《Yu-Gi-Oh! ZD: Rise Of The Dragons (A Yu-Gi-Oh! Fanfiction)》


 Chapter -1 - Original Cards.

    So here is where I will keep a record of the Original cards I created for this fan fiction and when they were introduced. This section will be updated as I use new ones. If you don''t want spoilers then skip to the main story.


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    This first card isn''t actually a original card but an existing card I have changed slightly for the story, that I want to record. Number S39 Utopia Prime.


    (Introduced in Chapter 11)


    Number S39 Utopia Prime


    Xyz effect monster. Rank 4. Light / Warrior. ATK:2510/DEF:2000


    3 level 4 Light Monsters


    Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters.


    So long as your life points are 1000 or less you can detach 3 Overlay Units from this card and pay LP so that you only have 10 left; destroy as many Special Summoned monsters your opponent controls as possible, and if you do, banish them, then inflict 300 damage to your opponent for each monster banished.


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    Drakes first original card, the Xyz evolution of Blue-Eyes.


    (Introduced in Chapter8/9)


    Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon


    XYZ Effect Monster. Rank 8. Light / Dragon. ATK:3000/DEF:2500


    3 level 8 Dragons.


    Effect: During your turn you may send an overlay unit from this card to the graveyard to destroy one monster on the field, this card cannot attack on the turn you activate this effect. If the Overlay Unit you send to the graveyard is a ''Blue-Eyes White Dragon'' when the targeted monster is sent to the graveyard by this effect deal 1000 damage to that monsters controller.


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    (Introduced in Chapter 12)


    Blue-Eyes Kuriboh


    Effect monster. Lv1. Light / Fiend. ATK:300/DEF:200


    When this card is on the field or in the graveyard its name is treated as ''Blue-Eyes White Dragon''.


    Quick effect: during either players turn if this card is in your graveyard and if you control no monsters you may banish a dragon from your hand to special summon this card. If you do this cards level becomes the same level as the monster you banished and it becomes a dragon type monster until end of turn, when this card is summoned this way and leaves play banish it.


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    The first Original card not used by Drake and first original trap card. It is based off cards like Chain Destruction.


    (Introduced Chapter 14)


    Chains of the Vanishing Star


    Pay 1000 life points and declare a level. Your opponent reveals their hand. Target one monster in their hand with the declared level and banish it, then banish all other cards with that cards name in its controllers hand and Main deck.


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    The first new Critias monster. Like a number of other Legendary Dragon fusion cards (Tyrant Burst Dragon, Red Eyes Dragon Sword, etc) it is stats are based on another existing monster card, Spear dragon.


    (Introduced Chapter 15)


    Raging Dragon


    Fusion Effect Monster. Lv4. Wind / Dragon. ATK:1900/DEF:0


    The Fang of Critias + Dragons Rage


    This card can only be fusion summoned with ''The Fang of Critias''.


    Effect: While this card is on the field all Dragon type monsters you control inflict piercing Battle Damage when they attack a Defence Position monster. If a Dragon type monster you control attacks, you may change it to Defence Position at the end of the Damage Step.

 Chapter -2 - Foreword.

    Welcome everyone to this, my first Fan-fiction work.


    To start with let me re-state the obvious, I do not own or have any rights to Yu-Gi-Oh, its characters or anything in any form, anime, manga or real life. This is a work of non-profit fan fiction, if you like it great, I hope it will provide you with hours of enjoyment and please leave a good review.


    If you don''t¡­ then stop reading it and find something you do like. You are entitled to your own opinion on the quality of the story, writing etc. But I am writing this for my own enjoyment and practice.


    What follows is a short piece about what this story will be about, where I hope to take it and some of the reasons for my choices.


    Firstly duels, I will try to cut down on the descriptive text so as not to flood the story in meaningless details, second you will notice that each turn begins with a summary of the life points (LP) and hand of the players. This will also appear at times when a duel carries over from a previous chapter.


    The names will switch order so that the first duellists name will indicate whose turn it is. The first use/activation/summoning of a card will normally be bracketed with < >, where as monster stats, stat changes, attacks match ups and LP changes will normally be bracketed with [ ].


    When it comes to attacks I will try to abbreviate the attacking/defending monsters names into letters, for example Blue-Eyes White Dragon would become BEWD, a Number card like Number 96 Dark mist would become N96, etc. Because some monster names are just so long¡­


    In this work I will refer to XYZ material on XYZ monsters by the term used in the English anime, Overlay Units (OU) I just think it rolls of the tongue better and fits the setting.


    Don''t expect a fast rate for chapters, with work commitments I only hope I can manage at least 2 a week, but I will start with a mass release.


    So if you don''t want spoilers you may move on to the first chapter now.


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    You have been warned.


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    So what''s the story about?


    Simply put this story takes elements from one of my favourite arcs of the original anime series and put it into the world of Zexal. The battle between the world threatening power of the Seal of Orichalcos, and the miraculous power of the Legendary Dragons, introduced in the arc Waking the Dragons, continues across worlds, coming to the city of Heartland and the battle between Barian and Astral worlds.


    Apart from the new main character I intend to take the other main characters in different directions by drawing upon the anime, manga and my own original ideas. For example I intend for the character of Yuma to follow the manga version more closely than Shark, who will more closely follow his anime version.


    Why Zexal as the setting?


    Two reasons, one is that I dislike Pendulum Summoning and the limitations that Link summoning puts on the field so I wanted a setting that neither were in, which ruled out ArcV and Vrains. Second, XYZ/rank up summoning is one of my favourite summoning methods (story wise). Although Yuma is often considered by some as one of the least like protagonists in the Yu-Gi-Oh series, I liked the fact that he didn''t start off as an unknown duelling genius but actually had growth over the series as a duellist.


    Will this follow the Zexal storyline?


    No, yes, kind of. I intend to try to craft a story that blends elements from the Anime, Manga and original ideas into something that will feel like a Zexal story but not exactly follow existing media storylines before adding in the waking the dragons element. Yuma and Astral will still be collecting the Numbers, Kite will be trying to save his brother, Shark will be after revenge. Faker and Barian World will be trying to destroy Astral World and the new wielders of the Orichalcos will be in the shadows waiting to strike.


    Will I give a deck list for my characters?


    No, definitely not. Why? Because it can be ?ssumed that my characters will be tinkering and rebuilding the deck many times over course of the story, this is also not a pro tournament but a story meant for fun. Who doesn''t like to see Yugi bring out combos and God cards with a mish mash deck of spellcasters, knights and magnet warriors with a miracle top deck draw, but would someone use a deck like that in real life? Never competitively.


    Will there be original card of my own creation?


    Yes, not at first and not many, but considering that this story will include the legendary Dragons that were capable of combining with other cards to create new creatures there will definitely be some. I hope they won''t turn out too overpowered, but if they do please remember that the series are also famous for many over-powered super cards used by main characters and villains. I have already planned a Blue-Eyes XYZ which I hope will do justice to its name sake.


    Will I use anime/manga only cards?


    Yes, where appropriate, and I will also use some anime/manga versions of TGC/OCG cards that were nerf''d, but the majority of cards will be the version from the TCG/OCG. Naturally as a Zexal story all Number cards will have the anime ability that they cannot be destroyed in battle except against another Number card.


    That''s all for now, perhaps I will add more details at a later date, or not.


    Thank you for your time and now let our story begin.

 Chapter 1 - Fall of the Leviathan, Rise of the Dragons.

    Within a strange space of utter darkness that lies on the edge between dimensions, 7 sinister figures surrounded a whirling pool of chaos. Within this pool was projected an image, from across time and space, across the dimensions themselves. The image showed a gigantic black serpent in a standoff against 3 divine beasts high above a floating city. A blue skinned giant, a crimson dragon with two mouths and a golden winged beast, commanding them was the spirit of ancient king.


    "The Egyptian God Cards have revived."


    "This is a blunder of the highest order."


    "The Great Leviathan is in trouble."


    "Should we recall the God Beast?"


    As they watched, the Great Leviathan unleashed a great beam of dark energy towards the ancient Gods, who countered attacked with their combined power. Obelisk the Tormentor punched forth with the power of his ''Fists of Fury'' while Slifer the Sky Dragon blasted out great bolts of lightning with his ''Thunder Force'' attack. Not to be out done the Winged Dragon of Ra Spewed out a river of heavenly flame with his mighty ''Blaze Cannon'' and the three Gods under the command of the Pharaoh pushed back the dark beam.


    "It is too late."


    "Dartz has failed us."


    "The power of the Pharaoh is truly magnificent."


    "Kecht¡­ it pales before our Lords true power and don''t forget that Balorg."


    Unable to resist the combined power of Divine beasts the Great Leviathan was consumed in a brilliant explosion. The shockwaves unleashed cleared the skies and signalled the beginning of the collapse of the mythical city of Atlantis below.


    One of the figures waved his hand over the image, causing it to disappear. The outcome had been decided, they had lost. None of the features of these figures could be seen, but on the foreheads of each one glowed a green seal. A Unicursal hexagram surrounded by a ring of runes.


    "That world is now lost to us. Our Lord will not be pleased."


    "It is but one world Locus, in time all worlds will fall to the will of the Orichalcos."


    "You take this too lightly Dahark, the loss of a single world is one thing, but the loss of the Great Serpent means one less Beast God to lead our forces."


    "Hella¡­"


    "Ah"


    They all silently dropped the subject of responsibility, none of them wanted to mess with that mad women. If not for the favour of their Lord none of them would every have anything to do with her. The weak feared the strong, the strong feared the ruthless, but even the most ruthless of warriors feared the crazy ones. And Hella took crazy to a whole new level.


    "Has the next world been selected?"


    "Yes, Balorg found quite a suitable world for us and the Great Wolf is being prepared for insertion."


    "Well Balorg? Tell us what have you found for the Orichalcos?"


    "This world will be quite suitable. Its Spirit realm is well developed and will allow the Fenris to feast and quickly restore its strength after it arrives through the barrier. I have discovered that this particular world is even connected to two other worlds with high levels of energy. Conquering all three will more than make up for this most recent blunder..."


    As the figures continued to talk a grey mist covered the area before fading away like a mirage, taking all trace of these people and the chaos pool away.


    Some time later, that same space was visited by three bright lights.


    "Yes, I can still detect the faint trace of that cursed power."


    "To think, I had hoped that the destruction of the Great Leviathan would be the end of this¡­"


    "We cannot rest yet, our duty is not finished."


    "But where has it gone?"


    "Through the crack between worlds, through the deepest shadows where no light will reach."


    "Should we ask the Chosen Duellists for their aid once more?"


    "No, the Pharaoh and his friends have their own destinies to fulfil here. Besides only spirits can pass the beyond without consequence."


    "Then we must find new champions to fight the Orichalcos."


    "Agreed Hermos. Come! For the Honour of Atlantis!"


    ---


    Drake didn''t know where he was. He couldn''t remember how he had got here, it was like he had always been here, waiting.


    Was this a dream?


    He felt strange, like he was floating in an endless sea. He was surrounded by a soft blue light that blurred everything, all that was clear was the duel disk on his arm. But where was his deck?


    The silence was broken by an etherical voice.


    "Choose"


    Suddenly before Drake eyes appeared a vast field of duel monster cards, never had he seen such a collection which ranged from the most ordinary Basic Insect all the way to the rarest legendary beasts.


    This must surely be a dream. In which case he would build a dream deck!


    But what theme should he choose? A versatile Hero deck? A fast paced Blackfeather? Perhaps a swarming pendulum Odd Eyes?


    In a flurry his hands moved, selecting cards with an almost forgotten passion, monster, spells and trap cards chosen without restriction.


    Done, he loaded his deck into his duel disk. Now all he need was a¡­


    "Let the challenge commence!"


    His vision was filled with blinding radiance and then he found himself elsewhere.


    Truly this dream wouldn''t be complete without a proper duel with his new deck. But what was with this opponent?


    A duel stadium field had appeared before him after the voice made its announcement, his opponent who entered from the other side looked like some punk rocker. A scruffy black, metal studded jacket, frayed blue jeans and dirty trainers. He had long greasy black hair and was wearing spiked bracelets on his arms and thick eye shadow on his face.


    Drake himself was dressed rather plain in a crisp clean white short sleeved tee-shirt and black tracksuit bottoms, but this challenger was just scruffy.


    Where was the legendary duellist a dream duel like this deserved. The King of Games, his eternal rival, the Supreme King or the King of Speed¡­ he would even have settled for someone like the duelling monkey, the Chazz or a lovely lady like the Black Rose, or the Harpy Queen.


    Instead he had some random nobody.


    So irritating. Seems like he was an idiot too, this was his dream, surely he should go first Drake thought.


    [Turn 1 - Challenger LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "I draw, then I play which allows me to draw 2 more cards."


    "Now I play the field spell , but then I will active to destroy my Geartown."


    The clock work town b?r?ly had time to form around them before a harsh blowing storm winds shattered it into pieces that began to gather into a pile of bits.


    "This activates my Geartown''s special effect, allowing me to special summon from my deck "


    [Ancient Gear ¨C Lv2 ATK:100/DEF:800]


    He was playing an Ancient Gear deck then? This could be interesting, but why summon such a weak monster? A small collection of gears forming the tiny monster appeared on the field digging itself from the junk pile left behind by the destruction of Geartown.


    "Because I control an ''Ancient Gear'', I can special summon another Ancient Gear from my hand. I then sacrifice both my Ancient Gear''s to summon the mighty !"


    The two toy like monsters disappeared in a burst of light as a giant rose from the ground, clad in worn armour, its exposed clockwork innards were slowly ticking away. This was a towering monster of legend, a mechanical beast whose fame rivalled the signature monsters of some of the greatest and most famous duellist''s ever.


    Drake couldn''t help but smirk, "Hehe, So you like to play with toy soldiers then?"


    He wasn''t going to be intimidated by a bucket of bolts. The punk scowled at Drakes taunt.


    "Laugh while you can. I will show you how lucky you were for me to take the first turn."


    "Then I activate this allows me to fusion summon an ''Ancient Gear'' monster from the extra deck, and by using my Ancient Gear Golem I am allowed to use monsters in my deck as the other required fusion materials. So I send the Ancient Gear Golem on my field and 2 Ancient Gear Golems from my deck to the Graveyard to fusion summon the supreme in attack mode!"


    [Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem ¨C Lv10 ATK:4400/DEF:3400]


    A swirling blue and crimson light engulfed the form the giant on the field and two more identical beasts, before morphing into a great mechanical centaur like creature, a great massive clawed left arm. It was one of the most powerful beasts a Ancient Gear deck could bring out.


    Drake couldn''t help but let out a whistle, this was getting interesting.


    "Next I activate which allows me to fusion summon an Ancient Gear monster using cards in my Graveyard. I banish 1 ''Ancient Gear Golem'' and 2 ''Ancient Gears'' from my Graveyard to fusion summon a second ''Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem'' in attack mode!"


    "Behold the monsters that will bring about your destruction! Tremble and fear! I end my turn."


    [Turn 2 - Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Challenger LP:4000 Hand:1]


    He seemed so confident, as if victory was already in his grasp. Drake had to acknowledge that this punk had reason to be. Two beasts with 4400 attack that had penetrating attacks and an effect that would prevent the activation of magic or trap cards in response to their attacks.


    They even had a replacement effect upon destruction. Many decks might have problems with this line up. Unfortunately for this punk, he was facing Drake.


    "I draw."


    "I activate by discarding one card I can add two Dragons with 3000 or more ATK and 2500 or less DEF from my deck to my hand, and I choose two copies of !"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the legendary white beast of destruction, arguably one of the most famous and powerful beasts to ever grace duel monsters. Yes Drake was running a Blue-Eyes deck!


    "The card I discarded was the and when this card goes to the Graveyard its effect activates and allows me to add another Blue-Eyes from my deck to my hand!"


    Now he had three Blue-Eyes in his hand, and everything he needed to wipe this nobody away.


    "Then I play to fuse my three Blue-Eyes together, I fusion summon in attack mode!"


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¨C Lv12 ATK:4500/DEF:3800]


    *ROAR!*


    As the coloured spiral of the fusion summon disappeared the mighty three headed dragon with gleaming white scales, let loose a earth shattering roar from each of its heads; Announcing its dominance to the world.


    The punk looked nervous, even his mechanical monstrosities were no match for the pure power of Drakes beast. But he wasn''t panicking yet, he had numbers on his side and his deck had more than one way to push his monsters attack high enough to combat even this legendary dragon.


    "Then I activate the field spell card this card effects all Dragon, Winged Beast, and Thunder monsters on the field giving them a 200 ATK/DEF boost." Rugged great mountains arose from the ground around them.


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¨C ATK:4500 > 4700]


    "You think this small boost is enough to frighten me? The advantage is still with me and my Ultimate Golems!" The punk snarled in defiance.


    "Advantage? Ha, you have already lost, you just don''t know it yet. I activate the spell . This card allows my Ultimate Dragon to attack three times this turn. Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem!"


    Each head of the ultimate dragon unleashed a blinding beam of white scorching energy, blasting one of the giant machines into scrap metal.


    [BEUD ATK:4700 > UAGG ATK:4400 ¨C Challenger LP > 3700]


    "You''re a fool! My Ultimate Gear Golems effect activates when its destroyed allowing me to special summons a from my Graveyard in defence mode! Even if you have three attacks you will b?r?ly penetrate my defence."


    A new metal giant rose from the field, kneeling down on one knee with both its arms crossed in guard in front of it.


    "Ultimate Dragon attack the second Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem!"


    [BEUD ATK:4700 > UAGG ATK:4400 ¨C Challenger LP > 3400]


    History repeated itself.


    "Again, my Ultimate Gear Golems effect activates and special summons a from my Graveyard in defence mode!"


    "Now my Ultimate Dragon attacks and destroys one of your Ancient Gear Golems."


    [BEUD ATK:4700 > AGG DEF:3000]


    "That''s your three attacks done and I still have a Golem and lots of life points remaining! My next turn will crush you!"


    "You don''t have a next turn punk."


    "From my hand I activate the quick play spell , this splits my dragon back into the three creatures used to create it. And don''t forget my field spell card gives each of them an addition 200 points."


    3x [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3200/DEF:2700]


    *ROAR* *ROAR* *ROAR*


    In a flash of light, the Ultimate dragon split itself into three, each majestic beast stood proud on their own mountain tops, wings spread with their heads raised to roar to the heavens.


    "Now my three Blue-Eyes White Dragons, finish this! Attack with White Lightning!"


    [BEWD ATK:3200 > AGG DEF:3000]


    The first dragon blasted the defending Golem into bits with its lightning breath, the two remaining dragons then launched themselves in a direct attack against the punk, drowning him in white light.


    [BEWD ATK:3200 - Challenger LP > 200], [BEWD ATK:3200 - Challenger LP > 0]

 Chapter 2 -Lets Jet!

    Twilight was falling over the great city of Heartland, the bright lights of the city filled the darkening sky with a rainbow of colour from the futurist buildings that dominated its landscape. Atop the roof of a small and more old-fashioned building lay a young boy watching the stars above.


    He had black and red spiked hair with red eyes, wearing a red vest with a white hood and white pants. Around his neck hung a golden key, his name is Yuma Tsukumo.


    Floating in the air beside him, not that many could see him even if they tried to, was what many would consider a ghost at first glance. He had a transparent blue body and hair pointed into a kind of Mohawk. He wore no kind of clothes but his body was decorated with numerous green markings and blue jewels. His left eye was golden and his right was a clear white.


    He was talking to the boy.


    "Yuma you should spend more time preparing, the day after tomorrow is the start of the WDC Preliminaries. Remember I will not help you duel unless you are facing a Numbers holder."


    "Ah shut it Astral, I can duel just fine on my own you know. Tomorrow I''m going to Jet! Just you watch!"


    He was not a ghost, but a visitor from another world. A being of energy who called himself Astral.


    "My observations of your duelling strategies do not support your optimism. Fortunately my mission does not require me to ?ssist you in winning this contest. What is important to me is regaining the Numbers and my lost memories."


    "Why you¡­! What that?"


    Looking up Yuma exclaimed as he pointed out a falling star, it was burning red with an ominous energy. Like a falling fireball it plunged downwards towards the city. It was falling practically down upon the pair.


    In the end it didn''t land on the house, but it did crash into a nearby park.


    "Whoa! That landed near here. Come on Astral, Lets Jet!"


    Yuma wasn''t going to miss out on whatever excitement was going on, with an athletic leap he was off. Astral followed, floating behind him as they rushed to the scene. He had felt a strange energy from that falling star, it could be important.


    The two of them reach the park before anyone else arrived, perhaps nobody else had seen it? Or if they did, they either didn''t care to investigate or were still on their way. In the middle of a clearing surrounded by trees and planted bushes a crater had been ploughed into the ground, steam was rising from the hot earth but strangely there was no sign of burning or scorch marks.


    The clearing was dark, the trees blocking much of the city''s light. It gave the place a spooky atmosphere.


    "Careful Yuma. We know not what we are dealing with."


    Astral gave Yuma a look.


    "Hey, you''re the one like a ghost no one can see or touch."


    "¡­Very well."


    Astra floated over the crater and looked down. His eyes widened in shock.


    "Yuma! Hurry."


    "What?!"


    "There is a man down here."


    ---


    Drake slowly woke up from the most bizarre dream. He was aching all over and his skin felt tight, like it was one size too small for him. Drake opened his eyes to an unfamiliar celling.


    "Look he''s awake!"


    Who?


    Turning his head to the voice Drake was shocked to see two figures. Astral and Yuma. They were no strangers to Drake, although they had never met before. Was before not a dream then? Drake pulled aside the bedcovers to examine his left arm, on it was a fresh bright tattoo like picture of a black dragon, its fangs b?r?d, wings spread out.


    It wasn''t a dream.


    His thoughts were interrupted as Yuma tossed the bedcover back over him.


    "Hey!!"


    It was at this point Drake realised he was n?k?d¡­


    He felt himself turning red in embarrassment.


    "Wait here, my sister is getting you some clothes."


    "So¡­ You alright?"


    "Uh Yeah, so what happened?"


    "You don''t remember?"


    Drake saw that Astral was watching him closely.


    "Not really."


    "Do you know your name?"


    "I am not an amnesiac, I just don''t know exactly how I got here. The names Drake by the way, you?"


    "Yuma, this is my house, I carried you back last night after¡­"


    "After what?"


    Ouch, talk about making an entrance, wait¡­


    "¡­Naked?"


    Yuma nodded his head.


    Someone was going to get a beating the next time Drake saw them. Of all the embarrassing methods to enter this world. His face was turning red again.


    "Yuma!"


    A young lady called from outside, before entering the room, a pile of clothes in her hands. Seeing Drake awake she said.


    "Oh your awake, I hope my brother hasn''t been bothering you. Here these are for you."


    "Thank you I am fine, Miss?"


    "Akari Tsukumo, come on Yuma, let him get changed."


    She abruptly dragged Yuma out of the room by his ear.


    "And are you staying to watch?" Drake asked Astral, looking him in the eyes.


    "You can see me?" Astral was shocked, only a handful of humans had the ability to see him. This only further reinforced his opinion that this man that fell from the skies was strange and potentially dangerous.


    "And hear you. Now do you mind? I know the two of you must have already seen everything I have, but I would like to at least keep the illusion of my dignity being intact."


    "Who are you?"


    "Later, now make like a ghost and vanish."


    ---


    Later the four of them gather around the dinning table as Yuma''s Grandmother severed them eggs and toast. The morning sunlight was bright and the clock on the mantle read 7:37.


    Akari, being the investigative reporter that she was had already begun to grill Drake about who he was and how her brother had found him n?k?d in the park.


    "Ha, so you are like an alien or something, come on pull the other one, don''t think you can pull a fast one on me, I am a reporter and not so gullible, unlike my idiot brother here."


    "Kari!"


    "How much do you know about the multiverse theory." Drakes answer was a lot of blank stares from everyone.


    "Put simply there exist multiple version of the world, of all worlds, each occupying the same space but each on a different ''layer'' of reality. These worlds can be almost identical or vastly different from each other. Some believe that almost any world imaginable exists somewhere at some point in time in an infinite multiverse."


    "So to answer your question, I am a human, and I am from earth. But I am not from this earth. If that makes me an alien or not is up to you."


    "Prove it." She demanded.


    "How?" Drake thought she was asking a bit much, just how did one prove this? It wasn''t like he had green blood or something.


    "Well If you can''t then I just think you are crazy then, so you can finish your meal and leave."


    "And what do I do about money, lodgings, ID?" Drake asked.


    "That''s your problem."


    "And if I can pay?"


    "You just said you had no money."


    "I don''t, but I have these." Drake tossed out his hand across the table, spilling out an ?ssortment of gems and precious stones. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds and others.


    "Wow! Where did you get these?!"


    Like all women, Akari was interested in jewels and as a reporter was knowledge enough to know these jewels, if real, would be worth a fortune.


    "Don''t ask."


    Yuma whispered to Astral "Where was he keeping these? He didn''t have anything on him."


    "I do not know, perhaps..."


    "Don''t ask!" Drake snapped. It wasn''t what they were thinking, it was just a simple warped storage space connected to a small diamond tattoo on the back of his right hand, similar in some ways to the space in Yuma''s Golden Key, but much smaller. It was only about a square foot.


    Which was why it was mostly filled with gems. Currencies changed across worlds, but hopefully the value of such precious stones did not. And for a volume to price ratio gems were a better option than pure metals like gold and silver in Drakes opinion.


    "Are these legit? If you''re a thief or something I''m warning you!"


    "Absolutely legit, perform any checks you want. Have them apprised, check with the police if you want. I need ID, cash and I wonder if you have a spare room I can rent."


    "Huh, why?"


    "I like the atmosphere here."


    ---


    It took a couple of hours for Drake to convince Akari to let him stay. He didn''t know if she believed his story or not, but he had decided to be honest, or at least as honest as he could be in the circumstances. He didn''t tell them that he knew of other versions of them, that would just be creepy. Now he had to explain himself to a more important audience. Astral.


    They were outside beneath some trees in the garden, Yuma, Astral and Drake.


    "So like I said inside, I am from a different version of this world, a different dimension if you will, unlike you Astral who I can tell actually comes from another world of this dimension."


    "Wow really! So cool!"


    "And your purpose in traveling here?" Unlike Yuma, Astral was able to keep his calm.


    "I am hunting someone." Drake replied.


    There was a serious silence.


    "Who? And why?" Astral asked.


    "Who I don''t know, and why¡­ its because if I don''t then they may well destroy this world and many others."


    "Wha! Destroy the world! How? Why?"


    "Calm down Yuma, I am sure Drake will explain himself." Astra had a serious look in his eye.


    "I will, but first. How about a duel? Just me against you Yuma."


    "Hu? You duel? But why?"


    "I need to judge how strong you are. Or else what I tell you will only bring you harm."


    "Fine! I''m not scared, lets duel!"


    "Yuma! Are you there?" Akari''s voice rang out from the house, Yuma''s face twisted.


    "Err but not here, come on let''s move to the park."


    Drake couldn''t help but laugh at Yuma. Seems like this worlds Akari didn''t approve of duelling either. The three of them snuck out to the park before it was too late. Not that Astral had to sneak of course.


    "If we''re duelling, then where''s you deck and duel disk?"


    "Right here!"


    "Fascinating" Astral remarked.


    The dragon tattoo on Drakes arm began to glow in a purple light before morphing out, bending and stretching into the shape of a black and grey draconic duel disk and Drake removed his deck from his storage space. Around his left eye formed a dark purple Duel Gazer tattoo of roaring dragon.


    Drake slammed his deck into his duel disk. As Yuma activated his own duel disk and duel gazer.


    "Duel!"


    "Lets Jet!"


    [Turn 1 - Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Yuma LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "Guests privileges, I go first. I draw. I activate the spell card by discarding a level 8 monster from my hand I can draw two more cards."


    "Next I set a monster face down and one more card face down. I end my turn, your move Yuma."


    [Turn 2 - Yuma LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:4]


    "My turn, I draw!"


    "Careful Yuma this is no ordinary opponent."


    "I know Astral, but I am going to put this duel into high gear. I summon and thanks to its special ability I can then special summon in attack mode."


    [Goblindbergh ¨C Lv4 ATK:1400/DEF:0, Gogogo Golem ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1500]


    A goblin in a propeller plane and a pile of rocks, but with both being level 4 Drake could guess where this was going. The speciality summoning method of this world.


    "Because I special summoned a monster with its ability Goblindbergh now switches to defence mode but that won''t matter, because next I use my level 4 Goblindbergh and my level 4 Golem to build the overlay network and XYZ summon rank 4 !"


    [Gagaga Samurai ¨C Rank 4 ATK:1900/DEF:1600 OU:2]


    A swirling black vortex appeared on the ground, a spiral universe in miniature. Yuma''s two monsters transformed into streaks of light and plunged into the centre of the vortex. Then from the vortex rose a dark clothed swordsman wielding twin katana, two stars of light orbiting his body.


    Drake couldn''t help but frown, looking between Yuma and Astral, he wasn''t using his Number Cards? He had been expecting to see Utopia. Perhaps he had been misunderstood when he asked to duel Yuma alone. Well if Yuma wasn''t giving it his all Drake guessed he could hold back a little for fairness sake. But just a little.


    "By using one overlay unit my Samurai activates it special ability. Now a Gagaga monster I control can attack twice this turn!"


    [Gagaga Samurai - OU:2 > 1]


    Gagaga Samurai slashed one of the stars of light, the representation of the monster available overlay units, in half with a swing of its sword.


    "Now Gagaga Samurai attack Drakes face down card!"


    The face down card was sliced in half, revealing a large white stone like egg.


    "You destroyed my "


    [White Stone of Ancients ¨C Lv1 ATK:600/DEF:500]


    [GS ATK:1900 > WSA DEF:500]


    "Now Gagaga Samurai, attack Drakes life points directly!"


    [GS ATK:1900 ¨C Drake LP > 2100]


    A sword slashed down at Drake, the augmented reality was so realistic that for a moment he thought he was being sliced by a real sword and stumbled back a pace.


    "I set two cards face down and end my turn. Not bad for my first turn right Drake?"


    "Do not celebrate to soon Yuma."


    "You should listen to Astral, for you have fallen for my trap. I activate the effect of my White Stone of Ancients, at the end of a turn when this card is sent to the graveyard I can special summon a Blue-Eyes monster from my deck, so I special summon in attack position my mighty !"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    His great white scaled dragon let loose a resounding roar, declaring his dominance to this new world.


    "What! What kind of beast is that? Its like Kites Galaxy-Eyes!"


    "Such power. Be careful Yuma!" Astral warned.


    "This Yuma is my most faithful monster, the legendary beast of destruction, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. And its my turn now. Get ready!"


    Yuma couldn''t help but to feel excited. His heart pounding, blood boiling.


    "Bring it on Drake! I''m Gonna Jet!"

 Chapter 3 -Descent of the Beast.

    [Turn 3 - Drake LP:2100 Hand:4, Yuma LP:4000 Hand:2]


    Two monsters stood facing each other on the field, one a black clothed samurai, the other a great white dragon. Drake has one card set in his magic/trap zone, while Yuma has two. It was Drakes turn.


    "I Draw. I summon in attack mode."


    [Spear Dragon ¨C Lv4 ATK:1900/DEF:0]


    "Here I come Yuma, I attack Gagaga Samurai with Blue-Eyes White Dragon! White Lightning attack!"


    A white beam blasted out from Drakes dragon towards Yuma''s monster.


    "Not so fast Drake! I activate the effect of my Gagaga Samurai, and change it to defence mode. Now my life points are safe."


    "Watch out Yuma!" warned Astral.


    "Urgh.. not yet! I activate my face down . This trap prevents one of my monsters from being destroyed by battle this turn and halves all damage I take from battles involving that monster."


    "But you will still take damage."


    [BEWD ATK:3000 > GS DEF:1600 ¨C Yuma LP > 3300 (1400/2=700)]


    "Then I attack with Spear Dragon."


    A hurricane of wind blasted from the Spear Dragons pointed beak.


    [SP ATK:1900 > GS DEF:1600 ¨C Yuma LP > 3150 (300/2=150)]


    "After attacking my Spear Dragon switches to defence mode. I then set a card face down and my turns over."


    Yuma was confused. Why attack with the Spear Dragon? It couldn''t destroy his monster and it hardly did any damage. It was now a sitting duck with 0 DEF. Was it a trap? A bluff?


    [Turn 4 - Yuma LP:3150 Hand:2, Drake LP:2100 Hand:3]


    "Alright Drake, he comes one of my favourite monsters, I summon in attack mode."


    [Gagaga Magician ¨C Lv4 ATK:1500/DEF:1000]


    The Magician was as Drake remembered it, masked with black robes emblazoned with a flame pattern along the bottom, and a shoulder piece reminiscent of the famous Dark Magician.


    "And when I summon a level 4 monster, I can special summon from my hand."


    [Kagetokage ¨C Lv4 ATK:1100/DEF:1500]


    A shadowy lizard like creature scuttled onto the field from Gagaga Magicians shadow.


    "With my level 4 Gagaga Magician and Kagetokage I build the overlay network. I XYZ summon, rank 4 ."


    [Gagaga Cowboy ¨C Rank 4 ATK:1500/DEF:2400 OU:2]


    Drake was amused. Yuma had summoned his monster in attack position, was his plan¡­


    [Gagaga Samurai - OU:1 > 0]


    *Slash* Its final overlay unit disappeared.


    "Now I''m gonna Jet! I attack Blue-Eyes White Dragon with Gagaga Cowboy!"


    So Drake was right. Not a particularly good move in his eyes, but not bad either...


    "I activate Gagaga Cowboys special effect. By sending one Overlay unit to the Graveyard, when Gagaga Cowboy attacks a monster it gains 1000 ATK and my opponents monster loses 500 ATK.


    [Gagaga Cowboy - OU:2 > 1]


    An overlay unit flew into Gagaga Cowboys pistol before being fire out towards the Blue-Eyes dragon.


    "That means your Blue-Eyes and my Cowboy both now have 2500 ATK. Since both our monsters attack points are equal then they are both destroyed."


    [BEWD ATK: 3000 > 2500 = GC ATK: 1500 > 2500]


    "Now I attack Spear Dragon with Gagaga Samurai."


    The samurai charged in for the kill, but the defending dragon was suddenly engulfed in a pillar of flames.


    "I activate my trap card

 Chapter 4 - The Preliminaries begin.

    "So do I have any ID yet?" Asked Drake.


    He was standing behind Akari inside her futuristic computer room, waiting. It was late at night, almost a quarter to eleven.


    "Not yet, why are you in a rush?"


    "Why else? The registration for the World Duel Carnival ends at midnight, if I don''t have an ID then I can''t register."


    "Urgh duelling, you better not be getting my brother involved or else¡­"


    "Right, right, I hear you."


    Drake planned to ignore her, but he did hear her. With the Orichalcos eyeing this world Yuma and Astral would soon become prime targets.


    "Alright, here''s the form. So name¡­ Drake, Drake What?"


    Right. He couldn''t just go around as just Drake. But Drake what? He couldn''t remember his own name, not that it mattered. He was technically dead and in a different world so a thing like a name meant very little.


    "How about Atlas? Drake Atlas. I think it rolls off the tongue, what about you?"


    "Atlas as in the Titan that carried the heavens on his back? Or the book of maps?"


    "That too."


    "Fine, Drake Atlas¡­ Address¡­ date of birth¡­ how old are you?"


    "How old do I look?" It was a valid question, he had no idea what his age was before his death and after the Legendary dragons had created this new body for him, his age could actually be counted in days.


    "Fine, we''ll say 22."


    Ouch, going by his looks Drake would have said 18, at most. Guess she still had a chip on her shoulder. Seeing the date she entered Drake asked.


    "You see me as a Taurus?"


    "Because you''re full of bull."


    After a few more details the false identity was complete. It would take a day or two for the physical copies to arrive, but digitally he was all set. A few key strokes to set up a bank account for Akari to transfer the funds she got from selling his gems earlier in the day and he was all set. Now it was time to register, and buy some new clothes, he couldn''t go around duelling in borrowed clothes.


    ---


    The next morning Drake was reading the morning news while waiting for his deliveries. He was disturbed when he heard Yuma screaming.


    "NO, Oh no! Astral why didn''t you remind me!"


    "How was I to know about such requirements Yuma, I told you I had no interest in the matter."


    "What''s the matter you two."


    "Its terrible Drake, I forgot to register online for the WDC!"


    Drake slapped his hand over Yuma''s mouth.


    "You want your sister to hear you?" He whispered


    Yuma shook his head rapidly before falling into a seat in a depressed slump.


    At that moment the post arrived with several packages. Drake picked them up and tipped the delivery man, as he made his way back to his room to change, he tossed a small package to Yuma saying.


    "Here you go, thankfully I remembered to register for the both of us."


    ---


    By the time Drake had changed into his new clothes Yuma was long gone, saying he was going to Jet. He took a moment to admire his new look in the hallway mirror. His new threads were picked to be a tribute of Kaiba''s looks, a white coat with silver trim, but without the studs or straps, with short sleeves and a turned down collar more reminiscent of Jacks coat. A Black shirt and pants with a silver dragon shaped buckle and deck case that hung on his left side.


    Around his neck he wore the other item he had received in the post, his entrance ticket to the WDC, the Heart Key. It was a small electronic device shaped like a heart with a series of smaller hearts fitted within each other. Only the centre most heart was illuminated at the moment in a rosy pink, the other 9 layers were dull.


    The rules of the prelims were simple and available online even if one didn''t attend the opening ceremony where everything was explained to the contestants. Drake read up on the rules as he sat down for a cup of tea.


    Every time you duel and win against another duellist with a Heart Key another layer would light up, known as a ''heart light''. While if you lose then you would lose a light. If you lose all your ''heart lights'' you were eliminated and your Heart Key would fry itself. You can only duel a person once during the prelims and if you don''t have a Heart Key with completely lit 10 layered heart by the end of the tenth day you would also be eliminated.


    That means it took at least a 9 win streak to advance to the next round and the first duel was the most important step that would eliminate the most competitors. Drake planned to fly through this round with a no loss win streak naturally. There a few more rules and what not, but nothing that would cause a problem for Drake.


    If he could find a Number user that he could win a Numbers card from then that would be getting two birds with one stone.


    ---


    Drake spent an hour search for a Number user, one of the abilities the Dragons had given his new body was a kind of energy detection sense. It was meant to help him locate whenever someone used the Seal of Orichalcos if he was in the area, but he thought that he could also easily be able to find a Numbers card through their powerful energy signature, but he was wrong.


    Either there weren''t any Numbers nearby or they simply didn''t emit any energy when they weren''t being used in a duel.


    He gave up his idea and decided to just find any old duellist.


    As he was walking past a park with a fountain, someone bumped into him knocking him almost to the ground.


    "Hey" Drake cried.


    "Watch where you''re going!" the other screamed at him.


    "You watch where you''re going, you bumped into me!"


    "The cheek. And you call yourself a duellist"


    Drake could see him wearing a duel disk on his arm.


    "Heh you obviously don''t know who I am. I am the master bug duellist Hopkirk Chester. See this!"


    Hopkirk lifted a Heart Key from under his shirt, it had 5 layers lit up already. Halfway to qualifying.


    "So what, you going to bite me into submission."


    "Since you won''t compensate me, I demand a duel."


    "Agreed."


    Drake didn''t hesitate to accept the challenge, although he had the strong feeling that he had been set up. His Heart Key was on easy display and couldn''t be missed after all.


    "The Duel disk set, Duel gazer on, lets duel!"


    Drake was calmer. First he check his deck case with a mental sweep and raised his eye brow as he found several cards had been secretly added. All his cards were created by the power of the Legendary Dragons and had their own unique energy signature an ordinary card from this world just didn''t have.


    A plant!


    Had it been when they had crashed into each other? Or perhaps he had been targeted even before that. This was a high tech city with plenty of cameras so doing it himself might have been a bit obvious. The image of Weevil Underwood appeared in his mind, the two of them would make a good match. Good thing his real deck was safe in his storage space and the deck he carried on his belt was just a decoy for thieves.


    With a thought his duel disk activated and his duel gazer tattoo lit up. With a dramatic show he apparently took his deck out of his right-hand pocket, much to Hopkirks visible dismay, and loaded it into his duel disk.


    "Duel! And I go first"


    Drake decided to decisively take the first turn. And his opponent was so thrown off from having whatever scheme he planned foiled from the get-go he didn''t object.


    [Turn 1 ¨C Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Hopkirk LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "I draw. I summon in attack mode."


    [Vanguard of the Dragon - Lv4 ATK:1700/DEF:1300]


    A grey humanoid dragon armed with a mighty spear took to the field.


    Drake wanted to squash this cheating snake to a pulp, to trample him beneath an ultimate dragon but strategy won out. It was far too soon to reveal his full strength to the world in his first match.


    "Next I activate my Vanguard''s special effect, I send from my hand to the Graveyard, this increases my Vanguard''s ATK by 300. So long as it is on the field."


    [Vanguard of the Dragon - ATK:1700 > 2000]


    Drakes dragon raised its spear to the air as its body seemed to bulk up with new strength.


    "I now set two cards face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 2 ¨C Hopkirk LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:2]


    "Hehe I will show you the true power of the insect world, get ready to lose your heart light."


    "I Draw. I summon in attack position."


    [Inzektor Centipede ¨C Lv3 ATK:1600/DEF:1200]


    A monster like a man in insect brown exoskeleton armour appeared opposite Drakes dragon.


    "The insect world knows the value of team work, and the swarm is strongest together, I activate my monsters effect, which allows me to equip it with the from my hand. Thanks to Giga-Mantis''s effect the original attack of a monster it is equipped to becomes 2400."


    [Inzektor Centipede ¨C ATK:1600 > 2400]


    A new green exo armour wrapped itself around Hopkirks monster with large blades attached to the arms.


    "Then I activate the equip spell this spell increases my monsters ATK/DEF by 800."


    [Inzektor Centipede ¨C ATK:2400 > 3200]


    "Face the sting of my insect deck, I attack Vanguard of the Dragon with Inzektor Centipede!"


    "Bugs should know when they are about to be squashed, I activate my trap , all your monsters in attack mode are destroyed!"


    Hopkirk was startled as his monsters attack was reflected back as shards of rainbow of light before it could reach Drakes dragon, piercing his bug and destroying it. He couldn''t help but curse his luck, was it so bad as to run into someone with a rare and powerful card like Mirror Force? If only this guy had fallen for his trick and used the deck he had tampered with.


    But no matter what, that sixth heart light would be his!


    "From my Graveyard I activate the effect of Inzektor Sword ¨C Zektkaliber, I return Inzektor Giga-Mantis from my Grave to my hand."


    "Then I play the equip spell I revive Inzektor Centipede from my Graveyard in attack position by paying 800 life points, then I once more equip Inzektor Giga-Mantis to it from my hand making its attack 2400 again."


    [Hopkirk LP > 3200]


    [Inzektor Centipede ¨C ATK:2400/DEF:1200]


    "I set one card face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 3 ¨C Drake LP:4000 Hand:2, Hopkirk LP:3200 Hand:1]


    "Time to exterminate you. I draw, then I once again activate the effect of my Vanguard, I discard to increase its attack by 300."


    [Vanguard of the Dragon - ATK:2000 > 2300]


    "Thanks to the effect of my ''The White Stone of Legend'' when it goes to the grave I can add a from my deck to my hand. Then I discard that Blue-Eyes to active my dragons effect again, raising its attack to 2600."


    [Vanguard of the Dragon - ATK:2300 > 2600]


    "I attack Inzektor Centipede."


    [VoD ATK:2600 > IC ATK:2400 - Hopkirk LP > 3000]


    Drakes Vanguard plunged its spear through Hopkirks bug, shattering it into pieces.


    "Watch out for my hidden sting! I activate my trap when a monster I control is sent to the Graveyard I can destroy one monster on the field, so I destroy your Vanguard of the Dragon."


    Drakes beast exploded in a shower of light.


    "I warned you, I am a master of insect duelling!"


    "You should have spent more time learning about other kinds of monster then. My Vanguard''s second effect activates, when it is sent to the Graveyard by my opponents card effect I can special summon a normal dragon monster from any graveyard to the field."


    "Now let me give you a lesson in the power of dragons. Come forth, I special summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    *ROAR!*


    The surrounding audience who were watching the duel ooh''d and ah''d in appreciation as Drakes signature monster took to the field. Its gigantic body dwarfing Hopkirks trembling figure. He had sealed his own fate. First in picking this fight in the first place, second in trying to cheat to win, and finally making such a fatal mistake in a duel.


    It was still Drakes Battle phase.


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Finish this, White Lightning ATTACK!"


    A beam of destructive light blasted Hopkirk, knocking him silly.


    [BEWD ATK:3000 - Hopkirk LP > 0]


    Hopkirks Heart Key lost a heart light dropping down to the fourth layer while Drakes own lit up the second. Drake really wish he had a way to eliminate this scum of a duellist from the whole conteset, but he couldn''t.


    And he couldn''t use other methods,not in front of all these people.


    As he walked away Drake examined the tampered deck in curiosity, while he knew cards had been added he didn''t know what cards they were without actually looking. But it was easy to find out, after all the decoy deck was made entirely of 40 copies of . But now six copies of were in it.


    Such a simple method, if he had tried to use a deck which broke the 3 card limited he would have been instantly disqualified and would have forfeited the duel. Not only that, feeling the cards Drake was sure that they had been marked as well.


    He tossed the cards into a trash can and went looking for his next challenge.

 Chapter 5 - Number Hunting.

    Drake returned to Yuma''s house in time for supper. As he was walking through the door Yuma excitedly shouted out.


    "Hey Drake! Look I''m already got my Heart Key to fifth layer already. I''m Jetting!"


    "YUMA! Have you entered this duel carnival?!"


    "Kari!!"


    Looks likes the beans have been spilled. Drake wanted to sneak away back out of the door before¡­


    "And you Drake! Where do you think you are going? You knew about this didn''t you?!"


    Without any decorum Drake ran as fast as his legs would carry him. Forget about supper, he''d rather miss a meal or two than get what Yuma had coming to him now. If she found out that Drake had actually register Yuma, then he was a dead man¡­ again.


    By the time he had stopped running Drake was already on a bustling street, filled with shops, caf¨¦''s, restaurants and clubs. It was a bit early for the evening rush of party goers but it was still busy. He was considering whether or not to treat himself to a good meal when everything seemed to just, stop.


    The traffic, the people, even the birds in the sky just stopped in their tracks and hung motionless.


    Drake knew this. It was an ability of the Number Hunter Kite! Time Freeze. It wasn''t truly stopping time itself, but everything else was moving thousands of times slower than normal within the field.


    It was a good thing he was protected by the power of one of the Legendary Dragons. But if Kite was nearby¡­! That meant a Number was here as well!


    "Now I will take your Number. Photon Hand!"


    Drake watched as Kite extracted the Number Card effortlessly, his victim turning old and feeble in front of his eyes as his soul was extracted.


    *Clap, Clap, Clap*


    Kite snapped his head towards the Drake as he slowly clapped away. Kite instantly raised his vigilance. An ordinary person wouldn''t be able to move through the effects of his Time Freeze. So this guy also a Number user?


    "A magnificent attack, worthy of such a great dragon. I am sorry I missed the rest of your duel, but I can''t say I enjoy the finale."


    "And you are?"


    "Drake, Drake Atlas. It''s a p???sur? to finally meet the infamous Number Hunter, your name is Kite right?"


    "If you know of me, does that mean you are a Hunter too?"


    "Err¡­ technically not yet, I actually was hoping for a chance to get my first Number today."


    "You think you can lie to me? If you don''t have a number then how are you able to move in this frozen time space?"


    "What can I say, I am just special." it was the truth.


    "Let see you be so glib after I hunt you and your Number!"


    A red rope of energy whipped out of Kites wrist guard and attached itself to Drakes arm, it was Kites Duel Anchor. Even if Drake wanted to leave now Kite wouldn''t let him.


    "Fine be that way, but when I win, I want you to hand me the Number you just took, deal?"


    "If you can beat me, but that won''t happen."


    "Then lets Duel!"


    Drake let Kite take the first move.


    [Turn 1 Kite LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:5]


    [Photon Thrasher ¨C Lv4 ATK:2100/DEF:0, Photon Crusher ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000/DEF:0]


    Two metallic warriors, that looked to be made up of pieces of futurist armour held together by surging currents of energy took to the field. But they weren''t to be around for long as they plunged into a black hole.


    "Since you seem so interested in the Number I just hunted, let me give you a taste of its power. With these two monsters I form the Overlay Network! I XYZ Summon !"


    [Number 85: Crazy Box ¨C Rank 4 ATK:3000/DEF:300 OU:2]


    It was truly a fitting name for this Number, the monster that appeared out of the vortex of the overlay network looked like someone had painted a giant Rubik cube black and was in the prosses of dismantling it. On one of its sides was the glowing number 85 and its two overlay unites flew in orbit around it.


    "I then set a card face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 2 Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Kite LP:4000 Hand:4]


    "Oh? You better not look down on my skill too much Kite, or you will be sorry."


    "Draw. I summon the in attack mode, when this card is summoned to the field, I can discard one card from my hand to add either a or ''Fusion'' spell, from my deck to my hand. So I activate this effect by discarding my and add a to my hand"


    A humanoid dragon warrior clad in blue scaled armour took to the field.


    "My Stone of Legends effect then activates allowing me to add a from my deck to my hand."


    "Next I play the Polymerization I just got, to fuse the Blue-Eyes in my hand with my to summon the great in attack mode!"


    A great dark blue dragon took to the air, its body covered in spikes and horns. This monster of Drake''s could be fusion summoned by using any 2 normal type monsters.


    "Looks like maths isn''t your strong suite, my Number is still stronger than your dragon."


    "Keep talking yourself into a pit if you want, I set two cards face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 3 Kite LP:4000 Hand:4, Drake LP:4000 Hand:2]


    "Big talk, I draw. Next I activate the effect of Number 85, by sending one overlay unit to the grave I can roll one die and then apply an effect determined by the number that is rolled."


    One of the Numbers overlay units flew down to Kite and transformed into a large red die in Kite''s hands, he tossed it out and it bounced and rolled to the middle of the field before coming to a stop. A two!


    "When I roll a 2 Number 85''s effect allows me to draw 1 more card from my deck."


    An effect based on a dice roll? Drake wanted to face palm. This was something a duellist like Joey should have, not a duellist of Kites calibre. Good thing he wouldn''t have it for long.


    "I activate Number 85''s effect again!"


    [Number 85: Crazy Box ¨C OU:1 > 0]


    This time Kite rolled a 5.


    "Now my Number can use its effect to destroy any card on the field, so I choose your First of the Dragons!"


    A beam of crimson energy fired off from Kite''s Crazy Box towards the high flying dragon.


    "Bad move, my dragon cannot be effected by other monsters card effects and that even includes your Number cards."


    "Are you taking this duel seriously Kite?" Drake was a little upset.


    "What do you mean? Obviously, the advantage is mine."


    "Don''t try to bluff me, my Dragons Eye can see right through your card."


    "Dragons Eye?" Kite was confused at this new term.


    Drake pointed to his duel gazer tattoo that faintly glowed with power.


    "My Dragons Eye isn''t like some ordinary duel gazer; It also has the power to analysis any face up card on the field and reveal its hidden abilities to me. And it tells me that you were lucky with your rolls. If you had rolled a one then you would have lost half of your life points, and a six would have destroyed your own monster. Even if you didn''t use its effect, you can''t do much with it. To think its a monster with 3000 ATK, but you can''t actually use it to attack me, ha-ha if you aren''t playing with me then what?"


    Kites look turned serious, Drake had analysis his Number card perfectly.


    "You want me to get serious? Very well! But remember you asked for this!"


    "I play the spell this spell card lets me special summon a level 4 or lower Light attribute monster that was added to my hand this turn. I special summon ."


    [Daybreaker ¨C LIGHT Lv4 ATK:1700/DEF:0]


    "Then I active Daybreakers special effect, when it is special summoned to the field, I can special summon another copy to the field from my hand."


    Two silver clad knights took to the field in turn.


    "With these two monsters I can XYZ summon, so I now build the overlay network, come forth rank 4 !"


    [Number 50: Blackship of Corn - Rank 4, ATK:2100/DEF:1500 OU:2]


    A monster looking like an ancient pirate ship took form, its number proudly displayed on its sail as two lights orbited around it. A second number already, finally this duel was starting to get good Drake thought.


    "I activate Number 50''s effect, I use one overlay unit to destroy your ''Keeper of Dragon Magic'' and deal 1000 points of damage to you."


    [Number 50: Blackship of Corn ¨C OU: 2 > 1]


    One of the lights shattered as a great net flew from the ship to capture Drakes monster, pulling it into its main cannon. With a bang it fired a shot right at Drake, even with him being prepared he was forced several meters back by the force of the impact. This wasn''t just AR any more, but a duel with the true power of a Number card that could bring actual damage during a fight.


    [Drake LP: > 3000]


    "Next I sacrifice my two Numbers, in order to summon the light that will purify this world. Come forth !"


    Drake didn''t need Kite to explain, he knew that Galaxy-Eyes could only be special summoned by offering up two monsters on the field with over 2000 ATK. In Kites hand appeared a large purplish red shuriken or star, which he tossed into the skies above. In a flash of blinding light, it transformed into a great, blue glowing, dragon clad in purple armour.


    *ROAR!*


    [Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    "If I remember correctly the first thing you said to me was that you admired by dragons attack, well now you can experience it first hand! Galaxy-Eyes Photo Dragon attack ''First of the Dragons'' with Photon Stream of Destruction!"


    [GEPD ATK:3000 > FotD ATK:2700 ¨C Drake LP > 2700]


    The blinding blue ray engulfed Drakes beast and smashed into Drake, the actual force sending him flying backwards into a trash can.


    "Aurgh!"


    "With that your monster is des¡­!?"


    Kite suddenly stopped his speech as the smoke cleared to reveal the form of Drakes dragon still on the field. Slowly getting up from the floor Drake explained with a grin on face.


    "My dragon has another special ability Kite, ''First of the Dragons'' cannot be destroyed in battle except at the hands a normal monster! And your Galaxy-Eyes is an effect monster, so my dragon won''t be going anywhere quite yet."


    "A pointless stall. My turn is over."


    Kite was displeased that his Dragon was unable to properly display its superiority, that ability was almost like a Numbers. But his Galaxy-Eyes was still stronger, he would win, he would complete his mission and gather all the Numbers¡­ for Hart.


    [Turn 4 Drake LP:2700 Hand:2, Kite LP:4000 Hand:3]


    Drake was breathing heavily, if not for his reinforce body he might actually have been injured this turn. But this didn''t frighten him, it was the opposite in fact. This kind of blood boiling action was what he had been hoping for.


    "I Draw."


    Drake felt it was time to show Kite what a truly great dragon looked like.


    "I activate the spell , by discarding my level 8 Blue-Eyes from my hand I can draw 2 new cards from my deck."


    "Then I activate the spell , by discarding a card from my hand I can add two dragons with 3000 or more ATK and 2500 or less DEF from my deck to my hand. I discard and I choose to add and to my hand."


    "Shining Dragon? What kind of beast is that?" Kite had never heard of such a monster before, but his question went unanswered.


    "I activate my face down card this trap card allows me to special summon a dragon from my hand or graveyard after I banish a dragon I control from the game. I banish my ''First of the Dragons'' from the game to bring back from my Graveyard my "


    A pillar of flame engulfed the great dragon before scattering to once more reveal the form of the dragon warrior.


    [Keeper of Dragon Magic ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1300]


    "Why? That dragon is so much weaker. What are you planning?"


    "I''m planning to activate my Keeper''s special ability. I discard the third Blue-Eyes in my hand to the grave in order to add the spell from my deck to my hand."


    Kite had no idea of what was coming.


    "I play , by banishing monsters from my graveyard I can fusion summon a dragon type fusion monster to the field. I banish all three copies of my Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the grave, to Fusion summon the !"


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¨C Lv12 ATK:4500/DEF:3800]


    A massive mirror appeared on the ground below, reflected in its glass were three white dragons. Suddenly from the mirror a pillar of light pierced up through the heavens, from it emerged two great wings and then the pillar slowly faded to reveal the rest of the body of the three headed beast. The three heads roared in unison releasing a shockwave of force that even forced Kite back a few steps and shattered the surrounding street lamps.


    *ROAR!*


    "What power!" Kite was stunned at the monster that stood before him.


    "You should quickly say hello because he''s not staying around for long, let me introduce you to an even more powerful monster. I sacrifice my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon to special summon the !!"

 Chapter 6 -Duels End.

    [Turn 4 Drake LP:2700 Hand:1, Kite LP:4000 Hand:3]


    Drakes field has , with one face down card. On Kites side is his signature monster, the with one face down.


    "¡­let me introduce you to an even more powerful monster. I sacrifice my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon to special summon the !"


    Cracks appeared across the body of Drakes Ultimate Dragon, spilling out blinding blue light before it exploded in a shining radiance to reveal his new beast.


    *ROAR!!!*


    [Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon ¨C Lv10 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Metallic armour covered this dragon from nose to tail, like some futuristic machine. On its ?h?st and wings, great blue jewels that shone like miniature stars. Neon blue light glowed across its body as its eyes flashed with radiant power.


    "You call that a stronger monster? It looks impressive but it has less ATK Points than the last monster." But Kite did not let his guard down. For Drake to go through so much effort to summon this beast it must be special.


    "Yes. But my shiny new dragon has several special abilities that will leave your Galaxy-Eyes in the dust. First, I activate Shining Burst! My dragon gets an addition 300 ATK for each dragon type monster in my Graveyard, and at the moment there are three, my ''White Stone of Legend'', ''Totem Dragon'' and ''Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''. So my Shining Dragon gains 900 ATK."


    [Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon ¨C ATK:3000 > 3900]


    The blue jewel in the dragons ?h?st burned with even greater light as it absorbed the power of the monsters in Drakes Graveyard. A pity Drake had had to banish four of his dragons from play or it ATK would be even high now.


    "Now my Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, attack Kites Galaxy-Eyes with Shining Neutron Blast!"


    "That won''t work!! Go Shining Diffusion! My dragons second ability allows me to negate any spell, trap or monster effect that targets my Shining Dragon. So the attack continues."


    The Shining Dragon unleashed an aurora of light from its body, blocking Galaxy-Eyes special effect. But Kite was not done yet, if that didn''t work then¡­


    "I activate the effect of from my hand, by attacking a Galaxy monster I control, you allow me to special summon this card in defence mode, then I can immediately XYZ Summon a galaxy monster with the monsters I have on the field."


    [Galaxy Tyranno ¨C Lv8 ATK:2000/DEF:0 ]


    "With my level 8 Galaxy Tyranno and Galaxy-Eye Photon Dragon I build the overlay network, to XYZ Summon in defence mode, rank 8 !"


    From the black hole of the overlay network arose a might knight, with a body of light clad in dark purple-blue armour. He carried a brilliant lance in one hand and a mighty shield which bore his number in the other.


    [Number 90: Galaxy-Eyes Photon Lord ¨C Rank 8, ATK:2500/DEF:3000, OU:2]


    "And as you know, only a Number can destroy another Number in battle."


    Wow, even after busting out his Shining Dragon Drake still couldn''t take the lead. Now this was a duel he could enjoy. Although his dragon lacked the ability to destroy a Number in battle, Drake refused to cancel his attack. This was the pride he had in his dragon. His dragon fired its beam of swirling energy against the Numbers raised shield. No damage was dealt.


    Dragons Eye!!


    Drake pushed more of his power into his enhanced eye to hasten its analysis of the unfamiliar card, but it was difficult. This was not an ordinary card, but a powerful Number. His eye began to weep a small trail of blood, but Drake continued.


    Reading the data Drake frowned, so long this Number has a "Photon" card as an overlay unit, it cannot be destroyed by card effects. Once per turn it can use an overlay unit to negate the activation of a monsters effect and if Kite used a ''Galaxy'' card to activate this effect the monster would be destroyed. During Drakes turn it could¡­


    "I activate my Numbers effect! During your turn I can take a ''Galaxy'' or ''Photon'' monster from my deck, then either add it to my hand or to this unit as an overlay unit. I add to my hand."


    "Not a bad card, but I will still take it down Kite. I end my turn."


    A defence position Number that couldn''t be destroyed by card effects was bad news for a deck without its own Number, but Drake had options left. Like if he could draw then he could chip away at Kites Life Points.


    [Turn 5 Kite LP:4000 Hand:3, Drake LP:2700 Hand:1]


    "My move, Draw! I set one card face down and end my turn. Make your move Drake, so I can crush it!"


    [Turn 6 Drake LP:2700 Hand:1, Kite LP:4000 Hand:3]


    Drake looked at his hand. Tch, nothing useful.


    "I set a monster face down and switch Keeper of Dragon Magic to Defence mode. Then I call it a turn."


    At least if Kite destroyed a few more of my dragons that would increase my Shining Dragons ATK Drake thought.


    "Not before I use Number 90''s effect to add to my hand."


    [Turn 7 Kite LP:4000 Hand:4, Drake LP:2700 Hand:1]


    "Is this all you got? I am disappointed, I draw. Next I special summon and from my hand by their own effect. When Photon Vanisher is summoned I can add a Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon to my hand. Then I normal summon . With these three monsters I build the overlay network!"


    [Photon Vanisher ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000/DEF:0, Photon Advancer ¨C Lv4 ATK:1000/DEF:1000, Photon Circle ¨C Lv4 ATK:1000/ DEF:1000]


    "I XYZ Summon in attack mode!"


    [Number 10: Illumiknight ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2400/DEF:2400 OU:3


    [Number 10: Illumiknight ¨C OU: 3 > 2]


    "Then I switch my Photon Lord to attack. Now Illumiknight! Attack Drake''s face down card!"


    "You destroyed my ."


    [N10 ATK:2400 > SD DEF:0]


    "Since another dragon is added to my grave-"


    "Wrong! When a XYZ monster summoned using Photon Vanisher as material destroys a monster in battle, that monster is banished from play!"


    "Now Galaxy Photon Lord, attack his Keeper of Dragon Magic with your Spiralling Photon Spear!"


    [N90 ATK:2500 > KoDM DEF:1300]


    Drakes dragon was crushed.


    [Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon ATK:3900 > 4200]


    "I will set one more card face down and that ends my turn."


    [Turn 8 Drake LP:2700 Hand:1, Kite LP:4000 Hand:2]


    What was Kite planning? Among those three facedowns of his must be some method of dealing with my dragon. Although Shining Diffusion would protect Shining Dragon from any targeted effects there were still methods Kite could use to get around that. For example, a none targeted effect like , or even simpler would be to raise the attack of his own monster.


    But Kite wasn''t the only one with a trick or two up his sleeves.


    "Draw!"


    Perfect! Just what the duellist called for.


    "I play a facedown then active the spell with this spell card I''m allowed to draw until I''m holding 5 cards, but on my 5th turn after activating this card I must send my hand to the graveyard. Since I have no cards in my hand, that means I now draw 5 cards."


    Drake examined the cards in his hand. , , , < Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon> and . Fantastic, Drake didn''t know what Kite was planning but Drake would still steamroll ahead.


    The facedown polymerization he had just played was useless, but if he used Forbidden Chalice on Kites Photon Lord then although it would gain 400ATK it would also lose all of its effects, next he could revive his ultimate dragon in the grave with Monster Reborn. After that he would have the ultimate dragon destroy Number 90 and have Shining Dragon attack Number 10. Even if one of Kites face downs can destroy one of his Blue-Eyes that would still allow him to special summon Deep-Eyes. With Mirror Force and his face down-.


    *BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!*


    What the?! A loud mechanical voice sounded out from Kites communication device.


    "MASTER KITE! MASTER KITE! ITS BAD. ITS MASTER HART! PLEASE RETURN IMMEDIATLEY!!"


    Blast it! Drake thought. Not now, the duel was just getting really interesting.


    Kite didn''t hesitate for a moment before cancelling the duel and severing his duel anchor.


    "We will finish this another time, mark my words. Next time I will hunt your Number."


    As the AR Field dissipated the two Numbers and the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon facing each other seemed to linger on a few extra moments, as if unwilling to leave their battle with such an unsatisfying conclusion.


    *Whoossshh*


    From the skies a jet powered hang glider swooped down. With a feat of incredible acrobatics Kite jumped up and caught hold it allowing it to jet him away.


    "Now hold on! What about¡­"


    It was too late, Kite was gone. Sound returned to the back street as Kites Time freeze was ended and things returned to normal. Only the comatose duellist, the damaged trash can and broken street lights left witness to the nights event. Drake kicked the trash can in frustration.


    "BLAST, what about our bet!! At least leave the Number behind you pig headed..." Drakes rant faded away.


    Drake was furious, it wasn''t that he blamed Kite. He knew that if it came to a choice been a duel and his brother then Kite would choose Hart every time. And Drake didn''t begrudge him that, he even approved. But at least he could have had the grace to leave behind the card he had put up for the bet. That Number 85: Crazy Box was a useless card in Drake opinion, but it was still a Number.


    Now he was all worked up with no way to vent.


    "How lucky am I? a poor injured duellist with a Number has just fallen into my ??p."


    Who?!!


    Drake turned around to find another duellist hungerly staring at him from a shadowed corner, on the back of his left hand glowed the number 97. A Number user!?


    "You don''t look so hot, unfortunately for you that Number Hunter isn''t the only one interested in taking your Number. Lets Duel!"


    Huh?


    Drake looked down at himself, his new clothes were filthy, torn and ragged. He did look a mess. If not for the fact that Drakes body wasn''t normal then those hits from the Numbers earlier would have seriously injured him or any other ordinary person. No wonder this guy looked so smug.


    He thought he was looking at easy prey. What was the saying? The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.


    Perfect. Drake couldn''t help but give a vicious grin. This guy may think he''s the oriole, but Drake was no mantis, but a dragon instead.


    "Duel!"


    ---


    It was past midnight as Drake snuck back into Yuma''s house, a satisfied smile on his face. He felt much better now than he did after his interrupted duel with Kite. Not only had he gained his first Number card, but he had managed to vent his frustrations on that poor unsuspecting duellist. It had been brutal, but felt so fulfilling. Drakes unlucky oriole might never duel again from the mental trauma their duel had inflicted on him but unlike Kites victim at least he still had his soul.


    The dining room light suddenly turned on to reveal an angry Akari sitting at the table.


    Drakes good mood suddenly soured. She had stayed up just for him.


    "Sit." Her tone left no room for argument.


    Drake resigned himself to his fate.


    "I don''t want Yuma duelling, I thought I had made myself clear on this point."


    "Yuma is old enough to make his own decision on what he wants to do."


    "That not the point, and not your choice. Duelling is dangerous, a lot more than most people would think."


    "I agree with that second bit, but lots of things people like are dangerous. Women, drink, drugs, motorsports, there are a lot of things that are usually a lot worse and a lot more dangerous than duelling out there, but people still do them anyway."


    "That not the same!"


    "Why not?"


    "He''s still a kid and he''s my brother."


    "And like any good sister you want to protect him."


    "Yes! Especially because¡­"


    "Because what?" Drake was curious, there seem to be something more to this than Drake had expected.


    "Have you heard of the Lost Duel Syndrome?"


    "Huh?"


    "About a year and a bit ago a particular group of people started to inexplicitly fall into coma''s, not just in one city or country, but worldwide. It wasn''t a lot at first, maybe one or two a city. Nobody knows why or what''s wrong with them, the only thing they all had in common was that they were duellists. Several times there were witness where the victims would lose a duel and then suddenly collapse for no explained reason. So in the medical community some began to call it Lost Duel Syndrome."


    Drake looked grim.


    "A few months ago there was a sudden rise in the numbers appearing in Heartland city and they began to display new symptoms, with the victims seeming to rapidly age. This is why I don''t want Yuma duelling. If something happens¡­"


    "The older cases, did any of the witness mention a green circle of light."


    Akari''s gaze became sharp.


    "A few of them¡­ Why?"


    Drake knew what was going on. The new cases with rapid aging was easy to understand, it was the result of Kites Number hunting. But the older cases, the ones from before Astral and the Numbers appeared, they had to be due to the Seal of Orichalcos. The timing made sense.


    "And why isn''t this general knowledge?" he asked.


    "The government and the medical institutes have hushed it up or call it an unexplained coincidence. Besides, apart from our city which has had a sudden spike, the cases are few and far between. Only a few people know anything is wrong because of how it has been spread so thinly."


    "Drake, what aren''t you telling me?"


    He couldn''t keep the truth from her. She had a right to know.


    "Akari¡­ whether you want it or not Yuma is already involved in this."


    "No!" She refused to believe it.


    "Yes. And holding him back will only do more harm than good at this point."


    "Your lying..."


    "You know I''m not."


    "Are you responsible?"


    "No I-"


    "I want you out of our home!" She cut him off.


    Things were going downhill fast. Denial, rejection, anger.


    "That will change nothing. What is coming cannot be avoided. But I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make sure the both of you are alright. I swear it on upon the Fang of Critias."

 Chapter 7 - The Sleeping Dragon.

    It took Drake several more hours to calm Akari down and reassure her of his intentions. He told her what he thought she could accept and made sure she understood not to dig into the matter anymore. If the Orichalcos discovered anyone getting close to them and their secrets, they would surely take action. It was too big of a risk. Drake wanted to face them on his terms not theirs.


    It was almost dawn by the time he reached his bed.


    But before he could rest, he had one more thing to do.


    Closing his eyes, the Dragons Eye duel gazer tattoo around his eye appeared and lit up. Its power pulsating in time to Drake heartbeat. Drake felt himself falling, falling deeper and deeper into himself. Then from the darkness, came light.


    Drake had entered the deepest parts of his mind that had been shaped into a construct the form of a great medieval castle surrounded by forests. This was a recreation of the Domain of the Beasts where the Legendary Dragons were once sealed for thousands of years ago.


    It was where a Legendary Dragon now slept.


    With a thought Drakes spirit body descended from above to enter the castle and moved to the shrine of the dragons. There in the centre of the platform that in the true Duel Spirit World was where the crystal statues of the dragons once stood, now lay but a single dragon.


    His scales were a dark almost greyish blue while his underbelly was a lighter blue, between his eyes, which were closed in slumber, was a large blue diamond. Critias, the dragon who had chosen Drake to be his duellist, giving him new life and purpose.


    Drakes expression was pained.


    When Drake had awoken in this world it was to find the dragon had already fallen into a deep sleep that he would not rise from. This was the price the Dragon had to pay for him and Drake to cross the Dimensional Rift, and Critias was showing no signs of waking, he just lay there, helpless. It also meant that Drake could not use his card, The Fang of Critias to duel with.


    In Drakes hand appeared his newly won Numbers Card. Here in Drakes mental world it was wrapped in an inky cloud of darkness, a pulsating power that tempted the soul with its hearts d?s?r?. Drake tossed the card closer to the sleeping dragon. Once in range of the dragon''s aura the card became trapped, like a fly in a spiders web, unable to free itself as the sleeping beast subconsciously began to syphon the Numbers energy to replenish its own strength.


    Not that Drake would allow Critias to completely drain all of its power. After all, Astral would need it in future and he had promised to return the Numbers he gained when he was through with them. But Critias needed some of its power now.


    Soon Drake retrieved the weakened card before examining Critias''s condition. There was a marked improvement to his senses. Perhaps if he could obtain a dozen or even just a half dozen more Numbers then Critias could recover his strength within a week rather than the months or even years Drake had originally thought.


    "Later Critias, sleep well. Don''t worry, just leave everything to me."


    Which duellist didn''t tinker with his deck, striving to improve, to perfect, as new cards and strategies were made available?


    But more importantly, over the day he had finally acquired enough duel energy to use the Mirror of Critias. The Mirror of Critias was in simple terms, a card creator engine. It could take the imagined form of a card and turn it into a reality so long as it conformed to the governing laws of the world. But it needed large amounts of duelling energy, the stronger the card the more energy it required and Drake could only secretly harvest a small amount of such energy during his duels.


    Critias had created the mirror for Drake before coming to this world as a backup if something happened to him, which it had.


    Fortunately the mirror could also store card designs to be created at a later date so Drake didn''t have to waste anymore of his time tonight, he had already designed dozens of cards for different situations. He still had to retune his deck, it was already very late and he had a full day of duelling ahead of him.


    The mirror itself as a tall free standing, unadorned silver mirror in a decorative dragon themed frame. It stood a little taller than Drake in the corner of the treasury room. Drake placed his right hand on the mirror and chanted the passcode he had chosen to activate it.


    "Mirror, Mirror in my hall, create now a card for one and all."


    This may be the deepest and most well defended place of this mental world but Drake didn''t believe in taking chances with a device this potent. And Drake believed that nobody, not even people who knew him, would ever guess he would use such a silly variation from a fairy tale as a passcode.


    The silver surface transformed into a image similar to a computer desktop screen with options for design, catalogue, storage and others. Working like a touch screen Drake brought up the stored designs.


    Comparing the energy required to create the cards he had already designed against the energy he had available Drake finally decided to create three new cards for his use. A spell card, a XYZ monster and with what little energy remained, a small effect monster.


    ---


    Kite stood watch over the bed that his brother was sleeping in, there were atop a tall tower, high above Hartland city. Its windows opened up to the most fantastic cityscape one could imagine, even more so when dawn would break transforming to become one of the greatest sights in the city. Not that Kite had the heart to enjoy such a view with his brother lying sick before him.


    Many medical contraptions stood nearby watching his condition, slowly beeping or twirling away. All this advance medical technology and they were still almost helpless in front of his brother''s condition. At least Hart was stable for now. Every time Kite left, he secretly feared it would be the last time he would see his brother alive. But if he didn''t collect the Numbers then he had no hope for a cure.


    "Kite my boy, how are you this fine morning."


    Kite was woken from his dark thoughts by the most unpleasant of voices.


    "None of your business Heartland." He snapped.


    Kite detested this man, the Mayor of Heartland City and his fathers close confederate. Mr Heartland.


    "Well I can at least see that Harts condition is stabilized. That should make you happy right?"


    Kite was in no mood for pleasantries with this man at the best of times, let alone now. He detested the man, a snake in fine clothing.


    "That''s why you need to continue gathering the Numbers my boy. To save your brother."


    There it was, the prod that drove him. Which Heartland never failed to remind him as if he didn''t know already. He just wanted to see Kite jump and squirm.


    "Quite! Do not mention my brother again Heartland or I will feed you to my dragon. Now what do you want."


    "Oh you are particularly tetchy today aren''t you. Fine, your father is quite pleased at the progress the WDC is progressing at, soon we will gather all the strongest duellist and the rest of the Number cards in one place. All the easier for you to collect once you win."


    Kite couldn''t help but suddenly think back to the duel he had earlier tonight, to the strong duellist called Drake. Flashing back to the sight of that dragon he had summoned. Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon¡­ Such power. A beast that was maybe superior to his own Galaxy-Eyes...


    Although he told himself that he had everything in hand, that he would have crushed Drake like all the others he had hunted, there was something unnerving in the confidence he had seen in Drakes eyes, as if Kite himself was the one being hunted.


    He would surely have to duel him again in the WDC. He didn''t believe such a strong duellist like Drake didn''t have a Number, not if he could move through his Time Freeze. But even of it was true, Kite was still confident he would see Drake in the finals and with his skill he would surely have gathered many Numbers by that point. Kite would have the chance to claim them then.


    "Provided I can win¡­" he whispered.


    In the silence of the room Hartland had no problems hearing this murmured statement.


    "Never you mind!"


    "Well in that case you should be pleased to know that Dr Faker has had a recent breakthrough in his research. He should soon have developed some stronger cards that will make your deck invincible. Now isn''t that nice of your father Kite. Now don''t forget to take the time to max out your heart light, you wouldn''t want us to gather the Numbers together only for you to be disqualified, right?"


    "Such a stupid tournament."


    "But necessary Kite. You must fight for Hart sake."


    *Humph*


    Mr Heartland turned to make his leave, but before he reached the door however.


    "Heartland!"


    "Huh? You want something Kite?" now that was rare.


    "You are also collecting the duel data records in this tournament, aren''t you?"


    "I want all the data you gather on a certain duellist."


    "Now here a novelty, have you found someone interesting, a duelling sweetheart perhaps?"


    "Just do it Heartland."


    "Very well, what the name?"


    "Drake Atlas"


    ---


    In a computer control room Mr Heartland was studying charts and figures of duelling data. In particular was the file on one Drake Atlas. While Heartland like to mock Kite and push his emotional bu??ons, he wasn''t so stupid as to ignore a duellist Kite was paying attention to.


    The data was strange.


    He could find no records of this duellist before he suddenly appeared several days ago, his ID was fake, a good fake but not good enough to survive such close scrutiny by the city''s government. But he could find no other identification. No birth certificate, no hospital or school records, no travel documents, nothing.


    And his deck! The data here could only record the cards actually played in a duel disk during the tournament and not the unused ones in the deck or hand, even Kites duel with him had been recorded. But just what he was looking at here¡­


    Mirror Force, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon, no wonder Kite wanted this data, just where had he acquired such cards. It looked like he had even obtained a Number card soon after his duel with Kite.


    "You look troubled Heartland."


    Another man entered the room.


    "Oh! Dr Faker, good morning. It''s nothing just a duellist your son wanted me to check up on."


    "Oh?"


    Kites father looked at the data on the screen more closely.


    "Interesting¡­ and how goes the task of locating the other Numbers."


    While the data on Drake was strange it was nothing but a distraction in Dr Fakers eye''s, a distraction from their real objectives. The collection of all the Numbers and the destruction of Astral World.


    "We have already identified a number of Number holders Dr Faker and are tracking them even now."


    Pictures of more than a dozen various duellist covered the monitor, including Drake. Each of them was confirmed to have at least one Number card.


    "What about these reports of strange energy surges?"


    "We''re not too sure about that at the moment Doctor, throughout the day we had several of these surges in the duel network from an unknown source. The Duels involved were all in isolated locations without monitoring equipment. By the time we mobilized ground force to the locations the only thing we could find were duellist in a comatose state."


    "And what are you doing about it Heartland?"


    "We have hush up the victims families and I have already arranged the deployment of satellite surveillance systems, we should know more soon."


    "Good, send all the data you collect about this new energy to my lab and keep me informed. And how go the arrangements concerning that boy, Reginald Kastle."


    "I have already made the arrangements to have the Number reach his hands. Dextra and Nistro are also prepared to play their part and give him the necessary push. Do you really think this will awaken the sleeping power of his blood?"


    Hartland had some doubts about the plan, and to give away a precious Number¡­


    "Yes! He may not have awakened his power naturally like his sister, but with enough pressure and stimuli the ancient power should be triggered. And once we harvest that power and gather the Numbers, not even He will be able to stop us, Hahahahahahahaaa."


    If only they knew they were not the only ones with designs on the boy¡­

 Chapter 8 - The Seal of Orichalcos.

    "HEY DRAKE!! WAKE UP!"


    Wha? Who? Where? There was banging on his bedroom door.


    "DRAKE!!"


    "Yuma shut up!"


    What time was it¡­ blast. He had only managed to get a couple of hours sleep after all, but what was Yuma doing waking him up so early. Wasn''t he the kind of person to sleep in? Drake was so tired. The duel with Kite and then a Number user had been more draining than he thought, or maybe it was his talk with Akari last night.


    "Come-on Drake get up!"


    "Urgh¡­"


    Drake got up and opened the door in his pyjamas.


    "What?!"


    Yuma looked so full of energy it made Drake sick. There had better be good coffee in this world.


    "Come on Drake you need to get up so I can get started duelling!"


    "Huh?" Was Drake missing something here.


    "Kari said its alright for me to continue in the WDC, but she said you had to chaperone me, you agreed last night."


    Ugh. He had promised to look after Yuma last night, but he didn''t know that meant he had become a full time babysitter.


    "I''m ready to Jet! So hurry up, I want to qualify as soon as possible."


    "Huh?"


    "Get some breakfast and coffee ready for me while I change. Then I will explain."


    ---


    After getting change the two of them sat round the dining table. Yuma''s grandmother was outside doing yard work and Akari was holed up inside her room and Astral was presumably enjoying some quite time inside the Golden key.


    How lucky he was.


    After washing his breakfast down with some life restoring coffee Drake began to explain the subtilties of the preliminary round.


    "Do you know why the round lasts ten days?" Drake asked Yuma.


    "Err¡­ No?"


    "The objective of the round isn''t just to gather enough Heart Light, but to keep it."


    "True, but have you read the bit in the rules about Heart Charging?"


    Yuma''s blank look was answer enough.


    "I''ll try to keep it simple. Each time you win a duel you gain one heart light, once you have ten you have a full Pink Heart and have qualified for the round so long as you can keep it. But with ten days you have plenty of time for duels, why? Because it is possible to gather even more heart light, this is called the Heart Charge. Each heart light you gain after filling your Heart Key will transform a layer to its next stage. From pink to yellow, from yellow to green, from green to blue and if you light up all ten layers to a full blue heart it will transform into a Golden Heart. The max level the key can achieve according to the rules."


    "But if you only need a full pink heart to advance, then why do you want to get the higher forms?" Yuma asked.


    "Nobody knows what kind of benefit you gain by reaching a higher Heart Key level. You can''t find that information anywhere. But there will definitely be some kind of benefit in the later rounds, it''s the only logical explanation, which is why people will want to get as much heart light as they can before the next round. But its not as easy to achieve as you think."


    "Why?"


    "Because when you reach each new level a penalty is applied."


    "What kind of penalty?"


    "The amount of heart light you can lose in a duel is increased. After you reach a full pink heart any loses from then on will reduce your heart light by two instead of one, even if you fall back to a previous level this penalty will remain. After achieving a full yellow heart you will lose three lights each time, at green you will lose four."


    "No, one win still gets you only one light. Only the best of the best will be able to gather a Golden Heart, and the both of us should try our best to get it. However we don''t want to do it too soon or we will become targets that others will try to tear down."


    "Oh¡­"


    That look of disappointment. What could he say to that?


    "Fine, don''t let it get you down and let''s get going shall we."


    "Alright! We''re gonna Jet!"


    This was going to be a long day¡­


    ---


    So Drake followed Yuma around like he had promised his sister. He met Yuma''s friends and watch as he duelled. He won some and lost some, Even Drake managed to get a few duels in during the day. Naturally he won all his matches.


    There were no problems during this time, no Numbers turn up, no Seals disrupted the peace. Just ordinary duels.


    Although Yuma had duelled more than Drake, he had lost several times. Meanwhile Drake had never lost and had an eleven-win streak. It was a fun day, but the day was then over and Drake and Yuma split from the group to make their way back to the house.


    At one point they decided to cut through an alleyway as a shortcut. That was where they were ambushed, the way was blocked by a middle aged man in a business suit.


    Drake was instantly on guard, no way such a well dress man should be hiding in a dirty alley like this. It was just too out of place, something was wrong. The man wore a Heat Key around his neck and a duel disk on his arm. His key had reached the fourth layer of the yellow heart, even high than Drakes own.


    "Apologies boys, but I fear the way ahead is closed. Unless you can defeat me that is."


    Yuma and Drake looked at each other, they could just turn around and take the long way around, but neither of them was the type to run from a challenge.


    "Unless you are scared of course. Perhaps you wish to fight me together?" The man taunted them.


    Yuma stepped forward, ready to accept the challenge, but he was held back by Drakes hand on his shoulder. Drake had a bad feeling, something was wrong here besides the obvious.


    "Let me Yuma."


    "But-"


    "¡­Fine."


    "Just watch, this won''t take long."


    Duel disks set. Duel Gazers activate.


    "Duel!"


    [Turn 1 Chapman LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "I draw, a pity you decided to face me alone. It would have saved my time to defeat you together."


    "That''s some big talk there, I hope your deck can back up your boasting."


    "Ha, my deck holds the greatest power in this world, a power like no other you have ever seen. Behold! I activate the all-powerful !


    "Yuma get back!!"


    Yuma it hit him like a solid blow, knocking him flying several meters back on his bu??. To Drakes relief other than some bruising he seemed to be fine. The power of the Seal had even alerted Astral with the Golden Key, who appeared next to Yuma in concern.


    "Drake what happened?" he asked.


    "It''s the Seal of Orichalcos!"


    On the ground the seal had fully formed, drawing its particular unicursal hexagram star within the circle of runes. A similar seal appeared on the duellists forehead as his eyes took on a menacing red glow.


    "Oh? Have you heard of this card before? ha then you must know that you have no hope of victory. I will take not just your heart light, but your soul itself and then your friend''s, and you will become an offering to the return of the Great Beast."


    Astral could feel the power coming off of the Seal. Drake had not lied; this power was truly comparable to that of the Numbers.


    "In your dreams, now make your move!"


    "Fine, first I summon to the field, when this card is normal summoned I can special summon a level 4 or lower monster in my hand to the field. And I choose my . Thanks to my Seal I now possess two rows to which I can summon my monsters, so I summon my captain to the front rank and my swordsman to the rear in attack mode."


    [Marauding Captain ¨C Warrior Lv3 ATK:1200/DEF:400, Comrade Swordsman of Landstar ¨C Warrior Lv3 ATK:500/DEF:1200]


    The two warriors appear together on the field, one in front of the other. Next the mark of the Orichalcos appeared on their heads, twisting their features into expressions of anger. Their eyes glowing red.


    "Thanks to the power of the Seal, all my monster gain 500 ATK and my swordmans special ability then gives all my Warrior type monster a 400 ATK boost. So both my monster gain 900ATK!"


    [Marauding Captain - ATK:1200 > 2100, Comrade Swordsman of Landstar - ATK:500 > 1400]


    "Next I play the spell this allows me to normal summon another monster this turn, so I summon to the front line and as a warrior it also gains 900 ATK.


    [Marmiting Captain ¨C Warrior Lv3 ATK:1200>2100/DEF:400]


    "My new captain also has a special ability, I shuffle one card from my hand into my deck, then I draw one card. If it''s a monster card I can special summon it. Draw! I special summon a second Marauding Captain to the front line."


    Four monsters, three of them with over 2000 ATK. And with two Marauding Captains on the field their special abilities created the famous Marauding lock!


    "Thanks to Marauding Captain second ability you can''t attack any other warriors I control, so because I now control two of them you can''t declare an attack on any of my monsters! But I am not done."


    "I play the spell now we both draw until we are holding six cards!"


    Blast! Drake thought. No wonder this card got a nerf in the TCG it really was overpowered. He drew one card while his opponent filled his empty hand back to a full 6.


    "I activate the continuous spell this spell gives each of my Warrior type monsters a 200 ATK boost for each Warrior or Spellcaster on the field. So each of my monster gains another 800 ATK."


    [x2 Marauding Captain - ATK:2100 > 2900, Comrade Swordsman of Landstar - ATK:1400 > 2200, Marmiting Captain - ATK:2100 > 2900]


    "Oh no, Drake!!"


    "This is bad Yuma, Drakes opponent has not only blocked his ability to attack, but has called forth a swarm of monster and boosted them to a level comparable to Drakes Blue-Eyes. Each new monster will only further strengthen the others even more. He was even able to restore his depleted hand, this is trouble."


    "Do you feel despair now? Are you consumed by fear? I Chapman will send you to the darkest abyss for the glory of the Great Beast. I set two cards face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 2 Drake LP:4000 Hand:6, Chapman LP:4000 Hand:3]


    "Fear? Despair? With just you? Dream on, I draw!"


    Drake could feel Critias stirring, the presence of the Seal was provoking it, forcing it from its sleep. Drake couldn''t allow it! Critias was still too weak, if it awoke now he might sustain permanent injuries. Drake projected his voice to the depth of his mind.


    "Sleep Critias, I can deal with this, sleep. Trust me."


    Critias seemed to hear him, its struggles turning into back to an uneasy slumber. Drake needed to finish this duel fast. For his sake as well as Critias.


    "I play-"


    "Hold it! I active my face down trap this continuous trap card gives a 500 ATK/DEF boost to monsters on the field when there are other monsters on the field with the same name. So both my Marauding Captains gain another 500 ATK."


    x2 [Marauding Captain - ATK:2900 > 3400]


    "That won''t stop me, I play to destroy your remaining facedown card."


    Storm winds swept across the field to destroy Chapmans card, revealing it as . Chapman was surprised Drake hadn''t tried to destroy the Seal. But he didn''t know that Drake knew full well the powers of the Seal and that it couldn''t be destroyed by card effects.


    Now that the variable was taken care of it was time for the counter attack.


    "Next I play my spell this allows me to draw three cards so long as I then discard two."


    "With this effect I discard my then my white stones effect activates, allowing me to add a to my hand."


    "Next I activate my spell this allows me to send a monster from my deck to the Graveyard. And I choose a second White Stone of Legend, which allows me to add a second Blue-Eyes to my hand."


    Astral and Yuma were mesmerised. They had never seen Drake so focused as he made play after play. He was on fire!


    "From my hand I active fuse the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my hand to fusion summon, the almighty !"


    [Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¨C Lv12 ATK:4500/DEF:3800]


    His great beast filled the alley with its mighty form.


    "Wow, look at that attack Astral. That''s the strongest monster on the field, now Drake can turn this duel around!"


    "Not yet Yuma, remember that because of Chapmans two Marauding Captain, Drakes monster cannot declare an attack on any of the monster on the field."


    "But if he can''t attack then what can Drake do?"


    "I do not know, but watch. I am sure he has a method."


    Indeed he did. It was time to introduce the world to his newest beast.


    "I play the quick spell ! This card splits my dragon back into the three monsters used to summon it, come forth my three Blue-Eyes White Dragons."


    x3 [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    They also could benefit from the power boost of his opponents Aqua Chorus, but it didn''t matter. Drake had a different plan.


    "Why? Blue-Eyes is weaker than Chapmans captains." Yuma complained.


    "But now he has three level 8 monsters on the field, is he¡­"


    "With these three monsters, I now build the Overlay Network. Come forth dragon born of the distant stars, take to the field and unleash your earth shattering power. I XYZ summon, Rank 8 !!!"

 Chapter 9 - Star Fall.

    A short time earlier, at the computer control centre of the WDC and all of Heartland City. All hell had broken loose.


    *BEEEP! BEEEP! BEEEP!*


    Alarms were blaring as warning lights flashed red throughout the room. Numerous operators were trying to talk over each other as new data was coming in.


    "Unknown energy signature detected."


    "Feedback level has reach 40%, 42%, 45% it''s still rising."


    "Incoming duel data is degrading."


    "Network stability is falling, switch to circuit D."


    "Trace it! Lockdown the network node."


    "Location fix at point 56:324:7577"


    "Get me a visual!" Mr Heartland ordered over the conflicting shouts of the technicians and analysts.


    "No available monitoring equipment, no automatons active in target area."


    "Feedback at 62% we''re losing the data feed."


    "Satellite 4 moving into position now, in three, two, one¡­ We have visual."


    The main monitor screen opened a direct video feed from the satellite in high orbit. It was focused on an alleyway in downtown Heartland city and the duel that was happening. As the video came into focus Heartland recognised one of the duellist''s as the one Kite was so interest in. Drake Atlas.


    But what really caught his eye was the green circle containing a six point star that they were duelling in. The readings from the satellites sensors were going off the charts. High energy, exotic particles, abnormal delta radiation. The works.


    "Copy this data to Dr Faker, get me background on those duellists and deploy some people over there right now."


    Mr Heartland watched as Drake summoned his mighty Ultimate dragon, only for him to split the beast back into three. He then formed the Overlay Network to call forth a monster that had never been seen before. The readings on all the sensors suddenly started to spike even higher as Drakes beast flew into the sky, just seconds before the feed was blinded by a brilliant white light and then went dark.


    "Signal with satellite has been lost, I repeat contact lost."


    Heartland felt a chill go down his spine, what on earth was going on here?!!


    ---


    "¡­ I XYZ summon, Rank 8 !!!"


    From the depths of the black vortex a great dragon rose. Its scales were like crystals that had trapped within them the most pure and gentlest of starlight. With a flap of its four great wings it flew into the sky as its three overlay units circled around it like a halo. It was like a vison of holy purity and dragon might rolled into one. A monster of Drakes own design given form and power by the Mirror of Critias.


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:3]


    *ROAR!!*


    It raised its head and roared! Blasting a beam of purest light from its mouth high into the heavens above. Its gleaming blue eyes, like polished sapphires, swept across the field.


    Drakes field only had his new dragon while his opponent had flooded the field with cards empowered with the might of the . Two ''s, a and a . Further empowering them were the continuous spell and the continuous trap .


    [x2 Marauding Captain - ATK:3400, Comrade Swordsman of Landstar - ATK:2200, Marmiting Captain - ATK:2900]


    "So what if you have yourself a new dragon, it''s no stronger than the ones you used to summon it and it still pales compared to the power of the Seal of Orichalcos. What''s more thanks to my two Marauding Captain your monsters can''t attack my monsters."


    Chapman raged as he tried to quell the fear that was rising in his heart. The power coming off Drakes dragons as it was staring you down would induce a feeling of terror even in a strong-willed man.


    Both Yuma and Astral were watching speechlessly, they never knew Drake had such a powerful XYZ monster in his deck, they didn''t know he could XZY summon at all.


    "You''re wrong, this duel is finished. You should never have used the Seal of Orichalcos in front of me, because now I will have no mercy on you."


    "I activate Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragons special ability! By using one Overlay Unit my monster can destroy any monster on the field. Go Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon destroy his Marauding Captain, Star Fall attack!"


    With a snap of its jaws his Starlight dragon consumed one of its Overlay units before flying higher into the air, crimson flames began to pour from its mouth as it bent its neck backwards before whipping it forward and blasting out a massive meteor of flames. Like a force of Nature, it smashed into Chapmans monster destroying it.


    *BOOM!*


    "Aaaarrghhh!"


    [BESD ¨C OU:3>2]


    [Chapman LP > 3000]


    "Oh I forgot to mention this, but if the overlay unit I sent to the Graveyard to activate this effect is a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, then when your monster is destroyed by this effect you suffer 1000 points of damage."


    "Naturally this power comes at a price, when Starlight dragon uses its effect it cannot attack on that turn."


    Chapman felt some relief at that, with the loss of his monster all his other monster would lose some attack points and it had broken his attack lock. But if Drakes dragon couldn''t attack anyway, then he would have a chance to turn thing back in his favour on the next turn.


    "What are you smiling for? Did you think I could only use my dragon''s ability once per turn¡­?"


    What?!


    "Starlight Dragon, destroy the second Marauding Captain, Star Fall!"


    *BOOM!*


    [BESD ¨C OU:2>1]


    [Chapman LP > 2000]


    Again, Chapman lost a monster in a fiery explosion as well as another 1000 life points.


    "Third times the charm! Now destroy his Marmiting Captain with Star Fall!


    *BOOM!!!*


    [BESD ¨C OU:1>0]


    [Chapman LP > 1000]


    "Urrrgh¡­."


    [Comrade Swordsman of Landstar - ATK:2200 > 1600]


    "Look at that Astral, now although his Starlight dragon can''t attack Drake has broken the attack lock and is the strongest monster on the field."


    "Indeed."


    "¡­This can''t be, the Seal of Orichalcos¡­ is invincible, you can''t¡­ defeat¡­ me¡­."


    Chapman wasn''t looking so good. The impact of three Star Falls had beaten him up pretty badly. But Drake had no mercy for those that knowingly use the power of the accursed Seal. For those that would willingly hunt the souls of others as a sacrifice.


    "Finally I activate the spell

 Chapter 10 - Duelling the Ghoul.

    It was the third day of the WDC Preliminary round, the sun was high in the sky and Drake was enjoying an ice cream. There hadn''t been any more incidents so far today and Drake had realised his previous mistaken ?ssumption.


    There was no way someone using the Seal would do so in such a crowded park or in a popular duel venue, they would keep to the back alleys, the disused warehouses and other areas where it would be easy to hide.


    You can''t steal a person''s soul in front of hundreds of people and cameras, and expect to get away with it.


    So Drake didn''t worry so much here in the open. He could just relax and watch Yuma Duel while eating his ice cream.


    Yum, mint choc chip.


    ---


    "¡­ I activate special ability, I use one Overlay unit to remove an overlay unit from your , then all my Djinn gain 500 ATK points."


