Kintsugi
By 7th Librarian

A/N: Hello and welcome to my latest project. For those of you not in the know, this story is set about a week after Occam Razor's 'Shadowchasers' story and thus after the Dark Signer arc of Yu-gi-oh! 5Ds. If 'Shadowchasers' is unfamiliar to you, that is fine. Reading that one is not necessary to understand this one.

For those of you who read my work and watch as I fail to update in a timely fashion, fear not. This story is actually completed and is simply in the editing process so updates will happen regularly on a weekly basis. I assure it will be so.

For everyone else, please read, review and enjoy!

Chapter 1: So These Three Guys Walk into a Bar

"We had another incident last night."

"You know, most people start with 'good morning'."

A pair of dark eyes blinked at the pleasant tone. "A number of homes three streets over were looted, and one was set on fire. The blaze took half the night to put out."

"I know, Lyrius. I treated the burns earlier while you were off...doing...whatever it is you do when you are not here."

"Investigating the sightings of the 'Duel Ghost' that has cropped up since the Dark Signers were defeated."

"Find anything concrete?"

"Cement."

Stunned silence. "You just made a joke. Isn't that one of the signs of the apocalypse?"

"This is a serious matter. The violence in this area has risen every day since the Dark Signers were defeated. The outpouring of dark magic is attracting all manner of the supernatural."

"Mmm."

"The danger here is getting worse than it was with the Dark Signers. Small brushfires of magic and darkness that could erupt into a small war. You are not safe here."

"This is Satellite. I never really was. It still is my home." Came the pleasant response.

"If you are not to deal with the conversation you initiated with the appropriate gravitas…"

"All I asked you is what was on your mind when I handed you the cake. It's called a conversation starter."

"The topic is not clearly one you want to discuss, so just say so."

"But I do want to talk to you."

"Then stop eating the cake and pick a satisfactory topic."

"One, I didn't say that I want to talk about this, Lyrius. Two, I find this kind of cake is the best warm. It melts the ice cream just right."

"Miss Shizuka…"

"Serenity, please. I know you're trying, but you don't speak Japanese well enough to not mangle my name. Even if it is cute when you try." She gave him a motherly smile. The kind made wrinkles and graying red hair of age well-earned badges of a life long lived and well laughed. The kind that came from the eyes and warmed every heart, then drizzled just enough guilt over the top to make feel like a horrible person if you did anything to spite that warmth.

His honor demanded that Lyrius not eat the cake because he had spent the last two days in her house, giving her nothing in return as she took care of him and it was clear the cake was made for him, using resources better spent on herself given the apartment's age showing to the point calling it old would have moved it up an age bracket. The dishes were cracked, weathered and the fridge was so bare it was sterile of even crumbs. Even the 'patio' they were sitting at was dirt vainly hemmed in by weeds masquerading as flowers. To eat the cake would be to take from her more than she could offer safely to maintain her own health.

His honor (or, he mused, perhaps, guilt. In a thousand years, the two words had never managed to end their parasitic symbiosis) demanded he eat the cake because she had given it to despite limited resources. It was very kind, sweet gesture and refusing it was an insult of the highest magnitude. Serenity had been so happy while making it, humming and cheerful beyond her usual smiles. To decry her hard work by not picking up his fork and devouring the slice in front of him was to murder her happiness.

His horse, caring nothing for the struggle of his morals and seeing her master having unguarded food, nearly stole the entire thing with a deft swipe of her head. Only Lyrius' fork skewering the cake so hard it quivered in place stopped that wide-open muzzle from devouring the dessert whole.

And even then, Resonae still looked like she was simply contemplating if she was going to have to use the fork or if eating it was a bonus.

Serenity laughed, snorting some of her milk up her nose. Fumbling for a napkin, she wiped out the mess off her face barring the smile it had brought. "You two are glaring at one another like it's a grudge match! Cake or death!"

She cracked up again, apparently at something only she quite got. Lyrius' stormy eyes narrowed and Resonae backed off to sullenly munch away at the weeds and grass of the surrounding lot. Finding Serenity was still wrapping up her giggling fit, Lyrius cut into the cake with his fork and took a bite.

It was delicious and warm and chocolate and that ice cream did melt just so. It was the first thing he could recall in many years that had not come out of a can or packaging. Decades of measured restraint was the only thing keeping him from abandoning the fork entirely for his hands and his honor gawked at the fact he was already having thoughts of seconds.

Said honor, however, reversed its tune when he realized Resonae was eyeing the plate and suggested that it might a telling, if ill-mannered, victory to lick it clean first. His mount was still rather sore about having been wrestled into submission just mere weeks ago and had recently gotten petty revenge by tackling him in 'happiness' when he had gotten home the other day. His revenge was best served warm in this case.

But there was more cake to be had at the present and Lyrius continued his systematic, surgical carving of the treat apart. It was a solid cake, even when warm and none of the four alternating layers of chocolate fluff and chocolate bliss wavered.

Why she had given it four layers had struck him as odd, given it was just a simple cake and Serenity's reply upon his query that 'it was a nice, fun thing to do'.

Which, he decided, was drove her. Kindness for its sake. She had cut a small portion of the cake and was already trying to coax Resonae to come back over to eat it. "Come here, dear. You can have some. There's enough to share."

Resonae did not need much prompting to return and gaze the woman a thankful nuzzle, before devouring the slice in a few bites. Serenity smiled as another nuzzle left her wiping chocolate horse slobber off her cheek, though it faded a bit when she saw Lyrius looking. "Sorry. I know I probably shouldn't have, but she's just such a beautiful horse and so smart. She knows I just melt with I see those sad eyes…"

Lyrius flicked his gaze over Resonae, who was looking far more smug than a horse should have been capable of at the praise. But while Serenity saw a beautiful black mare, he saw Resonae as she truly was. Wickering dark blue and black 'flames' made up her mane and tail, wreathing her hooves so that she appeared to be perpetually walking on flames. A golden horn spiraled delicately from her forehead and her tongue was poking out to lick the plate clean between fangs, not teeth. A Nightmare was smart enough to pull the puppy-dog eyes to get their way with a human.

But Nightmares normally didn't have such weak flames that spluttered like a dying campfire and telltale signs of ribs emerging against her coat. Lyrius pushed his plate towards his mount. "Resonae has done more work than I have recently with all the rides she gives to the children. Let her have the lion's share. And at our age, too much cake lends only ill will to our bodies, yes?"

"But I made it with love, Lyrius. And that just means it's extra good for you." To prove her point, Serenity helped herself and Resonae to another slice. "Those tired eyes you have means you generally haven't had enough of love lately. Why is that?"

There wasn't an answer he could give that wouldn't validate her point, so Lyrius chose silence and busied himself with cleaning up.

She gratefully passed him her plate even as Resonae pointedly kept licking away at hers. "Not having an answer is kind of rude. Even if you are possibly literally older than dirt as you say you are, doesn't excuse it."

Lyrius simply put the dishes in kitchen sink and pulled out saran-wrap to cover the rest of the cake.

A good-natured sigh. "I know you're not good with people and that's okay. You just said, however, loneliness is a sickness that leads to death with such certainty and I'm pretty sure the medication for that sickness is talking to others."

