Chapter 25: Ruins and Relics Part 1

Syrus let out a squeak as he yawned, moving down the ladder of the bunk bed. He scratched his head and observed the vacancy that was Haru's bed. He frowned pondering were his companion was at this time of night.

"Whatever," he sighed, exiting the room and making his way down the stairs to the first floor. "Bathroom, bathroom, bathroom," he muttered, moving his gaze over each of the doors in front of him before deciding on the one closest to his position. Placing his hand on the doorknob he twisted and pushed the door open letting a soft light billow out. He squinted as the room beyond came into focus. Inside was a bed slightly more luxurious than the ones normally given to a slifer, A desk and Bookshelf covered in books and a soft glowing light coming from atop the desk.

"Oh man, this isn't the bathroom" he muttered rubbing his eyes. Moving to shut the door he stopped for a second as he heard an unfamiliar voice coming from the source of light on the desk. On closer inspection he recognized Professor Banner sitting in front of a computer monitor with his back to the door.

"You are not here to ponder your orders. You are simply here to carry them out."

"But Haru is one of the prize students of this dorm, much less this academy. There's a good possibility that he could be buried alive if we follow through with this." Banner protested shifting slightly in his chair.

"Hold on. Buried?" the slifer boy pondered creeping to side of the door to reduce his chances of getting caught.

"If the tomb is the end of Haru Yoshida Then so be it! His true potential must be put to the test so we may know for certain."

Syrus inched the door shut making sure to prevent even the slightest sound that could reveal his location. He backed away from the door, shocked at what he had just eavesdropped on.

'Tested? In a Tomb? Where he could be buried alive?! This clearly isn't a normal field trip' He thought to himself as he ran up the stairs and back into his room, no longer needing to use the bathroom after this revelation.


"Thanks for coming along with me" Alexis said as she and Haru made their way through the thick underbrush towards a familiar destination. Alexis was gripping a single solitary rose in her hand.

"It's really no hassle," the Kaiju Duelist returned, keeping his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. "Though I'll admit that me joining you isn't one hundred percent selfless."

The obelisk girl raised and eyebrow, "So why are you accompanying me then?"

"I'd rather not say until we get there." He told her, doing his best to avoid her gaze.

"Fair enough." The two students doubled their pace and soon enough they found themselves entering the clearing that played host to the abandoned dorm. Alexis moved over to her usual spot and cleared away the withering rose she had left the previous week before placing the new one in the same spot.

Haru let out a deep sigh and pulled something from his left pocket. He followed her over and dropped to his knees before taking out a thumbtack from his other pocket and pinning a polaroid picture to the wooden post above the rose. He then sat down next to her, his eyes gazing at the three figures depicted within.

Alexis looked at the photo and recognized the toothy grin of the boy she now sat beside, significantly younger in this form than he was now. Beside the younger Haru was a silver haired boy she assumed was Eiji. The younger Haru had his arm around the other boy's head conveying a brotherlike bond that she had only heard of but never seen. The most fascinating part of the picture however was the third figure, a slightly younger girl who stood in front of the two embraced in a hug that she seemed to be enjoying very much, judging by the grin on her face.

"That picture was taken back during the time Eiji and I were living in the orphanage, before pegasus found us," Haru explained.

"Was she a friend of yours?' Alexis asked, placing a hand on the boys shoulder for comfort.

"I guess you could say that. She's the only other person I gave a damn about during those times other than Eiji."

"You must've loved her a lot."

"She's my sister, of course I loved her," the boy said wiping a stray tear from his right eye. "She was all I had left of my life before the accident that took both our parents and Eiji's."

She seemed to be at a loss for the moment, not expecting to learn about all this emotional baggage from a friend who she had until now never seen show a small amount of weakness.

"Sorry to unload all this on you, it's just I haven't exactly had a person to confide in since Eiji and I left Pegasus for the island."

"You haven't even told Syrus or Chumley about this?" She asked sitting down beside him.

"I haven't really had time. Ever since I got to the island I have to contend with classwork, tests, a weirdo every week not to mention the expulsion duel and the school duel." He chuckled. "I'm essentially one of the few people who keep the red dorm from being eliminated."

"Trouble does seem to be attracted to you," she giggled lightly. "But you do make the Island a little more interesting"

"Trust me, more often than not I don't search out the stuff, it just happens to find me." He smirked half heartedly, the current topic weighing heavily on him still. "Anyway I feel I should let you know why I came," he started moving his hand over the picture.

"You lost her didn't you?" Alexis asked showing concern.

"Yes and no." Haru nodded. "She's still out there somewhere, I know that for certain. She's partially the reason why I met my adopted Father."

"Oh?" Alexis's face softened.

"See, all those years ago while we lived in the orphanage my sister was adopted almost immediately. She was a prime pick for the people who wanted an adorable younger child to raise as their own."

"But they only wanted her."

"Yeah, So I watched as the only remnant of my family was ripped away from me, unable to do anything. Me and Eiji entered the tournament where we caught Pegasus's eye in order to raise the money to start our own search." He punched the ground in frustration, the pain in his voice . "I spent so long looking for her, even after we got adopted, but I never found her. I don't know what happened to her Alexis, and it's killed me internally ever since!"

Alexis wrapped her arms around him and brought him in for a hug. "I know that your sister and my brother are out there somewhere, waiting for us to find them. We just have to keep up hope."

Haru let it happen, his distaste for this sort of thing dissipating for the moment. They sat there for a minute until Haru calmed down before Alexis broke the embrace and crouched in front of the rose and picture. "She's the reason you took Syrus and Blair under your wing isn't she? And why you got so angry at Zane before the expulsion duel."

"Yeah," Haru said, giving a mirthless chuckle. "It's like I told him back then, older brothers are born first to protect the ones that come after. To see an older brother be so cold and callous, when I would give anything to have my little sister back, made me so angry." The two sat there in silence for a moment.

"What was her name?"

"Maya." He said, slightly hoarse, as though saying her name inflicted a wound on him.

Alexis placed her hands together in prayer "Dearest brother, wherever you are I hope you are well and I hope to see you again soon, and Maya your brother misses you dearly the two of us hope your doing well and hope to see you soon as well"

"Thank you" Haru finished kneeling beside her with his hands in the prayer position as well, "Be at peace wherever you are"


The next day...

"So you see, children, we can learn a lot when comparing the art of alchemy to that of the game of duel monsters" Professor Banner stated as he walked to stand in front of his desk in full view of the class. In each hand he swirled a flask of multicolored liquid. Pharaoh had elected to fall asleep in his masters chair, far from any inevitable mishaps.

