Welcome everyone to the exciting final part of "Touched by a Rare Hunter'. In the last chapter, David and Captain Melles began to investigate the reasons behind Bryan Stiles' defeat at the hands of Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett. After interviewing Bryan and examining his duel disk and the P.D.L. equipment the Clarke triplets discovered someone had hacked into the P.D.L. systems and installed a nasty program which sent the pain emitters in Bryan Stiles' duel disk through the roof while Bennett's were completely shut off. It was also discovered that one of Bennett's girls was not only the culprit but a known hacker and felon. But now David has a plan to bring Bennett down. What clever and audacious scheme does David have to bring an end to Bennett's reign of terror? You'll just have to see. Get ready as 'Touched by a Rare Hunter' comes to its conclusion!

David watched as the holographic coin ascended skyward and then started to drop towards the ground. David thought long and hard about his choice and then called out, "Tails."

The coin finally dropped to the ground. "It's tails…" the ref explained. "So in accordance with the recent rule change, Mr. Cardigan, you can choose to go first or second."

David said, "I choose to go first!"

The referee nodded and said, "Very good, Mr. Cardigan, let's duel then!"
Bennett hissed at David. The writer glared at Bennett and returned the hiss with a growl of his own as he narrowed his eyes. Time for some payback you cheating goth bastard!

The two duelists drew their first five cards as the crowd erupted into roaring cheers of approval. David then drew his sixth card and smiled. "Well, well, well it looks as though a little friend of mine wants to take a crack at you right off the bat. Say hello to my special kitty, X-Saber Airbellum in attack mode!"

The cross between Leomon from Digimon and Wolverine from the X-Men appeared on the field with all its 1600 ATK/200 DEF. He flashed his saber claws. David heard the creature say in eager anticipation, "Oh goody my goth scratching post has arrived!"

The monster rubbed his claws. The goth duelist looked a little bit nervous. David flashed a devious smile and said, "And it looks as though he's eager to use his new goth scratching post, that is, you! But unfortunately since I can't attack at the moment I'll just set a facedown card and that'll be my turn."

A giant holographic face down card appeared on the floor. Bennett snarled, "Now you legally blind freak of nature I'll show you a thing or two!"

He drew his sixth card and examined his hand. Gerald said, "For now I'll set a monster face down and a card facedown and end my turn."

The two face downs appeared on the floor. David's face furrowed. Hmm, Bennett's up to something, and I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that whatever it is it can't be good. Watch yourself, Cardigan.

David drew his next card. He said, "All right, now it's time for you to get your butt kicked Bennett…Oregon style! First I summon forth XX-Saber Darksoul in attack mode."

The dog-like creature wearing a long robe and tattered red cloak appeared on the field with its ATK 100/ DEF 100. David said, "Been a while boy, are you ready to take on this goth creep?"

The creature looked at David and growled as he nodded. David said, "All right let's kick up the action in this duel! X-Saber Airbellum attack that face down monster!"

X-Saber Airbellum let out a battle roar as he leapt at one of the face down cards. The lion-like creature slashed at the card with his claws. The card flipped up to reveal a winged female with blue skin wearing a helm that looked like a mountain goat's skull. The female creature screamed in pain before it vanished. David said, "Ah, Archfiend Heiress, 1000 ATK/ 0 DEF."

Bennett chuckled and said, "The better to keep you from harming me."

David smirked and said, "So who said I was done?"

"What!?" Gerald yelped.

David smirked and said, "You don't seem to be able to count very well, I have two monsters on the field. XX-Saber Darksoul give that goth creep a good whacking on the head with a direct attack!"

Bennett smiled and said, "Oh, I'm sooo scared!"

David smirked. Now was the time to see if the Clarke brothers had done their job. To answer his question when XX-Saber Darksoul struck Bennett. Sparks raced through Bennett. The cocky and arrogant goth duelist suddenly screamed in pain his face a mixture of agony, and disbelief. His life points dropped from 4000 to 3900. The goth duelist fell to one knee as the pain subsided. David smirked as Bennett looked at David in stunned disbelief. David smirked and said, "What's good for the goose is good for the skunk, Gerald ol' boy!"

Gerald began to tremble in rage, "I activate Archfiend Heiress' affect which allows me to draw another Archfiend from my deck to my hand! Now how did you…?"

David waived it off. "I'm a detective, it's part of my job to figure these things out. If I'm going to be going through such intense pain, so are you!"

Gerald Bennett snickered wickedly and said, "So, you've actually got a brain, not bad for a lowly hick. But the ayatollah of goth rock and rolla is about take you into the world of the monsters in your closet."

David bellowed out a belly laugh so loud that Bennett couldn't believe what he heard. David when he caught his breath said, "Bennett, you are pathetic! You go around pretending your some kind of dark prince. The fact of matters is, you're a coward, you're a bully, and you're a 14-karat phony!"

