I hope you all had a Happy New Year! It feels great to be back with "Crimson Star Priestess", so let's look forward to lots of new Duels and romantic moments with our favorite couples!
I wish to thank Okazakisan who helped me a little bit with the edited version of this chapter, especially at the end, and giving me an idea to rewrite the Turbo Duel.
I added a canon character that is originally from ARC-V. Rin was living in the Synchro Dimension, so it makes sense for her to show up in the 5D's arc and be part of Team White Wind due to her Windwitches. Imagine her Duel Runner looking the same as Zuzu Boyle's, except the black parts are white instead.
The chapter begins in Sherry's point of view.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 84: VS. Team White Wind – Sherry
I was proud of Aki's resilience and her battle against Team White Wind's Dragunity Duelist. She held on with only 100 Life Points after that massive direct attack and did a large amount of damage on Fujieda. However, it was predictable that Aki was going to lose. She may be a strong Duelist, but Turbo Dueling was a different league. She just needed to practice more to become better and be part of the league.
But now… It was my turn to deal with Team White Wind and bring the first victory for the team! I had to! I needed to, so I could get closer to my enemies!
I drove after Fujieda with Splendid Rose flying after me.
Splendid Rose, Level 6: ATK 2200
The Dragunity Duelist waited for me as Dragunity Arma Leyvaten flew above her like a protective mantle.
Dragunity Arma Leyvaten, Level 8: ATK 2600
"Hi!" Fujieda greeted me as I drove next to her. "You're the leader of your team, right?"
"Yes", I responded nonchalantly.
"You team is very interesting. I don't know why your first Duelist is cosplaying as a butler, but he's got a Deck representing Team Royal Knights. Izayoi, however, feels a little out of the place, even though she's a strong Duelist."
"Let's continue the Duel. I'm not here to make friends", I held back a growl as my grip on the handle tightened a little bit after hearing that. For some reason, Fujieda's comment about Aki made me angry.
She may be right that Aki's Deck wasn't a warrior Deck, but her flowers were still strong and powerful just like her.
"You're right", Fujieda agreed. "We've got a tournament to win."
"Everything is up to Team Royal Knights' final Duelist, Sherry LeBlanc, to avenge her fallen comrades!" the MC commented. "Will she be able to bring victory to the knights or will she get swept away by Team White Wind's power! Let's find out!"
"Duel!"
Megumi: 1650 LP = SPC 4
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 8
I first drew the top five cards of my Deck and placed them on my Wrist Dealer before starting my turn. "It's my turn! Draw!" I yelled, drawing my sixth card.
Megumi: 1650 LP = SPC 4 – SPC 5
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 8 – SPC 9
The six cards I got were Horse of the Floral Knights, Energy-Absorbing Monolith, Fleur Synchron, Pinpoint Guard, Intrigue Shield, and Eco, Mystical Spirit of the Forest I had added to my Deck for the Turbo Duel against Team White Wind. I was going to save it for later when I would face their final Duelist.
"I summon Horse of the Floral Knights in attack mode!"
Horse of the Floral Knights, Level 3: ATK 400
"Horse of the Floral Knight's trigger effect! When it's summoned, I can add one LIGHT Noble Knight Monster from my Deck to the hand! I choose Noble Knight Joan! Next, I activate Horse of the Floral Knight's second effect! I fuse it with Noble Knight Joan in my hand. Appear now, Centaur Mina!"
Centaur Mina, Level 6: ATK 2200
"Sherry has already brought out a Fusion Monster to the field, but its attack points are lower than Megumi's Dragunity Arma Leyvaten!" the MC pointed out. "What could she be planning?"
"Centaur Mina's effect! I can Special summon one Level 2 or lower Monster from my hand or Graveyard! I Special summon Fleur Synchron from my hand!"
Fleur Synchron, Level 2, Tuner: ATK 400
I was thankful that Aki managed to keep Splendid Rose, so I could use her to Synchro summon my ace Monster.