    [Temtempo the Percussion Djinn OU: 2 > 1, Grenosaurus OU:1 > 0]


    "I''m gonna Jet! Temtempo attacks your Grenosaurus!"


    [TtPD ATK:2200 > Gren ATK:2000 Challenger LP > 1800]


    "My dinosaur, No!!"


    "Melomelody finish it with a direct attack!"


    [MtBD ATK:1900 - Challenger LP: > 0]


    "Look like I was the one that went extinct¡­." Yuma''s defeated opponent left to find easier prey, he only had one Heart Light left and was close to being eliminated.


    "Great going Yuma! Another win in the bag."


    Yuma''s friends were cheering at the side, those that had participated in the carnival had already been eliminated over the last three days apart from his friend Bronk, who was now on five pink heart lights. Yuma had reached the third level of the Yellow heart.


    Having seen so much of Drakes skills over these past couple of days Yuma valued Drakes opinion almost as much as Astral''s, who had been laying low since these duels didn''t involve the Numbers.


    "I think you could have won a couple of turns sooner if you didn''t misplay your Gogogo Golem at the start of the duel. Other than that¡­ I think you did fine."


    "How did I misplay him?" Yuma asked.


    "Well if you had¡­ incoming Yuma, looks like you already have another challenger." Drake noticed an approaching duellist heading for them.


    "Maybe he wants to fight you?"


    "He was watching your last three duels, so I''m pretty sure he wants to fight you now that he has studied your deck for so long."


    "What?!" "Cheater!" "Watch out Yuma!"


    The whole group got worked up over Drakes statement.


    "It''s not cheating, that''s why I don''t go all out and keep it simple in these small-time duels." Drake explained.


    "Duel me¡­.."


    What was with this guy?


    Pale lifeless skin, deep sunken eyes and dressed in a hooded black robe. Even his voice had a creepy rasp. If ever there was a poster boy for a zombie horror show then he was standing right here.


    "Ahhh!" the girls obviously agreed with Drakes own judgment.


    "You are right¡­. to fear me¡­"


    "I''m not afraid! What''s your name?!"


    "Segnir¡­"


    "Alright Segnir, lets duel!"


    "Duel Disk set! Duel Gazer on!"


    "As the challenged I go first, so I draw! Next I set a monster card, your move!"


    [Turn 2 ¨C Segnir LP:4000 Hand 5, Yuma LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "You will know¡­ Terror¡­ Draw."


    "Play ¡­ discard one, all monster... in hand¡­ level down two¡­"


    "Can''t you just talk normally?" Yuma cried.


    What was it with his guys speech, was he trying for creepiest voice of the year? Even the watching Drake didn''t know if this was how the guy normally spoke or if it was just a phycological tactic to put his opponents off their game.


    "Activate¡­ ¡­ Draw three¡­ discard two."


    "Summon.. ."


    [Zombie Master : Lv4>2 ATK:1800/DEF:0]


    "Activate special ability¡­ Discard card and Special summon "


    [Gozuki Lv4>2 ATK:1700/DEF:800]


    "Activate Gozuki effect¡­ send ... from deck to grave. Overlay¡­ oracle of death¡­ messenger of destruction¡­ XYZ Summon¡­ Rank 2 !"


    [Number 45: Crumble Logos the Prophet of Demolition ¨C Rank 2 ATK:2200/DEF:0 OU:2]


    An undead centaur took to the field on golden hoofs, an open book in its hand, its number emblazoned on its white and black armour over its ?h?st.


    "A Number?!!"


    "Heh heh heh¡­ Tremble."


    Segnir raised his right hand forward like a claw, the number 45 glowing on his palm in a neon purple.


    "Tremble in fear before my power. Hear the words of death as they foretell your fall."


    Naturally the Numbers presence alerted Astral, who took but a moment to appear. He didn''t want to help Yuma against an ordinary duellist because it had nothing to do with his mission. But a Numbers duel was different.


    "You ready to duel Astral!"


    "Always Yuma."


    "I attack your face down with Number 45, go Words of Darkness"


    "You attacked my , your monster may have more attacked attack points but when its is in defence mode my golems ability prevents it from being destroyed in battle once per turn."


    [Gogogo Golem ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1500]


    [N45 ATK:2200 > GG DEF:1500]


    "All that stands must eventually fall, I set one card face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 3 ¨C Yuma LP:4000 Hand:5, Segnir LP:4000 Hand 1]


    "Now Yuma you know what you must do."


    "Right Astral, I''m gonna Jet, draw! Now I summon to the field."


    [Ganbara Knight - Lv4 ATK:0/DEF:1800]


    "Then with my Gogogo Golem and my Ganbara Knight I build the Overlay Network! Appear !!"


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2500/DEF:2000]


    At last Drake got to see the famous Number, clad in gold trimmed white armour, wielding his twin golden blades, Utopia. Drake was ready to personally see what he could do. Everyone in Yuma''s group cheered up with the appearance of his signature Number.


    "Foolish, I active my face down, the spell it switches your Utopia to facedown defence mode."


    Now that Utopia was in face down not only couldn''t Yuma attack with it, he couldn''t activate Utopia''s special ability either.


    "Yuma we must shore up our defence."


    "I know Astral, I set one card face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 4 ¨C Segnir LP:4000 Hand 1, Yuma LP:4000 Hand:4]


    "Truth is fantasy, dreams are lies, hope is an illusion, only the end is eternal. I draw."


    Yuma was looking a bit flustered at all this talk of doom and gloom. Drake couldn''t help but idly wonder just how much influence a Number had over its holders personality, or was it the personality of the user that created the Numbers form. Ever since Segnir had played his Number he seemed to have become much more talkative, especially when it came to these bits of dark poetry. Number 45¡­ the Prophet of Demolition.


    On the other hand Yuma''s first Number Card was Utopia whose original name could translate into Aspiring Emperor Hope, or something along those lines. It didn''t explain all the Numbers but it was something Drake could ponder over later, for now it seemed Yuma was in trouble.


    "I play to send from my deck to graveyard. Then I activate the effect of in my graveyard. By banishing it I can special summon from the Grave. Next my Vampire''s effect activates. When its summoned I can pay 1000 Life Points to special summon another vampire from my Graveyard. So join us ."


    [Vampire Scarlet Scourge ¨C Lv6 ATK:2200/DEF:2200, Vampire Grace ¨C Lv6 ATK:2000/DEF:1200]


    [Segnir LP > 3000]


    "All returns to dust, I activate Vampire Grace''s special ability, I use it to force you to send one monster in your deck to the Grave."


    "What?! Oh no." Yuma was indecisive as he pulled out his deck to select the card.


    "Don''t panic Yuma, this can in fact be turned to our advantage. Choose that card." Said Astral pointing to a particular card in Yuma''s deck.


    "Now I Overlay my two vampires. Come forth blood thirsty beast, bathed in crimson moon light. I XYZ summon !"


    "He has a second Number?!"


    *ROAR*


    The dark dragon screamed its malicious cry.


    [Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon ¨C Rank 6 ATK:2400/DEF:2800 OU:2]


    "Blood is life, Blood is death, I play the spell , by removing 2 Overlay Units from Dragulas I can draw two cards."


    [Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon - OU: 2 > 0 ]


    "Now Crumble Logos attack his face down Utopia, Words of Darkness!"


    [N45 ATK:2200 > N39 DEF:2000]


    "Now Yuma!"


    "I activate the effect of in my graveyard, by banishing this card I can stop your attack. I guess I should say thanks, because it was the effect of your own Vampire Grace which let me put this guy into the grave in the first place."


    Nice play Drake thought, not only had Yuma stopped the attack but he had also turned Utopia face up which would allow him to activate its special ability.


    "What was, will be. What is, will be no more. I activate A second book of moon from my hand, so I turn Utopia face down again."


    "Now what do I do?" Yuma cried.


    "You suffer, Number 24 attack Utopia with Bloody Breath!"


    [N24 ATK:2400 > N39 DEF:2000]


    Utopia was destroyed, but at least Yuma''s Life Points were still safe.


    "I set a monster face down. The end of my turn merely marks the beginning of your fall."


    [Turn 5 ¨C Yuma LP:4000 Hand:4, Segnir LP:3000 Hand 0]


    "This duel is far from over, I draw!"


    "Yuma you have the cards we need, you must summon a Number card."


    "But the only Number I can summon with these would be¡­!! Astral are you sure?"


    "Yes we have no choice."


    "But last time¡­"


    "It will be alright."


    Drake couldn''t help but wonder what the two of them were talking about, it sounded like there was some problem with the card Astral wanted to use. But the only Number Drake knew of that could have a problem would be¡­ could it be that one?"


    "From my hand I activate the effect of my by discarding my from my hand I can special summon Acorno to the field. Then because I discarded Pinecono it can special summon itself from the graveyard.


    [Acorno ¨C Lv1 ATK:200/DEF:400, Pinecono ¨C Lv1 ATK:400/DEF:200]


    "Then I summon from my hand."


    [Darklon ¨C Lv1 ATK:100/DEF:100]


    "This little guys special ability allow it on the turn it is summoned, to increase the level of all my monsters by one and transforms them into Dark attributed monsters."


    [Acorno ¨C Lv1 > 2, Pinecono ¨C Lv1 > 2, Darklon ¨C Lv1 > 2]


    "Then with these three monsters I build the Overlay Network. I XYZ summon !"


    [Number 96: Dark Mist ¨C Rank 2 ATK:100/DEF:1000 OU:3]


    Number 96¡­ this was a Number that could not be trusted. Even if Drake only knew of this card from fiction he would not make the mistake of underestimating it. From what Astral and Yuma had discussed before this card surely must share close ties with its counterpart that Drake was familiar with. He hoped this move wouldn''t come back to haunt them later.


    This card was dangerous.


    "Darkness is nothing, darkness is all. You hold the truth yet you do not embrace it, but soon your Numbers will be mine."


    "Dream on! I attack your Vampiric Dragon with Dark Mist, Whiplash Whirlwind! And when Dark Mist attacks I can use one Overlay unit, then your monster loses half of its attack and Dark Mist gains the same amount. Go Shadow Gain!"


    [Number 96: Dark Mist ¨C ATK:100 > 1300, OU:3>2, Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon ¨C ATK:2400 > 1200]


    [N96 ATK:1300 > N24 ATK:1200, Segnir LP > 2900]


    "When Dragulas is sent to the graveyard it returns to the field facedown, for the darkness is my shepherded and through it I am eternal."


    "Ergh¡­ his monsters just keep coming back to life."


    "Yuma, set a card faced down."


    "Right, then I end my turn."


    [Turn 6 ¨C Segnir LP:2900 Hand 0, Yuma LP:4000 Hand:1]


    "I draw."


    "The endless abyss consumes all, I activate the ability of Number 45: Crumble Logos. I use one overlay unit to negate the effects of a monster you control until end of turn. Go Words of Weakness."


    [Number 45: Crumble Logos the Prophet of Demolition - OU: 2 > 1]


    The only monster Yuma had was Dark Mist, with its abilities negated it could no longer increase its attack, it had even lost its Number protection.


    "Then I flip Dragulas to attack mode, this activates its second ability. I destroy one card on the field, I chose the face down card on the right. Crimson Blood slash!"


    A slash of blood lashed out from the dragon to shatter Yuma''s card. But before it could reach its target, Yuma activated it.


    "I active my this halves all damage I take this turn."


    "The path of the faithful will be paved with fortune, I play , I draw 1 card for each face-up Xyz Monster on the field. So I draw three."


    "I summon and flip my that was set on the field to attack mode."


    [Blue-Blooded Oni ¨C Lv4 ATK:1000/DEF:1700, Yellow-Bellied Oni ¨C Lv4 ATK:1000/DEF:1000]


    "Now I activate the spell and discard from my hand, then my two Oni''s level becomes the discarded monsters level until end of turn. Since Despair from the Dark is level 8, their levels also become 8."


    [Blue-Blooded Oni ¨C Lv4 > 8, Yellow-Bellied Oni ¨C Lv4 > 8]


    "Troubles comes in threes, I use my two Oni to build the overlay unit and XYZ summon !"


    [Number 22: Zombiestein ¨C Rank 8 ATK:4500/DEF:1000 OU:2]


    A third Number! This was looking very bad for Yuma and Astral, especially with this one having 4500 ATK.


    "Zombiestein, crush this child''s hopes of victory and attack Dark Mist with Zombie-Fist!"


    "Don''t forget, the effect of my Damage Diet cuts the damage I receive in half this turn."


    [N22 ATK:4500 > N96 ATK:1300 - Yuma LP > 2400 (3200/2 = 1600)


    *Bang*


    Zombiesteins giant punch blasted Dark Mist apart like rotten fruit, its impact sending shockwaves towards Yuma.


    "Aaahhh!"


    Yuma was sent flying by the force of the blow, he was struggling to stay conscious and his body was uncontrollably shaking. The power of three Numbers was just so overwhelming. Astral was very worried as his own light began to dim.


    "I attack you directly with Dragulas, Bloody Breath!"


    "Yuma activate your trap!"


    "Yuma!" everyone else was shouting in concern as Yuma lay on the floor.


    He wasn''t in time, he tried but in spite of Astral''s shout Yuma was unable to move his body and activate his last facedown in time.


    [N24 ATK:2400 - Yuma LP > 1200 (2400/2 = 1200)]


    Yuma was once again sent flying and Drake had to stop himself from making a move, his fists tightly clenched. He couldn''t interfere, this wasn''t an Orichalcos duel, they had to win on their own. Otherwise they would never be able to face the troubles that were yet to come. If anyone could pull of a miracle these two could.


    "Finish this Crumble Logos, attack with Words of Darkness!"


    [N45 ATK:2200 - Yuma LP > 100 (2200/2 = 1100)]


    "HA HA HA, the end is nigh. Make your move, if you even can move that is. I end my turn."


    Yuma felt his vision fading to black.

 Chapter 11 - Evolution.

    [Turn 7 ¨C Yuma LP:100 Hand:1, Segnir LP:2900 Hand 0]


    Things were really looking bad for Yuma and Astral. They only had a hundred life points left and one set card. Meanwhile their opponent had three Number cards, if not for Yuma''s use of the trap Damage Diet last turn this duel would already be over.


    [Number 45: Crumble Logos the Prophet of Demolition ¨C ATK:2200/DEF:0 OU:1, Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon ¨C ATK:2400/DEF:2800 OU:0, Number 22: Zombiestein ¨C ATK:4500/DEF:1000 OU:2]


    What made matters even worse was the state Yuma and Astral were in¡­


    Both of them had been floored by the last round of attacks and Astral was fading in and out like an old lightbulb on the blink. Yuma was only a little better off, he was covered in scratches, his clothes were dirty and torn. It looked like he could b?r?ly move, in fact he had been physically unable to active his facedown on the last turn.


    Drake didn''t know what card it was, but since Astral had told Yuma to play it, then it must have been useful. But in the end he hadn''t been able to and Drake didn''t know if it could help now.


    "If you are not going to move then you might as well give up, embrace your weakness and surrender to the darkness." Segnir wasted no opportunity to mock his opponent''s weakness.


    "I¡­ won''t¡­ quit. Never!"


    "Ha! And just what do you think you can do. Just surrender to your fate."


    "I¡­ believe in¡­ my deck, and it¡­ won''t let me down. I won''t give up. And you won''t win. I draw!"


    Yuma tried to focus on his cards in hand, his vision shifting in an out of focus. It felt like any minute he could black out.


    "Yuma! You can do this!" Drake shouted out his own encouragement.


    "I play this lets me draw three card then I must discard two."


    Yuma looked at his cards as he drew, he had the spell in hand and had just drawn , and . With these cards he had a plan and discarded his two chosen cards.


    "Yuma, with these cards we have everything we need to achieve victory. Now active our face down."


    "Right Astral, I active my face down trap with this card I can revive a Xyz monster from my grave and then attach my trap to it as an Overlay Unit. Return to us now, Number 39 Utopia!"


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2500/DEF:2000 OU:1]


    Yuma''s ace monster rose from the Graveyard on its white wings. Its very presence giving courage and hope to those watching. If felt like anything was possible.


    "Yeah? Well this candle is going to burn like the sun, I''m gonna Jet!"


    "From my hand I activate the spell this card allows me to increase Utopia ATK and DEF by 1000 until my next turn!"


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨CATK:2500/DEF:2000 > 3500/3000]


    "Now Utopia attack Number 45: Crumble Logos, Rising Sun Wind Slash!"


    [N39 ATK:3500 > N45 ATK:2200]


    "Now I activate Utopia''s effect, my using one Overlay Unit I can negate my attack, go Light Wing Shield!"


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C OU: 1 > 0]


    After negating utopias attack, Yuma could then play his Double or Nothing, which would double Utopias attack points and allow it to attack again and win the duel!


    "I activate Number 45''s effect, Words of Weakness! By using one overlay unit your monster losses all its special abilities while this card is on the field."


    "What?! He can use that on my turn!? But that means¡­"


    "Utopias attack continues!"


    [N39 ¨C ATK:3500 > N45 ¨C ATK:2200 Segnir LP > 1600]


    "Urrrgh¡­ but since Number 45 is on longer on the field, that means Utopia regains its abilities. I end my turn."


    "It doesn''t matter if it doesn''t have any Overlay units, this is the end not only of your turn but this duel."


    "In your dreams!" Yuma shouted even as he struggled to remain standing.


    [Turn 8 ¨C Segnir LP:1600 Hand 0, Yuma LP:100 Hand:1]


    "I draw, the end is here. Now Number 22 crush Utopia and end this duel! Zombie-Fist!"


    [N22 ¨C ATK:4500 > N39 ¨C ATK:3500]


    "Just stop your pointless struggles and accept your defeat. I play by paying 800 Life points I equip this spell to a monster in my Graveyard and bring it back to the field. So I return to the field. Then I switch Dragulas to defence mode and end my turn."


    [Despair from the Dark ¨C Lv8 ATK:2800/DEF:3000, Segnir LP > 800]


    Sengir was mad, on his next turn he would crush Yuma, if necessary he would use Zombiestein''s effect to negates Utopia''s before destroying it with Despair¡­


    [Turn 9 ¨C Yuma LP:100 Hand:1, Segnir LP:800 Hand 0]


    "Since its now your turn, the effect of your Blustering Winds ends and your Utopia''s attack returns to normal." Segnir reminded Yuma.


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨CATK:3500/DEF:3000 > 2500/2000]


    This was it, the outcome of this entire duel hinged on this draw. Yuma knew it all came down to this.


    "Alright! I..I¡­"


    Suddenly Yuma was hit by a bout of weakness, he felt faint, his vision started to fade and he could feel himself slowly begin to fall forward. He had pushed himself too much and was now paying the price.


    ---


    Yuma was standing in darkness walking on a narrow pathway above a deep dark abyss, far below the only illumination came from the crimson storm clouds which raged with ruby lightning. He couldn''t think, couldn''t remember, where he was or how he got here. He just moved forwards, he had to keep moving forward, that was all he could think of now. He mustn''t stop, he just continued to endlessly walk along the narrow path.


    "Whoever opens this door will obtain a new power, but know that with such a reward comes great risk."


    A deep voice echoed around him. A familiar voice, a familiar phrase that awoke him from his daze.


    Yuma lifted his head and he could see in front of him a massive diabolical gateway that was chained closed. Its relief carving shaped as a demonic face with great horns and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Yuma suddenly remembered where he was, that he had been here before, before he had first met Astral, this was the Door from his dreams.


    Astral!


    He remembered he had been in a duel, what had happened?


    "Whoever opens this door will obtain a new power, but know that such a reward comes with great risk." the Door repeated.


    "But I already opened you before, with my key¡­!" Yuma suddenly stopped as he looked down at his ?h?st.


    "Some doors can lead to many places. Somethings are sealed by many locks. But not all keys can open them, if you seek to open this door, do you have the key to do so?" the Door asked.


    "I don''t know! But I know I need to get back to the duel, I can''t just be stuck here."


    New voices began to echo in the darkness, images, no memories circling around him. Segnir, Shark, Kite, Number 96. Dark and sinister they attack him like a living thing.


    "All that stands must eventually fall¡­. dreams are lies, hope is an illusion¡­ what is, will be no more¡­ darkness is all¡­ you might as well give up, embrace your weakness and surrender."


    "¡­You''re about to feel the pain¡­ you and your Number will be hunted down¡­ little fool¡­"


    "¡­You''re not even in the same league as Shark¡­ Maybe you''ll learn your lesson, don''t pick fights you can''t win¡­"


    "..This is no simple nightmare¡­hahahaha¡­"


    "SHUT UP!!" Yuma cried.


    Dark thoughts ?ssaulted him, putting him down, seeking to crush his spirit. Telling him to give up, smothering him with despair as they drained away his strength.


    "Yuma. You can do this." a soft voice cut through the darkness, followed by more, by golden images of the people who knew him, trusted him, believed in him.


    "Drake, Cathy, Flip, Bronk, Tori, Akari, Astral, Dad¡­"


    The golden memories began to banish the darkness around him, he wouldn''t ever give up, he had too many people depending on him, believing in him. He was going to duel and he was going to win. It was time to JET!


    "Whoever opens this door will obtain a new power, power that can change the world, but know that such a reward comes with great risk. Do you have the courage to seek this power?"


    The light gathered into Yuma''s hand and formed into his Golden Key.


    "I am not afraid and nothing is going to stop me! So here I come!"


    He jumped forward and plunged his key into the door, the chains snapped and radiant golden light leaked from the crack before the doors were flung open, drowning Yuma in radiance.


    "Some doors can lead to many places. Somethings are sealed by many locks, till we meet again¡­"


    Yuma felt the light be absorbed into his body, a new warm power flowing within him.


    ---


    "YUMA!!" everyone cried out.


    As Drake saw Yuma about to collapse, he was prepared to make his move, Astral and the others couldn''t believe what was happening as they cried out. This final turn would determine everything, he couldn''t just fall here could he? Segnir''s laughter rang out, he could see his victory in front of him. The Numbers would be his and another would fall in tribute to his faith, Darkness was his truth, his dream and his goal.


    Brilliant light suddenly shined out from Yuma''s Golden Key as he stomped his leg forward and recovered his footing. The sudden change caught everyone by surprise. They looked at Yuma and all they could see was a new flowing strength and confidence as he opened his eyes.


    Drake stopped. He could feel it, the sudden change in the air. As if the world had suddenly shifted and he trembled in anticipation. Show me what you''ve got Yuma, he thought as he unclenched his fists.


    "Don''t think you are getting rid of me that easy Segnir. Its time for me to finish this duel, so get ready!"


    "Yuma are you alright?"


    "I''m fine Astral, better than fine so let''s do this!"


    "Just give up you brat!" screamed Segnir.


    Golden light appeared around Yuma''s hand.


    "No chance! Now I''m gonna Jet to victory! Go Shining Draw!"


    Astral and Drake were amazed, what kind of power was this they could sense?


    "From my hand I play the spell by selecting an Xyz monster on your side of the field and one on mine, so I chose Utopia and Zombiestein! I first remove all the Overlay Units on your monster and then I add this spell card to Utopia as an Overlay Unit."


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C OU: 0 > 1, Number 22: Zombiestein ¨C OU: 2 > 0]


    "Alright Segnir its time to show you the power of Shining Evolution!"


    "What?!"


    "I can now use Utopia to rebuild the Overlay Network. Go Shining Xyz Evolution! When shadows engulf the lands, a ray of hope will descend to illuminate the darkness! Come forth Shining Number 39: Utopia Prime!"


    Utopia rose up into the sky. Disappearing into a golden vortex before it returned, descending back to the field in its new shining form like the brilliant sun. Eight glorious glowing wings created a halo like effect at Utopia''s back, as it wielded its single blazing sword.


    [Number S39 Utopia Prime ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2510/DEF:2000 OU:2]


    "And what good do you think a measly 10 extra attack points will do? Its still no match for my Numbers."


    "Just wait and see! Next from my graveyard I activate the effect of my once per duel I can attach this monster from the Graveyard to one of my Utopia Xyz monsters as an Overlay Unit. So now Utopia Prime gains its third Overlay Unit"


    [Number S39 Utopia Prime ¨COU:2 > 3]


    Astral could only watch on as Yuma made his moves and smile, this was Yuma''s time to shine.


    "Because my life points are less than a 1000, I activate Utopia Prime''s special ability! By detaching three Overlay Units and reducing my own life points down to 10, it can destroy all your special summoned monsters and banish them. And for each one you then suffer 300 damage. Go Utopia Prime! Shining Purge!"


    [Number S39 Utopia Prime ¨C OU:3 > 0, Yuma LP > 10]


    "Since all Xyz summoning''s count as special summons, both your Numbers and your Despair from the Dark which was special summoned from the grave will be banished and you will then take 900 damage! That means this duel is over Segnir, its time to see the light!"


    "No!!!"


    The three Overlay Units orbiting Utopia Prime were absorbed into the jewel on its ?h?st, its arrow like wings began to shine with blinding power. Then rays of light shot out like lasers and struck down onto Segnir''s field, destroying all his monster before focusing on Segnir himself.


    *BANG*


    [Segnir LP > 0]


    Segnir was sent flying and collapsed in a heap, Astral proceeded to take the Number cards while Yuma was surrounded by his cheering friends. Drake took the opportunity to go buy everyone an ice cream. Things were looking up.


    ---


    "Ah there you are Kite."


    Mr Heartland was waiting in an upscale restaurant when Kite finally showed up, he had been called for several hours ago, but unless it involved Hart, then Kite was rarely punctual to Heartlands summons.


    "What do you want Heartland, I''m busy."


    Around Kites neck hung a Heart Key with 7 Green Heart Lights.


    "I know you are my boy, busy wining duels and hunting Numbers, you''re already so close to finishing the Green Heart so I''m sure it won''t be long now until you complete the Golden Heart. Do you want some lunch? The steak here is fantastic."


    "Get on with it."


    "Here you go then, gifts from your father. The results of his best research yet."


    Heartland pulled out a metallic box from his jacket and tossed it over to Kite, who opened it to reveal a number of brand-new duel monster cards.


    *Humph*


    "Don''t be like that Kite, just look at what your father has come up with. Can you say they aren''t powerful?"


    Kite examined the cards in detail before he answered.


    "His achievements as a scientist have never been in any doubt, only his qualification as a father."


    Kite picked out a particular new kind of spell card to look at it closely.


    "Rank up magic¡­"


    With these new cards he would crush Drake and anyone else who stood between him and the Numbers that could save Hart.

 Chapter 12 - Terror of the Deep

    After the group finished their ice creams Drake insisted on taking Yuma home, it was only midday but after that last duel Drake knew Yuma was in no condition to continue today. It also gave Drake a chance to continue with his real mission.


    So after dropping Yuma off, he began to hunt for users of the Seal of Orichalcos.


    He hunted around the back alleys, the abandoned warehouses, subways and other out of the way places. Those places without crowds, or cameras, or bots. And he found a surprising amount of lowlife duellists with underhanded ambitions and Heart Keys, which he naturally crushed, but unfortunately no Seal users.


    There was also some of the more unpleasant elements which wanted things like simple theft or violence. But since Drake had a body granted to him by the Legendary Dragons, although he was no Superman, he had no problems dealing with them. He considered it a civic duty as he helped cleaned up the city of the riffraff.


    It wasn''t a total waste of time, he had managed to fill his Heart Key a fair bit and he now had a single green Heart Light, 19 more wins and he would have a golden heart. But more importantly he had also managed to pick up a three more Number Cards, which he immediately used to hasten Critias''s recovery.


    It was evening now and Drake was walking down an empty street as if he was just asking for trouble. In a way he was, but he had another purpose. After interrogating some of the disreputable duellists he had beat, he had heard about an infamous informant that was supposed to operate around these parts. If you wanted to know something about the cities underworld or to track down some ''exotic'' goods, this was the man you wanted to talk to.


    Drake wasn''t willing to risk Akari and have her investigate for him, but he still had a fair number of gems. So he thought about trying his luck on the information black market, if he could actually find this guy that is, he was supposedly famous for his hideous taste in orange clothing.


    *BANG*


    Drake heard the sound of something crashing into a trash can from an alley to his right, just seconds before a skinny dude in a orange tracksuit came running out. Bingo! One terrified information broker running right practically into his ??p. For once it turned out to be pretty easy to find the guy he wanted.


    The guy spotted Drake almost immediately and actually threw himself at Drakes legs, begging as he threw glances behind him.


    "Please help me!"


    "You want him?" Drake calmly asked while pointing to the trembling figure at his feet.


    "Yes, so just walk away."


    Drake ignored him for the moment, if he wanted information there was a better person here to ask.


    "I told you everything I know already¡­ Please! Let me go!"


    "What does he want to know?" Drake asked the wailing informant.


    "Will..will you help me?"


    "Tell me what he wants and I will think about it." Drake promised.


    "He.. he wants information on things called Number Cards, they-"


    "I know what they are."


    "Have you already collected them?" Drake asked Shark.


    "Oh, so your interest in the Numbers too? Perhaps you already have one?" Shark asked in a predatory way.


    Drake took that as a yes and turned once more to the informant, if he had already given Shark all the info he had on the Numbers then there was only one thing he wanted to ask now.


    "You ever heard of the Seal of Orichalcos? Or of duellists entering comas after losing duels in strange circles of green light?"


    "Huh?"


    Guess not. This guy didn''t seem to be faking, how disappointing.


    "Then scram." Drake said as he kicked the man away without turning his attention away from Shark.


    "Hand over your Number if you know what good for you." Shark demanded.


    "And if I don''t?" Drake was amused, an ordinary person might be intimidated, but not him.


    "Oh, I have an idea Reginald, or do you prefer the name Shark?"


    He ignored Drakes question, just giving Drake a glare. Fine Shark it was then.


    "Then lets Duel!"


    [Turn 1 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "My move, I draw! I play and draw 2 more cards."


    "From my hand I activate the field spell not only does this card give water attributed monsters a 200 point boost, but it also reduces their levels on the field and in our hands by 1."


    The space surrounding them became filled with virtual flowing water as ancient ruins and coral rose from the ground and buildings around them.


    "From my hand I Summon my , thanks to my field spell this monster is now a level 4 monster and does not need a tribute."


    [Eagle Shark ¨C Lv5 ATK:1100/DEF:2000 > Lv4 ATK:1300/DEF:2200]


    [Panther Shark ¨C Lv5 ATK:1000/DEF:1800 > Lv4 ATK:1200/DEF:2000]


    "Now whoever you are, I end my turn with two facedown."


    [Turn 2 - Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Shark LP:4000 Hand:2]


    "Well since you want to know, the names Drake. I Draw."


    Looking at his hand Drake felt it was time to show off another of his original creations.


    "From my hand I summon the mighty !"


    [Blue-Eyes Kuriboh - Lv1 ATK:300/DEF:200]


    "What the blazes is that!?" Shark exclaimed. The monster that appeared was just so outrageous.


    "Kuri! Kuri!"


    It looked basically like a Kuriboh in a cardboard Cos play dragon suit of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Tuffs of its brown fur stuck out through the gaps in the costume and its purple eyes fiercely looking through the cut out eye holes.


    "You shouldn''t underestimate my monster, its quite the actor. When Blue-Eyes Kuriboh is on the field or in the Graveyard its effect allows me to treat its name as Blue-Eyes White Dragon. And now I play fuse the Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand with my Blue-Eyes Kuriboh to Fusion summon the !"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ¨C Lv10 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    This beast could only be fusion summon by using two Blue-Eyes White Dragons, but fortunately Drakes Blue-Eyes Kuriboh could be a substitute so long as it was on the field.


    "Now my Twin Burst Dragon, attack Eagle Shark!"


    "It''s time to kick up a storm, I activate my face down trap ! This card stops your attack and then deals 800 damage for each face-up Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua-Type monster I control. So since I control two you now receive 1600 points of damage."


    A surging wave of water crashed into Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragons attack stopping it in its tracks before smashing into Drake.


    [Drake LP > 2400]


    "If you think I''m washed up then you''re far from the truth. My dragon can attack twice each turn. So I attack again, go Twin Stream of Destruction!"


    "Fine, I set one face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 3 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:2, Drake LP:2400 Hand:2]


    "I draw, next I summon . When summoned my sharks effect reduces the levels of all my level 4 fish type monsters by 1."


    [Double Shark - Lv4 ATK:1200/DEF:1600 > Lv3 ATK:1400/DEF:1800]


    "So thanks to my legendary ocean both my Panther Shark and Eagle Sharks which are level 4 now become level 3."


    [Eagle Shark ¨C Lv4 > 3, Panther Shark ¨C Lv4 > 3]


    "From the raging depths I unleash a true terror, with my level three Panther Shark and Eagle Shark I build the Overlay Network. I Xyz Summon rank 3 !"


    [Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C Rank 3 ATK:2000/DEF:2000 OU:2 > ATK:2200/DEF:2200]


    "I now use my monsters second effect, by using one Overlay Unit, one of my monsters can attack you directly this turn, but my other monsters cannot attack. I select my Double Shark."


    [Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C OU:2 > 1]


    Not a bad play Drake thought, Double Shark had another effect too, it could attack twice each turn meaning it could deal him a total 2800 points of direct damage. With only 2400 Life points that would end the duel.


    "Attack my Double Shark, strike his life points directly!"


    "Not a chance, I active my trap by sacrificing a dragon type monster I can destroy all monsters on the field with equal or less defence than the sacrificed monsters ATK. I sacrifice my Twin Burst Dragon to destroy all the monsters on the field."


    Drakes Twin Burst Dragon took a deep breath unleashing a crimson sea of flames across the field, which burned Sharks monsters to ash before it was consumed in its own blaze.


    "Urgh¡­ your luck won''t last forever. I finish with a facedown."


    [Turn 4 - Drake LP:2400 Hand:2, Shark LP:4000 Hand:1]


    That was close, but now Sharks field was clear for a direct attack.


    "I draw. I play , this spell card allows me to draw three but then I must discard two."


    Drake drew his cards and made his choice to discard.


    "I discarded , this cards effect allows me to add a Blue-Eyes White Dragon to my hand."


    "Now I summon in attack mode."


    [Assault Wyvern ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1000]


    "I attack you directly with Assault Wyvern!"


    "That''s what you think, I activate the continuous trap , with this card on the field monsters that are level 4 or higher cannot declare a direct attack."


    A screen of bubbles blasted out of the trap card to intercept Drakes dragon and stop the attack.


    "I end my turn by playing one face down."


    [Turn 5 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:1, Drake LP:2400 Hand:2]


    "Draw! Then I summon , when this card is summoned it can special summon from my grave in defence mode but its effects are negated.


    [Double Fin Shark - Lv4 ATK:1000/DEF:1200 > Lv3 ATK:1200/DEF:1400, Double Shark - Lv4 ATK:1200/DEF:1600 > Lv3 ATK:1400/DEF:1800]


    "I set a card face down and end my turn."


    Shark was calm and confident, he had the advantage and he was almost ready for his final attack to begin. Nothing would stand between him and his goal, once he gathered enough Numbers it would be easy to get his revenge.


    [Turn 6 - Drake LP:2400 Hand:2, Shark LP:4000 Hand:0]


    "I Draw."


    Drake couldn''t do much with what he currently had in hand and Shark still has a face down, but Drake wouldn''t let it stop him.


    "Assault Wyvern attack Double Fin Shark!"


    "I activate my trap until the end of turn level 3 and lower water monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, that means my Double Fin is not destroyed."


    "But you still take 600 points of damage."


    [AW ATK:1800 > DFS ATK:1200 - Shark LP > 3400]


    That closed the gap a bit but Drake was wary, Shark was obviously preparing for another Xyz summon, but what?


    "I set a monster face down. Then end my turn."


    [Turn 7 - Shark LP:3400 Hand:0, Drake LP:2400 Hand:2]


    "I Draw. Next I summon ."


    [Spear Shark - Lv4 ATK:1600/DEF:1400 > Lv3 ATK:1800/DEF:1600]


    "When this card is normal summoned I can increase the level of all level 3 fish type monsters I control on the field by 1."


    [Spear Shark ¨C Lv3 > 4, Double Fin Shark ¨C Lv3 > 4, Double Shark ¨C Lv3 > 4]


    "Appear crimson terror of the deep abyss, with these three monsters I build the Overlay Network to Xyz Summon !"


    [Number 32: Shark Drake - Rank 4 ATK 2800/DEF:2100 OU:3 > ATK:3000/DEF:2300]


    Here it was, one of Sharks strongest Numbers, its menacing red skin and four great wing like fins reminded Drake more of a dragon than the sea serpent it was.


    "Now Shark Drake! Attack Assault Wyvern with Deep Sea Destruction!"


    [N32 ATK:3000 > AW ATK:1800 - Drake LP > 1200]


    "Urghh¡­"


    Sharks ace monster sure packed a wallop Drake thought as it blasted him back a half dozen steps, and Drake knew worse was to come.


    "Since my Shark Drake destroyed your monster I can now use its special ability, Once per turn when it destroys a monster in battle I can detach one Overlay Unit to special summon the monster I just destroyed back to your side of the field but it loses 1000 ATK points."


    Drakes Assault Wyvern was dragged back from the Graveyard in attack mode.


    [Number 32 Shark Drake ¨C OU: 3 > 2, Assault Wyvern - ATK:1800 > 800]


    "And not only that but my Shark Drake can attack again! Attack Assault Wyvern with Deep Sea Destruction and end this duel!"


    "I activate my facedown, the trap I banish my Assault Wyvern to special summon the from my graveyard."


    A pillar of flames engulfed Drakes Wyvern before disappearing to leave behind his most trusted beast.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    "Fine, if you think your dragon can scare me then you are wrong. I attack Blue-Eyes with Deep Sea Destruction!"


    [N32 ATK:3000 > BEWD ATK:3000]


    Both monsters had the same attack points but since Shark Drake is a Number it wouldn''t be destroyed in battle against a non-Number.


    Drake was glad he was familiar with Shark Drakes ability, otherwise he might have used his Dragons Rebirth earlier when Assault Wyvern was first attacked, if Shark had switch his first attack to his face down monster instead then he would have lost the duel on the second attack.


    [Turn 8 - Drake LP:1200 Hand:2, Shark LP:3400 Hand:0]


    Without any more faced downs or cards in Sharks hand this was Drakes best opportunity to end the duel, he just needed the right card.


    "Draw!"


    Perfect.


    "I play this allow me to draw until I have 5 cards. So I draw 3 cards."


    Time to finish this duel.


    "Next I summon to the field. Then I activate its effect, by discarding a second Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand to the Graveyard I can add to my hand."


    [Keeper of Dragon Magic ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1300]


    "Next I play the spell . With this spell I tribute 2 Dragon monsters I control to special summon one Level 8 Dragon monster from my deck. So I sacrifice my and my face down to special summon my third ."


    "Now I play . Witness the incredible creature of unsurpassed power, by banishing the Blue-Eyes on my field and the two in my graveyard I fusion summon !"


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon - Lv12 ATK:4500/DEF:3800]


    The evolution of the original Blue-Eyes Ultimate dragon, the mighty three headed beast of destruction took to the field.


    *ROAR!!!*


    "What is THAT?!" Shark couldn''t believe his eyes as he looked at the monster he was facing. Even his Number looked like a guppy next to it.


    "Now my Neo Ultimate Dragon, attack Shark Drake with Neo Neutron Burst!"


    Its entire body lit up as it unleashed its powerful breath attack on Shark Drake. The Number wouldn''t be destroyed but Shark would still receive 1500 points of damage.


    [NBEUD ATK:4500 > N32 ATK:3000 ¨C Shark LP > 1900]


    *BOOM*


    "Now I activate my Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon''s ability, so long as it''s the only face up card on my side of field, at the end of the damage step when it attacks I can send a Blue-Eyes fusion monster from my extra deck to the Graveyard to allow my monster to attack again. So I send the original to the grave. Go Neo Neutron Burst!"


    This was why Drake went to the trouble getting rid of his other monsters for his third Blue-Eyes, if he had just wanted to summon his ultimate dragon he could have substituted his Kuriboh in the grave. But now he could make multiple attacks.


    [NBEUD ATK:4500 > N32 ATK:3000 ¨C Shark LP > 400]


    *BOOM!*


    "Argh!!"


    "Third times the charm, because my dragon can use its effect twice a turn, so I send to the grave. Finish this! Neo Neutron Burst!"


    "Nooooo!!"


    [NBEUD ATK:4500 > N32 ATK:3000 ¨C Shark LP > 0]


    *BOOM!!!*

 Chapter 13 - A Deal.

    "Aarrghh!"


    Shark was sent flying from the force of Drakes Neo Ultimate Dragon''s attack and was knocked not only into a wall, but unconscious as well.


    With the duel over Drake wasn''t going to forgot his prize, after all from what that broker had said before it seems like he had given Shark a lot of information about Number Card holders before this. Drake knelt down next to the boy and checked him over, finding him physically fine, if out cold, Drake moved to his deck. It was his right as the winner of a Numbers Duel.


    Twelve! Shark had collected twelve Numbers, that was three times what Drake currently had. Numbers 32, 78, 6, 5, 47, 21 and more. But now he had a decision to make, to take or not to take that was the question. Shark was obviously a strong duellist and in the media Drake knew of could become a powerful ally. But that didn''t mean it would happen here.


    So should he leave him with the Number Cards?


    Possibilities and probabilities played in his head. Cold logic and emotional instinct fought in his heart. In the end Drake decided to have a little faith and leave Shark with his Numbers. Some of them at least.


    What the worse that could happen? But he refused to go back completely empty handed, so he would take all the Numbers that he didn''t think fit well with Sharks deck and even the ones Drake decided to leave he would be sure to first drain some of their power for Critias.


    So Drake ended up taking seven of Sharks Numbers, leaving him with five, before carrying him out of the neighbourhood. Once they reached a more respectable and safer area, he would drop the boy off and head home for the night.


    ---


    Reginald Castle, Aka Shark, awoke with a headache to find himself on a park bench. His last memory was of the defeat he was just dealt by that guy Drake. Of being blasted away by what may be the strongest monster he had ever seen.


    "Blast."


    To think that he had been so confident in his strength, that he had thought that he was almost ready to avenge his sister. But he had just had his bu?? headed to him in a duel by a guy who didn''t even use a Number.


    "Oh no!"


    Shark was torn. On one hand he was happily surprised to discover that that guy hadn''t taken all his Numbers. On the other hand he was angry because he had taken more than half of them, and after all the work he had put in tracking them down and collecting them. And lastly, he was confused.


    Why hadn''t he taken all of them? It made no sense. Drake¡­ He would remember that name.


    "You look like something the cat brought in."


    Who?!


    Shark looked around to find who had spoken, and slowly from across the street a stranger walked out of the shadows. He was wrapped in a large white hooded cloak, his face hidden by shadows.


    "And you are?" Shark asked.


    "An admirer."


    "Right¡­." Nothing wrong with that, a standard opening for a stalker or worse to say when two people are alone in empty park.


    "Such a pity." the cloaked man sighed.


    "Your defeat, your weakness."


    Shark was getting angry, he preferred being angry over fearful any day. He gave the guy his best glare.


    "Don''t look at me like that boy, I am here to help you." The man said unimpressed.


    "Well I don''t need your help." Shark snapped.


    "Of course you do, don''t you want your revenge?"


    Shark froze, what did this guy know?


    "And for that you need power, the power to crush your enemies, to rip apart the lies they cloak themselves in. Power to save your sister."


    !!!!


    "And I am offering you that power, the power that you want so badly."


    "Clever boy, naturally as with all things power comes at a price. But I don''t think it is something you would be unwilling to pay." The man said almost seductively as he slowly walked closer to Shark and the illumination of the street lights, revealing his old wrinkled face and short white beard.


    The guy had to be pushing 70 or 80 at least, but he didn''t give the feeling of being frail.


    "This smell fishy to me."


    "Ah Reginald, so suspicious. Alright to put it plainly I belong to a¡­ organisation that is interest in recruiting you to work for us."


    "As what? A paper pusher? Male model?" Did this guy really think that he interested in a job offer? All he wanted was revenge.


    "Ha ha ha. No as a duellist. Among other things we are also interesting collecting the power of the Numbers and you have already proven quite capable in that, recent event aside. We will give you a new power, power greater than that of the Numbers and will help you take your revenge. We have access to source of information beyond your imagination and you are like a blind man stumbling in the dark. We are a torch that can light your path."


    "Power greater than that of the Numbers? If you have such power then why are you interested in the Numbers at all." The man was slowly coming closer but Shark didn''t back away this time.


    "Dear boy, you can never have too much power."


    "And I should take your word that you can help me get my revenge?"


    "What sign¡­" Shark couldn''t help himself. He was tempted, if this old man could produce what said he could that is. His loss to Drake had proved one thing, he didn''t have enough strength yet.


    "You are after the duellist responsible for your sisters condition, a duellist called Dextra."


    The man had almost reached Sharks side by now.


    Shark stayed silent but his gaze grew more intense, Dextra was the name he had been given before but so far he had been unable to locate her in spite of his best efforts. It was like looking for a ghost.


    "She is a duellist in the employ of a Dr Faker, and if you continue along the WDC you will surely get closer to him, because like us he is also collecting the Numbers. In fact he is the hidden puppet master behind this whole duel carnival. Just so he can gather the Numbers in one place. And then take them for himself."


    This was information he didn''t have before, a name, a lead that he could follow.


    "Is this Dr Faker responsible for my sisters'' condition?"


    "Why don''t you ask him yourself? Or don''t you have the power to do so?" the man mocked. To reel in a duellist like Shark required more than the right bait it needed the right technique. The carrot and the stick, temptation and provocation.


    "And just what is this power you are offering?"


    "So is that guy Drake one of your members then?" Shark step back to put some distance between them again. He was getting angry thinking about Drake.


    Was that what this was about? Humiliate him in a duel so that he would be willing to work for them? Did they really think he would fall for it?


    "Who?" The old man was at a loss. He was known by the name Tempest, he was one of the Four Generals under the Orichalcos King and he knew every member of the Organisation. His presence here showed how important the organisation was taking the recruitment of Shark.


    But Drake was not a name he was familiar with.


    "The guy I just lost to, you sent him didn''t you?! To put me in my place?!" Shark shouted.


    "Why would to think this person has anything to do with us?"


    "Because he mentioned this Seal of Ori whatever it was." Shark remembered him asking that useless informer before the duel. If it wasn''t such a strange name he might not have remembered it.


    Tempest was shocked at this news, if this was true then it was a problem.


    Outside of the members of the organisation only its victims should have heard of the Seal, and they weren''t talking to anyone anymore. Who was this¡­ Drake. And what other secrets might he know? Tempest hadn''t watched the duel between the two of them himself but had heard about it from one of their operatives who was tasked to keep an eye on Shark.


    "Are you sure?" he asked.


    "Yes." Now Shark was uncertain, what was going on here. Just who was Drake?


    "I promise you that this¡­ Drake¡­ is not one of us, but soon I will be sure to know everything there is to know about him if you are interested in some more¡­ revenge."


    Tempest held out his hand to Shark, between his fingers he held a spell card with powers beyond any mere card game. An invitation to a new future.


    "Join us, join the New Order."


    ---


    Drake was happily whistling along as he made his way back to the house the next day for dinner, with so much energy drained from the Numbers he got from Shark last night Critias was now on the verge of awakening. It was only a matter of a little time now.


    No wonder Drake was in such a good mood.


    He was on his own today. Duel Carnival or not it was still a school day so Yuma and his friends had classes to attend, leaving Drake with some free time on his hands. He was in such a good mood he had spent the morning sight seeing around the city, occasionally accepting a challenger here and there and having fun.


    For a time, he managed to just forget about the threat of the Orichalcos, forget about his mission. He just felt like a regular person, it had been a long time. He wasn''t like the Titan Atlas that he took his name from. He couldn''t spend all his time holding up the heavens on his shoulders, no human could, he was a man, not a god.


    That''s what made moments such as now so important. To remember what he was fighting for when times got tough. But unfortunately what made such moments so precious also made them fleeting. A familiar and unsightly figure soon stood in Drakes path.


    What was his name again?


    "Long time no see Atlas."


    "Didn''t I already squash you Dobert?"


    "Its Hopkirk! The insect master Hopkirk!"


    Ah, that was his name. it was the cheating insect user Drake had fought his first prelim duel against. The only reason Drake remembered him was because he had left such a bad impression. But since he had already lost what was he doing here now? Even if he wanted to duel again it wouldn''t count. During the prelims only the first duel between two duellists would count in order to prevent people from farming a weaker duellist over and over again.


    Drake had no interest in whatever Hopkirk wanted now, he had already spoilt Drakes mood but he simply wasn''t worth Drakes time to squash again.


    But where did he get the name Atlas from? Drake didn''t remember even giving him his first name let alone his surname. In fact why did he seem to be waiting here for Drake so close to the house?


    Weren''t registered duellists personal details supposed to be confidential in this tournament?


    Well whatever, Drake couldn''t take the bug in front of him seriously at all. He was just so weak that Drake decided to just go around him and ignore whatever he had to say.


    "Hold up Atlas! I challenge you to a rematch!"


    ¡­


    "Didn''t you hear me!" Hopkirk screamed as he blocked Drakes path again.


    ¡­


    "Your not going anywhere till you duel me!"


    "Why should I? There''s nothing in it for me." Drake finally replied.


    "Heh, are you so sure?" Hopkirk said in his most conspiratorial voice.


    "¡­Go on." Drake asked.


    "I have some information you want, win and I will tell you." Hopkirk said confidently.


    "What information?" Drake was curious.


    "About how I found out you name and address, about the people who want me to target you, about the New Order."


    "New Order?" Drake had no idea what Hopkirk was talking about, he had never heard of this New Order.


    "They are the ones that gave me this¡­"


    !!!!!!


    Hopkirk showed Drake a card he was holding, a card showing a green rune circle with a six pointed star. The Seal of Orichalcos!!!


    Drake suddenly got serious, had they found him out already? New Order¡­


    "And what exactly do they want with me?"


    "They hear you have been asking questions, they want to know what you know and how you know. If I beat you in a duel then they offered me a big position in the world that is to come."


    "So you want a duel here?" Drake asked.


    They were on public street after all, anyone could pass by at any time. Outwardly he was calm, but inside his thoughts were racing.


    "The park over there has a nice secluded part we can use." Hopkirk said as he led the way and Drake followed.


    Ironically it was the same park that Yuma and Astral had found him in when he first entered this world. But was there any hidden meaning behind this choice or was it just a coincidence? After all, there weren''t too many out of the way places around here without some form of monitoring equipment.


    "So how did you find me, and how did this New Order find you?" Drake asked.


    "Simple, New Order has members in some surprising places, it has even infiltrated the cities security forces. You have somehow been making waves, even the cities top brass seemed to have some interest in watching you and have compiled a file on you and your duels. New Order just had to get their hands on that file but it wasn''t enough to answer their questions."


    It made sense, after duelling Kite the other night Drake was prepared for something like that. This city and the entire duel carnival was controlled by Mr Heartland who worked for Dr Faker, Kites father. But this meant the Orichalcos had already infiltrated Fakers organisation, possible to a high level.


    At least it didn''t sound like Faker himself was in league with them. This New Order.


    "So why you?"


    "They are cautious, perhaps they suspect a trap. They looked at all your previous opponents and decided I would be the most likely to do what they wanted so they wouldn''t have to. With what they are offering I jumped at the deal, I don''t care about being used so long as I get what I want. Including my revenge."


    "So apart from a name what other info do you have for me?" Drake asked as he readied his duel disk and Dragons Eye.


    "Duel first, answers second. If you win that is." He replied as they passed through a tree line and reached a secluded clearing hidden in the park.


    "If I win you won''t be in a position to answer me." Drake countered as he took his position.


    "Looks like you do know some things after all." Hopkirk said as he activated several small remote camera drones, letting them hover over the duel field. He was under orders to transmit the whole duel back to the New Order.


    The two of them took one last look around the clearing, neither of them wanting any interruptions to their duel.


    "Lets Duel!"


    ---


    "My king, we have had a report the duel is soon about to begin."


    A video projection was activated before the gilded throne in the deep hidden chamber of the leader of New Order, the Orichalcos King.


    "This should be amusing, call in the Generals."


    "Sire?" the shadowy figure asked in confusion, he didn''t even know why his king had taken a interest in this small matter, let alone to call in the Generals as well.


    "This is either nothing, in which case it will be some light entertainment. Or it is something that they may have to deal with later. For some reason I have a feeling this will require special attention."


    "Yes my king, but the Black General is currently on a mission. Should I call her back?"


    "Of course not, just call those who are free."


    A few minutes later three figures entered the chamber.


    "Presenting the Golden General: Proteus, the White General: Tempest and the Blue General. All hail the Orichalcos King!"


    "All Hail!" the three replied as they bowed to the throne.


    "You''re just in time, the show is about to begin." The king said as he turned to screen that now showed the direct feed from the park.

 Chapter 14 - Dragons Bane.

    "Duel!"


    "This time I''ll go first!" Declared Hopkirk.


    [Turn 1 ¨C Hopkirk LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "I Draw, from my hand I reveal , by revealing this card during my Standby Phase I gain 500 Life Points."


    [Hopkirk LP > 4500]


    "Next a set a monster face down and two more face downs. After what you did to me, I''m going to enjoy watching your final moments when I crush you and the Seal takes your soul. I end my turn."


    [Turn 2 ¨C Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Hopkirk LP:4500 Hand:3]


    "What I did to you? You were the one who targeted me, tried to tamper with my deck, and it was your own stupid play that let me win so easily. Not only did I not report you, but I didn''t even bother to give you a second thought, so what did I do to you? I draw."


    "What did you do? You humiliated me, me the master Insect Duellist. I was one of the top contenders invited to the duel carnival, I won last years regional championship, I was runner up in the Nationals. I was famous! I was admired and you ruined it! You crushed me like an amateur, and although you didn''t report me someone else did after seeing you throw those cards away."


    "I''ve been disqualified, they are investigating all my previous accomplishments and my reputation is mud. Those duellists that once looked up to me now can''t wait to spit on my face!"


    Drake still didn''t understand, it still sounded like he brought it all on himself and if he had always been cheating then he deserved what he got. Obviously, this was one of those idiots who never took any responsibility for their own actions. But with the Seal he was a dangerous idiot. However, Drake was more worried about the ones watching with the drones.


    New Order.


    "I play , I draw 3 then discard 2. And since I discarded my this allow me to add to my hand."


    "You''re so predictable. You fell into my trap." Hopkirk gleefully cried.


    "I active my trap by paying 1000 Life points, I declare a level and then you reveal your hand. I then select a monster with the level I declared from among your cards and banish it. So I declare level 8, like I said you are predictable, you always go for your precious Blue-Eyes. Show me your hand."


    [Hopkirk LP > 3500]


    Drake had no choice, he revealed his hand of seven cards, x2, , , , and .


    Oh No! Drakes Dragon Eye had finished analysing Hopkirks trap and it told him some terrible news.


    "So I now choose your Blue-Eyes to banish, but it gets worse. My trap also banishes all the cards with the same name in your hand and deck from the game as well. So say good bye to all your favourite dragons."


    Drake was force to banish all three of his Blue-Eyes White Dragons from the game. This was a heavy blow; they were the core his deck was built around.


    Looking at Drakes pained expression Hopkirk couldn''t help but laugh.


    "I told you, you are predictable, and thanks to New Order I had all the data on the duels you''ve played and I built this deck just to defeat you!"


    Hopkirk couldn''t help but brag, after all New Order had even provided him with all the rare and powerful cards he requested to build this deck with.


    [Assault Wyvern ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800 > 1300 /DEF:1000]


    "Now attack his face down!"


    "You attacked my , when it''s destroyed I can special summon an Insect with an ATK of 1500 or less from my deck, so I summon a second Howling Insect to the field in defence mode."


    [Howling Insect ¨C Lv3 ATK:1200/DEF:1300]


    [AW ATK:1800 > HI DEF:1300]


    After Drakes dragon destroyed Hopkirks beast a second appeared to take its place, but then Drakes own dragon began to transform into particles of light.


    "My monster also has a special ability, when it destroys a monster in battle I can tribute it to special summon a Dragon from my hand. So come forth .


    [Deep of Blue-Eyes ¨C Lv8 ATK:2500/DEF:2500]


    A new and graceful Blue-Eyes with four angel like feathered wings appeared on the field. Standing in an upright, almost human like, position.


    "You can''t." Protested Hopkirk. "I just banished all your Blue-Eyes!"


    "True, but I have a friend in my graveyard, my ! It was the other card I discarded with my Graceful Charity, and its effect means its name is treated as Blue-Eyes White Dragon so long as it''s on the field or in the Grave."


    "Now Deep of Blue-Eyes attack his Howling Insect!"


    [DoBE ATK:2500 > HI DEF:1300]


    "My insects effect activates again, this time I special summon to the field."


    [Ultimate Insect LV3 ¨C Lv3 ATK:1400/DEF:900]


    "I set two cards face down and end my turn, when I do my dragon activates its second effect, I add a level 8 or high monster from my deck to my hand, so I add to my hand."


    [Turn 3 ¨C Hopkirk LP:3500 Hand:3, Drake LP:4000 Hand:3]


    "I Draw, I again reveal , so I gain 500 Life Points."


    "Then I activate my Ultimate Insects ability, during the standby phase I can send this card to the grave to special summon the from my deck in attack mode."


    [Ultimate Insect LV5 ¨C Lv5 ATK:2300/DEF:900]


    The caterpillar like insect split its back open as a new and more evolved version spread its transparent wings and took to the field.


    "And because my insect was summoned by the effect of Ultimate Insect LV3 my Lv5 insects ability activates, this means all your monsters on the field lose 500 ATK so long as my monster is in play."


    [Deep of Blue-Eyes - ATK:2500 > 2000]


    "Now witness the card of your defeat. I play which gives my monsters a 500 ATK boost."


    [Ultimate Insect LV5 ¨C ATK:2300 > 2800]


    The Seal erupted into being, surrounding them as its power filled the air. It turned Drakes stomach sour as he watched its cursed sign appear on Hopkirks forehead and his monsters. Why would anyone use such a twisted card?


    "Now I summon my ."


    "Time to feel the sting of defeat, Ultimate Insect LV5 attack Drakes Deep of Blue-Eyes! Buzz cutter!"


    [UILV5 ATK:2800 > DoBE ATK:2000, Drake LP > 3200]


    Drakes dragon was sliced to ribbons by wind blades blasted from the flying insects wings.


    "Then Leghul will attack you directly."


    [Leghul ATK:800, Drake LP > 2400]


    "Arrgh!"


    Hopkirks worm sunk his mandibles into Drakes arm, drawing actual blood under the power of the Seal.


    "Soon you will know real torment. Then I end my turn with a facedown."


    Torment, right. It was obvious the idiot didn''t understand the real power of the Seal, if he did then he would be using his back row to protect a weaker monster like Leghul. Not that Drake was going to tell him that.


    "I draw¡­" This was turning out to be a lot tougher on his body than even his Numbers duel against Kite, after all his only other Orichalcos duel had ended before his opponent could make a single attack.


    "By the way, how do you expect to get any information from me if you do win this duel?" Drake asked.


    "They tell me they have their methods don''t worry, and it''s not if, it''s when I win this duel. You have no hope." Hopkirk confidently replied.


    "We''ll see about that. I play the ritual spell ! Now by-"


    "Not so fast! I activate my face down, by discarding my Golden Lady Bug I can negate the activation of your spell card. So no Chaos Dragon for you."


    Blast this ???kroach! It seems he really had built a deck just to counter his, but he wouldn''t give up Drake thought. Since he didn''t seem to understand all of the Seal abilities then he would take advantage of it.


    "I summon ."


    "Don''t forget my insect ability means it loses 500 ATK." Hopkirk reminded him with a smirk.


    [Alexandrite Dragon ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000 > 1500 DEF:100]


    "Now my dragon attacks your Leghul!"


    "Oh no it won''t, I active my trap, now thanks to this continuous trap level 4 and high monster can''t attack."


    "But that means your own Ultimate Insect can''t attack." Drake said in confusion.


    "So? Even if you have a strong monster to defend my Leghul can still attack you directly each turn, and from my analysis of your deck the only monsters you have that are level 3 or lower are too weak to hurt my bug even without the effect of my Ultimate Insect. I won''t let you make a comeback."


    "You!! I activate my face down , I banish my Alexandrite Dragon to return to the field from the grave. With its effect I add a to my hand, then I end my turn and use my dragons effect to add to my hand as well."


    [Deep of Blue-Eyes ¨C Lv8 ATK:2500 > 2000 DEF:2500]


    "Yes that all you can do isn''t it."


    [Turn 5 ¨C Hopkirk LP:4000 Hand:0, Drake LP:2400 Hand:4]


    "Oh how I am enjoying this, revenge and the promise of power all in one neat package. I hope they are recording this, I will probably want a copy for myself. I draw."


    "Now I activate my Lv5 insects special ability to trade it in for another new beast, come forth !"


    Once more Hopkirks beast shed its outer exoskeleton to emerge in its most powerful form. And thanks to the seal it received an addition 500 ATK.


    [Ultimate Insect LV7 ¨C Lv7 ATK:2600 > 3100 /DEF:900]


    "And like my previous insect, when summon by my LV5''s ability my new monster now strips your monsters of 700 ATK and DEF points.


    [Deep of Blue-Eyes ¨C ATK:2500/DEF:2500 > ATK:1800/DEF:1800]


    "I set a card facedown then have my Leghul attack you directly."


    [Leghul ATK:800, Drake LP > 1600]


    Once more Hopkirks worm took a bite out of Drake.


    "I end my turn."


    [Turn 6 ¨C Drake LP:1600 Hand:4, Hopkirk LP:4000 Hand:0]


    "I Draw. I activate the spell , by sending my Chaos MAX dragon to the grave I can draw two cards."


    Here it comes!


    "Time for you to find out you can''t keep a good dragon down, from my hand I activate my ''s effect, by revealing it and my level 8 I can special summon both in defence mode but their effects are negated."


    [Nebula Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:2000 > 1300 /DEF:0, Dragon Spirit of White ¨C Lv8 ATK:2500/DEF:2000 > ATK:1800/DEF:1300]


    "So what? If you had normal summoned your Spirit of White then you could have banished my Gravity Bind, but this? What use is it without its special ability."


    "I guess you don''t know everything about my deck after all. I''m about to turn this duel around. I use my level 8 Deep of Blue-Eyes, Nebula Dragon and Dragon Spirit of White to build the Overlay Network. Now Appear, Rank 8 !!!"


    *ROAR!*


    Once again Drakes dragon took flight against the power of the Seal of Orichalcos.


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 > ATK:2300/1800 OU:3]


    "An XYZ monster? But that''s not in the data!"


    As Hopkirk screamed Drakes dragon let out a pulse of power that the New Order had not prepared for, as it rushed out it fried all of the camera drones transmitting the duel. Now at least Drake didn''t have to worry as much about revealing his secrets.


    "You shouldn''t be so surprised, I even have a couple of Numbers at my disposal after all. Or didn''t they tell you that? Guess they don''t trust you after all. As you know Xyz monsters have ranks not levels, so your Gravity Bind is useless against my dragon."


    Hopkirk looked flustered.


    "Now lets get rid of your monsters, I use one Overlay Unit to activate my Starlight Dragons special ability to destroy one monster on the field. So first say farewell to your Ultimate Insect. Star Fall!"


    Swallowing an Overlay Unit Drakes dragon took to the skies to fire of a massive fireball at the flying insect and destroyed it. Unfortunately it wouldn''t deal any damage because the Overlay Unit wasn''t a Blue-Eyes White Dragon. But with the destruction of the Ultimate Insect, Drakes monsters would no longer have their attack drained.


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:3 > 2]


    "Ha ha ha. Looks like you really have a bad memory, you fell for another of my traps! Of course I knew about your dragon! Since you destroyed my Insect I activate my trap, to destroy your dragon!"


    No! He had been tricked again. Drake didn''t even have a chance to destroy Leghul and he already lost his dragon. This was bad, but he still had a play to make.


    "I activate

 Chapter 15 - Awakening.

    Drake was having a hard time in this duel, he felt frustrated as move after move of his was countered or rendered pointless. He had even lost all of his Blue-Eyes White Dragons to a trap he had never heard of before.


    Finally he felt that he had managed to turn things around as he had cleared Hopkirks side of the field, leaving him only the Seal of Orichalcos. But it had come at the cost of his Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon. He held an advantage with his and his set trap but he still had a bad feeling.


    [Dragon Spirit of White ¨C Lv8 ATK:2500/DEF:2000]


    It was Hopkirks turn.


    [Turn 7 ¨C Hopkirk LP:2300 Hand:0, Drake LP:1600 Hand:2]


    "I draw! Then I play to draw two more cards. Next I activate , this continuous spell card forces all monster level 4 or high into defence mode. I set a monster face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 8 ¨C Drake LP:1600 Hand:2, Hopkirk LP:2300 Hand:0]


    First Gravity Bind, now Level Limit - Area B? Even after getting rid of Drakes Blue-Eyes this guy was obviously doing his best to lock down the rest of Drakes high level monsters. He wouldn''t be surprised if there was a Dragon Capture Jar hiding in that deck somewhere.


    "Draw."


    If he still had his Xyz monster then that Level Limit Area wouldn''t be so much of a problem. Xyz monster had no levels after all. Wait¡­ he no longer had his Starlight Dragon, but he still had some Xyz monsters, the ones he had been collecting. Time to bring out a Number.


    "I play ."


    [Heliosphere Dragon ¨C Lv4 ATK:0/DEF:1900]


    "With my Heliosphere Dragons effect, once per turn so long as I control a level 8 dragon I can change this cards level to level 8."


    [Heliosphere Dragon ¨C Lv4 > 8]


    "And now I overlay my two monsters, to XYZ summon !"


    [Number 97: Draglubion ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:3000 OU:2]


    "I now attack your face down. Go Number 97, Infernal Fire Attack!"


    "Ha, you just attacked my !"


    [Cyber Jar ¨C Lv3 ATK:900 > 1400/ DEF:900]


    "What!?" Drake was really getting frustrated.


    All his strongest monsters were being countered or destroyed before they had a chance to do any real damage. And what was a rock monster like that doing in a self-proclaimed insect master''s deck anyway.


    "Thanks to Cyber jars effect when its flipped face up it destroys all monsters on the field, we then each draw and reveal five cards. Any level 4 or lower monsters we draw are then summoned to the field and the others are added to our hands."


    *Whoossshh*


    Like a vacuum the cyber jar su?k?d up Drakes Number before it exploded.


    *Bang!*


    Cards summoned by Cyber Jars effect could be played either in attack mode or face down defence, so Drake set his White Stone of Legend and summoned White Stone of Ancients and spear dragon face up. Of course the effect of Hopkirks Level Limit ¨C Area B forced his Spear Dragon into defence.


    [White Stone of Ancients ¨C Lv1 ATK:600/DEF:500, Spear Dragon ¨C Lv4 ATK:1900/DEF:0]


    Meanwhile Hopkirk set both his Man-Eater Bug and Pinch Hopper face down.


    "Why bother summoning that stone in attack mode? It can''t even beat my Man-Eaters DEF." asked Hopkirk as he saw Drakes play.


    "And you say you''ve studied by deck, don''t you know my White Stones have another use?"


    "Huh?"


    "Gather now oh stars of life, illuminate the path to the future on the road of rebirth, with the Lv1 tuner monster and my Lv4 , I Synchro Summon level 5 !"


    Drakes two monsters transformed into five glittering stars that circled to form into a white ring, from out of this ring flew Drakes Synchro Monster.


    [Samsara, Dragon of Rebirth ¨C Lv5 ATK:100/DEF:2600]


    "You can Synchro summon too? You''ve never used a card like that before." Hopkirk complained. Fusion, Xyz, Synchro and ritual, was there any summoning method he couldn''t do?


    "I never need to before. I end my turn. Then my White Stone of Ancients effect activates, so I can special summon a ''Blue-Eyes'' from my deck. This allows me to summon a second from my deck as its effect lets me treat it as a ''Blue-Eyes'' monster."


    [Dragon Spirit of White ¨C Lv8 ATK:2500/DEF:2000]


    "Although your magic card forces it into defence mode, my dragons ability will now banish your Level Limit ¨C Area B from the game."


    [Turn 9 ¨C Hopkirk LP:2300 Hand:3, Drake LP:1600 Hand:4]


    "I draw. I flip summon my to activate its effect, allowing me to destroy one monster you control. Say goodbye to your Samsara Dragon."


    [Man-Eater Bug ¨C Lv2 ATK:450 > 950, DEF:600]


    "When my Samsara, Dragon of Rebirth is destroyed I can special summon a monster from either of our graveyards, so return to me !"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:0]


    [Pinch Hopper - ATK:1500 > 2200]


    "Now my Pinch Hopper, destroy Drakes face down White Stone of Legend!"


    [PH ATK:2200 > WSoL DEF:250]


    "Then from my hand I play the quick spell by tributing my Pinch Hopper that''s equipped with a equip spell I can special summon an Insect from my deck ignoring its summoning conditions. Come forth! !"


    [Brain Crusher ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400 > 2900/DEF:1500]


    "Then I will have my new monster attack your Dragon Spirit of White!"


    [BC ATK:2900 > DSoW DEF:2000]


    "Now I play my spell to flip my Man-Eater monster face down and end my turn, at which point my Brain crushers effect activates and revives the monster it just destroyed to my side of the field. You should know your own dragons effect right? Dragon Spirit of White will then banish your face down ."


    [Dragon Spirit of White - Lv8 ATK:2500 > 3000/DEF:2000]


    "I draw. I set a card face down and have Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon attack your Brain Crusher. Starlightning!"


    [BESD ATK:3000 > BC ATK:2900 Hopkirk LP > 2200]


    "I end my turn."


    Drake hated this kind of duel, it wasn''t a question of two styles facing off against each other in a contest of strength and skill, it was just suppression, this guy was playing with the goal of preventing Drake from playing.


    How was he going to¡­?!


    Drake suddenly felt a shift in the deepest part of his mindscape, the presence of an ancient will and mighty power that had finally awakened. Critias¡­


    {Took you long enough} Drake projected with his thoughts.


    {What''s the problem? Trouble?} came the nonchalant reply.


    {You overgrown lizard! Last time you were still injured and I had to practically force you to rest. Now you''re better and I actually need you, but are now only just waking up!}


    {I..I.. Fine. But I need you now, please lend me you power.}


    {All you had to do was ask my Chosen duellist.}


    Drake felt new energy being poured into his deck.


    [Turn 11 ¨C Hopkirk LP:2200 Hand:1, Drake LP:1600 Hand:4]


    "I draw. Now-"


    "I activate my face down, the quick play spell , we both discard two cards and then draw two more." Drake said.


    He had to get the timing of this card right because it could only be activated if both duellists had at least two cards in hand.


    Drake quickly tossed the Polymerization and Rage with Eyes of Blue in his hand for what he hoped would be more useful cards. He was so pre-occupied with his thoughts of the duel and of Critias that he didn''t notice Hopkirks own actions.


    As he drew his two new cards Hopkirk preformed an excellent bit of slight-of-hand worthy of a magician, swapping one of the cards he just drew with another he had hidden up he sleeve.


    Even before this he had been a cheat and knew all the tricks. So now that the opportunity for power and the risk to his soul were at hand, he wouldn''t stop now.


    All that mattered was winning.


    "Then I flip summon my and destroy your Starlight Dragon."


    [Man-Eater Bug ¨C Lv2 ATK:450 > 950, DEF:600]


    "Now I attack you directly with Man-Eater Bug." Hopkirk wanted Drake to suffer more before he finished it.


    [MEB: ATK:950 - Drake LP > 650]


    "Now be destroyed by your own dragon, Dragon Spirit of White attacks you directly."


    "Not so fast! I activate the effect of my in my grave. When I control no monsters I can banish a dragon type monster from my hand to special summon it, its level then becomes equal to the banished monsters level until the end of turn. So I banish my to summon it in defence mode."


    [Blue-Eyes Kuriboh ¨C Lv1 > 8 ATK:300/DEF:200]


    "Fine, so I will destroy your furball then."


    [DSoW ATK:3000 > BEK DEF:200]


    "Because my Kuriboh was summoned with its special ability, when it leaves the field it is banished." Drake declared.


    "So what, like I care about that thing. I sacrifice my Man-Eater to set a monster facedown, I set another card and end my turn."


    [Turn 12 ¨C Drake LP:1600 Hand:3, Hopkirk LP:2200 Hand:0]


    "This duel has lasted long enough. I draw."


    Here it was, the card he had been waiting for.


    "Awakened from his slumber, the Legendary Dragon rises once more. I play the ."


    *ROAR!*


    With an indomitable spirit Critias took his first steps on this new world and unleashed an earth-shaking roar!


    "What kind of card is that?!" Hopkirk asked in confusion, it wasn''t a monster card, a magic card or anything else he knew of.


    "Behold, the Legendary Dragon Critias! Now my dragon will now absorb the power of the trap card in my hand, fusing with it to create a never before seen beast. The .


    [Raging Dragon ¨C Lv4 ATK:1900/DEF:0]


    Drakes new dragon took to the field, it body was shaped much like a Luster Dragon yet it seemed sculpted of magma. Its cooling outer shell was like a cracked black crust through which burning reds glowed.


    "So what if you have a new dragon, so what if it can absorb trap cards. I have my own my trap. Go , this continuous trap forces all dragons to switch to defence mode. Meaning you can''t attack. And next turn no matter how powerful a monster you summon, I can destroy it with my Nobleman-Eaters effect."


    Hopkirk rejoiced as Drakes Raging Dragon was forced into defence under the power of his trump card even as the dragon he control was also forced into defence. He really had chosen the right time to bring out the Capture Jar he had hidden on himself. He was close to victory, he could feel it. But Drake was not worried at all.


    "There is no next turn for you, from my hand I play if I control a dragon type monster I can destroy a spell or trap card, its controller then takes 500 damage. So say farewell to your jar."


    *BOOM*


    [Hopkirk LP > 1700]


    Hopkirks Dragon Capture Jar was crushed under a giant dragons foot.


    "Finally I activate ! I banish from my graveyard, White Stone of Legend, White Stone of Ancients, Dragon Spirit of White, Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon and Nebula Dragon. With these five dragons I Fusion Summon the great !"


    [Five-Headed Dragon ¨C Lv12 ATK:5000/DEF:5000]


    "When did you have a monster like that?!" Hopkirk was shocked.


    5000 ATK?! That was the highest base attack possible in duel monsters, you could count the number of other monster with such strength with just your hands.


    "I''ve always had it. However I honestly wish I never have to use it, compared to the majesty of my Blue-Eyes this monster is just so¡­ ugly."


    "What?"


    "Look at those five completely different and conflicting styles of heads stuck on that massive body, its crude and ugly in spite of its strength."


    "What kind of reason is that?"


    "It''s my reason, but since you forced me to this state, you''re going to have to take responsibility. Feel the burn! Go Five-Headed Dragon, finish this duel with Elemental Flames!"


    "You really have gone crazy, my monster are in defence mode, you can''t touch my life points." Hopkirk was gleeful, next turn he would just have to ''draw'' what he wanted and he would control the duel again.


    "Your forgetting my Raging Dragon. It has inherited the power of the trap card used to summon it, Dragons Rage. While this dragon is on the field all my dragons can deal penetrating damage. And since your Dragon Spirit only has a 2000 DEF and my Five-Head Dragon has 5000 ATK, that means you suffer 3000 damage."


    "This¡­this can''t be!"


    Streams of roaring flames, crackling lightning, surging water, corroding winds and black destruction energy blasted out from the five heads of Drakes monster. The overwhelming power cut through the dragon like it was tissue paper before rolling into Hopkirk like a tide wave.


    [FHD ATK:5000 > DSoW DEF:2000 Hopkirk LP > 0]


    "Nooo!! Please no!" Hopkirk screamed as the Seal closed in on him.


    Drake intended to let the Seal do its work to teach the bug a lesson for all the trouble he had caused, then afterwards he would free his soul. He felt that Hopkirk would be more likely to answer Drakes questions honestly then. But as he watched the Seal Drake realised something was wrong, it was different from the last Seal. He could feel it with his enhanced senses.


    Unlike the last one Chapman had used, which stored the soul within the card itself, this one seemed to reaching out across space to some other unknown place, creating a bridge. It wasn''t going to just seal the soul but transmit it somewhere else!


    For a moment Drake really wanted to just let Hopkirk reap the trouble he had sown, but Drake had made a promise to Yuma and Drake was a man of his word. Although at times like this he wished he wasn''t.


    Drake sprinted over, he would only a few more seconds before it was too late. His duel disk glowed a bright purple light as it morphed into the form of sword with a jewelled hilt, and Drake thrust it into the Seal. Green and purple lightning erupted at the point of contact as a high pitch wh?n? screeched out. It was as if Drake had stuck a piece of metal into the moving parts of a complicated machine, the bridge he sensed began to falter.


    But it was not so simple. The Seal was faltering, but it had not yet broken.


    As Drake tried to force the blade through the light of the ring of runes, an even greater power was trying to force him back. If Drake couldn''t penetrate the ring, then Hopkirks soul would be sent who knows where.


    Drake pushed with all his strength, but he could only hold his ground.


    He had no choice.


    {Critias!} Drake projected a cry for help to the legendary dragon.


    In response a stream of power began to flow into Drake.


    "Sword of Wisdom!" He cried.


    His Dragon Eye lit up as it fired a small beam of energy into the yellow jewelled hilt, a card flew out of Drakes deck inside the storage dimension before appearing parallel to the blade. It was the card . It suddenly shattered into countless motes of light and infused itself into Drakes blade.


    No, not Drakes blade. Critias''s.


    Because this was the sword of the Legendary Knight Critias. The Sword of Wisdom, Drakes final trump card.


    With it he absorbed the extreme penetrating power of his trap card and¡­


    *CRACK*


    Like a sheet of glass, the Seal of Orichalcos shattered to pieces as Drake pushed the Sword of Wisdom through before it faded away to nothing. And Hopkirk collapsed to the ground as Drake stumbled forwards.


    He had done it. He had saved the fools soul.


    It had better be worth it.

 Chapter 16 - 16: Black and Blue.

    Drake was tired and, in all honesty, a little scared.


    It had taken everything he had to forcible break the Seal of Orichalcos and that was from the outside, where the Seal was weakest. Before this he had always felt that when push came to shove, even if he lost a duel against a Seal user, so long as it was only the first layer of the Seal he would be able to escape with the power of the Sword of Wisdom.


    Now he knew better.


    Maybe it would work if Critias could take his true form and wield the blade himself, but Drake himself didn''t have the skill or strength to achieve such a feat. If he lost then his fate would be the same as everyone else.


    {Maybe not} Critias interrupted Drakes thoughts.


    {What do you mean?} Drake asked.


    {So long as you have enough stored duel energy then in theory you could wield the blade with strength equal to my own}


    That''s right, duel energy, the same energy that operated the Mirror of Critias could also be used to empower Critias''s sword. That was the power he had infused into the blade with his Dragons Eye and Critias help. But¡­


    He had exhausted that power just now, two days worth of duelling including the additional energy he obtained from four Number duels was gone, just like that. And it was b?r?ly enough. Just how many days worth of duelling would be required to get Drake the power needed to break the seal from the inside. And even then, that would mean giving up on creating new cards to strengthen his deck.


    Argh!


    He would leave it for later, after all at the moment he had no energy to use anyway.


    Drake looked down at Hopkirk.


    He had fainted from the experience of almost losing his soul.


    Now more than ever Drake wished he had not been such an idiot. Every time he thought about it, he just wanted to slap his own head. Previously he had had a perfect chance to acquire information about this New Order. Not from some nobody who probably didn''t know much anyway but from a true member.


    Chapman. The first duellist he fought who used the Seal. He would have had to a have been a true member of the organisation, who knows how much Drake could have learned if he had just interrogated him properly? Their location, members, their leader.


    But no, when he had seen all the duellist souls that guy had captured, he had been infuriated. He had forgotten what was important and just wanted to punish him. Allowing the Seal to steal his soul away from his grasp and fly away in a moment of icy rage before he could calm down and think.


    Then it had been too late.


    They would be unlikely to underestimate him again.


    Things had gotten a lot harder and more dangerous for him and those around him.


    Should he leave Yuma''s house? Was his presence only going to put them in more danger?


    So absorbed in his own thoughts Drake didn''t notice that he and Hopkirk weren''t the only ones present any more. For some time now, even before the duel had ended, they were being watched.


    ---


    "Orbital, transmit the data you collected to my father."


    "YES MASTER KITE¡­" came a mechanical reply from man''s duel disk.


    One watcher was the Number Hunter, Kite. After the Network Blockers had failed the duel between the two of them had once more alerted the Heartland control centre setting off all kinds of alarms. Alarms that Kite had been monitoring and with the help of his personal AI controlled satellite Orbital 7 tracked down before anyone else could. He was currently at the edge of the park viewing everything Orbital 7''s high optic cameras and sensors picked up through his duel gazer.


    Orbital 7 was a bleeding edge high altitude satellite in geosynchronous orbit above Heartland city, its personal AI connected to Kites duel disk as well as the city''s main computer networks allowing it to monitor Duel alerts and emergency channels for Numbers activity. It was also responsible for monitoring Harts medical condition and operating Kites remote support equipment. But its most important feature was its ability to project the Time Freeze field effect to any point in Hartland City when Kite needed it.


    This was the first time Kite had witnessed the power of the Seal of Orichalcos, but he could guess that it was involved with his father''s latest research project. Having seen the power for himself Kite was wary and did not wish to make a move yet.


    He would watch and see what else he could learn for now. But even he and monitoring equipment onboard Orbital 7 failed to realise they were not the only ones watching Drake just now.


    From the shadows a tall and mysterious female also watched, her scarlet hair swaying in the wind. Dress seductively all in black, her face was covered in a dragonic half mask, leaving her lower face and her ruby lipstick mouth revealed. Seeing her one would instantly think, Femme fatale. Her body was frozen in shock at what she had just witnessed.


    Such power! That dragon and that sword! She thought.


    It was truly worth sneaking her way here without orders.


    Her personal com system buzzed in her ear with an incoming message.


    "General Black, your mission has been cancelled. You are to return to HQ immediately on his Highnesses order. Over"


    "Roger that." She replied after taking one more look at man before her who had done what she thought was impossible. A smile on her lips. Finally, she thought, she had found some worthy prey. And like a phantom she vanished into the shadow behind her, disappearing from the world.


    ---


    Once Hopkirk woke up he told Drake, and although they didn''t know it Kite, everything he knew.


    Just like Drake feared, it wasn''t much at all. Apart from some basic information about the Seal that Drake already knew far better than Hopkirk himself, he knew almost nothing concrete. New Order had contacted him through untraceable burner accounts, their two meetings had been in different locations which had then been cleared out.


    Hopkirk might be a cheat and scum, but he was not completely stupid. He had tried to gather his own info on New Order with his own methods before agreeing to their deal.


    From what he had pieced together about New Order, it seemed like they were led by a figure known as the Orichalcos King. Below him were his top executives, the Generals of Order. Hopkirk himself had heard the minion who gave him the Drones refer to one known as the Silver General as the one who had organised the whole thing and that a fifth General had be newly promoted, meaning there were at least five of these Generals.


    They had at least one member in a high position of power in the city''s Security forces to be able to get Drakes file and had to have lots of money and some connection to high tech industries. Hopkirk had studied the drones and discovered they were custom build with tech even the government might not have access to.


    And that was basically all.


    It was nowhere near enough, but nothing could change that.


    So Drake left Hopkirk with the advice of getting as far away, as fast as possible. Before New Order decided to clean up loose ends.


    But before he left Drake made sure to burn Hopkirks entire deck to ashes. He couldn''t just let a cheat like him go with all those powerful cards New Order had handed to him, and it gave Drake some small p???sur? to listen to Hopkirks wails.


    Then Drake made his own way home.


    Strange to think that after just a few days that he already considered this place, this world, like home.


    "Oh Drake, your back early."


    "Yeah¡­ just stopped in for some lunch." Drake replied.


    "Is there a problem?" Akari asked. It didn''t take her keen investigators intuition to notice how hesitant Drake was.


    "No, yes. We¡­ we need to talk. Your grandmother too, it can wait till she''s free."


    "¡­Alright. Is it about Yuma?" She asked in worry.


    "No, its about me."


    ---


    "Ah Wyvern, there you are." Called out a man clad in lightweight polished silver armour to the black masked woman who had been watching Drakes duel earlier.


    "I prefer you call me by my title General Silver." The woman called Wyvern coldly replied as she walked past the Silver General of New Order.


    "Fine, fine, my dear General Black. Anything interesting happen while you were out on your mission?" the Silver General asked as he turned to follow her.


    "Not particularly. Why? Did I miss something?" she said, giving nothing else away.


    "Apparently his Highness called in Gold, White and the new boy Blue to watch a fun show but things didn''t go as planned." As the two of them continued to walk down the corridor.


    "Oh?" She feigned surprise.


    "Yes, his Highness was not pleased."


    "Is that why we were called in?" Wyvern asked.


    "No, I''ve already been given my task but this latest blunder shouldn''t effect it. As for you, who knows? Have you been a bad bad girl?"


    *Umph!*


    He gasped out as Wyverns elbow got him in the gut. She tired easily of the fool''s advances and the clowns remarked had hit a bit too close to home. But she was sure no one knew about her unauthorised actions and it was going to stay that way.


    If they knew what she had seen in that park Wyvern was sure her king would mobilise all the Generals after that man. She didn''t want to share her prey with the others.


    Finally she reached the audience chamber of the King, Silver had long since stop following. He had already been given his instructions and had no reason to return so soon. Entering the hall Wyvern couldn''t help but admire the splendour of the room, of the large stone tiles that covered its walls and floors illuminated only by the light of the torch scones.


    It was primitive compared to using proper lighting, but it also gave a mysterious and regal air. As she walked to the throne she couldn''t help but look down at the slabs of stones she walked on, some were plain and empty while many had engraved the figures of the poor souls imprisoned with.


    Such a display of power made her feel giddy.


    "General Black." Said the figure on the throne, to his left stood a blue robed figure she had never seen before.


    Although Wyvern had not met him before, this she ?ssumed was the new General Blue. After studying him she could only wonder, just what did her King see in this person?


    "My King." She said as she bowed to the one person she held above all others.


    "I have a task for you."


    ---


    Drake, Akari and her grandmother Haru were seated around the dining table. He had just finished telling them about New Order and the danger it posed to them and their family.


    "I understand if you want me to leave, I can pack my things tonight." Drake offered.


    "This.. this is crazy."


    "Calm down Akari."


    "No Grandma I won''t. Secret societies, Duel Monster cards that can steal souls. Its madness and I don''t want Yuma mixed up in this, I don''t want us mixed up with this. If he wants to leave then he can just leave, now!"


    Drake had been expecting such a response but it didn''t make his heart feel any less heavy.


    "That enough! The boy can stay here as long as he likes." Haru Tsukumo declared.


    "Grandmother¡­"


    "He has been honest and forthright about his intentions and the danger involve. I don''t approve of just kicking him away because he is in danger for doing the right thing, and if your father were here then he would agree with me."


    "But!-"


    "No. I know you are afraid, but your father did not raise you to just bury your head in the sand when times got tough. Nor is your brother as helpless as you like to think he is. You can''t shield him from the world forever, nor should you use him as an excuse to cut yourself off from the world either."


    "That''s not true! I-"


    "When was the last time you spoke to anyone outside of family or work?


    "I..." She had no retort, honestly her talks with Drake were the closest she had come to socialising in many months. She was just so busy with work, or so she told herself.


    "Drake, if you leave how certain are you that nothing will happen to us here?" The old lady asked him seriously. It was so unlike the slightly goofy grandma he had seen just a short while earlier.


    "Not very, even if I never came here it would only have been a matter of time before they set their sights on Yuma." He replied truthfully. Astral and the Numbers would always have become targets and Yuma would never give up on his friend.


    "Why?!" asked Akari.


    "Because he is collecting the Number Cards, and New Order wants them too." revealing the Numbers was one thing, but he wouldn''t discuss Astral without his permission.


    "Numbers! Cards with what? Magic power. How can you expect us to believe something like that, that Yuma is involved with something like that!" Akari protested.


    "If you don''t believe that then why believe any of it? If you think I''m lying then you must also believe you are in no danger. You can''t have it both ways."


    "I believe you." Grandma Tsukumo cut in before addressing her granddaughter.


    "Your father travelled all over the world and saw some amazing things. Things that science and reason would say was impossible. And he''s not the only one. Our family has always had its share of explorers and dreamers, those who dared to seek the unknown or unexplained. It''s in the blood along with our principles. Courage, determination, friendship and loyalty." She finished


    She turned back to Drake.


    "Stay, I these old bones will feel safer if you''re here and I''m sure Yuma would want you to stay too."


    Her words left no room for argument as she got up to make herself some more tea. But Drake was more interested in Akari''s decision.


    "Fine, stay. Just remember the promise you made me."


    She sounded so tired as she returned to her work room.


    ---


    It was now late at night, Wyvern waited as she observed the warehouse before her. While she would follow her kings orders without objection, she could not help but question these latest orders that she had been given.


    She was waiting as New Order operatives quietly surrounded the building. To all outward appearances it seemed just another average warehouse among many other warehouses. At this time of night there was no activity in the entire district but New Order knew that this particular warehouse held a secret.


    It was a base of operations for Dr Fakers personal elite security squadron, the Black Elite.


    What was her king thinking by ordering a strike against Faker after all their work in concealing their presence? With their recent increase in operations for the Duel Carnival it was true that they would be exposed sooner or later but why act now?


    Just for him?


    It infuriated Wyvern that her king should take such measures and endanger the secrecy of the Order just for his sake. His new toy, General Blue. What made him so special? She wondered.


    Speaking of which, the object of her ire had approached her from behind.


    "You''re sure she''s in there?" he questioned.


    "Do you doubt our intelligence Blue." She snapped back.


    "I joined you people for only one thing, if you can''t deliver then¡­" he threatened.


    "You''ll what? I don''t know what our king sees in you, nor why you are getting such special treatment, endangering years of careful work, but you mean nothing to me boy. If you dare threaten the Order you will suffer worse than you can imaging. So listen well Shark! You''ll get your chance at Dextra tonight, but I am in charge of this operations so stand back and be silent."

 Chapter 17 - 17: Assault in the Night.

    As the agents of New Order surrounded the warehouse, their actions did not go unnoticed.


    Beneath that same warehouse, in a fortified command operations bunker, their actions were under watch on a dozen large screen monitors. The various computer analysts inside the operations centre were getting nervous, this was their sanctuary, their base of operations. And they were surrounded.


    How had they even been found?


    This was a base of the Black Elite, the most secret branch of City Security.


    This shouldn''t be happening.


    Worried chatter filled the room and panic was starting to set in.


    "Enough!" came a sharp cry.


    Silence fell across the room at command of their Captain as she entered. She had long black hair with a purple tinted fringe and was dressed in a white business suit with a pink blouse and purple underskirt. She was one Shark was after. Captain Dextra of the Black Elite.


    Her expression was calm, focused, cold. Like an ice queen on her throne, looking down at her subjects with her steely gaze. Her familiar presence restored order to the room.


    Her focus remained on the monitors as several dozen masked men blocked off all the exits from the warehouse and another couple of dozen seemed to be gathering to make a frontal ?ssault. Although the Black Elite was the best of the best, a crack team created to carry out the orders of Mayor Heartland and Dr Faker, it was also a small team. Spread across several bases like this one.


    Apart from the support staff, the number of enforcement officers Dextra had with her that she could rely on numbered less than two dozen.


    They were badly outnumbered.


    "Have you reached Captain Nistro or Lieutenant Gorn yet?" she asked the communication officer on duty.


    "No Captain, we have lost all outside communication. Landline, network, even the radio is being jammed."


    "New¡­Order¡­" Dextra tested the name on her tongue.


    It had only been earlier this afternoon when she had received a data packet from above, detailing the information Kite had obtained about a secret underground organisation with a mysterious power.


    Her orders had been to investigate and get to the bottom things. To think that before she could even make a move that they had brought themselves right to her door. It had to be New Order, all the masks these guys wore were plain and flat full matt black masks without any decoration or feature. Save one.


    No matter the reason why, since they were here now then they might as well stay. Dextra refused to believe a bunch of amateurs could pose a real threat to her trained elite. She turned on her communicator.


    "Teams A and B prepare to move out, equip riot suppression gear and set up position at the entrance to block 1. Team C on standby at block 3 and load with lethal rounds. Prepare for breach."


    She wanted to see just what this New Order was capable of, however what she saw next exceeded all her wildest imaginings.


    ---


    "So now we have them trapped, just what do you plan on doing?" Shark, the new General of Order, General Blue of the New Order asked his fellow General, Wyvern the Black General.


    This operation had a personal importance to him and he was eager to get on with it, to have a taste of the revenge that was promised him, however at the moment he was but a spectator. He had no idea how New Order planned to proceeded.


    They had surrounded the warehouse that was there target, but he saw no sign of any heavy equipment or explosives. So how where they planning on breaking into the warehouse? Knock and ask nicely? The windows were barred, the doors and shutters made of reinforced steel and the walls were thick concreate. It didn''t look like it at first glance but the building was a veritable fortress.


    *Humph*


    "I know you have only been with us a short time, but you are about to see a glimpse of true power. So be quite and watch boy." She replied.


    If he wanted his revenge then he had to follow his orders. For now.


    At a signal from Wyvern the New Order agents activated their duel disks and summoned a host of monsters, they were all gigantic brown skinned brutes wearing studded leather battle harnesses and purple loincloths like barbarians. With red eyes, a bulbous head and a spiked collar around their necks, they howled and roared like mad beasts.


    If Drake was here then he would recognise them as the weapon of the foot soldiers of the Orichalcos, the monster Orichalcos Gigas.


    But Shark was confused.


    What good was it to summon an army of virtual monsters? They had no true form or mass, no substance or strength. Even the mysterious Number Cards usually only had a limited effect on the duellists and the environment during a duel, and these were no Number cards. They could no more effect the real world than a illusion. They¡­!!!


    Sharks thoughts were instantly scattered as he watched one of these so-called images put its fist right through the steel door in front of it like a child punching through wet tissue paper. He couldn''t believe his eyes, nor could Dextra and the rest of the Black Elite watching the scene on the monitors.


    Watching his disbelief Wyvern couldn''t help but laugh at the boy''s naivety.


    "What? You thought that we recruit duellists for fun? This is the true power of the Orichalcos, of New Order. Imagine it, armies of monsters marching through the streets with real power, real strength, destroying everything in their path. What army could stand against a force like this in the hundreds, the thousands. And these are but mere foot soldiers. When the time comes and the Great Beast descends to lead us no force on Earth will be able to stop us." Wyvern proudly declared.


    As she spoke the rest of the Gigas had already begun to attack, they punched holes in the walls, ripped the bars from the windows and crushed the doors in their grasp like playthings. They forced themselves inside making their ways deeper and deeper into the base.


    "Open Fire!" a cry rang out.


    Suddenly the Gigas were met with a barrage of rubber bullets, canisters of tear gas and blasts of sonic waves. They had found the enemy, and they were weak.


    The Gigas didn''t pause or stop, they just continued their unstoppable advance.


    ---


    "What kind of monster are those?!"


    "That''s impossible!"


    "They''re not stopping!"


    Cries of panic filled the control room once more as Dextra tried to control the situation. These monsters were walking through a storm of suppression that would floor any normal force. The rubber bullets bounced of their skin like the tickling of mosquitos, the sonic cannons were like an annoying buzz to their ears and the tear gas was no more than a harmless mist to these beasts.


    "Teams A & B fall back to armoury, equip lethal rounds and bring up the heavy artillery, Team C move to cover the withdraw. Set up a kill box at block 4." She ordered.


    At first like everyone else she had been stunned at the fact that duel monsters could be summoned with physical form as they broke their way in. But she quickly regained her cool. If they had form then that meant they could be destroyed. Riot suppression gear was obviously useless, but let''s see how they handle real fire power.


