The Young Master of the Dragonmaids

by The Imperator 2 you

Joseph Takara is a young man who has come into the ownership of the Dragonmaid cards, a rare set of cards that seem to only appear to a single duelist and whom only 'they' call master. With dreams of becoming a professional duelist, he attends Duel Academy, and with the help of his family of girls, and the help of the rare and beautiful Dragonmaids, his dream might come true.

13. Chapter 12

So, before I begin this chapter, this is going to be my 'final' chapter for this particular fic for a while, because I am 'desperately' behind on my other stories, and I need to write for them. Reason why I wrote so much of this yugioh fic is because writing a yugioh fic makes me feel better while I'm going through some rough patches and just general lack of drive to write, on account of it being a mostly 'fun' story and not that heavy on emotions, at least not until recent chapters.

Another thing, there is a '100% completely made up archetype' in this chapter, I'm not the best at dueling, I'm a casual scrub that tries to focus on having 'fun' over try harding and playing the 100% most optimal, and this story is not about that, improvement yes, but this is basically a learning curve for me~ I know for a fact a few of my 'previous' duels had some… interesting decisions but, like I said, I'm not the best~ try to cut me a 'little' slack and not think too hard about the most 'optimal way' a turn could have been played etc. I had to spend a good 10-15 days give or take trying to come up with this archetype after trying to find one, and failing, to come up with an archetype for Joseph's dad that would fit his 'playstyle' given who he is as a character/person/duelist.

Now with that said… on with the story~

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"Since ages ago, it has always been so, a lifetime of service in exchange for your life, till a day comes when I choose to no longer look upon you. Our service most humble and loyal will it be to you, in exchange for your life with a heart most purest and true. If the day comes when we do depart, if our contract we honor can you still reclaim us, by proving you can protect us better than who we choose to serve. Our contract is thus, your family tree, no matter the number of branches we see, unless we find none, we feel worthy of we. Night and day shall we serve you master, unless we find you unworthy for a time after. If you cannot protect us or we feel you are unfit, for we do not seek your luxuries or profit, then our contract with you shall be discarded, for we cannot risk us being unguarded."

"Thus it has always been… my most youngest of Masters, you are not the first… and you might not be the last… but…"

= Chapter 12 Prologue =

Sheou stared out the window, looking upon the sky outside the window of the café. Outside all was quiet, crickets occasionally chirped, fireflies sometimes made themselves known, clouds drifted as they always did, and she…

She sipped her cup of tea.

"Ma'am?" A voice asked behind her, and she looked behind to see Kitchen and Laundry behind her in their maid attires, while their shadows that were cast depicted draconic forms much too large to possibly belong to the two girls.

"Ma'am, have you reached your decision yet?" Laundry asked nervously.

She sighed as she turned away and took another sip of tea. Has she reached her decision yet, that was the big question, ever since the duel with Seto Kaiba she had been in deep thought, and while Joseph didn't notice it, the other girls most certainly had. Each day that passed she thought more and more about telling him the truth and finally offering the terms of a new contract, but more importantly offering him…

She took another sip of tea.

"Ma'am, please… we need to know, have you reached your decision yet?" Kitchen asked quietly.

She took another deep breath before glancing back at the two girls, and then turned around just as quickly before sipping her tea once more.

"Tell me… are you happy with him?" She asked them.

"Happy, we've never been so happy!" Laundry said cheerfully. "He's the best master ever, he's kind he's nice, he takes care of us and cares about us, and we have lots of fun and everything else in between!"

"He's handsome, cute and we love him for everything he does for us!" Kitchen continued with a warm smile.

Sheou glanced back at them out of the corner of her eye, before returning to the sky outside. "Even though he thinks we are two different beings?"

At that their expressions turned sour, but only for a second, before smiling in unison and nodding. "Even despite that, we're happier than we've ever been, we could… we could live like this forever and we wouldn't mind one little bit!" Laundry declared.

"Even though he doesn't know the truth and believes our true forms and our physical forms are different beings, I still love him, nothing will ever change that!" Kitchen said happily.

Sheou nodded slightly, before noticing her tea was empty. She held the cup out and motioned Kitchen with a finger, who nodded and directed her index finger at it, blasting it with draconic energy and causing it to refill with fresh lukewarm tea. Her drink refilled she took another sip and sighed. "He has improved, of that there is no doubt, despite losing to Seto Kaiba… he has performed better than I expected and better than I could have hoped. But still… we cannot coddle him or shelter him forever, as you know."

They nodded, their faces looking dour again.

"His father is coming…" She muttered.

"Him, but… but why, he can't possibly be trying to…" Kitchen stuttered.

"Reclaim us, he's trying to reclaim us?" Laundry asked in shock.

Sheou nodded as she took another sip. "He knows full well that, because the previous contract is still in effect, he cannot reveal our true identity to Joseph, nor can he just try and steal me away in the middle of the night."

There was silence as they listened to that, knowing Sheou 'hated' when people dared touch her card. "What did you do?"

She closed her eyes as she relived three nights ago, while Joseph and his friends were taking their P.E. class, and his deck of cards were stored in a small locker, a janitor tried to sneak in and steal her card when nobody was looking and sidle off with it. She, naturally, would not allow 'anyone' to touch her card, as she had forbidden anyone but 'Joseph' to even hold it without her permission. However, she also knew that the janitor was not… mean, or wicked, just greedy. So Sheou let him think he got away with her card, before she reclaimed it without him knowing and allowing him to take a sudden sick leave from Duel Academy, only instead of a card he carried a piece of cardboard with a note, telling his 'employer' that the Dragonmaids belonged to Joseph Takara, and no other.

He got off easy, but she would only tolerate it for so long, but their previous owner was made fully aware that he had only 'one' option if he wanted to reclaim her, and through her the others. Now that they were all together in the same deck, they were at risk.

"Nothing, just had him deliver a message without realizing it." She responded, taking a sip of tea again.

"Well even if he does show his ugly mug around here, Joseph will protect us, he can't touch us while Joseph's around!" Laundry declared proudly. "And if he tries anything, we'll be there!"

She smiled a little at that, nodding in agreement. "Return to Joseph… tend to his dreams with the others." She declared, and both girls nodded and left, but just before Kitchen could leave, "Before you go…"

She held out her cup once again, and Kitchen nodded, blasting it with her draconic energy again and refilling it.

As time ticked away and her cup of tea remained full but had long since gone cold, she frowned as she gazed upon the Slifer Dorm. "If he challenges you Young Master, there is nothing more I can do… it will be up to you then."

She sighed as she looked at her cup of cold tea, and drank it, for no other reason than so it wouldn't go to waste, before going back to her room to contemplate some things.

= Chapter 12, Phillip Masuta vs Joseph Takara =

= Challenge for the Dragonmaids, The Shadow's Lengthen! =

"How's it going Dorothy, got anything good in today?" Joseph asked as he and his pals from Slifer Red strolled into the shop.

"No not today sadly, just the usual pack restocks, but we 'might' get some new stock next month." Ms. Dorothy said politely from behind the counter.

"Aww, oh well, at least we can buy a few packs for you two though!"

"You sure you don't want anything Joseph?" Syrus asked as Dorothy handed over a few booster packs for them.

"Yea, my decks' okay for now, I don't really need anything grand for it, plus it's getting close to mid-terms, when I need to upgrade, I'll upgrade. For now, I'm content!"

"As wise a set of words as you've ever said Young Master, there is nothing wrong with being content with what you have now and wanting for more than what you really need." Sheou said warmly behind them. "With exception to that duel with Seto Kaiba, you have not needed more than what you have now."

"I know, but still… I wouldn't mind getting something new for my deck." Joseph said as he watched Chumley and Syrus opening their packs.

"Nothing to work with my Vehicroids, and I already have like '5' copies of that card…" Syrus said as he shook his head.

"Yea, nothing for my Koala cards either, not even a new Koala."

It was their day off; they had planned to go to the card shop to see if there was new merchandise and maybe upgrade their decks a bit. After that they were probably going to go finish up some homework and then just hang out at the café once they were no longer busy. Even though it had been nearly two weeks since Kaiba challenged Joseph to a duel, accusing him of stealing his Dragonmaid cards, there were still students who were now 'suspicious' of Joseph being a thief as now Kaiba's accusations, though explained, started raising questions about 'how' he obtained the cards.

Though he explained, some… didn't believe him, and those who didn't were either 'suspicious' of him or just didn't care about his reasons or his cards. But a vast majority of students seemed to believe he was on the legit side of the coin, seeing as Seto Kaiba himself said that the accusation came from a 'less than reliable source'.

On Joseph's part however, he just tried to ignore it and move on, he knew the truth and his friends knew the truth and that was all that mattered to him. If people didn't believe him then that was on them, not him.

"Don't worry Chumley, maybe next month another Koala monster will be released for you to collect!" Dorothy said sweetly. "And if we get one, I'll hold onto it for you!"

"Hey, you know Dorothy, I never asked this before but, have you ever played Duel Monsters before?"

"Me? Oh I was never a big duelist, but I did always keep one card with me at all times, wanna see it?" Ms. Dorothy said as she pulled out a little card case. "Here it is, I always keep this with me as a little good luck charm, it's just so adorable, take a look!"

They leaned over and saw the card was, [Marshmallon, lvl 3, Light Attribute, Fairy Type, Effect mMonster, 300 Atk / 500 Def]

"That, aww it is adorable." Joseph chuckled.

"Yea, I can see why you'd like it, it is cute!" Syrus said.

"Told you it was adorable." Dorothy said as Alexis and Bastion soon walked in.

"Hey Dorothy, did that package arrive yet?" Alexis asked.

"Oh yea, it arrived yesterday, here you go." She said happily.

"Package?" Joseph asked as Alexis took the package and opened it up.

As she opened up the small package, she pulled out a little envelope with the image of a cartoon rabbit waving with a big grin, from none other than Industrial Illusions. She opened it up and looked at the small contents within, one being a letter and the other being a card.

"Yep, and here you go Joseph, a little present from us to you!"

He took the card and was surprised to see it was a magic card, with the image of five friends on it, all with their hands over one another. The card's name, [Unity].

"Wait a minute… isn't this…" He muttered as he reached into his card box and pulled out the magic card, [Yu-Jo Friendship], "Yea, this is the card that goes with Yu-Jo Friendship… But how did you get this card?"

"Well, after the duel with Kaiba, Alexis asked Syrus, Chumley and me with a little project. You see Joseph, Industrial Illusions was hosting their weekly 'Win a Card' competition, where contestants can enter by writing a story for a card they want to win. So, each of us wrote about how we gave you our cards to help you win in your duel against Seto Kaiba when you were on the verge of being expelled unless you won. And turns out, our stories won the competition and Alexis was sent the card based on the story we told." Bastion explained as Joseph looked at the card.

"Yea, what Basiton said, we knew you had that Yu-Jo Friendship card, and we wanted to give you the other card to go with it, so you had the pair!" Chumley said.

"Like it Joseph, just think of it as a 'congrats for taking on a duelist like Kaiba' present!" Syrus said cheerfully.

At that he smiled as he took it and placed it in the deck box with his other cards. "Thanks guys, it really means a lot to me."

"No problem Joseph, just don't forget you still owe me a duel." Alexis chuckled.

"Now aint that friendship if my eyes don't deceive me, I'm so glad you guys get along so well." Dorothy said cheerfully.

They all hung out at the card shop taking a look at random items and seeing what was available and what else she had, plus Joseph got to hear a bit about Dorothy and why she keeps that Marshmallon card.

"Its my little good luck card, when I opened this store on duel academy, I asked my little Marshmallon to keep my store safe, and so I keep it here with me at all times. Ever since then I've not had a problem here in my store!"

"My, what an adorable little tale, it warms my heart to know you have such a card that means so much to you!" Sheou said with a warm smile.

"Why thank you ma'am, what about you kids, do you have a card like that?"

"Well, I can't say I had a card like that, but I do have my favorite card that first got me into Duel Monsters, Oxygeddon." Bastion said as he pulled it out. "I always loved science, and when I learned that there were cards based on science, math and chemistry, I decided to become a scientific duelist. Oxygeddon was my first step."

"For me it was this, Rescueroid!" Syrus said as he held it out. "This little guy has always gotten me out of a tight spot, and I never go into a duel without it in my deck!"

"Well, you know this already, but my personal favorite has always been Big Koala!" Chumley said. "He reminds me of myself, big and tough! You know… if I were a duel monster that is. Plus, we both really like to just chill."

"What about you Joseph, leme guess, it's a Dragonmaid right?" Alexis asked with a chuckle as his draconic friends began appearing around him.

'We all know it's ganna be me!' Nudyarl said giddily.

'Oh please, just cause you were summoned out the most doesn't mean 'your' the favorite!' Tinkhec snickered.

'Honestly it could be any of us.' Lorpar interjected.

'Whoever gets picked gets dibs on the pillow at night!' Ernus declared.

"Well… I do like all of my Dragonmaids, but I don't really have one that I like more than any of the others." Joseph muttered as he looked at his cards again.

'Awwww he likes all of us equally!' Nudyarl squealed.

'My favorite words to hear!' Tinkhec giggled.

'Don't need to hear anything else~!' Ernus said happily.

'We like you just as much master.' Lorpar told him.

"Well do any of them mean more than the others?" Alexis asked now.

"I guess, the only one that fits those criteria is House Dragonmaid, she 'was' the first I ever found and she kind of started me when it comes to using Dragonmaids. But without them I can't bring her out, and without her they can't be as effective. So, it's kind of, I like them all equally still, but House will always be first."

At that all of his Dragonmaid friends rolled their eyes with smirks before vanishing again.

"What about you ma'am, you got a card?" Dorothy asked Sheou.

"Oh my, I am no duelist, and I do not collect any cards I'm afraid." Sheou said with a humble smile. "I am simply a maid, nothing more than that. Although… I 'do' have one card from your Grandfather Joseph that he left with me after he died."

"Wait, grandpa left you a card?" Joseph asked suddenly, as he never knew his grandfather collected cards.

Sheou nodded and asked them all to follow her to the café, and a few minutes later they were sitting in the café with a few other students who were lounging around while Kite and Sun offered teas, cakes, and served various drinks and deserts to the other patrons while Sheou went upstairs to fetch the card in question. She walked down the stairs and over to their table with a tiny envelope in her hands.

"Here it is, your grandfather left this with me in his will after he died, he wanted me to give it to you when you were older. Please forgive me for not giving it to you sooner Young Master, but as your grandfather never defined the correct 'age' he wanted you to receive it, I never saw a reason to give it to you until now." She said as she offered it to him. "I believe he only ever collected two cards before in his life to my knowledge, this is one of them."

"Oh, is Joseph finally getting that card at long last?" Kite asked eagerly as she walked over with a smile.

"We've had that sitting in our room for 'years', wondering how long it would sit in our desk drawer." Sun agreed warmly. "It's so nice to see you finally inherit it Joseph!"

Joseph took the envelope and opened it up to reveal first a handwritten note from his grandfather to him, and the second was a card, but he first read the note.

"Dear Grandson, I'm sorry if you're reading this, because it means I've passed on. I really wish I could have given this to you when you were older, or even when I was still around, but I was never the best with remembering things, so I left this with someone who would remember for me. It's a very special card to me, even though I know by the time you get it, whenever that is, it will not be the best card you will ever see, its not even the rarest, but it was still very special to me since it was probably the first card I ever owned." He read out loud. "I never had time to get into the game like you kids did, I was too busy with work, life, you know it… but this card was special to 'me', so take care of it, even if you never use it."

He put the note down and looked at the card in question.

[Seiyaryu, lvl 7, Light Attribute, Dragon Type, Normal Monster, 2500 Atk / 2300 Def]

The monster in question was this pink dragon with sharp clawed talons, sharp claws attached to its feathery wings sharpened tailfeathers. Other than its appearance there wasn't really anything special about it, but for some reason, it felt familiar to him. Almost like he'd seen it before from somewhere.

"Seiyaryu, I know that card, that card was given out as a promotional card at various regional tournaments around the world, heck even spectators won a free copy of the card in some places." Bastion explained. "Pretty 'normal' if you ask me, if you'll pardon the pun."

"Huh, a dragon, a Normal Dragon at that." Alexis said in surprise. "You don't see Normal Monsters nowadays, they're so… what's the word for it?"

"I believe the term is 'retro'." Bastion replied. "But Alexis is right, with modern decks, a Normal Monster is seen as very weak, with exception to a few they aren't worth running in a deck. A monster that has no effect, requires one or more tributes to summon out, and can't really do anything besides attacking or defending, no reason to run them over one of your Dragonmaids Joseph."

"Yea but, didn't it belong to his grandpa?" Syrus asked.

"I like it, it looks kinda nice." Kite said.

"Aww its pink, its nice to see more 'pink' cards out there, especially a dragon." Sun agreed.

"Hmm, is there a way I can use this card in my deck?" Joseph asked as he looked over his deck. "I mean, sure it doesn't have an effect but, it still belonged to my grandpa, I would like to play it, even once in a while."

"But it has no effect, it's just a really hard to bring out monster that has a good attack and defense, but it doesn't do anything." Chumley said. "Even 'I' know not to use normal monsters Joseph."

"Even if it has no effect, I still want to try and use it, besides, I kind of like it."

"Well, you have one way to bring it out, graceful charity and then using Return of the Dragon Lords." Bastion said as he examined his cards. "Other than that method, your only real way of getting it on the field is just to tribute two monsters for it, given it shouldn't be too hard, what with how your Dragonmaids work, but still, your Dragonmaids are way better than that monster."

"Well, if I ever need to summon it, that's how I'll summon it then. Suuure it's not the most valuable card in my deck, but its still important to me, I'll find a way to make it work. That's what being a duelist is all about after all, winning with the cards you choose to run."