"I tune Level 2 Fleur Synchron and Level 6 Splendid Rose! Body born from speed, the time for revolution has come! Bring victory into my hands! Synchro summon! Shine, Chevalier de Fleur!"
Chevalier de Fleur, Level 8: ATK 2700
"So that was her plan! Sherry used Aki's Monster to Synchro summon a Monster strong enough to destroy Dragunity Arma Leyvaten!" the MC realized.
"I place two cards facedown and go to Battle Phase!" I continued as I set two Trap cards. "Chevalier de Fleur, attack Dragunity Arma Leyvaten!"
Chevalier de Fleur flew towards the dragon while swinging her rapier. Leyvaten tried blocking the incoming attack with its weapon, but my loyal warrior broke it in half with before stabbing the dragon in the chest. Leyvaten screeched in pain before it exploded into pieces.
Megumi: 1650 LP – 1550 LP = SPC 5
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 9
This meant Fujieda's field was entirely empty!
"Centaur Mina, attack directly!"
She galloped towards Fujieda who looked over her shoulder to see what was coming. She braced herself as Centaur Mina slashed her diagonally, forcing her Life Points down to zero.
Megumi: 1550 LP – 0 LP = SPC 5
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 9
"And Fujieda Megumi from Team White Wind has been defeated by Sherry LeBlanc!" the MC shouted. "Now, the only Duelists remaining from each team are the leaders!"
Fujieda's Duel Runner opened compartments to release steam now that the Duel for her was over. I drove past her with Chevalier de Fleur and Centaur Mina as we approached the pit. Aki and the others minus Mizoguchi waved their arms and shouted words I didn't catch, but I assumed those were words of encouragement. I gave them a soft wave before driving down the course.
It didn't take long before the leader of Team White Wind showed up behind me driving a light pink Duel Runner that matched her white and pink riding suit. Her shoulder-length aqua-green hair was hidden by her white and pink helmet with yellow visor, shielding her orange eyes.
"Hello. I didn't expect this Duel would come down to the wire, LeBlanc", Akaba spoke up through the intercom. "It's an honor to Duel you, but I won't let you win."
"The honor is mine, Akaba", I replied. "However, I have much at stake, so I won't get beaten down so easily."
"This is it, everyone! Team White Wind's Akaba Rin and Team Royal Knights' Sherry LeBlanc are about to Duel to claim their first point! Ladies, continue the Duel!" the MC commanded.
"Duel!"
Rin: 4000 LP = SPC 5
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 9
"It's my turn! Draw!" Akaba shouted.
Rin: 4000 LP = SPC 5 – SPC 6
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 9 – SPC 10
"Since I control no Monsters, I can Special summon Windwitch – Ice Bell from my hand!"
Windwitch – Ice Bell, Level 3: ATK 1000
"Then, thanks to Ice Bell, I can Special summon one Windwitch Monster from my Deck, but it cannot be Tributed. I Special summon Windwitch – Freeze Bell!"
Windwitch – Freeze Bell, Level 3: ATK 1200
"I cannot Special summon Monsters from the Extra Deck the turn I activate this effect, except Level 5 or higher WIND Monsters. However, Ice Bell's next effect activates! Since she was Special summoned, she inflicts 500 points of direct damage to you, LeBlanc!"
Ice Bell waved the ice wand in her hand as magic poured out from it to create a snow ball as big as her. She waved the wand so the snow ball got thrown at me. The snow ball was only meters from me before it exploded into ice shards that rained upon me. I flinched softly as the shards bounced on me like hail.
Rin: 4000 LP = SPC 6
Sherry: 4000 LP – 3500 LP = SPC 10
"In response of that, I activate Eco, Mystical Spirit of the Forest's effect in my hand!" I called out. "When I take damage from an opponent's card effect, I can Special summon him from my hand and then inflict the same amount of damage I took back to my opponent!"
Eco, Mystical Spirit of the Forest, Level 4: DEF 1000
Eco formed his hands into a sphere before he fired a red orb at Akaba. The orb exploded in front of her, releasing a bright light that briefly engulfed her.
