The Shadow's True Master

by Yung Warrior

The Supreme King has defeated all who stand in his way, and now stands poised to achieve total dominance over the twelve dimensions. Only one remains to challenge him - a humble game shop owner who was once called king himself. In a darker timeline, the battle between Judai and Yugi manifests as life-or-death struggle. One-Shot AU, what-if duel.

1. Lords of the Deep Dark

The Shadow's True Master

A Yu-Gi-Oh GX One-Shot by Yung Warrior

The rains wept quietly, the soft pitter-patter a funerary dirge for the vanquished that trailed behind them, strewn through parallel worlds and different dimensions. "At last, it is almost done."

They all had fallen, either by his own hand or by the clawed, draconic one of Yubel, his lover and guardian angel who had shown him the truth of the world. Edo, Jim, Ryo, Austin, Shou, Chronos, Amon - everyone was dead and gone, their energy fueling the ultimate fusion technique that would merge the twelve universes into one, a move that would permanently vanquish the light of destruction, and bring about everlasting peace. It would be the peace born of silence, of winds howling over empty fields and abandoned townships. A quiet land, with its people forced into submission for fear of incurring their king's wrath. It was the only peace that could last.

Judai had not enjoyed battling any of his former friends, but Yubel had positively reveled in it, and often pushed him towards conflict with them when he would otherwise be satisfied with leaving them alive. With each death, she had grown more and more exultant, while he had grown colder and silent as pieces of his heart blackened bit by bit. Now, she was all he had left, every other bridge burned.

It had been at Yubel's insistence that they travel to Domino City. "There remain the final two threats to your absolute dominion, my lord. The white dragon and the false king. While they live, we can never truly be secure." Yubel had said that about many lives they had ended, and yet Judai had always felt secure in his own strength.

Sensing their duel energy, the pair found that both Yugi and Kaiba were located at Kaibacorp headquarters in downtown Domino. They decided the best course would be to simply stand outside the building and summon forth their own Duel Energy, confident that the sheer depth of their reserves would grab the attention of Yugi and Kaiba.

Sure enough, it did. The two greatest powers of the previous generations were quick to greet them at the concourse in the front of the building. The two men were both wearing suits, evidently in the middle of a work meeting when the extradimensional invaders had announced their presence.

"I see the renaissance fair has come to town early this year, how very charming. Now then, we have work to do. Why don't you two freaks get off my property before I have you shot?" Kaiba dismissed Judai and Yubel with utmost contempt. Yubel was still wearing the flesh of Johan Anderson, a boy Judai might have loved in another timeline. Now, he was as buried as Judai's former self - he could not be sure if any of the teal-haired boy's nature remained, such was the dominance of Yubel's possession. Nevertheless, the pair did cut a striking impression, with Judai wearing opulent black armor and Johan wearing tight dark blue bondage gear.

"Kaiba, you can sense their energy as well as I. These duelists are not to be trifled with. Tell us, what are you here for? Why did you seek us out?" Yugi took a measured, but cautious approach as opposed to Kaiba's mockery.

"Because my Judai is the true lord and master of all Duel Monsters, not you. Because you two pretenders are the last threats to his throne, and even if you surrender to us, you will be threats to him as long as you live." said Yubel. Not for the first time, Judai wondered if Yubel would ever be satisfied. Maybe when they were floating alone together in an empty cosmos, with only bleak, faraway starlight to warm them. But until then...Yubel would see threats in every shadow, because she wanted to see them. And Judai himself was beyond the point of caring, for Yubel's embrace was all that was left to him.

"...These people want to challenge you for the king of games title, Yugi. Do you want to tell them to get in line, or shall I? We receive challenges from punks like you every day, so what makes your case so special, apart from your absurd outfits?" Kaiba sneered.

"They are different...I feel something deeper inside them, something I haven't felt since Zorc himself walked the earth." Yugi said grimly. "These people have taken many lives, I can sense the darkness in them."

"Fool - the darkness is what nourishes life, not the light as you might think. Such remarks illuminate the depth of your ignorance. You know nothing of the true darkness - it is utterly unlike the power that Zorc Necrophades channeled." Yubel haughtily rebuked.

"Ok, whatever. So why should we waste our time dueling the likes of you?" Kaiba replied. "I want to hear it from the black knight over there, just to know if he has the intelligence to speak."

Judai raised his head, revealing glazing golden irises beneath his obsidian helm. "You may recall that several of your students disappeared around six months ago, as well as three students from the other Duel Academies. Do the names Jim Cook, Austin O'Brien, or Amon Garam mean anything to you?" His lifeless, flat voice shocked Kaiba into silence for once. "What about Chronos de Medici, the vice-principal of Central Academy? Do you know what happened to him?"

Instantly, Kaiba's detached derision gave way to severe focus, his azure eyes boring into Judai. "You're the ones responsible for their disappearances."

"Deaths, not disappearances." Yubel corrected with glee. Instantly, Yugi and Kaiba's Duel energy flared, violet and indigo on one side while the latter was alabaster tinged with a sky blue.

"As owner of the Central Duel Academy, the wellbeing of those students was my responsibility. You bastards will pay in blood for what you did to them! Come at me!" Kaiba roared, while Yugi only looked despondent.

"Why? They were children." He asked simply, unable to muster any other words as the realization shook him to the core. He may not have known any of the people Judai had listed, but he still empathized with the loss of young life, cut down like chaff before their potential futures could ever be achieved.

"The likes of you lack the vision to understand. It is for peace, and for the universe. You may judge us, but there are forces out there that must be stopped at all costs. And in order to do that, we must harness the power of this dimension's duel energy." Yubel activated her duel disk. "I shall handle Kaiba. Go forth, my love, and we shall see if this man was ever worthy to be called king." She smiled wickedly, the expression especially unnerving on Johan's once-innocent face. Judai did not respond, or even give any sign of acknowledgement as she walked away.

Glancing at his former rival and current friend, Kaiba said, "Don't hold anything back, Yugi. These people are scum, nothing else to it." He began to walk away, creating space between his battleground and Yugi's.

