Again, sorry for the lack of consistency with our updates as life continues to interfere. But, fear not dear readers! We shall continue to type away and move the plot along until we feel we've finished the story we're trying to tell! Many thanks to The Azure Guardian for agreeing to be our Temporary Beta. And now for the rest of Jessie's duel against the Ghost of Duels Past. ... I rambled a bit again, didn't I?

Chapter 23

Wounded Soul

Part III

Jessie - 6400

Alexio - 4600

"Don't think you've won just because you've dropped my Life Points below yours." Alexio retorted.

"But my turn's not over yet," Jessie continued. "Using Thousand Blades and Bull Rider, I create the overlay network once again to Xyz Summon Number 59: Crooked Cook (R4/2300/200), then end my turn."

A gout of flame erupted from the floor before revealing a relatively tall young man with a tall wooden toque on his head. He wore a matching brown chef's uniform, carried a frying pan in one hand and had a ladle and a few spoons hanging on his waist. But what made him unusual was the large, silver canister he carried on his back that had a hose leading to what appeared to be a wrist mounted flamethrower.

Alexio growled as he drew his next card. "Again, I activate Kyoutou Waterfront's effect to add a Kaiju from my deck to my hand." he said as another single card slid out for him to grab. "Now your cook is fried as I use it as tribute to summon another Radian, the Multidimensional Kaiju (7/2800/2500) to your side of the field."

The monster began to writhe in pain as his chest bust open, revealing an interdimensional portal with a large black creature beginning to emerge, destroying Jessie's monster. The creature had glowing red eyes, viciously clawed hands and had several wicked looking spikes protruding from several places on its body.

"And with a Kaiju on your side of the field, I can special summon one to my side," Alexio continued. "Meet Gadarla, the Mystery Dust Kaiju (8/2700/1600)."

Descending from the sky came a massive insect with a golden-yellow carapace and several sets of red orbs that Jessie assumed to be the eyes. The creature was held aloft by light blue wings that appeared to radiate light. After a few seconds, Jessie realized that the light he thought was radiated off of the wings was actually light being reflected by untold tons of dust falling from the creature's wings.

"You summoned a weaker monster?" Jessie questioned.

"It's the effect of Gadarla that kept me from putting it on your side of the field," Alexio replied with a wicked grin. "By removing three Kaiju Counters from the field, Gadarla's dust halves the attack and defense of all other monsters on the field."

The moth screeched as it began to fly upward, stopping just half-way before beginning to flap its large wings, spreading a powder that caused the monster to scream out in pain.

Radian (2800 - 1400)

"Oh no..." "Gadarla, Destroy Radian with Toxic Mist."

After it stopped flapping, the massive moth soared over Jessie's side of the field, and more of the dust simply fell from its wings. However, rather than the blue dust that had appeared before, this dust had a more purple hue to it. While Radian seemed to have inhaled most of the dust, before collapsing in a convulsing pile on the ground and then shattering, Jessie found he ended up with a lung-full of it as well and began coughing and hacking.

Jessie - (6400 - 5100)

Alexio - 4600

"That also means your pathetic monster returns as well," Alexio sighed as Thousand Blades once again appeared in the place of the former monster. "Lucky for me though, I get another token on my field spell."

Another portrait appeared where one of the empty places was, showing Raidan again.

Jessie soon calmed down as he finished coughing, allowing him to start his turn by drawing.

I'm not gonna be able to turn the tide this way, gotta get him to use up some of those tokens if I want to win. Jessie thought to himself.

The answer soon came to him when he saw one of his cards.

"I better make it count... I set one card face down and summon to the field, Gagaga Gardna (4/1400/2000) in attack mode!"

A humanoid manifested onto the field, carrying a tower shield that had a red border over a blue and yellow chevron pattern. The humanoid had pink hair revealed under a helmet and goggles and most of its face was obscured by an orange scarf. The rest of its body is under a dark blue duster, a green set of body armor, baggy pants and heavy combat boots.

"Cowering into defense mode now?" Alexio laughed, giving Jessie a cocky glance. "So you've realized there's no chance to win now, have you?"