Rin: 4000 LP – 3500 LP = SPC 6
Sherry: 3500 LP = SPC 10
Now we were even.
"Also, since Eco's effect activated, none of us take any further damage for the rest of this turn", I added.
"Tsk! That ruined my original plans", Akaba clicked her tongue irritably. "Oh well, guess I'll have to go to Plan B! Since I control two WIND Monsters, I can Special summon Windwitch – Snow Bell from my hand!"
Windwitch – Snow Bell, Level 1, Tuner: ATK 100
"Windwitch – Freeze Bell's effect! Once per turn, I can increase her Level by one!"
Windwitch – Freeze Bell, Level 3 – Level 4: ATK 1200
"I now tune Level 1 Windwitch – Snow Bell with Level 3 Windwitch – Ice Bell and Level 4 Windwitch – Freeze Bell! Hear the bells ringing for the icicle funeral of the Ice Princess! Take shape with the permafrost and be reborn! Synchro summon! Awake, Windwitch – Diamond Bell!"
Windwitch – Diamond Bell, Level 8: ATK 2800
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have Akaba Rin's ace Synchro on the field; Windwitch – Diamond Bell!" the MC exclaimed thrillingly. "And, if I get this right, it's the ultimate form of Diamond Bell!"
"The Master of Ceremonies is right", Akaba confirmed. "Since I used Freeze Bell as Synchro Material, Diamond Bell cannot be destroyed by battle. Same with Snow Bell, except it prevents Diamond Bell from getting destroyed by card effects. It's the ultimate Windwitch!"
I was fully aware of it. The only way to get rid of Windwitch – Diamond Bell was by a card effect that could either force it back to the Extra Deck or getting removed from play.
"Unfortunately, I cannot activate Diamond Bell's effect after her Synchro summoning because your Eco's effect, meaning I won't be able to inflict effect damage. However… I can still inflict battle damage to you! Windwitch – Diamond Bell, attack Centaur Mina!"
Windwitch – Diamond Bell aimed her two blade arms before firing a rain of icicle spears at my Monster. What she didn't know was I was prepared.
"I activate my Trap; Intrigue Shield!" I activated one of my Trap cards. "I equip it to Centaur Mina, which gives her the power not to be destroyed by battle as long as she's in attack mode, and I won't take any battle damage from attacks involving her!"
Centaur Mina's current shield transformed into the one that was on the Trap card's artwork with a pair of white Pegasus protecting a royal emblem. My Monster raised the shield and released a force field that enveloped her. The icicle spears crumbled into pieces as soon as they touched the force field without getting a chance to inflict damage.
Akaba growled softly in frustration once the attack was over. "Plan B worked well until the very end of this turn… I place one card facedown and end my turn."
"My turn. Draw!" I yelled, drawing Noble Knight's Shield-Bearer.
Rin: 3500 LP = SPC 6 – SPC 7
Sherry: 3500 LP = SPC 10 – SPC 11
I currently had no cards that could assist me of removing Windwitch – Diamond Bell from the field, but there were still a few options I could do.
"Centaur Mina's effect! With her power, I'm allowed to Special summon one Level 2 or lower Monster from my hand or Graveyard! I Special summon Fleur Synchron from the Graveyard!"
Fleur Synchron, Level 2, Tuner: DEF 200
"I tune Level 2 Fleur Synchron and Level 4 Eco, Mystical Spirit of the Forest! The sun gives life to the plants of the Earth, and strength to sharpen their thorns to frighten the enemy away! Synchro summon! Sprout, Queen of Thorns!"
Queen of Thorns, Level 6: DEF 1800
"As long as Queen of Thorns is on the field, each Duelist must pay 1000 Life Points for each Monster they Normal or Special summon from their hands, except for plant-type Monsters!"
"That was a clever move! Sherry locked not only herself but also Rin from summoning Monsters from their hands, unless they wish to take the risk by sacrificing their Life Points, which could get crucial at any moment of the Duel!" the MC commented.
