"Anyway, Dark Magician of Chaos will attack the last Sheep Token with Chaos Burst."

"I'm sorry, but you can't do that," Bakura chuckled, closing his eyes.

"And why not?" Yami demanded.

"Because," Bakura laughed, and then forcefully opened his eyes. "You've just lost the duel!!"

"What?!" Yami gasped.

"There are three copies of a monster named Oujia Spirit (1000/1000) in my deck," Bakura explained. "And since you just removed them from play, their effects activate, finishing the effect of Destiny Board!"

"N-No!" Yami screamed as three more spirits appeared, forming "DEATH". 'No… I promised myself I wouldn't let that happen,' He sadly thought as he fell to his knees. The five spirits surrounded him and covered Yami in dark energy.

Bakura: 50; Yami: 0

"You put up a good fight this year, but it looks like this time you just couldn't cut it," Bakura laughed. "I win! I shall finally plunge the world into shadows!" Bakura bent down and picked up the Millennium Rod as the Shadow Game disappeared.

"Now it's time for your punishment," Bakura chuckled, tightly gripping the Millennium Rod. He began to walk to Yami, but about halfway there the bottom of the Millennium Rod came off! That revealed a knife underneath. Bakura froze for a moment, but then grinned again. "The Millennium Rod keeps on getting more and more interesting. Looks like I'll have fun with your body, and not just your soul," Bakura maliciously said as he advanced upon Yami, who was still motionlessly slumped on the floor…


Hello everyone!! I have some bad news, but first...

Katoma: Dun worry, that will be explained xD

Crazy Little Devil: Will Yami die? o.O I guess you'll find out now...

Ninja Wolf 25: (Gets out body-slam-shield) Okay, I'm ready :-D

redgirl90: Yes, another cliffie xD And yes, it'll be a good plot, dun worry

Now for bad news... The Update Gaps will be starting soon :S I don't know how long it's going to take to update each chapter, or when exactly they'll start, but they're going to start soon. I'm really sorry about this, everyone... but at least I was able to not have an update gap for 39 chapters, right? xD

Anyway, RER for now!!


Chapter 39: Scapegoat

"THAT LYING BACK-STABBER!" Takashi screamed at the top of the lungs. "That no good, little, two-timing…. How dare he betray me!"

Takashi was racing through the halls of his dorm. He had to get to the Dueling Arena Complex as fast as possible. Since he was keeping track of Chris' duels, Takashi quickly discovered that Bakura was dueling Chris. As Takashi drew closer to the Dueling Arena Complex, he remembered the deal he and Bakura made.


Takashi was walking down his hallway, scowling. He was in a bad mood since he had been thinking about how Chris defeated him… again. There wasn't a single day that passed where he didn't remember that duel.

"Takashi!" A voice called out as Takashi was about to enter his dorm.

"What?" Takashi moaned as he turned to see who had called his name. It was a Ra Yellow with shaggy white hair and dark, cunning eyes. He was wearing a first-year uniform, but he seemed much older than fifteen.

"In the beginning of this year, Christopher Gold defeated you in a duel, did he not?" The boy asked.

Takashi hated talking about the subject. Although he constantly brooded over it, he hated admitting to others that he had actually lost to a first-year Ra reject. Without saying anything, Takashi silently opened the door to his dorm and began to enter.

"Wait," The boy demanded. He stuck his right arm out, blocking Takashi. "Hold on. Would you be interested in… revenge?"

After a moment of thinking it over, Takashi. turned to the boy. Both were grinning maliciously.


"So, Bakura, you also want to crush Chris?" Takashi asked the boy who introduced himself as Bakura. They were talking in Takashi's dorm. "Why do you want to do that?"

"I have my reasons," Bakura chuckled.

"Fine, as long as Chris is defeated," Takashi sighed. "So what can I do?"

"Considering you're a Kaiba, I'm assuming that you know about the school's computer system," Bakura answered. "I want you to help me set up duels for Chris and his friends against the perfect opponents to crush them."

"That sounds interesting," Takashi said slowly, thinking over Bakura's offer. "What exactly would that do? I want to completely crush Chris, but I don't think just beating him in a duel will do it."

"Believe me, it will," Bakura replied. "I also plan to take his Millennium Puzzle. That—"

"His what?" Takashi asked.

"I almost forget, he didn't have it when he dueled you," Bakura remembered. "It is very precious to him. Taking it will definitely crush him. So, will you help me?" Bakura extended his right hand to Takashi.

