This story was done in collaboration between me and Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and we both own the OCs that are used in the story. Everything else belongs to their respective owners:
Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel
The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry
Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami
WARNING: These stories are rated T for moments of violence, mild blood, frightening moments, and some suggestive themes. Viewer discretion may be advised.
Title: HEROs in Name Only, Part 1
Running down the street in the middle of Knapford City, Thomas was trying to find any sign of his friends before any of the Rare Hunters could get to them first.
"I can't let Marik get to any of my friends," he thought to himself, "I have to make sure they remain safe and sound. Oh, why did I have to go off without them?!"
Unfortunately for Thomas, he ran into company… Two Rare Hunters, one bald and another with tall aqua-colored hair, stood nearby, and were not willing to move.
"You're Thomas Billinton, right?" Rare Hunter 1 questioned deviously, readying the Duel Disk on his left arm, "If you want to go any further, you'll need to defeat us!"
"In a duel, of course," added Rare Hunter 2.
"Rare Hunters…" uttered Thomas quietly, then raised his voice, "Move out of my way!"
"Not unless you duel us!" Rare Hunter 1 refused, "If we don't stop you, Master Marik will punish us."
"And if you don't duel us, then your friends will be disposed of immediately," warned Rare Hunter 2, as Thomas scowled, "You wouldn't want that to happen, would you?"
"Looks like I have no other choice," thought Thomas, before giving his response, "Fine! But I promise you that this will be very quick!"
"Hold on!" smirked Rare Hunter 2, "Whoever said we'd face you at once?"
"Huh?"
"You'll have to beat us individually." laughed Rare Hunter 1, "What's the matter? You in a hurry? Well, too bad. Looks like you're stuck here for a while!" He then faced his partner, "So, who's gonna go first?"
"It should be me," answered Rare Hunter 2, "I'm the smarter one, after all."
"Not a chance," Rare Hunter 1 rebutted, waving his right hand, "I want to be the one to defeat Thomas."
"Then we play Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide," suggested Rare Hunter 2.
With that, the two began to play Rock, Paper, Scissors.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors!" The two Rare Hunters chanted at once, then brought their right hands out, "Shoot!"
They both got paper, so it was a tie.
"Again!" requested Rare Hunter 1.
The Rare Hunters tried again, but they kept getting paper on purpose. Thomas knew they were deliberately wasting his time, but could do nothing about it unless anything bad were to happen to his friends.
"You don't have to keep getting paper, you know," complained Rare Hunter 1.
"Let's keep going," offered Rare Hunter 2.
They tried Rock, Paper, Scissors again, this time getting rock at the same time. This went on and on until…
"I've got a better idea," The voice of Spencer echoed.
Thomas and the two Rare Hunters turned to the direction of the voice.
"Y-You!" stammered Rare Hunter 1.
"Spencer!" cried Thomas.
Spencer and Skiff approached the area, with the former looking dangerously smug about the time wasted in the Rare Hunters deciding on who would duel Thomas.
"How about Billinton and I duel you two weaklings?" offered Spencer, "After all, we both wield an 'Egyptian God' Card."
"A tag match?" pressed Rare Hunter 2.
"Well, we do have the right number of players," mused Rare Hunter 1, but then scowled, "But the answer is no! Our target is Thomas Billinton!"
"What's the matter?" teased Spencer coldly, "Are you both afraid of my own dueling and so decide to pick on…" As he (Spencer) mocked them, Rare Hunters 1 and 2 listened carefully, "…the weaker player? Well, I can't say I'm surprised by that."
Sufficient to say, both Rare Hunters were not thrilled in being called scared.
"How dare you!" shouted Rare Hunter 2.
"In that case, we'll take you both on!" accepted Rare Hunter 1.
As the two Rare Hunters activated their Duel Disks and prepared to duel, Spencer walked over to Thomas's side.
"Spencer," Thomas started to say.
"Just don't get the wrong idea, Billinton. I started this tournament to stop the Rare Hunters," said Spencer, as he inserted his Deck into his Duel Disk, "They can't use the cards they steal for evil. But, at the same time, I'm not actually helping you nor your friends," His smirk darkened, "Or maybe you don't need my help since you've acquired a 'God' Card?"
Thomas said nothing in response, while both Rare Hunters 1 and 2 smiled as though they knew something their opponents did not. Finally, Thomas and Spencer both activated their Duel Disks, facing the two Rare Hunters and then drawing their opening hands (LP: 4000) x4.
"Duel!" The four duelists announced at the same time.
Unknown to Thomas and Spencer, someone was standing on a nearby rooftop and watching everything—it was Zander and two cloaked Rare Hunters.
"They fell for it," Zander chuckled, before looking to three Rare Hunter companions standing nearby, "Let's go and get revenge."
The three Rare Hunters nodded and they headed off, while Zander first addressed the two Rare Hunters that remained behind.
"You two stay here, find out everything you can about Thomas and Spencer's dueling," he ordered, while the two Rare Hunters stood motionless but listening, "When the time comes, you will face them in battle."
The two Rare Hunters slightly raised their heads, revealing glowing eyes coming from where their respective faces should be. Back below, Thomas and Spencer faced Rare Hunters 1 and 2.
"Bring it on," dared Rare Hunter 1.
"We'll send you to Hell," grinned Rare Hunter 2.
"Heh! You're deluding yourselves if you think you can win," retorted Spencer, before drawing a card, "It's my turn."
