Yu-Gi-Oh! Codex of Shadows [IC/PG-16/Always Accepting]

◇ Void ◇ · June 24, 2016

Opening: "Strength" by Abingdon Boys School

Ending: "Samurai Heart (Some Like it Hot!)" by SPYAIR

~A Void Production~

~Logo by: ◇ Void ◇~

~Hosted by: ◇ Void ◇~

Chapter 1: Party Crashers

Tomoya opened the door and exited the bedroom, taking a few steps to a mirror to check the state of his tuxedo. The single-breasted, deep blue dinner jacket had its buttons adjusted, while also having the pleats on his long, white shirt flattened down. Tomoya turned to his desk and flipped the lid off a fake leather box. Pinching out from the box a small Kaiba Corporation lapel pin, he attaching it to the grosgrain facings, before twiddling it around so it was aligned straight.

Sitting onto the edge of his leather chair, he slipped on the black oxford shoes one at a time, already pre-tied so they would not become loose during the event. “Alright…” Tomoya thought, spinning around to face the desk. He would pinch his keys, mobile phone, wallet and identification card; the latter he would drape over his neck with the lanyard provided. He then reached over to the top shelf, above the monitor, where a plain black deck box stood in his shelf. The lid was tipped open, and a deck of Duel Monster cards slipped out into his hand.

“Hmmm.” Tomoya paused everything, fanning the cards out. Many of the cards seemed dusty, having not been played in ages. A few even showed slight creasing, but not from strenuous use. Tomoya’s gaze at the artworks turned hollow, his mind drifting back in time. For seconds, he felt back at home. The ocean wind blowing across his face, before the fading thunder crack...

“Attention Guests! The Lake Pegasus centre closes in 30 minutes. Please begin to make your way to the exits.” The tannoy announced outside his window, breaking Tomoya away before he relapsed. Blinking his eyes and shaking his head a little, the deck was realigned into a single block of cards, then being slotted into a side pocket inside the jacket. Doing one last mental check in his head, Tomoya stood up and exited the apartment. Locking the door with his keys, the handle was twisted up, which activated the alarm.

Tomoya quickly shuffled down the stairwell to a small and dimly lit lobby, decorated with yellow plaster walls and dull lime floor tiles. Tomoya always thought it was strange that the condominiums had an office-like reception lobby, but it was because a corridor next to the stairwell he just came down led to some of the park’s offices. A secretary was sat at the main desk, tapping away on a desktop computer, when her pink-hair topped head popped up.

“Oh, look at you Mr. Yagi! All set for the party tonight?” She flirted to Tomoya, whose face flushed a little pink at the comment.

“U-huh. Sure, I’m set.” He thought quickly to compose himself with a follow-up. “Uh, is the monorail due soon?” Tomoya flummoxed together.

“Oh. Yes, should be pulling up in a few minutes. You better get going then sir.” Smiling, the secretary returned to her work: A game of solitaire. Tomoya nodded and continued, pushing through the door to a poky, brick-sided alleyway. A few more steps and he stood before an iron wrought gate, which opened by sliding his identification card into a scanner. The lock buzzed as it popped the lock open, sliding the gate. He stepped though and into the public area of the park and calmly waked forwards across the main courtyard near the entrance, weaving though the exiting guests.

Up a small flight of steel steps, Tomoya entered the park’s main monorail station. A traditionally-dressed station guard was putting the velvet rope across the entrance as Tomoya’s head popped over the horizon of the final step. “I’m sorry sir, the Monorail is closing for the…” The guard stopped as Tomoya flashed his identification card. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t recognise you.” He bowed, pulling the rope back so he could let Tomoya pass. “Thanks.”

“Nonaka.” Tomoya called across the platform, where the monorail captain was leaning against the locomotive section, smoking. He looked at Tomoya, before dropping his cigarette and stepping onto it to put out the butt. “Tomoya, lookin’ good man. Off to tonight’s little charade?” Nonaka quipped. “Yes, I am. Mind dropping me off at the station there before going to engineering?” Tomoya asked, tapping the door open button.

“Sure. Get in.” Nonaka turned and entered his cabin via the door, before opening the cabin door for Tomoya. He took the first available seat on the eerily empty cabin. A light thud emanated though the cabin as the monorail stirred into the life, as the backdrop of both the Lake Pegasus Center and the Kaiba Land World Resort began to move to the right.

Back on the platform, the guard returned to the now empty platform, watching as the monorail left. He reached into his velvet jacket and pulled out a walkie-talkie, which clicked as he tapped the side button.

“This is Tour Guide. Keymace Number 2 is on the way. Showtime is in twenty.”

Sluggaholic · June 24, 2016

Emfur stood, tall and proud, almost looking regal as his personal servants got to work on his tux. Black suit jacket, black pants, black shoes, black tie. Pristine, white shirt. And most importantly, in the breast pocket of said shirt, his personal work of art- a handy picture case that doubled as a card holder. One side, a picture of his family. The other, his favourite card. It was never far from him. After all, it wasn't uncommon for people to... "lose" Duel Monsters cards nowadays, what with how rare and expensive some cards were. At the very thought of this, Emfur frowned, his thin brows furrowing. This was why he was taking so much time to look perfect, even his usually untamed hair was carefully taken care of: it was slicked back with very minimal amounts of grease to give it a natural, yet regal look. Something he'd grown to despise. It was his father's look, and though he loved the late man, he didn't want to be him.

"Are you to be finished soon?" He wondered aloud, startling his handmaiden, who covered her mouth, and bowed lowly a multitude of times, much to Emfur's surprise and amusement. "Ah, sorry. Keep working, please. I was just wondering aloud. You're doing wonderfully, by the way." She again bowed a multitude of times, much to Emfur's embarrassment and amusement, again. I suppose this kind of stuff comes with the position, huh? He wasn't sure whom he was asking that, but the instant he looked up, he could feel someone agree with him. He wasn't the one to believe in superstitious stuff, but his family was once known for spirit work. But that was a long, long time ago. Far before his father ever became the man he once was. Far before he succeeded him, yet tried to run from his responsibility. And far before he decided to change his father's company for the better.

Speaking of, if he wanted to make this party, he needed to leave for his limousine now. Looking himself over one last time, he sighed, a look of exasperation making it to his face. "Geez... any more uptight and I think I'd be choking..." His handmaiden, despite her training, laughed just a little, which earned her a smile from Emfur. Before he left, however, he made sure to grab a straight, black box, about the size of a woman's make-up kit, if a little deeper. A more inconspicuous, upscale version of a "Deck Box" that he made just for situations like this. After all, this wasn't just any party- he was going to see Maximillion Pegasus himself, supposedly. "Alright, Emfur. Don't screw this up! Tonight's the night- the night you make your father's legacy your own!"

- - - - -

Orange light illuminated Emfur's pristine face, which had been done up just a tad to make him look more adult, and mature, than he was, as his driver took him down an unfamiliar country road of Japan's. Of course, everything in Japan for Emfur was unfamiliar. Being whom he was, and given the previous nature of his father's company, it could never have been based in his father's old country. Even so, his father kept up his work. Emfur smiled a tad at that. He had to give it to his old man. If he wasn't anything but one thing, it was dedicated. Something he knew that he wasn't. Something he planned to change.

"Say, Dextrio, when shall we arrive at Mr. Pegasus's?"

"Not too long, sir. In time for the party, I am sure."

"Good. Thank you, Dextrio."

With that, Emfur decided to rest his eyes for a short while. It couldn't hurt, he thought, being more rested for what was to come. Plus, with the silence and serenity of the Japanese country side beside him, he was sure his short rest would be most relaxing.

◇ Void ◇ · June 24, 2016

The Monorail carriage jolted again as it began to glide into the northern most station of the Lake Pegasus Centre. With a light thud the momentum halted, before the doors hissed open. Tomoya arose and stepped onto the platform. He gave a light smile and thumbs up to Nonaka, who responded back the same way from behind the soundproofed glass of the driver’s cabin. Tomoya slipped past the velvet rope and lightly jogged down the castle stone stairs to the plaza, which was buzzing with activity. Limousines, carrying Domino City’s elite, rolled along from the park’s VIP entrance and pulled outside the Art Deco, automatic gates to Chateau Maximillian. Stepping out, a few select members of the local press where flashing their cameras on the red carpet. Tomoya went around the Limos, crossing the road and to the carpet with minimal exposure.

Though the gates was a slight incline up a light hill, leading to the rustic French styled Chateau. A airport-style checkpoint had been set up mid-way, where guests were being required to present their invitations and go through a metal detector, while a x-ray machine examined the contents of surrendered purses and pocket content. One disgruntled, slick-haired youth was berating an armoured security officer, who had removed the duel disk from the guest. The event was too formal for the cumbersome and bold icon of KaibaCorp: Plus the fact that SchroderCorp had donated miniaturise Holoboxes inside so people could still pass the time if needed.

Waiting with the guards was a familiar face with long, silver-green hair: Gekko Tenma. He wore a more subtle version of his heavy maroon coat, with black suit trousers and maroon oxfords complimenting the former successor to Industrial Illusions. Gekko maintained the calm, relaxed face he always had as Tomoya approached. “Good, you’re here. Come on, we have some things to sort out before the main event.” Gekko did not hesitate to get onto business, beginning to trek to the chateau without allowing Tomoya to even say hello. “Okay, situation report?” Tomoya followed suit, despite feeling snubbed.

“All the guests so far have been escorted to the dining hall for now and enjoying the vintages so far. Though the news from head office is not good. Seto and my brother won’t be coming.” The two reached the crest and entered the Chateau, passing though small pockets of guests who were enjoying the wine and nibbles, provided by a battalion of spotless waiters with silver plates. The duo approached a pair of grand, oak doors that where flanked by two suited KaibaCorp officers: shades, pistols and all. Tomoya flashed his identity card, and so did Gekko, which sprang the seemingly static men into opening the doors for them.

The pair entered the main hall. It was a vaulted hall, with pillars dividing the walls that hanged classic oil paintings: Including a portait of Pegasus. Around the room, displays of Egyptian artefacts had been setup, along with information stands and tables with more nibbles and champagne flutes. At the far end of the room was the main podium and display cabinets, containing the Tablet of Lost Memories and the damaged Tablet of the Millennium Wars that depicted the ancient “Shadow Games”. A third cabinet had was centred between the tablets, shrouded in a simple cloth.

“Looks like the museum curators did a good job with organising the exhibition. Shame that half the people who know or care a damm about it all are not coming.” Tomoya commented, splitting away to take a look at some canopic jars.

“What about… Uh, Pegasus? I thought he was in hospital.” Tomoya remembered, having to click his fingers to remember the name. Gekko approached him. “Clean bit of health regarding the Liver Transplant it seems. He might have to come in a wheelchair though. Still sore.”

Tomoya turned, surveying the room and taking steps to the shrouded cabinet. “Is this…”

“Oh, yes!” Gekko perked up. “Go on. I want to see it myself after all this effort.” The pair took a side of the cabinet and lifted the cloak off, revealing the grand treasure inside. The Millennium Eye, Ring, Rod, Scales, Key and Necklace where there, having been rediscovered in the excavated Shrine to the Underworld, glistening in the spotlight. Three items flanked each side of the main exhibit: A maroon leather book, trimmed in curved and sharp gold plates, and then a golden emboss of the Eye of Wadjt in the cover. “Wow.” Tomoya’s eyes widened. “The Millennium Items; Key symbols of the older dynasty’s priesthood. All recovered from that pit.”

“And the book? All prayers and rituals?” Tomoya questioned. “No. The historians where a little bewildered by it.”

Tomoya raised an eyebrow, before his eyes closed in on the description panel, reading the top line: “Millennium Items of the Royal Priesthood and the “Codex of Shadows” Millennium Tome”

“Fantastic. I’ll have to ask about them later.” He said, pulling the cover back over and neatly aligning it with the glass case. The two turned away, stepping though the doors and around the corridor the main hall.

