Well, here is my early Thanksgiving present to you all. I hope each and everyone of you have a good turkey day. I know I'll be chasing the turkey around the yard with my claws, and eventually saying screw it and hit it with my sword. That's how a traditional demon Thanksgiving goes, lol. Anyways, enjoy this chapter, and I hope all of you enjoy your holiday. I'll try to get another chapter up for Friday. Later.

Chapter 43

Blue slightly gasped as she mentally did the math. Toboe wasn't lying. There was a difference of 400 life points that Vash's trap cards couldn't make up for. He would lose 400 points, which was more than enough to take his final 200 points. Tears began to well up in her eyes, as she softly said "No, it can't be. He can't lose, not now."

Slowly, Vash struggled back to his feet and finally caught his breath when he heard Blue sobbing behind him. Knowing she was worried, Vash softly said "Blue, don't cry, for I'm not done yet."

Looking up at him, Blue said "But you don't have enough points!"

Smiling, he said "Just watch."

Vash then drew his card and said "First, before I get into my Standby Phase, I activate this spell card, my Mystik Wok! Now I can sacrifice one monster on my field to the Graveyard in order to add that monster's attack or defense points to my life points, and I'll add the Skull Archfiend of Lightning's points to my score, so farewell Skull Archfiend." The red and white demon faded away as Vash's points were quickly replenished.

Toboe growled, but replied "It's only a matter of time Vash, just accept it."

Looking at the card he had, Vash smirked and said "You're right, it is, and it's your time to go. Now I gain 1400 points, and then lose 1300, thus leaving me with 2600 life points. It's time I finished this duel, and the card I hold will do just that. I play the spell card Checkmate! Now I can sacrifice one Archfiend monster on the field in order to let the Terrorking direct attack your life points. It's over Toboe! Terrorking, attack with Terror Slash!" The red and white demon rushed forward, sword ready to slash.

Toboe smirked though, and said "Not quite this time Vash, I have a trap called Ordeal of the Traveler. You must randomly pick one card from my hand, and then guess if it's a monster, spell, or trap card. Guess wrong and your monster is returned to your hand. Guess right, and you continue on."

Smirking, Vash replied "That is if my Terrorking's effect doesn't negate your trap. If the roulette lands on a two or a five, the trap is negated and destroyed, but if it lands on anything else, your trap continues on. Let's see just how lucky I am! Roulette, spin!" Six spheres with numbers then appeared in front of Vash and one of them ignited on fire. Slowly, the fire leapt around the spheres, trying to decide which it wanted.

Blue watched with her breath held. "If Vash gets this right, he wins, but if he gets it wrong, he has a chance to lose the duel. Come on, I know you can do it Vash! I believe in you with all my heart."

Vash silently watched as the roulette continued on. "I have to get this right. If I don't, I'll be in great danger. Come on, if ever there was a time to be lucky, I need it now!"

Slowly, the roulette slowed till finally the flame landed on a two and completely stopped. Toboe only could scream "NOOOOO!!!!" in response.

With a sigh of relief, Vash called out "Terrorking, end this duel with Terror Slash!" The red and white demon continued on towards it's target and then struck the young man with his sword, making him fall to his knees.

As the last of his life points drained away, the seal reacted and instantly began to retract around Toboe. With this happening, Vash fell to the ground and slipped unconscious, for the duel had been extremely taxing on his body and mind.

Blue could only watch as her former friend was encircled by the seal. He looked up at Blue with tears in his eyes, saying "I failed you Tsume. I'm truly sorry."

That said, the seal glowed brighter and then the young boy's body fell to the ground as the green light vanished. Blue slightly shuddered at this, knowing her friend had lost his soul. She quickly then ran over to Vash, pulling him into her lap as she made sure he was alright. Soon enough, she realized he was just unconscious, and in no real danger.

"I'm glad you kept your promise." she silently whispered as she held him in her lap.

Turning her eyes down the road, she silently said "I wonder how Illidan and Ryou are doing."

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Illidan had seen a motorcycle pull up beside of Vash and Blue's jeep, and saw that it's rider threw a small device on the jeep. Illidan was about to slow down when he saw another motorcycle ahead of him. He slightly growled, knowing they were trying to separate the group again.

"What now?" Ryou said curiously.

Seeing the second motorcycle rider seemingly challenging him to follow, Illidan replied "I think Blue and Vash can handle themselves. Besides, I don't think our other friend will allow us to interfere."

