The crowd was shocked by the news they were just told, some began to panic, some began to look for a way out, some stayed calm, some dueled, but the Delanere twins, they were doing something a bit more suspicious.

"Why do we have to compete in the stupid tournament" said Taerund, who looked intently at the furnace, which burned the cloth inside to ash.

"Because, we were told to, we have no choice." Aurund grabbed the small bag that was prepared for him, as well as throwing Taerund's bag at him, he caught it.

"Thank you, jerk." Taerund laughed a small bit, for no reason, as they both walked out of the small room at the bottom of the school.

The Arbitrator looked at a large wall of monitors. The school was at his control, and he could watch the chaos unfold in peace. 2 hours to the first duel.

((so no one is confused, this post takes place after the cloaked figures do the announcing thing))

Lyall was beginning to grow suspicious of his spirit partner's guidance the longer he waited in the stadium full of unsuspecting duelists and spectators. According to the monster, the three duelists he was interested in would be showing up here at the stadium. However, Lyall had yet to even sense a lick of the Shadow powers they supposedly held, and he had been here since the Stadium first opened up!

"You better not have misled me, Kerykeion," said the teen sternly as his eyes shifted towards the infected spellcaster. Her red eyes simply stared on at the ongoing duel without even bothering to return his look.

"Please Lyall.... have I ever misguided you?"

"Hmph."

Not really. Kerykeion had certainly helped him make a few judgement calls about people in the past, people who now made up most of his small but powerful little group. Still though... there was a first time for everything.

A few more minutes passed, and Lyall was about to say something else before people started shouting and pointing to what was to be the center stage for the tournament's final and grandest duels. On it were three cloaked figures with a powerful air of darkness about them. Lyall's eyes widened. How in the world did they slip past him?!

"See? Told you," Kerykeion chuckled as she stood upright to hear the announcement of the mysterious trio. Lyall listened as well, his composure regained as he crossed his arms across his chest. All that talk of the Shadow Realm and Shadow Duels must have had everyone here confused...

"They certainly aren't subtle about it," Lyall commented as they neared the end of their speech.

"Why would they be? The main core of the group that ordered the hunts on the likes of them has pretty much been obliterated."

"Literally."

"Yes," Kerykeion continued, "And it's not like everyone even knows what it is they're talking about."

Lyall smirked. Oh, the crowd and duelists would definitely take a shock out of the events that were about to unfold here. Now Lyall had a job to do, and it was to find these three guys, most likely located in the main office of the Stadium that allowed a view of everything in and out of it, and have a little chat with them.

"Kerykeion," Lyall started, "Have you seen if any... 'hunters' I guess are at this tournament?"

The spellcastress shook her head.

"None. Yet at least. I have however sensed a presence you might find familiar, and it is filled with a disgusting light that has always claimed itself to be pure."

"Well gee, that's so specific? Remind me of how many of those kinds of people we've met in the past? Back home there were a lot of those!"

"Hush now, and start doing whatever it is you need to do here," Kerykeion ordered. Lyall climbed up a few set of stairs to get on to one of the higher floors and give himself a better view of what was going on.

Ryu looked around at the scared people around him. The people gave off a strange vibe that made him only want to duel more.
"Okay Jain what can you tell me about them." he said to his spirit partner, a woman wearing silver armor wielding a shield and sword.

"Not much only that they are cloaked in a dark aura....I am however sensing a familiar presence but I can't quite pick out who or what it is." she said meeting his gaze.
"Fine let just go meet our opponent the faster we get this done the faster we can get these people out of danger." he replied as he walked toward the dueling stage after the end of the duel that had just been going on.
He looked around and saw all of the terrified faces of the spectators and duelists that had gathered.
This Was supposed to be a fun and happy tournament and these people went and ruined it...I Won't let them beat me I have to get these people free. he thought to himself as he took the stage and awaited his opponent.

