D'Sceptre Inc. is back with a brand new chapter of ASPECT, folks, and this one has more twists than a rollercoaster made of Twizzlers inside a spring factory.

So let's get right to it. Notice the three new characters about to make their mark in this chapter, gentlemen-one from a bonus scene in the chapter previous by yours truly. Aren't you glad for that change?

NUMBER TIMELINE/ASTRAL WORLD/?

"GO, ZEXAL MORPH!"

This proclamation, usually made in sync with Astral, may have had more impact if Astral's focus was not occupied by the rogue meteor streaking across his homeland's sky. Yuma proclaiming it twice further did not bring Astral back to the issue at hand. The arrival of a new voice to this chaotic scene, though…

"Ah yes, the… Super Secret Number Cruncher Intimidation Crew, are you? New and improved, too!"

That no one obliged his request for a "high ten"-least of all Girag, who whirled a head dripping with water toward him and responded "AN' JUST WHO ARE YOU NOW?!"-could have been for several reasons. Perhaps it was because of the ornate Duel Disk on his left wrist-now sparking a holographic cardholder that looked like a set of large, flattened spikes. Maybe it was the teen's odd appearance-a mop of teal-blue hair and a light dusting of a beard of the same color, plus the crisp suit would definitely look out of place in the brightly lit Astral World. But it was likely the fact that their mystery critic was riding in on a whale-like fish that may have stunned them. "Wow, it's like we're friends. Except not. Now tell me why you're here."

"You know very well- " Astral started.

An explosion of water stopped his retort, in almost preface sync with Tidus's flashing eyes. It had come from the octopus creature, which caused the Xyz Monsters being held in its grasp to fade off in a sea of glowing shards. Every drop of water that didn't end up drenching the ex-Barians or Tori, though, floated in the air as a gigantic bubble of liquid, before sucking itself away in a flurry of streams into the deck holder of Tidus' Duel Disk. It would end up turning into another card of its own, to the group's shock. "I. Was not. Asking you," Tidus snapped, his dialogue stinted by his fury. "I was asking the Number Hunters."

Yuma spluttered. "W-wait, you did all this just to get us here?"

"Yes I did, and believe me, it's exactly what I thought my first encounter with you all should feel like." Tidus's neutral expression finally broke into a snarl. "You're all homewrecking, life-ruining snakes and it may not be impartial enough for a detective to say, but I personally feel worse for knowing I share your air."

"How dare you!" yelled Rio. "We've done nothing to you, so buzz off!"

"And how did YOU get all the way over to the Astral World?!" Dumon inquired.

"Both questions would be better directed to the person who took everything from me!" And with that, Tidus whipped a finger to point directly… at Shark.

A sea of gasps spilled forth from the former Emperors.

"After what your friend - and I use that term loosely - did to Kite and Mizar, whatever you're accusing Nasch of doing'll b-" Another surprising action cut Alito's promo short - this time, the hand of his ex-leader in front of his face.

"Listen, whoever you are…" And with this, Shark took a couple of steps forward, even with Rio reaching out to futilely stop his advance. "…I know we've done some serious damage as Barian Emperors. And I'm not gonna pretend that we don't have a lot to answer for, even now. But know this... " And with that, Reginald spread his arms to the water-drenched city of the Astral World. "... destroying this Astral World isn't going to make up for us nearly destroying another! If you need to Duel someone over this, Duel ME!" Shark pulled out his Duel Disk. "And leave this world out of it! I can handle the pressure, they can't!"

Tidus stopped a bit a Shark's righteous rebuke, but before he could respond, a beeping on his Duel Disk stopped him. Before Shark could ask what was up, Tidus had pressed a button and suddenly, everything in the Astral World froze. In front of him, however, materialized a girl with a fan of pitch-black hair and a pair of white locks framing her face. Tidus knew who he was talking to.

"I'm sorry, boss. I really am. I know you want us to hurry with the plan. But I can't believe that idiot Shark doesn't know that…!"

"He doesn't know because it's a while ago." The Aspect boss shook his head. "Still a problem, but not your main problem. Yuma and Astral are your targets."

"…yes, boss." Tidus's head sank. "I just wonder… I mean, she's all I had to look forward to when I put my head above water in my past life." Tidus takes up one of the sides of his Duel Disk, opened it up and pulled out a photo. It showed him, clearly exhausted from pulling up a treasure chest he was leaning on from the surf-washed shoreline behind him. Next to him though, was a girl with pinkish-white hair.

"I would've moved the world - this one, the Barian World, the real world - for this girl. And then she up and disappears the second she found one of those numbers… and I can't even remember her name anymore. And then I find Shark using the Number she got…? No. I refuse to believe he doesn't know what happened to her." Tidus' head sunk again, this time in tranquil fury.

"What he knows is irrelevant." The black-and-white haired girl tucked a thumb under Tidus' chin and lifted it up. "You're stronger. Everyone in the Aspect is despite what these… 'heroes'... have done to them."

She straightened up.

"But this rot starts at the top of each of these places. So we have to limit who we start our wars with, or we'll get overrun before the plan even begins. I've already sent Viral Vector to keep Vetrix and his family away long enough for you both to do your thing."

And with that, the girl finally turned her heel on Tidus.

"Please… don't make me regret it."

Then the scene returned to normal, the girl disappearing as quickly as she had formed, the flow of time resuming and the question on Shark's stilled tongue for four minutes came forth. "Wait, what's that now?"

Wryly noticing that Shark was talking about the notification beacon, the teal-haired Duelist finally straightened up. "Nevermind. My issue with you can wait for later. For now, let me just tell the rest of you that my name is Tidus…"

And with this, he drew out his Duel Disk and charged it to life. "... And the only way this Astral World gets relieved from its focus in my investigation is if your premiere Number Hunter can best me in a Duel… Yuma."

Yuma, after another moment of shock, stepped forward. "Well, you've got it Tidus! As long as-"

"-Oh yes, I forgot about your… better side, Astral." And with this, Tidus turned to the wary spirit. "I know you're a man of many observations, so I'm sure you can tell the reason for my next few words. No ZeXal Morphing. This fight's with Yuma and Yuma alone."

