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 10
The Theory of Dueling
Opening up somewhere in Knapford Park, Edward was currently by himself, sitting by the big pond. Why was he sitting all by himself? Could he be doing some thinking about something or another? Well...
"Hmm... I wonder if I should take up dueling myself." The intelligent, blue-haired boy pondered. "Many of my friends have done so..."
Images of Thomas, Percy, James, Emily, Mavis, Stanley, Rosie, Lady were shown flashing about one-by-one.
"Thomas... Percy... James... Emily... Mavis... Stanley... Rosie... Lady... They're duelists, and darn good ones at that... All I've done since Duel Monsters came out is study it inside and out..." Edward sighed to himself. "Even though I'm really smart for my age, why do I feel worried that I'll be a failure of a duelist?"
As Edward continued to ponder on if he should take up Duel Monsters or not, the nearby bushes began ruffling a bit. It would seem that someone was spying on the smart, young lad—not that he knew about it, yet.
"Is it because I'm too afraid to try new things like that?"
Just then...
"Oh ho ho ho! Never give into fear, young Edward." chortled an elderly voice (male), speaking with a German accent.
Gasping from hearing the voice, Edward turned around and saw someone emerging from the nearby bushes.
"Y-You're-!" The intelligent, blue-haired boy began, but never finished.
The figure was revealed to be an elderly man wearing a lab coat. Despite being elderly, the man seemed to be extremely intelligent.
"Nobody got anyvhere in life by living by fear." he continued speaking. "Nobody should live in fear, and a lad as smart as yourself needs to learn and understand zat."
"M-Me?" stuttered Edward. He knew who the man was, but decided against saying anything about it so soon.
"Precisely." confirmed the elderly gentleman. "Before deciding to take up Duel Monsters myself vhile living in Germany, I first had to learn how to conquer my own fears of failing to play ze game."
Edward looked at the man carefully. "What did you do?"
"I took notes of many other duels, and zen I tested different dueling zeories with a Deck of my choice." The elderly gentleman answered. "It took time on my part, but my duel zeories proved to be true."
Edward recoiled! He remembered watching a lecture on TV about duel theories during the summer... Then, could this mean-?!
"Could this be...him?" Edward thought to himself. "Could this man actually be one of the most famous professors in the field of duel studying?"
The elder man chuckled. "I can see my vords have ignited somezing in your heart, yes?"
That did it... Edward was now truly convinced that this man was 'him'!
"It really is you!" he cried, closing his eyes and briefly shaking his head. "You're-!"
As soon as Edward opened his eyes, the man was...gone.
"He's gone." Edward gasped. "But, I could've sworn I-!" The intelligent, blue-haired boy sighed to himself. "Maybe...I was just imagining things..."
With that said, he turned and left the pond area. What Edward did not know, however, was that the elderly man had fallen down the hill...
"Oh, I'm such a klutz." The man chuckled weakly. "My foot slipped, after all..."
Oookay...?
(elsewhere...)
Next morning, Thomas and Emily were both walking down the street towards Sodor High School when they saw Rebecca walking nearby.
"Rebecca!" Both teenagers called out pleasantly.
The brown-haired young woman, hearing the voices from her two students, turned and waved to them.
"Good morning, you two!" greeted Rebecca cheerfully.
Quickly, she crossed the street and met up with Thomas and Emily.
"Is it true we're getting a guest speaker today?" asked Emily hopefully.
"Yes, it is." confirmed Rebecca. "He's from Germany, and famous for his dueling theories."
"Duel theories..." Thomas said thoughtfully. "I bet you this is something Edward will enjoy."
Maybe so...
(elsewhere...)
Later on outside Sodor High School, the voice of Rebecca was heard from inside the building...
"Well, I hope you're all ready today, class."
"What for?" The voice of James asked curiously.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the Tidmouth classroom...
"Do we have a pop quiz or something?" James went on. He started panicking over it. "If so, then why?! Nobody told me we're having something like that!"
"Settle down, James." said Rebecca calmly. "There's no pop quiz."
The red-haired boy sighed with relief.
"If you don't mind me asking, Rebecca, what is the occasion?" asked Percy.
"We have a special guest speaker coming to talk with us." explained Rebecca. "He's from Germany, and has been the winner of ten Nobel awards."
"Ten Noble awards?!" exclaimed Rosie. "He must be really smart to win that many!"
"Probably smarter than someone like Edward here." James cracked.
