AN: Hello, I have the next chapter here. We are now back for the second third of the huge tournament arc. This is were the story gets a lot more intense as more duels keep happening. I am also in the phase of the story where a lot of questions will start getting answered. In this chapter, we get to see a lot of glimpses into the past, as well as what a certain enemy's new deck consist of. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.

See Datasheet Chapter for cover art details.

Chapter 60 – The Branded Despian

At the Duel Academy grounds, many of the students who were already eliminated from the event were resting near the entrance. In a far-off section, some of the pro league duelists gathered. The Malachite Twins chatted with the Tyler Sister. Neo and Coco were trading cards as Sora was nearby. He laid on his back as Zwei rested on his stomach. However, despite the petite pro duelist having a sweet candy in his mouth, he had a sour expression, "This stinks, all we can do is wait for the rest of the event to end."

"…" Neo sighed.

"Nobody got better by complaining," Coco commented, "You should probably be reflecting on why you lost and how you can make sure it doesn't happen again."

"That's rich coming from someone who doesn't remember their loss," Sora responded.

"Arf!" Zwei barked before jumping off Sora, causing him to recoil. Coco and Neo looked over to witness the spirited Slifer Red rushing over.

"Hey, have any of you seen Ruby or Blair?" Jaden frantically spoke as Zwei hopped near him.

"No, neither of them." Coco responded as Neo shook her head, "Have you tried calling them?"

"Nobody's communication devices are working right, Bastion said it might be a signal jammer." Jaden spoke, then cleared his breath, "Look, I don't have a lot of time, but something bad is happening now."

"…?" Neo inquired, then had a look of panic at a realization, "…!"

"Yeah, it's her again." Jaden said, "Cinder is back."

"Cinder?" Coco spoke, "Whose that?"

"She's a-" Jaden was saying until Sora interrupted.

"Wait, you mean that teacher?" Sora spoke.

"Teacher?" Jaden said before having another question, "Wait, you know her!?"

"Yeah, she was a teacher back at my school." Sora spoke, "But she was on an exchange program to teach abroad and left a lot earlier than the other teacher who arrived did." He said while finishing his candy, taking the white stick out of his mouth, "The one we got was this really ugly lady with blonde hair and too much lipstick." He said before sighing, "And at least I think it was a lady."

"Dr. Crowler!?" Jaden said, "Wait, so the school you were from was based in was-"

"Venice." Sora responded, "She had this bad aura around her, no students ever got close to her due to that. Well…except one." He said before Jaden had a grim realization.

Sometime in the past.

In the duel academy based in Venice, a match had just finished as Sora was flung back from an explosion, reducing his life points to zero. He struggled to get up while looking at the smoke pillar, watching his opponent walking through, "My, that was a bit underwhelming." Yuri spoke with a smirk, "I thought were going to be a little stronger than those twins were." The sadistic Obelisk Blue spoke with a grin forming, "But it seems the only word true in that statement was little."

"Grr," Sora spoke as he bit on his sucker, breaking the candy in his mouth. Yuri's remained focused, almost daring the petit duelist to make the next move. However, someone else walked up to the duo.

"That's enough, Yuri." The sadistic duelist saw a woman in a crimson dress walking up. His black hair covered one of her amber eyes, "I expect you to be more refined in the face of defeated opponents."

"Of course, Professor Cinder." Yuri said with a bow, then turned back to Sora, "That was a good match, I hope to duel you again one day." He said with a joyful smile and closed eyes.

"Tsk," Sora scoffed before getting up and walking away.

"…" Yuri had the same smiling expression on his face until it faded into one of boredom, "Why would you not let me eliminate that weakling."

"Some prey are better left alive, they can provide a better challenge in a future hunt to make yourself much stronger." Cinder responded, "Call it, an investment." She said with a smile forming, "However, it then is up to you to decide when to cash in."

"I see, it seems to be an economical way to say something more sinister." Yuri responded with a smirk, "To simply want to toy with one's prey until it is not fun anymore."

"Hahaha, you have such a childish outlook on life." Cinder responded with a chuckle, "And kids can be so cruel." She said before walking, "Come with me, will you?" she said with Yuri following, "I wanted to inform you that I will be leaving this academy for a while to teach abroad for an exchange program."

