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 23
The Couple's Cup, Part 4
"DUEL!" Thomas, Emily, Gina, and Axel all exclaim at the same time (Team LP: 4000) x2.
Opening up somewhere in Knapford Mall, the final duel of 'The Couple's Cup' had commenced, and the audience was fired up for it (and it wasn't because of Axel being one of the duelists in it).
"The first-a turn will-a go to-a me!" announced Gina, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn One: Gina Couillet (Team LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Lunalight Black Sheep", "Luna Light Perfume", "Damage Diet", "Lunalight Blue Cat", "Polymerization", and "Double Fusion"
Her opening hand consisted of 'Lunalight Black Sheep', 'Luna Light Perfume', 'Damage Diet', 'Lunalight Blue Cat', 'Polymerization', and the drawn 'Double Fusion'.
"From my-a hand-" Gina went on, adding the drawn card to her hand and taking another one out. "-I'll Summon-a 'Lunalight Black Sheep' in-a attack position!"
Appearing onto the field was a female monster dressed like a sheep (Level: 2/ATK: 100/DEF: 600).
"Da li, I'll activate a Spell Card!" The brown-haired Italian girl continued, taking and holding out another card. "'Polymerization'!"
On cue, 'Lunalight Blue Cat' briefly appeared on the field.
"I shall-a fuse my-a 'Black Sheep' with the-a 'Lunalight Blue Cat' in my-a hand!"
The two monsters were absorbed into the face-up 'Polymerization' Spell Card as the Fusion Summon sequenced commenced.
"Appear, Level Sette - 'Lunalight Cat Dancer'!" commanded Gina.
Appearing onto the field, as the Fusion Summon sequence came to an end, was the feline belly dancer-like monster (Level: 7/ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000).
"As-a 'Black Sheep' was-a on the-a field when-a used for-a Fusion Material-" continued Gina, adding a card from the Graveyard to her hand. "-it-a gets added to my-a hand." She then took and slotted a card into her Duel Disk. "I-a set a card and-a end my-a turn."
A facedown card materialized on the field.
"And that was Gina's first move of the final battle!" declared the Card Shop owner. "Let's see how Emily fares with it!"
"I draw!" cried Emily, drawing a card.
Turn Two: Emily Stirling (Team LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "The Golden Apples", "Airknight Parshath", "Hecatrice", "Miracle's Wake", "Hanewata", and "Counselor Lily"
"Okay, this is it... This is the final battle. Thomas has already faced Gina and knows what to expect, and we've all watched James' duel against Axel... Still, because they're working together, they'll have plenty of team strategies and new cards to use against Thomas and myself."
Emily's hand consisted of 'The Golden Apples', 'Airknight Parshath', 'Hecatrice', 'Miracle's Wake', 'Hanewata', and the drawn 'Counselor Lily'.
"I know what I must do." With that thought on hand, the dark green-haired girl took and sent a card ('Hecatrice') from her hand to the Graveyard. "I activate the effect of the 'Hecatrice' Monster Card in my hand! By discarding her from my hand, I'm able to add a copy of 'Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen' from the Deck to my hand!"
A card ejected from Emily's Deck and came to her hand. Almost immediately, she held it out.
"From my hand, I'll activate a Continuous Spell - 'Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen'!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Once per turn, if I control no monsters, I can Special Summon a Fairy-Type monster from my hand." explained Emily, who then placed a card onto her Duel Disk. "I'll use its effect to Special Summon 'Airknight Parshath' in attack mode!"
Appearing onto the field was the fairy centaur-like monster (Level: 5/ATK: 1900/DEF: 1400). Far from being done, Emily then took one more card from her hand and placed it onto another Monster Field slot on her Duel Disk.
"Then, I'll Normal Summon the Tuner Monster known as 'Counselor Lily'!" commanded Emily.
Appearing onto the field was a monster that looked like 'Injection Fairy Lily', but was dressed as a nurse (Level: 3/ATK: 400/DEF: 1500). Hearing the words 'Tuner Monster', however, shocked the audience.
"Emily has a Tuner Monster in her Deck?!" recoiled Henry.
"Does this mean she's going to-?!" added Edward, but didn't get a chance to finish.
Back in the duel field...
"With my field prepared-" Emily began, thrusting her right hand forth and saying the following... "-I'm Tuning my Level 5 LIGHT Effect Monster, 'Airknight Parshath', with the Level 3 Tuner Monster, 'Counselor Lily'!"
The audience was surprised again! 'Counselor Lily', meanwhile, turned into three Synchro Rings as 'Airknight Parsath' soared into them while turning into five orbs of light. As the symbols 5 plus 3 equals 8 appeared, a Summon Chant from Emily ensued...
"Protector of the Light, rain down and strike those who dare taint the purity of the world." chanted Emily, just before the orbs in the Synchro Rings turned into a beam of light. "Synchro Summon! Descend, Level 8 - 'Avenging Knight Parshath'!"
Appearing onto the field, as the Synchro Summon sequence came to an end, was a silvery (with bits of gold) version of 'Airknight Parsath' (Level: 8/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2100).
"Mama Mia!" grimaced Gina. "Emily has performed her-a first Synchro Summon!"
"First was that surprise Xyz Summon in the last duel, now she's done a Synchro Summon!" added Axel.
"Our new monster is also about to grow stronger, too." Thomas pointed out. "Namely by the effect of 'Counselor Lily'!"
A spirit of the mentioned monster appeared, just as Thomas and Emily's Life Points took a brief hit (Team LP: 3500).
"Since 'Counselor Lily' was used as Synchro Material for a Synchro Summon, I can pay 500 Life Points to increase the Attack Power of the Synchro Summoned monster by 1000 points until the End Phase." said Emily, before pointing to 'Avenging Knight Parshath'. "'Avenging Knight Parshath' will now go from 2600 Attack Points to 3600 Attack Points!"
'Avenging Knight Parshath' started merging with the spirit of 'Counselor Lily', causing his Attack Power to rise to even greater levels (ATK: 2600 - 3600).
"But I'm far from done!" continued Emily. "The Monster Effect of 'Avenging Knight Parshath' now activates!"
'Avenging Knight Parshath' raised his sword and slashed at the ground, releasing a shockwave. To the shock of both Axel and Gina, 'Lunalight Cat Dancer' got struck and found herself going from a battle ready position into a defensive stance (DEF: 2000).
"What happened?" gasped Axel.
"'Avenging Knight Parshath' lets me target a monster on your field and change its battle position." explained Emily. "As you can see, 'Lunalight Cat Dancer' went from attack mode to defense mode."
"Even if your monster's in defense mode, you won't be getting off damage free because 'Parshath' can deal piercing damage when attacking!" put in Thomas.
At that point, Dexter provided some commentary of the duel thus far...
"A spectacular start to the final duel!" The blue/yellow-haired young man declared, looking as excited as can be. "Right now, Thomas and Emily are about to take a huge lead against Gina and Axel!"
And the Battle Phase began...
