A/N: If there is a drop in quality, then it is because I have to rush this fic.

-Lswarm-

The Ojamajos and Majorin returned to Majo Kai Castle with a cloud of despair hanging over their heads. Jou-sama had just fallen to her infection and transformed into a corrupted, Verz-themed version of her Super Witch Form. The event was horrifying to say the least, but what happened could not be changed at this point. Right now, they had to find a way to cure the Queen and save her before the Verz spreads further.

Majo Heart and Majo Toron weren't inside the clinic. As such, the girls left without another word and headed back to the Castle. There, they found the other Senior Witches.

"Majorin-san!" Majo Don called, "Thank God you're alright!"

Majorin gave a dismayed look. "Minna-san…We have some bad news."

"Then…" Majo Sloane replied, "Jou-sama is…?" Majorin shook her head. "Then…?"

"Jou-sama has the Seven Seals and is in her Super Witch Form…but she has fallen to her infection and it seems to have corrupted her."

The Senior Witches exchanged looks of despair and shock. They knew things were bad before, but they had no idea things were now this out of hand. But now, their inability to aid was coming to a head and thus caused them to feel useless.

"Majorin-san?" Majo Vanilla began. She noticed that Doremi was in a depression and that the other Ojamajos were trying to comfort her. "Majo Heart, Majo Toron, and Majo Isabelle are at the Magic Research Center. I would suggest going to visit them and see if they can still help in some way."

Majorin nodded.

At once, the red-violet Witch and the Ojamajos exited the Castle and made an attempt to leave the grounds. Instead, they found Kada and Skaj by the gate. The former was as stoic as ever while the latter seemed disgruntled. Majorin approached both young men.

"Why are you here?" Majorin inquired.

"Skaj reported what happened," Kada replied, "I hadn't anticipated something of this magnitude occurring."

"What do you mean by 'anticipated', Kada?"

"Her Majesty actually getting up and somehow managing to get to Kage Kai despite her condition. Honestly, someone that ill shouldn't have been able to pull that stunt."

Majorin shot a knowing glare at the Puer Magi. "What do you know?"

"You seem to have developed an interest in a card game lately." Several cards from Kada's deck emerge and take the rough form of a Duel Disk. "Defeat me and I will give you all of the information you need."

Majorin snapped her fingers, causing her own Duel Disk to appear. "Very well then!"

The Ojamajos took one area of the sideline while Skaj took the other.

Kada and Majorin inserted their decks into the proper slots. Their Life Point meters raced to 8000.

"Duel!" Majorin shouted. Kada said nothing, opting instead to simply draw his opening hand. "I will take the first move. Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Majorin drew her first card. "First, I will activate Reinforcement! With this, I can add any Lv4 or below Warrior-type monster to my hand. I will go with this!" Majorin revealed Junk Synchron. "Next, I will play Reinforcements of Light! With this, as long as I mill three cards, I can add any Lv4 or below Lightlord monster to my hand. I choose Lightlord Hunter - Raiko!"

Majorin took three cards from her deck and sent them to her graveyard. She then added her card to her hand. Kada remained unperturbed by the move.

"He behaves like one of those arrogant tournament players!" Aiko griped, "Seriously? Can he show any emotion or enthusiasm?!"

"I don't know," Onbpu replied, "But we can't interfere in this game."

"And we can't worry about dueling attitudes right now," Pop added.

"I will set one monster," Majorin said. A reversed monster card appeared before her. "Turn end."

Kada silently nodded and drew his card. "Dark World Dealings. We both draw one card and then discard one." Kada placed his card underneath the floating cards. At once, dark mist appeared. Both drew their cards and then discarded. Suddenly, something like a massive, draconic monster appeared (2700/1800). "If Grapha is ever discarded by a card effect, he automatically destroys one of your cards."

Grapha roared and passed his judgment. Raiko was revealed and immediately crushed underneath his power. The massive deity of the Dark World then vanished just as suddenly as he appeared.

