Yu-Gi-Oh! 6D's: Legend of the Six Dragons Chapter 42: The Songbird Fallen Into Darkness, a Gundam Seed + Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Crossover fanfic

This story was done in collaboration between me, Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and DaveMan1000 (both here and on DeviantART), and we own the OCs that are used in the story. AaronCottrell97 (known as stevecottrell on DeviantART) provided the Duel Layouts and additional ideas. Everything else belongs to their respective owners:

Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel

The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry

Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami

Gundam SEED characters, Orb, Blue Cosmos, M1 Astray, Strike Rouge, Murasame (c) Sunrise

Character of Lisa Drake (c) DaveMan1000

Character of David Xadashi (c) DaveMan1000

WARNING: Once again, this story is rated T for violence, some blood, suggestive themes, and some language. Reader discretion is advised.

WARNING 2: If you haven't read "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles Season 2", "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles Season 4", "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Sodor Chronicles (Pyramid of Light", "David Xadashi", "Lisa Drake", or "Team 4D's", you might want to do so before reading this story

On a stage inside the Orb Duel School, five face-down cards were lined up on a large blackboard. On cue, David Xadashi and Lisa Drake both showed up and began speaking to the audience.

"Ready for another exciting segment of 'This week's noteworthy cards'?" began Lisa, "Have we got a great line-up of cards to show all of you."

The audience cheered in response.

"That's what we like to hear from all of you," praised David, before he and Lisa looked towards the nearby blackboard with the five cards (still showing their backing) lined up, "Here we go! Let's see what cards we have, today!"

The five face-down cards on the blackboard all automatically turned over and revealed themselves to be:
-'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' (Fusion Monster Card)
-'Forbidden Droplet' (Spell Card)
-'Fusion Parasite' (Effect Monster Card)
-'Shooting Riser Dragon' (Synchro Monster Card)
-'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin' (Xyz Monster Card)

"W-Wait a minute!" gawked Lisa in shock, staring at the middle card ('Fusion Parasite'), "That's not one of Ashima's cards!" She started to read one of the effects, "While this card is face-up on the field, it can be used as a substitute for any 1 Fusion Material listed on the Fusion Monster Card."

"Substitute for any Fusion Material listed on the Fusion Monster Card?" repeated David, "It sounds like a scary card if you ask me," He and Lisa then started addressing the audience, "I'm worried that Fudo-san won't be able to beat whatever Ashima-san uses."

"Don't be ridiculous," scolded Lisa, "We both know Matt will definitely find a way to defeat the darkness that is holding Ashima," She and David turned to face the audience as they started waving goodbye, "Until we see what happens, have a good night, everyone!"

The audience cheered and clapped in response.

Title: The Songbird Fallen Into Darkness

Opening up outside a warehouse somewhere in downtown Hartford, things were not going so well inside the building. Like so…

(inside…)

Inside the warehouse, Matt was looking shocked at what he had to do at the request of Ashima (possessed), and it was to not use 'Shooting Star Dragon' in their inevitable duel. Dark Signer 1, Dark Signer 2, Dark Signer 3, and Vincent all were very amused by the reaction their enemy was displaying.

"What's the matter?" taunted Dark Signer 2, "You're one of the strongest duelists in the world, are you not?"

Matt stared in complete hatred of the Dark Signers as he listened to their ramblings.

"Even without 'Shooting Star' in your Deck," The voice of Dark Signer 3 cracked, "you can surely put up a good fight against your beloved Ashima."

"No 'Shooting Star Dragon' means I can't access Clear Mind and Accel Synchro," thought Matt, before speaking aloud, "And if I…break the rule during the duel?"

"I had a feeling you'd say that," proclaimed Ashima (possessed), "I'll tell you what happens if you break that one rule."

A vision ensued.

VISION

A freeze frame of Ashima (possessed) riding a Duel Runner crashing into a building is shown, followed by a freeze frame of an explosion as a result of the devastating crash.

"If you break the rule of not using 'Shooting Star Dragon'," narrated Ashima (possessed), as the two scenarios above played out, "then I will deliberately crash my Duel Runner and kill myself. Therefore preventing you from ever seeing me again!"

END VISION

The vision ended.

"It's as simple as that," finished Ashima (possessed).

If you thought Matt was shocked before, you should have seen him when he was told by his own girlfriend that she would deliberately kill herself if 'Shooting Star Dragon' were ever to be Summoned during the duel. He turned his anger towards the Dark Signers once more.

"You guys brainwashed her that badly?!" accused Matt.

"Well, duh, idiot!" snarked Vincent, "Of course, we did; it's the only way we'll get you to cooperate."

Not wanting to let Ashima potentially die, Matt looked at his shaking fist for a few seconds before he took his Extra Deck out of the Duel Disk and started to look through it before coming upon a card he had to remove, which was the 'Shooting Star Dragon' Synchro Monster Card. This was to prevent any sort of temptation of using it during the Turbo Duel. There was one other card he considered removing from his Extra Deck, too, and it was…

"Maybe I should take out 'Formula Synchron', too…" thought Matt, reaching for the mentioned card ('Formula Synchron') when he came upon it while looking through his Extra Deck before retracting his hand from said card at the last second, "No, it doesn't need to be removed. As long as I don't reach a state of Clear Mind, it should still be okay to use," He finally looked up and faced Ashima (possessed) and the Dark Signers as the former listened, "I've removed 'Shooting Star Dragon' from my Extra Deck as you requested me to do."

"Very good," smiled Ashima (possessed), "I'm glad you see things my way."

(outside…)

Outside in the parking lot of the warehouse, Matt was seated on Fudo Go, while Ashima was seated on a customized Duel Runner she dubbed 'Minerva'.

"Well, 'Matty', shall we get started?" offered Ashima (possessed).

Matt nodded firmly, while Dark Signer 1, Dark Signer 2, Dark Signer 3, and Vincent all waited.

"Field Spell, 'High Speed World', set on!" Matt and Ashima (possessed) announced at once, before they pressed a button on the dashboard of their respective Duel Runners.

On the monitors of Fudo Go and Minerva, a whole new Spell Card materialized and activated.

"Duel Mode, engaged," came a computerized voice aboard the two, respective Duel Runners, "Autopilot activated."

From there, both Duel Runners became surrounded by a purple dome as autopilot activated. Dark Signer 1, Dark Signer 2, and Dark Signer 3 each grinned in response, while Vincent simply got impatient—he wanted the Turbo Duel to begin a little faster.

"Alright, that's enough of the delay!" snapped Vincent, before pointing forward using his right hand, "Matt Fudo and Ashima Nilgiri, get ready to duel!"

Matt and Ashima (possessed) nodded, revving up their Duel Runners as a makeshift countdown commenced.

"Five! Four! Three! Two! One!" The voice of Vincent hollered.

"Turbo Duel!" began Matt (LP: 4000).

"Acceleration!" finished Ashima (possessed) (LP: 4000).

Both Duel Runners tore out of the parking lot and onto the streets. Fudo Go was very fast and strong, but Minerva turned out to be equally strong and a little bit faster.

"As I told you inside the warehouse, the first one to round the first corner gets to decide who goes first!" reminded Ashima (possessed) looking over her shoulder, "Now, catch me, if you can!"

"I'm going to confirm her true intentions in this duel!" thought Matt, before speaking aloud, "Let's rev it up!"

Gripping onto the handles, Matt sped Fudo Go up in order to catch up to Minerva and pass it. As both Duel Runners approached the first corner and Matt started to get the lead, Ashima (possessed) drove over with Minerva and started bashing into Fudo Go, causing him to cry out and fall behind. Ashima giggled maliciously as she turned the corner first, with Matt following from behind

"It looks like I get to choose," bragged Ashima (possessed), "However, since you're truly pitiful, I'll let you have the first turn, seeing as it's far more advantageous for me to go second."

"Rgh… Alright, I'll go first," accepted Matt, recovering from the bashing. He drew a card, "It's my turn!"

Turn One: Matt Fudo (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Swift Scarecrow", "Debris Dragon", "Shield Warrior", "Graceful Revival", "Spirit Force", and "Synchron Believer"
Speed Counters: 0

His drawn card was a Monster Card known as 'Synchron Believer', which he added into his hand—which also contained 'Swift Scarecrow', 'Debris Dragon', 'Shield Warrior', 'Graceful Revival', and 'Spirit Force'—and took another card ('Shield Warrior') from there.

"From my hand," The voice of Matt, as the above scenario played out. He then readied his card before placing it onto his Duel Runner, "I'll Summon 'Shield Warrior' in Defense Position!"

Appearing onto the field was a shirtless, muscular man wearing bits of upper body armor while also wielding a spear and shield (Level: 3/ATK: 800/DEF: 1600). Readying two more cards in his right hand, Matt swiped his right arm about and placed them into his Duel Runner at the same time.

"I'll also Set two cards face-down and end my turn!" he finished.

On the monitor of Minerva, Ashima (possessed) noticed that her opponent's field now had two Set cards on two of the Spell & Trap Zones.

"And what's that about?" teased Ashima (possessed), looking up and over her shoulder, "Not bothering to make a big play this early in the duel? Perhaps you're afraid of hurting 'me'?"

Matt, not saying a word, remained calm and collected the best he could.

"It's my turn!" announced Ashima (possessed), drawing a card, "Draw!"

With it now being Turn Two, the Speed Counters for both duelists went up:
-Matt: 0 → 1
-Ashima: 0 → 1

Turn Two: Ashima Nilgiri (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Wing Requital", "Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary", "Lyrilusc - Turquoise Warbler", "Lyrilusc - Phantom Feathers", "Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow", and "Lyrilusc - Bird Call"
Speed Counters: 1

Adding the drawn 'Lyrilusc - Bird Call' into her hand—which also contained "Wing Requital", 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary', 'Lyrilusc - Turquoise Warbler', 'Lyrilusc - Phantom Feathers', and 'Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow'—Ashima (possessed) snickered to herself before speaking out loud again.

"Matty, allow me to show you a figment of the past," she offered sarcastically, before placing a card ('Lyrilusc - Turquoise Warbler') onto a Monster Zone on her Duel Runner, "I Special Summon 'Lyrilusc - Turquoise Warbler' in Attack Position!"

Appearing onto the field was a familiar small, female humanoid bird-like warrior wearing a yellowish bodysuit and with two large yellow wings for arms (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 100). 'Lyrilusc - Turquoise Warbler's' first effect allowed it to be Special Summoned from the hand if the owner of the card controlled no monsters. Matt frowned when he saw that monster, since it, indeed, brought back a recent memory.

"I remember that archetype…" thought Matt.

A flashback ensued.

FLASHBACK

During her first turn, Flashback Ashima added the drawn card into her hand, took out a different card, and prepared to place it.

"If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon this card (from my hand)," declared Flashback Ashima, placing the card onto her Duel Disk, "Come, 'Lyrilusc - Turquoise Warbler'!"

