This story was done in collaboration between me and Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART) and we 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). 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
NOTE: This scene takes after our heroes have returned to the Island of Sodor after their final adventure in Egypt.
WARNING: This deleted scene is rated T just to be on the safe side.
Title: Love Means Nothing
Opening up outside on the Sodor High School grounds, Thomas and his class were busy playing tennis. Mr. Baldwin, the gym teacher, decided that today was so beautiful outside for a spring day, that he had the tennis nets setup so that his students could play a game like tennis.
"Boy, who thought that playing tennis outside today was such a good idea?" panted Percy, hitting the ball onto the opposite side, "It's so tiring!"
"Hang in there, Percy," reassured Thomas, who was on his best friend's team.
The pair was currently playing against both James and Edward.
"There!" yelled Edward, hitting the ball back.
Thomas simply hit the ball right back towards James. James tried to hit the ball, but he missed.
"And Thomas and I have scored a point!" rejoiced Percy.
"Ngh…" grimaced James, before he started grumbling, "Come on… What does 'tennis' even have to do with 'dueling'?"
"Dueling?" repeated Edward, walking up with the ball in-hand, "You know, James, there's more to life than just playing Duel Monsters."
"I know, I know… I just wish we were dueling instead of playing tennis. Heck, I'll even take playing volleyball over something like tennis—at least we can have more people on a team if we play that sport!"
Thomas and Percy were both waiting for a serve, which Edward did. Nearby on the sidewalk, a teenage boy was shown walking down the street when he saw the nearby students playing tennis, which caught his interest. As Thomas, Percy, James, and Edward continued with their match, James jumped into the sky with his racket and smashed the ball with all his might. However, he ended up messing up the rebound, causing the ball to rocket towards another net—and aimed right at Molly!
"Uh-oh!" panicked James, "Get out of the way, Molly!"
Hearing her boyfriend's voice, Molly turned and gasped as the tennis ball came straight for her. It looked certain she could be hit and injured. Fortunately, it was not meant to be, for someone came to her rescue… With his own tennis racket in-hand, the same teenage boy jumped in and smacked the ball away towards another net, which was where Diesel, Arry, Bert, and Dennis all were playing at.
"Ha!" taunted Diesel with an arrogant laugh, "You idiots couldn't hit the ball even if it was…"
*SMASH!*
The devious black-haired boy was hit in the face by the ball, knocking him over onto the ground all dazed.
"Diesel!" cried Dennis, as he, Arry, and Bert each ran over to see their friend/leader, "You okay?!"
Although his cheek was bruised, other than swirling eyes Diesel was perfectly okay.
"…coming right at you," blurted Diesel dizzily.
Arry, Bert, and Dennis each sweatdropped at the quote, but they still helped their friend/leader right back up and led him away to the nurse's office inside the school. Meanwhile, all eyes were on the boy who saved Molly from being hit by James's misaimed shot.
"Who-?" began Molly, shocked over being saved.
The teenage boy was shown to have long dark blue hair, and was wearing tennis-based clothing including shoes.
"Molly!" hollered Emily, as she, Stanley, Mavis, and Rosie each ran up to their friend, "Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine, Emily," replied Molly, before looking towards her savior, "He stepped in just in time."
"Molly… My dear, sweet Molly…" The teenage boy began, turning around and smiling at Molly, "It has been far too long."
"Huh?" peeped Molly, recognizing the boy's face, "It can't be. Nathan?"
Nathan, as he was named, only continued to smile.
"Nathan?" pondered Mavis.
"Molly, do you know him?" came from Rosie, as Stanley remained silent.
"He's an old friend of mine long before I moved to the Island of Sodor," explained Molly, before turning to her old friend, "It's so great to see you again."
"Not as it's great to see you," corrected Nathan, "When you moved away, I never heard from you again. Until now."
"What brings you here to Knapford City?"
"I'm visiting to both compete in a tennis tournament and teach a couple of classes at the tennis club," The dark blue-haired boy answered, swinging his tennis racket like a pro, "My parents and I'll be staying in Knapford for two weeks."
"Wow, you're a tennis pro?" asked Emily, as both Thomas and Percy walked up beside her.
"Sure am," confirmed Nathan, before looking back at Molly, "Actually, I'm glad to have met up with you again at this time. I'm actually teaching a class tomorrow morning. Why don't you and a few friends come by the tennis club and watch it? Heck, maybe you can even take part in the class."