"I will set one monster." A reversed monster appeared before Kada. "Then, I will activate Gates of Dark World." And upon activation, a massive and demonic gate appeared behind him. "I will set one more card. Then, I activate Dragged Down into the Grave." Another reversed card appeared, this time behind his reversed monster. It was the followed by two massive hands bursting out of the ground. "We look at each other's hands and force any single card to be discarded. But since I only have one card anyway, I may as well discard it."

Kada revealed his only card: Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World, and sent it to the graveyard. Majorin revealed her own hand: Chaos Sorcerer, Light Pulsar Dragon, Dark Armed Dragon, Card Gunner, and Junk Synchron.

"Dark Armed Dragon," Kada said. Majorin grit her teeth and inserted the card into her graveyard. Then, Goldd burst forth form the ground (2300-2600/1400-1700). "Gates also give 300 ATK and DEF to all Fiend-type monsters on the field. But now, we both draw from Dragged Down." Kada and Majorin drew their new cards. "Bounce back for Grapha."

Goldd saluted as he returned from whence he came. In his place, the massive dragon deity appeared (2700-3000/1800-2100). It roared angrily at Majorin. Kada's reversed card revealed itself.

"Now I'll use Card Destruction. I trust you've seen this card before?" Kada and Majorin discarded their entire hands and drew a few new cards. And then Goldd returned to the field, as ready to fight as ever. He was followed by a demonic huntsman (1400/800). "When Broww is discarded, I can draw an additional card."

Broww took aim and identified something. Kada ignored the monster and simply took his card. The Gates then began glowing as Broww appeared and entered them.

"Once per turn, I can use banish any Fiend from my graveyard to discard another Fiend and then draw one." Kada took a card from his hand and put it in his graveyard. Immediately, a emoinc spellcaster appeared by the young man's side (1700/0). "When Snoww is discarded, I can add any Dark World card to my hand. I will go with Dark World Dealings."

"Not again," Majorin muttered.

"Dark World decks are known for their power," Onpu warned, "But they aren't in the highest tiers anymore."

"And for taking so long to finish their turns," Pop deadpanned.

Momoko girt her teeth. "He doesn't seem to like having fun," she said, "He needs to learnt to relax and stop being so serious all the time."

Skaj sighed at the remark. "Too bad he ain't me," he mused.

"You know what's coming next," Kada said. He activated another rDark World Dealings, prompting both of them to draw and discard. "Bounce back for Grapha."

"So that's the card you tossed just now, isn't it?" Majorin mused in frustration. Kada nodded as his second powerful dragon-like Fiend appeared. "Typical Dark World player."

Kada stayed silent against Majorin's statement. "I will attack you directly with both Graphas." The two Graphas obeyed their master and fired a blast of dark energy at Majorin. She weathered the twin blows without a problem, though her Life Points fell to 2000. "I will set a card. Your move."

Majorin eyed the reversed card in dismay. "Watashi no Turn! Draw!" Majorin half-shouted. She took her new card and put it in her hand. "By banishing any LIGHT and DARK monster from my graveyard, I can special summon Chaos Soldier -Envoy of the Beginning-!" Immediately, an orb of light and an orb of darkness rose out of the ground. The two orbited each other…and then impacted, creating the bridge from which a powerful warrior emerged (3000/2500). "Next, I activate Cyclone! And I will use it to destroy your Gates!"

Immediately, a familiar and powerful whirlwind sprung forth, aiming for and tearing apart the Gates. The power from it vanished soon after, causing a slight weakening on the twin dragon deitys' part (3000-2700/2100-1800).

"I will now normal summon Card Gunner!" Majorn announced. Immediately, a small robotic soldier appeared. It had twin guns for arms (400/400). "And by returning a card from my hand to the top of my deck, I can bring back Zombie Carrier!" Majorin placed the card on the top of her deck. Moments later, the enregy from the returned monster opened a portal from which a small, infested-looking undead appeared (400/200). "And then I will activate Card Gunner's ability! By milling up to three cards, I can give him 500 more ATK!"

Card Gunner charged up its weapons as Majorin milled three of her cards. Once it had finished, it appeared much more powerful and capable (400-1900/400).

