Chapter 59

Illidan drew his next card to find his Waboku. Looking up, he calls out "Now during my Standby Phase, Silent Swordsman LV3's effect kicks in. Like Armed Dragon LV3, he evolves, so I sacrifice LV3 to summon Silent Swordsman LV5 (2300/1000) in attack mode!" The smaller swordsman vanished in a flash of white to reveal a stronger warrior. He had green skin as well, and was a taller version of the previous monster. His sword had more than doubled in length, and was much sharper looking.

"I'll place one card face down and end my turn." (Seto 1100, Illidan 5000, Yami 4000; Dartz 12500)

Drawing his card, Yami calls out "Enough of this game, I play the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying your Twin Centaur card!" A powerful typhoon then blew up and struck the centaur creature, instantly blowing it away into many pieces.

"That shall end my turn." (Seto 1100, Illidan 5000, Yami 4000; Dartz 12500)

Smirking, Dartz simply says "That card was no longer of any use, so you wasted your turn. I now summon the monster known as Orichalcos Malevolence (1500 + 500 2000/1000) in attack mode." A creature made of fire then appeared on the field and let out a small cry.

"Now thanks to Malevolence's presence, I gain yet another 3000 life points. Malevolence, destroy Kaiba's pathetic Different Dimension Dragon with Malevolent Heat!" The flaming creature rushed forward, flames roaring louder.

Before it could hit though, Kaiba yells "Not so fast Dartz, I have a trap card! I activate Attack Guidance Barrier, which redirects your attack to another defensive monster on the field, so I redirect it at Illidan's Cyber Dragon, which also gets a nice 600 defense point boost (2100/1600 + 600 2200)!"

A small barrier formed around the light blue and white dragon, forcing the searing flames coming at it to fly towards one of the metallic snake like dragons. The machine dragon was struck, but withstood the blast, sending a small backlash wave towards Dartz.

Smirking, Dartz simply says "Kyutora, absorb the damage!" The eyeball creature easily absorbs the backlash of the blast and then resumes it's position.

"Thanks to Kaiba's trap card, you're now forced to end your turn." points out Yami.

Lightly chuckling, Dartz says "Very well, I end my turn." (Seto 1100, Illidan 5000, Yami 4000; Dartz 15500)

"You two better hope nothing happens to me, because you both need me to win this duel." chimes in Kaiba.

Seto then drew his card and seemed to weigh out his options. After a moment, he finally says "I switch my monster into defense mode and place two cards face down, ending my turn." (Seto 1100, Illidan 5000, Yami 4000; Dartz 15500)

As Illidan draws his card, Kaiba calls out "If you two want to survive this duel, you'd better do what you know you have to do. Attack those Mirror Knights, and do it this turn!"

Nodding, Illidan looks at his card he just drew, seeing it's Level Up. He then hears Yami call out "Illidan, we can't attack them! Remember, they're our friends."

Sighing, Illidan internally struggles to figure out what is right. "Doing nothing doesn't help, but if we want to save the world, we have to do the one thing none of us want to do, and that's sacrifice our friends…"

Sighing, Illidan is about to speak when suddenly he hears a familiar voice say "You two have to attack."

Looking up, Illidan sees it is the knight with Yugi's face talking. "It's the only way to save us all!" he adds on to his last comment.

Everyone, including Illidan, is shocked at this. "We'll be fine, but do what you know you have to do." Yugi says, with a slight smile on his face.

"But Yugi, if we attack any of you, you'll lose your souls." calls out a concerned Yami.

Slightly smiling again, Yugi simply says "Trust me, it's for the best."

Annoyed, Kaiba interrupts, saying "You two do realize that that is a hologram of Yugi's head just talking, right?"

Growling, Yami replies "As usual Kaiba, you're completely blind to the truth!"

Smirking, Dartz interjects, saying "Let's get a move on it, shall we?"