Turn One: Spencer Gresley (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", "Lord of D.", "The Flute of Summoning Dragon", "Divine Dragon Ragnarok", "Polymerization", and "Pot of Greed"
He immediately held the card ('Pot of Greed') up.
"The Spell Card, 'Pot of Greed'," began Spencer, "I must draw 2 cards," He drew two cards, looked at them, then made a move, "Then, I'll Summon 'Lord of Dragon - Dragon's Ruler'!"
Appearing on the field was the caped man with a dragon-like armor (Level: 4/ATK: 1200/DEF: 1100).
"This turn is only beginning," hissed Spencer, before being shown slotting a card into a Spell & Trap Zone on his Duel Disk, "I activate a Spell Card from my hand!" The device lit up, and a Spell Card called 'The Melody of Awakening Dragon' flipped face-up and revealed itself, "'The Melody of Awakening Dragon'!"
A dragon-shaped guitar materialized in the hands of 'Lord of D.'.
"'The Melody of Awakening Dragon'?" blinked Rare Hunter 1.
"This isn't a rock concert, you know!" scoffed Rare Hunter 2.
"Then allow me to show you this isn't a fun event," Spencer corrected, before taking a card from his hand and discarding it a few seconds later, "I must discard 1 card; I must add up to 2 Dragon monsters with 3000 or more ATK and 2500 or less DEF…" He drew two more cards, "…from my Deck to my hand."
"Two monsters with 3000 or more ATK, and 2500 or less DEF?" pondered Rare Hunter 1.
"Wait… That can only mean…!" remembered Rare Hunter 2.
"Hmhmhm… You finally realize it," chuckled Spencer, "But before I do anything more, I'll activate the special ability of 'Lightserpent'!" His GY started to shine, "Resurrect, 'Lightserpent'!"
Appearing on the field was a snake monster with shining aqua-colored scales (Level: 3/ATK: 1200/DEF: 800).
"If this card is sent from the hand to the GY: I can Special Summon this card from my GY," explained Spencer, before holding three cards ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon', 'The Flute of Summoning Dragon', and 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon') "Next, the Spell Card, 'The Flute of Summoning Dragon'!"
A dragon-shaped flute appeared on the hands of 'Lord of D.', and he blew into it and caused a loud sound to be echoed.
"I must Special Summon up to 2 Dragon monsters from my hand," continued Spencer, "'Lord of D.' must be on the field to activate and to resolve this effect," He placed both cards ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon' and 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon') onto his Duel Disk, "Arise, two 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons'!"
In a burst of light, appearing on the field were two white-scaled dragons with mean blue eyes (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500).
"Two dragons on the first turn," admired Thomas.
"And this isn't the end," cut in Spencer.
"What?!" Rare Hunter 2 flinched.
"The Spell Card, 'Polymerization'!" As Spencer spoke, the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field, before holding up two cards ('Lord of D.' and 'Divine Dragon Ragnarok'), "I fuse my 'Lord of D.' with the 'Divine Dragon Ragnarok' in my hand."
Appearing on the field was a white-scaled dragon enveloped by lightning, and it then started merging together with 'Lord of D. while the background showed the artwork of the 'Polymerization' Spell Card and a Summon Chant was heard.
"Ruler of all dragons, become one with the legendary dragon sent by the gods, and subjugate all who oppose your rule!" chanted Spencer, "Fusion Summon! Descend, 'Dragon Djinn - King Dragun'!"
Appearing on the field, when the Fusion Summon sequence ended, was a now-serpentine 'Lord of D.' enveloped by lightning and wielding 'The Flute of Summoning Dragon' (Level: 7/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1100).
"My monster's first effect… My opponent cannot target Dragon monsters with card effects," revealed Spencer, "And now, I'll provide you both with a final playmate… My third 'Blue-Eyes'!"
Rare Hunters 1 and 2 recoiled, wondering how that was going to happen.
"I activate the second effect of 'King Dragun'!" declared Spencer, taking the final card from his hand, readying it, and then placing it onto his Duel Disk, "Once per turn: I can Special Summon 1 Dragon monster from my hand! Come forth, 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'!"
Appearing on the field was a third 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500), and it growled at the Rare Hunters.
"No way! Four dragons already?!" whined Rare Hunter 2.
"As it's my first turn, I can't attack," huffed Spencer, "I finish my turn here," He then smiled menacingly, "Now, come at us! Even though you're weaklings, I won't show any mercy."
Rare Hunter 1 responded by drawing a card.
Turn Two: Rare Hunter 1 (LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (6): "Millennium Shield", "Ancient Rules", "Millennium Shield", "Millennium Protection", "Graceful Charity", and "Attack and Receive"
"Damn!" cursed Rare Hunter 1, before adding the card into his hand and holding up another card ('Graceful Charity'), "The Spell Card, 'Graceful Charity'!"
"I see… You need to draw more cards and discard at the same time," joked Spencer, "Please go ahead."
Rare Hunter 1 growled and drew three cards before sending two of them to the GY, one card at a time. Suddenly, he smirked.
"I fail to realize why you're looking happy," grunted Spencer.
"Because my partner and I knew all along you'd resort to 'Blue-Eyes'!" gloated Rare Hunter 1, "And we have the perfect monsters to stone wall it!" He held a new card ('Ancient Rules') out, "I activate 'Ancient Rules'!"
"That allows the Summon of a high Level Normal Monster!" realized Thomas.
Spencer remained on the neutral side, but was rightfully convinced that nothing the Rare Hunters brought out would be a match for the three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons'.
