Slifer Red was many things, but quiet was never one of them. However, the usually lively dorm had an oppressive air simply because one of its members was locked in her room for several days.

Things got worse for Professor Banner as he received a special message about a test. He would obey the order. Still, he couldn't help but think about someone who seemed to have no connection to his machinations.

...

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

It just hasn't been the same. I haven't even been paying much attention in class lately. I know Wilona doesn't go to Professor Banner's classes, but it's easy to see how much she means to all of us. Jaden's usually drawing eyes on top of his eye-lids so he can fall asleep in this class, but for once, he's wide awake. Although, he isn't paying attention as usual...

Still, I have to give Professor Banner credit. His classes are always fun.

Boom!

And... interesting... to say the least. I doubt even the chemistry labs would mess with volatile stuff as he does in his classes.

Wait, isn't he also the head of the Chemistry Labs in the school?

"Ah! Before you all go, I have an announcement for a field trip!" Professor Banner, who was a little singed, spoke up.

"A field trip!? Cool, where too?" I heard other people comment. A field trip does sound like fun, and maybe I could invite Wilona over to get her mind off...

Wait, a Saturday morning field trip to dig up rocks? Well, anything's better than Wilona staying in her room all day. I'll have to take the hiking part a little easy because my ankle is still healing, but I should be able to make it.

After class ended, I picked up two permission forms. Jaden walked up with the others.

"You thinking of getting her out of that room?" Jaden asked.

"I bet you were thinking the same thing."

"Even though she is not in any of my classes," Professor Banner walked up to us. "I would love for Ms. Konami to join us."

Everyone was in agreement. Now here comes the hard part: asking her.

After a little travel, we arrived. The Slifer Dorms were always so welcoming, so it's kinda wrong for it to feel like a ghost town.

Jaden, Syrus, Chumley, and I walked up to Wilona's door.

"Hey, Wilona?" I knocked on the door, but I heard nothing behind it. "There's a field trip Saturday morning. You wanna come?"

Honest appeared through the door. It surprised us and scared Syrus enough for him to squeal like a girl.

"Wilona says, she will join you." With how relieved the Duel Spirit sounds, we also felt relieved. "She is still unwell, but she is showing signs of wanting to join you all again."

"Good!" Jaden seemed to regain his lost spirit as he waved at the door. "We'll see you there, Wilona!"

I hope we do. Not to mention, the ruins we're heading too might have more clues to the Shadow Games and my brother's disappearance. I hope we don't get sucked into the spirit world again.

Odd, why am I thinking of Murphy's Law?

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

"What?" Professor Banner looked out to the four students. "Only four of you came? What about Ms. Konami?"

"She's... coming. I hope." Jaden looked to the other two. Honest told them she would meet them in the area.

"I'm here." The four students turned to see Wilona walking up to them with a backpack of her own. The girl had seen better days, but seeing her up and about was a huge step forward for her friends.

"Great!" Professor Banner sent a picture to their PDA. "With everyone here, we'll be excavating these mysterious ruins."

Syrus suddenly took Jaden away after seeing the picture. Their discussion was brief, but Syrus still looked worried. Soon, the group started their hike towards the ruins, while the journey over there was somewhat fun, they eventually arrived. They explored a little before taking a small picnic.

Wilona noticed Pharoah digging up something. That something suddenly burst into light.

As the light show continued, a familiar sight of three suns appeared in the air.

"ARE YOU BLOODY KIDDING ME!?" Wilona screamed and pointed. Alexis and Jaden had similar feelings to seeing those same three suns. However, a storm soon started to appear, and Professor Banner tried to lead the students to a safe zone.

Jaden paused before turning to the others taking cover. "You guys stay in there! I'll lead the storm away!"

"What did he just say!?" Wilona cried out and got out of the safe zone as Jaden started to run. "Yuki, get back here! You can't lead away a blasted storm!" The green-haired girl chased after her dormmate as a rainbow-like storm chased and enveloped the two.

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

"...ki..."

"...ki...p..."

"Yuki, if you do not wake up this moment, I will slap you silly until you do." I felt something grabbing on to my collar. "Granted, you already are a fool, but I admit that the idea sounds therapeutic."

When I opened my eyes, I spotted Wilona with her hand raised—

"OW!?" That hurt! "Wilona, I'm awake!"

"I know. That was for trying to lead away an unthinking, expanding, and magical thing. Honestly, what were you thinking?"

Even though it still hurt, I sat up and looked to my friend. "I wanted to make sure you guys were safe."

Wilona seemed to pause before pinching the bridge of her nose. "... I want you to be safe too, idiot!" She looked up to the sky. "We're back in the Spirit World."

This place reminds me of that dessert area that intersected with the forest. Not to mention, the ruins don't look as ruined as they did before. They almost look brand new. Still, the three suns in the sky are hard to forget.

"Think we can find that Aleister guy?" Alexis and Wilona told me about that mage guy they were with. "You said he was studying the gaps between the human and spirit world, right? Think he knows another way home?"

"Finding him would be beneficial," There goes Wilona speaking in those England words again. She needs to learn English more. "But I get the feeling that we're nowhere near him this time."

"I'm not sure. I mean..." I told Wilona what I saw when we came here during Winter Break: the borderline that split three different places.

"The Spirit World works differently than The Human World. That area you saw may have changed drastically." Honest, now looking pretty solid himself, said. Winged Kuriboh was beside him and floated over to me.

Before we could talk more, we heard a new voice. "Who are you all!?" Whoa. Who is she? And where can I get those sick robes?! "This is sacred ground! You are not allowed to be here!"

"F-Forgive us! We came here on accident!" Wilona started to speak. But then, the chick pushed the two of us towards a small building when we heard the sound of more footsteps.

We spotted weird guys run up some stairs, and when they left, the new girl turned to us. "You wear the same clothes as the trespassers from a while ago. The Grave Keeper's Chief has sentenced them to death for their trespassing. You must leave before the same befalls you." With that, she left. Wait.

"No way! We aren't going to leave our friends!" I stepped up to her. "Take us to them, and we'll save them!"

The other girl stared at me with one nasty look. But if she thought I was gonna leave any of my friends behind, she's got another thing coming!

"Yuki, wait." Wilona grabbed a sleeve of my blazer. "I agree, but we can't just rush in. When we saved you in the spirit world, we at least had a plan!"

"Then you will have to come up with one as of right now," The other girl spoke up before starting to walk. "Their punishment has already begun."

I followed after her before I heard Wilona groan and follow after us. The weird girl brought us to another room and told us to stay put. I didn't want to agree, but she said she would help.

Wait a second. Why was Wilona being quiet?

"Is she gone?"

Wilona peeked through the door for any sign of a person.

"She just left, Wilona."

"Good, so will we." She turned to me before I could speak again. "We aren't abandoning the others, Yuki. I don't like the idea of waiting in one area that is probably patrolled by many people. We might be spotted before she can come back." She folded her arms as she turned to me. "Besides, she said I would have to come up with a plan. I did."

Boy, did I miss Wilona's plans! They're underhanded, but they are super thought out!

"Honest, can you sense people here as you do with Winged Kuriboh?"