Lyrius nodded.

A balled-up napkin bounced off his head. "Talk. For me?"

"There was another murder last night."

"Murder?" Serenity grimaced lightly. "You sure about that?"

"The victim was found under some of the rubble that was being cleared."

"Not unnatural given we had giant magical kaiju smashing through the city just last week."

"She was found with this clenched in her hand." Lyrius produced as necklace from his pocket - a cheap wiry length of thread with a single silver oval of metal dangling from it.

"That's...a cartouche." Serenity quickly crossed the room and took it from him, examining it carefully. "I can't tell you what it says, but I know one when I see it. My brother and his friends all got them a few years after that magical stuff. Renewal of their friendship.. Egyptians used them to write down names like a mini memorial tablet. You carried that portion of that person's spirit with you when you had it."

Lyrius nodded. "That only confirms what I was afraid of. Look at the back."

Serenity did so, wincing at it. Forcibly and sloppily etched into the metal were symbols she did not recognize. Compared to the gentle and detail-orientated etchings on the front, these hard, angular and angry. "What are these?"

"Seals. They connect that cartouche to something else. I would hazard to say that whenever that woman dueled, a portion of her spirit was siphoned through that piece of metal."

Serenity closed her eyes and let out a quiet breath. "Why would she ever do something like that?"

"Fear. The people of Satellite have so little to their names except their names. The Dark Signers and their soul-consuming mist...anyone offering protection could easily find willing followers."

"You are magical," Serenity said. "Can you trace those seals or sense their creator, or anything like that?"

"It is not that simple."

"Never is…" the doctor sighed again, before planting both hands on the table and pushing both her legs - one flesh and bone, one metal - into a stand. "Come on. This is far too serious for my kitchen table. The sugar and all this dreary news has made me antsy. Let's go out."

"Out…" Lyrius frowned. "To where?"

"Wherever our feet take us. We can explore Satellite."

"Exploring the wrecked wasteland and slums.." Lyrius deadpanned. "Fascinating."

Serenity rolled her eyes. "There's not anything else to do. Now, come on, doctor's orders."

TTTTTTT

"I could have walked."

Night was falling, the spreading shadows doing much to mask the dirt, rust and scars that so permeated Satellite. It made the polluted air masking the stars and brackish smell of dirtied water a bit more bearable.

"You could have. But you are not."

"Oh well, this is closest thing I'll ever get to owning my own pony." Serenity, atop the Nightmare's back, patted Resonae's neck affectionately. "You sure I can't keep her if you do leave? She's just so adorable..."

"You may not." Walking alongside them, Lyrius could not help but smile as the Nightmare whined in what seemed like embarrassment.

"I don't know how you're going to get her off of Satellite, though. Or even how you got her into Japan."

"Magic."

"Mmhmm." Serenity watched him walk for a minute. " you put me on here in case we get attacked, because she can run away better than I can, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Are you that concerned about everything?"

"Except the best, prepare for the worst."

"So charming…" Serenity shook her head. " Do you want to talk about anything else?"

"No."

"That's all there really is to do here. We live in the slums and a dump."

"We could play Duel Monsters."

"I haven't dueled in years and there's still some of the Duel Gangs lurking around. Not worth the trouble." Serenity tugged at Resonae's mane gently and the Nightmare stopped walking, giving her a snort. "Ooh, third option. We try and get drunk."

Lyrius stopped as well, giving her a curious look. "There is alcohol in this place?"

"Of a sort. It's rock gut and homebrewed, but it's safer than the water some days." Serenity dismounted, careful to avoid putting all her weight on her mechanical leg. The building in front of them was dilapidated as the rest of Satellite, but was sturdy and graffitied enough that it served well as a bar and modern art display. A piece of relatively clean sheet metal nailed above the door proclaimed it 'The Tar Pit.' "C'mon. Let's go."

"We have little money." Lyrius reminded her. He gestured to Resonae and the Nightmare settled herself down in an alley.

"Not a problem. I know the owner." Serenity ducked through the flap of cloth that served as the door. "Rex? You here?"

There was a shifting noise from one of the booths and then a yawn. "'Snot like I'd be anywhere else, training wheels."

"Can we get something to drink, please?" Serenity wriggled into a booth, sweeping some dust off it as Lyrius sat opposite her.

"Sure, sure." Tumbling lazily to his feet was a short man in tan pants, shirt and vest. All three had seen better days, possibly only a few more than their weary-faced owner. Tufts of graying brown hair poked out from underneath his beanie. "You want the stuff that doubles as paint-peeler or the stuff that cleans out ovens?"

"The good stuff."

"Right. Washes the glass itself." Rex slipped behind the worn bar and pulled a couple of mugs before rummaging through an array of bottles on the back shelf. Grabbing one at random with a grunt of satisfaction, he poured the two mugs and presented them to his patrons. "Here you are."

"Thank you." Lyrius took his and feeling the expectant gazes on them, took a drink. The liquor lived up to Rex's description. It was bitter and burned his throat raw Even after he set the mug down, breathing felt like he was preparing to spew fire. "Stimulating."

Serenity laughed while Rex rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, so tough you're drinking my brew with a straight face." Returning behind the bar, he dug around and then tossed a bag of chips there way. "Here. We're out of pretzels."

"Thank you." Serenity popped the bag and poured the chips into an empty plate. Seizing a handful, she pushed it towards her companion and then cocked her head at him. "Lyrius?"

Lyrius was carefully turning his mug over in his hands. The porcelain creation had clearly been broken at least once before and rebuilt. Gold resin sealed the cracks over, but it was sloppy - running his thumb over it was like hitting a speed bump and there was a gritty feel to it. It still felt solid and obviously held up, but it puzzled him. "Why use these mugs? I know supplies are difficult, but drinking vessels are hardly in short supply?"

"Kintsugi." Rex replied without looking up for where he was cleaning out a clean mug with a clean rag.

Lyrius frowned. "I do not know what that is."

"Cultural thing. It's the art of repairing broken things without attempting to hide it was broken. Everything wears it scars proudly, so to speak." Rex caught Lyrius' curious expression. "Case you hadn't noticed, friend, Satellite isn't exactly a well-to do place. Most people who end up here are broken or cracked or chipped in some way. Bad luck, lost a duel to the wrong guy, did some bad shit and are trying to hide, scared of something. Whatever the reason, they wind up in the junk heap with the rest of us."

Rex settled himself on a barstool as he worked. "Funny thing is, we all still live here. Sure, most people want to get out to Tops and all, but in the meantime, we build our lives out here. Doesn't matter what we did before, we have to work with what we have to build something better. And even though it is all built out of garbage and leftovers, our pride's still in it. It's ours, after all."

"But Yusei Fudo and his Signer compatriots defeated the Dark Signers that lurked here. They are finally connecting this place and the rest of the city." Lyrius gestured out one of the windows. It provided a clear view of the skyline the wealthier Tops part of the city provided and even closer, the ongoing construction of the massive arching Daedalus Bridge. "If they truly intend to rebuild Satellite as they announced, everything will be different."

