"Don't you dare touch me, you rabid dog!" King Ahazuya barked, before wincing in pain.

"What are you going to do throwing your money at me? Oh wait.. your castle is destroyed, so you'll have to fend for yourself like a Casualry.", Walter replied and the king looked nervous at the thought.

Hey, 'your majesty'? Do you know what Luxurors and Casualry have in common? In the end when they die, there is no more social class... in death they both go to the same place: to be buried underground.

If you don't shut up, Walter will show you the reality of this fact. -Lucian Naruto

Yup, Walter definitely beat him up if given the chance.

Chapter 19 Creeping Darkness

"So, this is the Unclean One's country?", Navarre questioned as he looked around.

"It's Tokyo, Samurai.", Manabu corrected.

"Oh…I see. This is my first time here.", Navarre explained.

"Navarre wasn't able to join us earlier because he had to take care of his little brother.", Flynn explained.

"Thankfully he's in good hands right now….I had never looked after anyone before…It was an interesting…experience.", Navarre said, awkwardly.

The Tokyo residents instantly understood what was implied by Navarre's words. After all, it was quite an often situation in Tokyo.

"Where's the other guy?", Asahi asked.

"Walter is checking on his friend. He promised to meet up with us later. I hope you can settle this matter between you and Nanashi. We must find the Black Samurai.", Flynn said, before lightly bowing.

The Samurai quickly said their goodbyes before setting off to Ginza. They used their gauntlets to materialize monsters to mount. Some Asura Kai members spotted them in the air before hastily making a call. They landed where the statue of Stardust Dragon once stood. Then they headed down to the underground district surprising a member who hastily turned to face them. He blocked their way and raised his duel disk challengingly.

"Only those who are strong are allowed to enter Ginza. You can't bend those rules with your special duel disks!", the Ring of Gaea member said.

The others sweat dropped when Flynn instantly smirked menacingly, raising his gauntlet up.

"Is that so? Why don't you duel me then?", Flynn replied.

"Sometimes you look a little evil when you smirk, Flynn…", Issachar commented, with a funny look.

"Hah! I won't lose to a synchro user! Those crown Samurai were weak sauce!", the Ring of Gaea member replied.

"You've never faced me through.", Flynn replied.

The Ring of Gaea member felt slightly nervous at the complete confidence of his opponent.

"Duel!", Flynn said as their duel disks synced.

Flynn LP 4000

Takuya LP 4000

"I will show you the strength of the Ring of Gaea, puny Samurai. I draw!", Takuya said, as he some strange martial arts moves at thin air.

Takuya

Hand: 6

"I activate Preparation of Rites allowing me to add a level 7 or lower ritual monster to my hand. I choose Legendary Flame Lord.", Takuya said.

Takuya

Hand: 5

Preparation of Rites

(Normal Spell)

Effect: Add 1 Level 7 or lower Ritual Monster from your Deck to your hand, then you can add 1 Ritual Spell from your GY to your hand.

"Then I will summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands, allowing me to add one ritual monster or ritual spell to my hand. I will add Advanced Ritual Art to my hand. I will then activate it allowing me to ritual summon using normal monsters from my deck.", Takuya said.

Takuya

Hand: 4

Advanced Ritual Art

(Ritual Spell)

Effect: This card is used to Ritual Summon any 1 Ritual Monster. You must also send Normal Monsters from your Deck to the GY whose total Levels equal the Level of that Ritual Monster.

Takuya sent Serpent Night Dragon which appeared in front of him stuck onto a pentagram with blue flame candles. Flynn glared intensely at the circle, remembering it far too well.

"I offer up this weakling Serpent Night Dragon as a sacrifice…", Takuya said, before chanting something completely incomprehensible to them.

The Samurai raised their eyebrows in confusion at this except Issachar who's eyes widened.

"Ritual summon! Level 7! Legendary Flame Lord!", Takuya chanted, which they finally understood.

