-Heliotrope Zwei-
Shadow Momoko didn't look at her Light Half, not even for a moment. She was too focused on her opening hand to notice Momoko looking at her in concern. When she did, she looked up from her hand to confront her adversary.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Shadow Momoko inquired, "You Light Beings feel nothing for Shadows."
Momoko took a step back at that statement. "That's not true!" she replied, "We a lot for the Shadows!"
"Hatred? Anger? Discontent?" Shadow Momoko frowned. "If Light Beings really do feel things for us, then it's those things and those things only. Plain and simple."
"But we-!"
"Watashi no Turn. Draw!" Shadow Momoko looked at her new card, expressing nothing whatsoever. "I summon Rescue Rabbit." At once, the rabbit wearing safety gear appeared (300/100). "And by using his ability, I can special summon any two Lv4 or below Normal Monsters from my deck…so long as they are the same monsters. I summon two Gem-Knight Ganats."
Rescue Rabbit tore open a portal and dove right in. Moments later, two knights made of garnet emerged (1900/0). They two of them looked back into the portal, but their summoner wasn't emerging. It closed, leaving the two alone on the field.
"Next, I activate Gem-Knight Fusion. And I will merge the Gem-Knight Obsidia in my hand with a Ganat on my field." Obsidia appeared on the field. Then, he and one of the Ganats turned into a cloud of gem dust. Moments later, the cloud coalesced into a singular form, bringing a powerful new knight to the field (2200/1900). "Awareru, Gem-Knight Madeira."
Momoko looked at the Gem-Knight in apprehension. She didn't know how the card worked, but its ease of summoning made her worry.
"Obsidia no kouka hatsudou. When sent form my hand to the graveyard, I can revive any Gem-Knight normal monster. Now return, Ganat!" Obsidia's passing essence gathered some dust together, reforming Ganat. "And now, I will banish Obsidia from my graveyard to return Gem-Knight Fusion to my hand." Obsidia's essence faded, returning the power of fusion to the corrupted yellow Shadow's hand. "This combo can be repeated, Light Momoko."
Momoko stared in disbelief as her opponent proceeded to do exactly as she said. She reactivated Gem-Knight Fusion, merging the other Ganat and another Obsidia in her hand to create yet another Madeira. And no sooner did it appear, the second Obsidia revived Ganat. Finally, Obsidia's essence was used to bring Gem-Knight Fusion back to her hand.
Two Lv7 monsters! Momoko thought, She can go right for a powerful Xyz monster!
Two monsters turned into orbs of energy and spiraled upward. But to Momoko's relief, they weren't the two Madeiras but the two Ganats.
"With these two Lv4 monsters, I build the Overlay Network," Shadow Momoko stated. Both monsters entered a red vortex, causing a dust cloud to burst out from within. Moments later, another, even stronger Gem-Knight emerged. He was made from pearls and even had several giant pearls orbiting him (2600/1900). "Awareru, Gem-Knight Pearl." She turned her attention back to her foe. "Turn end."
Momoko sighed with a level of relief. At least she didn't use Big Eye, Dragossack, or Magical clown – Missing Sword… she thought, But…why didn't she use them? The middle one is easy to get in the OCG!
The yellow Ojamajo shook her head. What. Am. I. Thinking? I need to take advantage of this while I can! "Atashi no Turn! Draw!" She looked at the new card and sighed. "I summon Madolche Majoleine!" Moments later, a puzzle piece appeared before the yellow Ojamajo. Then, witch flying around on a fork as though it were a broomstick flew in and hovered above the piece (1400/1200). "Majoliene no kouka hatsudou! When normal summoned, Majoliene can add any Madolche monster to my hand!"
Majoliene raised her hand and called forth her sugary magic to summon a beacon. Another member of the staff answered but only came a far as he needed.
"Next, I activate Madolche Ticket! And I will follow with Madolche Chateau!" Momoko inserted both cards into their proper slots. First, a ticket flew into the yellow Ojamajo's hand. Then, a massive palace made of sweets arranged like a puzzle formed behind her. Majoleine felt right at home there (1400-1900/1200-1700). "I set one card." A reversed card appeared behind the madeleine-themed witch. "Turn end."
Shadow Momoko's eye twitched. "And suddenly, I'm getting cavities…" she muttered, "Watashi no Turn. Draw." The corrupted yellow Shadow looked at her opponent. "Do you really believe I speak lies when I said you Light Beings feel nothing but hate, anger, and discontent for us Shadows?"
