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.
Standing atop of the duel platform, Thomas (LP: 3500) and Driote (LP: 4000) both were staring at each other as the fierce rain trickled down upon them.
"Now, my beloved Anakin, bring it on!" dared Driote. "Let us hurt the other to our heart's content!"
Thomas glared on. "I know that, deep down, she's scared of me." he thought to himself. "She's only using this facade to try and hide her fear."
"It's your turn!" smirked Driote. "Keep on hurting me if you so wish to!"
"Draw!" announced Thomas, drawing a card.
Turn Three: Thomas Billinton (LP: 3500)
Deck: 51
Current Hand (2): "Waking the Dragon" and "Ledger of Legerdemain"
On cue, a Spell Card called 'Ledger of Legerdemain' flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"Spell Card - 'Ledger of Legerdemain', activate!" continued Thomas, holding his drawn card out. "It lets me Banish three cards from the top of my Deck, facedown. During my third Standby Phase after this card's activation, I can add all three cards into my hand."
"What could those three cards be like?" thought Driote, watching as her opponent drew three cards and allowed them to fade away into oblivion (for now). "Well, it's not like I really care about that. I'm still going to win our battle, and nothing is going to stop me from succeeding." She then spoke aloud. "Once more, I'll activate the effect of 'Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal'! Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can detach one Xyz Material from this monster; I can send one card from my Deck to the Graveyard."
Thomas watched as Driote drew a card, looked at it, and sent it to the Graveyard, just as the remaining Overlay Unit from 'Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal' faded away.
"Unfortunately-" continued Driote. "-the worst is yet to come! Do you know what I've sent to my Graveyard? No, of course you don't know!" A card ejected from her Graveyard. "I think I'll show you what it is."
She grabbed the card and held it out, causing Thomas to scowl over what it was.
"It's 'Alich, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'." explained Driote. "Like almost all of my 'Burning Abyss' Monsters, it has an effect that activates when sent to the Graveyard. In 'Alich's' case, I can target one face-up monster on the field and negate its effects until the end of this turn."
The spirit of the mentioned monster briefly appeared on the field, while Thomas braced himself for what was coming next.
"The monster I'll target is that of your 'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier'!"
An aura of darkness shrouded 'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier', resulting in his effects being rendered worthless for the time being.
"Seeing as 'Super Soldier's' effects are negated, you can't inflict damage to me equal to 'Beatrice's' Attack Power if 'Super Soldier' does destroy her, meaning I'm pretty much safe and sound." taunted Driote, who's dark smile grew darker. "That is, if you're 'willing' to ruthlessly murder a helpless woman for the sake of winning."
Below the platform...
"I know what will happen if Thomas does decide to attack." Emily thought to herself. "Unfortunately, Thomas does not know about 'Beatrice's' remaining effect."
Back on the platform, Driote continued to egg on Thomas...
"Tell me something, would you do it even if it were Anastasia, or 'Emily'?" The 'Artist of Insanity' went on. "Would you be callous enough to risk killing her to achieve your own goals?"
There was a brief silence in the area. Would Thomas succumb to his hated enemy's taunts and attack? Or would he ignore them...
Title: Weathering the Storm
At long last, something was finally said (or yelled)...
"BATTLE!" shouted Thomas, who decided to enter the Battle Phase. "'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier', attack 'Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal'! SUPER CHAOS BLADE!"
'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier' obeyed, slashing his blade towards 'Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal' and causing the enemy monster to explode due to destruction. Even though Driote lost one of her best monsters that easily, she could not help but cackle in delight.
"I knew it!" Driote cried gleefully. "You just proved that you're more than willing to kill your beloved, sexy Queen, just to get your way! Being this ruthless shows that you really 'are' the 'Supreme King'!"
"You're wrong." frowned Thomas.
"Huh?"
A flashback then ensued.
FLASHBACK
Several important clips from Thomas's Battle City duel against Dark Marik, with Emily serving as the former's sacrifice, were shown. The most notable were Thomas giving up his life-force energy using the Millennium Puzzle to keep Emily from being eaten away by the darkness, eventually resulting in his life being temporarily lost.
"I was so stubborn to prevent Emily from getting hurt that it blinded me-" narrated Thomas, as his Flashback self finally collapsed facedown. "-because I was too naive at the time to realize that sometimes you 'have' to be willing to hurt those you're trying to protect."
It took both Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl to show that Thomas was not alone in order for him to be revived.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended, and Emily and everyone else below the platform was listening carefully. Emily, meanwhile, was doing a ton of thinking of her own while her lover spoke on...
"If people were nothing but kind, they wouldn't protect what they value the most." continued Thomas. "Being afraid of hurting Emily means that I can't truly protect her, whether I was too proud of hurting her or not."
Below the platform...
"Ani—no, Thomas..." Emily whispered, before having a flashback of her own.
FLASHBACK
Flashback Emily had been revealed as Flashback Thomas's sacrifice.
"Emily!" Flashback Thomas exclaimed, before he heard Flashback Dark Marik beginning to laugh. "What did you do?!"
"It's a funny story actually..." The evil man commented, chuckling in sick amusement. Soon, he finished explaining everything. "Well now... what do you think of my surprise? It was so hard for me to pick out, after all!"
He resumed his sadistic laughter... while Flashback Thomas started shaking violently. This anger... he hadn't felt anything like it in months. Not like how the blue-haired boy felt that same anger when Sailor John had seemingly killed Flashback Emily in that duel in the San Francisco tournament. Now that anger was back, and with fiery vengeance.
"You've gone too far this time, Marik!" roared Flashback Thomas, just as a familiar dark aura began to resurface around him. "I WILL MAKE YOU PAY DEARLY FOR THIS!"
"Not far enough!" Flashback Dark Marik insisted, still smiling. "Out of all I've tortured throughout my release, I'll get the pleasure of torturing you the most—and what better way to get you to release all of your anger and hate other than to potentially harm or kill the one girl you love the most?!"
Flashback Thomas clenched his empty fist in great fury. Later, Flashback Thomas was using his Millennium Puzzle to contribute more and more of his life-energy to heal Flashback Emily and prevent her from being eaten away by the darkness.
"Thomas, stop!" cried Flashback Emily, as part of her torso reappeared. "You'll only kill yourself!"
"I would rather die than lose you, Emily!" objected Flashback Thomas. "I won't let you be consumed by the shadows!"