Takashi looked at Bakura's hand, and then at Bakura's face. "I will, but with one condition."

"And what is that?"

"I want to be the one to defeat Chris," Takashi stated.

"Hmm," Bakura mumbled, thinking. "It is difficult to make plans to really defeat him. He is a good duelist. If every other attempt fails, which is entirely possible, I guess I can let you have the final duel against Chris that will crush him with no doubt."

"All right then. You've got yourself a deal," Takashi grinned, taking Bakura's hand.


Takashi finally reached the door to Duel Arena 4. He furiously opened the door, and saw Chris and Bakura on one side of the arena. He assumed Chris had lost, since he was kneeling on the floor, and seemed barely conscious. Takashi then studied Bakura, and his eyes widened. Bakura was holding an ornate, golden knife.

Forgetting that was exactly what he sometimes wished would happen to Chris, Takashi swiftly and silently ran forward. Bakura brought his hand back to strike Chris with the knife, but at that very moment Takashi stepped in front of Bakura. Before Bakura had a chance to react, Takashi grabbed Bakura's right wrist, preventing him from attacking.

"No one betrays a Kaiba," Takashi hissed. "Especially not me."

"Unless my memory betrays me, there was a group of five men who betrayed Seto Kaiba several times," Bakura calmly said. He then twisted his arm out of Takashi's grip, and tried to attack Takashi. Before Bakura could complete his attack, Takashi reached out and tried to grab Bakura's hand.

After a few moments of Bakura and Takashi trying to rip the Millennium Rod from the other's hand, the Millennium Rod was released from both grips, and the Rod went flying across the room.

Takashi immediately began to sprint towards the golden artifact. Bakura raised his right hand, and four black ropes came out of the wall closest to Takashi. They tied up his wrists and ankles, and then pulled him against the wall.

Bakura slowly walked to the Millennium Rod, maliciously smirking at Takashi while Takashi glared at Bakura. Bakura nonchalantly picked up the Millennium Rod. However, as he raised it from the ground, another hand appeared on the Millennium Rod.

Bakura followed the arm to the body, to discover that the Seto Kaiba from Ancient Egypt was stranding right in front of him!

"Get your paws off my Millennium Rod," Seto growled.

Bakura took a step back in surprise, and released the Millennium Rod. The Rod made a loud clang as it hit the floor.

"An illusion," Bakura murmured. "I should have known." Bakura bent down to take the Rod once again, but Takashi ran by and took the Rod before Bakura. Takashi ran to the other end of the arena by Chris, and turned around to face Bakura.

"I have no idea what you did, but when you dropped this thing," Takashi gestured to Millennium Rod, "Those ropes disappeared."

"Why do you want the Millennium Rod?" Bakura asked. "I thought we were on the same side."

"You betrayed me. I don't think that means we're allies," Takashi snorted. "You said I could be the one to crush Chris."

"Oh, yes!" Bakura remembered. "I never really intended to keep that promise, anyway. Now then, you can't use the Millennium Rod's magic; it's useless to you. If you give it back now, I may give you something back in return."

"Magic? You honestly want me to believe that this thing is magic?" Takashi scoffed.

He really is Seto's descendant. "Of course. There's magic everywhere in the world. There's not as much magic left as say, 5000 or 10000 years ago, but there's magic nonetheless. I just constrained you with magic, and look at Chris. Do you really think an ordinary duel could do that?"

Takashi looked at Chris again, and saw that now he was completely out cold.

"Give me back my Millennium Rod," Bakura commanded.

"No!" Takashi shouted.

"Fine, be that way," Bakura sighed. Suddenly, a dark fog began to appear in the arena. It quickly covered everything, leaving only Bakura and Takashi behind.

"What… is this?" Takashi wondered aloud.

"This is the Shadow Realm. Physical violence like earlier is of no use here. Neither of us will leave until you give me the Millennium Rod. Either that, or," Bakura activated his duel disk, "You defeat me in a duel."

"I never turn down a challenge," Takashi declared as he activated his duel disk.

"Well, this certainly will be a challenge for you," Bakura reasoned. "Chris beat you in a duel, and I beat Chris. Wouldn't that mean I should be able to beat you? After all, how good can you be if you didn't win even when you had your Yata-Garasu lock?"

"Those duels didn't count!" Takashi screamed. "I've completely remade my deck! No one can stand up to me now!"

"We'll see," Bakura confidently chuckled.

