Hello again, Duel Fans! Here's the next chapter for your reading pleasure! Now I must return to my FF9 fic and prepare for my job! Read on!

Disclaimer:I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! GX or the rest of the franchise or any music in this story, I own Claudio Osbourne and the Jukebox Hero Archetype, aside from a select few made by all the authors/readers who submitted them. And all other OCs and cards submitted © original creators.

Chapter 28: Creeping In My Soul


Back in the hallways of Duel Academy, Jaden kept trying to contact Fonda as the signal was distorted.

"Miss Fontaine, answer me!" Jaden called out. "Are Blair and Mikoto safe? Is Mrs. Wilde okay, too? We have the medicine!"

"Jaden... th... gre...," the signal had broken up the nurse's message, before the signal went completely black.


At the infirmary, Fonda saw that the signal went dead on her side as well. She then turned to her colleague, "Well, it sounds like they made it with the medicine."

"Good," Ray smiled and nodded. She then looked to Blair and Mikoto, still bedridden and with high fevers. "Because those girls need it soon..."


Jaden stood up, "We need to go now. They're still safe, but Blair and Mikoto are safe."

"But now we need a change of plans," Axel stated, "We can assume that more of those Zombie Duelists are out there and around the infirmary. So we need to distract them while you get in with the medicine. So, I'm going..."

"Yeah, I'm coming as well," Adrian added, "Need something better to do than stand around all day." He then smirked, "And seeing how Kurogasa's hooked up on that Mikoto girl, this is a chance to repay him."

"Hey..." Kurogasa mumbled, "Just met the girl..."

"There is such things as 'love at first sight,'" the Cloudian duelist continued to tease.

"Anyway," Valencia interjected, "Everyone else will get to the gym and regroup with the others." She turned to Claudio, Kenji, Sam, Kenshin, Fidel, Bastion, and Jim, "We already have the provisions and other items to give, so hurry up.

"Yes, ma'am," the guys and Sam stated as Valencia led them back to the gym.

"Now we need a plan," Kal stated, "More of those duelists will be out there, so several distractions will have to be made."

"Kuri!"

"Caw!"

Winged Kuriboh and Stealth Bird both appeared on top of their owners' heads, raising both their right wings.

"Looks like we got some volunteers," Reyna smiled.


Inside the infirmary, both Fonda and Ray kept barricading the door as best they could.

"These kids won't give up," Ray quipped, "If only some of them cared about grades this much..."

"I just hate that this is all happening to quickly," Fonda stated. "I wonder what the cause all of this?"

Suddenly, a sound from above alerted both women and had them looking up at the ceiling. Then, a couple of tiles break down and drops down two Obelisk students with a thud. Fonda and Ray gasped as both saw that they were Zombie Duelists, standing up and ignore the pain and said, "Duel me..."


Back in the library, Jacinth and Xiu Zhen prepared for their duel as they moved to a wider spot of the room. Both players activated their duel disks as Marcel watched from the stairs leading to the makeshift thrones.

"Delving into this girl's memories," Xiu Zhen stated, "You're the reason I was able to possess her with no effort at all. So, you talk about avenging your other self by killing this girl... I should be thanking you and that other for allowing me the means to getting what I want."

"And I say, I'm doing more than just satisfying my other's dormant wishes," Jacinth replied, "Since you and that demon possessing the boy up there are the cause, by killing you, the students will be safe... at least, until I rule over them. You can say, I'm doing them a huge favor."

"I can't wait to see what happens with this duel," Marcel mused to himself, "Will I lose a partner or gain another enemy?"

"Duel!"

Jacinth: 8000

Xiu Zhen: 8000

"Ladies first," Xiu said, drawing her sixth card, "I set two cards face down and Summon League Champion Malzahar Prophet of the Void." After two set cards appeared on the field, a man in a purple robe that covered his body floated onto the field as purple energy flowed into his hand. (2/1000/1000), "I end my turn."

Jacinth smiled, as he drew his sixth card, staring at one card in particular and prepared to activate, "I will destroy anything that gets in my way! Dark Hour, activate and take over the field!" Once the Field Spell slot closed, the darkness started to settle in to recreate the Field as the green moon appeared over head. "Only this time, if I may reiterate, you will die instead of being absorbed..."

However Xiu just smiled, "Quick-Play Spell Card Activate! Call of the Void!" She shouted, as she flipped over her facedown Spell, showing Malzahar summoning two dark portals and sending an unknown League Champion through one of the portals. "When Malzahar is on the field this card I get to banish 1 card on the field like your Dark Hour!"

Malzahar raised his hands to the sky, charging and summoning the dark portals over the green moon. With them, he ripped the Field Spell apart like paper.

Jacinth cringed as the card was removed and then sighed, "I set two cards facedown and set one monster in defense mode to end my turn." He announced, inserting two of his cards into his disk, setting one of his monster cards into his disk.

Xiu Zhen giggled as she drew her next card, "Falling apart at the beginning are we?" She then inserted a card into her disk, "Now I play the Equip Spell League Item Doran's Ring," A simple metal ring appeared on Malzahar's hand, "This card can only be equipped to League Champions of the Spellcaster-Type, like Malzahar here. He gains 500 attack points." Malzahar glowed with a purple aura (1/1000-1500/1000) "Now Malzahar attacks your facedown monster."

Malzahar charged up a purple lightning bolt and fired it at the face down forcing it to flip over to reveal Persona - Konohana Sakuya, who was unaware of her surroundings and gasped once she saw the lightning heading towards her. (4/1000/1000)

"And then, I counter with Persona Guard," He announced, revealing his Quick-Play Spell card involving Take taking a hit for Phaeton. "When a Persona monster gets targeted by an attack, I can send 1 Persona monster to the grave and negate it! I send Persona Hero Jiraiya to the grave to negate your attack." As he discarded the card and a spirit of Jiraiya appeared and blocked the blast from striking. Xiu frowned as her opponent continued, "And since he was discarded, Jiraiya's special effect now Special Summons him to the field!"

In a gust of wind, the spirit glowed and became flesh and bone as he wielded his staff. (4/1000/1000) And once he was aware of he was in a duel, "I'm here!" He shouted, and then turned around, "Hey Jachin, let's kick some..." He stopped in his throat once he saw who was glaring back at him, "You're not Jachin; you're…"

"Oh shut up you." Jacinth snapped, earning attention from Konohana stared at Jacinth.

"Give him back, Jacinth," She shouted, "You're not the holder of this deck!"

"Sorry, but I don't take orders from you," Jacinth replied. "I'm the one in control..."

The demon inside Xiu looked irritated at this, learning from the memory of its host, "Stop talking to them." She huffed as she inserted a facedown card, "I set 1 card face down and end my turn."

Jacinth sighed as he drew his next card and smiled, "And there's the darkness in that girl's heart; she wanted my other's attention, but it was stolen by two of the monsters you see before you..." Jiraiya and Konohana glared back at that comment, earning their tormentor's laugh, "All of you are to blame... but soon, you'll give me what I want and it starts with Persona Evolution!"

He then played his Spell, charging up its powers, "With this card, I evolve both my Personas into their ascended forms by sending their forms from the field to the graveyard and I send Konohana and Jiraiya to the grave to special summons Persona hero Amaterasu and Persona hero Susanoo."

Both Personas glowed brighter and then grew older as Konohana began to radiate like the sun and from it, the priestess grew into a lovely young woman especially with her form being illuminated and her red eyes glowing. In her hands, she carried a hand mirror (8/2000/2400) whereas Susanoo gained the force of the winds and appeared as man with short black hair and in a male kimono appeared. He then conjured up a wind storm around him. (8/2400/2000)

"Susanoo's effect activates, blasting all Spell and Traps on the field," Jacinth announced, as the wind picked up and blew away Malazhar's ring and other facedown card (1/1500-1000/1000) "Next, I activate Persona Gift! Since I control two Persona monsters, I draw two cards for each monster... that's 4 cards." He then drew his four cards and laughed at one.

