Hey, guys. It's officially summer vacation. I am still looking for work and even though I promised to update frequently, don't be surprised if I'm not consistent. I have to get income somehow.

But enough of that, let's move on to the next chapter.

Chapter 02: The Master of the Amazoness Tribe

Duel Academia – Beach

The remaining Guardians watched as the Academia ships slowly began to overtake their allies.

"Fall back! Fall back!" Kaiba ordered the remaining ships to sail away. He managed to get away with some of the allies but their key members, particularly the WRGP Teams, the main members of the Resistance, LDS Top Junior Youth Team and Edo's team were taken prisoner.

"Damn it, it was supposed to be a swift victory." Shun cursed as he clenched his fist. This was the second time that he was forced to watch his allies become prisoners.

"It's not over yet. We're still here." Jonouchi said. "Let's just do our job and then get into the castle."

"But what about Yuya, Reiji and Sawatari?" Crow asked.

"Those guys are the toughest Duelists I know. Just because their ship went down, doesn't mean they did too." Jonouchi said.

"But Jonouchi, there was a maelstrom." Edo pointed out.

"THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE GONE!" Jonouchi bellowed, scaring a few of the Guardians. "Sorry…" Jonouchi apologized.

"Jonouchi is right. We have to do our part." Asuka agreed with Jonouchi. "And I believe him, they're not gone. They'll definitely come back."

"Yeah, I'll believe too." Rio agreed.

"Same." Rua agreed.

"I better see you all at the castle." Jonouchi said. "Let's go, Tsukikage. Yuzu." Jonouchi walked off.

"Yes." Tsukikage nodded. He extended his hand to Yuzu. "Let's go, Yuzu. For Yuya."

"Okay." Yuzu was still depressed but she accepted Tsukikage's hand and they followed Jonouchi.

"Take the lead, Asuka." Jack said.

"Right." Asuka led the way.

"See you later." Kaito turned to Rio. Rio then stepped forward and hugged Kaito and he hugged back.

"See you at the castle." Rio said and Kaito followed Jack and Asuka.

"Let's go, too." Rio walked away.

"Ruri." Shun extended his hand to Ruri.

Ruri took Shun's hand and she wiped her tears. "They're gonna pay." Ruri said darkly.

"We should get going too." Crow said.

"For Yuya, Reiji and Sawatari." Gongenzaka vowed to fight for them.

"Let's kick some ass." Rin said as she was ready to take names.

Jim, Edo and O'Brien walked away on their own.

"I'll lead the way." Manjoume offered.

"Let's go, Rua." Aki said.

"Yeah." Rua followed.

"Serena?" Johan approached Serena. "Don't give up hope yet. There's still a chance."

"Okay…" Serena nodded her head.

"Time to go." Dennis said.

The Guardians then split off, heading to their own pillar.

Academia – Forest

Tsukikage used his ninja sword to cut across the vines and branches that were in their way.

"According to Asuka, our pillar should be just up ahead." Jonouchi read his map.

Tsukikage cut through the last of the vines and they made it to a clearing. "Well, this can't be right." In front of them was a colosseum instead of a pillar.

"Did we make a wrong turn?" Yuzu asked.

"But the map says this is it." Jonouchi said.

"Get behind me!" Tsukikage stood protectively in front of Yuzu and Jonouchi as a large tiger appeared.

"Tell me that's not a real tiger?" Yuzu got scared.

"Only one way to find out." Jonouchi took out food from his pocket.

"Why do you have salami in your pocket?" Tsukikage asked.

"You can't save the world on an empty stomach." Jonouchi argued.

"You can't save the world if you're dead!" Yuzu shouted.

"Go get it big kitty!" Jonouchi threw the salami. The tiger didn't go after it. "Must be a vegetarian."

"Oh yeah, a tiger that's classified as a carnivore is a vegetarian! That was very clear in science class!" Yuzu shouted sarcastically.

"Run!" Tsukikage shouted and the three of them ran away as the tiger chased after them and they entered the colosseum and closed the doors before the tiger got them.

"Hah, we sure showed that stupid tiger!" Jonouchi said proudly. "And now it's nothing but—"

Multiple sharp spears and swords were pointed right in the Standard trio's faces by strong women. "Yeah, girl power." Yuzu said nervously.

Amazoness Colosseum

The women tied up Jonouchi, Yuzu and Tsukikage's hands and led them further into the colosseum.