"Be careful Kaiba, don't underestimate them. And good luck." Yugi nodded to him before turning to face the silent, armored figure. Although this would-be king wasn't much taller than Yugi, he had a suffocating, baleful presence that would awe lesser men.

"Believe it or not, I once dreamed of the day I would face the great Yugi Muto in battle. But those days are long gone - you're merely another victim until proven otherwise." The gold eyes bored into Yugi. Although Judai's tone was as cold and lifeless as ever, Yugi thought he could hear the slightest undercutting of mockery in those words. He activated his duel disk, a custom model that spun rapidly before unfolding. Yugi was glad that he and Kaiba had brought their own disks downstairs on the off-chance they would have to fight the intruders. Although both he and Kaiba were thirty years old at this point, neither of them were rusty in the slightest and regularly practiced in order to maintain their top positions. Yugi only wished that Joey was here to back him up. But then, he was equally grateful that none of his friends were nearby- then there was no chance they would get hurt.

"I won't disappoint you!" Yugi declared fiercely, drawing upon greater wells of energy than he had since the ceremonial battle. "Come forth, Gold Gadget (1700/800)!" The kaleidoscope of city lights gleamed off of the machine's auric frame. "And when he is summoned I can call forth another friend from my hand - Silver Gadget (1500/1000)!" The twin had a chrome-grey sheen, but was otherwise identical. "Then, I'll set a card and end my turn."

Judai assessed the field impassively. It didn't look impressive, but Yugi was known to hide powerful traps within an unassuming appearance - Judai knew better than to underestimate him. Still, there could be no doubt that his deck would bend to his will and give him the tools he needed to win. "I activate Dark Fusion."

Black bolts of lightning coursed around the field, one of them taking out a nearby streetlight and sending it to the pavement. "Merging together Elemental Heroes Sparkman and Clayman, I fusion summon Evil Hero Lightning Golem (2400/1500)!" The monster had a comically large upper body with similarly bulky purple and gold armor, but its power was no joke. "Using its special ability, I can target and destroy one monster on the field once per turn." With a silent point of his gloved hand, Judai directed his golem to take aim at Gold Gadget, hoping to exhaust Yugi's resources by triggering the machine's effect before the battle phase.

"Not quite! I activate my trap card, Metalhold the Moving Blockade!" Yugi replied. From the earth emerged a dark violet bipedal mech warrior with two shoulder cannons mounted on each side. "This card becomes a monster after it is activated. Normally it has zero attack points, but I can equip my other machines on the field to boost it!" The gold and silver gadgets folded together, becoming small spheres that fit neatly into nodes on the blockade's chest frame. "This boosts Metalhold's attack points to 3200 while also eliminating the target for your golem's effect!" The golem's shot of electricity phased harmlessly through open air.

Judai nodded. "Fine. I set two cards and activate the continuous spell Mirage of Nightmare. During your standby phase, I can draw until I have four cards in hand." Judai currently had no cards in hand, so he would get the full benefit from the spell. "Then, during my next standby phase, I must discard my hand."

"But I'm guessing you're not planning on really paying that price, right?" Yugi said with a wry expression.

"...My turn is done." Judai knew that not much was going to escape Yugi's notice. It was not for nothing that they called the man a master of all games, not just Duel Monsters. His instinct was well-honed...but it was nothing against the full force of the darkness.

"Draw!" Yugi began - as he considered his next play, Judai silently drew four cards from his deck due to Mirage of Nightmare. "Let's do this! I summon Dimension Conjurer (500/500)." Yugi's next monster was a golden human-shaped casket, adorned with maces and chains. "When this monster is summoned, I can search a very particular magic from my deck...the spell card Magical Dimension!" Yugi played it immediately, causing the casket to open wide. "This magic lets me summon forth a spellcaster from my hand as long as I sacrifice one on the field. By offering up Dimension Conjurer, I can introduce you to my ardent ally, the Dark Magician (2500/2100)!"

From the coffin came the ultimate wizard in terms of attack and defense, his purple robes and green scepter instantly recognizable even to a casual player of the game. For the first time, Judai's expression changed as he grimaced slightly in acknowledgement of Yugi's ace monster.

Yugi smiled. "When Magical Dimension resolves, I can destroy another monster on the field! I choose that golem of yours!" The gold casket appeared behind Jaden's fused warrior, its interior inlaid with spikes. With a snap, it closed around the evil hero and lowered into shadow once more, leaving Judai's field bare. "Then, I can also use Dimension Conjurer's other ability. I can shuffle cards from my hand into my deck equal to the number of spellcasters I control. Then, I can draw that same number of cards after shuffling." Yugi was able to un-brick his hand using this effect.

Yugi knew that if his next two attacks went through, the game would be over. But somehow, he doubted it would be that easy. "Metalhold, strike directly!" The machine launched two bursts of cannon fire from its shoulders, the projectiles racing towards Yugi's black-clad foe. Before they could make their mark however, they were intercepted by a monster, a furry brown beast with tiny angel wings. It happened so fast that Yugi only just caught sight of the monster, but he knew what it was nonetheless.

"I flip over my quick-play spell, Flute of Summoning Kuriboh. This will call Winged Kuriboh (300/200) from my deck to the field in defense mode. He took your Metalhold's attack for me. And since Winged Kuriboh was destroyed, I no longer take any damage this turn."

A memory rushed to the forefront of Yugi's consciousness. "Winged Kuriboh! I knew I recognized that card. I gave it away to a boy...three years ago, on the day of the Central Duel Academy entrance exams…." Another flash of insight occurred as he remembered the smiling face of that boy.

"Take this - I have a feeling it belongs with you." Yugi said that day. It was a sudden impulse, but it had felt right, as if destiny itself were working through him as a vessel. "You're…"

Judai removed his black helm, setting it on the ground with a clink. Yes, it was him, the face, the hair, it was him! "Tell me, are you glad you gave me that card now?" The Supreme King remarked with another hint of derision.

