Christmas had come and left. Now what remained was a huge city decorated with colored lights that formed different symbols of that holiday such as reindeers or Santa. The ground was also filled with many layers of thick snow that it was almost impossible to walk, people preferring the cyber streets or just flying with their vehicles. Many got the presents they wished for; some did not for various reasons, but all in all most were satisfied with this year's winter holidays as well. It was an atmosphere of gaiety and jubilation that was predominating the lives of the citizens. Everything seemed alright, for now.

At the hospital, Tiger had finally awakened from his coma. As such, Blane was allowed to talk to him, but he received advice from the doctor to not stress his friend too much. It was just the two of them in that hospital room. The blonde duelist lay shirtless on the bed with two wires attached to his left arm, one to feed him, the other to take his pulse. His chest was covered in bandages from the operation and his hair was a mess. As for Blane, he now wore a pair of red pants with a belt that had a silver T symbol, a black shirt that exposed his muscles and scarred body, a red pad protected his left shoulder and he had his sword and its sheath on his back. His brown hair had been cut short once again and his face was not shaven for a couple of days.

"Hey Tiger, how's it going, bud?" a concerned Blane asked.

"Meh, could be worse." Tiger shrugged. "What'd I miss?"

"Subaru's gone through some crazy stuff lately."

"Nothing new here."

"I know. Rad and Sora somehow got back from what he's told me, and also, get ready for the biggest shocker yet – Tabitha's now on our side!"

"That witch, with us? Just what is she smoking? I'd also like some."

"You haven't lost your sense of humor one bit."

"A little todomeda can't bring this cat down for good."

"That's for sure."

"So Blane, how are things between you and Leona going? I do remember seeing her at the tournament back then."

"Okay, I guess. I met up with her a couple of times since Subaru got back from his adventure. She's pretty much back to how she used to be two years ago."

"Gone are the days of power and murder, I guess?"

"You guessed right, Tiger. Look at me, what girl needs that crap when she's blessed with such a man?" Blane proudly gestured to himself.

"If I were you, I'd give up the flirts. You never know when she'll snap and chop your balls off." Tiger commented.

"Yeah, women these days…"

After a few moments of laughter, there was silence between the two. Then Tiger's expression became more serious as he brought up the following problem:

"So what's going on with the tournament?"

"It starts in a few hours." Blane sighed. "The only ones who are left are me, Tamma, June and Roger. Don't worry; if I go up against Roger, I'll make him pay for what he did to you!"

"There's no need to." Tiger shook his head. "I don't need someone to avenge me. Get your ass out there and beat him for yourself! Let's hope you and Tamma end up in the finals. That way we'll know that one of us won the tournament."

"How about I do both?"

"And you call me stubborn."

"Trust me, Tiger, nobody messes with my friends and gets away with it! That Roger should say his prayers, because today he'll wish he never set his fancy foot at this tournament, and that's a promise!"

"Some things never change."

Blane then turned around and headed to the door, Tiger noticing the fact that his pony tail was gone.

"New haircut, I see." the blonde one remarked as the brown haired duelist opened the door.

"Cutting off the ponytail is a symbol. Samurais did the same and would not cut it again until they regained their honor or attained revenge." Blane explained and walked away, the door closing behind him, a surprised Tiger staring into nothingness after hearing that statement.

After a few minutes in which the blonde did nothing but stare towards the snowfall at the window, the door's creaking noise stirred his attention and he looked to see who his new visitor was. A girl with long green hair wrapped in a ponytail stepped in and dusted her green skirt and yellow shirt. Afterwards she adjusted her dark green bandana and pulled a chair next to Tiger's bed, sitting down. In all this time, the boy in his late teens did nothing but analyze her.

"Hello, Tiger, it is a pleasure to meet you at last. I have heard many good things about you." she began her speech.

"Nice to meet you too? But who exactly are you?" he asked.

"Hey, hey, hey, you might have heard of me. I'm your predecessor, Sora Rukkora."

"Heh, so this is how you look like. How do you survive outside on this cold?"

"Rad's brought me with his rocket. It's pretty warm in there."

"Ah, that racer who posed as a samurai… You do know he stole some of my cards, right?"