"'Avenging Knight Parshath', attack!" commanded Emily. "Your target is 'Lunalight Cat Dancer'!"
'Avenging Knight Parshath' obeyed, charging at 'Lunalight Cat Dancer' and preparing to slash at the feline-like belly dancer with his sword.
"Il mio mostro sopravviverà!" cried Gina in Italian, just as her set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "Facedown card-a, open - 'Damage Diet', activate! All-a Battle Damage from this-a attack is-a halved!"
The blade struck 'Lunalight Cat Dancer', and, while she survived, Gina and Axel both took some damage (LP: 3200).
"'Lunalight Cat Dancer' cannot be-a destroyed by-a battle." winced Gina.
Nodding, Emily slotted two more cards from her hand into separate Spell/Trap slots on her Duel Disk. on cue, two facedown cards materialized on the field.
"I end my turn with two facedown cards." Emily finished.
The crowd broke into cheers in response to Emily's Synchro Summon.
"Is there anything that girl can't do?" grinned Gordon.
"Let's...not go there." suggested James.
Back in the duel field...
"It's my turn!" announced Axel, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Three: Axel Notesse (Team LP: 3200)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Molten Destruction", "Volcanic Slicer", "Volcanic Blaster", "Fire Recovery", "Volcanic Rocket", and "Molten Destruction"
His hand consisted of 'Molten Destruction', 'Volcanic Slicer', 'Volcanic Blaster', 'Fire Recovery', 'Volcanic Rocket', and the drawn 'Molten Destruction'.
"This is it." Axel thought to himself, the drawn card catching his eye. He then looked up and spoke aloud... "I activate a Field Spell Card!"
On cue, a Field Spell Card called 'Molten Destruction' materialized face-up on the field.
"'Molten Destruction'!"
The scenery changed as a large volcano appeared to the right of the duel field.
"Phew! It sure is powerful warm in here." panted Dexter. "Then again, Axel is known for his fire-based cards."
Back in the duel field...
"The power of this Field Spell Card raises the Attack Points of all FIRE-Attribute monsters by 500." explained Axel, placing another card onto a Monster Field slot in his Duel Disk. "But then they lose 400 Defense Points in the process."
From there, a Monster Card called 'Volcanic Slicer' materialized face-up on the field.
"I Summon 'Volcanic Slicer' in attack mode!"
Appearing to the field was a dinosaur-like monster formed from rock and lava (Level: 4/ATK: 1800 - 2300/DEF: 1200 - 800).
"Now, from my hand, I'll activate a Quick-Play Spell Card - 'Volcanic Cyclone'!" continued Axel, just as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "It lets me send any number of Pyro-Type monsters from my hand to the Graveyard in order to target an equal number of Spell or Trap Cards the opponent controls and destroy the targeted card(s)."
Emily and Thomas both stood ready, watching as Axel sent one card ('Volcanic Rocket') from his hand to the Graveyard. This was bad... VERY bad!
"I'll send one card from my hand to the Graveyard to destroy your 'Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen' Spell Card, Emily!"
A large cyclone of fire struck the face-up 'Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen' Spell Card, and destroyed it just like that. Emily braced herself as shards of glass from the destroyed card soared passed her.
"Now I can't Special Summon more monsters..." she mumbled, discouraged.
"Unfortunately, I'm far from finished." smirked Axel.
"Say what?!"
"I activate 'Fire Recovery'!" The purple-haired Belgian boy went on, just as the mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself. He then sent the 'Volcanic Blaster' Monster Card from his hand to the Graveyard. "I discard one FIRE-Attribute monster from my hand. By doing so, I can select one FIRE-Attribute monster in the Graveyard and Special Summon it..." While still speaking, a card emerged from the Graveyard. "I discard 'Volcanic Blaster' to Special Summon 'Volcanic Rocket'!"
Appearing onto the field was a rocket made from volcanic rock and lava (Level: 4/ATK: 1900 - 2400/DEF: 1400 - 1000).
"Because it was-a Summoned, the-a Monster Effect activates!" declared Gina. "Axel can-a add one-a copy of-a 'Blaze Accelerator' from his-a Deck to-a his hand."
On cue, the 'Blaze Accelerator Reload' Spell Card slipped from Axel's Deck (it WAS a 'Blaze Accelerator'-named card, after all), and he added it to his hand for later use. From there, Axel motioned his left hand towards 'Volcanic Slicer'.
"Next, I'll use the effect of 'Volcanic Slicer' to forbid it from attacking this turn in exchange for letting it inflict 500 points of damage to your Life Points!"
'Volcanic Slicer' fired a blast of flames at the other team. The attack soon struck and caused an explosion to cloud the other side of the field.
"Say goodbye to 500 more Life Points!" called Axel.
When the smoke cleared away, Thomas and Emily were both shown to be...undamaged (Team LP: 3500).
"Che cosa?!" Gina cringed.
"How did you both not take damage?!" came from Axel.
As more smoke cleared, they could see what looked like an orange version of 'Watapon' with wings.
"Is-a that 'Hanewata'?!" Gina once again recoiled.
"That's right." confirmed Emily. "By discarding it, I can prevent us from taking Effect Damage." Before long, 'Hanewata' shattered into shards of glass. "We're safe..."
"For now, Emily." put in Thomas.
The bad news? It was not meant to be...
"I overlay the Level 4 'Volcanic Rocket' and 'Volcanic Slicer'!" Axel suddenly announced. "With these two Pyro-Type monsters, I build the Overlay Network!"
The two monsters dove into the Overlay Network, much to the shock of Thomas, Emily, and the whole audience.
"Axel can now Xyz Summon?!" One blue-haired teenage girl in the audience spluttered.
"If so, what is he going to bring out?" came from Toby.
Back on the stage, a Summon Chant from Axel ensured as the Xyz Summon sequence took effect...
"The flames of the great one will shower the world. And with it will be the dawn of great power!"
The volcano to the side of the stage soon started to erupt (due to the fact the 'Molten Destruction' Spell Card was still in play), and, due to the fact the Xyz Summon sequence was coming to an end, reveal a new monster from the explosion of lava.
"Xyz Summon!" exclaimed Axel, raising his right hand into the air. "Erupt, Rank 4 - 'Infernal Flame Vixen'!"
The lava dripped from the new monster, revealing it to be a female one covered in fire while wielding a scythe (Rank: 4/ATK: 2200 - 2700/DEF: 2000 - 1600). To make things worse, 'Lunalight Cat Dancer' also stood up into a battle ready position once more.
"In addition, I'll switch 'Lunalight Cat Dancer' back into attack mode!" continued Axel. "With that, Gina and I now control two powerful monsters ready to wipe out your own!"
'Infernal Flame Vixen' (ATK: 2700) and 'Avenging Knight Parshath' (ATK: 2600) both squared off.
"However, I'm first going to make my monster stronger." The purple-haired Belgian boy went on.
"With the-a effect of-a 'Infernal Flame Vixen'!" finished Gina. "By-a removing one-a Overlay Unit from-a her, she-a gains 500 Attack Points until the-a opponent's next-a End Phase!"