"Not the people." Rex countered. "We're just as scuffed up and repaired as anything else in this place. Except we'll be using hope and friends as bonding agents instead of resin. So even if they level this place and make everything new and shiny, all it means we can just make it our own again. Put a little character on everything."

"I think it's something to look forwards to." Serenity put, fishing some more chips out of the bag. "People need things to have hope for. Rebuilding the city will give them room to hope to dream again."

"Since this reconstruction is coming, what would dreams would the two of you wish to have if you were not so disadvantaged?" Lyrius took another pull of his drink and wondered if he could get a bottle to use to sterilize wounds with. Or burn his enemies.

Rex shrugged. "Eh. Spruce the joint up a bit, get a proper door. Some actual liquor. Hire someone taller than me to be bouncer."

"I want to have a garden. Maybe some fruit trees." Serenity smiled at the thought. "The kids come around so often for cake and things. I feel bad just giving them sugar all the time."

"There's precious little of it, training wheels. Treats are better when they're rare, like Duel Monsters." Rex shot her a look. "Just make sure they get some after they come here. You get them all hyped up on sugar and I waste time trying to settle them down."

"Oh, they're just eager to learn, Rex." Serenity corrected. "You're a good teacher and it's nice for them to have a place to play without having to worry about the Duel Gangs."

Rex muttered something under his breath and went a little red, prompting Serenity to giggle.

"Why do you not wish for more?" Lyrius was curious again. "I have heard many people discussing the topic of what do once the bridge is done and many say they wish to leave or find their fortunes elsewhere."

His two companions were silent, then Serenity spoke up. "I lived through the Zero Reverse...and I lost what I had of my friends and family in the aftermath. And so did so many others. But I at least had my medical skills and knowledge. I did a lot to help everyone I could, because I couldn't get rid of my oaths."

She shrugged with a smile. "Providing for everyone was my way of kintsugi, I guess. Helping everyone helped me put myself back together. It's too much of who I am to just stop, you know?"

"Yes. That is very noble of you." Lyrius said honestly. "And strong. Your kindness in the face of despair is something I wish I had."

Serenity flushed at the praise and embarrassedly waved at him to look at Rex. The bartender put down his mug and reached back behind the bar, pulling out a bottle and pouring himself some. "I washed up here, more or less. Wasted a lot of my life trying turn back the clock and recapture my fifteen minutes of fame. Burnt myself up doing a lot of bad things. And stupid ones."

He took a swig, screwed up his face determination and swallowed. The shudder traveling through his body suggested he was drinking the same thing Serenity and Lyrius were. "Wound up making homemade moonshine to get myself plastered with so I could forget it all and then realized there was a lot of people just like me here who needed it. So I just took this place and made it mine. It's a living, now and I like hearing the stories everyone brings in. Hell, even the talk about duels is just as fiery and fierce as anything on the Pro Circuits."

Rex smirked a little, presumably at his past self. "I got everything I thought I wanted, when I needed it it, ya dig? Got some fame, got some fans and got some self-respect. No reason change it."

"I see…" Lyrius nodded slowly and looked at the table.

"What about you?" Rex waved his glass at Lyrius. "You look like you've got a lot of stories to tell. Tired eyes have to have a reason to be tired, right?"

"Yes." Lyrius didn't elaborate further.

"He was a king once." Serenity supplied. "He's over a thousand years old."

"Really really?" Rex's eyebrow jumped into his bangs, but fell as Serenity just nodded reassuringly. "Alright then."

There was a roar of an poorly muffled motor suddenly and it went from annoying to cacophonous as it pulled up to outside the bar. The door flapped from the motor's exhaust and when it was shut off, it gave off a death rattle that lingered painfully. "Rex! You dino dummy! Are you in there?"

Lyrius had to wince, for the voice was impossibly nasal. The entrance curtain was flung aside to reveal a short middle-aged man, with shaggy unkempt hair, and scruffy street clothes. The only part of him that appeared to have been cleaned were the round golden-framed glasses on his nose. It was impossible to miss the way that Rex's back went up the sight of the newcomer. "You've got a lot of nerve wandering in here, roach. Get out before I step on you."

"Hey, that's no way to act to an old friend." The newcomer smiled cockily. "And I've been making you extinct since we were larvae. So don't go thinking you're king of the world, Rex, old boy."

"Fascinating. I have known you all of two minutes and I find myself intensely disliking you." Lyrius was unfazed as the newcomer growled and gave him a glare. "Who is this?"

"Weevil Underwood. And just like his name, you'll find him dark damp disgusting places. He's a cheater at the game and does anything to get ahead." Serenity wrinkled her nose in disgust as Weevil gave her a glare too. "Unfortunately, he's as hard to get rid of as a real roach."

"Can it, losers." Weevil grunted and turned his attention back to Rex. "If Miss Nicety-Nice and Batman Junior are your only customers these days, I don't even know why I'm going to ask you about my new deal. You'll jump aboard."

Rex's expression looked like he would rather be dealing with a real weevil, but then he sighed. "Fine. I'll humor you. Thrill me."

"There's a lot hubbub still going on after the whole Dark Signer thing. Goodwin's gone, Sector Security's a mess and even though they're building the Daedalus Bridge, it seems like Tops is in a huge hurry to dump as much garbage here to Satellite as possible."

"And that has to do with us, why? Wait-" Rex held up a hand as Weevil opened his mouth and chugged his mug, slamming it back onto the bar. "There. I've killed enough brain cells I'm dumb enough to keep listening to you."

Weevil's expression tightened in fury, but then he just gave a chittering laugh. "A lot of the stuff they're dumping is still working out pretty well. Computers, D-Wheel parts, cards, you name it. I've scrounged up some, enough to equip enough duelists to form a force to be reckoned with."

"Eh?" Rex eyed Weevil suspiciously and then slumped back against the bar, shaking his head. "You want to form a Duel Gang? Really? We could barely stick with one when we got here and you think you've got the moxie to actually lead?"

He thrust a finger at Weevil sharply. "Get it through your head - Duel Gangs are done with. Once Satellite is cleaned up, Sector Security will actually start doing their jobs. They're trying to make civilization and you want to play king of the jungle gym on the playground!"

Weevil gave that chittering laugh again. "Rex, you must have a pea-sized brain like your namesake and just as short-sighted, too." He nudged his glasses farther up his face by the bug nosepiece, their lenses glinting malevolently. "Satellite is going through a period of upheaval and we stand to gain a lot if put ourselves on the top. I don't want to form a Duel Gang, I want to form a Duel Army."

Serenity spluttered into her drink so hard she sprayed Lyrius with droplets. If she hadn't been laughing so hard, it could be they were actually sizzling on contact with his skin. "Second verse same as the first, bug brains! There's no difference between on or the other."

"Any idiot can see that. Which is why I've got a few new tricks. The Dark Signers proved that Satellite can't defend itself from anything. But if we banded together under a cunning individual such as myself, we could form our own kind of security. Tops may rebuild this place, but we don't have to let them stay." Weevil grit his teeth in barely restrained fury. "Think of it, Rex. Our success could be our revenge against all those-"

"We were washed up forty years ago, Weevil. And I hung around with your for so long that I couldn't see that we were starving on trying to choke down past glories. Cost me a lot of missed opportunities." Rex stood, using the single inch he had over the other man to its maximum advantage. "You can take your 'offer' and feed it to the bugs like the shit it is."

