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English
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Published:
2025-06-14
Words:
523
Chapters:
1/1
Comments:
4
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One Last Time

Summary:

Thomas calls Michael over to tell him he’s stepping down as champion.

Michael is shocked

 

A/N:
Thomas has no particular reason for stepping down other than he wants to let new comers have a open chance at the crown.

Ryouga and him have a friendly rivalry in this, he did not set Ryouga up and won fairly

Thomas got his scar from a challenge duel (it’s unrelevant but I thought I should mention it anyways)

Also yes the title is a blatant Hamilton reference, the dialogue is literally based off the lyrics—

It’s an awesome song, you should go listen to it >D<

Notes:

There is barely any musicality to this fic—

Also some lyrics are omitted cause it doesn’t make sense in the context :3

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Work Text:

[Michael]
Thomas, you asked to see me?

[Thomas]
I know you’re busy

[Michael]
What do you need? Hello?

[Thomas]
I want you to hear this from this from me first.

[Michael]
Thomas, is it Ryouga again? Are the tabloids still stirring up theories?

[Thomas]
Ryouga is going to compete this tournament.

[Michael]
Actually?

[Thomas]
I need a favor

[Michael]
Whatever you need! It certainly surprises me he’ll be stepping up again

[Thomas]
I need you to draft an address

[Michael]
But what for Thomas?

[Thomas]
He’s competing for the Championship title

[Michael]
Good luck defeating you, Tom!

[Thomas]
I’m stepping down, I won’t be competing

[Michael]
Wait, what do you mean?

[Thomas]
One last time
Relax, take a walk with me
One last time
We’ll take a break tonight
And then we’ll teach them how to say goodbye
To say goodbye
You and I

[Michael]
No, but why?

[Thomas]
I wanna talk about the championship

[Michael]
Sir, with with the tabloids arguing about your rivalry is this really the best time?

[Thomas]
I want to prevent the media rioting

[Michael]
But—

[Thomas]
Pick up a pen, start writing
I wanna talk about what I have learned
The hard-won wisdom I have earned

[Michael]
As far as the media is concerned
You have to duel, you could continue to duel—

[Thomas]
No! One last time
The fans will hear from me
One last time
And if we get this right
We’re gonna teach ‘em how to say
Goodbye
You and I—

[Michael]
But Thomas, they will say you’re afraid

[Thomas]
No, they will see I’m brave

[Michael]
Your position is so unique

[Thomas]
So I’ll use it to move them along

[Michael]
Why do you have to say goodbye?

[Thomas]
If I say goodbye, the people learns to move on
My legacy outlives me when I’m gone, let’s say goodbye
One last time

[Michael]
One last time

 

~~~

 

[Michael]
Though, in reviewing the duels of my reign, I am unaware of purposeful error, although I am too sensible of my faults to think it likely I may have committed many errors. I shall also carry with me

[Michael & Thomas]
The hope
That my fans will
View them with indulgence;
And that
After four long years of my reign of my life dedicated to entertaining with an upright zeal
The mistakes and incompetent will be faded into nothingness, as I myself will be nothing more than just a spec in history
I anticipate with pleasing expectation that retreat in which I
Promise myself to realize the sweet enjoyment of partaking
In the midst of my fellow dueling fans, the excitement the new champion shall bring
Although under a new reign, the championship still holds a dear place in my heart, and still reminds me of the joyful times we had together

[Thomas]
One last time

[Michael]
Teach ‘em how to say goodbye

[Thomas]
You and I

[Michael]
History has its eyes on you

[Thomas & Michael]
We’re gonna teach ‘em how to
Say goodbye! (Say goodbye!
Teach ‘em how to
Say goodbye! (Say goodbye!
To say goodbye! (Say goodbye!)
Say goodbye!
One last time! (One last time!)

Notes:

Sorry if anything’s wonky lol—

I’m also trying to post every other day now (if possible)

I could get chapter 5 of Hybrids done cause there’s some lore drops and also a crap ton of dialogue since they aren’t really doing anything by talking— (it’s an arc-v book tho lol, not zexal, I do have a childhood au for hellshark if anyone’s interested)