Good evening everybody, how's your 2020 been? Yeah, me too. I got the kung flu back in March, and lemme tell ya, that was absolutely miserable. My editor then took about two and a half months to get through this lovely lengthy logistically loony chapter of nearly 25,000 words. Hopefully this long chapter will make up for the extended leave of absence. Sorry about that.

Yusei: The following is a non-profit fan-based fanfiction. Yugioh, Yugioh GX, Yugioh 5D's, Yugioh Zexal, Yugioh ARC-V, and Yugioh VRAINS are all owned by Konami, 4Kids Entertainment, Toei Animation, and Kazuki Takahashi! Please support the official release!

Chapter 41: Duelists of Fate

Satellite Highway

Joey LP: 4000

Little Winguard Def: 1800

Thomas LP: 4000

Thomas looked at the card he'd drawn and added it to his hand. His Red-Eyes Deck should stomp his great-grandfather's Deck, even if all the luck-based cards Joey used turned up aces for him, yet the Black Dragon found himself hesitating. Thomas knew that this wasn't meant to be a fair Duel, at least not for Joey. Sure, Yugi had the god cards and he was the King of Games, and Kaiba had his Blue-Eyes, which would always be a threat in a Duel, but what did his great-grandfather have? Some mishmash of warrior monsters, a Trap killer in Jinzo, his famous Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and a plethora of coin-flip and dice-rolling cards that most Duelists wouldn't even touch due to the drawbacks that one would eventually run into when running cards that operated on Lady Luck. Comparing that to his modern Red-Eyes Deck, he shouldn't be worried about this Duel.

So why did he falter? His hand was a decent opener for most Duels. Allana could still be saved, he just had to win. What was staying his hand?

"I'm fallin' asleep over here," Joey taunted. He feigned a yawn as he drew Thomas' attention away from the cards in his hand. "Either end your turn or make a move, just do somethin'!"

Another surge of anger shot through Thomas and he had to make a mental effort to shut it down. Consequently, he found it easier to start playing cards. "Fine, then. You want a move? You got a move! I activate Red-Eyes Fusion!" A red and black portal appeared above his head, while Joey's eyes grew wide.

"Whaddya mean Red-Eyes Fusion?!" he demanded, sparing a glance at the Red-Eyes Black Dragon he'd drawn in his opening hand. "Is this some weird future nonsense where there's a buncha new Red-Eyes cards out in Duel Monsters?"

Thomas glanced at his ancestor. "You're taking this quite well."

Joey shrugged. "You see enough wacky stuff hanging around Yugi. That, and I've been running around all day beating flunkies from the Chaos Movement. You know some weirdo Mika chick, don'tcha, what with you hanging out with that bunch of losers? I hope you don't got some sorta fling with her. You both got that gloom and doom look about ya."

Thomas snorted. "She's way too standoffish for me." His gaze became haunted as he thought of how his beloved had been changed. "I have someone else to fight for…"

Joey narrowed his eyes at that. If past experiences had told him anything, it was that fighting for a friend could make anyone dangerous. Marik would attest to that. Combining that with the fact that Thomas had a Deck from the future meant he was in for a rough time. Might as well keep up the insults. "Hard to believe someone could fall for a mug like yours."

"We'll see who has the last laugh when I send my Red-Eyes Black Dragon and my Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight from my Deck to the Grave for a Fusion Summon!" Thomas growled, his Duel Disk pushing out the two aforementioned cards from his Deck. Thomas plucked them out, noting with a pang in his heart that the card he was sending to the Graveyard was the very same card that was in his great-grandfathers Deck right now.

"You're fusing a Red-Eyes with Gearfried?! Just what are you cookin up here?" Joey demanded.

Thomas ignored him as his Red-Eyes Black Dragon flew into a swirling green, blue and orange portal above his head, followed by a warrior who looked very much like Gearfried the Iron Knight, but with red highlights in his armor instead of blue. "Noble warrior encased in mighty steel, join your might with the anger of the king and shatter the world with blackened flames and the blazing heart of hate! Fusion Summon!" Thomas brought his hands together as the portal crackled with dark lightning, the deep roar of the new dragon heralding its approach. "Appear, Red-Eyes Slash Dragon!" The pillar of darkness that emerged from the portal faded and revealed the Red-Eyes Fusion monster. Joey blinked several times in surprise. It was as though someone had stripped the armor off of his Gearfried the Iron Knight and shaped it to fit it on a Red-Eyes Black Dragon, with a few extra blades thrown on for added lethality.

Red-Eyes Slash Dragon: Atk 2800, Def 2400, LV 7

"Thanks to me using Red-Eyes Fusion, I cannot Summon any more monsters for the remainder of the turn," Thomas explained as his Fusion monster landed behind him with a snarl. "But I won't need that to take out that Little Winguard! Go Red-Eyes Slash Dragon, destroy that Little Winguard now! Darkness Hail of Blades!" With a demonic screech, his Red-Eyes Fusion monster launched itself at Joey's tiny guardian, ripping it apart with glowing claws of darkness. To Joey's surprise, the Red-Eyes version of Gearfriend the Iron Knight appeared on Red-Eyes Slash Dragon's back.

Red-Eyes Slash Dragon Atk: 3000

"Unfortunately for you, my Little Winguard was in Defense mode, so you didn't touch my Life Points," Joey pointed out. "Now why don't you tell me why you got your phony Gearfried up there on your dragon's back? You got a faulty Duel Disk or something?"

"Red-Eyes Slash Dragon's ability activated when it attacked," Thomas answered, meeting his ancestor's gaze. "It can equip a Warrior type monster to it from the Graveyard and it gains two hundred Attack points for each monster equipped to it this way."

Joey glanced up at Thomas' Fusion Monster. "So you're tellin me that I gotta take down something with as much Attack points as a Blue-Eyes White Dragon on my second turn?"

Thomas nodded. "You can't win this."

"I've heard that one before," Joey said, rolling his eyes. "I'd have thought someone who claimed to be from my family would know better than to count me out, not so long as I have my promise to keep to Yugi."

"Your faith is admirable, Great-Grandfather," Thomas began, a clench in his heart slowing him down. "But Dueling has evolved so much since your time."

"I don't care," Joey snapped before the Black Dragon could continue. "I'm going to Duel how I've always Dueled and I'm going to beat you. Now end your turn so that I can take you down, you crazy grease monkey!"

"Dueling as you always have will be your downfall. Failure to evolve and adapt is the ruin of a beast." Thomas rarely quoted the Master, but now seemed appropriate, both to antagonize Joey, and to steel his own resolve. He narrowed his eyes and wondered if Joey was like this when saving Mai from the Shadow Realm. "I place two cards facedown and end my turn."

"Then it's my turn!" Joey began, "I draw!" He looked at his hand and grinned. "Alright, you're gonna get it now! I Summon the Swordsman of Landstar in Attack mode!" A small cartoon warrior appeared, sword and shield at the ready.

Swordsman of Landstar: Atk 500, Def 1200, LV 3

"I'll then throw two more cards facedown and end my turn. Just see if you can get past him!" Joey taunted.

'Four facedown cards and a Swordsman of Landstar in Attack mode,' Thomas thought to himself. 'This is clearly a trap, probably a combination with Graceful Dice and Skull Dice if memory serves. But little does he know that with Slash Dragon out, it's not going to work.' "My turn, I draw!" He glanced at the card and smiled. 'Perfect.'

"I activate a Trap!" Joey announced. "Drop Off! Now whatever nice card you just picked up gets sent straight to the Graveyard!"

Thomas growled at that as he deposited his Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon in the Graveyard. That Trap couldn't have come at a worse time. Regardless, he was still going to deal some major damage to Joey this turn. "I activate Dark Dragon Ritual and send the Level Four Red-Eyes Retro Dragon from my hand to the Graveyard to Ritual Summon Paladin of Dark Dragon!" A smaller version of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon with red scales dotting the usual black appeared briefly on the altar that materialized in front of him. The Red-Eyes Retro Dragon disappeared in a column of black flame as it and the altar were consumed, forming into a new, smaller black dragon with a man wielding a powerful looking sword on its back.

Paladin of Dark Dragon: Atk 1900, Def 1200, LV 4

"He won't be around for long, though," the Black Dragon said, red flames beginning to froth around his monster. "Because by activating his special ability, I can sacrifice my Paladin of Dark Dragon to Special Summon another Red-Eyes monster directly from my Deck!"

"Ya know, if there's one good thing that's come from this, it's that Pegasus is gonna show some love for good ol' Red-Eyes in the future," Joey quipped. "The bad thing is I gotta watch a twerp like you use it for evil."

Thomas ignored him as his Paladin of Dark Dragon vanished into the flames. "Enraged dragon, let those who hear your roar cower and quake as you scorch the earth with your rage! Come forth, Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon!" The dragon that emerged from the flames looked much like Joey's Red-Eyes Black Dragon, but sleeker and with crimson energy pulsing within its veins.

Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon: Atk 2400, Def 2000, LV 7

"It's just another Red-Eyes," Joey scoffed. "I'll take it down like a balloon on a dart board!"

"Believe me, there's more potential to this dragon than meets the eye," Thomas said dangerously. "Now then, let's see just how lucky your dice roll is. Red-Eyes Slash Dragon, attack that Swordsman of Landstar now!"

Joey blinked, but didn't hesitate in pressing the two key buttons on his Duel Disk. "You've just triggered two of my facedown cards! Go Graceful Dice and Skull Dice!"

Thomas allowed himself a brief moment of satisfaction. 'I knew it!'

"Graceful Dice is going to raise the Attack points of my monster by the number I roll, while Skull Dice is going to lower the Attack points of your Red-Eyes Slash Dragon!" Joey explained. The diminutive angel holding a blue die appeared on his right side, while its counterpart devil holding a red die appeared on his left side.

"Believe me, Great-Grandfather," the Black Dragon said sadly, "I'm all too familiar with how those cards work. That's why I had this prepared. Red-Eyes Slash Dragon's ability now activates! Since you just targeted a Red-Eyes monster with the effect of your Skull Dice, I can send a monster equipped to my Red-Eyes Slash Dragon to the Graveyard to negate and destroy that card! So there won't be any Skull Dice mischief here!" Gearfried leaped off Red-Eyes Slash Dragon's back and turned into a fireball that destroyed the little demon on Joey's left.

Red-Eyes Slash Dragon: Atk 2800

Joey grimaced. Having both cards active would really help his chances of success, but now he basically had a one in six chance of winning this battle. "Then I guess we better roll the dice and see what happens. Go Graceful Dice!" The little angel threw the large blue die and it began bouncing along the ground. "Come on! Joey needs a new pair of shoes!"

Thomas watched in silence. The die began to slow, the dots on each side now discernable to the human eye. Joey's eyes grew wide as it teased landing on a one, the die continuing to spin. Thomas' eyes had a similar reaction when the die teased a six. It bounced a few more times before finally settling down in between the two Duelists. "Looks like you've gambled and lost."

"Look, I rolled a four and that multiplies my Swordsman of Landstar's Attack by four to two thousand!" Joey pointed out as energy from the Graceful Dice flowed into his fairy swordsman.

Swordsman of Landstar Atk: 2000

"That's not enough to stop my Red-Eyes Slash Dragon!" Thomas shouted. "Attack!"

Joey grinned. "That's not the last card I got to play, though. Say hello to my Kunai with Chain Trap card!"

Thomas recoiled in surprise as the card flipped upright, its namesake appearing in the Swordsman of Landstar's arms. "Are you serious?!"

"Now my Swordsman of Landstar gains five hundred Attack points and I get to force your Red-Eyes Slash Dragon into Defense mode!" Joey explained. "Go Kunai with Chain! Do your thing!" His Swordsman of Landstar twirled his new weapon and threw it at Thomas' Fusion monster, trapping the armored dragon and forcing it to crouch down on the field.

Red-Eyes Slash Dragon Def: 2400

Swordsman of Landstar Atk: 2500

Thomas scowled in frustration. Somehow Joey had managed to stop his attacks this turn. There was too much riding on this Duel for him to falter. While Joey had used up every Spell and Trap card on the field, it had left him in a solid position since he was now able to destroy either of his Dragons with a Swordsman of Landstar, of all monsters. "I end my turn."

"Don't sound so disappointed, sonny," Joey said, wagging a finger cheerfully. "You're up against Joey Wheeler, the Godfather of Games! I ain't gonna lose this Duel, not while I can help my pal Yugi. Now then, it's my turn! I draw!"

"We're both in a Duel we can't afford to lose," Thomas said solemnly. "Allana needs me." He looked away, trying to banish the memory of his corrupted beloved. He had to save her. "Just like Mai needed you all those years ago."

"Whaddya mean?" Joey demanded, narrowing his eyes.

"Just like you saved Mai from the Shadow Realm in the first Battle City tournament," Thomas began, his red eyes meeting Joey's brown eyes. "I too am fighting to save my loved one from the shadows. The Master has twisted her, turned her into a dark version of herself. Only by defeating you can I have any chance of getting Allana back to normal. I…" His fist clenched. "I don't have a choice. I have to keep fighting!"

Joey paused. It looked like Thomas was in a no-lose situation. But how could he stop this and The Master in this Duel? They were just going to have to keep Dueling and find out. "You and me both, buddy. I can't stop fighting while the Master is messin with my pals. So I'm gonna take you down!"

The Master's Chambers

Yusei LP: 6650

Road Warrior: Atk 3000, Def 1500, LV 8

Speed Warrior: Atk 900, Def 400, LV 2

Shield Wing: Atk 400, Def 900, LV 2

Yami LP: 5150

Dark Magician: Atk 2500, Def 2100, LV 7

Summoned Skull: Atk 2500, Def 1200. LV 6

Dani LP: 4100

Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon: Atk 4000, Def 0, LV 8

Yami instinctively covered his face as purple lightning crashed around him and Yusei, pulsating with the energy seen in this new Blue-Eyes monster. Four thousand Attack points was nothing to take lightly, and he was almost certain that this Ritual monster had a special ability of some sort. Fortunately, he had his Mirror Force Trap card facedown on the field. Unless Dani had backrow removal, they were going to be able to end this Duel and confront the Master within the next few turns. He glanced up at the glowing silver eyes of their opponent. He could still hear her desperate plea for help in his ears, right before the Master had returned and reasserted his control over her.

"Help…me…"

Yugi's spirit appeared next to the Pharaoh. "How can we save her? I mean, I know we didn't set out to save her when we came down here, but we have to try! She's alive!"

"I know, Yugi," Yami said quietly, running through all his options. Could the powers of the Millennium Puzzle really help Dani, trapped as she was under the Master's power? Was the body her soul currently inhabited merely a temporary vessel, one that would collapse if she were to be defeated? There was no doubt that her soul was residing in that body, her cry for aid confirmed that much. She was alive, but he didn't know if the Master would let her stay that way if she failed. "I fear that her safety may be the least of our worries. That Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon is dangerous."

"Oh ho ho, more than you know, Pharaoh," the Master cackled. "Show them, little Dani."

"Battle," the possessed woman said, her voice strained. Her eyes held no mercy, the silver light smoldering dangerously within. "Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon, attack Yusei's Speed Warrior now. Chaotic Maximum Burst!" Beams of blue light began to emit from every part of Chaos MAX Dragon's body, striking the galaxies swirling on the ground with massive bursts of energy.

"You just triggered my Trap card!" Yami said quickly. "The Holy Barrier Mirror Force! Now all the monsters in Attack Position on her side of the field are destroyed!" A rainbow-colored force field appeared in front of their monsters, prepared to take the attack and reflect it.

Yusei smirked, glancing at Yami. "Thanks, Yugi!" Crow came winging down, having taken to the air after getting shooed away from Dani. The Head Signer could sense Crow's shock. He was numb for the moment, but Yusei knew that once Crow had gotten over the surprise his real emotions would boil up soon enough.

The Master's low laughter caught both Legendary Duelists' attention. "Are you sure about that?"

"What could he mean?" Yami asked, spine chilled by the implications. He watched in horror as the attack from Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon pierced his shield, shattering his Mirror Force as though it were thin glass. "What?!"

"No way!?" Yusei was similarly stunned as the attack crashed down on his Speed Warrior, annihilating the little warrior. Yusei, too, was launched off his feet to the ground by two beams of light. Crow squawked in alarm as he was flung from his perch, narrowly avoiding another beam from the Ritual monster and crashing to the floor next to the Pharaoh.

Yusei LP: 3550

"Explain yourself!" Yami demanded, glaring at the Master who was cackling at the result. "Why didn't my Mirror Force destroy her monster?"

The Master's smile was from ear to ear. "Oh Yugi, you didn't really think that a card as simple as Mirror Force would be enough to stop the Chaos MAX Dragon, did you? Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon cannot be targeted or destroyed by the opponent's card effects!"

