YuGiOh! 5D's Sequel: Beyond the Future

by GoldenUmi

10 years after the events of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, the members of Team 5D's become the target of an underground German organization wielding technology similar to that of Yliaster. Jack and Yusei become the target of vengeance. Aki's past begins to haunt her. Rua and Ruka search for their missing father. Their fates intertwine as the multiple shadows of Urteil reveal themselves.

38. Natural Born Killer

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Beyond the Future

Chapter 38: "Natural Born Killer"

---

As the chaos unfolded down in the Dome Stadium below, Hayato typed furiously away on his laptop inside the owner's box in the corner of his office. His eyes were frantic and sweat poured down his face as he scanned the computer screen up and down.

"P-President Maeda!" Yeager cried, slowly stepping toward him. "Wh-What are you doing at a time like this?! Should you not be focused on the Duels down below?! Are you not aware of what is going on down there?!"

"I'm well aware!" Hayato snapped, raising his voice yet keeping his eyes glued on the screen. "Even I didn't think Urteil would be willing to go this far…! The victims are piling up! There's only one way to disqualify them without losing public face and endangering our company…"

"You're really going to disqualify them?" Yeager asked, raising his hands cautiously. "I'm not saying I'm not concerned about the Duelists, but our country's economy could suffer badly if the United Nations members aren't willing to help us off our feet…! If we disqualify one of the teams or cancel after having them come all this way…!"

"Just forget it!" a deep voice yelled from across the room. The clown jumped at the sound of Seto Kaiba, who verbally expressed his dissatisfaction in the usual manner. "I won't permit you to cancel this tournament or disqualify anyone! My flames of anger won't subside until I see those people utterly crushed and humiliated for infiltrating their filthy cards in my system! Yusei Fudo and the rest of Team 5D's are strong enough to do it! If the other Duelists fall in the process, they weren't strong enough to step foot in this tournament in the first place!"

The CEO's younger brother, Mokuba, turned toward his older brother with worried eyes when he noticed his fists shaking. He had seen his brother in this mental state before and it was never pretty. "Brother, don't you think we should be considering the lives of the Duelists first and foremost…?"

"To me," Seto replied in his fury, "Dueling is no different than life and death! It was the same back in my prime and that hasn't changed even now! I won't stop a team from surrendering, but I will not permit interfering with this tournament!"

"Wh-What?!" Seto stopped when he heard Hayato. Looking over at the pudgy CEO, Seto noticed his beady eyes wide and his mouth flung open.

"What is it?!"

Glancing up, Hayato pointed toward his computer. "I was trying to confirm that these members of Team Royalty and Team Judgment weren't legal players in the system, but their Duel Data exists officially in your Kaiba Corporation's main system."

"What did you just say?!" Seto cried, rising from his chair and dashing over. "Let me see that!" Pushing Hayato out of the way, Seto went pale when he saw ten names in his system matching the Duelists in the Duels down below. "There's no way! There's no way my company would acknowledge scum like them as official Duelists! They must have hacked into my system like they did with that Forbidden Zone card…!" Flashing his teeth, Seto was in full rage mode at this point. "To be able to hack their way past the security system that genius brat wrote…! Her system was even more advanced than mine…! The leader of Urteil must be incredibly skilled…!"

Still furious, Kaiba walked over to the window where the chaos unfolded down below. "Damn Urteil..! Even if I have to crush you with my own two hands when this tournament ends, I'll make you all pay for humiliating me…!"

Down below, Aki was hit by the intense wind pressure of Fynn and Jean as they dashed past the starting line down the track. Almost falling backward, Yusei reached out his arm to help her maintain her balance. "Thanks," she replied just as Yusei pulled her toward him.

"Let's go, Aki! It's dangerous out here!"

"Damn!" Rua cried over the sound of high-speed engines. "These people are nuts! Can we really defeat them if we end up Dueling them?!"

"Never mind that right now!" Ruka said, pulling her brother's arm. "Let's return to the pit booth!"

As the others ran, Jack kept his eyes firmly on Jean's opponent, Fynn. Noticing Jack's absence, Yusei and Aki stopped to turn back toward him. "Jack!" Yusei called, waving his arm. "Let's go!"

"That man," Jack shouted over the intense noise. "He's the man who interrupted my Duel with Yukio Kyoji! There's no way I could forget his face!" Fynn's raspy voice echoed in the King's ears.

"I like, I like! I like you, Jack Atlas!"

"Relax, relax! I'm nobody! I just came to retrieve a disobedient child. Please excuse the interruption!"

Jack gritted his teeth as the two D-Wheelers in front of him began their Duel. "You guys can go on ahead! I'm staying right here! I've sworn to kick this man's ass if I ever ran into him again for getting in the way of my Duel! I'm going to observe his tactics firsthand!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Jack!" Aki cried. "This man was about to stop a Psychic Duelist as powerful as Leah Kruger with brute strength alone! It's way too dangerous for you to stay out here!"

In response, Jack whipped the doctor a cold glare. "Are you trying to order Jack Atlas, Izayoi?! After you put your own life in danger to confront that Kruger woman?! What did I tell you about that before?!"

Aki gasped, hesitating slightly. "I… That's not the point! I'm the only Psychic Duelist here who can confront her, so…"

"Enough excuses!" Jack shouted, folding his arms. "You confronted her because she's your fated enemy! Likewise, I feel that I will eventually Duel this Fynn Hartmann!"

At that same moment, Jean was beginning his turn as he drew his cards. "I take the first turn! Draw!"

[SC: Unicorn 4 / Judgment 9]

[Jean's LP: 4000]

[2 Set Cards]

[Fynn's LP: 4000]

[Sealed Beast Boa Bolan: LV4/3800/1200] [Attack Position]

[Sealed Beast Nibunu: LV8/2800/2000] [Attack Position]

[Sealed Beast Nunurao: LV2/600/800] [Attack Position]

[Sealed Beast Jharmjul: LV3/1300/1400] [Attack Position]

[Active Spells: Sealed Mantra, Mage Power – Equipped to Sealed Beast Boa Bolan]

[Active Traps: Forbidden Zone]

[1 Set Card]

"I Summon X-Saber Airbellum in Attack Position!" Beside Jean appeared a clawed tiger creature, following its master along the track.

[X-Saber Airbellum: LV3/1600/200]

"Then, when my opponent controls a Monster while I control a Tuner Monster on my field, I can Special Summon Different Dimension Unicorn Knight to the field!" Appearing from a rip in time space, Jean's second knight, dressed in blue armor and carrying a two-pronged spear, joined his lineup.

[D.D. Unicorn Knight: LV4/1800/900] [Attack Position]

His eyes fierce and intense, Jean shot his arm forward as he ordered his Monsters. "Battle! Go, X-Saber Airbellum! Attack Sealed Beast Jharmjul!"

[Sealed Beast Jharmjul's ATK: 1300]

As the clawed creature extended a slicing slash toward his field, a grin stretched across Fynn's face.

At the same time, Rua and Ruka were just about to exit the stadium track when they noticed their friends were no longer with them. Turning around, they saw Yusei and Aki arguing with Jack where they just left in the danger zone of the track.

"Wahh!" Rua cried, grasping his hair. "What in the world are they thinking?"

"I understand how you feel," Yusei was saying, "but now's not the time for that! We're just going to get in Jean's way if we stay out here!"

At that moment, the X-Saber Monster's attack sent a gush of wind smashing over the three. Shielding themselves from the attack, they heard Fynn's laughter as he flipped up a card on his field. "Trap, activate! Mantra of Agony! When a face-up Sealed Beast Monster I control is attacked, this card destroys the attacking Monster!"

"What?!" Jean grunted as his X-Saber exploded. Just as Fynn started laughing again, he gasped when the Sealed Beast Boa Bolan on his field was sent off the field into his deck. "What happened?!"

Through the smoke, Fynn saw a card on Jean's field. "I activated a Trap in response to your card!" Jean explained, narrowing his eyes. "Super Rush Recklessly! This card destroys a Beast-Type Monster on my field in order to send one Monster my opponent controls back to their deck! Consider this Antonio's revenge against the Monster that caused him so much suffering!" Jean pointed fiercely at Fynn, who responded with a smirk.

"Very clever, but that doesn't change the fact that your Tuner Monster was destroyed!" Fynn said, returning the gesture. "You won't be able to Synchro Summon so easily now!"

"But I still have one attack left!" Jean yelled, nodding to his remaining Monster. "Go, Unicorn Knight! Attack Jharmjul!"

At the same time, Jean and Fynn and the Monsters on their field passed right in front of Jack and the others, just as the D.D. warrior unleashed its piercing attack slicing the armless reptile in half. Yusei and Jack raised their arms defensively as they nearly got caught in the crossfire when Aki reached out in her panic. "Watch out!"

The King of the scientist were suddenly propelled backwards by a powerful force as Aki shouted, getting away from the attack just in time. Confused, the two turned to see an aura leaking from Aki's body as she had her hand raised.

"Izayoi…!" Jack said, his eyes widening. "What did you just do?!"

"I-I'm not sure… My body just acted on its own…!" Aki looked quite terrified by her reaction, staring at her hand with wide eyes.

"Hurry up! Yusei! Jack!" Rua called to the three.

"Aki-san!" Ruka added, cupping her hands together. "It's too dangerous!"

Finally letting his stubbornness go, Jack willingly left the scene with his friends. "I don't know what just happened, but we can talk about this later! Let's go!"

As Team 5D's reunited, Fynn gave a sharp grunt as the force of Jean's attack assaulted him. Groaning, he forced another smirk as the Unicorn Knight returned to the enemy's side of the track.

[Fynn's LP: 4000 - 3500]

"You're pretty damn tough!" Fynn said, grinning widely. "I love people like you!"

Ignoring him, Jean inserted two cards into his D-Wheel. "I set two cards face-down and end my turn!"

"Then it's my turn!" Fynn said with a laugh, swiping his card off his deck. "Draw!"

[SC: Unicorn 5 / Judgment 10]

[Fynn's LP: 3500]

"You're indeed strong," Fynn said as he rubbed his fingers over his cards, "but I'm far stronger! I won't even need to Synchro Summon to win this Duel, and I'll prove it to you!"

"What did you say?" Jean's face twisted angrily as his opponent mocked him. "Are you trying to say you can defeat my Synchro Monsters without Synchro Summoning? That's a bold thing to say!"

"is it?" Fynn replied with a cock of his head. "Let's see if you still feel that way after my turn?! I Summon Scrap Shark in Attack Position!" Emerging from the dirt of the track was a fish-like creature made entirely out of junk.

[Scrap Shark: LV4/2100/0]

"A Scrap Deck?" Jean eyed Fynn's field cautiously, wondering what kind of strategy he planned to use where he was confident he could win with Synchro Summoning.

"Then," Fynn continued as he pushed a button on his D-Wheel, "I activate Final Speed World! By removing three Speed Counters, I can Special Summon a Level Four or lower Monster from my hand! Now show yourself, Scrap Chimera!" Joining his lineup of Monsters, a lion-like Monster made up of metal scraps dashed along the track.

[Scrap Chimera: LV4/1700/500] [Attack Position]

[Judgment's SC: 10 - 7]

"Now go, Scrap Shark!" Fynn cried with a point of his arm. "Attack Different Dimension Unicorn Knight!"

[D.D. Unicorn Knight's ATK: 1800]

Jean let out a pained cry as the metallic shark tore through his knight's armor, the leftover pressure assaulting his chest.

[Jean's LP: 4000 - 3700]

"This is far from over!" Fynn cried, his eyes stretching excitedly. "Go, Sealed Beast Nunurao! Attack him directly!"

[Sealed Beast Nunurao's ATK: 600]

Just as the snake was about to take a bite out of Jean's arm, a giant ape suddenly popped onto the field out of nowhere, its meaty knuckles intercepting the snake. Fynn's grin faded as the monkey appeared, noticing another card revealed on his opponent's field.

"I activated the Trap Card Antonio left me," Jean explained with a flick of his wrist. "Battle Instinct! When I receive a Direct Attack while I control no Monsters on the field, I can Special Summon a Level Four or lower Monster from my hand in face-up Attack Position! The Monster I Summoned is Ape Fighter!"

[Ape Fighter: LV4/1900/1200] [Attack Position]

"Tch," Fynn grunted, narrowing his eyes. "It's got too many Attack Points! Fall back, Nunurao!"

"This is the Monster Card Antonio drew with his final breath!" Jean yelled, pointing his shaky finger at Fynn. "My teammates have given me all the pieces I need to bury you!"

As Jean glared at Fynn's field, Scrap Shark suddenly fell apart into a useless heap of scraps before vanishing off the field. "I guess you knew about Scrap Shark's effect," Fynn said with a shrug. "When the effect of a Monster, Spell, or Trap is activated, it's automatically destroyed. But when Scrap Shark is destroyed by the effect of a Scrap Monster, including itself, I can send one Scrap Monster from my deck into the Graveyard." His smirk returning, Fynn continued after adding the card of his choice into his Graveyard Slot. "Don't think this is over! I still have attacks left! Your so-called piece of victory will be torn to shreds by Sealed Beast Nibunu! Go!"

[Sealed Beast Nibunu's ATK: 2800]

As the armored reptile prepared to slice through the ape, the monkey suddenly pulled a Houdini and vanished from the field. "What?!" Fynn cried, his eyes widening. "Where'd it go?!"

"When I said Ape Fighter was the piece to my victory, I was talking about this!" Jean cried, giving a sharp flick of his hand. "Trap Card, activate! Beast Burial Ritual! This card activates by destroying one Beast-Type Monster I control! By sending my Ape Fighter to the Graveyard, I can draw two cards under the condition that those cards aren't used during this turn!" Jean quickly drew his two cards as he passed along the audience.

"Hmph!" Fynn scoffed, whipping his arm forward. "You call destroying your only Monster a part of your victory?! You've left yourself wide open for a Direct Attack! Go on, Nibunu! With his Ape Fighter gone, you can tear through his heart instead! Vice Slice!"

As the Monster approached, a smirk appeared on Jean's face. "That's exactly what I wanted you to do! You fell right into my Trap! Return Damage! This card negates the Battle Damage I receive and inflicts the same amount of damage to my opponent! You can take back those 2800 points worth of damage, Fynn Hartmann!"

"Wh-What?!" Fynn cried, his eyes going bloodshot as his own Monster turned tail and pierced through his chest. Letting out a scream, Fynn coughed up blood as he was sent hurdling across the track, nearly crashing in the process.

[Fynn's LP: 3500 - 700]

Still groaning from the attack, Fynn's eyes lit up with rage as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "You f!%$ing bastard! I'll kill you! Go, Scrap Chimera! Attack him directly!" Following the order, the metallic animal slammed its snake-like tail into Jean's chest, sending him flying across the track as well.

