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 21
The Couple's Cup, Part 2
Opening up in a part of the mall...
"'Lunalight Panther Dancer', attack-a 'Manticore of Darkness'!" commanded Gina.
'Lunalight Panther Dancer' obeyed, slashing at a manticore-like monster with her weapons and destroying it.
"And that's game!" announced the Card Shop Owner.
DUEL RESULTS: Gina Couillet and Axel Notesse both win!
The holograms faded away.
"As the winners, Gina Couillet and Axel Notesse both advance to the third round!"
The audience cheered in response. Yup, day two of 'The Couple's Cup' was underway, and things seemed to be going rather smoothly for the most part.
(later...)
Soon, Stanley and Rosie were both dueling once more...
-Rosie and Stanley (Team LP: 2700) both controlled 'Destiny HERO - Dogma' (Level 8: 3400 - 2700/2400) in attack position
-Daisy Cammell and BoCo Vickers (Team LP: 1950) both controlled 'Javelin Beetle' (Level 8: 2450/2550) in attack position, a facedown card, and a face-up 'Shadow Spell' Continuous Trap Card.
"Your so-called 'Destiny HERO - Dogma' can't harm either of us." Daisy yawned boredly. "And if you do attack with another monster, I'll just play my facedown card and stop your attack."
Turn ?: Stanley Hudswell (LP: 2700)
Deck: 40
Current Hand (4): ?, ?, ?, and "Polymerization"
Stanley's drawn card was the 'Polymerization' Spell Card.
"Daisy, I have other ways of defeating opponents like you." The gray-haired boy pointed out.
Daisy raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" she questioned. "Do tell..."
"From my hand, I'll activate a Spell Card - 'Polymerization'!" announced Stanley, taking another card from his hand. "I think a fusion of this guy and 'Dogma' will do nicely!"
On cue, 'Destiny HERO - Plasma' appeared on the field before fusing together with 'Destiny HERO - Dogma'.
"That's 'Destiny HERO - Plasma'!" realized BoCo. "What will him plus 'Dogma' create?"
Stanley smirked. "One of my best monsters, that's what!" He then thrust his right hand forth. "Now appear, Level 10 - 'Destiny End Dragoon'!"
Appearing onto the field, as the Fusion Summon sequence ended, was a brand new, demonic-like (though still human-looking) 'Destiny HERO' Monster with two huge wings while also decked out in armor comprised of 'Destiny HERO - Dogma's' and 'Destiny HERO - Plasma's' respective armor (Level: 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 3000).
"That's a new one..." gulped BoCo. "It's a Level 10 monster, and has both an Attack Power and Defense Power of 3000... Not to mention 'Shadow Spell' has also been rendered useless since it lost its original target."
Daisy, however, scoffed. "Sure, you've evaded 'Shadow Spell' by bringing that guy out, but if you decide to attack? Well, I'll just-"
"Rosie and I will win without even attacking." interrupted Stanley, causing Daisy to ease up. "To show you what I mean, I'll activate 'Destiny End Dragoon's' effect!"
"What?!" gasped Daisy. "'Destiny End Dragoon' has an effect?"
"That's right... Once per turn, I can target one monster my opponent controls and destroy it, and if it was face-up, I can inflict damage to the opponent equal to the Attack Power it had on the field."
Rosie added on... "The only problem is that Stanley would not be able to conduct an attack during the turn he uses 'Destiny End Dragoon's' effect..." The cherry red-haired girl was saying. "But, as he said, he doesn't need to attack to win."
'Destiny End Dragoon' powered up his blade.
"Activate your effect, 'Destiny End Dragoon'!" commanded Stanley, before announcing the attack (effect) name... "ULTIMATE D BURST!"
With a mighty yell, 'Destiny End Dragoon' struck its blade in the ground, causing a tremor of energy to charge, strike, and destroy 'Javelin Beetle'.
"As 'Javelin Beetle' was face-up while destroyed-" continued Stanley. "-you and your partner will sustain damage equal to its Attack Power!"
"That's 2450 points in total..." whined Daisy, as comical tears flowed from her eyes (Team LP: 0). "We've lost!"
DUEL RESULTS: Rosie Vulcan and Stanley Hudswell both win!
The holograms as the audience burst into loud amounts of applause.
"We've made it to the third round, Rosie!" smiled Stanley, waving to the crowd. "Isn't that great?"
Rosie, however, wasn't smiling from the win, nor was she even waving to the crowd. Quite obviously, this was something the gray-haired boy soon caught...
"Rosie, what's the matter?" Stanley pressed, sounding a bit concerned. "We've won the duel!"
"Don't get me wrong, I'm happy that we've won." Rosie insisted, before turning to look at her boyfriend with a serious gleam in her eyes. "But, right now, I'm really worried."
Stanley raised an eyebrow. "Worried? About what?"
"About Thomas and Emily." answered Rosie.
Stanley remained silent and surprised by the cherry red-haired girl's claim. Before long, Thomas, Emily, Luke, and Millie all walked onto the stage, forcing Stanley, Rosie, Daisy (who was acting like a hammy drama queen over losing the duel), and BoCo to all walk away and into the crowd.
"Hey, Thomas!" Luke called out. "Let's hope you and Emily give it your all!"