"I must Special Summon 1 Level 5 or higher Normal Monster from my hand," said Rare Hunter 1, before placing a card ('Millennium Shield') onto his Duel Disk (sideways), "Now, behold my Level 5 monster, 'Millennium Shield'!"
Appearing on the field was a large gold and red shield with a Millennium Eye symbol carved in the center (Level: 5/ATK: 0/DEF: 3000).
"3000 DEF!" cried Thomas, "'Blue-Eyes' can't break through it!"
Spencer was not worried at all; he kept his arms folded and waited out the rest of the turn.
"And finally," concluded Rare Hunter 1, slotting a card into his Duel Disk, "I Set one card face-down and finish my turn!"
A face-down card ('Millennium Protection') materialized on the field near his feet.
"It's my turn!" proclaimed Thomas, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn Three: Thomas Billinton (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Queen's Knight", "Pot of Greed", "Magician of Black Chaos", "Jack's Knight", "Black Magic Ritual", and "King's Knight"
Just then…
"Stay out of this, Billinton!" ordered Spencer, causing Thomas to look over, "I don't want your help. I can handle these weaklings all on my own."
"Then I'll just watch," accepted Thomas, before holding a card ('Pot of Greed') out, "I activate 'Pot of Greed'!" After drawing two cards, he held another card ('Polymerization') out, "And, just like Spencer, I'll also fuse some monsters!"
Appearing on the field were three monsters…
-The first was a male wearing orange armor, had a beard, and wielded a sword and shield.
-The second monster was a female with long blonde hair and wearing reddish pink armor, while also wielding a sword and shield.
-The third monster was a male with blonde hair and wearing blue and white armor, while also wielding a sword and shield just like the other two monsters.
"'King's Knight', 'Queen's Knight', 'Jack's Knight'!" The voice of Thomas announced, as his three monsters fused together, "Merge together and become 'Arcana Knight Joker'!"
Appearing on the field, when the Fusion Summon sequence ended, was what looked like an upgraded version of 'Jack's Knight' wearing black and gold armor. His sword also became bigger, and the shield smaller (Level: 9/ATK: 3800/DEF: 2500).
"Crap! He now has a monster stronger than 'Millennium Shield'," groaned Rare Hunter 2.
"Not to worry, I've come prepared," assured Rare Hunter 1, before pressing a button on his Duel Disk, "I activate a Trap Card, 'Millennium Protection'!" The Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "When my opponent Normal or Special Summons a monster, and I control a face-up 'Millennium Shield': I must Special Summon up to 2 EARTH Normal Monsters from my GY, and if I do, inflict 1000 damage to my opponent!" He then held up two cards ('Millennium Shield' and 'Millennium Shield'), "And guess what? They're both 'Millennium Shields'!"
Appearing on the field were two additional copies of 'Millennium Shield' (Level: 5/ATK: 0/DEF: 3000) x2. Suddenly, all three 'Millennium Shields' charged and let loose electricity at Thomas, zapping him and making him yell in pain as he sustained 1000 damage (LP: 4000 → 3000).
"How was that? Think we're a bunch of pushovers?" taunted Rare Hunter 1.
But the taunts fell on deaf ears, as Thomas simply recovered from the electric shock and carried on with his turn.
"The Ritual Spell, 'Black Magic Ritual'!" began Thomas, holding up a card ('Black Magic Ritual'), "This card is used to Ritual Summon 'Magician of Black Chaos'. I must also Tribute monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equal 8 or more!" He then took another card ('Valkyrion the Magna Warrior') from his hand, "I Tribute the Level 8 'Valkyrion the Magna Warrior' in my hand!"
Appearing on the field, in midair, was a silvery monster with pink wings from 'Gamma The Magnet Warrior', the head of 'Alpha The Magnet Warrior', and bits and pieces from 'Beta The Magnet Warrior', while materializing on the ground below was a large hexagon.
"Become the wind that bears this ceremony, my honorable sacrifice," chanted Thomas, as 'Valkyrion the Magna Warrior' faded away and the torches lit up, "The heir to chaos, born from the deep darkness… Show your true form before us! 'Magician of Black Chaos'!"
Rising from the hexagon was a blue-skinned male monster with wild black hair, wearing a black and red outfit, and wielding a scepter. Once he had fully risen up from the hexagon, 'Magician of Black Chaos' twirled his scepter, glared, and posed for battle (Level: 8/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2600).
"I end my turn," finished Thomas.
"This isn't going well," remarked Rare Hunter 1 unpleasantly.
"Just leave it to me," vowed Rare Hunter 2, before entering his thoughts, "Although Spencer and Thomas have powerful monsters on their fields, I have a card that will eliminate them in an instant," He drew a card, "It's my turn!"
Turn Four: Rare Hunter 2 (LP: 4000)
Deck: 34
Current Hand (6): "The Creator", "Mirror Force", "The Creator Incarnate", "Stray Lambs", "Pot of Arrogance", and "The Creator"
A dark smile appeared on Rare Hunter 2's face.
"Okay, here's my first card," he offered, before holding up a card ('Pot of Arrogance') taken from his hand, "The Spell Card, 'Pot of Arrogance'! If I have not activated a Spell Card this turn: I must draw 2 cards, but I cannot activate Spell Cards for the rest of this turn."
"How worthless," Spencer brushed off, "But if you think you can draw something remotely helpful at the cost of not being able to activate Spells, then go ahead."
"Keep talking," threatened Rare Hunter 2, drawing two cards. From there, he slotted a card into a Spell & Trap Zone on his Duel Disk, "I Set one card face-down!" A face-down card appeared on the field near his feet, "Next, I'll Summon a monster."
