3 years earlier…

Smart Brain Corporation.

In one of the corporation's labs, scientists were busy at work. One scientist in fact was busier than others. She was a woman in her late 30's with her brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and wearing a pair of round-rimmed glasses. She wore a white lab coat over a white shirt and black slacks with the corporation's emblem and her picture on the ID card clipped to her coat. Her name, as stated on the card, was Professor Yuriko Murata. Her field of expertise was genetics but she also knew a thing or two about engineering and computer programming.

Right now, she was studying a strain of DNA under a high powered microscope and its image was being displayed on her computer monitor. Her lab assistants were doing other things around the lab.

The door to the lab then opened up and a man walked in. He was dressed in a sharp black business suit and had pale skin and black shoulder-length hair that had a bit of silver in it. He appeared to be in his mid 40's. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of black tinted glasses. As soon as he entered, all activity in the lab stopped and everyone froze. This was the president of Smart Brain Corporation. His name was Damien Amakusa.

"Professor Murata," Damien called and Yuriko immediately stopped what she was doing and turned to address her boss. She stood up straight and bowed.

"Mr. Amakusa," she said nervously but with respect as well, "I didn't notice you walking in."

"Well, you have been busy, Yuriko," Damien observed.

"What brings you here, sir?" Yuriko inquired.

"Just overlooking the status of our project. I was down at our Archeological Department that were studying that stone slab we found and those tablets before I thought of coming up here to check up on you. So, how goes the study of the DNA?"

Prof. Murata said excitedly, "It is like nothing I have ever seen!"

"Of course it isn't," Damien smirked, "We did get it from the remains of the dig. It's sad that we lost a lot of good people there."

"Especially the two Dr. Hasumas that were there," Yuriko said sadly. "And that girl…"

"Well, no reason to think of what has happened in the past," Damien interrupted, "Continue on with your work."

"Sir?" Yuriko began, "About the Advent System? When will we begin developing it?"

"As soon as you finish studying the DNA and then seeing if it's compatible with human DNA, we will start on developing the technology."

"But, sir, with all due respect," Prof. Murata spoke pleadingly, "I do believe we must hurry. The Beast Spirits-"

"Patience, professor," Damien again interrupted, "We cannot simply rush things. We have to play it safe, remember? We cannot allow anymore mistakes this time."

Yuriko nodded and said, "I understand, sir."

"Good," Damien nodded and he left the lab.

He then came to stand in front of a sealed room and peaked through the glass window. Inside the room were several pod-like machines…all marked with letters on them. He smirked and said, "Soon…very soon…"

He then ventured to another room that had a door made out of titanium and with bars on the window. He peaked inside and smirked again. There was something chained to the wall. The room was dark but a green glow came from the figure trapped inside. Damien then mused, "Soon, very soon, I will find out the secrets of immortality." The figure inside seemed to notice and struggled, rattling its chains but Damien laughed in amusement at the futility of the figure imprisoned inside the room, "Struggle all you want, but it will not help you."

He then walked on and stopped in front of another lab. He punched in the security code and swiped through his ID. He opened the door and walked inside to admire 7 stone tables which depicted magnificent looking beasts. There was a dragon, a phoenix, a tiger, a turtle and the last three depicted three identical three headed dogs. His gloves hand ran over the one of the turtle. He looked like he was contemplating something before he left the lab and ventured off to another room.

This room, unlike the others, had guards posted outside. They saluted upon seeing him and they entered the code for him. The door then opened up and he walked inside…

Present Day…

Draco collected his cards and sword and got ready to exit the classroom. As he was about to walk out, the ceiling suddenly crumbled and collapsed on him, trapping him!

Everyone watched this and immediately stopped cheering.

"LEO!" Jinx screamed.

"NO!" Miss Narukawa screamed in horror as she witnessed her son being buried alive before her eyes.

Slade was in his lair, watching all that had transpired through one of the many monitors that displayed the entire city. He had eyes and ears everywhere and his single eye was focusing on the battle between Draco and the King of Spades.

For some time now he had been in hiding and watching. He had done nothing else since freeing the frozen villains and had just sat back to watch the show. His attention had drifted from the Titans to the Advent Knights instead.

The Advent Knights were incredibly powerful and his interest had only grown when he witnessed the fight between the Knights and Titans and how the former had trounced the latter easily. They would make worthy recruits and maybe even loyal apprentices.

He had given up on Terra since the girl was no longer of any use to him. There was nothing he could do to coax her into joining him again. The Advent Knights, however…

He had plans to make and then execute…but he had to wait when the time was right.

Episode 41: Evolution

5 Days Later…

Ryuki Leonard Narukawa, also known as Leo, was in a hospital ward in Jump City General Hospital. He was dressed in blue pajamas with white dragons on them. The ward was big and he was its only occupant. The walls were white as well as the mattress, sheets, pillow and blanket of the bed he was sitting up in. Around his forehead were bandages. His hands were also bandages and he was also bandaged under his pajamas. He was reading a book and the light from outside indicated that it was day time.