"I'm not done yet, because now I'm using these two to build the Overlay Network once again in order to Xyz Summon Number 86: Heroic Champion - Rhongomyniad (R4/1500/1500)!"

Thousand Blades and Gardna lept into the air before becoming gleaming orbs of light that began swirling together before the entire field was bathed in blinding radiance. Once the lights dimmed, a creature in gleaming white armor with gold trim was revealed. It wielded a massive, golden spear in its hands and its stance and armor gave an almost regal air to the monster.

"This monster's special effect is unique Adelfós , especially depending on how many Overlay Units he has, and I count means his attack and defense points are doubled!" Jessie declared.

The warrior roared out as a surge of electricity surrounded him in moments, energizing his whole body. Rhongomyniad - (1500 - 3000)

Alexio's eyes widen when he saw the difference in his attack power.

"Go Champion! Attack that big moth of his with Voltage Demolition! "

The monster roared out as he raised up his spear, calling down a large bolt of lighting as it hit the tip of it. In seconds, the spear was filled with energy, causing him to throw it right at his opponent's monster.

"I see you still have that short attention span," Alexio remarked as his cocky look came back. "By spending three Kaiju tokens from anywhere on the field, I can halve the attack and defense of all other monsters on the field."

When three of the tower panels disappeared, dust once again emerged as the monster flapped its wings, spreading it across the field. The warrior began choking from it, causing it to kneel down as his armor rusted away in seconds. Rhongomyniad - (3000 - 1500)

"So much for your warrior's counter attack!"

The spear hit its mark, though instead of destroying the monster, it bounced back at its owner and caused an explosion.

Jessie - (5100 - 3900)

Alexio - (4600)

When the dust settled and the smoke from the explosion cleared, Alexio's amused face turned to one of shock when he saw that the monster was still around.

It still had rust on its armor, but it wasn't choking from the dust anymore and was standing up again.

"How is that weakling still standing?!" Alexio questioned. "It should've been pulverized!"

"I told you, my monster gains different effects depending on how many Overlay Units he has: He has two, giving him attack and defense points, and with just one? He can't be destroyed in battle." Jessie revealed. "It's inability to be destroyed doesn't stop you from losing life points," Alexio argued. "So why go through with that attack? All it got you was more damage!"

"And here I thought you were the smart one. Remember that precious Field Spell you're using? It needs tokens for it to work properly, and from where I'm standing, I see none."

That remark made his brother turn around and see that his tower no longer had any of its panels shining.

"I end my turn," the Ra-yellow student said with a smug tone.

His opponent growled and tightened his fists.

"Don't get too comfortable behind that monster," Alexio snarled. "Regardless of counters, I can still tribute your monster to summon one of my Kaijus to your field!"

Jessie kept his composure as his monster soon disappeared as an orb of light emerged from where it was, expanding until it exploded.

"Come on down from your web, Kumongous, the Sticky String Kaiju (7/2400/2500)."

A hissing noise reverberated throughout the area as a large web was now in place, holding the largest spider in the middle. Eight spiked legs held aloft its vibrantly colored body. Red circles, black stripes decorated the primarily yellow and spiked thorax. Its mandibles clacked in agitation and hunger as the settled into place on Jessie's side of the field.

"Now watch this reversal of the food chain as the moth eats the spider!"

The giant moth creature buzzed as it went towards the spider and started dining on its body until it exploded, causing Jessie to brace himself from the impact.

Jessie - (3900 - 3600)

Alexio - (4600)

Right when he took damage, Jessie's Thousand Blade once again returned to the field in attack position.

"Do not forget: Every time a card is sent to the graveyard, my tower receives yet another token," Alexio added as another panel glowed. "That ends my turn."

Jessie drew, looking to see what he had gotten and what he saw gave him a smile.

"I doubt you have anything that could match my great beast's power, so why put on this facade?"

"Well Adelfós, what you call a facade is actually my real expression. Let me show you: First I sacrifice my Thousand blade in order to summon my Fiend Megacyber (6/2200/1200)."