"Will it be a somewhat good one?" mocked Spencer.
"Shut up!" countered Rare Hunter 2, before placing his next card ('The Creator Incarnate') onto his Duel Disk, "Appear now, 'The Creator Incarnate'!"
Appearing on the field was an orange-skinned human male wearing orange armor and wielding a short sword (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1500).
"You're hopeless," sighed Spencer.
"My turn's not over!" insisted Rare Hunter 2, "I activate my monster's effect!" As he spoke, 'The Creator Incarnate' faded away in a blue streak as another card ('The Creator') materialized face-up on the field, "I can Tribute this card; I must Special Summon 1 'The Creator' from my hand."
Appearing from the face-up card and onto the field, was a large orange mechanical-like monster (Level: 8/ATK: 2300/DEF: 3000).
"Another monster with 3000 DEF," thought Thomas, "Even with 'Arcana Knight Joker', destroying their monsters will take forever."
"But I have many more monsters, you see," boasted Rare Hunter 2, just as he sent a card ('Magical Mallet') from his hand to the GY, "Resurrect, 'The Creator Incarnate'!"
Reappearing on the field was 'The Creator Incarnate' (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1500).
"This is 'The Creator's' special effect," explained Rare Hunter 2, "Once per turn: I can target 1 monster in my GY; I must send 1 card from my hand to the GY, and if I do, Special Summon that target."
"You can repeatedly Summon new 'The Creators' as long as there are cards in your hand!" acknowledged Thomas.
Once again, 'The Creator Incarnate' faded away in a blue streak, and appearing on the field in its place was a second copy of 'The Creator' (Level: 8/ATK: 2300/DEF: 3000). Spencer merely smirked, knowing that those monsters were no match for what he had waiting to be brought out.
"And one more time!" boomed Rare Hunter 2, sending another card in his hand to the GY, "Resurrect, 'The Creator Incarnate'!"
Reappearing on the field for the third time was 'The Creator Incarnate' (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1500), but, once again, it faded away in a blue streak, as a third copy of 'The Creator' appeared on the field (Level: 8/ATK: 2300/DEF: 3000).
"How's that?!" laughed Rare Hunter 1, as focus went towards the three 'The Creators' and three 'Millennium Shields' (DEF: 3000) x6 before shifting towards 'Arcana Knight Joker' (ATK: 3800), "The two of us have six 3000 DEF monsters! Your 'Arcana Knight Joker' has 3800 ATK, but it will take forever for him to destroy our solid monsters!"
Thomas looked frustrated, but Spencer remained unfazed.
(elsewhere…)
In another location in the city, things were quiet at the Russell residence as people, duelists and non-duelists alike, walked up and/or down the streets.
(inside…)
Molly was currently alone in her room, still reeling from the events of the previous day. She laid on her bed while reading a superhero comic book.
(elsewhere…)
Downstairs, Molly's Mother, Nicole Russell, had just finished cleaning the dishes from lunch when she heard a rhythmic knock at the front door. Curious, she answered, only to gasp when she was met by Zander and a group of hooded Rare Hunters.
"Afternoon, ma'am," greeted Zander boldly, before snapping his fingers and pointing inside for his accomplices, "Find the girl."
Without warning, Zander and the Rare Hunters barged in, rudely shoving Nicole aside, and searching the small house.
"Hey! What's going on?! What do you think you're doing?!" screamed Nicole, while trying in vain to fight back against the intruders, "Get out of my house!"
Ignoring her, Zander made his way upstairs, and very quickly found Molly's room, loudly letting himself inside while also startling the black-haired girl.
(inside…)
"Hello there," he greeted menacingly.
Before Molly knew what was happening, Zander grabbed her by her wrists and held her arms behind her back forcefully.
(elsewhere…)
Molly winced in pain as she was led downstairs by Zander just as Nicole watched in horror.
"Get your hands off my daughter!" protested Nicole, rushing to the nearby phone, "I'm calling the police!"
But before she could pick up, Rare Hunter 3 went and smashed it with a metal pipe, destroying it.
"Nice try," he snickered.
Seeing Molly held captive by Zander, Nicole was practically in tears.
"Wh-What do you want?" she whimpered between sobs.
"All we want is to borrow your daughter for a while," explained Zander, "I have a personal score to settle with James Hughes, you see."
"If he doesn't respond to Zander's demands," added Rare Hunter 4 menacingly, "you'll never see your lovely daughter alive again."
"Let her go, you monsters!" demanded Nicole.
"Relax, lady," said Zander calmly, "I guarantee that if James does show up at the high school, your daughter won't be harmed," But in his thoughts, they were different, "Or so I say."
With the snap of fingers from his leader, Rare Hunter 4 handed Molly's Mother a cellphone.
"Use this to call him," The voice of Zander urged.
"But we warn you though," The voice of Rare Hunter 2 added.
"Call nobody but James Hughes," commanded Rare Hunter 3, "If you try calling the police instead—well, you know what we'll do to your daughter."
With that, the Rare Hunters headed off with Molly held captive, leaving poor Nicole all alone as she finally decided to contact James despite him and Molly currently being on bad terms.
(elsewhere…)
Meanwhile…
"Get ready, 'Air Neos'! Take down 'Dokurorider'! Skyrip Wing!" called James.
In another part of Knapford City, James was in the middle of a duel with a boy named Kevin. James's monster, 'Elemental HERO Air Neos', obeyed the order, flying high into the air and diving down to strike a monster called 'Dokurorider', destroying him and his motorcycle both at once.