"Only in the Human World. In the Spirit World, I can detect someone the same way a human would." Our Angel friend began. However, he looked to Winged Kuriboh. "The same cannot be said for Sir Kuriboh."

Huh? What did he mean by that? "Winged Kuriboh?" We all turned to my buddy. He seemed to be looking out one of the windows.

Then, he flew back. When he did, something squeezed through the window and entered in. And by something, it was another Kuriboh!

"Kuribohrn~!" This Kuriboh was pure white and wore what looked to be a small cleric hat. Winged Kuriboh and this white Kuriboh circled each other.

"There's another Kuriboh?" I heard Wilona ask.

But then, the white Kuriboh started to float away, and Winged Kuriboh followed after him! "B-Buddy! Wait!" I chased after them, and I heard Wilona and Honest following after me.

We ran down several hallways, hearing others not too far from where we were. But Winged Kuriboh still followed that white Kuriboh. It soon led us to this really big temple. It reminds me of the Egyptian stuff Yugi wore. Anyway, we followed after Winged Kuriboh, passing by walls filled with what almost looked like stone duel monsters.

Eventually, the white Kuriboh and Winged Kuriboh stopped in front of a depiction of some fancy looking wizard. He has a lot of that Egyptian stuff on him.

"Is there a reason why that white Kuriboh lead us all the way here?" Wilona's voice reached my ears before I turned to her.

"Your question is as good as mine."

That... that didn't come from me or Honest. That was one deep voice. Wilona and I turned behind us and—HOLY! This guy makes The Duel Giant look like a midget! He's huge, and unlike everyone else in this part of The Spirit World, his clothes almost look like that of a king!

"However, Kuribohrn works to the safety of our world. Whatever his actions, there must be a reason for it." Well, as imposing he looks, he doesn't seem all that scary. I guess the bigger they are, the softer they are? Beauregard is pretty harmless.

I spotted the white Kuriboh flying over to the giant and pointing over to us. "Booorhn~" Huh?

"He wants us to take a test?!" I blurt out. "I don't even know what I didn't study for!"

"Kill us now..." Did Wilona say something? I couldn't hear her with her pinching the bridge of her nose.

It was then the giant of a man looked over to me. "You can understand them?"

"Of course I can understand them! It's not like they're speaking gibberish or something." Man, standing in this guy's shadow is intimidating. "So, uh? What do I call you, Mr. Super Giant?"

"I am Gravekeeper's Oracle." Man, if this guy was a teacher, I don't think I'd be able to get away with sleeping in class anymore. "And you must be the trespassers' friends."

"Excuse me," Wilona stepped forward. "You seem to be someone of high stature." High what? "Can you be the one to help our friends? We did not mean any ill will trespassing your land. It was a simple accident!"

"An accident?" The guy sounded distracted before looking towards the Two Kuribohs. "Or perhaps a message?"

He looked down back at me. "By our sacred traditions, we cannot forgive them," No! There's gotta be a way to save them! "Unless," Huh? "Young man, there is a sacred but dangerous trial here. The 'test' that Kuribohrn spoke off. If you were to take it and succeed, then you and your friends will be pardoned."

So we do have a chance to save them! "What's the test?" If there are any signs of numbers, I'm giving the test to Wilona!

... I really don't like how he's smiling right now. He looked back out from where we entered, and the big guy inhaled deeply.

"COME!" Ow! He's got lungs as big as his figure! Man, I feel my head ringing... and... and...

Oh.

Those are a lot of pointy spears coming in our direction.

"Trespassers! Heretics! You dare come to The Oracle's Sacred Temple!?" A new guy with white robes screams at us. He also happened to bring a lot of those guys with spears.

Wilona backed up to me after seeing that we were surrounded. "Yuki, the next time you invite me on a field trip, don't." Wilona, why do you make it sound like it's my fault?!

"Hey!? What gives!?" I shouted to The Oracle as the white Kuriboh floated over to him. "You said I had to take a test!"

"Test?" I heard the new guy raise his brow.

"Cheif," The Oracle guy spoke up. "Prepare the Ceremony of Threading."

His words seemed to shock everyone else. The guy in white robes seemed to gasp. "What? Why?"

"The stars wish it," Oracle says weirdly. He almost looks like Professor Banner would when he pretends he's giving me detention but just going to the club wit—oh. "Take the two challengers to the appointed arena. Bring their other trespasser allies."

Wait, two?

Wilona turned to me with a glare. Win or lose: I think I'll take my chances with the guys with spears than my friend who knows how to put nightmares into spirits.

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains.]

Jaden was both relieved and not to find out the "Ceremony of Threading" was a fancy way of saying a tag duel. A duel was something he definitely could do. The problem part was Wilona's glare only got worse towards him when she found out what it was.

For the friends of the two, they were below and inside the ceremonial pit. They were placed inside floating, magical coffins that were slowly inching towards the dug up hole.

"Alright! We can get out of here if Jaden wins this duel!" Chumley screamed out. "If the coffin doesn't suffocate me, it'll kill me with how small it is!"

"Wait, but it's a tag duel! And Jaden's partner is... Wilona!" Syrus screamed.

"That's not a bad thing, Syrus," Alexis stated while looking up. "She was my tag partner, and she's great at support!"

"Ms. Rhodes," Professor Banner's voice was not as hopeful as hers. "That may be the case, but the second purpose of this field trip was to help Ms. Konami feel better. Can she duel at her best when she's still emotionally and mentally drained?" And just like that, Alexis's hope was quickly squashed.

"We're doomed!" Chumley yelled.

Luckily or not, the four about to duel did not hear the conversation down below.

"We shall begin the Ceremony!" Oracle declared as he summoned a golden arm brace that styled itself into a duel disk. Cheif did the same.

"Whoa! Sweet duel disks!" Jaden spoke up. He noticed Wilona didn't say anything. The Slifer Ace looked to his friend to see Wilona staring down at the coffins down below. Jaden could tell Wilona was worried for them, but he could also figure out that the coffins were distracting her for a different reason.

Jaden looked over and saw their two opponents priming their duel disks. He did the same. However, Jaden realized Wilona did not.

"Wilona!" Jaden cried out. The light green-haired girl snapped out of her thoughts and activated her duel disk after looking around.

Gravekeeper Team: 8000 LP

Slifer Team: 8000 LP

"Your mind is so quick to wander!" Chief cried out as he drew the first card. "Don't worry! It won't be wondering anymore! In fact, it won't be doing much of anything soon! I summon Gravekeeper's Nobleman in defense position!"

Despite the name, a black-robed woman appeared carrying a tablet.

Gravekeeper's Nobleman.

[Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level:3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1000]

"With that, I end my turn."

Turn 2.

Jaden spotted Wilona being sluggish as she stared at her cards. "Wilona, you gotta get your head in the game! Our friends are counting on us!"

Wilona blinked and looked back. "Right. Right." She shook her head.

Although Jaden had a point, he then said, "I'll take this turn! I draw!" After looking at his card, he then moved. "I summon Elemental HERO Bubbleman in attack mode!"