"Let's duel!" They shouted.

Bakura: 4000; Takashi: 4000

"I'll start," Bakura declared, drawing a card (6). After looking over his hand for a moment, a strange gray-skinned warrior appeared, kneeling in defense. "Although I believe I over-use this opening move a bit, it is still very effective. Necro Soldier (5;0/0) in defense mode. That's all I need to do to defeat you; end turn."

"One monster with no attack or defense? That's how you expect to defeat me?! How dare you insult me!" Takashi roared as he ripped off a card from his deck (6).

"Just one monster? You might want to get your eyes examined," Bakura said. Takashi looked up, and discovered that there were now three Necro Soldiers on Bakura's field! "Necro Soldier allows me to summon the other two from my deck at the start of your turn."

"Whether you have one weakling, or one million, I'll still beat you!" Takashi declared. "Lord of Dragons (5;1200/1100) in attack mode!" A man in dragon-like armor appeared on Takashi's field. A flute that looked like a dragon then appeared in his hands. He blew into it, and then two large dragons materialized next to him, one sapphire and the other emerald.

"Since I have Lord of D, I can use Flute of Summoning Dragon (4)," Takashi explained. "Thanks to that, I was able to summon Luster Dragon (3;1900/1600) and Luster Dragon #2 (2;2400/1400)!"

"Impressive," Bakura remarked. "Especially for your first turn. Now you'll be able to destroy my three monsters."

"I'm going to destroy all of your monsters, and take out some of your lifepoints! Now, I may not have the Blue-Eyes White Dragon any more, but we Kaibas have something just as good! By tributing Luster Dragon and Luster Dragon #2 I can bring out the Blue-Eyes White Crystal Dragon (1;3000/2500)!!" Takashi screamed as his two dragons disappeared, and a new one appeared in their place. This dragon was identical to the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, except for its scales. The scales were such a magnificent shade of white that they appeared to almost be translucent.

"A powerful monster, but power is not everything in this game," Bakura shrugged. "Since you only have two monsters, you won't be able to defeat my three."

"Like you said, power isn't everything. That's why I have my spell card! Since the Blue-Eyes White Crystal Dragon is treated as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon while it's on my field, I can activate Burst Stream of Destruction (0) to destroy your three monsters by forfeiting my dragon's attack!" Takashi explained as his dragon charged up a large ball of energy in its mouth. It then released the energy ball, destroying all of Bakura's cards.

"Now, even though my Blue-Eyes White Crystal Dragon can't attack, that rule does not apply to Lord of D! Direct attack!" Lord of D pulled a dagger from his cloak and ran forward. He stopped in front of Bakura and attacked Bakura in the exact same way Bakura tried to attack Chris.

Bakura: 2800; Takashi: 4000

"One direct attack from my dragon, and you're finished," Takashi stated. "End turn. Remember: you can't target my dragon with effects, due to Lord of D's effect," Takashi reminded Bakura as Bakura drew a card (6). "I have a powerful un-targettable monster. Maybe you should give up now."

"As I just told you, power isn't everything," Bakura hissed. "While your dragon may be powerful, I can easily destroy your Lord of D, and then your dragon will be susceptible to effects. Watch and learn! I summon Headless Knight (5;1450/1700) and attack." An empty suit of armor appeared, and cleaved through the draconic man.

Bakura's monster then jumped forward again. He swung his blade, and ripped the front of Takashi's blazer.

"My shirt ripped!" Takashi exclaimed. "How is that possible?!"

Bakura: 2800; Takashi: 3750

"It's because of this Shadow Game," Bakura explained, gesturing to all the fog surrounding the duelists. "Now then, back to the duel, you are not going to win. You focus too much on power…. Your ancestor, Seto Kaiba, also focused on power, but he also knew how to combine it with effects to completely devastate his opponent."

"What do you mean?" Takashi asked. "Why do you know about Seto Kaiba's strategies so much?"

"If you must know, in reality I am a ten-thousand year-old spirit," Bakura answered. "When Seto Kaiba was still alive I personally knew him."

"Yeah right," Takashi scoffed. "Why should I believe you?"

"I thought you didn't believe in magic earlier, and I've proven magic to you, haven't I?" Bakura asked. "Besides, I'm just telling you the truth. It's entirely your choice if you want to believe me or not."

"Fine, whatever. Let's just get on with the duel and your defeat!"

