Hey there, Yu-Gi-Oh fans, I hope you've enjoyed the action-packed goodness of 'Touched by a Rare Hunter' thus far. In the last chapter, David dealt with more of the Rare Hunters including one of Marik's deadliest lieutenants. Then he chased after another Rare Hunter and confronted Marik. After the defeating the trap the Rare Hunter leader had hatched, with some magical shenanigans of his own, David recovered the stolen cards and left. No sooner had he vacated the headquarters of the Rare Hunters only to have a police helicopter land under orders to transport him back to Key Arena. So that's the end right? WRONG! There's still the matter of who hired the Rare Hunters, the competitor's parade, and the tournament itself. The intrigue and dirty dealings are far from over. Get ready as 'Touched by a Rare Hunter' part 5 starts now.

Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh and all canon characters are strictly the property of Kazuki Takahashi. I'm just borrowing them for a while but will put them away when I'm finished with this saga. David Cardigan and all original characters are strictly my property.

The helicopter flew over the Emerald city and a few minutes later started a graceful downward descent to a part of the parking lot that had been cleared by the police. Officer Ortega guided the helicopter until it landed. Captain Melles a built black man in his early 50's approached the helicopter. Undoing his seat belt and grabbing his cowboy hat David got out of the helicopter taking the suitcase with him. Captain Melles said, "You left quite a mess, David. But we sure appreciate the gifts you left for us to take into custody."

David said over the roar of the copter engine as the two headed for Key Arena. "You guys are the law, I'm just simply the hired help. I'll let you do your job."

Captain nodded and said, "Much appreciated, David…" Then noticed the briefcase. "So that's the case full of Duel Monsters cards huh? I can't believe all this fuss over a card game."

"Captain, trust me when I say this game is far bigger than you realize." David told the policeman.

Captain Melles asked, "What about Marik? Did you get him?"

David shook his head. "I didn't, and trust me when I say, captain, that's it's better if we don't. I know this seems rather odd but Marik is involved in something far bigger than any of us. Best let him go, I have a hunch he'll be getting his in short order."

Captain Melles sighed and answered, "I'll leave it at that then. Meanwhile we have a whole bunch of decks to return."

David asked, "So what's the status of things since I left?"

Captain Melles smiled smugly. "I got word from Grayson just before you arrived. We got all of them, David, there are no escapes, there never are when Charlie Melles leads a raid!"

David nodded. "Captain Melles, your penchant for efficiency leaves me feeling much more secure." David then remembered something. "Captain, if you don't mind, there's one deck in particular that I'd like to personally return. I owe it to them. Then I'm going to have a little talk with another someone."

Captain Melles asked, "What the hell are you up to, David?'

David said, "I think perhaps on this I should tell you the whole story. Mainly because I strongly suspect I'm going to need your help in the near future. Let me tell you a little story about a gentleman by the name of Randall McCray…"

In the P.D.L. office of Jerry Brandon a few minutes later Bryan Stiles gasped and exclaimed, "MY DECK!"

David happily handed the deck over to the boy who gave David a grateful smile. Amanda Stiles was crying but this time they were tears of joy. To David it was understandable, they had almost been robbed of the chance to compete in the Pacific Northwestern Championship by hired thugs. And now by what they thought was some miracle they'd gotten Bryan's deck back. The boy quickly went through all his cards and smiled. "Awesome…" he said. "All my cards are there!" He then looked at David and said, "Thank you, Mr. Cardigan, thank you so much for getting my deck back."

David nodded and said, "I'm a sportsman, young man, I believe everyone deserves a fair chance. Besides which, I'm hoping we can duel each other in this tournament. I hear you're quite a force to be reckoned with."

Amanda said, "Bryan is," she then proceeded to hug David and then captain Melles who was also in the room. "Thank you, David, and thank you, captain Melles, for returning my son's deck and taking care of those awful Night-Eyes security thugs."

David smiled feeling himself swell with pride at a job well done. Captain Melles said smiling himself, "It was no problem ma'am. The Seattle police are here to protect and serve the public."

The boy said to David, "I hope we can duel in the tournament, David, I want to see that awesome synchro deck in action against my monsters."

David got a competitive smile on his face. "If it comes down to it, I'd be more than happy to duel you champ. Now, if all of you will excuse me."

David left the P.D.L. office and strode in the direction of the V.I.P. lounge. From what captain Melles had told him, it wasn't hard to find the lounge he was looking for. From within David heard Marilyn Manson blaring. David looked on the door and sure enough it read, 'Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett'. David grabbed at the double doors and flung them open. A brunette goth woman was dressed in little but a metal blue robe that barely went down to the tops of her legs. Another goth girl, with almost boyishly short cropped blonde colored hair dressed in a just as short pink night robe with a dragon design on the back was laying on the floor typing on a laptop. Sitting next to the brunette woman, was the man David had first seen in Portland, Oregon when he'd tried to intimidate and scare his way to a victory over Rebecca Hawkins. Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett had an almost ghoulishly slender appearance, long brown hair that went down to his shoulders, and was wearing black mascara, and black as night lipstick. The man was also wearing black leather pants and shoes. The girls turned to face David and hissed as they assumed defensive positions like animals ready to fight. Bennett however grinned in an unpleasant fashion. "What have we here?" The pacific northwestern champion chimed. "Why if it isn't the legally blind freak who thinks himself a duelist."

The blonde girl said, "He's a pretty one, Marilyn baby, I want his soul!"

"So do I!" the brunette growled.

Bennett said in a mockingly sweet tone, "Calm down my pretty little babies, all in good time."

The man got up and said, "What do you want abomination?"

David casually waived the insults off and said remaining calm. "You know, on my way back here I had plenty of time to do some thinking. And it occurred to me who, among the duelists here, would have the most to gain from this tournament being canceled? Who is the one person who has enough of a lacking in the ethics department to even attempt something this heinous?"

Bennett took a look of mock emotional hurt. "You're saying I had something to do with those Night-Eyes people? I'm hurt, Mr. blind as a bat, whatever gave you that idea?"

David said, "On the fact that you are the pacific northwestern champion. Also you've had it in for this neck of the woods even before Rebecca Hawkins handed you your butt on a silver platter!"