"You're the same kid from that day! How is that possible? I never imagined we would meet as foes like this." Yugi clenched a fist. "You tossed aside that Kuriboh so callously, without any regard for it! You know that monster has a spirit!" He scolded.

"He defended my life points. That is the card's effect, and it proved useful to me. I see no issue. Should I have said sweet words to it as it died for me? Would that have made it all okay?" Judai responded, his voice harsh and cold. "As for how it is possible - people change. Life happens. I have seen things that would make your blood run cold and leave you sleepless for a week. I have been forced to make decisions I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. But what would you, the perfect hero everyone adores, know about that?"

Yugi remembered how Atem acted under the influence of the Orichalcos - this was no different, it would seem. "More than you know. If you think cards are just tools to be used and discarded at will, then you have learned nothing, despite your great strength. Still, it is interesting that you chose to keep Winged Kuriboh in your deck at all...could it be that you still have some fondness for it?"

"It was a servant that fulfilled its role, nothing more." Pausing, Judai added, "If you wish to spend your last moments in this life lecturing me, do it quickly, and end your turn unless you have some other card to play."

"No, no other." Yugi replied with a sad smile. "It is a relief to know that a piece of the smiling boy I met that day still exists."

"That boy you speak of is as dead as all the others who tried to stand in my way." Judai responded icily.

"I doubt that very much. We all can change, at least in the ways we are capable of. If you could alter yourself so much for the worse, I think you also have the capacity to realize that your ideals are not truly lost. You are a child that has lost your way...nothing more." Yugi reversed the appellation onto his foe.

Judai frowned deeply, unable to find the right words to counter. "If that is all, then I'll continue my conquest without further delay." Judai drew. "During my standby phase, I'll use my other set card, the quick-play spell Emergency Provisions. By sending other spells and traps I control to the grave, I can gain 1000 life points for each one. I'll send Mirage of Nightmare." This way, Judai not only gained 1000 life points, but avoided the cost of Mirage of Nightmare, allowing him to keep the cards in his hand. (Judai 5000/Yugi 4000)

"I'll summon Elemental Hero Burstinatrix (1200/800) in attack mode." A woman in a red jumpsuit struck a pose, ashy black hair flowing in the wind. Since it was too weak to challenge Yugi's monster, he knew that it must be only one part of a greater strategy. "Then, I'll play the spell R - Righteous Justice, allowing me to destroy spells and traps on the field up to how many Elemental Heroes I control." Burstinatrix sent a fireball at Yugi's machine, melting down the gold gadget equipment and reducing Metalhold's attack points to 1500.

"I'll play a second copy of Dark Fusion!" Judai raised his voice. "This time, I'll fuse Burstinatrix with Avian in my hand to call on Evil Hero Inferno Wing (2100/1200)!" On dark feathery wings flew in a visored woman with vicious silver claws. "Now that your Metalhold is weakened, I can destroy it with Inferno Wing's attack!" Judai thrust a hand forward, and his monster ripped through the sheet metal with ease, claws coated with blue fire. However, since the monster originally had zero attack and defense points, Judai didn't get to use Inferno Wing's effect to burn Yugi for extra damage. "I set a card and end there." (Judai 5000/Yugi 3400)

Unlike Judai, Yugi didn't get to replenish his hand last turn, and had to work with his normal draw only. Luckily, he still held the advantage in terms of raw power, which was an unusual position for him, historically speaking. "Dark Magician, attack!" His faithful companion leapt into the air and fired a volley of rippling purple energy spheres at Judai's winged demon.

"Fool! As if I would leave myself defenseless after spending so many cards on fusion summoning again! Activate reverse card, Draining Shield!" The wizard's blast crashed harmlessly against a translucent green barrier, Judai's monster grinning smugly as it watched the energy dissipate. "This trap negates your attack and gains me life points equal to your monster's attack value!" Judai's energy grew even more potent and intimidating as his life points rose again. (Judai 7500/Yugi 3500)

Still, Yugi wasn't too worried. The substantive difference between 7500 life points and 100 was minimal - as soon as he was able to solidify an advantage, it wouldn't be long before he could muster enough power to reduce Judai to zero. And besides, Judai needed to draw a good card to overcome Dark Magician, so he was still on the back foot somewhat in terms of available resources. "I'll set a card and pass." Somehow, Yugi had the feeling that Judai would draw something useful though.

Sure enough, he did. "I cast the spell H - Heated Heart! This will boost Inferno Wing's attack points by 500 until the end of the turn, and also empower it to do piercing damage!" A searing red aura ensconced the supreme king's servant, blurring the air around its body. At 2600, Inferno Wing was now strong enough to swing over Dark Magician. "Burn that weak wizard to ash!" The king commanded, and the Inferno Wing rushed towards the spellcaster in a fiery tackle.

However, the strike was blocked by a blue statue that had been erected between the two monsters. Vaguely shamanic in design, a blue light gleamed from a jewel sitting atop the statue's head. "You're not the only one with a trap card - this is Dimension Guardian. While it's on the field, my Dark Magician can't be destroyed by battle or card effect!" said Yugi. Behind the gargoyle, the magician wagged its finger mockingly at the supreme king. However, sparks from the flames still nipped at Yugi's toes as he took the battle damage. (Judai 7500/Yugi 3400)

"I end…" The supreme king now looked supremely irritated - next turn he would lose the boost from Heated Heart, and would be wide open for a harsh reprisal.

Yugi breathed a sigh of relief as he saw his next draw. "Go, Pot of Greed!" The common spell card needed no explanation. "Time to go on the offensive! I summon Silent Swordsman LV 3 (1000/1000) in attack mode!" The monster was from Yugi's personal deck - he had only started using it after separating from Atem. The small warrior shouldered an intimidating glaive that was at odds with its boyish, almost cute face even as it stood garbed in knightly armor. "Then, I'll play the spell Level Up, allowing me to mature my monster into Silent Swordsman LV 5 (2300/1000)!" Right before their eyes, the boy became a tall, grown man. His sword grew larger as well, now as tall and wide as the man himself.

