Author's notes: Another month-long delay. Starting to become a habit with me isn't it?

Some of you may have wondered how Haou and co were able to communicate with Reggie, David and Principal MacKenzie, given the continental barrier. Rather than pull some bs excuse out of thin air I ask you to do what every animé in history asks of you:

Don't ask how, just accept it. It's happening, it's part of the plot, take it or leave it. You've accepted pretty much everything else thus far, and this is one of the least things you're gonna have to accept. I got some more stuff coming.

(Kinda) New poll for this book at the end of the chapter, if anyone actually reads my author's notes any more.

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The Emissary of Extinction

Chapter 34

The Devil Arrives

"Let me take him and be spared."

Kenji's face was hidden, and his cloak hid anything his body language would give away about his mood. But these were things that were not needed to determine anything about the intent of the Horsemen before them. The air was sudden grasped by something wicked. The temperature had not changed, but a chill found its way down the spine of everyone present. The world became just a little bit darker, like a shadow had been cast over all. At the heart of this darkness stood Kenji, whose on mix of Draygor's power and the Light of Ruin emerging from him. The grey spread out, spreading out on the ground like water. In a moment Kenji stood in a small puddle of his own power, more of it emitting from him. The air around them all was still, yet somehow Kenji's cloak seemed to move in a non-existent wind. The world was quiet, but around Kenji it was too quiet. Somehow the power of this horsemen seemed to shut out the world with a veil made of emptiness. None could understand it just yet, but eventually they all would. They would understand the nature, the true identity of the former Duel Academia student before him.

He was one of the Four Horsemen, their leader. He was Death.

Even with all instinct, and basic common sense ordering them to either surrender or flee, they would not do either. They all had too much experience with Judai, too much influence from him to run. No matter what stood before them they would not run.

Kenzan moved his body in between Xiaolang and the Horsemen's line of vision. "You're not taking him-sarus."

"Fine. I won't take all of him, just let me take his head."

Kezan growled as his eyes suddenly changed, Death had succeeded in angering him. "You're not getting any of him!"

"And who will stop me?"

Mimicking Kenzan, Rei moved in between Death and Xiaolang. "We will!"

"You are terrified at the mere sight of bones. What makes you think you can do anything?"

Before anyone else could offer a retort, a blue-haired graduate stepped forward. "I've heard enough! I'll fight you!"

"Sho-don!"

Sho turned back to his friends, smiling. "Don't worry guys. I'm a graduate now, remember? It's my job to set an example for you kids." He turned his head slightly. "Asuka, if this battle goes heads towards defeat for me, run for it. I'm leaving it up to you to keep them running if need be."

Before any further objections could be raised, Sho's challenge had been accepted. "Very well. You will die first. Then I'll take him."

"You're not taking him! Not ever! Now get your duel disk and prepare to fight or turn back now!"

"You think I'd turn back? I am the leader of the Four Horsemen. You should run from me!" He swung out his arm, making his duel disk appear. "I am Death! You should all run from me!"

Turn the clocks back just a year, just a single year for Sho. A year ago he'd have backed down, would have run away. He'd never dare face somebody like Death. He'd have called Judai, standing behind him and supporting him all the way. That was a year ago. A year ago when so many things were different. When Saiou had just been defeated, when the starting of another great threat had arisen. Back then Sho was a coward, unable to fight and having only emotional support as a use to his friends. He was one who would watch battles beyond mere words, beyond the imagination of most go on before him and do nothing to influence them.

That was a year ago.

"Duel!"

(Both LP/4000)

Death drew his card. "I'll start. I set one card. Next I summon Saṃsāra Monk." For the first time, the Monk began sitting. His legs were crossed as he sat in a meditative position. Not a very wise position to take in this game. (Defence position. ATK/800 DEF/800) "Saṃsāra Monk effect activate. Path to Resurrection. I can send it to graveyard for now to special summon it during my next standby phase. I send it now." In seconds Kenji was quite alone, but Samejima would have warned anyone who would have asked him, even alone this Horsemen was a considerable threat. "Turn end."

"My turn. Draw. I set two cards, then summon Grinderroid!"

In appearance, this Roid monster bore a great deal of resemblance to Truckroid, at least upon its 'face'. The front of this truck was slightly bigger than Truckroid, with a much larger front window, and also had blue 'skin' instead of red. The biggest difference from Truckroid however was the machine the Roid was towing. It was towing a gigantic grinder, which a pipe coming out of it that went directly into what was pulling it. Like the Roid itself the machine was a bright blue. Whatever this thing was for would be revealed in a moment. (Attack position. ATK/1300 DEF/1000)

"Grinderroid effect activate. Once per turn, I can send cards from the top of my deck to the Grveyard equal to the level of a 'roid' monster I control. I choose Grinderroid, whose level is three." Sho picked up the top three cards of his deck, taking a second to glance at them before turning them to his foe. "I send Power Bond, Future Fusion and Cyberdark Horn." He placed his sacrifices in the graveyard, their use was just about done. "Because I have sent a machine-type monster, Grinderroid gains 1000 attack points for the rest of the turn."

Cyberdark Horn appeared onto the field, quickly being drawn into Grinderroid's grinder. The duel was filled with the sounds of metallic screeching as the Cyberdark beast was reduced to mere fuel by the roid (Grinderroid ATK/2300)

"It will do you no good. Continuous Trap card activate. Direct Border. Monsters with 1000 or more attack points cannot attack directly. When I actually do take damage from a direct attack, I can draw a card."

"Turn end." (Grinderroid ATK/1300)

"Draw. I revive Saṃsāra Monk!" (Defence position. ATK/800 DEF/800) The serene monster was chanting something, in a language that Sho could not understand. "Saṃsāra monk effect activate. When he revives himself I can special summon a level four or lower monster from my hand with 'Saṃsāra' in its name. I summon Saṃsāra Warrior."

For the second duel in a row, Death had performed the same move, summoning the same monster as before, in the same position as before. Was it a coincidence? Fate? Or did he just like to repeat the same moves now and then? Time would only tell. (Defence position. ATK/1000 DEF/1000) "Now I normal summon another monster, Saṃsāra Thief."

The name 'thief' did not quite to seem to befit the black robed monster. If he truly was a thief he did not give it away obviously. He wore black robes, almost identical to the Monks in fact (except for the color), except his sleeves were notably larger, far more place than his arms could have actually needed. Actually, the robes themselves were at least one size too big for him, but they managed to stay on his body somehow. It would have seemed that the spoils of this thief's 'work' would all be hidden under his clothes, until such a time his spoils could be placed elsewhere. He had long since turned bald by the looks of him, and the rest of his middle-aged face had been cleansed of all body hair, but the glint in his black eyes could not be so easily cut away. His disguise was an ingenious one, who would suspect a mere monk of thievery? And with that thought in mind, why would a thief disguise as a Monk of Saṃsāra' of all thing, when so many other options were available? (Defence position. ATK/0 DEF/0)

"I send all three of my 'Saṃsāra' monsters to the Graveyard by their own effect." One by one his monsters left him, going along their own path. Kenji would be defenceless for a time now. "I activate a continuous spell card, Reward Though Rebirth. I'll explain its effect when I need to. Turn end."

"Even without any monsters, I can't actually attack him because of Direct Border. Best I can do is prepare for an attack." "My turn. Draw. I activate Grinderroid's effect again!" Three more cards were sent into the Graveyard. "Drilloid, Stealthroid and Vechiroid Connection Zone. Grinderoird gains 1000 attack points." (Grinderroid ATK/2300) "I set one card. Turn end." (Grinderroid ATK/1300)

"My turn. Now it's time for my monsters to return. I start with Saṃsāra Monk." (Attack position/ ATK/800 DEF/800) "Reward Through Rebirth effect activate. Each time I revive a 'Saṃsāra' monster by its own effect, this card gains a Rebirth counter. It can hold up to two." (RTR/1) "Saṃsāra Monk effect activate. I special summon Saṃsāra Beast."

