This story was done in collaboration between me, Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and DaveMan1000 (both here and on DeviantART), and we own the OCs that are used in the story. AaronCottrell97 (known as stevecottrell on DeviantART) provided the Duel Layouts and additional ideas. 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
Gundam SEED characters, Orb, Blue Cosmos, M1 Astray, Strike Rouge, Murasame (c) Sunrise
Character of Lisa Drake (c) DaveMan1000
Character of David Xadashi (c) DaveMan1000
WARNING: Once again, this story is rated T for violence, some blood, suggestive themes, and some language. Reader discretion is advised.
WARNING 2: If you haven't read "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles Season 2", "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles Season 4", "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles (Pyramid of Light", "David Xadashi", "Lisa Drake", or "Team 4D's", you might want to do so before reading this story
On a stage inside the Orb Duel School, five face-down cards were lined up on a large blackboard. On cue, David Xadashi and Lisa Drake both showed up and began speaking to the audience for only a brief amount of time.
"(こんにちは、みんな!) Kon'nichiwa, min'na! (Hello, everyone!)" greeted David in Japanese, "It's time for another exciting segment of 'This week's noteworthy cards'!"
"Hmm…" mused Lisa, just before giving the Japanese language a try, "(ミーが立っているこのがらくたは何ですか?) Mī ga tatte iru kono garakuta wa nanidesu ka? (Messed up Japanese)."
"Eh?" pondered David in confusion, as some scattered giggles came from the audience, "Lisa-chan, did you just say-?"
"What?" interrupted Lisa, speaking defensively, "I was just trying to speak in Japanese like you."
"Lisa-chan, I've been living in Japan for my early years," David reminded sternly, "It takes a long, long time to learn a language like that—you also need to carefully study the writing, too," After shaking his head in exasperation, he and his new girlfriend finally turned and cast a glance at the nearby blackboard with the five cards (still showing their backing) lined up, "Well, why don't we find out what five cards we're showing off today."
The five face-down cards on the blackboard all automatically turned over and revealed themselves to be:
-'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower' (Synchro Monster Card)
-'"Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse"' (Spell Card)
-'Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles' (Synchro Monster Card)
-'Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall' (Effect Monster Card)
-'Horn of Olifant' (Trap Card)
"Lisa-chan, do you see this card?" offered David, staring at the middle card ('Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles'), "This is one of Sherry-san's strongest monsters."
"Sure can be useful in roasting any haters she duels," commented Lisa, "Ha! Get it? Because this is a FIRE monster!" When no laugh was given towards the pun, she coughed and started reading one of the card's effects, "If an Equip Card becomes equipped to a monster on the field, even during the Damage Step: You can destroy 1 card on the field."
"Very interesting, Lisa-chan," admired David, before he and Lisa turned to face the audience, "The battle between Hogan-kun and Sherry-san is sure to provide us some exciting cards and combos we might never have seen until now."
"And those new cards might even be amongst the ones we've also shown," agreed Lisa, "Then again, we might be wrong," She and David started waving goodbye, "(パンツにスズメバチの巣ができました.) Pantsu ni suzumebachinosu ga dekimashita. (Messed up Japanese.)"
"Lisa-chan, you really need to learn the language better," scolded David, before recovering and addressing the giggling crowd, "(良い夜を!) Yoi yoru o! (Have a good night!) Which means 'have a good night, everyone'!"
Lisa merely looked grumpy and sulky, while the audience cheered and clapped in response.
Title: Complete Combustion
Opening up in the partially destroyed parking lot of Orb, Carlie was still unconscious and lying on the ground with nearly all of her friends and loved ones surrounding her. They waited and waited for any sort of response, and they ultimately got one when they heard weak groaning coming from her. Carlie started to stir before her eyes slowly opened.
"Oh…" uttered Carlie. In her POV, her vision was still very blurry, but that soon was taken care of, and the first people she saw were her friends staring at her, "Am I…in Heaven…? Or did I enter…everyone!"
"Carlie, you're finally awake!" cried Zack.
"Oh, what a relief," added Discord.
"What's up?" finished James R..
Carlie sat up quickly, but then felt some slight pain in her upper body that forced her to stay down. Matt immediately held a hand out, which Carlie accepted and was carefully helped back to her feet.
"I'm so glad to see all of you," admitted Carlie, before looking to Matt with a grateful expression on her face, "Thank you, Matt, for defeating me—again."
"What are friends for?" smiled Matt, before becoming more serious, "We're all pleased you're back to your normal self again."
"Same," Carlie agreed. She then started frowning while thinking back to the previous events, "The last thing I remember is waking up inside a lab back at the Blue Cosmos school after being knocked out at Bradley International Airport."
"And don't worry, we've brought Bloody Kiss, your Duel Runner, back here for safekeeping," reassured Michael, with David nodding in agreement, "The Dark Signers never got their hands on it."
"After waking up, I was approached by Azrael before his scientists started torturing me," continued Carlie, as she tried to remember what happened next, "After that… it was all a blank as I became enraged and my powers activated before falling unconscious."
"Well, you and I were dueling," reminded Matt, which got the brown-haired young woman's attention, "During our match, you were saying you were trying to win in the name of Muruta Azrael and Blue Cosmos."
"Hold on, did you say I was dueling for Muruta Azrael and his duel school?!" objected Carlie, as her friends surrounded her, "That's not possible!" She slammed her hands onto the ground in protest, "You guys know I would never duel for that place."
"You just did though," said Lisa bluntly, "We all heard you say their respective names loud and clear."
"Izayoi-san, before the duel between you and Fudo-san began, you claimed you had no memories of ever meeting all of us," put in David, "It was as though you were suffering from a form of amnesia," As he finished his explanation, Carlie listened to the words carefully, "and Azrael took advantage of that to manipulate you for his own selfish goals."
"Namely, trying to shut down Orb by force!" exclaimed Asagi.
"And going after us," recalled Zack.
"Towards the end, you completely freaked out and lost control of your power," explained Matt, "It got even worse for you when Ben and your Father approached you, and you tried attacking them."
Carlie felt absolutely horrible with herself when she heard that she got manipulated and also what she tried to do; namely attempted to kill not only Matt, but also Ben and Mr. Izayoi when they tried going over to help her.
"I see…" murmured Carlie, filled with nothing but guilt, "I actually tried to…" She looked up pleadingly, "My friends, I'm so sorry! I never should have tried to hurt any of you like that!"
"Carlie, you have nothing to be sorry for, since everything you did was all thanks to Azrael's influence," James R. pointed out.
"Plus, right now, there are some important people who want to see you," grinned Michael, as he stepped aside, "Go right ahead."
From there, Ben, Mr. Izayoi, and Mrs. Izayoi each walked over, causing Carlie's eyes to widen the second she saw her family.
"Mom! Dad! Ben!" realized Carlie, before being embraced by her parents, "Oh, thank heaven you're all safe."
"And we're relieved you're back," Mrs. Izayoi, who was in tears, sobbed.