Banner held up each of the bottles. "Just as we can fuse two individual monsters to create an even more powerful creature, we may also mix two different chemicals to create a more impressive substance."

A solitary hand rose from the group of slifer students as Biggs looked up from his book for a moment.

"Ah yes, Mr. Highwind. Do you have a question?" Banner asked.

"Shouldn't you be wearing proper protective gear when handling chemicals? This seems needlessly dangerous."

"Nonsense my boy, there's no possible way this could possibly go wrong." He poured a small amount of liquid from the right flask into the left and placed the first back into the holder he had sitting on his desk. "See nothing to worry abou-AH!"

As soon as he began to speak the vial exploded with a loud pop sending black smoke upwards and into the teachers face. He began to cough as he waved the smoke away, revealing that his face was now caked in black and his hair was now a mess. The sudden pop jolted Haru awake, who had chosen to sit in the middle row of the designated slifer seating.

'Wha- What happened?" He asked looking around.

"Professor Banner's experiment blew up in his face again," Blair sighed.

"I suppose this is proof that the power of fusion should be handled carefully." Banner chuckled kicking the fragments of broken glass under his desk and placing what was left in his hands on the table.

"Sometimes I wonder how he managed to survive this long with that hobby of his," Haru said.

"You and me both," Syrus nodded.

The slifer headmaster moved behind his desk and pulled out a stack of papers and raised them above his head. "Before I forget. I finally got permission from the chancellor to allow us to go on a field trip."

" Now we're talking" Luke perked up in his seat next to Biggs. " Where're we going Teach? The circus? Maybe a Carnival?"

"They're not going to let us off the island so I highly doubt that," Chazz snorted. He had taken up a seat on the opposite side of Biggs.

"While those are both great ideas, I think I've found something even better," Banner's smiled widened. "We're going to take a ten mile hike to the other side of the island, to the newly excavated ruins, and were going to take core samples!" This revelation was met with the sound of crickets from the observing students, causing the teacher to slump over in defeat. "Anyway the trip starts at 7:00 AM sharp so don't be late," he finished as the bell rang signaling the end of class. "Class dismissed."

"Well I can tell you for a fact I'm not going" Haru grinned. "That cuts into my very strict sleep schedule."

"Didn't seem super strict last night," Syrus remarked staring at him accusingly.

"What were you doing last night?" Blair asked leaning in to stair at him as well.

"Were you making me a large batch of grilled cheese?" Chumley asked turning around from his seat in front of them and staring at him as well.

"I just decided to go for a walk that's all" Haru sweatdropped leaning backward in his chair and doing everything he could to avoid their gaze.

"RIIIIIIGHT" the three said in unison, clearly not believing him.


Right on time the next day at 7:00 am sharp the students of Banner's class began to file into the meeting spot just outside the academy. Much to the teachers dismay however not as many students had elected to come. Each one of the students had a backpack of supplies, some more stuffed than others. From the Blue dorm Eiji, Sarah and Alexis had arrived ten minutes earlier, followed by Slifer students Syrus, Blair, Chumley and Haru, the latter two seemed to have a chip on their shoulder about the current goings on. No one from Ra had bothered to show up.

"I can't believe my backpack is so heavy" the heavy set Slifer complained moving the backpack from shoulder to shoulder as he walked.

"Probably shouldn't have packed so may premade grilled cheese then Chum" Haru grumbled silently nabbing a single sandwich slice from the overflowing bag and placing it in his own. Haru had large bags under his eyes, and seemed to be very unamused by the fact he had been dragged along.

"Only seven of you?" Banner frowned looking around the area quizzingly. "Is that all? Where is everyone else?"

"Probably back at their dorms Prof," Haru yawned. "Asleep in their nice warm beds"

"C'mon Haru it's not that bad" Blair said looking up from a book she was reading. "Where's your sense of adventure?"

"In my bed like I should be, He grumbled.

"Plus its pretty nice to get outside for once, after nothing but indoor classes after the school duel" Eiji said, taking in a deep breath.

"And I bet the ruins will be a great inspiration for the art piece i'm working on," Sarah chimed in, her backpack seemed to consist of a blank canvas and a toolbox bundled together with string.

"The texts that I've found say that these ruins may have played host to the shadow games at one point or another" Alexis added, "I was up all night doing research for just this occasion"

"Do you think it has something to do with the disappearance of your brother?" Haru asked, using this distraction to nab another grilled cheese from his friends bag.

"That's the idea," she nodded.

Banner finally gave up on looking for other students and turned to address the group that had gathered. "Before we head out children, I must warn you when we enter the ancient ruins we will be heading down into a tomb. I insist you be very careful, as to not damage yourself or the ancient artifacts. Now usually…"

Syrus nudged Haru in the side at the mention of the tomb. The larger slifer bent down and the smaller one began to whisper in his ear. "Haru I have a bad feeling about this field trip. I think Banner and some outside force are trying to get rid of you during this trip by burying you inside the tomb"

"Hold up" Haru frowned, "What makes you say all this? I've made a lot of enemies on this island, but I don't think any of them would stoop so low as to try to take me out"

"The other night I had to leave the dorm room and take a leak, but I stumbled in on a conversation between Banner and some unfamiliar voice" The smaller slifer explained. "They mentioned something about a tomb and then something about you."

Haru frowned and straightened up before giving Syrus a wink. "Don't worry little buddy, now that I know I'll keep an eye out for any foul play."

"What are you two whispering about?" Blair frowned. "Are you keeping secrets from me again?"

'Dont worry about it, its nothing" Haru replied giving her a pat on the head. "I'll tell you on the way there"


As they traveled to their destination, they found the beaten path was not exactly straight, but long and curving. For every hill they walked up Chumley seemed to voice yet another complaint.

"Are we there yet?"

"My feet hurt!"

"I need to use the bathroom!"

"I hate crawling!"

"I hate climbing!"

"I hate hiking!"

"Are we there yet?"

"Chumley I swear to god if the next word out of your mouth is another complaint, I'm going to toss all of your sandwich making supplies into the ocean when we get back" Haru growled as he helped the heavyset student up the last hill.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh he would, and I'm going to help him" Blair said glaring at the boy.

"And that also goes for the new panini maker you somehow got onto the island" Syrus added as the group ran to catch up with the rest of their party. This threat seemed to shut Chumley up for the time being.

"Finally were here" Banner announced, happy that the journey was over, so that he didn't have to listen to Chumley bitch anymore. In front of him stood the remnants of an archway covered in green moss.