To Yugi's surprise, Judai interjected suddenly. "I remember one of Judai's former classmates used those level monsters. Armed Dragons. That one used to think of Judai as a rival, but frankly he was more of a nuisance than anything. He's dead now." Although Judai never smiled, there was a definitive humor in his tone.

"Thanks so much for sharing that. Now then, I believe I was about to vanquish your Inferno Wing before you interrupted me. " Yugi's patience thinned at the morbid non-sequitur. This time, Dark Magician's attack struck true, and the evil hero was destroyed. Then, the Silent Swordsman reared back and laid a hefty sword strike on Judai, sending him flying. He landed with a gasp of pain on his back, the heavy armor now a hindrance as he struggled to rise to his feet. (Judai 4600/Yugi 3400)

"You have no cards on the field and none in hand. This fight is over. Surrender peacefully and I will grant mercy." Yugi said fiercely, hoping there was a way to undo the damage this man's cruelty had caused.

This seemed to anger Judai, his black and gold aura flaring in defiance. "It's too late to turn back. This is the man I am now, and this battle is far from over! It's never over until the last card is played!" Flexing his powers, the card from the top of the deck flew into Judai's waiting hand. "Come, Elemental Hero Bubbleman (800/1200)." The frankly silly-looking hero wore light-blue armor and a squirt gun was attached to his forearm guard. The monster knelt in defense mode as Judai explained, "He may look weak, but this hero will save me and doom you! Since he is the only card in my hand, I can special summon to the field at no cost. Then, I can draw two more cards from my deck!" Judai threatened to smirk. "And what do you know, I've drawn my own Pot of Greed." With that came two more cards. "Trust is unnecessary, you see. If you can force your cards to bend to your will, then they will provide what is needed to win."

"You didn't need such methods before." Yugi pointed out, having heard secondhand accounts of Judai's exploits from Pegasus. "Kindness and respect is not the same as weakness."

"Oh, but it is. It truly is. They see your kindness, and they take advantage of it. For all that you give, others will take more and more until you are empty and hollow. In this world, people respect strength. They respect ruthlessness. They respect death. It is more important that a king be feared for what he might do than loved for what he does, because kindness is easily forgotten. Death is permanent." Judai's voice rose, sharp and clear like winter's wind. "The hero always wins, not because he is kind, but because he is strong."

"Talk all you want, but it sounds to me like you're trying to convince yourself of that. You may have done wrong in the past, but there is still time to make amends. That child in you, the one that took pure joy in the act of playing the game, he still exists. He doesn't have to die - you can still save him!" Yugi pleaded.

Deep inside the king's consciousness, Judai, the other half of Judai, stirred, awakening and growing conscious of his self-made prison. "Does it really have to be this way…?" A small voice sounded in his mind.

"Words are worthless, unless they are backed by strength. I cast the spell Dark Factory of Mass Production, allowing me to recur two normal monsters from the graveyard and add them to my hand." Judai got Burstinatrix and Clayman back. "Now stop me if you've heard this one before - I'll activate the magic of Dark Fusion!"

"I am growing weary of that card." Yugi laughed a bit despite the circumstances. "At least it is your third and final copy."

"Clayman and Burstinatrix, merge to form Evil Hero Infernal Sniper (2000/2500)!" While the other evil heroes were cursed versions of Thunder Giant and flame Wingman, this was a twisted variant of Rampart Blaster. Crouching in defense mode, its crimson armor attached to a gigantic arm cannon in its right side. "This monster cannot be destroyed by spell cards."

"Fair enough. But surely he must know that I'm going to level up my Silent Swordsman again next turn?" Yugi couldn't currently beat over that Sniper, but next turn he could. "What's his game?"

"Once per turn, Infernal Sniper can inflict 1000 points of direct damage to you! Go, hell piercing hollow point!" The evil hero fired a concentrated beam of crimson energy, locked onto Yugi's position.

"Not this time! I have a Kuriboh of my own - Clear Kuriboh (300/200)!" Despite its name, the Kuriboh was opaque, although it had navy blue fur compared to the normal Kuriboh's brown. "By discarding this monster from my hand, I can reduce the damage from your monster's effect to zero." The Kuriboh sacrificed itself, putting itself in the way of the laser.

"So when I use a Kuriboh to protect myself, that's pure evil. But when you do it, it's a noble sacrifice, is that right?" The supreme king could not resist making the incisive criticism.

"It may be that Clear Kuriboh has a purpose in the graveyard." Somewhat hypocritically, Yugi used the monster's effect to evade the greater point Judai was making, as he had no good counter argument to it.

Noticing this, the king frowned but said nothing, knowing that Yugi would cite some banal distinction that he truly had no interest in anyways. "As you say. I set a card and end the turn."

Yugi thought his opponent would have more in the bag than that, but considering he started the turn with only one card in hand it was a reasonably impressive effort in its own right. "Fine, Judai! I draw. During my standby phase, I can level up Silent Swordsman since he connected a direct attack last turn. I can now summon Silent Swordsman LV 7 (2800/1000) from my deck!" Now the swordsman had reached its full power, a silvery aura surging around him as he readied the blade, which was now even larger than his body. "Now that he's on the field, all spell cards are negated."

"Including your own…" Judai noted, although it was a minimal drawback. It was a powerful effect, especially since Yugi had the advantage in terms of attack power. Fortunately, he had a counter ready. "I don't think it'll matter though! I play my trap card, Void Trap Hole! Since you special summoned a monster with over 2000 attack points, this card negates its effects and destroys it!"

Yugi cursed in disappointment as a bottomless pit opened beneath his swordsman's feet, swallowing him into the shadows. He figured that Judai would have a powerful set card, but he had hoped it was a quick-play spell so that Silent Swordsman could negate its effect. Now that he had his own spells freed up though, a new line of play was open to him.

"I play the equip spell Magic Formula! This boosts Dark Magician's attack value by 700!" A tome of arcane knowledge fell into his wizard's palm as he switched to holding his scepter with the other hand. Dark Magician was not only protected by the Dimensional Guardian, but now had even more strength in battle with 3200 attack points. "I'll attack your Infernal Sniper with Dark Magic Attack!" With a wave of the staff, Dark Magician shattered the gunman. "That's it for me." said Yugi as he eyed the lone Bubbleman on Judai's field.