    As the march of the monsters reached the fourth block the waiting Team C let loose with full automatic fire of their ?ssault rifles. The monsters didn''t even try to dodge, taking the full force of the hail of bullets without flinching.


    They might as well have been firing blanks for all the effect it had.


    "Grenades!"


    *BOOM!*


    "Hurrah!" came a cheer in the operation centre as finally one of the beasts went down to the explosion. But the cheers of hope soon turned to cries of despair. The fallen monster seemed dissipate into motes emerald light but then that light transformed into a ring of light on the floor and from it rose a new beast.


    It looked as good as new, in fact it seemed to actually be even stronger than the beast that had just fallen. Taller, larger, more fearsome. With an angry roar it hurled itself towards the ant like existences in front it.


    These monsters were unkillable, unstoppable. And then the dying began.


    ---


    "Arrgh!"


    Sharks face paled at the sounds coming from the front, explosions, gunfire and screams. He felt sick as he followed behind the unaffected Wyvern and her subordinates. Everywhere they passed only destruction was left behind, bullet holes, craters, holes and piles of rubble.


    "Shouldn''t there be more¡­ mess." He asked the Black General.


    "The Orichalcos takes all for the glory of the Great Beast, as if they were never here, and never stained this land with their presence. This is the fate of those who oppose us."


    As she spoke one of her subordinates suddenly collapsed.


    "Weakling." She sneered.


    Although the Orichalcos Gigas were technically unkillable and invincible by conventional means, their existence still depended on the duel energy their duellist summoner could provide to maintain them. Once a duellist ran out of power then they would collapse from exhaustion and the monster would disappear.


    This was why strong duellist were needed in New Order. The stronger the duellist the more duel energy they possessed. The more duel energy they could supply the stronger the monster they could summon and the longer they could be maintained.


    They had soon reached the deepest part of operation centre when suddenly more than half the New Order agents collapsed without warning.


    "Oh?" Wyvern hurried her pace.


    Turning the last corner they came to a corridor to see a half dozen Gigas being blocked by a swarm of neon light bu??erflies. Behind them stood a single woman blocking the last lockdown door. An active duel disk shaped like bu??erfly wings on her arm. Dextra.


    "It seems a Duel Monster is still capable of dealing with a Duel Monster after all."


    This was what she had discovered. It had been a guess on her part but it had worked. Even though these strange Duel Monsters had the power to affect the real world they were not invincible, they were still tied to the artificial digital duel reality and could be affected by purely digital monsters in a duel.


    She hadn''t actually been able to destroy the monsters as they still continued to revive themselves with their special ability, becoming stronger and stronger each time. However this had drastically increased the drain of duel energy required to maintain them, until finally their summoners had been unable to keep up and collapsed.


    So it fell to her as the strongest duellist here and as Captain of the Black Elite to hold the line as her few remaining troops evacuated the support staff through the emergency escape tunnel in the command room behind her. To think that she had been force to abandon the base to some cult like organisation.


    "YOU!!" Shark shouted.


    It was her, the one he came here for.


    Wyvern had her men pull back and recall the Gigas beasts. Her orders from the King had been clear. This women would be handled by Shark alone, she was not to interfere.


    "I will be the one dealing with you!" Shark declared as he tore of his mask and readied his duel disk.


    "Shark¡­" Dextra said. To think that he was here, that he had been drawn into this cult. This wasn''t part of Dr Fakers plan.


    "I''m going to make you pay! Now duel me!" he roared.


    Seeing the others pull back Dextra knew she had no choice, she still needed to buy time and hope reinforcements turned up.


    "¡­Fine, lets duel."


    ---


    "Orbital what the latest update?" Kite asked as he sat within the passenger compartment of a Hartland official helicopter flying through the city skies.


    "COMMUNICATIONS WITH FACILITY BE1 HAVE BEEN CUT OFF. VISUAL SIGNALS BLOCKED. INTERFERENCE FIELD IN OPERATION. SENSORS DETECT EXOTIC TRACE PARTICLE OZ." Orbitals mechanical voice replied.


    Particle OZ, the name his father had given to the elements emitted by the Seal of Orichalcos. New Order.


    "What''s our ETA?"


    "30 MINS MASTER KITE."


    "Hold on Dextra¡­" he pleaded.


    ---


    [Turn 1 ¨C Dextra LP:4000 Hand:5, Shark LP:4000 Hand 5]


    "I will start things off, I draw!"


    Dextra knew she had to stall for time, control the flow of the duel so that her people could get out and reinforcements could get here. That suited her and her deck just fine.


    "I play <Reinforcement of the Army>, with this spell I can add a level 4 or lower Warrior from my deck to my hand. I choose my <Morpho Butterspy>. So tell me Shark, just when did you join this New Order cult?"


    Wyvern and Shark were shocked. How could this women know about New Order already?


    "How do you know about New Order?!" Wyvern demanded.


    "Did you really think your secret society was really that secret? I set one monster face down and two more cards face down. Your move." she taunted.


    [Turn 2 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:5, Dextra LP:4000 Hand:3]


    "I don''t care about any of that. I want to know what you did to my sister and why. And if I have to rip out your soul and inflict a unspeakable nightmare on you to get my answers then that''s fine with me. I draw!"


    "If you think I''m going to spill my secrets you''re the one dreaming here."


    "Heh, this card will show you just how wrong you are. I play <The Seal of Orichalcos>!"


    Dextra flinched as a brilliant green light flashed before her, expanding to cover the duel field with its glow. She had read what little data there was on the Seal but this? It sent shivers down her spine as she watched its mark appear on Sharks forehead.


    "Then I play my <Hammer Shark> and thanks to the Seal of Orichalcos all my monsters gain 500 ATK."


    [Hammer Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1700 > 2200/DEF:1500]


    "Next I activate my monsters special ability. By lowering its level by 1 I can special summon a level 3 Water attribute monster from my hand, so come on out <Big Jaws>"


    [Hammer Shark ¨C Lv 4 > 3]


    [Big Jaws ¨C Lv3 ATK:1800>2300/DEF:1500]


    A massive new shark with a steel reinforce jaw and massive tusk like teeth appeared on the field to join Sharks first iron headed beast.


    "With these two monsters I now build the Overly Network! To Xyz Summon the terror of the seas, rank 3 <Number 47: Nightmare Shark>!"


    [Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C Rank 3 ATK:2000 > 2500/DEF:2000 OU:2]


    "With this cards is special summoned I can attach a level three monster in my hand to it as an overlay unit, so I attach my <Left-Hand Shark>"


    [Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C OU:2 > 3]


    Sharks beast took to the field, like a fearsome cross between a great blue shark and a wyvern. Its lower body was a long tail ending in a blade like fin, while its front two arms replaced its hands with long silvery blades. Its large fleshy wings beat softly to hold it aloft.


    "Now I activate my Numbers ability! By sending a Overlay unit to the grave it allows a water type monster on my field to attack you directly this turn. Naturally as my only monster my Nightmare Shark will target itself as I send my attached Left-Hand Shark to the grave. Direct Effect!"


    One of Nightmare Sharks overlay units plunged into the ground before erupting into a geyser, Sharks Number then wrapped itself in a veil of its water, its image shimmering in and out like a mirage.


    "Now attack her life points directly! Deep Current!"


    It charged forwards with its blades held high before vanishing into a watery current and appearing behind Dextra in a flash.


    "Not so fast! I activate my face down trap <Windstorm of Etaqua> which changes the battle position of all your face up monsters. Which means your Number is forced into defence mode and my life points are safe." Dextra said without even turning her gaze away from Shark.


    Green gales swept across the field and wrapped around Sharks monster like chains, flinging it back to its own side of the field before forcing it into a crouch. Shark would need to work harder than that to touch her life points.


    "Humph, lets see how long you remain calm. I activate the continuous spell <Sea Lord''s Amulet> this amulet shields my monsters, preventing all my water type monsters from being destroyed by card effects. I end my turn."

 Chapter 18 - 18: Dance of the Butterflies.

    In the crumbling ruins of what was once a top secret base of the Black Elite, a Black Ops security force of Hartland City, Captain Dextra of the Black Elite was blocking the invading forces of New Order from reaching the base main control centre as her subordinates retreated out of a secret escape tunnel.


    She was duelling Reginald Kastle, also known as the duellist Shark and the new Blue General of New Order as the Black General Wyvern and her troop watched from the sides. On Dextra''s side of the field was a face down monster and another face down. Shark''s field held the spells The Seal of Orichalcos and Sea Lord''s Amulet along with the monster Number: 47 Nightmare Shark in defence, the power of the Seal infusing it with an addition 500ATK.


    [Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C Rank 3 ATK:2500/DEF:2000 OU:2]


    Alarms were blaring in the background. It was Dextra''s turn.


    [Turn 3 - Dextra LP:4000 Hand:3, Shark LP:4000 Hand:1]


    "I Draw."


    Dextra thought it was time to see just how accurate their data on the Seal was.


    "I activate my face down <Fairy Wind> this trap card destroys as many face up spells and trap cards as possible then for each one destroyed we both receive 300 points of damage."


    An ethereal windstorm burst across the field from Dextra''s trap. It shattered Sharks ''Sea Lords Amulet'', but as it collided with the Seal the winds were reflected away like a wave crashing against a unmovable mountain.


    "Heh, if you thought that would help you, you''re wrong. The Seal of Orichalcos cannot be destroyed or banished by card effects." Shark boasted.


    Dextra was a bit disappointed but not surprised.


    "But your amulet is still destroyed so we each take 300 damage."


    The churning winds blasted back against Shark and Dextra in their fury.


    [Dextra LP:4000 > 3700, Shark LP:4000 > 3700]


    "Next I summon <Morpho Butterspy> to the field, and when I do I then special summon <Blue Mountain Butterspy> from my hand as well."


    [Morpho Butterspy ¨C Lv4 ATK:1200/DEF:1600, Blue Mountain Butterspy ¨C Lv4 ATK:0 /DEF:1700]


    Two blue winged bu??erfly warriors took to the field, dancing in the air.


    "Now I will use my two level four monsters to build the Overlay Network and Xyz summon the star lit bu??erfly, rank 4


    !"


    [Photon Papilloperative ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2100/DEF:1800 OU:2]


    From the swirling black spiral rose a warrior with black and purple bu??erfly wings and armour that glowed with the same photon power that flowed through Kites monsters. Its Overlay units gracefully orbiting it with a purple glow.


    "I activate my Photon Papilloperative''s effect. By sending one Overlay Unit to the grave I can switch a monster you control in defence mode to attack position, it then loses 600ATK. Go Mystify Menace!"


    Dextra''s monster absorbed one of its Overlay Units into its wings before blasting out a gust of poisonous powder against Sharks Number. As it stood tall one again patches of its blue skin turn pale and grey like a sickness.


    [Photon Papilloperative ¨C OU: 2 > 1. Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C ATK:2500 > 1900]


    "And now I attack, go Vivid Swarm!" Dextra commanded.


    From her Papilloperatives wings emerged a swam of bu??erflies made of photon light that proceeded to rain down on Sharks monster like a laser storm.


    [PP ATK:2100 > N47 ATK:1900 ¨C Shark LP > 3500]


    "But my Number is still standing because it can''t be destroyed in battle with a non-Number." Shark snarled.


    "I set a face down and end my turn."


    "Ha ha ha¡­ having problems boy?" Wyvern mocked Shark.


    They may be on the same side, and for her kings sake Shark had better win. But she had no problem in seeing this spoilt child embarrass himself first. Revenge this, Sister that. All that really mattered in this world was power. The sooner the kid grew up and understood this the better, for New Order and her King.


    [Turn 4 - Shark LP:3500 Hand:1, Dextra LP:3700 Hand:1]


    "Shut up and watch, I draw. Then I play


    to draw two more cards. Get ready Dextra, for what you did to my sister, you''re in for a world of hurt."


    "Boast all you want, you''re not getting past me."


    Shark may have both the Seal and powerful Number cards, but he was so easy for Dextra to read. And the angrier he got the more he fell into her traps.


    "I summon <Right-Hand Shark> to the field, and then I can special summon the <Left-Hand Shark> in my grave to the field. Because it was summoned from the grave its level increases by 1."


    [Right-Hand Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1500 > 2000/DEF:1300, Left-Hand Shark ¨C Lv3 > 4 ATK:1300 > 1800/DEF:1500]


    Two sharks surged to the field with iron spikes which gave their heads the shapes of claws. Apart from their eyes, one set blue, one set yellow they seemed to be mirror images of each other.


    "Now with these two monsters I Xyz summon, the titan of the depths, <Bahamut Shark>!"


    [Bahamut Shark ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2600 > 3100/DEF:2100 OU:2]


    From the swirling Overlay Network rose Sharks aquatic titan. Its presence no less than Sharks Number. As its two Overlay units orbited it, they began to bathe the monster in a neon blue glow.


    "And that''s not all, thanks to Right-Hand Sharks effect my Bahamut Shark cannot be destroyed in battle and with Left-Hand Sharks effect it cannot be destroyed by card effects."


    "Now Bahamut Shark, attack Photon Papilloperative with God Voice!"


    *ROAR!*


    Sharks new monster let loose a roar of sonic power towards Dextra''s monster, however¡­


    "You never learn and you shall not pass. I activate <No Entry!!> this trap forces all our attack position monsters into defence position."


    A security gate with flashing red lights rose up in front of her, its ringing sirens blocked Bahamut Shark''s sonic attack before causing both Dextra and Sharks monsters to stumble backwards into defence mode.


    "You can''t stop me forever, with the Seal of Orichalcos I''m too powerful! Did you know that the Seal grants me a second row for my monsters? And once per turn during my main phases I can move a monster that hasn''t yet attacked from the front to the back row or vice versa. So now I move Number 47 to my back row and so long as I have a monster on the front row you are not allowed to attack any monster on my back row. I then set a card face down and end my turn."


    Nightmare Shark moved backwards and took up a position behind Shark as his Bahamut remained in front.


    [Turn 5 - Dextra LP:3700 Hand:1, Shark LP:3500 Hand:1]


    "I Draw."


    Dextra was surprised at this new feature of the Seal, it wasn''t in the data she had seen. But she kept her calm, it didn''t change what she needed to do. She would fulfil her mission and protect her men¡­ she would protect Kite.


    Meanwhile Wyvern was growing more and more interested in this Dextra. In her eyes Shark was but a child lashing out at an unfair world in a temper tantrum. But Dextra? She maintained such calm and control over the duel under such circumstances that Wyvern couldn''t help but admire her as a fellow woman.


    A pity she was on the loosing side.


    "I play <Xyz Treasure>, for each Xyz monster on the field I now draw 1 card. So since we have a total of three Xyz monster between us, I now draw three."


    "Next a switch my Photon Papilloperative back into attack position and once more activate its effect. This time I will target your Bahamut Shark! Go Mystify Menace!"


    [Photon Papilloperative ¨C OU: 1 > 0. Bahamut Shark ¨C ATK:3100 > 2500]


    Now Bahamut Shark was sporting the same motley grey patches across its body as Nightmare Shark under the effect of Dextra''s Photon Papilloperatives poison.


    "Then I will just set three face downs and end my turn."


    [Turn 6 - Shark LP:3500 Hand:1, Dextra LP:3700 Hand:1]


    "Pointless resistance. I draw!"


    "I activate Bahamut Shark''s special ability, Divine Soul! By using one Overlay Unit and forgoing its ability to battle this turn I can special summon a rank 3 or lower Xyz water monster from my extra deck. Take to the field <Shark Caesar>!"


    [Shark Caesar ¨C Rank 3 ATK:1800 > 2300/DEF:2000 OU:0. Bahamut Shark ¨C OU: 2 > 1]


    *Aooohhh!*


    With a howling cry a great geyser burst upwards and from it Sharks new beast swam onto the field through the roiling torrent. Shark summoned his new purple and gold-plated monster to the front row.


    With the nearly indestructible Bahamut Shark on the front row it would make the back untouchable. So why summon this new menace to the front? Dextra thought.


    "Now I play my own <Xyz Treasure> and since we now have four Xyz monster out, that means I draw four cards. See Dextra, I will always be stronger than you, smarter than you, better than you."


    Wyvern chuckled. Seems like the Seal was not only inflating his monsters attack, but his ego as well. It was clear to her just who was really in charge of this duel at the moment.


    "Talk less and duel more if you have the skill, you freemason wannabe." Dextra taunted. The angrier Shark became the better she would be able to control this duel.


    "Fine. I summon <Double Fin Shark> to my back row and then I uses its effect to special summon my Right-Hand Shark back to the field from my grave on the back row in defence but its effects are negated."


    [Double Fin Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1000 > 1500/DEF:1200, Right-Hand Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1500 > 2000/DEF:1300]


    For that card to be in the graveyard it must have been the Overlay Unit Bahamut Shark just used.


    "Now I switch Nightmare Shark to attack mode and move it back to the front row. Its chow time Shark Caesar, go Emperor''s Might!"


    Shark Caesar charged forwards, its gaping mouth ready to take a bite out of Dextra''s monster.


    "I activate my trap <Eternal Galaxy> so long as I control a Photon monster I can target a Xyz monster on my field, I can then special summon a Photon Xyz monster from my extra deck that is four ranks higher by rebuilding the Overlay network with my Xyz monster. So with my rank 4 Photon Papilloperative I call forth the rank 8


    !"


    [Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress ¨C Rank 8 ATK:2800/DEF:1900 OU:1]


    With one bu??erfly warrior plunging into a spiral of golden light, a new noble fairy empress soon emerged. Her wings of photon energy filled the corridor as she looked down at Shark with her bu??erfly masked face.


    If Shark continued his attack against her it would only back fire.


    "Fine, I switch my attack to your face down monster."


    [Moonlit Papillon ¨C Lv4 ATK:1200/DEF:1600]


    [SC ATK:2300 > MP DEF:1600]


    With a crunch Dextra''s face down bu??erfly was chomped to bits.


    "You destroyed my <Moonlit Papillon>, when this happens its effect allows me to special summon a level 4 or lower Butterspy from my deck. So behold my <Swallowtail Butterspy>."


    [Swallowtail Butterspy ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1200]


    "In that case I attack your Swallowtail with my Nightmare Shark!"


    "Same old fool, you didn''t event stop to consider why I summoned it in attack mode. I activate my trap <Kunai with Chain> and I equip this trap to my Swallowtail to raise its attack by 500."


    [Swallowtail Butterspy ¨C ATK:1800 > 2300]


    [N47 ATK:1900 > SB ATK:2300, Shark LP > 3100]


    Armed with its new chain blade Dextra''s orange winged bu??erspy smashed Sharks Number away turning the tables round and forcing Number 47 back to lick its wounds.


    Wyvern was torn, on one hand she just wanted to laugh at what a fool Shark was making of himself, on the other she was getting worried that Shark really wasn''t up to the task her king had given. His lose would mean the failure of her mission and a stain on her reputation.


    "Arrgh! I set two cards face down and end my turn."


    This was why Shark had to move his Nightmare Shark back to the front row, although the Seal gave him a back row it in fact took the place of his empty spell and trap card zones, the more monsters he had in the back the less traps he could set. Right now his back row was filled by three face downs and two monster.


    [Turn 7 - Dextra LP:3700 Hand:1, Shark LP:3100 Hand:2]


    "I draw, next I play <Overlay Regen> this spell attaches itself to a Xyz monster as an overlay unit so I choose my Photon Titania."


    [Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress ¨C OU 1 > 2]


    "Next I activate my Empresses special ability, by using one overlay unit I can force all your monsters to change their battle position, Bewitching Gaze. When this happens its second effect activates. Each time a monster you control changes its battle position it loses 500 ATK, go Submit to the Empress!"


    A blinding golden glow came from Dextra''s monster, forcing Sharks monsters to submit to its will. As they did so black veins began to spread across their bodies.


    [Double Fin Shark ¨C ATK:1500 > 1000, Right-Hand Shark ¨C ATK:2000 > 1500, Shark Caesar ¨C ATK:2300 > 1800, Bahamut Shark ¨C ATK:2500 > 2000, Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C ATK:1900 > 1400]


    "What?!" Exclaimed Shark as all his monsters just lost a chunk of their attack points.


    "The fun is just getting started, because I can do this all over again! Bewitching Gaze!"


    Sharks monsters returned once more to their original battle positions, and again Photon Titania stripped them of 500 ATK.


    [Double Fin Shark ¨C ATK:1000 > 500, Right-Hand Shark ¨C ATK:1500 > 1000, Shark Caesar ¨C ATK:1800 > 1300, Bahamut Shark ¨C ATK:2000 > 1500, Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C ATK:1400 > 900]


    "NO!" with just one move all of Sharks monster had lost 1000 attack each and two of his Xyz monsters had already been weakened by 600 previously.


    "Now with my Photon Titania I attack-"


    "Hold on! You''re not the only one with a trap, go


    this trap has two effects. Until end of turn all rank 3 or lower Xyz monster gain 500 ATK, while all rank 4 and high Xyz monsters cannot attack."


    Shark was smug at pulling one over on Dextra.


    [Shark Caesar ¨C ATK:1300 > 1800, Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C ATK:900 > 1400]


    "In that case I attack your Shark Caesar with my Swallowtail Butterspy! Vivid Chain!" Dextra declared.


    Her Butterspy lashed out with its ''Kunai with Chain'', wrapping up Shark Caesar before blasting it with a whirlwind of poison scales.


    [SB ATK:2300 > SC ATK:1800, Shark LP > 2600]


    Sharks monster was destroyed, but not for long.


    "Go, I play the trap <Xyz Revive Splash>! I can use this card to revive the Shark Caesar you just destroyed."


    [Shark Caesar ¨C Rank 3 ATK:1800 > 2300/DEF:2000 OU:0]


    This time Shark summoned it to the back row. But the question Dextra had was, had Shark set up his monster to be destroyed with his previous actions just to revive it again? If so why? There had to be more to Sharks play.


    "I end my turn."


    [Turn 8 - Shark LP:2600 Hand:2, Dextra LP:3700 Hand:1]


    "I draw. I move Nightmare Shark to the back row, next I summon <Spear Shark> to the field."


    [Spear Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1600 > 2100/DEF:1400]


    "Appear crimson terror of the deep abyss, with my level 4 Spear Shark, Double Fin Shark and Right-Hand Shark I build the Overlay Network to Xyz Summon <Number 32: Shark Drake>!"


    [Number 32: Shark Drake - Rank 4 ATK 2800 > 3300/DEF:2100 OU:3]


    Sharks signature crimson Number took to the field on the front row, but as the Seal of the Orichalcos marked it and filled it with new power for a moment it seemed to be suffering from some mysterious pain and it wasn''t the only one. Shark too felt a stabbing pain in his head as his second Number took to the field.


    The watching Wyvern saw this and couldn''t help but wonder if the power of the Number Cards and the Power of the Seal weren''t actually compatible with each other. New Order only had a few other Numbers that had all been handed to their king so they really had no idea if this reaction would be typical.


    She grinned, happy at Sharks suffering. But she had to be sure to inform her king before he befell a similar fate.


    Although Shark was in pain he wouldn''t let that stop his revenge.


    "I activate the second effect of my <Xyz Revive Splash> in the graveyard. By banishing it I can target a water Xyz monster I control and then use it to rebuild the overlay Network and special summon a Water Xyz that is one rank higher from my extra deck attaching the other monster and its overlay units to it. So I use my rank 4 Bahamut Shark to summon the rank 5 <Number 94: Crystalzero>


    [Number 94: Crystalzero ¨C Rank 5 ATK:2200 > 2700/DEF:1600 OU:2]


    "Argh!"


    Ripping pain flowed through Shark as his third Number took to the field on the front row. It seemed each successive Number would significantly magnify the pain caused due to the interaction between the Seal and the power of the Numbers.


    This pleased both the women watching, if for different reasons.


    "Arrgh, I activate Number 94''s effect. By using on Overlay Unit I can cut one of your monsters attack points in half till the end of turn. Crystal Eraser, Half the attack of Dextra''s Photon Titania!"


    [Number 94: Crystalzero ¨C OU 2 > 1]


    [Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress ¨C ATK:2800 > 1400]


    A wave of frost surged over Dextra''s Photon Titania, coating her body and wings in a layer of ice and crippling her strength.


    "Now Shark Drake, attack Photon Titania!"

 Chapter 19 - 19: Heritage.

    "Now Shark Drake, attack Photon Titania!" cried Shark.


    "Deep Sea Destruction!!"


    "I activate my Trap <Zero Gravity> this changes the battle position of all face up monsters." Declared Dextra.


    Suddenly all the monsters on the field switched their battle positions.


    "And don''t forget my Empresses special ability, all your monsters now lose 500 ATK." Dextra reminded as her monster released its poisonous powders. Black veins quickly spreading across Sharks monsters.


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C ATK:3300 > 2800, Number 94: Crystalzero ¨C ATK:2700 > 2200, Shark Caesar ¨C ATK:2300 > 1800, Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C ATK:900 > 400]


    "You! I set a card facedown and end my turn." Shark said through clenched teeth as Photo Titania freed itself from Crystalzero''s ice and her attack returned to normal.


    [Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress ¨C Rank 8 ATK:2800/DEF:1900 OU:0]


    The duel between Shark, General of New Order and Dextra, Captain of the Black Elite continued. Shark had four Xyz monsters in play with two face downs and the Seal of Orichalcos, but his monsters were gradually being stripped of their attack by the effects of Dextra''s monsters over the course of the duel.


    Dextra''s Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress and her Swallowtail Butterspy that was equipped with a ''Kunai and Chain'' stood guard before their mistress.


    [Swallowtail Butterspy ¨C Lv4 ATK:2300/DEF:1200]


    [Turn 9 - Dextra LP:3700 Hand:1, Shark LP:2600 Hand:1]


    "I draw. Then I play


    to draw two more cards."


    Perfect, just the card she needed to whittle down Sharks overwhelming advantage in Numbers.


    "Say good bye to all your monsters. I play the spell <Raigeki> with the thunder of the heavens it destroys all your monsters."


    *BOOM!!*


    Suddenly Sharks field was empty, his monsters blasted away by a curtain of lightning and his life points were wide open. But then¡­


    "HA! I activate my trap <Torrential Reborn> this allows me to return all the monsters your spell card just destroyed to the field and then you take 500 damage for each one of them. That''s four monsters and 2000 points of damage. Not only that but my monsters return with their full glorious strength."


    "Arrgh"


    Amidst Sharks laughter a raging storm smashed into Dextra, knocking her into the edge of the Seal. It felt like she was being crushed and electrocuted at the same time. And once she recovered and got to her feet, she was faced with the sight of Sharks restored army of Seal boosted monster in attack position.


    [Dextra LP > 1700]


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C ATK:3300/DEF:2100, Number 94: Crystalzero ¨C ATK:2700/DEF:1600, Shark Caesar ¨C ATK:2300/DEF:2000, Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C ATK:2500/DEF:2000]


    The only good thing was they no longer had any Overlay Units to activate their effects with.


    Ugh¡­ How could she allow Shark to take control of the duel like that? Such a stupid mistake. Dextra thought, and Wyvern agreed with her. She had been in almost perfect control of the duel up to that point and now all her hard work had been erased along with more than half of her life points.


    Shark had brought back all his monsters apart from Shark Drake on the back row, so if Dextra wanted to attack she would have to go through it first.


    "I switch Photon Titania to attack but leave my Swallowtail in defence. I then set a card face down. That''s all."


    With that she ended her turn.


    "I draw, it''s time to end this."


    Shark had finally gotten use to the pounding pain in his head. Whether it was caused by a rejection between the power of the Numbers and the power of the Seal or not didn''t matter. A little pain could be dealt with and he certainly wasn''t going to let a little thing like pain get in the way of his revenge now that it was so close.


    As he examined his cards he gave a savage smile as the Numbers whispered words of hate and malice into his mind, his very soul, and the Seal filled him with its dark power. The mark on his forehead glowing even deeper in response to his extreme negative emotions.


    "I play <Overlay Regen>, as you know this spell allows me to attach this spell to my Shake Drake as its an Overlay Unit. Now Shark Drake attacks your Titania! Deep Sea Destruction!"


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C OU: 0 > 1]


    [N32 ATK:3300 > PTPE ATK:2800 - Dextra LP > 1200]


    Shark Drake blasted apart Dextra''s Empress with a blast of concentrated sea water that then ploughed into Dextra, once more smashing her against the edge of the impenetrable Seal behind her.


    "Argh!"


    Shark enjoyed watching her suffer, and soon he would do far worse to her.


    "Now I activate Shark Drakes effect! By removing an Overlay Unit I can special summon the monster it just destroyed back to the field and-"


    "Not so fast! I might not know about your other Number cards, but I won''t forget the effects of a card I arranged for you to receive. I activate the Trap <Xyz Reborn> and before your monsters effect resolves I revive my monster myself and attach this trap to it as an Overlay unit!"


    Since Shark Drake no longer had a target to revive its effect was negated, which also prevented it from attacking again. This was why she had switch Photon Titania to attack mode last turn, so Shark would have no choice but to attack it with the only monster on his field strong enough to destroy it and she could then revive it to protect her life points from the others.


    "In that case I attack your Swallowtail with Shark Caesar, go Emperor''s Might!"


    [SC ATK:2300 > SB DEF:1200]


    Dextra''s Butterspy was destroyed, crushed between Shark Caesars mighty jaws. But Dextra thought she was safe now for this turn. Sharks other monsters were too weak to fight her ace monster.


    "Its not over! I activate my face down <Wonder Xyz>! This trap allows me to immediately Xyz summon using monsters I control!"


    "What?!" Dextra was confused. Shark only had Xyz monsters on his field.


    "I use my Shark Caesar to rebuild the Overlay Network and Xyz summon <Full Armored Black Ray Lancer>, this monster can be Xyz summoned by using a rank 3 water Xyz monster that has no Overlay units attached to it. And for each Overlay unit it has my monster gains 200 ATK, so with the power of the Seal it gains a total of 700 attack."


    [Full Armored Black Ray Lancer ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2100 > 2800/DEF:600 OU:1]


    2800!! That was the same as Dextra''s monster!


    "Full Armored Black Ray Lancer now attack Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress! Armored Spear Slash!"


    [FABRL ATK:2800 > PTPE ATK:2800]


    Dextra''s Empress was destroyed, yet Sharks armoured warrior remained.


    "Thanks to my Lancers effect, if it would be destroyed then by sending all its Overlay units to the graveyard I can prevent its destruction. So only your monster is destroyed!"


    [Full Armored Black Ray Lancer ¨C ATK 2800 > 2600 OU:1 > 0]


    "And now you have nothing to stand in my way. Feel the terror of the deeps, Nightmare Shark attack, end this duel!"


    *SLASH!*


    Nightmare Shark swung its massive blades and smashed Dextra to the side.


    [N47 ATK:2500 - Dextra LP > 0]


    <<SHARK WINS>>


    "¡­Kite¡­I''m sorry¡­"


    Shark had won the duel and Dextra collapsed to her knees on the floor as the Seal of Orichalcos closed in around her. Powerless to resist she suffered as the Seal began to extract her soul.


    ---


    "What''s the meaning of this Heartland!" shouted a young man with flaming red hair.


    "Like I said, your orders are to stand down and wait Nistro." Mayor Heartland calmly replied.


    Heartland was sat at his desk in the central operations roon while in front of him stood the second Captain of the Black Elite and Dextra''s second in command, Nistro. He wore his usual black and dark red trench coat over his red shirt and trousers.


    *BANG!*


    Nistro slammed his fists down on Heartlands desk so hard the surface cracked and the various analysts in the room gave a startled jumped.


    "But we have lost contact with Dextra and the base! I should be leading the teams there right now!"


    "That task is in other hands, you should be more concerned with the state of your own tasks."


    "But!-"


    "No buts! Those are your orders Captain!" Heartland sternly commanded.


    "Why? Is it because we lost track of Shark? What''s so special about him anyway?!" Nistro complained.


    Seeing how stubborn Nistro was being and wanting to distract him, Heartland motioned for Nistro to follow him into his private office. This wasn''t something to be said in the open. Besides, if something had happened to Dextra then Nistro would have to take over the operation anyway.


    Pouring himself a drink Heartland offered one to Nistro but he refused.


    "The Shark operation is important, in fact at this moment it is second only to the collection of Number cards. And you lost him! All the resources of the security forces at your disposal, elite teams of operatives and you lose track of a fourteen year old kid!"


    "But why is he so important!" Nistro demanded, this was a sore spot for Nistro. A failure that marred him and the Black Elite.


    "It''s because of his heritage."


    "Huh?"


    "Do you know what Dr Fakers is always on the lookout for?"


    "Uh.. do you mean the Numbers?" Nistro asked with uncertainty.


    "No, it''s Power. Whether it be new forms of energy, secrets of science or ancient mysteries about the origin of the world, his goal is to acquire the power he needs to save his son. I''m sure Kite must have mentioned his brother to you before, right?"


    Outside of Hart the only people Kite was even remotely close to was Nistro and Dextra, they had gone through the harshest duel training together and were the closet Kite had to having friends.


    "Yes¡­"


    "Years ago, even before his son got sick, Dr Faker was very interested in archaeology, with uncovering the secrets of the past to create a path to the future. Heh, can you believe it? He believed that the past held lost knowledge that could revolutionise the present. Surprisingly he was right."


    "What has that got to do with Shark?" he complained.


    "Patience boy, I''m getting to the point." Heartland replied after taking a sip.


    Nistro really was a hot head at times, which was why he was only the second in command and Dextra was the one in charge.


    "According to records found in historical site across the world, about twelve thousand years ago two alien races came to Earth and fought a great war. One side led by seven great emperors wielding the power of chaos while the other was led by a champion who harnessed the light of order."


    "Aliens? Are you serious?" Nitro scoffed in spite of himself.


    "Oh when I first heard this story I felt the same way. But trust me that its true, we don''t have a clear picture of what it was like back then but these facts we are certain of. This war was waged for centuries in a stalemate that brought disaster to the Earth, mountains crumbled and sea''s began to dry up. The land crumbled to dust and the sky itself was said to have split open to bring forth a realm of darkness and shadow. There seemed no end in sight.


    Unit one day a miracle occurred. One of the Emperors of chaos turned against his fellows and aided the Champion of order to vanquish his fellow emperors and end the war. The reason? Perhaps the oldest of them all, Love."


    "Pah! You sure this isn''t a children''s story Heartland." Nistro joked. The more Heartland talk the more Nistro thought that he was crazy.


    "Perhaps it does sound silly, but it was so long ago that the reason now is actually unimportant. What is important is that after their victory the Champion of order took his forces and left our world but the Emperor who betrayed his kind remained. He took a human form, a human life, and¡­ a human family. His name was Nash."


    Heartland took another sip of his drink. He could see the disbelief in Nistro''s eyes. If not for some of the things he had seen, the secretes he was privy to, then then he wouldn''t believe this tale either. But those were things that could not be shared with anyone.


    "Nash disappeared into the flow of history but over the generations it is said his descendants would sometimes awaken their ancestors'' power, the power of chaos that was passed down through their blood. They would be called wizards, warlocks, prophets and witches by the rest of the world.


    Although there is no real evidence Dr Faker believes that people and legends like Nostradamus, Merlin, Rasputin and others could have been Nash''s descendants who had awakened a portion of his power."


    "But what does that have to do with Shark?! He doesn''t have any kind of power!" Nistro was getting frustrated.


    He was sitting here while who knows what was happening to Dextra. If Heartland was trying to make him believe Shark had some kind of alien power then he had obviously lost his mind. He knew Shark, had watched him and studied him for a while now. Shark didn''t have any such power.


    "But his Sister did." Heartland replied.


    "Huh?"


    "Rio Kastle, Reginald Kastle''s twin sister. Serval years ago, she came to our attention as having special¡­ gifts. Dr Faker conducted an investigation and concluded that her power matched remnants he discovered in several historic sites relating to the ancient war. The power of chaos, and he theorised that she was a descendent of Nash who had awakened the power in her blood. Then he took that power for himself, or to be precise he had Dextra take that power for him. Which is how the girl came to be in a coma for the last year and a half."


    "But if Faker has already taken this power then why the interest in Shark?"


    "Because you can''t have too much power. When the Numbers appeared Dr Faker discovered that they had a strong reaction to the power of chaos we had harvested from the girl, they stimulated it. And then he had an idea, with the use of the Numbers card, and a strong d?s?r? for power that a thirst for revenge could bring, perhaps Rio Kastle would not be the only one in her family to awaken. If Shark could also awaken his power and we were to then take that power and combine the two¡­ the benefits might rival those we will get from obtaining all the Number cards."


    Nistro was stunned. While he didn''t take the story about an alien war in the distant past, or magical descendants seriously, he was shocked at how cold blooded his bosses could be. Was this what was called fattening up the pig for the slaughter?


    It didn''t change his loyalty or commitment to the man who had given him so much, but it did cause him to shiver. Just what lengths would they go to in order to achieve their aims. And who would have to pay the price.


    Please be alright Dextra¡­. He prayed.


    ---


    Shark watched in satisfaction as the Seal claimed Dextra''s soul before fading away.


    He finally had his revenge, but this was just the beginning. So far everything told to him by New Order had turned out to be correct, so Shark was willing to believe the rest for now. Which meant his next target was Dr Faker, he was the one who had Dextra target his sister, the man responsible for everything.


    As Shark looked down on the soulless body of his vanquished foe, Wyvern had the rest of her subordinates continue into the control room, where they began to salvage all the useful data and equipment possible. Dextra had bought her team a lot of time and her team had done a good job of erasing the hard drives before evacuating but that didn''t mean nothing could be saved.


    Besides, the real treasure would come once Dextra''s soul was interrogated back at their headquarters and her secrets were fully revealed. But now time was running short and Wyvern knew her troops didn''t have enough duel energy to handle another drawn out battle now if security forces showed up.


    They had to leave quickly.


    But as Wyvern ordered her forces out the entire building was washed by a crimson light that penetrated brick, metal and stone. After the light faded away everything had changed, because only Shark and Wyvern could now move, the rest had frozen in place like statues. No not just them, everything from the people to the falling papers and dripping coffee from drinks spilt on the tables had stop. Frozen in time.


    A cry broke the silence.


    "DEXTRA!!"

 Chapter 20 - 20: Clash of the Hunters.

    A short while ago outside the warehouse entrance of the Black Elite base, a Heartland city helicopter landed. Around it were the unconscious bodies of the men Wyvern had left outside on guard and one other in a black coat.


    "Orbital, give me an update."


    Kite, the Number Hunter order his AI satellite computer as he put away a collapsible photon quarterstaff. The thugs he had dealt with on his arrival had proved little challenge.


    "YES MASTER KITE¡­ I HAVE MANAGED TO PENETRATE THE DISTORTION FIELD EFFECT AND I AM CONECTING TO THE BASES INTERNAL NETWORK¡­ CAN CONFIRM JUST OVER THREE DOZEN TARGETS WITHIN AND AROUND THE BASE PERIMITER. CAPTAIN DEXTRA''S DUEL DISK IS CURRENTLY ACTIVE JUST OUTSIDE THE MAIN OPERATIONS CENTRE SECURITY GATE."


    "How long till Time Freeze Field deployment?" Kite anxiously asked. He was good, but over three dozen was more than he could take on alone. He needed the Time Freeze field.


    "GENERATORS CHARGED AT 79.42%, TWEVLE MINUTES UNTIL FULL CHARGE."


    "Too long, I''m going in now."


    The biggest draw back about the Time Field his father invented was the enormous amount of energy required to deploy it.


    "BUT MASTER KITE WAIT!! WE DON''T EVEN KNOW IF THE TIME FIELD WILL EFFECT THESE NEW ORDER OPPERATIVES, AND YOU ALSO CURRENTLY DON''T HAVE ANY NUMBERS ON YOU. PLEASE WAIT FOR BACKUP."


    What Orbital 7 said was true, earlier in the day his father had instructed Heartland to collect all the Numbers Kite had gathered so far, but that was of no matter to him. Even without the Numbers Kite was confident that his deck, along with the new cards his father provided, would have no trouble defeating any foe.


    The problem was that they didn''t know if the Seal of Orichalcos would provide protection against the Time Field just like the Number cards did, and back up was still twenty minutes away. But Kite didn''t have the time to care. He wasn''t going to wait and let something happen the Dextra.


    He wasn''t going to let something happen to someone he cared about. Not like Hart, not again.


    He made his way in.


    The upper levels were mostly empty and the few members of New Order he encountered were swiftly taken out before they could raise the alarm. But as he entered deeper into the base it became more difficult.


    "MASTER KITE! SIGNAL WITH CAPTAIN DEXTRA''S DUEL DISK HAS BEEN LOST. I REPEATE CONTACT LOST!"


    What!?


    "Orbital deploy the field now!"


    "MASTER KITE! CHARGE IS ONLY AT 93.07% SAFTEY DIRECTIVES-"


    "Override safety protocols and deploy the field now! That''s an order!"


    "ROGER THAT¡­. DEPLOYING FIELD IN 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, FIRING NOW"


    High above the city the Orbital 7 satellite blasted down a crimson beam of energy at the industrial sector, penetrating even deep into the ground. And everything within the coverage of this beam suddenly stop as time itself seemed to freeze.


    Wasting no time Kite sprinted down the last part of the corridor and passed a number of frozen members of New Order. At least the field seemed to work on these ordinary rank and file members.


    "DEXTRA!!"


    Having turned the final corner Kite was met with a heart rending sight and cried out. He saw one of his closest friends lying motionless on the floor at the feet of a New Order ember whose back was to him. Dextra was equipped with the same photon technology as Kite, so she would be unaffected by the Time Freeze field. So if she wasn''t moving that could only mean one thing¡­


    He had been too late!


    Rage burned through his being and he directed at the two New Order members in front of him that still seemed capable of movement. He would crush them first, then the rest, and if they couldn''t undo what they had done, then he carve up the whole of New Order piece by piece until nothing was left.


    One was dressed in a deep blue hooded long coat and the other seemed like a masked woman in black.


    Kites cry had drawn the attention of Shark and Wyvern who turned to look at the enraged Number Hunter. Seeing Sharks familiar face momentarily surprised Kite but did nothing to quell his anger. In fact, it only increased it. Shark was also shocked.


    Wyvern also recognised Kite. As the son of Dr Faker who was collecting Number cards how could she not have information on him. His appearance also quelled the doubts she had about the strange happening around her. So this was the Time Freeze field their informants had tell them about.


    She was concerned. All members of New Order were infused with the power of the Great Seal, but only she and Shark were unaffected by the time field and Shark himself was a Numbers Holder. It seemed this time field technology was more dangerous to New Order and their plans than she had initially thought when she first heard of it.


    "Return her soul now or else!" Kite demanded.


    "Hypocrite." Wyvern mocked. "As Dr Fakers son, just how many souls have you and your father taken while gathering the Numbers? She can only blame her lack of skill for ending up this way."


    Besides, even if they wanted to its too late to get her soul back now.


    "In that case you don''t need to think about leaving either!"


    Kite launched his Duel Anchor at the two of them to prevent their possible escape, but Wyvern was too quick, smashing the red energy line away with a silver sceptre she drew from her coat as she leaped backwards. Shark was less lucky and was locked down by the Anchor.


    Actually he didn''t even try to avoid it.


    This was the first he had learned that Kite was Fakers son, the son of the man who took his sister from him. After having a taste of revenge tonight, Shark wanted more. Since Faker took his sister from him, then he would take away his son!


    "Don''t worry, you''ll join her soon enough. Its pay back time Kite! Duel me!"


    Wyvern moved to support Shark, he had just finished a draining duel against Dextra and was now going to fight another? He really was revenge crazy. Her king would be furious is she let anything happen to Shark now.


    "We can handle him together-"


    "Stay out of this Black! He''s my prey!" Shark shouted as he pushed her away.


    Brat! She was furious at Shark now. Of all the ungrateful¡­


    "Alone or together, you''re both going down tonight. Go Photon Transformation!"


    Kites black coat began to shine and transform to brilliant white as it filled him with the power of photon energy. He felt the familiar heavy pressure of the power as it flowed through him, his heart beating faster under the strain his body was subjected to.


    "Duel!"


    Shark claimed the first turn.


    [Turn 1 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:5, Kite LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "I draw!"


    Shark could still feel his head pounding, he hadn''t had a chance to recover from his last duel, but he wasn''t going to let a chance like this get away from him, payback for his last defeat at Kite hands and the chance to make Faker suffer.


    "I play <Water Hazard>, with this spell once per turn I can special summon a level 4 or lower water monster from my hand, so long as I control no other monsters. So I special summon <Saber Shark> to the field. And when I summon a fish monster I can also special summon <Shark Stickers> from my hand. And finally I summon <Left-Hand Shark> to the field."


    [Saber Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1600/DEF:1200, Shark Sticker - Lv3 ATK:200/DEF:1000, Left-Hand Shark - Lv3 ATK:1300/DEF:1500]


    Sharks three fishy monsters took to the field and set their savage gaze on Kite.


    "Next I will use my Saber Sharks special ability! With it I can target a fish type monster I control, so I chose my Shark Stickers and then I will increase its level by one making it level 4. And I can use this effect twice a turn so I also increase the level of my Left-Hand Shark to level 4."


    [Shark Sticker - Lv3 > 4, Left-Hand Shark - Lv3 > 4]


    "With these three monsters I now build the Overlay Network! To Xyz summon the crimson terror that will send your hopes of winning to the darkest depths, come forth <Number 32: Shark Drake>!"


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2800/DEF:2100 OU:3]


    Emerging from the black vortex Sharks crimson terror once more showed its savage face. Its eyes hiding a sinister intelligence. Shark could hear the voice of his Number echoing in his head, promising him the revenge he sought, that if he gave in and let the Number have his soul, he would have the power he d?s?r?d.


    "And because my Shark Drake was Xyz summoned with my Left-Hand Shark, its special ability means Shark Drake gains the effect that it cannot be destroyed by card effects!"


    Watching Shark from the sides Wyvern was worried. He was in no not fit state to duel again.


    "Then I will set a face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 2 - Kite LP:4000 Hand:5, Shark LP:4000 Hand:1]


    "I draw, Prepare yourself for a world of pain! From my hand activate the effect of my <Galaxy Brave>, by revealing a ''Photon'' monster in my hand I can special summon my Galaxy Brave and its level becomes equal to the level of the monster I revealed. But that''s alright because I reveal my level 8


    . Next, I Summon <Galaxy Knight>, because I control a ''Galaxy'' monster I can summon this monster without a tribute. But because of its effect it loses 1000 ATK until my end phase."


    [Galaxy Brave ¨C Lv8 ATK:0/DEF:0, Galaxy Knight ¨C Lv8 ATK:2800 > 1800/DEF:2600]


    Kites two futuristic sliver clad warriors stood tall besides their master.


    "With these two monsters I now build the Overlay Network! With power beyond that of even a Supernova I''ll build a monster like no other, I Xyz summon <Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon>!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/2500 OU:2]


    *ROAR!*


    Kites new dragon and the evolution of his mighty Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon, born from the latest research his father had conducted, rose on its new wings of rainbow light. Its body was aglow with power and majesty.


    "What the..?!"


    Shark couldn''t help but shiver, it was just like last time. Such power seemed to overshadow even his Number, even Wyvern felt some fear. It was just like her King said, Fakers science was truly dangerous.


    "It''s too soon to be scared yet, wait till you witness my dragons special ability, Cipher Subjection! By using one Overlay Unit my dragon can take control of one of your monsters until the end of the turn, so come to me Number 32."


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C OU 2 > 1]


    Absorbing an orbiting overlay unit, Kites dragon projected rainbow light from its wings which covered Shark Drake with its energy and dragged Sharks Number over to his side of the field. At which point it began to glow and transform.


    "What are you doing to my Number?!"


    "Thanks to my dragons effect, your monster now becomes a copy of my monster so now I control two Galaxy-Eyes which is double trouble for you. However apart from my original Cipher Dragon my other monsters aren''t allowed to attack you directly this turn."


    [Number 32: Shark Drake > Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon* ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/2500 OU:3]


    "Since you have no monsters on your side of the field now, let me give you a taste of my new dragons overwhelming power! I will now attack you with my Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! Go Cipher Stream of Destruction!"


    "In your dreams! I active my trap


    , with this rank 4 and higher monsters cannot attack this turn."


    *Roar!*


    Kites dragon cried in frustration as it was forced to halt its attack and Kites twisted in distaste.


    "A lucky break, I set a face down and end my turn."


    With the end of the turn Shark Drake regained its original form and returned to Sharks side of the field.


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon* > Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2800/DEF:2100 OU:3]


    [Turn 3 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:1, Kite LP:4000 Hand:3]


    "Draw. It time for me to show you real power! I play the spell <Terraforming> this spell lets me add a field spell card from my deck to my hand and I select <The Seal of Orichalcos>! The I will activate it straight away. Thanks to the power of the Seal all my monsters will gain 500 ATK."


    The shining green Seal spread across the field for the second time that night. Its mystical light flung Dextra''s soulless body to one side while a few of the New Order members caught in both the Time Freeze field and in the way of the expanding Seal seemed to disintegrate as their unmovable bodies were met with an unstoppable force.


    But those capable of watching this scene had no interest in the loss of these small fries.


    The mark of the Seal appeared on Sharks forehead and his Number too, filling them with power.


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C ATK:2800 > 3300]


    "Arrgh"


    The pain in Sharks head was even strong than the last time when Shark had had three Numbers on the field against Dextra, he had trouble breathing and his heart was beating faster and faster.


    "Now that Shark Drake is the biggest fish in the pond, I attack your Cipher Dragon with Deep Sea Destruction!" He would let nothing stop him.


    Shark Drake blasted out a blast of raging water towards Kites dragon.


    "Not before I activate my trap <Cipher Bit>! This trap equips itself to my Cipher Dragon as an Overlay unit, and It can prevent the destruction of my dragon one time this turn."


    A new star flew into orbit around Kites dragon and it projected a golden shield in front of it before the attack of Sharks Number could hit.


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C OU 1 > 2]


    [N32 ATK:3300 > GECD ATK:3000 ¨C Kite LP > 3700]


    "So thanks to Cipher Bit my dragon remains on the field!"


    "So what, I set a face down. Your move." Shark force out through the pain he was suffering.


    Wyvern was cursing Shark in her head, why had the fool insisted on duelling alone. If something happened to him then her King would have her head. And it look like at this rate he might not even last long enough to finish the duel. She held the silver sceptre in her hands tightly, if the worse came to be then she would have no choice but to act.


    [Turn 4 - Kite LP:3700 Hand:3, Shark LP:4000 Hand:0]


    "Oh? What''s the matter Shark, not feeling too good? Don''t worry you''ll soon feel a lot worse for what you did to Dextra. I draw!" Kite taunted.


    "I play


    and draw two more cards. Next I play


    this spell allows me to special summon a level 4 or lower Light monster from my hand. So come forth


    . When this monster is special summoned I can add a <Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon> from my deck to my hand."


    [Photon Vanisher ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000/DEF:0]


    "Then I will call my


    to the field."


    [Photon Crusher ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000/0]


    Shark remembered the summoning conditions of Kites favourite monster from their last duel, it required two monsters with 2000 or more ATK as a sacrifice.


    "You want to summon another of your precious Galaxy-Eyes? It won''t help!"


    "Oh it will, but why settle for two dragons when I can have three! First I use my two level 4 monsters to build the Overlay Network and Xyz summon the dragon of the star king, descend rank 4 <Starliege Photon Blast Dragon>!"


    [Starliege Photon Blast Dragon ¨C Rank 4 ATK:1800/2500 OU:2]


    "When this card is Xyz summoned its effect allows me to special summon a ''Photon'' monster from my hand, so with the savagery of a supernova! Bring on a cosmic cataclysm that vaporizes everything in your path! Come forth, the original <Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon>!


    Kite threw the signature cross/star high into the projected starry skies above, allowing it to absorb the cosmic energies of the galaxy and transform into his unstoppable dragon.


    [Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    *ROAR!*


    "And thanks to my Starleige''s ability you cannot target or destroy any of my monsters with 2000 or more ATK with card effects."


    Shark grimaced, that was not good!


    "Now I attack Shark Drake with Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon! And thanks to its special ability I banish both it and your Shark Drake from the field until the end of the battle phase."


    Kites monster rushed forwards and grabbed Shark Drake in a crushing grip as both monsters transformed into particles of light and vanished from the field. Thanks to Starliege''s ability there was nothing Shark could do to stop it.


    "Now I attack you directly with Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, Cipher Stream of Destruction!"


    [GECD ATK:3000 ¨C Shark LP > 1000]


    *BANG*


    "Arrrghh!"


    Shark was blasted back against the edge of the Seal by Cipher Dragons powerful breath attack. The impact was so forceful that in his weakened condition Shark collapsed down to one knee and coughed out a small amount of blood.


    "Now I''ll finish you, go Starliege Photon Blast Dragon, attack him with Photon Explosion Stream!"


    "I activate my face down


    , this negates your attack."


    Unfortunately Shark couldn''t use it to negate the attacks of either of Kites Galaxy-Eyes before thanks to Starliege''s special ability. And because he controlled no monsters he couldn''t inflict any effect damage with it either, but at least he was still in this duel he thought as he climbed back to his feet.


    "Now our banished monsters return to the field, but my Galaxy-Eyes now gains 500 ATK for each Overlay Unit your monster had when banished. Since it had three that means my Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon now gains 1500 ATK."


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C Rank 4 ATK:3300/DEF:2100 OU:0, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000 > 4500/DEF:2500]


    "Not only does your Number no longer have any Overlay Units, it has even lost the ability it gained from your Left-Hand Shark to protect it from destruction by card effects. I set a card facedown and end my turn. Face it Shark you have no hope of beating me, you never did. So prepare to suffer for your sins!"

 Chapter 21 - 21: The Power of Chaos.

    [Turn 5 - Shark LP:1000 Hand:0, Kite LP:3700 Hand:1]


    Things were not looking good for Shark, although he had his ace monster Number 32: Shark Drake on the field along with the Seal of Orichalcos, he was in trouble as he faced down not only a boosted Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon with 4500 ATK, but Kites new Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon and also a Starliege Photon Blast Dragon, whose special ability protected monster on Kite field with 2000 or more ATK.


    He also had to deal with the throbbing pain in his head and ?h?st.


    "I draw, then I play my


    to draw two more cards."


    Looking at his cards Shark knew that they would be useful, but first...


    "It''s time for a feeding frenzy, I attack your Starleige with Number 32!"


    Shark had to get rid of that annoying protection ability.


    "Not so fast! I activate my facedown <Eternal Galaxy> which allows me to use my rank 4 Starliege Photon Blast Dragon to Xyz summon rank 8 <Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon>!"


    Kites Starliege plunged into a golden spiral and avoided Shark Drake''s charge.


    [Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:4000/3500 OU:3]


    Shark recognised that card as the same one Dextra had used during their duel. From the golden spiral of light Kites third Galaxy-Eyes emerged, its thick purple armour was so dark that it was almost black in contract to its brilliant blue white wings of energy.


    "Tch, in that case I attack your Cipher Dragon, go Deep Sea Destruction!"


    Either way at least that Starleige was gone, but now he might have a bigger problem to deal with. Shark Drake blasted Kites Cipher dragon to pieces and took another bite from Kites life points.


    [N32 ATK:3300 > GECD ATK:3000 ¨C Kite LP > 3400]


    "I set two cards face down and end my turn"


    [Turn 6 - Kite LP:3400 Hand:1, Shark LP:1000 Hand:0]


    "Draw. I activate my Full Armor Photon Dragons effect, once per turn I can detach an Overlay unit to destroy one face up card on the field, so say goodbye to your Number."


    [Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon ¨C OU 3 > 2]


    Absorbing one of its Overlay Units Kites dragon blasted out a bean of destructive power at Shark Drake and destroyed it in a massive explosion.


    *Boom*


    "But not for long, I activate <Torrential Reborn>, this trap revives my Number in defence and deals 500 damage to you." Shark declared.


    [Kite LP > 2900]


    "I attack your Shark Drake with my Galaxy-Eyes and activate its special ability to banish both monsters."


    Since a Number could only be destroyed by a Number and Shark Drake was in defence, Kite would just use his Photon Dragons ability to clear the way for his Full Amor to have a direct attack. Both monsters once more vanished into particles of light.


    "Now I attack with my Galaxy-Eyes Full Armor Photon Dragon, Photon Stream of Destruction!"


    As Kites dragon lifted its head back and charged its attack, Shark cried out.


    "I activate my face down, the quickplay spell <Xyz Encore>, with this I return your dragon back to the extra deck, then I special summon its Overlay Units that were monsters back to the field in defence mode. However they do lose 1 level."


    Kites Dragon transformed into a stream of light and flew back into Kites deck as its Overlay Units dropped to the field and became monster once again.


    [Photon Crusher ¨C Lv4 > 3 ATK:2000/0, Photon Vanisher ¨C Lv4 > 3 ATK:2000/DEF:0]


    If Kite had any idea this would happen then he would have been more careful with what Overlay Unit he had used to activate his dragons effect before. Still¡­


    "Since Photon Vanisher was special summoned I can add another Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon to my hand. And since I can''t attack anymore I end the battle phase and both our monster return to the field."


    "But your dragon loses the attack boost it previously gained." Shark replied.


    He was right, since Shark Drake had no Overlay units when it was banished this time, that meant when Galaxy-Eyes returned to the field it would only have its original 3000 ATK points.


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C Rank 4 ATK:3300/DEF:2100 OU:0, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    "I now sacrifice my Photon Vanisher and Photon Crusher to special summon my second <Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon>. Your move Shark."


    [Turn 7 - Shark LP:1000 Hand:0, Kite LP:2900 Hand:2]


    "I dra... Arrgh!"


    Suddenly Shark felt like his heart was going to burst and his vision went black as he staggered and then collapsed to the floor, his hands griping his ?h?st.


    "Shark!" Wyvern cried out.


    ---


    "Is it power you seek?"


    A voice echoed in the darkness.


    Where am I? What happened? Is that a voice?


    Shark was filled with questions as he tried to open his eyes, his thoughts slow and groggy but oddly clearer than they had been for sometime. The last thing he remembered was that terrible pain in his ?h?st and in his head.


    "Is It power you seek?" the ancient sounding voice asked again.


    As Shark opened his eyes, he found himself in front of a strange demonic door bound by thick black chains. Its relief was a monstrous face with four eyes that glowed a bright crimson and at the centre of the door was a large stylized blue fleur-de-lis with a red diamond gem at its centre.


    Were these the Gates of Hell? Had he had a heart attack, a cerebral haemorrhage or something and died? If so then his recent action deserved it. But then what was this talk of power? A part of him instinctually felt that he was still alive, that this place was in some way real.


    "If it is power you seek then open the door and claim that which you d?s?r?."


    As Shark stood up the shadow image of Number 32 materialised behind him, its ominous aura spilling over to engulf Shark in its purple glow. Its voice echoing in Sharks head.


    "Do it Shark, take the power you need." Shark Drake eagerly encouraged.


    "Shut up! Get out of my head!" Shark cried.


    "Do not deny your d?s?r?s Shark, you know this is what you want¡­ just give in to me¡­let me help you¡­"


    "No! I¡­ I won''t be controlled!!" Shark tried to reject the Number one more time.


    "Ha ha ha, isn''t it a little late to say something like that¡­" The Number mocked as the Seal of Orichalcos appeared beneath Sharks feet and its Mark on his head.


    "Aarrgggh!!"


    Sharks body felt like it was on fire as the Seals power tried to course though him, stronger and more violently than ever before.


    "Why did you do all of this Shark? Was it not for your revenge? For your sister? But look, you are still too weak, you lack the power you need. If you can''t defeat Kite how can you hope to defeat his father. You are weak."


    "Shut UP!!" Shark tried to block them out, the voice of the Numbers and the strength of the Seal both. Slivers of regret stabbed into him. He was weak. He had been weak ever since he had accepted the dark power of these cards. He was still so weak.


    "You plunged yourself into a dark abyss from which you can never return for the chance of power. Why hesitate now when true power is within your grasp-"


    "IF IT IS POWER YOU SEEK, THEN IT SHALL BE YOURS."


    "I¡­ I want the power¡­" Shark whispered. Shark Drake was right, he had come too far to turn back now. And if he failed then all his sacrifice would be for nothing.


    "Then open the Door and claim the power that is your right¡­ if you can." The door softly replied.


    Shark was drawn to the red crystal at the centre of the door, its glow drew him in like a moth to the flame. He reached out his hand and touched it, only for the symbol and crystal to shatter into fragments revealing a round hole a bit bigger than his fist surrounded by teeth like spikes.


    "Open the sealed door and claim that which those that came before you could not."


    "How?" Shark asked.


    "Reach in and the way will be opened-"


    Shark reached into the hole with his arm as the door spoke, going in all the way to his elbow.


    "-with blood."


    The teeth around the hole suddenly closed in and pierced deep into Sharks arm.


    "Arrgh!!!" Shark cried out.


    As his blood flowed through the door it began to rumble and shake, it strained itself against the chains that bound it. As more blood flowed the weaker Shark became but the stronger the motion of the door, till finally they broke, shattered into pieces. Shark was flung away with the doors opening, landing in a heap on the floor. And from the door came a flood of dark chaotic energy, like a living tide it swept towards Shark and shallowed him.


    As Shark felt himself being drowned as a new power flooded through him like a roaring river and he did not hear the doors final whispered words before he disappeared from this space.


    "Hail, to the Emperor¡­"


    ---


    "Shark!" Wyvern cried.


    When he collapsed the Black General thought is he dead? Had the pressure of using the Numbers with the Seal killed him? What would she tell her King? No he had to be saved! She would-!


    Sharks body was suddenly engulfed by a blinding purple pillar of light, it rose up beneath Shark and smashed through the ceiling, soaring into the night sky for but a few seconds before it vanished like a dream.


    Shark was standing once more. The pain he felt before was gone and he felt more alive than he ever had. He felt powerful, a power that came from himself instead of external sources like the Number cards or the Seal of Orichalcos.


    With this power¡­ He would Win!


    [Turn 7 - Shark LP:1000 Hand:0, Kite LP:2900 Hand:2]


    "I draw! Get ready for a world of pain Kite because you will never be leaving, but don''t worry I''ll send your father to join you soon."


    "You''re all bark, but I have yet to see you bite." Replied Kite, he didn''t know just what had happened with the lightshow, but it was too late to change the outcome now. Shark and New Order would all pay for what they did to Dextra.


    "Aaahhhh!"


    With a load cry Shark released his new power. A dark purplish crimson aura began to seep out of Shark. It wrapped itself around his Number and even flowed into the Seal of Orichalcos turning its bright green light a sinister purple.


    "What?!" Wyvern couldn''t believe her eyes. Just what kind of power could Shark have that could influence even the Great Seal?!


    "Now Go! Behold the power of Chaos Xyz Evolution! With Shark Drake I now rebuild the Overlay Network! Rise from the depths, the reborn great white hunter and show your true form, I Xyz Summon Chaos Number 32: Shark Drake Veiss!"


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2800 > 3300/DEF:2800 OU:1]


    Sharks Number returned from the Overlay Network in its new Chaos form, its pure white skinned was stained by the purple light of the Seal. Kite and Wyvern were shock, Shark could change his Number card! How had he done it?


    "Next I play the spell <Forbidden Chalice> and I''m using it on your first Galaxy-Eyes. Thanks to my spell your dragon gains 400ATK but it also loses all its abilities till the end of the turn."


    [Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C ATK:3000 > 3400]


    "Now I use my Chaos Numbers special ability! Since my life points are only 1000, by using one Overlay Unit and banishing my Saber Shark from the grave I can reduce the ATK and DEF of one of your monsters to 0 till the end of the turn. And my target is your first Galaxy-Eyes."


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss ¨C OU: 1 > 0]


    [Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C ATK:3400/DEF:2500 > ATK:0/DEF:0]


    Now Kites monster was powerless. Kite had no facedown cards to activate and now without any attack points or special abilities to defend itself, his Galaxy-Eyes was shark food.


    "Now go Chaos Number 32 and end this duel! Chaos Stream!"


    [CN32 ATK:3300 > GEPD ATK:0]


    Shark Drake Veiss blasted out a stream of purple energy that split into dozens of smaller streams that surrounded and blasted Kites Dragon from every direction, destroying it before zeroing in on Kite himself.


    It looked like Shark was about to win, however¡­


    "Nice try, but I activated the effect of the <Kuriphoton> in my hand. By sending this card to the grave and paying 2000 Life points I take no damage this turn."


    [Kite LP > 900]


    The swarming beams of energy were blocked by a curtain of photon energy as Kuriphoton appeared behind Kites shoulder.


    "Kuri, Kuri!" Kites monster gleefully cheered before vanishing.


    Impossible! Shark thought. How could Kite have survived that?! He should have been crushed and his soul taken by the Seal. With all this new power, how could this be happening?!


    "I¡­ end my turn¡­"


    Shark knew that the only card Kite had in his hand at the moment was the Photon Caesar, a level 8 monster Kite had revealed at the start of the duel, so long as Kite didn''t draw another monster he should be able to ride out the next turn. It all came down to this draw.


    [Turn 8 - Kite LP:900 Hand:1, Shark LP:1000 Hand:0]


    "I draw." Kite declared.


    Perfect, with this card Kite knew he could end this duel.


    "You blew your chance Shark, now I''m going to finish it, I play <Galaxy Expedition>, thanks to the presence of my Galaxy-Eyes this spell allows me to summon my level 8 <Galaxy Tyranno> from my deck in defence mode. Next I overlay my Galaxy Tyranno and Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon to Xyz summon another <Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon>!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/2500 OU:2]


    A second copy of Kites new monster took to the field, undaunted by Sharks Chaos Number.


    "Your Number is stronger than my dragon, but that won''t help when I use my dragons special ability, Cipher Subjection! You remember this one don''t you? I take control of your Chaos Number which then becomes a copy of my dragon, leaving you wide open for a direct attack!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C OU 2 > 1]


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss > Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon* ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/2500]


    Shark Drake Viess was helplessly pulled over to Kites field by the rainbow light of his dragons wings as it transformed into Cipher Dragons twin, leaving Shark without any monsters, without any traps, and with nothing in his hand, without any hope.


    "No!! I''m the one with the power! I''m the one that meant to win!" Shark couldn''t accept this, he had the Numbers, he had the Seal and he even had the power of Chaos. How could he not win!


    "Finish this Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! Go Cipher Stream of Destruction!"


    *BANG*


    [GECD ATK:3000 - Shark LP > 0]


    <<KITE WINS>>


    Shark fell to his knees, the Seal of Orichalcos returned to its normal green colour and began to close in around him. Hungry for the losers soul.

 Chapter 22 - 22: Players and Pieces.

    "Arrghh!"


    Shark cried out as the Seal closed in on him. Kite was watching with a smirk on his face as Shark faced his doom, this victory was for Dextra. He would enjoy seeing the fool fall to his own card, a fate well deserved.


    But Wyvern would not stand by and allow this.


    She moved quickly and thrust the silver sceptre in her hand into the ring of runic light.


    "By the authority of the Orichalcos King, I now unlock the Seal!" She shouted out.


    *SSCCRRRREEEECCCHHHHH!*


    A loud screeching sound was emitted from the Seal of Orichalcos, like nails dragged across a chalk board. Kite was force to block his ears with his hands, this sound was pure torture but Wyvern did not stop.


    *BOOM!*


    In a blinding explosion of light, the magical ring of the Seal and the silver sceptre both shattered into countless shards of light. Leaving Shark to fall into Wyverns arms, but Kite was not done.


    "So the Seal is not as powerful as you would have people believe. But it won''t change his fate. Go Photon Hand!"


    If the Seal could not take Sharks soul, then Kite would take great p???sur? in taking it himself!


    The ghostly white hand emerged from Kites palm and reached out towards Shark, but Wyvern was no push over herself. Darkness flashed in her eyes as the shadows around her came alive and trapped the approaching energy hand in chains of darkness and crushed it.


    "MASTER KITE! THE TIME FIELD IS DESTABILISING! COLLAPSE IS IMMINENT!" Orbitals mechanical voice cried out.


    The Time Freeze field technology was experimental and difficult even at the best of times and now it had to deal with not only the energy released by a Number duel, but also the Seal of Orichalcos, Kites new and improved Cipher Dragon, Sharks release of Chaos energy and the breaking of the Seal.


    With so many different and powerful forms of energy being released it was no wonder the field was breaking down, especially since Kite had triggered the field before Orbital had fully charged the generators.


    The air started to flicked crimson, in and out, faster and faster before it suddenly¡­ vanished.


    Time returned to normal and the previously frozen New Order members began to move again, those nearest to the trio were shocked at the scene that to their eyes had appeared out of nowhere in the blink of an eye.


    "Surround him!" Wyvern ordered her minions as Kite pulled out his Photon staff to defend himself.


    As they moved to surround the Number hunter, Kite tried to slowly back away and place the wall against his back, any New Order member who got too close would receive a nasty shock. Without the Time Field to hinder his foes he was in a bad position. But then¡­


    "General! The perimeter team report we have been surrounded by City Security forces!"


    Wyvern knew they were out of time, while she had the forces to eventually deal with Kite, they no longer had the opportunity to do so. Calling back her forces she settled for giving Fakers son one last look after handing Shark over to her men to carry.


    "You''ve caught my interest Kite. You may have won this time but there will be others, till then."


    With a wave of her hands the shadows beneath her feet came alive and spread out engulfed her entire group before sinking into the ground and vanishing, taking Wyvern, Shark and the members of New Order away with them.


    Kite rushed over to Dextra''s body that had been earlier flung against the corridors wall and held it close as the Security forces outside made their way in, tears of rage, helplessness and loss running down his face.


    "You will pay for this New Order. I swear I will hunt you down till each and every one of you have paid. And you will pay most of all Shark, I promise."


    ---


    Later in a chamber in New Order Headquarters the Orichalcos King sat alone on top of one of this thrones, of course he almost always sat on some kind of throne, that was the privilege of a king. Each chamber where the King would meet his followers had its own throne, the Room of Souls, the Audience Chamber, the Place of Worship and others. Each throne similar but different to suit the purpose of the room he was using.


    Tonight he was in the War Room, the room was mostly covered in shadow with only two lights, one above the throne and the other over the advance round computer table below where the Generals of Order would one day soon plan the conquest of the world. On that day they would rise and conquer in the name of New Order and the power of the Orichalcos. But not today.


    Besides his throne was a table with an empty chess board, next to it lay exquisitely carved pieces made of white ivory, black onyx, green jade and red bloodstone. In his hand he twiddled with the jade King.


    "Did you want something Umbral?" The Kings lazy voice echoed through the chamber.


    At his words a cloaked figure materialised from the dark shadow beside the throne. This was Umbral, Spymaster of New Order, the only person that stood on an equal footing to the Generals of Order under the Orichalcos King.


    "My liege, Generals Black and Blue have returned they-"


    "I know."


    "My King?"


    "The Orichalcos has told me all."


    Umbral was amazed once more at the powers his King wielded.


    "Then what should be done my lord?" he asked.


    "The games grow every more complicated everyday, does it not Umbral?"


    "My Lord?"


    "The game, the contest that will determine the future of this world. The players and their pieces have all begun to gather and make their opening moves."


    He placed the jade King onto the board before him.


    "First there is us, the servants of the Orichalcos and my pieces, the Generals of Order and you my Spymaster¡­"


    He placed down the jade knights, bishops and rooks.


    "¡­and of course, my mass of loyal acolytes¡­"


    He placed down four pawns to join the other jade pieces. Holding the Queen in his hands he murmured as he put it down to one side of the board.


    "A pity the Fenris still slumbers¡­"


    "And the others lord?" Asked Umbral.


    One by one the Orichalcos king placed down the other kings on the board, White, Red and Black.


    "The first is Astral World, then next is Barian World and finally Dr Faker, although Barian World would likely consider him but one of their pieces, but to underestimate the man would be a grave mistake. He is a player in his own right."


    "As far as we can tell the weakest force would be Barian World, locked behind the world seal its impressive they were even somehow able to achieve an alliance with Faker in the first place. I still wonder how they managed that."


    This was a stain on Umbria''s record as a spy master. New Order had gathered a lot of information on Barian World and Astral World, after all their ambitions did not stop at control of just the human world but all worlds. However both Astral world and Barian World were sealed away by powerful forces, one meant for protection and another to imprison. It should be impossible for Dr Faker to have come into contact with Barian World yet somehow he had, and they didn''t know how.


    "Of the three Dr Faker obviously has the strongest forces, he controls the government of the city, the Security Forces and let''s not forget about his impressive son, the Number Hunter. Which just leaves Astral World and their sole piece, their emissary, the Original Number. I wonder just who was responsible for so effectively dealing with him?"


    "What do you mean my king?" Umbral asked.


    He knew the story of course, that when the Original Number had arrived in their world his power and memory had been shattered and cast across the city in the form of the Number Cards leaving him a mere shell of what he should have been. Had it not been an accident?


    "I think it stretches coincidence too far to expect that Astral Worlds greatest hope, their champion, should suffer an accident upon his very arrival. But with Barian World sealed away and neither us nor Faker being aware of the Original Numbers arrival at first, who would make such a move?"


    "You mean there is another party Highness? One we don''t know about?"


    "Exactly, which is why I am interested in this Drake. He has appeared out of nowhere and immediately attaches himself to the host of the Original Number. He seems to have some sort of power we are unaware of and his motives are a mystery."


    "Could he not be from Barian world? Or another agent like Dr Faker?" Umbral asked.


    "Possible, but unlikely. If Barian World could send operatives over then they would not be so dependent on Faker and if he was just an agent then there should be some prior record of his existence."


    "Then¡­ could he be reinforcements from Astral world for the Original Number?"


    The Orichalcos King took a few moments to consider this possibility, but in the end dismissed it. The wild card was a mystery that would have to wait for now.


    "Assign Black to aid Silver''s operation and take the Seal away from Blue."


    "Sir?"


    "Shark has cost us a lot in this operation. Man power, resources and even a valuable Orichalcos Key. If he hadn''t awakened his own power then I would consider this mission a failure and I don''t tolerate failure. So strip him of the Seal as punishment and instruct him to continue with World Duel Carnival on his own. Once he proves himself, I will consider returning the Seal to him as well as proving the information we have extracted from that woman''s soul. Have White watch him in case Faker makes a move but I don''t think he will just yet."


    "With his new power will Shark even want to remain with us if you do this?" Umbral asked doubtfully.


    "Of course he will, you should have more faith in Tempest''s art and the power of the Seal. Now prepare the ritual chamber, the time of convergence approaches."


    ---


    In Dr Fakers top secret laboratory preparations were also underway.


    "The alinement is fast approaching, raise the Chaos Crystal." Dr Faker ordered the robotic workers that scurried around.


    He was in a control room with a huge wall window that looked out to an empty circular reinforced room. Under the operation of Fakers trusted robotic ?ssistants the centre of the room opened up and from beneath rose a fist sized purple and ruby jagged crystal on a mechanical pedestal.


    This was the crystallised Power of Chaos the Faker had extracted from Rio Kastle almost a year and a half ago. It was the heart of one of Fakers greatest creations.


    "Ready the Numbers."


    At the flick of several switches a number of mechanical arms emerged from the walls, celling and floor. Each held a Number card in its grasp as the arms moved the cards around the crystal into a moving formation that Faker had designed. As they did so the crystal in the centre began to emit a pulsating light. The resonance between the power of the Numbers and the power of Chaos was building like a positive feedback loop.


    The air was charged with energy and a heavy feeling as Faker waited. The time was almost upon them as the power continued to build. Lightning began to spark from the crystal, striking the room in unpredictable patterns, yet whenever a bolt threatened to strike a Number card it would bend around it as if it had hit an invisible forcefield.


    Meanwhile at the top of the room, space seemed to warp and change, slowly transforming into a starry sky unlike anything that could be seen from face of earth. This was what Dr Faker was waiting for, the moment when the barriers between this world and Astral world weakened.


    "Begin charging the Chaos Cannon and prepare to fire!"


    ---


    Earlier at Yuma''s house, Drake was sitting atop of the roof watching the night time sky. He was waiting for someone, someone who had just arrived.


    "You wanted to speak with me?" Astral asked.


    Drake had secretly asked Astral to see him alone tonight on the roof once Yuma had gone to sleep.


    "Here." Drake replied as he tosses a bunch of cards to Astral, each one was a Number card. In fact they were all of the Number cards Drake had collected so far.


    Astral was surprised.


    "Do you not require the Number anymore?" According to their prior agreement Drake was suppose to keep any Numbers he collects until he had finished with them before returning them to Astral. But it this had happened so quickly Astral was unsure about Drakes intentions.


    "I only wanted the Numbers to attract the users of the Orichalcos, these New Order people. Now that they know about me there really isn''t any reason to keep them anymore."


    Drake had earlier told Yuma and Astral all about what had happened that day, about Hopkirk and New Order.


    "But you are against such a powerful force, will you not need the power of the Numbers?" Astral asked. It just seemed illogical to him to give up such an advantage just like that.


    "I have faith in my own power and the Numbers are your power. I don''t need them."


    With the power of Critias he really didn''t think he needed the Numbers. Besides, the more power Astral had the safer he and Yuma would be. It was at this point that Drake felt a sudden change in the air, and he wasn''t the only one.


    Both he and Astral looked up at the changing night sky.


    With his enhanced sense Drake knew almost immediately what was happening, that two different worlds were drawing close to each other. That the barriers between them were weakening. It was quite a sight.


    Ordinary people wouldn''t be able see this sight no matter how hard they looked. Even Dr Faker couldn''t see this kind of sight the two of them watched except at the point were the walls between worlds was thinnest, where he had built his lab and was now preparing his Chaos Cannon.


    Few people knew it but the reason Heartland city was even built where it was, was because Faker had long ago identified this area as a cross roads, a place where different worlds could meet.


    Like a sea of stars, the sight was an indescribable beauty.


    Then it began to burn.

 Chapter 23 - 23: Rematch

    How did Obi Wan describe the death of Alderaan? ''As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced''.


    That perfectly described what Drake was feeling at this moment as the stars burned. No not the stars, Astral world. He didn''t need Astral''s screams of pain to understand, he didn''t need his knowledge from other worlds. He could feel it all for himself, every agonising second of it.


    Drake didn''t know how long this attack lasted. But it was too long, even a single second was too long for such an abomination. When it finally ended it came as a relief to Drakes senses.


    "I¡­ I remember¡­" Astral mumbled to himself.


    After what had happened and with the Numbers Drake had given him, it seemed like something was starting to click with Astral''s broken memories. But why did Drake care?


    A part of him that was afraid said this wasn''t Drakes fight nor his world. He was here to defeat the servants of the Orichalcos, that was his mission. It wasn''t to right the wrongs of this world, but still¡­


    After what he just felt, how could he turn his back on those in need?


    ---


    Dr Faker was resting in his office, the results of the nights attack had exceeded his expectations greatly. Using the Numbers to amplify the energy of the Chaos Crystal and led to a 40% increase in the Chaos Cannons power. At this rate it would only take a dozen or so more attacks before Astral World was destroyed and he could save his son.


    If he could gather all the Numbers it would take even less.


    But what really limited his work was something out of his control, the frequency of the world aliments. No matter how powerful the Chaos Cannon was, it could only be used when the veil between earth and Astral world was at its thinnest.


    "Father what-"


    "Kite, I know I haven''t had much time for you lately but I still remember teaching you basic manners like knocking first, right?" Faker interrupted his son. He was annoyed his son would just burst in like this.


    "Enough of the jokes father. What are you doing about Dextra?!" Kite demanded.


    "There is nothing to do." He calmly replied. He had received Heartlands report about what had happened and his computers were already analysing all the data from Dextra and Kites Duel Disks but beyond tht he had taken no other action.


    "What! You can''t be serious?!" how could his father be so calm about this.


    "Without her soul there is nothing to do, even I cannot change that." It was the simple truth. They could look after her body but without her soul she would only be an empty shell and Fakers science could do nothing about that.


    "Then we should be hunting down New Order! We know Shark is involved with them, if we mobilize the Security Forces then-"


    "No!"


    "¡­What did you say?" What was his father saying?


    "You will not take any action against Shark or New Order outside of the Duel Carnival." Dr Faker ordered.


    "I can''t believe what I am hearing. They are dangerous and need to be hunted down!" Kite argued.


    "They can wait, collecting the Numbers comes first and I won''t allow any interference in the World Duel Carnival to threaten that. Now leave and get back to work."


    In his eyes this New Order was nothing but a crazy cult, they may have somehow found an incredible source of power but that was all. They were dangerous but not a threat to his work. His focus was on saving Hart, on destroying Astral World. And to do that as soon as possible he needed the Number Cards.


    As for Shark¡­ it looked like his plan had finally succeeded and his Chaos power had awakened. Now all he needed to do was have him defeated in a duel in a place that power could be extracted. With a second Chaos Crystal the destruction of Astral world, and if necessary Barian world itself, would be close at hand.


    As Faker turned his back to his son Kite realised that he would get no aid from his father. But perhaps there was someone else who could help him, someone who might know a lot more about New Order than his father¡­


    ---


    The next day things continued as normal. Yuma went to school with his friends in the morning, minus Bronk who had apparently come down with a cold and was off sick, and Drake went out and did some more duelling to fill up his Heart Key. It appeared to be a normal day but Drake kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. To be ambushed by New Order or something.


    But when it did come it wasn''t what Drake expected. It was a familiar face that Drake had been hoping to have another run in with. He had been found by Kite.


    They were in the square in front of Heartland City Museum when they found each other, Kite had been looking for Drake all day. After his father had refused to help deal with New Order, Drake was the only one he felt he could turn to for information.


    "You here for a rematch Kite?" Drake asked. He had honestly only expected to see Kite again in the later stages of the duel carnival. He wondered what the Number Hunter wanted.


    "No¡­ I want to talk to you."


    "About?" Drake was surprised. This wasn''t like the Kite he knew, he seemed hesitant.


    "New Order. Tell me all you know." Kite demanded.


    "You first." Drake replied in surprise. So Kite knew about New Order? He could also tell something serious must have happened for Kite to seem so out of sorts, but he couldn''t just give away his knowledge for free.


    But Kite didn''t want to share. He was here for the information only and there was a difference between getting information from Drake and in giving Drake the confidential information his father had acquired.


    "How about we bet our information in a duel then." Drake asked when he saw how hesitant Kite was. Duellists loved to settle all sorts of things in a duel, a bet like this was nothing strange.


    "I guess we are duelling after all then. Go Photon Transformation!"


    "Duel!"


    [Turn 1 - Kite LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "Draw!"


    "Oh Kite, you better not mess around like in our last duel, otherwise I will be very disappointed." Drake told him seriously. He still remembered how in their last duel Kite had led with the ridiculous ''Crazy Box'' Number.


    "Oh don''t worry, in fact at the moment I don''t have any Numbers on me but don''t let that fool you. My deck has been through a complete evolution, why don''t I show you!"


    Drake found this interesting, this meant that both of them no longer had any Numbers.


    "I play


    with this spell I shuffle three light attribute monster from my hand into my deck, then I get to add up to 3 level 4 or lower light monsters from my deck to my hand so long as they share the same name. So I add three copies of <Cipher Wing> to my hand!"


    What?! Kites using Cipher monsters?! So that''s what Kite meant by an evolution Drake thought.


    "I summon Cipher Wing in attack mode, and when I control a cipher monster I can special summon the other two cipher wings from my hand to the field."


    x3 [Cipher Wing ¨C Lv4 ATK:1400/DEF:1200]


    "Next I will tribute one of my Cipher Wing''s to increase the level of my other two monsters by 4."


    x2 [Cipher Wing ¨C Lv4 > 8]


    "With these two monsters I build the Overlay Network and by way of the cosmic energies that make up our galaxies, I''ll make something just as mighty! I Xyz Summon! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:2]


    *ROAR!!*


    Drake took a moment to appreciate Kites dragon, there were few monsters that Drake loved beyond his own Blue-Eyes but Kites various Galaxy-Eyes were among them. And the Cipher dragon series really had a unique brilliance with their rainbow aura wings.


    "I set a card face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 2 - Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Kite LP:4000 Hand:1]


    "My turn, I draw!"


    Since Kite was taking this duel so seriously Drake knew he had to bring his A game.


    "I play <One for One>! By sending <The White Stone of Legend> in my hand to the grave I can special summon <The White Stone of Ancients> to the field. Thanks to White Stone of Legend''s effect I then add a <Blue-Eyes White Dragon> from my deck to my hand."


    "An egg, that''s your play?" Kite taunted.


    "That''s right, but I am far from done. By revealing a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand I can special summon <Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon> to the field!"


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:300/DEF:2500]


    A mighty white dragon with pulsating blue vein patterns on its body took flight on the field. Apart from its blue patterns it looked almost exactly like a regular Blue-Eyes, which was kind of the point.


    "I use my dragons special ability, by forgoing its attack this turn I can destroy one monster on the field, so say good bye to your Cipher Dragon!"


    Drakes monster blasted a stream of blue lightning towards Kite monster.


    "Not yet! I activate my facedown <Cipher bit> this trap becomes an overlay unit for my dragon and protects it from destruction once this turn!"


    Kites trap transformed into a golden shield that protected his dragon from the lightning of Drakes monster before becoming joining the orbiting Overlay Units.


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C OU:2 > 3]


    "Now this is what I call a duel! Now gather the stars of hope and create the silver road of a legend! I tune my level 1 White Stone of Ancients and my level 8 Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon to synchro summon <Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon> in defence mode!"


    [Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon ¨C Lv9 ATK:2500/DEF:3000]


    *ROAR!*


    Drakes two monsters transformed into nine glowing stars that spun in a circle to form a great blinding gate, before a silver scaled dragon emerged with a mighty roar!


    "Thanks to my dragons special ability until the end of the next turn neither of us can target the dragons I currently control with card effect, nor can they be destroyed by card effect. Then I set two cards face down and end my turn, at which point the effect of my White stone of Ancients activates in my grave, allowing me to special summon <Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon> from my deck in defence mode."


    [Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon - Lv8 ATK:2500/2000]


    A new Blue-Eyes with glass like wings emerged on Drakes field and as it did so it shone a bright light through its wings towards Kite''s Cipher Dragon.


    "This dragons special ability targets one monster you control and rids it of its special abilities, so that''s that for your Cipher Dragon and its your turn Kite."


    [Turn 3 - Kite LP:4000 Hand:1, Drake LP:4000 Hand:2]


    "Don''t think you have the advantage, I draw! then I play


    and draw two more cards."


    Since his dragon no longer had its special abilities then he might as well trade it in for a better monster.


    "I use my Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon to Xyz summon the blade of vengeance with the power of ten super novas! Come forth rank 9 <Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon>!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon ¨C Rank 9 ATK:3200/2800 OU:3]


    Similar to his Full Armor dragon this card could be summoned using a Galaxy-Eyes Xyz monster Kite controlled. Kites new dragon sported new sharp armor and large back sweeping crescent blades on its arms.


    "I now use one overlay unit to activate my dragons special ability to destroy one card on the field, so I will destroy your right hand facedown card, Go Cipher Slash!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon ¨C OU: 3 > 2]


    "Since you used a Special ability I will now activate my Solid Dragons effect, I tribute it to special summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my deck to the field in Attack mode!" Drake declared.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon -Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    As Drakes trusted Blue-Eyes took to the field, Kites monster continued its effect. Absorbing an Overlay unit into its forearm blades Kites dragon chopped the face down card in half, revealing it to be the <Mirror Force> trap card. Drake grimaced at the lose of his powerful trap card.


    "Next a summon <Galaxy Dragon> to the field!"


    [Galaxy Dragon ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000/DEF1200]


    A mini version of Kites Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon took to the field. Examining it with his Dragons Eye Drake could help but whistle in appreciation. This card was basically made for fighting a dragon deck like his. It could only attack dragon type monsters but when it did it would gain 1000 ATK and negate the special abilities of the dragon it was fighting for the battle phase.


    Meaning this card basically had 3000 ATK against almost all Drakes monsters. The only good thing was it couldn''t attack a player directly.


    Kite decided to was time to show Drake how his new dragon went about the hunt.


    "I attack your Blue-Eyes with my Cipher Blade Dragon, Go Cipher Sword Stream!"


    [BEWD ATK:3000 > GECBD ATK:3200 ¨C Drake LP > 3800]


    A blast of sword light slashed through Drakes monster turning it into sliced meat.


    Since Kites Galaxy Dragon couldn''t beat Drakes Azure-Eyes defence, even with its power boost, that was all Kite could do.


    "I set a facedown and end my turn."


    [Turn 4 - Drake LP:3800 Hand:2, Kite LP:4000 Hand:1]


    Drake was happy, it seemed that his strategy to bait Kite into using his Blade Dragon to destroy his Blue-Eyes had succeeded.


    "I draw! Thanks to the second effect of my Silver Dragon I can now bring back a Normal monster from my Graveyard, so return to me my Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    Drakes dragon took form once more to Kites displeasure. He realised that he had been had and that it would have been better destroying the defence position Azure-Eye Dragon.


    "I now summon <Blue-Eyes Kuriboh> to the field."


    [Blue-Eyes Kuriboh ¨C Lv1 ATK:300/DEF:200]


    Drakes cute cos play fluff ball made its entrance, flapping its cardboard wings with joy.


    "And what can that thing do?" Kite asked with a sneer.


    "It can substitute itself as a Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and by tributing two Blue-Eyes I can special summon <Blue-eyes Twin Burst Dragon> from my extra deck. So I sacrifice Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Blue-Eyes Kuriboh, come forth my beast!"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ¨C Lv10 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Drakes two headed dragon charge forth ready for battle.


    "Now I attack your Cipher Blade Dragon with Twin Burst, go Twin Stream of Destruction!"


    "I don''t know your plan, but I won''t let you succeed. I activate my trap <Lumenize> this negates your attack then add your dragons attack points to one of my light attribute dragons until the end of my next turn. And I chose my Galaxy Dragon."


    [Galaxy Dragon ¨C ATK:2000 > 5000]


    "Stopping one attack won''t end this battle, because by two headed dragon can attack twice! Go and attack Cipher blade dragon again!"


    [BETBD ATK:3000 > GECBD ATK:3200 - Drake LP > 3600]


    "Why would you want to destroy your own dragon?!" Kite cried. As the two dragons clashed with beams of lightning and sword light.


    "I don''t, Twin Burst Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle. And when it fails to destroy a monster it attacks, at the end of the damage step that monster is banished from play."


    Drakes monster remained standing as Kites was wrapped in blue lightning and vanished from the field.


    "I set a card and end my turn."


    [Turn 5 - Kite LP:4000 Hand:1, Drake LP:3600 Hand:1]


    "It seems I''m not the only one who has gotten stronger, but if you think this is all I can do then you can keep dreaming. This hunt is on, I draw!"


    Perfect, he had just the cards he needed to put Drake in his place.


    "I play <Galaxy Zero>! This equip spell brings back a Galaxy monster from my grave, so return Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:0]


    Kites dragon returned to the field, but it would not stay for long.


    "Next I activate <Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension>! This take my dragon to the next level, behold <Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon>!"

 Chapter 24 - 24: An Understanding.

    In front of the Heartland City Museum the Duel between Drake and Kite was reaching a peak as it pulled a large crowd of spectators from the museums visitors and passing foot traffic.


    [Turn 5 - Kite LP:4000 Hand:1, Drake LP:3600 Hand:1]


    "Next I activate <Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension>! This takes my dragon to the next level, behold <Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon>!"


    [Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C Rank 9 ATK:4500/DEF:3000 OU:1]


    Much like how Drakes own ultimate dragon was a three headed version of his Blue-Eyes, this was a three headed version of Kites Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, one main head and two on its shoulders. Kite seemed proud of the power his dragon commanded, and he had good reason to be.


    All around them spectators watching the duel were cheering the two duellists on, this may be the World Duel Carnival with duels happening on practically every other street, but a duel of this calibre between such legendary monsters was a rare treat to witness in these preliminary stages.


    "Thanks to the additional effect of my Cipher Ascension my Dragon also gains 500 ATK for each level 4 or high monster I control. So thanks to my Galaxy Dragon it now gains 500 ATK."


    [Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C ATK:4500 > 5000]


    That meant that Kite now had two monsters with 5000 ATK, his new Neo Galaxy-Eyes and his Galaxy Dragon that was still under a 3000 ATK boost thanks to Kites Lumenize trap until the end of this turn.


    [Galaxy Dragon ¨C Lv4 ATK:5000/DEF:1200]


    "Next I will use my dragons special ability, by using its Overlay Unit I can take control of one of your monsters. Go Cipher Super Subjection! And take control of Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon!"


    [Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C OU: 1 > 0]


    *ROAR!*


    With a mighty roar Kites dragon swallowed its sole Overlay Unit and infused its rainbow wings with its power. This brilliant light wrapped around Drakes Azure-Eyes and pulled it to Kites side of the field before it transformed into a duplicate of Kites Neo Galaxy-Eyes.


    "Not only do I steal your dragon for this turn but it also becomes a copy of my beast, changings its name and ATK to match my dragon."


    [Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon > *Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C ATK:4500]


    The crowd cheered in appreciation at seeing Kite field three monsters with over 4000 ATK at once.


    "While your dragon has changed quite a bit it still keeps its level, so since I control another monster level 4 or higher, my original Neo Galaxy-Eyes gains another 500 ATK thanks to the ability it gained from Cipher Ascension."


    [Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨CATK:5000 > 5500]


    "Because I used Neo Galaxy-Eyes ability I can only attack you directly with my original Neo Galaxy-Eyes, so I will first attack your Twin Burst with Galaxy Dragon! And its effect not only negates your monsters abilities, it also gains 1000 ATK, giving my dragon 6000 ATK this battle!"


    [GD ATK:5000 > 6000 > BETBD ATK:3000 ¨C Drake LP > 600]


    "And with your defence gone I can attack you directly, go Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon end this with Cipher Stream of Devastation!"


    "Not so fast!"


    A brilliant soft white light lit the field after Drake activated his trap card!


    "Go <Double Dragon Descent> This trap activates when a Xyz monster you control declares a Direct attack, with it I can special summon a Xyz light attribute dragon from my extra deck in attack mode and I redirect your attack to it instead! So come forth <Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon>! And not only that but my dragons attack points now becomes equal to that of the attacking monster! Go Starlightning!"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000 > 5500/DEF:2500 OU:0]


    *ROAR!*


    Drakes four winged dragon roared in defiance as it descended to the field, bathing the field in its gentle white glow as it interposed itself between Drake and Kites monster with unyielding determination.


    Drakes supporters in the watching crowd cheered in support at this sudden reversal of fortune.


    [NGECD ATK:5500 > BESD ATK:5500]


    As Kites Neo Galaxy-Eyes three heads blasted out a triple stream of cosmic energy, Drakes Starlight Dragon countered with a might blast of it white/black lightning. The resulting explosion as the two forces collided engulfed both monsters in terrifying energy.


    "That means both our monster are destroy!" cried Kite in frustration.


    Drakes field was again empty, but that didn''t matter.


    "That''s right and my stolen Azure-Eyes cannot attack me directly."


    "Which means I can only end my turn¡­" mumbled Kite.


    "That''s right! At which point my Silver Dragon returns to me in its original form, also your Galaxy Dragons ATK now returns to its original 2000!"


    [*Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C ATK:4500 > Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon ¨C ATK:2500, Galaxy Dragon ATK:5000 > 2000]


    [Turn 6 - Drake LP:600 Hand:1, Kite LP:4000 Hand:0]


    The cheering crowds were driven even more wild as the duel continued to intensify and news spread across the various social media sites. Although Drake did a lot of low key duelling during his investigations, his famous usage of the rare and legendary Blue-Eyes monsters had earned him a small, almost cult like, following of duel supporters.


    "I draw! Now my Silver Dragons ability once again revives my Blue-Eyes from the grave."


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    "I play <Advance Draw>! With this spell, by sacrificing my Azure-Eyes Dragon, I get to draw two more cards."


    Several members of the crowd called Drake an idiot for getting rid a monster that could continually revive his Blue-Eyes but he paid them no mind. Looking at the cards he drew Drake could almost feel the hands of fate at work.