Sandra had parked her nice little behind on the front bench eager as ever to get duelling. Even before she got in to the newly built academy she had gotten in one quick duel on a decent but beaten opponent. He was fun...his deck was clearly not his own but it was still fun. She really got that right vibe when she crushed him...sadly or perhaps good for that moment she failed to summoned her ace in the hole. Then again, having an ace ready was pretty good. Sandra felt that this tournament was going to kick arse and really give her a chance to shine at a major stage

And then to really make things more interesting the organizers throw this whole ''Shadow realm'' gimmick! Sandra was so surprised that she jumped up as they got off and put her deck in to her black duel disk and shouted proudly
''LETS DUEL!'' But the crowd was all over the place, trying to get out, some where already duelling, some where just sitting there blindly. She got slightly pissed off as in her mind was thinking how boring and serious these people where. She got herself on the stage and took the microphone from the soon to be waking up announcer and started to talk
''Hello? Hello? Is this on...?...yea..yea i think it is. Guys and gals? Here on the centre stage? Yea thank you, Now listen, this is clearly part of the whole ceremony, the whole tournament and all that so there is no need to panic. Just pick up your decks and lets get playing. Clearly the best one of us will face them 3 teachers or something..'' Some in the room had turned to look at her now standing up there, she standing there gesturing and posturing
''And really? Some of you are trying to run? Your here to duel not to play catch the flag. There is good enough food for everyone i wager, and really was any of you planning on leaving before they came and pulled out this stunt? Nah i don't think so. So common guys don't look so cold, have some of that good soda that i know is in the vending machines and lets have a duel!''

She bowed and jumped down from the stage with a smile on her face. Sadly her can do attitude seemed to win her zero love form the crowd. They where pretty much the same. However one guy had gotten up on the stage, a good looking fella who seemed rather introverted. If not for his blond spiky hair she could have sworn from his eyes that he was a goth kid. She took in both her hands 2 chairs (The chairs where small and easy to lift) and gave him one as a ice breaker
''Miss.Yamanari. Pleased to meet you. Did you like my pep rally? I used to be the student council president before some girl named Katara kicked me off by blackmailing me.'' She clearly was being over the top for the sole reason to switch the mood

"Hahaha, that poor girl really has no idea of the true terror and pain the Shadow Realm can bring," Kerykeion mused as she traced a finger along the twisted Cadeceus staff she wielded. Lyall smiled. Of course she didn't, but if she ever got to duel one of those three duelists, he wished her luck in coping with pain. He began following her with his eyes as she made her way to a dueling stage with two chairs. Why she needed two, he didn't know... until she sat down right next to an "on-deck" duelist and offered him the other seat. Lyall froze a bit.

"Oh, now this just got interesting," the Evilswarm laughed. "Will you go undercover now?"

Lyall shook his head, eyes now back to their usual coldness. He had no need. Ryu wasn't someone that would give him trouble so long as he and that spirit partner of his remained unaware of the true reason he had ordered him out of Aria City. Besides... even if they did find out, what could they really do? Jain should realize most of all that what he did wasn't really wrong, being a warrior of Light and all. On the other hand though, Lyall wielding the power of the Iswarm might set her off along with Ryu.

"Looks like that girl has taken an interest in him," Lyall said with a smirk as she watched her talk with him. Not surprising really, Ryu was always that outgoing, intriguing guy that attracted all the girls. Lyall was always a bit envious of that charm, but by now he had outgrown such teenage frustrations.

Lyall began to wonder who it was Ryu was dueling, and so took a look at the large screen adjacent to the stage which displayed the lifepoints, names, and time until the actual duel. Ryu and... Lyall... well, the fake name Lyall used whenever he registered at anything this big, but Lyall nonetheless....

"And no Kerykeion, before you ask, I will not go undercover now. There isn't really any need to, and taking him out will be easy enough. Once that's done with I can begin advancing higher in the tourney's ranks until I eventually reach these three guys."

Kerykeion nodded. There was still time left before Lyall and Ryu needed to duel, so Lyall decided to just wait a while.

Ryu looked up to the girl and smiled.

"It was a great so each...too bad it didn't really work." He said looking around at the still somewhat panicking crowd. As he looked he saw a face he never thought he'd see again. Next to his on the large screen announcing his duel was the face of his brother Lyall. The emotions rushed through him and he was only just able to reign them in and mask his face in the warm charming face he usually wears.
"What's he doing here?" Jain said looking at Ryu's face
"I don't know but he had better show up for our duel." He replied not even phased by the fact that he wasn't sure if the girl next to him could hear Jain or see her at that.

"And now he knows I'm here," Lyall said with an amused tone as he watched Ryu be overcome with surprise, if only for a few seconds. Looked at the back of his right hand, observing the Iswarm Crest that had appeared there just a year or two ago. He knew that his Iswarms would be hungry for a violent Shadow Duel, especially against someone who used a deck of purity like him, but right now, Lyall wouldn't indulge them. Ryu didn't deserve such a fate.

"Yet at least."

