I hope Tayama dies soon, as in addition to the s* he did during the game, it was also heavily implied that this m* was a p*.-Lucian Naruto

I guess we'll have to see.

Chapter 28 Allure of Darkness

Boss grumbled as Nanashi quickly went to more serious training with Nikkari. So, what about this reincarnation nonsense? Nanashi was still a child. There were some Hunters here he could train against as well that were willing. Definitely not the majority but a few. Asahi seemed to be off in her own world fantasizing.

His options were very limited but Nanashi tried to change up his deck with the few cards he's found laying around while scavenging.

In Shibuya…

Issachar stepped back without thinking as Isabeau glared fiercely at him. Hikaru was interested to see Black Rose Dragon reacting to her signer's anger. Isabeau raised up her deck to Issachar.

"Who do you think you are just waltzing in here and hurting Flynn? You went through all of that for a card? Flynn didn't deserve to get hurt over some card.", Isabeau said.

"It's a powerful card.", Issachar replied.

"You say that as if that's a good reason.", Isabeau replied.

"What? You want duel me now too to get revenge for your pathetic boyfriend?", Issachar replied.

Isabeau was silent, gripping her deck tightly. Her heart beated violently against her chest. The other prentices looked stunned having never seen Isabeau so angry before. But, she tried to calm herself and think about this logically. Sure, Flynn lost a strong card, but it was having a negative effect on Flynn anyway. Not to mention, Issachar seemed content to leave them alone after this. There was no reason to stir up anything more.

"If you hurt Flynn or any of my fellows again I will.", Isabeau replied.

"Oh I'm quaking in my boots.", Issachar said.

"Oh thank God!", Issachar thought, with a mental sigh of relief.

"Hoy, what are you saying, Isabeau?! We can't let this bastard get away with what he just did!", Walter said, angrily.

"Right, he just appeared and assaulted our fellow! We can't let that stand!", Jonathan said, angrily.

"Guys just drop it! There's no reason to duel him right now. He has what he wants and he said he's done with Flynn. We can't just keep picking fights with everyone.", Isabeau replied, sternly.

"He picked a fight with us!", Walter replied.

"Heh. I'm not interested in you pathetic weaklings anyway.", Issachar said as he started leaving.

"Hoy, stop there you!", Navarre said, making the others look at him in shock,

Navarre was shaking in anger as well.

"We can't let him get away! I don't care if I lose! I'll still duel him!", Navarre said.

"Just stop…listen to Isabeau…", Flynn muttered quietly, he sounded like he was in pain.

"Flynn! I'm sorry we woke you up.", Isabeau apologized as the other prentices looked down.

Flynn's vision was blurry as he watched Issachar walk away. Walter growled at the fleeing Issachar as his fists shook.

"Damn it!!!", Walter yelled, furiously.

Later…

The prentices went to the Shibuya underground after Jonathan healed Flynn. Parts of it were decimated from the Crimson Dragon's rampage making them pale. They sincerely hoped no one had been crushed.

"You can't keep going like this. Just let us handle going to Ikebukuro. As Navarre told us the Crimson Dragon eliminated the parasites.", Jonathan said.

"No…I can't back down.", Flynn said as he looked down at his fists that shook.

"We're just worried about you pushing yourself too far again.", Isabeau said.

"I'm fine. I can still duel. Jonathan healed me so I can travel to Ikebukuro. It's our only lead we have on where Ys could be besides the Ring of Gaea.", Flynn replied.

"You're so stubborn. What if we do find Ys? What then?", Isabeau questioned.

"I'll duel him", Flynn replied.

"What if you lose again?", Isabeau asked as Flynn lowered his head.

"You don't believe in me?!", Flynn questioned.

The others looked down, the air around them growing tense. Flynn's fists shook and Walter gritted his teeth.

"It's not like that…it's just-", Isabeau was saying.

"It's just what?!", Flynn questioned as Jonathan put his hand in front of him.

"I'm just worried about you! Ys beat you, me, and Jonathan! Why would I not be concerned?", Isabeau questioned.

"I'm stronger than I was then.", Flynn replied.

He couldn't believe what he was hearing right now. Surely he must be at Ys' level by now right? He thinks he's been getting stronger. Not to mention, he knew what to expect from him now.

"Am I so weak that they don't believe in me anymore…?", Flynn thought, worry filling him.

It hurt enough to get attacked by Stardust Dragon and now his fellows were doubting his ability.

"And it still wasn't enough…", Walter murmured grabbing Flynn's attention.

