Yes! Despite everything, I still managed to get this up before Friday. Unfortunately Laptop decided now would be a good time to break, so I've been having a bit of trouble updating recently. Luckily, we have a desktop at the house, so I've been able to use that for brief moments to get this done. Have fun reading the new chapter, and as always- Review!

Chapter Twelve

Flight of the Valkyria

Enzo was on the verge of defeat. As per Misty's orders, he and Rathie had gone to the third stall in the men's restroom, only to find a single Sector Security Officer bound and gagged. Through numerous attempts they had tried to rid the man of his clothing so they could take on his disguise, but as expected the officer had proven less than helpful in that regard. The two were only just agreeing to knock the man out and be done with it when the binds slipped, allowing him to tackle Rathie to the ground and incapacitate him.

This of course left Enzo to deal with the man alone.

"Damn it! Stand still, would ya?!" he shouted, frustrated that the officer had once again managed to slip right past him.

Despite his simple and foolish exterior, Enzo had taken several self-defense classes, which made it all the more frustrating that the unskilled officer before him could avoid his attacks so easily. Making for a punch, Enzo snarled as the security officer slipped off to the side, leaving Enzo to foolish crash head-first into the urinal. Of course, the officer, trained as he was, made full use of Enzo's mistake, closing in on his would-be assailant from behind. He kicked his leg out as he crouched, successfully sweep-kicking Enzo off his feet. For a brief moment, the officer smirked. Whether or not he looked it, the man had been in the force for years, and he'd be damned if some brat off the streets was going to take him out without a fight.

Outside, Misty sat patiently at their table, surrounded by an ever growing crowd of fans.

It had been some time since the two had left the woman alone, and she couldn't help but worry. It wasn't as if she cared for either of them, but whether she liked it or not they were instrumental in her plan to retrieve Red Hat. As such, it was imperative that they stay alive… and safe. Sighing, Misty folded her legs, turning her head elegantly to sign off on yet another autograph for a young couple that had recognized her.

"As fun as this is… those two better hurry up," she thought inwardly, "While they're playing around in the bathroom time may be running out for my dear To- I mean, Red Hat-san."

If only she knew how right she was.

In a realm between realms Konami was still participating in a deadly Shadow Game with the vile Divine, and whoever lost would lose more than a simple card game. Both competitors knew full well what was on stake, for if either of them hit 0 Life Points, their very souls would be forfeit.

Of course, those "trapped" in the stadium's lobby knew not of what was occurring in the world that neighbored theirs, and if they did, it was certain that panic would erupt within moments.

Luckily, few knew just what was happening right outside their doors.

"Go Hamon, obliterate our honored guest with your striking thunder!"

Lightning flared and flashed around them as Hamon screeched arrogantly, flapping its wings down upon its master's enemy.

Red Hat could only cry out as the Sacred Beast's lightning sparked down upon him, tearing through his clothes and skin with ease and leaving it little more than a smoking mess.

"Ha… ha…" the boy panted, writhing in pain upon the shadowed floor. "S-Shit… I don't know if I… if I can go any further…."

Divine chuckled. "That bad, hm? Fufufu… To be honest I expected more from you, Konami-kun."

The boy gasped for air, curling his body in pain as he shot a fierce glare at his ultimate enemy. "S-Screw you… you psychic prick!" he somehow managed to hiss out. "You… You may be a great psychic and all… and you're really good at manipulating people with that Sacred Beast card of yours… but you forget…"

Konami paused, steadily pulling himself to one knee as he regarded the man once more, "I'm just as good as you!"

Divine couldn't help it. He laughed. "You…? Just as good as me? Yes…. Yes I suppose you must be, if you are to achieve the goal I have in mind. Kuku… rise, Konami-kun. Surely one as strong as I would not fall so easily? Rise! Rise so we may continue this Shadow Duel among equals!"

Konami scowled, but did as Divine asked. Taking a breath, he forced himself back to his feet to face the enemy head-on.

Their eyes met in the Gentle Darkness, feelings and emotions travelling between them as Konami scowled once more. It seemed whatever conversation they were thinking of had come to an end. Steadily, Konami raised his arm, setting it softly on the Deck stashed within his Duel Disk.

