Coral: Okay. In this chapter, I had some help. Okay that's a lie. More than half this chapter, rather the duel and what happens in it, was already done by another reader, who is a creator of a pair of OCs who will appear in this chapter. One of those said OCs will play a big part in the story. Somewhat that is. But he plays a major role indeed! That being said, do enjoy the chapter~!


Normal dialogue

Life Points/Monster stats

*LOCATION CHANGE/ CHANGE IN P.O.V*

Attacks/Effects

'thoughts'

Language other than Japanese (this is English sub after all)


*OPENING*

(Instrumental)(The scene begins with a nice top view of the island)

To the beginning sky... towards the shining light
(The camera looks up to the sky, having a nice view of it and the sun as the anime logo slowly appeared)
There's nothing to fear... because I'm here...
(Freakstar Dragon with Naruto on his back and Time Space Magician flew pass the logo the Spellcaster-type shined the crystal ball on his staff, changing the scene)

Falling countless times to your knees
Not protecting your own pride
(Kohaku slipped on a banana peel and was laughed at by many students. She laughed along with them)
Only coming up with just doubts
Do not close your eyes just yet
(Alex and Bella looked at the scene in slight envy at how she was, in a way, getting along with many others despite her being in Red and daughter of a famous circus' ringmaster and walked their separate ways)

I absolutely cannot see
the possibility that's here and now
(Judai was imagining himself as the next King of Games. Manjoume and his friends along with Chronos glared at how impossible it would be for him while Misawa, Shou and Hayato looked at him with interest or slight admiration)
When these tears turn into rain
I just want you to notice
(Asuka and Ryou were at the entrance of the Abandon Dorm and stared at a picture of the latter's brother with determination)

Spit out all the vexing things
Because there's a meaning for taking things
(Bella was remembering the time when she was younger, getting bullied and being isolated by others because of her powers. Her patience went to her limit as she accidentally summoned a monster and released it onto them)
Even if you desire everything, you don't need to grasp it all
(Alex was remembering when he was accepted into Duel Academy and told the principal that he wished to start at the lowest rank, just to be bullied by those of a higher rank)
Just keep a hold of one most important thing
(Kohaku placed her hands on their shoulders and snapped them out of the memory lane and smiled at them then pushed them to the rest of their friends)

In the beginning of the sky, I welcome you
do not ever look back just look forward
(Judai had out Flame Wingman, who fought against Chronos' Antique Gear Golem and Asuka's Cyber Blader, as Kohaku had out Time Space Magician, who was going head-to-head against Alex's Light and Darkness Dragon and Bella's Nine-Tailed Beast, Kurama)
If you feel the wind on your back
then there won't be anything to worry about
(Shou and his monsters were looking at his brother and his monsters with determination, who smirked in approval, causing the younger sibling to smile back)

If you would look around, you'd see all these smiling faces
(In another realm, it showed all of Kohaku, Bella, Alex, Judai, Shou, Hayato, and Asuka's monsters smiling at the camera)
Do not carry everything by yourself
(Kohaku was looking at her late sister's deck in her hand with a solemn look, the deck's monster spirits floating right by her side)
Don't rush either, the answer is along the way
(The scene turned dark and the whole gang were running towards the light)
you'll definitely find it for sure
(They arrived at a lighthouse, looking up at the night sky)


It's been a while since the school duel. Manjoume, to his demise, was stuck as an Osiris Red for the time being.

Currently, the students were in school, taking their lessons. For one certain class, they were waiting for their teacher in the dueling stadium, who was unusually late.

"Hey, Kohaku. Where's your dad?" Judai asked.

"Is he sick?" Shou followed.

"Truth is, I actually don't know," the 'Circus Freak' duelist answered, to her friends' confusion. "I haven't seen him since he went out last night. Said something about getting a call from someone who wanted to meet him in private."

"And he didn't come back?" Hayato asked.

"Apparently not, if he's this late."

"Maybe he was up all night," Asuka spoke.

"But even so..."

Kohaku was trailed off as she saw her mother entered the room. "Professor Kigara isn't feeling well today, so for Action Duel lesson today, we will go over what you've learned so far."

"How boring," Manjoume scoffed. "I don't see the point in taking this lesson. Besides, I dueled on the field."

Kate overheard what he just said. "Is that so, Manjoume? In that case, please explain to the class what Action cards are in full. While you're at it, list the advantages and disadvantages in having these cards."

The question caught him slightly off guard. He regained his composure and answered the question. "There are two types of Action cards: magic and trap. They are spread all over the field at the beginning of an Action Duel. Action Magic are the advantages, giving monsters more power or makes them indestructible in battle, while traps are the disadvantages, decreasing a monster's power, making them more vulnerable to attacks."

"Wow. You really do know your Action Cards." The former Obelisk Blue felt prideful. "Too bad it wasn't entirely correct." And there goes the pride.

"What?! What do you mean?! Those are exactly what Action Cards are!"

"To an extent."

Before Manjoume could argue any further, Kohaku explained more about Action cards. "You can only hold one Action card in your hand at a time. And not all Action Magics gives you the advantage. Same with trap cards for disadvantages. Also, since they are considered as cards in your hand, if you activate a card that requires you to discard a card, you can use the Action card to do so."