Appearing onto the field was a small, female humanoid bird-like warrior wearing a yellowish bodysuit and with two large yellow wings for arms (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 100). The audience was left surprised by the kind of monster played by Ashima.

"Isn't that-?" began Flashback Mayura.

"It's a 'Lyrilusc' monster," answered Flashback David, "Ashima-san plays that kind of Deck."

Back on the field, Flashback Lisa, initially surprised by the monster, was unconcerned about it since 'Lyrilusc - Turquoise Warbler' only had an ATK of 100, which was far less than that of her 'Naturia Beast'.

END FLASHBACK

The flashback ended.

"The 'Lyrilusc' archetype," Matt went on, mentally, "It puts a heavy focus on swarming the field with Level 1 WIND Winged Beast monsters for easy, yet also powerful, Xyz Summons."

"I activate 'Turquoise Warbler's' second effect!" proclaimed Ashima (possessed), taking a card from her hand and placing it ('Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow') onto her Duel Runner, "If this card is Special Summoned from the hand: I can Special Summon 1 'Lyrilusc' monster from my hand or GY," A monster then started to make an appearance, "Come, 'Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow'!"

Appearing onto the field was the small, female humanoid bird-like warrior with brown feathers and two large brown wings for arms (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 100).

"'Cobalt Sparrow's' first effect will activate here!" Ashima (possessed), as she drew a card, announced, "If this card is Special Summoned: I can…" As she spoke on, she looked down upon her drawn 'Lyrilusc - Celestine Wagtail' Monster Card, "…add 1 Level 1 Winged Beast monster from my Deck to my hand,"

"This is the same strategy she used against Lisa at the beach," thought Matt, "It's simple, yet very effective."

"Fool," interrupted Ashima (possessed), which got Matt's attention, "You seem to think I'm using the same strategy I used against Lisa at the beach."

"What?" stammered Matt.

"But I'm not stupid enough to use that," continued Ashima (possessed), "There's going to be a few key differences here," To prove it, she held up a card ('Lyrilusc - Bird Call') for a few seconds before placing it into her Duel Runner, "From my hand, I'll activate the Spell Card, 'Lyrilusc - Bird Call'!"

"'Lyrilusc - Bird Call'?" quizzed Matt.

"That's right," Ashima (possessed) confirmed, "I must take 1 'Lyrilusc' monster from my Deck, and either add it to my hand or send it to the GY, then I can Special Summon 1 'Lyrilusc' monster with a different name from my hand," She held up another card (taken from her Deck) for a few seconds before turning it over and revealing it to be a familiar Monster Card known as 'Lyrilusc - Sapphire Swallow', "This will do for starters," The possessed black-haired young Indian woman sent the card straight to the GY, "I send 'Sapphire Swallow' from my Deck to the GY!"

From there, she took another card ('Lyrilusc - Celestine Wagtail') from her hand, looked at it for a few seconds, and then, in a very creepy manner, went and licked at the artwork.

"Now, I'll Special Summon 'Lyrilusc - Celestine Wagtail' from my hand!" declared Ashima (possessed), while placing the card onto her Duel Runner, "Attack Position!"

Appearing onto the field was the small, female humanoid bird-like warrior wearing a black and gray bodysuit and with two large gray wings for arms (Level: 1/ATK: 200/DEF: 0).

"I activate the first effect of 'Celestine Wagtail'!" As Ashima (possessed) spoke, she drew another card into her hand and looked at it, "If this card is Special Summoned: I can add 1 'Lyrilusc' Spell/Trap from my Deck to my hand."

The added card was a Spell Card known as 'Lyrilusc - Bird Strike', which got added into the hand.

"Ashima aims to build her field with many Level 1 monsters before overlaying them," thought Matt, "She still has many ways to accomplish that."

"I also activate the first effect of 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary'!" said Ashima (possessed), holding another card ('Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary') up, "If this card is in my hand: I can target 1 'Lyrilusc' monster in my GY; I must Special Summon both this card and that monster, also I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn, except Xyz Monsters," A card ('Lyrilusc - Sapphire Swallow') ejected from her GY, which was taken as both it and one more card ('Lyrilusc - Sapphire Swallow') were held upward, "Appear now, my two monsters! 'Beryl Canary' and 'Sapphire Swallow'!"

Appearing onto the field were two more monsters… One was the small, female humanoid bird-like monster wearing all yellow and came with two large yellow wings for arms (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 200), and the other was the small, female humanoid bird-like warrior wearing a black bodysuit and two large blue/white wings for arms (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 0).

"Five monsters in one turn," murmured Matt, "There's no question… This is the new strategy Ashima excels at. But it's unsuited to one who has fallen into darkness!"

"I'll also activate a Spell from my hand, 'Wing Requital'!" As she said that, Ashima made a Spell Card called 'Wing Requital' materialize face-up on the field behind Minerva, "If all monsters I control are Winged Beast monsters and I control at least 2 monsters…" Her LP took a hit (LP: 4000 → 3400) before she drew two cards, "…with different original names: I must pay 600 LP; I must draw 2 cards."

The first drawn card was the 'Lyrilusc - Bird Song' Spell Card, and the other was an unknown card stuck behind the first one. Moving the first card to get a better look at the drawn one, Ashima (possessed) seemed to react to seeing what it was. A flashback ensued.

FLASHBACK

Inside the warehouse…

"So, how's the Indian girl doing?" grumbled Flashback Vincent.

Flashback Dark Signer 2 smirked, "See for yourself," he offered, standing aside, "She's actually coming around."

Seated on the chair and still unconscious, was none other than Flashback Ashima. All of a sudden, her eyes snapped open while glowing purple, and a spider birthmark appeared on her right forearm. She appeared to be a little groggy from waking up.

"Where am I…?" groaned Flashback Ashima (possessed), before, in her POV, she finds four Dark Signers standing nearby and staring at her, "You four…?"

"Our boss, Rutger, has a request for you," began Flashback Dark Signer 1, "He wants you to defeat Matt Fudo of the Signers."

"Can you do that?" pressed Flashback Dark Signer 3.

"Matt…Fudo…?" uttered Flashback Ashima (possessed), before grimacing for a few seconds, "I remember his name, but…there's something about me that…" She continued struggling to speak as the four Dark Signers listened, "…I can't seem to remember."

"Oh really?" deadpanned Flashback Vincent, before grinning, "Well, maybe I can help you with getting your memory fixed up."

With that said, he walked over to Flashback Ashima (possessed), reached into his cloak, and pulled out a card while handing it over.

"Take this card," Flashback Vincent offered, "It might help you out."

Curious, Flashback Ashima accepted the card and looked at it. It was a Monster Card known as 'Fusion Parasite', an Effect Monster. As Flashback Ashima (possessed) stared at the card, it appeared to energize the darkness that had appeared in her heart.

END FLASHBACK

The flashback ended, and Ashima (possessed) had, indeed, drawn the 'Fusion Parasite' Monster Card. Adding both drawn cards into her hand, she made another, much bigger, move…

"I overlay Level 1 'Turquoise Warbler', 'Cobalt Sparrow', 'Celestine Wagtail', 'Beryl Canary', and 'Sapphire Swallow'!"

The Overlay Network appeared in the center of the field and absorbed all five monsters. Something then started to emerge from the Overlay Network, which was an adult-like, female humanoid bird-like warrior wearing a blue/white battle dress that resembled exposing her midriff, and also two large white wings for arms—all while a Summon Chant from Ashima (possessed) followed.

"Birds with beautiful wings! Gather on the battlefield and take brilliant flight!" chanted Ashima (possessed), "Xyz Summon! Dance in the sky! Rank 1! 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale'!"

The new monster posed on the field for battle (Rank: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).

"This is 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale'!" remembered Matt.

"'Assembled Nightingale's' first effect!" cut in Ashima (possessed), as her monster slowly got stronger (ATK: 0 → 1000), "It gains 200 ATK for each material attached to it."

"As weak as she looks, 'Assembled Nightingale' isn't weak at all even with hardly any ATK," thought Matt, "The other effects she has are very dangerous, and she herself will become even more dangerous starting now."

"'Cobalt Sparrow's' second effect will reward my Xyz Monster with a new effect!" exclaimed Ashima (possessed), "My opponent cannot target this card with card effects," While speaking, the spirits of both 'Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow' and 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary' appeared on the field before merging with 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale', "And I also have 'Beryl Canary's' second effect to include! This card gains 200 ATK, also its control cannot switch."

'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' grew stronger (ATK: 1000 → 1200).

"So now, Matty, answer this question, if you can?" joked Ashima (possessed), looking over her shoulder once more, "Do you recall the other effects of 'Assembled Nightingale'?"

Matt gritted his teeth, "I remember them," he thought to himself, "The second effect lets 'Assembled Nightingale' attack directly, and the third effect grants her additional attacks for every material attached—with five materials being present, I'll be screwed."

"Hmm!" grinned Ashima (possessed), "I'll take your silence as you being very well aware of the second and third effects," She entered the Battle Phase, "You will become the victim of a One Turn Kill strategy!" 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' then prepared to unleash her first attack, "'Assembled Nightingale', attack Matt directly!"

'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' obeyed, holding both hands out and releasing a blast of wind towards Fudo Go, with 'Shield Warrior' not being able to protect his master.

"DIE, MATT!" screamed Ashima (possessed) madly.

"Don't be so sure of that," interrupted Matt, causing Ashima (possessed) to ease up. He then held a card ('Swift Scarecrow') out before sending it to the GY, "I activate the monster effect of 'Swift Scarecrow'!"

Appearing onto the field was a mechanical-looking scarecrow monster, who then started taking the attack made by 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale'.

"When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack (Quick Effect): I can discard this card; I must negate the attack, then end the Battle Phase."

'Swift Scarecrow' shattered into shards of glass, but it still did its job in protecting Matt. Ashima (possessed), meanwhile, just scoffed at the brief counterattack attempt.

"Well, whatever," The possessed black-haired young Indian woman was saying, "It wouldn't be fun if I won that easily," She then swung her right arm about and made a face-down card materialize on the field in-front of Minerva, "I Set one card face-down and end my turn!"

The Set card faded away for later use.

"Now, Matt, it's your turn!" insisted Ashima (possessed), "Bring it on! Don't you dare hold back!"

"Ashima… I will bring you back to your senses," thought Matt, before looking at his Deck, "There's one monster that you will surely remember without failure," He drew a card, "It's my turn!"

On cue, the Speed Counters for both duelists went up again:
-Matt: 1 → 2
-Ashima: 1 → 2

Turn Three: Matt Fudo (LP: 4000)
Deck: 53
Current Hand (3): "Debris Dragon", "Synchron Believer", and "Angel Baton"
Speed Counters: 2

After a few seconds of looking at the card…

"I activate the Spell Card, 'Angel Baton'!" began Matt, inserting the card into his Duel Runner. He then drew two cards and sent one card ('Tuningware') to the GY, "I must draw 2 cards, then discard 1 card."