As the conversation went on while more and more students (including Mr. Baldwin) gathered around, James and Edward, joined by Toby, were watching the scene from one of the nets.
"Hold on," said James, beginning to talk about Nathan, "That guy actually knows Molly, as in he's like…her childhood friend?"
"It would seem so," replied Edward.
James continued to stare at both Molly and Nathan for a few more seconds before narrowing his eyes in jealousy.
"James?" wondered Toby, "Are you alright?"
"I don't get it! Why didn't she tell us anything about him in the first place?" James questioned, feeling a bit upset to have been left in the dark about some of Molly's life before coming to the Island of Sodor, "We all share lots of facts with 'her'."
Edward and Toby both said nothing back, but they could tell that their red-haired friend was more upset and jealous over the fact Nathan was getting close to Molly (and the bigger fact they were childhood friends). Speaking of Nathan and Molly, they were beginning to approach James, Edward, and Toby.
"James, I want to introduce you to someone I knew from a long time ago," began Molly, "This is Nathan; he was my friend back before I moved to Knapford City. Nathan, this is James."
"It's great to meet you, James!" smiled Nathan, holding his right hand out.
"How charming," grumbled James sarcastically, holding his own right hand out.
"Now, James… Thomas, Emily, Stanley, Rosie, and I are going to watch a class he's teaching at the tennis club tomorrow morning," confessed Molly, "We were wondering if you'd like to come, too?"
James was about to refuse to go, but then realized that this could be a big opportunity to one-up that Nathan guy and impress Molly at the same time.
"You know what?" commented James mischievously, "Sure, why not? I'll be there."
"Really?!" gasped Nathan, looking and sounding very happy, "Great! I can't wait for you guys to come and watch my class!"
"Who said anything about watching?" thought James, still grinning to himself, "Instead I'm gonna show you that I'm better at tennis than you are."
Edward and Toby both noticed the look on their friend's face and sweatdropped in response to it.
"Do you think James is planning something?" Toby whispered to Edward.
"Well, I wouldn't be surprised if he is," Edward whispered back, "He never did like other guys getting close to Molly."
That's for darn sure.
(elsewhere…)
The next morning, Thomas, Emily, Stanley, Rosie, and Molly all were waiting outside the tennis club for James when he finally arrived…wearing his school gym clothes and carrying his tennis racket?
"J-James?" recoiled Thomas.
"What the heck?" came from Emily.
"What in the world are you doing wearing your gym clothes and carrying your tennis racket?" added Molly, looking surprised.
"Isn't it obvious?" grinned James, "I'm gonna take part in one of Nathan's tennis classes."
"…" mumbled Stanley, "What?"
"What did you say?" gawked Rosie, thinking she didn't hear correctly.
"I said I'm gonna take part in one of Nathan's tennis classes," James said once again.
That did it; before long, the small group, even Molly, burst into laughter, causing James to sweatdrop over it.
"What?" he asked defensively.
Getting his laughter under control, Thomas stepped towards the confused (and slightly offended) James to tell him what he needed to hear even if it wasn't gonna make him happy..
"James, you mentioned yesterday that you'd rather play volleyball than tennis," reminded Thomas, still practically chortling, "Why the sudden desire to take part in a tennis class?"
"Why not?" insisted James, before swinging his racket about, "I'll show that Nathan guy that he's not the best tennis player around!"
Molly listened to the explanation without saying anything back, wondering what the true reason for entering the class was.
(inside…)
Before long, the small group of friends arrived at the tennis courts where Nathan was waiting.
"Hey, I'm glad you were able to make it!" The dark blue-haired boy praised, before noticing James in his gym clothes, "James?"
"I want to take part in your class," offered James, "No matter how long and exhausting it is, I want in."
"You sure you're up for it?" asked Nathan, "Tennis is no sport to take lightly."
James remained confident, "Bring it on!"
After blinking for a few seconds, Nathan just shrugged and chuckled over the cockiness.
"Alright, if that's what you want," he remarked innocently.
(elsewhere…)
Minutes later, James and Nathan were going at it. Many balls were already on the former's side, while no balls were on the latter's side. The class was going swimmingly, while Molly, Thomas, Emily, Stanley, and Rosie all could be seen sitting on the nearby benches. Soon, James fell to his hands and knees in exhaustion.