"Now, I tune Lv3 Card Gunner with Lv2 Zombie Carrier!" Zombie Carrier flew into the air with Card Gunner in tow. The former transformed into two green rings while the latter flew through them. "The level 5 power is the key to knowledge. And with clear vision and mind, the path to infinite might is set! Synchro Summon! Awareru, Tech Genus Hyper Librarian!"

And just like that, a brilliant flash of light shone on the battlefield. No sooner than it faded, an advanced being descended. He wielded a book that could easily have been confused with a computer (2400/1800).

"Alright, Majorin!" Hana cheered.

"Ya got him on the ropes now!" Aiko cheered.

"And with your Dragon Gods weakened, my Chaos Soldier can handle them easily!" Majorin shouted. She then looked at her Ace monster, who nodded back. "And now, Chaos Soldier! Attack the left Grapha! Double-Destruction Slash of Creation! And during the Damage Step, I will use Honest!"

Chaos Soldier leapt into the sky and brought his blade down on one of the Graphas. It retaliated with a burst of dark energy, but the powerful warrior's attack split the counterattack apart and went for the skill, bisecting the mighty dragon. All made even stronger by the presence of a peaceful angel now hovering over the warrior (1100/1900) (Chaos Soldier: 3000-5700/2500).

Kada effortlessly weathered the attack, but his Life Points fell to 5000.

"And since Chaos Soldier destroyed a monster by battle, he can attack again!" Chaos Soldier readied a second attack. And with Honest still aiding him, he was invincible. "Attack the other Grapha! Space-Time Breakthrough – Double-Destruction Slash of Creation!"

It was no different from before. Grapha attempted to fight back, but it was useless. And ultimately, he was sliced down the middle by another of Chaos Soldier's attacks. Kada again weathered the attack, but his Life Points fell to 2000.

"And now to get rid of your hidden monster! Go, Hyper Librarian! Attack his last monster! Machinze Knowledge!" Hyper Librarian straightened his glasses and, going through his collection of knowledge, found the perfect means…and then used his magic to conjure several impossible-to-decipher runes. They were fired at the set monster, completely tearing it apart and exposing it as a, to OCG players, Metamor Pot. "Tch!"

"Morphing Jar is really the only monster Dark Worlds play face-down," Kada explained, "You know what happens next." The grinning creature inside the jar burst out despite its fatal wound. Majorin begrudgingly discarded her hand and drew five cards. Kada was more calm about it when he did. And right after he did so, two contrasting demonic entities emerged (2300-2600/1400-1700 x2). "Sillva and Goldd were in my previous hand."

Majorin shook her head. "I will banish another LIGHT and another DARK monster from my graveyard!" she called. Once again, two orbs, one of light and one of darkness, rose out of the ground. Moments later, they collided and formed a powerful dragon (2500/1500). A reversed card then appeared behind the new dragon "I will set one card. Turn end."

And with that, Honest faded from above Chaos Soldier (5700-3000/2500).

"Is Majorin-san going to win?" Hazuki peeped, "She can win this, right?"

"I hope so," Momoko replied, "But Kada has two Graphas in his graveyard and two Dark World monsters!"

"And I don't think Majorin-san has any viable targets for Light Pulsar if it gets destroyed," Aiko worriedly added.

"She has to win," Doremi spoke up, "We need to know what else this guy knows!"

Kada shook his head. "If you had any monster removal before summoning Black Lust Soldier, then you should've used it last turn," he said. Majorin shot a calm look at the man. "Bad luck then." He drew his card. "I will activate Night Beam. It's almost like MST, except it can't be chained to by its target and cannot activate at just any time."

A cross-hair appeared on Majorin's reversed card. Then, a dark beam was fied at it, piercing and destroying it in one shot. It was revealed as Book of Moon in the process.

"I will now bounce back for both Graphas." Sillva and Goldd each gave a salute as they returned from whence they came. Immediately, the two powerful dragons returned to the field, both as angry as they were last time. "I will follow by using another Gates of Dark World." At once, the Gates returned and the energy that empowered all Fiends with it (Grapha: 2700-3000/1800-2100 x2). "I will use Gate's effect, banishing a Fiend to discars another Fiend and draw another."

