"Are you planning on taking the Sacred Beasts' power?" Yami asked. "Why do you need the Millennium Items for that?"

"Well, that is sort of what I'm planning," Bakura admitted. "Today's legend of the Sacred Beasts is incorrect… it changed some time within the last 10,000 years. I'm not surprised, really. You see, the Sacred Beasts are guardians. And their power does not reside in the Sacred Beasts themselves, but rather in what they guard."

"And just what do they guard?" Yami inquired.

Bakura let out a small chuckle before answering Yami's question.

"They guard the passageway to the Shadow Realm."


Hey everyone! I'm hoping to hit 200 reviews this chapter! Plus, I hit 100 reviews in chapter 26, which means 100 reviews in 9 chapters! w00t!

kyoda: No, that was my fault. lol. And there were some kooler villains, like Dartz and Saiou, but Bakura is definitely the baddest (i just liked dartz's and saiou's decks)

Crazy Little Devil: 1. It's fun making interesting cards! 2. Right now :P

SomeRandomStone: A lil' late for that, ain't it? but at least it came out okay

Ninja Wolf 25: Yeah, lol. I was planning to use dark and light magicians for sam, but I didn't know who to use for his opponent his chapter. Then a friend of mine suggested a character with a BRttS deck, and it was perfect, 'cause light magicians focus on killing face-up cards!

Vyser Dragoon: Dude, that's a serious curse. I'm in a big swiss tourney right now, and I'm 5-0. Now I'm going to lose!! ;-; Just twist the twist-y thingies on your bass if your flat, baka! And yay! Cliffies are fun!

Katrianna: I just had a feeling u wouldn't like this cliffie, lol. And Kura-Cha is an amazing strategist. Of course he had a loophole! (hugs kurama plushie)

Sirfunchalot: Time Jump is fun and broken! Yay!! And you are going to get more right now, lol!

ForensicDuelist4137: Pathetic? Aww... (sniffle and hugs angel-hughes plushie) that hurt, man...

redgirl90: lol. Wait just one more week, and you'll see Sarah duel. I promise.

Well, we get to finish hearing Bakura's plans, and if you remember the end of Bakura vs Shadi (i believe it was chapter 29), Bakura's card will be cleared up!! Whee!! RERR!!


Chapter 35: Triangle Power

"What?" Yami murmured, barely audible.

"You heard correctly. Underneath Duel Academy is the gateway to the Shadow Realm!" Bakura laughed. "Right now it's inactive, and it requires a lot of energy to activate."

"Energy that can be supplied using the Millennium Items," Yami realized.

"You're finally getting it!" Bakura exclaimed.

"Yes, but… are you trying to bring Zorc out of the Shadow Realm?" Yami asked. "I thought I destroyed him."

"You did," Bakura replied.

"Then why do you need a gate to the Shadow Realm?!"

"Even though Zorc has been defeated, there are still about a dozen beings almost as powerful than Zorc," Bakura explained. "Even if you defeated Zorc himself, you won't be able to overcome the combined power of these beings!"

"But Zorc is the most powerful monster that has ever existed," Yami said. "I thought you'd be trying to find a way to bring him back once more."

"Pharaoh, just try to understand that I'm not trying to bring back Zorc," Bakura angrily said. "Maybe an analogy would help you…. Think of it as a game of chess. Zorc has the same power as a queen, while each of the creatures I shall bring forth has the power of a rook. Last time, you exhausted your entire army to defeat Zorc, my only piece, and in the end, it was just your queen—Horakhti—that was able to defeat mine.

"However, this time, it won't be just one queen. It will be twelve rooks. Do you really think you'll be able to overcome it when all you have is Chris and his little friends? I'll have twelve rooks, and you'll have four pawns!" Bakura laughed.

Yami finally realized the entirety of the situation…. If Bakura succeeded in opening the gate to the Shadow Realm, there would be no way to stop it… His Egyptian army and priests were much stronger than anyone who was living now, and even they couldn't defeat Zorc. "Bakura… I will not let your plan succeed!"

"Oh really?" Bakura asked. "It looks to me like it already has. I've just captured you, and without your help it'll be extremely easy to take Chris' Millennium Scales and Sahara's Millennium Necklace."

"No, Bakura, you're wrong… You haven't captured me!" Yami roared as the Millennium Puzzle began to glow, destroying the black tendrils that constricted him.


"What… What happened?" Chris murmured, waking up. I defeated Heikou, and then… Oh no! Where's the Millennium Puzzle?! He had apparently collapsed onto the floor, and looked up to see Bakura walking away.

"Bakura!" Chris shouted. Chris got up and began to charge at Bakura. He stumbled the first few steps since he was sleeply, but then fully woke up.

"You're already up?" Bakura asked, turning around and raising an eyebrow.

"Yes I am! Now give me back my Millennium Puzzle!" Chris shouted, pointing at the artifact in Bakura's hand.