"I'm so happy to see you three again," agreed Carlie tearfully, before looking away, "I just wish it was under better circumstances."
"No worries, Carlie," The voice of Ben comforted, as he was shown smiling gently, "As James mentioned, what you did was all because of Azrael. In case you want…" The saddened Carlie looked up as some final words were said, "…to hear these words, I forgive you without hesitation."
"The same," agreed Mr. Izayoi, with Mrs. Izayoi nodding.
Pretty soon, everyone else was nodding, signaling they forgave Carlie for her troubling attack on them. However, there was one person who did not nod, and she took this opportunity to speak up—not in support, but in unhappiness, and that person was…
"Well, Carlie… As happy as I am that you're alright, you sure disappointed me," said Sherry severely, which brought all eyes towards her. Even then, she didn't let up, "Is that supposed to be the power of the Signers?"
"What the heck is that supposed to mean?" demanded Lisa, ticked off.
"Well, if Carlie allowed herself to be manipulated by the Dark Signers so easily, what does that say about the rest of you possibly being just as easy to take advantage of?" continued Sherry, with her arms folded, "If the Signers are supposed to be humanity's only hope for survival against the Dark Signers and if they are so easily bested and corrupted, then tell me what kind of message is that giving to the rest of the world?"
Nobody else said a word, but Matt immediately thought back to when he was dueling Ashima when she was under the control of the Dark Signers. Ashima was a lot more powerful than normal, and he was only able to barely win when the Crimson Dragon intervened and lent him the powers of 'Majestic Dragon' and especially 'Majestic Star Dragon'. Carlie, however, tried to remind her former friend of something.
"But, Sherry, don't you remember?" protested Carlie, "I defeated Gwen when she was possessed by the Dark Signers and managed to free her from their control."
"Correction; you won because you had my help during that duel," Sherry pointed out, "If I hadn't stepped in when you were on the brink of losing, you wouldn't even be here at this time."
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
Set during the end of Flashback Carlie's duel with Flashback Orga, 'Gladiator Beast Tamer Editor' raised his staff and whipped it as if it were a whip, sending a green energy wave towards 'Black Rose Dragon'. 'Black Rose Dragon' was hit by the green energy wave, causing it to roar in searing pain.
"There's also the fact you lost to Orga Sabnak back before he became a Dark Signer," narrated Sherry, as the above scenario played throughout, "Remember?"
Flashback Carlie wordlessly cried out in worry over her ace monster's condition. Once 'Black Rose Dragon' exploded from its destruction, the energy wave continued and struck Bloody Kiss, causing Flashback Carlie to scream wordlessly (again) as the remains of her LP ran out (LP: 1600 → 0). From there, Bloody Kiss came to a complete stop, emitting steam.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended, and Sherry still did not let up.
"If you and the other Signers are struggling to defeat regular people like, say, Shinji or I, why should others feel confident about the Signers being able to save us from quite possibly the end of the world?" Sherry went on, brutally, as everyone else listened to the powerful 'The Reason You Suck Speech', "Go ahead! Tell me… Give me a good enough reason as to why we should rely on any of you to save this planet?"
The lecture left the Signers and all of their other friends and allies without anything to say back. Carlie felt all the more terrible for failing to stop herself from getting kidnapped, amnesia, and being manipulated by Azrael, while Matt began to believe he wasn't strong enough to fight neither the 'Earthbound Immortal' monsters nor the Dark Signers. Michael, David, and even Lisa didn't know how to counteract something so truthful. James R., on the other hand, had a shadow over his eyes along with his head being slightly bowed—that speech proved to be the final straw that broke the camel's back.
"Haven't you caused Carlie 'enough' pain?" uttered James R..
"Huh?" pondered Sherry, watching as James R. began approaching, "What does that mean?"
James R. raised his head, "You want to know?" he asked furiously, "Fine, I'll tell you! Just who gave you the right to criticize someone for not living up to his or her 'expectations'?!"
Unable to hold back his anger any further, he grabbed Sherry by the wrist, pulled her around to forcefully face him, and then violently punched her in the face, sending her back several feet into a nearby trash can.
"What the hell, James!" yelled Shinji.
"Did James just hit Sherry?!" recoiled Janice.
"Dang, that's evil!" grimaced Sean.
"Hogan-kun, what are you thinking?" added David.
Nobody else said a word, but clearly they were very shocked by what James R. Hogan, one of the most laid back, kind-hearted people out there, just did to Sherry LeBlanc. Speaking of Sherry, she carefully got back to her feet and stared intensely at the person who dared to throw a fist at her.
"Fils de pute!" growled Sherry in anger, speaking in profane French.
"Normally, I'm against using violence on women," James R., in equal hotness, said right back, "But…" He pointed right at Sherry, "…regarding someone like you, I'll make an exception only this once!"
"James!" hollered Shinji, "Just what's gotten into you, man?"
"Stay out of this, Shinji!" The voice of James R. responded, causing Shinji to frown and back off. He then turned his attention back to Sherry, "You know something? Carlie likely would never have been kidnapped and manipulated by Azrael if it hadn't been for 'you', Sherry."
"What?!" hissed Sherry.
"That's right," continued James R., "Her parents may have put a knife in Carlie's heart when they left her at the orphanage, but you basically 'twisted' that knife and poured salt in the wound."
"James…" whispered Carlie, who was very upset to see such a dark side to her long time friend. She tried speaking up in Sherry's defense (surprisingly), "James, Sherry's actions are justified! You should look back at what I tried to do to her!"
"You never did 'anything'!" denied James R., which stopped Carlie from saying anything else, "Sherry brought this all on herself when she decided to bully you for losing and not living up to her expectations," He turned his focus back towards Sherry, "I know you want to make things right with Sherry, but you tried it your way, and it failed. But now? Now we're gonna do things 'my' way."
Sherry narrowed her eyes, getting the idea immediately. Sure enough, James R. activated his Duel Disk and got into a dueling position.
"So, what do you say, Sherry? Are you game?" pressed James R., before adding a wager to the challenge, "If I win the duel, you have to get on your knees and beg Carlie to forgive you for being a terrible friend, and an even worse human being," He pointed forward, "For once in your life, you're going to take responsibility for your actions instead of practically blaming others for your own faults like you've always done!"
Without much of a choice, Sherry nodded firmly and activated her own Duel Disk, practically accepting the challenge without actually saying anything.
"Now, come on, you two," protested Shinji, trying to get in-between both duelists, "Let's not do something so drastic after what-"
"You need to stay out of this, Shinji," interrupted Sherry, in a calm tone, while getting into a dueling position of her own, "I had a strong feeling a duel like this would come at some point, and I'm more than ready for it," She turned her attention back to James R., "James, if we're going to duel, be forewarned that I will not hold back my true power against you. Is that agreed to?"
"That's fine by me," accepted James R., confident he could beat Sherry, "For now, it's payback time!"