Elemental HERO Bubbleman. [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: WATER/Level: 4/ATK: 800/DEF: 1200]

"When he's the only card on the field, I can draw two cards!" Jaden did so. "I equip Bubble Blaster to Bubbleman! This will give him an extra 800 attack points!" (ATK: 800→1600)

Jaden pointed two fingers at Nobleman. "Alright, Bubbleman, show that monster how dangerous you are!" The Hero fired a torrent of pressurized bubbles that blasted through the Gravekeeper.

"Gravekeeper's Nobleman's effect activates!" Chief declared. "When it is destroyed by battle, I can special summon a Gravekeeper monster from my deck to the field in a face-down position." Chief pulled his deck and placed a card flipped down into the field.

Jaden was a little disheartened that he couldn't clear the field. However, he then picked up a card. "I play a face down and end my turn! It's your move!"

Turn 3: Oracle. Cards: 5.

"This test has only just begun!" When Oracle spoke, everyone listened. He drew his card and pointed down. "I flip summon the Gravekeeper's Spy!" When he did, a robbed and shadowy figure appeared.

Gravekeeper's Spy. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level: 4/ATK: 1200/DEF: 2000]

"When he is flipped summoned, I am allowed to special summon a Gravekeeper Monster with 1500 or fewer attack points to the field from my deck." He summoned from the deck. "I bring forth Gravekeeper's Shaman!"

This time, a white-robed and old looking woman appeared on to the field with a staff.

Gravekeeper's Shaman. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level: 6/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1500]

"She has a special ability to increase her defense points by 200 for each Gravekeeper in the Graveyard." (DEF: 1500→1700) "I now normal summon Gravekeeper's Priestess in attack mode!" Another white-robed woman wielding a staff appeared. However, this one was far younger and looked easier on the eyes.

Gravekeeper's Priestess. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level:3/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1500]

"Her passive ability allows her to increase the attack and defense points of all Gravekeeper monsters by 200!"

(ATK: 1000→1200/ DEF: 1500→1700) (ATK: 1200→1400/ DEF: 2000→2200)(ATK: 1500→1700/ DEF: 1700→1900)

"I don't like the looks of this." Jaden took a step back.

"Then you will very much dislike this next part! Shaman will attack Bubbleman!" The Gravekeeper's Oracle pointed over.

Jaden gritted his teeth ."Bubble Blaster's effect activates! If Bubbleman is attacked, I can destroy the equipped card, and the battle damage goes to zero! Not only that, but he gets to survive!" The Shaman unleashed a powerful blast of magic that Bubbleman avoided. However, he had to drop the blaster in order to dodge it.

"However, you are no longer protected! Gravekeeper's Spy, attack!" When Bubbleman landed, the spy was already to his left. The spellcaster pushed his palm into the face of the blue hero, and he used magic to shatter the card from the impact on his face.

Gravekeeper Team: 8000 LP

Slifer Team: 8000 LP → 7400 LP

As the Life Points dropped, both Jaden and Wilona felt a sudden jolt of pain. At the same time, the coffin lids floating above the others started to get closer to closing on them.

"I bloody did not miss the fact losing life points here stings like all hell!" Wilona hissed after the point drop.

"Gotta admit: this isn't the coolest part of the Spirit World," Jaden agreed with her.

"I am not done," Oracle declared as Kuribohrn floated to the giant's right side. "Now, Priestess attacks directly!" The last monster shot a wave of energy that hit both Slifer Students. The attack stung worse than the last one.

Gravekeeper Team: 8000 LP

Slifer Team: 7400 LP → 6200 LP

The two Slifers groaned in pain as the coffin lids inched closer to their friends.

"It's going to get much worse than that," Gravekeeper's Chief began and clenched his fists. "Once you lose, you'll both be joining your friends!"

"Like that will happen!" Jaden cried out with defiance.

However, Oracle continued to stare at the two with obviously something else on his mind. "I'll end my turn with one face down."

Turn 4: Wilona. Cards: 5.

Wilona drew her card. Down below, the others were worried.

"I hope Wilona can keep her focus. Otherwise, she might lose it for good!" Syrus shouted.

"We can only hope that Ms. Konami can still play well." Professor Banner swallowed his spit.

Back above, the only girl in Slifer Red started to move. "I summon Eidos The Underworld Squire in defense mode!" As Wilona exclaimed this, the card appeared to the field.

Eidos the Underworld Squire

[Type: Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Spellcaster/Attribute: Dark/Level: 2/ATK: 800/DEF: 1000]

"When he's normal or special summoned to the field, I'm allowed to make another tribute summon!" Wilona took a card from her hand as clouds gathered above the duel. "I sacrifice Eidos for Zaborg the Thunder Monarch!" The squire vanished as a bolt of thunder struck the creature. In its place, a giant slowly rose behind the light green-haired girl.

Zaborg the Thunder Monarch. [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Thunder/Attribute: LIGHT/Level: 5/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000]

"When he's tribute summoned," Wilona pointed to Priestess. "He can destroy one monster on the field!" The Thunder Giant gathered his hands together and threw an orb the size of a wrecking ball at the younger-looking Gravekeeper. In a flash, the attack incinerated the monster. "Without Priestess, you lose your attack points!"

"However, with a new monster in the graveyard, Shaman retains her defense points," Oracle noted.

(ATK: 1400→1200/ DEF: 2200→2000)(ATK: 1700→1500/ DEF: 1900)

"But that's the only thing that's going to stay! Way to go, Wilona!" Jaden gripped his fist at the move.

Wilona pointed over to another monster. "Zaborg, attack the spy!" The Thunder Monarch did so, pushing his hand out. The motion summoned lightning that struck down the cloaked figure and practically turned it to ash.

Gravekeeper Team: 8000 LP → 6800 LP

Slifer Team: 6200 LP

When their opponent's life points dropped, Chief grunted in pain. However, Oracle remained motionless, as if unaffected by anything.

"I'll end my turn with a card face down. Then, I'll activate the continuous spell card, March of the Monarchs." Wilona declared as she placed cards within their slots.

Down below, the others sighed in relief. "It's hard to believe Wilona keeps saying she isn't that good. That was a great move!" Syrus cried out.

Alexis thought back to the first time she saw Wilona duel. Compared to other students, Wilona had an amazing learning curve. "Wilona learns quickly. That's a good thing for us in this situation."

Turn 5: Chief. Cards: 5.

Chief drew his card and smiled as he saw what he drew. "It is time! This card will be the instrument of your demise! I play the field spell: Necrovalley!" When he placed down the card, the field around them started to shake. Mountains akin to the description of the biblical Valley of Death towered and encircled the duelists, making the newcomers feel trapped.

"Necrovalley gives all Gravekeeper monsters an extra 500 attack and defense point boost!" (ATK: 1500→2000/ DEF: 2100→2600) " Not only that, but this special field spell also prevents all players from using cards that target the graveyard!"

Jaden and WIlona's eyes widened. "Wait!? Are you saying?"

"Indeed," Oracle spoke up. "Some cards use the Graveyard as a combo than a discard pile. Necrovalley ensures that the Graveyard truly becomes a graveyard."

