Hey gang! So, I had a good Thanksgiving last week. Well, I should say, good four Thanksgivings, lol. I had one a week ago Monday, then one Thursday, another Friday, and finally one Sunday. Luckily, no turkey on Friday, but still, I'm all Thanksgiving'ed out for the year, hehe. Other than that, life is about normal like always.

Writing wise, I'm working on getting this story, along with my other, Another, completed. It's difficult, but I'm trying. Since I finished up my project from last month, plus another project today, I'm clearing out some time to write. Hopefully I'll get this story and my other updating much faster, but no promises on it. Still, I'm working at it.

Ok, here is something you guys need to think about. Keep your hearts, minds, and prayers (if you do) on ardee. I talked with him last Thursday night and found out he was near where the attacks were in India. I ask that all of you keep that in mind. I had had no idea the attacks were going on due that I don't pay much attention to the news, but regardless, it worried me to hear it was close to him. Like I said, I just ask you all to keep that in mind.

Alrighty, moving along, time for reviews!

Genma no Ou: Welcome to the reviews. Nice to hear you've been reading my stories for quite a while. I thank you for sticking it out with it. Glad you think this is a bit better than the dub. Heh, I try. Again, glad you like this story. True, Illidan is kind of a bit more preferable this way. I mentioned it to my mate the other night that I really kind of like writing him this way in some ways. It's new to me. I've never really written for a villain before, so doing it for this story has been fun and insightful. True, a hero who doesn't bend is kind of a flimsy idea. He did nearly break in The Wolves Seal, but kept it together thanks to a visit from Marie's soul. Still, now he is far out of her help it seems. Heh, true, some of the characters are very narrow minded it seems. They haven't gotten the bigger picture yet. Heh, thanks about the vision. Thanks for your compliments. I really appreciate them. And thanks for the review!

Supreme-Chaos-Angel: LOL! Wow, I've heard Illidan called numerous things, but never douche. I usually only call Donald Duck and Goofy on Kingdom Hearts that, lol. Really, I mean they're useless ¾ the time. Anyways, it's not offensive. True, Illidan is a bit reckless with his life points, but he seems to have a plan. What it is, it's not clear yet. Well, he doesn't have Spirit Barrier or Soul Absorption within his deck. I usually keep those cards out of his deck. I have decks actually somewhat built for his character (both good and bad), and neither have those cards in their decks. True, Marie should have had Nobleman of Crossout, but no such luck. She doesn't use that card either, lol. Glad you didn't find any real mistakes. Thanks for your review!

Ultimate Legendary Master: Yep, a nice cliffy, hehe. Thanks for the review!

Thank you, all three of you, for your reviews. Also, I do believe I received a new person for favs, so I thank you. Unfortunately, your name escapes me at the moment. Sorry about that. I suck at remembering, plus I usually delete the new favs out of my email. Again, thank you to all of you for your reviews!

At that, I'm done for today. I hope you all enjoy. I'll try to have another chapter in a week or two. Just stay patient with me, please. Thanks and enjoy!

Status from previous chapter:

Life Points:

Illidan = 3200

Marie = 3200

Monsters on the field:

Illidan: Chthonian Soldier (1200/1400), Dark Armed Dragon (2800/1000)

Marie: None

Spell/Trap on the field:

Illidan: None

Marie: None

Number of cards in hand:

Illidan: 4

Marie: 1

Number of monsters on the field:

Illidan = 2

Marie = 0

Number of face down spell/trap:

Illidan = 1

Marie = 0

Number of face up spell/trap:

Illidan = 0

Marie = 0

Number of Dark Attribute monsters in Illidan's Graveyard: 0

Number of Dark Attribute monsters in Illidan's removed from play pile: 3

Chapter 43

Hearing her daughter's name, Marie found the strength within herself to sit up, but immediately winced from the pain flowing through her chest. Weakly, she asked "Where is she?"

"Not with me, at the moment." Illidan calmly replied. "But soon, I shall reclaim our daughter from the monster that took her from us. That is if I have no more interruptions."