The pacific northwestern champion's face widened in rage and surprise. Ah, struck a nerve have I, David thought with a mental wicked grin.

"How did you know about that?" The goth man growled.

David said, "I know because a friend of mine and I were there on the day that it happened. And from your expression it's safe to observe that you're still reeling from that loss."

Bennett said, "You're barking up a dangerous tree, Cardigan!" Bennett said in a threatening tone.

David crossed his arms over his chest and let out a derisive snort. "You think that old gothic prince of darkness bit scares me? News flash for you, Bennett, I've seen things far worse than you! You're nothing but lowly sewer slime! And I'm here to put you on notice, while I can't prove you had anything to do with the Rare Hunters being here, I know you had something to do with it! I know it was you who sent the Rare Hunters to wreck this tournament! I know because, besides the fact you're the only one who had anything to gain, you were the only duelist who never received a visit from Night-Eyes security in the whole time they were running their little scam!"

Bennett smiled in a dangerously deceptive fashion. "Do you have any idea just how crazy that sounds? You've been lucky thus far, Cardigan, but if you're lucky enough to face me I'll beat you as easy as 6…6…6!"

David raised an eyebrow and said, "Hee haw, hee haw, hee haw, I'm sorry I don't speak jackass!"

Bennett's smile turned into a growl. David said, "Well, so you're big and tough when you're dishing it out but not so much when on the receiving end, typical, ever so typical! Best watch yourself, Bennett! Because when we meet in this tournament, and make no mistake we will, I am going to take you down, and restore the honor of the pacific northwest!"

David turned and walked away. The girls let out hisses as he left. He heard Bennett snap, "We'll see, Cardigan!"

David left the V.I.P. room Bennett was in. However he made a note in the back of his mind of everything he had seen for later.

David had just as soon reached a public area when a voice over the speaker system called, "David Cardigan, to the security office please. David Cardigan to the security office please."

David face furrowed. What's this all about I wonder, David thought openly puzzled.

Nonetheless the writer/duelist headed to the security office. To his surprise he found Grayson there and three people in matching white short sleeved shirts, black slacks and shoes, brunette hair, pale skin, and black thick rimmed glasses, and all carrying police badges. Grayson answered David's unspoken question when Melles' second-in-command said, "Since the captain's busy he wanted me to introduce you to the guys who helped get us going so we could go after Night-Eyes security."

The three beanpole men smiled at David and waved. Everything about them spoke of computer geek. Grayson explained, "Meet Ed, Fred, and Ted Clarke, graduates of M.I.T, and our computer experts. We call them the geek patrol."

The three men zipped around the desk and to David's surprise fell to their knees and bowed before him like he was some kind of deity as they said, "David Cardigan, we're not worthy, we're not worthy!"

David felt himself flushing red. Great, I think I can guess why they're doing this.

David sweat dropped as he put up his hands and gently coaxed, "By…the fact you're doing this I think it's safe to say you're fans of my work. Could you um…not do that…you're worthy, you're worthy." He said in a shaky yet gentle tone.

The three were on their feet. One of them said, "Sorry, Mr. Cardigan, it's just…"

"We're such big fans of your work." The second chimed.

The third one said, "Yeah, and the ending of Starflyers where the guy gets the girl…"

"It made us cry!" All three chimed in.

David wasn't sure whether to laugh or be nervous at this. Oh God, I'm just glad Mom and Dad can't see this or I'd never hear the end of it from them. David thought.

David said, "Glad you liked Starflyers, oh, and if it's not too much trouble, could one of you talk at a time please? Anyway I understand you guys were the ones who put the Seattle police department on Night-Eyes security's tail."

One them nodded, "Yeah, boy oh boy, the stuff we found that sent red flags was incredible. These Rare Hunter guys really put up an elaborate operation."

David asked, "Um, how good are you guys with computers and computer programs?"

The triplets stated collectively with pride, "We're from M.I.T. so we're the best!"

David nodded and said, "Good, because I have a hunch I may need you later."

The triplet's faces furrowed quizzically, "What's up?" one of them asked.

David said, "Nothing yet, but I have a feeling you should stick around for a while, call it a gut feeling."

The three shrugged. One of them said, "Sure, we were planning to stick around for the tournament anyway as Captain Melles ordered."

David smiled and thought, Captain Melles your penchant for efficiency has come through again.

David shook hands with them and said, "It was nice to meet you. If you'll excuse me I need to go get ready for the tournament parade. I've got a yutz of a pacific northwestern champion to dethrone."

David turned and headed for the meeting area.

The Key Arena lights shut off as laser lights began to spark to life the giant billboard screen overhead lighting up. "And now here are the competitors for the Pacific Northwestern Championship," the announcer said over the loudspeaker system.

The audience erupted into cheers. David watched from where he was in entryway. This was the moment he had been waiting for. And if everything he had asked for went accordingly, Bennett would be in for a nasty surprise in the course of this event. Just the first step in David's master plan to take down Bennett and show him for what he really was. The arena lights turned on as "The beautiful people" by Marilyn Manson began to play. The boos and jeers of the crowd echoed through the arena as the announcer began to speak. "Introducing first, originating from Miami, Florida and currently residing in Seattle, Washington. He currently owns Club Nightmare in downtown Seattle, and is the current pacific northwestern Duel Monsters champion, accompanied by his girls Lizzie and Lilith, he is Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett!"

The crowd erupted into louder boos and jeers as Bennett walked onto the arena floor in an effeminate fashion wearing a furry white robe as short as the ones his girls had been wearing earlier. The two girls were now dressed in tight leather shirts, pants, and high-heeled boots. They each walked to one side of Bennett's robe. They pulled at the belt until it fell loosely away…they pulled off his white robe to reveal…that he was wearing a dominatrix one piece with long black lingerie, and high-heeled shoes. Bennett began caressing himself as he pranced around. Through his monocular David could see what the made up goth was saying, "I feel pretty, so very, very pretty."

David knew this was part of Bennett's act, of how he liked to put on a shocking and appalling show to get people angry and disgusted, just so he could be the center of attention. From the other competitors came comments such as "Ack, my eyes they're burning, they're burning!", "Aw dude, that is just so inappropriate!", and "Who does Bennett think he is prancing around in that?"