Marcel and Xiu Zhen frowned as the latter wondered, "I don't see what's so funny..."

The card that Jacinth picked out of his hands started glow black, "Because you will die... and my friends are going to help me!"

"We're not your friends!" Jiraiya shouted.

"Really?" the Shadow duelist grinned, "Then you won't mind if I activate my next Field Spell, the Midnight Channel!"

Once he inserted the Spell card into the Field Spell slot, and closed it shut, the library was shrouded in a thick yellow fog. Amateratsu and Susanoo gasped as they hardly saw anything in front of their faces.

"What's this," Marcel gasped, "I can hardly see a thing..."

Xiu Zhen narrowed her eyes, trying to see through the fog as well.

"A little foggy," Jacinth taunted, "Good... because what I'm about to show you will darken the nightmares even more." He then had a darker, more warped voice as he announced, "Midnight Channel, activate!" Suddenly, numerous shadow hands erupted from the ground and grabbed Amateratsu and Susanoo, causing them to struggle. "Since they so eloquently put it that they were not going to help me, how about I bring out THEIR shadows!?"

Both Personas gasped, and tried to protest when masks suddenly covered their faces.

"I tribute my Personal Immortals for their Shadow Master forms!"

The demon-possessed children shook slightly as they heard the horrifying screams of the Persona Immortals as they changed form once more, "Shadow Master Dark Nin Yosuke and Shadow Mistress Princess Yukiko, come forth!"

Now in place of the Immortals, two humans with glowing yellow eyes similar to Jacinth appeared. One of them was dressed as a princess with a light pink dress that cut a bit lower than the neck line and long black hair but she looked more Japanese and was wielding a fan. She then used it to cover her face, while giving off a flirty giggle. (11/3000/2000)

The other was a male his face covered with a black ninja mask dressed like a ninja he drew his two Kunai, got into a battle stance, and was ready to fight. (11/3000/2000)

"I am a Shadow," they shouted, "The true self!"

The Dark Ninja points at Xiu Zhen, "I'll destroy anything that bores me and the boss... starting with you!"

The Princess looks at Jacinth, with a lustful stare, "Ooooh, Master! You've finally found time for me! Why don't we go somewhere private and make merry together?"

Jacinth grinned back at her, "All in due time, my dear... for now, we'll destroy the girl opposite you." Xiu Zhen sneered as the Shadows prepared their assault, "And since she can't do anything to us at the moment to stop our attacks, knock down her monster and her!"

Yukiko laughed as she threw her fan like a Frisbee, and it sprouted blades that cut apart the League Champion to pixels.

Jacinth: 8000

Xiu Zhen: 5000

Xiu Zhen then gasped as she saw the fan zoom past her, cutting part of her hair and leaving a scar for good measure. She saw that she had no time to react fast enough while the fan returned to Yukiko, who caught it effortlessly in her hands.

"I only gave her a 'hello'," the Princess smirked, "I just can't wait to deal with destroy you effortlessly!"

"I should just prolong this fight, since you won't be able to defeat me!" Jacinth laughed. "That girl's deck is too weak for you! Yet, I digress... Shadow Yosuke, deal some pain to ease your boredom!"

The Ninja Shadow quickly vanished from his spot and reappeared just as quickly in front of Xiu Zhen, spooking her greatly. Then, he grabbed the demonic arm and sent dark lightning into it, shocking the possessed girl. Even the demon inside felt the pain...

Jacinth: 8000

Xiu Zhen: 2000

Once done, Xiu Zhen slumped to the ground. Seeing the damage done, Jacinth laughed darkly. "Just one more attack... and you'll be dead! And half the torment of this world will be gone." He then turned to Marcel, "And maybe when I'm finished with her, I'll come for you... maybe I'll spare your host..."

Marcel growled and turned to Xiu Zhen who shakily stood back up and removed a card from her graveyard, "I activate... Dark Portal from the graveyard..." She showed off a card that revealed a person looking into portal to another realm. "This lets me... bring my... Agent of Hatred to the field..."

The card faded away into a dark portal on the ground. Rising out of it was a large sea anemone with black tentacles. (3/0/0)

"And don't let... lack of points fool you," She groaned, "Since your Battle Phase ended... I gain back the life points I lost from one battle!"

The new monster glowed brightly, restoring Xiu Zhen's health.

Jacinth: 8000

Xiu Zhen: 5000

"I set two cards facedown and end my turn," Jacinth announced, ending his turn, "That's right, extend the pain... I want to see a look of horror etched on that face when you die..."

Xiu Zhen growled as she drew her next card, "First, I activate the Continuous Spell Card, Spell Absorption allowing me to gain 500 Life Points for each Spell Card played. So, I'm about to gain a lot since I play Pot of Greed!"

As the grinning pot appeared, allowing her to gain two cards, she gained more points to restore her health.

Jacinth: 8000

Xiu Zhen: 5500

"Now, I activate Burden of the Mighty and Kishido Spirit to gain 1000 more Life Points while draining your monsters by 100 times their Level!"

"Damn," Jacinth shouted as he saw his two Shadows moan in weakness as some darkness left their bodies. (11/3000-1900/2000) x2 "Clever little witch..."

Jacinth: 8000

Xiu Zhen: 6500

"And since I have three Continuous Spell Cards in action, I can Special Summon the Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings in attack mode!" Xiu Zhen continued, playing her next card. The continuous Spell Card had leaked a dark smoke that formed into the large dragon that brought sorrow to the last duel Jachin and Xiu Zhen had. (6/1900/2600) "And with Kishido Spirit, she can destroy your monsters without fear!"

The dragon breathed a large amount of flames, heading for the defenseless princess...

"Trap card, activate," Jacinth announced, revealing a trap card depicting a giant cloud of fog hiding a shadowy figure. "Fog Barrier will negate the destruction in battle for as long as it remains on the field..."

Fog erupted from the Continuous Trap, concealing Princess Yukiko and caused fire to be blocked by how strong it turned out to be.

The possessed girl growled, inserting a facedown card, "Your move..."

Marcel grumbled as he saw the duel being played out, 'The darkness is increasing with this one... Something must be done...'

"My turn," Jacinth announced, drawing his next card, "First I pay 1000 Life Points to keep Fog Barrier in play..." He announced as a red aura glowing.

Jacinth: 7000

Xiu Zhen: 6500

"Now I activate Double Summon to be able to Normal Summon twice this turn," He announced as he inserted the Spell card.

"Why thank you for healing me," Xiu Zhen giggled as Spell Absorption energized her.

Jacinth: 7000

Xiu Zhen: 7000

"And I also doubt if any of your new monsters can beat mine with Kishido Spirit in play," She added.

"Which is why I'll Summon my Shadows again, becoming their... monstrous selves..." Jacinth stated as he leaked darkness out of his Spell card. "Now my Shadows, Gemini Summon!"

At that command, the Shadows laughed as more darkness erupted from them until they exploded and took on new forms.

For Shadow Master Ninja Yosuke, he transformed into a black, slender, whimsical torso wearing a long, red scarf and yellow gloves and the torso was attached to the body of a giant frog.

For Shadow Mistress Princess Yukiko, a chandelier crashed from the sky adding on smoke. When it cleared, Shadow Yukiko was now giant, red feathered bird with a heart-shaped crest on her chest, and black hair styled like her initial form and also her human face. And the chandelier was revealed to be a cage, in which Shadow Yukiko was inside.

"They changed forms," Marcel shouted. 'So they have more power than I thought...'

Xiu Zhen braced herself for the worse, preparing for whatever the new monsters could do...

"I activate the effect my dear Yukiko," Jacinth shouted, taking the top three cards of his deck to the graveyard. He showed them off to be a Spell, Trap, and Monster Cards. "By sending three cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard, I can deal 1000 Points of damage for every Monster Card sent!"

As soon as he dumped his cards into the graveyard, Yukiko opened the cage doors and let out a loud, shrill cry that blew Xiu Zhen and Marcel a few feet back.