"Well it certainly looks ruined now doesn't it" Haru said with a smirk as he stepped up to look at the engravings. He felt a slight pain in the back of his head as Eiji flicked him slightly. "Ow"

"That was terrible and you know it," the silver-haired boy smirked.

"Isn't it marvelous?" Banner asked setting down his pack. He seemed to be just holding back his excitement as he flitted back and forth between each item. "Ooh you can still see the vague remains of a oculus here, and a fastigium here as well. No doubt when these were created they referenced the buildings of Saka'Ra."

"He sure does seem excited by a pile of rocks" Syrus said as he and Chumley dropped their packs and sat on what seemed to be a part of an ancient staircase.

"I'm just excited to sit down," the koala duelist sighed.

"We need to get you to the gym big guy" Blair said giving him a concerned look.

"Good luck with that," he retorted.

"Speaking of sitting, why don't we take this time to have lunch," Eiji said, looking at the rest of the party.

"I think Chum packed enough food to feed us for three weeks," Haru said giving the boy a sideways glance. Chumley gripped his backpack tightly as the rest of the group save for Banner moved towards him.

"I only packed enough for me, myself and I" He complained unzipping the bag and placing his hand within to grab a sandwich. Instead it found a clump of fur as he pulled Pharaoh from within and held him up via the scruff of his neck. The cat had the remnants of cheese all over his face, and what seemed to be a tin foil hat on top of his head.

"Looks like that's a bust," Syrus sighed.

"Not exactly," Haru said pulling his bag off his back and pulling out a few sandwiches. "Rations. Just in case."

"Hey those are mine," Chumley complained as Haru dropped one into his hands.

'And you need to learn to share with the class" Sarah scolded as she opened hers.

Banner smiled. "Good idea children, best not to delve into the great unknown on an empty stomach. Perhaps we can find some well preserved sarcophaguses around here. Or is it sarcophagi?" He shrugged and opened up his small bag "Either way I can't wait to dig into this Pizza. I'm starved."

There was an audible screeching sound as six pairs of eyes locked onto the professors bag glowing with a dark intensity. "You brought pizza and didn't think to bring enough to share?" Chumley asked licking his lips in anticipation.

"Now that's just mean professor," Sarah added stepping forward.

"Now children.." Banner began to say, as he grabbed his bag and began scooting away in the opposite direction. "I'm your teacher and I need to eat this pizza in order to teach you properly." A hand clamped down on his shoulder and the teacher turned to see Haru leering down at him a toothy grin on his face.

"Alright, time out," Alexis said making a T motion with her hands. "I thought this would happen, so I took the liberty of having the Obelisk cooking staff whip up a few things to eat". She set down her own backpack, consisting of a decently sized cubic basket, and pulled out a quilt and set it on the ground. Eiji moved over to help her as the two obelisk students pulled out three decently sized square boxes and placed them evenly apart.

Haru let go of Banners shoulder and moved over to the blanket and opened the first box, revealing a decoratively arranged rice ball display, that he instantly started in on. The other students followed suit leaving the Slifer headmaster in peace. He pulled out the pizza box and placed it on the ground. Opening it up he seemed to gaze at the contents for a moment before faceplanting, as the box opened up to reveal tufts of cat hair in place of where his pizza once was. "Pharaoh you silly kitty, not only did you not stay home like you were supposed to, you ate my food as well." He hung his head in defeat before turning to the picnic that was currently going on inches away and putting on a humble face. "Perhaps you could take pity on me and share your lunch with a teacher down on his luck?" He asked, hands together in front of his face.

Everyone turned to look at him, mimicking his squinty eyed look.

"Sorry Professor, We need this food to be able to learn properly" Eiji snarked between bites of his riceball. Haru high-fived him for the response.

Everyone else nodded in agreement.

"Besides you weren't going to share with us a few seconds ago, now were you professor?" Blair scoffed.

Banner facefaulted in the dirt again. "But of course I was going to share."

"Share your garlic breath all day? No thanks" Alexis retorted.

"She's got you down to a t, teach" Haru smirked.

While Banner continued to attempt to redeem himself in the eyes of his students, Pharaoh had wandered away from the group toward the most inner part of the ruins. The fat tabby looked around and noticed something sticking out of the dirt nearby. He cocked its head slightly and moved over to the item and began to dig, shoveling dirt backwards into a decently sized pile until the item became clearer. It was a small disk covered in ancient runes and a green gem centered in the middle of an egyptian eyed glyph. Pharaoh began to paw at the interesting looking item.

Upon contact the gem began to glow before releasing a stream of green light into the air, causing the fat cat to screech and run back to its master.

"What's with the odd light show?" Haru asked watching the area around them erupt into more and more columns of light. Everyone else rose to their feet and began to back away.

"Uh guys, what's happening to the sky?" Blair asked pointing upwards as the sky above began to shimmer with rainbow colors. Everyone's eyes moved upward as the sun seemed to split into three separate balls of light.

"Hey Kid I have a bad feeling about this" Godzilla grumbled as he appeared on Haru's shoulder.

"I think you and your friends should take cover child," Mothra agreed appearing on the other shoulder. Haru looked at Eiji and recognized the vague outline of his duel spirits conversing with him as well.

Almost on cue, thunder roared above them and lightning lit up the now darkened sky, making everyone jump.

'Everyone run for cover!" Banner yelled.

Student and teacher alike began to flee toward the area with the most rocks, and as they ran the thunder and lightning became more and more frequent.

Banner was the first to recognize a building nearby and he extended a finger towards it,"We'll find shelter-" His last word was drowned out by the sound of thunder overhead.

"Where?" The group shouted in unison.

"That building with the hole!" The professor yelled again.

"Kid! there's something up with this storm" Godzilla growled. "Head towards the point were the disk was I think we can stop all this." Haru nodded and skidded to a stop just before the shelter as everyone began piling in.

"Eiji!" Haru yelled "I have a hunch that we can stop all this if we go towards the source"

"Are you crazy? You could get killed!" Alexis called.

"Got it!" The silver haired boy yelled as he moved out of the shelter and began to bolt towards where they had been moments earlier.

As the two boys moved farther and farther away from the shelter, the light became brighter and brighter. They covered their eyes as they pushed forward but after a moment they felt their vision darken as they blacked out completely.


Haru awoke with his head in the grass, he blinked slowly began to rise.

"We're not in Kansas anymore kid," A familiar voice said as the Kaiju duelist sat up and looked around. The gruff-biker like form of Godzilla sat on a nearby rock leaning up against what seemed to be a full archway.

"What the hell happened Pops?" he asked. "Last time I checked that was less of an archway and more a pair of pillars."

