Dueling Distractions part 1

It had been about a week since Chazz and Faren had dueled against Chazz's brothers to save Duel Academy and there had been no signs of any Shadow Riders. Out on the cliffs of Academy Island, Bastion stood at the edge as he yawned and stretched his arms, he knew that the enemy could strike at any moment. "Ever since Solona defeated Blackbird it's been eerily quiet here." Bastion said to himself. "Too quiet, when the next Shadow Rider arrives, it may be my turn to Duel." Bastion then picked up his Spirit Gate Key that was around his neck. "And with three of the Twelve Gates now open, it's more important than ever that I be prepared." Bastion then undid the buttons on his Blazer and opened it to reveal his decks. "It's a good thing that I'm well equipped." He then pulled out one of his decks and looked through it to reveal cards like Litmus Duel Swordsman and Mathematician. He carried on looking through his cards until he came across a level 2 monster called White Magician Pikeru. Bastion looked at the card in shock as he didn't remember putting this card in his deck. "Where on earth did this card come from" Bastion looked around and then snorted. "Silly distraction, nothing distracts me."

"Hey Bastion, what are you doing out here." A voice called which made Bastion jumped as he did not know that someone was behind him. Bastion turned to see the former Key Keeper Theorn Maheriel walking towards him. Theorn was no longer a key keeper as he had lost his key to the Shadow Rider known as Blackbird.

"Hey Theorn." Bastion said to him. "You made me jump then, I just need time to think. It's been a while since a Shadow Rider showed up and one may appear soon."

Theorn looked at him. "Well I know what happens when you lose a Shadow Game and it is not a good experience. Anyway Atticus and Alistair are now out of the infirmary now. Zevran still needs a few days rest." Bastion remembered that Atticus was the Shadow Rider known as Nightshroud who had been defeated by Jaden, Alistair was Black Soldier who was defeated by Neria and Solona had defeated Zevran, known as Blackbird. All three of them had been under some kind of mind control. "So what is that card you are holding?" Theorn asked as he pointed to the White Magician Pikeru in Bastions hand.

Bastion gasped as he had forgotten than he was holding it.

"It's nothing." He said as he put the card away. "It's just a spare card I had lying around. Now I think I'm going to do some Dueling exercises" Bastion then walked away with Theorn looking at him.

...

Later over at the Slifer Dorm, Jaden, Syrus and Chumley were all fast asleep on their beds, they still had a while before they had to get up to get ready for classes, although someone had a different idea about that. Bastion was also in the room and he had just played Barrel Dragon on his Duel Disk and smirked. Bastion then covered his ears. "All right, ready, get set." He whispered and then shouted out the last part. "And Fire!" then Barrel Dragon fired a shot from each of his three cannons and Bastion chuckled when he heard groans as Syrus and Chumley shot up from bed holding their ears while Jaden fell out of his bed and got tangled in his sheets.

"Hit the snooze button." Chumley groaned

"More like the snooze trigger." Syrus added

"That's getting up with a bang." Jaden groaned as he lay on his back and then the three Slifers heard chuckling and they turned to see Bastion standing in their doorway and chuckling.

"Bastion?" Jaden questioned

"Good morning sleepy heads." Bastion greeted

"Well it was good." Syrus hissed

"Well now that we're all awake how about good old fashioned daybreak Duel exercises." Bastion laughed and the three Slifers groaned at that.

"Hey what's with all the noise!" A voice shouted and the four students turned to see a cross looking Kallian Tabris at the doorway.

"I was fast asleep and now I've woken up thanks to the noise!" She shouted

"Sorry Kallian." Jaden apologized. "It was Bastion"

"Well then you can join in the Dueling Exercises as well." Bastion smirked and Kallian stared at him.

...

"One Two Draw, One Two Draw, One Two Draw." Bastion said as the four Slifers stood across from him as they did an exercise of drawing cards from their decks and none of them looked very happy.

"Well this was worth getting up for." Jaden grumbled

"I would rather be in bed than doing this." Kallian grumbled

"Quite, you're making me lose count." Syrus hissed

Chumley then got a look at the card that Syrus had just drawn and stared at it.

"Whoa is that Thunder Nyan Nyan?" he asked

"It sure is." Syrus admitted and blushed a bit. "I got her a while ago and I kind of have this card crush on her."

