(A/N: This isn't exactly the longest climax ever, but it's definitely hype and definitely worthy of being the 50th chapter in the series run. Have fun, everyone!)

Unaware that his friends had been freed from their virtual hellscape, Gundham continued to do battle with Marik, his borrowed sword clanging against Marik's Millennium Rod repeatedly as he tried to do more akin to damage than a few scratches. Behind him, Summoned Skull, boosted by Gundham's own increased power, was fighting a battle of attrition against Masked Beast Des Gardius.

However, that hardly mattered to Gundham. If he could take Marik's head, this would all be over.

"Hahaha," Marik laughed. "You're a greater challenge than I anticipated." He took a huge leap back from Gundham. "But not quite good enough." With a shot of golden energy from the Millennium Rod, Gundham was blasted backwards across the room. He swatted the ground as blood trickled now from an open wound in his forehead.

And it was then that Gundham felt a great amount of heat surrounding the area. No, not just any heat, sunlight.

Marik laughed. "You should feel honored Gundham Tanaka. It seems you are worthy of Ra's destruction after all. Feast your eyes on a despair only few have ever born witness to!"

A bright flash descended from above as Ra's sphere form appeared. Shining the Millennium Rod to the great beast above, Marik's monster began to emerge as Des Gardius was offered up as an additional sacrifice.

With a roar, the enormous, golden Winged Dragon of Ra appeared. "Your time is at an end," Marik declared. "Farewell!"

Gundham could only gaze up at Ra. Marik was right about one thing, Ra's mere presence made Gundham tremble with fear. A beast so mighty and terrifying. It seemed practically unstoppable. Seeing it up close, my astral level doesn't even begin to compare, Gundham thought. Was this it? Had he failed? Had the shadows come to collect their due on the Supreme Overlord of Ice? No! Gundham exclaimed inwardly, refusing to yield. He held up his sword. This was far from over. "If a god is to be my opponent, I shall commit Deicide, so says I, GUNDHAM TANAKA!"

"As far as final words go, they will be quite memorable when they're carved on your epitaph," Marik said. "Winged Dragon of Ra! End this Shadow Game!"

However, before Ra could rear up to attack, another golden light pierced through the shadows. "Marik, stop this!" Yami declared appearing in front of Gundham.

"Pharaoh, so you've finally come out of hiding," Marik chuckled.

"I wasn't exactly hiding," Yami said, hands in his pockets, body turned perpendicular to Marik, but his head facing the demented villain head on. "Marik, this is a clear violation of Kaiba's rules." Yami pointed directly at Marik, now turning his whole body to face him. "If you want either of the remaining god cards, call off Ra right now and end this Shadow Game!"

"We're not finished here!" Gundham exclaimed angrily.

"Gundham, I understand your rage and your anger, but you can't possibly hope to beat Marik like this. I can do nothing to stop your duel," Yami said, clenching a fist and glaring at Gundham, "But I will not stand here and watch you throw your life away to some Shadow Game you cannot possibly comprehend!"

Bitterly, Gundham folded his arms. He conceded. "By your will then, my pharaoh." He then grinned at Marik, still acting as though he were itching for action. "Hear that, Fell Dragon? We shall suspend proceedings for now? The clock of destiny ticks forward towards the true stage of our final battle! Be fortunate for the mercy you are being granted today!"

"Hahahaha, if anyone is being shown mercy, it's you," Marik said as he used the power of the Millennium Rod to end the Shadow Game entirely, returning the hallway's distortions to normal. "But, you certainly have caught my interest, Gundham Tanaka. Of all the nobodies I shall destroy, you will be my favorite and most memorable."

Marik continued to laugh maniacally as he grabbed his cloak and wafted it through the air, stepping past Gundham and Yami. "Oh, and Pharaoh."

"What?" Yami glared at the back of Marik's head.

"As soon as I'm done with Gundham, I'm coming for your puzzle next."

"You will never have my puzzle, Marik. I will defeat you," Yami declared, balling a fist.

Marik only chuckled and walked away. "We shall certainly see about that."

After Marik left Yami and Gundham's sight, the latter began gathering up his Four Dark Devas of Destruction, patting them on the heads and placing them in his pockets. The Shadow Game had not left them with visible wounds. The damage they sustained was only mental and metaphysical. Each one was extremely exhausted, but in no life-threatening danger that Gundham could discern.

Comparatively, Gundham was still physically injured. "That was both brave and foolish of you, Gundham," Yami said as Gundham crouched down to collect the last of the four devas, Cham-P.

"Yet you understand my actions, else your rage would be as unyielding and twisted as Osiris' body."

Yami smirked, eyes closed. "Indeed, we all put our lives on the line for our friends. Sonia is lucky to have a friend in you, Gundham."