Thomas said nothing; only drawing his opening hand with a hard stare on his face. Before long, the duel between the two couples commenced (Team LP: 4000) x2.
"The first turn goes to me!" announced Emily, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn One: Emily Stirling (Team LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Mystical Space Typhoon", "Cestus of Dagla", "Wingweaver", ?, ?, and "Ancient Rules"
Her drawn card was the 'Ancient Rules' Spell Card. Before long, Emily briefly looked to Thomas, who kept a stern, determined look on his face.
"I set this card in our last match to try and help Thomas." The dark green-haired girl held thought to herself, remembering the last duel. "This time, I'll use it myself." With that thought on hand, she the card out. "From my hand, I'll activate 'Ancient Rules'... Come forth - 'Wingweaver'!"
The six-winged Fairy-Type monster appeared onto the field (Level: 7/ATK: 2750/DEF: 2400).
"From there, I'll equip 'Wingweaver' with 'Cestus of Dagla'!" Emily went on, taking and holding another card out. "This will increase my monster's Attack Power by 500 points!"
'Wingweaver' gained two new weapons as her Attack Power went up (ATK: 2750 - 3250). Finally, a facedown card materialized on the field...
"I set one card facedown and end my turn." finished Emily.
"It's my turn!" declared Luke, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Two: Luke Wren (Team LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (6): ?, "Chorus of Sanctuary", ?, "Stone Statue of the Aztecs", "Stone Statue of the Aztecs", and ?
From there, he took and placed a card onto his Duel Disk (sideways).
"I Summon 'Stone Statue of the Aztecs' in defense mode!"
Appearing onto the field was a huge stone structure with a face and arms (Level: 4/ATK: 300/DEF: 2000).
"It only has 2000 Defense Points; not enough to protect yourselves from 'Wingweaver'." reminded Emily.
"That's why I'm not finished." Luke pointed out, holding another card out. "Equip Spell - 'Mist Body', activate! Thanks to this, 'Stone Statue of the Aztecs' will be granted immunity to destruction by battle."
A swirling mist surrounded 'Stone Statue of the Aztecs'.
"And I'm still not done." Luke went on still, just as a Spell Card called 'Chorus of Sanctuary' materialized face-up on the field. "From my hand, I'll activate a Field Spell - 'Chorus of Sanctuary'!"
Suddenly, Luke's only monster grew much stronger in the defensive stat (DEF: 2000 - 2500).
"All monsters in defense position gain 500 Defense Points! And I'll end my turn there."
Millie was delighted. "Oh, zat will keep us safe!" she swooned. "You always know what to do!"
"T-Thanks, Millie." Luke blushed shyly. "I-I knew you'd approve of it."
Emily looked to her set card while in her personal thoughts (showing an image of the 'Mystical Space Typhoon' Spell Card) over the matter at hand...
"My set card is 'Mystical Space Typhoon." Emily thought to herself. "If it's activated on the next turn, it can destroy either Spell Card... But if I do that, Millie might try to reinforce her side of the field before I can take my turn." The dark green-haired girl closed her eyes. "There's no rush, either way... Tommy will likely destroy it on his turn."
Finally...
"It's my turn!" exclaimed Thomas, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Three: Thomas Billinton (Team LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Curse of Dragonfire", "Gift of the Martyr", "Mage Power", "Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight", "Monster Reborn", and "The Tricky"
His drawn card was the 'The Tricky' Monster Card, while his hand also consisted of 'Curse of Dragonfire', 'Gift of the Martyr', 'Mage Power', 'Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight', and 'Monster Reborn'.
"Tommy, you can take-" Emily started to say, but fell into silence when she saw the look on her lover's face had not changed. In her mind... "Thomas... are you going to ignore my set card again?"
And so, the turn commenced...
"First up, I'll send one card from my hand to the Graveyard!" The blue-haired boy began, while the 'Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight' Monster Card entered the Graveyard. "With that done, I'll Special Summon 'The Tricky' in attack position!"
The jester-like monster appeared onto the field (Level: 5/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1200).
"Next, I'll offer 'The Tricky' and Tribute Summon 'Curse of Dragonfire'!"
'The Tricky' vanished in a blue streak just as quickly, just as the orange-colored version of 'Curse of Dragon' took its place on the field (Level: 5/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1500).
"Zat-!" gasped Millie.
"Correct." confirmed Thomas. "This monster, when Normal or Special Summoned, has the power to destroy Field Spells."
'Curse of Dragonfire' started charging a blast of flame in its mouth.
"FLAMES OF HELL!"
The blast was fired, destroying Luke's face-up 'Chorus of Sanctuary' Spell Card on impact. As a result, 'Stone Statue of the Aztecs' lost its Defense Bonus (DEF: 2500 - 2000).
"Not only that, I'll Summon 'Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight' with this!" continued Thomas, just as the 'Monster Reborn' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "I activate a Spell Card - 'Monster Reborn'!"
Appearing onto the field was the retrained form of 'Gaia the Fierce Knight'. The horse neighed, while the rider prepared for battle (Level: 7/ATK: 2300/DEF: 2100).
"'Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight'..." began Luke.
"...and 'Curse of Dragonfire'?" added Millie.