"Aww, nuts…" complained Kevin, as his LP fell all the way to 0 (LP: 3200 → 0).
DUEL RESULTS: James Hughes wins!
The holograms faded away.
"ALL RIIIIIGHT!" cheered James, a very happy camper.
This victory earned him another Locator Card, which was also his fifth one. This also meant Kevin was officially out of the tournament.
"You've won fair and square," praised Kevin pleasantly. He then took out his rarest card, "And since you've won, you earn my only Locator Card plus my rarest card."
But James held his hand up, "Keep it," The red-haired boy declined, "I'm happy using my 'Elemental HEROs' and 'Neo-Spacians'."
"Oh, but I insist on you keeping it," requested Kevin, handing James the card again, "I think it will be of big help for your Deck."
"Alright," accepted James, taking a look at the card, "Let's see what you got."
Upon looking at the card, he grew interested in what it was. It was a Spell Card called 'Subspace Battle', which James had never seen before—and it looked like it had a good effect.
"Hmm… 'Subspace Battle'…" mused James, as Kevin happily listened, "You know, it actually sounds interesting," He smiled big, "In that case, I'll take it!"
Suddenly, without any warning, his phone started ringing inside his jeans pocket.
"James?" Henry pointed out.
"Your cellphone," put in Gordon.
"Who could be calling me at this time?" wondered James. He took out his phone, seeing the number was 'Unknown', and answered, "Hello? This is James speaking."
Gordon and Henry both walked over to hear who James was talking to.
"James! Oh, James, thank heaven I've managed to reach you…!" The voice of Nicole sobbed.
"Mrs. Russell?" pondered James, who was very surprised to hear from Molly's Mother. Believing he was going to be told to apologize, he briefly scowled, "Look, if this is about me having to apologize to your daughter for-"
"My daughter is in danger!" The voice of Nicole interrupted frantically.
"What? Danger?" flinched James, now looking shocked, "What happened?!"
"A group of people calling themselves Rare Hunters came storming into our apartment and kidnapped her!" The voice of Nicole blurted out, still crying on the other line.
"The Rare Hunters?!" exclaimed James.
"Not them…" whispered Henry in distress.
"Their leader, Zander, told me to call for you specifically to meet him in front of the high school," The voice of Nicole coughed, barely breathing due to crying pretty hard, "If you don't show up, they… they might kill her! Please, you MUST save her!"
James remained in his place; despite being on bad terms with Molly since their fight, even he never wanted this to happen to her. At last, he clenched his right hand into a fist and looked dead serious.
"James!" The voice of Nicole begged.
"All right," said James firmly, "We'll be there."
He hung his phone up.
"So, Molly's gotten herself in a pickle?" pressed Gordon, "Those stupid Rare Hunters… Why target us?!"
"I don't know," grumbled Henry, "But we have to save Molly."
"We will save her," promised James, before turning and running off towards the school, "But only for her Mother!"
"J-James, wait up!" called Henry, following suit.
"Oh, the indignity!" whined Gordon, following in last place.
(elsewhere…)
Back in another part of Knapford City, the tag duel of two Rare Hunters against Thomas and Spencer was ongoing. Thomas knew that defeating six 3000 DEF monsters was going to be long and tiring, but Spencer was convinced it would be easy.
"So, six monsters with 3000 DEF," calculated Spencer, "And your Set card, is it a Spell or a Trap? It doesn't matter either way."
"Be careful, Spencer," warned Thomas, "They're up to something. I know it!"
"I told you to stay out of it, Billinton," snapped Spencer, much to Thomas's dismay. He then smirked menacingly, "Let me show you… I have a 'God' just like you," He drew a card, "Draw!"
Turn Five: Spencer Gresley (LP: 4000)
Deck: 49
Current Hand (1): "Obelisk the Tormentor"
It was time…
"'Blue-Eyes', become 'God's' power!" thundered Spencer, "Watch closely, Billinton!" On cue, all three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' shattered into shards of glass, and he held up one more card ('Obelisk the Tormentor'), "Come forth, 'Obelisk'!"
A big light show began in the sky, while the ground also began to shake itself to pieces. Within an explosion of light came the huge, blue muscular monster, roaring loudly while kicking up tons of debris and bolts of lightning struck around (Level: 10/ATK: 4000/DEF: 4000).
"Wh-What?!" screeched Rare Hunter 1.
"This is…" breathed Thomas.
'Magician of Black Chaos' and 'Arcana Knight Joker' watched in shock at what had just appeared. Spencer cackled madly.
"This is one of the 'Egyptian God' Cards, 'Obelisk the Tormentor'!" howled Spencer. From there, with the wave of his right arm, 'Obelisk the Tormentor' grabbed 'Lightserpent' and 'King Dragun', "I activate my monster's twelfth effect!"
As the two monsters and Thomas each continued to watch, the Duel Spirits of Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, and Kuriboh each appeared in midair.
"Can it be-?" whispered Dark Magician Girl.
"It's one of the three legendary Divine-Beast monsters," confirmed Dark Magician.
Little Kuriboh, meanwhile, couldn't help but admire how big and strong 'Obelisk the Tormentor' was.
"Now, watch carefully!" requested Spencer in a hostile tone.
Having absorbed the powers of two monsters, 'Obelisk the Tormentor' thrust its right hand forth, causing the three copies of 'Millennium Shields' and 'The Creators' to shatter into shards of glass.
"O-Our defending monsters!" panicked Rare Hunter 1.