Ashima (possessed) simply looked bored over what her opponent might be planning. Looking over the cards in his hand, Matt did come up with a simple, but effective, strategy to get that one monster out.

"I Summon 'Debris Dragon'!" added Matt, placing a card onto his Duel Runner.

Appearing onto the field was what appeared to look like a smaller, weaker version of 'Stardust Dragon' (Level: 4/ATK: 1000/DEF: 2000).

"It's 'Debris Dragon'?" frowned Ashima (possessed).

"When this card is Normal Summoned: I can target 1 monster with 500 or less ATK in my GY; I must Special Summon that target in Attack Position, but negate its effects," explained Matt, holding up a card ('Tuningware') taken from his GY before placing it onto his Duel Runner, "Resurrect, 'Tuningware'!"

The small monster wearing a scarf and frying pan for headgear appeared on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 300).

"This gives me the monsters I need," thought Matt, first looking at 'Debris Dragon', "First of all, 'Debris Dragon' can only be used as Synchro Material for Dragon monsters," He then looked at 'Shield Warrior', "'Shield Warrior' is Level 3," And finally, focus was put onto 'Tuningware', "While Tuningware' is Level 1."

The symbols 3 + 1 + 4 = 8 were shown for a few seconds, before a triumphant Matt remembered a certain card from Ashima's duel with Lisa…

"Wait! Unless…!"

Suddenly, a dark smile formed on the face of Ashima (possessed), which, unknowingly to him, confirmed Matt's worst fear.

"You fell for it," she uttered, before speaking more loudly, "I activate a Trap, 'Lyrilusc - Phantom Feathers'!"

The Set card reappeared on the field beside her (on her left), flipped face-up, and revealed itself.

"I must target 1 'Lyrilusc' monster I control; the ATK of all monsters my opponent currently controls become that monster's current ATK, also their Levels/Ranks become 1!" explained Ashima (possessed) sneeringly, "You didn't think I was foolish enough to let you Synchro Summon a very powerful monster that easily, did you?"

Matt grimaced, knowing that he had been foolish. The face-up 'Lyrilusc - Phantom Feathers' Trap Card started glowing purple and pink, causing 'Shield Warrior' to also glow those colors as all three monsters got affected, starting with 'Debris Dragon' (Level: 4 → 1/ATK: 1000 → 1200), then 'Tuningware' (ATK: 100 → 1200), and finally 'Shield Warrior' himself (Level: 3 → 1/ATK: 800 → 1200).

"Now I can't Synchro Summon 'Stardust Dragon'," thought Matt, before taking a card from his hand and preparing to play it, "Yet at least…" He spoke aloud once more, "I can Special Summon 'Turret Warrior' (from my hand) by Tributing 1 Warrior monster, and if I do, it gains ATK equal to the Tributed monster's original ATK."

'Shield Warrior' faded away in a blue streak, and appearing onto the field in his place, was the mechanical warrior-like monster that actually resembled something of the Machine-Type rather than the Warrior-Type (Level: 5/ATK: 2000/DEF: 2000).

"'Turret Warrior'?" pressed Ashima (possessed), before scowling, "So, you found another way to Synchro Summon."

"I have," confirmed Matt, before giving the command to his monsters, "I tune Level 5 'Turret Warrior', Level 1 'Tuningware' into Level 1 'Debris Dragon'!"

'Debris Dragon' turned itself into a single Synchro Ring, which both 'Turret Warrior' and 'Tuningware' both jumped into, turning into six orbs of light (five for 'Turret Warrior' and one for 'Tuningware') while a Summon Chant by Matt was being done.

"Gathering hopes will rise and protect the future! Become the path its light shines upon!" chanted Matt, as the symbols 5 + 1 + 1 = 7 were shown for a few seconds before the six orbs of light within the single Synchro Ring turned into a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Soar, 'Shooting Riser Dragon'!"

Flying out of the beam of light and through the night sky, was what appeared to be a smaller, weaker version of 'Shooting Star Dragon'. Like 'Formula Synchron', 'Shooting Riser Dragon' was known as a Tuner Synchro Monster (Level: 7/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1700).

"'Shooting Riser Dragon'?" fretted Ashima (possessed).

"And 'Tuningware's' second effect!" reminded Matt, drawing a card, "If this card is sent to the GY for a Synchro Summon: I must draw 1 card."

Soon, both Fudo Go and Minerva were leaving town and entering the woods where no one would be at night.

(elsewhere…)

Back at Orb, all was 'somewhat' peaceful after the spider geoglyph had gone away. Since the dueling school was far enough away from the junkyard, the people there were completely safe from having their souls ripped from their bodies and offered to the Earthbound Immortals.

(inside…)

Inside the building, Sherry and Shinji were talking to Discord and Mr. Zimmerman outside Gwen's room. Speaking of Gwen, she was currently asleep in her room after being freed from her possession.

"A spider geoglyph in the sky?" repeated Mr. Zimmerman, "Oh dear… I'm relieved we're far away from it."

"James and Carlie both claim it means there's a Dark Signer on the loose," explained Shinji, "They wanted Sherry and I to bring Gwen back here, while they go to investigate the geoglyph."

"I sure hope they will be alright," worried Discord.

"They will be," reassured Sherry, "If Carlie's one thing, she's brave and never gives up. Same with James, except he's more stubborn in that department."

"You can say that again!" The voice of James R. called out.

That quote surprised the blonde-haired young French woman, who, along with Shinji, Mr. Zimmerman, and Discord, all looked nearby, finding that the Signers and all of their allies had returned—with an exception of both Matt and Ashima, with the latter still missing.

"You're all back!" realized Mr. Zimmerman.

"Where's Matty-boy and Ashima?" asked Discord, "You all did find Ashima, didn't you?"

"No," sighed Carlie, shaking her head, "We know where she is, but Matt's the one who went to save her."

Michael frowned to himself, believing the whole thing had got to be a set up of some sort.

"Mike?" pondered Juri, "What's wrong?"

"It's what Rutger told us," answered Michael, "The duel wasn't over, yet he ended it just to tell all of us where Ashima is."

"What do you mean by that?" came from Sean.

"I can't help but feel that Rutger told us too easily, and there must be a catch of some sort."

"Now that you mentioned it, you might be right," mused James R., "It's gotta be a trap, and Matt might find himself being lured into great danger."

"Well, if that's the case, let's haul our butts to that warehouse and help him!" suggested Lisa.

"YEAH!" The non-Signers, with an exception to Ms. Simmons and Mr. Kisaka, all agreed.

"No," The voice of Discord declined.

As expected the Signers and the younger non-Signers were not happy to hear a refusal from, by all people, the creator of Duel Monsters to leave for where Matt and Ashima both might be.

"What the hell?!" complained Asagi, "Discord, what are you saying?!" She grabbed Discord by his arms and shook him slightly, "Don't you even care that Matt and Ashima both might be hurt or worse?"

"I wouldn't worry about Matty-boy, Asagi," proclaimed Discord, smiling knowingly, "Since Ashima means the whole world to him," He watched as everyone else stared at him as though he were being crazy, "Matty-boy will surely find a way to save her from the Dark Signers."

Everyone hoped that would be the case.

(elsewhere…)

Back in the woods, both Minerva and Fudo Go roared past some trees as the Turbo Duel went on, with Matt having Synchro Summoned a new monster known as 'Shooting Riser Dragon'.

"'Shooting Riser Dragon'?" repeated Ashima (possessed), this time in a louder, more aggressive tone, "You're not telling me anything about it!"

"You see, this is a card given to me by a friend," explained Matt, as faded clips of him receiving the card from Zack a day earlier were shown all around him, "'Shooting Riser Dragon' is not only a Synchro Monster, but it's also a Tuner monster, And it's only the first step to make you remember everything!"

"Heh! I don't know what you're talking about," dismissed Ashima (possessed).

"You do, and I'll start by activating 'Shooting Riser Dragon's' first effect!" announced Matt, "If this card is Synchro Summoned: I can send 1 monster from my Deck to the GY, whose Level is lower than this card's on the field, and if I do, reduce this card's Level by that monster's, but for the rest of this turn, I cannot activate the effects of monsters with the same name the sent monster had in the GY," He smiled grimly, "I know what monster I'll send from my Deck to the GY."

"Humor me," Ashima (possessed) grunted.

A card ('Stardust Xiaolong') automatically slipped out of the middle of Matt's Deck, which he took and held out for the duration of his explanation.

"I'm sending my Level 1 'Stardust Xiaolong' to the GY!" began Matt, "This will reduce 'Shooting Riser Dragon's' Level…" He sent his card to the GY, "…from seven down to six."

'Shooting Riser Dragon's' Level was modified slightly (Level: 7 → 6).

"Then, I'll activate a Continuous Trap, 'Graceful Revival'!" continued Matt, as one of his Set cards reappeared on the field in-front of Fudo Go, flipped face-up, and revealed itself, "I must activate this card by targeting 1 Level 2 or lower monster in my GY; I must Special Summon that target in Attack Position."

Reappearing on the field was the small monster wearing a scarf and frying pan for headgear (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 300).

"'Tuningware' again?" huffed Ashima (possessed), but then realized what Matt's intentions were, "Hold on!"

"Right," confirmed Matt, "'Tuningware's' first effect… This card can be treated as a Level 2 monster when used for a Synchro Summon," As 'Shooting Riser Dragon' started glowing a cyan-color, he gave the command, "I tune Level 2 'Tuningware' into Level 6 'Shooting Riser Dragon'!"

'Shooting Riser Dragon' became six Synchro Rings, which 'Tuningware' soared into and became two orbs of light while a Summon Chant was being echoed throughout.

"Gathering stars will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon!" chanted Matt, as the symbols 2 + 6 = 8 were shown for a few seconds just before the two orbs within the six Synchro Rings became a massive beam of light, "Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon!"

The beam of light burst apart, before the sparkles of stardust left behind came together and formed the body of a majestic-looking white dragon. The new dragon, flying through the night sky, let out a roar to signal its arrival to Ashima (possessed) (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000). Speaking of Ashima (possessed), she was looking up into the sky at the appearance of Matt's ace monster.

"'Stardust…Dragon'…" uttered Ashima (possessed), before feeling some pain in her head, "Agh! What is this…?"

"Yes, Ashima, it's 'Stardust Dragon'!" called Matt, as his opponent remained in growing pain, "Try to remember it; it was one of your favorite monsters to see in 'The Great International Duel Cup'!" He then felt a presence and looked slightly to his left, noticing his Duel Spirit, Junkuriboh, floating beside him, "Junkuriboh…"

"Kuri kuri!" said Junkuriboh in determination.