Leo was Japanese and had emerald green eyes and braided auburn hair with a pair of bangs sticking out of his forehead. In his hands was a book and he was reading it intently.

The reason he was in this hospital was because the ceiling of a classroom had collapsed on top of him, burying alive. He was found severely injured after he was dug out and rushed quickly towards the hospital. The reasons for the ceiling collapsing was said to be an accident, but that was farther from the truth.

Let us go back 5 days, shall we?

(Flashback)

All eyes were on the screen where just moments ago Draco had fought the King of Spades, King, who had been posing as the vice principal Mr. King and had lost at the hands of the Knight of Seiryu. The Knight's victory was short-lived however when the ceiling of the classroom he had crashed into collapsed on top of him.

This prompted everyone to fall silent and then…

"We have to go help him, hayaku!" Kat shouted at everyone.

"Yes, please, save my son!" Miss Narukawa, Emiko, begged.

"We'll be right on it!" Cyborg said with his thumb's up as he and the rest of the Titans exited the auditorium. Kat followed after them to dig out her little brother.

Meanwhile, Takada was speaking into his cell phone, "Yes, send the cleanup crew here ASAP. There is a lot of work that needs to be done."

Outside, the Titans had headed towards where Draco was buried and quickly went to work. Jinx was the most frantic as she started picking up rubble and throwing it aside. Tears were streaming down her pink eyes as she continued to dig up her boyfriend, "Please," she pleaded to whatever gods she had, "Please, let him still be alive."

Kat was also throwing rubble aside, but it hit Cyborg's head since she was throwing it in his direction. He was trying with all his might not to snap at her but seeing the tears in her eyes he understood why she was behaving like that.

Starfire easily threw rubble aside with her strength and Beast Boy turned into a gorilla to help her out. Raven was levitating rocks.

Kyo and his group were helping out as well, throwing rocks away. Mahiro, Akari, Yuya and Okuni were doing their best to console Miss Narukawa, telling her that Leo was going to be okay. Bontenmaru used his massive strength to throw the larger rocks out of the way. Benitora was using a lead pipe as leverage to help move the rocks, while Kyo helped Kat move the rocks away from where they believed Leo was.

Tara had thrown off her graduation gown and went outside to help. She said to the Titans, "Let me handle this!" They stopped what they were doing and Tara concentrated, her hands and eyes glowing bright yellow and then all of the rubble was levitated and thrown aside, revealing Leo, without his armor and with his cards scattered around him. He still had his belt on though. Jinx and Kat immediately rushed over to check on him.

"Leo!" Jinx called, "Speak to me!" She didn't want him to die.

"Otouto-chan!" Kat called, "If you dare die I'm going to kill you!" Her expression was that of grief that matched Jinx's.

Leo groaned as his eyes cracked open and then he gave the two girls a smile, "Daijoubu desu ka?" Kat rolled her eyes as she wiped her tears.

"Baka," she scolded, "Worry about yourself for once!"

"Gomen nasai," he apologized. He groaned in pain. "Is okaasan…alright?"

"Hai, she is," Kat said with a nod.

"Souka," Leo smiled.

"Well, we better get you to a hospital right now," Robin said.

"Already done," someone spoke and everyone turned around to see Emiko Narukawa, the twins' mother, standing behind them with her cell phone out. She then put her phone back into her pocket and had a stern look in her eyes. Kat gulped. That look was something she had feared for a very long time and it had the effect to make all the Titans back away, save for Jinx and Kat. Emiko walked over to her injured son and kneeled down, "Ryuki-kun."

"Okaasan," Leo said smiling.

"As soon as you are well, I want to know what is going on," Emiko said before she gazed at Kat and the Titans, "From you all as well."

"I'll tell you everything, mama," Kat answered, "Everything from the very beginning."

"I can wait. As I say; patience is a virtue and must be kept as so," Emiko replied. "The ambulance and paramedics should be arriving soon."

"And not just them," Robin said with a frown as JCPD cars drove through the school gates and their armored police officers came. The police officers didn't seem to notice and rushed into the auditorium. They were probably going to interview the students, parents and teachers that had attended the graduation to find out what'd happened.

Or, it would seem so.

The ambulance came in soon after and the paramedics lay Leo onto a stretcher before carrying him into the ambulance.

"I'm coming too," Emiko said to the paramedics.

"And me," Kat added.

"Me too," Jinx said firmly.

The paramedics allowed them to come along and then drove off towards the hospital

(End Flashback)

Leo had been kept for observation and treatment in the hospital for the past 5 days now. On the bedside table were presents, flowers and Get-Well cards from his friends and most of them were from some girls from school. He had originally thought they were a gesture of friendship but he had wizened up a bit. However, it was nice to know there were people who cared. Strangely, none of them remembered what had happened and they all thought that Leo had been in a traffic accident. Leo knew all too well that Takada had once again 'cleaned up' and preserved their identities. Also, the graduation ceremony was to be rescheduled too.