"The next effect of 'Curse of Dragonfire' activates!" Thomas went on, thrusting his right hand forth. "Once per turn, I can Fusion Summon one Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters I control as Fusion Materials, including this card!"
The two monsters began fusing together.
"Quoi?!" Millie cried out in French. "What are you creating?!"
"Appear, Level 7 - 'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion'!" commanded Thomas, just as the light from the Fusion Summon sequence began to dim.
Appearing onto the field was 'Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight' riding 'Curse of Dragonfire' like a steed (Level: 7/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2100).
"When it's on the field-" The blue-haired boy explained, then taking a card from his Deck. "-its name becomes 'Gaia the Dragon Champion'." He then held a card out. "And when Special Summoned successfully, I can add a copy of "Spiral Spear Strike' from my Deck to my hand - which I will activate immediately!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Now, whenever 'Gaia' attacks a monster in defense mode, he inflicts piercing damage!"
"Amazing!" Dexter cried out, doing come commentary on the duel. "Thomas has used a combo to allow his monster to deal piercing damage!"
"The best part starts here!" declared Thomas, holding yet another card out. "'Gift of the Martyr'!"
Emily was silently shocked with what she was seeing.
"It works by sending one monster on my side of the field to the Graveyard. After that, I select one other monster I control. The selected monster gains Attack Points equal to the Attack Power of the sent monster until the end of this turn." explained Thomas, not paying any attention to the look of surprised anger on Emily's face. "I send 'Wingweaver' to the Graveyard and select 'Sky Galloping Gaia' to gain the fallen monster's Attack Power!"
'Wingweaver', to her own surprise, turned into light as she entered the body of 'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion', which caused Thomas's monster to grow even stronger (ATK: 2600 - 5350). All Emily could do was watch helplessly at what her lover was doing to win.
"Finally, I'll equip 'Sky Galloping Gaia' with 'Mage Power'!" Thomas went on still, holding his last card out. "For each Spell and Trap Card on our field, the equipped monster gains 500 Attack Points and Defense Points!"
'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion' received another buff in power (ATK: 5350 - 6850/DEF: 2100 - 3600).
"BATTLE!" The blue-haired boy shouted, entering the Battle Phase. "This duel is all ours! 'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion', attack 'Stone Statue of the Aztecs!"
'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion' obeyed, diving towards 'Stone Statue of the Aztecs', striking the Rock-Type monster with his spear.
"Although the effect of 'Mist Body' prevents the monster from being destroyed-" continued Thomas, clenching a fist. "-you'll still receive the difference as Battle Damage thanks to the effect of 'Spiral Spear Strike'!"
Before long, 'Stone Statue of the Aztecs' self-destructed (for dramatic effect), sending poor Luke flying back as he cried out in pain.
DUEL RESULTS: Thomas Billinton and Emily Stirling both win!
"My little Luke!" wailed Millie, running over to her fallen boyfriend. "Are you okay?"
Luke opened his eyes. "Millie... I'm sorry." he apologized sadly. "We were beaten in one turn..."
"Oh, who cares if we lost, Luke?" asked Millie, smiling like she didn't mind losing. "Winning isn't important. What's really important is zat we 'ave fun in whatever we do together."
Luke managed a weak smile, knowing that the light blue-haired French girl was right about the duel. As the holograms faded away, Thomas took the time to apologize to his opponents for the rather rough duel and finisher by 'Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion'...
"Hey... Sorry about the rough dueling." Thomas remarked, rubbing the back of his head. He turned and saw Emily glaring at him. "Emily, what's the matter? Why do you look angry all of a sudden? We've won the duel!"
"What do you think you're playing at?!" Emily demanded angrily. "You didn't even check the set card I left. And you had access to my powered-up 'Wingweaver', but you sacrificed her as if she was nothing!"
"What's wrong with that?" asked Thomas innocently. "We still won."
Emily grew angrier. "It's not right!" she snapped. "This happens to be a 'Tag-Team' Tournament, you know! You should trust me more as a partner!"
"What are you talking about?" questioned Thomas, who was also growing angry. "I'm just dueling so that we can win at 100%. 'You're' the one who should trust 'me'!"
"What'd you say?!"
Before Thomas, or anyone else in the crowd, could say anything, the enraged Emily went and actually slapped the blue-haired boy across the face, shocking the whole audience (along with both Dexter and the Card Shop owner).
"I don't 'care' about winning, and this tournament is not even 'about' winning!" Emily ranted. "It's about working together and having fun!"
With that being said, Emily turned and stormed off the stage to cool off from her outburst while leaving Thomas behind, who was looking both confused and hurt.
(elsewhere...)
Later that night inside her room at the Vulcan Residence, Rosie was busy doing her homework. The bad news? The cherry red-haired girl couldn't concentrate; she was too busy thinking about Thomas and Emily's argument earlier that day.
"It would seem Thomas and Emily's relationship is straining." Rosie thought to herself. "Perhaps it might be because Thomas is still reeling from that ordeal with Anubis and repeating his mistakes from 'The Great International Duel Cup', and it's also not helping that Emily has him dueling in another tournament too quickly. Why couldn't she have just let him recover at his own pace?"