The monster glowed brightly as it was soon replaced with the newest beast.

Now stood a monster who's upper half was clad in spiked yellow armor with jagged black patterns on it while the lower half was covered by half a deep blue robe. What skin was exposed had a sun-baked appearance and the air around it appeared to crackle with energy.

"So what if you have a new monster? It's still worthless compared to my Kaiju."

"True, on its own, but I think my Burden of the Mighty spell may push the odds in my favor."

As he said that, Alexio had a look of shock on his face as Jessie activated the spell, depicting a nest with baby birds as a hand attempts to touch them.

Soon enough, the card glowed, causing the moth to yell out in pain from the effect the spell was doing. "Because it lowers the attack points of monsters depending on their level, I'd say your moth is going to have one bad day right now."

Gadarla - (2600 - 1900)

"A temporary boon for you, surely!" Alexio spat, though he seemed to be trying to convince himself more than Jessie.

"Alright Fiend, take down that insect with Dark Impact!"

The warrior roared out as black electricity surrounded him, allowing him to float and then fly right towards its opponent, hitting it and making it explode, causing Alexio to be knocked down.

Jessie - 3600

Alexio - (4600 - 4300)

"A temporary setback!" Alexio insisted as he got back up. "Besides, every time a card leaves the field, my Tower gains another token, allowing me to use the effects of my Kaiju's!"

Another panel soon glowed, having a portrait of Gadarla this time.

"That'll end my turn then," Jessie replied.

"My turn!" Alexio snarled while drawing. "I'll start by playing the spell Interrupted Kaiju Slumber. It allows me to destroy as many monsters on the field as possible. Which means your monster is toast and my Tower is at full charge!" The card depicted the familiar Gameciel and another monster that looked like a dragon or dinosaur with glowing red spikes on its head that Jessie vaguely remembered being called Dogoran. A light then shot from Alexio's card and struck Fiend Megacyber, which folded in on itself from pain before shattering.

"Then, I special summon two Kaiju from my deck, one to each side of the field, and they have to attack!" Alexio roared. "Say hello to Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju (10/3300/2600) and your old friend Radian!"

Again the large, black spiked monster appeared on Jessie's side of the field, roaring.

On Alexio's side appeared a very angular monster colored dark steel grey with bright, glowing yellow patches and what appeared to be a red glass section on its head as if it were a covering for a cockpit. It appeared to be based on a wyvern as it had no clear arms, but large wings, a set of legs that did not look as if they could support the weight of the machine and a massive tail.

"Now Jizukiru, destroy that beast with Neutron Beam!"

The monster roared as the red part of its body began to glow brightly, charging up to attack.

"Seems your anger has you making mistakes, like forgetting about the spell I still have on the field and its effect to lower attack points."

"What?!"

Jizukiru charged up a brilliant golden beam that it immediately launched at Radian. In response, Radian swiped one clawed hand across the air before it, tearing open a portal that swallowed the beam. The exit to the portal then cracked open behind Alexio's monster and blasted it with its own attack, destroying it and releasing a powerful shock-wave.

Jessie - 3600

Alexio - (4300 - 3800)

"Grr! I'll activate my Tower's effect and add a Kaiju from my deck to my hand." Alexio snarled as he got back up. "And special summon Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju (8/2200/3000) to my side of the field in attack mode and end my turn."

As the monster emerged, Jessie realized what was happening to the projection of his brother.

He was becoming erratic, making decisions on impulse rather than thinking things through and brute forcing it.

It made him realize that he forgot dueling meant to him and what it gave him so long ago, something that he could give with everything he had and still smile even if he lost.

"I draw," he began. "From my hand, I summon Heroic Challenger - Double Lance (4/1700/900) in attack mode."

A knight clad in smooth, white armor with blue accents and wielding two spears as tall as itself stepped onto Jessie's side of the field.

"And because of the spell, my monster's more than enough to take down that overgrown turtle without trouble. Go Lance, attack that beast with Twin Pierce Strike!"