Astral, after a pregnant pause and to the shock of everyone around him, finally folded his arms and nodded.

"Wait, WHAT?" yelled Tori, a bit too loudly. "But Astral, he's the guy who's invaded your world, right?!"

"Apparently..." Astral pointed out, "He's decided on a different target. And if it keeps my world safe... I will keep my distance."

Despite a chorus of murmurs from the Barians as they looked up at the sky, Tori still stayed suspicious. "What are you talking about…?"

"Safe from whaaAAAAAAA-!" Again, Tori Meadows' hand came into contact with Astral - this time, by Astral's reaching out to her - and she bore witness to what the ex-Emperors had seen when they held up the wounded Eliphas. The rift aboard the Astral World. one that had issued that meteor and likely the individual before them, was receding shut, apparently as a show of good faith by Tidus.

"Guess you've seen how focused my intent is now," Tidus said. "Suppose the investigation'll be finished the second I finish my match with Yuma here, anyhow." He then looked up. "But to make sure you don't jump the stands anyway…"

And with that, two twin spouts of water erupted under both his and Yuma's feet, propelling them into the air, before flattening out into a large disc. The disc was large enough to comfortably accommodate both Duelists. Tidus' ferrying monster did not reach through the transport though, turning into a similar cloud of yellow shards. The cries of Yuma's friends did not even reach the Duel Carnival champion, as the height of the disc left everyone but Astral unable to reach it. But the new explosion of fire in the spires nearby, where Mizar had taken a fallen Kite to and the other mystery man had followed with his phoenix Duel Spirit, got the other ex-Emperors' attention.

"MIZAR!" Dumon yelled.

"Right, change of plans!" Shark turned to Rio. "Rio, take Girag, Alito, and Dumon there, make sure Mizar and Kite's okay! Tori, Ray and I will stay, keep Eliphas safe, and find a way to get up to that arena!"

"No way, brother!" Rio cried. "I'm not leaving you again!"

"Well then, I could make sure they're okay, then!"

Had Shark not seen Ray's lips move to make the words, he wouldn't have believed it. "You do realize that…" Shark started.

Ray cut him off. "Mizar's in trouble? Has been since our second mystery attacker showed up on his giant chicken? And that you need another powerful Barian to lead the charge? Why do you think I asked after your sister refused?"

"Wait a minute, what are we? Chopped liver?" shouted Alito.

"That they need to ignore the rambling to save Mizar? Again, the Ray Way's perfect for laser-straight focus on problem-solving!" beamed the ex-Emperor.

"That still isn't the reason I-"

"-and no, I don't have the time, power, or mathematical models to help with inventing a new number to count the number of times I've 'betrayed' you all," Ray finished, ignoring the snappish looks from Alito, Girag, and Dumon. "We're the best thing going now, and I'd hate to see it go to pot because we're here complaining."

Ray finally went face to face with Shark. "I'm serious now. And I'm well aware of what you think of me. And I know it won't change unless you let me change it."

Shark finally nodded his approval. "Whatever. Just don't make me regret it."

"The Ray-Way never disappoints! Now let's goooooooooooooo!" and with that, Ray set off.

"…should I tell him that his Emperor friend headed off in the opposite direction or will you?" Eliphas panted.

"Don't. Just head back to the Astral Towers with Rio. He'll smarten up, the culprits are out of it, and, well... the water treatment therapy's never looked hotter." Shark pointed at the ebbing waterfalls from the Astral Tower, before turning to face Tidus and Yuma above him. "And by the way, you're the vanguard of this world, right?"

"Indeed."

"D'ya think it's got a chance now?"

Eliphas nearly stopped his assisted walk - this time, with Rio - at Shark's words. "Why do you ask this of me?"

"I dunno," Shark wondered. "Probably because us - Barians and Astrals - being this way at the start... might have prevented Don Thousand from…"

A tense silence passed between the two leaders. "…I understand. And with you here like this?" Eliphas finally let a smile grace his lips while Ray finally rushed back the other way, having realized his directional error. "I have no doubt…"

"….that you're in quite a hurry to lose, Mizar!"

The explosion that the other ex-Barians had taken notice of was the start of the second turn in the Mizar-Percy fight, both now at 3000 LP each just after Mizar's new card finally came into his hand. "And now that my 'Destruction Ring' Trap has taken a chunk of your LP, this loss won't take long! Since my Destruction Ring's taken my 'St. Bath, Peacekeeper of Maedas', away from me so soon, she'll use the sacrifice to further our crusade!

"See, her special ability allows her to replace herself with another "Maedas" monster when she's destroyed, with two thousand or less Attack Points - like 'Joan, Crusader of Maedas!'" With another flash of light, the warrior lady hit the field, Maedas-commemorating flag in one hand and sword in the other. [Joan/LIGHT/Warrior/1400 ATK/2000 DEF]

"And I summon her in the Miracle Zone, laid out by my 'Maedas Miracle Grounds'!"

Now, this was new to me! It seemed that this person who I've initiated a Duel with to keep the injured Kite from being attacked again had some power behind him too. But why?! Unless...

'To turn the battlefield itself to his advantage!' thought the Galaxy-Eyes user, a tiny bit of him wishing for just one Barian field to show this sneak-attacking whelp how to truly run the table. A pity. I can handle that anyway after I got past his weak Joan. I mean.. Mizar's thought process continued, ...with only fourteen hundred Attack Points to her name it should be child's play to -

"And since she's in a Zone that a "Maedas" card's upgraded, Joan's special ability activates, increasing her Level to Set - and her attack points to twenty-eight hundred!"

'Is he real?!' Mizar's blanched. Now he'd have to use the other cards he'd attained-and with another concerned look at Kite, wondered if he should make haste with the new Neutrino cards.

