Koros doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh!, or Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's.

Chapter 66: Reading The Future

"It seems Carly's fortune was right." Misty stated, staring across from the other woman that now faced her. "I will face an unexpected opponent today."

She recalled Carly's prediction moments before the Dark Signers made their move, Cusillu heralding the Duels that had started to happen in the area.

The woman facing her wore white robes and golden bands on her wrists, forehead, and a necklace shaped like a golden eye. Certainly not a Signer – Misty was sure of that. She had brown skin and a piercing gaze, as well as a calm and confident expression.

They were in the Tops, the mark of the Giant now extinguished as Kiryu's Duel ended. Towards the Daedalus Bridge, Misty could see the Hummingbird mark fade away, leaving Misty curious as to both victors.

They stood amidst the wreckage of Cusillu's march, on what was once a storefront. The creature's footsteps had carved a swath of destruction, cutting off roads, damaging skyscrapers and flattening smaller buildings.

"Demak and Bommer's Duels are over. Kiryu and Carly have ended as well – meaning I should follow too." Misty remarked. "Though – you aren't a Signer – so I wonder what your purpose is here."

The other paused, taking a few steps forward with confidence as she stared Misty in the eye.

"I am a Priestess of Pharaoh Atem. I will face you in the Signers' stead." The other woman said, readying a Duel Disk.

"Pharaoh Atem? I'm guessing you're really here to stop Bakura – but I happened to be right here, is that it?" Misty asked. The other woman gave her a nod.

"Then - as you have appeared before me, I will accept this Duel."Misty stated.

Her opponent responded, her left hand grasping the golden necklace she wore. The golden ornament was in the shape of a stylized eye.

"As you had predictions of your own, my Millennium Necklace will not lead me astray either. It seems that both fortune and destiny have lead up to this Duel."

"However – I have seen your facial reading in my visions. Therefore I request you perform it before we begin. I would not want one of us to have the advantage of foresight all to ourselves." The woman said as she walked towards Misty.

"Curious. Willingly giving me a chance to read your future. What is your name?" Misty asked, raising an eyebrow. "To challenge a Dark Signer means you have courage."

The woman stopped half a foot from her. She wasn't as tall as Misty, but her sheer confidence and willpower were enough to bridge that gap.

"Isis Ishtar. And I would ask your name as well."

"Isis Ishtar – the Battle City Semifinalist? Though I don't know exactly how you're here, it's an honor." The other woman said with a small bow. "Now – may I perform my reading?" Misty asked.

Isis nodded and Misty looked upon her face, gently touching the sides of it with her palm. The reading came to a conclusion as the corners of Misty's mouth turned up in a grin.

"It's done. I can see the end result of our battle."

"And now – just as you have seen the future - I will use my Millennium Necklace to see the conclusion of our Duel." Isis stated, the eye in the center of the necklace blazing golden and lighting up the area for a brief moment. As it did, Isis closed her eyes, the vision appearing before her.

Then the light dimmed and Isis opened her eyes, ready to begin.

"I see. Then – we each have our own future to create in this Duel." Misty said to her.

"As you gave your name, I must give you mine. I am Misty Lola. I would ask what a ghost from the past is doing facing me. I can feel that you're not of this life."

"I follow what destiny wills – though I may not know its' true course." Isis responded as she raised her Duel Disk. "May the Gods' blessings shine down on me this day."

"Then, Isis, let us begin this duel and see who's reading of the future is true." Misty said as she responded in kind, two Duel Disks activating at once.

"Duel." Isis responded as they began.

Turn 1: MISTY: 4000 / ISIS: 4000

"Draw." Misty uttered as she began, pulling a sixth card from her deck.

"I begin with this. I summon Reptilianne Servant."

The Dark Signer played the card and her monster appeared, a hissing jet black cobra (1/100/100).

"Reptilianne Servant. Now I cannot Summon monsters to counterattack with." Isis noted and Misty nodded. "So you know about that card – how about another?"

"Next I'll activate a Continuous Spell Card: Sad Story: Sorrowful Memories."

The Continuous Spell Card depicted the body of a gigantic and petrified creature at sunset, it's wing and tail the only visible parts of its' body.

"This card represents the sorrow I held in my previous life as a Dark Signer." Misty said and Isis responded.

"Though now its purpose is simply to impede my progress – for every Monster card we each draw must be returned to the Deck."