"Card crush?" Chumley laughed. "That is so lame Syrus." then he held out a Dian Keto the Cure Master card out "At least having one on that card, check out mine"

"Yeah she's uh, really pretty Chum" Syrus said though Syrus wasn't too fond of the picture

"She totally reminds me of my girlfriend back home. Her name's Sally, no wait Adrianna"

Syrus then turned to Kallian and Jaden.

"Hey Jaden, Kallian, do you two have any card crushes hidden away in your dueling decks?" he asked

Jaden smirked. "You better believe it, they bring loads of luck"

I beg your pardon!" Bastion shouted. "But I thought we were training. And training does not mean standing around and talking about birds."

"Did he just say birds?" Syrus questioned

"You know what, I don't think Bastion has a card crush." Chumley claimed

"A crush on a card?" Bastion questioned. "Of course not! That's just plain irrational, illogical ridiculous." Then Bastion remembered the White Magician Penki and blushed but he shook the images from his head.

"I may not like this training but Card crushes are just lame." Kallian agreed. "I like some of my best monsters but I don't have a crush on them."

"Look let's just get back to our training." Bastion said

"Sure." Syrus agreed. "But I do have plans to play solitaire with Thunder Nyan Nyan in about fifteen."

"What!" Bastion shouted with made Syrus and Chumley fall down "You'll be breaking that date and soon breaking a sweat, now let's get to it."

"And into the dog house for me." Syrus grumbled getting back up. "She hates it when I cancel on her."

"Somehow I think she will understand." Jaden admitted

"You think?" Syrus asked

"Totally." Chumley agreed. "It's not like she's a real person like Sally, I mean Adrianna." then they all got back to training.

...

Later all of the Key Keepers were now in class though Syrus, Chumley, Kallian and Jaden were falling asleep because they got up early thanks to Bastion. Though today's class may have been useful because it was Professor Dorian teaching them today. However they were shocked to see that Banner was teaching them today.

"I thought Professor Dorian would be teaching us today?" Solona questioned to Sereda and Alexis.

"I thought he was too" Sereda said

Banner then spoke. "All right Students, I know that Professor Dorian was meant to be teaching you but due to some circumstances, he is unable to teach today so I will be teaching you this lesson." He said and then he sighed as he looked at the classroom which was mostly empty. Most of the seats were unoccupied and it was not just the Slifers but the Ra Yellows and the Obelisk Blues as well. "There are certainly a lot of absences today. There must be a bug going around."

Bastion sat near Theorn, Chazz, Alexis, Sereda, Solona and Neria. Daylen and Theorn sat further up.

*'No bug that I've heard of.'* He thought to himself. *'There is defiantly something strange in the air, well besides all that snoring.'* He looked at the snoring Jaden, Syrus and Chumley and the barely awoken Kallian.

Then the door opened and a female helper came in. Banner looked at him.

"Can I help you?" He asked

"Well, do you recognize this bag?" She asked and she handed him a black bag

"Yes it's one of my students, why?" Banner replied

...

Later after Class, Banner led the key keeper through the forest to find the missing students. The bag belonged to a student who had gone missing and now Banner was worried. Theorn had gone back to the Yellow Dorm since he had lost his key and would be unable to help if there was a Shadow Rider. They were joined by Professor Dorian who had heard about the students and had agreed to help. Though Solona noticed that Dorian was looking a bit sad.

"Are you all right Professor Dorian?" She asked "You seem sad."

Dorian sighed.

"I'm fine Solona." He said. "It's just I've just received some very bad news from the mainland." he brought out a letter from his pocket. "It's a letter regarding Felix, Alexius' son. You remember the one who you dueled in your expulsion Duel. I said that he was suffering from a long illness. Well I've received word that he has died, his illness caught up with him."

"Oh professor, I'm so sorry." Daylen apologized

"He was ill, I did know that it was going to happen." Dorian sighed. "When he was well, Alexius was a good man and he taught me everything about Duel Monsters. Felix and I were good friends and we had practice Duels together. But after Felix's accident where he got his illness, Alexius and I drifted apart. Alexius would spend his time researching and desperately trying to find a way. Eventually I got a bit frustrated and I told him to get over it. I regretted by words afterwards and I didn't see Alexius for a while after that."

"So where is Alexius now?" Daylen asked

"Cassandra and the other Seekers have him held in a secret location." Dorian admitted. "He is under questioning about the Venatori. Speaking of which how is your father?"