Momoko looked down. "I…yes, I do," she replied, 'But why do you Shadows think like that? We've never done anything to hurt you!" The yellow Ojamajo began tearing up. "The only reason we've fought is because you attacked us!"
The corrupted yellow Shadow shook her head. "The seven of us only followed orders from Black Queen-sama." She looked at the card she just drew. "I summon Gem-Knight Alexand!" Immediately, a bare-fisted knight comprised of alexandrite appeared by his mistress's side (1800/1200). "Alexand has an ability: By tributing him, I can special summon any Gem-Knight Normal Monster from my deck." Alexand nodded at Shadow Momoko and, gathering his power, turned himself into a alexandrite-rimmed portal. A much more powerful, senior Gem-Knight used the portal to make it to the field (2450/1950). "Awareru, Gem-Knight Crysta."
Momoko gulped at the sight of the powerful monster. She had no defenses on her field outside of her Majoliene, but she would never be able to stand up to any of those monsters. A closer look at Majoliene revealed that she shared her mistress's thoughts on the situation.
"I will have my first Citrine destroy your Majoliene," Shadow Momoko stated. Citrine turned and gave a worried look at his mistress before following orders. He rushed forward, bring his burning blade down upon the madeleine-themed witch. She retaliated with a blast of magic, but his sword cut through it…and through her. The fire that came off the blade singed Momoko, dropping her to 7700 Life Points. "You should know better than to play your monster in Attack Position like that, Light Momoko."
"I know…but I didn't have much choice, did I?" Momoko replied, "Majoliene no kouka hatsudou! Whe she is destroyed by your card, I can bring her back to the deck…but with Chateau standing behind me, I can return her to my hand instead!" Majoliene got back up, despite the grievous injury she suffered. She smiled and winked as she went inside the palace. The Ticket in her hand glowed. "And whenever a Madolche card is returned from my field or graveyard to my deck or hand, Ticket allows me to add any Madolche monster to my hand!"
Momoko added her card using the ticket.
"It doesn't matter in the end," Shadow Momoko replied, "My other Gem-Knights will make sure of that. Madeira! Pearl! Crysta! Attack Light Momoko directly!" The three remaining Gem-Knights obeyed their mistress and made their assault. Madeira brought his burning sword down upon the ground, sending a stream of fire right at the yellow Ojamajo. Pearl and Crysta followed the flames and rushed up to Momoko to deliver their powerful fists. All of them hit, sending their victim skidding to the floor and dropping her to 450 Life Points. "Turn end."
Momoko clambered to her feet, coughing. She wiped her mouth off…and noticed blood. She knew she was badly hurt and that it was likely for the best she give up to avoid any further injury, but thoughts of her friends continued drifting into her mind. She had to keep fighting, no matter what it took.
"Shadow Momoko?" Momoko began, "Why…Why do you fight us? Why do you want me under the Verz's control again?"
Shadow Momoko narrowed her eyes at her Light Half. "Freedom from your emotions," she replied, "I didn't want to be dominated at first…but her taking my emotions upon taking my will freed me from my pain." Her gaze deepened. "You've felt intense pain in your life too. It can be removed…and maybe you won't risk dying this time."
Momoko shook her head. "What…happened to you? You were acting distant and aloof when you dueled Hazuki-chan and Onpu-chan." A tear welled up in her eye. "You've ever acted that way before. So…why?"
"If you want to know, then it'll have to wait until later," Shadow Momoko replied, "It is your turn right now. I would suggest you take it or surrender."
Momoko shook her head. "We can't run from our pain, Shadow Momoko. We just can't." The top card of her deck glowed a bright yellow…DESTINY DRAW. "Atashi no Turn!" She took the card and eyed it carefully before adding it to her hand. "First, I'll bring an old friend back to the field!"
Majoleine flew out of the Chateau and hovered before Momoko. She then sent a beacon of her magic into the air, calling another of her kind from the deck.
"Next, I activate Madolche Happy Festa! With this, I can special summon as many Madolche monsters from my hand as possible!" She was about to take her cards when she saw her Shadow discard a card. A number of small eyes appeared around her. "Eh?"
"Increasing 'G' hatsudou," Shadow Momoko said, "Each time you special summon monsters, I will draw one card until your End Phase."