"That's right, Kohaku," Kate nodded. "There are some Action cards like Mad Hurricane or Cursed Crystal that forces you to either shuffle your whole field back into your deck or damages you. Likewise, there are Action traps like the Quiz Action from the Action Field, Quiz Stage." Hearing the word 'quiz' made some certain students grimaced. "They ask questions. If you manage to answer it correctly, you gain Life Points. Incorrectly, and you'll lose Life Points." The female professor then had an idea. "Maybe we should have that field set up for you. For upcoming tests that is."

"Please no!" Judai cried out.

"My head already hurts from studying alone..." Shou whined.

"It'll be good for you, though," Misawa said.

"He's right. Just think of it as a group study session," Alex said.

The two reds didn't seem to hear him.

"It's already too late for them, it seems," Bella said.

"I feel sorry for them," Jacko stated.

"Hmm? I see there are some students who needs this more," Kate spoke, much to Judai and Shou's despair.

Everyone got a good laugh at the class. For Kohaku, however, the laugh didn't last long as she got more worried for her father. Alex noticed this and wondered what he should do to help.


After school was over, all of Kohaku's friends approached her.

"You're going to help me find my dad?" she asked.

"Well yeah. You said he hasn't returned yet, right?" Alex asked back. Kohaku nodded in response. "Then all the more reason. He's your dad and our professor. We all should look for him."

"Alex is right," Bella agreed. "Besides, we're your friends. We should help you in this sort of situation."

Kohaku smiled at their kindness and offer. "Thanks guys. Let's search the whole island for him!"

"Yeah! Let's start searching!" Judai cheered.

"But wouldn't it take days, even with this many people to look for him?" Shou asked.

"Looks like this is where I come in," came Manjoume's voice. The group turned and saw the transferred Osiris by the door, a smug look on his face. "It just so happens that I'm also a detective."

They all ignored the guy.

"My mom is going to wait at the dorms for him. The headmasters all heard of the situation and agreed to wait in the dorms in case if he comes by. I heard Professor Eri had Ryo in charge of the boy's dorm for this case. So that would leave the rest of the island for us to search," Kohaku said.

Manjoume was annoyed that they were ignoring him. "Hey! I'm offering you my service here!"

"Shou, Hayato and I will go into the woods. We'll probably find something there. If not, we can meet up with SAL and see if he or any of his friends see him," Judai said. The other two Reds nodded in agreement.

"I'll check the harbor," Asuka said.

"Same here," Misawa volunteered.

"We can check the ruins," Seth said, referring to himself and Tiffany, who nodded in agreement.

"Jacko and I will check the power supply," Bella followed.

"Then we'll go to the principal and have his permission to go to the Abandoned Dorms. If not there, we can check the volcano," Alex said for himself and Kohaku.

"Hey! What about me?!" Manjoume shouted.

The group turned to him. "Why would you want to help us?" Tiffany asked.

"You probably want Kohaku and her mom to apologize if you managed to find Professor Kazato," Jacko accused.

The black-clothed wearing boy flinched at those words, signaling how spot on his guess was. "Th-That's not true!"

Kanade appeared by Kohaku's side. "Kohaku. We have a problem." The girl glanced over at the duel spirit. "It's your father. The other duel spirits and I searched around the island while you guys were in class. We found your dad but..."

''But'?' Kohaku mentally questioned.

"He's in the Abandon Dorms. Some duelist challenged him and took him hostage."

That shocked Kohaku so much, she let out a gasp, surprising and confusing her friends. Those that aren't psychic duelists that is.

"What is it, Kohaku?" Asuka asked.

Not answering her question, Kohaku ran to the direction of the Abandoned Dorm, with the other psychic duelists following after her. The non-psychics looked at each other in confusion before chasing after them.


They arrived at the Abandon Dorm, where Kanade said Kohaku's father would be, along with the person who had him hostage.

"Kohaku! Slow down!" Alex called.

"And give the person who has my dad hostage the opportunity to possibly kill him?! No way!" the usually cheerful duelist retorted. "I already lost my sister. I'm not going to lose my father either!" Once the Abandon Dorm was within her sight, she picked up her speed and jumped over the 'Do Not Enter' sign, rushing inside, ignoring her friends' calls.

She searched every nook and cranny in the building, searching desperately for her father. Eventually, she arrived at the area where she faced Titan, looking around for any sign of her father or a duel that had occurred in the area.

"Dad!" she called. "Dad, where are you?! Dad!"

At this point, her friends had finally caught up to her, minus Manjoume.

"Please Kohaku, just calm down," Asuka told her.

"I can't. Something happened to Dad and I just know it."

"We don't know if he is here or not," Shou said. It would've been true, if not for the fact that their group contained psychic duelists.

"Or maybe you do, my little friend," came a voice unfamiliar to them.

Everyone turned to see a person standing on the center of the Duel Arena. He seemed to be around their age and had black hair and yellow eyes. He wore a white shirt and a black vest with a black trench coat over them, black leather pants and black shoes. On the back of his coat, it said 'judge, jury, executioner' in capital letters in bold red color. The guy also wore a black fedora hat and black fingerless gloves with yin yang marks on it. He laos had what seemed like a scratch mark on his left cheek.