"Right!" nodded Matt, understanding what he was being told, "I will succeed!" Junkuriboh listened to the rest of the sentence, "I will definitely save Ashima from the Dark Signers!"

Junkuriboh faded away. Ashima (possessed) continued to groan and hiss in pain before being able to shake it off and harshly address her opponent.

"So what?!" yelled Ashima, "Just continue with your turn!"

"V-Very well," grimaced Matt, while in his mind… "Ashima…"

He then remembered that since 'Tuningware' was sent to the GY while being used for a Synchro Summon (again), he drew another card—which was the 'Defense Draw' Trap Card, which he added into his hand. His hand currently contained 'Synchron Believer', 'Junkuriboh', and 'Defense Draw'.

"When that monster leaves the field, I must destroy this card," reminded Matt, as his face-up 'Graceful Revival' Trap Card dissolved into blue specks of dust.

"You're not making a move fast enough!" snapped Ashima (possessed), "If you won't do it that way, then I'll do something!" She stopped looking over her shoulder and focused on what was in-front of her, "And besides, I'm not going to let you use 'Stardust' to hurt my LP or my monsters."

"'Assembled Nightingale's' fourth effect," thought Matt.

Sure enough, one of 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale's' Overlay Units faded away, causing a red barrier to form around her as well as the Minerva Duel Runner, while 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale's' ATK was slightly reduced (ATK: 1200 → 1000) due to the loss of an Overlay Unit.

"I activate the fourth effect of 'Assembled Nightingale'!" began Ashima (possessed), "Once per turn (Quick Effect): I can detach 1 material from this card; until the end of this turn, 'Lyrilusc' monsters I control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, also I take no battle damage," In her mind, as she smiled smugly, "Matt would have to be stupid to attack me this turn."

"Battle!" The voice of Matt announced so suddenly.

"What?!" gasped Ashima (possessed), "Even though 'Assembled Nightingale' can't be destroyed and I'll will take no damage, he's still willing to attack?"

"I am attacking," confirmed Matt, "It's the only way to open your eyes again, Ashima!"

"Such idiocy!" growled Ashima (possessed), while making a card ('Lyrilusc - Phantom Feathers') eject from her GY for a few seconds before it faded away into oblivion, "I activate the second effect of 'Lyrilusc - Phantom Feathers'!" She started to explain what else her card did, "When an opponent's monster declares an attack on my 'Lyrilusc' monster: I can banish this card from my GY; my monster's ATK becomes that opponent's monster's ATK, until the end of this turn."

'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' feeling herself getting energized, let out a screeching cry as her ATK went up to match that of 'Stardust Dragon's' ATK (ATK: 1000 → 2500).

"Normally, this would result in a double KO," acknowledged Ashima (possessed), "But thanks to 'Assembled Nightingale's' fourth effect, only 'Stardust' will be destroyed from the tied battle!"

"Let's test out that theory of yours, shall we?" requested Matt, which earned him a gasp from his opponent, "'Stardust Dragon', attack 'Assembled Nightingale'!" As he announced his monster's attack name, 'Stardust Dragon' opened its mouth and charged an attack, "Roar! Cosmic Flare!"

'Stardust Dragon' fired the blast of stardust energy as ordered, while 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' fought back by holding both hands out and releasing a blast of wind.

"Wake up, Ashima!" bellowed Matt.

Both attacks collided with one another the best they could until an explosion ensued and rocked both Fudo Go and Minerva a little bit. When the smoke partially cleared away, Ashima (possessed) smiled when she saw her monster had survived without a scratch. She lost that smile when she heard a familiar roar. When the smoke fully cleared away, 'Stardust Dragon' was also shown to be alive.

"What on Earth?!" cried Ashima (possessed), "Only 'Assembled Nightingale' should have survived the attack!" 'Stardust Dragon' flew above Fudo Go, while Matt smiled to himself, "So why has 'Stardust Dragon' survived, too?!"

"It's quite easy," said Matt, holding up a card ('Shield Warrior'), "Once I declared an attack, I activated the effect of 'Shield Warrior' ."

"'Shield Warrior'?!" remembered Ashima (possessed).

"During damage calculation (Quick Effect): I can banish this card from my GY; monsters I control cannot be destroyed by this battle," answered Matt, allowing his card ('Shield Warrior') to fade away into oblivion, "Now you don't have the second effect of 'Lyrilusc - Phantom Feathers' to fall back on later."

Despite having been tricked into wasting one of her most useful resources, Ashima (possessed) appeared to be amazed over 'Stardust Dragon's' survival, before beginning to remember certain things.

FLASHBACK

During Matt's short duel with Vinnie…

"And now, I'm going to attack 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia' with 'Stardust Dragon'!" announced Flashback Matt.

"Idiot! It won't do you any good!" snapped Flashback Vinnie, "When attacking 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia', your monster's ATK is lowered by 1000, and my own monster's ATK increases by 1000! You're doomed!"

Flashback Matt smirked, "Are you sure about that?"

"What?!" cringed Flashback Vinnie.

"As of now, I'll activate a Trap, 'Stardust Armor'!" continued Flashback Matt, as his remaining Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself, "If I control a 'Stardust' monster: Until the end of this turn, all effects that add or subtract ATK or DEF are reversed. (Additions now subtract, and subtractions now add, instead. Multiplications and divisions, including halving/doubling, are not affected.)"

Flashback Vinnie recoiled yet again, watching as 'Stardust Dragon's' body started glowing all white as it released a shimmering light of a sort, causing 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia' to recoil from it (ATK: 2000 → 1000). 'Stardust Dragon', meanwhile, grew stronger as a result of reversing an Attack Power draining effect (ATK: 2500 → 3500).

"'Stardust Dragon', lay waste to 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia'!" commanded Flashback Matt, "Cosmic Flare!"

'Stardust Dragon' obeyed, charging and firing a blast of whitish fire at 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia'. With nothing that could be done to save his monster from being taken down by the opposing dragon, Flashback Vinnie swore in a fit of frustration. Within seconds, the blast of stardust-like fire struck 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia', vaporizing it in an instant.

"There goes your 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia'!" declared Flashback Matt, but then looked puzzled as his opponent began to…laugh, "Huh?"

Flashback Vinnie's quiet snickers grew louder and louder until he was laughing hysterically, even as he lost LP from the battle (LP: 4000 → 1500).

"You've successfully destroyed my monster…" whispered Flashback Vinnie, "As a result, your dragon is going to bite the dust…"

"What do you mean by that?" demanded Flashback Matt.

"You still don't get it? Then watch carefully…" Flashback Vinnie held his hand out towards his facedown card, "I activate a Quick-Play Spell, 'Predaplant Revenge'!"

The set card flipped face-up and revealed itself. All of a sudden, 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia' returned to the field, just as 'Stardust Dragon' suddenly roared in pain.

"'Stardust Dragon'!" cried Flashback Matt, "Are you alright?!"

"If a 'Predaplant' monster I control is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: I must target 1 monster on my opponent's field; I must destroy that target, and if I do, inflict damage to my opponent equal to the destroyed monster's original ATK!" explained Flashback Vinnie, "So now, I think it's time to say goodbye to your precious dragon, AND, real soon, the whole duel!"

'Predaplant Chimerafflesia' opened both its mouths and lunged towards the agonizing 'Stardust Dragon' in an attempt to take it down, here and now.

"I don't think so!" snapped Flashback Matt, motioning his right hand out, "I activate 'Stardust Dragon's' first effect!"

Flashback Vinnie's eyes widened, "What?!"

"When a card or effect is activated that would destroy a card(s) on the field (Quick Effect)," explained Flashback Matt, as 'Stardust Dragon' started glowing, "I can Tribute this card; I must negate the activation, and if I do, destroy it."

"Why would you choose to sacrifice your own piece of trash of a dragon?" objected Flashback Vinnie, name-calling 'Stardust Dragon', "It would be destroyed either way! Either by your decision to pointlessly sacrifice it, or by my superior Spell Card's own effect!"

Again, Flashback Matt was not thrilled by Flashback Vinnie insulting his cards. Fortunately, Flashback Vinnie would soon learn his lesson about respecting your cards, the hard way…

"'Stardust Dragon', much like how I would often do so, would gladly put its own life on the line to ensure that its friends and allies remain safe from the likes of you!" Flashback Matt pointed out. He then gave the command to his signature monster, "'Stardust Dragon', sacrifice your life to make sure that 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia' can't bring anymore harm to anyone else here… Victim Sanctuary!"

'Stardust Dragon', still glowing white, obeyed, roaring loudly before vanishing into sparkles of stardust. The rain of sparkles touched down onto the spirit of 'Predaplant Chimerafflesia', making the plant-like monster shriek in agony before melting away into goo, having been destroyed for good.

"My… my beautiful 'Predaplant'… It's gone…" whispered Flashback Vinnie, stunned by the turn of events.

Then, to his surprise, the stars suddenly began to twinkle as a familiar body shape took form.

"What's going on, now?!" The blue-haired young man panicked.

"During the End Phase, if this effect was activated this turn (and was not negated): I can Special Summon this card from my GY," explained Flashback Matt, taking a card ('Stardust Dragon') from his GY and holding it out. He placed the card onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Disk, "So now, welcome back, partner!"

As mentioned, 'Stardust Dragon', forming from specs of stardust, reappeared high up in the sky and let loose a triumphant roar before landing on the ground behind Flashback Matt

END FLASHBACK

The flashback ended, and Ashima (possessed) continued to stare in amazement. Just then, she was overcome with more pain from the memory. It was as though someone within her tainted heart was fighting to retake control or something.

"You can do it, Ashima!" called Matt, "The real you is still in there, fighting to get out and save us both!"

Ashima (possessed) once again stopped grimacing and remained under the control of the Dark Signers.

"Just finish your turn!" demanded Ashima (possessed)

Matt scowled, believing that that spider the Dark Signers used on Ashima was much stronger than he realized. To that end, he took another card from his hand ('Defense Draw') and readied it in-between the index and middle fingers of his right hand.

"I Set one card face-down and end my turn!" finished Matt, slotting the card into his Duel Runner.

Ashima (possessed) giggled, "Pathetic," she taunted, before drawing a card, "It's my turn!"

And both duelists gained another Speed Counter:
-Matt: 2 → 3
-Ashima: 2 → 3

Turn Four: Ashima Nilgiri (LP: 3400)
Deck: 50
Current Hand (4): "Lyrilusc - Bird Strike", "Lyrilusc - Bird Song", "Fusion Parasite", and "Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary"
Speed Counters: 3

Ashima (possessed) saw that another useful card (it being another copy of the 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary' Monster Card) had been drawn.

"I activate a Spell Card from my hand!" hollered Ashima (possessed), while taking and readying a card from her hand. She slotted the card into her Duel Runner, "'Lyrilusc - Bird Strike'!"

The mentioned Spell Card flipped face-up and revealed itself from behind Minerva.

