AN: Since only one person reviewed last, and that person was NOT supposed to enter, I guess no one guessed who the mystery character was. Ah well. The mystery character was, and is, a new OC!

Disclaimer: I own Yu-Gi-Oh! wanna know how? Send me $50 for the answer!

Claimer: Drake, Lara, their items, their yamis, and the new guy in this chapter. Also, I own Drake the Legendary Dragoon and any other cards I make up.

Drake: If that were true, you would actually win duels.

Alpha: I suppose you want to lose a few duels in this fic then.....

Drake: NO! WAIT! I take it back!

Alpha: Good. New chapter time, review or else Drake loses.

Drake: Wh-WHAT!?

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Drake's POV

"What, a tournament without me in it? Who forgot the invites?"

I heard the voice, and everything seemed to stop. It couldn't be, it CAN'T be-

I turned around and felt my heart stop. It was him.

Older and different, but I could never forget him.

He stood there, on top of the ridge we were near, with a smirk just as dark as his pitch-black hair. His hair, in turn, was just the same: Ever seen the Harry Potter movie and gawked at Snape's hair? It was the same style, but this jerk was worse than any snake could be.

His eyes, cold, gray, showing only malice, and concealing much more. He wore a dark leather jacket, with small rips and a few red stains. Not surprising.

He had that purple scar, shaped like a dagger under his left eye. I never forgot the day I gave it to him, or the fact that I might have had worse.

"What's the matter, Drake?" He said, his voice filled with the same sardonic, sarcastic tone as when I last met him five years ago."Aren't you happy to see your old friend?"

Friend? The jerk actually had the nerve to joke like that after all these years? I couldn't hate him more!

"Drake, who is this guy?" I heard Yugi ask.

Before I could answer, he inturrupted."So, Drake, it seems you haven't told any of your new friends who I am yet. I'm shocked, how disrespectful!"

I had an erge to grab Lara's locket and put the Living Arrow card in at that moment, and the truth is I might have, if she didn't just faint.

"Lara!" I cried, catching her just in time.

"She'll be alright."He said." I usually have that effect on girls. Especially the more slutty ones."

THAT'S IT!

*Calm down, Drake! I know you want to kill this guy, but-*

"SHUT UP!" I yelled out, both to my yami, and him."I would've thought that life without parole would be enough for someone like you, but after all these years, you still seem to be as satanic as ever, Slade!"

"Aw, com'on Drake!"He said, clearly amused at my anger." Can't we know each other on a first-name basis? Call me Buster."

Buster Slade. He still had the same tone of superiority, the same insane conscience, the same dark heart.

"Exactly who is this freak?" Joey asked.

"Buster Slade. Thief, murderer, manipulater, rapist and jack-ass extrardinaire." I answered, cold hatred in every word.

"Ouch. I'm really hurt, Drake." Buster said, slightly chuckling."And what about you? Five years and you still have the same life view of Good over Evil. What an idiot."

"I don't know how you got into this realm, but I'm warning you: If you try anything, do ANYTHING to hurt me, my friends, or Lara I WILL do what I meant to do back then."

I saw him shrug of my words, and I felt my Gauntlet's power growing.

"If that's what you believe, let's duel."

"Fine. WHEN I win, you either go back were you came from, or let me send you to hell myself."

I saw the shocked looks on my friends faces. I don't blame them, any other time, any other person, I would probably be shocked at my words too.

"Bold words. But when I win," I saw him look around, saw him glare at Mai and Tea, and when his eyes stopped on Lara, unconscious on the ground, I nearly screamed.

"I'll announce my prize after my victory. You know how I love suspense."

"Then you'll love the suspense we'll feel, Slade, because you're never going to announce it. I'm going to rip you limb from limb from horns." I mocked.

"Always one for threats Drake." He said, shaking his head."You would have been a good ally. Alright, lets begin."

He jumped from the ridge, flipped through the air, and landed perfectly on one side of the stump Lara and Yugi had dueled on.

While the others were shocked, I knew he would pobably do something like that. He loved starting a day with intimidation.

"Keep her safe." I whispered to Yami." If it seems like I'll lose, I'll teleport you and and the others somewhere as far away as possible."

"But why?" Yami asked as I walked toward the demon of my past. "Why are you that worried?"

I sat down on the stump, shuffling my deck, looking into Slade's cocky face, and I answered only to my mind: Duel Monsters and monsters that can duel are two different things. The former you can spend all your time with, the latter you want to be as far away from as possible.

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AN: My first Original Villian. You like? Or better yet, hate? Review so I can know. I'll explain more of the mystery about this guy later. Right now, this chapter isn't even a third done yet!
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3rd Person Omnicient POV

"Losers go first." Buster said.

"Fine by me, go ahead." Drake retorted.