Sheou nodded in approval as she stood by the table, "Well, would you five like anything to eat, I'm certain Kite would be more than willing to make it for you?" She asked warmly.

"Isn't it a bit early to be making meals?" Joseph asked.

"Young Master, if it is for you and your friends, we will always be willing to make an exception." Sheou said with a humble bow.

"Leave it to me Jo, I'll make whatever you want in a heartbeat~!" Kite said with a playful wink and a cheery smile.

"Well, in that case…" Joseph said, and within a few moments all of them were asking for meals to chow on. After taking their orders Kite happily declared she'd get them ready and then walked into the kitchen to make them.

A few minutes passed while Joseph and company chatted to one another, even as Sheou returned from the center buffet table with drinks for them all. During that time, they were pretty much left alone, but a few girls from Obelisk Blue strolled into the café talking to one another energetically, at least until they glanced at Alexis sitting at Joseph's table and laughing at something he said. After that they whispered something and then chose to sit as far away from them as possible.

This did not go unnoticed by Joseph, who spotted them out of the corner of his eye and noticed Alexis pretending to not notice them either.

"Did something happen over at Obelisk Blue dorms Alexis?" He asked her.

"Nothing serious, just a bit of internal dorm politics." Alexis said coldly.

"Doesn't look like it's not serious to me."

"It's nothing really, just a few girls can't accept the truth that you are innocent of those charges Kaiba accused you of, charges I reminded them, Kaiba himself said were made to him from a 'less than reliable location'." Alexis said with a cold tone. "We had several arguments, shouted back and forth… and now, well a few girls just can't accept being around me anymore."

"You really argued with the other Obelisk Blues for me?"

"Well of course, I know how much those cards mean to you Joseph, nobody who cares as much about their cards as you do could ever lie about them. Besides, I also remember how you tried to save not only me but also your card when that creepy Shadow Duelist mercenary tried to use that against you. You risked the duel just to try and find a way to save both… and I never forgot that. Besides I still got friends, if I make a few enemies because of you so what~!"

At that he smiled gratefully, and suddenly made up an excuse to notice Kite walking over with their food behind Sheou. But two of his draconic friends, Nudyarl and Lorpar smirked as they appeared and giggled behind his back.

Food was delivered and everyone just ate and chatted for a while, with Kite occasionally making new food at their requests, mostly ice cream servings. When they'd had their fill, they all decided to head back over to their dorms, but as they were getting up, the doors to the café opened and Professor Banner walked in.

"Ah, Joseph, there you are, sorry to bother you but could you please come with me, Chancellor Shepard needs to speak with you." Banner said as he held his cat Pharoah in his arm.

"Am I in trouble or-?" Joseph began saying, but Banner interjected.

"Rest assured your not in trouble Joseph, but Chancellor Shepard needs to have a word with you, I'll be there with you as this concerns me as well." Banner said politely.

"Uhm, okay…" Joseph said as he followed Banner.

"Mind if we tag along Professor?" Syrus asked.

Banner turned to look at Joseph's friends and frowned slightly. "Actually, I kind of do mind, as this is school related."

"With all due respect Professor Banner, but the last time something was 'school related' requiring Joseph be brought to Chancellor Shepard's office, it was because Joseph was wrongly accused of being a thief, and him having to duel for his life just to stay here." Alexis said sternly.

"Point made… alright you can come, but please… keep your thoughts and words to yourself." Banner said quietly. "You'll all understand soon enough why…"

Sheou watched as they all began leaving with Kite and Sun, a furrow on her brow. She glanced at the two of them, and nodded silently, to which both nodded in response and quietly walked into the kitchen while Sheou walked around and helped out the remaining patrons, smiling warmly and asking if they needed anything.

Meanwhile with Joseph and his friends, they took the walk up to the Chancellor's office. Once there Professor Banner knocked on the door and announced that Joseph, as well as some friends of his were there, and Chancellor Shepard allowed them in. Once inside, the first thing that Joseph noticed was that Chancellor Shepard was not alone at his desk, sitting in a chair in front of him was an adult male, of about forty years old, wearing a business suit and with a slightly darker shade of hair to what Joseph had. He also had similar facial features to Joseph, and the moment he looked at him, a mix of various emotions ran through him as he knew exactly who he was.

"Ah… Joseph, welcome, please take a seat." Shepard said as friendly as he could.

"With all due respect Chancellor, I think I'll stand right where I am." Joseph replied sternly.

"Uhm, okay if that's what you want to do, fine by me!" He replied politely, but he could tell that Joseph was not happy being there.

"You should really be more polite around your school's chancellor, 'son'. That was very rude of you to say that, let alone the way you said it." Phillip said.

"Apologies Chancellor, so, what is it you wanted to see me about?"

Behind him Joseph's friends stood off to the side, looking at his father and talking among themselves.

"That's his father?" Alexis asked.

"I can definitely see the family resemblance between them." Syrus muttered.

"Yes, and just going off of how Joseph is acting, its obvious the two have some bad blood between them." Bastion said, just feeling the dislike between the two of them in the air.

"You don't suppose he's here to try and take Joseph away from school, do you?" Chumley asked.

"More like he's going to try and find a way to take his Dragonmaids from him." Alexis whispered.

"In any case, Joseph, I called you here because your father, Phillip…"

"He's not my father." Joseph instantly said, even as his Dragonmaid friends began appearing around him.

"I'm sorry you think that, but he is still your biological father Joseph." Shepard said, trying to smile and stay friendly, but the air was making that harder by the second.

'If he's his father then I'm a transgendered lizard with wings!' Lorpar yelled angrily.

'Yea, we don't need him our lives!' Nudyarl declared furiously.

'Where was he the last 16 years?' Tinkhec growled.

'Let's just go Master, just ask what he wants and then go back to our room!' Ernus hissed.

He nodded silently in agreement, whatever he was here for, he was 'not' playing along with it. "Well Chancellor, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Yes, well… you see Joseph, your 'father', Mr. Phillip Masuta, came here because he wanted to talk about transferring you to a different school, I believe he wants to send you to a different branch of Duel Academy…"

"And 'why' does he want to do that?" He growled as he looked at the man sitting in front of him.

"You see son, I've had a few years to think about things, and it's come to my attention that, I haven't been the best father to you…"

"You haven't been ANY kind of father to me the last '16 years'!" Joseph yelled furiously. "What makes now any different compared to before?"

Phillip simply looked coldly at him, before closing his eyes and replying in as neutral a tone as possible, "You see, recent developments have reminded me that, I treated your poorly, and I've come here to try and turn over a new leaf." He said. "So that's why I came here to have you transferred to a school closer to home, so that we can be a family like we should have from the start, and I can properly take care of you the way I should have."

Joseph's eyes furrowed at that, not buying that excuse in the slightest.

'Oh sure, right, NOW he wants to win the 'dad of the year' award!' Ernus scoffed.

'He sure picked a lousy time to turn over a new leaf!' Tinkhec agreed.

'He doesn't care about Master Joseph in the least.' Lorpar whispered.

'Talk about the dad who went out to get milk and never came back!' Nudyarl sneered.

"Thanks, but no thanks, as far as I'm concerned, you're not my father and I don't want to be associated with you, or your company." He replied coldly. "So, if it's all good with you Chancellor, I'm going back to my dorm room, I have homework to do."

"Where do you think you're going, I'm not done talking with you!" Phillip demanded as Joseph turned to leave.

"Back to my dorm like I said, you're not my father, we don't share the same name, and I don't want to be in the same room as you, let alone move closer to you!" Joseph declared. "Sorry you suddenly grew a conscience, but its sixteen years too late, you should have thought this way when I was 'born' and not when I suddenly have a card you need to keep control of your company."

"Why you…" Phillip growled before he regained his cool. "Be that as it may, you're getting transferred anyway, once I make the proper calls, you'll be on the next boat off Duel Academy Island, so you might as well pack your bags son."

"I'm not going 'anywhere' you want me to go, 'sir'." He snarled as he turned to look at his father. "You can't suddenly 'accept me into your family', like that, in case you didn't notice, I may not have a mother anymore, thanks to 'you'…"

"You leave 'that' out of this conversation, now do as your told for once in your life and listen to your father."

"I will when I actually have a father to listen to."

'Not even 'we' can cause a burn like that.' Tinkhec snickered, to which the other Dragonmaids nodded in agreement.

There was a bit of silence as the verbal trading went back and forth, before Professor Banner coughed and stepped forward. "Since we appear to be at a stalemate, may I point out that, even if Phillip Masuda is Joseph's biological father, he is not his legal parental figure Chancellor." Banner said politely. "As he is in the Slifer Red Dorm, I am the only person who can make any such transfers proper. And only his Parental Guardian can ask of such a transfer, that legal guardian is currently his maid, Sheou, who is living on campus with Joseph as his personal maid while here, but she is still his legal guardian until he is of legal age. So, if Mr. Masuda would like to negotiate with anyone, he must do it with her."

"I have no interest in talking to her yet, I'll talk to her, after I get back what was 'stolen' from me!'

At that Joseph knew instantly what he was really after, just like Kaiba predicted… he wasn't here for Joseph's benefit, he just wanted the House Dragonmaid card he owned.

"For the last time, I did not 'steal' this card." He declared. "I 'found' it, in my grandfather's home, sitting under a bed after I moved in with him, ten years after I was born!"

"That card is 'mine', and I want it back, I need it to maintain my control of Dragtech, so 'son', if you want to remain here as a student, I highly suggest you do as I ask and hand it back over to me!"

"That card does not belong to you, it belongs with me." Joseph said as he slid his deck out and placed House Dragonmaid in it, shuffling the deck before his father. "I know for a fact, that you don't care about these cards in the slightest, you don't really care about them, you just want them to protect your precious company, to protect your comfy job. You never use these cards, if you did own them at any point, in a duel where they are supposed to be used. And if you 'really' cared about them, they'd be with you, if you really took care of them, they wouldn't have left your side."

He shuffled his deck fifteen more times, before he stopped and drew the first six cards from the top of his deck, smiling as he saw each of the 6 cards were, [House Dragonmaid, Chamber Dragonmaid, Dragonmaid Lorpar, Dragonmaid Tinkhec, Dragonmaid Ernus, Dragonmaid Nudyarl]

"I on the other hand, treasure these cards like family, they 'are' my family, the second closest thing to a family I've ever had since my mother died." He declared as he revealed all six of the Dragonmaids. "They'll always be with me, I'll always take care of them, I'll treasure them forever because I love them so much. And because of that mutual trust and the bond we share, even now, without me trying, they come to me just because I call to them."

All four of his draconic friends smirked as they floated around Joseph, each of them nodded in agreement as they stood near their master.

'We wouldn't have it any other way!' Nudyarl declared.

'We're staying with you no matter what!' Tinkhec said.

'The only master we want is the one we currently have!' Lorpar agreed.

'Tell him to get lost master, we don't need him in our lives!' Ernus said with pride.

He nodded as he stared at his 'father', even if he loathed using the term while replacing the cards in his deck and stashing it away. "Sorry, but I'm not handing over a card that is mine."

"Then I guess you leave me with 'no' choice, I wanted to be civilized, but if you insist on being stubborn and not doing as your told…" Phillip said as he pulled out a set of papers from a suitcase next to his chair and handed them over to Joseph. "If you won't give me what I want, then I 'demand' you finish paying the legal restitutions your 'mother' still owed me before she died!"

"WHAT?" Joseph screamed as he looked at it.

"Yes, the legal payments your mother failed to finish paying me, all 1 million, two hundred thirty thousand five hundred and seventy-seven yen, that she 'still' owed me because of the failed lawsuit she filed, forcing me to pay for many expensive lawyers to represent me in court, that the courts required her to pay back, and that you were not required to pay because you were too young to be saddled with such a debt. But if you can get into a location like Duel Academy on your own, then you can start earning your keep in this world, and finish paying your mother's debt!"

"Mr. Masuda, that is completely unreasonable… Joseph is still in school, he can't possibly pay such a massive debt at his age." Chancellor Shepard said in shock.

"This isn't your business, so stay out of it." Phillip snapped before looking at Joseph. "So, tell me, what's it going to be boy, a duel monster's card, or over a million yen?"

Joseph's hands shook furiously as he held those pieces of paper, documents from the lawsuit his mother desperately tried to fight, to make his father 'take responsibility' for what he did to her, until eventually she 'dropped' it, and the courts forced her to pay him back. It resulted in her having to take over three jobs while trying to raise him, and even though she 'died' trying to pay it off, she'd still left thirty percent of it unpaid. Now he was trying to get 'him' to pay for it, while he was still in school?!

'That… evil… wicked…' Tinkhec snarled furiously.

'Forcing Joseph to… you… he…' Ernus growled.

'Grr if I… that son of a…' Lorpar hissed angrily.

'Master… does 'not' deserve this happening to him…' Nudyarl said through barely contained rage.

"I am 'not' going to pay you over a million yen that I don't even have, and I'm NOT giving you my Dragonmaid card…" He muttered bitterly.

Phillip narrowed his eyes, "You don't have a 'choice', either you give me what I want, or you do what I want."

"HE DOES!" Alexis hollered, causing eyes to turn to her.

She was looking as equally furious as Joseph's Dragonmaids looked if anyone, but he could see them in that room.

"If you want his card so badly or money from him so much, why don't you 'duel' him for it. He said so himself, he isn't giving you a card he owns, just because you 'demand' it. And he isn't going to pay you money that he doesn't even have, just because you 'demand' it. You said so yourself, you stayed out of his life for over Sixteen years, your about as close to a father to him as a crocodile is his sister! So, if you want those things from him, why don't you make him give them to you by defeating him a duel?"

"Because little girl, you can't solve 'everything' with a duel, and this is none of your concern so butt out!" Phillip snapped back.

At that Chancellor Shepard got up and looked furiously at Phillip, "Mr. Masuda, you might be able to get away with talking to your own son that way, but you will 'NOT' talk that way to any of my students in my presence, especially a young lady like Alexis!" He demanded. "Now, as for her statement, she makes a good point, you're on Academy Grounds, so you have to play by 'our' rules! And here on Duel Academy Island, we settle all disputes with an honorable duel, one on one. If you 'really' want to make Joseph pay this unfair debt you want to burden him with or take possession of a card he owns by force, you will have to make him do it with a duel! So, are you ready to get your game on Mr. Masuda, because otherwise you might as well talk to his 'maid' about anything else you want from him?"

Phillip looked coldly at Chancellor Shepard but nodded. "Fine, if that's how it has to be, I'll play your stupid little game… if I win, Joseph not only hands over the card I want, but he 'also' has to start making payments to me to finish paying off the debt his mother left behind."

"Agreed, Joseph, do you accept the terms of the duel?" Shepard asked him.

Joseph glared back at his father before nodding, accepting the terms of the duel. "Fine, and if I win, you stay out of my life for the rest of my life."

So, they all left, with Joseph and his friends heading back to his dorm room to pick up his duel disk, while Phillip was granted access to a few of Duel Academy's cards at the card shop so he could build himself a deck. The match was scheduled outside of the Slifer Red dorm in an hour, giving everyone time to cram into Joseph, Syrus, and Chumley's room to help him prepare for the duel. Not that he felt he really needed their help, especially after Bastion did some research.

"Well, I've scoured the internet, and while your father is a CEO of a tech company working under Kaiba Corp, I've found nothing indicating he's any kind of duelist of any level." Bastion said. "So, unless he is hiding his real skills, he's probably a novice at worst and a complete beginner at best."

"Doesn't matter, I'm not afraid of anything he has or will play. My Dragonmaids will take on anything he tries." Joseph said confidently.

He shifted his cards around, checked the balance, and made sure his deck would be ready. He decided to add Unity to his deck, removing his Trap Hole from the deck to add it. He also kept Seiyaryu in his deck, removing one of his Dragonmaid Sendoffs to let it stay in. Even if it had no effect, he just felt that, since it belonged to his grandfather, he wanted to include it into his deck.

"So, what do you think he'll try to use against you Joseph?" Syrus asked him. "I mean, he 'knows' you have all of the Dragonmaids, he has to be aware that you're not a beginner, he's just gatta know how strong those cards are. Why would he challenge you unless he had some way to beat you?"

"Because it's the only way he can take what he wants from me." Joseph said. "But he isn't taking my Dragonmaids from me, nor is he going to try and intimidate me."

After a while Joseph saw it was time for the agreed upon match, and after strapping his Duel Disk onto his arm, placing his deck into the deck slot, and taking a deep breath he stepped outside to watch and wait for his opponent. They waited for about five minutes outside of the Slifer Dorm before they saw Professor Banner walking with Joseph's father, a 'Battle City' duel disk strapped to his arm.

"Alright 'old man', are you ready to lose?" Joseph called out.

"Hmpf, you should be more respectful of your elders, or didn't you ever learn manners?" Phillip responded. "If you don't start treating me better, when you lose, not only will I see you transferred out of this school, but you'll also have to be working cleaning dishes for 'years' just to pay me back, so you can kiss your dueling career goodbye starting today!"

"We'll see about that."

"We will indeed."

"Alright everyone, let's be civilized about this… about as civilized as possible considering the stakes." Professor Banner said quietly. "This duel is between Joseph Takara and Phillip Masuda, if Joseph loses, then he must hand over his House Dragonmaid card to his 'father' and begin making payments to him in the form of over a million yen. If he wins, then Phillip must stay out of Joseph's life for the remainder of his days. Now duelists, activate your duel disks, and shuffle your decks…"

Joseph nodded as his Draconic Duel Disk flipped into the on position, life points were shown, and his deck was automatically shuffled. Phillip's battle city duel disk flipped open and did the same, activating its life points and shuffling his deck as well.

"Now, the only fair way to settle who goes first, I will flip this coin, Heads for Joseph, Tails for Phillip…" Banner said as he took a coin out of his pocket and flipped it. "Hmm, it appears Joseph, you may have the honors to decide who goes first.

