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 15
Dinosaurs, Dragons, and Neos... Oh my!
(earlier on...)
FLASHBACK
At the party before the grand opening of Boxford Land and the start of 'The Great International Duel Cup'...
"Our next duelist comes from Isle of Man between England and Ireland!" The announcing suit said loudly. "Meet Logan Derekson!"
Stepping forward was a teenage boy (15-years old) dressed in yellow and blue.
"My name is Logan Derekson, and I'm a duelist from Isle of Man." narrated Logan. "All the way back in August, I had a chance to go to Atlanta to compete in a big Duel Monsters tournament. Unfortunately..."
(new scene...)
In another part of Boxford Land, Flashback Diesel, Flashback Dennis, Flashback Arry, and Flashback Bert were busy trying to find one of the duelists who was competing in the tournament. So far, no such luck.
"Sheesh!" complained Flashback Dennis. "At this rate, we'll never find a chump to kick out and take over..."
"I think this trip was all for nothing..." grumbled Flashback Bert.
Before Flashback Diesel could say anything to shut his two friends up...
"Oh, why did I forget to take these stupid pills before my duel?!" complained the voice of Flashback Logan. "I swear, I need a way to keep reminding myself to take these things..."
"Oie! Did you guys hear that?" asked Flashback Arry.
The four Smelter Teens watched as someone (Flashback Logan) was shown running towards one of the park washrooms. For some reason, he had a small container in his hands.
"A duelist!" cried Flashback Arry and Flashback Bert.
"Well, now..." Flashback Diesel grinned. "It looks like he needs help. What do you guys think? Shall we go and 'help' that poor sucker?"
The four teenage troublemakers then laughed deviously at their plan.
"My chance to duel would be taken away from me just as quickly." Logan narrated some more. "By a foursome of troublemaking teenagers who, I later learn, were from a place in the UK called The Island of Sodor."
(elsewhere...)
Inside the washroom, Flashback Logan was busy getting his pills out of their container.
"Come on, you stubborn bottle..." grumbled Flashback Logan. "If I don't get you opened, I'll end up disqualified for not showing up."
The door opened, but Flashback Logan paid no attention. Before long...
"Need some help?" oozed the voice of Flashback Arry.
Flashback Logan, hearing the voice, turned around to speak and gasped.
"We'll help ya out." put in a smiling Flashback Bert.
(elsewhere...)
Outside the washroom, the scream from Logan echoed throughout. Before long, Flashback Diesel and Flashback Dennis, disguised as 'Logan', emerged from the washroom to proceed to the duel.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the washroom, Flashback Arry and Flashback Bert were both standing guard outside one of the stalls.
"Let me out! Let me out!" wailed the voice of Flashback Logan, banging on the door leading to the other end. "I have to get to my duel!"
"Keep it quiet in there!" snapped Flashback Arry.
"You're not going anywhere." added Flashback Bert. "Our two friends have a score to settle, and we two are not about to fail them."
"You'll never get away with this!" protested the voice of Flashback Logan. "Everyone will figure out your friends are frauds and come looking for me!"
Flashback Arry and Flashback Bert both only laughed in response.
"Ultimately, those guys were exposed and sent back to where they came from-" narrated Logan. "-but I still never got the chance to duel in the tournament..."
(new scene...)
One day, Flashback Logan arrived at Brendam Docks by boat. He looked around, seeing how big the place was.
"Blimey." Flashback Logan gasped. "So, this is the Island of Sodor... It's bigger than the Isle of Man." He then recovered from his shock and walked through the area to the exit. "Still, I can't let it surprise me..."
Flashback Logan roamed around a bit more.
"Deciding to visit the Island of Sodor for a short period of time, I arrived at the big harbor and went on my way." narrated Logan. "During my visit..."
(elsewhere...)
Outside the Knapford Public Library, Flashback Logan found himself dueling Flashback Dennis.
"...I found himself meeting up with one of those guys who impersonated me. Taking the chance to get revenge, I challenged him to a duel."
The duel was already in progress...
-Flashback Dennis (LP: 2900) had 'Destroyersaurus' (Level 4/ATK: 1800/DEF: 1100) in attack position and a set card on his side of the field.
-Flashback Logan (LP: 2600) had 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' (Level 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 1800) in attack position and the face-up Continuous Trap Card 'Royal Decree' on his side of the field. Due to the effect of 'Royal Decree', the effect of all other Trap Cards were negated.