Lyall looked at the clock counter on the screen. Still plenty of time left, but now Lyall felt like having his small family reunion a bit early. Lyall made his way down the flight of stairs he had used earlier before walking to the dueling stage. A grin crept across his face as he walked up its steps, finally able to see Ryu and the other girl up close.

"Well well, I didn't expect to see you here, Ryu!" Lyall exclaimed as he crossed his arms. "I see you brought company up here. Don't tell me you're nervous now! Surely I can't be that threatening!"

This guy was alot of blast...a blast from the boring side, Sandra sighed and she lumped her butt down on the chair, a cold hard plastic chair. It was a pain in the behind and so was this guy!
''You know...'' Then for a split second, a beat of a heart Sandra saw something, something standing next to this guy she had just tried to talk to too....it was..bright...kinda like a flash-light shining in the dark...but then it was gone...She blinked a few times...yea it was the shine from one of the windows that got in her face. She lost her train of thought however and needed a quick moment to get back on track
''You know its impolite to not talk a back when someone is trying to start a conversation....'' She looked at the now blinding screen, and saw that this guy and some other joker was just about to start playing. Finally! A duel! She herself was not to face anyone until later that day, witch gave her all the time she needed to watch some of the others to get a wink of their abilities. She read what his name was on the screen
''Mr.Hikari huh...your facing a certain Lyall....never heard of that guy, Have you?'' She pulled out her deck from her duel disk and started to shuffle rather casually as she figured if she wanted to grab a pree-duel snack from one of those vending machines she made such a fuss over.

Then suddenly the guy from the screen came walking down, a long hair good looking gent. She was just about to say hi to him as she suddenly felt something again...she had not paused to stop shuffling her deck and when she looked down, the top card was her Ace, The chaos fairy....the art on that card had always been so strange. It seemed to almost change depending on her mood...and now it seemed to be fearful...the black and white seemed less clear and more grayish...Ah probably only her nerves getting to her
''Ahh you two guys know each other? And to you who probably don't know me, i am Miss.Yamanari. Not be overly arrogant but did you like my speech?''

Lyall raised a hand in greeting to the girl next to Ryu. She was actually rather attractive and probably would have tried to make small talk with her if it weren't for the circumstances the tournament was under now. Besides, he needed to focus on the task at hand, so it would be best not to get sidetracked.

"Nice meeting you, my name's Lyall. And yes, him and I know each other," he said as he pointed a thumb towards Ryu. "You could say we're family. So 'Mr. Hikari', how's everything been since you left Aria City?"

Kerykeion whispered in Lyall's ear, informing him of something the girl had within her deck.

"This one wields a strange card. I've never sensed anything like it before, and neither have the others. It seems... wary of us... watch you tongue..."

Lyall silently acknowledged her warning before answering Sandra's other question.

"Speech was fine, though you might want to be careful about jumping to assumptions..."

Ryu looked to his brother and smiled a small half smile.
"I was wondering if you'd ever show up." He said slipping easily into the banter they used to have. "And no you aren't that threatening." He said stepping forward to meet his brother.
"Why are you with an lswarm? " Jain asked with a sneer to the monster next to Lyall.

Keryeion laughed at Jain mockingly, but otherwise said nothing to her as Lyall continued to converse with the others.

"I'd imagine you were, it has been a while. One, maybe two years or so since we last saw each other. I trust you haven't gotten rusty over time, it'd be a damn shame to easily beat you."

Of course, it wouldn't really be a shame. Lyall expected for this to be an easy first victory, and he would prefer it to be a quick one so that he could be one step closer to the three cloaked duelists. People like them couldn't be allowed to go unchecked, which is why Lyall was determined to either dispose of them or have them become part of his group.. if he deemed they would be loyal to him. Kerykeion would assist in that of course, but they had to have at least a little bit of a loyal disposition first.

The duelist glanced at Jain and gave a small smirk as if to say, "What's it to you?"

Man, the tension between these two was hotter then the Ener-D spinning in New Domino...sure there was a tournament and apparently some shadowy businesses going on, but these guys where electric towards each other. Sandra was just kinda standing their as they where trading blows. She did not really why they acted like this, so she figured some good old fashion brother love was in the air. She felt like they needed to talk about something....wait, she got it

''Funny story, i got a brother too. He tried to drown me.'' She said this in a extremely serious tone, as if to ruin any sort of happy ideas that floated around the room. After all a wicked sense of what not to say was handy for a lady who references to people by their last name. But just as quick as it came she changes her tone back to her more happy if somewhat polite young lady
''You know guys, since you two will be duelling and i wont in a while, how about you get ready and we can have a good one right here on the stage? All them other folks here will surely love a good show'' She jumps off the stage and gets running to a vending machine, where she with lighting fingers presses the code for tree can's of lovely soda. Knocking over some poor smuck who just lost to a Mokey Mokey, she gets back and again gets a hold of the microphone before tossing a drink to each of the guys.

