Here it is. The beginning of the ending of Emperor of Darkness. It's been a year hasn't it? Everything going on, its been hard to write on some days. But! finish line is in sight and getting closer all the time! Now, for some answers.

One reviewer, who shall remain unnamed, pointed out that if Jaden was smart, he'd grabbed the cards before Kagemaru. Yes, that is true. BUT! When you see a crusher, be it for garbage or a car, and you see something valuable...do you go running toward it? If so...nice knowing ya! Point is, Jaden didn't rush to the cards because of that reason. He didn't know WHAT the machine Kagemaru was capable of! One swing of its robotic arms could have broken his entire ribcage!

Guest - The Romance and Harem were pushed to the backburner, i'll admit that because of the Sacred Beast Arc. Yet just because I didn't have it on word, doesn't mean that they didn't do some things in the background.

Hellsink Bathall - I'm glad you liked that! I always believed that Zane had that side to him, but he kept it under tight lock and key. And for the duel with the Sacred Beasts...well, a certain card will be making its first appearance.

Welp, answered all I could! enjoy the chapter!

It was suppose to be the last day of school. The Graduation match between Jaden Yuki and Zane Truesdale had been one of the best duels of the ages. Jaden had summoned his final Wicked God and revealed how truly powerful it was. The duel ended in a draw, but that didn't bother everyone. It was an exciting match.

Sadly, that all changed. Turns out their duel was the catalyst needed to unlock the beast cards. Now, instead of everyone leaving for the Summer, they were all gathered around a large crater They were watching Jaden Yuki, Supreme King of the Ring, staring down Kagemaru, Superintendent of Central DA. Said man had a duel disk deployed.

"You made a massive mistake, old man. You may have the Darkness required to use the beasts, but not control their fearsome and feral power!" Jaden snapped. "But...I see words are wasted on you so let's just DUEL!"

Jaden Yuki: 8000/Kagemaru: 8000

"Yes, let us begin. I will let you start since it will be your last duel, Supreme King." Kagemaru stated.

Jaden simply scoffed, drawing his opening hand and then a card. Looking over his hand, he began to formulate a strategy.

"I start with Elemental Hero Bubbleman! Since he's alone, I draw two cards!"

Drawing the two, Jaden saw that one was Gold Sarcophagus. He instantly played the spell card, selecting Avatar and placing it in the box. He followed that up with Metamorphosis, the second card he had drawn.

"With this, I change my Bubbleman into Elmental Hero NEO Bubbleman!"

The monster gained fins on his armor but nothing else changed. Revealing his Pot of Greed card, he drew two more and then played Bubble blaster.

Neo Bubbleman – ATK/800 → 1600

"I finish my turn with a facedown."

"That was your opening play? How weak! Perhaps you are not as powerful as you led everyone to believe." Kagemaru said, drawing. "I place three trap cards facedown!"

"Uh, What?"

"Man is this geezer losing it?!"

All around the two the students mocked and jeered Kagemaru. The former Key keepers and Jaden, on the other hand, were on edge. Jaden knew right then and there what Kagemaru had. He had one of the beasts, more then likely Uria. Kagemaru then revealed he was offering his traps as sacrifices. That made all the students dumbstruck. The three traps revealed themselves and became a pillar of fire. The ground nearby broke open, lava pouring out. From the lava, a single figure rose out, its yellow eyes flashing. It let loose a roar, Kagemaru cackling.

"Meet Uria, Lord of Divine Searing Flames!"

(Uria, Lord of Searing Flames – LV/**********, Attribute/DIVINE, ATK/0, DEF/0, Type/Divine-Beast/Effect.

This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except by its own effect or by sending 3 Trap Cards you control to the Graveyard. This card gains 1000 ATK and DEF for each Trap Card in your Graveyard. Once per turn, you can select 1 face-down Spell or Trap Card your opponent controls, and destroy it. Spell and Trap Cards cannot be activated in response to this effect's activation. If this card is destroyed, during your next Main Phase, you can discard 1 Trap Card to Special Summon this card from your Graveyard. During the turn you Special Summoned this card by its effect, you cannot activate its other effects, and if you control another monster, this card cannot declare an attack.)