'Infernal Flame Vixen's' power rose again (ATK: 2700 - 3200). From there, the Battle Phase commenced...
"Now, 'Infernal Flame Vixen', attack 'Avenging Knight Parshath'!" commanded Axel.
'Infernal Flame Vixen' obeyed, using the flames from her body to dive towards the far weaker 'Avenging Knight Parshath'.
"Prendi 'Parshath'!" put in Gina, speaking in Italian.
The attack soon struck, and 'Avenging Knight Parshath' was sadly destroyed in a massive explosion. Emily and Thomas both cried out from the force of the attack as they sustained major damage (Team LP: 2900)
"But we're not finished yet!" insisted Axel, before turning to his Italian girlfriend. "It's your monster, Gina, so why don't you give the command?"
"Indeed, I-a shall." accepted Gina with a smile. She then directed her attention to the Battle Phase still going on. "'Lunalight Cat Dancer', attacco diretto!"
'Lunalight Cat Dancer' danced about for a few seconds, before leaping forth and scratching Thomas across the face with her claws.
"AUGH!" The blue-haired boy cried out, despite only taking 100 points of damage from 'Luna Cat Dancer's' effect (LP: 2800).
"Thomas!" cried Emily, but didn't have time to worry over him. "Huh?"
'Lunalight Cat Dancer' then turned to Emily and hurled one of her daggers, impaling Emily in her chest. Crying out in pain, Emily got pushed back and suffered the main Battle Damage from the attack (Team LP: 400).
"Already down to 400 Life Points!" exclaimed the voice of Dexter. "Can Thomas and Emily both find the strength to fight back? Considering Thomas hasn't even taken his first turn yet, that might be a possibility!"
"That...was nothing!" wheezed Emily, briefly clutching the spot where she got hit at. She then pointed to one of her set cards, causing it to flip face-up and reveal itself to be... "'The Golden Apples'!"
From there, a 'Malus Token' appeared from the face-up Trap Card.
"So that's why she allowed Battle Damage to be taken." realized Axel.
"That is-a not all-a 'The Golden Apples' does." put in Gina. "Emily gains-a Life Points equal to-a the damage she-a sustained in the-a attack."
Emily and Thomas both glowed in a bath of light as they regained the Life Points they lost from the attack (Team LP: 2800). Not to mention the 'Malus Token' gained some hefty Attack and Defense Points (ATK: 0 - 2400/DEF: 0 - 2400).
"I also have another Trap Card to play." continued Emily, just as her remaining set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "'Miracle's Wake' lets me target the monster that was destroyed by battle, and revive it like it wasn't ever defeated!"
Within seconds, 'Avenging Knight Parshath' returned to the field.
"Welcome back, 'Parshath'!" Emily greeted brightly.
'Avenging Knight Parshath' turned to the dark green-haired girl, and nodded whilst smiling slightly. Emily smiled and nodded back.
"You may have saved yourself now-" said Axel, slotting a card into his Duel Disk. "-but this isn't the end."
A facedown card materialized on the field.
"I will set one card facedown and end my turn." While saying that, the 'Volcanic Cyclone' Spell Card emerged from the Graveyard. "With that, comes the next effect of 'Volcanic Cyclone'!"
"Next effect?" repeated Thomas. "What is it?"
"For every Monster Card sent to the Graveyard by its effect-" explained Axel, drawing a card. "-I can draw a card based on the amount."
His drawn card was the 'Volcanic Scattershot' Monster Card.
"This could be of use in my next turn." Axel thought to himself. He then looked towards Thomas. "Alright, Thomas, it's your turn."
"It's my turn!" announced Thomas, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Four: Thomas Billinton (Team LP: 2800)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Apprentice Illusion Magician", "Magician's Valkyria", "Electromagnetic Turtle", "Magical Dimension", "Dwimmered Path", and "Dark Magician"
His opening hand consisted of 'Apprentice Illusion Magician', 'Magician's Valkyria', 'Electromagnetic Turtle', 'Magical Dimension', 'Dwimmered Path', and the drawn 'Dark Magician'.
"Here we go!" The blue-haired boy went on, sending a card from his hand to the Graveyard. "I discard one card from my hand..."
On cue, the 'Apprentice Illusion Magician' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"...to Special Summon 'Apprentice Illusion Magician' in attack mode!"
The retrained look-alike of Dark Magician Girl appeared on the field (Level: 6/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1700). The sight of this monster caused the crowd to go wild.
"Perfect!" smirked Axel. He then poked a button on his Duel Disk. On cue, the facedown card flipped up and revealed itself. "Continuous Trap Card - 'Blaze Accelerator Reload'!"
Out of the card appeared the 'Tri-Blaze Accelerator' machine.
"What?!" cried Thomas.
"This Trap Card is treated as 'Tri-Blaze Accelerator'." explained Axel, sending one card from his hand to the Graveyard. "Once per turn, during either player's Main Phase, I can discard one 'Volcanic' Monster Card from my hand to draw one card."
On cue, the spirit of 'Volcanic Scattershot' briefly appeared on the field.
"As I've discarded 'Volcanic Scattershot'-" Axel went on, drawing a card. "-I can also hit both of you with 500 points of damage!"
"Oh no!" cried Emily.
"Afraid so... Now, do it, 'Volcanic Scattershot'!"
The spirit of 'Volcanic Scattershot' hit the couple with a blast of fire (LP: 2300).
"But...that isn't the worst of it..." grimaced Thomas, knowing there was more to it than that.
"No, it isn't... As I've sent 'Volcanic Scattershot' to the Graveyard through the effect of a 'Blaze Accelerator' card-" Axel went on, sending two copies of 'Volcanic Scattershot' from my Deck to the Graveyard. "-the second effect of it activates! I send two more copies of 'Volcanic Scattershot' from my Deck to the Graveyard!"
"Again?!" wailed Thomas.
The answer came as two more blasts struck him and Emily, dropping their Life Points to even lower levels (LP: 1300). Not only that, all monsters on Thomas and Emily's field were gone.
"Our monsters!" cried Emily. "They've been destroyed!"
"Indeed." agreed Axel. "Now there's nothing to protect you."
"It's still my turn!" insisted Thomas, who then placed a card onto his Duel Disk. "Appear - 'Magician's Valkyria'!"
The teal armored, female Spellcaster-Type monster appeared in a burst of light (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1800).
"From there, I'll activate a Quick-Play Spell!" continued Thomas, taking and holding another card out. "'Magical Dimension'! By offering a monster while controlling a Spellcaster-Type monster, I can Special Summon a Spellcaster-Type monster directly from my hand!"
As the familiar casket rose from the ground, it opened up and 'Magician's Valkyria' jumped inside as it shut.
"Come forth - 'Dark Magician'!" commanded Thomas.
The casket reopened as the purple-haired, male Spellcaster jumped out (Level: 7/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2100).
"'Magical Dimension' will now destroy one monster on your field." put in Emily.