Weevil looked stunned, like he hadn't even considered Rex would just say 'no' and then his anger returned full force. "You stupid fossil, you just don't have the balls to go big anymore! Content in your rut and waiting for a meteor to fall out of the sky and wipe you out! You aren't living here, you're barely existing!"

"Then why are you the one coming to him for help?" Lyrius finished wiping up the mess on his face and was unperturbed as Weevil rounded on him. "Your plan is nothing of the sort. The basis is simply hoping your force of will and charisma being enough to tempt others to let hold sway over them to feed your ego. You want to be a leader without knowing what it means to lead."

"And what would you know about anything, scrub?" Weevil snarled.

"I know enough of you, Weevil Underwood, that there have been only two things you have ever been successful at: failing to cheat and blaming others. You have no faith in your own strength or skill. Rex has made something of himself, even here in Satellite. You have made nothing except hot air." Lyrius watch as Weevil's fury mounted, the former Pro's face splotched in mottled red that reached even up to his graying blue hair and a muscle above his eye twitched. "You have just become successful at a third thing: Appearing as postmodern art."

Serenity snorted into her drink before breaking into a giggle fit. "Congratulations!"

"Shut your mouth, Wheeler!" Chips scattered across Serenity's face and she let out a small yelp of pain as wooden tray bounced off her head - Weevil had grabbed the nearest thing at hand and thrown it at her. "If it wasn't for your damn brother beating me again and again, I'd have made something of myself! I'm even pissed he's dead, because that means everyone remembers him as a one of 'Big Three' and I can't show him what a real man is!"

He started for Serenity, an ugly look on his face - like his rage and passion couldn't decide which was leading. "But you're here, aren't you? Ruining my plans like ants ruin a picnic! I should show you-"

Something splashed in his face and he stared at her, dumbstruck. Until he blinked and the drink was forced into his eyes. "Ahg god, it burns!"

"Neat. It triples as a drink, cleaner and pesticide." Serenity gave him a shove with her metal leg, sending Weevil into Rex's waiting bear hug.

"Time to go, Weevil." Rex lifted him up and started towards the door.

Then Rex was reeling backwards as Weevil elbowed him in the gut, a slap-like shove sending the bartender sprawling into a booth. "Don't manhandle me, dino dung! You may have gotten soft, but I haven't! I'm stronger than I ever was and I have what it takes!"

"Kay…" Rex stood up and cracked his knuckles. "You need to be reminded how badly I've thrashed you before you start getting too big for your britches."

"Wasn't kidding when I said I'm in the best shape of my life, Rex." Weevil sneered and shucked his jacket, revealing surprisingly well-muscled arms for such a small man. "I may not be several times my own strength like ant, but I'm more than enough for a fossil!"

The two exchanged blows and Weevil laughed as Rex went sprawling again. He switched his gaze to Serenity and took a couple of steps towards her. "Big brother's not here to-"

"Enough." Lyrius rose, his superior height coupled with his mane of dark hair and darker expression made Weevil suddenly seem like a rabbit cornered by a wolf. "Leave. Do not return."

He caught Weevil's swing and squeezed. Weevi's eyes bugged a bit and he wordlessly mouthed his pain, a disturbing cracking noise coming from his fingers. "Or I will only start with breaking your fingers."

Without giving Weevil time to respond, he seized him by the front of his shirt and hurled him out the door casually. There a few curses and a crashing noise that suggested Weevil had hit his D-Wheel.

"You sure you don't wanna share any stories, king?" Rex got to his feet, looking appreciative. "Guys like you don't talk that without having learned how to do that stuff the hard way."

"No. No stories." Lyrius replied curtly and grabbed his drink. He sipped it, then scowled at it. "The insect has soured this drink's taste."

"Which would be an improvement." Serenity smiled lopsidedly and twirled the bottle lazily in one hand. "But hey, we are kinda out over here, Rex."

"Right, right." Rex started going through his rack of bottles again, grabbing one nearly at random and suddenly fumbling with it, nearly dropping it. "Who, jeeze...damn, where'd this headache come from? About near lost my grip on this thing…"

"I dunno...but I've got one two. It's really pounding." Serenity rubbed at her temples futily. "It's like...like…"

"Someone is playing a bass drum right behind your eyeballs." Lyrius finished. He could feel it too - the powerful ache threatening to try and pop both of his out of his skull. And with it, a sickeningly familiar wriggling sensation slithering in his brain. "Magic."

"What? Really?" Serenity yelped in sudden pain, followed by Rex and their heads drooped for a moment. When they rose, blank expression had wiped their personalities clean and a glimmering golden eye had centered itself on their foreheads.

An obnoxiously triumphant chittering laugh heralded Weevil's brazen return through the doorway. "I told you have I had a few tricks up my sleeve! Now that you're caught in my web-"

His jaw dropped a little when he saw Lyrius already lunging for him. "No-no way! You should be mine! Stop him! Stop him!"

Lyrius nearly fell over, catching himself on a table as Serenity and Rex half tackled him, half tangled themselves up in his legs.

"I don't know how you're not being my mind slave right now, but that'll change!" Weevil growled and a light lit up underneath his shirt. It formed into a six-pointed star that rippled into existence outside his clothing, a gleaming Eye of Horus dead center.. "This little number will add you to my swarm!"

The eye glowed and Lyrius felt the headache behind his eyes explode. It cost his chance to free himself from Serenity and Rex, the two moving like zombies to seize his arms. The slithering sensation increased as well and he could feel it trying to swamp his mind, whispering to obey Weevil. "No."

Weevil started as Lyrius' cold rebuttal and then rage prompted him to act again, the eye's glow increasing. "You are mine!"

Feeling like his head was going to explode, Lyrius took in a breath and let it out. The pain receded and he relaxed his body, slipping free of his captor's grasp with ease. "No."

"You're not like the others…" Weevil backed up a couple of steps and then bolted in a panic. "It's supposed to work on everyone!"

Lyrius swore as he stood, only for Rex and Serenity to grab at him again. He could hear Weevil's D-Wheel rattling to life and tore his arms free. Two swift blows to their temples left his companions sprawled over the floor unconscious and he bolted out the doorway. Weevil's panicked yelp of terror was only slightly less audible than the guttural roar of his D-Wheel as it peeled away. "Resonae!"

The Nightmare shot out of the alleyway before he had finished her name, Lyrius mounting her expertly as she darted past. The fires of her mane flared fuller and she snorted in anticipation, eager for the chase. A squeeze of his knees on her barrel sent charging into a full gallop.

Even if hadn't been for the explosive level of noise, Weevil's D-Wheel would have been easy enough to keep track of. It was bulky and painted a garish mix of greens and blues, which were nearly obscured by the pouring smoke from the exhaust pipes. Against Satelliates dingy exterior and muted tones, it stuck out like a sore thumb. As sparks flew as Weevil banked into a turn a little too hard, leaving the rear end to scrap on the cement, Lyrius found it surprising that everything on the bike still seemed to function.