"Now, feel the hand of 'God'!" Spencer went on, just as 'Obelisk the Tormentor's' right fist was energized and threw a punch, "God Hand Crusher!"
"Hey! You fell into my trap!" interrupted Rare Hunter 2, as he pressed a button on his Duel Disk, "I activate 'Holy Barrier - Mirror Force'! When an opponent's monster declares an attack: I must destroy all my opponent's Attack Position monsters!"
Thomas looked worried; he believed that 'Obelisk the Tormentor' would be destroyed, but, to his relief, that ended up not being the case.
"That weak Trap won't work," Spencer pointed out, "This is an effect I'm using, not an attack!"
"Huh?" gawked Rare Hunter 2.
"If this card is in Attack Position (Quick Effect): I can Tribute 2 other monsters; I must inflict 4000 damage to my opponent, then destroy all monsters my opponent controls. This card cannot declare an attack the turn I activate this effect," stated Spencer.
Just as the barrier of 'Mirror Force' formed to protect Rare Hunters 1 and 2, 'Obelisk the Tormentor's' fist broke through it and caused a massive explosion that could be seen from the sky. Rare Hunters 1 and 2 screamed as they were thrown back by the power of the attack as they lost their LP in an instant (LP: 4000 → 0) x2.
DUEL RESULTS: Spencer Gresley and Thomas Billinton win!
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Did you see the power of my 'God', Billinton?!" boomed Spencer, laughing madly.
"So this is Spencer's 'God' Card, 'Obelisk the Tormentor'," Thomas told himself.
The holograms all vanished. Thomas recovered from his shock and ran over to the two unconscious Rare Hunters in anger.
"Where's my friends?!" he demanded, but got no answer since they were out like a light, "Damn!"
"Those Rare Hunters had a Locator Card each," mused Spencer, picking two Locator Cards up off the ground, "You and I get one since we won the duel, giving us five of them in total."
With that, Spencer tossed a Locator Card to Thomas, who caught and pocketed it.
"I'm going to look for my friends," informed Thomas hotly.
Thomas stood up and started to leave, but was quickly stopped.
"Wait!" requested Spencer.
"Spencer, I can't duel you at this moment!" Thomas yelled out, "Let it go!"
"Spencer, is there any way we can get a lock onto Percy and the likes?" Skiff asked, walking over to his older brother figure.
"Use the laptop to get a lock on Percy's Duel Disk," answered Spencer, "If Percy is in a duel, our systems will find him and the others easily."
Thomas eased up, wondering if it would help. After about two minutes…
"I've got a lock!" rejoiced Skiff, who had been typing away at his laptop.
"Where are they?" urged Spencer.
"It's hard to tell… but they seem to be on the other side of town," reported Skiff, as he looked up from his work, "They're at the Marine Animal Show."
"There you go," reassured Spencer, looking towards Thomas, "Percy and some of your other geek friends are safe at the moment."
"Spencer, thank you," Thomas said gratefully.
"Whatever," huffed Spencer, walking away from the observing Thomas and Skiff followed, "Come on, what are you standing around for?"
Thomas immediately went with Spencer and Skiff. Once they were gone, the two defeated Rare Hunters sat up and grinned as though they planned for their loss.
"So that's the infamous 'Obelisk'," commented Rare Hunter 2.
"We finally got a glimpse of its power," agreed Rare Hunter 1.
Rare Hunters 1 and 2 then looked upward, spotting their two leaders watching from the top of a big skyscraper before they left.
(elsewhere…)
Meanwhile, a car stopped outside Sodor High School. The main building was still under repairs after the fire, but none of the crews were currently present, leaving the whole place deserted.
"We're here," grinned Zander, as he exited the car and went around to open Molly's door, who reluctantly climbed out, "Come."
"S-S-So…what now…?" whimpered Molly, just as Zander and a few Rare Hunters gathered around her, "Wh-Why are we here?"
"Just do as I say, and you might walk away unharmed, got it?" sneered Zander coldly.
The timid Molly shivered in fright under the gaze, but nodded compliantly.
"That's a good girl," Zander urged, just as he and the Rare Hunters led Molly to the flagpole, "Stand against that."
Molly did as she was told, standing with her back against the pole. She gasped as she felt Zander roughly grab her hands and hold them behind the pole, tying them together with thin coarse rope, while another Rare Hunter tied her ankles together. Molly winced as the strands rubbed against her wrists; tears of fear and pain slowly falling from her eyes.
"Please… wh-wh-why are you doing this?" she asked meekly.
"Why? Let's just say that someone you know ruined my reputation as a Rare Hunter," revealed Zander, before leaning in near Molly's tear-stained face, "So I want sweet revenge, and you're my ticket to getting his attention, little missy."
Molly shuddered at Zander's close proximity, but couldn't muster up the courage to say anything. Zander smirked as he took out another strand of rope and threaded it under Molly's chest.
"Let's make sure you stay good," he grinned deviously.
Molly's lips quivered and more tears formed in her eyes as she felt the rope ensnare her torso and arms to the flagpole. No matter how hard she tried, she was completely immobilized. All she could do was hang her head and quietly sob in fear.
"H-H-H-Help m-m-me… J-J-James…" thought Molly.
"This time, I will make Master Marik pleased," thought Zander gleefully.
Suddenly, one of the Rare Hunter companions noticed something and spoke up.
"Sir, here he comes!" he called.
Zander looked over in response, spotting James, Gordon, and Henry as they were seen running towards the school in a hurry. Zander was pleased to see the red-haired boy as they both locked eyes with each other.
"James Hughes," greeted Zander, "I've been expecting you."