I was supposed to use them against Kite, to show how I've evolved from when we last met, and take back the post as the best of the Galaxy-Eyes users! And that the last dragon standing would be his new Galaxy-Eyes N-

-No. Not against this zealot. He doesn't deserve that level of effort from me – not yet. "I Normal Summon my 'Heliosphere Dragon' in Defense Mode!" His call was followed by the arrival of the purplish-blue creature, wings forming the silhouette of a heart beneath its small body. [Heliosphere/LIGHT/Dragon/0 ATK/1900 DEF]

"No Attack Points? I suppose it has some ability if you've wasted a Summon on it."

"It does indeed." The trademark Mizar smirk graced his face. "Since you have four or fewer cards in your hand -" Indeed, Percy only had two cards in his hand. "- and this is the only monster I hold on my field, nothing can attack it!"

But that other Set card you have could change that equation quick… thought Mizar, looking at the other Set card on Percy's field. Considering what Maedas Miracle Grounds has already done for him …well, I'll just have to bait him into the initiative then! When my Galaxy-Eyes Dragons come out, I want NO surprises on this fool's end.

"I Set 2 cards and end the turn here!" Two obscured cards fizzled into Mizar's Spell and Trap Zones. "It's your move, Percy - though with my Heliosphere Dragon out, I doubt your monsters'll be doing much moving at all!"

"Watch me, Mizar." And Percy drew, bringing the cards in his hand to 3. "I Normal Summon 'Judi, Judge of Maedas'!" The fearsomeness of the visage on the shield of this latest Maedas member was only matched by the ferocity on the face of the LIGHT lady wielding it. [LIGHT/Spellcaster/1700 ATK/1600 DEF] "And with her effect, I change two Monster Zones on this Dueling ground into Judgment Zones-the one she currently occupies…"

Well, Mizar wondered, looking at his stirring Galaxy-Eyes rival-in-arms, Kite, ... this could still be manageable as long as his effects are kept away from my fi -

"….and the second Judgment Zone becomes the Monster Zone YOUR Heliosphere Dragon occupies!"

"No…" hissed the ex-Barian out loud.

"Now for Judi's true special ability!" Percy yelled as the Judgment Zones established themselves with lamppost-like halves of gigantic golden scales jutting out behind each monster on their Zones. "For each monster in a Judgment Zone will have their fate determined by a higher power than even the Maedas!"

And with that, the eyes on Judi's shield facade glowed, before separating from the shield and floating in front of her… as two gigantic golden coins. "… specifically, Lady Luck." The Aspect Duelist cracked a small smile. "You determine when these spinning coins stop. The one on the left represents Judi, the right your Heliosphere Dragon! And don't worry, that attitude will be the next thing of yours I crush - after all, each Tails result will have the monster it represents instantly destroyed!"

"Putting things up to chance? And you went after me for having a monster without Attack Points!" Mizar laughed at this.

"Don't worry, the Heads result is no better for you. In fact, it's worse. Because landing on Heads negates the represented monster's special abilities until the end of the next turn!"

Mizar visibly paled. "So… that means that… "

"…Either way, this goes, your Dragon will soon no longer be a problem for him." izar and Percy whirled around to the new voice. Kite was getting to his knees, using the back of his spluttering ferry Orbital 7 for a crutch. "For your sake… Mizar… you'd better have something… to keep him from… winn-"

Another crack of lightning came down near Kite, knocking him and Orbital 7 to the floor. Mizar would end up screaming, before turning to Percy in rage. "YOU did this?!"

"And you'll be following him soon!" Percy yelled back, his normally collected demeanor all but gone. "You, and all those Number hunters who ruined my life and-!"

Another ripple of time cut him off, freezing the defiant Mizar and downed Kite-in fact, everyone but Percy-where they stood. In front of Percy's outstretched hand, though, was a familiar girl with a fan of black hair, stained white over her left temple. "I thought we discussed this, Percy. Your target was Astral and Shark."

"The Aspect's target is Astral and Shark," grumbled the Maedas user. "Mine is the heartless Heartland-bred scumbags who carded my friends and destroyed my innocent followers - my House of Midas - for the crime of gaining the Numbers."

The girl sighed. "Ones you will never get back if you keep attacking the one who did it at every word he speaks! I'm allowing this…distraction… only because it's drawing the other ex-Barians away from Tidus, who's doing the job of two Aspect members right now." …

She stepped forward again, now face to face with Percy. "And make no mistake, Percy-the Aspect's business is your business. I said you'd have the opportunity to truly face the one who destroyed your House. My heart still weeps when I hear of your carded list - and the cards that were taken." The girl immediately began counting them off. "Number 41: Bagooska. Randy's. Number 91: Thunder Spark Dragon. Byser's. Number 56: Gold Rat. D-"

"No need to continue, please- my nightmares have kept me too aware of that list." Percy's arms folded and his brow crinkled, almost seeming to age before his boss's eyes. "And that Number 56 holder turned out to be an actual rat. If there's one carded individual I'd never want back… "

He straightened up. "No. Everyone deserves better than the Number Hunters. But, you're right, boss-the Aspect comes first." Percy's eyes locked on Kite. "Then I destroy the Galaxy-Eyes lineage once and for all."

"Glad to hear it. And Pierce?" The girl finally took notice of the wild-eyed Mizar. "Mizar's more versatile than you think now. Be sure in your hunt for one white whale in the Kite…"

And the girl started flickering out of existence.

"…that the white shark... that Barian you're facing... doesn't eat you up first."

The scene fizzled back to normal, and Percy recomposed himself, to Mizar's spluttering surprise. "My apologies for the outburst. Perhaps Judi's verdict will be more measured. Begin the toss!"

And with that, Judi's long-awaited flip begins, the coins reflecting the sparkling Astral World in their motions - and the incoming Barians as well. Both results, however, would be the same-Tails. "Well, guess that means the two of our monsters are going effect-free for two turns - but there's clearly someone coming out the worse in this exchange anyways!" And so it was, because while Judi had her effects negated too, she sat at a hefty seventeen-hundred Attack Points to Helios' zero Attack Points. It didn't take long for Mizar to figure out the math in this equation - thirty-five hundred points of damage from Judi and the souped-up Joan to his Life Points?