Takuya

Hand: 3

Suddenly he was enveloped in a spiral of flames and the others backed up while Flynn simply raised up his arm. When the fire cleared Takuya stood as Legendary Flame Lord.

Legendary Flame Lord

(SPELLCASTER/FIRE/RITUAL/EFFECT/ ATK 2400 / DEF 2000 / LV7)

Effect: This card can only be Ritual Summoned with the Ritual Spell Card, "Incandescent Ordeal". You must also Tribute monsters whose total Levels equal 7 or more from the field or your hand. Each time you or your opponent activates 1 Spell Card, put 1 Spell Counter on this card. Remove 3 Spell Counters from this card to destroy all monsters on the field except this card.

Flynn made sure to read the effect tentatively.

"I will activate Ritual Cage.", Takuya said.

Takuya

Hand:2

Ritual Cage

(Continuous Spell)

Effect: You take no battle damage from attacks involving a Ritual Monster you control. Ritual Monsters you control cannot be targeted by, or destroyed by, monster effects.

A cage surrounded him for protection.

"I end my turn.", Takuya said.

"I draw!", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 6

"I activate my continuous spell Call of the Mummy allowing me to special summon a zombie monster from my hand when I control no monsters.", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 5

"That's one counter for Incandescent Flame Lord.", Takuya said.

"It won't matter. I will activate its effect allowing me to special summon Mezuki. I will then summon Plaguespreader Zombie.", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 3

"How weak…you really need to summon all your materials on the field just to synchro summon. That's why it's so pathetic. It has nothing on ritual summoning the one true ultimate summoning method.", Takuya commented, this only made the Samurai sweat drop.

"Is he delusional? Oh wait he's a ritual user of course he is.", Navarre commented, which made Takuya glare at him.

Navarre sweated nervously at this shrinking back. Flynn's glare only became stronger making the others nervous.

"I shall tune Plaguespreader Zombie with Mezuki! Ruler of darkness slumbering within the depths! Rise up once more to reclaim your kingdom! Synchro summon! Level 6! Revived King Ha Des!", Flynn chanted.

"Even then I'll take no damage.", Takuya replied.

He suddenly got chills at Flynn's menacing gaze.

"It's cute you really think that. I activate the effect of Plaguespreader Zombie allowing me to return a card from my hand to the top of the deck to special summon him from the graveyard.", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 2

"A stronger synchro monster won't change the fact I will take no damage this turn.", Takuya said.

"If only he knew…", Issachar murmured with a funny look on his face.

"I shall tune Plaguespreader Zombie with Ha Des! Unyielding beast unable to be overcome through sheer might! A fierce storm stirs as the twin headed beast of destruction awakens! Synchro summon! Level 8! Beelze of the Diabolic Dragons!", Flynn chanted.

The other Samurai were stunned to see Flynn didn't synchro summon Stardust Dragon. Issachar was a bit nervous, aware of what the spirit's intentions for Flynn were.

"I banish Mezuki, allowing me to special summon a zombie monster from my graveyard. I choose Ha Des. Arise!", Flynn said.

Takuya flinched when he was suddenly faced with two monsters with higher attack than his own. Flynn looked up at Beelze watching him closely. He wanted to see what Beelze would do if he summoned him. His fellows were here with him so if something went awry they could do something. One of Beelze's heads faced Takuya and the other glanced at him briefly.

"I will attack your monster with Ha Des! Underworldly Tyranny!", Flynn declared.

The ritual monster guarded as Ha Des fired a dark energy blast at him. Takuya was left back in his human state.

"I attack you directly with Beelze! Dual Diabolic Roaring Cannon!", Flynn declared as both of Beelze's mouths charged up dark energy.

Around the energy crackled black lightning. Both heads fired in unison. Flynn flinched as he felt a small bit of…something. A weird tingle which confused him. Isabeau and Jonathan sweated nervously feeling the levels of darkness the monster gave up at such a close range. At such a range the power and density of the dark miasma around it was unmistakable. Flynn couldn't see small bits of the dark miasma being absorbed into him.