The warrior yelled out a battle cry as it twirled both its lances and aimed it at the large monster, running towards it with lightning speed. It then jumped and thrusted its lances forward, breaking through its shell and destroying it in mere moments. Alexio braced for the backlash as it hit him, pushing him back slightly.

Jessie - 3600

Alexio - (3800 - 3500)

"It's not over yet! Now I'll let your own monster give you a taste of your own medicine, go Radian! Attack him directly!"

The Kaiju roared out as it extended one of its arms, lifting it up and slamming it down as it send a powerful wave of darkness right at Alexio. It hit its target, making him yell out in pain as it soon stopped, leaving Alexio breathing heavily and on his knees.

Jessie - 3600

Alexio - (3500 - 700)

"I'm done for now," Jessie replied as he waited for his opponent to make his move.

When his brother got up, he saw that the projection now transformed into a corrupt version of his brother, only now he had half of his own face on him as well.

The look Jessie had was one of shock when he saw the creature standing in front of him.

"Rrra! I'll activate Interrupted Kaiju Slumbers ability!" Alexio growled. "By banishing it from my Graveyard, I can add a Kaiju from my deck to my hand."

Alexio angrily, almost violently, took the card that ejected itself. "Now, I'll special summon Gadarla, the Mystery Dust Kaiju to my side of the field again!" Alexio continued. "And use its ability to cut your monsters' attacks in half!"

He slammed the card down, summoning the massive moth flew onto the field as it spread toxic dust across Jessie's side of the field, causing his monsters to cough and wheeze and grow weaker.

"And now, Gardarla! Turn that worthless lancer to dust!"

This time, rather than flapping its wings at Double Lancer, Gadarla flew down as it roared out and attempted to destroy Double Lance.

Jessie was silent for a few seconds, thinking about everything that lead up to this and realizing all that happened. He simply looked at his brother and gave a gentle smile.

"Thank you Alexio... You made me realize how stupid it was for me to let you have taken away what this meant to me. It's the first time I am truly thankful to you, I won't forget it. Now I activate my trap card, Battleguard Howling; with its effect, I return your Kaiju monster back to your hand and deal damage equal to its original attack points."

The card revealed itself, depicting Swamp Battleguard to be roaring out as shockwaves emerge from its mouth. Soon enough, Gadarla stopped in its tracks, glowing brightly as it soon disappeared back into its owner's hand. Along with it, an orb of light emerged from it, sending a powerful surge of energy all over Alexio's body.

It caused him to roar out in pain as he soon disappeared, leaving only Jessie alone.

Jessie - 3600

Alexio - (700 - 0)

The buildings surrounding Jessie soon disappeared as well as the space around him, leaving Jessie in a place with stars in the sky.

He looked at them with awe and chuckled softly when he realized what he was feeling.

"Wow... it's been so long since I felt... happy," Jessie remarked as he smiled for the first time in years.

"You've been reborn, and I am proud to finally have the true you returned," Excalibur added as he reappeared, making Jessie turn to him.

"I... I had almost forgotten that I wasn't alone in all those wins, you and the others were with me... Helping me."

"We never left, you simply lost what it meant to be a real duelist, but you have regained yourself."

"So what now?"

Just as he said that, a bright light shined from Excalibur, making the student cover his eyes from it. When it stopped, he slowly opened back them and found himself back in his room, exactly as he left it. "Did I..?" He asked no one in particular, but stopped when he felt the deck in his hand. He took a look through it, seeing that it was all the new cards he gained.

He then saw his old deck was still where it was thrown, making him go towards it and collect them into one single deck again. "Well, if I'm gonna go further than before, I'm gonna need all of you," he said to the cards before going to his table to start sorting them out.

While he did that, Excalibur was outside his window, seeing his partner working to create a new deck.

"You will need all the power you can muster... Especially for what's to come," He remarked before disappearing into the night.

Translations:

Adelfós - Greek for "Brother"

Wow, now that was an insane chapter don't you all agree? It was probably one of the ones me and Lee really enjoyed making. I hope you all enjoyed it too, but be ready, we'll be having a major dueling event coming up in the next chapter. Till then, have a great new year everyone and do your best in all that you want to do.