Jacinth: 7000

Xiu Zhen: 6000

"And to add more pain to the pleasure, I activate Berserk Scales on Shadow Yosuke to increase his power by 1000!" The Shadow continued as a golden aura surrounded his monster, making him roar with rage. (11/1900-2900/2000)

Jacinth: 7000

Xiu Zhen: 6500

"Now attack Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings, Wind of Oblivion!"

Yosuke laughed as he unleashed a dark wind from its body and used his arms to send it towards the Dragon. The Queen guarded with her wings, blocking out the damage as much she could. But she was overpowered and blown away.

Jacinth: 7000

Xiu Zhen: 5500

"And guess what," Jacinth grinned, "Yosuke can attack twice in a turn, but I'll have Shadow Yukiko attack your Agent of Hatred!" Yukiko laughed as she waved her wings and launched massive flames at her opponent, torching the sea anemone. "And now, Yosuke's second attack!"

Yosuke's wind continued to use its force to blow back Xiu Zhen's body, knocking her to the ground.

Jacinth: 7000

Xiu Zhen: 2600

"And then, I'll end my turn which cause Berserk Scales to drop his attack by 2000," Jacinth concluded as Shadow Yosuke slumped over, tired from his energy boost. (11/2900-900/2000) "Enjoy your last moments of freedom, little girl... I just wish you were conscious to actually know your death; it would be so much satisfying to me and Jachin..."

Xiu Zhen smirked, hiding it behind her arm, 'Is that so? Then maybe, I'll earn a victory either way...' She then drew her next card and overlooked her hand, 'But I still need to survive...'

"Come now," Jacinth called out, as his opponent stood up, "We know you're going to die here, just surrender and I'll make it painless as much it would not thrill me... Believe it or not, I'm a merciful Shadow at times and since we go way back, I offer this one chance to die without pain."

"First, I remove Kishido Spirit to bring back my Dragon Queen!" Xiu Zhen announced as the named Spell vanished and reformed into the Dragon once more. (8/1900/2600) "Next, I summon Tryndamere the Barbarian King!" She shouted as threw her next card on her disk. Soon, a erupting out of a blue light pillar, a tanned-skin man appeared wearing an armored battle tunic that exposed his upper body, and left gauntlet and horned helmet. In his left hand, he carried a giant blade that had a blue jewel inside of it. (1/1000/1000)

'She could damage that Shadow Ninja,' Marcel thought, 'But that Fog Shock is blocking his monsters from being destroyed. So she needs something else...'

"I activate Level Award to change his level to 8, giving him 200 ATK and 200 DEF for each level gained, 1400!" The Barbarian King roared loudly as his aura skyrocketing to the ceiling. (1-8/1000-2400/1000-2400)

Jacinth: 7000

Xiu Zhen: 3100

"And to add onto your pain, I use Spinning Slash to allow a direct attack!" She continued as the Barbarian King charged in while gaining more life points.

Jacinth: 7000

Xiu Zhen: 3600

Trynadamere then charged through the Shadows and then struck Jacinth with a spinning slash, making him cry out in pain.

Jacinth: 4600

Xiu Zhen: 3600

"And now, Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings will destroy Shadow Yosuke," Xiu Zhen announced as the Dragon unleashed its flames on the ninja, prompting Fog Barrier to create its wall and protect him.

Jacinth: 2700

Xiu Zhen: 3600

"You may have protected your monster's death, but you still have to discard from your hand since I damaged you with my dragon," She stated. Jacinth growled as he complied by discarding once, "And then I draw a card." She smirked, taking her next card. "And then I'll place it facedown to end my turn." She concluded.

"And begins mine," Jacinth announced, drawing his next card and overlooked his next card, 'Looks like I have nothing left to do... as far as my hand goes...' He then eyed his facedown card, 'But with only two cards left to use, I'll leave her shock...'

"Any day now," Marcel growled, "I rather we finish this duel and get on with it..."

"Your wish is my command," Jacinth mocked. "I pay 1000 Life Points to keep Fog Barrier in play."

Jacinth: 1700

Xiu Zhen: 3600

"I then place one card facedown and then switch my Shadows into defense mode," He concluded inserting a facedown card, while Yosuke guarded with his large hands and Yukiko shut herself inside her cage.

"Let's end this," Xiu Zhen announced as she drew her next card, "I use Altar of Restoration! This lets me regain Spinning Slash from my graveyard at the cost of two cards removed from the top of my deck!" She pocketed the two cards from her deck and then took out the support Spell. "And now, you shall join us!" She shouted, activating the Spinning Slash and sent the Barbarian King to charge.

Jacinth: 1700

Xiu Zhen: 4600

Suddenly, Jacinth burst out in laughter and shouted, "FOOL! I ACTIVATE REVERSE TRAP!"

The demon possessed children gasped as they saw the trap card being revealed and shouted, "A COMMON TRAP!"

"Yes, that's the best thing about it..." the Shadow spoke, "You never know about when these kinds of cards showing up. And if you know about this card, it reverses the decreases and increases to ATK/DEF. Meaning your monster get weaker because of its effect, and mine gets stronger because of your Burden of the Mighty!"

Xiu Zhen looked coldly and hissed as she saw her monster get weaker when he gasped and dropped his sword. (8/2400-0/2400-0) And then she saw that her opponent's monsters getting stronger. (11/1900-4100/2000) x2

"However..." Jacinth continued, revealing his next card. It showed the picture of a woman being attacked by various different shadow monsters as the remnants of some fog cleared up. "This is my own... Fog Lift will let my Shadows attack now instead of waiting for my next turn... so in short, you are done."

And in a dark voice, he said, "Goodbye..."

The fog from the Field Spell lifted up and caused Jacinth's shadows to work up into a frenzied state. Yosuke stretched out his body and started to strike at the defenseless Barbarian King, followed by a sea of flames from Yukiko as it covered Xiu Zhen's side of the field. The possessed girl stood defiantly as she was feeling the flames starting to touch her.

Jacinth: 1700, Winner

Xiu Zhen: 0

Marcel felt conflicted emotions as to what happened. Anger, that a threat had come to stop his plans for revenge. Shock, that this threat could stop him and another like himself. Fear, due to the threat's victory against his former partner...

Jacinth sighed in satisfaction, "And so ends our torment... and even the school's. I can't believe I'm saying this... I'm a hero." He then burst out in laughter, "Oh, I just couldn't keep that up! Still, that girl deserved it as she harmed Jachin and me... But for now, I need to keep some more reserves of energy to sustain myself..." He then stared at Marcel, "And a fountain of it is staring at me in the face..."

Marcel growled, "I won't be defeated like my former partner..."

"Nor was she killed!"

"WHAT!?"

The sea of flames was quickly extinguished as Xiu Zhen stood without a scratch on her. A demonic aura had surrounded her and her eyes became bi-colored. Seeing the looks on her partner's and her enemy's faces, she smirked.

"Hi..." She giggled.

"You're supposed to die!" Jacinth growled, he then felt the Bio-Band take more of his energy.

"Never said I'd honor my agreement," Xiu Zhen smirked. "And lucky for me, you deactivated your Field Spell before you could trap me inside for your torment..."

'DAMN!' the Shadow growled, 'She took advantage of the situation and survived... and what's worse, I've wasted the more than half the energy I've gained from their peons!'

"And seeing as you don't have enough in you for another duel, I assume you'll want to retreat now," the possessed girl continued, savoring the anger her enemy felt. "I mean, do you want three duels in a row? Especially because of the Bio Band draining your energy? And if you're wondering, that's how I survived! YOUR ENERGY!"

Jacinth growled as he realized what had just happened, 'That's why she accepted! I was blind to mine and my other's vengeance and she used MY energy to defend her life! But I still have enough to maintain control... Yet, I need more when the time comes...'

"But..." Marcel interjected as he walked up to stand next to his partner. "We can overlook this whole thing, and even give some energy to sustain your control of the body you possess. All we ask is that you align yourself with us!"

"WHAT!?" Jacinth shouted, and even catching the giggle that Xiu Zhen let out, "I refuse to be your puppet like those stupid zombies!"