Misty smiled. "It seems your reading of the future is accurate so far. I set one card and end my turn."

Turn 2: MISTY: 4000 / ISIS: 4000

Isis drew a sixth card and turned it around without even looking at it. "The card I drew was the monster Agido – so I shall return it to my Deck."

Misty's Sorrowful Memories Spell Card shone with green light as Isis returned the Monster Card, leaving her with five cards.

"I set two cards."

"Now I play this Spell Card – Mizichure of Doom." Isis stated as her first Spell Card activated.

"If you are going to seal away my ability to draw Monsters outside my Draw Phase - I will simply draw them outside of it."

Isis pointed to two cards in Misty's hand, the cards in question glowing yellow. "We each pick two cards in our Opponents' hand and they are sent to the Graveyard. Then we each draw the same number of cards."

Misty smirked. "Smart. You used up all but two of those cards." The woman said, pointing to Isis' two remaining cards.

Misty discarded Reptilianne Spawn and Doom Gazer while Isis discarded Spell Reproduction and Sacrifice's Blast.

Then they both drew twice.

"Now I can begin my counterattack." Isis said, looking to Reptilianne Servant.

"Your monster is destroyed once targeted by a card effect – so I'll equip it with the Sword of Dogra!"

The golden blades appeared in midair, landing next to Reptilianne Servant, who powered up (1/100 → 600/100).

Then the monster hissed in rage and shattered apart.

"Next – meet my monster - Zolga." Isis said.

The dark purple and caped fairy appeared, standing tall beside her (4/1700/1200).

"Zolga will attack directly – Cape of Destruction!" Isis commanded as the monster's robes spun like a top, the wind from the article striking the Dark Signer (MISTY: 4000 → 2300).

"Everything is set in stone. As is my turn." Isis finished.

Turn 3: MISTY: 2300 / ISIS: 4000

"Draw." Misty said, adding a fourth card to her hand.

"I'll activate this card – Sad Story – Atrocious Day." Misty said, playing the card at once. "This card will require both of us to return any trap cards we draw back to our decks."

"Next I'll activate my Field Spell – Savage Colosseum!"

The area around the two became an ancient and worn out battlefield. The rows of the structure were abandoned.

"Now I summon Reptilianne Gorgon!"

The next monster that appeared was a woman with a serpent's features. Namely fangs, yellow eyes that were slits, three cobras forming a headpiece above her forehead, and the lower body of a snake. She had a mane of purple hair and wore a purple frilled dress (3/1400/1400).

"I equip Molting Escape to Reptilianne Gorgon." Misty continued, as her monster glowed with a purple aura for a brief moment.

"Battle. Savage Colosseum forces monsters in Attack position to partake in the Battle Phase. Therefore Reptilianne Gorgon must attack Zolga."

The lamia's eyes flashed yellow as she lept into the air, falling down in front of Zolga and striking it with both arms. Zolga did not respond immediately. When it did, a large gust of wind blew through the field, repelling Misty's monster and causing it to crash in front of her (MISTY: 2300 → 2000).

"Your Molting Escape card will prevent Reptilianne Gorgon from being destroyed by battle." Isis explained as the lamia slithered up.

"It also gives her one-hundred extra attack points if she survives a battle where she has lower attack points." Misty added (Reptilianne Gorgon: 1400 → 1500).

"Now – Savage Colosseum will grant the player that attacks three-hundred Life-Points per monster they attacked with." Misty explained (MISTY: 2000 → 2300).

"And the effect of Reptilianne Gorgon will reduce my Zolga's attack power to zero." Isis said as her monster weakened (Zolga: 1700 → 0).

"That ends my turn." Misty stated.

Turn 4: MISTY: 2300 / ISIS: 4000

"Then I'll begin again." Isis stated, drawing a third card. Misty's Sorrowful Memories card activated and Isis returned the card in question to her deck. Then she looked to the available cards in her hand, calling out a monster she'd drawn last turn.

"I Summon Hand of Nephthys." Isis stated as the costumed dancer appeared on her field (2/600/600).

"Then I'll tribute both it and Zolga – to Special Summon Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys from my Deck."

A large flame consumed both monsters, the large and golden plated monster appearing where they once stood (7/2400/1600).

"Battle. Sacred Phoenix, attack Reptilianne Gorgon! Sacred Fire!" Isis stated.

