The Young Master of the Dragonmaids

by The Imperator 2 you

Joseph Takara is a young man who has come into the ownership of the Dragonmaid cards, a rare set of cards that seem to only appear to a single duelist and whom only 'they' call master. With dreams of becoming a professional duelist, he attends Duel Academy, and with the help of his family of girls, and the help of the rare and beautiful Dragonmaids, his dream might come true.

18. Chapter 17

Before I begin, I want to apologize for the year long hiatus I think. I've been struggling with writers block and trying to do my best to motivate myself to 'write' anything more then a few letters a day without feeling myself giving up. It isn't just the lack of drive to write, it was me trying to stay motivated when I even got 'slightly' motivated to write... and thus... the endless cycle where I would try to write, lose interest after writing a word and then stop day after day.

To that end, when it comes to this chapter, I took the liberty of taking a page out of the anime by creating a 'broken op cards that our protags need to figure out how to defeat', because I already have established that Joseph's Father is able to 'make' cards even if they are illegal, and I figured he'd do something like creating something broken to try and win if given the chance.

With that said... please review away, forgive me again, I'm doing my best...

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"When I lost her, I didn't know what to think, I just... didn't know what to think, I just kept thinking why did she have to leave me, why couldn't it be me, why her and not me? When I lost him, I just lost... all feeling, it was like, I didn't know what to feel anymore, I had just accepted that I would be alone."

"But then... I met them... and then I met 'them', were they just figments of my imagination, they sounded real, they almost felt real, and they sounded just like 'them' in real life. Never did any of them leave my side, even when I was with them, even when I helped them, it was like I could feel 'them', whispering, telling me they were there."

"Saying they would always be there... even as I looked to the night sky, wondering when my star would finally shine for me, when I would see my 'first star I'd see that night'... they would whisper to me that they were there, that they would always be there, if I took care of them and loved them. So... I took care of them, so they would always be there... because they were there"

Chapter 17 Prologue =

= Chapter 17, Saffira vs Alexis =

It was a beautiful moonlit night; a full moon was out as it looked down upon the ocean waters with not a single cloud to mar the sky. Wisps of fog and patches of ocean air fluttered and flowed this way and that, with the occasional currents and tides shifting this way and that as the waters of the ocean moved with the flow of the world. From high above a single island dotted the ocean scenery, the fabled island of Duel Academy, home to the academy where duelists were made, and professional duelists studied and trained.

All was quiet this night as the students were asleep in bed, a hard day of studying had left them tired and exhausted, and their beds were so warm and welcoming. Nary a sound was heard, even at the academy's most popular gathering spot, the famous Maid of the Dragon's Café. A single maid was just tidying up, ensuring all was set for the morning before going to rest after tending to her young master's needs even though he never needed them met. A small smile crept onto her face as she put on a single white glove and performed a final inspection. She wiped her finger upon the tables, smiling as she saw the others had tended to the tables, done their tasks, dotted their I's and crossed their T's.

The tables were in order, the glasses shined, the dishes cleaned, all silverware and café enjoyment returned and in order. Not a dust particle remained, no dirt to ruin their guest's day. It seemed her promise to them about letting them off an hour early if they cleaned up faster hastened their efforts to go and be with their young Master for bed had been the motivation needed to get them on task again.

And yet... as she sighed with a content expression, she stared out the window and could feel it, something was coming again. Once more... she could feel... the shadows were reaching out to their little island.

"What approaches us this time?" She asked solemnly. "I can sense it, a cruel force approaches us, with ill intent... and yet... I also sense... desperation, a deep fear... and something else... something familiar... something that does not bring ill intent... or is it 'someone'?"

Unsure of what it was she was feeling and knowing that it had no role with her 'yet', she could do nothing more than sigh, close the curtains and turn off the lights, before heading upstairs to her bedchamber to rest and await the morn.

While outside, off in the distance, upon the ocean currents a little boat rode the waves and made its way toward Academy Island. It was an elegant boat, of silvery steel that glistened in the moonlight, fifteen meters in length with a dual sale height of twenty meters to match. The lights inside the elegant vassal were off and the curtains drawn to disguise the presence of whoever was within, but there were beautiful carpets of lavender purple covering the decks that led from the door to the inner chambers to the outer deck.

As it made its way the door opened, and several eyes appeared that reflected the moonlight, showing them as glittering specks in the darkness of the interior. As the eyes appeared more and more, a single set of azure blue eyes opened and stared out, then a svelte blue scaly hand slowly extended, a thin veil of white cloth covering it and a golden circlet with the millennium eye wrapped around the wrist dangled, a golden chain wrapping it tightly, almost cutting into the otherwise beautiful scaley skin of the owner, to ensure it did not fall.

"Go... find them..." An elegant voice declared in a soft and gentle tone.

In a burst of speed, several 'shapes' flew out from the yacht, leaping and dashing over the sides and onto the water, jumping faster and faster in a bid to reach the island and obey their mistress' order. So fast were they that their shapes were unseen, just bursts of color ranging from yellow to pink, blue and green, white and beige. Only the tiniest of ripples upon the water's surface could be seen as they leapt faster and faster in the night.

"Find them... find me the one who holds what my master demands I must seek... and find me, the 'Dragon' whom he prophesized who'll set me free!"

= The Challenge for the Dragon, a Token of Defiance =

"Alright class now pay attention; this is very important... I SAID SETTLE DOWN!" Crowler yelled loudly to the class who had just got situated in his classroom. "Good, now everyone turn in your homework from yesterday, as usual, by passing it to the student closest to the isle to you and I'll make my rounds to pick them up."

Joseph opened up his bag and pulled out the homework he'd finished last night with his buddies Syrus and Chumley back at their dorm and passed it down the line. He stretched a little bit and yawned, it had been a pretty boring school day all things considered, and honestly, he was happy to have 'boring school days' nowadays. Anything that didn't involve requiring him to participate in a life altering duel that resulted in the fate of his school or his soul or 'anything' like that was fine by him.

As far as classes go, well P.E. was dumb, they did track, and he tripped at least twice which caused him to be laughed at. At least he got a good chuckle at his own expense and laughed with everyone else. Then came History and... well, while he didn't exactly 'sleep' during class he wasn't exactly keen on paying attention. It wasn't his fault, the professor's voice and droning tone didn't exactly lead him to be as 'enthusiastic' to learn history. He more kind of, sorta, maybe, possibly was half asleep.

Then came Professor Banner's class, and during his class about Alchemy and early Duel Monster's History... he accidentally set fire to the professor's desk. At least it was exciting, and Alexis sure got a laugh at seeing his hair spiked upward and covered in ash and soot. Sheou was 'not' laughing as she chided him and spent half the trip from Banner's class to Lunch trying to clean and fix his hair while everyone laughed at him the entire time.

He had 'never' been so embarrassed as he listened to the other students talking about how his 'mommy' was taking care of him at school, even as Sheou focused on him.

Honestly it felt like how he hoped school life would be, and he was a-okay with that.

As for Crowler's class. His homework had been about Chain Links again, but he mixed in questions about Quick Effects and comparing them to standard effects in reaction to certain actions in a duel. Honestly it was very confusing, but it was still something he had to learn about if it meant becoming a professional duelist.

'Uuuugh, you'd think with all this work they'd reward master after a while.' Lorpar complained as she appeared on the desk in front of him, flopping onto his notebook with a tired expression.

'It could be worse Lorpar, at least it's the weekend after today, and we have next week off!' Ernus said as she poked her head up over his left shoulder.

'And you know what that means, we can sleep in tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after 'that'!' Tinkech declared happily as she poked over his right shoulder.

'Sleeping in with Master is the best time of the day!' Nudyarl said cheerfully as she climbed onto his head with a grin.

"Can you please stop using me like a platform?" He asked under his breath as he sweat dropped at their antics.

But of course, one thing that 'hasn't' changed was his Dragonmaids always popping in wherever he was and doing their usual routines of being there whenever he had classes, or something was happening.

"And let me use my notebook Lorpar... I need to take notes!" He said as he used one hand to nudge Lorpar off, even if she wasn't 'physically' there and nobody could see her, she was still hard to see through.

'But Master, we're your cheerleading squad!' Lorpar said with a smirk as she sat next to his notebook and looked up at him. 'How can you possibly focus in Crowler's Class unless we motivate you!'

'Got you there Master, you need us present at all times for maximum motivation!' Tinkech said as she turned to him with a grin.

'And with lovely dragons like 'us' here, you'll be super-duper motivated to breeze through class and get right on to the weekend!' Ernus also declared as she turned to him with a smile.

'We just love you that much Master, can't push us away even if you wanted to!' Nudyarl said as she leaned over and looked at him with a smile while upside down.

He just sighed as he tried to resist chuckling at them being, well 'them'. "Where were you when I needed motivation in Professor Stein's lecture?"

'Welllll you needed to focus there soooo; we couldn't be there to distract you!' Nudyarl said as she floated in front of him with a sheepish smile.

He sighed as Crowler finished collecting the homework and went to his desk. "Very good, now let's get on with today's lecture. As you all know by now, dueling has come a long way since the very earliest days. When I picked up my first pack..."

"When was that, the stone age?" Chazz cackled under his breath.

"Gahghghgh..." Joseph whispered, trying and failing to hold back the laugh.

"Something 'funny' Mr. Takara?" Crowler asked dangerously.

"Uuuuh no, nothing, nothing funny at all I just... uh, was clearing my throat, you know the school lunch served mystery meat today, throat hurts a little bit, heheheha... haaaah..." He said hurriedly.

"Hmpf, well as I was saying, back in the early days, there were very few 'effect' monsters in the game. Some of the only ones to have effect were cards like Exodia, Trap Master, Mask of Darkness, and Wall of Illusions just to name a few." Crowler said as he turned to the board. "Back then the rules weren't as 'refined' as they are now, high powered monsters like Summoned Skull couldn't be summoned for free, and it was almost always a battle of who had the highest attack power. It was dominated by magic cards; nowadays however, monsters can have just as powerful effects as magic and trap cards. Which brings us to today's lecture..."

Crowler began his lecture, talking about effect monsters and how effects have evolved over the years. With the earliest ones only focusing on destroying trap cards, face down magic cards, or either destroying or bouncing monsters back to the hand. Most of these effect monsters had low stats in terms of power, with only one having a strong enough defense to warrant using it in a deck.

"Alright, pop quiz, KATARA!" Crowler yelled after a few minutes.

"Y-yyes?!" He declared as he stood up.

"Question, if I wanted to destroy a face up Mystical Elf, what effect monster would I use?"

"Uhhh, Man Eater Bug!"

"Gooood, very good, you've been paying attention to my lecture, now, going back to Magic Cards, can you name the five cards that are known as the 'Power Five?', a selection of cards so powerful that each player is only allowed to have at most 'one' copy of in their deck at any time? At least at this time?"

"Uhm... uh... Monster Reborn... uh, Pot of Greed... Raigeki, oh yea, Dark Hole aaaaand... Change of 'Heart'?" He said hesitantly.

"Perfect... I'm glad to know 'someone' from Slifer Red is paying attention to my lectures, you may be seated!" Crowler said as he turned back to the board.

"Pheeeew..." Joseph moaned as he 'hated' being called on so suddenly. "Why does he always call on me first?"

'Because you're just so handsome master~!' Lorpar said with a grin as she floated next to him.

'Master is so smart, got to show you off for all the class to see!' Tinkhec declared proudly.

'Master can never get enough spotlight treatment!' Nudyarl also said happily as she nuzzled his cheek.

'But all that pressure and shock to his heart is bad for his health...' Ernus moaned worriedly as she put her ear to his chest to listen to his racing heartbeat. 'I worry you'll have a heart attack if he keeps that up...'

"You and me both..." He whispered under his breath.

"Did you say something Joseph?" Syrus asked him.

"Nope... nothing, just glad I passed the pop quiz."

"TRUESDALE!"

"Y-Y-ES SIR?!"

"Can you name which magic card performs an effect similar to Man Eater Bug, but only targets the monster with the lowest attack value?"

"Uhm... uh... I-I-I-is it... F-f-fissure?"

"Yes... congratulations Truesdale, now next time say the card's name without stuttering please?"

"Guuuuh..." Syrus moaned as he collapsed into his chair.

"Hey, could be worse, you could have gotten it wrong Syrus!" He joked, but he knew Syrus always had a weak point when it came to having confidence in front of the other classmates.

"Easy for you to say, you know you'll always be picked first when he pops a question in class, he's been doing this for three weeks straight." Syrus said bitterly.

"Yea... wish he'd lay off..." Joseph whispered back as Crowler quizzed Alexis now and she answered right.

"Excellent work class... now moving on, while Normal Monsters are still used in Duel Monsters decks, their lack of effects has greatly diminished their 'effectiveness' in a duel. Most duelists simply refer to these monsters, again, taking one popular example Summoned Skull, as 'Beat Sticks'... pardon the phrase. The term refers to their only usefulness in a duel, meaning they are only able to attack and defeat the opponent's monster with a high attack, or as a 'Meat Shield', meaning it's only able to defend the wielder from direct attack." Crowler explained as he drew on the blackboard. "These monsters often lack any viability other then as cheap fodder for quick attacks or to serve as a protective shield to delay an aggressive assault. As they can't do anything, they serve no other purpose then to either attack or defend."