"Looks like you've had enough," teased Nathan, just before readying yet another ball, "However, the class isn't over yet!"
"Man, another one?" groaned James, getting back to his feet and trying to smack the incoming ball back with his racket, "Geez! I'll remember this!"
Getting hit on the forehead by the ball, he finally collapsed onto his back.
"Stand! Stand up, James!" requested Nathan, "You can't just let 'this' crush you! If you don't break a leg 'now', 'then' what? This day we call 'today' is just for 'today'!"
"Obviously, it is…" grimaced James dryly, managing to look up.
"And when we write 'tomorrow'," continued Nathan, "we think of it as a 'bright' day! Now… Fifty more in tomorrow's honor!"
"F-Fifty more?!" James whined, exasperated.
"How's it feel? 'Inspiring', huh? Join me and break a leg! Your sweat and tears will 'fuel' your tomorrow! Here's to being in the prime of our lives!"
Over in the stands…
"I knew James was way in over his head," sighed Stanley, shaking his head.
"Sometimes I wonder why can't he ever listen to reason?" agreed Emily.
"Still, Nathan's serving up a pretty cheery smile with all that drama…" Thomas pointed out.
"More like it's all so 'cryptic'…" corrected Rosie.
Molly simply stayed silent. And so, the class went on, and on, and on, and on…
"Forty-eight…" counted James, smacking tennis balls back, "Forty-nine… Fifty!" He then collapsed onto his stomach, "All done…"
At last, Molly stood up from her seat and approached the exhausted James.
"You okay, James?" she asked slowly.
"I'm fine… just really thirsty," panted James, "I need to drown myself with several bottles of water!"
Molly merely smiled and helped her boyfriend to his feet. Nathan, when he saw the scene, didn't look very happy about it.
"Molly's talking to James as though they're buddies?!" The dark blue-haired boy asked himself mentally, fuming hard. Fire even appeared in his eyes, "I'm just 'burning' jealousy now!" Finally he spoke aloud, "Back away from him, Molly!"
This brought all eyes onto the angry-looking Nathan as he approached the net itself.
"I'm not one to say things like 'this', but…"
"But what?" peeped James, looking pretty confused.
Molly, meanwhile, started to get nervous over the mood her old friend was in; she knew this was not going to be good.
"…Molly, a lovely 'fairy' such as 'yourself' doesn't belong with somebody like James!" continued Nathan.
Over with the rest of the group…
"Molly? As a fairy?" wondered Emily, starting to envision Molly as a fairy.
Back on the court…
"Molly, you deserve a man like 'myself'!" raged Nathan, "Now, I'm saying this just to 'help' you… Hurry and step 'away' from James!"
Before Molly could say anything and defuse the situation between both her friends…
"Excuse me, buster?" interrupted James, starting to become pretty cross himself, "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Molly happens to be 'my' girlfriend! I'm her Splendid Ruby, and she's my Beaming Sunshine."
Nathan practically flinched when he heard that. Molly, deciding to try one more time, stepped forth to hopefully defuse the blow out between Nathan and James before it got any worse.
"I'm really sorry, Nathan," The black-haired girl apologized gently, "I know you've had a crush on me for a long time, but the thing is…"
Suddenly, Nathan pushed right by and got into James's face in even greater anger.
"I don't know if you realize this, but 'I' saw her first!" snarled Nathan, "She's 'my' childhood friend!"
"Well, I'm sorry to hear that," retorted James, "However, you were too late in the end."
"That will change!" As he spoke, Nathan reached behind his back…and pulled out a Duel Disk, "James, duel with me!"
"Just 'listen' to me!" requested James, but got interrupted.
"If you're a duelist, too, how about we use this duel to settle this like 'men'?" offered Nathan, "I'll just say it… Whoever wins will be Molly's 'fiancé'!"
Molly gasped, "W-Wait a second!" she cried out, "What are you-"
Back with the rest of the group…
"Did Nathan just say 'fiancé'?" pondered Thomas.
"How did they even end up on 'that'?" questioned Rosie, placing both hands at her hips.
"This is probably something I 'don't' want to know," deadpanned Stanley, while Emily nodded in silent agreement.
Back over on the court…
"Heh, I'm not followin' 'any' of that, but a guy 'has' to buy up any duel he's sold!" said James, now with a determined grin on his face, "So, 'fine'! I'll take you up on that duel!"