[Jean's LP: 3700 - 2000]

[Unicorn's SC: 5 - 4]

As Jean recovered from the fierce attack, Fynn took another card out of his hand. "I set one card face-down! Turn end!" Growling, Fynn wiped more blood away as he glared hard at Jean through his mirror. "That was just a taste of the pain I'll give you, scum! You'd better prepare yourself!"

Lowering his brows, Jean carefully observed his opponent's field as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. It was true that he outsmarted Fynn, but the fact remained that he used up all his Traps in one turn as well as his last minute Monster. With three Monsters on his opponent's field and none on his, it was going to take a lot of work to turn the tables.

---

BREAK

---

As the two D-Wheelers clashed, Anton was carrying Leah off of the field back to his team's pit booth. Just when he thought his girlfriend had run out of steam, he suddenly felt her aura spike up once again.

"Leah, stop it already," Anton said quietly, looking down at her bloodied face. "You've done more than enough already. There's no need to push yourself any further…!"

Leah started growling like a wild animal at that comment, her body visibly shaking in Anton's grasp. "Fynn Hartmann…! How dare you use my cards…!"

"Knock it off, Leah!" Anton cried, spinning her around and grasping her shoulders so she was facing him. "That's how this tournament works! You already know that! Hartmann may be a scummy bastard, but he has no need for Sealed Beast cards in his deck. I'm sure he'll return them!"

"Shut up, Anton!" Leah screamed, her eyes blank and cold. "Are you really going to defend that man after he laid his hands on me?!"

Hesitating, Anton averted his eyes nervously, still holding Leah by the shoulders. "Of course I'm furious… But I'm not nearly strong enough to oppose that man. If he was able to overpower you, how do you expect me to-" As Anton turned back toward the woman, he gasped when he saw her eyes glowing a crimson red. "Leah, what are you-"

"I won't be able to calm down until I've taken that man's head!" Leah cried, veins once again filling her face. "Even if I have to destroy the entire-"

Before she could finish speaking, Leah's eyes suddenly rolled back in her head. Seconds after, her body crumbled as she fell unconscious onto the pavement. "Leah!" Anton cried, falling to his knees to grasp her body. "Leah, are you all right?! What's wrong?!"

"My, my. What a disappointment!"

Anton heard the grueling voice of Murdock, who approached the two from behind as he stepped into the driveway of the Team Judgment pit booth. Still wearing his mask, Murdock gave a creepy laugh as he eyed Leah's unconscious body.

"Murdock…!" Anton growled, his eyes flaring up like a rabid dog. "What the hell have you done to her?!"

"Now, now," Murdock sneered with a wave of his finger. "If you want Leah to live, you won't take that tone with me. You see, I literally hold her life in the palm of my hand." Murdock extended his palm to add weight to his words.

"What are you saying?" Anton asked, his eyes narrowing. "Are you blackmailing me with Leah's life?"

"What I'm saying is very simple, Anton," Murdock continued, letting his hand drop. "As she is right now, Leah Kruger is unstable and extremely dangerous to everyone around her, ally and enemy alike. She is also unable to control the vast energy building inside her body. If you try to stop my experiment halfway through, your girlfriend will most certainly die a painful and excruciating death! Surely you don't want to kill me, right?"

As Murdock laughed, Anton shot him a hateful glare. "You lowly bastard…! You were planning this from the start…!"

"As it stands now," Murdock said as he turned his back to the Psychic, "you will have no choice but to let me finish the experiment. By the time this tournament ends, Leah will be the ultimate weapon of war! She will point her fangs only at her enemies and will have complete control of her powers without passing out like she did just now. For your sake, I suggest that you don't interfere with her Duels any longer."

Cackling, Murdock gave a wave of his hand as he headed back to his team's booth. Anton was left to pick up Leah into his arms, hugging her tightly against his chest. "Forgive me, Leah…! I didn't mean for this to happen…!"

Giving one more glance at the ongoing Duel, Anton resolved to carry his KOed girlfriend back to his team's booth.

---

BREAK

---

"My turn! Draw!"

Jean swiped another card off his deck as he sped along a corner, giving the card a good glance before adding it to his hand.

[SC: Unicorn 5 / Judgment 8]

[Jean's LP: 2000]

"I Summon Key Mouse!" Jean said, placing another card from his hand onto his Duel Disk in horizontal position.

[Key Mouse: LV1/100/100] [Defense Position]

"Then I activate the effects of Final Speed World! By removing three Speed Counters, I can Special Summon one Level Four or lower Monster from my hand! I Special Summon Lock Cat!"

[Lock Cat: LV3/1200/1000] [Defense Position]

[Unicorn's SC: 5 - 2]

Lock Cat had the effect to Special Summon a Level One Beast-Type Monster from the Graveyard when it is Normal Summoned, but Jean purposely ignored that effect. It would interfere with the next move he was about to make.

"Furthermore," Jean continued with a whip of his arm, "when I control exactly two Beast-Type Monsters on my field, I can Special Summon Chain Dog from my Graveyard!" Joining the white cat and mouse was a white bulldog with a golden chain wrapped around its chest.

[Chain Dog: LV4/1600/1100] [Defense Position]

"Not too shabby," Fynn grunted with a smirk as he rode ahead of the Unicorn leader. "Summoning three Monsters in a single turn. Is it coming?"

Ignoring Fynn's sarcasm, Jean proceeded with his plan. "I'm Tuning my Level One Key Mouse with my Level Three Lock Cat and my Level Four Chain Dog! "

Smirking at the sight of the gold light illuminating the field, Fynn waited patiently for the leader's Ace Monster to make an appearance.

"Galloping in the Heavens like thunder, going through the pitch black sky, this lightning will strike the Earth and incinerate it! Synchro Summon! Shine, Lightning Tricorn!"

Appearing gallantly, the gold-plated unicorn with wings and horns of ruby joined its master on the field as it galloped along the track.

[Lightning Tricorn: LV8/2800/2000] [Attack Position]

As Chain Dog left the field, it was sucked into a portal out of the Duel via its own effect.

"Go, Lightning Tricorn!" Jean shouted with a flash of his arm. "Attack Sealed Beast Nunurao! Giga Volt Charge!"

[Sealed Beast Nunurao's ATK: 600]

The four-legged beast charged its ruby horn for a blast of concentrated electricity, the weak snake completely unable to do anything to stop it.

"Impressive!" MP cried over the intercom. "If this attack goes through, Contestant Jean wins the Duel!"

Just as the blast was about to reach contact, a sudden grin stretched across Fynn's face. "Not so fast! Trap Card, activate! Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!"

Before the blast could go through, a large cross made out of garbage repelled the energy into the distant sky, the electricity dispersing over the horizon. Jean narrowed his eyes, all too familiar with that card.

"That's Yusei's card!" Rua cried, pointing his hand.

"That's a perfectly sensible card to have in a Scrap Deck," Yusei said, folding his arms. "With it, Fynn Hartmann will be able to block one attack every turn. Unless Jean gets a second Monster out on the field, he'll never be able to damage his Life Points…"

Laughing, Fynn stretched his arm out to his side as his scarecrow vanished. "After activation, Scrap-Iron Scarecrow resets itself on the field," he explained, his card flipping face-down again. "You won't be able to touch me again!"

Growling, Jean knew there was nothing he could do. "I set one card face-down!" he said, inserting the last card he was holding into his Duel Disk. "Turn end!"

Despite the situation, Jean was confident that he'd survive through the coming turn. The strongest Monster on Fynn's field, Sealed Beast Nibunu, had the same 2800 ATK as his Lightning Tricorn. In addition to that, getting a Monster out with ATK higher than 2800 wasn't that easy to do in just one turn.

"My turn!" Fynn laughed, drawing his card. "Draw!"

[SC: Unicorn 3 / Judgment 9]

[Fynn's LP: 700]

"You may think you've dominated the field and that this is a stalemate," Fynn said with a wide grin, "but you're completely mistaken! There isn't a single person alive that can face me head on in a battle ground and live to tell the tale! I'll teach you just what I mean by that!" Giving a good whip of his arm, Fynn slapped a card onto his Duel Disk. "I Summon Scrap Beast in Attack Position!"

With a roar, a wolf made out of metal scraps joined Fynn's lineup.

[Scrap Beast: LV4/1600/1300]

"Then, when my opponent controls a Monster on their field, I can Special Summon Scrap Breaker from my hand!" Joining Fynn's army this time was a floating robotic creature with no legs and cannons for arms.

[Scrap Breaker: LV6/2100/700] [Attack Position]

"But when Scrap Breaker is Special Summoned this way," Fynn explained, "I must destroy one Scrap Monster on my field! So I'll destroy the Scrap Beast I just Summoned, thus activating Scrap Beast's Monster Effect!" The metallic wolf exploded into a pile of junk as Fynn explained this effect. "When Scrap Beast is destroyed by the effect of a Scrap Monster, I can add one Scrap Monster from my Graveyard into my hand!"

Jean scowled at the man as the Tuner Monster was destroyed. "So you still insist that you won't Synchro Summon even after all of this?"

"I already told you that I won't need to!" Fynn insisted with a smirk as he lifted another card he was holding. "Thanks to my teammates, I already have the cards I need! I activate the Spell Card, The Beginning of the End, from my hand! When there are at least seven Dark-Attribute Monsters in my Graveyard, I can Banish five Dark-Attribute Monsters from the Graveyard in order to draw three cards from my deck!" A black fog covered the field as Fynn explained this effect. "All three of the players who fought your team used Dark-Attribute Monsters, so I have more than enough! I Banish all five Exodia pieces to activate this effect!"

Smirking as he drew his cards, Fynn immediately played one of them. "I then activate Speed Spell – Forbidden Lance! By removing one Speed Counter, I can select one face-up Monster on the field and reduce that Monster's Attack Power by 800 points until the End Phase! That Monster is also unaffected by the effects of other Spells and Traps until the end of the turn!" Laughing, Fynn whipped his finger toward Jean's field. "Naturally, I select your Lightning Tricorn!"

[Judgment's SC: 9 - 8]

[Lightning Tricorn's ATK: 2800 - 2000]

"Damn!" Andre cried, slamming his hand against the table of his booth. "He'll be able to destroy Jean's last line of defense now!"

"Go, Sealed Beast Nibunu!" Fynn cried, his eyes stretching insanely. "Attack Lightning Tricorn! Vice Slice!"

[Sealed Beast Nibunu's ATK: 2800]

Unable to do anything to stop the attack, Jean could only brace for impact as his gallant unicorn was torn to shreds, its golden armor completely devastated. The force of the attack crashed into Jean, sending him spiraling across the track as he screamed in pain.

[Jean's LP: 2000 - 1200]

Still flinching, Jean showed no sign of defeat as he responded to the attack. "I activate Lightning Tricorn's effect! When it's destroyed, I can Special Summon Thunder Unicorn or Voltic Tricorn from my Graveyard! Come back to me, Voltic Bicorn!" Breo's black and green unicorn appeared on the field last second to shield the Unicorn leader from harm.

[Voltic Bicorn: LV7/2500/2000]

Quickly realizing that none of his remaining Monsters had the strength to hold up to those 2500 Attack Points, Fynn backed down with a sigh. "And here I was looking forward to hearing more of your screams this turn, but I guess I'll have to wait. I'll end the battles and set one card face-down! I then activate Final Speed World to recover 1000 Life!"

[Fynn's LP: 700 - 1700]

[Judgment's SC: 8 - 6]

"Turn end!" Fynn finally said, giving Jean some temporary relief.

Over in the Team 5D's booth, Yusei and his friends watched Jean carefully. "This is the first time I've seen Jean so worked up," Yusei said, narrowing his eyes. "In my Duel against him, he was calm and collected until the end. There's no doubt that the brutal defeat of his teammates has shaken him up."

Scoffing, Jack crossed his arms against his check. "There's no need for you to be worried. Just look at his eyes. Does that look like a man charging recklessly into defeat? In fact, I'd say that the defeat of his teammates has only made him more focused than ever."

Yusei went quiet for a moment as he observed Jean's eyes carefully. Finally, a smile came to his lips. "You're right. I think Jean has the advantage here. Fynn Hartmann is far too overconfident and that will be his undoing."

Out on the field, Jean met eyes with Team 5D's briefly as they watched him. He thought to himself that his Duel with Yusei made him a stronger Duelist than possible. He planned to defeat Team Judgment here and now to ensure that he faced Team 5D's in this tournament! No matter what!

"My turn!" Jean cried as he turned another corner away from the audience. "Draw!"

[SC: Unicorn 4 / Judgment 6]

[Jean's LP: 1200]

As he glanced at the card he drew, Jean noticed Fynn smirking and became suspicious of his set Trap Card. He realized that he was left with no other options at this point. If he did nothing this turn, Fynn would use Nibunu to destroy his Voltic Tricorn, causing both players to lose seven cards from their deck, and he would then be left open for Direct Attacks from all of Fynn's remaining Monsters. In truth, he was planning on saving this key card for his rematch with Yusei, but Fynn had forced his hand to this point.

"I praise you for forcing me to play Team Unicorn's ultimate card!" Jean said, a smirk coming to his face. "It's a bit early, but I'll show you the power we've gotten our hands on after ten long years of searching!"

In the Team Unicorn pit booth, Andre practically jumped out of his seat. "Are you serious, Jean?! You're going to play that card against this scumbag?! Are you really out of options?!"

Team 5D's reaction was appropriate, all six members, Crow included elsewhere in his booth, gasping in shock. "I thought Lightning Tricorn was Jean's Ace!" Crow cried, rising from his chair. "Is he saying that he's got another trump card up his sleeve?!"

Fynn's expression fell flat as the cheers coming from the audience doubled in volume. "Team Unicorn's ultimate card? Are you tryin' to bluff me now?!"

Jean's smirk rose into a grin in response. "It's a bit too early, but I'll show you! You told me before that no one could live through a battle with you, but I return those words back to you! The card on my field holds the feelings of my fallen comrades! Behold!" Jean gave a thrust of his arm as he glanced down at the final card he had set on his field. "Trap Card, activate! Unicorn Calling!"

"Unicorn Calling?!" Fynn cried, his eyes suddenly shooting open. "I've never heard of that card! What does it do?!"

"Unicorn Calling can only be activated when I control a face-up Beast-Type Synchro Monsters on my field!" Jean explained, his eyes hardening. "I can then Special Summon from my Graveyard as many Beast-Type Synchro Monsters as possible in face-up Attack Position with their Attack Points halved!"

"What…did you just say?!" Fynn cried, his eyes popping with blood vessels. "A card that lets you Special Summon four Synchro Monsters in a single turn?! Bullshit!"

"It's quite possible, as I'm going to show you!" Jean yelled, raising both his arms. "Join me on my field, the souls of my friends! Thunder Unicorn!"

[Thunder Unicorn: LV5/2200/1800] [Attack Position]

"Unicorn Warrior!"

[Unicorn Warrior: LV5/2300/1800] [Attack Position]

"Steel-Tailed Unicorn!