"Heh! So, you do have some skill." snickered Flashback Dennis. "Go ahead! Hit me with all you've got!"
"I will!" accepted Flashback Logan. "Thanks to 'Royal Decree', neither of us can use any Trap Cards!" He then entered the Battle Phase. "'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8', attack 'Destroyersaurus'!"
The huge dragon obeyed, letting lose a large blast of black fire. 'Destroyersaurus' was quickly overwhelmed by the fire and roasted alive, causing Flashback Dennis to brace himself from the force of the attack (LP: 1700). From there, a Monster Card called 'Horus' Servant' materialized face-up on the field.
"Now that I'm finished with my Battle Phase, I'll begin Main Phase 2 with this card!" continued Flashback Logan. "I Summon 'Horus' Servant' in defense mode!"
Appearing onto the field was a human monster dressed in a priest gown based on Horus (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 100).
"Thanks to this monster, you can't target my face-up 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon' monsters with Spells, Traps, or Card Effects of any kind." explained Flashback Logan, who then slotted a card into his Duel Disk. "Finally, I'll set a card and end my turn!"
A facedown card materialized on the field.
"So, no 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon' monsters can be affected by Card Effects?" scoffed Flashback Dennis, drawing a card. "Sorry, but that won't do."
Turn ?: Dennis Ashford (LP: 1700)
Deck: 35
Current Hand (5): ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Hyper Hammerhead"
His drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Hyper Hammerhead'.
"Oh, this will do nicely." The lazy gray-haired boy grinned, before looking to his opponent. "Come out - 'Hyper Hammerhead'!"
Appearing onto the field was a dinosaur with a hammer-like head (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1200).
"'Hyper Hammerhead'..." whispered Flashback Logan.
"Yup! Time for your 'Horus' Servant' to become dinosaur food!" laughed Flashback Dennis, who then entered the Battle Phase. "Attack!"
The hammer-headed dinosaur obeyed, charging at the weaker monster. Before long, Flashback Dennis took and held another card out.
"Since a Dinosaur-Type monster is attacking, I activate a Quick-Play Spell Card from my hand - 'Dino Roar'! This allows me to send one card the opponent controls from the field to the Graveyard... And guess what card I choose?"
As the mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself, 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' suddenly started to attack right back.
"My 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' won't let you have your way!" declared Flashback Logan. "I'll use its effect to negate your 'Dino Roar' and destroy it!"
"Nice try!" smirked Flashback Dennis. "You can't use Card Effects to negate this Spell Card's effect!"
The flame struck the face-up Spell Card, but nothing happened. With that, the face-up 'Royal Decree' Trap Card faded away in a blue streak.
"With 'Royal Decree' gone, we can play Trap Cards again." taunted Flashback Dennis, just as his set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "Take this, for example... I activate 'Survival of the Fittest'! This lets me target a Dinosaur-Type monster I control and equip it with this card, increasing it's Attack Power by 1000 points and when that attacking monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, the equipped monster can make a second attack on an opponent's monster in a row."
'Hyper Hammerhead' dove towards 'Horus' Servant', growing stronger (ATK: 1500 - 2500). Before long, 'Horus' Servant' was bitten into and destroyed.
"I've destroyed a monster with 'Hyper Hammerhead'!" jeered Flashback Dennis. "The effect of 'Survival of the Fittest' activates! And now, I'll use 'Hyper Hammerhead' to attack your 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8'!"
"But my monster is stronger!" protested Flashback Logan.
"I know, but I'll still attack it, anyway!"
The two monsters clashed, but 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' came out on top. Flashback Dennis, despite losing Life Points (LP: 1200), merely smirked with satisfaction.
"You've destroyed my monster..." he said darkly. "However, because the attacked monster wasn't destroyed, 'Hyper Hammerhead's' effect will activate - sending the attacked monster back to your hand."
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' started glowing as it roared in pain. Flashback Dennis kept his smile, thinking he was in the clearing. Unfortunately...
"Facedown card, open!" announced Flashback Logan.
"Say what?!"
The teenager from the Isle of Man motion his left hand to his facedown card, causing it to flip up and reveal itself to be...
"I activate 'Level Down!?'!" he went on. "This is a Quick-Play Spell Card that lets me target a 'LV' monster on the field and return it to it's owner's Deck and Special Summon one monster from the owner's Graveyard to my side of the field with the same name but lower 'LV', ignoring the Summoning conditions."