Molly could only stammer in surprise.
"Wait, you 'are'?" called Rosie.
"Things just got a whole lot bigger…" frowned Stanley.
Minutes later, James and Nathan both had their Duel Disks equipped as they stood on opposite sides of the court for their match.
"Let's do this, James!" declared Nathan, activating his Duel Disk.
"Sure! Don't mind if I do!" accepted James, activating his own Duel Disk.
Before long…
"DUEL!" Nathan and James announced at once (LP: 4000) x2.
"Don't 'I' get a say in this…?" complained Molly quietly, before shaking her head, "Nathan… you really are a handful."
Back on the court…
"I think I'll take the first turn!" offered Nathan, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn One: Nathan (LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (6): "Receive Ace", "Service Ace", "Giant Racket", "Mega Thunderball", "Mega Thunderball", and "Deuce"
His drawn card was a Spell Card called "Deuce', and the rest of his hand contained 'Receive Ace', 'Service Ace', 'Giant Racket', and two copies of 'Mega Thunderball'. Smirking, he added the drawn card into his hand, took another ('Serving Ace') and held it up.
"The early bird gets the worm!" declared Nathan, "I activate a Spell Card, 'Service Ace'!"
The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"A Spell Card 'already'?" gasped James.
"You see, this is a gamble kind of card," explained Nathan, taking a card from his hand while not showing what it was, "I must target 1 card in my hand: My opponent must guess whether it is a Spell, Trap, or Monster Card, and reveal it to my opponent; if they guessed wrong, I must inflict 1500 damage to my opponent. When this card resolves, I must banish the targeted card."
"Is it a Spell, Trap, or Monster Card?" thought James, beginning to look nervous.
"Can you guess what kind of card this one is?" he asked, "Come on, don't be shy, it's an easy guess."
"Easy guess?" repeated James, before looking determined, "It's a Spell! No, wait! I think it's a Trap!"
Nathan smirked, "Well, James, you…" He then turned the card over, revealing it to be a Monster Card ('Mega Thunderball'), "…are wrong! This is a Monster Card."
"I guessed wrong?!" wailed James.
"I'm afraid so," confirmed Nathan, waving the card about, "Because of that, you have to take 1500 damage!
From there, a large tennis racket materialized and shot 'Mega Thunderball' over the net and striking James, causing him to yell out as he got thrown back a little bit (LP: 4000 → 2500).
"Damn it…" The red-haired boy grimaced.
"That's too bad, James," joked Nathan, "It's not even your first turn, and already you have less than 3000 LP," He then took a card from his hand and slotted it into his Duel Disk, "I'll Set one card face-down and end my turn."
A face-down card materialized on the field.
"Sweet! It's my turn!" announced James, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn Two: James Hughes (LP: 2500)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Elemental HERO Avian", "Elemental HERO Clayman", "Elemental HERO Burstinatrix", "Edge Hammer", "Winged Kuriboh", and "Feather Wind"
Adding the drawn card into his hand, he took and placed another card ('Elemental HERO Avian') onto his Duel Disk.
"I Summon 'Elemental HERO Avian' in Attack Position!" continued James.
Appearing onto the field was the green-suited bird-like hero (Level: 3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000).
"Here I come!" yelled James, entering the Battle Phase, "'Avian', attack Nathan directly! FEATHER FLASH!"
'Elemental HERO Avian' obeyed, conjuring a great barrage of feathers with his wings, and firing them towards Nathan.
"Face-down card, open!" interrupted Nathan, before pointing to his Set card, "I activate a Trap, 'Receive Ace'!"
The face-down card flipped up and revealed itself.
"When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack: I must negate the attack, and if I do, inflict 1500 damage to my opponent. Then, I must send the top 3 cards of my Deck to the GY."
A wind burst from the face-up 'Receive Ace' Trap Card blew the feathers right back at James, striking him as he raised his left arm (with the Duel Disk) to block the attack.
"James!" hollered Thomas.
Back on the field, the attack ended as poor James took even more damage (LP: 2500 → 1000).
"3000 LP down already?" chuckled Nathan, drawing and sending the top three cards of his Deck to the GY, "I was expecting a little bit more from you."