The general consensus was of outrage and disgust. Keep it up, Bennett, you have no idea what's about to hit you in the face, David thought a devious grin spreading across his lips.

After Bennett's little show he walked over to a throne which had been set up and sat down. He gazed around the arena occasionally flipping off some random person in the crowd. David looked at a P.D.L. official and said, "Tell the arena technicians, it's time!"

The P.D.L. man nodded and got on the radio. David meanwhile walked over to a pair of people wearing martial arts uniforms and each carrying two broadswords, one in each hand. David looked at the Japanese men and said in fluent Japanese, "It's time, gentleman."

The men nodded. The three turned into time to see the arena black out. The Alan Parson's Project song, Sirius started blaring over the loud speakers. On the electric billboard A silhouette of Oregon appeared it rotated around a couple times before it shrunk to a smaller size only for silhouettes of Washington, and Idaho to attach themselves. The region then shrunk until it was inside a large red background which when the digital screen pulled out was actually a heart and next to it was an I. The message was abundantly clear. David was saying "I love the pacific northwest."

Everything was going accordingly. Spotlights circled around the arena until they appeared at the entrance. The broadsword wielding martial artists raced out and began twirling their swords doing all sorts of tricks. In the course of their routine the two men did side flips in the air until they were an equal distance from the arena. Raising their arms so that they resembled a C they pointed at the entrance. David took that as his cue. Just in time Sirius was building up. David jogged out and the crowd erupted into waves of cheers. David in the spot light raised his clinched hands over his head giddily smiling. If only the kids who picked on me in high school could see me now, the writer/duelist thought dryly.

The announcer called out, "Introducing next, he was originally born in Domino city, California. But for almost 20 years he has proudly called our sister city of Portland, Oregon his home. Hailing from a family with a long tradition of service to the state of Oregon, he is a beloved science fiction and fantasy writer whose recent novel, Dragon's Hope: The Dragon Heroes book 2, is available now wherever paperbacks are sold. He is also known as the legally blind wonder and the Oregon Duel Monsters champion, this is…DAAVIIIIIID CARRRRRRRDIGAAAAAAAAN!"

David looked around and through the glare of the light saw where Bennett was. And the look on the faces of him and his girls was one of stunned disbelief. They'd gone out of their way to shock and dismay people just so they could hog the spotlight. And yet single–handedly one legally blind abomination, as they liked to call him, had managed to take the spotlight away from them and in a fashion that was respectable. David smiled at them with mock warmness as he pointed at Bennett with his right hand. The index finger curled back into a fist as David extended the thumb and turned the fist into a thumbs down gesture. The meaning of it couldn't be more clear. The crowd whooped in delight at David's gesture. David was saying, "You're going down, by my hands."

David stepped to his place on the floor as the arena lights came up. As the competitor's ceremony continued David stared at Gerald Bennett from his place on the arena floor. Bennett shivered, his eyes filled with unbridled rage, his mouth conflicted about the sneer that wanted to come out. David simply paid Bennett a smile and thought, Your chickens are coming home to roost, Bennett.

Over the course of the next several days David was put through his paces against a number of duelists. Yet with his synchro deck and his ability he always managed to triumph in the end. Yet he always kept a close eye on how Bennett was doing as well as well a certain young duelist he had just helped out. Bennett's matches had proven to be brutal affairs and each time his competitors were left battered and broken physically and emotionally. And every time Bennett had taunted the people of the pacific northwest proclaiming himself to be better than them and more hip. The only thing you are is a horse's ass, David thought to himself.

Bryan was proving to be a real crowd favorite. Obviously the Washington State Duel Monsters champion had the home field advantage here. And his deck had proven pretty tough against competitors. As he relaxed in the hotel room on his bed David thought to himself, that kid has some REAL potential.

David's thoughts then turned to his most recent opponent. The man's fire deck had given David more than just a hot foot. He had managed to beat him but with only 100 life points left. Still the match had been an overall thriller and had given the crowd more than their money's worth. David checked his watch. Bryan's duel was in a half-hour. David on the one hand was excited for young Bryan yet he was worried. Bennett would be the opponent that young man would be facing. And something about this match gave David an uneasy feeling. Ever since he'd heard the announcement of this final match before the championship duel David had felt a cold feeling shoot up his spine. It was a feeling that something was going to happen and it wasn't going to be good. And what frustrated David the most is this was something he knew he wouldn't be able to do anything about. David silently sent up a mental prayer to all the powers of good that he knew of to keep Bryan safe through his trial. Soon enough David and his family headed back to Key Arena. David sat in his V.I.P. seat the cold feeling not leaving him. Just then David felt someone put a hand on his right shoulder. It was Captain Melles. The black police captain asked, "You got a bad feeling about this too?"

David grunted and nodded his agreement. captain Melles said, "I don't blame you with the way Bennett has been beating his opponents. That and the fact I've had my eyes on that character for a number of years just adds to my worry."

David turned and watched as Bennett and young Bryan Stiles took their places on the arena floor their disks ready.

The referee called out "Commence coin flip pass code 00481."

A holographic coin flipped into the air. David watched from his place as the coin soared upwards and then dropped. Bryan called giddily, "I call tails!"

"Headssssss!" Bennett called sounding like a snake.

David watched through his monocular as, to his surprise, Bryan actually rolled his eyes. "You know, Mr. Bennett, I should introduce you to my pet mongoose Riki Tiki Tavi he loves snakes, especially for supper!" the boy said with an insolent grin.

David almost fell out of his chair as he howled with laughter. The audience also laughed at the boy's comment. David managed to stay in his seat and watched the coin land as he said, "Nice comeback, Bryan, and great Rudyard Kipling reference."

Then David noticed Gerald Bennett looked absolutely calm. What's he so calm bout. Usually that kind of comment would have him furious. I got a bad feeling about this!

The referee proclaimed, "It's tails!"

The crowd erupted into cheers. David noted Bryan say, "Well, Mr. Bennett, I guess I'll go first. It's your lucky day…" then the boy smiled deviously and said, "Or is it?"

Bennett snorted and said, "Your childish taunts are nothing to me, boy! Go ahead draw your first six cards and make your pathetic move!"