"You're that Rare Hunter I beat a few days ago," realized James, "Mrs. Russell told us who you were."
"Good, then there is no need for me to go into detail," nodded Zander, "Anyway, I'm glad you made it on time."
"Where is our friend Molly?" frowned Gordon.
Zander snapped his fingers and two of the Rare Hunters near the flagpole stepped aside. Molly was there, scared and in tears, but otherwise unharmed.
"She's safe and sound," smiled Zander, "And you want her back, right?"
"Duh! Let her go!" demanded Henry.
"Oh, don't you worry," Zander chuckled in response, waving his right hand in dismissal, "I will do as you say. All I ask is that James and I have a little rematch first."
James still didn't act like he wanted to be there. He was still upset from his argument with Molly from yesterday, but, at the same time, he promised Nicole that he would save her daughter from the Rare Hunters. Despite being on bad terms with Molly, James still made a promise, and he was going to keep it.
"In that case, you got a rematch," accepted James, "I will be more than happy to kick your sorry ass again."
"I knew you'd see things my way," murmured Zander, as he was handed a Duel Disk by one of his allies, "How many Locator Cards do you have?"
"Five," stated James, holding his Locator Cards up.
"I've got only one," informed Zander, as he held his only Locator Card up, "Why not make this interesting? If you win, you'll not only get my Locator Card and Molly back, but I'll also give you two special cards of mine."
"Sounds tempting, but what's the catch?" pondered James suspiciously.
"I'm glad you asked," hissed Zander, as the three Rare Hunters pulled out guns, "If I win, not only do I get all five of your Locator Cards… but you, your friends, and the girl will not leave here alive."
"What?!" wailed Molly, "But you told me-!"
"I changed my mind," Zander said back, "This is the only way I'm going to get back in good graces with Master Marik," He looked over at his enemies, "So, are we still going to duel, or are you going to back out?"
Henry couldn't help but gulp.
"Damned cheater… Fine, I accept," confirmed James with determination, "I beat you once before and I'll beat you again."
Zander was more pleased than ever before. The two duelists shuffled their Decks, inserted them into the Duel Disks, and activated them as a wind blast was unleashed when they drew their opening hands.
"Duel!" James and Zander announced at the same time.
Nearby, Gordon and Henry were watching and hoping for a good outcome.
"Man, I really hope James can win," wished Gordon nervously, "Otherwise, we're goners."
Back on the field, James (LP: 4000) and Zander (LP: 4000) faced each other, with their bitter hatred for the other on the rise.
"I'll go first," hollered James, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn One: James Hughes (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Polymerization", "Elemental HERO Avian", "Elemental HERO Burstinatrix", "Hero Signal", "Elemental HERO Neos", and "Elemental HERO Necroshade"
His drawn card was a Monster Card called 'Elemental HERO Necroshade', and his hand contained 'Polymerization', 'Elemental HERO Avian', 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix', 'Hero Signal', and 'Elemental HERO Neos'.
"Great!" thought James proudly, before holding three cards ('Polymerization', 'Elemental HERO Avian', and 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix') up from his hand, "From my hand, I'll activate 'Polymerization' to fuse 'Avian' and 'Burstinatrix' together!"
Appearing on the field before coming together were two monsters…
-The first was a human male with white and green feathers and sharp claws for a left hand.
-The second was a human female with long black hair, a mask, markings on her face, and wearing a revealing red bodysuit.
"I Fusion Summon 'Elemental HERO Flame Wingman' in Attack Position!" The voice of James declared.
When the Fusion Summon sequence ended, appearing on the field was a human male with one half red, one half green, a white wing, and a dragon arm for a weapon (Level: 6/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1200).
"Going strong already, are we?" joked Zander.
"You bet I am," agreed James, "Along with 'Neos', 'Flame Wingman' is my favorite 'Elemental HERO' monster, and he can put the hurt on you in a flash," Focus went towards 'Elemental HERO Flame Wingman' as he explained his effect, "When this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: I must inflict damage to my opponent equal to the ATK of the destroyed monster in the GY," He raised his right fist, "Meaning any monster of yours I destroy will inflict great damage to you no matter what position they're in."
"Hmph! I would like you to try it," dared Zander cockily.
"This guy hasn't changed in attitude," thought James, "Even if he has a new Deck or something, he should know he can't win against me," Putting it in the back of his mind, he took a card from his hand and slotted it into his Duel Disk, "I Set one card…" A face-down card materialized on the field, "…and end my turn!"
"You sure love your 'Elemental HERO' monsters, don't you?" sneered Zander, "But it's time for me to show you that there are more powerful and dangerous 'HERO' monsters out there."
"More powerful and dangerous 'HERO' monsters?" repeated James, before entering his thoughts, "What the hell could he mean? Are there more 'HERO' monsters out there besides 'Elemental HERO' and 'Destiny HERO' monsters?"
"Here I go!" Zander cried out, drawing a card, "Draw card!"
Turn Two: Zander (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Vicious Claw", "Elemental HERO Avian", "Elemental HERO Burstinatrix", "Draining Shield", "Evil HERO Malicious Edge", and "Dark Fusion"
Just barely a second after looking at his drawn card…
"I activate my Fiend-Type exclusive 'Fusion' card, 'Dark Fusion'!" announced Zander.
"Say what?" gasped Gordon.
"That's a card I've never heard of," came from Henry.
The mentioned Spell Card rose from the ground in a face-up stance.
"This is the key element of my new Deck!" beamed Zander, "I must Fusion Summon 1 Fiend Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters from my hand or field as material."