While both duelists walked over to their spots on the field, the rest of the group, especially Mayura and Carlie, watched with distress over how James R. was behaving toward Sherry, this time around.
"James, are you sure this is a good idea?" called Zack.
"Yeah, don't you think this is all overblown?" put in Sean.
"You're letting anger blind you!" finished Michael.
"Keep out!" The voice of James R. cut in, which caused Michael to grit his (Michael) teeth. He didn't let up with his choice of words, "Sherry has been nothing but a royal pain in the neck towards us ever since she came back into our lives, but once I've completely defeated her, she is finally going to learn a cold, hard lesson on where her hostile attitude will eventually lead her."
Before long, a blast of wind was unleashed when starting hands were powerfully drawn by both players.
"Duel!" James R. and Sherry both announced at once (LP: 4000) x2.
The audience, particularly Mayura, Carlie, and her family, all watched, wondering if there was a way to get both sides to stop. Unfortunately, it was clear as day there was nothing that would stop this duel from happening. Back on the field, one of the two duelists made the first move.
"I will go first!" offered Sherry, drawing a card, "Draw!"
"Bring it, Sherry!" dared James R..
Turn One: Sherry LeBlanc (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): ""Infernoble Arms - Durendal"", "Noble Knight Pellinore", "Horn of Olifant", "Infernoble Knight Ogier", ""Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse"", and "Infernoble Knight - Renaud"
Sherry's drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Infernoble Knight - Renaud', which was good. She added the card into her hand, which also contained '"Infernoble Arms - Durendal"', 'Noble Knight Pellinore', 'Horn of Olifant', 'Infernoble Knight Ogier', '"Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse"'.
"My first card!" began Sherry, taking and holding a card ('Infernoble Knight Ogier') out, "I Summon 'Infernoble Knight Ogier'!"
Appearing onto the field was a male warrior with blonde hair while also wearing red, black, and silvery armor (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 2000).
"I activate the second effect of my monster!" continued Sherry, drawing the middle card of her Deck and looking at it, "If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: I can send 1 'Noble Arms' card, or 1 FIRE Warrior monster except 'Infernoble Knight Ogier', from my Deck to the GY."
She sent the card ('Infernoble Knight - Roland') directly to the GY.
"Then, since I control a FIRE Warrior monster," As Sherry spoke, she placed a card ('Infernoble Knight - Renaud') onto her Duel Disk, "I'll Special Summon 'Infernoble Knight - Renaud' from my hand!"
Appearing onto the field was a human male with red hair, wearing black and red armor, wielding a flaming sword, and riding a horse with fire for a mane (Level: 1/ATK: 500/DEF: 200).
"Only 500 ATK?" pondered James R., "You must be going loopy, because I don't see how that guy can serve you well."
"Then you're being even dumber than I thought you could be," countered Sherry, before going over her monster's first effect, "If Summoned this way, I must treat this card as a Tuner."
"Grr…"
"Then," The blonde-haired young French woman said, as a card ('Infernoble Knight - Roland') ejected from her GY, which she took hold of, "I'll activate the…" She held the card out without showing what it was for a couple of seconds before adding it into her hand, "…second effect of 'Infernoble Knight - Renaud'! If this card is Special Summoned: I can target 1 of my FIRE Warrior monsters, or 1 of my Equip Spells, that is banished or in my GY, except 'Infernoble Knight - Renaud'; I must add it to my hand."
"Aww snap… I know what's coming next…" winced James R..
"My Level 1 'Infernoble Knight - Renaud' tunes Level 4 'Infernoble Knight Ogier'!" announced Sherry.
'Infernoble Knight - Renaud' turned himself into a single Synchro Ring, which lowered itself into 'Infernoble Knight Ogier' and turned him into four orbs of light as Sherry performed one of her Summon Chants.
"Knight of the burning soul! Take up your blade and engulf your foes in your flames of justice!" chanted Sherry, as the symbols 4 + 1 = 5 were shown briefly just before the four orbs of light within the lone Synchro Ring turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Appear now, 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland'!"
Appearing onto the field, as the beam of light dimmed, was a human male with fiery (literally) hair, black/red armor and a cape, and even a flame sword (Level: 5/ATK: 2000/DEF: 500).
"'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland's' first effect activates!" shouted Sherry, "If this card is Synchro Summoned: I can activate this effect; during the End Phase of this turn, I must send 1 Equip Spell from my Deck to the GY, then add 1 Warrior monster from my Deck to my hand," She motioned her left arm (with the Duel Disk) slightly, "Once it's my End Phase, I'll be able to bring another 'Noble Knight' into my hand."
"Is there anything else you'd like to do?" asked James R..
"As a matter of fact, there is something more for me to do," acknowledged Sherry, before looking down at her GY, "I activate the third effect of 'Infernoble Knight Ogier'!" While speaking, the mentioned Monster Card ('Infernoble Knight Ogier') emerged from the GY and was taken hold of, "If this card is in my GY: I can target 1 Warrior monster…" She held the card up to show her opponent, "…I control; equip this card to that monster I control. I equip 'Infernoble Knight Ogier' onto 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland'!"
The spirit of 'Infernoble Knight Ogier' appeared on the field, and then became one with 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland'
"While this card is an Equip Card, the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by card effects," explained Sherry, going over 'Infernoble Knight Ogier's' first effect.
"Ugh… This is the kind of roadblock I don't like facing…" grunted James R..
A face-down card appeared, compliments of Sherry.
"I Set one card and end my turn," she seemingly concluded, but then another move was made, "However, since it's the End Phase, the first effect of 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland' resolves!"
The blonde-haired young French woman then took out her Deck from the Duel Disk and looked through it before taking and sending a card ('Noble Arms - Excaliburn') to the GY, while also taking another card ('Noble Knight Medraut') and adding it into her hand. After the Deck was shuffled, it was placed back into the Deck Zone on the Duel Disk.
"Alright, James, it's your turn," accepted Sherry, as James R. glared while listening, "Try and prove me wrong if you truly believe the Signers are good enough to save this planet from the Dark Signers."
"I sure will!" said James R., fully determined. He drew a card, "Draw!"
Turn Two: James R. Hogan (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Blackwing - Gladius the Midnight Sun", "Blackboost", "Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall", "Sky Excalibur", "Blackwing - Jetstream the Blue Sky", and "Black Feather Illusion"
His hand contained 'Blackwing - Gladius the Midnight Sun', 'Blackboost', 'Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall', 'Sky Excalibur', 'Blackwing - Jetstream the Blue Sky', and the drawn 'Black Feather Illusion'.
"Not bad! I quite like what I have here," mused James R., looking at his hand before taking a card ('Blackwing - Jetstream the Blue Sky') and holding it up before placing it onto his Duel Disk, "I Summon 'Blackwing - Jetstream the Blue Sky'!"
Appearing onto the field was a large bird with green feathers for the body, red feathers around the head, and some black on the wings (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 800).
