Hi all! Hiyuusha here with another chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force! This chapter was a little harder to write later on, but hopefully everything turned out alright! Anyway, for those of you who read the Extras, you might want to look up Reshef of Destruction if you don't know what it is! Otherwise, this one might fly over your head!


Till next time!


Last time… on Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force!


"G-Gwah!" Konami hacked, steam rising from his body as he struggled to stand. "I'm surprised… it was weaker than last time."

Akiza glowered. "It seems the attack held back because your Life Points haven't been completely depleted! No matter, I'll solve that problem soon enough!"

"Not quite…" Konami chuckled, "Because it's my turn now… and since your Black Garden is no longer an issue… I'll destroy that Black Rose Dragon of yours… along with the lies you seem to have filled your own head with!"

Akiza snarled. "This again! I told you not to speak to me of such things!"

"Oh but I will!" Konami shot back, drawing a card, "And I've got just the cards to do the talking! Check it out, Ancient Rules!"

"Ancient what?" Akiza scowled.

"Heh, it's a little gem that lots of people bypass thanks to the popularity of Effect Monsters!" Konami explained, "Basically, it lets me Special Summon a Level Five or higher Normal Monster from my Hand!"

"What? Level Five or higher…?"

"That's right, and I've got just the monster to knock some sense into you!" Konami shouted, pulling the card out and slamming it on his Duel Disk, "He may not have a soul anymore, but his body still continues onward to prove his strength! Behold, my strongest monster, Gogiga Gagagigo!"

Blue sparks and bolts zapped around the room, flying every which way as a taller, heavily modified version of the reptilian fighter materialized onto the Field. Unlike before, it lacked its gentle green skin, its body burning red with gold gauntlets clad all across his skin. He growled out angrily towards his opponents, barely restraining himself from lashing out and tearing them all to shreds.

Gogiga Gagagigo-LV8-(2950/2800)

Akiza's eyes went wide, "Impossible! A Normal Monster with 2950 Attack Points?!"

"It's easy to find cards like these when no one is buying them!" Konami declared, "And I'll prove that now with this card! Normal Summon, Memory Crusher!"

A dark sphere snapped into existence beside Gogiga Gagagigo, bulging and warping until a winged Fiend emerged from its being.

Memory Crusher-LV3-(1000/600)

"The stage is set…" Konami declared, "Go Gogiga Gagagigo! Destroy her Black Rose Dragon!"


And now…


-Chapter Twenty Eight-

Thorn


An explosion rocked the upper levels of the Arcadia Movement. The walls and windows shattered under the weight of the impact, showering down onto the streets below.

"My Black Rose Dragon!" Akiza cried out, squinting through her mask as the dirt and debris began to fade.

The sounds of battle could still be heard between the two, and finally, an ear-splitting shriek filled the room, echoing out into the streets below as Gogiga Gagagigo snapped the great dragon's neck.

Stomping on its defeated carcass, Gogiga Gagagigo roared out victoriously, its shining gauntlets gleaming as the dragon beneath it began to disappear.

Akiza scowled and glanced at her Duel Disk, watching her Life Points begin to drop.

Akiza-7450 LP

Konami-2800 LP

"Tch… you'll pay for that Red Hat!" she hissed, scowling as she snapped her eyes back to her opponent.

Konami grimaced, "Well, not before I give you a bit more damage I won't! Go Memory Crusher! Attack Akiza directly!"

The Fiend stood, its claws shining brilliantly as it flew forward and swiped through the Black Rose Witch.

Akiza gasped, clutching at her chest as phantom pain seemed to envelop her. "You…! It'll take more pain than that to defeat me!"

Akiza-6450 LP

Konami-2800 LP

"That's just fine!" Konami said, "Because my Memory Crusher has an effect you see! When it manages to inflict damage by attacking you directly, you also take damage equal to 100 points times the number of monsters in your Extra Deck!"

Akiza's scowl seemed to deepen. "My Extra Deck…?"

"That's right!" Konami shouted, glancing at the Duel Disk's data to see the number of monsters resting away in her Deck. "Looks to me like you have a good 3 monsters, which means… you'll be taking an additional 300 points of damage!"

Akiza scowled as the Memory Crusher raised its hand in front of her, gripping her by the head as numerous shocks made their way throughout their body. Scowling, the woman quickly knocked the creature away.

"300 points? That's hardly worth noticing!" she hissed, watching her Life Points drip down slightly.

Akiza-6150 LP

Konami-2800 LP

"Hate to say it but she's right. Wish I would've brought out something stronger than Memory Crusher but… for now this is all I can do! Besides," Konami thought, glancing at his other monster, "I still have my Gogiga Gagagigo!"