Gundham pat Cham-P on the head and then helped him into his designated home on Gundham's person. "The Dark Queen and I are eternally bound by fate," he said standing up. He turned to face Yami. "I would do anything to aid and assist her, for it is difficult enough to stand in a strange land with no comprehension of its rules or laws. With my aid, she will at least not face that challenge alone."

"I know the feeling," Yami said, arms folded, looking at the ceiling. Téa, Tristan, Joey and Yugi all flashed through his mind.

Gundham smirked and approached the Pharaoh as he bandaged up his left, hamster bitten arm. As he glanced down and to the side to make sure he was doing it right, he noticed something at Yami's feet. "Hmm? Did you drop a few of your cards Pharaoh, how careless."

Yami looked down seeing the cards scattered on the floor. One was even under his foot. "No, my deck is safely secure," he said, unbuttoning the pouch on his belt to show Gundham. "These must be yours."

Yami took a step back for Gundham to pick up the cards. He turned them over. One of them was the Summoned Skull, but the rest…

"What…is this?"

Yami looked down. "What is it?"

"Sword of Shadows? Wings of the Fallen Angel? I have never heard of these cards."

Yami crouched down to look at the cards Gundham was holding. They all certainly seemed unique. "Could it be…?"

"You have a theory?" Gundham asked.

"Perhaps the power of my Millennium Puzzle interfering with the Shadow Game between you and Marik manifested these unique cards based on your desire to fight within."

"My astral powers gave birth to life?" Even Gundham was surprised by the notion.

The pharaoh smiled. "Well, who can say?" He pat Gundham on the shoulder. "It's all mere speculation." He stood up. "Your heart and your beliefs are what make you strong, Gundham Tanaka. Never let go of either."

"Certainly not," Gundham said, standing up. Yami began to walk away, but Gundham called out to him. "My liege, wait."

"Your…liege?" Yami was confused by the title, but no less willing to correct it.

Gundham pulled his scarf up over his nose, "You have my sincerest gratitude. Had you not interfered, I truly would've lost that battle." He held up his arms like he was striking a kung fu pose. "It shant happen again. The next time the Fell Dragon and I do battle, I shall emerge victorious!"

Yami could only smile. To tell Gundham to back down from Marik would be an insult to his pride. "Well," he said, "Do your best." He then spoke more seriously. "Should you fail, I shall defeat Marik myself. You will not be lost in the shadows for long."

"I thank you," Gundham said, actually smiling. "Until then, let this humble servant of the dark arts fight on your behalf."

Though difficult to translate, Yami finally understood the meaning of Gundham's words. He and Gundham, through this single moment, had become friends. "Yugi and I shall cheer you on from the sides. And, of course, you have the Four Dark Devas of Destruction helping you too."

Gundham chuckled. "Indeed I do." He and Yami then walked side by side back to the KaibaCorp blimp.

Having had a huge head start on everyone else, Marik was the first to return to the blimp. Serenity thought to scream, but her voice was stuck in her throat. All she could do was back away from Marik and hope she wasn't noticed. She then ran down the hall in search of proof that everyone was all right, fortunately finding her brother and all his friends. She hugged Joey for dear life. She had assumed the worst.

As Joey and the others explained to Serenity what had been happening, Marik stepped up onto the blimp. The first person to notice him was Mikan. She gasped when she saw him, causing Marik to look at her. And then she saw the burn marks on his face and arm.

"U-um, M-Marik. Y-you should get those wounds looked at. W-would you kindly follow me?"

Marik frowned. "You want to help me? What is your aim, girl?"

Mikan clutched her hands to her chest. "N-no…y-you misunderstand. I-I know that you're cruel and wicked, but you're hurt. I can't just ignore it. Burn wounds like that could fester and give you an infection. It should be treated right away."

Marik smiled. "Very well, I shall grant you the privilege of dressing my wounds."

Mikan escorted Marik into the hospital wing where a comatose Odion and a soulless Bakura and Sonia all lay. Mikan immediately got to work dressing Marik's wound, rubbing an anti-biotic wipe on the wound before getting out the bandages and cutting them and wrapping them with the skill and finesse only the Ultimate Nurse could. Not a drop of blood seeped through the bandages when Mikan was finished. She had completely pressed the wound closed, and yet Marik felt not a single modicum of tightness in his arm.

As Mikan finished treating the wound on his face, she said, "There. All done."

"I thank you, my dear. When the world is mine and plunged into the shadows, I shall destroy you last. Farewell," Marik then left the room.

Mikan watched him go. She knew that Yugi and his friends might've given her flack for helping Marik of all people, but as far as she was concerned, she had done the right thing. She was a nurse. Nurses helped people. Even if Marik had hurt her classmate, she could not bring herself to ignore his own suffering. After all, that wasn't the kind of heart she had. Like her class rep, Mikan had a heart big enough for the world.