Finally getting up from her desk, she walked over to her bed, got atop of it, and laid perfectly still while staring at the ceiling for a very long time, doing some serious thinking on the matter. Rosie really wanted to do something to try and help her two friends reconcile their relationship, but she didn't know what to do. Soon enough, however...
*KNOCK, KNOCK!*
"Hello, Rosie?" The voice of Bart called from the other end. "Sis, are you okay in there?"
Rosie sat up. "Come in, Bart."
The door opened, and walking inside came Rosie's Big Brother.
"Is something the matter?" Bart asked, looking concerned for her Little Sister.
"Nothing... Except that I'm just really worried about some friends of mine, right now." answered Rosie. "They got into a fight earlier today, and..."
With that said, the cherry red-haired girl explained to Bart what was going on with both Thomas and Emily.
"I see..." The green-haired young man mumbled thoughtfully. "And you want to try and help them somehow?"
"I do." confirmed Rosie. "The problem? I don't how I'm going to do it."
Before long, Bart seemed to smile. "I think I might have an idea." He then took a Duel Monsters card out of his pocket. "Here, add this card into your Deck."
Rosie took the card and looked at it. "How will this help?" she asked at last. "I don't understand."
"Trust me, sis, you'll know when the time comes to play it." answered Bart with a wink.
The cherry red-haired girl just continued to stare at her older brother with curiosity.
(elsewhere...)
The next day at Knapford Mall, the whole tournament was readying for round three, and the crowd was excited and waiting for the duels to start. Of course, some of the crowd members were worried about what happened with Thomas and Emily yesterday...
"Will Thomas and Emily both be able to work things out?" wondered Molly.
"I should hope so." said Mavis. "I 'told' her making Thomas take part in this tournament would be a bad idea, but she wouldn't listen."
"Damn right." agreed James.
Back on the stage, Rosie was busy looking over her Deck one last time. Eventually, she added a card to it, which Stanley took notice of.
"Hey, what's that card you've added to your Deck?" The gray-haired boy asked curiously.
"Something my brother gave me." answered Rosie. "Last night, after he and I spoke, I finally came up with a plan for us to try and help our relationship-straining opponents... We just need the perfect opportunity to spring it."
"Wait what?" Stanley blinked. "What do you mean by 'we'?"
Rosie only smiled in response as she inserted her Deck into the Duel Disk. On the other end of the stage, the friction between Thomas and Emily had cooled down a bit, but there was still some slight steam between them... As Thomas was preparing his Deck for the duel, Emily took the time to speak to him...
"Thomas..." began Emily, catching Thomas's. "I'm sorry I hit you yesterday, but you made me angry... You're not having as much fun dueling as you used to."
Thomas raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" he asked. "I don't get it."
"I can tell that you're not enjoying it through dueling." answered Emily. "I mean, didn't you learn your lesson in 'The Great International Duel Cup'?"
Thomas blinked for a few seconds, just before turning his attention back to his two opponents, who were waiting for the Card Shop owner to give the word to begin the match.
"I know my plan will work." Rosie thought to herself, looking and sounding confident. "I just know it!"
Finally, the Card Shop owner spoke up...
"Good day, everyone! Today starts round three of 'The Couple's Cup'! Isn't that exciting?!"
The audience cheered in response. That was all that was needed to be heard...
"And now-" The Card Shop owner went on. "-let the match commence! Duelists, draw your cards and begin the duel!"
"DUEL!" Thomas, Emily, Rosie, and Stanley all declared at once (Team LP: 4000) x2.
Round three... Here we go!
"It's my turn!" announced Emily, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn One: Emily Stirling (Team LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "The Sanctuary in the Sky", "Divine Punishment", ?, ?, ?, and "Fairy Archer"
Her drawn card was the 'Fairy Archer' Monster Card. Almost immediately, the 'Fairy Archer' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"I Summon 'Fairy Archer' in attack mode!" Emily went on, with two fingers pressed on a Monster Field slot on her Duel Disk.
Appearing onto the field was the fairy armed with a bow and arrow (Level: 3/ATK: 1400/DEF: 600).
"The effect of 'Fairy Archer activates!" continued Emily, clenching her fist. "Once per turn, I can use 'Fairy Archer' to inflict 400 points of damage to my opponent for each LIGHT monster I control!"
Rosie and Stanley were both hit by an arrow of light, causing them to cry out as slight damage was sustained (Team LP: 3600). From there, a facedown card materialized on the field ('Divine Punishment').
"I'll set one card-" Emily went on still, before taking and slotting another card into her Duel Disk. "-and, from my hand, I'll activate a Field Spell - 'The Sanctuary in the Sky'!"
The scenery immediately changed to that of the heavenly sanctuary from the Duel Monsters spirit world.
"All Battle Damage involving Fairy monsters becomes zero!" explained Emily. "I end my turn!"
"Then I'm up, now." peeped Rosie, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Two: Rosie Vulcan (Team LP: 3600)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Stray Lambs"
Emily waited patiently for her opponent to make a move.
"Come on... Summon a powerful monster..." The dark green-haired girl thought to herself.
Unfortunately...
"I activate a Spell Card!" Rosie announced, just as the 'Stray Lambs' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "'Stray Lambs'! It makes me Special Summon two 'Lamb Tokens' in defense position."