Jaden looked at his former ally from ages long past, scowling. Kagemaru's corruption had robbed the Spirit of its ability to speak. He felt something in the air change and snarled. Their power! It was leaking out and affecting the world!

Up on the edge of the Crater, Chazz heard a whimper and pulled out his deck. He saw his Ojamas all in a single card, huddling.

"What's going on with you twerps?" Chazz said, hiding his concern.

"It's...its Uria, Sir Chazz. It's power...its running amuck." Blue whispered.

Chazz rolled his eyes, telling them to suck it up. He looked at the duel, not noticing everyone doing the same with their decks, looking over the cards. Kagemaru explained that Uria gained attack and defense points equal to the number of traps in his grave multiplied by a thousand.

"There's three traps!" Jason shouted.

Uria – ATK/DEF – 0 → 3000

"Now I use my Uria's effect, taking out your facedown trap! Sonic screech!"

The large monster roared, shockwaves echoing from its mouth. The facedown revealed itself before exploding. Jaden smirked at that, a blood soaked medal appearing. Kagemaru's eyes went wide at that.

"What?!"

"My Evil Medallion trap."

(Evil Medallion – Type/Trap/Normal. When this Set Card is destroyed by your opponent's card effect, shuffle this card back into the owner's deck. Then draw cards equal to the number of monsters on the field.)

Explainingits effect only activates when its destroyed. The card is added back to his deck, the deck shuffled and then he draws cards equal to the number of monsters in play. Two were present, Neo Bubble and Uria. Kagemaru chuckled, stating that it was of little matter. Uria was stronger!

"Now, attack that little monster! Hyber Blaze!"

"Not good!" Crowler cried out.

The monster roared, sending out a massive blaze that surged toward the monster. Neo Bubbleman took the hit, but his Blaster was destroyed. Kagemaru sneered. So the monster was immortal for that one turn. No matter, the brat still took damage. Imagine his shock when the score didn't change.

"WHAT?! HOW DID YOU SURVIVE!?" Kagemaru roared.

"Simple. Bubble Blaster negates any damage I would take in addition to keeping Bubbleman around. But wait, there's more!"

Everyone looked at Jaden confused. That confusion turned to shock when Neo Bubbleman launched itself at Uria. The monsters clashed, with Uria exploding. Kagemaru's eyes went wide.

What had just happened?!

Jaden smirked. Pointing at Neo bubbleman, it was his effect. Any monster that battled him would be destroyed at the end of the Damage Step. Kagemaru snarled, ending his turn.

"Not bad. Jaden cleared out the field and got rid of a Beast card." Zane said, smiling.

"Don't count Kagemaru out yet." Sheppard warned, his tone grave. "Uria can be brought back on his next turn by discarding a trap. Only reason I can think of why Kagemaru didn't do it now was because he didn't have a trap."

"Then I better make sure I dole out some heavy damage." Jaden said, drawing.

Looking over his hand, the King saw he had what he needed.

"Alright, I play Dark Fusion! I merge my Elemental Heroes Bladedge and Sparkman! Meet...Evil Hero Nuclear Blast!"

(Evil Hero Nuclear Blast – LV/********, Attribute/LIGHT, ATK/2600, DEF/2300, Type/Fiend/Fusion/Effect.

"Elemental Hero Sparkman" + "Elemental Hero Bladedge"

Must be Special Summoned with "Dark Fusion" and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. Once per turn, you can discard 1 card. Destroy all face-up Attack position monsters (excluding this card). Inflict 200 points of damage for each card destroyed by this effect. If you use this effect, this card cannot attack.)

A large monster appeared, coated in lead armor with glowing green energy and a massive green core. It's eyes were black and it roared, sparks of Nuclear electricity coming off of it.

"No!"

"Yes! Nuclear, Neo Bubble, attack Kagemaru directly!"

The two monsters charged. Kagemaru was blasted by the two, his counter dropping rapidly.

Kagemaru: 4600

"Awesome! Jaden took him down to more then half his life points!"

"That's not a good thing though. Now Kagemaru is pushed into a corner. A cornered animal is risky, as is a wounded one. But a wounded AND cornered animal? This is gonna get real hairy real fast." Satyr said, watching the duel and helpless.

Jaden placed three cards facedown and ended. Kagemaru drew, revealing it to be a trap. He discarded it and got back his Uria. The monster roared, its power growing.

