I got pointers of some errors I made for the Duel, so I had to rewrite it. Since it became twenty-six pages long, I decided to split it into two parts. Make sure to go back to read the last chapter before you read this one.
Special thanks to CitrusUnshiu for editing the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 105: The Realm of Paradox – Part 2
Sherry growled quietly through her teeth. The appearance of Malefic Truth Dragon had messed up her plans and now she knew that Paradox had another Monster in his hand that he could Special summon on his next turn, so she had no other choice but to end her turn.
"I place one card facedown and end my turn", the blonde Signer called.
"My turn!" Paradox called. "I activate Malefic World! During the Draw Phase, I can declare three Malefic cards from my Deck and randomly add one to my hand. I choose Malefic Paradox Gear, Malefic Paradigm Dragon, and my second Malefic Paradox Gear!" The Deck inserted on his Wrist Dealer got shuffled before the top card was ejected, which he drew and immediately slapped it on the Duel Disk. "I summon Malefic Paradox Gear in defense mode!"
Malefic Paradox Gear, Level 1: DEF 0
"Malefic Paradox Gear's effect! While there is an active Field Spell, I can Tribute Malefic Paradox Gear to Special summon one Malefic Parallel Gear from my Deck and add one Malefic Monster from the Deck to my hand, except Malefic Paradox Gear! I add my second Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon to the hand and Special summon Malefic Parallel Gear in defense mode!"
Malefic Parallel Gear, Level 2, Tuner: DEF 0
"You're gonna Synchro summon? But 12 is the maximum Level a Monster can have!" Crow pointed out.
"Malefic Parallel Gear's effect allows me to use the Malefic Monsters I have in my hand as Synchro Materials!" Paradox explained. "I tune Level 2 Malefic Parallel Gear with Level 8 Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Born from threshold of the dimension of darkness, time to lower the curtain of destruction on the stage that surpasses time and space! Synchro summon! Appear now, Malefic Paradox Dragon!"
Malefic Paradox Dragon, Level 10: ATK 4000
"Malefic Paradox Dragon's effect! When it's Synchro summoned, I can select one Synchro Monster in either player's Graveyard and Special summon it on my side of the field! I Special summon Blackwing Armor Master in attack mode!"
Crow's eyes widened in horror as he witnessed one of his loyal Synchro Monsters appear on Paradox's field. He could tell Blackwing Armor Master wasn't himself; the connection the Signer felt with the Monster was severed. There was a wall between them and he couldn't reach out to snap the Blackwing Monster out of its hypnotic status.
Blackwing Armor Master, Level 7: ATK 2500
"Blackwing Armor Master!" Crow called in a clear upset voice.
"Battle!" Paradox commanded. "Malefic Paradox Dragon, attack Blackwing Armed Wing!"
Said Monster didn't hesitate to attack. The dragon raised its mouth to the air as it collected energy and then lowered its head to fire a black and white beam at Crow's second Synchro Monster. The male Signer couldn't do anything to stop the attack as he watched his Monster get engulfed by the beam. The winged-beast Monster screeched in pain as it got incinerated into ashes.
Paradox: 1650 LP
Aki: 4000 LP
Crow: 4000 LP – 1700 LP
Sherry: 1100 LP
"Your field is open for a direct attack, Crow Hogan!" Paradox exclaimed victoriously. "Prepare to taste your demise!"
"Not before I activate my Trap; Dust Tornado!" Crow called. "It lets me destroy one Spell or Trap card my opponent controls and then set one Spell or Trap card from my hand. I destroy your Malefic Territory! Say goodbye to your Malefic Monsters!"
A whirlwind blew itself out of the Trap card toward the chosen card. Paradox's Continuous Spell card got picked up and was ripped apart by the strength of the current. The two Malefic dragons could sense the difference of pressure on the field as they lowered their heads and struggled to stand properly.
"I expected you would attempt to destroy Malefic Territory, but I've got some unfortunate news for you!" Paradox cackled amusingly. "I get to keep one Malefic Monster when Malefic Territory is destroyed, so Malefic Truth Dragon remains on the field!"
Malefic Paradox Dragon screeched in pain before it exploded into pieces while Malefic Truth Dragon straightened up and opened its wings as it cried out, relieved to be the chosen one to stay on the field.
"Damnit!" Crow cursed.
