Author's Note: Let's get to it! Vlad versus Saint Beatrix!

Chapter Thirty-Seven: VS Beatrix; Strongman Strike!

"Strongman (6700/1200), attack and destroy his Mirage Dragon (1600/600)!" The muscle bound wrestler ran forwards and clothes-lined the golden dragon, stretching its neck back and then blowing it apart. The dragon's controller winced as his life points shot downwards. (LP: 0)

The referee raised his right arm and pointed it towards Vladimir Karishnikov, the Strongman Duelist, and made his declaration. "The winner is the one and only Strongman, Vlad the Impaler! Give it up for the number one rookie of the Pro League!"

Vlad soaked in the audience's applause with a casual but warm smile. This marked his twenty-third tournament victory since entering the Pro League, but it didn't feel entirely deserving. 'With the legendary Seven Sins not competing at the moment, somehow winning these tournaments doesn't feel as good as it might have.'

Of course the money that came with winning was pleasant, but he never lacked in money to begin with thanks to the fame his father had achieved. And because he represented Russia in these Pro League tournaments he had their support and didn't have to pay for his own entrance fees. 'Everything is provided for me, but something still feels off. Perhaps I merely miss Duelist Academy.'

Exiting the stadium Vlad made his way to the waiting limo, hoping to beat the press there. The limo was a larger size than normal thanks to his height, so everyone always knew it was his, but that didn't mean they were already there. 'Please let me escape without notice.'

He tugged unconsciously on the long brown coat that he wore, fixing the lapel. The inside was red, giving him the look of an old time Russian soldier, but he wore a black full-body suit beneath it, and he had refused to wear the fuzzy hat that his countrymen had wanted him to. The coat and the knee-high boots were enough for his taste. 'They must have tailored the coat specifically for me to make it fit.'

The sudden sound of many voices reached him and instantly he knew that the press was charging in his direction. They would want to interview him and ask him many questions, but he was not in the mood for that. 'Ah…so this is where my pleasant day ends.'

"Vlad! How do you feel about this latest victory?" He started to turn around to face them, but was caught off guard when someone stepped between him and the oncoming press, making them all stop in their tracks.

"I believe that Vladimir requires time to relax and unwind from his victory. Perhaps you can speak to him at a later moment." The press was hushed in the presence of the newcomer, and all of them, experienced as they were in covering Pro League tournaments, knew this man.

He stood just over six feet in height and wore baggy black pants, with a dark jacket top that was buckled up over his chest. Long and wild dark purple hair hung just to his shoulders, framing a beautiful masculine face and a pair of violet eyes. The young man's calm smile seemed to disarm the press, forcing them to silence. "If you'd excuse us both, I'd like to speak with my fellow duelist. Farewell."

The young man, about Vlad's age, pulled open the limousine door and gestured for Vlad to get in. Not one to ignore a lucky break, Vlad got into the limo, and the other man followed him. As soon as it was closed the limo began to drive, letting them escape the press. "We haven't met, but I recognize you. I am Vladimir Karishnikov, the Strongman Duelist."

His response was a smile from the handsome youth and a nod of the head. "Yes, I've been eager to meet you. I am Kyo Okiayu. However, you may call me Pride."

"Yes, the strongest of Saint Beatrix's Seven Sins, the leader amongst them. The one they say is undefeated as a duelist." Kyo smirked and folded his arms over his chest, looking confident and cocky knowing that Vlad was aware of his nature.

"That's correct, I am undefeated. And as much as I'd like to discuss myself, I've come with a message from Saint. He says that Mizuki Mitsuhiro is going to prove to him whether she belongs with himself, or with another." Vlad's eyes widened at those words, and he sat up to his full height, the top of his head brushing the ceiling.

"Belongs with him? What are you saying? That wasn't what the agreement was…I gave him the information he wanted because it was an order and because he agreed he would only test her, not take her for himself!" Kyo responded by rolling his violet eyes and kicking his feet up on the leather seat across from him.

"It was inevitable really, that she would join our ranks. Of course he would want such a beautiful talent to himself and not let it be shared with anyone else. He will take her and mold her, and she will become a beautiful angel at his side. Saint has told me she will become Hope." Vlad's eyes darkened and he reached across the limo, his huge muscles rippling beneath his coat as he snatched the front of Kyo's shirt and pulled him forwards.