Including the rearview mirrors working both. Weevil gawked with fear at the sight of apparent black horse simply charging at him and closing the gap slowly. The bike lurched, shedding a few parts, as he squeezed the throttle and sped up...and so did Resonae.

People scattered as Weevil barreled around another corner, sending a pile of debris splaying out behind him. Resonae leapt over them without breaking stride, the powerful leap actually closing the distance even further.

Lyrius narrowed his eyes as his duel disk, strapped on a special harness on his mount, suddenly activated. "Activating Speed World."

Resonae snorted in amusement at the noise and lurched ahead alongside Weevil, Lyrius already reaching for him. "You think a duel would let you get away?"

"It will if it's a Shadow Game!" Light flared from Weevil's item as he held it up and both rider and Nightmare shied away reflexively. Dark fire spun to life on D-Wheel's tires and spread out two directions, shoving Resonae away while passing over her harmlessly. It bordered an apparently random course, both duelist having to suddenly swerve as corner appeared in front of them. "You won't escape my control again if you lose!" (WLP: 8000/SPC: 0)

"Your feeble will could not enslave me even if you had a century to try." Lyrius smirked as Weevil growled at him angrily. "But I will not let you have even five turns." (LLP: 8000/SPC: 0)

"You're right, because I'll crush you before then!" Weevil snapped up a card for his turn and both duelist's Speed Counters ticked up to one. "I summon Howling Insect in attack mode!" A portal spun open nearby and with a heavy chirp, a man-sized cricket jumped out of it. (1200/1300)

Grabbing two cards, he swept them into his bike and watched they appeared briefly alongside him before fading away. "Then I set two cards and let you take it away, scrub!"

"Draw." Lyrius did so. The sharp 'beep!' from his disk reminded him that their Speed Counters had increased, but he ignored it and grabbed another card from his hand. "I summon Raiden, Hand of the Lightsworn in attack position." (1700/1000)

Light flared nearby, resolving into a man with two golden daggers, massive scarf billowing in the wind. "This monster lets me send the top two cards of my deck to the graveyard. If other Lightsworn monsters are among them, his other effect will activate."

Picking up the two cards, he promptly dropped them into the graveyard. "None are present, but his attack points are still greater than your monster's! Go! Light Rending!"

Raiden bowed his head, disappearing in a puff of smoke. Howling Insect chirped and then suddenly went still. The Lightsworn monster reappeared alongside Lyrius as the bug split perfectly down the middle, light spilling from the wound until it explode apart. (WLP: 7500/SPC: 2)

"That just drags you deeper into my trap, fool! When Howling Insect goes to the graveyard, I can summon another bug with less than fifteen hundred attack points! I choose Pupa of Moth!" Any ugly mix of mottled browns and greens, the pupa that rose up alongside Weevil was larger than both bike and rider. It pulsed and wriggled desperately, already close to hatching. (0/2000)

"I set two cards face-down." Lyrius swept them into his disk, unbothered as Resonae leapt over a pile of debris while the two duelists rounded a corner. " During my End Phase, Raiden sends two more cards from the top of the deck to the graveyard. End of turn."

Weevil drew and gave off a gleeful version of his chittering laugh. The pupa began to bulge and tear as whatever was inside began to shove its way out. "During my Standby Phase after it's summoned, Pupa of Moth can be sacrificed! And when it is, I can summon forth one of the most powerful monsters you'll ever see!"

With a squelching noise heard over even the roar of Weevil's D-Wheel, the monster emerged. Wetness splattered everywhere as it unfolded massive blue wings. With a single flap that kicked up dust and spread pollen, it hoisted an equally massive body into the air, looming over the track like a insectiod blimp. "Behold the instrument of your demise! Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth!" (3500/3000)

"Like you, perfection has aged poorly, Weevil!" Lyrius swept out an arm and one of his set cards flipped up. "Bottomless Trap Hole!"

The Moth suddenly froze in mid-flap, a flurry of cracks zig-zagging over its body like it was transforming into a jigsaw puzzle. The noise of cracking glass filled the air as the monster fell apart, the pieces dissolving into the either. "As your monster has more than fifteen hundred attack points, it is destroyed and banished from play!"

Weevil stared at the space where his monster had been, then his face twisted into fury. "Don't think I'm beaten with one lucky move! I activate my set card, Limit Impulse!"

The card lifted, revealing it to be a trap that spat out two motes of light that hovered alongside Weevil. "By discarding two cards, I can summon two Soul Tokens to the field! But they won't be sticking, because I'm sacrificing them to summon Butterfly Queen Danaus!" (2800/1900)

His new monster was far more humanoid, six great moth wings fanning out behind her. Each had a single great upon it, rainbow bits of pollen trailing from them as she flew alongside her summoner. "A swarm of insects is just as deadly as a big one and Danaus knows it! I can reduce her attack power to zero and summon three low leven insects from my graveyard free of charge!" (2800-0)

Danaus sagged as the color drained from her colorful wings, folding them around herself in a series of flaps that scattered pollen everywhere. Three portals of light erupted alongside Weevil as the duelists zipped through an archway of junk. "I summon Chainsaw Insect, Arsenal Bug and Howling Insect!" (2400/0) (2000/2000)

The two new monsters were giant beetles, the latter living up it to its name with oversized serrated mandibles and the other wielding a makeshift sword and shield. "Arsenal Bug attacks your do-gooder Lightsworn! Cut him into pieces!"

Lyrius merely pointed and his remaining set card flipped up as the beetle buzzed eagerly towards Raiden. "The continuous trap The Phantom Sword targets a monster on the field upon activation and increases its attack power by eight hundred. The choice is obviously Raiden!" (1700-2500)

Raiden poofed out of existence again and then reappeared in the same position as before. Arsenal Bug crumbled apart into pieces that didn't even reach the warrior. (WLP: 7000/SPC: 2)

"You...you…" Weevil spluttered and raised his item threateningly. "You'll regret that!"

"I regret many things, Weevil. But defeating you will not be one of them." Lyrius watched as Weevil's rage rose. "You anger so easily...such a cheap pride results in a cheap duelist."

"Shut up!" Weevil practically slammed his next card into his disk. "I end my turn!

"Draw." Lyrius snapped up the card and pulled two from his deck to drop into the graveyard. "I use the effect of Raiden and once again, there are no Lightsworm monsters among them."

He tossed down a card and with a heavy rumbling, a cartoon tank rolled up out of the darkness beside him. It had angry eyes on its gun turret and banged together a pair of boxing gloved-fists. "I summon Tank Roid in attack position and then tune him with Raiden for a Synchro Summon." (1500/1900)

Tank Roid broke apart into glowing stars that began to circle around Raiden rapidly, creating a pillar of light that hid him from view. "Born the mightiest dream, the pain from fallen warriors burdens you with endless strength! Colossal Fighter!"

The light scattered, revealing a burly, towering white armored golem. Its merciless vizor focused on Weevil's bugs and it slammed a fist into its open palm. "Colossal Fighter gains one hundred attack points for every warrior type monster in my graveyard." (2800-3200/1000)

Lyrius drew. "When Tank Roid goes to the graveyard, I may draw one card. Colossal Fighter attacks Howling Insect! Mighty Blow!"

