Chapter 22: Saving Blair P1 Duel Set up

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or Card Captors, I do own Erin.

Erin, Joey, Phineas, and Ferb were at at Pegasus's mansion to talk to him and to see what their next move should be. This was immediately after two days had past since the four with Sakura, Erin's mother left Duel Academy. They were still wearing their Duel Academy outfits as Erin had adored being in Obelisk Blue. Upon seeing his student in an Obelisk Blue Girls only uniform Pegasus himself was glad to see that Erin was given her outfit as a gift and could actually see Erin being an Obelisk Blue if she wanted to continue to further her studies at Duel Academy, being an Obelisk Blue suited her. He was hugging Erin glad she was safe. Erin was just happy to be back with her family not that she'd miss being with Alexis and her friends, but now they had to concentrate on the next big thing.

"So" Pegasus told his student "It sounds like you and your friends had fun at Duel Academy...What was your favorite duels?"

Erin giggled out her answer "My most favorite was the one I had with Jaden Yuki. Even though I lost to him, I really had fun! Going up against Bastion was also a top favorite!"

Pegasus smiled "So. You've had your first defeat that had meaning."

Erin nodded "Yeah, Jaden defeated me fair and square but one day he and I will have a rematch!"

Pegasus smiled once again seeing his student very excited about a rematch and he chuckles "Rematches can just as be rewarding."

The white haired man turned to Phineas whom was looking troubled "What's wrong Phineas? Didn't you have fun at Duel Academy?"

"You bet Ferb and I did!" Phineas answered "However, it's been two days from now and we're short one person"

"My best friend Blair!" Erin said "Maybe she got lost trying to find Pegasus's mansion."

"That's possibly true" Phineas told Erin "However, when we left Duel Academy two days ago, Ferb and I got a distress single from that device we gave her."

Erin was concerned at once "Distress single?"

Ferb nodded "Remember that device was to alert us if Blair was captured by an enemy. The moment we took off from helicopter that device went off."

"Blair got herself captured?" Joey asked the two.

Phineas shook his head "I don't think she meant to get captured...However the timing means that this is what MFWD wanted, us to leave and separate from Blair."

"Why would MFWD want Blair?" Joey asked "I mean she doesn't have the Sakura Cards."

"But they must've had some sort of spy to figure out Blair is Erin's friend"

"What are you talking about" Joey asked then he figured it out "OH! Darn it! They captured her to lure Erin into a trap!"

Erin gets up "Then I'm going to save Blair!"

It is Pegasus that grabbed onto his student "Hold on their Erin-girl. If Phineas is right, they are expecting you to come to save your friend...You'd be walking into a trap!"

"We sneak into the compound they are holding her, like a ninja, save Blair and get out of there with no problem!" Erin suggested not thinking clearly.

"Erin! Think rationally!" Phineas told her "I mean I know Blair is your best friend and together we'll rescue her. However we need a completely clear mind to do this. Sure it would be a good idea to sneak into their compound but we don't even know where they've taken Blair."

"Do you think they've taken her to their base?" Joey asked.

"Whoever captured Blair was smart on one thing to capture her while we were separated from her" Phineas answered "Whatever their plan is this time I'm sure they don't want to risk us finding their location"

"True" Pegasus said.

"So we need a plan to rescue her" Joey said.

A butler came into the room "Mr. Pegasus sir! A strange video from MFWD came in."

Pegasus turned "Put it threw"

"Yes, Mr. Pegasus!"

The butler put the video on and the leader of MFWD with Blair seated in a chair tied up. Blair looked at the camera gagged but still clothed, despite being kidnapped she was still glaring at her captors with a look that managed to tell Erin that Blair knew she was going to be rescued.

The Leader of MFWD "Erin and her teacher Pegasus, listen and listen well. As you can see we have captured Blair. If you value her life, surrender the Sakura Cards."

"Never!" Erin shouted.

The leader chuckled "Or you can try to save her, it won't make a difference. I'll even give you the location of where we are holding her...Come to the Abandoned Maze cave. I dare you little Erin to try to save Blair, but I doubt it."

The video shuts off.

"So they do have her!" Erin shouts enraged.

"Darn it!" Joey agreed "At least we know where to find them."

"Abandoned Maze Cave?" Phineas asked he then gasps "Quick Ferb! Bring up the file!"