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' began to grow smaller.
"I know what you're gonna Summon..." grumbled Flashback Dennis. "You calling 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV4' back again!"
"Correct!" confirmed Flashback Logan, just as his Graveyard started shining white light. "Appear - 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV4'!"
Appearing onto the field was a much weaker version of 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1000).
"Hmph! Don't think my turn is over." Flashback Dennis grumbled, entering Main Phase 2. he took a card from his hand and slotted it into a Spell/Trap slot on his Duel Disk. "Behold 'Spacetime Transcendence'!"
The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself. Flashback Logan, having heard about it, scowled a bit as he waited the effect.
"By removing Dinosaur-Type monsters from my Graveyard-" The lazy gray-haired boy was saying, taking cards from his Graveyard. "-I can Special Summon another from my hand with a Level equal to the total Level of the banished monsters."
Flashback Logan saw that Flashback Dennis was holding out four Dinosaur-Type Monster Cards, and they were all at Level 4.
"'Gilasaurus', 'Dark Driceratops', 'Destroyersaurus', and 'Hyper Hammerhead'?!" gasped Flashback Logan. "You're removing all four of those monsters?"
"That's right." As Flashback Dennis spoke, he took and placed a card onto a Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk. "It's time for you to meet the top link of the foodchain!"
A Monster Card called 'Tyranno Infinity' materialized face-up on the field.
"'Tyranno Infinity'!"
Appearing onto the field in a burst of light was a large dinosaur with many colored scales (Level: 4/ATK: ?/DEF: 0).
"'Tyranno Infinity'..." whispered Flashback Logan. "Now I understand why you've removed those four Dinosaur-Type Monster Cards! 'Tyranno Infinity' gains 1000 Attack Points for each of your banished Dinosaur-Type monsters."
'Tyranno Infinity' let loose a savage roar as became supercharged with power (ATK: 0 - 4000).
"But, I'm not finished." insisted Flashback Dennis, holding one more card out. "I activate 'Dino Blast'! Thanks to this, I inflict damage to your Life Points equal to the Level of a face-up Dinosaur I control times 300."
'Tyranno Infinity' let loose a roar (Level: 4)
"So now, you'll receive 1200 points of damage!"
An explosion suddenly clouded Flashback Logan's side of the field. When the smoke cleared, the teenage boy was grimacing as his Life Points dropped by 1200 (LP: 1400).
"My turn has ended." finished Flashback Dennis. "Man, I can't believe somebody as bad of a duelist like you was ever invited to a tournament in America! I'm almost wishing that Diesel and I had never decided to impersonate you."
Flashback Logan clenched his fist in anger. "I was given a chance to be in an important event." he growled. "But then you and your equally devious friends came along, and stole that chance from me just so you could achieve your selfish obsession with revenge!"
"Aww, you gonna cry about it?"
"No." The teenage boy denied, shaking his head. He then drew a card. "But I promise that when I'm through with you, YOU'LL be the one crying!"
Turn ?: Logan Derekson (LP: 1400)
Deck: 40
Current Hand (4): "Trap Booster", "Level Modulation", "Level Soul", and "Burial from a Different Dimension"
His drawn card was the 'Burial from a Different Dimension' Spell Card.
"Unfortunately, with my drawn card, I now have the game winning strategy I need."
Dennis snorted. "You do, do you?"
"Absolutely." With that being said, Flashback Logan took and held a card out. "First up, I activate 'Trap Booster'! As everyone knows, this lets me send one card from my hand to the Graveyard to activate one Trap Card from my hand."
After discarding a card from his hand to the Graveyard, Flashback Logan slotted another card into his Duel Disk. This caused a Trap Card called 'Level Soul' to materialize face-up on the field.
"Now I can activate the 'Level Soul' Trap Card!" declared Flashback Logan. "By tribute a monster and banishing a 'LV' monster from my Graveyard, I'm able to Special Summon a monster from my Deck that is written on the card text of the banished monster, ignoring the Summoning Conditions."
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV4' roared as it faded away, while the appearance of a moderately strong version of the monster ('Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6') briefly appeared on the field before fading away, too.
"Great... Here comes a second one..." Flashback Dennis groaned to himself.
"Come forth - 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8'!" commanded Flashback Logan.
Appearing onto the field was a second copy of 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 1800).
"With my Deck's ace back on the field, I can end this duel!"
"It's useless!" insisted Flashback Dennis. "My monster has 4000 Attack Points, while yours only has 3000 Attack Points!"
