Author's notes: Does anyone know where I can watch subbed GX episodes? I want to conduct some extra research on the dialogue of some characters. Mainly characters included in season 3. If anyone knows of any good resources please let me know.

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The Emissary of Extinction

Chapter 16

The Emperor's Struggle

What should have been a time for joy, for patting themselves on the back, for focusing upon the rest of their plan was dampened by the events of the first step of the plan.

What eyes could see him, watched as Shien placed a hand upon the Rainbow Dragon card. He was focused intently on the card, after a few moments he withdrew. "Nothing. Draygor's influences are gone." Xiaolang smiled. "It's alright guys."

To those this was news to smiled, joining the others who had heard the Shogun speak. The good news only assisted the mood for the moment before the reality hit them. Johan was the one to make the reality clear.

"Why did Draygor even target Rainbow Dragon anyway?"

Judai leaned back, his eyes were closed as he thought back to a time he'd seen Extinction Armor in action. In his minds eye he saw another Dragon being changed, becoming a mindless beast. The darkness...

His eyes opened. "Power." Everyone turned to face Judai as he leaned forward. He continued speaking. "Draygor uses the armor to absorb power. Very few spirits have power that can contend with Rainbow Dragon. Draygor is weak now, so he will need power from the strongest monsters and duellists."

O'Brian spoke. "This tournament. We've given Draygor the means to get power."

Silence crushed the room, everyone now realized exactly what they had done. They could hide Draygor's body easily, but if Draygor acquired enough power that may not have been important.

Yusuke shattered the silence. "We can't stop now. We have to hide Draygor's body. Who's turn is it to hide a part next?"

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At last night fell, but one was still wide awake.

Judai looked up to the bed above him as his room mates slept.

"How do we keep getting into these things?" For one brief moment, Draygor had seemed defeated. Only to escape. Now he was using the students in his own quest for power and there was nothing Judai could think of to stop him right now. Draygor was cunning, he would not dare show himself unless he believed himself to be strong enough. Judai briefly wondered how Haou had-

"Haou." Judai managed to control himself so he spoke only in a loud whisper. Seconds later he was satisfied that neither Johan or Xiaolang had been woken.

Haou had fought Draygor, or, Judai thought with a frown, he had fought Draygor in his past life. Judai would never truly come to accept that fact. He refused to. He and Haou were simply too different.

"He was like you once." Judai smirked. "I miss having private thoughts." "I do let you have them most of the time. I sensed your unease so I decided to pry. Judai, if you want to know more about Draygor, you could ask him." It was a moment before Judai responded. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" "I don't have any better."

Judai felt Yubel leave his mind after that, he was alone again. Judai merely lay there in the dark. After a while he whispered to himself. "Dammit." He closed his eyes.

But he would not be sleeping.

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Judai's eyes opened once more, but he was no longer in his bed. He knew this place of course. It was his least favourite place in existence, and it was inside his own soul. The endless darkness, the mirrors that would cast no reflection. Judai knew where he was.

This was where the the part of his soul known as "Haou" lived. Judai looked in each of the mirrors, trying to see if Haou was hiding in one of them. He was not.

"What do you want?"

It took Judai a great deal of will to keep his composure as he saw something form from the darkness before him. He had only seen this man from the outside once, in his dreams.

Now was another story, the once mighty king was right before him, gazing into Judai's side of the soul with his cold, gold eyes. From the outside Judai could truly see them. They were unlike any eyes he had stared into. In the eyes of others he could see something, part of that person was. Their kindness, their worry, their...anything. Yet in this kings eyes there was nothing, just a wall of gold which chilled the soul. Their every gaze, every thought behind them, meticulously, and maliciously calculated.

These were the eyes of the Supreme King, and today they were focused on Judai.

Judai stood his ground, on guard. The king before him was cunning, and would take any opportunity to manipulate and control him. He'd succeeded once. Judai still had nightmares of the string of dead that left behind. Judai would not make that mistake twice. With his resolve prepared he responded to the king's question. "Draygor."

If Judai had blinked he'd have missed it, but Haou's eyes glowed for a split second. Judai could have sworn Haou's face had somehow become...harder. Draygor's name was apparently not one Haou liked to hear. "What of him?"

"Did you show me that memory in my dream?" Haou nodded. "Why?"