[Steel-Tailed Unicorn: LV6/2900/2700] [Attack Position]

"And my Monster, Lightning Tricorn!"

[Lightning Tricorn: LV8/2800/2000]

[Thunder Unicorn's ATK: 2200 - 1100]

[Unicorn Warrior's ATK: 2300 - 1150]

[Steel-Tailed Unicorn's ATK: 2900 - 1450 | 1450 - 2950]

[Lightning Tricorn's ATK: 2800 - 1400]

Growing increasingly frustrated, Fynn began to raise his voice. "So you want to attack my Monsters?! Bring it on! My Scrap-Iron Scarecrow can still block your strongest attack!" Eyes widening to the point of abnormality, Fynn let loose a thunderous laugh as he sped along the track. "You won't be able to defeat me with those Monsters we already crushed once! If that's your trump card-"

"Who said Unicorn Calling was my trump card?!"

"Wha-" Fynn stopped when Jean interrupted him. "What did you say?!"

"That card was merely the setup!" Jean said, holding up the card he just drew with a smirk. "The prelude to the terror you're about to experience! I activate Speed Spell – Speed Fusion!"

"F-Fusion?!" Fynn stuttered, going pale. "You're going to fuse your Monsters together?! Have you lost your f &*ing mind?! What kind of Fusion Monster can you call with five Synchro Monsters?!"

"It's quite possible!" Jean retorted, flipping his middle finger and pointing it right at Fynn's field. "Because I have four or more Speed Counters, I can send all five of the Monsters on my field to the Graveyard in order to Fusion Summon Team Unicorn's ultimate trump card, Ultimate Unicorn, to the field from the Extra Deck!"

"Ultimate Unicorn?!" Fynn cried, his eyes twitching uncontrollably. "The Ultra Secret Rare Fusion Monster said to only be a myth?! A card so rare that even we of Urteil couldn't find an original to replicate?! Where the hell did you get your hands on that card?!"

Grinning, Jean gave a chuckle as his opponent completely lost his cool. "Antonio was the one who gave it to us when he agreed to join our team with his son, Deangelo. When he heard that we had found the Trap Card paired along with it, Unicorn Calling, after ten long years of searching, he immediately agreed to lend us a hand for the R.W.F.! And now, after your team brutally placed Antonio and the others in such a pitiful state, I'll unleash the fury of Team Unicorn as Ultimate Unicorn descends down upon us!"

The field exploded with the colors of the rainbow as all five Beast-Type Synchros galloped into the Heavens.

"Andre! Breo! Deangelo! Antonio! Lend me your power!"

Emerging from the light, a new five-headed unicorn covered in diamond armor entered the track with a high-pitched screech.

[Ultimate Unicorn: LV12/4000/4000] [Attack Position]

"O-Oh my God!" MC spit into his microphone, his pompadour bobbing up and down. "Descending from the Heavens, a Monster even I've never seen before makes an appearance! What sort of powers does the combined powers of five Synchro Monsters wield?!"

As the audience went wild with anticipation, the other Duelists were flabbergasted at the sight of the sparkling Monster.

"Incredible!" Tatsuya cried from the Team Pride booth. "That card's probably worth more than all my valuables tripled!" Beside him, Haizuru, Hikari, Justin, and Moki were appropriately intrigued by what they saw.

Over in the Team New Generation pit booth, Keith and Shaun were laughing their asses off as the situation made a complete 180. "The guy's practically shit his pants!" Shaun cried, patting his legs. "I can't believe there's a card out there I've never seen before! Even that Five God Elemental Dragon a while ago wasn't nearly this surprising to me! Gotta give Team Unicorn a hand for putting on such a glorious show in the final inning!"

Mia, Jacob, and the rest of the members of Team Mythology were especially allured to the new Fusion Monster. "What a beautiful Monster," Mia squeaked, her eyes sparkling. "If only we could get our hands on it, our name as Team Mythology would take a whole new meaning!"

Chornos from Team Calculation passed out in his chair at the sight of the Monster, foaming at the mouth.

"What a view," Harald from Team Ragnarok said with a smile. "Team Unicorn… I'd truly like to face them in a real Duel outside the circus this tournament has become…" Beside him, Sieg, Leon, Dragan, and Brave nodded in agreement.

"A Monster combining the powers of all their Ace Monsters," Yusei said, a wide smile coming to his face. "So this is your team's evolution after facing us, Jean…"

"I'd expect no less!" Jack grinned. "Jack Atlas approves!"

"Go get him" Rua cheered, pumping his fist.

Beside the energetic boy, Ruka and Aki merely smiled quietly as the holy light enshrouded them.

Lara, who had previously been head-locking a couple of security guards toward the back of the stadium, released her victim when she noticed what was going on. "Look at that, Romero," she pointed, holding her zombie doll up with her other hand. "Isn't it beautiful?" As Lara looked on, one of the fallen security guards attempted crawl toward her legs to grab Lara from behind, but he received a sharp boot to the face as a result.

In the owner's box, Yeager's jaw dropped a mile as he watched. Even Seto, Mokuba, and Hayato, who had been distracted with their own business, had their attention on the Duel now. Hayato narrowed his eyes, focusing on the new unicorn creature carefully. "That was the last card Pegasus J. Crawford created before his death. To think Team Unicorn had it…"

Eyeing his leader with a smile, Andre held his hands together and started to prey for the recovery of his friends, eyeing Antonio being carried away via ambulance in the distance.

"Shit!" Etzel cried, slamming his hands against the table. "Fynn could really be in trouble! This is what he gets for being so goddamn arrogant and not using his Synchro Monsters! If he loses, I swear to God I'll kill him myself!"

As most of the members freaked out, Jafar seemed uninterested in what was going on, folding his arms.

Fynn growled uncontrollably as the 4000 Attack Power Monster threatened his field. "I already told you that I have Scrap-Iron Scarecrow on my field! No matter how powerful your Monster is, that fact won't change! You're no different from a dragon without its fangs, Jean!"

"Are you sure about that?!" Jean countered, flashing a grin. "I haven't revealed the hidden power of Ultimate Unicorn yet! Prepare yourself!"

"Hidden power?" Fynn repeated, his eyes still twitching. "Just try it if you can!" Eyeing his second face-down card, Fynn remained confident despite the massive threat before him. "I'll make a prediction right now! You won't be able to lay a single hit on me!"

"Let's find out!" Jean cried, whipping his arm forward. "I activate Ultimate Unicorn's effect! By Banishing one Beast-Type or Beast-Warrior-Type Monster from my Graveyard, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to my opponent once per turn! Go, Holy Missile!" The soul of Moja left the Graveyard as the white head powered up its horn.

As the light blast headed toward his field, surpassing the Monsters, Fynn let out a cackle. "I already predicted that move!" he screamed, eyes stretching. "Trap, activate! Hallowed Life Barrier! By discarding one card from my hand, all damage I take from my opponent's cards this turn becomes zero!" Laughing again, Fynn ditched the card he was holding, giving his opponent a mocking gesture with his hand. "Did you think such a weak effect would be enough to stop me?! I told you that you won't be able to defeat me this turn! Now your attack is blocked by Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, and-"

Fynn stopped his babbling when he saw Jean's grin still intact. "What the hell is so funny!?"

"Who said that was Ultimate Unicorn's only effect?!" Fynn froze when he heard him say this, jolting his eyes toward the Fusion Monster. "Ultimate Unicorn has a total of four effects that can be activated by Banishing Beast-Type and Beast-Warrior-Type Monsters from my Graveyard!" Jean explained through his smirk. "The first effect I already demonstrated can only be activated once per turn, but the other three can be used endlessly! I'll give you a little demonstration of that power right now!"

"Three more effects?!" Fynn was visibly sweating by this point, clearly caught off guard.

Narrowing his eyes, Jean silently cursed that he wouldn't be able to damage Fynn during this turn as he had hoped. He resolved to, at the very least, make sure that Fynn's side of the field was clear for attack next turn.

"Here goes!" Jean said, flashing his arm forward. "By Banishing a Beast-Type or Beast-Warrior-Type Monster from the Graveyard, I can destroy any number of cards on the field! I Banish two Lock Cats, Kinka-Byo, and Playful Possum in order to destroy Sealed Beast Nibunu, Sealed Beast Nunurao, Scrap Breaker, and Scrap Chimera on your field!"

"WHAT?!" Fynn screamed as all four of his Monsters were destroyed by two of the heads firing multiple electric blasts.

"Even if I can't damage you, I can still strip you of everything you have!" Jean said, pointing at the final card on Fynn's field. "I Banish Moja from my Graveyard to destroy Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!" Fynn grunted as the same thing happened, his last line of defense shattering.

"Then," Jean said, "I can pay the same cost to gain 1000 Life Points for each Monster Banished!" The spirit of Key Mouse left the Graveyard as Jean's body lit up with a white glow.

[Jean's LP: 1200 - 2200]

"Finally, paying the same cost, I can draw two cards from my deck for each Monster Banished!" It was time for Nimble Musasabi and Super-Nimble Big Hamster to depart into the netherworld as Jean drew his four cards.

Fynn could barely contain his anger, visibly shaking his fists up and down, as Jean added his new cards into his hand.

Glancing at Fynn's empty field, Jean finally found a chance to catch his breath. The threat was gone, and he was confident that this Duel would end shortly in his victory. With that in mind, Jean decided not to use the draw effect anymore for this turn since he didn't want to run the risk of decking out, or having no cards to draw from his deck, too soon. As it stood, he currently only had about 15 cards left to draw. Also, he felt that he shouldn't need to increase his Life Points that much since there was really nothing he could see Fynn doing that would turn the tables against him at this point.

Ultimately, he felt that it was better to conserve the Monsters in his Graveyard because there is a limit to the number of times he can use Ultimate Unicorn's effect. In short, the effects are limited to the number of Beast-Type Monsters in his Graveyard. On that note, there was one major weakness Jean did not tell Fynn about that could easily be exploited if he knew. The one weakness of Ultimate Unicorn was that the Synchro Monsters used to Fusion Summon it must remain inside the Graveyard at all times. If even one of them were to be Banished, Ultimate Unicorn would be Banished instantly, and Jean would take half its ATK, 2000, as direct damage, leaving him with only 200 LP left. As a result, there were four Beast-Types and one Beast-Warrior-Type in his Graveyard that could not be Banished to activate Ultimate Unicorn's effect, limiting the effects even further.

In conclusion, Jean decided it was best to stop for the time being. He couldn't damage Fynn anyway, so there was no point in continuing. Plus, he wanted to see what Fynn would do in response to his strategy, so he could make a better assessment on how to guarantee a victory.

"I set the four cards I drew face-down!" Jean said, nearly filling his Spell/Trap Zone slots. "Turn end!"

Narrowing his eyes, Jean mentally noted the cards he just set on the field. The first Trap was Chain Whirlwind. If by some miracle Fynn somehow got a Monster out strong enough to destroy Ultimate Unicorn, this card would activate immediately and destroy up to two set cards on his field. The second card was the Trap, Thousand Cross, which could be activated up to three times to automatically bring his Life back to 2000 every time it fell below the 2000 mark. Then there was Reanimation Wave, which would activate during a Direct Attack. He could then select one Synchro Monster in his Graveyard with a level less than or equal to the attacking monster's, halve the Battle Damage he received, and Special Summon the selected Synchro Monster from the Graveyard during the End Phase. And finally, Horn of the Phantom Beast could make Ultimate Unicorn's ATK 800, further lowering the percentage of Fynn overcoming it through pure battle strength.

In summary, Jean was 99% confident that there was nothing Fynn could do to break through his lineup. The only way he would stand a chance is if he survived long enough for Ultimate Unicorn's effect to wear off or he figured out his weakness, but the chances of that were slim to none.

In the Team 5D's booth, the Signers were looking very impressed with what they saw. "A Monster that utilizes the Monsters in the Graveyard," Aki said with a smile. "Under normal conditions, that effect would already be powerful, but in in a team Duel with so many cards already in the Graveyard, that effect is enhanced greatly."

"Still," Ruka said in a quiet voice, "why do I get the feeling that we're rejoicing too early?"

"My turn!" Fynn said, swiping his card as he sped along. "Draw!"

[SC: Unicorn 5 / Judgment 7]

[Fynn's LP: 1700]

"I activate the Spell Card, Spellbook Inside the Pot, from my hand! This card lets both of us draw three cards from our decks!" After inserting the card, both Fynn and Jean drew their cards. "Then," Fynn said, glancing down the track ahead of him, "I set one Monster in face-down Defense Position and place two cards face-down on the field. Turn end!"

"My turn," Jean said as Fynn's cards manifested on the track. "Draw!"

[SC: Unicorn 6 / Judgment 8]

[Jean's LP: 2200]

Eyeing Fynn's set cards carefully, Jean decided that he couldn't afford to let this drag on much longer. Fynn smirked as he noticed Jean's hesitation, feeling satisfied with the traps he set.

"I activate Ultimate Unicorn's effect!" Jean cried, pointing his finger. "By Banishing Key Mouse and Egotistical Ape from my Graveyard, I destroy those two set cards on your field!"

"Trap Card, activate!" Fynn interjected, his grin stretching. "Imperial Iron Wall!"

Jean gasped as a massive iron fortress rose around the Dome Stadium, snuffing out the two Monster Spirits. "What is this?!"

"Imperial Iron Wall," Fynn repeated, raising his hand. "As long as this Continuous Trap remains face-up on the field, Monsters can't be Banished from the game!"

"Damn," Jean grunted, narrowing his eyes. "He figured out Ultimate Unicorn's other flaw…"

"Did you think I wouldn't notice?!" Fynn asked sarcastically, giving a cackle. "Ultimate Unicorn is powerful, but it has one major flaw! If you can't Banish from your Graveyard, you can't activate any of its effects! Now you can't destroy my other face-down card!"

Jean growled, glancing over his field carefully. Despite Ultimate Unicorn being unable to use its effects, Jean still believed he had the advantage in this Duel. Glancing down at his current hand, he realized that he didn't have any Speed Spells in his hand, so he couldn't use the effect of Final Speed World to deal damage. Even so…

"Even if you sealed away its effects, I still hold the overwhelming advantage! I activate the Trap Card, Horn of the Phantom Beast! This increases the equipped Monster's Attack Power by 800 points! I select Ultimate Unicorn!" Letting out a roar, the five unicorn heads extended their horns in length, a blue energy seeping out of the tips.

[Ultimate Unicorn's ATK: 4000 - 4800]

"Now Ultimate Unicorn has 4800 Attack Points!" Jean cried, whipping his arm forward. "I then Summon Trident Warrior in Attack Position!" A blue armored warrior holding a golden trident appeared beside the five-headed unicorn, letting out a fierce cry.

[Trident Warrior: LV4/1800/1200]

"Then, when Trident Warrior is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one Level Three Monster from my hand! Come, Delta Flyer!" The winged dragon hovered above the other two Monsters as Jean's party moved along the track.