The casket rose from behind 'Lunalight Cat Dancer', opened up, and sucked the feline belly dancer inside before closing up.
"Mama Mia!" cried Gina.
*BOOM!*
"That's one less threat to deal with." said Thomas, before slotting another card into his Duel Disk. "Next, I'll activate a Spell Card!"
A Spell Card called 'Dwimmered Path' flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"That is-a 'Dwimmered Path'." pondered Gina.
"Correct." confirmed Thomas, just as the 'Apprentice Illusion Magician' Monster Card ejected from the Graveyard and he added it to his hand. "It lets me return one Spellcaster Effect Monster Card from the Graveyard back to my hand."
Axel frowned. "You're gonna attack, aren't you?"
Yes, he was...
"BATTLE!" declared Thomas, entering the Battle Phase. "'Dark Magician', attack 'Infernal Flame Vixen'!"
'Dark Magician' obeyed, jumping into the sky towards 'Infernal Flame Vixen'.
"But she is-a stronger!" objected Gina.
"Remember 'Apprentice Illusion Magician'?" reminded Axel.
As if upon being mentioned, a spirit of the mentioned monster appeared on the field.
"When attacking, I can send this card from my hand to the Graveyard." explained Thomas, discarding the 'Apprentice Illusion Magician' Monster Card to the Graveyard. "By doing so, a DARK-Attribute Spellcaster-Type monster gains 2000 Attack and Defense Points during the Damage Step!"
The spirit turned into light and merged with' Dark Magician', making him stronger (ATK: 2500 - 4500/DEF: 2100 - 4100).
"DARK MAGIC ATTACK!" commanded Thomas.
The blast of black magic was fired from 'Dark Magician's' scepter at 'Infernal Flame Vixen', destroying her in a huge blast of fire. Axel and Gina both cried out as they braced themselves (Team LP: 1900). Dark Magician, as he lowered back to the ground, had his stats return to normal (ATK: 4500 - 2500/DEF: 4100 - 2100).
"The effect...of 'Infernal Flame Vixen' activates!" groaned Axel. "When she's destroyed when having 2500 or higher Attack Points... Three monsters in the Graveyard at my choosing are removed from the game!"
"What?!" gasped Emily.
"Which monsters?!" put in Thomas.
Axel grinned a bit. "I choose the following... 'Airknight Parshath', 'Hanewata', and 'Avenging Knight Parshath'!"
The three mentioned Monster Cards were ejected from Emily's Graveyard before fading away into oblivion.
"No!" cried Emily, watching helplessly as she lost her monsters.
"Sorry, Emily..." apologized Thomas. "That was my fault."
"No, it wasn't... It's mine for not taking extra precautions."
With Thomas forced to end his turn, Gina drew a card and took her turn.
Turn Five: Gina Couillet (Team LP: 1900)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (4): "Lunalight Black Sheep", "Luna Light Perfume", "Double Fusion", and "Pot of Greed"
Her drawn card was the 'Pot of Greed' Spell Card.
"I-a activate 'Pot of Greed'!" The brown-haired Italian girl began, just as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field. "Now I-a draw due more-a cards!"
She drew two more cards from her Deck. The two cards were shown to be 'Lunalight Kaleido Chick' (Effect Monster) and 'Adversity' (Trap). Nodding, Gina held another card out.
"I-a activate 'Luna Light Perfume'!"
A large bottle of perfume appeared on the field.
"This-a lets me-a Special Summon a 'Lunalight' Monster from my-a Graveyard." explained Gina. Just as 'Lunalight Cat Dancer' reappeared on the field. "And-a what better-a monster than my-a 'Lunalight Cat Dancer'?!"
The feline belly dancer readied herself for battle (Level: 7/ATK: 2400/DEF: 2000). Just then, Gina's Graveyard started glowing all white...
"The-a next effect of-a 'Luna Light Perfume' lets me-a Banish it from the-a Graveyard and-a discard a card from my-a hand to-a add one 'Lunalight' Monster Card from my-a Deck into my-a hand." Gina went on, discarding a card ('Lunalight Kaleido Chick') to the Graveyard before taking her whole Deck out of the Duel Disk.
Searching through the cards (showing 'Mirror Force', 'Polymerization', 'Lunalight Crimson Fox', 'Fusion Weapon', etc.), Gina eventually selected one to add to her hand. From there, the 'Lunalight Black Sheep' Monster Card materialized face-up on the field.
"Next, I will-a Summon 'Lunalight Black Sheep' back onto the-a field!"
The black sheep-like monster returned to the field.
"Finally-" Gina went on, finally holding out a big card. "-'Double Fusion'!"
The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"I-a pay 500 Life Points to-a perform a Fusion Summon twice-a in a row!" explained Gina (Team LP: 1400). "First, I will-a fuse 'Black Sheep' with-a 'Cat Dancer'!"
The two monsters went into the fusion vortex. Before long, the Fusion Summon sequence came to an end...
"Vieni avanti, Level 8 - 'Lunalight Panther Dancer'!"
Appearing onto the field was the panther-like belly dancer (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2500). Since 'Lunalight Black Sheep' was on the field when being used as Fusion Material, Gina was able to add the card to her hand once more.
"Ancora una volta!" declared Gina in Italian, taking and holding two cards out. "I will-a fuse 'Panther Dancer' with the-a 'Black Sheep' and-a 'Crimson Fox' in-a my hand!"
Two more monsters ('Lunalight Black Sheep' and 'Lunalight Crimson Fox')) appeared on the field beside 'Lunalight Panther Dancer' as all three entered the Fusion Vortex to fuse together.
"Vieni avanti, Level 10 - 'Lunalight Leo Dancer'!" commanded Gina.
Appearing onto the field, as the Fusion Summon sequence came to an end, was the powerful lion-like belly dancer (Level: 10/ATK: 3500/DEF: 3000).
"'Lunalight Leo Dancer'..." whispered Emily. "Tommy, I think you and I are in big trouble!"
And indeed, they were...
"Since-a 'Crimson Fox' was-a sent to-a the Graveyard from a Card Effect-" explained Gina, before pointing forth at 'Dark Magician'. "-the-a Attack Power of-a one monster on your-a field becomes zero until the-a End Phase!"
'Dark Magician' collapsed to a knee as he felt himself becoming weaker (ATK: 2500 - 0).
"'Dark Magician'!" called Thomas, worried about his ace monster.
"But-a that is-a not the-a worst bit." smirked Gina. "'Leo Dancer' is-a not targetable by-a Card Effects used by the-a opponent, and is-a unaffected by-a them."
"And she can also make a second attack during the Battle Phase." put in Axel. "Finally, if damage calculation is performed, all of the opponent's monsters are wiped out!"
'Lunalight Leo Dancer' prepared for battle, intending to end the duel here and now.
"Attack 'Dark Magician'!" commanded Gina.
With the command given, 'Lunalight Leo Dancer' charged towards 'Dark Magician', attempting to strike him down with her blade. Suddenly, an invisible force halted her in her tracks.
"What the-?!" winced Axel.