Haou finally blinked. "It's your memory. As much as it is mine."

"Don't play games! Just answer me plainly!"

"I did."

Judai bit his lower lip, there would be no progress here. It did give Judai another idea. "If that was my memory, then what exactly are you?"

"Another memory. The memory of the man you were."

"If you're just a memory, then how can you talk to me? How can you do the things you can do?"

"Not all memories are equal. I am a memory that can think for itself."

"How is that even possible?"

"I do not know. I do not care. I simply can."

Judai took a breath, Haou was starting to really annoy him. It's not just that his answers were vague, it's just that Haou had a way of making him feel like an idiot. Deciding against trying to figure out what Haou was, he decided to continue asking about Draygor. "How did you defeat Draygor?"

Haou's eyes started to glow. "No."

"Huh?"

They narrowed. "No."

"'No' what?"

Haou's dark power started to build around him. "I will not share that memory."

Despite the power that began baring itself against his body Judai managed to keep standing. "I need to know!"

Haou's eyes were fully open, his eyes glowing like fire. His aura blazing like a storm. "Begone!"

Before Judai could say anything more he was drowned in the power of the king. As he fought through the black he heard the King speak.

"Come back when you are ready to bargain with me."

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Judai's eyes shot open. "I don't like him." Judai decided that night that he would not bother asking Haou about Draygor. He would not seek information from him.

Only time would tell if Judai would keep that promise.

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Judai stifled a yawn as he made his way down the planned route, checking for stray students. He tried to put all thought of the previous night behind.

Though part of him wondered of the meaning behind the Kings last words.

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Outside the arena Sho was looking in. A worried look on his face. "I hope you can do this, brother."

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"It's time for the second round na-no-ne! Round one saw Soho Himitsu defeated by North Academia graduate, Johan Anderson! It was a spectacular match na-no-ne! Now this match will be no less grand I hope. Allow me to present the challenger, a second year from the Ra Yellow dorm. Yaseimaru Hanta!"

The crowd cheered as the rather short Ra made his way to the stage. Unlike most students, he kept his coat wrapped around his waist, his hair was rather unkept, aside from the ponytail that went down to the back of his neck. One of his brown locks fell down over his left eye, which hid the blue orbs that lay within. He put on his duel disk which he had apparently customized. Instead of being Gray with Yellow outlining, the disk was a bright brown with green outlining.

"And from the graduates side! Who was once upon a time the single greatest student at this school! Behold! Kaiser Ryo!"

Despite the fact he used a cane to walk these days, Kaiser still bore the image of strength, his small smile was enough to get the crowd screaming out his name. He had to resist the urge to chuckle, it had been some time since the last time people had cheered for him in the ring. Truth be told he rather enjoyed it. Yet he loved the matches more, and he had an interesting one to come right this moment. He pulled out his deck. At least, what was his deck now. This deck was simply a rebuilt version of the deck his used before he acquired the Cyberdark monsters. He had added some of the cards he'd used in more recent times but almost card for card it was the same old deck. "I have to start with this deck, then I will rise higher." He placed his deck in his deck zone.

Yaseimaru did the same.

"DUEL!"

The match was underway as the crowd cheered.

Yaseimaru drew a card. "I set one monster and two cards in my spell and trap zone. Turn end."

Kaiser nodded, he let his cane lean up against his body as he drew a card. "Draw." He looked at his hand. "This deck, I'm not sure if it's mine any more...but." He looked at what could only be called one of his signature monsters. "Cyber Dragon." Kaiser knew no matter how long he duelled, no matter how many times he changed his deck, Cyber Dragon would remain.

Something he was only too happy to accept. "I summon Cyber Dragon!" He placed the dragon in his monster card zone, and like so many times before the dragon appeared before him. It's metallic form almost looking more akin to a snake than a dragon. (attack position. ATK/2100 DEF/1600) "Because you controlled a monster, and I did not, I could special summon Cyber Dragon. So I can now normal summon this, Proto-Cyber Dragon." Unlike it's completed form, Proto-Cyber's body still had wires attached to it, falling to the floor beneath it. Someone had clearly given up on this dragon, not even bothering to remove it's wiring. (Attack position. ATK/1100 DEF/600) "Two set cards, one of them has to be a trap. Well I knew this was coming, if I want to get stronger, I have to face this head on!" He grabbed his cane again, he wanted to be on his feet for this. He shouted out his orders. "Cyber Dragon! Battle! Evolution Burst!" The elegant, metallic dragon opened it's jaws, gathering it's power instantly. It unleashed it's blast of light.