Joseph watched as he then pressed a button and showed a monster. [Empress Mantis]

"Even if most monsters in your deck happen to be easier to summon or even more powerful than these normal monsters, we must never forget where dueling came from, and more importantly how much power these monsters can have." Crowler said. "Lest we forget, some monsters are so powerful despite this lack of an effect, that they are still just as viable as some more modern cards are. Take for example, the legendary Blue Eyes White Dragon and of course, who could forget, the famous Dark Magician! These two cards have become synonymous with powerful figures in the dueling world."

"Alright time for a surprise question, students, I want you to pull out your decks and show me one Normal Monster in your decks, if you have one that is!" Crowler suddenly declared as he turned around to look at the class.

"Huh, well that's weird... but alright..." He muttered as he and every other student began examining their cards. "Well... only 'one' fits the bill."

[Seiyaryu]

He pulled out the card and looked at it, not really paying much attention to the lesson as he stared at his grandfather's card. Ever since he began using it, the card has become as much a main part of his deck as the Dragonmaids and Cyber Dragons that Zane gave him. It had no effect, and it was essentially a beat stick as Crowler labled it, but it still felt 'special' to him, there was just something about it that kept drawing him to use it whenever he had the chance.

'Haaaaaah...' All 'four' of his Dragonmaids whispered as they stared at it with happy smiles.

'It's like looking at Master if he were a dragon...' Nudyarl whispered lovingly.

'Almost as handsome and cute as him too...' Lorpar sighed happily.

'He reminds us of you master...' Ernus declared with a friendly nuzzle.

'He just has your aura master...'Tinkhec said as she leaned on him.

"You're all saying I'm 'pink'..." He muttered in confusion.

'N-n-n-n-no master no, he just reminds us of you because of that first duel you used him, he protected all of us and kept us safe like how you always do!' Nudyarl exclaimed quickly, obviously scared that she and the other Dragonmaids had hurt Jacob's feelings, with the other thre quickly nodding in agreement.

He just chuckled as he looked around the room and saw only a few students with 'normal' monsters held out. Among the few was Chazz, who was holding, with a disgruntled look plastered on his face, the three Ojama Brothers cards. Further down the line and behind him a few rows, he could see Bastion holding up a Vorse Raider. There were a few 'other' students, like Chumley who was holding up a Big Koala, and others holding up random normal monsters, some strong and others weak.

"As you can see, even if they aren't the strongest or the best, or even the most ideal monsters, even Normal Monsters deserve respect." Crowler proclaimed as he beckoned toward each card. "Some have specific reasons for why they are in one's deck, and others are more straight forward. But regardless, even Normal Monsters should be given 'some' consideration when building a deck. I think I'll let you all off on a pop quiz duel for tonight as it IS a Friday, and you are my last class of the evening before we all enjoy our weeklong vacation from school."

"Hoooraaaaaay!" Everyone yelled loudly as he and the others put their cards into their pockets again.

"Instead, I'll assign you all a pop quiz 'right now' and if the class doesn't average a score 'above' eighty percent collectively, I'll give you all EXTRA homework to do over your break! Which means you SLIFER SLACKERS better have been paying attention!" He yelled angrily.

"Nawwwww come oooooon!" Was the collective groan and moaning being heard from all seats including Joseph, who was lamenting potentially doing even 'more' homework when he wanted to really sleep and be lazy for that week.

He'd been studying studying studying... cut him some slack.

'Always with the homework, can he please cut our master some mercy?' Nudyarl complained loudly.

'Give him a break, this is his first week from school he has off that isn't related to the holidays, he deserves a vacation of free time for all the studying he does!' Tinkhec yelled indignantly.

'And how can we enjoy time with master if he doesn't get time to himself!' Lorpar hollered loudly, despite none of them realizing that Crowler, even as he began passing out the quizzes, could neither see nor hear them.

'Indeed, this is cutting into serious potential cuddle time with him!' Ernus moaned angrily.

Joseph sighed in resignation as he picked up the quiz he was handed and pulled out his pen to start working on it, waiting for Crowler to finish and call the time they were given.

"Very well class, now that you all have your quizzes, you have thirty minutes to complete them, when you are done turn them over and pull your chair away to signal, you're finished. You may begin... now!"

Instantly every paper flipped over, and pens began writing and tapping the various tables or hands. Joseph read the first question and groaned inwardly, as the first question was among the ones he 'hated' most of all... hypothetical duel scenarios...

'In the scenario below your opponent has the following monsters in defense mode and magic cards equipped to them, [Millenium Shield x 2] and [Ring of Magnetism x 2] with the continuous magic card, [The Dark Door] the trap cards [Summon Limit, Mask of Restrict] in play, and the field spell [Chicken Game] in play. You have in play the following Monsters, [Alpha the Magnet Warrior, Beta the Magnet Warrior, Gamma the Magnet Warrior] in attack mode, and face down the trap card [Zero Gravity]. In your hand you have [Valkyrion the Magna Warrior, Soul Release, Twin Twister, Dimension Fusion and United we Stand, Soul of the Pure]. You have no cards left to draw from the deck. Your opponent has 6200 life points, and has one card left to draw, but no cards left in their hand, while you still have 2300 life points. You must win the duel this turn, or you lose the duel come your next turn, describe how you'd win the duel and what cards you'd play in what order.'

"Greeeeat..." He muttered as he smacked his head on the table, 'hating' these hypothetical questions. "Whatever happened to good old fashion multiple choice?"

Sighing in defeat, he picked himself up and began thinking about his options, before deciding on a path, visualizing it as if he were standing on a field staring at the cards. He started doing this in his head to help him visualize the duel and help him with these overly complicated hypotheticals that Crowler keeps throwing on them in quizzes.

Inside his imagination he had some fun by pretending he was a chibi cartoon version of himself while behind him his Dragonmaids were their usual sizes, but also chibi.

'Master, how can you possibly win this duel, your opponent has the ultimate defense, if you attack either Milennium Shield, the other will force you to attack it, and if you try to attack that one the first will draw the attack in, so you can't attack either cause it's an endless loop!' Tinkhec asked worriedly.

'And even if you could, you only can attack with 'one' monster due to that Dark Door!' Lorpar muttered.

'You can't even get out more monsters because of that Summon Limit! Not like... we were given options to begin with...' Ernus said in a confused tone. 'Why doesn't Crowler tell us what's in our graveyard in these quizzes?'

'Forget all of that, you can't even deal enough 'damage' to win because of that field spell, you can't wipe him out in one blast no matter what, and once he has less life points than you that's it!' Nudyarl hollered.

"Alright... first problem, that Chicken Game... no matter what, it has to go, as long as it's up I can't deal any damage to my opponent's life point. So... first I pay 1000 life points to destroy it, it doesn't matter that I have 1300, points don't matter since it's the last turn. After that, I play Twin Twister, discarding Valkyrion from my hand to destroy his Dark Door spell card and one of his Rings of Magnetism!" Chibi Joseph declared proudly as he activated the spell on his chibi duel disk.

[Joseph Takara – 2300 - 1300 LP / Opponent - 6200 LP]

[Valkyrion Discarded, Ring of Magnetism Destroyed, The Dark Door, Destroyed]

"Next up, those Milennium Shields, even with Ring of Magnetism reducing their defense stats, they still have minimum 2500, too much for me to break through with any of my monsters and I can't waste any attacks if I'm to win, so I 'need' to switch all of my monsters into defense mode! After that, I can then play the Zero Gravity trap and swap all of our monsters' positions." Chibi Joseph said as he played the card after making the switches.

The trap card flipped up and his magnet warriors went from defense to attack after going into defense. More importantly though, the Milennium Shields switched from their powerful defense modes to helpless attack mode, where they had 'zero' points.

'Go Jo, Go Jo, Go Jo!'All four of his Dragonmaids cheered as they transformed into their maid forms, dragon tails swaying as they did a dance in cheerleader outfits.

"Now then, since they're helpless, I can play the Magic Card 'United We Stand, equipping it to my strongest monster, giving it 2400 attack points.

[Beta the Magnet Warrior, 1700 Atk - 4100 Atk]

"Now that he can't stop my attacks, Beta the Magnet Warrior attacks the first Milennium Shield, destroying it and dealing 4100 points in damage, and since the other isn't protected, Alpha can destroy the second, dealing 1400 points, bringing my opponent from 6200 to 2100, and then 700 life points!" Chibi Joseph said proudly.

[Joseph Takara - 1300 LP / Opponent - 6200 – 2100 LP]

[Joseph Takara – 1300 LP / Opponent – 2100 - 700 LP]

"And with that, we finish the duel by having Gamma the Magnet Warrior ending the duel with a final attack!"

[Joseph Takara – 3300 LP / Opponent – 700 – 0 LP]

After finishing visualizing it, he began writing down the scenario with a tired smile, even as his Dragonmaids were doing a 'happy dance' cause Joseph found the answer to the question! Of course, he groaned some more as he saw the next was 'another' hypothetical duel scenario. He hated having to use his brain this much for a quiz, especially for the last class before a weeklong vacation from schoolwork and classes. He just wanted it to end so he could go to bed, lie down, die and enjoy his time off before going to grind out his homework as fast as possible to enjoy the rest of his time off in peace.

'Is it a crime to want to curl up in bed and be a slug for a few hours before a school break?' He thought to himself.

Steeling his resolve, he took a deep breath and continued answering question after question, picturing each duel in his head and racking his brain to solve them, cheered on the entire time by his three draconic friends. He was quizzed on chain links, he was quizzed on trap and magic effects, he was quizzed on different monster card names and the differences between destroying a card and just sending it to the grave, and he was quizzed on end game scenarios.

All the while, his Dragonmaids continued to cheer him on, saying compliments like how smart he was, how proud they were, how they couldn't wait to spend time with him, talking about all the fun they'd have and encouraging him to do his very best. Of course, he listened but he had to focus very hard 'on' the quiz so he at least could say he did his best if the worst happened.

Finally, with only a few seconds left, he swiftly turned his paper over and dropped his pen, pulled away and sighed in relief.

"Guuuuuh finally..." He moaned happily as Crowler called an end to the test and began walking around collecting them.

When he was done, he nodded and declared, "Alright, since there's not enough time left for me to properly check each test to determine the overall grade of the class, I'll let you all leave a few minutes early. HOWEVER, pay attention to your notifications from me, as I'll inform you of what your homework is based on how well the class performed on this quiz. You're all dismissed, enjoy your break!"

"Phew." He whispered as the class celebrated and began packing up to leave, him among them even as his dragonmaids began disappearing with the exception of Nudyarl.

As everyone began filing out he was among the last to leave, mostly because he wanted to hang out with his buddies Syrus and Chumley.

"So how did you guys think you did?" He asked them.

"I think I passed... barely." Syrus muttered.

"Come on Sy have some confidence man, you got game and smarts." He told him with a smile as Sheou walked diligently behind him, a humble smile as she followed in his footsteps.

"Yea I guess... hey maybe I did pass with flying colors this time!" Syrus declared suddenly.

"That's the spirit, how about you Chumley?"

"I mean... I think I got at least 'one' right this time..." Chumley said with a nervous frown. "Maybe two or 'three'..."

"Baby steps... baby steps are the way to go!" He said with an apologetic smile, hoping that 'wasn't' the case since he'd been helping him study long into the night some days.

"Indeed, and as such one must take pride in one's steps however small!" Sheou declared with a warm tone. "I for one am most proud of you Young Master, to complete such a difficult exam in such a time frame is a pleasure to see. All of your hard work is paying off!"

"I hope, for now I can't WAIT to just relax and catch some much-needed R and R!" He yelled loudly as he stepped into the main hallway where students were starting to leave.

'Can I have extra head pats when we get back to the dorm master... you know... since I'm your favorite~'?' Nudyarl said with a sly grin as she nuzzled him.

"You're just asking cause the others aren't here, right?" He whispered as quietly as he could to the grinning Nudyarl.

'Mmmmaybe~!' She snickered.

"Tell me about it, I'm planning on going swimming, I've not been able to enjoy a good go in the Obelisk Pools since last week because of all these tests they're springing on us before the break." Alexis said with a smile as she caught up to their group. "What are your plans boys?"

"I for one am planning on catching up on some theoretical documentaries I've been wanting to binge watch. Nothing like learning a few new things while on break." Bastion declared with a smirk as he too caught up with them.

"Always with the studying and the exercise, I for one am planning on napping and napping, and maybe some more napping in between." Chazz declared from behind them all.

'You know what we should do on break, have a big pizza party... extra onions and cheese!' Ojama yellow said as he appeared above Chazz.

'Yea and we can invite all of our pals from the deck to hang out!' Ojama Black said with a smirk as he floated near Chazz's shoulder.

'And while we're at it, why not invite those sweet and lovely ladies from a few dorms down, you know the ones you were talking about Ojama Yellow?' Ojama Green asked with a grin as he now floated next to Ojama Black.

'DON'T SAY THAT!' Yellow tried to say but it was tooooo late.

'GrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRR!' Nudyarl snarled as she snorted blue draconic smoke from her nostrils, cloaked in a menacing draconic aura and glaring with furiously red glowing eyes that seethed with hatred at the three Ojamas behind Sheou who was walking behind Joseph.

*Ding*

"Oh my... pardon me a second..." Sheou said suddenly as she paused to bend down and pick up a bell she'd dropped at that exact moment, watched by Joseph, Alexis, Syrus, Chumley, Bastion, Chazz and giving Nudyarl a 'clear' line of sight.