Bryan smiled and said, "Okay, Mr. Bennett, it's your funeral."

David felt someone tap him on a shoulder. He looked at lieutenant Grayson who asked, "Are you all right, David?"

David shook his head and said, "No, lieutenant, I'm not. Usually Bennett would be furious when someone behaved insolently towards him. So why is Bennett so calm?"

Lieutenant Grayson hypothesized, "Maybe the S.O.B. is overly confident in his abilities."

Captain Melles answered, "Or maybe our goth champ knows something, keep your eyes peeled, everyone! I'm getting a bad feeling about this myself!"

David returned to watching the match as he saw Bryan had drawn his cards and was now ready to make his move. Bryan said, "First I'll set a card face down," said card appeared on the field face down. Bryan continued, "And then I'll summon forth Madolche Hootcake in attack mode."

A strange purple-skinned creature with cartoonish-sized yellow eyes, feet that looked like a puzzle piece, wore a fancy outfit with a flowered hat, ears that looked like the feather wings of a bird, and a pointy nose that looked like the point of a plane appeared on the field. David read the stats of the monster aloud, "Madolche Hootcake, 3 star Earth-type monster 1500 attack/1100 defense."

"What da' hey-ll kind of monster is that?" Captain Melles asked.

David explained, "From what I've seen this monster is part of young Bryan's deck it's a rare deck which is called a trick or treat deck."

Grayson said, "What the hell was Maxmillian Pegasus on when he created this?"

David said, "From what I've seen of this deck I'd say a heavy dose of brilliance."

Bryan looked over his hand and said, "And with that I'll end my turn. Trick or treat, smell my feet. My monsters, Bennett, are gonna' have you beat! And I'm going to mix up a recipe for success that will take me to face David for the championship!"

David noted Bennett growl and snap, "You insolent little brat! That title is mine! I am the pacific northwestern champion, you should be on your knees bowing to me!"

Bryan snorted and said, "Go jump in a lake you overly made-up jerk! It's obvious that you must've not gotten very much love and attention from your parents when you were a kid."

Bennett's face went livid. "DON'T YOU EVER TALK ABOUT MY FAMILY AGAIN! I DISASSOCIATED MYSELF FROM THOSE FOOLS LONG AGO! You've just made a very serious mistake, boy!"

The boy snapped, "Ah, your mother rides a vacuum cleaner!"

Bennett's face blazed with anger. David smirked and said, "There it is, there's the anger that I've seen."
After several moments Bennett calmed down and said, "You're already beginning to annoy me, you brat! Meanwhile it's my move!"

Bennett drew his sixth card. Bennett smiled and said, "And now boy prepare to meet the first of the monsters in your closet. I summon to the field in attack mode Trick Archfiend!"

A strange blue-skinned humanoid with a Ram's skull for a helmet that covered his eyes in darkness, wearing strange tattered jester-like clothing, and carrying a stick puppet that looked like a skull appeared. Dark/fiend monster's stats read ATK 1000/DEF 0.

David's face furrowed. "That's strange. That creature has hardly any attack or defense. Hmm, Bennett is up to something, the question is what?'

Bryan smiled and said, "You know for a monster from my closet that creature is actually kind of funny."

Bennett snapped, "Oh but it'll be less funny when I use what I have in mind on you, stupid kid! Meanwhile I end my turn!"

Bryan smiled and said, "And now, Mr. Bennett, as a quote from a famous superhero goes, 'It's clobberin' time!' Madolche Hootcake attack his Trick Archfiend with puzzle foot squash!"

The little monster leaped into the air with inhuman strength. Trick Archfiend looked up in time to see Bryan's monster dropping on him. Trick Archfiend let out a shriek before he got squashed by Bryan's monster. Bennett's life points dropped from 4000 to 3500. Bennett said, "Oh my, was that supposed to hurt?"

David's keen sense of observation picked it up immediately. "That's strange…" David said. "The pain emitters on Bennett's duel disk should've had him at least suffer a stinging blow but he didn't suffer anything."

Grayson asked, "And that's important because?"

David explained, "This is part of why not everyone can be part of the P.D.L. there are pain emitters on the duel disk so that each duelist feels a certain level of pain after each hit. So dueling in the league isn't just about having the right deck it's about staying in physically good shape and making it so your body can take the punishment. The thing is Bennett didn't look like he suffered any pain at all."

Captain Melles said, "Let's keep an eye on things, David."

Bennett said, "Well, you destroyed my trick Archfiend and because he's now in the graveyard I get to activate his effect and add one card from my deck to my hand."

Bryan said, "That's all for me, for now. But it's only the beginning of the tricks in store for you, and the treat for me."

Bennett cackled wickedly and said, "We'll see who tricks who, boy! Now I draw! And while I'm at it I'll send one of the cards in my hand, Archfiend General, to the graveyard to activate it's affect. Now I draw a card from my deck!"

Gerald checked his hand and cackled wickedly. "And now boy it's time for you to face your worst nightmare. PREPARE TO FACE THE LORD OF PANDEMONIUM AS I PLAY THE PANDEMONIUM FIELD SPELL CARD NOW!"
David gasped and said, "Uh-oh, not that card. That's a card he used to try and take down Rebecca-sensei back in Portland."

The arena floor transformed into hard rocky walls, cliffs with the grimacing terror filled faces of those who were in eternal torment. The ground the two were standing on turned into platforms. And the floor around them turned into hot lava and stalactites and Stalagmites covered the area. Captain Melles looked around and said, "Damn, so this is what Seto Kaiba's technology can do?"

Grayson whistled and commented, "It's like something out of a horror movie, captain."

David was more concerned with what was going on down on the floor. Bennett smirked and said, "Now, boy, we're playing in my world. Prepare to feel the power of the prince of Pandemonium! I place one card face down and will end my turn."

Bryan looked a little unnerved. David winced. The poor kid had obviously never seen anything like this before. Bryan said, "It's my turn now! First I'll set a card face down on the field," a holographic card appeared face down on the field. "Next up, Madolche Hootcake, it's obvious that card is a facedown monster so I'll squish it like you did Trick Archfiend with puzzle foot squash!"