"If I control a 'Lyrilusc' monster: I must negate the effects of all monsters my opponent currently controls," explained Ashima (possessed), narrowing her eyes, "Like so…"

Several sharp-pointed feathers fired from the face-up 'Lyrilusc - Bird Strike' Spell Card, impaling 'Stardust Dragon' and causing it to roar in pain, much to the shock of Matt over the fact Ashima (possessed) would even hurt his monster like this. It got worse when Ashima (possessed) held up a card ('Lyrilusc - Celestine Wagtail') taken from her GY.

"I'll also activate the second effect of 'Celestine Wagtail'!" As she spoke, the card in-between the fingers of her right hand turned into an Overlay Unit, attaching itself to her 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale', "If this card is in my GY: I can target 1 'Lyrilusc' Xyz Monster I control; I must attach this card to it as material."

With another Overlay Unit attached to her, 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' gained more ATK (ATK: 1000 → 1200).

"Battle!" declared Ashima (possessed), entering her Battle Phase, "I'm going to defeat you this turn, Matt!" As she gave the order for her monster to attack, 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' started to, again, hold both hands out, "'Assembled Nightingale', attack the enemy player directly!"

'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' started to fire off a blast of wind from her hands.

"Trap Card, open!" shouted Matt, as one of his Set cards flipped face-up and revealed itself from the front of Fudo Go, "'Spirit Force'! During my opponent's turn, at damage calculation: I must make the battle damage I take from this battle 0, then I can add 1 Warrior Tuner with 1500 or less DEF from my GY to my hand.

A protective barrier formed around Fudo Go, shielding him from the wind blast.

"Since I don't have any Warrior Tuners in my GY, I don't get to add anything," continued Matt, "Still, what matters is I've blocked your initial attack."

"You know I still have four remaining attacks left, yes?" reminded Ashima (possessed), "For every material attached to 'Assembled Nightingale', she gets an additional attack during the Battle Phase!" 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' started to fire off another blast of wind from her hands, "Attack again!"

"And I'll block your second attack!" cut in Matt, as his second Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself beside Fudo Go (on its left), "I activate a Trap, 'Defense Draw'! During my opponent's turn, at damage calculation: I must make the battle damage I take from this battle 0, and if I do, draw 1 card."

Another protective barrier formed around him and Fudo Go, causing the attack from 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' not to collide and harm him, while also allowing him to draw one more card. The drawn card was a rare Spell Card called 'Forbidden Droplet'.

"You might have saved yourself from defeat, but I can still attack and significantly damage you!" raged Ashima (possessed), just as 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' started to fire off another blast of wind from her hands, then a fourth, and finally a fifth "Attack a third time! A fourth time! And a fifth time!"

The multiple blasts of wind finally hit their mark, pushing Fudo Go back a little bit as Matt cried out and took repeated damage (LP: 4000 → 2800 → 1600 → 400).

(elsewhere…)

Within the bleak darkness of her heart, the real Ashima sat on the floor with her knees tucked near her chest when she looked up with dull eyes after hearing Matt's screams of agony.

"Matty…" whispered Ashima.

(elsewhere…)

Outside the darkness, rather than look pissed off that she didn't win immediately, Ashima (possessed) was, again, amazed by the survival prowess of Matt Fudo. It reminded her of…

"Grrgh!" winced Ashima (possessed), as the pain in her head resumed, "I…!"

"Now, Ashima!" encouraged Matt, "This is your chance to retake control and save us both!"

Ashima (possessed), with both hands at the temples of her head, let out screams of pain as she fought the control of the Dark Signers's spider the best that she was able to. At first, it looked like she would succeed.

"I… I am…Ashima Nilgiri!" winced Ashima (possessed), as her tone of voice started to go from rough-sounding to soft-spoken and polite, "I won't…hurt the man…I love!"

Matt looked very hopeful; Ashima really was about to return to her normal self. Unfortunately, it was easier said than done, because a certain card given to Ashima (possessed) by Vincent was not going to let its user become good again.

"You don't have a free will anymore!" A deep, menacing voice from the 'Fusion Parasite' Monster Card in the possessed Ashima's hand boomed, "You serve the Dark Signers—and me!"

The card itself started glowing purple, further intensifying the pain within the head of Ashima (possessed) and causing her to start screaming even louder as she struggled to fight the power of the Dark Signers, but was losing badly. Matt, watching, was growing more and more worried.

"Ashima!" he called out again, "You can do it!"

"S-Shut up, you bastard!" snarled Ashima (possessed), still under the control of the Dark Signers. From there, she made a face-down card materialize on the field, which flipped face-up and revealed itself to be… "Quick-Play Spell, 'Lyrilusc - Bird Song'! When a 'Lyrilusc' monster I control inflicts battle damage to my opponent: I must Special Summon 1 Level 1 monster from my hand in Defense Position."

"What monster will she play?" thought Matt, "Another 'Lyrilusc' monster?"

Ashima (possessed) reached for the 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary' Monster Card in her hand, but the other card ('Fusion Parasite') glowed purple and spoke to her once more.

"No!" The evil voice (male) refused, "You will play me!"

Trying to resist, the pain in Ashima's head got worse until she retracted her hand from the first card ('Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary') and instead took the other card ('Fusion Parasite').

"This will be my Level 1 monster!" began Ashima (possessed), readying the card before placing it onto a Monster Zone (sideways) on her Duel Runner, "Appear now, 'Fusion Parasite'!"

Appearing onto the field was an Insect monster resembling a parasite of sorts (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0). With the appearance of that monster, the pain that Ashima (possessed) was experiencing was growing as she started screaming even more from the mind rape.

(elsewhere…)

Within her darkened heart, a saddened, guilty-looking Ashima realized what was happening.

"Matty… please help me…" whimpered Ashima, before sinking deeper into darkness.

(elsewhere…)

Back outside, Ashima (possessed) soon stopped screaming and had an insane-looking slasher smile on her face. Whatever good remained inside of her was completely gone thanks to 'Fusion Parasite' now being on the field. Speaking of which, it was a card Matt had no familiarity with.

"Wh-What the-?!" gasped Matt, "That's not one of your cards!"

"It's too early to be surprised!" retorted Ashima (possessed), before going over her new monster's second effect, "If this card is Special Summoned: I can Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, using monsters from my hand or field as Fusion Materials, including this card, then equip this card from the GY to the Fusion Summoned monster."

"Fusion Summon?!"

"Did I stutter?!" The possessed black-haired young Indian woman retorted hotly, "In addition, while this card is face-up on the field, it can be used as a substitute for any 1 Fusion Material listed on the Fusion Monster Card," She then started to go over which other monster would serve as a Fusion Material, "I fuse 'Fusion Parasite' with my Xyz Monster 'Assembled Nightingale'!"

The two monsters began fusing together as a Summon Chant ensued.

"Twitter of the songbird that resounds in the dark night. Become one with the inner voice and cry more intensely!" chanted Ashima (possessed), before bringing both hands together, "Fusion Summon! Fly down! Noble isolated night bird! 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale'!"

Appearing within the sky and flying around, as the Fusion Summon sequence ended, was a female, adult-like humanoid bird monster similar to 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale', but with a different choice of outfit in terms of color and sharp claws for the wing-like arms (Level: 1/ATK: 1000/DEF: 0).

"Another new monster and a Summoning method that Ashima's never used before," thought Matt, "The Dark Signers provided them to her before I arrived."

From there, 'Fusion Parasite' reappeared and attached itself to the female monster's chest, causing 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale's' eyes to start glowing red from the possession of 'Fusion Parasite'.

"Now that I've Summoned 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale', 'Fusion Parasite' has equipped itself to her," The voice of Ashima (possessed) recalled, as the above scenario played out while she continued smiling maliciously, "In addition, the first effect of 'Independent Nightingale' activates!" She started going over the first effect of her monster, as 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' started to get energized with evil from 'Fusion Parasite', "This card's Level is increased by the number of materials that the 'Lyrilusc - Assembled Nightingale' used as material for this card's Fusion Summon had."

"'Assembled Nightingale' had five materials attached to her before being fused with 'Fusion Parasite'," thought Matt, "That will make 'Independent Nightingale' a Level 6 monster."

'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' had her Level increased (Level: 1 → 6).

"The second effect of 'Independent Nightingale'!" declared Ashima (possessed), as 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' gained a powerful aura of darkness around her and grew much, much stronger (ATK: 1000 → 4000), "This card's ATK becomes the sum of this card's Level x 500 and this card's original ATK."

"Fusion Summoning normally isn't a bad thing," thought Matt, "But this Fusion is much different than anything I've ever seen," He eyed the monster attached to 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale's' chest, "It's that 'Fusion Parasite'! It's controlling Ashima and preventing her from fighting off the Dark Signers's power!"

"My Battle Phase is still on!" warned Ashima (possessed), before addressing her opponent and his only monster, "Your 'Stardust' only has an ATK of 2500, and my 'Independent Nightingale' has 4000 ATK!" She looked ready to end the duel, "With one attack, 'Stardust' will be destroyed and you will lose the duel!" As she gave the command to her monster, 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' took into the night skies above 'Stardust Dragon', "'Independent Nightingale', finish Matt off!"

'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' obeyed, firing off a powerful surge of electricity towards 'Stardust Dragon'.

"I activate the monster effect of 'Synchron Believer'!" announced Matt, while placing his card ('Synchron Believer') onto his Duel Runner. This caused a sage-like human to appear on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 100), "When a face-up Synchro Monster I control is targeted for an attack: I can Special Summon this card from my hand, then negate the attack."

The electrical attack almost reached 'Stardust Dragon', but died down before it could hit. This spared 'Stardust Dragon' from destruction and Matt from certain defeat.

"Hmph! Don't go thinking this is the end," sneered Ashima (possessed), before raising her voice, "I activate 'Independent Nightingale's' third effect" As she explained the effect, 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' not only had the aura of darkness around her but even gained a green-colored aura and she prepared to attack Matt directly, "Once per turn: I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to this card's Level x 500."

Matt winced, as 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' raised her wing-like arms.

"Fire!" The voice of Ashima (possessed) commanded ruthlessly, as 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' swung her arms and fired several crystal shards. She looked absolutely certain of her victory, "Go to Hell, Matt Fudo!"

Not willing to lose the duel, Matt looked towards the Duel Spirit of Junkuriboh, who chose that moment to reappear.

"It's time Junkuriboh," requested Matt, "You must hurry and protect me," When Junkuriboh nodded in response, he, while taking a card from his hand, resumed focus on the duel, "I activate 'Junkuriboh's' effect!" As the card explanation happened, the 'Junkuriboh' Monster Card sank into the darkness (GY), "When my opponent activates a card or effect that would inflict damage to me (Quick Effect): I can send this card from my hand or field to the GY; I must negate the activation, and if I do, destroy that card."