"What?!" gasped Emily. In her mind... "By playing a Spell Card like that, you can't Summon any monsters this turn."
On cue, two 'Lamb Tokens' appeared on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).
"Hey, Emily!" Rosie suddenly called out, getting her opponent's attention. "Did you and Thomas have a fight or something?"
Emily recoiled, but then frowned. "You should know! You were there to witness it!"
"Well, I think your last duel was terrible." continued Rosie, readying another card in her hand. "You could've done something during the match, but you instead let Thomas do all the work."
"S-Shut up! That has nothing to do with you!"
"Not in the mood to talk?" The cherry red-haired girl sighed falsely. "Well, maybe you can help me test a little something I got here."
"Test something?" gasped Emily. "What do you mean?"
Rather than answer, Rosie instead went and slotted a card into a Spell/Trap slot on her Duel Disk, causing a facedown card to materialize on the field.
"I set a card and end my turn." finished Rosie.
Emily seemed to swear in frustration, while Thomas seemed to remain neutral. Over on the other end of the field...
"Rose, are you sure about this?" Stanley whispered to his girlfriend.
"Trust me, Stan." Rosie whispered back. "This will work."
Back on Thomas's side of the field...
"Emily's right..." The blue-haired boy thought to himself. "I haven't been enjoying the game like I used to... Come to think of it, that duel with both Spencer and Anubis did a ton of damage to my mind... I failed to protect my friends from harm, just like how I failed to save them when we were in the Duel Monsters spirit world trying to rescue Emily... There's just no enjoyment in the game whenever I duel."
"Thomas?" interrupted Emily, catching her lover's attention. "Haven't you been paying attention? It's your turn, now."
"Huh?" recoiled Thomas, before realizing that it was his turn. "Oh, right... Sorry."
With that said, Thomas took a step forth as he prepared to draw a card. Emily, meanwhile, stood back, still looking a bit miffed.
"Okay, Rosie, here I come!" declared Thomas. "I won't hold anything back!"
"I should hope that you don't..." giggled Rosie, looking rather excited. "This is our first face-to-face duel ever since we met for the first time in San Francisco!"
This made Thomas smile a bit. "I know... Let's see how much better you've become since then!" He then drew a card. "Draw!"
Turn Three: Thomas Billinton (Team LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Unstable Evolution", "Double Summon", "Queen's Knight", "One-Shot Wand", "Bound Wand", and "Tuning Magician"
His hand consisted of 'Unstable Evolution', 'Double Summon', 'Queen's Knight', 'One-Shot Wand', 'Bound Wand', and the drawn 'Tuning Magician'.
"Come forth - 'Queen's Knight'!" began Thomas, taking and holding one of his cards out.
The female 'Poker Knight' appeared on the field (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1600). Emily seemed to smile at what she was seeing happen, believing Thomas was filling up the field with LIGHT-Attribute monsters.
"Is he planning to gather enough LIGHT monsters to inflict more damage to the opponents with 'Fairy Archer'?" Emily wondered to herself.
Alas...
"Next, I'll activate 'Double Summon' to Normal Summon a second monster." continued Thomas, just as the mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself. He then placed another card onto his Duel Disk. "From my hand, I'll Summon the Tuner Monster - 'Tuning Magician'!"
Appearing onto the field was the Tuner Spellcaster-Type monster (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0). The appearance of 'Tuning Magician' caused Thomas/Emily to lose 400 Life Points (Team LP: 3600), and Rosie/Stanley to gain 400 Life Points (Team LP: 4000).
"HUH?!" gasped Emily, finally realizing what Thomas was up to.
"If that monster is Normal or Special Summoned, you'll take 400 points of damage, and your opponent gains 400 Life Points." Rosie pointed out, remembering 'Tuning Magician's' effect.
"And now, I'm Tuning my Level 4 Normal Monster, 'Queen's Knight', and our Level 3 Effect Monster, 'Fairy Archer', with the Level 1 Tuner Monster, 'Tuning Magician'!" declared Thomas. He thrust his right hand forth. "Go forth, my monsters!"
'Tuning Magician's' tuning fork resonated as she turned into a Synchro Ring. The symbols 4 plus 3 plus 1 equals 8 were shown. 'Queen's Knight' and 'Fairy Archer' both leaped into the Synchro Ring as Thomas performed a Summon Chant...
"Hero's blade that sets forth unyielding light! Now, awaken with a flash!" The blue-haired boy spoke. From there, he let out a powerful, hot-blooded scream. "SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
Raised his hand into the air, a new card materialized out of thin-air and in-between Thomas's fingers. From there, the light began to fade away and reveal a new monster.
"Appear, Level 8! Magical Swordsman of Awakening - 'Enlightenment Paladin'!"
When the Synchro Summon sequence came to an end, the robed swordsman appeared from the beam of light and onto the field (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"'Enlightenment Paladin'!" gasped Stanley, growing worried. "Man, I'm really hoping your plan will work, Rosie!"
Rosie remained calm-looking. The audience, meanwhile, started applauding when they saw Thomas Synchro Summon a powerful monster like that. Emily, however, was not amused - as so...
"He used my monster without even using her effect..." she thought to herself, growing more and more angry.