"Who said we would do that?" Xiu Zhen asked. "We'll keep your free will intact, give you energy to sustain your form, and even deactivate your Bio-Band's link to us. In return, you stop pursuing our Zombie Duelists and aid us in obtaining our bodies back."

The Shadow scoffed, "I knew it; it's no wonder you tried to possess me earlier. But I will not honor your agreement since you failed to acknowledge that these Zombie Duelist won't come after me."

"Clever," Marcel smirked, "Alright fine; you won't be stopped by them and for compensation, when we return to our former selves, you can have the girl my partner possesses. After all, you would not want to disappoint your other..."

Taking a deep breath, Jacinth responded, "I accept..."

Xiu Zhen giggled, "Perfect! Now let's seal the deal with a little handshake..." She then reached out with her demonic hand, and Marcel did the same. Jacinth walked up to them, imbued his left hand with darkness and made the deal official. "Think of this as a contract that all of us are agreeing to; whomsoever breaks it, will be at the mercy of the other two..."

"And then," Marcel added, "We need you to go pick something up..."

Jacinth raised an eyebrow as he continued to listen...


Inside a classroom, Axel had started digging out a floor tile in the center with his sawing device. Jaden, Reyna, Jesse, Adrian, Kurogasa, and Kal looked on as he did this.

"Thanks to a set of schematics Viper obtained while trying to do his dirty work," Axel explained, "I found a way into the basement ventilation system. We can use this to get near the infirmary..."

"Explains how Viper was able to know everything about everyone," Kal figured, "Makes me wonder if he did the same in the other schools..."

"But thanks to this, those Zombie Duelists won't be able to ambush us..." Reyna noted as Axel tore through the panel, leading everyone inside.


A few minutes later, Axel kicked through a vent and lead to the basement. He looked around for any signs before signaling the others to come on out.

"Now let's head for the infirmary," He announced.

"Duel me..."

Everyone gasped as they looked to their left and saw a Zombie Slifer duelist walk towards them.

"Oh man, they're here, too!" Jesse gasped. "Just our luck..."

"Guessing the movements of these guys are random," Kurogasa figured.

"And he'll follow us if we don't deal with him," Adrian stated as he activated his duel disk, "So I'll deal with him and you guys get a good distance."

"If you're sure," Jaden wondered.

"Positive," the Cloudian duelist nodded, "Go..."

"Thanks..." Reyna waved.

"You just stay safe as well," Kal warned, "Finish up quick..."

As soon as the rest of the people were done, Adrian blocked the Zombie Slifer's way. "Let's go!" He then looked at his Bio-Band, 'Kal's got a point; finishing quickly will minimize the energy lost from the Bio-Bands. And beating a Silfer should be no problem. I just have to keep my eyes on Jaden."

And so the duel began...


Once out of the basement, Jaden and the others found themselves near the infirmary. But of course, the Zombie Duelists were wandering around. Soon, Winged Kuriboh and Stealth Bird flew out of the basement and caught the Zombies' attention, leading them away from the infirmary.

"Good thinking," Axel praised, "Seeing monsters would make them think that duelists are around..."

"Smart little creatures," Kal smirked as the group continued on...


Back in the infirmary, the Zombie Obelisk Students fell defeated to the ground as Fonda and Ray stood over them in victory.

"That's the end of that," Ray said.

"Wait a minute," Fonda whispered and walked over to the boys' Duel Disk. She gasped, seeing dark auras, "Their cards... they have dark auras..." The Obelisk Headmistress raised an eyebrow as she saw the nurse retrieve one card from the decks and walked over to her computer, loading the dark card into a card reader. "This must be why the children are acting like this... not to mention Kurogasa and Jachin even talked about the Bio-Bands carrying those same auras."

"Damn," Ray cursed, "So even without those Bio-Bands you can still be possessed like the children... Then we need to be careful we don't get predictable in our strategies or get overpowered..."

But as they tried to continue research on the dark card, two more Zombie Obelisk students dropped down and alerted the women to their presence. And to make it worse, the two other students were defeated were getting back up. Fonda and Ray backed away towards the bedridden Blair and Mikoto.

"Duel me..." the Zombie Duelists droned.

Fonda and Ray looked to the sick girls and then to each other. Putting on determined looks they nodded, and reactivated their duel disks. "Let's go!"


After reaching the infirmary, Jaden, Reyna, Jesse, Axel, Kurogasa, and Kal looked around the corner to find a few Zombie students knocking on the infirmary doors.

"Uh oh," Jesse gasped, "They must know that everyone's inside the infirmary."

"And if they get through," Kurogasa added, "Mikoto and Blair are defenseless..."

"As long as Fonda and my wife are fighting, they won't fall," Kal assured him, though feeling worried for Ray.

"Meaning, we got to get in there," Reyna stated.

"Any ideas, Axel," Jaden figured.

"Another vent..."

Everyone turned to see Axel, but they saw he was gone. "Huh?"

"Up here..." Axel was inside another vent inside the ceiling, "And I found someone else as well..." The Volcanic Duelist told them. Curious, everyone followed Axel into the vent and saw what he saw...

"Professor Sojourner?" Jaden and Reyna gasped. It was indeed the Silfer Headmaster, kneeling inside the vent.

"Hello kids," He smiled, "I guess you had the same idea in getting inside since it's barricaded from those possessed duelists."

"You were worried for Fonda, weren't you?" Kal figured.

"Of course," Spencer nodded, "Patrolling the hallways, until being ambushed by those kids. Lucky for me, I have my big dragons just to knock them out and escape a duel altogether... Just wish it didn't come to that..."

"It'll be okay, teach," Kurogasa assured him. "But for now, we got to make sure everyone in the infirmary's okay. Then we can worry about getting everyone else back to normal..."

"First," Axel stated jumping down from the vent, "I got to lead those duelists away from this spot, otherwise they'll get in and ambush you all."

"Good thinking," Reyna nodded, "But it's three to one, you want a hand?"

"I'll be okay," the Volcanic duelist assured as he ran towards the infirmary, "Hey you!"

The Zombie duelists stopped knocking on the door and saw Axel waving them over, "Come at me!" As soon as they started walking towards him, Axel ran down the opposite way with the Zombie Duelists trailing.

"Duel... Duel... Duel... Duel... Duel..."

"Thanks, Axel," Jaden stated.

"Guys look," Jesse gasped, pointing further into the vents. They saw a panel was missing over where the infirmary was. "The ceiling of the infirmary!"

Reyna widened her eyes, "You don't think..."

"Only one way to find out," Spencer stated as he crawled over to the hole.


Inside, Spencer jumped down with Kal following next. Both of them looked around the room, seeing it signs of movement and the door barricaded from the inside.

"Fonda!"

"Ray!"

They shouted, before sighing in relief. Fonda was sitting on the bed, tending to Blair and Ray did the same with Mikoto.

"Spencer..." Fonda said, "You're here..."

"It's so good to hear your voice, babe," Ray said to Kal.

Soon, the students jumped down the ceiling with Kurogasa having the medical bag in hand. Seeing the scene in front of them, they smiled.

"Everyone's okay," Jaden stated.

"Good to know," Jesse added.

Reyna and Kurogasa smiled as well.

"The kids got the medicine for the girls," Kal noted to the ladies, "You can administer it to them, Fonda."

"Yeah, and we need to get to the gym," Spencer added, "It's not safe; an opening in the ceiling and you girls would be ambushed."

"Thank you, boys," Fonda stated, "But it's not necessary..."

"'Not necessary,'" Kurogasa parroted, "You mean we're too late?"

"Actually, what she means is that she'll help Blair and Mikoto with a different cure for their sickness," Ray said as she and Fonda stood up from the beds.

"Then... what do you mean," Reyna asked.

When Fonda and Ray turned around, both of them gained a sickly expression in their eyes and caused everyone to gasp in horror. Not to mention behind the blinds, four Zombie Obelisks appeared. It was no surprise what happened; the ladies were defeated by the numbers of the Zombie Duelists.