"Hoy, that's too harsh, Walter! Flynn tried his best! We'll go back to Mikado and we'll train so we can make sure we win when we find Ys!", Jonathan said.

"It's not enough…the power we have. We're all weak.", Walter murmured, surprising them.

"What makes you say that?!", Flynn questioned.

"We all know you're the strongest member of our group! If even your losing to them what chance do we have?!", Walter questioned, stunning them.

Flynn froze at Walter's words. He didn't consider himself the strongest personally, but everyone seemed to think so. Did his loss really affect his fellows that much? All this negativity in the atmosphere was because he lost?

"See…! …should…seize…power!", the shadowy Flynn said, appearing again.

"What are you trying to say, Walter?! Are you afraid?", Jonathan questioned as Walter growled.

He looked down at his shaking fist.

"I'm saying we need something more…", Walter replied.

"Like what? More signer dragons? Or grind cards off spirits?", Navarre questioned.

Walter was silent for a moment, hesitating to announce what he was thinking.

"The last major two losses we have had were because our enemies have an advantage over us.", Walter said.

"W-wait?! What are you implying?!", Isabeau questioned.

Flynn's eyes widened as he realized what Isabeau was thinking.

"Absolutely not!", Flynn said to Walter.

"Wait…absolutely not what?", Navarre questioned, confused.

"What are you even thinking, Walter?! We will not stoop to their level!", Flynn said.

"I knew you'd say that. But, think about this Flynn…they are going to create stronger and stronger cards till we can't keep up no matter how much we train. Like what that evil spirit said.", Walter replied.

"We are Samurai serving the Lord! We will not conduct ourselves like ritual heretics or evil spirits!", Jonathan replied.

"Then, eventually we'll all end up like the Commander and Issachar! I'm just saying it as it is!", Walter replied.

Flynn pressed his hand against his head as he looked down. Isabeau could tell Flynn was definitely blaming himself right now as concern rose within her.

"This is all my fault…we cannot lose Walter too!", Flynn thought.

"Please think this over Walter. If we did what you suggest we would have to kill other people no worse than that. You can't be serious.", Flynn replied as he sweated nervously.

"How about shitheads like the Asura Kai then? I doubt anyone would miss them!", Walter replied.

"We can't talk like this! Even if you have a point, Walter. A life is a life! No matter how horrible the person is! No one deserves to completely disappear! Do you hear what you're saying?!", Isabeau replied as she got between them.

"You think he has a point, Isabeau?!", Jonathan questioned in disbelief.

"Jonathan please-", Isabeau was saying.

"Hah! She knows it too! I'm saying this because no one else will!", Walter said.

"Surely there's another way! We can ask the angels!", Jonathan replied, passionately.

"You'd think they'd understand? Hell if they had a way they would have told us by now!", Walter questioned.

"It's better than resorting to becoming a devil!", Jonathan replied.

Anxiety was building inside Flynn as his fellows fought.

"This is because I failed them…", Flynn thought.

"We'll find another way, okay! There's no way God would let that be the only way!", Flynn said.

"If there is then why has nobody done it then?! Have you heard of some other way ever?", Walter questioned.

The prentices had no answer to that. In the fairy stories the heroes simply preserved through skill.

"If the heroes of old can do it we can too.", Flynn said.

"Those are just stories! I highly doubt that's how they really ended considering the reality we've been observing with our own eyes till now!", Walter said.

"We can at least try Walter…why are you so set on this now?", Jonathan questioned with a low tone.

"Because while I was going around Tokyo. Anyone who tried to stand up to the Asura Kai got crushed because they had all the power. If you want to enforce justice you need power. Your saying out of all the people here trying to find another way to beat them for years not one person has found an answer yet? You know they have anti-Synchro cards now right?", Walter said.

"It's true they do have them. Me and Jonathan saw them…", Navarre revealed.

"They have what?!", Isabeau questioned.

"It's as I said our enemies are getting stronger and stronger due to being able to create new cards at their leisure.", Walter said.

"I'll find a way.", Flynn said as he turned away from them.

"Where are you going Flynn?!", Isabeau questioned.

"There has to be a way. There are strong spirits who are not evil. Surely that must mean there's another path to power without sacrifice! I will find that power even if I have to ask every spirit in Tokyo!", Flynn said.

"Are you mad?! You think they'd actually tell you?", Walter questioned.

"Not all spirits hate humans. Don't you dare resort to heresy as I search…!", Flynn said.

