Chapter 4

The skeleton dog stared at the Shadow Paladin knight in longing. After a moment of recognition, he whimpered and shook his head, his bony tail lowering in confusion. Luquier's eyes widened. "You're... his first owner!" she exclaimed. Blaster Dark glared at her.

"What did you do?" he demanded furiously. "What did you do to him?"

She looked at him crossly. "He was sick and dying inside that armor of his! The poor thing was getting dehydrated. It looked like he's been lost for days."

"So you killed him?" Blaster Dark yelled.

"I saved him," Luquier corrected, irritated at his accusations. Blaster Dark couldn't believe his ears. "He's a skeleton!" he said incredulously, "How on earth can you call that saving?"

"His body was in extreme pain," Luquier explained, "I controlled him with my Charm and killed him so he won't suffer any longer."

Blaster Dark felt his blood rise. "You killed him? How is he still alive?"

Luquier pointed at her red eye. "My charm," she repeated, "I use it to control everything. Even at death the controlled soul stays to serve me. It's irresistible. But for some reason your brain forgot the memo."

"You made him your slave?" Blaster Dark bellowed, tightening his grip on his sword. Luquier readied her weapon as she observed the knight carefully. Her dog whimpered and kept his head low, conflicted at the sight of his two masters.

A huge shadow hovered above them. Blaster Dark and Luquier looked up. A pale dragon with two horns on his head was circling around them. His yellow eyes focused on them as it muttered a low growl.

"We've gone too close to the Dragon Empire," Blaster Dark said, "We probably upset one of the dragons from the noise we were making."

The dragon flew lower. Luquier narrowed her eyes. She dashed toward a thick branch and leaped from one to another until she was close enough to the gargantuan creature. The dragon roared at her. It flew straight toward her with a glint in its beady eyes. Luquier braced herself. The red eye behind her monocle was bright. Just a little more, Luquier thought, waiting for the right time to use her Charm. Come closer... closer...

Blaster Dark tackled her from the side, and the two fell toward the ground. The dragon had ravaged the area where they once were. Blaster Dark switched himself with Luquier just in time before they crashed, so that he landed first before she did. Luquier fell splayed on top of him. Blaster Dark groaned in pain.

Luquier grumbled as she got up. "What do you think you're doing?" she yelled at him. "I had it under control!"

"You have a death wish?" he asked, wincing in pain, "You're one crazy woman."

Luquier rolled her eyes. She stood and dusted herself off. "I told you my Charm works on everyone. Trust me on this."

Blaster Dark got up as well. "I just saw your charm fail on me. No, Luquier. Dragons are dangerous. Let me handle him."

The dragon's roar was ear-shattering. It turned and darted back toward them. Blaster Dark stood in front of Luquier. "Stay back," he ordered.

His concern made her chuckle a little. She grinned as she took a few steps back. "Alright, amuse me." she said, "Erm, what was your name again?"

"Blaster Dark," he said, running toward the dragon with his sword in hand. Luquier was stunned. This Shadow Paladin knight... was Blaster Dark? She couldn't believe it. She knew that this knight was from the rogue clan of Shadow Paladin from his armor, but never in her wildest imagination would she think the person she was arguing with was one of the three heroes of the Great War. She had only heard of his name and his actions, but she had never seen his face.

"Blaster... Dark..." she uttered. Luquier watched as the great hero stabbed the mighty dragon on its stomach. The dragon barked out what Luquier called was a whimper, something only she and the other tamers like her could distinguish from a normal roar. Then it flapped its majestic wings and jabbed at Blaster Dark with its claw. The dark knight was thrown to the direction of a far away tree trunk. Luquier winced. "Ooh... that's got to leave some bruises..."

The dragon darted to his direction. Blaster Dark moved out of the way before the creature could hit him again. He was about to deliver another stab when the dragon swung its tail at him. Blaster Dark tumbled on the dirt. Luquier shook her head. This was not the way to treat a female dragon.

It turned its head to Blaster Dark, who was now struggling to stand. One look at the dragon and Luquier suddenly panicked. She bolted toward them and stood in front of the dark knight.

