Hey there everyone. I guess everyone saw why Vash was so eager to duel Illidan. Whether or not this will pan out for him though is up in the air. Can Vash do something very few have, if anyone, or will Illidan put the breaks on that Final Countdown? We'll all soon find out today, although I already know. Lol, one of the perks to writing the story I guess, hehe. Alright, time to answer the reviews.

sweetxokissesxo: Lol, she likes him Ryon. You're losing your popularity bit by bit. See, you should have come to me sooner, and I could have helped protect that popularity. Oh well, maybe it's for the best… for her, not you, lol.

Isis the Sphinx: Lol, predicting my duels is sometimes pointless, cause I'll do the exact opposite of what people think at times. Actually, Bakura is with Vash. Remember, he said he took his brother with him, meaning he dragged Bakura out with him on this hunt… I mean search, for Illidan. Yes, Illidan and Marie are in San Francisco. As for if we're in the Doma storyline or not, you'll have to read on. I could have waited till after it, or could have started during it, or wherever in it. I know, I'm confusing and you wish I'd just tell you, hehe. You'll find out soon enough.

Ultimate Legendary Master: Thanks, and yeah, things are finally going Illidan's way. It only took a long time to get to that point.

Tomb Robber Vicky: Indeed he is on a comeback. Time is quickly running out though, so what he'll do, I don't know. Well, I do, but do you? As for Vash being reincarnated, nah. I thought about using the storyline of the guy whom I borrowed Vash from, but that would be difficult, not to mention confusing since I had already done the past on Illidan and Marie (he had Vash wearing a Millennium Ring. It seems he had the spirit of that ring being the brother of the other spirit of the other ring, and the two had been trapped at the same time. Btw, both were evil, meaning bad mojo, lol). Yes Bakura, he lost to the Pharaoh. Who hasn't lost to him, other than Illidan, hehe.

Metal Overlord 2.0: Yep, that's why. He wants to prove himself to be the best. Yep, his new deck is definitely stronger than the last. It's also much more different, and doesn't focus primarily on his Chaos monsters as before. Yeah, I like Reaper on the Nightmare also. It takes the best of two worlds and slams them together. A direct attacker, plus a monster that can survive battle.

Well, that's all I have for now. This duel is about to come to a close. Will Illidan pull out a win, or will he go down in a blaze of fire? One thing is for sure, if you want to know, you have to read the chapter, lol. That or find a way to kidnap me and force me to talk. I'll warn you though, I require a good meal at Outback in order to talk. Mmm… Just giving people hints, hehe. Later all.

Chapter 6

Vash drew his next card and smirked, saying "I'm not finished yet Illidan. First, gain 500 life points for drawing thanks to Solemn Wishes. Next, I return my Sinister Serpent to my hand during my Standby Phase. Now I'll set one card face down, and then I'll summon Sinister Serpent (300/250) in defense mode." The green serpent with wings then reappeared onto the field, coiling itself up as usual.

"Now Reaper on the Nightmare, direct attack Illidan with Nightmare Slash!" The blue flame horse neighed and galloped forward. The reaper on it's back then swung it's scythe at Illidan, striking him hard and making Illidan slide backwards a little.

"Since my monster's attack hit, you now have to randomly discard one card, so Reaper, do your stuff." The reaper creature then took it's scythe and pointed to a random card in Illidan's hand. Illidan growled at the fact the monster had chosen his Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6. He then took the card and placed it in his Graveyard.

Vash only smirked and said "Now, I'm ending my turn, and since I'm ending without making a sacrifice, Dark Sanctuary is destroyed." The odd eyeballs looking at the field then closed and the darkness lifted, revealing a beautiful late afternoon sky.

"Go ahead and try to beat me, but you'll fail." (Vash 1950, Illidan 3250)

Yet another sphere ignited then, signaling Illidan only had four more chances to win the duel.

Illidan smirked as he drew, and noticed he had picked up a card that would help win this duel. "You know Vash, this duel isn't over, and it could be over due that you left yourself in one bad position."

Vash only curiously asked "What do you mean Illidan?"