The little creature leaped into the air and dropped on the facedown card. Gerald however cackled and said, "Foolish boy! You fell right into my trap! I flip up my monster card into defense mode now! Ready yourself Desrook Archfiend!"

"What!?" Bryan said in shock.

Bennett said, "That's right little Washington state hick! And since Desrook Archfiend has 1800 defense your monster gets swatted like a bug!"

The facedown card turned into a skull with various tentacles attached to it. The creature swatted Madolche Hootcake away with one of its massive tentacles. Suddenly Bryan let out a scream of agonizing pain as volts of energy from his disk and shot into him. The audience gasped in shock and horror at what had happened.

David and the two Seattle police officers were on their feet immediately. "What the devil?" Captain Melles said.

David said, "Something's definitely not right here!"

Bryan however managed to remain on his feet as his life points dropped by 500 from 4000 to 3500. Bennett said, "What's the matter, boy. Is the pain too much for you to bear?"

Bryan growled and said, "I'm not done yet, you freak. I activate the effect of a card in my hand Ghostrick Mary! Since I took damage, by sending her to the graveyard, I can summon another Ghostrick monster to the field. I summon that monster facedown right now!"

Another holographic face down card appeared on the field. David and the policemen took their seats relieved that Bryan appeared to be okay. But David still had an uneasy feeling about things. And what was worse is that there was nothing he could do unless he wanted to get himself and Bryan to forfeit and that was the last thing he'd ever want.

Bennett guffawed and said, "What's the matter, boy? Are you afraid to face the Ayatollah of Goth rock and rolla and the Master of pandemonium? Well you should be because it's my move!"

Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett drew. The goth duelist then said, "And now boy, I summon forth another of my fiendish minions. I summon forth, Terrorking Archfiend in attack mode!"

David read the stats for the creature. "2000 ATK/ 1500 DEF. Not good for Bryan!" He said aloud.

The winged hideous creature who had veins popping out of its winged bony body and a mouth with sharp teeth protruding from its lower jaw readied itself by unfurling it's wings. Bennett said, "Terrorking Archfiend, wipe out that brat's Madolche Hootcake with a flying claw slash!"

The creature leapt into the air and circled around to pick up speed before it shot towards Madolche Hootcake the claws of its hands extended. Bryan smiled deviously and said, "I don't think so, Mr. Bennett, you just walked into my trap!"

"What!?" Bennett yelped.

Bryan smiled and said, "I activate my face down, a nasty little trap called Compulsory Evacuation Device!"

Bennett cackled wickedly and said, "Fool boy, I was prepared for something like this! My Terrorking Archfiend you see has a special ability."

"What?" Bryan said in genuine surprise.

"That's right, brat! My Terrorking Archfiend's special ability makes it so if anyone tries to trigger a trap or effect card I get to roll a die and if it comes up a 2 or 5, then your compulsory Evacuation Device goes bye-bye! Now let that sweet die roll!"

Bryan sad, "Uh-oh, not good!"

David as he watched said, "Not good indeed, the problem with effect cards like this is they're so unpredictable."

A die appeared on the field and rolled upwards into the air. Higher and higher it rolled and for all in Key Arena the world seemed to slow down. Then the die began to drop. All watched as the die dropped and finally landed on a five then spun around a few times before it landed on a number that caused Bennett's face to pale and his mouth to drop open as if weights had been attached. "A THREE!?" he yelped in disbelief.

Bryan smirked and said, "It's like my Dad always said, gambling is for Vegas not for dueling! And three means you're a three time loser, Bennett, because your Terrorking Archfiend is going bye-bye!"

The fiend monster vanished from the field and Bennett growled in frustration as he was forced to take it back to his hand. He glared at Bryan and snapped, "You ignorant little Washington hick, you'll pay for this!"

Bryan snapped, "As a comment from one of my Mom and Dad's favorite old shows goes, up your nose with a rubber hose!"

David and the two policemen had to chuckle at that. Charlie Melles said, "Welcome back, Kotter, always classic T.V."

Gerald snapped, "I end my turn. Go ahead and make your pathetic move!'

Bryan snapped, "My monsters aren't pathetic and neither am I. And I'll show you just how true that is you gothic jerk! First I activate the affect of Madolche Hootcake. With this effect I can banish Ghostrick Mary from my graveyard so I can summon a Madolche monster from my deck to the field and I choose Madolche Magileine!"

A cute little girl who looked like a witch riding what appeared to be a pitchfork appeared on the field. Bryan continued. "Now I'll set a monster face down and that'll do it for me. Trick or treat, smell my feet. My monsters have got you beat!"

Gerald growled and said, "I'm getting a little fed up with your childish taunts, boy! I think it's time a grown-up who's hipper and cooler than any of you stupid pacific northwesterners took control of this duel!"

Gerald drew and snapped, "And now it's time for Terrorking Archfiend to make his reappearance!"

The Winged demon reappeared on the field and bellowed at Bryan evidently not pleased to have been denied its prey. Bryan took a step back openly afraid before he bucked up and said, "Come get me you creep!"

Bennett smiled and said, "Oh I will, dear boy, rest assured. First though, I'll set a card face down, and now Terrorking Archfiend, eradicate his leftmost face down monster!"

A holographic card appeared face down on Bennett's side of the field. The fiend took to the skies again and dove at one of the facedown cards. The creature swiped at the card with its claws. A little creature that looked like a sheeted ghost with a red nose a smiley mouth and drawn eyes appeared on the field as it screamed in pain before vanishing. Bennett snorted and said, "Pathetic! And this ends my turn!"

David knew while the monster had been destroyed because the monster had been face down, according to Duel monsters rules, that meant Bryan didn't suffer any life point damage. So he continued to watch things unfold. Captain Melles and lieutenant Grayson looked just as nervous as David. Bryan said, "Like I said, none of my monsters are pathetic, you jerk! And this is why the people of the pacific northwest don't like you!"

Bennett snorted and , "Like I care what these fools think, boy! I'll deal with you soon enough, then take care of that upstart legally blind freak Cardigan!"

Bryan snapped, "David Cardigan isn't a freak, Bennett. He's a good and honest man who helped me when I needed it. And I'm going to pay him back by beating you and then facing him for the championship, and you'll be relegated to history! And now it's time for me to activate the affect of my Madolche Hootcake again. This time by removing my Ghostrick Specter that you destroyed from the graveyard I can summon another Madolche monster to the field. And I special summon Madolche Messengelato in attack mode."