No, I need to stop this attack now. Forget keeping the secret cards secret.

"Judi, show his weakened Heliosphere Dragon what true might is! Strike with your Glorious Judgment!" Three seconds later, Judi's aforementioned spear was out and she was charging, the sharp weapon aimed directly at Heliosphere's head.

Until Mizar interrupted. "Not so fast, zealot - I activate my Trap, 'Neutrino Calling'! And since a monster of yours with fifteen hundred or more Attack Points targeted a monster of mine, through attack or effect, I can Special Summon a non-Dragon-Type "Neutrino" monster from my Deck with less Attack Points that it, then redirect the attack or effect to it! Yes, it takes out a portion of my LP equal to their difference in Attack Points, but it turns the monster I Summon becomes a Dragon as well! Come forth, 'Neutrino Thresher'! And with this, the Level Three DARK Psychic took form on the field, drawing her scythe in a defensive stance, blue aura springing to life around her. [Thresher/DARK/Psychic/Level 3/1500 ATK/500 DEF].

"A… Neutrino monster? What's… Mizar… gotten up to now?" Kite whispered.

"C-c'mon Master k-Kite, keep your voice down - I 'm not sure e-either of us could take another thunderclap from that m-m-m-mad prophet Pursey!" Orbital 7 spluttered. Thankfully - on two fronts - Kite was too injured to snap off a retort to 7 for his none-too-original miscue on Percy's name, and Percy himself took no notice of either Kite or Orbital's statements.

Instead, Percy's eyes were fixed on the new threat. "And what makes you think this will save you? I can still marshal an attack on your Heliosphere anyways!"

"Not with… urrgh… this out, you won't!" Mizar finally shuddered painfully as the penalty of Neutrino Calling came around, reducing his Life Points to 2800. "My Neutrino Thresher, while it's treated as a Dragon, prevents you from making attacks on any monster with less ATK than it - and since it was Special Summoned by a "Neutrino" card's effect, it allows me to search up a Level 8 Dragon monster with 2000 or less DEF, like my Schwarzschild Limit Dragon!"

"Fine then! Guess this means we do this the hard way! Judi, attack his Thresher instead!" Percy demanded-and with a swipe of the spear, it was so, as the Thresher collapsed into a field of sparks.

As the sparks settled, however, Mizar's smile did not retreat an inch. Instead, he continued. "A pity. The Thresher has one last ability upon destruction where it targets another monster with the same Type as it had and gives it Attack Points equal to the difference in its original Attack and Defense Points, plus another hundred points for good measure. Like my Heliosphere Dragon - who now has 2000 ATK to boot as well!"

"And yet it avails you nothing against Joan! Go, Journeywoman's Blade!" Now Joan was leveling her steel weapon at Heliosphere Dragon, and a powerful charge put through the Dragon caused it to wince - but it didn't perish in the attack. "What's this, then?!" Percy yelled.

"The effect of my Neutrino Calling in the GY is what saved my Heliosphere!" Mizar proclaimed. "By removing it from my Graveyard, and revealing a "Galaxy-Eyes" monster in my hand, I can prevent the destruction of a "Neutrino" or "Galaxy" monster I control!"

"But will it protect you from the 800 points of damage this inflicts on you?" Percy asked, his expression left unchanged when Mizar growled and his Life Points slipped to 2000. "Somehow, I thought not. And thanks to the Miracle Zone your monster is on, I gain the exact same amount of LP that Joan took from you - as if I need that to be above you, but every little bit helps." And Percy's Life Poitns now shot up to 3800.

"I'll….be sure to put down that ego…after I do your field," Mizar spat out through a gate of gritted teeth.

"Those are words as empty and vapid as the person spitting them - and twice so for the guttersnipe mercenary you defend." Ignoring the glares both Galaxy-Eyes users shot at him, Percy continued. "And now that I'm going to employ a new breed of monster you've never seen against you, those'll be words you'll regret spluttering for a long time."

"A new breed of monster? What are you talking about?" Mizar wondered aloud.

The snarl was back on the exalted Duelist's face. "How droll. You know what - why bother waiting at this point!? I've wanted the Galaxy-Eyes lineup done as soon as possible - and the faster this can help me to that goal, the better! I call upon the Arch of the Advent!"

"ADVENT?" Mizar would have kept his voice down, but running through his brain-he'd never heard of Advent! Was it a world? A genus of new monsters? As it turns out, Percy was fit to answer his inquiry now.

"By using the Judi, Judge of Maedas and Miracle Grounds on my field and the Spell Card, 'Senet Switch', from my hand…" Percy began.

"Wait- a monster and a Spell being used?"

"That's impossible!"

"What're you tryin' to pull here!?"

Mizar breathed a sigh of relief at Dumon, Alito and Girag's voices (respectively). It should not be this relieving to have others as shocked by this development as I!

But if their inquiries were in hopes of disqualifying Percy's maneuver, they were in for a rude awakening. "It's called an Advent Summon, gentlemen - and it hearkens back to the true roots of dueling, where Monsters and Spells worked in perfect harmony - so watch and learn!

"This Advent Summon will take the stars of the monster I sacrificed - no matter where on their card they so occupy - and adds it to the number of Spells or Traps used to form a new monster! And with the Level 4 Judi, my Senet Switch, and my Maedas Miracle Grounds, that makes a Level Six Advent Summon possible!" As Percy spoke, the ends of the Spells finally burst out into ribbons of twirling light that spiraled together-the Level stars that once was the form of Judi creating four chains to the ribbons.

In all, it looked like a multicolored, gigantic strand of DNA. And it was straight behind Percy.

"With these cards, I Advent Summon the Level 6 Advent Monster - 'Android Knight Parshath!'