There a gasp of surprise and chuckles from the crowd at David's blatant audacity. Bennett growled his eyes narrowing. "You dare insult the master of fiends you…you WORM? I'll show you who's a phony you legally blind freakish jackass! Now will that be all for your turn, Cardigan?"

David looked over his hand and said, "That's all for now, but the payback on you is far from over."

The goth duelist snapped, "We shall see, meanwhile I draw!"

The disgrace of the Pacific Northwest drew a card and looked over his hand. The Pacific Northwestern champion let out a loud high-pitched cackle. Then he proclaimed. "And now, David Cardigan, prepare yourself as I'm about to take you on a trip into hell! And you'll be begging for mercy before it's done!"

David thought in trepidation, Uh-oh, if he means to do what I think he means to do, then all hell is literally about to break loose.
Bennett declared, "I now activate the effect of a card in my hand Archfiend General, by sending it to the graveyard I can bring forth a special magic card from my deck to my hand." Gerald drew a card and said, "NOW IT'S TIME TO GO TO HELL WITH ME, DAVID CARDIGAN, AS I ACTIVATE PANDEMONIUM!"

David muttered, "Crap!"

All around him Key arena transformed into a lava filled bastion of hell. Gerald said, "Are you frightened now that you're in my domain, Cardigan. Are you…terrified?"

David however was tapping a foot impatiently. The loud-mouthed champion was starting to wear on his nerves just a bit. David looked around and said, "The lava pools are nice, but the décor leaves a little something to be desired. I give this place uh…two stars."

The crowd, even David's parents, laughed at the witty retort. Gerald Bennett absolutely fumed in rage. "You dare make light of my kingdom! You are filth Cardigan, unworthy of licking my boots!"

David grimaced in disgust and retorted, "Why would I even want to lick your filthy boots? That's not sanitary."

Gerald snarled then took a moment to calm down. "You have quite the mouth on you, Mr. Cardigan. It appears you need to be taught your place by me."

"Give it your best shot, baka yaro," David retorted using the Japanese terms for stupid idiot.

Bennett said, "Now I set another couple of cards facedown, and end my turn."
Two holographic face down cards appeared on the infernal field. Bennett smirked and said, "Now go ahead and take your next turn."

David drew a card. Compulsory Evacuation Device, this is something that could come in handy. David thought.

David said, "Okay, I'm not in deep trouble yet. First I'll set a card face down."

Another holographic face down card appeared on David's side of the field. David said, "Now since I control two X-Saber monsters on my side of the field I can summon forth this fellow. I special summon from my hand XX-Saber Faultroll in attack mode."

The creature was a dark green skinned humanoid, who wore futuristic type armor and a flowing red cape. The creature had glowing yellow eyes and coarse hair that covered everything except the face. The muscular, almost mechanical monster let out a roar of challenge at Bennett. The stats read ATK 2400/DEF 1000. David said, "And now to crank this duel up to the next level. I now tune X-Saber Airbellum with XX-Saber Darksoul!"

The two monsters transformed into balls of light that swirled together. In a flash of light the two synchro monsters transformed into a familiar blue and gold armored Knight atop a mighty steed. The horse neighed a challenge as the Knight readied his lance. David called out, "Say hello, to Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth!"

The stats for the monster read ATK 2600/DEF 800."

Up in the stands Ray and Renée were watching in amazement. "These KaibaCorp holograms are amazing." Renee said in wonder.

Ray nodded his agreement. "I sure as hell may not understand this game, but I sure am lovin' this. Let's just see how David handles this goth chump!"

David pointed at one of Bennett facedown cards. "I know you played a monster Bennett and I think it's about time to take that creature out of the picture. Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth take down that facedown monster!"

The knight charged at the card David had pointed to. The card flipped up to reveal Desrook Archfiend. Bennett however smiled as he pressed a button on his duel disk. "I don't think so, Cardigan. You'll not have my sweet Desrrok Archfiend. I activate a facedown card, a nice little trap card called, Bark of the Dark Ruler!"

David's face paled in horror. "A trap card, oh boy!"

Bennett nodded with vile glee. "Oh yessssss!" he exclaimed hissing like a snake. "For the sacrifice of a certain number of life points I can reduce the attack and defense of your Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth by the number of attack and defense points I chose!"

David thought And since this is a willing sacrifice his little program won't shock him, this is bad!

Bennett said, "And I choose to sacrifice 1000 of my life points to reduce your Gaia by that many!"

Bennett's life points dropped from 3900 to 2900. Gaia winced in pain as the trap card flipped up and sent a powerful burst that hit Gaia knight head on. It's attack and defense dropped to ATK 1600/ DEF 0. Desrook Archfiend's stats read ATK 1100/ DEF 1800. And since it wasn't attacking the Defense points came into play. Gaia struck the octopus archfiend with a skull head that had a crown on it. The lance bounced off it. David screamed in agony as he felt the blast of electrical volts surge through his system. After an agonizing eternity the assault ended as David's life points dropped from 4000 to 3800. But David still remained on his feet. David breathing a little heavier growled at Bennett. The Archfiend duelist looked surprised. "So, you can take the punishment I see! But let's see how much pain you can take with what else my archfiends and I have in store for you."

