SLKDFJALSKDFJALSKDJF THERE IS SO MUCH OF MY PRECIOUS BOY IN THIS CHAPTER LAKSDJFLAKSDJFAS IT DELIGHTS ME VERY MUCH. AM I BIASED? YES. DO I CARE? NO. HE DESERVES ALL THE LOVE.

ASLKDFJALSDKJFS SPEAKING OF MY PRECIOUS CREAM PUFF, I SO VERY MUCH LOVE HOW HARD RYOU TRIES, WHAT HE'S WILLING TO DO FOR THE SAKE OF HIS BEST FRIEND. EVEN AS NAKHTI STANDS THERE AND INSISTS NOTHING WILL WORK BECAUSE HE IS A TURD (REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT HE'S RIGHT), RYOU PRESSES FORWARD. I KNOW HE CITES HIS PROMISE TO YAMI, BUT ASKDJFLASKDJFL STILL. HE CARES SO MUCH ABOUT YUUGI. IT IS ADORABLE. THEY ARE FREAKING ADORABLE BEST FRIENDS ALKDJFLASDKJFALSDKFJ IT'S ALSO NICE TO SEE RYOU STANDING UP TO NAKHTI A BIT. EVEN IF OUR CHOICES ARE WRONG, SOMETIMES IT'S GOOD FOR US TO COMMIT AND DO OUR BEST AND DISCOVER FOR OURSELVES THAT WE MADE A MISTAKE. MAYBE NOT ALL THE TIME, BUT SOMETIMES.

RA IS A POOPFACE AND I HATE HIM. THAT IS ALL I WISH TO SAY ON THAT.

ALSDKJFALSDKJFDLASKJF YUUGI IS A SMART BOY. I KNEW EVENTUALLY HE WOULD DECIDE THERE WAS MORE HE COULD DO. ALSO ASLDKFJASLDKFJA HAKU, WHAT ARE YOU DOING AT THE KAIBA MANSION? YOU ARE A NAUGHTY BOY ALSKDFJALSKDFJ EVEN WITH THE ASSURANCE HAKU PROVIDES THAT MEHEN CAN'T HURT GHOSTS, I THINK I WOULD BE A LOT LIKE YUUGI-STILL AFRAID. I SHUDDER TO IMAGINE COMING FACE-TO-FACE WITH A SNAKE OF HER CALIBER. I DON'T MUCH LIKE HAKU EITHER, BUT IT'S KINDA ENTERTAINING HOW HE'S ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO IS HUNG UP ON "ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS."

ALSKDJFLAKSDJFLAKSDJFLADSKJF THE SCENE WITH YUUGI AND RYOU IN RYOU'S ROOM IS ONE OF THE MOST EMOTIONAL SCENES IN THE ENTIRETY OF COMING HOME FOR ME. IS IT BECAUSE OF MY BIAS TOWARD RYOU? POSSIBLY. ALSDKFJLASKDFJALKSFJ BUT STILL. IT'S HEARTBREAKING TO SEE RYOU COMING TO TEARS OVER HIS INABILITY TO HELP HIS BEST FRIEND LAKSJDFLAKSDJFLASDKFJ AAAAAAAHHHHHH MY EMOTIONS LAKSDFJLASKDJFALDSFKJ

RYOU APOLOGIZING TO NAKHTI FOR NOT LISTENING TO HIM IS LAKDSJFLKSADJF PRECIOUS. BE HIS FRIEND, NAKHTI, GOSH DANGIT. I LOVED THE LINE ABOUT RYOU KNOWING HE IS A FOOL ALKSDFLAKSDJFLKASDFLJKD YES YES. I'M INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE THEIR DEAL GOES ALSDKJFALSKDFJALSKDJFASDFKJ

YOU ARE AN AMAZING WRITER. I LOVE YOUR IMAGERY AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL DESCRIPTION AND THE INTENSE EMOTION ALSDKFJALSDKFJADLSKFJ I AM SUPER EXCITED FOR MORE COMING HOME AND FOR THE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

ALSDKFJALSDKJFALSDKFJSADLFJK IT'S ALWAYS AFTER YOU POST A SECOND CHAPTER THAT MY LOW-ENERGY BRAIN PUSHES ME INTO GEAR AND DEMANDS THAT WE ADDRESS THE NOTIFICATIONS IN MY INBOX. SO HERE I AM, LATE AS USUAL, TO FINALLY GIVE YOU ALL THE LOVE AND ATTENTION AND PRAISE THAT YOU DESERVE.

