As the tournament progressed, King Foxx and his team found themselves facing increasingly tough opponents. Among them was Axel, a duelist with a reputation for ruthless tactics and an impressive array of powerful cards. His piercing gaze and confident smirk sent shivers down the spines of many competitors.
During a break between matches, Axel spotted Sherry sitting alone, reviewing her deck. He sauntered over, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Well, well, what do we have here? A pretty face like yours doesn't belong in such a cutthroat competition," he said, leaning against the table.
Sherry looked up, her pink hair swaying as she met his gaze. "I can handle myself just fine, thanks," she replied coolly, returning her attention to her cards.
Undeterred, Axel pressed on. "How about we ditch this tournament and have our own private duel? I promise I'll go easy on you," he said with a wink.
Before Sherry could respond, King Foxx appeared, his purple hair catching the light as he stepped between them. "I think you've mistaken this for a dating app, Axel. Sherry's here to duel, not to entertain your advances."
Axel's eyes narrowed. "Well, if it isn't the rising star himself. Trying to protect your girlfriend?"
"She's my friend and teammate," King Foxx said firmly. "And she doesn't need protection from the likes of you. Why don't you focus on the tournament instead of hitting on your opponents?"
Sherry stood up, her green shirt rustling as she moved. "He's right, Axel. If you want to face me, you'll have to earn it in the arena."
Axel's smirk faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "Fine. I'll crush both of you in the tournament. Then we'll see who's laughing."
As Axel stormed off, King Foxx turned to Sherry. "You okay?"
She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thanks, Foxx. I could've handled him, but I appreciate the backup."
"That's what friends are for," he replied with a grin. "Now, let's focus on our next matches. We've got a tournament to win."
As they walked back to rejoin their team, both King Foxx and Sherry knew that Axel would be a formidable opponent. But with their skills and their friendship, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the Duelist Kingdom.