    "Next I activate the spell <Ultimate Cosplay!> I can use this spell by targeting one monster I control that is listed as a fusion material on a fusion monster in my extra deck and then I reveal that fusion monster. So targeting my Blue-Eyes allows me to reveal the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon in my extra deck. Now my spells effect changes my dragons name and effect to the monster I just revealed, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon > Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]


    The illusionary image of Drakes Ultimate Dragon appeared around the Blue-Eyes White Dragon before transforming into a bright white light that blocked the dragon from view. Then it faded to reveal Drakes monster now clad in cosplay costume in the form of two cardboard ultimate dragon heads and a crown crest for its own head.


    "But that monster has no abilities, why go to all that trouble just to change you monsters name? Unless-!"


    "That''s right! I tribute my Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon to special summon <Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon>! I''m glad you remembered him because I''m not the only one that wanted another chance at you, my Shining Dragon wants a piece too! And here it comes!"


    [Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon - Lv10 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Drakes Blue-Eyes began to crack apart, spilling out a blinding white and blue light from within its body, before it exploded like a miniature supernova to reveal the mighty Shining Dragon, clad in its silvery white metal armour. Its eyes and giant blue gems radiating a bright neon light.


    "You remember my Dragons abilities right? Go Shining Burst! For each dragon in my Grave my monster now gains 300 ATK. Were you keeping count? Let me help you, there are 8 dragons in my graveyard which means Shining Dragon gains 2400 ATK!"


    [Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon - ATK:3000 > 5400]


    White Stone of Ancients, White Stone of Legend, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon and Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon. The phantom images of each of Drakes dragons appeared and were absorbed into the burning blue jewel at the centre of Blue-Eyes Shining Dragons ?h?st, infusing it with incredible power.


    "Now I attack your Galaxy Dragon! Shining Neutron Blast! And thanks to Shining Dragons ''Shining Diffusion'' your dragon can''t negate the effects of my dragon."


    [BESD ATK:5400 > GD ATK:2000>3000 - Kite LP > 1600]


    As Blue-Eyes Shining dragon clad itself in its protective aura of light particles it blasted Kites monsters into dust with a huge stream of violent energy strong enough to knock Kite onto his back.


    "That''s not enough to finish me!" Kite cried as he stood back up.


    "But this will be! I activate my last face down <Dragons Rebirth>! I banish my Shining Dragon to once more special summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the Grave!"


    A pillar of flame engulfed Drakes dragon before being blasted apart from within and revealing Drakes signature monster reborn.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Drake could have ended this a number of different monsters, but he could not help but choose his go to favourite. The Legendary White Beast of Destruction, the dragon said to represent absolute power.


    "I¡­ lost..." Kite realised it was all over.


    "Yes you have. Go Blue-Eyes White Dragon and end this duel with your White Lightning!!!"


    *ROAR!*


    [BEWD ATK:3000 ¨C Kite LP > 0]


    Blue-Eyes blasted out with its mighty lightning breath and wiped out the last of Kites Life Points.


    <<DRAKE WINS>>


    Walking over to the fallen Kite, Drake offered a helping hand to pick him up under the claps and cheers of the audience. While the cards they had both used in the duel had been powerful, neither of them had used Number Cards or similar mystical cards such as the Seal, so the actual damage they both suffered was little more than a few scratches.


    Refusing the offered hand Kite stood on his own.


    "Fine, you win this time. What do you want to know?" he asked Drake.


    "Follow me" Drake replied and led Kite into the museum''s Caf¨¦, stopping only couple of times to sign autographs when a few of his fans gathered their courage to ask.


    Although Drake had won the duel and won all the information Kite had on New Order he didn''t plan to be stingy with his own information. But he also didn''t want everything he knew to be overheard or passed back to Dr Faker. Not when New Order had infiltrated his organisation.


    But considering the amount of tech Faker had probably deck Kite out with Drake wasn''t going to rule out the presence of hidden spyware. Which meant there was only one way the two of them could have a truly private conversation.


    Ordering a private booth the two duellists sat down and placed an order with the waitress.


    "Look into my eyes." Drake told Kite, immediately realising that what he said could be taken completely the wrong way, he was glad no one else was close by.


    "What?!" Kite asked giving Drake a strange look. Where had this come from?


    "Its not like that! Just do it!" Drake snapped.


    Making eye contact with Kite, Drake activated the power of his Dragons Eye and pulled both of their consciousness into his inner mental world. For a private conversation there really was no better place.


    Kite felt his vision go black for a second and the next thing he knew, he was standing in front of gigantic castle in the middle of a forest in the middle of who knows where.


    "Where are we? How..?" Kite asked Drake who was standing next to him.


    "Don''t worry, we haven''t left the Caf¨¦. This is a mental construct in my mind. None of this is really here, but we can talk without worrying about what others may hear." Drake explained while demonstrating the illusionary nature of the world around them by transforming a stone he picked off the floor into a flower, a hat, then a rat and letting it scurry off.


    "Come on in." Drake said as he opened the castles great doors with a thought and led Kite inside.


    "So what? Our bodies are just sitting in that booth like dummies?" Kite asked in concern.


    "Don''t worry, thoughts are much faster than reality, hours here would be mere minutes outside. Not that I can keep your mind here for that long anyway."


    Drake led Kite to the dragons shrine, its large cathedral like grandeur aweing even the scornful Number Hunter to silence. Fortunately Critias was currently out, stretching his mental wings outside in the recreation of the Domain of the Beasts, otherwise Drake wasn''t sure how Kite would react to the Legendary Dragon.


    With a wave of his hand Drake created several chairs and sofas for Kite to choose from. The two of them then go down to talking about New Order.


    Kite told Drake everything he knew about New Order, how he had spied on Drakes duel with Hopkirk, about the mysterious energy readings his father had been researching during the carnival, about New Orders attack on the Black Elite base last night. He told Drake about what had happened to Dextra, about Shark having joined New Order and everything else he knew or learned through reading his father''s confidential files.


    With a little coaching Kite was even able to project his own memories of his duel with Shark like a personal movie for Drake to watch. In exchange Drake told Kite practically every he knew as well, while he did keep some secrets, as well as how he knew such secrets, from Kite.


    He also mocked the hunter for a serious misplay, when he had taken control of Shark Drake with Cipher Dragon he could have traded it for his Cipher Blade dragon or Full Armor, depriving Shark of his monster from the start.


    Kite couldn''t do that in his duel against Drake because Drakes monster hadn''t been an Xyz monster but that didn''t apply to Shark Drake.


    Kite shrugged the criticism off as still being unfamiliar with his new cards and how they combo together. Drake let it slide, it wasn''t important now.


    Drake didn''t tell Kite that he was from another world, or about Critias and the other Legendary Dragons. After all, even if both of them were enemies of the Orichalcos, Drake had allied himself with Yuma and Astral while Kite and his father were trying to destroy Astral World. Ultimately they were still on different sides of a war.


    Drake still needed some time to reflect on what he had learned. And about Shark. So he turned the conversation to Astral World.


    "Why is your father attacking Astral World?"


    "You know about that?! Of course! You are living with the Original Number after all."


    "Is it to do with your brother?" Drake pushed. He needed to confirm what the situation was exactly.


    "How did you-!" Kite asked in shock.


    "A little research and a little guesswork based on what happened to end our first duel." Drake deflected.


    Kite looked troubled as he considered how much he was willing to trust someone he had only met twice. Kite was surprised at just how far he did seem to trust Drake.


    "Fine¡­ My brother has been inflicted with a strange illness for the last 4 years. Even with all my fathers science he could find no cure, then 2 years ago he was approached with an offer. Harts cure for the destruction of Astral World."


    "From Barian World?"


    "You even know about Barian World?! How? Astral clearly didn''t know about them when we last fought"


    "Trade secret." Replied Drake, he already knew that Kite knew about Astral and his condition from Yuma and Astral themselves.


    Kite chalked Drakes knowledge up to Astral having recovered more of his memories along with the Numbers Cards the duo had acquired since their last duel.


    "Humph¡­ Yes, my father said the offer came from Barian World."


    "And you are sure they can deliver on that promise? Destroying a world can''t exactly be undone after all."


    "We are not stupid! They gave us a sample cure, Hart''s condition improved drastically for almost a month." Kite remembered the hope that had been ignited in that one month period. Even if Barian World was keeping something back, that improvement was something that his father had failed to achieve or even come close to in four years.


    Unfortunately the sample had been too small for Dr Faker to analyse properly otherwise everything that happened after would have been unnecessary.


    "Just how did Barian World contact your father anyway?" Drake was curious. Last night when the barriers between worlds was thin, he had sensed Astral World quite clearly, he had even had a sense the world of the duel spirits but he had no impression of Barian world at that time. And according to what Kite had told him about the legends of the ancient Barian/Astral War, after Astral World had won, Barian World had been sealed away. Was that Seal now broken or weakening?


    "I don''t know. Only my father knows."


    "Could you get me in to see your brother?" Drake suddenly asked.


    "Absolutely not! You are connected to the Original Number and as far as Heartland can discover your whole identity is a fake. Forget about my father, even I wouldn''t trust you enough to let you get anywhere near Hart."


    "Fine, fine." Drake knew he was asking too much with that request.


    "Why would you want to anyway?" Kite asked suspiciously.


    "I wanted to find out if I can help your brother in anyway."


    "What! You think you can cure him?!"


    "Calm down. How could I know that without seeing him? I just thought that on the off chance that I could do something for Hart then you wouldn''t have any reason to attack Astral World any more. Then we could focus on the threat of New Order."


    "You think Astral World would just forgive my father what he has done to them so easily?" Kite asked in scorn.


    He was probably right Drake thought. Even if Faker stopped his attack right now, it was unlikely that Astral World would just forgive and forget the slaughter that had already happened.


    "¡­What a mess."


    Further conversation was interrupted as a wind blew in from the open great window and Kite was stunned as a massive dragon with greyish blue scales flew in and landed on the large central platform. Great...


    "Allow me to introduce you, Kite this is Critias, Critias this is the Number Hunter Kite. So Kite, concerning New Order do we have an understanding?"

 Chapter 25 - 25: New Order Strikes!

    Kite and Drake soon returned to the real world, just in time for them to receive their orders, a coffee with a chocolate muffin for Drake and a soda and cheese cake slice for Kite. From an outsiders perspective only a minute or two had passed.


    They hadn''t stayed long in Drakes mental world after Critias made his appearance. Drake didn''t know just what Kite had thought about the dragon, whether he had realised that the dragon was an actual entity that had made its home in his head or if he thought that was just part of the mental world like the castle and forest itself.


    After all he had already previously demonstrated to Kite the nature of that world to him by creating a rat.


    But Kite had been intimidated by Critias''s presence, Drake remembered how Critias had lowered his head down to get a good look at the Number Hunter before puffing an indifferent blast of smoke out of his nostrils which had blasted Kite onto his backside.


    Drake had some trouble keeping himself from laughing himself silly at the look on Kites face at that time.


    Drake did know that he didn''t want Kite to become too interested in the dragon, at the moment they were but temporary allies. Two opposing sides facing a greater common enemy. So he needed to keep at least some of his secrets.


    Finishing their meals the two left without saying another word, each going their separate ways. If anyone was spying on them, they were sure to be confused. They would have no idea that the two of them had come to an agreement of alliance.


    Drake naturally understood that the agreement they had made was only worth so much, he knew Kite would always put the welfare of his family first and foremost.


    So Drake made his way home with a heavy heart.


    He would never have considered that Shark would have joined New Order if Kite hadn''t told him. To think that he left that boy several Number cards. Now he wished he hadn''t, but it was to late to change things now.


    ---


    "How long do you expect this to take?" Wyvern irritably asked the sliver armoured General beside her.


    The two of them were watching various monitors of a duel field in a small control room, of course they had the authority to use the larger meeting rooms for such a task but Silver insisted on using this small and cramp room. Wyvern knew it was just so he had an excuse to be closer to her, but under the orders of her king she had no choice but to grit and bear it.


    The Silver General, whose name was Hal, was enjoying having the Black General under his thumb, even if it was just for the upcoming mission. He loved to push her bu??ons, with her beauty and cold aloof personality he really wished he could just take her, even if by force. She had ignited a flame of d?s?r? in him almost from the first moment he saw her those years ago.


    However he was no fool, not only was this woman strong, but she also had her strange shadow magic and the favour of the Orichalcos King.


    "It won''t be too long my dear, a day or two more at the most. It''s a bit of a rush but I am confident that my special training will prepare him for the task at hand." He replied to Wyvern with a faint smile on his lips.


    Wyvern ignored him.


    "So have you finished your preparations?" Hal asked the touch¨¦ female.


    "Yes, and you''re sure I can have some fun with him?" a trace of eagerness was in her voice.


    At least her task had some benefits that she would enjoy.


    Hal felt a surge of jealously, it was fine that she was more interested in their king than in him, after all Hal could never compare himself to a god like being like their great king. But to have such obvious interest in an outsider and not him boiled his blood.


    ---


    "You can''t be serious! I don''t believe it!"


    "Calm down Yuma."


    "No Astral, I won''t. I don''t believe it, Shark wouldn''t do that!"


    Drake felt a headache coming on. After Yuma got home from school Drake had obviously had to tell the boy the bad news, that Shark had joined New Order. That he was now their enemy and a stealer of souls.


    "Look Yuma-"


    "No Drake! I know Shark. He isn''t that kind of person. What reason would he have to join New Order. You have to be wrong." Yuma refuted.


    "I''m not wrong, Kite saw it for himself and I saw his memories. You can''t fake something like that." Drake insisted.


    "But why would he? In makes no sense!" Yuma angrily asked.


    "For revenge, did you know Shark has a sister?" Drake questioned.


    "He does?" All this time Yuma knew Shark, he had never known that he had a sister.


    "Yes, she''s in a coma at the Heartland General hospital long care wing. She''s there because of what Dextra did to her under Dr Fakers orders."


    "Dex-who for Dr who-now?"


    "Dr Faker¡­ Kites father, this city''s puppet master and the one Kite is collecting Number Cards for. And Dextra is Kites friend who had her soul stolen by Shark. Please try to keep up."


    In fact the way Kite had talked about Dextra he wondered if she was something more to the Number Hunter but that was besides the point at this moment.


    "But even if Shark wants revenge why would he join New Order, they must be hurting a lot of innocent people with the Seal of Orihanos-"


    "Orichalcos." Astral corrected Yuma.


    "Whatever, the point is why would Shark be involve with hurting innocent people. He might be angry and a bit of a jerk but he''s not that kind of guy. Maybe they did something to him?"


    Yuma might have a point. It wouldn''t be the first time for Drake to have heard that Sharks thirst for revenge led to him being manipulated by another power. Vetrix in the anime had managed to do it. But Drake wouldn''t be able to determine that for himself unless he met Shark again.


    "Fine, maybe they did something to him or maybe they didn''t. It doesn''t change the fact that he is a part of New Order and he is very dangerous now. You need to be careful if you meet him, do you understand Yuma?" Drake asked.


    "I understand, but he''s my friend. I have to save him, even if it''s from himself."


    Drake gave up trying to convince Yuma any different.


    "Well I got to Jet, See ya!" Yuma rushed out on his own while Drake was distracted.


    No doubt he was going to try and find Shark by himself and was ditching his chaperone. Drake gave Astral a nod hoping the alien would be able to keep Yuma out of too much trouble. Instead of chasing after the boy Drake thought his best option was to look for Shark himself.


    ---


    "Go Blue-Eyes White Dragon! White Lightning!"


    *BOOM*


    <<Drake Wins>>


    With another victory under his belt Drake continued to comb the city looking for signs of New Order or Shark. It was late afternoon and the thick clouds overhead promised rain at anytime.


    More than enough time.


    Ever since their talk about Shark, Yuma had been ducking Drakes company. Drake had promised to look after the boy to his sister but that was difficult to do if Yuma wanted to ditch him. He had hoped Yuma would blow off his steam the first afternoon, but the next day after their talk the boy had simple gone looking for Shark on his own after school, not coming back to the house until late evening. Then today Drake had waited outside the school for him, but the kid lost Drake in a crowded shopping street on the way home.


    Thankfully Yuma hadn''t run into any trouble or Akari would have had his head.


    In fact, duel wise he was doing rather well, having reached level 4 of the Green light layer. But his increasing recklessness was worrying. Speaking of the Devil¡­


    Drake saw a familiar floating blue figure as he turned a corner.


    Yuma and Astral had their backs to him and Tori was by their side. It was almost too easy as Drake snuck up and grabbed Yuma by his hood.


    "Got you!"


    "Ahh! Err Drake, there you are¡­ I¡­ was just looking for you¡­yeah that''s right! Where''d you disappear too?" Yuma stammered as he struggled in Drakes grip, as if Drake would fall for a story like that.


    "Home now." Drake said with an air of finality.


    "But...but.."


    "It''s getting late and it could start to rain any minute. Just come home, you can start looking again tomorrow."


    "Fine¡­"


    The three of them (four counting Astral) made their way back to the house, Drake planned to drop Yuma off before continuing to escort Tori home. It would be the gentlemanly thing to do.


    But things would not go to plan. About a mile from Yuma''s house, trouble found them.


    New Order.


    Even given the time and the bleak weather the streets were unnaturally empty when the group found their path blocked by a masked man. Drake recognised the outfit from the memories Kite had showed him as being the same as what was used by New Order in their ?ssault on Fakers Black Elite base.


    Black robes, shirt, trousers and a featureless black mask whose only adornment was the Seal of Orichalcos. His duel disk was a crescent blade shape, its colours were mixture of dark blue and black with numerous arcane runes carved into its surface, each of them glowing a neon green.


    "Is that New Order? Hey you! Where''s Shark, what did you do to him!?" Shouted Yuma as Drake pushed him and Tori behind his back.


    "¡­" The masked man just stood there in silence like he was waiting for something.


    "Hey-!"


    Drake silenced Yuma with a look before he could carry on. For one moment Drake considered if this masked man might be Shark himself, but immediately discarded the notion. He was too tall to be Shark.


    "Did you come to duel?" Drake asked as he prepared his duel disk.


    "¡­No, I am here¡­ to kill you!"


    With a fast draw the masked man slapped down a monster onto his duel disk and materialised the monster in front of Drake. Orichalcos Gigas. Without a word the monster smashed down at Drake with his fist, forcing Drake to jump backwards pulling the kids along with him.


    He was just in time as the street suffered the punishing impact and shattered into pieces.


    "Whoa¡­ that thing looks so real¡­" Yuma said, not realising the danger they were in.


    "Yuma you are not wearing your duel gazer." Astral point out to the oblivious boy.


    "What!! That means- Omph.."


    Yuma did have time to finish his sentence as Drake pushed the boy out of the way of the next punch, taking the fist with his own body.


    Fortunately Drake was stronger than a normal human, but he could not take too many more hits like that.


    "Go Blue-Eyes! White Lightning!"


    Calling forth his own beast, Drakes dragon blasted the Orichalcos Gigas to pieces with its powerful breath attack. But within seconds the beast returned, reborn from a ring of mystical light, growing even stronger than before.


    But for now it was still to weak to face off against the power of Drakes Blue-Eyes.


    As it tried to grapple the white dragon, Blue-Eyes simply smashed it into a near by wall with a slap of its tail before biting down at the stunned monster with its powerful teeth, shattering the monster once again.


    As Drake allowed his Blue-Eyes to handle the Gigas which kept reviving with each defeat, he kept his eye on the one who had summoned it.


    He was worried this guy might have something else up his sleeve. But he just stood there. In fact it seemed that he was getting weaker and weaker each second, especially whenever his monster returned to life.


    It didn''t take genius to workout what was going on. In that case¡­


    Drakes dragon and the Orichalcos Gigas were now wrestling each other, one with its sharp claws that ripped and tore, the other with massive fists of power that crushed and smashed. Even in this short time the Orichalcos beast had managed to become powerful enough to fight Blue-Eyes on equal terms.


    Yuma was trying to protect Tori with his body as the two of them backed against a wall and Astral just watched on in fascination, a stray shock wave actually cut his incorporeal face.


    Drake considered telling the three of them to run but didn''t know if there were others waiting nearby.


    This fight was dangerous, but Drake had an advantage over the masked man.


    He could tell he had a lot more power than that guy, enough to summon multiple monsters.


    "Time for a helping hand, so come out Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"


    Drake summoned a second Blue-Eyes to join the fray. Together the two of them easily threw their opponent away before unleashing a double white lightning blast. This was no duel where monsters could only fight one on one. But no matter how hard the two dragons attack, no matter how many times they took the beast down. It wouldn''t stay down.


    Before things got anymore out of hand Drake had to stop this beast. He could of course summon Critias. As a legendary dragon its power could easily erase the power of the Orichalcos that summoned this monster into reality. But that would mean exposing Critias''s power, he would rather try outlasting his opponent first. But before he did that Drake wanted to try one more thing.


    "I activate polymerization, fuse my dragons together to become the Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"


    At this point the Orichalcos Gigas was stronger than either of Drakes Blue-Eyes individually which meant its ATK value in duel terms must be over 3000 by now. Fusing his two dragons together would actually make them overall weaker than the Gigas, but in a duel Twin Burst had special abilities which Drake hoped would carry over to this fight.


    Spaced seemed to warp around them as the two dragons fused into one single two headed dragon. But before it could take its bearing the Orichalcos Gigas smashed into the dragon, knocking it clear across the street and wrecking several parked cars. But although that blow hurt it, it didn''t destroy it. And in retaliation it blasted out with a double shot of its lightning breath.


    The monster stood strong against the fierce energy streams, blocking it with its crossed arms, but it failed to notice the creeping threads of energy that began to wrap around its figure. And by the time it did, it was too late as the power collapsed in on itself, vanishing from the world and taking the Orichalcos beast with it.


    This was Twin Burst Dragons power to banish a monster it battled with that was not destroyed. And because the Orichalcos Gigas was now banished, it could not be revived.


    The masked man staggered with the loss of his monster. Drake could feel that this guy''s energy had dropped to a very low level, while his own had only drop by a quarter at most.


    Looking around the street had been transformed into something one would see in a war zone. Smashed walls, crushed cars, deep claw marks gouged into the road and scorch marks from his dragons lightning attacks littered the place. Just where were all the people? Surely someone must have heard, and seen, the fight. Maybe they just had the good sense to run away but Drake feared something more sinister.


    "Bring him to me." Drake ordered his dragon. It would be a shame to waste the opportunity to capture a New Order operative, especially since he had gone through so much trouble to materialise his monster into reality.


    But before Drakes monster could make a move it was pierced by a black bolt of energy and disintegrated into dust before Drakes eyes. Following the path the bolt took, Drake saw a figure standing atop the roof of a nearby building.


    It was a female dress all in black with a draconic half mask concealing her face, like a female version of Nightshoud from GX. A figure Drake was familiar with from Kites memories. Her lips curved in a faint smile before speaking in a voice that perfectly match her stunning figure.


    "So Drake Atlas, we meet at last."

 Chapter 26 - 26: Taken!

    "So Drake Atlas, we meet at last."


    "Do I have the honour of being addressed by one of the Generals of Order?" Drake asked the masked woman, as he tried to position himself between her and Yuma''s group.


    She had struck down his materialised Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon in an instant, Drake didn''t want to take the risk of seeing what would happen if that attack had targeted a person instead.


    "You do. Allow me to introduce myself, I am the Black General of New Order, I am Wyvern." She said as she tossed back a disordered lock of her red hair before lightly jumping down onto the street in front of Drake.


    As she landed, she cast a quick glance behind her at the masked man who had fallen down to his knees. Whether it be in homage or weakness Drake could not tell.


    "I''m impressed you handled him so easily, he might not be our best operative but his energy reserves are among the highest New Order has outside the upper orders like myself. Not only did you handle him quickly and easily, but I can tell that you haven''t even used half your own strength." Wyvern complimented Drake.


    Drake kept silent, the more she praised him the warier Drake felt. Like a mouse being eyed by a playful cat.


    Finally the heavens opened up and the rain began to fall, causing the Black General to scowl.


    "Come to the docks in one hour, pier 4 warehouse 6."


    "And if I don''t?" Asked Drake, it didn''t take an idiot to think this was a trap.


    "Then your friend Yuma can say goodbye to his friends." She replied with a smile.


    With a tap on her mask, the gem on her masks forehead projected a holographic image in front of her for Yuma and Drake to see. An image of four children bound by rope and hanging in the air in a steel cage.


    A girl in black with long silvery hair that was shaped to crate cat ears, the cat enthusiast Cathy. A short stuff with a bowtie and colourful bowler hat, the trickster Flip. The book smart, blue haired school class rep, Caswell and lastly Yuma''s well built best friend, Bronk Stone.


    "Oh No!" Exclaimed Tori at the sight of their friends.


    "Guys!! Let them go you witch!" Yuma screamed.


    "Release them!" Drake demanded.


    "Pier 4 warehouse 6, one hour." Wyvern repeated as the shadows around her came alive, seeking to engulf her and her masked companion.


    But thanks to Kite, Drake was wise to this trick.


    "No so fast! Go Swords of Revealing Light!" Drake slapped down the card he had specially prepared for such an occasion onto his duel disk. Infusing it with the power of Critias to materialise its power into reality.


    A half dozen giant swords make of bright yellow light plunged down in a circle around the Black General and her subordinate. Their radiant glow dissolved the gathering shadows almost instantly causing Wyverns to clench her fists in anger.


    Her shadow magic was strongly influenced by light, a bright single light could cast stronger shadows enhancing her power, but an all-encompassing light like this that surrounded her would instead banish all her shadows and rob her magic of its strength. Especially as the very nature of the Sword of Revealing Light was to lockdown an opponents monsters.


    "Do you really think keeping me here will help those four? If I don''t return, I am sure the consequences will not go well for your friends." Wyvern threatened Drake.


    "Perhaps I just enjoy your company and can''t bear to part so soon." Drake teased, but he strangely made no other moves after stopping her escape.


    "Yeah! Now tell us where are friends are!" demanded Yuma. If not for Tori holding on to his arm perhaps the kid would have charged at the Black General himself.


    "Like I will just tell you." With a quick draw Wyvern lifted the Seal of Orichalcos to the sky and unleashed a portion of its mystical power.


    As the ring of magic expanded outwards it shattered the Swords of Light. In their last moments the fragments of the swords cast brilliant rainbow in the pouring rain.


    Wyvern really wanted to throw down in a duel with Drake, the man was just full of surprises, but she had her orders. Now free from the power of Drakes Swords of Light she once more summoned the shadows to her side. She and the masked man then sank into the shadows and vanished from the street.


    "Get back here!" Yuma cried.


    "Oh no she got away!" Tori couldn''t help but cry in despair.


    "This is not good, our opponents seem to be well prepared. This will be very dangerous." Astral commented.


    Drake remained silently waiting.


    "Come on Drake! Why are we just standing here! We''ve got to Jet on down to the Docks now!"


    "Give me a minute Yuma."


    "What? We don''t have time to waste! We only have an hour to get there!"


    "I am waiting for something." Drake calmly said.


    "Uh?"


    *RING! RING!*


    Yuma was startled as Drake took out and answered a high tech communicator he had never seen Drake using before.


    "Orbital speak to me, you better have got be something I can use."


    This communicator was a gift Kite had arranged to be delivered to Drake yesterday through secret channels, it was a direct link to the Orbital 7 satellite. A means of both contacting Kite and calling in technical support when dealing with New Order. The two of them had arranged this during their meeting the other day.


    Drake had been worried that Faker would have discovered what his son had arranged and blocked it, but it looks like they had got away with it for now.


    In this high tech day and age people had dozens of deceives on them that records and transmitted all sorts of information. Exercise watches with GPS tracking information, Pacemakers linked to emergency service networks, Personal digital ?ssistants, duel disks, communicators and many others.


    Even if the masked man himself had been careful and had nothing on him there must surely have been others waiting and watching nearby. Just a single mistake could potentially net Kite and Drake a big score, a name, a face, or an address, clues that they could work with to track down New Order.


    Then Wyvern had shown up and that information became even more important.


    The reason Drake had delayed Wyvern like he did was to give Orbital 7 as much time as possible to hack into her tech and obtain as much data as it could. Even if it had only been a few seconds more, a few seconds was a lot of time for an advance computer system.


    "YES MISTER DRAKE, THE CYBER ATTACK WAS A SUCCESS. I WAS ABLE TO DOWNLOAD THE DATA AND TRACED THE VIDEO FEED. TRANSMITTING THE CO-ORDINATES NOW." The mechanised voice cheerfully replied.


    Compared to the attack on the Black Elite base several days ago, the cyber security New Order had deployed in dealing with Drake just now had been severely lacking. Especially when compared to the abilities of Orbital 7''s bleeding edge systems. But how where they suppose to know that Drake was secretly in contact with Kites personal satellite?


    Hacking all the wireless devices around Drakes position had been child''s play for the AI, allowing it to intercept the live video link Wyvern had just show them and trace it. Which was what Drake had hoped for, otherwise he would have had no choice but to really walk into the spiders web Wyvern had laid out for him.


    Instead of chasing after New Order and falling into a trap like a fool, he would rather just directly rescue the hostages himself if he could. Reading the data Orbital 7 provided it seemed that they were being held at a mixed sport stadium just a few miles north of the Heartland City museum.


    "Orbital, did Kite leave me authority to deploy your Time Freeze field in his instructions?"


    "YES MISTER DRAKE, ALL FUNCTIONS ARE AVALIBLE TO YOU AS THE HOLDER OF THIS COMMUNICATOR, UNLESS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN BY MASTER KITE."


    "Then start making preparations to deploy the field at those co-ordinates at my signal and keep a look out for any movement from New Order. If they move the hostages I need to know immediately."


    "ROGER THAT."


    Calculating the distance and the time Drake thought that he could make it there in about 20-30min, provided he could catch the next bus at the next street over in time. They were close enough to Yuma''s house that Drake knew the bus routes and timetable around here fairly well.


    "Yuma you should take Tori and go home, just leave this to me."


    "No way, they are my friends, I can''t just sit back and do nothing!" he replied with steel in his voice.


    "Fine, but you have to keep up." Drake knew he wouldn''t convince Yuma to stay out of this. He shouldn''t even have bothered asking.


    *Splash, splash.*


    Drake started to rush off down the street, he was cutting it close to see if he would be able to catch the next bus going in that direction or not. Yuma and Tori followed close behind uncaring of the falling rain.


    ---


    Fortune favoured them and they managed to catch the bus in time and it wasn''t long till they had reached the outer gate of the sport stadium. Given the time of year and the Duel Carnival the stadium was pretty much empty and disused at the moment, which had made it perfect for New Order''s use.


    The clouds were much thinner here and the rain was only a light drizzle but that only made the place look even more gloomy than it already did.


    Before trying to get in Drake wanted to contact Orbit 7 again, even if the Time Field wasn''t ready yet he wanted help with the security systems. Perhaps it could even identify their friends current location inside as well. But¡­


    "*Beep*The Service you are requesting is no longer available, please contact your Network Support centre for further instruction *Beep*¡­"


    Drake cursed how efficient Dr Faker was, only he would have been able to shut down Drakes access to Orbit 7 so quickly. Drake even tried to contact Kite directly but without any luck. Left with no backup and no support, Drake had no choice but to handle things himself. Hopefully they hadn''t been moved since he had lost contact with Orbital 7.


    He thought back to the video link Wyvern had showed them, trying to remember every detail that had been present, any clue. The cage had been hanging from a high ceiling, ruling out the offices and the main buildings of the stadium that, according to the specs Orbit had previously sent him on the way over, didn''t have rooms that large.


    That left about a dozen attached and free standing storage warehouses, utility buildings and motor sheds that New Order might be using. He remembered having seen small glimmers of sun light coming in through a small window at the back on the video, and at that time of day that meant that the building had a Westerly facing window of some sort and couldn''t be on the East side of the stadium as that would have blocked the light itself. That eliminated another five possibilities.


    The cage couldn''t have been part of the normal set up for the stadium and was quite large, so Drake could eliminate another three buildings without a large enough access for New Order to transport their own cage in.


    That left a group of four detached buildings grouped close together which were the most likely locations for where New Order was holding their friends. Being careful to avoid the security cameras Drake, Yuma, Tori and Astral snuck in and made their way over to the suspect buildings. The rain made it easier but the shower was already beginning to die down.


    "Are you sure we shouldn''t call the police?" Tori whispered as they passed by some cages of Baseball equipment that had been carelessly left out.


    "Yes, I am sure" Drake replied as he stopped to pick out a baseball bat from one of the cages.


    Since Faker must already know what was going on, and as he was the true controller of this city and therefore the Security Forces, if he wanted the police involved then they already would be. And if he didn''t then nothing short of a disaster or miracle would change things. It would only risk alerting New Order.


    Drake liked the heft of the wooden bat he picked up, it wasn''t like he could just use the Sword of Wisdom to cut down these people, they were still humans after all. So he would have to settle for bashing them with a bat instead. He also picked up a couple of balls as well, just in case.


    As they reached their target it became obvious that this was the right place, they also could tell in which of the four their friends were most likely being held in. Because there was only one building with a pair of armed guard.


    "Stay here and hide." Drake ordered Yuma and Tori.


    This next part would be dangerous.


    Carefully he sneaked his way as close as possible to the guards without being seen, but in the end there was still a dozen meters of open space him and between them, too much even for Drakes enhanced body to make without a distraction. Drake decided to employ one of the oldest tricks in the book, tossing on of the baseballs he picked up to make a noise and distract the two of them for a moment so he could rush them.


    It half worked. One of the guards turned, but the second didn''t. But before he could raise his gun as he saw Drake rushing him, the second ball hit him square in the face. Then Drake was next to them and it was just a question of swinging until they were both down and out. Legs, side, gut, backs, heads, K.O. They never got a shot off.


    With the guards down Drake call the others over and entered the building. It was an empty storage warehouse, at least if you discounted the steel cage hanging from the ceiling with four kids in it. They were awake but blindfolded and gaged. Drake had a bad feeling about this. This was far too easy.


    Why? Why send only one man to ambush him? Why keep hostages in a place like this? Why where there only two guards outside and nobody inside? Why was it so easy? Drake didn''t like the answers he could think up. He had wanted to avoid whatever trap was set by directly rescuing the hostages. But it made far more sense for the hostages to be the bait than that business about going to the docks.


    So if those guys were the cheese, what part of this was the trap?


    Yuma wanted to rush forwards immediately but Drake held him back, one minute, two, five. Even using the power of his Dragons Eye Drake couldn''t find anything. He had no choice but to act. Transforming his duel disk into its true form Drake didn''t bother finding the crank to lower the cage, with a single leap he jumped up to the cage and slashed!


    The Sword of Wisdom was an enchanted blade, even without channelling any other energy it was capable of cutting through the steel bars of the cage like a hot knife through bu??er. Having opened one of the sides of the cage Drake climbed in and began to untie everyone. They had to hurry, if Drake couldn''t find the trap then his best hope was speed. One everyone was free, they made their way to the exit.


    "Guys are you alright?" Yuma asked in concern.


    "We were so worried." Tori added.


    "I don''t know, what in the world was this all about anyway?" Caswell asked in confusion.


    Bronk wasn''t saying much, he seemed groggy and unstable on his feet, perhaps he had been ruffed up, or perhaps he was still suffering whatever had bug he had caught the other day. Cathy was just angry, promising to get her claws into whoever was responsible for treating a lady like her this way. And Flip had fainted in relief of his rescue and had to be carried by Drake on his back.


    They opened the doors and were left speechless at the sight before them¡­

 Chapter 27 - 27: Battle of the Beasts.

    They opened the doors and were left speechless at the sight before them¡­


    Having rescued their friends from New Order and seemingly on the verge of escape the group was in high spirits till that moment, the moment it felt like the ground had fallen out beneath them.


    Outside over thirty New Order Operatives were waiting for them led by the Black General.


    *Clap, clap, clap*


    "Well done Atlas, you made it here in record time." Wyvern praised.


    "Was there even anything at the Docks then?" Drake asked as he passed Flip over to Yuma.


    "Of course there was. There was a whole host of challenges, puzzles and traps designed to wear you down and slowly lead you here for the final trap, me. All of it was Silvers idea of course. I told the fool it was too complicated but even I didn''t think you would be able to skip the entire game he set up for you and race straight to the finish line." She was impressed.


    Although their plan had gone almost completely off-track Wyvern wasn''t worried. She was even pleased that Hal''s ego had taken a hit from Drakes actions. To think, all that time and effort wasted. Although Drake hadn''t been slowly exhausted over a series of trials like they planned before coming here to this isolated prepared battlefield, neither had the New Order operatives that were meant to run those trials. Instead they were all now here with her and she intended to use them.


    "Attack!" Wyvern ordered her troops.


    All the New Order members began to materialise their monsters. About a dozen Orichalcos Gigas were summoned at once, bashing their fists onto the ground and roaring their battle cries. Joining them were a number of other Orichalcos monsters, like the spiky spider like eyeball Orichalcos Kyutora, the molten winged beast Orichalcos Malevolence and even a single Orichalcos Shunoros which towered over the others like a metallic giant doll.


    There were even some beasts Drake was unfamiliar with, a type of armoured cyclopean dragon, a pack of skeletal two headed wolfs and a flock of flying black crystal swords.


    "RUN!" Shouted Drake to the others, pointing back the way they just came from.


    As the group retreated Drake began to summon his own monsters to block the entrance.


    "Defend us, Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Spear Dragon! And the Alexandrite Dragon!"


    Drakes three dragons took to the skies and began to attack the charging Orichalcos monsters. Although Drake wanted to just let loose his strongest beasts and blast them to pieces, he knew he didn''t have enough energy to battle an army of monsters like this. They had to get out of here.


    "Go Burst Stream of Destruction!"


    Using the powerful spell card, Drakes Blue-Eyes fired off a powerful destructive blast of energy which swept across the New Order army, it wiped out half the Gigas in an instant but the rest of the monsters remained untouched by hiding behind the protective barrier of Orichalcos Kyutora. Soon those Gigas which had been destroyed revived themselves gaining even greater power.


    Spear Dragon entered aerial combat with unknown crystal swords and cyclops dragons, blasting out with streams of hurricane winds, as Alexandrite Dragon blocked the storehouse doors from the fiery breath of Orichalcos Malevolence with its crystal scaled body.


    Outnumbered and overwhelmed Spear dragon soon crash landed as its wings were shredded by the sharp edge of the crystal swords and it was then swarmed by the waiting Gigas. Meanwhile Orichalcos Shunoros and Blue-Eyes engaged in a titanic duel. Fortunately it seemed Shunoros''s summoner lacked the necessary strength to deploy Orichalcos Aristeros and Dexia from the titan but it still seemed to be an even match. That would soon change as the one eyed dragons flanked Drakes beast and began to spit out some kind of black smoke towards the white dragon.


    The Orichalcos Kyutora and the skeletal wolves seemed to take a support role staying near the summoners to prevent Drake from using his monsters to attack them directly.


    The scene was like something out of a Kaiju film, but Drake had no time to enjoy it. He knew he had minutes at most before all his monsters were swamped and destroyed, even a Blue-Eyes would be helpless against such numbers. He had to get the kids out of here. Having retreated back into the warehouse which only had the one exit New Order probably thought that they had the group trapped.


    If they did then they were then they had little experience in thinking outside of the box. To one capable of materialising monster a simple wall wasn''t that much of an obstacle.


    "Vanguard of Dragon! Clear us a path!"


    The Silver General Hal was watching everything that was going on at the sport stadium back at New Order headquarters besides his King. They had taken over the stadiums entire security system, added their own remote monitors and installed both Network blockers and a holographic camouflage projection system preventing anyone from seeing in or out without their knowledge. All in order to create an inescapable trap.


    While he was the mastermind behind the operation he wasn''t on the scene himself, because for an ?ssault like this he preferred the hands-off approach. Let someone like Wyvern take the risks of fighting on the front line. He was the brains not brawn. But he was really feeling uncomfortable, he had promised his King a grand show of strength, skill and intelligence, only to have almost the entire plan overturned at the first hurdle.


    How had this Drake done it? Hal felt cheated, but so long as they achieved their objectives it wouldn''t matter.


    He cheered as he watched Drakes monsters get crushed one by one, and with all of them trapped in that storehouse it was time for this game to come to a close-!!


    *BANG*


    On the monitors A dark grey skinned dragonoid smashed its way out of the back of the storehouse, clearing a path for the familiar group of duellists to make a break for it. The Silver General grew worried for a moment, worried that things were about to go horribly wrong. Then he remembered, even if things went bad, they still had his trump card.


    ---


    "Go!" Drake told the others. "Make for the main street, they won''t follow there." He said pointing to the road between two buildings, it was the fastest way to leave the area and the shortest distance to a more public area. Drake felt that if they could break out of this trap and make it to a populated area then they could escape.


    At least he thought they would. After all, if New Order didn''t fear public exposure then they could have set this kind of trap up back at that residential street instead of just using one masked member and going through all this trouble to bring them to this deserted location.


    At the moment Faker seemed to be ignoring the danger of New Order, but if they created a big public spectacle for the masses, that would likely force Faker to take action in order to calm the public''s fears. At least that was what Drake thought.


    They weren''t going to make it at this rate, those flying monsters would catch up to them long before they reached more populated areas.


    "Look out!" cried Cathey.


    With a moment of inattention one of those strange crystal flying swords skewered his Vanguard of Dragon that was guarding the rear, so Drake stopped and decided to make a stand. The others noticed and also stopped.


    "Come forth, Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon!"


    Drakes dragon burst into being like a miniature sun as its Shining Neutron Blast cut through the sky like a laser beam, felling monster after monster in a row. Taking to the sky on its platinum wings the Shining Dragon fearlessly charged at its enemies and began a fierce dog fight overhead. Meanwhile the ground forces advanced at a break neck pace, a charging line of Orichalcos Gigas followed by the various other monsters and their summoners.


    "What now?" Yuma fearfully asked. Ever since meeting with Astral, he and his friends had been through a lot, crazy robots, evil Numbers, and all sorts of weirdos, but this was perhaps too much for any of them.


    "Don''t worry, I promise to protect all of you." Drake solemnly said.


    Drake wanted to block them with another mighty beast but with the summoning of five monsters and the loss of four of them he was running low on strength and couldn''t spare the energy, so he waited. He had a plan.


    As the Orichalcos monster got closer to Drake and his group the buildings either side of them forced the monsters to gather closer and closer together as they struggled to be the first to rip into the humans in front of them.


    "Go Shining Nova!" Drake ordered his dragon.


    Shining Nova, the only ability of the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon from the movie ''The Pyramid of Light'' that wasn''t given to the TCG version of the card, its ultimate power. When building his deck Drake had had the choice between versions of this card, so why would he settle for anything less than the true Shining Dragon created by Pegasus to face off against the Egyptian God cards.


    By sacrificing itself Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon''s Shining Nova could unleash an overwhelming power in the form of a pillar of light that would destroy any card. Drake hoped to achieve a bit more than that now.


    Following Drakes command the Shining Dragon flew high in the sky over the mob of Orichalcos monsters below and a great blue/white pillar of light suddenly engulfed it, piercing down from the heavens above and through its gleaming metal body, downward and onto the mob of monsters below.


    Seeing the edge of the pillar ended just meters away from them¡­


    "Get down and cover your eyes!" Drake urgently warned everyone as he threw the ones too slow to act down himself before doing his best to cover the girls bodies with his own.


    Moments later a huge energy then blasted out of the Shining Dragons core gems in a silent explosion, which destroyed the dragon and then, guided by the pillar of light, fell downwards and obliterated everything within its area of effect. The beasts below didn''t even have time to scream before they disintegrated into particle and vanished from existence, their summoners collapsed from the feedback with blood leaking from their nose and ears.


    Even the Gigas could not revive under such powerful destruction. Leaving only the towering Orichalcos Shunoros, whose slow speed had caused it to lag behind the others, and a couple of stragglers to threaten Drakes group now, but they made no move.


    "Wow¡­"


    They were speechless, even Drake was shocked. He honestly didn''t expect to be so lucky as to get all those monsters with just a single ability. Even if that ability was practically a super nuke, its area of effect was still limited.


    Looking at the deep and massive perfectly circular hole in the ground just a few meters from where they were standing Drake made a note to never use that ability at such close range again. It had even cut a section out of the buildings either side, the edges of the tarmac, bricks and steel girders were still glowing yellow from the heat.


    The thought of being hit by such powerful energy left him shivering.


    And even though they had not been hit, Drake still felt like the back of his neck had suffered a bad sun burn. But atleast that seemed to be the worse they had suffered, without his warning who knows if any of these kids would have been blinded by that lightshow just now.


    They had to get moving, they-!!!


    Before Drake could make a move, a Duel Anchor was launched from the other side of the pit and latched onto his duel disk. The Black General had made her move!


    "Fall back, he''s mine." She ordered the few standing Members of New Order to retreat and withdraw their monsters before tending to their wounded.


    Her heart was aching as she looked at the devastation that had been unleashed. She had no idea this man was so powerful. A force of more than thirty members was close to a third of their combat forces in Heartland city at the moment and they had been practically wiped out by one man. New Order could not afford any more loses, nor would she risk a battle of monsters again.


    With her foot she kicked a stone into the pit before her, she listened but did not hear it hit bottom.


    So powerful, she wanted it, she wanted him. A crazy smile broke out on her face.


    "Yuma, Astral, all of you get going now." Drake ordered. With that duel anchor in place he wasn''t going anywhere for the moment.


    "We...We can''t just leave you here¡­"


    "Tori''s right! We can-"


    "I''ll be fine, its just one duel and I will be right behind you. Now get going." Drake interrupted Yuma.


    Even if he was facing down one of the Generals of Order, Drake was not afraid. This was his mission and besides, he still had Critias in his corner.


    "He''s right Yuma, and your friends may still be in need of medical attention." Astral persuaded his friend.


    "¡­Fine, but you better promise not to lose."


    "Always, I have a Duel Carnival Championship to win still don''t I?"


    Drake felt relief as the group of seven set off, he didn''t think he could hold back the shaking of his legs much longer. That Shining Nova had really drained him but he couldn''t let those kids know that or they might not have left.


    "So are we duelling or what dear boy?" Wyvern taunted, she didn''t care about the others, they weren''t part of her orders now.


    "Get set to get decked Wyvern!"


    "Promises, promises. Lets Duel!"


    [Turn 1 ¨C Wyvern LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "Ladies first, I draw! You know, we actually have a lot of things in common you and I." Wyvern teased as the two of them faced off against each other separated by a seemingly bottomless pit.


    "Right¡­ You''re part of a cult that wants to rule the world by sacrificing innocent souls to an evil beast. We have so much in common." Sarcasm dripped from Drakes words.


    "You will see, I set a monster face down and two more cards and end my turn. Your move."


    [Turn 2 ¨C Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Wyvern LP:4000 Hand:3]


    "Draw."


    Drake was breathing heavily and his skin was clammy as he eyed his cards. He couldn''t afford to be careless in his current condition.


    "I summon <Assault Wyvern> to the field and attack your facedown monster!"


    [Assault Wyvern ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1000]


    "Your monster destroys my <Red-Eyes Baby Dragon>."


    [Red-Eyes Baby Dragon ¨C Lv3 ATK:1200/DEF:700]


    [AW ATK:1800 > REBaD DEF:700]


    Wyverns adolescent black dragon was blasted apart with a pitiful cry.


    "By destroying my dragon you activate its effect, which allows me to summon from my deck the Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Then my baby Equips its self from the grave to the monster I just summoned, giving it an addition 300ATK."


    *Roar!*


    [Red-Eyes B. Dragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400 > 2700/DEF:2000]


    The iconic black dragon took to the field, flying out of the dark pit below. On its back sat the young dragon Drake had just destroyed. Is this what Wyvern meant when she said the two of them were similar? Both of them users of legendary dragons. Blue-Eyes White Dragon that represented power and pride, and Red-Eyes that embodied potential and violence.


    Speaking of Blue-Eyes¡­


    "Your Dragon isn''t the only one will an ability. When Assault Wyvern destroys a monster I can tribute it to special summon a dragon from my hand, so come on out <Blue-Eyes White Dragon>!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    *ROAR!*


    Drakes Blue-Eyes enter the field from the sky above with a heaven shaking roar. White verses black, red verses blue, it was a face off almost as iconic as Blue-Eyes verses Dark Magician.


    "Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Attack Red-Eyes with White Lightning!"


    [BEWD ATK:3000 > REBD ATK:2700 ¨C Wyvern LP > 3700]


    *Bang!*


    Blue-Eyes lightning breath blasted down destroying Wyverns monster as it cried out its unwillingness. The baby dragon on its back falling back into the pit below with a wail.


    "Argh¡­ When my Baby Dragon is sent to the grave while it was equipped to a monster, I can add a level 1 dragon from my deck to my hand. So I add <The Black Stone of Legend>. Next I activate my trap <Red-Eyes Spirit> to special summon my Red-Eyes dragon back to the field in defence."


    Wyvern wasted no time in restoring her dragon, but compared to Drakes Blue-Eyes it had always been clear in the history of Duel Monster just which of them was the strongest.


    "Then I just need to destroy it again, I play the quickplay spell <Dragon''s Fighting Spirit> this card now gives my Blue-Eyes an additional attack for each specially summoned monster you currently control. White Lightning Attack!"


    [BEWD ATK:3000 > REBD DEF:2000]


    Again Drakes monster once more proved its dominance by blasting the inferior Red-Eyes into bits. If this was really all a General of New Order was capable of then Drake had to admit, he was not impressed.


    "I''ll end my turn with a face down. Your move."


    "Cocky boy, you''ve already lost. You just don''t know it yet."

 Chapter 28 - 28: Target鈥?!

    [Turn 3 ¨C Wyvern LP:3700 Hand:4, Drake LP:4000 Hand:2]


    "Ha ha ha, this is what I love, dominate me, crush me with your power, let me feel your strength. So many men have tried only to disappoint me in the end, will you be one of them? I draw, then I play


    ."


    Wyvern took the time to examine the field and her hand after drawing her new cards, slowly twisting a lock of her red hair around her fingers with a seductive smile on her lips. Drake had his signature Blue-Eyes White Dragon and a face down while she only had her trap card.


    "Next I summon <The Black Stone of Legend> to the field."


    [The Black Stone of Legend ¨C Lv1 ATK:0/DEF:0]


    Yes, in many ways their decks were parodies, perhaps it was fate that they should meet like this Wyvern thought as she watched the black egg that appeared on her field pulse with crimson light.


    "Then I activate its special ability, by tributing this card I special summon a ''Red-Eyes'' from my deck, appear <Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon>."


    [Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400/DEF:2000]


    A new black dragon emerged from the pit before Wyvern, so very similar to the Original Red-Eyes, but their seemed to be something missing, as if the beast was hollow.


    "But I know one dragon won''t be enough to handle you, so by my sending <Red-Eyes Archfiend of Lightning> in my hand to the grave I can special summon <Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon> from my hand."


    [Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400/DEF:2000]


    A new black dragon whose scales seemed stained a deep red appeared on the field.


    "Twice nothing is still nothing." Drake said impassively.


    "Then lets make it three, I activate my face down <Return of the Red-Eyes>! So long as I have this trap card, once per either of our turns I can special summon a Normal monster from my grave so long as I control a ''Red-Eyes'' monster. So return my Red-Eyes Black Dragon."


    Now three different versions of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon had gathered together on Wyvern''s field, but even then, none of them could match the pure power of Drakes lone Blue-Eyes. Even if she played the Seal now that would only raise her monsters attack to 2900, still short of Blue-Eyes 3000.


    "You know, the greater the power a person holds, the greater the responsibility they b?r?. So why don''t you tell me Atlas, you who wield the White Dragon of legendary power, who wields magic that dares to challenge the almighty Orichalcos, what burden do your shoulders hold? Perhaps like your name sake, the fate of a world?" she teased.


    Drake remained silent, focused on keeping his breathing steady. Let her go on a philosophical monolog as long as she wanted, it was allowing his body more time to recover the energy that duel monster smash down earlier had drained.


    "But I think such a burden is too much for any man to b?r? and this card will prove it, I activate <Burden of the Mighty>, with this spell each of your monsters loses 100 ATK for each level it has and as this is a continuous spell it stays on the field affecting all monsters you summon. So your level 8 Blue-Eyes now loses 800ATK.''


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C ATK:3000 > 2200]


    Drakes monster seemed to hunch down, losing strength as if some great force or weight had suddenly been placed on it.


    "Now then Red-Eyes Black Dragon, go and attack with Inferno Fire Blast hehehe."


    Wyverns black dragon flew into the sky, hovering over Drakes dragon as if it looked down on the now humbled tyrant of dragonic might. With a roar it snapped its head forwards and blasted out a great sphere of black and scarlet flames.


    "Not so fast, I activate my facedown <The Ultimate Creature of Destruction>. The effect of this trap card targets my Blue-Eyes and for this turn it is unaffected by any card effects and cannot be destroyed by battle. Which means my dragon regains its original attack! Go White Lightning!"


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C ATK:2200 > 3000]


    *ROAR*


    A great majestic aura of white lightning surged around Drakes monster and with a shrug of its mighty wings it threw off the suppression of Wyverns magic card. With an indominable roar it leapt into the sky and smashed through the incoming fireball like an unstoppable juggernaut scattering it to embers.


    Before Red-Eyes could react the Blue-Eyes had appeared in front of it, lighting curled around its mouth as it opened its jaws and blasted out its attack, obliterating the inferior specimen that had dared to challenge its pride.


    [REBD ATK:2400 > BEWD ATK:3000 ¨C Wyvern LP > 3100]


    "Fine, so you destroyed my dragon again. But the effect of your trap will only last this turn. Which I now end." Wyvern pouted.


    She had so looked forward to humbling Drake and his dragon but she was not angry. In truth if the duel had ended like that then she would have been even more disappointed.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C ATK:3000 > 2200]


    [Turn 4 ¨C Drake LP:4000 Hand:2, Wyvern LP:3100 Hand:2]


    "I draw. Then I switch my dragon into defence mode and set a monster facedown. That''s all for me this turn."


    "But not me, I again activate Return of the Red-Eyes, bringing back the Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    Wyverns monster snarled as it once more rose from the pit, perhaps it was angry? Humiliated? Just how many times had Drakes Blue-Eyes crush it beneath its claws already?


    [Turn 5 ¨C Wyvern LP:3100 Hand:2, Drake LP:4000 Hand:2]


    "Well that was a short turn, didn''t you have any good cards on hand? How disappointing, you seemed so dominating a while ago and now you are running scared? I draw!"


    She gave another slight smile.


    "This card should look familiar to you right? I play <Card of Demise> which as you know allows me to draw until I am holding five cards."


    Since she was holding two that meant she could draw three more.


    "Next I play <Cards of the Red Stone>, by discarding a second Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon from my hand I can draw two cards and then send another Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my deck to the grave. Then I use the effect of the Black Flare dragon on my field, I can re-summon this Gemini monster that is on the field to grant it new abilities. But more on that later dear boy."


    Wyverns dragon was infused with new power as crimson flames seemed to coil around it, erupting from its wings, its claws and its tail like a burning cloak. This was its true form, its true power. No longer did it seem a hollow shell.


    "I then use Return of the Red-Eyes to special summon my other Red-Eyes Black Dragon from the grave to my field."


    "How many times has your dragon tried to prove itself now? Three times? Four?" Drake mocked the resurrected black monster.


    "Well why don''t you taste something different this time. Now Black Flare Dragon attack his face down. Inferno Flare Burst!"


    [Kidmodo Dragon ¨C Lv3 ATK:100 > 0/DEF:200]


    [REBFD ATK:2400 > KD DEF:200]


    "Well that monster was weak." Wyvern commented as a shower of fireballs blasted the juvenile dragon to bits.


    "But by destroying my <Kidmodo Dragon> you activated its effect, when this card is sent to the grave I can special summon a Dragon from my hand. Appear <Deep of Blue-Eyes> in defence, and when this card is special summoned I add a


    to my hand." Drake declared.


    [Deep of Blue-Eyes ¨C Lv8 ATK:2500 > 1700/DEF:2500]


    Wyvern couldn''t attack anymore, each of her dragons only had an attack of 2400, just short of the 2500 defence both of Drakes monsters had. But that didn''t mean she had no way of causing Drake some pain.


    "Now that my battle phase is over the effect of my Black Flare Dragon activates, since my monster battled with one of your monsters dear boy, it now allows me to deal damage equal to its original attack to you directly. Inferno Burn!"


    The Red-eyes Black Flare Dragon took to the skies and bypassed Drakes monsters to strike at him directly with a fireball blast. Dealing 2400 damage to Drakes life points.


    [Drake LP > 1600]


    Another hit like that would wipe him out, meaning he had to deal with that dragon next turn or this duel would be over.


    "I set two cards face down and end my turn."


    Wyvern inwardly smirked as she kept a calm poker face. One of her traps was another card familiar to Drake, <Mirror Force> while the other was the useful life point restoring <Nutrient Z>


    [Turn 6 ¨C Drake LP:1600 Hand:2, Wyvern LP:3100 Hand:3]


    "Draw. I play


    and draw two more cards."


    Drake hoped Yuma and the others had gotten far away by now, but he was uneasy for some reason. Perhaps it was because he was fighting a General of New Order and she hadn''t played the Seal yet. He was waiting for the other shoe to drop. His energy had been restored enough by now that he felt it was time to go back on the offensive and win this duel.


    "I activate <A Wingbeat of Giant Dragon> by returning my Blue-Eyes to my hand this spell destroys all spell and trap cards on the field."


    "Not before I use by Return of Red-Eyes one last time and revive a second Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon from my grave, in defence." Wyvern said with a snarl.


    "Truly, only the strongest can break free of the laws and restraints of the world. Show me Atlas, show me your power!"


    [Deep of Blue-Eyes ¨C ATK:1700 > 2500]


    "Next I reveal the Blue-Eyes I just returned to my hand in order to special summon <Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon> to the field."


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    A Blue-Eyes White Dragon with neon blue markings across its body materialised from the sky above.


    "Because its effect allows me to treat it as Blue-Eyes White dragon, when I summon this card I can use the effect of the Ultimate Creature of Destruction trap in my graveyard to return it to the field set. And my dragon has another special effect, it can destroy any one monster you control once per turn, so say goodbye to your powered up Black Flare Dragon."


    Blue lightning blasted out from Drakes monster and consumed the burning Red-Eyes with its fury, extinguishing it existence. But that wouldn''t be enough, the job was only half done. He needed to destroy the other one as well or next turn Wyvern could Gemini summon it to give it the same power as the dragon he just destroyed.


    "Now I use Polymerization, to fuse the Blue-Eyes in my hand with the Alternative White Dragon on the field, to fusion summon Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon."


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ¨C Lv10 ATK:3000/2500]


    "I attack Red-Eyes Black Dragon with Twin Stream of Destruction!"


    [BETBD ATK:3000 > REBD ATK:2400 ¨C Wyvern LP > 2500]


    "And my Dragon can attack two monsters a turn, so go and destroy that second Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon. Twin Stream of Destruction!"


    [BETBD ATK:3000 > REBFD DEF:2000]


    "I set a card face down and end my turn. Activating Deep of Blue-Eyes ability at this time now adds a Blue-Eyes White Dragon to my hand."


    [Turn 7 ¨C Wyvern LP:2500 Hand:3, Drake LP:1600 Hand:1]


    "I draw. Then I play <Mystical Space Typhoon> to destroy that set Ultimate Creature of Destruction you brought back."


    A howling wind swept across the pit between the duellists flying towards Drakes trap card.


    "In that case I will activate my trap first and target my Deep of Blue-Eyes."


    Drakes Deep of Blue-Eyes began to emit a powerful lighting aura before Drake removed his card from the game. Because his trap had be returned to the field with its effect it had to be banished when it next left the field.


    "Oh? Not your Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon? Ah but of course, your two headed dragon is already impossible to destroy in battle isn''t it." Wyvern mused.


    "You know, for a leading figure of a secret cult you are awfully talkative." Drake commented.


    "So are you saying you prefer less talk and more action? Fine. I attack your Twin Burst Dragon with Red-Eyes Alternative Black Dragon!"


    [REABD ATK:2400 > BETBD ATK:3000 ¨C Wyvern LP > 1900]


    Fire and lightning clashed in battle once more and vanquished the crimson tinted dragon. Others might be surprised that Wyvern would destroy her own monster, but not Drake. He understood the abilities of her Red-Eyes.


    "Thanks to my Alternative Dragons effect when it''s destroyed I can special summon my Red-Eyes Black Dragon back to the field and its attack is doubled! So who has the superior dragon now Atlas!"


    [Red-Eyes B. Dragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400 > 4800/DEF:2000]


    "Now my dragon will take its revenge and attack your Twin Burst Dragon! I know your dragon cannot be destroyed in battle but the difference in their attacks still mean I will wipe out your remaining life points." In the end it seems like this Drake was just another failure, thought Wyvern. Truly only her King was worthy of her attention, only he could fulfil her dream.


    But before the massive fire ball could strike Drakes monster a blinding light erupted.


    "Not if I active my face down, <De-Fusion> this splits my beast back into the two monsters I used to create it. So I summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Alternative White Dragon to the field in defence mode." Drakes voice was commanding and firm.


    "In that case I attack your Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon. Ultimate Inferno Fire Blast!"


    [REBD ATK:4800 > BEAWD DEF:2500]


    Wyvern knew that she needed to get rid of that dragon first, otherwise even though her dragon had the highest attack power on the field, Alternative White dragons effect could still wipe it out on his turn.


    "I set a face down monster, then switch my second Red-Eyes to defence and I will finish my turn with a facedown."


    [Turn 8 ¨C Drake LP:1600 Hand:1, Wyvern LP:1900 Hand:1]


    "I draw, then I activate my own <Card of Demise> letting me draw until I hold five cards."


    Drake knew he had to finish this duel fast, something felt wrong here but he couldn''t put his finger on just what it was.


    "Get ready Wyvern! I summon


    . Because I control a level 8 monster I can summon him without a tribute."


    [Parsec, the Interstellar Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:800/DEF:800]


    "Then with my Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Parsec and Deep of Blue-Eyes I now build the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon rank 8 <Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon>!"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:3]


    *ROAR*


    Drakes powerful Xyz monster descended from above the pit, its gentle glow banishing the darkness of the falling night.


    "And next I activate its ability, Star Fall! Sending my Blue-Eyes overlay unit to the grave this allows my dragon to destroy your powerup Red-Eyes and inflict 1000 points of damage to your life points!"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C OU: 3 > 2]


    *BOOM*


    [Wyvern LP > 900]


    Swallowing the brightest overlay unit that orbited it, Drakes monster launched a meteor like fireball that crushed the pitiful Red-Eyes that had enjoyed its dominance of the field for but a single turn. The explosion cracked the edge of the pit where Wyvern was standing, forcing her to unwillingly back up several steps.


    "I then activate Star Fall again to destroy your facedown monster, but as my dragon no longer has a Blue-Eyes White Dragon Overlay Unit to use, you won''t suffer any damage."


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C OU: 2 > 1]


    *BOOM*


    "And now the third Star Fall! Destroy her last Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    And with the <Silver''s Cry> in his hand he would next revive his Blue-Eyes White Dragon and attack to end the duel, Drake thought.


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C OU: 1 > 0]


    *BOOM*


    Wyverns monster was once more crushed under the power of a Blue-Eyes.


    "Not bad. You seem so confident that from what I know about your duel style, I guess you must have a revival card in hand right? Monster Reborn or perhaps Silvers Cry? But don''t celebrate too soon, I might not be able to win, but I won''t lose either." Wyvern guessed with a smug smile on her face.


    "What?!"


    "Since you destroyed a Red-Eyes I control I can activate the trap <Red-Eyes Burn>, so we both take damage equal to my cards original attack, which is 2400."


    The Red-Eyes Black dragon rose from the pit for a final time, its body glowing in a pulsating ruby light. With a final cry it unleashed its vengeance and exploded in violent flames that engulfed Drake and Wyvern together.


    *BOOM*


    [Wyvern/Drake LP > 0]


    <<DRAW>>


    "Neither of us may have won the duel but you have still failed your objective." Drake said was the duel anchor chaining him here broke into pieces. With enough of his energy restored he was confident in escaping now, as he turn his back to Wyvern.


    "Ha ha ha whoever said you were our objective? Oh sure, Silver would have loved to take you down in the process, it would get him big bonus points with our King. And I would have loved to personally crush you in this duel. But you were never the real target. And all of this over the top fiasco is just the distraction." Wyvern mocked from the ground where the explosion had thrown her.


    "What?!" Drake said spinning back round to face the laughing General.


    "I told you at the start of this duel, you have already lost, you just didn''t know it."


    ---


    "I play <The Seal of Orichalcos>!"


    Yuma was trembling, this couldn''t be happening, why? Why? WHY?!


    "No! it can''t be true! Why are you doing this¡­ Bronk!"

 Chapter 29 - 29: Broken Bonds.

    Previously¡­


    "Yuma, Astral, all of you get going now." Drake ordered. A duel anchor was linked to his duel disk stretching across the impossible pit that amassing dragon of Drakes had somehow created.


    "We...We can''t just leave you here¡­" Tori protested beside him.


    "Tori''s right! We can-" Yuma tried to agree before being interrupted.


    "I''ll be fine, its just one duel and I will be right behind you. Now get going."


    "He''s right Yuma, and your friends may still be in need of medical attention." Astral persuaded his friend. There was nothing they could do here.


    Yuma looked at them, Cathy seemed fine and energetic but Caswell looked exhausted being supported by Tori, he was carrying Flip himself, and Bronk¡­ what had they done to him? He looked like he was one step from the grave.


    "¡­Fine, but you better promise not to lose." Yuma conceded.


    "Always, I have a Duel Carnival Championship to win still don''t I?" Drakes confident grin reassured Yuma''s fears.


    The seven of them continued down the road at their best pace. It was hard going, not only did Yuma have to carry Flip but he and Cathy had to support Bronk as well, he seemed almost lifeless as if he wasn''t even there with them, large black bags hung under his eyes. He didn''t even speak a word or cry out when they tripped and fell in a heap.


    What had those jerks of New Order done to him?


    By now it was late, the sun was slowly setting and this business area seemed so deserted, with everyone having returned to their home long ago.


    Yuma kept moving, Drake said to get to a place with lots of people and they also needed to get his friends to a hospital or something. Yuma tried to contact someone, anyone with his Duel Gazers communicator but had no luck, all he got was static.


    "I think if we cut through this alley we can then reach a mainline monorail after going through a construction site." Caswell helpfully said while examining his data pad. Fortunately they had only been kidnapped and not robbed as well.


    Although none of them had a network signal Caswell had download the latest Heartland City map applications at the start of the World Duel Carnival so his directions should be accurate and he had been guiding the groups flight.


    "Lets move then." Yuma said. Even though a construction site sounded dangerous they didn''t have the time for longer detour. At the monorail station they would be able to use the public phones to call for help, or even head to the Heartland city hospital directly.


    Unknown to all of them they were watched at a distance by a shadowy figure accompanied by several drone units.


    ---


    In New Orders Headquarters the Silver General Hal was furious.


    "What is she doing?!" he screamed with no care for where he was or who he was with as he watched one of several monitors.


    "First she pulls back the remaining troops and now? Does she really think I wouldn''t know that''s she''s hold back!"


    He was watching the duel between Wyvern and Drake in exasperation. He knew, he KNEW, this was her way of getting back at him. While she certainly wasn''t going easy on her opponent, Hal knew that she was also far from giving her best performance.


    Why? Because if she did take this Drake Atlas down then as the commander of the operation Hal too would receive some of the credit for her actions. That spiteful woman! Since taking Drake down was not the objective of the mission, it mattered little to her if Drake won or lost so long as she did not play the Seal. It did not matter to her if she gave her all or not, but it made him look bad.


    "If you didn''t teaser her so, she might have been more willing to help you¡­ or perhaps not." Came the calm voice of the Orichalcos King.


    Hal felt a shiver down his spine as he remembered just how he had been acting in front of his lord. It was not secret among New Order that Wyvern was one of the Kings favourites. He valued her Shadow magic almost as much as Tempests Alchemy.


    "Do it now!"


    Hal couldn''t afford for anything else to go wrong, or the one losing his soul might be him.


    ---


    "What''s going on here!?"


    "Why is there a wall!?"


    "Caswell where are we!?"


    Yuma and his friends had found themselves hitting a dead end. A solid concreate wall in front of them with nowhere to go but back. Caswell was in hysterics as he tried to find out what had gone wrong.


    "I don''t understand, it''s not on the map at all! This doesn''t make sense?" he cried.


    "You''re here, because I wanted you here." An unfamiliar flat voice echoed above them.


    "Wha¡­What do you mean?" Caswell stammered.


    In response the robed figure lifted a computerized gauntlet and typed in a series of commands. Caswell''s pad began to beep and its display screen began to show new and different map images one after another before it showed the Seal of Orichalcos and then overloaded, a small explosion later and the screen when dead.


    In truth ever since they had left Drake, the group had been following a false map and had been herded here like sheep.


    "So you''re with New Order too then?" Yuma questioned as he stood forward. He wouldn''t let this guy lay a finger on his friends, no matter who he was.


    "Affirmative." Replied the robed figure who was in fact Proteus, New Orders Gold General.


    "So what? You here to duel? Bring it! I''m not afraid of you, lets Jet!"


    "I am not your opponent. He is." Proteus stated.


    "Arrgh¡­ Yu..ma¡­Argh" Tori weakly cried out.


    "Tori!"


    "What are you doing!?" Caswell shrieked.


    "Let her go Bronk! Are you crazy!" demanded Cathy.


    Yuma''s friends tried to approach the pair but stopped as Bronk threatened them by increasing the pressure on Tori''s neck causing her to gasp out. Unable to breath and helpless to resist against his superior strength.


    "Bronk¡­"


    "Yuma be careful!" Astral warned.


    "¡­Duel me Yuma¡­" Bronk said, his voice cold and his eyes holding a hint of madness.


    "What...what have you done to him!?!?" Yuma demanded of the robed man. Even a fool would be able to figure out that New Order was somehow responsible for this sinister turn of events.


    "Nothing personally, you can thank Silver for this. Now complete your mission." Said Proteus, speaking the last as a command to Bronk.


    In truth Proteus found Hals methods, excessive and wasteful, fuelled by his ego. Proteus had long ago abandoned most of his human emotion, favouring the cold hard logic and reason of machines over such chaotic and destructive feelings.


    In order to ensure the capture of the Original Number, the emissary of Astral World, a lot of effort had been made for this plan. First they had targeted the Original Number''s host, Yuma''s, closest friend and kidnaped him.


    Using hostage negotiation with the family as a cover they had kept this fact from city security and the boy''s friends for the past few days while Hal had worked his own brand of expertise to break down the boy''s identity through the use of physiological tactics, drug therapy and a little magic. Then he had been rebuilt into a loyal and obedient tool of New Order while refining the child''s duelling skills and deck for the task at hand. For this moment.


    "¡­Duel me Yuma¡­" Bronk demand once more, the threat to Tori should Yuma refuse was loud and clear.


    "But¡­"


    "Yuma we have no choice, we must duel him." Astral said.


    "Your right¡­ Fine, lets duel!"


    The two friends engaged their Duel Disks and Duel Gazers as Proteus, and through the monitoring drones, Hal and the Orichalcos King, looked on.


    [Turn 1 - Bronk LP:4000 Hand:5, Yuma LP:4000 Hand 5]


    Although he loosened his grip slightly Bronk still kept a hold on Tori with his arm around her neck as the duel started, she was his shield and insurance that Yuma wouldn''t back out of the duel.


    "My move¡­ I draw. I summon <Yellow Gadget>, when this card is summoned I add a <Green Gadget> to my hand." Bronk''s voice was cold and hard, lacking all emotion.


    [Yellow Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:1200/DEF:1200]


    The yellow robotic warrior with what seemed like a large gear split in half on its back materialised on the field, its mono eye fixed on Yuma. Yuma didn''t recognise this monster, Bronk had never used such a card in his deck before.


    "I activate¡­ the spell <Machine Assembly Line>, this continuous spell increases all my machines ATK by 200."


    Behind Bronk rose a collection of automated production line machines, a robotic arm picking up a powerpack from a bin and attaching it to Bronk''s monster.


    [Yellow Gadget ¨C ATK:1200 > 1400]


    A cruel smile appeared on Bronk''s lips and a hint of excitement seemed to creep into his voice.


    "I set a face down card. Next I play <The Seal of Orichalcos>!" Bronk cried as he pushed Tori away from himself. Her purpose was done and there was no escape for Yuma now.


    Yuma was shocked as the mystical green Seal spread across the field, he knew what the Seal represented, what it meant. About its cruel powers that it would steal the soul of the loser of the duel. How had this happened? Why had this happened? It felt like the world he knew was going mad! Bronk was his best friend! So why?!


    Astral cried out in pain as the power of the Seal blasted him, and Tori, outside its area of coverage. Small currents of green lightning illuminating his figure for everyone to see as he lay helpless on the floor.


    "No! it can''t be true! Why are you doing this¡­ Bronk!"


    The mark of the Seal formed on Bronk''s forehead, its wicked glow a match for the madness in his eyes. And a similar mark appeared on his monsters head turning its eye red and infusing it with an addition 500 ATK.


    [Yellow Gadget ¨C ATK:1400 > 1900]


    Bronk ignored Yuma''s question. It did not matter, nothing mattered to him now. Nothing save his mission and the glory of the Great Beast, the triumph of New Order. And for that he would claim his former friends soul.


    "Turn end."


    [Turn 2 - Yuma LP:4000 Hand 5, Bronk LP:4000 Hand:3]


    "I¡­I draw."


    His thoughts were racing all over the place, but he needed to get a grip and duel for both their sakes.


    *SLAP*


    Giving himself a hard slap to his face he tried to clear his head. He didn''t know how, but he had to find a way to save the both of them. But it would be hard without Astral who seemed to be out cold. Yuma tried to recall the information Drake had shared with him about the Seal. But not only did he need to find a way to keep both their souls, he also needed to find a way to bring Bronk back to his senses. Maybe he could bash some sense back into that hard head of his.


    "I summon <Gogogo Golem>"


    [Gogogo Golem ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1500]


    "But that''s not all, I will trade in my golem for new shine gold version, here comes <Gogogo Golem ¨C Golden Form>. Its attack is double my original golems, making it 3600!"


    [Gogogo Golem ¨C Golden Form ¨C Lv4 ATK:3600/DEF:1500]


    Gogogo Golems rough grey and blue armour shifted and expanded as it transmuted into golden metal plates, a brilliant red core was exposed at its ?h?st as its form becoming taller and sleeker compared to its original blocky body.


    "Now attack Yellow Gadget my Golden Golem!"


    [GGGF ATK:3600 > YG ATK:1900 - Bronk LP > 3150 (1700/2 = 850)]


    Yuma''s monster smashed down with its golden fists, blasting Yellow Gadget into scrap metal and sending a shockwave right into Bronk.


    "Wake up Bronk! This isn''t you! You aren''t a part of New Order. We need to stop this duel before its too late!" Yuma pleaded.


    "Its already too late, and your wrong. New Order is everything to me and I will prove it when I offer up your soul and the Original Number."


    "Bronk¡­ I won''t give up! Because of my golems effect you only take half the battle damage you normally would take."


    The machines behind Bronk began to wh?n? and whirl as a giant magnet picked up the remains of his Gadget and dumped them into an open feed. A gauge on that machine moved up two positions.


    "When a face up machine monster I control is destroyed I add two junk counters to my Machine Assembly Line" Bronk explained.


    [Machine Assembly Line ¨C Junk counters: 0 > 2]


    "I set a card and end my turn"


    [Turn 3 - Bronk LP:3150 Hand:3, Yuma LP:4000 Hand 3]


    "I draw. I summon <Green Gadget> to the back row, its effect lets me add <Red Gadget> to my hand."


    [Green Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:1400>2100/DEF:600]


    With the power of the Seal Bronk now had ability to summon his monsters to a second back row, and so long as a monster existed on his front row Yuma wouldn''t be able to attack his back row monsters.


    The green robot with several large gears on its shoulders and back entered the field and was infused with the seals power as his ?ssembly line inserted a powerpack, but as Bronk went to add the Red Gadget from his deck to his hand Yuma''s Golden golem fired off a red light from its core at Bronk''s deck.


    "My Golems effect activates once per turn when a monster you control activates its effect, by dropping my own monster ATK by 1500 your effect is negated." He explained.


    [Gogogo Golem ¨C Golden Form ¨C ATK:3600 > 2100]


    "I play <Iron Call> to return Yellow Gadget from the graveyard."


    [Yellow Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:1200 > 1900/DEF:1200]


    Bronk''s monster returned to the field on his back row, but due to his spell cards his monsters effects were negated, preventing Bronk from adding another Green Gadget to his hand.


    "I activate my facedown,


    this trap becomes a monster on the front row then I can equip it with my <Gold Gadget> from my deck. When summoned this way my Powerhold gains ATK equal to twice the attack of the monster I just equipped to it, as well as a 500-point power boost from the Seal of Orichalcos and 200 from my Machine Assembly Line."


    [Gold Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:1700/DEF:800]


    [Powerhold the Moving Battery ¨C L4 ATK:0 > 4100/DEF:2000]


    Bronks trap transformed itself into a giant black and silver robot with a massive cannon built into its right shoulder that took to the field. His Gold Gadget monster appeared and converted itself into a round golden gear inserting itself into Powerhold''s central ?h?st cavity as the machine ?ssembly line inserted a powerpack into its back and the Seal appeared on its head filling its cyclops like eye with red light.


    "Powerhold! Attack Yuma''s Gogogo Golem with Power Cannon!"

 Chapter 30 - 30: Till the end.

    "Powerhold! Attack Yuma''s Gogogo Golem with Power Cannon!"


    Bronks giant mechanical monster took aim with its mighty cannon, arcs of emerald energy built up around its opening as it built up its power and fired at Yuma''s golden form golem. The mighty beam crashed against Yuma''s monster like a raging river and obliterated it from the field.


    [PHMB ATK:4100 > GGGF ATK:2100 ¨C Yuma LP > 2000]


    Unfortunately, while Yuma''s Gogogo Golem ¨C Golden Form halved any battle damage his opponent received the same could not be said about the reverse. Yuma was knocked down by the blast, landing only an inch or two away from the edge of the Seal. Getting up, a corner of his shirt brushed against the Seal and ignited into flame.


    "Yikes! That was close." He exclaimed as he smacked the small flame out before it could do any real damage, glad that he hadn''t actually touched the Seal himself.


    But now he was out of monsters and Bronk still had his Orichalcos boosted Green Gadget and Yellow Gadget left to attack.


    "Stop it Bronk!", "Don''t do it!" came the cries from their friends on the side line. But to the current Bronk these words were just meaningless.


    "Green Gadget, attack Yuma directly!"


    "I activate my face down


    this trap revives my original Gogogo Golem in defence mode and it cannot be destroyed in battle this turn."


    [Gogogo Golem ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:1500]


    The charging Gadget was brought to an abrupt halt by the appearance of Yuma''s monster.


    "Keep stalling Yuma, it won''t change your fate, I end my turn."


    [Turn 4 - Yuma LP:2000 Hand 3, Bronk LP:3150 Hand:2]


    Yuma was frustrated at his helplessness at the moment. New Order had turned his best friend against him, Astral had been knocked out by the power unleashed by the Seal, they were hopelessly lost somewhere that Drake had almost no chance of find them and he was in a duel where the loser forfeited his soul.


    What was he going to do?!


    Yuma checked his extra deck. It was practically empty.


    Without Astral, Yuma couldn''t use the Number cards they had collected, he couldn''t use Utopia¡­and without them did he even have a chance to deal with the Seal? What could he do? No matter what, one thing was sure. He wasn''t going to give up on his friend!


    Golden light began to shine from the middle of his extra deck with a familiar power. Picking out the card Yuma was shocked to see S39: Utopia Prime, the card he had created through Shining evolution. But why was it still in his Extra deck?


    Suddenly the card erupted with power and a golden beam blasted out through the Seal and towards the unconscious Astral. From his body a single white shining card flew back along the golden beam and into Yuma''s hand before revealing itself.


    The true, one and only, Number 39: Utopia!


    "Thanks Astral."


    Whatever the reason, he chose to believe it was a helping hand from his friend. The two of them had been through so much, overcome so many challenges. And this was the card that symbolised their bond. It had never let them down before and Yuma refused to believe it would fail now.


    "Get ready Bronk, I draw! Next I summon <Ganbara Knight>"


    [Ganbara Knight ¨C Lv4 ATK:0/DEF:1800]


    "With this card and my Gogogo Golem I now build the Overlay Network! I Overlay my two level 4 monster to Xyz summon, <Number 39: Utopia>! In defence mode."


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2500/DEF:2000 OU:2]


    Not only did Utopia have the ability to negate attacks, but as a Number only another Number could destroy it in battle. Even though Bronk may have the strongest monster, so long as he had Utopia he had hope.


    "Come on Bronk, doesn''t this bring back any memories? This isn''t you! Don''t you remember the time I gave you Utopia and you saved me and Astral from Number 96? Whatever they did to you I know you can fight it!"


    "Fight it? Why would I fight this? I have never felt this powerful. You think having a Number makes you powerful? I will show that in front of the power of the Great Seal your precious Utopia is nothing! So just Duel!" Bronk snapped.


    "¡­I set one card face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 5 - Bronk LP:3150 Hand:2, Yuma LP:2000 Hand 2]


    "Draw."


    Although Bronk put on an act of distain towards Utopia, he was secretly shocked. As was the watching Proteus. They had seen how Utopia had managed to breach the barrier of the Seal just now to reach Yuma''s side. Such a thing should not be possible. But although Yuma had managed to retrieve his favourite Number it would not matter.


    Bronk''s deck had been built to deal even with the power of the Numbers.


    "I move Yellow Gadget to the front row and switch it to defence, then set a card face down and end my turn."


    "I draw! Then I will draw 2 more thanks to my


    . Next I will discard my <XYZ Agent> from my hand to activate the spell <Onomatopaira>. This spell lets me add <Gagaga Magician> and <Gogogo Giant> to my hand."


    "If you won''t listen to my words, then I can only continue to knock some sense into you." Yuma declared.


    "Not with my Powerhold on the field you won''t!"


    "Then I just need to scrap your walking junk pile, won''t I! First I summon my Gagaga Magician to the field."


    [Gagaga Magician ¨C Lv4 ATK:1500/DEF:1000]


    Yuma''s favourite magician took centre stage, its black coat and iron chains swaying to its movements.


    "Next is the spell <Gagaga Bolt>, since I control a Gagaga monster I can destroy a card on your side of the field, so I destroy your Powerhold!"


    Lifting a pointed finger to the sky, black thunderclouds gather above Yuma''s Gagaga Magician. Sweeping its hand down a bolt of lighting followed its direction and blasted into Bronks mechanical menace, reducing it to scrap metal.


    "Since Powerhold was a machine monster, destroying it adds two more junk counters to my Machine Assembly Line." Bronk said as his machines moved to consume the remaining junk heap.


    [Machine Assembly Line ¨C Junk Counters 2 > 4]


    "Now I switch my Utopia to attack position and attack your Yellow Gadget with Rising Sun Slash!"


    Utopia launched itself at Bronk''s toy like monster, and slashed down with its brilliant blade. Yuma hoped this attack be able to get through to his friend. But before it could finish its swing¡­


    "I activate my trap <Fiendish Chain>, these chains will tie up your Utopia, preventing it from attacking and negating all its effects so long as it is on the field."


    Utopia was held helplessly in position, is blade mere inches from Bronk''s panic stricken Gadget, around it wrapped dark copper like chains, that at odd intervals burned with a pale blue flame. Tightening their grip, the chains hoisted Utopia from the steel girders and bound his arms to his sides.


    "Then I will destroy your Yellow Gadget with Gagaga Magician!"


    [GM - ATK:1500 > YG - DEF:1200]


    "I end my turn with a facedown."


    [Turn 7 - Bronk LP:3150 Hand:2, Yuma LP:2000 Hand:1]


    "I draw. You should just give up Yuma, you have no hope of beating me. I have always been the better duellist, without Astral you don''t have a chance." Bronk taunted.


    "Your right, you were always the better duellist, no matter how many times I challenged you each day, you always beat me. But it was because we were friends that you never refused my challenge, that I wanted to improve and become a duel champion. Don''t you remember?"


    "Enough! I play <Graceful Charity> to draw 3 and then discard 2. Then I summon <Silver Gadget> and with its effect I can also special summon a <Red Gadget> from my hand to the field. My Red Gadgets effect allows me to add another Yellow Gadget to my hand from my deck."


    [Silver Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:1500 > 2200/DEF:1000, Red Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:1300 > 2000/DEF:1500]


    With the power of the Seal and his Machine Assembly Line running through his monsters circuits, even Bronk''s weaker monsters would be transformed into powerhouses.


    "Next I sacrifice my Machine Assembly Line, this lets me special summon a machine monster from the grave whose level is equal or less than the number of junk counters my spell card had, which was 4. So I summon my <Gold Gadget> back to the field and its effect lets me special summon another Yellow Gadget, whose effect then adds a Green Gadget to my hand. But without my Machine Assembly Line my monsters now lose their 200 ATK power boost.


    [Gold Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:1700 > 2200/DEF:800, Green Gadget ¨C ATK:2100 > 1900, Silver Gadget ¨CATK:2200 > 2000, Red Gadget ¨C ATK:2000 > 1800, Yellow Gadget ¨C ATK:1900 > 1700]


    The Gold General, Proteus, emotionlessly watch on. As the one who had built Bronk''s new deck he knew what was coming next now that Bronk had gathered so many Gadget monsters together. It seemed that Silvers plan would soon succeed after all.


    "I will now create the Overlay Network, with these monsters I have gathered as an offering I now Xyz Summon <Metrohold the Moving City> to the field. This card can be Xyz summoned with 2 or more Lv4 Gadget monsters and I am using five!"


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C Rank 4 ATK:?/DEF:3000 OU:5]


    A mechanical titan slowly emerged from the black vortex, a being so massive it could crush Utopia within a single fist. A burning red power core blazed in the centre of its ?h?st as it lifted a massive metal hammer in its right hand. Around that hammer orbited its five Overlay Units.


    "My Metrohold gains attack equal the number of its Overlay Units time 1000, and it also receives 500 ATK with the power of the Seal. This means it currently has 5500 ATK!"


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C ATK:? > 5500]


    "5500 ATK?!?! That''s crazy!" screamed Caswell. He and the rest of Yuma''s friends despaired at the appearance of such a powerful monster.


    "You wanted me to remember our past Yuma? Well I promise I''m going to remember this moment as I put an end to it. I attack Utopia with Metrohold, Titan Strike!"


    *Wwwhhhizzzzzzzzzz*


    Steam whittled out of multiple pipes and vents across Metroholds body as its great gears squealed to its movements as it lifted its hammer high over its head. At its apex of its swing the back of the hammer head erupted as rocket engines fired to launch the hammer downwards at an even faster crushing speed.


    "I activate my facedown, <Dust tornado>, which allows me to destroy your Fiendish Chain" Yuma shouted as his trap card unleashed a violent whirlwind which cut through Bronk''s trap and freed his Utopia from its bindings.


    "And thanks to that I can now activate Utopia''s Special ability. Go Light Wing Shield! My removing an Overlay unit (Gogogo Golem) I can negate your attack!"


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C OU 2 > 1]


    Utopia''s white wings stretched out overhead enlarging as they shone their golden light, Metrohold''s hammer came crashing down onto the glowing wings in a clash that sent shockwaves across the field. But Utopia remained standing tall and strong under the protection of its Light Wing Shield.


    "I end my turn."


    [Turn 8 - Yuma LP:2000 Hand:1, Bronk LP:3150 Hand:2]


    "I draw, I switch Utopia and Gagaga Magician to defence mode and end my turn."


    Yuma was flustered but there was nothing else to be done. He wished Astral would wake up as he could really use some help right now. How could he deal with a monster that had over 5000 attack points!


    "Come on Astral, what would you do¡­?" he whispered.


    [Turn 9 - Bronk LP:3150 Hand:2, Yuma LP:2000 Hand:2]


    "Draw. I attack Gagaga magician with Metrohold."


    Bronk wasted no time with small talk and since he couldn''t Destroy Yuma''s Number he would just settle for wiping his other monster off the field instead.


    [MMC ATK:5500 > GM DEF:1000]


    *BOOM*


    Metrohold''s great hammer came smashing down and flattened the magician like a swatted fly.


    "Did you see that Yuma, this is real power, and by serving the Great Beast this is just the start of what I can achieve."


    "But what good is such power if you are alone, do you really think these people are your friends?! They are just using you! We''re your friends Bronk! Please listen to us!"


    "Quiet! I summon <Green Gadget> to the back row and add a Red Gadget to my hand."


    [Green Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:1400 > 1900/DEF:600]


    "I set a face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 10 - Yuma LP:2000 Hand:2, Bronk LP:3150 Hand:2]


    If Yuma didn''t do something soon, he knew that Bronk''s mechanical menace would be the end of him, but with over 5000 ATK what could he do? If only it didn''t have so many Overlay Units¡­ Wait. Yuma suddenly realised that he did have a card in his deck that could take down Bronk''s monster. But could he draw it?


    Yuma thought back to a time after his duel against Segnir, when he had asked Astral about the special draw he had pulled off then, the Shining Draw, and how he could use that kind of power again. What did Astral say again? Tap into your heart when you draw, believe in your cards and focus your will on what you need.


    Yuma closed his eyes and focused. He could feel something¡­ something warm and familiar. He knew what he needed and he knew that deck would not let him down!


    "Go Shining Draw!" With a golden glow around his hand Yuma draw his card, leaving a golden arc of light in its path.


    It worked!! Thanks Astral! Yuma thought.


    "I now summon my <Gogogo Giant>, when my monster is summoned I can special summon <Gogogo Golem> from my grave in defence by switching my Giant into defence mode."


    Yuma block like giant looked like a child compare to Bronk''s Metrohold as it pulled its smaller sibling Gogogo Golem back from the grave. He might not have any more of his Numbers to call upon but he still had tricks he could play.


    "With these two monsters I build the Overlay Network and Xyz summon <Gagaga Cowboy>"


    [Gagaga Cowboy ¨C Rank 4 ATK:1500/DEF:2400 OU:2]


    "And the point of this is? You know that your monster has no hope of stopping my Titan right? And because it is on my front row you can''t attack my other monsters. Maybe you have decided to do the smart thing and just give up. It will be less painful for you that way." Bronk mocked as he tried to ignore a strange headache that he felt coming on, choosing to instead focus on the incredible power of the Seal that was flowing through him.


    "No way am I ever giving up on you Bronk! You''re my friend and nothing you say will change that! So lets Jet! I play <Overlay Capture> this spell gets rid of all your monsters Overlay units before becoming an Overlay Unit which I attach to Utopia. And since your monster relies on its Overlay Units for its attack, you monster now drops to 500ATK!"


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C OU: 1 > 2, Metrohold the Moving City ¨C ATK:5500 > 500 OU: 5 > 0]


    "NO!"


    Bronk''s monster seemed to slump, its puffing steam fizzed out as the red glow of its core faded to a feeble glimmer.


    "Now it''s time I cut your giant down to size, I switch Utopia into attack mode and attack your Moving City! Rising Sun Slash!"


    [N39 ATK:2500 > MMC ATK:500 - Bronk LP > 1150]


    *SLASH*


    Bronk''s monster was sliced in half and exploded into a blast of smoke. Yuma knew he need more time to figure a way to get the both of them out of this situation, but he couldn''t just be on the defensive or Bronk would eventually build up enough force of overwhelm him.


    "Next Gagaga Cowboy will attack your Green Gadget! And by using one Overlay Unit, my monster gains a 1000ATK while yours loses 500!"


    [Gagaga Cowboy ¨C ATK:1500 > 2500 OU:2 > 1, Green Gadget ¨C ATK:1900 > 1400]


    This attack would take Bronk''s life points down to only 50, but so long as it didn''t hit zero Yuma would have a chance to still save him.


    "I activate <Xyz Reborn> to revive Metrohold the Moving City on the front row in defence mode. That means you can''t attack my Gadget, just give up!" Bronk interrupted.


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C Rank 4 ATK:0 > 1500/DEF:3000 OU:1]


    Bronks monster appeared like a wall, blocking Yuma''s monster from attacking his helpless Gadgets.


    "So what? Now you monster is nothing but a big wall, I will smash it down and find a way to save both of us. I won''t give up even till the end, because I am your friend Bronk no matter what New Order has done to you. I end my turn."


    Yuma''s friends at the side felt helpless, all they could do was watch as one friend tried to destroy the other while the other tried to save them both. All they could do was pray that Drake could find them, before it was too late.

 Chapter 31 - 31: Power of the Orichalcos.

    [Turn 10 - Bronk LP:1150 Hand:2, Yuma LP:2000 Hand:1]


    "Draw!"


    Bronk looked at the card he drew and smirked. He had finally drawn it. Yuma might have managed to turn his Metrohold into an ugly wall last turn but he knew that the power of the Orichalcos was unstoppable.


    Nothing could stop it! Not Astral who had already been taken care of by the power of the Seal and lay helplessly at the side, surrounded by Cathey, Flip, Tori and Caswell as if they had any power to protect him. Not the Numbers and Utopia that Yuma so foolishly relied on in the face of his imminent defeat. Not even Drake and his Blue-Eyes would stand in the way of the almighty power New Order.


    It was a manic belief, a zealot''s faith. Yet it did not prevent the memories from bubbling up in his mind. Drakes power as he fought against the Orichalcos beasts, the times Yuma overcame impossible odds to win hopeless duels. Times they had shared together.


    No! Joining New Order was the right choice, he regretted nothing, NOTHING! And this card would prove it!


    "I activate <Orichalcos Sigil Exous¨ªa>!"


    A new burning power filled Bronk with the appearance of this new magic card. Beneath his feet appeared a expanding ring of runes, so very similar to the Seal of Orichalcos that two of them were duelling in. But this ring only encircled Bronk''s side of the field and the image within the ring was dominated by a single flowing runic character rather than the Seals unicursal hexagram design.


    "So long as I have this spell card, once during my turn I have the power to attach a monster in my hand to a Xyz monster I control as an Overlay unit so long as its level matches my Xyz monsters rank. So I attach <Red Gadget> to Metrohold, raising its attack by 1000."


    Proteus the Gold General almost felt pleased as he watched from above, the Sigil was a new type of card, one of several, developed by New Order to allow the lower ranks to tap into even greater powers of the Orichalcos. This could be considered the cards first proper field test outside the laboratory and he had high hopes.


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C ATK:1500 > 2500 OU:1 > 2]


    "I set a facedown and end my turn." Said Bronk fiercely, the added power of the Sigil had almost turned his eyes completely crimson as if he was possessed.


    [Turn 11 - Yuma LP:2000 Hand:1, Bronk LP:1150 Hand:0]


    "I Draw! Then I switch Gagaga Cowboy into defence mode."


    Come on Astral, Yuma thought. I could really need some of your nosy advice right about now.


    "If you think the Original Number will be able to help you any time soon, I am afraid you will be disappointed." Proteus said as he observed the glances Yuma kept throwing towards Astral.


    "What do you mean?" Yuma asked.


    "Without the protection of a material body the power of the Seal has infiltrated his very being, and like how the Seal traps you within its boundaries, its power has completely trapped his mind within himself. Helpless to help even himself, let alone you."


    Yuma grimaced when hearing about what was happening to his friend. But that Shining draw he pulled earlier had given him an idea on how to once more turn the duel around.


    "Since Gagaga Cowboy is in defence mode I can use one Overlay unit to deal 800 damage to you directly."


    *Bang bang bang!*


    Shots blasted out from Yuma''s monster causing Bronk to stumble backwards.


    [Gagaga Cowboy ¨C OU 1 > 0 ¨C Bronk LP > 350]


    "I end my turn."


    [Turn 12 - Bronk LP:350 Hand:0, Yuma LP:2000 Hand:2]


    "Draw, I play <Xyz Treasure> so since there are three Xyz monsters on the field I can draw three cards."


    Veins were standing up on his forehead as the Seal and the Sigil continued to fill Bronk with their powers, his lips pulled back like a snarl.


    "Using the effect of my Orichalcos Sigil, I add a Gold Gadget to Metrohold as an Overlay unit."