"Blackwing Armor Master, attack your former master!" Paradox commanded as he continued the Battle Phase.
The Synchro Monster let out a soft grunt before it flapped its wings and flew toward the target. It clenched its right hand into a fist as he approached the male Signer. Crow watched in horror as Blackwing Armor Master came closer to him. The Signer had another Trap card that was facedown, but he couldn't use it now.
No, wait!
He just remembered this was a Battle Royal Duel, meaning he could use his Trap card!
"I activate my Trap; Fake Feather!" Crow shouted quickly. "By sending one Blackwing Monster from my hand to the Graveyard, which is Blackwing – Boreas the Sharp, I can select one Normal Trap card in my opponent's Graveyard and apply its effect to this card! I select Sherry's Floral Shield! Blackwing Armor Master's attack is negated and I get to draw one card!"
The artwork of Fake Feather was replaced by a copy of Floral Shield and its white flower. A cloud of white petals blew out of the card and created a shield in front of the male Signer. Blackwing Armor Master's fist collided with the shield and forced the petals to scatter across the field.
"You're just delaying the inevitable!" Paradox cackled. "Malefic Truth Dragon, attack Crow Hogan directly!"
Malefic Truth Dragon screeched as energy of dark colors was collected in its open mouth. Seconds later, the massive dragon fired a dark-colored beam at the male Signer. Crow cold sweated as he watched the energy beam approaching him. He couldn't block this attack, so he had no other choice but to shield himself with his arms and Duel Disk. "I'm counting on you two!" he yelled at the girls before he was engulfed by the light of the beam. The force of the attack was so strong it knocked Crow back so he rolled backwards and crashed onto his back twice before he landed on his stomach and lost consciousness.
Paradox: 1650 LP
Aki: 4000 LP
Crow: 1700 LP – 0 LP = OUT
Sherry: 1100 LP
"CROW!" Aki and Sherry yelled in terror at the sight of their fallen comrade.
Paradox chuckled in a dark tone at the sight of one Signer being down. "That was just a prelude of your demise, Signers", he told the girls. "Give up now and I shall show you mercy…or face the same fate as your friend."
"We won't give up!" Aki retorted angrily, new fire glowing in her eyes.
"We'll stop you and make you regret your actions!" Sherry added.
"We shall see about that", Paradox shrugged. "I place one card facedown and end my turn!"
"My turn! Draw!" Aki called.
The rose maiden checked the three cards in her hand and then studied the entire field. The two biggest obstacles right now were Malefic Truth Dragon and Blackwing Armor Master. The Synchro Monster couldn't be destroyed by battle and the battle damage it takes will only be reduced to zero, meaning none of her Monsters could do anything to get rid of it and they weren't strong enough to destroy the Malefic dragon. However, thanks to the new card she had just drawn, she could do some damage.
"Time to inflict some actual pain, Paradox!" Aki growled determinedly. "I summon Phoenixian Seed in defense mode!"
Phoenixian Seed, Level 2: DEF 0
"Phoenixian Seed's effect! I can send it from the field to the Graveyard and Special summon Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis from my hand in attack mode!"
The eye on the seed blinked twice before it glowed in every kind of red colors. It sprouted in the middle of the light and blossomed into its new form.
Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis, Level 8: ATK 2200
"Battle! Tytannial, attack Blackwing Armor Master!" Aki yelled.
Tytannial yelped in determination before she floated toward the Synchro Blackwing Monster. She swung her whip at the Monster, which it easily blocked by crossing its arms in front of its torso.
"While Blackwing Armor Master doesn't take damage and isn't destroyed, its attack points are still reduced by 600 thanks to Thorn of Malice!" Aki made sure to point it out.
Blackwing Armor Master, Level 7: ATK 2500 – ATK 1900
"Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis, attack Blackwing Armor Master with Flame Petal!"
The plant Monster fired several red petals that were on fire toward the Synchro Monster. Blackwing Armor Master used its arms to block every petal that flew like arrows at him.
"Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis' effects! Since it attacked, it is destroyed after damage calculation. And since it was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, it inflicts 800 points of damage to my opponent! Scatter Flame!"