"Who's that?" Hayato asked.

The boy before them chuckled softly. "My round friend, I'm the last person who seen this girl's father." Hearing that shocked them.

"How do we know you'd seen him?" Seth asked. "You-"

"I have proof my boy," the mysterious person cut him off.

He reached into his pocket and reveal a card that Kohaku knew so well; Performapal Sleight Hand Magician.

"Where did you get that card?" she demanded.

Instead of answering, the person before her said, "Duel me."

"Why?"

"Duel me and I'll give the answer you're looking for."

Kohaku didn't think about the possible consequences and reached her Duel Disk, but was stopped by Alex.

"What are you doing?" she questioned.

"We don't know if this guy is telling the truth," he reasoned.

"And what if he is? There's only one Performapal Sleight Hand Magician out there and my dad is the one that has it."

"But what if it's a trick?" Bella asked, also trying to reason with her.

The man before them let out a yawn. "Are we going to duel or you wish to bore me if you don't want the answer?"

Kohaku shook Alex off and went into the Duel Arena.

"I haven't introduce myself. I am Arkham Wellheim, your worst nightmare," he introduced.

'Don't worry, Dad, I'll win this duel and find you,' Kohaku thought.

"DUEL!" both shouted.

Kohaku: 4000 LP
Arkham: 4000 LP

"I go first. Draw." Arkham drew his sixth card. He looked at his hand and smiled. "It's time for you to know the true fear of my deck. I summon Kamen Rider Ryuga to the field."

A man appeared on the field holding a black box as he stretched outward, as a belt appeared around his waist.

HENSHIN

He insert the box into the slot. Dark images of his armor appeared and came together to become Kamen Rider Ryuga.

Kamen Rider Hyuga: Level 4/DARK/Warrior/1800 ATK/1100 DEF

"Aw man, that monster looks intimidating," Shou said in slight fear.

"That monster looks familiar," Jacko stated.

"You know something?" Judai asked.

"I've heard rumors about a set of duel monsters that look like villains from a tv show."

"You saying that he's the duelist who have this deck?" Bella asked him.

"Yeah. But there was something else about the deck... What was it?"

Back to the duel, Arkham continued his turn. "I activated Ryuga's effect. I can inflict 500 points of damage to my opponent's life point for each Kamen Rider monster on the field. I have one. This is how we will greet you in kindness. Ryuga, would you kindly greet our guest?"

"Right, Boss," the monster answered, much to the psychic duelists' shock. Ryuga took a card from his box and inserted it into his arm visor. "Strike Vent!" Suddenly, a black Chinese dragon came through one of the mirror, surprising everyone by its appearance.

"Aaahhhhhh!" Shou and Hayato screamed.

"What the-?! Did that thing came out from the window?" TIffany gasped.

"Whatever is, it looks like it doesn't want to be a friend in this duel," Seth stated.

The dragon shot a fireball at Kohaku, who screamed in pain. "Aaaahhhhhhhh!"

"Kohaku!" her friends cried out in worry.

Kohaku: 3500 LP
Arkham: 4000 LP

"I place two cards face down and end my turn," Arkham ended.

Kohaku was panting from the fire attack, as she started her turn. "My turn. Draw!" She drew her sixth card. "I summon Gungnir Relic User, Hibiki on the field in Attack mode!" One of Kohaku's 'Relic User' monster appeared.

Gungnir Relic User, Hibiki: Level 4/LIGHT/Warrior/1300 ATK/1000 DEF

"She's using her 'Relic' deck?" Asuka questioned.

"She must really be mad, to not use her 'Circus Freaks'," Misawa said.

"At this time, I activate the continuous trap card, Shadow Killer," Arkham declared. "Since you summoned a non-DARK Attribute monster on the field, you take 500 damage for it!" Soon enough, a shadow materialize and jabbed her right shoulder.

Kohaku Life Point: 3000
Arkham Life Point: 4000

"AAAAHHHHHHHH!" Kohaku screamed.

"Kohaku!" Alex cried out.

"What just happened?!" Hayato gasped.

"This isn't Action Duel, but how?!" Asuka questioned.

It was then, Jacko remembered the one other thing about the deck Arkham used. Or rather, the person himself. "Oh man... Now I remember," he spoke. "There were rumors back in the city. About a duelist who used the deck, not the deck itself."

Everyone turned to him in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked.

"The duelist kept challenging people who claimed to be the strongest and basically gave them all hell! If he's the same duelist then..."

"Kohaku's in trouble!" Judai shouted in realization.

Either she ignored their conversation or didn't care, Kohaku continued her turn. "When Hibiki is summoned, I get to add a 'Relic Weapon' card to my hand! I add Relic Weapon, Glove to my hand and equip it to Hibiki! With this, her ATK is increased by 500!" Hibiki's pendant appeared and the girl transformed into her true form.

Gungnir Relic User, Hibiki: 1300 + 500 = 1800 ATK

"Battle, I attack Kamen rider Ryuga with Hibiki! Power-up Punch!"

"Here I come!" Hibiki shouted, as she charged up the attack and rushed to Ryuga.

