Dueling Distractions part 2

After the defeat of Bastion to the Shadow Rider Tania and the loss of a fourth Spirit Gate Key, the rest of the Key Keepers had gathered in front of the Coliseum. They had stayed there all night and had lit a campfire to keep warm. All through the night they could hear Bastion's groans of pain as he and Tania dueled all through the night. All of the Key Keepers were worried for their friend. It was now morning and the fire was dying down but they couldn't stop hearing Bastions groans.

"I hate hearing Bastion suffer and not being able to help" Alexis stated

"I am worried for him." Neria added. "He's been in there all night and we've been here."

"And all we could hear was his groans." Aedan finished

"It sound like he and Tania have been in there dueling all night." Chazz added

"And by the sound of those groans, I say that he had been losing all night." Daylen stated

"How long can this go on?" Banner wondered

"Bastion is a student of Duel Academy and I hate it when a student gets hurt and we're unable to help." Dorian added

Jaden then stood up.

"Well I say that we do something." He said

"I agree." Solona added as she too stood up. "No matter what Bastion is our friend and we will not let anyone hurt him."

"Well said sister." Daylen smiled

Aedan looked a bit confused.

"But how are we going to get in to help Bastion, Tania locked the gate." He said which made everyone groan as they realized that he was right.

But then they could hear creaking noises.

"What is that?" Neria asked

Everyone turned to see that the metal gates of the arena had opened and they were now allowed in.

"It looks like we may not need to break in" Solona stated

Then they all saw a figure walked out and they could see Bastion with his blazer opened and his deck boxes open. His eyes were droopy and he was taking deep breaths. Jaden gasped at the sight of him.

"Bastion!" He and the other key keepers ran over to him just as Bastion collapsed to his knees.

"Bastion are you all right?" Neria asked with wide eyes "What happened in there."

"She... dumped... me." Bastion said slowly in a sad tone

"What she dumped you!" Daylen gasped

"That's right." Bastion sighed. "She said that I wasn't good enough. I'm crushed."

"You're not crushed." Jaden snorted. "You're lucky about that. I thought you weren't interested in her at all."

"I don't understand it." Banner spoke up

"She was so smitten with you during your duel." Dorian stated

"I know, we were to be married." Bastion spoke like he was in some kind of trance which shocked everyone. "She says I'm not the one for her. She wants a Champion that will give her match that she will remember."

"Bastion?" Jaden gasped shocked at seeing his friend like this, Bastion was someone who could calculate his opponent's moves.

"I think we need to get him back to Duel Academy." Aedan suggested

"Agreed." Sereda stated. "He needs some time to recover."

...

Later that day the Key Keepers made it back to Duel Academy. As soon as they entered the Duel Academy building, they saw the former key keeper Theorn talking with someone. It was a boy dressed in an Obelisk Blue Blazer, he had short blond hair and looked quite fit, Solona recognized him as Alistair Theirin, the former Shadow Rider known as Black Soldier who had been defeated by Neria. Theorn had said that he had been released from the school infirmary. Then Theorn saw her and the other key keepers.

"So you have returned then." He said. "You've been gone since classes ended yesterday, I was quite worried when none of you returned last night."

"We found the missing students." Daylen said. "And we found the next Shadow Rider."

"She was making the students build a Dueling Coliseum with rare cards as rewards." Aedan added

"And Bastion had to duel the next Shadow Rider." Neria stated

"And since he is here I guess he won." Theorn smiled as he saw Bastion but then he noticed that Bastion had a blank face. "Hey Bastion, what's wrong, is everything all right?"

"Not quite" Jaden said "We've got a problem."

Solona sighed. "Bastion didn't win; he lost the duel and his spirit Gate Key."

"But if he lost, then he would have his soul as well." Theorn gasped "How is he still here?"

"Because the Shadow Rider wasn't after his soul." Sereda sighed. "This one wanted him."

Theorn gave a confused look. "I don't understand, what do you mean by that."

Daylen then explained it. "What we mean is that this Shadow Rider wanted Bastion to marry him. She refused to fight any of the girls."