"Actually, now it's my Millennium Puzzle," Bakura smirked. He pointed past Chris, saying, "Sam dueled for you and lost."

Chris spun around and saw Sam collapsed on the floor. "I… I don't care!" Chris lunged at Bakura, but Bakura's eyes suddenly glazed over and he fell to his knees.

This surprised Chris, and caused him to stop his assault.

"No… stop that… stop that," Bakura muttered.

"Wh-What?" Chris stammered. It looked like Bakura was having some sort of mental breakdown. He could take the Millennium Ring and Puzzle now, but… did Bakura need help? Even if he was Bakura, he still deserved medical help if he needed it.


Yami raced forward at Bakura, and swung his fist at him. However, right when the punch was going to connect, Bakura disappeared.

"This is a mind," Bakura stated. He had materialized several feet behind Yami. "Physical attacks won't work here."

"Then how about magical attacks?" Yami asked as a duel disk appeared on his arm. "Besides, I never liked fist fights…." I just had to do what was necessary.

"I will, but first tell me how you broke free of the bonds."

"You underestimated my power," Yami explained. "I could have broken the bonds at any time. I just lead you into a false sense of security so you would explain your plan to me."

"Clever," Bakura remarked. A dark duel disk then appeared on his arm.

"W-Wait," A quiet voice sounded.

Yami rotated his head to the direction from where the voice came, and saw Manukan standing there. He seemed nervous, and his eyes were downcast. Was he here the entire time, or did he just get here? Yami wondered. I didn't see him before.

"S-Since this is my mind… shouldn't I-I duel in the duel?" Manukan asked.

"He's got a point," Bakura said.

"A two-on-one duel hardly seems fair," Yami protested.

"Fine, then it shall be a three-person free-for-all!" Bakura decided as a duel disk appeared on Manukan's arm.

"All right," Yami sighed.

"Let's duel!" Yami and Bakura shouted. Manukan also said it, but he was much quieter than the spirits.

Yami: 4000; Manukan: 4000; Bakura: 4000

"This is really a two-on-one duel; we all know it. And since I'm at a disadvantage because of that, I'll go first (6)!" Yami declared, drawing his opening hand. I need to focus on destroying Bakura first. Once he's gone, Manukan shouldn't be much of a problem. I also need to be especially careful, since it's two-on-one duel. "I set a monster (5). End turn. Manukan will go now."

"I have nothing against that," Bakura said. After all, I will be able to attack on my first turn.

"O-Okay," Manukan stuttered, drawing a card (6). "I summon The Agent of Growth – Ceres (5;0/1450) in defense mode. I set another card (4) and end my turn." A woman in flowing white robes appeared on Manukan's field. She had green skin, eyes, and hair, and was covered in growing green plants.

"Then it's my draw (6)!" Bakura shouted. "And since you two have each had a chance to summon a monster to defend yourself, I can attack with my Death Caliber Knight (5;1900/1800)!" The skeletal knight rushed onto the field on his undead horse, carrying a lance. He immediately rushed at Yami's set monster, which turned out to be an elfish warrior. Death Caliber Knight came closer to the elf, who used his sword to deflect the attack at the last moment.

"I thought you'd summon a strong monster like that," Yami smirked. "That's why I played Obnoxious Celtic Guardian (1400/1200), who cannot be destroyed by strong monsters."

"Very well then. End turn."

"Then I draw (6)!" Yami shouted. "I tribute Obnoxious Celtic Guardian to summon Baffomet (5;1400/1800)!" The elf disappeared, and in its place was a strange winged beast with dark orange fur and intimidating horns.

"Even if your monster required a tribute, it still doesn't stand a chance against my monster," Bakura scoffed. "It can't even defeat Manukan's monster."

"Baffomet may not be strong, but thanks to his effect I can add Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts (1500/1200) to my hand (6)! And when I combine them with Polymerization (4) they become the powerful Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast (2100/1800)!" The demon and the beast king were sucked together into the vortex, and the monster that emerged was a two-headed version of Gazelle that had giant wings. "Chimera, attack Death Caliber Knight with Phantom Slash!"

Chimera raised its right claw and quickly brought it down, creating a gust of wind that obliterated Death Caliber Knight and continued into Bakura.

Yami: 4000; Manukan: 4000; Bakura: 3800

"I set a card (3) and end my turn," Yami said.

"I draw a card (5), and now Ceres creates an Agent Token (500/500)," Manukan explained. Ceres took out a small staff made out of grain, and used it to create a small green-skinned man kneeling in defense. Then a purple-themed angel appeared, manipulating a small ball of fire. "I also summon The Agent of Healing – Vesta (4;0/1600) and end my turn."

I remember that card, Yami thought as Bakura drew a card (6). During Manukan's next turn, he'll gain 2100 lifepoints! I can't let that happen!

"To defend myself, I summon Necro Soldier (5;0/0) in defense mode," Bakura played as the gray-skinned British soldier appeared. "End turn."