[Delta Flyer: LV3/1500/900] [Attack Position]

"Smart move!" Rua said, pumping his fist. "Now he has two other Monsters on his field, he can wipe the field of Fynn's Monsters and go in for a Direct Attack!"

"Go, Trident Warrior!" Jean cried, ordering his water fighter. "Attack his face-down Monster!"

As the warrior slice through the set card, a black ghost stretched through its body, vanishing into nothingness.

[Morphing Jar: LV2/700/600]

"Morphing Jar's Flip Effect activates!" Fynn said with a chuckle. "Now we both discard our entire hands and draw five new cards from our decks!" Fynn laughed when he saw the cards hew drew, his grin widening.

As he drew his new cards, Jean seemed concern by the look on Fynn's face. Jean decided to take a moment to consider the fact that Fynn's Scrap Deck shared some similarities to Yusei's Junk Deck, such as the Scrap-Iron Scarecrow he played before. If that was the case, then…

"You won't be able to withstand the brunt of this attack!" Jean cried, raising his hand. "Go, Ultimate Unicorn! Attack Fynn Hartmann directly! Ultimate Discharge!"

Unleashing a combined blast from all five horns, a massive ball of electricity headed straight for Fynn's chest. Eyes veiny, Fynn gave a lunge of his arm above his head just as the blast approached. "Did you think I'd let you attack again?! I activate the effect of Quick-Attack Scarecrow from my hand!" Teeth flashing, Fynn took the card out of his hand and inserted it into his Duel Disk. "By discarding this card from my hand, I negate the battle and end the Battle Phase!"

Another scrap scarecrow appeared to repel the blast, sending it exploding in the distant sky. As the smoke cleared, Jean thought to himself that his hunch was correct. Now he wouldn't be able to defeat him until next turn.

"I'll end my turn," Jean said, scowling at the fact that he couldn't deal any damage. Even so, Jean remained confident in his victory.

The members of Team 5D's signed in disappointment as Jean was forced to end his turn without dealing any damage. "That bastard used the same card as Yusei again," Rua grunted, crossing his arms. " He's definitely persistent."

"That may be," Yusei said, "but Jean still has the advantage. With two mid-tier Monsters and the 4800 Attack Power Ultimate Unicorn on his field, the odds of Fynn Hartmann overcoming him in just one turn is very low."

"Plus," Jack added, "I doubt Hartmann has another card to negate damage. He'll have no choice but to take the attack next turn. "

As the dust cleared from the field, Fynn's unstable laughter suddenly filled the air, drawing everyone's attention. Laughing hard and loud, Fynn titled his head back as he let loose. Disgusted with his actions, Jean merely frowned in return.

"These are truly the best situations!" Fynn spewed, his lips stretching into an unsightly grin. "I truly love war! I can't get enough of it!"

"You call this war?" Jean asked, his tone rising. "This isn't a war! This is a Duel! You people are the ones monopolizing it into such a bloody warfare, dishonoring our Duelist prides!"

"That's correct!" Fynn said, raising both his hands in front of his face. "From the moment we stepped onto this battlefield, this tournament became a war, and you Duelists became our scapegoats for a far greater purpose!"

"Greater purpose, you say?!" Jean cried, pointing his finger accusingly. "You call involving innocent people into your sick game a greater purpose?!"

"Well, that's what Heilandes would say," Fynn said, smirking. "But to be honest, I could care less about any of this bullshit! Then why exactly am I here, you might ask?" Raising his eyebrows excitedly, Fynn's eyes flashed evilly as he continued. "I'm here for the thrill!"

"What?!" Jean cried, his eyes widening. "Are you insane?!"

"Oh, I'm quite insane!" Fynn replied, veins popping out of his face. "And that's exactly why I can take pleasure out of this war that my teammates can't! No matter how twisted you may think they are, I am without a doubt purely evil, and I could care less what anyone says!"

"Just what is this bastard babbling about?" Jack growled, narrowing his eyes. "He disgusts me!"

"Oh, I can barely contain my excitement!" Fynn cried, waving his hands around like he was at a parade. "There's nothing as thrilling as a good war! The painful expressions on the enemy's face as I bash in their skulls! The near-death pain wrenching in my gut from the enemy's counterattacks! I live for one thing and one thing alone, and that is for the suffering of those around me! After all, I've always been known as the "demon child" back in my home, and that will never change! Not today, nor in the future!"

"You're sick in the head," Jean replied, turning away in disgust. "In other words, you're nothing but a murderer and you enjoy every minute of it, right?"

"Bingo!" Fynn replied, raising his finger. "If you travel the world, you'll learn there are many others like me out there! People like you try to live your life under some false sense of authority and order, but you're merely chaining your animal instincts and painting over our cruel nature!" Laughing, Fynn's eyes stretched even wider as he continued. "What hypocrites! When a man kills another in cold blood, he gets labeled a murderer! But when a man kills for the sake of his country, he's known as a hero! I ask you where we draw the line between right and wrong! Between just and unjust! Between sanity and insanity!"

Gritting his teeth, Jean could only watch in silence as he the two D-Wheelers sped along the Duel track with their Monsters.

"Can't answer, huh?!" Fynn cried, grasping the air with his fingers. "That's what separates us! I say f &* society and order! I live to do what I love, and that's killing! And what I yearn for is a good, bloody war! Yes, even now I can still hear the gunshots and the screams of the weak!"

Closing his eyes, Fynn's memories brought him back to Germany during the civil war, back when he was just in his teens.

---

-Begin Flashback-

-Germany – 30 Years Ago-

---

"Damn you!"

A random soldier screamed out as a teenager whacked the back of his shin with a broken bottle. The kid was Alf Kappler, 15 at the time, surrounded by about six or seven soldiers in a back alley in the ravaged south Germany.

"Damn!" Alf grunted, realizing that his bottle wouldn't be enough to take on so many armed soldiers at once.

"You must be the brat who's been rebelling recently," one of the bald soldiers said with a scoff. "You should have learned your place a long time ago! Now you're going to die like a dog, trash!" Narrowing his eyes, the soldier raised his rifle right to the child's neck. "Any last words?"

Alf gave the soldier a good spit to the face in response, causing the man to stagger backward in surprise. "Y-You damn little street rat!"

"Stand back, Reiner," another soldier with a Mohawk grunted, pushing him to the side. "This scum needs to be dealt with properly for his disrespect to his superiors!" Grinning, the soldier removed a small dagger from his side pocket. Licking the blade, the soldier cocked his head upward with a devilish grin on his face. "I'll be nice and let you decide where I start cutting, kid! But if you don't start soon, I'll start with the fingers and toes!"

"Damn…!" Alf grunted, balling his hands into tight fists. "I can't afford to die here…! I still have something I need to do…!"

"Suit yourself," the soldier said, grabbing Alf's arm. "I'll start with your pinkies! I'll let this pain last for several hours so you can thoroughly enjoy it!"

Another soldier with brown, wavy hair heaved a sigh, shaking his head. "The corruption in this division is disgusting. There's no need to make the kid suffer. Just end it quickly."

"Oh, can it Thomas! You're too worried about the code of honor bullshit!" Licking his lips, the soldier glared down at the struggling teen with lustful eyes. "You should enjoy the hunt more! The citizens of these small run down towns are as good as livestock for our enjoyment!"

Alf closed his eyes as the soldier brought the knife toward his finger. Expecting the pain to start, Alf was shocked when he heard the man in front of him cry out in pain, warm blood splashing over his cheek. Slowly opening his eyes, Alf was shocked to see the soldier bleeding profusely from his neck down by his feet. Standing behind the corpse was a fellow teen with short maroon red hair. The teen was grinning as he held a butcher's knife in his hands that now dripped with blood.

"Wh-What?!" the bald soldier cried, raising his gun. "Who the hell are you?!"

Cocking his head over his shoulder, Fynn's eyes flashed like a rabid dog's. "I'm your death!" With one swift movement, Fynn gave a thrust of his knife into the soldier's chest, spinning around in the process so he was facing the group of soldiers face-to-face. "How can you call yourself a soldier if I can cut through you so easily?!" Fynn cried, licking the blood off his knife before staring up at the remaining group. "So who's next?"

The other soldiers wasted no time in shooting at the teen, who pushed Alf out of the way before dodging the bullets and slashing through their necks effortlessly. As they fell one by one, the final soldier named Thomas stared in shock. "Who-who the hell are you?! Some kind of monster?!"

Grinning ear to ear, Fynn gave a howl as he assaulted the man, who just barely blocked with his own knife in time. "Pretty shabby," Fynn admitted, jumping back onto one foot. "You're better than the others at least."

"W-Wait a minute, boy!" Thomas pleaded, waving his hands around. "There's no need for us to try to kill each other! The other members of this troupe were merciless trash who got off on killing defenseless civilians! I'm different! I'm simply following orders so we can end this war as quickly as possible!"

Fynn stopped suddenly, letting his hand drop by his side. Feeling relieved, Thomas lowered his gun, raising his arm cautiously. "You two can run on ahead," Thomas said, flashing the boys a warm smile. "I'll just pretend I never saw you. Okay?"

Thomas' smile twisted in pain suddenly blood dripping down his lip. Shocked, Thomas glanced down to see the butcher knife plunged right through his chest. "Wh-Why?"

His grin returning, Fynn started laughing like a lunatic. "Unfortunately for you, I enjoy killing even more than your friends! Now you can join them in Hell!" Fynn carved through the soldier's knife like a hunk of meat before bringing it back, licking the blood off. Thomas fell dead instantly, his eyes blank.

After several minutes of silence, Fynn turned back toward Alf with murderous eyes. Fynn was slightly disappointed to see that Alf was barely shaken up at all despite the fact that he was the one holding the knife. "You seem like a tough one," Fynn finally said, sliding his knife into his side pouch. "It's no fun when my victims don't squirm."

A sudden smirk came to Alf's face as he eyed the stranger up and down. "I know you. You're the one they call the demon child, aren't you? I've heard rumors about a deranged kid who'd been on a killing spree for a long time now." His smirk widening, Alf rubbed his hand under his chin as he spoke. "Of course, that was before the war even started. In fact, my father was pretty shaken up by you. He was a ruthless murderer, so consider that a compliment."

"Really" Fynn said with a scoff, giving a sarcastic bow. "That's me, in the flesh! Such an honor to meet you, kid!"

"You've committed some awful sins despite only being a kid," Alf continued, his smile still intact. "Sins most people never commit in their entire lives. Don't you have any sense of remorse?"

Fynn gave another laugh before taking a step closer. "Thanks for the flattery! I'm pleased to hear I've been making such a name for myself!" Grin widening, Fynn placed his hand over Alf's neck lightly, eyeing the teen in the eyes. "I already decided a long time ago that I'd live doing what I love to do! I love killing, so I'll kill! It's no different than hunters killing for sport!"

As Fynn started wrapping his finger's around Alf's neck, the teen never once flinched. In fact, his smirk only widened. "You've got some twisted logic there. Do you think you're above the law just because you're stronger than everyone? Above human morals?"

"Law?! Morals?!" Fynn repeated mockingly, squeezing harder. "What the hell's that?! You talk such garbage in the middle of a warzone?! Don't make me laugh!"

Though obviously loosing air, Alf had enough strength to grasp Fynn's arm tightly, making the younger teen flinch. "And what now?" Alf spoke, his voice somewhat strained. "Are you going to kill me for your so called sport? You may not realize it yet, but you'll only feel empty. Even if it's not for another 50 years, assuming you survive this war, you'll realize one day that you're an empty shell wandering through life through sadistic pleasure and without purpose." Narrowing his eyes, Alf continued. "I've seen what happens to those who spend their lives killing. At this rate, you'll end up the same as them."

Laughing, Fynn released Alf and pulled his arm from his grasp. "I kinda like you! You've got a big pair to talk so arrogantly to someone holding a knife." To back up his words, Fynn unsheathed the knife once again, pointing the blade toward him. "I'll say it once more! There is no law here! That fact that this is a warzone gives me a free license to kill as I see fit! I could end your miserable life right here if I so please. Don't think that bottle you're holding will be enough to fend me off! You saw what good those guns the other soldiers were holding did."

Catching his breath, Alf gave a light chuckle as he let the bottle fall from his hand. "You could, but I don't think you will."

"Oh?" Fynn said, his eyes flashing. "And why's that? Do you think I have some sympathy for you because you're living in this same Hell? As you said yourself, I've been killing the people of this dump for years!"

"You won't kill me because I can offer you the one thing you don't have," Alf said, his smile fading as he raised his hand out in front of him.

Laughing, Fynn tilted back his head arrogantly while pointing the knife. "What can you possibly offer a killer like me that I can't get from butchering you like a pig?!"

In response, a determined smile came to Alf's lips as he extended his palm. "Fulfillment."

"What…?" Fynn's grin faded, an irritated look coming to his face. "What bullshit are you muttering?!"

"As I said just a minute ago," Alf continued, "killers like you wander through life with no drive or feelings. But even a demon like you must have some desire buried deep inside of you for fulfillment. There isn't a single person on this planet that doesn't desire something. Everyone needs a purpose in their life, you know."

Fynn hesitated suddenly, feeling something strange coming from the boy. "What are you saying?"

"Even a murderer like you may have some purpose for humanity," Alf continued, his eyes catching a glimpse of sunlight shining through the smoky sky. "I ask you… Won't you offer yourself to a greater purpose? Something greater than yourself or your petty urges? Something to fill the emptiness of your black heart?" Alf extended his hand toward Fynn, who flashed his teeth in irritation.

"Don't mock me!" Fynn shouted, bringing the blade against the teen's arm. Though not deep, the blade cut into his flesh, drawing blood.

Hardly flinching, Alf retained his stance. "I'm planning to gather the survivors of this Hell together to form an army. If you come along with me, you'll be able to put your murder to good use for humanity. Consider this a life-time license to kill, if everything goes my way. Surely you'd enjoy that, right? A world where you can kill freely while actually fulfilling some form of purpose in your miserable life. What do you say?"

After hesitating for a moment, Fynn sheathed the knife and took Alf's hand. "Fine! This sounds pretty interesting! I'll play your little game for a while! The name's Fynn Hartmann!"

Smirking, Alf returned the gesture. "I'm Alf Kappler. I'm counting on you, Fynn. You're the first member of my new army. With your skills, we'll be able to drive this army to their knees and take back our country."

"Fine," Fynn said, turning his back. "But keep one thing in mind. Even if I play your little game, the fact that I'm a heartless murder will never change. I'm not sure if I'll ever find this fulfillment you speak of, but I'll offer you a warning out of courtesy." Frowning, Fynn turned back to face Alf with hardened eyes. "There's a very good chance that I'll betray you some day. I suggest you always watch your back, even when you're sleeping. Keep that in mind."

Smirking, Kappler nodded. "I will. But I don't think you will."