"Then without further ado I will take the first turn, sorry 'dad' but you never would have given me even 'that' courtesy."

"Hmpf, fine, take the first turn if you must, it matters little to me, when this is over, you'll have wished you'd done things 'my' way."

[Joseph Takara - 4000 / Phillip Masuda – 4000]

"As if, I draw!" He declared as they took their opening hands and Joseph began the duel.

A quick glance at his hand revealed, [Laundry Dragonmaid, Dragonmaid Hospitality, Cyber Dragon Drei, Masked Dragon, Dragoncarnation, Seiyaryu]

"I play the magic card, Dragonmaid Hospitality, when I activate this card, I get to special summon a Dragonmaid from my hand to the field in defense mode, and then send a Dragonmaid with a different level but the same attribute to my grave from the deck. So, I send Nudyarl to my grave to special summon Laundry Dragonmaid!"

On the field Laundry Dragonmaid flipped onto the field from her card after a pillar of blue draconic flame rose up before landing in a kneeling position with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at the duelist opposite her master.

'Just give me five minutes alone with him master, he'll have stains in his clothes that will 'never' come out!' She growled.

[Laundry Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Water Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Well since Laundry has hit the field, I activate her effect to send the top three cards of my deck to the grave, do your stuff girl!"

She nodded and turned to blast his duel disk with her azure draconic energy, extracting the three cards in question and sending them.

[Dragonmaid Tidying, Graceful Charity, Chamber Dragonmaid]

"Ugh, well Laundry, no offense but I would have 'really' liked to have kept Graceful Charity." He muttered.

'Sorry master…' She whispered apologetically.

"Well, it happens, still, I activate Dragonmaid Tidying from my grave, removing it from play to special summon the Chamber Dragonmaid from my grave to the field into defense mode, but she goes back to my hand at the end of the turn!"

A pillar of black draconic flame erupted, and Chamber appeared on the field with a twirl of her feather duster while she crossed her arms in a standing position to indicate she was in defense mode. She scowled as she glared at their opponent, not even hiding her disgust at the situation.

'Ugh… get me 'off' of this field, I do not even want to be in the same 'duel' as this… 'guest', let alone carry out your wishes in front of him.' She said in a bitter tone before turning her glance to him. 'Master, I take great pleasure in carrying out any task you have of me, but with all due haste, please tell me what you wish of me and return me to your hand!'

[Chamber Dragonmaid, lvl 4, Dark Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1800 Def]

"Since she's hit the field, I can have her bring out a Dragonmaid magic or trap card, so if you would please girl, bring out Dragonmaid Welcome!"

Chamber nodded and kept her gaze focused on him, instead of showing off like usual, and chose to blast his duel disk with her draconic energy so as to not be required to look at their opponent. The card was extracted, and he added it to his hand.

"Now I'll play it, and when Dragonmaid Welcome is in play, any monster on my field gains 100 attack and defense points, for each Dragonmaid on the field in my control. I count 2 so each gets 200 at the moment. Next up, I can ask my two girls to add back to my hand a Dragonmaid card from my grave, so girls, please bring back Dragonmaid Hospitality!"

Both maids nodded and turned to blast his duel disk with their combined black and azure draconic energy, bringing back the desired card to his hand.

"With that I end my turn, so Chamber comes back to the hand, you're up."

Chamber nodded and vanished from the field as her card returned to him.

Phillip simply drew his card and looked at his options before saying, "I know 'exactly' what I'm going to do, first of all, I play the magic card Upstart Goblin! When this magic card is played, my opponent gains 1000 extra life points, but in exchange I get to draw a card."

From the field a green colored goblin with very wealthy attire appeared, grinning as he reached into his pocket and began sprinkling coins in front of Joseph, chuckling as it did.

"Here you go 'son', some pocket change, don't ever say I never did anything 'nice' for you!"

[Joseph Takara - 5000 / Phillip Masuda – 4000]

"Oh, how kind of you, it almost makes me think you 'care' about me in this duel."

"Quiet and let me complete my turn." He countered as he drew his card and smirked. "I think I know 'exactly' what I'm going to do… and that is play a card your all too familiar with! I play the magic card, Dragonmaid Hospitality!"

"What?!" Joseph almost yelled as the same magic card he just got back appeared on the opposite side of the field.

"And with it, I'll summon out, a Laundry Dragonmaid of my own!"

From Phillip's side of the field, a Dragonmaid that looked exactly like Joseph's rose into defense mode, face set and staring defiantly at him.

[Laundry Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Water Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

'I-it… it's 'me'!' Laundry yelled furiously. 'How dare he use a copy of me, I'm the only Laundry Dragonmaid in the world! Only 'master' gets to have me in his deck!'

"You cheat, how do you have a copy of 'my' Dragonmaids, Pegasus himself told me that I am the only person in the world with the complete set of the Dragonmaids!" Joseph yelled.

"You would think that, but the truth is your using a bunch of fakes, I'm the true owner, I have the originals, the only card I'm missing was 'stolen' from me, and I want it back."

"That is NOT true, my Dragonmaids are the true ones, yours are the fakes!" He yelled angrily.

"Why don't we let this 'duel' determine that, now then, last I checked it was my turn, and I had just summoned out Laundry Dragonmaid. However, unlike yours, I'm not going to have her activate her effect, but I 'will' send her dragon form to the grave thanks to my card's effect. Next, I summon the 'Parlor Dragonmaid' into attack mode!"

From the field another Dragonmaid rose up from her card, this time a Parlor Dragonmaid, looking neutrally at the opposition as she stood at the ready.

[Parlor Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1700 Def]

"Next I'll activate 'her' effect, to send a Dragonmaid card to the graveyard, and I choose to send Dragonmaid Lorpar!"

Parlor turned and blasted his duel disk with that neutral look in her eyes.

"Now then, I think it's time our monsters did 'battle', so let's get to it 'son', I have my Dragonmaids transform!"

In a flash of light, both Parlor and Laundry on Phillip's side of the field glowed, grew, and emerged from the light as their true Dragon forms.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar, lvl 8, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, lvl 7, Water Type, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Laundry, match him dragon for dragon, do your thing girl!"

Laundry nodded and glowed, grew, and emerged as her true form of Nudyarl, snarling and growling fiercely as she stared down the two 'fakes', who just kept their neutral looks throughout the exchange.

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, lvl 7, Water Type, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def – 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

On the field Joseph's friends were 'surprised' to say the least.

"Two sets of Dragonmaids?" Chumley asked.

"But I thought Pegasus said only Joseph had the Dragonmaid cards?" Syrus asked.

"Looks like his dad is using a bunch of fakes." Alexis stated.

"Fakes or not, this changes the duel entirely, it's become a mirror matchup duel, and those are the worst types to be dueling." Bastion said. "Mirror matchup duels are the most difficult types of duels to play because both duelists are using the exact same cards. Joseph has never faced his own Dragonmaids in a duel, let alone while he's using them, now he has to come up with a gameplan to win against the same cards he's relied so heavily on up to today."

"But Joseph has the upper hand right, he's used to them, so he knows how they work right?" Syrus asked.

"Yes, that 'is' theoretically true, but Joseph has never had to duel against them in a mirror matchup. In a mirror duel, the duelist who gets board control and sets up faster will win the duel in the long term, and unfortunately Joseph is behind now, as his opponent has 'two' Dragonmaids to his one, so already things are not going good for him."

"Well, he better come up with something soon…" Alexis muttered as the battle phase started.

"Alright 'son', time to do battle, Dragonmaid Lorpar attack Dragonmaid Nudyarl!"

'Grraaaaaarg!' Nudyarl roared as she released a blast of her draconic flame in response to the Lorpar's attack.

Both attacks connected and resulted in an explosion that cancelled each other out, in furry Nudyarl instead chose to launch a physical assault, roaring as she charged the imposter Lorpar and both swiped at one another, destroying each other simultaneously.

"Thanks to Dragonmaid Welcome that was a stalemate, but since your wide open to attack, go Nudyarl, attack his life points directly!"

The other Nudyarl on Phillip's side now roared and launched its attack at Joseph, searing him in burning azure draconic flame, burning his life points down considerably.

[Joseph Takara - 2400 / Phillip Masuda – 4000]

"Ugh… that was a 'dirty' move!" He countered.

"Dirty by your standards, optimal by mine, who cares if I lost a monster in exchange for damaging your life points, maybe now you'll learn a lesson that the real world isn't as 'polite' as you pretend it is! Now then, I'll switch my Dragon on the field with her maid form and play one card face down, your move you little brat."

Nudyarl vanished and Laundry returned, looking stoic as a card was played face down.

[Laundry Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Water Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

Joseph ignored him as he drew his next card. [Dragonmaid Sendoff]

"I play Laundry Dragonmaid back on the field in attack mode!" He declared, playing her card face down.

Once more Laundry emerged from a pillar of azure draconic flame, growling ferociously as she stared down her counterpart, who just ignored her and remained stoic.

'That 'thing' is making me mad the longer I stare at her!'

[Laundry Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Water Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Now I activate her effect, do your thing girl, send the top three cards of my deck to the grave!"

Laundry nodded and turned, blasting his duel disk with her energy and sending the cards to the grave. [Dragonmaid Lorpar, Tyrant Wing, Dragonmaid Changeover]

"Not bad girl, 'll take that any day, next I activate the magic card Dragonmaid Changeover in my graveyard, by taking a Dragonmaid from my field and sending her back to my hand, I can add it to my hand!"

Laundry nodded as she crossed her arms and was just about to vanish, when Phillip shouted, "Not so fast, I play my trap card, Magic Jammer!"

A trap card flipped over and suddenly blasted his Duel Disk, cancelling out Laundry's attempt to return to his hand.

"Sorry, but for the mere price of sending one card in my hand to the grave, I can negate 'one' magic card you try to play, so you won't be using that magic card any time this round." He declared as he sent a card to the grave. "So, any other attempts to avoid the inevitable?"

"Grr, yea, here's one right now, I activate the Dragonmaid Hospitality card in my hand, so come to my field Chamber Dragonmaid!"

From the field Chamber emerged as before, scowling with a twirl of her feather duster. 'I take back what I said Master, 'guest' is too kind a word for this… undesirable filth. Let's remove it from our sight.' She declared.

"Now that she's on the field, Chamber do your thing girl and add Tidying to my hand!"

Chamber nodded and politely blasted his duel disk with her energy, extracting the desired card for him.

"Since you activated a card effect, I'll use this time to activate my own, I 'also' remove a Tidying from my graveyard to special summon, Parlor Dragonmaid back into attack mode!"

On his field Parlor rose kneeling in defense mode.

[Parlor Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1700 Def]

"And because she's been summoned, I send another Dragonmaid card to the grave, so I'll send Tinkhec to the grave!"

He took the card that was extracted and sent it to the grave.

"Fine… I ask my girls to bring back my Dragonmaid Lorpar from the grave and back to my hand, thanks to my Dragonmaid Welcome card!" He declared.

Both maids nodded and once more combined their powers to bring the card he desired from the graveyard, adding Lorpar to his hand.

"Now I play Lorpar's effect, by discarding her to the grave from my hand I can target one of your monsters and negate that target's effects until the end of the turn."

On the field Lorpar appeared and looked 'furious' as she bellowed out a burst of her draconic flame, targeting the Parlor on Phillip's side of the field. Parlor flinch as she was smothered in flame, but still stood in defense mode.

"Now that that's done, its Battle Phase time, Dragonmaids transform!"

Chamber and Laundry nodded as they both glowed, grew, and emerged as Laundry's True form of Nudyarl, and Dragonmaid Lorpar.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar, lvl 8, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, lvl 7, Water Type, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Dragonmaid Lorpar, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def – 2900 Atk / 1900 Def]

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def – 2800 Atk / 1800 Def]

"Fine, Laundry, you transform now!"

The Laundry on Phillip's side glowed and transformed, emerging as its true form of Nudyarl.

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, lvl 7, Water Type, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

As for the Parlor, she remained in defense mode because her effects were negated.

"Nudyarl, take out your counterpart now with Azure Draconic Flame!"

'Your MINE you 'fake'!' Nudyarl screamed in anger as she unleashed her attack.

The counterpart Nudyarl tried to counterattack but her attack was turned against her, and she was enveloped and destroyed.

[Joseph Takara - 2400 / Phillip Masuda – 3800]

"Now Lorpar, destroy Parlor Dragonmaid with Emerald Draconic Flame!"

'Only 'one' of us is real, and it's not 'you'!' Lorpar yelled in furry as she destroyed her maid form.

However, despite the 2900 attack points she had, since Parlor was in defense mode, she could not damage Phillip's life points.

"I'll end the battle phase, but I'm leaving my dragons as they are, next I play two cards face down and end my turn!" Joseph declared as he placed Tidying and Sendoff face down.

Phillip frowned as he drew his next card and smirked. "I play the magic card, Graceful Charity, it's so nice when good things happen to those who deserve them, don't you?" He said. "So, I draw three cards… and discard two. Now, I'll send 'another' Dragonmaid Tidying card and Laundry Dragonmaid. Next, I normal summon Nurse Dragonmaid into attack mode!"

On the field a Nurse Dragonmaid rose up, looking stoic and neutral like the other maids Phillip summoned.

[Nurse Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Thanks to her effect, well you should know by now since you've been playing your 'fake' cards, she brings out another maid, so I'll bring back Parlor to my field in defense mode!"

Once again Parlor rose up due to Nurse Dragonmaid's effect.

[Parlor Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1700 Def]

"Since she hit the field as well, I'll send another Dragonmaid card to the grave, and I'll send Kitchen Dragonmaid!"

A card was added and then sent to his graveyard.

"Since you feel that way, I'll activate my own Tidying card, only instead of banishing it I'm activating it from the field, so now we both send a Dragonmaid to our hand, I'm giving up Lorpar to send your Parlor!"

The trap activated and Lorpar smirked as she turned around and flew into the card, while Parlor on Phillip's side returned to his hand.

"Fine, I counter with 'another' Tidying trap, my second that I sent to the grave with Graceful Charity, I'm banishing it to special summon Kitchen from my grave to the field."

Kitchen rose up on Phillip's side of the field, as stoic and neutral as the others.

[Kitchen Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Fire Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1700 Def]

"Next, I activate her effect, I'll take a Dragonmaid Ernus and discard the Parlor! Now that that's done, I'll initiate the battle phase and have my monsters transform!"

Both maids changed into their true forms, emerging as Ernus and Tinkhec.

[Dragonmaid Tinkhec, lvl 8, Fire Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Dragonmaid Ernus, lvl 7, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Since your monster's all alone, this duel will end once I attack, go Tinkhec, end this duel and destroy both yourself and that Nudyarl!"

"No, you don't, I activate my face down, Dragonmaid Sendoff! Nudyarl, swap with your maid form of Laundry, go!"

Nudyarl nodded as Laundry leapt out of the card and knelt into defense mode, and afterwards Nudyarl flew into the magic card to vanish.

'Nobody threatens my master while I'm on the job!' Laundry declared proudly.

[Laundry Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Water Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Laundry Dragonmaid, 500 Atk / 1600 Def – 600 Atk / 1700 Def]

"Hrmph… fine, stall all you want, this duel is going to end sooner or later." Phillip declared as he ended the battle phase and switched his dragons with their maid forms and leaving them in attack mode. "I play one card face down, and activate… the magic card Allure of Darkness, this magic card lets me draw 'two' cards, but I must banish a dark type from my hand after I draw."

He smirked as he drew two cards, before his eyes snapped and he growled in frustration.

Bastion smirked as he knew that expression all too well, the look of someone not getting what they wanted with their draw.

"Looks like 'someone' can't meet the condition of their card, so Mr. Masuda, tell us what happens if you 'can't' banish a dark type from your hand after drawing?" He asked smartly.

"I know that face as well, I made it a few times myself before I came to Duel Academy." Alexis chuckled.

"Grr…" He growled under his breath.

"Beginners always make that mistake, well just so 'Joseph' knows, if you can't banish a dark type from your hand after drawing two cards thanks to Allure of Darkness' effect, you must 'discard' your entire hand to the graveyard, but that shouldn't be too bad considering you're playing Dragonmaids right?" Bastion explained. "Last I checked, they don't mind being sent to the graveyard."

"Unless he drew cards that he wanted to keep, looks like 'someone' needs to go to school, a school that teaches one how to 'duel' perhaps." Joseph chuckled.

"Silence, you rotten little… fine, I send my entire hand to the grave!"

The cards sent to the grave that he could see were the two Dragonmaid dragons, a trap card that looked like Jar of Greed, and a magic card that looked like Pot of Avarice. This got Joseph thinking, 'What's going on, his entire deck is just Dragonmaids and cards that let him draw cards. Sure, my deck isn't that much more diverse, but he's only played cards that help him draw cards or summoned out Dragonmaids. What is his gameplan?'

"I end my turn, now make your move, you can't win this duel no matter what you try, so just do the smart thing and give up!"

He ignored him as he drew his next card, [Dragonmaid Ernus], which alongside his other cards in his hand included [Cyber Dragon Drei, Masked Dragon, Dragoncarnation, Seiyaryu, Dragonmaid Nudyarl, Chamber Dragonmaid, Dragonmaid Lorpar], and so he thought about his possible moves, before he settled on a gameplan.

"First thing's first, I activate Dragonmaid Lorpar's effect, by sending her to the grave I can negate one of your monster's effects, so Lorpar, do your thing and shut that Kitchen Fake down!" He declared as he sent her to the grave.

Lorpar appeared on the field once more and blasted the opposing Kitchen Dragonmaid with her draconic flame. 'I'm doing you a favor you fake; you don't want to see Tinkhec when she gets mad!' Lorpar declared as she vanished.