"We plan on having them become one of us," Fonda noted as she activated her duel disk.

"And you'll boys and girl can join in on the fun," Ray added, activating her own disk. "Now, let's duel…"

Everyone cringed as they felt that they came too late to save the ladies...

"Then, I better duel since I don't have a Bio-Band," Spencer noted.

"And I was able to have mine strapped to the duel disk," Kal added, remembering how he defended his wife from being fitted to one. "So, we won't be exhausted afterwards."

Ray laughed, "Don't worry, sweetheart... it won't hurt... much..."

"And I'll make sure the operations is painless for all of you," Fonda added.

The children backed up as the Zombie Obelisk began to advance...

"No," the ladies shouted, "We'll be the ones to duel all of them..."

"Then we'll make sure you don't lay a hand on everyone else," Kal stated as he activated his duel disk.

"Just watch yourself," Spencer stated, "If you're not careful, Fonda can win this by herself... That Anti-Cure strategy of hers will deal damage quickly..."

"Yeah, Ray had a tendency to do fast victories against me." Kal added. "How do you think I was able to use Mischief of the Goddess on Jaden so effectively?"


Back in the basement, Adrian just finished his duel against the Zombie Silfer and began to run for cover. He then groaned as he felt the Bio-Band drain his energy.

"I have to keep moving," He said to himself as continued to move, "Otherwise that duelist will get back up and I can't keep tabs on Jaden..."


Back in the infirmary, Jaden, Jesse, Reyna, and Kurogasa were watching the inevitable duel between their teachers, along with the Zombie Obelisks.

DUEL!

Fonda/Ray: 8000

Spencer/Kal: 8000

"It's my turn," Fonda announced, drawing her sixth card, "I start by summoning Nurse Reficule the Fallen One in attack mode!" She announced as she played her monster card. A purple haired woman appeared with bat-like wings. She was covered head to toe in bandages that were styled like a dress. (4/1400/600)

"Oh boy, now I see where you were going with this," Kal noted.

"And then, I end with three facedown cards." The nurse concluded, inserting three cards.

"And I have a big feeling what those cards are, considering her deck." Spencer stated.

"Then we also got to be careful," Kal added, "In such an enclosed space, the room will come down depending on what our monsters do next. Not to mention, the size of said monsters..."

Spencer then looked to his partner, "Just follow my lead on this one..." When Kal nodded, the Slifer Headmaster drew his next card. "It's my turn..."

"I activate my trap card," Fonda quickly announced, revealing her trap card depicting of a small, white card, "Gift Card! By activating this card, I deliver you 3000 Life Points!"

Spencer growled as he felt a blue aura surround him.

"That's... nice of her..." Jaden muttered. He was confused of hearing a card that helped out opponents.

Jesse gasped, "No, it's a trick!"

"Which is why I activate Forbidden Chalice," The Silfer Headmaster quickly announced, inserting his Quick Play Spell, "Now your monster's effects are negated, and she gains 400 ATK!" Reficule gasped as she felt a golden aura sapping her inner powers, yet increasing her physical strength. (4/1400-1800/600) "So, I will gain those life points now!"

Fonda growled as she saw Spencer's physical strength revived after all the ducking and dodging against other Zombie Duelists.

Fonda/Ray: 8000

Spencer/Kal: 11000

"Sweet," Reyna thought, "Now Kal and the Professor got more of a chance to win this!"

After he gained those points, Spencer thought, 'But that means she doesn't have Bad Reaction to Simochi... What's next? For now, let's take out her Nurse...' He then played his cards, "First, I Special Summon the Vice Dragon by cutting its ATK and DEF in half!" He announced, playing his card. A flaming portal opened up and released a jet-black dragon covered in bone spikes and roaring while stretching out its wide, dark green wings, its eyes blazing gold. (5/2000-1000/2400-1200)

But having that monster appear caused the ground to shake underneath its weight, and cause pieces of the ceiling to fall. The participating duelists quickly looked up fearing the worst, but then...

"Guys, now's your chance," Kal shouted to the kids.

"Got it," Jesse nodded as he and Kurogasa took the med kit and rushed over to Blair and Mikoto.

"I don't think so," Ray shouted, and then looked to the Zombie Obelisks, "Boys!"

The Zombie Obelisk went to head off the Hero and Haos Duelists, until...

"I activate Terra Firma Gravity!"

Suddenly, the four was pulled back away from Jaden and Kurogasa and into the arms of Elemental Hero Terra Firma, who held them in place. And standing right next to him, was Reyna with her Duel Disk activated and trying to endure the next quake that came after her monster's appearance.

"Yeah, Reyna saved them," Jesse cheered.

"Thanks, Reyna," Kurogasa called as he and Jesse set to work on restoring the ailing girls to full health.

"Since that's going on, I summon the Dread Dragon next," Spencer stated as he played his next card. In a flash, a dark crimson dragon appeared, spreading relatively small wings as it roared, clenching its claws. (2/1100/400) "And then, I tune level 5 Vice Dragon with my level 2 Dread Dragon!"

Dread Dragon roared and became two Tuning rings, surrounding Vice Dragon and turning it into five stars.

"I Synchro Summon, Exploder Dragonwing!"

With a great roar, a fifteen foot long pitch-dark dragon burst from the Synchro Summon, spreading midnight-black wings above the field as its barbed claws clenched into dark fists, its thick tail thrashing and its fierce ugly head crested by a ruff of orange membrane. (7/2400/1600)

Exploder Dragonwing gave another ferocious roar, shaking the foundation of the infirmary, causing Jesse and Kurogasa to cover Blair and Mikoto from the raining debris and everyone else to brace their footing.

"Brace yourselves! Exploder Dragonwing attacks Nurse Reficule," Spencer announced as the dragon opened its mouth and charged a flaming sphere. "When Exploder Dragonwing battles a monster with equal or less ATK than its own, it can immediately destroy that monster without applying damage and deal you the effect damage equal to that monster's attack!" Exploder Dragonwing unleashed a burst of flame from its maw, consuming Nurse and going onwards to strike Fonda and Ray, who cried out in pain.

Fonda/Ray: 6200

Spencer/Kal: 11000

The strike pushed back the possessed women, and into the wall across the room. Spencer and Kal cringed at what the attack caused.

"Are they okay," Reyna gasped, seeing the two faculty members get struck down...

"Don't worry, we'll get them out of this," Kal stated, knowing what Spencer was feeling about hurting his wife, but also remembering it needed to be done to save the others.

"I end my turn with two facedown cards," Spencer concluded reluctantly, he then looked over to children, "Did you finish giving the girls the medicine?"

"Yeah," Jesse and Kurogasa nodded.

"Then get those girls out of here and back to the gym," the Headmaster shouted, "We'll hold off the rest and meet back with you."

Jaden gasped, "But..."

"No buts, Jaden," Spencer interrupted, "Now go, all of you!"

"Terra Firma, it's time to go!" Reyna shouted. Her signature monster nodded and then dropped the Zombie Obelisks, who are knocked out from the force of Terra Firma Gravity, "Carry Blair and Mikoto out of here!" The Elemental Hero floated over to the two girls and carried them his arms. Once done, Jaden, Jesse, Kurogasa, and Reyna ran out of the infirmary with Terra Firma following behind.

Both men sighed as they saw the kids go free, but then turned back to see that Fonda and Ray now recovered from their attack. They all raised their duel disks, putting the duel back on.

"It's my turn," Ray announced, drawing her sixth card, "I activate the Spell Ancient Rules, to summon my Pirate Demon Treasure!" She announced as her spell card, brought out a blob-like monster made up of thousands of gold coins and jewels. The mouth of the monster is a treasure chest. (8/2600/1900) "I then attack your creature!"

"I activate my facedown card," Spencer announced, "I activate Rush Recklessly, boosting my Dragon's ATK by 700!" A green aura surrounded the Synchro Dragon, boosting its power once more. (7/2400-3100/1600) "Now, I activate its effect again in order to destroy that Demon!"