"Not for much longer." retorted Flashback Logan, readying his last card. "You see, your monster's power is based on the amount of banished Dinosaurs you have." A confident grin came to his face. "But if some of them were to be returned to the Graveyard, however..."
Flashback Dennis knew where this was going. "You wouldn't-!"
Too late... Flashback Logan slotted the last card in his hand into his Duel Disk. On cue, the 'Burial from a Different Dimension' flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"I activate 'Burial from a Different Dimension'!" declared Flashback Logan. "This allows me to select and return up to three banished monsters to the Graveyard."
Three of the four banished Dinosaur-Type monsters ('Gilasaurus', 'Dark Driceratops', and 'Destroyersaurus') materialized on the field before being sucked into Dennis's Graveyard.
"With three less Dinosaurs removed from the game, 'Tyranno Infinity' will have 3000 less Attack Points!"
'Tyrano Infinity' grew much weaker (ATK: 4000 - 1000). Flashback Dennis was sweating bullets now.
"W-Wait!" The lazy gray-haired boy cried out. "Can't we talk this out?"
His pleading was sadly ignored...
"'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8'-" declared Flashback Logan, entering the Battle Phase. "-attack 'Tyrano Infinity', and put an end to this duel!"
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' obeyed, firing a powerful blast of dark fire, which roasted 'Tyrano Infinity' and struck Dennis as well.
"But, despite a troublesome duel-" narrated Logan. "-I've managed to emerge victorious in the end."
DUEL RESULTS: Logan Derekson wins!
The holograms faded away as Flashback Dennis fell to his knees in defeat.
"But now, comes the real challenge..."
END FLASHBACK
The flashback came to an end...
"DUEL!" declared Percy and Jinty at the same time (LP: 4000) x2.
"DUEL!" came from Axel and Pug at the same time (LP: 4000) x2.
"DUEL!" put in Edward and a teenage boy named Fred (LP: 4000) x2.
"DUEL!" finished James and Logan at the same time (LP: 4000) x2.
Four duels at once?! Holy mackerel! Can Percy, Axel, Edward, and James all keep the crowd from going after Thomas, Emily, and Gina? Well, we'll have to see about that...
Duel Four: James vs. Logan
Over with James and Logan...
"You're Logan, aren't you?" questioned James. "The same Logan from 'The Great International Duel Cup'?"
"That would be me." confirmed Logan. "Had it not been for those four stupid jerks, I would have actually been able to compete."
"You mean Diesel and Dennis? Yeah, it must've sucked to have bumped into them in the washroom."
Logan sighed. "Yeah..." He then looked up with determination. "But, no matter what, I will get a chance to face Thomas and those 'Egyptian Gods'!"
"You'll have to get through me, first." insisted James, drawing a card. "Now, watch this!"
Turn One: James Hughes (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Dandylion"
His drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Dandylion'.
"Not what I was hoping for, but maybe I can still use it." The red-haired boy thought to himself. He then placed the card onto his Duel Disk (sideways). "'Dandylion', defense mode!"
Appearing onto the field was a small creature that resembled a cross between a cat and a flower (Level: 3/ATK: 300/DEF: 300).
"Not only that-" continued James, just as a facedown card materialized on the field behind 'Dandylion'. "-I'll also set one card and call it a turn."
Logan stared at the opposing monster. "A 'Dandylion'... Hmm..." Finally, he drew a card. "Draw!"
Turn Two: Logan Derekson (LP: 4000)
Deck: 44
Current Hand (6): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and ?
"No matter." The teenage boy thought to himself, adding the drawn card to his hand and selecting another to play. "I can get through it easy." He finally spoke aloud. "I Summon 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV4' in attack mode!"
Appearing onto the field was the default form of 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon' (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1000).
"But it's about to evolve!" continued Logan, taking and holding another card out. "'Level Up'! This will send 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV4' to the Graveyard and Special Summon 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6' while ignoring its Summoning Conditions."
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV4' glowed white as it grew stronger.
"Appear - 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6'!"
Appearing onto the field was 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon's' stronger form (Level: 6/ATK: 2300/DEF: 1600).
"BATTLE!" Logan announced, entering the Battle Phase. "'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6', attack 'Dandylion' with Black Flame!"
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6' obeyed, firing a blast of black fire that struck and shattered poor 'Dandylion' into shards of glass.
