Errol trying to get the attention of Jack send his team towards random participants, however even though their efforts Jack didn't take the bait.

The Blades who are moving towards the park area, they however came across Henry and Chloe from the American team, Violet took on the two and won the encounter.

Now Drake is about to make his move.

15. Daggers in the Shadows - Part 1.

Drake, Don and Michelle were casually walking around the docks, there were currently no Duelists in sight.

'So how do you think Rini and Serana are doing?' Michelle wondered.

'They'll be fine, Serana protects Rini and if everything goes wrong they have that calming potion Kailyn made, as we discussed we're a team because we needed five people but we'd go our separate ways.' Drake replied. 'Our mission is to take down Norman.' Don grinned then he paused for a moment. 'Why do we go after them all the time?' He then asked.

The Blades had a lot of down time in between major missions, Drake's team often did patrols with Sector Security during those periods, The Mythic Dawn wasn't a major player in the criminal underworld, most times when they appeared it was to try some ritual which Drake then thwarted ever since Norman has been on his watch list, Jack put Drake in charge of watching The Mythic Dawn, after the last major encounter Mankar disappeared and Norman took control of the group, there were some skirmishes between low-ranked members and The Blades but Norman hasn't shown himself until the tournament.

'Mankar has disappeared.' Drake answered Don's question: 'Norman might be Mehrunes Dagon's embodiment Jack want to keep tabs on him in case Mehrunes tries anything, if Norman is in this tournament it is because he wants something, he must abide by the tournament rules if we kick him out it's no longer possible for him to get what he wants, that is why we go after them.' Don nodded then Drake suddenly stopped he ducked away behind a container. 'There.' He whispered as he pointed towards the jetties.

'That's Norman with two of his cronies.' Michelle said: 'Senna and Leroy if I'm not mistaken.'

Drake took out his tablet. 'It's Senna and Leroy, Tyra and Vinny just got eliminated mere minutes ago by Ushiwaka, that was on the other end of the docks.' Drake put the tablet away he motioned Don and Michelle to follow him, quietly they sneak up behind the three since their backs were turned to Drake it was easy to get the drop on them.

'Yo Norman!' Drake casually said startling the unaware Norman.

'You.' Norman hissed as he recognized the three the moment he turned around.

'Norman last time we've faced your Mythic Dawn I got to fight that supposed leader of yours Mankar, what happened to him?'

Norman the one standing in the middle of the group of three wasn't looking too happy, his normally messy, brown hair was covered by a beanie, he was wearing warm, black clothes, his companions who flanked him wore black clothes as well, to his left stood a woman wearing fur-lined boots, a black dress with a lot of lace and ribbons decorating it, she wore a leather jacket over it, she had long, black, flowing hair. To Norman's right stood a rough-looking man with a slanted nose the most striking was his red Mohawk.

Norman spat on the ground. 'Mankar fell from grace, after your little rampage he got arrested, he prayed to our god Mehrunes Dagon to free him, since he had the audacity to call for help after he let our operations crash. Thank you for that by the way. Mehrunes Dagon struck him down right then and there, I kinda took over, soon I will be the voice through which Mehrunes Dagon speaks.' Norman calmly answered the question.

'Like The Blades let that happen.' Drake scoffed: 'Not much that can be done about that, tournament rules and all, but at least I get to remove you from this tournament myself.' A broad grin formed on Drake's face.

'Norman I challenge you to a Duel!' Drake shouted as he activated his Duel Disk, then an alarm sounded the television screens around the area turned on telling Norman and Drake to head to the freighter which was the arena of the docks, the freighter was a gigantic ship specifically brought in for the tournament, the arena was the now empty deck of the ship, each Duelist stood on a container the freighter normally transported.

