Disclaimer: I do not own YGO 5Ds.

A/N: This chapter was changed significantly because it reused a few combos from earlier chapters, and also because I felt like the characters' thought process were a little off.

"I would like to force Kalin into a children's card game by forcing Roman's hand," I grinned maliciously, an expression I learned from Rex Goodwin. I was met with the usual round of exasperated looks whenever I referred to duel monsters as the children's card game that it is.

"How exactly?" Vincent asked skeptically, "You were the one who said Dark Signers had magical powers we can't even comprehend, "And an army of brainwashed duelists doing their bidding."

"Roman's reaches extend far beyond Domino City, I've heard rumors he's even connected to Kaiba Corp. There isn't much we can to do him," Felice added.

"This is out of our hands Yuki," Vincent tried to convince me, "We have no idea what this guy's capable of, or the limits of his 'magics', why not just hand it to the Sector? Even they have to be concerned about somebody murdering hundreds of people, even if it's in the Satellite."

"Assume they do something for the Satellite," Chaos replied evenly, "How long do you think it'll be? Every day that there's a Shadow duel, hundreds of lives disappear from the Satellite. How many people would disappear in this town before the Sector can make head and tails of this, let along fix it?"

"You overestimate Roman. " I drummed my fingers on the table, "A bunch of mindless minions and corporate backing, and he thinks he can destroy the world. I think Roman Goodwin has forgotten about his own mortality, we wouldn't be good neighbors if we didn't remind him."

"Your last plan was too close," Vincent sighed, "At least tell me this plan is safer." Going over my plans, I decided to ignore that request.

"Are Dark Signers not human?" I asked rhetorically, "When we cut them, do they not bleed? When we poison then, do they not die?"

Yusei might have some qualms about murder, but apparently none of my team do. In fact, most of them looked way too eager for my liking.

"We're not going to kill Roman," I'm not sure what the murder of Dark Signers would lead to, so I'm keeping it as a backup plan, "Just teach him a lesson. Galen, would you like to do the honors?" I turned my eyes to the pink-haired teenager who was technically our Chief of Security, currently busy keeping himself awake at the meeting.

Galen nodded automatically, "What do you want exactly?"

"Come with me," I smiled back at him. "I have less than two weeks before I have to leave for Domino, I'd like to resolve this before then."

If this were a game, Roman would be a summoner, give or take. And we would be the warriors(/soldier/other time-period-appropriate close combat fighters). As long as we take him by surprise, he doesn't stand a chance.

As the rest of the crew dispersed, I whispered quietly into Galen's ears, "I'm assigning you a mission..." Galen agreed quietly and locked himself in a room for the next two days. When he came out again, he gathered a team of security guards and assigned their duties accordingly.

X

I was not informed of the details of Galen's plan. As the subsequent series of events obviously involve some acts of obstruction to justice, I know nothing of them except the rumors. Here's what I heard.

The next day, Roman Goodwin tripped on a wire placed outside his house, and as he fell forward, crushed a large paper lance pointing up at his chest. When unfolded, it read, 'be careful where you're stepping.'

Dark Signer activities surged in our area the next day, but couldn't do much damage, since most of the population were not duelists. Roman did send out his magical spiders to brainwash satellite, but that did less damage than he might have expected.

We were forced to start a 'dueling wing' in the 'hospital', where the brainwashed were given a crappy deck (or were allowed to use their own crappy deck), and be forced to duel our designated duelists. One loss, and at time two, is sufficient to bring each brainwashed resident back to their senses. Hours were wasted, but no real harm done.

An initiative to eradicate spiders was also proposed, but ultimately rejected because spiders help control the rampant mosquito population in the Satellite. Kalin later told me that Roman's spiders only worked on those weak of will and had failed repeatedly on those in my team. He never even thought to target me, his loss I guess.

One day after, Roman Goodwin was found comatose at a bar in Domino City with no recollection of what happened. The bartender thought he was another drunk and looked through his pockets hoping to find identifying information, but only found a card that said 'be alert to the consequences of your actions.'

Our hospital had an order of midazolam that was neither recorded nor charged to the healthcare account on the day of this incident, but there's nothing to relate one incident with the other.