The Synchro Monster's punch lived up to the name, the strike splattering Howling Insect into chunky bits. Weevil flinched and lost ground as his life points and Speed Counters fell. "Howling Insect's effect! I summon another Pupa of Moth from my deck in defense position!" (WLP: 5000/SPC: 1)

Another of the ugly pupae appeared as Weevil wiped the last of his previous monster away from his eyes just in time to see Lyrius' other set card flip up to activate. "Assault Mode Activate!?"

"This trap tributes my Colossal Fighter to summon forth Colossal Fighter/Assault Mode from my deck!" The trap glowed, scattering apart to cover the Synchro Monster. When it faded, the burly monster was even more so. Heavy blue armor covered it from head to do and jets flared from the jetback on its back. "When this monster is summoned, I can send two more warrior monster from the deck to the graveyard. Meaning that since his power now drains your monsters for one hundred attack points for each one, your Chainsaw Insect weakens by seven hundred points!" (3300/1500)

Lyrius pointed at the false cocoon of wings that was still trailing after the D-Wheel. "But since Danaus has no power to speak of, it matters little. My monster attacks! Jet Slam!

"Oh no…!" Weevil watched as his insect sagged greatly even as Colossal Fighter rocketed forwards, one-two punch combination slamming his butterfly into the blazing darkness of the track's walls. She gave an unholy shriek as the dark fires burned into cinders. His points fell even further and the loss of the last of his Speed Counters meant Resonae was easily able to pull ahead of the sputtering D-Wheel. (WLP: 1700/SPC: 0)

"Yield, Weevil." Lyrius called over his shoulder, Resonae jumping into a length of pipe as duel took them through a maze of junk that was too narrow for two duelists at once. A card flashed into existence alongside his Nightmare briefly. "You are messing with things do not understand and power you cannot truly grasp. Your life is not worth your pride."

"Don't you preach to me! You'd be cursing my name if I were winning! You and everyone else, you're not different! As long as you're ahead, you look down on everyone else!" Weevil snapped back and squeezed the throttle on his bike, brazenly slamming it through what junk there was in his way. "The only thing I ever wanted was power! With that, I could have anything I ever wanted!"

Lyrius watched as Weevil's recklessness tore a few pieces off his D-Wheel, including one of the side mirrors. The Insect duelist paid no attention, the full force of his glare and roaring of his motor focused on catching up to his opponent. "It doesn't matter how I get to the top, only that I do! The world isn't fair, scrub and I decided a long time ago that if it wasn't, I was at least going to get my share of it! I draw!"

Weevil tore the card free and glanced at it as even as his pupa wriggled and split. Laughter erupted from him as another Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth took to the air. But unlike its predecessor, it staggered in flight and sagged everywhere due to the power drain from Lyrius' Colossal Fighter. (3500-2800)

"Hmmph." Lyrius shook his head at Weevil's laughter. "Save your pride for when you claim victory, not loss."

"Good suggestion! I'll keep it in mind as I tear you down, scrub! I activate my trap card, Needlebug Nest!" Weevil tugged a stack of cards from his deck and dropped them into his graveyard. "This trap sends five cards from the top of my deck to the discard pile!"

A mote of light appeared along his D-Wheel, morphing into a dog-sized ladybug. It buzzed a few times, shell painted to look like the traditional level star on a Duel Monster. "Level Eater can be summoned by reducing the level of another monster I have by one! My Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth has eight, so it more than qualifies!" (600-0/0)

Weevil sneered as he held up his drawn card. "But that still leave my Moth's level more than high enough to summon out the ultimate insect! I tribute all three of my monsters!"

He sped up, ramping his D-Wheel up to Lyrius' level, Level Eater and Chainsaw Insect vanishing as he did so. "From the far reaches of evolution comes the ultimate life-form! Die in agony and give your flesh to a new majesty! I summon Empress Infestation!"

Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth suddenly gave a pained shriek, Resonae jerking in surprise at the impossible and chilling noise from an insect. Its exoskeleton actually bulged and swelled, splitting like an overripe piece of fruit. Green ichor and guts spilled forth and then the monster just snapped and split like someone thought it was an egg.

Weevil laughed triumphantly as his monster descended like a twisted vision of an angel. Three pairs of gossamer wings flapped eerie slow, enough to show that there veins in them pumping glowing liquid rhythmically. The same liquid pulsed around her body, patterning her overlapping chitin armor like holy symbols. Three sets of hands were locked in a buddha-esque prayer pattern. It was almost beautiful in a dangerous way, both furthered and ruined by the over-sized fly-style head. And the alien, hungry intelligence therein glittering in those compound eyes. (?/0)

"This monster is the pinnacle of bug cards! She'll devour you, your monsters and your life points and there's nothing you can do about it!" Weevil leered at Lyrius. "What's the matter? Nothing to say to me this time? Or has it finally struck you that I'm going to beat you!?"

"Your monster is more aesthetically pleasing than you are. I was trying to put it into a clever insult, but it truly speaks for itself." Lyrius watched Weevil's face contort with anger again with a dry smile. "Do not be so upset. You did ask me to say something."

"I'll teach you to mock me!" Weevil pointed at Lyrius' monster. "By banishing a level seven or higher insect from the graveyard, Empress Infestation can destroy one of your monsters!" He caught the card that dropped out of his graveyard. "Soul Infestation!"

The monster's arms twisted into a new pattern, a pink glow suffusing her. Colossal Fighter staggered suddenly, jets dying out as he crashed to the ground limply. Lyrius held tight to Resonae's neck as she made a leaping turn. "When the Assault Mode version is destroyed, I can revive the original Colossal Fighter from the graveyard!"

A portal opened alongside him, the Synchro Monster rumbling forwards to keep pace with the Nightmare. (2800-3400)

Lyrius' eyes widened as he saw his monster's stats display and Weevil's laugh caught up to him. "Oops! Looks like it's missing a few points! Didn't I say my monster infested the soul of yours!?"

The corpse of his Assault Mode monster suddenly twitched and spasmed, cracks spreading all over its armor. Chitin and gunk poured out, solidifying into coral-like masses of jagged edges. It pushed itself to its feet, the helmet having cracked open to reveal a proboscis and compound eyes bulging out of the small space. "The eggs devour your monsters flesh and soul, making it a servant to my Empress!"

Lyrius grimaced as Weevil's graveyard slid out another card. "And I can do it more than once per turn! Soul Infestation!"

Colossal Fighter bulged and warped under its armor as Empress Infestation glowed pink once more. Like its counterpart, the spreading tears and cracks were from something inside trying to get out. One arm just flew apart as a multi-jointed leg burst free and its helmet just tore as a pincered jaw sought escape. Two fresh wings buzzed and carried it over to join Weevil's side of the playing field. "Did I mention that my Empress' attack points are determined by the combined attack points of all the monsters she infests!?" (?-3300-2800-6100)

Weevil banked hard into the next turn, nearly toppling his bike but somehow managed to pull right behind Lyrius and Resonae. "Empress Infestation! Attack his life points directly! Show him some real power! Divine Consumption!"

The monster's hands twisted together again, a golden glow suffusing her. The air around Lyrius warped with same glow, reality twisted into taffy. He gritted his teeth as pain wracked his body, the warping space feeling like mouths trying to tear him apart.