The plant Monster detonated itself and created a cloud of smoke. Seconds later, a couple of fireballs were shot out from the smokescreen and headed toward Paradox. The member of Iliaster gaped in surprise before he shielded himself with his Duel Disk. The fireballs struck the head of Malefic Truth Dragon around him, forcing him to let out a grunt of pain as he sensed the tickling sensation of the fire licking his artificial skin.
Paradox: 1650 LP – 850 LP
Aki: 4000 LP
Sherry: 1100 LP
"You'll pay for that…!" he growled as he now had burn marks and soot on his clothes.
"I end my turn!" Aki called out. "My Overdoom Line Trap card is destroyed since this is my second End Phase after activation!"
Overdoom Line: Turn 2/2
"That means that Tytannial's attack points are reduced by one thousand!"
Tytannial, Princess of Camellias, Level 8: ATK 4400 – ATK 3400
"Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis' effect activates in my Graveyard! I can Special summon it to the field in defense mode during my End Phase by banishing one plant-type Monster from my Graveyard. I banish Phoenixian Seed! Return, Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis!"
Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis, Level 8: DEF 0
"Your turn, Sherry!" the rose maiden called.
Sherry nodded before placing her hand on top of her Deck. "I got this! Draw!" she yelled as she drew her next card. "I play Fragrance Storm! It lets me destroy one plant-type Monster on the field and then draw a card. If the card I draw is a plant Monster, I can reveal it and draw one more card! I destroy Necro Fleur!"
A whirlwind of flower petals blew out of the Spell card and struck Necro Fleur. The withered flower got destroyed as Sherry drew the top card of her Deck and added it to her hand, which signified the card she had drawn wasn't a plant Monster.
"Necro Fleur's effect! When it's destroyed by card effect and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special summon one Sorciere de Fleur from my Deck! I summon her in attack mode!"
Sorciere de Fleur, Level 8: ATK 2900
"Sorciere de Fleur's effect! When she's Normal or Special summoned, I can target one Monster in my opponent's Graveyard and Special summon it to my side of the field, but it cannot attack my opponent directly and is destroyed by the end of my turn! I Special summon Malefic Paradox Dragon in attack mode!"
Sorciere used her flower staff to open a gate between her and Chevalier de Fleur. The light from the staff flew into the gate and pulled up the selected Monster from Paradox's Graveyard that had now betrayed its original master.
Malefic Paradox Dragon, Level 10: ATK 4000
"How dare you steal my Monster, Signer?!" Paradox yelled aggressively.
"How dare you steal Crow's Monster and hurt him with it?!" Sherry retorted in the same aggression. "It's only fair you taste your own medicine! Next, I summon Noble Knight's Spearholder in defense mode!"
Noble Knight's Spearholder, Level 2: DEF 400
"Noble Knight's Spearholder's effect! I Tribute her to add an Equip Spell from my Deck to my hand! I choose Fleuret de Fleur! I place one card facedown and end my turn. Malefic Paradox Dragon is destroyed due to Sorciere de Fleur's effect."
The Malefic Synchro Monster screeched in pain as it exploded into pieces, returning to Paradox's Graveyard.
"Hah! You were unable to attack me and yet you attempted to use my own Monster against me!" Paradox laughed sarcastically. "My turn! I activate Malefic World! I declare my two other Malefic Selectors and Malefic Paradigm Dragon!" His Duel Disk shuffled the Deck before he drew the top card, which he smirked at in malicious joy. "I play Malefic Selector! I banish Malefic Rainbow Dragon and Malefic Parallel Gear from my Graveyard and add my second Malefic Territory and Malefic Claw Stream!"
"Oh no…! He might summon multiple Malefic Monsters again!" Aki warned Sherry.
"Obviously", Sherry nodded in response in a cold sweat.
"I play my second Malefic Territory and then banish my second Rainbow Dragon from the Deck to Special summon Malefic Rainbow Dragon from my hand in attack mode!" Paradox yelled.
Malefic Rainbow Dragon, Level 10: ATK 4000
"Next, I play Pot of Greed! It allows me to draw two cards from my Deck! Now, I play Ancient Rules! I can Special summon a Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from my hand! I Special summon my second Blue-Eyes White Dragon in attack mode!"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Level 8: ATK 3000
"No way!" Aki gasped in horror at the sight of Kaiba's signature Monster.
"Battle!" Paradox yelled. "Blackwing Armor Master, attack Tytannial, Princess of Camellias!"