"Are you serious?!" Yugi gasped. "Then how are we supposed to defeat it? We don't have Buster Blader or Polymerization to bring out Dark Paladin, and we don't have either of the Egyptian god cards in our hand!"

"There are ways around that Dragon," Yami said, "There are a few cards in our Deck than can help deal with Chaos MAX Dragon. We'll just have to draw them before this Dragon causes more damage." He glanced down at Crow, who had picked himself up and was hopping on the ground anxiously. "Crow, I get you're trying to support us, but you need to get back to a safer distance." At the indignant "kraw!?" of the Signer-turned-bird, Yami couldn't help but smile. "Your crow body can't handle the intensity of this Duel. Yusei wouldn't want to win only to find out you got killed in the crossfire." With a snort that only a crow could make, the transformed Tail Signer hopped away, stopping a few meters behind the two, close enough to witness but far enough to avoid any stray attacks.

"Main Phase Two," Dani declared as Yusei forced himself back up. "Lost Paradise of the White Dragon's effect activates. I draw one card from my Deck because I control a monster with 'Blue-Eyes' or 'Eyes of Blue' in its original name." She drew a card, a small shockwave of power stirring the multi-colored mists swirling around her. "I Summon the White Stone of Ancients in Defense mode." A large egg-shaped, gleaming white stone appeared in front of Dani.

The White Stone of Ancients: Atk 500, Def 600, LV 1

"I end my turn," she finished. Her silver marks pulsated dangerously, matching the rhythm of power within her Ritual Blue-Eyes. Her face showed no remorse, no sign of a struggle within. The Master's power over her seemed absolute.

"It's my turn!" Yami declared. 'There's a couple of cards in our Deck that don't target monsters, and that's how we'll get rid of that Chaos MAX Dragon.' Out loud, he announced "I draw!" He glanced at the card. 'Polymerization isn't what we need right now, but I have no doubt that we'll need it later. For now, we're going to have to rely on our Reduction Barrier and our Spellbinding Circle to guard our Life Points.'

Yusei saw the minor frown on Yami's face as he took in his hand. 'He must not have anything to deal with that Dragon this turn. Neither do I, for that matter, but we can't just sit by and do nothing.'

"I take my Dark Magician and switch him to Defense mode," Yami continued, not noticing the gleam that appeared in the Master's eye.

Dark Magician Def: 2100

"Then I'll Summon my Big Shield Guardna in Defense mode!" the Pharaoh said, a powerful man holding an even larger shield appeared in front of him and holding the shield up, ready to guard his master.

Big Shield Guardna: Atk 100, Def 2600, LV 4

"Now then, time to eliminate that wall monster of yours," Yami declared. "Summoned Skull, attack that White Stone of Ancients now! Lightning Blast!" His archfiend growled as yellow lightning began to crackle around his form. With an earsplitting screech, the Summoned Skull gathered the lightning to its fist, then sent it hurling in an arc to shatter the White Stone. Dani remained unflinching as refractions of the attack and shards of the Stone splashed and skittered by her feet.

"A pointless effort, Yugi. You've only brought yourself one step closer to your doom," the Master laughed.

"We'll see about that," Yami countered. "I place one card facedown and end my turn."

The shards of the White Stone began to glow brightly and shake. The shaking increased until they began to skip across the floor toward each other. They merged together above Dani's head, creating a white portal.

Yami's face was the picture of confusion. "What the…?"

"The White Stone of Ancient's ability now activates," the Blue-Eyes Duelist announced. "In the End Phase of the turn in which this card is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one Blue-Eyes monster directly from my Deck."

"Directly from the Deck?!" Yusei repeated. "That doesn't sound promising."

"All shall witness this monster's grace and power with awe, piercing the sky with white lightning!" Dani chanted, holding her chosen card above her head. "Come forth, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" With a roar that was all too familiar to the Pharaoh - and was rapidly becoming familiar to Yusei - the dragon flew through the portal and landed on the ground, growling at both opponents.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon: Atk 3000, Def 2500, LV 8

"I never thought there'd be a day where a Blue-Eyes White Dragon is the least of our worries," Yugi commented solemnly.

"Yes, we'll need to get rid of that Chaos MAX Dragon before we can hope to win this Duel," Yami noted. "I just hope that Yusei can pull the card he needs."

Yusei glanced at his Deck. "You and me both, Yugi. It's my turn, I draw!" A look at the card he'd drawn brought a small smile to his face. It wasn't going to take down Chaos MAX Dragon, not this turn, but it was going to help. "First I activate Road Warrior's special ability, and use it to Special Summon a Level two or lower monster from my Deck. So say hello to my Tuning Supporter in Defense mode!" A little robot with a yellow scarf and a frying pan on its head appeared, crouching down on the field.

Tuning Supporter: Atk 100, Def 200, LV 1

"Next, I'm Summoning Hyper Synchron to the field in Attack mode!" the Head Signer continued, a blue and yellow robot appearing next to his Tuning Supporter.

Hyper Synchron: Atk 1600, Def 800, LV 4

Yusei glanced at the Master, who merely watched the Duel with an intense hunger on his face. He was waiting for something, but the Head Signer couldn't figure out what. Regardless, he had to continue his move. "When Tuning Supporter is used for a Synchro Summon, it can be used as a Level two monster!"

Tuning Supporter LV: 2

Yusei's Mark of the Crimson Dragon flared brightly as he held up his arm. "Now then, I'm Tuning the now Level two Tuning Supporter and Level two Shield Wing with my Level four Hyper Synchron!" Hyper Synchron opened a compartment on his chest and released four bright stars, fading to nothing in the process. The four stars Hyper Synchron released expanded into large green rings, into which Yusei's Tuning Supporter and Shield Wing flew. They turned into two stars each as Yusei began chanting. "Clustering wishes will become a shining new star! Become the path its light shines upon!" The stars aligned within the rings and erupted into a brilliant white light.

"Here we go," Yami said with a smile. He liked watching these Synchro Summons. The concept of Synchro Summoning as a whole was something he enjoyed, witnessing multiple monsters come together as one to create a more powerful force. It was like Fusion Summoning, but quicker, and much less restricted.

"Synchro Summon!" Yusei shouted. "Take flight, Stardust Dragon!" With an explosion of stardust, Yusei's ace monster emerged from the light, gliding towards the ceiling gracefully and circling around the Duel arena once before landing beside the Head Signer.

Stardust Dragon: Atk 2500, Def 2000, LV 8

"Now since Hyper Synchron was used to bring out my Stardust Dragon, he gains eight hundred Attack points!" Yusei announced. The image of his Tuner appeared above Stardust Dragon briefly, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. Stardust Dragon roared as the new power coursed through his veins. The Head Signer placed two fingers on the top of his Deck. "Additionally, since Tuning Supporter was used for a successful Synchro Summon, I can draw one card from my Deck!" He drew a card swiftly and added it to his hand.

Stardust Dragon Atk: 3300

"Oh that's just precious," the Master chuckled. "Now it's stronger than her Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Whatever shall she do?"

"She's going to watch her Blue-Eyes get taken down by Stardust Dragon, that's what!" Yusei countered. "Stardust Dragon, attack her Blue-Eyes White Dragon now! Shooting Sonic!" Silvery white energy began to gather within Stardust Dragon's mouth, a coalescence of raw power.

The silver marks pulsed brightly on Dani's face. "Trap card activate. The Ultimate Creature of Destruction!" The Trap card flipped up, an image of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon the artwork on the card. The Trap was absorbed by her Blue-Eyes White Dragon and a silver aura engulfed it. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon let out a roar that shook the entire room. Stardust Dragon answered with a howl of his own, but it seemed pitiful in comparison.

"What did that Trap do?" Yami asked, a bad feeling in his gut.

"For the remainder of the turn, my Blue-Eyes White Dragon is unaffected by card effects and he cannot be destroyed by battle," the controlled Blue-Eyes Duelist explained.

"Wel,l it looks like you're still going to take the damage from Stardust Dragon's attack!" Yusei said, satisfaction in his voice. He raised his arm. "Stardust Dragon, keep up your attack on her Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" His ace monster fired a blast of energy that struck the White Dragon. The attack splashed off the aura surrounding Blue-Eyes White Dragon, striking Dani on the shoulder and jostling her with the damage.

Dani LP: 3800

The aura around Blue-Eyes White Dragon was turning brighter, manifesting into energy that both Duelists could see as Blue-Eyes howled with power. Dani's silver eyes were merciless as they bored into Yusei. "The Ultimate Creature of Destruction's other effect activates. Any monster that battles with the one protected by this Trap is destroyed!" Yami could've sworn he saw a hint of blue enter her eyes ever so briefly. "My Blue-Eyes is the toughest! The invincible! The indomitable!" Her Blue-Eyes roared as the energy that had appeared around it began to coalesce into a sphere in front of the dragon. "Destroy Stardust Dragon!" came Dani's rabid order. With a flap of its wings, Blue-Eyes complied and spun, swatting the energy it had taken from Stardust Dragon back at the Signer Dragon with its tail.

"I won't allow that!" Yusei countered, having missed what Yami had thought he'd seen. "Stardust Dragon's special ability will allow me to release my dragon to save it from destruction! Go Victim's Sanctuary!" With a cry, Stardust Dragon dissolved into sparkles which caught the sphere of destruction and allowed it to dissipate harmlessly into the mists of chaos.

The Master's growl was a low rumble that reverberated throughout the fog surrounding the Duel. "I've always hated that Dragon and its ability to escape."

Yusei glanced at his field. Road Warrior wouldn't be able to do anything this turn, not with that Trap in play. His gut was telling him not to activate the other special ability of Road Warrior, not while Chaos MAX Dragon was on the field. His Life Points were so low that, if Chaos MAX had some sort of Piercing Damage ability, he wouldn't be able to survive her incoming onslaught. He was just going to have to play it safe and try to endure what was coming. His Tuning Spell card had sent more than one valuable card he needed in the Graveyard. "I place one card facedown and end my turn." The silvery energy that had nearly destroyed his Stardust Dragon disappeared from Dani's Blue-Eyes White Dragon as he announced his actions. "Thanks to Stardust Dragon's special ability, I can resurrect him from my Graveyard! Return Stardust Dragon!" With a flash of silver, blue and purple, his ace monster rematerialized on the field with a roar.

Stardust Dragon: Atk 2500, Def 2000, LV 8

"It's my turn!" Dani began. "I draw!" She looked at the card she'd drawn and a chuckle was drawn out of the Master.

"Why don't you try again?"

"Lost Paradise of the White Dragon's effect," she began. "I draw one card because I control a monster with Blue-Eyes or Eyes of Blue in its name." She drew it silently, a small shockwave of power disturbing the fog around her. "I activate a Spell, Return of the Dragon Lords. I can Special Summon a level seven or eight dragon-type monster from my Graveyard."

Yusei shared a look with Yami. "Well at least she can't bring out that Synchro Monster of hers."

"Indeed," Yami agreed, "But I think we're about to lose one of our Spells and Traps thanks to the one Dragon that does qualify for that card." Yusei nodded, hoping that she didn't destroy his Superior Protector Trap. He also had his Enduring Soul Trap down on the field, in case she came after Stardust. His instincts told him that Stardust was going to be key to victory, or maybe it was the Crimson Dragon telling him to rely on his ace. Either way, he had to keep Stardust on the field, no matter what.

"Revive, Dragon Spirit of White!" Dani continued. The smaller version of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared next to its counterpart, blue flames frothing around its mouth as it bellowed.

Dragon Spirit of White: Atk 2500, Def 2000, LV 8

"Now she has three powerful dragons out," Yami commented grimly.

"Dragon Spirit of White's ability activates," Dani continued. "I can banish one Spell or Trap card on your side of the field." She pointed at the Head Signer's Trap sitting on his right-hand side. "That card is now banished. Blue Flames!" The smallest dragon on her field - though it was equal in size to Stardust Dragon - screeched a cry to the heavens, sending a stream of cerulean fire at Yusei's Trap and disintegrating the Superior Protector card.

Yusei scowled. That was twice now that dragon had destroyed a Trap that could've easily turned the Duel around. "Something tells me that her choices aren't just luck." He sent an accusing glare towards the Master. "But then again, it's not like I was expecting him to play fair."

"Oh how cute, the Japanese teenager with a Mexican god dragon watching over him and helping his Duels is complaining about mystic powers influencing the Duel," the Master chortled. "And here I thought you didn't have the capacity for jokes, Yusei."

"I activate an Equip Spell card," Dani continued, stalling further interactions. "Dragon Shield. Neither player takes damage when battling this monster, but it can no longer be destroyed by battle or card effects. Equip to my Blue-Eyes White Dragon and make my legendary engine of destruction truly invincible!" Red, gold, blue, and purple spiked armor appeared around her Blue-Eyes White Dragon, giving it a much more menacing look.

"She's not protecting her Chaos MAX Dragon," Yami noted, curiosity in his tone. "She must be expecting that to be the main damage dealer."

The Master loomed in the mists once more, crazed grin giving Yami a sinking feeling in his gut. "More than you know, young Pharaoh."

The Blue-Eyes Duelist played another card on her Duel Disk. "I activate the Spell card Stamping Destruction to destroy another Spell or Trap on the field and deal five hundred points of damage to the card owner's Life Points." She pointed at Yami's leftmost Trap card. "Destroy that card, Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon!" Her Ritual monster howled, flapped its wings and released several streams of blue and purple lightning which revealed Yami's Trap: Spellbinding Circle. Yami was powerless as the lightning crashed around him, the pain barely tolerable.

Yami LP: 4650

"Battle…" Dani began, faltering for a second as blue light came into her eyes. Fear entered them, as though she couldn't go through with what the Master was forcing her to do. "Please…"

"Tsk tsk," the Master tutted as he faded in from the mists behind the Blue-Eyes Duelist. "You turn your attention away for two seconds and your captured soul tries to break free. Dani, your will is MINE!" White and black streams of energy flowed from his hands into her, dismissing the blue from her eyes and bringing back the silver glow. "Your second chance at life is only possible because of me, sweetheart, and I can easily take that second chance away. Enough with the malicious compliance, dear, you belong to me!"

"She doesn't belong to anyone!" Yami countered. "Your quarrel is with us, she doesn't have any part to play."

"You're only saying that because she's about to wipe the floor with you two with her dragon of chaos!" the Master growled. "You've been a thorn in my side long enough thanks to her help, so she gets to suffer along with you! I look forward to seeing the guilt on her face when she realizes that she's the reason for my ascension as the master of this pitiful little planet, one that has eluded my grasp for far too long! Only then will I allow her to escape into the sweet embrace of death, knowing that she will be the one responsible for the end of the world as you know it!" He faded partially into the mists, but both Duelists could still see him lurking, keeping an eye on his slave, watching for any more signs of disobedience. "Now Dani, as you were, destroy them both!"

Dani was motionless, but there was no more hesitation within the silver glow. Her tone was mechanical, robotic stiffness as she carried out the Master's bidding, "Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon, attack Yugi's Big Shield Gardna. Chaotic Maximum Burst." Her Ritual Monster roared, energy beginning to gather within his body.

"She's attacking a monster in Defense mode?!" Yusei gasped, wondering what she was up to. It confirmed his suspicion about Chaos MAX having a piercing ability, at least.

"When Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon attacks a monster in Defense mode, you will still take damage," Dani explained. "Double Piercing Damage." Chaos MAX Dragon punctuated that with a roar that shook the room, firing off beams of bright blue energy from almost every edifice of its being. The blasts struck all over, creating explosions throughout the arena. Dark Magician and Summoned Skull both dodged to the side to avoid the wild attack, but Big Shield Gardna was not so lucky. He was skewered by several of the beams, exploding violently and launching the Pharaoh backwards several meters. He hit an invisible wall, electricity crackling over his frame from the attack as he laid there stunned.

Yami LP: 1850

Yusei reached out, afraid for his companion. "Yugi!" Dealing with a monster that could shatter any defense with double Piercing Damage was going to take both of their skills to defeat. He couldn't afford to lose Yugi's support. "Get up, Yugi!"

Yami groaned, forcing himself upright. That attack had really packed a wallop, and he hadn't reacted in time to activate his Reduction Barrier. Perhaps it had been for the best, given the angry glow that had appeared in the jaws of Dani's remaining two dragons. "I'm alright, Yusei."

"Not for much longer, Pharaoh!" the Master said, eyes gleaming in the chaos. "Ohohoho, I wonder what I'll turn you into. Maybe a jackal like Anubis, or maybe a bird like Horus, or a cat like Bastet. We'll see soon enough, aahehehehehehe!"

