This story was done in collaboration between me and Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and we both own the OCs that are used in the story. Credit to author AaronCottrell97 for a few ideas and character suggestions (especially the duel layout for the story). 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
WARNING: Again, this story is rated T for fantasy violence and minor depictions of blood.
Chapter 6
The Space Ace
"Oh yeah, high score, baby!" cheered James, jumping for joy.
Inside the Knapford arcade one Saturday afternoon (of the first School week), James, Gordon Gresley, and Henry Stanier were hanging out. The latter two teenage boys had graduated from Sodor High School already, but that didn't mean they couldn't hang out with their younger, red-haired friend anymore. In fact, they were still in contact.
"Can't believe you actually won the Space Heroes game, James." admitted Henry. "When this game first came out, you were never able to surpass even a score of 100."
"Ha ha, very funny, Henry." frowned James. He then grinned with pride. "Even then, I've been practicing and practicing for as long as it took."
Gordon, who was still walking on crutches, chuckled. "Practice makes perfect after all, little James."
"So, you've actually beaten the top score of 10,000 points to Space Heroes?" grunted a new voice (male).
The trio looked over. Nearby, a teenage boy with black hair was shown leaning against a Pool Table with a smug smile on his face.
"Who are you?" blinked Gordon, having never seen the boy before.
"The name's Lorenzo-" The teenage boy answered. "-and I'm this arcade's top gamer."
James tried not to laugh. "You? The top gamer of the whole arcade? Oh please, don't joke with me!"
"It's no joke." insisted Lorenzo, not looking pleased with being mocked. "If you will let me show you..."
He cracked his knuckles and walked over to the arcade machine, while James stepped aside to let the black-haired boy play.
"This will be a laugh." The red-haired boy whispered to his two best friends.
(minutes later...)
James's jaw had dropped at how high of a score that Lorenzo had gotten by the game's end.
"That's the way the champ plays!" declared Lorenzo victoriously. "50,000 in total!"
A gathered audience was cheering for the gamer.
"Lorenzo is one of the best gamers here in town." Marion was saying. "There is no video game he can lose at."
"Sure there has to be one game he can lose in, right?" quizzed Rex, who was standing beside his two brothers (Bert and Mike).
"If I think of one, I'll let you know."
Lorenzo started to walk away from the Space Heroes arcade game when Diesel suddenly intercepted.
"Here, why don't I buy you a drink?" The devious black-haired boy offered. "You know, for a true gaming champion like yourself.
"Thanks... I would like that." Lorenzo accepted.
Diesel and Lorenzo both walked away, leaving James at a loss for words.
"Wow, that Lorenzo IS good." said Gordon.
"Wonder how he got that good." added Henry,
After getting his drink, Lorenzo decided to try out one of the other games. He beat that one. The black-haired boy tried another game, and beat that, too. Before long, Lorenzo had beaten every arcade game in the building. The audience was happy, but Lorenzo was not.
"All of these games are too easy!" he complained. "I want to play a REAL game! One where I can get some REAL excitement!"
Nearby, James was watching with a jealous look on his face.
"That guy thinks he's SO hot!" The red-haired boy whined. "There has to be a game he can be beaten at!"
Over with Lorenzo, he was thinking of a game that could give him a real challenge. Eventually, an idea came into his head...
"Hmm... How about a familiar card game?" Lorenzo wondered aloud.
With that said, he dug into his pocket and pulled out a Deck of Duel Monsters cards. James's eyes lit up when he saw the cards.
"Wait a moment! Do you play Duel Monsters?"
Lorenzo nodded. "I do, and I'm quite good at the game." he confirmed. "So, do you think you can beat me at it?"
A grin came to James's face. This could be his chance to try and show up Lorenzo and prove that the black-haired boy wasn't invincible at gaming.
"I KNOW I can beat you." insisted James, taking his own Deck out.
"Just one thing." Gordon spoke up. "Neither of you have Duel Disks to duel with."
"That won't be a problem." The voice of the arcade owner spoke up, attracting the attention of the audience. The owner walked up carrying two Duel Disks in-hand. "I always carrying these things around just for emergencies."