"Next up I summon Chamber Dragonmaid once more to my field, by using Dragonmaid Ernus' effect to special summon her, come on out girl!"

Chamber once again rose to the field at Joseph's call in a pillar of black draconic energy after Ernus was discarded. She scowled as she twirled her feather duster, before concealing her face so she wouldn't have to look at their opponent. 'Your wish my master?' She said warmly, now that she no longer had to look at their opponent.

"Yea, can you be a dear and bring out Dragonmaid Downtime?"

She nodded and blasted his duel disk with her energy without looking at it, extracting the card for him and adding it to his hand.

"Now then, I summon Masked Dragon on the field, one card face down, and I activate Dragonmaid Changeover 'again', I bring Changeover back to my hand by sending a Dragonmaid from my field to the hand! Chamber, come back to my hand girl!"

On the field Masked Dragon appeared on the field, and afterwards Chamber nodded as she curtsied and vanished, and now that the price had been paid, he added Dragonmaid Changeover to his hand at last.

[Masked Dragon, lvl 3, Fire Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 1400 Atk / 1100 Def]

"Nice try, but I activate my face down card, before you can activate its effect, I'm playing my face down Lightforce Sword!" Phillip yelled instantly.

Joseph watched in surprise as the trap card appeared and a sword materialized alongside several large holographic cards, each of them being [Cyber Dragon Drei, Dragoncarnation, Seiyaryu, Dragonmaid Nudyarl, Chamber Dragonmaid, Dragonmaid Changeover].

"Once activated, this trap card automatically targets one random card in your hand and slashes it, removing it from play until your fourth standby phase since this card was activated. And I'm going to aim for that Dragonmaid Changeover card, now Sword, pick your target and SLASH AWAY!"

Instantly the sword launched itself and struck one of the cards, and unfortunately it was exactly what he was aiming for, Dragonmaid Changeover. Behind him he saw the holographic card pinned to the ground by the sword, indicating it was removed from play now.

"Urrg… You seem almost 'desperate' to keep House out of this game!" He yelled. "For someone so desperate to get her back, you seem bent on keeping her from hitting the field."

"It's just simple strategy, keep your enemy from using their best tools, now go ahead and make your move."

"Fine… I enter the battle phase, Laundry transform into Dragonmaid Ernus!"

Laundry nodded and glowed, grew, before emerging into the Dragonmaid Ernus, who sneered and puffed pink draconic flame from her nostrils as she looked at her fake counterpart on the field.

'Oh, let me at her master, nobody plays a copy of me and gets away with it!'

[Dragonmaid Ernus, lvl 7, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Dragonmaid Ernus 2600 Atk / 1600 Def – 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

"I'll transform 'my' Nurse as well into her form of Ernus as well!

On the other field Nurse Dragonmaid glowed and grew, emerging as another Dragonmaid Ernus for Phillip's field.

[Dragonmaid Ernus, lvl 7, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Ernus target down 'his' Ernus with Pastel Draconic Maid Flame!"

Ernus screeched her battle cry as she roared and launched a devastating flame assault on her fake, both Ernus' fired flames, but it was Joseph's who was stronger thanks to Dragonmaid Welcome. In a blaze of fire and destruction Joseph's won.

[Joseph Takara - 2400 / Phillip Masuda – 3700]

"Now Masked Dragon, take out that Kitchen Dragonmaid!"

Masked Dragon charged forward and delivered a powerful punch into the gut of the opposing Kitchen, destroying her in a single burst and dealing 1000 points of damage, thanks to Welcome's attack boosting effect.

[Joseph Takara - 2400 / Phillip Masuda – 2700]

"You may have a slight lead, but I've cleared your entire field, you have no monsters on the field, no spells or traps, and not even 'one' card in your hand old man." He said confidently. "So, how's it feel to not have something go their way? You should have just left me alone like you did for the past sixteen years of my life! I never needed you before, and you obviously didn't need 'me' in your life, let alone 'wanted' me."

On the field Ernus growled with plumes of pastel smoke escaping her mouth as she matched his deep dislike of his father.

But Phillip on the other hand, simply frowned as he furrowed his brow.

"And as soon as I win, I'll never have to deal with you ever again." He said confidently. "You were a mistake, you shouldn't have been born to begin with, and when this is all over, you can rot here at this academy if you want, but you're going to have to work even 'HARDER' to pay me back the money I'm owed by your mother."

"I was the mistake… who should have…" Joseph began yelling, shaking furiously as he heard those words, before forcing himself to calm down and remember his lessons from Zane. "Focus, focus on the duel, once this is over you won't have to deal with him anymore…"

"Indeed, now it's 'my' turn, so shut your mouth for once, and let me make it…" Phillip said as he drew his card and smirked as he saw it. "Perfect, just the card I 'need', I activate the magic card, Card of Sanctity. Now we each draw until we're holding 'six' cards, oh but you seem to already 'have' six cards… too bad for you!"

He played the magic card and then drew his six cards, grinning as he did, while Joseph glared.

"You have no idea what I'm about to do, watch closely because I'm about to release a set of cards upon you that you've never seen before, ones that your textbooks don't have about them, and ones that you'll soon come to fear!"

"Whatever they are, my Dragonmaids will see me through them, nothing you have will frighten me as long as I have them by my side!"

"We'll see about that… because since I've activated exactly, 'one' magic card on my field this turn, I can now unleash a new series of monsters… meet the monsters that will put you in your place, the Darkest Knights!" Phillip declared. "I Special Summon, Darkest Knight Asta, and Darkest Knight Levi!"

"What?" Joseph asked as two cascading pillars of dark light emerged on the field.

The first to appear was this 'Darkest Knight Asta', a warrior clad in grey armor and wielding a sword twice his height in terms of length, with pitch black wings that had pieces of bony armor attached to them. The second to appear was the 'Darkest Knight Levi, who also had grey armor but had crimson color mixed into it and was wielding two backwards blade facing swords, one in each hand, and finally also had pitch black wings with bone-like armor adorning them.

[Darkest Knight Asta, lvl 4, Dark Attribute, Fiend Type, Effect Monster, 1750 Atk / 600 Def]

[Darkest Knight Levi, lvl 4, Dark Attribute, Fiend Type, Effect Monster, 200 Atk / 2150 Def]

[Darkest Knight Asta, is a level four Dark Attribute Fiend type monster, who's effect reads, you can special summon this monster to your field if you have activated one spell/trap card or less on the field this turn. If this card is on the field, you cannot activate more than one spell card from the hand per turn. When this monster is summoned, target one monster on your opponent's field, and then gain life points equal to that monster's combined attack and defense stat. Once during your main phase, you can pay 1000 life points, to banish a magic card from your deck to activate its effect.]

[Darkest Knight Levi, is a level four Dark attribute Fiend type Monster, who's effect reads, You can special summon this monster to your field if you have activated one spell/trap card or less on the field this turn. If this card is on the field, you cannot activate more than one spell card from the hand per turn. Once per turn, during the battle phase, you can target one non-light attribute monster your opponent controls, and then reduce the original attack points of that monster to 0, and then if you do, increase this monster's attack points equal to the number of points the opponent's monster lost, until the end of the battle phase, but your opponent takes half of the battle damage involving this card.]

"What are 'those'?" He asked in confusion, a look matched by Ernus and his friends who saw these new monsters.

'Whatever they are they don't look friendly' Ernus whispered to him.

On the sidelines Joseph's friends were looking at the new monsters in confusion.

"I've never seen those before." Alexis said.

"Neither have I, I never even knew they existed!" Chumley asked.

"Are they fake like the rest of the cards in his deck?" Syrus asked.

"No, if the duel disk is registering them then they 'must' be in the database, but I've never heard of or even seen these cards mentioned to begin with. Whatever they are, I have 'zero' data on them, which means neither does Joseph or anyone else, he better be on guard, those cards could do 'anything' for all we know!"

"No way, no way could cards exist that nobody knows about, even if there was only 'one' set, there should be 'something' on them!" Chumley said.

"He's right, and there's only one way to find out, I'll be right back!" Bastion said as he turned and ran back upstairs to Joseph's room to fetch his laptop.

Back to the duel, Joseph was staring at these two 'Darkest Knights' as they readied for battle. But he wasn't too afraid as he saw his monsters were in the better position.

"Nice monsters, but they still don't scare me, they have 'nothing' against even one of my 'weaker' Dragonmaids!" Joseph called out as Ernus smirked.

"Well then let's change that, shall we get started, first off I activate the effect of Darkest Knight Asta, when he's summoned, I can target 'one' monster on your field and then gain life points equal to its attack and defense points 'combined'! And I think I know who to pick, your Dragonmaid Ernus!"

Darkest Knight Asta pointed his hand at Ernus and unleashed a blast of dark energy, hitting Ernus and causing her to moan in pain as he then pulled the energy back, leaving her panting.

'Hah… huf… that… hurt…' Ernus moaned.

Phillip smirked as he glowed with power granted to him from Asta's effect, even more so as his life points skyrocketed.

[Joseph Takara - 2400 / Phillip Masuda –7100]

"Next I'll initiate the battle phase, and during the battle phase, Darkest Knight 'Levi' has an effect, where during it, he can target one of your monsters and reduce its original attack points to 'zero', and then 'gain' that number of points your monster lost to his attack power to aid in his assault! And guess who I'm going to target, Dragonmaid Ernus 'again'!"

Darkest Knight Levi aimed one of his blades at Ernus and unleashed another beam of dark energy at the dragon, who screamed in pain as she collapsed to the ground, weakened and unable to stand up properly, while Levi's attack power went up.

[Dragonmaid Ernus 2700 Atk / 1700 Def – 100 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Darkest Knight Levi 200 Atk / 2150 Def – 2800 Atk / 2150 Def]

'Can't… fight… too weak…' She muttered.

"Guuugh…" Joseph muttered as his Dragonmaid was panting.

"Now Darkest Knight Levi, take down his Dragonmaid Ernus!"

Darkest Knight Levi charged forward and slashed at the weakened, exhausted Ernus, slashing her in one swipe and destroying her in an explosion of energy. As Joseph panicked and felt the blast, he suddenly felt 'weaker', almost like he was in pain, but he ignored it as he focused on his life points as the dropped, panicking as he thought he was about to lose the duel.

Until they stopped dropping.

[Joseph Takara - 1050 / Phillip Masuda –7100]

"Fortunately for you, any attack involving Levi results in you suffering only 'half' of the battle damage you would normally take, so congratulations, you survived this round, but now on with the duel, as I have another attack. Darkest Knight Asta attack that Masked Dragon!"

Darkest Knight Asta leapt and swung its blade down on Masked Dragon, who tried to fight back but was easily annihilated.

[Joseph Takara - 700 / Phillip Masuda –7100]

"Well, you may have a massive lead, but you've activated my monster's effect, when Masked Dragon is destroyed… it can special summon one Dragon type monster with 1500 or less attack points from my deck to the field, and I choose Kitchen Dragonmaid!"

Kitchen was pulled from his deck and played her face up in defense mode, bringing her to his field and letting her emerge onto the field in a pillar of crimson draconic fire. She scowled at their opponent as she knelt with her arms crossed.

'Alright, who wants some spicy hot sauce defeat on their menu?' She declared.

[Kitchen Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Fire Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1700 Def]

"Since she's hit my field, I'll ask her to call upon her to bring out Nurse Dragonmaid, then due to the effect of Kitchen Dragonmaid I must send a Dragonmaid monster from my hand to my graveyard, and I'll send Laundry there." He called out as Kitchen nodded, turned and blasted his duel disk with her energy. "Just sit tight in the grave for now girl, you'll be back soon enough."

Once he was done, he announced that he was finished.

"Fine, I play one card face down and end my turn."

As Joseph began his turn, he drew his card and saw that it was [Spring of Rebirth], and he smiled as he was glad his deck came through for him.

[Lightsforce Sword Standby Phases passed x 1]

"I play the Spring of Rebirth magic card! This magic card gives me five hundred life points every time a monster returns to my hand from the field. Next, I play the Nurse Dragonmaid in attack mode!"

On the field Nurse emerged from a pillar of pastel draconic flame, and she frowned as she stared at their opponent.

'Truly despicable of a man he is master, shall I remove this filth from our sight?'

[Nurse Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

"For now, Nurse, bring back Laundry to the field for me in defense mode!"

Nurse nodded and aimed her pastel energy at the spot next to her, causing Laundry to emerge from a pillar of azure draconic flame. She knelt with her arms crossed and glared at their opponent.

'Time to clean this field master!'

[Laundry Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Water Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Since you activated a monster's effect, this is my chance to activate 'my' trap, I play the trap Threatening Roar!" Phillip shouted as he played his face down. "Now you can't attack me this turn!"

Joseph narrowed his eyes, "Fine, Laundry can sit for now, she's done enough this duel, I end my turn."

Back with Bastion, he and Syrus had gone upstairs to their room and were now searching through forums, chat rooms and a dozen different locations for 'any' information on the Darkest Knights. But so far all of Bastion's usual contacts and informants did not have anything on the cards he was looking for. None of the forums had information, and no matter where he searched, he couldn't find a single thing.

"There has to be something, anything about these cards, if they exist in the Duel Monster's database, there has to be some information on what they are and what they can do." Bastion said as he scoped through the database.

"Hurry up Bastion, I think I see Joseph getting hammered out there, and his life points aren't looking so hot!" Syrus said as he looked outside

"I'm looking Syrus, but I can't find a single shred of data on them. Hmm, maybe I can find something on the theoretical database forums."

Bastion looked but only saw hints and rumor discussions about types of cards and card sets that were in the planning stages, but nothing about the Darkest Knights, until he found one active chat room which was talking about a 'knight' set of cards that were being planned by both Industrial Illusions and Kaiba Corp.

"Here, this looks promising, about as promising as anything else…"

Downstairs Joseph watched as Phillip drew his card and smirked, "I play the Field Spell card, Darkest Knight Sky.

On the field a magic card appeared which featured a cloudy painting-like sky on its image, and above them a similar painting-like sky appeared in holographic form.

[When the field spell card, Darkest Knight Sky, is activated, during your main phase, you can send one level 7 or higher monster from your hand, field or deck, to set one Darkest Knight spell or trap to your field, but it cannot be activated this turn. During your turn if you banish a Dragon Type monster from your grave due to the effect of a lvl 7 Dark Dragon monster, you gain life points equal to the banished monster's level x 200]

"Another one… what are these cards?" He asked as he had no idea what to do against these cards.

"Now then, I activate its effect, during my main phase, I can send 'one' level seven or higher monster from my hand, field or deck, to set one Darkest Knight spell or trap on my field from my deck, but I can't activate it this turn. So, I'll send… the most powerful monster you'll ever see, to my graveyard, Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon!"

Phillip smirked as he sent a card from his hand to the grave, and in the sky, it was like a pair of dark red eyes glared down at him. His Dragonmaids shuddered as they gazed back at it, but still they looked resolute in their duty.

"And as for the card I set, I'll set the continuous trap, Darkest Knight Ascension… but it won't be able to activate this turn. Now then, since my Dragon is in the grave, I activate his special ability… by 'banishing' a level 7 or higher dragon type monster from my graveyard, I can special summon him to my field into attack mode. So, I banished Dragonmaid 'Nudyarl' to bring forth my most powerful monster, Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon!"

'Kyreaaaaaar!'

A terrifying screech roared from the sky as this pitch-black serpentine dragon with two vast wings and an elongated body, a sharp pointed head with various dark spikes lined with red tips and sharp claws, plus a tail with matching wings flew from the sky to float above the Darkest Knights, who all bowed at its appearance before resuming their attacking stances. It radiated with this dark aura that surrounded it, and its eyes pierced through the maids as they became fearful at its appearance.

[Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon, lvl 7, Dark Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2350 Atk / 2400 Def]

[Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon, is a Dark Attribute Dragon Type monster where, if this card is Normal summoned, or Special Summoned from the grave, you can target one non-light attribute monster your opponent controls on the field and flip it face down, or reduce its attack and defense points to zero, and then gain life points equal to half the combined total points, also this card gains attack equal to the number of life points you gain through this effect. This card can only be destroyed in battle or by card effect by a light attribute monster. If this monster would be removed from the field by your opponent's card effects, you can tribute this monster to negate the effect. Once per turn, if this card is in the graveyard, you can banish a lvl 7 or higher dragon type monster from your field or graveyard to special summon it to your field.]

'Hnngngngg…' His maids all muttered fearfully.

'M-master?' Laundry asked in a terrified tone.

"It's okay girls, it's not that powerful, it only 'looks' intimidating!" He told them as he saw its stats.

"That's what you think, my dragon has a few effects that will make you reconsider that thought, when Serpent Dragon is special summoned from the grave, I can target one of your monsters, and either flip it face down, or drain 'all' of its attack and defense points, and gain life points equal to 'half' the points you lose, while my dragon gains the other half! And I think I know which one effect I'm going to use…" Phillip said with a smirk, as Serpent Dragon's eyes glowed menacingly. "I'm going to drain every point you have on that Kitchen Maid of yours, do your thing my mighty dragon!"

Kitchen tried to release a burst of draconic energy to protect herself, but the Serpent Dragon's flame breath blasted her, overwhelming her and reducing her points to nothing.

'M-mas…ter…' She whispered wearily.

[Kitchen Dragonmaid 800 Atk / 2000 Def – 0 Atk / 0 Def]

Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon 2350 Atk / 2400 Def – 3750 Atk / 2400 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 700 / Phillip Masuda –8500]

"Hmhmhmhmm, every point you lose is my gain, I 'warned' you that you should have just done as I said, but now it's too late. But that's not all, I gain 'more' due to my field spell's effect."

[Joseph Takara - 700 / Phillip Masuda –9900]

Now it's time to battle!"

"Dragonmaids transform, defense modes!" Joseph countered.

