A Song from the Divines

by TheSingingSword

The story of a boy named Yuri, who is taken from all that he knows and loves into a world where he must rule as High King and wield the God Cards to bring peace to the continent of Termnnia, torn apart by civil war and a cult of religious fanatics. But his task will not be an easy one, for he is surrounded by foes looking to take away his crown by any means necessary. [AU-Fantasy]

136. Secret of the Ancient Beasts

Ethan

---

Ethan strolled into the shopping district of the academy after his final class had ended. It was five o'clock meaning his Duel with Cora would begin in an hour. He really put his foot in his mouth this time.

As beautiful as Cora was, she was still a Kaiba. She was filled to the brim with his coldness and his ferocity thanks to that Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon in her deck, a card Ethan saw Kaiba use once in a tournament when he spent the summer in the Water Palace in Lorin, the home of House Rhodes, and future kingdom of Alexis.

Being so close to Eredas and its abundance of technology, Alexis had the pleasure of having a television screen in her room, and one of a new model. High definition and fifty inches. There they watched the finals of the annual Battle City Tournament and watched as Kaiba and Yugi Dueled one last time to settle their differences supposedly, Evelyn said their rivalry was far from over.

The district was lit up by dull blue neon of red, pink, yellow, but mostly blue. Students sat in various eateries enjoying a good meal after a day of Dueling and learning. From the glass windows that towered a hundred feet high, he could see the rest of the island glittering in the dark as the three moons rose over the horizon to bathe the world in silver and shades of red.

Loud techno music boomed from speakers of arcades and various Dueling grounds. The air smelled of fried food and popcorn. It hurt Ethan to see all the other youngsters together enjoying their evening after class. They were in large groups, and now, because he could not control his temper, he was alone.

He wondered how he could be so stupid? He was friends with two knights, a master mage from the Citadel, and two of the most beautiful princesses in Termnnia. His pride always managed to come roaring out of him unexpectedly. He was a lion, after all, a green lion from House Morris, a cadet branch of the Daltons and their golden-crowned gray lion. "Lions must always show their pride," his father once counseled him. "We may be green but we are lions nonetheless, and we do not take heed of the opinions of the lambs."

Was Ethan right in shouting his true feelings about Alexis and her race? It was because of an Eldori that the Morris's were sent out of Domino in the first place. So naturally, his family hated them.

But Alexis had shown him a kindness nobody in the race of Men had. No. To the Ten Hells with what his father thought. Alexis was his friend, and he had to reconcile with her and Princess Evelyn. They were almost sisters to him. A big grin formed on his mouth when he saw the big red neon sign of a shop that was simply called Game Shop.

The establishment was owned by Solomon Muto, the grandfather of the King of Games. He was also master to hundreds of the best Duelists in Termnnia such as Melody the Dream of Cartha. Ser Lance Rommel the Fire King, Joey Wheeler the Knight of the Black Dragon, Lady Alda Vlinorman the Knight of the Mirror, Ser Malik Steele the Shark of the Coast, and just recently he and his grandson trained Prince Yuri the Eradicator of Anubis.

Ethan smirked. Mayhaps he could get an epic name after being taught by the master of the master, Yugi. He hoped the tale of him spurting out his derogatory word didn't reach the old man in his Ancient years, as it was called for the Eldori, another thousand years and he would reach his Twilight Years, the end of the Eldori lifetime. They may have lived long, but they were not immortal like the Elves or the Nymphs.

He took a deep breath to calm himself and stepped through the glass doors of the Game Shop. It was pretty dark in there with only dim blue ceiling lamps casting a glow like the twilight and some near the edges that were regular lights illuminating the merchandise on the shelves.

"Oh, hello there," said Solomon, high atop a ladder putting a few tabletop RPGs into the top shelves. "Welcome to the Game Shop."

"Need some help, Master Solomon?" A young woman asked coming out of the stockroom with an armful of booster boxes with the new Duel Monsters set. She was an Eldori with glittery green hair with a bang that formed into a spiral over her forehead. She was wearing a black apron with the Game Shop logo embroidered in red over her school uniform.

"No thank you, Priscilla," Solomon said climbing down the rungs of the ladder till he touched the ground. He rubbed his back and groaned in pain.

"I'll get your pills," said Priscilla.

"There is no need," said Solomon.

"Ah, ah, ah," said Priscilla. "Remember, the doctor said to take three pills in the morning and three more in the evening. I'll go make some tea."

"Thank you, my dear," Solomon said, still rubbing his aching back while Priscilla walked into the stockroom. "Sorry about that, son. I had to hire an assistant to help me out around the shop because of that no good grandson of mine." He looked at a mural on the wall over the cash wrap of Yugi holding up a trophy from a past tournament called the Duelist Kingdom Tournament. A card lay in a glass display case called Ties of Friendship, one of the prizes he won at the event.

"'Sorry grandpa, but I've got to prepare for the tournament,' he says. I like a good Duel as much as the next guy, but in my day our chores and our elders came first."

"There's a tournament going on?"Ethan asked.

"Of course," said Solomon. He pointed to a poster on the wall over the Duel Monster cards. "It's to celebrate the Name Day of Prince Yuri. Only the most elite Duelists in the school have been invited to attend. The winner of the games gets free tuition for a whole semester and a chance to face Prince Yuri in a Duel."

Ethan gawked at the poster.

"So, you want to enter the tournament, eh?" Solomon asked.

"It's new on my agenda."

"Better scratch it off if you know what's good for you. I know who you are, boy. You're that boy who told Princess Alexis off the other day."

"You know about that?" Ethan replied glumly.

"Do I know about that?" snapped Solomon. "Princess Alexis is one of my brightest students. She came into the shop after the ordeal. She was very upset."

"I can imagine, that is why I've come here, sir. I need a little of your wisdom. See, I've got a Duel with Seto Kaiba's daughter in exactly forty minutes. I'm kind of nervous, do you have any advice?"

Solomon stood there and looked at him. He scoffed and said, "Good luck," before walking to the shelves full of strategy guides.

"Wait that's it?" Ethan said in surprise. He followed after Solomon.

"Mmmm," growled Solomon. "Are you sure you want wisdom from an old Toon like me?" Solomon crossed his arms.

"Sir, please. I was just angry. I lost a couple of matches that day, and my friends just keep bringing up my loss at the Emerald Marches. My frustrations and my pride got the better of me."

"Don't sweat it, kid," Solomon said with a stern grin. "It happens all the time. Duel Monsters can be a very complex game. Only those who study it thoroughly and master all the cards can become champions like my grandson and Prince Yuri. What you did in the arena, that is not the way a Duelist acts. A true Duelist plays with honor and shows respect for their opponent no matter what the outcome of the match."

"I know I'm sorry." Ethan gave an apologetic bow. His PDA gave a buzz. He took it out of the jacket of his blazer and checked. It was Cora. She sent him a message.

Ethan,

I've got a lot of homework to do. Lucky for you, Seto and I have decided to reschedule our match for next week. Hopefully, that will give you time to prepare your pathetic deck and give me a proper match. If you wind up being a waste of my time, don't bother talking to me again. Have a good weekend. Good luck.

"So you're going to Duel Cora Kaiba, eh?" Solomon asked.

"Yeah," Ethan said putting his PDA back into his blazer. "She uh…cancelled the match. Rescheduling for another time."

"Someone looks rather relieved," Priscilla said coming out of the stockroom with Solomon's medicine and tea. "So, is he your new student?"

"Huh, student?" Solomon asked.

"I couldn't help but overhear you talking with this boy. It sounds like he's in a real jam."

"Yes, you could train me Master Solomon?" said Ethan. "I wish to be your student. Mayhaps I could get into the tournament."

"What say you, master?" Priscilla said placing the tray with the tea on a counter full of Capsule Monster figurines.

"Hmm," Solomon said rubbing his beard.

"Please, sir. I want my friends back. Winning this tournament might be the only way to get back their respect. You don't know what it's like being here alone."

"Well…Yes, I could forge you into a great tournament Duelist. But only if you're willing to spend endless days and sleepless nights filled with rigorous training!"

"No problem, I can handle anything you throw at me!"

"With an attitude like that training you may not be worth my time!" Solomon shouted.

Ethan jumped back in surprise.

"You'd best think about what you're doing, kiddo," Priscilla said, pouring herself a cup of tea. "Looks like training you is going to prove too much of a challenge for dear old, Solomon here."

"But…"

"Sorry, but if Master Solomon says he can't do it, he can't do it."

"Well, it's not impossible," said Solomon. "Oh, very well. As of right now, you are apprenticed to me. You will come by every day after school and maintain the shop with Priscilla, and after your shift is over, I will train you until the crack of dawn. Understood!"

"Yes, master!" Ethan gulped.

Solomon cracked his knuckles. "I'm going to make you wish you never came to me, boy. Well, what are you just standing there for? Get an apron and start sweeping the place!"

---

The Templars

---

Nestled in the green and rolling fields of the River Realm was the town of Riverrock. The village was home to no more than thirty people all out and about decorating the town with streamers and colorful banners to celebrate the birthday of a blacksmith's son. In an effort to culturalize the people outside the walls of Eredas, Seto Kaiba began giving out Duel Disks for them to play with.

It did not require any form of magic and was easy to use for the folk who chose to stay away from the technological hubbub of Domino City. It was a program adopted by many lords throughout Termnnia for this meant there was lots of gold to be had, and the children enjoyed them very much. The birthday boy put it on his wrist, smiling with excitement and ready to test it out against his friends. They all charged to the fields and stopped right by the river to play their game.

"Let's do this, Robbie!" the birthday boy shouted. "I summon to the field my Tiger Axe!"

The people in the village gasped in awe and amazement when the Duel Disk rendered the beast onto the fields.

"This is amazing," said Robbie. "Not a bad monster, Aldwin. But how can your tiger fair against my Celtic Guardian!"

They were having so much fun that they failed to notice they were being watched by a large attack force of fanatical Templars from the Church.

"Look, men," said an old grizzled man atop his thick warhorse armored in black and white. "Down there! Blasphemers playing the game Duel Monsters. Look at how they summon those demons to pollute this world with their evil."

The Templars nodded and murmured in agreement.

"And here I thought you were going to take heed to the words of the prince," said the old man, who went by the name Guy de la Terre Sainte. He was a mercenary working for the Templars of Yeyu.

"He's not going to be anything soon," Stefan the King of Naralia answered arrogantly. "They have swordsmen down there, Guy. Seems like they're going to fight back."

"Good," said Guy. "It wouldn't be good sport if they didn't."

"My Lord," said the abbot, dressed in silver engraved armor. "They send a messenger into the hills. It appears they've seen us."

"After him!" commanded Stefan. "If Yuri gets wind of this he'll have his God Cards tear me limb from limb."

"We're in the middle of nowhere," Guy assured him. "This battle will have no consequence. I promise you."

"I would rather not be tried for treason before Antilles' plan comes to motion," said Stefan.

"Don't worry, My Lord. I know what will come of this when it is all over. 'It was Guy!' they will say. 'Guy! Guy! Yes, that was him! The traitor!' As far as anyone here is concerned, My Lord, you are back in the White Palace making love to Lady Avi."

"You are a dangerous man, Guy de la Terre Sainte. I couldn't find a better champion in this fight."

"If there is a war to be had with these heathens, I'd have it now. Besides, you shouldn't worry about Yuri anymore. The way I hear it, he won't live to see his second semester at the Academy. In the meantime, let us hunt some Duelists!"

"IN THE NAME OF YEYU!" shouted the abbot.

"IN THE NAME OF YEYU!" the other Templars shouted, drawing their swords, axes, halberds, and spears.

"IN THE NAME OF YEYU!" shouted Guy.

Stefan let out a furious battle cry and led his men in a violent charge down the hill towards the village. They made sure no one survived. Not even the children.

---

Yuri

---

"A Templar raiding party!" Yami shouted, pacing back and forth in his office chambers at the academy. "Led by none other than Guy de la Terra Sainte!"

"Who?" Yuri asked.

"I know of this barbarian," said Stas. "I massacred his fanatical followers in the War of the Golden Summer, just before we came to school."

"What were you fighting him for?" Yuri asked.

"He led my brother's forces against my father and I. They were Yeyunists, we weren't. This little quarrel dove my country into a fearsome civil war that lasted the whole summer. Father and I ended the war just after I met you lot in White Harbor. Father hewed my brother's head from his shoulders and I struck Guy in the back with my sword, but now it seems I didn't do enough damage."

"After Stefan promised me?" said Yuri. "I knew he couldn't be trusted!"

"He couldn't have been there," said Ryon. "It would be hypocritical if he just massacred magic users when he himself is one."

"The followers of the faith haven't regarded Stefan's gift as magic," said Pegasus, sitting beside his son Gekko at the table.

"Indeed," said Gekko. "They view it as a miracle from Yeyu. After he summoned a form of Exodia during the attack, his followers now regard him as a savior. Some have even called him the True Summoner of Dragons and claim Avi's dragons were mere illusions of witchcraft. My brother now travels with her to make sure they don't try anything."

"How stupid can you get?" Michael chuckled. "She burned down a corsair fleet with her dragons and they doubt her gift?"

"So is the nature of fanatics," said Gekko. "They've started begging Stefan to arrest her."

"Divines save her if she does," said Yuri. "He knows what's going to happen."

"Come on gentlemen," said Jaeyoung. "Stefan stayed true to his word. I hate to admit it, but he saved our skins in that attack."

Yami let out a gust of frustration from his chest. He knew Jaeyoung was right.

"I agree," said Yuri, fidgeting with the Pendant of the Kings around his neck. He too was finding it difficult to fathom that Stefan was behind the massacre at Riverrock. "He's really not a bad guy as much as I hate to admit it. Besides, it seems the only guilty party in this mess is this Guy fellow."

"Yuri's right," said Pegasus. "My little birds tell me Stefan was sighted with Lady Avi at the beach for a romantic breakfast by the sea whilst this attack took place."

"But we told Stefan to keep his people in check!" said Jon, slamming his fist onto the table.

"I single man can't change the minds of the people," said Yami. "Not even their own king. He made a valid point when he said he couldn't control what his followers do. They have minds and wills of their own, some weak than others. If there are a few who choose to commit violence against those who don't stand for their beliefs, then there is nothing we can do but ride against them and make an example of them."

"Then we sail for Domino and arrest Guy de la Terra Sainte," said Marcel.

"No!" said Yami. "You need to finish your studies."

"There are more important matters at hand here, master," said Ryon.

"None more important than this."

"I can't believe you just said that," said Jon. "I am a lover of the game as well, master, but people's lives are at stake out there."

"You cannot become kings without being master Duelists first," said Pegasus. "Like it or not, you live in a world where a game dictates how we live, and, at times, how we die."

"A game," chuckled Jon. He looked at his deck, which he removed from his pocket. "Hard to believe, that most of our troubles begin…and end with something so trivial."

"A game," Phoenix said, feeling the term was a little underwhelming to describe a pastime like Duel Monsters, a game of thrones as some would put it. "That's a rather tortured way to put Duel Monsters, especially coming from a man like you, Pegasus."

"Who needs Duel Monsters when we've got our alliance!" said Jon, squeezing his fist. "We've got enough men to win a thousand battles!"

"I see," said Peter Dragonheart, drunk with wine and boredom while he sat next to Yuri. He hiccuped and poured himself another cup. "So you'd rather massacre thousands of men in a battle instead of play a five-minute card game, is that it?"

Jon looked at the little man and sat back down. "And why is he here!" Jon demanded, slamming himself back on his seat.

"He is going to be my uncle," said Yuri. "After Alexandra and I marry. I have officially named him my advisor."

Michael, Phoenix, Jon, Jaeyoung, Ryon, Stas, and Marcel stared at Yuri in disbelief.

"Oh please," said Peter. "Do hold your excitement."

"You're getting awfully chummy with the Dragonhearts, Prince Yuri," said Gekko, said trailing Yuri through the halls after their meeting was adjourned.

"Oh, this is terrible," said Phoenix. "People are hunting us like animals!"

"And siding with the Dragonhearts will only make things worse," said Gekko. "They are not to be trusted."

"Who are you?" Marcel asked.

"Gekko, son of Maximillion Pegasus! I am new here."

"I didn't know Pegasus had a son," said Jaeyoung.

"Likewise," said Stas. "I was sure he only had little Joceilia before Lady Cecilia passed away."

"He has two sons actually," Gekko corrected them politely. "Me and my brother, Yako. And we are not sons by blood. He took us in from the orphanage in Rassay."

"Adopted by Pegasus," said Michael. "Damn, you and your brother are pretty lucky orphans. Just, where did you say he was?"

"We left him back in Domino," said Gekko. "He is to travel with Lady Avellana and Master Aigami, a member of the Eyar like Master Yu-Gi-Oh."

"Ah yes," said Yuri. "I remember him. In any case, I look forward to seeing you around. Don't be a stranger, Gekko. This castle is so big we hardly see one another. I seldom get to see my best friend Ren anymore. We've been separated for so long I forgot he was here with me."

"I'll stick close by," said Gekko, shaking Yuri's hand. "Don't you become a stranger now, either.

---

Yuri

---

"I never thought children failing in school could be such a wondrous thing," Alexandra said, walking with Yuri arm in arm towards the lake to have a picnic.

"It must be really bad if Blizzard Dragon has called back the frost," said Yuri.

"Well, you can blame technology for that," said Alexandra setting down the basket into the grass. "All the kiddies like to do is watch stupid videos on their phones and it rots their minds. But I don't mind. Their failure is not my problem and I rather enjoy our tropical weather. Sit my love."

"Right," Yuri said, sitting down on the grass. Alexandra opened the basket and handed him a fried chicken wing they bought from one of the restaurants in the school.

"I'm so glad for weekends," said Alexandra, smelling the crisp air. The sail of a Spike Seadra poked out of the water, but they had nothing to worry about, as the Sea Serpents were friends of the students of the academy. "We have no work to do and I can spend my time with you." She rested her cheek on his shoulder and gave a passionate sigh. "Have I grown on you, my love?"

"You're something else, I have to admit," said Yuri. "Yeah, you're not so bad, princess."

"Oh, it pleases me to hear you say that," she kissed his shoulder. "Look at those muscles. Those Legionnaire forged you well."

"Yeah, I owe them a lot."

"I also heard you secretly named the hero who trained you as the new Caesar."

"I had to," said Yuri. "I left that country without a ruler and he was the best candidate I had. It was the least I could do to repay him for all the lessons. If it hadn't been for him, I would have died in the Pillar of Termnnia while searching for the God Cards."

"May I see them?" Alexandra asked with wonder in her eyes.

Yuri nodded. There was a glass case hanging underneath the Pendant of the Kings that held his three monsters. He opened the case making her gasp in awe. "Can I hold them?" she said almost in a whisper. Yuri kissed her forehead and handed them to her. Their holographic foil when touching the sun, lit up Alexandra's face in rainbow hues.

"They're so beautiful." She moved the cards from side to side to see their raised 3D images.

"Well, well, well," Mai Valentine said approaching the couple. "I thought I'd find you two love birds here."

"Mai!" Yuri said in surprise. He stood up to look at his godmother.

"Well," Alexandra said, standing up as well. "The Delight of Termnnia in the flesh. Nice."

"Congratulations on your wedding lover boy," Mai said embracing Yuri.

"It's wonderful to see you, Mai." Yuri said when Mai let him go of her hug. "What can I do for you?"

"It's a beautiful day, the weather is warm, we have nothing to do. So I was wondering if you and I could have a Duel."

"Oh!" said Alexandra. Mai Valentine had been her favorite Duelist since she was a small girl. Though a girl with a cold heart, Mai was her heroine. To see her in a Duel was a real honor.

"Really?" said Yuri. "A Duel with you Professor? Of course, I would."

"Great, come with me," Mai said. He held up her hand and morphed her gold white swirled ring into a white Duel Disk trimmed with platinum. Yuri morphed his own ring into a Duel Disk. Alexandra picked up the picnic basket and ran far from the battlefield to watch the match.

They both started with 8000 Life Points.

"Good luck," said Yuri.

"Thank you now, ladies, first," said Mai. "And I call ―Harpie Lady in attack mode!"

Harpie Lady

ATK/1300 DEF/1400

"Then I set one card face down. That's it for me honey-bunny."

"All right, I summon Kabazauls in attack mode."

Yuri summoned a forty-foot hippo-like dinosaur that had the color of a radish. Going down its spine were long white spikes.

Kabazuals

ATK/1700

"Kabazauls attack Harpie Lady."

Kabazauls reared on its hind legs and clumsily walked towards Harpie Lady. It raised its hand in the air ready to cut Harpie Lady to ribbons with its seventeen-inch claws.

"You just walked right into my Trap, I activate Mirror Wall!"

A wall of crystals formed in front of Kabazauls. His reflection showed perfectly on the wall.

"What happened?" Yuri asked.

"Kabazauls went smack-dab into his reflection, causing his attack points to get cut in half."

Kabazauls' attack went from 1700 to 850. He was now weaker than Harpie Lady.

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes baby," said Mai. "Harpie Lady COUNTER ATTACK!"

Harpie Lady flew out from her crystal sanctuary and slashed Kabazauls in the face exposing the white of his skull. Kabazauls fell backward and died. Yuri's Life Points went down to 7550.

"Well isn't that a kick in the ass," said Yuri. "Your turn."

"Thank you. I choose to summon a monster in face-down defense position and not to do anything else this turn."

"You sure?" Yuri asked.

"I'm positive hon, your turn." Mai's Life Points suddenly dropped to 6000.

"Hey Mai, why did you Life Points go down?" Yuri asked.

"Oh, you'll see."

"Okaaay, my turn," said Yuri. "I summon Two-Headed King Rex."

Yuri summoned a two-headed dinosaur that stood on two legs. On its back, it had two twenty-foot wings. The color of his body was royal purple, the eyes burned like molten gold and its claws and horns were pure ivory.

Two-Headed King Rex

ATK/1600 DEF/1200

"Two-Headed King Rex, attack Harpie Lady!"

Two-Headed King Rex jumped into the air and stuck its foot out to stomp Harpie Lady. He instead stomped the wall of crystals again. Harpie Lady flew out and stuck her claw into King Rex's throat, ripping it out. Yuri's monster made sickening gurgles and fell dead on its back. Yuri's Life Points fell to 7050.

"What!" Yuri groaned.

"You ran into my Mirror Wall again, what are they teaching you? Don't you know that Mirror Wall is a permanent trap?"

"Someone hasn't been paying attention in class," teased Alexandra.

"Now, it's my turn," said Mai. "I equip my Harpie Lady with a spell card called Blonde Seduction."

Harpie Lady's hair suddenly turned golden blonde. "This will prevent me from having to pay two-thousand of my Life Points to keep my Mirror Wall out and gives my Harpie Lady seven hundred extra attack points; now HARPIE LADY ATTACK YURI'S LIFE POINTS DIRECTLY!"

Harpie Lady's talons began to glow blue and started to grow until they were twelve inches long. Harpie Lady flew towards Yuri and scratched him across the chest. Yuri rubbed his chest and fell to his knees as his Life Points decreased to 5050.

"Honestly hon, I expected a lot more from you, but I've got to say I haven't had this much fun in years." Mai laughed.

"It's no use," Yuri said, drawing his next card. "I summon Black Stego in attack mode; place two cards face down and end my turn."

Mai raised an eyebrow when she saw Yuri's Stegosaurus appear on the field. It only had 1200 attack points."

"Yuri, what are you doing?" she asked.

"Nothing, why?" Yuri asked.

"You know my Harpie Lady has more attack points than your Black Stego."

"So."

"Oh, very funny, honey. Now it's my turn, I activate Harpie's Feather Duster; this will clear out all the cards in your Spell and Trap Zone."

Harpie Lady grew six fifteen-foot wings and flew upside down over Yuri's cards, brushing them all away.

I don't believe it, thought Yuri, Mai's been creaming me with just one monster.

"Well, now that there is no more threat, I flip summon another Harpie Lady,"

"Oh, shit another one," said Yuri.

"And next I use the spell Elegant Egotist, this allows me to summon Harpie Lady Sisters."

Yuri went pale.

The three harpies had gold armor. One of the sisters had long rosy pink hair, the second had short orange hair, and the last had long wild blue hair.

Harpie Lady Sisters

ATK/ 1950 DEF/2100

"And since I haven't normal summoned anything yet, I think I'll do so now, I summon Harpie's Brother."

Harpie's Brother

ATK/ 1800 DEF/600

Yuri now had to deal with four harpies.

"Harpie Lady! Attack Black Stego!"

Harpie Lady rocketed towards Black Stego. Black Stego curled into a ball and Harpie Lady went SMACK! right into a digital-like force field. Mai lost 700 Life Points, bringing her to 5300.

"Hey, what' the deal?" she asked. "How did your Black Stego suddenly switch to defense mode. You can't do that, that's cheating."

"Whoa, whoa, professor, Black Stego went to defense mode because of its effect. When it gets attacked, it switches to defense mode. And since its defense is two thousand none of your monsters can destroy it."

"Not yet. I end my turn," said Mai

"Now it's my turn. I activate Heavy Storm which blows away all spell and traps."

Mai's Mirror Wall and Blonde seduction were blown away by a strong gust of wind. "I now, sacrifice Black Stego to summon Dark Driceratops."

Dark Driceratops

ATK/ 2400

Yuri's monster was fourteen feet tall. It had three short crooked horns on its head. The mouth was a gold massive beak. Dark Driceratops had wrinkly emerald skin and two thirty-foot purple feathery wings sticking out of its neck.

"Attack Harpie Lady!" commanded Yuri.

Dark Driceratops flew up high and body-slammed the Harpie Lady. Her arm stuck out from under the monster's stomach. It twitched and fell limp then evaporated. Dark Driceratops flew back up high and landed on Yuri's side of the field. Mai lost 1100 Life Points bringing her Life Points to 4900.

"That ends my turn."

"Not bad, baby," Mai said, drawing her card. She looked at it and smiled seductively. "I activate the field spell, Harpie's Hunting Ground!"

The meadow around the lake was transformed into a windy baron canyon that had a stream as thin as a puddle. There were bones of monsters and humans littered all over the ground.

"What does this do?" Yuri asked.

"This field spell increases the attack and defense of all Winged-Beasts by two hundred points. Once during my turn, I can destroy one Spell or Trap on your side on the field but for now, I think I'll summon Cyber Harpie!"

Yuri did not see anything. All he heard was a loud screech and a loud whoosh that went over his head. It took him a while to notice but he finally realized that Mai's Harpies were gone. "Now I equip my Cyber Harpie with Rose Whip increasing her attack by three hundred."

"Where'd they go?"

"Into the shadows," Mai whispered. "They're hunting you. They're waiting for you to summon your next monster." Shadows flew all over the canyon. Rocks fell from ledges from the top of the canyon. The sound of claws scratching on rocks made Yuri nervous. Mai chuckled and shouted: "HARPIE LADY SISTERS ATTACK!"

Dark Driceratops grew nervous. Yuri heard a rock falling behind him. He gasped and ducked as the three Harpies flew above him and grabbed Dark Driceratops, taking it to the top of the canyon. There was a loud roar that echoed from the top of the canyon. Moments later Dark Driceratops' not-so-clean skull fell before Yuri's feet. He lost 150 Life Points taking him to 4900.

"Now, Cyber Harpie, attack Yuri's Life Points!"

The Cyber Harpie flew from the sky. She had purplish-black armor and a laser whip. She raised it high and struck Yuri with it. Yuri twitched and screamed in agony. Tears began to form in his eyes as he dropped to his knees. His Life Points went down to 2500.

"That's enough, I end my turn."

The blow from the whip knocked the wind out of Yuri. It took him a while to get up. When he was back on his feet, he drew his card. "I play the spell Turnabout Treasure. If this is the only card I have in my hand I can draw cards from my deck equal to the amount of face-up cards you have on the field. I count six so I get to draw six cards."

Mai waited as Yuri drew his six cards.

"I summon Archaeopteryx!"

Yuri smiled. "I waited all year to finally use this. I'm sorry I had to use it against you."

Mai grew nervous. "What that bird?"

"No, Mai, a monster I hold in my hand. Here's how I'll summon it. I activate the card Ultra-Evolution Pill – Revised Formula. I tribute a Winged- Beast to summon a dinosaur from my hand."

"Black Tyranno?"

"Well, no," said Yuri. "I'm still in the process of getting him back. But this next monster is going to make you wish it was my dear Black Tyranno," he flipped his card around to show Mai. She gasped in shock. "This is Ultimate Tyranno. When he gets summoned, he activates as nasty ability. He attacks all monsters you have." Yuri waved as he disappeared behind a pillar of purple smoke coming out of Archaeopteryx. The smoke rose up a mile high.

"Yuri?" cried Mai. "Where'd you go? Yuri this isn't funny. Where are you!"

A loud roar coming out of the pillar of smoke answered her. The earth began to quake. An enormous foot stepped out of the smoke. Mai saw one of the most terrifying monsters she had ever seen. It was so tall half of its head, the size of a truck, was poking out of the canyon. The beast had black natural armor over brown shaggy skin.

The muscles on the legs were red. Its haunting onyx black eyes were locked onto Mai's making her shiver. The monster took two titanic steps out of the smoke snorting as it did. The status projection showed a heart-pounding 3000 attack points. From behind the smoke, Mai heard "ATTACK!" Ultimate Tyranno's eyes rolled to the back of its head like a Great White Shark. In a berserk fury, Ultimate Tyranno began tearing apart the canyon walls. Like a frightened flock of swallows the harpies flew out. Ultimate Tyranno first devoured all three of the Harpie Lady sisters.

Next Ultimate Tyranno was looking for Harpie Lady. Harpie Lady flew out from under a rock Ultimate Tyranno roared causing a rockslide behind Mai. Harpie's Brother flew from behind it. Cyber Harpie was whipping Ultimate Tyranno with her laser whip and Rose Whip but the metallic scales prevented him from feeling pain. Ultimate Tyranno smashed his body against Cyber Harpie and the wall crushing and killing her instantly. Ultimate Tyranno then attacked Harpie's Brother by stomping on him. Finally, all that was left was the regular Harpie. Ultimate Tyranno crushed her with its tail as she was trying to fly away behind her.

Total Damage

4550

Mai dropped to her knees as her Life Points plummeted to 350. She looked blankly at Ultimate Tyranno. The smoke and dust cleared away revealing Yuri fanning his face with his hand and coughing.

"Wow, your turn Mai," he said happily.

Mai chuckled and shook her head. "No honey, I've got nothing in my deck that can stand up to that Ultimate Tyranno and I don't want to see any more of my Harpies get killed." Mai put her hand on her deck. "You win babe."

"But, you still have three hundred-fifty Life Points left."

"Sweetie, I'm surrendering, you won."

The canyon faded and they returned to the meadow.

"So, she surrendered," whispered Alexandra. "Pitiful, but I still love her nonetheless."

"I've got to say, Yuri, you've got spunk. I've never seen a first-year Duel like that since Zane Truesdale came into the school."

"You weren't so bad yourself Mai," said Yuri.

"I hope we can Duel again, Yuri. That was fun. But watch out, I'll be kicking your ass next time."

---

Cora

---

Cora stormed down the glass hallways of the castle's eastern district. She clutched a bouquet of roses in one hand and a roll of parchment in the other. She spotted Ethan, shook her head and furiously stormed his direction. Ms. Goldwine peered from behind her black leather planner and bit her lip, hoping her darling Cora would tell the arrogant boy off.

"Cora," said Ethan. "It's good to…."

"No!" Cora snapped. "I came to return your flowers and your sonnet. I wanted to puke reading it by the way."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Ethan said, taking the gifts back. "Why did you not like them?"

"Because I don't date xenophobic assholes like you. My father and my little uncle are so-called Toons as you called them."

"Cora, I didn't mean what I said; I was just angry."

"My father taught me anger reveals one's character. And you most definitely revealed yours when you called Alexis Rhodes a Toon. Where is your respect you prick, she's a princess!"

"Please, Cora. Let me prove myself to you in a Duel."

"You're not worthy of my time," said Cora.

"She looks pissed," Mokuba said approaching Ms. Goldwine, still peering at the two youngsters down the hall.

"What the hell is going on, Barbara?" Kaiba asked walking behind his little brother.

"Another love-crazed fool who thinks he has a hope in the Ten Hells with your daughter," Ms. Goldwine sneered.

"Has she Dueled lately?"

"She beat two students in a handicap match yesterday?" Ms. Goldwine answered with a smile. "Some of the brightest students from South."

Kaiba growled. "What is she doing wasting time with third-rate Duelists from the lower-ranked dorms!" he snapped. "Your job is to make sure she gets the Duels she needs to impress me, and you book her matches with amateurs?"

"Nobody wants to face her, Mr. Kaiba," said Ms. Goldwine. "The whole school is afraid of her. Cora's Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon is just too intimidating for most of the students. Most students say they'd rather face Yugi Muto because they feel they have a chance."

"Interesting," said Kaiba. "I should be proud of that, but I want her to Duel. Put rewards out for her defeat," he smiled villainously. "I'll pay big to any Duelist who defeats her."

"Tell that to him," Mokuba said jeering at Ethan's sorry attempts to woo Cora.

"Hmm," Kaiba snorted and walked down to Cora's side.

"S-Seto Kaiba," Ethan grimaced while taking a few steps back.

"Daddy?" Cora said turning around.

"So, this is the racist punk, I've heard so much about," said Kaiba, looking down at Ethan like a cockroach that needed squashing. "You sure you want to entice a girl with someone like me as a father?"

"Regardless of what you may think, I am not a racist!" Ethan cried out. "I lost so many matches that afternoon, and my fury got the better of me, sir. Let me redeem myself in a Duel against Cora."

"You think losing another match will bring you redemption," Kaiba smirked. "How pathetic."

"I don't intend to lose," said Ethan. "I'm going to beat her."

"Really?" said Kaiba.

"Quite confident, isn't he?" Ms. Goldwine smirked, approaching the three of them with Mokuba, proudly walking beside Cora with his arms crossed.

"Ethan, you're a good Duelist and all but you'd be wasting Cora's time," Mokuba said with a sneer.

"Good Duelist," Kaiba grinned. "He couldn't even hold the Emerald Marches."

"Let me prove it to you!" said Ethan. "I'll take her and her dragons down!"

Kaiba glared at him. He saw his arrogance as a lack of respect for the Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

"Look Kaiba; you don't like me and I sure as hell don't like you. But I really like your daughter." He looked into Cora's bright blue eyes. "So I will Duel her and prove to you that I am not a loser. If I lose against her, I promise you will never hear from me again. But if I win Cora goes on a date with me!"

Kaiba's shoulders began to tremble. Puffs of air came out of his nose, and then he broke into a laugh that thundered in the vast halls of silver.

"Daddy lighten up, it wasn't that funny," Cora cringed.

"Very well, Ethan of House Morris," Kaiba said after he was done laughing madly. "You will have your Duel. But Cora has class now. If you really want to go through with this then meet us in the Silver Dome Arena on the thirtieth floor in four hours. You'll have your Duel."

---

Yuri

---

Later that afternoon Yuri decided to have lunch with Bastion after class. He was joined by Michael, Jaeyoung, Stas, Marcel, Jon, Yugi as well as Jaden and Syrus in a cafe that stood next to an arena where some kids from junior high were Dueling against a student from the college-level classes. It was dark and warm in there, with only the lights of the neon sign, the menu and the kitchen lighting up the cafe, while outside, the lights from the arena were bright as always.

A moat surrounded the arena, and there were waterfalls pouring down from the stadium's seats where a few students came to watch the matches. The leader of the kids from junior high was an Eldori boy with black spiked hair, a long nose, and dark eyes pumped with arrogance. He wore a white buttoned shirt, long black slacks, and polished black shoes. He wore black gloves with carbon knuckle guards. The kid was decimating the college student with monsters that reminded Yuri of mechs from various animes he watched back on earth.

"Amateur." Bastion said sipping his tea. They sat around a small table on uncomfortable black iron chairs. Yuri still had his scarf around his neck, because he felt like he had a cold. His head ached, and his body was aching terribly. He also had a terrible sneeze, and his nose was bright red (Chazz passed by and yelled: "Hey Rudolph! Christmas isn't here yet!").

"Ah, look who I've found," Alexandra said approaching the friends. She wore black leggings under her skirt and a scarf with the emblem of her house embroidered in gold.

"Oh, wow," said Syrus. She had seen her from time to time, but now she was going to join their company.

"Ah, princess," said Bastion. "So good of you to join us."

"What will you have My Lady?" asked the waiter.

"Tea would be fine," Alexandra said removing her coat as she sat down.

"May I recommend the buttered biscuits to go along with your drink your majesty?"

"Just tea, thank you," said Alexandra.

"Well hello, nurse!" said Ricky, hopping from Yuri's backpack onto the table.

"Oh," said Alexandra. "Yuri's little Fingolin. You know you're not so bad. I've grown used to you in fact."

"Oh, I'm in love!" Ricky said hopping into her arms.

"You're cute," said Alexandra, holding him close to her breasts.

ACHOO! Sneezed Yuri.

"Goodness me!" said Alexandra.

"You okay man?" Jaden asked, biting into a bacon turkey sandwich.

"Oh-no," Yuri sniffed. "I caught a little something from the creep sitting behind me when I went to the movies with Jaeyoung and Phoenix. The jerk didn't know how to cover his mouth. Isn't that great? My first cold in Termnnia."

"You shouldn't ignore that," said Alexandra. "What with that Blizzard Dragon making winter in the mountains, the weather's gotten colder, thereby releasing a strain of the flu."

"We should stop by the pharmacy, down below, and get you some medicine," said Bastion. There was a loud explosion as a salvo of missiles destroyed the college student's Steel Ogre Grotto #2. "We don't want that getting worse now do we?" Bastion continued. "I'll go order you some honeyed tea, that'll help with your symptoms until then. Waiter!" he called out, raising his hand.

"Yeah, you can't get sick now," said Marcel. "Not with all those opponents lining up to face you. Those will make some sweet Duels."

"You can have some of them," said Yuri. "My PDA was beeping off the hook with challenge after challenge. This is really bumming me out. You can face some of them if you want Syrus."

"Me?" said Syrus. "Oh, no siree. I'm not that good."

"Whaddaya mean you're not good," said Jaden, placing an arm around Syrus. Another explosion as a black mech with a glowing purple sword cut a Stone Ogre Grotto #2 in half. "I'll bet you can Duel really well."

"Come to think of it, I've never seen him Duel," said Yuri. "Why don't both of you have a quick match? I'm itching to see those Elemental Heroes of yours, Jaden."

"Really?" said Jaden. "The High King wants to see my deck? Sure, come on Syrus, what are waiting for? Let's Duel."

"Uh-no I..."