To try and categorize this creature into a single species would an extremely, if not completely doomed effort. The monster stood on two gigantic wolf-like feet, which were clothed in black fur which in turn were attached to large, strong legs covered with identical fur. The beast was hunched over somewhat, though why was a mystery, no weight seemed to hold this monstrosity down. The beast was dressed in tattered remains of black robes, which had likely been torn to shreds by the beast itself. The beast's chest was mostly covered with the fur except for a sizeable patch in the middle of its chest. The patch itself was completely white skin, and at first glance one could have mistaken it for human, perhaps it was. Its arms were also laden in this fur, except for its hands. While clawed, the hands of this creature were also oddly human. Five clawed fingers were attached to a somewhat fur-less hand. Closer examination also revealed the inside of this monster's forearms were unmistakable human. This monster was part human, part beast, and this was reflected strongly in its face.

It's mouth was that of a wolf, with its large jaws littered with sharp teeth. The mouth was open, breathing is a steady, predatory motion. Above the mouth however was a human nose, if one surrounded by fur, so much so in fact it was completely lost among it. The eyes of this beast were wild, feral, and like any beast seeking down the next target to hunt and kill but undeniable human eyes. What this beast truly was could not be said. A wolf, a man, a mixture of both. If Saṃsāra did base your appearance on the last life you lived, then one would only wonder what kind of life this beast had once lived. (Attack position. ATK/1500 DEF/1200)

"Now I revive Saṃsāra Thief." (Attack position. ATK/0 DEF/0. RTR/2) "When my Thief revives himself, I am allowed to draw a card." He drew without looking at it, he had more pressing matters to address. "Now I revive Saṃsāra Warrior." (Attack position. ATK/1000 DEF/1000) "Saṃsāra Warrior effect activate. All 'Saṃsāra' monsters gain 1000 attack points until the end phase." The Warrior raised his sword, radiating a powerful light upon himself and his allies. (Warrior ATK/2000. Beast ATK/2500. Monk ATK/1800. Thief ATK/1000) Death was far from done. "I activate the effect of Reward Through Rebirth. I can send it to the Graveyard now to draw two cards." His spell shattered, allowing him to collect the fruits of his labour. "Looks like we're almost done. Saṃsāra Warrior, battle. Attack Grinderroid!"

"Trap activate! Supercharge! I can draw two cards now!"

"That wont save you."

"No. But this will! Continuous Trap Activate! Safe Zone! In order to work this trap must target a face-up attack position monster. I choose my own Grinderroid! Now it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, you cannot target it with effects either."

Grinderroid looked down as a circle formed underneath it, which then started to emit light. The Roid was quickly sitting in the middle of a circular pillar of white light. It would not be able to leave this place, but considering what was beyond it, that was not a bad thing.

"Lucky escape. But I can still harm you. Warrior!"

The warrior's blade struck fiercely, but against the power of the zone the attack would not fall its target, but damage would still be dealt. (Sho LP/4000 → 3300)

"Saṃsāra Monk!" The monk thrust out its arms, and in that instant a white force slammed into Grinderroid, not that it could do any damage to the machine. (Sho LP/3300 → 2800)

"Saṃsāra Beast!" The savage creature rushed forward, all the ready to prove itself a beast. It's clawed hands reached out as it snarled and growled.

It would all be for naught. "Trap card activate! Power Wall!" He suddenly pulled a number of cards from his deck, shifting all the cards into his graveyard. "I can reduce the battle damage I would have taken from this battle by 100 points for every card I send from my deck to the graveyard. I sent twelve. I take no damage."

"Fine. I set one card." "He may find a way to get past my border. I'll keep my monsters around, for now. But if he tries anything I will be ready." "Turn end." (Warrior ATK/1000. Beast/1500. Monk/800. Thief ATK/0)

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In a lifeless street somewhere in the city, something broke through the darkness above. There was no one to look up, no one to witness the phenomenon, so it was a surprise to no one. Even though no one saw it, it still happened. Something had broken through the darkness above, and was quickly making its way down to the ground. The darkened street was briefly illuminated by the pillar of fire that struck the ground. For a few seconds the blaze kept burning as more fire shot down from the sky to join it, and sudden there was no more flame to come.

The inferno burned for a few seconds before its flames would no longer be fuelled. In its place there was now a smoking dent burned into the road.

Ritan Kentai stepped out from the blaze with the bones floating behind him. He glanced at the street around him. "Now this is the kind of genocide I've come to expect from you, Draygor. Now let's see if I can dig up any useful pawns from this graveyard."

Ritan glanced around the street again. "Hmm?" Had he not actually been glancing at the instant he'd have missed it, but one of the curtains in one of the many houses had just moved. "Now that was fast."

He started to make his way towards the house...

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Haou saw it. "Now two monsters are in this city." He turned back to the duel before him. "But both of them can wait."

Manjoume raised his hand to his deck, it was time for him to take a turn. "This isn't good. We're getting beaten back. These two are strong, but we're not out yet. As long as we have even a single life point we can come back from this. We may need to actually work together a bit to actually win this. They are siblings after all."

With his little self pep-talk over, "My turn. Draw." It was time for Manjoume to try and turn the tides of this battle. "I activate Level Mysticism. I must remove a 'LV' monster in my graveyard from play to summon an 'LV' monster from my deck who is mentioned in its card text. In order to do so I must remove other monsters whose combined level is equal to or higher than the monster I want to summon."

David felt his face move into one of minor surprise. "So that was his aim. He let me destroy his monsters just for this."

"I remove Armed Dragon level three, along with my two Masked Dragons. I summon Armed Dragon Level Five!"

The little Armed Dragon gave way to a much larger and mightier version of itself. This dragon was much more worthy of the title 'Armed'. All over its body metal had burst out from under the dragon's skin. Its chest, chin, shoulders and even its face held the silver weapons. The fact that both the dragon's elbows and knees had drills on them was even more impressive. The only thing taking away from a rather intimidating appearance were its rather comically small wings (for its size). (Attack position. ATK/2400 DEF/1700)

There was more to come. "I activate the Equip Spell card, Megamorph on Armed Dragon. Because our life points are lower than yours Armed Dragon has its original attack points doubled." (Armed Dragon LV 5 ATK/4800) "Armed Dragon Level Five. Attack Michael! Armed Banisher!"

The full-grown dragon glanced in the direction of the Hallowed Hero, before suddenly shifting its arm, rotating it faster and faster until it looked like a windmill. It was ready for battle now. It started moving towards its target, and it was a battle it could only win.

"David! I Need a little help here!"

"Say 'please'."

"NOW!"

"Best I'll get! COMM Seeker 2-8-6 effect activate! Command Request. Target COMMAND Set – Counter-Attack." The smaller COMM Seeker activated its screen, it was time for a Command Download. "Target effect two. Command Download!" The 0 and 1 combination would have only begun to make sense to those who could understand Binary, so no one participating in or watching the duel. "2-8-6 Command Execute! COMM Seeker 2-8-6 can redirect an attack to itself now! I redirect the attack of Armed Dragon Level Five!"

COMM Seeker 2-8-6 sudden raised its hands, creating an orb of light around itself before both suddenly vanished in a ray of light. They both appeared not even a second later, just in time to get demolished by the oncoming blow. David had successfully saved his sister's monster, not that he'd ever be thanked for such a deed.

Manjoume was not very bitter about his failure. "Should have seen something like this coming." "I set one card. Turn end."

"My turn, Draw!" Once again, the sound of the clock tower striking an hour sounded. (Clock tower/2). David was not going to be thrown off by it. "I activate COMMAND – Delete! Unlike my continuous COMMAND cards, this card will only stay on the field for the turn, until it has given out its Command as many times as it can, its limit is one. COMM Seeker 4-18-15 effect activate. Command Request! Command Download!" The screen turned Neon, download successful. "4-18-15 Command Execute. I can destroy one card on the field. I choose to destroy Armed Dragon Level Five!"

4-18-14 raised its lens to point at Armed Dragon level five before projecting light. First the dragon was dyed in teal light before the light suddenly took the form of a giant net, which perfectly covered the dragon. The beast moved its arm slightly, but like a physical net the movement did not shift the dragon from its entrapment. The dragon looked at its hand closely, and then suddenly one of the squares of the net released a small shard of the dragon itself. All over the net the dragon was being released as small squares of matter. This was deletion, reduction to nothingness, one piece of data at a time. There was no explosion or sound, just light as the dragon was reduced to pieces, then to nothing.