"Nice try." taunted Thomas, holding out a card. "An early card I sent to the Graveyard was 'Electromagnetic Turtle'. During battle, I can remove it from my Graveyard to end the Battle Phase."
'Lunalight Leo Dancer' was forced to back off from attacking.
"Dannazione..." Gina mumbled in Italian, before slotting one last card into a Spell/Trap slot on her Duel Disk. "I set this-a card and-a end my-a turn."
A facedown card materialized on the field. With the audience...
"Both sides are decently matched." commented Toby.
"But Axel and Gina both have the upperhand." reminded James. "Not to mention they're considered champion duelists."
"In that case, let's hope Emily can do something." hoped Henry.
Back on the stage...
"It's my turn!" declared Emily, drawing a card. "Draw!"
Turn Six: Emily Stirling (Team LP: 1300)
Deck: 52
Current Hand (1): "Graceful Charity"
On cue, the 'Graceful Charity' Spell Card materialized face-up on the field.
"From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Graceful Charity'." she said. "With this, I can draw three cards and discard two cards from my hand."
Drawing three cards, Emily then discarded two of the drawn cards into the Graveyard, before finally holding out the only drawn one.
"Next, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Angelic Gift'." The dark green-haired girl continued. "This lets me draw two cards for every Fairy-Type monster I Banish from the Graveyard, to a maximum of three monsters."
The spirits of both 'Hecatrice' and 'Counselor Lily' both briefly appeared on the field before fading away into oblivion.
"With two Fairy-Type monsters removed from the game, I'll draw four cards."
With that said, Emily drew four cards. Looking at them, the Emily soon recoiled at seeing one of them.
"'D-Dark Angel'..." she whispered.
Her hand consisted of 'Wingweaver', 'Cry of the Wingweaver', 'Swing of Memories', and...'Dark Angel'. The sight of the final card once again made Emily shiver with fear, and Thomas could see that.
"Emily..." he murmured, knowing that Emily had likely drawn that one card. "Don't be afraid."
Emily, after what seemed like forever, closed her eyes to clear her mind of the dark power of 'Dark Angel'. Finally, she opened her eyes and selected another card from her hand to play.
"From my hand, I'll activate a Spell Card - 'Cry of the Wingweaver'!" declared Emily, taking a Life Point hit (Team LP: 300). "I pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon 'Wingweaver' from my hand... Come forth - 'Wingweaver'!"
Appearing onto the field was the majestic, six-winged angelic-like monster (Level: 7/ATK: 2750/DEF: 2400).
"But thanks to the secondary effect of 'Cry of the Wingweaver', 'Wingweaver' will have her Attack Power doubled until the End Phase!"
'Wingweaver' glowed in light as her power grew (ATK: 2750 - 5500).
"Now, attack!" ordered Emily, entering the Battle Phase. "Take down 'Lunalight Leo Dancer' with Luminous Spark Rain!"
'Wingweaver' obeyed, raising her hands up and sending a rain of light down towards 'Lunalight Leo Dancer'.
"We win!" declared Emily.
"Not-a so!" interrupted Gina, before pointing to her set card. "I-a activate a Trap - 'Adversity'! This will-a keep my-a monster safe from-a battle destruction, no-a Battle Damage being-a dealt, and the-a attacked monster will-a gain 1000 Attack Points."
'Lunalight Leo Dancer' got hit by the orbs of light, but she easily withstood the attack before growing even stronger (ATK: 3500 - 4500).
"4500 Attack Points..." whispered Emily, before looking to her hand again. "'Dark Angel'... I... I'll have to use you at one point, but..."
The dark green-haired girl was, again, look at the 'Dark Angel' Monster Card in her hand. Despite wanting to use it to truly put the past behind her, she was still terrified of doing so since the traumatic memory of her first using it in the Duel Monsters spirit world and killing someone due to it was still fresh in her mind.
"DIIIIIIIE!" The voice of Emily from that time screamed out.
Emily tried her hardest to shake that memory from her mind. Before long, she took and slotted one of the last cards from her hand into a Spell/Trap slot on her Duel Disk.
"I...set one card and end my turn." announced Emily.
A facedown card materialized on the field. As Emily's turn was over, 'Wingweaver's' Attack Power returned to normal (ATK: 5500 - 2750).
"This duel is about to become ours!" declared Axel drawing a card. "Watch this!"
Turn Seven: Axel Notesse (Team LP: 1400)
Deck: 51
Current Hand (2): "Volcanic Hammerer" and "Fusion Dispersal"
His drawn card was a Trap Card called 'Fusion Dispersal', and the only other card in his hand was 'Volcanic Hammerer'.
"Before I attack, I'll activate the effect of 'Blaze Accelerator Reload' to send one 'Volcanic' Monster Card from my hand to the Graveyard to draw one card."
Axel discarded his 'Volcanic Hammerer' Monster Card, drawing the 'Volcanic Doomfire' Monster Card as a result. Finally...
"It's time!" declared Axel, entering the Battle Phase at long last. "It's time for battle!"
'Lunalight Leo Dancer' prepared herself for battle and dove into action. Emily was just about to send her 'Dark Angel' Monster Card to the Graveyard when she froze as a voice spoke in her head...
"I know you can't do it..."
Emily gasped, closing her eyes. "N-Not you-!" she winced. "Not now!"
(new location...)
Before long, Emily, upon opening her eyes, found herself inside a dark-like dimension. Looking around, she soon saw a shadowed figure ahead.
"It can't be!" The dark green-haired girl recoiled. "You're... you're-!"
The shadowed figure stepped forth, and revealed to be...Emily?! It looked like her, but with slightly tanner skin and dark circles around her eyes.
"That's right." confirmed 'Emily', as she smirked evilly. "I'm you... Or, rather, your dark half - born out of the anger and fear you were constantly under when you were being bullied years ago."
"I... I thought I got rid of you!" exclaimed Emily. "How are you still here?"
"You claimed to have gotten rid of me when you were battling Airknight Parshath. But remember your little rant during your duel with Matt? Saying that you were consistently responsible for making your friends and lover all suffer, and saying you could never forgive yourself for it? That's a sign you STILL have darkness, such as me, in your heart."
'Emily' then slowly walked over to her weaker-self, holding up a card in-between her fingers.
"So long as you hold onto your fears and anger for what you've done-" 'Emily' declared. "-I will always live on." She then threw the card over to Emily. "Tear this card up, however, and you'll truly forgive yourself."
Emily caught the card and fearfully looked at it. It was the 'Dark Angel' Monster Card.
"Tear it up!" dared 'Emily'. "Only by getting rid of it, would you fully forgive yourself!"
Looking at the card, Emily found herself making a difficult decision; would she tear the card up and forgive herself, or would she keep it and spend the rest of her life in fear of her actions?
"I... I can't." whispered Emily, clearly frightened. "The only way I can forgive myself...is to play-"
"Don't be foolish!" snapped 'Emily', finally getting face-to-face with her weaker half. "You HAVE to tear the card up! DO IT!"