Speaking of Chiaki, the Ultimate Gamer was about ready to kick off the most important duel of her life.

"I trust you all know the rules of a triangle duel, but I shall relay them, in case you are unaware. All players start with 4000 life points. No player can attack until all players have had their first turn."

"Yes, I know," Chiaki said, holding up a finger, "However, this rule can be waived if all parties agree. Additionally, as you are the single player, you are entitled to an additional 4000 life points."

"I do not require such a handicap," Izuru said. "And I shall go first. We shall keep the standard rules."

"Very well," Chiaki said. "Clockwise or counterclockwise?"

Izuru looked at Chiaki on his left and then at Nagito on his right. "Counterclockwise."

"Then, make your first move," Nagito said. "We're all patiently waiting."

"Very well," Izuru said and drew the top card of his deck. "I draw." Without even hesitating he said, "I set a monster and then set two cards, ending my turn." The three holograms appeared.

"My turn then," Nagito said and drew the top card of his deck. "I summon Bright Star Dragon in attack mode!" A yellow, horned dragon appeared on Nagito's side of the field. It had 1900 attack points and 1200 defense points. "I end my turn."

"My turn then," Chiaki said, "I draw!" She looked at her hand. "I summon Fencing Fire Ferret, in attack mode!" Her friendly little ferret hit the table. Even with Hajime's deck, since she didn't know all of his cards, she splashed a few of her own in. "Next, I'm setting two cards and ending my turn."

"My turn again," Izuru said calmly. He drew and without hesitating said, "I set a monster. My turn is over."

He didn't attack or tribute summon? Chiaki thought. Izuru certainly played very differently from how she expected, but then again, he wasn't just the Ultimate Gamer. He probably had many different skills merging into one. He also lacked hesitation that even she possessed. He seemed to instantly know the best move to make. Chiaki gulped. This could be a problem.

However, it was Nagito's turn now. "All right, my turn then," Nagito said. "I summon in attack mode Gear Golem the Moving Fortress!" The 800 attack and 2200 defense point monster hit the table, looking ready for action. "Next, I activate Gear Golem's special ability. It may cost me some life points, but you're about to lose just as much since now he can attack directly this turn."

Nagito's life points fell to 3200.

"But first, I'm attacking with Bright Star Dragon against one of your face-down monsters."

"Activating trap card," Izuru said without even a hint of surprise or tone inflection. "A Feint Plan. For the remainder of the turn, face-down monsters cannot be targeted for an attack, so your attack is cancelled."

"All right, but you're still going to take damage from my Gear Golem!" Nagito declared.

Gear Golem flew straight at Izuru and slammed its metal skull into Izuru's chest. Izuru didn't even flinch as his life points trickled down to match Nagito's at 3200. He simply asked, "Are you finished?"

"Yeah. I'm done. Go for it, Chiaki," Nagito said.

"Right!" Chiaki exclaimed and drew the top card of her deck. "I activate my deck master special ability. Versago can fusion summon monsters together for me without the need for Polymerization. So I fuse Nagito's Gear Golem the Moving Fortress with the Blazing Inpachi in my hand to summon Blaze Fenix, the Burning Bombardment Bird!"

A phoenix made entirely of fire and encased in body and wing armor appeared with a loud cry. It had 2800 attack points and 2300 defense points.

"And now, I activate Blaze Fenix's special ability. For every card on the field, you lose 300 life points. And I count 8. Go, Blaze Fenix! Battlefield Bombardment Burn!"

Blaze Fenix soared into the air right up to Exodia's knee and then dove at Izuru in a cataclysm of fire. Izuru didn't flinch this time either as Blaze Fenix returned to Chiaki's side. His life points, however, plummeted all the way to 800.

This is too easy, Nagito thought. Something's not right here.

"Next, I'll attack one of your face-down monsters with Fencing Fire Ferret."

"Activating Trap Card," Izuru stated. "Double Magical Arm Bind."

Nagito and Chiaki both gasped and were shocked.

"By sacrificing the two monsters I have face-down on the field, I gain control of both of your monsters."

That's why he wasn't attacking! Chiaki realized.

Both of her monsters were snatched by Izuru. Defenseless, Chiaki had no choice, but to end her turn.

"My turn now," Izuru said, as he drew the top card of his deck. And then again, without hesitating, stated, "First I shall activate Blaze Fenix's special ability, reducing your life points by 1200, Chiaki."

Blaze Fenix soared into the air and bombarded Chiaki for 1200 points of straight burn damage. From the impact, Chiaki rocked back and forth like she was in a roller coaster that stopped short. Her life points fell to 2800.

Izuru was far from done. "I now sacrifice both your Fencing Fire Ferret and Blaze Fenix, to summon my own monster, The Tyrant Neptune."