"Argh!" Everyone, including the tough women got startled. "Are there no stronger men?! A strong man who yearns for me, and can passionately boil me with emotion!" At a throne was a woman that wore a dark blue tank top, a double buckled belt, combat pants, ankle bracelets, an elbow length left and wrist length right glove with studded knuckles. Her hair was tied in a long ponytail that went down her waist and she was very muscular.

"My Queen." One of the servants spoke.

"What?!" The one at the throne growled.

"We found these three outside. Dimension Guardians." Jonouchi, Yuzu and Tsukikage were thrown forward on their knees.

"Dimension Guardians…So, you're the ones that caused my students Gloria and Grace to abandon Academia." The woman walked down the stairs and glared at them.

"You're their teacher?" Tsukikage questioned.

"My name is Tania, head and descendant of the great Amazoness Tribe! And one of the Seven Stars." Tania explained.

"Seven Stars?" Jonouchi questioned.

"Seven Duelists in charge of protecting the pillars of Academia." Tania said. A large pillar then erupted in the middle of the colosseum. "This pillar provides power to Academia's barrier. As long as it's up, you can't enter the castle."

"Hm?" Tania looked at Yuzu. "Wait, you're one of the primary targets. The orders were to bring you in no matter what. But I'm not like those cowards, I have some honor."

"Well, if you want to bring me in, you'll have to beat me first in a Duel." Yuzu said.

"That is the plan, but…" Tania looked at Jonouchi. "You were in the category of major threats. That means you're strong…and not that bad looking."

"Uh…thanks?" Jonouchi was confused.

"I was ordered to kill the major threats, but I think I'll take you as my husband." Tania winked.

"Say what?!" Jonouchi exclaimed.

"Don't worry, the terms are simple. If I win, you become my groom. And if you win, I'll be your bride." Tania gushed.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm taken." Jonouchi thought of Akari. "How about this then! I win, you and your tribe get lost and this pillar gets deactivated."

"Fine, but you're gonna miss out on what could've been your happily ever after." Tania said.

"I'll take my chances." Jonouchi narrowed his eyes.

The Amazoness women removed Jonouchi's ropes while taking Yuzu and Tsukikage to the side.

"I have two decks. You are free to pick which ever one you want. But I'll tell you this. One deck symbolizes knowledge, the other symbolizes courage. So, which do you pick?" Tania asked.

"Heh, as if you have to ask. A Duel is about a head on match between two Duelist fighting with all they've got! I choose the Courage Deck!" Jonouchi pointed.

"Very well." Tania inserted the Courage Deck into her Duel Disk while Jonouchi activated his.

"Huh? The Field Magic isn't activating?" Jonouchi noticed the Dimension Gates weren't forming.

"The Professor has created a space around us that negates the activation of the Dimension Gates. Furthermore, he has given us cards that counter the Special Summons of the Extra Deck." Tania explained.

"Why that no-good bastard!" Jonouchi growled.

"Relax, I have some honor. Besides, I don't want a man who relies on cheap tricks to win." Tania commented.

"No matter what, I'll defeat you and take down that pillar! For Yuya, Reiji, Sawatari and Akari!" Jonouchi shouted.

"Duel!" Tania and Jonouchi declared.

Tania LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Jonouchi LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"I'll go first! My turn! Draw!" Tania drew her card. "I summon Amazoness Swords Woman (ATK: 1500, LV: 4) in Attack Position!" Appearing was a female warrior with a very sharp sword.

"I set one card and end my turn!" Tania finished her turn.

Tania LP: 4000, Hand: 4
Jonouchi LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"Amazoness…if she taught Gloria and Grace how to Duel, then she has the ability to bring out their maximum potential. Amazoness Swords Woman's effect inflicts battle damage to the opponent instead of the controller." Jonouchi thought.

"My turn! Draw!" Jonouchi drew his card. "Yes, this will work."

"I summon Rocket Warrior (ATK: 1500, LV: 4) in Attack Position!" Jonouchi brought out a warrior that looked like a cartoon rocket. "Rocket Warrior, transform into Invincible Mode!" Rocket Warrior changed itself.

"Battle! Rocket Warrior, attack Amazoness Swords Woman!" Rocket Warrior launched itself and it destroyed Amazoness Swords Woman before returning to Jonouchi.

"They both had the same Attack Points but only my monster was destroyed?" Tania questioned.