A creature that looked like a little boy dressed in a postman outfit and carrying a large sack on his back appeared on the field. In David's mind he heard X-Saber Airbellum say in surprise and delight, "Hey it's Madolche Messengelato!'

David mentally sent back in surprise, You know him?

X-Saber Airbellum mentally sent, "Yeah he's a warrior monster and one tough little guy!"

David read his stats aloud. "Let's see here a 4 star monster with an attack of 1600 and a defense of 1000."

Mentally he sent back, Yes X-Saber Airbellum he is one tough little dude!

Bryan said, "Since I control a Madolche beast type monster it means Messengelato's effect kicks in so I can get a field spell card from my deck and I choose the card I'm about to play Madolche Chateau!"

A massive rumbling shook the field before from out of the lava walls that looked like they were made of candy rose. The Pandemonium ceiling shattered to reveal a gray and starry sky. And David didn't miss that all the Madolche monsters looked like they were excited.

Bennett let out an ear-piercing shriek of horror as he looked around. The pacific northwestern champion snapped, "What have you done to my beautiful Pandemonium? You've…you've turned it into something from one of those lame cooking shows!"

Bryan smiled and said, "That's right, Bennett, and this tasty little field spell card is a treat for my monsters and a trick for you! I told you my monsters have got you beat. It's all part of my recipe for success. And I'll have you know cooking and baking are things I'm quite good at! And now with Madolche Chateau on the field all my Madolche monsters get a 500 point increase to attack and defense."

David looked surprised and nodded in approval. "Not bad, Bryan, that's a clever move!"

David watched as Bryan's Madolche monsters increased in strength. Madolche Messengelato's attack and defense stats were raised to 2100/1500, Madolche Hootcake's stats were raised to 2000/1600, and Madolche Magilieine's stats increased to 1900/1700. Bryan said, "Now I think it's time that ugly Desrook Archfiend went bye-bye permanently! Madolche Messengelato, send that freaky Desrook Archfiend one of your special deliveries!"

David heard X-Saber Airbellum snicker and mentally say to David, "Watch this, Madolche Messengelato has a wicked sense of humor."

The warrior monster on the field pulled an old fashion bomb with a timer on it. The boy set his pack down, wound the timer, and lit the fuse. The boy then threw the bomb at Desrook Archfiend. The tentacle fiend grabbed the bomb with one tentacle. Bennett snapped, "You expect that to hurt my Desrook Archfiend, you're a bigger fool than I thought, boy!"

However Bennett spoke too soon as the creature tried to squeeze the bomb and found that it couldn't crush it. In fact the timer looked like it was getting faster and the fuse shorter. Too late Bennett realized what was happening. Before he could say anything the bomb exploded and Desrook Archfiend was pixilated by the attack! However since the monster had been in defense mode Bennett lost no life points. Bennett gaped at first, Bryan however giggled hysterically as he said, "Trick or treat on you gothic dummy!"

Bennett's body tensed as he snarled, "You are starting to become a REAL irritation, boy!"

Bennett smiled and said, "Thank you, gothic bullies like you don't deserve anything less!"

Bennett drew…and then a devious smile of his own flashed on his face. "All right boy I've let you have things your way, long enough. It's time for me to really start bringing out the monsters in your closet. First I'll set a card facedown and then I summon forth Vilepawn Archfiend in attack mode!"

Another face down card and Vilepawn Archfiend appeared on the field. Vilepawn Archfiend growled ready for battle. David said, "Oh boy, that was one of the monsters Bennett tried to use to beat Rebecca-sensei when she was in Portland. That card is pretty nasty. What's worse all monsters have to destroy it before they can attack Bennett's other fiend monster. What the heck does he have planned?"

Bennett said leering at Bryan, "As much as I'd like to rip you apart there's nothing I can do so I'll end my turn!"

Bryan said, "All right, Mr. Bennett, you've had your fun, but now it's time for me to really cook up my recipe for success. I flip summon my two face down monsters Ghostrick Jiangshi and Ghostrick Stien!"

The two face down cards on the field turned into a blue skinned ghost-like girl who looked like a Japanese Geisha with her hair tied back and wearing a flowing long kimono and holding Japanese sutra cards often employed by Shinto priests. The other looked like a cartoonish version of Frankenstein's monster as portrayed by the late Boris Karloff. David smirked and said, "Wherever you are Boris Karloff, I hope you're smiling at this moment. Ghostrick Stein is a fitting tribute to you."

David checked the stats of the two monsters. Both were Dark/Zombie cards Jiangshi had 400 ATK/1800 DEF. Ghostrick Stein had 1600 ATK/0 DEF. David thought out loud, "That's odd, those monsters aren't really that powerful unless…"

"Unless what?" Charlie Melles asked.

David snapped his fingers as he realized, "Unless he's planning to summon something far more powerful and these monsters are part of that stratagem."

Bryan said, "And now thanks to Ghostrick Jiangshi's special ability, which I activate now, I can draw a Ghostrick monster from my deck to the field in a face down position!"

The monster card appeared on the field face down. Gerald smiled and said, "Not so fast, boy, I activate one of my facedown cards. I activate call of the haunted. And with it I summon my Archfiend General from the grave to the field in attack mode!"

An armored horned fiend with a skeletal face, green armor save for boots and armbands that were more of a grey color, bat wings, wearing tattered cape, and carrying a nasty looking two-handed sword. Archfiend general's stats read 2100 ATK/ 800 DEF. David winced, "That's one powerful monster!"

"Your pathetic monsters are no match for my monsters, boy!" Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett proclaimed.

Bryan said, "Oh but I'm not done, Mr. Bennett, in fact I'm just getting started. You see my Madolche monsters have a little secret which is about to make your world a lot more miserable! I now overlay Madolche Magiliene and Messengelato in order to summon Madolche Queen Tiramisu in attack mode!"