The Duel Spirit of Junkuriboh became the Duel Monsters counterpart, aiming to protect Matt from defeat.

"'Junkuriboh', destroy 'Independent Nightingale'!" The voice of Matt ordered.

'Junkuriboh' obeyed, and, while hollering "Kuri kuri!" a couple of times, charged like a bullet making a suicide run towards 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale'. Suddenly, 'Fusion Parasite' leapt off of 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale's' chest and intercepted 'Junkuriboh'. Both monsters exploded from the resulting collision.

"'Junkuriboh' didn't-!" began Matt.

"Did you forget about 'Fusion Parasite'?" mocked Ashima (possessed), which caused Matt to grunt a short response, "If the equipped monster would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I must destroy this card instead," She narrowed her eyes in anger, "You irritate me to no end! I activate the first effect of the second copy of 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary'!"

Appearing onto the field was a second 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary' (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 200).

"If this card is in my hand: I can target 1 'Lyrilusc' monster in my…" While speaking still, Ashima (possessed) took a card ('Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow') from her GY, "…GY; I must Special Summon both this card and that monster, also I cannot Special Summon monsters from the Extra Deck for the rest of this turn, except Xyz Monsters."

Appearing onto the field again was 'Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow' (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 100).

"She's going for another Xyz Summon," thought Matt, "Will this one be the one to make it or break it?"

"I activate 'Cobalt Sparrow's' first effect!" continued Ashima (possessed), drawing a card and looking at it, "If this card is Special Summoned: I can add 1 Level 1 Winged Beast monster from my Deck to my hand.

The added card was shown to be a second copy of the 'Lyrilusc - Sapphire Swallow' Monster Card. Nodding, Ashima (possessed) held her card out for a few more seconds.

"I Normal Summon a second copy of 'Sapphire Swallow'!" concluded Ashima (possessed), finally placing her card onto her Duel Runner, "Attack Position!"

Appearing onto the field was another 'Lyrilusc - Sapphire Swallow' (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 0). This was as the Overlay Network appeared in the middle of the area.

"I overlay Level 1 'Beryl Canary', 'Cobalt Sparrow', and 'Sapphire Swallow'!" howled Ashima (possessed).

All three mentioned monsters were absorbed inside the Overlay Network. Another new monster started to emerge from the Overlay Network, which was another adult-like, female humanoid bird-like warrior with long dark purple hair, white/blue-colored skin, blue feathers, and even a skimpy-looking outfit—all while a Summon Chant from Ashima (possessed) followed.

"Graceful wings of the night! Flap through the breeze of adversity and sing the chorus of victory!" chanted Ashima (possessed), "Xyz Summon! Fly from the heavens! Rank 1! 'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin'!"

The new monster posed in the night sky for battle (Rank: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).

"'Ensemblue Robin's' first effect!" exclaimed Ashima (possessed), "It gains 500 ATK for each material attached to it," She counted up how many Overlay Units were attached, while 'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin' grew stronger (ATK: 0 → 1500), "With three materials attached, she gains 1500 ATK! And…" The possessed black-haired young Indian woman held her hands out, "…we can't forget that my monster gains some new effects from 'Beryl Canary', 'Cobalt Sparrow', and 'Sapphire Swallow'!"

"She's right…" thought Matt, before a faded, enlarged image of the 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary' Monster Card loomed in the background, "'Beryl Canary' makes 'Ensemblue Robin' gain 200 ATK and prevents control of it from changing…" A faded, enlarged image of the 'Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow' Monster Card loomed in the background, "'Cobalt Sparrow' prevents me from targeting it with card effects…" And a faded, enlarged image of the 'Lyrilusc - Sapphire Swallow' Monster Card loomed in the background, "And 'Sapphire Swallow' lets Ashima target a 'Lyrilusc' monster in her GY and attach it to 'Ensemblue Robin' as material."

"You understand now, don't you?" bragged Ashima (possessed), "Through 'Lyrilusc - Beryl Canary's' add-on effect, 'Ensemblue Robin' gains 200 ATK and prevents control from changing!"

'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin' grew stronger (ATK: 1500 → 1700).

"I won't bother explaining 'Lyrilusc - Cobalt Sparrow's' add-on effect, but I will go over 'Lyrilusc - Sapphire Swallow's' add-on effect!" Ashima (possessed) went on, as 'Lyrilusc - Turquoise Warbler' reappeared on the field before becoming another Overlay Unit for 'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin', "By targeting 'Turquoise Warbler' in my GY, she will become another material for 'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin'!" 'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin' then started to grow stronger with another Overlay Unit attached to her (ATK: 1700 → 2200), "And with a fourth material added, 'Ensemblue Robin's' ATK will increase by another 500!"

Matt flinched, because now he had another big headache to go through to try and save Ashima.

"Matt, according to the second effect of 'Ensemblue Robin'… If my opponent Special Summons a monster(s) (except during the Damage Step): I can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 of those Special Summoned monsters; I must return it to the hand," acknowledged Ashima (possessed), "This will ensure that anything you Special Summon goes back into either the hand or Extra Deck in disgrace. With that, I'll end my turn here!"

"My last shot to break through the hold the Dark Signers have over Ashima and reach her deep within the darkness before my likely loss…" thought Matt, before speaking aloud, "Ashima!"

"Grr… What is it, now?" growled Ashima (possessed).

"You have to wake up! The darkness is holding onto you… You need to break free of it!"

"Silence! I am me!" The possessed black-haired young Indian woman said in defiance, "No matter what you try to do or say in an attempt to save yourself, you will lose on my next turn!"

"Ashima, I…" stammered Matt, beginning to lose all hope of ever getting Ashima back, "I can't… I simply can't lose you. And I know you don't want to lose me either. Back when we first met in Battle City, we didn't know each other all that well since we only met… However, that didn't stop us from feeling the 'spark'. Remember? When we reunited in 'The Great International Duel Cup' months later, the spark only grew stronger… and then we finally got together. We were so happy. All the great times we had… even the bad times…"

A couple of flashback montages began.

FLASHBACK

The first couple of clips included Flashback Matt and Flashback Ashima walking through Boxford Land, when they were intercepted by Flashback Vinnie, which led to both him and Flashback Matt dueling and almost getting kicked out of the tournament when they were caught and confronted by Flashback Skiff and a few suits.

(new scene…)

The second set of clips include Flashback Matt and Flashback Ashima resting at a beautiful park before engaging in a friendly duel, with 'Junk Warrior' attacking and destroying 'Photon Alexandra Queen', and then 'Stardust Dragon' attacking Flashback Ashima directly, winning Flashback Matt the duel.

(new scene…)

The third and final set of clips show Flashback Matt and Flashback Ashima sharing a final moment inside the Boxford Land Stadium before the former had to go and duel Flashback Thomas for a spot in the finals of the tournament. The moment ended with them kissing passionately.

END FLASHBACK

The flashback montage ended, and Matt was actually in tears as he continued to try and get through to his love interest.

"Even though we live far away from each other, we remain loyal to each other to the bitter end," Matt insisted, not noticing that his clothed right forearm was beginning to glow more brightly, "Honestly, I… I…" He raised his voice in anguish, "I LOVE YOU! I WANT TO BE WITH YOU! ASHIMA!"

Ashima (possessed) gasped when she heard those words.

"No matter what, even at the cost of my own life, I'll continue to fight and save you!" yelled Matt in desperation, "Ashima Nilgiri, I love you with all my heart!"

The glowing birthmark of the Dragon's Head underneath the jacket sleeve was now shining and throbbing underneath his coat sleeve, which finally got the dirty blonde-haired young man's attention.

(elsewhere…)

Inside the cafeteria, the group was enjoying some hot chocolate and cookies, but they remained very worried about both Matt and Ashima. Suddenly, the Mark of the Dragons on Lisa (Dragon's Hand), Carlie (Dragon's Foot), Michael (Dragon's Wings), James R. (Dragon's Tail), and David (Dragons' Heart) all started glowing and reacting.

"Our birthmarks are glowing!" gasped Carlie.

"Is Matt…calling for our help?" wondered James R., before noticing the glowing stop, "Hey, it stopped!"

The glowing also stopped for Michael, Carlie, Lisa, and David. Curious, Lisa removed her glove and noticed that her birthmark was completely gone from her right forearm.

"What the hell?" Lisa cried out, "My birthmark is gone!"

"GONE?!" Juri, Mayura, and Asagi each exclaimed, looking over.

"Yeah! It just vanished into thin air!" ranted Lisa.

"Not gone, summoned," rebutted David, "Fudo-san…is in mortal danger."

"Danger, you say?" pressed Shinji.

"Matt…" whispered Sherry.

That earned him looks from everyone else in the cafeteria.

(elsewhere…)

Back in the woods, the full Seal of the Crimson Dragon was shown shining brightly on Matt's back. Although she couldn't really tell or see the Mark of the Dragon, Ashima (possessed), looking over her shoulder, was able to see that her opponent was now glowing from the back end.

"How are you doing that!?" questioned Ashima (possessed).

Matt thought about it, "My prayers have been answered," he mused, with his eyes dried of tears, "The bonds with my friends and the power of Crimson Dragon all were given to me… Our wishes will cluster together and be complete. Ashima, they're wishes and encouragement for me to save you!"

"Why you…!" sneered Ashima (possessed).

Just then, Matt saw the top card of his Deck beginning to glow all gold. Bracing the index and middle fingers of his right hand on top, he drew the card with a Destiny Draw. This caused both duelists to gain a Speed Counter:
-Matt: 3 → 4
-Ashima: 3 → 4

Turn Five: Matt Fudo (LP: 400)
Deck: 46
Current Hand (2): "Forbidden Droplet" and "Majestic Dragon"
Speed Counters: 4

The glowing card was a Monster Card known as 'Majestic Dragon'.

"Yes, I see!" acknowledged Matt, staring at the brand new card, "This card will carry our wishes and lead to a miracle!"

"What kind of nonsense are you babbling about?!" screeched Ashima (possessed), "What card did you just draw?!"

With renewed determination to win the duel and save his love interest, Matt added the drawn card into his hand and took out another to play.

"From my hand, I'll activate the Quick-Play Spell, 'Forbidden Droplet'!" The dirty blonde-haired young man began, slotting the mentioned card into his Duel Runner.

The mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of Fudo Go.

"I must send any number of other cards from my hand and/or field to the GY; I must choose that many Effect Monsters my opponent controls, and until the end of this turn, their ATK is halved, also their effects are negated," explained Matt, going over more about what his Spell Card did as a large image of the activated card slowly rose in the background behind him, "In response to this card's activation, my opponent cannot activate cards, or the effects of cards, with the same original type (Monster/Spell/Trap) as the cards sent to the GY to activate this card," He then pointed at 'Synchron Believer' and then at 'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin', "I'll send 'Synchron Believer' from my field to the GY and choose your 'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin', reducing its ATK by half and negating its effects!"