A monster with 0 attack and defense? What can it do? Yami wondered as he drew (4), but then found out, for Necro Soldier split into three.

"As you can see, Necro Soldier has summoned the other two from my deck."

"I summon Queen's Knight (3;1500/1600)!" Yami shouted as the pink-clad woman appeared. She drew her sword and let out a battle cry. "Now she'll attack Ceres, and Chimera will attack Vesta!" Yami's monsters destroyed the agents, Queen's Knight with her sword and Chimera with his claw. "End turn." I have one set trap, but it's mostly a bluff… Bakura doesn't have any traps, but he has a full hand and three monsters to defend himself. Manukan has a trap, and I wonder what it is.

Manukan silently drew a card (5). He set his new monster (4), and ended his turn.

Manukan is barely doing anything, Yami continued to analyze. That's not such a bad thing, since if I only concentrate on Bakura for now, it will make it even easier to defeat Manukan afterward.

By now, Bakura had already drawn his card (6). "I set a trap (5), and end my turn."

Now we each have a set trap, Yami realized as he drew a card (4). "Both of my monsters, attack a Necro Soldier!" The two creatures rushed forward, and destroyed two of the soldiers. "End turn."

"Then it's my turn!" Bakura shouted.

"No, now Manukan goes," Yami corrected. It seems Bakura isn't paying much attention to Manukan either.

"It's okay; I pass, anyway," Manukan softly said after he drew (5).

"Good. Then now I can draw (6)," Bakura said. "And I'll tribute my last Necro Swordsman for Dark Ruler Ha Des (2450/1600)!" The fiendish noble rose up onto the field, laughing, and drinking some of his wine. "Now, Dark Ruler Ha Des, attack Chimera! This will also put you in last place."

Dark Ruler Ha Des drank in a large portion of the wine, and spit it on Chimera, melting the beast away. Once it was destroyed, Baffomet appeared in its place, but Dark Ruler Ha Des destroyed it in a similar way.

Yami: 3650; Manukan: 4000; Bakura: 3800

"What happened?!" Yami cried out. "Why was my Baffomet destroyed?"

"Technically, it was never summoned," Bakura explained. "Any monster destroyed by Dark Ruler Ha Des—or any other fiend, for that matter—has its effect negated, meaning you couldn't summon Baffomet or Gazelle with Chimera's effect. End turn."

Yami drew a card (5), and smiled when he saw it. "Bakura, perhaps you should have destroyed Queen's Knight instead, because I just drew King's Knight (4;1600/1400)! Now I can summon Jack's Knight (1900/1000)!" The bearded orange knight jumped onto the field, and the muscular blue knight joined him in a flash of light. All three knights then lifted up their shields, signaling they were in defense mode. "End turn."

Manukan quietly drew a card (6). "I tribute my set monster for The Agent of Defense – Juno (5;0/2300). End turn."

Bakura smiled, drawing a card (6). "I summon Headless Knight (5;1450/1700)! Now Headless Knight attacks King's Knight, and my Dark Ruler will attack Queen's Knight!" The empty suit of armor destroyed the armored man, and the undead noble destroyed the armor woman. "You can go now, Pharaoh."

"Actually, I was hoping you'd spare Jack's Knight," Yami admitted as he drew (5), "Because now I can activate Twinkle Five Star (4)! With its effect I can exchange Jack's Knight for Kuriba (300/200), Kuribe (300/200), Kuribi (300/200), Kuriboh (300/200), and Kuribu (300/200)!" Jack's Knight glowed, and turned into five shining stars. The stars stopped glowing, revealing they were the five Kuriboh brothers.

"An army of puffballs?" Bakura snickered. "I expected better of you, Pharaoh."

"You'll see their power soon enough," Yami vowed. "Manukan, you may make you move now."

"Thanks," Manukan quietly said as he drew a card (6). "I activate Holy Resurrection (5), so by tributing my Agent Token, I can revive Vesta. End turn."

"Then I can draw (6)," Bakura said. "Now then, I'll attack Kuribi with Dark Ruler Ha Des!"

"Then I'll activate Kuribi's ability," Yami countered. Dark Ruler Ha Des tried to spit wine onto Kuribi, but the Kuriboh brothers went into a star formation that repelled the attack.

"If Kuribi can negate attacks, then I suppose attacking with Headless Knight would be useless," Bakura sighed. "I'll just end my turn."

"You've seen Kuribi's effect, and now it's time to see Kuribu's," Yami declared as he drew a card (5). "By discarding Zero Gravity from my hand (4) I can decrease Headless Knight's attack to zero! That makes him the perfect target for Kuribu's attack!" The Kuriboh brothers combined into a large fluffy ball, which rolled over Headless Knight, destroying it, and then rolled into Bakura.

Yami: 3650; Manukan: 4000; Bakura: 3500

"That means you're in last place once again," Yami proudly said. "I end my turn."