Momoko bit her lip. "I guess it can't be helped then," she said, "So come on! Madolche Croiwanssant! Messengelato! Mewfeuille! And Puddingcess!" Then and there, four more beings emerged from the Chateau: A doll-like dog (1500-2000/1200-1700), a messenger and mailman (1600-2100/1000-1500), a small doll-like cat (500-1000/300-800), and a cute princess (1000-1500/100-1500). The number of eyes surrounding Shadow Momoko increased and let her draw a card "Messengelatoe no kouka hatsudou! When he's special summoned while I have a Beast-type monster on my field, I can add any Madolche spell or trap to my hand!"
Messengelato pulled a letter from out of his bag and placed it in Momoko's deck. She searched it out and added the card to her hand.
"And while I have no monsters in my graveyard, Puddingcess gains 800 ATK and DEF!" Puddingcess felt upbeat and cheerful since none of her attendants were dead (1500-2300/1500-2300). "But…I'm not done yet. I activate Croiwanssant's ability! By returning one monster to my hand, I can give him 300 more ATK and raise his level by 1! And I'll take back Mewfeuille!"
Croiwanssant looked at Mewfeuille and nodded. The cat nodded back and returned to the Chateau while empowering the dog (2000-2300/1700). Then, Majoleine and Messengelato nodded at one another and transformed into orbs of energy…that had clouds of sugar surrounding them.
"With these two Lv4 Madolche monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" Both monsters entered into the Chateau. A burst of light erupted…along with a very sweet scent of dessert. Then, a regal being floated out from within the large residence. She radiated a sweet aura of benevolence (2200-2700/2100/2600). "Awareru, Queen Madolche Tiaramisu!"
Shadow Momoko frowned at the new monster, even as she drew her next card thanks to Increasing "G".
"I…activate Tiaramisu's ability. By detaching one Overlay, I can return up to two Madolche cards in my graveyard to my deck...including the monster I just detached!" One of the lights orbiting the Queen vanished into her scepter. Then, she drew two orbs, one magenta and the other holding Majoliene. The latter returned to her normal form and flew back inside the Chateau, carrying the former with her. "And for each card returned, I can return that many cards from your field to your deck!"
Tiaramisu winked as she waved her scepter like a wand. A wave of sugar-white magic swept across the field, hitting Crysta and one of the Madeiras. They were allured by the scent and sent on their way.
"And now, Puddingcess! Attack the other Madeira!" Puddingcess jumped off her small throne and rushed over to the Gem-Knight. He found himself unable to retaliate against her as she performed a waltz…that turned into a kick in the stomach. The Gem-Knight couldn't take the surprisingly powerful blow, and ended up being reduced to rubble. The resultant gravel flew into the corrupted yellow Ojamajo, causing some discomfort and reducing her to 7900 Life Pints. "Puddingcess has a special ability!"
Shadow Momoko just stood silently and sighed.
Momoko frowned. "When Puddingcess battles a monster, she can destroy any other card you control!" The princess of the Madolches ran over to Gem-Knight Pearl and gave him a hug. She squeezed hard…and ended up cracking his pearl body and ending him in the process. "Gomen ne, Puddingcess-chan." Puddingcess returned to her small throne. She felt down, prompting Tiaramisu to comfort her. "Croiwanssant! Tiaramisu! Attack Shadow Momoko directly!"
The small dog-like doll rushed up to the corrupted yellow Shadow and bit her hard, dropping her to 5600 Life Points. Then Tiaramisu fired a beam of white magic at her, striking her to the floor and reducing her further to 2900 Life Points. Shadow Momoko recovered.
"I set two cards," Momoko said quickly. Two reversed cards appeared behind the group of monsters. "During my End Phase, all monsters special summoned with Happy Festa return to my deck." Puddingcess and Croiwanssant bid farewell to their fellow Madolches and returned to the Chateau. The Ticket in Momoko's hand glowed again. "And since a Madolche returned from my field to my deck, I can add one to my hand…or special summon one since I have a Fairy-type monster on my field."
The Ticket gave the right away, prompting Momoko to take a card and add it to her hand.
"Turn end."
The small eyes vanished from around the corrupted yellow Shadow. "So you managed to even the odds a little," she dryly remarked. The top card of her deck glowed with a light-absorbing yellow radiance. "Watshi no Turn." Her card was crackling with black energy. "I summon Death Guide Departing the Demon World Bound for the Living World."