"Please, Thomas, don't keep giving up your life-force!" The dark green-haired girl begged. "There has to be another way to end this madness!"
"If I don't give up my life-force-" insisted Flashback Thomas. "-you'll die!"
"And if you keep doing so-" argued Flashback Emily. "-then YOU'LL die! I don't want you to die!"
Before Flashback Thomas could say anymore, he coughed weakly and noticed a few small drops of blood on his hand.
"B-Blood?!"
Flashback Dark Marik cackled madly. "Now do you see what you're doing to yourself?" he taunted. "You're basically doing all of the work for me!"
"He's right, Thomas!" called Flashback Emily. "As much as I hate to admit it..."
"I don't care!" snapped Flashback Thomas stubbornly. "Losing you is the one thing I would never forgive myself for!"
"The pain I felt by being eaten by the shadows-" narrated Emily. "-that was nothing compared to the pain I felt seeing Thomas slowly kill himself just to protect me, no matter how much I pleaded against it."
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"Even back then, I was able to realize that letting myself get hurt was necessary in order for Thomas to protect me." Emily thought to herself. "But, he was so overly stubborn and stuck in his ways to even allow himself to see or accept that at times he 'had' to be willing to hurt me in order to 'help' me. Especially since back then, I didn't think I was even 'worth' his efforts." She then remembered her own moments. "I'm also no stranger to this either. In my past life as Anastasia, I was so afraid of losing Anakin, that I sacrificed myself and unintentionally caused him to eventually become Diablon. However, in order to save Thomas from being swallowed by the darkness, I 'had' to break his heart by letting myself die."
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Flashback Anastasia (or rather Emily) had defeated Flashback Gozaburo.
"I've...done it..." Flashback Anastasia coughed weakly. "Gozaburo...is gone...for good." She smiled to herself. "I... I've...won..."
Unfortunately for Flashback Anastasia, her wounds had finally caught up with her. Soon enough, the dark green-haired young woman collapsed on the ground (just as the spirit of Anastasia left before fading away), causing Flashback Emily to finally regain control of her own body and return to normal. Flashback Thomas, who was still attached to the wall from the 'Restraining Swords of Impact' Trap Card, was completely helpless to approach and help her.
"Emily!" Flashback Thomas wailed, struggling to break free from the swords. "Emily! Please get up! You can't die!"
Hearing the cries, Flashback Emily slowly, and weakly, opened her eyes as tears began to form in them. This was the part she had been afraid of most, and now there would be no going back...
"I'm so sorry, Thomas..." Flashback Emily whispered sadly. "I've won, but I'm afraid...this is goodbye."
"Stop screwing around!" screamed Flashback Thomas in utter defiance, as he started crying heavily. Flashback Emily, meanwhile, weakly struggled to bring her right hand towards her deck as her friend spoke some more. "I need you, Emily! I can't fight the darkness or Diablon without you!" The blue-haired boy's voice started to break even further. "I can't live without you, Emily... I love you!"
Flashback Emily finally looked upward in the direction of her friend with a brave, yet warm, tearful smile.
"Don't cry, Tommy..." she said softly. "You have to remain strong for everyone's sake... You're the last hope for not only the Duel Monsters spirit world, but our world, too..."
At last the weak and battered dark green-haired girl began fading away into particles of light, though the particles seemed to be entering Flashback Thomas's chest.
"No..." Flashback Thomas sobbed helplessly. "Emily..."
Despite fading away, Flashback Emily continued to look at the crying Flashback Thomas with a warm smile on her face.
"Never... give in to the darkness, Thomas." Flashback Emily went on, finally taking out and leaving her 'Swing of Memories' card behind. Her final words were... "I...love you..."
With that said, Emily Stirling finally faded away into nothingness. Silence filled the restoration chamber, and no one left alive (Flashback Spencer and Flashback Nathaniel) dared to say a word about the event that had transpired. Finally, Flashback Thomas did manage to speak again—which was barely but a whisper...
"Em-ily..." he choked.
The broken Flashback Thomas had lost Flashback Emily, the one girl he was in-love with, forever; his worst nightmares had finally come true! ...and there would be no going back as of now. Darkness was soon beginning to overtake the poor blue-haired boy. He was...angry. Absolutely, truly angry. Diablon's strong influence over Flashback Thomas began to take effect...
"NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO!"
Full of despair, anguish, darkness, and rage, Flashback Thomas gave the mother of all screams of grief, managing to actually break himself free from the already weakened 'Binding Swords of Impact' Trap Card with his now greatly enhanced/superhuman strength, allowing him to land firmly back onto the ground. Watching what was happening just now, Flashback Spencer and Flashback Nathaniel were both very surprised, and a bit terrified, at how incensed the poor blue-haired boy was. Flashback Thomas's eyes... they were demonic and shining red/yellow with malice (and the scar on his face didn't make it any better).
END FLASHBACK
"It was by no means an easy feat for me to go through with it, while breaking Thomas's heart also caused 'me' an even greater pain than I had ever experienced, but it allowed me to protect and save Thomas from meeting the same fate as Anakin." Emily mentally told herself. "And compared to his duel with Marik's dark half, allowing myself to die was the only way I could save Thomas, a huge risk to be sure, but it was truly the only thing that I could do, because I had to save 'both' Thomas and Anakin from themselves. Even if I 'hadn't' died, the darkness in Thomas would have grown too strong and he would still be at risk of becoming Diablon at some point in his life."
Another flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
A large number of clips from later in Thomas's Battle City duel with Dark Marik were shown. Namely him taking a direct attack from 'Bowganian', him using the Millennium Puzzle's power again, and finally...his temporary death.
"No..." mumbled Flashback Thomas quietly, struggling to stay awake. "Not now..."
But alas...because the blue-haired boy gave up TOO MUCH of his life-force energy to keep Flashback Emily from being devoured by the darkness, and the fact his life points were now dangerously low, the Shadow Game became more than he could ever hope to handle. Dropping the remaining cards in his hand, Flashback Thomas began clutching his chest in pain as though he were having...a heart attack.
"NO!" Flashback Thomas finally screamed out in intense agony, all thanks to his critically wounded heart. "Not...yet! Just...a little longer!"