"Dragon Spirit of White, attack his Dark Magician now." the Blue-Eyes Duelist ordered. "Spirited White Burst." Her smallest dragon roared, sending a blast of energy that the Dark Magician couldn't avoid, destroying the Pharaoh's favorite monster with ease.

'We're going to need Dark Magician back soon if we want to bring out Dark Paladin for that Chaos MAX Dragon,' Yugi pointed out, similarly dismayed at the loss of their ace. Yami was mulling over the Master's words. Was that what the energy currently spreading across the land was doing to people? His thoughts were interrupted by Dani's next move.

The Master's newest slave began to move cards around on her Duel Disk. Her Dragon Spirit of White began to glow brilliantly, hiding its features. "Dragon Spirit of White's secondary effect. I can send this monster to the Graveyard while you control a monster and Special Summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Hand. Witness my dragon evolve into its legendary form! Come forth, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" The Dragon Spirit of White began to grow slightly, gaining bulk and size. The light faded, revealing another Blue-Eyes White Dragon, though its imposing presence was dwarfed by its armored brethren and the massive Ritual monster.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon: Atk 3000, Def 2500, LV 8

"Another Blue-Eyes," Yusei groaned, trying to avoid the sense of despair. Their next draws were going to make or break this Duel, provided they could survive this turn.

"Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack that Summoned Skull now." Dani continued, "Burst Stream of Destruction." Her armored White Dragon fired a blast of pure white energy that disintegrated Yami's fiend, leaving his field empty save for the one Trap card. "Since Blue-Eyes is Equipped with Dragon Shield, you take no damage."

"I fear that Blue-Eyes has done enough damage to my field nonetheless," Yami muttered.

"My other Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Yugi directly." Dani commanded. "Burst Stream of Destruction." The non-armored Blue-Eyes White Dragon roared, brilliant white energy beginning to gather with its maw.

'If Yugi doesn't stop this then it's over!' Yusei thought to himself grimly.

Duel Room A

Jack LP: 4200

Spacegate Gate Counters: 3

Bario LP: 7500

Samurai of the Ice Barrier: Atk 2100, Def 1800, LV 4

Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier: Atk 1800, Def 1300, LV 4

Prior of the Ice Barrier: Atk 1300, Def 700, LV 4

"It's my turn! I draw!" Jack announced, drawing a card. He glanced at it and smirked. "You sealed off my Synchro Monsters for this turn, but I have other ways to take you down. I activate Polymerization!"

"Multiple Piece Golem," Bario noted calmly, as though he were talking about the weather and not a Duel with grave stakes.

"Since you seem to know what's coming, I'll cut right to the chase," Jack said, mildly annoyed. "Take one Big Piece Golem and mix it with a Medium Piece Golem and out will pop one Fusion Summoned Multiple Piece Golem!" With little fanfare, Jack's Fusion monster emerged from the ground, a low rumble from its core indicating its readiness to battle.

Multiple Piece Golem: Atk 2600, Def 1300, LV 7

"Additionally, since you control two or more monsters on the field I can Normal Summon Power Invader without having to release a monster!" Jack continued, playing another card on his Disk. A large, muscular, purple and blue, humanoid alien appeared next to Multiple Piece Golem, flexing his muscles in anticipation.

Power Invader: Atk 2200, Def 0, LV 5

"Now let's pay you back for some of that damage you dealt last turn," Jack growled. "Power Invader, attack Samurai of the Ice Barrier now! Power Pound!" With a wordless battle cry, Power Invader charged forward. Jack eyed the facedown on Bario's field, but the Frigid Barricade was motionless as Jack's monster pounded the unfortunate samurai into the ground. The monster was shattered and Bario was forced to lean into the blast to avoid getting pressed back.

Bario LP: 7400

"Multiple Piece Golem! Attack that Prior of the Ice Barrier with your Continental Crush attack!" the Wings Signer commanded. With a rocky grumble, the Fusion Monster lumbered forward and crushed Prior of the Ice Barrier with a single swing of his mighty arms. Bario didn't even flinch as shards of ice pinged off his armor.

Bario LP: 6100

"Additionally, since more battles with your monsters occurred this turn, my Spacegate card gains more Gate Counters!" the former Turbo King noted as two more stars began to orbit his Trap.

Gate Counters: 5

Jack crossed his arms in satisfaction as he placed the last two cards in his hand facedown. "I'll leave these facedown and end my turn. Go ahead, entertain the King!"

"Those Gate Counters seem problematic," Bario noted as he drew a card. He glanced at it and the corner of his mouth twitched in a cold facsimile of a smile. "And they are now irrelevant. I activate Card of Sanctity to enable us both to draw until we hold six cards in our hand."

Both Duelists drew their cards while Jack narrowed his eyes. This was a huge hand reinforcement for him. Why would he do that when his Synchro Sealing was going to end this turn? Sure, he was reinforcing his own hand about as much as he was reinforcing Jack's, but was that worth the risk? Jack was ready to deal out some serious damage next turn thanks to Spacegate and his new hand. "That eager to lose, are we?"

Bario's cold glare met Jack's own, no hint of hesitation. "On the contrary, you're another step closer to defeat. I've already won this Duel, it's just time to make it official. I switch my Samurai of the Ice Barrier from Attack mode to Defense mode!" His samurai crouched down, then shattered into snowflakes.

Jack blinked. "What happened to your monster?"

"When Samurai of the Ice Barrier is changed from Attack to Defense position, it's automatically destroyed and I get to draw one card from my Deck," Bario explained, drawing a card from his Deck. "I activate the final effect of Sacred Grounds of the Ice Barrier. When you control more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon as many Ice Barrier monsters as possible until the number of monsters I control equals the number you control from my hand or my Graveyard."

'Guess he didn't want his Samurai on the field for whatever he's going to bring out,' Jack thought to himself. 'He looks like he's going to go into one of his Deck's ace monsters.'

"Revive, Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier and appear, Tuner Monster Dewdark of the Ice Barrier!" Bario commanded. Once again, the sage like Pilgrim appeared as well as a ninja wielding daggers of pure ice. "And don't forget that the Sacred Grounds of the Ice Barrier powers up my monsters by three hundred Attack and Defense points."

Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier: Atk 1500, Def 1000, LV 4 Atk 1800, Def 1300

Dewdark of the Ice Barrier: Atk 1200, Def 800, LV 2 Atk 1500, Def 1100

"First I activate the Spell card Sea Lord's Amulet," Bario continued. "For the next three of your turns, my Water Attribute monsters are protected from destruction via your card effects. The other Spell card I activate is Turn Jump, which accelerates this Duel forward by three turns and ends the effect of my Soundproofed Spell card from now several turns ago."

"Big deal," Jack scoffed. It wasn't like his Synchro Deflector Trap was going to help him this turn, and his Power Pressure Trap was only going to happen when his attack gets negated. His Lineage of Destruction Trap was only useful when his monster attacked a Defense monster anyways, so he was going to take a little more damage, but he could afford it. "Bring it on!"

"Level four Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier now Tunes with level two Dewdark of the Ice Barrier," Bario announced. The ninja did some hand seals before turning into two bright blue stars that expanded out into two icy blue rings. Pilgrim of the Ice Barrier leaped into the rings and turned into four more stars as Bario began chanting. "The hail which rules the north will speed on the crystalline ground! Frozen emerald of the aurora arise!" The stars aligned in the rings and erupted into a brilliant blue light that lowered the temperature of the room a few more degrees, allowing Jack to see his breath cloud before him. "Synchro Summon! Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier!" The light faded and Jack beheld a small pillar of ice in front of him. A blue-furred tiger with Ice Barrier armor stood proudly atop the pillar, leaping down with a roar as the pillar shattered.

Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier: Atk 2000, Def 1400, LV 6 Atk 2300, Def 1700

"You think that little pussycat is going to scare me?" Jack scoffed. "Losing Power Invader is no loss."

"How naïve," Bario said. "Dewloren's effect activates. I return as many cards on my field as I wish to my hand in order to gain five hundred Attack points for each card returned. So I return my Sacred Grounds of the Ice Barrier Field Spell and my Sea Lord's Amulet to my hand and give Dewloren another one thousand Attack points!" The aurora covering the field faded from sight, becoming a blue aura that surrounded the Tiger King.

Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier Atk: 3000

"I reactivate the Field Spell Sacred Grounds of the Ice Barrier and my Sea Lord's Amulet," Bario continued, the northern lights once more lighting up the colosseum. "And with its return, Ice Barrier monsters gain another three hundred Attack and Defense points."

Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier Atk: 3300

"Battle," Bario declared. "Dewloren, attack Atlas' Multiple Piece Golem. The Icy Claws of Hate!" With a snarl that shook the heavens, Dewloren leaped forward, large claws of ice extending from his forepaws. With lightning fast slashes, the Tiger King dismembered Multiple Piece Golem and landed gracefully in front of Jack, a glare from the feline monster indicating that he was next.

Jack LP: 3500

"Like that's supposed to worry me," Jack taunted, putting on a nonchalant face. "I have better monsters with which to take you down. Not only that, but Spacegate now gains another counter since you attacked me!"

Spacegate Gate Counters: 6

"Yes, I'm well ready for your Red Dragon Archfiend," Bario said coolly. "Main Phase Two. I use Sacred Spirits of the Ice Barrier to Normal Summon Spellbreaker of the Ice Barrier in Defense mode!" A lilac haired woman in bright red and blue sage robes and holding a green jeweled wand stepped onto the field from a portal covered in icicles and dripping snow.

Spellbreaker of the Ice Barrier: Atk 1200, Def 2000, LV 4 Atk 1500, Def 2300

"Spellbreaker of the Ice Barrier's effect activates!" Bario began, removing another card from his hand. "By sending an Ice Barrier monster like my Defender of the Ice Barrier from my hand to the Graveyard, our Spell cards are now sealed until the End Phase of my next turn!" His Spellbreaker began to chant, a melodious hymn beginning to echo around the battlefield. It was almost calming. Almost. Bario's cold blue eyes were staring down Jack as he finished. "I place one card facedown and end my turn. Dewloren's Attack points now return to normal."

Dewloren, Tiger King of the Ice Barrier Atk: 2300

"It's my turn!" Jack declared, drawing a card swiftly. He added it to his hand of now seven cards. Plenty of Tuner monsters, a couple of decent Traps, and one currently useless Spell card. His best play was to bring out his ace, but Bario's words gave him a moment's hesitation, one that Jack Atlas would never have had before. This war against the Chaos Movement had definitely helped make him more careful, especially after Crow had fallen and Akiza felt like she was on the verge of breaking down. They couldn't afford any more casualties, but neither could he afford to hesitate. "I Summon Lancer Archfiend from my hand!" A skull masked demon with purple armor, a bright red cape, and two lances for arms appeared next to Jack's Power Invader.

Lancer Archfiend: Atk 1600, Def 1400, LV 4

"Spacegate's other effect will now activate!" Jack announced. "When I send this card from my field to the Graveyard, I can special summon a monster with a level equal to or lower than the number of Gate Counters that have been accumulated! I Special Summon Dark Resonator from my hand in Attack mode!" A little demon holding its tuning fork and stick in hand appeared, cackling maliciously.

Dark Resonator: Atk 1300, Def 300, LV 3

"Now then, Level five Power Invader Tunes with Level three Dark Resonator!" Jack began, the Resonator ringing his tuning bell with a clear chime echoing about. With a mocking laugh, Dark Resonator turned into three stars that expanded into green rings. Power Invader leaped inside the rings, turning into five more stars that began to line up neatly within the rings. Jack glared at Bario, a bit of a red glow entering his eyes. "The Ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Bear witness to its creation shaking power!"

'Exactly as predicted,' Bario thought to himself as the stars turned into a brilliant pillar of yellow light.

"Synchro Summon!" Jack yelled as flames began to dance around his side of the field. "My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!" With an explosion of red and black fire, the Wings Signer's ace monster emerged from the light, roaring at its opponents as Red Dragon Archfiend readied itself for battle.

Red Dragon Archfiend: Atk 3000, Def 2000, LV 8

"Battle!" Jack announced. "And with it, Lancer Archfiend's effect now activates! One monster on my field can now deal Piercing Battle Damage to your monsters, and I think my Red Dragon Archfiend fits that bill quite nicely!" Lancer Archfiend pointed one of his arms at Red Dragon Archfiend, a deep crimson aura appearing around the Signer Dragon, who roared as it felt the power boost.

"Come," Bario invited, holding his arms out wide.

"Red Dragon Archfiend, attack his Spellbreaker of the Ice Barrier now!" Jack commanded. "Absolute Power Force!" His ace monster roared and flew forward, flames dancing around its claws as Red Dragon Archfiend punched Spellbreaker of the Ice Barrier ferociously, obliterating the unfortunate spellcaster. "Now you'll take the piercing damage from Lancer Archfiend's effect!" Flames danced around Bario, who raised his arms to guard against the attack reflexively.

Bario LP: 5400

"My Trap now activates!" the Wings Signer continued, no mercy to behold on his face. "Lineage of Destruction! Since Red Dragon Archfiend destroyed a Defense position monster, he now gets to attack once more! Go Red Dragon Archfiend, attack that pussy cat with Absolute Power Force!" Once more, the demonic Signer Dragon flew forward, flames swirling about his form as Red Dragon Archfiend punched the feline Ice Barrier Synchro, the Tiger King roaring in agony before dissolving in the flames.

Bario LP: 4700

Jack smiled a predatory grin. "Lancer Archfiend, attack his Life Points directly!" Bario was swift in his draw, using his katana to deflect the stab that Lancer Archfiend made at his chest. Though it didn't stop the Life Point loss, it did prevent him from taking a direct blow to his body.

Bario LP: 3100

"Are you done?" Bario asked after he sheathed his blade. There was a cold snap to his voice, as though he wasn't amused by Jack's attacks.

"After I place this card facedown, you will be," Jack finished, playing the card dramatically in his Duel Disk. "Your moves are nothing special."

"We shall see," Bario said as he drew a card. "Sacred Grounds of the Ice Barrier's effect now activates. Since you control more monsters than I do, I can Special Summon Ice Barrier monster from my hand or Graveyard to equal the number of monsters you control. Appear in Defense mode, Defender of the Ice Barrier! Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier!" A large fox with ice growing along the base of its spine and tail appeared within the aurora, stepping lightly onto the field. Beside it, resting his free hand on the beast's head, materialized a lightly dressed man wielding an ice sword. Frost covered the hand caressing the fox.

Defender of the Ice Barrier: Atk 200, Def 1600, LV 3 Atk 500, Def 1900

Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier: Atk 1300, Def 0, LV 2 Atk 1600, Def 300

"Sacred Grounds of the Ice Barrier's other effect," the Frigid Barricade continued. "I'm allowed an additional Normal Summon of an Ice Barrier monster once per turn. Appear, Secret Guards of the Ice Barrier in Defense mode!" A white-haired man wielding twin icy blue swords, light blue robes and armor adorning his body made his entrance through a screen of ice and swirling snow.

Secret Guards of the Ice Barrier: Atk 100, Def 1600, LV 2 Atk 400, Def 1900

Bario placed another card on his Duel Disk. "I activate the special ability of Prior of the Ice Barrier and Special Summon another one from my hand in Defense mode!" Another sage in white and blue robes appeared next to the Cryomancer of the Ice Barrier, staff held up to create a barrier of snow.

Prior of the Ice Barrier: Atk 1000, Def 400, LV 2 Atk 1300, Def 700

"My second Normal Summon for the turn," Bario announced, removing the card from his Duel Disk as soon as he had played it. "I sacrifice Prior of the Ice Barrier to Tribute Summon a monster in facedown Defense Position." Prior of the Ice Barrier disappeared in a flurry of snow, only to be replaced by the back of a Duel Monsters card.

Jack scowled at that. 'He knows about Red Dragon Archfiend's ability, yet he's still playing all these monsters in Defense mode. That Defender and Cryomancer combo is stopping Red Dragon Archfiend from attacking, but it's only a temporary measure. I'll break down those defenses no sweat! That facedown monster of his is a bit of a concern, since it's a high-level monster, but if I can break through his abilities, it'll be gone just like that!'

"I place one card facedown and end my turn," the Frigid Barricade concluded. "Your field is sealed and next turn will begin the slow dismantling of your Deck."

Jack snorted, amused by the threat. "I have my soul on the field, your empty threats don't scare me! It's my turn!"