"It's Rocket Warrior's Monster Effect! During my Battle Phase, Rocket Warrior isn't destroyed in battle and Battle Damage involving it is reduced to 0! With this, your Amazoness Swords Woman's effect didn't work!" Jonouchi smiled.

"Not bad, that makes me want you more." Tania smiled. "I activate my Trap Card: Pride of One Tribe! When an Amazoness monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one Amazoness monster with the same name as that destroyed monster from my deck! Come! Amazoness Swords Woman (ATK: 1500, LV: 4)!" Tania brought back her monster.

"Tch…that's annoying." Jonouchi complained. "I set one card and end my turn!" Jonouchi finished.

Tania LP: 4000, Hand: 4
Jonouchi LP: 4000, Hand: 4

"The two seem even for now." Yuzu observed.

"But the time for testing each other is over." Tsukikage said.

"My turn! Draw!" Tania drew her card. "I summon Amazoness Holy Warrior (ATK:1700, LV: 4)!" Tania summoned another Amazoness with a sword. "This monster gains 100 Attack Point for each Amazoness monster on my field!"

Amazoness Holy Warrior (ATK: 1700→1900)

"Next, I activate the Field Magic: Amazoness Death Ring! When this is activated our Life Points increase by 600!" A cage entrapped both Jonouchi and Tania.

Jonouchi/Tania LP: 4000→4600

"You seem like you've been in a couple fights, so this field is perfect for the both of us. The Amazoness Death Ring is a field where we risk our own souls to prove our bonds with our monsters."

"Our souls?" Jonouchi questioned.

"Battle! Amazoness Holy Warrior, attack Rocket Warrior! Sacred Sword Dance!" The Holy Warrior charged towards Rocket Warrior.

"I won't let you! I activate my Trap Card: Magic Arm Shield!" A shield appeared and a magic arm came out of it. "When a monster on my opponent's field attacks a monster on my field, I can take control of one other monster on my opponent's field and force the attacking monster to attack it! I take Amazoness Swords Woman!"

The arm shield grabbed Amazoness Swords Woman and placed her right in front of Rocket Warrior. "Since you lost control of an Amazoness monster, Amazoness Holy Warrior's Attack Points go down!" Jonouchi pointed.

Amazoness Holy Warrior (ATK: 1900→1800)

Amazoness Holy Warrior cut through Amazoness Swords Woman. "But Amazoness Swords Woman was my monster, which means you're my opponent that takes the damage!" Jonouchi grunted as the sword scratched him.

Jonouchi LP: 4600→4300

"Amazoness Death Ring's effect activates! After our monsters battle, by paying 100 Life Points, we can deal 100 points of damage to the opposing player!" Tania revealed.

"Which means you and I will throw punches, huh?" Jonouchi grinned.

"Do you really think you can hit a lady?" Tania questioned.

"You're no lady. You're a big wall that needs to be taken down! Let's go!" Jonouchi paid the cost. Tania followed too.

Jonouchi LP: 4300→4200
Tania LP: 4600→4500

Jonouchi and Tania's souls charged in and Tania delivered an uppercut to Jonouchi, but he retaliated with a right hook.

Jonouchi LP: 4200→4100
Tania LP: 4500→4400

Both of them recoiled. "Not bad." Tania smiled. "I just might make you, my husband."

"I told you; I'm taken!" Jonouchi growled.

"I end my turn." Tania finished.

Tania LP: 4400, Hand: 3
Jonouchi LP: 4100, Hand: 4

"My turn! Draw!" Jonouchi drew his card. "I activate the Ritual Magic: Black Dragon Descent!" A small altar appeared in front of Jonouchi. "From my hand, I release Blue Flame Swordsman!" Blue Flame Swordsman appeared on the altar and then disappeared and became four dark flames.

"Warrior of the might creatures of the dark, appear before us now with your dark blade! Ritual Summon! Appear! Level 4! Knight of Dark Dragon (ATK: 1900, LV: 4)!" Jonouchi summoned a warrior wearing black armor, cape and sword.

"Next, I activate the Equip Magic: Lightning Blade! The Warrior-type monster equipped with this will gain 800 Attack Points!" Knight of Dark Dragon took the blade and powered up.

Knight of Dark Dragon (ATK: 1900→2700)

"Battle! Knight of Dark Dragon, attack Amazoness Holy Warrior! Dark Lightning Blade!" Knight of Dark Dragon charged with his new weapon and sliced right through Amazoness Holy Warrior.