But it was no use whatsoever; Flashback Thomas's heart soon stopped completely due to both the incredibly lethal injuries inflicted throughout the whole match and the lack of life-force energy he had given up to try and save Flashback Emily's life. From there, he finally closed his eyes and slowly began to fall to the ground.
"THOMAS!" Flashback Percy and the likes all cried out.
"NOOOOOO!" screamed out the adults (Discord, Spencer and Skiff's parents, and Ishizu) in horror.
It was too late to prevent the inevitable from happening... Flashback Thomas collapsed to his knees and landed facedown on the platform, becoming completely motionless.
"Yes!" cackled Flashback Dark Marik in evil triumph. "What I've been waiting for has come at last... THOMAS BILLINTON'S DEATH!"
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"Unlike the duel with Marik's dark half, where Thomas's death could've been completely avoided had he just allowed me to be hurt, he would have still saved and protected me just as well." Emily, still in her thoughts, went on. "Instead, he caused me even more pain and suffering in that duel than Marik ever could have caused me." She then realized something important about how she and Thomas sometimes hurt the other. "While hurting each other may be hard and fill the both of us with regret, the fact that Thomas has finally accepted this makes me very proud of him."
Just then...
"Bravo! Magnificent! Truly wonderful!" The voice of Driote praised sarcastically, interrupting Emily's thoughts. The 'Artist of Insanity' was clapping in response to Thomas's speech. "I'm praising you for your beautifully profound words; it's just a shame that poor Spencer couldn't follow through with that when it mattered most."
"Shut up!" Spencer roared fiercely. "I could have had you beat long before you Summoned any of your fake 'God' Cards. The only reason you won is because you cheated by using Skiff as a living, breathing shield!"
"That may be-" insisted Driote. "-but by refusing to let little Skiff there die, you allowed me to commit further, more deadly murders. Murders that could have been easily prevented if you had just followed through with your attack."
Just before the angry Spencer could say anything more...
"If you hadn't destroyed whatever was left of your tiny brain-" Thomas harshly cut in. "-you would be able to tell the clear difference between 'hurting' someone, and 'killing' someone. The fact that you had to resort to using a human shield to win is proof that you never even had a chance of properly defeating Spencer from the moment your duel began."
Driote snorted. "I think we've gotten way too far off track." she said dismissively. "Let's get back to the duel. And, if I remember correctly, you've destroyed 'Beatrice'... That, I'm afraid, will be quite costly for you."
"What are you talking about?" wondered Thomas.
"I'll explain so that your brain can finally start working." And so, Driote began speaking more about her monster... "If this monster in my possession is destroyed by my opponent's card—by battle or Card Effect—and sent to my Graveyard, I can Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' monster from my Extra Deck, ignoring its Summoning conditions."
"What?!" cried Thomas.
"She can do that?!" added Spencer.
Emily was not surprised by this play; she had experienced this power in her last duel with Frankie/Driote after all. Still, it was something she was afraid of. Back on the platform, the fallen remains of 'Beatrice, Lady of the Eternal' suddenly reappeared on the field, which suddenly started rising towards the sky.
"Journey through Hell and Purgatory, and complete your journey through the realms of the Angels to the Empyrean and God!" chanted Driote, just as a new monster began to descent from a beam of light. "Appear! The next stage of 'Dante' - 'Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss'!"
The human male with curly blue hair and decked out in silver and gold armor soon reached the ground, readying himself, armed with his scepter, for battle (Level: 9/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2500).
"I know this monster too well from my duel with Frankie." Emily thought to herself. "I wonder if Driote will set up the same combo Frankie did, seeing how she used the effect of 'Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' to send 'The Terminus of the Burning Abyss' to the Graveyard... Did she do the exact same thing when she used 'Cagna's' effect last turn?"
On the platform...
"According to 'Dante's' effect, he cannot be targeted by an opponent's Card Effects." chuckled Driote. Her smile became worse-looking. "His primary effect is, however, what I'm aiming to use."
"Primary effect?" repeated Thomas, puzzled.
"That's right, Anakin." confirmed Driote, taking a card from her hand and sending it to the Graveyard. "Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can send one 'Burning Abyss' card from my hand to the Graveyard in order to draw one card."
With that done, Driote drew a new card ('The Wicked Eraser'). After spending a few seconds looking at her drawn card, the blue/green-haired young woman looked up and pointed to her Graveyard.
"Now, I'll activate the effect of the 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' in my Graveyard!" she went on. "If this monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can target up to three 'Burning Abyss' cards in my Graveyard, except 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and Banish them, and then, if I do this, inflict 300 points of damage to my opponent for each card."
"300 damage per card." Thomas said to himself, watching as his opponent took three cards from her Graveyard and held them out.
"These ones will be removed; 'Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', 'Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and 'Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!" declared Driote, allowing her cards to fade away into oblivion. "With three cards removed, you'll take 900 points of damage, Anakin!"
Thomas was struck with a large blast as he got pushed back and took damage (LP: 3500 - 2600).
"You bitch..." The blue/black-haired young man growled in annoyance.
"Oh, why don't you just cool down?" joked Driote. "It's embarrassing to see you talk so big and perform so 'poorly'."
This statement annoyed Thomas even more. Below the platform, however, Emily became deeply angered by the 'perform' part since she was the only other person who was able to catch the hidden innuendo in that statement, which obviously made her turn red with anger, though she obviously wasn't going to admit this in front of everyone else, based on how amazingly Anakin 'performed' with her in the past. Back on the platform...
"Remember, she's only doing this because she truly fears me." Thomas thought to himself, not about to let Driote's sick taunts get to him. He then pressed the fingers of his right hand onto a Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk and switched the card on it sideways. "I switch 'Soldier Gaia' into defense mode!"
'Soldier Gaia the Fierce Knight' knelt down into a defensive stance, while a facedown card then materialized on the field behind him.
"Finally, I'll set one card and end my turn."
(elsewhere...)
Back inside the Knapford Hospital, Merlin had just finally awakened from his own coma.
"Merlin!" rejoiced Theo. "You're awake!"
"Theo?" peeped Merlin. "Is Lexi-?"
"I'm fine too, Merlin." Lexi spoke up. "We're in Knapford Hospital."
Merlin smiled weakly. "Oh, I'm so relieved you two are okay."
"That's not all-" said Theo, as he and Lexi both held their right wrists up (showing no Bio-Band attached to them). "-we're free of those Bio-Bands. Something must have happened that resulted in them being destroyed."