The Blackwing Monster flew toward Tytannial with his fist raised. The plant princess attempted to block the attack with her whip, but the Synchro Monster managed to strike her on the chest. None of the Monsters got destroyed, but Blackwing Armor Master left a kunai on the plant Monster.
"Blackwing Armor Master managed to plant a Wedge Counter on your Tytannial, Izayoi Aki!" Paradox shouted. "I remove it so it reduces Tytannial's attack points to zero!"
The kunai was removed from Tytannial's chest while her strength decreased to a critical level. Even the whip of Thorn of Malice withered into a black and dry stiff stem.
Tytannial, Princess of Camellias, Level 8: ATK 3400 – ATK 0
"No!" Aki gasped, knowing immediately what the outcome would be.
"You, little withering rose, shall be the next to enter the gate of demise!" Paradox roared. "Malefic Truth Dragon, attack Tytannial, Princess of Camellias!"
The Malefic Monster heeded the command and fired immediately its signature energy beam at the plant princess. Tytannial tried using her whip as a shield to block the incoming attack, but the rose stem got incinerated as soon as it touched the energy beam. If the attack made a successful hit, this was going to be it for Aki and she knew it.
"I activate my Trap; Expendable Dai!" Sherry called out. "I Tribute my warrior Monster, Chevalier de Fleur, to destroy a card on the field and then draw one card! I destroy Malefic Truth Dragon!"
Chevalier de Fleur let out a shriek of determination before she flew over to Tytannial to act as her shield. She drew her rapier and flew toward the Malefic dragon. The warrior Monster used its rapier to split the energy beam in half as she flew closer to Malefic Truth Dragon's gaping mouth. The Synchro Monster flew straight into the mouth and then pierced herself through the dragon's head, barely missing Paradox, before she exploded into pieces. The guardian quickly defused himself before he could get destroyed along with Malefic Truth Dragon. He fell down to the ground, but landed successfully in a crouch.
Aki sighed deeply in relief that her plant princess was spared. "Thank you, Sherry…", she said in a shaking voice.
Sherry gave Aki a relieved smile with a low thumbs up. "I got your back, Aki", she told her gently.
"The Duel isn't over just yet!" Paradox yelled, snapping the female Signers out of their trance. "Malefic Rainbow Dragon, attack Tytannial, Princess of Camellias!"
The Malefic dragon roared as it registered the command. The dark northern lights appeared above everyone as the dragon opened its wings for its attack. The seven dark colors of the rainbow coated the wings before the Monster unleashed the light attack at Tytannial. The plant princess was unable to do something, so she screeched in pain as she got engulfed by the light that incinerated her into ashes. The light spread to Aki so she got engulfed by it as well. She screamed in pain as she felt the force of the attack push her harshly down to the ground. She hit the back of her head hard enough to lose consciousness.
Paradox: 850 LP
Aki: 4000 LP – 0 LP = OUT
Sherry: 1100 LP
The light of the energy beam faded away and revealed the unconscious Signer on the ground. Sherry's eyes widened in shock at the sight; Aki's visible skin was covered in bruises and her clothes were a little tattered and scorched.
"AKI!" Sherry yelled in horror.
She couldn't rip her eyes from Aki. The girl she spent time practicing in the world of speed with was lying on the ground after getting brutally defeated by the enemy… The blonde Signer's heart nearly broke into pieces by the sight. She didn't feel the same when Crow got defeated and she knew exactly why her heart only hurt for Aki.
She has noticed it a while ago, even though she did her best to ignore the warm feeling she got when she spend time with the red-head; seeing her lying unconscious, covered in bruises, made her heart ache in pain. Sherry clenched her right hand into a fist as rage began boiling within her. Paradox was going to pay for harming the woman she had special feelings for!
Paradox laughed maliciously. "Do you see, Sherry LeBlanc?! This is the same fate you will face when I destroy you on my next turn!" he told the blonde Signer. "If you value your life, surrender now and I shall spare you and you shall join Iliaster!"
Sherry visibly flinched when she heard the offer. Join Iliaster? How did Paradox have the nerve to even suggest something so outrageous?! There's no way in hell that she would betray her friends, especially Aki, and become their enemy!
"I'll never join Iliaster!" the Signer yelled. "I've survived this far while carrying my father's legacy! I will protect the people of New Domino City together with my friends!"