"Very well," Bakura said. "Now I'm going to show you how bad your first turn really was. I activate the spell card Soul Taker (4). Although you will gain 1000 points, you will lose your precious dragon. Now, see what happened? Although you had a strong monster, you had no hand and no way to protect it. And while I had no field, I had a full hand, and was easily able to destroy your cards."

A large hand reached out of the ground, and squeezed Takashi's dragon. The dragon burst into pixels, which flew into Takashi and healed him.

Bakura: 2800; Takashi: 4750

"Enjoy that lifepoint boost while it lasts, because it won't last long," Bakura smirked. "One card face-down (3), and then I end my turn."

Bakura's good, Takashi thought as he angrily drew a card (1). "I will have a hand soon! I activate Treasure of Slashing Life (0), so now I draw five cards (5) and discard my hand in five turns!"

Well, he certainly has Seto Kaiba's powerful draw, Bakura thought as Takashi looked over his new hand.

"I summon Dragon Warrior (4;1500/1000)!" Takashi shouted as a man who seemed to be half-dragon appeared. Then a dragon who was covered in metallic black scales appeared almost immediately next to Takashi's monster. "Since I had Dragon Warrior, I was able to use Contract with Dragon (3) to bring out my Rare Metal Dragon (2400/1000)."

"Do you do anything besides swarm your dragons?" Bakura moaned. "It won't get you very far."

"We'll see. Dragon Warrior, attack Headless Knight!" The warrior jumped forward and got rid of Bakura's monster, and a few of Bakura's lifepoints.

Bakura: 2750; Takashi: 4750

"Now, Rare Metal Dragon, direct attack!" The dragon ran forward, and then tried to slash at Bakura with its claw. However, an invisible barrier stopped Rare Metal Dragon's claw a few inches from Bakura.

"It seems you fell for my trap," Bakura chuckled. "It was Ghost Shield, and all I had to do was remove a Necro Soldier from play to stop your attack."

"Fine, I'll just set these two cards (1) to end my turn," Takashi sighed.

"Then it's my draw (4)!" Bakura shouted. A grinning green pot appeared on his field. "I use Pot of Greed (3), which, as you should know, lets me draw two cards (5). Anyway, I bring out Death Caliber Knight (4;1900/1800)! Attack Dragon Warrior!" The skeletal man rode onto the field, and then continued charging into Dragon Warrior and then Takashi. A small dot of blood appeared in the place where Takashi was stabbed.

Bakura: 2750; Takashi: 4350

"I'll set these two other cards face-down (2), and end my turn," Bakura said.

"Before you end your turn, I use one of my set cards, Dust Tornado," Takashi played as a small tornado appeared and blew away Bakura's continuous trap. "With its effect I was able to destroy your Ghost Shield, and now I draw (2). Anyway, Rare Metal Dragon, attack Death Caliber Knight!"

The dragon attacked the zombie, who shattered into pixels. Takashi was a little surprised, since he expected Bakura to activate at least one of his traps when Takashi attacked. Instead, Bakura activated them when the attack was completed.

Bakura: 2250; Takashi: 4350

"I use my two traps, Revival Tablet and Mirror Tablet!" Bakura laughed as Death Caliber Knight reappeared. "Now, watch as my devastating effects activate!"

"Not so fast!" Takashi shouted as Rare Metal Dragon roared, causing Death Caliber Knight to shatter again. "My other trap card is Dragon Gust, so by just paying a few points I can negate your trap!"

Bakura: 2250; Takashi: 4250

"Now that I've foiled your plan, I'll end my turn," Takashi beamed.

"I'll admit, you did take me by surprise there, but I'm not going to let you do anything like that again," Bakura growled as he drew (3). "I activate Trap Booster (2), so by discarding a card (1) I can activate Destiny Board (0) from my hand! And since I discarded Compensation of Reparation, I'm allowed to draw an extra card (1)!"

A spirit holding a "D" appeared as Bakura took another card from his deck. When he saw it, he began laughing again. "By removing the remaining Necro Soldiers, Death Caliber Knight, and Headless Knight from play, I can bring out D.E.A.T.H. – Death (0;2900+200/2450)! As long as I have Death, Destiny Board can't be destroyed by card effects! Now attack Rare Metal Dragon!"

Bakura's monster rushed forward and quickly blasted through Rare Metal Dragon, and then into Takashi.

Bakura: 2250; Takashi: 3550

"I end my turn," Bakura said. "Let's see if your new deck can stand up to some of the most powerful cards in my deck."

