Hi all! Hiyuusha here with another chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force! Everything's starting to wind down, so let's get this show on the road shall we?!


Last time… on Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force!


"Behold, Defense Seal Wall!" Konami shouted, raising his hand to the sky as the card revealed itself.

"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!"


And Now…


-Chapter Twenty Nine-

Impact


Twin Duel Runners blazed across the stadium road, their front ends neck to neck as they sped towards the first corner.

"This time…" Yusei shouted, releasing his inhibitions, "It'll be mine!"

Jack scowled, his Duel Runner slowing of its own accord as Yusei sped past and into the first corner.

Yusei- 8000 LP

Jack- 8000 LP

"It looks like I'll be going first!" Yusei shouted, drawing a card.

"Hmph, that's fine!" Jack replied, leaning back in his Duel Runner, "The King always allows the Challenger to start things off! It makes the Duel more entertaining!"

"Whatever you say," Yusei frowned, glancing at his Hand, "but I'll start things off slow! I set a monster and two face-down cards, to end my turn."

"That's it?" Jack asked unamused, "You certainly have no idea how to make things interesting, do you Yusei?!"

The crab-haired teen frowned, but said nothing. He wasn't there for entertainment! Besides, it wasn't as if there was any kind of crowd!

"My move!" Jack claimed eloquently, setting a hand atop his Deck, "Draw!"

Each Duelist paused, watching their Speed Counters go up by one.

"Alright! It's time I showed you what entertainment is all about!" Jack shouted, slamming a card onto the Field, "I'm summoning Twin-Sword Marauder to the Field in Attack Mode!"

Twin-Sword Marauder-LV4-(1600/1000)

Jack grinned, "And now… I'll have it attack your face-down monster!"

"Nice try!" Yusei interrupted, "But the monster you just attacked was my Shield Wing! It may have weak Defense Points, but it has an effect that allows it to withstand two attacks without being destroyed!"

"That may be so," Jack commented, watching the small winged creature appear on Yusei's side of the Field, "but my Twin-Sword Marauder has an effect too! When it attacks a Defense-Position Monster, it inflicts piercing damage equal to the difference in their Points!"

"What?" Yusei grimaced, tightening his grip on the controls as the Marauder sped past his Shield Wing to swipe at him.

Yusei-7300 LP

Jack-8000 LP

"But don't get too comfortable!" Jack continued, "Because my Twin-Sword Marauder has a second effect! When it attacks a Defense-Position Monster… it can attack once more!"

Yusei scowled, grimacing as the Marauder "attacked" his Shield Wing once again, inflicting piercing damage to lower his Life Points even further.

Yusei-6600 LP

Jack-8000 LP

"Now I'll set one card and end my turn!" Jack declared gloriously, swooping past Yusei triumphantly as he sped around another corner.

"Then it's my move!" Yusei shouted, "Here we go! Draw!" his eyes flashed, "Alright! It's time to rev things up! I'm summoning Junk Synchron to the Field in Attack Mode!"

The orange warrior gave a battle cry as he blasted his way onto the Field, floating behind Yusei's red Runner aggressively.

Junk Warrior-LV3-(1300/500)

"But don't get too attached to him, because he's gonna tune things up with his pal Shield Wing!" Yusei shouted, raising his hand to the sky, "Clustering Stars become a new force! Become the path of light it shines upon! Synchro Summon! Let's rev things up, Junk Warrior!"

Five shining lights collided in a flash of green light, and an engine-totting blue warrior emerged from the shadows, trailing behind Yusei energetically.

Junk Warrior-LV5-(2300/1300)

Jack's eyes flashed, "Junk Warrior already?! Well, perhaps you won't be a waste of time after all!"

Yusei didn't justify him with a response. "Junk Warrior, attack his Twin-Sword Marauder with your Scrap Fist!"

The blue warrior nodded, speeding past Yusei's Duel Runner and slamming a red-hot fist into Jack's lone monster.

The man scowled, his Duel Runner skidding around the corner as he tried to keep it steady.

"So you've finally begun your counterattack!" Jack shouted, "Unfortunately, you'll have to do better than that!"