Fern nodded giving his brother a thumbs up as he did.

"What's wrong?" Joey asked them.

Phineas studied "If they've taken Blair to this Abandoned Maze Cave, they are willing to separate us once again so they can handle Erin. This abandon maze cave often leads several dead-ends and even some buildings. The cave lets four or five duelist in one way and four or five duelist the other."

"It's a dueling cave?" Joey asked.

Phineas shook his head yes "Indeed, but for some odd reason the Abandoned Maze Cave somehow brings out what we know as Shadow Duels."

"Where the damage is real!" Pegasus said getting it "Yes, I've heard of that area too. Some say a sexy demoness haunts that place."

"A DEMON?" Erin and Joey asked shocked then both held onto each other shaking with Joey shouting "DEMONS ARE REAL?"
"In some cases yes" Phineas answered.

Erin looked shocked "Great...Shadow Duels and a haunted place that has a demon around."

"If the rumor is true of course about that demon" Pegasus said.

Phineas counts down how many Duelist they have "Erin, sadly we can't go to your mother for help on this one, she's not a Duelist. Pegasus is a Duelist but we need him to be ready to bail us out of that area once we get Blair and make our way out of the Abandoned Maze Caves."

"So..." Erin said turning to him "We need a plan to save her."

"And a fifth Duelist" Phineas said.

Pegasus knew one and so did Joey. Joey actually beat Pegasus to it "Wouldn't Yugi be a great assist to this mission?"

Phineas nodded "Indeed he would! Something tells me we need his help more than ever in this mission."

"Hold on then" Joey reported "I'll call him up and tell him to meet us at Pegasus's mansion as soon as he can."

Erin nodded looking out the window "Okay..."

Joey was reaching for his phone and dialing Yugi's number. He then got single and heard the dial tone then spoke "Hello, Yugi...Something came up and Erin really needs your help. Come to Pegasus's mansion as soon as you can."

Yugi was at the other end "Okay...Joey, what's going on at least give me a little heads up."

Joey decided it was best to give him the full answer "Someone from MFWD kidnapped Erin's best friend Blair and brought her to the Abandoned Maze Caves."

Yugi gets up from laying down on his bed "THOSE CAVES ARE WAY TOO DANGEROUS for a kind nine year old girl like Erin! Tell Erin, I'm on my way!"

Joey smiled at his end "Thanks Yugi, we'll wait."

"You're welcome Joey! I'll see you then."
"Right!"

The two boys hung up with Yugi running towards Pegasus's mansion thinking This MFWD is making a big move, it's like they want the Sakura Cards but they are willing to possibly kill Erin! Well I won't let that happen! As he is running he feels his deck also adding on After all I have the three Egyptian God Cards and something tells me Erin's going to need that sort of firepower to overcome this plan of MFWD.

Yugi continue on towards Pegasus's mansion knowing he needed to get there as quickly as he could.

After the video Blair was taken to Demonica's room and forced to strip completely naked. With her shoes and socks being the first to go. Blair had no choice but to obey her captors and within five minutes was completely naked. She is then placed on the bed as Demonica entered, removed her mask to show Blair her demonic face licking her lips "Oh, I'm going to enjoy this!"

Blair glared angrily and blushes completely humiliated by her captor. Demonic removes the gag "You can speak now."

"Erin has powerful allies! She won't abandon me!"

"I'm looking forward to that" Demonica told Blair "After she fails to defeat me in a Duel, I'll look into eating her flesh and you should feel honored to just be devoured by me."

"Eat me?" Blair demanded shocked.

Demonica touches Blair's toes "Oh yes, I intend to eat you, however I'll be borrowing your form transforming into you...I'll release you after I've used your body to get what I want from your friend Erin and if she losses to me during a Duel I'll have with her then I'll eat her too but I'll digest her."

"GROSS!" Blair shouted.

Demonica grabbed Blair's feet and began smelling them. She liked the smell "Not bad for a nine year old girl. You take baths that I can tell."

"WHAT GIRL DOESN'T?" Blair demanded trying to stay brave.

Demonica hums licking Blair's face which terrified Blair for once in her life "True, now let's begin."

"W-W-W" Blair protested.