"You're a fool. We have the same attack point that will surely end in a-"

Kohaku cut him off as she activated another card in her hand. "I activate the quick play magic, Trap Booster! By discarding Gungnir Relic User, Kande to the graveyard, I can activate the trap card, Relic Weapon Protector to negate Hibiki destruction."

"Take this!" Hibiki and Ryuga's attack collided, by the former then struck with a punch to the gut. She then took him out with a drilling punch to the face.

"I activate the trap card, Judgement Dagger upon Ryuga's Destruction," Arkham said. "Since a DARK monster was destroyed in battle, You take damage half of Ryuga attack points."

"What?!" Kohaku gasped, as thousands of daggers rained upon her. She avoided most of the incoming blades, but ended up with a few scratches.

Kohaku: 2100 LP
Arkham: 4000 LP

"Kohaku, are you okay?!" Hibiki asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine Hibiki. I place two cards facedown and end my turn!" Kohaku ended.

"Well, well, well. It looks like you got me excited a bit when you avoided most of the blade and I see you getting a little a bit stronger with more blood to bleed," Arkham commented.

Kohaku glared at the man, who thought that getting herself in danger make this man happy.

"Well then, it's my turn and I draw." He drew his next card. He look at it, smiled and then laugh. "HAHAHAHAHA!"

"I wonder what's he laughing for," Shou said.

"I don't know, but whatever card he drew, it's not gonna be good," Judai assumed.

"The boy is right," Arkham confirmed. "And I will summon a friend who's enjoy a good puzzle game. It's time to introduce Kamen Rider Para Dox Perfect Puzzle in attack mode." A man appeared out on the field holding a strange device in his hand.

"So, you would like to play a game with me?" he asked Kohaku.

"What?" the girl asked in confusion.

Para Dox turned the knob on the device to the blue side.

PERFECT PUZZLE

Suddenly the area is filled with what seemed like energy items.

WHAT'S THE NEXT STAGE

WHAT'S THE NEXT STAGE

HENSHIN

DUEL UP

GET THE GLORY IN THE CHAIN!

PERFECT PUZZLE!

An image of the monster's rider form appeared and went through to his body, allowing him to become Kamen Rider Para Dox Perfect Puzzle

Kamen Rider Para Dox Perfect Puzzle: Level 4/DARK/Warrior/1300 ATK/1900 DEF

"I activate his effect," Arkham continued. "By reveling two cards from the top of my deck, I can give my monster the abilities of either doubling its attack points or attacking all your monsters. The cards revealed then goes to the bottom of my deck. Here we go." He drew two cards and smiled at the result. "They're a monster and a magic card, which means he get both of the effect together."

Everyone was shocked at this result of getting powerful combination. Para Dox summon all the energy items and selected the three of the ones he absorbed.

MUSCLE UP

SPEED UP

ELASTIC

Kamen Rider Para Dox Perfect Puzzle: 1300 x 2 = 2600 ATK

"Battle. Para Dox, if you may." At Arkham's command, Para Dox took the device and turned the knob twice before placing it back into his belt.

PERFECT CRITICAL COMBO

"Kohaku! Look out!" Alex shouted.

"I active the trap card, Symphogear Caller! This allows me to Special Summon a 'Relic User' monster like Tsubusa on the field to take the attack instead!" the female Ra countered. "And when Tsubasa's summoned, I can add a 'Relic Weapon' card to my hand!"

The blue haired girl was summoned onto the field and stood in front of Hibiki, as Kohaku added a card from her deck to her hand. Due to Kanade being in the Graveyard, she gained a good boost in power as well.

Ame no Habakiri Relic User, Tsubasa: Level 4/WIND/Warrior/1400 + 1000 = 2400 ATK/1000 + 500 = 1500 DEF

"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki cried out.

"Don't worry, I got this. I activate another trap card, Covering Fire. This allows Tsubasa to gain the attack point from Hibiki, more than enough to destroy Para Dox since Kanade's in the grave, allowing Tsubasa to gain half of her Attack Point through her own effect!"

Ame no Habakiri Relic User, Tsubasa: 2400 + 1800 = 4200 ATK

"With That attack point, she can defeat Para Dox!" Jacko exclaimed.

"Let's go, Tachibana!" Tsubasa called.

"Yes!" Hibiki nodded.

They both jumped and attacked Para Dox with a double kick. The attack caused an explosion and both Hibiki and Tsubasa were safe.

Kohaku: 2100 LP
Arkham: 2400 LP

"Yes! Para Dox got destroyed!" Tiffany cheered.

However, as the smoke became clear, Para-Dox was still alive, much to their shock.

"But how?" Kohaku asked.

"The quick play Magic, Iron Will, which targets one Warrior-type monster on the field that that has the original attack less and other other monster with the original attack point that is higher than mine. It negates my monster's destruction," Arkham explained.

Kohaku gritted her teeth at the counter. "After the battle is over, Tsubasa looses the boost she gained from Covering Fire."

Ame no Habakiri Relic User, Tsubasa: 4200 - 1800 = 2400 ATK

Arkham saw this and chuckled softly. "You know, I already know how you duel. It's almost predictable."

"What?" Kohaku demanded angrily.

