Having not gotten much sleep the previous night, Tatsuya was more tired than ever the next day. He wasn't exactly sure how he was going to explain the reasons for how sluggish he was being. Even Klaus couldn't figure out why he was acting strangely. The conversation he had with Horakhty ran through his mind in an endless loop. It was as if he couldn't think of anything else at the time.

"Just what exactly was that all about anyway?" Tatsuya mumbled to himself, pulling his knees to his chest, breathing a heavy sigh as he looked out towards the entrance of Crash Town.

What did she mean when she said all that?

The previous day...

"So what does a god like you want with me?" Tatsuya asked aloud, getting a slight chuckle in return.

"You're full of questions aren't you?" Horakhty mused. "But since you asked, I shall indulge you, Tatsuya. But first, I'll need you in a place more...away from prying eyes and listening ears..."

At the words of the goddess, Tatsuya became surrounded in a blinding white light that engulfed his body in a flash. Almost instantaneously, he was transported far out of Crash Town, at least ten miles into the middle of the desert. Tatsuya landed on his rear and rubbed his backside. His heart raced frantically.

"Sheesh, couldn't you have given me a softer landing?" Tatsuya mumbled, fully aware that he was speaking to a god, and not just any but the Egyptian god, the one who resides over Slifer, Obelisk and Ra. On his part, it probably wasn't the smartest thing to be doing. Still, she could have been more gentle!

"My apologies. I was being hasty bringing you out here. What I have to say shouldn't be heard by anyone else at the moment. Also, it would have looked strange for you to be talking to 'no one' as it were..."

"I guess that makes sense," Tatsuya sighed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "So, I'll ask again, what do you want with me?"

"Straight to the point huh? Very well then Tatsuya, this is my reason for reaching out to you. Look towards the east and you will see what I have to show you..."

Tatsuya did as he was instructed, turning toward the east, only to see a portal begining to open. His eyes went wide as he saw a vision within the portal. Inside, he saw a sinister looking structure floating in the sky right above what he recognized as New Domino City. His eyes widened at the sight as it began to plummet towards the city at an accelerated rate. He saw people fleeing the city in attempts to escape the inevitable.

"Wh-What is that!?" Tatsuya demanded.

"The Ark Cradle. A divine temple being used for one purpose and one purpose only. To destroy the very source of Ener-D. New Domino City. You see, many years ago, as you already know, the Zero Reverse wiped out many lives and caused the split between the city and Satellite. What you see here, will be an attempt to rectify that mistake. However, this was not something that I had planned..."

"Not something you planned? Then what is it? Because things like that don't just fall out of thin air! And what do you mean 'will be'? Because last I checked, we humans can't make temples fall out of the sky," Tatsuya snapped.

"You are indeed correct. No mere mortal can, but as you'll soon see, that's exactly what you will see."

Tatsuya observed as he saw three figures standing on the Ark Cradle. Their figures were difficult to make out, but he could feel a sinister aura coming from the trio.

"Okay...I have so many questions," Tatsuya blinked, shaking his head as he remembered the details of the vision he was just shown. "First, who the hell were they?"

"They are the servants of Iliaster. Mortals who claim to be doing the will of the gods, but are actually following their own ambitions..."

"So why don't you stop them? What do you need me for?" Tatsuya inquired.

"Because I have chosen you for the task. Their treacherous behavior must be stopped, and the way I have chosen is the way it shall be carried out. In the near future, you will stop the three servants of Iliaster and stop the Ark Cradle from destroying the city. But as you are now, you are not strong enough..."

"And just how exactly am I to face a threat like that? And what did you mean when you called me 'child of the dark,' back there?" Tatsuya demanded.

"All in due time dear Tatsuya. All in due time..."

"Wait! What do you mean by that!?" Tatsuya shouted.

As much as he wanted answers, it seemed as though he wasn't going to get them any time soon. A bright light shrouded his body, completely swallowing him up and warping him back into town.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's

Arc One - Ninth Turn - Farewell Toru

WRGP WC

The Dark Oppressor

Several hours had passed since Tatsuya's conversation with Horakthy earlier that morning. All he could think about was what he'd seen in that portal. Was that really what was to come? Or did he make it all up in his mind due to how genuinely terrified he'd been due to the events that transpired.