"Is that so, I'm heartbroken," Yuri responded with a frown.

"I can tell that's a lie, but you will miss me." Cinder responded, causing Yuri to remain silent, "I have a mission for you. The teacher that replaces me here, I want you to get on their good side as much as possible. To the point that they will look at you as the star student of this academy."

"Aren't I already?" Yuri responded, "In any case, I can do as you ask, but why?"

"As I said, it's an investment. One for a grander plan I have." Cinder spoke, "I have an informant name Emerald, she will contact you with the progress on my plan. All you need to do right now is wait your turn." She said as Yuri stopped. He looked back to her, then bowed. As Cinder walked off, she passed by an orange-haired man in a bowler hat, "Roman, I assume the preparations are done?"

"Yeah, you're all set." Roman spoke, "You've thought this thing out?"

"I like to plan ahead and for every contingency." Cinder responded, "Speaking of planning ahead, you will be joining me once I am ready to start the next phase?" she said with a smirk, "Or should I ask that girl you have in the pro leagues?"

"Leave her out of this." Roman said with a scowl, "I'll help your plan, as long as you promise she doesn't get hurt."

"Relax, all I would need of her is a little demonstration when the time comes." Cinder responded, "I should have all the pawns for my plan to succeed by then."

"And what of that kid you were just talking with, another pawn of yours?" Roman asked.

"Yuri is special, I need him for that last phase of my plan." Cinder responded, "For that, I will keep him here. In case something does happen to me, he will be notified and will continue with my grand order."

"Which is?" Roman said as Cinder smirked, "Of course, you're not gonna tell me."

"Let's head to the boat, shall we?" Cinder asked.

"Give me a few minutes." Roman responded, looking off towards Sora in the distance, "Something you just said gave me an idea."

"Very well, do as you wish," Cinder said before walking off, a confident smile on her face.

Present time.

Walking into the dark corridor of a cave, Cinder approached Ruby, who was sitting on a rock. The Fallen Shadow Rider looked down on her with indignation, her monstrous right arm pulsating, "I have waited a long time for this moment." Cinder spoke before grabbing Ruby's neck with the monstrous arm, "You defeated me, mangled my body, and left me a failure in front of Salem." She said as she raised the hooded Slifer Red's body off the rock, her body not touching the ground, "All that kept me going through this pain was that one day, I would get my revenge and return this humiliation tenfold." She said as her sole eye flared with an orange aura, "That I would crush your drive with my own will."

"…" Ruby looked on with a faint light in her eyes. She was not struggling to breathe, but rather barely breathing to begin with.

"…Yet, it seems you no longer have that drive from before." Cinder said before dropping Ruby, "You are just a broken girl."

"…" Ruby laid on the ground, tears pouring from her unmoving face.

Nearby, Yuri walked up, "Well, I did hope for a better reaction from her." He spoke as he looked down at Ruby, "But it seems I went a bit overboard this time."

"She deserved this and more." Cinder responded, "And I intend to do so with this." she said before turning to Yuri, "Tell me, do you know of the force that allows you to turn individuals into cards with that duel disk of yours?"

"I assume some form of magic?" Yuri responded, "But once I came to that conclusion, I stopped thinking about it for my sanity."

"Many years ago, there was an event that brought duel monsters to the real world. In the middle of that struggle, a group used a powerful field spell card to seal the loser of a duel's soul into a card." Cinder answered, "After the monsters were stopped and the group was defeated, most of the spell cards lost their dark powers." She said before drawing a card, "However, one seemed to survive due to unique circumstances. Channeling its power, I was able to modify your duel disk."

"And a powerful modification it is." Yuri responded, then tilted his head, "But tell me, what was this spell card?"

Cinder smiled as she looked at the card in her hand, "One that will finish what you started." She said before placing the card in Ruby's duel disk in the field spell zone, "The Seal of Orichalcos." In speaking those words, a green glyph with runes around it expanded. Two lines then formed a six-pointed star in the center of the circle. Ruby's limp body started to hover in the circle, the emblem forming on her forehead as the tears were carried by the energy, "Now, she will be in a nightmare of her own soul's corruption. Eventually, she will be overtaken by it and become lost to the seal's influence, becoming that which she fought against."