Tania LP: 4400→3500

"Now it's payback time! I use your Field Magic's effect!" Jonouchi summoned his soul. Tania growled as she did the same. Both of them charged with Jonouchi getting the first hit and Tania getting the second.

Tania LP: 3500→3300
Jonouchi LP: 4100→3900

"I set one card and end my turn." Jonouchi finished his turn.

Tania LP: 3300, Hand: 3
Jonouchi LP: 3900, Hand: 0

"My turn! Draw!" Tania drew her card. "I activate the Magic Card: Fusion!"

"Here it comes." Jonouchi prepared himself. "I fuse my Amazoness Pet Tiger with my Amazoness Queen in my hand!" The tiger and the queen entered the spiraling vortex.

"Queen of the Amazons! Become one with your loyal servant and bring forth a monster that is the king of the jungle! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 9! Amazoness Pet King Liger (ATK: 2900, LV: 9)!" Appearing was a more ferocious version of Gloria's Amazoness Pet Liger.

"Battle! Amazoness Pet King Liger, attack Knight of Dark Dragons! King's Pounce!" Pet Liger King pounced on the knight and destroyed him.

Jonouchi LP: 3900→3700

"Amazoness Death Ring's effect!" Tania summoned her soul.

"Bring it!" Jonouchi shouted. Both of them exchanged blows with both of them dealing damage to one another.

Jonouchi LP: 3700→3500
Tania LP: 3300→3100

"I set one card and end my turn!" Tania finished her turn.

"They're both not holding back with one another with that Field Magic." Yuzu said.

"This is truly a clash between two Duelists. You can feel their passion for wanting to win." Tsukikage admitted.

"My turn! Draw!" Jonouchi drew his card. "I activate the Magic Card: Roll of Fate! I roll a die and I draw cards equal to the number that is rolled! But I also have to discard the same amount to my Graveyard!" A hand tossed a die and it landed on four.

"Four!" Jonouchi drew his four cards while sending four to the Graveyard. "Here I come! I activate my Magic Card: Fusion!" Jonouchi showed his Fusion card.

"You use both Ritual and Fusion?!" Tania was shocked.

"From my hand, I fuse Red-Eyes Metal Knight Gearfried and Giltia the Magical Knight – Soul Spear!" The two warriors of light and darkness entered the spiraling vortex.

"Metal Knight with eyes of red! Become one with the magical knight with the piercing sword to create a brand-new power! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 8! Gilti-Gearfried the Magical Steel Knight (ATK: 2700, LV: 8)!" Appearing was a monster that had Gearfried's armor but with Giltia's magic powers.

"Alright! Jonouchi has another Fusion Monster!" Yuzu smiled.

"But it's Attack Points are lower than King Liger." Tsukikage pointed out.

"Battle! Gilti-Gearfried, attack Amazoness Pet King Liger!" Jonouchi ordered and his knight charged in.

"I don't know what you're planning but I activate my Trap Card: Amazoness Archery Squad!" Tania activated her set card. "When my opponent attacks while I have an Amazoness monster, all their monsters lose 600 Attack Points and they must attack all monsters!" The squad of archery Amazoness appeared and Gilti-Gearfried lost power.

Gilti-Gearfried (ATK: 2700→2100)

"I activate Gilti-Gearfried's effect! Once per turn, when it battles an opponent's monster, by banishing one Magic Card from my Graveyard, this card gains Attack Points equal to half of its Defense Points! I banish Roll of Fate from the Graveyard! Gilti-Gearfried's Defense Points are 1600, so it gains 800 Attack Points!"

Gilti-Gearfried (ATK: 2100→2900)

The warrior and beast clashed and both of them ended up being destroyed. "Here I come, Tania! Amazoness Death Ring's effect!" Jonouchi used the Field Magic.

"Bring it!" Tania used it as well and both of them delivered punches and kicks to each other.

Jonouchi LP: 3500→3300
Tania LP: 3100→2900

"I set one card and end my turn." Jonouchi finished his turn as he panted. The continuous blows were taking a toll on him.

Tania LP: 2900, Hand: 0
Jonouchi LP: 3300, Hand: 0

"Not bad, you destroyed one of my most powerful monsters." Tania praised. "That being said, I will finish you off with the strongest Amazoness monster! My turn! Draw!" Tania drew her card.