All three of his maids, even Kitchen who was weakened and weary from the effect of the dragon, rose and transformed into their true forms. As one Lorpar, Nudyarl, and Ernus appeared on the field with their wings or tails curled protectively in front of or around Joseph to keep him safe from the onslaught to come.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar, lvl 8, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Dragonmaid Ernus, lvl 7, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, lvl 7, Water Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Since three monsters returned to my hand, I gain 1500 Life points, 500 for each one thanks to Spring of Rebirth!" He declared as the magic card glowed, and a river of lapis-lazuli water flowed from it and around his feet.

[Joseph Takara - 2200 / Phillip Masuda – 9900]

"Since your monsters are all in defense mode, I'll activate the effect of my Darkest Knight Levi, I'll drain 'all' of your Lorpar's original defense points and transfer them to my knight, GO!"

Darkest Knight Levi raised one sword above him while pointing the other at Lorpar, who moaned in agony as she collapsed as her powers were drained.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar 3000 Atk / 2000 Def – 3000 Atk / 300 Def]

[Darkest Knight Levi 200 Atk / 2150 Def – 1900 Atk / 2150 Def]

"Now that all of your monsters are no match for em, Darkest Knight Levi attack Dragonmaid Lorpar!"

The first Knight charged forward and slashed at Lorpar who tried to counter but drained of her power she could do nothing but throw a wing up to shield herself, and for her trouble she was destroyed.

"Now my Darkest Night Dragon, destroy his Dragonmaid Ernus."

The Serpent Dragon unleashed a beam of draconic flame that Ernus tried to shield against, but her defenses were no match for its power, and though she was not as weak as Lorpar was, she too was wiped out.

"Now that she's gone, your remaining Dragon cannot survive the onslaught of my remaining Darkest Knight, Asta, wipe out his Nudyarl!"

Asta lunged down with his blade against Nudyarl who unflinchingly took the attack, but without the aid of her sister maids, her defenses were only 1700, just 50 points shy of Asta's 1750. Without their aid she was destroyed just like the others.

"Just as you once told me, your field's empty of cards to defend you, after this duel ends, you're going to need to spend more time mopping 'floors' then learning to duel. I play one monster face down, to end my turn."

A face down card appeared and Joseph drew his card, [Pot of Greed], "I play Pot of Greed, now I draw two cards."

[Lightsforce Sword Standby Phases passed x 2]

[Numinous Healer, Cyber Dragon Vier]

'What am I going to do… no matter what I play, his monsters keep draining my maids of their power and strengthens his life points and his own attack points. There has to be a way around them, a way to get by them…' He thought as his maids appeared around him in spirit form.

'Master, do we have a plan?' Nudyarl asked nervously.

'We can't keep defending, we're getting hammered out there!' Tinkhec said.

"Defending is all I can do… but I think I 'should' go on the offense… at least for now… but you girls need to take a break for now… and I know 'just' who to summon! I summon out, Cyber Dragon Drei in attack mode!"

On the field a cybernetic dragon made up of three multilinked segments appeared on the field with a triangular head, roaring as it stared down Joseph's opponent.

[Cyber Dragon Drei, lvl 4, Light Attribute, Machine Type, Effect Monster, 1800 Atk / 800 Def]

With Bastion he was reading everything being said in the chatroom, he'd asked a simple question, 'does anyone know anything about a group of cards called 'Darkest Knight', and while nobody was giving straight answers, people were talking about it and people who were apparently related to employees of Industrial Illusions and Kaiba Corp were talking about the Knights.

"Okay, according to what's being said, the Knights are a set of prototype cards that are being developed by both companies but have not been released nor have they gotten past prototyping. And these people are… oh why can't 'anyone' talk straight in these chats…" He muttered, getting information from anonymous people was extremely frustrating.

"What about this guy, this guy who says his dad works in the prototyping section of Kaiba Corp and tests cards with duel disks?"

"He's just spouting gibberish about how the names are probably wrong and they are called something different." Bastion said as he ignored them and was about to turn away when Syrus pointed out…

"But he says here that they have a 'boss monster' that's a dragon whose level is 7 and is all about being special summoned constantly."

"Huh… if that's true, then he might be telling the truth, let's see what else he said. Let's see… dark attributes, all about draining attack and defense points, blah blah blah, designed to weaken all attribute monsters, but are highly weak to 'light' attribute monsters and cannot target them with their effects. Wait a moment… that's it, that's why Joseph's father is so keen on keeping the House Dragonmaid out of the duel! His cards cannot defeat his strongest maid! Quick Syrus we have to tell him!"

Back with Joseph, he took a deep breath as he activated Cyber Dragon Vier's effect now, "Since a Cyber Dragon was summoned to the field, Cyber Dragon Vier's effect activates, and now 'it' can be special summoned to the field in face up defense mode. Come on out Vier!"

On the field another Cybernetic dragon appeared, this time with a pinkish hue and triangular head, it roared as it curled up before Joseph and glared at their opponent.

[Cyber Dragon Vier, lvl 4, Light Attribute, Machine Type, Effect Monster, 1100 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Hmhmhm, not bad, but it will take more than 'that' to defeat my monsters!"

"It aint over yet, Vier's effect activates now, while it is on the field, its name becomes Cyber Dragon just like Drei, and while Vier's on the field all Cyber Dragons gain 500 Attack and defense points."

[Cyber Dragon Drei 1800 Atk / 800 Def – 2300 Atk / 1300 Def]

[Cyber Dragon Vier 1100 Atk / 1600 Def – 1600 Atk / 2100 Def]

"Now then I initiate the battle phase!"

"Wait Joseph, you can't, you forgot his monster's effect!" Alexis shouted, but it was too late.

"Yes, and because he did, now Levi will target his strongest monster, you wasted your turn… go!"

Darkest Knight Levi raised its left sword while aiming its right sword at Drei and launched a beam of dark energy from it directly at Drei. However, just as Joseph grimaced as he realized he rushed his turn and didn't think about that monster's effect, and wished he could have done something different… the effect struck Drei and…

Split into two separate beams, each striking the ground, leaving Drei unaffected. Even Drei looked confused as it glanced at its body and then the ground, before returning its gaze to Darkest Knight Levi, who stopped its effect and returned to normal, with no change in its attack being made to either monster.

"What?" Joseph muttered.

'Huh?' Ernus whispered.

'Uh… someone clue me in as to what just happened?' Tinkhec asked now.

'I was more focused on covering my eyes, I didn't see what happened…' Nudyarl muttered.

'It looked like the effect had… uh… no effect?' Lorpar muttered.

"W… what… what's going on here, what did you do?" Phillip demanded as his monster did nothing else.

"I didn't do anything…"

"Well, whatever it was you did, or 'didn't' do, I activate my trap card, Darkest Knight Ascension!"

On the field a continuous trap card flipped up, revealing a picture of Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon seemingly floating down from the sky.

[Darkest Knight Ascension is a continuous trap card that has the following effects, During the main phase, you can activate one of these effects, 1) Target 1 lvl 7 Dark Dragon monster you control and send it to the graveyard. 2) Special summon 1 lvl 7 Dark Dragon monster in your graveyard to the field. You can only use the effect of Darkest Knight Ascension once per turn.]

"Now that it's been activated, I'll activate its first effect, sending my mighty beast to the graveyard! Goodbye for 'now' my dragon." Phillip said as his monster faded into nothingness, but the last things to leave were its menacing red eyes. "Now that's it's in the graveyard… I can activate its special ability, allowing me to banish one level 7 Dragon type from my grave, to bring it back to my field, so goodbye Dragonmaid Ernus, and welcome back Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon! And then I'll gain 'even more' life points"

Once again, from the cloudy sky parted slightly and from it the dragon ascended onto the field, once again glaring menacingly against his cards.

[Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon, lvl 7, Dark Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2350 Atk / 2400 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 2200 / Phillip Masuda – 11300]

"Now I activate his effect, when special summoned from the grave… he targets one of your monsters and completely drains it of attack and defense, to power itself and increase my life points, and I think I'll target that Cyber Dragon Vier of yours!"

"But if he targets Vier…" Alexis muttered.

"Then it won't be able to defend him…" Chumley completed.

Serpent Dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a torrential stream of dark flame energy which smothered Vier, and when it ended Vier…

Looked completely unaffected as it too seemed to glance at its body, then the ground around it, before returning to staring defiantly at the enemy.

"Okay… can someone explain what just happened?" Joseph muttered in confusion. "Wasn't that supposed to do something?"

'I'm drawing blanks here, you girls got anything?' Tinkhec asked in confusion.

'I got nothing… Lorpar?' Ernus replied.

'Nope, I left my 'Scary Dragons we never saw before' encyclopedia in master's bed, Nudyarl?' Lorpar said.

'I clean clothes, don't ask me…' Nudyarl answered.

"What… what's going on here, why didn't your monster lose power, what did you do you cheating…!" Phillip began yelling, before a loud 'intelligent' voice called out from above them.

"Joseph didn't cheat, he just played the right cards to get around your monster's effect, without him realizing it may I add!" Bastion called out, smirking as everyone looked at him. "You see, Mr. Masuda, those cards cannot target 'light attribute' monsters with their effects… in other words, as long as Joseph uses Light Attribute Monsters, your Darkest Knights lose a lot of their threat potential and power. That's also why Joseph he's trying so hard to keep House out of the duel, because 'she'll' counter everything he wants to do."

"Wait… really, they can't target light monsters? Now I understand why you're so desperate to keep House out of this duel…" He said. "Do you even know how your own cards work?"

"Grr…"

"Obviously not, because those cards aren't even past the prototype stage, they aren't ready for public creation!" Syrus yelled. "We just checked, they shouldn't have even left the buildings that 'design' cards, let alone be used in an actual duel."

"Using cards that aren't ready to be used in a duel, and not even understanding how they work… talk about a beginner's mistake, learning how to play your cards and what they do is something they teach first years in duel prep-school." Alexis snickered.

"Yea… even 'I' know to practice my cards before using them in a duel… ya know, most of the time…" Chumley said.

"Well, since you haven't been able to change my monster's stats this turn, my Cyber Dragons are free to attack, or at least Drei is, Cyber Dragon Drei attack Darkest Knight Levi now!"

Drei powered up its attack and launched it at the monster, who could not steal power from Drei, and as such was helpless before Drei's 2300 Atk points with his mere 200. Levi was consumed by the plasma surge of Drei's attack, resulting in 2100 points of damage to Phillip's substantial life point total.

[Joseph Takara - 2200 / Phillip Masuda – 9200]

"Hmpf, now your monster can't drain my monsters anymore." He said as he completed his turn. "I end with one face down, your move!"

"Grrgrg… you'll pay for that insult you little, my draw, and I play the continuous Spell card, Darkest Knight Battle Rush!"

On the field a spell card was activated, with the image featuring three different Darkest Knights charging with their weapons drawn.

[Darkest Knight Battle Rush, is a continuous magic card who's effect states that Dark Attribute monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle with non-light attribute monsters the opponent controls. Also, each time the opponent activates a card or effect, you can inflict damage 150 points of damage for each face up Darkest Knight and/or lvl 7 Dark Dragon monster you have on the field.]

"Now that this is on the field… if you should ever activate an effect, you'll feel the effect of my card, and now my monsters cannot be defeated in battle!"

"Unless they're light attribute, don't forget!" Bastion called out.

"Silence, now then I switch my face down monster into attack mode, Sangan!"

On the field the face down monster flipped over to reveal Sangan, who growled menacingly with his three eyes.

[Sangan, lvl 3, Dark Attribute, Fiend Type, Effect Monster, 1000 Atk / 600 Def]

"Now then its time to wage battle, Sangan attack Cyber Dragon Drei!"

"Hold up, why are you attacking me with a monster that's clearly weaker than mine?" Joseph asked in confusion.

"You'll see why soon enough… besides unlike you, I can afford to lose a few spare points!" Phillip smirked as Sangan rushed at Cyber Dragon Drei.

Drei opened its mouth and unleashed a torrent of plasma fire upon Sangan, who squealed before being incinerated.

[Joseph Takara - 2200 / Phillip Masuda – 7900]

"Hmhmhm… now that he's gone… I get to add a monster with 1500 or less attack points from my deck to my hand…" He said as he drew the card and added it.

"Hold on, you need to show me and tell me what it is you drew!"

"Are you sure, I think your better off 'not' knowing what's in my hand…" Phillip said with a grin. "But since you insist… here, the card I added to my hand…"

He turned the card around slowly, showing him that the monster was…

"No…" Joseph yelled as he saw the card.

'No way, he has 'that' in his deck?' Tinkhec screamed.

'This is not good…' Nudyarl whispered in fear.

'If this duel goes on any longer then it's over!' Lorpar yelled.

'We're in trouble!' Ernus muttered.

"What, what is it?" Alexis asked as she, Chumley, Syrus and Bastion couldn't see the card.

"He's got… Exodia!"

At that everyone gasped in shock as Phillip smirked even more.

[Exodia the Forbidden One, lvl 3, Dark Attribute, Spellcaster Type, Effect Monster, 1000 Atk / 1000 Def]

"That's right… my deck has the most powerful monster in all of Duel Monsters, nothing you have can withstand his might! Between my Dragon on the field that you cannot defeat, and Exodia waiting in the wings, this duel is over no matter how you look at it! And speaking of my dragon, Darkest Night Serpent Dragon attack his Cyber Dragon Drei!"

Serpent Dragon opened its mouth and unleashed a torrential burst of draconic might, despite only being 50 points different between the two cards, Cyber Dragon Drei could not survive the onslaught and was destroyed.

[Joseph Takara - 2150 / Phillip Masuda – 7900]

"Grr, well I counter with my face down card, thanks for the tap, now I gain 1000 life points due to Numinous Healer's effect!"

On the field his trap card activated, and an angel with a nurse's hat smiled as it appeared and showered him with sparkling light, boosting his points as she vanished.

[Joseph Takara - 3150 / Phillip Masuda – 7900]

"And since 'you' activated a card effect, my magic card activates, now for each Darkest Knight or level 7 Dark dragon on my field I have, Darkest Knight Battle Rush deals 150 points of damage! I count two, so have 300 points of damage!"

Both Darkest Knight Asta and Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon radiated power which then blasted his body, causing him to flinch and scream, for some reason it almost 'felt' like it really hurt.

'Master!' All four of his Dragonmaids screamed in fear.

"It's alright, that wasn't as bad as it looked…" He said as his points dropped.

[Joseph Takara - 2850 / Phillip Masuda – 7900]

"Sorry, but it's going to take more than 'that' to take me down…" He said.

"Well then, I'll just play this card face down, and end my turn!" Phillip said as he planted a face down.

Joseph breathed heavily as he drew his next card, [Monster Reborn], and looked at his other cards, [Seiyaryu, Chamber Dragonmaid, Dragoncarnation, Laundry Dragonmaid, Nurse Dragonmaid, Kitchen Dragonmaid] and thought about his next move.

[Lightsforce Sword Standby Phases passed x 3]

"I have to be careful from here on out… he's going to keep wearing me down each turn… and now I'm on the clock, because sooner or later, his deck is going to give him the remaining four pieces of Exodia… and I don't even know if he has only one piece or more! Now think Joseph, think, remember all your lessons about Exodia, what did Crowler always tell you to remember when playing against someone using Exodia?"

He thought to his lesson where Doctor Crowler was talking about how to anticipate an opponent when you're in a duel against an Exodia player.

"What did he say… something about, look at the number of cards they have in their hand and… keep track of… OF COURSE!" He said as he looked at Phillip's hand and saw he only had '1' card in his hand, since he played a face down, meaning he only had 'Exodia's Head' in his hand.

'Master, what's going on, why do you want to keep track of his hand?' Nudyarl asked in confusion.

"He only has one card, which means I know exactly what his hand is… all I have to worry about is that face down…"

'Oooh I get it, since he only has one card, and its Exodia's head, he hasn't got anything else for master to be afraid of!' Lorpar said in understanding.

'Master's so smart!' Ernus agreed cheerfully.

'Who knew Crowler's lessons actually helped?' Tinkhec muttered in surprise. 'I can barely pay attention in that room.'

"Alright, I play my magic card, Monster Reborn! And I'll use it to bring back the Cyber Dragon Drei that you destroyed into defense mode!"

He played the magic card and then Cyber Dragon Drei roared as it curled up next to Vier.

[Cyber Dragon Drei, lvl 4, Light Attribute, Machine Type, Effect Monster, 1800 Atk / 800 Def]

"Just what I was waiting on, I activate my trap card, Call of the Haunted, and I'm bringing back Darkest Knight Levi into attack mode!"

[Darkest Knight Levi, lvl 4, Dark Attribute, Fiend Type, Effect Monster, 200 Atk / 2150 Def]

"And since you 'triggered' an effect, I activate my magic card's effect, now you lose 150 points for each Darkest Knight and level 7 Dragon I have, now I count '3'… so you lose 450 points this time!"

Again all 'three' of his monsters this time radiated power and launched it at him, blasting his points as he felt again, like he was being hurt, but ignored it as he was sure it was just his imagination.

[Joseph Takara - 2400 / Phillip Masuda – 7900]

"It's too dangerous for you girls to try and take on that Dragon right now… I can't risk you getting hurt against that thing… so instead, I tribute my two monsters, to summon, Seiyaryu!"

Both Cyber Dragons vanished from the field and two pairs of lights flashed into the sky, vanishing as they combined, then the holographic clouds representing Darkest Knight Sky seemed to part ever so slightly, and a pink Dragon roared as it flew to land in front of Joseph. Its feathery wings spread wide, its pointed head gleaming with power, its expression set and its voice roaring to the onlookers.

[Seiyaryu, lvl 7, Light Attribute, Dragon Type, Normal Monster, 2500 Atk / 2300 Def]

[Seiyaryu is a Normal Dragon Type Monster, and why am I even talking about this card, you all just read its stats, it has no effect, whatever I'm being told to talk about it so there you go!]