'W-w-what did I saaaaaaaaay?' Ojama Green screamed in horror as seconds after, Nudyarl unleashed a massive stream of azure draconic flame that went unseen and unfelt by all of the students around her but was felt easily by the three Ojama brothers.

After it ended all 'three' of them were charred black and coughing up smoke and covered in ash.

"I'm sorry... I dropped my summons bell I use at the café occasionally... must have slipped out of my dress pocket, pardon me Young Master for the delay!" Sheou said with a happy expression as she stood up again, a silver bell in her hand.

'Does she... do this... all the time...?' Ojama Green asked painfully.

'Yep... they don't like us calling them things like 'sweet' or 'lovely' around them...' Ojama Yellow said with a nod.

'Tough crowd... how do you live around them...' Ojama Black asked now.

'You get used to it... it used to be worse, every time I appeared they would charbroil me...' Yellow muttered as he and the other two vanished out of sight.

'Annoying worms... always ruining our bedtime with master with their parties these days...'Nudyarl muttered angrily as she huffed and left as well.

"Heh, never gets old..." Chazz said with a smirk as they all continued on their way.

As they made their way to the main entrance, they saw crowds of students gathering around three large ornate boxes. Curious, he and the others walked closer to check out what was up and saw that several girls were squealing in delight as they talked about whatever it was was in the boxes.

"Oh, my goodness, they're so cute and fluffy!"

"Can I have twenty, I want twenty!"

"Are they 'really' free?"

As the crowd thinned out enough for them to get a peek, they saw that the boxes were each the same, large ten-inch by five-inch by eleven-inch crates, stuffed with fuzzy, fluffy plush toys that were all the same toy design but in different colors. They looked like 'sheep or goat' plus toys, if he remembered, they were 'Scapegoat' plushies, plush toys based on the Scapegoat card. Each was about the size of a basketball, and each had that same simple happy smile that the Scapegoat Token was known for with little horns poking out. On the box was a big sign that read 'Free Plush Toys, take one per person please' in elegant cursive penmanship.

"Free plush toys, wow, who set this up, the Chancellor?" Alexis asked as she stepped forward to look at the pile of toys.

"Awww licious, plush toys!" Chumley said as he eagerly went and grabbed one.

"Now that's something I can get behind, a free stuffed plush based on a Duel Monster's Card? Who can beat that!" Syrus agreed as he went and grabbed one as well.

"I don't remember this being here when we were walking the halls, do you remember seeing an announcement about this?" Joseph asked as he also stepped near it.

"Nope, don't remember, maybe it got lost in the spam mails?" Bastion said.

"Heh, whatever, I mean it's just a bunch of plush toys, not a big deal." Chazz said with a bored look. "I could probably buy all of them from the factory and have them delivered first thing in the morning."

"Awww you're so sweet Chazz, I'll take a dozen from you!" Alexis snickered as she held a Scapegoat in her hands.

"R-r-really?" Chazz said with a nervous blush. "I-I mean sure, I'll have em delivered in the morning... yea..."

Joseph laughed a little as he could see Alexis was obviously teasing Chazz, but he noticed out of the corner of his eye that Sheou was eyeing the toys with a wary look. He thought it was very unlike Sheou because she was standing so far away from them, outside of the large group of students crowding each of the boxes, and that she was looking wary of the toys, almost like she didn't 'like' them. Pushing past the students he left his friends who were still talking about the plushies to talk to her.

"Hey Sheou... is something wrong?"

Though her gaze went to Joseph at his query, she returned her gaze back to the toys for a brief moment, still looking wary, before she smiled and humbly nodded to Joseph. "Yes, Young Joseph, I was merely thinking about what you would like to eat at the café today?"

A little confused, as he never heard her address him as 'Young Joseph' before, always as 'Young Master', or 'Young Master Joseph'. Still, he shrugged guessing that maybe she was just calling him that now since he never really saw himself as like a 'master' of hers and she was his adopted mother. "Uhm... you know... would it be possible... do you think Kite would make that delicious steak she once cooked for me like... a year ago? I know it's not on the menu but... I haven't had it in a long time and so-"

"Oh Joseph, you don't need to worry about a thing, I'll go and inform her immediately to prepare it for later. If you'll excuse me, I actually must attend to some business at the café and get it ready... I believe those girls might be slacking in their duties today." She said with a humble bow. "I really hope they aren't... otherwise I may need to 'discipline them'..."

As Sheou began leaving he tilted his head a little, wondering if something was wrong. But then he remembered that his adopted sisters 'always' found an excuse or two to slack off from work when it came to spending time with him, so maybe they were planning something and 'that' was why Sheou was acting weird.

"Hey Joseph, you want a plush?" Syrus yelled as he ran over. "I got a second for you if you want it."

"Me, nah, actually I want to head back to our dorm to sleep."

"Yea I agree for once, after the stress we had today, let's go rest up before we go eat at the Café!" Syrus declared as Chumley joined them as well, followed by Chazz, Bastion and Alexis.

As they left the school and made their way to their dorms all was relatively quiet. At the Slifer Dorms Joseph changed out of his Slifer jacket, shoes, socks and just flopped onto the bed, moaning in content as school was finally over for the day and he was officially on break. Around the room there were collective snores and yawns as the three of them fell asleep on their beds. On the nearby desk sat the two plush toys, just silently staring where they were positioned at the boys.

Hours later when they finally woke up, they got dressed again in more 'casual' school uniforms to head over to the café to go eat. At the café Joseph was greeted by Sheou as usual and they were escorted to their usual seating area where they placed their orders for drinks and cakes, Sheou saying that today Kite was making a special Garlic and Butter Grilled Steak for him and all of his friends to enjoy that day.

"Awww licious, now that's what I'm talking about." Chumley said with a smile as Sheou left to go and tend to the teachers.

"I can't wait to dig in as well, I haven't had it for so long." Joseph agreed.

"Why haven't you eaten it in so long, I figured since your sisters seem eager to do whatever you want or ask, you'd eat something like that more frequently?" Syrus asked.

"It's more I don't like asking them to do things for me... I mean, I always lived with them, and they always treated me like they were my big sisters." Joseph explained as Luna and Laura were delivering orders. "Plus, they always were acting like maids whenever I talked to them, so they always kept addressing me as 'master'. I think they just enjoyed teasing me, but yea that's pretty much why I never asked them for things. I just have a feeling like they'd say yes no matter what and... well I didn't want them to think I was taking advantage of their kindness."

"Awww Joe... you never need to think that about us!" Sun said with a warm and loving smile as she wandered over holding an empty tray, wearing her usual 'Nurse Dragonmaid' cosplay.

"Ara Ara, we'd help you with 'anything' if you just asked." Amber said as she too made her way over, a smirk on her face as she ruffled his hair a little.

"Back to work ladies..." Sheou whispered as she walked past to head to the kitchen.

"Apologies Ma'am!" They both said as they quickly returned to their duties.

Joseph shook his head as he swore Amber does that just to mess with him. Meanwhile, Alexis and then Bastion walked in with Chazz and Zane to join them at their table to hang out.

"I can't wait till tomorrow to start my first day of our break." Alexis said as she stretched her arms at the table.

"Neither can I, I've already set my schedule up to maximize every second of it." Bastion said proudly. "I've already lined up some new documentaries I've reserved from the library that I haven't been able to watch."

"First thing I'm going to do is go to the card shop and check out the new cards to see if I can improve my deck!" Syrus declared.

"I can't wait to chow down on Professor Banner's congratulation Slifer breakfast luncheon." Chumley said proudly. "I am going to chow down like no tomorrow!"

I think I'm going to take the time to try and remodel my room... you know, for maximum Chazz-dom." Chazz declared cooly.

"I think I need to study a bit more this week, but I also think I'll try to take it a 'little' light. Mom did ask me to hang out with Syrus a little more after she found out we were spending more time together." Zane said with a calm smirk.

"So, what are you going to do Joseph? Still going to sleep in?" Alexis asked with a smile.

"I'm going to sleep in like there's no tomorrow too." Joseph declared proudly as Kite delivered the food at last, nodding with a happy smile as she bowed, wishing them all a pleasant meal, and left while Luna hopped over and placed several drinks for Alexis, Bastion, Chazz and Zane. "Well, we made it to our first break everyone, I say cheers to that! CHEERS!"

"CHEERS!" Everyone said either loudly, cheerfully, or coolly while bumping glasses.

And with that everyone started getting into the swing of the night, enjoying the large pile of Garlic Butter Grilled Streak with various muffins and small slices of cakes to eat with the main meal. There was laughing, chatter, talks about what plans were and what people were going to do and what they hoped they'd have time to accomplish. All the while the girls of the café continued to tend to the needs of every guest there, though Joseph noticed that there were some plushies sitting around on the various tables, their owners trying to offer them to the girls asking if they could go on a date with the girls and offering the toys as presents.

However, without exception the girls each awkwardly rejected them, saying while they liked the toys, they couldn't accept them as they were their 'guests'. Each time the girls passed by one of the toys, they kept giving them a suspicious sideways glance, though it was always fleeting while around the café guests. Sheou especially, every time she walked by the tables she would glance at a plush, distrusting of them, but never expressing anything that one, unless they paid exceptional attention to the head maid's expression, could see. It continued like this for the rest of the night until it was time to close the café, and when it was time and all the food and drink was eaten, everyone started leaving with content sighs and patting their bellies.

Sheou tapped Joseph as he was leaving the café and said, with an apologetic bow, that she would not be able to tend to him this night, as she had to deal with some 'financial' issues for the café. Worried, he asked if everything was alright, and she nodded, simply saying, "It is nothing serious, merely balancing the finance books to ensure we aren't over budget... rest assured, it is merely boring and time consuming... I trust you will be fine tonight?"

"Sheou, I think I can handle tucking myself in tonight." He joked as he nodded and left, resulting in Sheou smiling and bowing him out.

But as she closed the door and snapped her fingers, resulting in all of the windows closing, curtains being drawn, various locks clicking into place, she could hear behind her various footsteps as the other maids began to appear in the room.

"Ma'am, do we 'have' to stay away from him tonight?" Tinkhec asked with a frown.

"For tonight, yes, we must restrain ourselves and keep away from him." Sheou declared bitterly.

"But ma'am, surely it would be 'safe' for us if we just..." Nudyarl said with a sad expression.

"We can't risk it... until we know 'their' intentions and where 'they' are... we must keep him hidden from their sight as best we can!" Sheou whispered as she turned around to face them.

"But if we're in spirit form, they can't possibly see us, right?" Lorpar muttered worriedly.

"I can't and will not take that risk... the last time we were confronted with a Shadow Duelist, our Master came out of it 'barely'... had you three not taken the brunt of the attack, and had 'you' not been stolen... I shudder to fear what would have become of him..." Sheou said somberly as she moved between them to head upstairs.

"Ma'am... but... you..." Ernus muttered sadly as she passed her by.

"But, what, Ernus?" Sheou asked with a quiet glare.

Ernus frowned sadly as she looked to the head maid before saying, "But... tucking our master in and greeting him when he wakes up... are your favorite times of the day... nothing makes you happier... then wishing him a pleasant night, or waking him up in the morning... that's your special 'alone time' with him that you tell us to never disturb..."

At that the Chamber Dragonmaid nodded as she looked to the head maid, but all Sheou did was sigh as she nodded, whispering, "I know..." and then just walking on, heading up the flight of stairs to get a head start on balancing those finance books she told Joseph about.

After that all of them looked at one another before nodding sadly, and following her example, heading up to the rooms since they couldn't stay with Joseph that night like they usually would.

Meanwhile, away from the island, out at sea where none could reach, the same yacht that had arrived the night before lay in the waves. It gently floated among the currents. Inside the vessel, in a very private section sat a bedazzled and elegant bed with beautiful and ornate blankets surrounded by white curtains with a chandelier casting an elegant white light upon it. Under the blankets, lay a beautiful sapphire blue dragon with enormous feathery wings, jewel-like armor covering the tips of her wings, and a golden crown atop her head and covering her horns. She lay there almost asleep, until off to the side, a shadowy shape slipped into the room, shrouded in shadow.

She opened her eyes and smiled as she saw it, and slowly lifted an elegant arm from under the blankets and extended it toward the creature, which jumped onto her hand, the light fron the chandelier not reaching it, and so concealing it from sight.

"Did you find him?" She asked sweetly.

The creature opened its eyes wide and began emitting an eerie blue light, causing her eyes to glow as well as she saw what it and the others saw. She saw students, lots of students, young men and women, boys and girls. She saw the cards some of them wielded, saw them sleeping in their beds, saw their childish expressions... yet as each student flashed, she grew increasingly frustrated as she could not find him. Why, why could she not see him?

"Where... where is the dragon?" She asked the creature.

After a while, the creature had shown her all that could be shown, none of them were who she was looking for, causing her to sigh... and flick the little thing off her hand as she held her forehead.

She glanced upward at the chandelier and frowned, she had no choice it seemed... she was told to seek out the dragon... but it looked like to get to the dragon, she'd have to draw him out instead of going to him directly.

"Very well then..." She whispered as she reached under the blankets and pulled out a scroll bound with a special seal.

She looked to the creature and held out the scroll to it, and it clamped its mouth over it.