David had even more punishment to unleash. "I tribute 4-18-14 to tribute summon COMM Seeker 6-24-20!"

Like the Seekers before it, this one was also a metallic mannequin. This one was the largest one summoned thus far, only slightly shorter than David himself. Its 'skin' was a gun metal grey, and its lenses were colored silver. The seekers face held data in the same format as the ones that came before it, the only difference on its face being the white "6" located just above the screen. (Attack position. ATK/2400 DEF/2000)

This Seeker's chest held a distinct differences from the sacrifice that gave it life, because its chest held two screens. Side by side. Each were currently black at this point, but knowing David, they would perhaps be loaded with commands soon, but before that moment..."6-24-20, battle. Direct Attack!" The Seeker raised an arm, pointing it at Edo like a cannon. Light gathered at the lens, before the instant it shot off in a beam of light.

Edo was not going to allow this. "Trap card activate! Eternal Dread! This card adds two Clock Counters to my Clock Tower prison!" No-one turned up to look at the tower as its hands turned, but the ringing made it clear what had transpired. (Clock tower/4), the tower had reached its finest hour. "While Clock Tower Prison has four or more counters, our side wont be taking any battle damage!"

The blast of light slammed into something, something that was nearly invisible to the naked eye. Only one could examine it closer would one realize that the blast was hitting air. The air itself was forming a nearly invisible waving barrier which would stop all incoming damage. Edo and Manjoume were safe from battle damage for as long as the tower would stand.

"What a pain in the ass. Turn end."

Now it was the turn of the source of the 'pain in the ass'. Edo Phoenix was ready to make his move. "My turn. Draw. Diamond Guy effect activate. Now D – Gude's effect is activated my Cemetery." The image of the now activated effect appeared behind him. "When I control no monsters, I can add any 'Destiny Hero' monster to my hand. I can then also return a 'Destiny Hero' monster from my Cemetery to my hand. If I do return one however, neither monster added can be summoned this turn. I add Destiny Hero Bloo-D." His Graveyard was glowing, with Edo's target already being ejected. "And from my Cemetery I return Destiny Hero Dogmaguy." With two temporally useless heroes, that even if he were allowed to summon them, simply lacked the resources to, everyone wondered just what Edo was up to.

They would not wonder long. "Spell Card Activate. Polymerization! I fuse Dogmaguy and Bloo-D! Come on! Dragoon D-End!"

"End" was a word that truly belonged in any description that would ever be written of this creature. With a dragon-like head acting as armor for his chest and another acting as a weapon on his left arm this D was one of the more menacing-looking duel monsters, which in a game like Duel monsters was quite a feat. (Defence position. It was difficult to tell if the various parts affixed to this monster were just tools or an actual part of him. No matter the case, this was the end of the D line, and this was a very wrathful end. (Defence ATK/3000 DEF/3000)

"Dragoon D-End Effect activate. Invincible D! I target and destroy Hallowed Hero Michael!" Dragoon D-End took aim with the dragons head on its arm. The mouth was suddenly ablaze, a geyser of red-hot wrath just waiting to unleash itself on the angel.

It did. The dam broke and a blaze of death shot itself towards Michael. Destruction was inevitable.

Except this time. "Trap activate! Divine Change! I can return Michael to my deck to summon another Hallowed Hero whose level is lower than his."

Michael flew up to the sky, diving up into a new light from the heavens. He was gone, but another would take his place. "Descend! Hallowed Hero Raphael!"

Unlike Michael, Raphel chose to wear a much more fanciful armor. With his own holy aura, the golden metal was like beacon in the night. The armor was not inscribed with any drawings or marks, but the armor covered his entire upper body except for his head, even his hands were encased by gold. His legs were also armored, but his feet were not, this angel insisted on walking barefoot. Raphael's head was unprotected, but a look at him could wonder if he even wanted protection.

Raphael's eyes were closed, and his young-looking face was relaxed, to the point he almost appeared to be sleeping. His long auburn hair rested against the side of his face. Perhaps except , Raphael appeared to be the most content angel of this band of Heroes. Raphael's large, white wings were laden with chains, which were draped over the appendages. Not binding the wings in any way, but such a thing could not assist flight. The chains were solid silver, perhaps, like the angel himself, they were some kind of sacred. Unlike Michael, this angel had no quarrels with flaunting his high stature, and with such a serene face the term 'arrogant' could fit him nicely.

This angel held his weapon of choice in his left hand. A staff of pure light, nearly as tall as Raphael himself. The staff itself was without any features, but when it was made of holy light, it did not require such things. Even without a glamours weapon, this was a holy warrior, and such a warrior was not to be taken lightly. (Attack position. ATK/2800 DEF/2200)

"Damn. Turn end."

A noble effort ended in failure, and no Reggie was ready to punish said failure. "My turn. Draw! Equip Spell card activate, Hallowed Aura! Each time the equipped Hallowed Hero destroys a monster by battle, I can destroy a Spell or Trap card you control. Raphael! Attack Dragoon D-End! Divine Spear!"

Raphael raised his Staff over his shoulder like a spear, pulling his arm back slightly. The base of the staff formed the blade of a spear, with parts of the staff creating small wings of light. He threw the sacred weapon, sending onto its journey to what could only be a failed attack, if not for Reggie's next move. "Trap card activate. Hallowed Storm. When a 'Hallowed Hero' attacks, all your monsters lose 1000 attack and defence points. I can also change the battle position of any of your monsters but that wont do me any good right now. I'm still going to leave you defenceless!"

The spear was suddenly surrounded by a wind, a wind that instantly burst outward, covering the entire field in a white storm. Dragoon D-End didn't move, but the undeniable quickly became clear. (Dragoon D-End ATK/2000 DEF/2000) The divine spear lodged itself into the being's chest, instantly destroying it in a blast of holy light. When the chaos was over Raphael placed his arm out beside him, as if holding the spear once again, and with a sudden flash of light, he truly was holding a Staff once more. There was more to come. Raphael's aura became as flame, making the Hero point to the face of the Tower's clock. Its time had come.

"Hallowed Aura effect activate! I destroy Clock Tower Prison." A stream of white fire launched from Raphael's fingertip, reaching the tower and igniting the face of the clock. He lowered his hand right away, leaving the fire to go on about its business. The fire spread over the face of the clock, igniting every feature before leaving the face, spreading out to the rest of the clock itself. In seconds the fire spread and grew, bringing the top of the tower falling down, smashing into the ground below, with the flames spreading across the rest of the prison. The rest of the prison was quickly ablaze, the prison as burning down, and its only prisoner was ready to make his escape.

"Clock Tower Prison effect activate. When it's destroyed while it has at least four Clock Counters on it I can special summon Destiny Hero Dreadguy from my hand or Deck." Edo quickly removed the card from his deck, placing the card of the prisoner into a monster zone. "Come on! Destiny Hero Dreadguy!"

The prisoner of the Clock Tower jumped out from the burning ruins of the tower, still wearing his shackles. He slammed into the ground with great force, his form towering over that of his controller, even if he was currently kneeling. The worst was yet to come.(Defence position. ATK/? DEF/?) "Dreadguy Effect activate! When he is special summoned, I can special summon two 'Destiny Hero' monsters from my Cemetery. Come on! Diamondguy and Diskguy!" (Both Defence position. Diamondguy ATK/1400 DEF/1600 Diskguy ATK/300 DEF/300) "Diskguy Effect activate. When he's special summoned from my Cemetery, I can draw two cards."

"Last time I checked it was supposed to be my turn! Turn end."

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Shifting a locked door open was nothing to Ritan. With a creak then a slam the door was fully open. He crossed the threshold of the door, a gently 'tap' of the floorboards sounding he had entered the home. Silence greeted his initial entrance, but he suddenly turned upwards when he heard, "Running from me. Definitely a child." He smiled. "Easy pickings." He continued walking, taking in his surroundings. It was what he guessed a regular American home. A hallway, a TV in the downstairs room. He stopped, taking a step back and taking a second look around the room. "The kid's parents. Oh, and a baby too." His feet found the stairs, the first creaking under his weight. He took the second step, then a third, and then he traversed the rest. He reached the top, glancing down the hallway and finding his destination in a heartbeat. One of the doors was shut.

