Hey everyone! Well, the duel sure see-sawed back and forth a lot last time. At one time, Ryou got the upper hand, but then Tsume powered back to regain control. The duel kept going back and forth, and it's a question to who will win this one yet. Still, this chapter isn't very long, sadly. Oh well, to make up for it, I'm posting two chapters! Hears crowd cheer him. Thank you, thank you.

Anyways, time to answer some reviews.

Tomb Robber Vicky: Yep, he can pull a comeback. His deck mostly consisted of mainly his choice cards, but he added in a few of Bakura's cards, thus making his deck more combined than before. I sort of modeled Tsume's deck after Zane's, but not entirely. I had only seen Zane duel twice, which was the first one against Jaden and the second against that vampire. Anyways, I tried to somewhat copy that style, and give Tsume a bit of an edgier feel. Bakura, is it possible your ego has grown any larger than the last time you was free?

Isis the Sphinx: Lol, yep, he's kicking butt! Stops running. Wait, why am I running from a mortal? It's not like she's got Marie chasing me. Turns around and waits for Isis. You shall pay for dropping Inuyasha in on me. Crackles claws.

Ryon Nakura: LOL! You slept in a tree? And here I thought only half demons and demons slept in trees. Btw, watch out for the electric net that falls from the ceiling when the alarm is triggered. Watches Ryon get caught in it and be zapped with high voltage shocks.

Ultimate Legendary Master: Thanks, and yeah, I tried hard to make that duel very exciting and mysterious. As for the payback to Marie, hehe, well, it'll be fun… for me, hehe.

x-knight20: It's alright, it happens. Thanks for the comments.

Metal Overlord 2.0: Yep, it seems his deck is quite the can opener, but it's not over yet. As Jaden says, it's not over till the last card is played. Thanks again.

Well, that's all. I hope you all enjoy the two chapters. I'll be back of course on Sunday night to post yet again, so till then. Btw, thanks to all the reviews so far. Also, to anyone who is shy or don't know what to say, say whatever comes to you. I enjoy feedback, and I'm sure you'd love to see what I have to say back. Anyways, enjoy.

Chapter 24

Ryou drew his next card and smirked. "You're finished. You see, you made one mistake this entire duel. You underestimated me, and my desire to save my vessel."

Tsume only laughed, saying "Doubtful. You care nothing about that boy I took. I know for a fact you've taken control of him, forced him to do things against his will, and nearly destroyed his soul. Why should I believe that now you've had a change of heart?"

Closing his eyes, Ryou calmly said "I promised him long ago to always protect him, no matter the cost. Yes, true I used him, I did things he never would have imagined doing, but I did it for his own good. Also, I never once allowed any harm to come to him. When he'd have most likely hurt in our duel with Yugi Moto in Battle City, I stepped in, taking the brunt of the blast from Slifer. When he would have lost his soul and the Millennium Ring to Pegasus, I stepped in and saved him. Yes, I've done terrible things to this boy, but never once have I ever endangered his life. I've always sworn to protect him and I mean to do that."

With his eyes still closed, a tint of anger sounded off in his voice as he said "I am mad that I wasn't there to save him in his duel with you. I blame Illidan for it, but I blame myself more. If not for my actions, the boy would have been spared most likely, and this whole duel wouldn't have mattered. Still, it was my duty to protect him, and I failed in it as a spirit."

Opening his eyes, he continued saying "I will avenge my fallen friend, and I shall bring back his soul to his body! I owe him that much, not only as a protector, but for all I've done to him. So, prepare yourself! It all ends here and now for you with this card! I play the spell card Graceful Charity! Now I draw three new cards, so long as I discard two from my hand when I'm done."

Ryou quickly picked up three new cards and smiled evilly. He then said "I send Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World and Sillva, Warlord of Dark World to the Graveyard. Now their effects kick in. When either are discarded to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can special summon each to the field, so rise Goldd (2300/1400) and Sillva (2300/1400) in attack mode!"

The first to rise was a bronze and grey skinned creature with golden looking wings. He had large muscles with a helmet that had horns on it. He wielded a powerful axe that had a golden blade. The second monster to rise was monster covered in silver and grey armor. It had large muscles as well, and a powerful blade held upside down. A large dark grey cloak hung off it's back, making it appear ready for anything.

"You're finished now!" called out Ryou.

Tsmue only laughed and replied "What makes you think so?"

Smirking, Ryou said "Your own dragon is what makes me think so. You see, I'm not so out of touch with what your dragon can do as you think I am. I know that once a turn, it can destroy one monster on my opponent's field that has a higher attack or defense than the attack of this dragon. Since Cyber Barrier Dragon has 2800 attack points, it's obviously stronger than your own dragon!"

Sweat appeared on Tsume's brow, as he knew Ryou was right. All duel long he hadn't made many mistakes, but Ryou was now turning his dragon's strongest point back against him.