The king was back to topdecking, but now Yugi had very few cards to work with as well, outside of his powered-up Dark Magician. "I activate Foolish Burial, allowing me to send a monster from deck to grave." The monster he sent was Dandylion (300/300), which went against his dark image but had a dead useful effect. "When Dandylion is sent to the graveyard, I can summon two fluff tokens (0/0) to the field in defense." Two frail, flowery wisps appeared on each side of his Bubbleman. "I set a card. That's all."

"Alright...I'll start by playing Card of Sanctity, allowing us each to draw until we have six cards in hand! Then, since you control more monsters than me, I can summon Arisen Gaia The Fierce Knight (2300/2100) without tributing!" Atop a purple destrier, the rider galloped onto the field wielding two royal blue lances. "Now, I'll attack the two fluff tokens!" Gaia and Dark Magician swatted aside the daffodils, appreciating the easy battle phase. "I'll set two and end my turn." At this point, Yugi was beginning to feel a bit of the strain from fighting so long. It had been some time since he had a battle that pushed him like this. Judai's defenses were remarkably strong.

Still, Yugi noticed that Judai was breathing just a bit heavier as well. "Draw...I play O - Oversoul to resurrect a normal Elemental Hero from the graveyard. Elemental Hero Sparkman (1600/1400), return to the field!" The blue and gold electric hero flew onto the battlefield from a portal of shadow that opened and closed in an instant. "You'll find that just because I have used all three of my Dark Fusions doesn't mean I'm done fusing! I play Dark Calling, a spell that allows me to banish heroes from my hand, field or graveyard as materials! I banish Avian from the grave and Wildheart from my hand to summon Evil Hero Wild Cyclone (1900/2300)!" A tattooed barbarian warrior, clad with dark green wings that easily stretched longer than his height, appeared with a grunt.

"Amazing...you truly do have a hero for every situation. No matter what I do, you'll always have another way to fuse and another answer to my strategy. You are a master of fusion, far beyond myself." Yugi felt the need to compliment.

"I'm pleased to see you are finally admitting your inferiority, but I'm not finished yet." The king was not feeling so charitable by comparison. "My normal summon for the turn is Evil Hero Infernal Gainer (1600/0)." Unlike most of the other evil heroes, this card did not bear any direct resemblance to an elemental hero. Its appearance was more like an archfiend monster, resplendent with black and red bones, spikes, and carapaces. "This monster has a very unique ability, manipulating time in order to expedite your defeat. By banishing it two turns into the future, I can empower one of my other Fiend monsters to attack twice every turn - Wild Cyclone happens to be a fiend!" Judai declared, the red beast shimmering and vanishing as he spoke.

"Be that as it may, your Cyclone only has 1900 attack points - bear in mind that my Dark Magician has -" Yugi began to lecture, but was cut off.

"I can read, I am well aware of this. That's why I'm equipping my Wild Cyclone with United We Stand! This spell boosts my monster's attack value by 800 for every monster on my side of the field! This gains him 2400 attack points for a total of 4300!" Bonds of energy linked Wild Cyclone with the defending Sparkman and Bubbleman. "Now, I'll attack!" The tribal warrior soared forward, preparing to slash apart Gaia The Fierce Knight.

"I activate my set card, Magic Cyl-" Yugi began to respond, but before he was finished speaking the attack had already gone through. Wild Cyclone was too quick, cleaving the mounted cavalry in twin while sending a cannon of air Yugi's way, knocking the wind out of him as he crumpled on the floor. (Judai 4600/Yugi 1400)

"When Wild Cyclone attacks, the opponent cannot activate spell or trap effects until after the damage step. Furthermore, after he successfully completes an attack, I can destroy your face-down spells and traps!" Another hurricane blast and Yugi's face-down traps Magic Cylinder and Dig of Destiny were sent to the graveyard.

"Urgh...when Dig of Destiny is sent to the graveyard, I can draw a card." Yugi struggled to speak, wheezing as he picked up his next card.

"Very well. Although I cannot destroy Dark Magician, I can still deal some damage!" Wild Cyclone sent blades of air towards the wizard, and although the destructive force was intercepted by the Dimensional Guardian statue, Yugi could still feel their cutting at his very soul. (Judai 4600/Yugi 300)

The gales had ripped Yugi's jacket to shreds and frayed his black undershirt and jeans. Stumbling, his breath came in short, shallow hisses as his hands twitched. Barely able to hold onto his cards, Yugi could only just keep himself standing through the pain. Judai crossed his arms. "So, this is the extent of the former king's power. It is only natural that someone stronger oust you, if this is how you react to a light breeze."

"I've been in difficult situations before...like you said, the duel isn't over until the last card is played, so save your gloating until the battle is done." Yugi snapped. The card he drew off of Dig of Destiny afforded him some room to be confident.

"Well, I can't argue with that. It's no issue to wait a little longer, since this duel will be done in the next turn." The king considered the rest of his cards before deciding to pass the turn.

"Heh...all this talk of wind and I happen to have a blowout of my own at the ready. I play Dark Hole!" The notorious power magic had the ability to destroy all monsters on the field. While Dark Magician would be perfectly safe due to the Dimension Guardian, all of Judai's heroes would be vanquished by the "old but gold" spell. A black vortex, in contrast with the purple ones Judai had employed, swiftly spaghettified all of the Heroes. "Dark Magician, attack!"

"Really, this is getting quite dull. Negate Attack." Judai flipped over the common trap in order to end the battle phase.

"Patience...I need to have patience." Yugi tried not to rise to the bait. "I have to end my turn there."