He walked down the hall, listening to the sounds around him. "Do all kids cry this much?" He could hear the sounds of sobbing coming from the room, even through the walls. Given that the house was silent that wasn't a difficult thing to do. He reached his destination, pushing the door open slowly.

Had he a heart, it would have cracked at the sight before him. The room he had found was one that could only befit a child. Toy planes hung from the ceiling, and there were various toy cars, action figures and other children's items littering the room. The one thing that interested Ritan however..."A duel disk. He must have a strong spirit to have survived Draygor's wrath." The child was too busy curled up into a ball to have seen Ritan, but that would make it all the more easier...

Suddenly the blaze that Ritan had arrived in returned, covering him in a fire of pure evil. The fire illuminated the room in an instant. The formally dark room was now full of light. Every shadow danced on the walls as Ritan simply stood there, looking down at the very young boy before him. The child couldn't have been more than seven, maybe eight years old. The look in Ritan's eyes, like he had found a tool to befit his ends, a tool he tried to intimidate with an aura of fire. Some would have claimed the devil himself had arrived at the child's door.

They wouldn't have been too far off.

"Please leave me alone! Just go away!"

"Boy. Do you want to avenge your family?"

"Wh-what?"

"Do you want to make the one who did this to your family pay?"

"I-I want them back! I want mommy, daddy and my baby brother back!"

"There are...ways of bringing them back."

In an admirable feat of courage, the boy looked up, obviously terrified. "Y-you can d-do that?"

"Bringing back people from death is possible."

"How?"

"I'd need your help for that. Actually I need you to do something for me. I need the one that did all this to die himself. If you help me, I'll help you."

"How c-can I h-help you?"

"Seek out a man with golden eyes. He is the one that did this. Duel him, defeat him. And then I will kill him for you. Then, and only then can we bring your mommy, daddy and little brother back."

"You...you promise?"

"Of course. Now come to me, child. Let me make you strong." Ritan raised out a hand, beckoning over his first pawn on the island. The child stood up, and slowly walked over to Ritan. If the boy was still scared out of his mind he was hiding and controlling it well. He stood before the monster, who placed a finger on his forehead. "Have no fear."

"Huh-uhh." The child's eyes rolled back, as suddenly both were alight with the same shade that emitted from Ritan. Both merely stood there, the child shaking slightly but Ritan did not release his fingertip from the already unfortunate child. Another minute of the child shaking with glowing eyes later and Ritan suddenly released his grasp, letting the child fall to his knees. He let his aura vanish, the show was over.

"I have given to you strength. Now build your deck as you see fit and be ready."

The child rose, silently and went over to his duel disk before pulling out his deck and glancing through it. Ritan turned around, and a minute later he was once more out in the street. "The boy will face Haou. And Haou will be forced to kill him. I can't see anyone reacting kindly to that. He'll have a mutiny on his hands. I wonder when he will arrive, or could he have gotten here faster than me?"

He continued walking through the streets, there were likely still more survivors, still more usable pawns. "And they will all serve as my soldiers in this war."

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The area was silent as two duellists stared one another down. Eyes watched on with both anxiety and fear as the Horsemen stared down a much shorter graduate. Duelling had indeed taken a much darker turn if this was the kind of battle that the upcoming war would be full of. What had become of that game that made people happy? Such thoughts were not among either of the duellists or spectators. To them there was only the next turn, the next blow in this fight, and the blow was to be struck by the smallest fighter. Sho grasped the top card of his deck.

"My turn. Draw. I activate Grinderroid's effect again." He picked up his three cards, revealing them a bit quicker than the last. "Limiter Removal. De-Fusion and Cyberdark Edge." (Grinderroid ATK/2300) "Spell card activate. Roid Switch. I must tribute a Machine-type 'roid' monster I control. I tribute Grinderroid." Sho's unbreakable defence, along with its own perfect defence vanished. "Now I can move any Machine-type 'roid' monster from my deck to my hand. I move Expressroid!" He shuffled his deck, placing the added card right into a monster card zone."I summon Expressroid."

Despite the shape of its body, this monster somehow managed to stand upright. The train-like monster stood using a set of wheels as legs, it's front wheels crossed in front of it. Like most roid monsters, this one had a oddly sentient set of eyes. They were hard, fierce, and ready for battle. (Defence position. ATK/400 DEF/1600)

"Expressroid effect activate. When it's summoned I can add two 'roid' monsters from my graveyard to my hand. I return Drilloid and Stealthroid. Spell card activate, Polymerization. I fuse Expressroid, along with the Truckroid, Drillroid and Stealthroid in my hand. Fusion Summon! Super Vehicroid – Stealth Union!"

The biggest monster yet to be summoned this duel appeared, and towered over both duellists many, many times over. Pieces of every monster used to create it littered its body. Its legs were of Drillroid, with actual drills poking out of its kneecaps. Stealthroid was being used as both chest and back armor, with its back holding its piece in a 'v' shape. The back of Truckroid was stuck on the front of Stealth Union's armor. Its shoulder pads were each a piece of Expressroid. It was difficult to guess which of the Roids its arm guards were made of, and where this Roid got its face from was another mystery still. No matter where it came from, this monster was a force to be reckoned with, one of Sho's aces was ready for battle. (Attack position. ATK/3600 DEF/3000)

"Stealth Union effect activate. Once per turn I can select one other monster on the field, except a Machine-type monster and equip it onto itself. I choose Saṃsāra Warrior." Saṃsāra Warrior was powerless to resist as he was suddenly pulled at Stealth Union. There was a flash of light, and suddenly Stealth Union was clothed in the same robes as the Warrior had been, and was holding a gigantic replica of his sword. "Stealth Union does not gain any attack and defence points. But it does gain the ability to attack every monster you control during the battle phase."

"All of them?" "He'll end me!"

"Super Vehicroid - Stealth Union! Battle! Attack every monster Death controls!"

Steal Union pulled back its blade, ready to strike with an exceedingly vicious blow. The wrath of this Roid would be devastating indeed. Death was not yet even aware of the full extent of the power of this behemoth of a monster, but in a duel every single card held a mystery somewhere.

Set cards held more than any others. "Trap card activate! Retreat Onto The Path! I can activate this when you declare an attack. Every 'Saṃsāra' monster I control is now forced to activate its effect to send itself to the Graveyard. I send my monsters onto the Path of Reincarnation!" One by one, Stealth Unions targets fled its sight, running down the path that would bring about their eventual return, one that would take place in a time neither it nor Sho could control. "And with Direct Border active you can't attack me either. I commend your efforts, but they are in vain."

"For now. You can't evade me forever. I set one card. Turn end."

Kenzan looked around at his allies, each of their faces telling the same thoughts as him. "He's good. He's keeping Sho back like it's almost nothing. And Sho's even surpassed Kaiser. If he can't turn this around we'll have to run. But I'm not giving up-sarus. Come on, Sho-don. I know if there's a way to turn this around you'll find it."

Among them, Asuka had known Sho the longest, and seeing him now, comparing him to how he was when she had first met him was awe inspiring even with the worry. "You've come the furthest out of all of us." She thought back to their group, and all who had entered their first year together. "Judai was always good, but you Sho. It seems no matter what we do we can't escape fighting. But I know this time we can count on you. We'll all fight together. Come on, Sho. We're here with you!"

Deaths cloak billowed just a bit more in the non-existent wind. "We are approaching the end, Sho. My turn. Draw. I revive Saṃsāra Monk first." (Defence position. ATK/800 DEF/800) "I use its effect to special summon another Saṃsāra monster. Saṃsāra Magician."

The black-robed, white-haired, armored magician of the Saṃsāra was on a knee as she appeared to the field, muttering something to herself. As she was a magician, it was possibly some kind of chant, given that her robes appeared to shift in a non-existent wind slightly, this was likely the case. (Defence position. ATK/1300 DEF/500)

"I revive Saṃsāra Thief." (Defence position. ATK/0 DEF/0) "I activate My thief's effect. Draw. I revive Saṃsāra Beast." The Beast seemed slightly calmer than before, but with what was to come maybe it was happiness rather than calm. (Attack position. ATK/1500 DEF/1200) "Saṃsāra Beast effect activate. When he revives himself I can destroy the monster you control that has the highest attack points. I destroy your stealth Union!"