"Hell if I know" Godzilla shrugged, "Though I can tell you for a fact we're not in your universe at least." He took his right arm and slammed it into the stone wall behind him leaving a crater.

"Honestly must you destroy everything you touch? A new voice said, earning a growl from the Kaiju.

"Oh great Mr. Justice himself is here to. Have you managed to remove that stick from your ass yet Ken?"

There was an audible sigh as Eiji walked into view accompanied by a silver haired older man wearing a red suit jacket and pants, as well as a silver undershirt with a red button in the center of his chest. The two most striking things about the man however were his obscenely large mutton chops, and the way his hair seemed to form two horns that curved upward on either side of his head.

"I'll have you know Goji" Ultra Father said. "Justice is its own reward, and I wish you would see the merits of it before you go and destroy something else."

"But it's so boring," Godzilla groaned. "It's hard enough going for a walk without stepping on those thumbtacks the humans call buildings."

"You and your charge would benefit from such a lifestyle. Perhaps the two of you wouldn't be such delinquents, and actually benefit society like Eiji here."

As the two duel spirits argued Eiji nudged his head towards a spot a couple of feet away so that the two boys could talk. Haru nodded and the two crept away seemingly unnoticed.

"What the hell is happening?" Haru asked quietly. "Our duel spirits have physical bodies now for some reason?"

Eiji stroked his chin in thought, "I know this may sound crazy, but do you think that disk Pharaoh found was a bridge to the spirit realm?"

"I mean that's the best explanation I can come up with," Haru nodded. "But does it really explain that?" The two looked up to see a large pyramid were the innermost part of the ruins once stood, now in pristine condition.

The heard a cough behind them and turned to see two new presences, a young black haired woman and a blond short haired man staring them down. The arguments concluded behind the two new figures as Ultra Father and Godzilla slipped past them to stand next to their charges.

"This is sacred grounds!" The girl warned holding up her black robed arm. "You must leave immediately!"

"Or you shall fall victim to the same fate as all other intruders," the blonde man added.

"I don't think anyone on the island wears clothes like that," Eiji said taking a step back.

"I kinda figured as much" Haru nodded following suit. "We need to get away from here and find the others" As soon as he said this the black haired girl had closed the distance between them and clamped her hand over his mouth, before pushing him up into the shadows, The blonde haired man doing the same. Godzilla and Ultra Father, reading the situation, jumped on top of the wall and vanished from view.

"What the hell?" Haru said squirming his mouth free from the girls grasp.

"Silence!" The girl hissed. "Unless you want to be captured by the soldiers."

On cue the sound of footsteps could be heard on the ramp the two boys were being held soldiers wore the same attire as the people currently holding Haru and Eiji, with the addition of headdresses and spears. The group held their voices until they were sure they were alone.

Soon after there was a woosh as the two's duel spirits returned to their sides.

"What's the deal?" The Ultra Hero duelist asked as their assailants let them go.

"There are others who share your same garb." The blonde told them. "They have been taken to our leader, the Gravekeeper's Chief."

"Hold on, what?" Haru asked

"Its true, the other outsiders were captured because they were trespassing. They will be punished severely," the blonde nodded.

"Not if we have anything to say about it," Godzilla said cracking his knuckles.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree" Ken nodded.

"Take us to the others" Haru said crossing his arms. "We can handle ourselves."

"If you want us out so badly, this is the best way to expedite that process," Eiji added.

The two cloaked figures exchanged a look before nodding. "So be it" the black haired girl said "Just know we did warn you." She began to lead the group inside the tomb followed closely by her blonde companion.

After a moment, the quartet was led into an empty chamber. "Wait here," the blonde commanded. The young woman walked through the other door on the opposite side of the door, leaving only him to observe their whereabouts.

"Listen blondie, if we can save our friends from whatever is beyond that door, we will" Haru said trying to move around him.

Godzilla appeared in front of him, blocking the path forward. "I'm sorry kid, but for your own good, I think it's a good idea to listen to the guy. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Agreed," Ultra Father nodded as he stepped in front of Eiji as well.

"Your companions have great insight. The blonde nodded. "My companion shall retrieve them for you, so there's no point in the two of you getting caught as well."

"Fine," Haru grumbled, sitting down against the closest wall.

Time had passed since the woman in black had left and it began to worry Eiji. He tapped his duel spirit on the shoulder and motioned for him to turn away from their overseer. "I have a very bad feeling Ken," Eiji whispered. "I feel something coming, and I don't think were going to get out of here without a fight."

The Ultraman spirit nodded. "Unfortunately, I figured it would come to this."

"SOMEONE! HELP US!" a pair of female voices cried out beyond the door.

"I HATE ANCIENT EGYPT!" Another familiar voice yelled out soon after.

"Alexis?" Haru said jumping to his feet.

"and Sarah" Eiji added.

"And Chumley too" Haru said less enthusiastically, as the duo attempted to scale the wall to the trio of windows overhead. Outside was a large pit surrounded on all sides by large brick walls, the duo seemed to be a long way up. They both squinted downward to see six individual stone coffins, each with a single person within. The boy's eyes widened as they realized the figures were in fact their friends, with their lower bodies wrapped in linen.

"Will would have a field day with this" Haru said dryly.

Eiji gave him a look of irritation. "Really?"

"What? Just trying to think positively" he shrugged.

"Uh kid, we have a problem" Godzilla grumbled from behind them.

"That's an understatement" Ultra Father added.

"Can't be any worse than what's already happened" Haru said turning his head to look back at the spirits only to see a spear trained at his back held by one of the soldiers that they had avoided before.

"Get down" A deep, gravelly voice commanded.

The two followed complied dropping to the ground from the windows and turning to face their new captors. Their two spirits were surrounded by soldiers, Godzilla had one in a headlock, and Ultra Father had assumed a martial arts stance, with another soldier laying at his feet. Most of the foot soldiers didn't seem to stand out on further inspection, other than two robed figures standing in the far back. The first was an older man with a thick beard and tan skin, wearing a robe of white and black with golden embroidery. The second wore a Jackal helmet that concealed all of his face save for that of his lower jaw. His body was covered in a golden breastplate and gauntlets underneath a black cloak, with tan pants and a blue scarf.

"May I ask the name of our captor ?" Eiji asked raising his hands above his head, which Haru mimicked.

"Call your spirits off first trespassers!" The older man commanded.

"Pops stand down" Haru called. Godzilla let out a growl as he dropped the guard before wading through the rest to stand by his charge.

"You to Ken" Eiji said as Ultra Father followed suit.