"Luquier?" Blaster Dark uttered. "I told you to stay out of this. It's dange-"

"-Shut up," Luquier snapped. She stood firmly on the ground as the dragon approached carefully. The two of them met each other eye to eye. Her red eye glowed radiantly.

The dragon tilted its head slightly to the left as it observed Luquier. Within seconds, it ceased its growling. Luquier smiled. "Sit," she ordered.

Almost immediately, the dragon lowered its hind legs and sat on the ground. Blaster Dark could not remember that last time he had seen anything so absurd.

"Good girl!" Luquier cheered, walking over toward the dragon to caress its chest area. Blaster Dark let his fatigued body collapse to the ground, finally letting his exhaustion take over him.

"A dragon tamer," he realized between breaths, "I tried to save a dragon tamer... from a dragon."

Luquier giggled. She scratched the dragon's chest lovingly, to which it responded with an excited wag of its tail. "I think I'll name you Sweetie Pie!" she said, baby-talking her new pet in a higher than usual tone of voice. "Because you're such a sweetie pie! Yes you are, yes you are!" The dragon uttered a sound that Luquier knew was a purr.

Luquier turned to Blaster Dark. The sight of him had her giddy mood immediately disappear. "Hey," she said, running to his side. She knelt down and helped him up. "Hey, talk to me." the concern in her voice was apparent. Blaster Dark stared at Luquier as his vision grew blurry. He felt her fumbling to take off some of his armor.

"Oh my god," he heard her say. She stared straight at him, and he could see the alarm in her different-colored eyes. "You'll be all right, okay? Just stay with me," she said, holding him firmly. "Stay with me, Blaster Dark..."

His dizziness was getting more overwhelming by the second. "I can't," he muttered, and he drifted into unconsciousness.


Ren watched patiently as Suiko slowly recovered from their battle. He had placed his suit jacket on top of her to keep her warm. After his intense match against Suiko's Link Joker deck, she had collapsed on the stairs. Luckily he caught her in time. Ren had laid her down and sat beside her, waiting for her to wake up.

He sighed. Were all the Fukuhara students reversed? Even Tetsu... and Asaka? Ren shook his head. The Reversed Suiko was definitely wicked. He had only left for a day and suddenly everyone lost their minds... quite literally.

Suiko groaned as she fluttered her eyes open. Ren smiled. "You're up?"

She looked at him, feeling a little dazed. Ren continued, "It looks like you're back to normal. Do you remember anything?"

Suiko shook her head. "I'm not sure what you're talking about, Ren."

Ren stood up. "I'll explain on the way." Suiko stood up as well, and together they walked toward the elevator.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

Ren pressed the elevator button. "We're going to check up on Asaka and Tetsu," he said. "At least I know how to get them out of this weird situation."

Suiko tilted her head to the side in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Ren faced her. "The Reversed fighter has to lose." The elevator doors opened. "In other words," he said, "I can't lose."

...

The elevator stopped on Asaka's floor and opened. Ren and Suiko stepped out before the doors closed behind them.

"I'm sorry for troubling you, Ren," Suiko said, "I don't remember anything, but from what you told me, I was horrible as Reversed."

Ren smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry about it, all's said and done." he walked further in the hallway, with Suiko following close behind him.

"This whole floor is Asaka's room?" Suiko asked, her eyes observing the circus-themed floor in awe.

Ren nodded. "Everyone in Foo Fighter has a floor to themselves for fighting practice. I have the smallest one, though."

Suddenly, an array of knives shot out from the darkness. Ren moved back just in time for the weapons to miss him. He looked up. "Asaka," he called.

Spot lights around the room pointed at the center of the stage, revealing Asaka sitting calmly on her trapeze. "The great Suzugamori Ren took the time out of his busy schedule to see me? How cute."

She jumped out of her trapeze and clung to it as it slowly descended to the stage. Ren's expression grew serious. As I expected. Asaka too...

Asaka's eyes looked soulless, the grin on her lips menacing. "Oh? You brought a friend." She took out her deck and showed it to him, a faint dark aura emanating from it. "When I'm through with you Ren, I will be the only one you'll cherish."

Ren took out his deck as well. The two fighters placed their decks on the table and drew their cards.