The minions stopped coming, but Dark Signers were spotted monitoring our location.

Three days later, a group of armed satellites reportedly shot at Roman Goodwin from a distance of over 100 meters. According to eye witness reports, a monstrous spider appeared out of thin air and captured many of the unnamed assailants, but the rest managed to subdue Roman Goodwin with long-range Tasers, the giant spider promptly disappeared. The weapons used were a common brand of projectile electro-neuroleptic rifles that released high-voltage electrical currents, which temporarily paralyzed the nervous system. An adorable teenager with pink hair supposedly told Roman Goodwin, "We'll use real guns next time."

The last statement was eventually confirmed by Roman Goodwin himself.

Coincidentally, several members of our security team was inexplicably paralyzed that night, they was sent to the hospital and recovered after a duel.

Dark Signer dueling activities had decreased dramatically. It took a total of 6 days before I got my duel.

Kalin got off the motorcycle with a sweeping glance at the crowd. (Nobody in our crowd brought motorcycles because I can't ride one and I don't want to be forced into a riding duel.)

My eyes were drawn instead to the rider behind him, Roman Goodwin stopped a couple of meters away on his own duel runner. I mentioned before that Jack automatically commanded the attention of everybody in the room, but if Jack Atlas was the sun, Roman would be the black hole from which nothing could escape.

"Yuki," Kalin said in that high-pitched cackle, "How good to see you again."

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I thought I'd try one last time, "I mean wasn't it always your dream to restore the Satellite to its former glory? Now we actually have a chance."

"Taking over this city no longer satisfies me," Kalin laughed hysterically, the crazy look in his eyes told me he had made up his mind. "Nothing on this earth shall satisfy me ever again!"

"You know, if you have a problem achieving satisfaction, they can treat that now." I said drily, having given up all hope on convincing the Dark SIgner to turn back.

Kalin looked at me uncomprehendingly and not even a chuckle from the crowd. All my best lines are completely lost on these people.

I thought I saw Roman's eye twitch, at least somebody gets my jokes.

"I came to fulfill our duel as promised," The Dark Signer gave me an annoyed look, "I even brought back-up just in case you tried anything."

Ah he knows me so well. I gestured to Chaos, indicating that he should aim the tranquilizer at me instead of Kalin in case of trying to stop the duel.

Meanwhile, Nervin and Zigzix tried to look as non-descript as possible while they adjusted the power locator that would pinpoint the Ruler of the Netherworld.

Like we rehearsed, Galen approached the younger Dark Signer carefully with his most disarming smile.

"I really don't know what to say," the pink-haired teen forced a smile, "But I liked you when you were on our side, I wish it didn't have to come to this."

Kalin nodded, his expression softening slightly. Galen ignored the hand he offered and hugged him instead.

Next in line, Felice walked up. The two had gained a sort of friendship after Kalin saved her life during Akiza's attack.

"I wish I could wish you good luck..." The white-haired trailed off, drawing in Kalin for a hug. She tried to cry but couldn't, she can't act very well yet, and it's hard to cry when you've heard the entire plan.

Kalin returned the hug, relaxing into her arms.

"We all knew this was coming," Felice smiled ruefully as she let go, "I just didn't think it would be this soon. It's been fun while it lasted."

Kalin only nodded in reply.

Vincent followed next. He wasn't exactly amongst the people Kalin trusted but he was the only one skilled at theft.

"It's been good knowing you," As he got closer, Vincent reached out a hand, Kalin looked down at the offered hand suspiciously and didn't make a move.

"Look, whatever happens in this duel, this is the last time we'll be on friendly terms," Vincent smiled at the Dark Signer for the first time, "it's been good knowing you Kessler." He's a far better liar than the rest of us.

Kalin nodded solemnly and took Vincent's hand. The redhead pulled him in for a hug instead. I saw Kalin freeze, his expression changing slightly.

I was confident that Kalin would understand. The loser of each Shadow Duel loses their life. So he thinks that either he would die at the end of the duel, or I would, and the rest of my gang would hunt him down until either side is no more. So he didn't object to Vincent's final gesture of goodwill.

Galen and Felice placed themselves strategically behind the pair so Roman can't see Vincent switching Kalin's deck from where he stood.