"Take it, take it to that building where they all gathered... do not be seen, and do not waste time... now go... and do not fail..." She declared and watched it leap away.

As she glanced at her arm, she saw the golden wristband that was bound to her, binding it to her... and frowned.

The next day the café was graced with several early students going to enjoy some of their time off at the café, many boys still hoping to try and score a potential date with the girls despite the many failed attempts, and girls going to enjoy the cakes and teas while gossiping to one another. However, at a table specifically reserved for the usual group of students associated with the staff of the café, namely Joseph and his friends, an ornate scroll sat.

Sheou and the other maids kept on glancing at it, worriedly, as it did not arrive by some mail carrier, and none of the students dropped it off.

But despite their worries and reservations about it, they could do nothing as it was not addressed to them, and the seal indicated only those who were 'supposed' to receive it, actually open it.

So, they just ignored it to the best of their abilities, tending to their guests' needs.

*Ding, Ding*

Lora quickly walked over to the door when it opened, presented herself and said in her cheerful manner, "Welcome to the Maid of Dragon's Café, please enjoy our hospitality!"

Alexis smiled as she was pleased to see she was the first of her group to arrive. "Hi Lora, what's available this morning?" She asked.

"Today we have our traditional cheery cherry cake with watermelon frosting, and humble raspberry pudding. If you wait a bit, Kite will be bringing out our lovely dovely cranberry cupcakes!" Lora said with a cheery expression.

"Okay, then can I have a light bowl of the humble raspberry pudding and a light glass of grape juice please?" Alexis asked as she headed over to her usual table. "Guessing Joseph really decided to stay in this morning?"

"I guess so, poor Joe, so tired..." Luna the laundry maid frowned as she walked past with a tray of drinks.

Alexis snickered a little, before she noticed the scroll on the table where she and the others normally sat. Looking around she wondered if anyone had left it there, and also if it belonged to someone. At least, until she saw what was on the seal.

The Milennium Eye, the symbol of the Shadow Duelists, the same insignia used that was on the shadow charm worn by the last duelist sent against them, one that was being controlled by a duel spirit.

As she realized what was going on, she pulled out her phone and called Bastion, Chazz and Zane, only sending a message to Syrus to tell him to 'keep Joseph in their dorm that morning'. After a few minutes Syrus responded, saying 'no prob, he's still sleeping', after saying that she asked him to wake up Chumley and get over to the café asap. Once everyone was there, and they were sure that Joseph was 'still' asleep and wouldn't barge in, she explained what was there.

"So... what is it, a declaration of war or something?" Chazz asked.

"Well, it's a scroll if nothing else, obviously someone delivered it here knowing Joseph would be here, so they probably intended to give it to him." Bastion declared.

"What's written on it?" Syrus asked as Alexis opened the scroll and unrolled it.

As she unfurled it, she saw that the words upon the scroll were written in a golden ink that sparkled in the light like diamonds. The cursive writing was of such penmanship quality that it looked like a queen, or a king had written it, their writing skills developed for 'years'. The paper itself was of such high quality it felt weird to the touch as she wasn't used to it. But...

"I can't read a single thing?" She asked as she looked at the words.

It was true, the words... were illegible. Not a single character was familiar, despite her best efforts she just couldn't make out a single word that she could translate. What was weirder was that with each attempt to read, it was like the letters 'changed' before her eyes. One second, she'd be reading a line and then she'd blink, and the next second it was like a completely different set of letters or characters would replace what she was reading.

"Weird..." Zane muttered as he took a look at it. "I can't understand a single letter. I assume you can't either right Sy?"

"Nope... not a thing, looks like gibberish to me."

"Wowzers... that's like, totally creepy, who'd send a letter in a language you can't even read?" Chumley asked.

"What are you talking about... it's as plain as day to me." Chazz muttered as he stared at the paper.

"Wait you can 'read' that?" Syrus asked incredulously. "None of us can read it, how can you, what language is it?"

"What are you talking about, its plain as day what it says, what you mean you can't read it?" Chazz asked frustrated as the Ojama Brothers made their appearance.

'You can't blame them boss, that's duel spirit language!' Yellow said proudly.

'Yea, humans can't read that stuff without a duel spirit to do the translating!' Black declared with a grin.

'Nyuk nyuk nyuk nyuk, boss sure got the stuffs!' Green laughed.

"Grrrr will you get lost!" He whispered as he clenched his fist, wishing he could send them to the moon, but he ignored them and took the scroll. "Alright, since it looks like 'I'm' the only one who can read it, I'll tell you what it says. Ahem..."

"To whom it may concern..." He said out loud.

"I the Queen of the Draconia, or Dragons as you know us by, hereby challenge you in an honorable duel of fate and destiny. I challenge thee for control of the Dragon's Spirit, the terms of the duel shall be explained further when we meet in person. If you accept, sign your name and place this scroll in the fire, and meet me tonight at midnight by the ocean side pier, reject, and the Dragon's spirit shall be forfeit... do you accept or do you reject? Signed... Saffira."

After he finished, he looked up and frowned. "Well, that's one way to say, 'I challenge you to a duel' if ever I heard one." He proclaimed.

"Yep... that is one way to say it." Bastion said with a raised eyebrow. "I have to say, you don't meet anyone that speaks like that nowadays."

"Saffira... Saffira... I think I might have heard that name somewhere before but I can't place my fingers on it." Alexis muttered. "Do you think it's a duel spirit like the last shadow duelist?"

"Probably... I mean, you remember how Syrus was hurt, the girl didn't mean to do it, she was being manipulated to do it." Chumley explained.

"Hmmm..." Zane whispered as he heard mention of Syrus getting hurt.

Alexis was in agreement, if this was indeed a Duel Spirit challenging Joseph to a duel, then she didn't want him dueling this spirit because of the last time he dueled. His last encounter he'd landed in the infirmary and was emotionally wounded. His spirit had been damaged deeply at the loss of one of his precious cards, and now that she knew that duel spirits were real, she didn't want him going through that experience again.

"So... do we respond to it?" Syrus asked.

"Well 'duh' we respond to it... only question is what do we say, I say accept, the Chazz is going to give this 'Saffira a Princeston sized..." Chazz began saying with his arms crossed, but Alexis had already pulled out a pen and signed her name with a big line underneath it. "What?!"

Alexis sighed as she closed her pen and shook her head, this time it was personal to her, she wasn't about to let Joseph take the risk again, and she didn't want anyone else to take the risk. Seeing how he looked in the infirmary, how pathetic he thought himself as, how desperate he was to protect 'them' and reclaim his Dragonmaid, just touched her. He truly cared about his cards and treated them like friends, more than friends, like family. She would do this for him.

"Sorry Chazz, this one is mine." Alexis said as she rolled up the scroll and stood up, walking over to the nearby fireplace and locking eyes on it.

After a few seconds she took a deep breath, before throwing it in the fire and watching it burn to ashes. With that done she went back to the table and took a deep breath again, before staring at the others and saying, "Not a word to Joseph, got it? He doesn't need to know about this duel spirit or this challenge."

"Alright... but are you sure?" Bastion says with a raised eyebrow. "If something happens and he finds out... you know how he'll act."

"Yes, I know, but you remember what we said in the chancellor's office, we're protecting Joseph from the shadow duelists." She declared with a stern expression. "His father is trying to send his soul to the shadow realm, and he doesn't care that he's his own son, he wants Joseph's cards and he's willing to do 'that' to get them. We won't let anything happen to him, not while we're around! You all saw what happened to Syrus after the last duel, and Joseph got worse... I won't let that happen to him again."

Chazz nodded in agreement, same with Syrus who subtly gripped his left arm as if remembering something, Zane who was only updated about the whole situation 'recently', also nodded. While he wasn't in the room at the time all of the details were made, he'd taken what his little brother said about the whole ordeal with a minor grain of salt. But, after seeing that weird scroll, he seemed to be leaning more into believing everything that was said.

"Alright, not a peep from me, promise." Bastion said.

"Fine, I got nothing better to say anyway... way to go, stealing my thunder like that by the way..." Chazz growled bitterly.

"Alright... but don't blame me if he finds out somehow!" Syrus said sheepishly.

"Same here..." Chumley muttered.

"Yea..." Zane replied.

*Ding, Ding*

"Good Moooorning Duel Academy students how are we all doing today?" Joseph yelled as he walked into the café.

"Eeeeeee!" All of the café maids yelled excitedly as they all rushed over to greet Joseph, saying things like 'good morning' and 'nice to see you again' as well as 'can we hang out later?'. Of course, after only a few seconds of Joseph being cornered and trying to control the girls, and failing horribly, Sheou somehow magically appeared and, in a flash, had whipped out the smacking stick and smacked all five of the girls, Lora, Kite, Amber, Sun and Luna on their heads, resulting in them getting comedic lumps from the beating to get them off him. Sheou then pushed up her glasses with a finger and said with a very stern and menacing glare, "How many times... must I repeat myself... a maid does 'not' rush their master in such a manner in public..." while a malicious and cruel draconic aura seemed to grow around her, resulting in all of the students sweat dropping at the sight of the maids cowering in front of Sheou. "Especially when she is currently attending to several guests..."

"W-w-ere sorrrrrrry..." They all moaned in fear.

"Don't be sorry, get back to work!" Sheou muttered dangerously, and within microseconds the girls were up and quickly tending to whatever guest was 'not' being tended to with their usual friendly smiles, asking if they needed anything and almost 'begging' without begging to be of service to them.

Sheou meanwhile, sighed in disappointment and shook her head as she hid the slapping stick into the folds of her maid dress again.

"Those five... what will I ever do with them?" Sheou muttered quietly before she bowed and walked Joseph over to their table.

"Hey guys, what's up, and what is on the menu tonight I am starving this morning?"

"Uh..." Chumley started saying before Alexis chimed in quickly.

"Not much Joseph, they should be coming out with some new cupcakes, and they have breakfast pudding and cakes so far."

"Uh yea, you should have been there this morning for the Banner Breakfast Luncheon, right Chumley?" Syrus said.

"Oh, yea I 'totally' loved eating that food, oooh my stomach was so happy. You think Banner's got leftovers?"

And so, not seeing or hearing anything weird, Joseph just yawned as he shook himself awake and asked Sheou if there were any breakfast items available that morning. Sheou responded that while they didn't have 'anything' ready, she could ask Kite to whip up something like scrambled eggs, buttered toast and waffles with syrup if he and the others were patient and willing to wait.

"Of course, since its late in the morning it will be well after Breakfast Time would end, are you all willing to wait that long?"

"I don't mind waiting, what about you guys?"

"Yea I don't mind."

"Same here."

Sure, we can chatter it up."

With that Sheou nodded and went into the Kitchen to inform Kite of the request, and about half an hour later Kite walked out with a massive plate piled with breakfast items, of which many other patrons were salivating over and suddenly asking if they could order some as well. And so, with those items now being seen, Kite chuckled and returned to the kitchen to appear minutes later with two plates piled high with similar items to plant at the buffet table. All the while they tried their best to keep Joseph in the dark about what was going to happen that night, with Alexis stretching and getting up, saying she was going to go work on some homework and telling Joseph she'd catch him later.

But at Obelisk Blue Girl's Dorm, as she locked her door, closed her blinds, and pulled out her cards to start looking over it and began making plans for the duel later that night, she couldn't deny that she was more than a little nervous. A Shadow Duel sounded way more serious than any other duel she's played till the day. Sure, she's had duels with stakes, she's seen duels with stakes, but dueling with one's very soul on the line? She's never had to duel like that before, and if she makes even one mistake...

"Just don't make any mistakes, that's all..." Alexis said as she arranged cards, added new ones, removed old ones, played out practice combos and prepared herself as mentally as she could.

Off to the side, her little Scapegoat plush sat on the edge of her desk, with its little goofy expression just watching her throughout the day.

For the rest of the day the activity of Duel Academy's students had been relatively relaxed, students either stayed in their door, relaxed and lounged in various areas, girls went swimming, boys played sports or watched tv, some napped, some studied or did homework, and of course others dueled. At the Café when night approached students and teachers congregated to enjoy the hospitality and welcoming atmosphere of the Cosplaying Ladies. There weren't any plush toys this time since most of the boys who had them only tried to use them to sweet talk and hit on the girls, of which none succeeded, and of course when Joseph showed up with his friends Syrus and Chumley, they tried to spend as much time as possible with him.

Of course, Sheou smacked them and told them to return to their work. Food and drink were eaten, chatter was made, teachers enjoyed the reprieve from classes almost more than the students and just listened to the symphony that came from the Vinyl music being played and their preferred drinks or foods.

But... as with all good things, the night began to end, and they all made their way back to their dorms and bedrooms, with the maids humbly bowing and inviting their guests to return the next day to enjoy their hospitality, giving everyone, especially Joseph a warm and loving sendoff.

Yet... as midnight approached, Alexis was the 'first' of the students to arrive at the pier, soon joined by Chazz, Bastion, Zane, Syrus and Chumley.

"Is Joseph still asleep?" She asked them.

"Yea, he konked out pretty easily, we had to tip toe out to avoid arousing suspicion." Syrus muttered nervously.

"Guy can really sleep when he needs it." Chumley muttered.

"Yea well we all want to sleep, lucky Joe, this Duel Spirit better hurry up and show, or else!" Chazz said.