"Always with the weak comebacks."Buster taunted."I'll put two cards facedown. No monsters."

{What? Even Slade is smarter than that. I could end this duel right now, unless......}

Drake looked at the cards Buster put fd{He's obviously planning something destructive. I have to prepare for whatever those traps are.}

"I'll put two cards facedown as well, and summon Curse of Dragon!" [2000/1500]

The Dark-Type Dragon appeared with a piercing screech.

"Curse of Dragon. What an amatuer move. You really expected to defeat your father with wimpy cards like that in your deck?" Buster sneered.

"We'll see how wimpy it is. Curse of Dragon, attack Buster directly! Dragon Flame!"

The CoD reared back, and let out a tremendous burst of fire.

"I flip over Makiu, the magical mist."Buster said."Turning that flame attack into hot vapor."

The attack was stopped by a wall of mist, which started to cover the entire field.

"Now that it's my turn,"Buster said with a cold smile." I'll bring out the Summoned Skull. I trust you know what all this wet mist does." [3500/1200]

The SS appeared, but something was amiss. This Skull had a strange look in his eye, and no roar of battle-happy mirth echoed from it's throat.

"Lightning Strike Attack!"

The fiend threw it's arms up, strangely reluctant, and shot a large bolt of lightning toward the CoD.

"Now I'll flip a trap. Spell-Binding Circle!"

The light-powered circle negated the attack, and weakened the Skull. [2800/1200].

"Now, I'll flip another weakening card."Drake said." Shadow Spell!"

Chains appeared out of nowhere, and the summoned Skull was further weakened. [2100/1200].

"Finally, I summon the Blue Eyes White Dragon!" [3000/2500]

The infamous monster appeared, towering over the Skull.

"I have to thank you, Slade." Drake smirked."My Blue Eyes attack with Lightning as well." [4000/2500]

"Now, White Lightning!"

The famous dragon let out a burst of enormous energy as if it were only a breath of air. The Skull, however, seemed to just let it strike. Chained, held back, and virtually hopeless, it seemed glad to be destroyed somehow.

"Weakling." Buster said with haughty tone. [LP: 100]

"Weakling?" Drake said, confusion on his face" Summoned Skull is one of the rarest and strongest cards there are."

"It failed, didn't it? So it's weak." Buster said.

{I get it now.}Drake thought, rage going through him.{That Skull was happy to be destroyed. It didn't want to spend any more time on Buster's side than possible. The jerk. Even his monsters despise him.}

"Besides, I have an easy way to beat you anyway. I don't NEED the Skull." Buster said, arrogance plainly evident.

"I flip over the card I've had facedown."He said with a cruel grin."The Racial Trial!"

"No!" Drake cried out. The Racial Trial magic card allowed it's user to ban one species of monster from attacking.

"I believe you know the type I'm banning."Buster laughed."As judge, I find the race of Dragons guilty of assault and murder. I now commend a restraining order, forcing them to defend themselves, no matter how powerful they are."

{Even the same sick humor. He hasn't changed at all.} Drake thought.

"Next I'll play what was once my favorite card."He said." The Dragon Seeker!" [2000/2100]

"Crap." Was all Drake said as the dragonslaying Fiend slashed his BEWD.

"It's your turn anyway, although there's nothing you can do."

"That's where you're wrong, Slade!" Drake called." I'll put one card fd in defense, and switch Curse of Dragon into defense mode."

"Good move. Hopeless, but good."

"Hey, you're the one with only 100 points left, shut up."

"I have much more than just 100 points supporting me." Buster said, finally showing a little anger." I play Stop Defense on that Cursed Dragon."

"Curse OF Dragon, idiot."

"As if your opinion matters." Buster smiled." Losers don't have a say in things. I play the Ax of Despair!"

Drake grimaced. Another rare and powerful card. The Ax of Despair made any monster 1000 Attack stronger.

The Ax appeared in the Seeker's hand, which in turn grinned as dark as his master. [3000/2100]

"Attack with Dragon Killing Ax!"

The Seeker struck down the CoD.

"Not so high and mighty now, huh Drake?"

Drake sighed. [LP: 700]

"Maybe I'm not high and mighty, Slade, but at least I have respect for my friends. And that includes my monsters."

"I have respect for them too. They're great distractions, and a few of them have purposes outside of the Duel Arena."

"What exactly does that mean?"

"You won't be around long enough to find that out."Buster said, a sly grin on his face." But I bet those girls over there might. I believe Brain Control and Change of Heart could be very useful to me concerning them."

"Stop." He immediately said, as Drake's Gauntlet hand went up."The rules of the Millenium Duelists state that Punishment Games are forbidden until after the duel."

*How did he know about that?* Drake's yami asked.