Nodding, Illidan hides his eyes in his bangs, saying "I'm sorry for what I must do Yugi, Joey, Mai, and Pegasus. I hope you can all forgive me."

Looking up with confidence, yet a hint of sadness in his eyes, he says "I play the spell card Level Up, allowing me to sacrifice Armed Dragon LV5 in order to special summon from my deck Armed Dragon LV7 (2800/1000) in attack mode!"

The dark orange skinned dragon began to glow with a bright white light and slowly grew in size. Finally, the light dims and a larger dragon, this one with dark orange skin as well, appears in the place of the old one. It has wings incased within steel armor, sharp and powerful clawed hands, a powerful tail with a spiked club on the end, and strong legs. The dragon then let out a small roar, showing it's strength.

"It's time I freed our friends, and end this duel once and for all! I now switch my three Cyber Dragons into attack mode." Each of the snake like machine dragons then rose up from the coiled position to straighten back out, each letting out a small mechanical roar.

"Next, I activate my Armed Dragon's special ability! By discarding a monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I can destroy all monsters on the field with the same or less attack points as the discarded monster, so I discard Horus the Black Flame Dragon LV6 to the Graveyard, which has 2300 attack points! That means all monsters on your field with 2300 or less attack points are gone, which is everything! Say goodbye to your knights, flame thing, and that eyesore! Armed Dragon, use your Serrated Saw Discs now to carve them all up!"

"No Illidan, don't do it!" screamed out Yami as the large dragon prepared to fire it's discs.

"I'm sorry Yami, but if we're to save the world, we have to do this." Illidan replied with a tint of sadness in his voice.

The large orange skinned dragon then roared loudly as six discs of energy formed on it's stomach. They slowly began to spin and were then suddenly launched at the six monsters on the field.

Before they arrived, the knight with Pegasus's face called out "Yugi-boy, I hope you have that card I gave you! Use it to bring out the true power of the Legendary Dragons!"

Yami only nodded as Pegasus smiled, as did Joey, Mai, and Yugi. Yugi then turned towards Illidan, saying "Thanks Illidan. I knew you could do it."

The energy discs then struck each of the knights, each instantly exploding into many pieces, as did the fiery creature, and finally the eyeball creature. Dartz was the left alone on the field, with only the two layers of the seal out.

Smirking, Illidan said "Now you have nothing to protect you Dartz!"

Laughing manically, Dartz replies "Not quite Mr. Stormrage. You see, Kyutora has another ability! When it's destroyed, I get to evolve it!"

Suddenly, a brilliant shining light appears on the field. From it appears a large creature with large powerful arms. It's stats then flash up, showing 8300 attack points and defense points.

"No way!" cries out Illidan in shock.

Laughing evilly again, Dartz replies "Yes way, for this card is very power. By destroying Kyutora, you released Orichalcos Shunoros (8200 + 500 8700/8200) in attack mode. But that's not all, for you see, Shunoros now can summon up a powerful set of monsters as well. By detaching his left and right arms, I can form a new front row. The right arm now forms Orichalcos Dexia in attack mode, which will always have 300 more attack points than whatever it attacks. Next, the left arm shall form Orichalcos Aristeros in defense mode, which will always have 300 more defense points than the attacking monster. In essence, I've created the perfect sword and shield!"

Both arms of the large creature then detached and lurched forward to the front row, each spreading out, seemingly taking up dangerous positions.

Slightly growling at this development, Illidan simply said "I'll end my turn for now." (Seto 1100, Illidan 5000, Yami 4000; Dartz 15500)

Nodding, Yami silently draws his next card and stares at it for a moment. Finally, he says "I play the spell card known as Card of Sanctity, allowing us each to draw till we hold six cards in our hands."

Each drew their cards, and Illidan glances over his Tribe-Infecting Virus, Breaker the Magical Warrior, Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, and Return From a Different Dimension.