"Marriage, that's just weird." Theorn stated

"Yeah and after Bastion lost he and Tania the Shadow Rider were in the arena all night long dueling." Chazz added. "And losing by the sounds of it, now Tania has dumped him and Bastion can't get her out of his head."

"Now we're worried about him." Jaden finished. "We're getting him to see the School Nurse." and then he left with Bastion, Alexis, Sereda, Aedan and Chazz which left Theorn and Alistair with Solona, Daylen and Neria.

Theorn then introduced them to Alistair. "I'm not sure if you guys remember but this is Alistair, he was the Shadow Rider you faced Neria known as Black Soldier."

"I'm sorry if I hurt you in any way but I can't remember what happened." Alistair apologized to Neria

"Hey it wasn't your fault." Neria smiled. "That Shadow Charm was controlling you."

"How is my father doing." Solona asked. "And that other brainwashed student Zevran and Alexis' brother Atticus."

"Zevran is starting to get better but he needs a few more days before he can get up. Atticus is having memory troubles and your father is still fast asleep." Theorn stated

Daylen sighed and he looked at Theorn. "Do you have any ideas on how we can help Bastion, you share the same Dorm with him and he seems pretty depressed and broken. We need to find a way to help him before he quits dueling."

Theorn sighed.

"It's hard seeing him like this." He said. "He was always quite calculating, he gave Jaden a hard time during the Duel off and was able to defeat Chazz."

Alistair then had an idea.

"Maybe what he needs is a duel." He suggested. "A duel that can show him that Dueling is about having fun and help him win so that Bastion can get his spirits back up."

Solona thought about it and smiled, that seemed like the best way to get the Bastion they knew back.

...

Later Solona had told everyone about her plan and they all agreed that a Duel was what Bastion needed. So all of the Key Keepers along with Dorian, Zane, Theorn and Alistair had gathered in the main Duel Arena and they waited for Bastion to come. They had sent a message to him saying that they needed to speak to him. Eventually, Bastion came to the arena looking sad.

"What do the lot of you want?" he asked with a sad tone of voice

Jaden decided to answer and he held his deck up. "A duel." he said cheerfully

"A way to help cheer you up." Aedan added

Bastion sighed "I'm sorry but I can't" he said. "It's just too soon after what happened"

"Oh come on Bastion." Jaden sighed. "You've got to move on."

"Jaden's right." Theorn added. "You've never been like this, I remembered you always ready to duel and find new ways to beat your opponents."

"I can't Duel without my Tania" Bastion spoke

"I hate to say this but Tania is probably dueling without you." Daylen replied

Bastion gasped. "No, she wouldn't, not my Tania."

"Oh gag me." Chazz snorted. "You never even liked her."

"You don't understand none of you do!" Bastion grumbled. "When I first Dueled Tania there were fireworks between us. Or monsters danced that dangerous duel monsters danced together. It was beautiful, majestic and if I can't have that feeling, then my life and my days of dueling, are over."

"But Bastion, she's a Shadow Rider!" Zane gasped. "You can't just quit because you lost."

"Zane's right." Aedan added. "Zane sacrificed himself to save his brother but he gave us hope."

"You can't just throw in the towel." Solona added

Neria had tears in her eyes.

"This isn't you." She cried. "The Bastion I knew would never have given up"

"Even if you did lose you can still help." Alistair added. "I may have been a Shadow Rider but I want to help in any way I can."

Bastion sighed. "I'm sorry, as much as you require my deck, unless I can prove myself to Tania, my days of dueling are over."

Chazz muttered. "I think I'm going to the bathroom to throw up." He whispered so no one would hear him.

"Bastion you can't just give up on us." Solona added

Jaden then had an idea. "Hey if you really want to prove yourself then reorganize your deck and ask her for a rematch." He said

"A rematch?" Bastion questioned

"And we'll all be there to support you." Daylen added

...

Meanwhile back at Tania's dueling Coliseum, Tania was in a room with her pet Tiger as she was pounding her chest and punching a wall as she was angry that she had not yet found a worthy opponent.