"It means we no longer have to worry about losing our energy when dueling." put in Lexi, happily. "We never have to face Frankie—err, Driote—or any of those pirates ever again."
"But what of Thomas and Emily?" asked Merlin.
"They both are still back at Boxford Corp." answered Edward. "They told us to leave for safety while they face Driote on their own."
"They both said that Driote is their personal enemy, and we have no right to interfere." added Henry.
"Other than a call from Gordon, we don't know how they're fairing at the moment." frowned James, before becoming agitated. "Damn it! What's going on?!"
"This isn't right." Percy added. "We should be down there right now, giving those two the support they need!"
"Take it easy." requested Toby. "I know it's frustrating, but we have to sit tight."
"We have to have faith in Thomas and Emily." added Edward.
"We 'do' have faith in them-" retorted Percy. "-but being stuck here isn't making things any easier for the both of us."
"Especially since we're worried as heck!" agreed James.
"Look, we can understand how you both are feeling." said Mavis. "We're worried too, but we need to remain positive for their sake."
"Easier said than done..." murmured Percy, speaking only to himself.
(elsewhere...)
Back atop the Apex Arena, Driote drew a card, thus beginning her next turn.
"It's my turn!" she announced. "Draw!"
Turn Four: Driote (LP: 4000)
Deck: 47
Current Hand (2): "The Wicked Eraser" and "Card of Sanctity"
As expected, the 'Card of Sanctity' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Sanctity'!" continued Driote, who was holding the mentioned card out. "Both players are to draw until they hold six cards in their respective hands."
With that said, Driote drew five cards, while Thomas drew six cards. Driote's new hand contained 'The Wicked Eraser', 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', 'Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', 'Treasure Map', 'The Traveler and the Burning Abyss', and 'Precious Cards from Beyond'.
"Oh, I like these cards a lot." Driote smiled to herself, before looking at Thomas and speaking aloud. "Anakin, the hour of judgment is upon us!"
"The hour of judgement?" quizzed Thomas.
Rather than say anything (yet), Driote took a card and slotted it into her Duel Disk. This resulted in one facedown card appearing on the field.
"From my hand, I'll set one card facedown." The 'Artist of Insanity' began, before pointing at 'Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss'. "Now, I'll activate 'Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss' once more!" She sent a card ('Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') to the Graveyard. "I will send one 'Burning Abyss' card from my hand to the Graveyard, in order to draw one more card!"
She drew another card ('Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'). However, what came next was not going to be pretty for Thomas...
"Guess what? I've got a Monster Effect to activate!" Driote went on eagerly. "This one belongs to one of my favorites - 'Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'! If this monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can target one set Spell or Trap Card on the field and return that target to the hand."
"You have a set card!" Thomas pointed out. "Does that mean-?"
"That is correct; I'll return my own set card into my hand."
As expected, Driote's facedown card faded away in a blue streak and reappeared in her right hand. Why did she do that? Ah, that's because she did it deliberately.
"Do you know what this card is?" asked Driote, holding the card out (without showing what it was at first). "I've returned it to my hand for a reason."
Below the platform...
"Didn't I see a similar play like this once before?" Emily asked herself, finding this to be familiar.
Back on the platform...
"And now for a little surprise." said Driote, turning over the card she had recently recovered. "I activate a Trap - 'Treasure Map'!"
Emily reeled back. "That's something I do remember seeing!"
"I can see that, Princess Anastasia." As Driote spoke, she sent the 'Treasure Map' Trap Card to the Graveyard and drew two more cards. "When this facedown card is returned from the field to the hand, I can send this card from my hand to the Graveyard and draw two cards."
She looked at her two cards ('Purgatory in the Burning Abyss' and 'Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'), added them into her hand, and allowed another card to eject from her Graveyard.
"Now, the effect of 'The Terminus of the Burning Abyss' activates!" announced Driote. "During my Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard, I can Banish this card from my Graveyard, then I can target one 'Burning Abyss' Monster on the field; the target gains 800 Attack Points and Defense Points until the end of my opponent's next turn."
'Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss' began to grow stronger (ATK: 2800 - 3600/DEF: 2500 - 3300).
"This is it!" shouted Driote, growing excited. "I get to kill 'Super Soldier' all over again!" She gave the command to her monster... "'Dante', take down 'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier once more'!"
'Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss' obeyed, charging and firing off a blast his staff.
"Bye-bye, 'Super Soldier'!" screeched Driote mockingly, watching as her monster's attack looked certain to defeat 'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier'. "You will not be missed!"
"You're too naive!" interrupted Thomas.
Driote eased. "Huh?"
"I activate the effect of the 'Envoy of Chaos' in my hand!" continued Thomas, taking a card from his hand and readying it. "During the Battle Phase, I can discard this monster, then I can target one 'Black Luster Soldier' Monster or 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' Monster I control; the target gains 1500 Attack Points until the end of this turn, and then, if it does, every opponent's monster that battles it this turn has its Attack Power become that monster's original Attack Power during damage calculation only."
'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier' grew much stronger (ATK: 3000 - 4500), while 'Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss' lost his power bonus (ATK: 3600 - 2800/DEF: 3300 - 2500).
"With this new shift in power-" Thomas declared "-my 'Super Soldier' can counterattack!" He announced the attack name of his monster's... "SUPER CHAOS BLADE!"
And counterattack he did... 'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier' slashed his blade, cutting and dispelling 'Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss's' attack before going and slicing the enemy monster's staff in half before the monster itself was destroyed in an explosion, causing Driote to shield herself from the force of the blast (LP: 4000 - 2300).
"I... I should have expected that to happen." she grumbled shakily.
"Then there is also one more thing you should expect to happen." reminded Thomas. "If this monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to its Attack Power in the Graveyard!"
'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier' swung his blade and dove towards Driote.
"If this attack goes through-" Hurricane realized. "-Thomas will be the winner!"
"Driote-" declared Thomas. "-prepare to die once and for all!"
Just as the attack could connect...
"I won't go out like this!" hissed Driote, before taking and holding a card out. "'Quick-Play Spell - 'Purgatory in the Burning Abyss'(!), activate!"
A column of fiery light surrounded Driote, protecting her from the attack.
"What?!" Thomas cringed.