"Fool! Your dreams will only get crushed in the very end!" Paradox yelled in response. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Sorciere de Fleur!"
The legendary dragon shrieked as its mouth crackled by white electricity, preparing itself to use its signature move. After collecting enough energy, it fired its White Lightning attack and struck Sorciere de Fleur. The spellcaster shrieked in pain as she was engulfed by the bright light. Her body exploded into pieces that rained upon the last standing Signer.
Paradox: 850 LP
Sherry: 1100 LP – 1000 LP
"I activate my Trap; Liberty at Last!" Sherry yelled. "When a Monster I control is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, I can target two face-up Monsters on the field and shuffle them back to the Deck! I target Blackwing Armor Master and Malefic Rainbow Dragon!"
"What?!" Paradox exclaimed in surprise.
The two chosen Monsters glowed in yellow for a brief moment before they transformed into light. The light of Blackwing Armor Master flew to Crow's Duel Disk to reunite with its true master while the Malefic dragon flew into Paradox's Deck that got shuffled by the Duel Disk. That only left Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field.
"You may have removed my defenses, Sherry LeBlanc, but it won't be long before you are finished!" Paradox threatened. "I place one card facedown and end my turn!"
Sherry sensed the growing determination within her. "Aki, I'll avenge you!" she yelled. "My turn! Draw!" She checked the card and smirked to herself. "This Duel is over! I activate Monster Reborn! I Special summon Chevalier de Fleur from my Graveyard in attack mode!"
Chevalier de Fleur, Level 8: ATK 2700
"I won't allow you to do as you please!" Paradox shouted. "I activate my facedown Quick-Play Spell; Malefic Divide! It allows me to Special summon one Malefic Monster from the Graveyard while ignoring its summoning condition and it's banished by the end of this turn! I Special summon Malefic Truth Dragon!"
"Chevalier de Fleur's effect!" Sherry yelled. "Once per turn, during my turn, when my opponent activates a Spell or Trap card, the activation is negated and the card is destroyed! I won't let you summon anymore Malefic Monsters!"
Chevalier de Fleur flew toward the flipped up Spell card with her rapier aimed at it. She slashed the card into pieces before it could summon the king of Malefics. Paradox growled through gritted teeth at the failure of summoning his Monster, but he calmed down, since he still had Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field that had an advantage attack point wise.
"Next, I activate Fleuret de Fleur, which I can activate by targeting one Level 2 or lower Monster in my Graveyard and Special summon it, but its effects are negated and the equipped Monster gains 700 attack points!" Sherry explained. "I Special summon Necro Synchron in defense mode!"
Necro Synchron, Level 2, Tuner: DEF 400
"Since I control a Level 2 Monster, I can Special summon White Steed of the Floral Knights from my hand in defense position to my side of the field!" Sherry exclaimed.
White Steed of the Floral Knights, Level 6: DEF 1800
She could feel an immense power in her heart. Paradox had hurt Aki and she was going to avenge the red-haired Signer. Her mark shone brightly and she knew exactly what that meant.
Sherry had always fought for the justice, but in this moment she could sense the hint of darkness in her heart. She wanted to destroy Iliaster once and for all, and for that to happen; she needed to balance both the light and the darkness in her soul until they were in the same wavelength.
Sherry's Mark began glowing with the same intensity as her determination. She could sense a new power in her heart as the presence of the Crimson Dragon embraced her. The god was proud of the seventh Signer who had found the balance of the light and dark in her heart and he was about to reward her.
"I tune Level 2 Necro Synchron with Level 6 White Steed of the Floral Knights! The two sides of the same coin, light and darkness, create a balance in my heart and give me the strength to crush the enemy! Synchro summon! Appear, Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons!"
A purple and black wormhole appeared above the Duelists as lightning crackled from the spacial rift. Sherry had raised her right hand in the air as the Synchro card of the new Monster appeared between her fingers. She placed the card on the Duel Disk before the body of a serpent with crimson armor descended from the rift.
The dragon, originally born from the corrupted darkness of the Crimson Dragon but now purified, appeared on the field with its two heads screeching. The dragon served a new purpose and it was to protect and serve its new master as the seventh Signer Dragon.
Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons, Level 8: ATK 3000
Paradox got stunned by the sight of the Signer Dragon. "I-Impossible!" he exclaimed in a cold sweat. "You're a Signer?!"