Demonic doesn't give her time to finish she forcefully grabbed Blair by her shoulders and starts shoving her down her mouth. Blair flails her arms and legs trying to fight back but she couldn't get very far or anywhere. Demonica smirked evilly always enjoying in seeing any of her female prey struggle to break free. Demonica soon starts swallowing Blair like a snake. Once Blair felt her arms in the predator's mouth she could only kick. Soon those were stopped when Demonia held Blair's legs preventing movement as she continued at a rapid pace in eating Blair alive. With a second gulp Blair's butt was showing out. With a third gulp Blair's feet were sticking out or at least her toes. Demonica licks the toes of Blair savoring the taste of the raw meat before swallowing those down as well. Once Blair's feet vanished Demonica heard the splash sound as Blair hit her stomach. Demonica licks her lips "That was satisfying..."

Inside the predator's stomach Blair did find that the stomach she was in wasn't filled with acid like normal stomachs. It as more of an imprisonment stomach that could fill with stomach acid if given the chance.

Blair kicked the stomach of her predator but Demonica giggled unphased by the kick "Struggle Blair, struggle. It won't save you."

Demonica snaps her fingers then slowly but surely takes the form of Blair. It took ten minutes but Demonica now reshaped herself to look exactly like Blair in fact she looked so much like Blair that she got every single detail right, the hair color, Blair's size, Blair's height, even Blair's eyes. Demonica now puts on Blair's clothes to complete the image that she was indeed Blair. Demonica grinned evilly thinking With this disguise I'll fool you Erin. Heck I'll fool anyone.

She turned to her helpers "Thanks everyone, now let's get moving. Prepare my home here in the Abandoned Maze Caves for a successful hunt of Erin."

Her allies obey at will.

Demonica steps outward smirking evilly "I wonder how Erin's flesh taste like? I guess I'll find out and"

She pauses rubbing her stomach where the real Blair still was kicking madly "Oh, I'll digest you both once I've eaten Erin. Kick me all you want, you'll be rewarded with my stomach acid once Erin is in my stomach too."

Blair pounds and kicks "LET ME OUT OF HERE!" the reality hit her and she starts crying at her next choice of words "Erin...Please...Do Rescue me but don't get eaten yourself!"

At Pegasus's mansion Yugi had indeed arrived. He knocks on the door and is greeted by Syaoran Li with Sakura at his side. Yugi could tell that both of Erin's parents were indeed worried. He gives Li a look and spoke "Don't worry Mr. Syaoran. I'll help Erin save her best friend. I know what she's going through because back in Battle City...Marik kidnapped Joey and Tea then tried to brainwash them. I'll do what I can to make sure Erin comes back safely."

Yugi was surprised to see that Li actually smiled for once at him. Sakura was even surprised her husband was smiling it was as if she knew at once that her husband trusted Yugi with so much respect that he was willing to hear the boy out. Li stretched out his hand "That was the most noble response I've ever heard someone say. Come inside."

"Thank you Mr. Syaoran" Yugi said walking inside.

He remembered to remove his shoes then walk down to see Ferb, Erin, Joey and Phineas.

"Yugi!" Erin shouted seeing him.

"Hey Erin!" Yugi said waving towards her he then frowned "Sorry to hear Blair got captured by your enemy, but I'll do everything in my power to help you."

"Thanks!"

He then looks around "So, Joey told me they are keeping Blair at the Abandon Maze Caves."

"That's correct" Phineas told him "At least that's what the video of the leader of MFWD claims to be."

"Is it authentic?" Yugi asked.

"Ferb and I ran several tests to see if the video was fake or authentic. So far the video seems to be authentic."

"Good" Yugi said "So, we know where Blair is being held at and honestly I've seen the place where they've taken Blair for my eyes. It's a popular Halloween spot for a Halloween party although lots of girls end of never returning for some odd reason when that place has a Halloween party."

Erin sighs "We should just sneak in, grab Blair, then sneak out!"

"In mazes" Yugi told her "That won't help. Sure that place maybe a good place for Halloween parties or Halloween in nature but even the Pharaoh inside my Millennium Puzzle senses evil in that area."

"Plus those areas do have four to five entrances" Phineas reminded her.

Yugi nods at Erin "Which means you have a good chance in being captured yourself. I actually heard from Joey on how well you Duel when you got to Duel Academy and I want to say good job so far in defeating Alexis, Bastion, and helping in your first ever Tag Shadow Duel"

"Thanks Yugi!" Erin said a bit happy he complemented her.