Nodding, Ryou said "You do realize, you're abandoning them, don't you?"

Gritting his teeth, Illidan slowly nodded and replied "Yes, I do, but they're strong. They'll make it, I know it."

That said, Illidan mashed the accelerator to the floor with his foot in order to catch the rider ahead of them. The rider noticed this and sped up, trying to keep one step ahead of Illidan.

After about ten minutes, the rider slowed, causing Illidan to slow as well. Finally, each stopped and pulled to the side of the road. The rider took his helmet off to reveal brown hair and blue eyes.

Illidan softly said "Kiba…"

Smiling, Kiba said "Good to see you are still around Illidan. I was hoping Deadman wouldn't be too much of a challenge for you. After all, it is I who should get the honor of taking your soul."

Slightly sighing, Illidan said "Kiba, we don't have to fight. I need your help. I need you to tell me the location of your masters. They are the ones I want to fight, not you."

Kiba lightly chuckled and replied "You think I'd actually betray my masters? You're a bigger fool than I gave you credit for."

"Kiba, there is no reason for us to fight. My fight is with the ones you call masters, not yourself. Please, don't make me fight you." Illidan said with a bit of kindness in his voice.

Smirking, Kiba only replied "Sorry, but the ones I call masters I shall protect till the end. If you want them, you'll have to go through me. Like you, I have someone that is depending on my victory."

Sighing, Illidan softly said "Kiba, if someone you care about is in danger, let us help you. We can save them…"

Kiba's eyes slightly flashed with rage as he yelled "You can't save her!"

Taking a moment to regain his composure, Kiba smirked and said "It is of no concern to you what I do. Now prepare to duel."

Illidan shook his head, saying "I refuse to duel you."

Seeing Illidan would need a reason to, Kiba pulled something from his pocket and held it up so Illidan could see it. Instantly, Illidan recognized the object in Kiba's hand, with eyes filling with concern, he said with a frantic voice "Where did you get that!?"

Lightly chuckling, Kiba held up the ring he held in his hand and replied "Oh, this? I got it from a friend who was watching over someone. Care to take a guess to whom it belonged to?"

Illidan knew exactly whose it was, and mentally said "Please, tell me he wouldn't stoop to this level." Looking Kiba in the eye, he roughly said "What have you done with her?!"

Kiba smirked and replied "Her who? I don't know whom you speak of."

Growling loudly, Illidan yelled in an outburst of anger "You know who I mean! Where is Marie!? What have you done to her!?"

Ryou saw the anger and fury in Illidan's face growing, knowing he was glad he wasn't the one on the opposite end of that hatred. "He's about to snap." he thought inwardly.

Kiba only stood there with a smug look on his face still, as Illidan screamed "ANSWER ME!"

With a small chuckled, Kiba replied "I'll tell you where she is if you can defeat me in a duel Illidan."

Growling again, Illidan said "You're on! You'd better hope Marie is alright, for your own sake!"

Smirking as he grabbed his deck and was shuffling, Kiba replied "I'm not worried. Once this duel is over, you'll have even less to worry about than her."

Illidan began shuffling his deck as his thoughts were jumbled. "What have they done with her? I hope they haven't done anymore harm to her than they already did. Please Marie, be safe. I don't want to your body hurt and then your soul can't return, or your body is damaged to where you die when your soul is returned."

Staring straight at Kiba with fury in his eyes, he mentally said "He'll pay for what he's done to you Marie. I won't allow him to get away with this. I will get you back!"

Finally finished, both stuck their decks into their Duel Disks. Both activated them and then drew their first five cards. A small gust of wind blew up as they said "Time to duel!"

Smirking, Kiba drew his sixth card, saying "I'll start this little duel of ours. I'll begin by summoning Hyena (1000/300) in defense mode." A grey dog like creature that looked exactly like a real life hyena then appeared on the field with a small laughter.

"I think that's enough for now. Your move." (Kiba 8000, Illidan 8000)

Drawing his sixth card, Illidan said with a bit of anger in his voice "Really, what a shame, because you just wasted your turn!" Looking at his hand, he saw he had just drawn Polymerization. He held in his hand two Cyber Dragons, Luster Dragon, Level Up, and Masked Dragon.

With a slight smirk, he called out "I first play the spell card Polymerization, fusing the two Cyber Dragons (2100/1600) in my hand to form Cyber Twin Dragon (2800/2100) in attack mode!" A pair of metallic snake like dragons appeared on the field and let out a small roar. Then the two started swirling together till a new twin headed snake like metallic dragon appeared. It let out a roar from each head and swished it's massive metallic tail.