"This was not what was agreed upon! He is violating that trust between us, he is violating his half of the agreement!" Kyo's eyes narrowed and he gripped Vlad's wrist. To the Strongman's surprise the smaller man applied pressure and he could feel his bones creaking under the force.

Kyo pulled Vlad's hand off his shirt and tossed it to the side, letting the Strongman rub his wrist in pain. "You may be larger than I, but in terms of ability in all ways you are my inferior, just as with everyone else. Know this Strongman, you are nothing compared to the might of Pride."

He tapped on the glass and it slid open, the driver looking through the mirror back at them. "Driver, stop the vehicle. I'm leaving now. You can take Vladimir wherever he wanted to go, but I'm finished here."

The limo pulled to a halt and Kyo opened the door and stepped out. He looked back in at Vlad and smirked at him. "Farewell Strongman. Your time is over, know that. Even Shadow has no need of you anymore."

Laughing the young man turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Vlad alone in the back of the limo with his thoughts. "Where to Mr. Karishnikov?"

Vlad looked down at his injured wrist and then finally responded. "Take me to the docks. Its time I return to Duelist Academy…"

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As soon as the boat door opened Vlad found himself greeted by hundreds of cheering students. His eyes widened at the sight of so many of his former classmates awaiting him. 'What is this? How could they possibly have known I was coming?'

He found his reason almost immediately, because up at the front of the mob of students was Saint wearing another business suit, and next to him was Kyo wearing the same outfit he had been earlier that day. 'He knew I would be coming…'

Vlad stalked down the gangplank and set foot once again on the island of Duelist Academy. Saint opened his arms welcomingly and smiled warmly at him. "Welcome back Vladimir, we've all been expecting you. It's a rare treat that a challenge is issued between two former heads of the academy."

"So without even hearing it you know that I've come to issue a duel challenge to you?" Saint laughed and behind him Kyo smirked. Vlad felt a wave of cold run down his spine at how warm and inviting the other man was, even though he had experienced it before.

"My dear Vladimir there isn't much that I don't know. Now come, the entire academy is aching to see this duel in action. The Pro League's current up and coming super-star against a former Pro League king? They're all abuzz." Saint snapped his fingers and Kyo pushed forward, the crowd parting in his wake. Saint and Vlad followed after him, making their way to the main stadium.

It took less than half an hour for everyone to get their seats and for the two duelists to take their places on opposite sides of the dueling arena. Lights were dimmed with only the field illuminated, and Vlad was busy fitting his duel disk onto his arm. They were already wearing the same type of headphones that Saint had supplied for Envy and Aya in their duel. 'He seems so confident; I'll just have to crush that confidence.'

Vlad reached into a deep pocket of his coat and pulled out a deck case. He flipped the top open and pulled out his deck, and then walked to the center of the dueling ring. "Come Saint, I want to face you now. I have a bone to pick with you."

The older man smiled up at him and snapped his fingers. Immediately another man in a business suit approached with a briefcase, which when flipped open revealed a bright silvery DD6, and five decks. 'Five? Why does he have five decks?'

As Vlad watched the other man put on the DD6 and then looked from one deck to the next, and then finally tapped the second one from the left. The man in the suit pulled it out and handed it to him, and then departed, letting Saint walk forward to meet Vlad. "Here you go dear Vladimir; I hope to enjoy this duel."

They exchanged decks and began shuffling, but Vlad noticed that Saint's shuffling was fairly half-hearted and he was smiling the whole time. After less than a minute of shuffling the two handed their decks back to each other. "Saint, you've gone against your agreement by trying to take Mizuki as yours. I won't allow you to continue like this."

The response was a laugh as Saint slid his deck into his duel disk and flicked it open. "Please Vladimir, call me Beatrix. Ah, and you have to understand that I can't stand by and let someone as beautiful and pure as Mizuki Mitsuhiro get away from me."

"Let's make an agreement 'Beatrix'. If I win this duel you agree to return to our agreement. Should I lose you may continue however you like." Beatrix smiled again and gave his ascent with a bow of his head. Satisfied Vlad slammed his deck into place and stalked back to his side of the field.

The entire arena lit up and the two duelists reached for their decks at the same time, drawing one card after another to create their opening hands. "Duel!" (VLP: 4000) (BLP: 4000)

Everyone in the audience was excited by what they were about to see. Two Pro duelists, and two former heads of Duelist Academy were about to duke it out. Down at his traditional place Harrison was frowning. 'Vlad is the strongest duelist I've ever known, but this Saint is…unusual. Something about this feels off.'