"I'll set one card face-down and end my turn!" he shouted, handing the reins over to his fanatic opponent.

"My move!" Akiza declared, drawing a card quickly, "Let's see! I think I'll start off by destroying that useless Memory Crusher you seem to have taken a liking to! Behold, I'm summoning my Longfire Blossom to the Field in Attack Mode!"

Longfire Blossom-LV3-(500/1400)

"Uh oh…" Konami grimaced.

"Uh oh indeed!" Akiza hissed, "Because you and I both know that this monster won't be around for long! By activating its effect, I can tribute a face-up Plant-type monster to special summon a different Plant-type monster from my Deck! So, by getting rid of my Longfire Blossom, I can Special Summon Tytannial, Princess of Camellias!"

The Longfire Blossom erupted into flames, whirling about wildly as it split and grew into a winding row of flowers. Moments later, a green-haired woman bloomed from the center, staring down at her foes stoically.

Tytannial-LV8-(2800/2600)

"Heh… that may be a strong monster…" Konami grimaced, "But it still isn't strong enough to take out my Gogiga Gagagigo…"

"True," Akiza relented, "but it is strong enough to destroy your Memory Crusher! Go Tytannial; destroy that Fiend with your Blooming Blade Blow!"

The Princess nodded, her eyes widening as flowers wrapped around her arm, twisting it until it resembled a shining rapier. Reeling back, the woman tossed the plants forward, the rapier hurling through the air and into Memory Crusher, spearing it right through the center.

Akiza-6150 LP

Konami-1000 LP

"Urk…! Another attack like that and I'm finished!" Konami thought, weathering the debris that resulted in his monster's death. "I can't afford to throw out any weak attack monsters anymore!"

"Now… I'll set one card down and end my turn!" Akiza hissed.

"Then it's time for me to continue this!" Konami shouted, "Draw!" he glanced at his hand, narrowing his eyes solemnly. "Alright! I'm summoning another monster to the Field! Check out my Gene-Warped Warwolf!"

The four-armed wolf creature howled as it leapt its way onto the Field, standing alongside the heavily modified Gagagigo to face down his opponent.

Gene-Warped Warworld-LV4-(2000/100)

"Your Deck is just filled with high-powered creatures, isn't it?!" Akiza accused.

"That's right, and I'll continue to show you just what they can do!" Konami shouted, pointing towards Tytannial, "Gogiga Gagagigo, destroy that Princess of Camellias! Go! Gogiga Strike!"

The reptile roared, its muscles bulging as it lost all restraint and leapt forward in a maddened, red haze. Tytannial screamed as the reptile tore through her bushes with ease, finally swiping its golden claws through the woman's torso to send it to the welcoming Graveyard.

Akiza scowled, watching her monster vanish angrily.

Akiza-6000 LP

Konami-1000 LP

"And now you're wide open for my next attack!" Konami continued, "Gene-Warped Warwolf, don't let me down now! Go!"

The wolf howled, leaping out towards Akiza and ripping its own claws across the girl's face. Akiza screamed as she skid back, her hand covering her face roughly as the Warwolf retreated to stand by its owner.

Akiza-4000 LP

Konami-1000 LP

Her mask seemed to crack, revealing a hate-filled eye glaring at Konami between her fingers.

"Tch… that's some anger you got there…" Konami mused, "makes me feel a little worried."

"You should be…" Akiza hissed, "You may be catching up, "Red Hat", but as always, I will be the victor of this Duel!"

Konami grimaced, "We'll just have to see about that, won't we? I'll set a card and end my turn!"

-5D's-

An explosion rocked the upper levels of the Arcadia Movement. The walls and windows shattered under the weight of the impact, showering down onto the streets below.

But deep below, in the darker recesses of the facility, the explosion shook the halls, weakening the inner structure of the building just enough to allow a certain someone to break free from the binds that held him.

"Hwooooh!" Enzo pulled, the wall to which he was bound cracking and straining under the impact of the prior explosion. In ordinary conditions, it would be all but impossible for the young man to pull the chains out a centimeter, much less off the entire wall. It was fortunate that that was no longer the case. "Come on… just a little more…. Hngh… Grrrruhhh!"

With one mighty heave a small circular portion of the wall collapsed, smashing to the ground and shattering the bind's base, leaving Enzo to remove his wrists with relative ease. Sure, there were still two small shackles wrapped around them, but at least they were separate now. He could move freely.

And just in time it seemed. No later than he had finished un-cuffing himself did the door open, and two Arcadia grunts strolled inside.