The target revealed itself for a second before the blast hit. "A Hyena?" The blast collided with it, destroying it instantly. Kaiser heard a pitiful bark as the creature as hit, but seconds later he started hearing more growling. He waited for it to clear, and when it did-"More of them?" Two Hyenas were now standing on Yaseimaru's field. (Defence position. ATK/1000 DEF/300)

Yaseimaru nodded. "You attacked a Hyena, and they travel in packs. When one is destroyed by battle, I can summon any others I have in my deck. I had two."

"He's stopped me attacking his life points. I can still attack his Hyenas anyway." "Proto-Cyber! Battle! Pre-evolution Burst!" The wiring suddenly sparked, crackling with power as the incomplete monster gathered gold energy in it's jaw, it attacked, destroy a second Hyena in a heartbeat. Kaiser was out of attacks, there was only one thing he could do now. "I set one card. Turn end." He grasped his cane, leaning on it once more.

"Draw!" He revealed the card he had drawn. "Spell card activate! Polymerization!" He picked up two cards from his hand. "I fuse Berfomet and Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts. To summon Chimera the Flying Mythical Beast!" Kaiser watched as the creature appeared, he recognized it, from his youth. The two headed beast that appeared. It was something directly out of mythology, with two lion heads with large horns. It's very strong lion-like body hard huge wings attached to it, wings of an eagle. Kaiser could also see a snake, a snake that was somehow the tail of the creature attached to the backside of the beast. This was a monster once used by the strongest duellist, a card which existed in the deck replica in the academia. (Attack position. ATK/2100 DEF/1800)

"That monster was used by Yugi Mutou. The strongest duellist. It's not a monster I can afford to take lightly, and it's as strong as Cyber Dragon." Kaiser prepared himself, this was going to be quite a round.

"Chimera! Battle! Attack Cyber Dragon!"

"Huh?" Kaiser had not seen that coming. He had thought Chimera was going to attack Proto-Cyber Dragon. "If he wants to destroy his strongest monster then that's fine. I can defend Proto-Cyber dragon with my set card." The two-headed beast rammed into Cyber Dragon, stabbing it with two of it's horns. Cyber Dragon screamed out, before suddenly point it's mouth down on it's assailant. It attacked, causing both monsters to explode.

Kaiser grunted from the backlash, but he refused to give way. "Still not at full strength. It doesn't matter, I'll survive."

Yaseimaru would put that to the test. "Chimera effect activates! I can summon any one of his fusion materiel monsters. I revive Gazelle the King of Mythical Beasts!" Despite it's name, Kaiser thought this creature more closely resembled a lion, which brought some irony to it's name. It's mane ran down the back of it's neck as he was down on all fours, waiting to pounce. (Attack position ATK/1500 DEF/1200)

Kaiser finally realized Yaseimarus plan. He was prepared for it. "Reverse card open! Attack Reflector Unit! I must tribute a Cyber Dragon to activate, Proto-Cyber is treated as a 'Cyber Dragon' while on the field. I tribute Proto-Cyber! I summon from my deck! Cyber Barrier Dragon!" The Prototype dragon was gone. In it's place appeared a much bigger dragon. The most notable thing about was the strange collar it seemed to wear, to anyone who'd seen this dragon before would know it explained why this dragon was named "Barrier". Right now it was curled up on Kaisers side of the field, daring anything that would to attack it. (Defence position. ATK/800 DEF/2800)

Yaseimaru was already prepared. "Not enough, your monster is about to become my prey! My trap is sprung! Call of the Haunted! I can select and special summon one monster in my graveyard. Revive, Chimera!" The mythological creature appeared again, flapping it's giant wings. (Attack position. ATK/2100 DEF/1800) Yaseimaru was far from done. "I spring another trap! Horn of the Phantom Beast" The left head of the beast roared as it's horns began to change. It's long sharp spikes of horns were quickly changed into giant antlers. The strange thing about these antlers was that they were orange, and the way they seemed to reach back behind the head they were sat upon, and in the light, it was almost like they were on fire. (ATK/2900) "Battle! Destroy Cyber Barrier Dragon!" The trap enhanced beast slashed it's claw at the Barrier Dragon, it exploded. Kaiser was now defenceless.