Solona shook her head. "He still hasn't awoken yet." She sighed. "But I know he will and when he does, I will have questions for him and we may be able to find out more about these Venatori."

They all then continued their search. "So a bunch of students end up vanishing in the woods and the only proof we've got is some student's bag being discovered around here." Jaden wondered.

"It's just as I thought." Bastion claimed. "This is the work of the Shadow Riders."

"I do hope that everyone is all right." Banner said and soon they came to the East side of the Island near the beaches and the wade pool. But they were shocked when they came to a clearing and saw what looked like a Roman Coliseum.

"Anyone remember this being here before?" Aedan questioned

"I never remembered there being anything from the Romans being here." Sereda added

"Well this could be where the next Shadow Rider is hiding out." Daylen suggested

"Well let's find out." Bastion suggested and he went first to the arena and was followed by everyone else. They were shocked to see people inside the arena and it looked like they were helping to build it. The inside was shape like a Roman Coliseum and the students were helping to lift stones to build.

"Hey that guy is from class." Syrus said pointing to someone

"Yeah and so is she." Chumley added

"So this is where the missing students have been." Solona added

"I've never seen anything like this." Dorian added

"Oh my." Banner gasped

Then Chazz noticed someone familiar helping.

"Crowler?" He gasped when he saw Dr Crowler trying to lift a large rock using a stick "What are you doing?"

Crowler then noticed them and smiled.

"Oh, a man's work." He grinned

"A man's work?" Banner questioned and he put his hand to his chin. "Then they must be low on men." A loud roar then caught their attention and everyone gasped when they saw a very large tiger with one eye blocked with a scar and jewels on its neck and legs. The Tiger growled at them which made all of the Key Keepers and their followers run off in terror as the Tiger gave chase. "First a Coliseum, then a Tiger, what's next a Gladiator?" Banner shouted and then the Tiger chased them up a large pillar.

Crowler grinned and flustered. "Actually I think that the creator who paid us to help build this place prefers the term Amazon."

"Amazon?" Dorian questioned as he and everyone else gripped to the top of the pillar while the Tiger clawed at the bottom of the Pillar

"I think he's talking about her." Sereda suggested and she pointed to the upper area of the Arena where a tanned skinned woman wearing tight trousers and shirt and with arms thick with muscle and had long red hair in a pony tail stood watching.

"That's right" the woman said. "And thanks to friends, I have finally been able to finish my glorious arena"

"Arena for what?" Jaden questioned and then gasped as the woman did a somersault and landed on the floor of the arena and called off the Tiger."

"Why, this Arena for Dueling." she smirked and stroked the tigers head before she called all of the students who had done the work over. "Job well done. I had no idea that Duel Academy students would make such fine laborious. Now just as I promised, here is your payment. Some rare cards, well deserved I might add, until next time."

By now everyone had climbed down from the Pillar and Jaden walked ahead.

"Hey what is this all about?" He asked

"What does it look like?" The woman smirked. "I'm setting the stage key keeper for your vanquishing. I'm one of the Twelve Shadow Riders."

"Uh oh" Jaden spoke

"So she's the next Shadow Rider." Daylen added

"Let's just hope that she is nothing like Camula." Sereda added

"A shadow rider, oh man." Syrus groaned

"You mean oh woman." Chumley joked. "Amazons are a warrior race of all female"

"Wow you go girl." Alexis joked

"The name is Tania." The new Shadow Rider said. "And now that the battle ground has been established it's time that we battle. Now then which one of you big strong men will it be after all I would never harm a sister."

"Hey don't do me any favors!" Alexis hissed

"Yeah I'm not afraid of you." Sereda agreed

"I don't mind fighting, I've already beaten one Shadow Rider." Neria added

Solona sighed.

"Well I guess I'll be sitting this one out." She said

"Now which one of you males will it be?" Tania asked. "Who's my man."