"I believe our wait time is almost up, it's almost midnight..." Bastion said as he checked his watch. "Yep, eleven fifty-nine, only one minute left."

Alexis nodded as she held her Academy Issued Duel Disk and took calm breaths to focus herself. She wasn't normally a nervous person before a duel, but she's never dueled where her soul was going to be on the line and where the damage she'd take would be real either. So, all she could do was remember her lessons, remember her skills, know how strong her monsters would be and feel confident in her abilities as a duelist to meet this challenge and emerge victorious.

"It's midnight!" bastion declared.

*Hroooooooor*

Suddenly from off into the distance a light appeared, and across the water a large violet carpet rolled toward them to finally end on the pier. They were surprised since the carpet did not sink into the water nor did the water ever breach the surface of the carpet. They were also surprised as the carpet wasn't damp at all, almost like it was lying on solid ground.

"Well, at least 'someone' is rolling out the red-carpet treatment for us, too bad it isn't red." Chazz muttered.

Alexis gulped as she stepped onto the carpet, feeling it tentatively to see if it would sink and found that it was indeed as solid as it portrayed itself to be. With that she began walking along the carpet toward the light off in the distance, followed by her friends. The walk was long, longer than she realized as they couldn't stand next to one another, and all the while the light of the full moon shined down upon the waves, which shifted and wavered this way and that with subtle sounds to accentuate the sight of them walking on water. Eventually however, as they looked, they saw just off in the distance they were being led toward a boat that had a spotlight on it.

"Is it just me or is that boat getting 'way' bigger." Chazz asked after about ten minutes of walking.

Everyone nodded in agreement as the boat was indeed getting bigger, but it was getting 'way' bigger than what it should have, considering how far away it was at first and how long they've been walking. The vassal looked like a standard Yacht one would see if they looked up a picture online, but its size was unbelievable compared to them.

She gulped as she wondered what kind of Duel Spirit she was going to have to fight, if Syrus' description of the last one, Erebus the Underworld Monarch, a spirit that towered above them like a massive Titan, almost like a miniature mountain. How large was 'this' spirit?"

It took them about ten more minutes of walking until they reached the ship, and then climbed up the carpet that had formed stairs for them to reach an upper deck, and from there followed the carpet into an inner chamber.

"Wooooow..." Alexis and the others said in awe as they entered this grand ostentatious room, lit by a beautiful chandelier with a large screen television, seats, pillars, and stonework all set up like a beautiful amphitheater, with stain glass windows casting an array of colorful lights and a crystal golden organ off on the other side.

Everything was cast in an almost heavenly light in the room, and as they listened the organ was being played, a heavenly tune that could have soothed the soul of the most hate filled man to ever possibly walk the earth, played in such an elegant tone that one would be left speechless and filled with thoughts of church music in their mind.

And playing that organ, that they could now see... was what looked like a blue scale skinned woman, with large blue feathery wings adorned in golden armor and wearing garbs of white cloth, golden jewelry, and playing the organ without a care to the arrival of her guests while her tail swayed ever so slightly behind her. At least for a few minutes, when she had finished and stood up.

To her surprise, Alexis was 'not' staring at a titan, a giant, or any large spirit, instead she was staring at a feminine humanoid dragon, with golden blonde hair flowing as she turned to look at the group. She was only just a little taller than herself as she walked along the carpet toward them, a draconic Duel Disk on her left arm and wearing a golden wristband with the Milennium Eye on it as well.

"Well, I wasn't expecting 'her' to be our opponent." Bastion said with a hint of surprise.

"Wow, she looks beautiful." Syrus muttered in agreement.

"She looks like she hasn't got a mean bone in her body." Chumley agreed.

"Are we 'sure' she's our opponent, you know, the big bad Shadow Duelist sent to steal a certain someone's soul?" Chazz asked as well.

Alexis however was 'not' buying it, and stayed focused as she crossed the enormous room and walked up to the other side of the amphitheater, then she bowed and stood up straight. With a warm, almost slightly seductive smile.

"Greetings, welcome to my palace, my domain... or at least as close as you humans will ever come to seeing it." She said. "I am, Saffira, Queen of Dragons... tell me, which of you is the one called, Alexis Rhodes... and tell me... are you the 'dragon' I've been sent to find?"

Alexis stepped forward, duel disk at the ready, and yelled, "I'm Alexis Rhodes and I am 'not' this 'dragon' your seeking, and I'm not going to let you anywhere near him if I have anything to say about it. You want this Dragon, then you're going to have to go through 'me' first!"

At that, Saffira looked a little upset, her cheerful and warm expression soured, and she looked around the group, as if trying to look for something.

"I see... then is the Dragon among you... for I wish to speak to them."

"Fat chance of that happening, I already told you, you're not getting at any of my friends, not without going through me first, so if you want to talk, do it with your duel disk!" Alexis said as she held her arm at the ready and her Duel Disk activated.

Saffira sighed as she nodded, and began stepping down the stairs, her own duel disk activating which Alexis matched, stepping down the stairs to get the duel started. Once they stood opposite one another, Saffira eyed her with a curious gaze, as if trying to read her or understand something inside of her.

"Are you sure you wish to accept this duel, if you agree to tell me who the Dragon I seek is, and tell me where I may find them, I will spare you this duel."

"I think you should save your throat the talking and let your cards do it for you!"

"Very well, I initiate a Shadow Game!" Saffira said calmly as she held out her left hand and snapped her scaly fingers.

*PHrewwweeersh*

In a flash a ring of fire erupted from behind her and encircled both of them in its flamey interior, once the circle was fully created a strange purple fog began to enshroud them.

"ALEXIS!" Everyone began shouting, but soon everything inside was concealed from outside.

Already used to seeing this, she realized that the Shadow Game had begun, now that it was set, the only way out was to win the duel.

"Whoa... so this is what it's like on the inside!" Alexis asked nervously as she could hear thunder in the distance, lighting striking around her and feeling an eerie sense of dread the longer she looked at her surroundings, not able to see beyond the borders of the fog yet feeling like there was no end to their surroundings.

"This is a Shadow Game, there is no escape... I'm afraid now your fate is mine to decide." Saffira said, calling her back to the field around them. "Very well Alexis, since you have forced my hand... the terms are thus... if you lose your fate is mine, and I choose that you shall be encased in a crystal sculpture, forever trapped, unable to move or talk except to me and me alone. If you win... then my fate is yours to decide."

"W-what?" She asked fearfully. "A s-statue?"

"Yes... now name your terms, what will befall me if you should win this duel?"

"If I win... well if I win, I know what'll happen to you, the same thing you'd force upon my friend, a one-way trip to the Shadow Realm!" Alexis declared as her Duel Disk shuffled her deck.

Saffira looked a little unhappy at that response, but nodded, her eyes closed in deep thought. "So be it..." She muttered quietly as her Duel Disk activated, and deck was shuffled. "Let the Shadow Game begin..."

"DUEL!" They shouted together.

[Alexis – 4000 / Saffira – 4000]

With their life points set, they drew their opening hands and began the duel.

[Cyber Tutu, Etoile Cyber, Machine Angel Ritual, Cyber Prima, Cyber Petit Angel]

"Since this is my home, or as close as it can be, I'll start the duel off..." Saffira said as she drew the first card. "Hmmm, very well... I'll play one monster face down... and one card face down. That will do it for now."

"Then it's my move... I draw!" Alexis yelled as she drew her card now.

[Angel Blast]

"Hmmm, alright... I have no idea what you've got... but I know one thing, I'm playing Cyber Tutu in attack mode!"

She played her first monster and in a flash of light, Cyber Tutu appeared with a spin and twirl as her dress flayed around, smirking as she got ready to fight.

[Cyber Tutu, Earth Attribute, lvl 3, Warrior Type, Effect Monster, 1000 Atk / 800 Def]

"Next... I'm going to play a card face down!" She said as she played Angel Blast down now and looked back to the field.

Saffira was watching expectantly, as if she was waiting for her to declare an attack on her face down monster.

'I can't see what her monster is, and that trap card has me worried, since I can't tell what she's got, I should just sit tight and see what she does.' She thought. 'This is a Shadow Duel; I can't take the chance that her monster may have some crazy effect I'm not aware of. For now, that's all I can do unless I want to take a huge risk. I need to figure out her gameplan before I can get aggressive.'

"That's it for now, I end my turn."

"I see... the cautious type... waiting to see what I do?" Saffira asked curiously as she drew her card and looked at it. "Very well... I end my turn without playing any cards."

"What?" Alexis asked in surprise.

"You're move..."

Alexis frowned in confusion and frustration as she drew her card.

[Cyber Angel Benten]

"Alright I don't know what you think you're up to, but if you aren't going to take me seriously, then I'll show you why you should fear me!" Alexis said as she grabbed her Cyber Prima. "I tribute my Cyber Tutu to summon my Cyber Prima!"

Cyber Tutu glowed and a flash of light blinded them for a moment, before she was replaced by the gymnast monster Cyber Prima who spun on her heels and kicked off to strike a pose.

[Cyber Prima, lvl 6, Light Attribute, Warrior Type, Effect Monster, 2300 Atk / 1600 Def]

"Now that Cyber Prima has been tribute summoned, I think I'm going to have her go on the attack!"

Cyber Prima pumped her arms and got ready to charge.

"I activate my trap card... Trap Hole!" Saffira declared.

The trap card activated, and a hole began to encompass Cyber Prima.

"You were waiting to use that trap card, you could have activated it on my Cyber Tutu, but you held back to destroy a bigger target, didn't you?" Alexis yelled in frustration.

"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't, but we have other things to think about now, don't we?"

"We certainly do, I activate my own trap card, Angel Blast!" Alexis said as she pushed a button. "This trap card activates when you trigger an effect that destroys a monster, now not only is the card negated but it's also destroyed!"

Her own trap card activated and then blasted the trap hole, saving Cyber Prima from destruction. Yet even as the card was lost, Saffira never lost her cool expression, almost like it didn't matter that she'd been countered instantly.

"What's wrong, feeling a little surprised?" Alexis taunted.

"Surprised, maybe I am... maybe I'm not... the only question to ask, is who countered who?" She said with a smile.

"Grr... We'll see about that... Cyber Prima attack her face down monster now!"

Cyber Prima pumped her fists and charged forward to deliver a powerful punch to the face down monster, which revealed itself to be...

[Fairy Dragon, lvl 4, Wind Attribute, Dragon Type, Normal Monster, 1100 Atk / 1200 Def]

"A... a normal monster?" She asked in surprise as the adorable serpentine dragon screeched in agony before it was obliterated and sent to the grave.

'I don't get it, she used a trap hole card to try and protect a normal monster... wait, she had the higher stats, why didn't she switch it into attack mode last turn and destroy Cyber Tutu?' Alexis thought as now she was flabbergasted as to why her opponent would make such an obvious mistake.

Outside everyone had watched the fog sphere encompass Alexis and her opponent, which meant that a Shadow Duel had begun, and after answering a few questions from Zane, they had no choice but to either stand on the outskirts of the sphere or sit in the stands and watch as the duel took place on the screen high above them. They had seen the opening few turns and now had similar questions to Alexis about what their opponent's strategy was.

"I don't get it Zane, why would she trigger a trap to protect a monster with no effect, let alone pass her turn when she easily could have won that exchange?" Syrus asked.

"Because Syrus, she's toying with her, trying to get her to make mistakes." Zane explained. "More importantly, she got Alexis to reveal 'her' trap card. While the strategy was sound, hold back from using a trap card like Trap Hole to see if you can get a bigger monster, considering Cyber Tutu's attack points barely qualified for the trap's trigger, there honestly was no need to keep her face down monster concealed."

He examined the field to try and figure out what the strategy of their opponent was, since only using a very weak normal monster purely to defend left very little room in the desire of winning a duel in the long term.

"While it is true, there are some very powerful Normal Monsters in the game of Duel Monsters, and some Normal Monsters have good support, case and point the Blue Eyes White Dragon, there is very little reason to use a normal monster with such low stats except if one wanted to offer it as a sacrifice."

"So, she wants to let her own monster bite the dust, well fine, easier she makes it to win the sooner we can all go to bed." Chazz muttered to them.

'No, it's not that easy... something's up... I only hope Alexis can figure it out as soon as possible.'

Inside the Shadow Duel Alexis was only 'slightly' beginning to lose her cool, as that move made zero sense last turn, why would Saffira just pass her turn when she clearly had a stronger monster to try and force a reaction from her.

'Okay, maybe you can make the argument that she wanted to avoid triggering a trap, but in that case, it's better to attack with the weakest monster possible to force a trap to activate, so your minimize your losses. Instead, she deliberately let her monster take the fall just so she could have us trade traps, why, what benefit is there to losing that exchange?' She asked herself as Saffira continued to smile politely. 'It sure isn't about board presence, she's lost her field for nothing but a trap, maybe that's what she wants, make me bring out more cards so she can wipe them out with a card like Raigeki!'

"Hmmm, is something wrong, you aren't talking... do you need a moment to collect your thoughts?" Saffira asked politely.

'Well, whatever she's playing at, it won't work against me.' She thought, "I end my turn."

"Back to me then, I draw... hmmm, I think I'll play this magic card, Stray Lambs!" Saffira said as she played a new card.

[Stray Lambs is a magic card that lets you summon two 'Lamb Tokens' into defense mode, with no effects, and zero attack and defense points. However, you cannot summon other monsters for the rest of the turn this card is activated, but you can still set monsters into face down defense mode.]