A demonic bus drove up. Once it stopped, a young demon girl stepped out (1000/600). She then gestured for someone else to come out; a younger version of her answered and emerged.
"Death Guide's ability is all too familiar with everyone who duels regularly," Shadow Momoko remarked. Both Death Guides nodded at one another and turned into two orbs of purple energy. "And with these two Lv3 monsters, I build the overlay Network." Both monsters entered a red vortex, causing a burst of similarly colored light. A smallish dragon emerged (1800/1600). "And now I activate Leviair the Empty-Space Sea Dragon. By detaching one Overlay, I can bring back any Lv4 or below banished monster."
Leviair consumed one of the green lights orbiting it. It then used the energy gained to tear open a portal to another dimension. It flew through it, and when it emerged, it was carrying Rescue Rabbit.
"And by activating Rescue Rabbit's effect again, I can special summon two Gem-Knight Roumalines." Rescue Rabbit opened another portal and hopped through it. It then pushed out two more Gem-Knights, these two being made of tourmaline (1600/1800). They looked back into the portal as it closed. Then, both of them turned into orbs of energy and spiraled upward. "With these two Lv4 monsters, I build the Overlay Network."
Both monsters entered the vortex. And moments after the burst of red light, another Knight appeared. However, this one had bird-like wings and seemed to exude an aura of peace (1800/800).
"Awareru, Daigusta Emeral." The knight landed by the side of its fellows. "I will follow by banishing one Ganat from my graveyard to bring Gem-Knight Fusion back to my hand."
Ganat's form appeared before the corrupted yellow Shadow for a brief moment before bursting into dust. The residual power returned to her hand. She then inserted the card into its proper slot.
"I will use Gem-Knight Fusion to merge a Gem-Knight and one Rock-type monster in my hand," Shadow Momoko stated. Another Obsidia appeared followed by a figure obscured by a dark aura. Both of them turned into a cloud of gem dust and coalesced into one massive form. He wielded no weapons, but his fists were comparable to hammers (2900/2500). "Awareru, Gem-Knight Zirconia." Obsidia's form appeared before the powerful Gem-Knight. "Obsidia no kouka hatsudou. And I will bring back the other Ganat."
Ganat appeared alongside his comrades.
"And to make sure I finish you, I will activate Emeral's ability," Shadow Momoko dryly declared. One of the lights orbiting him was absorbed through one of his shields. "I can either return three monsters from my graveyard to my deck to draw one card or revive any non-effect monster. I will go with the latter."
Emeral tore open a portal to the netherworld. But what came out wasn't a Gem-Knight…at least, not anymore. It appeared to have been made of emerald at one point, but now seemed comprised of heliotrope. It wielded a sword…and an aura of darkness surrounded it (1950/650). No sooner did it appear, the dark aura surrounding Shadow Momoko intensified.
"Awareru…Verz Heliolope."
"So you're going to bring me to your side…by using the focus of your corruption?" Momoko asked.
"It's the only way to ensure it will happen," Shadow Momoko explained, "Defeating someone any other way only has a marginal chance." She looked her foe directly in her eye. "My monsters are stronger than yours right now…so I'll have Zirconia attack Tiaramisu."
Zirconia glared daggers at the Verz card before obeying Shadow Momoko's command. He bounded over to the Queen Madolche, preparing to bring his fists down upon her.
"Reverse card, open!" Momoko shouted, "Holy Barrier -Mirror Force- hatsudou!"
Shadow Momoko stood there, expressionless, as the trap card formed a barrier around the Queen. It caught Zirconia's powerful attack and rebounded the force of the impact right at every monster the corrupted Shadow controlled.
Not one of them survived.
The wave from the blast rushed headlong into Shadow Momoko, blowing her to the ground and snapping the Duel Anchor. A large chunk of her dark aura was blown off as fragments of Heliolope pushed through it. She got up long enough to see her Light Half looking at her. Fearfully, she passed out.
Momoko took the win as her field faded. She then walked up to her unconscious Shadow in concern. She had seen emotion appear in her eyes just before fainting; the emotion of fear.
Momoko picked her up and set her on her bed. "You poor thing," Momoko said sadly, "I wish I can help you…but…what would the others say? What would they have done?" She looked over herself, seeing the faint dark aura she still had. An idea rushed through her head. "Maybe…Disigma knew about what happened to the Shadows despite never being there. So…maybe…It's possible-!"