"I activate the Magic Card: Amazoness Fusion!" Tania showed her card.

"Amazoness Fusion?!" Jonouchi exclaimed.

"This card allows me to banish Amazoness monsters from my Graveyard and use them as Fusion Material! I banish Amazoness Queen and Amazoness Pet King Liger from my Graveyard to fuse them!"

The queen of the Amazoness along with the Pet King Liger entered the spiraling vortex. "King of the jungle, become one with your queen and give birth to the strongest and most powerful warrior of all the earth! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 10! Amazoness Augusta (ATK: 3200, LV: 10)!" Tania brought out a powerful warrior with skull armor, red cape and a large sword in the shape of a tiger's mouth.

"That's…the strongest Amazoness." Jonouchi looked.

"3200 Attack Points." Yuzu got worried.

"But Jonouchi has 3300 Life Points, and he has two set cards." Tsukikage pointed out.

"As long as Amazoness Augusta is on the field, you cannot target any Amazoness monster on my field with card effects and they can't be destroyed by them either. Also, if this monster was Fusion Summoned using Amazoness Empress or Amazoness Queen as material, it can make two attacks during the Battle Phase!" Tania revealed.

"Seriously…" Jonouchi sweated.

"Next, I activate Amazoness Augusta's other effect! When this card is Fusion Summoned, once per turn, I can Special Summon an Amazoness monster from my deck! I Special Summon Amazoness War Chief (ATK: 1900, LV: 5)!" Appearing was a female warrior with a spear.

"When this monster is summoned, I can set one Amazoness Magic or Trap Card from my deck!" Tania took a card and set it.

"Battle! Amazoness War Chief! Direct Attack Jonouchi!" Amazoness War Chief charged into battle.

"Quick-Play Magic: Scapegoat!" Four sheep tokens appeared on the field and War Chief cut one of them down.

"Your tokens are still monsters, Amazoness Death Arena!" Tania used the effect.

"Damn it!" Jonouchi used it as well. The both clashed.

Tania LP: 2900→2700
Jonouchi LP: 3300→3100

"Yes, he protected himself!" Yuzu smiled.

"Augusta, attack a Scapegoat token!" Augusta destroyed a token. "Amazoness Death Arena's effect!" Tania's and Jonouchi's souls clashed a second time.

Tania LP: 2700→2500
Jonouchi LP: 3100→2900

"And with her effect, she attacks another one." Augusta destroyed another token. "Amazoness Death Arena's effect!" A third clash followed.

Tania LP: 2500→2300
Jonouchi LP: 2900→2700

Jonouchi and Tania fell to their knees and panted as sweat started pouring down their faces. "Their souls are doing the fighting, but it's like their bodies are taking the damage." Tsukikage said. "The longer this holds out, the worse their condition will be."

"No way…" Yuzu got worried.

"I end…my turn…" Tania panted.

Tania LP: 2300, Hand: 0
Jonouchi LP: 2700, Hand: 0

"My turn…" Jonouchi was about to draw his card.

"Continuous Trap: Augusta's Wrath! When I have Amazoness Augusta on my field, during my opponent's Standby Phase, they take 200 points of damage equal to the combined Level of Amazoness monsters on my field!" Tania revealed.

"Amazoness Augusta is Level 10 and Amazoness War Chief is Level 5, that's 15 times 200 for 3000 points of damage!" Yuzu realized.

"She used the timing before Jonouchi could draw to activate it." Tsukikage couldn't believe it.

"Now, draw your card." Tania said.

Jonouchi gritted his teeth. "Draw!" Jonouchi drew his card.

"Now you take Augusta's wrath!" Tania shouted as Augusta charged towards Jonouchi and swung her sword right at him.

"Damn it!" Jonouchi cursed was knocked off his feet and he crashed on his back.

Jonouchi LP: 2700→0

Winner: Tania

"No Jonouchi!" Yuzu cried out.

"You've lost so now you're my groom." Tania smiled proudly.

Jonouchi winced as he looked at the card he drew. "A…Akari…" It was one of the cards that Akari had given him.

"Hey!" Tania kicked Jonouchi hard in the stomach. "You're my groom! You're not allowed to think of other women!" Tania then punched Jonouchi in the face and took the card from his hand. "You're mine alone!" Tania ripped the card to pieces.