''Test...test...yea its still on, Hello boys and gals again, as you know the duels are under way and yes i will be duelling you, yea just you! Soon anyway but now we got special duel soon to begin right here on the stage. The brothers... Still not knowing the blond ones first name she double checks the screen behind them.
''...Ryu and Lyall are two sides of the same coin, two fine gents with a taste for dueling! Who will come out on top? Who will rocket ahead while the other cries home to their momma? I have no idea, so i say let them decided it the only way we know how...DUELING!'' A small crowd started to gather as Sandra just went on spinning off pre-duel pep talk and before long several of the chairs filled up with happy duellists ready for the duel of a life time.

Ryu growled under his breath.
"Quite the contrary ive gotten better....good enough to beat you for sure." he said clenching his fists. "I'm not the same little kid I was back then Lyall. The Lightsworn and my card shop have helped me grow."
He added looking his brother in the eye.
"I won't let you beat me..if you win its better be because you were the better duelist. " he added eyeing the sorceress next to him before meeting his brothers gaze again.
"If we're dueling lets get it over with the sooner I beat you the better right?" He said smiling and offering his hand to his brother for a handshake.

The Arbitrator pressed the button, and began to speak into the microphone, his voice becoming audible over the intercom. "I see our competitors are already a bit friendly?" He laughed a bit. "I feel we should start the duels right away? don't you?" He looked around at the monitors, specifically, the one showing Lyall and Ryu's little chat.
"You should both know the drill, the stadium you are standing in has 3 different modes, as it is adaptable for all duel types, and I feel you should choose the type of duel you compete in. Be it a turbo, action, or regular duel, it is up to you. Remember though, if you have a field spell card in your deck, take it out for any turbo or action duels, as they are useless. You may begin whenever you like." He changed his tone, and directed his voice at the audience "Everyone else, Take your seats, and stay out of the arena. It is time to duel." He sounded demented, vile, and despicable, even with the voice changer.

"Everyone else, Take your seats, and stay out of the arena. It is time to duel."

Finally. One person who hadn't fled at the announcement of this whole Shadow Realm deal was Rona Sage. Rather, she sat there expectantly. If nothing else, this was a topic she'd never heard of before. Unlike most, she didn't fear the unknown. And faithfully at her side was a tall blue-skinned demon. Somehow, others couldn't see him. He'd already explained the phenomenon known as Spirit Partners to Rona several times, but for all her genius, this was one thing she could never wrap her head around. Directing her one and only eye to the fiend at her side, Rona asked "I don't suppose you'd know anything about this Shadow Realm, Doom?"

"It is a terrible place. If you plan to not take this seriously to learn more about it, you will put your life in peril."

"So hold nothing back in the tournament is the point you're trying to make?"

"Precisely."

"Seems we're on the same page. No surprise there." Even when the two didn't sound as though they were in agreement with one another, it was as though the two were always in sync with one another. Doom had told her that this was part of what comprised the bond between a Duelist and their Spirit Partner, but like many things involving Spirit Partners, including how only people who had them were able to see the Spirit Partners of others. Maybe that explained the large smirk on her face when she saw the two boys on the monitor. Or more specifically, their Spirit Partners. Looks like I'm in luck. One uses Lightsworns, and the other uses Evilswarms at the least. Whichever one she may have face later on, she liked her odds. For now though, Rona sat back, eagerly awaiting.

---

Carmilla understood the meaning of her Spirit Partner perfectly well. Not in words, of course. As Lord Poison would testify, speaking without a mouth is a rather difficult task. She understood his meaning perfectly though, as though it were plainly spoken to her. He'd noticed her newfound anticipation ever since the Shadow Realm was mentioned, and was advising her to not get in over her head. He was warning her that this was not a place to pursue so boldly. Carmilla's response was to raise the back of her hand in his direction, telling him to silence himself...or cease his projection of meaning, at least, since he was already silent. Pulling out a deck from a little floral-patterned box with one of her bandaged hands, Carmilla looked at the cards of her deck. Four of them, at least. The four Plant Princesses.