His mother had gotten the full story from Kat and was still trying to come to terms with it. It wasn't that she didn't accept it; it was just too much for her to grasp. Well, finding out your son was someone who occasionally put on a suit of armor to fight monsters would be quite a shocker. Well, she had visited him everyday and they had talked a few times about what they had been up to, purposely avoiding any 'unpleasant' subjects.

Jinx and the other Titans had also come to visit and Jinx would play the role of nurse-maid. She would feed him, fluff his pillows and tuck him into bed. He didn't even protest as this was just Jinx's way of showing him how she cared.

The door opened up and Miss Narukawa walked in. Leo looked up at his mother and greeted her politely, "Konnichiwa, okaasan."

Emiko walked over and pulled up a chair for herself and sat down. She greeted back, "Konnichiwa, Ryuki-kun. Daijoubu desu ka?"

"Hai, okaasan," Leo smiled.

"That's good," she said, relieved. She looked at the bedside table and said, "It would seem that you are missed greatly."

"Hai," Leo nodded. "I've been getting a lot of gifts and a lot of people had come to visit me, wishing me well."

"Strangely, I'm surprised no one remembers what really happened," Miss Narukawa replied.

Leo explained, "Takada-san must've arranged for them to have their memories modified to preserve our secret identities. It would be quite a hassle if everyone knew who we (the Knights) were. Granted, it would've been good publicity but I doubt we would be able to do our jobs anyway."

Miss Narukawa frowned, a serious expression on her face. She looked downwards and said, "Ryuki-kun, for the past few days I've been doing a lot of thinking. I can't really say I approve of you risking your life fighting these monsters, these Beast Spirits, but I can't really decide for you what you can and cannot do." She paused. "I know that as a parent I must do whatever I can for what I believe is best for you and a few days ago I believed that taking you away from this dangerous life was the best course of action. However," she ran her hand through her hair and looked her son in the eye, "After hearing from every one of your friends, and your sister, about what you've been doing, I now believe that taking you away from what you love to do, protecting people, would not be the best course of action after all."

"Okaasan, you know that I will stop if you ask me to."

"I can't do that, it wouldn't be fair. You're not a little boy now…you're a man." She then added, "Ryuki-kun, I allowed you to train in kendo because I wanted you to be able to defend yourself. You in turn used it to defend others and not just yourself. I became proud of you then and now that I know that you are a hero…"

"I'm not a hero, okaasan, just a warrior."

"Same difference, Ryuki-kun," Miss Narukawa smiled while waving her hand, "Well, now that I know about what you've been doing, I can say that I am even more proud of you than before and you have my full support."

Leo smiled, "Okaasan, arigato." Miss Narukawa then gently and lovingly embraced her son and he hugged her back.

"Just, promise me you'd always be careful. I'm your mother, Ryuki-kun, and as proud I am of you, a mother will always worry about her child."

"I will be careful, okaasan, and I'm not alone," he whispered. He wasn't. He had his friends, his allies, his girlfriend, his sister and now his mother by his side.

Emiko let go and wiped a tear away with a tissue, "Oh, I'm getting all emotional."

"Okaasan," Leo beamed, "Daisuki." There was a knock on the door, "Come in." Kyo walked into the room with Mahiro. "Konnichiwa, Kyo-san and Mahiro-san."

"Hi, Leo. You doing any better?" asked Mahiro.

"Hai, Mahiro-san," Miss Narukawa stood up and walked toward the door.

"I'll give you and your friends some privacy, Ryuki-kun." She walked out.

Kyo looked at Leo right in the eyes. "Leo, before today do you ever remember fighting that guy?"

Leo was surprised by the question but answered truthfully, "Now that you mention it, when I was fighting him...I barely noticed it but his weapons were too familiar and it felt like I'd fought him before. Why do you ask?"

"Because when I saw you fighting him, it reminded me of a fight I had against a guy like that a year ago, and I think I fought against him with you," said Kyo.

"Nani?!" exclaimed Leo, shocked.

"I know it sounds crazy, and I don't quite remember most of the things but it just seems too coincidental, and I don't really believe in coincidences."

"Well, while I've been in here I've been having these dreams...about you and Mahiro...and a girl named...Sanae."

Kyo's eyes widened slightly behind his sunglasses. "Leo, do you know of a school called Kanenone Gakuen?"

"Hai, I have," Leo nodded, "I went there before with my onee-chan as transfer students. We only stayed a few weeks, though. Why'd you ask?"

"Because Mahiro-chan and I went to that school and well…" Kyo sighed heavily. "Do you remember a young girl named Mika?"

"Not really," answered Leo. "Why?"

"What about the Mibu?" asked Kyo, not answering the question.

"The what? Kyo-san, what are you talking about?"

Kyo looked out the window. He saw a man in a white suit and long white hair staring up at him with a smirk. Kyo gritted his teeth. "Not here, we'll talk later in private."

Mahiro smiled, "Get well soon, okay?"