"I'm telling you, I know I heard something in here! Like a crash… or a fall…"

"Listen, shouldn't we be more concerned about whatever that shaking was? I'd hate to be stuck in here if it was an earthquake…"

The sound of movement caught them both off guard.

"H-Huh?! Come out, who's there?!"

"Ssh! Quiet, they'll hear you!"

"Hwoooh!" Enzo shouted, grabbing the broken wall off the ground and charging forward, driving straight into Mathew's head. "E-Eh?"

"Mathew!" Wisteria shouted, kneeling down beside the boy as he crashed to the ground.

"A-Agh… that really hurt…!" the boy hissed, gripping his forehead with one hand, "What the hell was that…? Enzo?!"

"Huh?" the boy blinked in surprise, "Mathew… and Wisteria too? What're you guys doing in here?"

"Looking for you, worm!" Wisteria scowled, pressing her hands to her hips angrily, "What were you thinking, hitting Mathew like that?!"

"H-Hold on a second!" the boy scowled, "I thought you two were Arcadia Movement guys, it isn't that much of a stretch, considering what you're wearing! Seriously, what the hell guys?" his eyes went wide, "Hold on, you didn't go and join these guys did you? Look, I know they might look nice and all, but they're really pretty mean-"

"They're called disguises you idiot!" Wisteria interrupted, "But I suppose a monkey like you wouldn't understand the meaning of subtlety!"

Mathew winced, "Can we just… stop arguing please? My head hurts enough as it is…"

"Sorry about that bro," Enzo chuckled sheepishly, "Really."

Mathew waved the boy off, "It's fine… but what are you doing in here anyway? This place is pretty much empty…"

"Ah… about that…" Enzo frowned, "I had just managed to get myself away from a few of these guys. I Dueled my way through a good number of them… but I got caught off guard by some guy when he summoned a Duel Monster outside a Duel… he took me out and had me thrown in here."

"Hmph, and you managed to get yourself free?" Wisteria asked, "Impressive… even for a monkey."

Enzo frowned, but said nothing. It wasn't like he was going to tell them the only reason he was free was because of that loud noise earlier. Speaking of…

"Have either of you guys seen Konami? Last I saw this place's leader was challenging him to a Duel."

"That must be where he is then… up there, with her." Wisteria scowled.

"Well that solves one problem then." Mathew jumped in, "All we have to do now is figure out how to get up there."

"That much is obvious!" Wisteria sniffed, "The elevator of course!"

-5D's-

The elevator.

It always seemed so… sinister.

Goodwin scowled, sending a brief glance towards the suit Kaibacorp had sent to conduct the Internal Investigation. It was not someone he knew.

And that boded ill for his many plans regarding the city of Neo Domino.

"Mr. Goodwin." The suit began as they entered his office, adjusting his tie mockingly, "My name is Roland, and as I'm sure you are aware, I have come to conduct the Internal Investigation of Sector Security regarding several concerns the unfortunate tragedy at the ceremonial Fortune Cup have raised."

The man paused, adjusting his tie once more, "If you work with me, I am sure we can bring a swift end to many of these concerns, and return to bringing a conclusion to the many Duels that have been postponed to deal with this… situation."

"Yes…" Goodwin agreed, wrapping his fingers around themselves, "It's a shame Kaibacorp had to get involved at all. I apologize for the inconvenience. I am sure you must be a busy man."

"Not at all," Roland disagreed, raising a hand to stop the man from continuing further, "Seto Kaiba himself was most insistent on my being here, as he knows that I will come to a conclusion quickly and allow you to return to more important matters."

"I see…" Goodwin scowled inwardly.

So that was why Goodwin didn't seem to know him. He was so high up on the food chain that Seto Kaiba himself gave him orders! Rex Goodwin was most certainly not amused. How was he supposed to manipulate a man that Kaiba himself already had a firm grip on? He needed a plan, and he needed one quick.

Roland's words snapped him out of his thoughts.

"I'm sorry," Goodwin apologized, "Would you mind repeating that? I seemed to have something in my ear."

Roland frowned, "I requested a list of all your employees. I shall be required to hold a brief discussion with each and every one of them to determine their role in these unfortunate events. It should take no longer than a day, provided everything goes smoothly as I suspect it will."

"Is such a thing really necessary?" Goodwin asked, "Surely someone of your talents can handle this without bothering the masses?"

"As much as I'd like to agree," Roland paused, "this is on Seto Kaiba's orders. I cannot afford to be lax. Besides, it is not as if you have anything to hide, correct?"

Once again, Goodwin bristled.

He knew.