Vincent withdrew and stood behind Kalin, giving me a thumbs up.

"Perfect, let's start the duel." I said eagerly, not giving Kalin time to react.

"Let's." Kalin activated his duel disk, encasing us in four large pillars of light.

"Muaahh," I cackled joyfully, "Muuuaaahhh!"

The blue-haired Dark Signer waited patiently.

"Muaahh-ah? Wait, why don't you look surprised?" I asked suspiciously.

"You mean why am I not surprised that my deck had been changed to one of your design?" Kalin said with a sneer.

I nodded. I even asked Galen and Felice to go first to soften him up a bit to improve Vincent's chances.

"I'm the master of illusions, did you really think you could have fooled me with a sleight of hand?" He demanded "And to think, this is how low you sank in order to defeat me."

"This, this-" Vincent doubled checked the deck in his hand. "This is the deck I started with!" He said, flustered, "Sorry Yuki, but this has never happened to me before!"

"You underestimate the powers of the Shadows," Roman noted flatly from the sidelines.

"Gah," I grumbled. Thankful the duel hadn't yet started, I put back the deck in my hand and took another one out of the holster.

"So you have a plan B in case of failure?" Kalin asked. "Must be frequently useful."

"Actually this is plan F," I corrected. I takes duels, and indeed anything else, that can kill me very seriously. The basic plan, of course, was to destroy the Immortal (therefore its influence on its Dark Signer), then force the duel into a draw so Kalin doesn't die.

It's a little more challenging with Roman here, since he might prevent us from physically ending the duel, or even physically ending the duel if it's not in Kalin's favor. Still, it's better than having my soul sucked out of my body (and presumably die) because somebody else was playing a card game.

"Huh," I looked at my hand in slight surprise. First of all, I had monsters, not only did I have monsters, I had a pretty decent hand. I wonder if I was also helped by a magical dragon or if the lucky Head of the Forbidden One (lv3, 1000/1000) I put in my deck was actually working for me. I don't intend to find out via experimentation.

Turn 1: Kalin's Turn, Kalin 4000, Yuki 4000

Kalin: Hand- 6

Yuki: Hand- 6

"I start," Kalin looked at his hand. "I'll set one monster and one card facedown, that'll be all for now."

"Kalin has cards in his hand!" Cyril said excitedly, "That means he can't use most effects from his Infernity deack! Yuki will crush him!"

Turn 2: Yuki's Turn, Kalin 4000, Yuki 4000

Kalin: Hand- 4, Field- Monster 1, Facedown 1

Yuki: Hand- 6

"I'll activate two copies of Upstart Goblin." I decided, "You gain 2000 life points but I can draw two cards. Next, I set one monster facedown and another card facedown and end my turn."

"What?" Vincent demanded, "Are you out of your mind? Finish him!"

I honestly wasn't bothered by his comment. You know the feeling when you over-prepare for something and you know you got it in the bag? That's where I was.

Turn 3: Kalin's Turn, Kalin 6000, Yuki 4000

Kalin: Hand- 5, Field- Monster 1, Facedown 1

Yuki: Hand- 4, Field- Monster 1, Facedown 1

"If you're still trying to reach out to the Kalin you remember, you're wasting your time," Roman commented. "Kalin, would you mind demonstrating?"

"Gladly," Kalin grinned. "You see Yuki, even though you got the upper hand last time, the power of my deck has grown beyond your imagination since our last duel."

"I'll start with Card Destruction." Kalin announced, a typical move for Infernities to set up their graveyard first.

"You're messing with the wrong deck," I chuckled, discarding the four cards in my hand, "Shadoll Hedgehog and Shadoll Beast were sent to the graveyard, allowing me to draw an extra card and add another one from my deck to my hand, I choose Shadoll Squamata to add to my hand."

Yes, I'm running a Shadoll deck. No I still don't have any of the Shadoll extra deck monsters. It's frankly getting a little ridiculous how hard it was to find, let along purchase these powerful cards.

Kalin looked appropriately annoyed. Honestly, his spell probably helped me more than him.