'Even better now I get to kick you out of this tournament on live television, even better since this is an arena Duel there will be nobody who can intrude.' Drake laughed as he made his way towards the ship, Norman reluctantly followed him. 'Leroy, Senna scatter!' Norman shouted as he saw that Don and Michelle activated their Duel Disks, before the two could issue their challenge Norman's teammates started to run, Leroy ran towards the warehouses while Senna made her way towards a bunch of stacked containers.

Drake and Norman reached the ship, the playing field was outfitted with the same technology as the Colosseum being able to make the monsters gigantic, the containers where the Duelists stood on were outfitted with an elevator and console where they Dueled on, their opponent's life points were displayed on the front of the container, Norman took place on the red container while Drake took the blue one.

(Drake: 8000) - (Norman: 8000)

'I shall take the first turn.' Drake stated as he drew his opening hand, Norman didn't object.

'I summon Serene Psychic Witch.' Drake stated a pink-haired, young woman wearing pink armor, in each hand she held a futuristic gun-like weapon she appeared in front of Drake's container. (1400 ATK) The arena's did not use augmented reality in their Duels, the information normally displayed on the D-Gazer was now displayed on the console.

'I end my turn.' Drake stated.

Norman drew his card.

'I summon Giant Orc.' He stated, a hideous creature appeared in front of his container, a hulking beast with a gray skin, nearly its entire body was muscles, its head was bald, out of the corners of its mouth grew large tusks, the beast wore nothing more than green pants and a brown piece of cloth tied around its waist, it casually held a massive club made of bone in its hands. (2200 ATK)

'Attack Serene Psychic Witch!' Norman commanded, the Orc let out a war-cry before charging in it avoided some lasers the Serene Psychic Witch fired at it then he bashed the woman on the head with its bone club.

(Drake: 8000- 7200) - (Norman: 8000)

'Serene Psychic Witch's effect activates, I banish Windaar, Sage of Gusto.' Drake searched the card from his Deck and placed it face-up on an empty space on the console. Meanwhile the Giant Orc slogged back to its place when it arrived it fell on its butt it immediately fell asleep. (0 DEF)

'Now Drake, my real strategy I activate the continuous spell card: Sad Story - Sorrowful Memories.' The card appeared behind the Giant Orc.

'With this card in play whenever we draw cards during our draw phase we reveal those cards then any monsters among them are send back into our Decks.' He then signed the end of his turn.

Drake drew his card, the image of the card appeared on Norman's console.

'Psychic Snail, a monster.' He said with a grin, Drake growled something as he shuffled the card back into his Deck.

'Anyway the effect of Serene Psychic Witch activates, she is still in the Graveyard that means I can now special summon the Windaar, Sage of Gusto I banished with her effect.'

A powerful gust of wind traveled over the field forming a tornado out of it stepped a man with green hair he wore a green tunic with brown pants under it and a matching hooded cloak, in his hands he held a small heavily ornate, scythe-like weapon. (2000 ATK)

'Now I normal summon Gusto Gulldo.' Drake stated a screech sounded over the arena as a small bird flew over, it had green feathers it wore leather chest armor with spikes over its shoulders, he wore a matching helmet with spikes on top on its chest it wore the Gusto symbol, a green circle with a small dot in the middle with four lines leading towards it. (500 ATK)

'Gulldo attacks Giant Orc!' Drake commanded, the small bird started to flap its wings a powerful blast of wind knocked the Giant Orc off the freighter into the water. 'Windaar direct attack!'

Norman braced himself was the sage started to cast powerful magic sending blasts of wind in Norman's direction.

(Drake: 7200) - (Norman: 8000- 6000)

Norman drew his card. 'I activate Sad Story - Unwavering Truth.' A second continuous spell card appeared next to his first one. 'This works the same way as Sorrowful memories but for spell cards.' Norman quickly explained he then played another card which appeared face-down next to his continuous spell cards. 'I end my turn.'

Drake drew his card. 'Teleport.' With a sigh he shuffled the card back into his Deck.