He didn't know how but Seto Kaiba knew what he was doing.

And he didn't like it. Not one bit.

Goodwin scowled inwardly, masking his dark thoughts behind a charming smile as he brought up the employee list on his computer.

"Of course not," he told Roland, reluctantly pressing print, "Of course not."

-5D's-

"It's my turn now!" Akiza hissed, "Draw!"

Quickly glancing at the card she drew, the woman paused, turning to her Duel Disk to check the status of their Life Points.

Akiza-4000 LP

Konami-1000 LP

"A 3000 Point difference…" she thought, "But with those monsters of his on the Field that gap is all but nonexistent. One good attack from either of them and I'll be even closer to defeat… I need to turn this back around somehow... luckily, I have this!"

"I'm setting a monster and two cards!" Akiza declared, throwing the rest of her hand face-down on the Field. "There's nothing else I can do now "Red Hat", but don't take my words lightly! I will burn you to ash!"

"Maybe so, but with plays like that you're not very convincing!" Konami retorted, "Draw! Time to uncover what that Face-Down of yours is! Go Gene-Warped Warwolf! Attack!"

The monster nodded, spreading its four arms wide as it lunged across the Field, ripping its claws deep into the concealed Monster Card.

With a squawk, a small, blue creature made itself known, squawking once more as the Gene-Warped Warwolf cleaved it in two with another basic swing of its claws.

"Blue Rose Dragon?" Konami asked, "Well, it's off the Field now. Time to use Gogiga Gagagigo to attack you directly-"

"Stop right there "Red Hat"!" Akiza hissed, sweeping her hand to the side, "That Blue Rose Dragon you just destroyed happens to have an effect!"

"What?" Konami scowled, "Figures…"

"That's right!" Akiza hissed, "When my Blue Rose Dragon is destroyed and sent from the Field to the Graveyard… I can select one Black Rose Dragon in my Graveyard, and Special Summon it back to the Field!"

"Oh no!" Konami shouted, feeling the wind pick up once more.

Green light engulfed the room as Gene-Warped Warwolf leapt back, avoiding the resulting implosion that resulted in the resurrection of Akiza's ace monster.

Black Rose Dragon-LV7-(2400/1800)

"Tch… well, I'll admit it was a fancy revival." Konami relented, "But your dragon only has 2400 Attack Points! That's more than enough for me to destroy it with my Gogiga Gagagigo! Go my monster, Gogiga Strike!"

The reptilian fighter blazed forward, its arm reeled back and poised to strike, only to hit air.

"Kukuku… you fool!" Akiza cackled, "I had a Trap Card prepared for such a thing! Behold the power of Synchro Deflector!"

"Synchro Deflector?" Konami asked curiously, wondering just where the girl received so many Synchro-based cards.

"That's right!" Akiza continued, "It's a Trap Card that allows me to negate your monster's attack, and destroy one of your monsters!"

"Hold on, what'd you say?!"

"I believe you heard me quite well the first time!" Akiza explained, "Black Rose Dragon, deflect the attack back into Gogiga Gagagigo itself!"

The Black Rose's ace roared, winds whipping around violently as the modified reptile was sent spiraling away as if struck by a torpedo. It crashed into the already breaking wall, shattering upon impact and leaving Konami with one less monster.

"Oh no… Gogiga Gagagigo!" Konami called in shock, quickly turning back to face Akiza's monster, "You destroyed it!"

"That's right…" Akiza cackled, "And your Gene-Warped Warwolf is next! My Turn, Draw!" she glanced at the card quickly before turning back to Konami and smirking, "Alright! Black Rose Dragon, annihilate that beastly monster, and wipe out the last of Red Hat's Defenses! Go! Black Rose Flare!"

Konami scowled, watching the familiar green beam work its way up the dragon's body. "Sorry to disappoint you Akiza… but I have a Trap Card too! It'll show you that even the most beastly of warriors believe in the truth! Behold, my own Trap Card, Justi-break!"

"Justi-break?!" Akiza scowled, "So that was the card you played?!"

"That's right!" Konami nodded, "And it seems like you know exactly what it does! It's a good thing that my Warwolf is in Attack Position; otherwise this would've been pointless! But basically, this card lets me destroy all monsters on the Field, except for those that can be considered "Normal" and are in Attack Position!"

Akiza hissed, watching the green beam erupt from her Black Rose Dragon's lips only to hit open space. At the last moment, Gene-Warped Warwolf had broken free, swirling and spinning about vibrantly in the air before speeding down towards the Dragon, stomping it firmly on the head into the dirt below.

The Dragon didn't survive the blow.