"'Purgatory in the Burning Abyss' can only be activated when I'm about to take Effect Damage and I control no 'Burning Abyss' Monsters." explained Driote as the flames soon died down. "I can make that Effect Damage become zero!"
"Tch!" scowled Thomas.
"You think you're mad about your effort to defeat me, wait until you see what happens next." grinned Driote. "If 'Dante' is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, or if he is sent to my Graveyard by an opponent's Card Effect, I can send one random card from my opponent's hand to the Graveyard."
After picking out a card ('Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon') from his hand, Thomas reluctantly discarded it.
"And now, playtime has ended!" declared Driote, taking three cards from her hand. "As I control no Spell or Trap Cards, I can Special Summon these 'Burning Abyss' Monsters from my hand." She turned over the three cards. "Come forth - 'Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and 'Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"
The three fiendish monsters appeared onto the field.
"Driote's got three monsters onto her field so quickly!" exclaimed Skiff.
"And something tells me she has a use for them." added Ace.
Back on the platform...
"Before your worst nightmare starts, I have something else to play." said Driote, slotting a card into her Duel Disk. On cue, the 'Precious Cards from Beyond' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "I activate a Continuous Spell - 'Precious Cards from Beyond'! When I Tribute Summon a monster using two or more tributes, I can draw two cards."
"Two cards with a Tribute Summon?" wondered Thomas. "That's a pretty good idea."
From there...
"And now-" Driote began darkly, holding up another card. "-I'll sacrifice all three of my monsters!"
Driote's three monsters ('Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and 'Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') faded away in streaks of blue. A beam of dark power then blazed out from behind the blue/green-haired young woman, who was still holding her next card up.
"Through the powers of darkness, the foolish opposers will be erased from existence!" chanted Driote, before slamming her 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: ?).
"Good Lord." whispered Ace, awestruck by the appearance of the 'Wicked God'.
"This is another 'Wicked God'!" realized Skiff.
"So this is the third 'Wicked God'..." added Spencer, who hadn't seen 'The Wicked Eraser' yet. "'The Wicked Eraser'!"
Emily, Discord, and Hurricane each remained silent at the sight.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the Duel Ring Server, Gordon, Mr. Gresley (Boxford), and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), while busy trying to get everything back to normal, had witnessed the scene of 'The Wicked Eraser' appear in the duel between Thomas and Driote on the monitor.
"Another 'Wicked God'!" gasped Mrs. Gresley (Boxford).
"One that we don't know about!" added Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"Thomas..." whispered Gordon, clearly worried for his younger friend.
(elsewhere...)
Back atop the Apex Duel Arena, 'The Wicked Eraser' let loose a second roar, while Driote just cackled.
"The third 'God' has arrived!" she declared. "Allow me to tell you a bit about it... The Attack Power and Defense Power of this monster are each equal to the number of cards my opponent controls times 1000."
"I control three cards, meaning the stats of 'The Wicked Eraser' grows to 3000." realized Thomas.
Indeed so... 'The Wicked Eraser' grew stronger (ATK: ? - 3000/DEF: ? - 3000).
"Also, since I've Tribute Summoned a monster with two other monsters-" continued Driote, drawing two cards. "-I can draw two cards."
Both cards were 'Mound of the Bound Creator' (Spell Card) and 'The Wicked Avatar' (Effect Monster Card). Below the duel platform...
"So, 'Eraser's' Attack Power and Defense Power both are determined by the number of cards on the other player's field. For a 'God', it isn't very self-sufficient." Spencer thought to himself. He then snorted, sounding unimpressed with 'The Wicked Eraser'. "Hmph! I knew it. It's nothing more than a fake 'God'."
"Don't underestimate it, Spencer." warned Emily. "I know what its true power is like."
Back on the platform...
"You may have Summoned your 'Wicked God'-" dismissed Thomas, sharing Spencer's opinion on 'The Wicked Eraser'. "-but it's missed the chance to attack this turn. That means I have my next turn to find a way to take it out; whether it be by attack or Monster Effect."
Driote just smiled. "I don't need to use it to 'attack'."
"Huh?" gasped Thomas.
"My 'Wicked God' will destroy your whole field of cards without the need of attacking." continued Driote. "You see, it has a devastating power unlike anything you have ever seen!"
"What is?" demanded Thomas. "Tell me, now!"
"Don't be so hasty, my beloved Anakin!" teased Driote. "I'll explain it to you..." And explain, she did... "During my Main Phase, I can destroy this monster."
To Thomas's surprise, 'The Wicked Eraser' began crumbling into a pile of black ashes.
"What's going on?" wondered Ace.
"Is Driote destroying her own 'God' Monster?" wondered Skiff.
"Absurd! Why would she do something like that?!" demanded Spencer, who was completely baffled by the choice of play.
Emily did not say a word about it; the reason she wasn't surprised was because she witnessed the power of 'The Wicked Eraser' in her duel with Diesel 10. On the platform, Driote was laughing madly to the ongoing storm as 'The Wicked Eraser' began to disappear, becoming a whirling tornado of black ash that was burning away the remaining cards on the field.
"When 'The Wicked Eraser' is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can destroy all cards on the field." explained Driote. "Now, all of your cards will burn away into ashes!"
Thomas watched helplessly as both his monsters and his facedown card were burned away by the swirling ashes of the black tornado. Soon, the tornado died down, and the whole field was empty.
"I made a pretty good choice there!" bragged Driote. "Speaking of choice, you and I are not so different. After all, at one point or another, we both chose to put lives at risk just to get what we wanted. Take that useless trio for instance, I influenced my weaker self to kidnap and enslave them for 'our' purposes. Yet, when they were finally set free, they were given a chance to return to their normal lives with protection by the authorities. However, instead of letting them have their freedom, you insisted that they join your little party and risk their lives just so you could have a chance to defeat me, the 'Artist of Insanity'. Doesn't that seem a bit selfish of you?" She then giggled maniacally. "Just face reality, my beloved Anakin. You never cared for the well-being of those weirdos at all. You only saw them as nothing more than pawns for your own goals."
Thomas listened to his enemy's 'The Reason You Suck Speech', but rather than get angry over it, he had a response for it...
"For an artist, you have such a lame imagination." The blue/black-haired young man remarked.
"I beg your pardon?" Driote flinched, surprised by such a comeback.