"My facedown monster, Infernity Necromancer (lv3, 0/2000) can special summon another Infernity monster, Infernity Guardian (lv4, 1200/1700) to the field. I tribute both to summon Nightmare Hand (lv10, dark tuner, 0/0) to my field. When I do, I can special summon a level 2 or lower monster to my field, so come on out Infernity Dwarf (lv2, 1200/600)"

"Now, I dark tune my level 10 Nightmare Hand with my level 2 Infernity Dwarf. When shadows are swallowed by even darker shadows, the curtain opens, to reveal a world without light! Come forth, Infernity Doom Dragon (lv8, 3000/3000).

Kalin brought out one of the most powerful monsters in the deck the first chance he got. A black dragon covered in flames emerged to his side of the field, I could almost feel the heat against my face.

"Infernity Doom Dragon, attack!" Kalin commanded, aiming at the monster card I first set down.

"Kuribon," I revealed my facedown card, "You gain life points equal to your monster's attack, but this card returns to my hand unharmed."

"A very high price to pay for a single card," Kalin noted as his life points increased by 3000. "I place 2 cards facedown and end my turn."

Turn 4: Yuki Turn, Kalin 9000, Yuki 4000

Kalin: Hand- 0, Field- Infernity Doom Dragon, Facedown 3

Yuki: Hand- 8, Field- Facedown 1

"I'll start with Upstart Goblin." I drew another card as Kalin's life points increased by 1000. I've always valued hand advantage, which leads to the strange combination that I had eight cards while Kalin had none.

"I flip summon Shadoll Falco (lv2, tuner, 600/1400), so I can bring Shadoll Squamata (lv4, 1800/1000) to the field in face down defense position. Next I play this, Heavy Storm." The card that could crush many Infernity decks.

"I activate Infernity Barrier, this card that can negate any effect as long as I have a face-up Infernity monster on the field." Kalin countered.

"I thought you might have something like that. Now that's out of the way, I can activate the spell Soul Taker." Kalin obviously knew the effect of my spell card, but I explained it anyways. "This spell gives you 1000 LP, but allows me to destroy one monster you have on the field, so say goodbye to your dragon."

"Activate trap," Kalin said through gritted teeth, "Puzzle Reborn, I banish my monster from the field, but he returns at my next standby phase."

"Attack! Destroy him!" Cyril cheered, "Don't give him a next turn!"

"Um…" I silently apologized to my audience. "I set one monster face down and one trap face down to end my turn."

"You are out of your mind." Vincent calmed down, "Should have seen this coming."

Not that I can explain my plan to him now.

"Yuki," Kalin didn't look at all moved by the gesture, "I always knew you were stupid, but even I didn't know you where this stupid. This will be easier than I thought."

Turn 5: Kalin's Turn, Kalin 11000, Yuki 4000

Kalin: Hand- 1, Field- Infernity Doom Dragon, Facedown 2

Yuki: Hand- 5, Field- Monster Shadoll Falco, 2 monsters, Facedown 2

"Now that I had drawn a card, my dragon comes back to my field."

"Not quite, I activate Dark Renewal, which lets me tribute one monster on your side of the field and one monster on mine to summon a spellcaster from my graveyard. So I tribute my Shadoll Falco to summon Shadoll Beast (lv5, 2200/1700) from my deck, using your dragon as fodder. And when my Shadoll Falco was sent to the graveyard by a card effect, it comes back to the field face-down."

"I banish Stygian Street Patrol (lv4, 1600/1200) from my graveyard to special summon Dark Tuner Nightmare Hand (lv10, dark tuner, 0/0) to the field. By his special ability, I can special summon Infernity Dwarf (lv2, 1200/600) from my hand."

"Dark Tuner Nightmare Hand (lv10, dark tuner, 0/0) dark tunes with Infernity Dwarf (lv2, 1200/600) to synchro summon Void Ogre Dragon (lv8, 3000/3000). When shadows are swallowed by even darker shadows-"

"You know that speech in completely incorrect, right?" I asked innocently. "By definition, shadows are the absence of light, so it can't 'swallow' anything or 'be swallowed'."

Kalin choked. But the interrupted chanting of nursery rhymes didn't affect the synchro summon of his monster, which came onto the field just the same.