"Because 'Enlightenment Paladin' was Synchro Summoned by the use of a 'Magician'-named monster being used as Synchro Material, I can add one Spell Card from my Graveyard into my hand." explained Thomas, adding a card ('Double Summon') to his hand. He then took and held another card out. "Then, I'll equip 'Unstable Evolution' onto one of your 'Lamb Tokens', Rosie!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field, and behind one of Rosie's 'Lamb Tokens'.
"Since our team's Life Points are lower than your team's Life Points, the original Attack Power of the equipped 'Lamb Token' becomes 2400." explained Thomas.
The 'Lamb Token' chosen grew stronger (ATK: 0 - 2400).
"Finally-" Thomas went on still, taking and holding one more card out. "-I'll activate 'Bound Wand'! By equipping it to 'Enlightenment Paladin', he gains 100 Attack Points equal to his Star Level - which is 8!"
'Enlightenment Paladin' grew even stronger (ATK: 2500 - 3300).
"And now, 'Enlightenment Paladin' will attack!" The blue-haired boy finally declared, having entered the Battle Phase. "Take down the powered 'Lamb Token'!"
'Enlightenment Paladin' obeyed, leaping into the air and used his weapons to slash the poor 'Lamb Token' in two.
"Although 'Enlightenment Paladin' has attacked, your monster was in defense mode." Thomas pointed out. "No Battle Damage will be sustained as a result." He then clenched a fist. "HOWEVER, the effect of my monster says otherwise!"
"When 'Enlightenment Paladin' destroys a monster, the opponent then takes damage equal to the Attack Power of the destroyed monster!" finished Rosie, looking nervous about the attack coming her and Stanley's way. "That's what 'Enlightenment Paladin' does, right?"
"Exactly!"
'Enlightenment Paladin' raised both swords and blasted an energy surge at Rosie, striking and sending her flying back with a loud cry (Team LP: 1600).
"Rosie, are you okay?!" worried Stanley, approaching his downed girlfriend.
"I'm... I'm fine." groaned Rosie, briefly looking up. She then looked over to her opponent's side of the field. "T-That was great, Thomas! This is really a fun duel!"
Thomas smiled once more. "A fun duel... Yeah, I have to admit it is." he thought to himself. "I only wish-"
"That's it!" shouted Emily, snapping her lover out of his thoughts. "I have had it!"
The audience was surprised, but none more than Thomas was...
"E-Emily?" stuttered Thomas. "What-?"
"I thought that this time you were going to cooperate with me in a duel-" ranted Emily. "-but I guess I was foolish to think for even a second that you would do just that!"
"But, Emily, I used your monster." Thomas protested, thinking he did nothing wrong. "That's what you would have wanted, wasn't it?"
"You didn't use her to the best of her abilities before you tossed her aside to call forth your Synchro Monster!" argued Emily. "You've ignored my cards and strategies just to use them for your own big plays without even consulting with me first! Have you forgotten everything you've learned in 'The Great International Duel Cup'? Don't you even think about other people's feelings anymore? Well, it seems you don't care about mine!"
Thomas recoiled. "N-No... that's-"
"Go on!" The dark green-haired girl hissed, now completely fed up with her lover and his actions. "You obviously don't need me! You can surely defeat our opponents without any sort of help from somebody like me! The last thing I want is to play backseat to somebody who chooses pride instead something called 'Common Sense'!"
The audience was shocked once more, while Thomas felt heartbroken by what his 'Supreme Queen' had said directly to his face. Before the blue-haired boy could say anything in response...
"That's enough! Facedown card, open!" interrupted Rosie, who knew that the time to spring her trap had come... "Continuous Trap - 'Partner Change', activate!"
The facedown card flipped up and revealed itself, shocking everybody in the arena to the core once more (this time, by Rosie and her Trap Card).
"This is a special Trap Card designed for Tag-Team Duels." explained Rosie. "It allows one partner from each tag team to switch sides if both agree to it." She then directed her attention to Emily. "So Emily, do you wish to switch places with me? You can work with Stanley, and I'll work with Thomas."
Emily nodded immediately. "Consider it done... I'm finished with working with Thomas, anyway."
"What?!" gasped Thomas, unable to believe Emily agreed to change sides. "You can't be serious!"
"I'm dead serious." scowled Emily, glaring severely at Thomas. "Instead of 'learning' from your previous mistakes, you've chosen to 'repeat' them!"
Because Emily was slightly taller than Thomas, she somewhat loomed over him in a way a Mother would when scolding a child for doing something bad.
"I'm so ashamed of you, Thomas Billinton." Emily pointed out, as a tear fell down her cheek. She was struggling to not allow herself to breakdown and cry. "You've broken the promise you made to me before we left Atlanta... This is NOT the Thomas I know and love!"
Thomas watched sadly as Emily walked over to Stanley's side of the field, while Rosie walked over to join the blue-haired boy. The audience soon recovered from the surprise to murmur to one another about the change of duel. Even Dexter had a few words to say about the turn of events in Rosie's 'Partner Change' Trap Card...
"Well now, how do you like that?" Dexter was saying. "Rosie's just activated a Trap Card to completely change the flow of the duel! Can Rosie work with Thomas and defeat their opponents? Let's watch and see!"