"Yes, he told me about that antic. Also, that 'tattoo' on your chest must be Genji Double Cross's doing, right?"

"More or less." Tiger replied and took a quick look at his X shaped scar. "Does he ever plan on giving my cards back?"

"Knowing him, not anytime soon." Sora affirmed. "I'm sorry for this."

"Nah, it's no big deal. But anyway, what brings you here?"

"Oh, my friends told me about what happened while I was gone. When I heard the things you did, I knew I just had to meet you. Really, you brought a good reputation for the Nature civilization when you defeated those two bad guys. Maybe now people will see that it's not only a support civilization!"

"These so-called duelists are just people who only want quick mana ramp for their decks to get out some huge creatures. There are very few who care more about Nature's races nowadays."

"I happen to share the same belief. We are part of the few who see Nature for the beauties it has."

"So what can be done to solve this situation, oh great chosen nature duelist?"

"Ex-chosen duelist, since apparently we are no longer chosen with no more Proof. And I wish I had the answers to that. But for now it seems like the game is in a bad state when it comes to the true potential of Nature."

"We'll see what the future holds us. So anyway, you said you were my predecessor. Care to fill me on what's happened with you guys while you still were chosen?" Tiger asked.

"Oh, of course!" Sora happily exclaimed. "Get something to drink, because it's going to be a long story."

Meanwhile on the hospital halls Rad was wandering in an attempt to occupy his time somehow while Sora was busy visiting Tiger. He himself did not want to see the muscular blonde one for obvious reasons. The racer had received as present for Christmas a brand new red leather suit, that although it was sleeveless and thus not suiting for the weather outside, it had an elegant silver collar. Just then, fate decided that his path should meet with that of Tamma's, as the little boy was on his way to greet his friend Tiger as well. Upon encountering him, Rad noticed that the child was now dressed in a black martial arts suit completed with red boots, a red jacket, bandages wrapped around his abdomen and a red bandana and red belt upon which there was a black kanji that said 'fire'.

"Oh my, Rad is here!" Tamma happily exclaimed.

"Hey there, kiddo, what's up?" Rad greeted him.

"It's Christmas holidays, so I'm finally having some fun! Now I came to see brother Tiger. What about you?"

"I just brought Sora and Subaru here because they also had to visit people and now I'm hanging around here, waiting for time to pass."

"I'm also waiting for it to pass. Tomorrow's the semifinals and I'm qualified! Boy, I can't wait to see who I'll face!"

"From what I've seen on the playbacks on TV, the others are that Dragon user who's for some reason close to Subaru, Blane or something among those lines, also another Dragon user who's a fancy pianist and yet another fancy guy who uses Darkness Angels. Am I correct?"

"Yes, it's Blane, Roger and June. And I'll be facing one of them." the little boy reflected, his clenched right fist beginning to irradiate slowly with Fire kaijudo energy. "But no matter who it is, I'll be sure to win this tournament, and not only for me, but also for you and for the glory of our civilization!"

"Heh, that's the spirit, kid!" the red haired teen proudly patted him on the back. "You remind me of how I was back when I first started racing."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I was a rookie who feared what others might think of me and I forced myself quite a lot during races. But then I learned that I'm doing this because I'm enjoying it and because I want to be up there with my idols, so I had that guide me on my way to victory. And guess what."

"What?"

"It worked."

"Haha, awesome! I'll remember the wisdom you shared with me today and will try my best to both enjoy the duel and give all I got." Tamma promised.

"I know you will, that's why I'm counting on you." Rad nodded. "Now what do you say about some ice cream? This one's on me."

And so the duo happily headed to the hospital's snack bar. Meanwhile at the other side of the corridor, Subaru and Blane broke their brotherly hug. The siblings had not seen each other in quite some time, one spending more time with his fellow chosen duelists while the other was preoccupied with Tiger's safety. The darkness duelist had received a dark blue hooded jacket and a pair of green sneakers for Christmas which he was now wearing. And as the Christmas holiday spirit brought friends and family together, it was natural for one to visit the other sooner or later.

"I'm glad you could come. I know you must be busy and all." Blane brought up with modesty.