Indeed, but it was worth it to prevent Akaba from summoning more Monsters from her hand. The next problem, however, was to get past Windwitch – Diamond Bell. None of my Monsters were powerful enough to even inflict battle damage, so there was only one thing I could do.
"I switch Chevalier de Fleur to defense mode!"
Chevalier de Fleur, Level 8: ATK 2700 – DEF 2300
"Next, I activate Speed World 2! I remove 7 Speed Counters to draw one card from my Deck!"
Rin: 3500 LP = SPC 7
Sherry: 3500 LP = SPC 11 – SPC 3
My Duel Runner automatically decelerated so Akaba now drove past me. I drew the top card of my Deck and got Speed Spell – Angel Baton. It arrived at the perfect timing.
"I play the Speed Spell – Angel Baton! I can activate it while I have 2 or more Speed Counters. I draw two cards from my Deck and send one card from my hand to the Graveyard."
I drew the two additional cards and checked them. One was White Steed of the Floral Knights and the other was Pennant of Revolution. There was no question of which card I had to send to the Graveyard. White Steed of the Floral Knights' effect was especially effective while it was in the Graveyard.
"I place two cards facedown and end my turn", I finished my turn by setting my two Trap cards.
"It's my turn. Draw!" Akaba shouted.
Rin: 3500 LP = SPC 7 – SPC 8
Sherry: 3500 LP = SPC 3 – SPC 4
My opponent was quiet for five seconds before she made her move, and this time she actually surprised me by her bold move.
"I pay the 1000 Life Points requirement by Queen of Thorns to Special summon one Monster from my hand!" Akaba declared.
Rin: 3500 LP – 2500 LP = SPC 8
Sherry: 3500 LP = SPC 4
"Since you control two face-up Monsters of the same Attribute, Centaur Mina and Queen of Thorns who are LIGHT Monsters, I can Special summon Alector, Sovereign of Birds!"
Alector, Sovereign of Birds, Level 6: ATK 2400
I could tell she was planning something big because of her confident voice. I had to be cautious now.
"I play Speed World 2's effect! I remove 4 Speed Counters to inflict 800 points of damage for each Speed Spell I have in my hand, which are two! That's 1600 points of damage!"
The air around me was suddenly loaded with electricity as the Field Spell prepared itself to electrocute me. However, I was prepared for it.
"I activate my Trap; Energy-Absorbing Monolith!" I yelled. "I can chain this card to an opponent's card effect that inflicts damage to me. That damage is negated and I gain Life Points equal to the amount I would have taken!"
A lightning bolt struck me from the sky, but instead of causing the hair on my body to stand up and deal damage to my Life Points, it felt like a gentle healing breeze.
Rin: 2500 LP = SPC 8 – SPC 4
Sherry: 3500 LP – 5100 LP = SPC 4
There was absolutely no way I was going to allow any of my opponents to defeat me! I had a goal in this Grand Prix and I was going to achieve it no matter what!
"Damnit!" Akaba growled. "That means I can't activate Diamond Bell's effect! However… I've got other plans against you! I play the Speed Spell – Vision Wind! I can activate it while I have 2 or more Speed Counters. I can Special summon one Level 2 or lower Monster from the Graveyard, but it's destroyed during the End Phase of this turn. I Special summon Windwitch – Snow Bell!"
Windwitch – Snow Bell, Level 1, Tuner: DEF 100
"I tune Level 1 Windwitch – Snow Bell and Level 6 Alector, Sovereign of Birds! Winds of water, snow, and ice! Become my power to blow everything away! Synchro summon! Come forth, Windwitch – Winter Bell!"
Windwitch – Winter Bell, Level 7: ATK 2400
"Just like when I used Snow Bell before for Diamond Bell's Synchro summoning, she prevents Winter Bell from being destroyed by card effects", Akaba reminded me. "And Winter Bell's effect activates! I can target one Windwitch Monster in my Graveyard and inflict damage to you equal to that Monster's Level times 200! I choose Windwitch – Freeze Bell, so you'll take 600 points of damage!"
