"With my three Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragons, I attack!" The voice of fallen Duelist Tenjo Kaito yelled coldly as the three copies of ace released a light blue beam from its mouth. Each one enveloped his three Academia victims, defeating them instantly.

The three were thrown to the ground, their life points being reduced to 0. They had sustained so much damage from the Duel that they could barely move.

"Kaito!"

The former Clover Branch Duelist turned to the source of the voice. He scowled at the sight of Kamishiro Ryoga running towards him with a glare on his face.

"I've been looking for you."

"Stay out of my way, Ryoga!" Kaito shunned his former comrade, moving past him towards his defeated opponents with a dead look in his eye. "I've already told you all I'm done with the Resistance."

Ryoga responded by tightly grabbing on to his shoulder. "Hold on! I know what you're going to do, and while it seems like a good option, it's not. Carding our enemies is only going to leave us empty. The more you do it, the more you lose your past self. You'll...become a monster."

Kaito glared at his friend. "A monster is what's needed to survive. If sacrificing my humanity will allow me to beat Academia, so be it." He shoved the hand off his shoulder as he continued to approach the Academia Duelists, who looked at him with terror. "I don't know if you know this yet Ryoga, but...I already am a monster." The boy held up his Duel Disk.

Recognizing the motion, the Duelist in the middle spoke up out of sheer desperation.

"Wait, please spare us!"

"Are you prepared to repent?" Kaito asked coldly, his eyes unfazed by the purple light emitting from his Duel Disk.

"GAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

The screams of the Carded victims echoed in the dark, gray sky. Cards of their faces in their final moments dropped to the ground as Ryoga watched in shock. He knew he wasn't the Kaito he knew, but he didn't think he had changed this much.

"You see, Ryoga? This is how we survive. We must abandon our old selves, and become monsters. Just like them!" Kaito motioned towards the newly Carded Duelists, glaring at the Water-Type user with anger radiating in his eyes. "Just like the bitch who Carded my family!"

Ryoga narrowed his eyes as he looked at what was merely a corpse of his former friend. "Kaito…"

"What are you going to do now, Ryoga?" Kaito questioned as he stepped backwards, away from the purple-haired male. "You should know that if you continue to get in my way, you'll just end up like them!"

Ryoga stepped back, strapping his Duel Disk onto his arm. A look of guilt flushed through his eyes. "And you should know that I'm not going to abandon you." He activated his Duel Disk, a vibrant blue blade forming in front of him.

Kaito sharpened his gaze at whom he regarded to be one of his best friends. With a cold stare, he also released the blade on his Duel Disk.

"You already have."

Field Magic: Cross Over!

A light glow enveloped the area around the two Duelists as light blue platforms formed sporadically. A cluster of Actions Cards bursted, scattering the contents all over the area randomly.

"DUEL!" Both Xyz users shouted in unison.

"I'll be taking the first move!" Ryoga declared, placing a Card in his Duel Disk as a Monster appeared in a flash of light. "From my Hand, I Summon Double Fin Shark!"

Emerging from the light was a red shark with a light blue underbelly.

Double Fin Shark: Level 4, 1000 Atk, 1200 Def

"Now…" Ryoga trailed off, taking out a second Card from his Hand and showing it to Kaito. "I can Special Summon this Monster if I control a Water Monster. Come out, Silent Angler!" A fat burgundy-colored fish appeared next to Double Fin Shark.

Angler: Level 4, 800 Atk, 1400 Def

Ryoga continued to speak as an image of Double Fin Shark appeared next to the real one. "When used as an Xyz Material, Double Fin Shark counts as two Monsters. So, using Silent Angler and the Double Fin Shark treated as two Xyz Materials, I overlay! With these Monsters, I construct the overlay network!" The dark portal opened up in front of Ryoga as his Monsters flew into it. The portal imploded as he began to chant. "Xyz Summon! Show yourself! The most powerful ruler of the deep sea! Your sharp fangs shall exterminate everything! Rank 4, Marine Biting Dragon - Shark Drake!"

Rising from the ground was one of Ryoga's ace Monsters, a large Red Sea Monster with webbed feet 4 red wings.