The room lied empty and silent, but as the party in the other rooms began to built up as the sun fell, whispers began to emanate from nowhere. “He’ll do.” Something spoke with a deeper voice.

“Why did that book just whisper that?” Sol sternly asked his brother back in their world, frowning at the holographic gameboard. “Well, we’ll find out. I only threw in the game piece: Not what it holds.” Darkmyre slyly remarked. Sol could easily tell him fullwell knew what it was, and already playing a treacherous game.

SpasmicUnitato · June 26, 2016

"Checkmate." Hirai said, staring at his opponent, who was sitting across from him. The old man had a laugh "I've taught you well, haven't I?" he rambled, this old man was Hirai's father, who was a ticket holder to the event and was generous enough to bring Hirai as his guest. They were currently on their way to the event and Hirai, with a board and a worthy opponent, thought it would be a good way to pass time. After a game of smart tactics Hirai was finally able to lock his father down into a checkmate, his king locked down and with nowhere to run, a long fought battle of White vs Black, the White side became victorious. "How about another? It shouldn't be too long until we arrive at our destination." Hirai asked, staring at his father, who replied with "Not for me, I think I've had enough defeats for today" he chuckled, sitting back into his chair. "Huh, boring..." Hirai mumbled to himself, looking down at his recent game and decided to move his piece and take out the king, out of pure boredom. The window towards the driving seat opened and the driver looked back "We'll arrive soon" he said to the two "Great." The old man said, smiling. The window closed and the drive continued towards to the event

"Not long now, huh?" Hirai asked, smiling at his father.

◇ Void ◇ · June 28, 2016

Gekko and Tomoya stepped into the dining hall, where the guests where mingling away; Gossip, intellectual snonibess and nibbles could be just a few words to describe the few hundred gathering. Banners had been raised around the perimeter of the hall, displaying some of the ventures that tonight’s event was fundraising for. The one closest to Tomoya displayed the grand artistic concept of an angular skyscraper, constructed of white steel and glass, pinnacle by red rectangle icon displaying an abstract series of lines that were supposed to read ‘KC’, but it did require some effort. To those who knew, it was the design of Domino City’s biggest construction project: KaibaCorp Two.

A waiter grazed past the two holding aloft a silver platter of foodstuffs, of which Tomoya swiped a small handful of skewered cocktail sausages, sun-dried tomatoes and roasted peppers, which then he offered to Gekko, who gave a reluctant glare at him for thinking about his stomach before the stress of running an event. He still took two of the roasted pepper sticks and began to slide them off into his mouth, all while Tomoya consumed the remaining selection.

“I don’t know how you can be thinking about food while we have all this to run?” Gekko queried as the pair retreated into a secluded corner of the room. Tomoya raised an eyebrow. “Are you really still panicking over this? These people don’t give a flying f—“

“Clang-crack!” Broke though the ambient chatter, as a champagne flute was dropped by a particularly tipsy lady, who was being stabilised by her partner for the evening. Tomoya and Gekko gave a quick glance to make sure the waiters cleared up the situation, and then returned to the topic.

“As I was saying: These people don’t care about us. So long as they get fed, drunk and able to look at some shiny stuff, their wallets will more open than the park during summertime.” Tomoya cynically reassured his boss, before beginning another piece of squared food: maintaining eye contact to ensure dominance. “I hope so.” Gekko replied, turning to withdraw the Samsung mobile in the inner pocket of his burgundy jacket. Holding down the home button it flashed to life, bringing up his messages page. There where various texts, ranging from reminders of meetings to flirtatious, indecent images from a contact named “Reiko”. The top message flashed above “1 New Message”:

“PEGASUS in 5. M.K ALSO ABOARD. GET GUESTS READY ASAP."

“Jesus, they got Mokuba?!” Gekko exclaimed to himself, seeing Tomoya turn his head back in attention. “Well, good news then at last! You get the guards ready to monitor the main hall while I escort the guests.” Tomoya asked, placing the remaining sticks and waste food in his hands in a nearby wastebasket. He strode to the drinks table, picking up a half-measured champagne flute and a silver spoon from the olive bowl. Turning to face the crowd, he tapped a light, attention-grabbing tune on the flute, which incited the majority of guests to pay attention to the KaibaCorp official.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so glad you could all make it to tonight’s fundraiser, and I hope you are enjoying the complimentary refreshments. We shall be opening the main exhibition hall in a few moments, so can you all please finish and dispose of your drinks and foodstuffs, and then follow the ushers to the hallway at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for your time.”

The volume in the room rose a little, as the elites and politicians began to stir amongst the less energetic bureaucrat and snobbish contributors. Gekko took point at the front, escorting them through to the corridor, while Tomoya remained behind to ensure that people had finished their drinks before continuing on.

Sluggaholic · June 28, 2016

He'd been here for quite some time, but nothing quite made Emfur feel glad about that. He'd been getting odd looks the entire night, stemming from his age and indeed, his accent. As if that wasn't bad enough, he wasn't even old enough to be trusted with liquor, despite being on his own. Few people knew who he was- after all, Japan had no real need to buy from his father's company in the past, thanks to their pure defense military- but those who did looked down on him with disdain. Whatever. They could think what they wanted. For all they knew, he was just another rich, snobbish kid out to have a little too much fun tonight. But that's, of course, where they were wrong. He was a rich, snobbish kid out to make a deal, fun wasn't mandatory tonight.

Still, the food was absolutely sublime. Emfur had great food all his life, but nothing quite beat this cooking. He'd kill to meet the chef- perhaps even learn a little from him- because whomever prepared the food here was genius. Europe never quite had such brilliant food. Even so, not even perfect food could fix his attitude and thoughts towards the others here. He was a nice kid, but he could only stand so much of the people's coldness and general lack of hospitality. After a while, it began to grate on his nerves. It wasn't as if he were making some kind of scene, why couldn't they mind their own business and just let him have his time to himself?

"Honestly--" He pinched the bridge of his nose, furrowing his thin brows. "--it's like they've never seen a foreign aristocrat before..." Perhaps they hadn't, but that wasn't an excuse for their behavior. Thankfully, it seemed like niceties and general, amiable meandering time had come to an end- heralded by a slightly pudgy man from KaibaCorp (a case of military turned kid-friendly that'd been a big inspiration for Emfur himself). Emfur nodded to himself, gladly being shepherd into the main gallery. He figured he'd be able to see Pegasus, and follow him, maybe. If he could speak with the creator of Duel Monsters himself... then maybe, just maybe he'd be able to take responsibility and change his father's company for the better. Added bonus included seeing an old book and even older artifacts. Woo.

Dova · June 29, 2016

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so glad you could all make it to tonight’s fundraiser, and I hope you are enjoying the complimentary refreshments. We shall be opening the main exhibition hall in a few moments, so can you all please finish and dispose of your drinks and foodstuffs, and then follow the ushers to the hallway at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for your time.”

Sipping the last of a golden liquid from a thin champagne flute, Toshiro stood up from his isolated table. It had been difficult remaining patient as the other guests ate and drank their fill, but he needed to remained focused on the reason he was here. The reason he had given so much for the opportunity to get here.

Glancing down at the pocket where his ticket was now concealed, his mouth flickered in what was almost a smile as he thought back to when he had first heard of this event. True, he had paid almost an arm and a leg on the card he now owned, but the opportunity had been too good to miss. A chance to observe the workings and belongings on one of the richest companies in the world? Toshiro’s smile solidified. This was his ticket to the top. Pun intended.

Pushing himself up from the table, he made his way past several guests who had clearly had a little too much to drink before the exhibition. Harsh laughs coupled with muffled sentences did nothing to calm Toshiro’s emotions, however he quickly stepped past them, on towards the now open doors.

As he walked onwards, he flickered his eyes around to see if he knew anyone else attending. Or, to be more accurate, to see if anyone else here would recognize him, or possibly be a threat in his...upcoming plans. Glancing at the nearby figures, he caught sight of Gekko Tenma. To be expected, as this was was father’s event. He had heard rumors of some incident involve him and the famous king of games, Yugi Moto, but he had little information and less evidence.

Before Toshiro had the chance to survey the room any further, another diner knocked into him, causing him to lose his balance and topple into another man by the door. Toshiro managed stop his movements too much before they collapsed together, and pushed himself up with a nearby table.

“Excuse me.”

Hurriedly brushing himself off and moving on, Toshiro spared a moment before his head turned away to survey this other person. He wasn’t moving forward, and seemed to be overseeing the move to the gallery. A little overweight, however he was wearing clothes a little more elegant than that worn by the other guards among the Chateau. He would have to keep an eye on him.

SpasmicUnitato · June 30, 2016

Hirai had arrived the event before the announcement, and had separated from his father. Hirai sighed as he drank from his glass one last time, before a man had made an announcement;

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so glad you could all make it to tonight’s fundraiser, and I hope you are enjoying the complimentary refreshments. We shall be opening the main exhibition hall in a few moments, so can you all please finish and dispose of your drinks and foodstuffs, and then follow the ushers to the hallway at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for your time.”

Hirai sighed as he stared at his drink, getting up and leaving it wasn't the best thing to do, but he didn't exactly care at that moment. He had wondered where his father had ran off to, but didn't care enough to actually go searching for him by himself. The most he did was look around for him for a minute.

"So this snoozefest is finally starting to kick off? I hope this wasn't a waste of time like other events father has made me attend..." Hirai mumbled to himself, taking the final bite from his plate which wasn't that big to begin with. With curiosity, he started looking around for his father yet again.

His second attempt to find his father had failed, but that didn't really bug him. While not very much caring for the event itself, something like this was sure to grab attention of a certain group, who would make the party much more exciting then it currently was. Hirai was looking forward to this, and hope they wouldn't let him down, but he had a suspicion that they would not let him down the slightest bit. No one could ignore this event, and if they did, they would have to be a mad man. All there was left to do is wait...

◇ Void ◇ · July 1, 2016

Tomoya watched as the room emptied with surprising efficiency, though a few careless individuals had managed to knock over an unfortunate guest in the ramble though the door. Tomoya thought to help him up, but hesitated. He knew that it was not in the formal code that the other guests operated on, and could not afford to alienate potential future clients for KaibaCorp’s interests. It internally pissed him off enough to involuntarily clench his right fist for a second.

Gekko had now led the guests into the main hall, where the security officers had taken their posts around the most valuable exhibitions: Four of them alone around the shrouded centrepiece that the pair had peaked under earlier. The younger Tenma brother snuck away using the opposite doors, to walk through a small labyrinth of hallways to the rear entrance, where a black, high-end German car had just driven up along the service access road. Another suit, with a single point of brown hair sticking outwards on his head, emerged from the driver’s position and walked to the boot; using the car keys to automatically flip the boot lid open. The man was Kemo, and had been under the employ of KaibaCorp for several years, even when Seto was just a child, before becoming Pegasus’ personal bodyguard. Kemo hauled out a wheelchair and folded it out with a single thrust, rolling it to the left rear door.

“Nice to see you again Father.” Gekko greeted his adoptive father, Pegasus, with a respectful bow.

Pegasus had not aged well: Not unexpected from his excessive drinking of Red Wine Spritzers, abuse of Shadow Magic from the Millennium Eye, mourning his late wife Cecilia, and the long recovery that followed his apparent “death” by the Spirit of the Millennium Ring. He was visibly frail, with his skin wrinkled and closely following the contours of his bones. The long, silver hair had become more a dull grey and little less elegant around the edges. As Kemo helped him into the wheelchair, Gekko caught a glimmer of the still-empty eye socket that once housed the Millennium Eye: the area around it now permanently bruised with shades of purple, deep brown and other unappealing nude shades. Despite this, he continued to wear the same red velvet coat and grey pants.