"Hrmpf, so you have 'that' card…" Phillip muttered.

"You recognize it?" Joseph asked. "It belonged to Grandfather, your 'father'. He left it to me… and now it's going to help me take you down! He has no effect for you to take advantage of, and he's a light attribute, so you can't target him with your cards."

Phillip simply huffed in response. "Let's just say these two dragons have 'history', something that doesn't matter now."

"Well in that case, they'll get reacquainted later on, for now I'm entering the battle phase, and since you summoned out such a weak monster, Seiyaryu is going to take it down and deliver a massive blow to your life points!"

Seiyaryu roared as it took to the air and unleashed a blazing inferno of mystical flames, incinerating Darkest Knight Levi and unleashing 2300 points of damage to their opponent's life points.

[Joseph Takara - 2400 / Phillip Masuda – 5600]

"Guuurg… you'll pay for that!"

"Well, you won't know until after your next turn… so go ahead and take it, cause with my new Dragon on the field, you won't get to my life points!"

As Bastion rejoined Alexis and Chumley with Syrus they all looked at the field. Joseph had one monster to his father's 'two', and though he was outnumbered and lower in life points, he at least had the strongest in both attack and now typing.

"This is totally unfair, how is 'anyone' supposed to fight against cards that haven't even made it past prototyping?" Syrus asked.

"Simple, by figuring out their strengths and weaknesses, and then exploiting them." Alexis said proudly. "Joseph may have been overwhelmed at first, not to mention caught off guard, but he bounced back and figured out how to get around their effects. Now he's in the driver's seat and his father is the one who has to play catchup."

"But he's got Exodia in his deck… how is Joseph going to win against that?" Chumley asked.

"Simple, by ignoring it completely." Bastion said. "The thing about Exodia is that its not a surprise factor, it's a variable to the equation of a duel, not the solution for most decks. Right now, all Joseph needs to figure out, is how to get around that Dragon and its effects, once he figures that out, he can focus his efforts on taking his father out 'before' Exodia becomes a problem."

"Yea, right now his dad only has one piece, nothing more, so its game ending effect is not even a factor to consider." Alexis agreed. "The biggest problem is that spell card, every time Joseph activates an effect, he's going to be in deep trouble depending on how many monsters his father has out."

"Yes, right now he has Spring of Rebirth, so his maids will net him life points each turn, but only as long as the number of monsters his father has remains at 'three' or less, if he gets four then it's effects won't keep him safe. He needs to destroy the monsters and decrease the number of Darkest Knights he has access to in order to stay in this duel!" Bastion declared.

"Wow, this has been quite the duel…" Professor Banner said suddenly, causing Syrus and Chumley to jump in surprise.

"Professor, how long have you been standing behind us?"

"Since the start of the duel, did you forget, have I really been that quiet?" Banner asked in surprise.

All of this was going on as Joseph nearby watched as his father took his turn, smirking as he drew his card.

"I play the magic card, Pot of Greed… which lets me draw '2' cards…" He declared as he drew the cards, before frowning. "Well, you lucked out this time, no Exodia cards, instead I'll special summon out my Darkest Knight Aba!"

On the field a new knight descended as its card was played, with dark wings and various belts strapped along its glistening armor, it crouched on the ground as it landed before holding up a segmented metal rope that looped several times in its hand with the end tipped with a metal hook with several sharp spikes.

[Darkest Knight Aba, Dark Attribute, lvl 4, Fiend Type, Effect Monster, 1050 Atk / 1300 Def]

[Darkest Knight Aba, is a Dark Fiend type monster, who's effect reads, You can special summon this monster to your field if you have activated one spell/trap card or less on the field this turn. If this card is on the field, you cannot activate more than one spell from the hand per turn. When this card is summoned, you can target one monster your opponent controls. As long as this card and the target monster are on the field, neither can be destroyed by battle or targeted by card effect effects. When this card's battle position is changed, change the target card's position to match. During each standby phase, reduce the 250 points from the active pose of the target monster and increase your life points equal to the amount changed, while inflicting damage equal to your opponent's life points.]

"And now that my monster has been summoned, his effect activates, and this one 'can' target your light attribute monsters, and I choose to target the ONLY monsters you have… Seiyaryu, go!"

Darkest Knight Aba nodded as it unlatched its lasso, swung it wildly before throwing it over and catching it around Seiyaryu's neck. Then it tightened its grip and both creatures struggled against one another.

"What's going on, what's this about?"

"What's happening is my monster's effect, now the two monsters are 'tied' together, as long as both cards are on the field, neither can be destroyed in battle or targeted by card effects. To top it off, if my monster ever changes battle modes, your monster switches to match. Finally, during each standby phase, your monster will lose two hundred and fifty points from whatever mode it's in and my life points will increase, while yours will decrease equal to that number! Next, I play one card face down… and 'end' my turn!"

Joseph grimaced as he watched his dragon struggling against its binds, now he had another thing to worry about, Exodia showing up, and now his Dragon getting weaker each turn.

"I draw…" He muttered as he braced himself, only glancing at the card he'd drawn, was his third copy of [Dragonmaid Tidying]

"And since it's the standby phase, my card's effect activates!" Phillip yelled as his monster sent a surge of energy into its weapon, shocking and causing pain to Seiyaryu as it screeched in agony.

[Seiyaryu 2500 Atk / 2300 Def – 2250 Atk / 2300 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 2400 / Phillip Masuda – 5850]

Joseph grunted as that exchange happened but smirked as something 'else' happened this turn.

"It's been 'four' standby phases since your trap card activated, and guess what that means… Dragonmaid Changeover is now back in my hand!"

[Lightsforce Sword Standby Phases passed x 4 – Dragonmaid Changeover added to hand]

"Perhaps, but you 'still' won't be activating it… I play my trap card, Anti Spell Fragrance!" Phillip declared. "As long as this trap card is active, neither of are allowed to activate spell cards until the turn 'after' we set them on the field."

"Okay… that's annoying, but I can think of that later, now I need to get in the game… I play the Chamber Dragonmaid in attack mode!"

On his field to the right of Seiyaryu, Chamber Dragonmaid rose in a pillar of black draconic flame, scowling as she twirled her feather duster.

'Such scum, to do this to a dragon… let alone our beloved master!'

[Chamber Dragonmaid, lvl 4, Dark Type, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1800 Def]

"Since she hit the field, I activate her effect, letting me add a Dragonmaid trap card to my hand, and I choose Dragonmaid Downtime!"

Chamber nodded as she blasted his duel disk, extracting the card for him.

"By activating her effect, you take damage due to my magic card's effect… to the tune of 450 points, 150 for each of my monsters!"

On the field, Darkest Knights Aba, Asta and Darkest Night Serpent Dragon all glowed with power as their spell card blasted him with 'more' damage.

'Master!' Chamber said in shock.

[Joseph Takara - 1950 / Phillip Masuda – 5850]

"I'm okay… I play three cards face down… and then I initiate the battle phase, now my Dragonmaid switches into a Dragon form, Chamber go into Lorpar!" He declared, placing Dragonmaid Tidying, Downtime and Changeover face down.

Chamber looked nervous, almost like she didn't want to do it, but she nodded and wrapped herself up in her signature draconic power, emerging as the powerful Dragonmaid Lorpar who roared onto the field, instantly all monsters on his field gained power since Dragonmaid Welcome was still on the field.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar, lvl 8, Wind Type, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Dragonmaid Lorpar 2700 Atk / 1700 Def – 2800 Atk / 1800 Def]

[Seiyaryu 2250 Atk / 2300 Def – 2350 Atk / 2400 Def]

"And since a monster returned to my hand, I gain 500 life points thanks to Spring of Rebirth!"

"And you'll lose 450 for each of my monsters on the field, or have you forgotten my magic card's effect?"

On the field both cards activated their effects, and once more Joseph was hit by not only Phillip's card, but also his own.

[Joseph Takara - 1500 / Phillip Masuda – 5850]

[Joseph Takara - 2000 / Phillip Masuda – 5850]

"I'm not losing life points with that exchange though…"

"No but I'm activating my card's effects, first my continuous trap card's, I use it to send my Dragon to the graveyard, goodbye for now Serpent Dragon!" He said as his Dragon vanished. "Next since it's in the graveyard, I activate its special ability, by banishing one level 7 or higher Dragon from my grave, I can special summon it, so I banish my Tinkhec, and you know what happens now!"

Once more Darkest Night Serpent Dragon roared from the sky as it flew down and took up an attack posture, its red eyes glaring daggers at Lorpar who gulped in fear.

[Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon, lvl 7, Dark Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2350 Atk / 2400 Def]

"It targets my monster… and drains all of its attack and defense…" He muttered.

"And I gain half the points it lost, and it gains the other half as attack points! And because its Tinkhec I banished; I gain even 'more' life points…"

The dragon roared and struck Lorpar, who cried in agony as she was enveloped in the flame, falling to the ground completely drained.

'So… weak…' Lorpar moaned in pain.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar 2800 Atk / 1800 Def – 0 Atk / 0 Def]

[Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon 2350 Atk / 2400 Atk – 4650 Atk / 2400 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 2000 / Phillip Masuda – 8150]

[Joseph Takara - 2000 / Phillip Masuda – 9750]

"So, son, anything else you want to do?" Phillip asked smugly. "My Dragon cannot be defeated, nothing you have in your deck can destroy it, I can make it stronger each turn, I can bring it back whenever its destroyed, and I grow stronger with each attempt you try! And I haven't shown off 'everything' it can do, just admit it's over… save yourself the embarrassment of defeat, between my Dragon and Exodia, it's hopeless!"

"It's not hopeless… not as long as I believe in my cards. They haven't let me down yet… I know they'll see me through to the end, and I refuse… 'refuse' to lose to the likes of you." He muttered. "So shut up as I make my move, Lorpar, change, transform into Kitchen Dragonmaid!"

Lorpar nodded wearily as she glowed, shrank, and emerged as Kitchen Dragonmaid with her arms crossed and kneeling before him.

'Master, we're hurting 'you' more than helping, you need to do something fast, or we'll lose, we can't keep this up much longer!' She said in fear.

[Kitchen Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Fire Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster.]

"Time for our cards to change points, Spring of Rebirth do your thing!" He declared.

"Darkest Knight Battle Rush, do yours!"

Both cards activated, and Joseph's life points changed again.'

[Joseph Takara - 2500 / Phillip Masuda – 9750]

[Joseph Takara - 2050 / Phillip Masuda – 9750]

"Next, I activate Kitchen's effect, do your thing girl, bring Parlor to my hand!"

'But master, this will drain even more life points from you, you can't take any more hits this turn! Please reconsider!' She pleaded nervously, not wanting to hurt her master.

"I know, but I need to power through, I have a strategy girl, now do it!" He ordered.

She nodded nervously and did as she was asked, turning around and blasting his duel disk with her energy and extracting Parlor to his hand.

"Now her effect kicks in, I send Parlor to the grave."

"And I activate 'my' card's effect again, so have some more damage done to you!"

Once more Darkest Knight Battle Rush activated and launched an assault on his life points.

[Joseph Takara - 1600 / Phillip Masuda – 9750]

"Hah… hah… I switch Seiyaryu into defense mode and end my turn!" He declared tiredly.

Seiyaryu shielded itself with its wings to signify it was in defense mode, and finally Joseph's turn ended.

"Finally given up have you, well I draw… hmhmhm, and what would you know, it's not what I would have liked… but for now I activate my monster's effect, since it's the standby phase, your monster loses points, and what it loses, I gain and you lose!"

Seiyaryu screeched in 'agony' as it was shocked to oblivion it seemed, causing its points to drop and both their life points to change.

[Seiyaryu 2350 Atk / 2400 Def – 2350 Atk / 2150 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 1350 / Phillip Masuda – 10000]

"Hang in there Seiyaryu, just hang in there!" He told it. "Cause now I activate my face down trap card, Dragonmaid Tidying, I'm going to use it to send your Darkest Night Dragon to the hand, by sending my Kitchen Dragonmaid to the hand!"

On the field a trap card flipped over, his Tidying trap card.

"Sorry, but my Dragon has another effect… if you attempt to remove my monster from the field, I can negate its effect by tributing it and send it to the grave!" He declared as his Dragon's eyes glowed. "And once I've stopped your attack, you'll lose even MORE life points, thanks to my spell card's effect!"

At that, Joseph 'smirked'. "Just what I was hoping you'd do."

"What?" Phillip asked in confusion.

"I 'knew' your dragon had to have at least '1' more trick to show off, for all of its power and its strength, you seemed overconfident that that dragon would win you the game if Exodia couldn't, and I guessed it had to have some kind of effect like that. Else why would you 'dare' me to try and challenge it? Now that I've forced you to activate its final effect… I can finally implement my strategy!" He said as he pushed the button of his trap card. "I play my trap card, Dragonmaid Downtime, and I'm using its effect! By sending a Dragonmaid from my field to the hand, I can send one of your spells or traps back to your hand! And I'm choosing… Darkest Knight Battle Rush!"

"What, NO!" He screamed as Kitchen smiled as she walked into the trap card behind her, and then it sent a blast of draconic energy at his spell card, making it vanish from the field.

"And since you've already called for the effect, you must now 'tribute' your Dragon!"

Darkest Night Dragon roared in fury as it began vanishing from the field, causing Tidying to shudder and vanish.

[Seiyaryu 2350 Atk / 2150 Def – 2250 Atk / 2050 Def]

"Well, will you bring it back?" He asked smugly.

"Grr… I'm not going to fall for that, I switch my Knights into defense mode and activate Pot of Avarice, now I'll target 5 monsters, Laundry, Kitchen, Parlor, and Nurse, as well as Darkest Knight Levi, shuffle them into the deck and draw two cards." He said as he did that. "Now I play two cards face down to end my turn!"

On the sidelines Banner and the others continued to watch, thoroughly impressed with how Joseph's turn ended.

"Not bad, he finally got rid of that magic card." Alexis said with a smile.

"Yes, now his life points are safe from further burn damage, still that was quite the hassle he went through, he traded a 'lot' to just get rid of one card. Losing his maids, trading so many points, his dragon is weak, but now he knows everything that dragon can do." Bastion agreed.

"He has a long way to go, but he can finally begin to turn this duel around." Banner declared.

"But can he do that, his opponent has over 10,000 life points?" Syrus asked. "I've never even seen life points go that high, they're off the charts!"

"If anyone, can it's Joseph and his Dragonmaids, if he can just get House on the field, she'll wipe the floor with his monsters!"

"Yes, and it's now Joseph's turn, and now that he isn't going to have to worry about burn damage, he can freely activate his Changeover and other effects." Alexis said. 'Come on Joseph, kick his ass and send him packing!'

"My turn… I draw…" He declared as he drew [Unity].

"And with that, another turn begins, and another round of your Dragon losing power!"

Once again Seiyaryu screamed and moaned in agony as it was shocked once more.

[Seiyaryu 2250 Atk / 2050 Def – 2250 Atk / 1800 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 1100 / Phillip Masuda – 10250]

"Greaag… that may be, but that is the LAST time you'll do that… because now you can't stop my effects from activating, nor can you stop my House Dragonmaid this turn! I flip over my magic card, Dragonmaid Changeover!"

The magic card flipped over, and once again Joseph tried to activate its effects, but as if to prove him wrong…

"I activate my trap, Imperial Order!" Phillip said and revealed another continous trap card in response. "For 700 Life Points during each of the standby phases, this card cancels out all spell cards in play, including your Dragonmaid Changeover, and your Dragonmaid Welcome!"

Once more, the cards sputtered and vanished, Joseph growing more frustrated by the second as he looked at his plays.

"I play Nurse Dragonmaid in attack mode!"

Nurse rose in a pillar of pastel flame and looked ready to defend and attack with how angry she was.

'Give me your order master, I'm ready to serve!' She declared.

[Nurse Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

"I activate your effect to bring Parlor back to my field."

She nodded and pointed at her left, and from there a pillar of emerald draconic flame emerged.

'What's the plan master?' Parlor asked warmly.

[Parlor Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1700 Def]

"The plan is this, I activate Dragonmaid Downtime Trap card, sending Parlor back to my hand to send Imperial Order back to your hand as well!"

Parlor nodded and walked into the card, and then it blasted the trap card opposite them, sending it to the hand.

"Grrrg…"

"Don't forget, when Spring of Rebirth is on the field, I gain life points to the tune of 500 for each monster that returns to my hand from the field!"

[Joseph Takara - 1600 / Phillip Masuda – 10250]

"Now then I 'activate' my Dragonmaid Tidying's effect to send removing it from play and summoning out Kitchen from my hand. Now I'll have her send Dragonmaid Tinkhec to my hand, but she'll send Parlor to the grave!"

[Kitchen Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Fire Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1700 Def]

As Kitchen appeared on the field she nodded and turned to carry out his request.

"Then I activate the effect of my Dragonmaid Welcome magic card, to let me bring a Dragonmaid card to my hand from my grave, and I choose Dragonmaid Ernus, next I send Ernus to my grave to special summon, Laundry Dragonmaid from my hand! And when she appears, I'll enter the battle phase, and I'll have my girls appear as Dragonmaids Lorpar, Ernus and Nudyarl!"

As Laundry finished appearing in a pillar of Azure draconic flame, all three of the maids smiled and went into their dragon forms of Lorpar, Ernus, and Tinkhec, all of them radiating power.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar, lvl 8, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, lvl 7, Water Type, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Dragonmaid Ernus, lvl 7, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

"And since they're on the field together, all of my monsters gain points, and I gain 'more' life points!"