Duel Room B

Kaiba LP: 5500

Blue-Eyes White Dragon: Atk 3000, Def 2500, LV 8

Matthias LP: 8000

Cyber Twin Dragon: Atk 2800, Def 2100, LV 8

The roar of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon echoed around the chamber, a mere hint of the frothing rage that lay underneath Kaiba's calm façade. Kaiba couldn't explain the entirety of why he was feeling this rage. It's not that he wasn't used to feeling rage, he had to fight back anger every time he saw Yugi's perfectly coiffed hair. That rage made sense to him. Revenge was a natural reaction to being humiliated over and over. Was it his Blue-Eyes White Dragons that he was avenging? He could feel their own pain resonating throughout his heart. He didn't want to admit it, but deep down he knew he was fighting for that girl, no matter how hard he denied it. And it was with that rage burning in his heart that he called out his attack. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Attack Cyber Twin Dragon now! Burst Stream of Destruction!" His ace monster, his loyal servant, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon sent a roar to the heavens, white energy gathering within the maw of his dragon.

His opponent, the older half man half machine that seemed rather indicative of what Kaibacorp's research into biotechnology would lead into, wasn't concerned at all about the enraged Blue-Eyes White Dragon about to attack his Fusion monster. "Reveal facedown card, De-Fusion." A green aura appeared around Cyber Twin Dragon. "I dare say you're quite familiar with this card's effects, Kaiba."

Kaiba scowled, feeling the flames of rage flare up once more as Matthias' Fusion monster turned into an orb of light. That Magic card held a special place of hatred in his heart after Battle City. "Thanks for the reminder, you old geezer, now you can split up your monster into the two original monsters you used to create it."

"Indeed," Matthias agreed as his Cyber Twin Dragon disappeared into a ball of light. "Revive Proto-Cyber Dragon and Cyber Dragon! In Defense mode!" The large metal serpent and the stripped-down version of said serpent appeared from the ball of light that had once been the Cyber Twin Dragon.

Cyber Dragon: Atk 2100, Def 1600, LV 5

Proto Cyber Dragon: Atk 1100, Def 600, LV 3

"That hasn't stopped my attack this round!" Kaiba shouted. "Destroy his Cyber Dragon now! Unleash your White Lightning upon that puny machine!" Kaiba's Blue-Eyes roared to the heavens, firing a beam of white energy that obliterated the unfortunate Cyber Dragon, rocking the entire room with the shockwave as the attack exploded with all the ferocity an enraged Blue-Eyes could muster.

"Please," Matthias said condescendingly. "Do you really think such a basic attack would work against me?"

Kaiba glowered at Matthias as the smoke cleared. Why did he defuse his monster? Was it really that important to him to save two hundred Life Points rather than to save such a card for his Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon? The Kaibacorp executive wasn't entirely sure. As it was, he was dealing with a Deck he didn't know inside and out like his own, but he had seen enough to know that it was more than adequate for the task at hand. A glance at the remaining cards in his hand gave him reassurance on that account. "Fine. You dodge one attack and you think you're king of the world. Big deal. I place one card facedown and end my turn. I'll turn that snake of yours into scrap metal soon enough."

"It's my turn," Matthias said simply, seemingly ignoring Kaiba's taunts. "I draw." His mechanical eye whirred as it beheld his new card. His gaze turned to Kaiba, one eye glowing orange, the other a much more human grey. "Everyone sees what you appear to be Kaiba, but few experience what you really are."

The Kaibacorp executive narrowed his eyes. "Don't go quoting Machiavelli to me. If you've got something to say, then say it to my face instead of speaking in riddles and fairy tales!"

"I have observed your Duels from throughout your lifetime, Seto Kaiba," Matthias said. "I have peered into your stratagems and picked apart the very essence of your Dueling techniques. Though this is our first and last match, I have already seen you for who you really are."

"Then your machines have probably already told you that you're not going to win and that fighting this Duel was utter foolishness," Kaiba retorted.

"On the contrary child, I've already calculated your path to defeat," the cyborg stated. "You've yet to reach your full potential as a Duelist, despite having taken that girl's deck. Your unfamiliarity with that Deck will be your ultimate undoing!"

"Then make your move and prove it," Kaiba snapped. "You can talk the biggest game ever, but if you don't play the cards to back it up, then you're nothing but a dog yapping for scraps from the dinner table!"

"Interesting you should use a canine metaphor," Matthias mused as he held up a card. "For I am about to send you whimpering into oblivion. I Summon Cyber Dragon Drei!" A smaller Cyber Dragon with a triangular shaped head and yellow highlights appeared next to the original, reared up and ready for action.

Cyber Dragon Drei: Atk 1800, Def 800, LV 4

"Cyber Dragon Drei's ability activates," the cyborg continued. "All Cyber Dragons on the field become Level Five and I become unable to Special Summon any monster that isn't Machine Type for the rest of the turn."

"Oh yes, such a devastating drawback," Kaiba said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Perhaps not," Matthias allowed as Cyber Dragon Drei grew larger by a few meters, but the more noticeable change was the Proto Cyber Dragon nearly doubling in size. "But that just brings me one step closer in bringing you to your knees."

Cyber Dragon Drei: LV 5

Proto Cyber Dragon: LV 5

"I take both of my Level Five Light Attribute Machine Type monsters and Overlay them!" Matthias announced. Both his monsters turned into orbs of light that flew into the air. A galaxy appeared on the field in front of the cyborg as he began to chant. "Light from the deepest reaches of the void, calls to the stars and brings out the foe none can avoid, witness the creation from the stars made by Jehovah!" The orbs of light dropped neatly into the center of the galaxy and erupted into silver light. "Xyz Summon! Appear Cyber Dragon Nova!" A larger Cyber Dragon formed from the light, black highlights along the body and large wings spread out from its back.

Cyber Dragon Nova: Atk 2100, Def 1600, Rank 5, OLU 2

"That pathetic excuse of a monster from the future doesn't scare me in the slightest," Kaiba taunted. "and unless you have that Rank-Up Magic card you used against Yugi, your Xyz monster will be obliterated by my Blue-Eyes!"

"I won't need Rank-Up Magic Cyber Force to defeat you," Matthias countered. "I activate Cyber Dragon Nova's special ability. By using one Overlay Unit, I can resurrect a Cyber Dragon sleeping in my Graveyard." One of the Overlay Units orbiting Cyber Dragon Nova was absorbed into the Xyz monster. A beam of blue light came from the chest of Cyber Dragon, illuminating the ground next to it. With a low rumble, the original Cyber Dragon burrowed up and out of the ground, announcing its presence with a metallic screech.

Cyber Dragon: Atk 2100, Def 1600, LV 5

Cyber Dragon Nova OLU: 1

"Big deal," Kaiba scoffed.

"Cyber Dragon Nova's other ability can now activate," the cyborg continued. "By banishing a monster named Cyber Dragon from my field, Cyber Dragon Nova can gain twenty-one hundred Attack points until the end of the turn!" As quickly as it had been reborn, the Cyber Dragon dissolved into a red energy that was absorbed by Cyber Dragon Nova, converting into a crimson aura that engulfed the Xyz monster.

Cyber Dragon Nova Atk: 4200

The Kaibacorp executive shifted in surprise. "Say what?!"

"Battle," Matthias declared, ignoring the outburst. "Cyber Dragon Nova, attack his Blue-Eyes White Dragon now! Nova Evolution Flare!" Black flames began to pool within the maw of Cyber Dragon Nova, a low hum indicating it was charging its attack.

"I don't think so," Kaiba snarled. "I activate the Trap, Sakuretsu Armor! Now your attacking monster is destroyed and my Blue-Eyes is safe from harm!" Sharp looking armor began to form around his ace monster, giving the dragon an even more fearsome appearance.

"Did you really think I would fall for such a childish trap?" Matthias taunted. "I would've assumed you were a better Duelist given your reputation. I activate the Counter Trap, Trap Jammer, to negate and destroy any Trap card you activate during the Battle Phase!" The armor that had begun to form around the Blue-Eyes White Dragon shattered, leaving the pristine white scales of Kaiba's monster unprotected from the onslaught of fire from Cyber Dragon Nova. Kaiba could do nothing but watch as his Blue-Eyes was destroyed and did his best to ignore the black flames that lapped at his coat despite the intense heat radiating off them.

Kaiba LP: 4300

"Now then, Seto Kaiba," the Cyber Duelist said knowingly, like a teacher lecturing a student, "perhaps you should be a little more creative in your card usage. First, I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell Foolish Return to send your destroyed Blue-Eyes White Dragon back to your Deck!"

Kaiba scowled as his Duel Disk ejected the copy of his ace monster. The Blue-Eyes Duelist shuffled it into his Deck and reinserted it into his Disk. "What's the matter, afraid to face my Blue-Eyes?"

Matthias gazed at Kaiba as if to say We both know the answer to that. "Your new Deck has potential, but when the Graveyard setup is removed, your strategy will fall apart. I'll end my turn with one card facedown." The red aura faded away from Cyber Dragon Nova, the power boost it had received from the original Cyber Dragon now gone, its task fulfilled.

Cyber Dragon Nova Atk: 2100

"Hmph," Kaiba snorted, fighting back the sense of indignity at his Blue-Eyes White Dragon getting destroyed then sent back to his Deck. "You should be careful what you wish for. My turn, I draw!" he looked at the card he'd drawn and looked at the other two cards in his hand. "I activate the Magic Card, Cards of Consonance! I discard a Dragon Type Tuner monster from my hand with one thousand or less Attack Points and get to draw two cards!" He used two fingers to hold up the indicated card. "I send the White Stone of Ancients from my hand to the Graveyard."

Matthias frowned. 'That means he's going to be able to bring out any Blue-Eyes monster left in that girl's Deck at the end of this turn, probably the Blue-Eyes I returned.'

"Now for my two cards," Kaiba said smugly as he drew said cards. He looked at them, his eyes widening as he realized the combo he now held. He glanced at the Extra Deck part of his Duel Disk. He knew what he had to do.

Matthias was making some quick calculations. With the facedown he had on the field, if he waited to activate it during his turn, he most likely wouldn't be able to reap the benefits in time. "I will take this time to activate my Trap card, Cyber Network." The trap flipped up and a digital network appeared around the card, several images of Cyber Dragons appearing and disappearing within the data flow.

"And what does your Trap do?" Kaiba asked warily, not wanting to spoil the combo he'd spotted. Given how this man seemed to know his Dueling style and techniques inside and out, he had to maintain his composure and not give away any tells. It gave him a flicker of pride to know that he was going to be a famous Duelist in the future, but now was not the time to revel in it.

"For now, it does nothing," Matthias said calmly. "When a Cyber Dragon appears on the field though...you'll have to wait and see."

"I won't let you activate it then, not when I wipe out the rest of your Life Points!" Kaiba countered. "But for now, I'll settle for Summoning Maiden with Eyes of Blue in Attack mode!" Kaiba watched as silver light began to manifest in front of him, the brown dress with the depictions of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon manifesting first around the feminine form. The silver lights faded, revealing the Maiden with Eyes of Blue in her entirety.

Maiden with Eyes of Blue: Atk 0, Def 0, LV 1

"I'll place one card facedown and end my turn!" Kaiba finished. The two facedown cards on the field would be more than enough, provided his opponent did what he expected him to. "Now then, the White Stone of Ancients' effect activates and lets me bring out a Blue-Eyes from my Deck!" A white portal appeared above his head as Kaiba removed his Deck from his Disk. He thumbed through the Deck once more, taking note of each of the cards. He'd always been a quick study, so from what he'd seen in Dani's Duels, he couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration as he saw some of the support his Blue-Eyes White Dragons would eventually receive. Dani'd been holding out on him somehow. Or maybe she'd simply been unlucky in her draws.

"It will go down like the last one," Matthias taunted.

"I highly doubt that," Kaiba growled as he found the monster he was looking for. "And even if you do somehow manage to defeat it, I'll have more Blue-Eyes ready to tear you apart!" In one smooth motion, he played the card on his Duel Disk and began to shuffle his Deck. "For now, you'll just have to prepare for my Blue-Eyes White Dragon's revenge!" Another roar echoed from the portal, the legendary White Dragon flying through and aligning on the field next to the Maiden with Eyes of Blue. The Maiden placed a hand on the Blue-Eyes' thigh, looking up at the dragon affectionately. Kaiba's dragon chirruped something at the Maiden, a sound Kaiba had never heard before. Then again, he'd never thought his Blue-Eyes White Dragons would have a monster that they would care for.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon: Atk 3000, Def 2500, LV 8

"I see your strategy here, Kaiba," Matthias said, no noticeable reaction to the monster Kaiba had summoned nor their interactions. "You plan to use Maiden to bring your last Blue-Eyes out from your Deck, so you can then bring out your Ultimate Dragon; but I'm afraid that you won't be able to, not while Cyber Dragon Nova is on the field."

"We'll see about that," Kaiba said. "If you're so confident I'll lose, then make your move!"

Matthias tilted his head, as if bemused by his statement. "Very well. I draw!" He looked at the card, then began his move. "I activate Cyber Dragon Nova's special ability. By removing an Overlay Unit, I can special summon a Cyber Dragon from my Graveyard."

"That seems rather fruitless," Kaiba noted. "You don't have any Cyber Dragons in your graveyard anymore, just the cheap knockoffs."

"Cyber Dragon Drei's effect lets it take the name of Cyber Dragon while on the field or in the Graveyard," Matthias explained. "Therefore, by sending the Proto Cyber Dragon that was the Overlay Unit on Cyber Dragon Nova to the Graveyard, I can resurrect Cyber Dragon Drei from the Graveyard!" The remaining orb of light that had been circling Cyber Dragon Nova was absorbed into the Xyz monster and once more the blue beam of light emanated from its chest. The little Cyber Dragon with yellow highlights came burrowing up out of the ground where the light had struck, a glow indicating it was back online and ready to battle.

Cyber Dragon Drei: Atk 1800, Def 800, LV 4

"Now Cyber Dragon Vier's effect activates from my hand," the cyborg continued. "Since I technically just special summoned a Cyber Dragon, Cyber Dragon Vier now special summons itself to the field in Defense mode!" Another metallic serpent rose up from the ground, this one with glowing pink eyes and purple highlights along its body. It curled up on the side of Cyber Dragon Drei, holding its forked tail up as if to ward off attackers.

Cyber Dragon Vier: Atk 1100, Def 1600, LV 4

Matthias held up a hand. "Cyber Dragon Vier's other effect activates. This card's name also becomes Cyber Dragon while on the field and all Cyber Dragon monsters gain five hundred Attack and Defense points!" Light purple energy sparked from Cyber Dragon Vier's tail, transferring from itself to Cyber Dragon Drei.

Cyber Dragon Vier: Atk 1600, Def 2100

Cyber Dragon Drei: Atk 2300, Def 1300

"I now normal summon Cyber Dragon Core in Attack mode!" the Master's lieutenant said, playing the second to last card in his hand on his Duel Disk. Another stripped down Cyber Dragon appeared, though this one was barely recognizable as a Cyber Dragon, being nothing but the apparent skeleton of its kind. Purple energy sparked from Vier to the newest machine on the field.

Cyber Dragon Core: Atk 400, Def 1500, LV 2 Atk 900, Def 2000

Matthias took note of Kaiba's raised eyebrow. "As you may have guessed, Cyber Dragon Core's name becomes Cyber Dragon whilst on the field, thereby making it eligible for Cyber Dragon Vier's power boost. Additionally, Cyber Dragon Core's effect now activates as it was successfully summoned to the field. I can add a Cyber Spell or Trap card from my Deck to my hand." His Duel Disk pushed out a card and he held it up for Kaiba to see. "I add Cyberload Fusion to my hand."

The Kaibacorp executive frowned as he noticed the Quick-Play part of the Spell card. That could be problematic, seeing as Maiden wouldn't be able to block a four thousand point piercing damage attack from a Cyber End Dragon nor would his Blue-Eyes survive the turn. Regardless, he let Matthias continue to set up his board. "It won't help you."

"I doubt I'll need it," Matthias shot back. "Battle! Cyber Dragon Core, attack his Maiden with Eyes of Blue now! Evolution Blaze!" The smallest of the Cyber Dragons on the field moved forward, red energy gathering within its mouth.

Kaiba smiled in triumph. "You fool! I activate Maiden with Eyes of Blue's special ability! She negates your attack and switches battle modes!" Right on cue, the Maiden kneeled down on the ground, singing an ancient song that tugged at Kaiba's heartstrings. He ignored that and continued as planned. "Next, Maiden's second ability activates, allowing me to special summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand, Deck, or Graveyard! I choose to bring out the Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Deck!" Without even skimming through the Deck, he drew the top card on his Deck. He knew his Dragons would be ready for him. He played the card on his Disk as the Maiden's song reached its crescendo, a portal appearing beside her. "Come forth my loyal servant!" His ace monster flew through the portal with a roar, landing on the field next to the Maiden, nosing her affectionately and receiving a caring rub on the snout in return.