“Gekko, my boy! So glad to see you.” Pegasus perked, smiling. He reached out with his arms, giving one of his adoptive sons a warm hug. Gekko lightly reprociated, worried he would hurt him.

“Same here. I assume you heard what happened to…”

“Uh-huh, say no more Gekko.” Pegasus lightly shook his head, before discreetly pointing his finger to the front passenger seat, where the sole heir to the Kaiba Corporation, Mokuba, was mopping up a few tears from his eyes with a lilac hanky: Trying hard to keep his emotions in. “Let the boy compose himself. Kemo, if you would?” Pegasus snapped his bonny fingers, stirring Kemo to wheel him inside, with Gekko walking along side at a casual pace.

“Your brother has a nerve not showing up tonight. What did you do this time?” Pegasus quipped to Gekko, who frowned at the insinuation that he had deterred Yako, the new president of Industrial Illusions, from attending. “Nothing, I swear. Still has his issues."

“Now, now. Boys will be boys…” A little giggle came from the old man.

As the trio turned around the corner, Tomoya approached them: Kemo halting Pegasus’ wheelchair with a firm tug. Tomoya stood confident, bowing graciously. “Mr. Pegasus, a pleasure to see you home again. Should I ask Croquet to prepare your usual refreshment?”

“Not tonight Tomoya.” Gekko sternly pre-emptively denied Pegasus the opportunity to speak. “Actually, while you’re here, could you go to the car and pick up Father’s briefcase?"

“Sure.” Tomoya agreed, having the keys deposited into his open palm by Kemo, before walking past. Pegasus, Gekko and Kemo continued towards the main hall. “Hmph. Tonight your no fun Gekko my boy.” Pegasus complained.

Mokuba sat in the leather passenger seat, fully crossed legged in his cream and lilac suit combination. He disposed the little hanky he had been wiping the tears away into the glovebox, slamming it with anger back into the dashboard. He kept thinking to himself, over and over: “Big bro is going to be fine… He always comes back. He wouldn't leave me now.” Time seemed not to pass for Mokuba as he self-mourned his big brother’s accident. The unusually-fragile heir shivered: Eyes widening as a light tapping came from the tinted window. Cautiously, he pressed down the electric switch in the armrest, which lowed the window with a light hum. Tomoya’s face came into view, leaning on the window edge, giving a light smile.

“Sounds like someone could do with a snack.” Tomoya quipped, bringing up into view a plate with a moist, delectable slice of Red Velvet cake and a fork. Mokuba broke out a slight smile at the friendly gesture.

“Keymace Number 2 and Little Dragon isolated. Permission to strike?” A shadowed figure murmured though the static of a pocket radio, around the corner. “On my mark” it buzzed back.

Sluggaholic · July 1, 2016

Being shepherded into the gallery wasn't on his list of top priorities, but to meet Pegasus and finally take charge of his father's company, Emfur knew that he'd have to bear some pretty unbearable things. Even so, as he was forced to stand in the vicinity of various other rich, snobbish, drunken fools, he quickly began to regret having to bear this burden on his shoulder. Still, life moved on. What he would get out of this experience would be worth so much more than anything he'd ever gotten in his life. And for that, he'd bear any burden.

Looking around, Emfur noticed some familiar faces here and there-- business men and women his father had done business with in the past who often approached him with various delicious looking deals that for the young business mogul were easy to distinguish as traps-- but nobody he liked. None in the slightest. "...I really wish Garry was here." He muttered to himself as he crossed his arms out of habit, his thin brows furrowing once more. He knew he shouldn't make such an uncomfortable face, what with the whole "that look will get burned into your face!" jazz his parents tried to drill into him, but situations like these definitely warranted the look he was making now. That look only deepened when a familiar voice filled his ear with drunken joviality.

"Emfur, my boy!" A familiar stranger cried, clasping his shoulder from behind, and then spinning the clearly unhappy teen around. "By the by young lad, what are you doing in a place such as this?!"

"Much, Delorean. Yourself?" His tone was cold and offensive, with not-so-subtle undertones that screamed at the old man to leave him be. Even if he was usually kind, this whole party had put him in a very, very sour mood.

"My my! Is that anyway for old friends to speak with one another?" The old man cried, dramatically resting his hand upon his face. "Oh! You wound me!"

"You don't know just how much I wish I could..."

"Hum?"

"A-ah!" Emfur realized that he'd said that out loud, and quickly laughed the pseudo-threat off. "Nothing, Delorean! And, you're right. My apologies. How has your wife been, might I ask?" In that instant, Delorean's chipper attitude returned (no doubt thanks to his great consumption of alcohol that evening) and as he launched into the latest story of his escapades, Emfur found himself begging whatever god there may be to relieve him of this old man's incessant nagging. He was practically pleading with any possible higher power for this show to simply get on the road. Give this rambling old buffoon anything-- anything at all!-- to distract him from Emfur!

◇ Void ◇ · July 5, 2016

Mokuba tucked into the sugary piece of cake that Tomoya brought, while he was now sitting on the passenger doorframe besides Mokuba. As he scooped each forkful into his mouth, Mokuba felt more relaxed and calm: His emotions having been amplified by a lack of proper sustenance. Tomoya removed his tuxedo jackcet as Mokuba ate, hooking it on the edge of the car door, so to adjust the cuffs on his tonic-shaded shirt. A jacket-matching waistcoat was revealed underneath, which kept him warm in the chilly air.

“Feel better?” He queried. Mokuba nodded with drier eyes, finishing off the mouthful he had with a big gulp. “Better.”

Tomoya and Mokuba had known each other for a year or two: Mainly because Mokuba had been given authority over the Lake Pegasus Centre by his older brother, as a teaching experience about how certain businesses worked. So technically, while he worked for the young teen, Tomoya seemed to help Mokuba out when Gekko did not have work for him. “So, how is he?” Tomoya was cautious in his tone: He had never seen Mokuba so fragile, and did not want to make him regress to the soppy mop he was a few moments ago.

“Stable, just still sleeping. They keep saying that my brother has nothing wrong with his head, but…”

“...You think if that was the case, why hasn’t he woken up yet?” Tomoya butted in. Mokuba stopped his fork and lowered it back onto the saucer, putting it on the dashboard. He raised an eyebrow. “Yes, but how did you know?”

Tomoya paused, giving a single sigh, which condensed upon contact with the cool night air.

“My Grandmother had a stroke. Well, a kind of stroke where the vessel bursts, instead of getting blocked up.” He rotated his head around to look at Mokuba, where a gloomier visage had replace the cheerful face that Tomoya put up to the people around him. “The grief is immediate, and it never goes without a long, anguishing fight. You just have to put a brave face on it and carry on: I’d guess it is a bit like a marathon.”

“Something you probably have no experience with right?” Mokuba cracked up, lightly tapping Tomoya’s slightly bulging front, who first broke into a smile, before blurting out a few exclamations of laughter. A moment passed as the pair regained their composure, before turning back to the point he was about to make. “Your brother will get through it. You just need to keep going until he is ready to catch up.”

Mokuba got up and jumped from the seat and onto the pavement, somehow avoiding Tomoya completely with the leap. “Fine then. We better get to the…”

“Don’t move, the pair of you, or I’ll blow some holes in you both.” From the shadows emerged a figure, completely draped in a deep purple robe ensemble that included a monk-style hood that covered the assailant’s face. It moved like a phantom, swaying across the ground as the robe covered whatever tracks it made. A white hand emerged from the front of the robe, wielding a .50 Desert Eagle, before stopping directly beside Tomoya and putting it towards his head. Tomoya was immediately unnerved, freezing in place with a careful stare at the figure. Mokuba was more use to the situation of being kidnapped, somehow remaining composed as he remained by Tomoya’s right side, analysing the situation despite also being under threat. The robe loomed to behind Tomoya, putting the gun to his lower spine with a forceful jolt, while another hand emerged from the robe. It clambered around to the front of his body and clawed itself onto the lanyard for his identification card, which he drew back behind as a makeshift restraint.

“Look, I don’t have my wallet with me, so just take my phone and go.” Tomoya awkwardly demanded.

“Oh, I’m not here for that.” The robe chuckled. Mokuba looked up and noticed the familiar eye print on the top of the hood. “Hey, I know that symbol. You’re a Rare Hunter!” he exclaimed.

“Clever boy. Now, shut up or he gets it! Move it you two!” It demanded, prodding Tomoya with the gun like a cow prod to cattle. Frightened, he began to cautiously move ahead and into the chateau hallways, with Mokuba beside him.

Back inside, Gekko, Pegaus and Kemo where now loitering outside in the alternative hallway to the main hall. Pegasus had received a wine glass of a red, sparlking liquid from Kemo along the way, swirling it around by twirling his fingers around the glass shaft between the chalice and the base.

“Hmm. Tomoya must have gotten distracted or something. Sorry Father.” Gekko apologised with a frown on his face.

“No worries my boy.” Pegasus took a sip of the deep red liquid that was in the wine glass. He grimaced at the taste, putting on a brave face as he gulped it down. “Bleh. But I can’t believe you have me drinking this filth though. I'd imagine it is what mashed up cards taste like!” It was not wine: Instead a mixture of red grape juice and his daily medicine doses dissolved in. Regardless, he finished it off and disposed the glass to Kemo’s free hand. “Look, we can’t wait around any longer. You ready to make the speech?”

“As I’ll ever be my boy.”

Gekko nodded, quietly slipping through the doors into the party. He graciously sidestepped and diverted though the guests to the podium. Resting his hands on the raised sides, he began the announcement.

“Good evening everyone, and thank you very much for being here tonight. My name is Gekko Temna, Operational Manager here at the Lake Pegasus Centre.” Gekko steded himself, adjusting the notes atop the podium. He then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a copy of the Mystic Elf card between two fingers, displayed it up for the next section of the speech.

“For over 20 years now, the Kaiba Corporation and Industrial Illusions have fostered an incredible bond that has culturally shifted the world. He have moved away from the days of combat from arms, to combat with cards instead. Duel monsters has not only provided countless hours of entertainment for the world’s population, but has allowed the diverse cultures under its banner to be incorporated, bringing attention to many fields that would otherwise stagnate, or fall into obscurity.” A projection of images of KaibaCorp sponsored excavations, including the one at the Shrine to the Underworld, began to be displayed on the wall behind Gekko. He took the opportunity to return Mystic Elf back into his deck pocket.

“And that is why we are here. The man who founded Duel Monsters took inspiration from the grand civilization that was Ancient Egypt. It has dominated his intellectual prerogative, and has continued to shape the game in inspiring the latest and greatest cards, along with supporting the causes that allow that grand empire’s history and culture to be recovered, restored and enjoyed by everyone: as such in events like tonight.”

“And I am proud to call that man my adoptive father. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, the former president of Industrial Illusions and the creator of Duel Monsters: Maximillian Pegasus.” The crowd erupted into clapping as Kemo wheeled a waving Pegasus into the room and towards the podium.

EpicBoss99 · July 6, 2016

"I am SO not prepared for this sort of fanciness..." Yoichi thought to himself, slowly making his way into a large crowd of people in an attempt to not be seen. Although he was mesmerized by the old and beautiful Egyptian artifacts and was excited to see them, Yoichi wasn't much of the regal type, and he didn't get the whole message of how it was a "black tie" event. He arrived at the gala without a tuxedo jacket, and had a rather inexpensive blue tie on to match his dated white dress shirt to the dismay of his father. The thing he wanted to do the most is simply walk off and be by himself due to him being outclassed by everyone around him. While his father was busy chatting with old buddies from work, Yoichi found himself right next to a table with a wide assortment of drink and upper-class snacks. "Awesome! The perfect escape tool for any awkward party-goer like myself!" Yoichi gleefully noted as he filled a large cup of water for himself. After a few minutes of wolfing down the normal fancy foodstuff and slurping down lots of water, he had an idea. "You know what? I might be able to duel someone here!" Yoichi plotted, sprinting back towards his father's car to grab his backpack. Yoichi knew that it was Pegasus running this event, and so at least somebody would have to play Duel Monsters. Perhaps if he could find someone who shares the common interest of dueling with him, he won't have such a bad time after all. The mere excitement of having the opportunity to duel a new person and meet a new friend brought joy back into Yoichi's heart. After returning to his only safe haven, the snack table, with his deck attached to his belt and his duel disk in his backpack, Yoichi heard a man make an announcement:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so glad you could all make it to tonight’s fundraiser, and I hope you are enjoying the complimentary refreshments. We shall be opening the main exhibition hall in a few moments, so can you all please finish and dispose of your drinks and foodstuffs, and then follow the ushers to the hallway at your earliest convenience. Thank you very much for your time.”