"It's no big deal, I wanted to come and wish you happy holidays anyway and Sora has been dying to meet with Tiger, so don't worry." Subaru shrugged it off. "Speaking of which, how is he?"

"The doctor says he's out of coma, but it'll take him a few weeks to get back on his feet."

"I understand. You and him have gotten quite close lately, haven't you?"

"Yeah, he's like a brother to me. I guess it's been like that since we fought along one another back when we were going after Kaizer."

"That is great news. But I wonder…"

"What is it, Subaru?"

"Did Roger do what he did to Tiger just because you defeated his right hand man? Or maybe he has some other motive behind this?"

"I don't know, bro, and the only thing I care about now is teaching that son of a bitch some manners for what he did to Tiger!"

"I would feel the same if he did it to someone closer to me as well. But the way in which he did it, attacking him with the strongest creature and throwing him in a coma… I think he wanted to put out a message."

"Heh, that nobody should screw with him."

"Exactly!"

"Well I've got some news for that freak – he screwed with my friend, now I'll do the same!"

"Tomorrow the semifinals begin. What will you do if you end up against him?"

"It should be obvious by now, Subaru. I'll give Roger the brutal ass kicking he deserves!" Blane exclaimed and a powerful red aura engulfed his hand.

"I've never seen so much determination in him before. Clearly he's ready to put up a fight. But will it be enough to bring down this Roger fellow?" Subaru analyzed the situation in his mind.

The somber sound of the lowest octave notes of Roger's piano echoed in the hotel room. The musician had concluded his Christmas concerto and as such he got up from his chair and looked at his seven minions, all ever so loyal. And he knew exactly why that was the case with all of them. But their loyalty did not matter at that moment, for he had an important mission ahead.

"People, no, friends… it is with great pleasure that I bring to you the joyous news of our upcoming victory." Roger began his speech, the other duelists cheering. "Tomorrow is an important day, for it shall mark the stepping towards the grand finals for me. But as we all know, the tournament is not our only objective."

"Indeed, we must get the last four Zeniths." Ren brought up, Roger nodding in approval of that statement.

"Our targets are well-known, it is all a matter of time." the pianist resumed his speech. "But we need to be assured that everything goes according to plan, and this is why I count on each and every one of you to do your assigned mission."

"You can count on us, boss!" Nick rose from his chair, flexing his muscles.

"Whatever you tell us to do; we'll do it for you!" Campo added with a look of determination on his chubby face.

"It is indeed good to know." the man with long red hair smiled, his green eyes fixating on the tuxedo wearing duelist. "June, in case you end up against me, you know the plan."

"Yes, sir, I will let you win." the Darkness Angel Command user replied.

"And if you are not going against me?"

"I will go and capture one of the Zeniths as you duel."

"I am glad we are agreed upon this. If you would require help, I could send Ren and…"

"Please, master, you know very well that I can handle any situation on my own." June smirked.

"Good. In that case, only Ren will accompany me at the tournament. As for the rest of you…" Roger then turned to the other five. "In case I lose, I will need an ace up my sleeve."

"Ace up your sleeve?" Jessica repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, it is highly important that our plan does not fail, and a mere disqualification shall not stand on our path to glory! Here is what I need you to do…"

And so the tournament began on the next day. At the arena, the crowds were all occupying as many seats as possible, eager to see the two matches of the semifinals. The two hosts, Duel Hero Yuu and Duel Hero Atsuto, had occupied their places at their microphones, fairly distant from the two tables where the kaijudo duel would take place. As the large screen above the arena was shuffling the four names to decide the duels, everyone was preparing for the event impatiently. At the lowest row, Subaru, Rad and Sora barely found three seats one next to the other and occupied them, at the dismay of a young couple. A few rows above them, Tamma and Rita managed to save three seats, two for them and one for Blane, the cowgirl placing her hat on the third one to keep it occupied.

At the very entrance in the building, Blane and Leona broke from their hug.

"Good luck today, you'll need it!" the blonde wished him.

"Don't worry, babe, I was born lucky!" Blane winked and revealed his shining teeth.

"If you don't win, I'll be sure to punish you accordingly." Leona revealed her sharp nails, making the brown haired swordsman gulp. "I'm counting on you!"