'So he locked me out of monsters and spells? Chances are he has one for traps as well, but he suffers from his own spell cards, the most logical reason would be Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings, a nineteen-hundred attack point monster that can revive itself by sending a continuous spell from the field to the Graveyard, when it deals damage to me I must discard a card then he can draw one, that way if he empties my hand he automatically wins since I cannot keep any card I draw.'

Drake drew his card. 'Norman Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings is too obvious and not your style, too predictable also no you're planning something else.' Drake swapped a card on his console, Gulldo landed it used its wings to shield itself. (500 DEF)

Windaar knelt on one knee and crossed his arms. (1000 DEF)

'I summon Mathematician.' Drake then continued on the field appeared an old man he had a mighty, white mustache and long matching beard his head was only covered by a black, pyramid-shaped hat his eyes were hidden behind thick, round glasses the man wore purple and white robes in his left hand he held a small staff. (1500 ATK)

'Direct attack!' Drake shouted.

'I activate Call of the Haunted!' Norman replied, his face-down card opened up, his Giant Orc reappeared on the field. (2200 ATK)

'I continue my attack.' Drake stated the old man fired a blast of numbers and math symbols, the Giant Orc swatted them away then hurled his club at the old man.

(Drake: 7200- 6500) - (Norman: 6000)

'When Mathematician is destroyed by battle I draw a card, which is outside my draw phase so I get to keep it.' Drake drew his card.

'I end my turn.'

Norman drew his card. 'Reckless Greed a trap.' He stated immediately playing it, the card appeared face-down.

'Giant Orc!' Norman shouted, the beast charged in once more this time clobbering Windaar, he fell asleep the moment he walked back to his own side of the field. (0 DEF)

'I activate Sad Story - Atrocious Day.' Norman stated a third quick-play spell appeared. 'As you can guess it does the same thing as the other two but for trap cards, now the set is complete.' Norman said with a grin.

Drake stared at the field his hand hovered above his Deck ready to draw his card then it hit him. 'Is he really trying to pull this off? He doesn't want to block drawing cards, he just needed three continuous spells on the field, limiting my hand was just a bonus to him, which means his true ace monster is already in his hand, Dragon Queen of Tragic Endings is one monster that requires three face-up spell cards in order to special summon itself, but there is another one that meets that requirement, if he really has ''that'' monster first of all how did he get his hands on it and second if he really has it I'm in huge trouble.' Drake noticed some sweat on his forehead quickly he wiped it away.

'So it seems you realize what I'm doing, and you know there is nothing you can do to stop it.' Norman calmly spoke.

Drake drew his card, Polymerization of course he had to shuffle it back in his Deck, not that the card was of any use to him in this situation.

'I release Gulldo in order to advance summon Reeze, Whirlwind of Gusto!'

A tornado swallowed the small bird, out of the storm leapt a young woman with long green hair tied in two tails one on each side of her head, the lower half of each tail's hair was dyed orange she wore a green top, with light green detached sleeves and same colored skirt, under the skirt she wore green leggings in her hand she held a spear-like weapon, the Gusto insignia was a pin on her belt. (1900 ATK)

'Through the effect of Gulldo I special summon Winda, Priestess of Gusto from my Deck!' A small storm appeared on the middle of the ship the green-haired girl wearing a white tunic and brown coat stepped out, she was twirling her staff around. (1000 ATK)

'Winda attack!' Drake commanded, the girl took a leap planting her staff in the chest of the Giant Orc.

'Winda!' Drake then shouted, Norman braced himself as the woman poked him with her weapon.

(Drake: 6500) - (Norman: 6000- 4100)

'I set this and end my turn.' Drake stated as a face-down card appeared behind his monsters.

'Before you end your turn I activate Reckless Greed.' Norman stated his trap card opened up. 'I draw two cards now outside my draw phase but I must skip my next two draw phases.' Norman added the cards to his hand.