"No..." argued Emily, still looking at the card. "I can't-!"
'Emily' sneered. "Do it..." she warned sternly. "Unless you WANT to hurt Thomas again!"
Hearing the words 'hurt' and 'Thomas' seemed to strike a cord in Emily... She didn't want to hurt him again; not after all the chaos, tragedy that ensued from the result of it.
"I don't wish to hurt Tommy..." Poor Emily whimpered, remembering her past actions again. "I don't want to hurt anyone... never again..."
"Then tear 'Dark Angel' up." 'Emily' dared once more. "By doing it, you'll finally put your past behind you."
Slowly, Emily took hold of the card in both hands, while 'Emily' watched the scene with nothing but a look of satisfaction on her face.
"Yessss... Tear it up, so that I may remain with you, forever..." she thought to herself.
Before anymore could be said or done...
"Stop, Emily!" echoed a familiar voice (female). "You mustn't do it!"
'Emily's' wicked smile turned into a scowl of hatred, just as the dark realm lightened up with (what else?) light. Before long, Emily's previous incarnation, Anastasia, showed herself.
"You!" growled 'Emily', looking surprised. "Why are you here?!"
Anastasia ignored the evil Emily and turned to the real one.
"You HAVE to play that card." The brunette-haired young woman advised. "It's the only way you can forgive yourself for good."
"I-I...can't!" Emily objected, looking and sounding both terrified and distressed. "So long as I hold onto 'Dark Angel', it will only remind me of every terrible thing I did as you and as a child. Destroying it is the only way I can put the past behind me! I don't want to hurt my friends, or Thomas, ever again!"
After a long silence, Anastasia simply walked over and placed both hands onto her reincarnation's shoulders, staring into Emily's eyes with a kind smile on her face (both Anastasia and Emily were almost roughly the same size in height).
"It was FEAR that made you do those terrible things, Emily." Anastasia spoke on. "It was fear that made me throw my life away, as well as forcing Anakin to live on in nothing but pain and misery... We both gave into our own fears just for an easier way to handle a problem, only for it to unknowingly make the situation worse. The only way you can put the past behind you, is to face both your fears and darkness head-on instead of hiding from them."
Emily, looking into the beautiful young woman's eyes, soon closed her own eyes, remembering Matt's words from their duel...
"You've become full of anger and resentment from the emotions you've bottled up for so long. Your guilt and sorrow for all your actions towards Thomas will eventually destroy your mind. You must find it in your heart to forgive yourself somehow!"
"What Matt said in our duel made tons of sense." Emily finally whispered. "And what you're telling me makes even more sense..."
"If you play 'Dark Angel' successfully, you will finally be able to forgive yourself!" said Anastasia, not losing her smile. "Thomas and I both know that you can succeed."
"She'll never find the courage to face the darkness!" interrupted 'Emily', causing Anastasia to look over and angrily glare. "She's a fool! Only by getting rid of that card will she finally put the past behind her!"
At last, Emily reopened her eyes.
"So, are you going to do it?" asked 'Emily' sadistically. "Are you going to tear 'Dark Angel' up to put an end to the pain and sorrow you house?"
However...
"No, I won't." Emily replied firmly, turning to face her dark half. "If I tore this card up, it would prove that I was too afraid to face my fears."
'Emily' growled. "What'd you say?!"
"If I tore this card up, you'd still be around." The dark green-haired girl went on. "You are the source of my darkness, anger, and sorrow. Getting rid of this card would give you the ultimate victory, and I'm not going to let that happen."
"Why you-!" hissed 'Emily'.
"Get out of my mind, and never haunt me again!" With that said, Emily released her left hand from the 'Dark Angel' Monster Card, holding the card up in her right hand. "I will use 'Dark Angel' the right way - similar to how Princess Anastasia did so!"
Before anyone else could say anything, a purple-skinned, white-haired fairy wearing skimpy clothing started to appear from a burst of not darkness, but actual light. The light caused 'Emily' to scream in pain as she covered her eyes.
"This can't be!" howled 'Emily'.
"It is... You don't scare me anymore!" declared Emily, before finally giving the command... "DARKNESS, BEGONE!"
'Dark Angel', despite being a DARK-Attribute Fairy-Type monster, swung her staff released more and more light, overwhelming 'Emily' as she screamed in further agony and slowly started breaking apart.
"Damn you, bitch..." 'Emily' weakly said, before reaching out one last time with a scream of anger. "DAMN YOU!"
At last, 'Emily' faded away in wisps and smoke. For the next few moments, there was nothing but silence...
"I... I did it..." panted Emily, looking towards her previous incarnation. "I actually played 'Dark Angel'..."
"Emily, I'm very proud of you." praised Anastasia. "By facing your fears and playing 'Dark Angel', you've finally defeated your darkness and moved on... Now, go - go, and do what you must do!"
Emily nodded and closed her eyes once more.
(new location...)
Back on the stage, Emily finally opened her eyes fiercely.
"Take down, 'Wingweaver'!" commanded Axel to 'Lunalight Leo Dancer', unaware of what was about to happen.
The humanoid lion-like belly dancer readied her sword, preparing to attack 'Wingweaver' and end the duel. Finally, she jumped into the sky and started spinning towards the seemingly defenseless Fairy-Type monster.
"This is the end!" exclaimed Axel.
"We-a win!" put in Gina.
"Are you sure about that?" cut in Emily, causing the two European teenagers to gasp. The dark green-haired girl then readied the last card in her right hand. "This card represents that darkness in my heart... and I'm going to use it to put my past behind me..." She turned the card over. "As of now, the effect of my 'Dark Angel' activates!"
This caused a gasp from the audience.
"'Dark Angel'?!" came from Mavis.
"Since when does Emily have a card like that in her Deck?" added Molly.
Back on the stage, a mixture of darkness and light started appearing all-around Emily, as she continued to smile with confidence.
"'Dark Angel's' effect... When my Fairy monster is targeted for an attack, I can tribute it and send this card from my hand to the Graveyard, and then I can target one face-up monster I control; it changes the attack target to my targeted monster, and then, if I do this, it gains Attack Points equal to the original Attack Power of the tributed monster, until the end of this turn."
The mentioned Fairy-Type monster finally appeared on the field as she used her scepter to turn 'Wingweaver' into light, and then moved the orb into 'Dark Magician', powering him up to greater levels (ATK: 2500 - 5250).
"You are now forced to attack 'Dark Magician'!" reminded Emily.
'Lunalight Leo Dancer' turned her attack towards 'Dark Magician', who countered by charging his staff with magical power.
"DARK MAGIC ATTACK!" ordered Emily.
With the command given, 'Dark Magician' fired a magical blast at 'Lunalight Leo Dancer'. The blast seemed to be a mixture of both dark and light magic. Before long, the humanoid, lion-like belly dancer was struck as she roared in pain before shattering into shards of glass. Gina and Axel both watched on in shock as their Life Points dropped to low levels (Team LP: 650).