David said, "All right you clown it's time to get rid of that Desrook Archfiend. XX-Saber Faultroll, take that Archfiend down with mecha hammer fists!"

The futuristic looking troll let out a roar of triumph as he rushed the archfiend. Leaping into the air it connected on the head of the fiend with a massive axe handle style bash. The skull of the creature cracked and the creature exploded into pixels. The X-Saber monster landed and beat it's hands against its chest as it roared in victory. Bennett however let out another high-pitched cackle as he said, "Fool, you wasted your attack. Not only do I not take any damage because Desrook Archfiend was in defense mode but I also have activated another facedown…Call of the Haunted."

David swore as another holographic card flipped up to reveal an eerie and misty graveyard. Bennett said, "Now I summon from my graveyard back to the field my Desrook Archfiend!"

The creature David had just destroyed reappeared looking very irritated. David smiled and said, "Not so fast Bennett, I thought you might try something like this so I prepared countermeasures. I activate Compulsory Evacuation Device."

The holographic version of the card flipped up. Bennett however said, "Hah, I thought you would try something like that. What you don't know, you Oregon inbred hick, is Desrook Archfiend as a special effect. I roll a die and if the die comes up 3 it's triple trouble for you, Cardigan!"

David growled, "Damn it!"

Bennett called, "Now, let that sweet die roll!"

A holographic die flipped into the air David and Bennett watched as the die flew upwards, and the crowd holding its breath in anticipation. Finally the die began to drop. After a small eternity it landed and bounced several times before it landed and didn't move again. Gerald proclaimed, "It's three which means your card's effect is negated!"

The Compulsory Evacuation Device flipped up and then burst into pixels. David winced in frustration. He's even trickier than when he dueled Rebecca. I hate to say this, but I think I may have finally bitten off more than I can chew, David realized grimly.

Bennett said, "Now finish your pathetic move."

David sighed and said, "I use XX-Saber Darksoul's special ability to draw a monster from my deck and put it in my hand, and that's it."

Bennett drew a card and then let out a particularly loud cackle of triumph. He then said, "At last, now it's time for me to show you why you and all these Pacific Northwestern hicks should bow down to me as your dueling king and god! First I activate a card in my hand, DARK HOLE!"

David watched in horror as XX-Saber Faultroll, Gaia Knight, and Archfiend Desrook were sucked into the vacuous void of the hole that appeared on the field. Gerald Bennett said, "If you're wondering why I sacrificed my own monster it's because I have special plans that didn't require him anymore."

David said, "You'd willingly sacrifice your monsters like they were pawns?"

Bennett nodded, "Of course, my fiends are merely puppets for me to use and throw away when I see fit. And if a fiend has become too weak I toss them aside without a moment's hesitation. This is why I shall retain the Pacific Northwestern title, become the Intercontinental champion, and then go on to defeat those mindless posers, Joey Wheeler, Seto Kaiba, and Yugi Moto! But first it's time to begin making an example of you, Mr. legally blind freak of nature! First through Pandemonium's effect I add a fiend monster to my hand. Then I play the magic card monster reborn."

David's face paled, "Monster reborn, no that card can summon a monster from either graveyard!"

Bennett nodded, "Exactly, and now I'm going to begin teaching you that lesson in my superiority by summoning and using…your own Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth from your graveyard," Bennett proclaimed then let out a loud a evil laugh as he played the card.

David snapped, "You conniving bastard!"

Bennett snorted and responded with, "I've been called worse!"

Monster reborn appeared on the field and then vanished only to be replaced by Gaia Knight who looked like he didn't want to have anything to do with this. Bennett said, "But there's still more as I summon forth another Archfiend Heiress!"

The winged female Archfiend appeared on the field and curtsied to Bennett. The goth duelist said, "Now Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth obey your master and ATTACK DAVID CARDIGAN DIRECTLY!"

David heard a voice in his mind say, "Forgive me David, but I have no choice."

The knight then charged and David felt the lance strike him head on. David shrieked in agony and thousands of volts raced through every particle of his being. Bennett yelled, "ARCHFIEND HEIRESS MORE, GIVE ME MORE SWEET PAIN ON DAVID CARDIGAN!"

The little creature swooped in David's direction just as David's life points dropped from 3800 to 1200. The Heiress then let out an inhuman little girlish giggle before she whacked David on the head with her scepter. David screamed again as more volts of electricity raced through him. His life points dropped even more as the crowd gasped. Renée let out a shriek of "DAVIIIIID!" as his life points dropped from 1200 to 200. David blacked out before he fell to the ground.

David felt himself racing downward he just wanted to sleep, to be free of the pain. He heard distant voices calling to him begging him to come back. I just want the pain to end. I can't…I can't, I'm sorry I just can't! David said bereft of anything but hopelessness.

A burst of light filled David's vision as a powerful voice called out, "HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN!?"