"I shall ask the angels!", Jonathan volunteered.

"What do we do?", Isabeau asked.

"You can help me. If we split up we can cover more ground. We should probably search in groups to be safe.", Flynn said.

"I guess that means I'll have to babysit Walter then…", Navarre sighed.

"H-Hoy! I don't need a babysitter!", Walter replied.

"After what you just suggested your lucky to only get a babysitter.", Jonathan replied, still angry,

"Okay! Down, boys!", Isabeau said as she put her hands in the air.

Jonathan and Walter turned away from each other huffing. Flynn frowned, Navarre sighed, and Isabeau sulked. So, the team split up again. Jonathan went to Mikado. Walter and Navarre were searching Tokyo in their own party. While Flynn and Isabeau were together searching.

Isabeau looked over to Flynn in concern as they walked. He'd been very silent since the argument. She couldn't get a good look at his face since the shadow of his bangs covered his eyes. She wondered if he was upset with her for doubting him but…she couldn't help, but be concerned especially with his current mental state. He had just bounced back only to be sent crashing again.

She could hear a concerned whine that drew her attention. Looking down she could see it coming from his deck. The aura around it was not happy like it usually was only full of concern. Doomkaiser's spirit was faintly visible to her around him, seeming to try to comfort him. Unfortunately Flynn was too lost in his own thoughts.

"Flynn.", Isabeau said.

Flynn did not respond to her seeming completely absorbed in his own thoughts which she imagined weren't pleasant right now. She felt a sudden chill when she felt something deeper in Flynn for a moment: the darkness…the darkness was growing. The fact the feeling disappeared as soon as it came made her doubt herself. Considering his state however…

"Flynn…!", Isabeau tried again.

Flynn still didn't respond.

"Flynn!!!", Isabeau shouted.

"…is there something wrong?", Flynn asked, his voice sounding quiet and slightly lower.

She saw Flynn's face now which had a dark look. His eyes were unusually cold.

"Yes, there is something wrong with you after…whatever that was. I am sorry about saying you can't do it. I'm just…worried is all. I don't want to lose you too.", Isabeau replied.

"You guys think I'm weak…", Flynn replied.

"We don't think that, Flynn! It's just that our enemies are strong too! Don't forget all the people Ys has been able to defeat! We just want to make sure we don't have anymore casualties.", Isabeau replied.

She sweated nervously as she looked down to see Flynn's hands shaking.

"That's exactly it! No one thinks I can do this! That's why Walter ran off on his own! Why we were actually seriously talking about committing heresy! Why you guys keep trying to bench me!", Flynn exploded to her abject shock.

The feeling of wrongness she felt before returned in full. There was a thick black aura visible around Flynn. So many negative emotions were swirling together in a maelstrom. She was stunned….how had she never felt this before?! The darkness wasn't just reappearing and disappearing; it seemed to sometimes be masked, but it was constantly growing inside Flynn. Since…the moment Flynn told them everything changed.

"Flynn there really is something wrong! That darkness isn't gone!", Isabeau replied.

"You guys can't blame it on an evil spirit this time…I really am the worst…", Flynn replied, his eyes shadowed again.

"Flynn, that's not true! You're not the worst! Your kind and c-", Isabeau was saying.

"I'm not! I've already killed a man and I almost killed again twice before you guys stopped me! I risked your life! I let Issachar get himself killed! I've been so out of control…", Flynn said.

She could see beads of sweat dripping down his face.

"I don't know what's wrong with me…", Flynn whispered, clutching his head for a moment.

"Flynn, let's go back to Mikado! There's something else wrong with you! It wasn't the spirit, it was something else!", Isabeau said as she noticed Flynn's fists pressed against his chest tightly.

He seemed to be in pain. Intense sweat fell from Flynn's brow.

"Just stay away…!", Flynn said, running off.

"What are you doing Flynn?! Come back!", Isabeau said as she chased after him.

He definitely didn't seem to be in his right mind at all right now. She froze when her heard chuckling behind her and she turned. Her blood ran cold when she saw who was the source of the laughter. It was a face she'd hoped now to see yet looking down at her with amusement.

"It's just as I predicted. As I told you then his fate has been set.", said the familiar voice of Ys who revealed himself from the shadows.

Isabeau instantly raised her gauntlet to him warily as the memory returned to her.