Suddenly, her aura flowed forward and mixed in with her Shadow's. Once it did, several images flashed through her head. Too many images.
Momoko found herself getting away from her Shadow and drawing her aura back in. She had seen a lot and now had an idea of what happened. Whatever it was, it had something to do with Doremi…or rather, something that only looked like Doremi. She wasn't just shy and timid now; she was downright hurt.
Momoko now could not shake the feeling of having been defiled in some way.
It was horrible. "It's…It's no wonder you're so miserable," Momoko said, beginning to cry. She went back over to the unconscious Shadow. "I…I want to help you even more now! Please!"
Shadow Momoko's eyes fluttered open. And the moment she saw the yellow Ojamajo looking over her, she gasped and quickly crawled toward the wall. The look of abject terror was apparent in her eyes. It was a reaction of pure fear.
Slowly, her expression shifted, showing less fear and more…defeat. "Do your worst…"Shadow Momoko said, her tone dripping with despair.
Momoko wished she didn't know what she meant, but she did. She knew exactly what her Shadow was referring to. But she wasn't that kind of person, even when Shadows were involved. So instead, the yellow Ojamajo…hugged her.
Shadow Momoko's expression gained a level of confusion. "But…why?"
"I want to relate to you, shadow Momoko," Momoko replied, "I really do! But I-!"
"You only lost your beloved mentor," Shadow Momoko replied. Momoko released her from her grip. "Her Shadow was horrible to me…the other Shadow Ojamajo ultimately saved me from her." She shot a cautious look at her Light Half. "And that's the me you met first. But then…then that day came…so much was taken from me…so much…"
Shadow Momoko broke down in tears.
"Shadow Momoko? You can overcome this! I believe in you."
"Go."
"Nani?"
"Just go." The yellow Shadow looked up at her Light Half. "I want to be alone. Just…please!"
Momoko couldn't feel anything other than sympathy for the young Shadow. She may have murdered once in the past, but she hadn't been aware of just how awful her life had been. She now knew why she hated her so much at first; she was certain she still hated her for those reasons and then some.
She turned away for one moment only to find a door that wasn't there before. It was obviously a trap, but a barrier had formed around the door to the hall outside. Turning back to Shadow Momoko, she saw a barrier had formed over the window too, leaving that as the only way out.
Momoko decided to take the door anyway, for fear that the hurt Shadow would lash out and kill her again. And so, throwing caution to the wind, she opened the door and stepped inside…
Featured Duel: Momoko vs Verz Shadow Momoko
Momoko LP (8000) – Verz Shadow Momoko (8000)
Verz Shadow Momoko's turn:
Verz Shadow Momoko has Evilswarm Heliotrope, Gem-Knight Obsidian, Gem-Knight Fusion, Rescue Rabbit, and Maxx "C" as her opening hand. She draws Gem-Knight Obsidian.
Verz Shadow Momoko normal summons Rescue Rabbit. She activates its effect, banishing it and special summoning two Gem-Knight Garnets from her deck. She then activates Gem-Knight Fusion, sending one Garnet and one Obsidian to the graveyard to Fusion Summon Gem-Knight Citrine; since Obsidian was sent from the hand to the graveyard, Verz Shadow Momoko can revive any Lv4 or below Gem-Knight Normal Monster; she chooses Garnet. She then banishes Obsidian to return Gem-Knight Fusion to her hand.
Verz Shadow Momoko repeats her combo: Gem-Knight Fusion, sending the other Garnet and a second Obsidian to the graveyard, Fusion Summoning Citrine, reviving said Garnet via Obsidian, and banishing Obsidian to return Gem-Knight Fusion.
Verz Shadow Momoko overlays both Garnets to Xyz summon Gem-Knight Pearl.
Verz Shadow Momoko ends.
Momoko's turn:
Momoko has Madolche Majiliene, Madolche Chateau, Madolche Ticket, Madolchepalooza, and Monster Reborn as her opening hand. She draws Madolche Cruffssant.
Momoko normal summons Majiliene and uses her effect to add Madolche Mewfeuille to her hand. She activates Ticket and Chateau. She then sets Madolchepalooza and ends.