"I am the Gravekeeper's Chief. Overseer of the land that you have trespassed on."

Haru looked at Eiji with a look of realization. "Like the Duel Monsters Card?" He whispered.

"He looks the part" Eiji whispered back.

"I don't suppose we could negotiate terms that allow me and my friends, as well as your prisoners to walk free?" The Ultra Spirit asked.

"Sadly that is impossible, our laws are very strict on the topic of trespassing."

"And what do your laws dictate happen to trespassers?" Eiji asked

"Death and mummification." The man in the jackal mask spoke.

Haru looked at his own duel spirit and they seemed to exchange thoughts. The two stepped forward and grabbed two of the spears pointed at them. "I demand trial by combat then, Godzilla and I refuse to go out so easily"

"Haru, don't make this worse than it already is," Eiji shook his head.

Gravekeeper's Chief chuckled and held up a hand, and the spears lowered around them as he stepped forward followed by his companion. "I like your spirit boy. I'll grant you a trial, but it won't be combat as to not disturb our ancestors buried here."

"How do you intend to try us then?" Eiji asked stepping forward.

The chief smiled and pulled a deck of cards from his robes, and the jackal masked individual did the same.

Haru raised an eyebrow. "I'm getting flashbacks to that Jinzo fiasco from a while back."

"I had the same thoughts" Eiji agreed. "But it's the only way we're going to get out of this alive".

"Fine we accept" Haru said holding up his own deck as Eiji did the same. "But when we win, you have to let us all go, Including the people you captured."

"I agree to these terms. But that will only happen if the two of you win."

"Trust me dude, when you hold our friends hostage you'll suffer our full fury. Right Eiji?"

"Damn straight" He nodded.

"Very well! Just remember, when you lose, your life will be just as forfeit as your friends down there"


The brothers and their duel spirits were led to the highest floor of the pyramid before being escorted out onto a single platform above the pit. Across from them The Chief stood holding his deck.

"We shall proceed with one on one duels." The older man said. "If one side wins the first match then the other wins the second, then the two sides will compete in a sudden death round, with the victors facing one another. As for the stakes, the challengers will be playing for the lives of their friends" Down below a group of cloaked figures dragged three coffins containing Syrus, Chumley and Blair. They stopped just below Haru's platform and wandered back off again. "The first round will be for these three, and the second for the remaining three prisoners. Do you agree to these terms?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Haru said cracking his neck. "Do you mind if I take the first one Bro?"

"I'm ok with it. Always save the best for last," Eiji smirked earning a glare from his brother.

"Very well then, I shall take the first round as well," Chief said pulling up his sleeve to reveal a shell shaped item on his left arm. It seemed to have a blue orb just as the disks at Duel Academy did.

"Let's do this Pops," Haru grinned.

Godzilla slammed his fists together. "Time to bring the pain!" The duel spirit's form shifted and condensed into a ball of light before shooting into Haru's duel disk. The disk began to shimmer as the outsides turned black and took on a scale like texture, and the trays and the orb in the center took on a purple color.

"That's pretty neat" The Kaiju duelist said examining the results.

"Thought it would be fitting since I can actually touch things here," Godzilla's voice said as the orb on his duel disk began to glow with each word.

"Then we shall begin" Chief nodded as he held up his arm and the tray of his disk materialized as he placed his deck within.

Haru: 4000

Gravekeeper's Chief: 4000

"I'll take the first turn then," Chief said after drawing his hand. "I'll start by setting a monster face down in defense position" He said as he placed a card sideways on his disk. "Then I'll set a card face down and end my turn."

"My turn begins then," Haru drew his first card. "Hey pops I think it's time to give some of your buddies a shot don't you think?"

"I better get a turn this time," the spirit grumbled.

"Don't worry you will, but the climax doesn't come till the end."

"Must you delay your turn any longer?" The gravekeeper asked.

"I'm getting to it, sheesh." He took a look over at his cards and smiled. "First I activate the continuous spell Sergio Island! Kaiju Battle of the South Seas! Now when I summon a level four or lower monster with Kaiju in its name I can add another level four or lower Kaiju with a different name to my hand" He placed a card on his disk. "Come on out Kaiju Legend Ganimes!"

With a shriek, a large crustacean Kaiju with two large claws crawled onto the field. A row of serrated spikes decorated either side of its' shell and a pair of antennae hung over its' two eye stocks. It reared up on its six hind legs and twirled its claws around.

Kaiju Legend Ganimes level 4 (1600/1300)

"Sergio Island activates! I'll retrieve Kaiju Legend Kamoebas from my deck and declare battle! Ganimes attacks your facedown with Crustacean Crush!" The crab-like Kaiju crawled across the field and slashed at the set monster. As its claw came down however it was blocked by a single dagger as a young woman with black hair and black robes prevented the attack and sent a dagger flying in Haru's direction.

Gravekeeper's Spy level 4 (1200/2000)

As the dagger hit Haru his life points diminished as well.

Haru: 4000- 3600

"What the hell?" Haru groaned as he gripped were the dagger had hit him in the shoulder as pain flashed through his body. "The damage is real here?"

"Indeed," Gravekeeper's Chief confirmed. "And your friends shall face the consequences as well." The sound of stone grinding could be heard below them as the coffin lids over Syrus, Chumley, and Blair began to move inching ever closer to closing.

"Well this is just great," Haru muttered.

"Now comes Spy's effect! "The Chief continued. "When flipped I can special summon a Gravekeeper with 1500 or less attack from my deck. Arise Gravekeeper's Descendant!" He raised his palm as the blonde young man that had helped them escape appeared at the young woman's side wielding a golden staff with a sapphire on the top.

Gravekeeper's Descendant level 4 (1500/1200)

"Looks like I have to play this defensively for the time being," Haru groaned standing up straight and powering through the pain. "I'll set a card and pass my turn for now."

"A wise decision" The older man smiled. "But I won't give you the opportunity to fight back. First I'll discard Gravekeeper's Commandant from my hand to add Necrovalley! Then I'll set the stage for our fight." The field tray on his disk opened up and he place the field spell inside then the slot immediately closed.

Haru watched in surprise as the tomb around them vanished, and a valley of large dark rocks appeared around them as well as a thin layer of dirt below. The two combatants now stood atop two giant rock pillars, and their monsters now floated in the air.

"This isn't good" Eiji muttered chewing on his thumb as he tried to pick out a strategy for his own duel.

"As long as this card is present on the field, all Gravekeepers gain 500 attack!"

Gravekeeper's Descendant level 4 (1500-2000)

"And cards can no longer be banished, nor can a card be moved from the graveyard except via its own effect. Am I right?" Haru asked remembering a lesson he had pretended to sleep through.