ASLDKFJASLDKFJALSDKFJASLDKJ YUUGI BEING DEAD STILL HURTS MY SOUL. IT HURTS AS MUCH AS YAMI FEELS IT AND AS MUCH AS RYOU FEELS IT LAKSDJFLSAKDJF MY POOR PRECIOUS SUNBEAM. BEING DEAD CAN'T BE EASY, BUT IT'S NOT EASY FOR THE SURVIVORS EITHER. I'M REALLY GLAD GRANDPA DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT YUUGI, BUT IT STILL MAKES ME SAD THAT YUUGI'S RIGHT THERE AND GRANDPA DOESN'T KNOW.

I LOVE THE CONVERSATION YAMI HAS WITH SHADI, THAT SHADI WILLINGLY OPENS UP AND GIVES YAMI MORE KNOWLEDGE, THAT YAMI REMAINS INSISTENT THAT HE WILL SAVE HIS FRIENDS ALSKDJFALSDKFJASDKJ PRECIOUS BOY. I ALSO LOVE HOW REAL YOU'VE MADE EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY. I LOVE THE REFERENCES TO DEITY AND THE SYMBOLS OF THE PUZZLE AND ALL THAT WONDERFUL STUFF. IT'S PERFECT EVIDENCE THAT YOU ARE A FANTASTIC WRITER.

ON THAT NOTE, THE EMOTION IN THIS CHAPTER IS PALPABLE. I SWEAR IF I REACHED OUT, I COULD TOUCH IT LADKSJFLASDKJFALDSKFJ ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I ALWAYS FEEL SO MUCH WHEN I READ YOUR WORK SDALKFJSALDKFJADSF

MY BEAUTIFUL PRECIOUS BABY CREAM PUFF BOY ALSDFKJASLDKFJADLSKFJ I KNOW HE'S BEEN AROUND, BUT I FEEL LIKE I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM HIM IN AN ETERNITY ADLSFJALSDKFJ IT'S NICE TO SEE HIM. I LOVE THAT HE'S HUNG UP ON THE FACT THAT NAKHTI WAS ONCE A REAL HUMAN, THAT HE HAS A HISTORY AND A NAME AND LIKES AND DISLIKES AND ALL THAT OTHER FUN STUFF. I LOVE HOW HE VIEWS HIS CIRCUMSTANCES DIFFERENTLY (EVEN IF PART OF THAT IS BELIEVING HE ISN'T SPECIAL ALSKDJFLASKDJF WHICH IS A LOAD OF BULL. RYOU IS SPECIAL TO ME ALSKDFJALSJKF). IT'S FREAKING ADORABLE THAT HE'S SO CAUGHT UP IN HIS THOUGHTS THAT IT TAKES YAMI A SECOND TO BRING HIM BACK TO REALITY, HAHA. CUTIE ASLDKFJASLDKFJ

SPEAKING OF THAT, I LOVE THAT YAMI TURNS TO RYOU FOR HELP. THAT'S REALLY EXCITING! RYOU HAS WONDERFUL SKILLS THAT DESERVE TO BE USED.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY! THAT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT IS VERY EXCITING. MAN, HAS IT BEEN A YEAR ALREADY? I KNOW I SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE CONSIDER HOW LONG THIS STORY HAS REALLY BEEN IN THE WORKS, BUT LAKSDFJALSKJDFAKJ TIME FLIES, MAN. I'M EXCITED FOR THE CELEBRATION! AND OF COURSE EVEN MORE CHAPTERS! MUCH LOVE AND GOOD VIBES!