Edward didn't pay any attention to the smart-aleck comment; he was too busy thinking about what he saw in the park yesterday afternoon.
"Could he actually going to be guest speaking here?" Edward wondered to himself.
"What's the speaker's name?" Stanley asked Rebecca.
Rebecca thought about it. "Hmm... I think it was...Dr. Allbert Zweinstein."
"Huh... Fancy sounding." commented Rosie.
"Yeah..." agreed Percy.
"Now, I hope you will all be on your best behavior towards this visitor." warned Rebecca firmly. "When we go to the gym to meet with the guest speaker, I don't want any problems from any of you. Understand?"
"Yes, Rebecca." The whole class said in unison, promising to behave themselves.
(elsewhere...)
Before long, the various classes were making their way down the hallway towards the auditorium for the presentation with Dr. Allbert Zweinstein.
"Dr. Allbert Zweinstein..." Daisy Cammell was saying to her two friends, Pip and Emma. "He sounds boring, but I'm still interested in hearing what he knows about Duel Monsters."
"If anyone wants me-" snorted Diesel, who was speaking to Arry and Bert. "-I'll be snoozing during the lecture."
"I wonder what we'll expect from Dr. Zweinstein?" wondered Duck.
"It's a mystery, Duck, but we'll just have to wait and see." answered BoCo.
As each class walked down the hallway towards the auditorium, Thomas then saw that Edward had been quiet since homeroom.
"Hey, Edward!"
Edward turned around. "Huh?" he wondered. "Oh... what's up, Thomas?"
"Thought we might join you." answered Thomas. "Figured this guest speaker would interest you."
Edward said nothing in response.
"You alright, Edward?" The blue-haired boy went on. "You've been really quiet since homeroom."
"I was just doing some thinking." sighed Edward. "I don't know how to say this to you or anyone else, but I..."
"You... what?" pressed Thomas.
"I think I met up with Dr. Zweinstein yesterday while I was alone at the park. There, he gave me some advice."
"You met up with Dr. Zweinstein?" asked Thomas. When no answer came, he continued... "What was his advice?"
"It was regarding my fear of failing." answered Edward. "While I was at the park, I... I've been thinking of...taking up Duel Monsters like you and several others have."
Thomas raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
"Ever since the new school year began." The intelligent, blue-haired boy elaborated.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" asked Thomas.
Edward, however, said nothing more about it. From there, the two friends continued walking down the hallway towards the auditorium.
(elsewhere...)
Before long, the auditorium was populated by students and some teachers. On the stage, Sir Topham Hatt brought the microphone to his level and spoke into it...
"Thank you all for coming, fellow students and teachers." he announced. "Today, we have a very special guest speaker who will share his dueling theories." The stout gentleman motioned his left arm out. "Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Allbert Zweinstein!"
The audience started applauding, just as the same man Edward encountered in Knapford Park yesterday emerged from behind the curtains, waving to the crowd. In the audience, Edward was extremely surprised that it was 'him'.
"My God!" he gasped. "Then...I really did see him?"
"Zank you, zank you." greeted Dr. Zweinstein, as he simmered down the applause. "Now, how many of you here are duelists?"
Several hands in the audience were raised, causing the elderly man to chuckle.
"Ah, ze game catches fast on zis island." he said, straightening his glasses. "In zat case, I'll begin..."
For the next hour, the lecture about the dueling theory proceeded without incident. Some audience members (Diesel, etc.) fell asleep as expected. Edward listened to his hero's lecture carefully; he needed to listen to it.
"If I ever want to be a duelist too-" The intelligent, blue-haired boy thought to himself. "-I'll need to pay close attention."
James, however, was struggling to stay awake. The lecture was interesting, yes, but it still bored the red-haired boy to tears.
"So...boring..." mumbled James, with his eyes drooping. "Can't...take...it..."
Just then...
"YOU, young man!" The voice of Dr. Zweinstein suddenly yelled out.
Almost immediately, James shot up to his feet, wide awake.
"I'm awake!" The red-haired boy cried out, looking around. "I wasn't asleep or anything, I swear!"
There were a few scattered giggles from the audience over James's silly antics. Even Dr. Zweinstein laughed a little bit from seeing it.
"Now zat I've got your attention-" continued Dr. Zweinstein. "-could I please see you on ze stage, please?"
"Busted..." snickered Percy cheekily.