The two Madolche monsters leaped into the air and high-fived each other before in a flash of light they transformed into a beautiful girl with pale skin, blue hair, a blue crown on her head, a black long dress with stripes of white and yellow in them. All in all this was a beautiful and elegant looking female monster. The creature's stats read 2200 ATK/2100 DEF. Bryan said, "And because Madolche Cheateau is on the field that means Madolche Queen Tiramisu gets a power boost!"

Madolche Queen Tiarmisu's stats went up so her attack and defense became 2700/2600. Bennett gaped and said, "What!? 2700 attack and 2600 defense!? That's not possible!"

Bryan smiled even more. "Oh but it is, Mr. Bennett, and it's only going to get worse. I now use my Ghostrick Stein and Ghostrick Jiangshi in an XYZ summon in order to bring forth Ghostrick Alucard in attack mode!"

The two Ghostrick monsters turned into tiny balls of light and swirled together before in a flash of light a figure who looked like Bela Lugosi as Dracula appeared save for the head which as that of a ghost with no nose, two red eyes and a inhumanly wide mouth. The stats for the creature read 1800 ATK/1600 DEF. Bryan said "But I'm nowhere near done, since I haven't done a regular summon, I'll bring out…another Madolche Hootcake!"

A second version of the first creature Bryan had brought out appeared on the field. Then the creatures stats increased from 1500/1100 to 2000/1600 courtesy of Madolche Chateau. Bryan's grin turned positively devilish as he spoke. "And now, Mr. Bennett, it's time for me to reveal a little secret I've been saving up. When I won the Washington state Duel Monsters championship, as part of the prize, I got a special rare card from Maxmillian Pegasus himself!"

The crowd gasped. David was instantly interested. A card from Pegasus, what kind of card could it be I wonder? David thought openly curious.

Bryan said, "And now it's going to make it's big debut as part of my recipe for success. I use my two Madolche Hootcakes in order to XYZ summon M-X Saber Invoker in attack mode!"

The two Madolche monsters disappeared, transforming into two balls of light that fused together. In a flash of light the Madolche monsters were replaced by a man wearing a silver mask, a fiery red cape green battle armor with touches of gold and silver, while carrying a nasty looking sword with a hooked blade that looked like it could go through anything. The Earth type monster's stats were 1600 ATK/500 DEF. Bryan said, "Now from my hand I activate a spell Card Ghostrick Manor!"

A strange and creepy laboratory like something out of an old black and white horror movie appeared alongside the Madolche Chateau. Bryan smiled and said, "Let me explain something here, Bennett. Because I now have Ghostrick Manor in play it means that any face down defense position monsters can't be attacked by you. Oh and also all damage and effects by monsters other than Ghostrick monsters is halved!"

"What!?" Bennett yelled in fury.

Bryan smiled and said, "You heard me, Mr. Bennett. As I've been saying all along trick or treat, smell my feet. My monsters have got you beat!"

David watched with some measure of amusement as the goth duelist leapt up and down and screamed, "YOU INSOLENT LITTLE BRAT! YOU TURNED MY BEAUTIFUL PANDEMONIUM INTO…INTO…INTO SOMETHING OUT OF A DAMNED CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN SPECIAL!"

Bryan smiled and said, "What's the matter, Mr. Bennett, scary things should be fun. Now it's time to take care of that Vilepawn archfiend before I concentrate on your other nasty fiends. Madolche Queen Tiarmisu, take down that Vilepawn Archfiend with crown ruby magic activation!"

The ruby in the crown activated. The little Queen touched in and seemed to pull it from the crown. She then flung the gem at the Vilepawn archfiend as it glowed with radiant power. The little fireball struck the Vilepawn archfiend and actually blasted a large hole in the beast. The Vilepawn Archfiend screamed in agony as it pixelated while the ruby returned to the little queen's crown. Gerald Marilyn Bennett let out a scream of horror as his life points dropped from 3500 to 3000.

David however was lost in thought. "A good move, but I think Bryan may have actually made a mistake with this move!"

Bennett for his part looked furious…but, as David observed, nothing else. "That's the second time I've seen Gerald furious but not in pain, what is going on here?"

Bennett shook with rage as he shot death beams from his eyes at Bryan. "You…destroyed…my beautiful…Vilepawn Archfiend! YOU LITTLE BRAT YOU'VE MADE THE WORST MISTAKE OF YOUR LIFE, YOUR PAIN WILL BE EXQUISITE! YOUR AGONY LEGENDARY!"

Bryan stuck out his tongue and said, "This coming from the so-called boogeyman who's all bark and no bite!"

Bennett fumed and said, "We shall see!"

Bennett drew and said, "And now, boy, it's time for me to special summon another of my fiend monsters, I summon forth Archfiend Commander!"

A devil-like creature with red skin and green horns on it's shoulders and head appeared on the field. The stats of the creature read, 2500 ATK/1200 DEF. Gerald said, "Of course because Archfiend Commander is on the field it means my Archfiend general is automatically destroyed and sent to the graveyard."

Archfiend General exploded into pixels. Gerald said, "And because an Archfiend was destroyed I get to draw an Archfiend monster from my deck and place it in my hand."

AS the duelist did so David said out loud. "I have a bad feeling about this!"

Gerald Bennett smiled and said, "All right. kid, it's time to bring the dark power of fiends to you! I summon forth Darkbishop Archfiend in attack mode!"

A horned fiend with bat-like wings and wearing a long dark blue cloak around himself carrying a staff appeared on the field. Gerald smiled wickedly and said, "And that will do it for me, but rest assured, boy, your pain and suffering is about to begin!"

Now David had a really bad feeling in his mind. Bennett was up to something, something big. Bryan said, "I think it's my turn now, Bennett, I draw!"

Bryan Stiles drew a card and said, "And now Bennett I set one card face down. And now continue my recipe for success. I'll now have Madolche Queen Tiarmisu attack Darkbishop Archfiend with another Ruby magic activation attack!"

Gerald Bennett looked terrified as he said, "NOOO YOU CAN'T!" And then activated a button on his duel disk as his terrified look turned to knowing contempt. "AND YOU WON'T FOOL BOY! I ACTIVATE MY TRAP CARD MIRROR FORCE!!'

Bryan's face paled. "Mirror force!?" He yelped.