The energy helix behind the exalted Duelist then broke open into a portal gate at the center twist - turning into a rippling, shining gate from which several giant metallic arms burst out. Four legs and a familiar coned helmet joined it, and the brilliant white cyborg started working its way out of the gate.

It would be to the horror of five Barian duelists bearing witness to this new Summoning method. This included Ray Shadows, who while a mile away when the strand of energy was still being crafted, now stood stock-still at its sickening light and the monster now emerging on-

-the scene now turned to the impact crater of the figure that had nearly made mincemeat out of Vetrix and his family. Standing out of the dust from that touchdown was a white-suited figure in a top hat, skeletal dogs springing to life around her. Surprisingly, she showed no ill effects of crashing in front of the Argent clan at a hundred miles an hour.

Trey visibly winced at their presence, but Quattro - himself a holder of some rather terrifying creatures, himself - stood firm. "Mind telling us who you are and why you nearly pulped us?!"

The figure, ignoring Quattro's question, then pulled out a card and showed it to them - one of herself within a silver background, something none of them had seen before on an Extra Deck card. The name on it, though, was visible enough. "Viral Vector'? Why does it look like that card then?" Quinton said.

Viral Vector nodded, so Trey's inquiry was up next. "So what's the deal with your arrival here - are you going to help us get to the top of that tower? To Astral?"

The Duel Spirit's expression, neutral as could be until this point, finally changed... into an ear-splitting smirk.

And then the card she held flashed with a burst of light-one which only Vetrix's Argent Crest glowed in reaction to before it enveloped him and his family. When it faded, Vetrix blinked, then turned to see if Quattro or Quinton were as surprised by the light show as he… only to see them frozen in place.

Whipping his head back to face Vetrix, his mask slipped for the briefest of seconds and the star-riddled vortex where the left half of his face should be was shown to the Viral Vector. "You'll explain what you did to my wonderful sons, or I'll force it out of you - are we clear?"

Viral only responded with a series of motions-her staff turning into a full-length Duel Disk that ran across her chest like a bandolier. This was followed by Viral Vector pointing at him, then her own Duel Disk, mimicking a sweeping motion, and then striking a series of delayed poses, reminiscent of the current stances of each of Vetrix's sons.

The message was clear to the Argent Patriarch, though. "So we'll Duel for their freedom from their frozen state?" His gaze hardened for a second, then broke into a bushy grin. "Fine by me, beating you'll be a snap! Let's boogie!"

Viral Vector sprouted a far less unnerving smile this theme and turned her staff into a silver Duel Disk, the mute Duel Spirit finally ready for battle.

"Alright then…" Vetrix tensed, ready for war.

The Viral Vector took its turn first, and started off with a Spell Card - and a flurry of noise finally erupted from her Duel Disk, turning into a stream of garbled noises, before picking onto a pattern of television show - like phrases, pasted together: it seemed to be Viral's form of communication with Vetrix.

"AcTiVa—a-a-a-a-AAAH-activate Field Spell Card! 'Immortal Incubator'!" And with that, the field around them rippled and turned into a vast purple-pinkish sea. The signature spores of Crush Card Virus circled around it, and a giant version of the Duelist-impeding spore circled beneath their feet.

"Act-tititi-vation of this card lets me Summon an Immortal class monster from the hand: I-I-I'LL use it to Summon 'Lesser Beast'!" And with a flash of light, out stomped the maddened furry friend of the Viral Vector, with golden fur, large talon-coated paws, and a leering set of sharp triangles pretending to be a grin. [Lesser Beast DARK/Fiend/Immortal/Level 2/1050 ATK/500 DEF]

"Can't attack if you don't control a monster with two thousand or more ATK. But tw-two things will make it more powerful - first, its other special ability that allows it to gain seven hundred Attack Points for each other Dark monster on the field. Secondly, I'll be personally making sure it has plenty of friends to work with! I S–suhsuh-s-s-s-Summon 'Eternal Seeker' in Defense Mode so it isn't lonely." Another burst of light brought out a ram-wielding girl, her outfit a series of cut-out hearts standing out among a white-on-black bodysuit, and her expression one of similar ferocity to the animal heading her weapon. [Eternal Seeker DARK/Fairy/Level 3/1100 ATK/1800 DEF]

As Eternal Seeker's blue aura of defense sprang up, the Duel Spirit seemed more confirmed in her speech-and her endgame. "Now Lesser Beast gains 900 ATK by her effect..." And with that, Lesser Beast's ATK shot up. [Lesser Beast ATK: 1050-1750]. "... and I can activate another of Immortal Incubator's spec-special abilities. It l-lets me pay Life Points…" and at this, Viral's Life Points went down to 3000 without a single flinch on her part. "…to put out a Level 4 or lower Immortal Monster from my Deck in Attack Position with Attack Poitns that's five hundred higher than the LP I paid, as long as I Summon something with higher Attack Points than it from my Deck t—t-TO your field as well.

So, I bring forth 'Candlelier Chevalier' to my field…" And a third luminous burst brought in the spirit, candles on his shoulder and a bigger fire lighting up behind its slotted eyes. [Candlelier/DARK/Warrior/Immortal/Level 3/1500 ATK/0 DEF]

"...and I place "Zombyra the Dark" on YOUR side of the field!" At this, the skull - coated fiend sprang up on Vetrix's field, to the Argent Patriarch's side of the field. [Zombyra/DARK/Fiend/Level 4/2100 ATK/500 DEF] "And Lesser Be-be-be-BEAST'S ATK becomes thirty-one fifty thanks to the field before you now!" To Viral's word, the Lesser Beast finally rose to full height and roared, its six limbs getting bulkier as its power rose.

What's this little girl getting at here? Vetrix asked of himself, looking at the Attack Point - hefty monster now on his field. Only her Lesser Beast has more Attack Points than this! If she lets me use this against her Candlelier I could inflict a ton of damage to her! And what in the world is an Immortal class monster?!

Viral continued unperturbed. "I Set two-two cards and end my turn…"

"Then I guess I can start my-" But Vetrix would go no further with his chirpy dialogue.