Everyone from Duel Academy started to panic. As long as that field spell was up, no one could use their graveyard as a resource! And some of their cards relied on the graveyard!

Chief then spoke up after a mocking laugh. "But that's not all! I now summon Gravekeeper's Assailant in attack mode!"

Gravekeeper's Assailant. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1500]

No one seemed to notice that unlike the other monsters, this one moved in an almost sluggish and hesitant manner. (ATK: 1500→2000/ DEF: 1500→2000)

"Now, Shaman, attack that Thunder Monarch!" Chief quickly pointed to the monster on the Slifer Team's side.

Jaden gawked. "What!? But even with your field spell, our monster has more attack points! The only reason you'd be doing this would be if—"

"If I had a special ability?" Chief finished for the brunette. "Indeed! Assailant can change the battle positions of a card on the field. Now, let us see that so-called monarch bow!"

Assailant raised her hand as a magic circle revealed itself. A powerful force started to come over the Thunder Monarch as if trying to make it kneel. Shaman raced for the creature. However, something happened that no one was expecting: Monarch broke free of the spell, stood up, and punched the shaman.

"What!? Impossible!" Chief exclaimed before their life points started to drop.

Gravekeeper Team: 6800 LP → 6400 LP

Slifer Team: 6200 LP

"Really?" Wilona spoke up. "Did you forget that I played a Continous Spell before the end of my turn? March of the Monarchs prevents my tributed monsters from being targetted or destroyed by card effects! That means you won't see this monarch bow any time soon!"

"Ha! I'm sorry I doubted you, Wilona!" Chumley cried out as he saw the move.

Chief gripped his fist. "You will pay for that!"

"Chief," The rage of the Chief dissipated when Oracle spoke one word. "Use your turn wisely."

"Forgive me, great oracle." Chief looked to his hand. "I will play one card face down and end my turn.

It was at that moment Jaden noticed Assailant sighed in... relief? Come to think of it, why did someone fully cloaked look so familiar to him? Wait, it was his turn!

Turn 6: Jaden. Cards: 5.

"I draw! And I activate Polymeriza—" As Jaden played the card. However, something instantly negated and destroyed the card. "What? What gives!?" Jaden turned over to the Gravekeepers. "What are you guys doing?!"

To the surprise of many, Oracle pointed over to Wilona. "It was not us, but your own partner that prevented your summoning. Look at that spell card."

Wilona gasped and put her hand over her mouth when she realized something. "March of the Monarchs prevents Special Summoning from the extra deck. I'm sharing an Extra Deck with Yuki in this tag duel."

"Oh no! Monarch Decks are known to be powerful at the price of no Extra Deck monsters. There's also a possibility that Wilona can't use some abilities if Jaden does fusion summon! Jaden and Wilona's decks are incompatible in a Tag Duel!" Professor Banner exclaimed. "Perhaps if this was a free-for-all tag duel, Jaden would still be able to fusion summon."

"That's even worse than Bastion and me!" Syrus screamed as he realized that literally any other person but Wilona would have been a great partner with Jaden.

"Aww, come on! This is not lichious!" Chumley shouted.

Jaden knew things were bad if his partner accidentally stopped him from using fusion monsters. "Fine, I'll summon Elemental Hero Woodsman in defense mode!"

Elemental HERO Woodsman. [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: EARTH/Level: 4/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2000]

Jaden looked over to Assailant. He then looked over to Wilona who gave him one nod. Jaden returned it before pointing at the other monster on the field. "I'll have Zaborg attack your monster!"

The thunder creature gathered energy and attacked the Assailant.

Gravekeeper Team: 6400 LP → 6000 LP

Slifer Team: 6200 LP

Oracle withstood the impact of the attack and pointed to his face down. "I play Rite of Spirit! This will allow me to special summon a Gravekeeper to the field from the graveyard even if Necrovalley is on the field! Return, Assailant!" Oracle declared as he brought back the recently destroyed monster. The monster looked almost surprised but looked back at Oracle, who only stared quietly at the spellcaster.

Jaden wondered why, out of all the cards, Oracle would protect that one? "I'll end my turn by throwing down a facedown!" Jaden started to sweat as he said this.

Turn 7: Oracle. Cards: 4.

Oracle drew his card and looked up. Kuriborhn started to look excited, which seemed to make Winged Kuriboh nervous.

"You don't like the look of that, buddy?" Jaden asked his friend.

"I summon Gravekeeper's Spiritualist in attack mode!" As he said this, a new Gravekeeper appeared. This one wore the mask of a jackal and looked to be some exotic-looking woman. However, even the ones trapped in the coffins could tell something was amiss with this new monster.

[Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level:4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1500] She too gained an attack point boost like the others.

"When Necrovalley is on the field, I'm allowed to Fusion summon from my extra deck with this card's effect!"

"They can fusion summon!?" Jaden gasped while everyone else felt panic at the realization.

Spiritualist started to dance as Oracle took another card from his hand. "I fuse Spiritualist on the field and Gravekeeper's Spearman in my hand in order to fusion summon this mighty monster!"

The two monsters jumped to the air. Oracle began to... chant? "Tradition steeped in divine magic and the blood of the heretics birth a warrior unmatched whose power is eternal as the lands we protect!"

"Come forth, Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist!" A new spellcaster appeared with enough force to create a shockwave at its entrance.

Gravekeeper's Supernaturalist [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level: 7/ATK: 2000/DEF: 2000]

"That was so cool!" Jaden had stars in his eyes while Wilona turned to glare at her tag partner. "I should maybe start making cool chants as well!"

The new fusion monster opened his eyes as a powerful aura wrapped around him. Oracle pointed over to his opponents. "When summoned, Supernaturalist gains 100 attack and defense points based on the level of both monsters used to fuse it! Add that with Necrovalley, and he gains 1300 attack and defense points!" (ATK: 2000→3300/ DEF: 2000→3300)

"Yuki, brace yourself!" Wilona cried out as they saw those points skyrocket on the enemy side.

"Since Monarch is immune, Assailant will change Woodsman to attack mode!" Oracle pointed as the returned spellcaster motioned Jaden's Elemental Hero to stand up against his will. "Now, Assailant, destroy that monster!"

The cloaked monster revealed a dagger and raced for the hero.

"I reveal my facedown: Escalation of the Monarchs!" Wilona screamed as the continuous trap card revealed itself. "Once during my Opponent's Battle Phase, I'm allowed to Tribute Summon!" The green-haired girl looked over to her partner. "Yuki!?"

"Go for it, Wilona!"

That was all the girl needed. "I sacrifice Woodsman to Tribute Summon Kuraz the Light Monarch!"

Woodsman turned into a spark of light that exploded and blinded everyone in the tag duel and outside it. As the light faded, a new, floating monarch appeared in defense mode.

Kuraz the Light Monarch

[Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: LIGHT/Level: 6/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000]

"When this card is special summoned or tribute summoned, I can target two cards on the field and destroy them!" The purple-eyed teen cried out.

"Supernaturalist has a passive ability that prevents effect destruction on himself and the Field Spell Zone as long as Necrovalley is up! You cannot touch those cards!" Chief shouted and pointed.