On Stanley and Emily's side of the field...
"If you aren't going to respect my feelings-" Emily was saying, rather harshly. "-then I'll make sure to hurt yours, ten fold!" The dark green-haired girl pointed at her opponents. "Stanley and I'll crush you AND Rosie with our monsters until you can't get back up!" She then looked to Stanley. "Stanley, it's your turn!"
Emily's anger towards Thomas seemed to scare Stanley a little bit.
"Boy, I sure hope Rosie's plan is worth all this trouble." he thought to himself, before recovering and drawing a card. "Draw!"
Over on Thomas and Rosie's side of the field...
"So far, my plan's working." Rosie thought to herself. She then spoke to Thomas... "Thomas, I have a question about your recent actions... Why go through with them?"
"What do you mean?" asked Thomas, curiously.
Turn Four: Stanley Hudswell (Team LP: 1600)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude", "Urban Demise", "Release Lease", "D-Spell Caster"(!), "Destiny HERO - Dreamer", and "Polymerization"
Back on Stanley and Emily's side of the field, Stanley saw that his drawn card was the 'Polymerization' Spell Card. The rest of his hand, meanwhile, consisted of 'Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude', 'Urban Demise', 'Release Lease', 'D-Spell Caster', and 'Destiny HERO - Dreamer'. However, he decided the time wasn't right to play the Spell Card he drew.
"From my hand-" Stanley began, taking and holding another card out. "-I'll activate 'Release Lease'! If I control only one monster, I can tribute that one monster and add one Level 3 monster from my Deck into my hand. As Emily and I both only control 'Lamb Token', I can sacrifice it to add one Level 3 monster into my hand!"
The remaining 'Lamb Token' vanished in a blue streak, causing Stanley to add a card to his hand.
"The card I've added is 'Destiny HERO - Blade Master'." he continued, before taking another card from his hand and placing it onto his Duel Disk. "Come on - 'Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude'!"
Appearing onto the field was the diamond-fisted 'Destiny HERO' (Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1600). The sight of this monster brought more cheers from the audience.
"'Diamond Dude's' effect activates!" declared Stanley, drawing a card. "Once per turn, I can excavate the top card of my Deck, and if it's a Normal Spell I must send it to the Graveyard, otherwise it must be placed on the bottom of my Deck." He then looked at his drawn card. "During the Main Phase of my next turn, I can activate the effect of that Spell Card in my Graveyard - even if I no longer control this face-up monster."
The card was the 'Destiny Draw' Spell Card (a Normal one, that is), and this resulted in Stanley sending it to the Graveyard.
"I've drawn 'Destiny Draw', and that means on my next Standby Phase, I can activate its effect and draw two cards from my Deck." At that point, Stanley knew it was time for his big play... He took and held out a card. "Finally, I'll activate 'Polymerization' from my hand!"
The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"Using it, I'll fuse the 'Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude' on my field..." While speaking, Stanley took and held another card out. "...with the 'Destiny HERO - Dreamer' in my hand!"
Rosie and Thomas both gasped, watching as a monster called 'Destiny HERO - Dreamer' appeared on the field for a short period of time, just before he and 'Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude' both rose into the sky to fuse together. In addition, Stanley went into speaking a Summon Chant...
"Hero with the fist of diamond! Hero of the dream world! Now become one and reign in the pitch-black future!" Stanley chanted. He then brought both hands together. "Fusion Summon! Come on, Level 8 - 'Destiny HERO - Dystopia'!"
When the Fusion Summon sequence finally ended, lowering onto the field was a familiar-looking 'Destiny HERO' Monster wearing a blue and yellow suit (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2400).
"'Destiny HERO - Dystopia'?" whispered Thomas, worried.
"This is NOT what I was expecting to see in the duel." added Rosie, looking rather stunned herself.
Indeed so...
"The effect of 'Dystopia' activates!" announced Stanley, immediately activating his new monster's effect. "If this monster is Special Summoned, I can target one Level 4 or lower 'Destiny HERO' Monster in my Graveyard and inflict damage to my opponent equal to that target's Attack Power." He pointed forth. "I'll use 'Diamond Dude' for the effect!"
'Destiny HERO - Dystopia' prepared to attack, waiting for his master to give the command to unleash the blow...
"SQUEEZE PALM!"
'Destiny HERO - Dystopia' opened both arms and created an illusional copy of 'Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude', who dove forward and punched Thomas square in the face. The blue-haired boy got pushed back as Rosie grabbed hold of his arm to keep him from falling down.
"Thomas!" The cherry red-haired girl cried out (Team LP: 2200). "Are you okay?"
Thomas rubbed his cheek. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
"Unfortunately, Stanley hasn't declare an attack yet." Emily pointed out. just before casting a heated look her new teammate. "Am I right?"
Stanley nervously agreed. "Y-Yes... That's right." He then recovered and took to the Battle Phase. "'Destiny HERO - Dystopia', attack 'Enlightenment Paladin'!"
'Destiny HERO - Dystopia' obeyed, charging at the stronger 'Enlightenment Paladin'.
"Although your 'Enlightenment Paladin' is currently stronger-" continued Stanley, discarding a card from his hand to the Graveyard. "-that can easily be changed. By discarding 'Destiny HERO - Blade Master', I can increase 'Dystopia's' Attack Power by 800 points!"