"Fascinating." Yuri commented, "Well, I guess when you can't confirm the exitance of Hell for the dead." He said with a sinister smile forming, "You must make one for a living." Yuri then looked back to Cinder, "So, what now?"

"There's still much to do." Cinder responded, "Many others in this tournament must be taken down. And I have lost contact with Emerald and Mercury."

"Oh, it is so hard to find good help these days." Yuri commented, "I suppose I can cover their slack." He said with a smirk, "Shall I take down the other ace students from those schools? I'm looking for a challenge to test my newest cards."

"Salem has already targeted one of them, saying he had potential with his abilities." Cinder responded, "As for the other two, they will be dealt with shortly." She said as Yuri had a look of confusion.

Meanwhile.

In the woods, the ace duelist from South Academy wondered, "Shirley! Shirley!" Jim called out in search, then heard a faint growl. He rushed over to the cry, discovering his crocodile near a pile of mud, "Shirley!" he spoke in panic, seeing numinous cuts and chunks in her body, "Who did this to you?" he spoke in rage before hearing the laugh of someone nearby.

"That would be me." Adam spoke with a smile, "I was in the process of making myself a new belt and boots."

"You bastard!" Jim spoke with a glare.

"Oh, you want revenge for me hurting your girlfriend?" Adam spoke as he took out a duel disk, "Good, you can practice for my own revenge."

"Tsk," Jim gritted his teeth before looking back to Shirley, "Just rest now, I'll take care of this," he said as the crocodile softly closed her eyes. The ace duelist of South Academy turned back to Adam with a glare, "I'm going to make you pay!" He said as he readied his duel disk.

"Duel!" both spoke as the match of revenge had begun.

Jim: 4000 Life Points

Adam: 4000 Life Points

"I'll make the first move." Adam said as he drew, "I summon Twin-Sword Marauder in attack mode." He said as a mercenary with bladed arms appeared, (1600 ATK / 1000 DEF). "Then, I'll set two cards and end my turn."

"Then it's my move," Jim said as he drew, "I summon Weathering Soldier in attack mode." He said as a rock monster was sent, its body made from green and gray stones, (2000 ATK / 1200 DEF), "Now, destroy his Marauder!" he said as his rock monster rushed in.

"You're supposed to be the best at your school and that is all you can manage?" Adam responded before revealing one of his facedown cards, "I activate Sakuretsu Armor, destroying your attacking monster." He said before the Marauder gained a demonic armor set. When the Weathering Soldier punch him, it was the rock monster's body that fell apart, "How pathetic?"

"Don't underestimate me, since Weathering Soldier was destroyed by card effect, I can add a certain spell to my hand." Jim said as the card ejected from his deck, then he entered his second main phase to play a different spell, "I activate Smashing Ground, destroying your Marauder for sure this time." He said before Adam's monster exploded with its armor, then took the card he added to this hand. "Now since each of us has a monster in the graveyard, I play another spell, Fossil Fusion." The ace student of South Academy said as a vortex was seen behind him, "By banishing your Marauder and my Soldier, I can fusion summon Fossil Dragon Skullgar!" out of the vortex formed a metallic wingless dragon that glared with red eyes, (2500 ATK / 0 DEF), "And due to Fossil Fusion's effect, my monster if not targetable by monster effects. I end with one card facedown."

"Fusion Summoning." Adam said with disdain in his voice, "I hate those who use that mechanic." He said before drawing, then smiled, "That being said, I prefer my way of doing so. I summon Fallen of Albaz." Appearing on his field was a sun-scorched wanderer with white hair. he wore a red and black attire, but his left eye was branded shut by a scar, (1800 ATK / 0 DEF). "Now, by discarding one card, I can fusion summon using Albaz and monsters you control. And this does not target, which means, your version is weaker."

"Oh no!" Jim said as he saw his monster and Albaz form into a black and red vortex.

