Chapter 4: A Close Shave for Lillie: Duel on Ice pt 2

Previously on Ash's Journey Through Dimensions Yu-Gi-Oh Arc: While Noah subjected Yugi Ash Goh and the Pokémon to a virtual maze, Tea and Lillie were targeted for a duel by Crump, Big-5 member, former Kaiba Corp. accountant and all-around penguin nut. Tea chose Dark Magician Girl to be her Deck Master. Lillie chose Dumanes Dark Witch as her Deck Master. Tea was able to reduce Crump's life points. However, despite Lillie's best efforts to defend herself, Crump targeted her constantly, reducing her to less than 1500 life points, leaving the poor girl more than half-encased in ice. Can Lillie survive long enough to win? Find out now.

Goh, Yugi, the Pharaoh, Pikachu, Snowy, and Grookey were surprised at Ash's hair flashing gold. Lucario walked over and placed a paw on Ash's shoulder, Speaking to Ash via aura. "Master, I know you are worried about your mate. We all are, but you need to calm down. Anger will only cloud your judgments. You need a clear and focused mind if you want to save Mistress Lillie.

Ash took a deep breath. "Your right Lucario. Thank you." Lucario nodded and gave a wave of its paw as of to say no problem. Now let's go through the two-star door."

Yugi stepped in front of the door with two stars over it. "Ash allow me to handle this. I summon Obnoxious Celtic Guardian!" (1400/1200) The guardian charged the monster behind the two-star door and destroyed it quickly. "We did it! Now let's hope we can find Lillie and Tea." With the path opened, the group went through the two-star door.

Back at the iceberg dueling field, poor Lillie could not stop shivering. "I c... can't feel... my... my toes," Lillie said, trying to think warm thoughts. "Ash Snowy, I wish you were here right now."

"Everything is going according to plan. Lillie's life points are down by 70%. It won't take me long to finish her. Once that's done, I can focus on Miss Gardner." Crump thought to himself.

(L: 1200)

(T: 4000)

(C: 2200)

Tea's hand was shaking with rage. "This guy is such an evil j***. He's only targeting Lillie; she wasn't even part of our group. She doesn't deserve this."

Dark Magician Girl put her hand on Tea's shaking hand. "Calm down, Tea, or you won't be able to help Lillie," Dark Magician Girl advised telepathically.

Tea nodded, "I set one monster in defense mode and ended my turn."

Lillie, despite the big chill she felt, drew a card. "I also set a monster in defense mode. I also activate a magic card, Mooyan Curry, which increases my life points by 200."

(L: 1400)

(T: 4000)

(C: 2200)

Crump drew a card "Flying Penguin, attack Tea's face-down card with penguin sword!" The Penguin slashed through the card. A pair of wings briefly appeared before disappearing.

"You just flipped over my Skelengel (900/400), which means I get to draw a card." Tea drew the magic card Magic Formula. "This looks like it could come in handy." she thought.

"Draw all the pathetic cards you want because it's only a matter of time before you're frozen in time forever, or my name isn't Adrian Randolph Crump III, master of the art of number-crunching and an all-around best penguin in the world!"

"You're one weird little bird," Tea commented as she drew a card. It was a monster card called Maha Vailo. (1550/1400) Maha Vailo? This card won't help.

"Yes, it will." Tea looked at Dark Magician Girl. "Maha Vailo contains a special power within it. But the power can only be accessed through a magic card."

"A magic card?" Tea looked at the Magic Formula card she drew as the result of her Skelengel. What do I have to lose? "I summon Maha Vailo in attack mode!" A blue-robed sage with make-shift wings on his back appeared. "Next, I play the magic card Magic Formula raising its attack power by 500 points!"

(MV: 1550-2050)

"It's still not enough!"

"Don't be so sure. Maha Vailo has a special power. For every magic card, I add to it. I can increase its attack points by 500!"

(MV: 2050-2550)

"Maha Valio, attack with magic lightning!" The spell caster blasted the Penguin.