"This island has nothing but weaklings!" She growled. "I need a worthy partner, someone who isn't intimidated by my power" she then punched a wall and kicked which broke part of the ceiling causing her tiger to take cover. "And if he can't find me then I'll have to find him and duel him." Tania then left the room and was followed by her Tiger just as more of the ceiling collapsed.

...

Later at night, everyone was in their beds at the Slifer dorm. In Jaden's bedroom, Syrus and Chumley were lying in their beds but Jaden was sitting at a table and was sorting his deck out, but because he had the light on so he could see his cards, he was keeping Syrus and Chumley from getting any sleep.

"Jaden, don't you want to go to bed?" Syrus asked

"Not yet." Jaden replied. "I need to sort out my deck. I'm working on this new strategy to help out Bastion." He then grinned. "Just call me Cupid."

"A strategy?" Chumley groaned. "How about a good night's rest?"

They were interrupted by the sound of banging on the door. Jaden then got up from the chair and went to see who it was and he could hear the sound of Bastion coming from the other side of the door.

"Jaden open up." He said. "It's me; I need to speak with you."

Jaden then opened the door and greeted Bastion. "Hey Bastion, what are you doing here?"

"The rematch." Bastion said. "Why aren't you ready?"

"Wait right now?" Jaden questioned

"Yes right now, I just can't keep waiting around." Bastion spoke up.

...

Later Bastion and Jaden arrived at the Dueling Coliseum and Jaden was tired from all the running he had done. "Bastion couldn't this have waited until morning?" Jaden asked

"No it can't." Bastion said. "Tania!"

Then the remaining key keepers, Solona, Daylen, Aedan, Sereda, Neria, Alexis and Chazz arrived. They were joined by Crowler, Dorian, Alistair, Zane and Theorn as well as Syrus and Chumley.

"What are you guys doing here?" Bastion asked when he saw them

"Why else would we be here?" Chazz snorted

"We're here to give you support Bastion." Alexis stated

"Theorn and I came along to help in any way we can." Zane said. "And Alistair agreed to come as well."

"Thanks you guys." Jaden smiled

They were all then interrupted by the sound of growling and they turned.

"It's here." Bastion gasped and they all saw Tania riding on top of her pet Tiger which jumped from one of the bushes "Tania"

"Can't you take a hint" Tania questioned. "I already dumped you already"

"He wants a rematch." Jaden snapped as he stepped forward

"And Bastion needs to get the hope back in him." Solona added. "The hope that he lost when he lost to you."

Tania smiled. "He can't have a rematch." then she pointed and grinned at Jaden. "But you seem brave."

Jaden sweat dropped. "I do? But I came here to help my friend"

Tania smiled. "He already lost. I'll duel you or there is no duel."

Jaden smiled. "I never back down from a challenge. I'll do it for Bastion."

Everyone looked concerned for Jaden as now he would be dueling Tania and they were worried that he would fall into the same trap as Bastion did.

"He's what." Chazz snorted

"Oh no." Alexis complained

"I hope he knows what he's doing?" Alistair added

Soon Jaden and Tania stood on opposite sides of the Dueling arena while all of Jaden's friends sat in the seats. Tania then smiled. "You know the rules, if you lose then you lose your spirit key and your single statues meaning that you'll move here as my husband."

"I sure hope Jaden knows what he's doing." Chazz snorted

"He better not lose this." Alexis added

"Hey Jaden's a strong duelist and he's only lost one duel while he's been here." Solona stated

"And that was to the duelist who hasn't been beaten." Daylen finished. "Except for that Vampire though you lost on purpose to save your brother so it doesn't count."

"But Jaden knows what he's doing." Aedan added

"I sure do." Jaden smiled. "And when I'm done Bastion will know that you don't have to be in love to duel in passion"

"Then let's start this duel then." Tania smiled and she and Jaden activated their Duel disks.

"**Duel!"**

**Jaden: 8000**

**Tania: 8000**

"All right, get your game on." Jaden smiled as he drew his card. "And I summon Elemental Hero Avian in defense mode." The green feathered hero monster appeared on the field kneeling down (Level 3 Attack 1000 Defense 1000) "Then I'll place one card face down and end my turn."