James shot his friend a glare, but immediately complied Dr. Zweinstein request to come onto the stage. Once there, the elderly man got down to business...
"And vhat's your name, young man?" he asked.
"James Hughes, sir." answered James.
Dr. Zweinstein nodded. "Right... So tell me, James, vhat kind of Deck do you run?"
"An 'Elemental HERO' and 'Neo-Spacian'-based on one." answered James.
"I see, I see..." said Dr. Zweinstein, nodding. "Zen tell me, vhat are your zoughts on dueling logic?"
"It just sounds a little boring." scoffed James. "We got the cards, so we play them."
"Not about my lecture, I mean your OWN zoughts about dueling logic." Dr. Zweinstein corrected.
"My own thoughts?"
"Zat's vhat I've said." Dr. Zweinstein pointed out. "So, again, vhat are your zoughts about dueling logic?"
James scratched his head. Up until now, he had never fully thought about dueling logic apart from just playing the game.
"Vell?"
"I...don't really have a dueling logic." James concluded. "All I duel for is for fun; namely having a good time with my friends."
The audience was quiet from hearing that confession. It was all Dr. Zweinstein needed to hear.
"Is zat so? In zat case..." Suddenly, the elderly man removed his lab coat and put on a Duel Disk. "Let's put your zeory to ze test, shall we?"
James blinked. "Wait, what?" he peeped. "You want to duel me?"
"Jah." confirmed Dr. Zweinstein. "Dueling is comprised of arithmetic, physics, chemistry, and all other logical zought... He vho commands dueling vill also command physics."
James raised an eyebrow. "But you can't win a duel with just logic. In the end, it's about whether a duelist has his heart linked with the hearts of everyone in his or her Deck."
"Ho ho ho... Your linking of hearts is vhat brings forth your miraculous drawing, is it?" chuckled Dr. Zweinstein.
"Miraculous drawing?" quizzed James. "Well, you see... Trying not to brag or anything, I do tend to get good draws during my turns from time to time..."
"Zat is all mere coincidence. I vill use zis duel to correct your misunderstandings." Dr. Zweinstein insisted. He then looked to the audience. "And I'm certain zis duel, along with my dueling zeory, vill also help someone here, too..."
It would seem Dr. Zweinstein was likely referring to Edward, and intelligent, blue-haired boy knew it. Either way, Dr. Zweinstein looked back over to James.
"So, again, are you game?"
James, realizing that this assembly wasn't going to be boring after all, soon smirked at his soon-to-be opponent.
"Dr. Zweinstein, all I have to say is this..." From there, the red-haired boy pointed forth. "Get your game on!"
Happy to hear that his challenge was accepted, Dr. Zweinstein tossed the red-haired boy a spare Duel Disk he had with him. James caught it, put it on, activated it, and slotted his Deck inside the device.
"DUEL!" Both duelists announced at once (LP: 4000) x2.
The audience cheered that they were treated to a duel. In the audience, Edward was the one who was paying the most attention.
"Dr. Zweinstein says this duel...will help me?" he thought to himself. "Let's see if he's right about it..."
Back on the stage...
"It's my turn!" announced Dr. Zweinstein, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn One: Allbert Zweinstein (LP: 4000)
Deck: 44
Current Hand (6): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Relativity Field"
After looking at his drawn card for a few seconds, he slotted it into his Duel Disk (Field Spell zone).
"From my hand, I'll activate 'Relativity Field' - a Field Spell Card!"
The scenery suddenly began to change. Before long, everyone was in what appeared to be a space-like atmosphere.
"'Relativity'..." began James.
"...'Field'?" finished Edward.
Everyone was amazed in finding themselves in outerspace (again, Diesel was still sleeping). Back in the duel field...
"I end my turn!" announced Dr. Zweinstein.
"What?!" gasped James. "You're ending your turn after playing a Field Spell?"
Over with Edward in the audience...
"What is he planning with this card?" Edward wondered to himself. "This is one of the few cards I have no knowledge about."
Back in the duel field...
"My turn!" declared James, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Two: James Hughes (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "The Flute of Summoning Kuriboh", "Elemental HERO Avian", "Elemental HERO Burstinatrix", "A Hero Emerges", "Elemental HERO Neos", and "Polymerization"
After staring at the drawn card for a few seconds, the red-haired boy held it out.