Shark Drake: Rank 4, 2800 Atk, 2100 Def

"You took the first move just so you could make that terrible misplay?" Kaito spat with contempt. Ryoga glared at his friend as he clarified. "Shark Drake can only use its effect when it destroys a Monster in battle. However, there are no Monsters on my Field to destroy. Simply put, you screwed up. You're just going to lose your ace and accomplish nothing."

"I won't let Shark Drake fall that easily." Ryoga retorted as he held up two Cards from his Hand. "I set two Cards and end my turn."

"It's my turn!" Kaito roared, drawing a Card from the top of his Deck, holding a Card from his Hand. "You've given me something to take advantage of. If you control a Monster that was Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can Special Summon Cipher Twin Raptor!" Appearing to the Field was a purple-armored raptor with a vibrant light blue skin.

Twin Raptor: Level 4, 1600 Atk, 800 Def

"Now, from the Hand, I Summon Cipher Wing!" Kaito yelled as a Monster with two sets of three neon-colored wings.

Cipher Wing: Level 4, 1400 Atk, 1200 Def

"I activate the effect of Cipher Wing! By releasing this Monster, I can increase the Level of all Cipher Monsters I control by 4." Kaito said as Cipher Wing disappeared from the Field, raising the Level of Cipher Twin Raptor.

Twin Raptor: Level 4-8

"Like your Double Fin Shark, Cipher Twin Raptor can be treated as two Xyz Materials. I overlay the Level 8 Cipher Twin Dragon!" Kaito yelled as his Monster glowed yellow, flying into the portal that opened in front of him as he chanted. "Galaxy shining in the darkness, dwell in the demonic god of revenge and become my very servant! Xyz Summon! Descend, Rank 8! Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!"

Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon: Rank 8, 3000 Atk, 2500 Def

"I now activate the effect of Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon! By detaching an overlay unit…" Kaito trailed off as the yellow material orbiting his ace was crushed in the grasp of the dragon's hand. "I can target and take control of a face-up Monster you control until the End Phase…

"And while it is under your control it becomes Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon…" Ryoga finishes with narrowed eyes. He has been on the receiving end of this effect many times in the past.

"So you remember?" Kaito retorted with a humorless chuckle. "Funny, considering how you practically forgot about me when you left...when you abandoned me and my family!"

"That's not what happened!"

"It is what happened!" Kaito snapped with venom in his voice. "It is! You can't change what's already been done, so now you must repent. Using Cipher Dragon's effect, I take control of your Shark Drake!"

Ryoga's ace was turned into an exact replica of Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, followed by the transfer of the Monster to Kaito's side of the Field.

Shark Drake - Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon: 2800-3000 Atk

"Battle!" Kaito declared with the wave of his hand, prompting his original ace to roar with fury. "With the original Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, I attack you directly! Cipher Stream of Eradication!"

A blue stream of energy flushed out of Cipher Dragon's mouth, rushing towards Ryoga. In response, the boy pressed a switch on his Duel Disk, revealing one of his set Cards, a Trap Card.

"I activate Depth Gardna! When I would take damage from a direct attack, I can make the damage 0." Ryoga explained as the attack enveloped him. However, as it did no damage, Ryoga didn't even flinch from it. When the attack dissipated, a four-armed creature was floating in front of him in Attack Position. "After, I can Special Summon this Trap as a Card with an Attack and Defense equal to the damage I would have taken."

Depth Gardna: Level 5, 3000 Atk, 3000 Def

A four-legged squid-like Monster appeared in front of Ryoga, taking a defensive position. In response to the Summon of this Monster, Kaito scowled. A Defense equal to the Attack of his own Monster…

Ryoga always did have the most annoying Cards to deal with.

"I set two Cards. I end my turn." Kaito concluded as two Cards appeared in front of him momentarily. As it was the end of the turn, the effect of Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon ended, and Ryoga regained control of his Shark Drake, now back to normal.

The Shark user placed his hand back on top of his Deck, beginning his turn with the draw of a Card. He grabbed the Card of Depth Gardna, switching it into Attack Position. Then, he grasped the Card he drew and inserted it into his Duel Disk, activating it.