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C ATK:2500 > 3500 OU:2 > 3]


    "Then I summon <Ancient Gear Gadget> to the back row of the field. When this card is summoned I declare a card type, then for this turn when I monster I control attacks you can''t use the chosen card type effects until the end of the damage step. I choose monster cards."


    [Ancient Gear Gadget ¨C Lv4 ATK:500 > 1000/DEF:2000]


    With this Bronk didn''t have to worry about Utopia''s ability.


    "Metrohold, attack Utopia with Titan Strike!"


    As a Number Utopia couldn''t be destroyed but damage would still be felt. With a underhand swing Metroholds giant hammer smashed Utopia flying high up through the air before it could stabilise itself, and a shockwave smashed into Yuma.


    [MMC ATK:3500 > N39 ATK:2500 ¨C Yuma LP > 1000]


    *Bang!*


    "I end my turn."


    "This is the chance I was waiting for! I draw! Now Go Shining Xyz Evolution! With Utopia I now rebuild the Overlay Network, to Xyz summon Shining Number 39: Utopia Prime!"


    [Number S39: Utopia Prime ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2510/DEF:2000 OU:2]


    Flying into the sky, Utopia shot up into a golden vortex above the field before descending once more in its evolved form. Lit by its holy light it floated down while small streaks of yellow lightning began to dance along the surface of the Seals boundary.


    "So what! I know you don''t have enough Overlay Units to activate its ability!" Bronk grunted, the light of Yuma''s Number was painful to him as it seemed to cut through the power of the Orichalcos that filled his body and mind.


    "But I soon will, I use the effect of Xyz Agent in my grave to attach it to my Utopia as an Overlay Unit."


    A shining star left Yuma''s grave to join the two Overlay units already orbiting his Number.


    [Number S39: Utopia Prime ¨C OU:2 > 3]


    "Then I will use Utopia Primes special ability! By using three Overlay units I can destroy all your special summoned monsters and banish them by reducing my life points to 10, so go Shining Purge! And destroy Metrohold!"


    Shining like a new sun Utopia Prime absorbed its three Overlay units into its wings and blasted out concentrated beams of light towards Bronk''s monster like lasers.


    [Number S39: Utopia Prime ¨C OU:3 > 0 - Yuma LP > 10]


    "I activate Metroholds ability, if it would be destroyed, I can detach an Overlay unit to prevent it." Bronk said through gritted teeth, he felt like his head was on fire. That light was so bright, but¡­ also warm. It invoked images, memories, of different times, of better times. Before New Order.


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨CATK:3500 > 2500/DEF:3000 OU:3 > 2]


    "What?!" Yuma was frantic, if Metrohold could prevent its destruction using its Overlay units and that Sigil can continually add Overlay units¡­ what could he do?


    But looking across at Bronk face that was now shifting between anger, pain and¡­ confusion? Maybe he was finally getting through to him! In which case he had to keep going!


    "I attack Metrohold with Utopia! Rising Sun Prime Slash!"


    [SN39 ATK:2510 > MMC ATK:2500 ¨C Bronk LP > 340]


    "I activate Metrohold''s ability again!" Bronk croaked out as he held a hand to his head.


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C ATK:2500 > 1500 OU:2 > 1]


    "I end my turn."


    In New Order Headquarters.


    "It looks like your pawn is having trouble remembering his place Silver." Came the calm, cold voice of the Orichalcos King. Only those that knew him would be able to detect the hidden undercurrent of threat.


    "Your Majesty please, I am sure that everything will be fine. I know I only had a few days with him but you know that with my techniques and Tempests magic''s we have never failed before. He will¡­!!!"


    "I will ?ssign punishment later, but first¡­" The Orichalcos king took a pale jade orb from his pocket and held it up high. Soon it began to pulse with eerie light.


    ---


    [Turn 13 - Bronk LP:1140 Hand:1, Yuma LP:10 Hand:3]


    "I¡­I¡­ draw... Arrgghh!"


    "Bronk you have got to stop this! Please!" Yuma cried.


    Bronk felt like his mind had turned against itself. Conflicting feelings, thoughts and d?s?r?s were battling it inside his head. Obey, defy. Save, destroy. Selfish power, Selfless friendship. As the light of Yuma''s Shining Number illuminated the field something finally broke inside of him.


    "Yu..ma.. what''s¡­ what¡­ am¡­ I¡­?


    "Bronk! It that you! Listen we have to find a way to stop this duel or one of us will lose our souls!"


    "Impossible! So much for your fool proof plan Silver." Cursed Proteus as he watched their puppet begin to cut his own strings. If this failed then he would be forced to take action himself, they could not afford to losses the Original Number after so much effort.


    Tears began to flow as Bronk remembered what had happened, what he had done and what he had almost done. The guilt was crushing. All along Yuma had been trying to save him, but right now he didn''t feel like he deserved to be saved. It would solve all his problems if he just¡­ surrendered the duel.


    His hand slowly moved to his duel disk to conceded.


    "No Bronk don''t do it!" Yuma yell as he realised what his friend was about to do.


    "Not so fast slave." A creepy, disembodied voice suddenly said.


    The runic ring of the Seal began to glow brighter and start to spin as the circle of the Sigil suddenly contracted around Bronk, crushing him with its energy.


    "Aaarrrgghhh!!!" Bronk scream before suddenly falling silent. His head slumped forwards concealing his face from view.


    "Bronk! What happened! Say something!"


    Yuma was shocked as Bronk lifted his head, his eyes were pure white, his face slack and empty of any presence. The ring of the Sigil had disappeared instead replaced by its glowing rune on Bronks ?h?st.


    "Shall we continue." Came the same creepy voice from before, but this time it was come from Bronks mouth.


    "Eh?! What going on?!" Yuma asked in confusion.


    "You should be honoured boy, not many have the chance to fall at my hands. Even indirectly like this."


    "Who are you? what have you done to Bronk?" Whoever this was speaking, Yuma knew it wasn''t his friend.


    "I am the Master of New Order, Lord of the Seal, the Chosen Ruler. The Orichalcos King. And as for your friend, I have merely trapped his mind forever within a prison of his own guilt and self-loathing. A fitting punishment for those who fail and betray me."


    "You¡­!"


    With the jerky movements of a puppet Bronk got to his feet again to continue the duel under the control of the Orichalcos King


    "Now I will finish this duel. I attack your Utopia Prime with Metrohold! And from my hand I activate the quick spell <Limiter Remover>! This doubles the attack of all machine monsters I control."


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C ATK:1500 > 3000, Ancient Gear Gadget ¨C ATK:1000 > 2000, Green Gadget ¨C ATK:1900 > 3800]


    Yuma slumped to his knees, he had been so close. But now there was nothing he could do. Metrohold lifted its hammer up high and brought it crashing down on Yuma and Utopia.


    *BANG!*


    [MMC ATK:3000 > SN39 ATK:2510 - Yuma LP > 0]


    <


    >


    "Sorry Astral¡­" Yuma whispered as the Seal began to close in around him, at least his friend still had his soul. Yuma was sure Drake would be able to help him no matter what this Orichalcos King had done. And Yuma had faith that Drake would someday be able to free him as well.


    "Yuma!", "This can''t be happening." "No!" Cried out his friends.


    "Yuma¡­" came the weak cry of Astral, who had finally awoken thanks to the power earlier released from Utopia Prime. Just in time to watch the most ghastly of sights. The sight of the Seal of Orichalcos claiming its prize.


    The light of the Seal faded away, withdrawn into the card on Bronk''s duel disk. Under the control of the Orichalcos King, Bronk moved over to the soulless body and ripped the golden key from around Yuma''s neck.


    "A pity. General Gold, take these and complete your objective." The Orichalcos King said as he tossed the Key and the Seal card to the waiting Proteus. The image of Yuma imprinted within its frame.


    Why? Why did some Seal cards transfer a soul to the place of Offering and some sealed the soul within themselves? This was a question that had puzzled Drake, but those of New Order knew the reason. It was because the Seal of Orichalcos that they produced was imperfect.


    Unlike ordinary cards that could be simply printed off a machine, the Seal of Orichalcos was a mystical card that could only be created through ancient Alchemy. A rare skill in this modern, technological world and it came with a high failure rate. But even when successful there was a difference in quality between each card created.


    Basically a low quality Seal was incapable of creating what New Order called the bridge of Souls, which was what allowed the higher grade Seals to directly transmit captured souls to a given location. Meaning these low quality cards could only hold the souls within themselves for later extraction.


    But the quality of a Seal could not be determined beforehand, only by actual use. And even if one only used Seals that had previously been proven as high quality it was no guaranty. Because as a imperfect Seal was used in a duel it would suffer degradation. Meaning even a high quality card could become a low quality card over the course of a duel, like here. And a low quality card would eventually crumble into dust.


    Although the Seals placed in Bronks deck had been high quality at one point, not only had the Seal Bronk played been worn down by the duel itself, but it had also had to deal with the stress of supporting the new Sigil card, the forced piercing when Yuma was able to recover Utopia and the conflicting energy released by Yuma''s Shining Number. It was unsurprising that even such a carefully selected card had become low grade trash.


    Only a perfect Seal card would be immune to such a fate. But New Order was simply too new and inexperienced to produce a perfect Seal at this time. So it fell to Proteus as the operative on scene to recover Yuma''s soul, the golden key and the Original Number for New Order.


    As the Orichalcos king withdrew his control Bronk fell listlessly to the floor and Proteus ordered his drones to surround the helpless Astral as he had another previously hidden subordinate go down and retrieve the valuable New Order deck from Bronk. Deploying a special energy field, the drones trapped and then dragged Astral''s form over to Proteus''s side without resistance. Even Yuma friends were frozen in shock and despair at what had happened.


    Turning his back to the unimportant kids, Proteus activated his backpack which converted into a winged jetpack, and prepared to return to New Order. His work was now done. With the roar of an engine the two New Order members took off into the skies, swiftly gaining altitude only for Proteus to suddenly stop and twist out of the way as a sharp sword cut through the air where he had been a but moment ago.


    Turning Proteus was shocked to see a human flying in the air with leathery wings, staring at him, with a sword in hand and murder in his eyes.


    "If you two think you are going anywhere, it had better be to the Grave!" Drake snarled in overwhelming fury.

 Chapter 32 - 32: A sky high chase.

    Where are they?


    Drake was almost frantic with worry as he scanned the streets from the roof of a warehouse.


    When he had discovered the truth from Wyvern, that the real target of New Order was Yuma and Astral, he had rushed to catch up with them. He would have liked to interrogate the Black General to find out what else she knew but before he had a chance, she had slipped away with her shadow magic.


    Having studied the area when planning his rescue attempt earlier Drake knew the shortest routes from the warehouse where they had split up to the more popular areas where Yuma and the rest would likely been safe from further pursuit.


    But even moving at his best speed along that route he had found nothing.


    So he had back tracked, looking for clues, for signs of their passage, still nothing and night had truly fallen making things even more difficult.


    After leaving the grounds of the Sport stadium his communicator had reconnected with the cities network and he had tried several times to call them without success. He had also tried to contact Kite directly with his own communicator, but the number he had called was no longer in service. He knew it had been a long shot ever since he had lost contact with Orbital 7.


    So now he was here, standing atop a warehouse in the middle of the night trying to expand his senses as far as they would go. Hoping to find even a trace energy that he could track, whether it be Astral''s unique energy body or the power of an active Seal of Orichalcos.


    Calm down, think!


    Around him was a mix of warehouses, High rise office blocks and construction zones. All of which were practically empty at this late hour. Drake knew that New Order must have somehow herded them to somewhere isolated, somewhere hidden where it would be difficult to notice any disturbances caused by a duel.


    But there were far too many such places around here for Drake to check them all.


    Could he find them through the Network?


    Obviously New Order would be using their Network Blocker technology to not only keep Yuma and his friends from calling for help, but also to make sure Dr Faker couldn''t take any advantage. But was there a way to track such interference? Or at least narrow the area he had to search down? Drake didn''t know, he was a Duellist not Tech support. And the only people knew here with such skills would be the now unreachable Kite and¡­ Akari!


    She would probably kill him after learning what had happened. But better that than the alternative!


    *Ring, Ring, click*


    "Investigative Reporter Tsukumo here, what you got?"


    "Akari."


    "Drake? What''s wrong? Why aren''t you two back yet?" She demanded.


    Drake tried to explain the situation to her as quickly and efficiently as possible. She did not take it well.


    "You promised to look after my brother! If anything happens to him Drake I will-"


    "We don''t have time for this now, instead of blaming me please help me find them." Drake interrupted.


    "¡­How do you expect me to do that?" She understood time was short.


    "New Order usually operates Network Blockers to isolate their duels from the city network. Is there anyway you can track something like that?"


    "Maybe¡­"


    On the other end of the communicator she was already fast at work. She even got in touch with any of her ?ssets that could help and set them on the task. Meanwhile all Drake could do was wait.


    5 minutes¡­ 10¡­


    "Drake, we might have something."


    "Where?" he asked.


    "A construction site, sending you the location now." She replied.


    "How sure are you?" Drake asked as he read the data, it was some distance away. If this lead was wrong it would waste a lot of time.


    "It''s all we have found so far, but we will keep looking. Drake¡­ please bring my brother back¡­"


    "I will."


    *Click*


    ---


    Drake rushed down the lamp lit streets and through the darkened alleyways as fast as his legs would take him. And as he got closer, the surer Drake was that this was the correct location. He still couldn''t feel the energy of the Orichalcos, but he instead felt something else.


    A thick and heavy presence. It was unnatural and overpowering like a heavy perfume that blocked out the smell of everything around it. Even Drakes sense of the veil between worlds, a constant muted hum that always existed throughout the city, was completely obscured by this strange feeling.


    Soon he confirmed this definitely was the place, he lost his Network connection and while his energy sense was blocked, his enhanced hearing and sight could pick out the sounds a duel and flashes of the light.


    With a sinking feeling Drake knew he had been too late.


    But he still had a chance!


    Either those two had Yuma''s soul with them, or else they knew where New Orders Headquarters were located. So no matter what he had to stop them from escaping, save Astral and find out what where Yuma''s soul was now.


    As Drake rushed by he shouted to Yuma''s grief stricken friends.


    "Look after them!" He didn''t have time to say anything else.


    Sword of Wisdom! The duel disk on his arm immediately morphed into its true form and without care of the power it would cost Drake he immediately activated its power.


    Tyrant Wings!


    The trap card dispersed into a huge swarm of light particles that gathered around his back and transformed into a set of blue/grey dragon wings. With mighty flaps, Drakes new wings swiftly carried him into the sky after the two New Order agents.


    As magical constructs Drakes wings were far faster than what nature or physics would permit, allowing him to swiftly catch up to his targets. He was furious and couldn''t hold back his rage any longer. He might need these two to tell him what he wanted to know, but that didn''t mean they had to be in one piece for them to do that. And he had a very sharp sword.


    Drake took aim at the larger one, the one that had taken something from Yuma''s body, and charged forward with a slash of his sword.


    *Slash!*


    He just missed as his target managed to dodge his strike at the last moment.


    "If you two think you are going anywhere, it had better be to the Grave!" Drake snarled.


    Drake had to give the two of them credit, they didn''t hesitate at all as they split up and made a break for it. Since even Drake couldn''t be in two places at once, he made a split second choice. To chase the one he had tried to slice and dice just now. Not only had Drake seen him take something from Yuma, but the drones carrying Astral seemed to be programmed to follow him.


    Proteus cursed his luck as he fled, wasn''t Wyvern meant to take care of this annoyance? And how could he suddenly fly in the sky like a bird? Not to mention that it was illogical that such a wing design could produce speeds comparable to his latest in personal jet propulsion systems.


    And Drake was following him!


    Proteus wanted to try and lose Drake in the steel lattice of the unfinished buildings girders, relying on his advance navigation systems to safely fly a path through. But he soon realised that he had made a mistake. Drakes wings allowed him to maneuver with far greater agility than Proteus could achieve with his jet pack. Meanwhile the close quarters and tight turns here actually limited Proteus from achieving reaching his top speeds.


    *Slash*


    With a swing of Drakes sword, a light blade shot out in front of Proteus and cut through the steel beams and dropping them in his path, forcing Proteus to swerve. If he wanted to try and out run Drake, then he needed to get out of here and into open skies.


    His ?ssistant, Tesla, was on his private communication line. Although he had escaped before when they split up, he was already on his way back now with ?ssault drones for backup. After all, everything of real value to the mission was with Proteus. The Golden Key, Astral and the Seal holding the soul. If he didn''t escape the entire mission was for naught.


    Changing direction Proteus shot straight up as fast as he could and Drake followed close behind, firing off the occasional blade light that Proteus was forced to dodge. But the following drones carrying Astral were not so lucky. Twice their evasion programs were a tad too slow and they suffered a score across their casing.


    A little deeper and it would have caused some actual damage.


    Proteus burst out from the top of the incomplete framework with Drake following, only for Drake to be met by an ambush from Tesla and his ?ssault drones.


    Gunfire burst out in rapid fire, forcing Drake to dive back down and take cover behind a beam. But Drake knew that he couldn''t waste even a second here, Proteus had not stopped and was even now racing away.


    He retrieved a card from his deck and launched himself once more after the fleeing General.


    "Open Fire!" Tesla commanded the ?ssault drones as they tracked Drakes movements.


    "Mirror Force!" cried Drake as he infused the trap card into the Sword of Wisdom.


    A screen of prismatic light appeared between him and the incoming bullets. Its magic stopping the hail of metal cold, before it blasted back outwards. Tesla had already escape upon realising just what was about to happen, as the storm of magic and metal tore the high tech drones to scrap that fell to the distant ground below.


    Drake ignored this and focused on increasing his speed to catch up with Proteus.


    If Proteus was capable of feeling fear, he would be feeling it now as Drake was closing the distance between them as the two of them were jetting across the city skies. Proteus wasn''t going as fast as he could, but he was going as fast as the following drones that held the captured alien were capable of.


    Proteus was sure that he could escape on his own, but abandoning the drones would mean abandoning the mission and his King would surely do worse than kill him if he failed at this stage. So he headed higher into the night sky, higher and higher into the clouds. Where the air is cold and thin.


    His pursuer was only supposed to be human after all, with all the weaknesses of a human body. Unlike Proteus himself who was something more, but then again what human could grow wings?


    Bursting through the white clouds Proteus finally came to a halt. And waited.


    Lifting up his left arm his hand began to split apart, revealing metal, wires and circuitry. This was what made Proteus more than human and what made him so special to be New Orders Quartermaster. He was a cyborg.


    His hand continued to reconfigure its form into the shape of a cannon, this was Proteus strongest inbuilt weapon system. A plasma cannon powered through a hybrid fusion of Orichalcos magic and advance science. The barrel of the cannon slowly lit up and cast a yellow glow.


    Proteus wanted to get rid of Drake. And as soon as he pierced through the clouds, he would have him.


    The reason Proteus had waited until now to act was simple, his plasma cannon was very powerful but had only a short range and was slow to charge. In an aerial dog against a far more agile foe it would be useless. But an ambush?


    Where was he?


    Seconds stretched on as Proteus continued to scan his surroundings. Where was Drake? He should have caught up by now. His plasma cannon was beginning to overheat as he kept the charge primed.


    "Looking for me?" came Drakes voice from above!


    *Slash*


    "What?!" When had Drake gotten above him?! Proteus thought.


    He dodged to the side and blasted out towards the sound of Drakes voice, but this time Proteus wasn''t the target. What Drake was after was Astral.


    The short burst of super-heated plasma flew harmlessly over Drakes head as he dived down and his sword cut through all but two of the drones that were holding Astral captive with a single slash. The energy field holding the original Number failed with the loss of those drones, freeing him from his bonds.


    After a moment of freefall Astral came too and righted himself.


    "Drake! Don''t let him escape! He has Yuma''s soul on him!"


    Hearing that a weight lifted from Drake mind, at least he knew he had a chance to save Yuma here and now.


    {Get ready Critias} Drake projected to the dragon hidden in his mindscape. To save Yuma he was willing to even reveal the true power of Critias if needed.


    {Always.} The dragon sounded eager to battle the forces of the Orichalcos once more.


    With a battle cry Drake charged forward with his blade.


    Proteus was on the back foot, having just fired his plasma cannon his internal power source had been temporally depleted and his jet pack could b?r?ly maintain his position. But before Drake could strike another figure burst from beneath the clouds and imposed himself between the two of them. Proteus''s ?ssistant Tesla had caught up with them and blocked Drakes strike with an energy shield.


    With this distraction Proteus had the two drones he had remaining link up and combine with his jet pack to act as both a booster and external power source before rocketing straight up. Having seen the ease that Drake had cut down those drones just now Proteus was not interested in joining them. If Drake wanted to chase him, Proteus wanted to see just how high he could fly.


    10,000 feet¡­ 11,000 feet¡­ 15,000¡­ 20,000 feet!


    Proteus had reach the maximum hight his systems could support. And was confident that even Drake would find it difficult to follow him this high. It wasn''t because humans couldn''t live at this hight, after all Mount Everest''s peak was around 29,000 feet high. It was because without special equipment it should be impossible for anyone to adapt to the changes in the atmosphere, temperature and air pressure over such a short period of time.


    Proteus turn around to look back down.


    Drake and Astral were swiftly ascending towards him shattering his hope and Proteus knew he was running out of options. He knew his abilities; it was his engineering genius that his King valued, not his duel skills.


    He didn''t want to duel Drake but that meant he only had one other option for dealing with him now. He had to take Drake down and reclaim the Original Number. He withdrew a silver sceptre from his robes, the same kind of sceptre that Wyvern had once used to break the Seal that was about to consume Shark. What New Order called, an Orichalcos Key.


    Holding it up high in the air the sceptre began to glow a familiar emerald light as an enormous power began to build. A dangerous power, ancient and cruel.


    "By the power of the Orichalcos and the authority of Order. Let the shadow of the Beast now descend!"

 Chapter 33 - 33: Clash at 20,000 feet.

    "By the power of the Orichalcos and the authority of Order. Let the shadow of the Beast now descend!"


    *ARH-WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!*


    A terrifying howl echoed in the night sky and even all over Heartland city far below. Those that heard it could not help but feel a sense of helplessness, of powerlessness. A feeling of terror as old as time which came when an ancient predator had you in its sights. A primal instinct.


    Even deep underground at New Order Headquarters the effect of that howl could be felt, and the Orichalcos King cursed his Gold General for doing something so foolish. To think that Proteus would dare call the shadow of the Great Beast into being, the shadow of the Fenris. This was a disaster!


    High in the sky Drake was flung backwards from the shockwaves that cry had unleashed. Over and over he tumbled in freefall before he could right himself, his feet skimming a large cloud bank. His ears hurt, no not just his ears, that howl had shaken him to his very soul, beside him Astral looked better but his face was still pained.


    Looking up he saw Proteus backed by the full moon, the green glowing sceptre in his hand was disintegrating at an alarming rate and behind him black storm clouds began to materialise. Like a giant maw the clouds closed around the moon blocking its white light. For miles around people would later claim that on that night, they saw the moon eaten by a black beast.


    As the dark clouds grew larger and larger they began to swirl like a brewing tempest, a sinister black whirlpool.


    "Behold! The Beast has come!" cried Proteus as he raised his arms in supplication.


    Then the centre of the whirling clouds opened up to reveal a single golden wolfs eye. Looking at the scene reminded Drake of when Yugi first summoned Timaeus against the projected power of the partially awakened leviathan. But Drake had no intention of letting this beast have the chance to strike the first blow.


    "It''s time! Come forth Critias I summon you!"


    Blinding streaks of blue light began to shine out from within the clouds beneath Drakes feet, before they erupted upwards like a geyser. Like Godzilla rising from the depths, the giant form of the Legendary Dragon Critias burst upwards pulling the clouds behind his wake. His dark blue scales gleamed like armour as his beating wings sent him bursting towards the great wolf eye.


    Lightning began to gather around the eye as it looked down on the world below, its focus on the puny creature that dared to challenge its power. One could see the distain it held for the dragon, it would destroy this challenger with its might, with another howl it loosed its lighting down as a thundering bolt of power.


    *ROAR!*


    With a mighty roar Critias replied with a stream of overwhelming crimson flames. Fire and lighting clashed in the night skies, two forces of utter destruction locked in battle. But while the Great Beast of the Orichalcos was a powerful mythical creature, it was ultimately still just a projection. And such a projection was no match for the true power of a Legendary Dragon!


    Critias burst forth with even greater strength, his flames rolling over the lightning unleashed by the Eye of the Fenris, speeding, surging and blasting forth into and then through the projection of the eye which shattered into pieces of green stone that vanished into nothing.


    *ROAAARR!*


    Crying out a roar of victory Critias faded away, returning to Drakes mindscape to recover its strength till the next time it was needed. For it knew that even although it had won a victory, the war was far from over.


    Proteus was in shock, to him it was unbelievable that anything could stop the Great Beast. Although he knew it had only a shadow of its true power, that should still have been enough to devastate a city, to wipe out an army, to overturn heaven and earth. But it had failed...


    So great was his shock that it was only at the last moment that he realised that Drake was charging at him with his sword. Turning at the last moment his sword still managed to cut through Proteus robes and gouge out a scar on his outer shell, cutting open one of his pockets and allowing Yuma''s golden key which he had stolen, to fall from it.


    With his free hand Drake grabbed at the glittering key, there was no way he would allow such an important object to fall 20,000 feet to the ground below. Not only was its Yuma''s valued treasure, but it had a connection to Astral and held many secrets.


    With the momentum of the grab Drake swung the Sword of Wisdom in a roundhouse strike trying to cut the Gold General in half. He missed as the General backed away, but before he could follow through.


    "Move and I crush his soul!" Proteus threatened, in his hand was grasped the card that held Yuma''s soul.


    Drake held back, he didn''t know if destroying the card would destroy Yuma''s soul, but he did not want to take the risk.


    "Release him and I will let you go." Drake offered.


    "Surrender or I destroy it!" Proteus snarled, stalling for time as he received word his ?ssistant Tesla would catch up soon.


    "Try it and your end with be slow and painful." Drake angerly replied.


    He could not afford to stretch this clash out for much longer, he thought as he transferred what little duel energy remained to him into his Tyrant Wings. It would be the ultimate irony for his wings to suddenly give out and send him plummeting to an ignoble death. But without any more duel energy it also meant that Drake could no longer activate the powers of the Sword of Wisdom.


    If the New Order stooge in front of him knew that, then he would have a good chance of escaping. So Drake need to bluff it out. Let them think he could carry on like this all night.


    "Surrender or else!" Proteus demanded.


    "Why don''t you duel me instead, or are you too much of a coward?" Drake responded as he transformed the Sword of Wisdom back into its duel disk form.


    "¡­Fine, but it will be a two on one duel!" Proteus claimed as Tesla zoomed up next to him breathing hard. While Proteus might be a cyborg capable of operating at this altitude and Drake had an enhanced artificial body, Tesla was just a human with high tech support gear.


    "No, it will be a two on two Duel." Interrupted Astral with his strange looking blue duel disk appearing on his arm.


    "Then a tag duel it is¡­ Duel!" decaled Proteus.


    "Prepare to be crushed! And when we win you better return Yuma''s soul. Lets duel!" Drake replied.


    Tag duel rules. Duellists begin with 8000 life points, duellists will switch at the start of their teams turn.


    [Turn 1 - Tesla(Hand:5)/Proteus(Hand:5) LP:8000, Drake(Hand:5)/Astral(Hand:5) LP:8000]


    "For the glory of New Order, I will go first! I draw, then I set one card face down and one monster face down. This ends my turn." Cried Tesla, his voice slightly muffled and echoey from his breathing apparatus.


    It was a simple start for such an important duel.


    [Turn 2- A(H:5)/D(H:5) LP:8000, T(H:4)/P(H:5) LP:8000]


    "Draw!" cried Astral as he started his turn.


    "I summon my faithful < Satellarknight Alsahm> to the field!"


    [Satellarknight Alsahm ¨C Lv4 ATK:1400/DEF:1800]


    A white armoured archer with golden bow and wings took to the field, pulling back its bow string his bow was lit by powerful light energy that took aim at Tesla.


    "When this monster is summon it deals 1000 damage to my opponent."


    *Woooossshh!*


    Letting go its bolt, the light arrow flew quicker than the eye and pierced through Tesla''s ?h?st.


    [T/P LP > 7000]


    "Argh!"


    "Next I attack your face down monster, Go!" Astral commanded his monster.


    [SA ATK:1400 > MP DEF:400]


    Tesla''s monster was no match for Astral''s stellar warrior, exploding under the force of Alsahm''s arrow.


    "When my Machina Peacekeeper is destroyed I can use its effect to add another to my hand." Tesla said.


    "I set a card face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 3- P(H:5)/ T(H:5) LP:7000, A(H:4)/D(H:5) LP:8000]


    It was Proteus''s turn as he checked the facedown his partner had left for him.


    "Draw. Logic dictates I set a monster face down and one more card face down."


    "End Turn"


    Again a simple turn, not something Drake would have expected from a General of New Order.


    [Turn 4- D(H:5)/A(H:4) LP:8000 P(H:4)/ T(H:5) LP:7000]


    "Now its my turn! I draw!" said Drake taking charge of the field.


    "Get ready to pay the price for your actions. I summon <Keeper of Dragon Magic>, when this monster is summoned I can discard a card from my hand to add a


    to my hand. So I will discard my <The White Stone of Legend>."


    Drakes monster appeared on the field, its magical powers pulling a card from Drakes deck to add to his hand, but before Drake could do anything else.


    "I activate my face down, <Torrential Tribute>. This destroys all monsters on the field, yours and mine. So I eliminate your dragon and knight, together with my <Wise Core>!"


    A blue explosion blasted out across the field destroying all the monsters on the field, but although Proteus''s monster was also destroyed, Drake was not happy. Because he recognised the name of the Proteus monster. It was a famous monster and a key part in the arch type known as the Synchro Killers. The Meklords!


    "Objective achieved. When Wise Core is destroyed by a card effect I can summon <Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ>, <Wisel Attack>, <Wisel Carrier>, <Wisel Guard> and <Wisel Top> to the field from my deck."


    [Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ - Lv1 ATK:?/DEF:0 , Wisel Attack ¨C Lv1 ATK:1200/0, Wisel Carrier ¨C Lv1 ATK:800/DEF:600, Wisel Guard ¨C Lv1 ATK:0/DEF:1200, Wisel Top ¨C Lv1 ATK:500/DEF:0]


    These were the true Meklord cards from the anime, not the pale knock-off from the TCG. The modular monsters that was the bane of all Synchro monsters.


    The five individual monsters appeared on the field, each clad in pure white armour. And as they did so they began to fly to each other, transforming and expanding as they combined into the humanoid warrior form of the first Meklord Emperor. Two arms, one with a blade the other with a energy shield, a pair of legs, a head and the core body with the infinity symbol prominent on its ?h?st.


    Apart from the Meklord Emperor itself the rest of the pieces were summoned in defence mode.


    "What are those?" Astral asked in awe of this robotic menace.


    "Those are the Meklords, a modular combination monster. Also known as Synchro killers. The key is the core section that links them all together to form the Meklord Emperor, it is also the only part that can actually attack." Drake told his partner.


    "You know about the Meklord? Impressive. Then you should know that Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ attack is equal to the combined attack of my other Meklord monsters."


    [Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ - ATK:? >2500]


    "Because I discarded my White Stone, I can now add a <Blue-Eyes White Dragon> to my hand. And yes I know a lot about the Meklords, but how did you get such cards?"


    Drake tried to use his Dragons Eye on the Wisel pieces, he remembered that only a few of the basic pieces actually had any special abilities, but apart from Wisel Guard''s effect to redirect an attack to itself the rest escaped him at the moment. He certainly knew that all the upgraded parts had at least one ability each.


    "Urgh¡­"


    This was new, his Dragons eye was helpless to analyse Proteus''s cards. Instead sending a sharp feedback to Drake as it wept a bloody tear. It was like there was something different about these Meklord cards compared to the other cards he had encountered in this world.


    "Destiny delivered them to me, so it is only logical that I go on to achieve greatness." Proteus replied.


    "Destiny... right. Next I will use the Polymerization I just got, along with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon and a <Dragon Spirit of White> in my hand to fusion summon <First of the Dragons> in attack mode!" Drake said disregarding Proteus words.


    [First of the Dragons ¨C Lv9 ATK:2700/DEF:2000]


    Drake could do this because Dragon Spirit of White was treated as a normal monster while in his hand or graveyard.


    Drakes spiky purple/blue legless dragon materialised and circled the skies around them. Drake knew that he needed to get rid of that Emperor quickly, or else once the Seal of Orichalcos was played it would be a calamity.


    "Now First of the Dragons attacks your Meklord Emperor Wisel!" Drake declared.


    "I activate Wisel Guards effect, allowing me to switch your attack to this card instead." Proteus said as the Meklord''s right arm projected an energy shield from a turbine on its shoulder.


    [FotD ATK:2700 > WG DEF:1200]


    Roaring flames blasted against the shield and the whole arm shattered into pieces with the destruction of one of the Wisel pieces. But since Wise guard had no attack points its loss did not effect the strength of the Emperor.


    "I set two cards face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 5- T(H:5)/P(H:4) LP:7000, D(H:1)/A(H:4) LP:8000]


    "Back to me now. I draw." said Tesla.


    "I play <Terraforming> which allows me to add to my hand and then activate <The Seal of Orichalcos>."


    The Power of the Seal activated and spread across the skies to engulf the four duellists. Its mark appearing on each piece of the Meklord.


    "With the power of the Seal each of my monsters gains a 500ATK point boost. And don''t forget my Meklord Emperor''s attack is equal to the combined attack of my other Meklord monsters."


    This is what Drake had been afraid of, with three Wisel pieces each gaining 500 attack, plus the 500 that the Meklord Emperor itself gain, that meant that Meklord Emperor Wisel was effectively gaining 2000 attack points!


    [Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ - ATK:2500 > 4500, Wisel Attack ¨C ATK:1200 > 1700, Wisel Carrier ¨C ATK:800 > 1300, Wisel Top ¨C ATK:500 > 1000]


    "I activate my face down trap <Fusion Reserve> by revealing my <Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon> from my extra deck I can add a Blue-Eyes White dragon from my deck and a Polymerization from the grave to my hand." said Drake as he activate one of the face down''s he had just played on his last turn.


    "I summon a Machina Peacekeeper from my hand and then I equip it to my Meklord Emperor with its union effect. Then I move Wisel Attack to the back row." Tesla said.


    [Machina Peacekeeper ¨C Lv2 ATK:500 > 1000/DEF:400]


    With its non-existent defence it was safer for the monster which gave the Wisel Emperor the most attack points to be on the back row made available by the power of the Seal.


    "Meklord Emperor Wisel attack First of the Dragons, Stainless Steel Slash!"


    Now that it had such a large power boost Drakes dragon was no match for the metallic monster as it slashed down with the blade on its remaining left arm.


    [MEW ATK:4500 > FotD ATK:2700 ¨C D/A LP > 6200]


    There was a massive explosion as the beasts clashed, but after the smoke cleared both monsters remained on the field.


    "But thanks to my dragons ability it can''t be destroyed in battle except with Normal monsters." explained Drake.


    "I set a card facedown and end my turn."


    [Turn 6- A(H:4)/D(H:3) LP:6200, T(H:3)/P(H:4) LP:7000]


    "Now I will draw!" said Astral


    "I summon <Satellarknight Vega> to the field, and its effect allow me to special summon <Satellarknight Unukalhai>! With Unukalhai''s effect I then send <Satellarknight Rigel> from my deck to graveyard."


    [Satellarknight Vega ¨C Lv4 ATK:1200/1600, Satellarknight Unukalhai ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/1000]


    Since Meklord Wisel''s power was dependent on the other Wisel parts, Astral determined the best course of action was to first strip away a portion of its power so that their dragon could once more hold the advantage.


    "Now Vega will attack Wisel Top."


    [SV ATK:1200 > WT DEF:0]


    *Boom*


    With a bolt of star light the Meklord Emperors head was blown away.


    "And with one less monster your Emperor''s attack also falls!" Drake commented from behind.


    [Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ - ATK:4500 > 3500]


    "Then Unukalhai will attack your Wisel Carrier."


    [SU ATK:1800 > WC DEF:600]


    With a strike of its segmented tail the Emperors legs were blasted apart, leaving just the body core and left arm on the field, a poor state for such a legendary monster to find itself in Drake thought.


    "Now you monster loses even more attack points!" said Astral.


    [Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ - ATK:3500 > 2200]


    "Now First of the Dragons attacks Meklord Emperor Wisel!"


    "Not before I activate my <Anti Fusion Device> which destroys a fusion monster of my choice. And your dragon is the only fusion monster on the field."


    *BANG*


    With a loud explosion the great dragon was destroyed in a large blast as it charged towards its target. Unfortunately, while Drakes First of Dragons was protected against monster effects it had no such protection from trap cards.


    Since all their remaining monsters had already attacked Astral had to end the battle phase.


    "I am not finished yet! I now use my two Satellarknight''s to build the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon <Number 39: Utopia>!"


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2500/DEF:2000]


    From the vortex of the Overlay Network emerged Astral''s most trusted Number. Although Yuma had used it in his last duel and lost, the Number for some reason had returned to Astral at the end of the duel. Perhaps because Bronk had been in no condition to claim the Number after what the Orichalcos King had done to him.


    Whatever the reason, Astral planned to use this card that was the proof of the bond between him and Yuma to get his friend back.


    "I set a card face down and end my turn."

 Chapter 34 - 34: Infinity X

    At 20,000 feet in the sky the tag duel between New Orders Gold General Proteus, his ?ssistant Tesla, the emissary of Astral world Astral and Drake the duellist from another world chosen by the Legendary Dragon Critias, continued.


    [Turn 7- P(H:4)/ T(H:3) LP:7000, A(H:2)/D(H:3) LP:6200]


    It was Proteus turn once more. But his great Meklord Emperor Wisel was looking the worse for wear with only its core body and left attacking arm on the field after Astrals last barrage of attacks. And to beat the team of Astral and Drake he would now need to defeat the power of Number 39: Utopia.


    "Draw. I activate the magic card <Iron Call> to special summon <Wisel Carrier> back from the grave."


    [Wisel Carrier ¨C Lv1 ATK:800 > 1300/DEF:600]


    [Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ - ATK:2200 > 3500]


    Wisel''s legs returned to the field and attached themselves to the core body, restoring a portion of its lost glory.


    "Next I summon <Skiel Attack> from my hand." Proteus said.


    Skiel was another series of the Meklords, the second of three. Its blue plated blaster undercarriage reconfigured itself to take the place of Wisel''s missing right guard arm. The Power of the Seal of Orichalcos infusing it with even more might which it transferred to Meklord Emperor Wisel.


    [Skiel Attack ¨C Lv1 ATK:1000 > 1500/DEF:0]


    [Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ - ATK:3500 > 4500]


    "Now I special summon the Machina Peacekeeper which was equipped to my Meklord Emperor. After which I play the spell <Star Blast>! By selecting my level 2 Machina I can then reduce its level by one at the cost of 500 life points."


    [Machina Peacekeeper ¨C Lv2 > 1, P/T LP > 6500]


    "Now you shall witness the true glory of the Meklord. Resistance is futile and your defeat is certain. With these five monsters I build the Overlay Network! Witness the evolution of terror as it becomes the bane of Xyz''s! I Xyz summon <Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ>!"


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - Rank 1 ATK:0 > 500/DEF:0 OU:5]


    The five machines flew into the Overlay Network and a new black metallic orb emerged, like a dark sun orbited by the five lights of its Overlay units. This was a card Drake had never heard of or imagined could exist. And with the failure of his Dragon Eye he had no way to discover this monsters secrets except to experience them first hand.


    "Behold the evolution of the Meklords, this monster gains all the effects, attack and defence points of each Wisel, Skiel or Granel that it has as an Overlay Unit."


    Four of the five Overlay units flew into the black orb which rippled like pebbles thrown into a pond. Suddenly the orb began to stretch and morph to ?ssume the form of Proteus''s previous headless Meklord Emperor, but its colour was completely black save for the crimson X that replace the infinity symbol on its ?h?st and the green of the mark of the Seal.


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK: 500 > 3500/DEF:0 > 600]


    Where as previously the Meklord Emperor had been a superficial combination of different monsters, now it was a true fusion of strength and ability, exceeding its previous powers greatly.


    "Then once per turn I can add a Wisel, Skiel or Granel monster from my hand to this card as an Overlay unit. So I add <Granel Guard> and with each addition my monster grow ever stronger."


    [Granel Guard ¨C Lv1 ATK:500/DEF:1000, Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:3500 > 4000/DEF:600 > 1600 OU:5 > 6]


    A bulky arm with fins grew out from the monsters right side pushing the Skiel blaster cannon of Skiel attack up to the shoulder.


    "But that''s not all. Any ability that Xeltron has that refers to a Synchro monster can also be applied to Xyz monsters." Proteus said with pride as the light of the Overlay Units held within his monster ?h?st began to glow brightly before streams of energy were launched out and wrapped around Utopia.


    "So by using Meklord Wisel''s effect along with Xeltron''s I can now capture your Utopia to equip it to my monster as an equip spell. Absorption X! Then my monster gains attack equal to your monsters."


    "Oh no!" cried Astral a Utopia was stolen away.


    Utopia was pulled into Xeltron''s ?h?st, a golden aura began to burn at the point where its head should be, taking the phantom form of Utopia''s.


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:4000 > 6500]


    This was bad! Both Astral and Drake knew this, Utopia was supposed to be their ace but had instead been turned against them so quickly.


    "Now things will get even worse, I activate my face down <Orichalcos Wisdom> this trap let me add an ''Orichalcos Sigil'' from my deck to my hand, so I add and then activate <Orichalcos Sigil Exous¨ªa>!"


    "What kind of card is that?!" Drake queried. He had not been present to witness Yuma''s duel against Bronk so this new form of Orichalcos was a mystery to him. But surprisingly his Dragons Eye kick in and he was able to discover the effect of the card.


    It seemed his Dragons Eyes only had a problem when trying to read the Meklord cards, but why?


    "This magic card then allow me add a monster in my hand to a Xyz monster I control as an Overlay Unit so long as its level is equal to my Xyz monsters rank, so I add a level 1 <Granel Carrier> from my hand to my rank 1 monster." Proteus explained.


    New black tank-like hover treads grew out of the rear of Proteus monster, giving it a strange centaur like appearance.


    [Granel Carrier ¨C Lv1 ATK:700/DEF:700, Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:6500 > 7200/DEF:1600 > 2300 OU:6 > 7]


    "Now Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ, attack them directly! Infinity X!"


    Crimson energy surge around its body and gathered at the embossed X on its ?h?st, before blasting out. The X shaped energy beam morphing into the shape of the captured Utopia as it raced towards Astral with devastating force.


    "I activate the trap <Double Dragons Decent>" cried Astral as he activate one of the cards Drake had set.


    "This card allows me to special summon a light type Xyz dragon from my extra deck, so come forth! <Number 91: Thunder Spark Dragon>!"


    A long blue winged serpent burst out from the trap card and imposed itself between Astral and the attack of Meklord Emperor Xeltron, blue lighting flicking across its body as it opened its jaws wide.


    "Because Number 91 was summoned with this trap card, its abilities are negated but its attack is increased to match your monsters attack. Your monster is then force to continue its attack against my monster. Since they now how equal attack points that means both our monsters will be destroyed!"


    [Number 91: Thunder Spark Dragon ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2400 > 7200/DEF:2000 OU:0]


    [MEX ATK:7200 > N91 ATK:7200]


    Blue lightning blasted out against the crimson Utopia phantom and exploded into a cloud of smoke that covered the battlefield. But as the smoke cleared it was revealed that Proteus Meklord Emperor remained on the field, its rear hover treads faintly glowing with a gentle white light that slowly faded away.


    "Incorrect ?ssumption Astral! I already told you that Xeltron inherits all the special ability of its Meklord Overlay parts, so I can use the effect of the newly attached Granel Carrier. Its effect means once per turn I can prevent the destruction of a monster I control by battle." Proteus explained.


    "You may have the advantage, but you will not succeed." Drake said


    "Illogical, I end my turn."


    [Turn 8- D(H:3)/A(H:2) LP:6200 P(H:0)/T(H:3) LP6500]


    "I draw, then I play


    " Drake said.


    He knew that the two of them were in trouble. So long as Proteus had the cards in hand he could in theory add two new pieces to his Meklord in each of his turns, with who know what kinds of effects. The only upside was that only one of their opponents seemed to have the Meklord deck. If both of them used the same kind of deck in a tag duel like this their monster would soon become unstoppable.


    Assuming it wasn''t that already¡­


    "I special summon <Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon> from my hand by revealing the Blue-Eyes I previous added. With my dragon''s special ability, I can destroy one monster on the field, so I target your Meklord Xeltron! Go Destruction Burst!"


    A bolt of blue lighting blasted out from Drakes monster, but as it reached Proteus monster its front humanoid legs began to glow and an energy barrier formed between Xeltron and the lightning blast.


    "Your error. Thanks to Wisel Carriers inherited ability my monster cannot be destroy by my opponents card effects." Proteus explained his monsters survival.


    So that was the effect of Wisel Carrier that Drake had forgotten. It had been too long since he had seen these card in action so he only remembered a handful of the Meklord pieces effects, like Wisel Guards ability to redirect an effect, or that some piece of Skiel allowed it to perform direct attacks and a couple of others.


    But he wouldn''t let his ignorance hold him from a comeback!


    "I summon <Blue-Eyes Kuriboh> to the field!"


    Drakes favourite furball popped onto the field flapping its cardboard wings with delight, its round eyes shining with fan worship as it stood next to the Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon.


    "And next I will use the Polymerization I previously recovered to fuse the Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand with the Alternative dragon and Blue-Eyes Kuriboh on my field. Behold my Ultimate Beast! <Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon>!"


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon - Lv12 ATK:4500/DEF:3800]


    Although Drakes monster was powerful, it was currently still no match for Proteus deadly machine, but that would soon change.


    "Then I play <Stamping Destruction> this spell allows me to destroy one spell or trap card you control and deal you 500 damage."


    "Heh, neither the Seal of Orichalcos nor its Sigil can be destroy by card effect. So just what are you targeting?" Tesla mocked from behind, overlooking Drakes true objective.


    "Stupid, did you forget that currently your monster has Astral''s Utopia attached to it as a equip spell card. And with its destruction your monster will loses 2500 ATK."


    Drakes Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon charged at Xeltron, and raising its massive foot, stomped down on Xeltrons ?h?st. Its force blasting out and extinguishing the aura of Utopia that it had formed in place of a head.


    *Bang*


    [P/T LP > 6000]


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:7200 > 4700]


    "Our Emperor is still stronger than your dragon." Tesla sneered, angry at his failure to workout Drakes plan and in turn make a fool of himself in front of his boss.


    "Not after I boost it with the face down <Blustering Winds> Astral left me, raising my dragons attack and defence by 1000 until our next standby phase." Drake mocked. Now his dragon was the strongest monster on the field.


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon - ATK:4500 > 5500/DEF:3800 > 4800]


    "Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon attack! Neo Neutron Burst!"


    [NBEUD ATK:5500 > MEX ATK:4700 - P/T LP > 5200]


    Each of Drakes Blue-Eyes heads blasted out a steam of blue/white lighting that combined into a torrent of energy and smashed into the black Meklord. Its back treads once more lighting up.


    "Thanks to Granel Carriers effect my monster is not destroyed." Proteus remarked calmly as he lost a chunk of life points.


    "But now I activate my monsters own effect. As the only face up card I control, I can now send my Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon to the grave from my extra deck so my dragon can attack again! Neo Neutron Burst!"


    [NBEUD ATK:5500 > MEX ATK:4700 - P/T LP > 4400]


    Drakes dragon attacked again with overwhelming might.


    "And your Carriers effect can only be used once per turn." Drake stated the obvious. After all, how could Proteus not know the limits of his own monster effects.


    "But my Xeltron has an effect of its own. By sending one of its Overlay units to the grave I can negate its destruction. So I logically send its Machina Peacekeeper to the grave and save it."


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - OU: 6 > 5]


    An Overlay Unit flew out of its ?h?st, shattering into glittering sparkles that covered its black form and created a protective coating against Neo Ultimate Dragon''s attack.


    It was a smart move. Machina Peacekeeper was the only Overlay Unit which didn''t benefit Xeltron in any other way. Providing neither effects or points.


    "I activate my dragons ability again and send Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon to the Grave. Attack my dragon! Neo Neutron Burst!" cried Drake as he used his dragon effect for the final time he was allowed.


    [NBEUD ATK:5500 > MEX ATK:4700 - P/T LP > 3600]


    "I send Granel Guard to the grave to prevent its destruction." Proteus said.


    An Overlay Unit once more erupted from Xeltron ?h?st and saved it from destruction, but now its thick finned arm was absorbed back into its body and with its loss Xeltron''s points began to drop.


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:4700 > 4200/DEF:2300 > 1300, OU: 5 > 4]


    It was a good start to taking down that mechanical demon, but only a start.


    "I end my turn." said Drake.


    [Turn 9 - T(H:3)/P(H:0) LP:3600, D(H:0)/A(H:2) LP:6200]


    "Draw" Tesla was getting nervous. He felt that his performance before his direct superior had been underwhelming so far.


    But looking at the card he just drew, he knew that he could change that soon.


    "I special summon <Machina Cannon> by discarding <Commander Covington> from my hand, which give it 800 ATK, then I activate


    to draw two more cards. Next I special summon <Machina Air Raider> from my hand by discarding <Machina Defender>."


    [Machina Cannon ¨C Lv8 ATK: 0 > 1300/DEF:2200, Machina Air Raider ¨C Lv8 ATK:1500 > 2000/DEF:2600]


    Two metal monsters appeared on the field, one dominated by a giant cannon on is back the other with large propeller wings. Even with the boost from the Seal their attack wasn''t much and thanks to Xeltrons inherit ability from Meklord Emperor Wisel they couldn''t attack anyway.


    But they were both level 8 monsters.


    "With these two monsters I build the Overlay Network to Xyz summon Rank 8 <Aegaion the Sea Castrum>"


    [Aegaion the Sea Castrum ¨C Rank 8 ATK:0 > 500/DEF:3000 OU:2]


    A legged fortress city rose up from the clouds below, tall and mighty yet it still paled when compared to monsters already out on the field. Suddenly a red beam blasted out towards Drake from a kind of satellite dish at the monsters centre.


    "Now I activate Aegaion''s ability. This allows me to banish a random monster from your extra deck, my monsters attack then becomes equal to the banished monsters attack. But that''s not all! By using one Overlay unit and returning that banished monster to your extra deck I will be able to destroy a monster of the same card type on the field." Tesla chuckled.


    "So if I remove a Fusion monster, you can say farewell to your dragon and then the rest of your life points! Go, Beyond Contact!"


    The red light pulled a card from Drakes Extra deck and dragged it towards Tesla''s monster. Drake prayed that his luck was good, or this duel might soon be over. The card slowly flipped over to reveal itself to the world in dramatic fashion.


    [Blue-Eyes Spirit Dragon ¨C Synchro Monster, ATK:2500]


    "Blast!" Tesla cursed.


    "Perfect!" Drake cried in joy.


    Not only had he avoid the destruction of his Ultimate Dragon but he had also avoided the loss of his Xyz Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon as well. The card was swiftly banished as Aegaion absorbed its strength.


    [Aegaion the Sea Castrum ¨C Rank 8 ATK:500 > 3000]


    "You''re not out of the woods yet! I play <Xyz Gift> because I control two Xyz monster I can remove two Overlay Units from Aegaion to draw 2 more cards."


    [Aegaion the Sea Castrum ¨C OU: 2 > 0]


    "Now I play <Limiter Removal> this spell doubles the attack of all machine monsters I currently control."


    The power of the New Order teams monsters swiftly rose under the overclocking power of the spell card, till they towered over Drakes Ultimate dragon. But such power was temporary and would come at great cost. At the end of the turn all monsters effect by Limiter Removal would be destroyed.


    [Aegaion the Sea Castrum ¨C ATK: 3000 > 6000, Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:4200 > 8400]


    "Xeltron now attacks your Neo Blue-Eyes! Infinity X!"


    "I activate the trap <Half Unbreak> for this turn my dragon cannot be destroy by battle and I half any damage from battles involving that card." Drake replied as he activated another of Astral''s cards.


    A bubble appeared around Drakes dragon and shielded it as the crimson X shaped beam blasted into it.


    [MEX ATK:8400 > NBEUD ATK:5500 - D/A LP > 4750 (2900/2 = 1450)]


    "I set a card and end my turn, at which point all my monsters under the effect of Limiter Removal are destroyed. But I save Meklord Emperor Xeltron by sending Skiel Attack to the Grave."


    An Overlay Unit again exploded to coat Xeltron in a glittering coating as its right shoulder cannon was reabsorbed into its metalmorphic body. Unfortunately for them, Wisel Carriers effect could only protect Xeltron against destruction effects used by their opponents. Again its attack points were lowered as it was left with just the core body, the two carrier parts with protective effects and Wisel Attack.


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:8400 > 3200 OU: 5 > 4]


    It was Astral''s turn now.

 Chapter 35 - 35: The Nexus

    [Turn 10 - A(H:2)/D(H:0) LP:4750, T(H:0)/P(H:0) LP:3600]


    It was Astral''s turn, they only had Drakes Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon against the power of New Orders seemingly unkillable Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ which combined the powers of its overlay units, Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ, Wisel Attack, Granel Carrier and Wisel Carrier, along with the power of the Seal and Sigil of Orichalcos.


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK: 3200/DEF:1300, OU:4]


    "Draw. The effect of Blustering Winds has now ended, returning our dragons attack and defence to normal." Astral calmly stated.


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¨C ATK:5500 > 4500/DEF:4800 > 3800]


    "I set three cards face down, then I attack Xeltron with Neo Blue-Eye Ultimate Dragon!"


    [NBEUD ATK:4500 > MEX ATK:3200 - T/P LP > 2300]


    "Again the effect our Xeltron inherited from its overlay unit ''Granel Carrier'' effect saves our monster. Preventing it from being destroyed in battle once per turn." Tesla said as the current controller on New Orders side of the field in this tag duel.


    Since Astral had no Blue-Eyes fusion monsters in his extra deck, he was unable to trigger Neo Ultimate Dragons ability.


    "I end my turn."


    [Turn 11 - P(H:0)/T(H:0) LP:2300, A(H:0)/D(H:0) LP:4750]


    "Draw. I play the spell <Tag Draw> this is a special spell card designed for team duels, so now each duellist draws 2 cards." Said Proteus.


    The duel had lasted a long time so far and both sides were suffering from a depletion of resources, in other words, empty hands. So the sudden card draw was a welcome relief to them all.


    "Next I activate <Infinity X> with this spell I send the top five cards from my deck to the graveyard, then I can special summon any number of ''Wisel'', ''Skiel'' or ''Granel'' monsters sent to my grave this way. But I must banish them at the end of my turn."


    From the five cards he sent to the grave Proteus then return three of them to his field.


    "I special summon <Wisel Attack 3>, <Wisel Top 3> and <Skiel Guard>"


    [Wisel Attack 3 ¨C Lv3 ATK:1600 > 2100/DEF:0, Wisel Top ¨C Lv3 ATK:600 > 1100/DEF:0, Skiel Guard ¨C Lv1 ATK:200 > 700/DEF:300]


    The three monsters appeared on the field, each infused by the power of the Seal, and then they began to attach themselves to Xeltron, with the upgraded Wisel Attack 3 replacing the missing right arm, Wisel Top 3 finally giving Xeltron a true head and the Skiel Guard fixing itself as a backpack on to Xeltron.


    Finally, Xeltron seemed like a whole monster, complete and ready to destroy Astral and Drake.


    "Due to the inherited ability of Meklord Emperor Wisel, my Xeltron gains the attack of all the monsters I just summoned. By my calculations this increases Xeltron''s attack to 7100."


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:3300 > 7100]


    "Then I summon Granel Attack 3 for another 2300ATK."


    [Granel Attack 3 ¨C Lv3 ATK:1800 > 2300/DEF:0, Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:7100 > 9400]


    The golden monster joined the field and attached itself as a second left arm, boosting the Meklords attack once more.


    "I now attack your Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon with Infinity X" said Proteus.


    With 9400 ATK his monster had enough strength to wipe out Drakes dragon and the rest of their life points in one blow, but Astral was prepared.


    "I activate <Terminator of Titans> this trap targets a monster summoned from the extra deck and reduces its attack to zero while negating all of its effects!" Astral said, with this Xeltron would be destroyed and New Order would be wiped out, allowing them to finally save Yuma.


    "Look out!" warned Drake.


    "Your move is in error! My Wisel Top 3''s ability activates, once per turn I can negate a Spell or trap card you activate." Said Proteus as his white armoured head monster blasted a beam through Astral''s trap card, destroying it.


    "Then I will just have to activate my <Damage Diet>! This trap halves all the damage that I would take this turn." replied Astral.


    [MEX ATK:9400 > NBEUD ATK:4500 ¨C A/D LP > 2300 (4900/2 = 2450)


    The crimson energy blast of Proteus''s Meklord tore through Astral and Drakes Ultimate Dragon, destroying it along with almost half their life points. It was only thanks to Damage Diet that Astral and Drake were still standing.


    "I end my turn. At which point Wisel Attack 3, Wisel Top 3 and Skiel Guard are banished."


    And with their loss, Xeltron lost almost 4000 attack points.


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:9400 > 5500]


    But that still made it stronger than any monster Drake had in his deck, and so long as it had the Wisel Carrier as an Overlay Unit, Drake could not destroy Xeltron with card effects.


    The turn had come to Drake, be he didn''t know what he could do.


    He clenched his right fist in frustration, the edges of Yuma''s Golden Key that he held in that hand cut into his palm drawing blood. Drake prepared to draw his card, perhaps the last draw he would make in this duel.


    But before he could do so he felt an odd pulse of energy from the key in his hand that was now stained with his blood. And what followed was an equally surprising answering pulse of power from the Seal of Orichalcos that surrounded them.


    Proteus, Tesla and even Astral seemed ignorant as the Seal and the key each began to emit increasingly stronger pulses of energy that slammed into Drake. Faster and faster they came until¡­


    "Stop stalling and make your move." demanded Tesla.


    But it sounded as faint as a whisper as Drake''s consciousness was swallowed by darkness.


    ---


    For a moment Drake was confused. One moment he was almost 20,000 feet in the air duelling in his most important duel since coming to this new world and the next he was here, where ever here was. Surrounded by a thick mist in a place of grey twilight he was standing on rocky ground.


    No, a rocky path, either side of him he could now see the fall that awaited him as the fog slightly cleared to reveal the path that he was stood on.


    A strange force filled the air, a sinister force that seemed to try to cloud his mind and memory, but it would take more than that to confuse him. His mind was protected by the legendary dragon while his will was strong enough to push pass such an annoyance to focus on the here and now.


    With little choice Drake began to walk forward to where ever this path may lead.


    {What do you think Critias} he asked the Dragon in his head.


    {Its like a kind of Mindscape, a real place but shaped by illusion. Everyone who entered here would each see something similar but different.} Critias replied as he observed this strange world through Drakes eyes.


    {Dangerous?} Drake asked.


    {I will take that as a yes then.}


    Drake lost track of the time that had passed as he walked the path, but eventually the path widened and he reached an end. An end blocked by a great chained door. Drake knew that this scene was familiar. It was the location of the mysterious door, the door that had brought Astral to Yuma, the door that Yuma had said had brought him the power of Shining evolution.


    But the door before him was different from what he was expecting.


    The stone doorway was large, as wide and as tall as a house. It was bound by dozens of golden chains that ran from the top right corner of the door frame to the bottom left and from the top left to the bottom right. Forming a great X shaped seal across the door.


    The stone was a light grey, almost white and instead of a single carving of a demonic face across the entire door like he was expecting, instead this door had two faces on it, one on each side of the double door. On the left-hand side was carved the face of a man, without expression or emotion it was an aloof purity that looked down on all before it. Its impersonal perfection marred only by a single straight scar or gouge that ran down its cheek.


    And on the right was the face of a beast, savage cruelty and dark instinct filled its face like a primordial monster, a lost figure of ancient terror. Across one side of its face spread a faint web of cracks.


    "Is it strength that you seek against the odds? Is it power that you pursue in the face of danger?" a strange duel toned voice spoke out from both heads at the same time. Seemingly both demonic and divine at the same time.


    "If you would seek, if you would pursue, then enter beyond and claim that which is your due."


    *SNAP*


    A familiar green light¡­


    "If you would seek, if you would pursue, then enter beyond and claim that which is your due." The door chimed again, slightly louder this time and with a touch of impatience.


    "No thanks, I''m good." Drake said as he turned away.


    He wasn''t sure what was going on here, but he had no intention of entrusting his fate to some unknown door in a land of illusion. He just had a bad feeling that something was off¡­


    As he began to walk back the way he came from in search of an exit back to the real world, the sounds of chains flying towards him caused him to duck. But he was too slow! The golden chains of the doorway had attacked him, seeking to entangle and capture him in their clutches. Although he had dodged most of them one had still managed to wind around his arm and was now pulling him back to the door where the other chains lunged again to entrap him.


    "Enter beyond and claim that which is your due!" the door practically screamed in a shrill voice as the eyes and scars of the carvings began to light up the same green light as what came from beyond the doorway¡­ the green light of the Orichalcos!


    The chains pulled him slowly towards the door.


    {Critias!} Screamed Drake to his partner. He felt the dragon try to materialise itself and attack the door before them. But something was wrong!


    {I can''t! Those chains are sealing the entrance to your mindscape. I''m trapped!} Critias helplessly cried as it battered against the barrier that separated him from the outside world and his chosen duellist.


    "Blast it! Let go of me! You stupid door!" Drake cursed as he struggled.


    A duel card appeared in his hand as he thrashed about.


    "Blue-Eyes! Annihilate!" Drake cried as he tried to materialise his signature monster and blast free, but it failed! The card fell lifelessly to the floor without so much as a spark of power.


    "ENTER BEYOND AND CLAIM THAT WHICH IS YOUR DUE!"


    "Urrgh¡­ Sword of- ach- Wisdom!" Drake croaked out a new chain tightened itself around his neck.


    Critias sword appeared in his hands and Drake tried to take a swing at the chains that were dragging him closer and closer to the fell door. He might not have the duel energy need to activate its special powers, but it was still a legendary sword and not to be underestimated.


    *Clang* *Clang* *Clang*


    Drake managed to chip a few of the links in a chain or two, but his swing failed to truly sever even one of the chains. He lacked the freedom of movement to get a good swing in. He was only a few meters away from the door now and he was running out of time. In desperation Drake decided to attack the door itself with the Sword of Wisdom. Perhaps since the door seemed to be controlling the chains, attacking the door itself would free him.


    But where do you attack a stone door?


    The key had to be the figures; the carved faces were likely the focus of the door''s consciousness. In which case what was a face''s most vulnerable point? The eyes! Drake gathered his strength for a final lunge trying to decide which face to attack. The God or the Demon? At the last moment he noticed something strange and took a last desperate gamble shifting his target.


    *CRACK*


    Lunging forward Drake pierced the legendary sword through the scar of the face on the left side. A loud cracking sound was heard as he forced the blade in all the way up to the hilt and everything went still. The thrashing chains stop and fell listlessly to the sides. Freeing him and Critias.


    "Critias!" Drake screamed as he back away from the door leaving the sword where it was.


    *ROAR!*


    With a mighty roar the infuriated dragon emerged, its power blasted out as a shockwave that ripped outwards and sent the world around them quivering before it dispersed like a mirage. The mist disappeared, the path disappeared, the twilight light vanished. Only the door remained.


    But things were no longer the same.


    Drake took a moment to steady himself as he examined his new surroundings.


    He was standing on a piece of cobblestoned land, a circular disk about the size of a football field. In the centre of the disk was a large still pool of water and around the edge was nothing, nothing but the doors. It was like the disk was the edge of a world and beyond was nothing but emptiness, not land nor sky but the void.


    And the doors? There was an uncountable number of them hanging in the air around the edge. Drake thought of them as uncountable because their number was continually changing as he tried to count them, new ones would appear without warning and old ones would simply vanish for no reason, the doors even seemed to move by themselves as Drake was sure that while trying to count them he saw the same door three times in different places each time. Soon he gave up trying.


    Only a small handful of doors seemed fix in place, including the one behind him, but they were too distant to see in detail.


    "What is this place?" he wondered out loud.


    "The Nexus¡­" a voice whispered out so faint Drake wasn''t sure if he imagined it.


    "Did you hear that?" Drake asked Critias beside him who was examining the door that had tried to¡­ well eat him was the only way Drake could come up to describe the experience.


    {Hear what?} the dragon queried.


    "Hello? Anyone there? You called this place the Nexus?" Drake shouted out, but his only answer was silence.


    {You alright?} Critias asked in concern.


    "Yeah, I''m fine. Just my imagination I guess¡­"


    Drake turned back to the sword in the stone door and with a mighty pull, drew the sword out. The green glow had faded away but as the point of the sword was withdrawn it seemed to pull out several fragments of pale jade stone along with it that crumbled to dust as they landed on the floor. Not the kind of stone that made up the door, but what suspiciously looked like Orichalcos stone.


    How had that ended up in a place like this?


    *Clang*


    Drake jumped back as the golden chains came back to life, but this time they only moved to reform the cross shaped seal he had first seen when he laid eyes on this door.


    "If you would seek the unknown, cast aside all your burdens and pass beyond¡­" the duel toned voice gently sighed before falling silent.


    "What do you think is beyond this door?" Drake asked the dragon next to him.


    {¡­The deepest shadows no light shall reach, the chaos that holds all possibility. The Multiverse¡­ this is where we entered this world.}


    "And here I thought you punch a hole in the sky and sent me hurtling down in a fireball¡­ n?k?d. I still owe you for that." Drake joked as he absorbed the ramification of what Critias told him.


    {Why is that my fault?}


    "You created an entire body for me, don''t try to say you couldn''t whip up some clothes at the same time lizard breath."


    {I am a dragon, why should I concern myself with human sensibility?} Critias responded innocently.


    "A dragon¡­ riiiight¡­" Drake knew that Critias was in fact originally a human knight of Atlantis that was cursed into a dragon form by Dartz during the first war of Atlantis. He knew the scale head had done it on purpose to mess with him.


    "You sure it connects to the Multiverse?"


    {The door is still opened a crack. I can feel the power of the between through it. If you had passed through it unprepared, we might never have found our way back to this dimension.}


    That sent shudders through Drake. He was in the middle of a duel and two friends souls were on the line. If he had just upped and vanished there was no way Astral would be able to win on his own. New Order would have won without a fight.

 Chapter 36 - 36: ZEXAL!

    "So you''re saying this door represents the natural barrier that separates this dimension and its self-contained worlds from the rest of the Multiverse." Drake asked Critias.


    {Yes, I can feel a trace of my own power on that web of cracks. If you look closely you can see that its actually healing itself.}


    "Which means that the scar I just pierced was probably left by the entrance of the Orichalcos to this world, that explains why pieces of Orichalcos stone would be in it."


    Things made more sense now, the Orichalcos would want to control the barrier for their plans and when Drake had arrived here it had recognised Drake as a threat. It had tried to expel him from this dimension by force. And now that the Sword of Wisdom had destroyed the source of the rot, the door had returned to normal.


    But what about the rest of the doors?


    Drake began to walk over to the nearest of the stable doorways, ignoring the other everchanging doors that he passed by. There were doors made of wood, of metal, of stone, even of light and shadow, some were towering monuments and some were the size of a normal house door and everything in between. Some were sealed by chains, lock bars or magical runes and who knows what else.


    He reached the closest door that did not change, it was already open. The face of door was a diabolical face with horns and a mouth of sharp teeth, a golden mist seemed to hover around the threshold. Drake felt a familiar power, it was the power Yuma had released with Utopia Prime. The power from the Shining Xyz Evolution.


    Drake tried to put his had through the door but found it block by an invisible force. But although he could not pass through the door, in touching the barrier he could feel the power on the other side. A power that could create cards¡­


    He had a wild idea.


    With a thought the Mirror of Critias appeared next to him. Although the Mirror was a mental construct used to create new cards, the same could be said of this place, it was a mindscape.


    With a thought Drake began to channel a portion of the power from the door into the mirror, if they were compatible then he had just found a solution to his duel energy problems. After a while he stopped and observed the mirror.


    Drake was filled with joy. It worked! The Mirror of Critias could use this energy to create new cards for him. It didn''t seem as efficient as duel energy but that didn''t matter so long as it worked. Drake began to absorb as much energy as he could into the mirror, he wanted to fill it until it could hold no more. But after a few short minutes he felt the energy he could draw on fade away.


    He was sure even more energy was beyond the threshold, but he couldn''t reach it. Another disappointment was that Drake discovered that this new ''Shining Energy'' was unable to replace Duel Energy to activate the Sword of Wisdom.


    Even still he tried to force his way in with the Sword for more energy, but it was no use. So he moved to the next set door. This one looked a lot like the last one, save for a few minor details, but it also felt different. More like the door that guarded the barrier between dimension, and Drake felt a faint trace of another familiar energy.


    Looking down at his feet, Drake was surprised to discovered a card, a Numbers card.


    So was this the door that connect the human world to Astral world Drake wondered? as he picked the card up. The door that Astral had travelled through to earth? He looked at the card, it was Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon.


    He moved on to the next door. This door was very different, it was solid gold, wrapped in glowing runes and its face was instead engraved with an image of Yuma''s key. It was an obvious clue even if it didn''t tell Drake what as behind the door, but patting his pockets Drake realised that he no longer had the key on him. That he hadn''t seen it since he came here. He had no choice but to move on.


    The next door was worse. You couldn''t even see the form of the door from the mass of chains and runes that bound it up. Nothing was going to break open that door by force. Could this be the path to Barian World? he wondered.


    One door to go.


    This one was also an open door with the face of a demon, but a demon with four eyes this time. Broken black chains hung from the doorway and a small patch of seemed like dried blood was on the floor. Looking closer Drake discovered the Crest of Barian world that had been split down the middle.


    Dark energy floated around the threshold. Chaos energy! The same energy Drake had seen Shark use in Kite memories. Just like he had done to the first door Drake absorbed as much Chaos energy into the Mirror of Critias as he could before retuning to Critias who had moved to observe the pond of water at the centre of the stone disk they stood on.


    When he reached there, he was surprised by two thing.


    Drake recognised the wisps of energy that it was made of as a mixture of the same Shining energy and Chaos energy that he had already harvested. The different energies were like magnets, at times attracting each other and at others repelling each other. Drake didn''t need Critias to know that the energy was trying to fuse and create something special.


    But no matter how hard it tried, it failed time and again.


    "So how do we get back?" Drake asked the dragon as they watch the struggling energies.


    {I would say you jump} Critias replied nodding towards the pool.


    "And that?" Drake pointed to the card. It was too far for him to reach but the dragon had no such problems.


    Critias reached out a claw and grasped the energy tightly with his power, a bright light shinned out from between his digits before fading away. He passed it to Drake. Under the pressure of Critias strength the conflicting energies had finally formed a stable fusion and the true form of the card was revealed.


    "Zexal huh¡­" Drake murmured.


    It was time to end things and save his friend. Drake recalled Critias and jumped.


    ---


    "Stop stalling and make your move." demanded Tesla.


    Drake was back, and it was his turn. He had two cards in hand and one facedown on the field, meanwhile the team of New Order had <The Seal of Orichalcos>, <Orichalcos Sigil Exous¨ªa>, <Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ>, <Granel Attack 3> and a face down.


    Their Meklord Emperor had four Overlay Units consisting of Meklord Emperor Wisel ¡Þ, Wisel Attack, Granel Carrier and Wisel Carrier. With each Overlay unit providing its attack, defence and special abilities to Xeltron. Including Emperor Wisel''s ability which allowed it to gain the attack of Granel Attack 3 and the power of the Seal, Xeltron currently had 5500ATK.


    [Granel Attack 3 ¨C Lv3 ATK:2300/DEF:0, Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK: 5500/DEF:1300, OU:4]


    [Turn 12 - D(H:2)/A(H:2) LP:2230, P(H:0)/T(H:2) LP:2300]


    Now that he had received the power he needed to win, all he needed was the cards to use it.


    A burning energy seemed to seep out of his hand. A burning blue flame that carried his determination and will to win. Drake felt like everything was under his control and he heard the roar of the dragons in his deck answer his will.


    Was this what a Shining Draw felt like? But whatever it was, it was his.


    "Get ready to lose! Go Dragon''s Draw!" he pulled his card, its arc leaving a trail of flames in the air.


    The Golden Key glittered in the fire light as it now somehow hung around Drakes neck.


    "First off, I banish <Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon> from my hand to special summon <Blue-Eyes Kuriboh> from my graveyard, and for this turn it becomes a level 8 dragon."


    [Blue-Eyes Kuriboh ¨C Lv1 > 8 ATK:300/DEF:200]


    Drakes Kuriboh returned to the field. A powerful aura bursting forth into the form of the ritual monster Drake had offered to revive it.


    "KURI!" Drakes monster loudly cried.


    "Next I play <Card of Demise> allowing me to draw until I hold 5 cards." Drake said as he replenished his hand. A smile on his lips as he recognised a familiar face obviously that wanted in on the action.


    "Behold, I play <The Fang of Critias>, by combining this card with the <Dragons Rebirth> trap card in my hand I summon the


    !" Cried Drake as Critias roared out.


    [Phoenix Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:2400/DEF:1600]


    Absorbing the power of his trap card Critias transformed into a golden armoured dragon, a blazing fire burning along his wings, his back and his tail. While even brighter golden flames formed a burning crown atop his head.


    "I activate the trap <Deep Dark Trap Hole> to banish your monster!" Proteus declared as he activate his facedown.


    A massive black pit appeared below Drakes new dragon, seeking to swallow it whole.


    As shadowy hands reached up from the pit to grasp it, Drakes Phoenix Dragon burst into flames and exploded, scattering its fires across the field.


    "What''s happening!?" Tesla questioned. His trap shouldn''t have caused Drakes monster to explode like that.


    Suddenly the scatter fire began to move and fly together forming a burning sphere. Which then blasted outwards to reveal a white slender dragon with four wings.


    *ROAR!*


    "What''s happening is my dragon activated its quick effect. By banishing my Phoenix Dragon from the field with its own effect, I can then special summon <Deep of Blue-Eyes> from my hand. And when this card is special summoned, I add another


    from my deck to my hand." Drake explained as his glittering white dragon gently flapped its wings.


    [Deep of Blue-Eyes ¨C Lv8 ATK:2500/DEF:2500]


    "Next I summon <Heliosphere Dragon> from my hand."


    [Heliosphere Dragon ¨C Lv4 ATK:0/DEF:1900]


    "Since I already control a level 8 dragon, I can use Heliosphere''s effect to increase its own level to 8 till the end of the turn."


    Deep of Blue-Eyes and Blue-Eyes Kuriboh''s Aura surged into the purple dragon.


    [Heliosphere Dragon ¨C Lv4 > 8]


    "With these three level 8 monsters I now build the Overlay Network. Come forth dragon born of the distant stars and shake the heavens with your might! I Xyz summon the <Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon>!"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:3]


    Drake ace monster descended like a star falling from the starry night sky above, its white light pushing back against the sinister green glow of the Seal.


    "Now I activate the trap <Xyz Reborn> with this I can revive <Number 39: Utopia> to the field and attach this trap to it as an Overlay Unit."


    [Number 39: Utopia ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2500/DEF:2000 OU:1]


    "Now everything is in place and your end is here! When two distant powers become one, the power of Zexal shall be revealed!"


    "What?!" Astral exclaimed. How did Drake know of Zexal?!


    "I use Polymerization to fuse together Number 39: Utopia and my Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon. Appear Zexal Number 39: Utopia the Dragon Rider!" Drake roared as the night became day under the golden light of card he had claimed from the Nexus.


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider - Rank 8 ATK:2500/DEF:2000 OU:0]


    Utopia had traded its usual white armour for a set in royal purple, highlighted in glimmering gold, its wings replaced for a long, grand crimson cape that fluttered in the wind, and a broadsword taller than its body was held in its hand.


    It stood tall and proud atop a white armoured serpent like dragon, its scales also edged in gold. Three long horns swept forwards of its head like a sharp spear as its eight feathered wings opened wide. It was surrounded by a strong aura of light.


    *ROOOOAAAR!*


    Its mighty roar mirror that of the Great Beasts and echoed across the land for miles. A cry of dominance, of power, of victory! Under its call and power the Seal of Orichalcos itself began to shudder.


    "This card is something you have never seen before, a fusion Xyz monster, and when it is successfully fusion summoned I can take its two fusion material monsters, and any Overlay units those monsters had at the time, and add them to this card as Overlay Units. Go Zexal Force!"


    Five lights flew from Drakes graveyard to orbit around the Zexal Number.


    "Unfortunately, when my Kuriboh left the field it was banished by its effect, but that still leaves Utopia, Blue-eyes Starlight Dragon, Xyz Reborn, Deep of Blue-Eyes and Heliosphere dragon. Giving my Dragon Rider 5 Overlay units."


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider ¨C OU:0 > 5]


    "Now Utopia! Attack Granel Attack 3 with Zexal Dragon Rising Slash!"


    Faster than the speeding wind the Zexal Number charged forth towards Xeltron. At this time Proteus realised just how foolish he had been to forget to summon his monster to the back row where it would have been safe.


    He truly was the weakest of the Generals of Order when it came to duelling.


    "And whenever my monster attacks, it gains 500ATK until the end of the turn." Drake declared


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider ¨C ATK:2500 > 3000]


    Its light aura becoming even more powerful.


    [Z39 ATK:3000 > GA3 ATK:2300 ¨C P/T LP > 1600]


    *SLASH*


    With a sweep of its might blade as the dragon flew past Proteus''s black Emperor, its golden arm was cut in half and exploded.


    "And now your Xeltron loses the attack points it gained from Granel Attack 3."


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:5500 > 3200]


    "Next I activate Utopia the Dragon Riders special ability! Dragon Stampede Z! After it attacks one of your monsters I can use one Overlay unit so Utopia can attack again!"


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider ¨C OU:5 > 4]


    The white dragon swallowed one of Utopia''s Overlay units and regained its vigour before turning in the sky and charging against Xeltron again!


    "Attack Xeltron! And don''t'' forget, whenever my monster attacks it gains 500 attack points!"


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider ¨C ATK:3000 > 3500]


    [Z39 ATK:3500 > MEX ATK:3200 P/T LP > 1300]


    Utopia''s blade slashed across Xeltron''s ?h?st, its rear hover treads gave off a glow.


    "I use my Granel Carriers effect to negate its destruction in battle"


    "But you can only use that once per turn, where as I can use another Overlay Unit and attack you again!"


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider ¨C OU:4 > 3]


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider ¨C ATK:3500 > 4000]


    [Z39 ATK:4000 > MEX ATK:3200 P/T LP > 500]


    Utopia and the Meklord clashed again, with Utopia slicing Xeltron in half.


    "I send Granel Carrier to the grave to negate its destruction." Proteus helplessly said as an Overlay unit was consumed to surround his monster in glittering light and stitch it back together. The mass of its Hover treads being reabsorbed into its black body.


    But even if he could keep preventing its destruction, Proteus knew that his life points would not survive another attack. Cold logic continued to examine his options.


    [Meklord Emperor Xeltron ¡Þ - ATK:3300 > 2600/DEF:1300 > 800 OU:4 > 3]


    "The final blow! Go Zexal Number 39: Utopia the Dragon Rider! Attack with Zexal Dragon Rising Slash!"


    *ROAR!*


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider ¨C OU:3 > 2]


    [Number Z39: Utopia the Dragon Rider ¨C ATK:4000 > 4500]


    [Z39 ATK:4500 > MEX ATK:2600 P/T LP > 0]


    *BOOM*


    <<DRAKE/ASTRAL WIN>>


    Tesla hung lifelessly in the air under the power of his jet pack as the Seal of Orichalcos began to close in on the two of them. They had lost and now must pay the ultimate price. But Proteus was not so discouraged. Because he knew a secret, a secret only the higher ranks of New Order knew.


    He flew to the closing edge of the Seal while holding the card with Yuma''s soul in it, before he hit the edge of the magic circle he threw the card into the barrier to the surprise of those watching, before flying out and away to freedom.


    The secret he knew was, in a team duel so long as one whole person remained in the Seal, the other loser could substitute his own soul with another trapped soul. At this point Proteus had lost all hope for the mission and having already consumed his Orichalcos Key, his only course was to give up on Yuma''s soul and perverse himself at the cost of his subordinate.


    Even if his king blamed him, he had a sliver of hope as he escaped as fast as he could.


    Drake let him flee, his concern was only for Yuma''s soul at this point.


    The Seal closed in around Tesla who had fallen into shock at his abandonment. Within moments his soul was gone and his jet pack broke under the power of the Seal. Without it his body began to plummet to the ground alongside the important Soul card.


    With a flap of his Tyrant Wings Drake dove down after them, first snagging Yuma''s soul and sealing it with a portion of Critias''s power to prevent accidents and then rushing to catch Tesla''s body and his own sealed soul that was still in his duel disk.


    Nobody deserved to die like this after all. Falling from 20,000 feet.


    But he sure was heavy and Drake quick made his way down, unsure just how long his own wings would last before running out of gas.


    ---


    After landing and restoring Tesla''s soul to his body in accordance with the promise he had once made to Yuma, Drake rushed back to the construction site where Yuma''s body and friends were at. It was time to put this nightmare behind them¡­


    What the¡­?!?!?!


    Drake had reach the site, only to be greeted by the sight of Yuma''s friends unconsciously scattered across the place, their clothes torn and bloodied.


    "Urgh¡­"


    Drake heard Tori groan in pain and rushed to her as Astral cast his gaze about fearfully.


    "Tori what happened!?" Drake asked as he held the girl in his arms.


    "He..he.. he took¡­ Yuma¡­" she forced out.


    "Who? New Order?"


    "No¡­ it¡­ it was¡­"

 Chapter 37 - 37: The Preliminaries End.

    It was the final afternoon of the World Duel Carnival Preliminary rounds, the skies were grey as a faint drizzle of rain fell on Heartland City. The city was a buzz with duels as the remaining duellist in the competition went all out to gather the last important Heart Lights for their Heart Keys.


    But not all the duels today were due to the WDC.


    In a rundown district a duel of a different kind raged.


    "I play <Rage with Eyes of Blue>, by banishing all the cards in my hand, on my field and in my Grave, I special summon three <Blue-Eyes White Dragons> to the field. Go triple White Lightning Attack!" a stern voice called out.


    Three great white dragons took to the field with a furious roar. Raising their heads high dazzling lightning gathering in their open jaws before they blasted out against the opposing duellist like a raging river of destruction, wiping out his puny monsters and his life points in a single joint attack


    <<DRAKE WINS>>


    The master of the legendary White Dragons was Drake, the chosen Duellist of the Legendary Dragon Critias, a duellist from another world on a mission to save this world from the evil forces of the Orichalcos and their servants. The organisation known as New Order.


    Today he was dressed in black trousers, black shirt and a long black overcoat. It matched his current mood, a homage to the Hell Kaiser. Brutal and merciless.


    He walked over to his fallen opponent before putting his boot on his ?h?st.


    "¡­You''re crazy¡­." The guy struggled to say. What had he done to deserve this?


    This guy wasn''t a contender in the WDC, he wasn''t a member of New Order, he wasn''t even a Number holder or some agent of Dr Faker. And he wasn''t the first of such luckless person to taste Drakes wrath today.


    "Where is he?" Drake asked as he slowly applied pressure with his boot.


    ---


    The were in the Chamber of Judgement, were their king tried the most serious of failures or betrayals to their organisation. With their king''s personality no one since the early days of New Orders founding had ever dared cause any problems that would require him to use this room.


    A faint smell of mould hung in the air. The Orichalcos King made a note to offer the soul of who ever was responsible for maintaining the room to the Great Beast later. His distaste hidden by his gilded mask the Orichalcos King moved his gaze across his five Generals.


    The first two were quite calm, Reginald Kastle who went by the name Shark and was the newest of the Generals of Order, the Blue General, might already be under punishment for an earlier failure but he had no part of the debacle that the Generals had been called here for. He was just here to watch.


    The other was the White General, Tempest. He too had had no part in the incident that had so enraged the Orichalcos King, beside even if he had been, as New Orders premier Alchemist he was too valuable to lose. The other three were not so fortunate.


    Wyvern, the Black General and mistress of the black dragons. Hal, the Silver General and New Order''s strategist, chief interrogator and recruiter. And lastly the Quartermaster of New Order, the cyborg Gold General Proteus.


    Of the three Proteus had the most reason to be afraid, yet he seemed the calmest. The Orichalcos King mused whether or not his general was as emotionless as the machines he so admired, or if he had simple lost the ability to show his emotions. He strongly suspected the latter after all of his general''s recent outrageous acts.


    Tap, tap, tap.


    The masked king tapped his fingers against the arm of his throne, the sound echoing through the silent chamber. The seconds stretched on until.


    "Read the charges."


    "Yes my king." Replied the black robed Umbral, Spy Master of New Order, who stood beside his kings throne.


    "The Black General, Silver General and Gold General are here by charged with the gross failure to accomplish their mission, resulting in the incapacitation of almost a third of our available combat force and loss of ?ssets valued at almost 3 million. The Gold General is further charged with the unauthorised use of an Orichalcos Key, unauthorised summoning of the Great Beast and disclosure of New Order secrets to the world. As leader of the Operation General Silver is also charged with incompetence but he has also levelled a charge of dereliction of duty against the Black General." Umbral recited the list of charges.


    "So what excuses do you three have?" asked the Orichalcos King, pointing first Black General


    "It was Silvers plan that went completely wrong and Gold idiocy is plain for all to see. I fulfilled my duties without error." stated Wyvern.


    "You little¡­! If you had done your job properly then nothing else would have happened and the mission would have been a success!" interrupted Hal.


    "Affirmative, although Silvers plan was almost a complete failure from beginning to end, we still would have accomplished the missions objectives if Black had done her job properly." chimed in Proteus.


    "This coming from the tin can that went so far as to summon our God Beast just to try and avoid a simple duel. What were you thinking!? Even just failing the mission would have been better than revealing the Fenris and in the end you still failed! And you Silver! If not for the personal intervention of our king, would you have had any chance of completing the mission anyway?" she snapped back.


    "You were supposed to deal with Atlas-!"


    "Your puppet was meant to win the duel, not almost surrender to the enemy-!"


    "Gold was the one who lost the Original Number-!"


    "Only because your plan to deal with Drake Atlas was terminally flawed-"


    "Useless bag of bolts!"


    "Traitorous harpy!"


    "Lecherous fool!"


    "ENOUGH!!"


    The room descended into silence again at the Orichalcos Kings shout. Since when did his elite generals become a quarrelling bunch of children? He took deep breaths to calm himself, such restraint was unheard of by his Generals.


    "¡­ so if you would place the blame of this missions failure on one person, who would it be?" He finally asked his generals, breaking the silence.


    "Atlas."


    "Atlas."


    "Drake Atlas."


    The Orichalcos King knew what they were thinking, but in a way, they were also right. It seemed like with the appearance of this Duellist, things had just started to go wrong for New Order.


    Changing the subject, the Orichalcos King turned to Tempest.


    "How goes the recruitment drive?"


    Since New Order had been pulled out of the shadows of secrecy and into the light, and with the incapacitation of so many of their duellists, New Order had begun to actively recruit new members to bolster their depleted strength for the upcoming conflict with Dr Faker and City Security.


    "I am afraid we are falling far short of our target." The White General replied.


    "Why?" the Orichalcos King asked in confusion.


    They were offering power beyond the dreams of mortal men and they weren''t being too picky about who they were selecting. Surely there were plenty of greedy, power hungry, lowlife thugs who would be interested in quick and easy power and a chance to cause mayhem.


    "¡­Drake Atlas¡­"


    Huh? that name again. What did he have to do with this?


    "He is causing quite a stir in the cities underworld. And it is no secret that he has set himself up as our enemy." Tempest explained.


    "A... stir?"


    "He seems to have gone on a warpath. Brutally duelling anyone, anywhere. His name is practically on the lips of every thug, gang member, informant and lowlife on the street. They are so scared of facing him that most of them don''t want to risk joining us."


    Was this a joke?


    With a swipe of his hand in the air the Orichalcos King brought up all the data they had acquired about Drake Atlas on a holographic display. There were no records of his existence until shortly before the start of the World Duel Carnival where a fake ID was used to register his participation. Since then Drake had remained undefeated among his many duels, using his signature Blue-Eyes deck.


    Besides that, was the data New Order had collected about his various mystical abilities. From his ability to materialise monster and magic effects, to his abnormal physical abilities and the strange dragon he used to fight against the shadow of the Great Beast.


    Who are you Drake Atlas? What is your goal? The Orichalcos King wondered.


    "Why is he on the warpath?" curiosity made Shark ask.


    "Its not very clear, but it looks like while he was recovering the offerings soul from Gold, a third party took the boy''s body." Tempest replied, referring to Yuma.


    The conflicted look in Sharks eyes at that news was not lost on the Orichalcos King.


    The Orichalcos King felt a headache coming on, now another variable had entered the contest. And he still needed to punish these fools, especially Proteus. If he didn''t it would only lead to more problems, but at this stage of the game he also couldn''t afford the time and effort that would be needed to replace him. When did world conquest become so complicated?


    ---


    "I activate the spell <Black Hole> to destroy all your monsters!" a punk duellist cried.


    A black vortex appeared on the duel field and like a ravenous maw, devoured all the monsters on the field, including a familiar white dragon.


    "When you destroy my Blue-Eyes White Dragon, I activate the effect of the <Deep-Eyes White Dragon> in my hand. I special summon it and then it deals 600 damage to you for each dragon in my graveyard with a different name, dealing you 2400 damage and wiping out your remaining life points." said Drake.


    A majestic dragon from the depths of the cosmos arrived on the field before blasting out at Drakes opponent and sending him flying into a dumpster.


    *Boom!*


    <<DRAKE WINS>>


    "Now answer my question. Where is he?" Drake demanded as he crouched down beside his beaten foe.


    "I¡­ don''t¡­ know¡­"


    Drake grabbed the front of the punk''s shirt in his fist.


    "According to WDC records you were the last to duel him. So one last time."


    *Bang* Drake rammed the punk backwards into the dumpster again.


    "Where. Is. He?"


    "The corner of Glen Drive and Wellington Road¡­ we duelled in front of the disused bakery¡­ but that was early this the morning¡­ he could be anywhere now¡­" the punk gasped out under Drakes fierce glare.


    Drake released him and walked away with a scowl. Another dead end, it was already late afternoon and the trail had certainly gone cold by now.


    Drake glanced at the audience that had been watching their duel just now, and they scattered like a startled flock of geese. No one wanted to risk being his next victim. Left with no choice, Drake decided to return home.


    When he got there, it was to find Yuma''s friends gathered at the dinning table with Yuma''s Granma. At the shake of Drakes head to their unasked question the table fell into a depressed silence. Akari had locked herself up in her room, focused on tracking down any possible lead that would lead to the recovery of her brother.


    The air between Drake and Akari had been tense and cold ever since he had returned after losing her brothers body. He didn''t blame her. Of Yuma''s friends, Bronk was taking this the worse. It had been a simple thing for Drake to break the mental prison the Orichalcos King had trapped the boy in when he had taken control of the his body during his and Yuma''s duel. If only the chains of guilt that Bronk carried with him were so easy to break.


    Around his neck was his Heart Key, it was actually lit to the first green level. Even when kidnaped and brainwashed by New Order they had made sure that Bronk was still qualified to participate in the WDC. No doubt they had intended to make use of him even after he had defeated Yuma.


    During his¡­ investigations¡­ these past few days Drake had naturally heard about New Orders recruitment drive. So it was obvious that New Order did not have the vast legions of duellists to mobilize that Drake had once feared. Which is part of the reason he took the opportunity to strike fear among the duellist underworld while questioning them about his target and publicised his conflict with New Order.


    Two birds, one stone. And Drake made sure the underworld knew it was a very big stone.


    The TV was on, a large countdown was slowly ticking down on the screen.


    00:01:04:34, 00:01:04:33, 00.01:04:32¡­


    It was the final count down to the official end of the Preliminary Round of the World Duel Carnival. No doubt some desperate duellist''s were even now trying to earn a few last Heart Lights, but Drake was indifferent. He had long gained a Golden Heart, in fact during his duel spree his Heart Key had actually evolved again into a Purple Heart.


    This was a level Drake had not known about, there was no trace of information about this anywhere on the net, nor rumours on the street. And since Drake had not limited his duelling to competitors of the Duel Carnival it was actually a complete accident that he fulfilled this hidden achievement.


    In order to achieve a Purple Heart one needed a twenty win streak after one had received the Golden Heart. As Drake had never lost a duel in the WDC that meant he had defeated at least 59 participants in a row. And how many people would duel so much once they had reached the supposed limit?


    Drake still wondered just how Heart Light would affect the next round of the tournament as he got himself some dinner.


    The silence at the table was suffocating but it didn''t affect Drakes appetite as he dug into a juicy steak. Acting like some spirit of vengeance all day was hungry work.


    Finally Flip couldn''t stand it any more.


    "So what do we do now?" Flip asked.


    "We wait." Drake replied.


    "But¡­Yuma¡­" Cathy hesitantly said.


    "Its fine, we get his body back and everything will be alright." Drake reassured.


    "Are you sure he will join the next stage of the WDC?" Bronk asked.


    "Yes, it''s a pity I couldn''t find him before the end of the preliminaries but we have tried our best and failed. I am certain that he won''t miss such a great opportunity that the WDC will provide to gather Number Cards, which means that sooner or later we will be able corner him and take Yuma back."


    Drake was confident in his ability but his target had been too elusive so far.


    Even Cathy and her connection to the cats of the city had failed to turn up anything they could act on.


    But the fact that their target continued to duel in the WDC, even while being hunted by Drake, proved that he was not going to just run and hide. Even if the worse should happen Drake had a plan to make things right.


    The timer on the TV was nearing the end.


    00:00:00:05, 00:00:00:04, 00:00:00:03, 00:00:00:02, 00:00:00:01.


    "Ladies and Gentlemen!" the voice of Mayor Heartland came from the TV as the countdown switched to a live feed at the Heartland Central Park.


    Drake had to admit that Heartland knew how to put on a show and please the masses. Highlights of different duels began to play on the screen to majestic music, there were even several scenes of Drake himself in action. Fireworks were going off in a fantastical display of colours as holographic projectors brought a variety of Duel Monsters to life in the sky.


    "I now bring the Preliminary rounds of the World Duel Carnival to an official close and congratulate all the qualifying duellists for all their hard work and heart pounding passion. Their duelling spirit is truly an inspiration to us all, which I personally hope will become a beacon to lead us to a brighter future." Heartland announced.

 Chapter 38 - 38: Power to save the world.

    Heartland continued to preform for the next hour, lavishing praise on the competitors and building hype for the next round of the tournament. He even presented a top 10 duellists to look out for based on the collected duel data showing highlights of exciting duels.


    Drake was actually ranked 5th but he wasn''t the only familiar face on the ranking board. Drake recognised the 10th ranked duellist as Wyvern, New Orders Black General, and Kite was ranked 6th just behind Drake. Shark was ranked 2nd.


    But that still meant that there were three duellists ranked above Drake that he had never heard of before. But thinking about things that seemed reasonable. Although Drake had been on a duelling rampage these past few days, he hadn''t actually focused on the WDC, duelling anyone who might have any information he needed or who just got in his way.


    And as for Kite? Maybe Faker had grounded him for trying to help Drake against New Order.


    But if Wyvern was in the WDC did that mean the other Generals were in the competition? Certainly there must be other members of New Order besides her and Shark to make the second round.


    And if they were then Drake had to be ready.


    As for the location of the second stage, it would take place on an artificial island off the coast of Heartland City that had been in development for the past couple of years. Heartland Island, a giant theme park and the WDC would mark its opening.