"Come on, Syrus," said Stas. "It's just a little fun. We've got nothing on the line, here."

"Except for my dignity."

"Come on man," said Jaeyoung. "It'll be quick. Why don't you make it 2000 Life Points." He got up from the table to throw his trash away and set aside his tray.

"Well, okay," said Syrus.

After lunch, The two of them found an open arena and started to play.

"I'm letting you start first," said Jaden. The Duel with the mech-using kid was still going on. He could have finished his opponent a long time ago, but he was enjoying humiliating him.

"Okay," said Syrus. "I summon Patroid!"

Syrus summoned a cartoon police patrol car with arms and legs. The headlights were its eyes, and the bumper was its mouth. A red siren on his back wailed as he came to the field. Yuri covered his mouth, to conceal his gaping mouth. "What the hell is that?" he muttered. It was a rather...interesting creature, to say the least. He heard the kids laughing at Syrus's monster.

Patroid

ATK/ 1200 DEF/1200

"I end my turn," said Syrus.

"What!" said Alexandra, holding Ricky in her arms. "Is that!"

"That's it?" Yuri asked. "No face-down cards or something?"

"Well I guess it's my turn," Jaden said drawing his card. "I summon Elemental Hero, Sparkman!" Jaden summoned a seven-foot warrior in a blue suit with gold armor and two wings. Electricity surged through him as he flew out into the field.

Elemental Hero Sparkman

ATK/1600 DEF/1400

"Now, Sparkman, attack Patroid!"

Sparkman rose into the air and sent a surge of electricity at the car monster. It made funny faces before being blasted away. Syrus lost 400 Life Points reducing him to 1600.

"Syrus, come one man. At least try," said Yuri.

"Uh, okay, I'll try," said Syrus. He looked at his hand. He had a Gyroid in his hand, Polymerization and a Steamroid. He also had a card in his hand called Power Bond, which would double the attack of a fusion monster. As badly as he wanted to use it, the card brought the boy horrible memories of the days of his youth. His older brother, Zane, was not the kindest of siblings.

As a child of a powerful family and steward to the House of Dalton, a title meaning that Zane was to be the Right Hand of the King. Duel Monsters was a major factor in his life and treated it with much seriousness. And when Syrus was learning how to play it brought Zane much displeasure. He was weak, always second-guessing himself and putting himself down.

Zane constantly scolded his brother for his weakness. No memory hurt Syrus more than the day Zane called Syrus a disgrace to the Truesdale name. If anything were to happen to him, Syrus would be next in line for the Stewardship of Domino, so he could not afford to be a weak Duelist. Syrus had attempted to use his Power Bond card against the child of a rival House and failed, losing the match and losing a great deal of land that House Truesdale had claim to. Zane won the land back, but their father shook with rage when he learned Syrus had lost them their land earlier.

Because of this horrid memory, Syrus did not use his Power Bond card, which would have doubled the attack of the Steam Gyroid he summoned and dealt 2800 points of damage against Jaden's Sparkman, ending the Duel.

But he summoned the card with Polymerization and only dealt a mere 600 Life Points. Jaden ended the Duel by sending his Elemental Hero Captain Gold to the Graveyard which allowed him to put the Field Spell Card, Skyscraper, to his hand. Jaden played the powerful spell that boosted the power of his Heroes when they attacked. He used his own Polymerization to fuse his Elemental Hero Avion and Burstinitrix to make the powerful, Elemental Hero Flame Wingman. Because Flame Wingman was 100 points short of Steam Gyroid, he received the boost from Skyscraper when he attacked.

The field boosted his monsters by 1000 when they attacked a monster with ATK higher than their own, thus boosting Flame Wingman's attack to 3100. And thanks to his special ability he could deal damage equal to the attack of the monster it destroyed deal a total of 3100 points of damage to poor Syrus, losing him the Duel.

The match was over, and the buildings disappeared, returning them to the stadium. Syrus was, no doubt, upset for the loss, but being the good friends that they were, Yuri, Bastion, and Jaden thought nothing of it and cheered him up.

"That was pathetic!" said the arrogant boy from before. "I can't believe that twerp is my senior. Us kids down here in the elementary levels can Duel way better than him."

"Get lost, kid," snapped Jaden.

"Oooooo!" teased one of the boy's friends. "Protecting your boyfriend?"

"Let's go, gentlemen," said Bastion. "We'd pretty much be having a conversation with a wall."

"Oh yeah," said the boy. "How about you and me Paps?"

"Paps!" Bastion cried in surprise.

"Uh-oh, looks like you hit a soft spot, boss."

"Hey, wait a minute," said the boy, spotting Yuri amongst the group. "Green glowing eye?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Syrus. "He's Yuri, and don't even think about it, spoiled brats like you aren't worth his time, right Yuri?"

"Well this is a real honor, I'm Ohgi Kim, the youngest star of the North Dorm. I've got to say; I've been itching to take you down."

"He's not worth the time," said Alexandra. "We should go."

"I agree," said Ricky, still hanging in Alexandra's arms.

"I say, Yuri shows this twerp who's boss," said Jaden.

"No!" said Bastion. "Nobody calls me Paps and gets away with it! If anybody is going to teach this elementary-level brat a lesson it's going to be me!"

"Didn't you leave your deck in your dorm, though?" Yuri asked.

"Ha!" said Bastion. "Yuri, if there's one thing you should know, it's that I always come prepared."

Bastion unbuttoned his blazer and showed a vest he kept underneath. There were rigs that held onto seven different decks. Bastion explained that he carried more than one deck, each one more powerful than the last. He chose to Duel the Ohgi with his Earth deck.

When they got into position, they began their Duel.

"DUEL!"

"I'm going first," said Ohgi. "I summon Starworld Fighter Kaizer Blade!"

Ohgi summoned a Japanese-style mech that stood fifteen meters tall. It was gleaming white and navy blue with two large jet packs on its back, and it wielded a long dark-blue sword.

Starworld Fighter Kaizer Blade

ATK/ 1400 DEF/ 1200

"Wow," said Alexandra. "When did Duel Monsters start getting so cheesy?"

"Blame da kids babe," said Ricky. "Once everyone could start playing at the end of the Fourth Era; the kids started rollin' in. So, Industrial Illusions saw a big cha-ching moment, and started makin' kid-friendly cards, like these here Starworld Fighters. After that, cards started getting censored too. Such a damn shame too. I like a little skin on my monsters."

"You would," Alexandra said rubbing her nose on Ricky's head.

"And now," said Ohgi. "I'll place one card face down. Your move Paps."

"Call me Paps one more time and I'll — you parasite." Bastion drew his card. "I summon Magnet Warrior-Sigma Plus, in Attack Mode!"

A giant metal warrior in orange armor, carrying an orange shield and a steel rod with a brass ball tip appeared to the field.

Magnet Warrior-Sigma Plus

ATK/1800

"Now my Magnet Warrior, attack his Kaizer Blade!"

The magnet warrior bolted towards the giant mech, blasting Bastion with a gust of air. It raised up its baton and smashed the Kaizer Blade in the head, blasting it to pieces and dealing 400 points of damage to Ohgi bringing him down to 3600 Life Points.

"I place a card face down and end my turn."

"Nice move, Paps!" said Ohgi. He drew his card. "But not good enough. I activate my face-down card: Starworld Scrapyard! This card activates when a Starworld Fighter is destroyed in battle, and then, I can summon a Starworld Fighter from my deck whose level is equal to the mech I lost before. So here's Starworld Fighter Nightsword!" Oghi summoned a black and white mech with a curved shield and longsword with a star-shaped guard.

Starworld Fighter Nightsword

ATK/ 1400 DEF/1200

"But I'm not done, Duel fans!" said Ohgi. "For I play Pot of Greed, allowing me to draw two cards. Sweet. I use the Spell Card Starworld Alliance. When I have a Starworld Fighter on the field, I can special summon one from my hand. So here's Starworld Fighter Ion Blaster!"

Ohgi summoned another mech to the field who had a massive laser cannon on for a right arm. It was white with magenta trim and armor and had wings on its back. It had 1800 attack points.

"I'll use my face down card," said Bastion. "Magnet Force Minus!"

Nightsword grunted as surges of red electricity sparked all around him.

"This card can equip itself onto a monster," said Bastion. "And, who it's equipped to, gains a negative magnetism, thus turning into a minus monster. And if you paid any attention in class; two minuses cannot engage in battle. But a minus and a plus, they must engage."

"And you gave the minus to my Nightsword!" said Ohgi.

"That's right, and since my Magnet is a plus monster, they must fight instead!"

"Nightsword wait!" shouted Ohgi.

"I'm afraid it's too late for that!" shouted Bastion. "So tell me, child, had enough yet?"

"Shut up, Paps!" said Ohgi. "I'm just getting started. For now, I'll use my Ion Blaster's special ability. When a Starworld Fighter engages in battle; my Ion Blaster will increase its attack by 500 points."

"Ugh," went Bastion.

Nightsword's attack increased to 1900, just enough to destroy Bastion's monster."

"YEAH!" cheered Oghi's friends.

"You aint seen nothing yet, you guys!" said Ohgi. "Now, Starworld Fighter Ion Blaster! Attack Paps directly!"

Starworld Fighter Ion Blaster charged up the cannon and then released a powerful green laser dealing 1800 damage to Bastion. The combined total dropped him to 2100.

"Don't you ever underestimate me, Paps. I place a card face down and end my turn."

"Call me Paps again, I dare you!" said Bastion.

"Paps!" said one of Ohgi's friends.

"Why you little ingrates!" shouted Bastion.

"Paps, Paps, Paps, Paps!" sang the children while sticking out their tongues and arrogantly shaking their hips. "Paps, Paps, Paps, Paps, Pa-Pa-Pa Paps Pa-Paps!"

"STOP THAT! STOP THAT THIS INSTANT!" shouted Bastion.

"Get on with the Duel, Bastion!" shouted Michael.

"I weep for the future indeed," said Bastion. "My draw! Excellent. I activate Magnet Conductor Plus! This allows me to bring a Magnet Warrior from the Graveyard to my hand. But he won't be in there for long, for I send him and the Magnet Warrior-Omega Minus from my hand to the Graveyard so I can summon Conduction Warrior Linear Magnum Plus Minus!"

The two magnet warriors fused together and became a walking tank with a yellow body with purple orbs and two giant purple cannons on its shoulders.

"And now I'll activate Magnum Plus Minus' special ability. It allows me to take half the points of one magnet monster on the field to his attack points!"

Since Bastion still had his Magnet Force Minus on the field, Ohgi's Nightsword was still considered a magnet monster. Magnum Plus Minus' attack was 2700, but thanks to the boost it was now 3400.

"You got them now!" said Jaden.

"Now, Magnum Plus Minus attack his Nightsword!"

The giant magnet warrior fired its cannons at the mech. There was a loud bang that sent Ohgi flying backward, landing hard on the floor. His Life Points dropped to 1600.

"Now I place two face downs on the field and end my turn," said Bastion. His magnet warrior went back down to 2700.

"Is that all you got Paps!" said Ohgi. "My draw! Yes, it's over! I play the card Starworld Recycling Plant. Now, once per turn, I can bring back a Starworld Fighter from the Graveyard to my hand. Next, I'm summoning Starworld Fighter Buster Brawler! And when he's summoned to the field, I can summon a Starworld Fighter from my deck to the field! So here's Starworld Fighter Dark Claymore! Now I'll play the spell Starworld Star Booster! This card will boost the level of all my monsters by 1. So now they're level five monsters. And I'll Xyz Summon."

"Oh no and Xyz monster!" cried Bastion.

"Just my luck," said Alexandra. "I haven't seen one of those all semester."

"Will it be yer first time, hon?" Ricky asked.

"Yes," Alexandra said looking down at Ricky. "Remember, I live out in the West. We Duel traditionally. We haven't had the luxury of Synchro, Pendulum or Xyz monsters."

"Well then, it looks like I'll have the honor of showing Princess Von Klaus her first Xyz Monster!" boasted Ohgi. "Feast your eyes on this bad boy, baby! Starworld Champion Axion Galaxy!"

Ohgi's new mech was taller than his previous ones. It was white with dark blue armor and trim. It had a large assortment of weapons including two oddly-shaped machine guns in its hand.

Starworld Champion Axion Galaxy

ATK/ 2600 DEF/ 2500

"And now for Axion Galaxy's special ability!" said Ohgi. "When he's successfully summoned to the field, no card effects can be activated. Then I can search my deck and give him an equip Spell Card of my choosing. So here's Longshot Piledriver!"

One of Axion Galaxy's machine guns was replaced by a heavily customized twenty-foot rifle. "Now for the fun part!" said Ohgi. "First, my Longshot Piledriver will force one of your monsters into Defense Mode and reduce its defense to 0. FIRE"

Axion Galaxy fired its new rifle at Magnum Plus Minus and forced it to get on its knees. And now came another effect. Axion Galaxy could deal damage to opponents even if their monsters were in Defense Mode."

Missile bays opened from Axion Galaxy's back. His systems locked on to Magnum Plus Minus and then a salvo of missiles shot out. They whistled, flying through the air and then pulverized Bastion's monster and the rest of his Life Points. Bastion screamed as he was knocked out of the arena by the blast and knocked flat on his back. His Life Points dropping to 0 as Ohgi's friends jumped into the arena to cheer their friend. He had his arms folded and his eyes closed with a mighty grin on his face.

"That's twenty college students that you've beaten since the term started!" said one of Ohgi's friends with a clipboard covered in tallies with Ohgi's wins. "You're unstoppable, boss!"

Ohgi nodded and said: "I know." He looked down from the arena to see Yuri and the others helping Bastion to his feet.

"You okay, man?" Yuri asked helping his friend up. "That was quite a fall."

"I...I lost," said Bastion. "How could I lose to that brat?"

"HA! HA!" laughed the kids teasing Bastion again. "Loser! Loser!"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Yuri shouted.

The kids all went quiet. Some of them looked like they were going to cry. Ohgi was stunned as well.

"Dude!" Michael said slapping Yuri in the back of the head. "What the crap man? I know they're as annoying as a pack of goblins, but they're just kids. You can't use that language in front of them like that."

"I'm not going to stand for this!" said Yuri. "Bastion played a great Duel. But, Ohgi! His ego's so big he could care less!"

"They're just kids man," said Jaden.

"Want to do something about it?" said Ohgi. "Then why don't you and I have a match?"

"Right now!" said Yuri.

"Fine, but if I win, you hand over that legendary Black Tyranno everyone's been talking about. AND, the princess and I will go out for ice cream after the game."

"What?" said all of Yuri's friends. Alexandra stood anchored to the ground, her eyes wide open in shock.

"Well," she said, "he sure is confident with himself, I'll admit."

"Forget this spoiled simpleton, Yuri," said Bastion. "Your Black Tyranno is too precious. He's more than just a monster; he's your companion."

Ohgi and the kids laughed.

"Companion? You've got to be kidding me right? Boy, are you college kids just the dumbest. Cards are all about power. They're keys to achieving victory. And monsters; they're servants who will obey our every command."

"That's not true!" said Yugi. "The cards have a heart. And your monsters will come through for you if you believe in them."

"Please," Ohgi scoffed as one of his friends sniggered while pretending to play the violin. "If Yuri views his monsters as friends then he truly is a weak Duelist. And those wins over Crowler, Alexis and Chazz were nothing more than strokes of dumb luck. But then again, they must be weak Duelists too to have lost to him."

"Yuri..." said Alexandra. "Kick his ass."

"Let's do this, Your Majesty," said Ohgi.

"I hope you know what you're doing," said Bastion.

"Yuri," said Yugi. "You've gotta use that special card I gave you. If there's anyone I'd like to see you use it against, it's that kid. Show him the power of your deck."

"I won't lose," said Yuri. Ricky jumped onto his shoulder.

"Let's do this," said Ricky.

"Since I won the last game," said Ohgi. "I'll go first. And I'm summoning Starworld Fighter Buster Brawler! And when he's summoned, I can special summon another Starworld Fighter from my deck to the field: Go, Starworld Fighter Kaizer Blade! And then I place two cards face-down and end my turn. It's your turn, Prince."

"I know!" Yuri shouted, drawing his card. "I special summon two Gilasaurus. Then use them as material for my Xyz monster; Grenosaurus!"

Grenosaurus

ATK/ 2000 DEF/ 1900

"Then I'll use Trade In, to send a level eight monster from my hand to the grave to draw two cards. And I'll summon Black Veloci!" Yuri summoned his black, and purple-feathered raptor to the field. The display showed 1800 ATK.

"Grenosaurus will attack your Kaizer Blade!" said Yuri.

"No he won't!" sneered Ohgi. "For I use the trap card, Black-Hole Shield! This trap card can equip itself to a Starworld Fighter, and, when it does, it forces that monster to go into defense mode; then the shield makes it so that the monster it's been equipped to can be the only target you select to attack. And I give it to my Buster Brawler!"

A white, shiny shield appeared on Buster Brawler's right hand. The mech then went on its knees and slammed the shield to the ground, anchoring it for impact. "But that's not all," said Ohgi. "If the attack points of a monster who attacks a defense position monster equipped with Black Hole Shield is lower than the defense points of the target monster; it gets removed from play!"

Buster Brawler had 2100 DEF, enough to withstand Grenosaurus' attack. The shield opened up revealing a powerful black hole at its core which sucked up Yuri's dinosaur.

"What!" said Yugi. "That's such an unfair card!"

"Say what you want," said Ohgi. "It's in the game; it's in my deck, and I played it. So cry me a river pipsqueak."

"Arrgh," growled Yugi.

"I place two cards face-down and end my turn," said Yuri.

"Now it's my turn," said Ohgi. "Awesome. I play Pot of Greed to draw two cards. Sexy." he said licking his teeth. "I tribute my Kaizer Blade for Starworld Fighter Neo Wolf!"

Starworld Fighter Neo Wolf

ATK/2300 DEF/2000

"Another mech," grumbled Ricky.

"And now," said Ohgi. "I play the field Spell Card: Starworld Stadium!"

Suddenly they were transported into a gigantic stadium in the middle of a city in outer space. There were cheering fans in the stand chanting Ohgi's name and a robotic announcer commentating all the action. Bright lights blinded poor Yuri. His dinosaur was getting spooked.

"Yeah!" cried Ohgi. "This awesome field spell will increase the attack and defense of my mechs by 300 points. And once per turn, I can raise the level of one of my mechs by 1. And when this card is in play, I can special summon Starworld Card Girl-Azalea to the field!"

Ohgi summoned a pretty female with shiny blue skin wearing a bright red bikini and high-heeled slippers. She blew Yuri and Black Veloci a kiss and held up a time card. Her long silver hair sparkled in the bright lights of the stadium. Her ATK was 0 but increased to 300 because of the field bonus."

"Oooo," cooed Ricky. "Pretty."

"Careful now," said Yuri. "You might make your new girlfriend jealous." He referred to Alexandra.

"Now when she's out on the field," said Ohgi. "My Starworld Fighters get their levels reduced by 1; and, once per turn, I can increase the level of a Starworld monster by 1. On top of that, while she's out in play, you can't destroy my field spell, Yuri."

"She's the weakest card on the field," said Michael.

"But thanks to that Black Hole Shield," said Ryon. "Yuri can't attack anything else but that Buster Brawler, so she's safe."

"And she's going to guard this cheesy mech stadium so long as she's face-up on the field," said Marcel. "This kid is obnoxious, but he sure knows how to use his deck."

"He's good I'll give him that," said Jon.

"Don't worry, Yuri, will think of something," said Jaden.

"Go, Starworld Fighter Neo Wolf!" commanded Ohgi. "Attack Yuri's Black Veloci!"

The silver mech readied the missile launchers on its shoulders and then fired at Yuri's dinosaur. Since Black Veloci was attacked, it lost 400 ATK dropping it to 1400 thus dealing 900 points of damage reducing Yuri to 2800 Life Points. He then attacked with the card girl who fired lasers from her eyes and dropped Yuri to 2500.

"Are my eyes deceiving me?" said Syrus. "Is Yuri losing? He's lost almost half his Life Points, and Ohgi hasn't even lost one."

"Come on, Yuri." said Alexandra."Summon a Divine Beast again."

"He can't," Yugi said looking up at Alexandra. "Remember, Yami barred Yuri from ever using them in a match against another student."

"And for good reason, I guess," said Alexandra. "Poor, Alexis, couldn't stand for a day."

Damned fool. What kind of king will you be if you let everyone walk all over you like this? Any other person would have disregarded the rules and summoned the Divine Beasts. Kings must be willing to do anything to protect their powers, even if you have to sacrifice those around you to do so. But Yuri...he's too soft-hearted for that

"My turn," said Yuri. "I will use the trap card Call of the Haunted to bring back my Black Carnoto to the field!"

"Hey," said Michael. "It's the card Yuri found in the Pillar of Termnnia."

"Don't remind me," said Yuri as his beast came to the field. "Good to see you again, pal," Yuri said to the dinosaur. "Now that he's out on the field, I can special summon a 'Black' dinosaur monster from my hand in defense position. So here comes Black Ankylo."

Yuri summoned a heavily armored dinosaur with black iron plates and a tail club in the shape of a sledgehammer. It had a small white beard under its chin, and its eyes had a yellowish glow. Its ATK was 0, but it had a defense of 3000. Black Carnoto had 2300 ATK.

"That will keep his Life Points safe for a while," said Jaeyoung.

"Now, I'll summon Black Stego in defense position, and that'll be it for me." He had a card in his hand that could end it all.

He has Slifer the Sky Dragon in his hand. Alexandra said in her mind. If you know what's good for you use it! Use it you fool!

"I'd use that next turn if I were you," said Ricky.

"I can't," said Yuri. "He's too powerful, and Ohgi's only a kid. Slifer could really hurt Ohgi."

Fool! Alexandra hissed.

"My turn!" said Ohgi. "Hmm, that Black Ankylo will make it hard to get to your Life Points. But I think I know just the trick to knock it down to size. I'll use Card of Sanctity which will allow us to draw until we have six cards. It looks like you really needed it. Okay, I summon another Buster Brawler to the field which in turn will let me summon another Starworld Fighter to the field. Starworld Fighter Ouroboros! Now I'll boost the level of Ouroboros by one thanks to my stadium, and with my Card Girl's effect, my Brawler's level will increase by 1. Now with them, I'll Xyz summon Starworld Champion Axion Galaxy!"

"Oh no!" said Bastion. "Not him."

"You remember him Paps? Now you'll see Yuri get pummeled by one of my best monsters. And need I remind you of my field? It will boost Axion Galaxy's attack to 2900. And now for my mech's special ability! I can search my deck and give my mech an Equip Spell Card. Dark Matter Blade!"

A black sword was equipped to the giant mech. It increased Axion Galaxy's attack by 1000, now making it 3900. Then Ohgi equipped his Neo Wolf with a Spell Card called Rocket Knuckle. The mech held out its arm, and then a massive fist replaced its hand. It boosted his attack by 700 and allowed him to cause damage to opponents even if their monsters were in defense.

Black Ankylo prepared itself for impact. Axion Galaxy slammed its sword on the dinosaur's back dealing 900 damage to Yuri. Then Neo Wolf flew to the air with the power of its jetpack. He held out his fist and punched the dinosaur dealing 300 for a total of 1200 damage. His Life Points went down to 1300.

"You're finished!" said Ohgi. "Once my turn starts again, your Black Tyranno will be mine!" He gave a sinister laugh through his teeth. "I lay a card face down and end my turn—huh?"

Ohgi's Life Points went down to 1000.

"Wha—what happened?" He didn't sound so cocky anymore. He frantically checked his Life Point counter, babbling in confusion. He looked like he wanted to cry.

"My Black Ankylo's special effect activates when you attack him," said Yuri. "After he gets attacked and survives battle; he deals 1500 points of damage to your Life Points for a combined total of 3000 damage."

Ohgi gasped in shock. "But—what—you can't—huh?"

Yuri's friends cheered.

"But that's not fair!"

"It's in the game," said Yuri. "It's in my deck; I used it," said Yuri. "So cry me a river pipsqueak. Okay, Yugi, time to see what this special card of yours can do!"

"YEAH!" cheered Yugi.

"But first, I'll tribute my Black Stego and Black Carnoto to summon Black Tyranno!"

Black Tyranno came out to the field with a mighty roar. It snarled at Ohgi and his monsters. Card Girl Azalea hid behind her time card and shook with fear.

"Now to activate the Spell Card: Black Tyranno Moonlight Roar! When a Black Tyranno is out on the field, and I use this card; he can destroy all equip Spell Cards on the field."

"NO!" cried Ohgi.

Black Tyranno took a deep breath and opened its mouth. Everyone covered their ears as the arena shook and the equipment Ohgi gave his monsters evaporated. Card Girl Azalea crawled behind Neo Wolf's leg and cried for her mommy.

"Now for your card, Yugi."

"Aw, I've been waiting for this," said Yugi.

"I tribute Black Tyranno to have him transform into my newest monster."

Black Tyranno was enveloped in massive, bulky, dark brown armor with gold trim, and Fleur de Lis emblems emblazoned on his massive shoulders and knee guards. There were ruby orbs on the shoulders and knees as well. Its tail grew longer, and its size increased twofold. Long silvery hair emerged from the back of its armored head.

"Behold!" said Yugi.

"Kaiser Black Tyranno!" Yuri announced.

Kaiser Black Tyranno

ATK/ 3200 DEF/ 3000

"Sweet card Yuri," said Jaden.

"Impressive," said Michael. "Dinosaurs have gotten so much stronger since you came."

"Thanks, Yugi," said Alexandra. "You gave Yuri a fighting chance. That was really nice of you."

"Aww shucks," Yugi said, his face glowing red.

"Now that he's out on the field," said Yuri. "He automatically destroys two monsters on the field. So say goodbye to your Card-Girl Azalea and Buster Brawler!"

This is for Grenosaurus you bastard!

Kaiser Black Tyranno smashed Buster Brawler to pieces. Azalea tried to run, but she died tired. Kaiser Black Tyranno snatched her with his massive mouth, gave her a shake and swallowed her alive and whole.

"But I'm not done yet!" said Yuri. "Here's my last card, Rush Recklessly. This will boost my Kaiser Black Tyranno's attack by 700 increasing him to 3900. Now, my Kaiser Black Tyranno, attack Starworld Champion Axion Galaxy!"

Yuri! Wait! Norman the Conqueror shouted.

"Reveal face-down card!" shouted Ohgi. "Limiter Removal."

Yuri's friends gasped. Limiter Removal was a spell that doubled the ATK of a machine monster for the turn, destroying them at the end. Yuri watched in horror as Kaiser Black Tyranno attacked Axion Galaxy, now at 5200. Axion Galaxy dodged out of the way just as Kaiser Black Tyranno was ready to smash him with his massive iron tail. Axion Galaxy then smashed the armored dinosaur in the back with a powerful stomp that cracked the armor. Kaiser Black Tyranno gave a roar of agony as its armor cracked and collapsed. From the dust, Yuri saw the real Black Tyranno falling to the ground defeated. The attack dealt 1300 damage to Yuri, bringing him exactly at 0.

Axion Galaxy then blasted Yuri with a salvo of missiles sending him flying out of the arena in defeat like Bastion.

Ohgi jumped and held out his arm victoriously. His friends cheered and ran into the ring to congratulate their leader. Yuri's friends stood rooted to the ground in shock.

"I don't believe it!" said Jon. "Yuri lost!"

After helping Yuri to his feet, Ohgi walked towards him.

"Easy, just as I thought," he said holding out his hand.

"Easy!" snapped Jaden. "You twerp, Yuri almost had you…"

"Now I want my prize," said Ohgi. "Now fork it over."

"A deal's a deal," Yuri said in a whisper. He held out his beloved card. "Take it."

Ohgi swiped it from Yuri's fingers.

"Hah, this Black Tyranno will make a nice coaster for my drink, eh guys."

"You better take care of it!" growled Jon "or I'll—"

"No, Jon," said Yuri. "Black Tyranno is his now. What he does with it is up to him. I failed."

"And now time for the second half of my winnings," he said looking up from the Black Tyranno card at Alexandra.

"Ugh, you owe me big for this Yuri," Alexandra said taking Ohgi's arm. Weakling. You will be no king.

She looked back at Yuri as he sadly walked out of the stadium with his friends.

"You better have money, babe," said Ohgi. "Cause you're buying."

---

The Graveyard

---

The ghastly October moons rose over the Green Mountains of Duel Island, shining its silvery light over the darkness. The Silver Fangs took notice and howled in the night. Owls hooted in the trees near an old cemetery that was used many ages ago during a civil war amongst the Dragonhearts in which the island was used as a base of operations for a group of rebels. The wind howled, blasting dead leaves onto the old tombstones and causing the ancient black gate to squeal as it went back and forth on its hinges. When the moonlight cast its light on two small grave markers the earth around them began to shake. A raven standing on the top of a tombstone squawked and flew away.

Then out from the ground sprang up two cartoon-looking ghosts in stereotypical white sheets.

"WHOA-HO-HO!" they laughed as they shot out like cannons from the dirt and back into the world of the living. Their voices had an echo as though they were speaking in an empty mausoleum.

"Man oh-man does it feel good to be outta there!" cried a ghost with a brown hat and a long pointed nose.

"Ah, smell that fresh air!" said the other ghost with beady black eyes and a round red nose. He spotted a familiar sight in the distance. "Look Scratch, look!" the little ghost said bobbing up and down. "It's Dallian Academy."

"Yeah," said Scratch. "And it's full of lots of duelists for us to scare."

"Come on, Scratch, what are we waiting for? There's lots' a haunting to do!"

"Not so fast Creep!" the hat-wearing ghost said grabbing Creep's sheet. "Don't you remember? We've got a job to do."

"Eh, oh yeah, I forgot."

"That dame in the black coat promised us an eternal ticket here in the world of the living should we take out that guy who got rid of Anubis."

"Sheesh, she expects too much. If a Dark Lord can't get rid of that kid, then what hopes do we have?"

"You've been in the dirt too long Creep." Scratch said floating towards an old tree. "Have you forgotten who we are? We're the Ghastly Duo: the most notorious pranksters in Termnnia. That is...until that pointy-haired do-gooder locked us away in the Shadow Realm."

"Ooooh that Yami!" howled Creep. "Always ruining our fun."

"Well not this time," said Scratch. "We're back, and we'll wreak our vengeance on Yami and his pretty wife soon enough, but first, we gotta get rid of this Yuri fella. Are you with me Creep?"

"All the way Scratch."

They agreed and laughed in the light of the moon before speeding off towards the Glass Palace.

---

Pegasus

---

"I am pleased you were able to join us for breakfast, Mr. Pegasus," said Professor Peter Dragonheart early the next morning. He invited him, his sons, and Yuri to dine with him in his estate in the academy's upper levels. "It will give us some time to catch up. I haven't seen you in a while my old friend."

"Peter, it has indeed been too long," said Pegasus with a mischievous grin.

Peter wrinkled his nose when he saw Pegasus' comical expression. "Were you going to say something clever?" he asked. "Go on, Pegasus, say something clever to me. Make a snarky remark about how much I've grown since you last saw me."

Yuri couldn't control his laughter when he heard that statement. He suppressed his laugh through his closed lips. Peter looked at him sternly. "Uh, nice weather," Yuri said nervously. "The grades of those kids must be horrible it Blizzard Dragon has called off the frost."

"No matter," chuckled Peter. He began pouring himself a glass of cool wine into his cup. "I hate the cold. I don't know why we bother listening to the tykes who wish for a white Christmas."

"You celebrate Christmas?"

"I do not," said Peter. "I am not a Christian. You can blame the gates for that religion pouring in." He drank his wine furiously until the cup emptied. He refilled the glass when he was done.

"Goddesses," Ricky said, sitting atop Yuri's shoulder. "Even at breakfast, the little imp has to drink wine."

Ren smirked from the corner of his mouth. He sat beside Yuri, wearing Kevlar and steel armor bearing the nightingale emblem of the Emboldorian Secret Service on the chestplate. It pained Yuri to know that Pegasus was pulling Ren out of school to join him in Rassay after the tournament.

"Oh, Imp is it now?" said Peter, eyeing Ricky spitefully. "Yuri, my boy, you be sure to teach that creature some respect. Lest you'll find him atop my head as a hat."

"I wouldn't shed a single tear, uncle," said Yuri.

"Ya bastard!" snapped Ricky.

"Uncle?" Pegasus chuckled. "The marriage hasn't even started and you've started referring to Peter as family."

"He taught me everything I needed to know to prepare me for that peace conference. Thanks to Peter's wise council, my friends and I played Stefan and the Church like instruments."

"Well," Peter gloated in the compliment, "I can't take all the credit of course. How is your lovely daughter doing, Pegasus?"

"Rather well," Pegasus said, reading the Sunday comics about a cartoon character called Funny Bunny and his misadventures with his rival Ruff Ruff McDogg the policeman. He stuck a fork into his gorgonzola cheese and elegantly put it into his mouth.

"Father, must you read those even when in the presence of the future High King?" Gekko asked, feeling rather ashamed that Yuri had to see his father reading childish comic books.

"Gorgonzola cheese and a glass of the world's best fruit juice. For a man in my position, Gekko, times like these don't come very often. So, I savor them to the very last morsel."

"This guy's a nut," said Ricky.

"And Peter, my old friend, you know I would never jest about your height."

"Oh, please do," Peter drank more of his wine. He let out a satisfied gasp of air as he set it down. "Everyone just loves to make fun of my height."

"I don't," said Yuri.

"Because you are a good boy, Yuri. A weak trait in a king."

"So you're saying I should be a tyrant?"

Pegasus let out a laugh so loud it drowned the waves crashing against the coastline below the villa he rented in the resort town of Palmhold which lay underneath the shadow of the Academy towering above them like a giant reaching a mile into the sky. They sat by the bay in summer clothes due to the warm weather that was quickly returning thanks to the Blizzard Dragon in the mountains.

"Now, that was funny," said Gekko, with a cup of orange juice in his hands, chilled with four cubes of ice. "Kind Prince Yuri as a maniacal tyrant, I can just see it now."

"No, Yuri," said Peter. "I did not mean for you to be a tyrant. That's the last thing we need right now, believe me. It's just that you are too kind with everyone, especially King Stefan, a leader from the Church who has made it their personal agenda to hunt down people like us. I tell you now, boy, nice guys finish last in the throne room. There have been many kind kings throughout our history who have had their number due to them trusting everyone from the piss boy to every last whore in their hold."

"He might wind up like King Arhold the Vulture of Riverhold," said Gekko. "Stabbed to death by all his wenches in his sleep, every one of them under orders from his brother Radegon the Red so he could take the crown."

"Well, I won't be so kind as to let people use me as a puppet," said Yuri.

"You already have made that mistake," said Pegasus, staring at him sternly. His Millennium Eye glimmering in the sun from underneath his white-gray hair. "I am sure we have hundreds of options to maintain a decent fighting force without the need of Lord Antilles Dragonheart's army of knights and sellswords."

"He made valid points?"

"And you didn't ask Yugi-boy for council? He was there was he not? Antilles is not the only one in Termnnia who's looking out for your best interest, Yuri."

Peter leaned towards Yuri. A flock of seagulls called out overhead. Then he said, "And let me tell you, as your chief advisor, that my brother is not looking out for your best interests, my dear boy. My brother and his family have been after that cursed throne for years."

"You couldn't have sent me a letter and asked me for help?" asked Pegasus. "And what of your friends? They are not tagging along to make you look good, their job is to counsel you as well and aid in weighing your decisions. Now you marry that horny little girl, and get Antilles ever closer to the Diamond Throne."

"Can you name one person who doesn't want the Diamond Throne?" Yuri asked.

Ren nodded his head. His arms folded over his chest, leaving his waffles and grapes cold in the ocean breeze.

"No, I can't," said Pegasus, "for that is a seat of power that everyone is after, even if they have to kill you to get it. That is why you must be wary of your allies Yuri, even your friends. Now is not the time to be so trusting. Have you not heard of the Dragonheart Rebellion?"

"Just a few snippets of information," said Yuri.

"It began a few short years before you were born," said Gekko. "Antilles' father Julius Dragonheart gathered up a force of every sellsword, hedge knight, dragonrider, and House loyal to his banner. Many Houses joined his side, Yuri, and even though the rebellion is over they still pledge allegiance to House Dragonheart which means that you don't have many friends."

"He is right," said Peter. "A lot of fanatics loyal my family would gladly raise sword with my brother or any other member of my family. Even Alexandra." He scoffed. "Definitely Alexandra. That is why support for you is so low."

"How many Houses?" Yuri asked

"Hundreds," Pegasus answered, briskly. "From almost every hold in Termnnia. They had enough manpower to successfully take over Rassay with their ancient Des Volstgalph called Mortis the Black Storm, a monstrous beast who was almost the size of the castle's eastern wing," he raised an arm up at the castle so Yuri could get an idea of how big the beast was.

"They had dragons so powerful? I thought the dragons returned to Saafani after the Inquisition."

"Many of them didn't," said Peter. "Some of them chose to stay here in Termnnia. Some have pledged their services to Great Houses, such as mine. Others live in hiding across the continent influencing us in ways we couldn't possibly imagine. Wise creatures, dragons."

"And how did Yugi, Antar, and my father win the rebellion if the Dragonhearts had such a powerful monster?"

"Master Yu-Gi-Oh is a powerful Summoner," said Peter. "I admired him since I was a boy. He called forth creature upon creature to aid him in battle."

"But it was not Yugi who won the battle," said Gekko. "It was Antar."

"Technically it was Yami's mistress," said Ren. "The woman who smells of strawberries. She escaped from her prison while Yugi fought against the Knight of the Afternoon Sun. The Divine Beasts were in her hands and she gave them to Antar. He summoned Ra and that was the end of it. Mortis the Black Storm took off carrying Antilles and his sister into the mountains. The Dragonhearts wouldn't be seen again until after Antilles married his sister to Lord Janis, the King of Dragon's Nest."

"Who is she?" Yuri asked. "I keep hearing of references to this woman who Yami was intrigued with. Was she Yami's old love."

"Yami?" said Peter. "I thought his name was Yugi."

"Just another surname," said Ren. "It means Dark in elvish."

"Dark Yugi?" Peter almost laughed. "You make it sound like he has an alternate form. Which he could for all I know. One moment he is small like me, other times I see him he is taller than even Yuri. Are my eyes cheated by some spell or is there something going on here?"

"That is a subject for another time," said Pegasus.

Ricky felt his heart drop as he sat on Yuri's shoulders. He wanted to hear more. "What a fascinating story," he said. "Hello!" His eyes popped into hearts when he saw a green-haired beauty approach the table wearing a glittery gold dress.

"Priscilla!" Yuri exclaimed, getting out of his seat. "Is that you?"