Kada discarded his card and drew. Then, another Grapha appeared and smote Chaos Soldier, killing him instantly. No sooner than that happened, the two Graphas on the field transformed into orbs of energy and spiraled upward.

"I would much rather end this game here and now. So I will overlay both Graphas." The two monsters spiraled into a galaxy-like vortex. Immediately, the all-too familiar burst of rainbow-colored energy erupted as a sealed form rose from within. It quickly unfolded into a massive, clearly undead monster (4500/1000). "Number 22: Zombiestein."

"Usou…!" Hazuki gasped.

"It's over, ladies!" Skaj shouted, "This a**hat just won!"

Kada said nothing more as her ushered his new monster to stack Hyper Librarian. It obeyed without question, seeming almost lifeless compared to Majorin's cards. Hyper Librarian looked up at the monster in horror. His mistress dared no to look; she heard his agonized screams as he was crushed to death underneath a giant fist. The shockwave caught her, but had little effect despite reducing her to 0 Life Points.

Kada wins…

"It was luck. Nothing more," Kada said. He retracted his cards and pocketing his deck. "Majo Isabelle was the culprit behind Her Majesty's unexpected partial recovery."

"Nani?" Majorin asked suddenly. She tried to ask again; by then, he and KSja had alreay teleported far and away from the group. "What does he mean by that…?"

"Didn't he say he would only tell us if you won?" Onpu asked.

"I don't think he was clear on his words," Pop muttered, "But he at least gave us a clue."

Majorin looked in the direction of the Magic Research Center. "You girls go on home," she said, "It's getting late enough as it is."

The Ojamajos nodded and flew off.

Majorin hurried to the Magic Research Center. Once there, she knocked on the door and was allowed in. Majo Heart, Majo Toron, and Majo Isabelle -who was still magic-less- waited inside.

"I was hoping I would have an explanation by the time you got here," Majo Toron said, clutching her chin, "You are aware of Jou-sama, right?" Majorin nodded. "Then…I can only say that…I'm sorry."

Majorin turned and glared at Majo Isabelle. "I have a few questions for you. But first, I have to share something else that happened at the Castle."

"You mean-?" Majo Heart began, her voice dripping with fear.

"Jou-sama is alive but corrupted. However…one attack she used was directed against me and the Ojamajos. I was able to ward it off, but only for myself due to its power. The Ojamajos survived it…but I saw dark auras around them for a brief moment."

Majo Heart looked at Majorin intently. "Are you sure?"

"Hai. Tomorrow, I want you to scan them with your spell…if you've perfected it, that it."

Majo Heart nodded.

The Ojamajos returned to the shop without incident. Majo Rika, who had already returned by now, was relieved to see them alive and well. However, her relief turned to dismay and grief when she saw the mood the girls were in.

"I…do not want to know what happened?" Majo Rika asked, "Is that right?" The Ojamajos nodded sadly at their mentor. "Then I guess I can't stop you. Go home and get some rest."

The girls nodded and quickly returned back to their homes. It didn't take long, but their parents had been worried about them. Regardless, the girls, forced to keep the secret, had to make excuses to get around them. Ultimately, they went to bed…but not before discovering black marks on certain areas of their bodies.

Featured Duel: Majorin vs. Kada

Majorin LP (8000) – Kada LP (8000)

Majorin's turn:

Majorin has Plaguespreader Zombie, Charge of the Light Brigade, Reinforcement of the Army, Chaos Sorcerer, and Lightpulsar Dragon as her opening hand. She draws Card Trooper.

Majorin activates Reinforcement of the Army, adding Junk Synchron to her hand. She then activates Charge of the Light Brigade, milling Tragoedia, Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, and Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon and adding Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter to her hand. She then sets her Ryko and ends.

Kada's turn:

Kada has Morphing Jar, Dark World Dealings, Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World, Dragged Down into the Grave, and Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World as his opening hand. He draws Card Destruction.

