Hey everyone! Well, it's been a crazy day thus far. Monday, I dropped my car off at a dealership to be worked on during Tuesday. I got the call Tuesday on the car and found out that they could have it ready for that evening, provided the part came in on the part truck. Well, I called at 4 to see if the car was going to be ready, only to find out the part truck hadn't arrived. I then got a call a few minutes later, finding out that the part truck wasn't coming till Wednesday. I didn't care due that my mate is off both days. At any rate, I decided to not come into work till noon Wednesday so I could go get my car. Well, me and my mate went to get my car this morning, and picked it up. On my way home, it suddenly shut down... and wouldn't restart. Sheesh, I had to call the dealership and let them know what happened. Then I attempted to find a ride from my mate, who didn't answer. I got a hold of my step mom, who nicely came and got me. Now I'm waiting on the dealership to get back with me and let me know what happened and let me know if I can get my car back tonight. Hopefully I will… Heh, it really sucks to go get your car from a dealership only to have it break down. Then when I got to work, I found out I had a meeting at 1, which it was nearly 1 by then. Next I have one at 3 also… Sheesh, it's a busy day…

Writing wise, I've been doing lots on Another and MtM. I'm like a writing machine currently, hehe. I'm going to keep to my date on Another due that that's a special day to me.

Last time, Zell in Zane's body and Marie began their duel, with Zell taking a bit of a lead early. Still, Marie fought back and has finally found an opening. Can she continue to fight on and protect her child at the same process, or will Zell do the unthinkable to Marie and destroy the bonds that connect her and Illidan?

Ok, moving on, time for reviews!

DuelistBlake1852: Interesting ending to your duel with Yami. Thanks about the chapter. Very true, Zell is mistreating Zane's monsters rather roughly. Much like how Illidan reacted, Marie hated to see the monsters harmed like that. Very true about the Cyberdark monsters only being able to equip with level 3 or lower monsters. Like before, when Illidan fought Zane/Zell, I used level 4 instead. There just aren't that many good attack point level 3 dragons, thus I decided to do what the show did and followed with level 4. Heh, you're counting on Marie to win, eh Pharaoh? Hehe, it could happen I suppose. Thanks for the review!

x-knight20: Thank you. Yep, Zell is a sick monster who barely qualifies to be human anymore. Marie will hopefully kick his butt! Thanks for the review.

sirbj: Yep, the duel started. Heh, true, it's really Fairies vs. Dark Machine Dragons. The winner of this match has yet to be decided. As you've noticed, both sides seem rather evenly matched. Yes, only the writer knows the eventual winner I suppose, lol. Yeah, one thing is for sure. If Illidan and Marie's child didn't survive, I could almost guarantee neither would be the same again. Heh, that is a nice mystery. Thanks for the review!

Knives91: Yep, it's getting a bit brutal out there. Heh, the backup is somewhere, I'm sure of it. LOL! I suppose the ninjas could help in any situation, hehe. Thanks for the review!

Ultimate Legendary Master: Thanks. Very true, Cyberdark Dragon's effect gives it only 100 points per a monster in Zell's Graveyard. The only reason I changed that was due that the anime followed suit in season 2, plus a 100 points a card does way more damage than a monster. At most, with most realistic decks, it would gain 2000 or so. I figure less due that most people load their decks with more spell/trap than monsters. Heh, I'm old school though and load mine with more monsters, like barely more, hehe. Oh, the US finally aired an episode? That's surprising, lol. I've been watching mine off a website in Britain, so I'm up to like episode 134. It just sucks that the US is slow on getting episodes out. Thanks for the review!

Well, that's it for today. Thank you everyone for your reviews thus far. I've enjoyed all of them. I truly do thank you all for your reviews, and for pointing out errors or possible errors I may have committed. It's nice to know my writing can be picked apart so easily, lol. I'm kidding of course. I know all of you point out stuff with good intentions, or bad, which I do appreciate. It let's me know some people know what to look for I suppose. Thanks for doing it.

Ok, I'm all done with the reviews for the day. Now I'm off to find out if my poor car will be mine again tonight or not. For now, enjoy!

Chapter 84

Pulling the remaining card from her hand, Marie called out "Since I just sent Radiant Jeral to the Graveyard, I gain 1000 life points. But I'm not done this turn, so I play the equip spell Malevolent Nuzzler! This raises the attack points of Zerato by 700 (2800 700 3500/2300)!"

Appearing around the purple skinned angel's neck instantly was a golden necklace with a purple stone attached. The body of the angel instantly glowed with a purple aura as his strength increased further.