The supreme king snapped off the top card of his deck impatiently, wanting to end the game without having to expend any more of his energy reserves. There was still Kaiba to potentially deal with if Yubel could not finish the job. "Since two of my turns have passed, Infernal Gainer returns to the field." The red and black fiend shimmered back into existence in a shower of sparkles. "I activate the spell Pot of Avarice, shuffling five monsters from the graveyard back into the deck in order to draw two cards." He chose to return his fusion monsters Lightning Golem, Inferno Wing, Wild Cyclone, Infernal Sniper, and his normal monster Clayman. "Then, I'll play Upstart Goblin, drawing another card while gaining you 1000 life points." Yugi felt some of the pain lift as his life force was replenished (Judai 4600/Yugi 1300). Judai looked satisfied at his next card. "I'll cast Heavy Storm, destroying every spell and trap on the field." Dark Magician was no longer defended by Dimension Guardian and Magic Formula, although Yugi got another 1000 life points due to Magic Formula being destroyed. (Judai 4600/Yugi 2300) "I'll set a monster and end my turn." Judai growled.

"Slow turn, eh? Well, I've been there. Thanks for the 2000 life points, by the way." Yugi prodded.

"Hurry up."

"Alright, then! I'll play the spell Bond Between Teacher and Student, allowing me to summon the Dark Magician's most loyal disciple from the deck! Introducing the Dark Magician Girl (2000/1700)!" The blonde witch winked winsomely as she bounced onto the field with a charming clumsiness. Her charms decidedly went unacknowledged by Judai. And yet, something about her stirred a long-lost memory deep within him…

"Duel Monsters Spirit Day is gonna be so much fun!" Asuka, Junko, and Momoe giggled as they decided what costume to wear.

"Look, it's the Dark Magician Girl! I have such a big crush on her!" Sho had gushed with excitement.

"Heh, my costume will be the best! Just you watch!" Manjoume blustered as he always did. That day, Judai had dueled someone who was a dead ringer for the Dark Magician Girl. It was a fun game, and the day was filled with food, friends, and merriment. It was a glowing light amidst the confusion and fear surrounding the invasion of the Seven Stars. Each of their faces was like an icicle speared through his heart - dead, all dead, because of him...and to what end? Was anything gained from all the suffering and misery? Only power...power to rule over empty, quiet wastelands.

"It was all just for this…" Judai thought. Once, he would have been delighted at the prospect of dueling Yugi Muto, the greatest duelist of all time. Now they met, but it was a battle of life and death, not for enjoyment. Why? What for? To prove who was the strongest? Power was a cold thing to cling to compared to the warm bond between friends, bonds that he severed.

Judai didn't realize it, but the color in his irises had wavered, the burning gold dulling to a shade of their former warm brown. His mouth stood open as the wave of memories flowed unidden to the forefront of his consciousness. Through his perception of Duel Energy, Yugi was able to sense this, and felt a grain of hope. "Your true self lies within! I know he can hear me!"

Seeming to regain control, Judai's eyes grew bright auric once again. "What are you waiting for? Continue your turn!" He barked.

"Ah, of course. Dark Magician, attack!" If the wizard was growing tired from constantly attacking, he didn't show it. Sending a beam of indigo light through his staff, the magician obliterated Judai's set Phantom Magician (1000/700), a black-cloaked spellcaster of minor strength.

"When destroyed, Phantom Magician lets me special summon a hero monster with 1000 or less attack points from the deck in defense position. Come forth, Elemental Hero Clayman (800/2000)." The stony hero had just enough defense points to ward off the Dark Magician Girl. "No problem, I'll end my turn." Yugi set a card and passed there.

The slight force from the attack seemed to throw Judai off more than it probably should have - Yugi wondered if he was fighting a battle on two fronts. Was the mental struggle more difficult for him than this duel? However, he was able to reclaim his steely composure after another moment's pause.

"Since two of my turns have passed, Infernal Gainer returns to the field." The red and black fiend shimmered back into existence in a shower of sparkles. "I'll begin my turn by casting the spell Dark World Dealings. Each player draws one card, then discards it. Now, since you control monsters on your side of the field, I can summon the level seven Evil Hero Malicious Edge (2600/1800) with only one tribute." Offering up Clayman as a sacrifice, Judai summoned a slender warrior-type adorned with spikes and tight-fitting leather. "Next, I'll use Gainer's effect, banishing him two turns into the future in order to grant Malicious Edge an additional attack!" The red and black fiend returned only to vanish in another shimmer of rainbow light. Before the mirage had faded completely, a hail of needles fell upon Yugi's monsters, the magicians gruesomely shredded into red mist by the seemingly infinite storm of blades. And a moment after that, Yugi felt the sensation of the blades tearing at his own skin, although the nature of the shadow game made the experience entirely mental. Nevertheless, the pain felt real and seemingly endless in length. "My turn is done." The king said with satisfaction as he watched Yugi fall to one knee. (Judai 4600/Yugi 1700)

Through the haze, Yugi remembered the duel against Pegasus, how he could not handle the rigors of the shadow game and had to resort to back-and-forth substitution with Atem to even retain consciousness. He was never at home in the shadows, not like his "other self" had been, and not like the opponent in front of him either. For the first time, doubt crept into his mind as the possibility of defeat now not only seemed real, but imminent. The other knee hit the ground as well - he felt lightheaded. No matter where he looked, those baleful golden eyes seemed to follow. They judged him, and found him wanting. There was no doubt about it - Judai was one of the strongest duelists he had ever faced. Only Atem from back then, and maybe Kaiba now could hope to match him, and even then…

"Yugi! Stand up!" He heard the strident, effusive voice call to him. Yugi turned his head to see Kaiba, who was still locked in battle with that strange teal-haired boy. His rival seemed to have a slight advantage despite clearly sustaining some injuries in the course of the fight. His opponent seemed noticeably harried in comparison. Seto had managed to summon Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon, and was facing down another large dragon, one inlaid with multicolored gemstones. "A king does not belong on his knees!" was all he could say before his own battle reclaimed the bulk of his attention.

Another memory - this one colored by the scarlet scales of Osiris the Sky Dragon, and the doubt he experienced that day against the Egyptian God. The sheer pressure exerted by the beast's mere presence was enough to flatten most fighters, and Yugi himself had barely been able to defend against it for long. It had been Kaiba's...encouragement, more like a challenge really, that had spurred him up, and indeed he was able to find a weakness in Marik's Infinite Hand strategy. "He has not faltered, why should I?" Yugi rose.