Takuya gasped in pain as the blasts sent him flying. He crashed harshly against the wall and spit out blood despite the setting on Flynn's gauntlet being on stun. Flynn's eyes widened in shock seeing this.

Takuya LP 4000 - 3000 = 1000

Flynn hastily double checked his gauntlet.

"Master, the real solid vision is already on stun.", Burroughs informed, recognizing Flynn's concern.

He sweated nervously as he turned his attention back to Beelze.

"Then, why did that attack do so much damage?", Flynn asked as Takuya tried to pick himself up.

"Scanning…there is a strange energy around Beelze. I don't know what it is, but I believe it might be causing this error. If you attack directly with a different monster the damage should be normal.", Burroughs explained.

"Gah…I never knew synchro could summon such a ferocious monster…", Takuya said in pain.

"…I end my turn.", Flynn said, as he sweated nervously.

He looked back up at Beelze cautiously.

"I d-draw…", Takuya said.

Takuya

Hand: 3

"I activate…Allure of Darkness allowing me to draw two cards in exchange for banishing a dark monster from my hand…I will sent a monster facedown. Then I will activate the…continuous spell Card Trader. I end my turn…", Takuya said.

Takuya

Hand: 1

Card Trader

(Continuous Spell)

Effect: Once per turn, during your Standby Phase: You can shuffle 1 card from your hand into the Deck; draw 1 card.

"I draw!", Flynn said.

Flynn

Hand: 3

"I just need to attack him directly with Ha Des and he'll be alright.", Flynn thought.

However he felt that weird tingle again.

"I will attack your facedown monster with Ha Des! Underworldly Tyranny!", Flynn declared, surprising everyone.

"Wait, why did I…? That's not what I meant to say!", Flynn said as he sweated nervously.

Something definitely felt wrong and he wasn't sure what was going on. He put his hands on his head, wracking his mind in why he said that. He couldn't have simply misspoken could he? The others also noticed Flynn's confusion at his own move.

"Flynn are you alright? That thing isn't taking control is it?", Issachar whispered, as he put his hand on his shoulder.

"I…I don't know why I…", Flynn murmured.

"I couldn't have done that on purpose right? I decided to give the members of the Ring a chance so why…?", Flynn thought.

He suddenly froze as he felt a familiar chilling presence. That specter the shadowy Flynn appeared beside him.

"Finish…him…", the shadowy Flynn commanded.

"What?! No!", Flynn thought.

Flynn hesitated not wanting to hurt Takuya badly. The shadowy Flynn got closer to him with a sinister smile. It grabbed hold of his hand pointing it forward.

"I shall attack you directly with Beelze! Dual Diabolic Roaring C-", Flynn declared, before Issachar grabbed him.

"What is he doing?!", Navarre questioned nervously.

"Something's very wrong…", Isabeau said, with concern.

"Flynn, stop!", Issachar said.

He noticed Flynn sweating nervously. This was not what Flynn wanted to say, something was forcing him. Flynn struggled trying to stop it and he could feel something creeping up inside him.

"Dual Diabolic Roaring Cannon!", Flynn hissed, in familiar low tone which alarmed the others more.

Close up Issachar could see Flynn's eyes briefly became bland when he ordered the attack. Beelze fired, sending Takuya back once more, this time creating a crater in the wall. He completely feel unconscious from the impact.

Takuya LP 1000 - 3000 = 0

Flynn stumbled over in confusion and horror as the holograms faded away. He didn't understand what happened. It was like he suddenly couldn't control himself.

"What's going on? I didn't want to-", Flynn was saying as Jonathan put a hand on his shoulder.

"Maybe we should take over for a bit till we find out what's wrong. I felt something strange coming from Beelze. It might be messing with your head.", Jonathan said as Flynn looked down before facing Jonathan.

Jonathan could see Flynn's hands lightly shaking.

"Right, just take it easy for now Flynn. You can just focus on leading and let us handle the next few duels.", Isabeau said.