With that said, the two duelists were given the Duel Disks to use in their upcoming duel The arcade owner also began to lead them into the Laser Tag room, which would have plenty of space.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the Laser Tag room, James and Lorenzo both looked around the area.
"Quite big." admired James.
"Plenty of space for the duel." added Lorenzo. He then looked looked to his opponent. "Now, shall we?"
James nodded. "Yes, let's head over and started the match."
The two duelists walked to the center of the room and began shuffling their respective Decks. Once they were finished, the two teenage boys slotted their Decks into their respective Duel Disk, causing both Life Point gauges to rise to their usual amount (LP: 4000) x2.
"DUEL!" James and Lorenzo both announced at once.
In the audience...
"And so it begins..." whispered Henry.
"Let's see if James can beat Lorenzo at his own game." put in Gordon.
Back in the duel field...
"The first turn will go to me!" announced Lorenzo, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn One: Lorenzo (LP: 4000)
Deck: 39
Current Hand (6): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Armored Core"
On cue, a Monster Card called 'Armored Core' materialized face-up on the field.
"Try this on for size - 'Armored Core', attack mode!"
Appearing onto the field was a large spaceship of some sort (Level: 4/ATK: 1300/DEF: 2000).
"'Armored Core'?" blinked James. "Why attack mode? It has far greater Defense Points than Attack Points."
"I have my reasons." insisted Lorenzo, readying three cards. "To prove that, I'll set these three cards facedown."
Three facedown cards materialized behind 'Armored Core'.
"My turn has ended!"
"It's my turn!" announced James, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Two: James Hughes (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Skyscraper", ?, ?, "Elemental HERO Burstinatrix", ?, and ?
On cue, the 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Let's take 'em - 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix'!"
Appearing onto the field was the female 'Elemental HERO' who manipulated fire (Level: 3/ATK: 1200/DEF: 800).
"'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix'... That monster has 100 less Attack Points than my own monster." Lorenzo pointed out.
"Don't be so sure." cut in James, readying another card. "I have this to play!"
"What?! What is it?"
"Watch and learn!" As James said this, his Field Spell zone opened up. "I activate a Field Spell Card!"
On cue, the familiar 'Skyscraper' Field Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Go - 'Skyscraper'!"
On cue, the whole Laser Tag room morphed into the background of a city with huge skyscraper buildings.
"Thanks to this card-" explained James. "-all of my 'Elemental HEROES' gain 1000 Attack Points in battle against stronger monsters."
'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' (ATK: 1200) and 'Armored Core' (ATK: 1300) both squared off. Soon enough, the Battle Phase commenced...
"Go get 'em, 'Burstinatrix'!"
'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' obeyed the command and charged towards the stronger 'Armored Core'. Either way, Lorenzo knew what would happen next. Sure enough...
"BURST FIRE!" ordered James.
Thanks to the effect of the of 'Skyscraper' Spell Card, 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix's' Attack Power went up (ATK: 1200 - 2200). With that, she fired a huge fireball towards the opposite side, which struck and incinerated 'Armored Core'.
"There goes 'Armored Core'!" boasted James.
Lorenzo scowled a bit (LP: 3100). "Not too bad, but I have a set card to play, now!"
"You do?!"
From there, the first facedown card flipped up and revealed itself to be...
"I play 'Alert'! Thanks to it-" Lorenzo went on, just as his second set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "-I can activate my facedown 'Boss Rush'!"
"'Boss Rush'?" blinked James. "What does a card like that do?"
"Every time a 'B.E.S.' Monster on my field is destroyed-" explained Lorenzo. "-I can summon another one in its place during the End Phase! ...but I'm unable to conduct a Normal Summon or Set during my next turn."
"'B.E.S.'? What does that stand for?"
"Bacterian Empire Ship." Lorenzo answered. "I'm taking it you've never heard of such a Archtype before."
James shook his head. "Afraid not." He then slotted a card into his Duel Disk. "Now, I set this card facedown..."
A facedown card materialized on the field. From there, James took and held another card out to play.
"And I'll finish with the 'Climax Hour' Spell Card! If I draw a Monster Card during my 3rd Draw Phase after activation, I can Special Summon it—ignoring the Summoning Conditions."