"A Fusion Summon like me," thought James, "No worries, I can handle it."
"Get a glimpse of these two cards," suggested Zander, holding two cards ('Elemental HERO Avian' and 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix') out, "Look familiar?"
Cue gasps from James, Henry, Gordon, and Molly.
"'Avian' and 'Burstinatrix'!" exclaimed James, "Bastard… Are you trying to copy my Deck and style?!"
"Wrong, my 'HERO' monsters are even greater than yours!" denied Zander, just as his own, darker versions of 'Elemental HERO Avian' and 'Elemental HERO Burstinatrix' appeared on the field, "I fuse 'Avian' with 'Burstinatrix'!"
Both 'Elemental HERO' monsters started fusing together, leaving behind a bright light.
"Come forth, 'Evil HERO Inferno Wing'!" commanded Zander.
When the light show ended, on the field was a human woman with large clawed hands, wearing revealing red clothing and with a pair of demonic wings coming from her upper back (Level: 6/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1200).
"Wh-What the-?!" stammered James.
"'Evil HERO'?" put in Gordon.
"Another 'HERO'-related archetype?" finished Henry.
"Although my last duel ended in humiliating failure, Master Marik still learned all he needed to know about your Deck and play style," noted Zander, "Therefore, he constructed and gave me this Deck to defeat you!" He then took a card ('Vicious Claw') from his hand and held it out, "Next, the Equip Spell, 'Vicious Claw'! The equipped monster gains 300 ATK! 'Inferno Wing', this power is yours!"
Grinning evilly, 'Evil HERO Inferno Wing's' claws grew shaper and shadowy as her ATK went up a little bit (ATK: 2100 → 2400).
"2400 ATK?!" fretted James.
"There's also 'Vicious Claw's' second effect," cut in Zander, "If the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle, I must return this card to the hand instead, then destroy 1 monster, except the one that battled the equipped monster, and if I do, inflict 600 damage to my opponent, and if I do that, Special Summon 1 'Evil Token' on my opponent's field," He then brought up something else, "And if you're thinking of using a Spell or Trap Card to stop my monster, 'Dark Fusion' has a lingering effect… My opponent cannot target it with card effects this turn."
"Ngh…" grimaced James.
"Now, my Battle Phase!" continued Zander, entering the Battle Phase, "Go forth, 'Inferno Wing'!" As he announced the attack's name, 'Evil HERO Inferno Wing' raised her clawed hands near her chest and made blue flames appear, "Inferno Blast!"
Raising her hands up, the monster threw the blue flames towards 'Elemental HERO Flame Wingman'. With James's monster being weaker than its evil counterpart, he was no match for Inferno Blast as he was hit and exploded from destruction. James watched and winced as he felt the backlash from the explosion and lost some LP (LP: 4000 → 3700).
"'Flame Wingman'…" uttered James.
"There's so much more," warned Zander, "The second effect of 'Inferno Wing' activates!" As he explained away, 'Evil HERO Inferno Wing' smirked again and took to the sky, "If this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the GY: I must inflict damage to my opponent equal to the original ATK or DEF (whichever is higher) of that monster in the GY," He motioned his left fist (with the Duel Disk) forth, "Hell Backfire!"
Motioning her arms out, 'Evil HERO Inferno Wing' summoned a wave of blue fire that surrounded James as he screamed in pain.
"James!" Gordon, Henry, and Molly each cried out.
Over with the Rare Hunter trio, they were getting a thrill out of James taking such a hit.
"He took that hit directly," remarked Rare Hunter 3.
"Even if he still has LP, he won't last long…" added Rare Hunter 4.
Back on the field, the blue fire died down, and James was already on a knee with his body smoking and aching as he lost even more LP (LP: 3700 → 1600).
"2400 LP are lost already," bragged Zander, "One more attack like that, and it'll be over before it gets further!"
"D-Don't count me…out," panted James, as he motioned his right hand out, "I activate a Trap, 'Hero Signal'!"
The Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself, much to Zander's annoyance.
"This wasn't a card to stop your monster, it's a card to let me bring another one out," said James knowingly, "When a monster I control is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: I must Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower 'Elemental HERO' monster from my hand or Deck," He drew a card ('Elemental HERO Bubbleman') and held it out, "Come, 'Bubbleman'!"
Appearing on the field was the aquatic suited 'Elemental HERO' (Level: 4/ATK: 800/DEF: 1200).
"I activate 'Bubbleman's' second effect!" As James spoke, he drew two cards, "When this card is Summoned, if there are no other cards on my field: I must draw 2 cards!"
Both cards were 'Elemental HERO Wildheart' (Effect Monster Card) and 'Hero Barrier' (Trap Card). Zander, meanwhile, was unworried about what was drawn; his new 'Evil HERO' cards would be enough to bring down the guy who humiliated him not long ago.
"I Set one card face-down and end my turn," finished Zander, slotting a card into his Duel Disk.
A face-down card appeared on the field. Over with Gordon and Henry…
"'Evil HERO', eh?" mused Gordon seriously.
"We thought Stanley's 'Destiny HERO' cards are already a match for James's 'Elemental HERO' cards, but Zander's new cards seem like they're on a whole different level," figured Henry.
Over with the tied up Molly…
"James…" she thought to herself.
Back on the field, James grit his teeth, wondering how he was going to battle another new, deadly breed of 'HERO' monsters. Zander, meanwhile, was very certain of obtaining victory and murdering James and the others—Marik would be very proud of this victory.