    The qualifying Duellists would gather at Heartland Cities docks to be transported there onboard a luxury cruise ship in two days. The second round would take another two days in which the duellists would have to traverse the island to reach the central Heartland Tower which would house the WDC Finals. It gave Drakes very strong Duellist Kingdom vibes.


    Heartland was still keeping hush about many of the details but said more information would be available to the Duellists tomorrow, all the while hinting that special rules of some kind would be implemented for the second round.


    After the show finished Drake saw Yuma''s friends off before retiring to his room. He had preparations to make.


    ---


    *BOOM*


    Drake was sent flying into the scaled body of Critias inside his mental world, and this was not the first time this had happened tonight.


    Shaking his head Drake unleashed a string of curses under his breath. Another failure.


    Drake ignored Critias, this was too important to stop just because it was difficult. Standing up Drake walked back over to the object he had set up in the Dragons Shrine. The Mirror of Critias. He had moved it here from the treasury after his first explosive attempt a couple of days ago had buried Drake in the treasury wall.


    "I concur with his opinion, this seems to be a waste of time and resources." came an analytical voice.


    "Right, what Astral said." Chimed in a young boys voice.


    Yuma and Astral.


    Having lost Yuma''s body Drake had certainly not wanted to take anymore risks with his soul and had long released it from the Seal of Orichalcos. Unfortunately his souls link with his body was being blocked which prevent Yuma''s soul from returning to his body on its own, and so to preserve the integrity of Yuma''s soul form Drake had moved it into his mental world.


    If it could support a legendary Dragon like Critias then it was no problem to also support a simple soul. And because Drake knew that Critias wasn''t much of a socialiser he also brought Astral inside so Yuma wouldn''t be lonely.


    Drake ignored all three of them and placed his hand on the Mirror of Critias again. He selected the card design that he had picked out and began to draw upon the energy that he had acquired from the Nexus, the powers of Chaos and the Shining power and carefully guided the powers together.


    Slowly they filled the card, but as they came in contact with each other they began to violently react.


    Drake focused his power and will to supress the rising storm of energy that was released, compressing it down as he continued add more power. The pressure swiftly built up until even Drakes iron will was overwhelmed.


    Drake was sent flying again. This time Critias took the initiative to dodge, allowing Drake to continue his flight right into the far wall of the Shrine. Another failure.


    Yuma and Astral turned back to what they were doing before, duelling. Between them was a simple duel mat and their cards. It was less exciting but there was no actual need to expend the energy needed to recreate a AR Duel in here. While Yuma would goof off some of the time to explore the recreation of the World of the Beasts, or pester Critias with questions or request, most of his time in Drakes Mental world was spent training with Astral.


    Perhaps the reason Yuma could remain so calm after losing his body was the promise Drake had made to him that he could set it right. And he could. In the worse case scenario even if they lost Yuma''s body forever, all Drake would have to do is collect enough Duel energy so that Critias could make the boy a new body like Drakes own, but this was the last resort. After all, the amount of energy that method would require was astronomical.


    In the current duel Yuma was in dire straits and was focused on his next move when another explosion sounded out and broke his train of thoughts.


    *BOOM*


    "Do you really have to do this Drake?" Yuma asked as he turned away from the duel.


    Drake was red in the face as he picked himself up again.


    "Yes I do, if I am to defeat New Order and the Orichalcos then I need an edge. I need the power of Zexal." Drake replied.


    This was what Drake had spent his nights doing. Attempting to recreate the conditions that had created the Zexal card that even now floated in his treasury card vault. Zexal, the power that could save the world.


    "But you haven''t succeeded even once, you already have Critias, do you really need anymore edge?"


    Yuma was right, Drake had tried numerous times and wasted almost a third of the two energies he had gathered from the Nexus without any success.


    "Critias is not enough." stated Drake.


    Critias gave a huff of displeasure but did not refute this claim.


    "The Orichalcos Great Beast has recovered far more that I thought would be possible in such a short time since coming to this world. I am afraid that Critias is far from enough at this point." he explained.


    Ever since they had faced the shadow of the Great Beast, both Drake and Critias understood this. At that time Critias had to exert almost his full power to dispel the projection which proved this point.


    In Critias home world it had taken the combined force of all three Legendary Dragons to defeat the Leviathan the first time and send it into a deep sleep for millennium, but they had failed to destroy it. Ultimately it was the power of the Pharaoh and the three Egyptian Gods that had finally destroyed the beast during the second war of Atlantis.


    And now? Now Critias was all alone. Timaeus and Hermos were not here, there was no Pharaoh, no God Cards.


    Since the Great Beast had already recovered this much Drake needed to acquire a stronger power if he wanted to destroy it, to defeat New Order. To Drakes knowledge there were only three powers strong enough in this dimension to consider.


    The first was Astral himself, he was the ultimate weapon of Astral World with incredible powers, much like the Pharaoh. However currently his memories and powers were scatter among the Number Cards. Without recovering all of them Astral would not be able wield that kind of power and to reclaim all the Number cards would require taking on both New Order and Dr Faker.


    Which was a pity as the Numerion Code Drake knew of was practically the ultimate power of its world, if this worlds Code was the same then claiming it would be the same as claiming victory.


    Perhaps the secret lay in the Nexus and some of those sealed doors he had seen? But ever since that first time Drake had failed to find a way to return to the Nexus to investigate further.


    Which left only the third option. Zexal, the mysterious power that could save the world. Drake thought that he had already discovered the secret of Zexal through the fusion of Barian and Astral World powers, but after so many failures it seemed like he was still missing something.


    As for the Zexal card he already possessed? Critias was of the opinion that because he had forced the finally fusion of the cards energy it was more a half-baked product. A shadow of the true power of Zexal.


    Fine, he really had wasted too much precious energy with his stubbornness.


    Instead of wasting time and energy to try and fuse the two different energies he would just make a few cards with one or the other while saving his collected Duel energy for emergencies.


    Returning to the Mirror of Critias Drake got back to work, the second round would be starting in a few days and he had to be ready.


    ---


    "Number 47 attack! Deep Current!"


    <<SHARK WINS>>


    After defeating his opponent Shark didn''t even give him a look before walking away. This level of duellist wasn''t anywhere near enough for him. The preliminaries were already finished and over but Shark was still duelling. But it was hard to find a challenging opponent to meet his needs.


    He had a¡­ craving. He missed the feeling of power that the Seal of Orichalcos filled him with, ever since he had been stripped of it under the order of the Orichalcos King, the yearning nibbled away at his thought''s day and night. When he ate, when he slept, when he duelled. It was like an addiction.


    The only time he felt relief from his craving was when he was able to draw upon the power of Chaos that slumbered within him.


    But he still could not draw that power at will, it was too new, to unfamiliar, it required¡­ stimulation.


    A challenge, an obstacle to overcome. But so few duellists could provide that kind challenge. Sharks thoughts suddenly turned to his duel against Drake, and from there to Yuma¡­


    What was he doing? He suddenly asked himself.


    It had all seemed to occur so naturally, the clue to the person responsible for hospitalising his sister, accepting the power of the Numbers, New Orders offer of power, defeating Dextra¡­ stealing souls. Yet it seemed as though each small step he had taken had ended up taking him to someplace he just couldn''t recognise, to become a person he couldn''t recognise.


    What would Rio think of all this?


    "You will never know because of what they did to her¡­" the voice of Number 32 echoed in his head.


    A devil on his shoulder to stoke the flames of his hate.


    "They should pay. They should all pay. And anyone who stands between you and your revenge is your enemy. And enemies should be¡­"


    "¡­Destroyed." Shark coldly finished the Numbers sentence.


    But he was also concerned.


    The Number had been becoming more and more forceful these days. When he had first claimed the Number card Shark was determined that nothing would control him, nothing would manipulate him. Certainly not some card. Sometimes Shark wondered just what had happened to his conviction and will from then.


    Even with all this power¡­ he was feeling lost.


    And then there was Yuma. Perhaps one of the few true friends he ever had. And now because of New Order he was in a terrible predicament, but even if he wasn''t they were now on opposite sides of a unbelievable conflict.


    "You seemed troubled Shark." a muffled voice called out from an alleyway across the street.


    Shark was startled as he looked up from his musing. A shadowy cloaked figure stood there waiting for him, behind him was the unconscious forms of several people, people Shark recognised as the New Order watchers meant to keep Shark out of too much trouble.


    "Interesting. And you are?" he asked the mysterious figure.


    "An admirer." Came the reply.


    "Of me?" Shark asked. A smug smirk on his face, perhaps this was the challenge he was looking for.


    "Of Number Cards" he said as he readied his duel disk in challenge.


    A Number hunter? Things were looking more and more interesting, it had been a while since Shark had found a Number user to duel against and Shark could always use a few more Numbers.


    "Then prepare to be shark bait, Duel!"


    "Oh your nightmare has only just begun Shark. Duel."


    [Turn 1 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:5, ????? LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "I will kick things up with a storm, I draw!"


    Shark had a strange feeling as he watched this mysterious duellist, he seemed familiar somehow. But he wasn''t going to let some little feeling affect his dueling.


    "Because I control no monsters, I can summon <Depth Shark> without a tribute, then I set two cards face down and end my turn."


    [Depth Shark ¨C Lv5 ATK:1400/DEF:0]


    A metal plated shark with ruby eyes and a shining yellow lantern hanging from an antenna jumped from the ground onto the duel field.


    [Turn 2 - ???? LP:4000 Hand:5, Shark LP:4000 Hand:3]


    "Draw, I-"


    "Hold on! I activate the effect of my Depth Shark, during your standby phase I can double my monsters attack until the end of this turn." Interrupted Shark.


    [Depth Shark ¨C ATK: 1400 > 2800]


    Sharks monster began to thrash about as its eyes began to pulse with a strong crimson light.


    "The guppy that thinks it''s a shark, how appropriate. But it won''t change what is to come, I summon <Gagaga Child> to the field."


    [Gagaga Child ¨C Lv2 ATK:800/DEF:1200]


    A Gagaga monster? Isn''t that one of Yuma''s monster? Shark thought.


    "Surprised? Perhaps you will recognise some of these as well. I play <Gagagawind> this spell lets me summon <Gagaga Magician> to the field."


    [Gagaga Magician ¨C Lv4 ATK:1500/DEF:1000]


    Yuma''s favourite magician took to the field, now Shark felt sure that these were Yuma''s cards.


    "You''re the one that took Yuma?" he angrily asked the stranger.


    "You could say that, of course its only thanks to your new friends at New Order that I even had the chance."


    To think that Shark would run into the person that stolen Yuma''s body tonight of all nights. The guy was even using Yuma''s cards to duel him!


    "Where is he?!" it might be going against New Orders interests, but a part of him wanted to repay Yuma for everything he had ever done for him. Perhaps if he could recover Yuma''s body and return it to Drake that could be considered as repaying his debts.


    "Closer than you think. I then special summon <Gagaga Clerk> to the field."


    [Gagaga Clerk ¨C Lv2 ATK:400/DEF:800]


    "Humph, do you really think you will be able to beat me using someone else''s cards? Especially Yuma''s weak monsters?" Sharks voice was filled with scorn.


    "Heh, why don''t you wait and see, I next activate the effect of Gagaga Magician, one per turn I can change this cards level to any level I d?s?r? between 1 and 8, so now Gagaga Magician becomes a level 2 monster."


    [Gagaga Magician ¨C Lv4 > 2]


    Spreading wide his arms the hood of the cloak fell back to reveal the duellists face under the lamp light. Shock ran through Shark at the sight before him...


    "Yuma¡­?!"


    How could this be anyone else but Yuma!? What was going on here?


    "Allow me to introduce myself Shark, with these three monsters I form the Overlay Network, to Xyz summon myself! Number 96: Dark Mist!"

 Chapter 39 - 39: Numbers.

    "Allow me to introduce myself Shark, with these three monsters I form the Overlay Network, to Xyz summon myself! Number 96: Dark Mist!"


    [Number 96: Dark Mist ¨C Rank 2 ATK:100/DEF:1000 OU:3]


    The three monsters transformed into streaks of purple light that plunged into the black vortex of the Overlay Network, following which a black ooze bubbled up from its depths. Stretching, twisting and morphing it transformed into its monstrous black form, streaks of flames bellowed out of its ?h?st like a pair of giant sinister eyes as its tail whipped around and it waved its great massive claws through the air.


    Shark had seen many Numbers, in many forms, many of his own were fearsome and bloodthirsty images of brutality, but something about this Number before him sent a shiver through Shark soul. It took a few moments for what this duellist that looked like Yuma had said to register with him.


    "You¡­ summon yourself¡­? Does that mean you¡­ are a Number?"


    "Hahahaha! Yes! Didn''t you demand to know where Yuma''s body was? Well its right here! I think it suits me quite nicely, how about you?" Number 96 gleefully mocked.


    Number 96 was different from most of the other Numbers that had been scattered, he had always known that he was special, that he was more powerful, that he was destined for greatness! And ever since he had been freed from Astral''s being he had followed this conviction to tread the path beyond that of a king, an emperor¡­ a god¡­


    But fate was cruel to his ambitions. As part of his plan he had at tried to claim Astral''s body and power for himself and failed! Defeated by one of Yuma''s pathetic friends, he had been sealed and supressed by Astral until he was helpless and powerless. But then he had received a second chance when that same ''friend'' that had defeated him had ended up taking the boys soul and Astral was captured by New Order.


    What a delicious twist in Number 96''s opinion. That the instrument of his capture was also the instrument of his freedom.


    He clearly remembered that moment, Yuma''s body lying on the cold floor, his friends scattered around him wallowing in despair. The one responsible trapped in an endless nightmare by the magnificent power of the one he had tried to betray, the Orichalcos King. The thought of such power practically turned Number 96''s eyes green with envy, one day he swore that he would have that kind of power for himself.


    After New Order had left, after Drake had followed them, then Number 96 had acted. Having secreted himself into Yuma''s deck between the point where the boy had lost and the point in which Astral had been captured by the Gold General, it was a simple matter once everyone who could have stopped him had left, to fill Yuma''s empty vessel with his own power and will.


    If he had not feared that one of them would soon return and threaten his new freedom, then Number 96 would have taken his time to properly deal with those friends of Yuma. To show them the true depths of despair. Instead, after a small demonstration of his power he had fled. To bide his time and gather the powers more Number Cards so that he could take his revenge on Astral once and for all.


    He already had Astral''s precious Yuma and one day he would have all the Numbers, he would have Astral, he would have the power of the Orichalcos. One day he would have it all and rule over everything! It was his destiny!


    "What are you planning to do with Yuma?!" Shark demanded of the body snatching Number.


    "Do? Ha! Exactly what I am doing right now of course. Why should I waste time manipulating a puppet to gather Number cards when I can do it myself. And this WDC is such a¡­ opportunity¡­" The Number said as it reached into its shirt to take out and show Shark his Golden Heart Key.


    Everyone had the same idea of using the WDC to gather together all the Number cards for themselves, so why wouldn''t Number 96 have the same idea. And by using Yuma''s identity as competitor it was ridiculously simple to execute its plan. To duel in Yuma''s stead, gathering Heart Lights while also collecting Number cards for his own use had been easy, his only problem was the unrelenting pursuit of Drake these past few days.


    An ordinary person would never believe in the idea that a card could have a spirit capable of stealing the body of a person who had had their soul taken by yet another card. To the uninformed, the WDC and the eyes of the world, Number 96 was now Yuma Tsukumo.


    "And speaking of duelling, it''s time to continue our game. I attack your Depth Shark with Dark Mist! Whiplash Whirlwind! When I do so I can activate its effect, by using one Overlay unit my monster now steals half of your monster attack points. Shadow Gain!"


    Black tendrils shot out and wrapped around Sharks monster which pulsated as they absorbed the creatures strength.


    [Number 96: Dark Mist ¨C ATK:100 > 1500 OU: 3 > 2, Depth Shark ¨C ATK:2800 > 1400]


    Raising its claws Dark Mist prepared to strike down its foe, but as its claws struck down it was driven away by a golden force.


    "What''s this?!" Exclaimed Number 96.


    "Just something called <Impenetrable Attack>! It prevents the destruction of my monster this turn in the battle phase" explained Shark as he activated his trap card.


    [N96 ATK:1500 > DS ATK:1400 - Shark LP > 3900]


    "In that case I set two cards and end my turn. At which point your monsters effect ends dropping its attack."


    [Depth Shark ¨C ATK:1400 > 700]


    [Turn 3 ¨C Shark LP:3900 Hand:3, Number 96 LP:4000 Hand:0]


    "For all your big talk I am not impressed, I draw. Next I play


    to draw two more cards."


    Looking at his cards Shark felt the presence of Number 32 stir, this Dark Mist in front of him was provoking Shark Drakes ire. It could not ignore the blatant challenge to its own strength, and demanded the chance to face this challenge.


    "I summon <Left-Hand Shark> to the field, then I play the spell <Big Wave Small Wave>!"


    [Left-Hand Shark ¨C Lv3 ATK:1300/DEF:1500]


    Sharks claw like monster wasn''t on the field for long before a giant wave swallowed both of his monsters.


    "Thanks to my spell I destroy all face up water monsters I control. Then for each one I can special summon a water type monster from my hand. So come forth <Right-Hand Shark> and <Buzzsaw Shark>."


    [Right-Hand Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1500/DEF:1300, Buzzsaw Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1600/DEF:500]


    "Now I activate the spell <Surface> which allows me to special summon my Left-Hand Shark back to the field. And when Left-Hand Shark is special summoned from the Graveyard, it becomes a level 4 monster."


    [Left-Hand Shark ¨C Lv3 > 4]


    "With these three monsters I now build the Overlay Network, to Xyz summon the crimson terror of the deep! <Number 32: Shark Drake>!"


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2800/DEF:2100 OU:3]


    A great waterspout erupted out of the Overlay Network, from its depths one could see the glowing eyes of Sharks monster before it roared out and shattered the water spout that concealed Shark Drake''s form, revealing its viscous glory to the field.


    "A card should know its place! So now I am going to put you in yours!" shout Shark as he prepared to declare his attack.


    "A ridiculous thing for a puppet like you to say, I know that thanks to your Left and Right hand Sharks your monster cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects, but did you forget Dark Mists special ability already?" mocked Number 96.


    "Even if I can''t destroy your monster I can still steal half of its attack points when it battles my Dark Mist, together with the 1500 attack it already has that means you can''t beat me!"


    "Oh I didn''t forget, but you have forgotten my facedown. Go <Xyz Veil>! So long as this continuous trap is on the field, Xyz monsters that have Overlay Units cannot be targeted with card effects meaning Dark Mist can no longer use its effect against Shark Drake. Now attack, Deep Sea Destruction!"


    [N32 ATK:2800 > N96 ATK:1500 ¨C Number 96 LP > 2700]


    Shark Drake blasted out a stream of raging water which cut through the body of Dark Mist and smashed into the body snatching Number. But as the attack ended the ooze like monster remained standing, the hole in its ?h?st swiftly closing itself as an orb of violet energy gathered in front of the Number.


    "You''re not the only one with a trap card, try my <Bye Bye Damage>. With this trap my monster cannot be destroyed in this battle, and then it deals damage to you equal to double the damage I just received." Number 96 explained to the shocked Shark as the energy sphere shot out and exploded into him.


    *BOOM*


    [Shark LP > 1300]


    "Argh!"


    "How does it feel Shark? Do you now understand now just how inferior you are to me?" Number 96 mocked.


    This was just a prelude in his mind, a step to be taken in his revenge against Astral and his ascension to ultimate power.


    "Shut your mouth! You''re nothing but a stupid card. If you think I am going to let a Number push me around then you are dead wrong!"


    "Wrong? You truly are delusional if you believe that." Turning to Sharks Number on the field he continued. "Isn''t that right Number 32?"


    "You¡­!" Shark was getting truly angry. How dare this Number disregard him like this!


    "Come now Shark, don''t deny it. Don''t you hear his voice in your dreams, feel his breath on your neck as you duel, feel his glee as you crush your opponents under foot. He special, just like me. And you Shark, are just his puppet." Number 96 said after failing to receive and answer to his query.


    Number 96''s words rang in Sharks head, they resonated with his deepest fears. Ever since Shark had claimed Shark Drake the Number had dug its claws deep into him. And it had only gotten worse as time went by.


    The feeling Shark got from that one Number alone was different from what he felt from every other Number he had ever hunted. Shark Drakes strong will and identity was so much more than any other Number he had encountered, save perhaps the Number that now stood against him now.


    Why?


    What made these two Numbers so different from the others? And was it just these two?


    "Why fight me Number 32? Join me. Together we can crush these humans like bugs beneath our feet." Number 96 ignored Shark and tried to directly deal with the aquatic Number before him again.


    And to Sharks surprise the Number answered.


    "Do you take me for a fool¡­" Shark Drake growled.


    "You are consumed by greed. You would never share power with anyone." The crimson Number continued.


    "HAHAHA, so true. But even if you are unwilling to join me, your power will still soon be mine."


    Number 96''s confident mocking tone infuriated Shark Drake even more. But for the moment there was nothing more it or Shark himself could do.


    "I end my turn." Shark said with reluctance.


    [Turn 4 ¨C Number 96 LP:2700, Hand :0, Shark LP:1300 Hand:0]


    "I draw. Well, well, well, this is a timely card indeed, I play <Card of Sanctity>. This allows both of us to draw until we have six cards."


    "Where did you get that kind of card?!" Sharked asked as he drew his cards. He was sure that Yuma never had such a powerful card before.


    "Why I got it from one of those two New Order idiots that were watching you. Did you think I wouldn''t take any opportunity I could to strengthen Yuma''s deck? And you New Order people at least have access to some very powerful cards. The benefit of having a rich organisation I suppose. A pity I couldn''t find any of those fascinating Seals for myself." Number 96 answered as he studied his cards.


    "Now I set four cards and end my turn."


    [Turn 5 ¨C Shark LP:1300 Hand:6, Number 96 LP:2700, Hand :2]


    "Tell me, just what make you so different from other Numbers?" Shark asked as he prepared to draw his card.


    If Shark could work out what made him so different then perhaps it would shed light on his own Number. And he felt that this kind of secret was something very important for reasons he could not explain.


    "Oh? Curious, are you? But is it about me or your own Number I wonder? Well first I activate my facedown the <Seal of Wickedness>. During your standby phase I can use this trap to select one face up card on the field. That cards effects are now negated until the end of the turn. And I target your Xyz Veil." Number 96 replied."


    "Grrr¡­"


    "In answer to your previous question Shark, its simple. Not all Numbers are created equal."


    "What in blazes does that mean?!" Shark complained at such a simple generalisation. An answer which was no answer.


    "It means exactly what I say it means. But I guess as a human you really is too dumb to understand." Number 96 mocked, but he was soon shocked as Number 32 interrupted to explain the true meaning to Shark on its own initiative.


    "We Numbers are formed from the shattered memories and power of the one you know as Astral. But do you think that all memories are equal? Do you think for instants, the memory of your first year of school comes even close to a memory like the day you lost your sister?" Number 32 asked his duellist, turning its head towards him.


    Sharks fist clenched as Shark Drake prodded his old wounds with his words. But it was an effective example which also served to stoking his anger again.


    "The reason there are Numbers like us, is because we are made from stronger memories, memories attached to great pains, great loss¡­ great hate. And our nature is to some extent shaped by the nature of the memories that created us." Shark Drake continued in its deep voice.


    "So what kind of memories created you then?" asked Shark.


    "A time of war¡­" Shark Drake softly answered as it turned its glaze back to Number 96, but it refused to further elaborate on its bloodthirsty origins.


    "And him?" Shark asked, referring to Number 96. Just what kind of memories could produce such a power hungry and evil creature like the one that he was facing. But all he received was silence.


    "Fine, then it''s time I win this duel. I draw! Now I should really thank you for all these cards you gave me, I activate the spell <Torpedo Takedown>. By using an Overlay Unit on Shark Drake, this spell deals 400 damage to you for each card in my hand. Since I have six, that means you lose 2400 Life points!"


    "What?!"


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C OU: 3 > 2]


    *Boom* *Boom* *Boom*


    [Number 96 ¨C LP > 300]


    Multiple explosions blasted into the stunned Number wearing Yuma''s face as his life points were decimated. And Shark was far from finished.


    "Now I activate <Forbidden Chalice>, I can use this spell to give your monster a 400 ATK boost, but it will also lose all of its special abilities-"


    "Not quite! Activate <Xyz Reflect>! This counter trap negates your magic card and deals 800 damage straight to your life points Shark!"


    [Shark ¨C LP > 500]


    "Arrgghh!" Shark cried out as the power of his magic card was reflected back at him as explosive force, sending him sprawling onto the street.


    "I told you Shark. You are no match for me, so just give up and hand me your Number Cards."


    "Not a chance" croaked Shark as he rose to his feet.


    Inside his will to fight was reaching a burning pitch. It was time to show the world the true power of Chaos.


    "Go Chaos Xyz Evolution! Appear Chaos Number 32: Shark Drake Veiss!"

 Chapter 40 - 40: Chaos Xyz!

    "Go Chaos Xyz Evolution! Appear Chaos Number 32: Shark Drake Veiss!"


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2800/DEF:2800 OU:3]


    From the swirling chaos hole Sharks monster re-emerged, its white form glaring bright against the dark skies. The white hunter was ready to devour his prey.


    "And by Xyz Summoning this monster I can special summon <Xyz Slidophin> to the field from my hand." Said Shark as a yellow dolphin happily splashed onto the field.


    [Xyz Slidolphin ¨C Lv4 ATK:1200/DEF:1800]


    "I then sacrifice my Slidolphin to summon <Eagle Shark>. With Eagle Shark on the field I can then special summon


    ."


    [Eagle Shark ¨C Lv5 ATK:1000/DEF:1800, Panther Shark - Lv5 ATK:1100/DEF:2000]


    "With these two monsters I now Xyz summon <Number 73: Abyss Splash>!"


    [Number 73: Abyss Splash ¨C Rank 5 ATK:2400/DEF:1400 OU:2]


    With a mighty roar the trident wielding warrior of the deep rose from the murky depths of the Overlay Network to stand beside his master.


    "By using one Overlay Unit I banish Depth Shark from my graveyard, then my Shark Drake Veiss reduces your monsters attack and defence to zero."


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss ¨C OU:3 > 2]


    With a satisfied roar the chaos Number swallowed one of its Overlay Units. It was looking forward to taking down the insolent Number in front of it down a peg or two. Dark Mist''s arrogance and sense of superiority had rubbed the normally direct and brutal Number 32 the wrong way.


    "So you intend to sacrifice one of your Numbers to take down Dark Mist, then finish me with the remaining monster?" Number 96 seriously asked as a wave of energy rushed towards Dark Mist.


    If Dark Mists attack was zero even if he used ''Shadow Gain'' it would only raise Number 96''s attack to equal the attack of which ever monster it fought. Destroying both of them and leaving the field open for a direct attack. Or so Shark might think.


    "But I activate my face down <Xyz Block>. By sending a Overlay Unit from Dark Mist to the grave this trap negates the effect and destroys your monster! You won''t be beating me this way." gloated Number 96.


    [Number 96: Dark Mist ¨C OU:2 > 1]


    One of Dark Mists Overlay Units shot out from its orbit, piercing through the rushing wave of energy before exploding against the indignant Shark Drake Veiss, destroying monster.


    *Boom*


    "I''m not going to just beat you. I intend to crush you. I activate <Rank-up-magic Barian''s Force>!" Shark raged, the power of Chaos inside of him bursting forth into the magic card in his hand.


    It was a strange card that Shark had found in his deck after his duel with Kite, one of several. He had never seen it before, yet it felt so very familiar to him the moment he set his eyes on it. It looked like part of the seal on the door that Shark had opened to gain his Chaos power. The Seal of Barian World.


    He could feel the Chaos energy that filled in, it resonated with the power inside Shark filling him with strength. This was the first time Shark had the opportunity or d?s?r? to use it. But he could already use it like an expert.


    An invisible wave of power erupted out as a black vortex wrapped in red and violet lightning appear over Sharks monster and su?k?d the Number into its maw.


    "With this I now rebuild the Overlay Network to rank up my Abyss Splash into a Chaos monster. Power born of the world of Chaos, fill now this Number and birth a new future. Chaos Xyz Change! Appear Chaos Number 73: Abyss Supra Splash!"


    [Number C73: Abyss Supra Splash ¨C Rank 6 ATK:3000/DEF:2000 OU:3]


    "Interesting¡­" murmured Number 96 as it watched Sharks monster descend, transformed before his eyes.


    "That''s not all, thanks to the power of Barian''s Force my Chaos Number now absorbs all your monsters Overlay Units, transforming them into its own Chaos Overlay Units." explained Shark with a savage look, as Dark Mists only Overlay Unit flew over to Sharks monster and transformed into another red crystal.


    [Number 96: Dark Mist ¨C OU:1 > 0]


    [Number C73: Abyss Supra Splash ¨C OU:3 > 4]


    "Magnificent!" Number 96 praised.


    "Now that you monster has no Overlay Units it can''t use its special abilities. So I now attack Dark Mist with Abyss Supra. Go Chaos Fall!" cried Shark.


    If this attack got through then Number 96 was finished. Pulling back its arm Abyss Supra Splash prepared to throw its deadly trident.


    "HAHAHAHA! Well done Shark, but don''t celebrate too soon. I activate my Trap <Destruction Ring>! With this I can destroy my own monster to deal 1000 damage to both our life points."


    Number 96 only had 300 life points left while Shark had 500. neither of them could withstand this blow.


    A brass ring formed around the neck of Dark Mist, a bomb with a lit fuse its only adornment, as Abyss Supra threw its weapon forward. As the trident flew through the air the fuse finished burning down and there was a massive explosion filling the field with smoke and knocking down both duellists.


    "Arrgh!"


    [Shark - LP > 0, Number 96 - LP > 0]


    <<DRAW>>


    Shark lay helplessly on the floor, his body bruised and battered from the force of the Number duel. Around him cards from his duel disk were scattered about. A draw he thought, a sense of failure appearing within him. Even using the power of Chaos he had failed to win. Did he really need to rely on the Seal of Orichalcos? Was there no other way for him to be strong enough to accomplish his goals? To take his revenge?


    The smoke cleared around Shark to reveal Yuma''s body standing over the fallen duellist, it looked no better than Sharks own battered body but Number 96 was able to push his stolen vessel beyond its normal limits.


    "What¡­ are you¡­ doing?" Shark croaked out at the sight of the evil Number.


    "What does it look like?" the Number asked as it picked up one of Sharks cards from the floor before tossing it away.


    "I may not have won the duel, so I can''t take your Numbers. But I won''t be going away empty handed." He stated as he picked up another card and Shark fell unconscious.


    A wicked smile lit up Yuma''s face as the Number found the card he was looking for. Rank-Up-Magic Barian''s Force. Now to find any other copies of the card in Sharks deck. In fact, as far as Number 96 was concerned Shark should also have copies of the Seal of Orichalcos on him.


    As an evil body snatching Number, Number 96 had no problem with the idea of stealing from his helpless opponent. But before he could further act on his d?s?r?, Number 96 heard the rapid approach of footsteps. Perhaps it was City Security, or more likely it was New Order reinforcements. Worse, it could possible be Drake having finally tracked him down.


    Moments later dozens of New Order operative and the White General, Tempest, arrived on the scene.


    "Get General Blue back to base, spread out and find whoever was responsible!"


    ---


    In a tower that stood high over Heartland city, in a room where only a handful of people were allowed to enter, all alone lay Dr Fakers youngest son and Kites younger brother, Hart. He was connected to various medical machinery as usual which monitored his condition constantly, except for but a moment now, as all the machine around Hart mysteriously glitched.


    The moment that, far away from here, Shark activated the power of Barian''s Force, and a power unseen in this world for thousands of years returned. A purplish aura gathered around the boy''s still form before a whisper escaped his lips.


    "¡­Nash¡­"


    While at the same time in Yuma''s house, around Drakes neck, Yuma''s golden Key gave a faint glow unobserved by the Chosen of Critias, who was still working deep in his mental world. Then the moment was gone, the room, Hart and the distant key returned to normal. And no one was the wiser of what had been set in motion.


    ---


    The next morning Drake awoke late after a long night of preparations to find that he had had a delivery From Heartland and the WDC. It was the details of the next round and¡­ a duel disk.


    It was a blocky silver device, a rectangular design unlike the mainstream of this worlds duel disks or of any other world that Drake knew of. The closest match to it Drake could think of was Kaiba''s third generation solid vision duel disk from the ''Dark Side of Dimensions''. And from reading the enclosed instructions it seemed to work in a similar way.


    One loaded their deck into a special deck box that fitted into the duel disk, which then scanned the card data from the box and generated a purely virtual interface. The cards a duellist drew, the play area they were used on, it was all virtual. One could even save multiple decks into the disk''s memory allowing a duellist to switch between what deck they used at the touch of a bu??on.


    It was horrible!


    Not the concept, Drake could certainly see the appeal of virtualising practically everything. What was horrible was that Drake knew that these disks must have been designed by Dr Faker. He knew the real purpose of the WDC, and these duel disk were surely a trap. A means to monitor duellists and study the cards in their decks. To compete in the second round one must use the provided Duel Disk.


    A normal duellist would have nothing to worry about. But what about Drake? What about New Order? Could either of them feel secure placing cards like the Seal of Orichalcos, like the Fang of Critias, or even the Zexal Number Drake had received, into a device that was surely able analysis them in detail. Even Number holders would be revelling the fact that they held Number cards to Faker and Heartland.


    What could a genius like Faker learn about these otherworldly cards. And what could he do with that information.


    This put Drake in a dilemma.


    Drake knew the smartest thing would be to leave out Astral''s Numbers and Critias from his deck, but how would that impact his performance? Especially if he had to deal with New Order Generals. It looked like it was a good idea for him to give up on trying to create Zexal cards and focus on more ordinary cards last night.


    For now Drake put the matter aside and turned his attention to the rest of the instructions. Taking out his Heart Key Drake took it off its chain and fitted the key into an opening on top of the Duel disk. Following which it began to beep and ping as it read the data off of the key. Drakes duel identity and WDC record.


    A holographic display projected itself in front of Drake, it read:


    <<System initialized¡­. Welcome Duellist: Drake Atlas¡­. Calculating Duel points¡­. !!CONGRATULATIONS DUELLIST!! As holder of the Purple Heart you are awarded 7000 Duel point and the Personal Skill ''DRAGON EVOLUTION''. Do you wish to register a new deck now? Y/N>>


    No. Drake selected before opening up the pre-installed second round rules. It explained many things, including the purpose of Heart lights. The Heart Light a duellist had gathered would be converted into Duel points. Each level of Heart light was equivalent to 100 points. Meaning a full Pink Heart (The minimal entry requirement) was 1000pts, a full yellow was 2000pts, Green was 3000pts, Blue 4000, Gold 5000. And the secret Purple Heart was worth 7000.


    Duellists could use these points during the second round to purchase and use special duel skills or fulfil special unnamed requirements. At the moment he only had details of his own person skill. An individually tailored skill presented only to Purple Heart duellists.


    Drakes was called Dragon Evolution, a permanent skill which allowed Drake to once per duel exchange a dragon type monster card in his hand for a random Dragon from his deck that was level 5 or higher at the cost of 500 duel points.


    Drake found it quite suitable for his play style and was surprised that Heartland didn''t sabotage him in some way. Then again, who knows how powerful other duellists personalised skills were? Just how many duellists achieved a Purple Heart? Was the cost of 500 points considered high? Drake had no way of knowing at present, all he knew was that 7000pts was enough to use this skill in 14 duels.


    This was ?ssuming he didn''t purchase any other skills and that there was no way to accumulate more duel points during the round. From its description as a permanent skill Drake could also infer the existence of consumable skills in the second round.


    Drakes thoughts about the second round were interrupted by the appearance of Akari at the table. She looked terrible, as though she had spent the night crying.


    "Anything?" Drake quietly asked.


    She shook her head.


    "I promise you we will get him back."


    "Like you promised to look after him." she accused.


    Drake had no reply to that.


    "He could be anywhere by now." She said in despair.


    "No, he is still here and he will be in the next round of the WDC." Drake stated with confidence.


    "How can you be so sure?"


    "I understand Number 96. What he wants is absolute power and to achieve that he needs the Numbers, he needs Astral and he will want the power of the Orichalcos. And in the WDC he can find all of these and more."


    "Then why haven''t you been able to find him so far?" She asked close to tear again.


    "Because he knows that he can''t beat me yet. He knows what I can do, even if he can''t understand how I do it, and he will want to avoid me until he is sure that he has gathered enough strength to crush me. But whether he can avoid me or not, he will not give up on the chance the WDC gives him. He is too greedy.


    He can hide from me in this great city, but let''s see how long he can avoid me when we reach Heartland Island. Who knows? Perhaps I will even have a chance to catch him on the ship tomorrow." Drake replied as he move to gently hold her.


    "So are you going out again today?" she asked.


    "No, now the first round is over its more likely that he will hold up until the ship is set to sail." Drake replied as the door bell rang.


    It was Bronk, as the only other person among Yuma''s friends to still be in the Duel Carnival, Drake knew the two of them needed to come up with a plan to maximise their chances of catching Number 96 and had invited the boy round. Even if it meant giving up on the finals, they had to recover Yuma''s body.


    Tomorrow the hunt for Number 96 would begin again. And this time they would not fail.

 Chapter 41 - 41: Welcome to Heartland Island

    *FWEEEET!*


    The blaring whistle of the cruise ship sounded out as it slowly pulled away from the harbour, its name was the S.S Wanderlust. Given the way things seemed to be named in this world Drake was surprised that the ship wasn''t named Heartland. Like the city, the mayor and the island they were heading to on board this luxury liner.


    14 decks, 360 meters in length, with three swimming pools, five restaurants and an ?ssortment of facilities that would make any experienced traveller drool at the extravagance. The crown jewel of the fleet. It seemed no expense was being spared for the second round of the WDC. A pity that the journey would be just a short five hours. Drake intended to enjoy every minute of it as he lounged on a deck chair with a coffee by his side, his long white coat which he had changed back to for the second round hung on a peg behind him.


    The Sun was bright in the clear sky but cold, it was still too cold this early in the morning for most people to be out enjoying themselves, but there were a few besides Drake. Of course, for Drake who could survive the temperatures at 20,000 feet, the morning chill was nothing.


    As he was trying to relax, his eyes closed he felt a shadow fall over him.


    At first, he thought it was one of the waiters but Drake already had his coffee that he had ordered and the shadow remained unmoving. Opening his eyes Drake was greeted with the unexpected sight of a black masked woman standing over him, a smug smile on her lips.


    Wyvern!


    The Black General was pleased seeing the shock on Drakes face as he stared up at her, before she plonked herself down on the deck chair next to him with a soda in her hands. The two watched each other in silence for several minutes until at last her patience ran out.


    "Why aren''t you tearing this ship apart?" She asked the man beside her that so fascinated her.


    "Why would I do that?" Drake calmly replied.


    "To find that rouge Number of course, or don''t you want to save the boy?"


    "What would be the point?" Drake said.


    He knew Wyvern was taking about Number 96, and Drake knew that the Number was definitely on board. And even now Bronk was traversing the corridors in a fruitless search for the Number that had stolen his friends'' body. Drake could feel the dark energy of the Number permeate every inch of the ship like a blanket of fog since the moment he had first step onboard. Which was the problem.


    Number 96 knew it was being hunted and had been clever to disperse his aura over the entire ship, leaving Drake, or anyone with similar abilities, no way to pin him down. 14 decks, 360 meters in length, hundreds of cabins and corridors. Drake didn''t even bother to waste his time when all the Number had to do was lock itself in a cabin for the entire trip. It wasn''t like he could ask captain for permission to search all the other duellists cabins. And if he tried to use force then he would be thrown out of the WDC.


    So Drake had decided to enjoy the first class treatment the ship offered, until New Order''s Black General had shown up that is.


    Wyvern was unhappy with Drakes reply as she twisted her hair around her fingers. After the rampage he had recently gone on in the city to find this Number, she had expected him to be rushing about in a frantic search. But here he was, relaxing in the sun and drinking coffee.


    New Order wanted to capture the rouge Number themselves for a number of reasons and had its operatives who had made the second round searching through the ship this very moment. For a moment when Wyvern had spotted Drake she thought that she could use him to track down the Number, be it now seemed that Drake had no intention of acting at this point.


    "Why fight the Orichalcos?" she asked curiously.


    "With your strength you could easily become the sixth General if you joined us Atlas. You could even become second under our king with ease."


    "Not interested. Even if I were interested in the Orichalcos, then I wouldn''t join a small force like New Order." Drake answered truthfully. If he ever found himself with a mad d?s?r? for power, world domination and a lack of morals then he would directly deal with the Orichalcos God Beast and its handler directly rather than waste time with the local small fries.


    Wyvern felt the contempt in his voice when he talked about New Order, but not when he mentioned the Orichalcos. She felt it was strange, for in her mind the two were practically one and the same.


    "You can''t defeat the Orichalcos." She told him.


    She had been born with a powerful gift of shadow magic and encountered many strange and wonderous things, but throughout her life she had never felt anything that came close to the power of the Orichalcos God. The power wielded by her king.


    "Perhaps." Drake admitted. If he had to face the full power of the God Beast this very moment he would almost certainly lose, the power difference between them was simply too great to ignore. But he was not without hope. And he would not give up the fight.


    He looked at the woman sat next to him seriously. She seemed a lot more normal than the last time they had duelled. Compared to the last time where she kept going on and on about the nature of power and the powerful, she was a much calmer.


    "Then why fight? With your power why throw your life away? I could make you very¡­ happy¡­" she practically purred at him as she ran her finger around the rim of her glass.


    Before Drake could answer the vixen, the two of them, who had been so absorbed with each other that they had ignored the rest of the world, were interrupted by a third party.


    "We have an exclusive, duellists! Here and now! Fifth ranked challenger Drake Atlas and tenth ranked beauty Wyvern Black! Friends? Rivals? Lovers? Find out their relationship now on our WDC livestream interview, here with Duel Chronicles!"


    "Huh?" the two duellists said together as a bouncy blond reporter and her plain looking cameraman got up close and personal with the two of them, shoving a microphone towards them. She had curly blond hair and a freckled face, wearing a blue duel gazer on her right eye and white shirt with red skirt.


    As a massive Duel event it was normal for there to be media coverage, and apart from the qualifying duellists the ship was also carrying a large number of theses reporters, streamers and television people. As two of the top 10 duellists announced by Mayor Heartland, one of them a mysterious masked feme fatal and the other a striking man with legendary dragons, the two of them were hot news as unknown dark horses that had suddenly appeared in the WDC.


    To find the two of them so intimately together was a scoop Megan had never expected her small time magazine to snag.


    "So Drake, you don''t mind if I call you Drake do you? I''m Megan the with magazine Duel Chronicles. So when did the two of you first meet?" Megan asked as she poured on the charm and began to interview Drake.


    "Well¡­ Megan..?" at her nod Drake continued. "We met during the WDC actually."


    "What are you doing?!" Wyvern hissed as Drake allowed himself to be interviewed. She was part of a secret organisation! She did not do interviews!


    "Ah! Could it be that the two of you fought a passionate duel, hearts poundings, pulse racing and as you fought the two of you fell or each other! Romance bloomed! After your victory you came together, finding in each other true lov-"


    "Absolutely not!" screamed Wyvern. Interrupting the reporter who had let her imagination run away with her.


    Romance? Love? And what did this girl mean by saying when Drake won?! Wyvern angerly thought. The duel had been a draw, a DRAW! she complained in her mind.


    "Don''t mind her." replied Drake.


    "In fact, our passionate duel actually ended in a draw that left the two of us quite breathless." Drake teased.


    "ATLAS!"


    Under the current circumstances he couldn''t deal with New Order as he liked at the moment, so it was fun for him to watch Wyvern''s checks turn red.


    "A Hah! So you are a couple then! There has been speculation ever since the release of the top 10 list that the two of you would make a perfect couple. Both of you are masters of legendary dragons with mysterious backgrounds after all. Speaking of which, tell us Drake just how did you obtain the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon? What''s your favourite card combo? What do you think about your competition?"


    The questions came in a never-ending stream at first, but before long Drake managed to clam the girl down enough so she could properly interview him, while he did so Wyvern took the opportunity to flee before this man embarrassed her any further. What if her King found out about this?! No! her King knew that he was the only person in her heart, even if¡­ Drake Atlas was a¡­ interesting specimen.


    ¡­ A couple¡­ the thought made her blush even harder as she returned to the task of hunting down Number 96.


    ---


    Finally the Wanderlust arrived at its destination. Heartland Island.


    Drake had enjoyed the trip, aside from a couple of interviews and some autograph requests he had an uneventful trip. Apart from the fact that the whole time he could feel a number of people watching him, but whether they had been fans, competitors, from New Order or from Dr Faker, looking was all they did.


    Bronk had met back up with Drake as the ship was preparing to dock, having spent the entire trip in a fruitless search for the body snatching Number 96. Drake refrained from saying ''I told you so'' as he understood the guilt that was driving him. Drake could only hope that it would not drive the boy to recklessness or crush him under its weight.


    Looking out at the island they were approaching one could see a sprawling amusement park set up. Large mountains with roller coaster tracks, medieval castles, enchanted forests, prehistoric wilderness and futurist utopias arrange around a tall central tower. Hotels, Kiosks, stalls, booths, shops and restaurants along with ?ssorted facilities were dotted around and between attractions like dodgems, spinning tea cups, carousels and Ferris wheels to name but a classic few.


    "Just remember the plan." Drake said to the nervous Bronk. They had prepared as best they could and soon they would be put to the test.


    Drake reached up to grip the Golden Key that hung around his neck. A silent promise to himself.


    "Attention all duellists! We have arrived at our destination, please prepare to disembark. The WDC Second Round will commence in 2 hours. Welcome to Heartland Island!" The ships PA system sounded out.


    They had docked without incident and the duellists disembarked at a steady pace towards the monorail station that connected the various island areas, meanwhile the various support staff were shuttled to their working areas and the media/VIP''s were taken to their hotels where they would be able to monitor the WDC without interfering with the duellists.


    Drake was reviewing the rules for the second round that had finally been published once the ship had set sail, while queueing for the monorail terminal to be sent to this starting zone. Bronk had been separated from him and sent off in another group that had already departed. The island had been separated into eight island zones, the central zone which held Heartland Tower was the stage for the finals and was surrounded by the other seven which the duellists would be separated and divided between as their stating zones.


    The seven outer zones were named for the WDC after field spell cards, they were known as ''Jurassic World'', ''Megaroid City'', ''Ancient Forest'', ''Dragon Ravine'', ''Pandemonium'', ''Ritual Sanctuary'' and ''Toon Kingdom''. In order to reach the tower, and the finals, it was necessary to acquire a special digital passcode key that had been split between the seven other zones, each fragment of the code was a reward that could be earned by fulfilling special tasks in each of the zones.


    There were twenty complete codes available, meaning that there were one hundred and forty code fragments that the duellists would be competing for and the tasks could range from things like, the first duellist to win ten duels in an island zone, to completing treasure hunt like duel quests or a story duel chain.


    Not only would duellists compete among each other but there were also WDC organised duel guardians, AI controlled duel bots and duel puzzles set up all over the island. If a duellist lost a duel against another competitor or a duel guardian then they would lose any code fragments they had obtained as well as half of their duel points to the winner and they would be eliminated from the competition, unless they had or could acquire within 30 minutes a ''extra life''.


    These extra life''s referred to a special consumable token that could be won through special challenges or purchased at special vendors with duel points. These vendors were duel monster themed robots or virtual projections scattered among the attractions where a duellist could use their duel points to purchase various duel skills or virtual cards that could be used modify their decks.


    Some of these vendors also doubled as duel bots that would only allow a duellist to use their shop after they had been defeated in a duel.


    The difficulty of the competition was raised even higher by the fact that each island zone was sealed off from each other, requiring duellists to meet certain clear conditions before they could open various connecting passages and obtain free passage. It could be complicated, for example acquiring a travel token by finding and clearing a hidden duel puzzle, or a simple as spending a large number of duel points to purchase this token from a single vendor.


    The final section of rules concerned field rules. In certain locations special rules would be applied to all duels carried out there. Some were like a field power bonus, boosting certain types of monster or weakening others, some were restrictions and others still required the duellists to instead duel with special premade rental decks instead of their own decks.


    A sleek white and blue train pulled into the station to pick up the next load of duellists for transport, with luck this would be Drakes ride. He wondered which zone he would start in? if the zone names represented the themes of the field rules one would encounter, then he hoped for ''Dragon Ravine'' as it would be the most likely place a dragon deck like his would be given an advantage.


    All in all, Drake though the second rounds format sounded rather fun, complicated and chaotic, but fun. There were so many different strategies one could use to reach the finals. One could work extremely hard to traverse the seven zones and acquire the needed duel codes, or one could concentrate on hunting down duellists to steal their code fragments.


    And although there were twenty sets of codes, nothing in the rules stopped a duellist from collecting multiple copies of the same fragment. Meaning some duellists would end up collecting multiple copies to prevent others from completing the full passcode, or perhaps they would use the duplicate fragments in trades if they find themselves missing a final piece toward the end of the second round.


    So many options. But Drake was also concerned as he finally boarded a carriage.


    This kind of format would also give a certain advantage to an organisation like New Order, allowing their best duellists to rely on the cannon fodder to collect the codes and intel for them at a faster rate, or to act as sacrifices to boost their duel points in order to purchase powerful skills and cards.


    *Bing*


    "Welcome Duellists. We will reach your destination in 10 minutes, your selected starting zone is Toon Kingdom."

 Chapter 42 - 42: Squires Courtyard.

    *DING*


    "Welcome duellists to Toon Kingdom, please watch your step as you exit the train. The second round will officially begin in 1hr and 35 minutes. Please take this time to familiarise with the rules and regulations if you have not done so. Hotel, restaurant and park service information is available via your WDCV Duel disks." The announcement played over the trains public address system as the doors opened and Drake got off the monorail.


    The station was decorated in a medieval style, the walls were large carved grey stone blocks, the supports and beams were made of a thick dark timber and the roof had the appearance of being thatched with straw. Large shields and coats of arms decorated the walls, alongside tapestries depicting battles between various duel monsters and standing suites of armour based on monsters like Gearfried, Gaia and Buster Blader to name a few.


    Very medieval looking, but the tech was still there for those that could look past the facade. From the hidden security cameras to the more obvious vending machines, ticket booths and information points needed in any amusement park.


    Drake felt a childish excitement as he looked around. Although his previous life''s memories were far from intact, he could still feel a connection to his childhood, the excitement and fun of holiday visits to fair grounds, theme parks and carnivals. It was followed by a pang of loneliness as he remembered that such times and the people that he shared them with, were long gone, on a world far, far, away.


    Dozens of duellists had exited along with Drake and even more were already hanging around the station, but the biggest groups were those surrounding the few Duel Vendors placed in the station. The Toon Gemini Elf, the Marauding Captain and the Skilled White Magician. These vendors were all holographic interactive projections, the voluptuous twin cartoon elves outrageously flirted with the male duellists surrounding them as the warrior captain looked on with a scowl from beside a hot dog stand and the magician stood indifferently by the main exit.


    In order to access the Vendors digital store, one had to get within a couple of meters of the projection, at which point the duel disk would automatically form a wireless connection. As a Purple Heart duellist Drake had a lot of Duel points to spend. Seven thousand to be exact, but he still had no idea just how far such an amount would go.


    Drake first went to the closest Vendor, the Toon Gemini Elf, the blond haired member of the pair turned to look at him as he got within range before sending a cartoon flying kiss his way with a wink of her eye as her sister was wagging her finger at a boy that was getting inappropriately close to the pair.


    Drakes duel disk flawlessly connected with the vendor system allowing Drake to access the store through a projection display.


    ''Vendor Store 037 (Toon Gemini Elf). Duellist: DRAKE ATLAS. Current Duel points: 7000.''


    Following that were three options, Information store, Card Store, Skill Store. Drake selected information first and was presented a short list of options he could buy.


    Toon Kingdom Map (1/5), 500 Duel points, (One purchase per duellist) ¨C a portion of the Toon Kingdom zone duel map detailing challenge locations, Duel bots, Vendors and Special zones. Assemble all five to discover the secrets of Toon Kingdom.


    Toon code fragment guide (1/20), 3000 Duel points, (One purchase per duellist) ¨C information pertaining to a random available Toon Zone passcode fragment.


    Travel Pass (Ancient Forest), 1700 Duel Points, (Consumable Use once) ¨C Allows the holder to pass through to the Ancient Forest Zone.


    Travel Pass (Ritual Sanctuary), 1700 Duel points, (Consumable Use once) ¨C Allows the holder to pass through to the Ritual Sanctuary Zone.


    Toon Access code, 5000 Duel points, (Unlimited use) ¨C Allows the holder to enter Toon Kingdom from any access point.


    Drake discarded purchasing anything of these options other than the map fragment straight away. Since it was the just the start of the round Drake didn''t need to head over to any of the other zones and the Toon Access Code would be a pointless purchase unless he was planning on returning here multiple times after he did leave the zone.


    But the map piece could hold vital information, pointing out locations it would advantageous for Drake to visit or warn him of places he should avoid depending on just how detailed the information it provided was.


    So he immediately spent 500 duel points for the map before moving to the next section. The Card Shop.


    This was basically a searchable list of existing cards that one could buy a digital version of for their duel disk which could be used to adjust ones deck during the round. Although one could see all the available cards in the database certain high level cards could only be purchased at high level vendors.


    However, as a Vendor placed at the very entrance of the zone, the selection was a bit poor, besides which as Drake was able to create any existing card for his deck before comming here his current deck was just fine. He would only need this card shop service if he knew he was entering an area with special rules that would require him to switch up his deck.


    Out of curiosity he checked if one could buy his Blue-Eyes White Dragons from the store. You could, not from this vendor but the Blue-Eyes was in the database. 3000 points per Blue-Eyes, 5000 points for any of its fusion monsters. Did this make Drake a pay to win player he wondered? One thing he did notice however was that the database did not include any Number cards, Orichalcos cards or Kites Photon cards either.


    Finally Drake came the skills shop. According to the rules a duellist could use up to one permanent skill per duel and one consumable skill per duel. These skills could be selected from a players inventory at any point in a duel so long as they met the activation timing requirement. So a skill that had to be used at the start of a duel could not be used halfway through for example. And obviously a consumable skill would be lost after use.


    The Toon Gemini Elf had a total of four skills available to purchase but only one was a permanent skill.


    Pride of Tribe I ¨C Consumable. 800 Duel points. Once during a duel at the start of your turn, all monsters you control gain 200 ATK/DEF points for each other monster you control with the same Type until the end of the turn.


    Blessing of the Elf I ¨C Consumable. 500 Duel Points. At the start of the duel increase your life points by 500.


    Land of Toons ¨C Permanent. 4000 Duel points. At the start of a duel you may pay 700 Duel points. If you do then you start the duel with ''Toon World'' in your hand.


    These were the only skills available at the store and he wasn''t bother about any of them. Drake then made sure to check the other two Vendors at the station and found out that only the Gemini Elf had an information store but apart from a slight difference in the card shop list the three of them were otherwise identical when it came to skills.


    Considering he had so many points Drake decided to be cautious and purchased one copy of each of the consumable skills for another 2300 duel points, together with the map piece it left him with 4200. Leaving the station there was still just under an hour before the round would begin, so Drake decided to explore a little as the map fragment he received didn''t cover this part of the zone.


    The Toon Kingdom Zone wasn''t just focused on a Toon monster theme like one would expect, it also had a strong mixed old world vibe going for it and featured a number of Warrior, spellcaster and fairy duel monster themes. The landscape was a mixture of attractions styled after European castles, eastern pagodas and even an ancient Greek coliseum to name a few.


    At the centre of the Toon Kingdom Zone was a massive fairy tale castle like something out of a Disney movie, with gleaming white walls and numerous tall tower spires with red tiled roofs. Drake made it his first target, feeling that such a prominent location should naturally hold greater importance.


    Along the way he passed many different rides, attractions, shops and games. Such as the Ghostrick ghost house, Kuriboh dodgems, Jerry Beans Man sweet shop, Swift Gaia''s race track, Toon Mermaids archery gallery and so much more. Each had been organised into either a duel field, a duel trial, a general store for non duelling necessities or had been closed down for the WDC.


    In fact Drake was a bit displeased when he passed the Kuriboh Dodgems, even though he had only created the card a bit over a week ago Heartland already had a Blue-Eyes Kuriboh car in this ride. Did they have no shame?


    On the other hand perhaps this showed just how popular Drake had become as a duellist during the WDC, that one of his signature cards had been added to this ride at the last minute. In the end Drake decided to not bother with the matter, if in the future kids enjoyed themselves by riding a car based on his creation then why should he complain. He wouldn''t be staying in this world forever anyway.


    Drake wasn''t the only duellist to have come out so far already, he noticed as he continued along the bricked pathways, many others had too. Perhaps they might be trying to escape from other duellists to avoid being knocked out as soon as the round started, others may have purchased map fragments like Drake and were trying to find the interesting locations marked out on them and some could be trying to find out of the way vendors that might be selling rare cards or skills.


    Whether any of them actually wanted a shot at Drake or if any of them were part of New Order he didn''t care, he would take on any challengers that came his way.


    Once Drake reached the massive castle gate, he was disappointed to find the entrance blocked by a security door, this was a duel gate. They blocked off duellists from certain area if they did not have the qualifications to enter, much like the connecting passages between zones.


    According to a notice sent to his duel disk, to enter the castle one had to have acquired sufficient ''reputation'' through clearing challenges and trials in order to enter. Left with no choice Drake left the castle for now and instead headed off to a location marked on the map piece he currently possessed that was nearby, the Squires Courtyard.


    The duels would be starting soon and according to the limited information on his map fragment Squires Courtyard was a challenge location with some rewards Drake was interested in.


    ---


    All over the island the other duellists were spreading out across the different zones as the clock counted down. The island set up was simple, Heartland tower was at the centre of the island and each zone was divided like a spoked wheel. The docks that the duellists had arrived at was connected to the Ritual Sanctuary zone directly east of Heartland tower, in clockwise order from here the zones were Toon Kingdom, Ancient Forest, Megaroid City, Jurassic World, Dragon Ravine, Pandemonium which brough one full circle back to Ritual Sanctuary.


    Bronk found himself at home in Megaroid City the high-tech city of machines, while Shark was enjoying the mythical land of Dragons Ravine to the north. Kite was preparing to make his move in the primal Jurassic World zone aided by the insider knowledge Heartland had provided for him and close behind were the forces of New Order.


    With multiple subordinates in each zone and sophisticated communication devices that could bypass the communications block in operation on the island, they were quickly gathering together a frightening amount of information which was directed to their higher ups.


    Wyvern found herself in the peaceful Ancient forest, but upon learning that Drake had been spotted in Toon Kingdom she decided to immediately make her way over. Each of the participating New Order Generals had been commanded by their king to make the elimination of Drake a top priority in this WDC round, and even more importantly to her, the Orichalcos King had promised a great reward to the person who succeeded in this task.


    The Silver General, Hal, was also close by in Ritual Sanctuary, while the White General Tempest, was actually in Jurassic World and was setting his aged eyes upon the young Number Hunter. The disgraced cyborg Proteus was not actually participating in the tournament and had been confined to his lab as part of his punishment for his earlier failures.


    With just five or so minutes to go before the start of the round Drake found himself outside the Squires Courtyard. The place was peaceful, a romanticised recreation of a knights training school. At the entrance was a ''Sword Hunter'' vendor carrying his five or six blades strapped across his body, but when Drake tried to access the bot he was denied for having insufficient reputation. Drake hoped that meant the vendor had some good stuff to sell him later.


    Through the main gate Drake could see a duel monster Merry-go-round surrounded by several buildings and open fields setup with archery targets, jousting dummies and other things.


    "Hey you!" came a cried from behind Drake, who turned to see who had called him.


    A teenager was running up to him, dressed in a bright blue shirt and bottoms while wearing a red half length, fir trimmed cape. What was his deal? Drake thought.


    "Are.. *ha* Are.. *ha* you Drake Atlas¡­ *ha*" he asked, out of breath and puffing.


    Drake replied with a nod of his head.


    "And you are?" Drake asked.


    "Charles¡­ Charles Winconstance the fifth." Charles replied while holding out his hand.


    Wow, now that was a name that screamed old family. Perhaps even noble, ?ssuming it wasn''t a kind of bluff. Either way it didn''t matter to Drake.


    "And what do you want?" Drake wanted to know.


    "I¡­ I want to challenge you to a duel!" Charles replied with growing conviction, lifting his duel disk in a challenge.


    "Why? Are you acting under orders from Faker or New Order?" if this was some kind of trap, it looked like a poor one to Drake.


    Everyone else who had recognised him seemed to want to avoid him at this early stage before the round had even started, this was the first guy to seek him out to challenge him.


    Charles seemed confuse at the mention of these two names, like he had no idea what Drake was going on about.


    "Who? What? I just want to duel you because you''re famous. The fifth rank duellist they call the White Dragon, if I beat you then I will be famous too!"


    Ah, simple youthful ambition. Drake didn''t think he was faking his ignorance and there wasn''t much time left till the start anyway. As for this nickname, The White Dragon¡­ fine, Drake actually kind of liked it. Not that he would admit it to anyone.


    "Sure, why not." Drake replied, he could do with a friendly warm up.


    "Great! I know the perfect place, follow me!" Charles said as he cheerfully guided Drake to one of the side buildings in the Squires Courtyard. It was a room full of weapon racks along each of the walls, the Armory according to the signs outside.


    Drake wondered why they had to move here, when there was plenty of space outside, but decided not to question Charles motives. He would find out soon enough.


    Moving to the centre of the room the two duellists stood ready as the countdown slow ticked by,


    00:07¡­ 00:03¡­ 00:00!


    <<Attention Duellists! The World Duel Carnival second round has officially begun!>>


    *Bang, Whizz, Boom!*


    And the sky was lit up with purple and red fireworks.


    It was time to DUEL!

 Chapter 43 - 43: Let the Games begin.

    Fireworks rocketed into the skies above Heartland Island, signalling the start the second round. The duos duel disks bleeped, click and clacked as they unlocked. Their boxy forms expanding out into new more interesting shapes exposing bands of neon blue light within. Charles duel disk now faintly resembled a shield while Drakes reminded him of the Dragon Head Mark of the Crimson Dragon.


    "Lets Duel!" they cried together.


    A projected notice appeared before each duellist, detailing the duel rules that they would be operating under.


    <<Duel zone rules activate: Toon Kingdom Zone rule ¨C The power of Toons (Toon Monsters gain 500 ATK), Squires Courtyard Territory rule ¨C Knights Territory (Warriors gain 200 ATK/DEF), Armoury Location rule ¨C A Good blade (Monsters gain 200 ATK for each equip spell attached to them.)>>


    The Toon Kingdom Zone rule was applied to any duel within the zone while the other two were specific to their current location, Drake wondered if Charles had intel about these rules when he led Drake into the Armoury. If he did then Drake was sure that would mean that his deck would be strongest here but that was fine, he enjoyed a challenge when nothing life changing was at stake.


    Drake let Charles take the first turn.


    [Turn 1 ¨C Charles LP:4000 Hand:5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:5]


    Before drawing Charles lifted his duel disk above his head.


    "Skill! March of the Army, activate!" he cried. His duel disk projecting a phantom image of a row of warriors behind him.


    <<Duel skill activated: March of the Army>>


    [March of the Army ¨C (consumable) activate at the start of one of your turns. You may normal summon an additional level 4 or lower monster this turn.]


    A skill Drake hadn''t seen yet from the vendors he had casually passed on the way over, and it was so interesting. Maybe Charles would tell him where he got it from after the duel was over.


    "Draw!"


    With a swipe of Charles hand a holographic card was generate over the duel disk, it was a crystal blue construct that then expanded and then moved to join the cards floating in front of Charles. Drake saw the confidence in Charles face. As someone who was prepared to duel against the 5th ranked duellist of the WDC, how could he not be prepared?


    "Lets get started shall we. I activate <Graceful Charity> to draw three before I then discard two."


    Touching the spell card in front of him he moved it down into projected duel disk area The two cards his discards shattered into light motes as he swiped them away, like closing a app on a pad. But the movements seemed awkward to Drakes eyes.


    "Get ready to face the most sacred of knights, the champions that wield the holy blades, I summon <Noble Knight Medraut> to the field."


    [Noble Knight Medraut ¨C Lv4 ATK:1700 >1900/DEF:1000 > 1200]


    A short blond haired knight in gleaming silver armour, wearing a crimson scarf while holding a steel short sword appeared on the field. Considering this was a virtual projection rather that an AR image displayed through a duel gazer, the quality was excellent in Drakes opinion. As a warrior it automatically received a 200 attack and defence boost because they were in the Squires Courtyard.


    "Next I equip Medraut with the blade that proclaims kings, <Noble Arms ¨C Caliburn>!"


    In front of Charles monster appeared a sword trapped in a stone. Sheathing its own blade, Charles monster reached out and pulled the sword out, holding it aloft.


    "Thanks to my Noble Arms, my monster now gains 500 ATK, and due to the field rule of this Armoury it also gains another 200 ATK for a total attack of 2600! Then due to Madraut''s own effect it now becomes a level 5 dark monster."


    [Noble Knight Medraut ¨C Lv4 > 5 ATK:1900 > 2600]


    "Thanks to Caliburn''s effect I can now gain 500 Life points." Charles continued as a pillar of gentle light descended on Charles and his sword wielding monster.


    [Charles LP > 4500]


    "By using Medraut''s effect I can special summon its faithful friend <Noble Knight Iyvanne> from my deck by destroying its equipped Noble Arms Caliburn."


    [Noble Knight Iyvanne ¨C Lv4 ATK:1700 >1900/DEF:1600 > 1800]


    [Noble Knight Medraut ¨C Lv5 > 4 ATK:2600 > 1900]


    Iyvanne appeared on the field, a knight in green/blue armour with purple hair alongside a great golden lion as Caliburn shattered into pieces.


    "With Caliburn''s effect, when it is destroyed on the field, I target a warrior I control to equip it to from the graveyard. So I now Equip it to Iyvanne."


    [Noble Knight Iyvanne ¨C ATK:1900 >2600]


    "With Iyvanne''s effect, when I equip a Noble Arms to it I can special summon a <Noble Knight Token>. And while equipped with a Noble Arms, all other Noble Knight monsters I control gain 500 ATK."


    [Noble Knight Token ¨C Lv4 ATK :1000>1700/DEF:1000>1700, Noble Knight Medraut ¨C ATK:1900 > 2400]


    "Since Caliburn has return from the graveyard I can use its effect to once more gain 500 LP."


    [Charles LP > 5000]


    "But why stop at one sacred blade when I can have two. I equip <Noble Arms ¨C Arfeudutyr> to Medraut. Arfeudutyr may not give my monster an attack boost of its own, but the Armoury field rule still does."


    [Noble Knight Medraut ¨C Lv4 > 5 ATK:2400 > 2600]


    "In myths the strongest of blades was gifted to the king by the Lady, so now I special summon the <Lady of the Lake> that I sent to the graveyard with my Graceful Charity, back to the field with its effect by reducing Medraut''s level by 1"


    [Noble Knight Medraut ¨C Lv5 > 4]


    A pool of water formed on the floor between the duellists, from its depths rose a pale beauty holding a pronged sword to her ?h?st, her eyes half closed in sorrow.


    "I now special summon <Noble Knight Custennin> to the field."


    This could be special summoned from the hand so long as Charles controlled a Noble Arms equip spell. Its white and gold full armour suit sparkled as it ready itself on the field in defence.


    [Noble Knight Custennin ¨C Lv4 ATK:1000 > 1700/DEF:2000 > 2200]


    "And the Lady of the Lake is a Tuner monster, so now gather the sacred lights and open the ignoble path of power. I tune my level 1 Lady with my level 4 Nobel Knight Token to Synchro Summon <Ignoble Knight of High Laudsallyn>."


    [Ignoble Knight of High Laudsallyn ¨C Lv5 ATK:2100 > 2300/DEF:900 > 1100]


    Unlike Charles previous knights, the Ignoble knight looked more like a cursed knight clad in its black armour from which purple mist seeped from its edges.


    "With High Laudsallyn''s effect, when it is Synchro summoned I can equip it with a Noble Arms equip spell from my deck, so behold the sword of the king. <Noble Arms ¨C Excaliburn>! So long as this spell is equipped to a monster that monster cannot be targeted by my opponents card effects. And don''t forget the Armoury rule giving it another 200 ATK."


    [Ignoble Knight of High Laudsallyn ¨C Lv5 ATK:2300 > 2500]


    "And that''s just the start! With my level 4 Nobel Knight Custennin and Nobel Knight Medraut I form the Overlay Network to Xyz summon the holy king, <Artorigus, King of the Nobel Knights>."


    [Artorigus, King of the Nobel Knights ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2000 > 2700/DEF:2000 > 2200 OU:2]


    "Using Artorigus effect, when it is XYZ summoned I can equip the <Noble Arms ¨C Arfeudutyr> and <Nobel Arms ¨C Clarent> in my grave to it. With two equip spells on it gain 400 ATK."


    [Artorigus, King of the Nobel Knights ¨C ATK:2700 > 3100]


    Arfeudutyr was sent to the grave when Medraut was used as a Xyz material and Clarent had been placed there due to Charles'' previous Graceful Charity along side the Lady of the Lake.


    "Because I used Noble Knight Custennin for an Xyz summon, its effect allows me to normal summon an addition Noble Knight monster this turn, and along with the skill I activated at the start of my turn (March of the Army), that means I can still summon two more monsters this turn, so I summon <Noble Knight Borz> and <Nobel Knight Artorigus> to the field."


    [Noble Knight Borz ¨C LV4 ATK:1700 > 2400/DEF:900 > 1100, Nobel Knight Artorigus ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800 > 2500/DEF:1800 > 2000]


    "But they won''t be around for long as I use these two monster to Xyz summon the servant of the brave king, rank 4 <Sacred Noble Knight of King Custennin>."


    [Sacred Noble Knight of King Custennin ¨C Rank 4 ATK:1500 > 2200/DEF:2500 > 2700 OU:2]


    Now Charles field had four monsters in play, an effect monster, two Xyz monsters and a synchro monster.


    "I end my turn, now make your move White Dragon so i can slay you!"


    [Turn 2 ¨C Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Charles LP:5000 Hand:0]


    Drake was impressed, Charles had depleted his hand to nothing in one of the longest first turns Drake had experienced since coming to this world, but in exchange he had a practical army of monsters ready to take on Drake. This was the kind of challenge Drake found fun. No other motives, no world shaking consequences, just the challenge of the duel.


    "Draw!"


    Ugh, now Drake knew why Charles seemed so awkward duelling in his turn. The feel of working with purely holographic cards was terrible. No substance, no weight. Looks like he had one more reason to hate this duel disk they had provided.


    "I play <One for One>, with this spell by discarding my <Heliosphere Dragon> I can special summon my level 1 <Blue-Eyes Kuriboh> from my deck."


    [Blue-Eyes Kuriboh ¨C Lv1 ATK:300/DEF:200]


    "Kuri!" Drakes monster scream as its bounced onto the field flapping its cardboard wings.


    "Next I summon <The White Stone of Legend> to the field."


    [The White Stone of Legend - Lv1 ATK:300/DEF:250]


    The large white egg appeared as Drakes Kuriboh danced around it in joy.


    "Now it''s time to introduce you to one of the latest additions to my deck. With these two monster I build the Overlay Network to Xyz summon the third stone of the White Dragon, <The White Stone of Power>!"


    [The White Stone of Power ¨C Rank 1 ATK:300/DEF:200 OU:2]


    A new white egg appeared on the field from the Overlay vortex, its shell marked with neon blue magical runes as its overlay units circled around it.


    "I activate my Stone of Power''s effect, by using one Overlay unit I can add a spell or trap that includes ''Blue-Eyes'' in its text, like this <Burst Stream of Destruction> to my hand. And because I sent The White Stone of Legend to the grave for this effect, its effect lets me add a Blue-Eyes White Dragon to my hand."


    [The White Stone of Power - OU:2 > 1]


    One of Drakes monsters Overlay Units was absorbed by one of the mystical runes on the egg shell, transforming into a light that pulled a card from out of Drakes deck to join the cards floating in front of him before the rune went dark.


    "I then use White Stone of Powers effect again, but this time its ability will allow me to special summon the Blue-Eyes White Dragon I just added to my hand to the field."


    [The White Stone of Power - OU:1 > 0]


    The second Overlay Unit was absorb a different rune before the egg seemingly cracked open to allow Drakes signiture monster to emerge and take flight.


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    *ROAR!*


    "Now I activate <Burst Stream of Destruction> to destroy all your monsters on the field, in exchange Blue-Eyes White Dragons I control cannot attack this turn."


    White lighting blasted out from Drakes Blue-Eyes as it swept across the field destroying everything in its path. The proud knights Charles had gather were helpless against Blue-Eyes unstoppable might and even their sacred blades could not save them. But one blade remained sticking out from the ground, faint trails of smoke twirling around it.


    "When Sacred Noble Knight of King Custennin is destroyed, its effect allows me to special summon <Sacred Noble Knight of King Artorigus> from my extra deck in defence mode and attach Knight of King Custennin to it as an Overlay Unit." Charles declared as his new knight marched onto the battlefield and put up the fallen sword in its hands.


    [Sacred Noble Knight of King Artorigus ¨C Rank 5 ATK:2200 > 2400/DEF:2200 > 2400 OU:1]


    "Now I use the spell <dragonic tactics>, by tributing Blue-Eyes White Dragon and The White Stone of Power I can special summon another Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my deck."


    "Why would you do that? Thanks to your Burst Stream of Destruction Blue-Eyes can''t attack this turn." Charles wondered.


    "Because I have this, go <Ultimate Cosplay>! With this spell I can target my Blue-Eyes and then reveal a fusion monster from my extra deck that lists it as a fusion material. So I reveal <Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon>. Then thanks to Ultimate Cosplay my Blue-Eyes name and effects change to match those of the fusion monster I just revealed."


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon > Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon]


    The illusionary image of Drakes Neo Ultimate Dragon appeared around the Blue-Eyes White Dragon before transforming into a bright white light that blocked the dragon from view. A flash of white light pulsed to reveal Drakes monster now clad in its cosplay costume in the form of two cardboard ultimate dragon heads, glittering blue sticker markings were stuck across its body and a crown crest adorned its true head.


    "Since my Blue-Eyes name has changed, it is no longer prevented from attacking. Go and attack Knight of King Artorigus with Neo Imitation Burst!"


    The two imitation heads opened their jaws to reveal laser cannons that began to charge their power as the true head gathered its own energy before being unleashed. Twin beams of blue energy spiralled around a ball of white lightning as it smashed into Charles guarding knight.


    [NBEUD ATK:3000 > SNKoKA DEF:2400]


    *BOOM*


    As the smoke cleared another familiar knight was revealed to have take the destroyed monsters place.


    "When my Knight is destroyed I can special summon a level 4 or high Noble Knight from my Graveyard, so appear once more <Nobel Knight Medraut> in defence mode." Charles explained.


    [Nobel Knight Medraut ¨C Lv4 ATK:1700 > 1900/DEF:1000 > 1200]


    "I have studied you and your monsters and I know a Neo Ultimate dragon can attack multiple times so long as its your only face up card on the field, but with Medraut protecting my life points you don''t have enough power to finish me this turn." Charles continued.


    "Not bad, but not good enough. I activate the quickplay spell <Dragon''s Fighting Spirit> targeting my Blue-Eyes, allowing me to attack you again!"


    Dragons Fighting Spirt targeted a dragon that was special summoned this turn and then granted it an additional attack for each monster the opponent currently controls which was special summoned this turn. Meaning Drakes Blue-Eyes could make an additional attack this turn even before using its effect.


    [NBEUD ATK:3000 > NKM DEF:1200]


    *BANG*


    Drakes Blue-Eyes annihilated Charles last line of defence in a blaze of light and lightning. Charles expression turned grim, he could do the maths and knew how things were going to end now.


    "That not all, as you know my dragon not only has Neo Blue-Eyes name but its effects as well, so by sending a Blue-Eyes fusion monster from my extra deck to the grave, my monster can attack again! So I send the true Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon to the Grave, go direct attack! Neo Imitation Burst!"


    [Charles LP > 2000]


    *ZAP*


    "Arrgh!"


    Light blasted into Charles as he lost over half of his life points in single attack and it was not over.


    "And this effect can be used twice per turn, so I send my Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon to the grave to attack you directly and end this duel!"


    [Charles LP > 0]


    *BOOM!*


    <<DRAKE WINS. 200 Duel points & x1 Duel Skill: Pride of Tribe I claimed. As the first person to win a duel in Squires Courtyard Drake gains 1 reputation point >>


    Charles Duel disk dimmed and locked itself back up like it was before the round had started, signalling Charles elimination from the WDC. Even now his duel disk would be sending a location signal to patrol bots that would arrive in half an hour to escort the fallen duellist off the island.


    "Oh well, guess this is what I get for challenging a top 10 contender." Charles sighed, knowing that he had blown his only chance at fame.


    "Sorry, but it was a good duel. Better luck next time." Said Drake honestly praised as he took the opportunity to leave and look for the reason he had come to Squire court in the first place, the Trial of the Six.

 Chapter 44 - 44: Galaxy Light.

    As Drake proceeded to face the challenges of the Squires Courtyard, over in Jurassic world the Number Hunter Kite was making his own moves.


    "I activate


    ! By shuffling three light monsters from my hand to my deck I can add three copies of my <Cipher Wing> to my hand. Next I summon one of my Cipher Wing''s to the field, and so long as I control a Cipher monster, I can special summon the other two Cipher Wing''s to join it."


    [3x Cipher Wing ¨C Lv4 ATK:1400/DEF:1200]


    Three monsters appeared on Kites side of the field, a trio of small lime green cubes surrounded by incomplete hexagonal rings, behind each of them projected out six blade like wings of energy. Opposite them hovered a great grey sphere, its surface rhythmically pulsating and wriggling as though hundreds of worms were just beneath its surface.


    [Worm Zero ¨C Lv10 ATK:3300/DEF:300]


    Beside it was a facedown monster and one other facedown. Kites opponent was the Duel Bot: Worm Queen, a grey/white spider like alien with a humanoid torso sticking out from its top, which stood guard over a strange meteorite in a crater behind it. This was a hidden location for the Jurassic World Zone, Impact Point. It was where Kite had immediately headed too once he had arrived in the Jurassic World Zone, because he knew that the meteor the duel bot was guarding held a special secret.


    But to reach it one must first defeat its guardian. Thanks to the Jurassic Kingdom Zone rule all Dinosaurs monsters received a 500 ATK/DEF point boost, while all reptile monsters, like the Worm Zero Kite was facing, also received a 300 point boost.


    Next Kite sacrificed one of his Cipher wings to activate its special ability, increasing the level of his other two Cipher Wings by four, giving him two level eight monsters. With these two monsters as a base Kite called forth the Overlay Network, the spiralling black vortex from which all Xyz monsters were born.


    "With power beyond that of ten supernova''s I Xyz summon <Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon>!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:2]


    "Now I activate <Galaxy Trance>, by paying 2000 Life points I can special summon the <Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon> in my graveyard and the <Galaxy-Eyes Afterglow Dragon> in my deck to the field in defence mode. Their attack becomes 2000 and their effects are negated."


    [Kite LP > 300]


    [Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000 > 2000/DEF:2500, Galaxy-Eyes Afterglow Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000 > 2000/DEF:2500]


    "With these two monsters I Xyz summon a second Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!"


    A second Cipher Dragon appeared on Kite''s field for double the trouble.


    "I activate Galaxy-Eyes effect! By using one Overlay unit my Cipher Dragon can target a face up monster my opponent controls and take control of it. Cipher Subjection!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C OU: 2 > 1]


    Absorbing the energy of an Overlay Unit one of Kites Dragons projected the rainbow light of its wings across the form of his opponents Worm Zero, cocooning the grey sphere in a blanket of light that pulled the monster over to Kites side of the field as its form began to morph into a copy of Kites Dragons.


    Thanks to Cipher Subjection not only did Kite take control of Worm Zero but it even changed to become a copy of Kites Cipher Dragon while negating its original effects, however this did nothing to change Worm Zero''s attack, its attack was already 3000 and it still kept its reptile type allowing it to benefit from the Zone Rule power boost.


    [Worm Zero > Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon* - Lv10 ATK:3300/DEF:300]


    "I attack your face down with Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon*, Cipher Stream of Destruction!"


    Since his stolen Worm Zero could not attack directly it was obvious that Kite would use it to deal with the Duel Bots facedown monster. As Kites monster attacked with a blast of cosmic energy the facedown monster flipped to reveal a purple mas with green eyes curled up into a ball.


    [Worm Rakuyeh ¨C Lv4 ATK:2100 > 2400/DEF:1200 > 1500]


    [GECD ATK:3000 > WR DEF:1500]


    *BOOM!*


    The monster was blasted away into galactic dust by its former comrade, following which the Worm Queen''s high pitched voice rang out.


    "Location Rule activate - Impact Point! When a non-token Dinosaur, Reptile or Psychic type monster is destroyed, special summon a Light Lv1 ATK:0/DEF:0 token of the same type to the field." On the Duel Bots field a simple gecko like monster appeared in defence mode.


    [Reptile Token ¨C Lv1 ATK:0 > 300/DEF:0 > 300]


    "Skill activate ¨C Worm Blessing. When a Reptile is summoned to my field I gain 400 Life points." The Duel bot continued. Motes of emerald light rose up from the token monster to be absorbed by the Worm Queen.


    [Worm Queen LP > 5700]


    This was what made the Duel bot such a troublesome foe, the combination of the Impact Point Location rule that could spawn tokens and its own programmed skill, Worm Blessing, allowed the Worm Queen to continually replenish its life points at a rate most duellists would find frightening.


    But not Kite.


    "Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, attack that token with Cipher Stream of Destruction!" Kite commanded his dragon.


    [GECD ATK:3000 > Token DEF:300]


    *BOOM*


    In front of the might of Kites Galaxy-Eyes such a token was like dust and it was crushed under absolute power.


    "Trap activate, <Alien Brain>. When a Reptile monster I control is destroyed by battle, this trap takes control of the monster that destroyed it and transforms it into a reptile type monster."


    A bulbous alien head in a jar appeared as the Worm Queen activated its trap card. Strange mental waves flowed from it and poured into Kites Galaxy-Eyes. Under this mental ?ssault the dragon screamed and roared. It would fight until it inevitably fell under the Worm Queens power and obediently move to her side of the field, its swirling light eyes slowly transforming into to a solid red.


    It was a good play, it would have been a waste for the duel bot to use it on its own Worm Zero as that monster would return to it on its own at the end of turn, this way it could steal one of Kites own monsters and with the bonus it would gain from the Zone rule once it became a reptile monster it would be strong enough to block Kites final Cipher Dragon.


    "I activate the quick play spell <Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Pursuit>! So long the difference between our life points is 2000 or more, I can rank up one of my Cipher Dragons into an even more powerful form. Go, Rank-Up Xyz Evolution! Now b?r? witness, as the same fantastic powers that forge the universe forge this most mighty creature! <Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon>!"


    Wings of rainbow light appeared and wrapped themselves around the struggling Cipher dragon, sheltering it from the encroaching mental influence as it pulled the dragon into a rainbow vortex above. The cosmic energy shining from it became blinding as the ultimate form of Cipher Dragon descended to the field in its galactic three headed glory.


    [Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C Rank 9 ATK:4500/DEF:3000 OU:2]


    It was all over, the Worm Queen had no more cards on its field, nor in its hand. A prideful grin was on Kites face as he readied himself to finish this hollow foe. First he ordered his remaining Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon to attack with its mighty strength.


    "Cipher Stream of Destruction!"


    *ROAR!*


    [GECD ATK:3000 ¨C Worm Queen LP > 2700]


    The Worm Queen seemed to twitch on and off, flickering like a glitchy program. Its holographic form begining to fail as it suffered under the power of Kites dragon, but the worse was yet to come.


    "Neo Galaxy-Eyes! Finish this with your Cipher Stream of Devastation!" Kite commanded.


    With a mighty roar the invincible dragon blasted out its attack and consumed the Duel Bot with its light, erasing the projection.


    [NGECD ATK:4500 ¨C Worm Queen LP > 0]


    <<KITE WINS ¨C Duel Bot Award +5 reputation points, x1 Duel Skill: Xyz Twin>>


    With the duel over Kite indifferently walked over and jumped the crater rim to approach the replica meteor, there was no use in feeling satisfied in defeating a soulless machine. Approaching the feature Kite saw what he expected, a rocky surface covered with orange crystals which gave it a spiky look. The crystals would glow and flash in an irregular pattern, or what seemed like an irregular pattern at first glance.


    This was nepotism at its finest. Kite knew all the inside details of the second round, the location of every secret, of each code fragment. The secret paths, location rules, the hidden vendors, everything one would need to come out on top. Like this. Kite twisted some crystals on the meteor, pulled others and pushed some more. Each action changing the order and frequency of the crystals glow. Until at last they formed a uniformed pattern.


    *Beep*


    The meteor beeped and click as it began to open up to reveal a blue metal like worm with a white belly, the hidden vendor: Galaxy Worm. Opening the shop interface Kite moved straight on to his purchases. The Genesis key for 3000 duel points and the consumable skill ''Star of Hope'' for 2000. Naturally Kite had started the second round with a Purple Heart just like Drake, giving him a starting duel point total of 7000, after spending 5000 points that left him with only 2000 but it was worth it.


    The Genesis key was a special item that would allow Kite instant access to the key location of Jurassic Kingdom, ''The Cradle of Life'', without needing the required reputation or clear conditions. There Kite could obtain not only a Jurassic Kingdom code fragment but also a Jurassic King access code which would allow him free entry and exit from the Jurassic World Zone. As for the skill, it was one of several rare consumable skills needed to access a secret location in the Dragon Ravine Zone.


    So long as he defeated a few opponents along the way to replenish his duel points, Kite felt that it would be easy to reach the finals. But what he really wanted was a chance at New Order, at Shark and the one called Wyvern. For Dextra¡­


    But Kite did not know just were they were right now, nor would his father or those under him tell him even if he asked. He had already been previously grounded and his link to his Orbital 7 Satellite had been terminated because his father disapproved of his alliance with Drake to hunt down New Order. Kite really didn''t know just what was going though his fathers head, could he not see the danger New Order posed? Even after what had happened that night that the moon had been swallowed by darkness, when New Order had finally shown what they were truly capable of. Still his father stubbornly insisted on remaining focus on the Number cards.


    And Faker had made it very clear that if his son encountered Drake, he was to treat him as an enemy, or else. Kites musing was interrupted by a loud child like voice.


    "Wow mister! You are so goooood!" came a little girls squeal.


    Kite was surprised, this place was not easy to find and was a hidden challenge location, it wouldn''t even show up on a map fragment until one had completed an entire Zone map. What was a kid doing here?


    She looked like a little pink Lolita with curly black hair. She couldn''t have been more that seven or eight years old, dressed in girly pink and white with rosy checks and freckles. Her duel disk was almost the size of her arm, looking like an oversized toy.


    Kite was instantly put on his guard. There was no way an ordinary person could just appear here, and certainly not an ordinary child. Besides which this was the second round of the WDC, she could only be here if she had the ability to earn it. But she was so cute Kite just couldn''t bring himself to take action.


    "Oooohh why so glum mister?" she sweetly asked as she hop, skipped and jumped.


    "Humph." Kite had no time to play baby sitter, or play games. Ignoring the adorably cute child he decided to head to the ''Cradle of Life'' directly and walked off. Why should he bother about some dumb kid.


    "Hey mister, what you doing?", "Mister play with me!", "Hey mister where you going?" she continued to pester Kite.


    "Look kid just beat it, ok?" Kite finally cracked.


    "Oh, but I rather beat you instead mister." She said, her sweet tone suddenly carrying a more sinister hint.


    "A pipsqueak like you? just go home kid, I think I hear your mommy calling you." Kite taunted unafraid. It would take a lot more than that to shake him up.


    "Meany! I''m no pipsqueak, I''m Alice! Duel me now!" she said before sticking her tongue out at Kite in a temper tantrum.


    This was such a waste of his time, Kite thought as he readied his duel disk. But a challenge had to be accepted, so he would just make this quick.


    "Fine, then lets duel."


    <<Duel Zone Rules Activate: Jurassic Kingdom rule ¨C Law of Dinosaurs (Dinosaurs gain 500ATK/DEF, Reptiles gain 300 ATK/DEF)>>


    "Me first, me first!" cried Alice as she drew here opening hand.


    "Skill! Wisdom of Wizards go!" she cried as a pink phantom of the Dark Magician girl appeared beside her, giving the little girl a quick kiss on the head and an extra card to her hand.


    <<Duel Skill activated: Wisdom of Wizards I>>


    Using this consumable skill allowed a duellist to begin the duel with an extra card in their hand at the cost of 500 life points.


    [Turn 1 ¨C Alice LP:3500 Hand:6, Kite LP:4000 Hand 5]


    "I draw! Tee hee look what I drew. I summon <Fluffal Leo> to the field, yay!"


    [Fluffal Leo ¨C Lv4 ATK:1600/DEF:1200]


    A fluffy soft toy lion bounced onto the field, its legs wrapped in bandages as a pair of tiny wings on its back fluttered away.


    "Let... me¡­ see¡­ oh this one! I set a trap face down and your turn mister."---


    Some distance away a trio of figures were watching Alice and Kite on a monitor screen that had hacked into the islands security feed. The most prominent among them was the clocked figure of New Orders White General, the alchemist Tempest.


    "Sir are you sure about this?" asked one of his underlings while he adjusted the feed.


    "This is not Gold''s technical department, I expect those under me to listen, not question. Understand?" Tempest''s cold voice sent shiver of fears down the spine of the New Order Agent who had so foolishly spoke.


    Proetus may have little use for manners or discipline in his ranks, but such disrespect would not be tolerated by the other Generals. If this person could not remember this then it would not be long before something nasty happened to him.


    Tempest was calm as he followed the duel on screen, after learning that Fakers son had begun the round in the same zone as himself, he had gathered what subordinates he could to deal with the Number Hunter as soon as possible and he had great confidence in his force as he watched the duel.


    Alice Song, to the public she was the Child Genius, the duelling prodigy, a cute and adorable girl few could say no too. But to Tempest she was also the right hand of the Silver General of New Order and their most deadly child ?ssassin. To underestimate her was to doom oneself.


    It was time for him to see just how good these kids really were.

 Chapter 45 - 45: Fur fight.

    In the Jurassic World Zone, the duel between the Number Hunter Kite and the New Order Agent Alice, continued under the covert monitoring of the White General. Kite remained cold and calm as he faced off against his childish opponent. He knew better than to lower his guard and the more this girl tried to seem all cute and innocent the more Kite was convinced that she was extremely dangerous.


    His focused gaze looked out at the monster Alice had summoned. The <Fluffal Leo> was like a giant soft toy lion, its appearance was cute and weak, while its strength could only be considered average with an attack of 1600. This further reinforced the image that he was fighting a child. But there was still her facedown to consider as the turn moved to him.


    [Turn 2 ¨C Kite LP:4000 Hand 5, Alice LP:3500 Hand:5]


    "I draw."


    Thanks to the skill the girl had activated at the start of the duel she was already down 500 life points in order to gain a slight card advantage in the opening of the duel, yet her opening moves seemed disappointingly simple.


    "I play


    , a spell that allows me to special summon two Photon Tokens to the field."


    [x2 Photon Token ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000/DEF:0]


    "And then by tributing these two tokens I can summon my loyal servant, the dragon more savage than a supernova! With a cataclysmic force of ten black holes put together! A cosmic scourge that vaporizes anything in its path. The <Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon>!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Kites mighty monster appeared from a blinding pillar of light, standing tall and proud as its body glowed with the power held within itself. Its presence was incomparable and overwhelming in front of Alice''s pitiful Fluffal.


    *ROAR*


    "Galaxy Eyes attack!" Kite commanded.


    Obeying its masters order the dragon blasted out with its terrifying photon energy blast, the opposing stuff toy was powerless as the laser like light consumed it and blasted into the poor girl.


    [GEPD ATK:3000 > FL ATK:1600 ¨C Alice LP > 2100]


    "eeeekkk!" the girl screamed in her childish voice as her life points plummeted, but as the smoke cleared Kite was witness to the sight of a massive childish crane on the field, its hand plunging into a hole that appeared in front of the child.


    "Big meanie! What did Little Yellow do to you? Don''t worry I''ll save you! I activate <Fluffal Crane>. With this I return Leo to my hand and I even get to draw a card, Yay!" Alice said as her crane pulled her Fluffal Leo out of the grave.


    "Humph. I set a card face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 3 ¨C Alice LP:2100 Hand:7, Kite LP:4000 Hand 3]


    "Hey mister have you ever heard the story of the lion and the mouse?" Alice asked Kite as she drew her card. But her only answer was silence, which caused her to pout her face and stick out her tongue.


    "Fine, the mouse meets a lion with a thorn in his paw, stuff happens and they end up best friends, and here is my Leo''s friend. <Fluffal Mouse>! And this cutie brings along his friends!" Alice explained as three cubby mice appeared on her field.


    Each of them were like little puff balls, with white bellies and bright blue fur. They all held a chocolate doughnut in their tiny paws. Thanks to her Fluffal Mouse special ability Alice could special summon two copies from her deck to the field.


    "So Cuuute!" Alice squealed to Kites annoyance.


    "Will you just drop the kid act. I am not falling for it." Kite snapped. It was an insult to his intelligence that this kid kept on acting so helpless and innocent in front of him.


    "Grouch! No wonder your Fakers son." Alice complained in a huff.


    "What did you say?" Kite asked. His whole attitude suddenly changed, becoming even more dangerous.


    Alice realised that she had made a mistake, there was no way she should know who Kites father was. Kite may have gained some fame from being ranked as a top 10 duellist during the WDC and had gained some infamy during his time as a Number Hunter, but nothing in this revealed details of his personal life. In the eyes of the public his past was as much a mystery as Drakes was.


    His father Dr Faker was the secret puppet master that controlled the city and the WDC. He had practically disappeared from the public light a decade ago during his extra-terrestrial energy research and had purposely hidden himself when he had begun to work for Barian World. He was erased from history and official records, a ghost. No way some random kid could know about Kites father, no way but one.


    New Order.


    "I made a uh-oh¡­" Alice whispered.


    She knew that she had blown her cover. Stupid, stupid, stupid! She complained in her head. She had let Kites indifference get to her and it affected her judgement. She spent a lot of effort in her act, picking the right cute girly clothes, training her voice for that perfect innocent child effect, acting classes so that each of her movements reinforced the image that she wanted to project. Even her deck and duelling strategies had been fine tuned to achieve this false persona and lower her targets vigilance until the last moment, the moment she would strike and claim another soul for the Orichalcos.


    Yet Kite had seemed indifferent to all her effort. Was the boy a rock head or something? Who could ignore cute little old her? Sugar and spice and all things nice, sometimes she was so sweet she made even herself sick. But did it affect Kite at all? No it did not, and now? Even if she now won the duel her teacher was not going to be pleased that she had made such a mistake.


    "You''re with New Order, aren''t you?" Kite dangerously asked.


    "Fine, you got me. So what? You are not walking away from this duel anyway." Alice admitted, dropping the kiddy act.


    "Tell me what New Order has done to Dextra''s soul, tell me where it is and how I can get it back. Then tell me where Shark and Wyvern are and what you are planning, then maybe, maybe I won''t hurt you."


    "Dextra who? Oh did the poor boy lose someone close to you? Sooorry, not my department. And as for information about the Blue and Black Generals, forget it. I have done enough clean-up operations to know that you do not talk about the group. Ever." She replied to Kite off handily.


    "Then I will just have to make you talk." Kite threatened.


    "Go Photon Transformation!" He called out as he triggered his photon powers. His black coat transformed into a brilliant white and his duel gazer tattoo formed around his eye. He could feel the power pulse through his body as his heart thumped like a resounding drum in his ears. He was truly serious about this duel at this point.