She remembered first seeing them in action. How she admired the power behind the duelist she saw use them. How she anguished when that person lost the duel of his life. That was why she began using them; she planned to succeed where that duelist had failed. It was also when Lord Poison became her Spirit Partner. But this was no time to get lost in the past. The first duel was about to start. How excited she was. The winner of this tournament would face off with the hijackers. Lose, and they send everyone to the Shadow Realm. Win, and the hijackers are instead the ones sent to that place. Carmilla nearly laughed in excitement just thinking about it. Oh, how she'd love to win that final duel...

But before that, there were obstacles. The other tournament entrants. Carmilla would have to go through each one. I will, she resolved to herself. I will win this tournament. I will defeat these Shadow Realm people. I will become the most powerful duelist of all, no matter what I have to do to make it happen. Impatiently waiting for the boys meant to duel first to begin, Carmilla reclined in her seat, occasionally fiddling with the bandages on her hands, her face, or other clothing-covered parts of her body.

Lyall turned his attention to the voice coming through the speakers. The voice was sinister sounding, making Lyall begin thinking that one of these guys would not be willing at all to come to his side. That was troubling, he needed all of those powerful duelists of their kind to complete what he was planning back in Aria City. Turning his attention back to his brother, Lyall saw that Ryu was offering him a handshake before their duel started. Lyall accepted it with a grin. Ryu might have spotted the Iswarm crest on the back of his right hand, but the owner of the Iswarms had taken care to cover it up using hand wrappings. It sometimes acted up when in intense duels.

"A good old fashioned normal duel if you'd please," he told Ryu. "The other two types of duels didn't exactly end well for some other guys back in Aria City."

With that, Lyall walked over to his spot and activated his duel disk. Its main colors were black and golden, obviously designed to mimic the carapace of a Steelswarm creature. Near the lifepoint counter was the crest of the Iswarm, and it flashed orange as the duel disk activated. Taking his dueling stance, he waited Ryu to do the same

---

Ryu nodded and walked to his starting point. He had been waiting for a chance like this for a long time. While observing Lyall he readied his own Duel disk, Ryu's was silver and gold in color intending to replicate the armor of the Lightsworn.

"A normal duel it is then." He said while drawing his cards. "Let me know when you're ready. Oh and if you don't mind I would like to go first." He added with a small grin. Ryu knew all to well that his brother knew most of his deck, but he wasn't about to let that stop him from beating him.

---

"First, huh? Fine, go ahead."

It made little difference who went first even if Lyall couldn't set up for the next turn now that he was going second. Now though, he could see what Ryu could be planning and answer accordingly with the hand that he drew. His first five cards were pretty good, and hopefully his sixth card would add more efficiency to them. Ryu best pray he could get out that dopey looking dragon of his, or maybe even that Archangel wannabe. Either way though...

Lyall would not make this easy for him.

---

(Turn 1)

Ryu smiled as he drew his card. This duel may be one of the best he would ever have.
"Alright first off i summon Jain, Lightsworn Paladin!" He said as his spirit partner took on a more solid form in front of him.
"Next I set one card face down and call it a turn. And since its the end of my turn Jain's effect sends the top two cards of my deck to the graveyard." he said as a spell and trap card were sent to the grave.
"Your move Lyall."

---

(Turn 2)

Lyall smirked at the Lightsworn's version of Joan of Arc in front of him. It was obvious the mosnter had a distaste for him and the monsters that resided within his deck, but he'd be making her see the true glory of the Iswarms in just a few seconds. Drawing his sixth card, he began to set up his play.

"I'll begin by setting two cards face down on the field, and now I'll follow up with a summon! Meet Steelswarm Caller, a fiend feared for its ability to attract Steelswarms for miles around to overwhelm enemies!"

A humanoid insect rose up on the field from a murky ripple created in the ground. It hissed at Jain and began buzzing its wings, calling out to another of its allies.

"Now that Caller is on the field, I can special summon my Steelswarm Diebefly from my hand," Lyall explained as he played the card on his duel disk. Attracted by the buzzing call of Caller's wings, a new Steelswarm flew from a rift in the air onto the field, greeting its brother before turning to face Ryu's Lightsworn monster. It let out a shrill and loud cry as it snapped the claws on its spiny, four arms at her.

"My monsters are eager to fight, but its unfortunate they'll be struck down by the blade of Jain if they do."

Lyall observed his side of the field. Everything was set up well enough for the next turn, so he signaled for his brother to go on with his next turn.