"And I think I will!" Yusei shouted, "With this! Reveal Face-Down! Synchro Blast!"

"Guh!" Jack scowled, recognizing the card from an earlier Duel with the crab-haired hero.

"That's right!" Yusei nodded, "This card can activate when I attack you with a Synchro Monster I control, and when I do, it inflicts an additional 500 points of damage to your Life Points, and since it's a Continuous Trap…"

"I'll take damage every time you attack me with a Synchro Monster!" Jack hissed, knowing full well what the card did. He quickly glanced at his Life Points, watching them decrease 1200 points.

Yusei-6600 LP

Jack-6800 LP

"Now if you're finished," Jack shouted coolly, "it's my move! Draw!" He paused, a small grin coming to his face as he glanced at the card, "Well Yusei, as entertaining this Duel has been, it's time for us to step things up a bit! I'm summoning my Dark Resonator to the Field in Attack Mode!"

A small fiend with glowing red eyes appeared alongside the white Duel Runner, grinning wickedly as it grasped a small pike and wand in its hands.

Dark Resonator-LV3-(1300/300)

"But he's not the only one who's coming to the Field!" Jack continued, raising a hand, "I'm bringing back my Twin-Sword Marauder!"

"What?" Yusei asked, "But how?!"

"With this!" Jack exclaimed, revealing the card he meant to use, "Powerful Rebirth! It allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster from my Graveyard, and increase the monster's Level by One Star! Lucky for you Yusei," Jack continued arrogantly, "it loses its effect when it's brought back this way… but then again, I hadn't intended to use it in the first place, because I'll be bringing out something far more powerful!

Yusei grimaced, "A Level Five and Level Three Monster… I know what you're up to, Jack!"

"Behold, the King's Dragon!" Jack shouted, his two monsters tuning together in a bright light, "The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!"

A pillar of green light erupted in the sky beside Jack's Duel Runner, encompassing the stadium in its blinding force. A hulking roar emerged from the pillar, and Yusei's eyes narrowed, facing down his opponent's menacing ace.

Red Dragon Archfiend-LV8-(3000/2000)

"So he went and summoned it after all!" Yusei thought, "And right now… I don't have anything that can take it on head to head!"

"Behold Yusei, the power of the King!" Jack roared, "Red Dragon Archfiend… attack his Junk Warrior! Blazing Crimson Hell Flare!"

-5D's-

"Yes… I understand… of course sir! I'll see to it you receive an update in a timely manner… Yes sir, of course. Goodbye-" Roland paused, hearing the line go dead on his Cell Phone.

Sighing, the man turned back to his blue-haired interviewee, smiling kindly as he adjusted his glasses.

"I… apologize for the delay," he began, "It was most inconsiderate of me to take that phone call when you have been waiting here for some time."

"Oh, no, it's fine!" Mikage assured him, reeling back slightly, "I understand how hard it can be… being the Secretary to the King and all."

"Yes, let's talk about that job shall we?" Roland asked, flicking through the files of the woman, "It says here that you are a high-ranking member of Sector Security, correct?"

"Y-Yes, that is correct." Mikage nodded, bowing gently, "I am a Part-Time Section Chief…."

"I see," Roland stroked his chin eloquently, "then, may I ask why it is so imperative that you spend so much time around the Neo Domino "King" Jack Atlas?"

"H-Huh?" Mikage blinked, "Well… I suppose it was due to Director Goodwin assigning me the position-"

"Oh? So he does this sort of thing regularly then?" Roland asked, jotting down a note in his folder.

"No… that's… I mean to say, it was a rather sudden request." Mikage frowned, "May I ask what this has to do with the Internal Investigation?"

"Just getting some facts straight is all." Roland smiled at the girl gently, "Now… you say that it was a rather sudden request… you were not expecting such an assignment then?"

"No…" Mikage answered honestly, "I had only recently been assigned Section Chief after Goodwin's rise to the Director position. He brought me in to handle the day by day affairs of Mr. Atlas but-"

"One moment," Roland interrupted, "you say his day by day affairs? What sort of events does this include? Scheduling bodyguard shifts? Maintaining sufficient distance between Mr. Atlas as the public?"

