R:Ultra Evolution

Book 20: The Delicate Phoenix

WDC: Boiling Point card:

Donny Anderson vs. Justin Pipe

Belle Draper vs. Shannon Kelly

Unsanctioned Duel: Phil Robinson vs. Myka Grainger

Varsity Club (Astrid Hofferson/Blair Flannigan) vs. Style Council (Caprice Morris/Sara Sawyer)

The club were on their way to the next event, this time in the beautiful city of Barcelona. Among them was Maddy, much to the protesting of everybody else. 'I thought you said you'd listen to us now' Freja questioned her, but she flashed a smile back. 'It's fine, I'm feeling a bit better and wanted to spend time with you all. Besides, I've got people I need to thank in person.' It was clear though that there was some kind of other plan that she had though, concerning the friend she'd spent the bulk of the five days since release with.

Maddy looked much fresher after the previous day, when Blair had given her a long-overdue hair wash, as well as brushing it out. Her still dirty blonde hair was now three inches shorter, and worn down, adorned with a purple hairband that Freja had lent her. Despite these changes though, it was clear that she was still weak and exhausted from the ordeal and the fighting, albeit overcome with gratefulness.

'I still can't believe the risks you guys took for me' she sighed. 'We told you already' Blair responded 'It's the same we would have done for any of us, we're a family, and besides, you've done so much for us. No joke, you're probably at least partially responsible for every single good thing that's happened to me.' Astrid then added 'And I did it because you're my best friend in the whole world, need I say more? No offence Freja.'

She looked at Astrid, and they shared a grin. 'I would have been more offended if you didn't call her your best friend. Still love ya though.' 'And you bean' she returned, using her newly christened nickname for Freja. 'Still gotta think of a nickname for you Astrid.' 'As long as you don't swear.' 'I'll try not to, so it's not going to be about you in the morning, because god, if I don't get woken up at 4am all the time by you, I mean what even possesses someone to go for a run at that time?'

'There's nobody else around' the Norwegian laughed in return, before seeing Maddy's face dropping. 'I'm sorry, I didn't even think about' 'It's fine, I'm just missing being normal, it's stupid to say when a week ago I was still some sex slave rotting in a dungeon, but I just want everything to be cool again, like it used to be. This was supposed to be fun, and it just… stopped being that way at some point.'

As Astrid and Freja started trying to work out how to boost Maddy's spirits, they pulled up at the airport, and no sooner had she left the car then she was having her ribs crushed into dust by Jack hugging her. 'It's so good to have you back! I've missed seeing your cheeky face and your… hey, I could swear you were bigger than that, and you weren't blonde… what have they done to you?'

As he let go of her, she almost collapsed, short of breath, concerning him. 'You ok?' 'Yeah… ribs' 'Oh yeah, sorry, it's been a while. So… nice to see you?' 'Yeah, thanks… and you. Sorry, I'm really not good with conversation, I'm just… struggling to adapt again. Also really struggling to stay awake, it's a… really long story.' 'Well you get yourself on there, and you make yourself as comfortable as you can.' 'Thanks.'

As she boarded, Phil pulled Jack to one side. 'She's really been through it hasn't she?' 'You could say that, I mean we don't know all the details, but we know enough to know that this isn't going to be a short road. At the moment it's just day by day, hoping that she rediscovers something about herself. Truth be told I don't think she should be coming with us, but she insisted on coming. I have a feeling she's plotting something, but what that is I don't know.'

Shortly after this, the plane took off. Throughout the 3hr flight, Maddy slept, cuddled up to Freja, who occasionally glanced over at Astrid, who mouthed words of encouragement to boost her resolve in looking after her, with Freja signalling back, talking about feeling how "warm she was", and "hoping she would get back to normal". Meanwhile, all Astrid could do was admire their strength, and think back to being so willing to give everything up previously.

Maddy awoke to a bumpy landing, and briefly seemed confused, before coming to her senses within a couple of minutes. 'Hey… I take it that's us landing?' 'It is' Astrid responded, as Maddy looked up at Freja. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep on you.' 'It's all good' Freja responded while stroking the front of Maddy's hair. 'I'm just glad to have you back, I'm never letting you go anywhere again.' 'I'll try not to' she smiled in return.

After getting off the plane, everyone dispersed to experience Barcelona in the hours they had before the show began. As they did, Maddy had her phone out, and was taking pictures of everything, seemingly enjoying life though. As she continued though, dodging through crowds, Freja noticed something unusual, which she discussed with Astrid. 'Is it just me, or is she making a really big point of avoiding people?'

Astrid looked closely, and soon saw Maddy lining up a photo, but seeing someone approaching from behind her, she quickly put her phone down and moved away several inches. 'Yeah… something's really not right there. She looks almost like the same Maddy, but' 'She's really not herself still. It's almost like she's broken.' As Freja pushed tears back though, Astrid smiled at her. 'Which is why we need to fix her. And it starts here and now. What's there to see in Barcelona?'

Freja got her large print guide book out, and combed through it. 'Sagrada Familiar?' 'It's Familia, and I think after everything she's been through, we should maybe stay away from churches.' 'Boat tour?' 'Short on time, and I'm not sure how she'll be with that.' Astrid then looked at the the book herself, and found something. 'There's a nice looking park near here, we could just go there.' Freja nodded, and so they approached Maddy.

As they did, Maddy seemed surprised they were there. 'Hey, we were just talking, and there's a lovely place near here called… Fre, do you speak Spanish?' Freja took a look at it, and then fluently pronounced 'Ciutadella park', impressing them both. Maddy took a look, and smiled. 'It looks lovely there.' 'Let's go then, we've got some time to kill.' Excited, the three rushed off to the park.

Immediately when they arrived, Maddy appeared to be in her element again, and started taking pictures of the fountain that marked the park out as special, before insisting that Astrid and Freja came over for a selfie. As she pressed the button, the three of them smiled, and took the photo, before Maddy immediately went off to continue taking pictures, as Freja caught up with her. 'Hey, you not looking at our picture?' 'You can if you want, but I don't want to.'

'But why?' She smiled quietly, and responded 'I know I look a mess right now, and I really don't want to see myself like that, because I want to pretend I'm better than I am.' Freja just held her tight, and told her 'You're beautiful like you always have been. Just because you were turned into a blonde or because you're underweight or because your body's held together with chewing gum and stubbornness, doesn't mean you're not still the same Maddy, and you're still beautiful.'

'Thanks, but I know that's not true, I'm a total mess, and I know it, I look ridiculous.' 'At least you're not dressed in black and white and a skirt' Freja joked in return, but after they laughed, it was clear that Freja was still haunted by the look. 'I'm never going back to that, I promise.' 'Better hadn't do, I like you when you're not growling.' 'Was I really doing that?' Realising Maddy's memory was still fuzzy, Freja shut the chat down. 'Yeah, but… you're ok now, that's what counts.'

They then looked over, and saw Astrid playing with her hair while talking with a particularly buff and greasy-haired local. 'When did 'trid get into the strapping spaniards?' 'It's like asking when she got the idea to be hypnotised by Phil.' 'Sorry, what?' Maddy responded, turning her head rapidly. 'Oh, it was while you were… you know' 'Brainwashed? Rabid? Sex slave?' 'Yeah… she got real depressed and decided that if she couldn't get you home, she was going to get Phil to hypnotise her so she didn't have to deal with it. But we're past that now… I think.'

As Astrid caught up with them, sitting on the steps to the Catalan parliament, Maddy immediately spilled the beans on the conversation. 'So… you planning on going back under Phil's control?' This shocked Astrid initially, but after seeing that Freja was only trying to make conversation, she had no issue answering. 'I mean… maybe? It sounds stupid but I kind of liked it, it was… I don't really have a way of explaining it, it was nice though, comforting I suppose. I was going to wait until you were feeling much better and then talk to you both about it. I only started doing it after asking Freja what it was like and then spending like three hours convincing him. But we can talk about that some other time, because I'm not doing right now.'

While they were talking, Belle was stood just out of sight in the distance, watching on ruefully. 'I can't tell you guys how much I want to be with you, or how sorry I am for what I did. I just thought I was helping Maddy, protecting her…' 'And you were' Blair responded, walking up behind her. 'How did you…' 'I figured that Ally would be ok with Rio and Jade, they're looking for Nash so Rio can have a go at him, so I wanted to make sure you were doing ok.'

'Not really, I just wish that they'd understand.' 'And they do, even Freja understands, she's just struggling because she's trying to look after Maddy right now.' 'And I can't do so much as go near them.' 'Sure you can' Blair advised her. 'I wouldn't recommend going up to Maddy when Freja's there without warning, just because it could get awkward, but there's no issue with talking to Maddy, I think she'd quite like it. But Freja doesn't hate you, I don't think you could make her hate you. Give her some time, and she'll calm down and come around.' 'Thanks.' 'You're welcome, happy to help, especially after what you risked.'

In the arena

The show opened, not with the reunited Renegades, but with Junction 7, headed by an extremely angry Rhydian, who was looking around for any sign of his beloved, before furiously snatching a microphone and randomly laying out the announcer who handed it to him, before viciously stamping on their face several times. As the injured announcer was carried out, Rhydian started shouting into the microphone.

'Maddy, you've got FIVE SECONDS to come back here to me, I'm the one who knows you, I'M the one who understands you, and I'M the only one who can look after you. So I'm going to count from five, all the way down to one, and by that time, I want you in my arms so we can continue what we started! Because this is what we both deserve, and this is what destiny truly is.'

It wasn't Maddy's music that then started though, but the Renegades', as they all walked out together, a united force. And Freja appeared to be in almost as bad a mood as Rhydian. 'Do you have ANY idea the damage you've done? Do you have any awareness of the state you left someone you supposedly love in? Maddy's had a full medical, and here I have a list of injuries that she's suffered BECAUSE OF YOU.'

Before she could attempt to read them though, Donny had a word in her ear, and then took the paper, getting an incredible reaction as he did, to which he blew a cheeky kiss to the fans, before reading out the list. 'Listen up people, this is what Rhydian Morris brings to the people he "cares about".' 'So what - you're going to make up some shit about me?' Rhydian then got into Donny's face. 'You think you're a tough guy, huh?' So Donny took his glasses off, and responded calmly, stating 'If you interrupt me again, I'm going to rip your throat out and then feed it to you, because you'd know all about cannibalism wouldn't you?'

As Rhydian looked shocked, Donny whispered to him 'The only reason I'm not telling the entire world what you did is because she needs to be protected from the truth.' With that stark warning, he stepped back, and put his sunglasses back on. 'As I was saying, this is what Rhydian does to people he cares about: A double fracture of the jaw, at least nine broken ribs, three broken fingers, a badly bruised sternum' Astrid then popped over his shoulder with 'That's the breastbone.', allowing Donny to finish. 'And she has returned two stone underweight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the woman he "loves". There's a lot I could say about this, but I should give my boss a chance.'

He tossed the mic to Rio, who made their stance abundantly clear. 'Maddy is safe, and right now, that is our only concern. So leave her alone.' Akiza then snatched the microphone from Rhydian, to mock the Interim President. 'Nobody here wants to hear from little miss Brain damaged and Brain dead, we all know you're one little head knock from the mortuary. I want you all to listen up, because I'm here to duel.'

'See, I know that you're all desperate for revenge, and to get your little master's career back for him since he's not allowed to. So I'll face any one of you for our little slave's contract.' This was immediately shot down by Donny. 'You really are dumber than a plank of wood, what in any world makes you think we would ever accept that? The answer is, was, and will always be: No' he told her emphatically.

That was when there appeared to be a slight disturbance within the club, and they looked internally, to find Maddy gently pushing Donny out of the way to face up to Akiza, and quietly, she spoke. 'I have a counter offer. I'll duel you, 1-1, nobody around, if you win then you continue to ruin what's left of my life. But if I win, Phil gets his contract back, and Rhydian has to sign a restraining order, to keep out of my life. It's the only offer you're going to get.' Delighted, Akiza smirked. 'I accept. Who's the dumb one now?' They then left, while there was clear issues in the Renegade camp.

Backstage, Rio was protesting Maddy's decision. 'What are you doing?' 'I have to make things right' she responded. 'I can't just leech off everybody's kindness, I have to deal with this issue once and for all. And if I get that restraining order, then he's out of my life for good.' She then took Rio's hands, and looked her in the eyes saying 'I need this.' As Rio relented, Astrid joined them.