Flynn looked down at Beelze which he held in his hands.

"You should probably lock that thing up and throw away the key.", Issachar suggested.

"…You guys are right…", Flynn replied, with visible nervousness.

He put the card in his extra cards with Jack-o-Bolan. Isabeau gave Takuya a potion to heal him up and they took his unconscious form to the Hunters Association in front of them. The Ring members tensed as the Samurai brought in one of their brethren unconscious. The air around them was tense with the Ring members raising the same looking duel disks as Kaga.

"We don't have time for these guys.", Flynn said, dismissively to their threat.

Flynn walked out stunning the others who walked after them. The Ring members looked completely stunned at Flynn's gall.

"We need to find the Black Samurai. There's no need to waste our time with foot soldiers. Likely someone high up would know something.", Flynn said, though the others still looked concerned.

The air around them became awkward as Flynn continued to the terminal room.

"I'll handle him this time.", Issachar offered.

"Alright.", Flynn replied, before they entered.

To their surprise the terminal guardian was nowhere in sight. Instead a member of the Ring stood guard. He didn't seem to care about letting them use the terminal. The Samurai gained access to the terminal with surprising ease.

"It seems the Asura Kai's grip must be weak here." Jonathan said.

"Back in Shinjuku the Hunters couldn't even use the terminal of their base.", Isabeau said.

"That seems quite lame of them. Why would another group monopolize something as mythical as teleporting?", Navarre questioned.

"It's because they're-", Flynn said, before he froze realizing what he was about to say.

"How could I think that?! That's just insensitive!", Flynn thought as he looked away.

Issachar noticed his troubled expression only becoming more worried.

"That fear…it was just like mine. Something dark is overtaking him…If Flynn loses control…who will stop him?", Issachar thought.

"The Asura Kai are underhanded and the Hunters can't handle that. One cheated against me and Burroughs is the one who stopped him from doing more by threatening to materialize a monster to stop him, but the Hunters don't have Burroughs. As ritual users the Ring should have similar powers to the ritual users in Mikado.", Flynn explained.

"Cheating? How crude…from what I've heard so far the Asura Kai sound like they have no honor at all.", Navarre replied.

They followed Flynn unsure of where exactly he was leading them. Flynn led them down a long corridor to the outside which had a temple.

"This place looks important.", Flynn said.

Though the others kept a close eye on him. Especially Issachar after what he noticed earlier. They walked in only to be blocked by yet another Ring member who was rather muscular.

"This is the head temple of the Ring of Gaea. You here to join the Ring too? Hmph…There've been so many of you lately it's been a headache keeping track of you all. You probably only want to ride the Ring of Gaea's coattails and get ritual monsters…Go back to the underground districts and wag your tails around for Tayama like the dogs you are.", the brawny man said rather disrespectfully.

"E-Excuse me?!", Navarre questioned and Flynn snickered.

"What's with you?", the brawny man questioned as Flynn seemed like he was shaking.

"Flynn…", Isabeau said.

They were stunned to see Flynn break out in laughter. It was very uncharacteristic of him. This only made their concern grow.

"You really are a jester aren't you? Why would we want to join your Satanic cult to get something as pathetic as a ritual monster?", Flynn replied, making the brawny man growl.

Flynn froze when he realized he just said that out loud.

"My tongue slipped again…", Flynn thought.

"Then, why are you here then?", the brawny man questioned.

"We're here for the Black Samurai. Where is she?", Flynn replied.

"Your not supposed to say that part out loud, Flynn!", Jonathan said.

"The earlier part too…", Navarre added, awkwardly.

"Hah! You think I would know about some Samurai?", the brawny man questioned.

Isabeau got in front of Flynn surprising them. Issachar was about to but she beat him to the punch.

"How about we settle this with a duel? If you do know anything about the Black Samurai you'll tell us.", Isabeau suggested.

"And why should I agree?", the brawny man questioned.

"I have 1,000,000,000 macca,", Isabeau replied, making the brawny man, Flynn, and Issachar's eyes widen.