"I'll activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization'!" he declared, just before taking two more cards from his hand. "Using it, I'll fuse 'Elemental HERO Avian' with 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix'!"
The two mentioned 'Elemental HERO' monsters briefly appeared on the field before fusing together.
"With that, I Fusion Summon 'Elemental HERO - Flame Wingman'!"
Appearing onto the field was the red and green 'Elemental HERO' with a dragon head for an arm (Level: 6/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1200).
"From my hand, I activate my 'Singularity Fiend's' effect!" cut in Dr. Zweinstein, taking two cards from his hand and discarding them. "When my opponent has Special Summoned a monster, by discarding ze card and ein Spell Card from my hand... it will negate 'Flame Wingman's Summon and destroy it!"
"What?!" gasped James, watching as his only monster shattered into shards of glass. Grimacing, he took two more cards from his hand and slotted them into his Duel Disk. "I-I set two cards facedown and end my turn."
Two facedown cards materialized on the field. In the audience...
"On his first turn, James lost his only monster, putting him greatly behind." Edward thought to himself. "Was Dr. Zweinstein planning a Fusion Prevention?"
Back in the duel field...
"It's my turn, now!" exclaimed Dr. Zweinstein, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Three: Allbert Zweinstein (LP: 4000)
Deck: 43
Current Hand (4): ?, ?, ?, and ?
Just then, a Spell Card called 'Schrödinger's Cat' materialized face-up on the field.
"I activate a Continuous Spell - 'Schrödinger's Cat'!" Dr. Zweinstein, then took and held out another card. "Now, I'll activate ze Spell Card 'Pot of Greed'!"
The green jar appeared on the field beside the elderly man, creating two hands with which to give two more cards to him.
"What's going on, now?" demanded James.
"You know and everyone else knows zat 'Pot of Greed' lets me draw zwei cards, right?" teased Dr. Zweinstein. "But now, ze effect of 'Schrödinger's Cat' activates! Vhen I draw cards outside of my Draw Phase, after ze cards are confirmed..." He added both cards back into his Deck, which automatically got shuffled around. "...zey are returned to my Deck and shuffled. After zat, I draw as many cards from my Deck as the amount I returned"
With that said, Dr. Zweinstein drew two cards once again. In the audience...
"Drawing is a world of chance that is unknown until one opens the cover." Edward thought to himself. "However, because Dr. Zweinstein's being aided by 'Schrödinger's Cat'... he can actually open chance!"
Back in the duel field, Dr. Zweinstein took another card from his hand.
"I set ein card facedown..." The elderly man continued, slotting the card into his Duel Disk. On cue, a facedown card materialized on the field before him ('Draw Paradox'). "...and zen Summon 'Laplace the Fiend Mathematician' in attack mode!"
Appearing onto the field was a fiendish monster in a robe (Level: 4/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000). From there, the Battle Phase commenced...
"Attack my opponent directly!" commanded Dr. Zweinstein.
"No, you don't!" cut in James, just as his first facedown card flipped up and revealed itself. "I activate a Trap Card - 'A Hero Emerges'! This activates when the opponent attacks... Now, you're required to select a card from my hand."
"Select a card?" repeated Dr. Zweinstein.
"If you select a Spell or Trap Card, then its sent to the Graveyard. If you select a Monster Card, however, I get to Special Summon it." The red-haired boy smiled cheekily. "Then again, all I have in my hand IS one card, so you HAVE to select it!"
Dr. Zweinstein understood. "Then I vill pick it!"
"An excellent selection..." laughed James, readying his card. "...for ME, that is!" He held the card out. "Say hello to 'Elemental HERO Neos'!"
The Ultraman-like 'Elemental HERO' appeared on the field with a loud cry (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000). Dr. Zweinstein seemed surprised by this turnabout.
"I conclude my battle." he acknowledged. "However, my turn is not yet finished." The elderly man took and held out another card out. "I activate another Spell Card - 'Dimensionhole'! Zis removes ein monster on ze field from play until my next Standby Phase!"
James cringed, as the ground suddenly came alive. He thought his opponent was going to target 'Elemental HERO Neos'!
"And ze monster I choose is 'Laplace the Fiend Mathematician'!"
The mentioned monster was swallowed in the ground.
"Now, comes ze effect of 'Laplace the Fiend Mathematician'!" Dr. Zweinstein went on. "Vhen 'Laplace' is moved off ze field, ze opposing player receives 300 points of damage for each card zat's on ze field!"