[Joseph Takara - 3100 / Phillip Masuda – 10250]

[Dragonmaid Ernus 2600 Atk / 1600 Def – 2900 Atk / 1900 Def]

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl 2600 Atk / 1600 Def – 2900 Atk / 1900 Def]

[Dragonmaid Lorpar 2700 Atk / 1700 Def – 3000 Atk / 2000 Def]

[Seiyaryu 2250 Atk / 1800 Def – 2550 Atk / 2100 Def]

"I activate my Dragon's special ability, by banishing a level 7 or higher Dragon from my grave, I can bring my dragon back, so I'll banish Dragonmaid Lorpar! You know what happens after I do 'that' too…"

Once more, Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon descended from the field spell above them, red eyes glistening with malicious intentions, but even as it prepared to target one of his Dragonmaids, his dragons were not nearly as afraid of it. They believed in their Master and his plans, so they trusted that he knew what to do against it.

"And I think I'll weaken your Dragonmaid Lorpar's power, thanks for the power boost 'son'!"

Once again it assaulted Lorpar with its power, draining and weakening Lorpar to a weakened state, gaining power and giving his father even 'more' points.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar 3000 Atk / 2000 Def – 0 Atk / 0 Def]

[Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon 2350 Atk / 2400 Atk – 4850 Atk / 2400 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 3100 / Phillip Masuda – 12750]

[Joseph Takara - 3100 / Phillip Masuda – 14350]

"Sorry about that Lorpar, but now Ernus will 'destroy' Dragon Knight Asta!"

Ernus roared in furry as she unleashed her power upon the other Darkest Knight on the field, destroying it in an incinerating flame of pastel.

"Now I end the battle phase, switching all of my Dragons into their maid forms, bringing them into defense mode!"

All of his dragons nodded as the glowed and vanished in lights, returning to the field into defense mode as Kitchen, Laundry and Nurse.

[Joseph Takara - 4600 / Phillip Masuda – 14350]

"Now then, because I have more cards in my hand, I send Lorpar, Tinkhec and Nudyarl to the grave… finally I set two cards face down, with that I end my turn." He said. 'Just a bit more, I just need to hold out for a little longer'

Phillip grunted as he drew his next card and smiled. "Hmhmhm, well what do you know, an Exodia piece… with this your one step closer to defeat, so tell me 'son', how does it feel to know your about to lose this duel, just look at our fields and our scores! Especially since my monster takes 'another' chunk out of your dragon and your life points."

One again Seiyaryu 'screamed' in agony as it was shocked, its strength fading again, but as it suffered his Dragonmaids watched in horror, before their expressions changed to barely-contained rage as they saw the pain Seiyaryu was in.

[Seiyaryu 2550 Atk / 2100 Def – 2550 Atk / 1850 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 4350 / Phillip Masuda – 14600]

Joseph grimaced as his dragon suffered, but he ignored his father's taunt.

"Fourteen thousand life points, you can't possibly defeat me with such a difference, between my Dragon and Exodia, you're going to-"

"Will you make your move already?" He interrupted. "I don't know if you notice yet 'dad', but you have done more talking then dueling today."

"Wha… why you…"

Joseph took a calming breath as he looked at his opponent. "For all your talk about your 'unbeatable dragon', it's done more sitting around and stealing my monster's power than actually attacking. I don't think you realize it, but I'm not scared or intimidated by your monster anymore, I've dueled the likes of Seto Kaiba, I took on Yugi Moto's deck… compared to them, you're nothing. You didn't even know how your cards worked, and you think I'm going to cower in fear? As for that Exodia, you have 'two' pieces, good for you, where's the other 'three'?"

"Grrrg…" He replied in silent fury.

"I thought so, they're still in your deck, waiting to be drawn, and unless you draw all 'three' in the next three turns, they don't matter in this duel. I told you, you're not going to win this duel, I won't let you… and to prove it I activate my trap card, Dragonmaid Downtime, I send Nurse to the hand to send your trap card, Anti Magic Fragrance to the hand!"

Nurse nodded as she walked into the card and it again, blasted a card from Phillip's side, sending it to the hand.

[Seiyaryu 2550 Atk / 1850 Def – 2450 Atk / 1750 Def]

[Laundry Dragonmaid 800 Atk / 1900 Def – 700 Atk / 1800 Def]

[Kitchen Dragonmaid 800 Atk / 2000 Def – 700 Atk / 1900 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 4850 / Phillip Masuda – 14600]

"And then, because she's in my hand, I activate her quick effect, Ernus is discarded and I special summon Nurse 'back' to the field, and when she appears in defense mode, I'll have her special summon back Parlor Dragonmaid to the field 'also' in defense mode!"

Nurse appeared again on the field in a pillar of pastel flame, and then she pointed and summoned out Parlor in a pillar of emerald flame, both maids took up defensive postures as they finished summoning.

[Nurse Dragonmaid, lvl 2, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Parlor Dragonmaid, lvl 3, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 500 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Seiyaryu 2450 Atk / 1750 Def – 2650 Atk / 1950 Def]

[Laundry Dragonmaid 800 Atk / 1900 Def – 1000 Atk / 2000 Def]

[Kitchen Dragonmaid 800 Atk / 2000 Def – 1000 Atk / 2100 Def]

[Parlor Dragonmaid 500 Atk / 1700 Def - 1000 Atk / 2100 Def]

[Nurse Dragonmaid 500 Atk / 1600 Def – 1000 Atk / 2000 Def]

"Now, try to get past 'my' family, the family that never abandoned me, unlike 'you' who couldn't even be 'bothered' to care about me! If you 'can' that is!"

"We'll see about that you little 'runt'! I enter the battle phase! And since it's the battle phase, I activate my trap card, Darkest Knight Devastation!"

The final trap card on Phillip's side of the field activated, revealing a card which featured Darkest Night Serpent Dragon unleashing pitch-dark flame upon something and destroying it in the flames.

[Darkest Knight Devastation, is a normal trap card that reads, you can only activate this card during your battle phase, target one lvl 7 Dark Dragon monster you control, reduce its attack points to zero, then for each Dragon monster you own that is removed from play, increase that monster's attack points by 250 x the combined level of every dragon you removed from play. The monster you target can inflict piercing battle damage and is immune to your opponent's card effects during the battle phase, and your opponent cannot activate monster effects in response to this card's activation, nor can they activate monster effects until the 'end' of the battle phase. You cannot activate any other card effects until your next turn after this effect resolves, nor can you attack with any other monster this turn.]

"This powerful trap card can only activate during 'my' battle phase, now by reducing my Dragon's power to zero, I can give it even MORE power, by using the dragons I've banished from my graveyard to power it. Not only that, but during this battle phase, its immune to card effects, and can deal 'piercing' battle damage, and as a bonus, you cannot activate your monster's effects in response to this card, nor can you activate them during 'this' battle phase. So, with Nudyarl, Ernus, Lorpar and Tinkhec removed from the game, I can give my Dragon a combined 7500 Attack points!"

Darkest Night Serpent Dragon glistened and glowed with power as its fiery breath was released into the air, revealing a multi-colored display of flame as its power shifted to match the trap card's effect.

[Darkest Night, Serpent Dragon 4850 Atk / 2400 Def – 0 Atk / 2400 Def – 7500 Atk – 2400 Def – Card effect Immunity granted, Piercing Battle Damage granted]

"Now no matter what card you have face down, it can't touch my Dragon, its OVER, with only 4850 life points, you can't survive this attack! The only downside to this, is I cannot activate any more card effects until my next turn, but that won't matter cause there won't 'be' a next turn for either of us. Darkest Night Serpent Dragon, attack Seiyaryu and end this duel!"

Darkest Night Serpent Dragon roared its destructive power and unleashed its awesome power against Joseph's monster, who wearily rose and flew 'into' the attack to shield him.

But Joseph activated his face down card.

Phillip smiled as his monster's attack connected but stood in shock as he saw his Dragon's attack was being 'blocked, and not only that, but the four Dragonmaids, Parlor, Kitchen, Nurse and Laundry were all blasting their draconic energy into Seiyaryu, even as it unleashed a fiery display of power to deflect and stop the attack.

"What, what's going on here, how is your monster not destroyed?"

He looked over and saw to his horror, a magic card had been flipped face up, [Unity].

"What is that card?"

Joseph smiled as he finally had the upper hand. "It's a special magic card, one my friends gave me, it's a card called 'Unity', and when its activated, I can target 'one' monster on my field, and then its defense points become equal to the combined Original Defense points of all of my monsters on the field. Bastion, do the math for me?"

Bastion chuckled and nodded, "Really Joseph, you want me to do basic mathematics, fine but you owe me for this one. Since he asked, each of the original defense points of the monsters are sixteen hundred times two, seventeen hundred times two, and plus twenty-three hundred for Laundry and Nurse, Parlor and Kitchen, and Seiyaryu respectively. Add those together, and you get eighty-nine hundred defense points. Which if my math is correct, is exactly fourteen hundred points 'more' than your Dragon's attack power!"

"Meaning you attacked a stronger defending monster with a 'weaker' attacking monster." Alexis said with a grin.

[Seiyaryu 2300 Def + 1600 Def x2 + 1700 Def x2 = 8900 Def]

"NOOOOOOO!" Phillip screamed as Seiyrayu roared and flung what was left of the attack at him, dealing him damage.

[Joseph Takara - 4850 / Phillip Masuda – 13200]

"No, this can't be happening, you can't possibly win this!"

"Let's find out, shall we?" Joseph said as he drew his card, but he ignored it since it didn't matter at this point. "I play my face down, Dragonmaid Changeover, this card lets me fusion summon using my monsters on the field or hand to fusion summon one Dragon type monster, and I'm using 'Seiyaryu and Chamber Dragonmaid!"

"But you can't, you can't, my monster's effect prevents it!"

"No, your monster prevents me from 'targeting' it with card effects, but Changeover does not target monsters… so now my Dragon is 'free' of your bind. I send Chamber and Seiyaryu to the grave to fusion summon…" He declared as a pillar of crimson, black and white draconic energy swirled and enveloped Seiyaryu, and in the midst of that powerful display a pair of menacing red eyes glared down at him. "House Dragonmaid!"

House finally made her appearance as she flung her arms out, dispelling the flames, her wings fluttered slightly before they folded in, her hands clasped in front of her, and she humbly bowed at her appearance even as the other maids bowed in respect. She then smiled, almost 'smugly', as she stared at their opponent.

[House Dragonmaid, lvl 9, Light Attribute, Dragon Type, Fusion Effect Monster, 3000 Atk / 2000 Def]

"Not her… not her…"

"That's right, 'her', and now that 'she's' on the field, I enter the battle phase… Dragonmaids TRANSFORM!"

'As you 'wish' master~!' They all declared proudly, all but house at least, and Laundry, Parlor, Kitchen and Nurse glowed, grew, and emerged as their true forms of Nudyarl, Ernus, Tinkhec and Lorpar.

[Dragonmaid Lorpar, lvl 8, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Dragonmaid Nudyarl, lvl 7, Water Type, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Dragonmaid Ernus, lvl 7, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2600 Atk / 1600 Def]

[Dragonmaid Tinkhec, lvl 8, Fire Attribute, Dragon Type, Effect Monster, 2700 Atk / 1700 Def]

[Joseph Takara - 6850 / Phillip Masuda – 13200]

"No, I can't activate my trap card… because of my previous trap's effect… and I don't have any more dragons to banish, which means…"

"Which means House's effect will wipe your field out… House do your thing!"

House nodded proudly as she took a deep breath and blew out two balls of draconic flame matching the color schemes of his four transformed Dragonmaids, blasting Darkest Knight Aba and Darkest Night Serpent Dragon. Both monsters were destroyed in a fiery explosion, leaving Phillip's field wide open.

"No, you can't do this to me!"

"Oh 'now' you don't like it when your about to lose, what's the matter, you were so confident that you were going to make 'me' pay you a million yen as well as handing over my Dragonmaid card to you. When it was 'me' on the receiving end you were all too happy to make me suffer, now the shoes on the other foot, it doesn't feel so nice does it… well I'm not done yet, Dragonmaid Welcome is still on the field, so they 'ALL' get a Power Bonus!"

[House Dragonmaid 3000 Atk / 2000 Def – 3500 Atk / 2500 Def]

[Dragonmaid Ernus/Nudyarl 2600 Atk / 1600 Def – 3100 Atk / 2100 Def]

[Dragonmaid Tinkhec/Lorpar 2700 Atk / 1700 Def – 3200 Atk / 3200 Def]

"Now, let's see if we can't kick your life points down a few notches… Nudyarl hit him with Azure Draconic Maid Flame!"

'Thought you'd never asked~!' Nudyarl giggled as she roared and unleashed her fury upon their opponent, incinerating his life points.

[Joseph Takara - 6850 / Phillip Masuda – 10100]

"Now Ernus, your turn with Pastel Draconic Maid Flame!"

'With 'pleasure' master!' Ernus declared as she took her shot and blasted his life points now.

[Joseph Takara - 6850 / Phillip Masuda – 7000]

"Lorpar, hit him with Emerald Draconic Maid Flame now!"

'Taking out the 'trash'!' Lorpar said as she launched her attack now.

[Joseph Takara - 6850 / Phillip Masuda – 3800]

"Grrg… you can't win this; I won't let you!"

"Tell that to Tinkhec as she hits you with Crimson Draconic Maid Flame!"

'Have some speecy spicy hotsy totsy flame you loser~!' Tinkhec giggled happily as she roared and unleashed her attack now.

[Joseph Takara - 6850 / Phillip Masuda – 600]

"Now there's only one monster left to attack…" He said as House readied her attack. "Do it House, end him and get him out of my life!"

House nodded as she closed her eyes, took a deep breath and breathed out multi-colored smoke from her nostrils, then she glared, opened her mouth wide, and unleashed a 'beam' of draconic energy, blasting his life points to smithereens.

"Noooooooooo!"

[Joseph Takara - 6850 / Phillip Masuda – 0]

"The duel is over, Joseph is the victor, and by the rules of the engagement, he is not bound to pay his father back the money his mother was required to, and nor is he required to hand over his House Dragonmaid card." Banner said as he stepped forward with a smile. "And, as per the agreement, Mr. Masuda, you are now required to leave and not bother your son again…"

He took a deep breath as he looked at his Dragons and they each smirked, nodding slightly at him, right as the holograms began to vanish.

But as the last images of the duel faded, he heard the sound of helicopter blades whizzing through the air and looked up with everyone to see a Kaiba Corp Helicopter floating down toward them, with a rope ladder hanging down an open door, and none other than Seto Kaiba hanging onto it as the helicopter drew closer. Joseph instantly knew that something was up, but he didn't know what it was, yet he knew just going off the look on Seto Kaiba's face… he was 'not' happy.

"Well, that is most unexpected…" Professo Banner muttered.

"Never a dull moment around here." Alexis commented.

"Oh no this again…" Syrus complained.

"What's Seto Kaiba doing here?" Chumley asked now.

"Whatever it is, it does not look good…" Bastion stated.

Joseph meanwhile was watching as Seto Kaiba was lowered closer and closer to them, along with his Dragonmaid spirit friends who began appearing.

'Remember when duels didn't end in something weird happening right afterwards?' Tinkhec muttered.

'I am going straight to bed after this day is over…' Nudyarl said.

'Now what does master have to deal with?' Lorpar asked.

'I hope he doesn't challenge us to a duel again, we still haven't gotten over the kicking we got last duel…' Ernus muttered to the others.

After a few more moments Kaiba was lowered enough to the point where he just let go and jumped down to land in between both him and his father, once landing he got up and shouted in a commanding voice, "Nobody move from where they are, as President of Kaiba Corp, I declare that whatever terms were in place because of this duel, are now hereby considered null and void! And whatever conditions were to be met because of the results of this duel are 'also' null and void!"

"What, what is going on now?" Joseph asked in confusion as the helicopter landed and several Kaiba Corp security guards jumped out.

"I'll tell you what's going on… YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!" He yelled furiously, "TAKE HIM INTO CUSTODY!"

Instantly all of the security ran forward and grabbed Phillip, roughly shoving him to the ground and stripping him of the duel disk and dueling cards he had.

"Gr-get your hands… off of me, do you know who I am?" He yelled angrily.

"I don't care who you are, you are 'not' in a position to be saying that." Kaiba declared angrily as he stepped forward. "As President of Kaiba Corp, I've already nullified the legal documents you had relating to the legal payments your 'former' employee, Joseph's Mother, was required to pay you after the stunts you pulled with 'my' company and 'my' money!"

"W-wha, I have no idea what your-"

"Don't waste your breath… I've already completed a thorough investigation, and I've already confirmed the money trail you left. You bribed a few of my employees working here to modify and alter the dueling equipment here, so that several duel disks malfunctioned. Not only that, but you also hired a mercenary duelist and paid several guards off to look the other way, so that he could steal from my student and threatened them with harm. You also bribed other employees to try and 'steal' from my students and deliver the item to you, which failed may I add. Not to mention you 'stole' prototype cards not meant for public use or viewing until they are finished being tested." Kaiba declared. "And… the least of your crimes… you illegally created fake cards for use in a duel, cards that do not only 'not' belong to you, but also are forbidden from being made and used in official duels due to legal contracts with Industrial Illusions."

"Fake cards, that is 'not' true, that 'Kid's' cards are fake, mine are the authentic ones, I was just trying to reclaim the card he 'stole' from me!"

"My cards are not fake, yours are the fake ones!" Joseph yelled.

'Yea, you tell him master!' Nudyarl said.

"Here we go again…" Alexis said.

"You know, both cards did register properly… so how do we know which ones 'are' the real ones?" Professor Banner asked.

At that Kaiba looked between the two individuals and sighed in utter disappointment. "There's a very simple way to prove who is telling the truth here, even though I already know the answer." He said as he motioned his employee, Rolan, who nodded and handed him a briefcase which he opened and revealed his Battle City Duel Disk. "Joseph… may I borrow your Laundry Dragonmaid Card?"