"I activate the Quick-Play Magic Card, Absolute Zero! With this Card, I can target an Xyz Monster on the Field with no overlay units and make its Attack 0!" Ryoga explained as he glared at Kaito's ace. It was quite obvious what his choice was going to be. "I choose Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!"

"Very well, then I will activate my own Quick-Play!" Kaito responded, revealing one of his set Cards. "Galaxy Eyes Nova, activate! With this Card, I can release a Galaxy Eyes Monster I control to Special Summon a Galaxy Eyes Monster to the Field."

Kaito's ace disappeared from the Field, only to reappear once again with its Attack untouched.

Not what I wanted to happen. Ryoga thought to himself. But I can still…

"Depth Gardna, attack Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!" He roared as his Monster catapulted itself towards Kaito's dragon. Meanwhile, Ryoga made a mad dash for a nearby platform. He leaped onto his, pressing his foot on the surface and launching himself onto a higher platform, where he grabbed an Action Card hanging off the edge.

"I reveal my last set Card!" Kaito exclaimed as a Quick-Play Magic Card was revealed. "Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Shock! Firstly, during the Battle Phase, I can target a battling Cipher Monster and prevent it from being destroyed by battle. Furthermore, all Monsters on the Field at the time of this Card's activation have their effects negated until the end of the turn!"

Ryoga quickly glanced at his Action Card. Damn it! His eyes widened when he realized that in the current situation, the Card was completely useless. The Shark user could only watch as the two Monsters clashes, with only Cipher Dragon coming out, his own Monster reduced to dust and smoke.

Ryoga scowled. He knew what was coming next…

"Now, after the battle, I end the Battle Phase." Kaito said as his Monster's eyes glowed a light blue hue. "Then, I can Xyz Summon a Monster from the Extra Deck whose Rank is one higher than the targeted Xyz Monster, using it as Material. With this, I reconstruct the overlay network!" The Galaxy Eyes user held his hand into air as his ace morphed into an overlay unit. It rose into the air before diving down into the portal that opened in front of Kaito. A pillar of pure energy erupted from the core, signaling the arrival of the new Monster.

Here it comes! Ryoga did his best to prepare himself for the oncoming a

Monster, but deep down he knew there was nothing he could do as Kaito callously recited the chant for his Monster.

"Galaxy shining in the darkness. Release the forever unchanging light and become the beacon that illuminates the future! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Descend, Rank 9! Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon!" Kaito's voice echoed throughout the bleak sky as a vibrant beam of light shot up from the ground. A beam of light so bright and big that it seemed to illuminate the dark skies of Heartland, if only just a little.

However, what came out of the beam was not the envoy of Hope. No, it was the opposite. The envoy of anger, hate, and despair. All that could be sensed from the dragon was carnage, and a desire to destroy.

Neo Galaxy Eyes: Rank 9, 4500 Atk, 3000 Def

"Sh-Shit!" Ryoga cursed under his breath. This was not good. Not good at all. "I end my turn."

"Now, it's my turn!" Kaito stated as he withdrew a Card from his Deck. Without even sparing it a single glance, he motioned to Neo Galaxy Eyes. "Once per turn, I can detach all overlay units from this Card and take control of as many Monsters you control as possible with their effects negated. Also, their names will become Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon and their Attack will be the same as well."

"That's not gonna happen!" Ryoga yelled as he inserted the Action Card he had grabbed earlier. "Action Magic, Invisibility! With this, I target my Shark Drake. Now, he cannot be targeted or affected by your Card effects until the end of the turn."

"Using the power of outsiders means nothing! It just means you've grown soft, and you're still going to lose your Monster!" Kaito proclaimed, moving into his Battle Phase. "Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon, attack Shark Drake! Neo Cipher Stream of Eradication!" Like its predecessor, Neo Galaxy Eyes unleashed a stream of blue light. Said beam enveloped Shark Drake, erasing the Monster from existence and moving on to hit Ryoga, who let out a cry of pain as he was blown up into the air. For a moment, he actually had blacked out when he hit the ground. Fortunately, the sudden pain had jolted him back awake.

Ryoga: 4000-2300 LP

"I set a Card end my turn. Surrender, Ryoga." Kaito said with a blank stare, looking up from his Cards to face his former comrade. "You cannot defeat me anymore. I'm much stronger than you remember."