"Yuri, I was hoping to get to see you before the tournament."

"Ah, so you've met the owner of Celestial," said Pegasus. He kissed Priscilla's hand. "It is a card shop with cards so rare, so powerful, that the shop itself is hard to find. I give my finest creations to her."

"And then I reveal myself to those who I deem worthy to have those cards," said Priscilla.

"And you gave Yuri those rare Puzzle Cards, didn't you?" Gekko asked.

"Puzzle cards?" asked Ren. "What are those?"

"A new form of monster that Master Pegasus wishes to release when the time is right. We are debating whether we should because they are too powerful."

"Tell me about it," said Yuri. "When I Dueled Chazz Princeton with those cards it almost seemed unfair what they did to him."

"So is their power," Priscilla said turning around and sitting down on the edge of the table, thankfully bolted down into the red-cobbled ground so it could support her weight. Yuri heard Ricky heavily breathing into his ear seeing the tight dress perfectly line with her form.

"Well then," said Peter. "I don't suppose you wouldn't have another one of those cards laying around, would you? It seems that our dear prince not only lost a Duel, but his best monster to a little runt named Ohgi."

"You lost the Black Tyranno, Yuri?" Priscilla asked.

"I'm afraid I did. Princess Evelyn tried to win it back for me the other day, but Ohgi proved too tough."

Priscilla rubbed her chin as she thought. "Well, I'm not normally supposed to do this," Priscilla got off the table and went to Yuri.

"These might help you." She reached into her purse and took out two cards encased in gold. "I was hoping they would be gifts for your coronation, but it seems like these are desperate times."

"Wow," said Yuri. He got a monster called Grarl Guardian of the Kings and an armored beast called Sauro-Dragon Bismarck.

"You'd better not get too generous with your collection, Priscilla," Pegasus advised her.

"I understand master," Priscilla said, bowing apologetically. "But Yuri needs every advantage he can get."

"Shiny cards don't make one a Duelist," said Peter. "Yuri has tons of shiny cards in his deck yet he lost all the same."

"Perhaps Yuri should have a little training," said Priscilla. "I am to understand that the winner of the tournament faces you in a Duel as a prize. That's a Duel I want you to win My Lord."

"Indeed," said Peter. "We can't have Yuri losing twice, now can we? I want to see Yuri rule this school as its king. But to do that you must beat the Academy Kaiser, Zane Truesdale. That young man has never lost a Duel throughout his education in this school. In the coming months, he will graduate from this school and he needs an opponent for the ceremonial graduation Duel that is to take place before he leaves. He has three candidates for an opponent right now those being Seto Kaiba, Jaden Yuki, and Yugi Muto."

"Not me, eh?"

"You have to prove yourself to him if you wish to Duel against him, Yuri," said Ren. "Zane is no pushover, I assure you. That's a match I would pay to see."

"How will you do that if you're not in school anymore?" Yuri asked. "You're going back to Rassay to guard Pegasus in case my cousin Hector marches on the City of Kings."

"He doesn't have the manpower to siege Rassay," chuckled Pegasus. "Nevertheless, he is rumored to have a shadowy figure walking alongside him, and I speak not of the Shadow Lady. This figure is rumored to be from the Sisterhood, an organization of assassins comprised of all women. You fought once such assassin in the Pillar of Termnnia, right Yuri?"

"I don't want to remind myself of that horrible place," said Yuri. "I would rather take a stroll through hell than go through all that again. But you are right, I did fight an assassin from this Sisterhood."

"Damn, the babes are after ya left and right!" Ricky joked.

"This is no laughing matter, rodent," said Peter. "The Sisterhood is notorious for always seeing their contracts done. They will never tire. They will never eat. They will never sleep. They will chase you into the darkest pits of the Shadow Realm if they have to if you are unlucky enough to find yourself in their shit-list."

Ricky's ears drooped sadly and he hunched down.

"Ren is one of the best swordsmen in Rassay," said Pegasus. "If what they say about Hector is true, I can find no better bodyguard to be by my side."

They heard a crack from up above them. One of the pillars was leaning towards them.

"MOVE! MOVE!" shouted Ren.

They scattered out of the way as the pillar fell and crushed their table.

"What in the Ten Hells!" shouted Pegasus.

"Oh boy, that was close!" said Yuri.

"Blasted maintenance," Peter said scraping food off his garments. "I will have their heads for this."

"What could have caused that thing to fall?" Ren asked.

"Mayhaps it was the wind," said Priscilla. "It doesn't matter. We're okay."

As they gathered themselves, two mischievous ghosts watched from behind a tree.

"I told ya that plan wouldn't work!" said Creep.

"Well it was a lot better than your plan!" snapped Scratch. "Just how do you expect us to find a hundred scorpions to put into his bed!"

"I don't know, this island is huge. There's bound to be some nasty creepy-crawlies around."

"Come on, Creep, it's back to the drawing board. If we don't get this kid before All Hallows Eve, Ally is going to send us back to the Shadow Realm."

"NO! NO!" wailed Creep. "I can't go back there! I love the beautiful sun. The smell of the air and the soft breeze against my face! And the girls Scratch. So many beautiful girls on this island alone. I can't go back to the Shadow Realm, Scratch, I can't go back I'll go stir crazy!"

Scratch pounded him on the head with a loud conk!

"Thanks?" groaned Creep. "I needed that."

"Lighten up will you, you fucking ignoramus!" He dashed towards the forests of the island.

"Hey wait for me!" Creep yelled and zoomed after him.

Still shaken by his experience, Yuri strolled up the hill towards the school.

"Yuri!" Jaeyoung shouted.

Yuri turned to face him. He sounded angry. Jaeyoung was walking hand in hand with Xifeng from a dirt path that led to the shore where it appeared they had a swim. Jaeyoung wore no shirt and black swimming trunks with gold dragons. His body covered in battle scars and ancient runes and Xifeng looking enticing in a black string bikini.

"I need to talk to you now."

"I'm all ears," said Yuri.

"Why did you give the title of chief advisor to that Imp?"

"Peter?" Yuri asked. "He's going to my uncle."

"I beg your pardon but that title should go to one of us. Your Knights of the Termnnian Table."

"I had to. We need to be in good relations with them."

Jaeyoung said something in Uzumenese to Xifeng. She nodded and kissed him and Jaeyoung patted her lightly on the derriere sending her off. His smile faded as he walked closer to Yuri. His muscles were like iron and seemed to bulge with anger. Yuri felt like he could rip his head off at any moment.

"You are being unreasonable. It was WE who went to hell and back with you to locate Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra. Not Peter. Not Antilles. And not Alexandra! We did all the fighting. All the suffering while they hid in the Red Mountain!"

"What is your beef with Alexandra? She is going to be my wife. Deal with it, dude."

"She is not for you!"

"What makes you say that?"

"She is part of the Dragonhearts, possibly the single most hated family in all of Termnnia. And the most corrupt."

"You don't even know her! She's different."

"She is not a wife fit for you my friend. She's dangerous."

"What, are you saying you deserve her, hotshot?"

"I beg your pardon!" Jaeyoung said moving closer until he stood over Yuri.

"You heard me. Xifeng not good enough for you."

"Watch what you say, bastard," Jaeyoung's face went red. "I don't want to be responsible for killing the future High King. If you think I'm jealous that you're going to marry that whore and not me you are sadly mistaken."

"You watch who you call whore, Jaeyoung. I love her."

"Oh, is that it? You love her? She wags her ass in your face, entices you with her tits and you love her. You know the only reason you're marrying her is because you've been played like a pawn on the board! Antilles has plenty of gold hidden all over Termnnia. Enough to pay for an army twice that size for a thousand years."

Yuri scoffed.

"I am not the enemy here, Yuri. Open your eyes."

"I'm not saying you are, but villainizing the Dragonhearts isn't going to make our alliance strong. I have hundreds of Houses that are against me."

"Because they support the Dragonhearts, the very fiends you get close with you fucking imbecile! Being friends with them and marrying their wench isn't going to change their minds about you. Stas, Michael, and Marcel's families sacrificed a lot for hundreds of years to keep them off the throne after the Unification, Marcel lost his mother in the rebellion that put Antar Wallcroft XIII on the throne. They don't appreciate what you're doing, Yuri. And just so you know, I have a civil war going on in my country. My people are starving, my cities burn, yet I left them because Master Yu-Gi-Oh assured me that I would be aiding a king so great he compares to the mighty Tiberius Pendragon. Now I'm not so sure anymore. I don't see a warrior. I don't see a king. All I see before me is a pawn. And if you're not careful that's all you're going to be."

Dallian Academy was heavily decorated for the Month of the Dead, and Halloween, a holiday from Earth that sneaked its way through the Gates creating more festivities and offending more Yeryunists. The furniture and the hallways were covered in cobwebs; the intercoms in the school played scary sounds; teachers gave out candy after class (Crowler and Kaiba gave away cheap mints), and Jack-o-Lanterns grinned at students as they passed by.

The halls were decorated with giant spider webs where a spider-like Duel Monster called, Jirai Gumo, would lunge out and grab you for a quick scare before presenting you with a bag of Halloween-themed Duel Monster cards, and a chocolate cupcake with orange frosting.

There were special effects on the windows to the classrooms showing images of horror. The windows to Serenity's room had zombies pressing against the doors as if trying to get out. Joey's had a spooky skeleton dancing crew and Mai's had a poor teenage girl being chased by an undead murderer. She pounded on the windows, screaming for help.

Fake rotting corpses sat in the chairs all over the school, and Chancellor Sheppard hired people dressed as scary monsters or psychotic murderers with chainsaws, and real ghosts moaning all over the halls to pop out and scare unsuspecting students that walked by their hiding places. Holographic lightning with life-like thunder blasted the halls.

As Yuri, Jaden Evelyn and Phoenix were heading to Fusion, a swarm of bats flew over them circling them for a few seconds before screeching down the hall and chasing away Alexandra. Just then a group of psychos in hockey masks, wielding chainsaws jumped out from behind the curtains and chased Evelyn around. She clung onto Jaden, laughing and screaming, telling them to go away.

"Happy Halloween!" They would cry out before seeking another victim.

Yuri loved October very much, not just because of Halloween, but because it was the month of his birthday and for the people of Termnnia a day of independence from Anubis and his hordes of orcs and monsters.

But it was hard for Yuri to enjoy all the fun without his Black Tyranno. Only a few days had gone, but it felt like an eternity since his first loss. Ohgi could be seen in the halls holding up his prize and boasting about how he beat Yuri.

Many college students crowded around him to hear the story of the Duel after school in the northern courtyard where the Elderglow Tree stood, of course, they wanted to hear about his ice cream date with Alexandra, who still felt sour towards Yuri for losing that Duel. Ever since then, Ohgi felt he had a huge claim to her.

"Is it true?" asked a dorky Eldori college student. "Did you really beat Yuri?"

"Don't believe me, here's my prize," Ohgi said holding up the Black Tyranno card.

"Whoa," hooted the students.

"Man, it must have been a really tough match."

"Naw, it was easy," said Ohgi. "That guy couldn't Duel even if his life depended on it. He was no challenge." He spotted Yuri, Phoenix, and Jaden walking to their next class. Yuri spotted the kid, looked at him poisonously, and proceeded onward.

"You guys should have seen it," boasted Ohgi, raising his voice so Yuri could hear. "I was Duel Monsters champ, and Yuri was Duel Monsters chump. I got his rarest and best card and betrothed has officially become my bitch."

"Damn Yuri," Chazz sneered while leaning against a tree. "You lost your best card and your girl at the same time. How pathetic!"

"Coming from a Duelist who lost to him," said Phoenix.

"So what did you two do during your date?" asked one of Ohgi's admirers.

"She ended the night with a little kiss to my cheek."

"Nice." said one of the college students.

"You're my hero, bro."

"OHGI!" Princess Evelyn shouted, darting across the courtyard.

"Uh-oh," said Jaden. "Look."

"Princess," said Ezra, trying to keep up. "Let's not get too ahead of ourselves."

"Come on, Evelyn," pleaded Antoine. "The kid just beat Yuri."

"What do you want?" Ohgi asked rudely.

"I challenge you to a match, for Yuri's Black Tyranno."

"Awww did you guys hear that?" said Ohgi. "Yuri's sent his little girlfriend to fight for him."

Everybody began to laugh.

"What's the matter, Yuri," teased one of the little kids in Ohgi's gang. "Can't play the game yourself."

"That's enough!" shouted Evelyn. "Yuri and Bastion both played beautifully. They almost had you beat,"

"Almost doesn't cut it, sweetheart," said Ohgi. "Try as they might, they lost the game."

"Be that as it may, you have no right belittling Prince Yuri like this. And that card holds more importance than those pieces of junk from Starworld."

"Whoa, hold it right there, princess," said Ohgi. "Nobody insults my cards."

"But it's just fine when you do it," said Ezra.

"I won!" shouted Ohgi. "Yuri put his card on the line, he lost the Duel, I won. So, are we going to play or what?"

"We are," said Evelyn. "The winner keeps the Black Tyranno."

"Fine, but if you lose you're going on a date with me!"

"Wow, Oghi's going to have two princesses!" cried one of Oghi's friend.

"You're the best boss."

"I accept," said Evelyn.

"She cares a lot for you, she does," said a cold voice that made Yuri jump. It was Dancer, leaning against the wall.

"Yeah," said Yuri. "She's a good friend."

"You ready for this princess?" Ohgi boasted while he morphed his large diamond ring into a stunning Duel Disk.

Evelyn did not answer and morphed her bracelet into hers. She began the match and drew her card. After examining her hand, she summoned a little dragon with six legs and fluffy white feathers called Buster Whelp of the Destruction Swordsman.

Ohgi and his friends burst out laughing when they saw the little creature.

"You've got to be kidding, princess! Is that all you got?"

"Yeah, Yuri's Kaiser Black Tyranno was twice his size!" boasted one of Ohgi's little friends. "And not even that beast could stand up to Ohgi!"

Evelyn interrupted them by explaining her little monster's effect. She could add a Destruction Sword card to her hand, then she sacrificed the whelp to summon her signature monster. Buster Blader.

"So, she runs a Buster Blader deck," said Yuri.

"She has ever since she was a little girl," said Ser Kevin, coming to join them with Ren by his side. "Master Yu-Gi-Oh was the one who taught her how to use it."

"But Buster Blader is a monster that's best to fight dragons," said Yuri. "Ohgi has machines. What good will he do."

"Our princess may surprise you, Yuri," said Kevin. "Watch."

"Yuri, it's good to see you again, little buddy."

"I wish I could have brought you along to the conference, brother," said Yuri.

"After all the shit that's happened, I'm glad I didn't," chuckled Ren. "By the way, I've got some letters for you."

"Important business I guess?" said Yuri.

"You can say that, but it's best I hand them to you after the match has ended."

"Indeed," said Dancer. "It would be disrespectful to leave the game when Evelyn is fighting for you."

Yuri nodded and remained where he was.

It was Ohgi's turn. He was a superb Duelist, better than even Yuri. It proved hard to admit for Yuri, but Ohgi was in a league above him. He swarmed summoned his Starworld Fighter Mechs until he had a who squadron of them and his ace monster Starworld Champion Axion Galaxy which he used to harass Evelyn through the course of the game.

But Evelyn was no pushover. She too had beautiful skills with Duel Monsters. She used her Whelps to search her deck for the cards she needed until she summoned her Buster Blader the Destruction Swordsman to the field.

Then she Synchro Summoned, meaning she called on powerful monsters with the power of the stars. With her Buster Whelp (Lv 1) as a Tuner monster, she was able to combine it with her Buster Blader the Destruction Swordsman (Lv 7) to create Buster Dragon, which appeared to be Buster Whelp in its adult form. It towered over Evelyn and gave a thunderous roar as it spread its hawk-like wings.

Ohgi was still not impressed.

"You think that overgrown chicken has what it takes to beat my Axion Galaxy, princess? He's my best monster, and when he gets played he spells doom to my opponents. Just asks Yuri and Paps!"

"OY!" shouted Bastion, who was watching the game from the top of a bridge. "Stop calling me that!"

"Paps! Paps! Paps!" the little children in Ohgi's group began to sing.

"You're a disgrace to the game, child!" Evelyn seethed, spraying out her words through her teeth. "You show no respect towards your opponent! My chicken as you call it will be the end of you, you little bastard!"

"Huh?" Ohgi said softly. His feelings got hurt, stinging his pride.

Evelyn then used the last few cards in her hands to bring back her Buster Blader and a Whelp to the field. Then the last spell in her hand was played. Destruction Swordsman Fusion, to fuse the Whelp and the Buster Blader together to make her ultimate swordsman. A heavenly arcane circle spun over her and then a divinely crafted sword shot out and struck the ground in front of Evelyn.

Ohgi stood where he was, breathless, while he watched a giant man in gleaming white armor trimmed with gold and indigo blue standing over her and picking up the sword.

Buster Blader, The Dragon Destroyer Swordsman

ATK/ 2800 DEF/ 2500

The crowd they drawn gasped with awe and amazement when they saw the monster Evelyn summoned.

"I love this school," Yuri said with glee filling his heart to the brim. For him, nothing was more stimulating than seeing a beautiful girl summoning an all-powerful monster to the field. He found it so hard to believe that something so commanding, so magnificent, be controlled by a girl so delicate and kind like Evelyn. The light that radiated from her swordsman made her glow like an angel and sparkles of light glimmered all around her.

Evelyn smiled her famous smile. Dancer could contain himself no longer. He walked to her and gave her a long kiss that made the kids cringe.

"Eeeewww!" they said.

"That's why I love you," Dancer purred into her ear. He kissed her neck making her giggle.

"Dance stop!" Evelyn exclaimed with a hearty laugh. "That tickles."

"I thought you liked that."

"Not in front of the kids!"

"Oh, get a room!" yelled Ohgi. His high-scratchy voice was more annoying than usual. "I've got a Duel to win here!"

"Make it quick, love," said Dancer. He slapped her in the rump before walking back to Yuri's side.

"Keep it in your pants for once, Dancer," said Ren.

"I love it when she summons that Dragon Destroyer," said Dancer. "Something about seeing her stand beside such a dominant creature turns me on."

"I couldn't tell," Yuri aforesaid. His eyes darting to the left.

Evelyn fixed her hair and continued with her turn. She explained that her Dragon Destroyer Swordsman gained 1000 ATK and DEF points for every dragon-type monster he controlled on the field, and in the Graveyard. That just caused him to laugh.

"Are you stupid or something, princess? My monsters are machines. I have no dragons to power up your lame swordsman!"

Evelyn grinned again. "True, but you forget about my Buster Dragon. He turns all cards you control into dragon-type monsters!"

"WHAT!" shouted Ohgi.

He had three monsters on the field which turned into dragons. That was three thousand points raising her swordsman's ATK to 5800.

"I love that girl," said Dancer.

"Calm down, Ser Knight," said Ren.

But despite Evelyn's massive advantage, Ohgi turned things around and beat her with a new monster. A black monstrous machine called Starworld Champion Nexus. And with one fell swoop of his glowing green blade, he sliced Buster Blader in half and ending the game. Ohgi held his deck up high as his friends jumped up high and cheered, pumping their fists and chanting his name.

"You lose," said Ohgi.

"So it seems," said Evelyn, staring at the ground, sadly. "I am so sorry, Yuri."

"Don't blame yourself," said Yuri. "You Dueled beautifully."

"Hah!" scoffed Ohgi. "She didn't fare any better than you did, Yuri. So, I guess that's a second princess to my arm, eh?"

"She is not going anywhere," Dancer said looking down at the boy. Ser Kevin took his side and so did Antoine.

"Uh, you know what, forget the date," said Ohgi. "Alexandra is plenty for me."

"Thank you," said Evelyn. "Oh, Yuri, I was so close."

"It's okay," said Yuri. This is a big eye-opener for me actually."

"What makes you say that?" said Ren.

"Back in our meeting earlier today, Pegasus we couldn't be good kings without being master Duelists. I clearly have a lot to learn if I can lose to someone like Ohgi."

"I suppose you're right," said Jon. "But it still irks me to know while our families are fighting we're here Dueling."

"We learn to Duel so they don't have to fight," said Michael. "The Dueling Pact is still law, and Duel Monsters is still a game of kings. If we don't take it seriously, our enemies will walk all over us meaning our troops go into battle which means our armies grow smaller and so do our pockets. We have a lot to learn dear friends. Why don't we start with a few matches right here right now."

"So long as food is provided I'm in," said Jon.

"I'll get it,"said Evelyn. "What are you in the mood for?"

"Double cheeseburgers with everything on it," said Yuri. "Okay, who's playing me first?"

---

Rex and Weevil

---

Cora proceeded to the cove later the next afternoon and the loveable duo of Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood were not too far behind her.

"This is gonna be a cinch!" said Rex.

"Easy for you to say," said Weevil. "You didn't get smashed in the face!"

"Hush!" said Rex.

Cora heard them and paused. She looked around to see who was doing all the yelling behind her. She was shaded underneath the shade of the forest of palm trees blocking the harsh sun. She knew the children of the elementary had a field trip to the mountains to promise Blizzard Dragon they would get better so he could bring back the frost. The weather would not stay like this for long so she had to make the most of it.

She continued looking around for the voices and shrugged when she saw nothing then made her way down to the sands of her cove for her swim.

"She's on to us," said Weevil.

"Keep opening your trap and we'll never see those cards!" snapped Rex. "Come on, Weevil. All we've got to do is get one snap of those cards and we'll get this hotshot expelled for using fake cards." He took out his camera and jumped out of the ferns to trail after Cora. Weevil followed, scurrying like the beetle that he was.

"NYAH!" they both shouted when they spotted Cora slipping off her jeans to a dark red string bikini bottom. She kept her black midriff tank top then gave a few stretches before jogging into the water. She dove into the waves and went out of sight.

"What if those cards are real?" asked Weevil.

"Then we'll get Kaiba to make some for us." Rex gave a malicious grin.

"How do we do that, pray tell?"

"He's gonna, lest he wants some provocative pictures of his daughter up on Duel Network." He jeered pointing at his camera.

"Oh, I see," Weevil sneered. "Hee, hee, hee, hee, hee!"

"Come on, her deck must be in her jeans. You check her backpack."

They nabbed her belongings and scampered towards the formation of rocks. Weevil turned Cora's jeans inside out. "Rats, there's nothing here." He threw them into the sand furiously.

"This is so awkward," Rex cringed searching through her backpack. It gave off a sweet smell from inside as he pushed through Cora's personal belongings, mostly feminine items. "Ah, found them!" he cried out as though he was a pirate finding lost treasure. The cards were in a white-gold deck case with the Kaiba Corp logo shimmering in gold letters on the front.

"Aw, fuck!" said Rex. "You need a key to open this thing!"

"Oh dear," said Weevil. "That must be that gold item I saw around her neck. Now we're never going to open it."

"Is there a problem if you don't?" an angry voice asked them.

Rex and Weevil both gulped and turned around. Cora Kaiba stood over them with her hands to her hips like a goddess.

"You little thieves!" she snarled. "I could report you both to my father!"

"Oh yeah!" Rex said snapping photos of her.

"What are you doing?" Cora asked.

"Now we've got collateral."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Oh, wouldn't we?" said Weevil. "Show us your Blue-Eyes White Dragon cards and we just might forget this happened. Prove to us that they're not fake!"

"So, you two are the little rats spreading rumors about me!" said Cora. "I hear whispers down the halls that my dragons are not real. Some have even said I let Seto Kaiba fuck me for those dragons."

"Whoa, hang on!" said Rex. "We never said anything like that!"

"I don't care," said Cora. "It doesn't bother me. Now, give me back my stuff."

"Not until you admit they're fake!" said Rex, he pointed to his camera.

"You want to see if they're real, eh? Very well. How about in a Duel? I'm sure the former champions Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood can hold their own against a girl with fake cards."

"Ah, she's right!" said Weevil. "I'll take you on, my dear."

"I'm taking you both on!" said Cora. "What say you?"

"Hah! Challenging us both is a huge mistake!" said Rex. His earring turned into his onyx Duel Disk.

"This should be fun!" said Weevil.

"Let's make this interesting," said Cora. "I win, you give me that camera, so I can delete those photos you took of me."

"And if we win?" asked Rex. "You have to put something on the line, too. This camera is expensive, bitch."

"I'll let you take more photos if you win," Cora teased them. "Without my bikini, if you want."

Rex and Weevil's faces made awkward expressions.

"Fools," whispered Cora. "They don't know what they've gotten themselves into."

"I'll go first," said Rex. "Then it goes to Weevil, then you!"

"As you wish," said Cora.

"Nyeh!" scoffed Rex. He drew his first card. Their Life Point counter displayed 4000 over their heads.

"All right," said Rex. "Get ready to get stomped, Cora. I special summon Gilasaurus to the field. But he won't stay for long, because I'm using the spell card Big Evolution Pill. At the cost of sacrificing one dinosaur on the field, the spell will let me normal summon high-level dinosaur type monsters without tribute. So, goodbye Gilasaurus and hello Dark Tyranno!"

Dark Tyranno

ATK/2600 DEF/2100

"Now, I place a card face down on the field and end my turn. Your move, Weevil."

"With pleasure!" said Weevil. "Hee, hee, hee. I summon Pinch Hopper in attack mode. But he won't stay for long either, for I use the spell card Eradicating Aerosol! This spell card destroys one insect-type monster on the field and when Pinch Hopper is removed from the field he allows me to special summon an insect monster from my hand. Behold, my rarest and most powerful card, Cora. Insect Queen!"

A can of green spray appeared from behind Weevil's Pinch Hopper. An ownerless hand then sprayed the noxious vapor at the insect who hissed in agony before shattering into pieces. Then came a giant red spider with a long neck and a woman's face. It had the body and wings of a beetle. She let out a horrid screech when she gazed down at Cora.

Insect Queen

ATK/2200 DEF/2400

"I will also play a card face-down and that end my turn! GO!" he shouted at Cora.

"I will," said Cora. She smiled seductively. "You boys wanted to see my Blue-Eyes. Well, here it is!" She showed them her Blue-Eyes White Dragon.

"Why are you revealing that to us?" asked Rex.

"So that I can special summon this," Cora slapped her card onto her Duel Disk. "Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon!"

"YAH!" Weevil and Rex fell to the sand when Cora summoned the cybernetic beast. It flew in circles above her hissing and screeching.

Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon

ATK/3000 DEF/2500

"And to continue my turn. I shall summon Lord of Dragons to the field!"

She summoned her mage dressed in dragonic armor and a dark blue cape. His piercing yellow eyes seemed to puncture Weevil and Rex's souls.

"And then I will play the spell Flute of Summoning Dragon. When played with Lord of Dragons I can summon two dragons from my hand."

Lord of Dragons picked up the flute and blew into it letting out a deep and menacing call. Two of Cora's Blue-Eyes White Dragons flew from the sky through the clouds and down a path of light. They hovered over Cora and roared at Rex and Weevil who screamed and hugged themselves.

Weevil went for his trap card. "I use the trap…"

"Don't even bother," Cora interrupted. "So long as my Lord of Dragons is out on the field your spells, traps, and monster effects can't harm my babies."

"Babies!" muttered Weevil.

"She is one crazy-ass-bitch!" screamed Rex.

"And don't think I'm done yet," Cora chuckled. "Because I'm going to play Polymerization to fuse my three Blue-Eyes together!"

"REX!" cried Weevil. "She's going to summon the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"

"She-she can't!" babbled Rex. "In order for her to do that, she needs three Blue-Eyes and she only has two. The Alternative Dragon doesn't count."

"Does it not?" Cora laughed sadistically. She pulled back her bikini with a snap, for it was riding up her butt. "When on the field, my Alternative White Dragon counts as a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. But before I fuse them together, I will activate my Alternative White Dragon's effect. Once per turn, I can target one of your monsters and destroy it! And I choose that gross Insect Queen."

Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon flew to the sky spinning dramatically. It fired a powerful laser beam at the Insect Queen and disintegrated her. Insect Queen howled before vanishing from the field.

"NO!" cried Weevil. "MY QUEEN!"

"No, I will use Polymerization. And yes, you are correct that my next monster is an Ultimate Dragon, but it is far powerful than the one my father uses. When he comes out to the field you're going to wish it was my father's dragon."

"What is she talking about!" Weevil babbled still embracing Rex.

"I fuse my dragon's together so that they become Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"

Rex and Weevil knew it was all over at this point. Lord of Dragons was creating quite the anti-magic shield for the beast that was forming before them. All the two boys could do was pray that Cora ended them quickly. It towered over twenty meters and was glowing with bright blue circuit board patterns all over its body. It had double-bladed axe at the end of its tail and its body seemed almost crystal-like.

Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon

ATK/4500 DEF/3800

"We surrender! We surrender!" Rex and Weevil shouted.

"You're not getting off that easy!" said Cora. "You try blackmailing me and my father and think I'll just let you walk away? You sit there and take your punishment like that bad boys you are! Neo Ultimate Dragon, attack Rex's Dark Tyranno!"

Rex and Weevil braced for impact while they watched all three heads of the Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon charge up its attack. They released and vaporized the dinosaur with a thunderous explosion in the shape of a mushroom cloud. Rex lost a great deal of Life Points, but the Duel was far from over. Cora loved the torment she was bestowing upon Rex and Weevil.

Look at them cowering before me. The thrill of the Duel just sweetens when I see my foes in such a state. The dragons, I can feel their power surging through my breast. I can hear them clawing away at my mind demanding more. They want to fight more. They want to destroy. The hunger for more destruction. I shall feed their hunger with more opponents. So, this is what my father feels when he Duels. Incredible. Watch out, Prince Yuri. Because you're going to be next! Not even your Divine Beasts will save you from my dragons!

She activated her dragon's effect. Twice per turn, she could send a 'Blue-Eyes' Fusion Monster from her extra deck to the Graveyard to let it attack again. She discarded her Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon and made her monster directly attack Weevil.

Weevil wailed as the attack sent him flying to the other side of the beach. Now it was Rex's turn, for she discarded her regular Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon allowing her Neo Ultimate Dragon to blast Rex away too. Rex screamed while he went tumbling away towards Weevil. Their Life Point meters dropped down to 0.

"That's all folks," said Cora. She walked to Rex and ripped the camera from his neck. She turned around and tossed sand back at them with her feet. She grabbed her things, hopped into her jeans and walked back to the academy leaving Rex and Weevil motionless in the sand. Any thoughts they had about Cora's dragons being fake were blasted away by the Neo Ultimate Dragon.

They were believers now and thought it best to leave her be for the sake of their health.

Ohgi was watching the entire match from a beach shack overlooking the beach.

"Wow did you see that!" said one of Ohgi's friends. "She wiped them out in one turn!"

"I'm not impressed," said Ohgi. "Anyone can easily defeat two dorks like Rex and Weevil."

"So why don't you face her boss?" asked another groupie.

"That's just what I'll do," boasted Ohgi. "Let's see how her puny dragons stand up to my invincible Starworld Fighters! I think her Blue-Eyes White Dragons will make a nice addition to my collection."

He looked at Yuri's Black Tyranno and sneered.

---

The Assassin

---

Scratch paced back and forth at the mouth of a cave overlooking the school from the Green Mountains. There were small tombstones littered about the ground marking the graves of fallen soldiers from the House of the Blue Lion, a faction that tried to overthrow Michael's father in a long, bloody Eredian civil war dubbed as the Waltz of the Lions.

"Whatever will we do?" Creep asked desperately. "All Hallows Eve is in eleven days and Yuri still manages to evade all our efforts to do him in. Ally is not going to be pleased."

"I know," Scratch said mournfully. He looked down at the school, miles away from where they were. The windows twinkling like the fading stars in the sky slowly being lit by the approach of the sun. "Stupid bitch, why can't she take care of this herself?"

"Because this stupid bitch does not want to be discovered by the only man capable of defeating her."

Scratch gulped, insulting his boss.

An Eldori girl approached from the shadows of the cave. She had pinkish-blonde hair tied into massive pigtails that went down to her hips with hairclips in the shape of two smiling pumpkins. Her face was heart-shaped and gemmed with bright, emotionless, blue eyes. She wore a high-collared blazer, black in color and trimmed with silver, over a half-buttoned white blouse and a magenta tie, and a pleated flannel mini-skirt.

Before Scratch could say his apologies a black scythe suddenly appeared in her hands and she swung it close to the ghost's neck.

"If that Eyar spirit, Yami, catches me here, it would be the end of me. You know this. And I have yet to discover the power this Yuri kid holds. Yuri…wasn't it your job to get rid of him. It's been two weeks and today he is blessed with another year. You assured me you could deal with him and so far, all you've done is cause property damage and frighten little children."

"So why don't you sneak up on Yuri when he least expects it and do him in?" asked Creep, coming into Scratch's defense. "I mean, you are from the Sisterhood, the single most dangerous group of spooks in all of Termnnia. Not to sound ungrateful, Miss Ally Ween, but what was the point in releasing us from the Shadow Realm to do the killing for you?"

"Yeah," Scratch said, being bold despite the weapon that could send him back to the Shadow Realm was just inches from his skinny neck. "If you and those girls are such skilled assassins, then why do you piss your pants every time you have to get close to Yuri."

Ally sighed and the scythe disappeared.

"For one, there is the matter of Yami, the spirit of a once-powerful Eyar." She walked past her two ghostly henchmen and stared at the academy. "And secondly, there's the matter of the Pendant of the Kings around Yuri's neck. I've done some research on it. It seems to me, that there is an ancient power sleeping inside of it."

"What is it?"

"I don't know," said Ally. "But whatever it is, it's guarding Yuri violently. It saved him from the monsters Zorc sent to stop him from getting the God Cards. It saved him from Bakura's magic. And it's saving him from us."

"So, what you're saying is…your mission is pointless?" Scratch yelped. "If that's the case, why do you even bother taking out the little runt!?"

"We can, and we will," said Ally. "As soon as the moons arise on All Hallows Eve, I will release a power even Lord Denethon fears. Your job is to make sure you get rid of Yuri before I come to use that power. If by then you haven't killed him, no one on this island is safe. It will mean the end of Yuri, and it might mean the end for me. And if I go, I fade to nothingness. I'm not supposed to be here, remember?"

"Ya mean," Creep gulped sadly. "You won't depart?"

"My soul was sacrificed in order for me to be here. Any hopes I have of departing to the Gardens or the emptiness of the Shadow Realm was lost when I swore oath to Denethon and his Order. So, if I should fall in my battle against Yuri, that will be it for my existence. I will no longer feel. No longer dream. No longer have a being. Once that moon casts its cursed light over Termnnia, I will turn into something horrid which will lead to the deaths of many, including my own. In a way, my fate is in your hands."

"You don't have to do this," said Creep.

"I am a member of the Sisterhood I have an obligation to fulfill our contract even it means my end. You have eleven days to get your shit together, boys."

Ally turned and walked back into the cave.

"Poor thing!" said Scratch, he took off his fedora and scratched his head. "What must it be like to turn to nothing?"

Creep sobbed and blew into his sheets. "We have to help her!"

"Come on Creep," Scratch said trying his best not to get emotional. "We're gonna get that Yuri if it's the last thing we do!"

---

Bandit Keith

---

Bandit Keith stood with his leg up on the bow of the Zodiac like a daring explorer who had discovered a new land. His black leather jacket swaying left and right in the wind. He grinned viciously while keeping his eyes glued to Dallian Academy looking like a jagged silhouette in the glow of the rising sun.

He knew Pegasus was in there somewhere, attending the tournament honoring Prince Yuri's birthday as well as Termnnia's day of independence from Anubis and his Orcs.

"We're almost to shore!" cried out a freakishly large Eldori resembling the Frankenstein monster but with spiked black hair resembling a crown on the top of his head and a black ponytail. His triangular eyes outlined with eyeliner.

"Keep yer trap shut, Zygor!" said a skinny Eldori with short spiked red hair, pale skin, and round glasses. He was called Sid. He was doing his best to keep the Zodiac from crashing into the rocks, as well as keeping them hidden from the various sea serpents that guarded the academy waters. "And settle down yer rockin' the boat!"

"Look, over there!" cried the shortest Eldori in the group. His name was Bonz. He had the face of a zombie and ragged bluish-black hair and pale lamp-like eyes. "It's a cargo boat from Industrial Illusions."

"And their containers are full of new cards to stock the academy stores!" said Zygor.

Bonz's mouth wet with greed.

"That's right, Bonz," said Bandit Keith. "And somewhere in those containers lies the school's monthly shipment of Gold Series cards."

"AH!" Bonz, Sid, and Zygor cried out in delight.

"Da Gold Series!" drooled Zygor.

"Consider those cards your method of payment for getting me here," said Bandit Keith.

"But how do we get 'em, boss?" Sid asked.

"That's your concern," said Bandit Keith. "I'm here for Pegasus and maybe get a shot at Prince Yuri's rare and powerful dino-horde in the tournament."

"Hey," said Bonz. "Maybe we can find that girl with the Blue-Eyes White Dragons. If we nab those cards, we'll be unstoppable."

"Why have puny dragons when we can nab those Termnnian God Cards from the prince?" Sid suggested.

"You got a death wish, Sid?" Bandit Keith asked.

"What do you mean, boss?" Bonz asked. "We'll be the most powerful Duelists in the world with those cards."

"Look, I want those God Cards as much as the next guy, but you've got to remember that they are no ordinary cards. The Divine Beasts hold a magic we can't comprehend. They have a tendency to cause death when in the wrong hands. On top of that, Yuri and his friends are under constant guard from the Knights of the Academy. They are some of the best swordsmen and riflemen in all of Termnnia, because A) This school is home to the sons and daughters of countless royalty and nobility. B) This school holds the greatest concentration of precious cards in all of Termnnia. And C) He's the fucking heir to the Diamond Throne."

"Eeesh," said Sid. "Forget I said anything."

Sid docked the Zodiac in a hidden cove where the ruin of an old academy dorm sadly stood. Sid and Zygor covered the boat with palms and logs while Bonz was quick to make a command center inside the ruins. Bandit Keith looked up at the school from the window of his newly raised quarters.

"I'm coming for you, Pegasus, and I'm gonna make you pay for all the misery you've caused me."

---

Charlie the Vendor

---

"Yo!" Chazz Princeton commanded. "Three coffees on the double!"

"Yes, My Lord," the young food vendor babble nervously making Chazz and his cronies their breakfast.

"And three hash browns. C'mon, on the double!" said Chazz's companion.

"Yes, My Lord," said the vendor. A young human named Charlie. His friend, a Redborne with dreadlocks named Marty, was cooking up the hash browns. His third friend was a gnome named Tingol. He was working the stove, keeping it hot.

"Here you are, My Lords," Charlie said, handing them their food. Chazz and his friends took them without a thank you. Marty slowly scooted the tip jar towards them.