A grin formed on Norman's face. 'It's time, I send all three of my continuous spell cards to the Graveyard!' Dark clouds packed above the ship, in the distance the sound of thunder was heard, suddenly lightning struck the middle of the three spell cards, soon after the other two were struck two, as the cards turned to ashes the water became impetuous, more lightning struck down as the clouds broke open from the heavens the biggest Duel Monster Drake had ever seen slowly descended with a roar it sunk partially into the water constant surges of lightning surrounded the beast, Drake drew back a bit the only thing that could be heard besides the thunder was Norman's laughter.

The docks: Outside the arena.

The moment Drake issued his challenge to Norman Leroy and Senna ran off, Don saw Michelle going after Senna, Don went after Leroy who was quite fast. 'Get back here Leroy! You can't escape!'

Leroy disappeared between some warehouses, Don was quick to follow, when Leroy saw Don he tried to leap over a bunch of pallets, however he tripped and fell, before Don could reach him he stood on his feet again and ran into one of the warehouses, with Don closely behind him Leroy knew he couldn't keep running. As he ran up the stairs towards the roof he could hear Don behind him as he kicked down the door Leroy found himself on the roof.

'So Leroy, no more places to run to.' Don was panting as he spoke, Leroy wasn't in a better condition. Don was now blocking the only stairs down.

'Fine if you're this persistent.' Leroy said with a snarl two Duel Disks and D-Gazers activated. 'Duel!' Both shouted.

(Leroy: 8000) - (Don: 8000)

'I summon Mystic Tomato.' Leroy stated a small, mean-looking tomato appeared in front of Leroy it had two glaring eyes and a large mouth with a large, pointy tongue sticking out and a row of sharp-pointed teeth. (1400 ATK) 'I end my turn.'

Don drew his card. 'I'm not going to waste any time of you, Drake wanted you gone so I'll make it so, simple as that.'

Leroy chuckled: 'You really are the bonehead of the team aren't you?' He replied.

'I'll let you in on a secret.' Don replied his demeanor was all serious.

'Running a normal monster Deck without Skill Drain requires a lot of strategy, I like running normal monsters because they come with high attacks, most times it's enough to overpower or disrupt the opponent's strategy, I've memorized the effect of almost all monsters there are so I don't need to rely on a D-Gazer, I do as Drake asks because I am not a leader, I know nothing of making decisions for the team so when Drake wants me to deal with someone I trust him that he makes the right call and he trusts me in return to deal with whatever he needs taking care off.'

Don took two cards from his hand: 'Between you and me I might be the smartest of all the Blades.'

He took two cards from his hand the first he played was the spell card Ancient Rules, when he played the second card the mighty Cosmo Queen rose behind him towering over the warehouse her stern eyes fixated on Leroy. (2900 ATK)

'Next I normal summon Gene-Warped Warwolf!' The howl of a ferocious beast sounded, seconds later the four-armed beast leaped over the edge of the roof and landed in front of Don. (2000 ATK)

'Warwolf attack Mystic Tomato!' Don shouted the four-armed beast leaped forward tearing the monstrous tomato apart.

(Leroy: 7400- 5900) - (Don: 8000)

'Mystic Tomato's effect allows me to special summon a second one.' Leroy stated out of the bits that were left of the original tomato a second one grew. (1400 ATK)

'Cosmo Queen.' Don stated, second later a blast of dark magic annihilated the second tomato.

(Leroy: 8000- 7400) - (Don: 8000)

'This time I give you Metabo Globster!' Another hideous creature appeared this one resembling a water strider a hairy creature on its had it had a small fuse with a flame at the end. (800 ATK)

Suddenly the sound of thunder was heard in the distance Don looked up only to see lightning strike several times in the distance. 'That's where Drake is.' He muttered then he gasped as he saw the imposing form of Norman's monsters slowly descent from the heavens.

'Looks like your boss is in trouble, Norman deemed it necessary to summon his ace, can't stay behind then.'

'I release Metabo Globster so I can advance summon Puppet Master!'