Another sphere of fire erupted from Dragonwing's mouth, melting the incoming monster into nothing and the Zombie Duelists did all they could to protect themselves from the shockwave that followed.

Fonda/Ray: 3400

Spencer/Kal: 11000

"I set one card facedown to end my turn," Ray concluded. "You boys won't be winning this for long..."

"It's my turn," Kal announced...

"I activate the trap, Chained Anchor!" Ray announced, revealing a Continuous Trap card that depicted an anchor underwater, holding down a Hunter Dragon's body for several Abyssal Kingsharks to feast, "I'll have this Trap hold down Exploder Dragonwing!"

Chains erupted from the Trap Card image, holding the Synchro Monster and binding its wings. Dragonwing struggled and roared out, but the chains weren't giving up.

"There goes our chance at ending it quickly," Spencer stated.

"Then, I better make sure that happens with my own monsters," Kal figured, playing his monster cards, "I summon my Minstrel Knight in attack mode!" In a flash, a girl in black clothing and knight armor over her lower legs and left arm. A wooden guitar with a strap on her shoulder, played with non-armored hand. (4/1900/1000) "Attack directly with Sonic Song!"

Minstrel Knight plucked the strings of her guitar, managing to create a sonic wave that struck down the defenseless duelist to the ground, by its force.

Fonda/Ray: 1500

Spencer/Kal: 11000

Afterwards, the Knight strapped her guitar back onto her shoulder.

"It's almost over," the Knight duelist announced, turning to his partner. "Whatever they have, you can use my Knight to finish this."

"Right," Spencer nodded, "I hate hurting the ladies anymore than I have to..."

"For once, I'm glad we were able to predict their moves like Fonda's Anti-Cure strategy," Kal noted.

"I think not, gentlemen!" Spencer and Kal snapped their heads back to Fonda, who activated her facedown card while Ray announced, "I activate Fonda's facedown card, Life Equalizer! With your last attack, our life points have over an 8000 point difference! This trap card, makes it so that both teams have 3000 Life Points!"

The men gasped as they felt an eruption of energy drain their bodies and it soon went into the women, refilling their own.

Fonda/Ray: 3000

Spencer/Kal: 3000

The trap card vanished, leaving Spencer and Kal on their knees and panting heavily. "Damn," Spencer said out loud, "She never... had that card..."

"Updating... her deck, possibly," Kal figured.

"You two boys may need to take a rest," Ray giggled.

"After you lose, we'll operate on the both of you to becoming like us!" Fonda added.

"No way..." the Knight duelist spat.

"Well, while you're pondering that, It's my turn," Fonda announced, drawing her next card, "Now's the time to activate my final facedown card, Bad Reaction to Simoichi!"

Spencer gasped as the nurse revealed the familiar Continuous Trap card, "She had it!?"

"Next, I activate Soul Taker!" The possessed nurse continued, taking advantage of the surprise, "Now I get to destroy your Exploder Dragonwing, plus deal 1000 points since my Trap Card is in effect!"

Exploder Dragonwing roared in anguish as its soul was ripped out of its body, leaving its shell to die out in pixels. The soul of the Dragon then shot off like a rocket, blasting the men to the ground.

Fonda/Ray: 3000

Spencer/Kal: 2000

"Next, I activate Snatch Steal to take your Minstrel Knight," Fonda continued, activating her Equip Card. Kal gasped as his monster's eyes went blank and she jumped over to the opposing side. "Now attack them directly with Sonic Song!"

The mind-controlled knight played her guitar once more, using the sonic waves to push the recovering Headmaster and Teacher up against the wall.

Fonda/Ray: 3000

Spencer/Kal: 100

"I end my turn," Fonda concluded, "Meaning when your standby Phase occurs, Bad Reaction to Simochi causes the points gained from Snatch Steal to become damage and end the duel in the ladies' favor."

"It also means, you'll be one of us," Ray added.

"Then, this next draw has to count," Kal noted, feeling worried. "It has to be one that can destroy Snatch Steal..."

"A Quick-Play Spell, eh..." Spencer figured, preparing to draw, "Well, it's hoping this works out..." He then drew his next card and looked at it.

"Snatch Steal, drain their remaining Life Points," Fonda commanded as her Equip Spell forced Minstrel Knight to leap into action, forgetting her guitar and attacking with her armored arm. It was inches away from Kal when...

"I activate Cleansing Water, destroying the Equip card on Minstrel Knight!" Spencer quickly announced, using the Spell to douse Minstrel Knight with a cold splash of water, stopping her in her tracks. Waking up from her trance, Minstrel Knight looked to Kal in confusion.

"You okay," He asked. When his Knight straightened up, she nodded and then turned back around to face Fonda and Ray.

"Now to end this," Spencer continued, "I summon my Delta Flyer in attack mode!" He announced as his small, brown wyvern was brought and let out a shrill cry. (3/1500/800)

"No!" The women shouted.

"Delta Flyer, Minstrel Knight, direct attack!"

Adding onto the Sonic Song of Minstrel Knight, Delta Flyer flapped its wings and used the wind for more power. Fonda and Ray were blown back into the wall, causing it to crack and knock them unconscious.

Fonda/Ray: 0

Spencer/Kal: 100, Winners

Unfortunately for the winners and the losers, the entire infirmary room started break apart and crumble. Thinking fast, Spencer and Kal dove straight for the ladies and covered them from the falling rubble with their bodies, knocking the both of them out as well...


Inside the gym, everyone was treated to a reunion as friends were happy to see each other and hugged or hi-fived each other, couples shared kisses, and it was basically a time to forget the bad seeing people not like the Zombie Duelists.

Allyson and Alexis checked on both Blair and Mikoto, noting that the heavy and sickly blushes were deteriorating quickly.

"The fever has cooled down," Alexis noted.

"Yeah, they're no longer sick," Allyson added.

"Alright, we made it in time!" Jesse cheered.

"That's a relief," Kurogasa stated, looking over Mikoto.

"Hey," Hassleberry noted, "Where's Miss Fontaine and Mrs. Wilde?"

Jaden then looked upset, "They're Zombie Duelists now..."

"Oh no..." Crystal gasped.

"And what about the Professors," Claudio added as he and Melody walked over.

"Yeah, wasn't Professor Wilde with you as well?" She asked.

"All we know about that is he and Professor Sojourner battled Miss Fontaine and the Headmistress," Reyna stated. "After that, it's anybody else's guess... we can only hope that they escaped and are heading back here."

"I can't believe the number of zombies is increasing," Kenji stated, "Meaning we have to keep everyone safe until we can find a way back..."

Adrian, who also made it back safely, pondered. 'What are they planning?'


Back at Academy Island, it was night time and everyone had retired to the dorms for resting. All except Jethro, who had volunteered to be a lookout for anymore people of Venom still lurking about.

"The worst of them must be over," Jethro figured, using his tracking system for any unrecognizable duel disks on the island. "I've been at it for a while, and there is no sign for duelists not our own." He then remembered his match against Billy, "He may have been right about the parents wanting to know about their children, but there is no way they'd accept what's going on now. Plus, we need all the help we can get to return the others back here."

Suddenly, he heard a clicking sound near his person and caused him to stop warily. But once he did, a cage made of electrified nets appeared around the area.

"So, you are the first to taste my venom..." He heard a voice echo out with malice.

Jethro look around the room, searching for the owner of the voice. "Who are you? Are you with Venom!?"

"I am many things..." the voice called out, "A woman who is lost in this world, a mother without a child to care for, and a wife without a husband to hold... But for now, I am a huntress who has staked her claim on her prey."

Jethro growled, "Then, you better show yourself and face me like a real duelist!"

"Very well..."

Suddenly, Jethro jumped back as he was met with a woman who jumped from the treetops. Jethro, seeing his attacker for the first time, became even more cautious seeing the eyes of the woman... Filled with rage and pain, just waiting to be unleashed...

"As you suspected, I am with Venom," the woman stated, "I am Ileana, and I will not fall where the others did."

"After you and your lot tried to tarnish the good name of this school," Jethro shouted, activating his duel disk, "I plan on taking you all down!"