"Now with this magic card's effect, I summon two lamb tokens to my field in defense mode..." Saffira said as two lambs appeared from the card and took up positions, staring at her with their silly content expressions, one pink the other white, with horns curling up and around their cheeks.

[Lamb Token, lvl 1, Earth Attribute, Beast Type, Normal Token, 0 Atk / 0 Def x2]

"For the small price of not being allowed any more summons, I gain these two tokens to do as I wish with... and while I can't summon anymore monsters, I can still offer one as a tribute to place another monster face down..." Saffira said as one of the tokens vanished, and in its place a monster card was set. "With this, I end my turn."

Alexis took a moment to take a deep breath before she nodded and said, "I draw!" before drawing her next card.

[Blade Skater] Which she added to her hand and examined her options. [Cyber Angel Benten, Etoile Cyber, Machine Angel Ritual, Cyber Petit Angel, Blade Skater]

"Alright, I play my monster, Cyber Petit Angel!"

She played her card and a pink spherical angel that was equally mechanical as it was fairy in appearance fluttered and cheeped.

[Cyber Petit Angel, lvl 2, Light Attribute, Fairy Type, Effect Monster, 300 Atk / 200 Def]

"When this monster is summoned, I can add one Cyber Angel or Machine Angel Ritual card from my deck to my hand, and I think I'm going to have it add Cyber Angel Idaten!"

Cyber Petit Angel nodded, turned, created an arrow of light to shoot with its tiny bow before firing it at Alexis' deck, causing a card to appear.

"Now I activate Machine Angel Ritual, I tribute my Cyber Prima on the field to Ritual Summon, Cyber Angel Idaten!"

Cyber Prima was engulfed in blue flames and from that flame a Cyber Angel emerged, a Purple Skinned athletic fighter wearing a black leotard a purple headdress and gloves, spinning and pirouetting onto the field to assume an attack stance.

[Cyber Angel Idaten, Lvl 6, Light Attribute, Fairy Type, Ritual Effect Monster, 1600 Atk / 2000 Def]

"Now for the fun part, when Cyber Angel Idaten is ritual summoned, she allows me to add a Ritual Spell to my hand from my deck or graveyard, and I think I'll add 'another' Machine Angel Ritual from my deck!" She declared as the magic card was added to her hand. "Next I'll activate its effect 'again', I tribute Idaten to summon my Cyber Angel Benten!"

Idaten nodded and clapped her hands together to create a pillar of blue flames to engulf herself, and then from that flames a new Cyber Angel appeared. With a golden helmet, flowing black hair, wielding two razor sharp fans bound together by a chain in both hands, wearing a skintight athlete's outfit, Benten spun her fans and prepared for battle.

[Cyber Angel Benten, lvl 6, Light Attribute, Fairy Type, Ritual Effect Monster, 1800 Atk / 1500 Def]

"All that just to trade for one monster? Fascinating..." Saffira said with a smile.

"You'll like what comes next, now that Benten is on the field, the effect of Idaten activates, when she's tributed, she increases the attack and defense of 'all' of my Ritual monsters on the field by 1000 points!" Alexis said.

[Cyber Angel Benten 1800 Atk / 1500 Def – 2800 Atk / 2500 Def]

"And now, we enter the battle phase, first up, Cyber Petit Angel destroy that Stray Lamb Token!"

Cyber Petit Angel readied another light arrow, pulled back her bow, and 'fired' at the token. The token with no defense took the shot and was destroyed, giving a little 'squeak' before it vanished.

"Now let's see what you sacrificed a Token to summon, Cyber Angel Benten destroy the face down monster!"

Benten crossed her arms, extended her fans and then leapt at the face down monster, first flinging her fan so it wrapped up the monster card and then pulled it toward her, before using the second fan to slice it in half. When the monster was revealed, she saw that she had destroyed yet another dragon, this one with a body reminiscent of a meteor, with dark bat-like wings and purple scaly claws and head. Her monster had sliced it at the neck, cleaving it in half... but...

[Meteor Dragon, lvl 6, Earth Attribute, Dragon Type, Normal Monster, 1800 Atk / 2000 Def]

'Another Normal Monster?' Alexis asked in shock as the monster was destroyed and Benten returned to her side.

"Well, there goes my defense, but fortunately, since my monsters were all in defense mode, I suffer no battle damage." Saffira said with a smirk.

"Sorry to rain on your parade, but you're 'not' safe from battle damage, see when Benten destroys a monster and sends it to the graveyard, she inflicts damage to your life points equal to that monster's defense points!" Alexis said with a bigger grin.

Benten swung her fan by the chain before flinging it at Saffira who went wide eyed in surprise, before quickly shielding herself to avoid the worst effects, but Benten struck her in the stomach, causing her to groan in agony and pain as she clutched herself while her life points took the first hit of the duel.

"Gruagh... that... hurts... so much..."

[Alexis – 4000 / Saffira - 4000 – 2000]

Alexis smirked as she drew first blood, she then declared, "With that I end my turn."

Saffira caught her breath and nodded, drawing her card, taking a moment to collect her thoughts she looked over at Alexis. "I play the magic card... 'One Day of Peace."

"Now you're stalling again? What, don't got anything stronger to hit me with then a bunch of normal dragons?" She asked.

"We'll see... but as you know due to the effect of the magic card, we now each draw one card, and until my next turn, neither of us can deal any damage to the other." Saffira said as she drew another card.

Alexis nodded as she drew her card, [Fusion Sage].

"Hmmm, I thik I'll activate the magic card, Pot of Greed, which says I now draw two more cards." Saffira said as she drew her cards again. "Perfect... lovely... I end my turn."

Alexis grunted as she drew her next card. [Cyber Egg Angel]

"Well, since I can't deal any damage to you, I'll just play Cyber Egg Angel in attack mode!"

On the field a mechanical egg emitting a white light appeared, with two large green mechanical wings extended from its core which was enshrouded in darkness, say for a single white light. It flapped its wings to keep aloft as it floated to Benten's right.

[Cyber Egg Angel, lvl 2, Light Attribute, Fairy Type, Effect Monster, 200 Atk / 300 Def]

"When Cyber Egg Angel is summoned, I can add one Machine Angel Ritual or Ritual Sanctuary from my deck to my hand. And I choose Machine Angel Ritual!"

Cyber Egg Angel glowed, and her deck responded, adding her third Machine Angel Ritual to the hand.

"With that I end my turn."

'As much as I'd like to summon out Cyber Blader this turn, I can't take the risk, she's up to something, she's done nothing but stall out and play normal monsters.' Alexis thought to herself.

Saffira meanwhile drew her card and sighed, before looking at Alexis. "Tell me Human, Alexis if I recall... why won't you tell me who the Dragon I'm seeking is." She asked politely. "Are you perhaps protecting them?"

"Why the sudden desire to talk?" Alexis said aggressively.

"Oooh, someone's defensive, aren't they?" She said with a smirk. "Tell me, do you know where can I find the Dragon I seek?"

"You want to find a Dragon, go find it yourself, I know what you're really after, the House Dragonmaid Card." Alexis snapped. "Well forget it, you can go tell that 'scoundrel' who sent you, he can do his own dirty work, I won't tell you where the duelist who owns that card is if you can't find him yourself."

Saffira smirked a little at that, before she snickered, "Between you and me, he's less than that, but regardless... you misunderstand my words." She said. "I said the 'Dragon' I seek, I am not interested in the House Dragonmaid Card."

At that Alexis did a slight double take, this Duel Spirit 'wasn't' interested in Joseph or his Dragonmaids?

"Don't get me wrong, I am indeed sent here to duel the one called Joseph Takara for the House Dragonmaid card, as my master forces and compels me." Saffira said as she raised her wrist to show the Bracelet that she wore with the Millenium Symbol on it. "But by now you should know that we Duel Spirits are not so easily controlled, even though I am forced to do his bidding, I have my own agenda here... I must find the Dragon I was bid to find. Hopefully I can find this Dragon 'before' I am forced to fight your friend Joseph."

"Well, you can forget about it, I don't care what 'agenda' you have, but you're not going to be dueling Joseph anytime this century, not while I'm around!" Alexis yelled.

"Ooooh, someone's got a temper, a little 'protective' are we, perhaps I struck a nerve... is he perhaps 'more' then just your friend?" Saffira snickered. "Don't worry, I'll treat him very well in our duel!"

"Get Lost, hurry up and make your move so I can win this duel!"

"As you wish..." Saffira said as she tugged at three cards from her current hand of seven cards. "I ritual Summon a monster, by activating the magic card Hymn of Light to tribute the monster Luster Dragon number 2 to ritual summon, myself, Saffira, Queen of Dragons!"

Luster Dragon number 2 appeared on the field, an emerald-green dragon that majestically blew a blue flame from its mouth to engulf itself to offer itself as a sacrifice for the ritual. Once completed, a 'second' Saffira Queen of Dragons appeared on the field, smirking just like the real one.

[Saffira, Queen of Dragons, lvl 6, Light Attribute, Dragon Type, Ritual Effect Monster, 2500 Atk / 2400 Def]

"So that's 'you', that's yourself on the field now?" Alexis asked as her monsters got ready for battle again.

"Yes, I summoned myself, I am indeed a Ritual Monster, so we have some things in common, but that is where it ends. Saffira then seemed to be thinking for a moment as she picked another card, "Next I play one card face down, and end my turn."

As a card appeared face down behind Saffira, Saffira herself, spread her wings and a heavenly light shown down from them onto the field, encircling the duelist Saffira.

"I also forgot to mention that I have an effect that triggers during the end phase. When I am ritual summoned, I can activate one of three effects, and I think I'll choose my first... now I can draw 'two' cards and then discard one card." Saffira said as she drew two cards, smiled and then discarded one of them, [Yamatano Dragon Scroll].

Alexis frowned as she drew her card now, [Pot of Greed]

"Hmpf, I activate Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two more cards!" Alexis declared as she drew her cards.

[Machine Angel Absolute Ritual, Incarnated Machine Angel]

"I play the magic card Fusion Sage, which lets me add a Polymerization to my hand from my deck!" She said as she played it. "Next I activate Incarnated Machine Angel, as long as this continuous magic card is in play, Cyber Angels cannot be destroyed by battle, and if I should take damage from battle or by a card effect of yours, I can tribute a Cyber Angel ritual monster from my field or hand to special summon 'another' Cyber Angel ritual monster! Next, I play the magic card, Polymerization!"

On the field her two magic cards appeared and then she picked her two monsters.

"I fuse Blade Skater and Etoile Cyber together to create, Cyber Blader!"

Her two monsters twirled, danced, and then were pulled together into the fusion card before her new monster appeared, the dancing cyber angel 'Cyber Blader' who twirled and stood at the ready for battle.

[Cyber Blader, lvl 7, Earth Attribute, Warrior Type, Fusion Effect Monster, 2100 Atk / 800 Def]

Yet while Alexis summoned out her new monster, outside Her friends were starting to question if her opponent even 'had' a strategy as they saw she was still playing defense and not summoning out monster or going on the attack. This was her strongest monster yet, and though she had summoned it in attack mode, she still had yet to declare an attack.

"I don't get it guys, her opponent had a chance to score some major damage, but she's 'still' not attacking her." Chumley said. "Is she like, a beginner or something?"

"She's trying to lure Alexis into a false sense of security, its obvious that trap card is there to probably destroy her monsters, that's why she left herself vulnerable." Chazz said. "Look at her, she knows the moment her monster gets destroyed, Alexis wins the duel thanks to Benten's effect. She's only got 2000 life points left, and that monster has more then enough defense points to wipe her out, she even made it easier by leaving it in attack mode, its obviously a trap."

"No... its not that." Zane said as he examined the field some more. "It's more then that, Saffira is deliberately 'avoiding' destroying her opponent's monsters. She has a strategy that requires her to not destroy Alexis' cards and stall out the duel for as long as possible."

"Is it an Exodia strategy?" Syrus asked quietly. "I mean, all she's done is draw cards and stall out, its similar to what Joseph's father tried."

"Makes as much sense to me, but if it is an Exodia strategy, why leave her opponent's monsters intact, she doesn't need to leave them alone to win with Exodia." Bastion said smartly. "All the evidence points to what you say being true Zane, but if its Exodia, why leave Alexis' monster's alive? She's running through her opponent's monsters with nearly zero resistance."

"No, its not that, she's got a plan but I just don't see it, all I know is that Alexis needs to be on guard and figure out that she's walking right into Saffira's trap." Zane said worriedly.

Back with Alexis, her new monster brought her total up to four, Cyber Angel Benten, Cyber Petit Angel, Cyber Egg Angel, and now Cyber Blader. She had a pretty good roster, but her opponent was obviously lulling her into a trap.

"Alright, I'm playing it safe now, I switch Cyber Egg Angel and Cyber Petit Angel into defense mode. Next I'm going to go on the attack with Cyber Angel Benten! Say goodbye to yourself as I wipe it off the field and wipe out what's left of your life points! Cyber Angel Benten, attack with Dance of Blades Strike!"

Cyber Angel Benten leapt and tossed her fan in a similar fashion to the previous time she threw it, wrappig it around Saffira, Queen of Dragons who struggled to get free as Benten came down to slash her with her fan.