"That is correct" The chief smiled, "You're quite knowledgeable for a graverobber"

"I guess you could say I go to school for this stuff" Haru snarked, earning a facepalm from his brother.

"Your knowledge will not affect the outcome of this duel however. Continuing with my turn I'll call on the level 4 Gravekeeper's Heretic." He slapped a card face up onto the field and soon after a tan youth with long white hair appeared wielding a golden staff. He wore black robes like his companions with golden trim, and a pair of white gold and black pants.

Gravekeeper's Heretic level 4 (1800/1500)

"And he benefits from Necrovalley as well."

Gravekeeper's Heretic level 4 (1800-2300)

"And now the stage is set. I activate Descendant's effect! By tributing another face up gravekeeper monster I control, I can target a card you control and destroy it. Gravekeeper's Spy is relieved of her post" Gravekeepers Spy shimmered and flowed into the blonde haired gravekeepers staff. Descendant smiled and raised the tip of his staff towards Ganimes, "And your oversized crustacean is about to be sent to an early grave." Descendant muttered under an incantation under his breath, and his staff let loose a blast of blue energy that collided with the Kaiju and caused it to explode.

Haru flinched as his monster was destroyed, before retrieving said card and putting it in the graveyard.

"And since Heretic is unaffected by card effects while Necrovalley is on the field, your fate is sealed. Heretic will attack you directly!" The white haired youth chanted a few words before releasing a fireball Haru's way.

"That's where you're wrong" Haru smirked. "He may not be affected, but that doesn't mean my card is useless. I activate my trap, A Rival Appears! When activated I can choose a monster you control and special summon a monster with the same level. Since you have two level 4's that limits my choices, but I'm prepared."

"Watch as the body of a Mata Mata turtle combines with a creature from a far off galaxy! Say hello to Kaiju legend Kamoebas!" Haru chanted as he placed the monster card face up in defense position. Before him a spiky stone shell emerged as a head of equally spiky texture emerged from within. The Turtle kaiju let out a small shriek before taking up a defensive stance. "And in addition Sergio Island activates allowing me to add another Kaiju to my hand."

Kaiju Legend Kamoebas level 4 (1000/2000)

"Then I shall direct my attack at your monster instead." Chief said. "Heretic, once again if you will!" The white haired youth chanted once again and let loose a beam of light from his staff. But unlike before the beam seemed to bounce off the Kaiju's shell harmlessly.

"What?"

"I'll let you in on a little secret boss, since your clearly confused. When Kamoebas is attacked, I can negate its destruction once per turn, as long as it's the only Kaiju I control."

"Clever," Gravekeeper's Chief smirked. "You have earned another round to do with as you please"

"Trust me buddy I intend to make good use of it" Haru smiled. "First I'll play the spell Captives of the Red Bamboo! Due to this cards effect I get two additional monsters in the form of tokens." Two natives each in tan grass clothing appeared beside the turtle Kaiju.

Native token level 1 (500/500) x2

"Then I'll play an additional spell. Token Sundae! I tribute my two new tokens and destroy two cards you control, and since your Heretic is protected via its effect that leaves your Descendant and Necrovalley as the only two targets." The two natives shattered into fragments of glass as the field returned to normal around them, and the blonde Gravekeeper disappeared as well.

"Very well played" Gravekeeper's Chief said, "But I have a contingency plan for just such an occasion. I'll activate my trap card Gravekeepers Sacrifice." His trap flipped face up to reveal a person in the black and gold robes of the Gravekeepers laying face up in a coffin as a snake like creature in ceremonial robes seemed to be infusing the body with magic. "This card allows me to discard a single Gravekeeper in my hand and in return add Necrovalley back to hand."

"Damn and I thought we had gotten rid of that card for good," Haru flinched as his grin turned into a frown.

"Focus kid, we can't afford to let him get too far ahead," Godzilla warned as the orb on his duel disk flashed.

"Looks like I'll have to rely on an old favorite of mine for the time being then, and end my turn." Haru sighed placing a trap in the undercarriage of his duel disk, followed soon after by the hologram materializing.

"Now watch as Necrovalley returns to my field!" Gravekeeper's chief laughed as he placed the card back into the field zone, and the scenery shifted once again.

Gravekeeper's Heretic level 4 (1800-2300)

"Arise Gravekeeper's Assailant in attack position!" He commanded as a woman in a black robe and cowl wielding a curved dagger appeared.

Gravekeeper's Assailant level 4 (1500/1500)

Gravekeeper's Assailant level 4 (1500-2000)

"Assailant's effect will take care of your pesky defense position monster. When Necrovalley is present on the field she can switch the battle positions of a single monster my opponent controls, so now your turtle is forced into attack position."

The female assassin's eyes flashed as the giant turtle Kaiju was engulfed in a dark purple aura forcing it into attack position.

"Assailant will now attack your overgrown turtle!" He commanded pointing at the Kaiju.

With a grunt the assassin flew to Haru's side of the field, her dagger growing ever larger. She appeared behind Kamoebas and stabbed it in the back.

"Kamoebas will prevent its destruction via its effect," Haru reminded him as the turtle stood strong.

"Your observation, although true, misses the point of this battle. Your monster still lives but you take battle damage."

Haru: 3600-2600

"Ughhh," Haru grunted as the shattered pixels ripped into his flesh causing pain to flash through his body.

Down below the three coffins began to move again almost halfway closed now.

"Uh guys, I think I'm claustrophobic," Syrus whined. "For real".

"I am to, if it will get me out of here," Chumley added.

"For the love of god you two, you're not making this any better by bitching and complaining," Blair hissed.

"I'm not done yet, defiler." He continued pushing his hand forward. "Heretic will finish the job my Assailant failed to finish." Again the white haired youth shot an orb of force at the opposing Kaiju, this time whipping up a storm and sending Haru flying backwards onto his back.

"My trap didn't save my monster, but it did save my life points for the time being," Haru groaned as he pushed himself back to his feet and in front of him the purple outline of a trap card flashed. "Defense draw allows me to take no battle damage for this battle and draw a card."

"See we don't have anything to worry about," Blair said cheerfully.

"I wish I had your upbeat attitude in this situation" Chumley grumbled.

"Enjoy the fresh air while we still can," Syrus added.

"You seem to be holding up rather well in your first shadow game." The Chief smiled. "It has been a while since I've had someone last so long in my presence."

"So my guess was correct. This is a shadow game. That would explain why all the damage I've taken feels so real," Haru said as he made his way back to his spot on the pillar.