---

(Turn 3)

Ryu grinned at the weaker monsters on Lyall's field.
"I thought you used stronger monsters then that." He said as he drew his card.
"Alright i'll set one more face down card and summon Lumina, lightsworn Summoner!" He said still smiling as the blonde sorceress appeared from a small ray of light.
"Im a little too warry of those face downs to attack just yet so its your move and this time Lumina sends the totop three cards as well for a total of five." He added sending the cards and grinning when he sees the third monster. "Before you start your turn, wulf, Lightsworn Beast gets special susummoned from the grave after he was sent there from the deck." He says as a tall werewolf with white fur rises from the ground and roars at the small insects.
"Your move."

---

(Turn 4)

Lyall raised an eyebrow at his brother's hesitnce in attacking, but his face broke into a grin seconds later.

"Sometimes caution can be preferable over great zeal," Lyall said as he referenced an old French poem, all while drawing his next card. It was one of his key monsters, but he didn't want to use it this early in the tournament. Because of that, Lyall waved his hand over one of his face down cards, activating one a trap card.

"Infestation Infection," he called out as the deceased husk of a Steelswarm Cell emerged from the card. Lyall then showed the card he had drawn, revealing it to be Goliath, the First Steelswarm. An eerie smoke erupted from the husk of Cell, snatching the card from Lyall's hand and shuffling it into the deck before granting Lyall a newer card.

"Evilswarm Castor was my choice," the duelist said as he placed it into his hand and shuffled it around to keep Ryu from knowing where it was. It was kind of useless though, because moments after he did this action, Lyall summoned Castor to the field in attack position. The Evilswarm materialized from thin air, emitting a distorted, robotic rumbling sound as it pointed its two-edged spear at its enemies.

"I do indeed use stronger monsters, and you're about to meet one of them!"

When Castor had been summoned to the field, he had let out a beacon of the Iswarm symbol towards the sky. It began to glow brighter as it created a portal of itself, indicting Lyall could now summon one more Iswarm monster.

"Castor allows me to summon one more Iswarm monster to my field, and I think I'll summon this one! Come to the duel, Steelswarm Moth!"

From the fiery crest in the air, Steelswarm Moth descended as Lyall tributed Steelswarm Caller. Lyall paid a total of 1000 lifepoints to use its effect, one that would blow back two cards on the field to Ryu's hand. Moth began to beat its wings in the air, targeting Jain and Wulf...

---

Ryu grinned and waved a hand over his facedown card.
"I may not be able to save them but i can still activate Needlebug Nest. This sends the top five cards of my deck to the graveyard." He said with a smile as all five were Lightsworn monsters.

---

As the gusts of wind created by Moth increased in fury, Wulf and Jain were violently thrown back towards Ryu, returning to their card forms when they were inches away from crashing into him. Moth finally touched down on to the field, but he looked up to the still burning Iswarm crest in the air. Still flying towards it, the tributed Steelswarm Caller began to buzz its wings to call forth one more of its allies. As it passed through the portal, another Steelswarm Caller came through, after which the portal closed and the crest faded away.

"Whenever Steelswarm Caller is tributed for the summon of another Steelswarm monster, his effect activates, allowing me to summon one level 4 or lower Steelswarm monster from my deck!"

The new Caller fell in line with the rest of its allies, all of which stared forebodingly at the lone Lightsworn before them. They could sense it was weaker than them, and even though her face tried to remain stern and resolved...

They could smell the fear. Facing four Iswarms alone without sufficient power was not a position anyone would ever want to be in. It either meant death or infection, of which death would be most preferable within the Duel Monsters realm.

"I'll now begin my onslaught! Steelswarm Caller, attack Lumina now!"

The Steelswarm dashed forward towrds Lumina, grabbing her by the neck before it carried her up into the air and forcefully slammed her into the ground. Lumina now destroyed, Lyall smirked as Ryu took 700 damage to his lifepoints.

"That's not all for you though... Moth, Infection Stream! Diebefly, Toxin Pierce! and Castor, Javelin Slash!"

Steelswarm Moth to the air as Castor began charging forth with Diebefly taking the lead with its quicker speed. As Diebefly drew nearer to Ryu, it circled around him to latch onto him from behind, "stabbing" Ryu in the neck with its deadly proboscis. Holding him in place, Evilswarm Castor slashed his weapon across the Lightsworn Duelist's body, lowering his lifepoints further. Lyall smiled as Steelswarm Moth gestured to his allies to move away from his target, to which they gladly complied and returned to Lyall's side. Gathering dark energy, Moth released a stream of purple energy which struck Ryu directly.

"How do you like that?" Lyall asked as he watched his brother's lifepoints drop lower. The total damage done by the Iswarms was 6750, leaving Ryu at 1250 lifepoints total, far below Lyall's high 7000.