Takashi didn't respond, but just drew a card (3). "One monster face-down (2). End turn." Bakura laughed as another spirit appeared, this one holding an "E".

"Two letters down, three to go," He declared as he drew a card (1). "Death, attack Takashi's set monster!" Takashi's red and white dragon was quickly destroyed, but then another one quickly took its place.

"You destroyed Masked Dragon (1400/1100)," Takashi quickly explained. "When he's destroyed, I can summon out another one."

"Then I'll just end my turn."

Again Takashi silently drew his card (3). "One spell or trap face-down. End turn."

"Still think you can win with your next deck?" Bakura taunted as "DEA" formed and he drew (2). Death now had 3500 attack points.

I know I can get out of this situation, Takashi thought. I just need the right cards.

"Death, attack Takashi's Masked Dragon!" Death attacked the Masked Dragon again, and again another was summoned. "That's your last Masked Dragon, which means that next turn you'll need to summon out another monster," Bakura declared. "End turn."

Next turn I need to discard my hand for Treasure of Slashing Life, Takashi realized as he drew a card (3). "I set two more traps (1), and end my turn." Two more vertical card backings materialized as the penultimate letter of Bakura's message appeared.

"One more turn," Bakura chuckled as he drew (3). "Then your destiny of death will be fulfilled. Now, Death, destroy his final Masked Dragon!" For the third and final time, Takashi's red and white dragon was destroyed. The dragon that appeared this time was a small, black, horned dragon.

"Since there are no more Masked Dragons in my deck, I decided to summon Wish Dragon (700/100)," Takashi declared.

"Hm, it doesn't have very much attack or defense power," Bakura observed. "Let's see what you are planning. Of course, you can't plan much, since you are about to lose your hand from Treasure of Slashing Life."

"Not exactly," Takashi smirked as he drew a card (2), and then discarded his hand (0). "I activate my trap, Holy Repentance! Thanks to its effect, not only am I allowed to draw cards to replace the cards I lost (2), but I'm allowed to draw an extra one as well (3)! Now I activate Wish Dragon's effect, sending it to the graveyard to summon two Wish Tokens (700/100)!"

Takashi's small dragon roared, and then split into pixels. The pixels then reformed into two small stars, which in turn merged to form a large orange dragon. Its wings were enormous; each was at least as long as the dragon's body.

"By tributing the Wish Tokens, I can bring out Giant-Winged Dragon (2;2500/1000)!" Takashi shouted.

"A much more impressive monster," Bakura noted, "But still not enough to stand up to Death, who has 3700 attack points."

"You don't know what I'm planning to do," Takashi stated. "I activate my second trap, Burst Breath! By sending Giant-Winged Dragon to the graveyard, I can destroy your monster because it only has 2450 defense!"

Bakura laughed as both monsters on the field burst into pixels. "What's so funny?" Takashi asked. "One of your most powerful monsters is gone; Destiny Board is now prone to card effects."

"It is just that this is the second time that Death has been destroyed due to his defense power," Bakura explained. "Now, are you going to continue with your move?"

"Of course!" Takashi shouted. "I activate my last trap, Immortal Dragon! So by removing Wish Dragon from play I can bring back Giant-Winged Dragon!"

"I have no monsters and only 2250 points left," Bakura realized as the dragon appeared again, roaring at Bakura. "Are you planning to defeat me with a direct attack?"

"No, Giant-Winged Dragon can't attack this turn," Takashi sighed. "However, I can prevent Destiny Board from being completed with A Wingbeat of Giant Dragon (1)! By returning Giant-Winged Dragon to my hand (2), Destiny Board and all of your Spirit Messages are destroyed!" Takashi's dragon flapped its wings, creating a giant gust of wind that destroyed all of Bakura's cards.

"Interesting move, Takashi. I'll admit, I did not see that coming," Bakura said. "However, that does not mean you'll win. I have several other tricks up my sleeve."

"I just end my turn," Takashi finished.

"I draw (4)," Bakura said. "I activate Graceful Charity (3)! I am allowed draw three cards (6), and discard two (4). Next, I summon The Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams (3;1300/1800)!" Bakura's gruesome monster appeared. It was a ghost with long lavender hair, and brown decaying skin. "Since you don't have any cards on your field, I will attack your directly!"

Bakura's spirit flew forward, going right through Takashi, further tearing his clothes.