"Theo, Lexi, and Merlin each were given the choice to either help us, or stay behind." continued Thomas. "They had the final say on the matter, and could have easily chosen to stay behind where it was safe. But instead, they made the choice to fight alongside us out of gratitude for saving them from your demonic clutches. Just as I now choose to activate the second effect of 'Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier'!"
"W-What did you say?" gasped Driote, nearly forgetting the other effect of Thomas's monster.
"If this monster is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, or if this monster in my possession is destroyed by an opponent's Card Effect and sent to my Graveyard-" explained Thomas. "-I can Special Summon one 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' Monster from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard."
Driote gasped again, watching as Thomas drew a card, looked at it, and then held it out.
"Show yourself - 'Gaia the Magical Knight'!"
Appearing onto the field was what looked like a stronger, or magical, version of 'Gaia The Fierce Knight'. Though this version also had a red cape, larger lances, and mounted on a huge, red horse (Level: 7/ATK: 2300/DEF: 2100).
"While on the field, this monster is always treated as a 'Gaia The Fierce Knight' card." said Thomas. "However, that is not the 'only' monster I'll bring out." While speaking, a card ejected from his Graveyard. "If 'Gaia the Magical Knight' is Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon one Level 5 Dragon monster from my hand or Graveyard in defense position."
"What?!" demanded Driote.
"That's right." As Thomas spoke, he took the ejected card from his Graveyard and held it out. "Come forth - 'Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon'!"
Appearing onto the field was a more magical version of 'Curse of Dragon' (Level: 5/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1500).
"If this monster is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add one Spell Card or Trap Card from my Deck into my hand that specifically lists 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' in its text." explained Thomas, drawing a card ('Spiral Fusion') and looking at it. "And even 'that's' not the end of me Summoning new monsters."
"It's not?" quizzed Driote.
"It's not." confirmed Thomas. "When you used 'The Wicked Eraser's' effect to destroy my cards, there was one specific card you took out."
A card ejected from Thomas's Graveyard, which he showed out to Driote.
"It's called 'Waking the Dragon'." he explained. "If this set card in its owner's control has left the field because of an opponent's Card Effect and is now in my Graveyard or banished, I can Special Summon one monster from my Deck or Extra Deck.."
A large Synchro Ring appeared onto the field as a column of light shot out.
"Appear, Level 8... Magical Swordsman of Awakening - 'Enlightenment Paladin'!"
When the Synchro Summon sequence came to an end, the robed swordsman appeared onto the field (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"He just Special Summoned three monsters of his own in one move..." murmured Ace.
Spencer smirked without uttering a word about it. Back on the platform, Thomas had one more card he wanted to share with everyone, but before that could happen...
"Nice try-" scoffed Driote. "-but I have a little something of my own to share!" Her 'Purgatory in the Burning Abyss' Spell Card ejected from the Graveyard. "I activate the second effect of 'Purgatory in the Burning Abyss'! By removing it from my Graveyard, I can activate one 'Burning Abyss' Trap Card from my hand; however, I'm forbidden from setting Spells and Traps for the rest of my turn."
She took a card from her hand and held it out...
"Trap Card - 'The Traveler and the Burning Abyss', activate! It lets me target any number of 'Burning Abyss' Monsters in my Graveyard that were sent there this turn and Special Summon them in defense mode."
Several cards ejected from Driote's Graveyard, much to everyone else's surprise.
"Come out, my monsters!" The 'Artist of Insanity' commanded.
'Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' (Level: 3/ATK: 1400/DEF: 0), 'Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' (Level: 3/ATK: 1500/DEF: 300), 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' (Level: 3/ATK: 1100/DEF: 900), and 'Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' (Level: 3/ATK: 1300/DEF: 700) all appeared on the field in a defensive stance.
"Four monsters!" worried Skiff. "This could mean another 'Wicked God' is on its way."
"Driote's already Normal Summoned this turn, Skiff-boy." reassured Discord. "Even if she has another 'Wicked God' in her hand, she would have to wait until next turn to play it."
"Actually, I've a better idea." cut in Driote, before pointing to two of her monsters. "I overlay the Level 3 'Calcab' and 'Cagna'!"
Both 'Calcab, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' and 'Cagna, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' both were absorbed into the forming Overlay Network in the center of the field.
"He who braves the land of darkness, arise on high and smite the wicked!" chanted Driote, just as the Xyz Summon sequence died down and the Overlay Network exploded. "Xyz Summon! Descent! Rank 3 - 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'!"
Appearing onto the field, once the Xyz Summon sequence had finished, was the brave 'Dante' himself (Rank: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2500).
"'Dante'?" wondered Thomas.
"Yes, and I'll activate his effect now." nodded Driote, drawing three cards as 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' allowed one of his Overlay Units faded away. "Once per turn, I can detach one Overlay Unit from this monster and choose another number from one to three, then I must send that many cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard; until the end of this turn, this monster gains 500 Attack Points for each card sent to the Graveyard this way."
She sent the three cards ('Karma Cut', 'Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and 'Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss') to the Graveyard, causing 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' to grow stronger (ATK: 1000 - 2500).
"That's pointless though." objected Thomas. "You're in your Main Phase Two, so you can no longer declare an attack."
"Pointless? This isn't pointless." joked Driote. "I did it all on purpose. When the time is right, I'll show you why that's the case." She then drew a card as she entered her End Phase. "Anyway, one card that I sent to the Graveyard seconds ago was 'Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', and its effect lets me add one Level 3 DARK Fiend monster, for except 'Scarm, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', from my Deck into my hand."
'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' then returned to his normal strength (ATK: 2500 - 1000).
"Driote has a whole wall of monsters..." worried Skiff.
"Not to mention they have an effect that activates the second they enter the Graveyard." added Discord.
"Billinton, do not lose to this so-called Queen." Spencer thought to himself. "Show me your power as both a True Duelist and the 'Supreme King'!"
Back on the platform, Thomas was shown looking at his friend/rival in thought. Both duelists nodded in agreement and respect before Thomas turned his focus back on the duel.
"Driote, I will overcome those monsters of yours!" he declared, drawing a card. "It's my turn!"