(L: 1400)

(T: 4000)

(C: 1850)

Tea breathed a sigh of relief. They were safe...for now.

Lillie turned to Tea " Thanks... for getting...rid of that monster," she stuttered while drawing a card. Tea gave Lillie a thumbs up. "I set a monster in defense mode and end my turn.

Inside the maze, Yugi's group had almost made it back to the four doors when they heard Lillie's voice.

"Ash, It's freezing cold out here. I can't feel my toes."

Ash skidded to a halt. "Lillie 's voice is getting louder!"

"Yes, we must be close," Yugi agreed. They ran forward, continued their trek, and entered the room with four doors. "Not this place again," he moaned. "Okay, now where's that three-star door." Yugi saw it and drew a card. "Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight, attack!"

But Yami noticed something different with this door: three card backs underneath the stars. "Yugi, wait!" But it was too late. As Gaia struck the door, a shield appeared and destroyed it.

How could my monster have been destroyed?" Yugi wondered.

"I tried to warn you," Yami said. "Look at the door. See those three cards. Well, one of them disappeared when Gaia was destroyed. They must've been face-down cards."

"Then the card that destroyed Gaia must've been Mirror Force."

"Right. Try again."

"Okay. I summon Gazelle, the King of Mythical Beasts!" The monster was revealed: Dark King of the Abyss (1200/900). Before Yugi could order an attack, the Dark King of the Abyss received a sword, raising its attack power to 1900.

"Oh great, it got stronger, Goh said in frustration.

"Not an issue Goh," Yugi replied. "I play Polymerization fusing Berfomet with Gazelle to form Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast!" (2100/1800) Yugi's fusion monster destroyed the Dark King of the Abyss, revealing the door. Yugi and the group ran through it and found himself back in the room. "Now for the four-star monster!"

"Uh, I hate to point this out but look at the door, guys," Goh pointed to beneath the stars revealing five cards.

"Pika-chu pika pika pika pika" (Oh come on 5 TRAP CARDS)

Grookey Groo key key key (HOW DESPERATE ARE THESE CREEPS)

"Relax, guys," said Yugi. "I play the magic card Heavy Storm! It destroys all magic and trap cards on the field."

The level 4 monster was revealed: it was Flash Assailant (2000/2000).

Snowy was very annoyed. "Vulpix Vul Vul Vul pix Vulpix" (OH COME ON, 2000 attack points, I wanna save mommy)

"This could be tricky," thought Yugi. Remember, Yugi, there are ways to destroy monsters besides attacking." Yami reminded the young duelist.

Yugi thought he knew what Yami was talking about. "I summon the 4-Starred Ladybug of Doom!" (800/1200) A little ladybug appeared, and though its attack power was weak, Yugi triggered its special ability, which was the ability to destroy all four-star monsters. "Phew, good thing I had that little guy inserted into my deck."

"Yes, it was. Let's go save Lillie and Tea," said Ash running through the final door.

"You got it!" Yugi ran through right behind him, with Goh not far behind him. Soon the group found themselves in an ice cavern. An ice window looked out over Lillie and Tea's duel with Crump. "Oh no, it's as we feared they're dueling one of the Big-5!"

Ash pounded on the window, "Lillie, be strong!"

Lillie was oblivious to Ash's calls. She didn't even see him. "Make your move, short-stuff."

"Okay, it's your funeral, my dear," Crump said, drawing a card. "I play Bolt Penguin in defense mode (1100/800) along with another card face-down, and I'll end my turn by activating the magic card Final Flame dealing 600 points of direct damage to you, Lillie."

Lillie screamed as the fire evolved, and her life points dropped, much to everyone's horror.

(L: 800)

(T: 4000)

(C: 1850)

Tea was angry. "Maha Valio, attack Bolt Penguin with Magic Lightning!" The bolt Penguin was destroyed.