"Then I'll just hurt you like this. First, I put two cards facedown. Then, I summon Lord of D, in defense mode!" 1200/1100

The Dragon Lord appeared, and the Seeker reared back in fear.

"Since my dragons are no longer affected by the unjust Trial you comandeered, I flip over the Serpent Night Dragon!" 2350/2400

The snake-like dragon appeared, slinking it's thin body through the air.

"And then, I play De-Spell, destroying that Ax!"

The Ax dissappeared from the Seeker's hand, and the Fiend started to show visible fear.

"Nightmare Sonic Blasts!"

The dragon shot out arrows of black energy, all hitting the Seeker.

"You're lucky that the Seeker's advantage made it 300 stronger, Slade."

"Lucky isn't the word." Buster said. [LP: 50]

"Anyway, now I will play the final card of this duel."Buster said, suddenly with a grin that made his others look almost holy."My favorite card, it even has my name on it! The Buster Blader!" [2600/2300]

A demonic knight appeared on the battlefield, wielding a dark sword. Black-blue and gold-colered steel covered its entire body. It's face was covered by a black mask, letting only it's shining red eyes be seen, and black horns spiked from it's head. From the second it saw the SND, it was clear this monster hated dragons. It clenched it's hands in anger, until cracks appeared in the steel gloves he wore.

"Impossible....."Drake gasped.

"What? Because only a few cards were made, it's impossible to own?" Buster said evilly." And beleive me, it was worth the effort to get. You and I both know it's effect: 500 extra points for each Dragon on your side or graveyard!" [4600/2300]

"I hope you enjoyed our little game, Drake, because you're through!" Buster cracked, baring his teeth in malice."And believe me, though my assault won't harm you physically, the Punishment Game will leave you the way I meant to, that half-decade in the past!"

He put forth a commanding hand." Buster Blader! Annhialate the Serpent Night Dragon! Dragon's Bane Slash!"

The fiercesome warrior drew back his blade, then slashed the air, sending a beam of darkness toward the SND.

"You just forfeited this duel, Slade!" Drake called." Mirror Force!"

A mirror-like shield appeared, and shot the darkness back.

"And my other down-card! Shield and Sword!"

"No!" Buster cried out,as his Blader's points were switched. [2300/4600]

"And since the attack sent toward me was powered at 4600, it's reflected assault will wipe your Life Points from the arena!"

The darkness cut through the warrior, and both his halves merely looked in amazement at the simple trap they had fallen into. The two parts then dissapeared, living only the Blade behind.

"The duel is over Slade." Drake stated." Even after all of your manipulation and boasts, you lost."

"Thi...this isn't possible..." Buster said, shocked. [LP:0]" I lost to such a,... a weak-"

"Times change, Buster." Drake shouted." I'm not the submissive coward I was half a decade ago. I've grown, both in knowledge and in power."

Drake lifted his hand, the Gauntlet beginning to shine brightly.

"I suggest you start running, BS." Drake mocked." Or else you'l soon feel like your initials. Believe me, it will feel a lot better than what you really are!"

Drake chose that moment to move his out-streched fingers,and whispering "I've waited years to do this.", his gold-shining hand made a very insulting gesture.

At that moment, something odd happened. Buster flipped into the air, pulled something out of his jacket, and whacked Drake on the head with it.

Drake fell unconcsious. Oddly enough, everyone in the clearing did also.

Buster moved a few paces backward admiring his handywork. He looked at the tool that had done the job: A golden dagger, with a familier eye incrusted on it.

"Almost embarrasing to think that you were defeated so easy, Drake, but still incredibly satisfying."

He smiled his merciless smile, thinking about how no one he knew had ever come this close to their goal. He looked around at the unconcsious group, spying several items with similier furnishings to his dagger.

"Four Millinium Items for just one lost duel, not a bad trade."

He reached down to pick one of the Items from a boy with spikey white hair, and was suddenly blown back.

Not even being able to speak, he realized he was suddenly wrapped in chains of yellow energy, and the white-haired boy was standing up, a grin on his face so reminescent to his own that Buster might have gasped.

"I like your style." The boy said to him in a deep, cold voice."But there's only room for one Millinium thief in this realm, or the next! I'll let you off this time, however, because as I said, you're good at your occupation."

He reached into his deck, and pulled a Monster Replacement card out of it.

"Do try not to cross my path again, or you'll know the full extent of my rath!" The Ring-bearing thief spat into the dark-haired youth's face." Remember the name of Ryou Bakura, and know that his yami and body-holder has it in for you. Nice meeting you."

With that, the magic card glowed, and Buster dissapeared.

In a deserted area, several hundred miles away, he appeared. The binds of the Chain Energy card dissapeared, and he promptly fell to the ground. Dusting himself of, he screamed in anger, in his mind already planning a way to rid himself of this new rival. This boy called Bakura.
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Lara's POV

After the duel with Yugi, I suddenly felt very tired.