Glancing over his hand again, Yami finally says "I place one card face down and end my turn." (Seto 1100, Illidan 5000, Yami 4000; Dartz 15500)

Smirking as usual, Dartz draws his new card and laughs lightly, saying "Now, it's time you enter the final level of darkness."

Curious, Illidan asks "What do you mean?"

Lightly chuckling, Dartz simply replies "It's time I reinforce the seal is what I mean, and what better a way than playing Orichalcos Tritos, the third layer of the seal!"

The field suddenly glows brighter once more, as a new ring band appears and adds onto the outside two rings. The new third ring shimmers with power and locks into place.

"How could the seal get much more powerful?" asks a bewildered, yet slightly afraid Yami.

"You fools have no idea what you're dealing with. This darkness is older than time itself, and more powerful than any magic you've encountered. Now, I gain 1500 life points thanks to Deuteros, thus giving me a total of 17000 life points." boosts Dartz.

Gasping, Tea yells out "His life points are out of control. His points are so high, it'd take a few turns for all three of them to cut his life points down."

Smirking, Dartz says "I now play the spell card Stop Defense, switching Mr. Kaiba's dragon into attack mode."

The group behind the seal then gasps as they watch Kaiba's white and blue dragon take an offensive position. "If that dragon is hit by Dartz's Shunoros, it's all over for my brother." cries out Mokuba.

With a light chuckle, Dartz then says "I next place a card face down, and activate another of Shunoros's abilities. I'm allowed to transfer my life points to it, or as many to it as I like to add onto it's attack points, so I add on 13000 of my life points, thus raising his attack points from 8300 to 21800 (21800/21300)!"

The large creature began to shimmer brightly then as it's attack points were instantly boosted by the power boost. Lightly chuckling again, Dartz points at Kaiba's dragon and says "You're through Mr. Kaiba! Shunoros, attack Different Dimension Dragon with Photon Ring!"

The large creature's eyes then glowed bright red as it then shot a ring of pure green energy straight at the blue and white dragon. Before it could hit though, Kaiba called out "Not so fast Dartz, I play a spell card! Go Shrink, which cuts your monster's attack points in half!"

Laughing heartedly, Dartz replies "Not quite Mr. Kaiba, for as long as the third layer of the seal, Tritos, is out, all spell and trap cards are useless against my monsters."

Kaiba only stared in horror as his spell card was destroyed and the wave continued on. Still, Illidan didn't give up hope, calling out "No you don't Dartz, I have a trap card! Go Waboku, which now reduces all damage this turn to zero, and ends this little battle. Also, Kaiba's dragon survives the blast!"

Three female mages in blue cloaks then appeared on the field and held out their hands. The mages managed to stop the attack, but seemingly barely.

Lightly chuckling, Dartz turned towards Illidan and said "So, I see you're willing to risk your own soul to save Mr. Kaiba's."

Slightly smirking, Illidan replied "Seto maybe an obnoxious jerk, but he's a friend, and I wouldn't let him lose his soul for no reason."

Snorting at his comment, Seto quickly snaps back "I'm no one's friend."

Shrugging, Illidan simply says "Whatever you say."

"I'll continue my turn then by playing the spell card Smashing Ground, so say farewell to your Big Shield Guardna, Pharaoh!" called out Dartz. A large fist then appeared above the field and struck the large warrior creature, causing it to instantly shatter to pieces.

"Finally, I'll place one card face down. Your move Mr. Kaiba." (Seto 1100, Illidan 5000, Yami 4000; Dartz 4000)

As Dartz ends, the sound of a motorcycle is then heard approaching. Looking towards the mouth of the temple, there appears a blonde headed man on a motorcycle with dark sunglasses. He had on a black trench coat as well, with black clothing underneath also. He pulls up beside the seal and jumps off his motorcycle and slightly smiles as he takes off his glasses to reveal blue eyes.

"You don't look happy to see me? Where's the love at?" he mysterious man says to Dartz.