James grimaced again, "I Set one card face-down…" While speaking, he took a card from his hand and slotted it into his Duel Disk, "…and end my turn."
A face-down card materialized on the field behind 'Elemental HERO Avian'.
"The duel has barely even started and already James has only 1000 LP left," remarked Emily.
"I have to say those two cards Nathan played really caught him off-guard," added Thomas.
Back on the court, Nathan drew a card and took his turn.
Turn Three: Nathan (LP: 4000)
Deck: 30
Current Hand (4): "Giant Racket, "Mega Thunderball", "Deuce", and "Smash Ace"
"Alright! Here comes some more!" The dark blue-haired boy whooped, holding his drawn card out, "Spell Card, 'Smash Ace', activate! I must reveal the top card of my Deck: If it is a Monster Card, I must inflict 1000 damage to my opponent. I must send the card revealed by this effect to the GY.
"Oh, 'come' on!" whined James, "Are those 'all' you've got?"
"Sorry, but that 'is' how I duel…" reminded Nathan, "Now then…" He drew a card, looked at it, and then held it ('Mystical Shine Ball'), "…I've revealed a Monster Card!"
"Oh man, he's just too lucky!" winced James, knowing he was about to be defeated.
"Heh… The power of the draw's just 'one' of my skills," boasted Nathan, "Now, try my 'Smash Ace' on for size!"
A hurricane-like eye appeared in the sky, charged a glowing ball, and fired it off towards James.
"I don't think so!" cut in James, pointing to his Set card, "Counter Trap, 'Feather Wind', activate!"
The face-down card flipped up and revealed itself.
"When a Spell/Trap Card is activated while I control a face-up 'Elemental HERO Avian': I must negate the activation, and if I do, destroy it."
"What?!" cried Nathan.
As the golden ball approached, 'Elemental HERO Avian' got in the wave and shielded himself with his wings, deflecting the attack away.
"What the-?" Nathan complained in disappointment.
"Hehe… Eye for an eye—or a 'Trap' for a 'Trap'!" rejoiced James.
At first Nathan was upset by the turnabout, but then seemed to grin over it.
"Not bad… Not bad at all, James!" he proclaimed, "This is how I want my rival to fare!"
"Rival?" groaned James, sweatdropping, "Who says I'm a rival to this guy?"
Back with the audience…
"Rival? Man, where does he get this stuff?" said Rosie, exasperated.
"Well they both 'are' fighting over the same girl, so technically they're both rivals for Molly's affections," answered Emily.
An unhappy Molly didn't say anything still; she just continued to watch the duel.
"I don't wish to give you more bad news, but it looks like your field is now wide open!" declared James, before drawing a card, "It's my turn! Draw!"
Turn Four: James Hughes (LP: 1000)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (5): "Elemental HERO Clayman", "Elemental HERO Burstinatrix", "Edge Hammer", "Winged Kuriboh", and "Polymerization"
Upon seeing his drawn 'Polymerization' Spell Card…
"It's here!" The red-haired boy exclaimed, looking very pleased. He then held the card ('Polymerization') out, "I activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization'!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"With this," explained James, taking two cards ('Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' and 'Elemental HERO Clayman') from his hand and sending them to the GY, "I'll fuse, from my hand, 'Burstinatrix' with 'Clayman'."
The two mentioned monsters ('Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' and 'Elemental HERO Clayman') briefly appeared on the field before fusing together.
"I Fusion Summon 'Elemental HERO Rampart Blaster' in Attack Position!"
Appearing onto the field, when the Fusion Summon sequence ended, was 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' decked out in heavy clay armor with a shield, helmet, and a Gatling blaster on her arm (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 2500).
"Since you're open, I'm gonna attack!" James went on, entering the Battle Phase, "Go forth, 'Avian'! Attack Nathan directly!"
'Elemental HERO Avian' obeyed, firing another barrage of feathers towards Nathan, this time successful in striking him (LP: 4000 → 3000).
"And now it's your turn to attack, 'Rampart Blaster'!" ordered James, "RAMPART SHOT!"
"Elemental HERO Rampart Blaster' obeyed, firing a barrage of explosives towards Nathan's side of the field, causing him to yell out.
"How's that?!" boasted James, "We're now even!"
Nathan fell to a knee as his LP dropped to very low levels (LP: 3000 → 1000). Despite him now being even with his opponent, Nathan became more determined than ever to win the duel and win Molly's heart.