However, Wilona looked undeterred. "Then, in that case, I'll destroy Assailant and March of The Monarchs!" Wilona cried out as she held her cap and pointed to her monster. Kuraz held two orbs in its hands and threw both spheres like lances. One pierced through Assailant, and the other destroyed Wilona's continuous spell."

"Why would you destroy your own card?" Gravekeeper's Chief asked in disbelief.

"Kuraz had a drawback for being able to destroy two cards. First, he can't attack the turned he's summoned," An easy stipulation to circumnavigate since Wilona summoned him during her opponent's turn. "Second, each player must draw 1 card for each of the cards they controlled that was destroyed by this effect."

"So that means..." Syrus tried to think back.

"Wilona and The Oracle both draw one card from their decks." Alexis finished as the two did just that.

Oracle looked to the field. "Supernaturalist, attack Zaborg!" The Fusion Gravekeeper spun his staff before unleashing a wave of energy that destroyed the thunder monarch.

Gravekeeper Team: 6000 LP

Slifer Team: 6200 LP → 5300 LP

After the shock of pain and the moving lids, Oracle picked up the card he drew. "I play one card face down and end my turn there."

Turn 8: Wilona. Cards: 3.

Wilona drew her card. However, she seemed to sweat as she looked at the card. "I end my turn!"

"She didn't do anything!?" Syrus cried out as he and Chumley started to panic.

"Did she get a bad hand?!" Chumley asked after Syrus.

Professor Banner and Alexis both could feel the coffin around them closing in on them despite it not moving at that moment.

Turn 9: Chief. Cards: 3.

The Chief laughed as if he was watching some pathetic event before him. "Is that all the strength you can muster? Then this ceremony will be over soon!" He drew his card. "I summon Gravekeeper's Headman in attack mode!"

Gravekeeper's Headman. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level:3/ATK: 500/DEF: 1500]

This was a younger-looking male Gravekeeper. After gaining his points boosted, Chief then pointed to his monster. "When he is summoned to the field, he can bring back one monster from the graveyard, even if Necrovalley is up. Return, Assailant!" As he screamed this, Headman used his staff to bring back the destroyed monster.

"Man, they really like bringing that card back," Jaden noted before he happened to notice the tired look on Assailant's eyes. "Hmm?"

"With Assailant back and your continuous spell gone, I turn your monarch into attack position!" Like before, she forced Kuraz into attack position, which left Jaden and Wilona vulnerable to a barrage of attacks.

"Now, then! Let's see you stop this attack! Supernaturalist, destroy Kuraz!" The powerful Fusion aimed for Wilona and Jaden's only defense.

"You've obviously forgotten that I still have Escalation of the Monarchs! I'll tribute Kuraz to summon The Shadow Monarch, Caius!" Kuraz's shadow rose and swallowed the light monarch. The Shadow started to form that of a familiar yet terrifying monarch.

Caius the Shadow Monarch

[Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Fiend/Attribute: DARK/Level: 6/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000]

"Caius!" Wilona pointed to The Supernaturalist. "Use your ability on their fusion monster!"

"Girl, did you forget!?" Chief spoke harshly. "As long as Necrovalley is on the field, neither Supernaturalist nor Necrovalley can be destroyed!"

"I know," Chief was not expecting a calm look on the girl's face. "Caius can banish one card on the field! Your monster can't stop that!"

The Shadow Monarch slammed both fists to the ground. Then the shadow of the Gravekeeper Supernaturalist rose and caught the fusion in a chokehold. Both the shadow and the spellcaster dropped as if there was no floor beneath them, fading into a pool of shadow that shrank into nothing.

"You wasted your ability to change battle positions, and now there's no longer any monsters strong enough to take down Caius." Wilona motioned. "But that's not all! When Caius banishes a DARK attribute monster, the owner gets dealt 1000 points of effect damage!"

Caius punched the ground and caused a pillar of shadow to erupt beneath both Gravekeepers.

Gravekeeper Team: 6000 LP → 5000 LP

Slifer Team: 5300 LP

After the Gravekeeper team braced the blow, Oracle dusted himself off while Chief gasped in pain. "Hmm, not bad, young one." Oracle mused before looking to Chief. "The test will continue."

"Yes, Oracle!" Chief spoke up, yet seemed angry at that last move. "I play one card face down and end my turn.

Turn 10: Jaden. Cards: 2.

Jaden drew his card. "I'll play Mirage of Nightmare! Then I'll set down a card!" He looked over to Assailant. "Sorry for doing this to ya, but your ability to change our monster's position is too much for us to handle now!" Jadengripped his fist. "Caius, attack assailant!"

The Shadow Monarch did as he commanded.

"Fool, I reveal my own continuous trap card! Necrovalley Temple!" As Chief claimed this, a temple erected behind the Gravekeeper team, one that looked much like the temple Jaden and Wilona met The Oracle in. "With this card, as long as there is a Gravekeeper and a Necrovalley, your monsters lose 500 attack and defense points!"

(ATK: 2400→1900/ DEF: 1000→500) Jaden and Wilona gasped as Caius lost strength. That allowed Assailant to slip past the attack, circle behind Caius, and aim a dagger right for his neck!

Gravekeeper Team: 5000 LP

Slifer Team: 5300 LP → 5200 LP

"Oh, no! Their field is completely empty of monsters!" Professor Banner cried out.

Turn 11: Oracle. Cards: 4. As Oracle drew his card, Jaden activated Mirage of Nightmare. He would draw up to four cards. However, his friends noticed Jaden was holding back the usual combo. He seemed to be waiting for something.

Oracle looked towards Headman. "I sacrifice Headman to summon Gravekeeper's Visionary!"

Something crashed into the battlefield where Headman once stood. As the smoke cleared, they spotted what had fallen was a giant throne. Yet someone sat atop of it. Or at least, they thought it looked like a person. Instead of robes, this one wore what almost looked to be armor; armor that was themed around Anubis himself.

Gravekeeper's Visonary. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level:8/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1800]

"But he's a Level 8 monster?! Why did you only need one tribute!?" Wilona shouted.

"Visionary can be tribute summoned with only one Gravekeeper monster," Oracle began. "That is not all. Besides the Necrovalley, Visionary gains 200 attack points for every Gravekeeper in the graveyard."

The challengers paled at the reveal of that second ability.

"Yes. With 7 Gravekeepers in our graveyard, he gains 1400 plus 500 attack points." (ATK: 2000→3900/ DEF: 1800→2300)

"3900 attack points!?" Jaden cried out.

Oracle leered at his two opponents, which surprised the two since the man was quietly stoic the entire time. "With the combined total of both Visionary and Assailant, you will lose the rest of your life points, and the duel itself! Visionary, attack!"

Visionary sent a powerful blast that almost blew the two off the temple. Jaden and Wilona both fell to their knees from the powerful blow.

Gravekeeper Team: 5000 LP

Slifer Team: 5200 LP → 1300 LP

"Ah!? One more hit and they're done for!" Syrus screamed as the floating lid closed in nearly all of his vision.

"Jaden! Wilona!?" Alexis screamed.