A vision appeared before David of Earth with all its people going about their lives. Then the Earth changed from it's usually green and blue to a painful shade of red all over the world. He heard thousands of innocent men, women, and children screaming in terror trying to flee. In ones, twos, and threes all their lives were snuffed out. A shadowy demonic figure holding strings of magic in its clawed fingers appeared behind the Earth. The creature let out a roaring evil laugh as the eyes on its five heads glowed with fiery red light.

David felt the despair racing through him. Conflict threatened to overwhelm him. No, no I failed, I failed not just my family, but my friends, everyone. But…but I can't do this alone, so much pain! David moaned then cried out using his remaining magical energy, If there's any force of good in the universe that can hear me, help me, help me please!

Suddenly two sets of arms grabbed David and lifted him upwards. A familiar voice said, "Did you really think we'd leave you in a bind like that?"

David turned to see X-Saber Airbellum smiling at him. "Hey there, boss…" the creature said cheerfully. "You needed help and help you'll get!"

David turned in the other direction to see Celtic Guardian helping him also. "Warriors do not leave their brothers and sisters behind while they still live!" The elf proclaimed.

David felt a new surge of strength race through him. David used that energy to look for…and find a line of magic. Using the energy he felt the power surging into him nullifying the pain. David felt new vigor racing into him. David smiled and said, "With you my friends at my side, there's nothing I can't do."

Both nodded as David raced upwards back to his body.

David returned to his body to hear the referee call out 6. Bennett was in the middle of one of his rants. "…Pathetic, that's right all of you simple-minded, pea-brained, Pacific Northwestern hicks should bow down and worship the ground I walk on! THERE"S YOUR PATHETIC LAST HOPE ON THE GROUND, JUST LIKE ALL WHO OPPOSE ME!"

David mentally snapped, Come on body work, the last thing we need is for this creep to get away with what he's done.

"Seven…eight!" the ref counted.

David used that moment to get to his hands and knees as he called out at the top of his lungs, "SHUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUP!"

The goth champion turned with a start as the referee backed away. Bennett said, "Oh my, are you still trying to win? It's going to get you into trouble, Cardigan. Just give up, give it all up! Freaks like you don't deserve to be in a sport meant for kings and gods such as me!"

"I said…shut up you self-righteous prick!" David snapped as he slowly got to his feet. When he regained his footing he snarled, "I…don't…quit! I…don't…surrender! I…GET…RESULTS!"

Bennett looked astonished. "How, how did you recover from that? That shock had you down for the count!"

David smirked and said, "Let's just say I have friends in high places and a pretty damn good level of pain tolerance thanks to Master Diwaker Sabarna, my Taekwondo instructor!"

David felt his mother mentally relax and felt a growing pride building in his stepfather. "I will never allow you to continue your reign of terror over the Pacific Northwest! You're going down, Bennett, you're going down hard, mean, and fast!"

Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett let out a derisive laugh before he said, "You've got to be kidding me! You're down to your last 200 life points, I have your precious Gaia Knight on the field, along with Archfiend Heiress. And you genuinely think THAT YOU CAN PULL OFF SOME KIND OF MIRACLE LIKE THAT RUNT MOTO!?"

But David wasn't listening as he'd gotten into a horse-riding stance. Breathing deeply to calm himself David channeled his energy as he distantly heard Bennett saying, "Hey, Cardigan, pay attention when your betters are talking to you!"

David however felt the magic come to him. Putting his fore and index fingers to the deck on his disk he called out, "Analyze…compartmentalize…visualize…synchronize!"

The world slowed to a halt as the familiar blue haze fell over everything. David's hand and his remaining deck formed a perfect circle around him. Cards soon fell back into the deck or his hand, all except the cards that now had large numbers on them. David watched the cards turn around and reveal themselves to him. David said, "Solution accepted!"

The cards went back to their places in his deck and hand. David opened his eyes and said, "There is a solution!"

Bennett's face furrowed, "What are you talking about? There's no solution here! Face it Cardigan, you're finished! Do you hear me? FINISHED!"

David sighed as he got back into a normal stance. David said, "Are you done? I'm getting tired of your wannabe pro-wrestler plugs. I have dreams and hopes to fulfill!"

Bennett hissed and flicked his tongue around before he said, "NO! All your hopes and dreams die today at the hands of the dark prince of fiends himself!"

David smirked and said, "I think not, in fact I think it's time to start ending this little charade. For starters it's the second main phase, so now I can activate another card that I placed down a while back. I activate another Compulsory Evacuation Device, to bring my Gaia knight, the Force of Earth home!"

The compulsory evacuation device flipped up. This time the card did its job as Gaia vanished from Bennett's side of the field, much to the gawking dismay of the Pacific Northwestern champion. David smiled and said, "Welcome home my friend, I know what you did wasn't your fault and I forgive you."

Bennett looked at David and gritted his teeth as his eyes flashed with hatred. David said, "Now, I believe your turn is over and it's my move."