And farther up in the stands Sanzo was biting his bottom lip, his entire body filled with apprehension. 'Vlad…do your best. Against an opponent like Saint strength may not be the answer but…try as hard as you can and crush him!'

Mizuki was completely quiet, not sure what to make of the battle that was about to begin. Vlad's words still rang in her head, but something about the duel that was about to start seemed odd.

Vlad reached for his deck and drew, and then he quickly fanned out his hand for Beatrix to see. "I have no monsters in my hand; therefore I may now add Strongman from my deck to my hand."

He covered up his hand of cards and then accepted the card that his deck gave him. "Since I have no monsters on my field or in my hand I can normal summon Strongman (1900/1200) without tribute!"

His key monster, the brutally muscular wrestler, did a flip out of his card and landed on the field. "Since it is the first turn I can't attack, but I'll set two cards face down and end my turn. Show me your power, Beatrix!"

Beatrix smiled and drew casually, his blonde hair shimmering under the arena lights as he did so. "Ah, perfect start. I activate Graceful Charity."

An angel appeared in the air above his head and rays of light fell down upon his deck. "As any beginning duelist should know this card allows me to draw three cards from my deck."

As soon as he had drawn the three cards the angel flew down and extended her hands to him. "Of course as a cost I must discard two cards from my hand."

He held out two cards and the angel took them. Then she flew straight into his discard pile, vanishing from sight. Beatrix continued smiling as he spread out his new hand. "Even better, this will do nicely. I summon Virtue Hero-Tolerance (1100/1000)."

A female figure in light blue skin-tight clothing walked out of the card and onto his field. Over the shoulders, knees, and bottom legs were darker blue armor plates, and a little red mask covered her eyes. In one hand she held a four foot long fan. "Tolerance powers up all Virtue Heroes in play, including herself, by three hundred points."

Tolerance's attack score raised to fourteen hundred, but the audience seemed confused about the move. "I'll place one card face down and end my turn."

Sanzo frowned as he recognized the card played. 'Virtue Heroes? He chose that deck rather than one of his true personal decks. Which means…he doesn't take Vlad seriously? But how can anyone not take Vlad seriously?'

Vlad drew from his deck, his eyes narrowing as he did so. "I activate the equip magic card, Iron Arm! This will increase Strongman's attack by seven hundred points!"

Strongman raised his right arm and cheered loudly as a metallic covering snapped around it, conforming to his musculature. His attack score then shot upwards to twenty-six hundred. "Strongman Iron Strike!"

Vlad's key monster rushed across the field and swung his iron fist at the female hero. Beatrix smiled slightly and motioned gently with his free right hand to his set card. "Hero's Power Source will double the attack of any hero on the field with fifteen hundred or less until the end phase."

The wrestler guffawed and stopped in his run, and then curled his two arms, flexing them. Beatrix raised an eyebrow as bright light flickered off of the shining biceps and suddenly the trap card shattered. "Oh? What was that?"

"That was my counter trap card, Shining Biceps! This card lets me pay fifteen hundred life points if Strongman is in play to negate one magic card, trap card, monster effect, or monster summon. And since I've done so battle now continues!" With nothing standing in his way Strongman finished his punch, dropping the female hero and destroying her. (VLP: 2500) (BLP: 2800)

Vlad didn't seem like he was going to stop, as he pointed to his Strongman whose muscles rippled. "Since your monster was a level four, Strongman now gains four hundred attack points, rising to three thousand attack points."

The new attack points were displayed, and then Vlad flipped up one of the four remaining cards in his hand. "Strongman Continuous Punch activates when Strongman slays a monster in battle. He may attack once more!"

Everyone in the audience gasped as Strongman raced towards Beatrix with his iron arm outstretched. And with his attack points at three thousand and Beatrix's field empty victory seemed certain. "Strongman Iron Strike!"

Right before the blow hit Beatrix's body started glowing blue, and then the punch hit him in the cheek. He slid backwards from the force of the blow, nearly going off the arena, but stopped at the edge. "Such a powerful blow to be expected of you Vladimir." (BLP: 100)

"What is this? How did you survive that strike?" Beatrix's lips quirked as he held his hand in front of his cemetery slot and caught a card that shot out of it. He held it up, showing the trap that he had previously activated.