The servants of Iliaster...just who are they? What do they want? Tatsuya thought as he sat in the card shop with Nico and West.

"You doing alright Tatsuya? You look like something's troubling you," Nico stated.

"Huh?" Tatsuya blinked, looking up from his hand at Nico who was waiting for him to make a move.

The trio had been sitting in the card shop for three hours, opening card packs and well...dueling. It was Tatsuya's turn and he had yet to do anything.

Tatsuya - 2900 LP

Nico - 1600 LP

"Sorry Nico, I just...have a lot on my mind," he sighed, looking down at the field with a sigh. "I activate the effect of Dark World Lightning, destroying your face down card," Tatsuya stated firmly.

"And since I have to discard a card, I'm discarding Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World," Tatsuya continued, discarding the card to the Graveyard before reaching for it again. "And due to his effect, he gets summoned to the field," Tatsuya added.

Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World - (Dark/Fiend/Effect) -LV 4 (ATK/1600 DEF/1300)

"Now, since your field is wide open, I'll attack you directly for the win," Tatsuya stated, sliding the card forward to show he was attacking.

Tatsuya - 2900 LP

Nico - 0 LP

"My turn!" West exclaimed quickly, racing to the table with haste, eager to face Tatsuya in another duel.

"Give him a second to relax West. He seems tired," Nico said as she saw how tired Tatsuya looked.

"Yeah...I guess you're right. Maybe I'll wait a bit longer," West said reluctantly.

As Tatsuya was about to speak, the trio heard the sound of a Duel Runner outside, prompting them to head to the door.

Shoot, is he leaving already? Tatsuya thought as he and the trio opened the door to the shop and stepped outside.

There, on his bike, in front of the shop, was Toru dressed completely in the protective riding suit he'd bought. Removing his helmet, Toru got shut the Runner off and got off to meet his friends.

"Hey you three, how's it goin'?" Toru asked with a wide grin.

"Alright for the most part. I see you've fixed it up a little. New paint job too?" Tatsuya asked, observing the black and white coloration.

"Oh yeah! It took a while though, but I finally got it how I wanted it. She's up and running and ready to take on the WRGP!" Toru said proudly.

"There's just one problem with that genius. You need a team to enter," Tatsuya smirked.

"I'll take care of that, no problem. I was kinda hopin' you'd be part of the team, but since you don't have a Duel Runner..."

"I know. It's okay Toru, as long as one of us achieves his dream I'm fine with it," Tatsuya said with a heavy sigh.

"You always were supportive of me weren't you? It's a good thing we won't be too far away right? Come and visit me anytime. You've got my cell, so don't be a stranger," Toru beamed.

"Are you really leaving, Toru?" West inquired, looking up at Toru with a quizzical expression.

"Yep! Gonna go take on the WRGP and win the championship!" Toru grinned.

"That's assuming you make it there. Without a team, it's a bit too soon to be calling yourself a champion," Nico inputted.

"And you still do that," Toru face-palmed.

"Not trying to ruin the mood. Sorry Toru," Nico said sheepishly. "Anyway, good luck okay? I know you can do it."

"Thanks Nico, I'll be sure to win some duels for you guys," Toru beamed. "And as for you," Toru continued, looking pointedly at Tatsuya. "Hold down the fort will ya? With me gone, the town has one less duelist to stand up to those Malcom and Ramon thugs..."

Tatsuya smirked and reached out for Toru's hand who grabbed it firmly, giving it a shake before releasing and bumping fists with Tatsuya.

"Don't worry, I'm sure I can handle whatever they send my way. Just do me a favor and don't crash due to your sloppy handling," Tatsuya teased.

"Hey! I've gotten better. And just because you had one smooth ride, doesn't make you an expert," Toru shot back, getting a laugh out of Tatsuya.

"Relax Toru, I'm only messing with you. Good luck out there man," Tatsuya said finally, getting a nod from Toru who put his helmet back on.

"Thanks you guys. I'll; see you all around! If not soon, then in the WRGP!" Toru shouted before revving the engine and rocketing off into the distance.

Tatsuya, West and Nico all watched until Toru was nothing but a small dot in the distance.

Ninth Turn - Farewell Toru

End Phase