Leo watched as Kyo and Mahiro left his ward. He was confused now. Mika? Mibu? What was all that about?

Also, did he know Kyo before in Kanenone Gakuen? Why couldn't he remember about what had happened there other than sealing several Beast Spirits that showed up? He knew he'd met his sister again there and found out she was an Advent Knight there, but why couldn't he remember if he even had any friends there?

He clutched his head and groaned. What a headache. Someone knocked on the door. "Come in."

Jinx walked. "Hi, Leo…" said Jinx with a small smile. They didn't notice the sound of something approaching them.

"So, do you think he remembers?" asked Mahiro.

"Maybe, or maybe he just thinks we're crazy," answered Kyo as they walked outside. He had picked up a very long sword from the front. The man in the white suit was gone. "Damn, he's gone." They heard a scream coming from Leo's room. Kyo looked at Mahiro with a look that said 'find cover.' She nodded and he ran back into the hospital, sword drawn.

The creature barged into the room and crashed the door down. It was grotesque in appearance. It had red skin and black gauntlets and boots with a black chestplate. It had a belt with a red buckle. On its face was a black mask with tubes connected to the mouth part and purple eyes and hair. It held out a hand towards Leo and pointed a finger.

"Leo…capture…" it said in a digitized voice.

Leo was ready to get up but he groaned in pain. Seeing the creature, she narrowed her pink eyes and went into a battle stance, hissing, "Nobody comes in and disrupts my alone time with my boyfriend!" She hurled a hex at the creature but then the chestplate split open and absorbed the blast. The chest then closed up and the creature hurled the hex back with its hand.

"Jinxy-chan!" Leo jumped out of bed and grabbed Jinx around the waist, throwing them to the ground as the hex smashed into the bed and blew it up in an eruption of pink energy. Leo asked, "Daijoubu desu ka, Jinxy-chan?"

"I'm alright," Jinx nodded but then looked up as the creature came closer, "But I'm not so sure for how long."

"Leo…capture…all obstacles must be destroyed," it said as it advanced on the two.

Kyo ran towards the direction of the scream and saw the hospital staff, doctors, nurses, security and others alike, on the floor, unconscious. He then saw Leo's mother in a heap on the floor. He picked her up and put her in an empty room. "Don't worry, Miss Narukawa." He left the room to go find Leo.

The creature charged at Jinx, only to get rammed in the side. "Sorry, pal, but my friend needs some rest…" The creature charged at Kyo. "So let's take this outside!" Kyo tackled the creature and the two of them were knocked back out of the window, shattering it as they fell out. They crashed onto the ground below.

"Kyo-san!" exclaimed Leo. "I've got to help him!" Jinx looked out the window.

"I think he's actually doing okay," said Jinx as she helped him up, "Besides, you're still hurt from your last fight." Leo reluctantly nodded in agreement.

Kyo slashed repeatedly at the creature, knocking it back. "Let's see how you like this… Mizuchi!" A powerful blast of wind shot at the creature. It connected but the creature seemed unscathed. "How?!" The creature shot the energy right back at Kyo. He lifted his blade and blocked the attack, but was knocked backwards. The force destroyed his sunglasses, revealing two blood red eyes.

"Okay, not good," Kyo groaned.

"All obstacles must be eliminated," the creature said again before it eyes glowed and sent a surge of violet electrical energy at the red eyed samurai. Kyo rolled out of the way but a nearby tree got cut in half.

"Okay, maybe not," Jinx said. "I'm going to go help him."

"Be careful, alright," Leo said to her in concern. She nodded, gave him a smirk and leapt out the window. Using her gymnastic skills, she tucked in her legs and did a spin flip before landing on the ground and then charging into the battle. Leo, on the other hand, had gone over to the bedside's table's drawer and pulled it out, revealing his Advent Buckle and Category Ace of Spades and the rest of his cards. He reached inside the drawer and pulled them out. Searching through his deck, his eyes fell upon the King of Spades.

"I'm going to be needing your power, King," Leo said as she looked down out the window to watch the rest of the battle, "Because, they are going to be needing help. That creature…it's something else."

Jinx shot several hex blasts at the creature, but nothing seemed to affect it. "Hey, I've got an idea" said Kyo. "Send one of those things at it with all you've got. I have something else in mind…" Jinx nodded and powered up a powerful hex blast and launched it at the creature. "Now take this! I invoke the secrets of the Mumyo Jinpu… I call forth SUZAKU!" Kyo slashed his blade at the creature. The slash took the form of a blazing phoenix. The two attacks connected and the creature disappeared in a plume of smoke.

"We did it!" Jinx shouted out victoriously but then the smoke cleared away and the creature was still standing. It did have burns on it but not for long as it glowed purple for a second and recovered. It then sent a blast of pink fire in the shape of a phoenix. It had combined the powers of Kyo's attacks with Jinx's hex energy and sending a bird of flaming hex energy flying at the two fighters. Kyo pushed Jinx out of the way and took the hit head on, sending him flying.