With that, Fynn joined Kappler on his search for surviving members. Though many children had been killed along with their parents, Kappler managed to gather a small handful. After gathering five survivors, Kappler and Fynn ran across Etzel and Anselm a week later where they saved the two from another soldier.

"Now welcome to your new family, Etzel, Anselm."

Later that night, Etzel and Anselm followed Fynn and Alf to their hidden base inside an old abandoned building. Seeing the other five children for the first time, Etzel took notice of them one by one.

The first child had curly, messy hair and pale skin. He would later go on to take on the codename Evilz within the Urteil organization.

The second child had a similar hairstyle, though his hair was darker in color. He was an American foreigner who had moved to Germany with his parents only to get caught up in the war. He was very thin in comparison to the other children, suggesting that he had trouble finding food even before the war began. His name was Riley, another boy that would become part of Urteil.

The third and fourth boys were twin brothers, one with orange hair and the other with brown hair, who were named Vester and Fester.

The final boy was a blue-haired lad with deep blue eyes who would later go on to take the codename Aqua within the organization. Etzel and Anselm made the sixth and seven members to join, excluding Fynn and Kappler himself.

The war continued for another three months, during which time Alf's group rebelled against soldiers, looted their equipment, and stole food and water for survival. During that time, another survivor named Absalom joined the group as well, this kid a bit chubbier from the rest and a foreigner from the Middle East.

"We've gathered a good amount of members over these past few months," Alf said one day as the core members gathered inside their hideout. "We've been able to persevere despite these horrible circumstances. For that, all of you should be proud. Despite me and Fynn being in our teens and the rest of you being even younger, we've been able to fend off the soldiers of this war. And that's why I've decided to label us as an official organization from here on out."

"Organization?" Etzel repeated, blinking. "What do you mean by that?"

"It's been my goal from the very beginning," Kappler explained, walking over to an old chalkboard. "Not just an army, but a group of people working together to change the future of the world who share the same goals." Kappler started to draw on the board as he spoke, making a chart of all their names. "We will be the army that casts judgment on Germany…no, the world, in due time. Thus, we will be called Urteil."

The members watched silently as Kappler explained all this, Fynn scoffing silently to himself.

"In order to achieve this goal," Kappler said with a raise of his finger, "we will need to build our organization up to the point where we can influence entire countries from the shadows. It will take considerable time and money, and all of you will need to be willing to sacrifice years of your life in the process. We will need to recruit many more members from all over the world in order to obtain a global influence."

"And where exactly do you plan on getting that kind of money?" the blue-haired child asked cautiously.

"Money won't be a problem," Kappler said with a smirk. "I told you guys my last name, didn't I? At least one of you has to be familiar with the Kappler family."

"Ah, I knew that name sounded familiar," Etzel said, rubbing his hand over his chin. "So you're the son of Thorsten Kappler, the famous general?"

"Correct," Kappler said, placing his hand on his hip. "Of course I mourn the death of my parents, but I plan to make use of the Kappler family's wealth once we end this war. I should be able to claim the fortune and use the vast wealth to fund the Urteil organization. However, it will take a lot more money to pull off what I have in mind, and we'll need to raise that money in the future. But for now, I'll start with assigning all of you ranks."

"Ranks?" Fynn asked, shrugging his shoulders with a chuckle. "What is this? Some kind of after school club?"

"I'm surprised you'd say that, Fynn," Kappler said, pointing toward him. "Since I've made you the Commander General."

"Wh-What?" Fynn blinked, one of the few times he was caught off guard. "Why would you?"

"Wait, Alf!" Etzel protested with a raise of his hand. "This guy can't be trusted! He's too dangerous to put in charge!"

"Fynn has directed his malice toward our enemies," Kappler explained, taking notes on the chalkboard. "He's also older than the rest of you and is a pretty good leader despite his murderous habits. Etzel, can you successfully lead such a large organization when we grow it to the proportions I explained earlier?"

"Well, I…" Etzel started, finding it hard to answer suddenly. "Even so, we never know when this guy will turn on us!"

"They say it's best to keep your enemies closer than your allies," Kappler explained, tapping the chalk against the chalkboard as he spoke. "Etzel, I was thinking of making you the assistant General Commander since you're quite bright for your age."

"Wh-What?!" Etzel cried, his eyes widening. "That would mean working for this lunatic! There's no way I could do that!"

As Etzel waved his finger toward where Fynn stood in the corner of the room, Fynn let out a light chuckle. "The weakling's gotten quite the pair of balls in only a few months, hasn't he?" Grinning, Fynn removed a knife from his side pouch. "Care to settle this dispute with a fight to the death? Since you think you're so mature, and all."

"Wh-What?" Etzel found himself shaking when he tried to put up a tough front. "I-"

Before Etzel could finish, a familiar voice interrupted.

"So this is where you kids have been hanging out, huh?"

Everyone turned toward the open doorway as Jophiel Omniel entered wearing a black and white suit and a black top hot.

"You again?" Fynn asked, scoffing in disgust. "Why do you keep showing up?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Jophiel mocked with a wave of his finger. "You should have more respect for your elders, kid." Turning to Kappler, Jophiel gave a light smirk. "You should really get a leash for that puppy, Alf."

"What did you say?!" Fynn cried, dashing toward the Psychic with his knife. Effortlessly dodging, Jophiel skipped over to where Alf was in the front of the room. Unable to stop in time, Fynn's arm went straight through a nearby window.

"I overheard your little plan," Jophiel said to Kappler as he leaned against the front table. "So you're going to raise an army capable of conquering the world, huh? What a childish dream." Smirk widening, Jophiel removed his top hat and started playing with it in his hand. "Do you honestly think a bunch of kids like you can win against my father's army? You've barely survived up until now. It'll be suicide."

Returning the smirk, Kappler replied, "I'm more than confident we can win. Thanks to a certain demon we've acquired…" Jophiel followed his eyes toward Fynn, who was yanking his arm out of the broken glass. "A murderer who slays without purpose is nothing more than a senseless killer. But with purpose, he becomes a valuable asset of war."

"I see," Jophiel said with a grin, leaning his chin against his hand. "Fight fire with fire, is that it? As always, you found ways to keep me amused, Alf. I look forward to seeing where this goes. Can a bunch of street rats really kill the army my father spent millions into raising? That would truly be an incredible feat!"

"It will happen," Kappler replied, a gleam flashing in his eyes. "Just you watch, Jophiel. Bear witness to the rise of Urteil, the organization that will change the world anew. We start our first mission tonight."

Jophiel watched Kappler's determined eyes carefully, a grin stretching across his face.

---

-Later That Night-

---

Screams echoed across the demolished city two hours after the sun set that night. Several soldiers met their end by a surprise sniper assault coming from the newly found Urteil organization.

"What the?!" one soldier cried before a bullet pierced his skull.

"What the hell is going on?!" another screamed.

Atop a nearby building, Etzel held a bazooka in his hand as he aimed down toward the panicking soldiers. "I'll show Alf that I can be useful too…!" Struggling with the weight of the weapon, Etzel unleashed a massive explosion that passed right through half the group below as well as the nearby buildings. The recoil of the weapon shattered Etzel's arm in the process, who fell to his knees crying in pain.

"Someone's attacking!" a surviving soldier cried, jumping over the blown away body of his fellow soldier. "Is it another country?!"

"No!" Kappler's voice reached the soldier, who followed it onto another nearby roof. "We're taking back our country! Remember my name well! I am Alf Kappler of the Kappler Family!" Pointing his finger down at the bloodied soldiers, Kappler continued in a booming voice. "We hereby declare war against all of you! My Urteil organization will cast judgment on every last one of you!"

"Wh-What?!" The soldier barked, raising his rifle. "You're just a snot-nosed brat! Don't get full of yourselves just because you stole a few weapons! The likes of you-"

Before the soldier could finish, a knife lodged right into the back of his skull. Eyes rolling back, the soldier sunk to the ground like a stone.

Laughing, Fynn emerged from the flames as if he was the devil himself, a grin stretched beyond human proportions. Bloodied and half burnt from the flames, Fynn seemed immune to the pain as if he were in a trance.

Laughing, Kappler gave a wave of his arm as he watched the scene from above. "Say that again if you can survive the Hell my demon has trapped you in!"

"Wh-What the hell are you?!" another soldier asked before Fynn bashed his face in with his elbow. Stepping on the man's neck, Fynn reached down to yank his knife out of the previous soldier's head. Before any of the other soldiers could react, Fynn began slicing through them in a frenzied state, blood splattering all over him and the pavement below.

"D-Damn!" a dark-skinned soldier cried, raising a gun. "Stay back! If you don't, I'll shoot you through the heart!"

Naturally, Fynn ignored the command and ran straight for him. The soldier complied with his warning, but his shaking hand caused the bullet to nail his shoulder instead. "D-Damn! I missed?! There's no way! I'm facing a kid! There's no way I could possibly be scared!"

Two other soldiers shot Fynn from behind, but he ignored the pain and kept dashing forward, slicing his dagger straight through their bodies like they were made out of paper.

"M-Monster!" Another soldier cried, tossing a grenade. Using his hand to knock the grenade back, Fynn gave a devilish cackle.

"That's right! I'm a monster! A demon! Now drop dead!"

Fynn jumped out of the way just in time as the grenade exploded, taking the soldier responsible and several others with him down.

The night continued as such, blood spilling and screams piercing the once quiet streets of south Germany. After four long hours of fighting, the smoke settled with Fynn sprawled out on the ground covered in blood and panting heavily. Joining him, Alf and the rest of his men, including Etzel who dragged his broken arm, gathered around the dead bodies of the soldiers.

"We've done it," Kappler said with a grin. "There may still be a few soldiers left, but there has to be at least 70 bodies here. There's no way they'd have more than 100 soldiers gathered in such a small town. By the time word reaches the other troops, we'll have already booby-trapped this entire area." Grinning, Kappler raised his fist toward the smoke-filled night sky and declared their victory. "Today marks the beginning of a new era and the birth of Urteil, the group that will cast judgment over all of humanity!"

Glancing over his small army, Kappler wiped the blood off his lip as he continued. "All we need to do now is take the head of the Omniel Family and hang it on a flag for his whole army to see. That will greatly reduce their morale and weaken their troops.

"There's no need for that."

Kappler and his group glanced over at a nearby roof, where Jophiel stood silently with his hair covering his face.

"What did you say, Jophiel?" Kappler asked, glancing up at him as he raised his hand.

Kappler was a bit surprised when the wind blew Jophiel's hair off his face, revealing a slight bruise across his flesh and a trickle of dried blood under his lip. "I said there's no need for you to take my father's head. You see, both my parents are now dead."

"What did you say?!" Kappler's eyes widened a bit, caught off guard. "Who did it?!"

Grinning, Jophiel remained silent as an eerie wind blew over the group. Narrowing his eyes and focusing, Kappler noticed blood dripping down one of Jophiel's hands by his side. "Jophiel, what in the world happened?!"

"So you call yourselves Urteil, huh?" Jophiel asked, ignoring the question. "Very interesting. You see, I'm looking to raise an army of a different kind." Lifting his head a bit, Jophiel continued. "I have no intention of joining your little group, but if you behave yourselves, we may be able to help each other out. What do you say? After all, you'll fall to shambles if you rely on that vicious puppy down there for too long," the Psychic said, pointing his bloodied finger down to where Fynn was still laying.

Fynn growled in response, too tired to fight him on the matter at the moment.

Narrowing his eyes, Kappler merely scoffed. "Fine. Why don't you come down here so we can discuss this in further detail?"

---

-End Flashback-

---

In the present, Fynn cackled like a maniac as he rode ahead of Jean on the Duel Dome's track. "I love for nothing other than taking the lives of others! Whether it's a man, a woman, or a child, it makes no difference to me!" Raising his finger to point toward Jean, Fynn said with a grin, "You, the man standing before me right now, are no exception!"

Jean flashed his teeth, not sure how to respond to the ramblings of a madman.

Eyes filling with veins, Fynn gave a fierce swipe from his deck. "My turn! DRAW!"

[SC: Unicorn 7 / Judgment 9]

[Fynn's LP: 1700]

"The Duel ends this turn!" Fynn declared, striking a panicked reaction from Jean. "I activate the Spell, Guts of Steel, from my hand! This card lets me pick three Scrap Monsters from my Graveyard. The opponent then chooses one of those cards and I can Special Summon that Monster to either side of the field!"

The three cards that manifested on the field were Scrap Breaker, Scrap Beast, and Scrap Chimera. "Now choose one!" Fynn cried.

Jean took a moment to decide before pointing his finger toward his target. "I choose Scrap Chimera!"

"Okay!" Fynn said with a snap of his fingers. "Then I Special Summon Scrap Chimera in Attack Position!"

[Scrap Chimera: LV4/1700/500]

"I then release Scrap Chimera to Advance Summon Scrap Golem in Attack Position!" The beast hybrid scrap of heap was replaced by a far larger creature that looked suspiciously like a mega refrigerator.

[Scrap Golem: LV5/2300/1400] [Attack Position]

"Then," Fynn continued, taking another card out of his hand, "I equip Scrap Golem with the Equip Spell, Urteil der Kavallerie – Judgment of the Cavalry!" Jean watched cautiously as a white glow surrounded the Scrap Monster.

Licking his lips, Fynn extended his pointer finger toward Jean's field. "I'm going to strip you of your army! I told you before that no one ever lives to tell the tale when they fight me head-on, and I meant it! It's time to show you just what I mean by that! I activate the effect of Scrap Golem! It lets me Special Summon one Level Four or lower Scrap Monster from my Graveyard to my opponent's side of the field!"

"What?!" Jean cried, his eyes widening. "What are you trying to do?!"

"I Special Summon Scrap Searcher to your field!" Jean gasped as the glowing ball of junk manifested beside his Ultimate Unicorn.

[Scrap Searcher: LV1/100/300] [Defense Position]

"Why'd he just give his opponent another Monster?!" Rua cried from his seat. "Has he gone mad?!"

"No, wait!" Yusei cried, suddenly going pale. "That Monster is…!"

"Experience the despair of losing everything!" Fynn screamed, whipping his arm forward. "I activate Scrap Searcher's Monster Effect! When it's Special Summoned, every non-Scrap Monster on its controller's field is destroyed!"

"Wh-What?!" Jean started to sweat as his opponent's words hit him. "So that was your plan?!"

"Yes!" Fynn cried, snapping his two fingers. "Now your entire army explodes!"

Jean let out a scream as his Ultimate Unicorn, Delta Flyer, and Trident Warrior exploded in a series of eruptions, the blast knocking Jean a good distance across the track.

Gritting his teeth hard, Jean lunged forward in his seat to press his Duel Disk. "Trap, activate! Chain Whirlwind!" As the card flipped up on Jean's field, a sudden gust of wind blew across Fynn's field. "When a card is destroyed on my field, this card can destroy up to two face-down cards on the field!"