"That's your move?" Tania snorted. "Well I summon Amazoness Paladin in attack mode." A blond haired woman wearing a brown tunic and wielding a sword appeared on the field (Level 4 1700 Defense 300) "And my Paladin gains 100 attack points for every monster on the field with the name Amazoness in its name so she gains an extra 100 attack points." (AP Attack 1700-1800) "Next I play the spell card Amazoness Charge, now all monsters on your field are switched to attack mode and they gain 200 attack points" Avian stood up and gained more power (EHA Attack 1000-1200)

"Wait, why did she play a card that made Jaden's monsters more powerful?" Neria questioned

"For the thrill of it." Bastion blushed. "To make a better warrior."

"And also she can now deal damage to Jaden when Paladin attacks." Solona added causing Alexis and Daylen to agree

"So are you enjoying the match so far?" Tania asked. "You're not getting distracted."

"Nothing distracts me." Jaden smirked. "Didn't you know?"

"Well maybe this will change your mind." Tania sneered. "I play a field spell known as Amazoness Arena. When this card is activated we both gain 600 life points. And it's not just distracting but captivating." A large metal cage covered the arena while Jaden and Tania gained more life points.

**Jaden: 8600**

**Tania: 8600**

Chazz snorted at the cage. "Wow she must really be desperate to find a husband if she has to use a cage."

"You see Amazoness Arena is a sacred arena, in this arena you don't just battle with your monsters, you battle with your soul." Tania smiled

"And how do I do that?" Jaden asked confused

"Oh you will see." Tania smiled. "But first Amazoness Paladin will attack that Avian." Paladin swung her sword and slashed Avian who groaned before shattering causing Jaden to groan

**Jaden: 8000**

**Tania: 8600**

"Well since you destroyed Avian, I might as well play my face down." Jaden smiled. "I play Hero Signal, now I can special summon 1 level 4 or below Elemental Hero from my deck and I'll summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman." The blue aqua hero with the water pistols appeared on the field (Level 4 Attack 800 Defense 1200) "And since he's the only monster on my field, I get to draw two cards."

"Impressive." Tania smiled. "But now the effect of my Arena activates, after our monsters have finished fighting, our souls battle. By paying 100 of your life points, you can take 100 of mine."

"Watch out Jaden." Alexis cried

"This may be a trap to throw you off." Sereda added

Jaden looked at Tania. "I should warn you, I don't ever hit girls."

"And you shouldn't." Tania smiled. "But I should warn you, this isn't a fight between us, our souls will do the battle."

"If you say so." Jaden smiled and then ghostly forms of Jaden and Tania appeared and then they punched each other.

"Jaden!" Syrus cried in worry as Jaden was thrown back.

**Jaden: 7800**

**Tania: 8400**

"Well now, that wasn't a bad punch." Tania smiled

Chazz widened his eyes at what he heard. "What the, she's actually complementing him about his attack?"

"I know, isn't she great." Bastion blushed which made everyone groan and look away.

Jaden then began his next turn.

"If you like that, then you're going to love this." Jaden said as he drew his card. "I play the spell card Polymerization which allows me to fuse Elemental Heroes Ice Edge and Sparkman in my hand in order to summon Elemental Hero Absolute Zero." A hero wearing nothing but white clothing and with frost coming from his hands appeared on the field (Level 8 Attack 2500 Defense 2000) "And my Bubbleman will have a use, you see for every Water Attribute monster on the field except my Absolute Zero, Absolute Zero gains 500 attack points." Absolute Zero glowed as he gained more power (EHAZ Attack 2500-3000) "Now attack that Amazoness Paladin with Ice Fist." Absolute Zero's fist glowed which and then punched Paladin which caused the monster to scream and then shatter.

**Jaden: 7800**

**Tania: 7200**

"And now, let's battle." Jaden smiled and then the ghostly spirit of him appeared

"Hold on, now Jaden's using the Field spell?" Alexis questioned

"Why would he do that?" Neria wondered. "He's only hurting himself."

"But he will also take out some of Tania's life points." Daylen added

Daylen was right when Tania and Jaden hit each other which caused damage to both of them.