"Right here!" Jaden insisted stepping forward

"Yours truly." Chazz added stepping forward

"I'll take you on." Bastion claimed as he stepped in between Chazz and Jaden

"Don't forget about me." Daylen added

"And me" Aedan added

Tania stared at the five of them for a moment. "If this is the best you have to offer then I guess I'll pick, you." she pointed at Bastion

"Well you can't duel them all." Jaden muttered as he, Chazz, Aedan and Daylen walked away

"So then, what is your name" Tania asked

"The name is Bastion" Bastion said "Bastion Misawa"

"All right pal, go and get here" Jaden called

"Just don't go easy on her because she is a girl." Neria added. "After all you should never underestimate the power of the Shadow Riders"

"I never underestimate my opponents." Bastion replied. "Now let's do this, the only question is, which deck should I use" Bastion opened his blazer to reveal his six decks

"Really, six decks?" Tania questioned. "Well guess what, I have the same problem with my two decks." She held two decks in her hands. "One is of Knowledge the other is of Courage. Since I picked you to duel why don't you pick."

"If you insist, I pick the deck of knowledge." Bastion replied

"A good choice." Tania smirked as she placed the deck in her duel disk

"Thank you but I'm picking my own deck." Bastion smiled. "And I think I'll go for the one I've used a few times, my good old Water deck"

"Then let us begin." Tania smiled. "Oh and this isn't a Shadow Rider."

"I beg your pardon." Bastion said confused

"It's like this, I don't want your soul I want you big boy." Tania confessed to Bastion's confusion. "It's like this, my tribe is all female so to marry I have to go shopping."

"Marry?" Bastion questioned

"That just sounds weird." Neria confessed

"Well it means that there are no souls on the line in this Duel." Aedan said. "So none of us are in danger except for Bastion and his key."

"Now then, let's do this." Tania smirked and both she and Bastion activated their Duel Disks

"**DUEL!"**

**Tania: 8000**

**Bastion: 8000**

"Ladies first." Tania smirked as she drew her card "And I'll start by summoning the Amazoness Swordswoman in attack mode." A tall muscular woman with long red hair in dreadlocks, wearing purple armor and holding a sword appeared on the field (Level 4 Attack 1500 Defense 1600) "Then I'll place one card face down and end my turn."

"My move." Bastion said. "And I'll summon a good friend of mine, Hydrogeddon in attack mode." The dinosaur made of muddy water appeared on the field (Level 4 Attack 1600 Defense 1000) "And now he will attack that Swordswoman." Hydrogeddon sent a ball of muddy water which exploded on Hydrogeddon and the monster shattered but Bastion groaned in pain after the attack

**Tania: 8000**

**Bastion: 7900**

"Wait why did Bastion lose life points?" Syrus wondered

"Tania's monster was destroyed so she should have taken the damage." Neria added

"It must be something to with that Swordswoman." Aedan replied

"That's right." Tania smirked. "During any battle involving Swordswoman, my opponent takes all damage."

"Bastion walked right into that one." Chumley said

"That's not like Bastion at all." Alexis added

"Bastion's fine." Jaden smiled. "It is like Bastion, while he may have less life points, she has less monsters."

"And don't forget Hydrogeddon's ability." Solona added

"That's right." Bastion smiled. "When Hydrogeddon destroys a monster in battle, I'm allowed to summon another one from my deck" a second Hydrogeddon appeared on Bastion's field

"Nice move." Tania said. "But I play this, the trap card Pride of Tribe. This trap activates when an Amazoness is destroyed and I get to summon another one from my deck. And who better than another Amazoness Swordswoman."

"Well I still have another Hydrogeddon to attack with." Bastion smirked. "Now attack." The second Hydrogeddon launched an attack which destroyed Swordswoman though Bastion took damage again.

**Tania: 8000**

**Bastion: 7800**

"I may have taken damage but now I can summon a Third Hydrogeddon to the field." Bastion added and a Third one appeared on the field "Now attack her directly" The final Hydrogeddon sent his blast which engulfed Tania and threw her back.

**Tania: 6400**

**Bastion: 7800**

Tania smirked. "I see I made the right choice in choosing you as my opponent. You are a worthy warrior."

"Why thank you." Bastion smiled but then he blushed and he shook his head. "I get your game. I know what you are planning; you're trying to distract me. Well it won't work. It's now your turn."

"Why thank you." Tania smiled. "I play Pot of Greed to draw two more cards." Tania drew two extra cards. "And now I summon Amazoness Princess in attack mode." A small dark skinned Amazoness with long white hair, dressed in tribal clothes and wielding a staff appeared on the field (Level 3 Attack 1200 Defense 900)

"What was the point of that?" Alexis wondered. "That monster is no match for those Hydrogeddons."

