'Wicked Gods'." She then became determined-looking and sounding. "However, this is why I must face my fears head-on. No matter how scary or powerful 'The Wicked Eraser' truly is, I have to win this duel for Thomas, who is likely facing Driote at this moment, as well for me to save Hurricane's life."
"Kuri..." whimpered Kuribon, who knew that Emily was at a severe disadvantage.
"I know." nodded Emily. "I have no other cards to help me." As Kuribon disappeared, the dark green-haired girl pointed at her two 'Dragonoid Tokens'. "All I can do now is switch my two 'Dragonoid Tokens' into defense mode!"
The two tokens knelt in a defensive stance.
"I end my turn!"
"How pathetic!" snorted Diesel 10, drawing a card.
Turn Five: Diesel 10 (LP: 1500)
Deck: 42
Current Hand (1): "Wicked Punishment"(!)
His drawn card was a Trap Card called 'Wicked Punishment'.
"As you can see-" he went on. "-I've drawn yet another card that will continue to lockdown any chance you have of fighting back and winning!"
"Another card?" Emily asked to herself.
"However, before I do anything, I'll activate the next effect of 'Wicked Contract'!" As Diesel 10 spoke, he drew the top ten cards of his Deck and allowed them to fade away into oblivion. "During my Standby Phases, I must Banish the top ten cards of my Deck facedown, and this effect is not optional."
The removal of ten cards from his Deck resulted in the multi-colored markings on his face spreading further across his body, namely down his neck, as he cried in pain, but soon recovered enough to openly welcome it.
"Each time I use this effect-" ranted Diesel 10. "-my life is closer to ending. Once my Deck reaches zero cards, I'll lose. Once I lose the duel, I will finally die." He then smirked psychotically. "Even still, my Deck will never have the chance to run out of card, seeing as the ultimate power of the 'Wicked God' can never be defeated, thus ensuring my victory because it's only a few turns away from completely annihilating you! And now, I'll activate 'Eraser's' next effect; sacrificing itself!"
"What?!" gasped Emily.
"Now quake in fear of the 'Wicked God's' power!" boomed Diesel 10, laughing madly. "During my Main Phase, I can destroy this monster!"
'The Wicked Eraser' let out a roar and began to disappear, becoming a whirling tornado of black ash that started burning away all of the cards on Emily's field.
"And remember; 'The Wicked Eraser' will destroy all cards on the field when it is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard!" Diesel 10 reminded, before laughing again. "And the only card that will survive is my Continuous Spell - 'Wicked Contract'!"
"'The Wicked Eraser' can destroy itself at will..." Emily thought to herself, frightened beyond belief as she watched her remaining cards burn away. "This will narrow down my moves even further... And unless I can get rid of 'Wicked Contract' in some form, 'The Wicked Eraser' will just resurrect from the dead over and over again until I'm defeated."
Just then, as soon as the ashes burned away, 'The Wicked Eraser's' black blood once again began to coil itself around Emily, threatening to drag her once more into the darkness. This time, it looked more likely to succeed. Nearby, the weaken, injured Hurricane watched helplessly at what was about to happen to Emily. As sorry as he felt for his new friend, Hurricane knew that what was happening right now was all his fault, and there wasn't anything that could be done to stop the madness. Was this it for Emily? Would she once again fall against the 'Wicked Gods'? Stay tuned for more on the duel!
To be Continued!