Ashima (possessed) scowled, watching as her 'Lyrilusc - Ensemblue Robin' started glowing purple as it lost its effects and got weakened in power (ATK: 2200 → 1100). All of a sudden, something else started to appear on the field.

"Next, since I have 'Stardust Dragon' on my field," While Matt spoke, 'Stardust Xiaolong' appeared on the field in a burst of stardust-like light (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 100), "I'll Special Summon 'Stardust Xiaolong' from my GY in Attack Position!"

Although Matt was slowly gaining the advantage, he still needed one more piece of the puzzle to truly be able to save Ashima from the darkness. Thankfully, he had that card in his hand…

"This will be the card that will save you, Ashima!" declared Matt, readying his final card before placing it onto a Monster Zone on his Duel Runner, "Appear now, 'Salvation Dragon - Majestic Dragon'!"

Appearing within the night sky on command, was a red-colored dragon with two majestic-looking wings (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).

"'Majestic Dragon', is it?!" shivered Ashima (possessed), "D-Does this mean…a 'Majestic' Synchro Monster is going to appear? No! It just can't be!"

It was true… And seeing as 'Majestic Dragon' was a Tuner monster, and Matt controlled both 'Stardust Dragon' and 'Stardust Xiaolong', the following could happen…

"I tune Level 8 'Stardust Dragon', Level 1 'Stardust Xiaolong' into Level 1 'Majestic Dragon'!" The voice of Matt continued, just as 'Stardust Dragon' and 'Stardust Xiaolong' both flew into the night sky, "Let's rev it up!"

In addition to the above scenario playing out, the glowing 'Majestic Dragon' began growing bigger and bigger, overwhelming both monsters. The bodies of 'Stardust Dragon' and 'Stardust Xiaolong' were outlined and showing glowing balls of light (eight for 'Stardust Dragon', and one for 'Stardust Xiaolong') within as they entered a single Synchro Ring and a Summon Chant from Matt followed…

"Gathering starlights will enlighten a new miracle! Become the path its light shines upon!"

As the symbols 8 + 1 + 1 = 10 were briefly shown, the nine orbs of light lined up within the body of 'Majestic Dragon' before the monster turned into a massive beam of light.

"Synchro Summon!" shouted Matt, with his eyes shining with stardust-like energy. The beam of light overwhelmed him and Fudo Go as he found himself riding the head of a whole new monster, "Arrive in light, 'Majestic Star Dragon'!"

Flying through the night sky was what looked to be a bigger, 'Stardust Dragon' version of 'Majestic Dragon' (Level: 10/ATK: 3800/DEF: 3000). Ashima (possessed) couldn't believe what she was seeing; it was the almighty power of the Crimson Dragon.

"The…Crimson Dragon…!" uttered Ashima (possessed), shaking her head, "N-No-! That can't be possible!" While she spoke, the beautiful-looking 'Majestic Star Dragon' continued flying above the moon, "This monster is the living embodiment of the Crimson Dragon."

"Listen, Ashima!" boomed Matt, still onboard Fudo Go while also on the head of 'Majestic Star Dragon', "It's not just me. All of our friends back at Orb are waiting for your safe return!"

"I don't care about that!" countered Ashima (possessed) stubbornly, "Stop saying selfish things!"

"Looks like there's only one way for me to regain the original Ashima," sighed Matt, closing his eyes for a moment. He opened them and pointed forth, "In that case, I activate the second effect of 'Majestic Star Dragon'!" His pointing was aimed below at 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale', while 'Majestic Star Dragon' prepared to weaken her, "Once per turn: I can target 1 face-up monster my opponent controls; I must negate its effects until the end of this turn, and I can activate 1 of its effects as this card's effect once this turn."

As the effect explanation happened, 'Majestic Star Dragon' started glowing all blue as it began absorbing the powers that 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' had.

"I negate the effects of 'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale'!" The voice of Matt went on, as the above scenario then ensued, "Sublimation Drain!"

'Lyrilusc - Independent Nightingale' soon had her effects completely drained, leaving it a shell of her former self (Level: 6 → 1/ATK: 4000 → 1000).

"My 'Independent Nightingale'!" cried Ashima (possessed) in a mixture of rage and fear, "She was-!" She glared upward at 'Majestic Star Dragon' out of sheer hatred as the monster let out a triumphant roar, "Curse you, Matt Fudo! Curse you and your 'Majestic Star Dragon'!"

"I'm gonna have 'Savior Star' use an effect I had drained from your 'Independent Nightingale'!" announced Matt, As he began going over the effect in-question, 'Majestic Star Dragon' continued flying in the night sky above Minerva, "Once per turn: I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to this card's Level x 500! 'Savior Star' is a Level 10 monster…" The dirty blonde-haired young man smiled grimly, while Ashima (possessed) gasped in sheer terror, "…and that happens to be equal to—well, care to guess what the math is?"

Ashima (possessed) stammered, "That's…5000 damage in total!" she freaked out, knowing there was not enough LP to survive the attack (LP: 3400), "No, stop! You can't do this to me! Don't do it, please!"

As Minerva emerged from behind some trees and were now racing alongside a cliff with a huge lake down below, 'Majestic Star Dragon', glowing blue again, looked down towards Ashima (possessed) while waiting for the final order to be given before it would end the duel.

"Ashima, I really don't want to hurt you like this, but…it's the only way to bring you back," apologized Matt, looking and sounding visibly pained over what he was about to do, "Do it, 'Majestic Star Dragon'! Finish this duel, now!"

Obeying the command, 'Majestic Star Dragon' roared and fired off a breath of light, striking and overwhelming Ashima (possessed) and Minerva while causing the possessed black-haired young Indian woman to let out a loud, demonic scream of pain, fright, and defeat as her helmet's faceplate shattered apart and her nearly full LP gauge completely emptied (LP: 3400 → 0).

DUEL RESULTS: Matt Fudo wins!

Steam started emitting from the Duel Runner Ashima (possessed) was riding as a result of losing the Turbo Duel, but she was moving so fast and out of control that when she turned Minerva by accident, she fell off the vehicle down the cliff and into the lake below. Horrified, Matt tossed his helmet off, removed his Deck Holder, jumped off both Fudo Go and 'Majestic Star Dragon', and courageously dove down from such a high height into the lake to save Ashima from drowning. He would NOT lose her, now!

(elsewhere…)

Back inside one of Orb's cafeterias, the birthmarks were shown returning to Michael, James R., Carlie, David, and Lisa in the form of glowing on their respective right forearms—although in Lisa's case, she saw the birthmark on her bare forearm since her glove was still removed.

"Just what was that all about?" pondered Asagi.

"First the birthmarks were glowing and then went away from us," put in James R., "Only to reappear a few minutes later."

"Hmm…" mused Discord, before speaking up, "I think I have a theory on that."

"Is that right?" pressed Mr. Kisaka.

"The Crimson Dragon must have sensed Matty-boy was in dire danger and decided to help him."

"I see," whispered Ms. Simmons.

Everyone became quiet once again.

(elsewhere…)

Back underwater somewhere in the woods, Ashima laid unconscious as she sank deeper and deeper. However, with her defeat, the spider on the back of her neck finally died and dissolved while the spider birthmark on her right forearm also faded away. Eventually, Matt swam towards Ashima and grabbed hold of her before pulling her up to the surface. As soon as they reached said surface, Matt coughed and hacked from being underwater and holding his breath for a good amount of time.

"Hang on!" flailed Matt, as he swam himself and Ashima to shore.

Once on dry land again, Matt laid Ashima down before laying on his back while huffing and puffing from exhaustion—ranging from dueling and swimming. Still, he was glad he and Ashima both were safe and sound. Wait a minute… Ashima! Matt sat up and looked over Ashima, who was still unconscious. Growing very worried, he reached over, grabbed her shoulders, and gently shook her for a response of sorts.

"Ashima, wake up!" begged Matt, "It's alright, you're safe, now!"

Ashima didn't respond. Fearing the worst, Matt bent down and placed his ear next to her mouth and nose… and felt no air on his cheek.

"Oh no…" Matt whispered, horrorstruck, as he quickly placed his index and middle fingers on her wrist to check for a pulse. But there was nothing, bring further anguish to him, "No! No, no, no!"

Wasting no time, Matt placed the heel of his right hand on Ashima's chest, interlocking his left hand on top and frantically started to perform CPR. After a few compressions, Matt bent over and placed his mouth over hers, blowing steadily twice, before resuming compressions. Just then, Ashima began to jolt as Matt's chest compressions caused her to start coughing up water. Once she had regained enough consciousness, she managed to roll herself over and finished yacking, desperate for fresh air. After a few seconds, in her POV, her vision began to return properly, though still very, very hazy.

"Oh… mmm…" The voice of Ashima wheezed, "Where…?" As her vision became far more clear, the first person she saw was… "M-Matt!" Realizing she was back to normal, the black-haired young Indian woman sat up and removed her destroyed helmet as Matt scuttled back a little bit to give her some personal space, "Matty… What happened to me?"

"Ashima…" uttered Matt, "I'm so glad you're okay, but… Listen, do you remember…everything from your time as a Dark Signer puppet?"

"Puppet? Wait…" realized Ashima, as it all became clear to her, "Yes, I remember it all…"

"Please tell me what happened…" offered Matt gently.

"W-Well…" began Ashima, as faded stills of the Dark Signers sneaking up on her in the animal shelter's basement, Dark Signer 1 rendering her unconscious, then waking up inside a warehouse while surrounded by three cloaked Dark Signers and Vincent were superimposed over her and Matt, "I was rendered unconscious after I went into the animal shelter's basement to check the fuse box, then I awakened inside a warehouse under the control of the Dark Signers and was given a card called 'Fusion Parasite'," Absolute shame filled her heart as more faded stills, this time of her duel with the love of her life, were then superimposed over her as she got even more upset, "I remember all of the nasty things I said and even tried to kill you. The Dark Signers took nearly everything I was in order to make me kill and destroy."

The faded clips ended, with sight of Ashima looking and acting so broken slowly ate away at Matt's heart as he silently listened to every word coming from her.

"I saw everything I did and said while brainwashed, but there wasn't anything I could do about it," wept Ashima, falling to her hands and knees while emotionally breaking down. Her tears of sadness and remorse dripped from her eyes and touched the ground, "I tried so hard to fight and regain control, but I was not able to do it because I was not strong enough or good enough!" She began beating on the ground with her right fist, "I should have done more! I should have been stronger to regain control of myself! I should have! I sho-should have…"

As poor Ashima stopped bashing at the ground and simply sobbed softly as a result of her rant and expressing her overwhelming guilt, she felt a pair of hands touching her shoulders and looked up. Matt was looking into Ashima's tear-stained eyes with a warm gleam in his eyes and a small smile on his face, making it crystal clear that he did not blame her nor was any of her actions tonight remotely her fault. Matt, without even saying a word throughout, forgave Ashima, and that was all that mattered to him. Slowly, the two young adults slowly moved in, and shared a long, passionate kiss under the beautiful full moon as a result of being reunited safely. Meanwhile, 'Majestic Star Dragon' soon disappeared after leaving Fudo Go in a safe area near the lake.