"Well… I mean…" Mikage frowned, "I'm afraid not. It seems Director Goodwin expected nothing more of me than to ensure Mr. Atlas had his daily cup of coffee… and to cover up any mistakes Mr. Atlas may have made over the course of the day."

"Hmm…" Roland frowned, curling his fingers together, "It sounds like you were more of a Secretary than anything, Miss Simmington."

"H-Huh? Well… maybe… but I'm the Section Chief so…"

"Tell me, were you expected to deliver coffee to your coworkers prior to your association with Director Goodwin?"

"N-No… the previous Director insisted I assist the officers working the beat by signing off on necessary deterrents and modifications that would help keep them safe…."

"Indeed… and in comparison to your time under Director Goodwin, how often do you sign off on such things today?"

"Well…" Mikage stopped to think about it, "I have to say…. I rarely sign anything these days. Director Goodwin says he'll handle all of it."

Roland nodded, jotting another note down in his folder, "Tell me, Miss Simmington. Are you aware that in the years that Goodwin has operated as Director that there has been a 10% increase in the overall Neo Domino Crime Rate?"

"H-Huh?" Mikage blinked in surprise, "There has? But… he never said anything-"

"They rarely do." Roland explained, "Tell me, how long have you worked as Atlas' assistant now? Maybe one, two years?"

"Two," Mikage confirmed with a frown.

"Hm… two years of a nice bed, a warm cup of coffee and a nice face to look at…" Roland mused, "I see."

"H-Huh…?" Mikage blushed. "Nice face to look at?"

"Do not take it as a compliment." Roland continued, earning a frown from the woman, "Nonetheless, we are done here. I shall report my findings to the board, and they will decide what to do with you, if anything." He smiled, "At the very most I would expect a trial delving into the more personal details of your time under Goodwin, but I wouldn't expect much at the moment. Now, if you don't have any questions…"

Before the woman had a chance to respond she'd been kicked out the room, leaving Roland to call in the next Sector Security Officer.

She scowled. The man may be thorough… but he certainly could use some lessons on how to speak with women!

-5D's-

"Red Dragon Archfiend… attack his Junk Warrior!" Jack had cried, "Blazing Crimson Hell Flare!"

Yusei scowled, his Duel Runner skipping and jumping along the road as Jack's ace monster reeled back, a hideous sphere of red flames emerging above its fist. In a furious roar, the dragon tossed the sphere forward, engulfing the Junk Warrior whole.

"Guh…!" Yusei hissed, skidding around a corner just as his monster was obliterated behind him.

Yusei-5900 LP

Jack-6800 LP

"That did a heavy bit of damage… I'll have to pull something out quick!" Yusei thought, revving his engines to keep up with Jack.

"Feeling the burn Yusei?" the King asked, grabbing several more cards from his hand, "Well, then I suppose I'll give you a short reprieve! I'll set three cards Face-Down and end my turn!"

"Tch… then it's my move!" Yusei shouted, "Draw!" he glanced at the card he drew, Hyper Synchron. "Perfect! With this I can…"

"I'm activating my Face-Down card, Descending Lost Star!" he declared, revealing the card to Jack, "It lets me revive one Synchro Monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position, but with the added condition that it has 0 Defense Points and has one less Level than it started out with! So, give a warm welcome back to my Junk Warrior!"

The Blue Warrior "hmph'd" as it returned to the Field, punching the air vibrantly as it sped alongside Yusei's Runner.

"So you brought back your Junk Warrior!" Jack shouted, "It's still no match for my Red Dragon Archfiend, especially when it has 0 Defense Points!"

"Maybe not," Yusei grimaced, "but then he won't be going at it alone! Behold, Hyper Synchron!" he shouted, summoning the monster in Face-Up Attack Position.

A hulking blue Synchron sped onto the Field, its twin engine giving it the speed to keep up with the best of them.

Hyper Synchron-LV4-(1600/800)

"And since my Hyper Synchron is a Tuner Monster…" Yusei began, "I can combine its power with my Junk Warrior to bring forth a new hope!"

"!" Jack's eyes went wide, "Of course! So that's what you're doing!"

"Clustering stars become a new force! Become the path of light it shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take Flight, Stardust Dragon!"