Yaseimaru pulled a card from his deck. "Because of my Horn, I can now draw 1 card. Hyena! Gazelle! Double direct attack!" Kaiser leaned on his cane as both attacks bore into him, both monsters clawing at his chest. He gripped the top of his cane to the point his knuckles turned white. (Kaiser LP/1500) Kaiser was panting slightly, this was harder for him and he had thought it would have been. "I'm really out of shape. I hate those Cyberdark cards." Kaiser's thoughts were shattered by Yaiseimaru's words.

"I'll set one more card. Then I'll change the field! I activate the field spell, Closed Forest!" Kaiser just managed to restore his composure as trees began to grow around him. He watched as the edges of the arena was suddenly covered in trees, with branches stretching towards him and his opponent, only to be stopped by new trees that suddenly appeared. The branches grew, and continued to grow until Kaiser could no longer see the roof above him. Eventually the only think that was left was Kaiser, Yaseimaru, their cards and the grass beneath them.

"While Closed Forest is active, each of my Beast-type monsters gain 100 attack points for every monster in my graveyard. I have two Hyenas and my Berfomet, that's three." (Hyena ATK/1300. Gazelle ATK/1800 Chimera ATK/3200) "Turn end."

Kaiser leaned the cane against himself again, taking a deep breath. He would continue, he would not back down. Cane or not, he'd never let his personal health keep him down before and he'd be dammed if he started now. "My stubbornness just might get me killed one day." "Draw!" He smiled, briefly wondering if fate was playing a joke on him. He revealed his drawn card. "Polymerization! I fuse two Cyber Dragons from my hand. Summon! Cyber Twin Dragon!" The two Cyber Dragons briefly appeared before snaking their bodies around one another, there was a flash of light, and in seconds a new dragon appeared. Both Cyber Dragons had merged into a single body. (Attack position. ATK/2800 DEF/2100) "Battle! Attack Hyena! Evolution Twin Burst!" Both mouths opened, blasting the canine into oblivion. Yaseimaru was pushed a step back by the blast (Yaseimaru LP/2500)

(Gazelle ATK/1900. Chimera ATK/3300) Kaiser had known that was coming, but he was worried in the least. "Cyber Twin Dragon can attack two times per turn. Cyber Twin Dragon, attack again! Evolution Twin Burst!" The beast was silent as the blast struck him, wiping him from the face of the field. (Yaseimaru LP/1600. Chimera ATK/3400)

Kaiser placed one more card on his duel disk. "Summon, Cyber Vary." The apparently dead, metal covered dragon was silent as it appeared on the field, curling up next to Cyber Twin Dragon. (Defence position. ATK/0 DEF/0) "That's all I can do for now. I'm about to take quite a bit of damage, but if it'll be too much I can sacrifice Vary to save myself. Above all else I must keep this match going." He grabbed his cane, using it to support his weight once more. "Turn end."

"Draw. Spring, a second Horn of the Phantom Beast!" (ATK/4200) Chimera's second head soon has the same horns as the other. "Battle! Attack Cyber Twin Dragon." Unlike the sum of it's parts, Cyber Twin Dragon could do nothing as it was impaled on it's opponents horns. It roared and exploded.

Kaiser was forced to hold onto the cane with both hands as the backlash of the attack hit him. (Kaiser LP/100) "I can't give up. Not now!" After a moment the attack was over.

"I set one card, then I'll set one monster. Turn end"

"Draw." Kaiser hated having to do this..."Turn end."

"Draw! I flip Summon my set monster, Phantom Beast Thunder Pegasus!"