"Stand up..."

"...the Vanguard!"

Both players' starting vanguards appeared on the field.

"Journeying Tone, Willy." Asaka announced.

"Frontline Revenger, Claudas." Ren declared.

Asaka simpered. "Now, the path to our romantic joining begins!"

The seriousness on Ren's face was still apparent. "Ride," he declared, placing a card down from his hand. "Revenger, Dark Bond Trumpeter. Claudas moves to the back."

Asaka drew a card. "Ride Silver Thorn Assistant, Irina! Skill activated." she took the top two cards of her deck. "I place Silver Thorn Rising Dragon into the Soul. Then, Irina attacks your vanguard!"

Drive check... "Critical trigger."

The top two cards of Ren's deck moved to the damage zone. Ren drew his card. "I ride Nullity Revenger, Masquerade. Attack." Asaka's damage was up at one.

"Stand and Draw," Asaka began. "I ride Silver Thorn Marionette, Lillian. Then I call another Lillian and a Rising Dragon on the rear. Rearguard Lillian attacks!"

Ren took out a draw trigger from his hand. "Guard."

Asaka turned her Vanguard Lillian and Willy sideways. "Lillian attacks your vanguard next."

"No guard."

"Drive check," Asaka said, "Draw trigger. All effects to Rising Dragon, then I draw. Next, Rising Dragon attacks for 1700!"

Suiko bit her lower lip in worry. Damage was now 1 is to 4, in favor of Asaka. "Don't give up, Ren!" she called. Ren turned his head and gave her a reassuring glance.

"It's okay, Suiko. I won't lose." he said.

Asaka gritted her teeth. "Hey, keep your eyes on the game!" she demanded. Ren stared back at her, bewildered at her remark.

Asaka sighed. "You never were interested in looking at me anyway," she muttered. Her glassy eyes were downcast. She continued, "No matter how hard I trained... to be closer to you... to be beside you... your interest was always reserved for the strongest of cardfighters. And those who failed to meet your standards... were cast out."

Ren frowned. He knew what Asaka was talking about. Back when he was consumed with the power of Psyqualia, he ruled Foo Fighters with an iron fist. It was survival of the fittest, without a care of any of his teammates' feelings. He'd remember telling those who lost to leave his army of winners and never show their face to him again. Those were his dark times, but ever since Aichi helped him regain his old self again, he vowed never to mistreat any of his members, and protect them no matter what.

"That was a long time ago, wasn't it?" Ren pointed out, "I don't do that any more, right?"

"Wrong!" Asaka exclaimed crossly, "You're just the same!"

Ren stared at her, surprised at her final verdict. "You're the same..." she said again, her voice faint. "You don't say it, but I know... you have no need for the weak. All you need is... people like Aichi, or Kai. And no matter how much I catch up, you won't look at me like you look at them."

Her words stung Ren; he felt his anger begin to rise, but refrained from showing it just yet. He drew his card for the turn. "Ride, leader of the Revengers: Illusionary Revenger, Mordred Phantom. And then I call..."

All of a sudden, his field was filled: On the left rear was Blaster Dark Revenger in front of Dorint and the left rear was Masquerade in front of another Dorint. "My avatar's skill, Blaster Dark Revenger retires Silver Thorn Rising Dragon!"

Blaster Dark Revenger placed his sword in front of him. A surge of lightning emanated from it and traveled across the field to hit the dragon he targeted. "Dorint's skill," Ren said, "Unflip one damage. Now, Masquerade attacks the rearguard Lillian!"

Masquerade swiped his sword at the emotionless marionette. Lillian vanished from the field. "Mordred Phantom, go!" Ren ordered.

"No guard."

"Twin drive check... Draw trigger. Power to Blaster Dark, then I draw. Second check... Critical Trigger. I give the critical to Mordred and the power to Blaster Dark."

Asaka's damage went up to 3. Ren faced his avatar. "Blaster Dark, attack the vanguard!"

Damage is now 4 vs 4, Suiko thought, Ren has caught up!

Asaka nodded. "I expected nothing less from you, Ren," she said, "but I will definitely win you over. Ride, Miracle Pop, Eva!"