Manukan silently drew a card (6) as Vesta used her gentle fire to heal him. "I set a trap (5) and end my turn."

Yami: 3650; Manukan: 5400; Bakura: 3500

"So now I draw a card (7)," Bakura stated. "Manukan, if you set one trap, then I'll set two (5). End turn."

"And that makes it my draw (5)!" Yami shouted. "I activate Lightning Vortex (4), discarding a card (3) to destroy both of Manukan's Agents! I end my turn with that."

"Then I'll activate Destiny Board!" Bakura cackled. A spirit holding a D appeared, and then one holding an E joined it. "I'm sure you both know its effect, so I won't bother explaining it. And remember, since you're both treated as my opponents, a new letter will appear at the end of both of your turns."

Yami growled as Manukan drew (6). Bakura probably planned that all along when he allowed a three-person duel. Now I just have one turn until I lose! Except for… maybe Destiny Board will actually destroy Bakura instead!

"I summon The Agent of Wisdom – Mercury (5;0/1700)," Manukan sadly played. A blue-green man with a golden tablet appeared, shielding himself with his wings. "I end my turn," Manukan said as an A appeared, forming DEA.

"I bet I know what you're thinking, Pharaoh," Bakura smirked as he drew a card (5). "You're thinking that now I've filled up my spell and trap card zone, so I won't be able to win. Well, you're wrong! I activate my set Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying my other set card, freeing up my spell and trap zone! "That's all I need to do, so I'll end my turn."

Yami drew a card (4), and began to formulate a plan when he saw his new card. "I activate Kuriba's effect, tributing my Kuriboh brothers to summon Kuribabylon (1500/1000)! Then I activate Power Boost (3), doubling his attack to 3000! That gives him enough power to destroy Dark Ruler Ha Des!" The five Kuriboh brothers joined together to form a large teal Kuriboh with a black horn. It then almost doubled in size, and used it's horn to destroy Dark Ruler Ha Des.

Yami: 3650; Manukan: 5400; Bakura: 2950

"Now, normally Power Boost would destroy Kuribabylon at the end of my turn," Yami explained, "But I have a way around that. I can tribute Kuribabylon to summon back my Kuriboh brothers!" The large Kuriboh roared, and split back into the five smaller Kuriboh. "I end my turn."

"And that means the message becomes 'DEAT'!" Bakura laughed. "Manukan, immediately end your turn! There's nothing Yami can do to prevent my victory!"

"Actually, there is," Yami defiantly responded. "It's still my turn… just the end phase. That means I can still play this card… Mystical Space Typhoon (2)!"

"NO!" Bakura screamed as his prophecy of doom was blown away by the gust of wind. "No, it doesn't matter," Bakura reassured himself. "I have other ways to win."

"Anyway, Manukan, it's your turn," Yami reminded.

"I'll just pass," Manukan sighed after he drew a card (6).

Bakura drew (6), and then declared, "Pharaoh, I just figured out how to defeat your Kuriboh brothers! And I'll start my card combination by removing Headless Knight, Death Caliber Knight, and Dark Ruler Ha Des from play to summon Dark Necrofear (5;2200/2800)!" The three fiendish spirits floated out of Bakura's graveyard, and merged to form the strange blue-skinned woman.

"I see… you're planning on using Dark Necrofear's effect to take control of one of my Kuriboh brothers," Yami realized. "However, that plan won't work, because there isn't a monster on the field powerful enough to destroy it in battle, and I won't destroy it with my card effect!"

"Actually you will… I'm going to force you!" Bakura cackled. "Get ready for this! First I set two cards in my hand (3). Then I activate Gold Moon Coin (2)!" The two cards in Bakura's disappeared (0), but then reappeared in Yami's hand (4)!

Smashing Ground and The Portrait's Secret (1200/1500), Yami sadly thought. There's not much I can do with these.

"Continuing with Gold Moon Coin's effect, I am now allowed to draw two new cards (2)," Bakura explained. "Next, I activate the Hand Control I just set! This will force you to activate the Smashing Ground I gave you!"

He's right, Yami realized as he slid the spell card into his duel disk (3). Although I don't want to, I have no choice. Now my Kuriboh brothers will be broken up!

"I end my turn, which means Dark Necrofear activates her effect. I think I'll take… your original Kuriboh," Bakura declared. Kuriboh whimpered as it floated over to Bakura… it didn't want to leave its brothers.

"I draw (4)," Yami said with no enthusiasm. "I switch my remaining Kuriboh brothers to defense mode. Then I set a monster (3) and end my turn."

"I draw (7), and play The Agent of Fire – Vulcan (6;1450/0)," Manukan quietly played as a red-skinned flame-winged man appeared. "End turn."

Manukan didn't use Vulcan's effect in his duel against Amanda, but I think I know what is it. Still, I need a card to stop it, Yami thought as Bakura drew a card (3).