"Void Ogre Dragon, attack!" The Dark Signer commanded, "Destroy Shadoll Beast!"

The attack dealt me 800 damage.

Turn 6: Yuki's Turn, Kalin 11000, Yuki 3200

Kalin: Hand- 0, Field- Infernity Doom Dragon, Facedown 2

Yuki: Hand- 6, Field- Monsters 2, Facedown 2

"I play a spell card, Dark Hole." I had a copy just in case Kalin summons a swarm of Infernities.

"You seem to forget that my dragon can negate one card per turn, your spell is pointless." Kalin pointed out.

"Not when I activate my second spell, Soul Taker, which gives you another 1000 life points and destroys your dragon.

So I wasted a spell card, I was feeling reasonably confident that I had the game in the bag.

"That'll be all for my turn." I motioned for Kalin to continue.

"What's wrong with you? You have to attack to win!" Felice was called from the sidelines.

"Chaos," I heard Vincent say, "If we team up, I think we can run the Zephyrs with a new leader."

I looked over to see Chaos nodding thoughtfully.

"Just because you're holding back doesn't mean I will. Give it up Yuki, the Kalin Kessler of the past is dead, the Dark Signer will do everything he can do destroy you! I activate Fires of Doomsday, which lets me summon two Doomsday Tokens (lv3, 1000/1000) to the field."

Turn 7: Kalin's Turn, Kalin 12000, Yuki 3200

Kalin: Hand- 1, Field- two Doomsday Tokens, Facedown 1

Yuki: Hand- 3, Field- Monsters 3, Facedown 2

"I'll start with the Pot of Avarice, I return 5 monsters to my deck to draw two cards," Kalin cackled when he saw his hand. "Playtime's over. Brace yourself, I place one card face down and tribute both of my Doomsday tokens to summon Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu (lv10, 3000/2500)!"

At his words, the light on his arm shone a bright blue. As if to support him, Roman's mark burned also in a deep crimson.

X

"Oh god," I laughed at the sudden realization, I can't believe I didn't notice this when I was watching the anime, "You guys are color co-ordinated! Your mark, your outfit, in your case, even your hair. Why?"

They all have color-coordinated tattoos… A little unexpected for an evil organization planning on destroying/taking over the world.

"What color is Demak by the way?"

Kalin ignored both my question and my laughter, which soon died down as a void appeared on the field, signaling the approach of Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu.

If everything up to now could have been managed by special effects, I was sure this summoning was not. I saw humans rise out of the purple flames that surround us, and I saw them being sucked into void that is slowly forming the Earthbound Immortal. Purple lights filled the sky. Everywhere else, Darkness is all that remained.

"Feast your eyes, this shall be the last spectacle you'll ever witness." Kalin didn't look like he had a shred of sanity left.

"What's going on?" Chaos asked, alarmed. "Are those actually people? From the Satellite?"

Even as he spoke, we could see shards of light shoot up from random locations in the Satellite and into the emerging monster.

"That would explain the mysterious disappearances recently," Felice said incredulously, "If they were…" She stuttered, "Summoned somehow… Tributed? Sacrificed?!"

Out of sheer habit, the white-haired teen shot a couple of times at the gathering light, then at the monster on the duel arena, relieved that she as only hitting air, but more perplexed. "There's nothing there, that can't be right!"

"It's not. It's the culmination of evil and all that is wrong with the world." Roman answered with a fanatical gleam in his eyes. "Energy from human souls would power the summoning of Immortals so they may cross over to this world, for now and for ever!"

As the Netherworld Ruler's powers grow, Roman could feel himself losing grip on reality.

"This is what Dark Signers do?" Vincent demanded, "Suck souls out of the Satellite to power your delusions?"

"Yuki," Chaos shouted, aiming his gun at me, determined to stop the duel.

"No, wait!" I briefly wondered if I could duck out of the way in time if he did shoot, probably not. "This is what I've been waiting for."

By this time, the immortal has fully emerged onto the field, I felt a heaviness in my chest and in the air around me, making it hard to even breathe. I saw the monster move, and the dents it made on the ground, that's not a hologram.

Thankfully, it doesn't look like it could leave the arena.