"Come on! I was just getting comfortable!" Yoichi accidentally expressed out loud. A couple of adults stared right at him and performed the cliche ritual of disgust at the mere common-folk standing before them. He attempted to shrug it off but to no avail, as it really hurt his feelings. He wondered why he even decided to follow his father to this gloomy meeting when he could've stayed home testing new cards and strategies, or even just write new codes for his duel disk on his computer. In an attempt to not get mentally attacked again, Yoichi tried to get away from as many people as he could while following the ushers in front of him. After a long period of walking and standing around, Yoichi suddenly heard someone talk:

“Good evening everyone, and thank you very much for being here tonight. My name is Gekko Temna, Operational Manager here at the Lake Pegasus Centre.”

"Hold on, did he just say his name was 'Gecko'?? Whose idea was that?" Yoichi thought to himself as he suddenly found himself snickering uncontrollably. He found himself in front of another glaring pair of eyes before he decided to listen again. Yoichi was completely bored by "Gecko"'s speech, until he heard him speak of Maximilian Pegasus. Yoichi immediately started to clap with the others. "I can't believe it! I didn't think Pegasus himself was going to speak here!" Yoichi thought as he was bubbling with excitement to meet the creator of his favorite game.

◇ Void ◇ · July 7, 2016

As Pegasus arrived at the podium, Kemo’s hand reached under the wheelchair, withdrawing from a little pouch a silver cylinder with an ergonomic hand grip on the top. He gave it a single, strong shake that extended it into a walking stick, before handing it to Pegasus. The man put both hands onto the ergonomic top, bolstering himself upright and onto his feet.

“Thank you very much Gekko for tha…”

The second pair of doors where crashed open by the boot of the Rare Hunter, who still had Tomoya and Mokuba hostage. The guards around the room sprang up, reaching into their jackets to pull their firearms, but where outmatched by the hunter, who immediately put the Desert Eagle he wielded to Tomoya’s temple. “DON’T MOVE, OR MY FRIENDS HERE GET MESSY!” It demanded.

Tomoya cringed as the barrel digged into the side of his head. “For god’s sake, stand down!” He cried, eyes still shrunken with fear. Mokuba stood beside him, looking up also in terrified anticipation. The guards hesitated, as they knew Tomoya was a VIP: The few who had their guns drawn remained aimed, while the rest put their arms to their side. All the meanwhile, the guests began had begun to panic. The immediate vicinity around the Rare Hunters and his hostages had been cleared, but everyone was weighing up between running and staying: Either unsure if the assailant would open fire on them, or just wanted to watch the morbid spectacle play out. “Move it.” The Rare Hunter steered Tomoya and Mokuba towards the shrouded case, using the lanyard around Tomoya’s neck to guide him. The guards shouted various combinations of “Move and we shoot” as they did, but their masculine threats where hollow. Kemo, Pegasus and Gekko took a few tenuous steps back as the trio approached. “Let him go Hunter!” Gekko demanded.

“You’re in no position to negotiate!” He simply said. “Now, you. Slowly remove your keycard and slot it though the security lock.”

Tomoya hesitated. “NOW!” The Rare Hunter bludgeoned Tomoya with the butt of the gun, knocking him down to his knees, but quickly reasserting the end of the barrel towards his cranium, and tracking it as Tomoya shakenly reached for his ID. "Oh god!" Mokuba cried. Despite the blow, Tomoya had the strength to raise his head and hand rose to the edge of the cabinet: the former slightly swollen where the gun had bashed him. Uplifting the side of the cloth revealed a small security console with a card slot, which Tomoya slotted in, to deactivate the alarm.

The smile under the Rare Hunter’s hood extended to a Cheshire cat’s extent. Relinquishing the end of Tomoya’s lanyard, he pulled a small walkie talkie and clicked the activation switch. “Go.”

The guests and guards began to turn their heads, picking up an unexpected sound from the distance. It was a faint rumbling that began to roar as it grew louder. The room sprang to life as those sounds heralded the arrival of three black sports bikes, driven by matching Rare Hunters, shattered the glass windows with the front tires. Chaos emerged as the guests panicked, screaming, barging and trampling over each other as they now realised to run away, even if it meant giving the Rare Hunter that had Mokuba and Tomoya cover from the guards. The new hunters dismounted, running towards the display cases with Duel Disks adorned on their arms: swinging down like a halberd to shatter them open, and shovelled the artefacts into shipping peanut-stuffed duffle bags they carried on their backs.

Kemo took the opportunity to take the lead, escorting a frightened Pegasus and a hesitant Gekko to the far side of the room where he unlatched a window. “No! We got to save Tomo-“ Kemo did not care, and gut-punched Gekko for his own good. “Mr. Gekko sir, we can’t help him now!” The disabling blow allowed Kemo to use his impressive strength to haul Gekko over, while the frail Pegasus managed to clamber over and fall into a small bush on the other side. Mokuba remained terrified and by the wounded Tomoya’s side, trying to get him back up onto his feet. Tomoya himself felt frail, dazed and confused; all while combating a hazy, misaligned sense of vision. For a moment, he swore he could hear a voice.

The first Rare Hunter did the same, revealing his KC mass produced Duel Disk and levering it down on the main cabinet, revealing the Six Millennium items and the Codex of Shadows. “Jackpot. There here boys! Pack them up and ship them up.” The Rare Hunter stepped away, giving the order for his subordinates to begin hoarding the main exhibit. As the guards closed in, he fired two shots and stuck them in the shoulder.

The agonising hits threw the guards to the ground, incapacitated and bleeding out. “Oh, and then tie up Keymace there onto a bike.”

Sluggaholic · July 8, 2016

To say that Emfur was completely and utterly stunned would've been an understatement. The fact was, he was a mixture of things, stunned being one of the primary factors. Along with that numbing emotion, he was elated, furious, confused, and empty. But mostly furious. Not even a few moments ago, he'd finally gotten that old "friend" off of him, only to wind up having to witness a hostage situation firsthand. Worst of all, there was literally nothing he could do about it. No, honestly, what COULD he do about it?! He was a 17 year old pampered kid for god's sake. What could he do against a full grown man with a pistol? Throw out blind threats and cheesy movie lines? "You'll never get away with this!" Bull-crap. Most likely, he would. And unfortunately, there wasn't a single person who could stand up to him.

...Duel Disks? He bit his lip. That certainly was an interesting development. He'd heard about 'Rare Hunters' from his father. It seemed as if he'd dealt with remnants of their kind in the past. He'd always figured they were a terrorist organization. Perhaps they were. But, that's not what really mattered. After all... if they had Duel Disks, then they had to have some reason to have brought them. Besides, of course, using them as bludgeoning tools. Using the commotion-- screaming, panic, the like-- Emfur went into stealth mode. If it was just the one, perhaps he could've used the commotion to get out his deck box, and maybe stun him with a blow to the temple, but there was a whole group... Looking for someplace to hide this out, he quickly dove behind a clothed table-- one that had, thankfully, escaped being knocked over by the panic and chaos. Slipping under the long white cloth, he stared out at the scene before him from underneath it. Sure, this was cowardly, but in his own way, he'd be a hero. Assuming he survived. He could tell the police first-hand what he saw, and get to work finding these psychopaths.

And get his revenge, too. That, among other things, was a priority. The top priority was, of course, escaping this fiasco alive. But still, he'd better watch, and wait. If he sprung out now... well... he'd be much less a vigilante and much more his father. Not something he wanted. How could he let something like his life end so quickly before it even truly began? Of course, this was more of an excuse to keep himself alive than anything, but nobody could really prove that. "C'mon you punks..." He muttered, his voice barely carrying from under the table. "Give me something-- anything-- worthwhile..."

At last! As the main Rare Hunter smashed open the case near his hostages, Emfur finally understood what those Rare Hunters wanted. Those golden items and that book, which were no doubt going to be revealed tonight as some big accomplishment. Ancient Egyptian artifacts, if he recalled. His father never mentioned them, but he'd have to be blind to not recognize the design as Ancient Egyptian, from all the books he'd read. But why would they be after them? Sure, they could sell those items for funds, but weren't they just card thieves...? "Tch. This just keeps getting more and more confusion... and what's with that book?" He shivered, feeling a cold sweat roll down his back. "It gives me the creeps... And what's this 'Keymace' nonsense?"

From the shadows, Emfur watched, silently praying to whatever gods there could be that he was not found out. He felt bad for those dying guards, but letting these men do what they wanted would speed up the process of them disappearing, hopefully giving the guards enough time to survive. Hopefully.

"Tch. What a bother..."

EpicBoss99 · July 8, 2016

As soon as Pegasus was just about to get things started, things took a turn for the crazy when armed hooded people busted down the door and started to make their way to the front.

“DON’T MOVE, OR MY FRIENDS HERE GET MESSY!”

It was when one of the Rare Hunters shouted this and bludgeoned a man with a gun when Yoichi decided to run for it. He was already very close to the exiting door when a rather tall and muscular man punched Yoichi in the face and pointed a gun at his head. "Move and you die," he threatened menacingly at Yoichi. At this point, the chaos of screaming and cloaked men raiding the room as well as the pain on his face distracted Yoichi from thinking logically, so he still ran for the door anyway, completely ignoring the gun. The Rare Hunter's finger was almost about to pull the trigger when more Hunters arrived on black motorcycles, distracting the obviously new Rare Hunter from firing instantly, which gave Yoichi's father enough time to find his son and pull out a pistol of his own. In mere seconds, Yoichi's father saved his son's life by firing two bullets into each of the Rare Hunter's arms, diverting his arms to fire at Yoichi's heel rather than a vital organ. As both Yoichi and the Rare Hunter screamed in pain and red blood spilled onto the floors, Yoichi and his father made a run for the exit, the screaming mass of people as their cover. To prevent Yoichi from screaming in pain further in their escape, his father gave him a handkerchief to bite on. When the battered and exhausted pair finally arrived at the parking lot, Yoichi's father opened up the trunk of his car's hood and got a first aid kit. After bandaging Yoichi's heel, his father took away the handkerchief, releasing a flood of volume coming from Yoichi's voice.

"OHMYGOSHYOUSAVEDMETHANKYOUSOMUCCCHHAGGGHHHHH" Yoichi roared in a jumbled and anxious mess of words as his father started to panic. Just before Yoichi's father could get him to a lower amount of energy, another Rare Hunter appeared.

"Hey! What did they say about not moving, punk?" The Rare Hunter sneered, pulling out yet another lethal weapon, this time a knife. As soon as the hunter did so, Yoichi's father wasted no time revealing his weapon, pointing it straight at the hunter.

"Touch my son and you won't be moving either," Yoichi's father retorted. "I've already shot one of you attackers already. I can do it again if I need to." Yoichi suddenly found himself in the middle of a standoff, not knowing what to do next. Perhaps Yoichi could actually duel his way out of this, but he knew it would be risky, so he decided to postpone that idea, as this situation would probably end with his father getting him out of this horrifying incident.