'So you're actually doing this to us?' Maddy looked at her straight, and stated 'I have to.' 'Well it's going to be the main event then. Give us time to gather some backup to help us out. You're never going to be alone, we'll always have your back.' 'Thanks' she smiled in return, as Blair returned to them. 'Just been on the phone to Drake, he's going to be on his way, he and Alex were spending a few days in Paris before coming to visit us, so Jack's going to pick them up at the airport there.'

As Maddy expressed her thankfulness, Nash walked over to them, smiling at his sister, who just rolled her eyes upon seeing him. 'I'm just coming over to offer you peace, and to ask when we're going to start rebuilding our relationship like we agreed.' Rio smiled at him and walked up to her brother, before slapping him across the face. 'You must think I'm even more stupid than you treat me like. I know that we could have saved Maddy sooner if you hadn't have lied to me about not knowing where she was.'

This appeared to change Nash's attitude, and he went to grab Maddy's arm. 'You should just go back to him, make things right.' She casually shrugged him off though, and retreated behind Astrid, who put her arm around her. 'It's fine, you're safe, promise. If he tries to do that again, I'll break his arm.' There was no need for this threat though, as Rio was doing a perfectly adequate job, backing him up against a wall.

'And you wonder why I don't want to have anything to do with you or your empire? You're sticking up for Rhydian, and for what - doing exactly what you criticised us for doing?' 'Let's just call it karma, for taking you away from me the way they did, perhaps she deserves what happened to her. And let's face it, it's not like you're going to do anything about it' 'Duel me' she interjected, surprising him. 'No ifs, no buts, just duel me, right here today, 1-1, no bullshit.'

The challenge was enough to make him laugh confidently. 'You really think you stand a chance? You've never beaten me and you never will, because you've always been weak and dependent. You're not a leader, you're just a jumped up spoiled brat who has ideas way above her station. And just like karma will always bring Maddy back to Rhydian, karma will always bring you to defeat against me. I accept.' She smiled, and spat at him in return. 'See you out there.'

In the centre of the arena

The Style Council's music started, but it wasn't Caprice who was with Sara, but Tee instead, her hair braided around the back with a single pin holding it in place, while Sara's brown hair only descended as far as the bottom of her ears. 'The following duel is under Standard Rules. Introducing first, representing the Style Council, they are the team of Teresa Taylor and Sara Sawyer.' While they walked down, the situation with them was explained by Kalin on commentary.

"Welcome to Boiling Point, a great card for you here. The Style Council are a somewhat new group, but they bring bags of experience from Sara Sawyer and Caprice Morris, who were due to team together here, however Caprice has cited a foot injury, and requested that the newly christened Teresa Taylor takes her place. Don't be fooled by Sara's current world ranking of 46, as she has been 7th in the past and was a serial winner just two years ago. Her Gusto Breeze deck focuses on taking advantage of the graveyard as a second hand to perform combo attacks. Meanwhile Teresa Taylor is only 17, but already has a strong track record of gritty performances, her Style with Eyes of Blue deck is upgraded every time we see it here. They are a strong team to be reckoned with.'

As the pair reached the zone, they slapped hands, and then posed together, holding their right fists over their left shoulders, with their thumb and index finger facing in directly opposing directions, and their necks bridging back, as fireworks went off for them on the entranceway, getting a huge response from the appreciative and incredibly lively crowd, who had duelling chants of "Style Council" and "Var-si-ty" going on in an infectious atmosphere.

The Varsity music then played, and Astrid and Blair emerged in their jackets, running out to a huge response from the crowd, as they both raised a "V" symbol on their left hands, and bumped fists before running around signing autographs at lightning speed, before reaching the zone, and as Kalin discussed their situation, they shared some warm words with Teresa, but some rather tenser words with Sara.

"Their opponents are the Varsity Club, two incredibly talented young women in Astrid Hofferson and Blair Flannigan, and I'm not just saying that because Astrid beat me for the WDC Championship. Between them they have more than 30 tournament wins at amateur level, and are both starting to make a huge impact at the top tables now. Last time out, they secured a tense victory over Junction 7 to free their Renegade leader Maddy Smith from the thrall Junction 7 had her under, and now are looking to go out with a bang in what the rumours suggest may be their last duel together for now."

"As for their strategies, both run a variety of decks, but I'm reliably informed that Astrid will be utilising her Games of the Gods deck, combining theming of the Norse mythology she grew up on with the Video Games that are such a factor of modern society for a deck that looks to fire out a series of Level 9 monsters, and control the board through removal and negation, while Blair will be playing the Crystal Crossing deck that she utilised to such skillful effect at No Mercy, swarming the board to set up for the big finale with Rainbow Dragon and otherwise controlling tempo like she does best. They'll be eager to give this one everything they've got, now they have the pressure off their shoulders."

Style Council (Teresa Taylor/Sara Sawyer) LP:8000 vs. Varsity Club (Astrid Hofferson/Blair Flannigan) LP:8000

(Sara hand: Gusto Gulldo, Tailwind of Gusto, Gusto Vedir, Emergency Teleport, Pilica, Descendant of Gusto)

Sara: 'I'll start with Gusto Gulldo (Atk:500). Then I'll equip it with Tailwind of Gusto, before using Tailwind to summon a Gusto of a different type from my deck. I summon Pilica, Descendant of Gusto (Atk:1000). Now Level 3 Gulldo tunes to Level 3 Pilica, so I can summon Daigusto Laplampilica (Def.:2600). Laplampilica's effect allows me to summon a Gusto from my hand and one from my deck, then immediately Synchro summon with them, while Gulldo in the graveyard summons a Level 2 or lower monster from my deck. Gulldo summons Winda, Priestess of Gusto (Atk:1000), while Laplampilica summons Gusto Vedir from my hand and Gusto Codor from my deck (Atk:600;1000), and Synchro them off for Daigusto Sphreez (Atk:2000).'

'Now Sphreez's effect adds Vedir back to my hand. And while I'm at it, I'll tune Level 3 Gulldo to Level 3 Winda, to summon Psychic Nightmare (Atk:2400). And I'll target Astrid, by picking a random card in your hand and calling the supertype of it correct, Nightmare gains 1000 Attack until the end of your turn.' As the right-most card was selected, Sara chose 'Spell card', a pick that turned out to be on point. 'It's my Generaider Boss Stage (Atk:2400-3400).' 'I end my turn setting one.'

(Astrid hand: Generaider Boss Loot, Vala, Seidr of the Generaider Bosses, Dovelgus, Generaider Boss of Iron, Kuji-KIri Curse, Generaider Boss Stage, Nidhogg, Generaider Boss of Ice)

Astrid: 'I'll draw and activate the effect of Vala, Seidr of the Generaider Bosses, to discard Dovelgus and summon herself (Atk:2500). Then I'll use Vala's effect to' 'I activate Breakthrough Skill, which disables the effect of your monster.' 'Ok, I'll activate Kuji-Kiri Curse, to banish Nidhogg from my hand and draw two new cards. Now I'll activate Boss Stage, and set two cards to end my turn.'

(Tee hand: Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Majesty with Eyes of Blue, Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon, Silver's Cry, Fusion Sage, Blue-Eyes White Dragon)

Tee: 'I'll draw' 'Boss Stage, I'll summon Harr, Generaider Boss of Storms, as well as three Tokens (Def.:3000, Atk:1500x3).' 'And I'll activate Fusion Sage, which gets Polymerisation from my hand.' 'That triggers Harr's effect, which will send a random card from your hand to the graveyard.' Harr stretched his arm out, and one of the Blue-Eyes White Dragons in Tee's hand got shot through with lightning, making her send it away.

'Good job I've got Silver's Cry then, it'll bring Blue-Eyes back (Atk:3000). Then I'll activate Polymerisation, to fuse two Blue-Eyes White Dragons together, and summon Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon (Atk:3000). Any comments?' There was, surprisingly, nothing, with the Varsity Club focused on winning. 'That's all good. Just in case you get any ideas, I'll activate Majesty with Eyes of Blue now. This will negate Harr's effect, so if you want to negate anything with it, then do it now.' Astrid smiled, and responded 'You're good, but thanks.'

'In that case, I'll attack Harr with Sphreez first. And when I do, you take all the damage we'd take.' Sphreez took aim with her wand, and a strange light emerged from it, which harmlessly passed through Harr, hitting Astrid instead (VC LP:8000-7000). 'Now Twin Burst can attack your Generaider Token.' Twin Burst loaded up shots of lightning in both mouths, before using them to completely fry the defenceless Token (VC LP:7000-5500).

'And for the next attack, I can attack Harr. And when Twin Burst fails to destroy your monster, it banishes it instead.' 'That's where you're wrong' Astrid responded, stepping up her intensity. 'I'll activate my face-down Generaider Boss Room.' As she did, Harr stamped his staff down, creating a darkened space around the field. 'Now whenever you activate a monster effect, that effect reads "each player draws one card". So thanks.'

As a shocked Tee drew alongside everyone else, Astrid smiled to Blair. 'How's that for you?' 'Not bad.' Trying to be aggressive still, Tee looked for any way to return fire, but had nothing left. 'I'll end my turn' she stated, visibly frustrated at only dealing 2500 damage. But Sara seemed satisfied with this. 'Beautiful job.'

(Blair hand: Crystal Bond, Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth, Last Resort, Crystal Miracle, Golden Rule, E Force)

Blair: 'I'll draw and activate a Spell card called Golden Rule.' A brilliant gold aura appeared as she did, and the (technically) tag champions suddenly looked to have renewed confidence. 'This places two Crystal Beasts from my deck in my Spell and Trap zone, then I can summon a different one from my hand. I'll encase Sapphire Pegasus and Ruby Carbuncle in crystal, and summon Amber Mammoth (Def.:1600). Then I'll activate E Force.' A giant ruby-coloured E emerged from the card, as Blair boasted 'This will summon a Crystal Beast from my Spell and Trap zone. So appear, Sapphire Pegasus (Atk:1800).'

'Now Pegasus is around, it can place Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle in the Spell and Trap zone. And while I'm at it, I can use Crystal Bond, to place Emerald Tortoise in the Spell and Trap zone. Then I can overlay my Amber Mammoth and Sapphire Pegasus to summon the chronos terror itself, a being above material ideas, Dugares the Timeless (Def.:1200). Dugares, I'll activate your effect, detaching two materials to draw two cards and then skip my next Draw phase.'

'And one of the cards I drew was this - Rare Value. You get to send a Crystal from my field to the graveyard, but then I get two valuable cards in return.' Knowing the lack of difference it made, Tee declared 'I'll send Cobalt Eagle.' 'Great, I'll draw two then. I'll set two cards and pass the turn.'

(Sara hand: Pilica, Descendant of Gusto, Gusto Vedir, Dust Storm of Gusto)

Sara: 'I'll draw, and keep aggressive with Pilica, Descendant of Gusto (Atk:1000). When she's summoned, she gets to summon a Gusto from my graveyard. I'll bring back Gulldo (Atk:500), then Synchro the two of them off for another Sphreez (Atk:2000). When it's summoned, I can add back Pilica to my hand. Then I'll switch Laplampilica to Attack (Atk:1600), and attack Dugares with it.' Pilica on the back of her trusty bird shot an earthen light at Dugares, freezing it in place for a piercing swoop from her steed, removing Dugares.

'Now I'll be able to polish off Vala with Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon.' Twin Burst fired its devastating lightning, which burned Vala straight to the ground (VC LP:5500-5000). 'Sphreez #1, attack directly!' This was when Blair enacted a plan. 'I'll activate my face-down Last Resort.' 'That bloody card' Tee responded in frustration, as Astrid looked on, delighted. 'This activates a little Field spell from my deck called Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins.'

With the ruins appearing on the field, Blair revealed the uses of it. 'Because I have at least two Crystals in the backrow, I can halve the damage from this attack (VC LP:5000-4000).' 'That's fine, I've got another Sphreez ready to swing in.' The second Sphreez unleashed a powerful dust storm, which put the Style Council in a shockingly dominant position (VC LP:4000-2000). 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

As the turn concluded, Astrid shook her head. 'Can't believe I forgot Boss Stage there.' 'Astrid, you're doing it again' Blair informed her in return. 'Doing what?' 'Thinking too hard. You're so far in your own head that you're missing the obvious things. Just… cool down is what I'm trying to say, calm your tits and enjoy something you probably never thought would happen.' She looked over to Blair, and gave her a thumbs up as she took her next turn.