In the audience...
"300 damage per card?" quizzed Percy.
"There are six cards on the field, including that Field Spell Card." Emily pointed out. "That means James will receive 1800 points of damage!"
James glowed red as he cried out and took damage (LP: 2200). Unfortunately, that wasn't the end of it...
"In addition-" continued Dr. Zweinstein. "-zere's 'Relativity Field' to take into account! Vhat it does, is zat vhen ze opponent takes damage, ze Attack Power of ein monster owned by ze opponent will drop by the amount of damage ze player sustained."
'Elemental HERO Neos', glowing red while crying out in pain, suddenly became much weaker (ATK: 2500 - 700).
"'Neos'! You, too?!" worried James.
"One more zing!" put in Dr. Zweinstein, just as a Spell Card called 'Dark Hole' flipped face-up and revealed itself. "I activate 'Dark Hole'! This will destroy all other monsters on the field!"
A black hole appeared in the sky, and sucked 'Elemental HERO Neos' inside, destroying him.
"James Hughes, by relying on ze coincidence of drawing, you have been casting logic aside." scolded Dr. Zweinstein. "However, in zis vorld, zat strategy vill be useless!"
James became worried.
"I end my turn!"
"Drawing's not about coincidence!" argued James. "It's a miracle that happens when you link your heart to your monsters!" He clenched his fist. "I'll use my miracle drawing to beat you, Gramps!"
Dr. Zweinstein chuckled. "Zat, I vould like to see happen."
Finally...
"It's my turn!" declared James, getting ready to draw a card.
"Facedown card, open!" interrupted Dr. Zweinstein, just as his set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "Continuous Trap - 'Draw Paradox', activate!"
"What?!" cringed James.
"With zis, both players are unable to conduct a normal draw during ze Draw Phase." explained Dr. Zweinstein. "Instead, ze opponent vill draw a card. And because it's your Draw Phase-" He drew a card. "-I draw a card."
Turn Four: James Hughes (LP: 2200)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (0): N/A
"Crap..." mumbled James, realizing there wasn't anything he could do. "I...pass my turn."
With the audience...
"Dr. Zweinstein just turned the duel around against James." gasped Percy.
"With no cards in his hand, James wasn't able to do anything in his turn." Edward thought to himself. "There doesn't seem to be a flaw in Dr. Zweinstein's logic..."
Back in the duel field...
"It's my turn!" announced Dr. Zweinstein. "But zere's 'Draw Paradox' to take into consideration. So, go ahead and draw."
Reluctantly, James drew a card.
Turn Five: Allbert Zweinstein (LP: 4000)
Deck: 40
Current Hand (1): "Battle Constant"
Suddenly, the 'Dimensionhole' Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"We're on my Standby Phase!" announced Dr. Zweinstein. "Ze effect of 'Dimensionhole' will now vear off... Return to me - 'Laplace the Fiend Mathematician'!"
The fiendish-like monster returned to the field.
"Well, James, it vould seem zat physics is not your forte." The elderly man pointed out innocently. "I vill now lecture you and everyone else on how every universe has logic zat beautifully unites ze vorlds in zem."
"Wha-?!" panicked James. "Who gives lectures in the middle of a duel?!"
"Um, vould you care to just listen to my lecture vizout speaking to me like zat, please?"
"Eep!" The red-haired boy squeaked. In his mind... "This really sucks!"
In the audience...
"To think I'll get to hear another big lecture from the Noble Prize winner, and my big hero..." Edward thought to himself. "You don't get good luck like this every day!"
Back in the duel field, the lecture began...
"You understand zat dueling is built on drei different forces, yes?" questioned Dr. Zweinstein
"Forces?" asked James, stumped. "Let's see... Um..."
"I mean Spells, Traps, and Monsters, James!" Dr. Zweinstein answered. "I have studied ze logic zat unites zese drei, and I have finally completed it!" With that said, he held out his last card. "I activate ze Spell Card 'Battle Constant'!"
James looked on in silent concern.
"Zis vill Banish a Monster Card, Spell Card, and Trap Card on my side of ze field!" explained Dr. Zweinstein, just as all three of his cards faded away in streaks of blue. "Furthermore, ze effect of 'Laplace the Fiend Mathematician' vill activate once again! For ze vier cards ze were on ze field, you vill take 1200 more points of damage!"
James grimaced as he took more damage (LP: 1000).