Upon the attack declaration, the golden monster opened its mouth, a spiral of flames blasting out. The fire struck Gorgon, who screamed as the flames washed over her and hit Misty as well.

The Dark Signer scowled as she took damage, but hardly moved from the battle damage (Misty: 2300 → 1400).

"Next, your Field Spell will grant me additional life-points." Isis continued.

Isis (4000 → 42300).

"Yes. Then Molting Escape will power up Reptilianne Gorgon." Misty stated, her monster snarling as she powered up (Reptilianne Gorgon: 1500 → 1600).

"I will set one card and end my turn." Isis finished, the reverse card appearing with a hum.

Turn 7: MISTY: 1400 / ISIS: 4300

"I saw your looming future, but I'll admit – I didn't expect this much of a struggle before it happens." Misty said with a smile as she drew a second card.

"Now – the last Sad Story card – Unwavering Truth! This will seal both our draws when we draw a Spell Card." Misty said.

Isis pushed a button on her Duel Disk as her long set Trap Card rose up.

"I counter with the Trap Card Muko. This negates and destroys your Spell." Isis said.

Misty was quick to respond as her single Trap Card rose from her field.

"I chain this to your Muko – the Trap Card Sorrowful Chain! If I control all three 'Sad Story' cards, I can Special Summon her from my deck! Bad End Queen Dragon!"

A hiss could be heard. The creature was slender and had very bent anatomy, bronze scales, and yellow, wide eyes. The monster gazed on Isis' field as Misty's smile deepened (6/1900/2600).

As soon as this new monster was Summoned, Misty's Unwavering Truth card shattered.

"Battle. Reptilianne Gorgon! Attack her Sacred Phoenix! Death Gazer!"

Her Medusa's eyes ignited yellow and struck Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys, only for the Phoenix to counter a second time with a stream of fire. Misty was hit by the flames, this time yelling as her life-points took another hit (Misty: 1400 → 600).

Reptilianne Gorgon stood tall even after the fire washed over her body, chuckling as she gained a slight power boost (1600 → 1700).

Misty closed her eyes as her life-points increased marginally (600 → 900).

"Now feel the curse of Reptilianne Gorgon!" Misty warned as Isis' Phoenix lost attack points (2400 → 0).

"Now Bad End Queen Dragon! Attack! Tragedy Stream!"

The monster responded with a blast of dark water from its' maw, this attack slamming into the petrified Phoenix. Isis' monster crumbled apart as she was hit by the water (ISIS: 4300 → 2400).

Misty exhaled at her monster's victory as she gained more life-points (MISTY: 900 → 1200).

"Now since Bad End Queen Dragon dealt you Battle Damage – I can draw a card while you must discard one."

Isis did as directed, her Spell Reproduction going to the Graveyard.

Misty looked to the card she'd drawn and smirked at it. "That ends my turn."

Turn 8: MISTY: 1200 / ISIS: 2400

Isis drew her singular card and played it without hesitation.

The continuous card's art made Misty's eyes widen as five swords rained from the sky, striking each of her monster zones. Bad End Queen Dragon and Reptilianne Gorgon both hissed as they both were pinned by a gigantic blade.

"Swords of Revealing Light will prevent your monsters from attacking me for three of your turns. That ends my turn." Isis said calmly.

"Even when backed into a corner like this – you're still this confident of your prediction?" Misty asked, reaching to her Deck to draw again.

Turn 9: MISTY: 1200 / ISIS: 2400

"Your necklace showed you the entire Duel?" She asked another question, pulling a second card from her deck and sighing as she returned the spell card Attack Pheromone to her own Deck.

"Yes. This necklace shows me a predetermined future. Or – rather – the most probably future. So far our Duel has been accurate to this prediction down to my last card."

"Then – if you're so sure you'll win, let's see you get over my monsters. I'll place them both in Defense Mode and end my turn." Misty finished.

Turn 10: Misty: 1200 / ISIS: 2400

Isis drew a card, revealing it to be a Spell Card before she ended her turn.

Turn 11: Misty: 1200/ ISIS: 2400

Misty drew a second card, revealing it to be a Spell Card of her own.

"You can't hide behind Swords of Revealing Light forever. Eventually you'll have to face me head on." Misty warned.

"I'll active the Spell Card Field Barrier – meaning that as long as I control it – Savage Colosseum can't be destroyed by card effects." Misty explained.

