Authors note: I forgot to mention last chapter, you can send in questions and I'll answer them in the section at the bottom. They can be about anything, unless you want personal info. They don't have to do with the chapter at hand.

Chapter 29: Arrival of the Death Knights PART 1

Time: Unknown

Date: Thursday, August 21, 1998

Location: The Shadow Realm

YAMI'S POV…

You were scared, and for good reason. This was going to be the hardest duel you've ever faced, and certainly with the highest stake. But, that didn't matter. At the moment only one thing mattered.

Finally, Crommel spoke. "I'll start this off. I play a monster in defense position and end my turn!" he said. You were shocked. He hadn't even set a face down card, just a monster!

"Er, that's it?" you said, clearly confused.

"You heard me Pharaoh. I end my turn." he repeated. You were still surprised, but you drew your opening hand. It was surprisingly good.

"My move," you said as you drew, "I summon Beta the Magnet Warrior (1700, 1600). Beta, ATTACK!" you said.

"Perfect." said Crommel smirking. "You just attacked a personal favorite of mine; Death Knight – Avenger (0, 0)!"

"What is that?!" you said horrified. The monster looked like a dead body with a black shroud around it. It was on a horse, which had no skin. (Me: Gross huh? Even I'm grossed out, and I'm the writer!)

"Hehe… perhaps I should explain. When Maxamillion Pegasus first turned Duel Monsters into a card game, he didn't realize it, but monsters have souls! These Duel Monster's spirits became angry with Pegasus for awakening them, and created the Death Knights. These knights were spirits that were sent to drag Pegasus into the Shadow Realm and be tortured for eternity, but the spirits made a rather rudimentary error. There is no death in the Shadow Realm, so the Death Knights could not be controlled by mere spirits. They came to me for help, and I made a pact with them; if they win me a duel, I'll let them rest in peace. If not, then I'll make them return to their life of torture!" he said, and he began to laugh insanely.

"It's a good story but-Wait a minute! How can you communicate with monsters?!" you said, confused. He immediately stopped laughing.

"Oh, it seems I've said too much. Don't worry Pharaoh, you'll understand in due time." he said. "Now then, if I remember correctly, you attacked my Death Knight – Avenger. Big mistake! When a Death Knight is destroyed, it takes the attacking monster with it!"

"What?!" you said as Beta shriveled up and disappeared into the ground.

"That's not all! There are three Death Knights, and they each have a different ability! It just so happens that this is Avenger's ability; when the attacking monster is destroyed, you lose Life Points equal to its ATK! This means that you lose the Beta and 1700 Life Points! (Yami's LP: 2300, Crommel's LP: 4000)" he said.

"NO!" you yelled as your Life Points went down, along with your side of the scale, Yugi and all.

"Hehe… and that's just the beginning! My move!" said Crommel.

To Be Continued…

Questions you don't give two shits about, answered anyway

Okay... that story was slightly confusing.

How so?

Well, you said that there's no death in the Shadow Realm

Oh. I actually meant that as a bit of a joke. Seeing as 4kids turned characters dying into losing their souls, I decided that Crommel would be like the forces of 4kid's wrath against anime!

...That's the stupidest thing you've ever said, and it's a long list.

I know. Anything else?

No, not until a reader asks something.