Well, this is, of course, chapter six. Again, some card effects have been altered to suit my story's purposes, so please don't be confused. I hope you enjoy this one, like my others. Please continue to review.

Disclaimer: You must be very thick headed if you don't yet realize that I don't own Yu-gi-oh or any of its characters.

Chapter 6: The Shadows Threaten! Return of the Dark Spirit

Yami stared up at the glowing transparent ring above him and wondered what to do to stop the Final Countdown.

'If Joey and I don't stop that countdown before the twenty turns, the Rare Hunters automatically win. And I don't have anything right now,' Yugi thought.

"I'll set one monster and end my turn," Sentu said.

One of the orbs turned red with the end of the Rare Hunter's turn.

Yami drew, and sighed at the sight of his Celtic Guardian.

'I want to play him, but Level Amplification forces me to sacrifice for him, and I need to conserve my monsters.'

Yami looked carefully at his hand and at the field, then, realized something that could be done to get something of an advantage.

"I'll just place one card face down. Joey, I have a plan, but it will require that you make a bit of a sacrifice." Yami said as he motioned to the Alligator Sword Dragon

'What could Yugi be planning? Well whatever it is, it's probably big, so I should trust him. Besides, Yugi always pulls through in the end,' Joey thought.

The blonde duelist nodded. Yugi ended his turn and another orb turned red. Yami looked up and saw the two glowing orbs.

"What's going on? I thought you said that the countdown took twenty turns."

"Oh yes. I guess that I forgot to mention that those turns included yours, your partner's, and Antoine's," Sentu said innocently.

Yugi clenched his fists and bared his teeth angrily.

'Now, we have only a fourth of the time that I thought we would have.'

"It's my turn, and I'll place two cards face down," Antoine said, satisfied with his partner's moves. "End turn."

Joey drew, anticipating Yugi's plan. He added the card to his hand, and before he could think, Yami acted.

"Activate face down card: De-fusion! It will break Joey's monster down to its original fusion materials," Yami said as the Alligator Sword Dragon split into Baby Dragon (1200/300) and Alligator Sword (1500/1200).

Joey looked at his field, then at his hand and realized what Yami did.

"Thanks, Yug. I owe you. Now, I'll sacrifice Baby Dragon and Alligator Sword to summon Jinzo!"

The two monsters disappeared and Jinzo reappeared on the field. Once again, its beams disposed of the Rare Hunters' trap cards.

"Now, Jinzo, Destroy Sentu's defense monster!"

Jinzo unleashed its psychic waves and tore through Sentu's face down Dancing Fairy (1700/1500) with ease.

"That'll do it for me."

Another orb turned red, making the countdown four. Sentu drew, hoping for something to turn the tide of the duel, but found nothing to that effect.

"I'll just place a monster in defense mode and end my turn."

Antoine looked on with growing concern as Yugi began his turn.

'Great. I can get past Level Amplification with this.' "I'll place one monster in defense mode, and end my turn."

'He can get past my magic card?' Antoine thought. 'We were supposed to stop them from summoning monsters.'

He drew, looking to strengthen his defenses for at least a turn or two.

"I'll set one monster and end my turn."
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The dark figure continued to watch the duel closely from the alleyway. Jason began to sneak up closer to see what was going on. He caught a glimpse of a duel monster.

"Someone is dueling? This should be interesting."

He walked closer to the street to see what was going on. Jason didn't want to scare the mysterious boy off, so he hid behind some trashcans.

"Just when I thought following him was stupid, I find two more opponents to beat down."

Jason leaned back and his elbow caught a can, causing the strange boy to turn around.

"Who's there?" he demanded in a gruff, slightly accented voice.

Jason peered out slightly from the cans to take a better look at the boy. The shadows of the alley hid his facial features, but Jason could barely make out a striped shirt and a pair of jeans. The glowing object hanging from the boy's neck caught Jason's attention, but he still couldn't see it so well.

"It's that thing again. That's why I was following him. But, at the same time, I still don't really know why I followed him here," Jason said quietly.

The boy's shifty eyes darted back and forth. After a few seconds, he turned back around to watch the duel.

"Whew. That was close. I definitely better be more careful if I want to stay ahead in this game."

Jason moved out from the cans and looked out at the street, where he got a full view of the duelists.