Bakura: 2250; Takashi: 2250

"Look, now our points are equal," Bakura noticed. "And at such an odd number. How peculiar."

"Just finish your move!" Takashi snapped.

"Very well," Bakura sighed. "You may go."

"I draw (3), and then summon Giant-Winged Dragon (2;2500/1000)!" Takashi shouted as his dragon appeared for the third time.

"What?! Your dragon requires two tributes!" Bakura objected.

"Actually, if he is returned to my hand from the field, I can summon him without a tribute. Not only that, but now I'm also able to draw a card (3)!" Takashi explained, smirking. When he saw his new card, he immediately set it in his duel disk (2). "Now, Giant-Winged Dragon, attack Bakura's monster!"

Giant-Winged Dragon flapped his wings once more, sending a burst of super-fast wind at The Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams. The wind went through the ghost into Bakura, and knocked him to the ground.

Bakura: 1050; Takashi: 2250

"So much for our points being equal!" Takashi laughed. "Now, I end my turn. Let's see how you do against my powerful dragon with no cards on your field."

"After all this, you still don't get it," Bakura sadly sighed as he drew (4). "Power isn't everything, especially when I have Smashing Ground in my hand (3)! Now I remove The Gross Ghost of Fled Dreams, Dark Ruler Ha Des (2450/1600), and The Earl of Demise (2000/700) from play to summon Dark Necrofear (2;2200/2800)!

"In case you were wondering, I discarded Dark Ruler Ha Des and The Earl of Demise for Graceful Charity," Bakura explained as his blue-skinned fiend appeared, hugging her broken doll. "Now, Dark Necrofear, direct attack!" Black flames erupted all around Takashi, even though Dark Necrofear remained motionless. Although Takashi's clothes were only slight singed, he felt more like his soul was on fire rather than his body.

Bakura: 1050; Takashi: 50

"You're very close to losing," Bakura chuckled. With Dark Necrofear, there's no way I can lose in this situation. "I end my turn with a set card (1)."

"Well, close doesn't cut it! I'm still in this duel!" Takashi shouted as he drew a card (3). "First, I use Pot of Greed (2) to draw two cards (4). Now, let's see how you like this: I use my own Smashing Ground (3) to destroy your Dark Necrofear!"

Bakura laughed as his monster shattered into pixels. As the pixels blew farther apart, they seemed to grow bigger, and some turned red. They merged together into a new sphere that surrounded Takashi and Bakura. The dome had many slits in it, all of which opened to revealed an eye or a mouth with razor-sharp teeth, and even some eyes in mouths.

"By destroying Dark Necrofear, you've unleashed my field spell: Dark Sanctuary (0)!" Bakura screamed, laughing maniacally.

"I don't care if you have a field spell!" Takashi shouted. "I'm going to beat you this turn. I summon Spirit Ryu (2;1000/1000)!" A long blue dragon with yellow wings appeared. It's body seemed to be made out of a strange blue goo.

"Your dragon is a few points short," Bakura noted.

"Not exactly," Takashi chuckled. "You see, by discarding a dragon from my hand (1), I can power up Spirit Ryu!" Takashi laughed as Spirit Ryu's gelatinous body doubled in size, and Spirit Ryu's attack increased to 2000. "Attack!"

"You just fell for the effect of Dark Sanctuary! Now you'll lose 1000 points!" Bakura declared. A white spirit came out of Spirit Ryu, and flew straight for Takashi. However, the spirit morphed from a humanoid shape to a draconic shape. It then changed its course at the last moment, bending back into Bakura.

Bakura: 50; Takashi: 50

"What… what did you do?!" Bakura demanded.

"Simple," Takashi explained. "I used my Dragon Soul spell card (0). By tributing Spirit Ryu I was able to inflict half of its power to you! Now then, I end my turn." We both have barely any points. Any of our monsters could win with a single attack… but if he tries to do that, I still have my face-down.

Bakura drew a card (1), and then immediately placed it onto his duel disk (0). "I summon The Portrait's Secret (1200/1500). However, I must tribute it to keep Dark Sanctuary on the field. And, with nothing else to do, I end my turn."

It seems we're in a stalemate, Takashi thought as he drew (1). Neither of us can attack. Of course, as soon as he draws a spell or trap, Dark Sanctuary will be destroyed and I'll be able to win! "I activate Mirror Spell (0)! Now I can reuse Pot of Greed (2)!" Then again, maybe now I won't have to wait.