"… with the final effect of Immortal Incubator!" Viral Vector interrupted. "S-see, since I Special Summoned 2 or more monsters with this Field Spell's effects, you have to choose 1 of them to destro-tro-tro-troy: either my Candlelier Chevalier, my Lesser Beast or your Zombyra the Dark. Choose."

"Well, this isn't hard then! I'll happily pick… your Lesser Beast!" Vetrix said, going for the most powerful of Viral Vector's Summoned monsters. Goodness, this is easier than I thought if this spirit will let me-

Unfortunately for his hopes, Viral's expression changed at the news that Lesser Beast was about to suffer destruction... as her pursed lips got back to up to a demented half-moon smile and her irises shrank to pinpricks. "Wr-wrong choice, wretch."

Even as she spoke, the sloshing waves of the Dominion rose up and claimed the bulky behemoth. Or so Vetrix thought. "Since Lesser Beast is in the Graveyard now, le-let me show you why it is an eternal nightmare! I activate Lesser Beast's Immortal effect, allowing me to sacrifice another monster from my field with its Attribute and fifteen hundred or less Attack Points - like my Candlelier Chevalier!" And with Viral's words, the monster turned into a glowing mass of red light-before stretching into an open ring.

"With this sacrifice, I return my Lesser Beast back to the field! Rise a-a-a-ag-again, my everlasting predator!" A pair of oversized paws ripped through the portal, and to Vetrix's horror, the lumbering monster stormed its way back onto Viral's field again.

Wait-return instead of Summon? It finally dawned on the Argent Patriarch's mind. So she can return monsters to the field from the Graveyard without Summoning-which means it goes around her Dominion's Summoning restriction! Wait-

Vetrix's eyes shot to the size of dinner plates. "So your Immortal monsters can get around ANY Summoning restrictions?!" he yelled at the Duel Spirit.

"How wo-wo-wonderful, you've figured out the new edge of my Immortal Monsters! How quaint." Viral now hid her smile with her Duel Disk-holding hand. "It will not save you, however. Because Lesser Beast's Immortal ability is n-n-not through. Now that it's back, it comes complete with another gift for the sacrifice: the destruction of one of your monsters."

And Lesser Beast's whiptail finally came around. "Go, and strike with yo-your Greater Grasp!" The tail finally came down on Vetrix's Zombyra the Dark and shattered it. "The ability of Lesser Beast then banishes the Zombyra from the game - but that does little, as Candlelier's two effects now activate in tandem! The first allows me to, li-like I did with the Beast, sacrifice my Eternal Seeker to return my Chevalier from the Graveyard, and inflict damage to your Life Points equal to the difference be-be-b-BETWEEN yours and mine if it's a thousand or less!" With this, Vextrix's nebula - like facial half flared dangerously as his Life Points crept down to 3000, same as Viral's.

"Two last things the Chevalier does, for one time only, is give me a thousand Life Points and let me bring back a monster destroyed by an Immortal Monster I control at the cost of a discarded card - return to me, my Zombyra the Dark!" The skull-clad solder now took point next to Eternal Seeker and Lesser Beast, and Viral's field now looked almost impenetrable, on the very first turn. In addition, Viral's LP shot up to 4000, virtually untouched from when her turn began.

"It's your move, Ve-ve-veveveve-VETRIX. I do so hope I haven't struck the fear of Ra into you." Viral's utterly demented grin betrayed her honey-sweet words.

Vetrix-having not even conducted his first move-looked at the field of towering monsters and wondered if he'd have been better off frozen with his family.

And if so, why he'd chosen to engage in a war that looked like it-and he-would…

"…be over before he knows it!" Yuma shouted, words intended for the speed of defeat he believed he'd hand the water Duelist, Tidus.

Yuma Tsukumo's gear came alive with him in a matter of seconds, the "Duel Disk, locked!" signaling the establishment with the link to the virtual environment-one that Tidus' Duel Disk would soon match in far more dramatic - yet silent - flair.

"Duel Gazer, loaded!" came with a surprising imitation on Tidus' part as well, an orb of water appearing above his head before forming into a pair of foaming wings of liquid, the larger one settling behind him while the basketball-sized one settled around his right eye.

"Huh. Really loud. Expected it, though," Tidus said. "So then…"

"LET'S DUEL!" they said as one, Life Points at 4000 apiece and five cards in hand.

Yuma first glance was not at his cards - for a far different reason, since he was usually one with the subject of his current vision by this time. Astral's eyes, however, were solely focused on Tidus, looking for all the world like an angel statue upon this ring of surging water.

Astral, what's with you? I thought this whole endeavor would end with us facing a new threat together - how did he get this far into your head on one match? Yuma broke his train of thought to look at Tidus again. Don't worry Astral - I'll get through to you, even if it means I have to get through him! I hope…

Nagging thought logged away, Yuma continued. "The first turn's mine, Tidus!" Yuma set off. "Now, I activate 'Onomatopia'!" This newest Field Spell helped to break the skies above the Astral World with a gigantic sun, now illuminating a white sky instead of the dark blue one that typified the alternate dimension - as if to break the illusion of the Aspect's true impact upon the Astral World, and light a vibrant beacon of hope in the colorless horizon.

"Now, feeling the flow's something that both the Astral World and I can do!" Yuma declared, his caveat to Astral not going unnoticed as Astral turned to him and nodded. "But that's not all! I Summon 'Gogogo Golem' in Defense Mode!" The broad Rock monster came in and bowed in his arms, a blue aura illuminating him. [Gogogo Golem/EARTH/Rock/Level 4/1800 ATK/1500 DEF] "Then I Set 2 cards face-down, and end my turn!"

Tidus straightened up and drew with equal fervor as Yuma, then spoke. "The flow? My goodness, kid, how naïve can you be about what you say? I'm a man of the deep sea, Yuma - the flow you feel there is usually your only warning before you're lost to the tides. And I, for one, am done with letting it control me."