◇ Void ◇ · July 8, 2016

The chaos continued within the hall, as guests fled the scene. The Rare Hunters had by now had almost filled to capacity their bags with the treasures of Eygpt: Including the Millennium Items and the Codex of Shadows in the hostage-taking Hunter’s bag. One of the bikes slid across the tiled floor, powersliding to a halt and throwing a coil of nylon rope. The robed Hunter caught it and reached for Tomoya, but came to be intercepted by an aggressive Mokuba. He lashed against the hunter, kicking and slaming his fists in vain.

“Get out of my way you pathetic child!” The Rare Hunter screamed, Spartan kicking Mokuba right in the chest. He grabbed his chest, which throbbed in pain, landing onto his back across the floor and slid to right where Emfur was hiding under the table. Mokuba cringed in pain, trying to grab breath, as it felt like a basketball had been kicked into his lungs and forced all the air out of his lungs.

Satisfied with disabling Mokuba Kaiba, the Hunter reached for the dazed Tomoya by the legs, dragging him forward, while the hunter on the bike quickly dismounted. The two pooled their strength, managing to lift him up and sit him upright onto the package space of the bike. “L-let me…” Tomoya murmured as they tied the rope around belly, arms and the bars of the bike he rested on. With a strong series of knots, Tomoya was secure.

“Time to go Mobile.” Rare Hunter number one declared, tapping the side of the bike with the Desert Eagle as he took the passenger space between the driver and Tomoya. The hunter felt the weight of his companion, and the bag he carried, along with Tomoya’s weight leaning behind him. Straddling the bike, he turned the clutch and revved the engine. A cloud of smoke filled the immediate area as it performed a 180, before lifting the front wheel and accelerating. It ploughed through to the doors, regardless of the human scramble, and navigating a small series of right corners to the back exit.

Buzzing towards the fence, a pair of crude wooden ramps had been set up by the hunters on the field. The engine roared as it reached it, using the rapid acceleration to propel the bike and its cargo over the wrought-iron fence that surrounded the edge of the park. Moments later, the other remaining bike hunters followed the same escape procedure, converging on the highway besides the resorts.

Outside, the lights and the sirens of the police force arrived, but it was too late: Apart from the gigantic memory tablets, the entire main hall had been looted. Tomoya had been kidnapped as insurance on the back of a bike, and 4 men: 2 guards and 2 hunters, laid badly wounded by gunfire. Not to mention the injuries that people had sustained in the panic to escape before everyone else. It was pandemonium.

On the bike, Tomoya’s vision and conscious was still poor: The world around him was a series of shining lights and darkness, while everything sounded like it originated from a blown-out speaker. He was not sure where he was, but knew it was moving.

“Scared are we, mortal?” A disembodied voice echoed into Tomoya’s mind. He disregarded it, thinking it was the Rare Hunters. “You know… you can fix this.” It continued. “Just be patient. Our time will come soon. Just get some rest…” it commented. Tomoya’s strength failed at this point, and his eyes rested. The world for Tomoya turned dark and silent for several hours...

“Well, that was intresting.” Darkmyre commented, smirking over the Sennet board. Sol did not pay attention, instead focusing on his copy of the Tomoya player card. The health bar on it had been lowered to half, and a condition status written in their people’s archaic tongue had appeared. Other cards for the other characters had been flipped up automatically: some also displaying injuries in the stats section. “Oh stop worrying. He won’t die: He’s a main character.”

“That is NOT funny. We’re playing to secure that dammed cube, not to play God with these people!” Sol slammed a fist down onto the table, while his irises shone with a pure white flame. His anger was pooling his power over the universal element of Light.

“Now, don’t you get your temper started, Mr. ‘Light of Destruction’” Darkmyre chuckled. “It will be here soon enough.”

EpicBoss99 · July 8, 2016

"HEY!!...uh..." Yoichi suddenly and confidently called at the Rare Hunter. Yoichi wanted to duel the assailant so that his father wouldn't get hurt in yet another fight, but decided not to commit to his decision right after calling him, keeping his mouth shut again. Both the Hunter and Yoichi's father stopped pointing weapons at each-other and stared at Yoichi in confusion. His father was especially concerned, as he didn't want attention to divert to the person he was trying to protect.

"What do you want? Or do you want me to kill you first?" the Rare Hunter offered with an ominous aura of evil in his voice. "To tell you the truth, this knife has your name written ALL over it!" the Hunter snickered with glee at the idea of killing someone. Yoichi tried to come up with a great comeback like his father did, but he couldn't muster the strength or courage to say anything. Yoichi was starting to feel the effect of all of the blood that he lost from his foot. The Rare Hunter obviously knew this as well, and so he took advantage of Yoichi's situation and dived straight at him with the knife. Suddenly, the sirens of police cars promptly came into hearing range. Yoichi's father took no time at all to slide his leg in front of the hunter's path while he was distracted, tripping the Hunter. The hunter's face made a powerful impact on the concrete parking lot floors, slightly cutting the Hunter's face. Although it hurt a lot to the Hunter, there was hardly any bleeding at all. As a police car sped by, another one took a good look at the situation at hand and drove right up to the three. A police officer dressed in riot gear swiftly exited his car and pointed a gun at the hunter before he could get up again.

"FREEZE!" He shouted as he carefully approached the cloaked Rare Hunter in pain on the floor. The hunter took a swing at the cop's leg, but the cop blocked the attack with his shield and kicked the knife away. Now that the attacker had no way to attack anyone, the cop effortlessly handcuffed the hunter and moved him away from the other two. "We need backup over here. There are two wounded," The officer finally spoke into his walkie talkie affixed onto his left shoulder. He then crouched down at the hurting Yoichi. "So you have an injury in your foot?" The cop inquired after seeing Yoichi with only one shoe on and a crimson red bandage wrapped around his foot.

"Yeah!..One of the guys you just arrested lodged a bullet in my foot!...It definitely could've been worse if my dad just let him shoot, though..." Yoichi explained, losing his breath after every sentence. Yoichi then dramatically revealed to the officer everything that happened to himself and his father in the short minutes that followed the robbery. Just when he was finished, an ambulance appeared right next to the car of Yoichi's father.

"Gunshot wound to the foot," The officer wasted no time telling the first responder exiting the ambulance. The first responder threw his arm around Yoichi's shoulders so that he could hobble onto the truck to travel to the nearby hospital. Yoichi's father followed suit, staying at Yoichi's side as they put him on a stretcher. The Hunter, however, because he sustained no noteworthy or treatable injuries, was thrown into the car of the officer. As the amublance began to head towards the hospital, Yoichi watched the people in the ambulance take certain measures to stop the blood from flowing in his foot. While this happened, the broken Lake Pegasus Center and the police car slowly faded from Yoichi's sight as he fainted from exhaustion.

Sluggaholic · July 9, 2016

Emfur winced as he watched everything go down. Gunfire cracking across the hall, the screaming crowd, and guards falling. Silently congratulating one of the men in the hall for shooting one of the Rare Hunters got him nowhere, though, and he was still stuck there, under the table. He winced, as he saw Mokuba try so hard to harm one of the Hunters, and stop him from kidnapping the portly fellow who'd directed them all in, only to be kicked like a dog and sent flying over to his position. Using his hidden position to its best, he quickly shot his arms out, wrapped them around Mokuba, and yanked him under the table with himself. He was careful enough to replace the cover, to make it look like Mokuba had simply ran, but he soon found out that doing so was unnecessary. Soon enough, all the Rare Hunters peeled out of the hall.

"And not a drop of useful information. Tch! What a bother..." Grabbing Mokuba by the shoulders, again Emfur dragged him-- this time back into the light of the hall. Setting him by the table, he motioned for him to stay still. Sliding his phone from his pocket, he quickly dialed a private number-- his shepherd-- and told him what happened in a very, very short summary. Telling him to get here as fast as possible, and bring rope, Emfur quickly went to investigate the two downed guards. Though he hadn't learned much in the ways of first aid, he figured his best bet would be to suppress the bleeding by applying pressure. "...I'm going to miss these..." He muttered, looking at his suit jacket's sleeves. Putting as much force behind it as he could, he tore his jacket's sleeves apart, before tying them together and using them to wrap around the first guard's injury. Though it wouldn't do much, he hoped that little bit of pressure could preserve him for just a bit longer. Untying his tie, he did the same for the second guard's injury. Again, he hoped it'd be enough.

Soon enough, the doors to the hall opened once more. Standing there was a much welcomed sight-- Dextrio. And the rope. "Good to see you, old friend. You sure took your time, however."

Dextrio narrowed his eyes, clearly not a fan of his master's humor. "Sir. Perhaps you should tend to young Mokuba Kaiba there--" Raising a single hand, he pointed with a sharp finger at the younger Kaiba brother. "--I shall handle these ruffians. Also, the police are on their way. We should make haste to leave this scene as soon as possible. It's best the company not be tied in with these shenanigans."

As he was talking, Emfur was walking to Mokuba. He knew Dextrio was right: it wouldn't sit well for the young head of his father's company to have been at such a scene. Chances are, those weapons were made by his father in the first place. Still, he needed to make sure Mokuba was all right. After all, he WAS Mokuba Kaiba. Squatting down by the black-haired boy, Emfur's pink irises glinted in the dimmed light of the hall.

"You okay, Mokuba? Besides-- of course-- that boot you took to the chest."

EpicBoss99 · July 9, 2016

The next time that Yoichi regained consciousness was when he found himself in a hospital bed, his left foot held upright by a rope and a bag of blood attached to his arm. His left foot was heavily bandaged and had a cast on it, immobilizing the bottom half of his entire left leg. After realizing where he was, Yoichi frantically searched for his backpack and his deck that he brought with him before the attack, and both were sitting on the table across the room. He breathed a sigh of relief and decided to watch TV for a while. The news program that was currently on spent about two hours talking about what he himself experienced, something that hasn't happened to him before. "As of right now, authorities have swarmed the surrounding area in an attempt to apprehend the remaining cloaked men who attacked the Lake Pegasus Centre tonight. Reporting live, Domino City news," The TV reported with a hint of anxiety. Soon after, Yoichi saw a nurse walk into the room that he was in.

"Do you need anything at the moment?" The nurse asked.

"I just want water right now, thanks!" Yoichi replied with anticipation. He was almost dying of thirst, and he remembered that all he had to drink in the past couple of hours was a rather bitter tasting fruit punch that was served at the party. After a couple of minutes of waiting, Yoichi had a bottle of water in his hands, guzzling it down in delight. It was then that Yoichi's concerned father found his way into his son's room.

"Oh! You've woken up!" Yoichi's father exclaimed, hugging his son in a tight embrace. "I'm glad you're alright!"

"Yeah! I'm glad they took care of me!" Yoichi thankfully replied, referring to the doctors at the hospital. Just then, an actual doctor arrived in the room as well. His immediate reaction to Yoichi's consciousness was surprise, as he believed that he wouldn't be awake for another couple of hours.

"So he's up, huh?" The doctor skeptically inquired, quickly pulling out a clipboard with a large stack of papers clipped onto it. "Well now that he's up, I wanted to say something to both of you," He told Yoichi's father. "Thankfully, the bullet that hit your foot didn't make a full impact and lodge into your foot but actually grazed the muscles and nerves in front of your heel. You won't be able to jump, run, or jog for a little while, but you'll be able to walk in a day, so you should be out of here by tomorrow." The doctor reported. Yoichi was very excited about this news as he was getting homesick and wanted to be back in the comfort of his home and his computer. Yoichi eagerly finished the last of his water and continued relaxing for a little longer.