"When 'Dandylion' is destroyed-" announced James, just as two monsters started to appear on the field. "-it leaves behind two 'Fluff Tokens' in its place!"
Two balls of fluff appeared on the field.
"I'll set one card and end my turn." nodded Logan, just as a facedown card materialized on the field behind 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6'. Unfortunately, he was still far from finished... "With it being the End Phase, 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6's' effect activates - further evolving itself!"
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6' began to evolve into its most powerful form of all - 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 1800).
"3000 Attack Points..." whispered James.
"Try beating that." dared Logan.
Gulping, James drew a card. "I draw!"
Turn Three: James Hughes (LP: 4000)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (5): ?, ?, ?, ?, "Cross Porter"
His drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Cross Porter'. With no other choice, James decided to play it...
"Come forth - 'Cross Porter'!"
Appearing onto the field was a warrior dressed in a red, robotic armor (Level: 2/ATK: 400/DEF: 400). From there, James took and held another card out.
"From my hand, I activate a Spell Card - 'E - Emergency Call'!" The red-haired boy went on. "This lets me add one copy of an 'Elemental HERO' Monster Card from the Deck and into my hand."
"Sorry, but I won't let you!" cut in Logan. "'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8', waste it with your effect!"
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' fired a blast of flame, which hit and roasted James's card.
"H-Hey!"
"Too bad, so sad." teased Logan. "'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8's' effect negates and destroys the use of a Spell Card once during either player's turn."
"In that case, I'll just remove my Spell Card from the Graveyard!" cut in James, just as the 'E - Emergency Call' Spell Card emerged from his Graveyard and faded away into oblivion. "By doing so, I'll Special Summon 'Spell Striker' in attack mode!"
Appearing onto the field was a rather tiny warrior monster (Level: 3/ATK: 600/DEF: 200).
"'Spell Striker'?" quizzed Logan.
James grinned. "Got that right. Sure, he's a little on the weak side, but at least he's able to go for your Life Points!"
"What?!"
"Did I stutter?" The red-haired boy taunted, entering the Battle Phase. "'Spell Striker', direct attack!"
'Spell Striker' obeyed, slipping past 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' and hitting Logan with his staff. The Isle of Man native was briefly knocked back by the attack (LP: 3400).
"I end my turn." finished James.
"'Spell Striker' will be an easy target for me to wipe out." commented Logan, drawing a card. "But, you know? I think I've got a better idea..."
James became nervous when he heard his opponent say he had a better idea.
Turn Four: Logan Derekson (LP: 3400)
Deck: 43
Current Hand (2): ? and "Stop Defense"
"From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Stop Defense'!" declared Logan, holding out his drawn card almost immediately. "Thanks to this, I can switch one of your 'Fluff Tokens' into attack mode."
James helplessly watched as one of his two 'Fluffy Tokens' found itself going into a battle stance against its will.
"This attack will deplete most of your Life Points." Logan went on, before enteting the Battle Phase. "'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8', attack 'Fluff Token' with Black Mega Flame!"
'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' obeyed, charging a blast of flame.
"Say goodbye to most of your Life Points!"
"Not gonna happen!" cut in James, who then poked a button on his Duel Disk. "Trap Card - 'Secret Mission'!" His set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "This will let me choose on either making you attack one random monster on my side of the field, or end the Battle Phase."
"Continuous Trap Card!" Logan suddenly announced, making the red-haired boy recoil. The Isle of Man teenager's own set card flipped face-up and revealed itself to be... "'Royal Decree'! All face-up Trap Cards other than this one have their effects negated!"
James's face-up 'Secret Mission' Trap Card glitched out and shattered into shards of glass. just as the attack by 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' was charged and soon unleashed upon 'Fluff Token'.
"Not good!" panicked James, knowing there was nothing he could do to save his weaker monster.
The attack struck, and the 'Fluff Token' was destroyed as James took a huge chunk of damage (LP: 1000).
"Well, only 1000 Life Points left." teased Logan, who then slotted the last card from his hand into his Duel Disk. "Finally, I'll play a Continuous Spell Card - 'Sealer Formation'!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"What's that do?" asked James. In his mind... "No doubt I'm going to regret asking..."
"'Sealer Formation' lets me skip my next Draw Phase to add one 'Seal'-related card from my Graveyard to my hand. An example of such a card would be...'Stop Defense'."
James cringed. "That means-!"