Oooh, another interesting chapter. As I mentioned in last chapter's review, it's great to see Bakura and Nakhti again, but this time for even longer. The interactions and plot points with these two have consistently been some of the most interesting and it's awesome whenever we get more. Also, Haku is making me super nervous (as always). Very intrigued to see where this goes! Until next time :)

Congrats on the anniversary, and WOW at this chapter! It's so amazing, ad I loved that cliffhanger ending!

This was, yet again, a very cool chapter. Shadi stuff is always interesting and hearing more about the apparent origins of this world are intriguing. Also, more Bakura! It's been forever since he or Nakhti have been a focus or had a POV section. I worry what Yami's planning with his question and am intrigued to see how it pans out. And happy anniversary (almost) for this story! You best believe I'm down for anything you have planned as a celebration. Definitely looking forward to it, whatever it ends up being.

ALSKDFJALSKDJFLAKSDJFLAKSDJF YAS I LOVE THIS CHAPTER SO MUCH. I HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO SEE IT!

ALKDSFJALSDKFJASF MAI! YAS QUEEN! I LOVE HEARING HER PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT HAPPENED DURING DUELIST KINGDOM, HOW SHE GREW AS A DUELIST AND AS A PERSON. I LOVE HOW HER BELIEF SYSTEM CHANGED, HOW SHE WENT FROM LOOKING DOWN ON EVERYONE ELSE AND DUELING SELFISHLY TO SOMEONE WHO HAS FRIENDS AND WHO TREATS THEM WITH GENUINE LOVE AND CELEBRATES THEIR SUCCESSES EVEN IF IT MEANS HER OWN LOSS. I LOVE HOW YAMI EXPECTS JOEY TO BE A BETTER DUELIST THAN HE IS SOMEDAY ALSKDFJALSDKFJASLDFKJ YAAAAAAS.

AND OF COURSE, I LOVE THAT MAI TAKES THE TIME TO BOOST JOEY'S CONFIDENCE. I LOVE THAT HIS SELF-ESTEEM IS MORE IMPORTANT TO HER THAN A DUEL AND THAT JOEY AND HER FRIENDSHIP WITH HIM IS MORE IMPORTANT TO HER THAN EVEN HER FAVORITE MONSTERS. I'M SURE THEY UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT MAI'S CHOICE.

EVEN THOUGH SHE LOST THE DUEL, I KNOW MAI IS HAPPY FOR JOEY. SHE SAID HERSELF SHE WOULD BE ALSDKJFASLDKJFADLSKFJ YAS I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. POLAR IS LYFE, PLATONIC OR OTHERWISE ALSDKFJASLDKFJASLDKJ

I LOVE THAT JOEY WINS THE WAY HE ALWAYS DOES-BY GAMBLING THE HIGHEST RISKS AND STILL COMING OUT ON TOP. HE IS INDEED RIGHT THAT CHOOSING TO PUT HIS FAITH IN A CARD HE'S NEVER USED BEFORE IS THE MOST JOEY WHEELER MOVE HE COULD'VE POSSIBLY MADE XD ALSKDFJALSDKJFSALKDFJ I LOVE THE LINE ABOUT DUKE'S GIFT AND THE FREAKING GRIN ON DICE-BOY'S FACE ALKSJDFLASKDJFALSDKJFASDF YAS I LOVE IT, OH MY GOSH ALSDKFJASLDKFJ

YAS I LOVE IT SO MUCH. IT'S SO GOOD. THE EMOTIONS ARE STRONG IN THIS ONE. THE DESCRIPTIONS AND DIALOGUE ARE PHENOMENAL. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL LANGUAGE LAKSDJFLASKDJFASDF YOU ARE A FABULOUS WRITER. I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT SO ALSKDFJASLDKFJLASDKFJ

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION LASKDJFLSKDFJ YES? I KNEW JOEY WOULD WIN, BUT I AM ALSO PRIVY TO PLOT INFORMATION THAT OTHER READERS ARE NOT, SO I SUPPOSE THAT'S CHEATING. TO BE FAIR, UNTIL I READ THE CHAPTER THE FIRST TIME, I DIDN'T KNOW THE EXACT MANNER IN WHICH THE DUEL WOULD TURN OUT, SO ASLDKFJASLDKFJASLDKFJ THERE.