Smirking, Illidan replied "You left your monster in attack mode, which was a horrible mistake. Sure, he can't be defeated in battle, but I can pound away on your life points again, and one shot should finish this duel. Now, to end it all! Silent Magician, attack his Reaper on the Nightmare with Silent Scepter Blast!" The mage eyed the combo creature with his icy blue eyes and then uncrossed his arms and pointed his staff straight at the creature. He then let loose a powerful blast of white energy from his staff, sending it hurtling towards the weaker creature.

With only a few feet to spare before his monster was struck, Vash called out "Not so fast Illidan, I set a trap for you! I activate Spirit Barrier! This trap card works so long as I have monsters still out on the field. It changes all battle damage that I'd take to zero. Since you're attacking my Reaper on the Nightmare, damage is reduced to zero, and my monster still survives!" A golden dome then appeared around Vash's field. The white energy from the mage struck the dome, causing it to glow brightly in that place. Soon, the energy was spread along the dome, but dissipated.

Standing in shock, Illidan now realized Vash had to perfect defense. "His Reaper on the Nightmare can't be beaten in battle, and now with that trap, it makes it impossible to damage him. No wonder he confidently left himself wide open. Now what do I do? With only three turns left after I end, I'll be racing against time to win. I'll have at least one more turns, and then that's it."

Staring at his hand, Illidan suddenly realized he did have a chance, but it would take some luck. "The monster I drew was Emissary of the Afterlife. When it goes from the field to the Graveyard, me and Vash each get to draw one level three monster into our hands. The one level three monster I need is buried within my deck, and if I'm lucky, Vash will try to summon a monster next turn, allowing me to draw that monster. I just have to time this right."

Turning his attention back to the duel, Illidan said "Since it's pointless to attack your Reaper on the Nightmare, I'll just have to take another target. Silent Swordsman, attack Sinister Serpent with Silent Slash!" The swordsman rushed forward, one hand holding the large halberd, the other held back. He quickly used his other hand to lift the halberd and swung it into the green snake, instantly decapitating it and causing it's destruction.

"Before I end, I summon Emissary of the Afterlife (1600/600) in defense mode." A black creature with orange glowing eyes and mouth appeared. This monster looked much like the grim reaper as well, but much more like it. It had clawed hands, as well as a large scythe. It held it's scythe in a defensive position, seemingly protecting itself.

"That shall end my move there Vash." (Vash 1950, Illidan 3250)

Vash drew and said "As you know, I first gain 500 life points thanks to Solemn Wishes. Next, I return my Sinister Serpent from the Graveyard in my Standby Phase. Next, I'll summon Sinister Serpent (300/250) in defense mode…"

Illidan smirked, and said "You just set off my trap card Vash! It's a rather costly one at that, so I reveal the trap Dark Renewal! This trap card allows me to activate it when you summon a monster. Now, it allows me to sacrifice the monster you summoned, along with one of my monsters, and then I can bring one Spellcaster type monster back from the Graveyard to the field. So, I'll sacrifice my Emissary of the Afterlife and your Sinister Serpent in order to bring back my Silent Magician LV4 (1000/1000) in attack mode!"

A maroon colored casket then appeared on the field. On it was a cross. The four doors on it, each on one side of half of the casket, opened and began sucking in both monsters. The green serpent and the black grim reaper were sucked in and the casket shut and glowed for a moment. After a moment, it reopened to shoot out the smaller white mage with his arms crossed yet again.

"Oh yeah, there is more to my move though Vash. You see, by sending Emissary of the Darkness to the Graveyard, we each get to move one level three monster from our decks to our hands, so I move Armed Dragon LV3 to my hand."

Looking through his deck, Vash finally said "I move my second Spirit Reaper to my hand. That'll do it for me Illidan. You only have another two turns before the countdown is over, and you lose." (Vash 2450, Illidan 3250)

Marie looked on, seeing Illidan slightly frustrated. She couldn't blame him though. He was trapped at the moment. With Spirit Barrier still in play, along with Vash's Reaper on the Nightmare, Illidan couldn't even strike at Vash's life points. And worst of all, Vash was still gaining points as the turns wore on. "I hope he can pull this off. With only two turns left, he needs to do something this turn in order to win, or it's over."