"Little lamb, why do you want to make smiles, when most of the people are feeling miserable because of you, who don't know their feelings well?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I have watched your duels. During that tag team duel, you ignored that poor, stubborn Manjoume, like you didn't care in the world, which means you are definitely the strongest duelist of them all! So strong, that you never care a person's past or their pain. Simply because you lack of understanding with one another, which is good."

Kohaku clutched her fist in anger. "You don't know anything about me!"

"That's funny, coming from the person who puts on a mask to hide her pain. What was it saying again?" He faked confusion then realization. "Oh, that's right. It said, 'I miss my little sister and I don't know if I can move on.' Don't worry my dear, I know what can cheer you up!"

Arkham snapped his fingers. A light shone on a cage, hanging behind him. Inside was a familiar person, who Kohaku was shocked to see.

"DAD!" she called.

"Professor Kazato!" Bella followed, as everyone else was just in shock at the situation Kohaku's father was in, as well as his condition.

"He looks so beaten up..." Hayato stated.

"Which means... That guy beat him in a duel!" Misawa concluded.

"What the hell did you do to him?!" Kohaku demanded.

"Calm yourself," Arkham waved off, like it was no big deal. "He was just banged up for bit. Nothing much."

"Oh yeah, judging by those marks, it happen at the end of the duel," Alex assumed.

"That, and during the duel, my boy." Everyone was shocked at those words. "I never explained what will happen, but I'll get to the point. You see, if you people try to do anything funny that interrupt the rest of the duel, he will die. Same for those of you are... 'special', so to say." The ground below the cage opened up, revealing a row of spikes. " Let's wake him up, shall we?" Arkham press a button on his duel disk. The cage suddenly released some electricity, shocking Kazato up as he was screaming in pain.

"DAD!" Kohaku cried out.

The electricity died down and Kazato weakly looked down. "Kohaku...?" he breathed.

Seeing him in an weaker condition angered the 'Relic' duelist as she glared at her opponent.

"So let's continue the little game," Arkham said, pretending as if nothing happened during the duel. "I place one card face and my turn. At this time, "

"This is not good," Asuka muttered.

"If we try to help her father, he'll might die if Arkham spots us," Misawa stated.

"Worst of all, he knows I have duel spirits that I can use to help get her dad out," Bella added.

"All we can do now is hope that she can win this duel," Seth said.

"I draw!" Kohaku drew her next card. "I summon Ichavial Relic User, Chris in attack mode!" The silver-haired girl was summoned on her field.

Ichavial Relic User, Chris: Level 4/FIRE/Warrior/1300 ATK/1000 DEF

"With her effect, I can add Relic Weapon, Gun to my hand! Now I equip Relic Weapon, Sword to Tsubasa and Gun to Chris!" Both monsters transformed into their battle garment and raised some of their ATK points.

Ame no Habakiri Relic User, Tsubasa: 2400 + 500 = 2900 ATK

Ichavial Relic User, Chris: 1300 + 500 = 1800 ATK

"Alright! With those monsters as they are right now, she might able to win this duel for sure!" Shou exclaimed.

"Battle! I attack Kamen Rider Para Dox with Tsubasa. Blue Flash!" A large sword appeared in Tsubasa's hands, the blade covered in electricity. She swung her sword down on her opponent, causing an explosion to occur.

Kohaku: 2100 LP
Arkham: 800 LP

"Did she do it?" Hayato asked.

Everyone watched in anticipation as Tsubasa returned to her owner's field. The smoke became clear and, to their shock, in front of them was Para Dox, still standing.

"Impossible!" Tsubasa gasped.

"But I destroyed it!" Kohaku questioned.

"Let's just say... I ended the battle phase with this card," Arkham spoke, as the smoke started to fade away completely, revealing a face-up trap card by his side.

Kohaku was confused at the sight of it, unfamiliar with the card. "The trap card, Malevolent Force?"

"This Trap Card allows me to pick which phase to end at the cost of half of my life point. So I end the battle phase. The second effect of this card allows my opponent to draw a card, so draw please."

(Malevolent Force: Normal Trap: You may pay half your Life Points to end a Phase this turn. Then, your opponent draws a card.)

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

"My turn and I draw," Arkham drew his next card. "I activate the magic card, Card of Sanctity, allowing us to draw cards until we have 6 in our hands." They both drew until they had six cards. "Next, I activate the effect of Kamen Rider Para Dox. By returning this card to my deck during my Main Phase, I can Special Summon a different 'Para Dox.'" Para Dox took his device and change the Knob to red.

KNOCKOUT FIGHTER

THE STRONGEST FIST!

ROUND 1!

ROCK AND FIRE

Transformation Plus

DUEL UP

EXPLOSION HIT!

KNOCKOUT FIGHTER

Para Dox's color changed from blue to red, his shoulder pads detaching themselves to become boxing gloves.

"Aw great. One trouble keeps popping up after another," Hayato stated.

"Except it's gonna decide whether she lives or dies with its effect," Arkham added. "By not attacking this turn, Para Dox can destroy one monster on the field and inflict damage equal to the monster's ATK points. The lucky monster for this treat... is Tsubasa with 2900 ATK points!" Para Dox took his device and changed the color twice before setting it back to the Red Mark.

KIMAWAZA

DUEL CLICK AND LOAD

KNOCKOUT CRITICAL SMASH

Para Dox rushed to Tsubasa and gave her an uppercut to the chin, which sent her straight up and back down before Para Dox punches her again that made her explode. The explosion spread all over Kohaku's field.