Chaiki's monsters were both sent to the graveyard as an armored, four legged, two-armed, reptilian beast appeared. Its head was encased entirely in shadow and it was wielding a hefty looking scythe. It had 0 attack and 0 defense points.

Before Chiaki or Nagito could question what was going on, Izuru said, "Tyrant Neptune's special ability activates. When it's tribute summoned, it gains the attack and defense of the monsters used to summon it."

The words "Oh crap" didn't even begin to describe the looks on Chiaki and Nagito's faces as they saw Tyrant Neptune's attack and defense reach 4500 and 2900 respectively.

"Additionally, Tyrant Neptune gains the abilities of one of the two monsters used to tribute it, as well as its name. And I select, Blaze Fenix."

The shadow of Chiaki's Blaze Fenix cast itself over Tyrant Neptune like some sort of astral guardian of the shadows.

"But that is inconsequential at the moment," Izuru said and looked straight at Chiaki. "Ultimate Gamer, your game is over," Izuru said. "I attack your life points directly."

Chiaki's face went fraught with fear. Neither of her face-down cards could protect her from a direct attack of this magnitude. She closed her eyes and braced for impact.

"I activate Black Luster Soldier's Deckmaster special ability!" Nagito shouted. "Chaos Guard!"

Chiaki's eyes shot open now seeing Black Luster Soldier blocking the attack of The Tyrant Neptune.

"Nagito!" Chiaki exclaimed.

"I know I said I wouldn't just use my power to make your hope shine brighter," he said with a wave and a smile. "But in the end, that's all I'm good for."

With that, Tyrant Neptune pulled back from Black Luster Soldier, swung down and pierced through its shield, arm and chest, destroying Nagito's deck master.

Feeling lightheaded Nagito sat down on the ground, his body glowing as it started to disappear.

"Nagito!" Chiaki exclaimed, running towards him until she was directly across from Izuru.

"Heh. Don't worry, I'll be fine," Nagito said with a tired smile. "It's up to you, Chiaki. I believe in you. See you on the other side."

Chiaki smiled, wiped some tears away and nodded. "Yes, I've gotten this far thanks to your help. Izuru's on the ropes. I just have to push him over the edge!"

Nagito smiled. "That's what I like to hear and then he faded out." A message reading "Desynchronized" in blue letters with a circled exclamation mark next to it, signaled that Nagito had returned to the real world.

But that didn't matter. What mattered was finishing this fight.

Hajime, I'm going to need everything you can give me to save you, Chiaki thought, giving Izuru her toughest look.

"You can handle it from here?" Izuru asked. "Surely you jest. You don't even comprehend the power of my deck master. Not only is Exodia immune to all card effects, including ones that don't necessarily target it like Dark Hole, it gains power from everything in the graveyard. Right now I have two monsters and two traps. For the traps it gains 250 attack and defense points and for the monsters, it gains 500 for each. That makes its current attack and defense 1500 each."

Chiaki looked up to see the stats reflected on Izuru's deck master.

"But of course, I'm not done with my turn yet. First, I'm setting two cards."

The two face-down holograms appeared.

"Next, I shall activate Graceful Charity, allowing me to discard two cards after I draw three," Izuru said, quickly drawing three cards and discarding two, showing two of them to be pieces of the normal Exodia. Chiaki sweated, but Izuru set her mind at ease. "I have no intention of adding all 5 pieces of Exodia to my hand," he said. "A skilled player like you could've taken one or more of them out of it to the graveyard before I had the chance. Unfortunately, that's precisely what I want since Exodia's incarnation gains 1000 attack and defense for every piece of it in the graveyard."

Chiaki watched as Izuru's deck master surged to 3500 in power and defense.

"And since I played a spell card now going to the graveyard, it gains an additional 250 attack points."

Now Exodia was at 3750 power. However, Izuru now had plenty of cards in his graveyard. All Chiaki now needed was just a little more to tip him over the edge.

"Next, I..."

"Not so fast," Chiaki said, "I activate a face-down card of my own, Cemetery Bomb! This allows me to..."

However, a powerful typhoon suddenly blasted out of Izuru's hand and destroyed her trap card. The origin of which was revealed to be the Mystic Space Typhoon Izuru had kept in his hand thanks to the effects of Graceful Charity.

As a result, Chiaki's burn damage trap card was nullified and now Exodia had 4000 attack and defense points.

"Did you really think it would be that easy?" Izuru asked her. "I end my turn. Keep in mind that I do not have to attack your monsters. I can keep chipping away at your life points now that Tyrant Neptune has inherited Blaze Fenix's ability."

"I'm aware," Chiaki said and drew the top card of her deck. "I activate a Mystic Space Typhoon of my own, destroying one of your face-down cards!" Chiaki declared, blasting apart the card on her left.