"I play a monster known as Necro Mannequin (2;500/500)!" Bakura said as a strange tangled mess of mannequin parts appeared. Bakura quickly glanced at Manukan as Bakura's trap card flipped up, depicting several Necro Mannequin, each a different color. "This trap is known as Necri Cycle, and it allows me to summon a second Necro Mannequin!

"Hmm, your set monster is probably The Portrait's Secret that I gave you," Bakura reasoned, "So I'll just attack three of your Kuriboh brothers!" All three of Bakura's monsters rushed forward—except Kuriboh was much slower and less enthusiastic—and followed Bakura's command, leaving Kuribu all by itself. "I think I've done enough for one turn."

"Actually, Bakura, you were right," Yami smirked as he drew a card (4). "The Portrait's Secret was my set monster, but now I'll summon him and switch Kuribu to attack mode! Now, the monster you gave to me will attack your monster, and my other monster will attack the monster you took from me!" The Portrait's Secret shot its claw through a Necro Mannequin to Bakura while Kuriboh and Kuribi tackled each other head-on, simultaneously destroying each other.

Yami: 3650; Manukan: 5400; Bakura: 2250

"Now then, I activate Pot of Greed (3), which will let me draw two cards (5)," Yami said. "I activate my original copy of Smashing Ground (4), which will destroy Manukan's Mercury." That won't stop Vulcan's effect, but at least the damage will be reduced. "I end my turn."

Manukan drew a card (7), and then Vulcan jumped into the air. He fiercely flapped his wings at Yami, firing several flaming feathers that harmed Yami.

Yami: 3250; Manukan: 5400; Bakura: 2250

"I set a monster (6) and end my turn," Manukan quietly played.

"Then it's my draw (3)!" Bakura yelled. Another Necro Mannequin appeared on the field, but then both combined into a zombie wearing armor wielding a rusted blade. "I activate the effect of Necri Cycle once more, and then tribute both Necro Mannequin for Necro Swordsman (2;2800/2400)! Now, Necro Swordsman, attack The Portrait's Secret with Undead Blade!" Necro Swordsman thrust his sword through The Portrait's Secret, shattering into pixels, and then attacked Yami with one swift strike.

Yami: 1650; Manukan: 5400; Bakura: 2250

"You're in last place," Bakura noted. "And Necro Swordsman now activates his effect. Send the top card of your deck to the graveyard."

Yami picked up the top card of his deck, and his eyes widened. No! Dark Magician (2500/2100)! Yami thought as he unwillingly slid the card into the graveyard. Then again, that might actually help me, Yami realized as he remembered his set card.

"Judging by your facial expression, I'd say I just destroyed one of your better cards," Bakura smirked. "I end my turn… Be careful, Pharaoh. One more strike like that, and you're finished."

"Yes, I know that," Yami sighed as he drew (5). "I activate the spell card Swords of Revealing Light (4)! Now Manukan's set monster is revealed!" The shining swords rained down on Manukan and Bakura's field, showing that Manukan's monster was simply Mystic Shine Ball (500/500). Unfortunately, I'll only be safe for a shorter amount of time, since both Manukan and Bakura are my opponents. "Now then, I summon Beta the Magnet Warrior (1700/1600)! Attack Vulcan!"

The yellow magnet warrior materialized on the field, and instantly rushed at the fiery fairy as one of Manukan's set traps flipped up.

"Angelic Martyr activates. Damage is reduced to zero, and I gain Vulcan's attack as life points," Manukan simply said. Beta punched Vulcan, causing him to explode into a flurry of flaming feathers. The feathers swarmed around Manukan, healing him.

Yami: 1650; Manukan: 6850; Bakura: 2250

"I'll just end my turn then," Yami sighed.

Manukan drew a card (7). "I set a trap (6) to replace Angelic Martyr and end my turn."

That's one turn for Swords of Revealing Light, Yami thought as Bakura drew (3). That means Manukan and Bakura each only have one turn left of no attacking.

"I shall also set a trap card (2) and end my turn," Bakura declared.

Yami drew a card and smirked (4). "I have to do the same as you two and set a trap (3). However, I'll also have Beta the Magnet Warrior attack Mystic Shine Ball to end my turn." Beta ran forward and easily destroyed the glowing sphere.

Manukan drew a card (7) with a small smile. "This time, I'll set a monster (6) to end my turn."

As Bakura drew a card (3) the shining swords faded out of existence, freeing Manukan and Bakura's monsters. "Now that the time for Swords of Revealing Light has expired, I can attack with Necro Swordsman and my new Necro Pot (2;1100/700)! Next I'll at—"

"Not so fast!" Yami shouted as he activated his trap. A coffin rose up from the ground on Yami's field, and Necro Pot and Beta the Magnet Warrior were sucked into the coffin. The coffin then opened up to reveal the Dark Magician! "I activate Dark Magic of the Revival Coffin, tributing both our monsters to destroy the Dark Magician you previously sent to my graveyard!"