"My Turn! Draw!" he shouted, igniting the Duel once more. He glanced downward, taking in his latest card before turning his attention back to the Field.

"It's gonna be rough… but I don't have a choice. I'm the only one here who can put an end to this." "Alright! First I'll go ahead and change my Gemini Summoner into Defense Position!" he started, raising his arm energetically towards the monster in question.

Gemini Summoner nodded in agreement, crouching down and raising his arms in front of him protectively as his body in general seemed to weaken.

Gemini Summoner-LV4-(1500/0)

"And now, I'll follow that by setting another monster face-down in Defense Position!" Konami explained, sliding the card easily into his Duel Disk.

Divine laughed, "Defense Position eh? You talk big, but it's obvious that you're just on the run."

"Idiot… A good Duelist can do more than Attack." Konami countered, "I'll set one more card face-down and end my turn."

"Fufu… I suppose that makes it my move." Divine grinned, "Draw!"

The Arcadia Movement's founder smirked as he realized what card he had drawn, and quickly made to use it to its fullest.

"I'm activating the Field Spell Fallen Paradise!" he explained, revealing the card to Konami as the Gentle Darkness erupted into a ruined, wilting land. "This particular card's effect only activates when one of the three Sacred Beast cards are present on the Field. If you didn't know, it allows me to draw an additional two cards once per turn!"

Konami frowned, "So you're digging through your Deck… probably not a good sign."

"Not for you…" Divine agreed, smiling as he realized just what cards he had drawn. "Especially not with what I've just received! I summon the Creator Incarnate to the Field in Attack Mode!"

A warrior clad in golden armor appeared on the Fallen Paradise, his face stoic and serious as he gazed upon the layout of the land.

The Creator Incarnate- LV4- (1600/1500)

"Unfortunately, these circumstances have made it so he won't be around for long." Divine began sorrowfully, "Because his effect will cost him his very soul!"

"That card too huh?" Konami thought aloud, "Seems like your Deck is just filled with dangerous Effect Monsters."

"Indeed. My Deck can have nothing but the best." Divine smiled, "Now, behold the power of the Creator Incarnate! By tributing it now… I can use his ability to Special Summon the Creator himself in his stead!"

Konami narrowed his eyes as the Creator Incarnate glowed brightly, a golden light erupting from his very being while a stronger, fiercer version of the monster encased itself around him.

The Creator-LV8-(2300/3000)

"2300 Attack Points? He's not a heavy hitter… but that Defense of his will be troublesome…" Konami predicted.

Divine glanced back at his hand once more and smiled. Despite his already big plays, he wasn't done just yet.

"Next," he began, "I'll be activating my Creator's Effect. You see Konami-kun, once per turn I can resurrect a monster in my Graveyard by discarding a single card from my hand." He paused, glancing at the field where Konami had a single face-down Spell or Trap card. Thinking back on the numerous plays Konami had made in his prior Duels, Divine grinned, believing he knew just what card the boy had decided to throw down.

"And to deal with that card..." he thought smugly, "the best option I have is to resurrect…"

"Mirage Dragon!"

-5D's-

Enzo scowled, glaring down at the unconscious Sector Security Office below him. It had been rough, but after a disastrous start the teen had managed to come out from behind and pull a surprise victory through the use of a load-bearing Fire Extinguisher. Needless to say, the teen felt quite proud of himself.

Kneeling down to the defeated man's level, Enzo let out a sigh, stripping the man of his uniform and leaving him with nothing save a single pair of untouched tighty whities. Pulling the Agent's hat over his head to complete his disguise, the teen smirked.

"Never thought I'd end up dressing like a cop someday." He thought privately, glancing at himself in the mirror, "Still, I look pretty hot in this. Who knows, maybe I could get a date if I happened to "save" some girl from a "bad guy". Heh."

The sound of a gurgling moan broke him from his musing. Tilting his head, Enzo regarded his fallen comrade, wincing as he caught a glimpse of the swelling black eye the man now sported.

"Er… Rathie? You alright over there?" he asked slowly, leaving the mirror to check on his friend.