Turn Five: Thomas Billinton (LP: 2600)
Deck: 42
Current Hand (6): "Return Risk Reservoir", "Multiply", "Damage Eater", "Apprentice Illusion Magician", "Spiral Fusion", and "Kuriboh"
Ledger of Legerdemain: 2 Standby Phases Left
His hand contained 'Return Risk Reservoir', 'Multiply', 'Damage Eater', 'Apprentice Illusion Magician', 'Spiral Fusion', and the drawn 'Kuriboh'.
"Yes!" Thomas smirked to himself, before taking a card from his hand ('Damage Eater') and sending it to the Graveyard. "By discarding a card, I'll Special Summon 'Apprentice Illusion Magician' from my hand!"
Appearing onto the field was the retrained counterpart of 'Dark Magician Girl' (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1700). A card ('Dark Magician') then ejected from Thomas's Deck, which he added into his hand.
"In addition-" Thomas went on. "-if 'Apprentice Illusion Magician' is either Normal or Special Summoned, I can add one 'Dark Magician' from my Deck into my hand."
"Are you going to Summon your ace monster?" questioned Driote.
"Actually...I've a better monster in mind."
Driote raised an eyebrow, wondering what those words could mean. Was Thomas going to try and bring one of the three 'Egyptian God' Monsters out? Driote didn't know what to expect to see next. Her answer soon came...
"From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card I added last turn thanks to 'Curse of Dragon the Cursed Dragon'." declared Thomas, holding out another card. "'Spiral Fusion'!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"It allows me to Fusion Summon one Dragon Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Material." The blue/black-haired young man explained. "Now, I'll fuse 'Gaia the Magical Knight' with 'Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon'!"
The two monsters were absorbed into the Fusion Vortex as Thomas began a Summon Chant...
"Fierce knight with the enchanted gift, take up arms with the dragon of bewitched flames, and soar amongst those who have yet to believe in magic!" chanted Thomas, before bringing both hands together. "Fusion Summon! Soar - 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion'!"
Appearing onto the field, when the Fusion Summon sequence ended, was 'Gaia the Magical Knight' riding 'Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon' (Level: 7/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2100).
"And with my monster's rise, comes your final downfall, Driote!" boomed Thomas. "The remaining effect of 'Spiral Fusion' activates! If the monster I Fusion Summon is 'Gaia the Dragon Champion', it gains 2600 Attack Points. Also it can make up to two attacks on monsters during each Battle Phase." He then smiled knowingly. "While on the field, 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' is treated as 'Gaia the Dragon Champion'."
'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' doubled in strength (ATK: 2600 - 5200). Below the platform...
"That's not all." smirked Spencer, impressed, folding his arms.
"What do you mean, Big Brother?" asked Skiff.
"'Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon' has an effect that can be activated when it's in the Graveyard and there's a 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' on the field."
Back on the platform, Thomas was echoing Spencer's words...
"I activate the effect of the 'Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon' in my Graveyard!" he announced. "If this monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can target one 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' I control; I can negate the effects of all face-up monsters my opponent currently controls with Attack Points less than or equal to the targeted monster's, until the end of this turn."
'Curse of Dragon, the Dragon Fire' let loose a breath of magic fire towards Driote's monsters.
"All of your monsters have their effects negated for the rest of the turn!" declared Thomas. "However, preparations for the battle are not complete. To continue with them, I'll activate the effect of 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion'!"
"Another effect?" exclaimed Driote. "What else can it do?"
"During the Main Phase, I can target one other card on the field; this monster loses 2600 Attack Points, and if it does, I can destroy the selected target."
'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' threw one of his lances, which impaled and destroyed 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss'. With the loss of one lance, 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' grew weaker (ATK: 5200 - 2600).
"Hmph! I was hoping you would do that." commented Driote. "The third effect of 'Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss' activates!" While speaking still, a card ('Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') ejected from her Graveyard, and she added it into her hand. "If this monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can target one 'Burning Abyss' card in my Graveyard, except this card, and add it into my hand."
"It does not matter, my counterattack begins now!" declared Thomas, entering the Battle Phase. "The first monster to attack you will be 'Enlightenment Paladin'!"
'Enlightenment Paladin' awaited the order to strike down the enemy.
"Take down 'Libic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"
'Enlightenment Paladin' obeyed, slashing at the fiendish creature with his sword and destroying it rather easily.
"'Enlightenment Paladin's' effect activates!" continued Thomas. "If this monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to the Attack Power that monster had on the field."
'Enlightenment Paladin' summoned fire to his blades, which he slashed at Driote, causing her to cry out as she started to burn alive. While she ultimately lived through it, her Life Points did drop to low levels in an instant (LP: 2300 - 1000).
"I'm not through with you!" warned Driote, while taking and placing a card onto her Duel Disk. "Since you've destroyed 'Libic', I can Special Summon one Level 3 DARK Fiend monster from my hand, but its effects are negated... Now, appear in defense mode - 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"
The fiendish creature appeared on the field where its colleague once stood (Level: 3/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1200).
"Damn! Not that one..." complained Thomas.
"That's right." acknowledged Driote. "This monster's destruction will let me revive a fallen 'Burning Abyss' Monster." She then pointed at her flustered opponent. "That means you can't beat me this turn!"
Thomas, angry and frustrated with the bind he's now in, fully expected the 'Artist of Insanity' to use 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss's' effect to Special Summon 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'.
"Dammit, there's no other alternative for me!" Thomas thought to himself. He then spoke aloud to Driote in anger... "Seeing as I have no other choice, I'll step into your trap! 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion', attack 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' with Magic Dragon Lance!"
'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' obeyed, throwing a lance at 'Cir, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' which pierced the enemy monster and destroyed it. All of a sudden, 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' suddenly regained both lance weapons as he grew stronger again (ATK: 2600 - 5200).
"Seeing as this monster has destroyed an opponent's monster by battle-" continued Thomas. "-his Attack Power will go up by 2600 points!"
"And seeing as you've destroyed 'Cir', I get to Special Summon one 'Burning Abyss' Monster from my Graveyard!" Driote pointed out, taking a card and holding it out. "Return to me - 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"
In a flash, 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' reappeared on the field (Level: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1900). Below the platform...
"Thomas is in a bit of a bind." said Emily urgently.
"If Thomas doesn't attack 'Farfa' this turn with either 'Gaia' or 'Apprentice Illusion Magician', Driote will have a spare monster on her field next turn, which just might give her all that she needs to Summon another 'Wicked God'." put in Hurricane.