The disturbing water strider creature disappeared and made place for an evenly disturbing creature this one a zombie-like devil with huge, red eyes and rotting teeth in his mouth, the creature was dressed like a jester in blue with yellow details, thin wires came out of his fingertips. (0 ATK)

'First the effect of Puppet Master I pay two-thousand life points to special summon two Mystic Tomato!'

The strings that came out of the fingers of the jester shot into the reef, slowly the monster pulled out two heavily damaged Mystic Tomato. (1400 ATK x2)

'I used Metabo Globster as a tribute for a Dark monster so I get summon three Metabo Tokens but I can only summon two right now.' Leroy explained as smaller versions of the original Metabo Globster appeared. (0 ATK x2)

(Leroy: 7400- 5400) - (Don: 8000)

'I tribute my two Tokens and Puppet Master in order to special summon my ace monster!' Don took a few steps back as a figure rose behind Leroy who now had his arms spread, the monstrosity towered even above already gigantic Cosmo Queen, Don could see the hatred in the eyes of this creature.

Docks: Outside the arena.

Michelle cursed as Leroy and Senna both ran in a different direction, Michelle didn't hesitate and started to chase down Senna.

Senna was fast but not quicker than Michelle, Senna looked behind her only to see Michelle gaining on her.

Michelle was looking ahead there were three was they could go, straight ahead, to the left towards a warehouse to the right towards a lot of stacked containers, Michelle saw that Senna was leaning towards the left, she knew that could be a trick.

Suddenly Senna veered to the left, Michelle veered to the right and as she had expected Senna took a right at the last second, when Senna saw Michelle had seen through her trick she cursed.

Michelle had nearly caught her, Senna had only one more chance without thinking she ran towards the stacked containers.

Michelle had lost Senna after she ran into a maze of countless stacked freight containers. 'She's quick I'll give her that.' Michelle panted then she noticed a drone following her. 'Good thing I brought a tablet.' She quickly took it out of her pocket, in a few seconds she found the feed of the drone that followed her, the drone gained some height giving Michelle a good overview of the maze. 'So this is the only entrance, good then I got her.'

As soon as she entered the maze the sound of someone laughing echoed through the many containers. 'So you have come to challenge me? I'm waiting in the center.' Michelle activated her Duel Disk.

'I see you accept my challenge, in that case I shall entertain you.' On top of one of the containers a face-down card materialized then on top of another container a purple-skinned demon appeared wearing gauntlets and leg armor, it had horns on its head and shoulders, a green cape was draped around the horns. (1900 ATK)

(Senna: 8000) - (Michelle: 8000)

'Archfiend Soldier? A normal monster.' Michelle muttered to herself she drew her card.

'I summon Double X- Saber Boggart Knight!'

A mighty bestial-looking creature appeared in front of Michelle he had a bronze skin, the only thing he wore were loose armor pieces around his arms, wrists, shoulders and chest for the rest he wore leather pants a red cape and a heavy-looking helmet. (1900 ATK)

'The effect of Boggart Knight allows me to special summon X-Saber Galahad from my hand.' Another warrior appeared this one looked like a humanoid toad with long, blue hair tied into a tail he had a pale skin and wore a suit of armor in his hand he held a ornate spear. (1800 ATK)

'Galahad attacks Archfiend Soldier and when Galahad attacks he gains three-hundred attack points.' The toad-man took a leap onto the container Archfiend Soldier stood on, then one of Senna's face-down cards opened, Michelle gasped as she saw Skill Drain. Galahad landed on the container ready to poke Archfiend Soldier the demon grabbed the spear between his fingers, yanked it out of the hands of Galahad then threw the spear back at its owner, Galahad staggered backwards the spear stuck in his chest, he fell off the container to his demise.

(Senna: 8000- 7000) - (Michelle: 8000- 7900)

When Michelle took a step the Archfiend Soldier leaped down the containers and disappeared into the maze, with the monsters gone Michelle quickly started to make some progress through the maze, from the overview she had seen with the drone she had a good idea of where to go, then when she turned the corner the Archfiend Soldier leaped down from the containers and landed in front of her.