FABULOUS JOB! I'M EXCITED FOR MORE! ASLDKFJASLDKFJALSKF

This was a cool little chapter. It was nice to see a big section from Mai's point of view. Hasn't happened all that much. I did kind of assume that Joey would advance, his story arc didn't feel quite over yet. A great chapter though nonetheless! I'm excited to read more, and to see how the finals go and what kind of surprises await us there.

FORGIVE MY TARDINESS. I AM FINALLY HERE TO SHOWER YOU IN PRAISE AND EMOTION.

ALSKDFJALSKDJFALSKJFASLDKJF A HEART-WRENCHING CHAPTER IF THERE EVER WAS ONE ALSKDFJALSKDJF FIRST THERE'S YUUGI, FEELING HELPLESS WHILE HIS GRANDPA IS IN DANGER, LEARNING ALL KINDS OF CONFUSING THINGS ABOUT HIS SITUATION AND THE CRAZINESS BACK HOME, DOING HIS BEST DESPITE TERRIFYING CIRCUMSTANCES. I FEEL SO BAD FOR THAT POOR BOY. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT THAT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE. YOU CAN DO IT, YUUGI. I BELIEVE IN YOU!

SPEAKING OF POOR BOYS, I PITY HAGA. HE IS A POOR, PITIFUL, BITTER HUMAN BEING. HOW DARE HE TAKE OUT HIS FRUSTRATIONS ON YUUGI ALSKDFJLASKDFJLKDSFJ AND GRANDPA, NO LESS. HE NEEDS TO GROWN UP AND BE MATURE AND REALIZE THAT LOSING IS ALRIGHT. IT'S GIVING UP THAT'S NOT OKAY. BUT WHATEVER. I'LL JUST ENJOY WATCHING EVERYONE BEAT YOU AGAIN, STUPID BUG BOY.

ALSKDFJASLDKJFLASKDFJDASJLFK YORI OH MY GOSH MY POOR GIRL. LOOK AT YOU. LOOK AT HOW FAR YOU'VE COME AND WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND HOW YOU'VE GROWN. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE MORE GROWTH, BUT YOU CAN BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE TODAY (JUST AS LONG AS YOU KEEP TRYING TO IMPROVE, LOL). GOOD ON HER TO FACE HER FEARS, THOUGH. I AM NOT SO GOOD AT THAT MYSELF. IT'S COOL TO SEE SOME MORE DETAILS FROM HER PAST AS WELL, PARTICULARLY HER FOSTER YEARS. HEHE, THE LINE ABOUT SHADA'S 3000-YEAR PATIENCE MADE ME CHUCKLE X3

SPEAKING OF FEAR, I REALLY LIKE YOUR METAPHOR. I'M SURE I MENTIONED THIS LAST TIME, BUT I EXPERIENCE FEAR VERY DIFFERENTLY (FOR ME, FEAR IS HOT, LIKE A BURNING, AND ALSO LIKE THE PRESSURE OF THE WALLS CLOSING IN. I FEEL TIGHT, LIKE I CAN'T BREATHE, AND EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE. BUT ANYWAY), BUT REGARDLESS, I CAN EASILY VISUALIZE HOW FEAR FEELS LIKE A TIDE, COLD AND DANGEROUS AND WILLING TO DRAG SOMEONE DOWN. ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

I AM SUPER EXCITED FOR FUTURE CHAPTERS. THOUGH THIS CHAPTER WAS A LITTLE PAINFUL (ALSDKFJALSDKFJ MY POOR PRECIOUS SUNBEAM LASKDFJALSDJF) AND ON THE HEAVY SIDE, IT WAS STILL FABULOUS AND GLORIOUS AND SETS UP SO MUCH EXCITEMENT FOR THE FUTURE. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THESE CHARACTERS GROW AND OVERCOME THE HARD THINGS IN THEIR LIVES. AND OF COURSE, YOUR WRITING IS PHENOMENAL. IT MAKES ME FEEL SO MUCH, EVOKES SO MANY EMOTIONS. FABULOUS JOB!