"Hero's Power Source is one of the few hero cards that works with any set, and is quite effective. During the turn it goes to the cemetery I gain one hundred life points for every hero in my grave, and it will continue to do so during each of my standby phases." Vlad frowned, doing the math in his head he still didn't understand.

"You only should have gained one hundred life points…unless the two cards you discarded for Graceful Charity…were Virtue Heroes." Beatrix smiled and gave a brief nod, giving silent congratulations to Vlad for figuring it out.

"Ha! You're too strong to be defeated so easily it looks like. So I'll activate my face down Strongman Energy Conversion, which gives me the attack of one monster beaten by Strongman in battle this turn as life points at a cost of one discard." Vlad's life point counter buzzed as he absorbed the power from Tolerance. (VLP: 3900)

Once the life points were in place he took one of his final two cards and placed it into his disk. "I set one card face down and end my turn."

Beatrix drew and his body was infused by the same blue light from Vlad's turn. 'Hero's Power Source grants me three hundred life points." (BLP: 400)

He snapped his fingers and a light blue glow sprang up around each duelist. "During the turn after she was destroyed in battle Tolerance lives up to her name by increasing each player's life points by one thousand." (BLP: 1400) (VLP: 4900)

"Finally I set up one card and summon Virtue Hero-Wisdom (1600/1300) whose effect also gives each Virtue Hero three hundred attack points. Although that hardly matters since I'm summoning him in defense mode." His new hero was a man in blue armor similar to the previous hero's, only this man had a golden bow in his grip.

Beatrix spread his arms out, indicating that Vlad should begin. The Strongman duelist drew and pointed at the crouching monster. "Strongman, pulverize Wisdom!"

Using a backhand strike with his iron arm Strongman sent Wisdom hurtling into the far wall where he shattered into a million pieces. "Strongman gains four hundred attack points for destroying your monster!"

The blonde man looked down at his set card and it activated, shooting a beam of light with a V into the sky. "Virtue Signal activates when a monster on my field is destroyed, and now I may special summon any level five or lower Virtue Hero from my deck to the field."

He didn't even look at his deck as he accepted the card that was shot out of it. He placed it down onto his duel disk and a new monster appeared. It wore grey and black armor in the model of the previous heroes, but it had a mantle over it shoulders and was wielding a hand-held scythe with a chain. "Virtue Hero-Loyalty (2200/2200) is my choice."

Vlad frowned as the monster's attack points started to rise. "Loyalty gains three hundred attack points for every Virtue Hero in play, including himself. In addition he gains one hundred attack for every Virtue Hero in the cemetery. That's a total of…seven hundred bonus points."

Loyalty's attack points settled at twenty-nine hundred, an impressive amount for a level five, but not holding a candle to Strongman's attack points. Vlad slid a card into his duel disk and Strongman bulked up slightly. "Sub-Bonus is an equip card that once per turn increases Strongman's attack by half that of his most recent bonus. He gains two hundred attack points."

The Strongman's attack rose to thirty-six hundred and then stayed there. "Since I can't attack again this turn I'll just end it there. Your turn Beatrix."

As soon as Beatrix drew he once again began to gain life points and energy from Hero's Power Source. This time since Wisdom was in the cemetery that amount was increased. "Ah, such a pleasant feeling. I've almost recovered the damage you dealt." (BLP: 1800)

He glanced down at the cards in his hand and smiled as he placed one of them down. Instantly a new hero, this one also in light blue armor, formed on the field. This hero was holding a trident in its hands. "Virtue Hero-Faith (1400/1900) increases all V-Heroes in play by four hundred attack points."

As Faith's attack strength rose to eighteen hundred Loyalty's attack also started to increase. "The combination of Faith's effect and Loyalty's gives my stronger monster an additional seven hundred attack points. And I do believe that makes him equal to Strongman."

Vlad frowned as he realized that both monsters were now equal at thirty-six hundred attack points. "In case you were hoping to use that set card against me I play Cyclone, which will destroy it."

A burst of wind hit his face down card and blew it apart, leaving Strongman alone on the field save for his two equip cards. "Loyalty, prove your loyalty to our cause and attack Strongman."