Momoko LP (8000) – Verz Shadow Momoko (8000)
Verz Shadow Momoko's turn:
Verz Shadow Momoko draws Gem-Knight Alexandrite.
Verz Shadow Momoko normal summons Alexandrite and uses his effect, tributing him to special summon Gem-Knight Crystal from her deck.
Verz Shadow Momoko attacks Majiliene with Citrine, destroying her. Since she was destroyed by an opponent's card and Chateau is active, Majiliene returns to Momoko's hand after going to the graveyard. Ticket's effect then lets her add Madolche Puddincess to her hand.
Verz Shadow Momoko attacks Momoko directly with the second Citrine, Pearl, and Crystal. She then ends.
Momoko's Turn:
Momoko uses DESTINY DRAW to get Mirror Force.
Momoko normal summons Majiliene again and uses her effect to add Madolche Messengelato to her hand. She then activates Madolchepalooza. Verz Shadow Momoko chains by discarding Maxx "C"; she will draw 1 card each time Momoko special summons a monster. Momoko special summons Cruffssant, Messengelato, Mewfeuille, and Puddingcess; since she controls a Beast-type monster, Momoko can use Messengelato's effect to add another Madolchepalooza to her hand; Verz Shadow Momoko draws Tour Guide from the Underworld.
Momoko returns Mewfeuille to her hand to raise Cruffssant's ATK by 300 and its Lv by 1. She then overlays Majiliene and Messengelato to Xyz summon Madolche Queen Tiaramisu; Verz Shadow Momoko draws Gem-Knight Obsidian. She activates her effect, detaching Majiliene to do so; she returns Majiliene to her hand thanks to Chateau and Madolchepalooza to her deck and then returns Crystal and one Citrine to the deck.
Momoko attacks the second Citrine with Puddingcess, destroying him. Since Puddingcess battled an opponent's monster, she can destroy any card Verz Shadow Momoko controls; she chooses Pearl.
Momoko attacks Verz Shadow Momoko directly with Cruffssant and Tiaramisu.
Momoko sets Madolchepalooza and Mirror Force and ends.
During her End Phase, Cruffssant and Puddingcess return to Momoko's deck as per Madolchepalooza's effect; she uses ticket to add Messengelato to her hand.
Momoko LP (450) – Verz Shadow Momoko LP (2900)
Verz Shadow Momoko's turn:
Verz Shadow Momoko uses DESTINY DRAW to get Monster Reborn.
Verz Shadow Momoko normal summons Tour Guide from the Underworld and uses her effect to get another from her deck. She then overlays both Tour Guide to Xyz summon Leviair the Sea Dragon. She activates its effect, detaching 1 material to special summon the banished Rescue Rabbit. She then activates Rescue Rabbit's effect, banishing it and special summoning two Gem-Knight Tourmalines.
She overlays both Tourmalines to Xyz summon Daigusto Emeral. She then banishes 1 Garnet to return Gem-Knight Fusion to her hand. She follows by activating it, sending the Evilswarm Heliotrope and Obsidian to the graveyard to Fusion Summon Gem-Knight Zirconia; Obsidian's effect lets her revive the other Garnet. Verz Shadow Momoko then detaches 1 material from Emeral and uses its second effect to revive Heliotrope.
Verz Shadow Momoko attacks Tiaramisu with Zirconia. Momoko activates Mirror Force, destroying all of Verz Shadow Momoko's Attack Position monsters, including Heliotrope.
Shadow Momoko is freed from the Verz's control after Heliotrope is destroyed. She is unable to continue the duel at this point.
Momoko is the winner!
This is it. Everyone else has fought their Verz-controlled Shadows and won…in one way or another. But here…My opponent looks like she wants to use the Verz's power against me! I don't know if she really wants that or not, I mean, I've seen the Verz make it look like isn't just it controlling them. In any case, she's become stronger. Much stronger.
!TI HTIW ECNETSIXE SSELGNINAEM ROUY DNA…ereh sdne epoh rouY .teews eb lliw egnever yM
Mandrago Zwei has begun its approach…
A/N: Yeah…I can confirm that the second quote comes from FFX. Thus, that part is copyright Square Enix.
I also completely forgot about the presence of the Duel Anchors that were established in "Coppelia Ein". I apologize for the handwave, but the times where the Anchors weren't mentioned as being snapped, they simply vanished and the victim had possibly forgotten about them. My apologies for that error.