"She must have some kind of plan otherwise she wouldn't have summoned that monster." Daylen replied

"I sure do." Tania smirked. "When my Princess is on the field or in the Graveyard, she is treated as Amazoness Queen. So now I play Polymerization to fuse Amazoness Princess or called Queen along with Amazoness Spy in my hand in order to summon Amazoness Empress in attack mode." A tall tanned skinned woman with long white hair, wearing battle armor and a crown made of an animal skull and wielding a large sword appeared on the field (Level 8 Attack 2800 Defense 2400)

"Oh man, that monster is stronger than those Hydrogeddons." Syrus gasped

"There's more." Tania added. "As long as my Empress is on the field all monsters with the name Amazoness in their name gain piercing damage and cannot be destroyed in battle."

"What!" Bastion gasped

"And now Empress, destroy one of those Hydrogeddons." Tania ordered and Empress swung her sword and slashed one of the Hydrogeddons and destroyed him.

**Tania: 6400**

**Bastion: 6600**

"I will end my turn by placing one card face down." Tania finished

Bastion drew his card. *'This will be tricky since that Empress cannot be destroyed in battle so I guess I will have to play it safe.'* He thought. "I'll start by changing the Field Spell Umi. Now all aqua, Sea Serpent, Fish and Thunder type monsters gain 200 attack and defense points while all machine and Pyro lose 200 attack and defense." The field changed into an ocean and Bastion and Tania were standing on islands

"What good will that do?" Alexis wondered. "Bastion's monsters are Dinosaur type monsters and those Amazoness are warrior type."

"I think Bastion is about to summon one of his best monsters." Solona replied

"Now I summon Oxygeddon in attack mode." Bastion added and his flying dinosaur made of oxygen appeared on the field (Level 4 Attack 1800 Defense 800) "Then I play the spell card Bonding H20, now I sacrifice all my monsters and summon Water Dragon in attack mode." Bastion's monsters all merged together and formed the large dragon made of water (Level 8 Attack 2800 Defense 2600) "And since he is a Sea Serpent Type monster, my dragon gains 200 attack points." (WD Attack 2800-3000) "Now Water Dragon, attack Amazoness Empress with Hydro blast" Bastion added and Water Dragon sent a blast of water which engulfed the Empress.

"Did you forget that my Empress cannot be destroyed in battle?" Tania smirked

"I did remember that." Bastion smiled. "But you're still taking damage."

**Tania: 6200**

**Bastion: 6600**

"I will end my turn at that." Bastion smiled

"It's like you're being easy on me. I know you can do better than that." Tania smirked. "I play my face down, the trap card Amazoness Willpower, now I can special summon 1 Amazoness monster from my graveyard in attack mode. So I will bring back my Amazoness Swordswoman in attack mode." The red haired swordswoman returned to the field. "Now she must attack if able so I will attack your Water Dragon. But remember, you take all damage during a battle with Swordswoman and my Empress' ability prevents him from being destroyed. Now attack." Swordswoman slashed Water Dragon but there was no damage was dealt to Tania and a magical barrier created by Empress prevented her from being destroyed. But Bastion's life points were another story:

**Tania: 6200**

**Bastion: 5100**

"I'll place another card face down and end my turn" Tania finished

*'I've got to find a way to get rid of that Empress otherwise that Swordswoman will finish me off bit by bit.'* Bastion thought as he drew a card but sighed as it would be able to help him, he would just have to survive another turn. "I'll have Water Dragon attack again and then I will end my turn." Water Dragon sent another attack and dealt minor damage to Tania

**Tania: 6000**

**Bastion: 5100**

"That's all." Tania smiled. "Well I hope you are prepared for this my love"

"I am not your love!" Bastion hissed. "You have only known me for a while now stop distracting me."

"How about I stop you winning this Duel with this, the spell card Amazoness Spellcaster." Tania smirked. "Now my Swordswoman and your Water Dragon switch original attack points."

"What!" Bastion gasped as his dragon lost its power (ASW Attack 1500-2800) (WD Attack 3000-1700)

"Now Swordswoman attack that dragon." Tania ordered and Swordswoman slashed Water Dragon and the monster was destroyed

**Tania: 6000**

**Bastion: 4000**

"Well now that Water Dragon is destroyed, I can summon back the Two Hydrogeddons and 1 Oxygeddon from my graveyard." Bastion countered and then his monsters reappeared on the field in attack mode

"Well I still have a monster to attack with." Tania added. "Empress attack one of those Hydrogeddons." Empress slashed her sword and destroyed one of the Hydrogeddons, the explosion knocked Bastion back on onto his back

**Tania: 6000**

**Bastion: 2800**

"Oh man." Bastion groaned as he got up. "She's outsmarted me several times."