(Astrid hand: Generaider Boss Bite)

Astrid: 'I'll draw and activate Vala's effect in my graveyard, discarding Boss Bite to summon it (Atk:2500). Then I'll summon Dovelgus, Generaider Boss of Iron with the effect of Vala (Atk:1500), before overlaying them both to Xyz summon Laevateinn, Generaider Boss of Shadows (Atk:2500). When Laevateinn is on the field, all your monsters lose 1000 Attack, so now I can attack over Twin Burst.' Laevateinn shot a red light from its staff which burst through Twin Burst, but failed to get rid of it (SC LP:8000-7500). 'Good job it can't be destroyed in battle eh?' Astrid wasn't concerned though.

'Now I'll use the effect of Laevateinn to tribute itself and summon Jormungardr, Generaider Boss of Eternity (Atk:0). It starts weak, but it now gets to suck up your two Sphreezes as materials (Atk:2000). And by detaching one of them, both myself and Sara get to draw a card, then attach card from our hands to Jormungardr as a material.' 'Do I have to tell you what the card is?' 'I mean I'm going to see it anyway, it'd be weird for me not to, so I don't really care.'

Realising how strange her question was, Sara quietly drew and then attached Gusto Thunbolt as a material, while Astrid did the same with Generaider Boss Loot (Atk:2000-3000). Then thanks to Boss Stage, I can summon Nidhogg, Generaider Boss of Ice (Def.:2600). Then I'll destroy your Laplampilica with Jormungardr.' The serpentine Jormungardr slithered around the field, before lunging right across the entire field, biting the bird and rider, swallowing them whole (SC LP:7500-6100). 'I end my turn.'

(Tee hand: Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon, Trade-In)

Tee: 'I'll draw, and activate Trade-In, to send Solid Dragon to my graveyard and draw two cards. Then I'll activate another Trade-In, sending Blue-Eyes White Dragon to the grave and drawing two more cards.' After drawing, she kicked the floor of the arena in frustration, having failed to draw what she wanted. 'I'll attack your snake thingy with Twin Burst, they'll tie but Twin Burst can't be destroyed in battle and its effect will then banish your monster.' 'Well I'll activate Jormungardr's effect first, picking Sara to share the draw with me this time (Atk:3000-4000; SC LP:6100-5100). 'I'll end my turn setting two cards.'

(Blair hand: Crystal Beacon)

Blair: 'I'll draw and activate Crystal Beacon, to summon Sapphire Pegasus from my deck. And when he's summoned, he places Amethyst Cat as a Crystal in my Spell and Trap zone. And now, for the real plan. I activate my face-down Crystal Abundance!' As she did, the four crystals in Blair's Spell and Trap zone crumbled, and turned into an enormous storm of gem fragments, which slashed viciously at everything on the field.

'This card allows me to sacrifice four Crystals from my Spell and Trap zone, to send every card on the field to the graveyard. Then for every card you both lost, I can summon a Crystal Beast from my graveyard. I think five should be plenty - Sapphire Pegasus, Cobalt Eagle, Amber Mammoth, Amethyst Cat and Emerald Tortoise (Atk:1800,1400,1500,1200,800). And that means I can attack for the game.' The five Crystal Beasts fired away with their attacks, and ended the entertaining clash (SC LP:6100-0).

With another win firmly in the bag, Astrid and Blair united in a lengthy embrace, as an interviewer walked up to them. 'Here with the Varsity Club, a great victory again, we heard before the duel that there were rumours of you both splitting up from each other. Now we do have to ask the question now - is this true, and regardless, what is next for the both of you?' They looked at each other, and then Blair explained the situation.

'When we joined forces, it was at a very specific time, and we were described as the "nuclear option". Inherently, that meant that we were the only option, this is not something that was ever meant to be, and then was not ever meant to last. We agreed from the start that when our job was done, then our team would split up. And so, that's what's going to happen.' As the crowd seemed deflated at this, Astrid then added 'Never say never. Because when we're most needed, we will reunite. Or, if a certain Connection is made again, then maybe we could be persuaded…' she hinted, the crowd immediately understanding, and erupting for the thought as the interview abruptly ended, the two of them waving to the crowd on their way out.

Backstage, Donny was being interviewed ahead of his duel. 'Donny Anderson, we saw you return recently at the side of the Renegades and in particular Rio Kastle, what is the relationship between you?' Swaying from side to side with his signature shades on, he responded 'Just helping a friend, a mentor to me, and then she hired me as her P.A, but I'm not telling you how much she's paying me.'

'Now your opponent here, Justin Pipe, has stated that you are, and I quote "purely for show, a loudmouth with no skill". Do you have any response to this?' He laughed, taking his chewing gum out of his mouth, and told her 'Look, I'll be first to tell you that imma little bit of a loudmouth, I tell people what I think, I antagonise, I talk a good game. But the difference is that I'm a loudmouth and I back it up.' He then took his shades off, and stared down the camera. 'When he's been out there with me, he's not going to remember Donny the loudmouth, he's going to remember Donny the stone cold killer, and he's going to remember the anger of the red right hand.'

In the zone, Justin was waiting with the second edition of his book, now in a glossier hardback when Justin walked out, sunglasses and leather jacket adorned, raising the two finger rockstar symbol on both hands as he appeared, before running down, hyping up a quietening crowd as he did, and as he entered the zone, he got into Justin's face and screamed while raising the symbol again.

"Someone who emerged recently on our screens, this will be Donny Anderson's professional debut, as the Renegade Advanced Duelling course graduate appears to be the personal assistant to Interim Renegades President Rio Kastle. 7th place on the aforementioned course, the Las Vegas Loudmouth looks to bring the terror with a deadly Unchained deck, releasing ancient prisoners from their bindings and destroying his own cards to great effect. He might talk a big game, but we're about to see if he can back it up against a promising opponent.'

Donny Anderson LP:8000 vs. Justin Pipe LP:8000

(Donny hand: Unchained Soul of Sharvara, Escape of the Unchained, Unchained Twins - Sarama, Wailing of the Unchained Souls, Unchained Twins - Aruha)

Turn 1: Donny: 'I'll start by setting a card face-down in my backrow, then I'll destroy it for Unchained Soul of Sharvara (Atk:2000). Then I'll summon Unchained Twins - Sarama (Atk:1500), and destroy them to summon Unchained Twins - Aruha (Atk:1500). That triggers the effect of Sarama, to summon Unchained Soul of Shyama from my deck (Def.:1500). Now I'll Link off Sharvara and Shyama to Link summon Link 2, Unchained Soul of Rage (Atk:1800). And because Sharvara was sent to the graveyard, I can add Abominable Chamber of the Unchained from my deck to my hand. I'll set two and end my turn. Now come at me bitch boy!' he shouted, clearly hyped up.

(Justin hand: Gravekeeper's Spiritualist, Gravekeeper's Chief, Gravekeeper's Curse, Gravekeeper's Shaman, Polymerisation, Gravekeeper's Visionary)

Justin: 'I'm no bitch, I'm a Player, because unlike you, I don't let some chick boss me around.' 'Hey, only I'm allowed to call that chick a chick. And she can boss me around any day.' 'You're nothing more than a weak nothing of a man, I'll take you easy. I activate Polymerisation, fusing Gravekeeper's Shaman and Chief to Fusion summon Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist, and it gains its materials' Levels x100 as Attack points (Atk:2000-3100). I'll go to my Battle phase, and'

'Now you see yer monster, now you don't, because Unchained Soul of Rage is about to Link off YOUR monster along with mine!' The ice-blue tortured soul surged across the field, and circled around Supernaturalist, before entering it, and making it transform into a large red dog-like creature with a red tortured soul emerging from it. 'Meet Link 3, Unchained Soul of Anguish (Atk:2400).' 'That's fine, because afterwards, I'll set a monster, and' 'I activate Escape of the Unchained. This trap destroys your set monster and my Aruha.'

A pair of what appeared to be prison gates formed on the field, and an unseen spirit tried to barge the door down, eventually busting through them, and surging through both monsters, destroying them. 'And because I destroyed Aruha, I can summon Abominable Unchained Soul from my deck (Atk:3000).' Frustrated and without other options, Justin ended his turn to the inevitable.

(Donny hand: Unchained Twins - Rakea)

Donny: 'I'll draw, and summon Unchained Twins - Rakea (Atk:1500). Then I'll use its effect, to set Escape of the Unchained back on my field, then destroy it immediately. That triggers Escape, to summon Unchained Soul of Shyama from my deck (Atk:2000). I'll Link off Shyama and Rakea to summon Unchained Soul Lord of Yama (Atk:2000), and use it to add Aruha back from my graveyard to my hand. Now I'll use Aruha, destroying my Abominable Chamber of the Unchained to summon itself (Atk:1500), and triggering Chamber to summon Abominable Unchained Soul (Atk:3000).'

'And while we're at it, let's go a little further' he boasted, ignoring the fact that he already had more than enough damage to win. 'I'll Link off Anguish and Aruha to summon Unchained Abomination (Atk:3000). Now my three monsters will attack you!' Three fiends' souls surging with evil intent, Justin was powerless to stop the onslaught, and was wiped out in one go, while Donny made a gun clicking gesture and noise at Chazz, staring at him the entire time (Justin LP:8000-0).

As soon as the victory was confirmed, Chazz took a microphone and started mouthing off at Donny. 'You think you're real clever, because you beat somebody in five minutes, big deal. You're nothing special, I beat people in two minutes before, and you don't hear me boasting about it. You're just a small man with a big mouth.' 'Hey, you got a big gob for someone who's stood 3 metres away, why don't you come over here and talk smack to my face before I smack yours!'

Not intimidated by these words, Chazz cockily walked straight up to Donny, and told him 'I ain't got time for B players.' 'Yeah, like you ain't got time for people you badmouth either, how long was it that you spent running away from Blair? And then when you faced her, we found out why - it's because yer shit! If you want to prove yourself then by all means challenge me, but I'm a prizefighter, so you're gonna have to make it worth my while. Of course, you could also chicken out. Choice is yours, get back to me at International Panic.' He made the clicking noise again, and walked away, patting Chazz on the back as he did, and slapping hands with fans on the way back.

As he returned, Rio was waiting for him by the entrance gate. 'You really fancy yourself don't you?' 'No idea what you're talking about.' 'I mean Gangsta's Paradise? Seriously? If I didn't know better I'd suggest Blair put you up to this, she's the one who thinks that song's a cultural icon.' He smiled, and told her 'Would you love me any less if I was a gangsta?' She grinned, and tapped him on the chest. 'Keep trying, big boy.'

In an office backstage

Michael was sat behind a desk, the WDC Tag-Team Championship belts in front of him, buckled up and shimmering. 'Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Michael Grey Adams, I am the Commissioner of the WDC. I was informed earlier this afternoon that the new WDC Tag-Team Champions, Blair Flannigan and Astrid Hofferson of the Varsity Club, have chosen to end their team together, and therefore vacate their titles.'

'Now the Board of Directors were informed of this several days ago, and therefore they have devised an eight team tournament, the first round of which will be held at WDC World Tour: Long Beach, with all sixteen duellists being under the age of 26.' As the teams appeared on the screens, Michael decided to read them out anyway. 'The teams are as follows:

Frozen Diamonds (Blair Flannigan [20] and Rio Kastle [21])

Junction 7 (Kieran Byrne [25] and Nash Kastle [24])

No Remorse Corps (Radley [26] and Kari Tsukumo [25])

Style Council (Sara Sawyer [24] and Teresa Taylor [18])

The Cast (Brooke Angharad [19] and Jade Goocheneyad [22])

Bad Breed (Freja McKinna [25] and Belle Draper [21])

Wild Stallions (Zak Zapata [20] and Marko Anders [21])

Style Council (Myka Grainger [23] and Caprice Morris [23])

'Now the draw for the eight teams will be made on Monday morning at 9am, the details of which will be on the WDC website. The opening round will be held in Long Beach, with the finals being at WDC: State of the Art in Innsbruck in three weeks' time. We wish the best of luck to all eight teams, and may the best duo win.'