"Hey, it's Yugi and that other kid. I might as well go and see how they're doing. Forget this weirdo that I'm following."

Jason walked up and past the boy, who stared at Jason from the corner of his eye. Jason got a look at the boy's face as he walked past. His eyes were narrow, almost as if he was glaring at someone, and they burned into him with an intensely dark brown. His whole face was twisted into a dark scowl, and his pale, white hair ran straight down to his shoulders, except a few really pointed cowlicks that stuck up here and there.

'I've got to ask that kid how he got his hair like that,' Jason thought as he walked towards the duel.
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"That'll end my turn," Joey said after setting a monster and destroying Sentu's defense monster.

Sentu drew, looking at his side of the field, then, back to his hand.

'I'm wide open and have nothing to protect myself. I'll just have to go with this.' "I'll just activate Dian Keto the Cure Master, to increase my life points by 1000."

(Joey: 8000/Yugi: 7100) (Sentu: 8400/ Antoine: 9600)

Yugi took a look at the glowing countdown ring. Ten orbs shone with the bright crimson red that seemed to spell an ominous defeat.

'I have to end this soon. Please, deck. Give me something to help beat this death clock,' Yugi thought as he drew. 'Yes! This is just what I need.' "Now, I'll destroy your countdown. I sacrifice my face down Giant Soldier of Stone (1300/2500) Author's Note: Don't forget: Chorus of Sanctuary is still on the field to summon one of my newest cards: Breaker the Magical Warrior (1600300/1000)!"

Yugi swiped the card through the reader and a monster in red armor and a long cape of the same hue appeared on the field. A glowing orb appeared on his sword as he held his long blade close to his heart, ready for battle.

"My monster gains a spell counter when it is summoned, which raises its attack by 300 points. But, I'm not interested in that. I'm interested in what happens when he loses that spell counter."

"What happens then?" Sentu asked.

"I can destroy one magic or trap card on the field. So say goodbye to the Final Countdown!"

The glowing orb in Breaker's sword spread through the blade, causing the metal to shine radiantly. The monster swung his glowing sword, sending a wave of energy racing towards the countdown ring. The wave exploded on impact, destroying the whole thing.

"I swear you'll pay for that," Sentu said through gritted teeth.

"I have a feeling that you'll be the one who pays. Now, Breaker (1600/1000), Gazelle (1500/1200), and Beta (1700/1600), attack Sentu directly!"

Sentu screamed out as the three monsters unleashed a blazing fury of attacks on him, severely damaging his life points.

(Joey: 8000/Yugi: 7100) (Sentu: 3600/Antoine: 9600)

'I could've protected him if Jinzo wasn't on the field,' Antoine thought as his partner struggled to recover from the assault.

"It's your go, Rare Hunter," Yugi said pointing to Antoine.

"I know whose turn it is!" Antoine responded harshly as he drew. "I'll just end my turn."

"They're starting to crack, Yug," Joey said as he drew. 'Yeah! That's just what I needed.' "I'll activate the magic card: Giant Trunade! It returns all magic and trap cards on the field to their owners' hands. That means you, defense boy."

Antoine growled as he gathered up his Chorus of Sanctuary, Yellow Luster Shield, and Level Amplification cards.

"Without that annoying level card on the field, I can summon again, so I summon Flame Swordsman (1800/1500) in attack mode!"

A warrior wielding a flaming red sword appeared on the field. Sentu's eyes went wide as he realized what was going to happen.

"Now, it's time. Jinzo, attack Sentu directly!" Joey commanded.

The android wound up and fired its wave at the Rare Hunter. Sentu fell to the ground from the attack.

(Joey: 8000/Yugi: 7100) (Sentu: 1200/Antoine: 9600)

"And now, Flame Swordsman, finish the job with Flaming Sword of Battle!"

The warrior leaped up to a great height, before coming down on the screaming Rare Hunter with his sword ablaze.

(Joey: 8000/Yugi: 7100) (Sentu: 0/Antoine: 9600)

"Forgive me, partner. I've failed you," Sentu said as he sat on the ground, dazed from Joey's attack.

"I'll avenge you, Sentu," Antoine said reassuringly.

"Not before my turn," Yugi said as he drew. "Now I'll activate Brain Control!"

Yugi swiped the card and a holographic brain appeared in front of Yugi.