Sho moved his duel disk slightly, showing off a glowing Graveyard." roid effect activate." He picked up the card before placing it in his Deck Box. "By removing itself from my graveyard, I can negate the destruction of a 'roid' monster I control. I protect my Stealth Union." The Beast slammed into the suddenly appearing roid, to no avail. It jumped back to its master, clearly displeased with the results of its hunt.

"Why don't you just accept your fate? I tribute my Saṃsāra Magician to tribute summon Saṃsāra Archer."

Like most of Death's monsters, the Archer was not a monster whose appearance would be seared into the memory of anyone who saw it. She was a young, auburn-haired woman dressed in the white robes of the Saṃsāra. Her weapon of choice was a white Bow, the center of which was inscribed with a symbol of the sun. Her eyes were completely white, but Sho had the feeling she was not blind. (attack position. ATK/2100 DEF/1500) "I set three cards, and then send all three of my monsters along their path!" Not for the first time Death was quite alone on his side of the field, but he could not help but comment on a single fact. "They accept their endings will come. And soon you will too. Turn end."

As Death declared the ending of his turn, the spectators and Sho could not quite suppress the feeling that Death's words were more than just that. He was growing impatient, and Sho would have to end this duel, and fast. Or at the very least prepare himself for what was to come.

"Come on Sho-don. If you can't beat him then we won't have a chance against him."

Asuka was more worried even than Kenzan. She had not seen Sho duel many times, but she had seen him pull out one great victory way back when, but that was when Judai was with him. "Judai. If you were here would your emotional support help Sho? I'm not sure if he can do this by himself." She turned to look directly at Sho, and suddenly her thoughts seemed to shatter. "He's not worried? He's not..." Looking at him closely, she was reminded suddenly of a former wielder of the cards Sho now held in his deck. His face was calm, composed, and he could not have been further away from losing his cool. "You should see this, Kaiser. Come on, Sho! Don't let us, or yourself down."

While composed on the outside, Sho was thinking quickly under what he showed the world. "My turn. Draw." "I have to end this. I have a bad feeling about what's coming." "Spell card activate! Cyberdark Impact! By returning one of each 'Cyberdark Horn' 'Cyberdark Edge' and "Cyberdark Keel' from my hand, field or Graveyard to my deck I can fusion summon Cyberdark Dragon from my deck." The three Cyberdark monsters ejected from the Graveyard, and he placed them into his Deck. While the method was odd, this was technically a form of fusion. "I return all three of them from my Graveyard to my deck." Above him the three Cyberdark monsters had appeared, and fell into the spiral of fusion. "Fusion summon! Cyberdark Dragon!"

A sinister and loud roaring signified the coming of this tyrannical beast. Once upon a time Sho's opponent would have gazed with a mixture of fear and reverence upon this enslaver of Dragons. Sho's second ace had arrived. With it Sho had summoned both of his strongest monsters, this was one of his absolute finest hours, and there would be very few times in which they would be needed more. (Attack position. ATK/1000 DEF/1000)

"Cyberdark Dragon effect activate. When it's summoned successful, I can select one Dragon-Type monster in either Graveyard and equip it to Cyberdark Dragon." The dragon opened its dragon-holding compartment. "I choose my own Hell Dragon!" The dragon appeared, only to have its freedom taken away in an instant by the closing of claws around it. Things quickly got worse as a series of tubes connected themselves to the trapped dragon. "Cyberdark Dragon gains the attack power of whatever it equips to itself. That's 2000 points." (Cyberdark Dragon ATK/3000) "Also. Cyberdark Dragon gains 100 attack points for every monster in my Graveyard. I have eight!" (Cyberdark Dragon ATK/3800)

Once upon a time he really would have impressed with the sight before him, the third year Osiris Red truly had changed. "Summon a thousand monsters with attack power of that calibre if you must. You cannot pass my border."

"Give me a moment. Spell card activate. Fusion Prize. I can draw one card for every Fusion Monster I control. I control two. Draw." He smiled for a second before revealing..."Spell card activate. Mystical Space Typhoon! I destroy Direct Border."

Death was silent, even as the winds ravaged his best defence and shattered it like glass. Even when the winds had finally died out he was silent, but Sho was too caught in the moment to care about this detail.

"Cyberdark Dragon! Direct attack! Full Darkness Burst!" There was little more than a second to spare before the cybernetic dragon opened its jaws and began to roar. The wave of invisible power made itself known, spreading in the direction of its target in nearly an instant.

"Not enough! Trap card activate! Intervention From The Path. This will negate your attack." True to his word he was not affected by the blast, the expanding attack never seeming to touch him, even though it spread elsewhere. "Also. For every monster you control, I must special summon a 'Saṃsāra' monster from my graveyard. But I can only summon ones who have been sent their by their own effects. I must sacrifice their effects on revival for defence now. I summon Saṃsāra Monk and Saṃsāra Thief." (both defence position. Monk ATK/800 DEF/800. Thief ATK/0 DEF/0) "You are not getting to my life points."

"Wrong again. Stealth Union inflicts piercing battle damage. But its original attack points are halved when it attacks. I'm still going to take more than half of your life points, though!" (Stealth Union ATK/1800) Stealth Union pulled back its absolutely massive blade, before slashing it across both of Death's monsters with a mighty swing. The result was two massive explosions directly in front of Death. The blast winds slammed into Death viciously, with such force that the cloak itself was almost completely removed from Death, showing that he was still wearing the Osiris red uniform underneath the cloak. It would not remove itself from his head however, so the skull mask was not made to leave the privacy of the cloak. Finally the winds died, the worst of the turn over. (Death LP/4000 → 1200) Deaths posture still gave nothing away as to his emotions, but his voice had fallen to a whisper, a whisper which captured the ears of those present more than the shrillest scream.

"You will pay for that...with your life."

"We'll see about that. I set two cards. Turn end." His face was solemn, but under it he was planning. Working over every detail with a finesse that would impress a former Ra Yellow genius. "Cyberdark Hunt. If he destroys Hell Dragon and tries to attack my Dragon, I can equip any monster back thanks to my Judgement Rebirth. If he destroys my Stealth Union first, and then attacks my Dragon I have the best possible advantage. Come on, Death."

The end was nigh. "That was your last at defeating me. Draw. First I revive Saṃsāra Archer." (Attack position. ATK/2100 DEF/1500) "When it is successfully revived, I can destroy every face-up spell and trap you control. Both of your monsters will be losing their best weapons now!" Before that would come however, Death had one more card to play. "I chain a quick-play spell card from my hand. Last Curse! Every time a card is destroyed this turn, It'll inflict 300 damage to you!"

The archer took her aim, grasping at the air where the arrow should have been, but nothing was there. She had her Bow aimed on its side, taking a second to consider her shot. Even though she held no arrow, the string was still being pulled back by something.

She released, and almost faster than Sho could perceive two arrows that were made of pure light hit two cards in his back row. The shattering occurred in an instant, and Steal Union's robes and blade shattered like glass silently, almost instantly fading to nothing. (Sho LP/2800 → 2200. Cyberdark Dragon ATK/1900)

"Now I revive my Beast." Poems could have been written for howling less vicious than the one his beast unleashed upon its revival, it eyed its target with a gaze that could have sent even a demon running in the other direction. Being a machine however, the gigantic Vehicrioid was quite unaffected. "You can't stop your Stealth Union from meeting its end now!"

True to his word, Death's beast launched itself at the Fused behemoths face before quickly slashing at it as viciously as it was able. The sounds of growling and screeching metal could be heard as parts of Steal Union's face was peeled off by the wrath of the beast. Suddenly the monster dug its face inside the face and but down on something. Whatever it was clearly was too much for the Vecicroid, and it promptly exploded. Leaving a slightly less vicious beast to jump back down to the ground. (Sho LP/2200 → 1900. Cyberdark Dragon ATK/2000)

"Now it comes. Now I come! I sacrifice both of my monsters." For a second, Death was left quite alone, his two monsters having left his front line completely abandoned, but as his aura flared and covered the card he was about to play, it became clear this was a situation well worth the cost. "Prey in your final moment, because it has come! I summon the Four Horsemen – Death!"