Windwitch – Winter Bell collected energy from Windwitch – Freeze Bell before blowing snow at me. The Solid Vision effect caused the holographic snow to be just as cold as actual snow, so I shivered for a brief moment as the chilly wind ruffled my long hair.
Rin: 2500 LP = SPC 4
Sherry: 5100 LP – 4500 LP = SPC 4
"Diamond Bell's effect! Since you got damage inflicted on you, her effect allows me to destroy one card on the field, and I choose your Chevalier de Fleur, LeBlanc!"
Windwitch – Diamond Bell aimed her right blade arm at Chevalier de Fleur while she gathered light blue energy at the tip. Seconds later, she fired an ice beam that froze my Monster into an ice block. The ice block glowed in white before it shattered into pieces.
"I flip up my Continuous Trap; Pennant of Revolution, and activate its effect!" I quickly shouted. "When another card I control is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can add one Liberty at Last! from my Deck or Graveyard to my hand!"
The Trap card was quickly added to my hand before my Wrist Dealer shuffled my Deck.
"That won't help you! I activate my Trap; Icy Breeze Refrain!" Akaba shouted. "It allows me to Special summon one Windwitch Monster from my Graveyard in defense mode! I Special summon Windwitch – Ice Bell!"
Windwitch – Ice Bell, Level 3: DEF 1000
"Windwitch – Ice Bell's effect! Just as before, when she's Special summoned, she inflicts 500 points of damage to my opponent!"
Windwitch – Ice Bell waved her wand and created a new large ice ball and sent it towards me. Before the ice ball hit me, it exploded into millions of pieces and rained upon me like hail.
Rin: 2500 LP = SPC 4
Sherry: 4500 LP – 4000 LP = SPC 4
"And guess what! Diamond Bell's effect can be activated again since the Synchro Materials I used to Synchro summon her were all Windwitch Monsters! This time, I destroy your Centaur Mina!"
Windwitch – Diamond Bell fired another ice beam that froze Centaur Mina into an ice block. She did try blocking the beam with her shield, but it didn't work. She soon shattered into pieces along with Intrigue Shield.
My two best Monsters were now gone, and the only Monster I had left on the field was Queen of Thorns.
"Incredible! Rin managed to destroy two of Sherry's Monsters before her Battle Phase! Rin is certainly on the road of destruction!" the MC commented.
"I'm far from done!" Akaba yelled."I play the Speed Spell – Speed Fusion! I can activate it while I have 4 or more Speed Counters. I fuse Windwitch – Winter Bell and Windwitch – Ice Bell! I Fusion summon Windwitch – Crystal Bell!"
Windwitch – Crystal Bell, Level 8: ATK 2800
"Mother of all surprises! Does this mean Rin has decided to finish the Turbo Duel with not only her ultimate Synchro Monster but also its Fusion counterpart; Windwitch – Crystal Bell?!" the MC exclaimed in shock.
The two ice bell Monsters hovered above Akaba to protect her from all danger. The best way to describe the Windwitches was they had the same frame, but still had different colors, so they were practically twins, but one emitted positive energy while the other was the evil twin with the purple glyph and accents.
"Let's see if you can endure this battle, LeBlanc! Windwitch – Crystal Bell, attack Queen of Thorns!" Akaba yelled.
Windwitch – Crystal Bell flew towards my plant Synchro Monster I had borrowed from Aki long before this Turbo Duel while her bell rang with a gentle note. It was almost hypnotizing, but my senses were sharp enough to withstand the noise.
"I activate Pennant of Revolution's effect!" I called. "When a Synchro Monster battles a Monster, the Trap card allows me to destroy my opponent's battling Monster!"
The Continuous Trap card fired a cloud of arrows that struck Windwitch – Crystal Bell. She shrieked in pain before she exploded into ice shards.
"Windwitch – Crystal Bell's effect! When she's destroyed by my opponent's card, whether by battle or card effect, and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special summon Windwitch – Winter Bell and one Level 4 or lower Windwitch from my Graveyard. I Special summon Windwitch – Winter Bell and Windwitch – Ice Bell!"