"Then, I'll activate the first effect of 'Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall'!" continued James R., while readying a card in-between the index and middle fingers of his right hand, "If I control a 'Blackwing' monster other than 'Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall', I can Special Summon this card (from my hand)!" He placed the card ('Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall') onto his Duel Disk, "Come, 'Oroshi the Squall'!"
Appearing onto the field was the bird monster with brownish black feathers and a large red waddle (Level: 1/ATK: 400/DEF: 600).
"My Level 1 'Oroshi the Squall' tunes Level 1 'Jetstream the Blue Sky'!" vowed James R..
As the command to tune was given, 'Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall' turned into a single Synchro Ring, which 'Blackwing - Jetstream the Blue Sky' flew into before turning into a single orb of light as a Summon Chant by James R. echoed throughout.
"Spread your ebony wings and slice through the gale with your concealed blade!" chanted James R., as the symbols 1 + 1 = 2 were shown briefly just before the single orb of light in the lone Synchro Ring turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Plunge, 'Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider'!"
Appearing onto the field, as the Synchro Summon sequence ended, was what appeared to be a bird-like monster dressed like a ninja and wielding a dagger in the right hand (wing?) (Level: 2/ATK: 800/DEF: 100).
"If this card is Synchro Summoned using a 'Blackwing' monster as material, it is treated as a Tuner while face-up on the field," explained James R., going over his first monster's effect before switching to cover the second effect of 'Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider' as it stood ready, "Also, twice per turn, this card cannot be destroyed by battle," He then grinned broadly, "However, that will not even be needed."
"To be expected from the likes of you," retorted Sherry.
"If the only face-up monster I control is 1 'Blackwing' monster other than 'Blackwing - Gladius the Midnight Sun'," James R. went on, before placing another card ('Blackwing - Gladius the Midnight Sun') onto his Duel Disk, "I can Special Summon this card (from my hand)."
Appearing onto the field was a humanoid birdman with two large wings sticking out of back and wearing armor and wielding two kunai (Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 1500).
"My Level 2 'Sayo the Rain Hider' tunes Level 3 'Gladius the Midnight Sun'!" declared James R..
'Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider', since it was a Tuner monster thanks to its effect, turned into two Synchro Rings, which 'Blackwing - Gladius the Midnight Sun' flew into and turned into three orbs of light as another Summon Chant from James R. was heard throughout.
"Ebony gale, become the tailwind that ties our bonds!" chanted James R., as the symbols 3 + 2 = 5 were shown briefly just before the three orbs of light within the two Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Take flight, 'Assault Blackwing - Sohaya the Rain Storm'!"
Appearing onto the field, as the Synchro Summon sequence ended, was the blue-colored 'Assault Blackwing' monster wearing armor (Level: 5/ATK: 1500/DEF: 2000).
"If this card is Synchro Summoned using a 'Blackwing' monster as material, it is treated as a Tuner while face-up on the field," revealed James R., going over 'Assault Blackwing - Sohaya the Rain Storm's' first effect, "Nearly all of my 'Assault Blackwing' monsters share this effect."
"I also know you plan to use 'Sohaya the Rain Storm's' second effect to revive 'Sayo the Rain Hider'," guessed Sherry, "Am I wrong in my theory?"
"Actually, you're right on the button!" confirmed James R., holding up a card ('Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider') taken from his GY, "I activate the second effect of 'Sohaya the Rain Storm'!" He placed his card onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Disk, and, while explaining the effect, reappearing onto the field was 'Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider' (Level: 2/ATK: 800/DEF: 100), "When this card is Synchro Summoned: I can target 1 'Assault Blackwing' monster in my GY; I must Special Summon it."
Both 'Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider' and 'Assault Blackwing - Sohaya the Rain Storm' faced Sherry and an energized 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland'.
"Ready?" taunted James R., as Sherry calmly listened to what was coming next, "My Level 5 'Sohaya the Rain Storm' tunes Level 2 'Sayo the Rain Hider'!"
'Assault Blackwing - Sohaya the Rain Storm' turned into five Synchro Rings, which 'Assault Blackwing - Sayo the Rain Hider' flew into before turning into two orbs of light as a third Summon Chant from James R. echoed.
"Spread your ebony wings, and storm forth in tandem with the roaring thunder! A slash of lightning!" chanted James R., as the symbols 2 + 5 = 7 were shown briefly just before the two orbs of light within the five Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Cascade, 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower'!"
Appearing out of the beam of light and onto the field, while swinging his sword briefly, was the rather mighty-looking humanoid bird-like swordsman (Level: 7/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2000). Ms. Simmons and Mr. Kisaka both were shown to be amazed over James R. doing three Synchro Summons in a single turn thanks to a bunch of Special Summons of various 'Blackwing' monsters.
"If this card is Synchro Summoned using a 'Blackwing' monster as material, it is treated as a Tuner while face-up on the field," James R. said, going over his monster's first effect. He then briefly stopped the duel to ask a question, "So tell me, Sherry, what authority do you have for criticizing the Signer's strengths?"
"What?" frowned Sherry.
"About how we can't beat so-called normal opponents like you and Shinji," continued James R., "However, you forget that you yourself got your wine guzzling, garlic sniffing keister handed to you by a Signer, Lisa Drake!"
In the audience, Lisa, overhearing her name, managed to speak up in support of that claim.
"He's right, you know!" she called out, "Last I remember, I kicked your sorry ass in Godwin's tournament, so you shouldn't dare go around and insult people for what they can or can't do!"
To drive the point (and pain) home, Lisa delivered an akanbe, a childish Japanese taunting gesture by pulling down his eyelid and sticking his tongue out at the same time—although she used the middle finger of her right hand to pull her eyelid down, making it also look like she was flipping the bird. An irritated Sherry scowled and fully turned her focus towards the somewhat annoying tomboy.
"Here's a newsflash for you, pinky," corrected Sherry, insulting Lisa's choice of color. Speaking of Lisa, she (Lisa) listened to the hard words with boredom, "You only won the duel because we had access to Action Cards," Not being done, she pointed forth with her right hand at the person she was speaking to, "Without them, I would've completely destroyed you on only my second turn, just as quickly and effortlessly as I did to your friend, Asagi Caldwell, in the first round."
"What's that?" teased Lisa, while Asagi looked visibly offended over being mentioned by Sherry like that, "Is that something only a sore loser would say?"
"Only the cold, hard truth," insisted Sherry hotly, "Besides, that tournament had no threat," That statement by her (Sherry) caused Lisa to look surprised as she (Lisa) eased up and listened on, "That's right, the tournament had no real stakes. But now that the Dark Signers are…" The blonde-haired young French woman raised her clenched right fist and swung it about dramatically, "…here, this is no longer a game, but an actual war to defeat the enemy, which even you oughta know damn well!" She turned to face James R. again, "They have already made multiple moves, and each time the Signers have only barely been able to win. Now that winning actually matters, the Signers not being able to do so just further proves why I and everyone else should be skeptical about whether we can put their faith in the Signers protecting them and the entire world."