The two monsters plowed into each other, falling to the ground and rolling around. Loyalty's chain-scythe stabbed into Strongman's chest, but in his dying throes the wrestler crushed Loyalty's skull with his iron arm. Both monsters faded away at the same time. 'Willing to sacrifice his monster for his goal I see…'

"Faith, attack Vladimir directly." Vlad winced as the trident slashed across his chest, taking the first hit out of his life points for the duel. (VLP: 3100)

"Lastly I place a card face down. I believe the turn is yours Vladimir." Vlad nodded and drew immediately, feeling as if he was missing something. Some integral part of this duel.

"Strongman is added to my hand, and I immediately summon him to the field. And then Strongman (1900/1200) will defeat Faith!" His second of the wrestlers appeared and gave a full body-blow to Faith, knocking him to the ground and crushing his chest inwards. (BLP: 1700)

Beatrix smiled despite the loss of his hero. "And Strongman gains four hundred attack points, reaching twenty-three hundred. Very impressive recovery."

"Power is my specialty, and it will defeat you Beatrix! I place the last cards in my hand onto my duel disk. Now my turn is over." His two cards appeared behind Strongman. Then with that same smile on his face Beatrix drew.

Beatrix's life points rose, this time by six hundred since he had six heroes in the cemetery. "You know Vladimir, unlike you I was truly a Kaiser at this school. A duelist who won based on that nature of perfection." (BLP: 2300)

He held up his drawn card and his body glowed red. "Need for a Hero lets me pay five hundred life points to special summon a hero from my hand or deck to the field." (BLP: 1800)

The hero that descended onto his field wore black armor and held a long staff in both hands. One end of the staff was a blade while the other was a ball with three prongs on it. "The embodiment of justice, Virtue Hero-Justice (2500/1900) appears. And he powers up all V-Heroes in play by one hundred times their level."

Justice's attack strength rose slowly to thirty-two hundred thanks to its special ability, placing it much higher than Strongman. "Ah, and now I activate Minimalist Summon. This lets me revive as many monsters from my cemetery as I want provided their attack and defense becomes zero and they cannot be tributed."

Faith, Loyalty, and Wisdom all appeared on the field exactly the same as before. The difference was that now there were two Faiths and each monster had zero attack points. "Loyalty gains five hundred attack points from Justice, two hundred for the V-Heroes in the grave, fifteen hundred from the five V-Heroes in play, eight hundred from the two Faiths, and three hundred from Wisdom."

Its attack points soared upwards from zero all the way to an impressive thirty-three hundred attack points. "Next my other three special summoned monsters gain fifteen hundred attack points."

The two Faiths and Wisdom each settled at fifteen hundred attack points. Then Justice started glowing and its power shot up as well. "Thanks to the combined bonus effects Justice now has forty-three hundred. And I believe at this point I'll activate my set card, Heroic Virtue-Charity which lets me draw one card for every V-Hero in play."

Beatrix drew five cards from his deck and then smiled as he continued his turned. "Justice, attack and destroy Strongman."

Justice began to run across the field towards Strongman, his bladed staff aimed at Strongman's belly. Vlad however wasn't ready to receive that attack so he stretched out one meaty arm over his right set card. "Iron Abs activates, destroying the attacking monster as if Strongman defeated it in battle!"

The former Hero Saint continued to smile as he flipped up one of his newly drawn cards. "Quick-play magic card, Hero's Safety prevents one V-Hero from being destroyed once this turn. And since your trap doesn't negate battle, it continues."

The halberd shoved into Strongman's gut and then was yanked out. The wrestler fell to his knees and then shattered into a million pixels. "That is my perfection Vladimir, and you will witness it all during this duel." (VLP: 1100)

"Perfection...perfection…I don't accept perfection! There is only the joyful strength of two duelists throwing all of their heart into a duel! Reverse card open, Mega Body Slam!" A phantasmal Strongman launched out of his cemetery and into the air, floating above Beatrix's five heroes.

"Mega Body Slam allows me to remove one Strongman from the grave and destroy all monsters on the opponent's field whose base attack is less than the last known attack of the chosen Strongman. Since I choose my thirty-six hundred monster, your five monsters are destroyed!" Strongman dropped down on them, hurling up dust as each of the five was blown apart by the impact.

Beatrix laughed in excitement and took one of the cards from his hand. "You certainly are an enjoyable opponent, but I will show you my perfection regardless of whether you want to believe it. By discarding a card from my hand Trap Booster lets me play one trap from my hand this turn."