"So, you've decided to die like a man rather than surrender? It is just as well. I knew a man who tried to run away, only to find his courage later. It didn't help him, and he died like a dog. At least this way, you can go to the grave with your pride intact." Judai intoned.

Knowing that he had overcome challenges like this before and would again, Yugi now found the king's words to be childish, desperate to seem bigger than he was. As he looked upon the next card, his confidence grew. "Thank you for your perspective, and for playing that Dark World Dealings card earlier. I activate the quick-play spell Magnet Reverse! This lets me summon a rock-type monster that cannot be normally summoned from my graveyard." Yugi said with a smile.

"What?" Judai began to check his enemy's graveyard, seeing Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, and below that…

"Valkyrion The Magna Warrior (3500/3850)!" The knight's frame was an amalgam of parts from the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma magnet warriors, although Yugi's clever spell card allowed him to bypass the normally arduous summoning requirements. Now, he had all of the creature's strength at his disposal at a fraction of the cost, having discarded it from Dark World Dealings earlier. "Valkyrion, strike down his Malicious Edge!" Unfurling metallic wings, the magnet warrior found itself attracted to the metal spikes and ornaments on the wicked hero's frame, picking up speed until it finally slashed the fiend apart. Judai's feet left the ground and he was sent flying backwards. (Judai 3700/Yugi 1700)

With a laugh, Yugi realized that this was the first time he had reduced Judai's life total below the starting amount of 4000. Despite the uphill battle, he now felt an unshakeable assurance at his core that everything would be alright somehow. Judai struggled to get to his feet, the heavy and ornate armor proving a hindrance in this regard. The sight did much to remove his intimidating presence. The shadows could never be totally removed, but Yugi didn't have to focus on them - he could banish them to the fringes of his consciousness, still aware of them but refusing to grant them power over his emotions. Indeed, the only feelings he held were deep pity for this misguided child...and a deep red rage towards those who had driven him to this sorrowful path. "Turn end."

"Grr...draw!" Judai snarled. "I will not lose! Last turn, I discarded Evil Hero Sinister Necrom (1600/1800) to the grave with Dark World Dealings, enabling me to use its effect this turn. By banishing it, I can special summon an Evil Hero from the deck. Come forth, Evil Hero Adusted Gold (2100/800)!" A blue comet streaked bright overhead as Jduai's new monster stood cross-armed, its dirty gold armor mantled by a tattered cape. However, Yugi still saw no cause for fear. "Furthermore, since two more turns have passed, my Infernal Gainer returns!"

Judai clenched his left hand, his black aura firing up and seeming to suck in all sources of surrounding light. Flecks of gold scattered into the air like ash from a bonfire. "At last...this will end it! Bear witness to the ultimate form of fusion, and know the way of darkness! I activate Super Polymerization!"

Discarding a card, Judai's hand was now empty. He clasped his mailed fists together, interlocking fingers as he drew forth the rest of his energy reserves. "HAAA!" As he bellowed, his Adusted Gold swirled together with Yugi's magnet warrior. "Super Polymerization allows me to merge together monsters from either player's side of the field! By polymerizing an Evil Hero with a level five or higher monster, I can create my strongest monster! Engulf the world in deep shadow, Evil Hero Malicious Bane (3000/3000)!"

The ensuing fusion was a giant of a man garbed in deep purple robes, cape, and a bevy of blades, his wicked smirk flashing beneath a navy blue helm. A segmented tail with a pincer at the end reared back, ready to lunge forward at a moment's notice. It looked nothing like its materials, but such was the power of Super Polymerization. The spell was capable of massing Duel energy moreso than the physical components of the fusion materials, allowing Judai to fuse any number of monsters together at once. Yugi was shocked to see a spell of such power, and inwardly he realized that a great deal of blood was likely shed to fuel such a technique. It was a power born of sacrifice, unwilling sacrifice, much in the same way the Millennium Items were. "This game was born in blood." Yugi was not proud of the game's origins, but knew that it didn't have to be as barbaric as its beginnings. It could also be used for noble ends, for the protection of friends and family, for honorable competition between rivals, for the vanquishing of evil as well as the proliferation of it.

"Malicious Bane cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects." Judai struggled to speak as the summoning brought him to his limits. "And during the main phase, it can destroy all of your monsters once per turn, gaining 200 attack points for each one. Unfortunately for you, you have no monsters to defend yourself, nor any backrow. I'm going to banish Infernal Gainer once more in order to grant Malicious Bane two attacks, just in case you pull off some miracle escape. But I don't think that will happen. This game is over, as is your reign. Kneel before the true lord and master of all Duel Monsters!" Judai roared as Malicious Bane charged up an indigo blast or energy between its palms. With a thrust forward, it fired the beam directly at Yugi.

"It was never about reigning as king. I care little for such titles. What good is it to gain the world and lose one's soul? At any rate, it isn't over. The gods will decide my fate. As you attack, I can banish Clear Kuriboh from the graveyard in order to activate its second effect. This lets me draw one card, and if it is a monster, I can special summon it to the field." Yugi hoped with all of his soul that it would be a monster he could summon. Smiling, he quickly slapped the card onto his duel disk. "Obnoxious Celtic Guardian (1400/1200), defend!" The reliable elf swordsman held his blade sideways and flat in front of him, successfully weathering the Evil Hero's blast despite its far greater attack value.

"I see...Celtic Guardian can't be destroyed in battle by a monster with over 1900 attack points. However, my Malicious Bane's effect can crush it in the second main phase!" Judai declared, although he was frustrated that he could have destroyed the Celtic Guardian with Infernal Gainer. Malicious Bane grabbed the blonde guardian in one of its clawed fists and crushed him like an overripe fruit. Bane's attack power boosted to 3200 for what that was worth. Still, the noble warrior's sacrifice would not be in vain, as he bought Yugi one more turn. Hands trembling, he drew his next card.