And thus she left into an alley, Blane sighing at the fact that the girl had not changed that much. Then he turned to the place where his destiny awaited and marched inside with his head up and chest pumping out. But little did he know that inside that dark alley, something bad was about to happen. As Leona was looking for some leftovers in the garbage disposal, she heard a loud noise behind her. She turned to find two trash bins spilled on the ground and a tall figure holding a deck in their right hand staring at her maliciously.

"Who are you?" she asked straightforward.

"I believe you have something that's mine." a cold male voice replied.

"Heh, whoever you may be, I'm not giving you anything, so piss off!"

"I'm afraid that's not the answer I am looking for…"

As the man approached her, she grinned and pulled out her deck as well.

"If it's a whooping you're looking for, you've found the right girl. Bring it on, motherfucker!" Leona exclaimed and thus two dueling tables arose for their match.

After ten minutes, the duels of that day had at last been announced by the suspended screen. It was Blane Kaminaga VS Roger Thornton, as well as Tamma Gochi VS June Seya. Atop the highest row of the arena, Ren and June were watching everyone beneath them. If only those unsuspecting souls knew what surprises they and their master had prepared for them.

"So the first duel is of Roger-sama and Blane. What are you going to do?" Ren asked, but in that very next moment June turned to leave.

"Easy, I will go and get him the required Zenith while he takes care of the one who defeated you." the tuxedo man replied.

"But will you have time?"

"Trust me, Ren, that will not be a problem at all."

Before the white haired boy could turn to him and bring forth another question, June somehow disappeared, much to Ren's surprise. Shrugging, he turned his sight to the arena and saw how two people were walking to the tables. The cameras showed both Blane and Roger, the former more determined than ever, the latter passive and ice cold like the snow outside.

Upon reaching said tables, both pulled out their decks, shuffled them, placed them on their rightful places and began setting their shields. The crowd went silent, fixating their eyes on both players. Not a single word was spoken between them while they were preparing for the match. After drawing the five cards, the two looked in each other's eyes. Roger saw the wrath in Blane's red and yellow eyes, but Blane saw only an empty void in those cold green eyes of the pianist. Suddenly, a smile appeared on the elegantly dressed man's face.

"What's so funny?" Blane asked.

"My defeating of your friend has really turned you against me, hasn't it?" Roger suggested and did not wait for a response. "It will make my victory all the more pleasant."

"If there's someone winning today, that's me! As for you, your fancy ass will pay for all the bullshit that you've caused!"

"Now, now, do not delude yourself and the audience with such false dreams. You may be strong, but I have many aces up my sleeve. And today you shall see some of them!"

"Heh, show me what you've got, I'll handle that and much more, you freak!"

"Well, well, it seems that the atmosphere has truly heated!" Yuu remarked.

"If that's the case, then let the duel start!" Atsuto shouted.

The two duelists made their shields materialize and thus their match began.

"Good luck, Blane, and be careful." Subaru thought.

"Crush him for me, Roger-sama." Ren thought.

Blane began by placing Valkyrie Lupia, Sky Lord Dragon-mech in the mana zone tapped. Roger then drew a card and put Codeking Wilhelm in the mana zone tapped as well. Blane's turn came again, so he drew, charged mana with Hustle Castle, tapped both cards in his mana zone and showed a Nature spell, saying:

"I cast Faerie Life."

The top card of his deck, Forever Princess, An Eternity To Rule Them, went into his mana zone. Roger then drew, placed Chopin, Dragon King in his mana zone, tapped both cards and showed a multicolored spell, saying:

"Let me show you how mana accel is truly done – I cast Mendelssohn."

The top two cards of his deck which were Trueking Viola Sonata and Codeking Mozart both went to his mana zone.

"Showoff." Blane spat, after which he drew, charged mana with Balga Raiser, the Dragonic Meteor and put a Fire card in the battle zone. "I summon Cocco Lupia."

A red Fire Bird wearing a little crown and also equipped with a little trumpet appeared in the arena, flying in circles above Blane.