"Yeah!" Konami cheered, "That's what I'm talking about! Some good old fashioned butt-kicking! Way to go Warwolf! We're still in this thing!"

"Hm…Hmhmhm…" Akiza shook her head, "Still in it huh…? Well, that much may be true… but I'm afraid it only stands for you! Reveal Face Down, Wild Nature's Release!"

Konami blinked, looking at the card in confusion, "Wild Nature's what now?"

"Wild Nature's Release!" Akiza grinned, "It's a special card I threw in my Deck just for you! It allows a Beast or Beast-Warrior monster of my choosing to gain Attack equal to its Defense, but come the End Phase it'll be destroyed! And if you'd take a look on the Field, there's only one suitable candidate!"

Konami's eyes went wide as he turned to his Warwolf, "Oh no!"

"Oh yes!" Akiza grinned, "Go wild, Warwolf! Show off your feral side!"

A wave of pressure seemed to flow from Akiza towards the Warwolf, and the creature grabbed its head in frustration. With a loud howl, it let go of its inhibitions, snarling and hissing about angrily as it glanced at the otherwise empty Field."

"This is its true nature!" Akiza explained, "A rude, filthy beast… just like its master! It's time to end my turn, Warwolf... Begone from sight!"

The wolf howled once more, losing the last shred of control it had left before leaping off the Field, making for places unknown.

"Wh-Wha?! Warwolf come back!" Konami shouted, taking a step forward towards the window where the creature leapt out.

He looked down just in time to see the creature shatter upon the earth below.

"Now we're back where we started!" Akiza snapped, drawing his attention, "No cards, no Field…. But once again, I have the advantage!"

"Che… for now!" Konami agreed, "But it's my Turn now… and you can be sure that I'll make a play! Draw!" his eyes flashed as he glanced at the golden card in his hand. "Alright! Just the card to tear things up a bit, and it'll give me some of my Deck back too! Great timing!" "Alright Akiza!" the teen shouted, "If you aren't going to listen to me with reason, then I've no choice but to get through to you with nothing but force! So look out, because its time I stop holding back!"

He held his card to the sky, slamming it down as his Duel Disk erupted in blinding light.

"Behold," he shouted, raging winds erupting around him as the Great Seal appeared behind him, "The Ultimate Forbidden Lord, Exodius!"

The Arcadia Movement's ceiling had… shattered. Raging winds and thunderous bolts of lightning seemed to rain around them and only them, leaving the rest of Neo Domino ignorant to just what was happening above them.

The Ultimate Forbidden Lord reeled back as it appeared on the Field, its Summoning Condition returning every last one of Konami's destroyed monsters to his Deck.

Akiza scowled, facing the Spellcaster defiantly as her eyes narrowed into thin slits. She would not fall here. She would destroy that monster and Konami along with it! Amongst her determination to defeat her foe, she never recognized the slight throbbing pulsing on her forearm.

Exodius, the Ultimate Forbidden Lord-LV10-(?/0)

The Forbidden Lord stretched its bulging bronze muscles as it gazed upon the battlefield, grinning when it saw that it was alone, and in the middle of a city nonetheless. Finally, it thought, a chance to let loose and cause some unbridled chaos in the land.

"This time I don't have any Advanced Ritual Arts to feed Exodius… so we'll have to do this the hard way!" Konami thought, raising his arm to the sky, "Alright Exodius! Let's get ready to wrap this up! Go! Attack Akiza directly! Lightning Fire Flash!"

Exodius continued to grin, raising its hands in anticipation as a dark sphere of swirling golden light bulged between its fingertips.

"And don't forget," Konami continued as the Spellcaster charged its attack, "When Exodius declares an attack, it gets an additional 1000 Attack Points when I send a Normal Monster from my Deck to my Hand!" he explained, discarding Gladiator Beast Andal.

Akiza scowled, glancing upwards towards the beam as Exodius paused, reeling back its right arm and tossing the blast forward in a wave of electrical flames.

The beam overtook her entirely, annihilating the last of her side of the room and sending the last of her mask to the Shadow Realm where it belonged.

"The pain!" she thought, "It makes me feel alive!"

The light dimmed, and the woman alone remained, standing atop a scorched black floor as she panted, glaring defiantly at Red Hat.

Akiza-3000 LP

Konami-1000 LP

"So you've narrowed the distance between us even further…" Akiza began, balling her one-card hand into a fist, "Even if it is large, your Exodius only has 1000 Attack Points! It'll be child's play to destroy it!"

"Well we'll just have to hope you don't pull a strong monster then!" Konami replied, "Alright! There's nothing more I can do this turn, so I'll set one card and end my turn! Now go ahead Akiza! Make your move!"