"Zerato, make him pay! Attack his Cyberdark Horn with Angel Wing Burst!"

The wings of the angel warrior immediately began glowing. Pointing his two wings at the rough black metal looking creature, small jagged diamond like structures formed on the wings. Suddenly, the structures were sent rushing forward and caused a large explosion upon contact with the metal monster.

"So much for that scrap heap." Marie stated.

Slowly, the smoke cleared out and revealed that the machine creature still lived, but the dragon attached to it was gone.

"Huh, what happened? Why is it still standing?" Marie asked in a bit of shock.

Darkly chuckling, Zane responded with "Rather simple little sex slave. My Cyberdark Horn was equipped with a monster. When that is the case and it's attacked and would lose the battle, the dragon takes the hit instead of my Horn. Of course, since the dragon is gone, Horn loses some points (3200 – 2400 800/800). Oh well, easy come, easy go."

Lightly growling, Marie glared daggers at Zane. Without warning, she suddenly calmed down and smirked, saying "That maybe the case, but you still take Battle Damage."

That said, diamond like spikes suddenly came pouring out of the back of the machine creature and pierced Zane's body. Small drops of blood began to bleed out from the impact spot, while suddenly the dark electricity began zapping him. Zane didn't flinch or blink though, as if he was unaffected by the bolts.

"Done yet?" Zane asked with a bored expression while the bolts faded.

"I have no choice but to end my move." Marie quickly remarked. (Zane 4800, Marie 6400)

Picking up a new card, Zen examined it momentarily before saying "I activate Cyberdark Edge's special ability. By cutting it's attack points in half, it can direct attack you."

"What!?" Marie immediately chocked out in shock.

"Cyberdark Edge, show her your Sonic Screech (2800/2 1400/800)" Zane coldly commanded.

Screeching loudly, the dark machine creature with the black dragon attached spread it's wings and began sending white blades of sound waves flying towards Marie. The blades instantly made contact and cut into her right shoulder, sending a small spray of blood into the air. Upon the strike, Marie cried out in pain and grabbed the injury.

"It's not over yet my sex slave. Don't forget, you feel the true pain now!" Zane roared.

Bolts of dark electricity instantly filled the air around Marie, striking her rapidly and forcing her to let go of her wound. Once more, she cried out in pain and sank to one knee. Slowly, the bolts vanished and she whimpered in pain, but forced herself back onto her feet.

Sneering, Zane coldly said "Still not ready to surrender yourself, eh? You'd do well to know your place."

"Never!" Marie hissed back, but flinched with pain.

Darkly chuckling, Zane replied "Very well. I switch Cyberdark Horn and Cyberdark Keel to defense. To end, I place a face down card." (Zane 4800, Marie 5000)

Drawing her next card, Marie examined it for a moment before saying "I summon Nova Summoner (1400/800)!"

Appearing in a rainbow aura was a strange ring like orange and striped monster with bug like wings and a small green core. The creature lightly glowed with it's rainbow aura, seemingly waiting.

"What a useless creature." Zane said with a bored expression.

Smirking, Marie lightly giggled, saying "You'll change your tune soon enough. Zerato, attack his Cyberdark Edge with Angel Wing Burst!"

Raising his wings to point at the dark machine creature with the black dragon attached to it, the purple skinned angel began building up green energy within the feathers of his wings, which transformed into solid diamond like crystals. In a flurry, several diamond feathers shot out and struck the dark dragon attached to the machine creature, making the dragon howl in pain. Smoke instantly covered the field upon impact, leaving the machine creature shrouded in it.

Once the smoke began clearing, the machine creature stood ready while the black dragon appeared gone. Staring indifferently at Marie, Zane calmly said "As I told you once before Marie, it's pointless to attack my Cyberdark monsters since they won't be destroyed while equipped with a monster (2800 – 2000 800/800)."

Smirking once more, Marie replied "I knew your monster wouldn't be destroyed, but you forget, you take Battle Damage still."

A few of the diamond spikes instantly came flying off of the machine creature and buried itself into Zane's left shoulder. Blood instantly began to drip from the wound, but Zane emotionlessly removed it from his shoulder. Black electricity instantly began zapping him, but still, he remained poised and composed.

"Time to go in for the kill! Nova Summoner, attack Cyberdark Edge with Nova Shot!" Marie commanded with a pointing gesture towards the same black machine creature.

Lifting into the air, the ring like creature's center sphere began to glow brightly with neon green energy. In a simple release, the sphere shot a stream of hot green flames at the machine creature, which began to melt and squealed out in pain. The creature soon shattered, sending a burst of flames at Zane. Upon impact, Zane cringed slightly as a few small holes were burned into his black trench coat. Instantly following the flames were black electrical bolts, making Zane grit his teeth together as he hunched over a bit.