**Jaden: 7600**

**Tania: 7000**

"And my turn's not over yet." Jaden smiled. "Now my Bubbleman attacks you directly with Bubble Barrage" Bubbleman unleashed a barrage of water from his water pistols and threw Tania back.

**Jaden: 7600**

**Tania: 6200**

"Then I will throw one card facedown and end my turn." Jaden finished and then he looked at Tania who was lying on her back. "Hey, are you all right?"

Tania smirked as she did a flip and landed on her feet.

"I'm perfectly fine." She sneered as she drew her card and smirked at what she drew. "I now play a spell card known as Amazoness Slash, now by removing my Paladin from play, I can destroy one monster on your field like your Absolute Zero." A large spiritual blade appeared and nearly went towards Absolute Zero.

But Jaden played his facedown. "Sorry but I play my face down card, De-Fusion, now Absolute Zero de-fuses into Sparkman in attack mode and Ice Edge in defense mode." A small hero wearing armor made from ice appeared on the field kneeling down (Level 3 Attack 800 Defense 900) alongside a blue and yellow armored hero with lightning coming from his hands (Level 4 Attack 1600 Defense 1400)

"Yeah but your Absolute Zero's effect will no longer work." Tania smiled

"What does she mean by that?" Neria wondered

"She means that when Absolute Zero leaves the field, all monsters on Tania's field would have been destroyed." Daylen replied

"But since she has no monsters then the effect won't work." Solona finished

"And now I will activate the effect of Amazoness spy in my hand." Tanis added. "By revealing one other Amazoness monster in my hand, I can special summon my spy." Tania revealed Amazoness Tiger and then summoned her Spy in defense mode and a brown skinned man with blue hair and wearing a blue cape and mask appeared on the field kneeling down (Level 3 Attack 800 Defense 1200) "And since you know it's here, I will now summon Amazoness Tiger in attack mode." The large yellow tiger appeared on the field and growled (Level 4 Attack 1100 Defense 1500) "And remember, she gains 400 attack points for each Amazoness monster on the field so since there are two, she gains 800 attack points" (AT Attack 1100-1900) "And now Amazoness Tiger, attack that Sparkman and take out the biggest threat on the field." The Tiger pounced onto Sparkman and tore the monster apart.

**Jaden: 7300**

**Tania: 6200**

"And now, let's battle again." Tania smiled and her spirit appeared

"Sounds good to me." Jaden smiled and his Spirit appeared again and then they punched each other

**Jaden: 7100**

**Tania: 6000**

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

"And now it's my move." Jaden said as he drew a card. "And I play Pot of Greed which lets me draw two new cards." Jaden drew two cards and had four cards in his hand "And you should have destroyed Bubbleman because I'm going to equip him with this." Jaden smiled. "Bubble Blaster which boasts his attack points by 800" A large water cannon appeared on Bubbleman (EHB Attack 800-1600)

"What is Jaden doing?" Chazz shouted. "That Bubbleman is still not powerful enough to take out that Tiger and thanks to it's ability, it's the only monster Jaden can attack"

"Jaden must have some kind of a plan." Alexis stated

"I sure do." Jaden smiled. "I now play the Spell card H-Heated Heart, now my Bubbleman gains an extra 500 attack points." A H that was on fire appeared and was absorbed by Bubbleman (EHB Attack 1600-2100) "Now Bubbleman, attack that Amazoness Tiger."

Then Solona noticed that something was wrong.

"Jaden wait!" She called but it was too late as Bubbleman sent a blast from the water cannon and straight towards the Tiger.

Tania laughed. "You just activated my trap card Amazoness Archers."

"Uh oh." Jaden groaned as he remembered that card

"You remember this, it's a rare card." Tania smiled

"That's the card that defeated Bastion." Sereda gasped

"Jaden has fallen into Tania's trap." Aedan added

"Now all your monsters are forced into attack position and lose 800 attack points and now they have to fight my Tiger." Tania smiled. "So your little Ice friend now loses all his fighting power." Ice Edge switched into attack mode and the color from his ice armor drained as he lost power (EHIE Attack 800-0) and Bubbleman was drained of his attack strength (EHB Attack 2100-1300) Then Ice Edge jumped at the Tiger but was grabbed by the Tiger's jaws and destroyed which caused Jaden to groan as he lost life points.