Uria – ATK/DEF → 0 → 4000

"Now, I use his effect to take out one of your facedowns!"

The monster roared, one of the cards flipping up. Kagemaru snarled when he saw it was ANOTHER Evil Medallion. Jaden smirked, taking the card, shuffling it into his deck and drawing three cards. Kagemaru snarled, taking a card and playing it in his field zone.

The card was called Fallen Paradise and with it in play, he could draw two cards if he had a Sacred Beast in play. Since Uria was such a monster, Kagemaru drew two cards. Kagemaru then set three facedown spell cards. That made Sheppard's eyes widen.

"Oh no! Its another Beast!"

"That it is! I sacrifice my three spells for HAMON, LORD OF STRIKING THUNDER!"

(Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder – LV/**********, Attribute/DIVINE, ATK/4000, DEF/4000, Type/Divine-Beast/Effect.

This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except by sending 3 Spell Cards you control to the Graveyard. When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. While you control this face-up Defense Position card, other monsters you control cannot be selected as attack targets. If this Defense Position card is destroyed, you take no damage for the rest of this turn.)

The lake nearby gained a water spout and ice formed on it. It took on the form of a crystal before it shattered. Rising from the waters, was the second sacred beast, its eyes flashing violet. It joined Uria, roaring loudly.

"Oh no..."

"Another one?!"

"Don't lose hope! Jaden can still win this!"

"YEAH! He's the Supreme King of the Ring!"

Kagemaru chuckled darkly, making everyone stop and look at him. There was a cry from Chazz's deck making the boy look at his cards. What he saw shocked him. His Ojamas were thinner, just skin and bones.

"Ojamas! What the fuck is going on?! Everyone, check your cards!"

All around they did so, cries of shock echoing. All the cards were vanishing. Kagemaru roared with laughter. It was thanks to the Sacred Beasts. They fed on Dueling Energy, even from Duel Spirits. So the Spirits were being absorbed by their power. Everyone watched helpless as several golden orbs were flying through the air.

"ENOUGH!" Jaden roared, his Duel Aura springing to life.

Kagemaru's eyes went wide, seeing the massive wall of Darkness EXPLODE out of the boy. He had THAT much?!

"Spirits of the Spirit World, DO NOT GIVE IN! The Beasts do not mean for this to happen! It is Kagemaru's doing! I, the Supreme King of the Gentle Darkness, swear on my life that no harm shall befall you!"

It was like Jaden's words had a desired effect for the golden orbs began to retreat! The cards returned, if only barely. Kagemaru snarled.

"You dare to challenge my power, boy!? I am the master of the Beasts! Let me show you a fraction of their power!"

There came a glow from Kagemaru's ring finger. Hamon and Uria started to glow, the glow flowing into the tank. Everyone watched in stunned amazement as the old body inside slowly became younger and more muscled. The graying and receding hair became long and black. The tube shattered, water draining out of it. Everyone watched as an arm reached through the shattered glass and grabbed the duel disk.

Climbing out, everyone saw the new and reborn Kagemaru. Many girls, forgetting that he was an old man, drooled over the muscle. Jaden scowled.

"You cur. You dare use that power for such a selfish gain. I'm going to enjoy breaking your new body in millions of pieces for this."

"Hahahaha! Like you could ever beat me!" Kagemaru boasted, his voice deeper. "Now...to get rid of THIS!"

With one arm, Kagemaru lifted the machine with ease before throwing it away. Everyone watched as it sailed before landing and exploding. Kagemaru returned to the duel. Ordering Uria to attack Nuclear, Jaden revealed his facedown, Dark De-Fusion. The two monsters became Bladedge and Sparkman. They joined Neo Bubble, making the man snarl.

"Fine! Hamon, attack that weakling Sparkman! Cerulean Skyfire!"

From the mouth of the golden monster, it let loose a stream of fire that had several arcs of lightning around it. Jaden just smirked.

"You activated a trap of mine, Hero Barrier! Once per turn, if a HERO monster is attacked, I can negate it!"

A spinning fan appeared and blocked the attack. Snarling, Kagemaru ended his turn. Jaden drew and the Golden Sarcophagus returned. Jaden took the card, adding it to his hand. Kagemaru's eyes narrowed. What was that card and why did it fill his heart with dread?