"I'm not through yet, for now I summon Luster Dragon (1900/1600) in attack mode!" A blue sapphire dragon with ruby colored eyes, powerful looking clawed hands and feet, and smaller wings appeared on the field. It let out a soft roar, seemingly saying quietly to leave it be.

Ryou smirked at the two monsters of Illidan's and said in his mind "Seems Illidan is in a hurry to finish this."

Illidan then called out "Luster Dragon, attack that pathetic Hyena with Ruby Blaster!" The sapphire dragon roared and opened it's jaws as ruby energy flooded inside of them. The dragon then spat a small sphere of ruby energy at the weaker hyena creature, which laughed as it was blown away.

Kiba let out a small chuckle and said "Thanks to that move, you just triggered my Hyena's effect. Now I can special summon another Hyena (1000/300) to the field from my deck, and I'll place this one in defense mode as well." Another laughing hyena then appeared on the old one's place.

Slightly growling with frustration, Illidan yelled "That's alright, because now my Cyber Twin Dragon can attack. Hit with Double Strident Blaze my dragon!" The twin headed metallic dragon released a stream of orange energy, which struck the hyena creature, easily obliterating it.

Again, Kiba chuckled and said "Thanks, now I'll special summon one more Hyena (1000/300) to my field in defense mode." Yet another grey dog like creature appeared on the field and let out it's trademark laughter.

Feeling mocked and annoyed, Illidan said "My dragon has a special ability of it's own, which is it can attack twice in a turn, so go blast that last Hyena! Attack with Double Strident Blaze!" Once more, the twin headed metallic dragon released a stream of orange energy, which easily vaporized the hyena creature.

"That's all for my move." (Kiba 8000, Illidan 8000)

Kiba drew his next card and calmly said "I'll set a monster in defense mode, and next place one card face down and end my turn." (Kiba 8000, Illidan 8000)

Slightly smirking as he drew, Illidan said "Come on, not going to make it interesting for me? Well, that's your choice! Now I'll summon Masked Dragon (1400/1100) in attack mode." A green dragon with large green wings, a red underbelly, and a long neck then appeared on the field.

"Now, where was I? Ah yes, I remember. Luster Dragon, attack with Ruby Blaster!" The sapphire dragon released another sphere of ruby energy, which easily destroyed the face down monster card image. The image exploded, revealing a brown flying squirrel, which quickly vanished.

Smirking, Kiba said "Thanks Illidan, you attacked my Nimble Momonga (1000/100), which now grants me an additional 1000 life points. Next, I get to special summon up to two from my deck to the field in face down defense mode." Two new monster card images appeared on the field out in front of Kiba, seemingly protecting him.

Illidan was growing more and more annoyed, and the anger in his heart was growing with all the stalling Kiba was doing. The small green stone that was on a necklace that Illidan had picked up from Kouga began to glow.

This caught Kiba's eyes, who smirked and inwardly said "Good, he is wearing it. The anger within him is growing with each turn, and soon, he'll lose himself in it. Then I shall give him the one card that shall destroy him. Yes, he shall fall by his own hands."

Illidan growled loudly with frustration, and yelled "No more playing around! Masked Dragon, attack his face down monster with Masked Flames!" The dragon roared and fired a flaming white hot stream of white flames at the face down card image.

Before the blast could hit though, Kiba called out "Forget about my face down Illidan? Guess it's time I remind you of it! I reveal the trap card Mirror Force! Now all your attack mode monsters are destroyed!" A multicolored wall of glass appeared in front of the flames and stopped them instantly. The wall then sent the flames flying back across the field, with each of the monsters on Illidan's field being struck. Each exploded and nothing was left to shield Illidan.

Ryou shook his head in disgust, mentally saying "That fool! He's not focusing. If Illidan don't start paying attention, he'll lose this duel! He's letting his anger cloud his judgment, which is not how he should duel. If he doesn't focus, it'll all be over for him."

Illidan growled in frustration at the loss of his monsters, but more at the fact he had walked into such an obvious trap. Mentally, he chided himself, saying "What is wrong with me?! I should have known he had a plan, yet I tried to hit him hard. I've got to focus so I can save Marie."

Taking a deep breath, he finally said "I place one card face down and call it a turn." (Kiba 9000, Illidan 8000)