Blue-Eyes White Dragon: Atk 3000, Def 2500, LV 8

"That changes nothing," Matthias said, even as the Dragon turned its gaze towards him. If looks could kill, Matthias was certain he'd have been dead on the spot. As it was, he wasn't concerned about a simple Blue-Eyes White Dragon or two. "I activate Cyber Dragon Nova's ability and banish Cyber Dragon Core from the field to give Nova an extra twenty-one hundred Attack points for the turn!" Like the Cyber Dragon had before, Cyber Dragon Core was turned into a red wave of energy that was absorbed by Cyber Dragon Nova, powering up the Xyz monster once again.

Cyber Dragon Nova Atk: 4200

"I told you that your move was pointless," the cyborg stated. "Now then, Cyber Dragon Nova, prepare to attack that Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Black flames once more began to coalesce within the Xyz monster's mechanical maw.

"I won't let that happen!" Kaiba countered. "Reveal facedown card! Urgent Tuning!"

Matthias was genuinely surprised. "Come again?" While he may have been familiar with Kaiba's Deck and tactics, this girl's Deck that Kaiba had claimed for himself was a relative mystery to him. The use of Urgent Tuning was not something he had foreseen.

"Now I can Synchro Summon a monster during the Battle Phase," Kaiba explained. Reading the card text was always fundamental, especially when getting used to a Deck he'd never used before. "I Tune the Level one Maiden with Eyes of Blue with my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" The Maiden looked over at her dragon companion and both nodded.

'I suppose it's only natural that Kaiba would figure out the Synchro Summon using his signature card,' the cyborg thought to himself, mildly annoyed that he had disregarded that aspect of Kaiba's strategy when he had deduced he was using that girl's Blue-Eyes Deck.

The words came from Kaiba almost unbidden, though he could've sworn he heard the echo of Dani as he began the chant. "Shadow of a blinding light, shining just as brightly as a star itself!" The Maiden with Eyes of Blue leaped into the air, turning into a single brilliant star that expanded into a bright silver ring. "White turns to silver and blue turns to azure, both blinding in their magnificence!" His Blue-Eyes White Dragon flew into the silver ring, dissolving into eight more stars. "Rise up and let your light rise with you!" The eight stars aligned within the ring and erupted into a brilliant silver light. "Synchro Summon! Descend, Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon!" The dazzling light faded and revealed the Blue-Eyes Synchro monster, a larger form of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon with silver scales along her neck and belly, silver wings held out in a guard position as furious azure eyes glared. Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon inhaled deeply and let loose a roar that shook the entire room, her rage voiced aloud.

Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon: Atk 2500, Def 3000, LV 9

Kaiba was startled to see Matthias actually applaud. "Bravo Kaiba, bravo indeed. To see you adapt to and master a new Summon method shows that you deserved your reputation from the history books. But it's going to take more than a simple quick Synchro Summon to stop my onslaught, as Cyber Dragon Nova's attack will now continue to take out your Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon! Go, Nova Evolution Flare!" Cyber Dragon Nova let out a metallic roar as it fired a blast of black flames at Kaiba's Azure-Eyes.

"I don't think so," Kaiba said triumphantly. "You walked right into my Trap! I activate Synchro Deflector!" He savored the look of dissatisfaction that flashed over the cyborg's face. "Now I can negate your attack and then destroy a monster on the field! I choose your Cyber Dragon―" he cut himself off before he could declare the powerful Xyz monster on the opposite field. He recalled the Cyberload Fusion card that had been added to Matthias' hand. It was a Quick-Play Magic card, and he had two monsters on the field that were currently Cyber Dragons and a facedown card that could possibly be used to resurrect a third. Kaiba smiled. "I'm on to your games. I choose to destroy Cyber Dragon Vier with the effect of Synchro Deflector!" Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon roared as her silver scales began to glow. With several powerful flaps of her wings, Azure-Eyes deflected the black flames towards the unfortunate monster. Cyber Dragon Vier melted from the attack, a metallic gurgle its last gasp before evaporating into nothing. "And since Vier is gone, your Cyber Dragons lose their five hundred point boost!"

Cyber Dragon Drei: Atk 1800, Def 800

"Well played," Matthias conceded. "Main Phase Two. I activate Cyber Network's effect to banish a Light attribute Machine type monster from my Deck, in particular a second Cyber Dragon from my Deck."

"Remove all the machines you want from the game," the first Blue-Eyes Duelist taunted. "Even if you have a card to bring them back, my Blue-Eyes will crush them all!"

The cyborg raised an eyebrow. "It appears you may be something of a challenge yet. I'll place one card facedown and end my turn." The red aura around Cyber Nova Dragon disappeared into the air again.

Cyber Dragon Nova Atk: 2100

"Believe me," Kaiba said darkly, "The worst is yet to come. It's my turn!"

Duel Room C

Akiza LP: 4000

Rose Token: Atk 800, Def 800, LV 2

Blue Rose Dragon: 1600, Def 1200, LV 4

Kuno LP: 3500

Alex LP: 3000

Enishi, Shien's Chancellor: Atk 1100, Def 1200, LV 6

"It's my turn!" Akiza Izinski said fearfully, drawing two cards, as was the handicap for the two on one Duel. The flames flickered ominously around the spartan room. With only a few katanas hanging off the walls, the large room was ideal for a training ground. Shaking herself, Akiza was trying not to let herself get distracted with minute details. The fate of her humanity was currently on the line, and she couldn't afford any mistakes. A glance at the cards she'd drawn renewed her hopes, a furtive smile coming to her. Her Deck had come through for her once more.

Alex Bushido watched his opponent carefully. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing up, a bad feeling running through his gut. It was his destiny to win, to seize the power that only the Chaos Movement could offer. For too long his clan had been reduced to waiting in the shadows, but soon, so he hoped, his family tree would be able to rise once more to the top.

And yet, his mind kept feeding him doubts. When his brother Noah had left him after their tag Duel against the two Blue-Eyes Duelists, the seeds had been planted, further cultivated by the Master's punishment for losing Obelisk the Tormentor. The power of the Egyptian god card had overwhelmed his sense of caution and had cost them the Duel, yes, but it was a power that he could've learned to control with time. As it was now, the Six Samurai Duelist wasn't entirely sure how this was going to end. He glanced over at his partner. "Can you defend yourself?"

Kuno didn't avert her gaze from Akiza, who was holding the two cards she'd drawn and appeared to be formulating a plan. "I will be fine, provided she doesn't bring out a monster with more than twenty-eight hundred Attack points."

"Ok, good," Alex said, more to reassure himself more than Kuno. Akiza appeared to be arguing with herself, a byproduct of her loss to Bonaparte earlier that afternoon. According to Matthias, who had been keeping an eye on the Signers as they made their way to their base, she'd been suffering from the beginnings of a schizophrenic breakdown. He couldn't help but wonder if that made her more or less dangerous as a Duelist.

"I'm the one Dueling here. I know what I'm doing," Akiza snapped, annoyed at her multiple personalities trying to chime in. She had a couple of new Synchro Monsters in her Extra Deck to compliment Black Rose Dragon in case an opponent found a way to neutralize her ace monster, and of course her dark side and submissive side were at odds as to which one to go into. Given the options on her field, Akiza wasn't entirely certain that using Blue Rose Dragon as Synchro Material was the best idea. Hopefully with her Level Eight Synchro Monster, it wouldn't become an issue.

'Fine,' her dark side huffed. 'But if we end up turned into a dragon because of this, I'm making sure you feel all the pain from it.'

Akiza rolled her eyes. Becoming her ace monster was definitely not on her agenda, not so long as she had her cards and her Duel Disk. She toyed with the idea of removing the stabilizer in her hair, so as to allow her psychic powers to reach their full potential, but she needed control, not just power unleashed. "I Summon the Tuner Monster Witch of the Black Rose in Attack mode!" A swirl of dark petals appeared next to her as a purple-haired loli wearing a maid-like dress decorated in black roses stepped forward out of the petals, crystal scepter at the ready.

Witch of the Black Rose: Atk 1700, Def 1200, LV 4

Akiza saw the ninja's eyes narrow at the sight of her new monster and allowed herself a moment of satisfaction. This was the right move after all. "Witch of the Black Rose's effect now activates and allows me to draw one card from my Deck, but if the card I draw isn't a monster card, then Witch of the Black Rose will destroy both the card I drew and herself." Witch of the Black Rose waved her scepter to illuminate Akiza's deck with a green light from the crystal set at its tip. She placed two fingers on top, taking care not to damage the cards with her claws. "I draw!" The Foot Signer held the card out to the side for the longest time, hesitant to see what she'd gotten.

"What did she draw?" Alex murmured to himself, trying to remain calm. The tension of this Duel was almost tangible.

The Psychic Duelist flipped the card over, sighing with relief as she saw the orange background of an Effect Monster. She held up the card to reveal it to her opponents. "This is Queen Angel of Roses, a monster card. So, Witch of the Black Rose is safe."

'You are lucky that your gamble paid off,' her submissive side decided to interject, strained as it was. 'A fifty-fifty chance to keep another card in your hand generally does not work out well for you in crucial situations.'

"It certainly came through against Misty," Akiza growled, mentally shoving her alternate personality to the side for the moment. "First things first, since a monster was summoned to the field, you each gain a Rose Token thanks to Black Garden's ability!" Both the ninja and the warrior watched as a large rose bloomed on their side of the field, identical to the one on Akiza's field.

Rose Token: Atk 800, Def 800, LV 2

"Black Garden's effect still cuts the Attack points of Witch of the Black Rose in half," Kuno pointed out, watching as several vines snaked their way forward and wrapped around Witch of the Black Rose, trapping her in the deadly garden.

Witch of the Black Rose Atk: 950

Akiza raised her hand at her two monsters. "That doesn't matter for what I have planned! Now, Level four Witch of the Black Rose will Tune with Level four Blue Rose Dragon!" Witch of the Black Rose flew into the air, purple sparkles trailing behind her before she turned into four shining stars. The stars expanded into bright green rings. Blue Rose Dragon flew into the rings as Akiza began her chant. "The order of the white rose heralds its new savior! Champion of roses ascend!"

'What could she possibly be Synchro Summoning?' Kuno thought to herself, concerned as Blue Rose Dragon dissolved into four more stars within the rings. Akiza's data file held no information on her having any Level eight monster in her Extra Deck.

"Synchro Summon!" Akiza shouted as the stars burst forth in a brilliant column of light. "Appear now, White Rose Knight!" The light faded and her newest Synchro monster was revealed. Sturdy silver armor covered the clearly feminine figure, emblazoned with white roses over her chest and thighs. Her shoulder pads were crafted in the shape of a rose as steely blue eyes glared out from under White Rose Knight's helmet, green bangs slipping down to cover her forehead. She drew her sword from the sheath on her hip, a mighty broadsword with a white rose serving as its pommel, and held it in a ready position, eager to strike at a moment's notice.

White Rose Knight: Atk 2800, Def 1200, LV 8

"Black Garden still cuts the Attack points of your monster in half," Kuno said quickly, mildly alarmed at this new monster. Vines streaked toward White Rose Knight, latching on to her arms and holding her back. Two more Rose Tokens sprouted up on their fields; that part of Black Garden needed no ceremony.

White Rose Knight Atk: 1400

Rose Token: Atk 800, Def 800, LV 2

"Do you think I care about that?" Akiza asked darkly, ignoring the gleeful laugh from her dark side. "I activate Black Garden's final ability! I can destroy this card and all Plant type monsters on the field!" A low rumble began along the edge of the room, the once vibrant plant life that had covered the room for the past several turns turning brown and crumbling. All five Rose Tokens on the field began to wilt, much to the surprise of both Kuno and Alex.

"And what about White Rose Knight?" Alex asked as the plant life continued to fade away. "Why isn't that monster shriveling up?"

"White Rose Knight is a Warrior Type monster," Akiza answered. "Therefore she isn't affected by Black Garden's destruction effect."

"This is bad," Kuno said quietly. "Since Black Garden was destroyed by its effect, she can now bring back a Plant type monster from the Graveyard with Attack points less than or equal to the number of Attack points of the Plant type monsters that were just destroyed."

The Bushido heir blanched at the thought. "A four thousand Attack point Plant type monster?!"

"Don't be ridiculous," Kuno snapped. "Very few Plant monsters have Attack points over twenty-eight hundred. That doesn't mean this isn't a problem, though."

"I'll use the power of my Black Garden to bring back Mariña, Princess of Sunflowers from my Graveyard!" Akiza announced, her Duel Disk ejecting the card from the Graveyard. The Foot Signer drew it out between two fingers and played it on her Disk in one smooth motion. The remains of Black Garden were drawn into the space next to Akiza's new Synchro Monster, blooming into a large sunflower. The upper torso of a woman emerged from the center of the sunflower, placing hands on her hips jauntily as her petal-like yellow hair flowed down her back.

Mariña, Princess of Sunflowers: Atk 2800, Def 1600, LV 8

"Additionally, since Black Garden is no longer on the field, all our monsters gain their Attack points back," the Foot Signer stated.

White Rose Knight Atk: 2800

Enishi, Shien's Chancellor Atk: 2200

"For all the good that'll do," Alex grumbled.

"Battle!" Akiza declared, a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "White Rose Knight, attack his Chancellor now! White Rose Slash!" Her Synchro monster nodded, dashing forward with her mighty sword in hand. Enishi saw her coming and drew his blade to guard, attempting to parry the horizontal slash from White Rose Knight. Much to his dismay, White Rose Knight's strength knocked the sword out of his hand and Shien's Chancellor was sliced vertically in half, destroying the warrior monster. Alex grunted as the wind from White Rose Knight's slash rocked him slightly.

Alex LP: 2400

"Mariña, attack him directly!" the Foot Signer shouted. If she could just defeat one of them, the Duel would become that much easier. As it was, there was no telling what either one of them would draw next that could turn the Duel around. "Bloom Doom Attack!" Her Plant type monster agreed, a cheeky smile on her face as she placed her hands on the ground, flowers beginning to spread towards Alex, a deadly green glow underneath the seemingly innocent mixture of flora.

"I activate my Continuous Trap!" Kuno interrupted. "Amazoness Willpower lets me Special Summon any Amazoness monster from my Graveyard in Attack position!"

Akiza was unimpressed. "So?"

"Revive, my Amazoness Empress!" the Master's ninja shouted. In a burst of energy from the flipped up Trap, the white-haired regal looking Amazon warrior emerged, her mighty sword held at the ready.

Amazoness Empress: Atk 2800, Def 2400, LV 8

"Since this is a Tag Duel," Kuno began, "I send my Amazoness Empress to go intercept the direct attack you just made on my tag partner!" The empress of the Amazons ran over to Alex's side of the field, slamming her dragon-sword into the oncoming field of flowers. Green energy erupted underneath the revived Fusion monster, damaging her. With the last of her strength, Amazoness Empress heaved her mighty blade across the battlefield before she collapsed and disappeared within a green explosion of natural energy. The dragon-sword flew true and speared Mariña in the heart, destroying the Plant type monster.

Akiza blinked in surprise. That was such a selfless act, as now Kuno had no more cards on the field with which to protect herself. She was wide open for a direct attack, but the Foot Signer didn't have any more monsters with which to attack. "But why?"

"Because I'm going to need my partner simply to get out of this disadvantageous situation," the kunoichi answered calmly. "Amazoness Empress' ability now activates and lets me revive Amazoness Queen once more from my Graveyard! Resurrect, mighty queen of the Amazons!" With a flash of black flames, the blue-haired well-muscled warrior lady wielding a thick scimitar and adorned with a red cape appeared, sword at the ready.

Amazoness Queen: Atk 2400, Def 1800, LV 6

Akiza scowled at that, as the Queen's special ability meant she wouldn't be able to destroy any Amazons by battle and she'd already used up most of her non-battle destruction effects. This Duel was firmly in her control for the moment, but feeling the powers in play here, anything could change how that her opponents have gotten another turn. She carefully held up the remaining card in her hand, ensuring she didn't damage the card. "I place one card facedown and end my turn." Her gaze met Kuno's steely glare. "Your move."

Kuno placed two fingers on top of her Deck, knowing that there was only one card in her Deck that could turn this Duel around. She needed to draw it, to give both her and her Dueling partner a chance against the Foot Signer. "My turn." She closed her eyes, hoping beyond hope to draw the one card she needed. "I draw!" She could see the card in her mind's eye, now to see it in her physical eye.

Alex watched, heart in his throat. He'd only seen a few Destiny Draws actually succeed, as the trust one needed in their Deck needed to be absolute to even hope to call upon such a power. It was an ability that few Duelists had mastered, two of whom were currently in the Master's chamber. To see Kuno clearly attempting such a draw gave him a slim hope, though a much larger sense of dread. "Come on…"

Akiza observed her draw, getting a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She hoped that wasn't her body getting more transformed by the powers of chaos that were currently all around the Satellite. The Foot Signer was also trying to ignore that more rose petals had grown on her arms.