"That ends my turn."

Turn 12: Misty: 1200 / ISIS: 2400

Isis drew a second card.

"I proceed to my Battle Phase." Isis declared and Misty raised her eyebrows.

"With no monsters?" The Dark Signer asked.

"Yes. Next I will proceed to Main Phase Two. This will let my activate my Spell Card – Monster Reborn."

With a blast of fire, Isis' Sacred Phoenix revived (7/2400/1600).

"Then – Savage Colosseum will destroy it at the End Phase since I did not have my attack position Sacred Phoenix attack." Isis said as her monster shattered apart.

"That move was for a reason. I'm curious what the reason was." Misty said as she reached for her deck to draw a card.

Turn 13: Misty: 1200 / ISIS: 2300

She smiled and played the latest card.

"I equip my Bad End Queen Dragon with this – Reptilianne Anger." Isis stated as her hunched over dragon growled (1900 → 2700).

Misty looked to the three remaining cards in her hand before glancing to Isis' own field. "That ends my turn – and so begins your last turn with Swords of Revealing Light."

Turn 14: MISTY: 1200 / ISIS: 2300

Isis drew a second card as a great cry was heard. From a spiral pillar of flame, Sacred Phoenix of Nephthys appeared, wings spread out and ignited (7/2400/1600).

Then the monster beat its' wings once, sending a wave of fire throughout the field. Isis' own Swords of Revealing Light shattered apart, after which Misty's own continuous Spell Cards broke apart.

"Due to the ability of Field Barrier – Savage Colosseum is not destroyed." Misty explained and Isis nodded to this.

"Now – Sacred Phoenix – attack Reptilianne Gorgon." Isis commanded. With a blast of fire, Misty's creature was vanquished.

Isis glowed with a green aura as Savage Colosseum recovered some of her life-points (ISIS: 2400 → 2700).

"This will end my turn." Isis finished.

Turn 15: MISTY: 1200 / ISIS: 2700

Misty drew a fourth card and grinned. "You'll see I'm not done yet. I'll play this next – Advance Force."
The card Misty played next showed Vice Dragon roaring as it began to split, a second head growing from its' body..

"This lets me treat a Level Five or higher monster as two Releases for an Advance Summon!" Misty declared as her dark red facemarks burned a neon purple.

"Now – I call upon the God that revived my life! Earthbound Immortal Ccarayhua!"

The gigantic monster roared, staring down at Isis as it fully materialized.

"You priests may have your Gods. We Dark Signers have ours'!" Isis declared as her monster looked towards her prey (10/2800/1800).

"Now – due to me controlling a Field Spell – Ccarayhua can attack you directly!" Misty said, pointing at Isis.

"Then it is done. My prediction is complete." Isis said, gazing up at the great Lizard God.

The monster's foot slammed into the area around Isis, sending her flying as the impact hit (ISIS: 2700 → 0).

She hit the ground, panting in pain as the damage was heavy. She was unable to move as Misty approached.

"I was not sure – if my reading was accurate – giving your unwavering moves." Misty said, recalling her God as she reached Isis' side. She knelt down and propped Isis up, feeling the other grow cold as the penalty of the Duel of Darkness began to set it.

"I merely acted on the role the Necklace gave me – one that extends beyond our Duel." Isis said with a smile as her skin, hair, and eyes all turned a shade of grey.

"To Duel even when you knew death would be what greeted you?" Misty asked, kneeling to help Isis sit up.

"Death for the Priests is just the beginning." Isis stated. "Now – I must embark on another journe - "

Isis stopped speaking as the breeze picked up, scattering the grey sand to the winds.

Her foe gone, Misty stood, closing her eyes for a moment. Her opponent was a spirit in a sense, so it made sense she suffered the same fate as Demak.

"A victory for the Dark Signers. Now – what could she mean by the role the Necklace gave her?" Misty wondered. Even though she was the winner, there was more to Isis' role than just distracting one of the Dark Signers.

The lizard mark faded from the sky as Misty put the cards back into her Deck. Isis was gone – but the Necklace remained. Misty grabbed the item and put it in a pocket in her robes.

"Regardless – I must press on. As long as one Dark Signer still stands – our own mission will not end." Misty resolved, looking at the Multi Duel Network. Their plan was still in motion, and Misty had no intention of backing down.