"Oh?" Ryoga voiced as he slowly rose to his feet. "And how's that?"

"It's because I have nothing. I don't have anything to lose anymore." Kaito explained as he crossed his arms, a cold stare on his face as he seemed to be reminiscing. "I don't have a reputation. No branch to fight for. No family. I am all alone now! And that simple fact is what makes me much stronger than you."

"We'll see about that." Ryoga rebutted, bending his knees slightly. "After all, I'm not the same kid you remember either! And I'll prove it right now. My turn, draw! Now, I activate the Rank-Up-Magic Surface Force! With this, I Special Summon an Xyz Monster from my Graveyard. Then, using this Card and the revived Monster as Xyz Materials, I Xyz Summon a Monster with one Rank higher."

The inserted Magic Card was revealed to Kaito as Ryoga's Xyz Monster returned to the Field. Then, it and the Magic Card turned into purple Xyz Materials, rising up into the air and swirling in towards a portal that opened in front of him. Kaito narrowed his eyes as he witnessed the white and purple sea Monster appear hovering above Ryoga, its glowing eyes glaring down at him.

"Rank-Up Xyz Change! Show yourself! Ancient ruler of the sea! Marine Biting Dragon - Shark Drake Veiss!"

Shark Drake Veiss: Rank 5, 2800 Atk, 2100 Def

"I now activate the effect of Shark Drake Veiss by detaching an overlay unit!" Ryoga yelled as his Monster crushed an overlay unit with the grasp of its fist. "Once per turn, I can banish a Monster from my Graveyard and reduce the Attack of a Monster you control by that Monster's Attack. I banish the detached Shark Drake!"

Shark Drake had an Attack of 2800. Therefore, Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon would lose 2800 Attack.

"Battle! Attack, Shark Drake Veiss!" Ryoga declared as his Monster unleashed a spiraling current of water towards its foe. The water enveloped the Monster, causing it to drown and explode. The ensuing shockwaves made Kaito stumble backwards with a grimace as he took damage.

Kaito: 4000-2900 LP

"I activate the effect of the Cipher Mirror Knight in my Hand!" Kaito declared as he revealed the Monster Card. "When a Cipher Monster I control is destroyed by battle, I can target that Monster. Then, by sending this Card and another Card I control to the Grave, I can Special Summon that Monster." Kaito removed his set a Card, Cipher Diffusion, from the Field along with Mirror Knight, reviving the advanced form of his ace as if it was never destroyed.

"Tch! I end my turn." Ryoga grunted out of annoyance before his scowl formed into a small smirk, one of reminiscence. "Your playstyle is as annoying as ever, Kaito. It sure takes me back to the good old days, when we were in Heartland Duel School. The Spade vs Clover..."

The mention of the past only seemed to add to Kaito's already violent anger. The fire and hate in his eyes were evident. He was thinking about his family again…

"If you are still thinking about the old days, then you are truly weaker than I remember." Kaito said with a dispassionate gaze. "It's my turn, draw! I activate the Rank-Down-Magic Cipher Fall!"

Ryoga blinked out of shock. "Rank-Down-Magic? But, you don't…"

"Unlike you, Ryoga, I've changed." Kaito stated as a portal opened in front of him, his Neo Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon turning into a purple Xyz Material along with the Magic Card. "To survive in this hell, I've had to become stronger. To live, I needed to cut all of the chains holding me down. That includes the Resistance, and even you. With this Card and Neo Galaxy Eyes as Materials, I can Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster whose Rank is 1 lower."

N-No way…Ryoga thought with shock as a purple pillar erupted from the overlay network. Kaito changed...this much?

"Rise! Ultimate Galactic Dragon!" Kaito shouted to the sky as his Monster's shape began to take form. "Darkness and light wandering in the universe. Sorrowful dragon who sleeps in the interstice. It's power of creation opens the door of truth! Rank-Down Xyz Change! Galaxy Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon!"

Prime Cipher Dragon: Rank 8, 4000 Atk, 3000 Def

"When Special Summoned, Prime Cipher Dragon gains 100 Attack for each Rank or Level currently on the Field until the end of the turn." Kaito explained. There were 13 Ranks in total. So, Cipher Dragon would gain 1300 Attack.