The brawny man coughed awkwardly looking temped.

"I could get a gold and platinum card with that money.", the brawny man thought.

"Prove it.", the brawny man replied.

He was left stunned when she casually got the macca out of her pocket as if it was pocket change and waved it in front of him. His eyes followed the money like a dog's would follow a sausage.

"…You have a deal.", the brawny man replied.

"She's just carrying that kind of money around?!", Issachar thought.

Flynn looked down at Isabeau. She seemed to be doing her earnest so he didn't have to duel in his current 'condition'. Flynn felt a smile unconsciously form on his face appreciating her concern.

Elsewhere…

For some odd reason Walter stood somewhere else in Tokyo away from his fellows. He gripped his fist tightly as he gritted his teeth. In his hands he held Elemental Hero Absolute Zero.

"Gina…", Walter thought.

He looked out into the distance glaring intensely.

In Shinjuku…

Asahi sulked after losing he'd duel against Nanashi for the duel disk which he swiped up. However he flinched when he felt an intense glare boring into him.

"Nanashi…why do you have a duel disk?!", Boss questioned menacingly his arm seemed to be bandaged.

Nikkari sweat dropped and Manabu sweated bullets at the aura of extreme anger coming from the Boss.

"We can ex-", Nikkari was saying.

"The answer is no! Nanashi's not ready to become a Hunter even if he has a duel disk! How did you even find one?", Boss said angrily.

"A Samurai gave it to me. A good one.", Nanashi replied.

"A Samurai?! You mean those angels from the surface?!", Boss questioned.

"Not all of them are bad. Just the ones with the purple uniforms. The Samurai, Flynn and his buddies helped the Hunters beat them.", Nikkari explained.

"When did this happen?", Boss questioned.

"Apparently time moves way faster in Mikado. Like seriously instead of 25 years it's been over 1000 years for them.", Asahi added.

"You missed a lot…", Manabu said as Boss sweat dropped.

Boss rubbed his head feeling like he was about to have a migraine.

"Enlighten me.", Boss replied.

After a rather long talk Boss looked at them increadously.

"So, what your telling me is that the guy who gave Nanashi a duel disk is a Samurai from the surface who just so happens to be the reincarnation of the guy who saved Tokyo and Nanashi saw him in his dreams before meeting him?", Boss said.

"When you say it like that it sounds ridiculous…", Manabu said.

Right that was still a lingering question. Just why did Nanashi see Ryou in his dreams? Nikkari had a theory and if it proved to be true both he and boss wouldn't probably faint. Boss noticed Nikkari wasn't mentioning something.

"What is it?", Boss asked.

"Well…I was just thinking of why Nanashi saw Ryou. Doesn't it seem strange? I was thinking if Ryou came back as Flynn then surely it's possible more people from back then could have been reincarnated. That monster Flynn fought mentioned the Crimson Dragon's chosen one…that was…Akira.", Nikkari revealed surprising all of them.

Nanashi's eyes widened in recognition at the mention of that name.

"W-What are you saying?", Boss questioned, nervously as Nanashi looked down.

Asahi noticed this looking over to Nanashi.

"…In my dream Ryou called me by that name…Akira.", Nanashi revealed, leaving them stunned.

"Hohoho! I'm back! Everyone's good!", Odd-Eyes said as the skipped toward the door before banging his head on it and falling over.

Everyone sweat dropped and Nanashi looking away in embarrassment at seeing his strongest monster's blunder. Odd-Eyes got up rubbing his swore head as a comedic tear fell down his face.

"Are you alright?", Asahi asked.

"I'm fine. I'm more bummed about big sis anyway…", Odd-Eyes replied.

"Big sis? Are you telling me you actually found your sister?", Boss asked.

"I saw her in the sky, but she didn't notice me…", Odd-Eyes replied, sadly.

"Right…that big sis is actually Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. I'm astounded that's a detail you never mentioned earlier. How are you related to such a powerful monster?", Nikkari replied.