"That's right." acknowledged Logan. "Next turn, I'll be able to take out your other token and win! Or, rather, any of your monsters if you decide to play defense."
"Then I'll just have to end the duel before that happens." The red-haired boy pointed out, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Five: James Hughes (LP: 1000)
Deck: 52
Current Hand (3): "Elemental HERO Neos", "Contact Out", and "Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab"
His drawn card was the 'Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab' Monster Card, while the rest of his hand contained 'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'Contact Out'.
"Time to kick things up a notch." declared James, now having a game winning strategy all prepared. "I activate the effect of 'Cross Porter'!"
Logan silently sweated; did his opponent have a strategy to turn things around? He was about to find out...
"By sacrificing one monster on my field-" explained James, taking a card from his hand. "-I can Special Summon a 'Neo-Spacian' Monster from my hand in its place." He pointed forth. "Be gone, 'Spell Striker'!"
'Spell Striker' faded away in a blue streak, and appearing in its place was the 'Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab' Monster Card (face-up, that is).
"I Special Summon 'Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab'!"
The humanoid scarab-like monster appeared on the field in a small burst of fire (Level: 3/ATK: 500/DEF: 500). From there, the remaining 'Fluff Token' plus 'Cross Porter' both faded away in streaks of blue. That meant one thing...
"Next I tribute 'Fluff Token' and 'Cross Porter to Summon 'Elemental HERO Neos'!" continued James, who took and placed a card onto a Monster Field slot on his Duel Disk.
Joining 'Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab' on the field was the Ultraman-like 'Elemental HERO' (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"Now, Contact Fusion!" The red-haired boy went on, giving the command to both his monsters. "Go forth, 'Neos' and 'Flare Scarab'!"
Both 'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab' soared into the space-like sky as they began fusing together. Logan was gazing upward in surprise, but still remained silent on the matter. James, meanwhile, knew that this duel was about to become his...
"Come forth - 'Elemental HERO Flare Neos'!"
In a burst of fire, the flaming 'Elemental HERO Flare Neos' monster appeared on the scene (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"Nothing to worry about." dismissed Logan. "Your monster's Attack Power is the same as 'Elemental HERO Neos's' Attack Power... 500 points short of 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8's' 3000 Attack Points."
"Then it's a good thing 'Flare Neos' gains Attack Power for every Spell and Trap Card on the field." smirked James. "The best part? It doesn't matter WHO owns the Spell or Trap!"
"What?!"
'Elemental HERO Flare Neos' glowed all orange as he grew even stronger (ATK: 2500 - 3300).
"With that, 'Flare Neos' can finally take down 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8'!" rejoiced James, who then entered the Battle Phase. "Attack now, 'Flare Neos'... BURN TO ASH!"
'Elemental HERO Flare Neos' obeyed, striking 'Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV8' with a fist of flames, thus destroying the great beast. Logan cried out as he braced himself and sustained some damage (LP: 3100).
"I'm not finished!" James went on, holding his last card. "'Contact Out' will separate 'Flare Neos' back into the monsters used to Contact Fusion Summon him!"
From the magic of the 'Contact Out' Spell Card, 'Elemental HERO Flare Neos' split back into regular 'Elemental HERO Neos', and 'Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab'.
"And just like 'Flare Neos', 'Flare Scarab gains Attack Power for each Spell and Trap Card on the field." continued James. "Except they come from YOUR side of the field!"
'Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab' grew stronger (ATK: 500 - 1300).
"Impossible!" recoiled Logan (LP: 3100). "And because 'Contact Out' is a Quick-Play Spell Card, the Battle Phase is still on!"
"'Elemental HERO Neos' and 'Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab', attack Logan directly!" commanded James, just as his two monsters stood ready to attack for the win. "Let's end this duel! 'Flare Scarab', Flame Bullet! 'Neos', Wrath of Neos!"
The two monsters obeyed, with both of them attacking at once and finishing off Logan (LP: 0). The Isle of Man teenager was thrown to the ground by the combined force of the two opposing monsters.
DUEL RESULTS: James Hughes wins!
"And that's game!" declared James, just as the holograms faded away.
The crowd of duelists soon grew tired of the delay.
"This is a waste of time!" The voice of a teenage boy yelled out.
"We want Thomas!" One young man demanded.
"Well, you can't duel him." declared Percy, as he was joined by James, Edward, and Axel. "Thomas has no interest in being forced into a duel against his will. If you try anything to go after him, we'll stand in your way!"
Then there was trouble...