I had almost forgotten about Yuugi in the game shop a few chapters back. Really ramping up the Season 4 stuff, though I'm expecting your signature improvements on it. Yuugi's present state of being is intriguing, not sure where it'll go. Also, more Yori! It feels like so long between Yori appearances, I miss the dear girl. I am absolutely loving the mind/face your fears stuff; I love the trippy mind stuff (as I've mentioned in previous reviews). Still super invested and can't wait to read more!

Can't wait to see how Yami takes the news of Yuugi's death after he's told. Great chapter.

Hope you're staying safe and well during this crazy time.

-TheUncommonBlack

ALSKDFJLASKDJFLAKSDJFLASKDJFLASKDJF THIS TIME I COME SWIFTLY RATHER THAN WEEKS LATE. NOT AS QUICK AS I COULD'VE BEEN, BUT STILL.

LASKDJFLAKSDJFLSAKDJFLASKDJF YAMI'S TURMOIL RIPS AND TEARS AT MY SOUL ASDLFKJASDL HIS COMPASSION FOR SETO (AND EVERYONE ELSE) IS ENDEARING ALSKDFJALSKDFJAS I ALSO DON'T WANT THE MONSTER TO HURT ANYONE ELSE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, SETO IS A HURRICANE UNTO HIMSELF. HE WILL NOT BE STOPPED.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YAMI AND SHADI HAVING A PLEASANT CONVERSATION. IT'S FUN TO SEE INTO HIS PAST AND SEE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YAARA AND EVEN THE PHARAOH HIMSELF, EVEN IF SOME OF THOSE THINGS AREN'T THE MOST POSITIVE. BUT THAT'S OKAY. IT'S NICE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO BOND. ASLKDFJALSDKFJALSDKFJ CANON SHADI IS A POOPFACE, BUT CH SHADI IS PRECIOUS AND MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS.

AND THEN OF COURSE THAT ENDING LASKDJFLASDKJFLSADKFJ THAT'S THE LAST THING YAMI NEEDS BEFORE COMPETING IN THE FINALS XP

ASLDKFJLASDKJFLASKDFJ JOEY JOEY JOEY JOEY ALDKSFJALSDKFJDASF POOR BOY, MY POOR STRUGGLING BLONDE DOOFUS. MAI IS RIGHT. SHE HAS CHOSEN HER OPPONENT. SO FACE HER LIKE A MAN ASLDKFJASLDKFJASLDKFJ BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I UNDERSTAND WHAT HE'S GOING THROUGH. I ALSO SOMETIMES GET CAUGHT UP IN THE REFLECTION I STAND IN AND DON'T NOTICE HOW MUCH I'VE GROWN OR HOW FAR I'VE COME, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE SAME WEAKNESSES AND MISTAKES. I WOULDN'T WANT TO FACE YAMI IN THAT MINDSET EITHER.

ALSDKFJALSKDJFALSKDFJ HE FOUND THE PIG ALSDKFJASLDKFJALSDKFJ AND ALSKDJFLASKDJF MY HEART ALSDKFJALSDKFJALSDKFJ POOR JOEY!

FIX HIM, MAI. I'M BEGGING YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU.

THERE IS INDEED A LOT GOING ON IN THIS STORY, BUT I THINK EVERYTHING'S REALLY WELL BALANCED. YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB! MUCH LOVE AND GOOD VIBES, MY FRIEND!

This chapter was fantastic! Believe me, you're balancing things phenomenally. I love it when Shadi shows up, because I always feel the frustration that Yami does (that comes down to your fantastic ability to so accurately convey the characters' emotions through narration) but I also know it will always be interesting. Learning that little bit more about the past and seeing, for once, that Shadi has perhaps just as few answers as Yami, it's great. I also absolutely love the part of their conversation on the shadows, as it has actually been talked about out loud between two characters (I think) and I find it super interesting and we it's an idea we haven't gotten any new info on in awhile so it was awesome to learn a little more about it. Also, Yami has finally gotten verbal confirmation and awareness on Yuugi's "death" (if that's really what it is). I'm very interested to see how that will affect him moving forward, he's already plenty distracted enough. Finally, I feel so bad for Joey, you've perfectly conveyed the hopelessness and, true to form for your writing, I don't actually know how things will turn out. Typically I would think Joey would advance, as otherwise would be a sad end to his character arc but you're great at subverting my expectations so I genuinely am unsure. Regardless, I can't wait for more and I hope things are going well for you!