"You want a tip?" said Chazz. "Here's a tip. Get a better job!"

He and his friends laughed and walked away.

"I hate those assholes from the House of the White Dragon," Marty said shaking his head.

"No doubt they're heavily funded by Seto Kaiba," said Tingol. "I mean he uses the dragon of their dorm."

"I know!" said Marty. "Man, those White Dragon kids have the best stuff on the island. The best facilities, the best technology, the best cards."

"The best girls," Charlie added, eyeing a group of young ladies from the North dorm, having coffee and donuts in the balcony hoping to hunker down the oncoming storm of students ready to swarm the new shipment of cards, especially the ones from the Gold Series.

"Aw, come on man," said Marty. "Guys like us have no luck with the likes of them. Yah, they're angels alright, but ladies like them want a man who can Duel. A man with money, rare cards, and a title to his name."

Charlie's heart sank when the blonde girl he was looking at was approached by a good-looking fellow from the academy's official Dueling Team. He was wearing a black jacket with glowing blue patterns and wore the new Duel Disk from Kaiba Corp on his right arm. He leaned forward and kissed the girl. To make matters worse, he was from the South Dorm, a supposedly mediocre-level dorm. But his rank didn't matter to the girl.

"See what I mean, Charlie?"

"Yeah," said Tingol. "Here rich guys get all the chicks."

"Being rich has nothing to do with it, my friend," said Marty. "If you can Duel, that means you will run into fame which then turns runs into money. And when you have all three, the ladies will come flocking towards you like pigeons to bread crumbs."

Charlie nodded.

"MOVE! MOVE!" shouted a group of guards known as the White Cloaks who were a mix of swordsmen and riflemen. They charged down the halls in their beautiful white-gold armor with gold holographic ornaments to decorate their armor sets. They carried white assault rifles trimmed with gold. They were heavy weapons and futuristic as well, with holographic ammo counters, which meant they were made by a Termnnian manufacturer.

The White Cloaks formed a line in front of the academy's main card shop, called Dorothy's Trove. Traditional academy knights formed another wall with their shields as mobs of students began to crowd the halls to get to the cards coming in through massive crates. Charlie's eyes widened when he saw black boxes decorated with gold filigree coming through being pushed by futuristic tactical knights in heavy black armor with red-glowing visors. They were protected by a layer of gold-glowing holographic cyber-armor.

The students knew better than to mess with those mercenaries. Such protection as needed after a mob caused injury and a few deaths many ages ago. When Duelists saw a huge collection of cards they seemed to turn animalistic.

The academy's official Keeper of the Cards was a chubby elderly Elodri woman named Dorothy. She signed a red card and told the guards to make haste for the Kiryu district.

"Ha!" scoffed Marty. "No doubt the birthday boy gets first dibs. I reckon the real party will begin once he wakes up."

---

Yuri

---

A new day he thought as he came to from his slumber. The noir jazz looping in the playlist on his PDA was still soothing his ears. When he opened his eyes the wall was the first thing that greeted him and a provocative black and white photo of Alexandra that was taped to it, though, that little keepsake was property of Ricky. Surprisingly, the little creature was not on his bed like he usually was.

So, if it was a new day that must have meant that he was nineteen now. He could not believe he had been in Termnnia for so long. Though he got used to the land and had grown to call his friends, family, he still missed the Montgomerys and Nick, Carter, Tyson, and Patty. And Crystal. He heard the October rains splash against his window, marking a wet and gray birthday today. Yuri didn't mind. He couldn't ask for a better gift. He turned to look out the window and see the downpour but instead saw the smiling face of Alexandra.

"Good morning my love," she said in a sing-song manner.

"How did…."

"This is a co-ed dormitory tower is it not?" Alexandra purred stroking Yuri's chest, admiring the scars he received from the fights he had against the monsters in the Pillar of Termnnia.

"This is not your dorm, Alexandra. You belong in the North Dorm."

"I don't care," Alexandra whispered. "I won't let petty ranks get in between us, Yuri."

Yuri's heart starting beating like a war drum from the Aurelian Legion. He never, not even in his wildest dreams, thought he would wake to find a woman as beautiful as Alexandra beside him in bed. The sensuous sound of the saxophone and the enticing keys of the piano made the moment even more heart-stopping for him. A grayish-blue hue outlined his future wife. His queen.

She sighed passionately, awaiting a response from Yuri. She looked at him with her blue eyes, looking like two brilliant marbles shielded by her fluttery eyelashes like the wings of a jet-black butterfly. He looked down at her lips, as red as blood from a fallen enemy on the battlefield.

Underneath his bedsheets, he could feel her warmth and his right arm rubbed against her belly causing her to titter from being tickled.

"Are you…are you naked?" Yuri inquired fretfully. He shot her a nervous look.

Alexandra giggled delightfully. She lifted the sheets to reveal herself. "As the day I was born," she replied. "You all right, dear?" She put the sheets back down. "You were tossing and turning."

"I have nightmares," Yuri sighed, laying his head back on his pillow. He put the back of his hand over his forehead. "What I went through back in the Pillar of Termnnia, was something I will never forget. But I want it out of my memory. Words cannot describe the hell I went through, dearheart."

Alexandra cooed caringly and rested her cheek on his left peck. She kissed it and told him to relax then slid her hand down Yuri's chest to his stomach so she could feel his abs and, to his shock, she went further downward, her hand vanishing under the sheets.

Yuri's face went hot red when she found him as hard as an iron bar.

"Oh!" she chimed. "Seems like you aren't the only one I've woken up."

"Alexandra…"

"Just relax, my love. I know a perfect way to get those monsters out of your head."

She smiled seductively and went under the sheets to further pleasure him.

"Well, there he is now," Jon said at the kitchen making them a Berja-styled breakfast of sweetened bread, corn cakes, seed cakes, apple-flavored pancakes, and mead made with juniper berries that he brought from the mead halls of his castle in Riftgaard.

"He has a bit of spring in his step, doesn't he?" said Ryon, eating one of the seed cakes Jon made.

"Did you guys know she came in?" Yuri asked coming down the stairs.

"And how," said Ryon, aiding Jon with the mead. "So, My Lord, tell me, what favors did the blushing bride offer you on your name day."

Yuri went silent and started glowing red in the face. His friends burst out laughing. Phoenix rolled her eyes and sipped a glass of cold milk.

"Good morning My Lords!" Alexandra called out from the top of the rails in the second level of their dormitory. She wrapped a pink silk robe over herself. Yuri's friends all bade her a good morrow, save for Phoenix who gave another roll of her eyes.

"Smells wonderful, Prince Jon, I had no idea you were into the culinary arts."

"We Berja plan many feasts," said Jon. "We do feasts for every occasion. My father made one the day my sister forged her first sword and another when I first learned to walk."

"Which sister is the blacksmith?" asked Jaeyoung. "I understand you have many."

"You never heard of the legendary Jewels of Riftgaard?" Jon asked.

"No, I have. I was never given the number of jewels."

"How many siblings do you have Prince Jon?" Alexandra asked.

"I have twelve sisters," he answered.

"Gracious!" said Alexandra. "You Berja are rather busy men, aren't you? And I am to understand one of your sisters is to wed a brother of King Stefan?"

"Aye," said Jon. "They married last week. Now we have formed a long-awaited alliance with the Province of Frostborne. I reckon I know who the man in that relationship is going to be."

"Here! Here!" laughed Marcel.

"Berjani women are like wolves on the battlefield and in the bedroom," said Alexandra. "Do tell your sister to take it easy on the young lord, Prince Jon."

"Astrid is not a tamable wolf," said Jon. "I knew what I was getting him into."

"Ah, well played, Jon," said Ryon. "You sent in your youngest and your strongest to keep the Ungards in line and keep your family in charge of the Northwest."

"Such a devious one, you are," chuckled Alexandra. "Do save me some of those seed cakes, My Lord, they look delightful."

"Will do, princess," said Jon. "Ryon! Stop scarfing those down will you?"

---

Crystal

---

"No, my dear, I haven't heard a word from him," Paula Montgomery said, coming back from making tea in the kitchen. She and Crystal were having an early breakfast outside the patio overlooking the Atlantic. They had been discussing the new summoning methods Duel Monsters had recently acquired. Xyx and Synchro monsters have found their way into Earth, making the game more complex and competitive than ever before. Then Crystal finally asked for any word on Yuri. Paula knew it would be a matter of time.

"It's his birthday today," said Crystal. "He didn't call or anything?"

"I'm afraid we can't call him where he is," Paula said sitting back down in front of the table. Crystal didn't touch the buttered biscuits Mrs. Montgomery made for her.

"You make it sound like he went to a third world country," Crystal commented.

"Third world, no. Another world…."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing. Don't worry so much, Crystal. I know my Yuri. He would never turn his back on his friends. And the fact he let you keep his necklace is proof of that. He will come back soon, you will see. He has a love for you that I can't even describe."

Crystal grinned.

"I remember the night he and Ren first met you. After we left the stadium, Yuri tugged my skirt and said, 'Mommy! Mommy! Is she an angel?'"

Crystal's face went red and her lips trembled. "He said that?" she asked.

"He most certainly did, Crystal. You and Ren and Yuri have formed a bond so strong I could have sworn that all three of you were my children."

"You are more a mother to me than anyone," said Crystal. "Not like mine."

"You mustn't say such things," said Paula. "I know she has made her mistakes but she is still your mother, Crystal."

"I hope he comes back soon and sees all the news rules that have been put into Duel Monsters. These Xyx and Synchro Monsters have really made the game interesting! I wish he were here to enjoy the fun."

Crystal left the Montgomery estate after breakfast then strolled to the Ruby Dragon to get any info from Sergei, a man Yuri called uncle. When she arrived, she encountered Jeannie Xyz Summoning of all things. She had quickly gotten the hang of it since it was first introduced by Phobos Corp.

She summoned Heiratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis to her opponent's dismay. Her opponent was what everyone called, a traditionalist, meaning he was a Duelist who enjoyed the old rules of the game.

"You've created a monster," said Patty, she was overlooking the game before Crystal came in. "After you took her under your wing, she has been unbeatable in almost every one of Sergei's shop tournaments. Seems like she's winning her fourth. They've started calling her the Princess of Dragons, since you the queen are her trainer."

"That's my girl," Crystal said proudly. "I'm taking her to the championships in Monaco."

Patty whistled. "You sure she's ready? Only the most elite in the world can go there."

"I trained her pretty well," said Crystal. "She qualified months ago."

"After placing fifth in regionals I'm not surprised. Who would have thought a champion lay dormant in that cute little thing?"

"Yup, I got her a Duel Disk customized and everything. We might get the dream match in which she faces her brother for the title of number one Duelist in the world. Send Nick my congratulations by the way. I heard he got in."

"Hard to believe Yuri was trouncing my husband's ass just a year ago, huh?"

"Yup. It must have been a rough road for him to get to the championship tournament. It certainly was for little Jeannie. Seems everybody wants to get Yuri's title."

"It must have been hard for you to learn that Yuri's world title became forfeit after he went missing."

"It was pretty rough," Crystal agreed. The shop went into a thunderous applause when Jeannie won the shop's weekend tourney. She got up and did curtsy lightly picking up the hems of her skirt like the little lady she was. "But," she continued, "The world can't have a missing champion, can it?"

"Where in the hell could he have gone to?" Patty asked. "I mean it's not everyday someone is crowned World Champion."

"I'm sure Yuri has his reasons," said Crystal. She watched Sergei deliver the prize to Jeannie. A Gold Series box and a cash prize of three hundred dollars.

"Ah, here come the princes now," Patty said, looking out the window of the shop. Their former opponents T.J and Cid came rolling down the street in a black Audi R8 Spyder.

Crystal and Patty went outside to see them while the parked by the sidewalk.

"Morning ladies," said T.J, lowering his sunglasses.

"Wow, don't you boys clean up nice," said Patty.

Cid and T.J were dressed in suits and ties. They had rings of gold encrusted with gems all over their fingers.

"Looks the pro leagues have been treating you well," said Crystal, examining the car. "Wow. Nice set of wheels."

"It's how we roll," said Cid. He held up his deck glimmering with cards from the Gold Series. "You can thank Yuri for this."

Crystal felt like her body just stopped. She looked up at Cid. "Yuri? As in…my Yuri?"

"Yeah, there's word going around that Yuri was the one who gave the thumbs up for all these new monsters. Ever since those Synchro and Xyz monsters started coming in, the games have been heating up like never before. And those sweet new Duel Disks from Phobos Corp have been looking pretty dope too."

"Who told you this?" Patty asked. "What about Ren? Is he okay too?"

"We don't know," said T.J. "We heard the news from some pretty weird looking dudes in Miami when we attended the Gold Series party. Some of them referred to Yuri as a prince, even a king or something."

"A king?" said Patty, crossing her arms. "He's not secretly royalty, is he?"

"Naw," laughed T.J. "My guess is he's gotten so good at Duel Monsters he's been labeled as a king. You know Duelists, always coming up with epic names such as The Fire King, Aqua Master and Crystal's title, Queen of Dragons. My guess is Yuri thought World Champion was beneath him or something."

"That makes sense," said Cid. "Seeing as how he's somehow behind the evolution of the game. And it's a good thing he did if you ask me. Those monsters we used to play with were starting to get stale if you catch my drift."

"I know," T.J agreed. "For goodness sake, I saw people using Mushroom Man in their decks. Mush-Room-Man."

"Did you ask them where they were?" Crystal asked. "Did they know where Yuri and Ren were going at least?"

"All we got out of them was that Yuri was Dueling like a champ somewhere far away," said Cid. "If it makes you feel any better, Crystal, I think Yuri's doing pretty well. Ren must be like his manager or something."

"While it does relive my apprehension, that just makes me even more eager to have him back. If Yuri has gotten this good, I can't wait to Duel him myself."

"He sounds dangerous," said T.J. "I heard Yuri defeated former world champs wherever he is. If he does come back, use great caution. Say, you ladies doing anything tonight? Henry Frost is hosting another get-together on his new luxury yacht, The Great White. Maybe you can bring your little protégé, Crystal. Who knows, you might find yourself a decent man, now that Brett's tucked tail and vanished."

"Yeah, you're single again, babe," said Patty, playfully slapping her shoulder.

"Why does she need to go to the party to find a decent guy?" said Cid. "When she has two flourishing singles sitting right here before her."

Crystal laughed. "I'll be there you guys."

"All right, if you need a ride, feel free to give us a call." Cid winked and gave a click before T.J sped off down the road.

"Crystal, I won!" Jeannie said running out the door of the shop.

"I know, baby, congratulations." She kissed the top of her head. "Oh, I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks for everything, Crystal," said Jeannie. "You taught me to be a great Duelist."

"A great one?" said Patty. "No way, you're one of the best."

"Do you think, if I Duel in Monaco, Yuri and Ren will come back?"

"Who knows," said Crystal. "Perhaps we'll find them over there."

"Maybe I can Duel Yuri if I do." Jeannie hopped up and down excitedly. Her pigtails bouncing on the sides of her head. "Perhaps I could slap him up a bit for making you worry so much."

Crystal laughed. "So long as you let me slap him first."

---

Ryon

---

There was an atrium beneath the academy where students could go wade in an underground beach. Three giant lamps lit up the darkness of the caves. Classes were ending early today because of Yuri's birthday celebration, some ended earlier for most by the looks of how many students there were at the lake. Prince Ryon was drinking of mug of ale with Ser Dancer and Ser Kevin on a wooden table lit with tropical theme torches.

He heard giggling from the left. He turned and saw a group of girls from the West Dorm staring at their table.

"You don't have to do anything do you, O' Knight of Wine and Song?" Ryon asked.

Dancer smiled. "No, My Lord, they've got their eyes on you."

"Don't play us for fools," said Ser Kevin. "Everyone knows you're the most handsome man in the Emerald Reach."

"You can have them," Dancer ate a peanut to go down with his ale. "My heart belongs to Evelyn."

"Their hair not dark enough for you?" asked Ser Kevin. He was referring to Dancer's relationship with Princess Evelyn. "Where is the princess?"

"Swimming with Ezra and Phoenix," Ryon answered. "Wonderful couple."

"Ezra and Phoenix?" chuckled Dancer. "Since when?"

"Since early this month it seems," said Ryon. "They've trained together in the Citadel all their lives, so I take it their feelings for each other bloomed there."

"You lost your chance Ser Kevin," said Dancer, turning to look at his friend. "Seems like both mage girls have been taken by each other."

"Please," scoffed Kevin. "You know it's not women I prefer. And I don't think I'll love again. Not after what happened."

"Forrest and Malcolm are dead," said Ryon. "Prince Talion's killers have been punished."

"I'm begging your pardon, My Lord, but they were not the killers. It was the Church who ordered my love to get his head cut off. And now Prince Yuri sides with them and Lady Avi, The Summoner of Dragons, weds the King of the North who is archbishop of the organization."

"We cannot destroy the Church," said Ryon. "It's an ideology, just as are belief in the goddesses is. They cannot destroy our faith, and we cannot destroy theirs. I know there are a few assholes who pillage and plunder in the name of their faith, but they are few in number."

"So one-hundred thousand cases each month dealing with violence, rape, and murder from the church is a few in number? I'm sorry, My Lord, but that is too many people to be labeled few in number. And if those so-called 'good' believers dislike the actions of these savages why don't they speak up and stop them if they are greater in number?"

Ryon paused.

"End it right now, Kevin," said Dancer. "We cannot stop them. Lady Avi once told me that the Church of Yeyu is like a bad itch. It bites and it bites and no matter how hard you scratch it, it never goes away. The best thing to do when it bites is to scratch and ignore it."

"The church is an itch until it takes away something from you," said Kevin. "Then it turns into a burn. You lot may want to get chummy with the Yeyu cult, but I will kill every last one of them I see."

"Then you are no better than they are, Ser," said Ryon.

"Fuck you. Both of you." Kevin got up to leave. A beach ball went rolling towards him. He knelt to pick it up and then saw a pair of feet step towards him. He slowly raised his gaze up to see the owner, who was Princess Evelyn, wearing a black bikini.

"Ugh!" cried Kevin. "Lady Evelyn! I-I did not mean to…I-I'm sorry.!"

Evelyn snickered at his sudden outburst.

"Don't be so immature, Kevin, you're making such a fuss."

"Hey there you are, gentlemen!" Antoine said running up the sand towards his friends. He was dripping wet. The sand crusted his feet. He bowed when he saw Prince Ryon sitting at the table with the two knights. "Prince Ryon? When did you get here?"

"Not that long ago," Ryon answered. "Just thought I'd have a swim before my three o'clock class."

"Ah, pity," said Antoine, "our classes are well and done."

"Well, you don't have to take as many credits as I do," gloated Ryon. "I am the crown prince of Katina. The Maesters of the Termnnian Archives expect a lot out of me."

"Well, while you're here, prince, do you mind if we have a Duel? I don't think I'll ever get the chance to Duel one of you. I tried my best scheduling a match with Lord Yuri, but he's always so damn busy."

"I'm in," said Ryon.

"Oh, wonderful," said Evelyn. "I've heard tales back in Elleria of your Laser Dragons. Why haven't you used them yet? I waited for your dragons with great anticipation during your Field Exam, but in its place, you used a traditional machine deck."

"I only use them against I opponents I see worthy," said Ryon. "My Laser Dragons are special."

"Does that mean we won't get to see them in our Duel?" Antoine asked.

"No, my friend, you're cool."

"Hey, no fair," said Dancer. "I wanted to Duel against them."

"I did too!" said Kevin. "Duel me next, Lord Ryon."

"Why don't I play all three of you at the same time?" Ryon suggested.

"You sure about that?" said Antione. He morphed his earring into a gauntlet shaped Duel Disk that covered the length of his right arm and formed into a pauldron at the top with a glowing blue orb. Glowing blue patterns slithered all over the surface.

"This will not be an easy match, My Lord," said Dancer, activating his Duel Disk.

"We're no pushovers, Lord Ryon." Kevin activated his.

"Hold it right there," said the cold voice of Zane Truesdale. He approached the group, his Duel Disk already activated. Alexis followed him.

"Zane," said Ryon. "Good to see you. Damn, Alexis, what are you his ward or something? You seem to go with Zane everywhere he goes."

"I just came to drop the princess off," said Zane. "But since the master of the Laser Dragons is here in the middle of an unfair handicap match, I thought I could join, perhaps."

"Oh, please let him join the match!" Evelyn breathed, clasping her hands together enthusiastically. "What a match this will make. The Laser Dragons and the Cyber Dragons together at the same time."

"I have to admit that would be an incredible game to watch," said Alexis. "How about it Ryon?"

"Sure, why not?" Ryon agreed with a smile. He held up a black shield-shaped Duel Disk on his right wrist. A sword-shaped blade trimmed in blue. A big blue orb began glowing on the shield.

Dancer, Antoine, and Kevin suddenly lost their confidence in winning the match. Zane Truesdale was currently the number one student in the entire Academy, perhaps the whole country of Eredas.

"Oh, this should be good," said Alexis.

"More like quick," said Evelyn.

"I'll start first," said Antoine. "I lay a card face down, and summon Queen of Autumn Leaves in attack mode!"

Queen of Autumn Leaves

ATK/1800 DEF/1500

A red-haired woman with long ears wearing a long red dress and she had wooden appendages for arms appeared on the field.

"My turn," Dancer announced. He looked at Evelyn and sent a kiss her way. "I summon Kanan the Swordmistress and then equip her with Legendary Sword, raising her attack to seventeen hundred."

Kanan the Swordmistress

ATK/1400 + 300 = 1700

Kanan blew a kiss at Ryon and Zane and gave a seductive wink.

"And now it's on to me," said Kevin. He examined his hand. "I shall summon Exarion Universe!"

Exarion Universe

ATK/1800 DEF/1900

Ser Kevin summoned a giant centaur warrior with the legs of a dark-brown horse and the upper body of a green-skinned man wearing dark blue armor and wielded a double-bladed staff on its right hand and carried a shield mounted on one of the gauntlets.

"Do you two think you have what it takes to beat our lineup of monsters?" Antoine gloated.

"Mind if I take the lead, Ryon?" Zane asked.

"Be my guest, show me what you've got."

"Thank you, My Lord. I summon Cyber Dragon!"

Cyber Dragon

ATK/2100 DEF/1600

Zane's serpentine-metal dragon rocketed out of the ground and slithered behind its master. The metal was enameled into a brilliant white and it had glowing yellow eyes.

"Wait, hold on!" cried Antoine. "How were you able to summon a level five monster like that without sacrifice?"

"My Cyber Dragon can be special summoned to the field so long as you have monsters and I don't. Then I play Different Dimension Capsule."

A multi-colored sarcophagus emerged from the ground. "And now, I get to pick a card from my deck and place it in the capsule. And then in two turns the card I chose goes to my hand."

The sarcophagus opened. The card fell inside then it closed. It lowered into the ground, vanishing from the field. "Ryon, the game is yours."

"Very well," said Ryon. "I play the field spell card, Laser Dragon Production Factory!"

A gigantic warehouse burst out of the ground behind Ryon. It took a minute for it to fully rise and shadow the field with its size. Drones flew all around it like flies, ready to produce the monsters everyone so longed to see.

"And now, I will pay five hundred of my Life Points to special summon Laser Dragon!"

The drones quickly got to work. The factory hissed and buzzed. The metal gate in the front slowly opened. Amber-colored emergency strobe beacons spun on both sides of the gate and a buzzer honked to warn of the oncoming weapon that was ready to roll out. Like Zane's mechanical beast, this creature was also serpentine in shape and had a metallic body, only it was sleek black with green glowing patterns. It had no eyes and there was a laser cannon inside of its mouth which was glowing bright blue and releasing steam.

Laser Dragon

ATK/2600 DEF/2000

"There it is!" Evelyn cried, both hands clasped to Alexis' shoulders.

"Then I lay two cards face-down and end my turn."

"Impressive," said Zane. "That's quite the monster you've got there, Ryon."

"Thank you, Zane."

Ryon and Zane-7500

Antoine, Dancer, and Kevin-8000

"Oh-man," said Antoine. "Cyber Dragon and Laser Dragon both at the same time? And so quickly?"

"Stay cool, brother," said Dancer. "We can beat them."

"Man, I switch Queen of Autumn Leaves into defense mode and summon The Statue of Easter Island in defense mode!"

The Statue of Easter Island

ATK/1100 DEF/1400

"My turn," said Dancer. "I switch Kanan to defense mode and then summon Spirit of the Harp in defense mode."

Spirit of the Harp

ATK/800 DEF/2000

"Cowards!" joked Ser Kevin. "I summon Terratiger, the Empowered Warrior. And, when he's summoned, I get to special summon another level four monster to the field in defense mode. So here's Tunigware!"

"A Tuner monster," said Zane.

"Correct, and I will use him to combine with my Terratiger to summon Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth!"

Gaia Knight, the Force of Earth

ATK/2600 DEF/800

"Next I play the spell card, Tribute to the Doomed. By discarding one card from my hand, it allows me to destroy one monster you possess. And since Zane is the school Kaiser, I'll be choosing his monster."

Zane's Cyber Dragon was wrapped in bandages. Then a huge demonic hand raised from the ground and dragged it into the Graveyard.

"He's wide open!" gasped Alexis.

"Well played, Kevin," said Dancer. "Just hold off you attack and…"

"Gaia Knight, attack Zane directly!"

"Wait!"

"I activate my trap card!" said Ryon. "Draining Shield. Now your knight's attack is stopped, and our Life Points increase by twenty-six hundred!"

Zane and Ryon now had 10100.

"I'm sorry," said Kevin.

"Don't be brash," said Dancer. "Remember what I taught Ethan?"

"Please don't mention that dirt bag's name in my presence." Alexis folded her arms and frowned.

"I switch Exarion Universe into defense mode." Kevin placed his card horizontally on his Duel Disk.

"That's what I'm talking about gentlemen!" said Antoine. "We've got an impressive wall of defense monsters to shield our Life Points and Ser Kevin's heavy-hitting Gaia Knight. And all they've got are one mechanical dragon each. We've got the advantage here."

Zane chuckled softly. "I'm so sorry to disappoint." He drew his card. "And since I have no monsters on the field, I get to special summon another Cyber Dragon from my hand!"

"No, another one!" cried Antoine.

"But why settle for just one?" said Zane. "I use Monster Reborn. And since there's only one monster in my Graveyard, you can guess who's coming back!"

Zane now had two Cyber Dragons.

"But they won't be around for long," Zane held out a Polymerization card. "In present form," he added. Then he shouted, "Dragons unite! And now, Cyber Twin Dragon emerge!"

The Cyber Dragon Zane summoned had two heads. One had jagged spikes on its back, and the other had a smoother surface with various wiring and a domed head striped with a glowing teal bolt.

Cyber Twin Dragon

ATK/2800 DEF/2100

"Twin Dragon!" Kevin placed his hands on his head, in frustration. "One was tough enough!"

"And he spells double the trouble for you!" said Zane. "Because my dragon can attack twice in one round! Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Gaia Knight and Exarion Universe! Double Strident Blast!"

Cyber Twin Dragon charged up and fired golden beams at Kevin's two monsters. Kevin lost them two hundred points, bringing them to 7800.

"It's your move, Ryon." Zane passed the turn to the prince.

"My draw," said Ryon. "I pay five hundred life points to special summon another Laser Dragon to the field. But they won't stay for long, for I now pay one thousand Life Points to have my Laser Dragons combine and form into Laser Dragon Mark Two: Electric Boogaloo! Ugh, never mind."

"What?" Zane couldn't help but let out a chuckle at Ryon's lame humor.

"Sorry," chuckled Ryon.

The drones flew down and scrapped the two Laser Dragons and carried their pieces into the factory. The factory buzzed with work and steam bellowed from the chimney towers, sparking with bright blue lightning. The emergency strobe lights turned on and spun once the metal gate rumbled, ready to lift open. The alarm buzzed announcing all to make way for Ryon's new creation. A larger version of the Laser Dragon flew out of the factory.

It was a great beast with tubing coiled on its upper body, oozing with bright green plasma. The beast had two colossal cannons on both its shoulders and a snake-like body that stretched as long as a football field. It had a layered, dark purple underbelly each layer glowing with dark pink neon. A serial code was laser engraved on its right pectoral plate. Then, two steel wings erupted from its back with green glass membranes in octagon-shaped tiles. Then, from underneath its large shoulder plates, two metal rods emerged and formed into arms with three-fingered claws of adamantium steel. It gave a loud screech when it was fully formed on the field.

Laser Dragon Mk-II

ATK/3200 DEF/3000

"Look at that," said Alexis. "Those are some sexy monsters."

The onlooking students whistled and cheered.

"What are those guns on his shoulders?" asked Dancer. "I have never Dueled against machine monsters before."

"They are two powerful, Gauss Cannons," Ryon answered. "And they can be activated by banishing Laser Dragon monsters in my Graveyard. So, I will banish the two that were discarded for my fusion summon. And my cannons will be armed and ready."

The cannons gave off a metallic hum as the systems were charging up.

"And now, for every Laser Dragon I banished, I banish two of your own monsters."

The cannons on the dragon's shoulders elongated. Steam hissed out of every opening as they aimed for Kanan and Spirit of the Harp.

"FIRE!" shouted Ryon.

POW! POW!

Kanan and Spirit of the Harp squealed once they were hit by projectiles of the cannon that flew at them at an incredible rate. Dancer groaned, shielding himself from the attack.

Laser Dragon Mk-II suddenly stood still. Vents opened through most of its body releasing hot air.

"My Laser Dragon must recharge after using his cannons," said Ryon. "So, I can't attack."

Antoine, Dancer, and Kevin went defensive summoning monsters to create another defensive wall. But as soon as the game went to Zane's turn, it was all over. The Different Dimension Capsule he used earlier came up from the ground and opened, allowing Zane to put the card he placed into it to his hand. It was Power Bond. But first, he used De-Fusion to split his Cyber Twin Dragon back into two separate Cyber Dragons. Then he used Power Bond to fuse them and the Cyber Dragon in his hand to become the Cyber End Dragon.

It was a gargantuan metallic behemoth with three heads, a long whip-like tail, powerful metal wings and glowing orbs glowing blue orbs.

Cyber End Dragon

ATK/4000 DEF/2800

Alexis formed a grin when seeing Zane's ultimate beast. Whenever Cyber End Dragon was played, it spelled doom for all of Zane's opponents especially when played with Power Bond, for the spell card doubled his dragon's attack to 8000. He attacked the Haniwa monster Antoine set in defense mode and lowered their Life Points to 0.

"Well played, gents," said Dancer. "What a thrilling match."

"Indeed," Zane scoffed while the phantoms vanished. "Ryon, next time we Duel it will be against each other."

"Why wait?" Ryon asked.

Oooooh, went the other students.

"I have some a class to attend to. My day doesn't end as early as it does for some. Perhaps we can schedule one next time. Until then, farewell."

He shook hands with Ryon and left. As Zane trailed up the metal-stone staircase a messenger hurried towards Evelyn.

"My Lady," the messenger bowed. "I've been looking for you. I've got a message I'm supposed to deliver. Your hands only. Let's see here. Ah, you have a visitor awaiting you in the springs on the northern side of the castle…if you can call it that. I had to take three trains, a drone cab, and an elevator to get here. This place is so big."

"Thank you, sir," said Evelyn. She gave him a gold Star Chip from her purse on the table. "For your trouble."

"Blessings of Endolia upon you, princess," the messenger bowed. He offered blessings of the goddess of commerce to Evelyn and left.

Evelyn opened the note and froze. Her quivering hands caused the note to shimmy.

"You okay, Evelyn?" Alexis asked with concern.

"I'll see you all tonight at the games."

Evelyn sulked away and left her friends behind in the underground beach. She trekked through the castle and reached the hot bathing springs where her visitor was waiting. She went through the bathhouse and entered a private spring with two Ebony Knights guarding the door. The Ebony Knights of the Emeralds. Her kingdom.

"My Lady," one of the knights said, letting her through.

Evelyn entered the chamber, finding herself in a blue-tiled room with a round window above showcasing the reef and tropical fish of the sea. There were pillars lining along the walls looking like water made solid. And there, wading in the water, being massaged by an Eldori maid was Queen Sera Alteria.

"Ah, there she is!" Sera said loudly.

"Oh, mother!" Evelyn gasped.

Sera was scrubbing her arms with scented lotion. "That Duel with Lord Zane and Prince Ryon against your friends was just such a thrill to see."

"You saw it?"

"Thank the school's Dueling Network, for that." Sera groaned with relief, feeling her neck crack. "With matches such as that, it's easy to see why this place is called the School of Kings. And what of you, young lady? Three months and not a word. I imagine Yuri has been keeping you busy hasn't he?"

"Yes, he's a dear friend of mine now."

"Ah, and have you both decided on a wedding date?" Sera asked with a smile.

Evelyn bit her lip. She had no idea how she was going to tell her mother the news.

Sera still looked at Evelyn, her mouth agape with joy, hoping to hear Evelyn's response. She gave none, and Sera lost her patience.

"Speak!" she demanded. Some water splashed around her shoulders.

"He would not have me mother," Evelyn replied frightfully. "I'm sorry."

"What do you mean he would not have you?"

"He's been married to Princess Alexandra von Klaus."

"What!"

"Mother, it had to be done. Yuri's alliance desperately needs this marriage to..."

"Take off your clothes," Sera commanded.

Evelyn gulped.

"Do it!"

Evelyn slipped off her backpack the proceeded to strip out of her uniform. She stood where she was and blushed.

"The panties too!" Sera barked.

Evelyn whimpered and took off her underwear and again remained still as a statue, feeling her mother's eyes examine her body.

"Turn around."

Evelyn did a quick turn. O' Buster Blader, how I wish I could summon you and have you smite this evil bitch for a mother!

"Tits, ass, and cunt are in perfect form," Sera analyzed. "A very beautiful face as well; one of an Alteria. So it appears to me that the problem is not within the flesh...but in the bitch."

Evelyn wanted to cry.

"You have until the semester to make him your husband, child."

"But, mother..."

"I don't care for petty alliances, Evelyn. You are to make him your betrothed and I want it done now."

Evelyn said no more and squatted down to pick up her clothes.

"If you don't come back to Elleria with the prince in your embrace, mayhaps you'll find the headsman's company more pleasurable."

---

Cora

---

"You heading out already?" Ms. Goldwine asked, watching Cora dress herself.

"Yeah," Cora said, looking for her pants. "I'm going on a dinosaur hunt."

"Whatever do you mean by that?" Ms. Goldwine asked,

"I'm going to get Yuri a present."

"I still don't follow."

"Ugh, I'm going to get his Black Tyranno back from that kid" — she wriggled until her jeans came all the way up — "If I'm going to Duel Yuri in the tournament tonight, which, I assure you, I'll win, I want him at his best. He doesn't Duel the same way he used to when he had his Black Tyranno."

"I'm sure that's a matter he wants to resolve himself." Ms. Goldwine said approaching Cora.

"I don't care what he wants. I want to Duel him with his Black Tyranno in his deck."

"What if you lose?"

"I won't lose," Cora said putting on her blazer after trying hard to straighten her tie.

"What if you do?"

"Then Kaiba will be pissed. And if he means to kick me out, so be it. But my dragons are coming with me."

"You'd steal his dragons?"

"They're my dragons!" Cora declared. "They chose me, remember? I feel a bond with them almost. I know Seto talks about cards being power, but these guys…" She took her cards out of her breast pocket and looked at the three dragons at the bottom of her deck. "I don't know. I feel a connection with them. I almost love them as though they were my family." She chuckled. "I'm stuck with them for life it seems."

"Then I'm coming with you," said Ms. Goldwine.

"You're going to lose a job with a high-paying salary," said Cora, turning to look at her. "You could lose everything if you come with me. I've got nothing but the road ahead of me."

Ms. Goldwine's face twitched as she searched for the right words to say. She smiled. "I don't care, Miss Cora, I want to be with you. I told you, I can take care of you." She put a hand on Cora's cheek. "I love you."

"Yeah…. I know."

"Whatever happens out there, Cora. I'll be right behind you."

Cora thanked her and then gave her a long, loving kiss. Cora's PDA suddenly buzzed.

"Well, it looks like my opponent is waiting."

Cora left Ms. Goldwine behind and went out the door. Hobson was still knocked out on the armchair, snoring, making the sound of a motorboat.

"Dick," Cora muttered at the eerie butler. She was about to head out the door of the Kaiba Tower when... "Going somewhere?"

It was Mokuba.

"Don't try and stop me."

"I won't," said Mokuba.

"Uncle Mokie?"

"Just go, Cora. Get out there and have some fun."

"Uncle Mokie, why are you doing this for me?"

Mokuba chuckled. "Mokie. That's what Seto used to call me. Ever since he acquired Kaiba Corp, my brother hasn't been the same. He doesn't call me Mokie anymore and he never smiles unless he Duels."

"Seto smiling?" Cora grinned. "Man, I never knew such a thing existed."

"Well, it did," said Mokuba. "Lucky for you my brother is preparing the tournament. You'd best get going, he could be back any minute."

"Thanks, Uncle Mokie," Cora went out the door.

Down at the beach, Ohgi and his crew were waiting. The rain slowed to only a drizzle.

"So, there she is," Ohgi said superciliously. "The Princess of Kaiba Corp."

"Did you come up with that all by yourself?" Cora sneered. "I hope you know what's at stake here."

"You can't honestly expect me to just give up my prized card so easily do you?"

"What do you want?" Cora asked. "I'll give you anything on my person."

"Wait, anything?"

"Yeah, what do you want? My Star Chips? My jewels? Anything."

"This card is pretty valuable," said Ohgi, holding up the Black Tyranno. "It's the only one of its kind and is the main card used by House Delgado. You've got to give me more than one item. So, I want three things from you."

"Name it."

"What should she give me boys?"

They all shouted suggestions at Ohgi.

"Perfect suggestions, boys," sneered Ohgi. "Okay, sweetcakes,"

Cora grinned.

"First thing on the list. I want every Blue-Eyes card you have. Do you hear me? Every. Single. One."

Cora reached into her deck and took out her beloved monsters.

"And second?" she asked.

"Second, you hand over that sweet Duel Disk on your arm."

Cora looked down at her Duel Disk. It didn't surprise her that Ohgi wanted to have a go at it.

"And lastly?" she asked. "I mean, what more do you want? You're demanding the most valuable possessions I have on me right now."

Ohgi's friends sniggered wildly.

"Thirdly…" Ohgi paused to suppress a giggle. "You have to be my servant for the length of your time in Dallian Academy."

"Really?" Cora smirked.

"Oh yeah," said Ohgi.