The blue skinned performer appeared on the field with a flash of light. "I call, Flying Hippogriff, and Silver Thorn Dragon Tamer, Luquier to the front rears!"

The two units appeared on the field alongside Eva. "Next, I call... Purple Trapezist behind Luquier. Trapezist skill. I place Luquier inside the soul to call out my marionette, Lillian."

Just a little more, Asaka, she thought to herself, Ren will be yours forever. "Hippogriff attacks Masquerade for 11k."

Masquerade exited the field. "Next, Eva attacks the vanguard. Skill activated, soul charge 1."

Ren braced himself. "No guard."

Suiko's eyes widened. "Damage is 4 vs 4! If Asaka gets a critical trigger on the drive check..."

"... I'll win," Asaka finished, "Are you ready to be mine, Ren?"

Ren didn't respond.

Twin Drive... First check... Assistant, Irina. Second check... Rising Dragon.

Damage is 4 vs 5. Asaka pointed at her field. "Skill activated. Willy moves to the soul. Then I draw a card. Finally, Lillian, deliver the final blow!"

Ren's mind lingered at Asaka's stinging words. You're the same. Never in the time that he'd known her would he have thought she would feel that he neglected her, nor did he sense her wanting to possess him. This wasn't Asaka... Ren knew her as a strong and beautiful woman. But this... whoever this was... took her away. From him.

"I'm offended." Ren said. His anger was at its peak. He glared at her. "Who said I don't look at you?"

Asaka's eyes widened. "W-What?"

Ren placed his critical trigger in front of Mordred. "Guard!" The attack came and gone, but Ren's serious eyes were locked straight at hers. Asaka couldn't help but feel a little conscious.

"What's with that look?" she demanded, "Stop that, Ren!"

"You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into," Ren's voice was frighteningly stern. "The punishment for angering me... isn't a light one."

What happened to you, Asaka? he thought, your reversed self... is too much for me to bare. Your words... sting me. "For the record, I've always been there beside you," Ren confessed.

Asaka narrowed her eyes. "No, that is a lie! You never once looked-"

"-This isn't a lie!" Ren shouted. Asaka and Suiko both stood straight, stunned at his sudden outburst. Ren continued, "I've always counted on you, Asaka. You've always played an important role in my team." He took a moment to see if she wanted to say anything more, but when she didn't, he said, "Frankly, I'm very disappointed. I never would have guessed that you would want to control me."

He took out a card from his hand. "But... I'll do everything in my power to defeat you and change those thoughts."

Asaka's face was serious once again. "Bring it."

Ren placed his card on the vanguard circle. "Break Ride! Illusionary Revenger, Mordred Phantom." Ren picked up his deck. "Break ride skill. At the cost of one counter blast, I call, my avatar: Blaster Dark Revenger. Skill activated. Remove Lillian from the field!"

Blaster Dark placed his sword to the ground and the lightning vanquished Lillian in an instant. "Dorint's skill. Unflip one damage. Blaster Dark attacks!"

Asaka took out a critical trigger from her hand. "Guard!"

Ren's look of determination did not waver. "Mordred Phantom!"

Asaka placed a card in her guard zone. "Lydia! Perfect Guard."

Twin Drive check... "Heal Trigger. Power to my other Blaster Dark. Then I heal." Second check: Mordred.

Ren turned his last rearguard sideways. "Blaster Dark, attack!"

Damage is 4 to 5 in favor of Ren. Asaka drew for her turn. "This is it, Ren. This time, you will definitely lose to me."

That's right, an eerie voice crept up inside her head and spoke, Once you defeat him, you will have your wish. Asaka burst into a laughing frenzy. "I am your Queen! Once you become my servant, you shall serve me. Get down on your knees before me. Obey me!"

Ren's expression was deadpan.

"When your whip of thorns cracks, all dragons cower and throw themselves on the ground! Crossride! Silver Thorn Dragon Queen, Luquier Reverse!"

Darkness enveloped Eva and she screamed, only to be consumed by the shadows as the malicious queen of dragons appeared as Asaka's vanguard. This was Luquier, only she was more sinister, with that chilling red locks and glowing red marks on her skin. A sinister black ring surrounded her from behind.