David drew a card and said, "And now it's time to show you just how I'm going to win this duel and become the Pacific Northwestern champion that these people deserve to have. First off, I summon X-Saber Airbellum in attack mode!"

The X-Saber monster appeared on the field and glared at Bennett angrily. David then said, "And now it's time for me to play a little magic card called, the warrior returning alive to bring back my X-Saber Faultroll!"
A card showing a picture of a bedraggled warrior in battered armor and gear but still ready to fight flipped up and then vanished.

David looked around and tisked. "You know this décor is starting to really depress me. I think it's time for a change of scenery."

Bennett cackled wickedly, "And how exactly do you propose to get out of Pandemonium? No one ever leaves my hell! Nobody! You'll be stuck here until you're life points are gone and I'm the champion once more! What you're saying is impossible!"

David smiled deviously and said, "Oh I beg to differ, Bennett, and I'll prove it right now by playing a little facedown card that you've forgotten about."

"What!?" Bennett yelled.

David nodded, "Oh yes, I've been saving this up for a moment like this. I activate the magic card Heavy Storm to wipe out all trap and magic cards on the field…including Pandemonium!"

Bennett's eyes widened in horror as he let out a loud, "NO, YOU CAN'T!"

David said, "Oh I can, and I will! Heavy Storm, let's say sayonara to Pandemonium!"

The card which showed a human figure and torn up portions of the ground spiraling in a vortex appeared on the field. David sang in an out of tune tone, "Oh this is the way we spin the wheel so early in the morning!"

A vast vortex of wind blew over the field. Pandemonium vanished and turned back into the Key Arena floor. David heard X-Saber Airbellum say, "Hey, boss, I appreciate the humor but do you mind not singing again? Your singing voice hurts my ears!"

David mentally pouted, Humph, everyone's a critic!

Bennett screamed in rage. The look he gave David was one of barely contained fury. "How dare you destroy my Pandemonium! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS CARDIGAN!'

David smiled and said, "As I've said before, hee haw, hee haw, hee haw, I'm sorry I don't speak jackass!"

The goth duelist growled. David smiled knowing he now had the man who had disgraced the Pacific Northwest exactly where he wanted him. David said, "Now let's say we settle the score with that runty Archfiend Heiress. X-Saber Airbellum, enjoy your new cat toy!"

The beast monster leaped at the winged Archfiend Heiress and slashed it with its mighty claws. The creature let out a scream of pain before it exploded into pixels. Bennett screamed in agony as he received jolts of electricity to his body. David snapped, "Not so fun when you're on the receiving end is it, Bennett?"

After several moments the jolts stopped and Bennett's life points dropped from 2900 to 2300. The goth duelist sank to one knee, but stumbled back to his feet his eyes practically bulging from his head as he snarled, "PAY, PAY, YOU WILL PAY!"

David did a little dance as he taunted, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me!"

He then gave Bennett the raspberry. Bennett fumed at David's impertinence. Bennett snarled, "Well, since Archfiend Heiress is in the graveyard I can trigger her effect to summon an archfiend from my deck to my hand."

David smirked and said, "It ain't going to do you much good Bennett, this duel is ending very soon. But in the meantime, I'm done, it's your move, dipstick!"

Bennett growled and drew. He fumed and said, "I place a card face down and end my turn!"

The duel had taken its toll on both duelists but David continued to hang in there thanks to his training from Master Sabarna. David smiled and said, "I've got you on the ropes Bennett. Your time…is up!"

Bennett started to chuckle slowly then built to another high-pitched cackle before he said, "Oh, I'm nowhere near done yet, Cardigan. Tell me do you know where your parents are?"

David's face furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Bennett retorted, "I mean you best be careful because something might happen to them." He then began to look around in mocking fashion as he yelled in a high-pitched tone, "Oh mommy, daddy where are you?" before he let out another evil cackle.

Ray and Renée Anton were sitting in their seats enjoying the match. Ray was saying, "Damn, hon, our boy's really taking it to that goth clown."

Renee chuckled and said, "That he is." Then called out over the cheering crowd, "GO DAVID!"

The two were so bent on the match that they didn't see the two people descending to either side of them until they felt female hands on their shoulders and then felt the hidden switchblades against their throats. "Hello Ray and Renée Anton, Lilith and I are so happy to meet you." A sultry yet threatening female voice said to David's parents.

The blonde and brunette goth girls smiled at the two deviously. The brown-haired goth woman said, "You're a little scrawnier and more aged than Lizzie and I thought."

Lizzie said, "And you're a little on the chubby side, Renée Anton, but I imagine we're going to have lots of fun together babies. Marilyn has some delicious things in store for you two. Come along quietly, and no calling for help, or we'll have to cut you."

Suddenly two figures got up from their seats and then it was the goth girls' turn to be surprised as the two figures pulled police issued pistols from their coats and put them to the heads of the goth girls. Ray and Renée who had been positively terrified by these girls felt a surge of elation and relief as the very angry voice of captain Charlie Melles said, "All right, ladies, drop those knives and raise those hands, nice and slow!"