"I thought as much. You aren't immune to pain completely." Marie snidely remarked.

Glaring at Marie, Zane instantly changed his mood and smirked evilly, saying "Maybe so, but don't forget, this is your friend's body. Destroy it and he won't have a place to return to."

"You'll be long gone before his body is." Marie sharply remarked. "I end my turn." (Zane 3500, Marie 5000)

Calmly drawing, Zane said "I first switch my Cyberdark Keel back into attack mode."

Uncurling it's body from it's coiled up position, the snake like dark machine dragon let out a soft roar as it glared at the two opposing monsters.

"Next, I play my trap, Call of the Haunted! Rise up once more Cyberdark Edge (800/800)!"

Reappearing onto the field once more was the powerful dark metal machine creature with massive wings.

"And once again, I can equip a new Dragon Type monster to my Edge. I choose Rare Metal Dragon (2400/1200), so add your power to Cyberdark Edge (800 2400 3200/800)!"

Materializing onto the field once more was the powerful heavy set metal dragon with no wings. Instantly, the dark metal machine creature sent wires out and punctured the metal of the dragon and pulled it to it's body. The dragon squealed out in pain from the intrusions, but finally gave up struggling after a minute.

"I cut Edge's attack points in half (3200 / 2 1600/800), allowing it direct attack you! Hit her with Sonic Screech!"

Spreading it's wings, the dark machine creature shot out several blades of wind straight for Marie. Three of the blades struck her: one on her already wounded right shoulder, another on her left shoulder, and the last on her right leg. Each impact instantly sent out a small spray of blood, making Marie cringe and whimper in pain.

"And now for the fun part!" Zane roared with an evil laugh.

Black bolts of electricity immediately formed and began striking Marie, making her collapse to one knee and scream out in extreme agony. She finally was forced down onto her hands and other knee, and let out a much louder scream from the pain. The bolts finally settled, but smoke rose up from the strikes. Bare skin could be seen in places where the strikes had burned through her clothing and onto her skin, leaving small scorch marks. Her body trembled from the shocks as she panted hard.

"Ah, how wonderful it must be to suffer needlessly. If only you had given in my little sex slave, you wouldn't have to suffer." Zane admonished.

Still on the ground panting and cringing from the pain, Marie managed to look up with a small glare, but instantly grit her teeth and looked back down. Blood soaked her uniform where the wind blades had cut into her, and a small trickle of blood came running down from corner of her mouth. With great difficulty, she sat up onto her knees and attempted to catch her breath.

Slowly, she growled out "I won't… give up to… the likes of… you."

Darkly chuckling, Zane smirked evilly once more and replied "You have had your chance to give up like a good little sex slave, but I see you won't. I'll just have to teach you not to disobey me. Cyberdark Keel, show her the reason she shouldn't disobey! Attack her pathetic Nova Summoner with Keel Strike!"

Roaring loudly, the dark colored machine snake sent it's sharp pointed tail flying straight for the ring creature. The creature's sphere was instantly shattered, causing the ring creature to send out a wave of flames and self destruct, leaving nothing behind but a cloud of smoke. Without warning, from the smoke, the tail of the creature came flying straight at Marie and struck her in her left shoulder, making her fall over backwards while screaming in pain. Once the machine creature pulled it's tail back, blood instantly gushed from the wound while she attempted to hold pressure on it to keep the blood in. Bolts of dark electricity instantly formed around Marie, shocking her once more, making her curl up into a fetal ball.

Wincing with great pain, Marie panted out roughly "What… happened? My field… spell should have… stopped all… Battle… Damage."

"True, but I forgot to mention something about Cyberdark Keel." Zane coldly stated. "When it destroys a monster in battle, it deals you an additional 300 points of direct damage."

Coughing a bit, Marie slowly sat back onto her rump and cringed as she lightly touched her newest wound. Glaring at Zane, she saw her vision becoming lightly blurry and felt a dizzying sensation.

"Oh no, I'm losing too much blood! My wounds, they'll kill me if I keep losing blood like this. Not good, not good at all! I need to heal, but how? I'm using all of my power to keep the barrier up around the baby within me."

Gritting her teeth, Marie glared once more at Zane and slowly stood up. "I can't give up now! Mine and Illidan's child is counting on me! I refuse to let wounds like these bring me down! No matter what, I will protect our baby, even if it does mean I'll die!"

"That glare really doesn't fit that pretty face." Zane remarked.