In a shining light, the great dragon appeared, its wings spreading out amongst the sky as it joined Yusei in staring down Jack.

Stardust Dragon-LV8-(2500/2000)

"And that's not all!" Yusei continued, pressing forward, "Because when my Hyper Synchron is used for the Synchro Summon of a Dragon-Type Monster… that monster gains 800 Attack Points!"

Stardust Dragon-LV8-(3300/2000)

Jack's eyes widened, "An additional 800 Attack Points?! But that makes your Stardust stronger than my Red Dragon Archfiend!"

"That's right!" Yusei exclaimed, gazing upon the small difference in their dragons' Attack Points, "And now… with this Stardust Dragon, with my soul, I'll destroy your monster! Go Stardust Dragon! Attack Red Dragon Archfiend with your Shooting Sonic- Cosmic Flare!"

Stardust Dragon screeched, its wings arching as it gathered a shining white light within its jaws. Flapping its wings twice more, the dragon reeled its head back, the light exploding forth in a dazzling blaze that threatened to engulf Jack's dragon.

"Sorry, but I'll have to stop you there!" Jack shouted, "Because I'm activating my Trap Card, Impenetrable Attack! It lets me choose one monster and prevent it from being destroyed during this battle! Of course, I'll be choosing my Red Dragon Archfiend!"

"Well, your monster might not be destroyed by the battle…" Yusei relented, "but you'll still take damage equal to the difference in their Attack Points!" he finished strongly, swinging his hand forward.

Stardust Dragon roared out in agreement, the Cosmic Flare smashing into Red Dragon Archfiend as red light seemed to spark around them angrily. Jack hissed, his Duel Runner sputtering for several seconds as he rounded the corner.

Yusei-5900 LP

Jack-6500 LP

The damage had been done, but something was wrong.

The dragons were still fiercely locked in combat, soaring high above the clouds as they fired wave after wave of energy at each other.

In response, the heavens themselves seemed to intervene, wrapping the world in a pitch-dark storm that spread above the arena rapidly.

"What's going on?!" Jack asked angrily, "Has there been some kind of malfunction in our holograms?!"

Yusei's eyes narrowed, his Duel Runner speeding past Jack before starting to slow as well, "No… this is no hologram!" he shouted, a red bolt crashing down on the road between them, kicking up debris.

"?!" Jack's eyes widened, his gaze drifting down to his arm where a fierce throbbing began to make itself known, "My arm… what sort of trick is this?!"

Yusei too felt the pain of his mark, wincing as it soon became too much to bear, "It's the Mark of the Crimson Dragon…! I can tell by this feeling… it must be angry!"

"The Crimson Dragon?!" Jack asked, "Angry?!"

He never managed to finish his thought. As the two dragons revealed themselves once more, a final wave of red light crashed down in the center of the Arena, shutting out the lights. Jack and Yusei completely lost control of their Duel Runners at this point, their wheels spinning out of control and sending them both spiraling into the concrete.

"Urk…!"

"Guah!"

Stardust Dragon roared angrily, a Cosmic Flare gathering within its jaws as the Red Dragon Archfiend pulled back its burning fist. The two Dragons were set to collide one final time, ready to settle once and for all which of them was the strongest.

But the Crimson Dragon would not be denied.

The red pillar within the stadium grew, encompassing the two dragons and engulfing the city district in its horrid red light.

Within seconds, all the power went out.

Within his office, Goodwin frowned. He had seen the tender glow from within his desk drawer, but he dare not reveal the hand while Roland was within his sights. The suit frowned as the backup power flickered on, revealing to him the state of the ceiling.

"What's going on?"

"I wish I knew." Goodwin replied honestly, spotting the sparkling red storm in the distance. "Somewhere… the Crimson Dragon is about to make an appearance!"

-5D's-

The storm raged around them, revealing to all the fierce battle the two were engaged in.

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

Furiously, Konami glanced at the Field. A 2000 Attack Point Exodius… a 3000 Attack Point Black Rose Dragon, and the Spells and Traps that kept them both safe…. It was time for some serious Dueling.