From the sky above the leader of the Four Horsemen descended, it tore through the darkness like bursting forth from water, and the hole in the sky leaked down its essence to following the ambassador of the Emissary as it made its way to the ground. The skinless Horsemen was silent, as befitting its name as it came down. Its steed too, even if its glowing eyes spoke of terrors yet to be unleashed. The steed finally found ground. The rider pulled back its own cloak to reveal that beneath it he really was dead. Who better would there to endow with the title 'Death' than one who was already dead? A year ago Sho would have likely tried to find an excuse to run, or at least put Judai between him and this ambassador of destruction. But like many things, he had changed. (Attack position. ATK/3000 DEF/2000)

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Many eyes turned, they could all see it. They all saw the hole in the sky as one of the Four Horsemen descended from it.

"Sho!" Ryo was the first to run. He knew his little brother was strong now, far stronger than he honestly would have thought possible, but that would never mean he wouldn't worry for his little brother.

Haou was the first to turn away. "All of you go if you must. I'll stay here, the numbers will be even anyway."

Fubuki looked to the rest of the group. "I'll go after Kaiser, come on, Yusuke. O'Brian, Jim, I think it'd be best if you stayed. Better safe than sorry with Haou." His statement was met with nods, and quickly both Yusuke and Fubuki were gone, running after their friend, to towards the other ongoing battle. Haou spoke when Austin and Jim turned back towards him.

"Alone with two I have already faced down. Though I recall my work being sloppy with you, O'Brian. But our rematch can wait for another day." He turned towards the duel. "If they fail it might be worth our time to have you two face them. Or I'll just do it myself."

"Draygor's already attacking us? I have to try and finish this, now!" "My turn, draw! Trap activate, Destruction Plunder. I can only activate it during my standby phase. All of my Spell and Trap cards are destroyed, including itself. Then I can draw one card for every card I destroyed. I destroy it along with Tactics of the Weakest." Both shattered. "Draw." He quickly formed a plan, with a weakness he could not address, but there was one who might have been able to. "Edo! Can you keep them both off our life points for another turn?"

"Do you actually have a plan?"

"Yeah."

"Alright then. I'll hold up the front line, just have something ready."

"You got it! I set one card. Turn end."

A laugh shattered the atmosphere the two had formed, David was about to go on yet another offensive.

"All this planning you two go through. Sorry boys, but I'm taking you both out, right now! My turn, draw!" He glanced at the card and grinned. "Oh I've waited for this! Spell card activate! COMMAND – Upgrade! This COMMAND is a one time only use as a well. 6-24-20 effect activate! Command Request!" The left screen lit up, the right one not even flickering. "Command Download!" Another set of 0s and 1s appeared and vanished quickly, and the right screen was still completely black. Clearly this screen was not going to be responding any time soon. "6-24-20 Command Execute. I can tribute him to special summon any COMM Seeker from my hand. I sacrifice 6-24-20, to summon 8-28-26!"

This Seeker was the first whose form stood higher than David, and held a much more intimidating build. The Seeker almost glowed, even under the dark sky with its skin of pure gold. Like all of the Seekers this one took the form of a steel mannequin, so not much detail could be described about its body. What unique features it did have however separated it from its brethren. Its face held a slightly larger screen, because no number was upon the face of this Seeker. As was traditional for this Archetype, the screen on 8-28-26 held the data about itself on a screen, but this Seeker had one extra line of data above the Attack and defence values. "Level: 8". This Seeker also held more screens than the typical Seeker, it held three, in a triangle formation. The lenses on its hands were crimson. With such strength, such a physical form and its strength, one could argue strongly that this was designed to be the leader of COMM Seekers. (Attack position. ATK/2800 DEF/2600)

It was time for this Seeker to process a Command. "Spell card activate! COMMAND - Reload! 8-28-26! Command Request, target COMMAND – Reload!" The top screen lit up. "Command Download!" Yet another sequence of 0s and 1s followed. Had one been paying enough attention, they'd have realized this command had the most 1s yet. "8-28-26 effect activate! All of my COMMAND Spell and Trap cards are forced to set, then they are all reactivated again. I reactivate Protection, Engage and Counter-attack! Now comes the pain, boys! 8-28-26 can target a COMMAND Spell or Trap card up to three times per turn. I got two more to go! COMM Seeker 8-28-26 effect activate! Command Request! Target COMMAND Set – Engage twice!" Both the bottom screens suddenly lit up, it was time for a double download, but before that 8-28-26 had one more effect to reveal. "8-28-26 effect activate! Variable Change! Level Four! Command Download." The screen on its face changed a single piece of its data, now it read "Level: 4", and the bottom right screen was alight with a string of 1s and 0s before the download was finished. "Second request, variable change. Level Five! Command Download!" The last screen ran through the download process, a new program being added to the Seeker's already impressive arsenal.

"You know level four lets my Seeker attack all your monsters. Level Five lets me change the battle position of a monster my Seeker is fighting and inflict piercing battle damage. " Engage suddenly shattered. "Both downloads used up in one go. Now to delete your life points! 8-28-24! Take aim on all of Edo's monsters!"

The crimson lens of the Seekers right hand pointed at each of the Destiny Heroes one by one, and one by one each of their foreheads was decorated by a red target. The Heroes stood up, much to David's pleasure.

"A Hero should die facing his opponent with everything he's got. That's a true way for a warrior to die! Staring into the face of death! COMM Seeker 8-28-26! Battle! Maximum Deletion!"

The Seeker drew not one, but three crimson revolves. Two on its right hand, with the third appearing out of its left. There was a 'click' as the bullet chamber moved into place. Destruction was about to sound itself out to the world.

Destruction that would not be permitted to carry out its will. "Trap card activate! D-Wall! Destiny Hero monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn, and I take no battle damage from battles involving them!" A golden 'D' appeared above Edo's side of the field, generating a golden light. One would need to have focused their eyes extremely hard to notice it, but there was definitely something between the Heroes and the Seeker now. Said Seeker released its three rounds, each of which bounced off the invisible wall. True to his word Edo had saved his Heroes, but there was more to come. "I can tribute or discard a Destiny Hero to return D-Wall to the top of my deck. I tribute Disk Guy!" Edo's weakest warrior faded away, paying the necessary price for Edo's card. He picked up his card, but his gain had come at a cost. (Dreadguy ATK/1400 DEF/1600)

"Nice escape, but don't congratulate yourself yet. I set one card. Turn end."

With the Commander of the COMM Seekers having finally finished, the silver-haired Hero wielder was ready to make his move. "My turn. Draw! Equip Spell card activate, Cyclone Blade. I equip it to Dreadguy. When he attacks, I can destroy a Spell or Trap card at the end of the damage step. Dreadguy! Attack Raphael!" Dreadguy jumped forward with a now spinning blade, this was suicide, but Edo was not one to make moves recklessly.

He was known to make mistakes however. "Trap card activate! Hallowed Shield! This trap is an equip card that only a Hallowed Hero can old. The equipped monster gains 500 attack and defence!" Raphael raised his unladen arm as a kite shield formed upon it. The shield itself was mostly white in color with gold trim, but a red cross sat on the face of this weapon. History buffs might been able to identify certain other shields that bore a similar design. (Raphael ATK/3300 DEF/2700) "Destroy him, Raphael!"

Raphael intercepted the spinning blade with the shield, before slamming the top of the Spear onto Dreadguy's face, shattering his helmet in an instant. The force of this explosion sent the blade propelling upwards, somehow regaining it's circular momentum.

"Even though Dreadguy was destroyed, he can take out one Spell or Trap first. I choose to destroyed Hallowed Aura!" The blade, still spinning in the air, changed trajectory, aiming for Raphael. The angel shifted slightly, dodging the oncoming blade, before it slammed itself in the hologram of the card equipped to him. His sacred aura vanished, leaving him slightly less impressive to behold.(Manjoume & Edo LP/3400 → 1500) Edo was so very close to done. "I set two cards. Turn end." "Even if Manjoume can't destroy Raphael, I'll revive Dragoon D-End and try to use it to turn this duel around."