Elsewhere backstage, Maddy was still trying to get her head together, when she was approached by Kari and Radley, and shot up, ready to try and defend herself, only for Kari to reach out to her shoulder. 'We come in peace. We're on your side.' 'And Claude?' 'Is nothing to do with us anymore. I take it you don't remember?' 'I don't really remember much of anything that's happened recently, my brain's basically one massive black hole of nothing.'

Radley then explained their presence. 'We were just here to tell you that it's great to see you back as yourself. Seeing you the way you were, it just wasn't right, so we just want to tell you that when you go out there later, you're not alone, we've got your back for whatever you need.' This blew Maddy's mind. 'I can't believe how much I've missed, it's like walking into a brand new world almost, everything just feels all foreign and strange.'

Kalin then walked into the corridor, and seeing Maddy sat with her head in her hands, sat down next to her while Kari and Radley looked concerned. 'Hey, it looks like you're having a tough time kid.' 'I'm just really struggling, I don't remember anything, and I just feel like it's a totally foreign world I'm now in.' 'Well there are probably a few things you don't want to remember, but the stuff you do, I'll write down a cliff notes version and then hand it over to you later. Hope it just jogs something for you.'

'Thanks… it's just that I don't know anything.' 'You'll be good' he smiled while patting her on the knee. 'I think what you need after this is some time off. I'll swing it with the Board that you get a few weeks just to readjust at home, or go on a vacation or whatever. Oh, and if Junction 7 try any funny business later on, I've got you covered, they've done enough damage already with the looks of things.'

On the other side of the arena, another interview was taking place, this time with Rio, who was clearly bristling with energy as she kept moving up and down on her legs and shaking her arms out. 'Here now with the President' 'Interim' 'Sorry, Interim President of the Renegades, Rio Kastle. Rio, the last time we saw you in action, you were unable to bring yourself to even duel, so what's changed?'

'As I've addressed before, that was a horrible situation, but I stepped away from duelling because of other priorities. But it's great to be back to what I actually do best, and that's teach my brother a thing or two about double standards. Reginald, because nobody's buying this "Nash Kastle" bullshit, and you know I only address you by your full name when I'm angry with you, so Reginald, you think that everything Maddy's been through, everything we went through, is "karma"? What about everything you've done in your life? Do you not deserve punishing for that in that case? You're just using double standards to defend the indefensible. So I'm going to show you what karma really is, because while you're the same borderline asshole you've always been, I'm not.'

In the zone

Nash's new music started, and he walked out to the zone, incredibly confident about his chances. 'The following duel is a Grudge Match. Introducing first, representing Junction 7, from Twin Falls, Idaho, the Shark - Nash Kastle.' As he was walking, it became clear that the fans' boos for him were only getting louder, but he didn't appear to care, as he entered the zone, signature purple jacket adorning his frame, and smiling to himself. He could even be seen saying "Come out kid" to the camera.

So mere seconds later, that's exactly what Rio did, with a remix of her theme playing, wearing a purple and ice blue bodysuit, with a determine look spread across her face. 'Introducing his opponent, representing the Renegade nation, from Twin Falls, Idaho, she is the Interim President of the Renegades - Cold Blooded Rio Kastle.' The fans' adoration spurring her on, she marched down, no hesitation, and got straight into her brother's face.

'I'm impressed, you managed to walk up to me without looking scared.' 'Funny Reginald, but this whole situation's about to go very south for you very quickly. I know you don't think much of my abilities, but times change, and I've evolved. Meanwhile you're always staying the same, always manipulating, always trying to tell me who I should be rather than working on your own character flaws.' 'Big words for a little kid.' 'I'm far more than a kid now. You want proof? Then I'll give you a first hand experience.' As he looked in her eyes though, he saw something different - self belief.

Grudge Match: Rio Kastle LP:8000 vs. Reginald Kastle LP:8000

(Rio hand: Floowandereeze & Robina, Floowandereeze & Empen, Floowandereeze and the Scary Sea, Floowandereeze & Toccan, Floowandereeze and the Advent of Adventure)

Turn 1: Rio: 'Why don't you go first, try and burn me before I beat you.' 'Chance would be a fine thing' she responded, before revealing her deck. 'Let's start our story with Floowandereeze and Robina (Atk:600).' 'Wow… a robin' Nash stated, underwhelmed, but he was quickly going to learn the power of this bird. 'You sound disappointed. Would you like to know that when she's summoned, she adds Floowandereeze and Eglen to my hand, and then I can Normal summon again? I'll summon Eglen (Atk:800).'

'Now Eglen can use its effect to add a Level 7 or higher Winged Beast to my hand. I'll grab Snowl, and then I can Normal summon again. So I'll tribute both of my birds of a feather to summon their big brother - Floowandereeze and Empen. It's getting chilly out here brother, and it's not just the atmosphere between us' she declared as the temperature started to drop, and the emperor penguin appeared on the field, towering and intimidating (Atk:2700). Then because they left the field, my Floos get banished, but they don't stay there for long - as I Normal summoned a Winged Beast, both my banished monsters migrate back to my hand. Also, Empen searches an archetypal Spell/Trap on summon, so I'll get myself Floowandereeze and the Dreaming Town.'

'I'll set one and end my turn. Just for the sake of openness by the way, because that's something you clearly forgot about over time, Empen has a little… party piece. While he's on the field, you can't activate the effect of any Special summoned monster unless they're in Defence mode. You might have your dreams of empire and conquest, but I have something far mightier - people who need me, and people who trust me.'

(Nash hand: Buzzsaw Shark, Lantern Shark, Eagle Shark, Water Hazard, Panther Shark, Poseidon Wave)

Nash: 'You're getting an ego, so I'm going to cut you down to size! I'll activate Water Hazard, using it to summon Lantern Shark (Def.:900), and I'll use its effect to summon Buzzsaw Shark from my hand (Def.:500). I'll use its effect to target itself and summon Drake Shark (Atk:1400). Drake Shark can be used as two materials for the summon of a Water Xyz monster which requires at least three materials, so I can overlay it and Buzzsaw Shark to Xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake (Atk:2800).'

'That's sweet, but did you really think I was going to let you play unopposed? I activate Floowandereeze and the Scary Sea!' A stormy ocean then filled the field, tossing the powerful Drake around like it was merely a toy. 'These oceans are too rough for even your deck to handle, Shark Drake's in too deep. So it's going to return to your hand, and then for the rest of the turn, you can Normal summon up to three times.'

This revelation made him laugh. 'You're just digging your own grave here' he declared as Shark Drake got sucked into a thunderous whirlpool and vanished from the field. 'Oh really? Well good luck when you can't Special summon for the rest of the turn because of Stormy Sea.' Having been left in a compromising position, Nash scrambled, setting a card to conclude his turn prematurely, but convinced himself 'You just got lucky this turn.'

(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and Toccan, Floowandereeze and the Advent of Adventure, Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and Eglen, Dark Simorgh)

Rio: 'If you insist' she taunted confidently, taking him aback. 'I'll draw and I'll summon Floowandereeze and Robina (Atk:600). Then she'll let me add Floowandereeze and Stri to my hand, before I summon Floowandereeze and Stri (Atk:700). Stri's effect will banish Buzzsaw Shark from your graveyard, and then I can Normal summon again. So I'll tribute both Stri and Robina to summon the vulture on wings of darkness, feasting off the carcass of your ambitions, Dark Simorgh (Atk:2700). And after that, Robina adds itself back to my hand, but I'll neglect to do the same with Stri.'

It was this arrival which sent a clear message to her brother. 'She's not messing around here' he muttered, as she readied to swing into battle. 'Dark Simorgh, attack Lantern Shark with Talon Twister.' Simorgh swooped in from a steep angle, but before it could make an impact, it flew head-first into a fierce wall of water. 'Poseidon Wave, how original (Rio LP:8000-7200). Good job I still have this then - my Empen can also attack.' Empen swung a wing sharp and sturdy as steel into Lantern Shark, effortlessly crushing its face. 'I'll set one and end my turn. Don't forget, not only can you not activate the effect of Special summoned monsters unless they're in Defence mode, but now Dark Simorgh's out, you also can't set any cards.'

This set-up started to get her brother thinking though. 'I've seen this before… but where? These tactics, this set-up, this restriction…' As the reality dawned on him, Rio was more than happy to confirm his suspicions. 'If you're thinking "Gee, this is a lot like her tag partner and World Number 1", then that's because it is. Cursed shadow puppets or cute lil' birds, it doesn't matter - it's two flavours of the same pain. And for what we've been through, your suffering's not going to be quick.'

'But… why me?' 'Who better to prove my point? Everybody associated with Junction 7, Rhydian or Akiza, has a bounty on their heads. And sooner or later, the Renegades come to collect. You had the choice between me and Rhydian, and brother, you made the wrong choice. So consider this your payment. I'm not the same kid you used to know, it's about time you learned that.' Angered at being berated by his sister, Nash's hand then glowed pink as he accessed his Barian birthright. 'I've never lost to you, and I have no intention of doing so now! What happened to Maddy was karma for her taking you away from me!'

(Nash hand: Eagle Shark, Panther Shark, Rank-up-Magic The Seventh One)

Nash: 'Chaos Draw! I activate Rank-up-Magic The Seventh One! You might have turned your back on your people but I will never! This will summon Number 101 - Silent Honor ARK from my Extra deck (Atk:2100), and then immediately rank it up! Chaos Xyz Evolution! Barian's power, born of chaos, lay waste to this world of filth! I Xyz summon Number C101: Silent Honor DARK (Atk:2800).'

'Now I'll attack Empen with Silent Honor DARK. Cursed Javelin!' DARK launched its spear straight towards the bird, but Rio had come prepared. 'I told you, different flavour of pain. When it's battling another monster, Empen can banish Robina from my hand to halve the Attack and Defence of your monster (DARK Atk:2800-1400). How's that for being prepared?' DARK's spear hit Empen, but was batted away by the sturdy wing straight into its owner (Nash LP:8000-6700).

'When DARK's destroyed while it has its base form as material, it revives itself (Def.:1500), and I regain Life points equal to its Attack (Nash LP:6700-9500). So you're further back than when you started.' 'Not at all, you're just trying to demoralise me like you always do. Because you can't stand the idea of being beaten by your kid sister. Well bad news brother, it's happening, whether you like it or not.'

(Rio hand: Floowandereeze and Toccan, Floowandereeze and Eglen, Floowandereeze and Robina, D.D. Crow)

Rio: 'I'll draw, summoning Floowandereeze and Eglen (Atk:800).' 'I'm getting a little fed-up of that' Nash retorted, but Rio was still laser focused. 'The effect of my Robina will add Floowandereeze and Snowl to my hand, while Stri's effect will return itself from my banished then I can summon Stri (Atk:700), using it to banish Silent Honor ARK from your graveyard, before I tribute it and Eglen for the all-seeing wise owl himself, Floowandereeze and Snowl!' As it was summoned, the pure white Snowl created a snowstorm, Rio standing stoically in the midst of it, her expression staying calm throughout (Atk:2900).

'Now Snowl's effect is that when it's on the field, all of my monsters do piercing damage. Snowl, show him what I mean!' Snowl flew into battle, its beak extending outwards, and ghosted straight through DARK, ripping out its insides in the process (Nash LP:9500-8000). 'And now my other monsters attack!' Empen threw shards of ice from the tips of its wings like a frosted aircraft, and Simorgh whipped up a twister which it dove through, ripping away a huge swaithe of Nash's Life points (Nash LP:8000-3600). 'I end my turn.'

As Nash reeled from the assault, Rio loomed large, arms outstretched, as she confidently asked him 'C'mon, what else you got? Because I didn't come here to f around, I came here to prove that I am better than you.' This whipped the crowd up into a frenzy, as Nash picked himself up, looking suddenly jaded and out of ideas. 'Who… even are you?' he wondered, but Rio wasn't relenting. 'Take your turn or I'm presume you're quitting.'

(Nash hand: Panther Shark, Eagle Shark, Dark Ruler No More)

Nash: 'I draw, and I'll activate Dark Ruler No More, negating the effects of all your monsters for the turn. Then I'll summon Panther Shark (Atk:1100) with no tribute because you control at least two monsters, and I'll then summon Eagle Shark because I control Panther Shark (Atk:1000). Now I'll overlay them both and Xyz summon Number 73: Abyss Splash (Atk:2400). And now it's going to attack Snowl with Final Fall!' Abyss attacked with a giant waterfall, using its effect in the process (Atk:2400-4800), and dealing half damage (Rio LP:7200-6250). Confident that he had turned the proverbial tide, Nash calmly ended his turn (Atk:4800-2400).