"I do hope that's not all you had to bring to the table," Lyall remarked as he crossed his arms. "I remember you being a bit stronger than this, but then again, that was when I used unreliable, overgrown lizards as my monsters! Your move!"

(Turn 5)

Ryu brushed imaginary dust from his shoulders and drew his card. His eyes lit up when he saw what it was.

"You wanna play hardball fine let's play. Since I have four Lightsworn monsters in my grave with different names I can special summon this to the field. Rise up Judgement Dragon!" he shouted as an enormous beam of light appeared behind him and a white dragon with long whisker-like bits on his face flew out of it landing next to him and roaring in defiance.

"Now by paying 1000 lifepoints I can activate his effect and wipe the field of all cards except Judgement Dragon!" He added as a brilliant gold light appeared above them in the shape of the Lightsworn crest. "Go Judgement Flare!" he shouted as the swarm of insects exploded in a flash of white light.

"Now you're wide open, Judgement Dragon attack!" Ryu shouted as the dragon roared and a huge ball of gold energy formed in its mouth before a beam flew forward toward Lyall hitting him for 3000 Lifepoints.

---

(Turn 6)

Lyall grimaced and clutched his chest in pain as the majestic dragon's attack connected, blasting his lifepoints down to 4000. How unfortunate. He had also lost the majority of his swarm due to Judgment Dragon's purging light...

The majority.

Rising up from one knee, Lyall looked at his hand. Though there had only been one card there when he had ended his turn, he now held two because when Ryu activated his monster's effect, Lyall had activated Infestation Infection's effect. The blinding light blocked people from seeing the husk of Cell release another dark mist which absorbed Evilswarm Castor and returned him to the deck. The empty husk had then "revived" itself, flying to Lyall and appearing in his hand as Steelswarm Cell.

"Heh, glad to see you're up for it, brother," Lyall remarked as he drew his next card. The next card felt promising. Maybe he would pull another Moth, or maybe even Steelswarm Girastag!

"Too bad that monster won't last a-"

Shit. The duelist stopped short when he saw that he hadn't drawn Moth, Girastag, or any monster for that matter. That meant that the only thing Lyall could use as protection was Steelswarm Cell, but that thing had no attack OR defense, and even if it did it would just get blasted apart by Judgement Dragon's attack!

"..."

From disappointment, Lyall's face turned to cruel glee. He actually could do something with this card. Recurring Nightmare allowed him to select two monsters in his graveyard with zero defense and return them to his hand. All of his Steelswarm had zero defense, including Steelswarm Moth.

"Ahem. As I was saying, that monster won't last a second longer on this field! Activate spell card, Recurring Nightmare! Now I can select two dark monsters in my graveyard with zero defense, monsters which you generously placed there for me to use again!"

The hologram of the spell card appeared on the field, from which flew several swirling wraiths that circled above the field before plunging into the ground. A hole collapsed downwards, and up rose the spirits of Steelswarm Diebefly and Steelswarm Moth.

"Let's head on to the grand finale! Since I control no monsters now, I can special summon Steelswarm Cell from my hand, in defense position!"

The small beetle appeared on the field, almost trying to roll into a ball to defend itself in any way possible.

"Now I can tribute it for the monster that will end this duel! Come to me, my Steelswarm Moth!"

Cell flew away to the graveyard on this command, and for the second time, Steelswarm Moth descended from the sky to bring powerful gusts of wind that battered relentlessly against the great dragon. Lyall paid the cost once again, bringing his lifepoints down to 3000 to give his Moth the boost it needed to blow Judgment Dragon away. Glowing with pale gold energy, Moth released this power in a final great flap of its wing, causing the dragon to become overwhelmed by it and return to Ryu's hand.

"Steelswarm Moth! Finish him off with Infestation Surge!"

The Steelswarm began acquiring power in its palms, and in a final "kamehameha" motion, sent a stream of dark power that burned away the rest of Ryu's lifepoints.

"Looks like I win," Lyall said with an arrogant smirk.

---

Ryu dropped to his knees and punched the ground. He had lost he swore he wouldn't and he did anyway.
"Ryu are you okay?" Jain said from his side.
"No...I've failed myself, I've failed the Lightsworn and worst of all I couldnt help Lyall see what he's become." he replied angrily. HE looked up to his brother with some anger still in his eyes.
"That was fun as always. and as usual you win." he said before turning and walking away to find a seat.