Vlad frowned as Beatrix held up his trap card. "Heroic Virtue-Sacrifice activates, and for every V-Hero destroyed this turn I draw two cards. Which means I draw ten cards total."

The pro duelist drew ten cards, giving him an eleven card hand. Then he played the first of them. "Heroic Virtue-Self-Sacrifice lets me pay half of my life points any number of times to revive that many Virtue Heroes, though during this turn they may not attack. I pay half my life points five times." (BLP: 56)

Justice (4300), Loyalty (5500), Faith (2900 X2), Wisdom (3100).

Not even Vlad had expected Beatrix to recover his five heroes so quickly and easily. Yet with ten cards left in his hand it hardly seemed as if he was finished. "I activate the continuous magic card The Allied Forces, which grants each of my warriors two hundred attack points for every warrior or spellcaster on my field. That's one thousand bonus."

All five V-Heroes shot up by a thousand attack points, making the weakest of them the two Faiths, each with thirty-nine hundred attack points, and the strongest as Loyalty with sixty-five hundred. "Next I activate Mystik Wok, which lets me sacrifice my Loyalty to gain its attack as life points."

A giant wok appeared underneath Loyalty and stirred him up, fried him, and then dumped him into Beatrix's graveyard. The pro duelist continued to smile as his life points shot upwards, more than completely recovered. (BLP: 6556)

"I continue by playing Monster Reborn to revive Loyalty, again at his previous attack points. And last but not least I'll place two cards face down. That is my perfection Vladimir. Enjoy it and try your best to break it with that preponderant strength of yours." Vlad narrowed his eyes as he drew, feeling as if a heavy weight was on his shoulders, placed there by that strangely comforting and discomforting smile of Beatrix's.

Without blinking he took the last Strongman from his deck and slapped it down. "One more time Strongman (1900/1200) appears to confront you! And combined with him is the magic card Strongman's Inner Eye, which lets me name one card and if it is in your deck it is added to my hand."

"I name Coins From Heaven!" Beatrix smiled and searched his deck until he founded the named card and then tossed it to Vlad who flicked it up, showing it to the audience.

"I now activate Coins From Heaven, letting each player draw until they hold six cards. However, since you already have six cards in hand only I benefit!" He drew six times, putting him equal with Beatrix.

He grabbed the farthest right card of his new six and flipped it around. "Super Suplex lets me sacrifice Strongman to destroy all magic and trap cards on your field, dealing you five hundred damage for each one!"

Strongman tackled all three cards and together the four cards blew up. Beatrix winced as the smoke billowed over him, taking his life points down. "That seems rather wasteful of you, eliminating your monster just for measly damage." (BLP: 5056)

"Beatrix, my preponderant strength is superior to perfection in every way, and I will prove it through victory! Strongman's Last Gasp activates during a turn that Strongman goes to the grave. All other cards go with him!" Beatrix's eyes widened completely as his five monster army shattered, leaving his field completely empty.

"Let me show you that strength, Return to the Ring activates, reviving Strongman to the field with no bonus!" His wrestler monster burst out of the ground and landed on one knee, looking up at Beatrix with a confident smirk.

"Next to increase his strength I play Power Press which permanently gives him five hundred points. Then I activate a second Power Press, raising him to twenty-nine hundred attack points! And with that he'll attack! Strongman Strike!" Beatrix gasped as Strongman elbowed him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him and burning away a massive chunk of his life points. (BLP: 2156)

Vlad slammed the last card he was holding into his duel disk, letting it appear behind Strongman. "Turn End! Let that show you the effectiveness of my strength, and let it be a lesson to you! I will not let you take that which is not yours!"

Beatrix shook himself and rose to his feet, his eyes taking on an inner light. "Vladimir I have thoroughly enjoyed this duel, and you've impressed me with your strength. However…" (BLP: 2856)

"However, although you duel purely enough, you lack the true purity necessary to defeat me. My perfect purity will be more than enough to defeat the overbearing strength of the Strongman Duelist." Beatrix's smile sent a chill down Vlad's spine as he flipped up one of the cards he was holding.

"Magic Shard Excavation allows me to discard two cards from my hand to recover a magic card from my cemetery. I select and play Monster Reborn, recalling my Virtue Hero-Loyalty (2200 +900/2200) to the field." His grey and black armored hero appeared, his chain-scythe held at the ready.