"This card allows me to take control of one your monsters. And I'm going for your shield (0/3000)!"

Transparent arms shot out from the brain and grabbed the Millennium Shield, then, dropped it in front of Yugi.

"Now, I'll sacrifice your monster, and my Gazelle to summon the Dark Magician (2500/2100)!"

The two monsters exploded in a flash of dazzling light, and a tall mage dressed in purple armor stood in front of Yugi, ready to serve his master. The magician's staff sparked with energy, as it stood ready to battle.

"Now, Dark Magician, attack his face down monster!"

The mage pointed his staff at the defense monster. Waves of dark energy shot out, instantly shattering the Soul Tiger (0/2100).

"Now, Breaker and Beta will strike your life points directly. Go, my monsters!" Yugi commanded as his monsters attacked Antoine with their combined might.

(Joey: 8000/Yugi: 7100) (Antoine: 6300)

"I'll end my turn."

Antoine cackled fiendishly as he looked at the card that he drew.

'This is perfect! I can finish these fools sooner than I thought.' "I'll place one monster face down and end my turn."

"All right!" Joey exclaimed as he drew. "It's time to take you down! Jinzo attack..."

"Wait, Joey!" Yugi said, cutting Joey off.

"What is it Yug?"

"Take a look at him. He's way too calm for an attack that could spell the end of this duel. Just finish your turn and I'll take care of it."

"Okay, Yug. You're my partner and I trust you on this one. I'll end my turn."

Antoine cringed slightly as Yugi drew.

'What does he have planned?' he thought.

"Now, I'll activate the magic card: Nobleman of Crossout! This card automatically destroys your face down monster and removes it from play. So say goodbye!"

A knight in silver armor appeared over Antoine's face down hologram and drew his sword. He brought the gleaming blade down, slashing through the face down card, which dematerialized in front of Antoine.

"No! Not that card!" He exclaimed.

"Oh yes. The end is now, for I switch Alpha the Magnet Warrior (1400/1700) to attack mode."

The magnet monster stood up from its kneeling position and raised its sword.

"Now, Alpha, Beta, and Breaker, attack his life points!"

Beta fired its electromagnetic pulse and Alpha and Breaker slashed the Rare Hunter's chest with their powerful blades.

(Joey: 8000/Yugi: 7100) (Antoine: 1600)

Sentu could only look on as Yugi gave the final command to finish off his partner.

"Dark Magician, deliver the final blow and end this duel!"

The mage powered up its staff and fired a blast of dark energy that struck its target dead on. Antoine screamed out as the force of the attack pushed him back a few feet and black sparks jumped around his body.

(Joey: 8000/Yugi: 7100) (Antoine: 0)

Joey and Yugi celebrated as the key puzzle programs downloaded into their duel gauntlets.

"You haven't heard the last of us. We'll be back, mark our words," Sentu said as he carried Antoine on his shoulders.

"What's the matter? You losers running away so soon?" came the familiar voice.

Joey and Yugi looked up to see Jason standing in the path of the Rare Hunters.

"Hey, Jason! What are you doing here?" Joey asked.

"Just watching duels, trying to get competition. So what's the deal with these two?" he asked pointing at Sentu and Antoine.

Yugi stepped forward.

"The deal is this: these two have a date with their punishment!" he yelled as the Millennium Puzzle glowed brightly.

Jason shielded his eyes from the light. When he opened his eyes the two Rare Hunters lay slumped on the ground. Jason walked over to them and kicked them. Antoine's eyes lay rolled back in his skull.

"Geez. This guy looks like my mother on a Saturday night. What did you do to them?"

Little Yugi looked up at Jason.

"It was just a little shadow magic. So what brings you here?"

"I was following some guy to tell you the truth. Who were those two guys whose brains you fried?"

"They are part of an organization known as the Rare Hunters."

"Rare Hunters?! They're in this tournament, too?" Jason exclaimed.

"You know about them?" Joey asked.

"Yeah. They're on the news sometimes for pulling serious card heists."

"Who was this person that you were following?" Yugi asked.

Before Jason could answer, another person walked up to the group. Jason looked up and saw the same boy from the alley, except he looked different. His face wasn't twisted into a scowl and his eyes were no longer shifty and evil, but almost kind. His white hair hung straight down without the strange wings. And the object was no longer around his neck.