The woman scowled, setting a hand on her Deck, "With pleasure! My Turn! Draw!" she glanced at her hand and scowled, "I can't play this! I can't play this at all!"

Konami grimaced, "Hey! What's the hold up over there?! You aren't getting cold feet all of a sudden are you?!"

Akiza scowled, "Of course not! I'm setting this card and ending my turn! I'm not out of this Duel yet!"

"Alright…!" Konami thought, "Just gotta hang in there and I can win this!" "My Turn! Draw!"

The boy glanced at his hand, hoping for a Monster so he could finish the Duel. No such luck.

"Alright, no choice here!" he shouted, raising his Duel Disk, "Exodius, get ready to give her some more shock therapy! But first, I'll send my Gene-Warped Warwolf from the Deck to the Graveyard to give Exodius another boost in Attack Points!"

The Spellcaster grinned as it grew even larger, the storm raging around the two Duelists violently as the winds began to pick up.

"Go! Exxod Blast!" Konami roared, aiming at Akiza as Exodius once more let his powers roam free.

The girl hissed as the weight of the blow weighed down upon her, finally putting the two of them on equal footing.

Akiza-1000 LP

Konami-1000 LP

Konami's heart began to beat fiercely. He had brought her down to his level. The last time they Dueled he'd barely been able to touch her. He'd come a long way. Just a little longer….

"My Turn!" Akiza shouted, "Draw!" she glanced at her hand and grinned, "Finally, something I can use!" "Alright! I'll end this Duel this turn! Watch closely Red Hat, allow me to show you how things are done in the Arcadia Movement!"

"Wha…?" Konami grimaced, "She's going to end it…?"

"First, I'll activate my Trap Card," Akiza declared, "Rebirth Judgment! This card allows me to declare one card type, and then, all monsters in our Graveyards become the aforementioned type!"

"?" Konami blinked in confusion.

"I see you do not understand," Akiza grimaced, "Well, perhaps this next move will enlighten you! I'm activating a card from my Hand, Miracle Fertilizer! It's a Spell Card that allows me to Special Summon a Plant-type Monster from my Graveyard once per turn! And if you recall the effect of my Rebirth Judgment…"

"Huh? Oh no!" Konami shouted, "That means that you can bring back any monster in the Graveyard!"

"Correct!" Akiza declared, "And I know just the monster to choose! Behold, the third and final revival of my Black Rose Dragon!"

The storm picked up yet again as the green light engulfed the sky above Akiza, signaling the arrival of her ace monster yet again.

Konami grimaced, watching the sinister black dragon descend behind Akiza, screeching out across the heavens as Exodius roared out angrily in reply.

Amongst the chaos, Akiza's mark began to glow.

Black Rose Dragon-LV7-(2400/1800)

"So… what's the big idea?!" Konami asked, standing firm as the dragon hissed and screeched behind Akiza, "You know your monster only has 2400 Attack Points! Even if you destroy my Exodius, it won't be enough damage to finish me off!"

"Oh but it will!" Akiza shouted, "Because I'm activating my last card! Thorn of Malice!"

"Thorn of Malice?!" Konami asked, "What does that do?!"

"I'll tell you!" Akiza grinned, "It's an Equip Spell Card that can only be used on my Black Rose Dragon or a Plant-Type Monster! When I use it, the equipped monster gains 600 Attack Points! The only downside to this is that your monsters won't be destroyed by battle, but with the new difference in their Attack, it's meaningless now isn't it!?"

"Gains 600…?" Konami mumbled, "But that'll put your Black Rose Dragon at 3000 Attack Points!"

"Exactly! Which means it has just enough power to end this Duel! Go Black Rose Dragon! Destroy him with Black Rose Gale!"

"Tch… Sorry to break the news, but I have a Trap Card!" Konami shouted, his voice barely being heard above the raging winds that the Dragon began to create.

"What? A Trap Card?!" Akiza scowled, "What is it? What does it do?!"

"Well, you're about to find out, aren't you?!" Konami shouted, "Behold, Defense Seal Wall!"

"Defense Seal-What?" Akiza asked.

"This Trap Card can only be used when I have a face-up Exodius on my side of the Field!" Konami explained, "It's a Continuous Trap that allows me to negate your monster's attack and end the Battle Phase!"

Akiza scowled, "So you're buying yourself time are you? Coward! You refuse to face me in battle?!"

"There's a difference between being a coward and wanting to win this Duel Akiza." Konami continued, "But worry not, because this next turn I'll fight you with all my might! Draw!"