"Ugh… feel like I got hit by a train." The man admitted, gripping his eye in frustration, "What happened? I remember trying to take the clothes of that guy and…"

"Long story short, he broke out and knocked you out." Enzo interrupted, "Still, I managed to put the guy to sleep so it all worked out in the end… even if your eye got a little…."

"My eye? What happened to my eye?" Rathie asked.

"Take a look." The teen grinned, turning Rathie to glance at himself in the mirror. "Pretty neat huh? The girls will be all over you asking how you got it."

"Wha…?" Rathie deadpanned, "Yeah, if only so they can laugh about it later. Tell me, how long was I out for?"

"Only a few minutes actually. It's pretty surprising. I'd have been out for at least an hour or two with how hard he hit you. Must be all the fat, really saved you this time pal!"

"Not to interfere, but is there a reason you two bumbling buffoons have yet to leave the bathroom?" Misty's voice echoed through the room.

"E-Eh? M-Misty?!" Enzo shrieked, "Shit! She's not in here is she?"

"I can be wherever I wish to be." Misty told them once more, appearing in the mirror before them. "I see you have retrieved the uniform I spoke of. Now then, if you'd make your way back to the lobby I can inform you of your next-" she paused, raising a brow as she glanced towards Rathie, "You. What happened to your eye?"

"I was… how do I put this…? Knocked out?"

Misty closed her eyes, restraining herself from lashing out at the two buffoons before her. She should've known better than to send them to do a woman's job. "I see. Well, despite your errors you still managed to achieve the desired result. Now, return to the lobby so we may begin phase two."

With that said the vision of Misty disappeared, leaving a confused Enzo and embarrassed Rathie alone in the men's bathroom.

"I swear… she gets weirder every second…" Enzo sighed, looking to Rathie for any sign of agreement.

He would find none.

"We should probably get back." Rathie mumbled in distant thought, "I don't want to be here when Sector Security finds this guy. Who knows what they'll do to us then?!"

Enzo sighed, "You're probably right. Misty wanted us to head back anyway so…"

He shrugged, as if stating he didn't know what else to say about the subject. What was there to? The woman had grown increasingly cold as the hours dragged on, and they didn't want to see what she'd try to do to anyone who wasted her time. They had discussed bringing Mikage in to deal with the situation, but the woman seemed to have disappeared before they had the chance. It was as if she had vanished off the face of the planet without a trace.

Unbeknownst to the two of them, they weren't far off.

"Alright there Jack?"

The man in question scowled, glaring at Goodwin as he folded his arms in resentment. "Alright? You drag me here to be some guinea pig in your experiment and you have the gall to ask me whether or not I'm alright? Really Goodwin."

"It was merely a question." The Director smiled, folding his arms behind him as he regarded the Duel occurring several yards before them. "Besides, if anyone here is the guinea pig, it would be those two."

"Hmph, I suppose. But I still don't see why you brought me here to watch a Duel! Could you not have done this through those VR simulators you have back in your office?"

"As I've already told you Jack, some Duels are far more important than others. However, I expect you already know this, given how you ran off to duel that Satellite friend of yours a couple days back…." Goodwin smiled.

"You… You knew about that?"

"Of course I knew. You didn't expect me to not keep an eye on my investments did you? I take every precaution when monitoring the status of Neo Domino City's "King". I have to, being the reason you're here after all." He paused, taking in Jack's expression. "Relax Jack. No harm will come to that friend of yours anytime soon. In fact, I believe I informed Lazar to invite him to the Fortune Cup. Perhaps then you'll be capable of having the rematch you've long desired. One not hindered by the appearance of… undesirables?"

"I intended to deal with Yusei at my leisure, but as usual you've gone and twisted things around to your liking." Jack grunted, "Very well. I shall take care of Yusei at the Fortune Cup. But what do these two have to do with it?"

"They're merely a… test if you will? An experiment whose results will determine the way things shall proceed in the future."

"An experiment…?"

"Watch, and perhaps you will find yourself enlightened, Jack." Goodwin explained, handing the binoculars to the man.

Jack folded his arms for several minutes. He wasn't one for games, but Goodwin had to be one of the most persistent men he had ever met. If it wasn't for his resources, Jack was certain he would've left long ago. Sighing, he took hold of the binoculars, turning them towards the Duel that Goodwin seemed so interested about.