Catching her breath and finally standing up fully, Marie yelled "SHUT UP! I won't lose to you! Too many people are counting on me!"

"I promised to save Zane, and I won't go back on my word. I've yet to ever go back on it, and I swear I won't now! I will save Syrus, Zane, and the others, and no matter what, protect my child! I will not abandon it and Illidan, no matter what!"

"You may have destroyed my monster, but you made a major mistake in doing that! Once Nova Summoner is destroyed, I can special summon a new Light Attribute Fairy Type monster from my deck, but there is also a second special ability to my monster."

Taking a breath, she smirked, saying "When Sanctuary of the Sky is out, I can instead special summon Airknight Parshath (1900/1400)!"

Instantly, a bright white glow filled the field as a half angel, half horse creature appeared. The angel half wore blue and gold armor, and had wings draping across it's body in different places. In his right hand was a sword, while his left held a shield. The horse half was white, and had wings on it's back.

Sneering, Zane lightly chuckled, saying "Heh, not bad my little sex slave, but can you hold on much longer against my advances? I doubt it, so for now I place one card face down and end my turn." (Zane 3500, Marie 3100)

Grabbing a new card, Marie smirked upon looking at it. "It's time I turned up the heat, and it starts with this! I sacrifice Airknight Parshath in order to special summon his next form! Meet Neo-Parshath, the Sky Paladin (2300/2000)!"

Immediately, the angel/horse creature vanished only to cause a blinding white light to fill the field. As the light died down, a new angel, this one looking like a powerful warrior, touched down onto the field. He had massive white wings that were held to his back with an orange and blue set of bindings. Where a half horse body once was were a pair of strong legs covered with a flowing white battle skirt. On each arm were massive sharp blades, with bold armor covering parts of the blade. The chest area of the warrior was now covered in grey and blue armor, and his head had a new helmet to cover his entire face. Fully on the field, the angel let out a battle cry, signifying his readiness to fight.

"Zerato, take down Cyberdark Edge once more with Angel Wing Burst!"

Pointing his powerful wings at the machine creature once more, the feathers on the angel's wings instantly became diamond shards that glowed brightly. In a flurry, a burst of shards were shot out and struck the metal dragon that was attached to the creature. The dragon shattered under the pressure, and a few of the shards struck Zane, making him lightly cringe when a blood spot formed at the place of impact. Bolts of black electricity soon followed, striking Zane's body over and over before dying down and leaving him still cringing.

"I'm far from done with you Zane! Go Neo-Parshath, attack Cyberdark Edge with Paladin Slash!"

Leaping forward, the warrior angel raised both blade arms and slashed the machine creature in diagonal slashes. Slowly, the creature split apart into four sections and shattered, but not before letting out a horrific screech of pain. Seeing his attack had worked, the angel rushed forward and struck Zane hard with one blade, forming a large slash mark across his chest, making him instantly grasp it while recoiling in pain. The electricity with black bolts soon spread over his body, making him lightly growl out in pain.

In a smug tone, Marie said "Whenever Neo-Parshath does Battle Damage to you, I get to draw one new card."

Picking up a card, she placed it in her Spell/Trap Slot, saying "I'll place it face down. Oh yeah, guess what. Whenever Sanctuary of the Sky is out, Neo-Parshath's other special ability kicks in. His attack and defense points are boosted by the difference in our life points, so long as I have the most. Right now, I do, meaning Neo-Parshath gains the difference (3100 – 1800 1400), meaning he just got a 1400 point boost (2300 1400 3700/2000 1400 3400)."

The powerful angel instantly began glowing with a bright white aura as his he clenched his fists tight. The aura slowly died down, leaving the angel to look more confident.

"I'll end my turn now. Looks like you're going down Zell, one way or another." (Zane 1700, Marie 3100)

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"SHADOW BLADE!"

With a thunderous roar, several trees instantly were cut down, sending out thousands of splinters and a shockwave throughout the forest with trees toppling to the ground. A panting Illidan stood in a spot where the last tree stump stood with his left hand still glowing black with Shadow Magic crackling in it. It slowly faded, leaving his hand slightly trembling.

Staring off in the distance, Illidan didn't hear an approaching figure till he heard someone ask "What are you doing?"

Turning to find Jaden, Illidan took a deep breath and softly smiled, saying "Working off some anger."

Brow furrowing, Jaden asked seriously "What made you so angry that you'd go destroy the forest?"

"Marie…" Illidan lowly muttered. Taking a seat on a nearby fallen tree, he sighed and slumped forward and placed his hands on his knees.

Sitting down beside of Illidan, Jaden frowned again, asking "What did she do to make you so angry?"