"It doesn't matter," Bakura sneered. "Necro Swordsman still has enough power to take down your mage! Attack!"

"That's why I have my other set card, Dedication through Light and Darkness!" Yami countered. White and black light covered Dark Magician, stopping the approaching Necro Swordsman. When the light stopped, Dark Magician of Chaos (2800/2600) was on Yami's field. "When my monster is summoned I can also return Swords of Revealing Light to my hand (4).

"I don't want you to have a strong monster, even if it means giving up my own. Necro Swordsman will still attack!" The warrior and spellcaster battled for a few moments before simultaneously bursting into pixels. "End turn."

Yami drew a card (5), and his eyes widened when he saw it. I… I don't believe it, Yami murmured as he looked over his hand. This is… perfect! "Bakura, it's time to take you out of this duel! And I start with Sting Warrior (4;1150/250)!" A cowboy-ish man appeared on Yami's field, holding a large whip. However, the whip transformed into a large silver sword. "I equip Sting Warrior with Excalibur (3)! This will double his attack to 2300, just enough to beat you! Direct attack!"

Sting Warrior let out a battle cry, and then rushed forward at Bakura. He fiercely slashed the sword at Bakura, knocking Bakura back a few feet. Once Bakura stopped moving backwards he fainted, collapsing onto the floor.

Yami: 1650; Manukan: 6850; Bakura: 0

"Well, Manukan, it looks like it's just you and me," Yami smirked.

However, no sooner than did Yami finish that sentence did a strange blue seal started to form on Bakura's field. It reminded Yami of the Seal of the Orichalcos.

"I'm not out of this duel yet!" Bakura's voice boomed from nowhere. His body began to morph, becoming a large, gruesome, red and black beast.

"B-Bakura… what is that?" Yami wondered as the blue seal faded.

"The blue seal was a trap known as Seal of Soul." Even as Bakura explained this, the beast's mouth did not move. "It can only be activated when I lose all my points, which you helped me accomplished. It transferred my soul into this magnificent creature, Beast of the Seal – Astaroth (3000/0)!! As long as I'm in this form, I cannot lose the duel!"

"Then I'll end my turn with Swords of Revealing Light (2)," Yami sighed. The swords appeared once more, causing Manukan's set The Agent of Creation – Venus (1600/0) to appear.

Manukan silently drew a card (7), averting his gaze from Bakura's new form. "I pass," He softly said, sliding a card into his graveyard (6).

"It's my turn, then!" Bakura laughed. Two large holographic cards appeared in front of Bakura, and then another card appeared (3). The middle card flipped around, revealing a spell card. "I use Tiny Tornado (2)! This will return Swords of Revealing Light to your hand (3), meaning I can now attack Sting Warrior!"

Laughing, Bakura ran forward and easily destroyed Sting Warrior, who was suddenly covered in a strange armor. Bakura then tried to attack Yami with his claw, but Yami was able to dodge the assault.

Yami: 950; Manukan: 6850; Bakura: 0

"Wh-What happened?!" Yami shouted. "Why didn't my Sakuretsu Armor work?"

"Simple," Bakura explained. "In this form, I can't be destroyed by targeting effects, such as your trap. Anyway, I'll set one of the cards in my hand (1) and end my turn."

"I'll defeat you, no matter what form you take," Yami vowed as he drew a card (4). "I summon Skilled Dark Magician (3;1900/1700)! Attack Venus!" A man in dark robes appeared, and fired a blast of dark energy at the golden-robed angel. However, a vortex appeared and absorbed the attack.

"I chained Negate Attack," Manukan quickly explained.

"Then I'll end my turn by playing Swords of Revealing Light (2) again! Skilled Dark Magician gains a spell counter, too!"

Manukan drew a card (7), and suddenly he began to seem more alert. He looked over his hand and the field for a few moments before beginning his turn. "I begin with Descent of the Pure (6)… by paying 100 lifepoints I can summon The Agent of Force – Mars (5;0/0)."

I remember that card! Yami thought as the red angel appeared on Manukan's field in a flash of light. Mars' effect could be deadly at this point in the duel. Good thing I have my face-down… "Skilled Dark Magician gains a second Spell Counter!"

Yami: 950; Manukan: 6750; Bakura: 0

"I'll give him a third Spell Counter with my field spell The Sanctuary in the Sky (4)." Skilled Dark Magician's orb turned pure white as the darkness of Bakura's mind transformed into an ancient palace floating on the clouds.

"Wait, shouldn't Mars' attack increase?" Yami asked, since Mars' attack remained at zero. "After all, isn't it part of his effect?"

"Yes, it is," Manukan explained. "However, since I have two opponent's, his attack won't be revealed until I select my attack target."

"You can't seriously be thinking of attack me!" Bakura laughed.