Then it all exploded in a flash of brilliant white-gold, only Resonae's scream of pain drowning out Weevil's laughter. The bug duelist shot through the resulting cloud with ease, sneering as the Nightmare came stumbling, lurching forwards out of the mess. She scraped against the flaming barriers of the Shadow Game, bolting away like she had been struck. "Ha! I guess my Empress really did eat you…"

Resonae snorted angrily and sped up, the fires of her mane and hooves roaring to full size as she bolted forwards. Weevil just laughed at the furious expression on her face. "What? Really? You trying to avenge your master, stupid horse!?"

"You have made her very angry, Weevil. And she is very hungry." Lyrius' voice echoed out from nowhere in particular, even as Resonae closed the gap between them.

"What? Where are you!?" Weevil shouted back, squeezing more throttle out of his bike. Worry was creeping down his spine. The duel hadn't ended, the dark flames forcing him to make another tight turn.

"I am still here. But do not worry about me. There are more...pressing concerns."

"What are you on about, scrub!?" Weevil glared at nothing in particular and then happened to glance into his rearview mirror.

Resonae's visage filled it, her eyes an unearthly shade of golde. Apparently catching sight of Weevil looking at her, she smiled with all her teeth and opened her mouth, revealing them to be pointed and sharp fangs eager for his blood.

Weevil screamed.

But suddenly, Resonae was galloping a short distance behind him. Lyrius was astride her back, his clothing and body smoldering and torn from the attack he had taken. But his expression was no less fierce than his mount's and Weevil felt fear creep down his spine. "I told you that you would not even get five turns, Weevil. Did you enjoy your last one?"

"Don't...don't make me laugh!" Weevil rallied himself, guiding his bike to slam through a pile of debris. He laughed as Lyrius was forced to duck and swerve, widening the gap between them. "My Empress totaled your life points and I still have plenty of insects to power her effect!"

He plugged a card into his bike. "All you've done is throw your own deck away! This duel is mine!"

"Yours to lose." Lyrius corrected like a teacher would a struggling student and Weevil just snarled in response. "My turn begins. Draw!"

Doing so, Lyrius' watched as his graveyard slid a card out. "I banish The Phantom Sword from my graveyard to special summon The Phantom Knights of Cracked Helm from the graveyard!"

Shadows pooled together in the air alongside him, morphing into a floating medieval helm and two gauntlets. All three were bleeding pale blue ectoplasm. (1500/500)

"And then I summon from the hand, another Raiden!" A portal opened up on his opposite side, spitting out the heavenly assassin once more. "Now I combine the power of my monsters!"

The two monsters sank into the ground, their shadows doubling in size and swirling together to join the one Lyrius and Resonae were casting. It drew massive as it drug out behind Lyrius, two red eyes opening up. "When dark forces become mere shadows, their rage spawns you forth in revolution! Let the mighty gaze upon you and know despair! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"

With a cacophonous screech, a form tore its way up from the shadows. True to its name, it was a dragon. Its wings were angular and jagged, the whole monster looking like it had been carved into existence to do nothing but deal death. (2500/2000)

"Dark Rebellion...Exceed Dragon?" Weevil muttered and then shook his head. "Whatever that thing is, I hope you weren't counting on it to save you! I activate Privileges of the Insect Queen!"

His set card rose and Empress Infestation began glowed white. "This trap equips to my Empress! She is now immune to the monster effects of anything that has a lower level than her! And if you'd try and destroy her, her subjects will give their lives instead! She is truly invincible!"

Empress Infestation rose higher and spun to face the trailing Lyrius, her wings spreading to their fullest extent. Weevil laughed triumphantly. "So kneel down and maybe I'll let you live to serve me!"

"You have not the strength to force me to bow my head, let alone kneel." Lyrius said sharply and pointed at his monster. "Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, I activate your special ability!"

"You can't read or listen, can you?" Weevil roared in frustration. "Your monster's level is too low, even at eight stars! It can't do anything to my Empress!"

Lyrius just smirked. "My monster has no level."

Weevil's eyes bugged out. "What..what...no level!? That's impossible! Only the...Dark Signers had cards like that!"

"I am no Dark Signer. But I am no stranger to dark powers and their consequences. And for those like you, Weevil, who play with such things so carelessly, will be devoured by even darker shadows!" Lyrius pointed at Empress Infestation. "The two monsters I used to Xyz Summon my dragon became its batteries and now I expend them both! I can target a monster on the field and halve its attack points! Those points are given to my dragon! Treason Discharge!"

Two spheres of light swirled around his dragon and then shot forwards, punching through Empress Infestation's screen of light like it wasn't there. She crumpled, hands dropping limply to her sides as tendrils of black crept along her body. Weevil stared in horror as she sagged and the glow of her power died. "This...this can't be happening!" (6100-3050) (2500-5550)

"You are correct. It can't be happening." Resonae sped up to pull neck and neck with Weevil, the bug duelist shrinking in fear at the glittering cold darkness of Lyrius' eyes. Behind him, his shadowy dragon was surging with power and dark fire was licking free of its jaws. "The moment you attacked those I cared about, you had already lost! Dark Triumph!"

Black fire spewed forth from Lyrius' dragon, Empress Infestation shrieking horribly in all-too human agony as she was literally cooked to a crisp. Her wings withered and folded in on themselves, carapace crack and venting ugly steam as her guts were boiled. She crashed down in front of Weevil, blazing with unholy fire. (WLP: 0)

Weevil slammed on the brakes reflexively, banking into a turn that sent his bike crashing towards the flaming walls. The vehicle flew apart with the impact, Weevil howling in agony as the flames burned and didn't burn. There was no pain from his flesh, it was like they were burning at his very soul and-

It mercifully stopped as a strong hand seized his head and ripped him free. Dangling from Lyrius' grip like a poor man's puppet, Weevil twisted and spasmed as they slowed to a halt. "Let go of me, you neanderthal!"

"Certainly. One disposes of garbage in the junkyard, after all." Lyrius threw Weevil into a pile of junk, the insect duelist moaning in pain and frustration. Dismounting, Lyrius loomed over him. "Hand over the item you have and you will not have any further trouble. If you have the sense to stay away from myself and the others."

"You bastard…!" Weevil shot to his feet and metal flashed as he lunged towards Lyrius. "This power is mine! I won't let you take it away from me!"

Lyrius caught Weevil's wrist, the knife the smaller man held not even reaching him. He narrowed his eyes and squeezed sharply, a cracking sound emitting from Weevil's wrist. The knife dropped from his finger's nervelessly. "That was foolish."

Weevil staggered back as Lyrius released him, the bug duelist clutching at his wrist. He stared at his twitching fingers and then back at Lyrius, a scream of inarticulate rage ripping free from his throat. "Why!? Why did you have to exist!? This place was going to be mine!"

"Only in your dreams." Lyrius replied curtly and took a measured step so he could loom over the smaller man. "Yield. Or I will start with your fingers."

"Never!" Weevil roared and held out the item. A brilliant flash blinded Lyrius and he staggered a step back. The insect duelist turned and bolted, but then a piece of junk slammed into his legs from behind and he went crashing to the ground. "Bastard!"