Pondering Jaden's words, Illidan slowly constructed his response. "She wishes to help in the search for Zane." he finally said.

"And that's a problem because?"

Angrily, Illidan spat out "She's not fit to Jaden! I mean, she just got back from being kidnapped by Legato and nearly being poisoned to death, plus…"

Sighing deeply, he added "… on top of that, she's pregnant. I don't want anything bad to happen to her now that she's with our child."

"Oh…" Jaden mumbled. "But don't you think she should have a say too?"

Looking downwards, Illidan replied "Marie is in no condition to fight."

"But she's just pregnant, not injured." Jaden pointed out.

"THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT!" Illidan snapped.

Taken aback, Jaden looked at Illidan with deeply concerned eyes, asking "What's really wrong Illidan?"

Looking away immediately, Illidan muttered "Nothing."

"It's something, I know it." Jaden was quick to admonish. "Tell me."

"I said it's nothing." Illidan replied gruffly.

Standing up to stare Illidan in the face, Jaden calmly said "I know it's something. Tell me. You always told me that talking about it helps. Now tell me!"

Sighing, Illidan looked down at the ground and finally said "It's just that… in the past, back in our past lives, Marie nearly died when she was pregnant."

Slightly shocked, Jaden began to ask something, but was cut off with Illidan continuing to talk. "She was pregnant the day that Gozaburo used the Millennium Crown to kill Yami. I didn't know at the time she was pregnant because she had just found out that day. She was going to surprise me that night she told me after the incident. He could have easily killed her, and I'd have never known!"

Tears welled up in his eyes as he said "She got stabbed from behind by Gozaburo. Luckily, nothing vital was hit, but to know she was nearly taken from me, along with our child, that hit me hard. I was too weak to protect her then. Gozaburo's Millennium Crown overpowered my own Millennium Key, along with everyone else's items."

Clenching his fists tightly, Illidan added with tears flowing down his cheeks "I should have done more to save her, but I couldn't. She nearly died because I failed at my duty to protect her. I swore then that I wouldn't fail her again, and that's why I won't let her help with Zane."

Realization of Illidan's words hit Jaden hard as he sat back down beside of Illidan and put a comforting shoulder around him. "I'm sorry, I didn't know." he apologized.

"Well, now you know why I'm so adamant about not allowing her to help with Zane." Illidan admitted.

Nodding with understanding, Jaden softly said "But she feels she has a duty to fulfill in helping Zane. Like you, she is his friend, along with me and everyone else. We all feel we should help somehow."

"I know…" Illidan mumbled. "I feel guilty that I was the one that let Legato get to Zane. I had no idea that the pain of losing Syrus had affected him so much. If had, I'd have done more."

"No time to feel sorry for yourself Illidan." Jaden remarked.

Looking at him, Illidan smiled, replying with "True. It's over and said with. All we can do now is find Zane and try and fix the damage done by Legato."

"Easier said then done though, right?" Jaden asked with a friendly smile.

Nodding, Illidan lightly smiled again, saying "Right."

Standing up, he glanced around at the destruction and rubbed the back of his head, saying "Sheesh, I really did a number on this place."

"Yeah, I know. I didn't know you could do something like this." Jaden admitted.

Lightly chuckling, Illidan remarked "Eh, this is nothing to the stuff I used to do when Marie got me mad in the past. Let's just say, many objects and friends of mine got the bad end of the stick when helping me calm down."

"I'll remember that." Jaden was quick to reply with a smirk.

"Let's go back to the dorm. I'm sure Marie is simmering there right now."

"Alright, but you need to tell her what you told me." Jaden quickly said.

Sighing, Illidan nodded in agreement and led the way back. Once within sight of the house, he began to reach out with his Shadow Powers, trying to find Marie within the home so he knew where to go. Frowning, he muttered "Where is she?"

"Huh?" Jaden asked.

"She's not home." Illidan instantly said.

Reaching out further with his Shadow Powers, he began searching the dorm, only to come up short again. "She must have not come home yet, but that's not like her."

Once more reaching out with his powers, he began searching the island and quickly found her signal, only to growl loudly.

"DAMNIT!" he yelled while running off in the direction he sensed her.

Running after Illidan, Jaden quickly asked "What's wrong!?"

"Damn that woman, she ignored me and found Zane and got into a Shadow Game! We have to hurry! If she loses, she'll not only lose whatever was wagered for the duel, but more than likely she'll lose our child in the process! I won't let her go through that!" Illidan called out while running at top speed.

"Please Marie, hang on! Don't lose, you can't!"