    But none of this was a surprise to Alice, she had read all the files New Order had on the Number Hunter and had prepared herself for every possible outcome.


    "We will see about that, I play


    ! Hunter in the dark that prowls under the bloody moon of nightmares, come and become one with blades of pain. I fusion summon <Frightfur Wolf>!"


    Using the three Fluffal Mouse''s on the field, the Fluffal Leo in her hand along with <Edge Imp Sabers>, Alice summoned her lupin monster. A Frankenstein stuffed monster of a purple stuffed wolf and sharp scissors, its crimson eyes aglow from within the wolf heads maw.


    [Frightfur Wolf ¨C Lv6 ATK:2000/DEF:1500]


    Alice''s monster wasn''t as strong as Kites Galaxy-Eyes, but its special ability allowed it to attack a number of times equal to the number of fusion material monsters used to summon it, meaning her beast could attack five times a turn. If she could deal with Galaxy-Eyes that is.


    "Next I activate <Frightfur Fusion>! With this I can fusion summon a Frightfur monster by banishing monsters on my field or in my grave, so by banishing Edge Imp Sabers and two Fluffal Mouse I Fusion Summon! Haunted lady who cares for the abandoned nightmares in the empty darkness, Rise with your merciful blades <Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary>!"


    [Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary ¨C Lv10 ATK:2000/3000]


    A raggedy doll with long blond hair in a white dress rose from the field, the inside of her dress a seemingly empty darkness. Kite was not impressed with this monster as it still paled before his dragon, but before his eyes Nightmary''s attack began to grow.


    "Nightmarys special effect, it gains 300 ATK for each fairy or fiend in my graveyard during my turn." Alice explained.


    "That''s still not enough to take down Galaxy-Eyes." Kite said, and he was right.


    Because of Frightfur fusion Alice now only had two monsters in her Graveyard, giving her monster a 600 ATK point boost, still short of Galaxy-Eyes 3000 ATK.


    [Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary ¨C ATK:2000 > 2600]


    "But I also have this! <Frightfur Sanctuary>! I activate this continuous spell by discarding a card from my hand and sending two Frightfur monsters from my extra deck to the grave. I discard <Fluffal Wings> and send <Frightfur Sheep> and <Frightfur Leo> to the graveyard."


    With three more fiends in the graveyard Frightfur Mary would gain another 900 ATK points.


    [Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary ¨C ATK:2600 > 3500]


    Frightfur Sanctuary effect wasn''t actually important at this point, its only purpose here was to give Alice''s monster the attack boost it needed to overcome its galactic foe.


    "Now Nightmary attack! Nightmare Suture!"


    From the seams of Alice''s monster numerous black threads erupted and surged towards Kites monster, entangling its arms, legs, wings and neck in a strangling hold as it pulled the helpless beast towards it. Galaxy-Eyes began to emit a blinding light from its body.


    "I activate Galaxy-Eyes effect! When it battles a monster I can banish-!"


    "Not so fast Kite." Alice interrupted as a red and black stuffed devil appeared at Galaxy-Eyes back and grabbed hold of it. The glow of the dragons power began to fade away.


    "Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary has another ability, when you activate an effect that targets it, I can negate that effect by banishing another Frightfur monster from my extra deck, so I banish <Frightfur Daredevil>." Alice explained.


    This left Kites monster helpless as Nightmary opened the front of her dress, numerous blades shot out into Galaxy-Eyes and then dragged the monster in, swallowing the dragon whole. Before it then flicked her hands to whip Kite with her black threads. But they were blocked by a sudden streak of blue light that smashed into them and enveloped Kite in a protective bubble of energy.


    [DFN ATK:3500 > GEPD ATK:3000]


    "What''s that!?" Alice cried as the blue light around the streak faded to show a dark blue torpedo like monster with purple eyes.


    "I activated the effect of my <Kuriphoton>, meaning that I take no damage this turn."


    Kite had activated the effect of his own Kuriboh variant, Kuriphoton. At the cost of 2000 life points it provided an invincible shield that blocked all damage for the turn. It was his only choice considering that Alice''s Frightful Wolf had yet to attack and he had just lost his only monster.


    [Kite LP > 2000]


    "So you can do cute after all, so why did you ignore me then!" Alice complained while looking at Kuriphoton. Not that Kite would ever think to call the flying torpedo cute.


    "You should be more concerned with what I''m about to do to you." Kite threatened.


    "I don''t think so, you may not take damage but my Nightmary still destroyed your dragon, and when it does so I can send a number of Fluffal and Edge Imp monsters from my deck to the grave for each of its levels. With eight new monsters in the grave my monster then gains another 2400 Points!"


    [Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary ¨C ATK:3500 > 5900]


    "So what? You monster only has a power boost during your turn. For your sins I will take you out before you have a chance to use it." Kite stood firm, so long as he could finish this next turn everything would be fine.


    "Humph, meanie. I set a card face down and end my turn."


    [Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary ¨C ATK:5900 > 2000]


    [Turn 4 - Kite LP:2000 Hand 3, Alice LP:2100 Hand:0]


    "I draw! then I play


    ." Kite drew his two additional cards and examined his hand floating before him. Ideally he needed to end the duel this turn before Alice''s monster had another chance to attack.


    "I special summon


    to the field and since I control a Photon monster I can special summon


    as well. With these two level 4 monster I build the Overlay Network! Galactic lord of stars, appear and deliver your judgement. I Xyz summon rank 4 <Starliege Lord Galaxion>!"


    [Starliege Lord Galaxion ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2000/DEF:2100 OU:2]


    Wielding its twin swords of photon energy, Kites warrior took to the field clad in its futuristic white armour with its two Overlay Units slowly orbiting it.


    "I activate Galaxion''s special ability! By using two Overlay units I can special summon my Galaxy-Eyes back from the graveyard."


    [Starliege Lord Galaxion ¨C OU:2 > 0]


    [Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Using its two Overlay Units Kites monster used its swords to cut through space and open a path from the graveyard back to the field for Kites faithful monster to return.


    "Since I control a Galaxy-Eyes I can then special summon <Galaxy-Eyes Afterglow Dragon>!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Afterglow Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    "With these two monster I now form the Overlay Network! Galaxy shining in the darkness, dwell in the demonic god of revenge and become my very servant! Xyz Summon! Descend on your wings of light, Rank 8! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:2]


    *ROAR!*


    With its rainbow wings the stellar dragon emerged from the black vortex of the Overlay Network and Kite wasted no time to activate its famous ability.


    "Go Cipher Subjection!"


    [Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon - OU:2 > 1]


    [Frightfur Wolf > Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon* ATK:3000/DEF:1500]


    Using an Overlay Unit Kites dragon stole Alice''s Frightfur Wolf, transforming it into a virtual replica of Kites monster. It stood ready to destroy its former master besides Kites two other monsters, but it was soon joined by a fourth monster. Another Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!


    "Using the effect of Afterglow Dragon, when I detach it as an Overlay Unit from a Xyz monster to activate its effect, I can special summon a Galaxy-Eyes from my hand or deck!"


    Now he had four monsters to crush this fake child with, and once Kite got his hands on her he would wring out the information he wanted. He owed it to Dextra, he owed her so much that he refused to fail with a chance now before him.


    "Now go Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon* and attack Nightmary! Cipher Stream of Destruction!" Kite cried.


    "I active my skill! Fairy Ward!" Alice cried as she activated her personal skill. She may not have made the top 10 list, but like Kite, Drake and others she had achieved a Purple Heart in the preliminaries and had received a personal Duel skill.


    <


    >


    "I banish Fluffal Mouse to protect my Nightmary."


    [GECD* ATK:3000 > DFN ATK:2000 ¨C Alice LP > 1100]


    "I attack with Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon! Photon Stream of Destruction!"


    "I activate my facedown


    ! This negates you attack and then can I send your Cipher Dragon to the graveyard. Your Photon Dragon then loses Attack equal to your Cipher Dragons." Alice smugly said as her trap destroyed one dragon and crippled another.


    [Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon ¨C ATK:3000 > 0]


    "And now you have no way of beating me this turn, tee-hee!" she mocked as Kite was only left with his Starleige that only had an attack equal to that of her monster. On her turn she would regain control of Frightfur Wolf and Nightmary would still have over 5000 attack.


    "Don''t gloat just yet. I have a face down too, go <Eternal Galaxy>!"


    Kite would not give up, he would win this duel. For Dextra! And this card would be the one to do it.


    "I use Starliege Lord Galaxion to rebuild the Overlay Network! Empress of the fallen warrior appear now and open the path of vengeance! I Xyz Summon


    !"


    Kites warrior rose up and was swallowed in a golden vortex from which descended Dextra''s ace monster on her photon wings, her bu??erfly mask marred by a single hairline crack.

 Chapter 46 - 46: A Pledge.

    Dextra''s ace monster, the Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress. Ever since that night a week ago when Kite had arrived too late to save her, he had carried this card with him. A promise to right the wrong that had been done to Dextra, a reminder of the bond between them.


    [Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress ¨C Rank 8 ATK:2800/Def:1900 OU:0]


    As Dextra''s monster stood in front of him, placing herself between Kite and the nightmarish monster standing against him, he couldn''t help but see the familiar shadow of the women from so long ago. He couldn''t help but remember, back to where it all began.


    ----- Flashback--2 years ago ----


    *Zzzzzzpt*


    Arcs of electricity blasted out and flung a helpless duellist away and into a wall. Of almost a dozen duellist, each dressed in the same white and black duel test suites, more than half of them had collapsed on the floor, or had been flung into the walls of the circular chamber by the force of the training bot positioned at the centre of the room.


    Shaped like the giant upper torso of a person, or a crash test dummy, the training bot was armed with eight long arms that cracked and sparkled with live current. High on the ceiling electronic sensors monitored the duellists below as they were attacked again and again while they were watched from a control room from a window set into the wall high above the action below.


    "Stay strong young duellists! I know you are battling pain and fatigue but if you can survive these exercises you will become one of a select group of elite duellists that will lead the next generation." Came the voice of mayor Heartland over the speakers.


    A young man with flaming red hair dodged quickly to the side to avoid a palm strike from the robot as he tried to set a card face down, meanwhile a girl with dark hair with a purple fringe was blasted in the wall as she tried to set a trap card.


    "I draw!" called a younger Kite as he dodged another strike of the training bot.


    He was exhausted, they had been at this for hours now with the difficulty slowly increasing over time. But Kite knew he couldn''t give up, there was too much at stake for him personally. Unlike the rest of these people he knew the truth, the reason behind all this training to harness Photon energy in duelling.


    As the son of Dr Faker, Kite didn''t have to be here, he didn''t have to be doing this. Others could take the risk and endure the hardships this path would entail. But Kite would not back down, they had seen real hope at long last, hope that Hart would finally had a chance to recover from his illness and Kite would do anything to help his father see it happen.


    *tiztzz!*


    The blue electric energy the buzzing around the robot suddenly turn to a dark crimson as the speed of its movements and aggression suddenly spiked catching the duellists by surprise as it blasted out bolts of red current into them.


    "Arrgh!" "Urgh!" "Eeek!"


    "It seems our duelling bot has lost all control! You''re not walking out of that test chamber unless one of you wins the duel!"


    Kite could hear the hidden delight in Heartlands voice as he gleefully watched the situation in the test chamber spiral out of control from the safety of the control room. Unaware that Heartland himself was responsible for pushing the aggression settings of the duel bot beyond their safe limits.


    "Aaaahhhh!"


    "Dextra!" Cried the young Nistro as the girl was blasted once more into the wall behind them, but this time the bot would not let up as it sent a palm strike towards the women now cowering to get away.


    "I got this! I draw!" cried Kite as he imposed himself between the rampaging robot and the girl. He didn''t know what had gotten into him but he couldn''t just stand by and do nothing.


    "Kite¡­" Dextra whispered at the bravery of this boy she had only met here so recently. The damsel in destress rescued by the charming knight, it was like a fairy tale.


    "I summon <Daybreaker>! Go Daybreaker put an end to this now!"


    Summoning the red caped silver knight, the monster charge forward towards the out of control bot as it focused all of its attacks against Kite.


    *Slash*


    With a might overhead swing, Kites monster bisected the robot down the middle with is blade. Its movements stopped and the red lightning ceased as smoke bellowed out from the trashed machine. As the duellists around the room were filled with a sense of relief, the regular lighting came back on and Heartlands voice rang out again.


    "Excellent Duelling Kite! We will definitely be keeping an eye on you¡­ The rest of you take note, that is what a duellist looks like! Now back to your dorms."


    Dextra raised her hand towards the back of the man who had saved her, she wanted¡­ she didn''t know what she wanted. To thank him, to cling to him, to ask if he was alright?


    "You were lucky this time I was around to save your neck, but I won''t be around forever. Never forget, the only person you can count on is yourself." Kite said as he walked off and out of the testing chamber.


    Unlike the rest of these duellists that had to live in dorms Kite had his own quarters, one of the few perks of being Fakers son that he made use of. Because this allowed him to stay close to Hart when he wasn''t training.


    When he got back to his room it was to find Heartland waiting for him.


    "Kite my boy! Congratulations again on your stunning performance today."


    "Save it Heartland." Kite snapped. He had never liked this man that his father had chosen to run his city.


    He couldn''t trust him, no matter what his father said.


    "I must say that the lengths you will go to for poor Hart almost brings a tear to my eye." The man continued.


    Kite almost lost it there and then. Hart was the most important thing to him, and to hear Heartland speaking about him, about them, in that oily, sarcastic tone. It burned his stomach more than any kind of indigestion ever could.


    "Now, now, Kite, don''t be like that." Heartland said, noticing how angry the boy was becoming.


    "You should take the opportunity to see your brother this afternoon, you father has work for you tonight in his lab." He glibly continued before taking his leave.


    ------


    After a quick change of clothes Kite made his way to his brothers'' room on the floor above, the cold hard medical machinery and the dull sterile greys always Kite the impression of factory or a tomb. He promised himself to talk to his father about finding a better room for Hart, perhaps somewhere with a view, where he could see the sun rise and the stars above.


    Hart was sitting in the special mobile medical chair his father had made to monitor his condition while maintaining mobility. But although Harts eyes were open, they seemed so distant or empty. It pained Kites heart to see him like this, slipping back to this unresponsive state after the brief period or normalcy he had enjoyed a bit over 2 months ago. How long would it be until Hart became completely catatonic again? Confined to his sick bed and hooked up to a gaggle of machines¡­ a living corpse¡­


    If only his father had managed to analyse that sample cure they had been given then maybe¡­


    Which was why this project was so important, why his training was so important. Even if he had to interact with Heartland, urgh¡­


    Kite had been hesitant at first when his father told him about Barian World and their promise to cure Hart so long as his father agree to do that task for him. To destroy Astral World. To destroy a world for his own families happiness seemed so absurd to the boy at first, but after having Hart back for that short amount of time, and then to see him fade away once more¡­ Kite knew that he would do anything to save his brother, even if it meant becoming a demon of destruction.


    "Come on Hart, lets go out for a bit" Kite said as he wheeled Harts chair out of the room, a bit of fresh air and afternoon sun would do both of them some good.


    -------


    The afternoon sky was orange with the setting sun as Kite took Hart out to one of the towers balconies. As they looked down at the city spread out before them it was like everything was being dyed a golden orange. In front of them fluttered a small bu??erfly.


    "Hart look, a bu??erfly came to see you." Kite said as the little thing landed on his outstretched finger. He gently brought it down to Hart as he remembered happier times from before, times in the cabin beside a small lake, times before everything had changed, a faint smile on his lips. But Hart was unresponsive having slipped further and further back into himself.


    Unknown to Kite the two of them a third figure watched on from the doorway, a girl with a heart that ached for the lonely boy and the burden on his shoulder. As she wondered, if he''s busy looking after Hart, whose looked out for Kite? And she promised herself she would become strong, strong enough to share his burden, so that she could protect him.


    ------


    Several days later back at the testing room the next round of training was about to begin. Dextra made sure she started close to Kite again and her old friend Nistro joined them, concerned about how his friend had been acting strange lately. Pushing herself harder and further than ever. Nistro thought that she had developed a crush on the boss''s son.


    The pain and stress it placed on his body was tremendous, but Harts worsening condition had driven Kite to push himself beyond his limits time and again. Even if he boiled away his blood, burned his flesh and broke every bone in his body it would be a small price to pay to have Hart back.


    Even now his father was working away at his ''World Cannon'' project which he planned to use to destroy Astral world, but no matter how brilliant a scientist he was, to destroy a whole world would require an energy beyond anything imaginable and could not conceivably be done in a single attack.


    So logically his only option would be a prolonged campaign of destruction to whittle away at the alien world, but this meant that Astral World would have a chance to retaliate against them.


    Which was why training a group of photon empowered elite duellists to face them was so important to Faker. Although why duelling was so important to both Astral and Barian world that they would forgo conventional forms of combat was something beyond Kite at this moment. But there must be a reason.


    Up in the control room Heartland gave his instruction to the control team.


    "Designate Kite as the priority target. Start at level 7." He ordered.


    "But sir at that setting¡­" one of the staff complained. At such a high setting who could possible survive being the main focus of the machines attacks?


    "Do it. If he can''t handle something like this then will be of little use to the good doctor."


    The test began, this time the duellists not only had to deal with the attacks of the duelling robot but also remote flying drones. But the majority of their attention seemed to be focused on Kite. Most of them were pleased by this, it meant less pressure on them and they were never close to the loner anyway. Only Dextra, and because of her Nistro, tried to help him under this unrelenting ?ssault as the difficulty slowly increase.


    "I summon Daybreak- Urgh!!" Kite tried to summon a monster but was blindsided by a drone that rammed him into a wall. While dazed the duel robot lashed out with a crushing blow that could seriously injure the boy, but as Kite helplessly looked up at his impending doom a figure interposed herself between them.


    "Go Swallowtail Butterspy!"


    *BOOM*


    Kite just saw Dextra in front of him as he lay collapsed on the ground, her silhouette against the crackling energy.


    "You don''t have to do this alone Kite. I promise I will stand with you if you let me¡­ Please¡­"


    ----- Present Day -----


    "Go Photon Titania Papilloperative Empress! Attack with Imperial Feystrike!" Kite commanded Dextra''s monster to attack Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary.


    "Don''t forget my little old Fairy Ward is still active this turn, mean I can use this skill to save my Nightmary from destruction by banishing Fluffal Leo from my grave."


    [PTPE ATK:2800 > DFN ATK:2000 ¨C Alice LP > 300]


    "Eeek!" Alice scream as her life points plummeted, but she soon recovered.


    "Now you have no monsters left to attack and I still have 300 Life points, on my turn I will get my Frightfur Wolf back and Nightmary''s attack will skyrocket beyond anything your monsters can deal with. Face it Kite you have lost!" she gloated as she reached into her dress to pull out a small silver hand mirror, its back marked with the eye of Horus.


    In her head she was very excited. Even though they had not been able to bring the Seal of Orichalcos to this round of the WDC, it didn''t mean New Order had no way of deal with pests like Kite. She secretly activated the mystical artifact she was holding in her hand, a Shadow Charm that could tap into the powers of the Shadow Realm.


    Something that only high ranking New Oder agents like her had been given for situations like this in this second round. Once Kite lost, she would banish him to the Shadow and put an end to any trouble he could give New Order, now and forever.


    "Wrong! the one who has lost is you! I activate the quickplay spell <Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Transcendence>! Go, Rank-Up Cipher Xyz Evolution! Fey lord who precedes over the court of vengeance, appear and let dream of reality return to nothingness. Appear <Cipher Papilloperative Emperor Oberon>!


    A whirlpool of rainbow light wrapped itself around Dextra''s Xyz monster, infusing it with a new, greater power. Its golden mask shattering to reveal sublime face before she was cocooned in the same energy as Kites Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon.


    [Cipher Papilloperative Emperor Oberon ¨C Rank 9 ATK:2200/DEF:1700 OU:2]


    The cocoon split apart as Kites new monster spread its majestic wings, to reveal the Papilloperative emperor in all his emerald armoured clad glory, his crowned head gazing at Alice''s monster in stern judgement.


    "That''s¡­ That''s¡­ still not enough." Alice squeezed out over the pounding of her heart, even if this new monster Kite had surprised her with attack, it wouldn''t be enough to finisher her.


    "Go Cipher Oberon and attack with Cipher Swarm! And when my monster attacks, I can use two Overlay unit to half all your monsters attack points. Go Cipher Edict!"


    "NO!" Alice screamed as she tried to deactivate the Shadow Charm in her hand before it was too late, but she suddenly felt a pressure in her mind from far away. And a voice coldly whispering in her ear.


    "This is your punishment for failure¡­" came the voice of the Orichalcos King.


    [Cipher Papilloperative Emperor Oberon ¨C OU:2 > 0]


    Oberons Overlay Units flew over to Alice''s Nightmary and exploded in a shower of sparkles that coated her monster with golden dust.


    [Dangerous Frightfur Nightmary ¨C ATK:2000 > 1000]


    Cipher energy then flowed out of Oberon''s wings into a massive orb of light that transformed itself into a single great bu??erfly, and as the Cipher emperor thrust out his hand it swooped down and rammed into nightmarish doll to exploded in a dazzling display of light, ending the duel.


    [CPEO ATK:2200 > DFN ATK:1000 ¨C Alice LP > 0]


    <<KITE WINS. 500 Duel points & 1x Map fragment & x1 Duel Skill: Wisdom of Wizards I, claimed.>>


    Now Kite intended to have some answers.


    But as he marched towards the venomous girl hundreds of long black, shadowy tentacles seemed to erupt out of a small hand mirror she had take out at some point without Kite noticing. These tentacles whipped around in a frenzy as they wrapped themselves around the girl, who only now began to scream.


    "Forgive me my King! Forgive M-!!!"

 Chapter 47 - 47: The Hunt Is On.

    "Forgive me my King! Forgive M-!!!"


    Alice''s terrified cries cut off as the shadows engulfed her before exploding into black wisps, leaving nothing behind but a hand mirror that fell to the floor and shattered.


    "Was that really necessary my King." Asked Umbral as image the two of them were watching faded away to reveal the surface of a large bronze like mirror that was hung on one of the walls at New Order Headquarters.


    "She lost and was about to fall into enemy hands." The Orichalcos King stated as picked up a handful of nuts from a bowl beside his throne.


    "But she wouldn''t have talked, she was a good agent."


    "Just because she was once your student, don''t think that give you the right to question my decisions again." His icy tone sent shivers down Umbral''s spine.


    "Forgive me my lord." He fearfully pleaded with his king.


    "You are forgiven." He said as he waved his hand and a kaleidoscope on new images appeared on the bronze mirror in front of them.


    This was a special scrying mirror forged of ancient alchemy and Orichalcos magic, and was the means by which the Orichalcos King was monitoring the second stage of the WDC. Although his Generals and agents were equipped with communicators capable of overcoming whatever blocking field Faker had deployed on the island, this only applied for a short range and was incapable of reaching across the ocean back to Heartland City.


    And New Order could hardly expect to rely on the media coverage to be able to monitor the situation when it was also under Fakers control, this left them using old magic like this. Sometimes the old ways were best.


    Although the Orichalcos King had reprimanded his spymaster, he understood where the man was coming from with his outburst, Alice Song had been a very good agent. It was just unfortunate that she fell to Kites hand. If it had been an ordinary duellist or even another of Fakers operatives then it wouldn''t have mattered. He would not have had to interfere and force the Shadow Charm on her to self-destruct and banish the girl to the Shadows.


    But whether it be Kite or Drake, New Order could not allow either of them to get their hands on a New Order member who knew the location of this headquarters. Drake was still too mysterious to understand what methods he had available to him to extract information from a captive, and Kite was too ruthless, too driven in his d?s?r?s to underestimate either.


    As for everyone else? it seemed like they would not care at this point. But that was also what didn''t make sense. Ever since Proteus had so foolishly summoned the shadow of the Great Beast, New Order had been preparing to be hunted down by City Security, but still there had been no such mobilisation. It was like Fakers obsession with the destruction of Astral World and the collection of the Numbers had blinded him to all else. It was in unnatural.


    The Orichalcos King also suspected it was deliberate. But so long as it didn''t interfere with his own plans then all was good in his books, but it didn''t solve the problem of Kite and Drake. That''s what the Shadow Charms were for.


    They had had only a couple of days since they had determined it would be too dangerous to use the Sacred Seal in the second round of the WDC and working none stop Wyvern, as their only Shadow mage, had only been able to make a half dozen of these magic items that drew on the powers of the Shadow Realm.


    But like the Seal of Orichalcos, the powers of the Shadow Realm were tightly bound by the ancient rituals and convents that had evolved into what was known today as duelling. No matter how powerful the magic it meant nothing unless his agents could actually win the duel.


    The changing images on the scrying mirror began to slow as the attention of Orichalcos King was attracted to a particular duel in the heart of a mechanical city of robots, cyborgs and extra-terrestrial beings.


    Hadn''t he already dealt with this problem?


    ---


    "Get ready to be crushed traitor, no one turns their back on New Order and no one defies our King! Especially not a snot nosed kid like you. I activate <Scapegoat> this lets me special summon four Scapegoat tokens to the field. And thanks to that my <Gyaku-Gire Panda> gains another 3200 ATK thanks to the effect of my spell card."


    [x4 Sheep Token ¨C Lv1 ATK:0/DEF:0, Gyaku-Gire Panda ¨C ATK:2100 > 5300]


    "Not good¡­" whispered a large kid wearing a cap backwards with his hair sticking out of the front and sides. It was Yuma''s best friend Bronk who was duelling against a New order agent in the Megaroid City Zone.


    On his side of the field was the mechanical titan <Metrohold the Moving City> and a facedown while his opponent, who looked like a middle-aged balding teacher with a pair of thick square rimmed glasses, named Alonso, now had four colourful sheep token alongside a berserk panda that had been equipped with the equip spell <Unite We Stand>.


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2000/DEF:3000 OU:2]


    "Gyaku-Gire attack!"


    With an animal snarl the giant panda jumped towards the towering mechanical giant that was in defence mode and slashed down with is razor claws.


    [GGP ATK:5300 > MMC DEF:3000]


    *CLANG*


    Great gashes were ripped through the ?h?st of Bronks monster damaging its power core, however¡­


    "I activate Metroholds effect! By using one Overlay unit my monster can''t be destroyed by your attack."


    [Metrohold the Moving City ¨C ATK:2000 > 1000/DEF:3000 OU:2 > 1]


    And since Metrohold''s attack depended on the number of Overlay units it had, its strength appropriately dropped as it absorb one of its Overlay Units to begin its repair cycle. Steel plates melded back into place as wires and cables threaded back were they came from. Soon it was as good as new.


    "How can someone like you, that betrayed our Order, have the audacity to use the very cards we gave you!" Alonso complained.


    He was a devout believe in the Order and its goals, practically a zealot, so when he had ran into this infamous traitor who had been gifted with the power of the Orichalcos only to reject it and his king, while in a duel against an enemy of the Order, Alonso had been unable to hold back his impulse to duel him.


    "Betray?! I was kidnaped and brainwashed! Used like a puppet against my closest friend! I hate New Order and will help Drake to take you goons down once and for all!" Bronk shouted angrily.


    "You hate us but you still use the cards we gave you. The power we gave you."


    Bronk clenched his fist in anger, what Alonso said was right. He was still using the deck New Order had given to him. After Drakes duel against the Gold General although Proteus had escaped his ?ssistant hadn''t and Drake had recovered the deck New Order made Bronk use along with Yuma''s sealed soul.


    Later Drake had given the deck back to Bronk, minus the Orichalcos cards of course, when the boy had begged Drake to let him help in recovering Yuma''s body from the rouge Number 96. At first Bronk had wanted nothing to do with the deck that was responsible for all their current problems, the cards he had used to seal away his friend''s soul. It was a reminder of what had happened to him, what was done to him, what darkness he was capable of.


    But Drake had been brutally honest with him, without power there was nothing Bronk could do to help save his friend. Bronk knew his abilities and his old deck was too weak compared to New Orders creation, so he had reluctantly accepted it. Drake had helped to rebuild it to work without the Orichalcos cards and it was just as strong, perhaps even stronger than before.


    There would be time after Yuma was saved and New Order was crushed to toss this cursed deck into the garbage where it belonged. Maybe then he might be able to begin forgiving himself.


    The turn moved to Bronk as Alonso placed a facedown.


    [Turn ???? Bronk LP: 2300 Hand:3, Alonso LP:4000 Hand:2]


    "I draw!"


    Bronk didn''t know whether or not New Order would allow their duellists to use the Seal in this round of the tournament, Drake had told him it was unlikely but there was no guarantee, so he needed to finish this duel as fast as possible.


    "I can special summon <Boot-up Corporal ¨C Command Dynamo> from my hand and equip my <Ancient Gear Gadget> and <Silver Gadget> to it from my Graveyard. For each gadget equipped to it Boot-up Corporal gains 1000 ATK!"


    [Boot-up Corporal ¨C Command Dynamo ¨C Lv4 ATK:0 > 2000/DEF:2000]


    A teal and grey coloured robot on two large wheels appeared as two gadgets, one silver one bronze attached themselves to the monsters wheels, a constant hum began buzzing as its inner working generated a strong electrical charge.


    "Then thanks to Megaroid City Zone field rule, when I summon a machine monster I can send another from my hand to the grave and draw a card, so I discard my <Boot-Up Admiral ¨C Destroyer Dynamo>."


    <<Megaroid City Zone Rule ¨C Recycle Progress. Whenever a player summons a machine type monster they may discard a machine type monster to the graveyard, if they do they then draw one card.>>


    Boot-Up Admiral was one of his stronger monsters but he lacked the means to summon it, so it would better just to discard it and hope he drew a better card. Looking at the card he drew Bronk knew that he had a chance.


    "I play <Boot-Up Order- Gear Charge>! With this continuous spell I can now special summon any number of ''Gadget'' monsters equipped to my Boot-Up Corporal back to the field, so return Ancient Gear Gadget and Silver Gadget!"


    [Boot-up Corporal ¨C Command Dynamo ¨C ATK:2000 > 0]


    The two gears detached themselves and transformed back into their robot forms.


    "And when Ancient Gear Gadget is special summoned I can declare a card type, until the end of turn whenever a monster I control attacks you can''t activate cards of the declared type until the end of the damage step. And I chose Trap cards!"


    Alonso felt the sting of that move, his facedown was the trap <Storming Mirror Force> a powerful trap that could return all of Bronk''s attacking monster back to his hand. But now he wouldn''t be able to use it this turn. But he was still confident, he could not see any way that Bronk would be able to beat his monster.


    "Thanks to Gyaku-Gire Panda''s effect it gains 500 ATK for each of your monsters." Alonso stated.


    And Bronk had now summoned an addition three monsters to the field.


    [Gyaku-Gire Panda ¨C ATK:5300 > 6800]


    "Lets do this! I switch Metrohold to attack mode, then I attack one of your Scapegoats with Ancient Gear Gadget!" declared Bronk.


    [AGG ATK:500 > Sheep token DEF:0]


    *BOOM*


    With zero defence points even a weak monster like the Ancient Gear Gadget was capable dealing with these tokens. And with one less monster on Alonso''s field it caused his panda to lose 800 of the attack points gained from Unite We Stand.


    [Gyaku-Gire Panda ¨C ATK:6800 > 6000]


    "I attack another token with Silver Gadget!"


    [SG ATK:1500 > Sheep token DEF:0]


    *BOOM*


    The silvery machine blasted out a laser beam from its ?h?st and shattered the red sheep token, again reducing Alonso''s pandas attack.


    [Gyaku-Gire Panda ¨C ATK:6000 > 5200]


    "Metrohold Attack! Titan Strike!"


    [MMC ATK:1000 > Sheep token DEF:0]


    *BOOM*


    Lifting its might war hammer high, Bronks mechanical giant brought it down in an overwhelming crash on the blue scapegoat.


    [Gyaku-Gire Panda ¨C ATK:5200 > 4600]


    "This is futile!" Alonso cried, all of Bronks monster with any kind of attack had already attack and he still had a monster with over 4000 ATK at his disposal.


    "I play the Quickplay spell <Reckless Charge>! And I use it to give my Boot-Up Corporal and additional 700 ATK so it can crush your final scapegoat!"


    [Boot-up Corporal ¨C Command Dynamo ¨C ATK:0 > 700]


    [BCCD ATK:700 > Sheep token DEF:0]


    *BOOM*


    Charge with the power of the spell card Bronks final monster steamrolled over the final scapegoat token.


    [Gyaku-Gire Panda ¨C ATK:4600 > 3200]


    "And now what! You are out of attacks and nothing you have is a match for my monster, on my turn you lose fool!" Alonso could not believe just how stupid this kid was, his monsters were so weak his Gyaku-Gire would crush them and his life points with its next attack.


    "You''re the fool here. I activate my face down <Wonder Xyz> with this trap I''m allowed to instantly Xyz summon with the monsters I have on the field. So with my three level 4 monster I now build the Overlay Network! Appear now <Number 81: Mechadom, the Moving Kingdom>!"


    <Number 81: Mechadom, the Moving Kingdom ¨C Rank 4 ATK:3000/DEF:3500 OU:3>


    The skies darkened as massive monster appeared towered over the field, a mechanical city of spiralling towers, giant cannons, steel ramparts and mighty palaces. All on a motorised tread base, the three Overlay Units orbited the central palace which stood even taller than Bronk''s Metrohold and was emblazoned with a silvery white Number 81.


    "A Number! Where did you get a Number card from?!" Alonso cried. The power of a Number was comparable to the power of the Seal of Orichalcos in a duel, how did this brat get one?!


    Now that Bronk control two less monsters than before Alonso''s Gyaku-Gire would lose a thousand of its attack points.


    [Gyaku-Gire Panda ¨C ATK:3200 > 2200]


    "Number 81 attack with Kingdom Cannonade!"


    [MMK ATK:3000 > GGP ATK:2200 ¨C Alonso LP > 3200]


    This was Bronks trump card and the reason he had confidence to participate in the second round, the numerous cannons, lasers and missiles positioned around the rolling city took aim and blasted the ant like panda into virtual dust, clearing the field of Alonso''s last monster.


    Alonso thought that this was it, that he still had a chance to turn things around in his next turn. A Number was mighty but not invincible, and Metrohold was still on the field, a far easier target which could be exploited.


    "I am not done! I activate Mechadom''s special ability, by using one Overlay unit, once per turn I can activate a Continuous trap card straight from my deck, so I activate


    !"


    [Number 81: Mechadom, the Moving Kingdom ¨C OU:3 > 2]


    One of the orbiting Overlay units was absorbed into the tallest point of the palaces spire, causing the many gears of the mechanical kingdom to begin whirring. The great gates at the front of the monster opened with a hiss of steam to reveal the cyclops like machine armed by a mounted shoulder cannon.


    "This trap card transforms into a monster which then equips one Gadget from my graveyard to itself, gaining double that monster attack points, so I equip my Silver Gadget to give it 3000 ATK. And not only that but thanks to the effect of Metrohold, monsters that I control that are also trap cards gain 500 ATK for each Overlay Unit is has, for a grand total of 3500!"


    [Powerhold the Moving Battery ¨C Lv4 ATK:0 > 3500/DEF:2000]


    Bronks Silver Gadget was the Overlay Unit Mechadom had used to activate Powerhold and it had the highest attack of the Gadgets currently in Bronk Graveyard making it the logical choice.


    "Powerhold finish this! Power Cannon!"


    Taking aim, the mechanical monster blasted out in a direct attack against the New Order member, sending his flying into a nearby building under the power of a Numbers Duel.


    *Bbbzzzzzzzzzzz*


    [PMB ATK:3500 - Alonso LP > 0]


    <


    >


    "Ha..ha..haha..hahahaha"


    Bronk could not help but break into manic laughter at the sight of Alonso''s beaten and bruised body partially stuck in the metal wall behind him. This feeling of power, this taste of revenge against the people who had broke him twice, it could not help but feed a dark seed in his heart. A scar left behind by his experiences at New Order despite Drakes efforts to help him and purge the influence of the Seal, a craving for even more power, a d?s?r? to cause the ones who hurt him even more pain.


    Although Bronk knew it was wrong of him to feel this way, to take delight in the suffering of another, it still felt great!


    On the roof of a distant building overlooking the site of Bronks duel, a familiar figure partial hidden by shadows watched the broken boy, unhindered by the great distance separating them.


    "He actually has a Number? And it seems he''s all alone too. Hahaha perfect." Purred Number 96. The hunt was on.

 Chapter 48 - 48: Trial of the Maze (I)

    "I activate the Skill: Power Infusion! Targeting my <Berserk Gorilla>." Declared Adam Clomp, Safari guide, adventurer and profession Duel Hunter. He wore clothes made of animal hide and fur, or at the very least a good imitation, in a lion motif.


    <<Duel skill activated: Adam - Power Infusion>>


    [Power infusion ¨C (Consumable) activate on your turn before your battle phase. Target monster gains the attack of all other monsters you control, only the target monster may attack this turn. At the end of turn destroy the target monster.]


    "With this my Berserk Gorilla gains the attack of my <Egotistical Ape> and my <Monoceros> for a total of 4200!"


    <Egotistical Ape ¨C Lv5 > 4 ATK:1200/DEF:1200, Monoceros ¨C Lv3 ATK:1000/DEF:1000, Berserk Gorilla ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000 > 4200/DEF:1000>


    Under the power of Adams skill the all the power of Adam beast monsters was transferred to a large furious orange ape that stood there beating its ?h?st, howling and snarling in its eagerness to attack its enemy.


    And its enemy was Drake and his ace Xyz monster, the celestial dragon unlike anything this world had previously seen, the Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon.


    "Now my Berserk Gorilla attacks your Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon!"


    [BG ATK:4200 > BESD ATK:3000 ¨C Drake LP > 900]


    Under the savage power of the pumped up Berserk Gorilla even Drakes Blue-Eyes was no match and was unwillingly pounded into pieces. The shockwaves blasting back into Drake himself. This professional Duel Hunter was one of those elites hired to rove Heartland Island and eliminate competitors in exchange for money.


    And in Drake opinion this hunter was worth every credit Heartland was paying him. Even though Drake a decimated his field the last turn this hunter was still able to pull off this sudden reversal and take down one of Drakes best monsters.


    "Now I Overlay my Level 4 Egotistical Ape and my level 4 Berserk Gorilla. Appear beast of dire fury and rend my enemy to shreds, I Xyz summon <Diamond Dire Wolf>"


    <Diamond Dire Wolf ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2000/DEF:1200 OU:2>


    The gorilla and its lesser ape cousin were su?k?d into the black spiral of the overlay Network in order to give birth to a blue diamond coated lupin beast with crystalline spikes, a good play considering that the Power Infusion skill Adam had used would have destroyed the Berserk Gorilla at the end of the turn otherwise. But honesty Drake had been expecting a synchro summoning instead.


    "I activate Dire Wolf''s effect, to destroy your facedown at the cost of destroying my own Monoceros!"


    <Diamond Dire Wolf ¨C OU:2 > 1>


    Activating his new beast special ability, one of the orbiting Overlay Units plunged into his Monoceros transforming it into a figure of sapphire light which charged towards Drakes sole remaining card on his field.


    "Not if I activate it first! Go <Xyz Reborn> and revive my <Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon>." Said Drake as he activated his trap.


    Returning his previously destroyed Xyz monster to the field and attaching the trap card to it as an Overlay Unit meant that Adam had missed his target and wasted not only his overlay Unit but a monster as well.


    "In that case I activate <Overlay Capture> this spell removes all Overlay units attached to your dragon before it attaches itself to my Dire Wolf, then I set a face down and end my turn." Adam said.


    After suffering under Starlight Dragon''s - Star Fall ability last turn he had no wish to repeat the process again as he emptied his hand of the last of his cards.


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:1 > 0]


    [Diamond Dire Wolf ¨C OU:1 > 2]


    [Turn ??? Drake LP:900 Hand:0 / Adam LP:1500 Hand:0]


    "I draw-"


    "I activate <Hippo Carnival> with this quick spell I can summon three hippo tokens to my side of the field, and for this turn your monsters can only attack Hippo Tokens.> Adam interrupted as three brightly coloured hippo dancers materialised on the field in defence mode.


    [x3 Hippo Token ¨C Level 1 ATK:0/DEF:0]


    With this he was confident that his Dire wolf could survive the turn, allowing it to destroy Drakes monster on his next turn. But Drake wasn''t going to give him a next turn thanks to the card he drew.


    Ever since he had fought against Kite and his new Cipher Deck and then acquired the powers of Chaos and the Shining energy from the Nexus, he had a number of idea of what new ace cards he could create, like this one.


    "I activate the spell <Rank-up-Magic Nexus Twilight>, with this card I can target a Xyz monster I control and use it to summon a Chaos Xyz monster from my extra deck that is one rank higher. Go Chaos Xyz Evolution! Chaotic power once sealed from a distant world, deliver your judgement upon my foes, come forth Chaos Xyz Blue Asura Dragon!"


    A large black door appeared on the field, a replica of the very door in the Nexus that held the powers of Chaos, opening wide to reveal black and purple maelstrom of energy Drakes Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon was su?k?d inside. Then from out of the energy storm a great claw appeared to grasp the edge of the door and Drakes new Chaos monster pull its titanic scaled body out and on to the field, ducking its horned head to pass through the great doorway.


    [CXyz Blue Asura Dragon ¨C Rank 9 ATK:4000/DEF:1000 OU:1]


    Born of the Chaos powers Drake had collected from the Nexus, Drakes new dragon had a more humanoid form than his Blue-Eyes, but like the mighty war like Asura spirits of Hindu mythology this dragon had six arms, each wielding a blade of white flame that shone brightly on the dragons sapphire blue scales.


    Large fangs dominated its mouth and two pairs of thick curved black horns jutted out of its head, one pair curving upwards like a crown and the other curving forward either side of its maw. Around its body hung a few black chains and its yellow eyes had the distinctive sign of polycoria, a double pupil.


    "Thanks to Nexus Twilight, since my life point are less than 1000, its second effect now activates. Targeting your Diamond Dire Wolf my new monster now steals all of its Overlay Units, giving it a total of 3." Drake explained as the two Overlay Units that orbited Adam''s wolf were pulled over to the Blue Asura Dragon and transformed into red crystal orbs that joined a third already circling the mighty dragon, forming a kind of spinning halo at its back.


    [Diamond Dire Wolf ¨C OU:2 > 0, CXyz Blue Asura Dragon ¨C OU:1 > 3]


    Adam was beginning to sweat bullets, after all this was Drake Atlas, one of the top ten rankers with a bounty of over 100,000 credits. As a hunter he had seen the boy a walking pay cheque and had been confident in his ability to handle the dragon user after reviewing the data his employer had provided. But this new dragon was something unexpected.


    He wondered just what abilities it had.


    "CXyz Blue Asura Dragon! Attack his Hippo Token with War Sword Flame!"


    [CBAD ATK:4000 > HT DEF:0]


    With a mighty slash Drakes monster cleaved an orange Hippo into two.


    "Good thing my monster was in defence." Mumbled Adam.


    "Not quite so lucky." Drake disagreed as the two halves of Adams token burst into white flames that blasted out to attack him.


    *Boom!*


    [Adam LP > 1000]


    "What?!"


    "This is Asura Dragons special ability - The Fires of Destruction, so long as it has a ''Blue-Eyes'' attached to it as an Overlay Unit, whenever my monster destroys one of your monsters, you take 500 damage." Drake explained.


    Meaning that so long as his new dragon had Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon attached to it Drake could continue to deal damage to Adam every time he destroyed a monster.


    "And there is more to come. After my monster battles I can then detach an Overlay unit from it, this allows my dragon to attack each monster you control this turn. Go Chaos Rampage!"


    [CXyz Blue Asura Dragon ¨C OU:3 > 2]


    This effect did have a side effect that Drake didn''t see the need to mention to Adam. After using this effect his Blue Asura Dragon could no longer deal battle damage this turn, but by using either of the other Overlay units that Drake had stolen rather than his Starlight Dragon it didn''t matter because he would still deal 500 damage with each monster Asura destroyed.


    And with only 1000 life points remaining and two hippo tokens that Drake was still free to attack the duel was as good as done.


    "Attack the second Hippo Token! War Sword Flame!"


    *Boom!*


    [CBAD ATK:4000 > HT DEF:0]


    With a mighty slash Drakes monster cleaved a blue Hippo into two this time before the token burst into white flames that blasted Adam again.


    [Adam LP > 500]


    "Argh!" cried Adam.


    "The final strike! Go CXyz Blue Asura Dragon and attack the last Hippo Token!"


    [CBAD ATK:4000 > HT DEF:0]


    *BOOM!*


    [Adam LP > 0]


    <<DRAKE WINS ¨C 2000 Duel Points, 1x Secret information, 1x Duel Skill: Skill Sever, claimed. For defeating a Hunter +5 reputation, as first duellist to defeat a Hunter in Toon Kingdom +5 Reputation points and x1 Limited Zone pass>>


    "Ah Shoot." Adam complained as his duel disk locked up. Even they the Duel Hunters had to pay a price for losing a duel. Their duel disks would be locked for two hours, which meant two hours less hunting time and all the duel hunters were paid on commission based on how many duellists they eliminated regardless of any bounties they might also pick up.


    But Drake wasn''t bothered about this. He was just glad to have found someone to duel him, apart from the glory seeking Charles who he had first duelled against no one else was interest in challenging Drake.


    Which could be understood, the WDC Second round was still in its early stages and duellist were more concerned with tracking down Code fragments and zone access keys, it simply wasn''t worth duelling other competitors until they had some good stuff to steal. Drake had different priorities though as he still need to collect duel energy.


    Unfortunately Drake had discovered that when duelling Duel Bots and virtual challenges he received no Duel Energy for his victories, he had to be facing a real person. Which was hard to do when most of the competition was avoiding him. Looking at the prizes he had just received it seemed the Limited Zone pass would allow a one time access to any Zone, but Drake was more interested in this ''Secret Information'' data he had received.


    Opening the data on his duel disk it was information detailing the location and method to access a Duel Vendor which sold the extremely rare and valuable ''Extra Life'', the consumable item which would prevent a duellist from being knocked out of the competition when they lost a duel, as well as a Toon Code fragment location.


    They could be found in the Maze of the Minotaur.


    ---


    Wyvern looked across the Toon Kingdom Zone, behind her stood a great wooden arch she had just passed through which even know was blocked off by an energy barrier. Having purchased a pass from the Ancient Forest she started in she made her way here as fast as possible, because this was the Zone that Drake Atlas was reported to be in.


    Waiting for her was a small squad of a dozen New Order members. A mixture of several of Umbral''s intelligence operators, her own combat operatives and even a couple from Tempests alchemy department. New Order had mobalised practically everyone it could for this WDC, for the Numbers.


    "Report." She commanded


    "The target began by clearing the Trial of the Six, before then moving on to the Challenge of the Toon Dragons. We have reports that he cleared it and has just defeated a Duel Hunter and is heading East, we believe that his next target is the Maze of the Minotaur." One of her men answered.


    "What is there?" She asked. With New Orders connections and hidden agents in Heartlands and Fakers Organisation they almost had as much information regarding the various challenges and secrets here as Kite did. But due to the time she had taken creating Shadow Charms, Wyvern had not had a chance to personally memorise the large amounts of data available, but she had plenty of minions to do that for her.


    "The Maze is a giant puzzle based labyrinth, the goal of which is to reach the centre of the maze and defeat the guardian. The first duellist to do so will receive a Toon Code Fragment. The Maze is also home to a couple of hidden vendors, that between them offer a limited number of Extra Life items and several special skills. Not only must one navigate the maze itself but at various points the paths will be block by Duel Puzzles, Duel Monster Quizzes and Duel bots." One of New Orders intelligence members answered.


    "Do we have a map of the maze?" Wyvern wanted to know.


    "No ma''am, the design of the maze shifts with the progress of the entrants, with each challenge cleared parts of the maze will open up while other parts will close up. But there is a fixed route that doesn''t change, its longer but guarantied to get one to the centre." Another member replied.


    "And are any of the other Generals nearby?"


    "The Lord Silver General is on his way from Ritual Sanctuary at the moment but has yet to arrive in the Zone, however the Maze is located nearer to his Duel Zone Boarder than we are." One General Whites people said.


    "Blast! Lets go!" Wyvern cursed.


    She had no d?s?r? to share her prey with that insufferable man. The Orichalcos King had promised to a great reward to whoever could get rid of Atlas and she refused to let this opportunity slip away. At least none of Hals people was here with her, otherwise she was sure that her every move would be reported to the Silver General directly. With this situation she at least had a chance of taking the lead.


    ---


    Back in Heartland City, in Dr Fakers secret laboratory the good doctor was hard at work perfecting the modifications to his Chaos Cannon when Mayor Heartland entered.


    "What is it Heartland?" Faker demanded.


    He was in the middle of an important adjustment when the official had entered.


    "Sir, the reports so far from the WDC-"


    "Is there a problem?" Faker irritable interrupted as he searched for the right kind of sonic screwdriver.


    "No, all is-"


    "Then why are you interrupting me?" the doctor demanded.


    "Your job is simple Heartland, follow your instructions and make sure everything is running smoothly so I can get on with my important work in peace. If there isn''t a problem or some earth shattering new development then it can wait until I have time to be bothered about it, because it is not important Heartland, just like you are not important. I gave you everything you wanted, the power, the authority and the fame, but if you can''t perform the task I made you for, then I can just as easily make someone who can." Faker continued to berate his public figure head.


    "Of course Doctor Faker, I understand¡­" Heartland replied with a grimace.


    He was here because the doctor had ordered for regular reports just yesterday, as though he felt he had to handle every detail of the final stages of the plan personally and monitor the situation because no one else was competent enough to do it. But now Faker had apparently completely changed his tune and only had eyes for his machines today.


    This was not Heartlands first time catching the doctor in such an unstable mood swing, but these swings were becoming more and more frequent these past few months. At first it had been the occasional emotional outburst or a temporary bout of paranoia that quickly passed now and again every few months. But now it seemed like every other day was some new drama.


    Heartland suspected the good doctor was finally going mad.


    A sudden irritability and manic focus on his work to the oblivion of all else. One moment handing a project to Heartland before the next day snatching control away again, before apathetically dumping the work half-finished back on the Mayors shoulder soon after like it was nothing.


    Most of the time it was alright and Faker was still the genius that he had always been and after they were over these outbursts were carefully concealed by Heartland, a secret only the two of them were aware of. But things were becoming worse, even Kite who rarely saw his father seemed to be getting suspicious.


    Heartland had hoped that with the near completion of the plan the doctor would have become more stable, but the reverse seemed to be happening. Not that it actually bothered Heartland half as much as what he let Faker believe. In fact previously this instability played perfectly into Heartlands hands as Faker continued to further isolate himself to prevent others discovering this, allowing Heartland to quietly manipulate events as one of the few people to allowed to meet with Faker, thereby allowing him have greater control over the city.


    But now Faker seemed to be becoming more unstable each day and Heartland would have trouble keeping it from Kite and others for much longer. This would jeopardise his position and power if the doctor completely lost it now.


    As he left the doctor to his work Heartland had a sinister glint in his eye.


    Perhaps it was time to explore other possibilities he thought.

 Chapter 49 - 49: Trial of the Maze (II)

    At the edge of the Ritual Sanctuary Zone, before a large marble arched gateway a group of a half dozen New Order members had gathered at the command of the Silver General. A soft golden light curtain was cast across the yellowed brick road, the Duel Zones energy barrier, this was one of the connecting path ways to the Toon Kingdom Duel Zone.


    A man walked towards the group from down the street between the Roman styled building that predominated this part of the Ritual Sanctuary Zone. He wore a light silver armour consisting of mostly a ?h?st piece, shoulder guards, a vambrace on the arm free of his duel disk and leg greaves that came up past his knees. He wore no helmet, allowing one to see his short curled blond hair as behind his back billowed a black and dark moss green chequered cloak.


    "Are the preparations complete?" Hal asked his subordinates.


    "Yes sir" one of them said as he stepped forward and initiated a trade link with the Silver General.


    Under Hal''s orders the group had gather together the best possible skills and items available to them in the short period of time they had since arriving on the island so that they now transfer these to their General along with much of their remaining duel points.


    "Good. Carry on with the operation." Hal said, pleased with the resources these agents had passed to him.


    Without a seconds thought Hal activate a duel pass he had received and made his way through the Zone barrier leaving his subordinates behind to continue in the WDC, unaware of what was about to happen.


    Soon Hal had disappeared from sight as the members of New Order planned their next moves, what challenges to conquer, which duellists to defeat. When suddenly!


    "Get them boys!" came a sharp cry from the buildings all around them as crimson duel anchors were launched towards the now panicking cultists.


    A large group of men in Heartland security uniforms appeared and began to duel. Having transferred all of their duel skills to the Silver General previously and caught completely off guard, the chaotic melee of duels quickly against New Order.


    "Ally of Justice Decisive Armor attack!"


    *Boom*


    "I summon Ancient Gear Hydra!"


    *Zzzap!*


    "I fusion summon Gaia Drake the Universal Force!"


    "I activate the ability of Heroic Champion ¨C Excalibur"


    *Slash!*


    As the last of New Order duellists fell in defeat and was f?r??b?? tied put with stout rope, he demanded of his captors.


    "Who are you? what are you doing! We have done nothing wrong!"


    A boot knocked him onto his back, before stepping on his ?h?st. The flame haired captain bent down and looked the struggling duellist right in the face.


    "Done no harm, don''t make me laugh. Take them away for questioning, I''m going after the other one." Said Nistro, second captain of the Black Elite.


    "Sir!" the reply came from all the members of the Black Elite that had gathered here along with their Captain. Some of these men were survivors from New orders attack on their base. The ones Dextra had managed to save.


    And now they were here for revenge.


    No matter what Heartland and Faker said, the Black Elite would not let New Order go. Just like Kite these men no longer care about Faker and Heartlands plans because this was personal. Dextra had been an excellent and charismatic leader, a symbol these men had pledged their loyalty to. A cold beauty that had been loved and admired, which was why when Heartland had ordered that no action would be taken against New Order, they had decided to deal with the situation themselves and secretly gone rouge.


    Nistro didn''t know who Hal was, or exactly how important he was to New Order. Their Black Elite''s most important targets were Shark and the Black General Wyvern, those that had been in charge of the attack on the base. But having watched all these gathered duellists hand over their skills and duel points to that guy in silver armour Nistro knew that guy had to be very important, he hoped that by trailing him he would lead Nistro to his prey.


    Without hesitation he activated his own Duel pass and followed.


    ---


    Drake was at this moment sat on a bench beside an automated hot dog stand, chomping down on a ketchup covered bun.


    "Yum.." he said, enjoying the almost perfectly prepared sausage as he casually read a daily electronic newspaper downloaded from the food vendor.


    WDC continues! Underdogs list to watch out for! Tornado crisis averted in Hawaii ¨C great success for Paragons industries new Weather Shield Atlas! Market shares in Alderham Electronics plummet, take-over rumours rampant! Scientists still baffled over celestial lunar eclipse phenomenon.


    Drake was not in a rush as he ate his lunch and read his paper, occasionally looking up to observe the building across the way.


    The Maze of the Minotaur.


    It was massive looking at it from outside, easily the size of a couple of football stadiums. Over its entrance were statues of various Duel Monster Minotaur like monsters, the Battle Ox, Battle Steer, Man Best of Ares and others Drake could not name off the top of his head.


    Drake had hoped to deal with anyone after him out here because although he had some information about the Maze, he had no idea what special duel rules might be active inside. At least out here there was only the Toon Kingdom rules, but after so long he was tired of waiting.


    Finishing the last of his Hot Dog, Drake wipe his fingers before tossing his napkin in the nearby bin.


    He moved to enter the Maze of the Minotaur.


    <<NOTICE! Entrance Requirements detect! Entrance requirements: Reputation 10+ or Maze Key. Checking¡­Checking¡­ Drake Atlas. Reputation Score: 22, ACCESS GRANTED.>>


    *Hissss*


    White smoke blasted out of either side of the double doors as they opened up, no not smoke Drake changed his mind as he ran his hand through one of the streams. Water vapour. Harmless but visually impressive.


    He stepped through the doors and into a single chamber. Apart from the door he had just entered from there was another sealed door in front of him, decorated with nonsense hieroglyphs. A new notice appeared on his duel disk.


    <<Entering Outer Maze ¨C Duel restrictions in effect. All Duels in the Outer Maze must use preconstructed WDC decks or decks made from acquired WDC virtual cards only, all other Zone rules and duel skills cannot be used. Entrants may download one deck from selection¡­ >>


    The notice continued to list a selection of a half dozen prebuilt decks. They didn''t give full card lists just the deck names. Toon Assault, obviously a kind of toon deck Drake thought, which was very appropriate in Toon Kingdom. Dragons Lair, Sunken Forces, Soldiers of the Mist, Guardians of Stone and Fist of Flame.


    Drake wasn''t going to turn down free cards, even if they were virtual ones. He picked the Guardians of Stone. He really liked dragons but he already had plenty of Dragons cards in his main deck so he passed on the Dragons Lair deck. On the other hand his reward from the Trial of the Six challenge he had first passed had been an Earth attribute themed prebuilt deck.


    A prebuilt deck would have a standardised strength, so if Drake wanted to have the best possible chance in this maze it would be better to construct a new deck for himself, and between a earth attribute deck and what he could only ?ssume was a Rock type monster deck it would easier to find complementary cards.


    And he was right, soon after Drake finished constructing his virtual deck and loaded it as his default deck for this challenge zone. It was no where near perfect but it was the best Drake could come up with at this moment.


    The sealed door opened and Drake entered the maze.


    ---


    A short time later Wyvern finally reached the entrance to the Maze of the Minotaur, according to their spies Drake had only entered the Maze a while ago. She would have been here sooner except she had to stopped and complete a couple of challenges so that she could actually enter the maze. Having expected Drake to have immediately entered the maze almost an hour ago.


    Now the thrill of the hunt was coursing through her, her prey was almost near enough for her to smell him. This time would be different, this time she was prepared to go all out in order to earn the promised favour of the Orichalcos King.


    "There you are my dear lady Black."


    By the Great Beast! What rotten luck! She thought as she turned to see her fellow General smugly approach from the other direction. He was the last person Wyvern wanted to see here. Her face screwed up in a grimace.


    "Now what''s that face for my dear. Or did you forget our Kings instructions.?" Hal smugly asked Wyvern.


    Now that Hal and shown up she had to work with him, or else she would be defying her Kings orders. Which was a nightmare for Wyvern and a p???sur? for Hal.


    "It hasn''t been too long since he has entered, so lets go, if you can that is." Wyvern said in frustration.


    If she had to work with this ?ustful fool then it would be better to get it over with as quick as possible she thought. But part of her secretly hoped that Hal would not have the qualifications to enter the maze and end up making a fool of himself.


    "Of course my dear, see my subordinates even managed to get me a Universal Challenge Key." Hal replied.


    It had cost his subordinates most of their duel points but it was worth it. Many high level challenges either had a reputation requirement or needed a special Key, like the Maze Key this challenge required. The Universal Challenge Key was exactly like its name said, a key that could be used to access any challenge.


    "Then lets go." Wyvern said as she marched forwards, trying to keep as much distance between the two of them as possible. And the two of them entered the Maze.


    Not even ten minutes later Nistro arrived on the scene, thanks to the parks security cameras that he had used his clearance to forcible access, he already knew that one of the ones he wanted was here so he wasted no time in entering the Maze. Unlike Drake, Wyvern and Hal, Nistro had to use his Black Elite identity to bypass the entrance restrictions.


    ---


    In the Maze Drake had been swiftly moving along, with the directions from the secret information he acquired from the Duel Hunter he had so far only faced obstruction in the form of several duel puzzles and quizzes, like the one before him now.


    The path was blocked by the projection of a giant spider, the Duel monster ''Jirai Gumo''.


    <<The Trap card ''Huge Revolution'' requires which three cards to be face up on your field to activate? You have three attempts.>> the system asked Drake.


    "That would be ''People Running About'', ''Oppressed People'' and ''United Resistance''." Drake replied.


    <<CORRECT! PERFECT SCORE!>>


    A part of the wall opened up to the left of him as the image of the spider faded away. Because he had answered the question perfectly and quickly on the first try he had achieved a perfect rating, which had opened up this secret passage in the maze. But unlike other times this had already happened to Drake in the maze, this time Drake continued down the original path while following the secret instructions.


    According to the info he had, by achieving a perfect rating at this point, a secret path would also have opened up further down the path to his right. This path would lead to the duel vendor that sold extra lives which was what had attracted Drake to this challenge in the first place.


    Right, left, carry on down the centre, right, left and he had arrived. Before him was a dead end path, lit by the light of fake electric torches. Moving to the left hand torch on the back of the wall, Drake lifted it out of its bracket, engaging the hidden mechanism.


    The wall opened up to reveal a hidden chamber, at the centre of which stood a Duel bot in the form of the Rabid Horseman. Its angry red eyes stared at Drake from across the room. The secret Duel Vendor of the Maze.


    But there was one final thing Drake would have to do first.


    "Duel!"


    <<Duel Bot Rabid Horseman activated! Duel initiated!>>


    The duel monster reared up on its hind legs as smoke billowed out of its nostrils, its might arms swung its massive axe around.


    "Grrr!"


    [Turn 1 - Drake LP:4000 Hand:5, Rabid Horseman LP:4000 Hand 5]


    "I draw. I summon <Beta The Electromagnet Warrior> to the field. Then I set two cards face down and end my turn."


    [Beta The Electromagnet Warrior ¨C Lv3 ATK:1500/DEF:1500]


    A purply pink robot with magnet shaped hands and horns appeared on Drakes field, a improvement of a classic monster Drake knew well.


    [Turn 2 - Rabid Horseman LP:4000 Hand 5, Drake LP:4000 Hand:3]


    "Grrr¡­ Draw!" the mechanical duellist declared.


    "Play


    , Fuse <Cannon Soldier> and <Beastking of the Swamps> to summon <Labyrinth Tank>!"


    The Rabid Horseman could use Beastking of the Swamps as a substitute for any required fusion material, allowing him to summon the mechanical menace of the maze.


    [Labyrinth Tank ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400/DEF:2400]


    The large blue tank with multiple ruby red drills burst through the virtual image of the chambers wall, its drill bits spinning away at high speed with its eye like headlights focused on Drakes monster as its engine revved, ready to attack!

 Chapter 50 - 50: Trial of the Maze (III)

    "Labyrinth Tank attack!" the electronic voice of the Rabid Horseman sounded out as the dark blue tank''s engine kicked into a high gear. Racing towards the magnetic monster before it.


    "I activate the effect of my Electromagnet Warrior! During my opponents turn I can tribute it to special summon <Delta the Magnet Warrior> to the field in defence mode! And When Delta is summoned I can send <Gamma the Electromagnet Warrior> from my deck to the graveyard."


    [Delta the Magnet Warrior ¨C Lv4 ATK:1600/DEF:1400]


    The purplish machine broke into pieces as its electromagnetism pulled another monster out of Drakes deck, this one was made of light blue metal with lots of triangular shapes and sharp edges throughout its body. Using magnetic beams from its gauntlets a bulky light greenish bot was pulled from the deck and sent into the grave.


    A pointed head with a curved magnet pointing downwards on top now focused on the stalled Tank that had lost its attack target as the magnet warrior crossed its arms and prepared its defence.


    "Labyrinth Tank continue the attack on Delta the Magnet Warrior!" the duel bot commanded, allowing its deadly machine to continue its high horsepower charge into Drakes new monster.


    A more intuitive opponent might have wondered why Drake had not used Beta''s other effect when he had first summoned it, the ability to add a magnet warrior from his deck to his hand. The answer was simple, he had a plan.


    "I activate my face down <Rock Bombardment>! By sending a rock type monster from my deck to the grave I inflict 500 Damage to my opponent. So I send Alpha the Electromagnet Warrior to the grave."


    Drakes steely grey Alpha jumped from the deck before exploding into a hail of debris that blasted into the duel bot for 500 damage, causing the Rabid Horseman to snort and roar in fury.


    [Rabid Horseman LP > 3500]


    It was too late for the bot to call off its attack so the Labyrinth tank crashed into Drakes Delta, crushing it with its spiralling drills and scattering its parts about in a huge mess.


    [LT ATK:2400/ DMW DEF:1400]


    Because Delta was in defence mode Drakes life points were spared, but that was not all. The remains of Delta did not immediately disappear from the field, instead they began to glow, then float as the were joined by bits of metal from Drakes Grave, coloured Steely grey, pinkish purple and pale green.


    "When Delta is destroyed I activate its second effect! By banishing the Alpha, Beta and Gamma from my grave I summon the mighty <Valkyrion the Magna Warrior> from my deck in defence mode!"


    [Valkyrion the Magna Warrior ¨C Lv8 ATK:3500/DEF:3850]


    The levitating pieces flew together and combined in a bright light to reveal the mightiest Magna Warrior! With its pinkish wings, and mighty magnet sword it lifted its head high as magnetic energy surged across its body as it braced itself.


    This was one of the best plays this virtual deck could produce, but Drake really wished to know what was going through the mind of the deck designer when they created a pre-constructed deck that held Valkyrion but could only rely on a single copy of Delta and the three Electromagnet warriors to summon it. It didn''t include the original magnet warriors or even the electromagnet warriors combined form of Berserkion.


    So in order to summon Valkyrion Drake had chosen to forgo Beta''s on summoning effect so he could instead send the cards he needed to the graveyard from the deck through Delta and Rock Bombardment.


    "Set facedown. Turn end."


    [Turn 3 - Drake LP:4000 Hand:3, Rabid Horseman LP:3500 Hand:2]


    "I draw!"


    Looking at his draw Drake could only complain that it had come a turn too late, but it still had some use.


    "I activate <Soul Absorption>, so long as this spell card is on the field, whenever a card is banished from play I gain 500 Life Points."


    If he had managed to draw and activate it last turn then Drake would have gained 1500 LP from the banishing of the three Electromagnet Warriors. But what ifs were pointless and Drake had a duel to win.


    "I banish Delta the Magnet Warrior from my graveyard to special summon <Gigantes> to the field."


    [Gigantes ¨C Lv4 ATK:1900/1300]


    *Roar!*


    "Because I banished a card, my Soul Absorption now gives me 500 Life points." Drake said as the ghostly image of his banished card appeared behind him before shattering to countless light spots that he absorbed.


    [Drake LP > 4500]


    "Now I switch Valkyrion to attack mode and attack your Labyrinth Tank!"


    Standing tall the Magnet warrior charged towards the Tank, its sword held high, but before it could reach its target the space around it began to twist and distort, su?k?n? Drakes might beast beyond time and space. Leaving behind a glittering cloud of light that surged towards Drake.


    "Trap activate. <Dimensional Prison>, banish the attacking monster." Came the voice of the duel bot.


    "Grrr¡­"


    Drake felt helpless as his strongest monster was banished as quickly as it had arrived, but at least that meant another 500 Life points thanks to his continuous spell card.


    [Drake LP > 5000]


    "I activate <Rush Recklessly>, this quickplay spell give 700 ATK to my Gigantes for the turn, so I again attack your Labyrinth Tank."


    [Gigantes - ATK 1900 > 2600]


    Filled with the fleeting power of Drakes spell the giant smashed its club into the metal monster, its spinning drills stripping away a portion of the trees bark before the machine was flung away and crashed into the wall, turning into little more than scrap metal.


    [Gig ATK:2600 > LT ATK:2400, Rabid Horseman LP > 3300]


    "I will finish my turn with by setting a monster face down." Drake said. The power of Rush Recklessly now leaving his monster and restoring its original attack.


    [Gigantes - ATK 2600 > 1900]


    [Turn 4 - Rabid Horseman LP:3300 Hand:2, Drake LP:5000 Hand:0]


    "Draw." Said the duel bot as its front hoofs pawed the ground below and swung its axe around as an empty threat.


    "Summon <Gene-Warped Warwolf>, then activate equip spell <Megamorph>. So long my life points are lower my monsters attack is doubled.


    [Gene-Warped Warwolf ¨C Lv4 ATK:2000 > 4000/DEF:100]


    "Attack Gigantes." The Rabid horseman commanded.


    Its giant warwolf now towering over the form of Drakes monster, almost reaching the celling with its massive height. It attacked with is deadly claws and ripped Drakes monster apart in a savage display.


    [GWW ATK:4000 > Gig ATK:1900 ¨C Drake LP > 2900]


    "Argh!" cried Drake as one of the beasts four arms slammed through him, for a moment Drake had forgotten this was just a virtual duel, expecting to be blasted away with that swing.


    "Gigantes effect activates! When its destroyed all other spell and trap cards on the field are destroyed! Including my <Dark Coffin>! Thanks to is effect you now choses to either discard your last card in your hand or destroy your own monster." Drake explained as a shockwave was unleashed from his exploding monster that shattered the fragile spell and traps on the field.


    One of which was his own facedown trap card which now appeared on the field after being destroyed. A golden Sarcophagus, from which a black hand reached out towards the duel bot, awaiting its decision.


    "Calculating¡­ destroying Gene-Warped Warwolf¡­ set card and end turn." The bot said as the black hand wrapped around the white beast, pulling it helplessly inside the Sarcophagus before vanishing in a explosion.


    *Bang*


    "I Draw!"


    Drake was concerned. He had expected the duel bot to discard a card rather than destroying his own monster. Since Gigantes effect had also destroyed the Megamorph spell its attack would have returned to its original 2000, so to give up a strong monster like that meant that the facedown card must be powerful.


    "I activate the field spell <Gaia Power>, this card raises the attack of all Earth monsters by 500 at the cost of 400 defence points."


    Large and vibrant trees began to sprout and grow around the duellists as the field spell card transformed the landscape of the chamber into that of a mighty primordial forest.


    "Next I flip my monster face up, go <Morphing Jar>! And its flip effect then allows us both to draw a new hand of five cards."


    "Gah Gah!" came the cry of the shadowy monster that hid itself with the small grey jar, its single bloodshot eye and yellowed teeth staring out from the opening. Disappoint that it had nothing to feed on, as the jar containing its shapeless form began to grow larger.


    Since both sides had empty hands neither side had to discard any cards. Meanwhile the Morphing Jar also benefited from the magic of Gaia Power.


    [Morphing Jar ¨C Lv2 ATK:700 > 1200/DEF:600 > 200]


    With a newly replenished hand Drake was sure he had found a path to victory.


    "I summon <Barrier Statue of Drought>! So long as this edifice is on the field only Earth type monsters can be special summoned to the field!"


    [Barrier Statue of Drought ¨C Lv4 ATK:1000 > 1500/DEF:1000 > 600]


    A rocky statue shaped much like a rhino appeared on the field, a strange aura like that of the mighty mountains emanating from it.


    "And finally I banish Gigantes from the grave in order to special summon <The Rock Spirit> in attack mode."


    [The Rock Spirit ¨C Lv4 ATK:1700 > 2200/DEF:1000 > 600]


    The Rock Spirit rose up from the ground, clad in ancient warrior armour it almost seemed like an ancient gladiator from ancient Rome if not for its rock like skin.


    "Rah!" it let out a primitive roar, eager for battle. Drake was glad to let it take the lead.


    "Rock Spirit attack!"


    "Trap Activate <Drowning Mirror Force>! All opponents attack position monsters are shuffled into deck."


    A wave of water wrapped itself around the duel bot, Drakes attacking monsters tried to charge through the liquid barrier but to no avail, as it transformed into a massive wave and washed all three of Drakes monster back into his deck. It seemed like Drakes attack was finished, but not all things were as they seemed. And Drake had been saving a game changer for this moment now that the Rabid Horseman''s face down had been used up.


    "I activate the quickplay spell <Magnet Reverse> to special summon Valkyrion the Magna Warrior which had been banished from the game."


    A piece of magnetic stone appeared on the field, its pulsing power pulled Drakes might monster back from the beyond where it had been sent. Spreading its wings, the magnetic monster cried out a trill call of its impeding victory as the power of the field spell card infused it with even greater strength.


    [Valkyrion the Magna Warrior ¨C Lv8 ATK:3500 > 4000/DEF:3850 > 3450]


    "Valkyrion finish this!" Drake commanded.


    It charge towards the now helpless Duel bot, raising its sword it gave a mighty swing.


    *Clang* *Clang*


    Came the sound of the sword clashing against the horseman''s axe, before knocking it aside and striking down on its neck with a decapitating swing.


    [VMW ATK:4000 ¨C Rabid Horseman LP > 0]


    <<Drake wins. Duel Vendor unlocked, gain Universal Reputation +10>>


    The duel field and the virtual images faded away, leaving behind the stone chamber as the rearing duel bot came to rest and lowered its weapon in defeat.


    Drake was almost disappointed in his rewards, the only good thing was that the reputation he earned was universal and could be counted in any duel zone, unlike most of the rep he had gained so far which only applied in Toon Kingdom.


    But what he really wanted was that special item the vendor that was meant to have, that elusive Extra life item. Drake had important plans for this item. Drake began by checking his current duel points, after his purchases at the Toon Kingdom Station he had been left with 4200 points, he had won 200 points from Charles, 2000 points from the duel hunter and a further 3700 from the duels bots of the Trial of the Six and Challenge of the Toon Dragons.


    This gave him 11000 Duel points to play with.


    But how much did an Extra Life cost?


    Moving to the Duel Vendor it was the first thing Drake check.


    ''Secret Vendor Store 016 (Rabid Horseman). Duellist: DRAKE ATLAS. Current Duel Points: 11000.''


    Extra Life ¨C 8000 duel points (One purchase per Duellist, consumable) ¨C Item used to open a locked Duel disk during the tournament ¨C live to fight another day!


    8000!? Drake thought.


    He knew it wasn''t going to be cheap, but at that price even if a person found a bot selling it how many people would have that many Duel points? Drake was glad that he made the cut, just imaging what it would have been like to come all this way for an extra life and finding out he couldn''t afford it was terrible.


    But he also still felt a pang in his heart as he purchased it all the same and watched his duel points plummet to 3000. After that Drake decided to go all in, in for a penny in for a pound, and then after checking there was nothing eye catching in the duel skills section, went to spend most of the rest of his duel points on virtual cards to improve his current virtual deck.


    He couldn''t afford even a single Berserkion, but he could at least add a copy of each of the original Magnet Warriors Alpha, Beta and Gamma, along with a couple more spell and trap cards.


    Now he just had to reach the centre of the maze and beat the guardian. If all went to plan it should be simple, right?


    ---


    It took some time for Drake to make it to the centre of the Maze, this was because his secret information he had was only on how to reach the duel vendor in the maze. The rest he had to work out for himself. He passed through duel puzzles, quizzes and a couple of duel bots which his improved deck was easily able to deal with, now he had reached the final chamber before the Guardian of the Maze.


    <<Inner Maze reached. Duel restrictions lifted. Duel Location rule in effect: Heart of the Maze.>>


    The message range out from his duel disk as he approached the antechamber from one of several passageways. The fake burning torches around the room cast numerous shadow between the tall pillars that led up to the great gates that blocked the room from the heart of the maze while also revealing the carved walls filled with hieroglyphs and art that looked more like they belonged to a Egyptian tomb than a Greek labyrinth.


    Finally Drake could duel with his own cards again. It had been fun to switch up his play style but the limitations on his available cards had prevented him from building a deck he was complete comfortable with.


    *Clap, Clap, Clap*


    The sudden clapping sounding from the shadows of a pillar to Drakes side.


    {Be careful} Critias warned from his mindscape, as he detected the faint trace of magical energies.


    "Well Drake, you''re finally here." Came the familiar voice of the Black General as she stepped out of the shadow.


    "Wyvern, what an unpleasant surprise." Replied Drake as he focused on the New Order General.


    "For me too. I was sure that you would have reached here before us, not leave us hanging for the last 10 minutes." Wyvern complained.


    "Us?" Drake asked.


    A third figure moved from behind another pillar. A figure clad in silver armour with shot blond hair and a extravagant chequered cloak. Although Drake had never met the man before he had a good idea who he was.


    Only a General of New Order would stand like a equal with Wyvern, and having already met three of the five Generals together with the clich¨¦ that coloured titled characters would often incorporate that colour into their wardrobe it was an easy guess.


    "The Silver General I presume?" Drake asked.


    "At your service." Hal replied with a bow and a smirk.


    Drake really wanted to punch his teeth out, the smug prince charming who Drake knew was responsible for everything that had happened to Bronk and Yuma.


    "So am I duelling you one at a time or what?"


    "Oh I think we can do better than that." Replied Hal as he lifted his duel disk to the air.


    "Duel Skill Activate! Battle Royal!" he cried as a ring of red light spread out to encompass the entire room.


    <<Duel Skill - Battle Royal! (consumable): activate a free for all duel area, all duellists in area after 30 seconds shall enter the duel.>>


    "Tell me Drake, do you think you can handle two Generals at once?" Wyvern asked as her duel disk activated alongside Drakes.


    "You think I can''t?" Drake replied confidently as he moved into the room, but in truth it was pure bluff.


    Two on one was good if you were part of the two but not the one. And in a free for all he wouldn''t have any benefits to off-set this disadvantage.


    "Oh he won''t have to." Came a rough reply from another of the passage ways, a new figure stepping into the duel area to the surprise of the three duellists.


    <<Battle Royal engaged. Number of Competitors: 4. Style: Free for all. Duel begins!>>

 Chapter 51 - 51: Battle Royal! (I)

    <<Battle Royal engaged. Number of Competitors: 4. Style: Free for all. Duel begins!>>


    Drake, Wyvern and Hal were surprised as a fourth competitor had entered the battlefield, what should have been a 2 on 1 team up against Drake had taken a sudden new twist with this last moment addition.


    But Drake was even more surprised as he recognised the duellist who had taken it upon himself to disrupt New Orders carefully laid trap.


    Nistro. His flaming red hair and uniform of dark maroon and black were particularly menacing in the flickering torch light of the chamber.


    The moment Drake saw him he could guess his motivation. Dextra. Like Kite, Nistro was one of Dextra''s closest friends and an operative working under Dr Faker. But where Dextra was more a cold and collected ice queen, Nistro was more like a bubbling volcano, impulsive and hot headed.


    If he wasn''t here on purpose to avenge Dextra then Drake would eat his duel disk.


    <<Randomising Duel sequence¡­>>


    "Urgh, activate Skill! First Turn!" ordered Wyvern as she shook off her surprise.


    <<Skill: First Turn activated (Consumable). First turn goes to duellist Wyvern. Randomising remaining duellists.>> came the electronic reply.


    The skill was self explanatory, when activated at the start of the duel then that duellist would take the first turn regardless of whatever rules or conditions were in play. Even if an unknown third party was interfering Wyvern knew she had to follow with the strategy she and Hal had agree on.


    "I don''t know who you are but you will regret interfering in our business." Threatened the Silver General as he moved across the chamber to form a rough square shape between the four duellists, giving him and the Black General extra room to duel.


    "Oh but I know who you are." Nistro said to the New Order Generals with a glare before turning to Drake.


    "I also know who you are, but so long as you don''t get in my way we won''t have a problem. And one more thing¡­" he said as he pointed towards the masked Wyvern.


    "¡­She is my target, got it?"


    "I am your target? What kind of fool are you! keep out of our way or you will be the one to suffer here." Wyvern angerly replied. Who do this fool think she was? Messing in their business like this.


    "I am Nistro! Second Captain of the Black Elite!" he declared with pride.


    But if he was expecting a reaction from anyone he was doomed to be disappointed.


    "¡­Who?" Wyvern asked in confusion as the system finally decided the turn order.


    <<Turn order locked. Wyvern, Nistro, Hal, Drake. Preparing duel field. DUEL!>>


    [Turn 1 ¨C W LP:4000 Hand:5, N LP:4000 Hand:5, H LP:4000 Hand:5, D LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "The Black Elite¡­ the security force whose base you and Blue destroyed." Hal helpfully supplied the puzzled villainess.


    "Oh, another of those losers..." Wyvern remarked as Nistro snarled.


    "Can we get on with this?" Drake asked. Completely unsure whether to consider Nistro an ally or not, after all he was still an operative under Fakers orders which technically made him an enemy.


    But at this moment perhaps the age old wisdom of ''the enemy of my enemy is my friend'' applied. Or perhaps not, he could only wait and see.


    "Agreed." Said Hal. They were here to finish off Drake, not mince words with a flunky of Faker.


    "Fine¡­ by the Power of the Shadows!" Wyvern cried as she lifted a gloved hand to the air, on her finger glinted a golden ring adorned with the sign of the eye of Horus.


    Hal also raised a hand to the sky, a similarly adorned bracelet around his wrist. From these items, these Shadow Charms, erupted a flowing mass of shadows that began to flow around the duel field, around and around, faster and faster. It was like the four duellists were standing in the eye of a black hurricane.


    Drake could feel the potent Shadow magic surrounding them, while Nistro frowned at this inexplicable event.


    "I guess this means you really don''t have the Seal on you then?" he rhetorically asked the two generals.


    There would be no need to create a shadow game if they had the power of the Seal to use as they pleased.


    "Heh, do you have that dragon on you? I draw!" Wyvern said, ignoring the question Drake had asked.


    "I activate <Cards of the Red Stone>, by sending a <Red-Eyes Black Dragon> from my hand to the grave I can draw two more cards, then I can send a <Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon> from my deck to the grave as well."


    "At this point my skill activate! Insider Information!" Declared Hal.


    <


    >


    "Quite the draw my dear." The Silver General complimented the two cards Wyvern drew thanks to her spell.


    "Just duel you idiot, I play <Red-Eyes Fusion>! I send Red-Eyes Black Dragon and <Gearfried the Red-Eyes Iron Knight> from my deck to the grave to fusion summon <Red-Eyes Slash Dragon>!"


    A black Dragon emerged, clad in black iron armour with great sword like blades sprouting from the side of its arms. Its red eyes menacing glowed against the back drop of the swirling shadow wall behind it.


    "Then I set a card and end my turn, your go mister nobody." Wyvern mocked Nistro, seeking to throw the hot tempered man off his game before he even had a chance to play.


    [Turn 2 ¨C N LP:4000/H:5, H LP:4000/H:5, D LP:4000/H:5, W LP:4000/H:4]


    "Oh honey, just you wait, your tricks don''t scare me. Once you fall into my hands you will regret what you did that night, I promise you. Draw! I will start things off with my


    letting me draw two more cards."


    Wyvern scowled beneath her mask, what honey! She already hated this guy as much as she did Hal. Speak of which¡­


    "Don''t forget my skill, Insider Information! Now lets see what you have¡­ Heroic Challenger Double Lance and Night Watchman I see." Hal told everyone the cards Nistro had drawn.


    Using his skill to provided information about their opponents cards to his fellow general would increase the chances of crushing the two of them. And there was nothing Drake or Nistro could do about it.


    "Is that all? Well I activate my face down! The Trap <Return of the Red-Eyes> with this during each players turn I can special summon a normal monster from my graveyard to the field, so return <Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon>!" said Wyvern as her dragon return to the field.


    It was the same dragon Drake remembered from their last duel, a red-eyes knock off, a Gemini monster that counted as a normal monster while in the graveyard or face up on the field but had the effect that could allow Wyvern to resummons it during her turn to give her monster the ability damage to her opponent equal to this dragons original attack after it battled.


    Since Wyvern had already filled her graveyard with several monsters thanks to her spells, this continuous trap could summon an army of monsters in a battle royal like this that had multiple Duellists. And fortunately for her, in a battle royal like this no duellist could attack on their first turn.


    "Ooooh a feisty one are you?" Nistro asked Wyvern. Unfazed by the potential trouble such a combination of trap and duel style would cause.


    "Since an opponent controls a monster and I control no monsters, I Special summon from my hand <Heroic Challenger ¨C Assault Halberd> to the field!"


    [Heroic Challenger ¨C Assault Halberd ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:200]


    Nistros armoured warrior took to the field. Its halberd blade attached to its arm glinted from the light of the torches as its polished surface reflected the roiling mass of shadows that surged back and forth like a hungry beast waiting for its first victim.


    "Next I summon my <Heroic Challenger - Double Lance>! You already know I have this card, but did you know I had two? With Double Lance''s special ability I can now special summon the second from my hand to the field in defence mode."


    [x2 Heroic Challenger Double Lance ¨C Lv4 ATK:1700/DEF:900]


    Two warriors in pale armour, each armed with a pair of short lances, entered the field together.


    "Now with these three monsters I build the Overlay Network! To Xyz summon the warrior from a distant land, come forth! Rank 4! <Heroic Champion ¨C Kusanagi>! In attack mode."


    Dressed in samurai like armour and wielding a blazing sword of orange energy, the Heroic Champion emerged from the vortex of the Overlay Network, its three Overlay Units slowly orbiting it.


    "I will then end my turn with a face down!"


    [Turn 3 ¨C H LP:4000/H:5, D LP:4000/H:5, W LP:4000/H:4, N LP:4000/H:3]


    "Time for me to show my stuff, I draw!" Hal said as he dramatically mimed drawing a card as one normally would in spite of the holographic system each of them was currently using.


    "Idiot¡­" Wyvern murmured.


    Such an act may look cool when drawing a real card, but with this virtual system it just looked weird. For Drake it was just more confirmation that Fakers new duel disk system was ascetically stupid.


    "I liked your Assault Halberd¡­ Nistro was it? But I have something a bit better than it. Behold! I Special summon <Cyber Dragon> to the field! And by summoning this card I can also Special summon <Cyber Dragon Vier> from my hand in defence!"


    [Cyber Dragon ¨C Lv5 ATK:2100 > 2600/DEF:1600 > 2100 ,Cyber Dragon Vier -Lv4 ATK:1100 > 1600/DEF:1600 > 2100]


    The iconic mechanical dragon, and ace monster of the GX pro duellist Zane Truesdale took to the field alongside its modern support monster. The metal plated serpent loomed over its smaller ally, its metallic surface lit by the gentle purple glow of its exposed power cores. A glow that began to spread over the larger frame of the original Cyber Dragon.


    "And if you didn''t notice my Dragon Vier''s abilities not only treat this card as Cyber Dragon while its on the field, but it also gives all Cyber Dragons I control a 500 ATK/DEF point boost." Explain Hal.


    "I again activate the effect of Return of the Red-Eyes so return-!" Wyvern began.


    "Not so fast honey! Heroic Champion ¨C Kusanagi activates it special ability, by using one Overlay unit I can negate a trap card one per turn and destroy it, then my monster gains 500 ATK!" Interrupted Nistro with a smug grin.


    [Heroic Champion ¨C Kusanagi ¨CATK:2500 > 3000 OU:3 > 2]


    Absorbing an Overlay unit into its blazing sword the blade was super charged and expanded to pierce the celling before the champion slashed out at Wyverns trap card, cutting it into pieces.


    *SLASH*


    "Tch!" Wyvern hated this guy even more as he dismantled her trap after only a single turn, but it wasn''t over. As the smoke cleared a <Red-Eyes Black Dragon> appeared on the field after the destruction of Wyverns trap card.


    *Roar!*


    "But I negated its effect!" Nistro complained. So how had Wyvern managed to summon this beast?


    "When you destroyed my trap its second effect activated, allowing it summon a Red-Eyes monster back from the Grave." Wyvern explained. She wasn''t exactly smug, after all she had planed to summon many more monsters with this trap, but something was better than nothing.


    [Red-Eyes Black Dragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400/DEF:2000]


    This gave Wyvern three black dragons now!


    "This is still my turn you know? Next I will summon the <Cyber Dragon Herz> to the field, like Vier so long as it is on the field or in my grave this card is also treated as Cyber Dragon." Hal continued his turn.


    [Cyber Dragon Herz - Lv1 ATK:100 > 600/DEF:100 > 600]


    This cyber beast was even smaller than the others, its body made up of a series of round metallic cells linked together. Each one was emitting a blue energy from hexagonal shaped openings. Its eyes were mere slits that glowed with the same blue light.


    "Now go


    ! Fuse my three Cyber Dragons together to fusion summon the mighty <Cyber End Dragon>!"


    [Cyber End Dragon ¨C Lv10 ATK:4000/DEF:2800]


    A classic ace monster that Drake was familiar with. Its three metallic heads roared as it flapped its oversized wings. In some ways Drake considered that Cyber Dragon and Cyber End Dragon was one of the first monsters in the anime to be created as a weakened copy of the original Blue-Eyes. And its own Fusion the Cyber Twin Dragon might have inspired the later creation of his own Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon.


    "Oh, and when Herz is sent to the graveyard I can add another Cyber Dragon from my deck to my hand." Hal continued, ignoring the slight flinch of his monster as its out stretched wings brushed against the shadow barrier behind it.


    "Finally I end with two face downs. Time to see what you have Atlas."


    [Turn 4 ¨CD LP:4000/H:5, W LP:4000/H:4, N LP:4000/H:3, H LP:4000/H:1]


    "I Draw!"


    Looking at his hand Drake was unsatisfied, this was his first turn and already his opponents had busted out powerful monsters like the Red-Eyes Slash Dragon, Cyber End, even Nistros Heroic Champion had some punch to it. But this hand wasn''t quite up to snuff, if only¡­ wait¡­ he still had that thing which he could do.


    "Personal Skill Activate! Dragon Evolution! By sending the <Totem Dragon> in my hand back to the deck I can add a random level 5 or higher dragon from my deck to my hand."


    <<Drake Atlas Duel Points: 785 > 285.>>


    Only Drake could see this notification as his duel points dropped, Drake ?ssumed it was the same for other Duellists personal skills. In a duel any duellists could use both one consumable skill and one permanent skill a duel. So for example Hal, who had used the consumable skill Battle Royal and his personal skill Insider Information, could no longer use any other skills. All personal skills were by their nature Permanent Skills.


    To activate his personal skill it cost him 500 duel points, but thanks to the trails of the maze he had overcome so far he had managed to replenish his points enough to afford it after almost wiping out his points at the secret duel vendor earlier.


    Returning the Totem Dragon to his deck his new card was drawn.


    "Don''t forget! My-"


    "We know alright, your personal skill lets you see his card, which you will tell your partner. Just get on with it already." Nistro complained as he interrupted the smug Silver General.


    "Brute! Fine, the card he drew was his famous Blue-Eyes White Dragon." Hal continued.


    "You didn''t need to tell them that, in fact let me show everyone. By revealing the Blue-Eyes I just drew I can special summon <Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon> to the field!" Drake continued.


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    "I use my Alternative White Dragons effect. Destruction Burst! Destroy that Cyber End Dragon!" Cried Drake.


    His dragon began to gather up its energy, brilliant blue lightning crackled in the air, flowing towards the dragons maw. When it had gathered up enough power the dragon unleashed a deafening roar as it blasted the ball of destructive power towards the towering metallic beast.


    "My Cyber End couldn''t even last a turn? Fine, go <De-Fusion>, this card will split my dragon back into the monsters I used to originally summon it." Hal complained as his spell split his dragonic machine back into three, dodging the fatal lightning.


    [Cyber Dragon ¨C Lv5 ATK:2100 > 2600/DEF:1600 > 2100 ,Cyber Dragon Vier -Lv4 ATK:1100 > 1600/DEF:1600 > 2100, Cyber Dragon Herz - Lv1 ATK:100 > 600/DEF:100 > 600]


    "Now I activate the spell <Trade-In>, by discarding my Blue-Eyes White Dragon I can draw two more cards. Go ahead fancy boy, tell them what I just drew." Drake continued, knowing that the Silver Generals skill would activate.


    Even now Drake did not actually know the name of the Silver General.


    "My name is Hal Mercrius, remember it Drake Atlas for what little time you have left. Wyvern, he just drew that Blue-Eyes Kuriboh of his along with the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon."


    "So annoying." Drake complained. Bad enough just having one of them be aware of his cards, but for him to keep telling everyone was quickly getting very old.


    "I activate <Silver''s Cry> to special summon the Blue-Eyes I just sent to my grave back to the field."


    [Blue-Eyes White Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Drakes signature monster entered the field along side it''s Alternative counterpart. Their white scales bright against the wall of shadows.


    "Since I control a level 8 monster, I can now normal summon


    without the need of a tribute."


    [Parsec, the Interstellar Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:800/DEF:800]


    A small purple dragon with spindly¡­ legs? Wing spurs? and neon green highlights emerged from a spatial rift.


    "Three level 8''s?! Blast!" Wyvern complained. She knew what was going to happen next.


    "With these three monsters I now Xyz summon, my faithful servant, messenger from beyond the void, Dragon of stars that brings forth destruction. Appear Rank 8 <Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon>!"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨C Rank 8 ATK:3000/DEF:2500 OU:3]


    *ROAR!*


    Drakes crystalline like dragon cried out as it descended from the black vortex, its brilliant inner starlight seemed to pulse and push back against the rotating wall of shadows, cries of pain seemed to come from it as it was burned by the light.


    "Time to dish out a bit of destruction, go Starlight Dragon! Using one Overlay Unit I now destroy Wyverns Red-Eyes Slash Dragon! Star Fall!"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨COU:3 > 2]


    "And since I sent Blue-Eyes to the grave to activate this effect, you take 1000 points of damage."


    Swallowing an Overlay Unit Drakes dragon blasted out a giant flaming meteor towards Wyverns monster. An unstoppable explosion ripped the armoured dragon apart, its shockwaves blasting into Wyvern and threatening break through the black vortex.


    *Boom!*


    [Wyvern LP > 3000]


    Wyvern could only look grimly on, a drop of blood staining the edge of her mouth.


    "The second shot! This time I will destroy Hals Cyber Dragon Vier, and since I am using Alternative White Dragons which treats itself as Blue-Eyes White Dragon while in my grave that means you also take 1000 damage. Star Fall!"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨COU:2 > 1]


    *BOOM*


    Again Drakes monster unleashed a flaming meteor of destruction against the purple hued machine.


    [Hal LP > 3000]


    Hal staggered backwards, coming dangerously close to stumbling into the shadow barrier before he steadied himself. With Cyber Dragon Vier''s destruction his other Cyber Dragons then lost their power boosts.


    [Cyber Dragon ¨C ATK:2600 > 2100/DEF:2100 > 1600 , Cyber Dragon Herz - Lv1 ATK:600 > 100/DEF:600 > 100]


    "The third strike! Destroy that Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon!"


    [Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon ¨COU:1 > 0]


    *Boom!*


    This time Drakes monster could not deal damage through the use of its effect, but it didn''t stop it from eradicating the black dragon from the field.


    "And I will finish this turn with a face down. Your move!"

 Chapter 52 - 52: Battle Royal! (II)

    "Sir, we have a development." Umbral informed his king who in a rare display of independence was personally selecting refreshments for himself from a bar in the corner of the room. He was pleased having just watched Shark acquire both a code fragment and a new Number card, a show far more enjoyable than Kites victory over Alice earlier.


    "Oh?" he queried in distraction while rummaging through the fridge.


    "Black and Silver have engaged the Dragon."


    "Oh¡­" The Orichalcos King said, suddenly far more interested in the projection of the scrying mirror than he was a moment ago.


    With a thought the image stabilised and focused on his Generals in their duel against Drake. He was just in time to witness Drakes Starlight Dragon appear and blast three of his Generals monsters to pieces.


    "Who is the fourth wheel?" He asked his spymaster. The image on the mirror was unclear and constantly warping, a result of interference from the powerful Shadow magic that had been summoned, but it was clear enough to see that there were four duellists present in this battle royal.


    He hoped it was just some unknown grunt of the Order trying to gain favour or fame.


    "His name is Nistro, second Captain of the Black Elite." Umbral replied while bringing up a full file on the computer display for his king, but he was ignored.


    "This can''t be good¡­" the Orichalcos King mumbled. It was like a premonition, he just felt that when it came to Drake Atlas something always seemed to go wrong. He felt a headache coming on, if Wyvern and Hal together still lost to Drake then he could only order the final option.


    *Beep* *Beep* *Beep*


    "Yes?" Umbral answered the call. It had better be important, his King was obviously not in a good mood. A minute later his expression had change.


    "Sir¡­ I think this is important."