"Bakura? Why are you here?" Yugi asked.

"For the tournament of course," Bakura replied, holding up his duel gauntlet.

Jason also noticed that his voice has no longer deep and gruff, but retained the annoying accent.

"I didn't know that you dueled," Joey said.

"Yeah, I duel sometimes. I won some big tournament down in Domino City, so they invited to this one. I couldn't pass up this opportunity."

"This is the kid that I was following," Jason said suddenly.

Yugi and Joey looked at him, then, back at Bakura, who eyed Jason suspiciously.

"Except he had some weird thing around his neck," Jason added.

Bakura cringed as Yugi and Joey questioned Jason about the object.

"It was gold and circular from what I saw. It glowed sometimes, just like the thing around your neck, Yugi."

Yugi and Joey looked at Bakura, who began to back away.

"I don't know what you are talking about," he said, putting up his hands in a defensive manner.

The awkward moment continued for a few seconds until Yugi spoke up.

"All right, Bakura, if you say so. So, how long have you been dueling and how many key puzzle programs do you have?"

"I have been dueling since I got here, and I have five programs," the white haired boy answered.

"Okay. So tell me. What's your favorite card?" Yugi said.

"Why, Change of Heart, of course."

Joey butted in with his usual enthusiasm.

"Yugi, you're asking him nothing but easy questions. Let me take a shot at this. Bakura, how many times have I beaten Monkey Invaders From Outer Space III?"

Yugi and Jason both face faulted as they expressed serious doubts over the intelligence of the question.

"Now how am I supposed to know a silly thing like that?" Bakura asked innocently.

"Aha! The real Bakura would know that I beat the game 145 times."

Bakura's face twisted back into its scowl. Jason felt an incredible force throw him to the ground. The wind was knocked out of him as he hit the concrete, hard. Jason looked over and saw Yugi in the same position. Joey, however, was still standing.

"You mortals had to ruin everything, didn't you?" Bakura asked, his voice becoming rough again.

The object materialized around his neck and glowed brightly. Jason tried to get up, but he couldn't move.

"What's going on here?! Why the hell can't I move?!"

Yugi's puzzle glowed as the spirit took over once more. He broke the Millennium spell and stood.

"That's enough! Release Jason at once," he commanded.

"Or else what?" Bakura's Yami responded. "You're in no position to make threats. I've got your friend in a tight situation and I will send him to the shadow realm if need be. So I suggest that you back down while I take care of business."

Yami Bakura turned his gaze to Joey, who was visibly shaking.

"You and your friends have been in my way for a long time, so now I'm going to get rid of you."

"You're going to send me to the shadow realm?" Joey asked fearfully.

"No. Not that easily. I challenge you to a little duel. I suggest, you accept, otherwise, your friend here will be spending eternity in darkness. The choice is yours."

Joey nervously looked at Jason who squirmed on the ground, trying to break free.
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The Rare Hunter ran down the long hallway and into Lord Superior's chambers, where the evil kingpin was waiting.

"I've got bad news, sir. Antoine and Sentu have fallen in a duel, and we still haven't located the god card."

Superior didn't say anything, causing the Rare Hunter to wonder if he was even there. The silence was suddenly broken by a scream as two metal arms grabbed the Rare Hunter by his shoulders and hoisted him into the air.

"You know that I hate bad news, right?" Superior asked.

"Yes, sir!"

"And you know what the punishment for bad news is, right?"

Beads of sweat rolled down the Rare Hunter's face as he looked down at the floor, which had opened up to reveal a pool of a boiling green substance.

"That acid can melt the armor off of a tank. Imagine what it can do to human flesh," Superior said with a twisted satisfaction in his voice.

Before the Rare Hunter could beg for mercy, the arms dropped him into the acid. The Hunter's skin burned off his skeleton on impact.

"Number 2?"

"Yes, sir?" the male answered.

"Send all the Hunters after the ones who did this to Sentu and Antoine. Find them, torture them, and send them to hell!"

"With all pleasure, sir," Number 2 answered with a despicable smirk.

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Ah, the plot thickens! It seems that Lord Superior has a serious vendetta for our heroes (if Jason could be called that). Can they escape from the clutches of evil? You'll just have to wait and find out!