"I tribute my Bladedge, Spark, and Bubbleman to bring forth the first part of your defeat!"

Crossing his arms, Jaden's eyes glowed brightly as he chanted.

"Mighty Beast born from Darkness moste Dark, strike terror into my enemies heart! Consume this land and its light, secure my victory in this fight! I command thee, as King Supreme, grace our game! Now I summon you by your name! WICKED AVATAR!"

Everyone watched, the shadows stretching out toward where Jaden had played the card. The storm clouds which had gathered from the summoning of the two beasts now began to flash with thunder roaring. Kagemaru watched, sweat pouring down his head. The massive orb rose from the earth, becoming a hybrid of both Hamon and Uria.

Avatar – ATK/ 1 → 4001

Kagemaru's eyes went wide at the monster. What was it!? He grunted when Jaden declared an attack on Uria.

"I don't know why you chose Uria, but I'll only take a single point!"

"I'm counting on it!" Jaden snarled.

The hybrid monster blasted the red monster with black fire, making it rot and explode.

Kagemaru: 4599

"All that has done is further piss me off." Kagemaru snarled.

Jaden didn't reply, simply ending his turn. Kagemaru drew, looking at the card. He smirked, revealing it to be a trap. He discarded it and Uria returned. The monster was much larger now making everyone shudder. But Kagemaru's eyes went wide when Avatar shape shifted into a black Uria.

Uria – ATK/0 → 5000

Avatar – ATK/4001 → 1 → 5001

"But how?!"

"It's Avatar's effect. No matter what you do, it'll always be stronger then your monsters!"

"Brilliant!" Bastion exclaimed. "Jaden has turned Uria's greatest power into its biggest weakness! No matter how many traps are in the grave, Avatar will beat it out by a point."

Kagemaru snarled, looking at his hand. He switched Hamon into defense mode and then revealed a spell card in his hand.

"Phantasmal Martyrs. By sending my entire hand to the grave, I get three Phantasmal Martyr tokens. Next, I use my Fallen Paradise's effect, drawing two cards!" Kagemaru said, drawing.

He looked at the two and began to laugh aloud. Jaden frowned, knowing what was coming next.

"I sacrifice my three tokens to summon the Final Sacred Beast! Arise! Raviel, Lord of Phantasms!"

(Raviel, Lord of Phantasms – LV/**********, Attribute/DIVINE, ATK/4000, DEF/4000, Type/Divine-Beast/Effect.

This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Tributing 3 monsters. When your opponent Summons a monster(s), Special Summon 1 "Phantasm Token" (Fiend-Type/DARK/Level 1/ATK 1000/DEF 1000) for each of those monsters. "Phantasm Tokens" cannot declare an attack. You can Tribute 2 monsters to have this card gain ATK equal to the combined ATK of the Tributed monsters, until the End Phase.)

The earth split open, surges of energy rising. From this energy, a figure rose up. It was dark blue with translucent wings like Uria and Hamon. It's eyes flashed red before it roared. All three Sacred Beast cards were in play! The orbs from before returned, Jaden watching with nothing but anger in his eyes. Kagemaru roared in laughter.

Everyone around them began to exclaim in shock. Chazz watched as his Ojamas became nothing but skeletons. Zane grit his teeth, watching his Cyber Dragons rust and decay right before his eyes.

EODGX

It wasn't just on the island. All over the world, Duel Monster cards began to fade. Two kids at the Kame shop wept at seeing some cards they had wanted to by fade. Solomon Muto hurried over and gasped.

"This is the work some sort of Shadow game..." He muttered to himself.

Of all the times for Yugi to go into hiding.

At the Princeton Financial Group, Slade roared in anger, Jagger with his fiancee, Vivian Wong rushed in. The two saw the case of rare cards vanish right before them. Vivian brought out her own cards and gasped.

"Jagger! My cards!"

Jagger hurried over and saw the same thing happening.

"What in the world is going on?!" Jagger asked.

All over the world, many people were asking that very same question. Why were their cards disappearing...and what was causing it?

Yep! I cut it off yet again! Hope this chapter got your appetite whet for the next one! Stay tuned~!