"Now, for ze next effect of 'Battle Constant'!" continued Dr. Zweinstein. "Now zat I've removed a Monster Card, Spell Card, and Trap Card from my field... I Special Summon, from my Deck, ze symbol of zeir unity!"
"Their unity?!" gasped James.
The audience watched on with shock. What would the gust speaker Summon? No doubt it was powerful...
"Come forth - 'Brain Dragon'!" commanded Dr. Zweinstein.
Appearing onto the field was a huge dragon with aquamarine scales, and dark purple horns and wings (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 1000). Finally, the Battle Phase came...
"Go forth, 'Brain Dragon'!" Dr. Zweinstein ordered his monster. "Attack James directly!"
'Brain Dragon' obeyed, lunging forth for the opponent.
"I really 'do' suck at physics!" panicked James. But then he remembered he had one more set card to play. "I activate a Quick-Play Spell - 'The Flute of Summoning Kuriboh'!"
The remaining facedown card flipped up and revealed itself.
"This Spell Card lets me Special Summon one 'Kuriboh' or 'Winged Kuriboh' directly from my Deck and onto the field!" explained James, taking a card from his Deck.
"A 'Winged Kuriboh'?" quizzed Dr. Zweinstein.
On cue, 'Winged Kuriboh' appeared on the field in a defensive stance (Level: 1/ATK: 300/DEF: 200). 'Brain Dragon', meanwhile, charged and unleashed a blast of fire, which struck and destroyed poor 'Winged Kuriboh'.
"When 'Winged Kuriboh' is destroyed, all damage I take this turn becomes zero!" said James. "I'm safe and sound."
Dr. Zweinstein smiled. "Ah, so it vould seem zat ze friendship you have with your monsters has narrowly pulled you zrough."
"Heh! Told you so." chuckled James.
"However... your being able to interact vith coincidence ends here."
"We'll see about that." The red-haired boy pointed out (LP: 1000). "As long as I have Life Points, I'm still in the game."
"It's impossible to reverse zis situation into your favor vith only one card." Dr. Zweinstein pointed out (LP: 4000). "God is never one to roll dice."
"'God is never one to roll dice'?" blinked James. "What does that even mean?"
"Vhen God created Heaven and Earth-" explained Dr. Zweinstein "-he did not do it by relying on luck or chance... He did so vith only his pure vill."
With the audience...
"Those are some famous words..." commented Daisy.
"Like totally!" agreed Emma.
"Uh-huh." put in Pip.
Even Edward was impressed. "'God is never one to roll dice'... This world isn't built on random chance!" he thought to himself. "Up until now, James has kept rolling dice, and he's kept on winning... Even so, it seems as if his good luck has run out."
The intelligent, blue-haired boy looked towards James, knowing that even though his friend was not in a good position at the moment, he still had a chance to turn things around.
"It's my turn!" announced James, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Six: James Hughes (LP: 1000)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (2): "Bubble Blaster" and "Elemental HERO Bubbleman"
His drawn card was the 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' Monster Card.
"I Summon 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' in attack mode!"
The aquatic 'Elemental HERO' appeared to the field (Level: 4/ATK: 800/DEF: 1200).
"Thanks to 'Bubbleman's' effect-" The red-haired boy went on, drawing two more cards. "-I draw two more cards when it's the only card on my side of the field!"
His drawn cards were shown to be 'Neo-Spacian Glow Moss' (Effect Monster) and 'Hero Dice' (Spell), and the only card left in his hand was 'Bubble Blaster'. As the audience waited to see what James would do, he made his move...
"It's time to put your theory to the test." James grinned, holding out one of his cards. "I equip 'Bubbleman' with 'Bubble Blaster'! This increases my monster's Attack Power by 800 points!"
A large blaster appeared in 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman's' hands, causing his Attack power to increase a bit (ATK: 800 - 1600).
"And that's not all." continued James, taking and holding out one of his drawn cards. "I play another Spell Card - 'Hero Dice'! I can only activate this card when I control an 'Elemental HERO'-named monster... From there, I'll roll a die, and depending on the resulting number, various effects can happen!"
A large, pink dice appeared on the field before being tossed into the sky.
"Go, dice roll!"
The dice eventually fell to the ground and rolled about before landing on a...
"Vhat?!" gasped Dr. Zweinstein, just as a blue circle appeared all-around him.