"The monster I choose to resurrect is Mirage Dragon!" Divine smirked, slamming the card back down on his Duel Disk as it left his Graveyard.

The dragon appeared in a funneling mist, roaring quietly as it appeared alongside Hamon and the Creator.

Mirage Dragon-LV4-(1600/600)

Konami's eyes narrowed at its appearance. "Wait… Mirage Dragon is a monster that stops me from using Trap Cards during the Battle Phase!" he glanced at his Field, "So that's your plan! In that case, I have no choice. I had meant to use this to surprise you but you're forcing my hand."

"Your summon may be successful," Konami began, "but you've given me the chance to activate something of my own!"

"Oh?" Divine asked, somewhat surprised. Was the card Konami had placed on the Field not Mirror Force as he had expected?

"That's right! Check it out! Waboku! I'll admit it's kind of an old-fashioned card, but it still gets the job done!" Konami grinned.

"Waboku… so just what does this card of yours do?" Divine frowned.

"Well to put things simply, it prevents me from taking any Battle Damage this turn, but that's not all. The reason Waboku is so great, is that it also prevents you from destroying any of my monsters, at least by battle!" Konami explained.

"I see." Divine thought aloud, "So you've bought yourself another turn have you? No matter. Your Gemini Summoner doesn't have the Attack needed to destroy any of my monsters, and that face-down card of yours isn't likely to do you any good. I'll end my turn and wait for a chance to finish you off."

"That's good and all, but I've got to stop you right there!" Konami shouted, "If you remember, my Gemini Summoner has an ability! By paying 500 Life Points, I can Normal Summon or Set a Gemini Monster from my hand!"

Konami- 4600 LP

Divine- 3700 LP

"So say hello to my Dawnbreak Gardna!" Konami shouted, smiling as he put the card down on his Duel Disk.

In a blinding flash of light, a warrior clad in metallic grey armor appeared, the visage of the sun briefly appearing behind him before vanishing into the darkness of the withered lands.

Dawnbreak Gardna-LV3-(1500/500)

"Another monster too weak to compare to mine." Divine noted, "And because it's a Gemini Monster, you can't even use its effect!"

"That may be so…" Konami agreed, "But now everything is in place." "But now it's my turn! And I intend on using it to the fullest! Draw!"

Adjusting his Red Hat, Konami smirked. He'd be able to wipe the slate clean with his next few moves. It'd cost him a bit, but in the end it would be worth it.

"Let's get this done!" he began, "First, I'm flipping my face-down card into Attack Mode! Reveal yourself Flamvell Guard!"

A fiery torrent appeared above the previously veiled card, expanding to reveal the Level One monster Konami loved to abuse.

Flamvell Guard-LV1-(100/2000)

"And now I have just enough stars to bring it out…" he nodded, "I'm tuning my Four Star Gemini Summoner, my One Star Flamvell Guard, and my Four Star Dawnbreak Gardna to bring out my new monster!"

Konami's hand swiveled upwards as his three monsters leapt together, disappearing into eight shining stars that collided together gracefully.

"Burning Flames engulf the midnight sky! With the power of twins, give birth to a new calamity! Awaken and end this nightmare, Black Brutdrago!"

A shining pillar of red light erupted from behind Konami, twisting and turning as if becoming the very essence of fire itself as it crashed down upon the Fallen Paradise. A fiery roar emerged and shook the land, and through the flames Divine could make out two piercing red eyes.

With another roar, the monster flapped its rather small wings once, dispersing the flames and sending them flying across the withered lands of the Fallen Paradise. In that instant, armor fell upon the creature, equipping itself upon the dragon's appendages and welding itself to the skin.

It was then that the dragon roared one final time, before glaring defiantly at the creatures across from it and coming to a reluctant stop beside Konami.

Black Brutdrago-LV8-(3000/2600)

"Oh? So you had a card like that did you?" Divine smiled. "It may be powerful, but it isn't enough to destroy Hamon."

"It isn't." Konami agreed, "But that's not important right now, because I'm summoning another monster!"