Bennett said, "That's right stupid boy, I must admit I've known what your so-called recipe for success was all along. I'd heard of someone who used a trick or treat deck, and now I know who thanks to some special friends of mine! So knowing what you would try and do I played with you and let you think you had me when all along I was preparing for my fiend monsters to launch a massive campaign of pain and suffering on you. And you with that stupid Ghostrick Mansion played right into my hands! Since my monsters aren't more of those stupid Ghostrick monsters it means the damage you take is halved and the agony will be more exquisite!"

Bennett let out another of his high-pitched cackles as Madolche Queen Tiramisu hurled her flaming ruby at Darkbishop Archfiend. However the attack bounced against Mirror Force and slammed into Maldolche queen Tiramisu. The female monster screamed in pain as she was hurled into Ghostrick Alucard, and M-X Ivoker! All three monsters exploded into pixels. "NO!" Bryan yelped "My monsters!"

David winced as he thought, I knew it, I knew Bennett was up to something. This is really bad for Bryan.

Bryan said, "Well still because you destroyed Ghostrick Alucard it means I get to activate it's effect and take a Ghostrick card from my deck and add it to my hand."

Bryan did this and said, "And now I'll set a monster face down and that's it for me!"

Bennett smiled and said, "Well then I believe it's time for me to do my thing. Since I can't attack your monsters when they're face down I'll just have to attack you! DarkBishop Archfiend attack this brat directly with unholy staff of pain blast!"

The cloaked archfiend leaped at Bryan. Bryan said, "Not so fast, Bennett, I activate the effect of my face down monster Ghostrick Lantern to negate your attack!"

The card flipped up to reveal a pumpkin-headed ghost wearing a witch's hat and carrying a lantern. The creatures stats read 800 ATK/0 DEF. DarkBishop Archfiend halted it's attack on Bryan and returned to its side of the field. Bennett however laughed as he said, "Fool, I knew about that attack all along, Darkbishop Archfiend was just a way to draw out that pathetic card. And now that you've used it. It can't be used again. And now let the pain begin on you with a direct attack! Terrorking Archfiend, ATTACK THIS BRAT DIRECTLY AND TEACH HIM A LESSON ABOUT INSULTING YOUR MASTER!"

The fiend leaped into the air and flew towards Bryan. The creature struck home with a powerful claw attack. Bryan screamed in agony as sparks of electricity flew from the duel disk and into his body. Bryan's life points dropped from 2700 to 2000. A psychotic smile appeared on Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett's face as he screamed, "ARCHFIEND COMMANDER, MORE, MORE PAIN ON THAT INSOLENT BOY! MAKE HIS SUFFERING EXTRA EXQUISITE!"

David and the other police officers were on their feet at this. David said, "That's definitely not right! Bryan's disk looks like it's causing him extra pain. That's not in accordance with P.D.L. rules."

Captain Melles said, "Let's get down to the front row!"

The three rushed towards the front row as The Archfiend Commander rushed at Bryan and struck home with a sword attack to the chest. Bryan screamed in agony again as another spark of jarring pain raced through the boy. His life points dropped from 2000 down to 1450. Somehow Bryan managed to remain on his feet. But David and the two Seattle police officers could tell from his haggard and shaky state that the attacks had a major impact on him. Bryan snapped, "I…don't know…what you did Bennett…but…but you're a cheater…and a bully…and I won't kneel to you!"

Bennett said, "Why, boy, I don't know what you mean," he said in mock sweet innocence. "But I'm ready for whatever pathetic moves you have left!" the Goth duelist taunted.

Bryan drew a card and said, "I…I set a…a face down…and summon forth…Madolche Messengelato in…attack mode!"

A facedown card and Madolche Messengelato appeared on the field. The young boy however looked at it's summoner with genuine worry. Bryan said, "I'll…I'll be okay Madolche Messengelato just take down that…that ugly Darkbishop Archfiend for me."

The boy nodded and tossed another of its special deliveries at Darkbishop Archfiend. The explosion caused Darkbishop Archfiend to scream in agony before it pixilated and vanished. Bennett's life points dropped from 3000 to 2350. Bennett smiled and said in a taunting gesture, "Oh that hurts so much!"

David's mind raced. That does it, now I know something's not right here. And I have a strong hypothesis as to what, The duelist/detective thought as his mind reached one possible conclusion.

Bennett said, "Fool boy, that's the last mistake you'll ever make against me! Now it's time for me to give an example of what's going to happen to Cardigan when I'm done with him. Archfiend Commander, take down that stupid Madolche Meesengelato with an unholy blade attack!"

The archfiend growled and leaped at Bryan's monster. The blow struck the little humanoid monster who screamed in pain before it pixilated. Bryan let out his own scream of agonizing pain as his life points dropped from 1450 to 950.

As Bryan fell to the arena floor, David, Charlie Melles, and lieutenant Grayson rushed through the crowd as the policemen flashed their badges. The three raced on to the floor and over to the prone Bryan. As the two police officers checked the boy out David watched as Bennett was cackling in triumph. The audience booed and jeered the goth duelist. David saw that poor Bryan was trembling and when the detective checked him noted his skin was cold and clammy. Captain Melles got on his radio and said, "This is captain Melles of the Seattle police we need some paramedics and a stretcher on the Key Arena floor right now!"

David turned and glared at the goth duelist who pointed at David and said, "You're next, Cardigan!"

David closed his eyes and despite the roar of the crowd sought to calm himself. If he gave into his baser emotions he'd be playing right into Bennett's game. David opened his eyes in time for Bennett to throw him the one-fingered salute as he said, "What's the matter, does my dueling power and the pain-causing ability of my monsters frighten you?"

David frowned and growled at the man before he turned away. Bennett cackled as his girls came to escort him back to his V.I.P. room. David thought to himself, as Bennett walked away, Keep gloating you prick, I say something here doesn't feel right!

David returned his attention to helping Bryan.

And there you have it folks, part 5 of 'Touched by a Rare Hunter'. And what a dark and terrible way to end this chapter. Poor Bryan really got nailed by Bennett. But David suspects there's more at work here than meets the eye. What's going to happen to poor Bryan? And what will David do when he finally has to face off against that monster Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett? For the answers to these and other questions come back for part 6 of 'Touched by a Rare Hunter'. Until next time read and review and have a nice day.