Kuno opened her eyes and took in the card she'd drawn. One second passed. Two seconds. Five. Alex didn't dare wipe away the trickle of sweat that ran down his forehead. Then Kuno smiled. "I activate Card of Sanctity! We each draw until we hold six cards in our hand!" A ball of rainbow light appeared in the center of the room, colors accented by the powers running wild through the room. It split into three orbs of light that glided down to each player's Duel Disk.

'The ultimate hand reinforcement card,' Maid Akiza commented, her mental voice sounding stunned.

'Of course she'd draw a card like that now,' Dark Akiza growled, barely contained anger seeping through. 'Since when was this going to be easy?'

"At least we get six cards of our own," Akiza said solemnly, drawing six more cards from her Deck. They were good cards, but would she get the chance to play them? These next couple of turns were going to determine whether or not she would remain human, or get turned into her beloved Black Rose Dragon…

Duel Room D

Leo LP: 2600

Morphtronic Boarden: Atk 500, Def 1800, LV 3

Luna LP: 4000

Fairy Archer: Atk 1400, Def 600, LV 3

Allana LP: 3200

Jain, Twilightsworn General: Atk 1800, Def 1200, LV 4

Kirion, Twilightsworn Warlord: Atk 1700, Def 1400, LV 4

Curious, Twilightsworn Tyrant: Atk 2400, Def 2000, LV 8

Draco LP: 4000

Number 11: Big Eye: Atk 2600, Def 2000, LV 7, OLU 1

Ancient Fairy Dragon: Atk 2800, Def 3700, LV 7

Leo gulped as he looked at his Deck. He couldn't afford to screw things up, not at this crucial stage. Though she'd tried not to let it show, both he and Luna could tell that Akiza had been badly hurt by her loss. He didn't want Luna to go through what Akiza was going through. He wasn't thrilled with facing that prospect either, but he'd rather it be him than Luna suffering. He had to protect his sister, no matter what. With shaking hands, he placed two fingers on top of his Deck. "It's my turn!" he announced, "I draw!" He looked at the card. 'Damage Eraser! At least I can block that Twilight Barrage Trap of Allana's now!' He looked at the Spell card in his hand. De-Synchro was a card he'd hoped to save for his opponents, but he couldn't let Ancient Fairy Dragon stay in enemy hands. Not again.

"Draw all the cards you want little boy," Allana Hikari hissed, hair standing on end as the energy of chaos crackled throughout the room. Colors seemed to flair throughout the corrupted forest, giving hints at life before being snuffed out just as quickly. It was a fearsome sight to behold, this crazed woman standing amidst the tainted woodland, her trio of monsters showing signs of corruption as well. "They won't do you any good!"

Draco stayed calm, even as the pool of lava bubbled behind him. His side of the room was just as intimidating, piles of gold coins surrounding a lake of fire, and yet when put up next to Allana's area, it seemed a bit lackluster. He was keeping a wary eye on Allana, making sure her reckless actions wouldn't put his Duel in danger. Still, a little bit of taunting didn't hurt. "Come boy, what hope do you have when you have to face your sister's dragon?"

"I have this!" Leo shouted, inserting the Spell card into his Disk. "De-Synchro! Now I can take any Synchro Monster on the field and return it to the Extra Deck, then Special Summon the monsters used to Synchro Summon it to the original owner's field!"

Luna's eyes lit up in appreciation. "That's awesome Leo!"

"You won't have your nasty hands on Ancient Fairy Dragon any longer!" Leo yelled. "Come on back to Luna Ancient Fairy Dragon!" With a roar, Ancient Fairy Dragon broke free of the red light that had been surrounding her, giving a toothy smile to Leo before turning into an orb of light that sank into Luna's Duel Disk. Two more orbs of light emerged from her Graveyard, forming on the field into Sunlight Unicorn and Luxianne, Fairy of the Forest. The unicorn with blue fire serving as a mane and the petite fairy dressed in forest green armor and holding a light staff crouched down in front of Luna, ready to serve as shields.

Sunlight Unicorn: Atk 1800, Def 1100, LV 4

Luxianne, Fairy of the Forest: Atk 800, Def 1000, LV 3

"Since Horn of the Unicorn was sent to the Graveyard and not technically destroyed, it remains in my Graveyard," Luna pointed out. "Leo, that was amazing!"

"I place one card facedown and end my turn," Leo finished, giving his sister a thumbs up. "I won't let you hurt Luna or steal Ancient Fairy Dragon!" He tried to put on a fierce face for his opponents.

"Oh how cute," Allana giggled, drawing a card unceremoniously. "You really think that you can protect your sister. That's just adorable. Chaos will claim you all! I Summon Lumina, Twilightsworn Shaman to the field in Attack mode!" A slender blonde woman wearing white clothing and a large black ornate cape appeared, dark energy swirling about her hands.

Lumina, Twilightsworn Shaman: Atk 1000, Def 1000, LV 3

"Then I activate Kirion, Twilightsworn's effect!" Allana continued, dark energy crackling around her hands. "I banished a Lightsworn from my Graveyard to bring forth it's Twilight Counterpart! Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, begone from my Graveyard! Ryko, Twilightsworn Hunter, arise!" A white Shiba dog appeared on the field, darkness transferring from Allana to the monster, creating another dark cape and infusing the canine with an evil aura.

Ryko, Twilightsworn Hunter: Atk 200, Def 100, LV 2

The Lady of Twilight began moving cards from her Deck to her Graveyard. "Lumina and Jain's effects now activate since an effect from a Lightsworn monster was activated!"

"Wait a second," Leo interrupted, confused. "You just activated a Twilightsworn's effect, not a Lightsworn!"

"Yes, but Twilightsworns are a part of the Lightsworn archetype," Allana explained, her voice sounding very annoyed that he didn't know the distinction. "Therefore, their effects trigger whether it's from the light or the darkness! It is the beauty of chaos! Light and dark, it doesn't matter! I send five cards from my Deck to the Graveyard now thanks to Jain and Lumina!" Her eyes lit up as she saw the fifth card go into the Graveyard. Black and white streams of light erupted from the slot.

Luna covered her eyes instinctively. "What's going on?!"

"Twilight Twin Dragon's effect activates as it was sent to the Graveyard by the effect of a Lightsworn!" Allana celebrated. "I can add one Punishment Dragon from my Graveyard to my hand!" The card came flying out of her Duel Disk and she caught it in one smooth flourish. "Twilight Twin Dragon's other effect banishes the top four cards of my Deck!"

"Punishment Dragon?" Leo repeated hesitantly, sharing a concerned glance with Luna.

Luna was similarly worried. "Whatever it is, it can't be good."

"I don't have any free monster zones left, so you'll simply have to wait for your punishment," the Lady of Twilight said with another cackle. "Instead, I activate Ryko's effect. Since it was Summoned to the Field, I can banish any one monster from the field! Say goodbye to your Sunlight Unicorn Signer!" With a snarl, the Twilightsworn Fighter fired a beam of black energy that disintegrated Sunlight Unicorn, much to the dismay of Fairy Archer and Luxianne. "And since another Lightsworn effect was activated, Kirion's effect now activates and sends two more cards from my Deck to the Graveyard!"

"Leo's Trap isn't going to let you attack with anything other than Ryko and Lumina," Luna pointed out as Allana placed the top two cards from her Deck in her Graveyard slot. Her smiled faltered as she saw the Exchange of the Spirit Trap head into the Graveyard. That card would've been the nail in the coffin for those two.

"Perhaps," Allana conceded, regaining her composure. "But that doesn't mean they can't do damage! I activate my two Traps, Twilight Eraser and Twilight Cloth! First Twilight Eraser banishes two Lightsworns from my Grave to banish two monsters on the field! There goes your last two defenses!" With a burst of light and darkness, the images of Shire, Lightsworn Spirit and Rinyan, Lightsworn Rogue left the Graveyard and crashed into Luna's remaining fairies, destroying both monsters.

"Luna!" her twin brother shouted, concerned.

"Twilight Cloth's effect now kicks in!" the Lady of Twilight continued. "By banishing four more Lightsworns from my Graveyard, I can give an extra eight hundred Attack and Defense points to Ryko!" The images of Jenis, Aurkus, Raiden, and Minerva appeared, getting absorbed into Ryko, who howled with the newfound power.

Ryko, Twilightsworn Fighter: Atk 1000, Def 900

An ominous glow came into Allana's eyes as she moved on with her turn. "I activate Twilight Barrage's effect! By forgoing the ability to attack with Jain, Kirion, and Curious this turn, I can deal three hundred points of damage to you for each monster! Take nine hundred points of damage Signer!" The Trap began to glow, firing a beam of black and white swirling energy at the Claw Signer.

"Oh no you don't!" Leo yelled. "I activate my Trap, Damage Eraser! Now the damage you sent our way gets turned into Life Points instead!" His Trap intercepted the beam, converting it into a healing wave that bathed Luna in its light.

Luna LP: 4900

"Thanks Leo!" Luna said, getting another cheeky thumbs up from her brother.

"You annoying little brat!" Allana snarled. "Guard your sister against this! Ryko, Lumina, attack her Life Points Directly!"

"I activate my Trap!" Luna announced. "Dimension Wall now redirects one of your attacks right back at you! You take Ryko's attack now instead of me!" A wall appeared in front of the Twilightsworn Shiba, absorbing the monster. Another wall appeared next to Allana and Ryko came flying out, sinking his fangs into Allana's arm. She cried out in pain while Lumina created an orb of darkness and threw it at Luna, knocking the Claw Signer back several steps.

"Luna, are you ok?" Leo asked, rushing over to his sister.

"I'll be fine," Luna replied, straightening up shakily.

Luna LP: 3900

Allana LP: 2200

"She won't be when I'm through with you imp," Allana growled. "I place two cards facedown and end my turn."

Luna looked at Allana, who was swaying back and forth, almost uncontrollably. The Lady of Twilight was looking rather shaky herself, as though she'd had one too many adult beverages. The power that was currently inside her, a dark power, it was affecting her monsters. Luna could feel the pain of her cards, as though they were crying out for help in a shell of black oblivion. "It's my turn! I draw!"

A friendly gravelly voice rang out. "You are right, her cards are in pain. The only way we can help them is to defeat the source."

"Regulus!" Luna exclaimed, looking at the Duel Spirit as he appeared on her left.

"You know what must be done," Regulus said to her. "We are all ready to do our part! Now Summon me and let's take down this villain!"

"Do not worry Luna," Ancient Fairy Dragon whispered, not appearing next to the Claw Signer but her presence was felt regardless. "For we will always be by your side."

"You got it," Luna nodded, playing the card she'd drawn. "I Summon Regulus in Attack position!" The teal-armored white lion appeared in front of Luna, sending a challenging roar to their opponents.

Regulus: Atk 1700, Def 1000, LV 4

"I activate my Trap, Ancient Sunshine!" Luna continued. "Since I control Regulus on the field and by banishing an Ancient Fairy Dragon from my Extra Deck, I can deal out twenty-one hundred points of damage to you!" The image of her ace monster appeared briefly before flowing into Regulus' horn. With another roar, Regulus aimed and fired the energy at Allana, knocking her off her feet.

Allana LP: 100

"The only downside to Ancient Sunshine is that I cannot declare an attack this turn," Luna said, holding up the remainder of her hand. "I place three cards facedown and end my turn." Her gut was telling her that something big was going to happen next turn. She just hoped she and her brother were ready for whatever was coming.

"Heh heh heh," Allana cackled, slowly getting to her feet, a dark aura starting to surround her. "You're really starting to annoy me, you know? I don't think you understand just what you're dealing with here."

"I don't like this," Leo said, trying not to admit he was scared.

"Seeing as how I only have a few Life Points left, I suppose it's time I got serious," the Lady of Twilight continued. "So why don't you fools keep trying to attack me and see what happens?"

"Let's get to that after I have my turn," Draco interrupted, ignoring the scathing glare from his Duel partner. "I draw!" He looked at his hand of five cards and scowled. "First, Gold Sarcophagus' effect activates and returns Redox, Dragon Ruler of Boulders to my hand. Then I activate Card Destruction to discard my entire hand and draw the same number of cards we discarded." He glanced around. "Normally, you three would also have to discard your hands and redraw, but that would require having cards in your hand to begin with."

"That can't be good, can it?" Leo asked.

"No Leo, it can't," Luna answered. "Remember what Miss Barlet said? Dragon Rulers liked having a full Graveyard as it meant they could bring out their high level monsters easily."

"I activate Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms' ability and banish Lightning, Dragon Ruler of Drafts and Reactan, Dragon Ruler of Pebbles from my Graveyard to Special Summon it!" Draco informed them. "Behold, the dragon that rules the skies and controls everything from the gentle breeze to the mighty hurricane! Come forth Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms!" With a rush of wind and a swirling gale, his dragon appeared, looking as though it had been made by the winds themselves. Lightning crackled around it a few times before it settled down, Tempest resting on the field by Draco.

Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms: Atk 2400, Def 2200, LV 7

Draco placed two cards from his hand to the Graveyard. "Next, I send Shade, Dragon Ruler of Shadows and Shine, Dragon Ruler of Light from my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls! Behold, the ruler of the oceans arises, an aquatic force like none you've ever seen! Come forth Tidal!" A waterspout formed next to him, a light blue dragon emerging from the spout with a roar. Tidal landed next to its wind counterpart, as thought prowling and ready for its next meal.

Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls: Atk 2600, Def 2000, LV 7

"Now that I have a Dragon type monster on the field, I activate Stamping Destruction!" the Ruler of Dragons announced. "I can destroy one Spell or Trap on the field, like that Morphtronic Bind, and deal five hundred points of damage in the process!" With twin roars, the Dragon Rulers of water and wind flapped their wings, creating a gale that destroyed Leo's Trap and buffeted him with shards of damage.

Leo LP: 2100

"With that done, I now take my Level Seven Tidal, Dragon Ruler of Waterfalls, and Level Seven Tempest, Dragon Ruler of Storms, and Overlay them!" Draco announced.

"Overlay?!" Leo and Luna repeated simultaneously. Xyz Summoning was not familiar to either of them. They knew it existed, but what secrets these monsters from the future held, they did not know. Tempest turned into an orb of green light, while Tidal turned into a blue orb, rising into the sky. Both orbs dropped neatly into the galaxy that had formed in front of Draco.

"The might of dragons enters the modern era, combining with technology to create a machine that will rule the skies for centuries to come!" Draco chanted as the galaxy erupted into a geyser of power. "Xyz Summon! Appear, Rank Seven, Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack!" The roar of a plane filled the skies as large airplane glided down from the heavens, a draconic figure on the nose of the flight craft. Two golden spheres were orbiting the latest Xyz monster.

Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack: Atk 2600, Def 2200, Rank 7, OLU 2

"Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack's effect now activates!" the Ruler of Dragons declared. "By removing one Overlay Unit, I can create two Mecha Phantom Beast Tokens in Defense position!" One of the Overlay Units split into two and transformed into two smaller variations of the Mecha Phantom Beast.

Mecha Phantom Beast Tokens: Atk 0, Def 0, LV 3

Leo opened his mouth to laugh at how weak those tokens were, then remembered when Roman brought out two zero Attack point spiders against Yusei right before bringing out his Earthbound Immortal. While Draco didn't seem to have anything as dangerous as an Earthbound Immortal, at least in terms of bringing about the end of the world, he had learned his lesson about underestimating weak monsters on the field. "Do these Tokens have any special abilities?"

Draco blinked. He hadn't expected this boy to ask an insightful question. Sure, his sister had been a Dueling prodigy. She still was, considering her young age and recent participation in the Fortune Cup, despite her Dueling activity being minimal after coming out of her coma. Perhaps some of her studying had rubbed off on her brother, who had appeared much more impulsive in the little data they had on the boy. "The Tokens themselves are powerless, but they trigger the special ability of Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack. It is now unable to be destroyed by battle or by card effects."

The twins shared a concerned look. They knew they would have to destroy the Tokens before they could hope to remove that Xyz monster, but for now they had to weather the storm of incoming attacks. Leo spoke. "So we gotta take down those Tokens before we can attack that Dracossack."

Draco held up an arm. "Battle! Big Eye, attack Regulus now! Eye of Retribution!" The Number Xyz monster closed its eye for a second before opening back up and firing a bright red laser blast that Regulus had no chance of withstanding, disappearing in the beam of power.

"Regulus!" Luna cried, forced a couple of steps backwards as the aftereffects of the attack buffeted her.

Luna LP: 3000

"Now Mecha Phantom Beast Dracossack, attack the Signer directly!" Draco commanded.