(Rio hand: D.D. Crow, Floowandereeze and Eglen, Floowandereeze and Robina, Floowandereeze and the Unexplored Winds)

Rio: 'I'll draw, and it's about time that I wrapped this one up. I'll activate Floowandereeze and the Unexplored Winds, then summon Floowandereeze and Eglen (Atk:800).' 'Him again? Are you mocking me?' he questioned, unaware of what was to come. 'I'll add Mist Valley Apex Avian. Then I'll show you the power of Unexplored Winds, because when I'm Tribute summoning a Level 7 or higher Winged Beast, I can use one of your monsters as a tribute. I'll offer up your Abyss Splash and my Eglen so I can summon Mist Valley Apex Avian (Atk:2700), and I'll attack with both my monsters.' Simorgh produced an earthen twister, and Avian's wings slammed into the twister, throwing it straight into Nash, and securing Rio a shockingly comfortable victory (Nash LP:3600-0).

Her victory secured, Rio raised the red right hand over her brother, who looked up at her in shock. She leant down to him, and shouted 'This is karma', before taking a microphone, as the crowd continued to cheer for her. 'Just a quick PSA for you all; the next time you want people to compete in a tournament, maybe talk to them about it first. Me and Blair won't be in the tag title tournament, because we're both going it alone, we've got ambitions beyond those titles right now. And talking of that, International Panic is coming up, and I. Want. In.'

Without any form of acknowledgement though, Rio marched backstage, where she found Michael in his office. 'Did you not just hear me out there? I want in.' 'Oh, I didn't think you were serious. Sorry, but no, I'm not having some brain-damaged kid representing my company in such a big show. If it was up to me, you wouldn't even be here, you'd be in the hospital waiting for the end like you should be. Akiza's the USA representative in International Panic, she's the best duellist from there right now, and won't collapse if they get hit.'

Furious, Rio went to slap him, but got held back by Phil. 'Easy tiger, we've got a much better solution for this than violence.' As he steered her away, he played a recording of the conversation. 'Now I've got this recording of what he said, which was incredibly unprofessional. It would be a real shame if… I don't know, your manager emailed this to the Board of Directors expressing concern at impartiality, wouldn't it?'

'And how does that help me?' 'Short-term, help yourself. If you want in, and somebody's in your way, then you deal with the problem. You don't need me to tell you what to do, you're smart, you know what you're doing. But I'll happily support you in anything, you know that.' 'Thanks. I'm glad I've got you as a manager.' 'You'll be even more glad when I get back to being a manager for you like I should be.'

They were then interrupted by Ally rushing up to Rio, and hugging her leg. 'Hey… who invited a dog in here? What's up Ally?' 'He's here, he's here, Uncle Drake, he's here!' Rio's eyes completely lit up as she heard this, and they ran off, finding him stood in a dirty grey jacket, chatting away to Blair. They then saw Rio arrive, and Blair smiled, before backing off and letting the two hug each other.

'Thanks so much for coming.' 'We were just on our way to come and see you, Alex stayed behind in Paris, she's going to catch up with us when we're on our way back.' 'We can always arrange for Jack to pick her up on our way back.' 'It's fine, she's booked cheap tickets back to Newcastle Airport tomorrow. It's great to see you, loved the performance out there, especially what you said afterwards, it's the spirit you need in this world.'

'Thanks, I think I got a little bit overexcited.' 'It's not a bad thing' Blair told her in return. 'I've been telling you for ages now, you deserve so much more than you get. If I was you I'd be going straight to the top, so if you want in for International Panic, then you go and do it.' 'And you wouldn't be mad about not doing it?' Blair smiled, and revealed 'I don't want to represent America anyway, as far as I'm concerned I'm Team UK, I was born there, I live there, what more is there to say?'

Maddy then put her arm around Blair and joked 'You're more British than Freja, at least you were born there.' This caught Drake's attention, and he smiled. 'It's good to see you back to yourself.' 'I mean I'm not really, but thanks. I heard you were supporting everyone while I was… y'know, so thank you.' 'It's not like I did much, but I'll help you lot all I can, it's an honour if anything to be able to.'

He then went to tap Maddy on the back as a sign of friendship, but as soon as he touched her, she turned around, fangs bared, and almost pushed him to the ground. 'Woah, easy wolfie' he told her, clearly rattled but keeping his cool. Seeing what she did, Maddy ran away in embarrassment, and she was immediately followed by Freja, while Blair and Rio checked on Drake.

'Are you ok? You're not hurt are you?' 'I'm fine' he waved them off in return. 'Just caught me by surprise a bit.' Astrid then came up to him apologetically. 'I'm so sorry, Maddy's not like that normally' 'You don't need to.' He sat himself down, and explained why. 'When she's reacting like that, there's a reason for it. My concern is her right now, because I'm wondering if something's happened that we don't know about, she won't do that for no reason, and that wasn't thought out, that was an instinctual reaction. I just hope she's ok.'

In the toilets

Maddy was crying, feeling devastated at her reaction to Drake, when scented tissues started falling, apparently from the sky. So she looked up, and found Freja sat between the cubicles, distributing the tissues out of their plastic packet. 'Just so you know, the tissue in these toilets is proper rough, I wouldn't use them on my backside, never mind your eyes.' 'What are you… even doing here?' 'Checking on you, because that wasn't you. What's going on Mads?'

'I… don't know. It's just as soon as he touched me, I didn't even get time to think, I just… lashed out.' 'I can't help if you won't tell me anything though.' 'That's just the thing, I don't remember anything. The entire time, there's these flashes of things, but they're only flashes, I don't remember anything else. Is he ok?' 'Seems it, Rio texted me that he's taken it in his stride, more concerned about you. Now if you'll come out, I can give you a hug.'

Shortly after this, the toilet flushed, and Maddy walked out of the cubicle, just in time to see Freja slide down the wall to the other cubicle and greet her, smiling. 'I'm not going to get better, am I?' 'It's been barely a week, give yourself some time. Look, I'm not being funny here, but I really don't think you should be going out there later.' 'I have to, to try and fix some of the damage I've done. I have to do something, and if this is the way, then I'll have to do it.' 'Well I'll at least have your back.' They hugged again, and walked out arm in arm.

In the duelling zone

Myka walked out first, her sapphire blue hair roughly tied in a high ponytail, and sporting similar electric blue gear of a shirt and jeans, with tall leather boots. As she walked down, she looked confident, and got a warm welcome from a crowd who appeared to be fully aware of her talent. And as she entered the zone, she started pounding on the floor in aggression, before demanding that Phil enter. So he did, wearing a simple red shirt and grey jogging trousers combo, being fully focused as he walked straight down. Entering the zone, he raised the Red Right Hand in front of Myka as the introductions were made.

'The following is an Unsanctioned Duel. The WDC will take no responsibility over this duel, there are no disqualifications, and both competitors have signed a hold harmless agreement before the duel that acknowledge they take full responsibility in the case of injury. Introducing first, from Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada, she is Myka "The Storm" Grainger.' Myka growled and roared as she was introduced. 'And introducing her opponent, representing the Dynasty, from Taylor Park, Manchester, England, he is the Northern Nightmare - Phil Robinson.' He calmly raised his arm, and then the duel commenced.

Unsanctioned Duel: Myka Grainger LP:8000 vs. Phil Robinson LP:8000

(Myka hand: Kozmotown, Kozmo Dark Eclipser, Kozmo Delta Shuttle, Kozmo DOG FIghter, Emergency Teleport)

Turn 1: Myka: 'I'll open up by activating the Field spell Kozmotown.' An emerald city stretched across the expanse of the field, as Myka looked incredibly confident. 'Now I'll use the effect of Kozmotown, to mulligan any number of Kozmo monsters back into my deck to draw that many cards. I'll send back Dark Eclipser, Delta Shuttle and DOG Fighter to draw three new cards. Then I'll summon Kozmo Goodwitch (Atk:1800), and I'll end my turn setting two cards.'

(Phil hand: Cyber Dragon Core, Cyber Dragon Nachster, Overload Fusion, Cyber Dragon Vier, Cyber Pharos, Cyberdark Claw)

Phil: 'Time to knock some respect into you. I'll draw for my turn and summon Cyber Pharos (Atk:0).' 'You really will play any old junk won't you?' 'Why use Polymerisation when you can use Polymerisation on a monster? Pharos allows me to fuse itself with the Cyber Dragon Nachster in my hand to Fusion summon Chimeratech Rampage Dragon (Atk:2100). And when it's summoned, its two materials mean I can destroy both of your face-downs.' 'I'll respond by activating one of them - Emergency Teleport. From my deck I'll summon Kozmo Scaredy Lion (Def.:500).' Rampage Dragon's fierce double-headed assault then took out Kozmourning, as Phil looked to build early momentum.

'Now I'll summon Cyber Dragon Core, and use it to add Cyberload Fusion to my hand.' 'By all means do, I'll take it on.' 'Seems like you've been waiting for this.' 'You kidding?' she responded, clearly up for the fight. 'I've waited for years to face someone like you, and now you just up and present yourself to me? This is what I want. So you continue doing what you do, and then I'll beat you.'

Impressed at her attitude, he continued. 'I'll activate Overload Fusion, banishing the Core from my field, as well as the Nachster and Pharos from my graveyard, to Fusion summon the two heads of terror, Cyber Twin Dragon (Atk:2800). I'll then go to battle' 'I'll activate Goodwitch's effect, to pay 1000 Life points (Myka LP:8000-7000), and flipping your Twin Dragon face-down.' 'I'll attack your Wickedwitch with Rampage Dragon.' 'And I'll use Goodwitch, to banish herself and summon Kozmo Dark Destroyer (Atk:3000). When it's summoned, your Twin Dragon gets shot into oblivion.'

As the Dark Destroyer annihilated Phil's set Twin Dragon with laser blasts, he turned his attention to her other monster. 'Destroy Scaredy Lion. Rampage Revolution!' The multi-headed mechanical menace charged up fire, before roasting the head of the Lion until it was a charred and unrecognisable mess. 'I'll end my turn with a face-down.'

(Myka hand: Kozmo Lightsword)

Myka: 'I'll draw, and equip my Goodwitch with Kozmo Lightsword. She gains 500 Attack points (Atk:1800-2300), and will deal piercing damage as well. 'Now I'll destroy Rampage Dragon with Dark Destroyer.' The offensive spaceship flew into battle, firing its lasers as it did, and blasting Rampage Dragon apart (Phil LP:8000-7100). 'And now Goodwitch will attack directly.' 'I'll activate Cyberload Fusion, shuffling back the three monsters I banished last turn to Fusion summon the great wall that's not made from china - Cyber Eternity Dragon (Def.:4000).' 'I'll end my turn, you really need to get some better dad jokes.'

(Phil hand: Cyber Dragon Vier, Cyberdark Claw, Cosmic Cyclone)

Phil: 'I'll draw, and I'll set one card before I end my turn. Come and have a go if you think you can break the wall.'

(Myka hand: Kozmourning)

Myka: 'I'll draw, setting one card before I end my turn since I can't currently get past your monster.'

(Phil hand: Cyber Dragon Vier, Cyberdark Claw, Pot of Duality)

Phil: 'I'll draw, and activate Pot of Duality. I can't Special summon this turn, but it allows me to look at the top three cards off the top of my deck, adding one to my hand. The others, I shuffle back.' He excavated Born from Draconis, Limiter Removal, and Foolish Burial, frustrating him. 'I'll add Limiter Removal to my hand. Then I'll end my turn.'

(Myka hand: Megamorph)

Myka: 'I'll draw and activate Megamorph, equipping it to Kozmo Goodwitch, and doubling her Attack because my Life points are lower (Myka LP:7000; Phil LP:7100, Goodwitch Atk:2300-4600). And because of Lightsword, when she destroys your monster, you'll take piercing damage.' Goodwitch seared through the mighty barrier of a Dragon with her sword glowing, destroying it (Phil LP:7100-6500; Goodwitch Atk:4600-1150). 'Then I'll attack with Dark Destroyer.' Myka's calculated play saw Phil taking significant damage, as he fell significantly behind his experienced opponent (Phil LP:6500-3500). 'I end my turn.'