The rain had ceased and the clouds had slowly retreated, revealing a velvet blue sky tinged with orange as the morning sun rose. "Nightmares never last, Judai. You wake up in the morning and they're gone! By banishing the dark-attribute Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight and the light-attribute Silent Swordsman LV3, the knight of the dawn can ride forth! I summon Black Luster Soldier - Envoy of the Beginning (3000/2500)!"

Judai had to shield his eyes from the white-gold rays of sunlight, reflecting off of the skyscraper windows. The gilded knight's armor was warm and hopeful, nothing like Judai's corrupted gaze. Although the knight was weaker than Malicious Bane, Judai saw its blade still rise, as if ready to strike. He had fought this card before, although it seemed like another lifetime when he faced the pretender Kagurazaka and his absurd impression of Yugi's voice. Then, he had faced down the Black Luster Soldier with no fear. Now that he was face-to-face with its true master, after such an arduous battle...the true fear had settled in.

"I call on Black Luster Soldier's special effect, allowing me to banish one of your monsters! Go, sword of the morning!" The knight brought down the blade, unleashing an arc-shaped energy wave as bright and gold as the sun itself. It effortlessly cleaved apart Judai's ultimate fusion, sending it to a place where Judai would be unable to summon it again.

"I'm still not done, Yugi...not even close. Your black Luster Soldier can't attack on the same turn it uses that effect. It's not over..." Although Judai didn't have any clear ways of dealing with the 3000-ATK threat, he could still draw something next turn.

"Oh, but it is. I still have a card left. Since fusion is all the rage with kids these days...I play Magicalized Fusion, allowing me to fuse by banishing monsters from my field or graveyard for the summoning of a spellcaster!" On Yugi's right was the resplendent knight, burning golden, while on his right emerged the pale, cool energy of the Dark Magician. Black Luster Soldier raised his sword and the magician hefted his staff, the two crossing in a union of light and dark.

"By combining Dark Magician with Black Luster Soldier, I fusion summon Dark Master of Chaos (3000/2500)!" Purple and golden aura traield the frame of the paladin, its armor combining the signature colors of its fusion materials. The curved violet robes of the Dark Magician had solidified into pauldrons of a darker indigo color, accented with gold. Its staff was replaced with a sword and shield, albeit a sword inlaid with mystic jewels and runes that denoted magical capability. "When this monster is summoned, I can call forth a light or dark monster from my graveyard! Return, Dark Magician Girl!"

The blonde student stood small beside her newly evolved teacher, but with their combined might they mustered over 5000 attack points worth of damage - enough to finish the duel for good. "I promised him that I would live with honor, and that I would use these powers for good. I will never break that promise, Judai! Attack with Dark Burning Slash!" The two spellcasters fired a seemingly endless barrage of magical energy blasts that bathed the streets in a spectrum of lights and fire. (Judai 0/Yugi 1700)

Once the forms of the monsters faded, Yugi walked over to his fallen foe. Some of the black armor had been blasted off , revealing Judai's bruised body underneath. "Just a boy…" Yugi thought sadly. When the boy opened his eyes again, they were brown, not gold.

"...Yugi...thank you." He managed to get out before succumbing to rest. Hurriedly, Yugi rolled back Judai's dark sleeves to see that his pulse was beating, but weakly. Still having a modicum of energy to spare, Yugi took Judai's hand and transferred some, which would help to stabilize him until further aid could arrive.

Looking over, Yugi could see Kaiba making his way over, heavily drained but proud as always. "It is done. Looks like you got the stronger of the two." He commented.

"Lucky me." Yugi replied drolly. "Will he be alright?" He gestured over the teal-haired boy, who was collapsed on the pavement.

"..." Kaiba looked uncomfortable. "There was nothing I could do, Yugi. There was a spirit possessing him. Argh, what the hell was the name...I think it was Yubel? The spirit killed the host, saying he wasn't useful anymore. I couldn't stop the spirit before it escaped."

"Then this war is far from done…" Yugi said sadly. "Once Judai wakes up...there needs to be an accounting. If anyone knows how to stop that spirit, it's him. He wasn't in his right mind...but that doesn't bring back the people he's killed." Yugi wondered again if there was some way to undo the damage, but they were thin hopes at best, as thin as morning mist.

As the morning sun broke over the edge of the building tops, Yugi caught a glimpse of the Winged Kuriboh card in Judai's duel disk, in his graveyard. A powerful storm of emotions surged as he remembered that spur of the moment decision to give away the card to that smiling boy three years ago. "If only he could have stayed that way...but all children grow up and become who they are...for better or worse."

Kaibacorp helicopters touched down around them, seeing to Seto's safety and by extension his own. "Let's go, Yugi. We can treat the boy's wounds and question him later. From there, we can begin an investigation into the spirit realms and find where that damn Yubel is hiding."

Kaiba's words were full of fire - he relished the chance to take revenge on the spirit by his own hand. Yugi only felt tired. Was battle the only force that made the wheels of the universe turn? Must every decision be settled by a duel? When would the cycle of war and vengeance ever end? These questions weighed heavily on his mind as they took Judai away on a stretcher.

A/N

Hope you all enjoyed.

This is a glimpse into a darker alternate timeline where Judai was able to defeat Austin, Edo, Ryo, and everyone else basically in order to solidify his transformation into the Supreme King. Like at the end of the original series though, dueling with Yugi was able to reawaken a piece of himself thought lost. Although there are some loose ends here such as Yubel and whether the dead like Johan can be brought back like they were in the original story, those are up to you to decide. I just wanted to write my take on Yugi vs the Supreme King. Kaiba vs Yubel might be fun to write one day too. I especially wanted to write a Yugi duel due to the new Dark Magician cards in Battle of Chaos. But it was just kind of an off the cuff idea. Supreme King Judai is just too cool despite only being in five episodes, although they clearly were watching Code Geass when designing the armor lol. Geass would have been airing at the same time so I guess it would have been the big thing in 2007. Anyways I'll catch ya next time!