(elsewhere…)

Back inside one of Orb's cafeterias, everyone still there remained extremely worried and wondered if Matt and Ashima would ever return. Suddenly, as the clock struck '12:30 am' in the morning, the doors burst open, revealing a very frantic-looking Mr. Murdoch.

"Erica! Ledonir!" he cried out.

"Kojiro?" wondered Ms. Simmons, as Mr. Kisaka also looked over.

"What's the matter?" asked Lisa, "You're looking really crazy."

"I was outside getting something from my car when I saw a Duel Runner pulling up into the parking lot!" wailed Mr. Murdoch, "It's Fudo Go, and riding it are Matt and Ashima!" Everyone else gasped as he finished up his explanation, "They've returned!"

That was all the group needed to hear.

(outside…)

Outside in the parking lot, Matt and Ashima both got off Fudo Go, looking very quiet and somber. Matt now hated the Dark Signers even more for what they did on this night regarding the sacrificed people in the junkyard and for kidnapping Ashima in order to force him to duel her, and Ashima had become afraid to duel while knowing that this traumatic experience would remain with her for a very, very long time (if not forever), and there was no telling how long it would take her to fully recover and begin dueling again. Just then, the front doors to the school opened up as the other members of Team 6D's as well as all of their non-Signer friends all ran outside.

"Matt! Ashima!" Michael, Zack, and Carlie each yelled out.

"You're back!" came from Discord, "Oh, thank goodness!"

It was a joyous reunion between the whole group, although Michael and the likes could also tell that Matt and especially Ashima were not feeling too glad at this moment.

"Matt? Ashima? Aren't you both relieved to be back?" questioned Janice, "Back with all of us?"

"D-Don't get me wrong, we are," insisted Matt, trying to remain upbeat the best he was able to, "However, tonight, Ashima and I have endured a really big scare."

"The Dark Signers possessed me and forced Matty and I to have a Turbo Duel," added Ashima, before staring at some of the group, "In case you're wondering, this outfit I'm wearing is something I changed into before I was found by Matt. During the duel, I almost killed him and there was nothing I could have done to stop myself," She held up her Deck in her left hand and looked long and hard at it as her hand started shaking from trauma, "After tonight… I'm not sure I should ever duel again."

There was a long silence from this sad news.

"Oh no, Ashima…" said Carlie sadly.

"Everything will be okay, Ashima," encouraged Sean, "Although it will take a very, very long time, you'll be dueling again before you know it. We'll be behind you all the way through."

"Thank you," Ashima nodded, smiling slightly, "And…I'm sorry I worried all of you."

"Don't even worry about it!" reassured Lisa, before winking, "This whole mess was never your fault in the first place."

"She's right," agreed Mayura.

"We forgive you, too!" finished Juri, as Asagi smiled kindly.

"As long as you're back safe and sound, we don't care how long you were gone," proclaimed James R..

"Even then, we still have a big problem," cut in Michael, "The people that were captured by the 'Earthbound Immortals', and the fact we know the Dark Signers's leader is Rutger."

"And if we want to save the sacrificed people," recalled Carlie, just as a faded clip of Rutger and Matt talking was shown in the background, "we need to defeat Rutger and his 'Earthbound Immortal Uru'. Unless we do that, those people will remain lost forever."

Matt frowned, "At this stage, it won't be easy," he pointed out, "The Dark Signers are extremely powerful duelists with access to cards and strategies ready for any kind of situation they find themselves in."

"That's for sure," confirmed David.

"More to the point," Matt went on, "If I remember correctly, the Dark Signers haven't completed their group yet, with one member apparently having not awakened yet."

"You're right," acknowledged Ms. Simmons, "Unfortunately, we don't know where their hideout could even be," Everyone listened to the brown-haired woman's important statement, "So even if we try to stop them now, we wouldn't know where to start."

That left everyone very stumped.

"Argh! Dammit!" whined Lisa.

"But you know," remarked James R., "why don't we all just carry on with our summer vacation?" Such a suggestion earned him a look from most of the group as though he was nuts, but he wasn't fazed by that and continued, "Look, we know the Dark Signers are out there, and until they complete their group and start putting their plan into motion, we just need to stay on high alert."

"James…" muttered Shinji.

"James, I honestly think your so-called plan sucks," stated Zack bluntly, which caused James R. to briefly look over in annoyance, "But…you do have a good point," He adjusted the glasses on his face with a thoughtful expression on his face, "We don't have much choice if we have no idea where the Dark Signers could even be hiding out."

From there, Ashima let out a long, loud yawn, being very exhausted. It caused everyone else to turn their focus towards her.

"Everyone, if it's okay, maybe we should return to our dorms and get some sleep," suggested Ashima, before letting out another yawn as the three Astray girls, Carlie, James R., and Mr. Kisaka all listened to her, "I know I certainly need it after a very hectic night, and maybe even a nice hot shower after that unexpected swim in the lake."

"No argument there," grinned Lisa.

"We'll see you guys around the city," said Shinji, as he and Sherry prepared to leave, "Sherry and I are heading back to the hotel; Elsworth is probably worried sick about us."

"I'm glad you're safe, Ashima," came from Sherry, speaking very politely to Ashima, "Au revoir for now, Carlie."

Carlie nodded, "Thank you again for coming to our aid, Sherry," she praised, "I mean it."

Sherry simply gave her rival a nod in the form of respect, then she and Shinji climbed aboard their respective Duel Runners (Sherry: Sturm und Drang, Shinji: Killer Wasp) and drove out of the parking lot. The rest of the group watched silently until they both were gone. Everyone then started to leave for the building, but Matt remained behind when he remembered who one of the Dark Signers was.

"Wait up, Dave! Could you come here for a moment?" called Matt, which got David's attention, "I need to talk to you."

David turned around and walked towards Matt, wondering what it was that his new friend had to say.

"Is something else the matter, Fudo-san?" wondered David.

Matt sighed, "Yes," he confirmed, "While I was confronting the Dark Signers about Ashima, I…met with an old acquaintance of yours."

"You mean-?" realized David, knowing who was being referred to.

"Yeah," nodded Matt, "Vincent Stevens has become a Dark Signer."

"I had a strong suspicion about that," David admitted, shaking his head while frowning, "I wish I could say I'm at all surprised by it, but that's far from the case," He clenched his right hand into a fist, "Vincent is truly pathetic for choosing the life of crime all because he…" The aqua blue-haired boy now had an absolutely disgusted look on his face "…cannot handle a loss or two at the game of Duel Monsters to someone he bullies on a constant basis."

"Dave…" murmured Matt with sympathy.

After what seemed like forever, he smiled slightly and wrapped his right arm around David's shoulders, causing the teenage Signer to smile back as he and one of his dueling idols walked towards the Orb Duel School so that they could get ready for bed.

(inside…)

Inside Matt's room, the clock had just struck '1:00 am'. Matt was shown shirtless yet wearing pajama pants seeing as he had finished taking a shower and was preparing to climb into bed for some much needed sleep. After spending a minute adding his 'Shooting Star Dragon' Synchro Monster Card back into his Extra Deck, Matt heard a knock on his dorm door.

"Come in?" he called.

The door opened, and a very solemn-looking Ashima walked inside, having finally gotten rid of the Dark Signer attire and changed into a comfortable nightgown after a much needed shower. Said shower helped her a little bit, but she was still quite torn up about the night's events.

"Hi," Ashima said quietly.

"Hey," responded Matt, "Couldn't sleep?"

Ashima shook her head slowly, "No," she answered solemnly, "May I come in, please?"

Matt patted the spot on the bed next to him, beckoning her to come in, to which she did, making sure to close the door behind her. Upon sitting down on the bed, Ashima leaned her head against Matt's shoulder, to which he responded by wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"I just can't shake off what happened tonight," Ashima finally admitted, while tears again starting to form in her eyes as her voice began to crack, "What I did… what I said… w-w-what I threatened to do… I-I-I just couldn't bear to think…what would have… what…"

"Hey, hey," Matt whispered soothingly, moving to wrap Ashima in a gentle hug as she cried softly into his neck, "It's alright. They won't hurt you anymore."

For a good minute, the two sat in their warm embrace; Matt letting Ashima calm down at her own pace. Once her sobbing subsided, she gazed lovingly into her boyfriend's eyes smiling.

"Thank you, Matty," she said sincerely. "Things are going to be okay between us from now on?"

"We'll 'always' be okay, Ashima," assured Matt, "I'm not sure what will come our way soon, but whatever it is, we'll make it through, I promise."

Ashima relaxed at his words of affirmation. She then remembered the other reason she came over, her cheeks adopting a soft pink hue as she did.

"Um… Matty…" uttered Ashima, as she shuffled about nervously, "I know this may seem a bit…sudden…for me to ask," Matt became surprised when the question was asked, "But, for tonight… could we… well…"

She stopped for what seemed like forever. Matt could tell from Ashima's flustered expression and her constant fidgeting exactly what she was trying to ask him, the thought of which made him blush slightly as well, though he tried to maintain his composure.

"I understand…" accepted Ashima, believing the answer was a 'no', "I'm well aware that this may be too quick for us right now… but I just thought-"

She never got further, as Matt pressed the index finger of his right hand against her lips, which stopped her from continuing.

"Shh… You don't need to say anything," whispered Matt, smiling at Ashima, "You 'really' want this?"

Ashima nodded slowly. Matt then removed his finger and brought Ashima in as their lips met. It was a soft and tender kiss that lasted for a few seconds before they broke apart.

"Matt Fudo, I…" stammered Ashima, "I really love you."

"And I love you, too, Ashima Nilgiri," Matt replied.

Once again, Matt and Ashima started to kiss, but this time there was more passion behind it, as Matt held her close by her hips, while Ashima ran her fingers across his bare chest. The two young adults then fell backwards onto the mattress, with Ashima on top of Matt; their lips never once breaking.

(outside…)

Outside the school, Matt and Ashima's silhouettes continued to embrace and kiss intensely in the former's lit dorm before the lights in the room automatically went out. Although Ashima had given up dueling because of what happened between her and Matt, Matt and everyone else would be there to help Ashima recover from the resulting trauma of her possession by the Dark Signers. There wasn't any doubt about that.

Now that was I call an intense, emotional, and long chapter, possibly one of the longest we've ever written up to this point. Ashima will be out of the dueling commission for a long time thanks to the Dark Signers. Will she ever be able to duel again? That, I'm afraid, I'm unsure of, and if she does it will still take a very long time before we reach that particular duel. As ever, continue staying safe in these tiring times.