"Enough." Lyruis planted his foot on Weevil's back and reached for the item...only to see it was still glowing. "That will not work on me."

"It does your fucking horse!" Weevil hollered and laughed as Resonae suddenly body-checked Lyrius into a pile of junk. He scrambled to his feet, watching with glee as Lyrius grappled with his Nightmare. "You said she was hungry! Maybe you'll make a tastier snack!"

Lyrius didn't reply, a kick shoving Resonae back several steps. The Nightmare whined and tossed her head wildly, a glimmering eye trying to shine to life under her horn. She pawed at the ground and lashed about without caring that she was slamming into piles of junk or hurting herself.

"Resonae-" Lyrius took a step towards her and got a horn across the chest for his troubles. He staggered and slumped against a pile of junk, clutching at the wound. A clattering noise snapped his head around and he glared at a retreating Weevil. "No!"

"Yes!" Weevil hollered back, a burst for light from his item sending a pile of debris behind him to bar the way.

A pained neigh drew his attention back to Resonae and the Nightmare slammed into him again. She was pressing at him, eyes clenched tightly shut against a pain she couldn't fight against. He wrapped his arms around her neck tightly, her thrashings slowing. "Focus, Resonae. My strength is your strength."

The Nightmare stilled and he felt the warm coldness as she tapped into the bond they shared. The eye glimmering on her forehead froze, then cracked apart into pieces. She was silent for a few moments as they both caught their breath and then snorted, eyes gazing down contritely.

"It is fine. I did not think a Millennium Item could work on anything that was not human. And their forgeries even less so." Lyrius grunted in pain as he hauled himself over her back, wincing at the blood staining his clothing and hand. "Where he got one or how he made it can be saved for later. The way he spoke, he already has several duelists under his control. We are going to find him and stop him."

Resonae nickered, a few of her thoughts brushing Lyrius' mind and prompting him to smile. "I will consider letting you eat him, yes. He looks crunchy, however and may need a lot of ketchup."

She gave him the feeling of a sarcastic response and he chuckled, before groaning and slumping over her. "For now, Resonae, back to Serenity. And with all due haste. I am not in any condition to deal with more trouble if it arises today. Too out of practice…"

The Nightmare just nodded and took off at a light canter, vanishing into another canyon of junk and debris.

Moments later, the quiet throb of an engine broke the silence and a maroon D-Wheel glided into the area. The owner let it idle for a minute, then killed it. She stood and took off her helmet, shaking out a head of blonde hair. She took in the destruction and debris, depositing her helmet over the handlebars.

A few quick steps took her over to the puddles of blood on the ground and she knelt, studying curiously. Two fingers dipped into it and she scissored them, watching it shine unnaturally in the setting sunlight. "That's definitely magical or I'll eat my deck."

Chimes from the D-Wheel summoned her back to it and she tapped a button, the screens switching to a camera view. On the other side was a young man with a mop of hair suggesting he had just rolled out of bed, though she knew he had been up all night on monitor duty. And had been the one to send her out here. "There was definitely a Shadow Duel here, Shichiro. Damage, debris, even some blood that I'm pretty sure isn't human."

"Canvas the area and start looking for more clues. We got six panicked calls in the last thirty minutes that the Dark Signers were back and someone heard shouting about a monster with no level. Gears is on his way back from patrol to help you."

"I don't know if it really is the Dark Signers, though. We all saw Yusei's Savior Star Dragon destroy the King of the Underworld."

"That doesn't mean there isn't anyone trying to take advantage of the mess. Someone tripped the wards we set up at the old Ener-D reactor a few days ago and now this? Not a coincidence. The Signers did their part saving the world, now the Shadowchasers are going clean up whatever was hiding in the dark."

"I saved the world, too, you know. The blonde-haired woman gave him a frustrated look. "Don't I get bonus vacation time or something?"

Shichiro just laughed. "First lesson of being a Shadowchaser, Jinx. Vacation just means you're the last person we call instead of the first when there's trouble. Keep in touch." The screen winked off.

"Wonderful." Jinx sighed and folded her arms, taking another frustrated look around the site. "Where do I even start?"

TTTTTTTT

Weevil ran until his strength gave out, staggering and bracing himself against some metal. He heaved with unspent rage. "That scrub...how could have he overpowered me like that!?"

e glared at the Star clenched in his hand. "Weren't you supposed to make me strong? Give me the strength to take what was mine!"

Metal rang against metal as he hurled it into a nearby wall, the Star skidding and spinning away. "Worthless hunk of scrap! Useless as everything else in this place…!"

"Gifts shouldn't be so casually discarded…" A voice rasped from the darkness, a metal boot stopping the Star's trip easily. Gauntleted fingers picked it up carefully. "Especially ones that are so precious and rare. You might hurt someone's feelings."

"Yeah, well, it didn't work as advertised!" Weevil snapped defiantly. "You said that Millennium Star would give me an army! All its done is been useful for bad jokes!"

"That would be what's called 'operator error', Weevil." The voice sounded more amused than anything and held up the Star "Since there isn't an instruction manual handy, why don't I give a practical demonstration of how to use it?"

The Eye of Horus on it glowed and Weevil took a step back, fear washing over his features. "You said...you said only I could-"

"I said you had the greatest potential to wield it, not that only you could." The figure chided and Weevil groaned in sudden pain as a headache built behind his eyes. "This is a copy, after all and it takes great willpower to have it perform well."

The bug duelist clutched at his head and shuddered as the pain intensified. "I won't...I won't…"

The Eye of Horus blazed to life on Weevil's forehead and the figure chuckled, the raspiness of their voice making it sound like sandpaper scraping against itself. "You won't, what? Little bugs like you are easy to squash."

"I won't…" Weevil got to his feet, glaring even as sweat poured down his face and the Eye glowed like it was burning. "I won't let you take me...I won't let you take my-" He lashed out, snaring the Star and the Item's glow brightened before Weevil forced his will upon it. "-power!"

The figure watched as the Star's glow flickered and then was snuffed out by Weevil's will. "See? That potential is still in you. You just need to tap into it and not let your pride get in the way."

"I would have won if-" Weevil broke off his tirade and gulped as the he tried to tug the Star away and found it wouldn't budge an inch.

"Of all the words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: It might have been." A pair of red dots lit up in the darkness warningly. "Only has-beens try to change the past. Is that what you are?"

"Never!" Weevil wrenched the Star free and held it up determinedly. "I will rule Satellite!"

"Excellent." The figure's glowing eyes faded away. "Now let's discuss exactly how you're going to do that and how you're going to turn this to your advantage…"

TTTTT

Final Notes: Originally, this chapter involved Weevil as a minor character assisting Lyrius and Serenity (begrudgingly) as they dealt with a bunch of zombiefied duelists who had come back to life thanks to the King of the Underworld ripping a hole in the Netherworld when it got free, including a zombie Rex Raptor and other minor YGO characters. Why the change?

Because no one likes Weevil and zombies can't play card games.

And as we all know, card games are serious business.

Just like fanfiction.

It has to be. The Internet says so!

Enjoy your day and see you next time.