"Assailant." Oracle's voice made the monster flinch. "Finish off the trespassers." However, Oracle seemed to watch the monster with more focus than any other. Assailant seemed to hesitate before bringing out two daggers.

"What are you waiting for!? Finish it! The Oracle demands of you!" Chief screamed as well to Assailant.

The spellcaster ran for the two with her blades drawn. Jaden opened his eyes. "I reveal my face down! Emergency Provisions! By tributing cards in the spell and trap card zone, I can gain 1000 life points for each card tributed! I tribute Mirage of Nightmare! This will give us 1000 more life points!" Jaden exclaimed as the enemy ran for them and struck him and Wilona.

Gravekeeper Team: 5000 LP

Slifer Team: 1300 LP → 2300 LP → 300 LP

"You idiot! You should have attacked sooner! They were too weakened to defend themselves at that time!" Chief cried out as Assailant returned to their side of the field.

The Assailant gave a short bow as if to ask for forgiveness.

"We will have words after this," Oracle spoke with an icy tone no one expected him too.

"Hey! Quit it!" Jaden cried out as he and Wilona struggled to stand back on their feet. "It's not her fault you two suck!"

"Shut your mouth, or better yet, I'll do it for you!" Chief cried out.

Oracle placed one card down before ending his turn.

Turn 12: Wilona. Cards: 3.

Wilona drew another card. She eyed the field and spotted the Field Spell that prevented either Jaden or her from accessing their graveyard. Shen then looked to the Continous trap card that caused the rest of their monsters to lose an extra 500 points, which meant they would always be behind by a 1000 points with their monsters. Summoning a monster then wouldn't be good, so instead, "I'll play one card face down and end my turn."

Turn 13: Chief. Cards: 1.

"Is this another one of your ploys, girl?! I will not fall for the same trick twice! First, I reveal my facedown: Another Rite of Spirit! I choose to bring back Headman!"

The spellcaster returned to the field. "But that's not all! His effect activates once more! This time, I'll bring Gravekeeper's Priestess back to the field in attack mode! But I'm still not done! I sacrifice Headman to bring forth Gravekeeper's Chief!"

"I'm sorry, but isn't that his name?" Wilona raised her brow before she noticed... "Yuki, did one of our opponents just summon himself to the field, or did that last attack make me start to hallucinate?"

"I mean there was a fancy light show and everything. Besides that cool chant, I'm wondering if I can summon myself sometime in the future?"

"... I did not miss any of this."

"If you two are done babbling like idiots," Chief scoffed, "I have a special ability! When I am tribute summoned to the field, I can special summon another monster from my graveyard! Come forth, Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier!"

Gravekeeper's Spear Soldier. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level: 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 1000]

"Really!?" Jaden cried out as the Chief brought out enough monsters to fill their monster zones. "There's gotta be something against that!"

"Unfortunately for you, it is not! With Priestess returning to the field, all monsters gain a 200 attack point boost added with Necrovalley's 700 point boost! However, with fewer monsters in the graveyard, Visionary loses some attack points as well."

(ATK: 1200→1900/ DEF: 1500→2200) (ATK: 3900→3700/ DEF: 2300→2500)(ATK: 1500→2200/ DEF: 1000→1700) (ATK: 1900→2600/ DEF: 1200→1900) (ATK: 2000→2200/ DEF: 2000→2200)

"Five monsters with 700 extra points while their trap card makes our monsters lose 500 points," Wilona rolled her eyes. "If we had monsters."

"Yeah, you gotta admit, this duel is pretty exciting!"

"That is not the word I'd use, Yuki."

"Again with the annoying chatter! I will not miss it once I silence you both for good!" Chief pointed. "Now, to end this duel once and for all!"

The Slifer with a red cap pointed down. "I play the trap card: Threatening Roar! With this card out, I can stop you from entering your battle phase!"

"What!?" Chief screamed as the card unleashed a powerful roar that stunned all monsters on the Gravekeeper's side. "You are only delaying the inevitable! I will end my turn there!"

Turn 14: Jaden. Cards: 4.

Even though they had their little back and forth, Jaden and Wilona were exhausted. Wilona was already gasping for breath, and Jaden was starting to feel a little numb from the pain. Because their life points were so low, he could barely see any of his friends anymore from their coffins.

Jaden drew his card. Whatever combos he could pull with his new hand wouldn't work simply because of Necrovalley and their trap card.

"I'll play Elemental Hero Liquid Soldier in defense mode!" Jaden summoned the familiar Hero. However, the monster seemed to weaken under the effect of Necro Temple.

Elemental Hero Liquid Soldier. [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: WATER/Level: 4/ATK: 1400/DEF: 1300]

((ATK: 1400→900/ DEF: 1300→800)

Jaden wiped his head as he saw his monster weaken further. "I'd activate his effect, but because of Necrovalley, it won't work. I'll end my turn after this facedown!"

Turn 15: Oracle. Cards: 2.

"You two seem to be at your limits. How long can you last until you fall?" Oracle asked as he drew his card.

"We aren't giving up until we save our friends!" Jaden exclaimed despite slouching slightly compared to the last time he defiantly spoke up.

Oracle remained stoic as he usually did while Kuriborh flew up to his shoulder and looked at his hand. Jaden and Wilona spotted the little white Kuriboh looking very excited and pointing at the drawn card. That action did not bode well for them since the last time the white Kuriboh did that, they fusion summoned a powerful monster they were lucky to beat! However, Oracle started to use that new card, "I sacrifice Spear Soldier in order to tribute summon Gravekeeper's Oracle!"

Much like with Chief, Oracle appeared to the field in a spark of light. Kuriborhn floated to where Oracle previously was and then started to pose and point like the big guy. It was as if the white Kuriboh was pretending to be the big head of the Gravekeepers.

At least someone was having fun.

It was cute, too bad Wilona and Jaden focused more on the stats of Oracle compared to even Visionary.

Gravekeeper's Oracle. [Type: Effect Monster/Sub-type: Spellcaster/Attribute: DARK/Level:10/ATK: 2000/DEF: 1500]

"Now then, allow me the courtesy of telling you my abilities," Oracle summoned a staff. "I can be summoned with only one Gravekeeper Monster. I have one of three choices for abilities depending on how many Gravekeeperes were sacrificed. The ability I choose is to gain attack points equal to the level of the monsters sacrificed. Since a level 4 monster was sacrificed, I gain 400 attack points. That is added along with Priestess and Necrovalley. Oh, and with a new monster in the grave, Visionary gains another 200 attack points."

(ATK: 2000→3100/ DEF: 1500→2200) (ATK: 3700→3900/ DEF: 2500)

Wilona and Jaden did not like how the two strongest monsters on the field simply got stronger.

"Now then, let's finish this! Assailant will change your monster to attack position! She will end you this instant!" Oracle ordered the robed warrior to rush forward.

Jaden pressed a button on his duel disk. "I play Negate Attack! This card stops your attack and ends the battle phase!" A barrier appeared and prevented the destruction of the hero and the rest of the red team's life points.

"Bah! Again with your tricks!? How long will you delay the inevitable!?" Chief cursed.