(Phil hand: Cyber Dragon Vier, Cyberdark Claw, Cyber Dragon Core)

Phil: 'I'll draw and summon Cyber Dragon Core. I'll use its effect, searching Cyber Emergency, and chain Cyber Dragon Vier to summon itself (Atk:1100-1600; Core Atk:400-900). Now I'll Link both off. Evolve, Cyber Dragon Sieger (Atk:2100). Sieger, attack and use your effect to gain Attack (Atk:2100-4200). Good luck flipping this one with Goodwitch' The latest evolution in Cybernetic technology released a blue electrical beam, which messed with Dark Destroyer and made it crash straight into the ground, Myka's points only being protected by Sieger's restriction.

'You can sound cocky, but you need to remember that every time you get rid of a ship, reinforcements come from the deck. I summon Kozmo Landwalker (Atk:2400).' Aware he was in a perilous position, Phil had little he could do. 'I'll end my turn.' All he could do was wait and hope.

(Myka hand: Brain Research Lab)

Myka: 'I'll draw. Landwalker, attack his Sieger.' Unable to afford Landwalker's effect going off, Phil had to let his monster be stamped into oblivion (Phil LP:3500-3100). 'Goodwitch, do your thing.' Goodwitch swung her weapon around, and reduced Phil's points further (Phil LP:3100-1950). 'I end my turn.'

(Phil hand: Cyberdark Claw, Limiter Removal, Cyber Emergency, Damage Diet)

Phil: 'I'll draw, and activate Cyber Emergency, to add Cyber Dragon Core to my hand. Then I'll summon Core (Atk:400), and use it to search for Cyberdark Realm. Then I'll activate Realm, to add Cyberdark Claw to my hand. Now I'll use the effect of Claw in my hand, discarding it to search Cybernetic Horizon. Now Horizon, I'll discard another Claw and send Cyber Dragon Core from my deck to the graveyard, to add Cyberdark Cannon to my hand, and send Cyber End Dragon to my graveyard.'

Still looking incredibly tense and edgy, he continued the huge combo move. 'Cannon's effect, discard to add Cyberdark Chimera. I'll then summon Chimera, as Realm gives me an Extra normal summon (Atk:800), allowing Chimera to discard this Damage Diet and add Power Bond to my hand. Now let's get linking off.' 'Going for another Seiger? That's brave…' she responded, but he had something very different in mind.

'No, I've got something much worse for you. It's time to deliver, Link 2, Union Carrier (Atk:1000). And because I activated Chimera's effect this turn, I can use Power Bond to Fusion summon with monsters in my graveyard as well. So I'll fuse the five Cyberdarks in my graveyard, to Fusion summon Cyberdarkness Dragon (Atk:2000-4000). Cyberdarkness then equips Cyber End Dragon from my graveyard to itself, gaining its Attack points (Atk:4000-8000).'

'And I'll also activate Union Carrier, to equip Dragon Buster Destruction Sword from my deck to Cyberdarkness.' 'When you do that, I'll use Goodwitch to pay 500 Life points (Myka LP:7000-6500), and flip your Cyberdarkness face-down.' 'I'll use Cyberdarkness' effect, sending Dragon Buster to my graveyard and negating the effect, before destroying your Goodwitch.' As Goodwitch tried to work her magic, she was instead stung by the powerful stinger on the tail of Cyberdarkness, frying her.

'And with that sorted, I'll also activate Limiter Removal to double the Attack of my monster (Atk:8000-16000). Now Cyberdarkness Dragon, show her what real power is!' The supercharged Dragon shot a ball of electricity from its tail, which exploded on impact with Landwalker, securing Phil an unlikely victory (Myka LP:6500-0).

After the duel, Phil raised his arm in victory, and shaking his head, he walked over to Myka, who was furious as she realised the opportunities she had missed, and offered his hand. 'I might not like your attitude, but there's one thing that's certain - you belong at the top.' Coming off as more modest, she responded 'I want you to know I don't mean some of the things I said, I'm just sick of people thinking we mean anything to each other.' 'Well you keep her name out of your mouth, and we'll keep yours out of ours. No hard feelings, and you keep pushing, you belong here.' He patted her on the back as he left.

Backstage, Myka was walking out of the arena, frustrated with the loss, when Caprice came up to her, showing no signs of the foot issue that cause her to pull out of the opening duel. 'What do you want?' 'What I wanted before - you to confirm that you're with us. Because like us, you proved that you can be beautiful and successful in equal measure. You're fabulous, I'm fabulous, so let's just join forces, because you're going to get nowhere without anybody having your back.' Myka didn't speak, but the knowing look confirmed that she was in, as did she and Caprice leaving together.

A video then played, highlighting Belle's actions as a double agent, from when she first appeared with Junction 7 to her only duel with them and her apparent paranoia in it, to Rio announcing the existence of a double agent. Dual arguments from Belle and Shannon then came up, with Shannon declaring 'I will have no mercy for that little brat, the way she betrayed us deserves nothing but death and destruction', while Belle stated 'I don't regret betraying them, because it was a perfect plan executed perfectly. They tried to use our friend as a weapon, so I used my mind as a weapon. She thinks she knows how dangerous I can be, but the truth is, she doesn't have a clue.'

As the package ended, Belle walked out first, hair wrapped up into a bun, wearing a purple shirt with a wolf's face on it in black felt. 'The following duel is a Grudge Match. Introducing first, representing the Renegades, from Headingley, Leeds, England, she is The Myth - Belle Draper.' "Belle Draper has come onto the professional scene from nowhere in the past few months like a house on fire, taking on and beating anyone in her way, with a mere two professional losses to her name. Her End of Qlife deck looks to put an end to the hopes her opponents have of winning, and has proven just as capable going slowly and looking for the big KO push. But will this quiet and shy Yorkshirewoman survive this bitter clash?'

While she was walking down, Shannon stormed out, and before she could be introduced, pushed Belle to the ground, taking a swift punch to the chest in return. Security then stepped in as the announcer stated 'Introducing her opponent, from Solihull, England, Shannon Kelly.' As security defused the situation, Shannon pushed them all away and activated her duel disk. 'Prepare for hell!' 'Likewise' Belle returned, as the bitter battle began.

Grudge Match: Belle Draper LP:8000 vs Shannon Kelly LP:8000

(Belle hand: Qliphort Scout, Qliphort Monolith, Re-Qliate, Qliphort Shell, Saqlifice)

Turn 1: Belle: 'You know I don't regret doing what I did don't you? I had to protect her from your insanity.' 'She was being saved, you just tried to doom her to a life of delusion and misery, only having me and Rhydian in her life can make her happy!' 'You don't want her to be happy, you want her to not be her. He was turning her into something totally different.' 'He was purifying her of your disgusting influence. I like the fact you think she'd choose some criminal street rat over her actual family and friends.'

'What - the family you forced her to turn on? Including the mother who spent so much time with us, trying to get her home? I put myself in the greatest danger I've ever been in, worse than being in prison, when I was with them, do you even know what it's like to see the one person who believed in you when nobody else would in that situation? Unable to defend herself because of what Akiza and Rhydian were doing to her, and you just thought that was ok? Some friend you are. But since I can't give you a thump on her behalf, beating you will have to do.'

'I'll take my turn, setting Scout and Monolith in my Pendulum scales, and then using Scout (Belle LP:8000-7200), and adding Qliphort Helix to my hand. Now I'll Pendulum summon Helix (Atk:2400-1800), and equip it with Saqlifice (Atk:1800-2100), before tributing it as two tributes due to Saqlifice and summon Qliphort Shell (Atk:2800). And Re-Qliate's graveyard effect adds Qliphort Disc to my hand. I end my turn with a face-down, and Monolith draws me a card.'

(Shannon hand: Zombie World, Il Blud, Eldlich the Golden Lord, Cursed Eldland, Huaquero of the Golden Land, El Dorado Adelantado)

Shannon: 'You think that you get to tell me how bad a friend I am? She's the one who damn near killed me, you lot turned her into a killing machine, Akiza was just making her a Renegade killing machine, that's all right with the world. Because none of you deserve to be alive, and when she's back with us, I'm going to make sure that you have to watch everyone else fall and you're all alone.' 'Well good news, I am anyway, so it's not like you'd be doing anything worse than I've already done by trying to do the right thing.'

'Well, this is going to be even more fun than I thought then, because I get to take the last thing away from your life. I'll activate the Field spell Zombie World.' As the dank and eerie undead realm spread, Shannon laughed. 'Like taking candy from a jailbird baby. I'll activate Cursed Eldland, paying 800 Life points (Shannon LP:8000-7200), and adding Guardian of the Golden Land to my hand. Then I'll activate the effect of Eldlich the Golden Lord in my hand, sending Huaquero of the Golden Land to my graveyard alongside itself to send your Shell to the great beyond.'

'Now I'll use Eldlich's graveyard effect, sending Eldland to the graveyard, and adding Eldlich back to my hand. Then I can summon Il Blud from my hand, and it will gain 1000 Attack points and can't be destroyed by card effects (Atk:2200-3200).' 'I'll activate Re-Qliate to limit the damage you can do, by negating Il Blud's effects. Also, it's banished when it leaves the field.' 'That's just fine, I'll still attack you directly and make you suffer!' The horrific Zombie monster surged out of its demonic shell towards Belle, and left her Life points at half of their original total, as she watched on, cautiously but still quietly confident (Belle LP:7200-4000). 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

(Belle hand: Qliphort Stealth, Wavering Eyes, Qliphort Helix)

Belle: 'I'll draw, and activate Scout's effect, paying 800 Life points (Belle LP:4000-3200), and adding Qliphort Carrier to my hand. Then I'll activate the Spell card Wavering Eyes, destroying both the cards in my Pendulum scales, to deal 500 damage and add Qliphort Stealth to my hand.' As a storm erupted, taking away a handful of Shannon's points (Shannon LP:7200-6700), Belle screamed 'If I burn, you burn with me!', as the crowd watched on intensely.

After the storm cleared, Shannon hit back. 'Oh don't worry, I'll make you burn alright. I'll make you burn in hell, but only after you've watched Maddy become the perfect version of herself. Because you lot, you broke the cocoon, and there's still a metamorphosis in her mind, that you're not breaking, you can't reverse it. Some things you just can't reset, so just give her back to us and everything will be fine. Otherwise, I'll make you burn like the pig that you are!'

Belle though, wasn't scared. 'Being there every day, seeing her turned into some object like she was, that was worse than burning in hell. Seeing her being beaten up constantly, seeing her be used as collateral, that was beyond hell. But I stayed there, and do you know why?' she asked with tears in her eyes. 'Because I knew that I was the only thing keeping her anything approaching safe, because she didn't know how to. She has a little brother who needs her, and you were happy to take that away from her, all as some kind of power play? You're disgusting! That's why I'm content to take you down slowly, make it nice and torturous for you.'

'I'll set my Scales again with Qliphort Carrier and Qliphort Helix, then I'll use them to Pendulum summon Qliphort Monolith. Now for the Pendulum zone effects - Carrier gives a 300 point boost to all my Qli monsters, while Helix debuffs your monsters by 300 (Monolith Atk:2400-2700; Il Blud Atk:3200-2900).' 'All that and you still can't' 'Summon Qliphort Stealth (Atk:2800-3100). Stealth, attack Il Blud.' The silent attacker vanished from the field, before materialising again in front of the Zombie, and a single purple laser shot went straight into Il Blud's face, destroying it (Shannon LP:6700-6500). 'And I'll also attack with Monolith.' Monolith's top panel opened, and a laser shot out, scanning the field before hitting Shannon and tripping her up like a rope (Shannon LP:6500-3800). 'I end my turn.'

(Shannon hand: El Dorado Adelantado, Guardian of the Golden Land, Eldlich the Golden Lord, Conquistador of the Golden Land)

Shannon: 'Don't you just hate people with superiority complexes? One murder charge or whatever they called it, we know that you just killed her, because wherever you go, destruction and pain follow. Oh trust me, I've been told so much about you like you'd never believe.' 'I think I would believe it, I'm no stranger to the people I've hurt. And to be honest, I'm done defending myself, believe what you want to.'