"Well I guess I know where our kids will get their smarts from." Tania smiled

"Wait our kids!" Bastion snapped. "We're enemies, rivals."

"During this Duel we are." Tania smiled. "But afterwards we will be a couple."

"This is just so weird." Neria commented

"Tell me about it." Daylen agreed. "I don't know what is worse, losing your soul or being made to marry someone." He looked at Solona. "It reminds me of the time I dueled Harrington when he tried to force you to become his fiancé."

Solona shuddered. "Don't remind me about that. I would never have married a snob like him."

Bastion sighed. "You're relentless, are you truly that smitten with me."

"I prefer in love." Tania smiled

"You hardly even know me." Bastion shuddered

"I know enough me little sugar booger."

Bastion shuddered.

*'Keep your cool Bastion.'* He thought to himself. *'She's just trying to throw you off and distract you, just like those silly card crushes that distracted Jaden.'* Then an image of White Magician Pikeru came to his mind but he shook it out and blushed.

"No, get out, I'm above this!" He yelled out

The others looked in confusion "Bastion is sure acting weird." Aedan commented

"That could be bad as it may cause him to lose if he loses concentration." Sereda added

"Love makes you do strange things." Jaden commented

Bastion turned and glared at him.

"QUIET!" He yelled. "I am not in love with anyone. Now it's my turn." Bastion drew his card and smiled as he got the card that would help him win this duel. "And I'm going to prove it by beating you. First I use the spell card Monster Reborn to bring my Hydrogeddon." Bastion's Hydrogeddon returned to the field. "But none of my monsters will be around for long because I'm sacrificing them all in order to summon a Legendary monster."

"A Legendary monster?" Tania questioned

"I summon the Tripper Mercury in attack mode." Bastion replied and his powerful Aqua swordswoman with two blue blades appeared on the field (Level 8 Attack 2000 Defense 2000) "And don't forget about Umi, since she is an Aqua type, she gains 200 attack points" the swords glowed as Tripper Mercury gained power (TTM Attack 2000-2200)

"What is Bastion thinking?" Chazz snorted. "That monster can't beat that Empress."

"Don't forget about the Mercury's ability." Solona added

"That's right." Bastion smiled. "Since I used three sacrifices to summon my Mercury, all monsters on your field lose attack points equal to their original attack points so they now have no power." Tania's monsters lost power (AE Attack 2800-0000) (ASW Attack 1500-0000)

"Now Bastion can deal damage to Tania." Jaden smiled

"Did you forget about my monsters abilities?" Tania smiled. "They cannot be destroyed in battle and my Swordswoman deal damage to you when you attack it"

"Which is why I use this spell card Offerings to the Doomed, now I skip my next draw phase and now your Swordswoman is destroyed." Bastion watched as Swordswoman was dragged to the graveyard. "And now I attack, also since my Tripper Mercury can attack 3 times, this duel is over, sure you monster will survive but your life points are another story."

"Then I guess I'll play my facedown." Tania smiled. "De-Fusion which splits my Empress back into Princess and Spy appeared on the field in defense mode. "Now I will only receive one direct attack." She was right when Tripper Mercury destroyed her monsters and received a third attack directly which threw her back.

**Tania: 3800**

**Bastion: 2800**

"I will end my turn." Bastion finished

"Looks like Bastion is back in this." Jaden smiled

"But Tania is still countering his moves." Solona said. "I hope Bastion will be all right."