"What was that name you called me before?" Adam asked Jim as a massive dragon started to crawl out of the vortex, "It was actually rather fitting." He said as the massive dragon emerged fully its silver scales adorned with molten claws and wings, "I fusion summon, Bastard, The Ashen Dragon!" the Branded Shadow Rider declared as the malevolent dragon roared from behind him, (2500 ATK / 2500 DEF). "It may have the same attack as your monster did now, but he gains 100 attack points for each level of the materials I used. They were two level four monsters." He said as Bastard gained a red aura, (2500 + (8 X 100) = 3300 ATK). "I'm not done yet, as I can use the effect of the monster I discarded." Adam said as his graveyard glowed with a red aura, "By discarding another card, I can special summon it. Arise, Albion the Shrouded Dragon!" the Branded Shadow Rider said as a black dragon with orange wings appeared next to Bastard, roaring as well, (2500 ATK / 2000 DEF). "This is more than enough to finish you this turn, Go Albaz attack with dark flames of dread!" he said his monster unleashed a black fire from its mouth towards Jim.

"Tsk, your monsters don't scare me!" Jim said as he activated his other card on the field, "I reveal my face-down card, Call of the Haunted. This lets me resummon Skullgar to the field." He said as the metal mineral dragon was resurrected, (2500 ATK / 0 DEF), "They have the same attack points, meaning both will be destroyed if you attack." He said before thinking to himself, "Still, that second attack is gonna hurt, but I'll be in the game with enough life points." The Ace duelist of south academy looked at his hand of three cards, seeing two spell cards useless to this situation, but a third that would help a lot, "Magical Stone Excavation get me back Fossil Fusion. And with these two of our monsters in the graveyard, I can make Skullgios to beat his other dragon."

"Hahaha, you think you are living until your next turn?" Adam asked, "I think you forgot my other face down." He said as Jim gasped at the activation, "Branded in Red allows me to add Albaz back to my hand, and perform a fusion summon with cards in my hand or field." He said Albion's attack had stopped, causing him to fall into the vortex along with Albaz, "Behold, Lubellion, the Searing Dragon!" The Branded Shadow Rider said as a new molten metal dragon was seen. The armor was more ragged, and the charred black body had a red core. With its roar, a wave of flames ran through the area, (2500 ATK / 3000 DEF). "However, as this one cannot attack directly this turn, nor do I feel like crashing into your monster. So I will use its effect." Adam said as he took the last card in his hand, "By discarding one card, I can fusion summon again, using any monster on my field, graveyard, even my banished monsters, and shuffle them into the deck."

"I third fusion summon in one turn!?" Jim said in dread.

"Of course, and I will use my Albaz again." Adam said before pointing to the Searing Dragon, "As well as my Lubellion since this one requires a fusion monster as material." As the red vortex formed, a cold wind emanated from it. Emerging was ice encased dragon with permafrost swords around its body, "This is Mirrorjade, the Iceblade Dragon!" the Branded Shadow Rider said as a cold wave ran through the area. "Now, I can send a fusion monster from my extra deck to the graveyard to banish one monster you control. And since your Skullgar was brought back by that trap card, it can be targeted again."

"This can't be," Jim said before his monster vanished in a flash, leaving him defenseless.

"But it is, life can be cruel to the weak." Adam said before pointing, "Bastard, Mirrorjade, attack him directly!" he said as both dragons unleashed beams of fire and ice. The two opposite elements merged into one as Jim tried to endure the hit but was overtaken by the blast.

"AAAAAAAAAAA!" Jim screamed as his life points hit zero, his hat and bandaged eye falling off as a result.

Jim: 4000 – 3300 – 3000 = 0 Life Points

Nearby, Axel heard a scream, "That sounded like Jim." He said before rushing towards the noise. As he made his way through the woods, the sound faded, but stopped as someone approached him, "Hey out of my way, I someone needs my help."

"Hahaha, there's no helping him." The person revealed themselves from the shadows, appearing as the Branded Shadow Rider, "Just like there is no helping you."

"I'm warning you," Axel said as he took out his gun duel disk and took aim, "Move or else."

"How about we settle this a more fitting way?" Adam said as he readied his duel disk. "What do you say?

"Grr," Axel gritted his teeth, knowing something was strange about this man, "Fine, you look like someone I need to put in their place," he said before changing the form on his gun duel disk for this match.

"Duel!" Both said as the fiery battle was about to begin.

Axel: 4000 Life Points

Adam: 4000 Life Points

"I'm going first," Axel said as he drew, playing the card, "I summon Volcanic Slicer in attack mode." He said as the molten metal bipedal monster, (1800 ATK / 1200 DEF). "With its effect, I can forgo its attack to burn you for 500 points of damage." He said Volcanic Slicer shot a fireball from its mouth. It collided with Adam's chest as he was pushed back.