/

Jack awoke and clutched his head, groaning. He was lying on what he guessed was the beach.

"Jack!" He heard as he sat up.

The Daedalus Bridge. The Duel with Carly.

The way he'd sealed away Aslla piscu. Jack smirked at the Immortal's frustration as he looked around.

It was away from the bridge, by the ocean separating the City and Satellite. Carly had retrieved him and Jack looked up to the bridge, eyeing where their D-Wheels had fallen. They were just specks from were he stood, but the shape of his wheel was unmistakable.

"You saved me." Jack said and Carly giggled, her natural awkwardness shining through the Dark Signer facade.

"Well I can't die as a Dark Signer so – I figured I could make sure you didn't drown." Carly said, looking up to the bridge.

"Carly – do you have a way of getting us back? I dropped my Duel Disk to save Red Demon's and the rest of my Deck from the water but – without it I'm not much use." Jack admitted.

Carly nodded. "We can walk you back to the Wheel of Fortune. Then I have to head out – and you should find Yusei and Aki."

"No. Crow. I need to find Crow." Jack said, shaking his head.

"Crow's fine. See?" Carly said, pulling out a camera and showing Jack a picture of the man next to Kiryu.

"How did you get that?!" Jack asked, looking at his friend. Worse for the wear but still looking quite alright.

"I'm a reporter. He got shot in Satellite Dueling Warren. Kiryu found him and took him to Martha's. So that Dr. Smith helped with surgery."

"Crow's alright." Jack said, exhaling. He pressed the button on the Multi Duel Network to contact Crow, but didn't get a message. What he did get, however, was that Crow had just been in the middle of a Duel.

"He's already Dueled? If he was that injured, I doubt that's wise." Jack said before pausing.

"Wait. Kiryu was with him." Jack said, looking at the image on his screen.

Carly kept walking and Jack followed, speeding up so they were at an even pace. She grabbed his hand and he accepted it, glad she was looking out for him.

"Other than Demak's desire to take back Ancient Fairy Dragon, and Bommer's wish to test Rua again, we don't want to Duel the Signers again. Demak lost and isn't with us anymore so – no one here wants revenge anymore. The Dark Signers want to pay their debts this time around. Now that the Crimson Dragon isn't here, we have a bit more free will then last time."

"If Crow's fine – then Yusei. And Aki. I should see to them myself." Jack said and Carly nodded.

"Then I'll let you go. We have had our Duel. I'm glad you sealed away piscu this time. It shouldn't bother me until I need to Summon it again."

Jack paused as they left the beach.

"You're going to Duel again?" He asked.

Carly nodded and narrowed her eyes. "Thanks to Bommer we know who Shiro is. Kiryu, Misty, myself, and Bommer all survived our Duels. So we're going to find him and finish him off."

"Carly! I just saved you! I don't want you to lose yourself to the darkness again!" Jack said, squeezing her hand and pulling her towards him.

"Jack. I'll be fine. We're not doing this for revenge. The Earthbound Gods are a part of the Earth. We need it as much as you do. If Shiro's serious about killing all Gods . . . then he's a threat to us as well. He still has Uru prisoner. And Scar-Red Nova."

Jack tensed at the name. It was bothering him that Shiro sealed away his Burning Soul. That was obvious. The other thing that bothered him – if Shiro could steal something like that – what was the limit to his abilities?

"Go find Yusei and Aki. Rua and Ruka won their Duels so – you and Crow are the only ones missing. Re-assemble Team 5D's. I predict that you'll need to unite again before this is over."

"Kiryu, Bommer, Misty, and yourself. I think even Shiro couldn't win if you all teamed up against him." Jack said.

"Remember that Bakura is still at large. Additionally there's the matter of the Arcadia Movement. We also don't know if Yusei is himself or not." Carly said and Jack felt a sense of urgency at this last part. Now that he had confirmation Crow was alright, and Carly was fine, he could afford to worry about the rest of Team 5D's.

"Go find your friends. I'll be waiting for you once the fighting is over." Carly said, walking over to her own parked D – Wheel and snapping her fingers, the machine vanishing in a burst of purple fire.

He got on the Wheel of Fortune and set a beeline for the City, hoping that Crow would be find under Kiryu's eye.

"Yusei! Aki! Rua! Ruka! Jack Atlus is on his way! We'll assemble Team 5D's once again!" The man said as he kicked his engines into overdrive.