◇ Void ◇ · July 11, 2016

Mokuba opened one eye to gaze at Emfur. “I-I’m fine, just winded…” He moaned with a wheasy undertone to his voice, still with his lungs almost empty of air. Looking down, there was now a freshly-made, dusty bootprint on Mokuba’s pristine white jacket. “Jeese, Seto is going to kill me when he finds out…”

Tomoya’s groaned as he came to following the ordeal at the chateau. Opening his watered eyes spurred shooting pain though his head for a few moments, following by light throbbing before it shook off once his senses came to. He was on his side on a cold, hard concrete floor, surrounded by wooden shipping crates in a dimly lit-room. Tomoya realised he was probably still in danger quickly: If they had ditched him, they probably didn’t need him anymore. He first attempted to wriggle himself out of his bindings, but it was a futile effort. Then he realised only his arms and torso where bound: They had kept his legs unbound so they could get him onto the bike quicker. With a bit of a roll, Tomoya managed to get his back to one of the crates, and lent beside it as leverage to rise onto his feet. Now upright, Tomoya could see that many of the crates around him where open, laydened with the stolen treasures of Eygpt, glittering in the pale light and resting in dry straw.

“Up, are we?” Tomoya’s body shivered at the voice, unaware he was not alone. He turned around, noticing a lone, petite figure casting a shadow, leaning against the doorframe. It turned, revealing it to be another Rare Hunter in purple robes. However this did not wear the hood, revealing it to be a young woman. Her medium-length blond hair, which seemed to be sharpened at the edges by styling gel, wad tidied up with a red hairband. Mascara-livened, dull blue eyes kept a close, unnerving watch over Tomoya.

“Come with me now.” She spoke with a soft tone, signalling with a single wave of her right hand’s index finger. Turning, Tomoya noticed her wielding a black-painted version of the standard KC mass produced duel disk that was scuffed and dented. It had clearly seen action, and not just for playing Duel Monsters. Tomoya however submitted: he was in no situation to fight back.

Following the Hunter, Tomoya was escorted though a labyrinth of eerily-identical storage rooms and corridors, until arriving in a vast, concrete-pillared chamber on a raised mesh catwalk. Looking down, he could see abandoned production lines, holding massive iron vats besides even larger blast furnaces. “…Are we in a foundry of some kind?” He though. He turned his sight back up, noticing how the catwalks where converging on a massive platform. The woman then stoped at the junction that led to it, grabing the binds. With a sliver of a moment, she had the ropes undone off Tomoya.

“Move.” She prodded Tomoya on the arm sharply, making him take the lead. Cautious, he walked into the devil’s den. The platform was really 2 parallel platforms around a rectangle hollow, and was crowded both sides by Rare Hunters and cardboard boxes; the latter marked “Industrial Illusions – Printing Department – Brussels, Belgium”. The hunters cautious watched their captive approach: Duel Disks clearly visible. Tomoya stopped at where the platform’s edge, looking forward to whom he assumed was the head haunch. Sat upon a gold-painted, purple-plushed throne was a tall, imposing brute. He was tanned, with long black hair that was kept under control from the front by a black and silver cap that matched his outfit: a grey undershirt, a black and silver-trimmed jacket that had “PK” etched on the front, black cargo trousers and heavy black boots. His right hand, which was sleeved in an oversized duelling gauntlet that was equipped randomly with dull star chips: the maroon glove part tatty from use.

“At last. How was your nap, Mr. Yagi?” He sarcastically asked. Opening his violent, deep-set eyes.

“Why am I here? You only needed my security card.” Tomoya asked timidly.

“Well, you were for insurance: Couldn’t risk the fuzz following us, so I had my friends here bash you up. But now…” The man reached behind his throne, picking up the Codex of Shadows to hold up to Tomoya, taping a bulging finger on the antique latch. “Now, tell me where the dammed key is?”

“Key? I only saw the thing tonight. How would I know how to open it?" He questioned back, raising a eyebrow at the stupid question.

“Mortals… You’re all so ignorant. Only I can open it.” The disembodied voice returned. Tomoya’s eyes turned to side and side, for this time he heard it. “What? Which one of you said that?” The Rare Hunters became puzzled, as none of them had spoken in the presence of their leader, PaniK. He was a former eliminator from the Duelist Kingdom tournament, until the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle shattered his mind, though it had appeared that PaniK had managed to piece some of it back together and take control of the Hunters following Marik’s change of heart.

“Hmm? I think you took a bigger blow then we thought.” The brute emerged from his throne. “Still… OPEN THE DAMM BOOK!” With no regard for its fragility, he threw the Codex with force at Tomoya, who fell onto his rear as he caught it into his chest and hands.

“These brutes will kill you. You need you get nasty to survive. Open me, mortal, and receive my majesty, and I will protect you!” The voice cried. Tomoya felt… odd. The Codex’s presence was twisting his mind, and he could feel the past weigh down on his already dire situation. He began to feel the seaside air on his face again, and then a weight bulging in his lungs. Internally panicking, he scrambled to his feet by leaning on the safety railing. PaniK facepalmed at the state of his captive.

“He’s losing it. Tilda, get the book.” PaniK commanded the woman who had escorted Tomoya here, who began to calmly walk towards him. “Oh, and then Kill him.” Tilda nodded, pulling out her pistol from a holster on her thigh.

“No…NO!” Tomoya cried, his eyes shifting around. He knew if he tried to fight, he would die from the hunters. Looking down, it was obvious that the fall would be fatal. And even if they did, he would be so broken that the Rare Hunters would be a mercy. But Tomoya would never go down without a fight.

“OPEN THE CODEX AND YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF!” The Codex shouted in Tomoya’s mind.

Tomoya caved in, and reached for the latch, becoming loose without effort, to break the ancient seal that held back what it had contained for over 5000 years. The Codex hummed as the eye emboss shon a bright yellow, while the rest of the book’s outline blazed with black fire: the latter making Tilda and the other Rare Hunters nearby retreat to a safer distance. “H-His shadow!” A Rare Hunter cried, pointing to the moon-lit concrete wall behind Tomoya. His shadow began to grow out of proportion to the others, towering above unnaturally, before the Eye of Wadjt blazed onto the shadow’s forehead, above where the outline of his own eyes also began to glow upon it.

Inside Tomoya’s mind, he felt reality slipping. The world dissolved, revealing walls of hieroglyphics that scrolled and blurred as his mind’s avatar fell into the precipice of the only thing that remained was his own twisted shadow with the eye. It would be the last thing he would remember for a long time.

“What is all this? What are you doing Tomoya!?” PaniK demanded, having unnerving thoughts about his own past with Shadow Magic. “Buahhahahahhhhahahahhhhhhh!” Tomoya manically cackled, his body swaying with unnatural sudden movements, shaking his hair into a sharper style. His eyes rose, appearing to have changed in colour from blue to purple. The most striking change however was that the Eye of Wadjt was blazing upon his own head.

“You got what you asked for, and now, The Door to Darkness… has been opened!” Yami Tomoya said, as every conceivable light source, including the moonlight, was silenced by umbra.

Dova · July 11, 2016

“What do you mean you don’t know who they are?”

“Well...er...I don’t know how else to put it, but-”

Toshiro bought his fist crashing down on his desk as he attempted to compose himself. This almost was too much to bear, as he had barely just extricated himself from what was left of the black-tie event. People asking questions was something he could not afford at this delicate stage in proceedings, so he had been forced to pass most of the security of the chateau and more journalists than seems possible.

He briefly muted the microphone of his comms device as he took several deep breaths. It wouldn’t do to actively lose his temper in front of, even metaphorically, one of his own, as the surge of opportunists in the black market had done something in terms of weakening his organization. Fortunately, it seemed that his secretary hadn’t heard his rare outburst.

“-but it seems that whoever pulled that stunt did a good job at covering their tracks. I can’t even seem to find any footage outside of the chateau’s own of the mysterious group.”

Slowly, Toshiro sat back into his chair. Glancing outside, it was clear that most of town was busy obsessing themselves with the incident that had occurred. New reporters displayed supersize across building talked with little to no emotion on their face as scenes of the devastation caused by the Rare Hunters. Of course, anyone who happened to look at the building housing most of his operations which so closely resembled many around it would only see brickwork where a wall-sized window allowed one-way vision.

“Daniel, I need you to examine the records of other Rare Hunter organizations. Get people to ask around, as there’s always a loose connection somewhere. Also, be sure to check out those files we have yet to fill involving those who went off the radar recently. It’s about time we updated them.”

“Certainly.” A brief pause from the secretary. “Looking to incapacitate or demolish?”

“Oh, neither,” Toshiro responded. “Whoever these people are, they are resourceful and they have strong methods. Consider a partnership on the way.”

“Understood, sir.” A longer pause, underline by the soft taps of keys being pressed. “What about our research into the Codex of Shadows?”

Toshiro waved his hand as he booted up a holo-system on his desk, brushing aside the remark. Remembering that this conversation was through an earpiece, he added, “We didn’t get anywhere before, and we certainly won’t get anywhere now, with it being stolen and all. If our sources were right and there is actually something meant about it, then these other Rare Hunters might know more about it than we do.” He gave a slight grin. “It would be hard not to.”

“Again, understood. I’ll be working on this now, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.” The click signifying the end of the call was lost on Toshiro, engrossed as he was in what was now displayed before him.

◇ Void ◇ · July 11, 2016

PaniK opened his eyes following the umbral blast, expecting himself to be dead. Instead he found himself unharmed, still standing on the opposite side of the platform from Yami Tomoya, who had the Codex of Shadows open in one hand.

“Hmph. Your friends did a little number on my new vessel.” Yami commented, tapping the head wound with 2 of his fingers, which sparked with a tiny burst of light. The wound contorted, restoring the damage. “And I didn’t even get the one I wanted. Why couldn’t you just kidnap the one with the green hair?” He chuckled. “Still, this one has more than enough darkness in his heart to fuel me. Oh, the guilt…”

“Grrrrh, shut up! And no more tricks! Guys, kill him!” PaniK ordered on deaf ears. He had failed to notice what the spirit had done. Everything around them had an eerie purple cloudiness to it, and the other Hunters had been frozen in the positions they had just before the shadows exploded upon them. “What have you done to them?”

“Nothing. For them, nothing has happened. I simply detached us from the rest of the world using…”

“Shadow Magic?!” PaniK’s mind immediately turned back to when he was Mind Crushed by the Pharaoh’s spirit, giving a small cringe of fear. “Well done for remembering. I noticed that someone shattered your mind as soon as the penumbra reached you. So don’t worry: I won’t have the pleasure of doing that to you again.”

Yami Tomoya then turned to the Rare Hunter, Tilda, who was frozen with herself falling backwards from the blast, and forcefully ripped her Black Duel Disk from her arm. Pulling the deck from the front slot, he fanned the cards out and gave a quick glance. “Hmph. Pathetic.” Closing the brilliant purple eyes, Tomoya tossed Tilda’s deck behind him, to let the cards fan out and grind to the halt as they returned to reality they did not occupy. Clenching the open Codex of Shadows, a small orb of black fire appeared between the pages, before extracting a small beam of energy from Tomoya’s body. The spirit seemed to be hurt by the spell, slightly twitching in pain.

The deck slot in the Duel Disk then went incandescent, as Tomoya’s deck was magically summoned into it from his absent jacket pocket. “This one will do much better.” With that, he slid the disk onto his left arm, clamping the brace shut.

“Hmph, you want to duel, don’t you?” PaniK grinned, tapping the activation switch on his own oversized duel disk. “You’re getting a tiny bit less moronic with each moment, aren’t you mortal?”

“I think I’ll need your friends later on, and since they follow you blindly without question, defeating you in a Shadow Game should give them the unquestionable motivation to serve me instead.” Yami Tomoya onologue, grinning as he activated the duel disk.

“Hah! I was a Duellist Kingdom Eliminator. You won’t defeat me. And when I win, I'll break you in two!” PaniK smirked, extracting his starting hand of five cards.

“Hmph. Don’t be too confident about that. Let the Shadow Game begin!” Yami Tomoya declared, gracefully sliding five cards out from the deck, one at a time.