"So, let's go over this," said Cora. "You want every Blue-Eyes card I possess; my father's state-of-the-art Duel Disk system; and servitude to you throughout my years in school. Well, shit, when you said everything's on the line, you mean everything's on the line."

Ohgi's friends cheered.

"Shut up!" she shouted. "You are a bunch of disrespectful little snakes. And it is high time someone taught you a lesson!"

"Bring it on, bitch! Let's see what you've got!"

"You're going to regret that," Cora drew her card. "I summon Maiden with Eyes of Blue, in attack mode!"

"Zero attack and defense points?" Ohgi laughed. "For a Kaiba, that is a really stupid card to play."

"Then attack her, see if she's as stupid as you think she is."

"You're going to love these moves baby! I summon Starworld Fighter Kaizer Blade. Next, I will use the spell card, Starworld Alliance. Now I can special summon a Starworld Fighter from my hand, so here comes Starworld Fighter Nightsword. And now I will Xyz Summon one of my newest monsters. Say hello to Starworld Champion Cosmo Knight!"

Starworld Fighter Cosmo Knight

ATK/2200 DEF/2100

"Awesome!" Ohgi clenched his fists. "Now for his effect. I can remove and Xyz material from Cosmo knight and destroy one monster or spell or trap card you have on the field. So, kiss that maiden goodbye, Cora!"

"That's a bad move on your part, kiddo," said Cora. "I activate my maiden's effect. During either of our turns, if she is selected as a target by an effect, she allows me to summon one Blue-Eyes monster from my hand."

"Oh!" shouted Ohgi.

The Maiden with Eyes of Blue clasped her hands together and started to pray. A metallic roar thundering from the clouds answered her plea.

"Come forth, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"

Blue-Eyes White Dragon flew down from behind the school and then landed beside Cora, shaking the ground.

"It still doesn't save your maiden!" Ohgi shouted.

Cora knew he was right. Cosmo Knight held out its arm where a massive photo cannon was mounted to his wrist. It charged up and fired, blasting Maiden with Eyes of Blue. She screamed and shattered. The blast throwing sand and rock into the air. Cora shielded her face with her arms.

Blue-Eyes went into a rage upon seeing the Maiden with Eyes of Blue get destroyed.

"What a crybaby!" laughed Ohgi. "I lay one card face down, and end my turn."

"You're going to pay dearly for that," said Cora. She drew her card. "I draw the spell Trade In. I discard a level eight monster from my hand and draw two cards." She looked at her cards and laughed, just like her father.

"What is it?" Ohgi asked.

"I reveal this card, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, so I can special summon this to the field. Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon!"

"Hey wait!" cried Ohgi. "This is so unfair!"

"Deal with it pipsqueak. Because now I activate Monster Reborn and bring back Maiden with Eyes of Blue!"

"What's the point of that?" sneered Ohgi. "I trashed her once, I can trash her again!"

"Not this time you won't," said Cora. "See, Maiden with Eyes of Blue is a Tuner monster."

"Wait, Blue-Eyes can also be Synchro summoned?"

"Yeah, they can," said Cora. "But first, I will use Alternative White Dragon's effect. Once per turn, he can destroy one monster you control!"

"No, MY COSMO KNIGHT!"

Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon roared and took off into the sky. He fired his powerful blue laser at the mech and destroyed it.

"Now, Maiden with Eyes of Blue combine your strength with Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon and bring forth the next beast to bring defeat upon my foe."

The Maiden began to chant. She and Alternative White Dragon vanished into a sphere of light.

Ohgi babbled in horror upon seeing the new monster arrive to the field.

"Behold, the Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon!"

Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon

ATK/2500 DEF/3000

"Now you're wide open for an attack," said Cora. "I will end this Duel by having my Blue-Eyes White Dragon and my Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon arrack you directly!"

"HA! I don't think so bitch! I activate the trap card, MIRROR FORCE!"

"Yeah!" cheered one of Ohgi's friends. "Ohgi's always one step ahead."

"Oh, is he?"

Blue-Eyes and Azure-Eye's white lightning attacks shattered the mirror shield and shot right towards Ohgi. Azure-Eyes effect made Cora's dragons invulnerable to effects for one turn.

Ohgi screamed awfully while bathed in electricity hotter than the surface of the sun. He was knocked backward and fell into his friends leaving them all in a pile on the ground.

"Pathetic," said Cora. "How did Yuri lose to the likes of you?"

Her dragons still snarled and hissed while she walked to Ohgi and searched through his deck. "Ah, there you are. The legend himself. Black Tyranno." She happily put it in a plastic sleeve and placed into one of the pouches attached to the back of her belt. "Learn to respect those who are your senior you little runt. Yuri and Lord Bastion may have lost their Duels to you, but they played with honor and respect. Something I don't expect a spoiled, snot-nosed, perverted punk like you to understand!"

"I'm sorry?" Ohgi said, biting his trembling lips. Blue-Eyes and Azure Eyes were still looking at him viciously.

"You'd better. If you misbehave again, I'll be back! You're my bitch now, kid!"

She tossed his cards at him. They scattered all over the place.

"My-my cards!" Ohgi sobbed.

Cora turned and walked back to the school. It was almost time for her class to start.

---

Princess Rose

---

That horrid face was all she could think of while she stood beside Lord Hector Delgado the King of the Coasts. The ghastly ridden face of Hector's newest knight, who was named Ser Mero the Monster of Erikshire. He was giant of a man with broad shoulders, a left arm that was smaller than his right and he walked with a heavy waddle as his leg bones were ruined since birth.

He had dark gray hair that covered his sickly, yet sad-looking face. He had a messy beard and mustache unkempt and wild, and bushy gray-black eyebrows that almost covered his eyes for his brow seemed to be lowered in a look of disdain. But that was not the face she feared, for in his neck a second face was growing. Its eyes were closed, its nose nothing but a lump, and its mouth arched in a sickly grin as if the dead twin on Ser Mero's neck was pleased to see her.

Rose the Princess of Frogs, felt as though the face would talk to her at any moment. Ser Mero was dressed handsomely in steel plate armor with big pauldrons and a red surcoat of crimson trimmed with black and bearing the three fire-breathing behemoths of Hector's newly formed House. He wielded a claymore the size of a man called Backbreaker and his secondary weapon was a spiked ball and chain with a handle of polished ash that was hanging on his sword belt made of leather.

Next to him was a grizzled man in the lavender armor of the Templars. Guy de la Tierra Sainte a man they called the Duelist Hunter. He wore cards around his neck, most of them stained with the blood of their former owners. He rode to New Harbor all the way from Naralia. He still looked fatigued from his trip, but he kept his hunger and his thirst quenched with a bag of wine and chips which he crunched loudly. Some flakes stuck to his orange-white beard.

Rose's feet were aching, standing beside Hector's throne in white stilettos and she wore a white glittery dress with a plunging neckline that showed off the new diamond necklace Hector got her. The revealing dress seemed to please Francine who sat on a comfortable armchair with a glass of champagne in her slender fingers adorned with rings which made her hands sparkle with every movement.

Rose had stood there since the dawn of the early morning watching Hector condemn the peasants. He forced two lords to fight to the death over a plot of land, had the hands of a thief cut off by Ser Mero, and he burned five men at the stake just on the suspicion that they were part of a rebellion that was threatening to topple his reign over the coasts.

Three soldiers from the New Harbor Guard entered the throne room with a message.

"My Lord!" the leader shouted happily. "I just received word that we have taken Iron Lands and House Noble has surrendered all the mines to you."

Francine slapped Hector lightly in the arm, congratulating him for the accomplishments he was making. He now had a force of 80,000 strong, that was almost half of Emboldor fighting at his side. And the iron mines from House Noble would surely increase his coffers tenfold. But he was still not pleased.

"Any news of my monsters?" Hector asked impatiently.

The leader's smile faded. There was still no news from any of the bounty hunters of Solomon Muto's capture.

"Solomon Muto is still in Dallian Academy, My Lord," said Ser Baxter. "The island is a school for kings and nobility. It is heavily secured by the best knights and warriors in the Kingdoms."

"Then I will send an army to conquer it!" Hector shouted, slamming his fist on the arm of this throne. "I want my Ancient Beasts NOW!"

Ser Mero and Guy cringed when Hector's voice stabbed their ears.

"And have the entire land of Termnnia cut us down?" snapped Francine. "The children of many powerful lords go to that school, young man. If any harm befalls them, it will be the end of your campaign!"

"Bah!" scoffed Hector. "I should have them by now! And you…" he shouted at a young boy, only sixteen years old sitting with his little brother at the table enjoying a feast. It was Ser Jack of Pennyhill, the boy who stared angrily at Avi in Devlinshire. "You assured me your brother could take care of that bitch with the dragons!"

"We did what we could My Lord," said Jack, not afraid of Hector's tantrum. "But she had help from her friends and was able to call her dragons to stop my brother's Fiend Kraken, Posidion, before it could finish her."

Francine rolled her eyes.

"Now what did I do?" snapped Hector.

"Now you're sending people to kill the Summoner of Dragons?" she scoffed. "My Lord do you want to be king or do you want to die? Making all these hasty moves will only get you killed."

"But your visions!" said Hector, furiously standing up from his throne. "You said you saw me sitting on the Diamond Throne."

"And now that vision grows fainter and fainter with each depraved choice you make, child. If these shadows continue to distort my visions, then they will fade for good."

Hector sat back down on his chair.

"This is taking too long!" he shouted. He flailed his arms and legs in the air and screamed. "I WANT MY MONSTERS NOW!" he roared. His high-pitched voice whipping across the halls. "I WANT THE DIAMOND THRONE NOW! I WANT THE GOD CARDS NOW! I WANT TO BE HIGH KING NOW!"

Ser Mero grumbled and slowly shook his head from side to side. The guards and soldiers looked at the young boy in shock and embarrassment.

"I rode from Naralia to deal with this?" Guy muttered to himself. "I should be in the House of Flowers by now suckling the tits of a whore."

"I should be on the field of battle," Ser Mero replied while Hector shouted and screamed in his throne. "They promised me I would fight, not babysit a brat."

"STOP THIS!" Francine shouted, slapping Hector hard on the forearm. Hector stopped at once. "By the Goddesses above, my Millennium Necklace must have given me the visions of another. I saw a conqueror and a king, not a spoiled little boy!"

"You cannot strike me!" he shouted. "I am going to be the High King! I could have you punished! I could…"

Francine slapped his hard in the face, almost knocking off his crown from his curly black-haired head. Hector fell back on his throne and rubbed his cheek. His lips trembled. Rose had never felt such joy in her life since the day Hector sawed her father in half. She felt a rush of satisfaction seeing little tears run down the puny tyrant's horse-shaped face.

"You listen well, child!" Francine snarled standing over him. "You will get what's coming to you. The Millennium Necklace never lies. You should be thankful you even have a future in the eyes of the Necklace. I know this is taking longer than it should, but for every foolish move you make you fog the vision. The future can be changed little Hector. And yours definitely will if you continue making enemies like this."

Hector remained quiet for the remainder of the afternoon. He felt embarrassment for the way he acted and for the strike Francine gave him before the crowd. As he sat there in his throne he conjured up ways to punish her.

"My Lady," Ser Baxter said to Francine. "If we do find Solomon Muto, I fear there is another obstacle we must overcome."

"We will get him to talk," said Hector.

"Of that I'm sure," Ser Baxter said, raising his dagger. "They didn't call me The Persuader in the King's Watch for nothing. What I am referring to is what will come after he gives us the location of these Ancient Beasts. There is a matter of the cards that will contain them."

"He's right," gasped Francine. "Only Maximillion Pegasus has the knowledge to make such powerful beasts into Duel Monster cards."

"Then I will order him to make them for me!" Hector said, sternly.

"When will you learn?" said Francine. "Pegasus is a supporter of Prince Yuri. You know this. If you thought Solomon Muto's loyalties were strong, Maximillion Pegasus is another story entirely. And we cannot simply hold him hostage the world would go against us."

"It seems every move I make will have the world go against us!" shouted Hector. "Where is Antilles? Weren't the Dragonhearts supposed to be on my side?"

Francine and Ser Baxter went quiet.

Ser Baxter cleared his throat and said, "My Lord, you haven't heard the news?"

"Huh?"

"Lord Antilles married his niece, Alexandra von Klaus to Prince Yuri just last month. Their armies have now joined in Yugi Muto's alliance."

Hector's face began to glow bright red. But he sighed, exhaling out his frustrations. "No matter, I will put Antilles' head on a pike right next to Yuri and his princely friends after I have found my beasts and claimed my throne. And Alexandra well…. I'm going to have my fun tormenting her as I see fit. She'll look good as a chambermaid next to that girl with the dragons don't you think."

"You wish to capture, Lady Avellana?" asked Ser Jack. "I thought you wanted my brother to be your Summoner."

"I don't want Avellana for her dragons," said Hector. "My Templar friend here will see she never Summons again."

"Ah," said Ser Jack. "You wish for them to perform the Cleansing?"

"That I do," said Guy. "She will no longer be a threat to us once I am finished with her."

"That is, only if she refuses to side with the rightful king," said Francine. "She and her dragons could prove very formidable weapons for us."

"Indeed," sneered Hector. "But, dragons or no dragons, I hear Avellana is quite the looker. She and Alexandra will make fine additions to my collection of Termnnian beauty." He looked at Rose. "You won't be alone long love. After my conquest, you'll have some lovely playmates to keep you company."

"It sounds wonderful Your Grace," Rose whispered sadly.

"I'll even let you have some of the fun, Monster," Hector said to his new knight.

"You honor me, My Lord," Ser Mero replied taciturnly with a weedy and cracked voice. He didn't care for women. He desired to fight.

Francine stood from her recliner and asked Hector to excuse her. Hector didn't care and waved her off. He was still plenty made that she slapped him in front of his court. Francine chuckled then strolled casually to Rose. "Smile, you stupid girl," she said sternly, lightly patting her on the cheek. "Come," she said.

Rose nodded and bowed for Hector's pardon for her leave. She followed Francine down the steps from the throne and out the throne room and down the hall towards a lone chapel overlooking the bay with only a small window with a view of the ocean and the fleet of corsair ships under Hector's command. Inside the chapel were a few musty pews facing a podium with a stone statue of Aafi the Sea Goddess shrouded by a gown of waves and seafoam. A Levi-Dragon Daedalus was encircling her while holding onto the ship.

Looking out the window was a woman in a black leather coat layered with black engraved steel.

"The sun is out. The skies are blue. The waves are calm," she said, almost in a whisper as gentle as the sea breeze flowing through the window slit. "Aafi smiles this day."

The woman turned. Her face concealed behind a mask of polished engraved steel. Piercing blue eyes gazed from behind the eye slits. By the look of the shape and bright colors, it was clear that the woman under the mask was an Eldori. The mask seemed to muffle her voice when she spoke.

"So you're the Princess of Frogs," she said examining Rose. "I am sorry for the loss of your father. It seems Lord Hector can be a bit overzealous at times."

"Overzealous!" Rose cried out, almost in a shout. "Hector is barbaric. He sawed my father in half and made me watch!"

"Hush!" said Francine.

"Let her speak!" said the woman. "The goddesses gave her mouth, did they not? And as for you, Francine, you should control that animal you call the future king. He has a love of violence and torture, and that is a ruler that Termnnia will not stand for. Many would charge towards Obelisk's fist in a blaze of glory than to be ruled by a pathetic High King."

"I thought your services were bought to guard Lord Hector." Francine was not pleased with the woman's rhetoric. "You sound like you hate my chosen ruler."

"You mistake me for a common bodyguard, Shadow Lady. I am a member of the Sisterhood and the right hand of Master Denethon. I don't care what beasts you say destiny has in store for him, woman. Hector could call Exodia for all I care, his life means nothing to me. I am here for the High Chancellor, and Hector is the one I need to get to him."

"And what is your personal stake against High Chancellor Pegasus?" Francine asked.

"That business is for me only. Oh, by the way, I expect to be given my payment after the task is done."

Francine froze. She looked down at her neck and rubbed her Millennium Necklace.

---

Yuri

---

"You don't stand a chance without your Black Tyranno!" Rex sneered during the third turn of the Duel. Rex Raptor had challenged Yuri again in the hallway of the northern wing and just now Rex destroyed Volcasaurus, the Number Card Peter gave him with his Super Conductor Tyranno, a towering beast with green scales and armored in shiny metal decorated with purple orbs sparking with electricity.

Super Conductor Tyranno

ATK/3300 DEF/1400

Thankfully, Yuri saved himself a lot of Life Points when he activated Book of the Moon, which set his Volcasaurus into face-down defense position. There was plenty of space in the hallway for the monster's phantoms to be rendered and big enough for a crowd to stand and watch.

A convoy of vendors, never shy of arriving during a match, rolled their carts into the hallway and shouted their wares at passing students. Soon the hall smelled of popcorn, pizza, sweet meats, and beer. Yuri noticed a few of the students eating their newly bought food while they crowded around Rex and him. More than likely they wanted to see if Yuri had the courage to break the rules and summon one of his God Cards or even play the puzzle cards again. Yuri had Blizzard in his hand, but he would be completely useless without Flamberg and he didn't have the special card Duel Master K gave him.

"Aw man, we're fucked!" said Ricky.

"You can say that again," said Yuri. "I can't believe how quickly Rex was able to summon that creature. Just look at that thing! Can't you use your magic to help me draw what I need?"

"Sorry pal, but my Destiny Draw spell only works in dire situations."

"And this isn't a dire situation?"

"You're still healthy at four-thousand Life Points, kid. Just hang in there, you might be able to turn this around. Just believe in that Heart of the Cards bullshit Yugi always preaches about and we can make it through this match. Yer reps on the line in this one. The school can't get over yer loss to that Ohgi kid. If you lose to a clown like Rex Raptor no one's gonna take you seriously anymore, and I'm not talkin' about this school either. Kings will see you as an easy target and come after you to challenge you for yer throne. You don't want that, right? You gotta show those other princes, lordlings, and whatnot that yer not a High King to be fucked with. So, put yer game face on and kick this dino-nerd's ass once and for all!"

Yuri nodded and agreed.

One of the spectators in the crowd was Cora who shoved her way to the front of the throng of students and watch the Duel.

"Glowing green eye," Cora said rubbing her chin. "So that's the legendary Prince Yuri."

"So it seems Ms. Cora," said Ms. Goldwine. She started brushing herself against her. "My, it certainly is crowded here, isn't it?"

"And why not?" said Cora. "Yuri has an array of rare cards in his deck the likes none of us have ever seen before. Each Duel he debuts a new monster for us to see. So I wonder, what he'll play today against Rex Raptor, fourth-born of the House Raptor."

"A cadet branch of the Delgados," said Ms. Goldwine, adjusting her glasses. "This Duel doesn't seem very impressive. Yuri isn't as confident as he was in his previous Duels."

"No matter, he can beat Rex, he is no challenge. I destroyed both him and his little friend Weevil."

"You grow stronger by the day Ms. Cora. Mr. Kaiba would be impressed. I know I am."

"When is Rex going to stop monologuing and end his turn?" Cora snapped, ignoring Ms. Goldwine's uncanny remark. "Saafani up above, he's all talk."

"Cora!" Ethan called, pushing his way towards her. He ignored someone cursing at him then joined her.

"Ah, it's him," said Ms. Goldwine. "Your admirer."

"I'm so glad you're here," said Ethan.

"I wish I could say the same for you," said Cora, her eyes glued to the match.

"So, that's Rex Raptor, the guy you beat at the beach," said Ethan. "They say you took both him and Weevil down in a handicap match."

"Not my proudest victory," Cora said coldly, trying her best to ignore Ethan. "How goes your training with Master Muto?"

"Oh, don't remind me." Ethan reminisced about his late night training with Solomon.

"I must rest," Ethan groaned, putting his head down on the table at the Game Shop. It was four in the morning and he hadn't even slept a wink since the day before because he had class, work, and more training. "I don't think I can do this."

Solomon growled angrily and raised up a wooden stick. "OH, YES YOU CAN!" he shouted, slamming the stick in front of Ethan, missing his arms by inches. His cards went flying in all directions.

"Ethan you'll never be a good Duelist with this attitude of yours!"

"Sounds rough," chuckled Cora. "You're going to need his training if you want to have a hope at beating me tonight."

"Uh, Ms. Cora, I fear you must reschedule your match for another time."

"Whatever for?" Cora asked impatiently.

Ms. Goldwine opened her planner and took out two papers stapled together. "Would you care to explain this?" She held the sheets before Cora. It was her calculus test. She got a C minus."

"At least I passed, didn't I?"

"This will not do, young lady. Mr. Kaiba wishes to see you back in his tower. We will go after Prince Yuri's match has ended."

"Ah, finally!" Cora groaned with relief when Rex shouted that it was now Yuri's turn.

Yuri put down a trap and summoned a Tomozaurus in defense mode and braced himself for he was at Rex's mercy now. Students withheld their breaths once Rex drew his card. He looked at Yuri and nodded.

"You're a good Duelist, Yuri, one of the best. You handle dinosaurs like a pro. Like a Delgado. But I'm the true dino-master here."

Rex went for the attack but was stopped by Yuri's Negate Attack.

"So you saved yourself," sneered Rex. "Big deal."

"My turn, I draw! Perfect. I use Graceful Charity. Now I draw three cards and discard two. Next, I summon Dinosaur Tamer Anna!"

Yuri summoned a beautiful girl with short black hair tied to a bun in the back. She wore a dark green mini-dress the upper half looking like a corset that opened over her chest. She had steel paudrons placed over both her shoulders with leather bases. Two vambraces of engraved steel trimmed with black protected her forearms. She had metal greaves that went up to her knees attached to her brown leather boots, the right one taller than the other with three black belts strapped over her thigh. The other thigh had a girdle with three knives holstered to it.

Dinosaur Tamer Anna

ATK/700 DEF/1300

"Oh, nice," Ricky said, helping Yuri with the match. "Where did you get that?"

"You can thank Mai, for her," said Yuri.

"Just what the hell can your little girlfriend do?" Rex asked in a conniving manner. "She's no match for my dino-horde!"

"Alone she can't stand up to them," Yuri agreed. "But who says she's alone. Because now I activate her effect. She allows me to take one dinosaur from my Graveyard or my deck, and attach itself to her as an equip spell card. And I will choose a dinosaur from my Graveyard, one that I discarded with my Graceful Charity. Ultimate Tyranno!"

The ground at Anna's feet burst open. She took to the air with a mighty bound and summoned black chains that fell from the ceiling and into the hole. The chains then rose again bringing Ultimate Tyranno to the surface. It gave a thunderous roar that shook the glass walls and caused the chandeliers above to quiver. Some students covered their ears. Other cheered, whistled and clapped, happy to see one of Yuri's signature monsters take to the field.

"He's impressive," said Rex. "At an attack strength of three-thousand he is a formidable foe, but he is still not strong enough to take on my Super Conductor Tyranno!"

A saddle magically appeared on the lower of Ultimate Tyranno's neck. Anna did a flip and jumped onto it. Then reins magically snaked into her hand and into the dinosaur's mouth.

"What's going on?" Rex asked.

"Maybe you didn't hear her name right," mocked Yuri. "She's Dinosaur TAMER Anna. Meaning she has the courage, skill, and strength to conquer these mighty beasts, who are rumored to be related to dragons. Now, Anna gains his attack points, raising her to thirty-seven hundred!"

"Impossible!" shouted Rex. "My Super Conductor Tyranno was supposed to be the key to your destruction."

"I guess not," said Yuri. "Anna! Attack his Super Conductor Tyranno!"

Anna took out one of many swords on the saddle. "YAH!" she shouted snapping the reins. Ultimate Tyranno gave another roar and charged. Anna raised her sword and enchanted it with fire. Ultimate Tyranno rammed its head into Super Conductor Tyranno's chest, knocking it into the ground. The shockwaves caused a few students to lose their balance and fall. Many of the vendors squealed, doing their best to save their wares and their carts. Then, Anna jumped from the saddle with an elegant flip. She gave out a fierce battle cry and jabbed her sword into Super Conductor Tyranno's chest.

Electricity surged through the creature's body. She jumped back onto the saddle of her prehistoric mount and then the monster ran back to Yuri before the fallen dinosaur behind them exploded, blasting Rex with 400 damage reducing him to 3600 Life Points.

"Ha!" said Ricky. "You got him!"

"You'd best teach that pink rabbit not to celebrate so early," said Rex. "He looks foolish ("I'm a Fingolin!" shouted Ricky). It's time to end this. If you thought my Super Conductor Tyranno was my only powerful monster, you are sadly mistaken. Watch as I special summon two Gilasaurus. Since I special summoned my Gilasaurus monsters, you can special summon monsters from your Graveyard."

"Yeah, I know, I have the card. You summoned two, so I can summon two. Trakadon and Uraby in defense mode!"

"What difference does it make?" sneered Rex. "Now I normal summon my Spikedsaurus!"

"Oh-no!" said Yuri as Rex summoned a creature that resembled a allosaurus with sixteen spikes on its back and ram-like tusks on both sides of its mouth. It was black with blood red stripes on its back and tail and it had a purple underbelly. Its teeth and claws were acid green and its eyes were like molten gold. A slimy black tongue slithered out of its mouth as it hissed at Yuri.

Spikedsaurus

LV 1

Atk/100 Def/1200

"He's one of those new Tuner monsters," said Rex. "And now I offer him and my two Gilasaurus to summon Lord Rex."

Rex summoned a Synchro monster that completely resembled Two-Headed King Rex. However, it was bigger. Its horns were made of gold and there was a white symbol on both its heads. Its attack was 2300, its defense was 1800.

"Now, time for my Spikedsaurus's effect to activate," Rex announced proudly. "If used to Synchro Summon a dinosaur-type monster, then that monster gains one thousand attack, so now my Lord Rex's attack is thirty-three hundred. But there's more, for here's Lord Rex's effect. I can select one monster you have and switch it to defense mode and when my Lord Rex attacks he can inflict damage equal to the difference of my mighty Lord Rex and your puny monster. So I choose your pretty Dinosaur Tamer."

"Oh-no, Anna!" cried Yuri.

Ultimate Tyranno bowed going into defense mode. Lord Rex flew to the top of the hall and smashed Anna's mount. Thankfully, if she were chosen as a target, the monster equipped to her would be destroyed instead. She jumped out of the way before Ultimate Tyranno was smashed under the weight of the giant Lord Rex. Yuri still took damage from the attack. Since Anna's DEF was 1300 Yuri was reduced to 2100 Life Points.

"Your move, Yuri! And if you don't draw anything good, it's gonna be your last. Prepare to get stomped Yuri! It's all over."

Yuri gulped and drew his card. He looked at Ricky who nodded. "I call upon Ironsaurus, who can be used as two tributes. Now I offer him to summon my newest monster. You're right Rex, I may not have Black Tyranno anymore, but I can still rely on this guy. I summon Grarl Guardian of the Throne Room!"

Ironsaurus shattered into pieces and turned into an orb of light which then transformed into a humanoid dinosaur monster in white-gold armor and a white cape. It carried a claymore that was twice the size of a man with just one arm and it carried a massive tower shield on the other hand. It had the body of a well-built giant man but it had the head of a carnivorous dinosaur. Its body was covered in sierra-colored scales.

Grarl, Guardian of the Throne Room

ATK/2500 DEF/2100

"Impressive," said Rex. "But my Lord Rex is still stronger!"

"Yeah, you said that about your Super Conductor Tyranno," said Yuri. "I fear Grarl is a lot worse. He gains three hundred attack points for each dinosaur on the field, himself included."

"Say what!" cried Rex. "On no, my Lord Rex, your Trakadon and Uraby and that Tomozaurus and your Gral combined! That means…."

"His attack increases by fifteen hundred," Yuri interrupted. "Now my Gral's attack is four-thousand!"

"This can't be!" cried Rex. "I use a quick-spell card. Book of the Moon, now Lord Rex switches to face-down defense mode. Now, I'll have another turn to rid the field of your Gral."

Yuri burst out laughing.

"I missed the joke," said Rex.

"You are the joke, Rex. Your attempt to save yourself some Life Points just costed you the match."

"What makes you say that?" Rex asked nervously. "My Lord Rex is in defense mode, you can't damage my Life Points, unless…unless your Grarl does piercing damage!"

"Yes, Rex, double piercing damage."

The crowd oohed.

"DOUBLE!" shouted Rex. "AW, NO!"

"Grarl, end this Duel and destroy Lord Rex with your Blade of Kings!"

"At your command, My Lord!" Grarl said.

"He can talk!" gasped Yuri.

"FOR THE HIGH KING!" shouted Grarl running towards Lord Rex. He jabbed his blade into the monster's heart. Lord Rex wailed in agony and shattered. The damage inflicted was 2200 but multiplied by two for a devastating loss of 4400 Life Points. Rex was knocked to the ground by the immense blast and his Life Point counter dinged to 0.

The crowd cheered. Yuri heard a 'Sweet!' coming from behind. He turned and saw Jaden, Chumley, and Bastion watching the match. Ren was also watching from a balcony above the hallway which led to a lounge.

"You've become so strong, Yuri," said Ren. "You will make a great High King." He turned and left vanishing into the school.

Cora made her way past the crowd and finally reached Yuri. She tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh," said Yuri. "You're Seto Kaiba's daughter. What can I do for you."

"You might want to hold on to this," Cora said, handing him his Black Tyranno.

"Wow! You got it back! How?"

"Hector's not so tough," Cora bragged. "I took him down no sweat. Just a word of warning. Stop anting up your cards. It's a really dumb idea."

"That's a promise. Say, maybe we can Duel some time."

Cora smirked. "Sure, I look forward to that. I'll be seeing you around." She turned and left.

When the crowd dispersed, Yuri and his friends walked back to their tower. "Aw man, what a day," Jaden said slipping off his backpack and jumping onto the couch.

"Time to celebrate the return of Black Tyranno with some grilled cheese," Chumley said, running for the kitchen. "Hey Stas, don't clean the pans when you're done. I'm going to use them next."

"Afternoon, Yugi," Yuri said entering the dorm room's atrium. Yugi was sitting on the couch in the main lounge of their dormitory tower hiding his face in his hands shamefully.

"What's with him?" Yuri said walking to the kitchen where Stas was making himself an egg sandwich with lettuce and tomato.

"He said something about the new commercial for the Game Shop coming on in the university's television network," Stas answered, biting into his sandwich. "It must be a doozy if Yugi's face is going so red."

Ryon came running down the stairs, holding his PDA with its camera function turned on. "I cannot miss this!" he jeered. "Smile for the camera Yugi!"

Yuri shrugged and went to the refrigerator to get a can of soda. "Could you toss me a beer while you're in there?" Stas asked.

"Heads up," said Yuri, throwing it at Stas.

"Hey guys!" shouted Ryon. "Look it's on!"

Yuri and Stas rushed to the lounge and to their shock, saw Solomon Muto on the screen dancing to a rap song in a purple glittery tuxedo with a giant red bowtie.

Booster packs! Structure decks! Single cards! Oh Yeah!

You can find them at the Game Shop.

We're talkin' at the Game Shop

It's just like, it's just like, it's just like…DUELING HEAVEN!

Yuri and Stas stared at the screen with their mouths wide open watching Solomon make a fool of himself, though by the looks of his joy he didn't have a care in the world.

"Oh…man!" Yugi moaned sliding off the couch in shame.

"You know, I wouldn't be surprised if the shop's stock went up ten-fold because of this," Phoenix said, watching the commercial from the railings of the second floor dressed in a white tank top and pink pajama pants.

"Oh, my waifu!" Ricky jumped out of Yuri's backpack.

"I'm going to take a shower," Yuri said, walking away from the television.

"You might want to hold back on that shower Yuri," Jon said approaching his friend. He had a roll of parchment in his hands. "It's from the commander of the guard in Rassay. It says here that your cousin Hector has taken control of the Iron Lands."

"What of House Noble?" Stas asked, he stopped chewing.

"They are gone," said Jaeyoung coming down the stairs to the kitchen. "Hector had them executed for supporting you. Now Termnnia's leading supplier of iron is in the hands of this traitor."

"Great!" Yuri said kicking the wall. "Hector advances upon Emboldor and I'm stuck here learning how to Duel! Why can't we go out there and fight?"

"And what of the semester?" asked Jon.

"Are you serious," said Yuri. "I get they want me to be a good Duelist and all, but there are more important issues at hand."

"Calm down, will you!" Phoenix said, marching down the stairs. Ricky hopped down behind her. "Rassay is the most fortified and secure city in all of Termnnia. Hector must get past three rings of walls to get to the city. The walls are made of Elenanyian stone. Each wall is guarded by legions of Black Luster Soldiers and Buster Bladers and cavalries of Fierce Knights. His forces may have grown in strength, but they will never take Rassay, and even if they did it wouldn't matter. You still have the God Cards. Without them, the Diamond Throne is nothing more than a pretty jeweled chair."

"And what about those Ancient Beasts I heard so much about?"

"What are the Ancient Beasts?" Ricky asked, hopping onto Yuri's shoulder. "They sound wicked."

Yugi suddenly exhaled.

"Do you know something, Yugi?" Phoenix asked.

Yugi did not answer.

"What are they, Yugi?" Yuri asked.

"I can't," said Yugi.

"Yugi," Yuri said sternly. "We need to know what they are. We need to know what it is my cousin is after."

Yugi sighed.

"It's best you tell them," Yami said.

"I promised grandpa," said Yugi. "I promised grandpa I would never tell anyone of their location. I was praying he would never know about them."

"Yugi, as we speak, Yuri's cousin gets closer and closer to finding them. Perhaps it is best we tell your grandfather to lead him to them before Hector doe."

"No! I can't I refuse; their power is uncontrollable."

"Their power could aid Yuri…"

"NO!"

"Yugi!" Jon shouted. "Tell us now, otherwise we could arrest for withholding information from the High King."

"Tell them," said Yami.

Yugi exhaled again. "They were three monsters sent by Horakhty in the first age of Termnnia," he explained. "They were powerful, rivaling the force of even Slifer, Obelisk, and Ra. They had a fierce battle at the end of the War of the Giants which caused Termnnia to split into different continents. The Divine Beasts won, but barely. It had to take Exodia's aid to help fight them off, and even then they almost lost."

"Wow, and what happened to them?" Stas asked. "I recall the maester of the palace library telling me the story about them once."

"Horakhty wasn't pleased with the chaos her three jealous children caused. So she sealed their souls into stone tablets and ordered them hidden away by the Celtra. Only one person was strong enough to wield them, and that was the founder of your House, Yuri. House Delgado."

"Norman the Conqueror wielded those creatures?" Phoenix asked.

"Lord Norman the Conqueror was the one," Yugi confirmed. "See, back when Termnnia was a massive continent, Aafi the Goddess of the Sea sent forth an Entiri known as the Great Leviathan to flood the world and make it a realm of water, for she was jealous to see the creations of her sisters and The Higher Power control the world while her creations were confined to the deep dark seas. Norman was the only one who rallied to fight against it. He battled the creature for seventy-four hours. He was defeated five times, but still had the strength to keep fighting. Horakhty was amazed by his courage and blessed him with the Ancient Beasts, who came down and destroyed Leviathan. And Termnnia returned to peace. But it did not last long."

"What happened?" Phoenix asked. Oh, I wish I had a pen and paper for this!

"The peace was broken by a power struggle that erupted into the Great War of the Dawn Age. Norman wanted peace and was blessed by Horakhty to wield the Ancient Beasts again. And with his god-like monsters and an army of two million followers, he marched all over Termnnia and forced every wicked king to kneel before him and name him the King of Kings."

"So, the history books are wrong then?" said Yuri. "Tiberius the Uniter wasn't the first High King?"

"No," said Yugi. "Tiberius is still Termnnia's first High King, but you have the remember the world was still a massive continent back then, so he had much more to rule. He was dubbed the Supreme King of Termnnia. He ruled for three hundred years. Then the gates to the Shadow Realm opened and Zorc arrived."

"And that marked the beginning of the War of the Giants," said Stas. "The Divine Beasts were then summoned to Termnnia and aid the Ancient Beasts in taking him out."

"Right, but the Ancient Beasts were very upset with the world. The sins festering in the hearts of the people caused the Gates of the Shadow Realm to open in the first place so they decided Termnnia was best ruled by them. The Divine Beasts disagreed and then battled their brothers ferociously, causing the world to start splitting apart. That's when Exodia was called forth and helped them defeat the Ancient Beasts. And as I said before, Horakhty sealed their souls into stone tablets as punishment and had the Celtra seal them away."

"You know a lot about these Ancient Beasts," said Ryon. "More than the maesters do in the Termnnian Archives in my palace."

"You can thank my grandpa for that," said Yugi. "He's the only one in Termnnia who can read ancient Celtran. He's the only one who knows where they are."

"Can he lead me to them?"

"No way!" Yugi said, almost in a shout. "You've got enough power as it is with those Divine Beasts."

"But if Hector finds them first—"

" — He will do no such thing," said Yugi. "There is no one else in this world who can read the clues to their location, I assure you."

"So long as the Ancient Beasts are out there, they can be discovered," said Stas. "Yugi, please, you must…"

"I can't!" said Yugi. His little face was glowing red. "And don't bother asking my grandfather. He will take the information to the grave if he must and I can assure you I will too!"

"But Yugi…" said Yami.

Yuri and the others went silent.

"I can't let you have them Yuri. They are too dangerous! It is best those monsters are left forgotten."

"But what if…" began Phoenix.

"I said forget it!" shouted Yugi. "I can assure you a hundred thousand years of slumber would not have changed their minds. If they were to revolt again who would stop them? The Divine Beasts certainly couldn't. Exodia is not around to aid them anymore. His limbs lay hidden somewhere in the deepest darkest parts of the world where even dragons refuse to dwell. My answer is no. And if that makes you unhappy. Kill me."

---

Cora

---

"So, Ms. Goldwine tells me you're falling behind in your studies," Kaiba said, cutting into a steak. He raised the cut meat into his mouth. He finished chewing his food before saying, "This is unacceptable, young lady."

The orange-gold glow of the setting sun behind the large windows of the dining room caused the blinds to make eerie horizontal shadows that formed over Kaiba's face making him look more menacing than he usually was. His eyes seemed to glow the dragons in his deck.

"Would you care to explain?"

"I don't see what the problem is!" Cora shouted. "You wanted me to be the very best Duelist in the school. Father…"

"You will refer to me as Mr. Kaiba, understand! I will not have a second-rate student in my House. When you summon those dragons your represent the most powerful family in all of Termnnia! But you spit on our pride with these mediocre grades!" He held up a stack of all of Cora's quizzes and tests.

"Look, students fear me!" said Cora. "I have proven my dominance as a Duelist."

"You think being a good Duelist is enough to make you a Kaiba? Do you think I created the most advanced Dueling technology in the world just because I had decent skills at a fucking card game!"