The creature was also a two-headed creature, but unlike Chimera, each of the creatures heads were indistinguishable from the other. At least they would have been were it not for the armor they wore. The right head wore black armor, the left a bright red armor. Kaiser could see that this was the same for the rest of the body that was armored as well. With minor interest Kaiser noticed the edges of the armor had gold trim. The center of this creatures body was not armored, to allow, Kaiser assumed, this creature to spread it's wings which themselves were made from lightening. This monster earned the name "thunder" (Attack mode. ATK/700 DEF/2000)

"Next I tribute it to summon Phantom Beast Rock Lizard!" This creature was the biggest monster Yaseimaru had summoned so far, easily twice as tall as Chimera. The creature was almost covered in stone, or made of it. Kaiser wasn't sure in some places. It's head sure seemed to be made from it, but Kaiser could tell it's golden eyes were organic. It's shoulders were stone as well, but just below that most of it's arms exposed red flesh, the wrists of it's arms were wrapped in stone arm guards, the outsides of which each as a single blade that reached up near the monsters shoulders. It's chest was stone. Stone also covered it's underbelly and back. It's four legs were mostly flesh, but each of it's knees exposed bone. It started to roar, a deep primal roar.

(Attack position. ATK/2200 DEF/2000. Closed Forest effect. Chimera ATK/4300) "My Lizard is a level seven monster, but because I tributed a Phantom Beast to summon it, I could tribute summon it with one tribute. It has one other effect, when it destroys a monster by battle, you take 500 damage. Battle, Rock Lizard! Destroy Cyber Vary!" The Lizard ran forward, ready to end this match.

"Cyber Vary effect Activate. By removing it from play I can end the battle phase and draw a card." He let his cane lean against him again. Kaiser looked at the card he had drawn. "I can use this."

"I set one card. Turn end."

Kaiser drew a card, recalling the first time he'd activated-"Overload Fusion. By removing from play, monsters in my graveyard who are listed as fusion materials for a dark attribute machine monster, I can fusion summon that monster. I remove my three Cyber Dragons, Proto-Cyber Dragon, Cyber Barrier Dragon and Cyber Twin Dragon. Summon! Chimeratech Overdragon!"

Kaiser could still remember the first time he summoned the monster that appeared before him. All that rage, the fury. The wrath. The body of the dragon merely sat there for a moment, it's tail motionless. "Chimeratech Over Dragons attack and defence points are equal to the number of monsters I used as fusion materials to summon it." From the holes of the body came heads, six of them. One for each monster used as materiel to summon it. (Attack position. ATK/4800 DEF/4800)

Yaseimaru gritted his teeth. "4800 points?"

Kaiser nodded. "It can also attack one monster you control for every monster I used as materiel. Battle! Evolution Result Burst!" One of Chimeratech Overdragon's six mouths opened, shooting a blast of blue lightening at Rock Lizard.

The first blast hit rock lizard, shattering it into stone pieces before they vanished. (Yaseimaru LP/1600)

Kaiser blinked. "What?"

Yaseimaru pointed to a revealed trap. "Phantom Union! When a Phantom Beast I control is destroyed by battle, I can negate all the battle damage from that attack. Then, until the end phase, all of it's attack points are given to another "Phantom Beast" monster I control."

"But you don't have any other Phantom Beast monsters."

Yaseimaru laughed. "My Chimera's effect means it's always treated as a Phantom Beast monster! So it gains all my Rock Lizards original attack points!" (ATK/6600. Closed Forest. ATK/6700) "My traps are ready for anything, Kaiser. Even the likes of you."

Kaiser would not be intimidated. "I set one card. Turn end." (Chimera ATK/4500)

Yaseimaru picked up a card. "Looks like I win." He showed his drawn card. "I activate Wild Nature's release. This adds the defence points of my Chimera to it's attack points." (DEF/1800. ATK/6300) "It will be destroyed at the end phase, but for now that doesn't matter. Chimera, attack Chimeratech Overdragon!"

Kaiser would refuse to lose this match. "Reverse Card Open! Dimension Explosion!" Chimeratech Overdragon was suddenly removed from the field, being erased by gold light. "By returning a fusion monster I control to the fusion deck, we can both special summon any monsters that have been removed from play. I summon my three Cyber Dragons!" (Defence position ATK/2100 DEF/1600) "Cyber Twin Dragon!" (Defence position. ATK/2800 DEF/2100) "And Cyber Vary!" (Defence position. ATK/0 DEF/0) "Cyber Vary will activate it's effect! By remove it from the game, I can end the battle phase and draw a card!"