"Yes! And therefore I will fulfill my duty to protect the world from destruction!" Sherry replied in a serious voice. "While I was doing my best to survive and avenge my parents, I saw nothing but darkness in my future… I asked myself what purpose my life would have after I reach my goal. But it all changed when I came to New Domino City!" She remembered the times she spent with the Signers and how she slowly opened her heart to them, especially the psychic Duelist who caught her attention when they met for the first time. "I found a new purpose in life after meeting the Signers! I shall live my life and achieve the new dreams I have for the future!"
Paradox glared in anger at the Signer. He felt disgusted by hearing all the hope in her voice. "There will never be a bright future!" he argued.
"I'll prove it to you!" Sherry retorted. "Fleuret de Fleur's effect! Since it was sent from the Spell & Trap Zone to the Graveyard with my Necro Synchron, I can now equip it to a Synchro Monster I control! I equip Fleuret de Fleur to Chevalier de Fleur!"
The transparent image of Necro Synchron appeared in front of Chevalier de Fleur with the fleur rapier in its hand. It turned around to face the Synchro Monster and held it out to the female warrior. Chevalier de Fleur sheathed her rapier before she accepted her new weapon. As soon as she held it in her dominant hand, a magenta aura enveloped her as she gained a small amount of attack points.
Chevalier de Fleur, Level 8: ATK 2700 – ATK 3400
"This time, Chevalier's effects aren't negated!"
Paradox's eyes widened as he finally comprehended the situation. He still had one card facedown, but it was useless now since he didn't have a Malefic Monster on the field.
"No… No…! NO! It cannot be!" Paradox yelled in horror. "I cannot lose! The future is doomed if you defeat me!"
"No, the future will be saved!" Sherry retorted. "Battle! Chevalier de Fleur, attack Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
Chevalier de Fleur nodded with a soft grunt before she aimed her rapier at the dragon. She flew toward the legendary beast and struck it on the abdomen. Blue-Eyes White Dragon screeched in pain by the attack and exploded into pieces.
Paradox: 850 LP – 450 LP
Sherry: 1000 LP
"Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons, attack directly! End the Duel!"
The two dragon heads of Beelze screeched before they collected energy to launch the final attack of the Duel. Black, indigo, violet, and other dark colors shone from the mouth before they fired a dual beam. The beams merged into one midway and engulfed Paradox. The guardian screamed in pain as the light became so strong it engulfed the entire Planetary Gear. Sherry's hair blew by the force of the attack while she shielded her eyes from the light. She could hear Paradox's fading screams before everything turned dark and quiet as she got knocked out by the shockwaves.
Paradox: 450 LP – 0 LP
Sherry: 1000 LP
None of the Signers were conscious when the black star of the Malefic World Field Spell imploded and formed cracks on the Planetary Gear. Pieces of the Gear crumbled and fell down from the ceiling, threatening to bury the Signers.
Beelze was still on the field when she saw what was happening and screeched for help before she hovered above the Signers to block the debris from crushing them. What nobody had realized was Black Rose Dragon had remained on the field after Aki got defeated. It was thanks to her Signer's psychic power and for being a Signer Dragon. She quickly stomped over to Beelze and used her wings and body to protect the Signers as the ceiling collapsed around them, burying them alive in the darkness.
XXXXXXXXXX
The three Signers woke up after a long silence, each one of them sensing a throbbing headache. Their bodies were covered in dirt and bruises and the clothes were tattered after the intense Duel. Crow pushed himself up on his knees and rubbed the back of his head, flinching when he touched a sore spot. "What happened?" he questioned out loud.
Sherry helped Aki sit up on her knees before she dropped the good news. "We won."
"W-We did?" Aki's voice stuttered in slight disbelief.
"Yes", Sherry nodded.
Aki sighed in relief and placed a hand on her chest where her heart was beating. "Thank goodness…", she said as tears accumulated in her eyes. "I thought…I was going to die after Paradox defeated me… I'm so glad we're still alive…" The rose maiden couldn't help but rest her head on Sherry's shoulder as she felt the exhaustion from the Duel.