"You've been saying this entire duel that I need to learn to rely more on effects than power. However, I haven't just been relying on power… I've also been relying on strategy!" Takashi shouted. "I've been preparing for this moment the entire duel…. Remember how I said that my Blue-Eyes White Crystal Dragon is treated as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon when on my field? Well, that is also true when it is in my graveyard, meaning I can use Dragon's Mirror (1) to fuse the three Blue-Eyes White Crystal Dragons in my graveyard into the strongest creature at my disposal, the BLUE-EYES ULTIMATE DRAGON (4500/3800)!!!"

Takashi laughed as his giant dragon appeared. It was exactly like the Blue-Eyes White Dragon, except three time as large and with three times as many heads. "Let's see how you stand up to this dragon!"

"But how did you get three Blue-Eyes White Crystal Dragons in your graveyard?" Bakura asked.

"As I said, I've been preparing the entire duel," Takashi explained. "The first dragon was destroyed, as you should know. The second dragon was discarded for the effect of Treasure of Slashing Life, and the last dragon was sent to the graveyard just last turn for the effect of Spirit Ryu."

"Really, it doesn't matter if you have the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon. With Dark Sanctuary in play, I don't need to worry about your attacks," Bakura shrugged.

"It won't be in play for long," Takashi replied. "If bet if I take Dark Necrofear from your graveyard that Dark Sanctuary will be destroyed, so I activate Impact Revive (0)! Now summon out Dark Necrofear from your graveyard with 2700 attack points!"

Dark Sanctuary condensed back into the blue woman, holding up her doll. "The attack boost doesn't matter, because I'm summoning her in defense mode," Bakura declared.

"Oh well, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack with Tri-Neutron Blast!" Takashi commanded. Each head charge up a ball of energy—one yellow, one green, and one blue—and launched them at Bakura's monster. The three energy beams merged into one giant, white beam. It completely obliterated Dark Necrofear, and created a giant explosion.

"A powerful attack, but now you must end your turn," Bakura told Takashi.

"Not exactly," Takashi chuckled. "You see, now I can use the second effect of Impact Revive, giving me a second battle phase! Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, direct attack!"

"Not so fast, I activate my trap monster, Dead Spirit – Zoma (1800/500)!" Bakura shouted as the black dragon skeleton appeared. "I suggest that you don't attack."

"And why is that?"

"If you do destroy Zoma, you'll activate his effect, taking 9000 points of damage!"

"Then I end my turn," Takashi angrily said. Zoma then disappeared as quickly as it had come.

"Now Dark Necrofear's effect activates!" Bakura shouted. Dark Necrofear's doll, which had remained on the field, began to glow. The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon flew over to Bakura's field, and then Dark Necrofear's doll was merged into the dragon.

"What's happening?!" Takashi worriedly shouted.

"If you destroy Dark Necrofear, I am compensated with one of your monsters," Bakura chuckled, drawing (1). "Now then, before I attack, I'll use Mystical Space Typhoon (0) to obliterate your face-down."

Takashi quietly cursed as his set Mirror Force was blown away.

"Maybe if you hadn't been so focused on power, this wouldn't have happened," Bakura thought aloud. "After all, I rely on powerful effects, and look at what happened. You have no cards and just about no points, while I have this powerful dragon. And speaking of the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, finish off your previous master with Tri-Neutron Blast!!"

The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon launched another giant energy beam, creating another explosion even larger than the first.

Bakura: 50; Takashi: 0

When all the smoke cleared, Takashi was kneeling on the ground, barely able to sit up. He was covered in scratches and bruises.

"Now, Takashi, I will admit that you did put up a good fight," Bakura said, walking up to Takashi. "So I won't take your soul. Not only that, but I'll also be especially nice, and won't further harm you or Chris. Of course, that's mostly because I don't have time to play around any more… I want to finish my glorious plan before Chris wakes. And with that, I depart." Bakura gathered up the Millennium Items and quickly left the room.

'Takashi and Chris, enjoy your souls now, while you still have them. With the seven Millennium Items in my possession, soon I will have everyone's souls.'


Well, Yami didn't die, but Bakura has all the Millennium Items! And I bet you didn't see Takashi's return coming, or even his duel against Bakura xD Well, I hope you liked it!

RER!