Assuming he would even get that next turn, Reggie's turn was now, and after losing her spell card, she was a just a little pissed. "My turn. Draw. Edo. I know one of your set cards is D-Wall. I try to attack your Hero and I'll just be wasting an attack. So I'll skip that part and just end this duel. Spell Card activate, Holy Wrath. By halving its attack points until the end phase, a Hallowed Hero can bypass your monsters and attack directly!"

Majoume turned to his partner. "Edo!"

"Just try it, Reggie!"

"I will! Raphael! Direct attack! Sacred Spear!" (ATK/1650) Raphael raised his weapon and cast it off on its destructive journey. "This is the end, Edo!"

"I don't think so! Trap card activate, D-Fortune! By removing a Destiny Hero in my cemetery from play, I can negate the attack and end the battle phase! I remove Diskguy!"

The departed soul of Disk Guy suddenly appeared before Edo, his arms outstretched. The divine spear struck against him viciously, only to be dispersed into nothing. With that one action all the effort had become worth it. Reggie and David had failed in their efforts to win before Manjoume would have a turn. Now, the pros had something resembling a chance.

"Turn end."

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Under his mask, no one could read what Kenji's face was saying. Nor could his tone be read. His spoke with an emotionless voice, like frozen steel. Death held no emotions, no positions. Death simply was, and would always be. "This is the end. Trap card activate! Extinction Armor! I target Death to wear it!"

Unlike most creatures to be endowed with this cursed weapon, the Horsemen of Death was silent as the bones of the beast burst though its chest. Darkness quickly wrapped around him, forming the skull and tail of the Emissary of Extinction. The Horsemen of Death itself had now been fused with its kin.

Death's voice suddenly changed, from the objective tone came pride. Death held power, and was one of the chosen few. Pride was something he felt he could afford. "Only the Four Horsemen way wield this weapon now! I'm going to reap you, Sho!" The aura around him flared once more, the flame-like energy suddenly becoming sharper. Sho was the only one who perceived the other phenomenon coming from his opponent, and he had to pay close attention because at first it was so easy to miss. Before Death spoke once more, he understood. Death was emitting silence itself. There was no sound but that of his words. "The Four Horsemen – Death. Battle. Attack Cyberdark Dra-"

"Sho!"

All eyes turned to see the Emperor rushing towards the duel. A distance behind him two more figures were following him, it was clear that the crowd had become just a bit bigger now, and it was not a fact a certain Horsemen liked.

"Can I not reap in peace?" He turned back to Sho. "I strike you down and clearly one of them will rise up to take your place, and eventually another when they too finally fall. I'm not in the mood." From atop the horse the rider suddenly disappeared, along with everything else on his side of the field except the steed. The rider of Death walked up to the stood before mounting it. "You were a worthy opponent, Sho. Perhaps we will fight again." The horse turned around, radiating the same aura its rider was as it slowly walked onto the air itself. The Horsemen spoke one last time before his steed broke into a gallop.

"I will return. We all will. My allies will cut, infect and starve you all. Then I will reap every last one of you." He kicked the sides of his steed, and they were away, rising up above the street, above the buildings, eventually piercing the black sky itself.

Sho's Cyberdark Dragon faded, he let out a deep breath.

"Sho are you alright?" The youngest Marufiji turned to his sibling.

"I'm fine, brother. Did you find anything?"

"Yes but that's not important. What happened here?"

Sho shook his head. "Not that important right now. Let's just get everyone together again first."

Though against his will, Kaiser nodded. "Alright then. Let's pick up Xiaolang and go, we found survivors. Haou and the others are...negotiating as we speak."

"Eh?"

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All their effort, all their desperate planning and work and it had all finally amounted to this last ditch effort. It was all on Manjoume to turn this game around, now. "Nice job, Edo. Just leave this up to me. I'll have this duel ended before you know it."

"Yeah, right."

"Just watch me. Draw." He nodded. "Perfect. Trap card activate, Level Bond! I can special summon an 'LV' monsters from my Graveyard, ignoring all summoning conditions, but an opponent gets to draw two cards. You can decide between yourselves who draws."

"Mind if I take 'em, Reggie?"

"Go ahead."

"Thanks. But before that, quick-play spell card activate! COMMAND – Restore! 8-28-26 effect activate! Target COMMAND – Restore!" The top screen lit up again, quickly downloading and running the 0s and 1s through its system before the screen flashed green. With the Command Downloaded, the spell shattered. "8-28-26 Command Execute. I can now return any COMMAND Spell or Trap card from my Graveyard to the top of my Deck. I choose COMMAND – Engage!" He placed it on top of his deck. "My turn is gonna be a blast. Draw!" He glanced as his cards, mainly to find out what the second drawn card was. "As you were."

"With pleasure. I revive the strongest monster in my graveyard. Armed Dragon!"

Manoume's corner of the was suddenly home to the glow of the summon of a dragon. He was bathed in light as a gigantic dragon rose from nowhere and took its place in front of him. This massive armored monstrosity of a creature roared as it looked down on its foes, and as the light dimmed it became clear that this dragon was not the one anyone was expecting would be summoned. "Level 10!" Unlike its level five counterpart, this dragon had wings befitting its size, and if it was actually possible, even more weapons poking from its body. Armed Dragon level five was a creature you never wanted to meet in a dark alley or while it was in a bad mood. Level ten was a dragon you never wanted to meet, ever. (Attack position. ATK/3000 DEF/2000). Manjoume had shifted the balance of power, but there was obvious confusion to be noted.

David could not remain silent after seeing this. "When the hell did that get in your Graveyard?"

"When could he have..." Her thoughts flashed back to Manjoume's second turn. Where he'd deliberately discarded a card... "When he played Ojamable! He's had this planned all along!"

"Oh mother fu-"

"David!"

"Oh come on, dad! We just had our asses played like-"

"Finish that sentence and I will disown you!"

"If you're done! Armed Dragon level 10 effect activate! I can discard a card to destroy every monster you both control!" There was only one card he could possibly want to discard. "I discard Ojamagic!"

"COMM Seeker 8-28-26! Target 'Protection' to protect yourself!" Like 4-18-16 before it, the Seeker created a barrier around it which protected it from the onslaught of the blast, now the only uncertain fate was that of Raphael.

"I activate the effect of Hallowed Shield to prevent Raphael's destruction." Raphael threw up his sacred shield against the blast. It shattered to pieces, but as it crumbled into nothing it briefly created a barrier of light in front of him, saving him. (Raphael ATK/2800 DEF/2200) "You wasted your efforts, Manjoume!"

"Think again! Ojamagic effect activate. I can add Ojama Yellow, Green and Black from my deck to my hand." In nearly a heartbeat he had his deck held in his hands and parted, and a second later he'd pulled his three targets out of it. "I thought we were finished, Aniki." He shuffled his deck before placing it back in his duel disk, not that he planned on needing it. "I activate Polymerization. I fuse the three Ojamas in my hand, to summon Ojama King!"

The three brothers appeared, before falling into a spiral to give rise to the king of the Ojama. The giant slammed into the ground next to its ally, matching the giant for sheer height. Clearly, being a 'king', this Ojama made sure to eat this one. There was no way this king could hope to reach one side of its body with the opposite hand. Despite its immense size, it was nowhere near as intimidating as Armed Dragon LV10 for a single reason. (Attack position. ATK/0 DEF/3000)

Manjoume was far from done. "Spell card activate! Ojamadalla! I must pay 1000 life points to activate this." (Manjoume & Edo LP/1500 → 500) "I can special summon the three Ojama brothers my from Graveyard."

"Not again!" (All attack position. ATK/0 DEF/1000) "Spell card activate. Ojama Delta Hurricane! This card is the ultimate power of the Ojamas! Ojama Yellow! Ojama Green! "Ojama Black!" "Aniki!" "Attack with all of your power!" "Ojama Delta Hurricane!"