"A wise decision, and a bit of luck for you," Izuru said, showing Chiaki that she had destroyed his face-down Mirror Force. He didn't have to, but he felt she needed every small victory she could get.

Thanks, Nagito, Chiaki thought as Exodia's power surged to 4250.

"I should warn you by the way. Now that I have more than 7 cards in my graveyard, I can summon my deck master to the field. And you would not be able to withstand and assault from both Tyrant Neptune and my Deck master."

Chiaki looked at the cards in her hand. She smiled. I hope this works. "I invoke the power of my deck master special ability, using Versago the Destroyer to fuse together another fusion monster. However, I'll also be using for the fusion as I fuse it together with Blackland Fire Dragon and Koumori Dragon to create Hajime's favorite monster. Behold, the mighty Blackland Void Dragon!"

Hajime's prized possession emerged with a high-pitched, hellish cry on Chiaki's side of the field. It growled as orange energy flared out of its eyes and mouth in all its 3100 attack and 2900 defense point glory.

"And because I'm using Hajime's deck," Chiaki said. "My extra deck is full and Blaze Fenix is in my graveyard, meaning Blackland Void Dragon gains an additional 3000 attack points."

Her monster surged upward to 6100 attack points.

"This is the end," Chiaki declared. "Go, Blackland Void Dragon!"

"Void Gale Blast!"

Chiaki cried in excitement, hearing Izuru shout the attack as well, thinking Hajime had come back to his senses. Izuru covering his mouth in shock.

However, her dreams were dashed in seconds.

"Activating trap card," Izuru said, "Draining Shield. This trap card negates your attack and increases my life points by the attack of your monster. Be thankful, at least your deck master is not destroyed." Izuru's life points then shot up all the way to 6900.

Chiaki felt a little disheartened watching Exodia's attack points increase yet again to 4500 attack points. However, she felt a bit of relief. Hajime was still in there. She heard his voice. "I knew you weren't gone," she smiled with a sniff. "My turn…" she sniffed is over.

"My turn," Izuru said and drew. "I set a card face-down and next I activate Tyrant Neptune's ability inherited from Blaze Fenix. There are four cards on the field, meaning you lose 1200 life points."

The shadow of Blaze Fenix slammed into Chiaki. She braced for impact and felt the rush of wind and shadow blow past her. When it was over, she lowered her arms. Her life points fell to 1600.

She winced looking at her face-down card. I can't risk using De-Fusion anymore. I thought I could use it for a combination attack, but he could summon Exodia at any time. I dreadfully underestimated him.

"Next," Izuru said. "I activate my face-down card, Dian Keto the Cure Master. This raises my life points by another 1000 points and increases Exodia's power to 4750."

Izur's life points were now 7900 and the change he declared reflected in Exodia's attack and defense points.

"Next, I switch Tyrant Neptune to defense mode and end my turn."

Tyrant Neptune merely used its shadow to protect itself. Its posture did not flinch. That was a dictator for you, Chiaki supposed. It was the type of monster that didn't crouch or hide, but faced any and all attacks head on, as it was about to do shortly.

"I set a card," Chiaki said, placing Ring of Defense face-down in case something bad happened. She didn't want to risk another 1200 points of burn damage.

"And now, Blackland Void Dragon destroys Tyrant Neptune!"

Blackland Void Dragon unleashed a howling gale blast of void energy at its target, vanquishing it utterly.

Exodia's power level shot up to 5250 due to the destruction of Izuru's monster.

"My turn," Izuru said and drew. "I activate the spell card Painful Choice. I now pick 5 cards from my deck and reveal them to my opponent. Then, my opponent picks one. I keep it and the other four go to the graveyard."

Chiaki squeaked when Izuru revealed 3 out of the 5 cards to be the remaining pieces of Exodia. But even worse, the other two cards were a copy of the monster Needle Sunfish each.

Chiaki stared on in horror. She could do the mental math. No matter how she sliced it, Exodia was about to become more powerful than Blackland Void Dragon.

Despair washed over her as she angled her head at the ground. It…was over.

"The game is over," Izuru stated, belaboring the point.

Chiaki just stood there, eyes trembling, arms slumped at her sides, shaking. It couldn't be…it just couldn't be over.

"Too startled for words?" Izuru asked. "Very well. Then I shall make the decision for you." Izuru sent all cards to the graveyard except for the head of Exodia. Exodia's attack power surged to 9,250. He held onto Exodia the Forbidden one in his hand. Additionally, because of the effects of both Needle Sunfish, Chiaki's deck master decreased in power to 5,100 attack points.

"You tried your best, but your best does not compare to my power," Izuru said calmly. "Now then, I call my deck master, The Legendary Exodia Incarnate to the field."