“DUEL!”

Yami Tomoya – 4000 LP – Hand x5
PaniK – 4000 LP – Hand x5

Turn 1 - PaniK

“I’m the home team, so I’ll begin!” PaniK declared, forgoing his first turn draw. His hand immediately swung to the middle 2 cards of his starting hand. “Perfect! First, I start by discarding my Castle of Dark Illusions from my hand, so I can Special Summon this! My Palace of Eternal Shadow, in defence position!” Discarding the Castle of Dark Illusions, the shadowy arena rumbled as a sinister palace of dark stone emerged from the ground, taking stage above PaniK’s side of the field, and then followed by its flotation ring following beneath it. A dark mist began to fall upon the field, almost making PaniK unperceivable.

[spoiler= Palace of Eternal Shadow]

Palace of Eternal Shadow

[Rock/Effect] [DARK / LV 6 / ATK 0 / DEF 2800]

Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must first be Special Summoned from your hand, by discarding 1 “Castle of Dark Illusion” from your Hand to the Graveyard. While you control this card, you can Tribute Summon DARK attribute monsters with 1 less tribute then normal. When you summon a DARK Attribute monster, or after a Dark Attribute monster you control battles: Change it to face-down Attack Position. Monsters you control cannot change battle position while you control this card. When a DARK Attribute monster you control destroys an opponent's monster by battle: It can attack once again in a row. When this card leaves the field: Change all monsters you control to face-up Defence Position.

“Next, I’ll activate the effect of Double Summon! Now, I can Normal Summon twice this turn. So, I’ll bring forth these two, under the veil of my palace’s shadows!” PaniK set two monsters from his hand to the field, not having to declare their identities because of the Palace’s shadowy effect. Yami Tomoya could only watch as the field roared and groaned ominously with their summoning cries. “With that, I end my turn.”

[PanIK / 4000 LP / Deck: 35 / Hand X 0 / Field: Palace of Eternal Shadow, 2 Face-down Attack Position monsters / Graveyard: Double Summon]

Turn 2 – Yami Tomoya

“Hmph, a bit unsporting, but it won’t be a challenge.” He quipped, sliding a card from the top of his deck to his Hand. “First, I activate Pot of Greed! So, 2 more cards for me.” Yami Tomoya did not bother to get the obligatory long explanation, extracting another 2 cards from the top of his deck and then sending the Pot of Greed to his graveyard. “Then, I activate Foolish Burial. So, I send Gravespire Mephistopheles from my Deck to your Graveyard!” Tomoya faned out his deck, withdrawing the card from the middle of it.

“Wait, my Graveyard?” PaniK questioned: He knew the effect of Foolish Burial, and it should normaly send things to the player’s own graveyard instead. “Yes, as you see, all Gravespire monsters send themselves to your Graveyard instead!” He smirked, flicking his wrist to throw Mephistophles at PaniK. The card unaturaly glowed, directing itself into PaniK’s graveyard slot. “Nice trick.” He commented. But his confidence fell when he noticed his graveyard slot started to rumble. Without warning, tentacles launched from the graveyard, pulling three cards from PaniK’s deck into it!

“What the hell?!” PaniK cried out.

“And that was Gravespire Mephistopheles’ ‘Beyond the Grave’ effect. During each Main Phase, while that thing is in your graveyard, it’ll take the top three cards from your deck and send them to the graveyard!”

[spoiler= Gravespire Mephistopheles]

Gravespire Mephistopheles

[Fairy/Effect] [DARK / LV 7 / ATK ? / DEF ? ]

This cards ATK and DEF are both equal to the number of "Gravespire" monsters in your opponent's Graveyard x 600. While you control this card: “Gravespire” monsters cannot be banished from any Graveyards, and you can only Special Summon 1 “Gravespire” monster from your Hand or Deck per turn. When this card is destroyed or sent to the Graveyard, send it to your opponent's Graveyard instead. During each Main Phase 1, when this card is in a Graveyard not belonging to this cards original owner: The owner of that graveyard must discard the top 3 cards of their deck.

“Now, I set 1 monster face-down, and these 2 cards face-down as well.” The hologram projected the face-down cards on the field. “And that will do for now. Your move.”

[PanIK / 4000 LP / Deck: 32 / Hand X 0 / Field: Palace of Eternal Shadow, 2 Face-down Attack Position monsters / Graveyard: 5 (Double Summon, Gravespire Mephistophles, 3 random cards)]

[Yami Tomoya / 4000 LP / Deck: 32 / Hand X 4 / Field: 1 Face-down Defence Monster, 2 face-down Spell/Trap cards / Graveyard: 2 (Pot of Greed, Foolish Burial)]

Turn 3: PaniK

“Hmph. My turn.” PaniK drew, before bracing himself. As expected, the Gravespire in his graveyard lashed out, extracting another 3 cards from his deck.

“Now, I attack with a creature from the darkness!” PaniK pointed to Yami Tomoya’s face-down monster. The darkness stirred, with a peninsula of it extending across towards the monster. Bounding up, a dull orange giant with a brown exoskeleton and cyan metal across the waist and misshaped face emerged, with a pair of claws emerging to strike down on the card.

“Ah, King of Yamimakai. Destroy his face-down monster!”

“Reveal face-down Trap Card! Storming Mirror Force! This returns all your Attack Position monsters back into your Hand!” Yami Tomoya declared. The hologram of the card lit up, firing a beam of light into the King of Yamimakai and though the darkness that contained PaniK’s other monster. It then curved around, transmuting the pair into their card forms, and forcefully put them back into PaniK’s hand.

“Grrrrrrrhh!” PaniK was furious. “I still have my Normal Summon, so I’ll bring one of them back!” The brute quickly replaced one of the returned monsters into the shadows, which growled at Tomoya: it was clearly as pissed off as PaniK. “I then set 1 card face-down, and end my turn.”

[PanIK / 4000 LP / Deck: 28 / Hand X 1 / Field: Palace of Eternal Shadow, 1 Face-down Attack Position monster, 1 Face-Down Spell/Trap card / Graveyard: 8 (Double Summon, Gravespire Mephistophles, 6 random cards)]

[Yami Tomoya / 4000 LP / Deck: 32 / Hand X 4 / Field: 1 Face-down Defence Monster, 1 face-down Spell/Trap cards / Graveyard: 3 (Pot of Greed, Foolish Burial, Storming Mirror Force)]

Yami Tomoya – Turn 4

“Hmph. Your fault for walking into an obvious trap without any protection.” He taunted, pulling his draw. A small grin came up onto Tomoya’s face. “Perfect. But first, my Mephistophles feasts on another 3 cards from your deck!” He commanded, with the tentacles emerging to extract more cards. “Now, I activate this Spell Card: Painful Choice!” The card materialised on his side of the field. “Now I pick 5 cards from my deck, and you have to pick one from that lot for me to add to my hand. The rest go to the Graveyard” Tomoya slotted the 4 cards that made up his hand into a pocket in his waistcoat, before extracting 5 cards from his deck.

The selection was cruel, for they were all Gravespire monsters, Azrale, Lucifer, Malpas, Elathan and another copy of Mephistophles. PaniK immediately realised he was in serious danger: No matter the choice, 4 more Gravespires where about to infest his graveyard. One in there was bad enough, as a single Mephistophles had already drained about half his deck. Damage control was the only option now in PaniK’s opinion.

“You can keep that second Mephistophles.” He conceded. “Good choice Mortal.“ Tomoya closed up the other four cards he had extracted and pulled the same magic throw towards PaniK’s graveyard slot. It rumbled and groaned as they settled into their new home. Tomoya then returned his deck to the slot in the borrowed duel disk, along with extracting his remaining hand and adding Mephistophles to it.

“Don’t worry: Those Gravespires are a bit tamer then Mephistophles. They won’t consume your deck until my next turn.” He said, reaching for a switch on the Duel Disk's front blade.

“Now, I flip-summon my face-down monster: Necro Thaumaturge!” A pale, stickly figure in scraggly leather robes emerged from the card, drawing a blackened curved sword. “But he won’t remain here for long. I tribute him, to Special Summon Gravespire Ornias!” The earth beneath Thaumature shattered, as a giant figure of black cloth, bone and coffins emerged, drawing a powerful cleaver sword.

[spoiler= Gravespire Ornias]

Gravespire Ornias

[Fairy/Effect] [DARK / LV 9 / ATK ? (2500) / DEF ? (2500)]

Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must be first Special Summoned by Tributing all “Gravespire” monsters you control (min.1). This cards ATK and DEF are both equal to the number of "Gravespire" monsters in your opponent's Graveyard x 500. Once per turn: Both plays can send any number of Monster Cards from their Graveyard to their opponent’s Graveyard, up to the number of monsters tributed to Special Summon this card, and if so, the player who activates this effect pays 200 LP for each card sent. When this card is destroyed or sent to the Graveyard, send it to your opponent's Graveyard instead. During each Main Phase 1, when this card is in a Graveyard not belonging to this cards original owner: The owner of that graveyard must discard the top card of their deck.

“I activate his Special Ability, by paying 200 LP, I can send that Necro Thaumaturge to your Graveyard. And as it is treated as a ‘Gravespire’ monster, Ornias gains an additional 500 Attack power!”

[Tomoya's LP: 3800 / Ornias' ATK & DEF: 2500 --> 3000]

“What!? It’s stronger then my Palace?!” PaniK cried out.

“Indeed, but I don’t think I’ll destroy it yet. Ornias, target the creature in that pathetic excuse for darkness!” Yami Tomoya commanded, pointing dramatically at the patch of darkness. Ornias’s sword raised up, before slamming down. A shattering sound effect confirmed the hit, and then Ornias observed the gunk on his sword from what was the remains of the King of Yamimakai.

[PaniK: LP 4000 --> 3000]

“No! You’ll pay for that!” PaniK was ironically, now panicking at the situation. “I activate my Trap Card: Rope of Life. I discard my hand to bring back Yamimakai, with an additional 800 attack power!” The shadows roared again as something crawled out from the hole the card made.

“Hmph. So? Next turn, it’s over. Your move.”

[PaniK / 3000 LP / Deck: 28 / Hand X 0 / Field: Palace of Eternal Shadow, 1 Face-down Attack Position monster / Graveyard: 15 (Rope of Life, Double Summon, Necro Thaumaturge, Gravespire Mephistophles, Gravespire Azrale, Gravespire Lucifer, Gravespire Malpas, Gravespire Elthan, 6 random cards)]

[Yami Tomoya / 3800 LP / Deck: 27 / Hand X 2 / Field: Gravespire Ornias, 1 face-down Spell/Trap cards / Graveyard: 3 (Pot of Greed, Foolish Burial, Storming Mirror Force, Painful Choice)]

Turn 5 - PaniK

“Time to take you down…” PaniK smirked to himself, thinking he had the card to counter his opponent. Too bad he would never get the chance to use it. Yami Tomoya giggled to himself. “I Activate my Trap Card: Battle Mania!”

“What!? No!” PaniK then realised at that moment, he was screwed.

“Indeed! This forces your monsters, including your Palace, into attack mode! And then they must battle Ornias! This game ends now mortal!” The castle groaned and crack as it seemed to be magnetised to the titanic Ornias, while Yamimakai merged onto one of its precipits in anticipation to battle.

“No, stop this! Call them off right now!” PaniK lost it, knowing he was about to lose. And that was before he noticed that Gravespire Mephistophles began to feast on another 3 cards. “ORNIAS, butcher them with Falcrom Strike!” Yami Tomoya commanded, causing Ornias to swing his cleaver clean though PaniK’s monsters, who shattered into millions of holographic triangles.