Card of the Day

Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon (LIGHT)
Dragon/Fusion
Level 12
ATK 4500/DEF 3800
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon" + "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" + "Blue-Eyes White Dragon"


Original Cards

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

Blue-Eyes White Crystal Dragon; level 8; Dragon/Effect/LIGHT; 3000/2500; This card cannot be normal summoned or set. This card can only be special summon by tributing 1 level 4 or lower Dragon-Type Monster and 1 level 5 or higher Dragon-Type Monster. This card's name is treated as "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" while it is on the field or in the graveyard.

Treasure of Slashing Life; Spell; Draw until you hold 5 cards in your hand. Discard your hand during your fifth Standby Phase after activation.

Dragon Warrior; level 4; Warrior/EARTH; 1500/1000

Contract with Dragon; Spell; Activate only when you control a "Dragon Warrior". Special summon a level 4 or lower Dragon-Type Monster from your hand or deck.

Ghost Shield; Continuous Trap; Remove a Fiend-Type or a Zombie-Type Monster in your graveyard from play. Negate one of your opponent's attacks.

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

Revival Tablet; Trap Card; Activate only when a monster you control is destroyed as a result of battle and sent to your graveyard. Special summon a monster from your graveyard.

Mirror Tablet; Trap; Increase the ATK of a monster you control by the ATK of a monster that destroyed a monster you control as a result of battle. Halve that monster's ATK. The two selected monsters are force to battle.

Dragon Gust; Counter-Trap; Activate only when you control a Dragon-Type Monster by paying 100 Life Points. Negate the activation and effect of a Spell or Trap Card and destroy it.

Trap Booster; Spell; Discard 1 card from your hand. Activate 1 Trap Card from your hand.

Compensation of Reparation; Spell; When this card is discarded, draw 1 card.

D.E.A.T.H. – Death; level 9; Fiend/Effect/DARK; 2900/2450; This card cannot be normal summoned or set. This card can only be special summoned by removing 2 zombie-type monsters and 2 fiend-type monsters in your graveyard from play when "Destiny Board" is face-up on the field. This card gains 200 ATK for each face-up "Destiny Board" and "Spirit Message" card on the field. As long as this card remains face-up on the field, card effects cannot destroy "Destiny Board" and "Spirit Message" cards.

NOTE: Made by Kuinra Shisa

Wish Dragon; level 2; Dragon/Effect/WIND; 700/100; Tribute this card to special summon two "Wish Tokens" (Dragon-Type/WIND/Level 2/ATK 700/DEF 100).

Holy Repentance; Trap; Activate only when you discard your hand from the effect of "Treasure of Slashing Life" or "Card of Demise". Draw cards equal to the number of cards you discarded + 1.

Giant-Winged Dragon; level 8; Dragon/Effect/WIND; 2500/1000; If this card is returned from the field to your hand, then the next time you normal summon this card, you do not need to tribute any monsters. When this card is summoned in this way, draw 1 card.

Immortal Dragon; Trap; Activate by removing a Dragon-Type Monster in your graveyard from play. Special summon a Dragon-Type Monster from your graveyard. The summoned monster cannot attack this turn.

Dark Sanctuary; Field Spell; Activate only when "Dark Necrofear" is destroyed as a result of battle or by your opponent's card effect. Negate the effect of that "Dark Necrofear". If that "Dark Necrofear" is removed from your graveyard, destroy this card. At the end of each of your Main Phase 1s, tribute a monster (this is not optional). If you cannot, this card is destroyed. You may use Monster Card Zones as for Spell and Trap Cards. At the start of each of your opponent's Battle Phases, select one of your opponent's monsters. If the selected monster attacks, immediately negate that attack. Then gain Life Points equal to half that monster's ATK and inflict that same amount to your opponent.

Dragon Soul; Quick-Play Spell; Activate by tributing a Dragon-Type Monster. Inflict damage to your opponent equal to half the tributed monster's ATK.

Mirror Spell; Spell; Return 1 Spell Card you activated last turn to your hand.

Impact Revive; Spell; Special summon 1 monster from your opponent's graveyard to your opponent's side of the field. That monster gains 500 ATK. You may perform your next Battle Phase twice.

Dead Spirit – Zoma; Continuous Trap; After activation, this card is treated as an Effect Monster Card (Zombie-Type/DARK/Level 4/ATK 1800/DEF 500), and is Special Summoned to your Monster Card Zone. (This card is also still treated as a Trap Card.) If this card is destroyed as a result of battle during your opponent's turn, inflict damage to your opponent equal to double the ATK of the monster that destroyed this card. This card is destroyed during the end of the turn it is activated.


Next Time: Time Machine