"So be it!" replied Lorenzo, just as his remaining set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "Facedown card, open - 'Cyber Summon Blaster'! Whenever I Special Summon a Machine-Type monster, I inflict 300 points of damage to your Life Points, James!"
A huge Cybernetic blasting machine appeared from the face-up Trap Card and onto the field.
"I...end my turn." groaned James, knowing what would happen next.
"And now my 'Boss Rush' activates!" declared Lorenzo, taking a card from his Deck and looking at it. "Let's see... Yes, this one will do nicely."
On cue, a Monster Card called 'B.E.S. Tetran' materialized face-up on the field.
"Meet 'B.E.S. Tetran'!"
Appearing onto the field was a larger-looking spaceship that had robotic tentacles for arms (Level: 6/ATK: 1800/DEF: 2300).
"And-" continued Lorenzo. "-since this is a Machine-Type Monster, you receive a total of 300 points of damage!"
'Cyber Summon Blaster' fired a blast at James, striking and causing him to grunt (LP: 3700).
"That all you got?" The red-haired boy questioned.
"I'm just getting warmed up!" retorted Lorenzo, drawing a card and taking his turn.
Turn Three: Lorenzo (LP: 3100)
Deck: 37
Current Hand (3): ?, ?, and ?
His drawn card was a Spell Card called 'Shield Recovery'. Grinning, the black-haired boy looked to his opponent and held the drawn card out.
"I activate 'Shield Recovery'! This will put three Counters onto my own monster!"
Three metallic blocks appeared on top of 'B.E.S. Tetran's' deck.
"What does those things do?" quizzed James.
"Whenever 'B.E.S. Tetran' does battle-" explained Lorenzo. "-I have to remove a Counter from it, or destroy my monster. Not only that, the Counters have another purpose for 'B.E.S. Tetran'."
"Another use?"
Back with the audience...
"Another use?" repeated Henry. "Do you know what he means by that?"
"Wish I did." shrugged Gordon.
Back in the duel field...
"I play the Special Effect of 'B.E.S. Tetran'!" announced Lorenzo. "By removing one Counter, I can target and destroy one Spell or Trap Card you own!"
One Counter vanished from the deck of 'B.E.S. Tetran' as one of the tentacle arms struck one of the Skyscraper buildings.
"Hey, hey, hey! What're you doing?!" cried James, looking panicked.
"Say goodbye to 'Skyscraper'!" laughed Lorenzo.
The face-up 'Skyscraper' Spell Card shattered into shards of glass, which caused the field to return into being the Laser Tag room.
"And without 'Skyscraper', 'Burstinatrix' will not receive a power boost when battling a stronger enemy. And now, I'll take advantage of your situation!"
'B.E.S. Tetran' got ready to attack once ordered to.
"Attack 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix'!" commanded Lorenzo.
The giant spaceship obeyed, lunging its robotic tentacles. Poor 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' stood no chance against the stronger monster now that her source of power was wiped out. The least she could do was go down fighting, destroying one of 'B.E.S. Tetran's' Counters with a fiery blast before getting destroyed in turn. James braced himself as glass shards from the destruction of his monster soared past him (LP: 3100).
"With the Damage Step over with-" Lorenzo went on. "-another Counter is removed from my monster."
James, however, wasn't gonna be beaten that easily...
"Trap Card, open!" The red-haired boy exclaimed, just as his facedown card flipped up and revealed itself to be... "'Hero Signal'! When a monster I control is destroyed, I'm able to Special Summon one Level 4 or lower 'Elemental HERO' Monster from my hand or Deck!"
On cue, the 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Here's my pick from the Deck - 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'!"
The aquatic-armored 'Elemental HERO' appeared within an instant (Level: 4/ATK: 800/DEF: 1200).
"The effect of 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' activates!" James went on, drawing two cards. "When Summoned while I control no cards on my side of the field, I draw two additional cards."
"I end my turn." admitted Lorenzo. He then grinned. "It looks like we're even in Life Points."
James, drawing a card, nodded. "For now, anyway."
Turn Four: James Hughes (LP: 3100)
Deck: 50
Current Hand (5): ?, ?, ?, ?, and ?
Climax Hour: 2 Draw Phases left
James looked at his drawn card carefully before looking back to his opponent.