"Because I rolled a six, 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' is able to attack you directly!" rejoiced James, entering the Battle Phase. "'Bubbleman', give Gramps there a direct attack!"
'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' aimed his new weapon, awaiting the attack name...
"Bubble Shoot, now!"
'Elemental HERO Bubbleman' obeyed, firing a bubble blast from his weapon that hit Dr. Zweinstein head-on (LP: 2400).
"But that's not all!" James went on. "Remember your 'Relativity Field'? It weakens the Attack Points your monster based on the Battle Damage you sustain!"
'Brain Dragon' grew weaker (ATK: 2800 - 1200). Just then, Dr. Zweinstein fell onto his behind.
"Impossible!" he gasped.
"Hey, hey! Be careful, sir!" called James. "Don't overdo it!"
"Hey! I'm not ZAT old, you vhippersnapper!" exclaimed Dr. Zweinstein, getting back to his feet. His false teeth then comically popped out of his mouth for a moment. "Ma feef...!"
James sweatdropped. "You sure you're alright?"
Embarrassed, Dr. Zweinstein put his teeth back in. There were a few scattered giggles from the audience over that comical scene. Edward, however, felt sorry for Dr. Zweinstein and such—though he said nothing. Back in the duel field...
"It's my turn!" announced Dr. Zweinstein, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Seven: Allbert Zweinstein (LP: 2400)
Deck: 39
Current Hand (1): "Non-Fusion Area"
His drawn card was a Trap Card called 'Non-Fusion Area'.
"The effect of 'Brain Dragon' activates! Zanks to it, I draw zwei more cards from my Deck... However, I must zen select zwei cards from my hand and return zem to ze top of my Deck in any order I choose."
Dr. Zweinstein looked to his hand... It consisted of 'Double Spell', 'Mystical Space Typhoon', and 'Non-Fusion Area'.
"Oh? 'Non-Fusion Area', eh?" The elderly man thought to himself. "Although James' hand is at ein card, he usually needs drei or so cards for a Fusion... In vhich case, I'll still have an extra turn." With that thought he placed both 'Double Spell' (Spell Card) and 'Non-Fusion Area' (Trap Card) both atop of his Deck. "I'm not done yet, James."
James braced himself, watching as the 'Mystical Space Typhoon' Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"I activate 'Mystical Space Typhoon'!" declared Dr. Zweinstein. "Zis allows me to destroy your 'Bubble Blaster'."
The face-up 'Bubble Blaster' Spell Card shattered into shards of glass, causing the weapon in 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman's' hands to disappear (ATK: 1600 - 800). Finally, the Battle Phase arrived...
"Now, I vill use 'Brain Dragon' to attack your 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'!" Dr. Zweinstein went on, before announcing his monster's attack/effect name... "BIG BANG BRAINSTORM!"
'Brain Dragon' obeyed, firing another blast of fire that struck and destroyed 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'. James braced himself as slight damage was sustained from the attack (LP: 600).
"Ho ho ho ho! Are you quite alright, James" chortled Dr. Zweinstein. "I can see your exhaustion. Vould you say to surrendering?"
No answer.
"Hmm? James?"
James started to laugh. "You kidding me?" he asked joyously. "This duel is way too fun for me to just give up!"
"Fun?" quizzed Dr. Zweinstein, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah!" continued James. "At first, I thought this assembly would be really boring. Now? I'm having the time of my life!"
"But you are losing at the moment. If you surrender now, I'm sure nobody will blame you for it."
"Man, I guess I got you worried about about 'my' body, Gramps." The red-haired boy continued, before preparing to draw a card. "Besides, the duel's actually about to kick up." He then drew a card with the ever popular Destiny Draw. "My turn, draw!"
Turn Eight: James Hughes (LP: 600)
Deck: 50
Current Hand (2): "Neo-Spacian Glow Moss" and "O - Oversoul"
On cue, the 'Neo-Spacian Glow Moss' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Come forth - 'Neo-Spacian Glow Moss'!"
Appearing onto the field was the glowing, humanoid-like 'Neo-Spacian' (Level: 3/ATK: 300/DEF: 900). James then held his last card out.
"Next, I'll activate 'O - Oversoul'!" The red-haired boy went on. "This Special Summons one 'Elemental HERO' Monster from my Graveyard!" His Graveyard started glowing all white. "Come forth - 'Elemental HERO Neos'!"
In a second, 'Elemental HERO Neos' returned to the field (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"Here we go! It's time for a Contact Fusion!"