"A card game? Have you lectured me over a hundred times about how Duel Monsters was more than that."

"Duel Monsters is a game of thrones and power," said Kaiba, clasping his fingers together. "But it is a game nonetheless. And there's only so far superior skills at Duel Monsters can take you, Cora. You want to be known as a Kaiba, as my daughter, then step you game up. These grades are UNACCEPTABLE!"

He slammed the stack onto the table. He knocked down his glass of wine and the red candle at the center.

"Oh man," Mokuba whispered. His brother certainly did have a lot of faith running in Cora. And she screwed up big time by not taking her schoolwork seriously.

"Hobson!" Kaiba called his butler, a short Eldori man with a big hairless head and round spectacles with purple lenses.

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba?" Hobson said waddling towards them like a penguin. He looked like one too in his black tailcoat and red bowtie.

"Confiscate Cora's phone. And her laptop and her deck. And see to it that you review all her assignments. I want her to study like she's never studied before. And if she fails to obey, discipline her as you see fit. If I don't see A's by the end of the semester, I want you to order her on the next boat out of here."

"Yes, Mr, Kaiba," Hobson walked to Cora and order her to take off her backpack and open it. Cora did so hesitantly and gave Hobson her phone and her Dueling deck with her precious Blue-Eyes White Dragons inside.

"Come, young lady." Hobson grinned. "There is much to discuss."

"Not you, Ms. Goldwine!" snapped Kaiba. "Don't think this matter concerns Cora."

"What did I do?"

"That's just it, Barbara," said Mokuba. "You didn't…"

"Shut up, Mokuba!" said Kaiba.

"Big brother?"

"Your only job was to keep an eye on Cora and inform me of any inconveniences with her grades. We are almost midway through the semester and I'm just informed of this."

"I am sorry, Mr. Kaiba," Ms. Goldwine bowed. Thin bangs dropped from her forehead. "I had a lot of faith that she would improve but…"

"As of this moment you will no longer be accompanying her to her classes," said Kaiba. "And from here on out, any matches that Cora is booked in must be approved by me. I have looked at her record and I am not impressed. Rex Raptor and Weevil Underwood? For shame, Ms. Goldwine."

"Mr. Kaiba, you can't! Please, reconsider."

"Until Cora improves with her work, you will remain here in the tower and return to your regular duties as my secretary."

"Yes, Mr. Kaiba." Ms. Goldwine bowed and left.

Kaiba leaned back on his chair and groaned.

"Was that really necessary?" Mokuba shouted.

"What's with you?"

"Do you have any idea who you sounded like? For a moment I didn't see my brother. I saw Gozoburo."

"The man was a snake," Kaiba agreed. "But I wouldn't be the man I am today if it wasn't for him."

"He kept you up all night!" said Mokuba. "He took away your childhood. And after what I saw just now, I believe he took away my brother!"

"Huh?"

"You used to smile a lot back then. And after you came into power and took the company you stopped calling me Mokie."

"Whoa, little brother, get a grip."

"Are you going to put that poor girl through the same shit our father put you through? Cora's already one of the best Duelists in the school. What more could she possibly need?"

"She strives to be a Kaiba! And if she wants to be part of this family she must earn it, just like I did!"

It was three o'clock in the morning. Before Cora lay a packet of worksheets forcing her to solve complicated mathematical equations in the magic of Fusion Summoning. But what was the point? She wondered, as her eyes grew heavy and he body moaned for rest. All one needed to do was play a simple Polymerization card and poof!

Fusion! How could something so simple as breathing and counting to three have such complicated math formulas. Apparently, the laws of nature needed math to determine what the size, shape, body mass, and power of the monster that was to come forth. She left the windows of her bedroom open to let in the last breeze of the warm air. It seemed like the students of the elementary level academies on the island were getting better at their work.

Perhaps keeping them open was a mistake. The soothing sound of the waves and the seagulls in the night was like a lullaby. She looked around to make sure that Hobson wasn't around. She had a class in four hours and needed her sleep.

He said he would return, but he never did. Perhaps he fell asleep as well. Hobson was strict, but even he needed to have rest. She shrugged and put her head over her arms and fell into long-deserved slumber.

CRACK!

Something thin snapped at her back.

"AUGH!" The pain was like being stung by a wasp.

"Falling asleep already?" Hobson asked, tapping a riding crop whip over his palm. "And you haven't even answered the first problem on your packet. That just won't do, Ms. Cora. I fear I must punish you, again. Mayhaps, this will wake you up. Assume the position young lady!"

"Again! You pervert!" cried Cora. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"You must do as I say, otherwise, your Blue-Eyes White Dragons will find a new Duelist to be used by. Someone more capable than you."

Cora did as she was told and stretched her upper body over the table. "Ah," Hobson said, discovering a kettle full of freshly made tea by the fire. "Just what I needed."

"I didn't leave that there?" Cora whispered.

Hobson poured himself a cup and sipped it noisily. He groaned and then slumped on a red armchair, falling fast asleep. He snored loudly.

"Very inviting position," Ms. Goldwine whispered, appearing from the shadows. She smiled seeing Cora laid out by the edge of the table with her rump in the air.

"I never thought I'd say this," Cora said, picking herself up. "But I'm glad to see you."

"Come now, young lady. You need your rest. It is going to be a very busy day."

"What's happening?"

'Today is Prince Yuri's birthday," said Ms. Goldwine. "I imagine there will be a lot of action taking place today."

"And I'm going to miss it. Hobson took my deck.

"Yes, he did," said Ms. Cora. "But I fear he misplaced it."

Ms. Goldwine handed Cora the deck.

"I think you can redeem yourself tomorrow in the tournament," said Ms. Goldwine. "Show the school, show Prince Yuri, show your father, that you are worthy of the name Kaiba."

---

The next day...

---

Charlie

---

The entire school crowded into the stadium on the top floor which was only to be used during important events. Crystal chandeliers hung from the rounded ceiling, gigantic in size, and provided a dull golden light in the stadium. Waterfalls poured down from the walls into a river that was cleverly shaped into the emblem of Dallian Academy with an arena of glass and gold placed at the center. The academy logo was emblazoned on the center of the arena. Magnificent lit-up water fountains were in every corner of the stadium.

Vendors wasted no time rolling into the stadium honking their wares at the passing students. Charlie, Marty, and Tingol came rushing in with their cart of hot dogs, fries, and burgers. They were one of the first vendors to come inside and Marty found a spot right by the arena so they could sell their food and watch the matches.

"All Duelists take your positions!" called the announcer. "And don't forget, the winner of the tourney will not only face Prince Yuri in a Duel but will also win the first of the brand-new diamond rare set to come out in the spring."

Princess Alexandra stood up and held the card which lay inside a box. The entire was glowing blue and translucent like a jellyfish and had raised diamond-shaped patterns making it look like a diamond. The letters were written in the same foil as a secret rare card and the image on the card was in the same design as Ghost Rare but with a raised 3D image. The card was called Queen of Fate-Eternia.

"Man, diamond rare," said Charlie.

"These kids are so rich they gold and diamonds glittering in their decks," Marty said with a speck of jealousy rolling up in his chest. "That princess isn't so bad either."

"You watch what you say, Marty," said Tingol, firing up the grill. "She is from House Dragonheart."

"A Dragonheart!" gasped Marty. "My father and all my uncles died fighting them in that stupid rebellion that put Antar Wallcroft on the throne. All for some stupid golden eggs!"

"Well, apparently, they've kissed and made up with the world," said Tingol. "Bonnie Prince Yuri is getting married to her after the semester is over."

"Well if that isn't a spit in the face of all who have died trying to keep them from power," Charlie growled spitefully. "My mother was a Dragonrider from Nimbus Company. She too was killed in that battle where Antar summoned Ra and ended the tyrannous reign of High King Julius. What is Yuri doing marrying the likes of her?"

"I'm sure he has his reasons," said Tingol. "And those reasons are not our affair. Look, Yugi Muto sits next to Antilles, and acts like its nothing. I suggest we keep our minds focused on the food."

They were quickly crowded by customers. The tip jar started getting full, mostly with copper pennies and silver coins. One was decent enough to give them a Star Chip and that was Alexis Rhodes.

"What is he looking at?" Alexis asked.

"I-I'm sorry," said Charlie. "It's just that, I'm a native of Lorin. Forgive me, Your Highness. Your mother is in my thoughts."

"Thanks…I guess," Alexis said awkwardly. She turned and walked away.

"What did I tell you?" Marty said, slapping Charlie on the back of the head. "Duelists get the women around here. Now wipe that stupid look off your face and start cooking. We've got customers."

"And keep your head in the game, Charlie boy," said Tingol. "After tonight, we're gonna be rich."

---

Yuri

---

"Excellent seats eh, Yuri-boy?" Pegasus asked, sitting next to Yuri in the VIP box overlooking the stadium below. The first game of the night was Ethan Morris against Rex Raptor. As Ethan came out to Duel a lot of boos rang out across the stadium.

"Not too popular, is he?" Pegasus asked.

"No, he's not," said Kaiba. "Apparently, he called Princess Rhodes a Toon."

"Naughty, naughty," chuckled Pegasus.

The Duel began and Rex was easily defeated. Despite his victory, Ethan was still booed while he exited the stadium. A win against Rex did not impress them. The next Duelist was Cora Kaiba against Weevil Underwood.

"WHAT!" Kaiba shouted.

Even though Cora had won the Duel, he was still plenty mad that Cora had disobeyed him and had repossessed her deck. He growled and drummed his fingers on his chair.

The girls in the stadium cheered as Dancer approached the ring to take on a high-ranking student from the East dorm.

"A most impressive performance," Peter said after the match. He started drinking wine from a golden cup.

Ser Kevin was next, but he was given an automatic victory. His opponent was disqualified for using fake Exodia cards that were marked. Needless to say, he was forced out of the arena by the White Cloaks all the way back to his dorm room to await further punishment.

"Pity," Antilles, murmured. "Cheaters always ruin the thrill of the tournament."

"Are you enjoying the games so far, my love?" Alexandra asked.

"Yeah, they're really great matches."

"I agree," said Gekko. "I wish my brother was here to see this."

"Yes, but it looks like your brother is now under the guardianship of Lady Avi," said Alexandra. "I wish I could get a chance to speak to her."

"You won't for a while," said Gekko, dressed in dark blue armor trimmed with neon green lights. "She has departed for the West in search of another dragon."

"She grows so much stronger." Yuri clenched his fist. "I really wish I could see her again."

"Oh, you'd rather see her and not me?" asked Alexandra, rather haughtily.

"I wouldn't mind seeing that girl with the Blue-Eyes again," said Ricky. "Hot-damn, she was amazing and not too bad on the eyes either."

When the first round of the tournament was done a blare of trumpets blasted from the entrances of the arena.

Joey Wheeler took to the podium and announced, "Presenting his Royal Highness. The future High King of Termnnia. Prince Daveed Armando Wallcroft Delgado the first of his name and the crown prince of Termnnia and his future wife, Princess Alexandra von Klaus of Serania the Dragon Lands!"

Yuri and Alexandra stepped out from one of the entrances of the arena. Alexandra waved at the crowd, looking smug and feeling rich with power being arm-in-arm with a demi-god. Antilles stood up from his seat next to Peter who was not having a good time, for the railway was built too high.

"Could you get me a box at least?" Peter asked. All that could be seen from below was a patch of curly reddish-blonde hair. Antilles smirked and snorted impatiently and slowly clapped seeing his lover in the hands of another man.

"Oh, don't be making that face," said Peter. "You put her up to this you know. And its high time she found someone more her age."

"Please," scoffed Antilles. "Alexandra is two years his senior."

"Still, she doesn't have to settle for that shriveled old cock of yours anymore."

"If you only knew of the events that have just been set in motion," Antilles muttered under his breath.

"And presenting!" Joey called out again. "The future Knights of the Royal Termnnian Table!"

Jon came leading the knights with his new girlfriend, Summer by his side. She was so excited to be in the spotlight and waved at the crowd, blowing kisses at them as the academy orchestra was playing the anthem of Termnnian Knights. Jaeyoung came second with Xifeng, beautifully dressed in an elegant kimono that revealed her shoulders and lower back. Her hair tied up in a large bun and she was crowned with a tiara of cherry blossoms.

Ryon came in third with Felicity who was also quite the showman. Then Stas and Marcel who were alone as was Ser Kevin who now represented Elleria in the Royal Table.

Ren trailed behind Phoenix and Ezra, who were not shy in showing everyone in school that they were gay. They gave a kiss as they followed the others onto the arena where Serenity, Mai, Ribbon, Tristan, Duke, Tèa, Bakura, and Grandpa Muto were waiting with a large cake with six layers.

Queen Sera leaned towards Evelyn and whispered, "That should be you down there."

"Well, it's not mother. I told you, he doesn't want me."

"Find a way to make him," ordered Sera. "Otherwise don't come home."

"Maybe I won't," said Evelyn. "My friends have treated me better than you or father. Master Yu-Gi-Oh was more a father to me than Helmsley."

"You watch what you say girl. You forget who pays for all this. I could have you pulled out of this institution and send you back home to rot in the dungeon."

"You could try," laughed Evelyn.

"What?"

"He won't let me go back," Evelyn beamed at Yami.

The candles were lit by Serenity who gave a long speech about Yuri's days with her when he was a baby. Mai gave a heartwarming speech as well followed by Grandpa, who slapped Yuri on the back and calling him his brightest student since Yugi, his grandson. The whole school sang the birthday song to the prince and when they were done, Yuri blew out the candles, but he couldn't, so Mai summoned her Harpie Queen to give a mighty flap of her wings and blew them out in his place.

Students then lined up to get a slice of cake and a picture with Yuri and his beautiful bride. It was quite a surreal moment for all of the students who attended the party and the games celebrating Yuri's birthday. Poor Yuri was starting to see spots from the constant flashes of the cameras in his face.

After the cake had been cut and eaten, the loudspeakers boomed with dance music and all the guests took to the arena grounds. To Yuri's surprise, the academy DJ was playing a lot of familiar tunes from Earth. The lights dimmed and colorful strobe lights flashed all over the stadium.

"Whoa!" cheered Peter as he was being carried around the crowd, as drunk as a lord. Much to everyone's shock, Captain Antilles took the floor and started dancing as best he could. Alexandra laughed as she rubbed herself on Yuri's body. She could contain herself no more and dragged Yuri into the halls where they could make love.

"You know, this is where Ser Argrave first met Lady Andelera."

"The woman who presented the golden eggs?"

"Yes," said Alexandra, undoing Yuri's belt. "They made love right in this very spot. And now, we shall as well. Would you like that?"

Yuri nodded and buried his mouth into hers. He squeezed her breasts and fumbled at the lacing of her dress to free them.

Just as Yuri loosened her dress, a stern 'ahem' stopped them.

"I beg your pardon, love birds," said Peter. He hiccuped, obviously drunk. "But it is time for the second half of the games."

"Uncle, one day, I will have your head in my hands!" Alexandra seethed, lacing her dress back up.

"I think you have plenty of heads in your palms, child." Peter grinned then arrogantly turned away and waddled back to the stadium. Alexandra's eyes widened when she figured out his insult.

Yuri covered his mouth, trying hard to not burst out laughing. "What does he mean by that?"

"Ignore him," said Alexandra. She pulled back the lacing furiously, almost crushing her thorax. "Come, love."

And so, the second half of the tournament began. Ser Kevin was now going up against a mystery opponent. The whole school babbled in confusion when he came out.

"Bandit Keith!" Pegasus shouted. "What is he doing here?"

"What is the meaning of this?" shouted Kaiba. "How was he able to sneak in!"

"Pegasus," said Bandit Keith, "Well, it's good seeing ya again."

"How did you get here!" Yami demanded. "Guard! Guard!"

"Hold it!" Bandit Keith said holding out his hand. "The last guy who played. He was disqualified, right? Well, you need a replacement and I'm just the guy."

"I wonder how much you paid that student to get you here?" said Yami.

Bandit Keith laughed. "Man, Yugi Muto, always so sanctimonious. I'm in the tournament now, so unless you've got a replacement somewhere in the stands you've got no choice but to allow me to play."

"Let him," said Yuri.

"But, Yuri!" said Yami.

"It would be a tremendous honor kicking him out myself."

"Yes, but he has my daughter to contend with," Kaiba scoffed. "You might have to Duel her instead."

Bandit Keith was allowed to continue to play. Kevin put up a valiant game, but was overwhelmed by Bandit Keith's machine horde.

"Bandit Keith is the winner!" Crowler announced.

Boo! The students shouted.

"Ah, my adoring public," Bandit Keith said, walking down the ramp of the arena.

"Boss! Hey boss!" Keith heard the ghoulish sound of Bonz's voice on his headpiece.

"Yo, what's happenin' Bonz?"

"We were able to sneak into the school stores and steal ourselves a whole shipment of cards. But those Gold Series are stored in a high-tech vault. We can't crack it."

"No matter," said Keith. "Shiny gold cards don't make one a Duelist. Just snatch what you can and bring them back to base. And keep a close eye out for those Executive Decision mercenaries and Academy Knights. They take no prisoners when it comes to cards."

---

Charlie

---

As soon as the dance started, Charlie and the other vendors were thrown out of the arena. All he could do now was look up at the school, brilliantly lit up in the stormy night and wish he could be among the students inside. He saw thousands of lit windows and wondered what they could all be doing in there.

"Charlie-boy," Marty said, slapping his friend on the shoulder. They were making due with a small apartment room in Palmhold. "Get inside before you catch a cold or something. We need you for the plan man."

Charlie agreed and followed his friend back inside. There were posters of Mai Valentine and other female Duelists all over the walls. A fire was lit in a brick fireplace and the television on top of the drawer provided them with an adult movie. A fan swirled overhead causing the vapors of Tingol's cigarette to make a vortex over their heads. They sat in couches surrounding a glass coffee table with blueprints and floor plans of the academy which Charlie could still see dominating them from outside the windows.

"You boys all set?" said Tingol. "I had to do a lot of work and surveillance to get an overall layout of the place. I was able to get into Dorothy's, but she's got some hardcore security in there and one of the best vaults in all of Termnnia guarding those Gold Series cards."

"Can't we just take regular shipments?" asked Charlie. "I mean, they're just cards."

"Go fuck yourself, Charlie," Tingol retorted. "That's just like saying a diamond is just a rock. There's a lot of money involved in these things and I spent the past three months serving those snot-nosed rich kids and putting up with their bullshit to get this stuff figured out. So unless you want to be a vendor the rest of your life shut up and let me FIGURE THIS OUT!"

"Right," said Marty. "When would be the best time to move in."

"Now, while half the school is on the top floor celebrating bonnie Prince Yuri's birthday. And with it being the weekend and all, a lot of kids are outside with their event Endless Night and couples are in their rooms having a Duel in the sheets, so the halls will be empty, save for those mercs they got patrolling the joint. They got a strict shoot-to-kill policy against thieves."

"No kidding?" Charlie said with a loud gulp.

"Nope, but I've done hundreds of jobs like this in my time. We gnomes are some of the best thieves around, kid. They say you're the best hacker around so it'll be your job to crack that vault."

"No problem," said Charlie. "But what about those mercs?"

"If we run into any trouble, leave them to me." Marty reached under the couch and took out a Termnnian Battle Rifle. The stock was made of polished wood as was the handguard with the manufacture's logo written on it. The receiver was made of freshly forged steel and had rails system on the top supporting a large multi-vision scope with wiring curving out of it and a square-shaped silencer that was as long as one's forearm. A tactical sling dangled two and fro.

"Oh no!" said Charlie. "You'll draw too much attention with that.

"Well if we do manage to get pinched we're going to need something that will get us out. Those mercenaries don't play nice. All right, Tingol, tell us what we gotta do and let's get to it. That tourney is full of some of the best players in Termnnia meaning we won't have a lot of time."

---

Ethan

---

The finals had arrived at last. And all that remained on the bracket were Bandit Keith, Ethan, Dancer, and Cora.

"Attention Duelists!" Crowler announced on the microphone. ("Hey that's my line!" Kemo shouted.) "It's time for the final pairing. The first game of the finals goes to…Ser Dancer Firewing versus Cora Kaiba!"

The students applauded.

"Wow, you made it to the finals," said Priscilla. "Congratulations, Ethan."

"Most indeed," said Solomon, entering from the main hallway of the arena, lit with shell-shaped wall lamps. "I didn't think a guy like you could make it to the final round of the games. Guess, I'm as good as they say."

"Even better," said Evelyn, entering from the arena to join them.

"Princess!" said Ethan. "I thought you didn't want to talk to me again."

"Well, your sudden outburst was unforgivable, but I can't help but congratulate you on making it this far. Those were some pretty tough customers you had to contend with the be here and I've got to say I'm impressed. You taught him well, Master Muto."

"Well, it's all in a day's work for me," said Solomon. "I believe your friend here was truthful when he said he was sorry for what he said. Why, he even had to put up with my rigorous training just to impress you."

"And impressed I am," said Evelyn. "Good job, Ethan. Keep up the good work, though, you might have to try harder to convince Alexis."

"I know," said Ethan. "I'm sorry. I was just so angry and…"

"I know," said Evelyn.

"Hey, where's Ser Kevin?" asked Ethan. "I was hoping to get a word with him."

Evelyn gave a clever smirk. "Oh, seemed like he tickled the fancy of Ser Elio the Knight of Stonehollow."

"I reckon he did more than tickle his fancy," giggled Priscilla. "Woo, they kissed each other something fierce down the hall and vanished. Probably going to have a sword fight in his dorm room."

"Oh, gross," said Ethan. He was tolerant of what Ser Kevin was, but he was still not used to the idea of picturing men kissing other men. "Say, Evelyn, why aren't you out there rooting on your lover?"

"Well for one, my mother has arrived to check up on me," said Evelyn.

"Queen Sera is here? Why?"

"Can you guess why?"

"But didn't you tell her Yuri is already going to get married?"

"You think that matters to her?"

"Well, what's the other reason?" Priscilla asked.

"That." Evelyn jerked her head towards the stadium. Ethan peeked through the arched entryway and saw Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon and Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon starring Dancer down.

"How did he let her do that?"

"I guess my lover is not as good as he claims," said Evelyn. "Oh well, that's why we're in Dallian Academy is it not? I'm sure my Dancer will get better."

BOOM! The whole stadium shook.

"Cora is the winner!" Crowler announced.

"Well, that's you," said Evelyn. "Good luck out there, kiddo. You're going to need it."

Ethan nodded. Once the arena was cleared he approached, as did Bandit Keith.

"So, this is my opponent, eh?" said Bandit Keith. "An easy win if you ask me."

"I was trained by the best," said Ethan. "Don't think you will win this Duel so easily."

"Ooo, I'm shakin' in my boots!" taunted Bandit Keith. "Well, let's get this Duel underway, shall we?"

"Ladies first," said Ethan.

"Hah, funny. I lay two cards face down and summon Giga-Tech Wolf in attack mode."

Giga-Tech Wolf

ATK/1200 DEF/1400

"Your move, kid."

"That pile of scrap is your best move, eh?" said Ethan. "Watch this. My Fiend Sword is going to send your wolf back to the junkyard where it belongs!"

Fiend Sword

ATK/1400 DEF/800

"Attack now!"

"Ha, no way!" laughed Bandit Keith. "I activate the trap card, Limiter Removal. It may destroy my monster at the end of the turn, but this will double my wolf's attack making him more than a match for your puny little sword!"

Ethan lost one-thousand Life Points from the attack.

"What an idiot," scoffed Alexis.

"Oh, that was not good," said Ethan.

"Ethan!" called Solomon. "Come on lad, you've just got to believe in yourself."

"Go, Ethan!" cheered Priscilla.

"Thanks, you two. Okay, Keith, I play a card face down and end my turn."

Ethan-3000

Bandit Keith-4000

"You fail to impress me, kid. Watch out, for I use the trap card, Call of the Haunted to bring back my wolf. And then, I'm summoning Robotic Hero in attack mode, and he can be special summoned from my hand, so long as I have a machine-type monster on the field! And now I tribute both Giga-Tech Wolf and Robotic Hero to summon Barrel Dragon in attack mode!"

"Barrel Dragon!" cried Ethan.

Bandit Keith's ace monster stomped its way to the field. It had two long black gun barrels for arms and a nose as well. It was painted jet black and it had large shoulder armor with the silhouette of a trucker girl holding a rifle painted on both. It was an alternate art card.

Barrel Dragon

ATK/2600 DEF/2200

"Barrel Dragon attack him directly!"

The chambers of the dragon's revolvers spun and then it fired three powerful shots, knocking Ethan on his back. His Life Points dropped to…4400?

"What the hell!" said Bandit Keith. "Hey, check your Life Point meter! How do you have more Life Points than before?"

"Because," Ethan winced while getting up from the ground. "I activated my trap card, Nutrient Z which raises my Life Points by four-thousand when I receive damage of two-thousand or more."

"Argh," growled Bandit Keith. "You saved yourself for now. I guess it's your move now."

"I guess it is," said Ethan. "I summon Marauding Captain in defense mode. And when he gets summoned, I'm allowed to summon a level four or lower monster from my hand, so here's another Marauding Captain, and this time, I'll use his effect to summon Hayabusa Knight in defense mode. Then I play Card of Sanctity, now we can draw until we have six cards in our hands. And next, I play Pot of Greed which allows me to draw two more cards. I play two cards face down and end my turn."

"So, you've got yourself a nice little wall of monsters to defend yourself eh? That isn't going to do at all, kiddo. Because now I play Graceful Charity. It allows me to draw three cards, and discard two. Next, I'm using Polymerization to fuse my Barrel Dragon and my Blowback Dragon to become the unstoppable Gatling Dragon!"

Barrel Dragon was sucked into the fusion vortex. He then emerged as a brand-new beast. He had three heads with chainguns as the upper snouts and crowed by thick metal shields. It had a black body and its legs were red-spiked wheels.

Gatling Dragon

ATK/2600 DEF/1200

"And don't think the torment is over yet, kid. Because I'm using the spell-card Monster Reborn Which allows me to bring back a monster from my Graveyard, so say hello to Fiendish Engine Omega!"

Fiendish Engine Ω

ATK/2800 DEF/2000

"Looks like Keith's got him good," said Evelyn. "With that Gatling Dragon out on the field, Keith can destroy more than one monster."

"Good," said Alexis. "It's about time someone made him eat his words."

"You're one cold girl, Alexis," said Chazz.

"He calls me be a derogatory term and I'm the cold one?"

Zane just let out a puff of air from his nostrils, watching three holographic coins fly up into the air. They landed on the field, all three were heads."

"HA!" laughed Bandit Keith. "All heads. Now my Gatling Dragon can destroy three of your monsters."

"Oh-no!" shouted Ethan.

He watched helplessly as his monsters were destroyed one by one.

"Now Barrel Dragon, attack Ethan directly!"

The chainguns spun and peppered Ethan with a hail of golden bullets. He was slammed to the ground by the impact. Steam slithered from the impact points of the bullets. His Life Point counter dropped to 1800.

"And now I'm gonna attack you directly and end this Duel. Fiendish Engine Omega, attack him directly. SHUT IT DOWN!"

Noxious purple smoke bellowed from the exhaust pipes on the vile robot's back. It ran to Ethan but was blocked by a barrier.

"WHAT IS THAT!" shouted Bandit Keith.

"Draining Shield!" shouted Ethan. "Now, your monster's attack is stopped and I gain Life Points equal to its attack points."

Bandit Keith growled in frustration.

Ethan's Life Points went up to 4600.

"It doesn't matter what you do, Keith. In the end, I'm going to be a few hundred points ahead."

"You think your traps will last you forever!" shouted Keith. "Nobody makes a monkey out of Bandit Keith! Nobody!"

"Come on, Alexis, you've got to admit Ethan's gotten better," said Antoine.

"I don't care. He's a creep. And the sooner he's out of my life the better."

"Still," said Evelyn. "I wish Ethan had these skills when he battled Prince Malcolm in the Emerald Marches."

"Would it have made a difference?" Alexis asked rudely. "King Forrest attacked us nonetheless, even after a true Duelist beat him."

"I agree," said Chazz. "Too bad they didn't call me down there to deal with him."

"I place a card face down and end my turn," said Keith.

"I draw!" shouted Ethan. "I use the spell card, Tribute to the Doomed and discard one card to destroy your Fiendish Engine Omega!"

"NO!" shouted Keith.

Bandages wrapped around the evil machine and it was taken down to the grave by an evil hand.

"And now I activate my face-down card, Call of the Haunted to bring back Marauding I summon, Tune Warrior!" Ethan summoned his Tuner monster.

"A Tuner!" shouted Bandit Keith.

"Hell yeah," said Ethan. "And since he's a level three monster and my captain is level five, the summoning for my Synchro Monster is complete."

Ethan Synchro Summoned Lightning Warrior.

Lightning Warrior

ATK/2400 DEF/1200

The giant in white armor and long blond hair took to the field after a dazzling display of lightning. Ethan then equipped it with his face down card, United We Stand, which raised its attack points by 800 points for ever monster Ethan controlled, but since there was just Lightning Warrior, his attack went up by 800 raising it to 3200. Ethan ordered the attack.

Lightning warrior raised his fist and shrouded it with electricity. He flew towards Gatling Dragon with a powerful bound and struck it in the chest. The electricity caused the creature to short circuit and explode. "Punk!" he sneered, his Life Points dropping to 3400.

"But that's not all, Bandit Keith," said Ethan. "After he destroys a monster he inflicts three hundred extra points of damage for every card in your hand!"

"Huh!" Bandit Keith froze. Lightning Warrior hovered over him with his arms crossed. He held out his hand and charged a blast of lightning that struck Keith dealing 600 points of damage because of his two-card hand. His Life Points lowered to 2800.

Alexis scoffed, but couldn't help but grin out of the corner of her mouth. Bandit Keith was rumored to be one of the best Duelists in Termnnia, and Ethan was handling pretty well, which she found hard to believe due to Ethan being one of the worst Duelists she had ever seen.

"You're finished kid!" growled Bandit Keith. "I activate my face down card, Time Machine. It allows me to special summon a monster who was just destroyed in battle so give a warm welcome to Gatling Dragon."

"Oh no!" said Ethan. "He's back!"

"You're damn right he's back. And now that it's my turn I will activate his effect to seal your doom. So now the coins will be flipped. It all rides on this, eh kid?"

Ethan prayed for all the coins to be tails. He felt his heart drop. One of them turned out heads. Meaning Gatling Dragon could automatically destroy his Lightning Warrior."

The chainguns spun and decimated Lightning Warrior and the remaining bullets hit Ethan, dropping his Life Points to 2000.

"Sayonara, Ethan," chuckled Chazz. "I knew he couldn't match up to Bandit Keith."

"Draw whatever card you like," said Keith. "Your traps are gone. Your monsters are gone. You've got nothing left." He laughed.

"You're wrong," said Ethan. "I do have a card in my hand that will hand you the sting of defeat."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes, watch as I summon it."

"You can't summon any powerful monsters!" laughed Bandit Keith. "You don't have any monsters on the field for sacrifice."

"The sacrifice requires my monsters be in the Graveyard," said Ethan. "And they will be Fiend Sword and Lightning Warrior. A monster of darkness and a monster of light."

"A sacrifice of light and darkness?" said Dancer. "Hold on, there are only two monsters I know who must be summoned in such a manner."

"Shut up!" said Alexis. "There's no way he'd have one of those cards in his deck. He just can't!"

"I summon…"

The arena held their breaths. Yuri stood from his throne to get a better look at the creature. It seemed he was going to summon one of the Envoys of Time. The beginning and the end. He knew one of them belonged to Crystal, the Chaos Emperor Dragon. Ethan just summoned the Envoy of the Beginning. Black Luster Soldier.

Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning

ATK/3000 DEF/2500

"Impossible!" gasped Alexis. "Ethan…"

"Oh no!" cried Bandit Keith. "Not that!"

"Attack, Black Luster Soldier!" commanded Ethan.

Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning raised his sword and jumped towards Gatling Dragon.

Yuri blinked. One second, Black Luster Soldier made a bound towards Gatling Dragon, the next he was back on the ground hold up his sword. Gatling Dragon was then quacking as a thousand slashes overtook him, cutting him to metal shreds. Yuri knew that Black Luster Soldier went so fast his strikes fell behind.

"But I'm not through with you yet!" said Ethan. "For after Black Luster Soldier destroys a monster he can attack a second time and since you're wide open, he will attack you!"

Bandit Keith wailed when Black Luster Soldier jabbed him in the chest. He fell backward towards he ground and his Life Points dropped to 0.

"Ethan is the winner!" Crowler announced.

The students got up from their seats and applauded. Some remained seated, for even though it was an impressive victory, Ethan was still a racist in their eyes. Alexis did a slow clap and then returned to folding her arms across her chest.

"Get him out of here!" commanded Chancellor Sheppard.

Two White Cloaks grabbed Bandit Keith by the arms and dragged him out of the castle. "LET GO OF ME!" he shouted. "NOBODY MAKES A MONKEY OUT OF BANDIT KEITH!"

When he was gone, Cora arrived removing all joy and confidence Ethan had from his victory over Bandit Keith.

"Okay, Ethan," sniggered Chazz. "Let's see how you fare against the Princess of Kaiba Corp."

"This is going to be quick," said Alexis.

"So," said Cora. "We're finally going to have our Duel."

"Looks like it," said Ethan. "And remember, you have to be my girlfriend if I win."

"Oh, is that a fact?" said Cora. "Quite confident aren't you? Well, sorry to disappoint you, sweetheart, but, I am not Bandit Keith. I don't have rusty machines in my deck. So wipe out any thoughts of me being yours, kiddo, because it's not going to happen."

She activated her Duel Disk. Ethan held his up. The cards magically shuffled themselves.

"DUEL!" they both shouted.

---

Yuri

---

"Oh, I'm so glad to be out of that musty old arena," Alexandra sighed with relief once they went outside.

Yuri wanted some fresh air and decided to take a stroll through the upper gardens of the school. The lights were lit in the fountains and the ponds and behind the various stone waterfalls that poured into the river snaking around the garden. They reached a railing that gave them a view of Palmhold and the dark ocean below glowing almost purple from the stormy sky that was leaving the island. They noticed Phoenix and Ezra standing over a bridge lit by lanterns. They were kissing.

"How charming," said Alexandra. "Your little mage is in love."

"Hot damn they are," said the sneaky voice of Ricky. He was sitting on a branch above them watching the two mages making love.

"How long have you been up there?" Yuri asked.

"Long enough to see Ezra get on one knee and ask the big one."

"No way!" said Yuri. "Really?"

"Yup. The tears started flowing, the hugs and jumping followed, and then the kissing. They've been at it for over fifteen minutes."

"Come, love," said Alexandra, tugging Yuri's arm. "I think it best we leave them alone."

"Mind if I tag along?" Ricky asked. "I was hoping for nice action between the two but so far nothing."

"Come here you little pervert." Alexandra grinned and held out her arms. Ricky jumped down from the trees and fell into her arms. She held him the rest of the way.

"So, just a couple more months and we're married." Yuri seemed to grimace when he said those words.

"I know," said Alexandra. "And in the short months we've been together, I have grown rather fond of you."

"Yeah, you've definitely grown on me, Alexandra." He kissed her forehead and lead her towards two garden stools looking at a pond where a stone waterfall, lit with candles, was pouring in. The rich sound of the rushing water soothed his nerves. He was hoping for Cora to lose, for deep down, her Blue-Eyes White Dragons made him nervous.

"What a beautiful night." Alexandra rested her cheek on Yuri's shoulder.

"Prince Yuri," said Zane, strolling towards them with Alexis.

"Hey guys," said Yuri.

"Hello, Rhodes!" whistled Ricky, gazing at Alexis' glittery white gown ruffled at the bottom like a blooming flower.

"You're not going to watch the Duel?" Alexandra asked, petting Ricky's head.

"Not when of one those Duelists is a racist prick," Alexis answered angrily. "Besides, there's only so many Duel Monsters matches I can take."

"I agree," said Alexandra. "I was getting rather bored and as much as I wanted to see Cora Duel, I am not a fan of that Ethan boy, myself."

"Speaking of Dueling," said Alexis. "What about you? I haven't seen you Duel since the semester began."

"Nobody wants to Duel me," said Alexandra. "They are terrified of my Black Dragons."

"Black Knights? I never heard of them before."

"I was born with them," said Alexandra. "Antilles said they were by my side when I hatched into the world."

"Hatched?" Zane suppressed a chuckle when he heard her say that. "You make it sound like you came out of an egg."

"Well, my uncle was about to safeguard those legendary golden eggs that caused all that fuss in the rebellion. I guess they were stuck in his mind for so long that's all he ever thought about."

"That's kind of cute," said Alexis. "Considering you're a Dragonheart by blood. Anyways, perhaps I can have a look at those Black Knights with a Duel of our own," said Alexis. "

"Are you challenging me, princess?"

"I am," said Alexis. "Come on, Alexandra, we've all Dueled except you. Why not show us what you've got?"

"Mayhaps another night, princess. I grow weary and want to spend time with my beloved before we return to our busy schedules."

"Very well," said Alexis. "How about after class? You and I get out at the same time after all."

"Fine, we'll Duel in the water park in the jungle at nightfall, as there are some things I must take care of. You'll have your Duel, princess."

"Looking forward to it."

"And do bring your coat, for it seems the little ones have boosted their grades again. Blizzard Dragon conjures the frost again."

"Yeah, I've noticed," Alexis shivered and rubber her exposed shoulders. Zane removed his jacket and put it over her to warm her.

"Thanks, Zane."

"Oh," said Alexandra. "I couldn't help but notice the both of you always together. Are you two…you know. Do you have a thing going on?"

Zane smirked. "No, nothing like that," he answered peacefully.

"So, there's no one who holds a special place in your heart, Kaiser?"

"No, princess," said Zane. "Perhaps I work too much."

"You can say that again," said Alexis.

"Hey, Yuri, when will you and I have our Duel?" Zane asked.

"You want to Duel me, Zane?"

"It would be a great honor to Duel the future ruler of the land and the Eradicator of Anubis."

Boing! Boing! Ricky went as he hopped towards them. "Now that would be epic."

"My time in the academy runs short," said Zane. "I've been searching the school for someone to pass the torch to. Right now, I have my eyes set on Jaden Yuki. I would nominate you, My Lord, but I haven't played against you yet."

"What about Yugi Muto?" Yuri asked.

"He's the King of Games, Yuri," Zane chuckled. "He's the guy who lights the torches. He's the very cauldron itself."

"You have a point," said Yuri. "Why not schedule a match at the same time Alexandra and Alexis Duel?"