"KOHAKU!" Alex cried out in worry.

Everyone else was shocked at what had just occurred before them. Fiore Kohaku had just...

"Well then, that's that," Arkham simply waved off, as he turned around to walk away.

"IT'S NOT OVER!" came a voice from the smoke.

Arkham turn around and saw Kohaku still standing, bruised after Tsubasa was destroyed by Para Dox.

"What?" he lightly gasped.

"I activated... the trap card... Relic Weapon Defender. This turn... while I control a 'Relic User' monster... equipped with a 'Relic Weapon'... I take no damage!" Kohaku explained.

Everyone breathed out a sigh of relief at the defense.

"She's safe..." Shou spoke, placing a hand to his chest.

"Yeah, but how long?" Jacko asked.

Among the group, the one who was worried about Kohaku the most was Alex.

"Come on, Kohaku. Don't die," he whispered.

Arkham smirked at the sight. "Well then, I placed two cards facedown and end my turn."

Kohaku was panting heavily. Although the damage to her Life Points was reduced to zero, the actual damage itself damaged her greatly. It took her everything she had to stay on her feet. "My... My..." She made a move to draw, or at least attempt to, but could barely raise her arms.

Both Hibiki and Chris noticed this. "Kohaku, what's wrong?" the former asked.

"Don't tell me that damage was too much for you," the latter said.

This, however, didn't go unnoticed by Arkham. "Aww. What's the matter, dear? Can't breathe after my monster almost scorched you and then beat you up a bit?" He mocked, as he then let out a hearty laugh. "Don't worry, this is how I make people go to their strongest potential! To push their limit and their ideals, including the foolish idea of smiling in a duel!"

Alex was angry at him for calling her ideas foolish.

"There are some truth about making people smiling, though, don't get me wrong. They wish to befriend you and next thing you knew, you create enemies that you make monkeys out of, sought out weaklings below you to let out some frustration on. Don't you agree?"

"That's... not ..." Kohaku tried to speak.

"Oh wait, I'm not done talking. All you have been doing was to make yourself happy, make others feel jealous, and made them hate others because of you, who wish to not understand their pain."

Kohaku was breath more heavily and try to say something before Arkham cuts her off again.

"You don't want to understand the humility of the people you caused to drive them to the point causing petty troubles. Like that copycat duelist who wished to be recognize for his skills."

"That's... not... true..." Kohaku spoke. Yet despite that, it seemed that Arkham's words were actually getting to her. Truth be told, her dueling style was developed when her twin died. She didn't want to be sad, ever again. So she had developed the dueling style to make people smiles, when in truth, it was a cover for her to smile more. The thought was making her feel even more guilty. The injuries she sustained and the emotions she was feeling were starting to weigh her down, having her lose strength to continue dueling.

"YOU'RE NOT BAD PERSON, KOHAKU!" came a voice.

Kohaku looked up to the person who shouted those words.

"You're not bad person..." Kazato continued to speak, coughing every now and then. "The truth is... You're the most wonderful person, who many people smile during my absence. I know I wasn't there for you when you had to watch your sister die, while the true culprit was getting away for the crime. But, you never hurt others to hate, to hide; you showed so much happiness to the people around you, brought smiles to their faces, helped them forget the pain, no matter how temporary it may be. I'm proud that you brought smiles to those here and now. I've heard you once helped a dueling monkey reunite with his family with Bella. You met people who were alone and understood friendship. You stand with your friends who were bullied by those who don't understand the world. I'm proud... and I'm happy to be your father." He shed a tear as he said that.

Hearing those words were making Kohaku shed some tears herself. "Dad..."

Arkham let out a yawn, ruining the father-daughter moment. "Oh. You poor fools."

"What?" Kohaku asked.

"Didn't I tell you what would happen if someone interrupts the duel?" This still confused everyone, not seeing the point he was making. Until they figured out what he was referring to.

"You wouldn't!" Bella shouted.

"But I would." Arkham activated the mechanism to drop the cage, with Kazato still in it.

"DAD!" Kohaku cried out, running through the duel field. Suddenly, her body glowed bright and she just disappeared, surprising everybody. As sudden as she disappeared, she reappeared in Kazato's cage and grabbed him, somehow teleporting them out and back on her side of the field.

Kazato looked at his daughter in shock. "Kazato... Your powers..."

"Dad... I..." Kohaku couldn't say anymore, and collapsed, worrying everyone.

"Kohaku!" they all shouted.


*IN HER MIND*

Kohaku opened her eyes and found herself in a white space. She looked around, wondering where she was. Imagine her surprise, when she saw someone quite familiar to her. Someone she hadn't seen in a long time.

"You can't be..." she spoke.

"Hey, Kohaku. We got a lot to talk about, sis."


*IN THE REAL WORLD*

"Kohaku! Wake up!" Kazato shouted, shaking his daughter's shoulders.

"Aww... Well that changed everything," came Arkham's voice. "Here I was, hoping that the death of another relative would push her to be stronger in this duel, to go to her fullest. But instead, she did the boring and saved her father. How disappointing."

Hearing those words made everyone mad.