I heard my yami say something about using to much energy, and I dizzyly walked over toward Drake.

Suddenly, I heard a new voice, one I don't think I've heard before. I couldn't think of who it was though, I was too tired. Without realizing, I fell. The last thing I remembered before going unconcsious was Drake catching me in his arms.

A while later, I don't know how long, I woke up to find everyone else unconscious.

Confused, I looked around. Drake was by the dueling stump, but Joey was unconcsious. I smiled a little, seeing excactly WHERE he had fell, and wondering what Mai's reaction would be to wake up, finding his face there.

I reached into my deck, pulled out the DMG, and put it in my locket.

In a flash of light, she appeared, blinking.

"What's going on, Lara?" She asked me, clearly as confused as I was." Where are we, and who are all these people?"

I smiled. Since I hadn't released her since before the Tournament, when she gave me a pep talk, and reassured me I would find Drake.

"They're my friends, Dia."I replied, using the name I had given her. After all, saying Dark Magician Girl all the time really dried the tongue out.

"Ooooooookay. Why are they all asleep?"

"I don't know. But I bet my fave spellcastor could fix that problem, right?" I said slyly. She loved being bragged about.

"Of course!" She said, grinning." A simple insomnia spell is all it takes."

"K. Just don't put to much toward the one in the red hair. He's Drake, and you know how I WANT him to sleep." I said, showing my "evil" smile.

"Oh, really? You found him? Great!" Dia said happily." I've heard enough worrying about how he might have forgotten you, found someone else, whether he's safe with his dad, if he still looked hot in red-"

"Shut up and wake the others."I said, embarrased.

She sighed, snapped her fingers, and immediately I saw the others snap awake. I quickly opened my Locket, sealing Dia back in. I wasn't ready to explain her just yet.

"I feel like I just drank my brother's coffee." Mokuba grumbled, eyes drooping.

Suddenly, there was a shriek and a loud slapping noise. Joey then plummeted into a rock from the force of Mai's hand.

I saw Drake waking up, and slightly worried, ran over to him.
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Drake's POV

"His name is Buster Slade." I explained after everyone was fully awake.

"About five years ago, he and I became rivals, in a way. I used an all-dragon deck, he used a deck made to defeat dragons. He also refused any help from anyone, and often took his cards for granted, which made it even more embarrasing that I lost to him half the time."

I looked down angrily, wishing I didn't have to explain this.

"Though we were bitter enemies at dueling, we were actually mild friends the rest of the time. We were even in the same Martial Arts class together. But one day, that all changed. I found that he had raped and murdered a girl in our class, and that the weapon in truth was bought with some money I lent to him. He said he had killed the girl for the fun of it, that it was some kind of heritage thing."

"In other words, he's insane." Joey stated.

"Yes." I said, clenching my hands furiously." When I tried to call the police, he beat the crap out've me. Then he bragged about everything he'd done with my cash, and how good it was to have such a dope for a friend. When I finally got away, he was arrested, barely missed the death penalty, and sentenced to life with no chance of bail or parole in a high-security jail. Which is why i'm worried about how he's here."

"I never knew," Lara said, wide-eyed." Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I was too ashamed." I said, looking down," and I didn't know whether or not you would still feel the same for me."

"You were worried about that?" She asked, strangely smiling." Drake, only a fool bases his judgement on a person's friends. I would still love you, and I do."

With that, I felt her lips go against mine. The sweet, blissful feeling. Ahhh. The-

*Drakey's got a girlfrieeeeeeeeeeeend!* I heard my yami start to sing.* We all know were he's beeeeeeee-*

I slapped myself mentally, and resisted laughing when I heard an *OW!*
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3rd Person Omniscient POV

The group collected their things, and started again. But before they did, Drake realized something.

Looking around the stump as he picked up his cards, he noticed one card left from where Buster's deck had been.

Flipping it over, he realized it was the Summoned Skull that had been used by Buster in the duel.

*Strange.* His yami said.* Why would he leave it here?*

*Because of his opinion of it's strength.* Drake said back.* And maybe to mock me.*

*We aren't going to leave it here, are we?*

*And be like Slade? Never.*

As he put it into his deck, Drake would never have thought that somewhere within the card's heart, the Skull would smile.
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AN: Looooooong chappie, huh? I was originally going to make it even longer, sort of merging it with the next one, but I need to assure my reviewers I'm still alive, so here it is! Next chappie will be very funny, very instrumental to the entire storyline, and very exciting! Before my bill on the word "very" runs out, thanx to all people who reviewed so far, you're about to be rewarded for your patience. Also, please read the works of an writer here on FFN named Gema J. Gall. Great fics, and you may be surprised at the guest stars in a few chapters!