"Tch! It's better for people to put their faith in the Signers than putting their faith in someone who doesn't even care about them!" growled James R..
A flashback ensued.
FLASHBACK
During Flashback Sherry and Flashback Lisa's Turbo Duel, the former was giving a speech of sorts about why she duels, including Flashback Lisa's reaction to it.
"So, you really want to know why I take dueling so seriously?" began Flashback Sherry.
"Obviously!" retorted Flashback Lisa.
From there, Flashback Sherry pointed out towards Flashback Carlie in the crowd.
"It's because of her, Carlie Izayoi!" she declared openly, "That girl is the 'Black Rose Witch' who ruined my life!"
Cue gasps from the audience (with very few exceptions). While they knew that Flashback Carlie was once known as the infamous 'Black Rose Witch', they were all shocked by the amount of anger, bitterness, and vitriol in Sherry's tone of voice when she said that.
"She ruined your life?" whispered Flashback Lisa before speaking up, "How could Carlie ruin your life?"
"Years ago," continued Flashback Sherry, "I was an orphan who lived with many other orphaned children. Carlie was one of them. We were best friends," In the audience, the members of Team 4D's, plus Flashback Discord, were listening to the explanation—especially both Flashback Carlie and Flashback James R., "One day, we were having a duel, and I was the clear victor. But instead of congratulating me on my victory, Carlie instead got angry and used her psychic powers to make an actual monster come to life. She tried to kill me just because she couldn't handle a loss!"
"Yo! That's not true and you know it!" snapped Flashback James R., nearly diving out of his seat, "The only reason that happened is because you-"
Sadly, he was grabbed by both Flashback Michael and Flashback Zack (the latter covering his mouth) and began dragging him away from the arena, trying their hardest not to let him break loose and do something possibly stupid or worse. Flashback Lisa, on the other hand, overheard the loud exclamation, and knew there had to be more to what Flashback Sherry was telling her. Flashback Sherry, meanwhile, continued speaking about why she dueled so seriously…
"From that point on," she was saying, "I dedicated my career as a duelist to become stronger and exact revenge on Carlie for giving me such mental scars. To that, I will crush anyone who faces me in a duel. To me, dueling is about reaching the top and seizing your moment no matter who you have to hurt in the process!"
"You're a filthy liar!" snarled Flashback Lisa, not believing what she was hearing from a fellow duelist, "Revenge and getting to the top… That's 'not' what dueling is all about! It's about trying your best and having fun!"
"Again, you shouldn't say things you know nothing about," retorted Flashback Sherry coldly, causing Flashback Lisa to growl in response, "For now, even if I'm at 100 LP, I'll still defeat you!"
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"Had you decided to take on the Dark Signers, you wouldn't be doing it for the good of mankind," declared James R., "You'd only be doing it for yourself!"
With the crowd…
"James, you freakin' jackass!" hollered Shinji, "Can't you realize that Sherry is trying to offer her advice if you guys want a chance to defeat the Dark Signers! You should try listening to her and spare your dignity instead of being a complete oaf!"
"Shut up!" The voice of James R. barked back, which angered Shinji a bit further. Back on the field, he then looked at his opponent scornfully, "Sherry LeBlanc is the last person 'anyone' should be taking advice from!"
"I guess if talking won't settle things between us, let's continue the duel!" suggested Sherry.
James R. nodded, while a good portion of the audience remained dismayed over their friend's stubbornness towards Sherry.
"From my hand, I'll equip 'Raikiri the Rain Shower' with 'Sky Excalibur'!" proclaimed James R., readying and slotting a card into his Duel Disk. A new sword appeared in 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower's' hands as he posed with it and grew even stronger (ATK: 2600 → 3000), "I must equip only to a monster I control. It gains 400 ATK, also it is unaffected by my opponent's card effects," He, however, was far from being finished, "Then, I'll activate 'Raikiri the Rain Shower's' second effect! Once per turn: I can target cards my opponent controls," As he explained the effect further, 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower' took to the skies, "up to the number of 'Blackwing' monsters I control; I must destroy them! Eat this!"
'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower' raised 'Sky Excalibur' up and swung it, sending a shockwave across the field and hitting 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland', but rather than destroying him, it instead forced 'Infernoble Knight Ogier' out and destroyed him instead.
"Oh yeah! I've gotten rid of your 'Infernoble Knight Ogier'!" jeered James R..
"Well, merci for being naive enough to destroy 'Infernoble Knight Ogier' for me," grinned Sherry, sarcastically, briefly using a French term in her sentence.
"Wait, you 'wanted' me to get rid of your monster?" James R. blinked in response.
"Did I stutter?" asked Sherry bluntly, and, when no response came, she pointed forward as her Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "I activate a Trap, 'Horn of Olifant'! I must activate 1 of these effects."
These were the effects written on the Trap Card in-question:
-"I must banish 1 Equip Spell I control or in my GY, then I can destroy 1 card on the field."
-"I must destroy 1 'Roland' monster I control, then Special Summon in Defense Position up to 3 FIRE Warrior monsters from my Deck, whose total Levels equal 9, but their effects are negated, also, until the end of my next turn after this effect resolves, I cannot Special Summon monsters, except Warrior monsters."
"What?!" cried James R..
Without saying which effect she intended to pick, Sherry simply made 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland' automatically explode into a massive blast of fire; a major hint on which one was picked. When that happened, she took three cards from her Deck and placed them onto her Duel Disk (sideways) separately. When the fire died down, standing on the field in the place of 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland' were 'Infernoble Knight Maugis' (Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1200), 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' (Level: 4/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1500), and 'Infernoble Knight Astolfo' (Level: 1/ATK: 500/DEF: 200).
"Those monsters-!" complained James R..
"'Infernoble Knight Maugis', 'Infernoble Knight Oliver', and 'Infernoble Knight Astolfo'!" confirmed Sherry.
"Sherry wouldn't have been able to destroy 'Infernoble Knight Captain Roland' herself since 'Infernoble Knight Ogier' prevented it from being destroyed by card effects," commented Matt, "James really played right into the palm of her hand by Summoning 'Raikiri the Rain Shower'."
With the rest of the audience…
"As usual, Sherry really planned ahead going into the duel," thought Shinji.
Frustrated that he'd been played like a fiddle by his opponent, James R. entered his Battle Phase in an attempt to get rid of one of the 'Infernoble Knight' monsters brought out to protect Sherry and to also relieve some of his bottled up stress.
"Go, 'Raikiri the Rain Shower'!" yelled James R., as 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower' charged towards Sherry's field, "Destroy any of those monsters of your choosing! I don't care which one!"
Once he was close enough, 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower' raised his sword and brought it down, striking 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' and destroying him.
"You've destroyed 'Infernoble Knight Oliver'," acknowledged Sherry.
"I Set two cards and end my turn," finished James R., slotting two cards into his Duel Disk.
Two face-down cards appeared on the field behind 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower'. Over with the audience, Michael folded his arms and had a grim expression on his face.