"I will end my turn there," Oracle exclaimed as Kuribohrn mimicked his actions behind him. The taller man looked behind him, and the small creature stopped what he was doing.

Turn 16: Wilona. Cards: 3.

Winged Kuriboh and Honest took a second to check on their friends.

"Wilona, are you alright?" Honest asked.

"I'll be complaining for the next week and so, but honestly? A small part of me must have missed this if I feel a little relieved." Wilona put a hand on the top of her deck. "I'm not out of this yet. I still have to graduate from this blasted school!" Wilona drew a card and looked at what she drew.

"... I'll put 3 cards facedown! I also switch Liquid Soldier to defense mode!" The light-green haired girl exclaimed. "Not that will do much," She whispered that last part.

Turn 17: Chief. Cards: 1

"It is time to finish this charade!" Chief drew his card. He smiled as he saw what it was. "You have many set cards; no doubt to stop our attacks once more. However, this will prevent many of them from activating! I play Twin Twisters! By discarding a card, I can destroy two spell or trap cards! I choose two of your face downs!"

"I play the trap card: Fake Trap! If my opponent uses cards to target my trap cards, I can use this card to take the brunt of the effect and protect the rest of my cards!" Wilona cried out as the two twisters aimed and destroyed Wilona's first trap.

"I've had enough of this!" Chief pointed. "Assailant change that monster to attack mode! Let us finish this! Visionary, end their struggle!"

Assailant did what she was told while Visionary started to charge a devastating attack towards Liquid Soldier.

Jaden panicked. "No!"

Wilona threw a hand out. "I play my second trap card! Go, Half or Nothing!" When she exclaimed this, Visonary's attack froze. Two Axes, one shinning, and one small floated in the air. Wilona pointed up and explained. " This card imposes one of two options on my opponent! Before the battle, you can have your monsters lose half of their attack points, or end your battle phase without attacking!"

Chief grunted. "Foolish girl! Even with half attack points, we have five monsters to your measly one! I choose the half option!"

The simpler axe started to shine. No doubt that was the axe that would cause the second effect.

(ATK: 1700→850/ DEF: 2200) (ATK: 3900→1950/ DEF: 2500)(ATK: 2600→1300/ DEF: 1900) (ATK: 2200→1100/ DEF: 2200) (ATK: 3100→1550/ DEF: 2200)

"Finish this, Visionary!" Chief cried out.

"Yuki!" Jaden looked to Wilona but saw a confident smile on her face that he didn't see in what felt was like along time. Jaden returned the smile and nodded once. Wilona had a plan!

The girl turned that smile to a smirk as she looked over to the incoming attack. "How is it, even up to now that you forgot that I still have Escalation of the Monarchs? I activate it and sacrifice Elemental Liquid Hero!" As she said this, the hero vanished into a spark of light as Visionary's attack missed its target.

"Blast it all!" Chief cried out.

"I tribute summon Liquid Soldier for Mobius the Frost Monarch!" Like before, a giant piece of ice erected before it split open, revealing the familiar ice titan.

Mobius the Frost Monarch. [Type:Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Aqua/Attribute: WATER/Level: 6/ATK: 2400/DEF: 1000]

"I activate his effect! When he's tribute summoned, he can destroy two spell or trap cards on the field! I choose Necrovalley and its Temple!"

Mobius raised his hand and froze the structure and the entire land surrounding it. He made a crushing motion and caused both cards to shatter into nothing. Jaden, Winged Kuriboh, and Honest looked relieved to see the field before Necrovalley was put up.

With Necrovalley gone, the attack and defense points of the Gravekeepers fell even more.

(ATK: 850→350/ DEF: 1700) (ATK: 1950→1450/ DEF: 2500→2000)(ATK:1300→800/ DEF: 1900→1400) (ATK: 1100→600/ DEF: 2200→1700) (ATK: 1500→1050/ DEF: 2200→1700)

Chief looked furious as Mobius towered over them. "Necrovalley Temple has an effect if it is destroyed! I can set another spell or trap card with the word, Necrovalley in it! I choose to set another Necrovalley Field spell in the Field Spell zone!" Chief cried out as he put the card back in the field. "With the end of the turn, we regain most of our lost attack points!"

(ATK: 350→1200/ DEF: 1700) (ATK: 1450→3400/ DEF: 2000)(ATK:800→2100/DEF: 1400) (ATK: 600→1700/ DEF: 1700) (ATK: 1000→2600/ DEF: 1700)

Turn 18: Jaden. Cards: 2.

"Way to go, Wilona!" Jaden laughed. "That was one of the sickest defense combos I've ever seen! All that build up just to finally get rid of their field spell and that annoying trap card!"

The female Slifer Red exhaled before turning to Jaden. "Sorry, Yuki, but that was the last possible combo I could pull off. I've got nothing after that." She motioned to her now empty hand.

However, Jaden smiled. "That's what's so amazing about these tag duels! We're a team! We can do things that no one person can do alone!" He looked to his deck. He concentrated... before drawing his card. "It's going to take the two of us to save everyone! We gotta keep working together!" Jaden looked at his drawn card. "I play Pot of Greed! So I draw two cards!"

As he looked at his hand, he saw a combo, but at the same time, it wouldn't be enough before their enemy re-activates Necrovalley and crushes them.

Wilona spotted the look on her partner's face and looked down. "Yuki! I need to tell you that my last facedown... it's useless! But maybe you can use it better?"

Jaden checked the orb in his duel disk. His eyes widened when he saw Wilona's last facedown.

"Useless? Wilona, that card will save all of us! Now I can pull this off!" Jaden's smile returned full swing as he took out a card, "I play Polymerization! I fuse Elemental Hero Ocean and Sparkman to bring an old but reliable hero!"

Jaden's monsters rose to the sky as Jaden himself pointed upward. "Since Mobius set the stage, it's only fair to summon this bad boy! Return to the field, Elemental HERO Absolute Zero!"

Elemental HERO Absolute Zero. [Type: Fusion/Effect Monster/Sub-Type: Warrior/Attribute: WATER/Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000]

Jaden looked at the back of the monster as it reminded him of someone else from his past. However, Jaden was quick to explain, "Absolute Zero gains 500 attack points for every water attribute monster on the field other than himself! Luckily, Mobius is there to back him up!"

(ATK: 2500→ 3000)

"What's a measly 3000 attack points going to do?" Chief scoffed as he saw the new fusion monster. "Even without Necrovalley, Visionary is still stronger than your hero."

"Normally, you'd be right!" Jaden pointed to Wilona's facedown. "But see, it's not just me ya have to deal with! Wilona, activate it now!"

"I reveal my final facedown, DNA Transplant! When this card is activated, I declare one attribute, and as long as this trap card remains active, all face-up monsters become that attribute!"

All of the Gravekeepers seemed to express some form of shock as they realized what that meant for them.

"I choose WATER! So that's 5 extra water monsters, which means 2500 extra attack points for Absolute Zero!"

(ATK: 3000→5500)

"It's time to end this once and for all!" Jaden gripped his fist and made a punching motion. "Absolute Zero, attack Visionary, and end this duel!"

The white-clad hero summoned ice blades before jumping into the sky for a final attack.