But just as she was about to slash, a rod appeared in Saffira's hand which glowed, and moments later the chain and fans in Benten's hand were glowing as well. Then just as Benten brought her fan down for the finishing blow, a heavenly light appeared and protected Saffira from damage, resulting in Benten quickly unwrapping her chain and retreating.

"What just happened? You're monster's still standing!" Alexis yelled in confusion, then she saw what happened.

The trap card had activated, flipping itself up to reveal [Enchanted Javelin], and Saffira smirked as she twirled it for a moment, before it vanished as well.

"My trap card is what happened, as well my ritual spell. You see, when you went for your attack, I activated the trap card Enchanted Javelin to increase my life points based on the attack of your attacking monster, so kind of you to increase it's power those few turns ago." Saffira said as she extracted her ritual spell now. "As for my monster, if Saffira would be destroyed by battle or card effect, I can banish Hymn of Light from the graveyard to avoid that fate, so sorry to steal your thunder like that."

[Alexis – 4000 / Saffira – 2000 – 4800]

Alexis growled as she couldn't wage anymore attacks, and now she was back where they started with her at over full life points. "Fine, I end my turn, but you can't keep this up forever, stall all you want I'll eventually win in the end!"

"We'll see..." Saffira muttered as she drew her card, and 'smirked'. "Excellent, I play 'four' cards face down, and then play, another Stray Lamb magic card."

She played her cards and on the field, four face down cards appeared with the fifth being her magic card, which then summoned out two more Lamb Tokens to take up position next to Saffira, Queen of Dragons, who pet them with a smile.

[Lamb Token, lvl 1, Earth Attribute, Beast Type, Normal Token, 0 Atk / 0 Def x2]

"With that I play my final card and then I end my turn."

Alexis grew sour at that, first she was seeing those blasted tokens again, and second all those face downs that her opponent just laid down. 'Alright Alexis keep your cool, focus, your opponent just regained all their life points they lost and then some. Now she goes and lays down all of those traps, and more specifically, summons a pair of sheep tokens 'again'.' She thought as she thought of her next move.

"Alright, I draw!"

[Cyber Angel Vrash]

She looked at her hand again to think about her move, whatever she planned it had to count this turn, big time. On Saffira's next turn her plan was going to come to fruition, whatever she had been delaying and stalling out this duel for was about to happen, and she couldn't let that happen if she wanted to win.

'My one advantage I have is that she has no more cards in hand, but 'five' face downs, so I have to be careful when I make my move. Vrash, you're up!'

"I activate Machine Angel Absolute Ritual!" She declared. "Now I offer both Cyber Petit Angel, Cyber Egg Angel as tributes for my Ritual Monster, but I can also shuffle monsters into my deck from my grave, so I shuffle Cyber Prima to complete the ritual!"

A pair of angelic columns appeared that burst into fire, and both Cyber Petite Angel and Cyber Egg Angel were wrapped up in the flames of the ritual. Then, after it was completed, Vrash flung herself out from the bonfire and appeared on the field before her. Six large seraphim like wings, a pink and lavender suit, her four arms positioned so that her hands had their palms resting upon one another, a golden angelic 'gear' behind her while her violet-black hair flowed below her shoulders and hips as she prepared for battle.

[Cyber Angel Vrash, lvl 10, Light Attribute, Fairy Type, Ritual Effect Monster, 3000 Atk / 2000 Def]

"Alright, now that she's been summoned, I initiate the battle phase." Alexis yelled as all of her monsters got ready to charge. "Now here's a kicker, my Cyber Blader has an ability. Depending on how many monsters you have, she can have one of 'three' possible effects. Since you have exactly 'three', all of your cards' activated effects are negated! Cyber Angel Benten, finish what you tried last round and wipe out Saffira, Queen of Dragons, with Dance of Blades Strike!"

Cyber Angel Benten leapt up and flung her fan once more again at Saffira, who was wrapped up in the chain, and then just as quickly sliced into by Benten, destroying the monster in a burst of light.

"Grag... greeeeeh..." Saffira hollered as she clutched her chest, twitching as the attack wiped out her monster.

'Guess whatever happens to her monster form happens to her for real.' Alexis thought. "Now you haven't forgotten Benten's effect, when she destroys a monster in battle and sends it to the graveyard, you take the damage in the form of its defense value!"

"Uuguahaaaaah... the... pain..."

[Alexis – 4000 / Saffira – 4800 – 2400]

Alexis smirked, she had her on the ropes, tokens can't stop her monsters, especially since they were in defense mode and had 'zero' points to begin with no matter their stat. "Alright, now that your only 'real' monster is gone, I am sending both of my Cyber Angels in to sweep aside your remaining defenses in a double Cyber Angel Assault!" She yelled as she pointed at the tokens, giving the signal for Vrash and Blader to charge at the two lambs.

Both angels were about to strike the tokens when suddenly, first was Cyber Blader who twirled and slashed the smaller Lamb Token into clean pieces, which fell apart before the token vanished. Second was Vrash who was just about to launch her ribbon-like wings to stab the remaining token but then in a flash of light three women in blue robes appeared in front of her monsters blocking her remaining attack. One of them raised a talisman up and started casting a protective barrier, halting their advances any further.

"Not that card..." She yelled in frustration as behind the tokens, a trap card had been flipped up, and it was of course.

Saffira smirked as she was still panting slightly. "Waboku... apologies 'Alexis'... but I am stopping your remaining attacks. My monsters cannot be destroyed in battle and nor can my life points be damaged for the rest of the turn." She panted. Next... I activate my face down quick play spell... Scapegoat!"

A card on the far left flipped up, revealing the Scapegoat Magic Card, and from it 'four' Sheep Tokens appeared, each a different color, red, orange, blue, and pink.

[Sheep Token, lvl 1, Earth Attribute, Beast Type, Normal Token, 0 Atk / 0 Def x4]

"Tch, fine... I end my turn..." Alexis growled under her breath. "Just what I need, 'more' Toke-"

Suddenly, she realized something, the Tokens... they all looked just like the plush toys that had been 'given away' the day before. Saffira was using Tokens that looked like the plushies.

"Wait... is it... 'you' gave away all of those Plush dolls?" She asked.

"Ooooh you figured it out finally." Saffira asked with a nod of affirmation. "Indeed, I sent all my Tokens out to find the Dragon, I figured if I sent enough out, I'd find the Dragon I was seeking, and I could invite him directly... but alas I could not find him, no matter how hard I searched. But enough about that... I draw."

Saffira smiled as she looked to her tokens.

"Now, I switch 'all' of my Tokens into attack mode!"

All of her Tokens adjusted themselves as they took up attack formation, lining up with their adorable little expressions and showing their '0' attack points to Alexis' monsters.

[Lamb Token 0 Atk / 0 Def]

[Sheep Token 0 Atk / 0 Def x 4]

"Lamb Token, attack Cyber Blader!"

"What, attack mode, but they don't have any attack points!" Alexis stuttered as the Lamb Token started hopping toward her Cyber Angel.

"Oh, you're right... well then let's fix that shall we?" Saffira asked as her middle face down flipped up. "I activate, Token Stampede!"

[Token Stampede, is a continuous trap card that grants all attack position tokens 1000 attack points and protects them from destruction by battle.]

Suddenly the Token went from being adorable and cute to gaining a fierce disposition, its fur becoming spiky, its mouth opening to reveal pointed teeth, and its horns growing sharper and longer as its attack value skyrocketed.

[Lamb Token 0 Atk / 0 Def – 1000 Atk / 0 Def]

[Sheep Token 0 Atk / 0 Def – 1000 Atk / 0 Def x4]

"Wha? Token Stampede?" She asked incredulously, never seeing 'any' duelist use a card like that in their decks.

"Yes, and I don't have just '1' I have '3'." Saffira declared proudly as the other two flipped up to reveal they too were [Token Stampede]. "And for each Token Stampede Trap Card I have enabled, my little Tokens gain one thousand attack points, and none of them can be destroyed in battle!"

The token's fur became spikier, and their expressions became fiercer, they gained red glowing eyes and their horns elongated to incredible points.

[Lamb Token 1000 Atk / 0 Def – 3000 Atk / 0 Def]

[Sheep Token 1000 Atk / 0 Def – 3000 Atk / 0 Def]

"Gaaaaaah!" Alexis shouted in fear as their attacks were 'Blue Eyes Level'.

"I seem to recall your monster having effects based on the number of monsters I have in play, tell me, what effect does it have now that I have 'five' Tokens in play?" Saffira asked with a cackle. "Lamb Token continue your assault, destroy Cyber Blader!"

Cyber Blader tried to defend herself but the Lamb Token bumrushed her and speared her with its two horns. Unable to use any of her three effects, Cyber Blader was destroyed, and she suffered the first bit of damage from the duel.

"Uuguuh... that... hurt..." Alexis moaned as she felt like her stomach was just skewered.

This was the first realization of just what she and her friends were getting into, Syrus telling them was one thing, but feeling it... it truly felt like she'd just been skewered by that token's horns. Her stomach felt like it was about to explode, she wanted to throw up... but that was only the first taste...

[Alexis – 4000 - 3100 / Saffira – 2400]

I am so sorry for this; the Shadow Games are truly dispicable... but it will be over soon... I continue with my assault, Sheep Tokens, attack Cyber Angel Benten!" Saffira said as she ordered her remaining four tokens into battle.

All four charged Benten who raised her fans to try and fend them off, but attacked from all four sides she could not avoid their devastating horns, first she was hit in her chest, then she was smacked in the legs, then her back was struck, and finally her side. Each attack struck Alexis as she felt the pain of her monster. Thanks to Incarnated Machine Angel, her monster would not be destroyed, but because of that she felt her monster's pain with every fiber of her being. Her nerves in her chest were screaming, her stomach was being twisted inside and out, her back felt like a professional kickboxer had used it for a punching bag, and her side felt like a train had smashed into it.

"Gah-gha... ahah.. Hahaa..." She gasped as each hit struck, and with the last one, she actually coughed up a few drops of blood. "It... hurts... ithurts..."

She shuddered and twitched in pain, even as her life points began to fall 'again'.

[Alexis – 3100 – 2300 / Saffira – 2400]

Outside the duel sphere, at Slifer Red, Joseph woke up with a start... he didn't know why, but for some reason... he just felt... like something was off, something was wrong. He wearily got up and looked around, only to find that his room was empty. "Syrus? Chumley?" He asked with a yawn. "Where'd they go..."

He slowly got in his slippers, put on a jacket, and quickly climbed down the stairs to go to the bathroom to see if they were there, or if maybe they were in the Slifer Mess Hall eating a late-night snack... but no they weren't there.

"Maybe... maybe they're at the café?" He muttered, going to the Café to see if they were there.

Back at the duel arena, everyone stared in horror at the duel's turn, as Saffira's strategy finally came into fruition.

"Token Stampede, oh man not licious!" Chumley said in horror.

"He's right, Alexis waited too long to get aggressive, not like she was given the choice, but now she's in real trouble." Bastion said. "As long as those three trap cards are in play, nothing Alexis has will be able to destroy those tokens, she can attack them all day, but as long as there's still life points on her opponent's counter, she'll never destroy those tokens in battle."

"And the only monster that could wipe the board with those Tokens is in her deck, so unless she draws it soon, those Tokens will just continue to gain value." Chazz muttered.

"She has one advantage though, and that is that her continuous spell is protecting her Cyber Angels, as long as it's in play, the Tokens can't destroy her monsters either, so once she switches them into defense mode, it's a stalemate." Zane said. "She can stall out for as long as possible as well, but that only lasts until that spell stays active... she has to either destroy the traps or increase her monster's attack power even higher than that of the Tokens."

"One silver lining is that those Tokens won't get any higher, threes the limit when it comes to how many copies of a card a deck can have." Bastion said in agreement.

"Come on Alexis..." Syrus muttered.

In the duel, Alexis was struggling to get up, the pain her body was suffering had been intense... but she had to get over it, Joseph was counting on her to win this duel so 'he' wouldn't have to duel her.

"Please forgive me... I didn't want it to be this way... but still... I have no choice."

Alexis, however, didn't hear her, as she was still recovering from the Shadow Duel's physical effect on her body.

"Not... giving up..." She muttered as she slowly stood up, stumbled a little, and panted as heavily as Cyber Blader who also stood up with a shaky step. "Alright... I 'draw!"

[Ritual Weapon]

She nodded, it wasn't much, but it would definitely help. "I equip Ritual Weapon to my Cyber Angel Benten! This equip spell can only be given to level 6 or lower Ritual Monsters, and it gives the monster equipped a 1500-point boost to attack and defense!"

Benten nodded as she held up her arm and a shield equipped with a blaster was strapped to it, raising her points.

[Cyber Angel Benten 2800 Atk / 2500 Def – 4300 Atk / 4000 Def]

"Now that she's gotten super charged, I activate, Cyber Angel Benten's going to go on the attack, your monsters may be invincible, but your life points are not!"

Cyber Angel Benten launched her attack, charging at the Tokens who all screeched and roared in anger as Benten rushed at them. She activated her Ritual Weapon and sliced at the Token with a whip of light energy. Despite being struck, it only left a huge burn on the token's fur, leaving it still intact but Saffira held herself, squinting in pain as she felt her monster's pain again.

"Uuugh... not... not again..."