But Crump was laughing, "You walked into my trap. I reveal my face-down card, Revenge Sacrifice! Revenge Sacrifice lets me take the monster that just attacked me and lets me use it as a sacrifice to summon one of my monsters. Now I play Defender Iceberg in defense mode." (0/2450)

Tea and Lillie were startled at the size of Crump's new monster. "Check it out," Tea began.

"It's like a giant ice cube" Lillie finished drawing a card and passing her turn, knowing she could do nothing to that behemoth.

"Yes, a giant ice cube with 2450 defense points. You two will never get past that," Crump boasted, drawing a card. "Next, I'll play a card face-down and summon Penguin Torpedo in attack mode!" Crump's Deck Master Ability increased its attack points.

(PT: 550-750)

"Penguin Torpedo can attack your life points directly!" Penguin Torpedo launched a suicide run and hit Lillie, who screamed as she was hit.

(L: 50)

(T: 4000)

(C: 1850)

Snowy was struggling in Goh's arm, trying to headbutt the ice wall to get to her mommy, who was almost completely encased in ice. Lillie's arms, hands, and face were the only parts of her not encased. Everything else was frozen. Even the poor girl's hair was encased in ice.

Tea drew her next card. "I move my Deck Master onto the dueling field," she said, hoping it could protect Lillie in a worst-case scenario.

Lillie drew her card and saw it was Dark Magic Ritual. She knew if she could pull the ritual card on her next draw, she could potentially win the duel. Smiling at this possibility of saving herself, Lillie ended her turn.

Crump drew his card. "It's for me to win myself a body. First, I play a magic card called Ocean of Rejuvenation which lets me bring back my old friend, Penguin Torpedo!" The penguin missile appeared again and launched a suicide attack at Lillie, much to everyone's horror.

Ash was shaking in rage again, worried that he was about to lose Lillie. Yami turned to Yugi. "There may be one card in our deck that can smash the ice barrier so we can save Lillie." Yugi nodded and closed his eyes. Heart of the Cards guided me, and he thought of drawing a card and then playing it.

I summon the Red Eyes Black Dragon. Appearing from the card was a mighty-looking dragon who quickly destroyed the ice barrier.

Ash knew there was only one way to save his girlfriend. Turning to Goh, I need Cinderace to give Pikachu a boost so he can knock that torpedo away from Lillie. Goh nodded and released his starter, and explained the plan. Quickly getting into position, Cinderace threw Pikachu so he could intercept Crump's Monster.

Lillie closed her eyes in fear, knowing she was about to lose her body. Tears flowed from her eyes, knowing she would never see Ash again. Her final thoughts were, "I love you, Ash. Never forget me." As she waited for the end, she heard the one thing she had hoped for her boyfriend coming to her rescue.

"Pikachu Iron Tail." Lillie opened her eyes and saw her boyfriend's trusty starter striking the Penguin Torpedo and destroying it. The next thing she knew, Ash was in front of her in a defensive stance, ready to protect her.

"Ash!" Lillie said to Ash which Tea noticed and could see why Lillie was in love with the guy as everyone ran over towards Ash and the girls.

"Lillie, I'll get you out of there. Just be patient," Ash said to Lillie, who nodded and pulled out a Pokeball. "Incineroar, come on out," Ash opened the Pokeball, and a massive Redish-black cat came out who noticed Lillie was in the case on ice. "Get Lillie out of there, will you," Ash said to his fire starter, who nodded and used a Flamethrower to get her out of the ice quickly but not to harm her.

Lillie was finally free from the ice and hugged Ash. "You came. Thank you, Ash. I was almost a goner there," Lillie said to Ash, who happily returned the hug.

Crump, seeing this, had steam coming from his ears to the point that it could melt the ice he was on. He was mad that his victory was stolen from him. "Hey, you stole my victory from me there. You ruined all my chance of leaving this god-forsaken place," Crump said to Ash, who turned to him and glared. Ash let out a massive Aura wave towards Crump, who was taken aback by this. "Hey, what the" Crump was interrupted by Ash.