'Destiny HERO - Dystopia' merged with the spirit of 'Destiny HERO - Blade Master', causing him to grow even more powerful (ATK: 2800 - 3600). However, Stanley had a hidden plan up his sleeve...
"But that's not what I'm aiming for." The gray-haired boy pointed out. "My real aim is for the use of 'Dystopia's' effect! Once per turn, during either player's turn, if this monster's Attack Power or Defense Power is changed, I can target one card on the field and destroy it!"
'Destiny HERO - Dystopia' quickly stopped his attack and charged his fist with energy.
"Destroy 'Bound Wand' with Noble Justice!"
The face-up 'Bounce Wand' Spell Card shattered into shards of glass, causing 'Enlightenment Paladin's' attack to return to normal (ATK: 3300 - 2500). Alas, he was also just in time for him to be destroyed by a resumed attack by 'Destiny HERO - Dystopia'.
"'Enlightenment Paladin'!" cried Thomas (LP: 1100), before scowling a bit. "Dammit..."
From there, two facedown cards materialized on the field behind 'Destiny HERO - Dystopia'.
"I set two cards facedown and end my turn." finished Stanley.
"It's bad enough he broke his promise-" Emily seemed to be sulking. "-but now he doesn't even care how I feel—nor does he trust me. Does he just not love me anymore?"
Stanley merely looked to his new partner without saying a word. He seemed unsure of what to say at the moment, but ultimately decided to buy himself some time until an idea came to him (if he said the wrong thing, he would make Emily feel even worse). He just hoped Rosie would do her part before it was too late.
"It's my turn!" declared Rosie, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Five: Rosie Vulcan (Team LP: 1100)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (5): ?, ?, "Carboneddon", ?, and ?
Adding the drawn card to her hand, the cherry red-haired girl then took out another card and placed it onto her Duel Disk (sideways).
"I Summon 'Carboneddon' in defense mode!"
The dinosaur-like monster appeared onto the field (Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 600).
"Now!" declared Stanley, just as one of his set cards flipped face-up and revealed itself. "I activate a Trap - 'D-Spell Caster'! This lets me remove one 'Destiny HERO' Monster from the Graveyard in order to activate a Continuous Spell directly from my Deck; it will be destroyed during my opponent's second End Phase after this card's activation."
The 'Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude' Monster Card slid out of Stanley's Graveyard, just as a Spell Card called 'D-Faceoff' materialized face-up on the field.
"I'll remove 'Diamond Dude' from the Graveyard to activate, from my Deck, 'D-Faceoff'!"
"'D-Faceoff'?" gasped Thomas, sweating nervously.
Rosie, meanwhile, took the rest of her hand and slotted them into separate Spell/Trap slots on her Duel Disk, causing four facedown cards to materialize on the field.
"I set four cards cards; my turn has ended." she said.
"Now that it's the End Phase-" cut in Stanley. "-the effect of 'D-Faceoff' activates! Once per turn, during the End Phase, I can compare the total Levels of all monsters each player controls and apply an effect.
These were the effects Stanley was going through...
● "The player who has the lowest total Levels takes damage equal to the difference in total Levels times 100."
● "If you have the highest total Levels and you control a 'Destiny HERO' Monster: You can target 1 of those monsters; it gains ATK equal to the difference in total Levels times 100."
"Inflict damage to the side with a value lower or equal to the difference in Levels times 100?!" gasped Rosie.
"Gain Attack Points equal to that difference?!" added Thomas.
The face-up 'D-Faceoff' Spell Card shot a powerful beam at Thomas.
"The total Levels of our monsters is eight, while the total Level of your monsters is three." explained Emily. "This means 'D-Faceoff' will inflict 500 points of damage to you - the opposing team!"
The beam struck Thomas, causing him to cry out in pain (Team LP: 600).
"Not only that, 'D-Faceoff' will also increase 'Destiny HERO - Dystopia's' Attack Power by 500 points!"
'Destiny HERO - Dystopia' grew stronger (ATK: 2800 - 3300). However, the Attack Power buff was what Stanley had been waiting for...
"Now 'Dystopia's' effect activates again!" The gray-haired boy declared. "Once more, I'll destroy a card on the opponent's side of the field!" The gray-haired boy thrust his right hand to the left-most card. "Attack that one!"
'Destiny HERO - Dystopia', getting into a battle ready pose, again awaited the attack (effect) name to be said/exclaimed...
"NOBLE JUSTICE!" shouted Stanley.
'Destiny HERO - Dystopia' finally unleashed his attack and struck at the facedown card. Slowly, it flipped face-up and revealed itself to be...
"'Mirror Force' has been destroyed!" declared Emily, making a throat-cutting gesture.
On cue, the face-up 'Mirror Force' Trap Card exploded and covered Thomas and Rosie's side of the field with smoke.
"This is bad." Rosie thought to herself, bracing herself from the force of the enemy attack. "While Stanley is in on the plan, he's still dueling at his absolute best..." She recovered as the smoke started clearing away. "If we don't do something soon, then not only will we be out of the tournament, but Thomas and Emily's relationship could collapse entirely with no hope for it to ever be repaired!"
End of Chapter 21