With one look of his hand, the water-shrouded Duelist finally made his move. "And now it's time I take control here too! Let's start this with 'Hydraul Arsenal' - a little spout I can summon to the field when I control no monsters!" It was almost cute how the gelatinous, tool-toting monster looked as it sprang forth-but its incredibly sharp spear showed some teeth behind the puppy-like demeanor. [Arsenal/WATER/Aqua/Level 2/100 ATK/2100 DEF]

"That's not all, because I Normal Summon 'Hydraul Brainwave' from my hand!" And on cue, another luminous burst brought forth a green-skinned creature with two pods holding fish floating in front of its hands. It was also similar in height to Arsenal-or lack thereof, anyway. [Brainwave/WATER/Aqua/Level 2/200 ATK/1300 DEF]

"Two Level Two Water monsters?" Astral wondered out loud.

"Yeah I know, Astral…" Yuma said, looking at his face-down card. Xyz Encore, this might end up pulling me out of the fire… Yuma took a look at the ring they were in-and his face scrunched up a bit at. Well, the point's still made! "He won't get far if he's looking for a Xyz S-"

"And now with these two monsters…"

'Here it comes…' and even without a Zexal morph, Yuma and Astral's thoughts ran as one.

And then Tidus doubled over in a fit of laughter. Ignoring Yuma and Astral's quizzical looks, Tidus gave an explanation, though. "Oh, don't worry, fella. You'll see plenty of special abilities this turn anyway, but nothing you're prepared for.

Let's start with Hydraul Arsenal - see, its power lets me send a number of cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard, equal to the number of cards in my hand! Since there's four in my hand, that's four cards off the top of my Deck."

"But why would you do that instead of…?" Yuma's question faltered on his lips, not wanting to give Tidus the idea to Xyz Summon. Tidus would continue undeterred, though.

"Simple - because Arsenal, the water spout, is about to wash your Golem out! See, if I send cards equal to the Level or Rank of another monster on the field, I can send one of those monsters to the hand or Graveyard! Like that Level Four Gogogo Golem of yours you've got - unleash your Hydraulic Torrent, Arsenal!" And Arsenal's chest gateway opened, at last, releasing a wave of green sludge that submerged the rock monster and caused it to shatter.

"And for my third charm, I equip the 'Legendary Conductor of Hydris' Equip Spell from my hand to my Hydraul Arsenal!" Tidus concluded. As he spoke, the large metamorphic club his Equip Spell Card ejected floated its way into Hydraul Arsenal's hand. "And since Arsenal's current Attack Points stands at a thousand points or less, it gains twelve hundred more Attack Points!" Hydraul Arsenal's ATK now stood at a more modest 1300, and Tidus was bent on using it on Yuma's monster-cleaned field.

"Now Hydraul Arsenal, let's see well how this brat takes the Hydraulic Pierce! Attack Yuma directly!" Arsenal took its pointed spear, used its Conductor to charge it with electricity, and raced at Yuma. "Yuma, hurry!" Astral shouted.

"Right! I activate my face-down card, 'Onomatwinpeia'!" Yuma shouted as the Quick Play Spell came into action. "It places two Hi-Five the Sky Counters on Onomatopia, and cuts the damage I take in half!" Still, Yuma flinched in the face of Hydraul Arsenal's attack - especially when the monster's spear hit dead center and the conductor that Arsenal was holding handed Yuma a hefty shock.

Shaking off the smoky cloud surrounding him, Yuma continued on. "And the best part of Onomatwinpeia is that after all that, it Sets itself again instead of going to the Graveyard!"

"Half a reckoning is still a reckoning, dude," declared Tidus, as Yuma's Life Points finally dropped-but only to 3350. Tidus, however, had more to show. "And this reckoning's about to turn you into a wreck anyway. See, should a Hydraul monster of mine attack or get attacked, and a player takes damage, I can Special Summon this far bigger 'Hydraul Hollow Gorge' from my hand, and it gains Attack Points equal to the battle damage that player took!" A long-necked glowing blue dragon swam its way onto the battlefield-and its ATK promptly rose from its original, the boost signaled by its chilling roar. [WATER/Aqua/Level 6/1000-1650 ATK/2600 DEF]

"Guess it's time for another direct attack then, Gorge," Tidus dryly added. "Theatrics don't impress me - but your Hollow Blaster will."

After the attack finished putting a new coat of charred skin on Yuma, his Life Points now stood at 1600.

"Also, I'm pretty sure you can strike at Mr. Hi-Five the Sky too, Brainwave. Your Hydraulic Telepathy may not do much, but every point counts - especially when it's going into a Number Hunter's twisted heart!"

Life Points now at a crucial 1400 after the mental shockwave hit Yuma, and brain slightly scrambled by a parting headache the attack left, Yuma barely managed to get out "W-what are you talking about Tidus? My - our - Number Hunting days are long over! And I've always kept true to my heart when I Dueled Number Holders!"

Tidus gave a disgusted snort at that. "Spare me. Your excuses are as empty as your soul! This is why I've sworn to never hold another Xyz Monster again; not when they're what drive scum like you and your Barian - spawned friends to prey on the innocent!"

This time, Tidus pointed at Shark again, too busy ascending to the top of the arena on the top of the animated Number 102: Silent Honor Ark to notice Tidus' pointed words. "And if you don't believe me, see for yourself!"

Tidus then ejected out the slot box of his Duel Disk - notably attached to a cord on his belt - and presented it to Yuma, with as much surging passion as if it were his beating heart.

"WHAT THE-?!" Yuma's jaw dropped at the realization - the Extra Deck slot that would normally house Extra Deck cards held absolutely nothing. "But how are you planning to win without any Xyzes?!"

"Sorry, Yuma - charity time's over." And with a final flourish, Tidus both re-latched his Extra Deck box to his side and Set a card in the Spell & Trap Zone to end his turn. "We now return to our regularly scheduled payback.Your move."

Yuma finally turned to Astral, worry lining his face. "Astral, what is he talking about!" It was not a question. "I've never hurt a Number Holder as badly as he's saying!"

