Bujintei Susanowo's foreboding figure crashed into the ground behind Zak, towering over him while holding its two sharp blades at the ready by its sides. Sparks and small streams of lightning radiated off the bright red-orange armour – lighting up the duel arena. The two shining Overlay Units swirled about its burning wings and returned full circle around its whole figure. Its eyes burned with a fierce energy as they glared across the darkening field. Susanowo's presence screamed power and, for a fleeting moment, Zak remembered what it was like having Darkshine Dragon by his side once more. But that feeling was about to be pushed aside in favour of Zak's clear view of his first victory in a long while.

"I detach the Bujingi Turtle as an Overlay Unit from Bujintei Suanowo," Zak shouted, as Susanowo sliced one of the orbs of light with one of its blades, "Now I can-"

"Use Susie's effect?" Angel cut through, "And search for a card to win? Not likely! I trigger my trap card: Breakthrough Skill! I'm sure you know what this does by now, sweetie. If you need a reminder though: Susie's effect is going to be negated. Shame."

Zak thought for a moment then continued, "I chain on the newly detached Bujingi Turtle in the Graveyard! When you target a Beast-Warrior Bujin monster I control with a card effect – I can banish this card from the Grave and negate it!"

A cloudy purple portal opened up in front of Bujintei Susanowo from which Bujingi Turtle jumped out of – taking the bolt fired off from Angel's Breakthrough Skill full force. Upon dissipating the attempted effect negation Bujingi Turtle faded from the game; its piece in the puzzle now fulfilled. Since Bujintei Susanowo's effect could now be carried out – it aimed its blade at Zak's Deck, which subsequently lit up with an almost electrical aura. It too sensed that the end of the duel was nigh.

"Bujintei Susanowo allows me to target a Bujin monster in my deck," Zak began to calmly explain, "And, with that monster, I can either add it to my hand or send it to the Graveyard."

"Good work on escaping my trap, Zakky," Angel replied, "But, if I'm not mistaken, you still can't get over Ancient Sacred Wyvern without Crane… which you don't have."

"Unfortunately you're mistaken, sweetie," Zak said, imitating his girlfriend's favourite nickname, "I send the Bujingi Sinyou in my deck to the Graveyard. And now my Storm Emperor! Attack her Ancient Sacred Wyvern!"

"2400 versus 3000? It'd have been way easier to just concede rather than go out with a bang."

"Concede? Where's the fun in that? I'm going to win!"

"Are you now? With what? Sinyou?"

"Exactly that!" Zak roared, "During battle with a Beast-Warrior Bujin monster: I can banish Bujingi Sinyou from my Graveyard to have my monster gain the attack of whatever it's battling. The only downside is you'll only take half battle damage; but that's exactly enough to drop you to zero!"

Bujingi Sinyou, which resembled a purplish glowing unicorn-like creature with a sword for a face, jumped out from another Graveyard portal before transforming into a huge glowing broadsword. Bujintei Susanowo grabbed the newly forged weapon as its Attack Points rose to 5400 and, in one fell strike, slashed the blade through Ancient Sacred Wyvern and its 3000 Attack. A pained roar escaped the fallen dragon before the shockwave from the attack hurled its way at Angel. She was knocked off her feet slightly; her Life Points dropped to nothing as Zak had said.

[Angel: 0]

[Zak Wins!]

"You took too long," Zero's praise echoed, but Zak ignored it.

The Augmented Reality faded as he walked over to where Angel was calmly sitting. He held out his arm, which she took and he pulled her to her feet. At once she embraced him.

"You finally did it, sweetie!" Angel exclaimed, "You beat the amazing me in a duel with a new deck."

Zak raised his eyebrow at her as she half-pulled away from the embrace. Angel giggled and continued, "Want to keep this deck then?"

"Yeah, I think I will," Zak smiled, "Susanowo and the other Emperors are pretty fun to play. Thank you for helping me with it."

"You can thank me by showering and paying the dinner bill when we go out," Angel winked, "Come onnnnn, I'm hungryyyy."