The blonde Signer rubbed Aki's back as she cried out the tension she had carried in her body for quite some time. Crow smiled tiredly but proudly at the two women before he realized it was dark around them. When he looked up, he couldn't help letting out a gasp of surprise. The two Signer Dragons were still hovering above them as they carried the fallen debris on their backs, preventing it from crushing their masters.
"Black Rose Dragon and… Is that the dragon we saw on Halloween last year?!" Crow exclaimed in surprise.
"It's my Signer Dragon", Sherry revealed. "The Crimson Dragon gave her to me, so… She's my partner."
Aki wiped the tears off her cheeks before she pushed herself onto her feet. "Before I lost consciousness, I hoped that Black Rose Dragon would remain on the field in hopes of protecting you, Sherry…", she spoke tiredly.
The dragons used their last strength to throw the debris off their backs without hurting themselves or the Signers. Beelze dissipated shortly after that, but Black Rose Dragon remained with the humans. She opened her wings and released a soft and warm magenta light that caressed the trio like a hug. The Signers noticed the dirt on their clothes vanished along with the cuts and bruises that got painted onto their skin.
"Is this psychic power?" Crow questioned as he watched the bruises disappear from his hand. "It's warm…"
Sherry closed her eyes in delight as the warmth of the light shone upon her. "It is", she agreed gently, comparing the light to the gentle warm arms of her parents that were now only living in her memory. A stray tear couldn't help but run down her cheek. "Maybe…the true psychic power is to heal and protect people", she spoke softly, turning her attention to Aki who looked at her own arm. The dirt and bruises she had faded away by her Signer Dragon's power. "The power to heal people…", Aki repeated the blonde's word as her eyes got glassy by tears again.
The whole time she was in the Arcadia Movement, she assumed her power was only for destruction and pain, just like what Sayer told her. No one had ever mentioned that the psychic Duelists' power could be used to protect and heal people because they had closed their hearts and were too scared to seek out other possibilities.
A tear ran down Aki's cheeks as a smile appeared on her lips. She laughed inwardly at herself for being such a fool for so many years. Every single thing had two sides. Her Black Rose Dragon's power could either destroy everything once summoned or delete everything to protect her from the danger her opponent had built up. Many had called Aki's dragon an ugly beast, but she was truly a beautiful flower. Many judged a rose by its thorns and couldn't see its beauty beyond the pain, so you just needed a little more courage to reach out and see its true potential, just like with humans.
Black Rose Dragon rumbled deeply from her throat before she vanished along with the light, leaving the trio in the now dark and silent Planetary Gear. Crow and Aki smiled to each other before they turned to Sherry and held their hands out to her.
"Thank you for winning the Duel, Sherry", the Blackwing Duelist grinned.
"And thank you for protecting us", Aki smiled with a hint of pink on her cheeks.
Sherry smiled softly in return. "I did it to protect you and change the future", she replied before she grabbed the offering hands. Aki and Crow pulled the blonde Signer up onto her feet and shared a smile with their hands still holding one another.
They let go of each other and turned to their Duel Runners that had miraculously survived the collapsed ceiling. "Our work is done", Crow said. "Let's go and meet up with everyone."
"Yeah", Aki nodded.
Sherry nodded as well before a thought struck her. "Wait", she called.
Aki and Crow blinked confusedly as the blonde turned around and walked over to where Paradox had been standing before the end of the Duel. The other Signers followed her until they stopped by a frame lying on the floor. Crow and Aki flinched in surprise and disgust when they saw Paradox's mauled body. He lied in a pool of oil and fluids that had leaked out from the cables that were exposed after the fabric and fake skin had been burned off after Beelze's final attack, revealing his exoskeleton.
Sherry crouched down and saw Paradox's eyes were wide open. The lenses were staring up at the ceiling with no soul possessing them. The blonde reached her hand out and closed Paradox's eyes so he could comfortably be put to rest.
"Paradox… We promise the future that you and everyone in Iliaster experienced shall never be repeated again", Sherry spoke in a soft voice. "We will change it…for you, ourselves, and our descendants. Rest in peace."
Crow and Aki placed their hands above their hearts to pay their respect for their fallen enemy. "We will protect New Domino City with our lives", the Blackwing Duelist added.
"And we won't let the mankind face destruction ever again", Aki finished.
After a moment of silence, the Signers left the mauled frame and went to their Duel Runners. They put the helmets on before they left the Planetary Gear to join their comrades by the Sun Gear.