"How cute, you want to get out your Dragons earlier." Roger noticed as he charged mana with Prelude of Horror. "Unfortunately for you, I simply cannot allow that. I summon Necrodragon Abayo Shabayo."

A serpentine dragon made of bones with six black wings and a chain around its body appeared in the battle zone and threw its metallic weapon upon the Fire Bird, destroying it and blowing up in the process as well.

"With Abayo Shabayo's effect I destroy both him and your creature." Roger explained.

"Tsh, I fortify one of my shields with Hustle Castle." Blane said and his middle shield got the picture of a panda-themed castle.

"Your hand is lowering and you want to draw, I see." the pianist remarked as he was charging mana with Faerie Life. "I summon Cocco Lupia and Mitsurugi Boost, Matchless Dragon Demon. With Mitsurugi Boost's effect, I send him to my mana zone."

The previous Fire Bird returned, this time flying at Roger's half of the arena, and she was soon followed by a red armored green winged horned dragon that roared and disappeared, its card landing in its owner's mana zone.

"He's increasing his mana for his big Dragons, I can't waste more time." Blane thought and then he spoke. "My turn, I summon Bolshack NEX and with its effect I search my deck and put Mach Lupia in the battle zone! Hustle Castle lets me draw two cards and now I attack with Bolshack NEX, double break his shields!"

A red dragon with silver horns, white armor, burning hands and a tail with zig zag marks appeared in the battle zone along with a red Fire Bird that bore a fan in one of its wings. The dragon shrieked and flew towards its master's opponent, using its burning hands to break two shields. Afterwards the majestic creature disappeared.

"With Mach Lupia's effect, Bolshack NEX returns to my hand." Blane announced.

"Mister Blane has finally begun the offense!" Yuu commented.

"Will mister Roger be able to resist his opponent's swift attacks?" Atsuto asked.

"Mana charge." Roger did his turn, unimpressed by his opponent's move. "I cast Mendelssohn."

The top two cards of the pianist were Necrodragon Abayo Shabayo and Cocco Lupia, the first going to his mana zone and the second in his graveyard.

"Then I summon Necrodragon Odol Needle." he placed a Darkness card in the battle zone tapped while a spike silver armored Dragon with red wings appeared in the arena.

"It's time to finish this! I summon Bolshack NEX and put Cocco Lupia from my deck in the battle zone. Hustle Castle lets me draw two cards. Now, Bolshack NEX, double break his shields!" Blane ordered and the red dragon heeded its master and repeated the attack.

"So you think." Roger spoke with a slick smile. "You see, there is a reason I placed Odol Needle tapped in the battle zone."

"Mister Roger is right! Whenever the opponent's creatures attack, they have to attack Necrodragon Odol Needle is he is tapped!" Atsuto intervened.

"Crap…" Blane spat as he watched Bolshack NEX unwillingly redirect its attacks at Necrodragon Odol Needle, the Darkness Dragon stabbing it with its spikes and both creatures disappearing in an explosion.

"Blane's in deep trouble." Subaru broke the silence between the three former chosen duelists.

"What do you mean, egghead? The match looks pretty equal so far." Rad replied.

"I wouldn't think so. While it's true that Blane finally began to attack, Roger is now up to ten mana." Sora added.

"Yes, and his deck is a mana ramp centered around King Command Dragons. Some of the strongest King Command Dragons cost at least nine mana." Subaru explained.

"Meh, look at all those big guys in his mana zone, most likely all his fatties ended there. Don't know why you two are worrying so much. Blane just needs to keep pushing his attacks and hope he doesn't hit shield triggers." Rad dismissed.

"If only you knew that it's not so easy…" Subaru sighed.

"With such a mana ramp deck that Roger has, I'm sure he has more to offer, not just mana accels, cost reducers and finishers." Sora speculated.

"Indeed, he most likely has some defense as well. Odol Needle was proof of that." the black haired duelist nodded.

"Look, he's doing his move!" Rad pointed out and the trio turned their attention to the duel.

Suddenly Roger's left hand got surrounded by purple, red and green auras. The maleficent grin on the pianist's face grew bigger as he selected a card from his hand and showed it to his opponent, saying:

"It is time for you all to hear the brilliance of music – I summon Codeking Wilhelm!"