"Ready for a 'shocking' experience?"
Lorenzo raised an eyebrow, not getting the joke. Just then to his surprise, the 'Elemental HERO Sparkman' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"I Summon 'Elemental HERO Sparkman' in attack mode!" announced James.
The electrical-like 'Elemental HERO' appeared onto the field (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1400).
"My new monster will also receive a new weapon!" James went on, holding out another card. "I activate 'Element Sword'!"
A sword appeared in 'Elemental HERO Sparkman's' hand, the blade glowing in different colors.
"'Element Sword'?" quizzed Lorenzo, watching as 'Elemental HERO Sparkman' swung his new weapon about before posing for battle.
"When 'Sparkman' attacks a monster with a different elemental attribute than its own-" explained James. "-he gains 800 Attack Points during the Damage Step." He grinned broadly. "And I'll put it to good use, now!"
'Elemental HERO Sparkman' jumped into the air, aiming towards 'B.E.S. Tetran'.
"And because 'B.E.S. Tetran' has a Counter on itself, it cannot be destroyed by battle." The red-haired boy went on, just as his monster grew stronger (ATK: 1600 - 2400). "Too bad it won't prevent you from sustaining Battle Damage!"
'Elemental HERO Sparkman' struck 'B.E.S. Tetran' with the sword, making Lorenzo grimace from the damage he sustained (LP: 2500). 'B.E.S. Tetran' then lost its last Counter from its own effect.
"I'm not done!" continued James, pointing forth. "'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' will now attack!"
'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' obeyed, aiming and firing a bubble blast from his arm cannon at 'B.E.S. Tetran'.
"James, what are you doing?!" Henry cried out.
"Your monster is weaker!" added Gordon.
Back in the duel field...
"Without anymore Counters-" James was saying to Lorenzo, just as the burst of water from 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' struck 'B.E.S. Tertran'. "-that monster of yours won't survive."
"Maybe so, but it'll cost you your own monster and some Life Points!" Lorenzo pointed out.
"A small price to pay!"
With its last Counter gone, 'B.E.S. Tertran' was destroyed in a massive explosion, taking 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' down with it. James smirked grimly as he then sustained damage from the attack (LP: 2100).
"My turn has ended!" The red-haired boy concluded.
"And just in time for the effect of 'Boss Rush'!" added Lorenzo. "Ready? Because I have a new weapon I'd like to use against you, James!"
On cue, a Monster Card called 'B.E.S. Crystal Core' materialized face-up on the field.
"From my Deck, I Special Summon 'B.E.S. Crystal Core'!"
Appearing onto the field was a space ship covered with a blue crystal-like front (Level: 6/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1000).
"'B.E.S. Crystal Core'?" repeated James.
"Yup, and this will be the start of your end." confirmed Lorenzo. "And now, thanks to 'Cyber Summon Blaster', you lose another 300 life points!"
James was attacked by a blast from the face-up 'Cyber Summon Blaster' Trap Card, pushing him back some (LP: 1800).
"And now-" Lorenzo went on, drawing a card. "-I draw!"
Turn Five: Lorenzo (LP: 2500)
Deck: 35
Current Hand (3): ?, ?, and ?
He added his drawn card to his hand and pointed forth at 'Elemental HERO Sparkman'.
"With it being my turn, I'll activate the Special Ability of 'B.E.S. Crystal Core'!" The black-haired boy went on. "Go, now! Switch 'Elemental HERO Sparkman' into defense mode!"
'B.E.S. Crystal Core's' robotic tentacles grabbed hold of 'Elemental HERO Sparkman' and forced him into a defensive stance against his will.
"Hey, hey, hey!" cried James.
"With that done, I'll have attack and destroy 'Elemental HERO Sparkman'!"
A laser from 'B.E.S. Crystal Core' fired, striking and shattering 'Elemental HERO Sparkman' in an instant. James, knowing that 'Element Sword' only activates when his monster is in attack mode, grimaced as shards from the destruction of his monster soared past him.
"Unfortunately-" continued Lorenzo, sounding disappointed. "-without any Counters on my monster, 'B.E.S. Crystal Core' will self-destruct at the end of the Damage Step." While speaking, 'B.E.S. Crystal Core' then exploded from its own effect. "My turn is over."