Ren held his ground, but the shock on his face betrayed him. The power of Reverse has reached it... just like Asaka!

Asaka chuckled. "That's right. Fear me. The look on your face excites me to no end!"

Ren felt his blood rise. "You..."

She continued, "With Luquier in the soul, Luquier Reverse gains power +2000!"

A 13000 base. "I call Natasha behind my vanguard. Let's go, Luquier! Let's liberate your servants. Limit Break skill activated. I counter blast one and lock Natasha to call out Rising Dragon from the soul. It gains power +5000. Next, I call Purple Trapezist behind Hippogriff."

Asaka's heart was racing. The end of this match was drawing near, and she has Ren right where she wanted him. "Hippogriff attacks with a boost from Trapezist, 17k!"

Ren took out a Heal Trigger from his hand. "Guard!"

"Rising Dragon attacks, with a boost from Trapezist, 23k!"

Damage check... "Draw trigger," Ren declared, "Power to Mordred Phantom. Then I draw." Damage is 5 on 5. Suiko gulped. Hold on, Ren...

"Luquier Reverse, it's your turn to attack!" Asaka announced, "Break Ride skill activated. I return two Purple Trapezists into my soul... to take them both out once more! Then, both of their skills activate. They return both front rears to the soul and take them out once again!"

Suiko's eyes widened. "All her rears has stood once more! Ren, look out!"

Ren placed a card in front of Mordred. "Mac Lir. Perfect Guard!" he cried out.

"Twin drive check." First check... Luquier. Second check... "Critical Trigger," Asaka said, "All effects to Rising Dragon. Hippogriff attacks Mordred for 17k once more!"

Ren placed his Blaster Dark to the guard zone. "Intercept."

Asaka turned to Rising Dragon. "It's time to end this. Rising Dragon, show Ren your true power. Attack for another 23k!"

Ren moved his second Blaster Dark to the guard zone. "I intercept. Plus I guard with Freezing Revenger from my hand."

Struggle... struggle some more! Asaka let out a maniacal laugh. "You are ridiculous, Suzugamori Ren. It's inevitable that you'll become mine."

"That's enough," Ren snapped. Asaka was rendered speechless. "Narumi Asaka," he called.

"...Yes?"

"I am not here to play games with you," he said. His searing anger was starting to show in his voice. "But I will tell you this. I understand, Asaka. I know your best points, and how strong they make you," Ren continued, "You said I don't look at you. But in truth, I've been watching you closely all this time... in all your matches. You're very special to me. That's why, I promise you, I will bring you back."

Asaka shook her head. "Are you... serious?" her eyes began to blur from the fresh tears that came out of her eyes.

No, the voice in her head retorted, you are this close to having him to yourself. Get a grip, Asaka. He is only trying to make you as harmless as possible.

"Ugh..." Asaka muttered. She clutched her head and whimpered in confusion.

Ren narrowed his eyes. He took out a card from his hand. "Break Ride! Mordred Phantom!"

He reached for a card on his damage zone and flipped it face down. Mordred Phantom increased his power by 10k. Ren picked up his deck. "Stand up for me a third time... my avatar, Blaster Dark Revenger!"

Blaster Dark appeared on his field with a power of 14k. "Dorint skill, I unflip one damage, and then I use Blaster Dark's skill to retire your Rising Dragon."

Blaster Dark used his sword to vanquish the dragon adjacent to him. "Then," Ren said, "Another one." he showed the Blaster Dark Revenger in his hand.

Asaka's eyes widened. "A fourth Blaster Dark?"

Ren smiled. "Call! Now, Dorint's skill activates. I unflip one damage. Once again, Blaster Dark retires another rearguard... Flying Hippogriff."

In an instant, Asaka's front rears have vanished. She gritted her teeth. "No... no way."

"Asaka," Ren called, "I'm only going to say this once, so please listen carefully."

She looked straight into his eyes. There was not a hint of hesitation when Ren announced sternly, "From here on out, stay with me!"

Asaka's heart skipped a beat. The red marks under her eyes were beginning to disappear. A somewhat static voice bellowed within her, He's trying to trick you, Asaka! Remember your goal!