Flashback

Suddenly they heard a loud rumble from the door in front of them. The prentices hurriedly moved away to see the door was blasted off revealing a room where Ys stood with his ritual monster and Mazera DeVille. The prentices looked to see their commander lying motionless. His eyes were soulless. They warily faced Ys raising their gauntlets. Ys seemed surprised to see them, but he wasn't very alarmed. Flynn was surprised when Ys pointed at him.

"It seems your fate has been set.", Ys said.

"What are you talking about?", Flynn questioned.

"T-that's Mazera!", Jonathan pointed out as the spirit smiled devilishly.

"Your that little brat from all those years ago aren't you?", Mazera said.

"It's the same for that one.", Ys said, before pointing at Walter.

Walter looked confused before glaring at Ys.

"Hoy, what are you on about? Why are you pointing at me and Flynn?", Walter questioned.

"You will seek power. Your desire will grow so strong eventually you won't be able to control it. Once you do I wonder if you will become a god or a devil. That's the two choices those with power are given. I've chosen to become a god. Those who refuse to become a god are less than scum. Who knows perhaps one of you will be useful one day?", Ys said.

"We'll never join you.", Flynn replied.

"You are no god! You have become a devil!", Jonathan replied angrily.

"We'll see…", Ys said.

He turned away from them entering the door.

Flashback end

Isabeau paled upon remembering Ys' prediction for both Flynn and Walter. Considering what just happened recently…

"You know what's happening to them don't you?!", Isabeau said as she pointed at Ys.

"I do and you're far too late to stop it. By the time you tried to reverse it he was already well within the late stages of the process.", Ys replied.

"What process?! What are you talking about?!", Isabeau questioned.

"The same thing I and all those who turned to the power of the ritual have experienced. It starts with simply those impure thoughts for awhile until you start seeing another you.", Ys explained.

"Another you? You're saying everyone who became a ritual heretic had the exact same experience?", Isabeau questioned.

"Indeed. As it progresses the affected starts seeing their other self appear often. A counterpart willing to achieve all the desires they are too afraid to admit to having. Then in the late stages, they'll start…losing control. Saying things they don't want to or their body not obeying them.", Ys explained.

Isabeau became white as a sheet as he listed every symptom all of which Flynn has experienced.

"It's not just that though your very mind is affected till finally that other counterpart wins. I refer to them as Yami and as I said your fellow is already doomed at this rate. He's gone through every stage but the last. Next time you see him he likely won't be the Flynn you know anymore. He ran because part of him deep down knows it and he's terrified. It will be quite amusing to see you all squirm after losing your leader.", Ys said with amusement.

"That won't happen! I'll prove you wrong!", Isabeau said, before trying to find Flynn again.

With Flynn…

His vision was becoming increasingly blurry before he collapsed. In his blurred vision he could just barely make out the shadowy Flynn smiling sinisterly.

In Flynn's subconscious…

Flynn gasped as he suddenly found himself in his dreamscape. He was anxious wondering why he suddenly collapsed. His body was just out in the open. He looked around wondering just why he was here flinching when he saw the shadowy Flynn over his shoulder. He tensed suddenly turning to face him and raising his gauntlet wearily.

"You're too weak…", the shadowy Flynn said, with no more static in his voice.

Its presence was much more tangible and clear now.

"I'm not weak!", Flynn replied.

"You're just saying that. Despite all the time that's past all you are is a lost scared boy who still stinks of mother's milk.", the shadowy Flynn said.

"Shut up! You don't know anything!", Flynn said growing angry.

"Trust me I know everything. I'm you after all. I know the real thoughts you're hiding. All the weakness. The weakness that got our parents and Issachar killed. You're ill fit to be in control that's obvious.", the shadowy Flynn said.

"That's n-not…", Flynn said as his memories of losing them flashed through his mind.

"You're going to lose your fellows because you're too weak to save them.", the shadowy Flynn said as it pointed at Flynn getting closer.

"I won't! I'll find a way to protect them!", Flynn said.

The shadowy Flynn suddenly launched his hand forward, touching him in his dreams for the first time. He was taken off guard as the shadowy Flynn's hand wrapped around his throat.

"I'll just take control then…!", the shadowy Flynn said as Flynn struggled in his grip.

"N-no…!", Flynn said.

His vision was getting increasingly blurry again. Everything was starting to get dark. He desperately tried to break free as he felt his consciousness fading.

"No…N-no…!", Flynn said, hearing the laughter of his counterpart as everything faded away.

In Mikado…

Jonathan made his way over to the Monastery as fast as possible. He saw many monks scurrying about.