"This school has done itself in with all the hidden truths," Ileana stated, "The students missing, the forces it protects beneath its grounds... the people have a right to know what is going on..."

"And what then? You'll try to shut it down!? If you do that, we may never get them all back!"

"Like you have made the valiant efforts of doing so," She retaliated, "For years, your precious owner has kept secrets and no doubt it is Seto Kaiba, a man involved in so much controversy with over a decade to live for it. And last I checked, he disbelieved such things such as the Shadow Games and the Abandoned Dorm!"

Jethro gasped, 'How does she know about that?'

"I have eyes and ears on this island," Ileana smirked, seeing the surprise on the cowboy duelist's face. "You should have all kept your mouths shut..."

"Then, I'll have to make sure we stay safe until the people are ready to know!" the Obelisk announced.

"All you're doing giving in to my venom!" the woman shouted back as she raised her right arm, activating her duel disk.

"DUEL!"

Ileana: 8000

Jethro: 8000

"I shall lead in this dance," Ileana announced, drawing her sixth card, "I set one monster in defense mode and set one card facedown card." She then placed a Set Monster, followed by a Set Card behind it, "Your turn, child..."

'I don't know what this woman's planning, but I have to end this quick,' Jethro thought as he drew his sixth card, "I activate Star Blast, paying 500 Life Points to lower my Level 5 Rifleman to Level 4! After that I'll summon it!"

Inserting his spell, a red aura appeared around him.

Ileana: 8000

Jethro: 7500

Next, one of his Desperadoes appeared. This one had a tan cowboy hat over his blonde hair. With the blue jeans, a white shirt was under the leather vest along with a brown handkerchief around the neck. Instead of a gun, the weapon of choice was a Colt revolving rifle. (5-4/2000/1200)

"Now, shoot down her monster!" Rifleman loaded up his gun and shot it down into pixels. But then it reformed into a cute little girl wearing a short brown dress, her body from the hips down that of a brown snake, her skin unnaturally pale and her eyes emerald green. Her silky golden hair was topped by a hideous headdress styled after a demonic cobra. (1/0/0)

"So sorry," the mysterious woman smirked, "But my little Reptilliane Naga cannot be destroyed in battle!"

"So what," Jethro smirked back. "You're losing life points since my monster can inflict piercing damage!" Ileana then felt a bullet graze her duel disk, causing her to snap her when she felt the bullet.

Ileana: 6000

Jethro: 7500

However, she was back to smirking, "Yet your monster is losing strength! My Naga's ability reduces your monster power to 0 when she's attacked after the end of the Battle Phase!" Reptilianne Naga gave a demonic smirk as she reared up and parted her lips, baring snake-like fangs which she sank into the Desperado's arm, making him cry out in pain. Then slowly, Jethro was forced to watch as his monster started to become grey and rocky, soon becoming a statue due to the Naga's venom. (4/2000-0/1200)

"He's been turned to stone!" the Desperado Duelist gasped.

"As will every monster who dares to lay a hand on my children," The woman hissed. "Now, you pay for your transgression!"

Jethro was now confused, 'I guess she cares about that monster, but it doesn't give her the right in trying to get rid Duel Academy...' He then inserted a facedown card. "That's my turn." He then stared at his opponent. 'My facedown card will stop anything getting at my boys. And she can even use Naga for the kill, since she can't be destroyed in a fight.'

"And soon, starts oblivion!" Ileana announced, drawing her next card, "First I use Nobleman of Extermination to destroy that card of yours and banish it!"

A sword dropped out of the sky and pierced the Set Card to ribbons, revealing Dazzling Radiance. Jethro reluctantly pocketed the card.

"Trying to make me taste my own venom," the woman mocked, "Too bad that will never happen; I must make sure it spreads to all of you! Also, we must know reveal our Main Decks to each other and remove all other Dazzling Radiance cards from them."

Jethro scoffed as he and Ileana took out their decks and fanned them out. After 30 seconds, they reshuffled their decks and placed it back into their disks.

"Now to attack... Masked Chopper, stand by my side!" As she placed the card on her disk, a war cry was heard throughout the forest. Next, a black-skinned, pigmy-looking man appeared wearing only a golden, chain-linked skirt and a spiked mask that made it look like the face behind it was grinning. On his exposed body, he had white markings and wielded twin-razor blades. (1/100/100)

"100 ATK," Jethro mused, "Little thing's going to be trouble then..."

"After activating the Unstable Evolution and placing it upon Masked Chopper, changing the ATK to 2400," Ileana smiled, inserting the Equip Spell card into her disk. Soon, her new monster had grown to 7' and let out a monstrous cry. (1/100-2400/100) "Attack his stone monster!"

Masked Chopper raised his left blade and chopped apart the stone Desperado into rubble and pixels, hitting Jethro with severe damage.

Ileana: 6000

Jethro: 5100

"Now since your Life Points are lower than mine, Masked Chopper's ATK change to 1000," She said, as Chopper grew down to 4'. (1/2400-1000/100) "But now you must worry about his effect next; to make up for his low ATK, Masked Chopper deals 2000 points of damage when he is victorious in battle! So suffer!"

Jethro braced himself as he saw that the monster charged in. Once close, Masked Chopper used both his blades to push and cut into Jethro's duel disk before he was launched into a tree behind him.

Ileana: 6000

Jethro: 3100

Grunting, the Obelisk tried to pick himself up and was breathing heavily. 'Whoa, what hit me?' He thought. He then felt something running on the back of his head, using his right hand to feel for it. He gasped as he pulled back his hand and looked into it. 'Blood! I felt that hit!' He then looked warily into Ileana's eyes, which were staring with poisonous intent. 'Is she... trying to... kill me?'

"Did that hurt you, my youngling?" Illeana hissed, "This is only minor considering what happened to me and my family!"

"Family?" Jethro asked, "What happened?"

"It matters not to you!" She snapped, "Start your turn!"

Jethro winced as he pulled himself up, using his bandana to tie around the wound on his head to hold back the blood flow. He then drew his next card, 'Damn, nothing! I'll just have to make sure she doesn't have anything else for me...' He then played three cards, "I set two cards facedown and then set a monster in defense mode!" He announced as his three facedown cards appeared on the field.

"I activate another Trap, my Gorgon's Curse!" Ileana quickly announced, revealing her facedown card. It depicted a man being turned to stone by a woman with snakes in her hair, who stared at him with flashing eyes. Once done, the card flashed revealing a brown horse. (3/800/300) But suddenly, it became a stone statue as well!

"What!?"

Ileana giggled, "Gorgon's Curse is a Continuous Trap card that will encase any monster you summon into a stone statue. And once I destroy it, I'll be able to deal you damage equal to half its DEF! Lucky for you, your Horse's DEF are small, so you won't lose much. But then again, with my Masked Chopper lying in wait, you'll lose a lot more!"

Jethro growled, 'It's like she's preparing for everything I'm doing! But how!? She couldn't have learned everything I can do just from Nobleman of Extermination and looking at my deck!' He then gasped.


(Flashback)

"I have eyes and ears on this island," Ileana smirked, seeing the surprise on the cowboy duelist's face. "You should have all kept your mouths shut..."

(End Flashback)


'She's been spying on our decks,' Jethro realized, 'What if... what if all of those duelists were... throwaways!?'

"My turn," Ileana announced, drawing her next card, "Now Masked Chopper, attack that horse," Swiftly, the masked man chopped down the stone horse, shattering him to rubble and caused Jethro to take damage from the Continuous Trap.

Ileana: 6000

Jethro: 2950

"Now for Masked Chopper to deal his damage," the woman shouted as Masked Chopper prepared to charge in and cut into Jethro once more...

"Not this time," Jethro announced, activating his facedown card, "I activate Fusion Guard! This will send one of my Fusion Monsters to the graveyard, negating the effect damage!" He then braced himself to block as he thought, 'And the right monster has to go in order for my next turn to go smoothly...'