Yugi smiled then grew more serious "You're welcome on that part, but still...The key target they are going after is you. Whoever captured Blair knows that you would come to save her. So he or she is planning on a trap."

"We got Pegasus helping us" Joey told him.

"That's good" Yugi said.

He turned to Phineas "Do you know exactly where they've taken Blair in the Abandoned Maze Caves?"

Ferb was checking the single and points to it "It seems she's in the center..."

"She's alive?" Erin asked.

"She is" Phineas said "The enemy wouldn't want to kill Blair off yet. They'll do it once they captured you."

"Which won't happen" Yugi said.

He studies the images of the cave system they would be going in "If it's the middle part of the caves where Blair is at, it seems that it's a three person entrance. You all have four including me so one of us has to go with the other."

"In that case" Phineas told Yugi "You must stay with Erin. Something tells me that whoever captured Blair knew what he or she was doing and maybe too much for Erin alone."

"You read my mind!" Yugi told Phineas.

Erin studied the map of the cavern area they were going to go to "Then I guess we get straight up the middle?"

Yugi hums "Honestly we should take a rout the enemy wouldn't think of us taking."

"You'd think the enemy would predict us going in the middle?"

"I know so! Erin, you need to use your brains in order to outsmart these guys and luckily you do have two in Phineas and Ferb which are good choices, but they want you to be split apart again"

"Great..."

"But they don't realize that you have powerful friends and allies. If we go that middle route then we may run into the villain that captured Blair. I like your idea of grabbing Blair, and get out which is what we'll try to do."

"Then which do we take?"

Yugi thinks hard "We do take the left side"

"Okay."

Joey pumped up his fist "I'll take the middle one!"

"Be careful Joey" Yugi told him.

"Hey, I'm always careful aren't I?"

"Define always" Pegasus told Joey while Phineas and Ferb both shook their heads no at Joey's comment.

"That leads the right to me and Ferb then!" Phineas suggested.

"Right."

"Alright" Yugi told the four "We have a game plan, separate and locate Blair."

He looks at Joey "Try to be silent though. They know we are coming so be as silent as we came be is going to be the key."

"Hey, now why are you looking at me I can be the most stealthiest person here!"

"There's a difference between can and will" Phineas muttered.

Joey sighed "Point taken."

Pegasus studies the area where the caves were at "When you get Blair make your way out the secret exit!"

"There's a secret exit?" Yugi asked.

Pegasus nods circling the cave area "There's a hidden area that doesn't have a maze leading towards the cave. Get to that area and I'll be waiting near the helicopter to get you out of there."

"Sakura and I will assist Pegasus in making sure that area is secure so we can take off" Li offered.

"That is something you and Mrs. Syaoran can do" Phineas admitted.

With this the game plan was set and the group heads out towards the caves. It was a long walk about two hours worth but soon they came towards the Abandoned Maze Caves. Seeing this for the first time sent a chill of fear through Erin's spine. Erin and Yugi heard a yelp and Fox Fire materialized as if sensing an evil presense.

"What's wrong Fox Fire?" Erin asked the Duel Monster.

"I see you can see Duel Monster spirits too" Yugi told her smiling.

"You can too?" Erin asked.

Yugi nods and she saw Kuriboh at Yugi's side "You bet I can. It's actually nice to see someone else that can."

Erin blushes as she turned her attention to Fox Fire "Is there something there you are sensing."

"I'm already sensing it" Sakura told her daughter from a headset at the hidden entrance area of the area they are at.

"Sakura isn't the only one young lady" Li told his daughter through his headset "You're young and I get that Erin but as you grow older you're going to feel evil pretense too."

"I don't get your comment daddy"

"Oh Li" Sakura told him "Erin sweetie, what your daddy is trying to say is be extremely careful there is a totally evil presence feeling coming from the caves...Feeling Demonic like."

"So these are actually haunted" Joey asked.

"Must be the feeling the Pharaoh has sensed" Yugi muttered he then told the two parents "As I said Mr. and Mrs. Syaoran, I'll make sure Erin's safe."

The group walk into the cave and see the three entrances.

"Good luck everyone" Erin told her friends as they walk towards the entrance slowly and quietly.

"Indeed!"