**Jaden: 5200**

**Tania: 6000**

"And now why don't we battle." Tania added

"Sounds good to me." Jaden replied

"Not again." Alexis groaned and then Jaden and Tania clashed and lost more life points

**Jaden: 5000**

**Tania: 5800**

"And now your Bubbleman strikes my Tiger." Tania added as the Bubble Blast engulfed the Tiger but the Tiger slashed Bubbleman with its claws and destroyed the Blaster but caused no damage

"Sorry Tania." Jaden smiled. "But when Bubbleman is equipped with Bubble Blaster, it's the Blaster that is destroyed." (EHB Attack 1300-800) "And let's go again." Jaden's Spirit appeared followed by Tania's

"Is Jaden trying to hurt himself?" Chazz groaned

"If Jaden keeps sacrificing life points then he will be in danger." Sereda gasped as the Spirits clashed and caused more damage

**Jaden: 4800**

**Tania: 5600**

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

"Well at least Jaden had that Bubbleman on the field." Alexis said

"If he had lost it then he would have been in trouble" Daylen confirmed

Tania then drew her next card and smiled. "Well this is the beginning of the end of this duel Jaden." She smiled. "I summon Amazoness Swordswoman in attack mode." The long red haired female warrior appeared on the field (Level 4 Attack 1500 Defense 1600) "And remember since there is another Amazoness on the field, Tiger gains another 400 attack points." The tiger roared as he gained more attack points (AT Attack 1900-2300) "And now Swordswoman, attack that Bubbleman with Amazoness Slash."

Jaden smiled.

"You're not the only one who can activate traps." He smirked. "I play A Hero Emerges, now you select one card in my hand and if it's a monster, then I can summon it to the field."

"But you only have one card in your hand." Tania gasped

"Which means that that's the card selected." Solona smiled

"And now I summon one of my most powerful Heroes, Elemental Hero Bladedge." Jaden smiled and his golden armoured warrior appeared on the field (Level 7 Attack 2600 Defense 1800)

Tania smiled. "Impressive but that won't stop my attacks." Tania smirked. "Amazoness Swordswoman attack that golden hero." Swordswoman slashed her sword but the blade shattered and Bladedge sliced Swordswoman using his blades and Swordswoman shattered. But the shattered sword shards cut Jaden causing him to groan

**Jaden: 3700**

**Tania: 5600**

"Remember, you take all damage from Swordswoman." Tania reminded. "And why don't we do it again" Tania and Jaden's Spirits clashed again.

**Jaden: 3500**

**Tania: 5400**

"If they keep this up them Jaden will lose the rest of his life points." Syrus cried

"No he can't otherwise we will lose another Spirit Key." Alexis said concerned.

"I'm sure Jaden can pull through." Aedan commented. "He has never let anyone down yet."

"Don't forget that I still have one more attack with my Tiger." Tania added. "While since he is now weaker than before since I have lost an Amazoness monster, my Tiger is still ready to pounce, so attack that Bubbleman." Amazoness Tiger then pounced on top of Bubbleman and destroyed him causing more damage to Jaden.

**Jaden: 2400**

**Tania: 5400**

"And now we will fight." Tania added and then more damage was dealt when their Spirits attacked each other again.

**Jaden: 2200**

**Tania: 5200**

"And now I will end my turn." Tania finished. "Now make your move."

"Oh man." Syrus groaned. "This is not good. Jaden's lost half his life points."

"But he still has the strongest monster on the field." Alexis stated

"And Jaden always finds a way to pull through." Sereda added

"Sereda's right." Aedan agreed. "Jaden can find a way."

Jaden looked at his Duel Disk.