X

"Waiting still? For your destruction?" Kalin questioned, "Now my immortal, attack!"

"I activate Sinister Shadoll Games," I said instead.

"The Earthbound Immortals are immune to destruction by spells and traps," Roman explained patiently to his captivated audience.

"I activate Sinister Shadoll Games," I started again, "To discard Shadoll Squamata to the graveyard, so I can discard another card, Shadoll Hound to the graveyard also."

"Next, my trap flips Shadoll Falco face up on the field. Shadoll Falco lets me set Shadoll Squamata facedown. When Shadoll Hound is set to the graveyard, he can change the battle position of one monster on the field, so I can flip Shadoll Squamata to attack position, thereby activating his effect, letting me destroy one monster on the field, and guess who I'm targeting."

"Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu!" Kalin recoiled.

"Bingo. Say goodbye to your immortal." I waved at the monster as the effects of my Squamata wrapped around Ccapac Apu reducing it to pieces.

The Dark Signer blinked, the red Dark Signer marks on his face slowly faded, revealing the golden tattoos of the Facilities. The darkness that occupied his sclera slowly receded as he collapsed onto the ground. The horrified expression on his face told me he remembered very well what he had done.

"I forfe-" Kalin placed his right hand on his deck in a move that would end his own life.

"Not so fast," Roman held a hand out in our direction, and I could see Kalin's entire countenance change. Though the red Dark Signer markings on his face did not come back, he had a distinct look of insanity about him.

"What was that?" Galen stared at Roman then at Kalin, trying to convince himself that there was a relationship between the silver blond holding his hand out and the Kessler suddenly going crazy again.

"You may have defeated his Immortal," Roman said as he walked over to Kalin's side of the field, "But he's mine until the duel's over. Now Kalin, continue your turn. Show them why the Dark Signers have never been defeated."

"Show them. Dark Signers, never defeated." Kalin repeated. "When my hand is empty, I can special summon Doom Submarine (lv9, dark tuner, 0/0) to the field. Next, I activate Graceful Revival to bring Infernity Des Gunman (lv1, 0/0) to the field!"

I couldn't help taking a step back. Frankly, up to Roman's involvement, I had the duel pretty much under control. But this might be a problem.

"I dark tune my level 9 Doom Submarine with my level 1 Infernity Des Gunman to summon, Hundred Eyed Dragon (lv8, 3000/3000)! This monster lets me borrow the effect of all dark monsters in my graveyard, so I'll use Infernity Doom Dragon's effect to destroy your Squamata and deal you 900 damage."

"Next, I play a spell card, Soul Charge. At the price of 1000 life points per monster, I can bring back as many monsters to the field as I wish. Come back to the field, Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu Ogre Void Dragon, Infernity Doom Dragon!"

"I can't attack the turn I use Soul Charge, so I'll just use Infernity Doom Dragon's effect again and destroy Shadoll Falco to deal you 300 damage."

Turn 8: Yuki's Turn, Kalin 9000, Yuki 2100

Kalin: Hand- 0, Field- Hundred Eyed Dragon, Earthbound Immortal Ccapac Apu Ogre Void Dragon, Infernity Doom Dragon

Yuki: Hand- 4, Field- Shadoll Falco, Shadoll Squamata, Monsters 2, Facedown 1

The four monsters Kalin had on his field barely fit on the duel arena.

"Um…" Vincent rubbed his nose, "If the loser of this duel dies, should we just decide on a new leader now? We might still get a will or something."

"Yuki can still beat him!" Galen shouted, not sounding nearly as confident as he would have liked.

"I highly doubt that," Roman replied.

"You may have taken out my monsters one at a time," Kalin cackled. I will admit, his cackles were slightly better than mine, they just sounded more evil. "But how are you going to stand up to four of the most powerful monsters in the world?!"

"Hopefully, with this, Summoner Monk (lv4, 800/1600)." By its own effect, the monster switched to defense position.

"Using its special ability, I discard the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon to my graveyard to summon Chaos Phantom (lv4, 0/0) from my deck."

"Yay!" Galen cheered.

"This new monster has no attack or defense," Vincent said flatly. "And don't forget, the Immortal can attack directly next turn."