"Can you not see the resemblance?", Odd-Eyes questioned as the others sweat dropped.

"No…", Nikkari replied.

"Wait…you say that like you don't think I'm a strong monster. Don't you know I'm the primordial tribute monster?", Odd-Eyes questioned sounding offended as he put his hands on his hips and the others eyes were wide.

"Your what now?!", Nanashi questioned.

"I never mentioned this?", Odd-Eyes questioned, cluelessly.

"No you didn't!", Nikkari replied.

"He's more of an airhead than Asahi…", Manabu thought.

"Me and my siblings are the primordial monsters of each summoning method and we watch over our respective dimensions.", Odd-Eyes explained only making them more confused.

"I think I'm gonna pass out…", Manabu said as he rubbed his head.

"This is Clear Wing's dimension and I'm from a different one.", Odd-Eyes replied, far too casually.

"There's different dimensions?!", Asahi questioned.

"Yup. Nothing is really going on in mine right now though. Not after that crazy human dueled G.O.D. It's been quiet for awhile. Besides Clear Wing is sad she needs my help!", Odd-Eyes replied.

"Could you please elaborate more Odd-Eyes?", Nanashi asked.

"What do you wanna know? About my dimension, the crazy human, or my brothers?", Odd-Eyes asked.

"Yes.", Nanashi replied.

After quite a while…

"So, then Aleph and Hiroko went up to G.O.D. Aleph beat him and got cursed for all of eternity.", Odd-Eyes said as the others looked very concerned.

They definitely didn't expect the long detailed story.

"So, after that not much happened. Things were nice and boring.", Odd-Eyes said.

"So that covers the first two things, but what about your siblings?", Nikkari asked.

"Well you know Clear Wing is this dimension's dragon as you noticed. That's probably why this dimension's humans are able to use synchro summoning. Humans haven't been able to harness it in the other ones. It's rather difficult to be used by people in comparison to ritual and fusion. There's my oldest brother Starving Venom. He's the fusion dragon. Then there's Dark Rebellion.", Odd-Eyes said.

"I'm guessing he's the ritual dragon?", Nikkari said and the spirit looked at him sideways.

"No he's the xyz dragon but…you guys don't know what that is. I don't blame you for not being able to discover it. From what I've seen, unlike tribute and fusion summoning synchro and xyz have only been able to be harnessed by humans in their home dimensions.", Odd-Eyes explained.

"Xyz?!", Manabu questioned.

"Like I said there's no way you'd know about it unless you could travel dimensions.", Odd-Eyes replied.

"Wait…there's a whole other summoning method just in one dimension we don't know about?", Nanashi questioned.

The Hunters looked at each other, finding this information very interesting. If they were the only ones who could harness synchro while others couldn't perhaps they could harness xyz too? The possibility was most certainly there. Nikkari definitely planned to inform Fuijwara and Skins about xyz summoning.

"Out of curiosity what is xyz summoning like?", Nikkari asked.

"Well, like synchro summoning you use monsters on the field to xyz summon. However there's no tuner needed instead you need monsters with the same level and you overlay them.", Odd-Eyes explained.

"Overlay…?", Asahi questioned, with extreme confusion.

"It's like it sounds like you literally stack the xyz monster on top of its two or more materials and that becomes its overlay units. The number overlay units determines how many times it can use its effect. They have such a restriction because their effects tend to be strong like big bro! Dark Rebellion can steal half your attack points and gain them! It's so cool! Also most importantly they have ranks not levels so level specific effects don't affect them. The frame for them is black.", Odd-Eyes explained.

The humans gaped at hearing such an effect. They could definitely understand why there needed to be a restriction on such an effect. It served as a good example to them as to what xyz monsters were like. Nikkari made sure to take note of this. It was definitely something they should look into to give the Hunters a leg up.

"I never knew you knew so much stuff.", Nanashi said, sweat dropping.

"You never asked.", Odd-Eyes replied.

To be continued…

Starting school soon so these chapters will soon become much less frequent.