"This draw better count because if I don't draw something good, then this duel is over." He said to himself and then he drew his card and smirked "I play Card of Sanctity, now we both draw until we hold 6 cards in our hands." Both Jaden and Tania drew until they held 6 cards in their hands. "And now I will play Fusion Sage which allows me to add a Polymerization from my deck to my hand." Jaden added a second Polymerization card from his deck to his hand. "Next I will play Polymerization to fuse Elemental Heroes Clayman and Heat to create Elemental Hero Gaia." The large Golem monster appeared on the field (Level 6 Attack 2200 Defense 2600) "And now he halves the attack points of your Tiger thanks to its ability and adds them to Gaia's." Amazoness Tiger groaned as his skin turned to stone slightly and particles of energy were absorbed by Gaia (AM Attack 1900-950) (EHG Attack 2200-3150) "And now Elemental Hero Gaia, attack Amazoness Tiger with Stone Fist." Gaia threw a giant fist which smashed into the Tiger who howled before shattering.

**Jaden: 2200**

**Tania: 3000**

"And now we'll battle once again." Jaden smiled as his Spirit appeared

"Again?" Chazz gaped and then the spirits of Jaden and Tania fought each other again.

**Jaden: 2000**

**Tania: 2800**

"And now Bladedge attacks your Spy." Jaden added. "And even though your Spy is in defense mode, when Bladedge attacks a monster in defence mode, the difference is dealt to you as damage. Now attack with Slice and Dice attack." Bladedge sliced through the Spy which groaned before shattering.

**Jaden: 2000**

**Tania: 1400**

"And now we shall battle once more." Jaden smirked as his Spirit appeared followed by Tania's and then they fought each other.

**Jaden: 1800**

**Tania: 1200**

"All right." Syrus cheered. "Jaden's winning the duel now."

"Don't celebrate just yet." Chazz snorted. "This Duel's not over yet."

"I'll place two cards face down and end my turn." Jaden finished

Tania smiled.

"Impressive move my dear." She said. "But you made a mistake since you filled my hand up, now I summon another Amazoness Swordswoman in attack mode." Another Swordswoman appeared on the field. "And now I activate the effect of Amazoness Pet Baby Tiger in my hand, since I just summoned another Amazoness monster with Baby Tiger in my hand, I can special summon him in attack mode." A small baby tiger with pink fur and jewelled collar appeared on the field (Level 2 Attack 500 Defense 200) "Sure my baby may be weak but he is called Tiger while on the field. Also, you're not the only one who can use Fusion monsters; I now play my own Polymerization to fuse my Baby Tiger with Amazoness Chain Master in my hand in order to summon Amazoness Pet Liger in attack mode" A new larger Tiger appeared on the field with armoured spikes on its body (Level 7 Attack 2500 Defense 2400) "Now Pet Liger, attack Bladedge."

"Wait but why?" Jaden questioned

"That Liger is weaker than Bladedge." Aedan said. "Why would Tania attack it."

Daylen gasped "That Liger must have some kind of a special ability" he realised

"He sure does." Tania smiled. "When Liger attacks, he gains 500 extra attack points." The spikes on Liger's armor glowed as Liger grew in power (APL Attack 2500-3000) "Now Attack Bladedge." Liger pounced on Bladedge and destroyed him.

**Jaden: 1400**

**Tania: 1200**

"Well I may have lost points." Jaden commented. "But now it's time to put on my fighting spirit." Then his spirit appeared followed by Tania's

"But Jaden?" Alexis gasped

"If this keeps up then Jaden is going to lose." Syrus cried as Jaden and Tania fought each other.

**Jaden: 1200**

**Tania: 1000**

"Maybe Jaden has fallen under Tania's spell." Zane suggested. "The same spell that caused Bastion to lose"

"It's not a spell Zane it's love." Bastion replied which caused everyone to groan. "Love as pure as heart isn't that right my dear Tania"

"Yeah yeah." Tania grunted. "Get over it lover boy. Now that my Liger has destroyed your monster, his 2nd ability actives which causes your Gaia to lose 800 attack points." Gaia groaned as he lost power (EHG Attack 2200-1400) "And now Amazoness Swords woman, destroy that Gaia." Swordswoman slashed Gaia and destroyed him. "And why don't we fight once more."