'I will do, because I only believe the truth! And right now, what I believe is that I'm going to beat you and prove that just because you're hyped up, doesn't mean you're anything more than a scared little girl lost in a world she doesn't get. I'll prove that by activating Cursed Eldland again, to add Golden Land Forever to my hand. Now I'll set a backrow card and use Eldlich's effect, sending Guardian of the Golden Land from my hand to my graveyard, and using it to send Qliphort Helix to the graveyard.'

'Now I'll use the effect of Eldlich in the graveyard, to send Conquistador of the Golden Land to the graveyard and add itself back to my hand, then summoning itself with 1000 more Attack points (Atk:2500-3500). Now attack Qliphort Stealth with Midas Madness!' The zombified Lord reached his golden hand out towards Stealth, turning it to gold before it shattered (Belle LP:3200-2800). 'I end my turn setting another card. You're just done, especially after I banish Guardian from the graveyard to set Eldlixer of Scarlet Sanguine from my deck.'

(Belle hand: Qliphort Stealth, Qliphort Cephalopod)

Belle: 'Done? Don't even know the meaning of it. I draw and I'll summon Qliphort Cephalopod (Atk:2800-3100), before ending my turn.' 'Since it's the End phase, I'll banish Huaquero of the Golden Land to set Eldlixer of Black Awakening from my deck (Eldlich Atk:3500-2500).'

(Shannon hand: Doomking Balerdroch)

Shannon: 'I'll draw, and activate Eldlixer of Black Awakening, to summon Doomking Balerdroch (Atk:2800). Then I'll switch Eldlich to Defence (Def.:2800) and activate Eldland, paying 800 points (Shannon LP:3800-3000) to add Golden Land Forever to my hand. I'll end my turn. Come and get me if you think you can, because I think we both know that you're simply not good enough, isn't that right Jailbird?'

(Belle hand: Qliphort Stealth, Wavering Eyes)

Belle: 'I'll draw and attack your Eldlich.' This greatly surprised Shannon, who was fully expecting her to attack Balerdroch for the damage, but instead, Eldlich was stunned by falling tentacles, which then dragged it back up to the ship, never to be seen again. Realising that she was now close to losing, Belle then made a calculated play, as she stated 'Now I'll summon Qliphort Disk (Atk:2800-3100), and end my turn.'

(Shannon hand: Zombie Master)

Shannon: 'I'll draw.' Seeing she couldn't use the monster in her hand because of Re-Qliate, Shannon made a risky play. 'I'll use Eldland (Shannon LP:3000-2200), to add the 3rd Eldlich the Golden Lord to my hand. Then I'll end my turn, because what are you realistically going to do to me? You're just some stupid ex-con.' This was when Belle had taken enough, and as her next turn started, she struck back.

(Belle hand: Qliphort Stealth, Wavering Eyes, Saqlifice)

Belle: 'That's rich coming from someone who once installed a security camera inside Maddy's home so she could film her turning into a wolf and then send the footage to Segolia, who, by the way, would have taken Maddy's wolf if we hadn't have broken in there and destroyed the serums.' 'You…' 'You're not the only one who can dig up dirt. Difference is, you're using old newspaper articles, I'm using the horse's mouth!'

While Shannon reeled, Belle turned up her intensity. 'I'll draw, and since I've got a couple of monsters out, I'm going to Link summon using them. You might think you're smart, but you picked on the wrong fucking bitch Shannon!' Belle then raised the red right hand, causing the fans to erupt into cheers for her. 'Appear, Link 2, the control core, Qliphort Genius (Atk:1800). Now I'll set my other Pendulum Scale with Scale 1 Stealth and Pendulum summon two monsters from my Extra deck, because of my monster's two downwards pointing arrows - Cephalopod and Stealth (Atk:2800-3100x2; Balerdroch Atk:2800-2500). Then with the effect of Genius, I'll add Apoqliphort Skybase.'

'Stealth, attack!' Stealth's single laser burst straight through Balerdroch, destroying it (Shannon LP:2200-1600). 'And Genius will attack for game. Told you not to fuck with me.' 'Yeah, nice line, I'll activate El Dorado Adelantado! By shuffling three Golden Land cards with different names from banishment into the deck, I can halve your Life points, and steal those points for myself (Belle LP:2800-1400; Shannon LP:1600-3000). I'll also activate Eldlixer of Scarlet Sanguine, to summon Eldlich the Golden Lord from my grave (Def.:2800).' 'I'll cancel my attack, then get rid of Eldlich with Cephalopod.' Eldlich proved to be no match as it again got taken up by the descending tentacles, with a ghoulish end awaiting it. The duel passing 50 minutes, neither competitor looked like giving an inch.

Realising she then had to do something to survive, Belle came up with a workaround. 'I'll activate Saqlifice, equipping it to my Qliphort Genius.' 'It's immune to Spells and Traps, dummy.' 'Oh, I know' Belle responded with a self-assurance that belied her lack of experience. 'But it doesn't stop it being equipped with cards anyway, and Saqlifice can still treat it as two tributes for Qliphort Stealth (Atk:2800-3100). That's the turn.' 'You're a sneaky little shit, you know that?'

'Not as sneaky as selling my supposed best friend out.' 'Don't pretend you wouldn't do whatever you had to for science.' 'Science, yeah. Biological terrorism is where I draw the line though. I just can't wrap my head around how screwed up you have to be to do that, I mean I thought being a schizophrenic with a manslaughter conviction was bad, but you make me look totally sane.'

(Shannon hand: Zombie Master, Zombie World)

Shannon: 'Don't even go there, because I'll happily do what you did to that poor girl - throw you down a hill, and smash your head off some rocks. Yeah, I know all about your dirty little secrets' 'They're hardly secrets when they were splashed on the news front page. But you know, you continue to believe what you want to believe, I'll continue to know what happened, and I'll continue to not care what you think because all you are is a functioning psychopath.'

'I've got half a mind to walk over there and punch you in the face, but I'll at least wait until after I beat you. I'll draw and activate the effect of Eldland, to pay 800 points and add Conquistador of the Golden Land to my hand.' 'Do that, see if I care, you still can't use its effects.' Frustrated, Shannon started throwing moves at the wall. 'I'll use Eldlich in the graveyard, sending Eldland to the graveyard, and adding Eldlich back to my hand. Then I'll summon it with 1000 more Attack points (Eldlich Atk:2200-3200). Eldlich, attack Qliphort Stealth.' Eldlich reached out with a deathly golden hand, turning Stealth to gold and then crumbling it like gold dust (Belle LP:1400-1300). 'I end my turn.'

(Belle hand: Wavering Eyes, Apoqliphort Skybase, Shockwave)

Belle: 'I'll draw and activate Wavering Eyes.' Seeing the danger of the card, Shannon immediately responded. 'I'll activate Golden Land Forever, to tribute one of my Eldliches, negate the effect of your Wavering Eyes and destroy it.' 'And that's exactly what I needed. Because I couldn't beat you until you used that up. Now you have, I'll activate Qlimate Change. This takes three Qli monsters from my face-up Extra deck, and adds them all back to my hand. I'll take Stealth, Cephalopod and Monolith.'

'Now I'll Pendulum summon all three of them (Atk:2800-3100;2800-3100;2400-2700). And by tributing all three, I can summon down the mighty Apoqliphort Skybase (Atk:2900).' 'You realise you just got rid of a huge amount of Attack don't you? And why's your Skybase so weak?' 'Unaffected by Spells and Traps' she responded. 'He also gets to steal your Eldlich.' 'I'll use Balerdroch's effect to negate it.' 'No you're not, because Skybase is immune to monster effects from anything that's Level 9 or below.'

'Now Skybase, attack Balerdroch with Sky Crisis.' Skybase flew overhead, and released a single bomb from its base, which blew up Balerdroch in a pastel of bright colours (Shannon LP:3000-2900). 'And now your own Eldlich will finish you off.' The ghostly golden hand reached out, and with a single shadowy punch, the duel came to an end just seconds before the hour (Shannon LP:2900-0).

Upon victory, Belle raised her arm again, but was then blindsided by Shannon leaping at her with a concealed spike in her hand. As security rushed out, Belle looked over, blood falling from an indent on the top of her head, and charged, taking Shannon down, and the two got entangled in a vicious catfight, scratching, clawing, and even biting each other, the fight only being stopped when Kieran and Blair ran out to pull their respective combatant away, with Shannon being escorted out first, followed by Belle shortly after.

As Shannon returned, she walked into Rhydian threatening Akiza. 'This is the chance for you to make right on your mistake, I expect you to do that. If you don't, I'm warning you, there will be severe consequences. You are coming back with Maddy or else.' Calmly, she responded 'I'm fully aware, there is no chance of her winning. Not least because I've got a little surprise for her as soon as she enters.'

Meanwhile, an incredibly nervous and anxious looking Maddy was waiting for the entrance gate to open, her heart pounding, her face coming out in cold sweats, and her mind racing. As she was preparing to enter it though, she was ambushed by a television camera and an interviewer, shocking her into utter silence and fear, only for Donny to immediately run over to them, and push them away. 'If you want to talk to her, then you approach her like humans, not like she's a piece of meat. You ok?' She gently nodded, and after taking a moment, she nodded to the interviewer, with Donny guiding the microphone to a suitable position.

'Maddy, after everything it sounds like you've been through, this will be a bitter main event, you must hate Akiza beyond belief' 'I don't. While I was under her control, all I was able to feel was hate, my mind was twisted and being ripped apart, and all I could feel… all I was allowed to feel… was hatred for everything and everyone. The entire world was just shades of black and evil, so I refuse to feel hate anymore. Now if you'll excuse me.' She then walked into the gate for the duel.

Akiza entered first, looking incredibly calm and composed as she did so. The crowd greeted her with jeers and insults, but she very apparently wasn't listening, walking straight down while appearing to be very eager for Maddy to enter. As she entered the zone, she mouthed to the entranceway opposite 'Come into my nest little fly, come into my nest and I'll destroy you, and then rebuild you anew.'

The moment A Promise that I Keep's opening bars started, the crowd went mental, chanting for Maddy and singing her name. Soon after, the familiar Don entered, head down, shuffling slowly through to the walk down, as Akiza shouted 'Now!', and a trap was triggered, with Junction 7, Claude, Sledgehammer, Chazz and a suspended Bolton all ganging up on the Don, only for them to force their way out and take the hat off to reveal Astrid in Maddy's old gear.

The momentary shock of this was enough for the Renegades to rush out alongside Drake, and an enormous brawl erupted, with both sides lashing out viciously, trading punches and kicks. Freja in particular was whirring like a dynamo, dishing out forearms and elbows to everybody in sight, especially Rhydian who took several vicious elbows right to the throat from her, harking back to their earlier conflicts. But when she tried to attack Claude, he grabbed her by the throat, and started choking.

This was when Kari and Radley's music started, and they rushed out, both attacking Claude together, before turning their attention to the rest of Junction 7, aligning with the Renegades to an immense reaction. So bad was this brawling that by the time security emerged, it was clear that they wouldn't be able to stop the fighting, as they tried to ease the situation to no return.

This continued until a squadron of police officers arrived in riot armour. Even then several officers ended up taking shots to the face, as Belle cracked the closed cut on her head open again after headbutting Shannon in the face. Eventually though, the officers managed to get between the two sides, and restrain most of the combatants to remove them from the arena peacefully.

As this happened though, Maddy quietly walked out, past all the chaos, to an incredible response. She walked straight down, head down and focusing on keeping out of trouble, and was soon able to reach the zone, where she took a moment to breathe, before activating her duel disk. 'So the little fly escaped the trap did she?' 'I knew you'd try something, that's why Astrid suggested that, so you'd spring the trap early. So let's just get this over and done with' she told Akiza calmly. 'Soon, you're going to be back where you belong - with us, mindless and empty.'

Maddy Smith LP:8000 vs. Akiza Izinski LP:8000

(Akiza hand: White Rose Dragon, Roxrose Dragon, Basal Rose Shoot, Thorn of Malice, Rose Curse)

Akiza: 'Once a slave, always a slave, you belong to us… to me, and I'm not letting you slip through my fingers again. I summon White Rose Dragon (Atk:1200), and using it, I'll summon Roxrose Dragon (Atk:1600). Now I'll tune Level 3 Roxrose to Level 4 White Rose! Through the flames of destruction come the radiant light that will bring you back to our grasp. I summon Black Rose Moonlight Dragon (Atk:2400). I'll equip it with Thorn of Malice, granting 600 more Attack (Atk:2400-3000), and end my turn.'