"Uh… sure…" He said as he pulled out his card, and handed it to Rolan, who took it with a gloved hand.

Kaiba then nodded to one of the security guards who took the card from Phillip's deck and handed it to Kaiba. Kaiba then took Joseph's dragonmaid and held them both out so everyone could see.

"The card I'm about to summon is Joseph's Dragonmaid…" He said as he played the card on the duel disk.

In a cascade of light Laundry Dragonmaid appeared on the field in attack mode, tail raised, and teeth bared.

"Now… for his father…" He said as he played the next card.

In a cascade of light Laundry Dragonm-

"What?" Everyone collectively yelled in confusion as they saw the monster summoned.

Laundry glanced to her left and grimaced in disgust as she beheld… a 'puppet' version of her, with poorly crafted wooden arms/legs and a head, a badly drawn face to resemble her and fake hair, along with patchwork maid outfit and a limp tail, along with a hanging sign from its neck reading {Proxy Card}.

"Hmpf, as I suspected… a 'proxy'." Kaiba said smugly. "So not only did you create a proxy card of a card you're not authorized to make, but you also even illegally modified your duel disk so it would look like the real thing? I think that settles the debate of who owns the 'real' Dragonmaid cards. First you lie that you owned the cards to begin with, then you try to pin the blame on your own son, and then you craft proxy cards to use in a duel that you 'lost'… can you do 'anything' right besides spend money?"

"Gergg…"

"Just so you know, every Kaiba-corp Duel Disk sends out a signal broadcasting dueling data to our satellite, recording duel data. We get data from thousands upon thousands of duel disks, even if you 'modified' yours to hide the visual data, it still reported exactly what you played. You can't hide the cards you play from 'us', that's how we knew you were out here to begin with."

"Get him out of my sight…" Kaiba said as he nodded to his security.

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME, YOU WAIT, I'LL BE BACK, THIS ISN'T OVER YET. AND WHEN I'M BACK, THAT BASTARD BORN WILL BE SORRY HE EVER TRIED TO-"

Joseph had enough as Kaiba's people shoved him into the helicopter, he was about to storm forward and shout something, but Banner was faster, he rushed forward and held Joseph back.

"No Joseph, don't taint your victory…" He whispered quietly.

Kaiba nodded in agreement as he watched Joseph's barely controlled anger, he then glanced at Rolan and he silently nodded, going to the helicopter and closing it up, once done Kaiba walked over to him and smiled in understanding.

"I know what it's like to have a father who doesn't care about you." He told him, handing him back his Laundry Dragonmaid. "Remember, you're a duelist, and you 'won' the duel fair and square, he's the one who lied, cheated, and did everything possible to sabotage you and your life. Don't taint your duelist spirit, or your victory… by feeding into your father's ego, or worse… prove him right about you. Rest assured… he won't be bothering you, hopefully ever again. And you can rest easy that, you will 'not' have to pay those charges left over from your mother."

He took a deep breath as he forced himself to calm down and thanked him.

"Oh my, what is going on out here?" A warm voice called out, and everyone turned to see Sheou walking toward them from the Café, a look of 'mild surprise' as she saw the helicopter. "Young Master, Mr. Kaiba, is something going on?"

"Hello, nothing that concerns you… we just had to take away Joseph's father for… reasons." Kaiba said 'calmly', as he took another card and played it. "He just had a set of illegal cards."

On the field a Darkest Knight appeared, but like the Proxy Laundry Dragonmaid, it too was a Proxy card, with a similar puppet-outlook compared to the Laundry Dragonmaid.

"I see…" Sheou said politely, but there was a tone of dislike from her that Joseph caught.

"Sheou, did you know my father?"

Sheou looked at him before nodding sadly. "It is not something I am proud of, but for a time I 'was' in his service as a maid." She said. "I left his service not long after you were born… and I did my best to stay away from him, you probably know he is not the most… 'pleasant' of individuals, putting it mildly."

"Wait… did you… ever… uhm…"

Sheou smiled warmly as she awaited his question, content to stand there and do nothing but wait. He wanted to ask but… he didn't want to insult her or make her mad, but he had to be sure, at least hear it from her.

"Did you ever take a card from him, he was trying to take a card from me, he said it was stolen from him?" He asked. "I'm sorry to ask but…"

Sheou smiled warmly, lovingly looking at him as she walked forward, presented herself to him, and bowed without breaking stride. "You have my word my young master, as your Personal Maid and caretaker… that I never took a thing from him, not even the tiniest crumb of bread from his plate. Whatever accusations he may make… are false and should not be believed."

He took a calming breath as he accepted her answer, if she said she didn't take anything from him, he'd believe her.

"Mr. Kaiba, may I take those cards from you, since they are proxy cards, I will dispose of them for you." Sheou asked with her hand held out.

He stared at her for a few moments, before grunting and handing the entire deck of cards to her. "Just burn them all up, I'd rather not have to send out people to a location because someone found them in a garbage dump or something. Gas for helicopters is expensive."

After that, Kaiba walked back into the helicopter, and it soon took off.

For the rest of the day, Joseph stayed in his bedroom, occasionally talking to his Dragonmaid spirits, while the others left him alone, seeing he wanted to be alone. Hours went by and eventually a knock sounded, and Chazz opened it up and let himself in.

"Hey, heard something big happened earlier." Chazz said.

"You could say that…"

"Heh, sorry I missed it, but the Chazz was taking a nap, ear plugs, let me tell you, work like a ticket." He tried to joke, but it was obvious the joke wasn't appropriate. "Anyway… came by to ask about it. What was going on, I heard from some others that your 'dad' showed up and…"

"He's not my dad!"

Silence as Joseph was quiet, looking away as he stared at the wall.

"Good to hear."

Joseph looked back as Chazz looked back at him with an understanding gaze. "I know what it's like to have family who don't like you, who only tolerate you. Though I guess I have it better… at least 'mine' talked to me, yours… well you know better than me. Anyway, it's good to hear he's not your father, cause as far as I'm concerned, you two have no relationship whatsoever."

"Really?"

"Yea… but that's just me… anyway Alexis asked me to check up on you, I'm going to bed again, later!"

He walked out and Joseph watched him leave, nodding in gratitude for Chazz's… talk, or as close to a talk as he'd ever give him. With that he rolled over and closed his eyes, just trying to end the day as fast as he could.

Night came and went, and though his Dragonmaid friends tried talking to him, trying to be sweet and trying to ask him to hang out at the café or spend time with him, he just told them… he wasn't in the mood. The last he saw of them was Nudyarl floating up to his cheek and nuzzling him lovingly, saying 'Thank you for protecting us master… it means a lot to us. We love you very much… and always will.' before vanishing and leaving him alone.

After many hours in which Chumley and Syrus were also asleep in their room, Joseph woke up and mumbled that he was hungry, and went downstairs to the Slifer Mess Hall to see if there were 'any' leftovers. He knew Professor Banner made food for everyone, even if mostly everyone skipped dinner at the Slifer Dorm to head over to the café.

Downstairs Joseph walked into the empty mess hall and to the kitchen area, which was just the front section separated by a curtain. There he saw Professor Banner scooping some rice out of the rice cooker and into a bowl.

"Oh, hello Joseph, feeling hungry?"

"Yea, can I have some rice?"

"Of course, forgive me if its not like Kite's cooking, I still do not know how she makes it so tasty." He said as he filled a bowl for him.

They both sat down at a table and ate their meal in silence. "Normally I come down to eat a quick snack, but today I just needed a bit of rice in my belly after a hard day of work grading papers. I guess you also wanted something to eat because of how late it is?"

"Yea…" He muttered.

Banner noticed the tone of his voice and looked over at him. "Is something wrong Joseph?"

"Not really just… thinking."

Silence again as Banner nodded and ate some more rice. "Is it about your father?"

He nodded silently, and Banner sighed.

"Listen Joseph… your father may be your father by birth… but he is not your father 'figure'. He's nothing like you at all, and you should feel proud of that fact."

"Why?"

Professor Banner smiled as he looked at him. "You see Joseph, both of you are… duelists, to an extent, and no matter who the duelist is, they are different at their core. Two duelists may use the same cards as one another, but how they use them and what they do with them are as different as… well two different bottles of Hot Sauce. They may be the same thing, but oh the morning afterwards, different reactions let me tell you."

He chuckled as he laughed at his own joke.

"You and your father used Dragonmaids… fake for him, authentic for you, and you treated them accordingly to your beliefs. He sent them away and didn't hesitate to get rid of them, didn't even bother trying to bring them back because he felt he didn't need them. You however… you protected yours, kept yours safe and always brought them back because you wanted and needed them, and when he was all alone at the end, you were surrounded. May I see your cards for a moment?"

"Oh uh, sure…" He said, handing over some of his Dragonmaids.

"Joseph, look how well you take care of these cards, not a single bend, not a single tear or wear… you take good care of them. Did he show the same for his cards, no… and thus you two are different from one another." He said as he returned them. "If you want to prove you are not your father's son, become someone better than him, become someone who is 'not' him, so that you will never have to worry about others thinking you two are related."

At that he smiled and thanked him, before eating again.

"Speaking of Hot Sauce, I think I should take a drink after the day I've had…"

Over at the café however, while everyone slept during the night, on the second floor in head lady's room, Sheou was looking out the window with five maids behind her, awaiting her final verdict of a delicate situation they were all facing.

She had her hands clasped before her, simply watching the moon in the sky and watching the clouds going by, ignoring all other distractions.

"Ma'am, have you made your choice?" Nurse asked nervously.

She remained quiet… simply breathing in and out as she thought.

"Ma'am, please… we need to know… have you decided?" Kitchen asked.

She closed her eyes before looking back at them all. She looked at their faces, their hopeful faces, all of them looking nervously as she was their ultimate decider, their ultimate judge. She just wanted them to be happy, just to see them smile… they'd gone for so long…

She sighed as she looked away.

"I have…" She declared. "Joseph has grown exceptionally well, he has done superbly, and he proved himself capable of protecting us… but… for now he is not yet ready for the final test, and the final contract. He still has much more room to grow, for now, we will continue as before."

A collective sigh of relief was heard as they all breathed happily, slightly disappointed that she was not pushing forward, but at least not changing the status quo.

"Return to our master, tend to his dreams… he needs a loving dream after today."

They nodded and walked out, the candlelight casting dragon-like shadows on the wall as they passed it by.

The only ones who remained, were Chamber and Sheou. After they were alone Chamber looked suspiciously at her while she turned to stare outside again.

"So… the first master whom we all love, who proves capable of protecting us, and who proves worthy of our loyalty, and has gathered all of our true forms together… is still not ready for the final test?" She asked. "Are you doing this because 'he' isn't ready… or because 'you' aren't ready my lady?"

She was quiet, and calm with her response. "I just want them to enjoy this life we have with him a little longer… when the time comes, is when I will test him."

Chamber nodded as she walked over and stood by her side, before she glanced and saw several 'Dragonmaid' cards sitting on the table. Instantly she glared and declared in anger as she saw them, "Why haven't you destroyed those yet?!", her scream of rage echoing in the room as she was insulted by their mere presence.

Sheou glanced over and walked past her to shift the cards around, showing the various Darkest Knight monsters.

"Because I was looking for a specific card, one that should be here but isn't…" She stated. "Of the cards, the Dragon used in the duel is missing… and yet Joseph's father did leave with any of the cards…"

Chamber walked over and looked at them, before her eyes narrowed and she nodded in understanding.

"The Dragon is missing." Chamber declared.

"Yes… and while these 'Proxy' cards are soulless and lifeless, I sensed… something, from that Dragon during the duel."

"Yes… and during it I felt it as well, the pain we felt was real… though the damage he received was minor and miniscule, I saw he was being caused true pain."

Sheou nodded. "We are not done with his father yet… I pray I am wrong, but my insights into the hearts of humans have always been right so far..."

"Even Joseph?"

Sheou glanced at her, before placing a hand over her heart and smiling warmly. "I hope I'm right about him… let us leave it at that."

Chamber smirked knowingly as she got up, bowed and walked out to carry out her duties.

Sheou however, turned to the cards and for a moment, thought about grabbing all of the Proxy cards, before changing her mind and only grabbing the knights and sighing to herself. Then she breathed in deeply, before she blew a willow of flame from her mouth and incinerated all of the cards in her hand. Then she took the Dragonmaid proxy cards, stashed them into a drawer and locked it.

Then she sighed and looked out the window and frowned as she stared out at the Slifer Dorm.

"Forgive me master, I just want them to enjoy the life we have right now, for a little bit longer." She declared. "I've never seen them so happy… I just…want them to enjoy this life… for… just a little bit longer."

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"Take care my young master, there are secrets and mysteries within this world that you are not truly aware of. We come from a world that is both like yet nothing like the world you know. We have done all we can to shield you and shelter you from these horrible events, and if it were within our power, we would never wish to involve you in them. But I fear… that we will soon have no choice but to engage in these horrible Shadow Games."

"We will stand by your side though, for you are our Master… the Master of the Dragonmaids!"

=Next Time, Joseph vs Mystery Duelist, Become Tributes to my Lord Erebus=

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This is going to be my last chapter for Master of the Dragonmaids fic, not because I'm stopping but because… this was 28k words long… I had to do so much thinking to make it… I'm tired, exhausted blah blah blah.

I just need a break and a rest from my story to write for the others that are becoming more and more neglected the longer I go on.

So I'm leaving you all on a long chapter, and I hope you liked the 'Darkest Knight' cards I made up to represent, you guessed it, Serpent Night Dragon, the opposing dragon to Seiyaryu. Here's hoping that Serpent Night Dragon gets its own archetype as well.

But… I won't just leave you with that, I have one other thing to leave you with.

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Sheou felt their presence as they approached, but despite the fact that she sat sipping a cup of tea in the infirmary of Duel Academy, next to her master who slept soundly, surrounded by her fellow maids, she did not rise just yet. But that presence was 'not' ignored or left unknown by the others. Tinkech was the first to address them.

'Ma'am…'

"I know… I'd hoped they were not coming here, but its obvious… they're coming for him."

'What do we do?' Ernus questioned.

Sheou finished the last of her drink as she rose, straightened her clothes, flattened and straightened Joseph's blanket, and closed the blinds around it.

"You will all stay." She declared as she walked out.

'But ma'am, you can't possibly…' Lorpar tried to speak but she snapped around and glared.

"You. Will. Stay." She declared. "You are no match for them… weakened as you are, I will tend to our guest."

'But ma'am, I've never felt such power like this before… only…' Nudyarl whispered fearfully.

"I know… only 'mine' compares." She whispered just as quietly. "That's why only 'I' can go… you four stay… protect him… no matter what. And if the worst happens… take him… and hide."

With that she stepped out of the infirmary, closed the door behind her, and walked down the hallway to meet their guest. She walked for half an hour, knowing that their guest was not in a rush, until she reached a point where the cameras were not able to observe, where nobody was present… where nobody else, would be in harm's way.

There she waited… and waited… until she heard the sound of metal striking floor.

*Clang… Clang… Clang*

As she watched, from the most distant light of the moon shining through the windows of the corridor, she observed as a woman with long flowing white hair, wearing robes of red lined with gold and leg armor of similar colors, a headdress of black and white with a matching flowing fabric waved behind her as she walked through the night. Black gloves that went just below her shoulder with golden rings adorning her arms and silver bands around her wrists. In one hand she carried a staff that was tipped with a golden bladed-double edged axe, with a red hilt and golden shaft that glinted in the light, its weight almost kept hidden from the fact that she was able to hold it with no effort using only the strength of her hand. Around her neck was a golden chain with a light golden metal eye. She walked with slow, calm, precise steps, each one her heels touching the floor with a lithe footing that did little to conceal her intent or purpose for being here.

Her expression was cold, ruthless, almost disinterested as she moved, and only paused as she noticed Sheou's presence, almost like until she finally caught sight of her, she had taken no more notice of her than one might an insignificant ant walking across the dirt one would stand on and kick in their idle time. If any other would look upon her… she almost looked… 'bored'.

"Please, state your intentions here, for I cannot allow you to pass any further without being informed."

She was quiet in her gaze, almost as if she were trying to decide if this simple conversation was worth her time or effort. But she responded, nonetheless.

"I am here, at the request of one who has summoned me, to send one from this world and see them into the next, whether by way of the shadows or by way of light matters not." She said elegantly.

Sheou glared at her. "Tell your 'master' that if he is so desperate to extinguish the beautiful soul that resides in this world, that he will have to get through me, for I will let no harm come to my young master while I still have strength!"

"You assume you can change the outcome of the world; the end is coming for him, and the path is already set, I am merely a shepherd to him. For as the world turns, so to does the cycle continue." She said as she began walking again.

Sheou's glare grew fiercer the closer she drew, each step sounding like a giant bell tolling within her ears. Step by step, inch by inch, foot by foot the entity grew closer and closer, but still Sheou did not respond.

Until at long last… she was barely ten feet from her.

"NOT ONE MORE STEP!" She screamed as her body was enveloped in pitch black draconic flame, her tail sprouting from beneath her dress, her wings extending to their full length to appear imposing, her horns growing as she drew upon her full power. In her hands a pair of draconic flames appeared, the heat of which could melt the walls if they were any closer, and her eyes glowed in draconic might while smoke filtered through her nostrils as she prepared to do battle.

"Take one more step, just ONE more step, and I assure you, one of us will see what happens beyond the veil of the void for our kind!" She growled in furry as her true powers were on full display.

As for the woman who stood opposite her, she'd stopped in her track upon Sheou's display, no longer looking bored… instead, a small smile slowly began to grow, as she now had… her full attention.

"Oh?" She whispered politely as she raised her staff and held it before her with one hand. "Then you truly wish to see… the Turning of the World?"