"What is going on here?!" demanded Sir Topham Hatt, who was walking towards the area. "Whatever is happening, I demand you all to leave!"
"H-Hey!" spluttered Fred, standing back up. "Who do you think you-!"
"I am the principal of this school." boomed Sir Topham Hatt, glaring at the orange-haired boy. "And you're all trespassing on School Property, causing Confusion and Delay for the buses coming to pick my students up!"
The crowd was murmuring to each other.
"Now, what in blazes are you all doing here in the first place?!"
Fred cowered. "Just...leaving." he squeaked.
"Y-Yeah!" agreed Neil, reeling from commanding the principal was. "We're just leaving! Come along, everybody!"
With murmured agreement, the crowd of duelists disappeared faster than you can say 'Bust my Buffers' or something along the lines...
"Thanks a ton, sir!" praised James, once he, Edward, Percy, and Axel were all alone with the principal.
"Think nothing of it." replied Sir Topham Hatt. "Still, I wonder what's been happening for half an hour out here."
"The crowd all wanted to duel against Thomas." explained Percy.
"Because Thomas is now 'King of Games'-" put in Edward. "-duelists want a piece of him and the 'God' Cards."
"We were only trying to defend Thomas." finished James.
"Well, you've all did a good thing by looking out for your friend." smiled Sir Topham Hatt. "I'm very proud of you four."
The four teenagers all smiled back, looking to one another. They were happy that they did a good thing today.
(elsewhere...)
Meanwhile... Thomas, Emily, and Gina were each still on the run from the mob of duelists.
"We have to hide out somewhere those guys would never dream of looking." said Thomas in a panic.
Looking around for a potential place, Emily eventually point towards a building up ahead.
"The museum! We can hide there!"
"Sounds-a good to-a me!" Gina accepted.
The trio quickly raced up to the museum doors, opened up, entered their sanctuary, and closed the doors.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the museum...
"Please don't let them find us..." pleaded Thomas, hiding behind a pillar with the two girls.
Thankfully, there wasn't another duelist to be seen. After what seemed like forever, the three duelists gave a sigh of relief.
"Siamo al sicuro..." Gina mumbled in Italian.
"We're safe at last." agreed Emily.
Before too long...
"Huh? Hey, aren't you Thomas?" came a male voice.
Thomas, Emily, and Gina each froze! Somebody had discovered them... It was revealed to be a teenage boy with blonde hair. It was Beyer Peacock—nicknamed Bear for short—a student from the Smelter classroom at Sodor High School.
"Y-You're Bear!" exclaimed Emily.
"That's me." The blonde-haired boy confirmed. "I was here to do research for a project, but here I find you and Thomas, and... Um...?"
"Oh, this is Gina." explained Thomas, motioning to the brown-haired Italian girl. "She's visiting from another country."
"Gina Couillet." put in Gina, giving her full name. "I am-a from 'Milan - Italy'."
"How do you do?" said Bear politely. "You sure are a beauty... You even give Emily here a run for her money."
"Grazie..."
"Now then, I'm surprised to find you and Emily here, Thomas." Bear then started speaking to Thomas. "Is something going on?"
"Let's just say..." Emily started to say, but quickly got interrupted.
"...a dueling crowd wants to duel Thomas and his 'God' Cards?" finished Bear. "Yeah, I had a feeling about that... Dennis called earlier to inform me about it, since he and Diesel had been telling a bunch of people around town. To be honest, I kinda want to duel Thomas myself. I've always wondered how powerful the 'Egyptian Gods' are when I face them."
"Not again..." groaned Thomas, bringing a hand to his forehead wearily. "Alright, I give up... Let's..."
"Wait!" interrupted Emily. "I'll handle this."
"Beg pardon?" asked Bear in surprise.
"It's clear you want to duel Thomas." explained Emily. "Well, I won't let you duel my Tommy just like that. You want to face him? You'll have to go through me!"
Bear raised an eyebrow. "Me duel you? Are you sure you want to duel me?"
"That's right!"
After thinking it over for a moment, the blonde-haired boy grinned and nodded in agreement.
"Alright, if you're going to protect Thomas from duelists who want to challenge him, then I'll definitely have to go through you to get to him!" he said in a confident tone.
Thomas and Gina both watched the scene carefully. Emily and Bear were both about to duel each other. Will Emily win the match? Or will Bear win, and get his chance to duel Thomas? The answer will come to you all...soon.
END OF CHAPTER 15