Adam: 4000 – 500 = 3500 Life Points

"I end with one card face down," Axel said as he set the card.

"Hahahahaha." Adam laughed, "HAHAHAHAHA!"

"What's so funny?" Axel said with a glare.

"You'll see soon enough." Adam said as he drew a card from his deck, smiling at the result, "Allow me to properly get this show starter. I summon Aluber the Jester of Despia!" He said as a red void opened in the ground. Emerging out was a man in black and red attire, as well a checkered pattern. His red hair matched Adam, but his mask was black instead of white. He snapped his fingers, causing a fire to ignite at the tips, (1800 ATK / 0 DEF). "When summoned, Jester lets me add a Branded spell or trap to my hand." He said as the card ejected from his deck, "I pick Despia, Theater of the Branded." In playing the field spell, a purple void opened in the sky as a massive floating building descended.

"What is that thing?" Axel responded in dread.

"It's the bringer of your despair." Adam said, "With it, I can fusion summon using monsters from my hand or field as material. I'll use Aluber and Bystial Magnamhut from my hand." He said as the red vortex appeared behind him, "To create Despian Quaeritis!" emerging from the vortex was a warped red and black fiend with a jagged lance, (2500 ATK / 2500 DEF). "With his effect, I can make all monsters currently on the field have zero attacks."

"What!?" Axel said as his monster weakened in a red aura, (1800 – 1800 = 0 ATK).

"Now, by banishing my Magnamhut I used as material before, I can special summon my Bystial Baldrake to the field," Adam said as a demonic dragon with black wings and chains appeared, (2500 ATK / 2000 DEF). "The damage you dealt to me; I will repay tenfold." He said before pointing, "Baldrake with breaking your Slicer in half." He said as the black dragon unleashed dark energy from its wings, creating wind-splitting waves that destroyed Axel's monster.

Axel: 4000 – 2500 = 1500 Life Points

"And now, Quaeritis, attack him directly with Wilt of Bloodshed!" Adam said as the Despian monster dashed in, its lance folding out as the spearhead elongated.

"Not so fast, I have a face-down card." Axel responded, "Fire Wall, by banishing Slicer, I can block your attack." He said as a wall of flames appeared between him and Quaeritis, causing Adam's monster to recoil to avoid incineration.

"You," Adam scowled, then smirked before setting one card, "Oh well, you have been given another turn."

"And I intend to use it," Axel said as he drew, "To keep Fire Wall, I will pay 500 life points."

Axel: 1500 – 500 = 1000 Life Points

"Now, I play Blaze Accelerator." Axel spoke as he played the spell card he drew, causing a type of fire weapon mount to appear, "However, I'll send this to the grave to activate Tri-Blaze Accelerator." He said as the weapon transformed into a three-barrel turret ready for fire, "By sending a pyro monster from my hand to the graveyard, I can destroy one monster you control and hit you for " He said before sending a Volcanic Blaster and Volcanic Hammerer to the graveyard. At that moment, Blaze Accelerator fired a shot into Bystial Baldrake and Despian Quaeritis's chest, detonating it. Afterward, a third shot was fired into Adam's chest, exploding with a bigger blast than before.

Adam: 3500 – 500 – 500 = 2500 Life Points

"You think it that easy to clear my field." Adam responded, "Since Quaeritis was destroyed by a card effect, I can special summon a Despia monster from my deck. And I pick Despia Tragedy." He said as a green-contorted dancer was summoned to the field in defense mode, (400 ATK / 400 DEF), "You have one card left in your hand, if it's another monster, you can destroy mine."

"I can't attack the turn a blaze accelerator was used." Axel said before taking the card off the field, "However, I can send Tri-Blaze Accelerator to the graveyard to summon Volcanic Doomfire to the field in attack mode." The ace Student of West Academy said as a massive fire demon emerged from behind him, its flames erupting from the top of its head, (3000 ATK / 1800 DEF).

"So, that's your ace." Adam spoke, then smirked, "You know, these monsters you play remind me of someone I faced once before." He said as his smile went more sadistic, "You know what happened to her?"

"…" Axel did not say a word, only scowled.