"The tide of the duel has changed." declared Thomas. "Thanks to Emily, we've defeated 'Lunalight Leo Dancer'!"
"Yes, indeed." smiled Emily, who was feeling beyond happy that she succeeded in using 'Dark Angel'. "And by using my monster, I've finally forgiven myself, put my past behind me, and made sure my darkness stays gone."
"I'm sorry to say the duel isn't over just yet." interrupted Axel, just as the 'Blaze Accelerator Reload' machine melted into lava. "I send 'Blaze Accelerator Reload' to the Graveyard to Special Summon 'Volcanic Doomfire' in attack mode!"
Appearing from the lava was the powerful 'Volcanic' monster (Level: 8/ATK: 3000 - 3500/DEF: 1800 - 1400). From there, another card ejected from the purple-haired Belgian boy's Deck, and he took it and sent it ('Volcanic Counter') to the Graveyard.
"From the effect of this monster-" explained Axel. "-you both are required to attack it during either of your turns if you control any attack positioned monsters." From there, the 'Blaze Accelerator Reload' Trap Card ejected from his Graveyard. "Next, I'll activate the next effect of 'Blaze Accelerator Reload'!"
"By removing it from my Graveyard, I can send a 'Volcanic' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard." From there, Axel slotted the last card in his hand into his Duel Disk. "Finally, I'll set one card and end my turn."
A facedown card materialized behind 'Volcanic Doomfire'. With it being the End Phase, 'Dark Angel's' effect wore off, causing 'Dark Magician' to return to its normal Attack Power (ATK: 5250 - 2500).
"What a surprise!" cried Dexter. "Emily was able to turn the duel around in her and Thomas's favor while also finally using a card she was said to be afraid to use!"
In the audience...
"This is wonderful; Emily's finally gotten over her past!" whooped James.
"And all it took was the use of one card!" added Gordon.
Back on the stage...
"Thomas, I've done all I could do." Emily was saying to her lover. "The rest is entirely up to you."
"Right." nodded Thomas. With that said, he performed the ever handy Destiny Draw. "It's my turn!"
Turn Eight: Thomas Billinton (Team LP: 300)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (1): "Supreme Chaos Fusion"(!)
His drawn card was a Spell Card called 'Supreme Chaos Fusion'. Looking at the card carefully, Thomas pointed to the final set card on Emily's field.
"I reveal Emily's facedown card!" he declared, just as the set card flipped face-up and revealed itself to be... "'Swing of Memories'!"
From there, 'Wingweaver' returned to the field (Level: 7/ATK: 2750/DEF: 2400).
"This lets me Special Summon one Normal Monster from the Graveyard for one turn." explained Thomas. "The Summoned monster will then be destroyed at the End Phase."
"There is-a one problem; none-a of your-a monsters are-a strong enough." Gina pointed out.
"Alone, maybe so." said Thomas, grinning. "But together, they just may succeed." He held out his last card. "From my hand, I'll activate a Spell Card..."
A facedown card materialized on the field, but then flipped face-up to reveal a Spell Card called 'Supreme Chaos Fusion'.
"...'Supreme Chaos Fusion'!"
"I've never heard of a card like that." frowned Axel.
"Me-a neither." added Gina.
"This is a special Spell Card that fuses, from my hand or field, one DARK or LIGHT-Attribute monster." explained Thomas. "As you can see, we have a DARK monster in 'Dark Magician'... and a LIGHT monster in 'Wingweaver'!"
"When combined together, they create a whole new monster!" put in Emily.
'Dark Magician' and 'Wingweaver' both entered the Fusion Vortex of Light and Darkness. From there, the Summon sequence ensued, while Thomas and Emily both began a lengthy Summon Chant...
"Ultimate Wizard of Black Magic..." began Thomas.
"Goddess of Light..." Emily added.
"Combine both powers together, from the road of light and road of darkness..." The 'Supreme King' and the 'Supreme Queen' then both said at once. "Light and Darkness, embark from the land of twilight, towards the road to the dawn!"
From the Fusion Summon sequence, a new monster was shown in the shadows.
"FUSION SUMMON!"
The new monster was beginning to get unshadowed... The monster seemed to resemble a female 'Dark Magician' who wore a similar outfit (only with the hood down), but also possessed several angel-like wings on her back, long purplish-red hair, and a different-looking scepter.
"Descend from the twilight road..." began Thomas.
"...Level 8..." continued Emily.
"'SUPREME TWILIGHT MAGICIAN'(!)!" The 'Supreme King' and the 'Supreme Queen' both finished at once.
Everyone was in awe at the new monster.
"This is another new one." admired Henry.
"A combination of Thomas's dark..." began James.
"...and Emily's light." finished Gordon.
Back in the duel field, the new 'Supreme Twilight Magician' twirled her scepter about and got into a battle ready pose (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2500).
"Good Lord, everyone!" The Card Shop owner cried out. "Thomas and Emily have combined their respective ace monsters into a whole new monster!"
Back in the duel field...
"'Supreme Twilight Magician'..." whispered Gina.
'Supreme Twilight Magician's' effect..." began Emily.
"While on the field, 'Supreme Twilight Magician' is also treated as a LIGHT Attribute in addition to its original DARK Attribute. Also, for each LIGHT and DARK monster in our respective Graveyards-" explained Thomas. "-'Supreme Twilight Magician' gains 200 Attack Points."
Both Thomas and Emily's Graveyards began to glow. Before long, six total cards emerged from the respective Graveyards, revealing the cards to be the following Monster Cards:
-'Magician's Valkyria'
-'Apprentice Illusion Magician'
-'Counselor Lily'
-'Dark Angel'
-'Dark Magician'
-'Wingweaver'
"Six in total!" declared Thomas. "200 times 6 equals 1200."
'Supreme Twilight Magician' grew much stronger (ATK: 2800 - 4000).
"4000 Attack Points..." whispered Axel.
"We will now attack!" announced Thomas, entering the Battle Phase. "'Supreme Twilight Magician', attack 'Volcanic Doomfire'!"
'Supreme Twilight Magician' obeyed, charging her staff with power. Before long, the attack was unleashed, aimed towards 'Volcanic Doomfire'.
"You've fallen into my trap!" shouted Axel, just as his set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. "I activate a Trap Card - 'Fusion Dispersal'! This lets me return your Fusion Monster back into the Extra Deck and Special Summon its Fusion Materials back to the field. Then I can inflict damage to my opponents equal to the Attack Power of the strongest one!"
The face-up 'Fusion Dispersal' Trap Card fired a beam towards 'Supreme Angelic Magician'.
"This-a duel is-a over!" declared Gina.
"On the contrary, our monster isn't going anywhere." retorted Emily.
"What do you mean?" demanded Axel.
As the beam got closer, 'Supreme Twilight Magician' held her left hand out. The attack soon struck, but got deflected while not affecting the target.
"Impossibile!" grimaced Gina in Italian. "The-a Trap Card did-a not work!"