James nodded. "With that, the effect of your face-up 'Boss Rush' Spell Card activates."
"That's right." said Lorenzo, taking another card from his Deck. "Say hello to 'Big Core'!"
A Monster Card called 'Big Core' materialized face-up on the field.
"Arise, my monster!"
Appearing onto the field was a spaceship even bigger than the last two versions.
"Game, set, and match." smirked Lorenzo.
James frowned. "Not likely!" he insisted, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Six: James Hughes (LP: 1500)
Deck: 49
Current Hand (4): ?, ?, ?, and "Neo-Spacian Grand Mole"
Climax Hour: 1 Draw Phase left
His drawn card was the 'Neo-Spacian Grand Mole' Monster Card - just what he needed!
"Yes!" The red-haired boy thought to himself. He then looked towards his opponent. "It's time to kick things up a notch!"
"Up a notch?" repeated Lorenzo.
James placed his drawn card onto a Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk. "I Summon 'Neo-Spacian Grand Mole' in attack mode!"
The large mole with the drill collar appeared on the field, ready for battle (Level: 3/ATK: 900/DEF: 300).
"Are you mad?!" exclaimed Lorenzo. "Your monster stands no chance against mine!"
"I know that." agreed James. "But this guy will help me take out your combo." He then entered the Battle Phase... "Such as attacking your 'Big Core'!"
'Neo-Spacian Grand Mole' obeyed and buried itself underground.
"What?! Why are you attacking? You'll be left with 100 Life Points!"
James laughed. "Don't be so sure! Just watch what happens next!"
After a few seconds, 'Neo-Spacian Grand Mole' popped back up and dove into 'Big Core's' center power zone, making its way towards the core of the ship itself.
"What?!" Lorenzo cried out.
"When 'Grand Mole' does battle with an opponent's monster-" explained James. "-they're both returned to our hands while skipping the Damage Step!"
Before long, both monsters on the field turned into orbs of light, and returned to their respective owner's hands...
-'Big Core': Lorenzo
-'Neo-Spacian Grand Mole': James
"Both monsters are back in our hands!"
Lorenzo gawked. "This... THIS is the power of the 'Neo-Spacians'!"
"And since your monster wasn't destroyed-" added James. "-you can't use the power of your 'Boss Rush' Trap Card." He readied another card and slotted it into his Duel Disk. "Finally, I'll throw down a facedown-" A facedown card materialized before him on the field. "-and call it a turn."
"This battle is far from over!" declared Lorenzo, drawing a card. "My turn, draw!"
Turn Seven: Lorenzo (LP: 2500)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (4): "Riryoku Field", "Moai Interceptor Cannons", "Big Core", and "Stage Select"
His hand consisted of 'Riryoku Field', 'Moai Interceptor Cannons', 'Big Core', and the drawn 'Stage Select'.
"Facedown card, open!" announced James, just as his facedown card flipped up and revealed itself. "'Hero Call'!"
In the audience...
"'Hero Call'..." whispered Henry. "Do you know what it does, Gordon?"
"I think it lets James select one 'Elemental HERO' Monster Card from his Deck and place it atop of the Deck." explained Gordon.
True to the words, James took a card and placed it on the top of his Deck.
"Thanks to this-" he thought to himself, knowing what was chosen. "-I've placed 'Elemental HERO Neos' atop my Deck. Come next turn, after drawing it, I'll be able to Summon 'Neos' thanks to 'Climax Hour'!"
Lorenzo, meanwhile, took a card from his hand. It would seem he wasn't going to let James win that easily.
"If you've placed a good card atop your Deck to be Summoned by the effect of 'Climax Hour', I won't let you use it!" The black-haired boy insisted. With that said, he slotted the card into his Duel Disk. "I activate 'Stage Select'!"
The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"Thanks to this, your Deck gets shuffled! Not only that, but I take one card from my Deck and place it atop of it!"
"Crap!" cried James, knowing that this was very, very bad.
With that said, James's Deck ended up being re-shuffled. Lorenzo, meanwhile, took a card from his Deck and placed it atop of the Deck.