"James's strategies in this duel are overly reckless," he commented, causing Carlie, Ben, Juri, and Zack to look over, "I know he has his moments of density, but he isn't 'that' stupid."
"It isn't how he duels, at all," added Juri.
"If you want my honest opinion, I think he's dueling like this because he hates Sherry and really wants to beat her as fast and brutally as possible," figured Lisa, "At least, that's what I believe."
Back on the field, Sherry drew a card with a serious, yet bored at the same time, expression on her face.
Turn Three: Sherry LeBlanc (LP: 4000)
Deck: 47
Current Hand (6): ""Infernoble Arms - Durendal"", "Noble Knight Pellinore", ""Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse"", "Infernoble Knight - Roland", "Noble Knight Medraut", and "Noble Arms of Destiny"
After spending a few seconds looking at her drawn card, she added it into her hand and took another ('"Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse"') to hold out.
"I activate an Equip Spell from my hand, '"Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse"'!" declared Sherry, before slotting the card into her Duel Disk, "I equip this onto 'Infernoble Knight Maugis'!"
A new sword materialized in the hands of 'Infernoble Knight Maugis'.
"'"Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse"'?" pressed James R..
"I activate the first effect of my new card," Sherry went on, "While this card is equipped to a monster: I can target 1 FIRE Warrior monster in my GY; I must add it to my hand, then destroy this card."
'Infernoble Knight Maugis' raised the sword "Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse" and made it shine, causing a card ('Infernoble Knight Oliver') to eject from the GY, and resulting in Sherry taking and adding it into her hand.
"By adding 'Infernoble Knight Oliver', the weapon is destroyed!" reminded Sherry.
"Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse" stopped shining and shattered into shards of glass, leaving 'Infernoble Knight Maugis' without a sword.
"Then, I'll activate the second effect of 'Infernoble Knight Oliver'!" said Sherry, holding up a card ('Infernoble Knight Oliver'), "I can send 1 FIRE Warrior monster or 1 Equip Spell from my hand or face-up field to the GY; I must Special Summon this card from my hand as a Level 1 monster."
"Level 1? And a Tuner monster?" gasped James R..
"That's right," confirmed Sherry, before allowing 'Infernoble Knight Astolfo' to fade away in a blue streak, "I send 'Infernoble Knight Astolfo', a FIRE Warrior monster, to the GY!" She then raised her card ('Infernoble Knight Oliver') for a second and finally placed it onto her Duel Disk, "Come, 'Infernoble Knight Oliver'!"
Reappearing on the field was 'Infernoble Knight Oliver', and he was now a Level 1 monster rather than a Level 4 monster (Level: 1/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1500).
"I also equip 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' with this," As she spoke, Sherry held one more card ('"Infernoble Arms - Durendal"') out before slotting it into her Duel Disk, "'"Infernoble Arms - Durendal"'!"
A fiery sword appeared in 'Infernoble Knight Oliver's' hands.
"My Level 1 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' tunes Level 4 'Infernoble Knight Maugis'!" commanded Sherry.
'Infernoble Knight Oliver' turned into a single Synchro Ring, which floated down and overwhelmed 'Infernoble Knight Maugis' and turned him into four orbs of light as Sherry's second Summon Chant echoed throughout.
"Noble captain of the realm! Light the flames of destiny to disperse the darkness of discontent!" chanted Sherry, as the symbols 4 + 1 = 5 were shown briefly just before the four orbs of light in the single Synchro Ring turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Come forth, 'Infernoble Knight Captain Oliver'!"
Appearing onto the field was a more powerful-looking version of 'Infernoble Knight Oliver'—namely with shiner armor, but still wielding two sweet-looking flame swords (Level: 5/ATK: 2000/DEF: 500).
"I activate 'Infernoble Knight Maugis's' second effect!" announced Sherry, before holding up three cards ('Infernoble Knight - Renaud', 'Infernoble Knight Ogier', and '"Infernoble Arms - Joyeuse"') taken from her GY, "If this card is sent to the GY: I can shuffle into the Deck, 3 of my other FIRE Warrior monsters and/or 'Noble Arms' cards that are banished or in my GY; I must draw 1 card," She shuffled the cards into her Deck, then drew a card ('"Infernoble Arms - Hauteclere"') and looked at it, "And you know, there's a reason I equipped '"Infernoble Arms - Durendal"' onto 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' before the Synchro Summon."
"Mm?" worried James R..
"I activate the second effect of '"Infernoble Arms - Durendal"'!" replied Sherry, as a card ('Infernoble Knight Oliver') ejected from her GY before she took hold of and held it up without showing what it was, "If this card is sent to the GY because the equipped monster is sent to the GY: I can target 1 Level 5 or lower FIRE Warrior monster in my GY; I must Special Summon it, also I cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of the turn, except Warrior monsters," She narrowed her eyes and turned the card over to show what it was, "This means you get to see 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' again!"
Reappearing on the field was, again, 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' (Level: 4/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1500).
"My Level 4 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' tunes Level 5 'Infernoble Knight Captain Oliver'!" uttered Sherry.
With the order to tune being given, 'Infernoble Knight Oliver' turned himself into four Synchro Rings, which hovered over and lowered around 'Infernoble Knight Captain Oliver' before turning him into five orbs of light as a third Summon Chant from Sherry was heard throughout.
"The highest emperor! Train your blades with the flames of glory and burn the shadows of injustice!" chanted Sherry, as the symbols 5 + 4 = 9 were shown for a few seconds just before the five orbs of light within the four Synchro Rings turned into a massive beam of light that slammed onto the field behind her, "Synchro Summon! Descend, 'Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles'!"
As the beam of light stayed in place, a sword made out of blue flames slashed out, causing the beam to fade away and reveal, now on the field, the familiar orange-haired young man wearing black armor and red cape (Level: 9/ATK: 3000/DEF: 200). 'Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles' happened to be one of Sherry's ace monsters.
"That's one of Sherry's stronger monsters!" commented Shinji.
"He helped us win against Gwen!" recalled Carlie.
On the field, James R. didn't look impressed upon seeing this familiar monster; mainly because he overheard the term 'injustice' during the Summon of 'Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles'.
"Injustice? Hey, that sort of thing suits you well!" dismissed James R., "My friends and I all know that justice is about looking out for the people you care about, just as how I'm protecting Carlie from your verbal and emotional abuse."
"Is that so?" said Sherry coldly, "The way you say that, it's like you don't trust Carlie to fight her own battles."
James R. looked angry, "What?!"
"If you really love Carlie as a sister, then you wouldn't have blatantly gone against her wishes and ignored her request to just let her deal with the situation herself as she wishes to, but instead you have the most ridiculously short temper in the world and decide to defy Carlie's wishes," scolded Sherry, as the audience listened on, "If you truly have faith in Carlie, then you should let her take responsibility for her own actions."
That brief lecture didn't sit all that well with James R., I'm afraid. Clenching his empty fist, he gazed upward and let loose a huge, enraged scream.