"But if Billinton does attack 'Farfa', one of his monsters will be banished until the End Phase, and if Driote banishes 'Gaia', he will lose the Attack Power that he just gained from his effect when he returns to the field." finished Spencer.
Back on the platform, Driote was truly enjoying seeing her hated enemy squirm.
"How does it feel?" she asked gleefully. "How does it feel knowing that no matter what you do, I will still have enough monsters for when I call my next 'Wicked God'? Although in case you've forgotten, you still have an additional attack left with 'Gaia'."
"I know that!" snapped Thomas, before ordering his next attack... "I'll use 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' to attack 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"
'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' obeyed, throwing both lances at the next 'Burning Abyss' Monster (it being 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'). As expected, both weapons stabbed into 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss', causing the enemy monster to shatter into shards of glass.
"How nice...for 'me', anyway." giggled Driote, taking a card from her Deck and placing it on top of it. "If 'Draghig' is sent to the Graveyard, I can choose one 'Burning Abyss' card from my Deck and place it on top of my Deck." She then held up the index finger of her right hand. "You only have one more monster that can attack, and the target is 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'."
"If I destroy 'Farfa', I would risk 'Gaia' being banished and losing its Attack bonus." Thomas thought to himself. "However, if I leave 'Farfa' alive, Driote may have more resources she will need to Summon the next 'Wicked God'." He then, while trying to make up his mind, realized something very important. "Even if it means making sacrifices, no matter what, I can't allow Driote to keep monsters on her field, despite the risks to myself."
"So, what will be your choice?" mocked Driote. "Attack, or end your Battle Phase?"
At long last, Thomas made up his mind on the matter...
"'Apprentice Illusion Magician', attack!" he commanded. "Your target is 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'!"
'Apprentice Illusion Magician' obeyed, firing a blast from her wand. 'Farfa, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' was hit by the blast of magic, and ended up destroyed by it.
"AH HA HA HA! You really were stupid enough to attack my monster!" laughed Driote. "Now, I'll activate the effect of 'Farfa'! If this monster is sent to the Graveyard, I can target one monster on the field and Banish it until the End Phase!" She then pointed at 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion'. "The monster I pick, rather obviously, is 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion'!"
In an instant, 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' found himself vanishing into oblivion. Growling, Thomas took two cards from his hand and slotted them into his Duel Disk.
"I set two cards facedown and end my turn." he stated. "Now that the End Phase has arrived, 'Gaia' returns to my field!"
As two facedown cards appeared on the field, 'Gaia the Magical Dragon Champion' found himself returning to the field as well (Level: 7/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2100). Driote, meanwhile, looked carefully at her field, which was empty of cards yet again. Despite it, she was smiling over it.
"It's my turn!" The blue/green-haired young woman announced, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Six: Driote (LP: 1000)
Deck: 33
Current Hand (4): "Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss", "Mound of the Bound Creator", "The Wicked Avatar", and "Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss"
Her drawn card was the 'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss'. Driote added the card into her hand and allowed another card to eject from her Graveyard.
"The effect of the 'Good & Evil in the Burning Abyss' in my Graveyard activates!" she declared, while sending another card ('Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') from her hand to the Graveyard. "During my Main Phase, except the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard, I can remove this card from my Graveyard and send one 'Burning Abyss' Monster from my hand to the Graveyard in order to add one 'Burning Abyss' card from my Deck into my hand."
Thomas watched as Driote drew a card, looked at it, and added it into her hand. Surprisingly, she had already shaved almost half of her Deck. Driote, meanwhile, had another Monster Effect to activate...
"The effect of the 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' in my Graveyard activates!" The 'Artist of Insanity' exclaimed eagerly. "Since I've used the effect earlier with my first copy, I won't need to explain what it is. What I will do, however, is remove up to three 'Burning Abyss' cards to inflict up to 900 points of damage! It's 300 damage times per card."
Three cards ('The Traveler and the Burning Abyss', 'Fire Lake of the Burning Abyss' and 'Draghig, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss') ejected from Driote's Graveyard before fading away into oblivion. Before an attack could be unleashed, a small, yellow demon-like monster suddenly popped up and ate up the 'Barbar, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' Monster Card (to stop the effect, not remove it) sticking out of Driote's Graveyard, much to her surprise.
"W-What?!" gasped Driote. "What was-?"
"The card I discarded to Summon 'Apprentice Illusion Magician' was an Effect Monster called 'Damage Eater'." answered Thomas, taking a card out from his Graveyard and readying it while it faded away into oblivion. "During my opponent's turn, when my opponent activates a card or effect that would inflict damage, I can remove from play this card in my Graveyard to change that effect so it increases Life Points by the same amount instead."
"What did you-?" Driote started to say, but faltered at the end of her sentence.
Sadly so, Thomas's Life Points increased instead of decreased (LP: 2600 - 3500). Just then, Driote, despite being surprised only a few seconds ago, started to laugh over it. Almost like she had been expecting to see something like that happen.
"What's so funny?" questioned Thomas harshly.
"My dear Anakin, I have something I wish to show you and everyone." whispered Driote, taking a card from her hand and slotting it into her Duel Disk. "Are you ready? Then watch this..."
A facedown card materialized on the field, but it quickly flipped face-up and revealed itself to be a Spell Card called 'Limbo in the Burning Abyss'(!).
"I activate, from my hand, the Spell Card 'Limbo in the Burning Abyss'! First, I'm required to show my opponent my whole hand. You don't mind if I do that, do you?"
Thomas did not respond in kind. As such, Driote threw her whole hand up into the sky. From there, three large cards materialized face-up above her head.
"Gaze at my hand as hard as you can, because I want every single one of you on this rooftop to take a good, long look!" cackled Driote, knowing that her enemies were in for a shock over what card she was holding onto. "None of you will ever forget this one, crucial moment!"
From the moment Driote's cards were shown, Thomas and everyone else present gasped in shock and horror. The three cards were 'Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss' (Effect Monster Card), 'Mound of the Bound Creator' (Spell Card), and, the most shocking of all, 'The Wicked Avatar' (Effect Monster Card).
"Th... 'The Wicked Avatar'!" stuttered Spencer, easily the most horrified.
"She already...has it in her hand!" added Hurricane.
My friends and fellow readers, this was very, very bad for Thomas, and very, very good for Driote...
To be Continued!