"Naïve!" Fynn cried, his eyes stretching as he gave a thrust of his arm. "I chain my Trap, Royal Decree! This negates all other face-up Trap Cards on the field! Your Chain Whirlwind is as good as useless!"

The gust of wind subsided as the card shattered, unable to activate its effect. In addition to that, Forbidden Zone on the field froze over as well, removing the grey layer that had been casted over the entire stadium and allowing the sunlight to shine through fully once again.

"Damn," Jean muttered, realizing that all of his remaining Trap Cards were now useless. "Even so, you were foolish enough to place Scrap Searcher in Defense Position on my field! Even if you attack, you won't be able to defeat me this turn!"

Fynn gave a hard laugh before pointing his finger toward Jean's field. "Do you feel safe just because I gave you a weak defense?! I did that so you could fully enjoy the terror of having your last ray of hope snatched away from you!"

"What?! What are you talking about?!" Jean asked, visibly shaken up.

"Did you forget that the Equip Spell, Judgment of the Cavalry, was already active on the field?!"

Jean growled, realizing it was true. He had activated the Equip Spell before Forbidden Zone was negated by Royal Decree, meaning its effect was already active on the field and that Fynn wouldn't have to pay 2000 of his Life to use the effect.

"Time to die!" Fynn cried, laughing it up. "The Monster equipped with the Equip Spell, Urteil der Kavallerie – Judgment of the Cavalry, can skip the normal Battle Phase and attack my opponent directly instead!"

Laughing, Fynn whipped both his arms forward. "Go, Scrap Golem! Bypass Scrap Searcher and give him the finishing blow!"

Jean realized in that instant that it was over for him since he couldn't activate any of his Traps. Closing his eyes, the large scrap Monster gave him a hard bash to the chest, sending him flying through the air and skidding across the dirt track like he were a stone on water.

[Jean's LP: 2200 - 0]

[Unicorn's 7 - 0]

Cackling uncontrollably, Fynn drove off the field, leaving the beaten and bloody Jean behind. "Anyone who dares to oppose Urteil will meet the same fate! Learn this well, Duelists!"

As Fynn pulled into the driveway of Team Judgment pit booth's driveway, the remaining Urteil members rose quietly from their seats.

"Let's go," Jafar said quietly, closing his eyes. "There's no longer any reason for us to stay here."

Grinning, Etzel gave a laugh of his own. "Heilandes will be pleased when he hears of our success. We've successfully made up for our earlier defeat!"

"Jean!" Yusei cried, running out onto the track. The rest of Team 5D's, including Crow, joined him as they dashed over to Jean's bloodied body.

"Jean! Hang in there!" Crow cried, leaning by his side. "Someone get an ambulance over here right away!"

"Yusei…!" Jean muttered, coughing blood as he reached his hand out. "You were right, but we were too stubborn…! Even so, I have no regrets…! I know Breo and the others feel the same way…!"

"Don't talk, you idiot!" Jack screamed, his fist shaking angrily. "You'll only hasten the bleeding!"

Aki turned toward the crow, still filled with intense cheering as if they were watching a show. "How cruel… How can they cheer like that after so many people suffered like this?"

"Dammit!" Rua cried, tears coming to his eyes. "Team Winged Pegasus…! Team Unicorn…! They're all great people! Why did Urteil have to do this to them?! What did they ever do to them?!"

Ruka, tears forming as well, sank to her knees in shock. "Urteil…! These are the people we're facing…! How can anyone be so cruel…?!" Ruka stared down at her shaking hands, her eyes darkening. "Can we even defeat them and their EXPAIN System?"

Jean, still coughing, looked every member in the eyes as he forced a smile. "Team 5D's… I have no doubt that you guys can do it…! Defeat Urteil and put an end…to their madness…!" Giving a thumbs up, Jean finally fell unconscious as his arm fell to the ground.

Growling fiercely, Yusei turned around and whipped his arm toward his enemies. "Urteil! I won't forgive any of you for what you've done today! I swear on my life that we will defeat you, no matter what it takes!"

Eyes stretching madly, Fynn turned to meet Yusei's gaze with a sharp cackle. "The same applies to us, Yusei Fudo! You need to win this tournament and meet us in the Finals! We'll crush you and your friends utterly and show them a world of pain far beyond your wildest imagination!"

Joining in, Etzel pointed his finger at the group with a wide grin on his face. "Listen, Team 5D's! This tournament is merely the prelude to a far greater war! Even if, by some miracle, you manage to defeat us in this tournament, a far greater Hell awaits you!"

Anton, carrying an unconscious Leah in his arms, narrowed his eyes as he met Aki's gaze. "This tournament will also be a chance for us to settle things once and for all as fellow Psychic Duelists," he told her, his gaze hard and serious. "Prepare yourself, Aki Izayoi." His gaze shifted over to Ruka, who met his eyes through her tears. Anton thought to himself that the power dwelling inside Ruka's body was yet to pose any serious threat, so she wasn't worth thinking about.

"As you can see," Jafar said, crossing his arms, "this tournament is a crossroads for multiple destined fights. As a user of Dark Synchro Monsters, I will also be settling the score with you Signers who defeated the Dark Signers once and for all. I'm with Urteil for that purpose alone!"

"It makes little difference how you struggle," Murdock said with a laugh. "Either way, none of you will be leaving this tournament alive! And once you've died," the mad scientist said with a point of his finger, "I'll dissect your corpses to learn more about the power of the Crimson Dragon! That is an experiment that will be quite thrilling!"

Jonas chimed in, clapping his hands excitedly. "This should be fun! Which of you losers gets to be the victim of my Exodia?! Come right up!"

Anselm said nothing, keeping his head lowered as the others got their words in.

"Screw all of you!" Jack cried, clenching his fist. "You've committed an unimaginable sin and tarnished the Duelist's pride right before Jack Atlas' very eyes! For that, he will punish you all with the crimson fires of Hell!"

"So be it!" Murdock said with a laugh. "Let us meet on the battlefield once again!"

"Whatever you do," Fynn said with a grin, "don't let yourselves get killed by anyone else! I'm going to be the one to kill you! Not Yukio! Not Divine! Not Jophiel!" Eyes flashing with bloodlust, Fynn gave a lick of his lips. "I'm the only one who gets to have that pleasure!"

Giving one last glance, the eight present members left Team 5D's and returned to their pit booths.

Yusei let one final cry out, punching the ground with his fist.

After a few more moments of waiting, Jean was carried away via stretcher, joining most of Team Unicorn, Team Winged Pegasus, and Team Rampage in the nearby hospital. After hesitating, the Master of Ceremonies finally spoke over the intercom.

"Th-That ends the first day of the Riding World Future! Out of 16 teams, 8 have been eliminated and 8 have advanced! Join us together tomorrow at the same time as the remaining 8 teams clash to see who enters the Semi-Finals!"

As MC turned off his microphone, he turned to see his son, the Master of Parties, shaking like a twig in his seat.

"Father, what in the world is going on out there?! Is it really okay for us to continue broadcasting as if nothing's wrong?!"

Sighing, the MC placed his hand on his son's shoulders and looked into his eyes seriously. "Listen, my son. I have been through many horrible situations during my time as a commentator. When my life was on the line, no matter how wrong it may have seemed to ignore the chaos around me, I remained faithful to my role as the commentator to report history! During the W.R.G.P., I risked my life to bring news to those in need, and I will continue to do the same. If you want to back out now, that is fine! But you must be prepared to risk your life alongside me! As commentators, we must see history through until the end, no matter what the outcome!"

In the owner's box, Hayato closed his eyes in sorrow as he silently apologized to the many Duelists affected by Urteil. "I'm going to check on my team and reorganize everyone," Hayato said silently, walking toward his door. "Mr. Kaiba, can I count on you to close up in here?"

"Yes," Seto replied softly, narrowing his eyes. "But Maeda, keep this in mind. No matter what happens, if you call yourself the leader of Project A.D.'s, it's your responsibility to see this through until the end. Naturally, Mokuba and I will be here right alongside you as well. I won't stop until I see these people exposes for the frauds they are!"

"I know," Hayato replied softly before closing the door behind him. "But," he said to himself outside in the hallway, "no matter what happens, Urteil won't get away with this…!"

Watching everything unfold below, the members of the United Nation rose from their seats when the tournament was announced as finished for the day. One of the members named Bu Jinta, the Chinese ambassador, turned toward his fellow men. "Now, gentlemen, I think it is time for us to discuss whether we need to have this tournament canceled or not."

The grey haired representative of Italy, Siliva Capucine, nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It has become very clear during these Duels that there is a very dangerous threat among Team Royalty and Team Judgment."

"I concur," Steven Harp, the blonde-haired representative of Canada nodded. "We aren't as naïve as Mayor Yeager believes us to be."

"That aside," Felix Gomez from Mexico said, curling his mustache with his finger, "it is most repulsive that the audience continues to cheer away like that despite the obvious danger present."

As the group watched the audience exiting the stadium, a few audience members were actually a bit more intelligent than the others. "What's going on with all the equipment malfunctions today?" one guy asked, scratching his head. "I've never seen so many consecutive crashes.

"No one really seems to give a damn," the guy sitting beside him said, pointing to the cheering people behind him. "They paid good money to come here, and as far as they're concerned, this is all a part of the show. They don't seem to worry about the injured Duelists at all. It's no different than a baseball player taking a hit in a baseball stadium."

Not far from the two men, a young boy and girl were talking to their parents excitedly about what they just witnessed. "The special effects are so cool here!" the young girl said clapping her hands.

"Yeah!" the little boy added, grinning. "It's kinda like a horror movie or something!"

"Y-Yes," the mother replied nervously, giving a concerned glance to the husband, who shrugged.

"Maybe a bit too graphic?" the mother asked out loud, receiving a nod from the father. "And why do you kids know about horror movies anyway?!"

Back with the United Nations, the men and women were shaking their heads as they watched the audience. "What you are seeing is the dark nature of humanity," Dimitris Medve, representative of Russia, said quietly.

"Indeed," Jalal Igaram from the Middle East nodded solemnly. "You could say that this very darkness is what helped breed people like Urteil. It is such a sad story."

"Hmph!" scoffed Ron Ripper from Australia. "If you ask me, parents just aren't teaching kids properly these days."

Thawt Mbeki from the African Republic had a different idea, which he freely shared. "I vote that we let the tournament continue as is. Why should we waste thousands of citizens' money and the investment via media just because of a few accidents?"

"I concur," agreed the South Korean leader, Lee Myung. "If you think about it from another angle, we keep troublemakers like Urteil confined within this stadium where we can keep a close eye on them and act if necessary."

"I concur as well," added Egyptian president Muhammad Ishtar. "I would much rather have the Duelists fight amongst each other to settle whatever dispute they have rather than drag innocent people into it."

"Still," Derrick Obama from America continued with a wave of his hand, "that Psychic Duelist was a real issue and nearly did attack the civilians. We should think this through more thoroughly."

Angela Schroeder from Germany started walking away from the group, a serious expression on her face. "I need to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible…"

Back down below, the remaining Duelists watched on gravely as Jean was carried away, anticipating the remainder of the tournament.

"This tournament will be far more dangerous than we ever imagined," Tatsuya said, narrowing his eyes. "I hope you guys are ready, because I have no intention of allowing us to surrender without a fight.

"Of course not," Haizuru said with a smirk. "If anything, this makes things more exciting. My Harpie Ladies barely got to stretch their wings during our first Duel today."

"At least you got to Duel," Justin said, closing his eyes. "You better give me a chance tomorrow, guys."

"The same goes to me!" Moki cried, shaking his fists. "Why did you guys get to steal all the attention?!"

"Um," Hikari said with a light raise of her hand, "maybe you guys should be a bit more wary of the danger…"

Over in the Team New Generation booth, Keith and Shaun rose from their chairs. "Let's get outta here, you guys," Keith said, taking his sunglasses off. "I think we've seen enough Hell for one day."

"Hardly," Hell-Eyes Shaun said with a smirk. "I do feel bad for the losers who got injured, but I have no intention of going easy on anyone I face, no matter who they are."

"Naturally, I feel the same," Keith said with a laugh.

Team Ragnarok watched Team Royalty and Team Judgment carefully from their corner as they gathered their belongings. "It seems our predictions were right," Harald said, his Rune Eye flashing brightly. "The chances of us facing one of them will greatly increase now that we're down to eight teams. I suggest you prepare yourselves," he said, receiving a nod from his teammates.

Toward the very front of the bleachers sat Kiryu and Bommer, both of whom were lost in their own thoughts as the reflected on the current state of the tournament. Not far from where Kiryu was sitting was Team Taiyou, who had been left appropriately spooked by the whole ordeal and were sitting with their heads down.

"So, what do you think?" Bommer finally asked Kiryu after a long period of silence.

Kiryu turned his head just enough to shoot the muscular man a glare. "That should be obvious. If it becomes necessary, I plan to join in on the fight. I'm assuming that you feel the same?"

"Of course," Bommer replied with a smirk. "But I wouldn't count any of these teams out just yet. They've displayed enough skill. I think they have a fairly good chance against Urteil."

"I sure hope they can," Kiryu replied softly, glancing down at his shaking hand. "Because I can't guarantee what will happen if I cut loose against these guys…!"

---

BREAK

---

Toward the very back of the stadium, Mark Cooper from Urteil had his arms folded tightly as he watched the scenes unfold from afar. "Things seem to be wrapping up nicely," he muttered, giving a shrug of his shoulders. "I guess I should head back."

Just as Mark was about to leave, he caught something in the distance that struck an immediate reaction. "What?! What's she doing here?!" Mark was staring at a mysterious masked woman walking along the edge of the bleachers far across the field. Her mask was a bright hot pink in color and she wore a mantle.

The woman turned around suddenly when she heard Mark calling out to her.

"Vacia! Why are you here?! You know what Mr. Fred said!"

In response, the masked woman gave a shrug. "Why are you so worked up?!" she asked in a bubbly tone, her voice high pitched and excited.

Mark paused for a moment, caught off guard by the woman's cheery tone. This was certainly not something he expected from her when she was usually so serious looking underneath that mask of hers…

"Wh-Why do you think I'm so worked up?!" Mark finally snapped, waving his arms up and down. "I'm worked up because of you, idiot!"

"Hmm?" Vacia replied in a ditzy tone with a twirl of her finger. "Well, that's very flattering, but you already know that I'm spoken for," she replied mockingly with a wave of her arm. "That, and I find the whole men wearing makeup thing to be a pretty big turnoff.

"That is not what I meant!" Mark grunted, an angry vein flashing above his eye. "Mr. Fred clearly told you not to show yourself at the stadium! It'll only cause suspicion! And besides, like hell I'd ever want to date someone like you! I don't even know how that guy puts up with you!"

"What's the big idea?" Vacia groaned, cleaning her ear with her thumb. "It's not like I'm hurting anything, and those Urteil members already finished their job up." Letting her hand drop, Vacia suddenly let out a loud squeal.