"Sounds good to me." Jaden smiled and the their Spirits fought again.

**Jaden: 900**

**Tania: 800**

"That may have sounded good to you but I now play a quick play spell known as Amazoness Strike, now by removing Amazoness Tiger in my graveyard from play, Pet Liger can attack again."

"No way!" Jaden gasped

"If that attack goes through then Jaden will lose." Professor Dorian gasped. "And then we will lose both his spirit key and him since he will be forced to move here."

"Don't talk like that!" Alexis snapped. "Jaden can't lose."

"Which is why I play this, Call of the Haunted which allows me to summon back Elemental Hero Sparkman in my graveyard." Jaden said and Sparkman returned to the field

"Well my Liger will still attack." Tania smirked

"And you've fallen for my next trap." Jaden smiled. "The Trap Elemental Burst, now when you attack an Elemental Hero, I can destroy both our monsters and then we both take 700 points of damage."

Sparkman glowed with Electricity which then exploded and destroyed both Liger and Sparkman and zapped Jaden and Tania.

**Jaden: 200**

**Tania: 100**

Tania smiled. "Very impressive." She said "But now you are in a lockdown now."

"She's right" Alexis stated. "She still has that Amazoness Swordswoman on the field and any attacks stronger than it will just deal damage to Jaden and then he will lose"

"Come on Jaden, you have to find a way." Solona encouraged

"Oh don't worry, I will". Jaden smiled as he drew his card and smiled at it. "Well it's been a good Duel Tania but I'm afraid that it must end here. I summon Elemental Hero Blazeman in attack mode." A new Elemental Hero made of a meteor appeared on the field (Level 4 Attack 1200 Defense 1800)

"What is Jaden doing?" Chazz shouted. "That monster doesn't have enough power to take out that Swordswoman."

"But this is a new Elemental Hero, one that Jaden hasn't used yet, so we don't know what its special ability is." Alexis stated

Jaden smiled. "My friends are right, my Blazeman does have a special ability." He said. "By discarding an Elemental Hero from my deck to the graveyard, Blazeman's attack and defense points become the attack of that monster until the end of the turn. So i'll discard Elemental Hero Wildheart and make his attack points 1500." Jaden discarded Wildheart and the ghostly spirit of Wildheart was absorbed by Blazeman (EHB Attack 1400-1500)

"Now their attack strengths are equal" Alistair stated

"So they'll destroy each other." Theorn added

"You go get her Jaden." Alexis cheered

"Now Blazeman, destroy that Swordswoman." Jaden ordered and Blazeman sent a fireball and Swordswoman threw her sword. Both monsters were hit and they shattered "And now let us battle one last time." Jaden said and their spirits appeared again and they fought but only Jaden hit Tania and ended the duel.

**Jaden: 100 (Winner)**

**Tania: 0000**

"It's over." Dorian stated. "And I have never seen anyone duel with such passion."

"So tell us Bastion, how do you feel?" Zane asked

"Like a man still frozen in love?" Aedan added

"Still in love." Bastion stated. "But in love with Dueling. Jaden showed me that you don't have to be in love to duel with passion."

"I guess that's game." Jaden smiled. "But tell me if you want a rematch."

"No rematch." Tania stated. "I joined the Shadow Riders to find a worthy husband, but I have discovered that I am not worthy to be with someone strong." Then Tania's body glowed and she fell to her knees and then when the light cleared, a large white furred tiger was in Tania's place.

"A Tiger" Syrus gasped

"Tania, is that you?" Bastion questioned

The Tiger just turned and walked inside and was followed by Tania's pet tiger and Jaden could hear Tania's voice. "Farewell Bastion." Tania then left but left her Shadow Charm of a glove behind which was picked up by Jaden.

"Well I guess that this is it." Bastion said

Chazz couldn't resist a chance to tease him.

"Boy Bastion, you sure know how to pick them." He laughed but was hit on the shoulder by Aedan

Jaden smiled. "Don't worry Bastion, there's plenty of fish in the sea."

"Yea but not too many Tigers, thank goodness for that." Bastion smiled which caused everyone to laugh.