"Following that I activate Reflection of Virtue, which allows me to activate the effect of one card in your cemetery. I choose to activate your Battle Training Ground that you discarding for Strongman Energy Conversion's effect!" Vlad's eyes widened as four straw tokens each with seven hundred attack and defense appeared on his field.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I would choose that effect, well this is my reason. I activate Decentralization Prism, which lets me sacrifice one monster on my field to create an identical token of it, one for each monster you have in play." Loyalty's body flickered and spread out until there were five of it.

All five of them shot up to forty-three hundred attack points. "I continue by activating Purity of Virtuous Strength, which increases all V-Heroes in play by three hundred for every other. So all five gain fifteen hundred points."

Beatrix snapped one hand up and pointed it at Strongman. "Loyalty, attack and destroy Strongman!"

Vlad snapped his arm out and his set card flipped up. "Strongman Rage Strike activates when it battles a monster with at least a thousand more attack than it. During this turn it cannot be destroyed in battle and its attack points double!"

Strongman's muscles rippled and bulged as its power shot upwards to fifty-eight hundred, setting it even with Loyalty. To Vlad's surprise Beatrix just laughed. "This is the end of your strength dearest Vladimir! Sacrifice for a Savior activates!"

One after another his four other Loyalty monsters shattered and waves of energy flew from them to strike the attacking Loyalty. "Sacrifice for a Savior lets me target one monster that is to be destroyed in battle and then lets me sacrifice any number of monsters on my field to increase that monster's attack strength by said amount!"

The fire in Vlad's eyes dimmed as a huge red aura surrounded Loyalty, sending its attack points skyrocketing to twenty-seven thousand six hundred. "Loyalty, end it with Loyal Virtue Slayer!"

A wave of white energy swept over Strongman and into Vlad. It then passed through him and crashed into the wall, dissipating. Vlad shuddered and fell to one knee as the damage hit his life points. "No…I fought with my all but…" (VLP: 0)

Beatrix deactivated his duel disk and handed it to his assistant, who replaced it and the deck into the briefcase. "Your participating has been most appreciated Vladimir. But now I leave you, because my own destiny is to be determined. She will stand by my side, that is what will happen. And there is nothing you can do about that."

Vlad raised his head and looked into the audience, meeting Mizuki's eyes. Beatrix continued walking away, a calm and self-assured smile on his face. But Mizuki could only see the dismay and shock on Vlad's face. 'Mizuki…although it was my mission it wasn't what I wanted. I'm sorry…I failed you.'

He turned and walked away, leaving through the exit reserved for the duelist on his side of the field. But when he entered the hallway he found a tall blonde young man wearing an Obelisk Blue uniform, his jade eyes calm and cool. "You were defeated in a duel you shouldn't have entered into it Vladimir."

"Mr. Shadow, I apologize. I made an agreement with Saint Beatrix; however he reneged on his side of the bargain. I had to act on it." The shorter man narrowed his eyes and shoved his hands into the pockets of his blazer.

"That's because I told him not to uphold your bargain. Mizuki Mitsuhiro is going to belong to either Saint Beatrix or myself, that is the truth of the matter. You were the strongest of my seven heralds Vladimir, but you were the one I trusted the least. You have always followed your heart too far and never followed the cause. Mizuki Mitsuhiro will be one of us, and if she joins me she will replace my useless herald." Vlad's eyes widened as the other man turned on his heel and started to walk away.

"Useless herald? Then you're saying that I'm…fired?" The man called Shadow turned and stared hard at Vlad, making the gentle giant take a step backwards.

"I can't have someone as my herald who disobeys my orders. Vladimir, you are strong just like your father, but like him you failed because your heart was in yourself and not with us. To pursue the changes in this broken world that we seek, you are just a liability. Goodbye Vladimir." He took another step away and then his body rippled and faded away, leaving Vlad alone in the hallway.

He sank to his knees and stared down at his hands, feeling empty for the first time in his life. 'Father…I've failed you as well. But as my last act in your honor…I won't fail Mizuki!'

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Author's Note: And another huge but ten turn duel. Not to mention Vlad lost!

Next Time: For the second time Mizuki must face off against Ensui, but this time the stakes are much higher. Bidden by a stranger from East Academy Ensui challenges Mizuki, with the stakes being set in a Darkness Game. Is the master of the Red Eyes Black Dragon ready to face the wrath of Mizuki in a Darkness Game? And who is the Tsar of East School?

See it all in, Darkness Battle; Ensui Reappears!