"You're a sick monster!" Seth exclaimed.

"Eh. Maybe I am. But then again, I'm a duelist with a pride. I'll give her... three minutes to wake up and continue this duel. Anyone tries to cut in is going to die." Hearing those words shocked them.

"DIE?!" Alex gasped.

"That's right. Although, since there's a huge possibility that you'll be dueling for her, if you duel for her, I'll kill her." That shocked them even more. "In the mean time, I'll just sit back, and relax."

"I suppose that means me as well," Para Dox stated, as he sat on the ground like his duelist.

"The hell?" Jacko muttered.

Alex and Bella looked at Kohaku, both thinking the same thing. 'Kohaku... Please wake up...'


*IN KOHAKU'S MIND*

The girl had just finished telling her late sister stories of her time in Duel Academia.

"I see. So, that's why you're here with me," Koharu said.

"Yeah. That's right," Kohaku nodded.

The older twin was thinking about the things Arkham taunted her about; her dueling ways, the idea to bring smile and joys... everything...

'Little lamb, why do you want to make smiles, when most of the people are feeling miserable because of you, who don't know their feelings well?'

'You never care a person's past or their pain. Simply because you lack of understanding with one another.'

'All you have been doing was to make yourself happy, make others feel jealous, and made them hate others because of you, who wish to not understand their pain.'

Kohaku's hands were shaking out of fear that he might be telling the truth that she never knew herself. Truth that she never understood the pain that the person went through and felt guilty that she fails to see it in their eyes. But then, a hand was placed on her shoulder. "Koharu?" Looking up, she saw it was her twin who was trying to comfort her.

"We can't always change the way people are, but we can help them. The people who are suffering from the same cycle of pain, just as you've always done for me," she said.

Kohaku looked down, uncertain. "But..."

"You have friends waiting for you to come back, right? And wasn't it you who rightfully earned this pendant?" Koharu pointed at the small staff around her neck, the very same one she got back in the Gravekeeper's Spirit World.

Kohaku looked down at the pendant and started to remember the duel she had that very day. She recalled how she had done her dueling style and brought smiles to the Gravekeeper's faces. Real, kind, happy smiles. Her mind then went back to the Action Duels for the Representative Decisive Tournament, especially the last round, when everyone in the audience, Reds, Yellows, and Blues alike, all cheered for both her and Judai to win, to represent the whole school. Even those that looked down on the Reds had cheered, though they reverted back to their old ways after the tournament was over. It was here, she realized the one thing that she always had when she performed a duel and a show; she has friends there with her. Soon, the area becomes much brighter.

"Now go, sis. The show has yet to end," Koharu said. With that, the light became even more brighter than before.


Kohaku woke up from the dream/vision she had, now with newfound determination. The sight of her regaining conscience relieved everyone.

"And here I was worrying that you would be gone along with the show," Arkham sarcastically stated.

"The show never ends. Not without a good trick up my sleeves!" Kohaku told him.

Arkham couldn't help but notice how the girl before him was acting her usual self and was shocked. "What?"

"You were right about one thing; I may not understand the pain they have gone through or the pressure they endured that turned them into the people they are now, bullies who escape their misery by looking down on others, but I have my friends with me that helped others. Friends who are willing to help understand their pain!"

(INSERT: VITALIZATION BY NANA MIZUKI)

All of a sudden, there was a spotlight on her. "Hola~! Bonjour~! Hello, everybody~! I'm about to draw out the one card that will bring a miracle of smile for this climatic show!" Everyone in the audience tensed at that declaration, hoping for it to be true. "It's my turn and I DRAW!" She drew the next card from her deck and smiled at the sight of it before putting it back in her hand. "I activate Resurrection of the Dead to bring back Tsubasa for this final show! Stand with Hibiki and Chris!" The blue haired girl was brought back to the field with her friends.

"Tsubasa-san!" Hibiki called in relief

"It's about time you showed up," Chris stated.

"Yeah. Now how about we end this with a bang?" Tsubasa suggested. The other two girls nodded in agreement to the idea.

"Next, I activate the magic card, Relic Weapon Reconstruction to add Tsubasa's Relic Weapon Sword to my hand and activate it again!" Kohaku continued, as her recently summoned monster changed back into her battle armor.

"You really think I'm about to fall the same trick you been pulling for the last two turn to take me down? You're more of a fool than I thought," Arkham mocked.

"Nope, but this is! From my hand, I activate the magic card, Relic Weapon Evolution! By paying half my Life Points, I can send 'Relic User' monsters equipped with 'Relic Weapon' magic card from my field to the Graveyard to evolve them to their next form!" The three girls glow brightly and suddenly they engulfed in a pillar of light with different colors of red, blue, and yellow. Soon, the lights dispersed and the three girls clad in what seemed like upgraded version of their armor, white replacing black, with wings on their backs.

Kohaku: 1050 LP
Arkham: 800 LP

Gungnir Relic User, Hibiki X-Drive: Level 7/LIGHT/Warrior/2500 ATK/2400 DEF

Ame no Habakiri Relic User, Tsubasa X-Drive: Level 7/LIGHT/Warrior/3000 ATK/2500 DEF

Ichavial Relic User, Chris X-Drive: Level 7/LIGHT/Warrior/2400 ATK/2000 DEF

Kazato realized something different about her current dueling style and smiled. 'Kohaku... You're not alone,' he thought.