"I know!" said Ricky, hopping up and down with excitement. "How about a tag team Duel. Alexandra and Yuri against Zane and Alexis?"

"For once I like what the rabbit is saying," said Alexis.

"FINGOLIN!" Ricky corrected holding up a stubby finger.

"Yes, it does," said Zane. "For I too have grown curious with those Black Knights Alexandra is said to have. And in a tag team match, I can get to see their skills at the same time. I like it."

"Don't I get something for the idea?" Ricky asked.

"Augh," Alexis scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Come here."

Ricky hopped into her hands. She held him up and kissed his little cheek. Ricky's eyes turned into hearts and steam bellowed out of his ears.

"Come, everyone," said Zane. "If I know Cora, the match against Ethan should be ending pretty soon."

Zane couldn't be more right. For as soon as they walked into the room, Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning had just destroyed both Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon and Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon.

---

Ethan

---

Cora was on her knees, sweating and panting heavily. Her Life Points dropped to 600 and Ethan was standing strong at 4400.

"What the hell is going on?" asked Yuri.

"Ethan?" said Alexis. "Winning against Cora Kaiba? It can't be!"

"I've destroyed your Chaos MAX Dragon and your Neo Ultimate Dragon!" shouted Ethan. He had four monsters on his side of the field. Two Marauding Captains, a Freed the Matchless General and his Black Luster Soldier who was equipped with the spell card United We Stand, the card that boosted an equipped monster by 800 points for every monster on the user's side of the field. Four monsters meant Black Luster Soldier got 3200 extra points, raising his attack to 6200.

"Goddesses above!" Alexandra gasped. "How is this possible."

Kaiba was standing behind the railing looking down at Cora, who was losing. He looked like he was about to explode.

"I like the sight of you on your knees," Ethan commented crudely.

"GET ON YOUR FEET CORA!" shouted Kaiba. "A Kaiba never bows down to anyone!"

Cora nodded. "He's right. I've got a match to win."

"And how do you expect to do that?" said Ethan. "I've got you right where I want you and your two toughest dragons are history! Almost all of your Blue-Eyes monsters are in your Graveyard."

"Exactly," said Cora. Now that you've destroyed a Blue-Eyes Dragon, I get to summon one more angel from my hand."

"One more?" gasped Ethan. "You mean there's more?"

"Yes, Ethan." Cora looked at the last card in her hand. "You are my last hope, love." She kissed the card. "Come forth, Deep-Eyes White Dragon!"

"Oh!" Pegasus said, getting up from his seat. Yami did as well, to get a better look at his new dragon Cora was summoning. It came out of a vortex that looked like it opened in space. The angelic dragon of the Blue-Eyes family came soaring out of the portal.

Deep-Eyes White Dragon

ATK/0 DEF/0

"Uh, Cora?" laughed Ethan. "You sure I didn't hit you too hard? I mean that thing has got…"

"I know!" shouted Cora. "You guys are stupid to think a monster with zero attack points is useless. Well, my Deep-Eyes White Dragon is anything but useless, Ethan. And I'll show you why. I can target one monster in my Graveyard with Blue-Eyes in its name and transfer its attack points to my Deep-Eyes White Dragon. And I'm choosing my Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon's attack strength, raising my Deep-Eyes to forty-five hundred!"

"Oh-no!" said Ethan.

"And that's not all it does, I get to inflict six hundred points of damage for each dragon-type monster in my Graveyard with a different name."

The cards Cora used hovered above her. Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon, Neo Ultimate Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon for a combined total of 4200 Life Points which dropped Ethan to 200 after he was blasted by the multi-directional laser assault of the dragon. Now Cora was in the lead.

"It's been fun, kiddo," said Cora. "But now I use my face down card, Stop Defense and switch your Marauding Captain to attack mode. This Duel is now over!"

Deep-Eyes White Dragon began to charge its final attack when Ethan too activated a face-down card. A trap card called Shift which changed the target of a spell, trap, or battle to another target. And Ethan chose his Black Luster Soldier.

"No," Cora gasped.

She fell back down and could only watch her Deep-Eyes White Dragon get slain by Ethan's Black Luster Soldier. Cora went on all fours and whimpered as her Life Points dropped to 0.

"WHAT!" Kaiba roared. "CORA LOST!"

"Stop it Seto!" said Ethan. He walked towards Cora, still trying to collect herself. "She's no longer your concern. She's mine now."

"Stay away from her!" Mokuba shouted. "HEY!"

"A deal's a deal," said Cora, getting back up on her feet.

"Yeah, I guess so. I must say, I never thought I'd date a Kaiba before."

"Well, when do you want our first date?" Cora asked.

"Uh, Friday?" said Ethan. "Do you like pizza?"

"Only if it's spicy."

They walked out of the stadium, hand in hand. Crowler announced the final match between Yuri and Ethan would take place soon.

Ethan and Cora were ready to rest when Kaiba stormed down the halls after them.

"CORA!" shouted Kaiba. "GET AWAY FROM HIM!" He commanded.

Cora snarled, grabbed Ethan by the tie and kissed him.

"Oh dear," Alexandra said, still standing at the arena entrance. "This does not bode well."

"HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME!" shouted Kaiba. He stormed up the arena to face her.

"Kaiba stop!" Yugi shouted dashing towards the commotion with his friends.

"You ungrateful little bitch!" Kaiba spat. "I raised you! I took you in! I gave my Blue-Eyes to you! I let you into this family! I paid millions to get you into this school and this is how you repay me! By choosing some snot-nosed punk over me."

"Nobody will ever replace you father."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT! You are not worthy of being my daughter. You are not worthy of being a Kaiba! Kaiba's never lose!"

"You did," said Cora. "Yugi beat your ass many times."

Kaiba growled then he slapped Cora hard across the face.

Serenity and Mai gasped. Tèa clasped her hands over her mouth.

"What's your problem!" roared Tristan.

"That was uncalled for!" shouted Bakura.

"You creep!" cried Duke.

"WHAT ARE YA DOIN'!" shouted Joey. He ran to check on Cora.

"I'm fine," said Cora. She had a bruise on her cheek.

"Stay out of this Wheeler!"

"You think you can just strike a girl and get away with it!" said Joey. "I don't care who you are, Kaiba, but you never ever put your hands on a girl, especially your daughter."

"She is not my daughter!" Kaiba growled through gritted teeth.

"All because she lost one crumby game of Duel Monsters? You're the lowest of the low, you know that!" he raised his fists. "Put 'em up cowboy, it's time to rumble!"

Kaiba dodged Joey's punches and then jabbed him in the abdomen. Joey cringed and fell to his knees. "Aw man, that didn't tickle."

"Joey!" Yugi shouted dashing for the arena as well.

"Check his pulse, Yugi!" shouted Bakura.

"You should be ashamed of yourself!" Tèa shouted, going face to face with Kaiba. "What in the hell is your problem huh?"

"She lost the game."

"The game?" Tèa said in disbelief. "Cora may have lost some stupid Duel Monster game, Kaiba, but at least she went down fighting her hardest! She Dueled not for herself, but for you! She has a heart, Kaiba. She cares for you. She cares for the family name you hold dear, and for those dragons who she has bonded with. Cards have a heart, and they have connected with her in a way I have never seen before. Something I don't see when you summon them."

"Wha?" said Kaiba.

"You should feel embarrassed, Kaiba, because it seems to me those Blue-Eyes White Dragons are happier with her than they are with you!"

"You don't know what you're saying, Gardener."

"Truth hurts doesn't it you heartless bastard!"

"Out of my way!" Kaiba shoved past Tèa and disappeared down the hall.

"Yeah, keep walkin' money bags!" shouted Joey. "Cora's twice the Duelist you'll ever be!"

"You going to be okay, Cora?" Ethan asked.

"I'll be fine," said Cora. I'm sorry, I…I have to go."

"But Cora," Joey called.

"Let her have some time alone," said Yami. "I think we should have a ten-minute recess to cool ourselves down before the next round of the tournament."

"Agreed," said Ethan. He watched Yugi and the legends walk away.

"Ethan," said Alexis.

"Princess?" gasped Ethan. "I thought that…"

"I know what I said, Ethan. I must say that was pretty impressive what you did out there. Good luck against Yuri, okay?"

"Wow, thank you."

"Ethan my boy," said Solomon.

"I'll catch you later, Ethan." Alexis hesitated for a moment and then kissed Ethan's cheek. She winked and left him alone.

"Well," chuckled Grandpa. "Looks like you've made the final round of the tournament, won your friends back and got the girl. It appears my work here is done."

"So, it is," said Ethan. "Master Solomon, I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me. If there was anything I could do to repay you I'd…"

"No worries, my boy," said Grandpa. "I am just honored to know that my students are well on their way to becoming legends just like my grandson. And you, boy," Solomon placed his hand on Ethan's shoulder. "You have the makings of a legend."

Ethan's eyes filled with tears. "You honor me, sir."

"Dry those up now, silly boy. Here." He handed Ethan the wooden box that contained the new diamond rare card.

"Thank you, sir. I would not be in line for such a promotion without you."

"I've got a nice bottle of brandy in the room downstairs," said Solomon. "Why don't we open it up and celebrate, eh? My treat."

"Lead the way, sir. Uh, could you please use the elevator this time?"

"Hogwash," said Solomon. "I don't need it. Elevators are for old people."

Just as Solomon was about to take the stairs, Ethan came up from behind and smothered him with chloroform. Grandpa was so old he had not the strengthF to fight back. He fell unconscious on the floor.

"So it's done?" Antilles said, appearing out of the shadows.

"Yes, hurry My Lord, we have to get out of here before we're found."

"You don't want to finish the tournament first?"

"No, I'm done with this place," said Ethan.

He and Antilles dragged Solomon downstairs, wrapped him in white sheets and proceeded to take him to the docks where a cargo ship was ready to make leave for the Domino City Ports.

"Look," said Antilles. "There goes your little girlfriend now."

"What's your name love?" asked Tingol the gnome.

"Cora."

"And where are you headed, Cora?" asked Marty. He loaded stolen goods onto his boat, no doubt the stolen Gold Series cards. It appeared their heist was a success.

"What does it matter?" said Cora. "Anywhere is better than here."

"Do you want to go after her?" Antilles asked.

"No," said Ethan, going on board the ship after Antilles. "I leave all my troubles on this island. And you?"

"No, I will not linger here," Antilles said looking over the rail at the dark glassy sea. "I have matters to attend to elsewhere. Alexandra has Yuri where we want him, and Solomon Muto will aid Prince Hector in finding the Ancient Beasts. And Lady Avi…well…her time with us draws near."

"Good," said Ethan. "She is loyal to Prince Yuri. It is only fair we take her out too."

"We will go our separate ways in the Domino City Ports. Then you are to find a ship called the New Day. See that you take it, and the cargo, to New Harbor at once. Here is the reward Lord Hector has promised for the bounty."

He handed Ethan a sack of Star Chips.

"A new life awaits you after this night, young Ethan," said Antilles. He looked down at the pier and saw his men stuffing Solomon into a wooden crate with air holes.

"I am ready to accept it, My Lord," said Ethan.

---

Bonz

---

The ghoulish looking boy paced back and forth nervously in the ruins of the old dorm hidden in a lagoon. The musty old classroom which he made into a command center was lit with candles and an oil lamp in the corner. They stole a decent number of cards from Dorothy's but not the Gold Series packs they were aiming for. Their heist was a sham, and their boss was gone. To make matters worse, Zygor forgot to tie down the zodiac and it sailed away. The cards they stole would not be enough to buy them a ship out of the island.

As Bonz pondered the situation, Sid and Zygor were outside causing mischief. They chased away couples who came to the spot to make love away from the prying eyes of Campus Security and the Knights.

The duo dressed as zombies and scared another couple away. Bonz scorned them for that, for they were drawing attention from students who were curious about the paranormal, and now the Knight of the Academy have been spotted searching around as well.

Without Bandit Keith, their whole operation was ruined.

"That bastard!" Bonz shouted kicking a bucket out the window. "After all we did for him!"

"You wouldn't be talkin' about me, would you?" Bandit Keith asked, stepping into the command center.

"Oh, b-boss! You're back!"

"Nah, I never left, Bonz." Keith said with a grin.

"How-how did you escape?"

"I had a little help from these guys." Keith jabbed his thumb behind him.

"Uh, boss, I don't see anyone there."

"Oh yeah?" said a ghoulish voice from behind. Bonz whimpered and slowly turned around.

"BOO!" Scratch and Creep shouted appearing out of the walls.

Bonz squealed with fright and fell backwards to the floor at Bandit Keith's feet. Sid and Zygor laughed with Bandit Keith. It seemed they knew of the two ghosts as well and joined in on the prank.

"What gives!" shouted Bonz. "Boss are those things real?"

"Yeah," said Creep. "We're real alright."

"What are you so scared of, shorty?" laughed Scratch. "Your mug is the scariest thing in the room."

Another round of laughter from Bandit Keith and the gang.

"He's got a point there, Bonz!" jeered Bandit Keith. "Yeah, these two scared the guards away and led me to their boss."

"Their boss?" squealed Bonz.

"Yeah, and she's got an interesting proposition for you," Creep said folding his arms confidently.

"She? Just who do they work for, boss?" asked Bonz.

"They work for me!" Ally said climbing up the stairs to Bonz's command center.

"Oh!" hooted Zygor, watching Ally pass by. "What a cutie!"

"So," Ally said, inspecting Bonz. "Is this the zombie Duelist you were telling me about?"

"That's him alright," said Bandit Keith. "He's one of the best, of course, he could be better."

"What do you want me for?" Bonz asked.

"I want you to challenge Yuri to a Duel," said Ally. "And I want you to force him to put up his Pendant of the Kings."

"What do you need that silly thing for?" asked Sid. "It's just an ugly little trinket."

"That ugly little trinket is what's keeping me from doing my job," said Ally.

"But there's no way I can get Prince Yuri to put up his pendant."

"Oh yes, we can," said Ally. "One of his friends is on her way to a match in the water park where Yuri and his future wife Princess Alexandra are set to take on Princess Alexis and Zane the Steward of Domino City."

"Wow!" said Zygor, punching his palm. "What a match card."

"Yeah, sounds like a Duel for the main event at the Kaiba Dome back in Domino," said Sid.

"Ha, these kinds of matches happen every day here," said Bandit Keith. "Remember, this is Dallian Academy. They don't call this the School of Kings for nothing. But I take it Yuri won't be participating in this match, right?"

"That's right," said Ally. "And as for his friend, I'm going to need Red and Frankenstein to retrieve her for us."

"What do we get out of this?" asked Sid.

Ally reached into the pocket of her blazer and took out a handful of gold Star Chips.

"Oh!" Sid and Zygor drooled.

"No problem," said Zygor. "Who is this friend of Yuri's?"

"Her name is Phoenix Lockheart," said Ally. "She should be in the library studying for mid-terms."

"But it's not even mid-term yet?" laughed Bandit Keith.

"She's a bit of a bookworm," said Ally. "You'd best hurry before she leaves, and it will be a little more difficult to get her when she's out in the halls. Ever since the disappearance of Master Solomon and the failed attempts of these two clowns…" She shot Scratch and Creep a fuming expression. "The Knights of the Academy and the White Cloaks have been on heavy guard."

"No problem," Sid said rubbing his hands together. "This will be a snap." He and Sid dashed out of the castle.

"And as for you, let me see your Dueling deck."

"Uh, here," Bonz said nervously. He handed Ally his cards.

She flipped through his cards. "Not bad," she said smirking. "This is a good deck."

"Really?" said Bonz.

"And you said you'd never impress the ladies, Bonz," Bandit Keith said with a chuckle.

"But you could use a little more kick." Ally looked down at Bonz.

"Huh?"

Ally, flicked open the breast pocket of her Blazer and took out six cards shining with gold edges.

"What are those?"

"Trust me, Bonz," said Bandit Keith. "You're going to love this."

---

Phoenix

---

The clock tower rang ten o'clock in the evening. Phoenix gave a yawn while she sat at her desk by the long window. The moons peering down at her through the velvet sage drapes. Her desk was littered with notes and piled high with books. She yawned again and scribbled more information onto her notebook detailing the events of Tiberius the Uniter's conquest of Termnnia. She looked at a map of Southern Thara and the routes his army took marked with pink arrows. The sites of his battles marked with two crossed swords. The swords marked red was the Battle of the Three Kings in the legendary Gaia Fields.

Gaia Fields was rumored to be the place where the Celtra hid in an underground city to escape the Inquisition at the beginning of the Third Age, years after Tiberius' unification of Termnnia.

Phoenix felt someone come from behind and wrap their arms around her neck. She gasped, wondering who it could be, but then she felt a loving peck on her cheek. She turned her head and saw Ezra smiling down at her.

"Studying late again?" she flirted, nuzzling her neck.

"Yeah, I want to be prepared for the coming tests."

"You have the highest grades in the Kiryu dorm," said Ezra. "What do you have to worry about?"

"You don't understand, Ezra, I'm so worried about this exam that I might get a B."

"You know some students would give their left arm for a B."

"Well, I'm not just any student, Ezra, I am the apprentice of the Grand Mage of the Citadel. I don't know what he'd do to me if I don't bring him good marks."

"He loves you like you were a daughter of his own," said Ezra. "He was so proud the day Master Yu-Gi-Oh chose you as the Court Magician of the High King. I was too, but…"

"But?" Phoenix asked, taking her eyes off her notes to look at her again.

"But I felt sad. It meant you would no longer be in the citadel. After you graduate from the academy I'm going to lose you."

"We're going to be married when we graduate," said Phoenix, holding both of Ezra's hands. "You're going to come with me."

Lightning flashed outside. Rain began to sprinkle the window and the loving glow of the moon was blocked by a curtain of black clouds.

"Oh, curse this October weather!" said Phoenix. "Now how am I going to get back to the dorm?"

"You were not anticipating rain this night?" Ezra asked, walking to the window. "What reason for you to be so pissed off? I have to trek back to the North Dorm in this downpour."

"I'll walk you back to the harbor," said Phoenix.

"Can we have a cup of coffee at the café beforehand?"

"Sure, just wait there while I put these books back."

"You know where they go?" Ezra asked, sitting on a beige recliner. "How?"

Phoenix tapped her temple. "Photographic memory."

"It got so quiet all of a sudden," Ezra said with a shiver.

"Well it's late night in the library," said Phoenix, tucking her books under her right arms

"I know, but, I mean …quieter than usual. I don't know this feels so eerie."

"It's Halloween time after all," chuckled Phoenix. "Or Eotarma as it's called by the elves."

"Meaning what?"

"The Month of the Dead." She wiggled her fingers in a spooky way. "Ooooo," she said.

"Don't remind me," Ezra said wrapping her arms around her legs. "All those things that have been happening to Yuri…I think something is haunting him. Oh, darling, don't leave me alone for too long."

"Ezra, my love, we're in the library." Thunder clapped and lightning lit up the room. "What could possibly happen?"

"Just be back quick, okay. Too many spooky things have been happening lately."

"Hey, if I'm not back in five minutes, send a search party."

"Ugh, you're so horrible." The wind howled in the window behind Ezra.

Phoenix rolled her eyes and shook her head then she made an about face and proceeded to put her books back.

"Phoenix," Ezra said.

Phoenix turned.

"I love you."

Phoenix blew her a kiss and disappeared down the maze of bookshelves. She began to feel uneasy, walking alone in there. It was rather dark and, she had a feeling Ezra was right. The library was quieter than usual, but she was not scared. If anyone…or anything tried to do her harm she knew some pretty handy spells that could keep her safe. She heard a few students laughing from the other side of the shelves and felt relief knowing that she and Ezra were not alone in this creepy library.

"Need help with those books?" said a voice behind her that caused her to jump.

"No!" panted Phoenix. "Don't sneak up on people like that. It's rude." She turned to look at the student who offered help.

"Jaden? In the library?"

"Yeah," Jaden said with a shrug. "I started falling behind in Professor Gardner's class. She said if I handed her a twenty-page essay written in elvish, and do my work on time for the rest of the semester I could pass with a C."

"Oh, Jaden," Phoenix scoffed. She blew a bang off her face with the corner of her mouth. "Always thinking about Duel Monsters. There's more to life than that game you know."

"Not for a guy like me," said Jaden. "So, Phoenix, you're pretty good with school, not to mention you're very fun to hang out with. Perhaps you could tutor me or something."

"Well in all my years as a scholar, I have never heard something so miraculous. You, Jaden Yuki, the laziest student in the school, actually want help with your academics?"

"I want to graduate with all my friends," said Jaden. Another blast of thunder shook the library. "So can you?"

"I'd love to, we'll meet here every day at seven. Sound good to you?"

"Seven? Yeah, I got plenty of time to Duel and chill with the gang before it's time for homework. Man, this is gonna be sweet. Thanks. Well, see ya Phoenix."

"Bye, Jaden." Phoenix watched him run down the aisle and making a left, out Phoenix's sight.

Phoenix couldn't help but keep a grin on her face, knowing Jaden was serious about school now. She felt a tap on her shoulder.

Jaden was back.

"Yes, Jaden?"

"I also look forward to having a Duel with you sometime. I never got to see you in action. Yuri tells me those Phoenix monsters of yours are pretty kick ass."

"And you Elemental Heroes are quite fun to watch so I heard," said Phoenix. "Yes, we should have a match sometime."

"Great, well, see ya next time. Goodbye for real this time."

"Bye." Phoenix said. She stood where she was to make sure he was gone for good. She found the shelf where her books belonged and placed them neatly where she last found them.

Another tap on the shoulder.

"What is it now, Jaden?" Phoenix turned. This time, she did not see Jaden's friendly face. She saw a dirty white tank top underneath a torn leather jacket that smelled of tobacco and beer.

"You're not a student," Phoenix said nervously.

"Got that right!" Zygor said whacking her on the top of her skull with his hammer-like fist and knocking her out.

---

Yuri

---

"Well damn!" Yuri cried out, hiding from the rain underneath the main entrance of the academy. A large domed structure made of glass and steel and lit up with round celling lamps and a fountain in the middle.

"Hmm," said Ren. "Well, that's unfortunate. I guess I'm going to have rough sailing this night."

"Do you really have to go, Ren?" Yuri asked.

"I must, my friend. I have been ordered by the ESS to safeguard Pegasus. There are whispers going around about the possible revival of an ancient power. Pegasus is the only one who can stop it."

"I understand," said Yuri. "Stay safe out there, buddy."

"You two," said Ren. "And when I come back from my duties, you and I must travel back to Earth and check on Crystal. Leon's warning about the Martinettis worries me now more than ever."

"I know," said Yuri. "She may be an earthling, but I still love her."

"Don't let Alexandra hear you say that," Ren said, nudging Yuri in the shoulder. "She's a fiery one she is."

"Commander Ren!" a guard called out from the rain. "It's time to go."

"Commander?" said Yuri.

"It's my reward for keeping my eye on you all this time. But it fails in comparison to the reward I got myself."

"And what was that?"

"Having you for a friend."

Yuri and Ren hugged.

"Take care of yourself, Ren!" Yuri said, fist bumping his friend.

"You too, brother. See you soon. I promise, when I come back the first thing we're going to do is get Crystal."

"I wish we could go there now."

"I do too," said Ren. "But I fear there are too many enemies in Termnnia to have our wishes fulfilled."

"So it will be our jobs to stop them!"

"Indeed," said Ren. "Pegasus and I will rally all the Houses we can to guard Rassay, and those Ancient Beasts, Lord Hector keeps going on about. There will be peace in Termnnia one day." Ren put a hood over his head. "And you are the key to that peace, Yuri. Farewell."

He went out the door where he was enveloped by the darkness of the night and was then shrouded by a thick sheet of rain.

"Great," said Ricky. "Now how are we going to get to the Duel!"

"Well if you hadn't climbed up that Blue-Eyes girl's skirt and got me in trouble with Dr. Crowler I would have been there by now!"

"Sheesh!" said Ricky. "I can't help it if I'm attracted to girls."

"Just control yourself and have some respect for my classmates, Ricky."

"So, uh, this Crystal you and pretty boy keep going on about. Are you going to bring her to Termnnia?"

"Why do you ask?"

"No reason in particular. Is she a looker?"

"Stay away from her, Ricky."

"Oooo!" howled a figure cloaked in black. He was a rather small person.

"Okay," said Yuri. "I know Chancellor Sheppard hired actors for jump scares, but this is pathetic."

Whoever was under the cloak did not appreciate that. "Look here, tough guy! I challenge you to Duel at the old abandoned West dorm in the jungle just north of here."

"You serious?" laughed Ricky. "Not in this rain."

"You have no choice in the matter." The figure threw a card at Yuri, who caught it with lightning speed.

"HEY!" hey shouted. "It's Master of the Sacred Flames!"

"Phoenix Lord Antarix!" gasped Ricky. "That's the ace card of my waifu!"

"Who are you?" shouted Yuri. "Where did you get this? What did you do to her?"

"All those questions can be answered in our Duel!" said the hooded figure.

"Those questions will be answered now!" Chazz said walking up to the figure from behind.

"Where is Phoenix!" shouted Ezra, who was standing beside him. She held out both her hands. A burst of blue fire erupted from her palms.

"That's hot!" said Ricky.

"You'd better start talking!" Chazz said, cracking his knuckles.

"You accept the Duel, and no harm will come to her!" wailed the ghoulish figure. He let out a laugh. "The abandoned dorm. NOW!"

He threw a smoke bomb to the floor. A could of gray smoke shielded the figure from their view. He ran away into the night while his smoke bomb irrigated their throats and lungs. When the veil was gone, Yuri dashed outside.

"Where ya goin'!" Chazz shouted.

"The abandoned dorm!" Yuri cried out from the dark.

"I'm coming with him," said Chazz.

"Well, that's unexpected," said Ezra. "Since when did you start to care about Yuri?"

"He may be my rival, but he's still the heir to the Diamond Throne! If anything happens to him we're all fucked."

"I am coming too!" said Ezra.

"No, it's too dangerous!"

"Why? Because I'm a girl? This is not the time to be acting macho, Princeton, my girlfriend is out there!"

"Fine," said Chazz. "Stay close to me. The dorm is pretty far from here, come on."

Yuri, Chazz, and Ezra dashed through the rain-soaked jungle, using the flashlights on their PDAs to light the way. Their shoes and socks were soaked. Their feet as cold as ice, and they shivered as the wind brushed against their wet clothes freezing them. Despite all this, they knew Phoenix needed them.

Neither of them knew who the enemy was. What was his intention? Would there be more?

Yuri felt something warm on his chest. He looked down and saw his Pendant of the Kings was glowing and then he smiled.

Norman the Conqueror! He thought. Watch over us as we save our friend. Keep us safe from any evil that may do us harm.

They spotted the abandoned dorm, which had the appearance of an old Victorian mansion. This was the place of a fraternity group who studied the arts of Shadow Magic. Apparently, they released something evil and were never seen again.

Yuri tried to open the door but it was locked.

"Shit!" Yuri said, yanking at the brass handle. "It won't budge!"

"Perhaps that's a sign we should turn back," said Ricky, safe and warm from the rain in Yuri's backpack. He had a little lantern hanging from the inside.

"Come on," said Chazz. "On the count of three. One. Two. THREE!"

They rammed the door with their shoulders, busting it wide open.

"Whoa," said Yuri.

He, Chazz, and Ezra shined their lights around to get a good look at the place. Lightning lit up the foyer of the old dorm revealing its details. The wood panel ceiling was made of polished cherry as were the walls and columns shaped into spirals. Musty furniture was laid about the place as if waiting for the owners of the dorm to come back. An iron chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling. The floor, covered with dirt and leaves was black and white marble tile.

A fire was burning bright in the fireplace, crackling and popping.

"So, you finally showed up, eh!"

"I know that voice," said Chazz. "Bandit Keith!"

"Lovely night for a Duel, eh mates?" said Sid, casually leaning against the rails of the second floor with Keith and Zygor.

"Wooooo!" wailed the figure from the entrance. He removed his hood. It was Bonz. "I'm afraid you don't stand a ghost of chance in this Duel!" said Bonz.

"Yeah, just like your mug doesn't stand a ghost of chance of getting laid!" Chazz said with a sneer.

"OH!" cried out Bandit Keith, Sid, and Zygor.

"Burned!" said Bandit Keith.

"Argh! Shut up!" shouted Bonz.

"Where's my girlfriend!" shouted Ezra.

"Right here," said Zygor. He pressed a button on a remote control he took out of his pocket and then an old, musty grandfather clock opened with a loud, eerie creek. Phoenix was inside, bound and gagged and unconscious.

"Phoenix!" shouted Ezra.

"If you want her back, Yuri, you're going to have to Duel me and put up your Pendant of the Kings for grabs."

"You have no idea what you're asking me!" shouted Yuri. "Are you insane?"

"Uh, not for nothing," said Chazz, "but wouldn't it make more sense to just to take the pendant from Yuri in the first place."

"CHAZZ!" shouted Ezra. "Don't give them any ideas!"

"How stupid do you think we are?" said Bandit Keith.

"He's got a point, boss," said Zygor. "Let's just take it and save ourselves some time."

Zygor jumped from the second floor and landed with a loud thud, knocking dust all around him. He ran for Yuri's pendant.

"STOP!" cried Yuri.

Zygor lunged for it, but the pendant glowed and let out a powerful blast that sent Zygor flying towards an old dresser and destroying it with a loud, devastating crash.

Lightning flashed and thunder boomed. Bandit Keith laughed.

"Well, I don't know about him, but everyone knows the Pendant of the Kings can't be taken unless won in a Duel. That's how the ancients used to decide who would be Supreme King after Norman the Conqueror departed Termnnia and went back to the Gardens."

"Oh," said Bonz. "That's right, because the Supreme King wore that pendant instead of a crown, right boss?"

'Right."

"Now he tells me!" groaned Zygor, trying to pick himself up from the ruins of the drawer. His forearm was bleeding.

"Oh, yawn," said Sid. "Let's drop the history lesson and get this bloody Duel underway, shall we?"

"Yes, lets," said Bandit Keith.

"I'm not putting my Pendant of the Kings on the line!" shouted Yuri.

"Then I'm afraid, this is going to be poor Phoenix's new permanent dormitory." Sid sniggered.

Your Highness, you must!" said Ezra.

"Ezra, I can't. It's too precious. There's no way I'm putting it at risk of going to these thieves!"

"Yuri, please!" Ezra begged. She went to her knees. "Please. I love her."

"I know," said Yuri, "but this pendant is too important."

"I trust in your abilities, Yuri. Please, do this for her. And for me."

Chazz stepped forward.

"I'll Duel instead!" shouted Chazz. "If I lose I pay you guys anything you want. My family is rich. Name your price, I can pay you anything!"

"No!" shouted Bonz. Another blast of thunder and flash of lightning. "I want the Prince of Termnnia. Besides, you don't have enough money to buy off the Pendant of the Kings!"

"Figures," said Chazz. "It's all up to you, Yuri. Believe in that Heart of the Cards bullshit Yugi preaches on about and beat these guys."

Yuri activated his Duel Disk. Bonz did too, his in the shape of a crossed tombstone.

"Since I'm the challenger, I'll start first!" said Bonz. "I summon Clown Zombie in attack mode!"

Clown Zombie

ATK/1350 DEF/0

"HA! HA! HA!" the Clown Zombie laughed. He was a fat fellow standing ten feet tall and wore a yellow polka dot unitard with green sleeves that was ripped revealing his decayed flesh. He wore a torn purple hat on his head with a bell and a blue neck ruffle collar. His thick lips were painted blue and revealed sharp teeth in his ghastly mouth.

"Then I place a card, face down, and end my turn!"

"Ew, it's hideous!" Ezra squealed running behind Chazz and hiding behind his back with her hands clasped to her shoulders.

"Is that all?" Yuri asked. He drew and examined his hand. "I call upon Dinosaur Tamer-Sara!"

Yuri summoned a girl with braided gold hair wearing a red hood; a black embroidered bodice corset with white lace and ruffles; a black ruffled skirt and high heeled laced boots. Twin swords were sheathed to her belt with the pommels made of bronzed tyrannosaurus fangs.

Dinosaur Tamer Sara

ATK/1400 DEF/1200

"And now for her special ability. She allows me to special summon a level six or lower dinosaur-type monster from my hand and I choose, Sword Arm of Dragon in attack mode!"

Sword Arm of Dragon

ATK/1750 DEF/2030

"But that's not all she can do, Bonz, I can choose Sword Arm of Dragon as her pet dinosaur."

"And what? You're going to get a condo for them or something?"

"We're it so," sneered Yuri. "So long as she's on the field, her pet dinosaur gets an additional three hundred attack points. So, my Sword Arm of Dragon's attack raises to two-thousand-fifty."

Sara patted Sword Arm of Dragon's neck and handed him a treat from one of her pouches.

"Attack! Sword Arm of Dragon!" Yuri commanded.

Sara made a clicking sound with her mouth, a signal to sick her dinosaur at the Clown Zombie.

"Ha! Ha!" laughed Bonz. "You activated my trap card, Sakuretsu Armor. With this card, I can stop your overgrown lizard's attack and destroy it."

Clown Zombie was encased in radioactive armor and braced himself for the attack.

Sara held out her hand, creating a ball of light. She made a graceful bound over the battlefield and twirled with elegance before launching it at the clown, shattering the armor.

"What gives!" shouted Zygor.

"I thought he would have known by now," scoffed Bandit Keith. "Dinosaur Tamer Sara made that Sword Arm of Dragon her faithful companion. Therefore, it is immune to traps that target it and destroys them."

"Ugh!" croaked Bonz. "This can't be!"

Sword Arm of Dragon slashed the clown across the belly. The undead jester squealed as he was tossed into the air and shattered, dealing 700 damage to Bonz's Life Points, dropping them to 3300.

"So you got lucky!" said Bonz.

"Lucky?" laughed Chazz. "Prince Yuri outplayed you. You're an amateur, kid."

"Amateur!" roared Bonz. "I'll show you who's an amateur, Princeton! I summon Armored Zombie in attack mode."

Bonz slapped his card viciously on his Duel Disk. The beast was rendered in phantom form to the field. The monster was a decaying Samurai Warrior in rusty armor with arrows on his back that killed him when he was in a great battle defending the emperor of his home. His flesh was moldy green and he walked with a limp.

"Bleh!" he growled.

Armored Zombie

ATK/1500 DEF/0

"And now I equip my Armored Zombie with the power of the Violet Crystal!"

There was a twinkle coming from the ceiling. A crystal shining in a brilliant violet light came down over the Armor Zombie. He grabbed it and felt its power coursing through his flesh.

"Oy, nice play!" said Sid. "The Violet Crystal will increase the attack and defense points of Bonz's Armored Zombie by three hundred points."

"Nice play, boss!" Zygor cheered. "That spell will boost that-there zombie's attack to eighteen-hundred."

"And I'll use him to rid the field of your little girlfriend Yuri!" shouted Bonz. He pointed dramatically at Sara who gasped in shock. More lightning lit up the room followed by a blast of thunder. "And when she's gone from the field, your Sword Arm of Dragon's attack will be lower than my zombie's!"

Armored Zombie raised his rusty sword and dashed forward to attack Sara.

Suddenly, Sword Arm of Dragon stomped to her defense and whacked the Armored Zombie away. The decayed warrior slammed into the wall and shattered.

"What was that!" shouted Bonz. His Life Points dropped to 3050. "Your Sword Arm of Dragon blocked my attack and protected the girl!"

"You need to watch out, Bonz," laughed Bandit Keith. "Dinosaur Tamers are weak alone, but with dinosaurs out on the field, they are loaded with nasty surprises. In this case, Sara's pet dinosaur came to the rescue and intercepted your attack."

"You're really starting to bug me!" growled Bonz. "What gives, Bandit Keith, you told me these cards would help me beat Yuri."

"They are," Bandit Keith said without care.

"Well they haven't. I've lost two monsters and nearly most of my Life Points. And I'm wide open for a direct attack."

"Come on, Bonz, relax, we're working on a strategy here. You do want to use those fancy cards Ally gave you, right?"

"Ally?" said Yuri.

"Yeah."

"So, show a little patience. I took a look at those cards earlier, and believe me, kiddo, you're on the right track. Just put that card face down and end your turn!"

"Uh, okay, this one?"

"Yeah, that's the one."

"I put a card face down and end my turn."

"Come on, Yuri!" begged Ezra. "Take him out. We must save Phoenix."

"Don't you think I know that? She's my Court Magician."

"Don't worry, sweetcakes," said Ricky. "Bonz is wide open for an attack! All my pal Yuri's gotta do is summon another monster and this Duel is over."

"I summon Uraby in attack mode!"

Uraby

ATK/1500 DEF/800

"Yes!" Ezra jumped up happily. "This is it, Yuri's gonna win."

"Uraby, Sword Arm of Dragon, attack and end this Duel."

"I don't think so!" laughed Bonz. "I activate the spell card, Wall of Concealing Light."

"Oh great!" Chazz said with a groan. "Not only does that card switch all of Yuri's monsters into defense mode, but Bonz takes no battle damage this turn either."

"Damn, so close!" Ezra furiously stomped her foot on the ground.

"Need my help?" Ricky asked, climbing onto Yuri's shoulder.

"Yeah, whatever those cards Bandit Keith was mentioning earlier don't sound too good. I need to be prepared."

"Well that's why you got me!" said Ricky. "Let him finish with his turn, and I'll cook up a strategy to win this game and get my waifu back! Ack!"

Ricky shivered in dread.

"What's wrong?"

"I sense something on the top of his deck," Ricky moaned. "Something evil."

Bonz's turn. He drew and made a creepy grin giving him the appearance of a skull. "Oh, I forgot about this card." He turned to Yuri and began to laugh maniacally. "The end is near for you!" he wailed ghoulishly. "For now I play the spell card, Nightmare's Steel Cage!"

Yuri, his monsters, and his friends were suddenly sealed in a steel, domed cage riddled with spikes.

"What's happening!" Ezra cried out.

"Nightmare's Steel Cage prevents Yuri from attacking for two whole turns," Chazz explained. "Now Bonz has two turns to cook up a strategy with those fancy cards Bandit Keith mentioned."

"Yuri do something!" Ezra cried.

"It's his turn!" said Yuri, "there's nothing I can do."

"You bet your sweet ass there's nothing you can do!" said Bandit Keith. "Now, Bonz, play that monster in your hand."

"Right," said Bonz. "I summon Double Coston in defense mode!"

He summoned to the field two ghoulish black ghosts connected by red glowing slime.

"Next I play the spell card, Pot of Greed; it allows me to draw two new cards." He drew. "Nice, the summoning will almost be complete. Now I place one card face down and end my turn."

"Well, looks like all I can do now is play defensive," said Yuri. "I summon Black Stego in defense mode."

"Wait that's it!" said Ezra.