With plodding footsteps, Exodia stepped in front of Izuru, roaring as took its place in front of Blackland Void Dragon.

"Now then, I shall…" Izuru began to say, raising his arm to declare the final blow, only to see a tear droplet hit the ground. He put his arm down. "Why are you crying?" He asked Chiaki. "This was the only possible outcome. If you thought you could beat me, you were only fooling yourself."

"I'm not crying because I lost," Chiaki said, picking her head up to look at Izuru. Her eyes were full of tears. "I'm crying...because I failed to saved you, Hajime. I was so close. If I had…just one more turn."

"I am not Hajime. I told you this already," Izuru said.

"You can call yourself Izuru Kamukura all you want!" Chiaki exclaimed. "I don't care!" Chiaki flung her duel disk off her arm and ran all the way over to Izuru, hugging him. "Hajime means so much to me," she sobbed into Izuru's chest. "I want him back and I know you're still him deep down. Please, I know I can save you, Izuru. I know I can save you, Hajime," Chiaki said as her face distorted with sorrow. Burying her face into Izuru's chest all the way, nose rubbed into his shirt, Chiaki howled, "I don't want you to go away!" She then continued to sob into his chest.

Izuru remained cold and stoic as ever, only to find himself highly surprised when his arms moved on their own and put themselves around Chiaki.

"You still..." Chiaki hyperventilated. "Haven't shown me your best playthrough of Gala Omega..." She sniffed. "We still haven't..." she sobbed, "Gone to a gaming convention together. There a lot of fun things I still want to do with you. It doesn't matter to me who you are." Chiaki took a big sniff and forced herself to smile, hugging Izuru as tight as she could. I only care," she hyperventilated, sobbed and sniffed, "That you're my friend."

...

...

...

Nothing but silence and tears rang through that area of the virtual world for five whole minutes. And then, Izuru spoke.

"I end my turn."

Chiaki snapped to her senses. She squeaked in surprise. "E-eh?" She looked up at Izuru. Did she heard that correctly?

Izuru's eyes were hidden by his long hair. "I end my turn," He repeated. "You said you could beat me if you had one turn. Draw. If you fail, I will not hesitate to obliterate you."

Chiaki's eyes grew wide with hope as tears continued to fall. "Mmmm," she squeaked and then nodded, "Mmmmm," she squeaked in a higher pitch. She ran back over to her duel disk and strapped it on.

She put her hand on top of her deck. Please, Hajime. I know you're in there. Please. Please. I want to save you. I must have hope. I must have faith…in the heart…of the cards!

Chiaki gripped the top card of her deck. Let my feelings reach you, Hajime. Let my words cut down to your very soul!

Had Chiaki spoken the words aloud, the word soul would've echoed through the battlefield.

Chiaki hadn't even realized she'd drawn a card until a few seconds later. When she saw what she drew, she smiled, tears streaming down her face.

"Did you fail to get the card you needed?" Izuru asked, now looking directly at her. His red eyes reflected no emotion as per usual.

Chiaki wiped her eyes, sniffing. "No." she said. "I drew it. I just…" she sniffed and smiled. "I was just thinking…it's a real shame, you know? I won't get to see you again, Izuru. You and Hajime are so different so it's like you're a completely different person." She put a hand on her chest. "I hope to meet you again one day though. I want to teach you more about how fun games are. But..." she sniffed. "Right now…" she sniffed again and stifled a sob. "I want Hajime back…is that all right?" She blushed and smiled. "He's special to me."

"I don't particularly care," Izuru said in his unflinching monotone. "Can you end the duel? Are you certain?"

"Yes." Chiaki said and slipped the card she drew into the spell/trap zone. "I activate Soul Release!"

As the Ultimate Hope, Izuru thought he knew and could discern and identify all. And yet, for some reason, seeing Chiaki play Soul Release utterly shocked him. His pupils shrank in and he looked more startled than he ever thought he could.

"With this, Izuru...Hajime...I SET YOU FREE!" Chiaki shouted, holding one hand up to the sky.

Exodia began to glow with a blue particle effect and white light as Izuru saw an astral image of its arms and legs shoot into the air and vanish into nothing. He watched as the four pieces of Exodia in his graveyard, plus the trap card Double Magical Arm Bind fired out of his duel disk and faded into bright white particles. Exodia Incarnate's power dropped all the way down from 9,250 to 5,000 as the particle effect faded. It was just enough for Chiaki's monster to be stronger by a mere 100 points.

"My monster now has more attack points," Chiaki said.

"It does," Izuru acknowledged.

"You know what happens next, right?" Chiaki asked.

"Blackland Void Dragon attacks," Izuru said as the beast opened is mouth and charged its attack.

"And?" Chiaki asked as the blast was unleashed and charged forward.