"Draw!" Konami shouted, narrowing his eyes at the received card. "Ancient Rules… useful, but I don't have a monster to use it with!"

"What's the matter Red Hat?!" Akiza snarled, "Why haven't you made your move?!"

"I'm waiting to see if I've knocked some sense into you yet!" Konami shouted, "How many times now have I destroyed your Black Rose Dragon, the centerfold of your ideals?! You must understand that the way you're doing things simply won't work!"

"Enough of this! Time and time again I've told you to cease your incessant bickering, and yet you still continue to preach! Why?!"

"Because I know a person that needs help when I see one!" Konami retorted, "You claim to have come this far on Divine's help alone, but what of your other experiences, your other friends?! You hold this one man on a pedestal, but refuse to acknowledge all others that helped you reach your current state! And it's for that very reason that you are so twisted and sadistic now!"

"Nonsense!" Akiza declared, "I have no friends, and need none either! Divine was everything to me, and you took him away! He was the only person to keep me grounded, to give me a purpose!"

Konami smirked, pointing at Akiza confidently, "You and I both know that's a lie!"

"What?!"

"You said it yourself Akiza," Konami explained, "the same day you and I Tag-Dueled against Commander Koda! You'd protect those who believed in you! At that time… I could tell, that you weren't talking about Divine… but your fellow Psychics in the Arcadia Movement! Those words… and how fiercely you put a stop to Koda's schemes… that's proof of the bond you share with others! You have more to live for than just Divine!"

Akiza's face twisted sourly. "Protect…? Live…? Bonds…?! Those are all just mediocre terms!" she hissed devotedly, the storm reflecting her emotions perfectly, "Divine was the only one who gave meaning to them, but…" she cackled, "if you're so insistent on my forging bonds… then I'll form one with you right now! My ideal bond… a world filled with naught but despair!"

She smiled fiercely, her eyes widening psychotically as the storm whipped around her, giving her the visage of a true witch. "Come Red Hat! Bring me your best! I'll weather this storm… and bring an end to you with my Black Rose Dragon!"

Konami's face bristled angrily as he gazed upon the woman. "Your ideal world…? A land of despair…?! You idiot… I'll smash through each and every one of those ideals!"

He pointed at Akiza's monster angrily, his eyes crazed and wild as a flash of red light thundered in the background, "And I'll start by annihilating that sick Dragon of yours! Exodius!"

The Forbidden Egyptian Lord grinned, glancing down towards its summoner curiously.

"I'm giving you another sacrifice!" Konami declared, slipping a Spiral Serpent into the Graveyard, "Use it to obliterate the Black Rose Dragon! Go! Dynamic Therapy Punch!"

The Ultimate Forbidden Lord roared ferociously, its muscles bulging and size increasing dramatically as it took in the power of the Spiral Serpent, preparing to attack.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Akiza snapped, "Even if you gave it another power-up, your monster only has 3000 Attack Points, the same as my Dragon! Both our monsters will be destroyed!"

"Once again, your chaotic sense of devotion blinds you to the truth!" Konami roared, "Take another look at your Thorn of Malice! Its effect clearly states that my monster can't be destroyed in a battle with the equipped monster! And that means…" he paused, Exodius's right fist filling with brilliant light, "that even if Exodius has the same number of Attack Points, it won't be destroyed in a battle with your Black Rose Dragon!"

Akiza reeled back in surprise, "He's right!"

"Now!" Konami roared, pointing at the Black Rose Dragon again, "I'll say it once more Exodius! Break through to Akiza with your Exploding Therapy Punch!"

The Lord didn't bother nodding, already leaping across the roof to drive its fist into the Black Rose Dragon's face.

Akiza couldn't help but wince upon impact, the weight of the blow cracking the ground beneath the two Duelists as the world filled with a bright red light.

Akiza's arm throbbed, and time seemed to slow as a terrible screech filled the air.

In an instant, every card on the Field was swept away in a violent, crimson haze, and the two Duelists fell to their knees as the red light washed over them, disabling their Duel Disks.

Konami- Invalid LP

Akiza-Invalid LP

Konami winced as he struggled to see through the light, his Duel Disk disengaging as a wave of pressure fell over him and Akiza both. The last thing he was before they both blacked out was a pair of giant crimson wings spreading across the city skyline.