-5D's-

"This is far enough Yusei!" Jack shouted, skidding to a halt as they entered the otherwise abandoned Duel Stadium. "We've been driving for hours now; it's time for us to Duel!"

"Jack…" Yusei frowned, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Of course I do!" Jack shouted, "For too long has our destined match been postponed! What's the matter? You aren't getting cold feet are you? Besides, didn't you have something you wanted to tell me?!"

Yusei frowned, his crabby hair blowing in the wind of the Duel Stadium, "Yeah… I did. But there are more important things at stake right now. A man has been killed Jack, and all you seem to care about is settling your differences with me."

"And?" Jack asked, "Why should I care about some wannabe martyr? This is just like you Yusei! You care far too much about those around you, when in actuality, you should be worrying more about yourself!"

Yusei scowled, catching the reference.

When Jack first made to leave Satellite, he had kidnapped Rally and thrown him on a boat. In the end, it had come down to a one-on-one confrontation between Yusei and Jack, and Atlas had offered an ultimatum.

Leave Stardust Dragon behind and save Rally, or… leave Rally behind on the sinking boat to make his own way into Neo Domino.

Yusei didn't even hesitate.

But the fact Jack could decide to do such a thing terrified the man. Had his old friend really strayed so far from the path? It was unthinkable… especially considering how many friends the two had already lost getting where they were.

"Jack… you,"

"I'll hear no more from you Yusei," Jack interrupted, "Not unless what you're saying is the card effects of you summon!"

"I see… so that's how it is huh?" Yusei winced, "You won't listen unless I Duel you."

"There can only be one King Yusei," Jack announced, "And this King… has no intention of giving up his throne! Now, enough talk, it's time to Duel!"


-Chapter Twenty Eight-

End


As Red Hat's Duel with Akiza winds to a close, another devastating battle is about to begin! Who will come out on top in these twin Duels of Fate, maybe you'll find out, next time on Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force!


Memory Fragment N00


Konami scowled as he sat on the couch, watching the group go at it as they played Kaibaman: Domino City in his Dorm Room. They'd been stuck on the Yugiboy battle for some time now, and Red Hat was growing irritated that they couldn't decipher the rather simple puzzles the riddler was dealing them.

It was infuriating.

"…Chazz. Stop." He grimaced, standing as he moved to join the group.

"Huh?" the boy frowned, pausing the game as he wrinkled her nose in annoyance, "What do you want slacker? Can't you see we're playing a game here?"

"You're doing it wrong…" the boy told her, snatching the game controller and handing it to Syrus, "Here, Syrus is usually good at these kinds of things."

The boy blinked as he took the controller in his hands, "Huh? You're letting me play?"

Chazz scowled, "What are you talking about? This Slifer Slacker couldn't fight his way out of a haystack! He has no business taking on the great role of Kaibaman!"

"Trust me, he'll have finished this battle in no time." Konami bet, returning to the couch.

True to his prediction, no more than fifteen minutes after Syrus started playing did Yugiboy gasp out his final wicked breath, collapsing to the ground in a fit.

"I-I lost… Impossible!" the spiky-haired villain thought aloud as Kaibaman approached him.

"Of course you did." Kaibaman said smoothly, "Did you really think you stood a chance against me? But don't worry Yugiboy, I'll make sure your prison cell is nice and warm when you get back. Now… where's the mutt?"

"The mutt?" Yugiboy asked, still in shock.

"I think he's talking about Wheeler!" the Cheerleader shouted, frowning as she glanced at Kaibaman.

"Yes, him. The mutt!"

"I'm right over here!" the sidekick announced, swinging a bat into the back of Kaibaman's head.

The hero toppled over in defeat, sprawled helplessly on the floor as Wheeler snickered imperiously behind him.

"Nyeh… that's all, folks!"

The screen cut to black.

"What… What?!" Chazz shrieked, "What do these developers think they're doing?! They can't just end a game like that!"

"They just did." Konami explained, sighing as he made to stretch, "Anyway, I think that's enough Kaibaman for one day. I'm still feeling pretty tired after all that Dueling earlier…"

The sound of approaching footsteps and yelling caught all three of the boys off guard, and they turned to the door just in time to see it get smashed open by Hassleberry, Aster, and Jesse.

"Now you two listen here," Hassleberry scowled, "I don't know where ya'll got it in your head that you're so great, but obviously it's my Dino Deck that impressed him the most!"

"Well, if you're so insistent on that fact we'll just have to ask him directly!" Aster shouted, "Huh? He's not here…"

"Ah, that's too bad," Jesse laughed, being the most laidback on the group, "I was certain Jaden would've loved to take on my Crystal Beasts again!"