Ren faced his vanguard. "Mordred Phantom, cut through the darkness that's holding Asaka captive." Mordred ran towards Luquier Reverse, ready to deliver the final blow. Ren could not hold it any longer. "Come back to me, Asaka!"

His voice reached her from within, and for a moment Asaka felt like herself again. Mordred pierced through Luquier Reverse, and the top card of Asaka's deck went to her damage zone as the sixth hit. The units all disappeared.

Suiko smiled. "Ren, you did it!"

Asaka touched her forehead, her memories quite fragmented. Despite her dazed state, she slowly looked at him, to Ren, her source of strength. Her heart sank. Suiko had ran up to him and hugged him tight.

"Thank goodness," she said, "For a moment, I thought you had surely lost!"

An evil chuckle echoed in Asaka's head. Asaka gasped. The pain in her heart was apparent. You see? the voice said, he only tricked you. Suzugamori Ren does not care for you. Asaka watched desperately as Ren turned to the turquoise-haired idol.

"You really doubted me for a second?" Ren said with a childish pout, "That makes me sad, Suiko."

The tears on Asaka's eyes finally fell. "N-No..." her voice was a faint whisper. You cannot make me disappear as long as you hold this darkness in your heart, Narumi Asaka.

Asaka hung her head low. "I... didn't ask for much... I wanted... I only wanted... for him to notice me..."

Ren turned to her direction. "Asaka?"

She ignored him, her body trembling as the darkness engulfed her once more. He lied to you. A surge of pain hit her hard. He used you. Another. He turned you into his own doll. And another.

He will never look at you.

"Asaka," Suiko called, walking over to her urgently. "Are you all right?"

Ren stared at the AL4 Assassin suspiciously. Asaka's head remained low. Her lips were in a stagnant frown. The tears from her eyes kept falling. Suiko reached out her hand. Asaka's hand moved into her skirt pocket and pulled something out. Ren's eyes widened in horror.

"Suiko, wait!" he darted across the room just in time to reach for Suiko's other arm and pulled her hard. He caught her swiftly by the waist as they fell back to the ground together. Asaka had brought out a pocket knife and sliced through the air where Suiko once was.

Ren looked at Suiko. "Are you all right?" he asked.

"Y-Yes," she said, sounding quite shaken. A shrill of laughter pierced through the air. Ren and Suiko turned to Asaka, who stood up slowly.

"Suzugamori Ren," her voice was wicked, "Did you really believe you can get rid of me with a pack of fresh lies?" she finally raised her head.

Ren was stunned. The look on her face was even more sinister than before. "A-Asaka... this can't be. I beat you!"

She took one step at a time, approaching them slowly with her pocket knife pointed threateningly at Suiko. "Eliminate her... and Ren will be mine alone." The red marks under her eyes appeared.

Ren and Suiko stood. "Asaka," Suiko shouted, "Please snap out of it!"

"Shut up!" she cried, raising her knife at her. Ren stepped forward and kept Suiko behind him. The knife grazed lightly on Ren's cheek. He flinched. Suiko stared in horror.

"Suiko," Ren said, "You need to get out of here. Run for the elevator, now!"

Suiko nodded, turning around and heading for the elevator. Asaka grumbled and chased after her- but Ren pulled her back to him. He grabbed her by the arms and shook her fervently.

"Please come back, Asaka!" he shouted desperately, "Did you not hear me the first time? Stay with me!"

Asaka grinned. "You said you'd only say it once," she twirled her knife around playfully with one hand. "You lied to me once again, Suzugamori Ren." she turned her head to Suiko. "Is it because of her?"

The elevator door opened. "Ren!" Suiko called, "Let's go!"

Ren tightened his grip on Asaka's shoulders. He saw her menacing eyes, her delirious expression, her murder-hungry smile. The sight of it made him feel...

Destroyed.

"Ren!" Suiko called again.

Asaka stared at him. "Stay with me, Ren."

The words stung him even before they came out of his mouth: "I can't."

He raised his hands and chopped her hard on the shoulders. Asaka shrieked in pain as she fell on the floor whimpering.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, for not saving you. Ren gave her one last look of regret before he turned and ran toward the elevator door.