"No!" Leo shouted as the large fighter plane began to fire missiles. "Attack me! Not her!" His words fell on deaf ears as the missiles slammed into Luna, exploding and knocking her off her feet with a cry of pain.

Luna LP: 400

"You leave her alone!" Leo shouted, fighting back tears as his sister struggled to push herself up. Her frail condition was clearly taking its toll on her after being on the receiving end of a powerful attack.

"Frail though she may be, she is still the stronger of the two and as such we shall make sure she goes down first," Draco said flatly. He didn't derive any joy from the task at hand, only that it was what had to be done.

Leo turned to his twin. "Luna, are you ok?!"
"Neither one of you will be ok when I'm through with you," Allana snarled, a deranged smile on her face.

Luna forced herself to her feet, breathing heavily. She blinked a few times to get the blurriness out of her vision. "I'll be fine Leo."

Leo wasn't convinced, but at least his sister was safe from danger for now. "Just try to get a Trap that can actually block an attack next turn!" That brought a smile to Luna's face. She couldn't bring out any card she wanted from the Deck, but at least his brother was thinking smart about this.

"I place one card facedown," Draco said, the facedown card appearing next to the other one Draco had on the field. "Then I activate a Spell card known as Draw of the Dragon Rulers! By banishing Dragon Ruler monsters from my Graveyard, every player gets to draw a card for each Dragon Ruler banished. I banish Shine, Shade, Lightning, and Reactan from my Graveyard for us all to draw four cards!"

"Yessss," Allana crowed as all four Duelists drew cards. Luna was perplexed. What sort of card would give so many cards to both players? Card of Sanctity was usually the go to card. Whatever the reason Draco had to add more cards to his hand, it didn't make sense to give them cards as well.

"I place two cards facedown and end my turn," Draco concluded.

"It's my turn!" Leo shouted. "I draw!" He looked at the five cards in his hand and instantly had a strategy in mind. "First I activate my Field Spell, Morphtronic Map!" Parchment paper began to spread out from Leo's feet, several small appliances appearing along the edges of the map as it stopped spreading when it reached the midway mark of the Dueling Field. "It's not going to do anything right now, but when it starts getting Morph Counters, you better watch out!"

"Good start Leo!" Luna said encouragingly.

Leo nodded. "Now I Normal Summon Morphtronic Celfon in Attack mode!" A large yellow nokia phone formed in front of Leo, transforming into a humanoid robot ready for action.

Morphtronic Celfon: Atk 100, Def 100, LV 1

"Morphtronic Celfon's ability now activates!" Leo continued. "Once per turn, it rolls a number and I can look at the same number of cards on the top of my Deck and Special Summon any Level four or lower Morphtronic monster from those cards! Alright Morphtronic Celfon, do your thing!" The numbers on the chest of the transforming phone began to flicker, passing over each number before finally settling on number four. "Alright, so now I get to look at the top four cards in my Deck!"

"Like your little toys are going to do anything," Allana taunted.

Leo ignored that and played the card he'd chosen. "I Special Summon the Tuner Monster Morphtronic Scopen in Attack mode!" A large microscope appeared, transforming into a humanoid form as well.

Morphtronic Scopen: Atk 800, Def 400, LV 3

Leo held up another card from his hand. "Now I can activate Scopen's special ability! I can bring out any Level four or lower Morphtronic monster from my hand, but it gets destroyed during the End Phase! Come on out Morphtronic Staplen!" As the name suggested, the appliance that materialized in front of Leo was a stapler before it too transformed into its robot form.

Morphtronic Staplen: Atk 1400, Def 1000, LV 4

"I'll use this opportunity to activate my Morphtronic Monitron's effect to switch Staplen from Attack to Defense mode!" Leo said, the mentioned Morphtronic transforming back into its stapler form. "This gives my Morphtronic Map a Morph Counter which gives all Morphtronic monsters three hundred more Attack points for each Morph Counter!" A large red 1 appeared on the parchment below Leo's feet, pulsing gently with power as it was infused into the Morphtronic monsters on the field.

Morphtronic Celfon Atk: 400

Morphtronic Scopen Atk: 1100

Morphtronic Staplen Atk: 1700

Morphtronic Boarden Atk: 800

"But as awesome as that is, it's not gonna be as awesome as when I Tune Level three Morphtronic Scopen with Level four Morphtronic Staplen!" Leo announced. Scopen flew into the air, dissolving into three stars. The stars expanded into three green rings as Leo began his chant. "Machine and might combine to bring peace to the world!" Staplen flew into the rings and turned into four more stars that aligned within the rings. "Synchro Summon!" Leo shouted as the stars erupted into a brilliant light. "The monster with some major motor! Here he is, the Power Tool Dragon!" The light faded and revealed the mechanical yellow and silver dragon in all its glory. Leo's ace monster revved the screwdriver on its left arm and held up its blue shovel arm, ready for battle.

Power Tool Dragon: Atk 2300, Def 2500, LV 7

"Power Tool Dragon's effect now activates and lets me choose three Equip Spells from my Deck," Leo continued. "Then you choose one randomly and I get that Spell added to my hand and the rest go back to my Deck!"

Draco nodded in understanding. That, combined with Power Tool Dragon's other ability, would make this monster a mild problem to deal with. Either that or it would make a valuable asset once Big Eye stole that monster. "Then choose your Equip cards and hope that we choose your best one."

Leo already had the three cards in mind. "I've got Break! Draw!, Megamorph, and Double Tool C&D here." He held up the three cards, their backs to his opponents, and looked away, not wanting to give away which one he wanted them to pick. "Now you guys choose one."

"The one on the right," Allana said before Draco could intervene.

Leo frowned. He hadn't given them any hints, but she had picked the one that didn't give any Attack points. Still, more draw power was going to help. "Alright, the other cards go back to my Deck and I'll now activate Break! Draw! From my hand and Equip it to Power Tool Dragon!" A white glow appeared around his ace monster, fading as quickly as it had appeared, no noticeable change on the metal dragon. "Now when Power Tool Dragon destroys a monster in battle, I get to draw one card from my Deck!"

The Ruler of Dragons wasn't impressed. "It's not strong enough to deal with either of my Xyz monsters. Your gambit failed boy."

"Not yet it's not," Leo countered. "I have a second Equip Spell! Air Cracking Storm!" A large blue rocket attached itself to Power Tool Dragon's back, nestling in neatly between its wings. "While I can't attack with other monsters, Power Tool Dragon can attack twice this turn!"

Draco was now perplexed. "That still hasn't affected Power Tool Dragon's Attack points!"

"That's because I have Power-Up Connector still active!" Leo explained. "I can give Boarden's eight hundred Attack points to my Power Tool Dragon!" Energy flowed from skateboard like robot into Power Tool Dragon, the mechanical dragon roaring with power.

Draco's eyes grew wide in realization. "Now I see."

Power Tool Dragon Atk: 3100

"Battle!" Leo shouted. "Let's see you take me seriously now! Power Tool Dragon, attack Number 11: Big Eye now! Crafty Break!" The rocket on Power Tool Dragon's back ignited, propelling Power Tool Dragon forward, crashing into Big Eye screwdriver first. To the twin's shock, Big Eye remained upright on the field. Draco took a step back from the assault, but his gaze remained resolute.

Draco LP: 3500

"This particular Xyz monster is a special monster," Draco explained. "It is a Number monster, and cannot be destroyed in battle by anything other than another Number monster, something I am certain neither one of you two hold in your Extra Decks."

"Say what?!" Leo shouted in dismay. "Then how can we stop that thing from stealing our monsters again?!"

"Calm down Leo," his twin sister said quickly, "It's not immune to destruction effects from monsters, Spells, or Traps."

"You're right," Leo said, mildly relieved. There was a card in his Deck that could remove that problematic Big Eye. First things first, he had to take care of that crazy woman. "Air Cracking Storm's effect allows me to attack again! Power Tool Dragon! Eliminate Allana by attacking Curious, Twilightsworn Tyrant now! Crafty Break!"

Allana cackled as the metal dragon flew towards her monster. "Did you really think that I would be defeated by such a low-level move? I activate my Trap card, Impenetrable Attack! Now I take no battle damage this turn!" Power Tool Dragon flew right through her monster, but thanks to the Trap card, the shards of battle damage fell just short.

Leo looked crestfallen. "At least Break! Draw! lets me draw one card from my Deck since I destroyed your monster!" He drew a card from his Deck and his frown lessened slightly. At least he could get rid of that Big Eye now.

"I activate a Trap card!" Luna said suddenly, getting everyone's attention. "Gift Card! Now I give three thousand Life Points to one of my opponents!"

Leo's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "What do you think you're doing?!"

Allana cackled. "This I have to hear."

Luna ignored her brother for the moment. "You're going to be the recipient of Gift Card's effect, but I have a Continuous Trap that will make this gift become a nasty surprise! I activate my Continuous Trap, Bad Reaction to Simochi! Now any effect that would increase your Life Points turns it into damage instead!"

Leo jumped into the air in celebration. "Now you're gonna deal three thousand points of damage instead! Awesome move Luna!"

"I told you I had a plan," Luna said with a slightly smug smile.

"A plan that was doomed to failure from the beginning!" Allana practically snarled. "Counter Trap activate! Solemn Judgment! By paying half of my Life Points, I can negate your pathetic little Trap!" A beam of light shot down from the heaven's, shattering Luna's Trap.

"Oh no!" Luna cried, her strategy ruined.

"Yes," Allana crowed, triumph in her tone. "Now then, I'll take that gift of three thousand Life Points now!" A green wave of healing energy emerged from the Gift Card Trap washed over her, giving her strength.

Allana LP: 3050

Leo was crestfallen. All that work that had gotten her so low, now she was nearly back to full Life Points. He looked at Luna, who looked about as solemn as he felt. He couldn't let this setback get to him. He had to keep fighting. "Don't worry Luna, we still got this. I activate my Spell card Morphtronic Accelerator! I send Morphtronic Clocken from my hand to my Deck to destroy a card on the field! Say goodbye to that Number 11: Big Eye!" Power Tool Dragon took in the power from the Magic card and fired a beam of green energy that pierced the shield surrounding the Number monster and destroyed Big Eye in a large explosion.

Draco did not looked pleased at that turn of events. He scowled, but remained silent. Allana on the other hand laughed like a demented being. "It's so cute that you think you're helping! Now boy, end your turn so that I may put you out of your misery!"

"I don't like the sound of that," Luna said quietly.

Leo looked at the remaining cards in his hand. It wasn't much, but it was going to have to do to save his sister. "I place two cards facedown and end my turn." He glanced at Morphtronic Lantron, the remaining card in his hand. So long as they still had cards to play, they would always have a chance. Whatever madness Allana had to throw at them, he would make sure his sister survived the turn.

Satellite Highway

"Now then, let's start this turn off with a little bit of Pot of Greed action!" Joey announced, his powered-up Swordsman of Landstar ready and raring to go. Thomas watched his ancestor draw two cards and smile. "Oh yeah baby, here we go! I activate the Continuous Spell Dangerous Machine Type-6!" A large slot machine appeared on the field, the numbers one through six arranged in a circle on the machine's face.

"You really think a little casino action is going to stop me?" Thomas taunted.

"Let's take this baby for a spin and find out," Joey said, not missing a beat. "Now, depending on the number I roll, Dangerous Machine Type-6 has a different effect. Now pull the lever!" The slot machine's lever moved, and the numbers began to flicker on and off in a random pattern. It slowed down before it teased a one, then finally stopped on five. "Alright, five is just as much a lucky number as seven!"

"Why?!" Thomas asked, concerned. He knew his ancestor liked to use luck-based cards, but this Dangerous Machine was unfamiliar to him. Probably because Joey didn't use that risky Spell card after it had cost him a spot in the finals in the second ever Battle City, because it had rolled a one and forced him to discard a key card in his Duel against Mai, but Thomas couldn't remember the other numbers effects.

Joey wagged a finger tauntingly. "Rolling a five means I get to destroy one monster on the field, and that Red-Eyes Slash Dragon looks like just the perfect target." A bolt of lightning shot from the slot machine and obliterated Thomas' Fusion monster.

Thomas was having a hard time believing this turn of events. Just how lucky could Joey Wheeler be? "You won't get that number again!" Now he could understand just how infuriating his ancestor was to his opponents, especially those who hated losing by luck. Yes, there was a certain element of luck involved in Dueling, as your opening hand could determine your fate right at the start, but he was just now realizing just how much Joey took it to the extreme.

"The way you're Dueling, I won't have to," Joey shot back. "Now I activate another Magic card known as Arduous Decision! I pick up the top two cards of my Deck, you choose one at random and if it's a monster card, I get to Special Summon it and keep the other card, but if it ain't a monster, then they both go to the Graveyard!" He drew two cards and held them up, a confident grin on his face.

The Black Dragon was not encouraged. They were probably both monsters given his luck and he just had to choose the least threatening one. "The one on the left."

Joey's smile only got wider, and Thomas could've sworn he saw his chin jut out at a weird angle, but when the Black Dragon blinked Joey's face was back to normal. There was no way it was a coincidence that he'd just happened to see that face appear twice now, was it? "Awesome! You just chose my Sword Hunter! Now I can Special Summon him no sweat!" An armored man wielding twin swords appeared, much larger and more intimidating than the Swordsman of Landstar.

Sword Hunter: Atk 2450, Def 1700, LV 7

"Alright, now you're gonna get it!" Joey said. "Sword Hunter, attack that Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon now! Twin Sword Slash!" With a battle cry, his warrior charged, using one sword to block the desperate swipe from Red-Eyes and the other to stab the dragon in the heart. With a mournful roar, Thomas' remaining dragon went down. Several scales from the black dragon began to form into another sword that Sword Hunter picked up, adding it to one of the many sheaths on his back.

"What did your Sword Hunter just do?" Thomas asked, noticing that his Alternative Black Dragon wasn't technically in the Graveyard.

"Since Sword Hunter just destroyed your monster in battle, he now equips it to himself and gains two hundred Attack points for each monster equipped!" Joey explained, holding up two fingers in the Victory sign.

Sword Hunter Atk: 2650

Thomas LP: 3950

"That may be, but you still destroyed my Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon in battle," Thomas began, the red and black flames appeared restless, churning in the ring surrounding the two. "Therefore, you activated its special ability, Red-Eyes Resurrection! Now since Alternative lost a battle and was estroyed, I can bring back a Level seven or lower Red-Eyes monster from my Graveyard, like the original Red-Eyes Black Dragon send for the Fusion of Red-Eyes Slash Dragon!" With a roar, Joey's favorite monster appeared on Thomas' side of the field, ready for action. Joey hadn't been on the receiving end of a glare from Red-Eyes since Duelist Kingdom. Now he was reminded of how intimidating the Red-Eyes Black Dragon could be.

Red-Eyes Black Dragon: Atk 2400, Def 2000, LV 7

"Additionally, since I brought back a Red-Eyes Black Dragon from the Graveyard via Alternative's effect, my Red-Eyes Black Dragon's Attack points are doubled!" Thomas informed his ancestor.

"Say what?!" Joey gasped, watching his beloved monster grow in size until it dwarfed his other monsters.

Red-Eyes Black Dragon Atk: 4800

"As impressive as you made your Swordsman of Landstar, it can't hold a candle to the Red-Eyes Black Dragon," Thomas declared.

"I suppose not," Joey conceded, shocked at just how powerful his ace monster had the potential to become. "I place one card facedown and end my turn."

Thomas' eyes grew wide as he realized the card Joey had just placed facedown was the other card he'd drawn with Arduous Decision. That surprise turned to irritation, which rapidly turned into rage. A simple coin flip would've left Joey with two less cards he now had to deal with. "You can't keep getting lucky forever! Sooner or later, it's going to run out! Luck won't save you against my Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"

"It ain't luck that's saving my bacon right now," Joey retorted. "My Deck isn't gonna let me down now, not when I'm fighting for my friend! It's going to keep coming through for me until I've beaten you and every member of your pathetic excuse of a movement!" He held up a fist. "That's something a knucklehead like you won't understand so long as you're fightin for this Master moron."

"But you don't understand," Thomas said, almost pleading. He looked down, the image of what amounted to Dark Allana was at the forefront of his mind. "I…I have to save her!" The image of Allana in his mind began to change, as though his mind was conjuring up her fate, of the darkness further corrupting her, her eyes turning dark, her blonde hair turned raven colored. The woman he'd loved for her kindness, her tenderness, her nurturing qualities that had remained resolute despite the cruel nature of the world getting turned into someone heartless, something evil. It tore at his heart, filling it with the flames of anger that threatened to consume him. The thought of living without Allana to cool those flames only incited him to get angrier. Thomas took two deep breaths, trying to avoid letting the fury banish his rational thoughts.