Windwitch – Winter Bell, Level 7: ATK 2400
Windwitch – Ice Bell, Level 3: DEF 1000
"Ice Bell's effect is not activated because she's already used it this turn! Now, let's continue the battle! Windwitch – Diamond Bell, attack Queen of Thorns!"
Windwitch – Diamond Bell aimed her blade arms at Queen of Thorns and fired several icicle spears towards her. Queen of Thorns could only watch in horror as the spears came closer.
"First, I activate my other Trap; Pinpoint Guard!" I shouted. "When my opponent's Monster declares an attack, I can Special summon one Level 4 or lower Monster from my Graveyard in defense mode, and that Monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects this turn! I Special summon Fleur Synchron!"
Fleur Synchron, Level 2, Tuner: DEF 200
"Next, I activate White Steed of the Floral Knights' effect in my Graveyard! I banish it from the Graveyard to target one card on the field and destroy it as a sacrifice to negate Windwitch – Diamond Bell's attack! I destroy my Pennant of Revolution!"
White Steed of the Floral Knight's transparent image galloped out from a gate and ran through the frozen Trap card. It shattered into white and pink flower petals along with the majestic steed before the petals were blown onto Windwitch – Diamond Bell. Her body got covered by the petals, including her face, so she floated back to wipe her body clean.
"An effective save, LeBlanc!" Akaba complimented me. "But I still got my other Monster! Windwitch – Winter Bell, attack Queen of Thorns!"
Windwitch – Winter Bell began spinning her propeller-like body around and caused a blizzard. Queen of Thorns tried shielding herself from the freezing cold snow with her arms, but she got destroyed in the end.
"You survived…for now", Akaba chuckled. "I wonder what you can do with just a Tuner Monster on your field. You better hurry up and build an effective defense, because I intend to finish you on my next turn. I place one card facedown and end my turn!"
"Hooo-boy! It sounds like Rin has every intention to finish Sherry on her next turn with her Windwitch Monsters. Could this be it for the leader of Team Royal Knights? Who will be the true victor?" the MC wondered.
Indeed, who will be the true victor? I only had one Monster in my hand that I could use to Synchro summon another Level 6 Monster, but that Monster was too weak to inflict enough damage for me to win. Everything came down to the next few cards I was about to draw.
"My turn! Draw!" I yelled, drawing Speed Spell – Overboost.
Rin: 2500 LP = SPC 4 – SPC 5
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 4 – SPC 5
"I summon Noble Knight's Shield-Bearer in defense mode!"
Noble Knight's Shield-Bearer, Level 4: DEF 1300
"Noble Knight's Shield-Bearer's effect! When it's Normal or Special summoned, I can banish one LIGHT Monster from my Graveyard to draw one card! I banish Noble Knight Joan from the Graveyard!"
It all came down to this final card. I needed to get that one card to end the Duel victoriously. I placed my index and middle fingers on top of my Deck and took a deep breath before drawing the card. I slowly flipped it around and checked it.
Checkmate!
"I tune Level 2 Fleur Synchron and Level 4 Noble Knight's Shield-Bearer! Galloping through the trembling earth, the true knight shall emerge as the hero of justice! Synchro summon! Arise, Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth!"
Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth, Level 6: ATK 2600
"Sherry has Synchro summoned a new Monster, but Gaia Knight's attack points are too low to inflict enough damage to defeat Rin! Does she have a plan or will this be her final card?" the MC questioned.
"I play the Speed Spell – Overboost! I increase my Speed Counters by additional 4 Counters until they are reduced to one by the end of this turn!" I called.
Rin: 2500 LP = SPC 5
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 5 – SPC 9
I pulled the clutch as my Duel Runner accelerated due to the increase of Speed Counters. I drove ahead of Akaba while Gaia Knight's steed galloped next to me.
"I now play the final card in my hand; Speed Spell – Final Attack! I can only activate it while I have 8 or more Speed Counters. I select Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth to double his attack points. The backside of this card is Gaia Knight cannot attack directly and he's destroyed during the End Phase, but it's more than enough to erase all of your Life Points, Akaba!"