"It wasn't…her…FAULT!" James R. howled in stubborn denial, before thrusting an angry finger towards Sherry, "You were the one who made Carlie lose control of her powers in the first place!" He continued to rage at the one person he blamed for all of this, "It's 'your' fault all this has happened!"
Sherry looked unfazed by the accusation. From there, James R. looked towards the audience, particularly Mr. and Mrs. Izayoi, which seemed to surprise them a fair bit. It was then a flashback started up.
FLASHBACK
Years ago, Young Carlie tried approaching some of the kids, but, having heard all about her, immediately shooed her away, making her very sad. While in another part of the orphanage, Young Sherry had won at a building block game, and she had gotten a little…over the top…at her victory.
"During our days at the orphanage, Sherry was a huge braggart!" narrated James R., "Instead of simply being humble about it, she'd go into a full blown brag about her victory, even belittling the other children. The other children she was playing against became fed up with it and reminded her that it was just a 'game'. And you know what she said in response?"
"A game that 'I' won!" boasted Young Sherry.
Fed up, the other kids stood up and just went outside to try and get away from her.
(new scene…)
As time went on, it got to the point where whenever Young Sherry tried asking if the other kids wanted to play with her, they outright refused to socialize with her. With an exception to Young Shinji, but even Young Sherry grew tired of playing with him and wanted to play with someone else.
"What's wrong with everyone?" whined Young Sherry, "Are they afraid of losing to me again or something?"
"Well, I think they're tired of you constantly bragging and insulting them when you win," answered Young Shinji, causing Young Sherry to look towards him, "They're just games meant for fun, after all. Even I of all people know that winning isn't everything."
"Nonsense!" scoffed Young Sherry, folding her arms, "When one is a champion of gaming, then 'shouldn't' their victories be known to all?"
"Shinji's right, ya know," said Young James R., agreeing with Young Shinji, "You need to quit acting like each game you win decides the fate of the world."
Young Sherry groaned, "Look, can we just get down to it?" she requested, "We don't have a lot of time before we need to go back inside."
"I'm telling you, you have to smarten up," warned Young James R., "One of these days, you could regret your choice of words by saying them to the wrong person. And then, you'll wind up in serious trouble."
Alas, Young Sherry paid no attention, and Young James R. really hoped that she would not get into trouble one of these days
"Don't say I didn't warn you!" he thought to himself.
(new scene…)
At the playground one day, Young Sherry was shown asking if she could play with the other kids, but all of them gave her the cold shoulder, making her feel upset at being rejected.
"When Sherry wanted to play with the others, they pretty much gave her the cold shoulder," narrated James R., "It made her feel sad, but they believed she deserved it. However…"
"Sherry?" peeped Young Carlie, walking up, "I can play with you, if you want. After all, nobody wants to play with me."
"Really?" pressed Young Sherry, "You want to play with me?"
Young Carlie smiled and nodded to confirm that. Realizing that at least one person still wanted to play with her was enough to make Young Sherry smile as well, and both girls went over to play on the swings.
"Even though Sherry had driven the other kids into disliking her, Carlie was the only other friend she had with an exception to Shinji," narrated James R., "But then, she just 'had' to go and ruin that, too."
(new scene…)
Young Carlie and Young Sherry, who was shown to have long blonde hair, both were playing Duel Monsters in the orphanage's playground. Young Sherry was winning at the moment, and she was being particularly boastful about it.
"What are you going to do, now?" she asked mockingly.
"I'll figure something out," Young Carlie told herself, "I will…"
"Well, unfortunately, you're out of luck! I'll equip my 'Noble Arms - Gallatin' onto 'Ignoble Knight of High Laundsallyn'!" continued Young Sherry, laying a card onto the grass, "this will make my monster more zan strong enough to defeat your powered up 'Rose Tentacles' and finish off the remains of your LP!"
"Aww man!" cried Young Carlie, taking her card.
Unfortunately, Young Sherry was feeling so proud of her win that she didn't let up…
"I win again, Carlie," The blonde-haired young French girl bragged, "No matter how many times you challenge me, I will always win!"
"I did the best I could," said Young Carlie meekly.
"Ha! Not good 'enough' though!"
Sadly, the taunting went on, and Young Carlie eventually clenched her fists in frustration. It was this moment that she was sick and tired of Young Sherry's constant bragging. Suddenly, she felt her right forearm (with the unknown birthmark) beginning to glow. This was a sign her unstable powers were…beginning to kick in.
"What?!" cried Young Sherry, seeing what was going on.
"I have had it!" roared Young Carlie viciously, not realizing what she was doing.
All of a sudden, the whole area started to quake itself to pieces, causing the nearby children to scream in terror, while the orphanage caretakers tried to keep everyone calm and seek shelter for the earthquake. Nearby, Young Zack and Young Michael both saw what was going on with Young Carlie.
"What's Carlie doing?!" demanded Young Michael.
"Something tells me something's going wrong with her," answered Young Zack.
Over with Young Carlie, something started rising from the ground behind her. Young Sherry took a step back out of reflex. That something was the same 'Rose Tentacles' that Young Sherry destroyed in the duel. Too frightened to run away or even speak, Young Sherry could only shut her eyes and scream as 'Rose Tentacles' seemed to make a lung for her.
"Carlie! Stop!" The voice of Young James R. yelled.
Young Carlie's angry look softened when she heard her friend's voice, as the glowing birthmark on her right arm then ceased and 'Rose Tentacles' suddenly faded away. Almost immediately, the kids and orphanage caretakers all emerged from their hiding spots to see what had happened. Rather unfortunate, all eyes were on Young Carlie.
"You alright?" Young Zack asked Young Carlie.
"S-Sherry…" stammered Young Carlie, realizing what she almost did, "Sherry, I… I didn't…"
Without saying a word, Young Sherry, terrified and traumatized from the experience, got back to her feet and, while in tears, raced as far away from Young Carlie as possible without saying anything back to her. It would seem that this encounter had left a very nasty mental scar that would likely never heal itself. Judging from such a reaction, that was the end of Young Carlie and Young Sherry's friendship. Though it was her own fault for provoking Young Carlie, Young Carlie still felt sorry and couldn't help but blame herself for frightening the blonde-haired young French girl like that. Young Shinji, watching and wanting to help his friend, ran after poor Young Sherry. Young James R., meanwhile, felt that someone 'else' was to blame for the close call.
"I tried to warn her," he sighed, shaking his head solemnly.
END FLASHBACK
The flashback ended.
"If you had just taken my warning seriously, and been more humble about your victories," James R. ranted, "Carlie would have 'never' snapped like that and lost control of her powers," Sherry listened to the words of rage directed at her, "So, if there's 'anyone' to blame for her descent into darkness… it's 'you', Sherry!"
"Me?" uttered Sherry, sounding remarkably calm, "You claim it's all 'my' fault?"