Suddenly she heard a sound behind her a second Archfiend Soldier blocked her path. (1900 ATK)

The Archfiend Soldier in front of her took a leap at Boggart Knight after a short struggle both monsters were mortally wounded, before Michelle could react the remaining Archfiend Soldier took a leap at her slashing her across her chest.

(Senna: 7000) - (Michelle: 7900- 6000)

Once again the Archfiend Soldier leaped onto the container before disappearing into the maze again, two new face-down cards materialized on top of a nearby container.

Michelle started to move again once the coast was clear, on her way she drew her card. 'Good I shall use Monster Reborn to bring Boggart Knight back.' The holy symbol appeared and with it the ferocious warrior standing tall upon a container. 'Now I normal summon X-Saber Urbellum.' She muttered to herself, another ferocious warrior appeared a man clad in black, leather armor, a red cape draped around his shoulders, he carried two swords on his back, his head was the skull of an animal-like creature with two large horns growing out of the sides. (1600 ATK)

Michelle knew she was close to the center now, she slowed down a bit, meanwhile her Urbellum changed into three rings, the area got enveloped in a green light, on top of the containers appeared a bulky man wearing only the lower half of a suit of armor, a pauldron on his left shoulder, a large, red, tattered cape and steel gauntlets. In each hand he held a sword with a thin, long blade, his hair was short and black he had a small beard and a wide smile on his face, clearly he loved to fight. (2500 ATK)

In that instant the Archfiend Soldier leaped from around the corner ready to intercept Michelle X-Saber Souza leaped down from the container bringing both swords down on his adversary beheading the demon.

(Senna: 7000- 6400) - (Michelle: 6000)

Quickly Michelle played another card which appeared face-down as she turned the corner she found the center, Senna was waiting for her.

'Took your sweet time didn't you?' Her opponent said with a sneer.

'Well I'm glad you found me, now I get to end you personally.'

Senna placed her hand on her Deck ready to draw a card.

'You defeat me?' Michelle replied Senna hesitated drawing her card.

'All you do is summon or revive Archfiend Soldiers. My teammate Don uses a Deck based around normal monsters, he don't need Skill Drain in order to win, I know these types of Decks Senna, you won't win.'

Then Michelle's attention was drawn by the sound of thunder, as she looked up she saw two gigantic beasts appear on the horizon, one coming from the dock arena.

'That's where you're mistaken Michelle, I simply needed three continuous trap cards face-up. Her two set cards appeared one was Call of the Haunted, with it Archfiend Soldier appeared. (1900 ATK)

The second card was Safe Zone. 'This card I equip to Souza, it cannot attack directly now in return it cannot be destroyed by battle or my card effects.' A smile formed on Senna's face. 'I now send all three of my traps to the graveyard!' She roared flames erupted all around the container maze, the sky was lit aflame Michelle gasped as she saw the shadow of a third gigantic creature moving through the flames.

Outside the play area a man was standing on the roof of building, he had a great view over the docks area.

'Tamamo made her entrance as planned.' The man muttered to himself, with his binoculars he scanned the area.

Suddenly the three mighty beasts appeared on the horizon.

'So they brought them out, I pity whoever it is they face. Can't be Jack he's near the park.' The man put away his binoculars, he then rolled up one of his sleeves his skeletal arm was awfully painful today.

'This arm can sense the magic in the air.' He muttered as he rolled down his sleeve again.

'Well time for me to move, need to get to the rendezvous.'

Next time:

Evil forces are making their move, a member of Tamamo's team gave three of the strongest monsters to Norman, Senna and Leroy with one mission. Take down Jack, however Drake, Don and Michelle didn't let The Mythic Dawn. Now with their backs against the wall Norman, Senna and Leroy saw no other option but to summon their beasts. Can Drake's team overcome the beasts?