"You really think summoning a new set of monsters will bring down the final curtain on this show?" Arkham asked.

"You're the one who's going to take the final bow, because I activate Hibiki's effect! By banishing Swan Song from my hand or Graveyard, she gains ATK equal to all 'Relic User' monsters on the field and either player's graveyard!" Everyone was shocked at those words. "Hit it, girls!"

"Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal
Emustolronzen fine el balal zillz
Gatrandis babel ziggurat edenal
Emustolronzen fine el balal zillz"

The next thing they knew, a large, golden sword appeared in Hibiki's hands. She let out a large battle cry as she spun the weapon around, her power skyrocketing.

Gungnir Relic User, Hibiki X-Drive: 2500 + 3000 + 2400 + 1300 + 1300 + 1400 + 2000 = 13900 ATK

"Arkham's Life Points is 800. With that ATK Point, she can win this duel!" Misawa calculated.

"It won't matter what he does now, Kohaku will win!" Asuka added.

"Go get him, Kohaku-san!" Seth cheered.

"Finish this with a bang!" Bella followed.

"It's time for the Grand Finale! Hibiki! Attack Para-Dox with Synchrogazer!" the 'Relic' duelist ordered.

"Let's do this, Durandal!" Hibiki cried out, her sword raised high in the air, Tsubasa and Chris giving her support. The weapon started to enlarge itself, growing big enough to touch the roof.

Everyone was awe by this, some to the point that they fainted after seeing that sword went straight up high. Hibiki then charged at Para Dox, who was preparing himself for a world of pain. Hibiki stabbed the sword at her opponent, who exploded afterwards.

"She did it!" Alex shouted.

Everyone cheered at this event when all of sudden, as the smoke evaporated, they saw Para Dox holding Durandal.

"What just happened?!" Tiffany gasped.

"The answer is right here," Arkham answered, pointing at an activated card on his field. "Trap card, Unlucky Number. If my Life Points is lower than my opponent's, by releasing a 'Kamen Rider' monster, I can destroy a monster my opponent controls. Also, we both take damage equal to that monster's ATK."

"Out with you!" Para Dox shouted, as a bomb of some sort appeared in his hand. He closed in on Hibiki, the fuse shortening by the second. The next thing they knew, the bomb exploded, big enough to have the Abandoned Dorm collapse.

Kohaku: 0000 LP
Arkham: 000 LP

WINNER: DRAW!


Some time later, after the outcome of the duel, the collapse of the Abandoned Dorm, the teachers all arrived at the entrance, or what was left of it.

"What happened here?" Eri asked in a concerned tone.

"This is utter nonsense- na no ne!" Chronos exclaimed.

"I hope no one was inside when this happened- nya" Daitokuji prayed.

They then saw something move from the rubble. Next thing they new, Judai, Shou and Hayato emerged.

"Whoa! That was scary!" Shou exclaimed.

"I thought we were going to die," Hayato said.

"At least we lived. What about everyone else?" Judai pointed out.

"You three!" they heard. Turning to the source, they widened their eyes in panic as they saw the teachers all staring at them, including the Academia Ethics Board. "I should've known it was you dropout boys- na no ne!" Chronos accused.

"Wait a second! It's not what you think!" Judai tried to reason.

The next one to get the rubble off was Jacko, who helped Bella up. "You okay Bella?"

"I think so," she answered.

"Jacko and Bella?!" Kate gasped.

"Just what is...?" Samejima spoke.

Next to emerge were Seth and Tiffany.

"That hurts..." the former said.

"How did we survive? Or even get up here?" the latter asked, noticing that, instead of being at the cave-like area, the group were at what she assumed was the lobby of the Abandoned Dorm, or what should be at least.

"What are you kids doing here?!" the woman of the Ethics Board demanded. "You know you're not suppose to be here!"

Before they could explain themselves, Misawa, Asuka and Alex came out of the rubble.

"You kids too?!" Kabayama asked.

Most of the students tensed at the question, wondering what they should do.

"Wait. Where's Kohaku and Professor Kazato?!" Alex asked. While the adults were confused with his question, the teenagers all realized they were missing those two people.

"You think lying about your sensei getting involved with what you kids did will save you? Think again!" the Ethics Board lady said.

She was proven wrong, however, as Kazato had also slowly emerged from the rubble. "Looks like I just made it," he muttered, seeing the students were okay.

"Kazato!" Kate cried out, running to her lover's side. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Kate. Sorry for worrying you."

"Kazato, what is going on here?" Samejima asked.

"Eh? Well..." As he was about to answer, he noticed his daughter was missing from the group. "Kohaku. Kohaku!" He looked around and started to move the rubbles away to find his daughter. "Kohaku! Where are you?!"

Equally worried for the missing Ra, everyone else started to dig for her as well.

Meanwhile, a mysterious figure looked at the group from the forest behind the bushes

'That is one trail down and few more to go,' he thought. He look at his deck and in front of it is the name of a monster card. 'Soon, they will face an evil worse than Kagemaru and his thirst of the Sacred Beast cards.' He soon disappeared from the bushes