"So shadow games are real," Eiji muttered. "I should've realized when my spirits showed up but I hoped they were just a myth."

"Unfortunately that's not the case my boy," Ultra Father shook his head. "Your brother there has participated in one already, albeit accidentally."

"You've done this before?" The Gravekeeper asked seemingly impressed.

"The other time was a little less painful," Haru smirked. "Instead of pain I just lost feeling in my limbs. It was a wondrous experience" He said sarcastically.

"My impression of you seems to have been wrong child," Chief nodded in respect. "You have earned your next turn".

"Thanks I guess," Haru said less than enthusiastically. 'I have to replenish my hand this round, all the while setting up something that will do damage and defend me through his next turn' Haru thought to himself as he scanned over his options. A moment later his eyes lit up with inspiration. "I activate Titan Research from my hand." A spell depicting a group of scientists observing the body of a slain Kaiju with long spindly legs revealed itself.

"In order to play this card I have to pay the cost of destroying one Kaiju card in my hand or on the field respectively." He smiled and pulled his continuous spell that he had played earlier and waved it. "Sergio Island fits these parameters, and in addition, when it's destroyed I get to special summon two Amoeba tokens in defense position." Two yellow jelly like creatures appeared in front of him after the card shattered into pieces.

Amoeba token (0/0) x2

"Then we get down to the good part. After I pay the cost, Titan Research allows me to draw two cards."

"Necrovalley seems to be the biggest challenge here," Eiji mused. "If he can get rid of it and gain the upper hand enough without him activating it again he should be set in this match."

"Say goodbye to Necrovalley, because I'm activating my own Field Spell, Kaiju Sighting: Oda Island!" The dark mountains and sandy grounds of necrovalley gave way to a small fishing village with a shrine on a hill, a large mountain Overlooking them.

Gravekeeper's Heretic level 4 (2300-1800)

Gravekeeper's Assailant level 4 (2000-1500)

"Quake in fear as the absolute ruler of all makes landfall to lay waste to all that oppose him!" Haru chanted. "I tribute my two tokens to call upon my ultimate monster! Kaiju Legend Godzilla!" With his classic roar the King of the Monsters crushed the two jelly like tokens as he stepped onto the field. HIs head turned to look down at Haru and flashed its teeth in what seemed to be a grin.

Kaiju Legend Godzilla level 9 (3000/2500)

"You got your wish Pops now make it count," Haru grinned back.

"My field spell now activates placing a single counter upon itself since I summoned a 3000 attack monster"

Kaiju Sighting: Oda Island: x1 counter

"And that counter won't be sticking around because I can treat it as a token when activating a Kaiju monsters effect. Godzilla will activate his one tribute effect to gain 500 attack until the endphase."

Kaiju Legend Godzilla level 9 (3000-3500)

"Time to rampage!" Haru yelled. "Godzilla attacks Assailant with Atomic Discharge!" The spines on the back of the King began to light up one by one and he reared back his head before letting loose a blinding beam of blue energy that blew away the cloaked assassin.

Gravekeeper's Chief : 4000-2000

"I'll set my final two cards and pass my turn. I hope that was more to your liking."

Kaiju Legend Godzilla level 9 (3500-3000)

"Indeed, but the duel truly begins here young one," Chief smiled, amused by his opponents vigor. "I sacrifice my only remaining Gravekeeper to tribute summon the one who passes judgment over all who enter the Necrovalley! Arise level 8 Gravekeeper's Visionary!"

Heretic jumped backwards into the shadows as a new figure walked forward. As he entered the light it revealed a Jackal helmet of more ornate design than Commandant. He wore a black and gold chestplate with the same colored shoulder guards, and a pair of purple and gold bracers. The sound of stone could be heard below as a throne emerged with an orange sun as the back and a pair of blue and green wings outstretched from the sun. The visionary walked in front and sat down atop the throne, leaning on his staff of gold and blue.

Gravekeeper's Visionary level 8 (2000/1800)

"How did you manage to summon out a level 8 monster without more than one tribute?" Haru asked not recognizing the monster from class or his time at Industrial Illusion.

"It's simple!" The Gravekeeper's voice boomed. "Visionary only requires me to tribute a single monster with Gravekeeper in its name."

"Well isn't that nifty."

"It gets better, for Visionary also gains 200 attack for each Gravekeeper's monster in the graveyard."

"Shit," Haru said realizing the reason why he had discarded a monster earlier.

"You've supplied me with, Assailant, Commandant, Descendant, Spy and Heretic, meaning a total of five monsters and thus 1000 attack points to add to my Visionary."

Gravekeeper's Visionary level 8 (2000-3000)

"We seem to be on equal footing now" Haru stated.

"It would seem that way wouldn't it, but only for the time being. I activate the equip spell Gravekeeper Book of Secrets." He placed the card on his disk and a book poofed into existence in front of visionary. The monster took the book in hand and began reading. "When equipped to a Gravekeeper monster I'm required to discard a monster, and then the monster equipped with Book of Secrets gains attack equal to half the discarded monster's attack and all battle damage is doubled."

"He needs a 1300 attack point boost to end the duel right here" Eiji muttered running through the cards in his head. "So he needs to discard a 2600 or higher monster attack monster."

"I discard my level 5 namesake Gravekeeper's Chief, now Visionary gains 950 attack and an additional 200 due to its' effect!"

Gravekeeper's Visionary level 8 (3000-4150)

"Your end draws near! Visionary will attack your false god with Eternal Eclipse!" Visionary clapped the book closed and set it on his left leg before raising his hand to the sky and pulsing with a dark energy. He lowered his outstretched hand soon after and the aura formed into a black and purple orb. The orb flashed and then shot out in a spear like movement piercing Godzilla's chest. Haru's eyes glazed over for a moment as he clutched his chest, and he and the radioactive giant fell over, the latter disappearing in a cloud of dust.

Haru:(2600-300)

Eiji gasped and began to run towards his fallen brother, only to be intercepted by the two guards keeping watch over the entrance that simply lowered their spears, forming a makeshift barricade. "HARU!" he yelled attempting to push past the two of them as his body was engulfed in a silver aura. A hand grasped his shoulder and pulled him back as Ultra Father pulled him back.

"What are you doing Ken?" Eiji asked angrily. "My brother needs me right now!"

"Child you're letting your rage blind you," The Ultra shook his head. "Have you taken a moment to truly observe what's happening?"

EIji stopped struggling and turned to observe the scene. Haru still was sprawled out on the floor but something different had happened he seemed to be pulsing with the same blue aura he had seen during his duel with Jake.