"Shut your beak, will you? You targeted Lillie, my girlfriend, and soon-to-be fiance. If the rest of you are like this, I can see why you are stuck in this place. Worthless and cheap," Ash said to Crump, who was even madder than before. Ash's hair started to glow again slightly as Ash calmed down.

Tea was amazed and in awe at how much Ash was in love with Lillie and willing to help her like that. Tea now wished that Yugi would do that for her one day.

"Tea, is it?" Ash asked Tea, who nodded. "If you don't mind, I would like to take over in this duel for Lillie," Ash said to Tea.

"Sure, but you'll start as her Life total, not to mention you are more out of your league than Lillie here is. Even more than your chances of beating the Masters 8," Crump said, laughing.

Ash glared at him. "At least I'm somebody unlike you, who is just a pathetic old man who is a creep for girls," Ash said to Crump, who shut up as Lillie was beside Ash, ready to take part in this duel.

(AL: 50)

(T: 4000)

(C: 1850)

"Luckily for you, that was the extent of my turn," Crump said to the three duelists. "But mark my words next turn, I will win against you, and then I'll turn my attention to Tea three duelist for three of our members," Crump said to Ash, laughing.

On the other hand, chuckled. "If you get the next turn, that is," Ash said as Crump still laughed at Ash when he said that.

"You are either Brave or Stupid, kid. Please don't kid yourself with beating me, you see. As long as Defender Ice Berg here is on the field, you can only attack it, so direct attacks won't work if you have cards that can, that is," Crump said to Ash as Lillie was worried. "I don't know what is worse. You think you beat me, or your loss in the Unova league to a guy with five Pokemon, or you lost to a guy with a whole team of legendaries."

Ash clenched his fist at what Crump had just said. "Wow, that was harsh even from an accountant," Tea said

"At Least Ash was capable of beating Tobias's two legendaries in the league, more than anyone else, and you call it bad," Lillie said to Crump, who shut up. "Yes, he could've won that league if he didn't face him, but at least he has beaten something. What are you known for working for a gaming corp? How insulting," Lillie said.

"Tea, it's your turn. I'll deal with shutting him up for good once your turn is done," Ash said coldly, to which Tea nodded.

"And I thought I was the one who puts people on the ice here," Crump said with an Anime sweatdrop.

Lillie was ecstatic that Ash was beside her in battle, or should she say duel, as Tea took her turn, but she didn't have a card so far that could beat that monstrosity of an iceberg of a monster.

"I end my turn sadly. There is nothing I can do," Tea said as Crump smirked, knowing that this would be his ticket to winning when Ash's turn was over. He had the monster reborn in hand and will use it to finish Ash and Lillie off.

"Humph, they are lucky that Ocean of Rejuvenation prevents me from summoning another monster after I use it, but when my turn is next, I will win this once and for all," Trump thought.

"Our turn, we draw," Ash said as he remembered what Yugi told him about when it came to how to play the game. Ash noticed that he drew a card known as the Card of Sanctity. Ash looked at Lillie's hand and noticed that one card or two could help them in this situation. "It's a risk. I activated the card called Card of Sanctity. We now draw until we have six cards in our hand," Ash said.

"Humph, now you are desperate if you have to use that card," Crump said as he only drew one card. Ash drew four more cards as Tea drew two cards.

Ash drew a few cards that didn't work until he noticed that he had pulled the ritual monster he needed to win. Ash smirked at this. "Huh? What's that smirking? What did you draw?" Crump asked Ash in a demanding tone.

"From our hand, we activate the Ritual magic card Dark Magic Ritual," Ash said, activating the ritual spell card as a pair of lamps came out.

"Wait, you can't do that. You need the monster in question to summon," Crump was interrupted by Ash.

"We sacrifice the Ancient Elf and Dark elf on our side of the field to summon the Magician of Black Chaos," Ash said as he placed the monster right in the middle of the monster zone on his duel disk as the monster came out. Magician of Black Chaos (2800/2600).