The goth girls did as captain Melles had commanded. Lieutenant Grayson said, "Looks like David was right."

Ray Anton looked at the Seattle police Captain as a couple of uniformed officers descended the stairs to take the women into custody. "It's good to see you again, captain Melles, but what the hell is going on here?" Ray asked.

Charlie Melles explained, "As your son would put it Mr. Anton, Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett has been a very naughty boy."

David sensed what had happened and turned to the cackling Bennett as his own cat-like grin spread across his face, and he began to laugh. Bennett looked at David suddenly surprised, "Wha-what are you laughing at, Cardigan?"

David's smile and his face took on a menacing look as he said, "I'm laughing at how completely and utterly predictable you are!"

"What!?" Bennett yelped in surprise.

David explained, "Did you really think I wouldn't take the possibility that you might go after my stepfather and mother into consideration? Oh no, I knew you might try something like this, so I took precautions. But let's just answer that question as to where my stepfather and mom are." David then looked around and said, "Hey, can we get a camera on my stepfather and mom, Ray and Renée Anton?"

It didn't take long for the camera to find them still in their seats and talking to captain Melles and lieutenant Grayson. Ray was the first to notice they were on the big screen. He and Renée waved and called out, "Hey, David," and "Go get em', kiddo!"

David asked his menacing look returning, "Now that brings us to the next question, where could those two little goth girls of yours be?"

The camera shifted to the girls being taken away by two police officers, both girls cuffed. The dragnet theme at that moment chose to play. Bennett let out a shriek of horror. David turned back to the goth duelist as his menacing look turned to a mischievous smile and a sparkle in his eyes that said, "Gotcha'!"

Bennett shivering looked at David and said, "But…how?"

David answered, "Elementary, Gerald Bennett, when I was qualifying for the P.D.L. I came across a couple people who have since become good and dear friends. I believe you know them as they're two of your former victims, their names are Jillian and Randall McCray."

The disgrace of the Pacific Northwest nearly stumbled off his feet as he let out a hiss. David's face darkened as he said, "That's right the same Jillian and Randall McCray you screwed over to steal the Pacific Northwestern championship from!" David then pointed an accusatory finger at the goth duelist as he shouted, "WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT THE STEAL RANDALL'S TITLE AND THREATEN THE LIFE OF HIS WIFE!?"

A resounding gasp raced through the crowd. Bennett who now looked visibly nervous said, "You…you can't prove that happened, no one can! There's no evidence to back that up."

David chuckled and said, "You're right all I have is Randall's word, and that doesn't hold up in court. But I'll take Randall's word about what happened over yours any day of the week! But back to the matter at hand. So knowing you might try the same tactics on my stepfather and mom, I arranged for captain Charlie Melles and lieutenant Grayson to be disguised in civilian attire watching over them. All this in case you tried something when I got you into a tough spot. And you acted just as I predicted you would!"

Bennett's face paled even more. "Then…then you…" He managed to blurt out.

David nodded deviously smiling. "That's right you reject from a Marilyn Manson concert! I conceived this little trap to show you for the felon and cheater you really are! I played you like a bad fiddle."

Bennett let out a scream of horror. David retorted, "Scream all you like, Bennett. It won't do you any good as I'm about to finish you off!"

David looked over his hand and then began his final assault. "First, I summon XX-Saber Fulhelmknight in attack mode!"

The blonde armored human knight appeared on the field. Fulhelmknight pulled out its sword and prepared for combat. Her stats read ATK 1300/DEF 1000. David said, "And now that I have two X-Saber monsters on the field I use them to activate the effect of the monster I brought back with the warrior returning alive!"

Bennett yelled, "NO, NOT HIM!"

David nodded and said, "That's right, Bennett, XX-Saber Faultroll is back!"

The monster appeared on the field and glared at Bennett.

David said, "And now, Bennett, I tune my X-Saber Airbellum with my XX-Saber Faultroll in order to summon an exceptional monster from my deck!"

The two monsters leaped into the air as they transformed into balls of light. They swirled around each other before they transformed into an armored giant who wore deceptively bulky armor and a mask. David said, "Say hello to XX-Saber Gottoms!"

"Holy mother of god!" Ray yelped. "That is one powerful critter!" Before Renée could say anything Ray said, "David's been showing me some of this Duel Monsters stuff," he explained. "XX-Saber Gottoms is a level 9 monster! The attack number for that critter is 3100 and it's Defense number is 2600."

Captain Melles said, "In short, Renée, Bennett is about to lose the duel and the one thing that's allowed him to evade the law this long!"

Renée turned back to the scene as she put her monocular to her better eye. "Good!" She said then yelled, "TEACH HIM A LESSON, DAVID!"

David snapped, "Bennett, for too long you've been allowed to torment and mock the people of the Pacific Northwest and the world. You've been at this game of bullying for so long it never occurred to you there might be someone out there with more heart, courage, and honor than you could handle. Well now that overconfidence and self-righteousness of yours has come back to haunt you! I use XX-Saber Faultroll's special ability to bring X-Saber Airbellum back to the field!"