"Exodia is destroyed," Izuru said as there was a huge explosion, completely annihilating his deck master.

"And?" Chiaki asked with a satisfied smile.

"And since my deck master was destroyed. It means I lose the duel," Izuru stated as Blackland Void Dragon and both duel disks faded from the virtual world. And then, the neon colored background began to chip away into a world of pure, white light.

Izur then began to glow with the same particle effect Exodia had earlier.

Chiaki looked at his face. "Izuru, why do you look so sad?"

"I never asked to be created," Izuru mused. "And yet, now that I have...where will I go?" he wondered. "My disappearance was never part of my conception. I wonder, will my personality roam cyber space forever? ...Will I ever be reborn? I was created to bring mankind to its apex. But to be trapped in a virtual prison...will I even remain? Or will I simply vanish?"

Chiaki frowned. "I don't know."

"The unknown..." Izuru said as his hair began to fade along with his suit, "is truly..." he became engulfed in light, "a terrifying thing." He closed his eyes. "Goodbye, Ultimate Gamer Chiaki Nanami."

The dimension exploded into a white void as Izuru completely vanished, his attire and hair once more resembling Hajime. Hajime's eyes slowly opened. They were back to normal too. He gasped, surprised to be awake. He began touching his face all over.

"Hajime?" Chiaki asked, practically croaking.

Hajime looked at her surprised. "Huh? Chiaki?"

"Hajime," Chiaki sniffed as her eyes filled with tears all over again. He was okay. He was back to normal again. "Hajime!" Chiaki tackled Hajime, knocking him off balance, but she didn't knock him over. She cried into him. She cried her little teenage heart out in an incoherent series of sobs like a four-year-old with a bruised knee.

Hajime's memory started to replay itself out. He remembered the duel he lost and being transformed into Izuru. And yet, judging from the situation before him. That was all over. He could feel Chiaki's body pressed against him, his chin resting on her soft hair. His arms, wrapped around her hoodie. He could hear her crying as her tears soaked his shirt. He pet her hair. He could smell her scent. He was not having a comatose dream. This was real. Chiaki had rescued him from that nightmare.

"Thank you, Chiaki," Hajime said to her.

"Hajime?" Chiaki sniffed, looking up at him with tear-stained eyes.

"Yeah?" Hajime asked sincerely.

Chiaki spoke to Hajime, but her words were lost due to the de-synchronization of the senses from their digital avatars.

However, they didn't need to be heard, Hajime understood. He saw her lips move and was able to read them perfectly. He took his hands from around Chiaki's back and placed them firmly on her shoulders. He opened his mouth. She opened hers as a tear rolled down her cheek. He said the same words she'd said to him back to her. Then, as though in a trance, their faces drew near, eyes slowly closing. Was it due to the desynchronization, or was it the heat of the moment? Neither knew. Neither cared. They could still feel each other's warmth as their lips drew near. They were practically breathing into each other's mouths as their faces flushed. Closer and closer their lips drew near. Closer and closer. Closer...and closer.

…

…

…

Hajime suddenly woke up with a jolt. He was in some sort of pod, lying on his back at an angle.

"Chiaki!" He exclaimed.

"Ah, you woke up! Good. I was getting worried," Chihiro's voice pierced through the air, but Hajime barely paid him any mind.

Hajime looked around frantically for Chiaki and he found her lying in the only other occupied pod, arms folded over her stomach, eyes still closed. However, unlike him, who had gotten to his feet immediately, she wasn't moving.

"Chiaki!" Hajime darted over to her to check on her. She still wasn't moving. "Hey, come on," he said, shaking her, "Wake up. It's time to go."

Chiaki didn't move at first, but after a few seconds, she simply groaned, "Sleepy." She then turned over on her side, drooled a little and snored cutely.

Hajime let out a deep sigh of relief. Then, without even hesitating, he scooped up Chiaki in his arms. He held one arm under her legs and the other firmly against her back. As for Chiaki's arms, one arm was folded over her stomach, the other hung loosely down towards Hajime's knee.

As he carried her back to the blimp, Chiaki continued to snore in his arms. As Hajime walked with her, he wasn't just walking away from a nightmare, he was returning to an old adventure. It was an adventure he and Chiaki had started together, an adventure they said they were going to see through to the end, together.

With every step, the world seemed, brighter and sunnier to the reserve course student. Waking up in that pod made him feel as though he was reborn anew. He felt...more worldly-wise and stronger of character. Never again would he sacrifice the things he treasured for a power grab. Because he realized now, if he soared for such lofty heights, without thinking of the consequences, he thought as he looked down at Chiaki, he might lose the things that mattered to him most right in front of him.