"I end my turn here!" finished James.
"Great job out there, James!" congratulated Stanley.
With a hearty laugh, James flashed his friends the peace sign before looking back at Nathan, ready to end the duel next turn.
"Alright! We're back where we started 'now'!" stated James, "Although it looks like 'I' have the advantage!"
Nathan shook his head, "Are we really, James?"
"Huh?" gasped James, "What do you mean by that? I have two monsters, and you have none."
"I'm afraid it won't be like that for much longer," warned Nathan, drawing a card, "It's my turn! Draw!"
Turn Five: Nathan (LP: 1000)
Deck: 29
Current Hand (4): "Giant Racket", "Mega Thunderball", "Deuce", and "The Big Server"
His drawn card was a Monster Card called 'The Big Server'.
"I was 'waiting' for this chance, James," said Nathan confidently, adding the card into his hand before taking another out, "I activate a Continuous Spell from my hand, 'Deuce'!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Another Spell?" worried James, scratching the side of his mouth.
"This card is gonna change the rules for the duel a bit," explained Nathan, "If each player's LP are 1000: Only 1 monster can attack during each Battle Phase," While going over his card's effect, he took out a comb and fixed his hair up a little bit, "The player that inflicts damage to their opponent twice wins the Duel. If a player takes damage from their opponent; the number of times that player is considered to have inflicted damage becomes 0. (While this card is face-up on the field, neither player can lose the Duel if their LP become 0.)"
"Wait, so neither player can be defeated unless they take battle damage twice?" pondered James.
"That's correct, and, again, only a single monster can attack during our respective Battle Phase."
Over with the audience…
"He almost made it like the rules of tennis…" realized Emily.
"I swear this game gets stranger and stranger with each new card being created," added Rosie.
"The question about that though," interrupted Thomas, "is was this Discord's doing, or was it Zack's? I can never tell who keeps making the rules more and more confusing."
Nobody bothered answering. Back on the court…
"I'll be ending this duel 'here' and 'now'," acknowledged Nathan, before taking and holding another card ('The Big Server') out, "I Summon 'The Big Server'!"
Appearing onto the field was a robotic tennis player with the racket attached to his arm (Level: 3/ATK: 300/DEF: 800).
"'The Big Server'?" blinked James, before easing up, "I don't mean to drag you down, man, but your monster only has an ATK of 300."
"In that case, allow me to drag 'you' down," offered Nathan, which caused his opponent to gasp in response, "'The Big Server' can attack directly."
"Directly?!"
"Sorry, James, but that's how it is!" The dark blue-haired boy said without regret. He then entered the Battle Phase, "Go, 'The Big Server'! Attack my opponent directly! BIG SERVE!"
'The Big Server' obeyed, toss up and hitting a metal tennis ball over the net and striking James, causing it to explode and making him cry out (LP: 1000 → 700).
"Advantage, me," grinned Nathan, "Thanks to the effect of my Continuous Spell, 'Deuce', all I have to do is make one more attack, and I'll be the winner."
"He's right," thought James, "Though if I manage to damage him, I'll cancel his point out."
However…
"I know what you're thinking," warned Nathan, "You figure that if you can get an attack off, you'll be able to destroy my advantage, right? Well, you're right about that. However… my 'The Big Server' has one more effect."
"Another effect?!" gawked James.
"Yup," As he spoke, Nathan took his Deck out of his Duel Disk and searched through it for a card, "When this card inflicts battle damage to my opponent: I can add 1 'Service Ace' from my Deck to my hand, and if I do, my opponent draws 1 card."
James did not like hearing that bit of news, as it meant he was dead meat. With the audience…
"This is not good," frowned Thomas, telling his friends the situation James had found himself in, "Nathan's going to activate 'Service Ace' as soon as it's in his hand, and if James guesses the card wrong…"
"…he'll lose," finished Emily, "Though the card he draws from 'The Big Server's' effect might be able to help him turn things around."
Back on the court, Nathan took a card ('Service Ace') and added it into his hand before shuffling the Deck and placing it back into his Duel Disk.
"Now, James, go ahead and draw," he requested.
From there, James drew one card. It was a Spell Card called 'Feather Shot'. Perhaps it could be of help—that is, IF he survived the rest of the turn.