The trio split silently entering the maze on it's three entrances. Joey was the first one to walk down the middle. His Duel Disk was in hand ready to Duel whoever may come his way. As he is walking down the path his mind was on one thing Don't lose faith Blair! We're coming for you.

As he is walking down the path he sees Blair or what he didn't know was it was Demonica in disguise of Blair. Thinking that it was Blair Joey made his way silently towards his target silently. He creeps closer and closer silently or so he thought. It turned out Demonica had excellent hearing even when borrowing Blair's look. She felt Joey coming at her and he grabbed her hands "Gotcha! Don't worry Blair I'm getting you out of here!"

Demonica held back a grin thinking This is almost too easy! In fact I'll amuse this dumby and use him to get me to Erin.

Joey looked around pressing on his headset "Guys! I got her!"

"You got Blair?" Yugi asked.

"You bet!"

"Something doesn't feel right" Phineas reported "MFWD wouldn't ever put Blair some place where we can easily find her..."

"I'm telling you I got her!" Joey told them "Let's make our way out the secret entrance.

Demonica secretly whipped out her tail striking Joey in his legs causing him to fall face first onto the ground with a massive thud hitting his head against a rock. Amazingly Joey wasn't knocked out as Demonica had hoped for but he was dazed as he mutters out "D-D-D-Did I miss a step?"

"Joey?" Yugi asked through the headset "What happened?"

"I seemed to have tripped on something and hit my head"

Phineas acted fast knowing this wasn't an accident and that Joey had been tripped on purpose "Stay there!" Phineas reported "Ferb and I are on our way!"

Joey felt his head "Oh, my head."

While he was doing this Demonica pressed a switch to allow four of her minions to delay Phineas and Ferb.

On their end Phineas and Ferb saw that they were approached by four masked figures and Phineas grits his teeth "IT'S A TRAP! JOEY! IF YOU ARE STILL CONSIOUS! GET AWAY FROM BLAIR!"

"W-W-W-W-Why is that?" Joey asked looking at the Blair that was in front of him.

"Because that's not the real Blair!" Phineas said "It's an imposter!"

Joey blinks letting go of Blair "Are you saying she's now on their side?"

"No" Phineas reported.

Ferb pointed to a strange symbol and shows Phineas whom spoke "YUGI! GET ERIN TO JOEY'S LOCATION! Something bad has happened to Blair!"

"Is she dead?" Erin asked.

"Worse!" Phineas said "Joey get away!"

Sadly he wasn't getting away as Demonica held his arms "TRUST ME! I'M JUST FINDING OUT THIS BLAIR IS AN IMPOSTER! LET ME GO!"

There was a hint of darkness coming from Demonica's eyes as she grabbed him holding him up and began choking him.

Demonica glared at him "So, you and you're little pals seemed to have caught on, but at least I'll be taking you out instead!"

As she is trying to choke him to death she felt Yugi's presense. She turned to see Yugi and Erin. Erin looked horrified to see what the Blair she was seeing was doing to Joey "PUT HIM DOWN BLAIR!"

"That's not Blair!" Yugi told her then his Millennium Puzzle began to glow surrounding Yugi as he shouted "YUUUGGGIIIOOOHHH!"

Within seconds Demonica watches as Yugi turned into the Pharaoh Atem. Yami Yugi glared at Demonica lifting up his hand "Darkness, reveal the true being behind this mess!"

With magical powers too great to be true, the Pharaoh unleashed a magical spell which undone the transformation of Demonica showing Erin whom the attacker really was.

"A DEMON!" Joey shouted alarmed then he whistled "A Sexy female one!"

"A Succubus" Yami Yugi muttered "Just great..."

With very little effort Demonica throws Joey onto a wall knocking him out. Yami Yugi caught Joey and put him on the ground. He glared at Demonica "Is that how you treat your enemies?"

"A succubus does what she does to survive!" Demonica said she glared at Erin whom spoke at her "WHAT DID YOU DO TO BLAIR?"

Demonica grinned patting her stomach evilly "I ate her and tried to use her form against you. However you are too late. I'll take your two Sakura Cards you have on you then eat you after a Duel."

"Your one sick enemy!" Erin shouted.

"Release Blair!" Yami Yugi ordered.

"Oh, you want me to throw up my delicious meal?" Demonica demanded "Tell you what, I'll give her up if Erin gives me her two Sakura Cards."