"Hoy, may I see Archangel Gabriel or Michael?", Jonathan asked.

"How arrogant. You really think you can just have an audience with the Archangels?! They are very busy right now!", the monk replied.

"I'm deeply sorry, but this is very important to the mission they gave us. Please, even if it's just a moment. I need to ask them something important.", Jonathan asked as he bowed.

"They are making preparations for Mikado's future now. I am sure it can wait.", the monk said, before leaving and Jonathan was left hanging.

Jonathan rubbed his hand against his forehead in frustration. He looked down as he heard a concerned cry from his deck. When he looked through it he saw it was from Power Tool Dragon.

"Is he trying to tell me something? The Crimson Dragon is an angel so…", Jonathan murmured.

Perhaps the Crimson Dragon could know an alternate solution? The angels wanted them to gather these cards for a reason. They have only just obtained them after all. A greater power could lie within them.

Jonathan looked back inside the Monastery before leaving.

"The Asura Kai ruled Tokyo with these cards. There must be a greater power in them.", Jonathan thought.

He felt his signer dragon mark glow for a moment. Was the Crimson Dragon trying to tell him he was right?

In Tokyo…

"You went too far back there, Walter. I really don't think bringing up Issachar was called for. Flynn's in a bad enough mental state already.", Navarre said as Walter looked down.

He was frowning deeply, seeming very troubled.

"If that spirit wanted Flynn's soul we could have lost him too. It's not right for those evil bastards to have all the power they want while we struggle to fight back.", Walter replied.

"Considering the kind of stuff some of the ritual heretics said they probably thought that too. You can't fight evil with evil or you'll become evil. That's what I think at least…", Navarre replied.

"What else should we do then…? I'm just…worried. I don't want those bastards to win while laughing over our soulless corpses.", Walter replied.

"Well good has won out before. So, for good to stay in control for this long in Mikado there must be another way.", Navarre replied.

"I hope so…", Walter said as Navarre looked over to him.

Navarre sighed deeply as he rubbed his head.

"Just think about what you say before you open your mouth. I can see you're reasonably concerned, but you really are horrible at expressing it.", Navarre replied.

"It's just so frustrating how unfair this world can be…I mean we're the good guys, right? Doesn't that mean anything?", Walter grumbled.

"Maybe it does. We don't really know anything for sure yet. I mean you guys are basically the chosen ones that has to mean something right?", Navarre replied.

"I suppose so. I didn't really think about that.", Walter replied.

Walter grumbled when Navarre knocked him on the head.

"That's exactly your problem! You don't think, imbecile!", Navarre said as Walter sweat dropped.

Elsewhere in Tokyo…

"He was much further along than I thought. This may be it.", Hikaru thought, smirking devilishly as she watched from the shadows.

The aura around Flynn was very visible now practically smothering him. That last duel might have been the final push he needed to cross over. Issachar sweated nervously, growing increasingly anxious about Flynn's condition. He could hear him choking. Why was he choking?!

Suddenly they heard feet running wondering if Isabeau caught up to him. Instead it was someone they didn't expect…Plaguespreader Zombie.

"Lord Flynn!!!", the tuner cried out.

"It's just that weak little spirit. He can't do anything for him now.", Hikaru said.

The tuner shook Flynn trying to wake him up. It didn't seem to be working and Hikaru chuckled in amusement at the futility. However, there was suddenly something. Not the Crimson Dragon instead another energy spiked up.

"What?!", Hikaru questioned, actually shocked.

Issachar gasped seeing the dark aura lessened and Flynn woke up. He was gasping for air as he looked down at his throat.

"What in the world…?", Flynn questioned as he tried to catch his breath.

He sweated nervously noticing he had been upright. He thought he passed out. How was he still standing?! Flynn looked down seeing Plaguespreader who looked relieved.

"W-where am I…?", Flynn questioned.

"You made it back to Shinjuku. Are you alright? Something about your soul feels weird.", Plaguespreader replied.

"My soul? I'm afraid I don't know either…I've just been feeling very strange lately.", Flynn replied.

"Maybe I can ask one of my friends. They're definitely way smarter. Follow me!", Plaguespreader Zombie suggested holding Flynn's hand and leading him.

"Oh…uh…", Flynn said, before just deciding to accept it.

He had wanted to ask spirits about creating new cards anyway. This just makes things simpler. Issachar noticed Hikaru still seemed stunned and almost nervous.

"That was…!", Hikaru thought, seeming to realize what exactly just happened.

To be continued…