"Next, I tribute The Agent of Creation – Venus, to summon The Agent of Purity – Pudicita (3;0/0)," Manukan continued, ignoring Bakura's comment. Venus disappeared, and in her place was a woman made entirely of pure white light. As she came on the field, Yami and Bakura's set traps also began to glow white.

"What's going on?!" Yami demanded.

"The turn Pudicita is summoned, no spell or trap cards can be activated," Manukan quickly explained. "Now…. If I were to attack Skilled Dark Magician, I'd deal 3900 damage to Yami, more than enough. However, if I were to attack Bakura, Mars' attack would become 6750, more than enough to destroy Beast of the Seal – Astaroth…."

He could defeat either one of us! Yami worriedly thought. He barely did anything during the duel, but while me and Bakura fought each other, he was preparing for this! "Manukan, you can't attack me! You must defeat Bakura!"

"Don't even think about attacking me," Bakura confidently chuckled. "You know why you can't."

"Manukan, you know why you must!" Yami objected.

"I… I…"

"…Manukan!" Yami shouted.

"Manukan…," Bakura chuckled.

Manukan couldn't hear anything Yami or Bakura said… he could hear them talking, but he couldn't comprehend their words, except for his name. They were trying convince him, but whom he attacked was his choice, and his alone.

He silently groaned… he wasn't good at making decisions. He was never good at anything….

"I… I…. I attack… you," Manukan declared, pointing attack the spirit he had chosen. Mars took his staff and used it to destroy his victim's monster before the spirit could utter a single word.

"Manukan, I think you know what you need to do now," The remaining spirit said.

"Yes," Manukan sighed. He placed his hand over his deck, signaling his surrender.


"B-Bakura? Are you okay?" Chris asked. It had only been a few moments since Bakura began to act strange, and then he suddenly returned to normal.

Bakura grinned maliciously, causing Chris to take a step back in surprise.

"I just defeated the Pharaoh," Bakura declared, "And now it's time to defeat you! Duel, now!" Bakura ordered his duel disk.

Chris didn't say a word. He was too surprised by Bakura's duel challenge.

"Well? Will you duel or not?"

"I'll duel," Chris sighed as his duel disk unfolded.

"Now then… I surrender," Bakura said, placing his hand over his deck.

"WHAT?!" Chris screamed.

"The Millennium Puzzle can only be won in a duel, remember?" Bakura asked in a strangely kind tone.

"Yami..?" Chris asked after a moment.

"That is correct," Yami smiled as both duelists' duel disks turned off. He walked up to Chris and gave him Millennium Puzzle.

'It's good to have you back,' Chris said. 'Even if you were only gone for a moment.'

A moment? Time must have gone faster in Bakura's mind, Yami reasoned. 'And it's good to be back. I had to defeat Bakura in a duel in his mind. Although Manukan did help me. In fact, he dealt the finishing blow.'

'Really?'

'Yes. I think we may find an ally in him soon,' Yami predicted.

'So what happens now? Are we going to have to duel Bakura again?' Chris asked, looking at Bakura, who was regaining consciousness.

'No, I don't think so. That duel took a lot of energy from me, and I'm sure it did the same to Bakura.'

"Well, this was entirely uneventful," Bakura remarked. "I'll just have to try harder next time," He chuckled as he disappeared into the shadows.

'I'm… sorry,' Manukan quietly apologized from the recesses of his mind.

'Yes,' Bakura angrily stated. 'You will be.'


Aw, Manukan is nice and kura-cha is evil. I hope the ending wasn't too confusing.. didn't wanna say manukan killed kura-cha right there.

And now that you're done, RER!!


Card of the Day

Beast of the Seal - Astaroth (DARK)
Fiend/Effect
Level 10
ATK 3000/DEF 0
This card cannot be normal summoned or set. This card cannot be special summoned except by the effect of "Seal of Souls". Your lifepoints cannot increase, and you cannot lose the duel as long you control this card. Control of this card cannot switch. This card cannot be destroyed by targeting effects. This card can attack each monster your opponent controls once during your first battle phase after summoning this card.


Original Cards

The Agent of Growth – Ceres; level 4; Fairy/Effect/EARTH; 0/1450; During each of your standby phases, summon an "Agent Token" (Fairy-Type/EARTH/Level 2/ATK 500/DEF 500). "Agent Tokens" cannot be tributed for a Tribute Summon. Whenever an "Agent Token" is destroyed, gain 500 lifepoints.

Death Caliber Knight; level 4; Fiend/DARK; 1900/1800

The Agent of Healing – Vesta; level 4; Fairy/Effect/LIGHT; 0/1600; When this card is summoned successfully, it is switched into defense mode. During each of your standby phases, increase your lifepoints by 700 for each face-up "Agent" monster on your side of the field.

Necro Soldier; level 4; Zombie/Effect/DARK; 0/0; During your opponent's standby phase, special summon 1 "Necro Soldier" from your deck.