---

Lyall smiled. Of course he did. He gave a haughty wave to the dumbstruck audience before walking off the stage with his arms crossed. He looked at the wrapping around his right hand, and could faintly see a glow coming through.

"Excellent..."

"Tell me you didn't..."

The duelist looked to his side and saw Kerykeion floating next to him. He first wanted to ask where she had been the entire time... the entire SHORT time, but still. Picking up on his thoughts, the spellcastress answered before he could even ask.

"If you're curious, I was scoping out your competition."

"Ah. And? Any of them look more promising than Lamesworn Warrior over there?" Lyall laughed.

"There is a one-eyed female with a duel partner I believe to be of the Koa'ki Meiru monsters. Machines, most of them at least. It could prove troublesome to us given the lack of effect darkness has on them, but I trust you'll pull through."

Lyall nodded. Of course he would. Machine or not, everything was susceptible to his Iswarms. Even some of the constructs of the Mist Valley warriors became infected with the Iswarm Virus, so there wasn't a doubt in his mind that he could hold his own against One-Eyed Willy.

"Anyone else?" Lyall asked.

"Yes. A fierce looking white-haired girl. I happened upon her roughly beating up a would be competitor somewhere outside, probably taking his spot at the tournament. She's cute. I think you'd like her. Also, she's followed by an innocent looking maiden spirit."

"Gee, how terrifying."

"Oh yes. A maiden spirit who for some reason has the exact same aura of the legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon. I'm sure you know of it considering you at one point used it along with the rest of its kind."

Lyall scoffed. Still, he made note to watch out for this one. Judging by Kerykeion's cautionary tone, he felt this white-haired girl could be extremely dangerous if he underestimated her...

"Thanks for the information. Let's go find a place to watch the rest of this show."

Sandra had been there watching their entire duel between the tow brothers, it was so intense that she could almost feel sparks flowing out of each attack. The strangest part however was the two brothers interaction with each other. They way the throw monsters at each other and the words spoken reflects not a single grain of enjoyment. Sure they where at a tournament but even in these situations no matter how competitive, people usually enjoyed themselves. These two never did...not a single moment. Lyall seemed almost psychotic in his style of play...something was wrong with him. As he came walking by her she gave him a slap on the shoulder, a friendly slap and she started following him
''Great duel there Lyall, to see you spit it up at the 11th hour was quite impressive'' As she said this she was about to hand him a candy bar she had gotten but again something stooped her...third time today something strange had happened around this guy. This time it was...smell. Yea something literally smelled wrong about this guy...Sweat? No something rawer then that, something less natural
''Do you smell that? Someone must have forgot to close the door to the bathroom'' She hypothesised as she continued to follow him, as her scheduled duel was anything but soon.
''After a duel like that you sure gotta be hungry, wanna go and get something to eat?''

(I've been up for hours but still can't bloody sleep! And it's 6 fucking AM over here for Pete's sake!)

"Huh?"

Lyall slowed down his paced and turned his head to look in Sandra's direction. He hadn't expected to be approached by anyone, and he definitely did not expect to get food with someone else. He was hungry though, so it couldn't hurt... especially since Kerykeion was whispering new things about a card that lived within her deck.

"It is powerful," she said, "And it could be a great aid in completing your work back at home."

Hmm... yeah, sitting down to befriend this chick didn't sound too bad, and now that Lyall got a better look at her, not just for the card (though not for THAT either you sick pervs).

"Uh sure, why not? Got anything in mind?" He asked.

Sandra was surprised that he responded to him...and since he failed to notice the smell she figured it was only she imagining things again. The pressure perhaps was getting to her, especially after that display of duelling talent.
''Well there is a automated cafeteria just down the hall, where you just ask for a decent meal and you get it, since we are here on official tournament business we get free food.'' She really like that merit of being here, that and of course the whole spooky theme of this whole tournament, as she was guiding Lyall she stated to digress
''The organisers of this tournament really know how to put one on their toes, first this whole ''ShAdOw ReAlm'' business and now spooky announcer voices. I mean, soon they better kick up the holograms and make crazy monsters share the halls with us'' She shuffled her deck again, a impulse she had sadly yet not gotten under control. She did however find this whole idea ingenious! How better to make everyone play their best then this? She remember when she was younger and she watched the duellist kingdom tournament repeats on her TV. She loved really how Pegasus used all of his creativity to create one fantastical tournament witch she would have loved to be part of. Sadly she was far to young and inexperienced back then...now however, perhaps she could have won that tournament just as she might win this one. It was all in the cards after all....