Illidan closed his eyes, knowing everything was riding on this last turn. "If I don't draw the card I need right now, I'm finished. Heart of the Cards, please guide me!"

Slowly, Illidan drew his card and brought it up to his face and opened his eyes. Staring at the card, he knew then that it was the card to change the entire duel. "It's over Vash." Illidan plainly stated.

Vash only looked at Illidan with a smug look, saying "So, you haven't a thing to beat me with. No big surprise I guess…"

"You're wrong Vash! I have something in my hand that can take you down right here and now." replied a confident Illidan.

Smirking, Vash said "Doubtful, or have your forgotten my monster is keeping you at bay while my trap card keeps you from damaging it?"

Illidan only lightly chuckled and said "That monster and that trap won't stop me in a moment when I summon the monster I have in my hand. The monster I hold will tip the scales of this game in my favor, and then it'll be over for you."

Vash only seemed slightly worried at the statement, but said "I doubt it. When this turn is over, you lose the duel since there will only be one more turn left for Final Countdown, so play whatever you like."

Illidan only grinned and said "I thought you'd never ask! I sacrifice my Silent Magician LV4 in order to summon Armed Dragon LV5 (2400/1700) in attack mode!" The younger white mage disappeared in a flash of light to be replaced by a large dark orange and grey dragon. It's body appeared to be covered in some kind of metal, but parts of it had bare dark orange skin. It had short stubby wings, wings that appeared to not even be able to sustain flight. It was covered in spikes, and it's tail had a large ball with spikes sticking out it. It's hands were covered in metal gloves, and it let out a terrible roar as it clanged it's two hands together.

"I know, he's quite the looker, isn't he? But don't think he's just a pretty face, because he has a very special ability. I now activate that ability. You see, by discarding a monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I can destroy one of your monsters on the field with the same number of attack points or less as the monster I discarded. So, I'm discarding my Armed Dragon LV3, which as 1200 attack points. Say goodbye to that Reaper on the Nightmare. Now, Armed Dragon, blast it with Shrapnel Needle Blast!"

The dragon let out a roar and all the spikes on it's body blasted off into the air. The spikes then came raining down on the reaper/horse combo, making it shriek in pain as a horrendous explosion followed. The creature was no more when the smoke cleared.

"It's over now Vash! Silent Magician, direct attack his life points with Silent Scepter Blast!" The mage glared at it's target with his icy blue eyes and then uncrossed his arms. He pointed his staff at the boy and released a blast of white energy which easily struck Vash, making him cry out in pain as he fell to the ground on his knees.

He put his arms out in front of himself to keep from falling over completely. There he sat, panting as his Duel Disk powered down as the last bit of his life points had run out.

Illidan's Duel Disk then powered down as the crowd cheered loudly for the two's duel. Marie came over to Illidan and hugged him and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. He smiled and then decided to check on Vash.

He made his way over to the young man who was still sitting on his knees panting. Tears appeared to be in his eyes and were dropping to the ground. Illidan squatted down and patted Vash on the shoulder.

Kindly, he said "Good game there Vash. You were awesome out there and almost had me beat."

Vash sighed as a few tears still fell. Slowly, he said with sadness in his voice "I lost though. I wanted to win, to prove I was a great duelist."

Knowing that he had heard this from a few others before, he smiled and patted Vash's shoulder, saying "You are a great duelist Vash. Nobody is the greatest in the world. There is always something you can learn from losing though, and that is important. You take so much more from losing. It helps show you the flaws of your deck, and what you need to do to fix them. Also, it shows you have something to work for. Remember, Mako said he looked forward to dueling you again, not because he wants to possibly lose again, but due that he wants to challenge you and see how much stronger he's become since your last meeting. Plus, he wants to have another fun duel with you, like you just had with me. That's the point of the game: to have fun."

Smiling a little now, Vash nodded and wiped his tears away with his arm and said "Yeah, you're right. I've kind of lost track of that reason. Thank you Illidan for a great duel, and I look forward to our next duel."

Nodding, the two then stood up as the crowd cheered the two. Both smiled and shook hands. The crowd then dispersed, leaving the two and Marie behind.