The creature appeared. It's claws at the ready. David said, "It's time to end this! First, XX-Saber Gottoms! Stomp out whatever monster Bennett has on the field!"

The monster lifted one foot and slammed it onto the card. David couldn't see what monster it was but heard the inhuman scream of pain before it burst into pixels. David smirked and said, "And now there's the little matter of my two other monsters who want to play with you. XX-Saber Fulhelmknight take it to Bennett with a direct attack!"

The humanoid knight leaped at Bennett as she yelled a war cry the warrior's sword slicing into Bennett. The Duelist screamed as he felt the agonizing shock to his system. His life points dropped from 2300 to 1000. Bennett fell again to one knee as he looked up at David in pure rage. David pointed at Bennett and snapped, "X-Saber Airbellum…finish him!"

X-Saber Airbellum snapped, "This is for what that goth clown did to all my brothers and sisters!"

The beast type monster leaped at Bennett who let out a final scream of horror. The horror turned to pain as X-Saber Airbellum's attack hit and Bennett felt the surge of electricity that hit him. David felt the surge of elation that told him he had just defeated the scourge of the Pacific Northwest, and done so with honor and respect.

Gerald Bennett screamed, "NO! NO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" as his life points toppled down to 0.

David interrupted him by saying, "Would you stop with the yelling please? It really aggravates my ears. Take your loss like a man!"

Bennett got to his feet as he stared at David enraged and broken. "David!" The duelist/writer heard three familiar voices call. The Clarke brothers raced out to the floor and up to where he was. After taking a moment to catch their breath Fred began by saying, "We executed the warrant on Bennett's laptop and we found some interesting stuff. It's just as we suspected. The program that was used to enhance the pain emitters on the duel disks was originally from Bennett's laptop."

David raised an eyebrow. "Really is that so?"

Ed nodded and said, "Yeah but it gets even better! We found out Gerald Bennett made a couple of money transfers to a certain offshore account suspected of being one for the Rare Hunters."

The crowd who also heard the conversation gasped in shock. David turned towards Bennett who suddenly looked like the proverbial deer caught in the headlights of a truck. David's face was an open conflict of rage and disbelief. "You snake," he snapped pointing an accusatory finger at Bennett. "You conniving, backstabbing snake! It was you! You were the one who hired the Rare Hunters to try and ruin this tournament! I knew that it was you all along!"

Ted said, "Here's the catcher, David. Bennett had been planning to leave Seattle and file a permanent injunction against the P.D.L. so that there could never be another Pacific Northwestern Champion."

David put away his cards before he clenched his hands into fists. "You prick! You were going to use the legal system to keep the Pacific Northwest from ever having a title again!?" David said in open outrage.

Bennett knowing game was up began to laugh insanely before he said, "You're damn right I was going to do that! You hick Pacific Northwesterners never gave me any respect! You never treated me like the king I'm entitled to be! You and all these idiots should've bowed down at my feet and worshiped me as your dueling king and god! I'm the great hope for dueling, not that inbred twerp Joey Wheeler, not that arrogant hack Seto Kaiba, or that runt Yugi Moto. The only one who can make dueling hip and cool…is me!"

A resounding silence rang through the arena. David broke the silence when he snapped, "NO! You're just a cheater and criminal scum, Bennett! And your actions over the course of this tournament have just proven the kind of coward, bully, cheater, and 14-karat phony you really are! You think yourself entitled to be bowed down to. But I'm here to tell you respect from the people of the Pacific Northwest is earned! It's not just something you're entitled to! And the way that respect is earned is by treating people as you want to be treated, something my stepfather taught me a long time ago. This duel is over and the people of the Pacific Northwest aren't afraid of you anymore!"

"We most certainly are not!" A very angry Jerry Brandon snapped as he walked in to the floor accompanied by a couple of police officers.

Jerry Brandon pointed at Bennett and said, "Mr. Bennett, you and those girls have been a disgrace to the P.D.L. since your arrival. The only reason you've gotten away with everything you have is because we save stripping a champion of their title for a dire emergency. But now that you're no longer champion of the Pacific Northwestern U.S. I finally get to say this: Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett, by the power invested within me as an official of the P.D.L. you are hereby blacklisted from the league!"

Bennett gaped and snapped, "Wha-what!? You wouldn't dare!"

Brandon said, "Your continued actions show the behavior of a serial cheater as well as a felon. We cannot have such people dragging down the good name of the P.D.L. You and your girls are blacklisted from the league and are not allowed to come anywhere near any P.D.L. events ever again!"

Fred said, "And, Mr. Bennett, you've got criminal charges over your head. Reckless endangerment, sabotage of P.D.L. equipment, attempted kidnapping of Ray and Renée Anton, and conspiring with a known criminal organization. All of these charges are felonies!"

The Clarke triplets said to Bennett, "Sir, you're busted!"