I AM A FOOL. I FORGOT SOMETHING FROM THE LAST CHAPTER. SO HERE IT IS NOW BEFORE I FORGET: I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE REALISM YOU ADD TO THE DUEL MONSTERS, BUT I'M ESPECIALLY IN LOVE WITH THE SPECIAL CARDS, LIKE BLUE-EYES. SHE WAS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC IN THE LAST CHAPTER (AND FOR THE BRIEF MOMENT SHE APPEARS HERE). I LOVE HOW ALIVE SHE FEELS!

OKAY, ONWARD TO THIS CHAPTER!

THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON IN THE THOUGHTS OF THE CHARACTERS IN THIS CHAPTER, JUST LIKE THE LAST ONE.

AFTER GETTING EVERYONE ELSE'S HEADS LAST CHAPTER SAVE FOR THE MONSTER'S, IT'S NICE TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO SEE MAI'S. HER PERSPECTIVE IS AN INTERESTING ONE TO ADD TO THE MIX. I FEEL BAD FOR HER. SHE'S THE ONLY ONE IGNORED, BUT SHE DESERVES TO BE NOTICED! MAI IS AN EXCELLENT DUELIST. I'M SAD SHE DOESN'T REALLY GET TO SHINE AS MUCH AS SHE WOULD LIKE, BUT I'M ALSO EXCITED THAT SHE PICKED A TARGET. I WONDER WHO IT IS (AS IF I DON'T KNOW LASDKFJALSDKFJADSLKFJ BUT SHHHH, SPOILERS).

YAMI IS DOING HIS BEST TO GET HIS HEAD IN THE GAME. HE JUST WANTS TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM THE MONSTER ALKDSJFLASDKJFASLDFKJ PRECIOUS BOY. HE CARES SO MUCH. HE JUST WANTS TO END THE SUFFERING AND SAVE HIS GIRL ASKDFJALSDFKJASLDFKJA UNFORTUNATELY HIS EFFORTS MIGHT BE ALL FOR NAUGHT, AT LEAST AS FAR AS THE FINALS ARE CONCERNED. SORRY, YAMI.

SPEAKING OF MY CONCERN FOR ALL THESE POOR BABIES ALSDKFJLASDJFLASDKFJ MY POOR JOEY. HE IS HAVING THE ROUGHEST TIME ASDLFKJADSLFKJASDLFKJ POOR THING. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO AT ONE TIME THINK YOU'VE COME SO FAR, AND THEN ONE INCIDENT OR ONE WORD CAN SEND YOUR SELF-ESTEEM OR SELF-CONFIDENCE CRASHING TO THE FLOOR. I BELIEVE IN YOU, JOEY! YOU ARE AMAZING! I LOVE YOU TO FREAKING BITS!

SETO IS DEFINITELY A MAN OF ACTION. HE KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS, AND HE'S SMART ENOUGH TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT HE HAS THE CONFIDENCE TO OBTAIN THAT WHICH HE DESIRES. HOLY COW.

SO INTENSE. SO INCREDIBLE! I KNOW DUELS ARE A STRUGGLE FOR YOU, BUT ALSKDFJALSDKJFALSDKFJ THEY ALWAYS TURN OUT SO AMAZING! YOUR HARD WORK DEFINITELY PAYS OFF!

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE QUERYING AND WITH WRITING COMING HOME (AND ANY OTHER PROJECTS YOU HAVE IN THE WORKS, WINK WINK), AND OF COURSE MUCH LUCK TO YOU IN CATCHING UP ON EMAILS. THOSE THINGS TEND TO TAKE ALL MY ENERGY, LOL. I KNOW THIS IS COMING WAY AFTER YOUR BIRTHDAY, BUT HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY ANYWAY! MUCH LOVE AND GOOD VIBES!