Divine frowned. "Interesting, but curious. This Duel isn't going the way I expected. Has something changed? I was supposed to lose my Hamon to a Mirror Force and bring him back with Lord of Darkness's effect but there was no Mirror Force on the Field. What's going on here?"

"Here we go! Dark Valkyria, take to the Field!" Konami commanded, placing the card on his Duel Disk.

In a flurry of black petals the red-eyed woman scowled, gliding down to stand beside Black Brutdrago.

Dark Valkyria-LV4-(1800/1050)

Konami clenched his now empty hand. "That's it. From now on it's all up to chance. Here we go…" "Battle Phase! Let's begin! Black Brutdrago, I'll start by having you get rid of his Creator!"

The Dragon roared triumphantly, flames exploding outward as it towered over the Creator. With a firm stomp the monster was flattened, leaving Divine to gaze upon his two remaining monsters.

"This is fine. So long as Hamon exists I can still win this Duel."

Konami- 4600 LP

Divine- 3000 LP

"Next, my Dark Valkyria will have her way with your Mirage Dragon!" Konami explained, watching his Valkyrie glide off and disappear into the Field. Reappearing behind Divine's dragon, the fairy swung her hand through the dragon, cleaving it in two.

Konami- 4600 LP

Divine- 2800 LP

"Damn… wasn't enough to do it. Still, I can win this, so long as everything goes according to plan…." Konami thought. "… I end my turn."

"Hmph, it seems your new monster was not up to par after all." Divine chuckled, "Isn't it a shame when our new toys don't turn out as we expect? Oh well, it's time to finish this. Draw!"

He paused, staring down at the useless card he seemed to have drawn. "In hindsight… I may have put a few too many Spell cards in this Deck, however…" "I activate my Fallen Paradise's effect, allowing me to draw two more cards from my Deck!"

Eloquently, the man drew an additional two cards, smiling as he glanced at the last. "Ah! So there you are!"

"Now then… It's time for me to put an end to your foolishness. Hamon, destroy Dark Valkyria!"

The Sacred Beast screeched out in pleasure, flapping its wings vibrantly as it soared into the heavens. In a crackling storm, three bolts of lightning crashed down upon the Fallen Paradise, each one aimed towards the fairy.

With a scream, the bolts merged with their target, electrocuting the woman in ways that made even Divine cringe. However, he would not stop.

"And don't forget Hamon's parting gift." He smirked, aiming towards Konami.

Red Hat scowled. "Damn it! I haven't managed to recover from the first one yet!"

Hamon screeched, and once again a large bolt descended from the heavens, poised towards Konami. However, things would not go Divine's way. The light from the collision illuminated the Shadow Realm, prompting everyone to cover their eyes in fear of blindness. However, Konami was not the one to be struck.

The boy had dueled multiple times to put the Sacred Beasts back to rest, and the "Heart of the Cards" was not one to ignore such bravery. As such, it took measures to ensure its Duelist would continue to fight.

Just as Hamon's attack would have struck, a small figure appeared before Konami, taking the brunt of the attack. A small, pink figure.

Marshmallon.

It had come to defend its owner in a time of great need, and Konami would never forget it.

The light dimmed, and Divine smirked. Certainly, with that last attack, Konami was finished. He would be forced to admit defeat, and his soulless husk would be the perfect vessel to conquer the city with. That said, he was surprised to see the Red Hat wearing nuisance standing unharmed, awaiting the next turn.

Divine scowled.

No. Things were certainly not going as he had expected. The Duel should have ended long before this, and it certainly wasn't supposed to be such a close match. But it didn't matter. If he couldn't force Konami into surrender, then he would rip the victory from him, no matter what.

Konami- 1400 LP

Divine- 2800 LP

"I end my turn." Divine all but snarled.

"Then… it's my move." Konami retorted, drawing his card. "I'll put my Black Brutdrago in Defense Mode… and end my turn."

"That's it?" Divine thought. "Defense Mode? This Duel is Mine!" "Draw! Hamon, destroy Black Brutdrago!"

Konami winced, covering his arms as the monster he had worked so hard to summon was annihilated with ease. Once again, Hamon's strike came, but no pain was felt.