"Wh-What the hell's your problem?!" Mark jumped, eyes widening.

"Oh, crap!" Vacia screamed, clasping her hands against her masked face. "I totally forgot! You! What time is it right now?!" Vacia pointed a finger directly at Mark's pointy nose.

Sweating, mark slowly rose his watch hand to glance at the time. "It's just turning 5:30 now. Why…?"

"Oh, shit!" Vacia screamed in an Engrish accent. "How could I be so stupid?! That event already happened, so he shouldn't be here anymore!"

"He?" Mark repeated with a cock of his head.

"That's right!" Vacia said, once again pointing her finger in the man's white pasty face. "I'm leaving for a while! I didn't come here to chitchat with some death metal wannabe! I just want to see him!"

Sighing, Mark pushed the masked woman's hand away as he ran his other hand through his smooth black hair. "You know you can't see him yet. It's too early. It'll only make things way more complicated."

"But, but…! But I want to!" Vacia moaned in a way that seemed like a child being told she couldn't have a toy she wanted. Mark clicked his tongue angrily as the woman started up one of her usual tantrums, stomping her feet up and down and shaking her fists stubbornly.

"I already told you that you can't!" Mark groaned, stomping his foot in reply. "How many times must I tell you?!"

The masked woman's childish like behavior came to a sudden halt, catching Mark off guard. Vacia suddenly went quiet for a moment, shifting her had slightly as she glanced toward him. Though her pink mask remained on her face, Mark could suddenly feel her eyes passing through the thick material and burning into his own.

"Don't interfere," Vacia grunted, her voice as cold as ice. Her sudden change in demeanor sent a chill running up Mark's spine, and he realized that he had better not mess with this woman.

"F-Fine," Mark grunted, shaking his head. "This is why I hate babysitting you." With a wave of his hand, Mark turned his back and began walking away to create some safe distance between the two. "Have it your way! Mr. Fred can tell you himself! Just wait a few minutes!"

As Vacia folded her arms stubbornly with a scoff, Mark called his boss when he had a safe distance between him and the masked woman.

"Hello?" Mr. Fred answered, his voice rather calm and collected.

"It's me, Mark," the Urteil agent replied. "I'm here at the stadium like you told me, but that woman suddenly showed up and she won't do what she's told."

Mark heard Fred sighing over the phone. "I can see through my other self's eyes. He's currently standing atop the stadium. But as you know, I can't let my other selves find out about Vacia or you for the matter. I can't transfer this information to any of my other selves, so you're going to have to convince her to come see me down in the abandoned Urteil hideout below the stadium. That is where I currently am."

Sighing, Mark smacked his hand against his forehead. "That's easier said than done, you know. This one's a real troublemaker."

As Vacia waited for Mark to finish her call, she noticed the other members of Urteil passing by as they headed toward the stadium's front entrance.

"Did you see how scared they were when I told them that?!" Jonas barked, laughing like a hyena. "Yusei Fudo practically pissed his pants! Man, Team 5D's are a bunch of chumps!"

"Hmph," Jafar scoffed, shaking his head in disgust. "You sure are cocky for someone who lost his Duel. Are you sure you can afford to act like that?"

"Please!" Jonas said with a laugh. "That was just a fluke! Just you watch! I'm way better than that loser Yukio Kyoji! If he'd of been here instead, he would have lost in the first turn of his Duel!"

"I sincerely doubt that," Etzel replied with a sigh. "You must be living in some sort of dream world or something."

"More like, why are you acting like it matters whether you lost in your first or tenth turn?" Fynn snapped. "A win's a win and a loss' a loss, ya pansy! I'm so gonna jimmy tap your brains out when we get back!"

"Don't be like that!" Jonas cried, raising his arm.

As Jonas continued to babble, Vacia made a grunt as Jonas' words caught her attention.

At the same time, Mark was hanging up his phone when he suddenly saw Vacia storming toward where Jonas and the others were talking. "What the hell is she thinking?!" he cried, his eyes bugging out of his head.

---

BREAK

---

Not long after, Jonas separated from his teammates, planning to go grab some grub alone before meeting up at the base. As he hummed to himself happily, he was completely unaware of the fact that Vacia was stalking him through the hallways of the interior stadium.

As she walked silently behind him, Vacia passed by a cart in the hallway that had a bunch of Audio/Video equipment inside it that someone had left sitting out. Jonas still unaware of her presence, Vacia nonchalantly grabbed a cable off the cart.

Jonas eventually stopped walking in the hallway long enough for Vacia to approach him from behind. He was busy digging through his pockets to count his money when Vacia suddenly wrapped the cable around his neck and slammed his head into the nearby wall. Letting out a loud grunt, Jonas was quickly disoriented as he took a sharp pain to the brain.

While he was dizzy and confused, Vacia pulled Jonas into a nearby storage room and proceeded to strangle him to the ground. Confused and unable to see his attacker, Jonas attempted to struggle, but Vacia gave him a sharp kick to the back of the head.

Hearing some shuffling inside the room when he happened to walk by, Mark quickly pushed the door open and ran inside. To his shock, Vacia had a pocket knife grasped tightly in her hand, with the blade extended over Jonas' masked head.

"S-Stop it!" Mark cried in a panic, running over and grabbing her from behind. After some grunting and struggling, Mark finally managed to knock the knife from her hand. Scoffing, Vacia gave in and turned away from the Urteil agent stubbornly.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Mark cried, waving his arms around. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?! That's one of the key players in this tournament! If he suddenly goes missing, I could be held responsible for your actions!"

Shooting him another unseen glare from behind her mask, Vacia answered in a hiss, "But that piece of garbage said…!" Vacia suddenly stopped herself, turning away from him. "He just deserved it, okay?"

"I know he does! Jonas is probably the biggest dick in this organization! He makes me look like a saint in comparison! But even so, that doesn't mean you can just strangle and impale any member you have an issue with! That's not how we normal people do things in a group organization! Not that I'd expect you of all people to get that!"

Mark, freaking out a bit, kneeled by Jonas to check his pulse and was relieved to find out that he was only unconscious. Glaring back up at the masked woman, Mark waved his finger impatiently. "You've done enough, Vacia! You need to get out of here already before you really mess things up! Mr. Fred will have my head if he finds out about this!"

Scoffing, Vacia placed her hands over her hips. "I don't recall taking orders from you," she said coldly.

"God, you make me so frustrated! Listen! Mr. Fred told me that you can talk to him about whatever your issue is in the hideout down below the stadium! All you need to do is follow me there! Think you can do at least that?!"

Jonas suddenly began shifting again. Panicking, Mark gave him a kick to the head to knock him back unconscious.

"Aren't you doing the same thing?!" Vacia cried, pointing at him accusingly.

"Sh-Shut up!" Mark protested quickly. "I'm just trying to keep things from getting more complicated! It's best if he thinks it's all a dream!"

"Then let me hit him one more time!" She said, raising her foot above his head. "I promise I won't kill him!"

"Knock it off already!" Mark cried, grasping her by the shoulders. "We'll dump his body out in the hall and no one will even find out!"

"I wouldn't recommend that," Vacia said, suddenly sounding more cheerful as she headed toward the door. "You shouldn't let this guy go unconscious for too long! It's not good for his health!" Giggling, Vacia skipped out the door happily.

Mark, wearing a derp face, had a sweatdrop as he watched the girl exit. "Damn that woman. She's the only one I don't know how to deal with…! How is it someone so cute is such a raging lunatic?!" Staring down at Jonas' knocked out body, Mark's expression fell even flatter. "Well, I guess I'll drag his ass to the bathroom and plot his head in the toilet… Yes, the water will definitely wake him up! The bastard never did pay me back that 50 bucks I lent him last week!"

---

BREAK

---

Outside the stadium in the parking lot, the police officers stationed there quickly realized that the tournament had ended when they saw several groups of people leaving the stadium.

"Guess we gotta let these people through," one of the officers said, rubbing the back of his head. "That guy before really screwed us over. We didn't have time to conduct a thorough investigation, but at least we can confirm that there aren't any nanobots left in the vicinity."

"All right, let's open 'er up!" another officer said, lifting the yellow tape as the crowd got closer.

After several people had passed through, one young woman with dark purple hair caught his attention. Lara, holding her zombie doll close by her side, skipped along.

"Isn't that the description of the girl who was causing trouble before?" another officer asked.

"Probably, but let her go. I'm exhausted. I don't get paid enough to deal with these people."

Nodding in agreement, the other officers let the issue go and decided to go out for donuts.

As the security guards left, Lara turned to her zombie doll happily. "We didn't find her today, Romero! We'll have to try harder tomorrow!"

"Rawr! Rawr! Grrr! Nom! Nom!"

"Yeah, I feel the same!" Lara said, petting the dolls head. "I wonder what this Ruka Heartlily girl looks like too. We met so many people today. I wonder if one of them was her."

"Grr! Grr! Gargh!"

"Don't be dumb, little Romero! There's no way!"

The woman's conversation came to an end when Lara spotted an old theater playing zombie movies up the street just outside the stadium. Blinking rapidly, Lara had a sudden deduction before running off toward the theater.

"Zombies!"

---

BREAK

---

Somewhere not far from the stadium out in the city, Jophiel, Sly, and Divine were walking together after successfully escaping from Project A.D.'s.

"So what're you planning to do now?" Divine asked the fellow Psychic curiously.

Jophiel came to a stop, flashing a grin. "Naturally, everything is going exactly as planned. We were bound to meet the Signers eventually, but now isn't the time to be fighting with them."

Sly narrowed his eyes, seeming annoyed with his ally as he continued speaking.

"For now," Jophiel continued with a tip of his fedora, "I'll let Urteil have their way and do as they please. If anything, fighting against them should make Aki and possibly even Ruka considerably stronger, further awakening their powers. When the opportunity presents itself, I'll utilize it accordingly." Jophiel gave a laugh as he raised his hand toward the sky.

"Speaking of which," Divine said, turning toward his son, "you should go back with your team, Sly. For now, you need to continue fulfilling your role as an Urteil member."

"I know," Sly groaned in an annoyed voice.

Just as Divine was about to say something, two figures appeared before them. It turned out to be the Urteil members Vester and Xiaolin.

"What are you guys doing here?" Sly asked, narrowing his eyes. "Don't tell me you've been following me."

"As if, bastard!" Vester growled, flames erupting from his arm. "Heilandes has requested your presence for a meeting immediately!"

Seeing Jophiel staring over at him, Vester let out a squeak and hid himself behind his partner.

Sighing, Xiaolin pushed him off of her. "Heilandes has also requested that both of you come as well, Divine and Jophiel."

"Oh?" Jophiel muttered with a cock of his head. "It's been a long time since Alf personally asked for me. I wonder what's gotten into him all of a sudden." Shrugging, Jophiel gave a smirk in response. "Fine. I don't have much else to do today. I guess I'll see what this whole thing's all about."

"I'm interested as well," Divine said with a smile. "I've heard a lot about this Kappler man. I'd like to meet him in person."

"In that case, we'll be on our way," Xiaolin said with a polite bow. "I'd show you the way, but Jophiel already knows where we're staying." Narrowing her eyes at the Psychic, Jophiel gave a laugh as she ran away, dragging a spooked Vester along with her.

"She seems to have gotten a bit better since last time," Jophiel said curiously, rubbing his hand over his chin. "I wonder what happened. Maybe they fought a powerful enemy or two?"

"Whatever," Sly grumbled, lifting his hood back over his head. "Let's just get this over with."

With that, the three Psychics headed toward the original Urteil base with Jophiel leading the way. Vester and Xiaolin purposely left a good five meters in between the three before they began their descent as well.

---

BREAK

---

Meanwhile, Mr. Fred sat patiently down in the temporary Urteil base underneath the Dome Stadium on a dusty old chair that survived Lara's earlier assault. He suddenly turned his attention toward a pair of footsteps approaching from the dark hallway leading to the elevator outside.

"So you've finally made it," Fred said, a smirk coming to his lips. "Good of you to join me, you two."

"You've got some nerve making me come all the way down here," Vacia said in a dark tone. "I've got things I want to do too, you know!"

Mark appeared behind her, giving his boss a defeated look. "I told you she's hard to deal with."

"I have no doubt," Mr. Fred said with a laugh as he rose from his chair. "But bear in mind your role here, Mark Cooper. I paid you good money to accompany Vacia on her mission to make sure she played her role properly."

"Correction," Mark said with a raise of his finger. "You didn't pay me."

Fred's frown faded as he adjusted his tie. "It makes little difference whether it was me from the future or not. I am still the one who employed you. That applies to you as well, Vacia. You've only fulfilled half of your role here. You must still help me fulfill the other role."

"I'm well aware of that," Vacia replied sarcastically. "Now cut the nonsense and stop dancing around the issue." Continuing, Vacia placed her gloved hand over her skin-tight dark pink leather. "Why are you saying I can't see him?"

Fred rubbed his chin thoughtfully, crossing his legs in his chair. "That would present quite the problem, Miss Vacia. I am afraid that it would complicate things if I allowed you to see that man under his current circumstances. When traveling from the future, you have to be very careful not to disrupt the timeline or it could have negative consequences on the future to come."

"I don't care about any of that!" Vacia moaned, stomping her feet impatiently.

"More importantly," Mark interrupted, raising his arm to silence his partner, "what's the plan now? Things have changed recently. That masked man calling himself Cypher… He came from the same timeline as us, didn't he?"

"Who knows?" Fred said with a sigh, placing his hand over his crossed leg. "Regardless, his appearance does not change things in the slightest. We will proceed as planned while simply observing his actions. I will leave the monitoring to the masked man to you, Vacia."

"Hmph," Vacia scoffed, turning her head away. "I have no interest in anyone else."

"All you need to do is monitor his movements," Fred continued, tapping his finger impatiently. "As for me, I have already given Mr. Omniel those documents, so it is only a matter of time now before he acts upon our agreement, given the right opportunity. Granted, Miss Emu caught onto us and Heilandes is highly suspicious of me now, but none of that makes much of a difference at this point."

"Are you sure it's okay?" Masked asked cautiously. "What if they try to kill us when our guard is down?"

"Mr. Cooper," Fred said with a wave of his finger. "You must learn very quickly when dealing with Urteil that one must never lower his guard around any member, especially Alf Kappler. The time will come sooner or later when we butt heads, but as long as Mr. Kappler continues pretending to feign ignorance, I will keep up the charade as well."

Mark and Vacia watched Fred quietly as he continued speaking carefully.

"My other self from the future went to painstaking lengths just to deliver this information to me," Fred said, taking a folded up letter out of his pocket. "Out of all my other selves, I am the only one who knows that I am currently dying. Even William is not aware of this fact. As such, in order to save myself, I must betray Alf Kappler and his entire organization." Smirk widening, Fred continued. "However, I need both of you to help me pull off my plan. Are you up to the task?"