"Chaos Phantom has a special ability, once per turn, it can banish one dark attribute monster from my graveyard and take on its ability for this turn." I figured a life-and-death situation is good as any to try out this combo for the first time.

"So now, my fiend shall borrow the ability of Sky Scourge, Norleras (lv8, 2400/1500), the card your Card Destruction helped send to the graveyard. Chaos Phantom gains 2400 attack and Norleras' special ability. I pay 1000 life points to send everything in our fields and hands into the graveyard, then I get to draw one card."

"Everything?" Galen repeated, dumbfounded "Monsters, spells, traps, all of it?"

I looked around, feeling a little smug that even Roman looked stunned.

"And since it doesn't destroy any thing, your monster's special abilities can't defend against it."

Judging by the contortions on Kalin's face, the Immortal's hold on him was weakening again. So I spoke quickly.

"When Shadoll Beast is sent to the graveyard, I draw an extra card, and when Shadoll Falco is sent to the graveyard, he's special summoned back to the field in defense mode."

"Ten bucks says she's ending the turn without attacking," Vincent's initial enthusiasm had died down completely.

And he would have won his bet.

I felt a jolt as I drew the next two cards, I'm reasonably sure that I was being helped out by a magical lizard this time and I was. And I'm a little concerned how that lizard knew exactly the card I needed.

"I place two cards facedown and end my turn."

Turn 9, Kalin's Turn, Kalin 9000, Yuki 1100

Kalin: Hand- 0, Field- 0

Yuki: Hand- 1, Field- 1 monster, 1 facedown

"Thanks for trying Yuki," Kalin's eyes finally cleared, looking like his old self again as Roman seem to have given up on the duel, "But thanks for nothing. I've done a lot of bad things these last couple of years, and I've hurt a lot of people. And now it's time for me to pay for my sins."

"I activate," I cut him off before he could announce the forfeiture, "Self Destruct Button," I flipped over the trap card I had bet the entire duel on. "When the difference in our life points is higher than 7000, I can activate this trap and force the duel into a draw."

"Very impressive," Roman Goodwin commented, "So that was your plan all along."

I shrugged.

"Seems like we found ourselves a Signer," Roman mounted his motorcycle, "Till we meet again, Yuki Tono."

I was distracted before I could make a witty comeback.

"Why?" Kalin demanded angrily, "Why bother? There's nothing left for me here!"

"I beg to differ," I laughed, feeling relaxed for the first time in days. "You had a dream of restoring the Satellite, why not make it happen?" And therefore do my work for me.

"Dream?" Kalin laughed bitterly, "I don't have dreams anymore Yuki, all I'm left with is nightmares. Hell, I am a nightmare, the name Kalin Kessler is enough to bring nightmares to children in the Satellite."

Personally, I'd be proud to be the cause of nightmares in children, but I understand this is neither the time nor the place for that argument.

"Well then, now's the time to change that," I offered, "I mean you're only what, 20, 21? You have your whole life ahead of you to correct really just minimal damage."

Kalin looked more irritated than convinced by my comments, I'm not good at this therapy stuff. I wonder if we can still find a therapist in the Satellite, I don't think we've managed to kidnap one yet.

Thankfully, his exhaustion soon became too much for him and he passed out.

"Yuki," Vincent walked up without bothering with congratulations. I noticed Chaos and Galen already left. "We need backup at the harbor, Yusei just got here."

"I thought he wasn't supposed to be back until tomorrow," I asked, indifferent.

"Sector Security had different ideas," Vincent managed a wry smile. "Everybody is already at the pier, trying to do damage control."

Damage control, I shuddered. If I've learned anything in the past couple of weeks, it's that my crew was much better at damage than control. I mean they're improving very quickly, which is not to say they're remotely good at it. "We might as well go I guess," I decided.

"I'll take Kalin to Crow," Felice offered, addressing my concern of somebody killing Kalin on the road. Crow is technically responsible for human resource management, which taken literally, means he takes care of people, mostly those under the age of 12.

"Great," I was content to leave the problem that is Kalin with somebody else and address the problem that is Sector Security.

A/N: I couldn't resist at least one 'satisfaction' joke.

Also I just discovered the 'center' button!