"All set?" teased Nathan, "Here I go!" He then held his added card ('Service Ace') out, "Spell Card, 'Service Ace'!"
"Not again," complained James.
As expected, a second copy of the 'Service Ace' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"So, it's that time 'again', James," began Nathan, taking a card from his hand and holding it up (without showing what it was), "A Spell? A Trap? Or maybe a Monster?"
James was quiet as he thought. He couldn't afford to make another mistake like last time, because one wrong guess would give Nathan two points and defeat him. At last, James made his (possible) final call…
"It's… it's gotta be a monster!" proclaimed James loudly, before retreating into his thoughts, "Please let this be the right answer. Please!"
Nathan lost his confident look and gasped in shock, but quickly recovered enough to announce if the answer was right or wrong.
"Well done," accepted Nathan, turning the card ('Mega Thunderball'), "You guessed right."
"Aw, yeah!" cheered James, "I'm safe!"
The audience was relieved that their friend was still in the duel.
"What a relief!" sighed Rosie.
"I thought this was the end of the match for James," added Stanley.
"James…" whispered Molly.
Back on the court, Nathan was still not done with his turn.
"From my hand," he was saying, taking the last card from his hand and slotting it into a Spell/Trap slot on his Duel Disk, "I'll activate the Equip Spell 'Giant Racket'! I'll equip this onto 'The Big Server'!"
A giant tennis racket appeared and was then strapped to the back of 'The Big Server'.
"I end my turn," finished Nathan.
"Guess the wind's blowing 'another' way now, huh?" joked James.
Nathan shook his head, "Do you think I won't make 'any' precautions?" he pointed out, "Allow me to tell you about 'Giant Racket'! Once per turn: The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle, and its controller takes no battle damage from that battle."
"And 'that' means your combo with your Continuous Spell, 'Deuce'…" gulped James, "…makes it so 'The Big Server' won't get destroyed!"
"Pretty much."
"Not bad, Captain Cheery…" The red-haired boy thought to himself, "But it's do or die for me, too… If I don't settle this now, I won't win…"
With the audience…
"James has only one more chance to turn things around," said Emily firmly.
"You know, there might be a way for him to do that," figured Thomas.
"There is?" quizzed Rosie.
"What could James do?" added Stanley.
"If he can trust in the Heart of the Cards enough, he will be given the final key to victory," replied Thomas.
Back on the court, James was carefully looking at his Deck one more time.
"One more turn," he was telling himself mentally, "If I can draw the right card, I may have a chance of taking that jerk down. If not, then I'll lose Molly…"
"Alright, James, it's your turn now," called Nathan, "Of course, there's not much you can do to take down my combo of 'Deuce', 'The Big Server', and 'Giant Racket'."
"Listen up, the duel's not over until the last card is played!" retorted James, before drawing a card with a Destiny Draw, "It's my turn!"
Turn Six: James Hughes (LP: 700)
Deck: 51
Current Hand (4): "Edge Hammer", "Winged Kuriboh", "Feather Shot", and "De-Fusion"
Upon seeing his drawn card…
"It's here!" announced James, causing Nathan to become worried, "This duel's all mine!"
"It… it is?" stammered Nathan, "But that can't be true!"
"To start my victory move," began James, sliding his drawn card into a Spell/Trap slot on his Duel Disk, "I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell 'De-Fusion'!" While speaking on, the mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "I must target 1 Fusion Monster on the field; I must return that target to the Extra Deck, then, if all the Fusion Materials that were used for its Fusion Summon are in my GY, I can Special Summon all of them."
From there, 'Elemental HERO Rampart Blaster' split apart back into two monsters. As expected, appearing on the field were both 'Elemental HERO Clayman (Level: 4/ATK: 800/DEF: 2000), and 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' (Level: 3/ATK: 1200/DEF: 800).
"You can hold off my first attack," continued James, "but with two attacks right after, you'll lose this!"
Nathan laughed, "You're right about that—if you 'were' allowed to attack with different monsters," he remarked cockily, "Thanks to the effect of 'Deuce', you can only use one monster to attack. More importantly, 'Giant Racket' will protect my 'The Big Server' from battle destruction once per turn, and I'll take no battle damage."
"And you think I'm dumb enough to not know that?" chuckled James
"Yes," said Nathan bluntly.