"Yes, it is!" snapped James R., before pointing at his opponent, "And at long last, after all these years of waiting to face you directly in a duel, I'm going to make you pay for what you've done!"
Over with the audience, they continued to watch the duel with concern, wondering if James R. was going much too far.
"James…" whispered Carlie.
"Mate…" added Michael.
"Idiot," frowned Mayura.
All-in-all, the group truly hoped that James R. was able to realize the big mistake he's making before it was too late to turn back. Sherry then resumed her turn; she had a couple more cards to play before she was ready to take control of the duel.
"I'm now going to bring a 'Noble Knight' monster out," proclaimed Sherry, taking a card from her hand and placing it onto her Duel Disk, "Appear now, 'Noble Knight Pellinore'!"
Appearing onto the field was a white-haired knight riding a brown horse (Level: 4/ATK: 1900/DEF: 500).
"Then, I'll equip my monster with this," As that was said, Sherry slotted a card into her Duel Disk. A sword materialized in the hands of 'Noble Knight Pellinore' as he posed with the weapon and the announcement was made, "'Noble Arms of Destiny'!" She then explained a little bit about the card (the first and second effects of it, that is), "I can only control 1 'Noble Arms of Destiny'. I must equip only to a Warrior monster."
"I thought so as much," hissed James R., gritting his teeth together, "And I take it this card will help you?"
"Obviously," deadpanned Sherry, before going over the first effect of the Equip Spell as a large version of the card slowly rose behind her, "Once per turn, the equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle or by card effects," Suddenly, as the conversation went on, 'Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles' raised both his flame swords up, "But the equipping of an Equip Card onto a monster activates the first effect of 'Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles'! If an Equip Card becomes equipped to a monster on the field, even during the Damage Step: I can destroy 1 card on the field."
James R. gasped.
"That's right, I know what card I'm going to destroy," confirmed Sherry, before pointing up at the sword in the hands of 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower', "the sword 'Sky Excalibur' in the hands of your 'Raikiri the Rain Shower'!"
'Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles', with the swing of one flame sword, successfully struck 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower' and knocked 'Sky Excalibur' out of his hands and sent spinning through the air. One more swipe by 'Infernoble Knight Emperor Charles' destroyed 'Sky Excalibur' before even hitting the ground. Without the weapon, 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower's' ATK returned to its normal value (ATK: 3000 → 2600). Despite being initially unhappy over losing his 'Sky Excalibur' Spell Card, James R. still managed a small smile.
"Hey, thanks a lot for destroying this card," he praised sarcastically.
"What?" pressed Sherry.
"I activate 'Sky Excalibur's' second effect," continued James R., before his GY started shining all white, "When this face-up card is sent…" A card ('Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall') ejected from his GY, which was picked up after a couple of seconds, "…to the GY: I can target 1 Winged Beast Tuner…" He held the card up, "…in my GY; I must Special Summon it. Resurrect, 'Oroshi the Squall'!"
Reappearing on the field was 'Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall' (Level: 1/ATK: 400/DEF: 600).
"I'll also use this opportunity to activate a Trap Card I currently have Set," Once that was said, James R. pointed to the right face-down card by his feet, "Face-down card, open! 'Blackboost', activate!" Both 'Blackwing - Oroshi the Squall' and 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower' started glowing for a few seconds, "If I control 2 or more 'Blackwing' monsters: I must…" He then drew two cards, "…draw 2 cards,"
In the audience…
"Carlie, I need to know… Is James usually like this?" quizzed Ben, "Of all the times I've seen him, this is a side I never saw before," He didn't get an answer from his sister, "Carlie? Carlie, are you okay in there?"
"I guess it all depends on how serious the situation is," admitted Carlie, "James is usually a rather cool guy, and wonderful for people to get to know. But if his buttons are pushed far enough and someone he cares for gets hurt, he can and will turn into a short fuse."
"A short fuse…" murmured Ben, before looking back at the duel, "I can't help but wonder just how short of a fuse you mean."
Sherry was shown carrying on with her turn; she had another card she wanted to activate, and it was sitting on her field waiting to be used.
"I activate the monster effect of 'Noble Knight Pellinore'!" exclaimed Sherry, before speaking about 'Noble Knight Pellinore', the face-up 'Noble Arms of Destiny' Spell Card, and 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower', "I can target 1 'Noble Arms' Equip Spell equipped to this card and 1 face-up monster my opponent controls; I must destroy them, then draw 1 card, also, this card cannot attack for the rest of this turn."
"Not good!" thought James R., eyeing his 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower', "Sherry is definitely going to take down 'Raikiri the Rain Shower' without even attacking him!"
'Noble Knight Pellinore' prepared to simultaneously destroy 'Noble Arms of Destiny' and 'Assault Blackwing - Raikiri the Rain Shower'. Would he be successful? Weeeell…
(elsewhere…)
Inside the darkness that was Dark Signers' hideout, a fist slammed onto the table in outrage. Who was the one who did it? Why, it was Muruta Azrael, of course. Why was he so furious to the point of having a fit? Because the one plan that he believed would have surely destroyed the Signers by using one of their own ended in failure. That plan was foolproof, and yet it still failed!
"This is impossible…" muttered Azrael, "The one plan that would have done the Signers in… The one where Carlie Izayoi, the infamous 'Black Rose Witch', eliminates not only her own friends, but also shuts down Orb… But she instead breaks free and gets back her true memories, while Matt Fudo gets rewarded with a whole new monster…" He raised both his fists at the ceiling, "How? How could this have all come crumbling DOWN?!"
Both fists were brought down on the final word, slamming onto the table one last time—yet not destroying it. Instead, Azrael just stood in his spot and shook with anger and hatred for several seconds before slowly looking up with near insanity in his cold eyes.
"Damn you, Matt Fudo… Damn you, Clear Mind…" Azrael cursed quietly, "Damn you all…"
"Troubled, my friend?" The voice of Rutger sympathized, as he walked into the chamber to see his greatest of allies, "You seem very upset."
"No," Azrael countered sarcastically, straightening up (yet was still shaking with frustration), "I'm just slamming my fists on the table and screaming out of sheer boredom!" He turned and faced the leader of the Dark Signers in a tizzy, "My plan was foolproof! We could have finally taken out the Signers and Orb with Carlie as our weapon! Instead, it was all for nothing!"
"I know," said Rutger, still smiling, "However, while your plan was definitely sound," Azrael listened whilst still frowning, "it simply wasn't done properly."
"Properly?" repeated Azrael, surprised, "How was it not done properly?"
"Instead of giving you an answer, why don't you come with me?" offered Rutger, as he started to leave, "I wish to show you something special we're working on."
Now feeling curious, Azrael decided to follow Rutger.
(elsewhere…)
After a few short minutes, Rutger and Azrael both arrived at another place within the hideout, where the Biological CPU trio were busy helping Vincent (to their dismay) with preparing something big on the nearby metal table—something that would, in Rutger's eyes, become essential to truly defeating the Signers. But what was it? I'm afraid that is a strict secret.