"Jonouchi!" Yuzu shoved the Amazoness that held her and took the blade that she took form Tsukikage and cut her ropes. "Tsukikage!" Yuzu ran and passed the sword to Tsukikage.

"Yes!" Tsukikage cut his ropes and cut down his Amazoness captor.

Yuzu and Tsukikage jumped down and rush towards Jonouchi and Tania. "Bass!" Tania shouted and the tiger that chased them before got between the two groups.

"Your friend lost, so you know what that means." Tania smiled. More Amazoness women surrounded Yuzu and Tsukikage.

Amazoness Colosseum – Prison Cell

"Let me go!" Yuzu shouted as she was chained against the wall by her wrists and ankles. "Duel me!"

"Professor, I got one of the targets." Tania spoke to her Duel Disk.

"Well done, do with the others as you wish." Leo Akaba's voice came on the other line. "The Doctor will pick up Yuzu Hiiragi."

"Understood." Tania said. "I've sent the ninja to Sanders for his Survival Class."

"You can't do this!" Yuzu shouted as she struggled against her bonds. The door slammed shut, leaving her alone.

"Damn it…" Yuzu cursed. "Jonouchi…Yuya…"

Tania's Throne Room

Jonouchi kept getting beaten by Tania and thrown across the room as he was tied up. "You're my groom, so you will only think of me as the only woman in your life." Tania said.

"I…refuse…" Jonouchi grunted as he was now covered in bruises.

"You will regret that choice." Tania went to her throne and pulled out a rod with an eye design. "This is called the Millennium Rod; I will use it to erase the memories of that Akari girl and your friends."

"Our…bonds…are stronger than your magic…" Jonouchi panted.

Tania held the rod in front of Jonouchi and the eye glowed and Jonouchi felt immense pain in his head. His memories of Akari, Yuya, Asuka, Rua and Rio started to disappear along with his other friends, rivals and happy memories.

Eventually Jonouchi stopped screaming and his head slumped forward. "Jonouchi…who do you love?"

"I…love…you, Tania." Jonouchi said emotionless.

Academia – Professor's Chamber

Leo watched from the screens as Tsukikage was taken to the Survival Training ground, Tania turning Jonouchi into her groom and Yuzu in the prison, chained up. "One down, three to go." Leo smiled.

"Now are you glad that you took my advice." Eve walked up to him.

"I admit I was wrong to overlook these fools." Leo admitted. "But how did you know that Tania would be the perfect one to take out Jonouchi."

"Katsuya Jonouchi's deck is a mixture of warriors and Red-Eyes cards. He also adds support with using gambling cards, making him an unpredictable opponent." Eve said.

"However, he is deeply loyal to his friends and when they're safety is put on the line, he becomes cautious and throws away all instinct. He is forced to think, which usually is a good sign to the ordinary Duelist, but to him, it's his instinct that has caused him to win time and again." Eve verified.

"I see…" Leo said. A screen appeared in front of him with that of a boy with green hair.

"Professor, everything is set up. Shall I begin?" The boy asked.

"Yes." Leo said. "Initiate the Virtual World Game."

Unknown Location

In the middle of a dark room, Yuya, Reiji and Sawatari were passed out on the floor. Yuya grunted as he regained consciousness. "Ow…" Yuya held his head.

Yuya shook his head and he looked around. "What is this place?" Yuya then saw Reiji and Sawatari near him. "Reiji. Sawatari." Yuya shook them both.

"Yuya…" Reiji woke up.

"Are we dead?" Sawatari asked. "I thought heaven was brighter."

"You wish you were dead." A new voice echoed.

Light the shined in the room, blinding the trio for a bit before they saw five men appear in front of them. "Welcome, Yuya Sakaki, Reiji Akaba and Shingo Sawatari."

"Who are you?" Sawatari asked.

"We're the former executive board of the Kaiba Corporation. The Big 5." The one in the center introduced himself.

"The Big 5." Reiji narrowed his eyes. "If I remember, Seto Kaiba fired all of you because you planned to turn the Real Solid Vision system into a weapon of mass destruction."

"Seto Kaiba is a naïve brat that doesn't know his place and the true value of Real Solid Vision."

"Fortunately, Leo Akaba sees its full potential and allowed us to join in his efforts to create the perfect utopia."

"All we have to do is eliminate the big leagues, in other words, those that wield the power to oppose the Three Phantasms."