Casting a glare at the group with his crimson eyes, Illidan smirked when he watched Syrus and Jesse took an involuntary step backwards while Zane held his ground. Returning his vision to his wife, he continued on, saying "This is the deal I will make with you, Marie, for the sake of our daughter."

"We will end this duel in a draw, here and now. Once we do, I shall leave, while you and the others will remain here. None of you will seek me out, nor challenge me. I will then continue my hunt for Lucifer, the one who has our daughter. Upon finding him, I will crush him in a duel and take our daughter back."

Pausing for a moment, he stared his wife in the face before saying "I will then seek you out. When I find you, I will return our daughter to you and open a portal for your group to return home. You will not seek me out, ever again, for I will remain in this world, forever."

"If you accept these terms, then we shall part ways. However, should you choose to foolishly continue this duel, I will crush you without the slightest amount of remorse. I don't care what happens to you any longer, so don't think that buried deep within me is love for you. It is gone, Marie. The choice is yours to make alone. I shall give you five minutes, and if you haven't chosen by then, I shall continue the duel. Now decide!"

Cringing at the words of her husband, Marie weakly attempted to stand, only to find her body was resisting. Pain ran up and down her chest from where the previous attack had hit it's mark, making it extremely difficult for her to move at all.

Finally moving to her hands and knees, she felt hot tears starting to slide down her cheeks and to the ground. "What do I do? I can't give up on him. He's one half of my world that completes me and keeps me pressing on. If I give up on Illidan, I'll never be able to move on with life."

"But there is Arya to think about also. If I choose not to accept his offer, and I should happen to lose, she'll not only have lost her father, but her mother as well. I grew up without both parents in my previous life, so I know the anguish and sadness that comes with being an orphan. I don't want my daughter to live like that."

Taking a ragged breath, she closed her eyes slightly and mentally mumbled "I know what I have to do. I have to let him go. It hurts so much to even think of making his choice. Illidan, he's been a part of my life since five millennia ago. To think that it came down to this to split the pair of us up. I never dreamed our lives together would come to an end. I know with all my heart, I will never find another that makes me feel the way I do when I'm with you. Illidan… it, it hurts so much to know I'm losing you."

Letting out a light whimper, Marie slowly began to stand up. The pain in her chest was now dull compared to the pain in her heart. Finally standing back up, she lowered her face till her bangs hid her eyes. Fresh tears spilt out of them while the thoughts of what she was about to do continued to run through her mind.

Before she could say anything, she heard a ragged voice yell "Don't do it…"

Snapping her head up immediately, Marie turned around towards the group of three to find the fourth member of the group, the one that had been unconscious when she had arrived, was the one who had spoken. His breathing was labored, but his eyes shone with determination.

"Don't do it, Marie." Jaden rasped out while attempting to get up. "You can't let him remain in the darkness. He doesn't belong there at all. In your heart, and mine, we both know he belongs with you and Arya, not alone in the darkness."

"Jaden, lay still, you're still weak from your last duel." Jesse softly commanded.

Shaking his head, the brown haired duelist struggled to his feet. Standing fully, he felt his legs shaking, but he edged his way towards Marie. "You can't give up this fight, no matter what, Marie. If you do, he'll be lost to the darkness forever, and Arya will lose not only her father, but her mother too. I know you, you'll never be the same without him. I've seen it when one of you was separated from the other. Neither of you are the same without one another."

Grimacing from the pain flowing through his body, he forced it away from his mind and added "And remember this: he once saved you from the darkness. Illidan told me about how you were taken in by the darkness that one time, and how he fought so hard to release you from it. I know he'd do the same for you if he was still here as he was, and I know that you would do whatever it would take to save him, no matter what. So please, don't give up on him. A part of him is still in there, I'm sure of it."

"A part of Illidan remains within this cold stranger?" Marie pondered. Turning back to face the crimson eyes of her husband, she peered into them, finding nothing but anger and malice within them. Searching them, she continued to stare, till finally she lightly gasped.