As he gazed down at Chiaki's sleeping face, he thought about all that they had been together since they met. They had forged a bond stronger than steel, a bond that he would cherish forever. And as he gazed at her, he realized just how fortunate he was to have someone like Chiaki at his side.

Hajime finally emerged in the hangar and headed for the blimp. As he became parallel with the entrance, he saw Seto Kaiba standing just above the staircase. The owner of KaibaCorp had also emerged victorious over his encounter with the mighty Exodia.

Seeing Hajime with Chiaki in his arms, Kaiba took one look at the unconscious girl and, with his usual scowl and attitude asked, "How is she?"

"Exhausted," Hajime answered, "As you might expect. She gave 110%, but I've come to expect that from her."

Kaiba smirked smugly. "Get on the blimp, Hinata. And make sure Nanami gets some rest. You two are holding everyone else up. Chihiro was waiting for you two."

"Uh. Yeah. Thanks," Hajime said, embarrassed at the thought of holding up the tournament.

Kaiba stepped aside so Hajime could get in the blimp. Of course, Kaiba didn't radio to immediately take off. Chihiro was still doing a few things with Noah's computer systems before returning to the aircraft so everyone could leave.

However, Hajime neither knew nor care about that stuff. All he cared about right now, was Chiaki. As he walked down to the hall, he barely registered the rapid fire questioning from Mikan, Mahiru and others. It was as though he couldn't hear them, his ears deafened by some kind of strange force. What he did notice was Nagito, of all people, seeming to tell everyone to calm down, and likely planning to explain what was going on in Hajime's place.

The door to Chiaki's bedroom was unlocked. Hajime opened it, finding the lights off. He shut the automatic door and waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness induced by the hangar before walking forward and tucking Chiaki into her bed. He then firmly gripped her hand with one of his.

I'm going to win the tournament and defeat Marik, he thought confidently as he looked down at Chiaki. I'll do it for us. I am and always will be by your side, Chiaki.

As if on cue, Chiaki's eyes fluttered open. "Hajime?" she questioned, groggy, as though she wasn't sure if it was him.

"Hey there," he said casually with a smile. "You all right?"

Chiaki's brain ran all of the recent minutes of her memory in her head. It was important, no, vital that she check to see if Hajime remembered something. "Hajime…do you…do you remember what happened right when we were..." she trailed off and just blushed as she realized Hajime was holding her hand. She then covered her cheeks and nose with the covers using her free hand.

Hajime used his free hand to brush her bangs up slightly. "Now's not the time for that," He told her. "Let's talk more about it when the tournament is over, okay?"

Chiaki smiled, lowering the covers, "Okay. You go prepare for the tournament. And when it's your turn to duel," she said as her smile widened, "I'll be right there, cheering you on."

Hajime smiled back. "Yeah, I know you will. Thanks, Chiaki." Hajime let go of her hand and pat her head a little. He then filled a glass of water for her and set it down on the night table.

As he left Chiaki's room, he headed for his room. As he did, his last thoughts were, I'm not going to disappear. I'm going to be me! That's the path I choose. He smiled. Because that's the path that will keep me at Chiaki's side.

Meanwhile, with Hajime long gone, Chiaki turned over on her side and curled into a ball. As she drifted off to sleep, happy to have Hajime, her Hajime safe and sound, she smiled. Her last words before falling asleep were simple, yet meaningful. They were the words she tried to tell Hajime as they were desynchronizing from the virtual world. And it was her belief that he knew and understood them. After all, they were going to be together, she felt, for a long long time.

As she settled down in bed, she spoke only a few short words, "I love you…Hajime."

(A/N: And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the sound of your heart melting into liquid paste. Not exactly a long climax, but definitely an effective one. Truth be told, I actually hate the trope Almost Kiss, but in this case, I felt the exception was well-deserved. Don't worry, I'm not going to blue ball all of you over this for long. Like Chiaki and Hajime said, they're going to re-examine their relationship once Battle City is over. …It's a Japan thing. If this were America you know they'd be fucking like rabbits. Oh but heh heh, we'll get to that! Like I said in the description of the fanfic, the rating is intended to go up in the future once the raunchy and stomach churning bloody stuff hits. I don't have much else to say. This chapter was pretty straightforward.

Next time, it's back to Battle City, bitches! And we kick things off with what's going to be one of the longest duels in the entire fanfic thus far: Makoto Naegi Vs Yugi Mutoh! Now that Makoto has finally found his nads a la dueling Noah, he's toughened up and ready to accept Yugi's challenge.

And that makes me realize that I know what you're all thinking: But Draconic Hero, what about the side effects Yukizome mentioned? Is Hajime really back to normal? To that I say the following: Who remembers the ending of Danganronpa 2? And I'll say nothing else.

And until next time, AS always, from all of me to all of you, let your hearts stay human and your wrath draconic. Ja ne!)