Konami- 400 LP

Divine- 2800 LP

"How's that?!" Divine laughed, "You're done, Red Hat! I've destroyed your strongest monster, torn through your defenses, and now, come my next turn, you'll be finished!"

"You're wrong." Konami replied simply. "You're the one who's finished, Divine."

"?"

"You've unknowingly set off a trap set moves ago, that was waiting for this very moment." Konami explained solemnly, "and now… finally, I can use it! Black Brutdrago's effect activates from the Grave!"

Divine's eyes widened. "That monster?! It had an effect?! But how…?!"

"When this dragon of mine is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can summon one Gemini Monster in my Grave back to the Field! The card I'm choosing to end you is none other than Dark Valkyria!"

As Black Brutdrago's corpse began to descend into the darkness a torrent of flames whisked it away, dispersing to reveal a revived Dark Valkyria standing firmly on the battlefield.

Divine scoffed, "So you brought back your measly monster! It's still useless against my Hamon!"

"Wrong!" Konami snarled, "I warned you that all my monsters are strong, and that any number of them could destroy your Sacred Beast! You see, when Black Brutdrago revives my Gemini Monster, it comes back with all its abilities! Which means I can put a Spell Counter on my Dark Valkyria!"

"Spell counter?"

"And with that one Spell Counter…" Konami smiled, "I can have her destroy your Hamon! Go! Destroy the Sacred Beast with Flight of the Valkyria!"

Dark Valkyria smirked, once again disappearing into the Field. With the force of the Spell Counter behind her, reappearing inches in front of the final Sacred Beast, her body leaking with magical energy. With a loud cry, she plowed into the would-be God's center, the force of her blow growing stronger and stronger until she finally penetrated Hamon's outer shell, tearing through bone after bone until she finally reappeared out the other side.

Hamon had been pierced.

Divine couldn't believe it. It was unthinkable, that such a measly, weak monster could destroy his God. It was blasphemy!

Hamon stumbled, taking in several quick, hallowed breaths that seemed to do nothing for its condition. With one last screech, it fell back, its body dissolving piece by piece until nothing of the monster remained.

"And now that he's gone… you're defenseless!" Konami shouted.

"So… So what?! Your monster only has 1800 Attack Points! It doesn't have the strength to wipe me out!"

"Maybe not… but that's why I have this card!" Konami announced, revealing the card he drew before starting his turn.

Double Attack!

"Now… by discarding a Level 5 or higher monster card from my hand," Konami began, "I can have Dark Valkyria attack you twice in the same Battle Phase!"

"W-What?!" Divine scowled.

"Now, behold! The catalyst of your defeat!" Konami exclaimed, revealing the card he was to discard. "Exodius- The Ultimate Forbidden Lord!"

"I-Impossible!"

"Dark Valkyria! Attack!"

Chapter 12

End

With Dark Valkyria's attack, the Duel is all but concluded! But what of the designs Divine has planned? Will they too come to an end with his defeat, or will another rise to take his place? And what of Goodwin and Misty? What are their plans for our Red Hat loving hero? Find out, next time, on Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force! Chapter Thirteen: Return!

Extra

There had been an accident.

Three victims, two of which now lay in the morgue.

There were witnesses, of course, but no one could really determine who was to blame.

Was it the driver, for failing to adhere to the proper traffic laws? Was it the Pedestrian, for failing to look both ways prior to crossing the road? Or was it the passenger, distracting the driver with their illusions of grandeur for playing a children's card game?

No one could say for certain.

All that mattered was that one of their own lay comatose in the emergency room, in desperate need for a heart transplant.

It was sheer luck that one of the other victims was a donor.

But not even the King of Games himself expected that Seto Kaiba, of all people, would give his own organs away for the health of another. The man was known for being arrogant and selfish, going so far as to land an old man in the hospital over a children's card game.

Nonetheless, he was a donor, and with the recipient being Mokuba's friend, it made it all the more welcoming, despite his grief.

And so the doctors worked tirelessly through the night, giving their all as they worked to ensure that at least one of the victims would survive the night.

They succeeded.

There were complications, oh yes, but they had done it! They had saved the life of the young boy.

But Seto… was none too happy.