Seeing this, Illidan growled out and yelled "Are you ready to surrender yet!? Jaden's words are worthless, so forget about saving me! I made my choice, so don't think you can save me like I once did you. Unlike you, I gave into the darkness willingly, while you were forced into it. It's not the same."

"I know what I just saw, and he's wrong. In the darkness, a part of his heart remains, the part that cares for both Arya and I. I'm sure of it. How could I have missed it before!? Now I know, what I must do."

Staring at Illidan with determination, Marie dried her tears and said "I won't surrender this duel Illidan. I will fight you, and I will win to save you from yourself. I know you made the decision to join the darkness willingly, but you made that choice most likely as a last resort. For that, I understand, but I will not allow you to remain in the darkness. Our daughter needs both of us, so for her, and for myself, I will free you. This duel is still on!"

"Well said, Marie." Jaden remarked with a weary look.

Glancing over her right shoulder, Marie smiled and said "Don't worry Jaden, I'll save Illidan. Just rest up, for now, ok?"

"Yeah…" he mumbled while collapsing onto the ground on his stomach.

Jesse and Syrus immediately ran to their friend and carried him a ways back from the duel to where they had originally had him. Shaking his head, Jesse muttered "Idiot, I warned you to rest up."

Lightly smiling at the concern of Jesse, Marie returned her vision to Illidan, who was scowling at her. "It's still your move Illidan, so go on."

"Very well, I see you have made your choice. Then I have no choice either." Illidan informed. "I will grind you into dust. Once I finish off Lucifer, I will find someone to take care of Arya."

"In the meantime, I must eliminate you. I place a face down to end my turn." (Illidan = 3200, Marie = 3200)

Looking at her deck, Marie moved her fingers to the top card and fingered it. Glancing back at Illidan, she mentally mumbled "No matter what, I can't give up. I will save you Illidan, no matter the cost."

Drawing her card, she looked at it and smirked. "I remove from play Majestic Mech – Goryu and Guardian of Order in order to special summon this monster. Rise up now Soul of Purity and Light (2000/1800)!"

An angel like female monster with blonde hair and blue eyes then appeared on the field in a flash of light. She appeared translucent, but was somewhat solid as well. She had powerful looking white wings attached to her back and slightly spread them as she touched down onto the field.

"Now Soul of Purity and Light, take out his Chthonian Soldier with Shining Wing Blast!"

Spreading it's wings, the female angel pushed her hands out as a sphere of glowing white energy began forming before her body. Focusing on her target, the angel flung the sphere of energy straight at the weaker gray armored warrior. The warrior let out a roar and swung his sword at the attack in attempt to slice through the sphere, only to have his sword be flung into the air while the blast struck the soldier. With ease, the blast tore through the warrior, who screamed out before shattering. The blast continued onwards and struck Illidan hard, who grunted out in pain. At the exact same moment, the sword that the warrior had been holding flew downwards and struck Marie's right shoulder, who let out a loud hiss from the slash.

Gripping her wound, she asked "What happened? Why did I get hit?"

"It's rather simple, Marie." Illidan remarked. "When Chthonian Soldier is destroyed, the Battle Damage I take is shared with my opponent."

Lightly growling in frustration, Marie slid her remaining card into an empty Spell/Trap Slot, saying "Fine then, I set this and end my turn." (Illidan = 2400, Marie = 2400)

Picking up a new card, Illidan sneered and said "I'll begin by activating my Dark Armed Dragon's special ability. By removing from play Chthonian Soldier, I can destroy your pathetic fairy. Crush it now Dark Armed Dragon!"

Releasing a mighty roar, the dark gray dragon swung it's mighty tail around, sending several large spikes flying at the weaker fairy. The spikes easily slid through the fairy, who cried out in pain before shattering into millions of pixels.

"Since I just removed from play my fourth card, I activate this spell, Chaos Greed! When I have four or more cards removed from play, and nothing in my Graveyard, I can draw two more cards."

Snapping off two new cards, Illidan sneered once more and slapped a new card to his Duel Disk, saying "I summon this, Dark Crusader (1600/200)."