Akiza's eyes snapped open almost instantly, and she awoke to find that she was most certainly not on the roof of the Arcadia Movement Building.

For starters, the world was black, void of any sense of color or smell. It was a world of darkness… of shadows.

After taking a small, confused step, Akiza felt her foot fall beneath her. She winced, expecting to trip and hurt herself, but no such feeling came. It was as if she were floating, merely drifting along in this world of black.

That was, of course, until the sound of battle suddenly rushed towards her. Her body was flung forward involuntarily, floating high above what could be the floor of this strange, new world. She grimaced, wondering just what she would do if she fell. She seemed to be missing her Duel Disk, and with no Disk to summon her monsters well…

"…imagine the possibilities of using such a Technique? The ability to know what your opponent will do before they do it, to know how your opponent will respond before they can! Pegasus used it for Dueling… but imagine its possibilities in the modern world!"

Akiza's eyes widened in recognition. Was that… Divine?!

"…So I thought to myself, why not take it a step further? Why not… force your thoughts upon them? They say mind control is for movies but… I assure you, it is very much real."

Huh? Akiza frowned. This… that cold, callous tone… it didn't sound like Divine… even if it was his voice. She reeled forward, drifting closer to the scene.

"…turn yourself into some super-psychic to rule the city? How typical."

Akiza scowled. She recognized that voice. Red Hat! So he'd been brought here too? And once again, he was trying to keep Divine from her! Well… in that case!

"Close," the first voice chuckled, "but wrong Konami-kun. You see, my goal is to make you a super-psychic that will rule the city."

Once more Akiza's eyes widened. Was that part of Divine's plan? Sure, she knew that Red Hat had been involved somehow but… she never heard the details. And rule the city…? What did he mean by that?

"…Sacred Beast Uria….hide it, but I could tell."

Akiza scowled. She couldn't hear what it was they were saying, she needed to get closer still! Close enough so that she could hear and see everything that was going on!

Whoever it was that had brought her there seemed to agree, as seconds later she was standing on the sidelines, completely invisible to the two of them. She could hear now… and more importantly, she could see!

She heard and watched as Divine went over the finer details of his plan, explaining how he had manipulated everything ever since Konami arrived to make the best use of him, how he made use of Goodwin's schemes to compliment his own…. She hadn't heard anything outright incriminating but… she had to admit that it was quite the blow seeing just how sinister Divine could sound.

In her mind, she argued that it was because he was facing Konami that he was acting this way, that it was the boy's insufferable nature that made Divine seem so cruel… but something else told her that was no longer the case.

She couldn't help but remember the boy's cold words to her prior to their own Duel. He was so insistent on the fact that Divine wasn't quite who she thought he was… what if there was some truth to that statement?

Akiza scowled, driving the thought from her mind as quickly as it came. Who was she kidding? This was Divine she was talking about! Divine! The man who had took her in and cared for her as if she were his own child! There had to be a reasonable explanation! There had to be!

And so she watched.

She watched as they began the Duel, scowling at the fact that Konami hadn't been entirely lying when he said that Divine pushed him into the Duel. In the end, it had been he, Konami who said the words, but even she had to admit that Divine had been asking for it. It wasn't every day you could tell someone that their life was a lie and expect to get away scot-free.

But far more troubling than the fact that Konami hadn't been lying was the fact that Divine seemed to be relishing the situation. The Divine Akiza knew was supposed to be kind, benevolent, gentle even! He wasn't supposed to be smirking and grinning sadistically at his foes!

She grimaced as Hamon tore Konami to shreds.

This wasn't her Divine… it couldn't be! If it was, then just like Konami… everything she knew…

It would all be a lie.

But no matter how desperate the thought, no matter how frantic her cries. She still couldn't leave.

Not until she had seen the entire thing through.


-Chapter Twenty Nine-

End


What devastating calamity has cursed Akiza to this world of memories? And if she's here, then what has happened to our Egg-loving hero?! Maybe we'll find out next time, on the next exciting chapter of Yu-Gi-Oh: Tag Force!