"Cyber Laser Dragon, use your Blue Laser Blast to decimate Cyber Barrier Dragon!" The silver dragon without a seal on his head roared as it pointed it's tail at the dragon with a ring around it's neck. It's tail then opened up to reveal a laser. The laser slowly glowed and finally fired a blast at the opposing dragon, easily crushing it with one shot.

"You're finished! Goldd, attack with Dark World Axe Slash!" The large bronze armored monster rushed forward, axe pulled back to swing. Finally, when it was in range, the monster swung it's axe, using it to slash across Tsume's chest. He cried out in tremendous pain as he staggered backwards, but managed to stand.

He stared at Ryou and lightly smiled, saying "I definitely underestimated you, but I'll be avenged. Do what you have to."

Without hesitation, Ryou called out "It'd be my pleasure! This one is for my vessel, Bakura! Attack him directly now Sillva with Dark World Silver Slash!" The grey armored monster rushed forward, blade still held in an upside down position. As it neared, it then pulled back it's arm, and when finally arriving, it lashed out with the blade still tucked away, easily striking Tsume.

Tsume staggered backwards again, but this time fell to his knees, panting hard as he clutched his chest. The seal then glowed brightly as it began to contract around him. Finally, it encircled him and sent out a brighter gleam of green light. When the light dimmed, his body slumped to the ground, showing the signs of what had happened.

Ryou fell to one knee once he was sure he had won. He then noticed the group that had been watching Tsume duel walked forward to pick up the body.

"Kiba, stop this madness now while there is still time." Illidan called out, slightly surprising Ryou.

Kiba glanced over at Illidan and smirked, saying "No, we won't stop till we have your soul and your Egyptian God Card. We already got part of what we need, but we need your soul and a few others."

Knowing that the part they already got was Marie, Illidan growled and said "Return Marie's soul now, or you'll regret ever crossing me."

This only caused Kiba to smirk, and say "I can't do that. Her soul has supplied the Great Leviathan with much needed energy in it's restoration. Soon, your soul shall help provide even more energy for the Great Leviathan's rebirth."

"I wouldn't count on it." Illidan was quick to reply.

Illidan then started to walk forward, intent on finishing things before Kiba could get away again. Kiba saw this and threw a grey sphere at the ground, which produced smoke. The smoke forced Illidan, Ryou, Blue, and Vash to cover their faces as they had started coughing. When the smoke finally cleared, the group of three and Tsume's body was gone.

Growling, Illidan coldly said "They escaped again, but they can't keep running. They're down to three now, and that means they're in trouble."

Looking back at Ryou, he asked "Are you alright?"

Smirking, Ryou only replied "Of course I am. Obviously I didn't lose my soul. Still, that duel was like fighting a Shadow Game at a much higher level. Few Shadow Games have tired me out, but this duel, it definitely wore me out."

Turning around to face him, Illidan said "Yes, I know what you mean. The one duel I faced the one they called Kouga in wore me out as well."

Illidan then offered his hand out to Ryou. Ryou stared at it for a moment, but finally batted it away as he slowly stood. "I don't need your help." he stubbornly said.

Sighing, Illidan then turned to look at the sky. It was already getting dark out now, and they only had an hour before darkness would set in. "So much for getting to our destination by tomorrow." Illidan said with a heavy sigh.

The group only sighed as well, and then Vash said "So, what now Illidan?"

Thinking for a moment, Illidan finally said "We head back to the bus station. There is no way we'll catch a bus to Death Valley tonight. We'll just have to wait till morning to get on another one. Either that or walk two miles to the nearest train station. It will take us close to where we need to go too."

"I say we find somewhere to rest for tonight at least. I'm dead tired." Vash said finally.

"I'm a bit tired too Vash." Blue added.

Ryou only replied "Keh."

Illidan smirked and said "Well, there is a small place at the train station where we can sleep. If you want, we can go there, sleep a while, and then head on out."

Both Vash and Blue were quick to nod in agreement with this, and seeing that he was pretty much defeated, Ryou replied "Whatever."

"It's agreed then. We'll head back to the train station then and stay there a while. Let's get going." Illidan said as he grabbed his duffle bag off the ground. Each grabbed their luggage at this and headed out behind Illidan.

After an excruciatingly slow walk, the group made it to the train station. It had taken them two hours, mostly due to the slow pace of Vash and Blue. Ryou had growled at the two for dawdling along at such a slow pace, but he finally just gave up and kept silent the rest of the way. Even Illidan had added that the two were extremely slow, but he let it go after one time.

They soon found the room where they could wait for the morning train. Illidan checked the schedule, and found out that the next train they could ride was to arrive at eight in the morning. They would get on this train, ride it a good ways, and then transfer over to another train. The total ride would take ten hours, but they would still have to ride a bus or find some other mode of transportation to Death Valley.

Sighing slightly, Illidan then bought some dinner for the group while checking on things. He came back with a bag of hamburgers and fries, with a bag of soda too. The group quickly munched down their dinner, not leaving a shred of it behind.

Leaning back against the wall where he sat up against, Illidan closed his eyes, but a familiar face came to mind. "Marie…" he whispered in his mind.