Immediately appearing onto the field was a black smog. From the smog, a figure in black leather armor with a red tattered cape, spikes jutting out from his knees and upper arms, a large halberd black sword with silver blades, and a skull like head with red hair on top of it. The creature let out a small demonic laugh while glaring at it's opponents with red eyes.

"This monster has a very unique ability. You see, during my turn, I'm allowed to discard a Dark Attribute monster to my Graveyard from my hand. For each I discard, Dark Crusader gains 400 more attack points."

Selecting a card in his left hand, he turned it towards Marie, saying "I send Apprentice Magician to the Grave, meaning Dark Crusader gets stronger (1600 + 400 = 2000/200)."

Glowing with a dark red aura, the demonic warrior let out a dark chuckle while his strength increased.

"Time to show you what your arrogance and foolishness has earned you. Go Dark Crusader, make Marie suffer with Darkness Blade!"

Racing across the field with his halberd on his shoulder still, the demonic warrior sneered and raised his blade off of his shoulder and began spinning it around over his head.

Before the warrior could reach her, Marie pointed at her face down, saying "Not happening Illidan! I reveal the trap Miraculous Descent, which allows me to special summon a Fairy Type monster from my removed from play pile back to the field and equip this card to it. The monster I select is Majestic Mech – Goryu (2900/1800)!"

Reappearing onto the field in a flash of white light was the golden energy dragon with white bands containing it.

Lightly growling upon seeing the new monster, Illidan grunted out "I see, then I have no choice but to crush that card once more. I remove from play Apprentice Magician, allowing me to activate Dark Armed Dragon's effect. Now I choose to destroy that dragon, so go Dark Armed Dragon, eliminate it once more!"

Releasing a mighty roar, the dark gray skinned dragon swung it's tail towards the revived white and gold dragon, sending a series of spikes flying towards it. The numerous spikes easily sliced through the body of the white and golden dragon, which howled in pain from the strike before exploding.

"I think that's enough pain for now, Marie. I set one card and end my turn." (Illidan = 2400, Marie = 2400)

Preparing to draw, Marie suddenly heard Illidan darkly chuckling. Staring at her with his crimson eyes, he smartly said "Marie, it's foolish to think you can win. After all, top decking against me with the powerful arsenal of monsters under my command, you cannot hope to overcome me. Eventually, you'll run out of cards that can block me, at which time you'll lose this duel."

"I wouldn't count on it, Illidan." Marie remarked with determination in her voice. "I will overcome all the obstacles in my path, so don't worry about me. You should be more concerned with what I can do."

"As if you are a threat to me." he coolly remarked.

Ignoring her husband, Marie drew her new card. Placing it wordlessly into an empty Spell/Trap Slot, she simply said "I set this and end my turn." (Illidan = 2400, Marie = 2400)

Grabbing a new card, Illidan examined it momentarily before slapping it onto his Duel Disk, saying "I summon this, my D.D. Survivor (1800/200)."

Materializing onto the field slowly was a figure wrapped in a tan ragged cloth that covered his entire body, but revealed slight bits of his body. The warrior had blonde hair and seemed to wear silver armor with a sword poking out from the cloth.

"And now, the end comes, Marie. D.D. Survivor, direct attack with Dimensional Blade Slash!"

Racing forward with his cloak flowing around his body, the warrior reached into his cloak and drew out a broad sword. Leaping into the air, the warrior began his descent towards Marie with his blade aimed for her chest.

Smirking a bit, Marie called out "No way am I giving up now Illidan! I reveal my face down spell, Flute of Summoning Kuriboh! Thanks to this spell, I can special summon from my deck an old friend to the field in defense."

Pulling her deck out, Marie searched through it before finally finding the card she wanted and slapped it onto her Duel Disk horizontally. Materializing instantly before her was a small brown fur ball creature with short stubby green arms and feet, with pink claws, purple eyes, and small white wings on it's back.

"How annoying." Illidan remarked. "Crush that thing D.D. Survivor!"

The blade of the warrior easily cleaved through the small brown creature, which let out a small wail before exploding.