Prime Cipher Dragon: 4000-5300 Atk

"Shit!" Ryoga glanced around the Field in a panic, his eyes trailing to a platform in the sky.

"I told you not to get in my way, Ryoga. Now, you will pay the price! Galaxy Eyes Prime Cipher Dragon, attack and destroy Shark Drake Veiss!"

Prime Cipher Dragon released a stream of light. And with that, Ryoga took off in a sprint, jumping onto his Xyz Monster who flew in the air with great speed despite the oncoming attack that was homing in. He leapt off his Monster and onto the platform, sliding off and grabbing the Card as he did. He gave the Card a hopeful glance, putting all of his remaining Hope in that one Card of fate.

Time all but slowed down for Ryoga when he saw the effect of the Card.

Target 1 Monster on the Field; it cannot be destroyed by Card effects.

Ryoga blinked, hoping what he saw was just his eyes playing tricks on him. Unfortunately, when he opened his eyes, all he saw were the mocking words…

Mirror Barrier.

BOOM!

The attack hit home, and Ryoga was sent crashing to the ground on his side. As he hit the earth, he let out a cry of pure agony, feeling a crack in his shoulder. His vision blurred as a ringing sound filled his ears.

Ryoga: 2300-0 LP

He most definitely had a concussion from that fall...and a dislocated shoulder to boot.

He glanced up to see Kaito slowly walking towards him, his Duel Disk held up with an emotionless look on his face.

"Are you ready to repent?" He asked, not waiting for an answer as his finger inched closer and closer to the button that would end it all…

"Hold on, Kaito!" A familiar voice called, prompting Kaito's finger to freeze up as he turned to the source of the voice.

"Yuto." He stated the name of the boy as he saw his friend rush into the scene, with…

Yuya and…

Marufuji Ryo…

"It's you!" Kaito glared with hate as he walked away from Ryoga, practically forgetting about him completely. "You dog! You're the one who brought the bitch who Carded my family!"

Ryo walked forward, activating his Duel Disk.

"I know. That's why I'm here...to atone. The way you are right now is my fault. That makes you my responsibility to take care of."

"I will not let you take another family off of this world, you bastard!" Kaito seethed as he reactivated his Duel Disk, engaging in yet another Duel.

"DUEL!"

As the two Duelists began their bout, Yuya and Yuto ran over to Ryoga, who was slowly and carefully rising to his feet as best as he could.

"Yuya...Yuto…" Ryoga whispered as he glanced at the newcomer. "Who's that?"

"His name is Marufuji Ryo."

"You mean…"

"Yes. That one." Yuto finished for the boy as they turned to the Duel. "He's on our side. He protected us." He turned toward his injured comrade. "More importantly, what happened to you?"

"I...challenged Kaito." Ryoga said with an ashamed expression on his face. "I thought I could help him see through things...I was wrong…"

"And…he tried to Card you for getting in his way?" Yuya questioned as he glanced at the Galaxy Eyes Duelist in shock.

"Yes. Had you guys not come, I would be a Card right now." Ryoga said with wide eyes, visibly shaken as the situation fully dawned on him. "He...was really going to Card me…"

Yuto turned his head towards the shell of his former friend. The man now only filled with rage and damaged memories that were never to be again. The man that was nothing like the person he knew before the war.

Kaito…just how far have you fallen?


Card Catalog

Rank-Down-Magic Cipher Fall, Magic: Target a Cipher Monster you control. Then, using this Card and that Monster as Materials, Xyz Summon a Cipher Monster whose Rank is 1 lower than the selected Monster.


So...it's been a while. A really long time. If you look at my other story I haven updated it in over a year lol.

Sorry about that, I just have not been able to find the time to make these chapters. With every fiber of my being, I will make sure to get the next chapter how much sooner than this one did. Though, I've given this speech many times in the past and I've failed to deliver. All I can say is that to those still reading, thank you for your patience. I truly appreciate you all.

To all those who reviewed, thank you. You all really made me want to get my shit together, and I hope this chapter can at least make up for the long wait I out you guys through.

With that said, I wish you guys a good day.

Take care, goodbye!