Instead of opening his eyes back up, he just kept them close, letting the memories of her wash over his mind. He had changed since losing her a few days before. He was now much colder, more emotionless. In a way, he had become much like Ryou, and that frightened him more than anything. "Marie, is it your love that made me the way I was, or was I cold hearted before?"

Shaking his head, he realized the answer immediately. He was never very cold hearted. True, he was always a loner before, but never that cold hearted. "I remember how things were before Marie. I was so lonely, so incomplete. It was as if I was missing a piece of my own soul. Then she walked into my life. It was as if she completed my soul, and that I was no longer alone. Since I met her, my life has been joyful, and worth so much more it feels. I guess it's only ironic that two star crossed lovers from five millennia would find each other again, and to find love with one another as well."

He sighed contently, finally falling into a deep sleep, dreaming of the woman he loved, and the one he planned to save. A smile played gently across his face as he finally slipped into a full deep sleep.

Ryou on the other hand only rested up against the wall with a half aware sleep. He wasn't about to let anyone slip up on the group, especially since Illidan had apparently let down his guard in his sleep. "Leave it to that idiot to give those Wolf Pack fools a chance to take us down in our sleep." he grumbled in his mind.

On the other side of the room, Blue was leaning up against the wall, eyes slightly closed, but she couldn't get comfortable. Not to mention, each time she closed her eyes, images of that night she took Marie's soul popped into her head. Tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall as she felt her mind screaming out "I'm so sorry!"

Vash, who was a little way away from Blue, noticed this, and moved over to sit beside her. He gently pulled her into his arms, which instantly made her open her eyes. "There it is again. The pain that she feels over that night. I wish I could take it away." he thought silently as he looked into her sad eyes.

With his thumb, he gently wiped away the tears from her eyes, and hugged her from behind. He then pulled her up into his lap, allowing her to lean up against his chest. Blue didn't protest one bit, and gently laid her head down on his chest. She sighed with contentment as her eyes slowly closed. She mumbled "Thank you." as she fell asleep.

Smiling, Vash gently hugged her and then wrapped his arms around her shoulders and leaned back against the wall. With a smile still playing on his face, he fell into a sleep as well, but not before muttering "No problem."

The group was finally sound asleep, each waiting for a new day to dawn. Each one hoped that the new day would bring good things, but each knew that bad things lurked about too.

Elsewhere on a hillside, Kiba and the rest of the Wolf Pack stared into a fire. Tsume's body had already been sent back to Darcia, but unlike Kouga's, his had been gently sent back.

"I can't believe he lost." Toboe said sadly as he stared into the fire with sad eyes.

Kiba looked at his friend and teammate, knowing how much Toboe had cared for Tsume. They were best friends, and even though Tsume called Toboe a nuisance at times, he cared deeply for the boy like a younger brother. He had protected Toboe, and the loss of Tsume now affected Toboe deeply.

"Good riddens." Hige said with annoyance in his voice.

Growling lightly, Kiba said "You'd best shut your mouth Hige. You know Tsume was a great friend and member to this team."

Hige only glared at the fire though, seemingly ignoring Kiba. This irritated Kiba more, so he decided to do something about the moping member this time.

Standing, he walked over and grabbed Hige by the shirt collar, hauling him to his feet with firm hands. "You may not give a crap about our friends, but I do! He was our friend, our teammate, and you don't seem to care one bit! What is wrong with you? Are you going to let Blue's memory haunt you the rest of your life?"

Growling fiercely now, Hige spat "Don't mention that traitor's name!"

Knowing this was the problem still, Kiba yelled "I don't care what she was to you, but it doesn't matter now! We have a job to do, and unless you get focused, we'll lose yet another teammate!"

Hige only growled and stared at Kiba with fiery eyes, but finally took a deep breath and said "I know… I just can't stop thinking about her that night. She betrayed us, and doesn't seem to give any concern about that fact. I knew bringing her onto this team was a mistake on my part. I should have known better than be so stupid. I trusted her as a friend, a teammate, and as a person I loved."

Sighing, Kiba let go of Hige's shirt collar and calmly said "Yes, you should have known better, but we all thought she would work out. But that was her decision to leave, not yours, so stop blaming yourself for it. As for the fact you loved her, I don't think it was mutual. You were too tough on her, and I think that made her shy away."

Hige lightly growled, but then stopped and sighed. "Maybe so…" he finally muttered.

Taking his place back at the fire, Kiba said "We need to turn in soon. We have a long day tomorrow. It's the day we get back on track and take one of their souls. Hige, it's the day you get what you want. You will duel Blue."

Nodding, Hige said "I'm ready."

"Good, you'd better be, for we must stop them, and take their souls. Soon, the Great Leviathan will be reborn, and all the evil of this world shall be gone. Then Paradise will truly be here, and all will be well." Kiba said as he smiled at the last words.

Each then went to their sleeping bags and laid down. Soon they were sleeping, preparing for the long day ahead.