"Not if it means destroying the world!" Joey countered. Why couldn't Thomas see that bringing harm to others was only going to leave the world a darker place.

The Black Dragon was silent for a moment. He remembered all the injustices he had witnessed, all the people that had been hurt because some bigwigs in New Domino decided they couldn't have been bothered to help out the Satellite for nearly two decades. His fist clenched tightly, his gaze hardened as he met Joey's stare. "This world needs destruction so that it can evolve beyond this pathetic excuse of a hellhole it was before." He held up his hand, allowing Joey to see the red marks where his nails had dug into his skin. "It's after mankind's lowest moments that we see the most growth. I will gladly sacrifice this world to save the one I love. If I can save Allana, then so be it!"

"Destroying the world isn't going to save anybody!" Joey began.

"Save it for someone who cares," Thomas snapped, cutting off his ancestor. "It's my turn, I draw!" He looked at the card he'd drawn and allowed himself a grim smile. "I activate Card of Demise!"

"Oh come on, why do you have one of Kaiba's card?" Joey complained. He hated that hand refilling card with a passion.

"I draw five cards, then lose my entire hand in five turns," Thomas explained, drawing five cards into his hand.

"I'll take this chance to activate my Trap then!" Joey interrupted, startling the Black Dragon. "Gamble!"

Thomas scoffed. "Your whole Deck is a gamble."

"Yes, well this one is going to either win or lose the Duel for me," Joey said, not amused. "Since you have five or more cards than I do in your hand, we're gonna flip a coin. If I call it right, I get five cards. If I call it wrong, I lose my next turn. Seeing how you got a new hand yourself, well, I'm sure a smart-aleck like yourself can figure it out."

"Gotta take risks to win Duels," Thomas said, repeating a line he'd heard many times throughout the history holos. How ironic that the Duelist he'd adored growing up, the one whose Dueling history he'd watched replays of time and time again, was now facing the odds once more, but he was the one putting Joey into a tight spot. His hero was now the villain in Thomas' story. It hurt his heart, but he had to continue.

"You know it!" Joey said, a large coin appearing in the middle of the field on its side. On one side, the face of a Kuriboh marked heads. On the other, a spiked tail of an unknown dragon marked tails. "Now, let's do this!" The coin flew up into the air, spinning fast enough to make it appear like a sphere. "Come on, lucky Heads!"

"For once in my life, can my great-grandfather not get lucky?!" Thomas muttered to himself as the coin descended back to the earth, bouncing once, twice, thrice, spinning a couple of times on its side before finally settling to the ground.

Thomas looked up to see the weird chin on Joey's face once again for a split second, still not entirely sure of what he was seeing. His great-grandfather was ecstatic. "YEAAAAAAAAHHH!" Thomas did notice the drop of sweat that ran down the side of Joey's face, knowing his ancestor had taken a titanic risk and it had paid off immensely. "Now I get five cards!" Joey drew a new hand, much to the annoyance of the Black Dragon.

"You may have more cards in your hand, but that doesn't mean you have anything to stop my Red-Eyes Black Dragon!" Thomas said, trying to regain control of the situation. "I Summon Keeper of the Shrine in Defense mode!" A elderly dragon-man hybrid appeared in front of the Black Dragon, meditating peacefully.

Keeper of the Shrine: Atk 0, Def 2100, LV 4

"Battle!" Thomas declared. "Red-Eyes Black Dragon, attack Great-Grandfather's Swordsman of Landstar now! Inferno Fire Blast!" With a roar, Thomas' Red-Eyes spat out an orb of black and red flames that Joey's little warrior had no chance of guarding against, even powered up as it was. Joey was caught off guard as the backlash of the attack knocked him off his feet, the only thing that remained of the Swordsman of Landstar being several ashes upon the ground before they too faded from sight.

Joey LP: 1700

"So you got one good hit in," Joey said nonchalantly, though his bravado wasn't fooling anyone. "It's gonna take more than that to keep me down!"

"For your own safety, you should stay down," Thomas warned, not wanting to think about the potential timeline shenanigans that could ensue.

Joey met Thomas' glare with one of his own. "You know I can't do that."

Thomas sighed. "I know. I place two cards facedown and end my turn."

"Then it's my turn again! Let the Godfather of Games show you how it's really done!" Joey said, drawing a card. This Duel was personal in more than one way, but there was no way he was going to give up.

The Master's Chambers

"Go Burst Stream of Destruction," Dani intoned, her Blue-Eyes White Dragon roaring as the legendary dragon fired a blast of white lightning at Yami Yugi, who was still down on one knee.

"Do something!" Yusei yelled.

Yami smirked. Even in this desperate situation, he always had a card to play. "I activate a Trap! Reduction Barrier! Now the damage I would've taken is reduced to ten percent!" The pink card flipped up, blocking most of the Blue-Eyes' blast. A portion got through and struck the Pharaoh on the shoulder, getting a gasp of pain.

Yami LP: 1550

The snarl of the Master echoed around the chamber. "You are a slippery bastard. But this is your last turn, you both had better make it count!"

"I place one card facedown and end my turn," Dani finished, silver energy pulsing more rapidly within her marks and eyes. The monotone in her voice highlighted just how much power the Master was exerting over her, as though his power was growing ever more powerful.

"Then it's my turn now!" Yami said, rising to his feet. He placed two fingers on his Deck. They needed a miracle here. This Duel wasn't even their final hurdle, but right now he needed to put all his willpower into this draw of destiny.

"Let's do this!" Yugi said, placing his spirit hand over Yami's. The two interlinked souls looked at each other and nodded.

"Draw!" Yami shouted as he drew the card. A glance at the card brought a smile to his face. 'Zero Gravity! This card doesn't target any monsters! We can let Yusei take down that Chaos Max Dragon and we can deal with the other Blue-Eyes at our leisure.'

Yusei watched the Pharaoh, curious as to what his tag partner had drawn. 'Whatever is it, hopefully it's a game changer.'

"I place one card facedown," Yami began, placing the card he'd drawn facedown. "And Summon Obnoxious Celtic Guardian in Attack mode!" The elf-like swordsman leaped out of the card and onto the field, sword at the ready.

Obnoxious Celtic Guardian: Atk 1400, Def 1200, LV 4

The Master chuckled. "Oh do tell, great and powerful Pharaoh, just what do you intend to attack with that pathetic excuse of a monster?"

"There's more to Duel Monsters than attacking," the Pharaoh said sagely, looking at the last card in his hand. Polymerization wasn't usable, not now. He was going to need something to get Dark Magician out of the Graveyard and then hope to draw Buster Blader from his Deck to take full control of this Duel. Dark Paladin had defeated Dani once before, it would surely defeat her again with all the dragons she'd piled up on both the field and in the Graveyard. Now, they had to deal with the other two Blue-Eyes once Chaos MAX had been taken down. "I end my turn!"

'That Trap card must be his key to taking down that chaos Blue-Eyes,' Yusei thought. He decided he might as well go with the flow and follow Yugi's initiative. "It's my turn! I draw!"

"I'll take this moment to activate my Trap card!" Yami announced. "Go Zero Gravity!" The Trap flipped up and began glowing green. A similar green aura appeared around every monster on the field. "Now every monster on the field switches their battle modes!" Every monster in play was forced down onto the star covered floor, holding their weapons or wings in front of them protectively. A rumble shook the room as the Master growled, his rage made apparent to all as well as his growing power.

The Head Signer gave his partner a thumbs up. "Nice one Yugi!" That was a perfect card to turn this Duel around.

Yami nodded, returning the thumbs up before turning his gaze towards where he'd last heard the Master. He'd faded into the mists once more, but a heavy presence over this Duel meant that they both knew he was still nearby, to say nothing of the growl still echoing around the room. "I noticed that one of the greatest weaknesses of your Chaos Dragon lied in its lack of a Defense stat. Four thousand Attack points and double Piercing damage and immunity to destruction is nice and all that, but now your monster is weak enough for a Kuriboh to destroy. Fortunately, Yusei has something more powerful than a Kuriboh."

"You got that right," Yusei agreed. "First I activate my Cards of Consonance Spell Card! I discard a Dragon-Type Tuner monster to draw two cards!" He drew those two cards and held them up, having just spent the last two cards he'd held. "I Summon Synchron Explorer to the field in Attack mode!" A little round red robot emerged from the card, the open hole on its belly glowing.

Synchron Explorer: Atk 0, Def 700, LV 2

"And since I successfully Summoned Synchron Explorer, I can bring back one Synchron Tuner monster from my Graveyard," Yusei explained, grabbing a card from his Graveyard. "Come on back Quickdraw Synchron!" Synchron Explorer projected a portal from its stomach, the cowboy Tuner monster flying through the portal to emerge onto the field.

Quickdraw Synchron: Atk 700, Def 1400, LV 5

"I'll use Quickdraw Synchron's ability to take the name of Nitro Synchron and Tune it with Synchron Explorer!" the Head Signer announced. Quickdraw Synchron leaped into the air, turning into five stars. The stars expanded into green rings as Yusei began the chant. "Gathering feelings will now become a new force!" Synchron Explorer flew into the rings, turning into two more stars. "Become the path its light shines upon!" The stars aligned within the rings and burst forth in a massive pillar of light. "Synchro Summon! Blaze on Nitro Warrior!" The light faded and revealed the large green and black warrior with a turbine jutting from its rear end.

Nitro Warrior: Atk 2800, Def 1800, LV 7

"I'll take Road Warrior and Stardust Dragon and switch them back into Attack mode," Yusei said. Both aforementioned monsters rose from the cosmic flooring. "Battle!"

"You seem to have this all figured out, don't you?" the Master growled.

Yusei smirked. "Don't worry, you're next. Road Warrior, attack the Blue-Eyes White Dragon without the Dragon Shield! Road Slash!" The white armored warrior ran forward, using his sharp hands to tear through the unarmored Blue-Eyes, the legendary dragon going down with a sad roar.

"Now for the big one," Yami said quietly. There were two facedown cards on her side of the field. What would their effects be once activated?

"Stardust Dragon, attack Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon now!" Yusei shouted. "Shooting Sonic!" His ace monster roared, unleashing a blast of silvery energy that blew a hole through the Blue-Eyes Ritual Monster, causing it to explode and blow the rainbow mists of chaos everywhere. Shards of the Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon lingered on the battlefield as an ominous chuckle came from the Master.

"I knew you would figure out Chaos MAX Dragon's weakness," the Master stated, sounding very unimpressed. "That's why I gave her a backup plan."

"What?!" both legendary Duelists gasped as Dani played the last card from her hand.

"When a Level eight or higher Dragon type monster is destroyed, I can Special Summon this card from my hand," Dani intoned, holding the card up. "Watch as the relentless arrives from the far reaches of light and space, seeking vengeance. Witness the Deep-Eyes White Dragon!" She played the card on her Duel Disk and the shards began to pull together, forming a new dragon. Yami was surprised at the look of this latest variation of Blue-Eyes, as it was like a cross between a Blue-Eyes White Dragon and the Winged Dragon of Ra. It was large and imposing, yet had a celestial like grace to its sleek form.

Deep-Eyes White Dragon: Atk 0, Def 0, LV 10

"There's no way that monster only has zero Attack points," Yami said solemnly. A dragon that magnificent either had an ability on par with the Egyptian gods or had a Trap that worked with it to make it a powerful backup to Chaos MAX. The Pharaoh strongly suspected the former.

"Deep-Eyes White Dragon has two abilities that activate upon its summoning," Dani continued, as though she hadn't heard the Pharaoh. "The first is that it gains the Attack points of a Dragon monster in my Graveyard, such as Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon." The image of the Blue-Eyes Ritual monster flashed into sight briefly above Deep-Eyes, indicating her choice.

Deep-Eyes White Dragon Atk: 4000

"Great, we're back where we started," Yusei deadpanned. At least this one didn't seem to have the immunity to destruction effect that Chaos MAX had.

"Deep-Eyes' other effect slams you with six hundred points of damage for each Dragon type monster with different names in my Graveyard," the modern Blue-Eyes Duelist said.

"For each one?" Yami said, alarmed at the implications. "There was the Whelp, Cerulean-Eyes, Dragon Spirit of White, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon, and the White Stone of Ancients."

"Thirty-six hundred points of damage for Yugi," Dani confirmed.

Yusei was quick to react as the images of the dragons Yami had noted appeared above her head. "I activate a Trap! Skill Twist! Now your dragon switches your effect to me!"

"But you don't have enough Life Points to take this!" Yami pointed out, concern undercutting his tone. Each of the dragons fired a sphere of white energy at the Head Signer.

"I have this!" Yusei said as his Duel Disk ejected a card from his Graveyard. He caught the card and held it up. "Damage Eater's effect activates when my opponent activates an effect that deal's damage to me! Now instead of taking damage, I regain Life Points instead simply by removing Damage Eater from play!" The little fiend on the card emerged onto the field, mouth wide as it caught all six blasts, dissolving into sparkles as its job was finished.

Yusei LP: 7150

"That may have saved our Life Points, but that's still a four thousand Attack point monster on the field," Yusei said, ignoring the bead of sweat that was trickling down his cheek. This Duel was taking everything they had. "I place one card facedown and end my turn." He glanced at Yami, who had his brow furrowed as he looked up at Deep-Eyes White Dragon. Clearly he was suspecting the same thing that the Head Signer felt; Deep-Eyes had one more ability that they had to be wary of. His Mark flared gently, reminding him that the Crimson Dragon still had his back

"You sense it too, don't you?" the Pharaoh asked, startling Yusei out of his thoughts. "It's approaching the final turn." Yusei nodded. This Duel was coming to a close, one way or another. He just hoped that whatever secret power that Deep-Eyes had, they could counter it. He didn't have another Damage Eater to save Yugi again.

The Master's portentous laughter did nothing to assuage their fears. "Ohohoho, for once I agree. With what she holds, you're going to wish you'd never picked up a Deck! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

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Here we go lads, over 25,000 words, lots of cards getting put into play, and the action ramps up! I must say, this chapter might've taken a while to write, but hopefully this will be worth the wait. It's not always easy trying to spread the spotlight to everybody, but I think I'm doing my best. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the chapter. I do love reading long reviews.

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Question for the Chapter: What is your favorite ace monster of the protagonists? Me personally, I like both Dark Magician and Stardust the most, as I'm a little biased towards the original series and 5D's, but I will admit that the other ace monsters are pretty awesome too. Neos is a fan favorite of many, and while I may not put it number one, it's top 3 in my book. Utopia and Odd-Eyes are decent cards, just not quite my cup of tea in archetypes. Firewall Dragon's design I loved, even if Konami ended up banning up, but Links aren't my forte so while I like the look of Firewall, using Firewall is…not something I'm familiar with. So tell me, what are your favorite ace monsters of the protagonists?

(Yes, I know about Seven Star Magician, I haven't seen enough of Sevens to make a judgement call yet)

(Yes, I'm aware of Junk Warrior and Decode Talker being alternate aces, so if you prefer those cards, then please, talk about them too, I just like talking Yugioh with youse guys)

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To Arthogawa who left the awesome guest review: Well Dani controlled by the Master vs Kaiba would've been a sight to see, Blue-Eyes going at it left and right, I dare say that Blue-Eyes vs their spiritual successor in Cyber Dragons was also worth it. As for how the Duel ends, well, that's going to be a climactic clash you won't want to miss.

Chaos MAX was hard for our heroes, but their battle isn't done yet. Also, given Chaos MAX's normal destruction immunity, Mirror Force is not the answer to Chaos MAX (as I've seen on Legacy of the Duelist multiple times). Now they have to deal with Deep-Eyes in all it's might, and next chapter you will not want to miss.

Joey is able to hold his own for now, but the ending of that particular Duel is going to be one for the ages. Thomas being torn between his duty to Allana and his relation to his great-grandfather, a man he looked up to for the longest time. It's one of the more emotional Duels I'm going to end up writing, I can tell you that.

As we've found out, Sevens is not a crossover, but it seems interesting enough. We'll see what happens with the kid trying to make Yugioh fun again, hehe. Thanks again for the long review and hope to hear from you soon!

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Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? Reviews are always welcome, as is any and all respectful criticism, as I'm always looking to improve as an author. Lengthy reviews are especially appreciated, so please, make it as long as you want.

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The discord invite link to my discord server takes a little bit of typing, but it's the only way to get around the fanfiction link killer sensors. It's

discord

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gg

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kRyWcA

so feel free to hop in the server if you wanna chat with me and get notifications about when I'm streaming and sneak peaks into the next chapter.

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Follow me on Twitch at nuttybuddy792 to see the variety of games I like to stream though I will admit my streamer activity has been a little….slacking due to school and work since 2020 has been one crazy year.

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Until the next chapter my friends, Happy Spooktober!

From Your Nutty Buddy,

The Eagle Nut