ALKSDJFLASKDJFLASKDFJASLDFKJ I AM MANY MANY MANY MANY DAYS LATE, BUT I HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED TO READ AND REVIEW AND SHOWER YOUR BEAUTIFUL WORK WITH ALL THE LOVE IT DESERVES.

SHAME ON ME, BUT I COMPLETELY FORGOT WE WERE GETTING READY TO START AN INTENSE DUEL ASDLFKJASLDKFJASDLKFJ HOO BOY SO INTENSE.

IT'S VERY INTERESTING TO SEE THE DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW AND HOW EVERYONE IS REACTING TO THE SITUATION AND TO EACH OTHER. EACH OF THEM HAS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT GOING THROUGH THEIR MIND BASED ON THEIR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND DESIRES ALSDKFJASDLFKJDASLFKJ POOR JOEY STRUGGLING WITH THE HOPE THAT HE'S A TRUE DUELIST BUT ALSO ALLOWING SETO'S PAINFUL INSULTS TO GET TO HIM ALSDKFJADSLKFJASLDFKJ THAT POOR BOY. AND ALSO POOR YAMI, WHO IS ALONE RIGHT NOW, WITHOUT THE GIRL HE LIKES AND WITHOUT HIS PARTNER. HE'S PRACTICALLY PARALYZED WITHOUT THEM. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE DOUBTS ABOUT WHO HE WAS AS PHARAOH AND THE BURDEN OF SAVING THE WORLD ON HIS SHOULDERS, PLUS OF COURSE ALL THE EVIL THINGS THE MONSTER HAS SAID TO HIM ASLDFKJASLDFKJASLDKFJASDLFKJ IT'S NATURAL HE CAN'T FOCUS. AND THEN OF COURSE THERE'S COLD, CALCULATING, REVENGE-BOUND SETO, DETERMINED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO CRUSH THE MONSTER FOR WHAT MARIK DID TO MOKUBA LASKDJFLDKASJFLJKA HE IS ABSOLUTELY TAKING THIS DUEL BY STORM.

I KNOW IT WAS HARD FOR JOEY TO ACCEPT DUKE'S HELP, BUT LAKSDJFLAKSDFJADSKFJ I'M REALLY GLAD DUKE EXTENDED IT. IT SHOWS A LOT OF GROWTH ON DUKE'S PART. PLUS OF COURSE THERE WAS THAT GREAT INSULT SWAP HE AND SETO HAD XD THE MONSTER, OF COURSE, IS A DELIGHTFUL WILDCARD, FULL OF ALL THE ENTERTAINMENT XD IT STILL MAKES ME LAUGH THAT HE'S EXCITED BY THE FIGHTING AND THE CHAOS XD

KUDOS TO YOU FOR INCLUDING ALL THE LITTLE PIECES OF BACKSTORY FROM DUELIST KINGDOM TO GIVE US EVEN MORE OF A COMPLETE IMAGE OF HOW THE TOURNAMENT AND SURROUNDING EVENTS WENT DOWN IN PRE-COMING HOME. THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE INFO DUMPS NOR ARE THEY UNWELCOME INFORMATION.

I THINK THAT COVERS EVERYTHING I WANT TO MENTION FOR THIS CHAPTER. ANYTHING ELSE I MIGHT HAVE SAID I PROBABLY MENTIONED IN PREVIOUS READINGS. I HOPE, ANYWAY.

BECAUSE THIS IS SO LATE, I KNOW HOW THE PITCH WENT, SO THERE'S NO POINT IN WISHING YOU LUCK, SO INSTEAD I'LL WISH YOU LUCK WITH FUTURE ENDEAVORS (FUTURE PITCHING, FUTURE EDITING, FUTURE WRITING, ETC.). MUCH LOVE AND GOOD VIBES, MY FRIEND!

If you didn't say it was a weakness, I honestly wouldn't have known. Great job!

And I know I've said this a million times, but your characterization is so on point. SO. ON. POINT.

Can't wait for next week. This tension should be illegal.