Astral nodded. "I have no doubt he has you confused with another - but we must prevail nonetheless. Thankfully, he hasn't used the Hydris cards yet…"

"Wait - a Hydris card? What are they?" Yuma finally shook his head in exasperation. "Right, it doesn't matter - we need to take back the Duel now! I draw!" Yuma' hand was now at three, and his field held 2 Set Spell/Trap Cards.

"First, I activate And I activate Onomatopia's special ability! By removing 2 Hi-Five the Sky Counters from it, I can Special Summon the 'Dododo Driver' from my Deck!" The cart-carrying crusader barreled its way onto Yuma's field. [EARTH/Warrior/1800 ATK/200 DEF]

"But that's not all because I Tribute the Dododo Driver to Summon 'Dododo Buster!'" And in the place of the one-monster caravan, a giant warrior with a large mace arose. [Dododo Buster/EARTH/Warrior/Level 6/1900 ATK/800 DEF]

Yuma continued on. "Thanks to Dododo Buster's special ability, however, it can bring back Dododo Driver in Defense Position. And Driver's ability, when it gets Special Summoned, allows it to push up a monster's Level by up to 2 - like its own!" Now both Dododos stood at Level 6.

As Tidus watched on, Yuma finally struck. "Now using my Level 6 Dododo Buster and Dododo Driver, I build the Overlay Network!" Both monsters turned into streams of light and flew into the eye of the cosmic wormhole opening between the two Duelists. Rio, Shark, even Tidus stood stock-still in silent fascination in the marvel of that modern nebula arriving yet again in their lives - and in stark contrast to the bleached-white sky above them.

For Yuma Tsukumo however, what he was bringing out was going to be a bit more down-to-earth. "I Xyz Summon the titanic, nomadic, and wondrously dynamic, Rank Six 'Dododo Wizard'!" The gigantic gladiator-like entity finally came forth, its two orbiting Overlay Units orbiting its glowing armor and looming figure. [EARTH/Warrior/Xyz/Rank 6/2100 ATK/850 DEF]

"Thank you for showing the Xyz now standing before me - so I have something new to neuter! Activate Legendary Conductor of Hydris's special ability!" And with this, a brilliant twin flash of lightning struck. When it dissipated, Yuma set his eyes on the battlefield once more - only to see both his Dododo Wizard and Hydraul Arsenal now kneeling with their arms crossed, blue auras decorating them both. "What did you do NOW?!" he yelled.

"Dash your hopes of attacking with that Xyz Monster, for starters. See, the Legendary Conductor's new ability, once on each turn, allows me to turn both the equipped monster and 1 of your monsters to Defense Position! And in addition, my monster can't be destroyed by one battle this turn."

"New Observation #1: Even without one area of Dueling available, the ability to use another can often stop strategies before they begin," ruminated Astral.

Yuma only responded to the deflating statement with a grin. "Oh, he's only made things worse for himself-because this turn! This Duel's not over till the last card is down!"

Yuma turned back to the water Duelist, grin growing by the second. "Tidus, get set to get Decked! I activate the second ability of 'Onomatwinpeia'!" Once again, the Quick-Play Spell revealed itself. "Since it's my turn and I control a "Dododo" monster, I can send a Gagaga monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, then Special Summon a "Gagaga" monster with a lower Level than it from my Deck! So I send off my 'Gagaga Dean', to Special Summon 'Gagaga Caesar', who goes up to Level 4 thanks to Onomatwinpeia!" The white-suited Paladin rushed onto the field, staff at hand and sharp eyes twinkling behind his mask. [Gagaga Caesar/EARTH/Warrior/Level 3-4/1800 ATK/300 DEF]

"Now I use the ability of the 'Gagaga Dean' in my Graveyard-see, when I control a Warrior-Type Earth monster, I can bring her out from my Graveyard! Don't worry though - you're the only one about to get schooled here, because Dean gets half of Gagaga Ceasar's Attack Points too!" And Caesar was now accompanied by the white-armored witch, her look oddly reminiscent of a legendary apprentice magician of another time and place. [Gagaga Dean/DARK/Spellcaster/Level 5/1900- 2800 ATK/1650 DEF]

"So then, Gagaga Dean-attack his Hydraul Hollow Gorge! Gagagablaze Attack!"

Finally, thought Tidus as Yuma's attack came roaring at his monster. Thought his turn would never end-and my Trap Card would never be used. His gaze set on his sole face-down card…

DYSTOPIA OF DESIRE/?/?

…one that the Aspect leader was keeping an eye on too, though her focus-and form-was currently in another realm.

"Don't worry - Jaden'll be with you soon, sis." The kid on the pier was deep into another conversation with the boss of Aspect as well. And his talk of Jaden's arrival was more immediate that one would imply, given that the Slifer Red Duelist stood several feet from him, frozen in the screeching stop his shoes made on the grass near the pier.

"I do so look forward to seeing if Jaden's Duelist enough to get past you, brother." The girl flicked back her white-stained lock of hair. "If the progress I've seen by those with us is any indication..."

And with that, three screens showed up in front of the two siblings' eyes - one showed Tidus' field of monsters all standing staunchly against the Gagaga Principal's charging ball of energy about to be released against the Hollow Gorge.

Another was of the Android Knight Parshath floating further out of its blinding portal and onto the Dueling field, through Percy's handiwork.

The final one was a view almost from behind Viral Vector's head, at the tiny Vetrix and the three titanic Dark monsters Viral had levied against him.

"... I'm starting to feel there soon won't be any Duelists left to stand against us."

TO BE CONTINUED…

Gagaga support's here: bdsceptyr/gallery/?catpath=&edit=0&q=gagaga

Hydraul stuff is here: bdsceptyr/gallery/?catpath=&edit=0&q=

And here's the new Immortal stuff ol' Viral Vector debuted this day: bdsceptyr/gallery/?catpath=&edit=0&q=viral+vector

D'Sceptre Inc. will see you on the next chapter. Till then.