"In that case, allow me to give you a reality check," James offered, before taking and holding another card ('Feather Shot') out, "I activate the Spell Card 'Feather Shot'! I must target 1 face-up 'Elemental HERO Avian' I control; during this turn, that target can attack a number of times equal to the number of monsters I control when this card resolves, but other monsters I control cannot attack this turn."
'Elemental HERO Avian', with his arms folded, started glowing green as he got energized with power.
"N-No way!" stammered Nathan.
"You see, this is the card I drew from your 'The Big Server's' effect," reminded James, "I should really thank you for the assistance."
Nathan did not like what was about to happen.
"Alright, it's time for the last battle!" whooped James, entering the Battle Phase, "'Avian', take down 'The Big Server'! FEATHER SHOT - TRIPLE HIT!"
Obeying the command, 'Elemental HERO Avian' flew into the sky, spread out his wings, and fired more sharp feather shards at 'The Big Server'. 'The Big Server' merely swatted the shards away with the giant racket on its back. Did that stop 'Elemental HERO Avian'? Nope.
"Don't let that get you down, 'Avian'!" encouraged James, "When at first you don't succeed, try again!"
Once again 'Elemental HERO Avian' fired a barrage of feathers from his wings at 'The Big Server'. This time, the robotic tennis player was struck down.
"No… Just like that…" winced Nathan (LP: 1000 → 300).
"And now, the final blow!" declared James, "'Avian', attack Nathan directly!"
From there, 'Elemental HERO Avian' unleashed one last barrage of feathers towards Nathan, striking and causing him to yell out before collapsing onto his hands and knees (LP: 300 → 0).
DUEL RESULTS: James Hughes wins!
"He did it!" hollered Rosie.
"James won the duel!" added Stanley.
"Yay, James!" cheered Molly.
The eyes of Thomas, Emily, Stanley, and Rosie were all on the black-haired girl. Back on the court, the holograms of James's monsters faded away as James himself celebrated his win.
"Alright!" he cried out triumphantly, before pointing the index and middle fingers of his right hand at Nathan, "Gotcha! That was a fun duel!"
James then heard sobbing coming from Nathan as he returned to his feet. For some reason, Nathan was comically crying over his loss.
"I actually lost?!" he freaked out, before running out of the area in a blubbering mess.
This left the audience a little stunned and bemused by what they just saw, being completely unsure on what to even say about it. Before long, they saw James beginning to approach them.
"Heeey!" echoed James, waving to his friends.
"Man, James, you're really something else!" praised Stanley.
"Heh! He was an easy one," boasted James, before noticing Molly approaching, "Ah, my girl!"
Molly smiled, "James…"
"Well, you know what this means don't you?" remarked James proudly, wrapping his left arm (with the Duel Disk) around Molly's shoulder, "It means as of now, I'm your fiancé, can you believe that? How lucky you and I are?"
Thomas face-faulted, while Emily and Stanley both smiled sheepishly, and Rosie giggled in amusement. Molly, however, was not so amused by the declaration.
"Remind me why I don't smack you more often," she said to James.
"Oh, come on," joked James, "It'll be great! I've once heard that you can get a fiancé when you're as young as 16. Just think how great life will be once we're married with kids?"
As she listened to her boyfriend ramble on, Molly just turned, sighed in annoyance, and started walking away from the court, while James simply followed cheerfully explaining about the perks of fiancés, marriage, and all that kind of stuff, leaving Thomas and the others behind.
"Geez! What does Molly even see in him?" groaned Emily, trying to clear her mind of James's stupidity.
"Even after the time he saved her from the Rare Hunters, he still has yet to smarten up," added Thomas.
Stanley and Rosie both laughed a little bit, knowing that there were still things about James that will never, ever change, wouldn't you agree?
(elsewhere…)
And what about Nathan? As the sun began to set, the dark blue-haired boy, after dropping out of the tennis tournament because he was too depressed to compete, looked out towards the seaside cliffs in despair.
"Moooollllly!" yelled Nathan, still practically crying comically, "How?! How could you love that goofball instead of me? I mean, I dueled my butt off for you, and I hate dueling!"
"HEY! PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO SLEEP HERE!" A voice (male) suddenly snapped out of nowhere, "SO DO US A FAVOR AND SHUT UP!"
"Sorry," whimpered Nathan meekly, instantly shutting off the waterworks and becoming quiet.
Sheesh, what a baby he really was…
End Scene