"Kyo!" exclaimed Mahiro. She had been watching the fight from a safe distance.

"All obstacles will be eliminated. Target Leo must be captured," it said in digital monotone before walking towards them.

Leo was clutching his Advent Buckle and cards. His eyes narrowed but he didn't know what to do.

"Ryuki-kun," he heard someone speak and he turned to see who it was. It was his mother and she was leaning against the doorframe.

"Okaasan…?" Leo said questionably. She was giving him a stern look.

"You wish to help them, right?" she asked. He nodded. "Then, go." Leo was surprised.

"Okaasan?"

"I can't really stop you, you know," Emiko said to her son as she walked over to him. "This is something you must do. Go, do what you were meant to do. As I said before; when you have power, use it for others." Leo nodded and strapped on his Advent Buckle and slid in the Category Ace. He then looked at his mother, feeling grateful.

"Arigato, okaasan," Leo said with a smile.

"Good luck, Ryuki-kun," she said, smiling, with her thumb up and he jumped out of the window. She walked over and looked down to see her son transforming.

"Henshin!" Leo called and the blue dragon energy field shot out of the buckle and he fell through it, his armor covering him as he descended.

"CHANGE SEIRYU!"

Emiko had a smile on her face and stars in her eyes. "Sugoi…" She then whipped out a video camera and recorded all the action.

The creature advanced towards Kyo and Jinx. However, it did not foresee what was going to happen next.

"KICK!"

Jinx and Kyo heard the announcement and then saw Draco flying down and kicking the creature hard in the chest and sending it reeling. He landed on the ground on one knee and then stood straight up. "I am the hero that shall create a path to his future with the slash of his blade. I am the Advent Knight of Seiryu! I am Draco! KENZAN!" He did a pose as he drew his sword.

"Leo!" Jinx shouted in surprise. Kyo chuckled and shook his head.

"Same old Leo. He never changes that line." Kyo walked up toward Leo and readied his sword. "Ready, Leo?"

"Always!" exclaimed Draco as he prepared his blade.

"Glad to see you back in action… now let's show him how true warriors fight!"

"Hai!" exclaimed Draco. The two samurai charged at the creature.

The creature pointed at Draco, "Target Draco…Capture…"

"Capture this! Raijin!" Draco swung his blade and sent an arch of electricity. Once again, the creature absorbed the energy and then sent it flying back at Draco. He absorbed it into his own body and looked surprised, "Nani?"

"You forgot how it can absorb energy, huh?" Kyo questioned.

"I guess so," Draco nodded.

Jinx stepped up and joined them. Her eyes were glowing pink and so were her hands, "Let's take him out."

Draco and Kyo nodded. Draco charged again and slashed down his sword but the creature grabbed the blade with its hand and then swung its fist, sending Draco flying without his sword and crashing into a wall. Draco shook his head and saw the creature throwing Draco's sword aside and then running at Draco at high speed. Draco rolled aside as the fist was thrown and embedded itself in the wall. Draco then shouted, "FUUJIN!" and throwing a fist that sent it flying in a tornado. The tornado was absorbed and then sent back at Draco. Draco used his powers to disperse the tornado. Kyo got in close to the creature and sliced off its arm. The creature let out a mechanical shriek before regenerating its lost limb. It grabbed Kyo by the neck and lifted him into the air.

"Drop him!" exclaimed Jinx as she did a roundhouse kick to the creature's head, making it drop Kyo. Kyo landed on his feet and jumped back. Draco then sent a powerful blast of wind that sent it flying far away.

"Got any ideas?" asked Kyo.

"Just one…" said Draco as he drew out two cards that were stored into his Advent Absorber. He slid one into his Advent Absorber.

"ABSORB QUEEN!"

It was his trusty Category Queen of Spades, Absorb Capricorn. Jinx had a smile on her face.

"You're going to change into Jack Form, aren't you?" the pink haired girl questioned but then her smile turned into a frown as she looked at the other card in hand. It depicted a vicious three horned sapphire dragon. It was the King of Spades: Evolution Qinglong.

Draco sheathed his sword and said to both his girlfriend and new friend, "Nigette, kudasai." He had just said 'please, run'.

"I'm not running!" Kyo objected.

Jinx, knowing a little Japanese, added, "Neither am I."

"It wasn't a request. I have a feeling that when I use this new card…I might be releasing a lot of energy so I need you two to stand back." He added, pleadingly, "Please."

Kyo got the message, "Alright. Just, hit that thing once for me."

"Be careful, Leo," Jinx said in concern.

Draco smiled under his helmet, "You know I will." Jinx and Kyo then ran off to take cover. Draco saw the creature had recovered and was approaching him slowly.

"Capture Target Draco," it said again.

"My okaasan said this;" Draco quoted seriously, "My evolution is at the speed of light. Nothing at all can stop my evolution!" He then slashed the Category King card through his Advent Absorber.