Twinkle Five Star; Spell; Tribute 1 level 5 monster on your side of the field. Special summon 1 "Kuriba," Kuribe," Kuribi," "Kuriboh", and "Kuribu" from your hand or deck to your side of the field.

Kuriba; level 1; Fiend/Effect/DARK; 300/200; Tribute 1 "Kuriba", "Kuribe," "Kuribi," "Kuriboh," and "Kuribu" on your side of the field to special summon 1 "Kuribabylon" from your hand or deck. This card cannot be tributed to summon a monster, except to summon "Kuribabylon".

Kuribe; level 1; Fiend/Effect/DARK; 300/200; Remove 1 "Kuriba," "Kuribe," "Kuribi," "Kuriboh," and "Kuribu" on your side of the field from play to special summon one "Kuribandit" from your hand or deck. This card cannot be tributed to summon a monster, except to summon "Kuribabylon".

Kuribi; level 1; Fiend/Effect/DARK; 300/200; If "Kuriba," "Kuribe," "Kuribi," "Kuriboh," and "Kuribu" are on your side of the field and your opponent attacks one of them, you can reduce the ATK of the attacking monster to 0 and negate the attack. This card cannot be tributed to summon a monster, except to summon "Kuribabylon".

Kuribu; level 1; Fiend/Effect/DARK; 300/200; During your Main Phase you may discard a trap card from your hand to decrease one of you're the ATK of one of your opponent's monsters by 1500. This card cannot be tributed to summon a monster, except to summon "Kuribabylon".

Holy Resurrection; Spell; Tribute an "Agent" monster. Special summon an "Agent" monster from your graveyard.

Kuribabylon; level 5; Fiend/Effect/DARK; ?/1000; This card cannot be normal summoned or set. This card can only be special summoned by the effect of "Kuriba." This card's original ATK is equal to the combined ATK of the monsters tributed to summon this card. You may tribute this card to special summon 1 "Kuriba," "Kuribe," "Kuribi," "Kuriboh," and "Kuribu". You may also do that when this card's attack is negated.

Power Boost; Spell; Double the ATK of a monster you control. The selected monster cannot attack your opponent's lifepoints directly this turn, and is destroyed during the end of this turn.

Gold Moon Coin; Spell; Place all cards in your hand into your opponent's hand. Then draw a number of cards equal to the number of cards you gave to your opponent.

Hand Control; Spell; Declare the name of a spell card. If a copy of that spell card is in your opponent's hand, he/she must activate it immediately.

The Agent of Fire – Vulcan; level 4; Fairy/Effect/FIRE; 1450/0; During each of your standby phases, inflict 400 points of damage to your opponent's lifepoints for each face-up "Agent" monster on the field.

Necro Mannequin; level 3; Zombie/DARK; 500/500

Necri Cycle; Continuous Trap; Once per turn, if you control a "Necro Mannequin", special summon a "Necro Mannequin" from your hand or deck.

Necro Swordsman; level 8; Zombie/Effect/DARK; 2800/2400; Whenever this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent, your opponent sends the top card of his/her deck to the graveyard.

Angelic Martyr; Trap; Activate only when a fairy-type monster is destroyed in battle. Reduce the battle damage to 0, and gain lifepoints equal to the destroyed monster's ATK.

Necro Pot; level 3; Zombie/Effect/DARK; 1100/700; When you take battle damage to your lifepoints involving this card, send a number of cards from the top of your opponent's equal to the damage you took divided by 300 (rounded down).

Dark Magic of the Revival Coffin; Trap; You can only activate this card when your opponent summons a monster and you control at least 1 face-up monster on your field. Tribute the monster your opponent summoned and one of your monsters to special summon a "Dark Magician" from your graveyard from your hand, deck, or graveyard.

Sting Warrior; level 4; Warrior/Effect/EARTH; 1150/250; When this card declares an attack, you may discard a card to change the attack to a direct attack.

Excalibur; Equip Spell; Double the equipped monster's ATK. If you draw a card, destroy this card. You may skip your Draw Phase.

Seal of Souls; Trap; Activate only when your lifepoints are at 0 and you would lose the duel. Special summon a "Beast of the Seal – Astaroth" from your hand or deck.

Beast of the Seal – Astaroth; level 10; Fiend/Effect/DARK; 3000/0; This card cannot be normal summoned or set. This card cannot be special summoned except by the effect of "Seal of Souls". Your lifepoints cannot increase, and you cannot lose the duel as long you control this card. Control of this card cannot switch. This card cannot be destroyed by targeting effects. This card can attack each monster your opponent controls once during your first battle phase after summoning this card.

Descent of the Pure; Spell; Pay 100 lifepoints. Special summon one level 3 or lower LIGHT Fairy-Type monster from your hand to your side of the field.

The Agent of Purity – Pudicita; level 5; Fairy/Effect/LIGHT; 0/0; This card cannot be special summoned. No spell or trap cards can be activated during the turn this card is summoned.


Next Time: Trial of the Princesses