Memory Fragment 02


Konami yawned, leaning back in his chair as his first class began to let out. As expected, Dr. Crowler had been ruthless on the Slifers, but for some strange reason seemed to hold back on him, no doubt thinking that those two Obelisk Blues he'd met the day prior would still bring him over to their side.

He sighed.

Why did it have to be so hard to blend in? All he'd wanted was to experience a basic, normal, school life, but now-

"Hey! You!" a girl's voice hissed from the back of the room.

Konami turned, raising a brow as he glanced up at the girl who seemed to be glaring down at him. He turned in his seat quickly, making sure he was the only one around before gesturing to his chest. "Me?"

"Yes you!" the girl hissed, planting her hands on her hips, "Come over here real quick!"

Konami shrugged, grabbing his bag as he made to stand. "Okay… what's this all about then?" he asked, frowning as he reached the girl.

The Obelisk Blue student scowled, her pointed brown hair settling nicely on her head as she regarded Konami coldly.

"Word is you've been messing around with Alexis." The woman grimaced, "And I'm not so sure I like that."

"Huh?" Konami blinked, "Who's Alexis?"

The girl frowned, "Who's Alexis?! Ha! As if you don't know! She's the one you gave that Golden Egg Sandwich to! Everyone's been talking about it!"

Konami frowned, rubbing his chin in thought as he tried to pull up the memory. A Golden Egg Sandwich… giving it to a girl…?

"Oh!" he exclaimed, "That one girl! What about her?"

"Stay away from her!" the girl hissed, stamping her foot in annoyance.

"Huh? Why would I do that? She's supposed to be a good Duelist right?" Konami asked, tilting his head curiously.

"Well of course she is!" the girl snapped, "Which is why she doesn't have time to be dealing with a Slifer Slacker like you!"

"Heh, so are you like her bodyguard or something?" Konami asked, "Because if you are-"

"Huh? Jasmine?" another feminine voice asked, "What're you still doing in cla- Huh? It's you!"

"Hmm?" Konami asked, turning to face the second girl curiously. "Ah, Alexis, was it?"

"Alexis!" Jasmine hissed, "What are you doing here? I thought we agreed that you'd let me handle this?!"

"Handle this?" Alexis frowned, "What're you talking about?"

Konami grinned, "Oh it's nothing serious. She's just gotten it into her head that I should keep my distance from you, not really good on explaining why though…."

Alexis blinked in confusion, "Keep your distance from- Jasmine!" she scowled, "Don't tell me, you've been picking on students again?!"

"What?" the girl frowned, "He deserves it! Look at him! He's a filthy Slifer Slacker and more than that… he gave you a Golden Egg Sandwich! That can only bode ill!"

Alexis sighed, a large bead of sweat drooping down her face, "Jasmine… you really are a piece of work sometimes you know that? Besides, it's none of your business who I choose to spend my time with."

"Alexis! You can't mean that!" Jasmine scowled, "Spending time with some worthless slacker… he'll rub off on you!"

"I can handle myself just fine," Alexis sighed, "Besides, I've been told to show him around on Dr. Crowler's orders- huh?" her eyes widened, "Where'd he go?"

"Like I'd know!" Jasmine scowled, "Besides, I think it's better he's gone! Honestly, the nerve of some people!"

"Nerve indeed!" Alexis scowled, glaring at her friend before glancing around the room, "You there!" she shouted, pointing at a random Ra Yellow student studying diligently in the back.

"Huh? I've been noticed?" the boy asked, smiling kindly, "What is it I can do for you ladies? Where you perhaps interested in some of my theories-?"

"Never mind that!" Alexis scowled, "There was a guy here, with a large Red Hat! Did you see where he went?"

"Red Hat…?" the boy asked, "You mean that new transfer student? Yes, he said he was going out to explore the campus… but what does that have to do with any-"

"Darn it!" Alexis snapped, taking off down the hallway and leaving the boy alone with Jasmine, "Now how am I supposed to get my Extra Credit?!"

The boy raised a brow curiously, turning back to Jasmine for answers only to find she too had left. "Alone… as always…" he sighed, dropping back into his seat and scribbling the name Bastion Misawa across his homework.

The life of the ignored was hard indeed.

END