The Chimera stopped running forward, turning around to return to Yaseimaru, who only had one more move he could make. "Turn end." Chimera began to scream, this was it for the creature. "Reverse Card Open! Phantom Protection! I can negate the destruction of one of my Phantom beast monsters. Your turn."

Kaiser looked down at his deck. He had only one card in his entire deck that could help him now. He placed his hand on his deck. This was it. "Draw!" He smiled. "I activate Power Bond!"

Yaseimaru almost lost his footing. "Not that!"

Kaiser was grinning as his three Cyber Dragons vanished from the field. "I fuse my three Cyber Dragons to fusion summon..." "This monster shall...always be my ace." "Cyber End Dragon!"

The cheers of the crowd fell short next to the fire that burned in Kaiser at this moment. Cyber End Dragon would always be a vision of glory to him, as the monster that chose him. He heard the mighty creature roar, almost tempted to do the same as he felt himself somehow becoming stronger. Moments like this were worth duelling for. Worth living for. Worth, as he had almost once before, dying for. (Attack position. ATK/4000 DEF/2800) "Power Bond raises my monsters attack power by the amount of it's original attack points." (ATK/8000) "Battle! Eternal Evolution Burst!"

No sooner than the order had left Kaisers mouth Cyber End Dragon launched it's attack. It soared across the arena, removing Chimera from view in less than a second.

Kaiser smiled as it exploded. It was done. Kaiser had won.

Then why was Yaseimaru laughing?

The smoke cleared, showing Yaseimaru holding up a single card. "I activated the effect of Thunder Pegasus. By removing it in my graveyard from the game, my Chimera survived the battle, and the battle damage was negated." (LP/1600) "I think your turn is almost over." (Chimera ATK/6200)

"Almost." "I summon Cyber Kirin!" The Cyber Canine barked as it appeared on the field, standing next to Cyber End Dragon. (Attack position. ATK/300 DEF/800) "By tributing Cyber Kirin, I can negate all effect damage for the turn. Including the damage Power Bond would inflict upon me." The vanished, it's effect setting in. Kaiser would stand to fight another round. "I set one more card. Turn end."

"Draw." Once again he showed the card he had drawn. "Beast Group Attack. First I must select a Beast or Beast-Warrrior-type monster I control. Then I must send up to five Beast or Beast-Warrior type monsters from my deck to the graveyard. For each I send, the monster gains 200 attack points." He picked up his deck, pulling out five cards. "I'll send three Phantom Beast Cross Wings, and two Phantom Beast Thunder Pegasus. That's 1000 from my Beast Attack Spell, 500 more from my Closed Forest, and my Cross Wings have effects to activate. Each of them gives all my Phantom Beast monsters 300 attack points as long as they are in the graveyard. That's 2400 extra points in total." (Chimera ATK/8600) "Kaiser Ryo, this hunt is over, you are the prey, now accept your defeat! Attack, Chimera!" The beast roared, running forward to destroy Cyber End Dragon.

Kaiser watched as the monster ran forward. There was no way Cyber End could win this battle. Not with the tides so turned against it.

"Reverse Card Open! Negation Bound!"

Suddenly the Chimera was surrounded by a ring made of electricity. It shrunk, wrapping itself around the beasts two necks. Kaiser started explaining the meaning of the ring.

"Until the end of the turn, the monster I select is removed from the reach of all other card effects. That includes everything you've used to raise your monsters attack points."

(Chimera ATK/2100)

Now he had won. "Cyber End Dragon! Eternal Evolution Burst!" The three-headed dragon attacked once more. This time the beast had no defence, and was too weak to even begin to fight back.

It was completely obliterated. The holograms of the cards in play faded.

(Yaseimaru LP/0)

Kaiser placed a hand on his cane as the crowds started to cheer. "So I can still duel after all."

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Sho smiled. "Brother." He held up his radio. "The match is over. My brother won, are you finished yet?"

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Kenji watched as Kaiser slowly made his way out of the arena.

He failed to notice the shadow emerge from his pocket, looking down at the defeated Yaseimaru. "Useless. So many students. Yet so many are so useless."

He watched as Kaiser left the stadium. "No matter. I can wait." The shadow returned to Kenji's deck, hiding itself from the world once more.

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Xiaolang suddenly stopped walking. "Shien?" The spirit appeared beside him. "I sensed Draygor for a moment. He was at the stadium. It would seem our plan is working."