"C-Contact Fusion?" gasped Dr. Zweinstein.
"That's right." confirmed James. "A very special-type of Fusion that doesn't require 'Polymerization'."
'Neo-Spacian Glow Moss' and 'Elemental HERO Neos' both leaped into the sky to fuse together.
"Appear - 'Elemental HERO Glow Neos'!"
Appearing on the field, when the Fusion Summon sequence came to an end, was 'Elemental HERO Neos' without his facemask, but with the top part of his head covered in glowing moss (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"But, how?!" cried Dr. Zweinstein. "Vas zis one of his miracles?"
"'Glow Neos's' Monster Effect activates!" declared James. "Once per turn, he destroys one face-up card that's on my opponent's side of the field! Depending if it's a Spell, Trap, or Monster, he'll gain an additional effect."
Dr. Zweinstein, taking a step back, knew exactly which card his opponent was about to target.
"Say goodbye to your Field Spell Card - 'Relativity Field'!" As James said this, 'Elemental HERO Glow Neos' charged a multi-color orb in his hands. "SIGNAL BUSTER!"
'Elemental HERO Glow Neos' hurled the orb, striking and destroying the face-up 'Relativity Field' Field Spell Card. Before long, the whole area turned back into the auditorium.
"My beautiful universe!" panicked Dr. Zweinstein. "It's-!"
"The effect when 'Glow Neos' destroys a Spell Card-" explained James, clenching his fist. "-lets him perform a direct attack on the enemy player!"
"O-Oh no!"
"Oh, yes!" James pointed forth, causing 'Elemental HERO Glow Neos' to gesture his hand forth and charge electricity. "LIGHTNING STRIKE!"
'Elemental HERO Glow Neos' obeyed, throwing and striking Dr. Zweinstein with a bolt of glowing lightning.
"Even zough it was going to be a guaranteed safe turn-" The elderly man thought to himself, recoiling from the damage he sustained (LP: 0). "-this was 99.99% impossible!"
DUEL RESULTS: James Hughes wins!
"That's what makes Duel Monsters so interesting-" James pointed out. "-you never know what will happen next!" He then winked and pointed two fingers of his left hand at Dr. Zweinstein pleasantly. "Gotcha! That was a fun duel, Gramps!"
The holograms soon faded away.
"Do I take zis to mean zat my Grand Unification Zeory was incomplete?" Dr. Zweinstein question unhappily, falling to his knees. "Or zat you, James Hughes, always find a way to surpass logic?"
"I'm just saying that life doesn't always go the way we expect it to." said James, sounding surprisingly wise. "Sometimes things do go alright. But at other times, life can throw a curveball of surprises. The best thing to do is to just expect the unexpected."
The audience started applauding for a great duel. Edward, meanwhile, continued to gaze at both Dr. Zweinstein and James. The duel had clearly given him much to think about.
"Even with all of his theories and calculations-" he said to himself "-Dr. Zweinstein still lost to James."
"So, Edward, what'd you think?" asked Percy, nudging his intelligent friend. "I hope you aren't disappointed that your hero lost the duel."
"Not exactly." said Edward. "I was just surprised at the outcome."
Percy was surprised himself. "You were? Really?"
"Of course." The intelligent, blue-haired boy confirmed. "Not only that, I've also made a decision on something."
As the applauding continued, Diesel suddenly stirred and shot himself awake.
"Huh?! What?! Oh..." mumbled Diesel groggily. "So, what'd I miss?"
(later...)
Soon, the classes and teachers were leaving the auditorium to go back to class. The only ones who did not leave the room were Edward and Dr. Zweinstein.
"So, you've made a choice?" The latter (Dr. Zweinstein) was asking.
"Yes." nodded Edward. "After watching the match between you and James, I shall take up dueling. What about you?"
Dr. Zweinstein sighed. "My Grand Unification Zeory lost to your friend." The elderly man then smiled. "I'm counting on you, young man. You must perfect a new zeory for me!"
"I'll make you proud, Dr. Zweinstein." Edward smiled back, walking over and shaking the man's hand. "Thanks again for coming and giving the lecture."
"You'd better hurry along to your next class." Dr. Zweinstein suggested. "And good luck with your future."
Edward nodded, turned, and left the auditorium. You know, this could be a good start for Edward to become a duelist like the others. Am I right?
END OF CHAPTER 10