---

ooooooooOOOOOooooooooooooOOOOOOOoooooOOOOOOOoooooo ooo

---

Brutality at its finest! Day one of the R.W.F. comes to a roaring close with many casualties and even greater uncertainties! Next time, a much needed transitional chapter!

To be continued in Chapter 39: "Doubt and Confrontation"

CREDITS

Writing: GoldenUmi (Main), ZeroSaber39 (Vacia/Mark Scene, Lara scene)

Characters appearing from anime: Jean, Andre, Breo, Yusei Fudo, Jack Atlas, Aki Izayoi, Rua Heartlily, Ruka Heartlily, Crow Hogan, Seto Kaiba, Mokuba Kaiba, Hayato Maeda, Yeager, Master of Ceremonies, Sly Mizuki, Divine Mizuki, Harald, Dragan, Brave, Kiryu Kyosuke, Bommer, Taro, Jinbei, Yoshizo

Original Characters (OC): GoldenUmi (Antonio Lombardi, Deangelo Lombardi, Fynn Hartmann, Etzel, Anselm, Alf Kappler, Jonas, Anton Bartholomew, Master of Parties, Riley, Absalom, Aqua, Evilz, Fester, Vester, Xiaolin, Mark Cooper, Mr. Fred, William, Misaki Emu, Tatsuya Jounouchi, Haizuru Kujaku, Justin Phoenix, Moki Kaiba, Hikari Marufuji, "Pirate" Keith Brewer, "Hell-Eyes" Shaun Daoshin, Mia, Emily, Jacob, Chornos Krowler, Siegfried Van Schroeder III, Lean Van Schroeder III, Derrick Obama, Rick Sarkozy, Bu Jinta, Siliva Capucine, Jalal Igaram, Dimitris Medve, Lee Myung, Angela Schroeder, Muhammad Ishtar, Steven Harp, Thawt Mbeki, Ron Ripper, Eliot Camelton, Felix Gomez, Ace, Zoro), Aman1216 (Leah Kruger, Jafar), Halo (Murdock Willard), ZeroSaber39 (Jophiel Omniel, Lara Terryal, Vacia, Cypher, Yukio Kyoji)

Duel Writing: hearow2/GoldenUmi/Acer One Three Four (Team Unicorn vs. Team Judgment)

Cards used in chapter (in order of appearance):

Final Speed World (Created by GoldenUmi)

Field Spell

If a Spell Card other than a "Speed Spell" Card is activated, its controller takes 2000 damage. During each player's Standby Phases, each player places 1 Speed Counter of their own on this card (up to 12 each). When a player takes damage, remove Speed Counters of that Player from this card for each multiple of 1000 damage taken. You can remove any number of your own Speed Counters from this card to activate an appropriate effect:

• 1: Recover 500 Life Points.

• 2: Recover 1000 Life Points.

• 3: Special Summon one Level Four or lower Monster from your hand.

• 4: Inflict 800 damage to your opponent for each "Speed Spell" Spell Card in your hand.

• 5: Draw 1 card.

• 6: Add a Monster Card from your Graveyard back into your hand.

• 7: Draw 2 cards.

• 8: Add a Magic or Trap Card from your Graveyard back into your hand.

• 9: Add one card from your deck into your hand.

• 10: Select and destroy 1 card on the field.

• 11: Activate a Trap Card from your hand.

• 12 or more: Special Summon one Monster from your Extra Deck ignoring Summoning Conditions. This effect can only be used once during a turn.

Forbidden Zone (Created by GoldenUmi)

Continuous Trap

As long as this card remains face-up on the field, all Spell Cards you control are treated as "Speed Spells". This card cannot be destroyed by any card effect.

Sealed Mantra (Created by Aman1216)

Continuous Spell

While this card is face-up on the field, all "Sealed Beast" monsters gain 100 ATK. When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, add 1 "Sealed Beast" monster from your Deck or Graveyard to your hand.

Sealed Beast Boa Bolan (Created by Aman1216)

DARK

Level 4

Reptile/Effect

1700/1200

While "Sealed Mantra" is face-up on the field, when this card battles a monster, you can send 1 card form the top of your deck to the Graveyard to destroy that monster after Damage Calculation.

Mage Power

Equip Spell

The equipped monster gains 500 ATK and DEF for each Spell and Trap Card you control.

Sealed Beast Jharmjul

DARK

Level 3

Reptile/Effect

1200/1400

While "Sealed Mantra" is face-up on the field, once per turn, you can select 1 Spell/Trap Card your opponent controls and destroy it.

Sealed Beast Nunurao

DARK

Level 2

Reptile/Effect

500/800

When you control a face-up "Sealed Mantra", you can Special Summon this monster from your hand.

Sealed Beast Nibunu

DARK

Level 8

Reptile/Effect

2700/2000

When this monster is Summoned, you can Special Summon 1 "Sealed Beast" monster from your Graveyard.

X-Saber Airbellum

EARTH

Level 3

Beast/Tuner

1600/200

When this card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent by a direct attack, discard 1 random card from your opponent's hand.

D.D. Unicorn Knight

LIGHT

Level 4

Warrior/Effect

1800/900

his card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned if your opponent controls a monster(s) and you control a face-up Tuner monster(s). When this card is Special Summoned this way, you can select 1 of your removed from play Level 3 or lower non-Tuner monsters and Special Summon it. Its effect(s) are negated. You cannot Normal Summon or Set the turn you Special Summon this card.

Mantra of Agony

Trap

Activate when a "Sealed Beast" monster you control is attacked. The attacking monster is destroyed, then add 1 "Sealed Mantra" from your deck to your hand.

Super Rush Recklessly

Trap

Select 1 face-up Beast-Type monster you control and 1 monster your opponent controls. Destroy your monster, and return the opponent's monster to the Deck.

Scrap Shark

EARTH

Level 4

Fish/Effect

2100/0

When an Effect Monster's effect or a Spell/Trap Card is activated, destroy this face-up card on the field. If this card is destroyed by the effect of a "Scrap" card and sent to the Graveyard, you can send 1 "Scrap" monster from your Deck to the Graveyard.

Scrap Chimera

EARTH

Level 4

Beast/Effect

1700/500

This card cannot be used as a Synchro Material Monster, except for the Synchro Summon of a "Scrap" monster and all the other Synchro Material Monsters must also be "Scrap" monsters. When this card is Normal Summoned, you can select 1 "Scrap" Tuner monster in your Graveyard and Special Summon it.

Battle Instinct

Trap

Activate only when your opponent declares a direct attack and you control no monsters. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Beast-Type monster from your hand in face-up Attack Position.

Ape Fighter

DARK

Level 4

Beast/Effect

1900/1200

If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: This card gains 300 ATK. If this card does not attack during your turn, the ATK gained from this effect returns to 0 during the End Phase of that turn.

Beast Burial Ritual

Trap

Destroy 1 Beast-Type monster you control and send it to the Graveyard. Draw 2 cards. Cards drawn by this effect cannot be used this turn.

Return Damage

Trap

Activate only if you would take Battle Damage. You take no Battle Damage. Inflict damage to your opponent equal to the Battle Damage you would have taken.

Key Mouse

EARTH

Level 1

Beast/Tuner

100/100

When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, you can add 1 Level 3 or lower Beast-Type monster from your deck to your hand.

Lock Cat

EARTH

Level 3

Beast/Effect

1200/1000

When this card is Normal Summoned, you can select 1 Level 1 Beast-Type monster in your Graveyard and Special Summon it in face-up Defense Position. Its effects are negated.

Chain Dog

EARTH

Level 4

Beast/Effect

1600/1100

This card cannot be used as a Synchro Material Monster, except for the Synchro Summon of a Beast-Type monster. If you control 2 face-up Beast-Type monsters, you can Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. If this card is Special Summoned this way, remove it from play when it is removed from the field.

Lightning Tricorn

LIGHT

Level 8

Beast/Synchro/Effect

2800/2000

1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner Beast-Type monster Cards

If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect), you can select 1 "Thunder Unicorn" or "Voltic Bicorn" in your Graveyard and Special Summon it.

Scrap-Iron Scarecrow

Trap

When an opponent's monster declares an attack: Target the attacking monster; negate that target's attack, then Set this card face-down again instead of sending it to the Graveyard.

Scrap Beast

EARTH

Level 4

Beast/Tuner

1600/1300

If this face-up Defense Position card is selected as an attack target, destroy this card at the end of the Battle Phase. If this card is destroyed by the effect of a "Scrap" card and sent to the Graveyard, you can select 1 "Scrap" monster in your Graveyard, except "Scrap Beast" and add it to your hand.

Scrap Breaker

EARTH

Level 6

Machine/Effect

2100/700

If your opponent controls a monster, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. When this card is Special Summoned this way, select 1 face-up "Scrap" monster you control, and destroy it.

The Beginning of the End

Spell

Activate only if there are 7 or more DARK monsters in your Graveyard. Remove from play 5 DARK monsters from your Graveyard to draw 3 cards.

Speed Spell – Forbidden Lance

Speed Spell

Activate only by removing 1 of your Speed Counters. Select 1 face-up monster on the field. Until the End Phase, it loses 800 ATK, but is unaffected by the effects of other Spell/Trap Cards.

Voltic Bicorn

LIGHT

Level 7

Beast/Synchro/Effect

2500/2000

1 Beast-Type Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monster Cards

If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect), both players send the top 7 cards of their Deck to the Graveyard.

Unicorn Calling (Created by GoldenUmi)

Trap

Activate only when you control a Beast-Type Synchro monster on your side of the field. Special Summon from your Graveyard as many Beast-Type Synchro Monsters as possible in face-up Attack Position with their ATK halved.

Thunder Unicorn

LIGHT

Level 5

Beast/Synchro/Effect

2200/1800

1 Beast-Type Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters

Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can select 1 face-up monster your opponent controls. It loses 500 ATK for each monster you control, until the End Phase. During the turn this effect is activated, no other monsters can attack, except this card.

Unicorn Warrior (Created by GoldenUmi)

WIND

Level 5

Beast-Warrior/Synchro/Effect

2300/1800

1 Tuner + 1 non-Tuner

When this card is successfully Synchro Summoned, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Beast-Warrior-Type monster from your hand.

Steel-Tailed Unicorn (Created by GoldenUmi)

EARTH

Level 6

Beast/Synchro/Effect

2900/2700

1 "Beast-Type" Tuner + 1 "Beast-Type" non-Tuner

During the turn this monster is Synchro Summoned, negate the effects of all monsters your opponent controls until the End Phase. This card gains 300 ATK for each "Beast-Type" or "Beast-Warrior-Type" monster you or your opponent controls on the field.

Speed Spell – Speed Fusion

Speed Spell

Activate only while you have 4 or more Speed Counters. Send Fusion Material Monsters from your hand or field listed on a Fusion Monster to the Graveyard to Fusion Summon that Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.

Ultimate Unicorn (Created by GoldenUmi)

LIGHT

Level 12

Beast/Fusion/Effect

4000/4000

1 "Thunder Unicorn" + 1 "Unicorn Warrior" + 1 "Steel-Tailed Unicorn" + 1 "Voltic Bicorn" + 1 "Lightning Tricorn"

If any of the Fusion Material Synchro Monsters used to Fusion Summon this Monster are Banished, this card is automatically Banished and half of its ATK is dealt as damage to its controller's Life Points. You can Banish 1 Beast-Type or Beast-Warrior-Type monster from your hand or Graveyard to activate one of the following effects:

•Once per turn, inflict 1000 points of damage to your opponent.

•Destroy 1 card on your opponent's side of the field.

•Draw 2 cards.

•Increase your Life Points by 1000.

Hallowed Life Barrier

Trap

Discard 1 card from your hand. This turn, any damage you take from your opponent's cards and effects becomes 0.

Nimble Musasabi

EARTH

Level 2

Beast/Effect

800/100

When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, inflict 500 damage to your opponent. You can also Special Summon up to 2 "Nimble Musasabis" from your Deck to your opponent's side of the field in face-up Attack Position. This card cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon.

Super-Nimble Big Hamster

EARTH

Level 4

Beast/Effect

1100/1800

FLIP: You can Special Summon 1 Level 3 or lower Beast-Type monster from your Deck in face-down Defense Position.

Chain Whirlwind

Trap

Activate only when a card on the field is destroyed by a card effect. Select 2 Spell/Trap Cards on the field and destroy them.

Thousand Cross

Continuous Trap

Activate only when your Life Points become less than 2000. Your Life Points become 2000. After this effect is used 3 times, destroy this card.

Reanimation Wave

Trap

Activate only when your opponent's monster declares a direct attack. Select 1 Synchro Monster in your Graveyard with a Level less than or equal to the attacking monster's. The Battle Damage you take from that attack is halved. At the end of the Damage Step, Special Summon the selected Synchro Monster from the Graveyard.

Horn of the Phantom Beast

Trap

Target 1 Beast or Beast-Warrior-Type monster you control; equip this card to that target. It gains 800 ATK. When the equipped monster destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard: Draw 1 card.

Spellbook Inside the Pot

Spell

Both players draw 3 cards.

Imperial Iron Wall

Continuous Trap

Cards cannot be removed from play.

Trident Warrior

LIGHT

Level 4

Warrior/Effect

1800/1200

When this card is Normal Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 Level 3 monster from your hand.

Delta Flyer

WIND

Level 3

Dragon/Tuner

1500/900

Once per turn, you can select 1 other face-up monster you control and increase its Level by 1.

Morphing Jar

EARTH

Level 2

Rock/Effect

700/600

FLIP: Both players discard all the cards in their hands, then draw 5 cards.

Quick-Attack Scarecrow (TCG: Swift Scarecrow)

EARTH

Level 1

Machine/Effect

0/0

When your opponent's monster declares a direct attack: You can discard this card; negate that attack, then end the Battle Phase (this is a Quick Effect).

Guts of Steel

Spell

Select 3 "Scrap" monsters in your Graveyard. Your opponent picks 1 of them, you Special Summon it to either player's side of the field, and remove the others from play.

Scrap Golem

EARTH

Level 5

Rock/Effect

2300/1400

Once per turn, you can select 1 Level 4 or lower "Scrap" monster in your Graveyard and Special Summon it to either player's side of the field.

Urteil der Kavallerie – Judgment of the Cavalry (Created by GoldenUmi)

Equip Spell

Select 1 monster you control. As long as this card remains equipped to the selected monster, it can attack your opponent directly instead of conducting the normal Battle Phase.

Scrap Searcher

EARTH

Level 1

Winged Beast/Effect

100/300

When a "Scrap" monster you control, except "Scrap Searcher", is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard while this card is in the Graveyard, you can Special Summon this card from your Graveyard. When this card is Special Summoned, destroy all face-up monsters you control, except "Scrap" monsters.

Royal Decree

Continuous Trap

Negate all other Trap Card effects on the field.