"EVOLUTION KING!" it announced before the Advent Absorber turned gold. Suddenly, Draco felt immense pain as electricity crackled all over his body. He stumbled but then the pain grew more intense as he began to grunt and convulse. Then, he began to scream out as even more electricity was coursing through his body.

"AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH HH!"

Jinx eyes widened with fear but then Kyo felt power rising…Draco's power.

Suddenly, Draco stood up straight as his armor began to glow bright gold, initiating the transformation.

All of Draco's cards flew out of his sword and Advent Absorber and surrounded him as they spun around him, glowing gold as did his armor. They spun faster and faster, glowing brightly before they then slammed onto his armor, changing it. First his boots, then his gauntlets, followed by his torso armor and finally his helmet.

In a flash of light a golden broadsword with a blue hilt etched with a golden Spade symbol on the guard appeared in his hand. On the blade were crimson runes and on the pommel was a small dragonhead ornament. It was also equipped with a different type of card reader.

Draco was now clad in a full golden suit of armor trimmed in sapphire. The armor covered over a black bodysuit. The new armor comprised of gauntlets, with armor plating on his arms, armored boots with armored plating for the legs and new torso armor with a sapphire gem in the chest that showed the symbol of a three horned golden dragon. His helmet held red eyes and had two additional sapphire horns on the side making it look like he was wearing a crown with the way his three horns were arranged. If one was to look closely, the bronze depictions of his other cards were also etched on his armor. From Category 2 through Queen.

On the armor's left side; the shoulder guard, arm armor, leg armor, kneepad and boot all bore the images of the following cards, respectively: Absorb Capricorn, Slash Lizard, Magnet Buffalo, Tackle Boar and Mach Cheetah. The left gauntlet was equipped with the now golden Advent Absorber and bore no other symbol.

On the armor's right side; the shoulder guard, arm armor, gauntlet, leg armor, kneepad and boot all bore the images of the following cards too, also respectively: Fusion Eagle, Time Scarab, Beat Lion, Metal Trilobite, Thunder Deer and Kick Locust.

Jinx and Kyo's eyes went wide at Draco's newest transformation.

"Woah," Kyo whistled.

"This is…King Form?" Jinx said in surprise. Not what she'd expected at all. Draco looked like an imperial Knight clad in a suit of golden armor. He was her Golden Knight.

The creature charged quickly at Draco but was blocked by Draco's sword. The gauntlet bearing the image of Beat Lion then ignited and Draco threw his fist, sending the creature flying and crashing into a wall. It was lodged inside the wall, the shape of its body imprinting on the surface with cracks around it.

"Power," Draco said as he stared at his hand, "I…can feel it…coursing through me." He looked as the creature had pulled itself out of the wall and was walking towards Draco. Draco then announced, "The Evolved Warrior. The Golden Knight with the power of a King and the blade that shall slay all evil. I am Draco, King Form! KENZAN!" As if by magic, 5 cards (Category 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of Spades) flew out of his armor and into his hand. He then gripped the handle of his new sword and slid in the 5 cards. The sword announced each and every one of the cards as they were slid inside the sword, one-by-one.

"SPADE 10!"

"SPADE JACK!"

"SPADE QUEEN!"

"SPADE KING!"

"SPADE ACE!"

It then announced the name of the attack, "ROYAL STRAIGHT FLUSH!" The sword, the King Dragon Blade, glowed gold as energy surged through it. Draco gripped the sword tightly and prepared to strike down his opponent.

The creature ran towards Draco but then 5 large projections resembling the 5 cards Draco had just activated arranged themselves in a long row in front of him. He looked at the creature coming at him and then swung his sword and released a blast of energy that flowed through all 5 of the giant card projections and then the blast grew. The energy impacted with the creature and there was a powerful explosion of energy.

Jinx and Kyo felt as if a great wind was blowing them back as the energy exploded all around. Then, as soon as it started, it was gone. The creature left nothing behind except two smoking footprints from where it stood as it accepted the attack. It had been totally vaporized.

Leo's armor had vanished and then he fell on his knees, breathing out, "Yat…ta…" before he fainted.

Kyo, Jinx and Mahiro ran up to him. "This guy passes out more than I do," said Kyo.

"We gotta get him back to his room," said Jinx.

Kyo nodded and rested Leo on his shoulder. "And, Kyo…" said Mahiro. "No one passes out more than you do."

Slade had witnessed the whole thing and grew even more intrigued. "So, this is him at his strongest. Interesting…" He then watched as a woman came out of the hospital and helped the two teens carry Leo back inside. Slade's single eye was trained on the woman. He figured that the woman, being Leo's mother, would be the perfect incentive to get Leo to join his side. He was looking for a new apprentice and if his assumptions were correct, Leo had the raw power he needed for his goals.

Yes…to control the king…would mean controlling everything…

The Titans and the other Advent Knights had arrived at the hospital after Jinx had called them. Kyo was present too. Leo was lying in bed, exhausted from the battle with the mysterious creature. All the Titans and the three Advent Knights were in the room. Jinx had told them what'd happened.