"Has the pain gone straight to your brain, boy!? We still have 5000 Life Points left! As soon as your turn is done, we will end you once and for all!" Chief declared. They were only down to 300 Life Points. All he had to do was draw Gravekeeper's Curse. That monster would deal 500 Effect damage and allow the Gravekeeper's to win the duel. Either he or Oracle would get it for sure! And if not, they had search cards for that exact purpose!

"I said this was the end of the duel, and I meant it! I play my last card, Battle Fusion! When a Fusion monster I control is in a battle with another monster, my fusion monster gains attack points equal to the current attack points of the monster they're facing!"

(ATK: 5500→ 8900)

"8900 Attack points!?" Chief cried out in disbelief. "That practically means your monster is doing a direct attack!"

"That's right! He's got enough attack points to finish off the rest of your life points! Absolute Zero, end it with Zero Slash!" The White-clad hero crashed down with the speed of a meteor but landed with the grace of a snowflake. When he did land, Visionary split in half before exploding.

Gravekeeper Team: 5000 LP →0LP

Slifer Team: 300 LP (Winners!)

"We did it! We did it!" Jaden jumped for joy as he and Winged Kuriboh did a little celebratory jig. However, he stopped and winced in pain. Wilona exhaled and slumped—but she was caught by Honest.

"You fought with great excellence, Wilona." Honest spoke up.

"Thanks, Honest." She gasped. "But I will say this is the second-worst field trip I've ever had."

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains.]

After Wilona and Jaden felt a little stronger, the rest of their friends were released.

"Well done, all of you," Oracle walked up with Chief and Assailant.

Jaden still looked a little miffed. "What's the big idea ratting us out in the first place!?"

"You ask the wrong person," Oracle turned over to Kuriborhn, who was seemingly playing with Winged Kuriboh. "He wished for you and your friend to take our sacred test that only one other person passed. But I will say that I might have gone a slight bit overboard. I ask for your forgiveness, despite playing with Kuribohrn, it is very boring here."

"Oracle!?" Chief gasped at the words of their sacred tradition.

"A simple jest, Chief. Our Tradition is still important." Oracle spoke as if he was reciting a line he memorized fully.

"What about you?" Jaden turned to Kuribohrn, who briefly stopped playing. "Why'd you make us go through that?"

"Huh?" Jaden tilted his head after hearing it coo several times. "I don't understand."

"Sorry, J, I don't think the rest of us speak furball." Chumley pointed out.

Jaden turned back to his friends and teacher. "He said something about preparing for a great darkness or something."

"Are you bloody trying to tell me, he's giving you a foreboding warning about the future, and you're interpreting it poorly!?" Wilona narrowed her eyes at her friend.

"I-I don't understand your words that well either!" There were times that people simply forgot that Wilona used bigger vocabulary words that Jaden mistook for a different language.

Chief spoke up, but he sounded much more respectful than he did in their duel. "The Great Oracle saw something within both of you. He was right, none-the-less. As winners, I bequeath this medallion." Chief removed something from his person, revealing a gold, half-ringed medallion.

Jaden took it, before giving it to Wilona.

"Me?" Wilona asked as she took the thing.

"Well, yeah! Think of it as a present for coming back to the world with us! Just in a more literal sense as we go home."

The light green-haired girl sighed before putting it on. "Thanks." She looked over and walked up to Assailant. To the surprise of the others, Wilona grabbed her hand and shook it. "And thank you. If you hadn't hidden us in the first place, we might not have had the chance to save our friends."

"Huh? What are you talking about, Wilona? The one who helped us was this girl with the cool robes!" Jaden set a new record for putting his foot in his mouth when Assailant removed her hood, revealing it was indeed the girl who helped them early on.

"Cool robes? I take it that's a compliment from where you hail?" Assailant had a small smile on her lips as she turned to Jaden.

"Whoa! She's not just cool, but hot!" Syrus and Chumley agreed while Alexis narrowed her eyes at Jaden.

"W-Well!" Jaden flushed and rubbed the back of his head. "We should get back home! How do we do that!?"

Oracle pointed to the archway similar to the ones on the ruins. "Walk to the archway as the three suns become one, and you will return from whence you came."

Jaden turned back to the Gravekeeper's Chief and Assailant. "You know, we should come back for another tag dueAAAK!?"

Alexis and Wilona grabbed both of Jaden's arms and dragged him to the archway.

"No!" The two girls stated with deadly finality as they dragged the Slifer Ace with them. Everyone started to wave goodbye to the others.

Assailant cried out, "One more thing! If you meet the one with the other half of that Medallion, tell him that Yasmin is looking forward to meeting him one day!"

As the group was about to leave, Kuribohrn noticed the shadows of the humans. The three suns cast three shadows before they entered through the archway. However, among the humans, one of their shadows looked wrong.

Kuribohrn was too late to call out to them as they left the land of the Gravekeepers.

[Tag Force: Heroes and Villains]

The travel back wasn't exactly pleasant. When Jaden woke up, he found him and his friends back on their field trip near the ruined arc. He found himself sitting down, so he tried to get up, only to feel a weight on his shoulder.

To his surprise, Wilona was leaning on him.

"Was that a dream?"

"The aching in my body and brain wish it was a dream." Wilona spoke up as she slowly sat up.

Jaden looked down and spotted Wilona wearing the necklace they won.

"One day, we're going to travel to the Spirit World, and it won't hurt!" Jaden declared with a smile. "The place is pretty fun otherwise!"

"If I wasn't so tired, I'd smack you." Wilona gave a soft laugh.

Jaden saw the others still out cold from the travel. So he continued talking with Wilona. "You know, I just realized: the first time we went, you and Alexis had to save me. Now, you and me got to save Alexis. If we do get to the third time, we might have to save you! You know, to keep it fair."

"Yuki, stop giving me a headache. I did not miss that." Wilona gave a smile despite putting her hand on her face.

" … We missed you a lot." Jaden admitted. "The club wasn't the same without ya."

"… I wasn't gone." Wilona spoke softly for a different reason.

"I know, but it's really great to have ya back, Wilona."

… "It's good to be back, Yuki."

[A/N]

It's The Shadow Riders Arc!~ It's the Shadow Rider's Arc!~ I am excited! I'm changing the lineup a bit. I'm so excited for what this means for this story, hopefully, I can pull it off well!

A fun fact is that this time, I didn't use any made up cards! Whoo! (I'm a little iffy on Necrovalley Temple. I don't quite know if its ability applies to the field spell. Also, after further checking, Half or Nothing might be a permanent cut than temporary.) I found it funny that in a tag duel, Monarch decks really suck with other Extra Deck-based archetypes. Yet, I found it would fit perfectly for this story!

... Huh, there are a lot of tag duels in this fic. Granted, I do have Tag Force in the title, but like...

*Realization hits of how many future tag duels I have to write. Second realization is me realizing nearly all of them are 5000+ words each.*

Crap.

Anyway, thank you all for the support this fic is getting. It's not a lot, but at the same time, It's going better than I expected it to be! Keep an eye out for the next chapter! See ya soon and stay safe!