"The power to oppose the Three Phantasms?" Yuya asked.

"The Three Phantasms were created as foils to the legendary God Cards."

"Because the God cards have chosen you to be the wielders, they are able to protect you from Death's grip."

"The Gods protected us from the maelstrom." Yuya took out Osiris, while Reiji and Sawatari took out Obelisk and Ra respectively.

"To prevent the God cards from interfering with the three Phantasms, Leo Akaba gave us the job to eliminate you all in a Duel. If you win, you will be able to return to your friends."

"However, how long it takes for you to defeat us will determine how many friends you see."

"What do you mean?" Sawatari asked.

"Recently, the team consisting of Katsuya Jonouchi, Yuzu Hiiragi and Tsukikage were defeated by the Seven Stars member Tania. Jonouchi is now nothing more than a slave for Tania's love while Yuzu Hiiragi is now a prisoner of Academia. As for Tsukikage, he will be made an example in the Survival Duel Ring."

"No way…they lost…" Yuya couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"As we speak, your friends are going to face Seven Stars members soon. If you want to help them, you will have to defeat all of us."

"Then let's get this over with. The three of us will take you all on at the same time." Reiji fixed his glasses.

"Now, now. There are some rules you need to know." The area around Yuya, Reiji and Sawatari changed.

"These Duels you will take part in are part of the Deck Master System."

"Deck Master System?" Reiji questioned.

"At the beginning of each Duel, you will be required to create your own deck from Academia's database. From that deck, you must choose one monster to act as your Deck Master. With that Deck Master, you will be allowed to activate one of its special effects that can be applied to your field."

"Furthermore, you are able to summon or call back your Deck Master at anytime you want but only once per turn."

"But there is a cost. If the deck master is destroyed while on the field, regardless of how many Life Points you have left, you will automatically lose the Duel."

"The deck master is a double-edged sword. While it can help you amplify or even increase your chances for victory."

"Losing it will mean that you lose everything. Meaning, if you lose against us, you will die."

"How can you say that so casually? Human lives are not a game!" Yuya growled.

"Heh, the world revolved around Duel Monsters! The way of life is a game!"

Holes opened beneath Yuya, Reiji and Sawatari and they all screamed as they all fell down their own hole.

"Let the Death Game, begin!"

Team 7

Manjoume led Aki and Rua down a dirt path in the forest. "The pillar is at the lake, just ahead."

"I hope the others are doing okay." Rua admitted.

"Don't worry, we're gonna make it through this." Aki assured him.

"This is it." Manjoume said.

The group stopped at a lake full of mist. "Where's the pillar?" Rua asked.

"It's not really a pillar. It's design to look like whatever the person guarding it wants it to look like. In this case…" The mist started to clear up to reveal a haunted mansion.

Rua quivered and hid behind Aki. "I'm not good with ghosts."

"It's okay, I'll take care of it." Aki patted Rua on the head.

"It doesn't work like that." Manjoume said. "She decides who to face."

A red carpet rolled out on the lake. "This way…" Manjoume walked on the carpet with Aki and Rua behind him.

Academia – Vampire Castle

Manjoume led the two Synchro Duelists to the foyer where at the top of the stairs stood a woman with long green hair and red dress.

"Welcome to Vampire Castle. I am Camula of the Seven Stars! And my opponent will be…you!" Camula pointed to Rua, who got scared and held Aki.

"Wait, I'll Duel you!" Aki stood protectively in front of Rua.

"He has no choice; you see I have something precious to him." Camula waved her hand and a swam of bats appeared in front of her.

As the bats swarmed, a silhouette of someone appeared and when they cleared out, Aki and Rua were surprised. "Huh? She looks like…" Manjoume looked at Rua.

"Ruka!" Rua cried as Ruka was held by Camula.

And that is the end of Chapter 2. Surprised that I did something like this. Well guys, this is the penultimate arc, I can't make it easy for our heroes. And I have to show how high the stakes are.

Let me know what you think in the reviews and I'll see you all later.

Preview: Yuya is met with one of the members of the Big 5, Konosuke Oshita. With the Deck Master System in play, Yuya finds it much harder to use his strategies and is pushed into a corner. Meanwhile, Ruka is taken hostage by Seven Stars member Camula. Can Rua save his sister again? Or will he suffer a same fate as Jonouchi?

Next Time: Overwhelming Opponents.