[Alexis – 2300 / Saffira – 2400 - 1100]

Alexis panted as well, knowing she was struggling, but knowing she 'had' to keep up the pressure, she had to keep it up, one more attack and she'd win. As strong as those Tokens were, they had a drawback, with three Token Stampede cards, they had reached their limit for how strong they'd be.

"Had enough... this duel isn't over but it will be next turn, you're move!"

Saffira panted as she looked up at her, with a look of... 'worry' plastered on her face, and looking like she was on the verge of tears.

"No... not yet... not yet..." She muttered fearfully as she reached her deck. "I can't lose yet... I need to find them... I 'need' to find the Dragon!"

She was about to ask what she was muttering about, when Saffira touched the top of her deck and it was like she flinched in pain, she stared at the card and slowly, almost like she was trying to 'resist', pulled it to look at it. Saffira bit her lips in frustration, before she nodded, resolute...

"I activate... the field spell... Forbidden Mirror of the Dragon Realm!" She shouted as she placed the card in her field zone.

"What?" She asked as a field spell appeared, and suddenly an enormous oval mirror appeared with draconic-insignias and ornaments adorning its rim, reflecting the field in its glossy frame.

"This Field Spell... once activated, cannot be 'stopped'." Saffira declared. "Once it is activated, you cannot activate any cards or effects in response to this card's activation, or the activation of its effects on the turn it is played. The first thing this card does, is wipe 'every' monster, magic, and trap card other than itself from the field, destroying them and sending them to the graveyard!"

"Impossible!" Alexis shouted as a beam of light erupted from the mirror, and began wiping out cards and monsters, starting with Saffira's Token Stampedes.

[Token Stampede x3 – Destroyed]

[Lamb Token 3000 Atk / 0 Def – 0 Atk / 0 Def]

[Sheep Token 3000 Atk / 0 Def – 0 Atk / 0 Def]

The Tokens returned to their previous cute forms, before they were all wiped out by the mirror.

[Lamb Token – Destroyed]

[Sheep Token – Destroyed]

Then the mirror began wiping out Alexis' cards. Vrash tried to counter it, but the beam simply passed through her, wiping out the backrow first.

[Ritual Weapon – Destroyed]

[Incarnated Machine Angel – Destroyed]

[Cyber Angel Benten 4300 Atk / 4000 Def – 2800 Atk / 2500 Def]

It then moved to her Cyber Angels, who were struck dead center, but Alexis still had 'one' trick left to at least save her two angels. Her two ritual spells appeared on the field, since they didn't activate in response to the field spell's effect, they were able to activate and protect Cyber Angel Vrash and Benten by being banished instead.

"I still activate my Ritual Spells effects, by banishing them I can prevent my monsters being destroyed!"

"Then now comes the next part, since it was activated, I can now target 'one' monster either on the field or in either graveyard, and then, create a 'token' of that monster on 'my' side of the field with similar name, stats, and effects! And I choose Cyber Angel Vrash!" Saffira declared.

On the mirror, a reflection of Vrash appeared, down to the smallest detail.

"And now... for the final effect of this trap card, as long as this card remains face up on the field, if at any time during either player's turn, if then Token is destroyed or removed from the field for whatever reason, I can automatically summon a 'new' token with the same stats, name, and effects as the original Token. And as long as the Token is on the field, the field spell 'cannot' be removed from play for any reason, nor can it be targeted for effects, nor can it be destroyed by card effects or replaced by another field spell from my deck or from your hand or deck!" She declared. "In other words if at any point the Token is gone, I can replace it with a new one, and if you attempt to target the field spell when there is no token on the field, I can special summon a new token in response as a quick effect, and if you somehow attempt to stop this effect for any reason, I can instantly pay half of my life points to special summon a token to the field to replace the one lost also as a quick effect."

"Whoa? What kind of broken card is that? A card that powerful can't possibly exist, it must have 'some' kind of drawback to be able to do all of that!" Alexis said in disbelief.

"It does... in fact it has quite the drawback, but 'you' get to decide. So, pay attention, because once you make your choice... its set for the rest of the duel." Saffira declared with a sad smile as she held up one finger. "In exchange for all of these benefits, you may select one of 'three' prices I must pay. The first, is that in exchange for me removing my current hand from play face down and my turn automatically ending, you get to draw six new cards, and I am not allowed any other monster on the field while the field spell is active."

She then held up a second finger.

"The second price, if you choose it, I can only draw cards by paying two hundred life points per turn provided I can pay the price, I skip my battle phase this turn, and you get to draw two cards at the start of your turn from this point onward."

She then held up a third finger.

"The third price, should you pick it, I am restricted from using more than 'one' magic card and keeping 'one' face down or face up card per turn, and during your draw phase, instead of conducting your normal draw phase, you can add any card in your deck to your hand."

As she listened to the prices, she had to admit, those were some 'hecking big prices' one had to pay in order to play that broken field spell. But when she listened, she realized something else.

"Wait, you said Joseph's dad is ordering you to do this, tell me, did 'he' make this card?"

Saffira nodded as she closed her eyes. "Yes... but as you can tell he made it a 'bit' too powerful... so I made some 'amendments' to it... it was the only way I would accept even having it." She then opened her eyes. "Now pick Alexis... what price will I pay?"

Alexis thought carefully, each option was good, but each had their ups and downs... so she went for the one she felt would benefit 'her' right now.

"I choose the second option!"

Saffira smiled and nodded. "Very well, then I skip my first battle phase this turn... and I can only draw cards now by paying two hundred life points per turn and you may draw two cards per draw phase."

The mirror glowed and the Cyber Angel Vrash reflection moved forward and leapt onto the field, kneeling as she landed on the ground before standing up as elegant as the original.

[Cyber Angel Vrash Token, lvl 10, Light Attribute, Fairy Type, Effect Token, 3000 Atk / 2000 Def]

Alexis nodded as she drew her cards.

[Machine Angel Absolute Ritual, Cyber Angel Izana]

'Perfect, that's exactly what I needed, Izana will 'force' her to remove that field spell from play, and then I can crash Vrash into the Token, trade out, and Izana can win the duel for me!'

"Alright, I play Machine Angel Absolute Ritual, now by tributing and shuffling monsters on my field and grave into the deck, I can ritual summon a Cyber Angel from my hand." She declared. "So, I Ritual Summon Cyber Angel Izana, by tributing Cyber Angel Benten and shuffling Cyber Egg Angel back into the deck from the graveyard."

Benten nodded and crossed her arms as she was sacrificed, and Cyber Petit Angel was shuffled into the deck. Then from her field a new Cyber Angel appeared, her four-armed dark pale skinned warrior, wielding both a battle axe and a trident, who winked as she spun and assumed an attack stance, her hair flowing and waving with the motion of her movement.

[Cyber Angel Izana, lvl 8, Light Attribute, Fairy Type, Ritual Effect Monster, 2500 Atk / 2600 Def]

She smirked. "Now I activate Benten's effect, letting me add a fairy monster, Cyber Egg Angel!" She said as her card was drawn for her. "Now then, since Izana was ritual summoned, I can make you now send a spell or trap card from your side of the field, so send that field spell to the grave."

Saffira nodded as Izana took aim with her battle axe, pulled it back, before launching it at the mirror. Yet, just as the axe was about to connect, the Vrash Token extended her arm, sent a blast of energy at the axe and 'caught' it by the hilt. She then tugged it downward, before pulling it toward her, and gripping it in her hand. She then shook her head.

She sighed as she also shook her head, "Have you forgotten, as long as the Token is still on the field... neither of us, can remove that field spell." She declared sadly. "You wasted your turn."

Alexis gulped as she forgot about that effect, and suddenly, she began feeling 'dread', she'd made her biggest mistake, the one thing she 'didn't' want to do. "I play a monster in defense mode and end my turn!" She said as she played Cyber Egg Angel in defense mode to at least buy her some time.

Saffira sighed as she pulled her next card from her deck and looked at it. "I activate... my equip spell, Big Bang Shot!"

On the field, a magic card appeared that equipped to the Cyber Angel Vrash Token, one of her arms glowing with a red aura of power.

[Big Bang Shot, is a spell card that equips to a monster and increases its attack power by 400, and allows it to inflict piercing battle damage, however if the equip spell is removed, then the monster equipped is banished.]

Alexis realized what was about to happen and saw that her playing defensive had been the 'big mistake' she was trying to avoid all duel. Because her monster was in defense, and because Saffira 'knew' which monster it was due to Benten's effect, she knew attacking it would drop her life points to zero!

[Cyber Angel Vrash Token 3000 Atk / 2000 Def – 3400 Atk / 2000 Def – piercing battle damage granted]

"No..."

"Forgive me... Cyber Angel Vrash Token, attack the face down monster NOW!"

Cyber Angel Vrash Token leapt forward, plunged her fist down onto the face down monster, which revealed itself to be the helpless Cyber Egg Angel, destroying it 'instantly'.

"NGyaaaaaaaaaaah!" Alexis screamed as she felt a burning sensation pour through every fiber of her being, her Cyber Angels shocked to see her reaction to the destruction of her monster, even as her life points plummeted.

[Alexis – 2300 - 0 / Saffira – 1100]

As the duel ended and her monsters began vanishing, Alexis stumbled backward and wearily tried to steady herself, but then... suddenly... it was like her body stopped responding. She looked down to see a crystal-like substance coating her feet, then her legs... her waist...

The last thing she did, with what little movement she had left... was hold her hand up in shock and horror, as the crystal-substance coated her chest, her shoulders, her neck... and finally her head, freezing her face in an expression of shock and horror. She didn't even have time to let out a scream before she was silenced.

Saffira walked over with a sad expression as she leaned down, picked up the small statue of the poor girl she was forced to duel. She whispered something, something that went unheard as the Shadow Duel ended, and the fog began to dissipate.

Outside the fog sphere everyone saw the duel's outcome, speechless that Alexis had lost.

"No... no not Alexis!" Chazz said in horror.

"Impossible..." Bastion muttered.

"No..." Zane whispered in disbelief.

"Alexis..." Syrus muttered fearfully.

"Is... is she?" Chumley asked in a terrified hushed tone.

The Fog Barrier keeping them out began to disappear and soon they saw what had happened. Saffira stood alone, holding in her hand, a Crystal Statue, a statue of a girl... none other than Alexis. She was about to look at them before she suddenly stumbled slightly, gripping the statue tightly to prevent it from dropping and holding her head.

"Ugh... pardon me... guests... but it seems... I've worn myself out more than I realized with that duel..." She said softly as she looked at them, before turning and beginning to leave. "We will... meet again... 'tomorrow night'... if you wish to duel me again, you will have to wait until then."

"Grrr GET BACK HERE!" Chazz yelled as the carpet leapt up and blocked their path. "GET BACK HERE AND 'DUEL ME'!"

"I promise you... she will not come to harm, while she is in my care... but I cannot keep you here any longer... my powers weaken, and I must rest... we will meet again tomorrow... I promise." A voice said in the distance, and suddenly a light began to fill their vision and they had to shield themselves to avoid it.

Moments later, their vision returned, and they found themselves back on the pier, watching as a small yacht was sailing away from them, too far out to reach and too fast to stop.

"Grrr, this isn't over do you hear me?!" Zane hollered, furious that one of his friends had suffered not only a defeat but suffered a fate worse than 'anything' he'd ever seen. "This isn't over yet... You want a promise, here's one, we'll be back tomorrow!"

"AND WE'LL DUEL!" Bastion yelled just as loudly.

They all were so busy yelling, screaming, trying to comprehend what just happened 'still', that in Chumley's pocket, his phone was ringing, with several text messages from Joseph.

[Chumley, where you at, also where's Syrus – 20 Minutes ago]

[Chumley, Bastion isn't answering his phone, where are you and Syrus? - 18 Minutes ago]

[I can't reach Alexis... is something wrong? - 15 Minutes ago]

[What is going on, where are you guys, you're scaring me now... - 11 Minutes ago]

[Even Chazz isn't in his room, what's going on, where is everyone? - 9 Minutes ago]

[Chumley, something's wrong, I can't reach Alexis... my phone says her phone is dead! - 2 Minute ago]

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'Young Master, not all of us suffer the same way, not all of us feel the same weight, only by understanding the fears and hopes of others can we relate and understand why it is they do what they must do. We know you feel it, we know you sense it, it will be you that we will turn to guide us into this new world. We already knew how terrifying it would be, but we know that if there is one thing that we can count on... it is that 'you' will be our guardian and our guide, just as we became your guide and your guardians.'

'For you are our master, our Master... of the Dragonmaids...'

=Next time, Saffira vs Zane, Deflecting the Cyber Dragon=

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=Author's Note=

I am again, sorry I took so long, I basically had to 'rush' the last 10 days to get this chapter written, I honestly apologize that it took so long to write another chapter, but like I said earlier, I was trying my hardest but everytime it felt like something just stopped me, the same went for my OTHER stories. I am not 'dead' nor am I giving up, I just trying my hardest to keep going and stay motivated, but... it gets a little harder each time. Hope you continue to review/read and above all support me even if it's just to critique how I write these duels.

Also yes the partiuclar field spell as said, was created by Joseph's Father, it was basically designed as a way to force Saffira to win the duel once she drew it, hense the sense of dread she felt before even drawing it. She didn't want to play it but once she drew it, she had no choice. Hopefully I didn't spoil anything too harshly, but that's the explanation for why she's playing a card so powerful yet doesn't want to play it to begin with.