Chapter Fifty-Three:

Amy's Voice

"Why don't you simply give in, and allow us Inhumans to gain the powers we seek? It will be a lot easier for all, and you would most likely be granted permission to live if you joined us."

Kenshin frowned deeper as Pychon continued her speech.

"Think about it! You could have anything you ever wanted! Your life would be perfect!"

"But..." interrupted Kenshin, "But what about the other humans? Those who you have no use for?"

"They will be eliminated, of course." said Pychon nonchalantly. "If they are useless, and will only hold us back, then why should we let them live? It's the philosophy of existence itself...survival of the fittest, if you will. That is how humans have survived this long, but that one law of nature."

Kenshin sighed. "Kuro Dairo...your leader...he put this Idea in his head, did he not?"

"Master Dairo speaks only the truth." said Pychon simply. "There is no reason to doubt one so strong."

"Pychon...Amy...why are you following his orders? What did he do to you?"

"I follow his orders because that is what my destiny is." responded Pychon. "And I..."

She froze, and a tiny voice came out of her mouth, which was hard to make out what it said.

"Kenshin...help me..." said the voice.

"Amy..." whispered Kenshin.

Kenshin: 3500

Pychon: 3800

I'm sure that was Amy. Thought Kenshin. She's still alive down there, inside of Pychon...

Pychon coughed, and placed a card onto her duel disk.

"I summon Demon Axeman (1900/500) in attack mode!"

A monster with the same features as the Demon Swordsman appeared, only different in the weapon he was holding. Which was, of course, an axe.

"And now I think he'll crush...your Advanced Monk Striker (1300)!"

"Reveal trap card!" exclaimed Kenshin, "Monk's Stealthy Evasion! This card allows my Advanced Monk Striker to evade your attack!"

As the Axeman brought his axe down on the Striker, the Striker dodged it with obvious skill.

"Damn you." said Pychon, "You're annoying. But my Swordsman will take you down!"

As the Swordsman moved forth to annihilate the Monk, the Monk evaded his attack as well.

"What the hell is going on?" exclaimed Pychon.

"Once per turn, my monster may evade one attack targeting it. Now...is it my turn?" said Kenshin.

"Yes, fine." said Pychon, setting another card into her duel disk. "After this face-down card, of course."

Kenshin nodded, and drew a card. "Now my Advanced Monk Striker's other special effect activates, giving him two hundred extra attack points at my Standby Phase! Also, I gain two hundred Life Points due to the effect of Monk's Secret Training Grounds (ATK: 1500)."

Kenshin: 3700

Pychon: 3800

"Now face the power of Pot of Greed! I'm sure you already know it's effect."

Pychon nodded, and Kenshin drew twice. "Heh. Nice cards..."

"Are you going to play them or gawk at them?" mocked Pychon.

"Shut up." said Kenshin, his good mood vanishing. "Anyways, I'll play the continuos spell card known as Monk Punching Bag! What this does is add another punching bag to the secret training grounds...one that gives my monsters two hundred attack points during each turn! Any time during the turn, may I add. So my Advanced Stealth Striker will gain his boost now (1700)!"

The Monk was now prepared to take down many of the level four monsters in the game. But not all of them, and not even some level three monsters.

"Finally I'll summon Chu-Ske the Mouse Fighter, and activate the spell card Card of Sanctity! Now we'll each draw until we hold six cards in our hands." as Kenshin drew six cards, Pychon drew five. "Next is...Gift of the Martyr! Now I can sacrifice my Chu-Ske in order to grant the Advanced Monk Striker his attack score for the turn! So now go...(2900)...and strike down her Axeman!"

The Monk ran forth, and slashed the Axeman's throat with his dagger.

"Damn you..." said Pychon.

Kenshin: 3700

Pychon: 2800

Kenshin let loose a small smile. "Amy, I know you're in there. Please, hold on for a bit longer. I'll rescue you before you know it."

Pychon frowned. "Amy cannot hear you. Now allow me to make my move."

Kenshin sighed, and placed a card into his duel disk. "One face-down card, and that's all for me."

Pychon drew her next card, and smiled.

One more card... she thought. And then Kenshin will be at my mercy.

But what she said was, "I'll set one card face-down, and I'll switch my Demon Swordsman into defense mode. Your turn."

Kenshin frowned at this.

"What's the matter?" asked Pychon.

"Nothing." said Kenshin, drawing a card.

That move...it was too...simple. She must have a plan.

Shrugging off the thought, he allowed his cards to make their moves.

Kenshin: 4000

Pychon: 3800

Advanced Monk Striker: 2300/1000

"Next off I'll simply attack your Demon Swordsman! So say goodbye to him!"

Pychon didn't even flinch as the monster was destroyed.

"Thank you, Kenshin Menzuro." said Pychon. "Now please end your turn so I can crush you."

"Whatever you say..." said Kenshin, placing another card into his duel disk.

Pychon drew, and laughed.

"Kya ha ha ha ha ha ha!" she laughed. "You've sealed your doom! I will win this duel now!"

"Eh?" responded Kenshin. "I'm sorry, but who has the advantage in every single way right now?"

Ignoring him, Pychon allowed her face-down card to reveal itself.

"I activate...Petals of the Fallen Demon! Now I remove the three demons in my graveyard from the game...and special summon a new monster!"

When the Demon Swordsman, Axeman, and Hellspawn appeared and vanished, a new monster took the place on the field. It was a huge creature. A demon of the greatest size imaginable, he wielded a staff of twisted roots and fallen branches.

"Meet the Demon King of Magic (3000/3000)! Kya ha ha ha! You'll now lose this duel!"

Kenshin's body shook. He had never faced such a huge monster, with the exception of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon.

"Is there any way I can beat that thing...?" he whispered to himself, although Pychon heard him.

"There is not." she said, smiling. "ARGH!"

She suddenly grabbed her head, and slowly turned it towards Kenshin.

"Kenshin..." she said, in a kind voice. "Please don't give up...beat this woman...ARGH!"

"Amy..." said Kenshin. "I'll do it...for you!"

"Damn that bitch..." said Pychon, re-taking control. "...and die Advanced Monk Striker!"

The Striker screamed as he died, and Kenshin's Life Points decreased.

Kenshin: 3300

Pychon: 3800

But Kenshin said nothing.

"Your move, Kenshin Menzuro." said Pychon. But then she noticed that he wasn't moving.

"Make your move, already." she said. "What are you waiting for? Or are you still sad about Amy?"

Kenshin lifted up his face, and revealed his smile. This shocked Pychon.

"What the-?"

"Ha..." said Kenshin. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Have you gone insane, and accepted your demise?" she asked.

"Nope!" said Kenshin, still chuckling a bit. "In fact, I've already figured out a way to defeat your monster!"

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Next Time:

Mind-Reading

As the Demon King of Magic continues to reside with Pychon, the outcome of the duel looks grim for Kenshin. But he says that he has a plan...what could this be?

Also, he has no idea of Pychon's powers. Although she hasn't used them yet, she reveals them to Kenshin...and uses them, as well.

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Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews, and please R&R:)

(Sorry, but there's also no chapter specials today. In return, I'll get up another chapter, maybe even two or three if I can.)

-Salazare