"It's my move now love." Tanis smiled as he drew his card. "And I summon Amazoness Paladin in attack mode." A long blond haired Amazoness appeared wearing a tunic (Level 4 Attack 1700 Defense 300)

"Don't forget, that when my Tripper Mercury is on the field, your monster loses all his original attack points." Bastion smirked and Paladin weakened (AP Attack 1700-0)

"Well that won't matter because I'm changing the field with a new field spell. The spell Amazoness Village." Tania added and she placed the field spell card in her field spell slot and Bastion's Umi shattered and was replaced with a tropical island tribal village. "Next I play the spell card Amazoness Bravery, now by cutting my Paladin's original attack points in half, I can destroy one monster on your field so now Your Tripper Mercury is destroyed." Bastion gasped as his Mercury shattered and Paladin's attack points returned though weakened because of the Bravery spell. (AP Attack 0-850) "Now my field spell gives all my Amazons an extra 200 attack points and my Paladin gains 100 attack points for every monster with the name Amazoness in their name which includes herself so she gains 300 attack points." (AP Attack 850-1150) "Now Paladin, attack him directly." Tanis ordered and Paladin slashed Bastion with her sword which threw him back.

**Tania: 3800**

**Bastion: 1650**

"Then I will place one card face down and end my turn." Tania finished

*'Well at least she is concentrating on the Duel instead of me.'* Bastion thought. "It's my turn now."

"Speaking of moves." Tania smiled. "I think it is best that you move in with me. You know after we get married, after all we will have the best home" Bastion blushed but shook the images out of his head and now he was struggling to concentrate now "I'm sorry honey am I distracting you again with this talk about love. I guess I just can't help myself, I'm head over heels for you."

"Yes Tania, so am I." Bastion blushed

Solona gaped at the sight. "Is he serious?"

"Now Bastion's lost all concentration." Aedan added

"I just hope Bastion will snap out of it otherwise we will lose another key." Neria added

Bastion snapped out of his trance and he didn't draw a card because of his Offerings to the Doomed he played last turn. "I'll start by summoning another Oxygeddon from my hand." another flying Dinosaur appeared on the field. "And then I play Premature Burial, so by paying 800 life points, I get my Tripper Mercury back to my field." Bastion paid life points and his Legendary Planet Monster appeared on the field. "Though her ability of decreasing your monsters attack points won't work her 3 attack ability will."

**Tania: 3800**

**Bastion: 850**

*'I've got it all worked out, as soon as I destroy that Paladin, my monsters will finish the battle.'* Bastion thought.

"Now Tripper Mercury, destroy that Paladin." Bastion ordered and Tripper Mercury slashed Paladin and destroyed her.

**Tania: 2950**

**Bastion: 850**

"Now the second ability of my Village activates." Tania smiled. "When an Amazoness monster is destroyed, I can summon another one from my deck with the same or lower level and who better that my pet. The Amazoness Tiger." A copy of Tania's tiger appeared on the field (Level 4 Attack 1100 Defense 1500) "And he gains 400 attack points for every Amazoness on the field and plus the 200 from my Village so he gains 600 attack points" (AT Attack 1100-1700)

"It's still weaker than my Mercury and she has her 2nd attack." Bastion smiled. "Now Tripper Mercury attack and tame that Amazoness Tiger" Tripper Mercury went in to attack the Tiger.

"You must be distracted otherwise you would have noticed my face down." Tania smiled. "I play the trap card Amazoness Archers, now all monsters on your field lose 800 attack points and not only that, they have to battle." (TM Attack 2000-1200) (O Attack 1800-1000)

"But now they have to battle that Tiger!" Syrus gasped

"And that Tiger is stronger than Bastion's monsters." Neria added. "It's powerful enough to end this duel."

"He walked right into a trap!" Chazz snorted "What was he thinking."

"That was the problem." Dorian replied

"Yes." Banner agreed. "He was distracted and because of that love walk he wasn't thinking"

Tripper Mercury and Oxygeddon attacked and were both destroyed by the Tiger's claws and Bastion was thrown back.

**Tania: 2950 (Winner)**

**Bastion: 0000**

"I'm all yours." Bastion smiled before he collapsed and his key faded away. There was a rumble as a fourth Spirit Gate opened.

"Bastion!" Jaden gasped as he jumped over the viewing arena and was followed by everyone else while they went to confront their friend.

"Kitty." Tania smiled at her real pet tiger who growled and pounced at Jaden and the other Key Keepers who then ran in the other direction and were forced out of the main gate of the arena. But then the metal gate closed and prevented them from coming back inside.

"Oh no Bastion!" Jaden gasped. "Hey give us back our friend!" He ran up to the gates and banged against it.

Tania's laugh could be heard.

"Sorry but Bastion and I are on our honeymoon now, so get lost." She laughed

"This isn't over!" Jaden yelled through the Gate. "You hear me!"

**DUEL!"**