"What?!" Akaba exclaimed in disbelief.
Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth, Level 6: ATK 2600 – ATK 5200
Gaia Knight's two lances were enveloped in a fiery aura as his steed neighed so loud the ground almost shook like a tiny earthquake.
"Battle! Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth, attack Windwitch – Winter Bell! End the Duel!" I commanded.
The steed neighed loudly before it turned around and galloped towards Windwitch – Winter Bell. Gaia Knight aimed his lances at the Synchro Monster that just floated next to her Windwitch sister. My warrior pierced his lances through her chest as she shrieked in pain. Seconds later, Windwitch – Winter Bell exploded into a cloud of hail, giving Akaba an icy shower as her Life Points were reduced to zero.
Rin: 2500 LP – 0 LP = SPC 5
Sherry: 4000 LP = SPC 9
"Unbelievable! Sherry managed to defeat Team White Wind's Windwitch Duelist by using cards to negate the card effects and attacks in a majestic way! Like a true knight, she shattered Team White Wind's dreams into pieces! Team Royal Knights wins!" the MC exclaimed.
The audience started cheering and clapping their hands as I drove into the pit with Gaia Knight slowly fading away now that the Turbo Duel was over. Mizoguchi, Aki, Tanaka, and Nakamura were waiting for me as I drove up to them. I drew back the mouth protector of my helmet before I removed the headpiece.
"You did it, Sherry! You won for the team!" Tanaka smiled widely.
"You seriously had us on the edge the whole time", Nakamura nodded. "You took some effect damage, but you recovered with the help of Energy-Absorbing Monolith and now at the end of the Duel, you won while having the same amount of Life Points as you started with. That takes some serious skill."
I got off my Duel Runner as Mizoguchi approached me with a folded but clean towel in his hands. I accepted it and wrapped it around my neck so I could wipe the sweat off my face. "Yes. I studied Akaba's Dueling history, so I could modify my Deck to counteract her Windwitches and their effect damage. Your collection of plant-type Monsters was a huge help, Aki. Thank you for lending them to me."
"It was my pleasure", Aki smiled shyly as she twirled one of her long front bangs around her right index finger. "I've also learned a lot from our Deck building sessions."
I noticed she looked quite exhausted. Her eyes were a little red, so I suspected she had cried shortly after I left the pit. I ignored the pang of concern in my heart and continued talking. "Are you okay, Aki?"
"Y-Yeah…", Aki nodded softly. "I'm just…a little overwhelmed, that's all. And… Seeing my parents cheering for me when I lost made me so happy."
"You were amazing out there, Aki", Tanaka told her with a soft expression before she rubbed her back in comfort. "
I suddenly got this weird emotion in my heart. It was like my mind told me to rip Tanaka away from Aki and take her place to comfort her. I've never felt something like this before, so it threw me off guard, but I quickly hid my surprise with a nonchalant expression.
"How did it feel like Dueling in a competition for the first time, Aki?" I asked.
"Very…intense, but also fun", Aki replied. "I think I understand why the Turbo Duelists choose to Duel each other in the world of speed. The rush, the wind… It's like you're existing in another world."
I chuckled softly at her response. She sounded like a child who had enjoyed her first trip to an amusement park.
"I'm glad to hear you enjoyed yourself, Aki, but the Duels are only going to get serious as we advances through the Grand Prix", I warned her with a half-serious glare, mainly because for some reason I couldn't bring myself to actually glare at the smaller woman. "So you better prepare yourself for it."
"I will", Aki nodded with a determined expression.
I returned the nod as I looked up at the sky. The wind ruffled my hair, blowing it around me as my thoughts wandered away.
We've got our first win in the World Racing Grand Prix, meaning I was one step closer to Iliaster to find out their objective and the mystery behind the card my father left in my care. The thought of the organization made me grit my teeth as my hand on the towel tightened its grip on it.
Iliaster… I'm coming for you!