Still smirking, Marie smartly replied "Maybe so, but Winged Kuriboh (300/200) just saved me. Plus, since you just sent it to the Graveyard, I take zero damage for the rest of the turn."

"I know." Illidan grunted out. "I end my move. Your cheap tactics won't save you for much longer Marie. Mark my words Marie, you will fall before my superior strength." (Illidan = 2400, Marie = 2400)

Letting out a small sigh of relief, Marie glanced at her deck before back up at Illidan. "He's right about one thing. I can't keep avoiding his attacks like I am. Eventually, he'll break my defenses, then I'll be wide open. Right now, he has three powerful monsters out that can give me a lot of trouble. I have to draw the right card here if I want to stand a chance."

"Hold strong Marie. We are all with you." the voice of her Duel Spirit whispered in her mind.

Smiling and nodding mentally, Marie drew her new card and turned it towards Illidan. "I think it's time I turned things up a notch, so to begin with, I'll activate this spell: Card of Demise! With it, I can draw till I hold five cards in my hand, but in five turns I must discard my entire hand."

Picking up five new cards, the brown haired duelist smiled and said "I'll start off by tossing out this monster, my Zeradias, Herald of Heaven. By doing so, I'm allowed to transfer the field spell known as The Sanctuary in the Sky to my hand from my deck."

Placing the monster card into her Graveyard Slot, Marie watched while the card was sucked down. Once gone, she pulled her deck out and began searching through it. At last finding the card she wanted, she turned it towards Illidan to prove she had it before returning her deck to it's slot.

"Next, it shouldn't be a big surprise that I activate my field spell, The Sanctuary in the Sky!"

Holding her Duel Disk out vertically, she tapped the end of it, causing a slot to suddenly shoot out. Slapping the spell into the slot, she watched it shut while her whole Duel Disk glowed to life with rainbow colored energy. Instantly, the battlefield the pair stood on transformed into a bright blue sky with white fluffy clouds. Behind Marie, a large stone building began rising with a bright white light shining off of it.

"Thanks to The Sanctuary in the Sky card, whenever a Fairy Type monster of mine is in battle and loses, I take zero Battle Damage. And for my next card, I choose to summon this, Warrior of Zera (1600/1600)."

Materializing onto the field within a moment was a man with green gloves, a green helmet with dog like ears sticking up from it, a green piece that covered part of his chest and shoulders, a pair of blue pants, a red scarf wrapped around his neck, and dark brown skin with well toned muscles. In his right hand was a blue sword and his left held some kind of chain that hooked to the sword.

Frowning, Jesse mumbled "Why in the world did she do that?"

"What do you mean, Jesse?" Syrus asked.

"Well, she just summoned a Warrior Type monster to the field, but before that she played a field spell that affected Fairy Types. Why bother playing a monster of a different type?" Jesse explained.

Understanding his friend's comment better, Syrus looked at the warrior monster and mumbled "I don't know. It's unlike Marie to play inconsistent."

"You two will see soon enough." Zane spoke up, surprising the pair.

Before they could argue, they heard Marie say "Since I have both Warrior of Zera and The Sanctuary in the Sky on the field, I can sacrifice Warrior of Zera in order to special summon Archlord Zerato (2800/2300)!"

Instantly, a blinding light began spilling out of the stone building behind Marie, forcing the group to shield their eyes. After a moment, the light died down, revealing that the green armored warrior no longer resided on the field. In his place was a new creature with large white wings, that formed around his upper chest and a red scarf covered his neck, a white helmet with red horns, a blue skirt like appeared around the waist, a powerful curved blade in his right hand, and purple skin that lightly gleamed.

"Oh, I get it! She summoned that weaker monster to special summon this stronger one!" Jesse exclaimed with excitement in his voice.

Looking at the new monster, Jaden smiled lightly, mumbling "That's the way Marie."

Staring Illidan down, Marie smirked slightly and took a card from her left hand. "I activate Zerato's effect, so by discarding one Light Attribute monster to my Graveyard from my hand, I can destroy all monsters on your field. So I'll send this monster, meaning you're about to lose your monsters!"