"Now for the last time," Hassleberry scowled, "if Jaden's gonna be going up against anyone it'll be me and my Dinos!"

Chazz scowled, standing and brushing back his two companions to stare down the three intruding in Konami's room. "Hey! What's with that racket?!"

"Oh… it's Chazz…" Hassleberry said, glancing away from the former Obelisk boringly, "What luck…"

"Actually, it is." Aster smiled, "Chazz, have you seen Jaden around here anytime soon? There's something important we need to talk to him about!"

"Huh?" Chazz grimaced, "What do you need to talk to that slacker for?"

"Sounds like there's some kind of argument…" Konami murmured to Syrus, earning a steady nod from the Truesdale in agreement.

"I think it's best if we stay out of this one!"

"What?!" Chazz asked in shock after hearing what they wanted, "That answer's easy! Obviously, the most challenging opponent Jaden ever faced was me, during that Cross-School Duel!"

"You mean the one you lost to a Winged Kuriboh?" Syrus couldn't help but pipe up.

Chazz bristled, turning to stare down Syrus angrily, "What was that?! You got something you wanna say Slacker?!"

"Eep! Konami said it!" Syrus backpedaled, quickly hiding behind the boy in question.

"What? No I-"

"Eh? He's here then?" Aster blinked, "Perfect! He'll be able to settle this once and for all!"

"Huh?" he asked, frowning at the looks on everyone's faces.

"Yeah! Konami'll know for sure! He spends all kinds of time with Jaden!" Hassleberry grinned, "Hey, among everyone here, who do you think makes the most challenging opponent? It's gotta be me and my Dinos right?!"

Konami blinked, "Wha…?"

"Nah, he'll be choosing my Crystal Beasts for sure!" Jesse laughed, "The way I don't hold back with them… it's awesome!"

"Screw you and your Beasts!" Chazz cut in, "Try saying that to my Armed Dragon! It'll rip that little kitten of yours to shreds!"

"Coming from someone who relies on the Ojama Trio to win Duels?" Aster asked, "Not likely."

Syrus flopped around sideways, "This is what they're arguing about? Ugh… and I actually thought it was something serious!"

Konami narrowed his eyes as he thought, "The most challenging opponent…? That's a tough one…."

"Well come on slacker!" Chazz scowled, "Don't keep us waiting? Who is it?!"

"Mmm…. Ah!" Konami's eyes widened, and he slammed his fist into his palm, "I've got it!"

"It's me right?!" Hassleberry asked, "It's gotta be me!"

"Nope." Konami cut him off, "There's only been one person I've met who's been the most challenging Duel I've ever faced!"

"Huh?" Aster frowned, "But we weren't asking about you… we were asking about Jaden-"

"In what down in the ruins… between our first and second year…" Konami continued, interrupting Aster as he drifted off into a memory.

-GX-

Konami panted as he climbed the stairs to the 56th floor. He'd been running low on food and supplies for some time now, and he knew he'd have to call the elevator once he hit 60.

"Ugh…" he thought, "Maybe Crowler was right… I really should start coming down here with a partner…. Awugh…"

Konami winced, a blinding light shining in the distance with the brilliance of the sun.

"What… What is that?" he asked, his curiosity overriding his exhaustion.

Steadily, he climbed another step, his vision tunneling as he grew closer and closer to the light.

Before he knew it, he was standing on a plateau. Above him was a shining sphere of light, hovering just out of reach.

But that wasn't the most concerning thought.

You see, Konami wasn't alone.

Across from him, a man clad in a yellow-vest stood, his hand tipped down firmly upon his Blue Cap.

"Huh…? What're you…?"

"I never expected to see someone this far in the abyss…" the Duelist cut him off, "You must be pretty strong if you could make it past all the Duel Spirits. How bout' it? Care for a Duel?"

"A Duel…?" the boy asked, "This far down…?"

"Heh," Blue Cap smiled, activating his Battle City Duel Disk, "Well, let's get it to then."

-GX-

In the end… he'd been beaten in a single turn. It wasn't even a competition. The man had all kinds of powerful cards, and before Konami had known it, he'd been facing down a Super Conductor Tyranno, Reshef the Dark Being, and his own Wingweaver!

He had no Spell or Traps on the Field.

"…." Jesse whistled, "Man, sounds like quite the Duel!"

"You didn't even win!" Chazz scowled, "That's losing, slacker! We're talking about Duels that were challenging and you won in! Well, that Jaden won, but you get the picture!"

Konami shrugged, "You wanted my opinion, and I gave it. Now get out, I have homework to do."

END