"Rafael…" Yami mumbles, making Illidan realize this was the man that Yami had spoke of when he lost his one duel.

"Actually, don't answer that question, for I'm sick of your lies. Thanks to the Pharaoh, I was shown the truth to your lies, and escaped the Seal of Orichalcos with my soul, unlike my other teammates and the innocent people you stole souls from. I'm demanding you release them now!" Rafael said in clear confidence.

Lightly chuckling, Dartz smirked and said "Well, I see the Orichalcos took what was left of your brain. You're even more gullible than ever. Do you honestly think the darkness in your heart is gone?"

Nodding, Rafael simply replies "Yes, it is thanks to the Pharaoh."

Smirking at this, Dartz says "Really, or did he trick you like you claim I tricked you? Take a look around you, for you're just like everyone else. You have darkness still in your heart, and it will always be there. Just like the people who used the Seal of Orichalcos, the evil in your heart is still there. All humans have evil in their hearts, and that is why I was chosen to wipe them all out. That rage can't be walked away from, for that is why I hired you."

Calmly, Rafael replies "I'm tired of being angry at the world. The Pharaoh and his friends, they showed me what loyalty and trust is again. I once was like them, but once I met you, you poisoned my heart with the Orichalcos!"

Heartedly laughing, Dartz simply said "You're wrong, for the Orichalcos didn't poison your mind, it just opened you up to the evil within you. It only exposed to you what all humans have within them, which is anger and destruction."

Slightly growling, Tea asked "Then what does that make you, for you're human too!"

Slightly smirking, Dartz replied "I'm a pioneer chosen by the Orichalcos to carve out a new world. My task is nearly complete, and soon I shall revive the Great Leviathan and rebuild society."

Smiling, Dartz continued saying "For ten thousand years I've been gathering souls in order to revive the Great Leviathan, but time was running out, so I needed help."

"So, you had me and the others do your dirty work for you." Rafael stated simply.

Nodding, Dartz continued saying "I required several people in order to carry out my plan, each with a great bit of anger within them to fully tap into the Seal of Orichalcos. Not to mention, each needed to hate the world as much as I did. When I encountered yourself and the others, I found the ones I needed exactly. Still, there was need for me to influence your lives though."

Smirking, Dartz said "I started with Alister, where his family was captured due to Gozaburo Kaiba's tanks."

Looking at Mokuba, Tea asked "Is that true?"

Sadly nodding, Mokuba replied "Yeah, unfortunately, it's true."

Illidan softly growled, as yet another life was ruined by his former arch rival. "How many more people had to be shattered by that man?!"

Chuckling, Dartz soon said "It wasn't Kaiba's father who really done it. It was I, posing as him that did it!"

Seto and Rafael both gasped at this, as Dartz continued, saying "Valon practically grew up in the juvenile detention center, thanks to me of course due that I framed him for his first crime when he was nine!"

This made everyone gasp and Illidan's blood start to boil. "How could you have framed an innocent child!?" he yelled at Dartz.

Dartz simply ignored Illidan and said "Then there was Kiba. He was in love with a young woman, but unfortunately for him, I found her and took her soul. When he found her, he vowed to find a way to save her. When I talked with him that same day, he had no idea it was me that did this. I told him to save her, he needed to open Paradise, and he promised he would."

Again, Illidan's blood boiled, for now he understood Kiba's reason for fighting with such ferocity. He was fighting for the one he loved, and lost trying to save her.

Smirking, Dartz said "Darcia was the same. He lost his wife ten thousand years ago, and believed that by helping me reopen Paradise, he could save her. What a fool!"

The whole group just continued to look on in horror, as Illidan yelled out "You're despicable! You've played on the weakness of the human heart, and that's just wrong!"

Laughing, Dartz replied "Yes, I played on it, and it's amazing how weak a person is for the people they love, just like your heart is weak for Marie, Mr. Stormrage."