The response from both Erin and Yami Yugi was "NEVER!" Erin adds on "NO DEAL! I'll never give you or your master my mom's cards!"

"So much for getting your friend back" Demonica taunted "But, I suppose if you can beat me in a Duel, I'll give her up. If you lose, you must give me your two Sakura Cards and after the Shadow Duel...I'll eat your lifeless body so your soul can't return."

Erin frowned. Yami Yugi stepped up "You claim you are strong, yet you purposely lure all of your foes which is Erin with her friends and me this time into a trap to steal the Sakura Cards? I've heard of thieves and attempts to steal all this time but this is the most pathetic way I've ever seen. All I see is a bunch of bullies that need to be taught a lesson."

Demonica glared at the Pharaoh "You're point?"

Yami Yugi looks at her "It's as if you know Erin's not a match to you! Why don't you go picking on someone on the same level as you."

Demonica glared and Erin saw the second in command walk in "NOT HIM TOO!"

Demonica looks at the second in command "You're hear too?"

"I came to oversee how well you are doing!" the second in command glared at Yami Yugi "And it seems you had a good plan but was out thought."

She shouts "I CAN HANDLE THESE TWO!"

The second in command slaps her face and she growls "I'll rip off your head for that!"

"Listen to yourself Demonica!" the second-in-command of MFWD spoke "And open your eyes! The boy speaking to you is no other than the great Yugi Muto, the King of Games...Owner of the three Egyptian God Cards!"

"SO?"

"I think you fail to see the details...Let me spell it out to you and odd on a number, it isn't just one G-O-D C-A-R-D-S, not two G-O-D C-A-R-D-S, but THREE G-O-D C-A-R-D-S! Beings that even the Clow Cards can't easily withstand."

Demonica blinks "But..."

"No buts!" the second in command explained "Taking on Erin is a plus and your deck would be too much for her, but the Pharaoh would be too much for you to take on! If you were planning onto take them on two-against-one you could pick on Erin and might win, but her partner would have her back!"

"OH AND YOU THINK YOUR DUELING SKILLS ARE BETTER? YOU LOST TO OUR TARGET! AND YOU LOST TO THAT IDIOT I KNOCKED OUT!"

He glares at her "You'll need my help! Our leader shouldn't have to get his own deck involved yet. Besides...Who was the one that suggested you to be freed in the first place?"

Demonica growls as it was the second-in-command that suggested they bring Demonica back "Fine!"

The two masked figures looked at Erin and Yugi.

"Besides, I've improved my own deck as well...Plus they are the same attribute as yours."

Demonica grinned "I suppose you'll do even more."

Erin was shocked that her friend was eaten by Demonica and she gripped her hands "Blair...I'll save you." She turned to Yami Yugi trying hard not to cry "Won't we?"

Yami Yugi nodded towards her "Don't worry, we will save your friend from Demonica's clutches. Don't cry, it gives fuel to the enemy. Keep a level head and we can and will defeat these cowards."

"COWARDS?" Demonica and the other masked man asked.

Yami Yugi glared at the two "You bet I called you cowards. Only bullies and evil cowards pick on the weak and eat their victims to get what they want. Erin and I won't lose to someone like to you two."

"Fine by me" Demonica told the Pharaoh "I'd be happy to destroy you in this Shadow Duel!"

"You do know that if you two lose you lose your lives!" Erin told them.

Demonica laughs evilly "Normally yes, but I come from a long line of Succubi that are immune to Shadow Duel effects when it comes to death and I can make it so my partner survives too!"

The four Duelist prepare to Duel activating their Duel Disks, shuffling their decks and drawing the top five cards from their deck shouting "DUEL!"

Erin and Yami Yugi's Life Points: 8000

Demonica and Masked Figure's Life Points: 8000

Erin could only hope the two could win and she could tell Demonica was out for blood. However she had Yugi at her side which gave her confidence that she could win this.

End of chapter

Sorry it's short but word limit is reached. Plus I want to make sure this Duel takes an entire chapter to go through with no interruptions. Anyway next chapter is Chapter 23: Saving Blair P2-Lethal Shadow Duel Erin and Yami Yugi must duel against Demonica and the 2nd in command of MFWD but when Demonica brings out her Earthbound Immortal and Wicked Droutroot Erin starts to doubt that they can win.