"Trust me." Yuri winked at her.

"Now begins my turn, and so comes the end of this Duel. I tribute my Double Coston to summon a level eight monster who will bring you your demise."

"Wait!" shouted Ezra. "To summon a level eight, monster a Duelist must sacrifice two monsters."

"Correct assessment my dear," said Bonz. "But, when being tribute summoned, Double Coston counts as two monsters!"

"Well, that's it," said Chazz. "We're dead."

"Behold!" Bonz cried out while holding out his arms. "Miasma the Nightmare Steed of the Plagues!"

Double Coston squealed when a ghostly virus flew from one of the windows moaning and groaning. It swirled past Yuri and his friends giving off the sweet smell of decay, causing them to gag. Ezra threw up.

The virus then thrust itself into Double Coston. It squealed for mercy as it was taken by the virus and then it formed into a shapeless black mass which then formed into a black horse with rusty black armor. Its mane was seventeen feet long and it had four front legs.

Miasma the Nightmare Steed of the Plagues

ATK/2800 DEF/2600

"But this is no ordinary monster, Yuri!" shouted Bonz. The wind began to howl. The moans and groans of the dead seemed to mix with the howling wind. The thunder was amplified twofold and the lightning's flashes were so constant it grew unnerving.

"Yipe!" Ricky cried, cowering back into Yuri's backpack.

"No," Bonz moaned theatrically. "This monster is a Puzzle Card."

"What!" Yuri cried out.

"Man, those are the cards Yuri used to beat me!" said Chazz.

"Ooooo!" Bonz wailed again morbidly. "Now I banish these three zombies from the Graveyard!"

Clown Zombie, Armored Zombie, and Double Coston rose from the ground. Clown and Armored Zombie had their hands nailed to dark effigy while Double Coston was trapped within a steel coffin. Their life forces were sucked out by the owner of a dark voice chanting something in a fell language. The souls of the monsters slithered out. Their rotting flesh dropped to the ground in nasty slump.

"And now I add another monster to the puzzle!" shouted Bonz. The cards flew from his hand and started glowing gold. They slammed together combining the image on the card into a bigger picture. "Arise, Asmosios, Horseman of the Plagues!"

Black vile spirits burst from the windows, screeching and wailing and screaming, slithering about the room like living smoke.

"This is not cool!" shouted Chazz.

A horseman in giant black armor formed atop of the horse. The visor of his horned helmet slowly opened to reveal a black skull with burning blue eyes.

"Now that he's been summoned with Miasma on the field, I can add two more pieces of the puzzle!" Bonz shouted. "Behold, Grom the Fist of the Underworld and Hadez the Shield of Shadows!"

He held out his arm and a massive steel mace morphed into his hand. That was monster called Grom (ATK/100 DEF/100). Asmosios then stretched out his other arm. The monsters, Hadez, gigantic towershield formed from his vambrace. (ATK/0 DEF/3000)

"It's over," said Bandit Keith. "Bonz's new puzzle monster is gonna cream you Prince Yuri. He may have zero attack and defense now, but for every zombie Bonz banished to summon him, he gets a grand. And there were three, so that means Asmosios' attack climbs to the top of the charts at three thousand attack and defense points."

"And," Bonz added, "Asmosios gets one hundred extra attack points for each puzzle piece. And since he counts as one, I have four, so his attack climbs even higher. Now he's at thirty-four-hundred.

Asmosios, Horseman of the Plagues

ATK/3400 DEF/3400

"Hey, what's up with Yuri's monsters?" said Chazz.

Uraby was acting feverish. Both he and Sword Arm of Dragon's flesh were growing black bumps. Dinosaur Tamer Sara fell to her knees and started coughing blood. She, too, grew black bumps on her flesh. She looked back at Yuri coughing so hard it hurt her chest. Tears of agony streamed down her once pretty face.

"What's happening?" Yuri cried.

"Have you not been paying attention, Prince?" said Bonz. "He's Asmosios, Horseman of the Plagues. His very presence summons a miasma of deadly diseases into the air that infects your monsters causing them to lose five hundred attack points every turn."

"Oh no!" said Yuri. "My monsters are infected!"

"And what's more," said Bandit Keith, "if their attack points fall to zero, they get destroyed."

"I am unstoppable!" Bonz cried out.

"Hey, Unstoppable!" shouted Yuri. "Unfortunately for you, Nightmare's Steel Cage prevents us both from attacking."

"Huh?"

"He's right," said Bandit Keith. "The steel cage is impregnable. It may prevent Yuri's monsters from attacking, but it's also shielded them from your attacks too."

"It makes little difference," said Bonz. "Draw whatever you like, Yuri. It will change nothing.

Yuri drew. "Ah," he said, "Card of Sanctity."

"That's a good card," said Ricky. "Now we can draw until we have six cards in our hands. But we might be helping him out too."

"It's a risk that has to be taken," said Yuri. "I'm almost out of cards, and Bonz has a puzzle monster out. Just look at that thing!"

"Okay, kid, let's see if lady luck will be on our side."

"I doubt it," said Yuri. "You probably pissed her off too, you little pervert."

He activated the card and drew his six cards. Now he and Bonz had a fresh new hand.

"It's a new game now," said Ezra. "Come on, Yuri. I believe in you! Phoenix is counting on us."

"I'm afraid it's more than Phoenix's fate on my shoulders," said Yuri. "With my Pendant of the Kings on the line, all of Termnnia depends on my victory."

Bonz gave out a horrible wailing-laugh seeing Yuri frozen where he was staring at the fresh hand he got thanks to the Card of Sanctity he played earlier.

Black Stego, Uraby, Sword Arm of Dragon, and Dinosaur Tamer Sara were choking to death on the field, infected by various deadly diseases that were caused by the nightmarish horseman, Asmosios the Horseman of the Plagues. A black mist slithered out of him and filled the field with his filth. If Yuri brought a monster to the field they too would be infected by the virus which caused them to lose 500 attack points each turn. And when they fell to 0 they were destroyed.

Sara the Dinosaur Tamer fell to her knees and vomited blood. Black Stego coughed his out too, and Uraby was scratching the horrid mumps on his flesh so viciously slumps of it dropped to the floor and stuck to his blackened claws.

"Those six cards in your hand better be good, Yuri!" shouted Bonz. "My swordsman is ready to take you down!"

"Whatever," said Yuri.

"Hey, that's a good hand!" said Ricky. "Oh, Yuri, this might be just what we need. It's that Grarl card Priscilla gave you!"

"Yeah, and I have more than enough monsters to summon it with."

"No, don't summon him yet!" Ricky hopped up and down Yuri's shoulder hesitantly.

"Why not?"

"Because, he's the meal ticket out of this here mess. But now is not the time to summon him. Instead, summon that guy in defense mode and that there card face down."

"Okay," said Yuri. "I place one card face down and summon Gagagigo in defense mode!"

"Now, switch all yer boys to defense and end your turn."

"I place my monsters in defense mode and end my turn!" declared Yuri.

Nightmare's Steel Cage disappeared. He was free to attack again, but so was Bonz.

Bonz drew his next card. He paused and laughed like a maniac.

"Can you just get on with it?" snorted Chazz with hindrance. He hated when Duelists went over-the-top with their theatrics.

"Behold!" shouted Bonz. "The card that will complete the puzzle!" He held it up high making it glow brightly. "The spell card Gift of the Dark Lord! When Asmosios and Miasma are on the field together, this card lets me bring forth these two puzzle monsters from my deck! Wing of Festering and Wing of Sorrow!"

The two cards merged with the rest of the puzzle pieces, forming a complete picture of the monster, Asmosios. The Wing of Festering (ATK/1000 DEF/200) and The Wing of Sorrow (ATK/1000 DEF/200)

"Oh no!" shouted Ezra.

"And remember," said Bonz. "Asmosios gets one hundred extra attack points for every piece of his puzzle out on the field. And, he gets another thousand attack points when the puzzle is complete so now his attack increases to forty-six hundred and Miasma the Nightmare Steed of the Plagues gives him another two hundred extra attack points which tallies him to forty-eight, and she also gets an extra one thousand attack points if the puzzle is complete bringing her up to thirty-eight hundred. Do the math, Prince Yuri. It's over!"

"Wait!" shouted Ezra. "Dueling Foul! You have more than five monsters on the field!"

Bandit Keith laughed at her remark. "You forget," he said, "Puzzle Monsters when completed still count as one monster. It may look like Bonz has six cards on the field, but in reality, Asmosios the only monster he has in play."

"And he's the only monster I'll need!" said Bonz. "I begin my attack on your Sword Arm of Dragon for all the misery it's caused me. Asmosios, attack!"

Asmosios' steed reared up on its hind legs and galloped towards Sword Arm of Dragon.

"And now for the ability of my mace monster, Grom!" declared Bonz. "It allows Asmosios to inflict piercing damage. And you better hope that face-down card of yours is not a trap, because if it is, it won't matter! Asmosios left wing, The Wing of Festering, makes him immune to your trap cards that target and destroy him. And his right wing, The Wing of Sorrow does the same for any spell card that tries to destroy him."

"That is so unfair!" shouted Ezra.

"Now I know why Pegasus had second thoughts about releasing those puzzle cards," said Chazz.

POW! Asmosios used his vile club to smash Sword Arm of Dragon's skull. The creature's body failed around and fell dead before shattering. Sara held out her arm in vain. She fell to her knees and sobbed at the loss of her companion.

"Have no worries, my dear!" said Bonz. "You're going to be next, actually, never mind. I want to see that virus wither her away to nothing, just like your Life Points, Yuri!"

Yuri's Life Points dropped to 1230.

"No!" cried Ezra. "Yuri's more than half his Life Points!"

"It's okay, kid!" said Ricky. "You're still in this."

"Yeah, but for how long?" Yuri coughed.

"Draw yer card, I can sense it's just what we need to take this mother fucker out."

"I draw!" shouted Yuri.

"And don't forget my horseman's effect," Bonz arrogantly reminded him. "Your monsters lose another five hundred attack points because of the diseases my Asmosios releases into the air."

Uraby, Black Stego, Gagagigo and Sara wheezed, chocked by the disease-ridden air. Sara fell to her knees. Her flesh was rotting away and she lost all her hair. Uraby was skin and bone and Black Stego's dark green flesh turned pale yellow. Gagagigo went down on one knee trying to remain strong as painful sores began to riddle his body.

"They're getting really sick man," said Ricky. "Let's put ease them of their pain with this devastating combo I see in yer hand."

"You sure these can win me the Duel?"

"I aint talkin' about a one-turn-kill here, kid, but remember what zombie-boy over there said. Asmosios is a powerful monster when all the right cards are on the field. He may be one big monster but the puzzle pieces are still individual monster cards. If you can take him down piece by piece, Bonz will have nothing left."

"Ah, I see," said Yuri. "Okay, where should I start first?"

"Start with her!" Ricky pointed at the card he wanted Yuri to play. "Remember the card you just drew?"

"Oh yeah!" said Yuri.

"Let's do it!" said Ricky. "I want my waifu back!"

"I remove Sword Arm of Dragon from the Graveyard to special summon Melodía-Lady of Dinosaurs!"

"Huh?" said Bonz.

Yuri slapped the card onto his Duel Disk then a bright light formed over his field lighting up every corner of the old dorm.

Just then, a woman with long black hair slowly glided down to the field. She was armored in black, trimmed with silver with a flowing black dress with silver sashes that parted to reveal her long legs tucked into black lace stockings and the bottom half of a black leotard she wore underneath.

Her eyes were like amber lit by a fire and she had a necklace of tyrannosaur teeth that were dipped in gold. Her black pauldrons were in the shape of two tyrannosaurus heads with diamonds for eyes. She had cinnamon skin, naturally pink lips, and a crown of gold adorned her royal brow.

A small raptor with scales of brilliant white perched itself on her shoulder with feathers of gold and some that glimmered in all the colors of the rainbow. Then a scepter of black steel in the shape of her home, the imperial tower, formed in front of her. She took the scepter and gave it a spin and slammed it on the ground.

Melodía-Lady of Dinosaurs

ATK/2100 DEF/2500

"You think your little girlfriend scares me, Yuri!" shouted Bonz.

"He's got a point," Bandit Keith said through the groans of Sid and Zigor, mouths watering at the beauty of Yuri's dinosaur lady. "Remember, Bonz's Asmosios will send out a disease that will lower her attack points by five hundred.

The wings on the dreaded horseman's back flapped violently sending another fog of disease towards Melodía.

She wrinkled her nose and took a few steps forward. The heels of her boots clopped with each pace until she came to a halt and spun her staff blocking the fog from getting any closer to her.

"What happened?" gasped Bonz.

"Oy, what gives!" shouted Sid. "The virus didn't have any effect on her."

"Sorry to disappoint you, Bonz, but Melodía cannot be targeted by card effects. Oh, and, all my dinosaurs become immune to any spell, trap, or effect that destroys them. They may lose attack points but they will remain on the field even if the disease brings their attack to zero. But I won't let you have that satisfaction, Bonz, because I will now call upon my Gagagigo for an Xyz Summon, offering him, Uraby and Black Stego."

"What! No!"

"It's about time Yuri turned this Duel around," said Chazz.

Yuri Xyz summoned Gagagigo the Risen, the final form of the Gagagigo monster he summoned earlier. He grew taller, his skin turning into a brilliant shade of pale green with orange cybernetic patterns on his torso arms and legs. He grew white armor adorned with gold wing ornaments. He grew two tails encased in metal and basked the field in a radiant glow.

Gagagigo the Risen

ATK/2950 DEF/2800

"He's not a dinosaur, Bonz!" shouted Zygor. "The disease will affect him!"

"Oh no, he's right!" groaned Ezra, watching Gagagigo's attack points go down to 2450, though he still stood tall and proud. That caused Bonz to worry. And Yuri was not done yet.

"And next, I activate the equip-spell card, Daggers of Summoning Dinosaur!"

Melodía held out her hands. Two daggers that doubled as flutes magically appeared from brilliant gold sparks. She grabbed them and placed one of them to her lips where she began playing a chilling song.

"What is she doing?" cried Bonz.

"The spell card increases her attack by one thousand points, and it allows me to summon two dinosaur monsters from my hand."

"What, this can't be!" shouted Bandit Keith.

Yuri summoned Black Tyranno and Grarl, Guardian of the Throne Room. His two ace monsters. Melodía's attack increased to 3100.

"And for my final move," said Yuri. "Ancient Fusion!"

"Say what!" said Chazz.

Yuri looked to the sky outside the window.

"Priscilla gave me this really neat card the other day," Yuri said to Solomon in the Game Shop."I don't understand how it works."

"Ah, I do know what those monsters are," said Solomon. "They have a link to those Ancient Beasts everyone in your family is up in arms for."

"What do you mean? What does this creature have that connects with the Ancient Beasts?"

"The Ancient Beasts, though gifted from Horakhty's power are actually born from Saurina, the Goddess of the Rainforests and Swamps. Her creation are the dinosaur and reptile monsters you use in your deck. These creatures she created are known as Entiri, which in ancient tongues means Divine Beasts. Each goddess has her own Entiri to control and Saurina's were the Ancient Beasts who guarded the world from the Shadow Realm when it was first being formed. Horakhty blessed these three monsters with great and terrible power that rivaled that of her children, Obelisk, Slifer, and Ra when Norman the Conqueror pleaded for their aid in the Conquest of the First Age."

"Yugi told me that story the other day. He said there was no convincing you to reveal their locations."

"I don't know where they are, young Yuri, but I am one of the few left in the world who can read ancient Celtran. Their location is said to be well hidden in maps riddled with puzzles that only the keenest of minds can solve. I am one of them."

"So, there's no way I can launch an expedition and, you know, find them before Hector does?"

"I fear not, my Prince. Those Ancient Beasts proved too much for even Norman the Conqueror to control and he was the mightiest warrior that Horakhty sent to aid the formation of Termnnia. It is best that they remain hidden. Their power could very well destroy you too!"

"Are they that powerful?"

"Yes, so powerful that Saurina conjured up thirteen mighty dinosaurs called The Titans. That card, Sauro-Dragon Bismarck is one of those Titans. How Priscilla got her hands on that, I will never know. Those cards are said to be the key to containing the uncontrollable power of the Ancient Beasts. If and only if, you manage to control all thirteen of those cards, which I doubt you will, I probably would help you in finding those Ancient Beasts. As for that Grarl, he is a very special creature. Priscilla and I found it on the doorstep of the shop shortly before you arrived into Termnnia. This card, like your Black Tyranno, is of the Delgado royal family. How queer that they both went running to you like this."

"Well you always did say cards have a heart all their own, Grandpa."

"Ah, that's right. Perhaps they found you more worthy to use them than Hector. That Grarl card is the keeper of the royal throne of Feldia the Home of the Dinosaur Lords. That card is the key to summoning your Titans or Titan as you only have one. It's a method called Ancient Fusion. Grarl infuses himself with the very power of the dinosaurs and the ancient magic that they possess and forms into these great beasts. Now, let me see you give it a try…"

Yuri smiled. "Wherever you are, Grandpa, thank you."

And then he opened his eyes after taking a deep breath. "And now," Yuri declared. "I use the final card in my hand. I banish Black Stego and Sword Arm of Dragon from the Graveyard to summon my newest monster Ultimate Conductor Tyranno! But he will not remain for long for my Grarl, Guardian of the Throne Room will merge together with them and become Sauro-Dragon Bismarck!"

The three dinosaurs jumped into a vortex of bright light. Then the beast emerged, so large that half the dorm had to vanish to reveal the beast who stood thirty feet tall and was half the length of a football field.

Bismarck was a dinosaur warrior with burning red skin covered in armor that was massive and impractical. His legs were a four-legged dragon also covered from head to toe in armor colored white with red and gold trim with holes here and there that were glowing molten red. The left arm on Bismarck's torso was a nineteen-foot double-helix sword made of reddish-gold metal and decorated with holographic ornaments. His right arm was a gigantic katar with a shielded base. He had fiery wings and a tail that was a mess of gold-red spikes that reflected the surroundings like a mirror.

His tail, as long as a bus, whipping about with fiery feathers. Then, from his back emerged three armored serpentine dragon heads which acted as cannons for the beast.

Sauro-Dragon Bismarck

ATK/4200 DEF/3000

"B-b-boss," muttered Zygor. "What is that thing!"

Even Bandit Keith was starting to worry. "I don't know." Was all he could say.

"Wait, Bonz's virus will cut that monster down to size!" said Sid.

But Melodía twirled her staff violently and blew it away, for Bismarck was a dinosaur monster.

Scratch and Creep were watching from a hole in the ceiling.

"Uh-oh," they said in unison.

Yuri activated his monster's effect. Once the beast was summoned, he banished three dinosaurs from the Graveyard to activate the dragon cannons on his back. They could banish three cards on the field. The dragon cannons hissed and opened their mouths firing three beams of orange lasers at Asmosios' wings and his shield.

"Ally's not going to be happy about this!" said Creep.

Bonz could not believe it. Asmosios bellowed in anguish when his wings were burned off his back. His mace shattered to pieces in his grip. And now that he was no longer complete, both he and Miasma lost the 1000 extra points and now that the wings and the mace were gone that was another 300-point deduction from Asmosios' attack points bringing him down to 3500.

"Still not good enough!" Ezra said, stomping the ground. "Bonz's Asmosios can still take Yuri's monsters down."

"Still, this is a very prodigious battle," said Chazz. "Those puzzle cards are O-P but man do they bring some excitement to the game. Yuri blasting away the pieces of Bonz's horseman and making him lose power reminds me of taking down a boss monster in a video game."

"You guys aint seen nothin' yet!" Ricky said looking back at them. "Okay, Yuri, time for that face-down card of yours!"

"Right, reveal face-down card, Primal Release! This card works on reptiles and dinosaurs, so I will give it to my Gagagigo the Risen boosting his attack by his defense points."

"Oh-no!" shouted Bonz.

Gaggigo the Risen roared and pumped his muscles. A radiant gold aura smoked out of his body. His attack was raised to 5250. He sprang towards Miasma and slashed her across the neck. The horse neighed with death and shattered knocking Asmosios to the ground with only his shield left to defend him. With Miasma gone, he lost another 100 points.

Bonz's Life Points went down to 1550.

Then it was Melodía's turn for an attack. She summoned a large greatsword, beautiful and ancient. She lunged towards him, took a great leap into the air and thrust her sword on the shield, shattering it and leaving Asmosios with nothing left. Since the shield was in defense mode, for that's how it needed to be played, Bonz took no damage, but that was another 100 points lost, reducing him to 3100.

"But her attack is not finished yet!" said Yuri. "Her daggers allow her to attack twice!"

"NO!" shouted Bonz. "THIS CAN'T BE!"

Melodía gestured a kiss at Bonz before she lunged at Asmosios. Since they were both 3100 attack points they were both killed. Now Bonz was wide open for an attack. Now that Asmosios was gone, Dinosaur Tamer Sara was back to good health. Yuri attacked him directly with her. She leapt on the back of Bismarck and they both attacked together to finish him off for good.

Bonz cried out from the burning of the attack and he was launched clear across the room and landed on a coffee table, hurting his back. His Life Points dropped to 0.

And as his points dropped, the storm clouds blew away and the light of the moons and the stars illuminated the island.

Bandit Keith scoffed and walked away. "I should have known better than to put so much faith in you. Even with a puzzle monster in your deck, you're a worthless loser."

"But, but, boss," Bonz muttered.

"Oy, wait up, Keith!" cried Sid. "I don't wanna hang in this creepy dorm any longer."

As Bandit Keith and his gang left and disappeared into the dark, Ezra ran for Phoenix, still bound in the grandfather clock. It took her's and Yuri, Chazz' strength to pry it open while Ricky hopped urgently on the ground.

They all let out loud grunts as they broke it open. Phoenix fell onto the floor, the impact waking her from her sleep.

"Phoenix!" Ezra cried out.

"Ow," Phoenix grunted. "What happened? Where am I?"

"You were kidnapped by a Duelist named Bandit Keith," said Chazz. "His lackey challenged Yuri to a match for your freedom so long as he put his Pendant of the Kings on the line."

"Yuri?" Phoenix asked looking around. She smiled when she found him and the Pendant of the Kings still glimmering around his neck.

"I take it you won, Yuri?"

"Yeah, but it was not easy."

"Still," Ezra said, nuzzling Phoenix's neck. "You saved her."

"Saved by a prince?" said Phoenix. "And who says fairy tales don't come true?"

"Hey, that combo Yuri performed was of my genius!" Ricky said, hopping up and down.

"Oh, well, thank you," said Phoenix, holding out her arms so Ricky could hug her.

"Waifu!" Ricky cried out happily and hopped cutely into her arms.

"Aw, you're so warm," said Phoenix.

"And you're so soft," Ricky said, poking her breast with his paw.

This Phoenix did not tolerate. She let him go and punted him out of the dorm.

"WEEEEE!" Ricky cried smashing through a window.

"Well, I don't know about you guys," Chazz said heading for the door, "but I've just about had it with this place."

"Same here," said Yuri, going after them.

After a quick kiss, Phoenix and Ezra followed them out into the moonlight.

"You know, that Duel was kind of fitting for the Halloween spirit," said Ezra, arm and arm with Phoenix.

"Yeah," Yugi agreed, "zombie, ghouls, and ghosts in a haunted dorm. That was an excellent game."

"Indeed, it was," said Chazz. "I learned a lot of your strategies in that game, Yuri, so I'll be more than ready next time we face off."

"Think we should report those creeps?" Phoenix asked. "I mean, they did kidnap me you know."

"Oh, I sent them a little friend to help them off the island," Yuri said with a wink.

A loud roar echoed from the jungle.

"A Summoner, eh?" said Chazz. "So what they said about you in the Pillar of Termnnia is true. I hate to admit it, Yuri, but you're full of surprises."

Meanwhile, Bonz, Sid, and Zygor ran for their lives, screaming for help as they raced through the dark vegetation of the jungles of Duel Island. Black Tyanno was snapping at them furiously with his powerful jaws and herded them towards a cliff. Seeing no other alternative, the ghoulish trio leaped into the sea and were never seen again. Black Tyranno peered into the dark waters with his fiery amber eyes and gave a thunderous, triumphant roar in the light of the three moons in the skies above.

---

Bandit Keith

---

"Sorry this didn't work out," Bandit Keith said, tossing his duffle bag into a nearby barge, paying for leave off the island with the gold Ally paid him with for the trouble.

"Have no fear, Bandit Keith," Ally said with a sad sigh. "Puzzle Cards are powerful, but useless in the hands of an incompetent fool. If this keeps up, then looks like I must take matters into my own hands."

"And if what you say is true, I have no reason to be here any longer," said Bandit Keith. "If you are able to release such a power, then Dallian Academy is going to be a blood bath on Halloween night and I want no part in that."

"A wise choice, Bandit Keith," said Ally. "Have a safe journey."

"Yeah, I don't know where I'll be going, but it doesn't matter, so long as I don't have to see or smell those three nitwits again."

He hopped on board the barge.

"Where will you go?" Ally asked.

"Who knows," said Bandit Keith. "Maybe I'll cross The Gates to the Other World."

"And do what?" Ally asked, crossing her arms.

"Don't know," chuckled Bandit Keith. "Maybe I can find a place to settle."

"Settle? Settle where?"

Bandit Keith pointed to the United States flag bandanna on his head.

"In America!" He answered, and then shouldered her duffle bag before proceeding to go inside to find his quarters.

"Good luck, Bandit Keith," Ally said, turning away. "I wish I had the luxury of living."

---

Alexis

---

Alexis paced back and forth in front of the dancing fountain, one of the many fountains in the school's water park. There were fountains that lit up in many colors. Fountains that could shoot into arches, fountains that could hop, skip, spin, form pyramids, and other shapes.

"Storm's cleared up," said Zane.

Alexis checked her PDA for the time. "He's late," she growled.

"Well, that sure isn't like Yuri," said Zane. He looked at Yugi, sitting glumly beside Alexandra, who was applying lipstick while gazing at her reflection in the sterling hand mirror she kept at all times in her bag.

"I'm sure your grandfather is all right, Yugi," said Zane.

"I hope so," Yugi said, trying his hardest not to cry.

"Be strong, dear," said Alexandra, reclined on a steel bench perched in front of the guardrails of the dancing fountain. "The best forces in Termnnia are looking for him. If he's being held by pirates, we'll find him."

"Yeah, but there was that old bottle of whiskey the White Cloaks found in the beach," said Alexis. "Solomon always kept that in his cabinet at the Game Shop. You don't think Solomon got drunk and went in the water and got carried into the sea, do you?"

"If he did, then his troubles are over," Alexandra said with a shrug.

Yugi let his emotions loose. Droplets of tears burst out of his eyes as he wailed and slapped his hands over his face.

"Smooth move, princess!" Alexis gave her a kick in the shin.

"OW!" shouted Alexandra, massaging the spot where she was kicked. "Cunt!"

"Yugi." Zane knelt in front of him and gently placed his hands on his little arms. "It's going to be okay. I promise. And since my opponent is running late, perhaps you'd like to take his place?"

"I don't feel much like Dueling right now, Zane," Yugi hiccuped and rubbed his eye to dry his tears.

"I understand," said Zane with a nod of his head.

"Oh, Yugi," Alexandra cooed and hugged him around his neck. "I didn't mean to make you upset."

"Uh…no worries," Yugi babbled nervously as her breasts pressed against his face. "Oh, Priscilla!"

"Evening, gang," Priscilla said joining them. She was also heartbroken by the disappearance of her Master.

"Closed the shop?" Yugi asked, being released by Alexandra's embrace.

"Good and tight," said Alexandra, sitting next to him.

"Weren't you going to play basketball with those guys from the West dorm?" Alexis asked.

"I was until I figured out why they wanted the girls to play," Priscilla said sternly. "It turns out they only let us join in the game so they could look up our skirts as we made our shots."

"What a bunch of pervs," said Alexis. She rubbed her shoulders, feeling the cold lips of winter kiss her delicate skin. "Goddesses above, this island is full of them."

"Well luckily we hang around gentlemen like Zane and Yugi here," said Priscilla. "Right Yugi. Yugi?"

Yugi was looking at the castle with a hypnotic look in his eyes. "Basketball good!" he muttered in a mortifying tone.

"What are you thinking?" Alexis asked suspiciously.

"Well, it appears Prince Yuri is a no show." Zane folded his arms.

"Your reputation precedes you, Zane," said Alexandra. "Even princes cower before your awesome might."

"No, I think something's wrong," said Zane. "Yuri has faced and defeated monsters not even the darkest pits of my imagination can conjure up in my worst nightmares. I seriously doubt one good Duelist will be enough to install fear into him. Besides, Yuri never backs down from a challenge."

"So, I guess it's just you and me, princess," Alexis said to Alexandra.

"So it would seem," Alexandra said putting her mirror away.

"You know, one of these days you're going to see Zorc in that mirror," Alexis warned her.

There was an old tale that mothers used to tell their daughters who constantly preened themselves in front of a mirror. They would tell their girls that Zorc Necrophades would show himself and offer a curse on self-absorbing girls.

"That's an old mother's tale," Alexandra laughed. "I've stared at mirrors all my life and I never saw Zorc Necrophades. Besides, I can't help it. I love the way I look. Hasn't anyone told you I might surpass Mai Valentine as the most beautiful woman in Termnnia."

"Is that a fact?" said Zane, putting a scarf around his neck, for it started getting cold.

"Pretty sure that was going to be me," Alexis jested with a roll of her eyes. She didn't care for those matters. She wanted to Duel and make up for the loss against Yuri.

"Don't jest, love, you are quite beautiful," Alexandra smirked and activated her Duel Disk from a black dragon ring that fit the length of her finger. The dragon's head was crowned with an opal. When the ring formed into a Duel Disk it took the form of a black shield with a red gem in the middle.

Alexandra held it up high once it mounted on her wrist then she continued to examine Alexis.

"Angelic face, gorgeous body, hair like molten gold. You are a dream, Princess Rhodes."

"Uh, thanks," Alexis said, morphing her necklace into her Duel Disk.

Jazz music started playing on the intercoms throughout the park, as Alexandra fixed her hair one last time.

"Wow," said Priscilla, admiring Alexandra's Duel Disk. "Great craftsmanship, Alexandra. Your crystal pool is very large, so it must mean your phantoms will come out with great detail."

"You know a lot about Duel Disks, love?" Alexandra asked.

"I am studying engineering in tech-magic. My specialty is in the Duel Disk. I've built a few in class."

"Really?" said Yugi. "That's great."

"Since you are the challenger, I suppose I'll let you start, Alexis."

"You're too kind," said Alexis. "She drew her card. I summon Cyber Gymnast in defense mode!"

"Is that all?" Alexandra asked.

"Nope, I play one card face down and then I hand it over to you, princess."

"Eighteen hundred defense points," said Alexandra. "Decent for a monster of that level. I shall summon Black Dragon Knight Gardna in defense mode."

A dragonic creature wearing heavy black armor rose out of a pit of flames. He was hunched in a defensive position and holding up a heavy shield with dragon carvings engraved into it.

"Thirty-four hundred defense points!" cried Alexis. "How were you able to summon a six-star monster on your first turn?"

"Because it's my first turn. So long as you have monsters on the field, and I don't, I can special summon Black Dragon Knight Gardna in defense mode. And since he was a special summon, I can perform a normal summon, Black Dragon Knight Lacer in attack mode. And, he lets me special summon one more Lacer from my hand."

"Wow," said Yugi. "Three monsters in one turn!"

"Ah," Professor Peter said, waddling towards the group with a big smile on his face. "I see I haven't missed the games."

"What are you doing here, uncle?" Alexandra asked briskly.

"Now, now, princess," said Priscilla. "There is no need to be so brash. I believe everyone is welcome to join."

"And I did not come to see you, dear niece," said Peter. "I came to see my nephew-in-law take on the Academy Kaiser, Zane. But it seems he is not here and Zane is not playing."

"We don't know where he is Lord Peter," said Zane. "He seemed rather pleased with the match. I messaged him six times but he hasn't answered. So our two princesses have begun without him. And as potent as Alexandra's Black Dragon Knights are, I don't think she will last too long with me on Alexis' side."

"Oh, is that so?" said Alexandra. "Challenge accepted. I will take you on one day."

"Ah, hold on," said Zane. "I got a message from Yuri, and it's a long one."

He read it.

"I must make my leave."

"Why Zane?" asked Alexis.

"Phoenix got kidnapped by a group of gold diggers. And they wanted to Yuri to put up the Pendant of the Kings."

"The Pendant of the Kings?" said Peter. "Do tell me Yuri won the match."

"He did," said Zane, pocketing his PDA. "He and Chazz are walking her back to the dorm so she can rest. I will see you tomorrow, girls."

"So be it," said Alexis.

"I forfeit the match, princess," said Alexandra, placing her hand on her deck. "I wish to see my husband."

"He is not your husband yet, dear niece," said Peter. "And I do not believe your uncle will be pleased that you surrendered a Duel Monsters match. Dragonhears never surrender, Alexandra."

"I'm sure he will understand," said Alexandra.

"Oh, will he?" said Peter. "You will stain hundreds of years of honorable Duels this night, Alexandra."

"Yuri is fine," said Zane. "He summoned Black Tyranno and chased the gold diggers away. continue your Duel. I'll see if I can't get Yuri to come join us."

"Make it quick," said Alexandra. "I want to see my husband safe and sound."

"As you wish," said Zane. He turned and walked out of the water park to let the two princesses continue their match.

---

Kaiba

---

The rain splattering on the glass wall behind his desk comforted him from his worry and his grief. His office was dark, lit only by electric wall sconces made of iron. A fan swirled over his head to cool him down.

It had been days since Cora vanished from the academy and took the Blue-Eyes with her. But those cards were not his concern anymore, after all, he carried the real Blue-Eyes White Dragon and the ones he gave Cora, well, they were Artificial Duel Monsters, just copies he had made to hopefully bring an heir to the Duel Monsters empire he had created.

Cora was that heir. Though the cards were just mimics of the dragons he loved more than life itself, he did see Cora bonding with them. The way they attacked at her command and flew gracefully into the world of men when summoned by her loving hand, Kaiba couldn't help but wonder if Tèa was right. Were they happiest when with her?

"The Heart of the Cards," he sighed feverishly. "Could Yugi be right?"

Kaiba hated to admit it, but, he missed Cora.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Enter," he said rather droll.

Ms. Goldwine entered the room. A stack of folders tucked under her arm. "Your mail, sir," she said with a grief-stricken sniff.

Her eyes glowing red from constant weep and her nose took the color of a cherry.

Kaiba knew she felt strongly for his lost daughter. She acted very motherly towards her and he appreciated that, though, he had no idea of activates they shared in bed. Not that it mattered, since Ms. Goldwine and Cora slept together for just one night, and that was the eve before she sailed from the academy to who-knew-where at this point.

The storm outside worried him too. He checked the logs of the academy harbor master and there was no sign Cora had boarded any of the ships leaving the Duel Island Ports.

That must have meant she was a stowaway or took a boat of her own and sailed away. He silently prayed to the Sea Goddess to keep her safe from her wrath. That if anyone should be punished this night let it be he.

"Any news?" Kaiba asked.

Ms. Goldwine didn't say a thing and dropped the folders on his desk then turned to leave his office.

"I'm sorry," he said, though he forced himself to say it.

"I loved that girl," Ms. Goldwine said, her back turned to him.

"I know."

"I loved her more than you, and you were her father, Seto Kaiba!"

Kaiba shut his eyes and exhaled deeply. Those words hurt, but the truth, they say, always hurts.

"I know." Kaiba's face twisted as he tried to find words to counter what she had just said. But he could not. He could find no other words to say; for his pride was a giant wall that blocked his sympathy and even his heart at times.

Did he regret what he had done? Yes. But he was not about to let Ms. Goldwine hear that he was sad and that he missed Cora excruciatingly. He was as calm and cold and collected as the great white dragon in his deck. How ironic that his own eyes were blue, too, just like his dragon.

"You know!" Ms. Goldwine said, turning around viciously. "You loved the game more than you did she. She studied hard for you! Dueled not for herself, but for you; and when she did she poured her heart out every time! She went through all the pain and torture of facing a Duel Robot to please you. She wanted to be your daughter, Seto. That's all she ever wanted, but you always found ways to keep her down despite all she has accomplished for you."

Kaiba hung his head, doing all he could not to let her words sting what was left of his pride.

"All she's ever wanted since she was a little girl was a loving family. You promised her with a family. But even I was a fool to expect a man with a bruised and oversized ego like yours to keep such a promise. The fame is all you ever cared about. And she lost once and drove her away. You are a selfish bastard and I will have no more to do with you!"

She ripped her nametag off her blouse and threw it in the nearest trash bin.

"Consider this my resignation, Mr. Kaiba. Farewell!"

"And just where in the hell do you think you will go?" asked Kaiba.

"I'm going to find her on my own," said Ms. Goldwine. "And I will raise her. Be the parent you could never be."

"Spare me," said Kaiba, he stood up, "You don't have the money to maintain yourself, let alone raise her."

"We'll manage."

"Please. The only reason you called Domino City your home was because of me! After the Golden Company kicked you out for that farce with the golden eggs, you had nothing! If it had not been for me you'd still be in the House of Flowers sucking cocks like the bitch you are!"

Ms. Goldwine's face turned beet red. She seethed, trying to find the right words to say, but she didn't care anymore. Every second she spent pondering what to say meant another second in the presence of Seto Kaiba.

"YOU MONSTER!" Ms. Goldwine shouted at last. She stormed out of the office and slammed the door so hard some of his pictures and wall ornaments fell to the floor with a smash.

Kaiba smirked defiantly and sat back down on his chair. He sighed with relief. "Great. I lost my daughter, my Blue-Eyes White Dragons, and my best secretary; and I don't feel a thing. Mokuba was right. I am becoming my father."

He searched through the mail. Something fell from between the envelopes. It was a photograph.

"Huh?" Kaiba picked up the photo and inspected it. There was Cora at the beach, celebrating her victory in a duel. Her left eye shut in a wink and her pretty lips puckered up as she held a V for victory with her fingers while Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon stood above her with his arms folded confidently. She wrote in red pen:

To my dad with love. Thank you for everything!

-Cora

Then a sudden realization stabbed him in the chest as hard as Ms. Goldwine's frank declaration.

Cora's eyes were blue, too. Bright blue with a tinge of white that had the shade of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon's flesh. He looked back at the Chaos MAX Dragon and couldn't help but notice how blissful it looked being by her side.

He leered. Even a great beast like the Blue-Eyes White Dragon was capable of love. And he was not. The recognition of this hit him hard. He brought the photo to his lips and kissed it.

"Oh, Cora. What have I done? What have I done?"