Once Masked Chopper prepared to strike, the spirit of Desperado Rifleman riding on Desperado Mustang appeared to defend Jethro. He slammed the butt of his gun into Masked Chopper's face and allowed his horse to kick him back to Ileana's side.

"No matter," She said, activating another card, "I activate my Raregold Armor Spell, making it so that you can only attack my Naga!" But as the spell card image appeared...

Several arrows flew out of nowhere, shattering the Raregold Armor and then the Unstable Evolution card which changed Chopper back to his original pigmy form. (1/1000-100/100)

"No!"

"I activated my Spell-Shattering Arrow, just in time to destroy all Spell Cards in play," Jethro smirked, "And for each one, you take 500 points of damage!"

Soon more arrows appeared and struck Ileana, making her cry out in pain.

Ileana: 5000

Jethro: 2950

"And now, it's my turn," Jethro announced, drawing his next card, "And now, it's time for the dead to rise up and take charge as I activate the Spell Card, The Accursed Burial Ground!" The Spell card depicted at an old west graveyard with several ghost of the Desperadoes looking up at the stars. "I remove my Rough Rider from the graveyard, in order to Special Summon another Fusion Monster to the field!"

"The… dead...?" Ileana gasped, thinking back to her husband and her son.

"Now rise up, Desperado Ghost Rider!" Jethro announced as a ghostly wisp erupted from his graveyard, surrounding the field before taking shape. A white, ghostly cowboy appeared riding on a skeleton horse that let out a haunting neigh that sounded more of a howl. (7/2300/1300) "And he gains 300 ATK for each of the Desperado's in my graveyard, giving him 600!"

The ghosts glowed brighter, increasing their power. (7/2300-2900/1300)

"Now, attack with Flaming Ghost Star!" The Ghost Rider fired out massive bullets from its gun, destroying Masked Chopper in a fiery blaze.

Ileana: 2200

Jethro: 2950

"Next, I place one card facedown to end my turn," He announced. "It's almost over! Surrender!" 'Especially if you try that trick again, I can use my monster's effect to destroy yours since it'll have more ATK than my Rider!'

Ileana drew her next card, "I will never stop until Duel Academy ceases to exist! I use Magic Planter to destroy my Gorgon's Curse and draw two cards. "Gorgon's Curse melted away, letting her draw two cards, "Naga, make way for my Reptilliane Medusa!"

The small gorgon child vanished, letting out another one. But it was much larger, powerful, and uglier than Naga. Medusa wore a purple dress that hugged her fat body, having a faded green snake body. Aside from the golden headdress that held her snake hair together, her visage was that of a demonic snake. (6/2200/800)

"Yuck..." Jethro muttered.

"I activate Medusa's effect, sending one card in my hand to the graveyard and make Rough Rider's ATK 0!" Ileana shouted as Medusa flashed her eyes, causing the ghost to become solid stone. (7/2900-0/1300) "Finally, Reptilliane Rage will be equipped to my monster, letting her gain 800 ATK!"

Medusa's face grew even more twisted with anger as she roared out and her snake hairs hissed. (6/2200-3000/800)

'Lucky for me, I have another turn to go,' Jethro thought, looking to his facedown card.

"Destroy this boy and the rest of his monster!" Medusa hissed and fired poison venom from her hair, heading straight for the monster.

"Sorry, I activate my trap card Dodge Roll to block the damage!" Jethro announced as revealed his facedown card, "My monster won't be destroyed as well, so no go!" He then rolled away from the oncoming blasts. "Now it's over!"

"It's not!" Ileana smirked, revealing another Spell card, "I activate Sneak Attack!"

"NO!"

"Yes! I can now attack outside of the Battle Phase, dealing the damage you so deserve! Now then, take your medicine!"

This time, Medusa quickly slithered over the defenseless Obelisk and gasped. Before he could even dodge, Medusa slammed him into another tree, which broke into pieces and effectively knocked him out for good this time against the net.

Ileana: 2200, Winner

Jethro: 0

The holograms disappeared, leaving Ileana to admire the work she had done.

"You were the first to fall, little boy," She whispered. She then took Jethro's Duel disk off his arm and examined it. "Thank you for the present, dear. Know that your friends will follow you and when the time comes, I will have my revenge... Until then, sleep... and know you have helped me dealt the first major blow to Kaiba." She then sighed. "Thelonius, you will be proud..."

She then walked away from the knocked out Obelisk, leaving him in pain and tied up...


Whoa, intense matches wouldn't you say? You saw what became of the opening match of Xiu Zhen and Jacinth, the fate of the people in the infirmary, and now you've seen Ileana Viper in action. What do you all think?

Midnight Channel

Field Spell Card

Picture: The entrance of the Midnight Channel in Persona 4 (A doorway with a red spiral inside)

Effect: You can tribute any Persona Immortal Monsters on the field in order to Special Summon 1 Shadow monster. This card cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Shadow Master Dark nin Yosuke

Level 11

Warrior/Gemini

WIND

3000/2000

Normal Monster: Shadow Yosuke only wielding two Kunai and wearing a ninja outfit/Gemini Monster: Shadow Yosuke Boss from Persona 4

This card cannot be Normal Summon or set. This card must first Special Summoned while Midnight Channel is on the field and Tributing Persona Immortal Susanoo. This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the Graveyard. While this card is face-up on the field, you can Normal Summon it to have it be treated as an Effect Monster with this effect: This monster can attack twice each Battle Phase.

Personality: He is very cold and enjoys killing monsters.

Shadow Mistress - Princess Yukiko

Level 11

Spellcaster/Gemini

FIRE

Normal Monster: Shadow Yukiko from Persona 4 wielding a burning fan. Gemini Monster: Shadow Yukiko Boss from Persona 4

Effect: This card cannot be Normarl Summon or Set. This card must first be Special Summoned while Midnight Channel is on the field and tributing Persona Immortal Amaterasu on the field. This card is treated as a Normal Monster while face-up on the field or in the Graveyard. While this card is face-up on the field, you can Normal Summon it to have it be treated as an Effect Monster with this effect: Once per turn, look at the top 3 cards of your deck, deal 1000 points of damage for every Monster Card seen. Then send those cards to the graveyard.

3000/2000

Personality: She enjoys flirting with Jacinth and they have a lustful relationship between them.

League Champion – Malzahar, the Prophet of the Void

DARK

Level 1

Picture: Malzahar for League of legends

Spellcaster/Effect

Effect: Every time this card destroys a monster. It gains 1 level. When this monster gains a level, it gains 200 ATK and DEF points (Max 10). Once you play 2 spells or traps with 'Malzahar' in its name, you can Special Summon 1 Voidling Token (DARK/500/500/Level 1) to the field

ATK: 1000/1000

Call of the Void

Quick-Play

Picture: Malzahar summoning two portals and encasing Rammus in it

Effect: You can only use this spell if League Champion – Malzahar, the Prophet of the Void on the field. Banish 1 Spell and Trap on the field.

(The above cards were created by Trickymander, and creative card rights go to him. Character rights go to the creators of Persona 4 and League of Legends)

Altar of Restoration

Normal Spell

Banish the top 2 cards of your Deck and select 1 card in your Graveyard. Add that card to your hand.

(Used by Atem during the multi-part episode: Grappling with a Guardian. All rights go to the creators of the episode)

Sneak Attack

Normal Spell

Image: A soldier dropping from the darkness on an unsuspecting man.

Select 1 monster you control. During this turn, you can declare an attack with the selected monster outside of the Battle Phase.

(Used by Seika Kohinata in the GX manga, all rights go to the creators of the manga.)

Fog Barrier

Continuous Trap Card

Image: A blanket of thick fog with a blue-haired boy, trying to find his way inside.

Fog Lift

Normal Trap

Image: Numerous shadow monsters attacking a woman as the fog cleared up

(These two cards were created by me. Creative card rights go to me, while inspiration goes to the creators of Persona 4)


Next: You just saw a preview of Ileana's wrath towards the resistance on Academy Island. Now get ready to see how far she will go to see the fall of Duel Academy and Seto Kaiba.

Please Rate and Review! Later!