[PaniK’s LP: 3000 --> 0 – Yami Tomoya Wins]

PaniK fell to his feet, not believing what had happened. He slammed his fist against the mesh walkway. “I can’t lose! You…” PaniK stopped, realisng that Yami Tomoya was now right beside him, with the Eye of Wadjt on his forhead incandescent. “You lost. Time to pay the price. Oh, and one more thing. I lied earlier.”

“About what?” PaniK was unusually timid. “About not Mind crushing you.”

“No! Not again!” PaniK cried as a piercing pain stuck his fragile mind, and another blinding shadow came forth from the Codex of Shadows….

“AGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Sluggaholic · July 11, 2016

Emfur sighed, relieved, and got to his feet, pulling Mokuba with him. After he was sure Mokuba could stand on his own-- which required him to steady the kid for a moment-- Emfur made his way over to Dextrio, who'd finished tying up the remaining Rare Hunters, and applying more pressure to the guards' wounds. Emfur nodded at Dextrio's work. "Well done, Dextrio. Good to see not much has changed from the time you served my father."

"And it's good to see that you've come to terms with whom you are." Emfur rolled his eyes at Dextrio's monotonous statement.

"No need to be so dramatic about it, old man. But thank you." He offered him a small smile, which Dextrio returned with a nod. At that, Emfur turned, and made his way over to Mokuba. Though he didn't know it, his usually pristine white shirt had a large dust mark across its front, and bits of spilled seafood stuck to it. It was practically ruined. "Now, Mokuba, I think it's time we all get out of here. Dextrio should have the car around back. If you want, we'll take you right to Kaiba Corporation's tower, or to your brother. That is," he nodded towards the door, which he knew that police would soon be behind, "if you don't want to have to face the media. I wouldn't if I were you." Emfur made a twisted face before continuing. "They're dogs, the lot of them. Way too busy snooping around to do any good." His face, however, softened when he looked back to Mokuba.

"Whaddya say, Mokuba?"

"Sirs. I'd make your decisions quick, if you do not want to be found out." Dextrio spoke, a hint of pressure to his voice. He was right. They didn't exactly have all day. The police and worse-- the media-- would be there soon enough. And Emfur had no plans on sticking around once those buffoons found their way there.

EpicBoss99 · July 11, 2016

After finally healing for some time, Yoichi was finally able to be released from the hospital. While he was recovering, Yoichi's father parked his son's car in front and gave him the keys so that he wouldn't be dependent on his father for everything. Yoichi put on a gigantic black boot that acted as a cast and waved his father goodbye. Thankfully, the foot that Yoichi injured wasn't required to operate a vehicle, and so he got back in front of the wheel. "UGH, I just want to duel someone!!" He shouted in boredom as he found himself driving by an abandoned Tennis court in a rather shady part of town. He parked his car for a second to equip himself with his duel disk and his deck, a rather idiotic move for Yoichi to make. Just as he was finished checking the cards in his deck, he heard a large shout from behind him.

"FINALLY! I FOUND YOU!" Yoichi heard from in front of the court. He exited his car and found himself in front of the same hooded man from a while back, his outfit still stained with blood. He pulled out a rather grim looking duel disk and placed his deck inside. "You're gonna wish you've never been born, kid." He threatened.

"You're gonna wish you didn't duel me!" Yoichi shot back, doing the same thing as the Rare Hunter. A flash of blue and yellow was followed by a robotic voice confirming the connection between the two duelists' disks happened as Yoichi's duel disk came online. Yoichi placed his deck inside and a flashy number 8000 appeared on the LED screen.

DUEL!!!!
Yoichi Nagata [Electrum] vs. Random Rare Hunter [Gladiator Beasts]

___________________________________________________________________

Turn 1

It was impossible for Yoichi to conceal his excitement as he drew his starting hand. "Why didn't you just duel me back then? That would've been a lot more fun, you know!" Yoichi asked the Hunter. "Anyway, I'm gonna start things off by activating Terraforming!"
Yoichi declared as he placed Terraforming into the Spell/Trap card slot. "This will allow me to add 1 Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand! I will choose and activate Electrum Temple!" Yoichi continued. Lightning shot around the abandoned Tennis court as a gigantic blue temple emerged from the skies.

[spoiler=Electrum Temple]

Electrum Temple

Field Spell

While this card is face-up on the field, The ATK of all Level 4 or lower Thunder-Type monsters become 1400. During each player's End Phase, if you have no cards in your hand, you can draw until you have a number of cards in your hand equal to your opponent's. If you activate this effect, you cannot Special Summon monsters until your next End Phase. You must have an "Electrum" monster in your deck to activate this effect.

"Now, I shall set two cards and end my turn," Yoichi announced, setting two Spell/Trap cards. As he did this, two gigantic card backs appeared on the field. As soon as Yoichi said this, the Rare Hunter let out a bellowing laugh.

"What? No combos or anything? You're a disappointment, aren't ya? Well then, I draw!" The Hunter chuckled, drawing a card. "First, I'll summon Gladiator Beast Laquari and attack your Life Points directly!" He roared as a tiger-like humanoid warrior approached Yoichi with razor sharp claws, a whirlwind of fire surrounding him.

"Here's your combo for you!" Yoichi explained. "First, I activate the effect of Electrum Tiger in my hand! By revealing Electrum Eagle in my hand, I can Special Summon Tiger to my side of the field and negating your attack!" Yoichi shouted. A Beam of electricity shot out of Yoichi's duel disk which became a tiger that jumped in front of Laquari's attack. "And now, the effect of Electrum Eagle activates, shuffling itself into the deck and destroying your Laquari!" Yoichi shouted triumphantly, pointing towards the sky. A lightning bolt in the shape of an eagle struck Laquari, paralyzing then destroying it.

"Bah, cheap tricks. I set 1 card and end my turn." The Hunter declared. "What're you gonna do, now?"

"HAHAH! I'M NOT DONE YET!" Yoichi roared with a combination of laughter and excitement. "During your End Phase, I activate my set Electrum Charity! Allowing me to draw 1 card and reveal an Electrum card in my hand! I reveal the Electrum Wall I just drew and activate its effect, Special Summoning it!" Yoichi declared, a blue and black thundercloud appearing in the same manner as Electrum Tiger joining its ranks on the field.

[spoiler='Electrum Cards used]

Electrum Tiger

Level 4/LIGHT/Thunder-Type/Effect

1200 ATK/ 500 DEF

Once per turn, during your opponent's Battle Phase, when your opponent declares a direct attack, you can reveal 1 other "Electrum" Monster in your hand; negate the attack, and if you do, Special Summon this card in face-up Attack Position. This card can attack your opponent directly. Cannot be used as a Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz Material, except for the Synchro Summon of an "Electrum" Monster.

Electrum Wall

Level 1/LIGHT/Thunder-Type/Tuner/Effect

0 ATK/ 0 DEF

Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. If this card is revealed in your hand by the effect of an "Electrum" card, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. Cannot be destroyed by battle. If this card is destroyed by a card effect, you can add 1 "Electrum" card from your Deck to your Hand. You can only activate 1 "Electrum Wall" effect per turn, and only once that turn. Cannot be used as a Fusion, Synchro, or Xyz Material, except for the Synchro Summon of an "Electrum" Monster.

Yoichi Nagata: 4000 LP
Cards in Hand: 0

Monsters on Field: Electrum Tiger [1200/500, Face-Up ATK] , Electrum Wall [0/0, Face-Up DEF]

S/T on Field: Electrum Temple, 1 Set card

Cards in Graveyard: Electrum Eagle, Terraforming, Electrum Charity

Rare Hunter: 4000 LP

Cards in hand: 4

Monsters on Field: None

S/T on Field: 1 Set card

Cards in Graveyard: Gladiator Beast Laquari

◇ Void ◇ · July 11, 2016

“Yes, I’m not going out there with all those people ready to smear my Big Brother’s name.” Mokuba agreed with Emfur and Dextrio, steadying himself. He took a quick brush of his jacket, trying to erase the boot print, but it miserably failed: instead, it just smudged it even more. Mokuba was stirred up enough after the whole ordeal, so in anger he disrobed the ruined jacket and threw it to the ground. “Come on then. And somebody find Gekko. NOW!” He demanded, knowing that someone would actually listen to the command of the younger, but still powerful, Kaiba brother.

“Gah! My wrist!” Tilda cried, as a sharp sudden force had ripped the Duel Disk and almost broke her wrist, throwing her deck down onto the levels below the platform in the process. The Hunters however did not pay attention. They were more occupied by the fact that their leader PanIk was on the floor, presumably dead after the flash Shadow Game. Yami Tomoya himself sat resplendent on Panik’s former throne, counting the cards he had just reclaimed from his opponent’s graveyard, and with the Codex of Shadows in his lap. To taunt the hunters further, he slammed his oxford boots onto PaniK’s lifeless head, to use as a footrest.

“I’d expected more from the leader of you so-called Rare Hunters, but yet again, I’d say you haven’t been led by a true leader of the shadows for some time.” Yami Tomoya taunted, resting back into the throne. “I could fix that.”

“A-and why should we?” Tilda was immediately hostile to the suggestion, giving a strong, aggressive stare that Yami Tomoya braved without responce.

Tomoya brought up the Codex of Shadows, showing the cover to the startled group. “Because I have this; The Codex of Shadows.” The golden trim shimmered in the restored lunar light. “5000 years ago, this book brought forth the arrival of Eygpt’s golden age. It brought the knowledge of the Shadow Realm and the alchemy to transmute life. And do you know what the people did with that knowledge?” He smirked at the last lines, noticing a familiar duffle bag beside the throne.

“…The Millennium Items.” A voice from the Rare Hunters answered.

Yami Tomoya nodded as he rested the Codex of Shadows back onto his lap, reaching for the bag with one hand. Unzipping it, he reached in, shuffling though the packaging peanuts, before withdrawing the Millennium Rod. He immediately took the opportunity to pose with it, with the end-tip resting on one of the throne arms and the eye facing the crowd of Rare Hunters, who jumped in fear of it.

“Ah, and so you should be scared: there were times where these objects could call forth real monsters, torture the very soul and fight demons in the name of Egypt and its Pharaoh." However, then Yami Tomoya’s clever expression turned to an annoyed frown. “Alas, the pact was broken. Returned to the stone they were once forged from, to become nothing more than trinkets of a forgotten age.”

“It seems that we will have to forge them anew.”

“What?!” Tilda seemed unconvinced. “How, and why would we ever do that?”

Yami Tomoya grinned, pulling up the Codex of Shadows again. “Because I can read this. I can conduct the ritual that can make seven new Millennium Items.” He declared. “And as to why…”

“That stunt tonight. You were not just there to get a few pieces of pottery and treasure: That was a show of strength. You wanted to show that your merry band of warriors ruled Domino City. But I can offer you so much more. The Items, when reformed, could grant us the power to not only rule Domino City… but the entire world.” The Rare Hunters where intrigued by Yami Tomoya’s rousing proposal, mumbling amongst each other over it. Tilda approached Yami Tomoya, who just followed her with his piercing eyes.

“This is a once in a millennia opportunity. You can rule alongside me as Kings and Queens of a new, Dark Age. All you have to do… is kneel.” He gestured with his open hand, and the Hunters turned silently at eachother, mentally making their choices. Not a single one turned down the offer, kneeling before their new ‘Rare Master’ in unholy silence until Tilda gave her answer.

“Fine. What do you need from us?” She spat out, still sceptical his intentions.

Yami Tomoya smiled, closing his eyes. “Firstly, for you to fix your wrist up my dear. And then bring me everything you know about ‘KaibaCorp Tower’. This vessel of mine has information I think we can exploit.” With eyes shut, Yami Tomoya could not see his new followers scramble into action. He was instead peering into Tomoya’s supressed mind, gathering information he could use. “And also bring me some better apparel then this. These pathetic excuses for formal garments are unbearable in many functions” He quipped.

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Yu-Gi-Oh! Codex of Shadows [IC/PG-16/Always Accepting]

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