"So, he fused with his Category King then," Desmond said in thought. 'King Form…Hm…'

"Not exactly," Takada said and everyone looked at him.

"What do you mean, Takada?" Robin asked.

"From what Jinx told me, it would appear that he did not just fuse with his Category King. He also fused with all the other Beast Spirits he had sealed," Takada reported. Everyone looked surprised. "And that is not exactly a good thing."

"How can that be bad?" Beast Boy asked, "He got stronger, right?"

"Greenie, the Advent System allows us to transform into Advent Knight by fusing us with the Category Ace," Kat reminded. "It fuses into our own DNA. When either my otouto-chan or Takada here change to Jack Form, they fuse with another Beast Spirit to attain that form."

"I originally theorized that Leo would only fuse with his Category King if he used it with his Absorber," Takada added. "But, I was mistaken. Leo is able to attain King Form by fusing with all the 13 sealed Beast Spirits in his possession. He fused his DNA with 13 of them. That shouldn't be possible because a fusion like that would be too unstable."

"Unstable? As in…dangerous?" Starfire inquired.

"Sounds like it," Raven said.

Takada had brought along his laptop and turned it on. On the screen were 3D diagrams of the four Advent Knights: Draco, Mimic, Pluto and Shadow. Takada explained to them, "The reason the four of us are able to fuse with the Category Ace Beast Spirits and transform is because of one factor; our Fusion Synchronization Ratio, or FSR. You can also call it our Fusion Sync Rate." He pointed to a series of numbers under the Knights' images which also included their stats.

These were the following FSR's:

Pluto: 5,500 FSR

Shadow: 6,700 FSR

Mimic: 6,400 FSR

And Draco: 10, 789 FSR…The highest. Everyone gawked at the numbers in shock.

"Woah, they go that high up?" Kat said in shock. Desmond was equally surprise.

"Not normally," Takada shook his head. "Leo has an abnormally high FSR," Takada informed them. "And these are only the average numbers."

"That's average?" Cyborg blurted out. Leo's average was a lot higher than the other Knights.

"That is the reason why he was able to attain King Form so easily."

"He was in pain at first, though," Jinx said, remembering his screams of pain. There was no way she could forget those screams as he changed to King Form.

Takada replied, "His body was probably trying to get used to the new power."

Desmond, on the other hand, was thinking, 'If I am able to accumulate a higher Fusion Sync Rate, I may be able to attain King Form as well.'

"He's still getting used to the transformation though. That's why he's asleep right now."

"We better give him some rest then," Robin said, "Let's go."

"I'm staying to keep him company," Jinx volunteered as she pulled up chair and sat down, gazing at her boyfriend.

"Take care of him, Jinx," Kat said with a smile, "Just don't go into bed with him," she teased. Jinx blushed bright red but…that idea didn't sound too bad at all.

Kyo just stood there deep in thought. 'Leo's gotten a lot stronger since we last saw each other. That King Form was simply amazing. Even at full strength there is no way I could beat him without losing control. He could definitely be a valuable ally, especially with him still alive. But he's lost control before, so I better keep an eye on him…'

"So," Takada began, getting Kyo's attention, "I see that you know Leo's secret and possibly ours as well." Takada frowned. "You know, you should have your memory erased just like after what happened during that graduation ceremony."

"Sorry to disappoint but I don't know any of you except for Leo and Kat. They were friends of mine. I knew their identities long before graduation. However, my memory was repressed so I had no memory of those events until recently. And if you even try to erase my memories…" Kyo drew his sword out. "I'll make you regret it." The Titans looked at him in surprise. He let out a sigh and sheathed his sword.

"Just who are you?" asked Kat suspiciously.

"Geez, Kat, you forgot too?" Kyo sighed again. "My name's Kyo. And let me ask you something, did that King guy seem familiar to you?"

"I guess," said Kat with a shrug. "He did seem sort of familiar."

"What about Kanenone Gakuen? Name sound at all familiar?"

"My otouto-chan and I went there for a few weeks when some Beast Spirits showed up. What about it?"

"What about Mika or the Mibu?"

"Just what are you talking about?" asked Kat, becoming irritated.

"Nothing… I'll talk to you and Leo later when he wakes up."

Later…

Takada was alone in his room in Café La Salle as he held a cell phone to his ear. He was talking to someone on the other end, "Yes, sir. I understand. I'll keep my eye on the two of them. Don't worry, I won't fail you sir." He then disconnected his call and stared at his laptop screen. 'So far, Draco has all his cards. He also has a King Form now which makes him incredibly powerful. He can either be an asset…or a threat.' Takada frowned.

And if Draco ever did become a threat, Pluto would have to deal with him accordingly. All that power…it was just too dangerous for one person to have.

Also, Kyo was someone he would need to keep an eye on too. He seemed to know something and it involved the twins. Kyo was one of those people who knew too much for their own good.