The Oajamas jumped, creating their formation of mass destruction. Not in the lives of any in attendance had the meeting of buttocks been capable of such wide-spread destruction. Such was the game of Duel monsters, where the even the most minuscule of things could be nuclear-class weapons in disguise. The brothers began rotating, moving faster and faster and faster before suddenly turning into a tornado, a tornado that grew as it moved across the filed, growing larger and larger, before it had completely enveloped both David and Reggie, along with their entire side of the field with it.

David was the most composed of the two for once, only raising an arm to guard his face as everything shattered before him. First his Seeker exploded, and then one by one his Commands shattered.

"Dammmmmit!" Reggie's shout of displeasure was lost against the winds as she two began to lose her side of the field, Raphael shattered into a million shards of light, signifying that she too, was now without cards on the field.

Now they were both utterly defenceless.

"Can this day really get any worse?"

"Don't tempt fate!"

"Field Spell card activate! Ojama Country!"

Once again New York vanished. Gone was the blackened sky, the giant building that was the academia. Unlike before however, the world was not replaced with another dark field. This world stood under a bright, sunless sky, this was the home of the Ojama. The duellists stood in what might have been the center of this what could have been a village, with the various houses all around them. The houses were small, with all of the walls and roofs being curved. Each of the houses also had antenna, not unlike the eyes of the Ojama citizens pointing out of them. Some houses were on the ground level, others were on hills, and if you looked far enough into the distance there were even windmills. For creatures that walked around in beachwear all the time, they seemed to rather civilized. No other citizens of the Ojama homeland were around at this time, nor any other creatures that may have lived there. Maybe they were just not fond of guests, and opted to hide themselves instead.

"As long as I control an Ojama monster, Ojama Counter forces all monsters on the field to have their original attack and defence points switched!" (Armed Dragon LV10 ATK/2000 DEF/3000. Ojama King ATK/3000 DEF/0. Ojama Brothers ATK/1000 DEF/0 each).

Reggie could not suppress the urge to state the obvious. "You had to tempt fate didn't you!"

"Fate or not this is the end! Armed Dragon Level 10! Direct Attack! Armed Big Punisher!" What would be the most normal attack to come, the Dragon held up a hand, creating a dark sphere in its hand. The dragon pulled it back before thrusting it forward, slamming it into the distance between Reggie and David. The shock-wave of the attack struck them both. (David & Reggie LP/8000 → 6000)

"Ojama King! Direct attack!"

The King leapt to the sky above, shadowing over his new target, who could only look up in horror as she realized what was about to happen. The king fell, brutally crushing the young maiden under his massive body. When he finally removed himself, Reggie was lying down, and didn't seem to plan on getting up any time soon. (Reggie & David LP/6000 → 3000)

"Heh heh. I got off lucky."

David would soon be eating that thought, not that he'd feel like eating for a while. "Ojama Brothers! Direct attack!"

The brothers Green and Black swept in first, running up to either side of David before jumping up.

"Ojama!"

"Punch!"

David stood unaffected, even as a fist collided with either side of his face, giving his face a squished appearance, with his mouth having been pushed open wide the moment was rather comical. (Reggie & David LP/3000 → 1000)

The most loyal of the three brothers ran across the arena with his first pulled back, ready to launch the final attack of the brothers, and of the very turn itself, but his mind could not help but suddenly look back to the last time he'd been in battle "Ojama..." Of how he'd been brutally overpowered...it was time to get creative. He jumped, but not as high as his brothers...

"Kick!"

A silent scream of pain roared from David as he suddenly collapsed to his knees, slamming his knees into the ground, hard, but his mind was on a greater pain, a much greater pain. A kind of pain that no matter how it was explained, only a man could truly understand. The pain of losing a duel could not begin to compare to this kind of pain. (Reggie & David LP/1000 → 0)

The various holograms of the duel finally faded, the battle was won. Haou walked past both Manjoume and Edo silently, he was not one to congratulate either his allies or subordinates, and he was not about to start now. He passed both Reggie and David, each of them still trying to soothe their egos (well David was trying to sooth something else). He stopped before the Father of the two defeated duellists. "Your children have been defeated. Will you finally listen?"

"Of course, and I've seen enough to know you're not the bad guys. I guess this makes us allies." He raised up his arm, turning it to Haou and holding out a hand. Haou glanced at it before blinking.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"It's customary for new alliances to be sealed with something. A handshake will normally do."

Haou too raised a hand, slowly placing it into that of his new ally. "Very well." They shook, sealing their union. "Then we are allied."

"Indeed we are. Now let's get your entire group here and make a plan."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ritan pushed a pair of church doors open, walking inside to see bones nearly everywhere, except for the altar. "Hello."

At the altar Ritan found a young dark-haired woman. She turned around. "Oh my god. I didn't think there was anyone else left."

"Have you bothered to leave this church since it happened? Or have you been content to pray?"

"I have faith. The sky may be dark now but I believe we'll be saved."

"I have no doubt the people around us would have expressed similar views were they still alive. But as you see no one saved them. No one is going to save you either. Not me. Nor anyone else still alive in this city-sized graveyard. My advice is either find a way to profit here or get the hell out."

"You're still here, so I assume you're trying to profit. Who are you?"

"Ritan Kentai. And you are?"

"Midori Hibiki."

"Hibiki? I know that name from somewhere..." It was not his own memory he found the name in. Among the mess that had been Xiaolangs most recent potent memories he saw a young boy sitting across from his own sons view. "Do you know a Koyo Hibiki?"

"You know my little brother?"

"He was a friend of my son. And I tend to not to get on with his friends. Good day to you." Ritan turned around.

"What exactly did you mean by 'was'?"

"I recently lost my son."

"Oh. I'm very sorry."

He opened the doors. "I suppose someone has to be."

"You have something to do with the darkness, don't you?"

He passed through them, but left them open just long enough to speak one last time. "Yes and no. I have had some involvement with the cause of this mess, but this was not my doing or intention. Though I think it was always going to be an inevitable result eventually. As I said, good day."

XXXXXXXXXXX

End of Chapter

XXXXXXXXXXX

Today's Strongest Card

Dragoon D-End

Monster

Dark

10

Warrior/Fusion/Effect

ATK/3000 DEF/3000

"Destiny Hero Bloo-D" + "Destiny Hero Dogma Guy"

A Fusion Summon of this card can only be done with the above Fusion Material Monsters. Once per turn: You can target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy that target and inflict damage to your opponent equal to its ATK on the field. You cannot conduct your Battle Phase the turn you activate this effect. During your Standby Phase, if this card is in your Graveyard: You can banish 1 "Destiny Hero" card from your Graveyard; Special Summon this card.

Commentary: Edo

"The final and most dangerous D! Even if you destroy it you cannot truly defeat it."

Author's notes:

Death's duel with Sho was the last planned duel to be left without a victor. Death's next planned match is going to have a victor, and it will reveal The Four Horsemen – Death's effect.

Didn't feel complete with me using Koyo and not having Midori show up. Well now she's here, and with the MacKenzie family included as well the set of important characters from the manga is complete.

New poll!: (Well, it's an old one being reintroduced)

Right now I have a duel academia full of (as yet not introduced) students who all need decks, along with survivors outside the Academia. Rather than waste my time coming up with archetypes for the not-so-important characters (which would take forever, and this book taking too damn long as it is) I figure I'd let you pick some real archetypes!

The polls rules are the same as before (see Chapter 14), which was so very long ago so I'll restate them.

Suggested Archetypes must be before the 5d's era (nothing with Tuner/Synchro/Xyz monsters)

Cannot be an archetype someone has already used (in the original series, GX or beyond). And no mixed archetype decks either!

Must be an official archetype. No suggesting one from Yu-Gi-Oh! card maker wiki or whatever. The only original archetypes showing up in this book are ones I create or get direct permission from the original creators to use. Which would involve getting into touch with the creators, getting them interested in this book, making a case for my using the archetype. All that work, no thanks. I'm lazy, people!

Now vote, vote, vote! (through reviews.)

Disclaimer (again): I may or may not use any suggestions you make. It's all down to what I duels I can come up with.

Last note (for laughs):

A new Six Samurai themed structure deck is gonna be released this year; "Samurai Warlords". Somehow I doubt Xiaolang would think much of the name.