Crump was scared just by seeing this. "But that's not all, Crump," Ash and Lillie said as Crump squawked hearing this. "We sacrifice both our Shining angel and my facedown Shinning Friendship to summon our last monster, the Dark Magician," Ash said, surprising everyone, especially Yugi and Yami. Dark Magician (2500/2100)

"What, but how? My calculations told me that this duel would end in my favor. How could you cheat like this," Crump said to Ash and Lillie.

"Cheating is more like pulling a victory out of the hat. The only one who is a big cheat is the guy in the suit targeting Lillie for her inexperience in this game. Or you didn't think about why Lillie picked a monster with this ability," Ash said to Crump, who now realized what she was aiming for.

The Dark Magician Girl appeared by her masters. "You three. Will you do us a favor and end this pathetic bird once and for all attack now," Ash said to the three Magicians. Who nodded and launched their attack at the Defender Iceberg monster, destroying it as the remaining attack was heading towards Crump, who was still protesting as he was hit.

(C: 1850-0)

Crump squawks as he disappears from the area as the duel is over.

Lillie and Tea were no longer in danger even though it was more than Lillie who was in danger during all that as Yugi ran over to Tea, who was happy that Ash got to Lillie before the duel ended badly.

Snowy ran over to her mother, nuzzling her and wagging her tail as Lillie hugged her ice-type Pokemon. "Thank you, Ash, for saving me there. If you didn't step in, I would've been what he is or worse," Lillie said to Ash Lillie lets go of Snowy and hugs as Ash, who happily accepted the hug.

"It's fine, Lillie. I'm here, and I won't let them get to you like that again," Ash said as Lillie grabbed Ash's back, showing that she was hoping that Ash meant it.

Goh and his Pokemon were watching this and smiling at this as he turned to see Yugi and Tea, who were just as happy to get out of there. Goh was introduced to Tea, who was happy to meet Goh and Ash.

"So what are you two going to do now? You came for the person you love to be with you?" Tea asked Ash and Goh, and Goh turned to Ash.

"We can't just leave them here?" Goh asked Ash, who nodded as Lillie nodded as well.

"I will stay to help you guys. I might take part in a duel if needed, but I have a feeling there is more going on here than what meets the eye because Crump had all that knowledge on me, let alone Lillie meaning that someone is filling them in on us," Ash said to the others who nodded.

"Now that you mention it, Ash. I feel that was off when he said that about Lillie, let alone you," Tea said to Ash, who nodded.

"We should stick together, and I have a feeling that even you, Goh, might not be safe from dueling," Yugi said to Goh, who stuttered and nodded. He has a feeling that that might happen.

While Yugi and the others were talking and catching up while they got off the blocks of ice, someone was watching from a monitor. It was Noah. "What a touchy reunion! I'll let that slide for you, Ash, this time, but don't think this is the end? Ash, you may be a champion in your world, but here you are, just a newbie," Noah said.

"To think that he pulled that off in that duel," A female voice said, walking towards Noah. It was a girl with bonnet hair which is blonde. "He's been a thorn in my boss's side in our dimension."

"Remember that he ruined our plans before Annie, Noah, don't underestimate him," Oakley said to Noah and Annie.

"Humph, like I'm scared of him, remember I agreed to let you help me with Kaiba and his friends, and in agreement, I will allow you to use Kaiba Korps's resources to take over this dimension for Team Rocket," Noah said to the girls who nodded. "Just remember I'm in charge of this, so don't break my rules or attack them outside of dueling, or I will erase you from this world," Noah said.

"We had a deal, so you don't have to worry about us betraying our agreement," Oakley said to Noah as the group burst into laughter.

Done and done. Thanks again to DraconicFireLord and fellow writers for their help with this chapter. DragonicFirelord worked on most of this duel as I finished the rest up. This is only the story's beginning, as more duels are coming up.