Kada activates Dark World Dealings; he draws Gates of Dark World and discards Grapha while Majorin draws Dark Armed Dragon and discards Plaguespreader Zombie. Since Grapha was discarded by a card effect, Kada destroys any card his opponent controls; he chooses Majorin's set Ryko. He then sets Morphing Jar and activates Gates of Dark World. He then sets Card Destruction and activates Dragged Down into the Grave; he looks at Majorin's hand and forces her to discard Dark Armed Dragon, drawing Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress afterward; the only card in Kada's hand is Goldd, Wu-Lord of Dark World and thus has to discard it, drawing Broww, Huntsman of Dark World afterward. Since Goldd was discarded by a card effect, he is special summoned to Kada's field. Kada then returns Goldd to his hand to revive Grapha.

Kada activates his set Card Destruction; he discards and draws two cards (Reckless Greed and Snoww, Unlight of Dark World) while Majorin discards and draws five cards (Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, Mystical Space Typhoon, Darkflare Dragon, Honest, and Monster Reborn). Goldd is again special summoned while Broww's effect allows him to draw a card; he draws Grapha. Kada then activates Gates' effect, banishing the Broww from his graveyard to discard Snoww and draw Broww; Snoww's effect lets Kada add any Dark World card to his hand; he chooses Dark World Dealings. Kada then activates Dark World Dealings, drawing Sillva, Warlord of Dark World and discarding Grapha. He then returns Goldd to his hand to revive the Grapha.

Kada attacks Majorin directly with both Graphas.

Kada sets Reckless Greed and ends.

Majorin LP (2000) – Kada LP (8000)

Majorin's turn:

Majorin draws Card Trooper.

Majorin banishes the Lyla and Tragoedia from her graveyard to special summon Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning. She then activates Mystical Space Typhoon and destroys Gates of Dark World. She then returns Darkflare Dragon to the top of her deck to revive Plaguespreader Zombie. She follows by normal summoning Card Troooper. She activates its effect, milling three cards (Darkflare Dragon, Junk Synchron, and Heavy Storm) to give it 1500 more ATK. She then tunes Lv3 Card Trooper with Lv2 Plaguespreader Zombie to Synchro Summon T.G. Hyper Librarian; Plaguespreader is banished since it was special summoned via its own effect.

Majorin attacks the first Grapha with Black Luster Soldier. During the Damage Step, Majorin discards Honest to raise its ATK for the turn. Grapha is destroyed, and since BLS destroyed a monster by battle this turn, he can attack again; Majorin has BLS attack the other Grapha, destroying it too. She then attacks Kada's set monster with Hyper Librarian; Morphing Jar is destroyed, but now both players discard their hands and draw 5 cards; Kada draws Gates of Dark World, Night Beam, Broww, Beiige, Vanguard of Dark World, and Eradicator Epidemic Virus while Majorin draws Eclipse Wyvern, Book of Moon, Light Pulsar Dragon, Tour Guide from the Underworld, and Dark Mimic LV3. Kada special summons Sillva and Goldd as per their effects.

Majorin banishes Ryko and Chaos Sorcerer to special summon Lightpulsar Dragon. She then sets Book of Moon and ends.

Kada's turn:

Kada draws Grapha.

Kada activates Night Beam, targeting and destroying Majorin's set Book of Moon. He then returns both Sillva and Goldd to his hand to revive the Graphas in his graveyard. He then activates his second Gates and follows with its effect, banishing Snoww from his graveyard to discard the third Grapha and draw Beiige; Grapha's effect destroys BLS. Kada then overlays both Graphas to Xyz summon Number 22: Zombiestein.

Kada attacks T.G. Hyper Librarian with Zombiestein, destroying it.

Majorin LP (0) – Kada LP (2000)

Kada wins.

This…this wasn't supposed to happen! I know we were struck by Jou-sama's beam, but…I thought we were able to resist the Verz! But I guess it's too late to gripe now. I have to save my friends, no matter what it takes.

!eno sa eb llahs llA

Disigma Ein and Salamandra have begun their approach…

A/N: I apologize if you found this chapter lackluster. I will try to avoid that when with the rest, but I cannot make any promises.