"The next effect of 'Supreme Chaos Fusion' has saved our monster." Emily pointed out. "As 'Supreme Twilight Magician' was Fusion Summoned using 'Supreme Chaos Fusion', it is unaffected by the opponent's Card Effects this turn."
"Say what?!" recoiled Axel. He then recovered. "I still have one last trick up my sleeve!"
"And what would that be?" asked Thomas.
"I've sent a card to my Graveyard earlier - 'Volcanic Counter'." explained Axel, just as an image of the mentioned. "If Gina and I were to take Battle Damage, it will let me Banish 'Volcanic Counter', then, if there's a FIRE-Attribute monster other than 'Volcanic Counter' in the Graveyard, I can inflict damage to you and Emily equal to the amount of Battle Damage we'd take!"
Hearing that made the audience gasp.
"No way!" exclaimed Molly.
"Axel and Gina have 650 Life Points, and the damage would be 500, so they'll survive with 150 Life Points." explained Edward. "Thomas and Emily only have 300 Life Points!"
"Unless that new magician has another effect-" put in James "-then Thomas and Emily will both lose the match!"
Back on the stage...
"This duel is over. Victory is OURS!" exclaimed Axel.
"Wrong!" cut in Thomas. "'Supreme Twilight Magician' will protect us both!"
'Supreme Twilight Magician' used her staff to create a barrier of sorts around Thomas and Emily, protecting them from any sort of Effect Damage that was to be inflicted by 'Volcanic Counter'.
"What?!" gasped Gina.
"'Supreme Twilight Magician's' third effect protects us from Effect Damage, reducing it to zero." explained Emily.
"And now, it's time to end this duel!" added Thomas, entering the Battle Phase. "'Supreme Twilight Magician', get ready to attack!"
'Supreme Twilight Magician' obeyed, raising her scepter up and charging up a blast of energy from the orb at the tip of the weapon.
"End the-a duel?" questioned Gina. "But we will-a have Life Points left-a over!"
"Wrong again." retorted Thomas.
"Che cosa?!"
"When 'Supreme Twilight Magician' does battle with a monster who's current Attack Points are different than its original Attack Points-" explained Emily. "-our own monster's Attack Power doubles during the Damage Step!"
'Supreme Twilight Magician's' weapon started glowing all purple as her already enhanced Attack Power grew even more (ATK: 4000 - 8000).
"This... THIS is the true power of our ace monsters!" declared Thomas. He finally gave the attack name... "LUMINOUS BLACK MAGIC!"
Before long, 'Supreme Twilight Magician' aimed her weapon at 'Volcanic Doomfire', and, with a loud cry, unleashed her blast of magical energy. 'Volcanic Doomfire' was hit by the devastating blast and roared in agony before melting away into nothingness.
"It-a is all-a over..." sighed Gina.
"We've lost..." added Axel (Team LP: 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Thomas Billinton and Emily Stirling both win!
The Card Shop owner went absolutely nuts...
"An unbelievable outcome!" he was screaming joyously. "We have our winners of 'The Couple's Cup', and they are...Thomas Billinton and Emily Stirling!"
The holograms on the duel field faded away as the crowd burst into loud applause and cheers for the two teenagers.
"We did it!" cried Emily, embracing Thomas in a hug.
"Yes, we did." smiled Thomas.
Over with Axel and Gina... While the two European teenagers were disappointed over losing, they still felt happy that their two friends were able to win.
"Well done." Axel said to Thomas.
"You-a both are the-a champions." added Gina, speaking to Emily.
"You both put up a great fight." Emily complimented.
"You both haven't lost your touch since the last tournament." put in Thomas.
"Thanks." grinned Axel.
The audience continued to applause for the 'Supreme King' and the 'Supreme Queen' over their victory. Before long, Thomas and Emily were both rewarded special medals that were put around their necks. The medals both read 'King' (Thomas) and 'Queen' (Emily). After looking at their medals, and then at each other, the two teenagers held hands and bowed to the cheering audience.
(elsewhere...)
The next day, Thomas and his friends were at the Airport seeing Axel and Gina both off as they had to return to their respective European country.
"It was nice having you two around." Thomas was saying. "We'll all miss you."
"Same here." agreed Axel, who then looked to Gina. "I'll email you as often as I can when I get back home."
"I-a know you-a will." Gina wept, kissing her purple-haired Belgian boyfriend goodbye.
With that said (and once the kiss was done), Axel left to catch his flight back to 'Brussels - Belgium'. With Gina having a few extra minutes to talk to her new friends before having to catch her own flight back to 'Milan - Italy', she took that opportunity to do so.
"We-a maybe leaving, but this-a isn't goodbye for-a-ever." remarked Gina.
"Of course not." agreed Percy. "Surely there will come a day where we'll all meet again."
"Maybe if Thomas decides to travel the world." joked James.
"As long as he lets us go with him." insisted Emily, glaring at the red-haired boy.
"Hey hey, I was just joking about that bit."
Gina giggled. "Well, if-a you are-a ever in-a Italy-" she said with a wink. "-you-a know where to-a find me."
Just then, a voice spoke on the intercom...
"All passengers boarding a flight for 'Milan - Italy', we are departing... Please hurry, and board your flight."
"That's your cue." commented Stanley.
Gina nodded. "Addio!" she waved. "Farewell for-a now!"
"Goodbye!" Rosie and Molly both called out at once.
"Have a safe flight home!" added James and Percy at once.
Before long, the brown-haired Italian girl had disappeared beyond the gate.
(elsewhere...)
Outside, the plane heading for Italy sped down the runway before taking off. The plane heading for Belgium, meanwhile, was the next to head down the runway before lifting off the ground.
(elsewhere...)
Inside the Airport, the group of Sundrian teenagers looked out the window as the planes took off from the runway.
"Well, this certainly has been quite an adventure." commented Percy, placing both his hands behind his head. "Right. Thomas?"
But Thomas didn't respond. At the moment, he was thinking back to what Discord had said to him during their rematch...
"Do you know what your biggest flaw is?... It's your pride. You take things in life far too seriously for your own good. If you're not careful, it could lead you to your downfall."
"Thomas?" cut in Henry.
"Huh?" blinked Thomas, snapping out of his thoughts. "What?"
"You okay?" asked Stanley.
Thomas smiled reassuringly. "Yeah... I am, now... I also promise that from this day forth, I will never let my personal failures get to me, again."
"We're all really happy to hear that, Tommy." Emily smiled back. "Now, what say we all go for some fish and chips to celebrate?"
"Sounds like a plan to me." cheered Percy. "I'm starved!"
With that being heavily agreed to, the group of friends left the Airport. Thomas lingered behind a bit as he watched his friends exit from the building.
"How could I let my pride convince me that victory was more important than my friends' feelings?" he asked himself. "After all, victory means nothing unless you can share it with those whom you love."
Looking back, Thomas could see his two Duel Spirits (Dark Magician Girl and Dark Magician) next to him.
"Because then-" The blue-haired boy continued, finishing his thought with a smile. "-you're 'really' a winner."
The Adventure Continues...
Pyramid of Light
The End