Zak gave her a small kiss before releasing his arms from around her before the duo headed indoors to Angel's apartment. They'd lived together since their victory over Number Zero only a few months ago. That event had changed the world for them and for everyone in Heartland. Though most citizens were all too well aware of the Barian Invasion which had been thwarted by the heroes Yuma Tsukumo, his partner Astral and Kite Tenjo the ex-Number Hunter – next to none were aware of the second, more silent, war that had taken place at the same time. The war of two Number Hunters against the Dark God of Numbers – Number Zero, who had sought to create an army of dark duelists.

Those two Hunters were none other than Zak and Angel who had, together, taken down the dark overlord with their Number ace cards and prevented Zero's machinations from coming to light. The cost was that now Number Zero itself was housed within Zak's soul and could, on occasion, muster the power to control him. Such occurrences were now swiftly dealt with by Angel or, rarely, Kite if Zero got too out of hand. The only other thing to have been lost at the end of the battle against Zero were Zak and Angel's own Number ace cards: Number 13: Darkshine Dragon and Number 88: Goddess of Light. With all Numbers having been returned to Astral – their power simply could not exist and, as such, they'd faded into Blank Cards.

Zak and Angel still kept those Blank Cards in their Extra Decks though. They were important and, deep down, each hoped that, one day, maybe their monsters would return to them. Since their victory Zak and Angel had been more or less inseparable. That tends to happen to people considering all that had befallen them. Losing souls, being trapped in alternate timestreams, kidnapped by duel ghosts. Each wore a special pendant that matched the other for this reason. A pair of Yin and Yang pendants – each inlaid with half the Baria Light gem they'd used throughout their adventures. Zak with Yin; Angel with Yang.

As for their decks – Angel's was her ever favourite Agent deck; now fitted with new Xyz and a rare Synchro play. She'd played it since before she'd even met Zak. As for Zak himself? His original deck had been lost during an earlier adventure and, during the battle against Number Zero, he'd played a deadly execution deck focusing on Skill Drain. However, like his Darkshine Dragon, that deck had faded away. That had left him jumping from deck to deck to fill the void left by both his favourite card and original deck. It seemed now that the Bujin archetype could do just that.

But tonight was a reminder. Not a sad reminder, no; a happy one. Tonight commemorated one year since they'd met. One year since the hooded Number Hunter had met the energetic girl in a tank top (and taken her Numbers from her). Tonight was their anniversary and they intended to celebrate it and enjoy it as best as possible. Though that had meant Zak wearing a suit he felt was a just a tad too uncomfortable - even despite Angel saying it showed him off nicely. Angel herself wore a long silver backless dress which took Zak's breath away.

Their destination was one in the middle of Heartland City; a restaurant recommended to them by Tori, or "Yuma's girlfriend," as Zak liked to call her. The abundance of colour and lights, especially in the evening, never ceased to amaze the duo as they calmly strolled to their destination. They had all the time in the world and they were going to enjoy it. Every moment of it. Zak smiled as Angel would pipe up excitedly now and again while pointing to another amazing display covering the buildings and attractions that dotted the city. Their city had nearly fully recovered since the Barian Invasion as Dr Faker, the current mayor, had done everything in his power to ensure its recovery. Heartland was truly a world of smiles.

The duo finally found their way to the restaurant, found a table for two and, after their orders had been taken, for once, had no idea what to say to each other. There were so many topics to talk about and so many memories to tell – but where were either of them to begin? Not that it mattered actually – for they were abruptly made aware of the presence of another standing over their table. Zak was shocked and a little annoyed to see who it was half-glaring at him when he looked up. She sported a full head of curly ginger hair which reached her shoulders, freckles to match and violet eyes. Her standing a whole head less than Zak's height was made up for by a blatant in-your-face aura, folded arms and sealed tight lips.

"Uh, hey, Jordyn," He started awkwardly, addressing his ex-girlfriend, "What brings you here?"