Letting out a small grunt, the purple skinned warrior drew back it's saber. Swinging the sword in a single sweep, a wave of energy went flying across the field towards the three monsters before Illidan.

Sneering at the incoming wave, Illidan pulled his right arm in and said "Not bad Marie, but I have a few face down cards to make the most of my monsters! I reveal first the trap Dark Spirit Art – Greed, but chain it with the spell Mystik Wok!"

"Mystik Wok kicks in first, allowing me to sacrifice my Dark Armed Dragon. By doing so, I gain life points equal to it's attack points."

With a low growl, the large dark gray dragon vanished in a flash, leaving a trail of sparkles behind it.

"Next, Dark Spirit Art – Greed allows me to sacrifice a Dark Attribute monster and then draw two new cards. Of course, you can stop me should you discard a spell card."

Glancing at her lone card in her left hand, Marie lightly growled and muttered "I have none to discard."

"Oh well, too bad for you." Illidan smartly replied. "That means I can now sacrifice Dark Crusader and pick up two new cards."

Vanishing in a flash of black energy, the demonic warrior let out one last laugh before completely disappearing. With him gone, Illidan quietly drew two new cards.

"As for D.D. Survivor, he goes thanks to your monster's effect."

With his words said, the wave of energy arrived and slashed through the lone cloaked warrior, who released a yelp before shattering.

Clenching her right hand, Marie began to growl but pushed her irritation aside. Slightly smiling, she smartly said "Not bad Illidan, but the monster I discarded has a trick also. You see, the monster I tossed out for Zerato's effect was Radiant Jeral (1000/2000), which grants me 1000 life points whenever The Sanctuary in the Sky is on the field and it's sent to the Graveyard."

Watching his wife's life points increase, Illidan shrugged, saying "No matter, you'll lose them soon enough."

"We'll see about that." Marie commented. "In the meantime, Zerato, relieve him of those extra life points he just gained with a direct attack!"

Releasing a mighty battle cry, the purple skin warrior drew back it's wings, which began to glow with a light green aura. Flinging one wing at a time towards Illidan, the warrior released a series of diamond covered shards at the wild haired duelist.

Sneering at the oncoming attack, Illidan pointed at his remaining face down card, causing it to rise up. "Did you honestly think I would leave myself wide open to you, my dearest Marie? I think not, and I'll use this trap card, one that is a personal favorite of yours from what I remember. Go Draining Shield!"

"No!" Marie grit out.

Forming before the wild haired duelist instantly was a golden energy shield. The shield held fast as the diamond spikes slammed into it. Gradually, the spikes disintegrated into nothingness while the shield vanished and sent a stream of golden energy into Illidan's Duel Disk, causing his life point meter to increase.

"I'm sure you're well aware of my trap's effect, but in case you forgot after all this time, your attack was negated and your monster's attack points were added to my life points. Not bad, eh?" Illidan smugly commented.

Clenching her right fist tightly, Marie cast a glare at her husband. Taking the last card she held and placing it into an empty Spell/Trap Slot, she grit out "I end with a face down." (Illidan = 8000, Marie = 3400)

Drawing a new card, Illidan smirked at it and calmly said "It looks like my cards have favored me yet again. I begin by activating the equip spell D.D.R – Different Dimension Reincarnation, which forces me to discard one card from my hand to begin with. I toss out this useless card."

Placing the card into his Graveyard Slot, he smartly continued on, saying "Thanks to my equip spell, I can take a monster that has been removed from play and return it to the field. So return Mystic Tomato (1400/1100)!"

Materializing onto the field instantly was a familiar red and orange tomato creature with sharp fangs and crazed eyes.

"With that, I sacrifice that worthless creature to summon a new one, one that has the power to crush your monster. Rise up now my might Darklord Zerato (2800/2300)!"

"Say what!?" Marie asked in complete confusion.