"It's a shame that you showed so much potential, only to give up before the match could even end. This will not save your friends from their fate however." The elder Gravekeeper shook his head as the grinding of stone could be heard.

"Goodbye fresh air," Syrus said in a defeated voice.

"Goodbye grilled cheese," Chumley mumbled as he held a single remaining foil wrapped sandwich to his face.

"Goodbye friends, Goodbye Haru," Blair cried.

SLAM!

"NO!" Haru's voice rang out as his fist dug into the pillar below him and he rose to his feet. he shook his head and his hair let loose a cloud of dust. Eiji blinked as he looked at his brother. 'Were his teeth always that sharp?'

Haru's upper canines had grown into fangs that seemed to creep over the teeth on his bottom jaw, and his normally slit eyes had turned fully yellow.

"Good! There's still a spark of life in you!" Gravekeeper's chief laughed. "You continue to impress me boy."

"Is it my turn?" Haru asked, his gaze fixed on his opponent.

"Yes it is, I look forward to seeing what you can do."

Gravekeeper's Visionary level 8 (4150-3200)

"I'll make you regret that," Haru pulled his new card from his disk and placed it within his hand. "I activate one of my set cards! A trap called Kaiju Second Wind. It allows me to special summon a Kaiju monster from my graveyard with an attack equal to or less than the difference between our life points."

"A 1700 attack point monster wont make a difference when its facing down my Visionary!"

"Arise again Kaiju legend Gainames" On cue the giant crustacean scuttled onto the field.

Kaiju legend Ganimes level 4 (1600/1300)

"Then comes my second trap, Call Of the Haunted, and this time ill resurrect Godzilla!" The loud screech of the king of the monsters pierced the sky's as it stormed the field once again.

Kaiju Legend Godzilla level 9 (3000/2500)

"My field spell activates gaining a counter when Godzilla is summoned!"

Tokyo ruins: x1 counter

"Godzilla's effect activates giving him an additional 500 attack until the endphase"

Kaiju Legend Godzilla level 9 (3000-3500)

"The final piece of the puzzle has fallen into place." Haru growled, "Ready pops?"

Godzilla appeared behind him in Kaiju form his body flowing with energy as well.

"I equip Godzilla with Kaiju Second Rampage!"

Kaiju Legend Godzilla level 9 (3500-4000)

"Time to end this! Godzilla attacks Gravekeeper's Visionary!" The spines on Godzilla began to charge up and the Kaiju let loose a blast of energy from its mouth.

Gravekeeper's Chief: 2000-1200

The dust cleared and Visionary still stood strong, a protective dome around his body. "Visionaries effect allows me to negate its destruction by discarding a Gravekeeper from my hand. Goodbye Gravekeeper's Cannonholder! Visionary now gains another 200 attack because of the new monster in the graveyard."

Gravekeeper's Visionary level 8 (3200-3400)

"My equip spell's second ability kicks in! Not only does the Kaiju equipped with Second Rampage gain 500 attack, it can also attack twice, but I take damage equal to its original attack on my endphase." He gave a grin. "Not that this duel will last long enough for that part to take effect."

Godzilla pulsed with power as its dorsal plates glowed brightly.

Kaiju Legend Godzilla level 9 (3500-4000)

"One more time Godzilla! Atomic Discharge!" The Kaiju let loose another bolt of atomic breath engulfing the masked figure and blinding all of the observers.

Gravekeeper's Chief: 1200-600

This time the dust parted and the opposing monster no longer stood strong. "You overplayed your hand," Haru chuckled. "If you had one more Gravekeeper in hand I would have been done for, but with no cards in hand this duel is as good as mine."

The chief nodded and crossed his arms "So be it."

"Ganimes finish him! Crustacean Crush!" Haru commanded as the crab kaiju slammed its claw directly into the older man sending him flying backwards.

Gravekeeper's Chief: 600-0

The glow around Haru faded and the human form of Godzilla appeared next to him. The two grinned and exchanged a high-five. On the other side the guards helped the older man up.

Haru felt a pair of spears prick his back, and he craned his neck to see two guards behind him, "Oh great this again."

"LET HIM GO!" The chief yelled from across the pit. "He has proven himself worthy."

Haru grinned and stepped forward away from the guards. "You're not too shabby yourself old timer. I can definitely say you kept me on my toes for the whole match."

"You didn't mind the higher stakes?" Chief asked raising an eyebrow.

"Well the pain that I took wasn't exactly pleasant," Haru cracked his neck. "But I can look past that and enjoy our clash a bit more, as long as you keep your end of the bargain and let my friends go."

"So far only one other person has passed the challenge I lay before you this day." The Chief took a deep breath, seemingly still recovering from the last attack. He let out three deep whistles and a cloaked figure appeared next to him. He handed the figure something and they disappeared once again. "For passing this trial I bequeath to you this Mystic medallion."

"Mystic what now?" Haru asked cocking his head. As soon as he asked, a finger tapped his right shoulder and the cloaked figure held out a necklace with a half circle on the end. Haru nodded and took the piece of neckwear and looked it over.

"I appreciate the gift, but this seems to be missing a couple pieces," Haru frowned as he placed the necklace around his neck.

"But of course" The older man scolded lightly. "There are three parts to that Medallion, one is held by the person who beat us before you, and the other is reserved for if your brother passes the test. Hopefully this piece will serve you well in the shadow games you have yet to face."

"Thanks I'll try to remember that" Haru nodded, as he watched the older man waved his hand. the grinding of stone could be heard again below as Syrus, Chumley, and Blair were freed from their coffins.

"Sweet sweet freedom" Syrus said kissing the ground.

"I live to see another sandwich!" Chumley cheered.

"Good job boss" Blair called giving Haru a thumbs up.

Haru nodded and walked back to the entrance with his hands in his pocket. Eiji walked out past them and the two High fived before taking each other former position. "Don't lose" Haru said as they passed.

"Like you even have to tell me, our friends are on the line after all" Eiji smirked. "Besides, I still need to strangle you over making me worry so much."

Well looks like we get to start the good part of season one now. Sorry for the shorter chapter this time, I know I tend to power through the two parters but I'm taking it easy as to not make you wait a year and a half for the next chapter. As for the question about the Haru x Alexis ship, it will happen I assure you I'd rather just take a little bit of time and not rush it so it feels more natural. Last other Toku decks will be added overtime, Silver and I are still working out the plans for the Shadow riders at this point, and well we want everyone to have their moment to shine. Keep them ideas coming though, you may just give me inspiration. Thanks for the support and Rejoice for the Birth of a new Chapter!

-Red