Bennett stared in stunned astonishment as the officers walked up to him. They cuffed the goth duelist and escorted him off the floor. Bennett suddenly began to struggle as he was dragged off. "You'll hear from me again, Cardigan! I'LL BE BACK! You and the P.D.L haven't heard the last of Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett! You'll all bow down to me, Cardigan, you, these people, and then your ass! I'll come back and make you and the whole league PAAAAAAAY!" He yelled.

After Bennett was escorted out screaming and protesting the fireworks and the elated cheers started as the announcer called out, a spotlight shining on David, "The winner of this duel, and the new P.D.L. Pacific Northwestern champion, DAAAAAAVIIIIIIID CARRRRRRDIGAAAAAAAAN!"

"David, David, David!" rang the chant through the crowd.

Jerry Brandon walked up to David a couple of P.D.L. officials and reporters behind him. After what seemed a small eternity David held the trophy for the Pacific Northwestern championship. The crowd had quieted down some for the post-game interview. The reporter from King 5 in Seattle asked, "Mr. Cardigan, anything to say about your recent victory?"

David took a breath and began, "As a matter of fact I do. LADIES AND GENETLEMAN, BOYS AND GIRLS of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, OUR Pacific Northwestern championship…has finally come home!"

The people in the arena erupted into roars of approval then quieted down so David could continue. "I admit I'm not perfect, in fact there will be days where I will fall over. However I give you this pledge that, unlike Bennett, I'll strive to be the best representative for our part of the country as I can. I also promise to strive to be a true role-model for the Pacific Northwest. And that's a promise you can take to the bank!" David felt the tears in him welling up as all the fear, the doubt, and uncertainty he had faced had finally been dispelled. "Also, I would like to dedicate this championship to my grandfather retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer Alexander William Hampton!"

David began to cry in joy as the cheers erupted again. Someone handed David a tissue so he could wipe away the tears. He looked up on the large screen for the stadium in time to see a picture of Sean Biggs's game shop back in Portland. Squadron 51 were actively cheering and clapping their hands. Benton and Sprague were leaping up and down as they led the cheers. Sean, who was standing nearby his arms folded across his chest looking ever the tough guy, smiled and nodded as he gave David the thumbs up sign. David chuckled.

The crowd quieted down as Brandon said, "Congratulations, Mr. Cardigan, not only have you won the championship and restored honor to the Pacific Northwest, you've saved us from an embarrassing and vile plot from a man who thought himself above the law. And we the Pacific Northwestern branch of the P.D.L. will forever be in your debt."

The people clapped and cheered for David as he took the title and turned to leave.

Later that evening in the V.I.P. banquet hall of the Sheraton hotel in downtown Seattle David, his parents, and a number of selected guests were celebrating David's victory. David had received a flurry of questions from reporters as he chatted with admirers and his family. Then one reporter a chubby fellow with a graying mustache and a bald head came up to him and asked, "Mr. Cardigan, Willis McCoy with TIME magazine. Do you have any thoughts on the career of your defeated opponent Gerald "Marilyn" Bennett?"

David nodded and said, "I do. And you might want to copy all this down because it's important. There's an important and very painful warning to be taken from the career of Gerald Bennett. Being a duelist in the P.D.L. not only brings great prestige but also great responsibility. That responsibility involves creating a professional and respectable image for people, it's very easy to get caught up in being in the spotlight and lose sight of one's true self. It's important to remember the responsibility involved in being in the league."

Ray said, "You'd better remember, boy, or else your Mom and I are gonna' find you and kick you where the sun don't shine."

David glared at his stepfather and yelped, "Dad!?" incredulously.

In response Ray let out a hearty laugh. David looked to his mother for help. Renée said, "Yeah and since you're a big time duelist now, can your father and I have some money?"

David groaned and put a hand over his face as he said, "Not you too!"

Renée laughed and Ray just let out a louder burst of laughter. The reporter chuckled and said, "By the way, the league has said, since Bennett has been blacklisted, the second place cash prize is going to go to Bryan Stiles. Any thoughts on that, Mr. Cardigan?"

David answered, "If Bennett hadn't cheated young Bryan would've been my opponent. And I say watch that kid because he's going to be a big time player in the league, I know it!"

The reporter nodded and said, "Thank you for your time, Mr. Cardigan."

Renee said, "In all seriousness though. Your father and I are real proud of you, David."

Ray nodded and said, "Yeah you're handling all this like a real pro. So, is this the end of your journey as a duelist?"

David looked out at the darkening night sky over Seattle. "No, Mom and Dad, it's not over. In fact, my journey as a duelist is only beginning!"

The second adventure of a lifetime continues!

Well there you have it folks. The last part of 'Touched by a Rare Hunter'. But David's journey is far from over. Coming up, the next stage in David's journey begins as David goes to Sin city. That's right, Las Vegas! There he'll face an adventure involving duplicity, intrigue, dangerous individuals, and a powerful century old female vampire. What does all this mean? Get ready for 'A bite out of Vegas' coming soon. Very soon.