Glowing with a dark aura, the red and orange tomato vanished in a flash. Replacing it was a gray skinned muscular warrior wearing a red loin cloth and guards on his calves and arms up to his elbows. On the creature's back were a pair of red skinned wings that formed a collar around his neck, and on his head was a red helmet with black horns coming out the sides of it. In his left hand was a powerful sword with jagged edges on the backside of the blade.

Eyeing the new monster, Marie couldn't help but let out a gasp of surprise. "So it's true, a dark version of Archlord Zerato… But wait, that is a level eight monster, so it should take two sacrifices."

"Normally you'd be right Marie, but so wrong in this case." Illidan remarked with a sneer on his face. "Whenever I have four or more Dark Attribute monsters in my Graveyard with different names, I can sacrifice a single Dark Attribute monster to summon Zerato. Speaking of Zerato, time I played his special ability. By discarding one Dark Attribute monster from my hand, I can destroy all monsters on your field."

Selecting a card from his left hand, he showed it to Marie, saying "I send this useless Apprentice Magician to the Graveyard, allowing Zerato to crush your own Zerato. Go Darklord Zerato, show him how powerful you are!"

Releasing a loud yell, the gray skinned warrior spread both red wings so they were facing the lighter version of itself. Both wings glowed with a dark red aura for a moment before suddenly thousands of needles came flying out of it's wings. The needles shot straight through the purple skinned warrior, who let out a loud cry before shattering into millions of pieces.

"And now, for your life points. Direct attack Zerato!"

Flying forward, the gray skinned warrior prepared to slash Marie, only to slam his sword into a golden shield instead.

"NO! HOW DARE YOU!"

Giggling lightly, Marie wagged a finger at Illidan, smartly saying "Sorry, but I dare to defy you, Illidan. Your attack triggered a familiar trap, which is the one you used against me last turn. Thanks to Draining Shield, I negated your monster's attack and added it's attack points to my life points."

Watching the golden energy of the shield slowly fade and flow into Marie's life point counter, Illidan snarled out "You will pay for your defiance. I set one card and move to end my turn."

Upon hearing it's master's words end, the gray skinned warrior released a loud howl and dropped his sword to the ground and raised his hands to place them around the sides of his head. He continued to scream till suddenly the warrior exploded.

"What happened?" Marie asked with a confused look on her face.

In a dark voice, Illidan grunted out "On the turn when I activate Darklord Zerato's special ability, he is sent to the Graveyard during the end of my turn. At that, I end." (Illidan = 8000, Marie = 6200)

Picking up a new card, Marie examined it for a moment while rolling around her options in her mind. "This card is too weak to attack with. Besides, it's special ability means I should use it properly. At any rate, who knows what he set face down. I can't take any unnecessary chances."

"I set this monster in defense. That does it for me." (Illidan = 8000, Marie = 6200)

Snapping off a new card, Illidan examined it for a moment before slapping it onto his Duel Disk. "I summon Thunder Nyan Nyan (1900/800)."

Instantly appearing onto the field was a red headed female creature wearing a tiger print leotard and gloves with a set of three bongo drums before her with three red swirling symbols on each one. In each of her gloved hands was a drumstick.

"Thunder Nyan Nyan, beat it into Marie's monster that I will win!"

Leaping out from behind her drums, the red female creature moved across the field and slammed her drumsticks into the face down card image. The image shattered immediately, revealing a pink pair shaped creature with an upside down face, two eyes, rosy cheeks, and a small smile. With it's card image gone, the creature took the drumsticks head on and seemingly allowed them to sink into it's body. Immediately, the drumsticks were pushed back off of the creature, who only smiled. Without warning, the creature raced forward towards Illidan and opened it's mouth, revealing that it had many sharp teeth. The creature instantly clamped it's teeth into Illidan's leg, who screamed out in pain and began shaking it. Eventually, the creature was flung off of his leg, but the creature's teeth had visibly cut down to his leg, revealing several blood blotches.

Seeing his eyes were seething with anger, Marie gently smiled and said "When you attacked, you flipped up my Marshmallon (300/500). If he gets flipped up, you take 1000 direct damage. Plus, he can't be destroyed in battle."

"Fine… I end." (Illidan = 7000, Marie = 6200)