"Well, you'll find out soon enough." Adam said before he drew, "By removing Aluber from my grave, I can special summon Bystial Saronir." He said as a purple demonic dragon appeared on his side of the field, (2500 ATK / 2000 DEF). "Now, I reveal my face-down card, Branded Banishment. This allows me to resurrect Despian Quaeritis." He said before the lancer crimson knight was resummoned.

"Tsk," Axel gritted his teeth as a look of worry filled his eyes.

"Don't worry, I cannot use his effect right now." Adam said before smiling, "Because I have to now fusion summon using all monsters on my field." He said as a red vortex formed behind him, absorbing all monsters, "For one Despia monster, one Light monster, and one Dark monster." He said as two purple hydra heads emerged from the vortex, "Meet the bringer of your doom, Despian Proskenion!" Adam declared as the rest of the abomination emerged, an indescribable horror that towered over everything, (3200 ATK / 3200 DEF), "Go, destroy Doomfire with Flames of Ultimate Despair!" he said as the indescribable abomination unleashed beams of purple flames from its mouths, engulfing Doomfire and overwhelming its flames.

Axel: 1000 – 200 = 800 Life Points

"Now, when your monster is destroyed." Adam said as he pointed, "You take damage equal to its highest stat."

"No," Axel said in dread as he looked up at Despian Proskenion focusing on him, "This can't be how it ends."

"Life has a funny way of playing out for people." Adam said, "When I meet my end the first time, I thought my life was a tragedy. But now, I realize something." Adam said as he smiled, "It's a comedy." He then tilted his head, "Right now, which one do you think yours is?" Before Axel could answer, he was engulfed by the flames of despair.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Axel screamed as his life points reached zero from the burst damage.

Axel: 800 – 3000 = 0 Life Points

Adam watched as the flames died down, followed by Axel's body falling over on the ground. The theater and fusion monster faded as Adam walked away, a smile on his face as he uttered his final words to his defeated opponent, "The show's over."

Meanwhile.

"…Eh?" Ruby's eyes slowly opened as she awakened from her slumber, "Huh? Where am I?" She said upon standing up, discovering a black void with nothing but darkness in all directions. She recalled something like this when dueling Cinder, a space created by Salem, but this was different, "Hello, is anyone out there!?" the hooded Slifer Red asked but got no response. She then began to wonder, but after taking her first step, she thought she heard a voice behind her. A voice that sounded…like her own voice.

"You couldn't save her."

"W-who said that!?" Ruby turned around but saw nobody but blackness and shadows, "…" she stared into the void for a few seconds before continuing her walk. However, she hugged herself as she knew someone was watching her, whispering in her ears, breathing down her neck, and causing her throat to go tight.

"And you can't save yourself."

AN: There you go, a lot of stuff to talk about here. You start with Jaden rushing over to let some people know that things are going crazy after communications are down. We then get a flashback of a bit of Yuri and Cinder's backstory and meeting, as well as a moment before Roman meet Sora. In precent time, we see how Cinder is dealing with heartbroken Ruby and makes her play the Seal of Orichalcos, (I did set this up before with Nora's backstory with Ren). I really liked this callback and reason for how the turning people into cards works here. Now, we got two duels with Adam and his new deck, Branded and Despia cards. I have said before how some decks are perfect for the duelist, but this one takes the cake. I mean, some monsters like Albaz and especially Aluber just look like him, (Plus while I could have called that fusion monster Titaniklad, I had to use Bastard like it is called in the OCG for the moment here). He makes quick work of two ace duelist in the same chapter, proving how much deadlier he has become. We end off with Ruby wondering a void in her own mind, which I guess you could say is a running theme in my stories for her. We will see more on her later, but there are other duelist to show off now. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.

Now, time to answer some questions. The Photon Hypernova Insect Support is awesome, I love the Ultimate Great Insect, (Weevil would be so proud). Regarding Armed Neos, I have an idea for that monster, but we will see if I can right it in correctly. Also, while it was not asked, I do know that Gate Guardian will get support soon, which has me super happy. I know I said I would have the brothers back if this got announced but we are already past the tonal moment for their relevance here. HOWEVER, what I will do is make a bonus chapter with them for a moment in between the drama of this tournament. I will need to wait and see their support before making that chapter. Those were all the questions I had, feel free to ask more, and I will answer them in the next chapter.