    ---


    It was Wyverns turn, on her field was just a lone Red-Eyes Black Dragon. Hal the Silver General still had a face down together with a Cyber Dragon and Cyber Dragon Herz, while Nistro also had a face down together with his Heroic Champion Kusanagi. And finally Drake who had had just finished his turn had his Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon and a facedown.


    [Turn 5 ¨C W LP:3000/H:4, N LP:4000/H:3, H LP:3000/H:1, D LP:4000/H:2]


    "You''re in fine form today aren''t you Atlas. But today you will fall! I draw."


    Wyvern was feeling unhappy, if she had been forced to face Drake alone just what kind of situation would she find herself in now. Even with Hals unwanted help they might have difficulties taking on Drake, and with that fool Nistro to watch out for too¡­


    She had just lost two of her three precious black dragons to the punishing ?ssault of Drakes monsters abilities and her fellow General Hal was no better, having been forced to split apart his ace Cyber End Dragon. To top things off that annoying bug Nistro''s Heroic Champion could negate and destroy their trap cards up to two more times. It was time to take her game up a notch.


    "First I will play <Monster Reborn> to bring back my Red-Eyes Black Dragon."


    [Red-Eye Black Dragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400/DEF:2000]


    Now two Red-Eyes stood side by side, twin dark dragons under a cruel mistress. Behind them the shadows seemed to swell, growing in strength. Perhaps this was because of the four duellists here only Wyvern was a true master of the Shadow magics that the two New Order Generals had summoned.


    "But it won''t stay around for long, now with my two Red-Eyes Black Dragons I build the Overlay Network. Appear Dark dragon that scorches the earth, burn my foes with your absolute might, I Xyz Summon! The <Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon>!"


    [Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon ¨C Rank 7 ATK:2800/DEF:2400 OU:2]


    Wyverns two Red-Eyes Black Dragons plunged backwards, falling into the roiling mass of shadow energy that began to spin, a vortex forming from the black mass. From it stepped out the figure of her new Xyz monster. Black steel scales armoured the dragon from the flaming tip of its spiky tail to its razor sharp jaws. Burning flames roared from multiple exhaust points on its body and wings.


    "And you should know that so long as my dragon has any Overlay Units, each time an opponent activates a card or effect, my dragon will automatically punish them with 500 points of damage." Wyvern gleefully added.


    She could practically envision the burning purgatory her dragon would cover this field with.


    "Idiot! What about me!" Hal complained. In a battle royal like this he was technically also an opponent, meaning that this dragons effect would equally work against him as well.


    "Didn''t you complain the last time that I didn''t use my full strength? Just deal with it like the man you claim to be." Wyvern replied. Hal liked to talk big to try and impress her, so now it was time for him to show her he could take the heat.


    "You witch!!" Hal complained.


    "Next I will use one of my dragons Overlay Units to bring back my Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon to the field in attack mode, then I will use my normal summon this turn for it to gain its Gemini effect."


    [Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon ¨C OU:2 > 1]


    [Red-Eye Black Flare Dragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400/DEF:2000]


    Using one of its orbiting Overlay Units the wicked black dragon tore open a flaming pit in the floor, from which flew out the revived black dragon. As it was re-summoned crimson flares ignited around its wings and danced across its scales.


    Unfortunately for Wyvern neither Drakes Starlight Dragon nor Nistros Heroic Champion which both had 3000 ATK points, were weak enough to battle with at this time, even Wyverns Flare Dragon ability was useless as its effect activated at the end of the battle phase, meaning her dragon had to attack and survive the battle for the effect to trigger.


    "I set a face down and end my turn."


    [Turn 6 ¨C N LP:4000/H:3, H LP:3000/H:1, D LP:4000/H:2, W LP:3000/H:3]


    "Alright! Its back to me, let''s go! I draw!" Nistro declared with gusto. Eager to commence with the pay back these New Order dogs deserved.


    "Lets see, since you already know I have him why not get a proper introduction. I summon <Heroic Challenger ¨C Night Watchman>."


    Nistro''s monster held aloft its burning lantern, the shadow of its caped figure lost against those of black wall it stood in front of. It certainly wasn''t the strongest monster Drake had seen, but while he was not overly familiar with Nistro''s Heroic cards, he would not make the mistake of under estimating the hot tempered duellist.


    "Even if you have a trap card my Kusanagi can deal with it, so I will attack your Flare Metal Dragon with my Heroic Champion!"


    "You had better pay me back Wyvern, I activate the quick spell <Ego Boost> this gives a monster of my choice 1000 extra attack until the end of the battle phase. And because it''s a spell card your Kusanagi''s effect cannot be used." Said Hal as he activated his last face down.


    [Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon ¨C ATK:2800 > 3800]


    "Argh!" Hal cried as he was suddenly pelted with a hail of burning coals.


    [Hal LP > 2500]


    Unfortunately although Hal was actually helping the black dragon, bulking up its power before Nistro''s Champion could strike, the cruel beast didn''t care in the slightest and struck him for 500 damage because Hal had activated a card effect.


    "Oh no!" Nistro exclaimed as the super powered dragon warded off his Kusanagi''s blazing blade with its armoured scales before it retaliated with a burning stream of hellish flames from its devilish maw. The flames sweeping across the field after incinerating the unfortunate warrior and blasting against Nistro.


    [HCK ATK:3000 < REFMD ATK:3800, Nistro LP > 3200]


    "Gah, I am not done. Night Watchman attack Cyber Dragon! And thanks to its effect it automatically destroys any defence monster it battles before damage calculation." Nistro was honestly scared at the flames that had just attacked him, the heat, the burning sensation, the pain. In some ways it remined him of his days in training.


    But when Nistro got scared he also got mad, and since Hal had special summoned all his Cyber Dragons back to his field in defence mode that allowed Nistros Night Watchman a chance to shine and with the magic light of its lantern Hal''s Cyber Dragon shattered into pieces, leaving only the weakest Cyber Dragon Herz behind.


    *Boom*


    "But by activating an effect you now take another 500 damage." Wyvern rejoiced was her dragon pelting the annoying man with a hail of flaming coals that seared fabric and skin.


    [Nistro LP > 2700]


    With the end of the battle phase the effects of Ego Boost expired, returning Wyverns dragon to its original attack points.


    [Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon ¨C ATK:3800 > 2800]


    "I..I.. I set a face down and end my turn."


    Nistro had just suffered a clobbering under the power of the Shadow game. Wyvern and Hal were still alright as they were partially protected by their Shadow Charms, and of course Drake could protect himself with the power of Critias. But Nistro was the odd one out in the group without any true means of magical protection.


    "Before that, now that your Moronic champion is out of the way, I activate my Trap <Red-Eyes Fang with Chain> and I equip it to my Flare Metal Dragon." Wyvern said.


    A black chain wrapped around the arms of Wyverns dragon, a dragonic shaped bladed attached to one end hung by her creatures side. This trap had a couple of abilities, including the effect of allowing her dragon to attack twice a turn, but Wyvern had another use in mind for this card.


    [Turn 7 ¨C H LP:2500/H:1, D LP:4000/H:2, W LP:3000/H:3, N LP:2700/H:2]


    "Finally, now its my chance to shine. Draw." Hal exclaimed with childish exaggerated movements.


    Was this really the style of one of New Orders 5 Generals? Or was it an act to deceive his opponents? Drake didn''t know and Nistro didn''t care.


    "I sacrifice Cyber Dragon Hertz to summon my second Cyber Dragon."


    [Cyber Dragon ¨C Lv5 ATK:2100/DEF:1600]


    The sliver serpent raised its head high as its emotionless robotic face looked at its prey.


    "And as you know when Hertz is sent to the grave I can then add my third Cyber Dragon to my hand¡­!" Hal continued, before being interrupted by another shower of flame from Wyverns dragon.


    [Hal LP > 2000]


    "Stupid dragon, you better clear the way for me Wyvern, our king would not be pleased if you cost us this duel." Hal threatened.


    "¡­Fine, I activate the effect of my trap Fang with Chain. By sending it to the graveyard I can then equip an effect monster on the field to my dragon, transforming its attack and defence to match the equipped monsters. So I will steal away Atlas''s precious Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon, leaving him wide open for a direct attack. Satisfied Silver?" Wyvern said.


    The black chain in her dragons hands lashed out and imprisoned Drakes Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon, dragging it across the field, it was now like a dog on a leash for Wyverns wicked monster.


    [Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon ¨C ATK:2800 > 3000/DEF:2400 > 2500]


    Drake promised himself to repay the humiliation that his dragon was now suffering, it was the first card he had created after coming to this world after all, a source of pride for the otherworldly duellist. But apart from a tightening around his eyes and a flash of hostile intent, he otherwise kept his cool.


    "Good! Now I activate <Overload Fusion>! By banishing from my field and graveyard my two Cyber Dragons, Cyber Dragon Vier and Cyber Dragon Hertz I can fusion summon <Chimeratech Overdragon> this monsters attack and defence is equal to the number of monsters I used to fusion summon it x800, giving it a total of 3200 attack!" Hal continued.


    Hals monster appeared in a swirl of mechanical parts, four distinct heads extending out from its main body, one head for each monster used in its fusion summoning.


    [Chimeratech Overdragon ¨C Lv9 ATK:3200/DEF:3200]


    Thanks to activating his spell card Hal would take another 500 damage from Wyverns dragon, also Overdragon had its own effect which activated on entering the field destroying any other cards Hal had on the field. Although it did nothing to Hals presently already empty field it was still a card effect activation and would require him to suffer another 500 damage, for a total of 1000.


    [Hal LP > 1000]


    *Argh*


    Hal abandoned his cape that had finally caught fire, tossing it into the shadow wall which consumed it like a bottomless abyss. Fortunately, he still had his armour which was mostly fire proof or he would find himself in a similarly embarrassing situation that Nistro did.


    "I won''t lie, this will hurt a lot! Go Chimeratech Overdragon and attack Atlas directly! Evolution Result Burst!" Hal hungerly commanded, eager to inflict some of the same pain he had just suffered on his target.


    The Chimeratech Overdragon began to charge its powerful beam attacks in its four mechanised heads. But Drake was not going to let its attack through just like that.


    "I activate my trap <Necro Fusion> this lets me banish monsters in my grave to fusion summon a new monster, so by banishing my Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Alternative White Dragon, I fusion summon <Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon>!"


    [Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon ¨C Lv10 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    Drakes two headed white beast imposed itself between its master and the menacing Overdragon.


    "Off course by activating a card I will have to take an attack from that Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon as well." Drake said as the rain of flame struck him, but thanks to the power of Critias he was only thrown back a bit by the impact and otherwise emerged unharmed.


    Compared to how pathetic Nistro and Hal looked, one could only think about how unfair the world could be at times.


    [Drake LP > 3500]


    "Blast!" Hal said as his hydra dragon awaited his next orders.


    Hal couldn''t continue his attack on Drake now. Although Overdragon had slightly more attack points than Drakes beast, Twin Burst dragon could not be destroyed by battle. Worse was that it could banish the monsters it battled with, which would leave Hal wide open to a counter attack, so he could only abandon the idea of attacking Drake now.


    But even if Drake was safe the same could not be said for Nistro, Hal still felt the need to vent his frustrations.


    "Chimeratech Overdragon! Attack Heroic Challenger Night Watchman!"


    [CO ATK:3200 > HCNW ATK:1200]


    *Bang*


    With a mighty blast from one of its heads the cybernetic hydra blasted Nistros warrior to dust, but to Hals surprise Nistro sounded unharmed in the thick smoke. As it cleared a new monster had appeared to take its defeated ally''s place. It stood in golden armour with a red cape, a spear in hand and a great round, red and gold shield.


    "I activated the continuous trap <Desperate Tag> when an attack position monster I control is destroyed I can reduce the damage I take to zero and then special summon a level 4 or lower warrior from my hand, so appear <Heroic Challenger ¨C Spartan> in attack mode." Nistro explained.


    [Heroic Challenger ¨C Spartan ¨C Lv4 ATK:1600/DEF:1000]


    But even with Nistro''s trap he could not escape the retaliation of Wyverns Black Flare Metal Dragon.


    [Nistro LP > 2200]


    "Fool, my Overdragon can attack a number of monsters equal to the number of monsters I used to fusion summon it, so now I attack your Spartan." Hal continued his ?ssault.


    "I activate


    this revives my Heroic Challenger Assault Halberd in my grave in defence mode and it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects." Nistro said summoning back one of his previously lost monster.


    [Heroic Challenger Assault Halberd ¨C Lv4 ATK:1800/DEF:200]


    A new rain of flame smashed into him from Wyverns dragon, its mistress gleeful of just how much destruction and chaos her beast had inflicted on these two men who annoyed her so much.


    [Nistro LP > 1700]


    "So what? My target is still your Spartan." Hal said as he continued the attack.


    "But Spartan has its own ability, once per turn when an opponent attacks, my monster can gain the original attack of another of my Heroic monsters until the end of the battle phase, and with Assault Halberd''s attack add to its own that equals 3400." Nistro explained as the Overdragon blasted out against his Spartan warrior.


    Of course this meant he had to suffer another round of punishing fire from the Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon. At this rate not only would his clothes be burnt to cinders but his body might be too.


    [Nistro LP > 1200]


    Again, Wyverns Dragon had taken a chunk of Nistro''s life points. But although he was in pain he refused to give up. With its power boosted Nistro''s monster was now stronger that Hals mechanical meance!


    [Heroic Challenger ¨C Spartan ¨C ATK:1600 > 3400]


    [CO ATK:3200 < HCS ATK:3400, Hal LP > 800]


    The warrior cut through the deadly beam of energy, its spear piercing through and into the Chimeratech dragon. Shattering it and taking a piece of Hals life points with it.


    "What the blazes! Wyvern if I loses this duel because of your dragon I swear¡­" Hal complained. Thanks to her dragons effect, and his own mistakes, his life points had reach a critical point.


    Although Nistro was in little better shape their true target was Drake after all.


    "Cool it Silver, you may have taken a beating but so has your foe. So long as one of us defeats Drake our King won''t care if you lost to your own carelessness." Wyvern replied.


    "You¡­!! Fine! Since I control no monsters I can special summon the Cyber Dragon in my hand to the field in defence mode and end my turn."


    [Cyber Dragon ¨C Lv5 ATK:2100/DEF:1600]


    It was Drakes turn again.

 Chapter 53 - 53: Battle Royal! (III)

    [Turn 8 ¨C D LP:3500/H:2, W LP:3000/H:3, N LP:1200/H:1, H LP:800/H:0]


    That was some nasty dragon Wyvern had, Drake thought as he watched Hal and Nistro duke it out. The Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon which dealt 500 damage whenever an opponent activated a card or effect was a perfect example of the power of a Red-Eyes burn deck. The two charred duellists in front of Drake were prime examples of what could happen to him if he left that infernal dragon on the field to continually burn him.


    Fortunately it was his turn and he already had what he needed to deal with it, Drake though as he looked to his twin headed monster.


    "I draw."


    The card he drew was useless for now, but perhaps it could have a use later. But first¡­


    "Go Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon and attack Wyverns Red-Eyes Black Flare Metal Dragon! Twin Stream of Destruction!" He commanded.


    The two headed dragon gathered its thunderous fury within its mouths, brilliant lightning crackled within its maw before blasting out in a double stream of destruction that twisted around each other in a great spiral of power towards Wyverns monster that stood beside the chained form of Drakes Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon.


    "I activate my dragon effect, by using one Overlay Unit I revive a <Red-Eyes Black dragon from my Graveyard." Wyvern said as her Xyz monsters last Overlay Unit rip opened a portal to the graveyard and resurrected Wyverns signature black dragon back to the field in defence.


    [Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon ¨C OU:1 > 0]


    Although thanks to her previous Red-Eyes Fang with Chain trap card she had been able to steal away Drakes Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon, giving her Red-Eyes a boosted attack of 3000 her Flare Metal dragon was still doomed anyway as it could only match Drakes Twin Burst Dragons power, it was best to use its last Overlay unit while she could and bolster her defence.


    [BETBD ATK:3000 = REBFMD ATK:3000]


    With a tug of the chain it held in the dragons black claws, Drakes Starlight Dragon was forced forwards into the path of the blazing energy. Opening its maw it answered the overwhelming blast of power with an equally powerful blast of its Starlightning, the conflicting energies exploding out across both side of the field.


    Their powers were equal but the difference between them was that Drakes Twin Burst could not be destroyed by battle, leaving only the Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon and its captive Blue-Eyes to be destroyed in the shockwave. Another difference was that Drakes Two headed beast could also attack up to two monsters a turn.


    "Now I attack your Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon!"


    Drake could not afford to leave a monster capable of inflicting burn damage like the Black Flare Dragon out on the field. Not if he wanted to strengthen his defence this turn.


    [BETBD ATK:3000 > REBFD ATK:2400 ¨C Wyvern LP > 2400]


    The double stream of destructive lightning ripped into Wyverns dragon, destroying it along with a chunk of her life points.


    "I end my turn by setting a monster and a facedown." Drake finished his turn.


    "A nice try Atlas, but it still won''t save you." Wyvern smugly boasted.


    She had studied his duels well and although she did not know just what that facedown he had just played was, Wyvern was confident that it wouldn''t be able to save him from the fiery devastation she was planning to unleash on him.


    "I draw! Then I activate <Red-Eyes Insight> by sending <Red-Eyes Wyvern> from my deck to the grave I can then add a second copy of my <Red-Eyes Fusion> to my hand. Which I will now activate! I send a <Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon> and a <Meteor Dragon Red Eyes Impact> from my deck to the grave. Come forth the dragon that herald''s extinction! Go fusion summon! <Meteor Black Comet Dragon>!"


    [Meteor Black Comet Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:3500/DEF:2000]


    A black meteorite seemed to pierce the projected sky above them, its rocky exterior crumbling away as the friction of its re-entry burned away its outer shell, with a shake of its mighty wings the remaining think layer of rock was blasted away as the bright orange flames danced across the surface of its body. The layer of blasted rock hurtled down towards Drake like a meteor shower.


    "When this card is fusion summoned, I can send another copy of my Red-Eyes Black Dragon to the grave to deal half that cards original attack to you as damage Atlas! Go Red Storm!"


    "Witch! Finish off this guy first!" Hal complained, pointing to Nistro.


    Half of 2400 was 1200, which would have been enough to wipe of the interfering duellist that had caused so much trouble in their plan to take down Drake. But Wyvern wasn''t listening, Nistro was only a danger to Hal at the moment and he had no more facedowns either, so why should she bother herself with him? she only had eyes for Drake at this moment.


    "Why should I? Drake is the prize here and I will finish him this turn. So Atlas you now receive 1200 points of damage!" She cried in wicked delight as the fire storm smashed into Drake, flinging him into the dark wall of shadow magic surrounding the duel field.


    [Drake LP > 2300]


    A layer of blue light wrapped around Drake as numerous shadow hands seemed to form from the swirling wall and try to drag the chosen of Critias into the dark abyss within. Protected by the power of the legendary Dragon, Drake brushed the sinister hands away as he moved back to his original position under the relieved gaze of Nistro.


    Nistro had seen many weird things working for Dr Faker, but the shadow magic sealing this duel was among the creepiest he had ever seen.


    Wyvern was cackling in glee at the sorry sight, a vicious grin on her lips as she continued her turn.


    "Then I will finish you with this! <Inferno Fire Blast>! This spell deals damage to you equal the original attack of a Red-Eyes Black Dragon I control, and just to be extra certain I will use my Meteor Black Comet Dragon! I can do this thanks to Red-Eyes Fusion, as the monster its summons has its name treated as Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    "Wyvern!" Screamed Hal.


    That was 3500 Damage, enough to have wiped out Drakes life points even without her Meteor dragons effect just now, in fact she could have wiped out both of these fools at once instead of ignoring Nistro. Was she planning on using Nistro deal with him? Hal wondered.


    "So say ''Hello'' to 3500 damage and ''goodbye'' to your soul as you sink into the shadows forever." Wyvern rejoiced as her Meteor dragon let loose a crimson and black fireball over the Twin Burst Dragon and straight at Drake.


    Drake braced himself against the incoming fireball. In truth there was nothing he could do right now, he had lost. No ace in the hole or clever strategy could save him now. His luck had run out. All he could do now was gather the power of Critias to defend against the oncoming power of the Shadow Realm. As for the tournament, well he had that extra life which he could use to remain in the running, but that was only if he could survive the magic Wyvern and Hal had summoned to consume him.


    Which was stronger? The Power of Shadows, or the Power of the Legendary Dragons? It looked like Drake would soon find out.


    "Guess I have no choice. I can''t deal with them both alone." Mumbled Nistro, forgotten to one side.


    As much as he was confident in his duelling skills, taking on two high ranking members of New Order together seemed to be a bit beyond his abilities at this point, and while Drake may be considered an enemy of Doctor Faker, Nistro also knew that Kite considered him an ally against New Order.


    As the Inferno Fire Blast came hurtling towards Drake the figure of a monster wielding a spear and shield jumped up in front of the blast from the field.


    "Go Skill ¨C Sacrificial Shield! By tributing my Spartan I can half the damage you are about to inflict!" shouted Nistro as his monster was blown to pieces under the force of Wyverns attack.


    <<Skill Activated: Sacrificial Shield (Consumable) ¨C tribute one monster to half the next battle or effect damage that would be dealt.>>


    "What?!" cried Wyvern in disbelief.


    She couldn''t believe this, her perfect plan! Her glory! Her victory! Her reward! She could feel it slipping away as the massive fireball shrunk by half after its collision with Nistro''s monster.


    "Noooo!" She cried out.


    "I told you to get rid of him first Wyvern!" Hal scolded.


    But a part of him was secretly pleased. This meant he still had a chance to gain the favour of their King.


    The fireball slammed into Drake, his feet leaving trails in the floor as he was pushed backwards towards the wall of darkness. The glimmering light of a barrier surrounded him, protecting him from the scorching touch of the flames. With the damage reduced by half that meant Drake would only take 1750 damage now.


    [Drake LP > 550]


    "Err.. Thank you¡­?" Drake said as he lowered his crossed arms to look at Nistro.


    Honestly, he was surprised to have come out of that attack with his soul intact. It had never crossed his mind that Nistro could, or would, help him at this critical moment. While he was surprised, he certainly wasn''t going to complain.


    The best thing was that the only monsters on Wyverns field were all counted as Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and the spell Inferno Fire Blast was very like Drakes Burst Stream of Destruction, using it had a powerful effect but it then it would prevent all Red-Eyes Black Dragons from attacking this turn.


    "Don''t thank me, I just need you to take help me take down these guys. After that it will be your turn too." Nistro shrugged off Drakes thanks. This was a temporary alliance only.


    "Aaaaargh! I set two cards face down and end my turn." Wyvern finished her turn in frustration, the shadows behind her roiling in reflection of her anger towards the interfering bug that had foiled her magnificent plan.


    [Turn 10 ¨C N LP:1200/H:1, H LP:800/H:0, D LP:550/H:1, W LP:2400/H:0]


    "My turn, and I first activate my personal Skill! Xyz Arrest!"


    <


    >


    "And now I draw! You lady are too fiery for your own good so I better deal with you fast and hard." Nistro said.


    "You interfering nit!" Wyvern cursed.


    Looking at what he just drew Nistro almost regretted saving Drake, with this he might have had a chance on his own after all. But it was too late for regrets now.


    "I summon Heroic Challenger ¨C Thousand Blades to the field."


    [Heroic Challenger ¨C Thousand Blades ¨C Lv4 ATK:1300/DEF:1100]


    A warrior with mage up of numerous blades appeared next to Nistros Assault Halberd, but it would not be there for long.


    "Now with my Thousand Blades and Assault Halberd I build the Overlay Network and Xyz summon the Heroic spear of the king, <Number 86: Heroic Champion ¨C Rhongomyniad>!"


    [Number 86: Heroic Champion ¨C Rhongomyniad ¨C Rank 4 ATK:1500 > 3000/DEF:1500 > 3000 OU:2]


    The Heroic Champion clad in pure white armour stood proud on the field next to its master. Its legendary golden spear held at the ready. Around its body hung a yellow aura that seemed to fill the monster with even greater strength.


    The Number marking of 86 appeared on Nistros hand, but thanks to the Photon technology developed by Dr Faker his mind was protected from the influence of the Number card.


    "You might have noticed my monster is sporting some serious extra power, well that''s all thanks to its special ability, so long as 2 or more Overlay units are attached to it my monster gains an addition 1500 ATK."


    "This bug has a Number Card?" Hal exclaimed. And he was right to be surprised.


    Nistro had actually gone against the standing orders of Dr Faker when he had secretly kept this Number card he had acquired a few days ago for himself, for this, for his revenge. After all Shark was a Number user and the best way to fight a Number was with another Number.


    While Nistro''s Xyz monster had already appeared on the field, the Black vortex it had appeared from had not yet vanished, instead it began to collapse in on its self, transforming into a bright shining star.


    "Since I successfully Xyz summoned a monster, my skill now takes effect. This allows me to paralyze one of your face downs, preventing you from activating it this turn. You cannot activate cards or effect in response to this skill."


    The shining star flew out towards Wyvern and crashed into one of her facedowns, wrapping it in a white light that transformed into a kind of crystal.


    "But why stop with 3000 attack when I can take it further. I activate <Megamorph>! This equip spell will double my monsters attack so long an opponent has more life points than I do."


    [Number 86: Heroic Champion ¨C Rhongomyniad - ATK:3000 > 6000]


    While Wyverns weaker Red-Eyes was safe in defence mode, with 6000 ATK Nistro''s Number could still over power even her Meteor Black Comet Dragon and wipe out her life points. Giving Nistro his long awaited vengeance.


    "Get ready! This is for Dextra! Number 86, ATTACK!"


    Like blinding gold streak of light the Number thrust out its spear, driving it deep into the burning body of Wyverns monster which gave out a mournful cry before shattering into nothingness.


    [N86 ATK:6000 > MBCD ATK:3500, Wyvern LP > 3900]


    "What! Why did your life points increase!" Nistro cried as Wyvern curled up into herself in a fit of laughter.


    Now her Life points had almost been completely restored!


    "Ha ha ha! That''s because of my trap <Nutrient Z>, you only froze one of my facedowns after all, such a pity you chose the wrong one! Since your attack would have deal more than 2000 damage to me this trap card first boosts my life points by 4000, so thank you muscle head."


    The burning fire left behind by Wyverns monster began to gather together into the form of a familiar black dragon.


    "And next my dragons special ability activates when it is destroyed, allowing me to special summon a normal dragon from my grave. Return my Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon!" Wyvern continued, her monster taking up another defensive stance alongside the original Red-Eyes Black Dragon.


    [Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2400/DEF:2000]


    "Ugh.. I end my turn."


    He might have just blown his best chance at vengeance.


    [Turn 11 ¨C H LP:800/H:0, D LP:550/H:1, W LP:3900/H:0, N LP:1200/H:0]


    "Well that was intense. Draw." Hal continued the duel.


    "Lucky me, I play


    to draw two cards."


    The famous green faced pot appeared on the field to grant Hal the boon of his additional cards.


    "Time for me to shine! I play <Raigeki> In a Battle Royal this spell allows me to destroy all monster one of my opponents controls, and I choose Drake Atlas!"


    Since Drakes two headed dragon could not be destroyed by battle, a spell/trap or card effect was the only way to get rid of it. Thunder rumbled and lightning crashed down against Drakes monsters, destroying everything in its path.


    Not only was Drakes Twin Burst destroyed but his face down Blue-Eyes Kuriboh was as well.


    Looking at his last remaining card Hal could only sigh.


    was a powerful fusion card but it was useless while he only had the one Cyber Dragon on the field. Although Drake had no monster on the field Hal knew that he was not yet defenceless. Thanks to his personal skill Insider Information, Hal knew that the card left in Drakes hand was the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon.


    Even if that facedown of his was as harmless as it seemed so far, Drake could still summon his Kuriboh from the grave by banishing the dragon in his hand to protect himself. And that would then leave him vulnerable to Nistro, as he doubted that Wyvern would be bothered to help him out.


    "Wyvern¡­ do you promise to share the glory if I clear the way for you?" he asked the Black General.


    "¡­ fine, I grow bored of this game."


    "Do you promise in the name of our King?" Hal pushed. Unconvinced by her bland reply.


    "..... I promise on the name of the Orichalcos King to equally share all the rewards of victory." Wyvern solemnly swore on the one thing she would never break faith with.


    "I switch Cyber Dragon to attack mode and attack Drake directly!"


    "I banish the <Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon> in my hand from the game to special summon <Blue-Eyes Kuriboh> from the grave in defence mode." Drake said, doing exactly what Hal had expected.


    [Blue-Eyes Kuriboh ¨C Lv1 > 10 ATK:300/DEF:200]


    Drakes cosplaying Kuriboh bounded back onto the field, the aura of the mighty Shining dragon wrapped around itself and its carboard costume as it shielded its master from the metallic menace of Hals Cyber Dragon.


    The only question Hal had now was what was that facedown Drake still had? The destructive Mirror Force that could destroy all attacking monsters? Dragons Rebirth that he could use to bring back one of his lost monsters? Or perhaps it was a useless utility card like Dragons Rage.


    "Cyber Dragon continue your attack and destroy that Blue-Eyes Kuriboh! Strident Blast!"


    [CD ATK:2100 > BEK DEF:200]


    *Boom*


    "I end my turn, you had better finish this on your turn Wyvern."


    [Number 86: Heroic Champion ¨C Rhongomyniad - ATK:3000 > 6000 OU:2 > 1]

 Chapter 54 - 54: Battle Royal! (IV)

    [Number 86: Heroic Champion ¨C Rhongomyniad - ATK:3000 > 6000 OU:2 > 1]


    What just happened? thought Wyvern and Hal as Nistros mighty Heroic Champion suddenly lost half of its attack points out of the blue. Drake knew, even without resorting to his Dragons Eye because Nistros monster was one he remembered from his previous life.


    Rhongomyniad was a Number that could be summoned with a variable number of monsters, from 2 to 5, and rather than using up Overlay units for its abilities it instead gains abilities depending on the number of Overlay units it had attached.


    The price for this was that it would lose an Overlay Unit at the end of the opponents turn, therefore become weaker and weaker as the duel progressed, and this made a Battle Royal like this the worst format for such a monster to appear in. Nistro had summoned Number 86 with the minimum of two monsters, and as a result having lost one Overlay Unit, it had now lost its additional 1500 ATK returning its attack to 1500, which was then doubled thanks to Megamorph.


    [Turn 12 ¨CD LP:550/H:0, W LP:3900/H:0, N LP:1200/H:1, H LP:800/H:0]


    It was Drakes turn again, no monsters on his field, just over 500 life points remaining, no cards in his hand, and just a single face down left to him. If there was ever a time to pull a destiny draw it was now.


    Drake thought back to the time he was fighting high in the sky against New Order alongside Astral, he remembered the power of the last draw. He focused on his need to win the duel, his need to defeat New Order, his duty as the chosen of Critias and his promise to Yuma and his friends. A small part of him regretted that Critias was not currently in his deck, a seed of doubt about whether he could do this on his own.


    {You can do this} came a reassuring message from deep in Drakes mental world.


    The dragons words calmed the fluttering panic that had been building in Drakes heart.


    A burning energy began to seep out of his hand. A bright blue flame that carried his determination and will to win. Just like the last time when he had fought against the Gold General Drake could hear the Dragon spirits within his deck roar their defiance towards what seemed like an inevitable defeat.


    Drake didn''t know if it would work on a virtual duel like this, but he knew he could lose nothing by trying. He placed his burning hand on top of the box that held his deck and focused on what he needed. The blue flames spread across the duel disk, transforming it into a burning cerulean torch.


    The other three duellists wore expressions of concern. Hal could remember what had happened during Proteus duel, Nistro was faced with yet another unexplainable event he had not seen before and Wyvern was the only one between the three of them that could actually feel the twisting of fate.


    "Dragons Draw!" Drake cried as he triggered his draw, the energy surrounding his duel disk being greedily drawn into the deck box where his deck was loaded.


    Drakes smirk was answer enough to how effective his draw turned out.


    "I activate <Rank-Up-Magic Nexus Dawn>! With this I can rank up my Xyz monster into a Shining Xyz monster."


    "But you don''t have any monsters, let alone an Xyz monster!" Hal complained.


    "True, but Nexus Dawn is the promise of the light when things are at their darkest. If my life points are less than 1000 Nexus Dawn can use a monster in my graveyard instead. So I can now target the Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon in my graveyard! Go Shining Xyz Rank Evolution and arise my salvation! Defender of pure lands, appear with the dawn! Shining Xyz White Sanctuary Dragon!"


    A golden doorway rose from the ground behind Drake, its surface carved in a demonic visage familiar to those that had ever been the Nexus. It gave off the dual impressions of the infernal and divine, its radiance pushing back against the surrounding darkness and burning away the dark magics. Screams of terror and pain echoed from the flinching shadows.


    In front of Drake appeared a circle of shining light from which his celestial Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon rose. The chains binding the golden door behind him shattered into fragments as the doors swung open to reveal a space filled by pure white mist.


    Like some tentacled monster the mist stretch out numerous tendrils that wrapped themselves around Drakes Blue-Eyes , gently lifting the dragon and pulled it into the unseen depths behind the archway as unseen choirs sung heavenly hymns. As the Dragon was lost within the mist and hymns came to end there was a moment of crystal silence which then came to a thunderous end with a mighty dragons roar.


    A massive white figure that walked on four legs squeezed itself through the doorway. Its hard bone like wings extended not from the dragons back but the length of its long front arms like massive sails or halves of some great shield. The dragon was armoured in thick blocky scales, its wore an ornate metal helmet which covered whatever eyes it might have, while around its head was a bony and scaled frill with single great horn at the end of its snout reminiscent of a triceratops and rhino. A double row of large stegosaurs like fins ran down its spine. Two massive tusks sprouted upwards from its lower jaw at the sides of its mouth, each the size of a person and it tail that finally followed through the doorway ended in a massive spiked club of bone.


    [SXyz White Sanctuary Dragon ¨C Rank 9 ATK:1000/DEF:3500 OU:2]


    Having finished its task the golden doors collapsed into a spinning white crystal diamond to join one already circling Drakes new monster as Nexus Dawn''s effect also allowed it to attach itself to Drakes new dragon as is second Overlay Unit, the two of them each orbiting the Shining monsters head like a rotating crown.


    At first Wyvern and Hal were aghast at the sight of the massive tank like monster. Then they noticed its stats.


    "You call a monster that weak your salvation? Ha!" said Wyvern.


    Even if it had such an incredible defence, her decks burn options could finish Drake off no matter how strong a defence Drake mustered, and yet Drake had summoned it in attack mode with its pitiful 1000.


    "Oh but it is, and that''s thanks to my face down! Go <Chaos Shine Reflection>! Order and Chaos, Light and Darkness, two sides of the same coin. And thanks to this trap card I can use my Shining Xyz monster to now cast a shadow of chaotic power and Special Summon my Chaos Xyz Blue Asura Dragon from my extra deck."


    A black and golden flame appeared in the centre of the field, its unnatural light caused each of the monsters on the field to cast long shadows but the shadow of Drakes Sanctuary Dragon was the largest by far, and the darkest, a darkness so deep and black that it stood out even against the retreated shadow barrier. A shadow that began to warp into a new, more humanoid, shape. Then from out of the shadow step a blue scaled form, a dragon with a horn crowned head and six arms wielding swords form of burning white flames. Its double pupiled eyes looked upon the battlefield with a battle crazed glint.


    [CXyz Blue Asura Dragon ¨C Rank 9 ATK:4000/DEF:1000 OU:0]


    "My trap then transfers one Overlay Unit from White Sanctuary dragon to Blue Asura Dragon, which will be my Rank-Up-Magic spell card. However, at the end of my turn the monster summoned with this trap will be banished from the field."


    [SXyz White Sanctuary Dragon ¨C OU:2 > 1, CXyz Blue Asura Dragon ¨C OU:0 > 1]


    "Does it even matter which card you transfer?" Nistro asked in an off-hand matter.


    These two beasts of Drakes were very impressive in his eyes, a demonic dragon of war and an immoveable tank of a monster.


    "Just wait and see. Now Blue Asura Dragon attack Cyber Dragon! War Sword Flame!" Drake commanded.


    "No!" Cried Hal.


    Drakes blue avatar of battle lunged at Hals mechanical dragon and slashed down with its burning swords, cutting the Cyber Dragons head off, the edges of the cut glowing like molten steel before finally exploding and blasting into Hal.


    [CBAD ATK:4000 > CD ATK:2100 - Hal LP > 0]


    The shockwave blasted the Silver General away and into the barrier surrounding the field as his life points dropped to zero. From behind him came the clawing hands of shadow fiends eager for their tribute.


    "Argh!" Hal cried as his Shadow Charm Bracelet erupted with silvery light, shattering as it enveloped him in a protective barrier. A barrier that began to quickly crack under the pressure of the shadow creatures.


    But it lasted long enough for Hal to reach within his armour and pull out a familiar card. Emerald green light formed a new barrier around the New Order General under the power of the Seal of Orichalcos mere moments before the silver force field broke like an egg.


    While New Order were not currently using the Seal in their duel disks for this second round of the WDC that didn''t prevent Hal from carrying a card on his person. A medium with which to channel the blessed power of the Seal for his personal protection. After all, why would Hal and Wyvern even risk a Shadow Duel if they didn''t have their own methods of self-preservation.


    "Next I activate Asura Dragons special ability, Chaos Rampage! By using one Overlay Unit my monster can now attack all other monsters on the field this turn."


    Dissipating one of its blazing swords the Blue Asura Dragons reached with its free hand to grab the crimson crystal sphere that was its Overlay Unit. With a simple action it then crushed the Overlay unit into sparkling powder that it deeply breathed in. Its yellow eyes turning bloody red.


    [CXyz Blue Asura Dragon ¨C OU: 1 > 0]


    "So I now attack Wyverns Red-Eyes Black Dragon!"


    *SLASH*


    [CBAD ATK:4000 > REBD DEF:2000]


    Drakes Asura Dragon plunged one of its swords through the black dragons ?h?st, signalling its doom.


    "Ha! Just what I was waiting for. Trap card activate!" cried Wyvern as she activated here last facedown.


    The face down card on the field rose to reveal the image of her <Red-Eyes Burn>! This was the trap that had ended her last duel with Drake in a draw, the card she felt for sure would now destroy both Drake and Nistro.


    "Since you have destroyed my Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Red-Eye Burn will now deal damage to everyone equal to my dragons original attack of 2400!"


    "What?!" Cried Nistro, as the black dragon began to release ruby light from the gaps between its scales. With a furious cry of victory the dragon exploded in flames.


    Wyvern was almost flung backwards by the force of the explosion, but with her high life points she was in no real danger.


    [Wyvern LP > 1500]


    "Argh!!"


    Meanwhile Nistro was not so fortunate, losing the last of his life points and being flung into hungry shadows.


    [Nistro LP > 0]


    Wyvern was pleased with herself, with her victory, as the smoke began to clear. Only to be shocked as the field was revealed to be still active, her remaining Black Flare Dragon, Drake Chaos monster and his Sanctuary Dragon that were still standing.


    Drakes Sanctuary Dragon which had placed itself between Drake and the explosion moved its shield like wings apart and lifted its head to reveal the untouched duellist beneath it, covered by a rainbow barrier.


    "Impossible!" she shouted. How could Drake be fine?!


    "Its quite possible thanks to my dragons special ability, Shining Sanctuary! By using an Overlay Unit my Dragon can protect me from any effect damage this turn." Drake explained smugly.


    [SXyz White Sanctuary Dragon ¨C OU:1 > 0]


    "Now my Blue Asura Dragon attacks your Red-Eyes Black Flare Dragon!"


    [CBAD ATK:4000 > REBFD DEF:2000]


    *Boom*


    Wyverns final monster was cut in half with a final swipe of Drakes six armed dragon.


    "Urgh! So what! I can still finish you on my turn!" Wyvern promised Drake.


    "We will see about that, Sanctuary Dragon attack!" commanded Drake.


    Wyvern didn''t know where his confidence came from, his remaining monster only had 1000 attack, while she had 1500 LP.


    This meant Drake could only take her down to 500 life points, which worked perfectly for her. Her own personal skill: Red-Eyed Fury, allowed her to revive a Red-Eyes monster from her grave that was destroyed since her last turn so long as her life points were below 700. Drakes Chaos dragon would be banished at the end of turn, leaving the weak Shining dragon alone and helpless.


    Her fantasy of victory was however quickly shattered when she noticed the attacking monsters attack points.


    [SXyz White Sanctuary Dragon ¨C ATK:3000]


    "How did your monsters attack increase?!" she asked.


    "Sanctuary Dragons second ability, White Berserk. While it has a Blue-Eyes attached to it as an Overlay Unit it gains 1000 attack until the end of turn, each time a monster attacks."


    Which was why Drake ensured that Blue-Eyes Starlight Dragon had been the card attached to his Sanctuary Dragon.


    "But you have no Overlay Units!" she complained. It had used its Overlay Unit for its ability.


    "But it did have it attached for my Asura Dragons first two attacks, giving it an additional 2000 attack until this turns end regardless of if it keeps its Overlay Unit or not." Drake explained. As his dragon charged forwards, unhindered by its supposed lack of vision.


    "Guardian Charge!" he cried as his dragon ploughed into Wyvern like a charging rhino and send her flying into a pillar.


    [SWSD ATK:3000 ¨C Wyvern LP > 0]


    <<DRAKE WINS ¨C 2750 Duel Points, 1x Duel Skill: Reborn the Monster, 1x Duel Skill: Xyz Twin, 1x Duel Skill: Blessing of the Elf II, claimed. For winning a Battle Royal +3 reputation.>>


    With the end of the duel the shadows rushed to claim there final victim, but Drake had little hope that it would succeeded. If Hal could use the power of the Seal to save himself then Wyvern who was a Shadow mage herself should have no problems dealing with this. And Drake was right.


    Unlike what Hal had done, instead Wyvern erupted with her own powers, a wave of black shadows with a sinister purple aura blasted out against the incoming blackness of the Shadow Game penalty and shattered it into fragments that quickly dissolved, revealing the rest of the room in which the four had been duelling.


    Although now there were only three¡­


    *Crack*


    The silence was broken by the sound of a sudden crack spreading across Wyverns black mask, yet it did not break as she summoned a flicker of power to hold it together. Drake wondered just why she wore that mask.


    Vanity? Protection? Perhaps it was a magical artifact or something else all together.


    Wyverns had a fierce scowl on her face as she looked at Drake, one of her hand held a glowing card with a familiar aura, Number 86. Nistros Number. Which made sense since Wyvern was the one that defeated Nistro even if Drake was the ultimate winner of the Battle Royal.


    Hal dropped his Orichalcos barrier as he made a quick exit down one of the passages as fast as he could while Drake pulled out a magic card from his coat.


    "Swords of Revea-¡­"


    Drake stopped the casting of his power as Wyvern had already vanished into the shadow of the pillar she had been thrown against, leaving her locked duel disk behind which had been partially crushed in the impact of the last attack.


    Drake had wanted to trap and capture her but she was too clever and too fast to fall for the same trick that she had already fallen for once before. In her injured condition and without backup if she was trapped by the power of the Swords of Revealing Light she probably would not have been able to escape.


    This left Drake all alone.


    *Sigh*


    It was a pity Wyvern got away with that Number card.


    With a wave of his hand the space next to him began to distort, to twist and bend, before Nistro''s unconscious body suddenly appeared and dropped to the floor.


    Interdimensional Matter Transporter.


    A useful trap that could shift a monster into another dimension for a short time, and when combined with the power of Critias, allowed for some useful real-world applications, like saving someone from the Shadow Realm.


    Since Nistro had saved Drake in that duel, how could Drake just let him be consumed by the Shadow Realm? It had used a lot of duel energy to create the space warping powers of the trap card but it was worth it to repay the favour.


    Besides if anything had happened to Nistro then it would have hurt Kite and Drake didn''t want that.


    Making sure the Black Elite Captain would be alright after his short dimension jump, Drake made his way forward. Since he was already here it would be a shame not to clear the Maze and claim the prize.


    ---


    *CRACK*


    The glass in the hands of the Orichalcos King shattered under his powerful grip. His white gloves stained red as his drink splattered all over.


    Failure!


    Umbral was silent as he moved back into the darkest shadows of the room. He did not want to become a target with which his king would release his rage.


    The Orichalcos King raised his hand and summoned an emerald sphere of energy into the palm of his hand. its sinister light pulsed across the room, transforming the place into a haunted demonic scene.


    With a steely cold voice he spoke into the magic ball.


    "I don''t care what it takes, forget about the tournament, forget about Faker, forget about the rewards and forget about duelling. You have but one task now, get rid of Drake Atlas by any means or you can forget about surviving the night. Do you understand? KILL HIM!!!"

 Chapter 55 - 55: The King of the Maze.

    Leaving Nistro behind Drake quickly reached the great doors at the end of the room and pushed them open. Inside was a large duelling arena made of carved black granite stone, with great columns topped by white marble statues. Like some dark Roman colosseum the duel field was surrounded by a ring of stadium seating and the whole place was exposed to the sky above. Not some fake projection or pretty picture but the true open sky.


    Drake could feel the wind blowing in, smell the scents of the outside park and basked in the warm light of the sun that was high overhead. It was a refreshing change after having to wander that stuffy maze and then having to fight a gloomy Shadow Game.


    But Drake did not see the Guardian, the Lord of the Maze that he was meant to fight. The place was too open for a Duel Bot to hide here so Drake could only walk down the steps before him to the duel field.


    Stepping into the challengers area Drake was unsurprised when hidden projectors activated around him and before him appeared the holographic image of Drakes opponent, a giant of a monster that towered so high its head almost reached the height of the open roof.


    It had an appearance of a beast warrior, a silver furred wolf man its torso clad in gold and black armour with crimson leggings and cape. Atop its lupin head was a silvery helmet adorned with a single great purple jewel. Dragonbane King Beowulf.


    What was a D/D/D monster doing in this world?!


    Had Faker and Heartland discovered Pendulum cards? Impossible! Drake himself had tried to create Pendulum cards in this world using the Mirror of Critias and it had miserably failed, this world rejected them and Link monsters both. So Drake refused to believe that Faker could create a card that he could not.


    But if this really was Beowulf and if, as Drake ?ssumed, he would be using a D/D/D deck, then it most likely meant that this guardian had no access to the Pendulum cards from any of the Arc V worlds.


    But did it make the beast any less dangerous?


    "Challenger of the Maze! Prepare for Battle!" came a roar from the holographic beast king.


    The image and sound quality was much better than some of the other voice overs Drake had seen on this island so far for the various Duel Bots, but it was not strange if one considered it from a gaming perspective. It was normal for more care and detail to be taken on bosses in games than the grunts after all.


    << Beginning Due- *%#¡ê&¡­ Beginin¡ê^*$*¡­ Error, Error.. &$#>¡ê*¡­.>> came the sound from Drakes Duel Disk.


    What the?!


    It was only now that Drake took a close look at his Duel Disk as it sputtered and glitch, only now that he could see the slight signs of scorching and the occasional spark flashing across its surface. When had this happened? Oh¡­ Drake thought back to his last turn of that Battle Royal. The Dragons Draw.


    Seems like mixing a fate altering mystic power and a scientific virtual duel system did have consequences after all. Had he ended up shooting himself in the foot? If his duel disk broke what would that mean for the WDC?


    << Beginning..#$^¡­Duel¡­>>


    [Turn 1 ¨C Beowulf LP:6000 Hand 5, Drake LP: 3749 Hand 5]


    Drake was speechless. Having a boss monster like this start with a higher life point total was not unreasonable, but 3749 life points for himself? As he watched that number it began to flick and flicker, 3741, 3724, with each glitch his life points seemed to drop even more.


    And what was worse was that a couple of his starting hand cards were fuzzy and blurred to the point he could not recognise them. A quick check also showed that Drake could not activate any of his skills, although this might perhaps be an effect of the duel environment rather than another glitch.


    Drake guess he had no choice. Even with a glitchy system he had to win so he needed to take down this boss and fast, because at this rate he might just run out of life points before the Duel Bot had to even do anything.


    "I am the guardian of this Labyrinth, its strength is my own, so long as it stands so will I, I begin the duel with 6000 Life points." Beowulf spoke, far more elegantly than any bot Drake had encountered so far.


    "I draw! From my hand I activate the effect of <D/D Swirl Slime>! Using it and the mighty <D/D/D Dragon King Pendragon> I fusion summon the flaming warlord who tramples the battlefield! Come forth lord of the chaotic lands <D/D/D Flame High King Genghis>!"


    [D/D/D Flame High King Genghis ¨C Lv8 ATK:2800/DEF:2400]


    A spiralling tornado of flames appeared in the sky and descended to the field, Dissipating into a flurry of embers as it touched down it revealed the four-armed form of the crimson and black armoured fiend king. A pairs of its arms wielded a pair of black short swords with crimson red flame markings along the blade while its other hands held a massive burning great sword and equally great tower shield.


    "Next I summon from my hand the tuner <D/D Nighthowl> to the field."


    This monster was like a great fanged mouth with a pair of eyes sticking out on stalks, no body or even head, just a lot of teeth and tounge. As it appeared on the field it gave a devilish howl.


    [D/D Nighthowl ¨C Lv3 ATK:300/DEF:600]


    "When this card is Normal summoned I can special summon Dragon King Pendragon back from the grave, although it will loses all of its attack and defence." Beowulf continued.


    A great black and great dragon in spiked armour clawed its way back from the graveyard before taking a defensive position beside the excited howling maw.


    [D/D/D Dragon King Pendragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2600 > 0/DEF:2400 > 0]


    "Now I tune my level 3 Nighthowl with my level 7 Pendragon! Open the path of the conquer, high and mighty king that dominates the heavens! Synchro Summon! Descend on stormy wings <D/D/D Gust High King Alexander>!"


    Nighthowl and Pendragon flew into the sky, their bodies fading away to leave a cluster of ten stary lights that began to spin around the sky, leaving trails of light that formed a great ring. The inside of the ring transformed itself into a portal to realms unknown and from out of it descended a white warrior holding a green blade while behind it flapped a pale green cape under the constantly blowing winds that surrounded the sky king.


    [D/D/D Gust King Alexander ¨C Lv10 ATK:3000/DEF:2500]


    As the Gust High King landed beside its fellow king Genghis a ring of fire appeared from behind the Flame High King and from it emerged another monster.


    "I activate Genghis effect, since I special summoned a D/D monster to the field I can one per turn special summon another from the grave. Return Dragon lord of the far isles, <D/D/D Dragon King Pendragon>!"


    [D/D/D Dragon King Pendragon ¨C Lv7 ATK:2600/DEF:2400]


    One more the dragon king returned, but this time in all its great glory. And as it appeared the greenish gale surrounding Alexander moved to form its own ring from which flew another familiar monster.


    "This activates Alexanders effect! Allowing me to special summon Nighthowl back to the field."


    Just like the Flame High King, Alexander could also special summon a D/D monster from the grave when another D/D was special summoned to the field.


    "And not only that, but since I now control three D/D/D monsters my Gust High King Alexander also gains an addition 3000 ATK!"


    [D/D/D Gust King Alexander ¨C Lv10 ATK:3000 > 6000/DEF:2500]


    The blowing gale wrapped around the Gust Kings sword creating a green energy that doubled the length of the blade.


    "Tremble and weep! I activate the effect of D/D Swirl Slime in my grave, by banishing it I can special summon another D/D monster from my hand. Appear <D/D Berfomet>!"


    [D/D Berfomet ¨C Lv4 ATK:1400/DEF:1800]


    A swirling green slime appeared on the field, its blobby form morphing into the shape of a winged beast fiend and transforming into brown fur, yellow skin and white feathered wings. It had two arms on its right side while a third ended arm on its left ended in black bat like wing.


    "With Berfomet''s ability I now change the level of my level 3 Nighthowl to level 4!"


    [D/D Nighthowl -Lv3 > 4]


    "With these two Level 4 monsters I now build the Overlay Network! Emperor of the flowing empire set forth now and unleash your might! Xyz Summon! Rank 4 <D/D/D Wave King Ceaser>!


    Forming the Overlay Network on the floor between the two duellists the two D/D monsters entered its black vortex. Suddenly one could hear the sound of crashing waves as a purple armoured brute of a monster rose from the dark depths. It held a single great double handed sword in its hands.


    [D/D/D Wave King Caesar ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2400/DEF:1200 OU:2]


    "And lastly I activate the field spell <Yami> which gives all my Fiend monsters a 200 ATK/DEF boost!"


    The skies darkened as the field spell activated, replacing the sunny skies above with a black featureless darkness illuminated only by the small flashes of purple lightning.


    [D/D/D Flame High King Genghis ¨C ATK:2800 > 3000/ DEF:2400 > 2600, D/D/D Gust King Alexander ¨C ATK:6000 > 6200/DEF:2500 > 2700, D/D/D Wave King Caesar ¨C ATK:2400 > 2600/DEF:1200 > 1400, D/D/D Dragon King Pendragon ¨C ATK:2600 > 2800/DEF:2400 > 2600]


    "Tremble before the armies of Rule! I end my turn!"


    [Turn 2 ¨C Drake LP: 3327 Hand 5, Beowulf LP:6000 Hand 1]


    Drake was glad that the duel boss had finished, if the turn had lasted much longer who knows how low his life points would have dropped. He was also impressed, it seemed a D/D/D deck was still pretty powerful even without Pendulum monsters, capable of performing all the available forms of summoning (except Ritual summoning) in this world in a single turn.


    If he wasn''t playing with a malfunctioning duel disk in a tournament Drake would have liked to take his time and enjoy such a duel.


    "I draw! ¡­ I said draw you stupid machine."


    Drake used the age old method of bashing the uncooperative machine that refused to draw a card for him with his fist until it worked.


    "Finally¡­ well this should work..." Drake thought as he looked at his cards, some of which were flickering on and off, threatening to disappear at any moment. Perhaps luck had not abandoned him after all, or else some of that magic that caused the problem in the first place was still lingering in the program.


    "I play <One for One>! By discarding <The White Stone of Legend> I can special summon <Blue-Eyes Kuriboh> from my deck."


    [Blue-Eyes Kuriboh ¨C Lv1 ATK:300 > 500/DEF:200 > 400]


    Drakes favourite fuzz ball popped onto the stage. As a fiend monster it too benefited from the Yami field spell card. Although it paled against the ?ssembled D/D/D kings before it, Drakes Kuriboh showed no fear.


    "Kuri! Kuri!"


    "Next my White Stones effect activates in the grave adding a <Blue-Eyes White Dragon> to my hand." Drake continued, giving his duel disk a shake and another bash.


    *Clank*


    "There we go." He said as his iconic monster was added to his digital hand.


    "I activate


    ! I use Blue-Eyes Kuriboh and two copies of Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand to fusion summon the <Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon>!.... I said Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon come forth!..."


    Looking at his project extra deck Drake couldn''t find his three headed beast, just static. Fortunately not all of his extra deck had been lost.


    "¡­Fine, what can I summon then? ¡­ Appear <Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon>!"


    [Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon ¨C Lv12 ATK:4500/DEF:3800]


    The second variation of the original Ultimate Dragon appeared on Drakes Field, although for a second Drake had serious doubts that the summoning would be successful. This version of Drakes ultimate beast was covered with blue jewel like growths over its body, its neck, tail and heads. Each one faintly glowed with an inner light.


    Thankfully on problems seemed to happen to Drakes monsters once they were on the field, perhaps because the field was a shared projected space whatever was happening to Drakes Duel Disk could not effect his cards once they were in that shared space.


    Otherwise Drake had visions what had happened in Duellist Kingdom when Kaiba had infected his own Blue-Eyes with a virus when it was used by the fake Kaiba against Yugi. His monsters attack continually dropping just like Drakes life points now.


    [Drake LP: 2749]


    He needed to speed this up!


    "Next I Activate <Dragons Mirror>! By banishing the three monsters now in my Graveyard I summon <Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon>!"


    Thankfully this time everything worked and Drake successfully summoned his second three headed dragon to the field.


    [Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon ¨C Lv12 ATK:4500/DEF:3800]


    "Alternative Ultimate Dragon attack Wave King Ceaser! Burst Neutrons!"


    The jewels across the body of Drakes monster began to glow with a brighter and brighter blue light as it charged its power and channelled it towards its three heads, it reminded Drake of how the spines of the movie monster Godzilla would light up before it unleashed its atomic breath.


    Of course three heads were better than one and Drakes Ultimate Alternative Dragon proved that by blasting out a three explosive bolts of blue ball lightning that spun around each other as they rushed towards the Wave King.


    [BEAUD ATK:4500 > DWKC ATK:2600 ¨C Beowulf LP > 4100]


    *BOOM*


    "Wave King Ceaser effect activates, from my deck I add <Dark Contract with the Witch> to my hand." said Beowulf unflinchingly as his monster was destroyed by the violent energy balls.


    "Next I use the quick play <De-Fusion>! To return my Alternative Ultimate Dragon to my extra deck. Off course since the monsters I used to summon it have been banished from my grave they cannot be returned to the field." Continued Drake as he watched his Life points plummet.


    [Drake LP: 2166]


    Under the power of Drakes own spell, his Alternative Ultimate dragon vanished from the field, leaving the Neo Ultimate Dragon as his only card on the field.


    "Now Neo Ultimate Dragon attack Dragon King Pendragon! Neo Neutron Burst!"


    While Beowulfs Dragon might call itself the Dragon King, there was no doubt which of them was the true ruler here.


    Triple beams of destruction blasted out and spiral together into a massive ray of lightning energy, the D/D/D dragon tried to fight back with a blast of dark flames but it was instantly overwhelmed.


    *BANG*


    [NBEUD ATK:4500 > DDKP ATK:2800 ¨C Beowulf LP > 2400]


    "Since I now control only two D/D/D monster Gust High King Alexanders attack falls to 3200." Beowulf commented as the green energy that had gathered around Alexanders blade faded away.


    [D/D/D Gust King Alexander ¨C ATK:6200 > 3200]


    "Well since I control no other face up cards, I can now activate my dragons ability! Sending the Alternative Ultimate Dragon I just returned to the extra deck to the grave my Neo Ultimate Dragon can attack again! So it now attacks Flame High King Genghis!" Drake commanded.


    Again The Neo Ultimate Dragon attacked with its Neo Neutron Burst!


    [NBEUD ATK:4500 > DFHKG ATK:3000 ¨C Beowulf LP > 900]


    The High Flame King tried to resist the dragons might with its shield and swords, but ultimately failed. But Drake was still in great danger as he looked to his own life points.


    [Drake LP:1441]


    "I activate its ability again! I send Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon to the grave. So finish this my Dragon, attack Gust High King Alexanders!"


    However at this point Drakes monster began to glitch, frozen as it gathered its power for its final attack.


    "Come on you stupid!"


    *Bang, bang, clank.*


    Drakes life points continued to drop as he tried to get a reaction from his duel disk, 1209, 1157, 994¡­ Desperate Drake could only try to overcome this peril with some of the same poison that had gotten him into this mess, he gathered a spark of power the Critias and inserted it into his duel disk.


    Just a single spark, afraid that anymore would cause the system to completely crash.


    *ROAR!*


    With a mighty roar the Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon finally unfroze and continued its mighty attack. Under its onslaught both the Gust High King and Dragonane King Beowulf behind it were wiped from existence.


    *BOOM*


    [NBEUD ATK:4500 > DGHKG ATK:3200 ¨C Beowulf LP > 0]


    [Drake LP: 48]


    <<DRAKE ¡ê&@#... DRAKE.. ¡ê#!% WINS¡­ Gain¡­ 10 Duel Points.. Gain SkillZzz%¡ê"% ¡­ Gain Toon Kingdom Code Fragment¡­¡ê&#{^¡­>>


    The Duel was over, Drake had won and his duel disk¡­ had died.


    "Now just what do I do?" Drake asked the empty arena.

 Chapter 56 - 56: Visions.

    Drake just stood there in the middle of the empty arena for a few minutes in mourning for his deceased duel disk. It may have been a piece of spying, treacherous hardware that was secretly working for the hidden puppet master of this WDC, but its lost would mean a host of problems for Drake.


    And standing around here wasn''t going to help anyone.


    Drake had two choices, to go back the way he came or to proceed forwards into the unknown through the tunnel at the opposite side of the duel field. Oh, he could also climb the stands and find whatever entrances they had available, no one would expect an audience to enter through the same entrance as the competitors after all.


    In fact, what Drake needed right now was a quiet place where he could try to fix his duel disk before he proceeded, so choice three it was. With his strength it was easy to climb up to the stands and even easier to find the stadium exit, it was down a tunnel and pass the facilities, such as the closed food vendor stalls, lavatories and the reception area.


    But Drake didn''t leave, instead he moved to a carefully obscured door down an unremarkable corridor. It was marked staff only, perfect.


    It was easy to break into the staff rest room and it would provide him with the privacy he needed.


    ---


    "Sir, we have an error with duel disk #006"


    "What kind of error?" Hartland asked the computer operative before taking a sip of hot coffee as he watched an array of monitors that covered one of the control centres large walls.


    Each monitor was displaying different scenes and incoming data from all around Hartland Island. This was where all the raw data and footage of the WDC was being processed and edited before being distributed to the hungry media.


    Normally a duel disk error was something that would not be brought to the notice of an executive of Hartland''s stature, but Duel Disk #006 was one of a special group of duel disks that were receiving special attention. It was Drakes duel disk.


    "The system reported a complete matrix failure and imminent collapse before we lost the signal."


    "Where?" asked Hartland with a scowl.


    Drake was an important person of interest, a person of unknown origin with mysterious powers and the current holder/host of the Original Number, the emissary of Astral World. In fact, ever since the boy Yuma had lost his soul to New Order and his body to the aberrant Number, forcing the Astral Worlder to switch hosts, Drake may have become the most important person in this WDC.


    Only Shark''s value was considered higher by Doctor Faker as he and his powers were essential to improving the Chaos Cannon.


    "The last signal received was from the challenge dome of the Maze of the Minotaur." The operative replied.


    "Check the security feeds. Find him."


    The computer operative brought up the relevant video and sensor data on a screen in front of them, but all they saw was static.


    "Rewind the footage and what about in the HUB?"


    "The HUB''s data streams are all functioning normally and report no signs of anyone being in or having been in the area in the past three hours."


    "Then find him!" Hartland ordered, practically slamming his coffee cup down on the table. The stress of the day seemed to finally be getting to him.


    All this advanced monitoring equipment and they couldn''t keep track of one person on a small island they completely controlled. It was a joke! And Hartland was not in a laughing mood.


    "What about the other duel disks? Any other problems?" He asked as he massaged his forehead.


    Hartland was of course referring to the other duellists under special watch, those belonging to Kite, Shark, Number 96, the known members of New Order and the other Number holders.


    "Duellist number 008 has also disappeared, her duel disk has been locked and abandoned in the Maze but her current location unknown. Our security bots are currently tracking down duellist 021 for removal from the island, his disk has been locked down and he is currently traversing the Maze also. Duellist 001 has just cleared the Cradle of Life and is on the move, while Duellist 002 has just entered the Dragons Throne Room¡­.."


    ---


    "I activate Shark Drake Veiss special ability! By using one Overlay Unit and banishing Spear Shark from my graveyard my monster now reduces your <Dragunity Knight ¨C Ascalon>''s attack and defence to zero!"


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss ¨C OU: 1 > 0]


    [Dragunity Knight ¨C Ascalon ¨C Lv10 ATK:3300 > 0/ DEF:3200 > 0]


    Under the ominous aura of Sharks great white Chaos Number the golden scales of his opponents Dragunity Knight became like tarnished bronze.


    "Shark Drake attack! Chaos Stream!" ordered Shark, Blue General of New Order and heir of the Barian Emperor Nash.


    [NC32 ATK:2800 > DKA ATK:0 - Dragunity Knight Luin LP: > 0]


    <<SHARK WINS¡­>>


    "Way to go boss!"


    "Let''s hear it for General Blue!"


    "Hail Shark"!


    As the duel bot projection faded away the large castle doors it had been blocking began to open. Around Shark gathered a group of bootlicking New Order operatives that he had somehow managed to pick up along the way. Most of them were rough, unkempt, gang types. The kind you would expect to see in run down lawless areas of a city. Some were overweight, or else as thin as a stick, some of them were covered with tattoos and some wore the most ridiculous of outfits, spiked dog collars, dyed hair, biker jackets. The only thing most of them had in common was a blue scarf tied around their arms.


    This was because most of them were actually made up of new recruits that had been ?ssigned to Shark and his 2nd Combat Unit that he had been put in charge of. Each General of New Order had specific duties or a function around which they and their subordinates were ?ssigned.


    Proteus the Gold General was in charge of equipment and tech development, he was New Orders Quartermaster. Hal the Silver General was in charge of recruitment, interrogation and disciplinary functions, while Tempest the White General was in charge of the alchemy and the magic research department. Umbral, although not a General in name was in charge with the infiltration and information gathering sections and Wyvern the Black General, was a pure combat force of duellist soldiers.


    Of course each General had at least a small core faction of duellists, but until recently only Wyvern''s forces were purely for combat. Since Shark had no special skills besides his awakened Chaos powers it was decided to have him form a second combat unit and most of its current members were made up of the newest and greenest of recruits New Order had obtained during the WDC.


    Whether or not he would be a successful General in the future may well depend on these new recruits and how he trained them, but in truth he held most of them, and to a degree even his own position as a General, in distain.


    And to his eyes this rag tagged group of misfits he was lumbered with were just weak. Even if they were given the strength of the Seal of Orichalcos Shark felt like he could wipe the floor with all of them, so what possible use did they have?


    But then Shark remembered the raid on the Black Elites base he had participated in. And the army of monsters that Wyverns forces had conjured to fight. Perhaps underlings were useful after all, but still¡­


    Looking at the group that surrounded him, that were trying their best to bootlick their way into his good graces, Shark couldn''t help but compare them to Wyverns well trained troops. It was the difference between the heavens and mud.


    Shouts of General, Boss and other endearments were beginning to give Shark a headache as he proceeded into the Dragons Throne Room followed by his entourage.


    In front of them a great set of steps rose up from behind the open doors, up to a high platform atop of which sat a lonely throne of gilded majesty. On either side of the walls hung great tapestries of the most iconic dragons in duel monsters while behind the throne stood a massive stone statue of the Egyptian God, Slifer the Sky Dragon.


    But as Shark took his first step into the room the scene before his eyes seemed to shift, gone were the stone walls and tapestries, gone were the lit scones and hanging chandeliers, gone were the following sycophants.


    Either side of the steps was now lined by crimson crystal stalagmites, the celling instead opened out onto an alien red sky. The statue behind was replace by a towering crystal spire that split multiple branches like some great tree while the golden throne transformed in to a black seat of malevolence, its back sweeping out into crescent wings.


    An upon that throne sat a shrouded figure.


    Power, death, terror and malice. Just a mere glimpse was enough to shake Sharks soul and leave him utterly helpless as the overwhelming figure raised an arm towards him.


    "You alright Boss?" one of the duellists behind Shark asked after seeing Sharks pale complexion, the cold sweat on his brow.


    "Of course I am!" Shark snapped as he pulled himself together.


    While this image had been particularly vivid and terrifying, it was in truth not the first Shark had experienced recently. For days now he had been having these¡­ visions. Of places, people¡­ and battles. It had started in his dreams, if he really thought about it the dreams began shortly after he had claimed that first Number Card, Number 32, but now they would unexpectedly haunt him even when he was awake.


    After his duel against Number 96 Shark could not help but remember its words, about the origin of a Numbers strength and personality, Astral''s lost memories. He could not help but think that these were the memories of the many Numbers he had claimed, shatter fragments of a broken alien''s past.


    Armies made of figures of light fought against armies of faceless armoured soldiers, whether it me on the mountains, in the forests or above the seas. Sometimes he saw cities of light under siege or the fall of crystalline fortresses, victories and defeats both, they were fantastical but also harmless. But now these dream were intruding on his waking life, becoming more and more intense. And the more he saw, the less certain he became about their origin. Especially that last vision.


    It felt¡­ different.


    "What does it matter so long as you can have power." Came the whisperings of Number 32, disturbing his thoughts.


    And it was right. If having a few visions was the price of having this power of his, the power he needed for his revenge, then he was more than willing.


    Just what trouble could a few daydreams cause? Shark thought as he scoffed at his earlier fear.


    With steady steps Shark ascended the stairs.


    As he reached the top the floor in front of the throne opened up and a platform was raised. On this platform stood a great knight clad in armour coloured white and dark blue, its left hand gripped the handle of a great toothed sword, red gems adorned the flat of the white blade and its tip rested on the ground.


    It was the guardian of this castle, Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman.


    "You who seek the treasure of the Fallen Dragon Emperor, turn back now or face my blade." The Duel bot solemnly intoned.


    "Yeah, yeah, whatever just start the duel already." Shark was impatience to get this over with, there was no fun for him to crush a fake opponent like this.


    <<Duel Start>>


    [Turn 1 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:5, Buster Blader LP:4000 Hand:5]


    "Looks like I''m going first, so I draw!" said Shark.


    "I summon <Hammer Shark> to the field! And then, by reducing its level by 1 I can special summon <Big Jaws> to join it."


    [Hammer Shark ¨C Lv4 > 3 ATK:1700/1500, Big Jaws ¨C Lv3 ATK:1800/DEF:300]


    Sharks two oceanic terrors circles around their master, swimming through the air as naturally as their native seas.


    "With these two monsters I build the Overlay Network to Xyz summon the terror of the deep blue! <Number 47: Nightmare Shark>!"


    [Number 47: Nightmare Shark ¨C Rank 3 ATK:2000/DEF:2000 OU:2]


    Emerging from the vortex of the Overlay Network Sharks toothy terror flapped its dragon like wings, while its bladed arms scraped across the stone floor sending sparks flying before it coiled its long fined tail and crossed its arms in defence mode.


    "Way to go Boss!" "Show that hunk of junk how its done!" "Blue all the way!"


    Sharks personal cheerleaders didn''t miss the chance to flatter their commander and his duelling prowess as he face off against the majestic looking duel bot.


    "Then I will end my turn with 2 face downs" Shark finished.


    [Turn 2 ¨C Blaster Blader LP:4000 Hand:5, Shark LP:4000 Hand:2]


    "For the glory of the Dragon Emperor I draw!" declared the guardian.


    "I summon <Buster Whelp of the Destruction Swordsman>! When this card is summoned I can add a ''Destruction Sword'' card from my deck to my hand. So I add <Dragon Buster Destruction Sword> to my hand."


    [Buster Whelp of the Destruction Swordsman ¨C Lv1 ATK:400/DEF:300]


    A small white dragonling with feathery wings and two small horns on the side of its head took to the field. Giving a faint mewing cry a card was moved from the deck to Buster Bladers hand.


    "Then I sacrifice my Buster Whelp in order to special summon the great dragon slayer, <Buster Blader>! from my hand."


    [Buster Blader ¨C Lv7 ATK:2600/2300]


    The iconic warrior clad in his purplish blue armour with gold trimmings appeared on the field with is massive double handed blade.


    "From my hand I activate the effect of Dragon Buster Destruction Sword! This allows me to equip my monster to a Buster Blader I control."


    The blade in his warriors hand transformed itself into a new blade adorned by four green jewels embedded along the length of the blade from handle to tip.


    "Next I special summon my equipped Dragon Buster to the field."


    [Dragon Buster Destruction Sword ¨C Lv1 ATK:400/DEF:300]


    "Gather now the stars of the great dragon and open the path of destruction, I tune my Level 1 Dragon Buster and my level 7 Buster Blader. Appear my ally, I Synchro Summon! Level 8 <Buster Dragon>! In defence mode."


    [Buster Dragon ¨C Lv8 ATK:1200/DEF:2800]


    The star lights of the duel guardians monster levels gathered together to form the familiar Synchro summoning ring, a great gateway from which emerged a mighty black dragon. With six limbs and dark feathered wings it unleashed an earth-shattering roar as a strange aura fell across the field.


    *ROAR*


    "Look out Boss!" "You can take him!" the worried cries of Sharks subordinates rang out at the appearance of the fierce looking dragon.


    "With Buster Dragons effect I now return my Buster Blader in my grave back to the field in attack mode. And thanks to another of my dragons abilities all monsters you control become dragon type monsters so long as my dragon remains on the field. Buster Blader''s ability then raises its attack by 500 for each dragon you control or is in your graveyard. Since you control one dragon my warrior now gains 500 attack."


    [Buster Blader ¨C Lv7 ATK:2600 > 3100/2300]


    The dragon and its companion warrior stood side by side, there appearance bringing a heavy silence to the watching members of New Order.


    Fortunately for Shark was still calm, his Number was in defence mode and thanks to its ability as a Number it could not be destroyed by battle. So it looked like Sharks life points were safe, for now.


    "I set a card facedown and end the turn. Now challenger, prepare thy self!"

 Chapter 57 - 57: Duelling Power.

    [Turn 3 - Shark LP:4000 Hand:2, Blaster Blader LP:4000 Hand:3]


    Shark was not intimidated as he faced down the duel bot that stood before him, its card combo of Buster Dragon and Buster Blader seemed very powerful but so long as Shark had his Numbers he was certain in his eventual victory.


    "I draw!"


    It was time to show this pile of scape metal just what..?!?!


    "I activate the third ability of Buster Dragon! During my opponents turn I can equip one Buster Blader I control with a ''Destruction Sword'' monster in my graveyard. So return Dragon Buster Destruction Sword!" interrupted the Destruction Swordsman.


    From the grave rose once more the green jewelled blade, pulled from the ground by the might hand of the original Buster Blader.


    "Like that will help! I summon <Lantern Shark> to the field! When this card is summoned I can then special summon a level 3, 4 or 5 water monster from my hand in defence, this includes my level 5 <Eagle Shark>!"


    [Lantern Shark ¨C Lv4 ATK:1500/DEF900, Eagle Shark ¨C Lv5 ATK:1000/DEF:1800]


    "Thanks to Lantern Sharks second ability, when this monster is used to Xyz summon a water monster then I can treat it as a level 3 or 5 monster. So with my Lantern Shark and Eagle Shark I now build the Overlay Network! Rise! Rank 5! Number 73: Abyss Splash!...."


    Shark and his followers stood there silently, waiting for the formation of the familiar black vortex to consume Sharks monsters and give birth to his Number, but they were met with empty silence and clear space. Sharks monsters continued to sit on the field like guppies before the whale that was Buster Blader.


    "Dragon Buster Destruction Swords second effect, So long as it is equipped to a monster, my opponent cannot Special summon monsters from the Extra Deck. This includes all Fusion, Synchro and Xyz monster." The Duel bot explained the failure of Sharks Xyz summoning.


    This meant that so long as that card was on its Buster Blader, Shark had no way of summoning the Numbers cards his deck relied on.


    For a moment Sharks vision shook and the sight before him changed once more, the armoured warrior he was facing replace by a figure in golden armour, with pale teal skin, his heterochromic eyes seemed to look upon Shark with scorn.


    The strange and unfamiliar name seemed to echo in Sharks head before fading away along with the vision before him, leaving behind a strange feeling of hate and beneath that¡­ fear.


    "I am not afraid of you, or anything!" Shark cried out in anger as his new monsters had their type transformed to Dragon and further boosted Buster Bladers attack by 1000.


    [Buster Blader ATK:3100 > 4100]


    The power within him beginning to furiously churn and burn inside. He felt it rising, almost overflowing along side his determination to win. Nothing would stop him. Not Faker, not Kite, not the Numbers, not even Drake! And certainly not some stupid visions.


    "I switch Number 47 into attack mode!...."


    ---


    While Shark was duelling against the guardian of the Dragons Throne Room, Drake found himself at a loose end in a staff rest room at the Maze of the Minotaur. It wasn''t that he was not concerned about the current status of his fried duel disk, it was because the matter was in hands far better suited for the task than his at the moment.


    His Duel disk lay on the table in the centre of the room in a partially dismantled state, around it had gathered an ?ssortment of duel monster spirits Drake had materialised to help him. The first two, Kozaky and the Magical Scientist, were two genius monster scientists which were tasked with understanding and fixing the hardware of Dr Fakers Duel Disk.


    Kozaky adjusted his square spectacles before moving a stray lock of his black hair behind his pointed ears. Rows of spikes along his back jutted through his white overcoat which struggled to contain his purple body as the monster reached into its jeans for a screw driver to pass to its fellow scientist.


    The two long-time friends were total absorbed in the study of the mechanisms before them, as three others worked behind them on the disk''s software.


    SPYRAL Quik-Fix, the cyber spy/hacker was being ?ssisted by two advance digital life forms from the Cyberse series of monsters. The multi-talented ''Cyberse Gadget'' and computer like ''Defect Compiler''. Between these five monsters Drake was confident they all the skills need for the job at hand.


    Which left Drake nothing to do but ponder the mysteries of Duel Spirits, and from there Duel Energy, as he ate a packed lunch that Yuma''s Grandmother had prepared.


    He had already eaten before entering the maze but had since had a gruelling Shadow duel and was now supporting the form of five duel spirits with his personal Duel Energy, so he needed to keep his strength up as he had no intention of depleting the duel energy he and Critias had stored up on something so trivial.


    Duel Energy, Duel power, Spirit energy, Life Force¡­ it was known by so many different names and had so many wonderful or terrible uses, yet so few people would ever touch it in their lives. It could summon monsters, cast spells, imprison souls and commune with other worlds to list but a few uses.


    It was such a strange power, a power that could be harnessed through the ritual of duelling and was strongly influenced by the will and emotions of users, becoming anything from a blazing beacon of hope that could inspire miracles, to an all consuming darkness that dragged souls to the depths of despair.


    Apart from a few natural talents, those geniuses that only appear once or twice every few hundred years, most humans needed a medium to connect with the power held within themselves. Mediums like the Millenium Items, The Seal of Orichalcos or contracts with powerful Spirit beasts like the Crimson Dragon or the Number Cards. And in Drakes case it was obviously the power of the Legendary Dragons, the power of Critias. While someone like Shark awakened a special bloodline that was beyond human.


    Some mediums had special abilities that amplified one''s own energy while others were a source of power themselves that far surpassed what a mere human like Drake naturally possessed, if not for his connection to Critias then Drakes power would not even be a quarter of what it currently was.


    But in truth, even enhanced by Critias Drakes own personal power was still very weak when compared to someone like the Pharaoh without even considering the added benefits the Millenium Puzzle would provide.


    If it was an emergency then Critias could have lent its own energy through their bond but although Critias had been awakened for some time, and in his normal state possessed hundreds of times more energy than Drake did, in truth its own energy was still terribly low at the moment after crossing worlds and then later fighting the projection of the Orichalcos Beast. It needed to conserve and recover its own personal duel energy as much as possible which took time, which was why it slept so much in Drakes inner world.


    There was always the option of using the duel energy they had collected through their duels and was stored in the Mirror of Critias, but that was the final resort, that supply of energy was far more potent, more concentrated and refined than normal Duel Energy. While its volume seemed much smaller compared next to Drakes power, its quality meant the energy within dwarfed what was available to Drake on his own by dozen of times.


    However, this pure energy could only be renewed through duelling, it was a expendable resource compared to Drakes own energy that could replenish itself.


    As for why Drake didn''t simply slowly refine his own duel energy and store it over time, the reason was simple. He couldn''t. To refine Duel energy like that, one had to process it with their own duel energy, if the two energy''s were too similar then the energy meant to be refined would just be absorbed by the refining energy instead.


    Usually a persons energy would contain characteristics of the world they were born from, especially in extreme cases like the Astral and Barian Worlds where their duel energy had reach a higher level. So, as Drake and Critias were beings of different worlds they should have different types of duel energy, but due to his bond with Critias, Drakes power had instead taken on the same form/attributes/wavelength as the dragons own. They were basically the same even though Critias capacity was overwhelmingly greater.


    So Critias could not refine his own energy and he could not refine Drakes. Which is why they had to gather and refine Duel energy released in their duels against others in this world.


    Ever since Astral had taken up residence with Yuma in Drakes inner world he had considered asking them to donate energy for refinement, but Yuma''s soul needed all the energy it could get to remain stable without his own body to support it over this long period of time. And at Astrals request Drake had strengthened the bond between the two of them so that Astral could share his energy and support Yuma.


    So Drake dare not take any energy from Astral at this point either.


    "Fascinating!" Kozaky interrupted Drakes thoughts as he studied a particular piece of the equipment in front of him.


    After Kozaky told Drake what the two scientists had found so far Drake didn''t find it fascinating at all, instead he found it frightening.


    Looking past the standard shell and the usual electronic components any duel disk would require to properly operate, many of these parts could be told apart from the custom components by the Paragon Industries logo they were marked with, what was underneath that was something completely outrageous.


    Drake refused to believe for a moment that every duel disk in this WDC was as twisted as his own turned out to be. Apart from the various forms of analytical equipment hidden inside which had been built to do a comprehensive analysis on Drake deck and even on Drake himself, which Drake had been expecting and was not surprised by, the Duel disk also contained a number of more¡­ lethal options.


    The two scientists were agreed that Drakes Duel Disk was fully capable of channelling enough electrical current into Drake to kill a herd of elephants, its audio system could double as a sonic weapon that could scramble his brains within seconds and there was even a clever injection system ready to pump several vicious poisons into Drakes veins.


    Drake wasn''t sure if even his dragon made body could handle any of these treatments, let alone all of them together.


    And to power all of this murderous hardware?


    A small Baria Crystal. The small, crimson crystal of Barian energy glittered from within the duel disk as the Magical Scientist opened up a small black sphere placed in the heart of the device. This crystal was not only acting as this duel disks battery, it was also the source of yet another lethal trap.


    While SPYRAL Quik-Fix was still in the middle of debugging the corrupted code in the Duel disk, one thing he had already found was part of a self-destruct program which would force the crystal to implode.


    Considering the concentrated energy contain in the crystal, such an implosion would easily level a city block. The thought made Drake shiver in fear.


    If Drake didn''t have Astral and his Number cards would Faker have even allowed him to compete in this WDC second round? Or would he have simple eliminated him when he put on the duel disk? Looking at the black sphere that housed the crystal Drake wondered just what kind of shielding it was that this madman had used to prevent even Drake from realising that such a potent power source was concealed within his duel disk?


    ---


    "ARGH!" Cried Shark as his Xyz Slidolphin was blasted to bits by his opponents own avatar, Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman!


    [BBDDS ATK:4800 > XyzS DEF:1800]


    [Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman ATK:4100 > 3100]


    If not for his trap card <Spirit Barrier> then Sharks 2400 life points would have been wiped out by his opponents penetrating attack just now.


    Since the duel bot he was facing had sealed his Xyz summoning, things had gone from bad to worse. Shark had tried to counter attack with his Nightmare Sharks ability for a direct attack, but it had block one attack with Negate Attack and on the sixth turn it had fusion summoned out that Dragon Destroying Swordsman, its abilities not only gave it a 1000 attack for each dragon Shark had (Which was all monsters he had on the field thanks to Buster Dragons effect), but it also forced all Sharks dragonized monsters into defence and prevent them from activating their special abilities.


    Together with its ability to deal penetrating damage against a defence position monster, it was only luck that Shark had managed to draw his Spirit Barrier in his next turn to save himself. Spirit Barrier meant that so long as he controlled a monster then his opponent could not inflict any battle damage to him, and because Nightmare Shark was a Number it couldn''t be destroyed in battle except against another Number.


    But as dire as the situation was, Sharks blood was racing. His power pulsed along with the beating of his heart, seeking some kind of release. Flashes of battles long over and forgotten to the mists of time flashed across his mind as he could hear the voice of Number 32 crying in his soul. Destroy, destroy! DESTROY!


    Yes! He must destroy all his enemies!


    "I draw!" Shark roared to the cheers of his followers.


    Thing may have looked bad but Sharks energy and drive inspired confidence in them even now.


    "I activate my <Cosmic Cyclone>! By paying 1000 life points I banish your equipped Destruction Sword."


    [Shark LP > 1400]


    The galactic winds blasted out from above them and pulled the sword from Dragon Destroyer Swordsman hand and tossed it into the void. With it gone, so was the seal on Sharks Extra Deck.


    "Next I activate from my graveyard <Xyz Revive Splash>! With my Rank 3 Number 47: Nightmare Shark I rebuild the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon Rank 4! Number 32: Shark Drake!"


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨C Rank 4 ATK:2800/DEF:2100 OU:1]


    Shark actually had to thank the stupid bot for sending this trap card to the grave several turns ago. This allowed Shark to summon his Crimson Hunter to the field, and with this card he would destroy anyone or anything that stood in his way!


    "I then activate Xyz Slidolphins effect in the grave to attach it to Shark Drake as an Overlay Unit."


    [Number 32: Shark Drake ¨COU:1 > 2]


    Sharks power was rising, overflowing, it demanded to be released and Shark had the perfect card to do just that.


    "And lastly, prepare to face a terror like no other! I activate <Rank-Up-Magic Barian''s Force>!"

 Chapter 58 - 58: Rank Up Chaos!

    He existed in a sea of darkness.


    He did not know how long he had existed here, but he knew that he had not always been this way.


    He could remember another time and other places, from so long ago it had descended from history into legend, into myth, until it was almost lost in the fog of time.


    But he remembered.


    He remembered marching in front of legions of warriors clad in black iron armour through the crimson tundra''s of his homeland, he remembered fighting beings of light among the primeval forests of long ago. He remembered sieges against glass like fortresses and defending ruby crystal castles.


    But he could no longer remember his name.


    Not his name, his family or anything else before the great war across worlds.


    But he remembered his homeland of Barian World.


    He once had power, position, riches and fame, as he fought alongside his lord. The strongest of the Seven Barian Emperors who served under the Lord of Barian World. Barian Emperor Nash.


    The memories of those days burned bright in the confused haze of his past as he clenched his claws. His deep breaths stirred the darkness around him as it flowed through his fangs.


    Those were the days of glory, the armies of Nash were the strongest and fiercest of the Barian battle forces, serving on the front lines in the battles against the armies of accursed Astral World. Those dogs of Order, if not for their champion and the five Guardians that led them then Barian world would have conquered the worlds and united them into the perfect utopia their god would speak of long ago.


    They were legion! A legion that swarmed the lands. Yet although the forces of Astral world had always been fewer in number, they were also individually stronger. Of the Seven Barian Emperors only Nash truly had the strength to face a Guardian one on one, his strength was so strong he could face down even their leader Eliphas alone. Only his highness Vector had come close in facing off against the weakest of the Guardians.


    In the darkness he could feel the pull of battle elsewhere. Its mighty drum pounded in his soul. Destroy! Destroy! Destroy all that stand in your path, Destroy your enemies utterly! Let there only be Destruction! Let it wash away the past, the pain, the betrayal...


    He remembered once facing off against Eliphas terrifying strength, if not for the intervention of his Emperor then his life would have ended that day. He had owed Nash everything, they had had everything one could wish for, so why? Why had Nash thrown it all away?


    Shark Drake opened its eyes as he heard his new pathetic masters call.


    "With Number 47: Nightmare Shark I rebuild the Overlay Network and Xyz Summon Rank 4! Number 32: Shark Drake!"


    A hole of light appeared in the darkness, a spiralling door that brought the false hope of warmth and life to the blackness in which the Number now lived. But soon¡­.


    He did not know how he came to become a Number, a splintered part of Astral Worlds Champion, nor did he care. It was his chance to rise again.


    From the hole fell the offering, the Number Nightmare Shark.


    Like the ultimate hunter it now was, Shark Drake swam through the darkness like a missile, it came up behind the monster that would be the sacrifice for his temporary return to the material world and sunk its fangs into the blue beasts neck. It took but moments to drain the helpless beast of its rich duel energy and transform it into a lonely shining star.


    The taste of the rich duel energy held the hint of Order energy that all Numbers held and Shark Drake also relished the bitter aftertaste of Chaos energy that came from his master. The taste of home. Only a faint sickly trace of emerald power spoilt the familiar taste of power.


    With a powerful sweep of its fins Number 32 dove into the open portal, entering once more the world of light that the people of this world took for granted.


    *ROAR*!


    A second Overlay unit appeared to offer its energy to the mighty Number.


    Shark Drake could not help but lament about his master, so concerned about his sister, so weak, just like Nash ultimately was¡­ with Marin. Shark did not deserve this power he had inherited.


    Shark Drake remembered that day, when Nash had fallen from favour, when he betrayed him and his armies, the day Nash had sought *phat* Peace.


    The day he had dared defy Don Thousand. And the day Marin had died.


    The day that¡­. But Shark Drake could no longer remember what else had happened that day, it was something important, be he could not remember what. After that came only the hazy memories of war. The victory of Alabarn, the conquest of Shadle, the defeat at Hazar. But it was no longer important, it was long over and gone.


    Now! Now was the time! It was the time to battle, time to fight, to DESTROY!


    Through his connection to the mortal behind him, who had been lucky enough to awaken the power of the strongest Emperor, Shark Drake could feel the building Chaos energy, it was rising, overflowing! Compared to what meagre energy he had drank from the offering but moments ago, it was like comparing a drop of water to an ocean. At least the boy was good for something.


    The familiar power of home was like a beacon to his senses.


    "And lastly, prepare to face a terror like no other! I activate <Rank-Up-Magic Barian''s Force>!" cried his master.


    "Go Rank-up Chaos Xyz Evolution!"


    The sealed gates blasted open, its chains and locks snapping instantly under overwhelming power, and Shark Drake allowed himself to be pulled into its depths, allowed the energy within to surge through him, to empower him, change him, evolve him into an even more perfect form.


    Finally! Finally this power was his! And soon, not only this power, but the power of Nash himself would be forever in his claws!


    ---


    [Turn 9 ¨C Shark LP:1400 Hand:0, Buster Blader LP:2000 Hand:3]


    The air turned heavy as all attention was drawn to the great gate. As a duel bot, Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman, was unaffected by such instinctual pressure. But those duellists of New Order that followed Shark could feel it.


    A murderous intent, a destructive force, it pressed down on them unlike anything they had ever felt. Even the power of the Seal of Orichalcos seemed to pale before this impending calamity. A great silver claw gripped the gateway, it was so massive the claw barley fit through the opening. Its claws glistened like polished steel, its edges like the sharpest blades.


    A second claw forced its way besides the first, gripping the other side of the gate, the two hands filling the entirety of the portal. Then they began to push.


    The frame of the gates stretched outwards for a moment before it snapped, ripping away at the fabric of reality, chaos spread and expanded under the force of Numbers claws, forming a great rift in the air.


    A true titan of the deep.


    "Behold! Rank 5! Chaos Number 32: Shark Drake Veiss H!"


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss H -Rank 5 ATK:3000/DEF:3000 OU:3]


    "Thanks to Buster Dragons effect, your monster now becomes a dragon and switches to defence due to Dragon Destroying Swordsmans effect." Declared the unflustered duel bot.


    "Wrong! Chaos Number 32 Veiss H is unaffected by my opponents card effects, now prepare to be scrapped!" Shark cried.


    All he wanted was to tear this puppet apart so that he could continue on his path to revenge.


    "Battle! At the start of the battle phase I activate Shark Drakes effect! I banish Hammer Shark from my graveyard, this increases my Numbers attack by the same amount as my banished monsters attack. Giving Shark Drake an extra 1700 Attack until the end of turn. Tyrants Prey!"


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss H - ATK:3000 > 4700]


    Sharks hammer headed shark appeared in front of the giant monster that Shark Drake had become, with a fearsome snap the monster was swallowed whole by the Chaos Number in one bite of its wicked jaw.


    "Now Shark Drake Veiss H attack! Destroy Buster Dragon with Chaos Terror Stream!"


    Runes of crimson light lit up all across Shark Drakes body, words written in lost Barian script, the glowing energy was then channelled into the gem set in the Barian crest on its ?h?st. With a mighty roar the Number released its energy in a beam of black and red energy, a torrent that smashed into the black dragon.


    [NC32H ATK:4700 > BD DEF:2800]


    Buster Dragon was obliterated by the power beam, the stream continuing onwards until it hit the statue of Slifer that stood behind the throne. It then shattered the statue into rubble and blasted a hole through the wall.


    This was no virtual image, this was the true power of a Number. Power that can materialise into reality itself.


    Sharks followers trembled in fear as they back away from the titan. Their terror and awe cementing their loyalty to their General Blue.


    "Since Shark Drake Veiss H destroyed a monster, it can now activate its second ability. Because it has a ''Shark Drake'' attached to it as an Overlay Unit I can now use one of its Overlay Units to attack again! I now attack Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman! Chaos Frenzy!"


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss H ¨C OU:3 >2]


    [CN32H ATK:4700 > BBDDS ATK:2800 ¨C Buster Blader LP > 100]


    With a massive swipe of its great claw it flattened the armoured warrior and demolished the right hand side of the staircase like it was nothing.


    "And again! Chaos Frenzy! Finish this now!"


    [Number C32: Shark Drake Veiss H ¨C OU:2 >1]


    [Buster Blader LP > 0]


    Reaching forward with its great head the Number took a great bite out the duel bot, swallowing the machine, the throne behind it and a good portion of the floor at the same time. One could hear the crunch of concrete and metal as Shark Drake chewed up its unfulfilling meal. Its crimson eyes glowed as it looked down at its master, it was unsatisfied at the lack of flesh, bone and blood, but he knew it was only a matter of time.


    Only a matter of time till it claimed everything it deserved¡­


    <<SHARK WINS ¡­.>>


    ---


    Back in the staff rest room of the Maze of the Minotaur, Drake and his duel spirits were finally finished.


    With a satisfied smile Drake put the duel disk back on his arm and booted it up. It seemed like everything was working just fine again.


    It had taken some time but Drake was now confident that all the booby traps in his duel disk (both in the Hardware and software) had been removed or else rendered ineffective, but in such a way that it would not be immediately noticeable to Fakers systems once he was back on the Network. He had left the sensor equipment alone afraid that forging false data would be too obvious when he did not know just what readings they had already taken on him, but the biggest change was its replacement power source that had been cobbled together from the equipment lying around.


    Because in his hand he was holding that single small sliver of Baria crystal. Its red glow slowly fading away as Drake syphoned its energy away and he refined it back into pure chaos energy with the help of Critias.


    Drake thought that perhaps he should do an investigation into Dr Fakers facilities, if Faker could afford to install a crystal in his duel disk then he must have even more of them, perhaps a lot more. And if Drake could find some of these crystals then he would no longer have to worry so much about duelling to gather energy for his conflict with New Order. But that would have to wait for another day.


    Recalling his duel energy the Duel Spirits were returned to the Spirit world they had come from and Drake made his way back to the colosseum where he had faced the King of the Maze, a normal contestant would not have left though the audience exit like he did, they would have gone through the gate at the other end.


    There might even be something good at the end.


    ---


    Meanwhile in the high tech zone of Megaroid City, Number 96 was closing in on his prey. It had taken a while, this zone was at times a real maze of passages, street, bridges and different levels that had be specially divided up by temporary barriers for this competition. Sometimes one had to go down three levels go back two streets and up a couple of levels again just to cross one street forwards from where you started.


    And several times Number 96 had to deal with unexpected obstacles, such as other contestants, Duel hunters and even a couple of New Order agents. Each was just a distraction from his real purpose of Number Hunting. In fact it didn''t even matter too much to him if he advanced to the finals or not because all the Numbers should already have been gathered on this island.


    Why wait for the finals when he could simply take them all in this round.


    Which was why he had such anticipation. It was time to add a new Number to his collection and as an added bonus, he would have a chance at a more personal revenge. Who would have thought that the brat would be here, and with a Number card as well. Heh. All the better for him then.


    And by now Number 96 was sure that Drake, that dangerous guy, was nowhere nearby.


    Turning a corner Number 96 quickly pulled back with his stolen body before peeking back round the corner. He could see a duel in progress.


    "I activate the effect of Machine Assembly Line, by sacrificing it I can return Green Gadget to the field, which allows me add Red Gadget to my hand. Then I summon it! With my Red, Green and Yellow Gadgets on the field my Stronghold the Moving Fortress now gains 3000 ATK!" a familiar boy said.


    "Found you Bronk, and soon your Number and your life, will be mine." Number 96 smirked.