(Maddy hand: Big Koala, Yellow Baboon, Archer of the Forest, Sacred Sword of Seven Stars, Ancient Rules, Power of the Guardians, Heart of the Underdog)

Maddy: 'I don't belong to anybody, I belong to the earth like we all do. And if you can't accept that? Well I'll just have to earn my freedom. I know everyone thinks I should hate you, but while I was being manipulated, while my mind was being ripped apart, all I could think of, all I was allowed to think of, was hate. So now, I refuse to hate. I don't hate Rhydian, I don't hate Lukas, and I don't hate you.' 'A person without hate is weak!' Akiza yelled, but Maddy disagreed, as she calmly explained.

'A person without hate isn't weak, a person who gives up hate is stronger than they could ever imagine. I don't hate you because I've been you, I've been consumed by hatred and power and those dark thoughts. And I know how difficult it is to not be consumed by them, so please, let me show you that there's a better way. That hatred is only going to destroy you like it was destroying me. Like it destroyed me.'

'I'll activate a Spell card called Ancient Rules. This allows me to summon Big Koala from my hand without restriction (Atk:2700). And then I'll equip it with Power of the Guardians, so when he attacks, it gains a Spell counter and he gains 500 Attack points. Attack Moonlight Dragon with Takedown from Down Under.' As Koala charged on all fours, it shone due to Maddy's equip spell (SC:0-1; Atk:2700-3200), and with a full body tackle, ran over Akiza's mighty dragon (Akiza LP:8000-7800). 'You'll pay for that you rat! When my Moonlight Dragon is destroyed, Roxrose adds itself back to my hand.' 'I'll end my turn by activating Heart of the Underdog.'

(Akiza hand: Basal Rose Shoot, Lonefire Blossom)

Akiza: 'I don't believe it for a second when you say you don't hate me. After all, I took everything from you, hell I took your special deck and I burned it on a bonfire right in front of you! All those cards that you put your heart and soul into, and you watched them go up in smoke.' Maddy though, barely made a reaction, which annoyed Akiza further. 'Would you at least look at me when I'm talking? I'll summon Lonefire Blossom (Atk:500), and tribute it for Chirubime, Princess of Autumn Leaves (Def.:2800). I end my turn.'

(Maddy hand: Yellow Baboon, Archer of the Forest, Sacred Sword of Seven Stars, Big Koala)

Maddy: 'I'll draw for my turn, and because I drew a Normal monster, I can reveal it with Heart of the Underdog to draw another card. I'll then reveal Ancient One of the Deep Forest to draw another card.' This process continued for a number of minutes with Maddy revealing a total of eleven Normal monsters after Ancient One (Bunilla, Alligator's Sword, Great Angus, Great Angus, Skull Dog Marron, Bunilla, Big Koala, Melffy Rabby, Wolf, Bunilla, Wolf), before finally drawing something else.

'After that, I'll activate Card Destruction, so we both have to discard our entire hands and draw again. Now I'll summon Chaos Necromancer (Atk:0).' This made Akiza recoil. 'Why are you playing that?' She stared blankly for it for a moment, and then responded 'I don't remember', giving Akiza a thought which she quickly shut down. 'No, that's just stupid. How would she be fighting like this?'

'I don't know why I'm playing this card, but I'm glad I am' Maddy stated quietly. 'Chaos Necromancer gains 300 Attack for every Monster in my graveyard, Of which I have 14.' A faint light started to emanate from Maddy's graveyard, which Necromancer caught in its hand, gaining immense power in the process (Atk:0-4200). Big Koala, attack her Chirubime.' Maddy's Koala charged in again, gaining speed all the time (SC:1-2; Atk:3200-3700), and running straight through the Princess, losing no momentum and continuing to run at top speed afterwards.

'My Princess' effect allows me to summon another Plant from my deck when she's destroyed by your hand. I summon Regenerating Rose (Def.:1500).' 'Well I'll just destroy that with Necromancer.' Necromancer fired a ball of electricity from an outstretched palm at the Rose, zapping the petals off it. 'When my Rose is destroyed, two Tokens take root (Def.:1200, Level:3). Just like they're taking root in your brain.' 'I'll end my turn with four face-downs.' Still trying to work out Maddy's lack of hatred, Akiza took her next turn.

(Akiza hand: White Rose Dragon, Red Rose Dragon, Blood Rose Witch)

Akiza: 'I'll draw! If you don't feel hatred then I'll make sure you don't have to feel anything ever again. I summon the Tuner monster Blood Rose Witch (Atk:700), and I'll then tune Level 1 Blood Rose Witch to my two Level 3 Tokens to summon my faithful companion, the one who's felt hate with me for so long - Black Rose Dragon (Atk:2400). Black Rose, use your effect to clear the entire field. Black Rose Gale!'

While the storm raged, Maddy looked on with barely a blink, as she informed Akiza 'All I have to do is detach a Spell Counter from my Power of the Guardians, and Big Koala survives.' As the whirlwind eventually subsided, as good as Maddy's word, the giant marsupial was still very much alive (Atk:2700). Left frustrated, a perplexed Akiza ended her turn. 'Why are you refusing to feel hate?'

(Maddy hand: Marriage at Burial, Heart of the Underdog, Mage Power, Power of the Guardians, Marriage From the Different Dimension, Icaron's Destruction Ballad - Terpsichora, Final Fusion, Flash Fusion)

Maddy: 'I already told you, you and Rhydian forced me to hate. That was all I could feel while my mind was so twisted, that's all I could think of, that was who I was. So now I want to build a future that isn't powered by hate.' It was now that Akiza finally understood what Maddy was going through… just not in the way Maddy might have expected. 'I think I get it now - why you don't hate me, don't hate yourself. It's because you don't remember what you did, so you can't be angry about it, it's just an empty void of meaningless emotions. So you don't remember me burning your deck, just like you don't remember hitting Hannah with a brick, you don't remember spearing little Ally, you don't remember any of it.'

This should have brought things flooding back for Maddy, except she still seemed numb. 'I don't believe you, I'm sorry, but I know you're trying to make me hate everything, and I'm not going to fall for it. I let you manipulate me once, and I almost lost everything, including my own sanity and mind, so I can't let that happen a second time. That's why I have to win, so I… we can start again, my due paid.'

'I'll draw for my turn, and I activate Mage Power, to give my Big Koala 500 Attack for each Spell or Trap on my field. I see five (Atk:2700-5200). Then I'll also activate my face-down, it's another Mage Power (Atk:5200-7700). 'I'm sorry for what I have to do next, but I have to be free from this. Big Koala, attack directly.' Maddy's Koala charged straight at Akiza, absolutely flattening her where she stood as her Life points vanished in an instant (Akiza LP:7800-100). 'I end my turn.'

(Akiza hand: White Rose Dragon, Red Rose Dragon, Thorn of Malice)

Akiza: 'I'll make you hate me. Since you don't remember, I'll talk you through everything. Let's talk about the time that I tried to sell you into prostitution!' The crowd audibly gasped at this, and it appeared that it unlocked a memory for Maddy. 'I remember… you talking to someone, I don't remember who. You agreed to rent me out for three nights every week.' '$800 a night you were going to fetch, I would have been rich, and Rhydian would have been able to move away with you sooner. But he was too stupid to agree.' She then got her phone out, and played a recording for them of a phone call they'd had the day before Rhydian got out of prison.

'I've spoken with my clients, they think Maddy's beautiful, and of course, a virgin's always ripe for the picking. $800 a night I've had, three nights every week, and they'll pay more if there's more there.' 'Not a chance' the stern response came. 'She's my future wife, her virginity is mine and mine alone. She's going to have it removed the moment I get my hands on her, because then we're bound for life, there's no going back from that. Maddian for ever.'

Maddy was disgusted at this, as was the referee, who had to excuse themselves in order to be sick at what had been heard. But Maddy managed to keep her feelings bottled up, as she took it stoically. 'I assume you don't remember, I think I had you licking the toilet bowl out at the time to test your insane loyalty to me. Of course, you never had any intention of disobeying, because you had no ability to. But now, it's all for me. Rhydian, you can hear me I'm sure, so let me make something clear - this time, it goes by my rules. She's my instrument of destruction first, your girlfriend second.'

'But before then, I have to polish you off. I'll activate the effect of Ruddy Rose Witch, to banish herself from my graveyard, and add Black Rose Dragon back to my Extra deck. Then I'll summon Red Rose Dragon (Atk:1000), and White Rose just invites himself out (Atk:1200). That allows me to tune Level 3 Red Rose and 4 White Rose, to Synchro summon Level 7, Black Rose Dragon (Atk:2400).'

'But that's not even the end of it, because I can then use Red Rose Dragon's effect to summon Roxrose Dragon (Atk:1600), and also search for Frozen Rose. Meanwhile, Roxrose will add Basal Rose Shoot to my hand. Now Level 3 Roxrose tunes Level 7 Black Rose, so I can summon the final demise of your mind' she screamed while laughing maniacally. 'Make us bleed as one - Blood Rose Dragon (Atk:3200).'

'When she's summoned, Blood Rose will banish everything from your field and graveyard! Baying Blood Storm!' The huge Dragon whipped up a deadly storm tainted with deep crimson bloodstains, which dissolved every card on the opposing field, and left Maddy's graveyard empty. 'Now I'll equip it with Thorn of Malice (Atk:3200-3800), and attack. Awaken my Wolfblood Witch!' Maddy stopped and stared as the lashing surge came in, and almost halved her total (Maddy LP:8000-4200). I'll end my turn. If you don't take your turn in 30 seconds, then I'll win, and'

Akiza's boasting was interrupted by Maddy interrupting her. 'Mistress Akiza. I take it that's what you want to hear? Because you don't have any worth in your own life, you don't want anybody else to have any. Or is it just that you want the power? Because if I could give you my powers, I would, because I don't deserve them. All I deserve is contempt, but I've been offered nothing but love, and this is the only way I can repay people. I don't hate you, but nor can I ever forgive you. So all I can do is beat you.'

(Maddy hand: Marriage at Burial, Heart of the Underdog, Power of the Guardians, Marriage from the Different Dimension, Icaron's Destruction Ballad - Terpsichora, Final Fusion, Flash Fusion, Heart of the Underdog)

Maddy: 'I draw, and I'll activate Marriage from the Different Dimension. You've been so intent on hate that you lost sight of your mission, and that's why you never had a chance of winning. I activate Marriage from the Different Dimension. This fuses two monsters that are banished by returning them to the bottom of the deck. I'll combine the size and strength of Big Koala with the punching power of Des Kangaroo to summon the brawler from down under, Master of Oz (Atk:4200). Now Outback Attack.' Master of Oz weathered the storm of thorns from Blood Rose, and reached skyward with a powerful jab, uppercutting the Dragon, as Maddy conquered Akiza, and regained the last of what she had been missing (Akiza LP:100-0).

When the duel ended, Maddy took a huge breath, looking like she was about to collapse before Freja and Astrid rushed out to keep her steady. As she did, the announcement was made. 'Your winner - Maddy Smith. As a result of this win, Phil Robinson is reinstated to the World Duel Tour, and Rhydian Morris must sign a restraining order.' By this point, Maddy had regained enough of her strength to walk up to Akiza, while a devastated Rhydian was almost in tears in the entranceway, shaking his head.

Maddy leant down to Akiza, and, breathless, told her 'Don't live in hate, it never does anybody any good. Even you.' She then stared Rhydian in the eyes, and mouthed 'It's not your fault, but it's for the best.' She turned to leave alongside Freja, but enraged, Akiza pushed her to the ground, causing Maddy to hit her head and knocking her loopy. She then picked her up, and tried to drag her away, only for Freja to run almost the length of the arena and hit an enormous spear, and Astrid swept in to catch Maddy as she tumbled to the ground. They then helped their friend back up to her feet, and carried her out, while Rhydian continued to berate Akiza.

Next time: An innocuous stage in her recovery leads to Maddy reliving her crimes, while Drake and Rio share stories, and Jade and Blair come to a decision. R: Ultra Evolution Book 21: Visions of Sin