Kyo and Mahiro were standing outside the hospital. They were under Leo's window and looking up at it. "Should we just tell them about the past?" asked Mahiro.

"No," Kyo objected, "They need to remember on their own." He explained, "If we were to tell them it could be too much for them to handle, especially with Leo's currently weakened state."

"If you're sure…"

"Yeah, Leo and Kat were good friends of ours, but they need to remember on their own…"

Leo slowly woke up from his sleep and looked over to his side to see Jinx asleep on the chair she was sitting on, leaning over the back (she was sitting on it backwards) with her arms folded on the backrest and resting her head in her arms. She looked so adorable sleeping like that.

He had another dream again, a strange one this time. It was strange because it seemed all too real…like an old memory.

'Yuusuke, Midori, Futaba Wakaba, Reika, Bacchi-Gu, Ichiban-Boshi, Tenjin, Yukimura, Mizuki, Muramasa, Mika…Who are these people? Why do I feel like I know them?' he pondered mentally. Another name came to mind, 'Nobunaga…' For some reason the mere thought of that name made Leo feel the same hatred he held towards King. Then, another name came up, 'Sanae…' He was unable to remember why she was important to him but that name made him feel like how he felt for Jinx. Was this Sanae person someone he cared for dearly?

Kyo and Mahiro seemed to know something. As soon as he got out of the hospital, he would find them and get his answers. He just wasn't sure if he was going to like them.

Looking over at Jinx, he decided to do something to help her get comfortable.

ZK Chromedragozoid: Well, that's the first chap of the sequel. What do you think?

Shadow Element 13: Just to let you all know my OCs will have a large impact on this story, including a currently unknown face from Leo's past. Now, on with the preview…!

Preview: Desmond has become envious of Leo's ability to go into King Form and attempts to do the same... Meanwhile, Leo has been discharged and he goes with Kat to find Kyo and Mahiro to find some answers. However a strangely familiar enemy interrupts their meeting.

Episode 2: Memories

New Form:

Draco King Form

Attained By: Accomplished by the usage of the Advent Absorber, Category King of Spades (Evolution Qinglong) and Category Queen of Spades (Absorb Capricorn). He first slides the Queen of Spades into the Absorber before slashing through the King of Spades through the Absorber. All of his cards will then fly around him and slam into his body to create new armor.

Armor Alterations: His armor is gold, sapphire and bronze. He has red eyes and three horns that form a crown. On his armor are bronze depictions of his cards except for the chest area that has a sapphire gem with a golden dragon in it.

Advantages: Stronger defense and attack capabilities. Gains a new sword called the King Dragon Blade.

Side Effects: The new form drains him and when he changes back into human form he passes out. May also be able to use the power of all 13 of his sealed Beast Spirits since he fused with them but it is still too early to tell.

Draco's Complete Card List:

Ace of Spades: Change Seiryu
Function: Transforms Leo into Advent Knight Draco.

2 of Spades: Slash Lizard (400 FP)
Function: Increases the slashing power of the Seiryu Blade.

3 of Spades: Beat Lion (600 FP)
Function: Increases the power of a forward punch.

4 of Spades: Tackle Boar (800 FP)
Function: Increases the power of a tackle.

5 of Spades: Kick Locust (1000 FP)
Function: Increases the power of a flying kick.

6 of Spades: Thunder Deer (1200 MP)
Function: Adds thunder/electric element to an attack.

7 of Spades: Metal Trilobite (1600 DP)
Function: Adds additional layer of metal to Draco's armor for protection.

8 of Spades: Magnet Buffalo (1400 MP)
Function: Gives Draco magnetic abilities.

9 of Spades: Mach Cheetah (1600 MP)
Function: Increases Draco's speed

10 of Spades: Time Scarab (2200 MP)
Function: Manipulates time (slow down time, speed up time, reverse time, time travel and freeze time).

Jack of Spades: Fusion Eagle (+2400 AP)
Function: This card can charge the AP of the Seiryu Blade for attacks and can be used by Draco along with the Absorb Capricorn card to obtain Jack Form when activated by the Advent Absorber.

Queen of Spades: Absorb Capricorn (+2000 AP)
Function: This card can charge the AP of the Seiryu Blade for attacks and can also be used with the Advent Absorber to enable Draco to obtain either Jack Form or King Form.

King of Spades: Evolution Qinglong (+4600 AP)
Function: This card can charge the AP of the Seiryu Blade for attacks and can be used by Draco along with the Absorb Capricorn card to obtain King Form when activated by the Advent Absorber.

New Combo:

Royal Straight Flush (11,200 AP)

Cards Used: Time Scarab, Fusion Eagle, Absorb Capricorn, Evolution Qinglong, Change Seiryu.

Description: All of the following cards are inserted into the King Dragon Blade in the above order. Then, 5 large projections of the cards appear in front of Draco KF (King Form) in a row. Draco will either run through the projections to execute a powerful and devastating slash attack or swing his sword to send a burst of energy through the card projections and obliterate the enemy.