Xiaolang nodded. "Good."

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With the duel having gone well, and news of Draygor's presence at the arena, the match was deemed a success. Today Draygor's spine had been hidden in a location known only to one.

Yet one person was burdened, and right now he was heading to the one person he felt could help.

"I have not been brought to defeat like that. That easily in so long. I have become so weak, so limited. I need to find more. I need to become more." Kaiser lightly knocked on the door in front of him. It opened.

The rooms one occupant spoke. "Ryo?"

Kaiser walked up to the desk near the window of the room. "Master."

The old man smiled sadly. "It has been a long time since I was your master, Ryo."

Ryo chuckled as he took a seat. "Maybe, but I do need your teachings right now. Can we make an exception today?"

The old man smiled. "Why not? It's about today's match isn't it?"

Kaiser was not surprised in the least. "Yes. You know I have given the Cyberdark cards to Sho."

"Yes. I was surprised at first, that you would let anyone else even touch those cards. Even more surprising is that Sho could actually use them without them hurting him. The Cyberdark cards have always been tyrannical cards, yet now they have willingly chosen someone to wield their power. Which leads to why you're here. You only have the cards you had before."

Kaiser nodded, he took out his deck and spread it before him. "These cards have fought by me for a long time. Yet it feels like I barely know this deck any more."

"You have gone beyond what that deck can do. But why exactly have you come to me?"

Kaiser placed the deck flat on the table. "You're a Cyber Style Duellist like me, help me find a path."

Samejima sighed. He turned his chair around to face the setting sun. "I cannot help you find a path Kaiser. You are no longer a Cyber Style Duellist."

Had Kaiser been able to he would have been on his feet. "What?"

Kaiser couldn't tell if the old man was affected by his shout. "The rivalry of schools you have witnessed. When duel monsters first started, it was a common thing. Now however, they are not. One thing many of us, both my school and the others, is that Duel Monsters is supposed to be a game. Yes, we both know the kinds of thing the game is capable of, but the kinds of things the schools do. This was not what the game was for. "Cyber Style" on refers to the kinds of cards we used. Cards that relate to the name "Cyber", and it's meaning. I'll always take pride in the style I used, and anyone else who does, but even I know people change. Styles change. Kaiser, it is time yours did as well." He turned around, reaching into a draw. He pulled out a deck. He looked down at the deck in his hand.

"Years ago out school faced another powerful school. To the victor would go the strongest deck of that school. I was successful. This deck has always been a trophy to me, but I have never used it. I cannot, it's never been mine. I have watched you Kaiser, watched you change. Watched you become the man who stands before me." He looked up, holding out the deck to Kaiser. "I have now met the man capable of wielding this deck."

Kaiser was stunned. He didn't have to ask to know one thing about those cards. "You're asking me to leave the Cyber Style."

"No Kaiser. I'm asking you to evolve it. The Cyber Style are cards, and cards can work with kinds of other cards. Sho had taken the Cyberdark and gone beyond the Cyber Style. Yet we can call him a Cyber Style duellist, if not one who uses the Cyber style exclusively. He has taken them and combined them with his own power to take them higher than even you did. You can do the same with yours. Take this deck Kaiser, and see if it can show you a path to your future."

Kaiser reached out, taking the cards from his former master. He spread out the deck in front of him. He wasn't sure what to say. Perhaps he should have thanked his former master for these cards. Or made an oath that he would never cease to use Cyber monsters. Put the deck on the table and left. He wasn't sure. Being unable to decide, he chose to try humour.

"Are you sure you don't want to make me fight for these as well?"

"Heh."

The brief laugh was followed by a few more laughs, before the rhythm grew faster, Kaiser joined in.

In seconds both were heartedly laughing.

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End of Chapter

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Today's Strongest Card

Closed Forest

Spell (Field)

All face-up Beast-Type monsters you control gain 100 ATK for each monster in your Graveyard. Field Spell Cards cannot be activated while this card is face-up on the field. Field Spell Cards cannot be activated the turn this card is destroyed.

Commentary: Yaseimaru

"This is the home of all beasts!"

Authors notes:

Didn't think I'd ignore Kaiser's declaration to make a new deck did ya?