A green armored red headed dragon that had purple wings and was wielding a sharp electrical staff appeared in the arena, its terrifying image bringing fear to the audience.

"With Wilhelm's effect I destroy your Cocco Lupia and send Valkyrie Lupia from your mana zone to the graveyard. Also, whenever a card is put in your graveyard, I put the top card of my deck to my mana zone." Roger said and he watched with satisfaction how he gained two more mana cards.

"This so isn't good, I'll have to end this here and now." Blane spoke in his mind and then he began his turn. "I summon Bolshack NEX and with its effect I put Cocco Lupia in the battle zone! Hustle Castle lets me draw two cards. Then I attack with Bolshack NEX, double break his shields! Mach Lupia, break his final shield!"

"Shield trigger activate!" the pianist exclaimed.

"Oh crud…" the swordsman sighed.

"Since I have a Dragon in the battle zone, this card gets shield trigger, so I summon Chopin, Dragon King! With Chopin's effect, I will battle him with your Cocco Lupia."

A red horned dragon dressed in white knight armor and lying on its four limbs appeared in the battle zone and roared at Blane, destroying his Cocco Lupia.

"Mach Lupia returns Bolshack NEX to my hand."

"I trust you remember this next creature." Roger spoke while his aura-engulfed left hand selected another card which he then placed in the battle zone. "I summon Codeking Mozart!"

A giant black dragon dressed in a sharp black and golden armor with purple spears at its edges appeared in the battle zone and with its roar it both shook the entire arena and destroyed Blane's Mach Lupia along with Roger's Cocco Lupia.

"When Mozart is put in the battle zone, all non-Dragon creatures are destroyed." Roger explained. "Now go, Codeking Wilhelm, triple break his shields!"

With just a swing from the green armored dragon's electrical staff, three shields of Blane's were taken down, the pianist thus ending his turn.

"You just made your last attack, Roger!" Blane confidently declared.

"Oh?" the red haired man curiously replied.

"Meet the creature that will signal your defeat – I summon Eternal Ryusei Kaiser!"

A blue armored dragon with a flaming sword in its tail and a sharp red speared nose appeared in the battle zone and gave a heroic roar.

"Eternal Ryusei Kaiser makes all of my creatures, including itself, speed attackers, which means that it's over for you! Eternal Ryusei Kaiser, todomeda!" Blane ordered, but to his surprise, his creature did not react. "Huh? Eternal Ryusei Kaiser, hello, I just gave you an order, give the final attack!"

"Haha, you fool!" Roger laughed, catching his opponent's attention. "Codeking Mozart makes all your Dragons unable to attack!"

"What?!" the shocked duelist gasped. "Impossible…"

"And now to put an end to the pitiful excuse of a Dragon user that you are – I summon two Necrodragon Odol Needle and put both tapped in the battle zone. Then I attack with Codeking Wilhelm, break his final shields!"

Blane stood there and stared helplessly at the creature that prevented him from winning, the same creature that had harmed his friend. And now there he lay, unable to avenge Tiger.

"I suppose it is a strange twist of fate that you are now at my Mozart's hands just like your friend, no?" Roger arrogantly asked, but he received no answer from his opponent.

"Blane, get out of there, quick!" Subaru shouted and got up from his seat, catching the attention of the pianist.

"Ah yes, those chosen duelists are also here. Perfect, they will see my power as well!" Roger thought and then he spoke out loud. "Codeking Mozart, bring everyone to awe with your music, todomeda!"

In the next moment the dragon spat a large purple beam from its mouth which blew off Blane and his cards. When the smoke cleared, Roger gracefully walked away from his dueling table while Subaru along with Rad and Sora ran to the unconscious Blane who lay close to the contestants' entrance.

"And the winner is mister Roger Thornton!" an astonished Yuu announced, but this time the crowd did not give any cheer or applause, for the winner's King Command Dragons had terrified them all.

"I don't know why, Yuu, but I have a bad feeling about this Roger character." Atsuto whispered to his colleague who nodded.

The victor climbed the stairs, people making way for him out of fear. Up at the last level, Ren waited for him with a satisfied look on his face. With Blane defeated, he had been avenged by his master.