"I end my turn!" he finished. In his thoughts... "With 'Mystical Space Typhoon' now atop of my Deck, I can draw it on my next Draw Phase. From there, I can use it to destroy my 'Boss Rush' Trap Card, thus allowing me to Normal Summon once again!"
Back over to James...
"Well, that's just great." The red-haired boy thought to himself. "I'm back at square one!" He looked to his Deck. "If I don't draw a Monster Card, then the effect of 'Climax Hour' will be nullified."
In the audience...
"Judging from James's reaction to 'Stage Select' being played, I'm guessing he lost his chance to draw a powerful monster and use 'Climax Hour' to Special Summon it." commented Henry.
"Well, it looks like he's screwed." agreed Gordon, not happy.
"I wouldn't say that. James still might have a chance to turn things around with his Draw Phase!"
The tall, blue-haired boy thought about it. "You could be right, Henry." he agreed. In his mind. "At least, I hope so."
Back in the duel field...
"Alright, James, you can get your game on..." James thought to himself some more, looking at his Deck. "Just draw your card, and hope that it's one that will be of use to you."
"James!" called Lorenzo, catching his opponent's attention. "This will be your final turn! Make sure that it's a good one."
"I intend to!" accepted James. "It's not over until the last card is played!"
With that said, the red-haired boy made his draw with the ever-so famous Destiny Draw technique.
Turn Eight: James Hughes (LP: 1500)
Deck: 48
Current Hand (5): ?, ?, ?, "Neo-Spacian Grand Mole", and "Elemental HERO Neos"
Climax Hour: Now
From there, the face-up 'Climax Hour' Spell Card started to glow.
"It's been three turns since I've activated 'Climax Hour'." said James. "You know what that means, right?"
"Did you draw a monster suitable for it?" questioned Lorenzo.
"Let's find out, shall we?"
James finally took a look at his drawn card and gasped before looking towards his opponent with a broad smirk on his face, catching Lorenzo off-guard.
"It looks like fate is on my side, after all." chuckled James, just as he turned the card over and revealed it to be...
"No!" cried Lorenzo, once he saw what the card was.
On cue, the 'Elemental HERO Neos' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Come forth - 'Elemental HERO Neos'!"
The Ultraman-like 'Elemental HERO' appeared from specks of rainbow-like dust and onto the field (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"And James does it again!" gasped Gordon.
Back in the duel field...
"'Neos'-" declared James, entering the Battle Phase. "-end this duel!"
'Elemental HERO Neos', with a loud cry, leaped into the air towards a defenseless Lorenzo.
"WRATH OF NEOS!"
Before Lorenzo knew what was happening, he was hit by the punch from 'Elemental HERO Neos' and sent flying across the Laser Tag room.
"And that's game!" rejoiced James (LP: 1500).
Lorenzo slowly tried to get back onto his feet as his remaining Life Points were reduced to nothing (LP: 0).
DUEL RESULTS: James Hughes wins!
The holograms faded away as Gordon and Henry both cheered for their friend's win. The audience, however, felt disappointed.
"Lorenzo lost..." whispered Marion.
Just then, everyone heard laughter coming from the duel field.
"What?" blinked Mike.
"Is he-?" began Bert.
In the duel field, Lorenzo was the one...who was laughing. He wasn't actually upset for losing, he was...happy. This confused James.
"Why are you laughing?" The red-haired boy questioned. "I won the duel!"
"That was one of the best duels of my life!" shouted Lorenzo, between fits of laughter. "I've always been looking for a challenge, and you have succeeded in giving me one."
James blinked, not saying anything in response.
"Moreso, I was constantly tired of beating people at either video games and card games. I wanted someone to beat me as I was trying my hardest to win, and you've definitely done that, James!"
Gordon and Henry were both just as surprised by Lorenzo's declaration.
"He...wanted to lose?" quizzed Henry.
"Well, that's...completely different." added Gordon.
Back in the duel field, James seemed to smile after what seemed like forever.
"Well, it was my pleasure kicking your butt!" he said pleasantly. "And I would gladly do it again, too!"
With that said, the two new friends walked over and shook hands. The audience, meanwhile, resumed their cheering, happy that all had ended well for both duelists.
END OF CHAPTER 6