Domino City: Rooftop, Early Morning…
Helios had moved about the city yesterday keeping an eye out over the city and looked over the various duels taking place. With that first day of Battle City, he saw nothing that even hinted at his mother having her hand in this.

“Perhaps we’ve been wrong in our assumptions.” Helios mused.

“So, you’re Golden’s lame son.” A gruff, female voice called out.

Helios turned to see a younger female, possibly a teen, who wouldn’t look out of place going up against him in the ring. She certainly had the muscle for it. She also had white hair, which was short in the back yet long in the front to the point it formed a pompadour.

She had yellow eyes and a tan complexion. Her attire consisted of a white shirt that showed her midriff, a brown leather jacket, and yellow pants. She wore a duel disk, like the one Soren got for him. Given what she said, he could guess this was no Battle City competitor.

“So, mother finally sent someone.” Helios voiced. “Figured it’d have been a lot sooner. Despite how conflicting she could be, she did seem to try holding on tightly to me.”

“Not really sure what she sees in you either, but I don’t get paid to ask.” The girl shrugged. “I get paid to do my job. At present, that means taking you to her.”

“Ah, you must be from the Card Professor Guld.” Helios nodded. “Well, I don’t feel like going anywhere. We can settle this with a rooftop scrap or duel for it. If you win, I’ll come along. If I win, you leave empty handed and tell my mother I’ll come back on my own terms.”

“Sounds fair.” The girl activated her duel disk. “Name’s Gilda, and I’ll be dragging you along shortly.”

“I believe there’s an old saying about assumptions, but rather than get crass, I’ll merely prove it through action.” Helios declared, activating his duel disk.

“Let’s duel!”

(Helios 4000/Gilda 4000)

“Since you came up to me, I’ll take the first swing.” Helios drew. “Battlin’ Boxer Uppercutter(LV 4/1600/200), step into the ring.” A gold and grey armored boxer appeared. “Through his summon, I can nab another Battlin’ Boxer or a Counter trap from my deck.” He snagged a card which slotted out of his deck. “I’ll then set two cards.”

“Allow me to show you a real first turn, loser.” Gilda drew. “First, I’m sending the Jack’s Knight I got in my deck to the grave to special summon Joker’s Knight(LV 5/2000/1400).” A warrior dressed in black and red jester garbs appeared.

“Now, I activate Polymerization to fuse my Level 5 Joker’s Knight on the field with my Level 5 Estranger Big Bang in my hand. This monster will strike you down hard. Fusion summon Idaten the Conqueror Star(LV 10/3000/2000).” A warrior in blue clothing and purple armor appeared.

“She utilized a special summon of a Level 5 to then combine it with another Level 5 monster in her hand.” Helios thought. “Is her strategy a main deck comprised primarily of Level 5 monsters? If it is, that’s a far more difficult strategy under the new rules of this game.”

“As this monster was fusion summoned, I can now add any Level 5 warrior I want to my hand from my deck.” Gilda snagged the card which slotted out. “It has two other effects, though one of them I’m not foolish enough to use given your field.

Instead, I’ll utilize the other through attacking Uppercutter. When Idaten battles a monster whose level is equal or lower to his, he can zero out their ATK this damage calculation. That means your wimpy boxer is about to fall big time to my awesome warrior.”

Battlin’ Boxer Uppercutter(LV 4/0/200 effect)

“If there’s one thing my guys don’t like, it’s foul play.” Helios declared. “I activate my first face down, Corkscrew Counter. As you’ve activated an effect during the Battle Phase, it is negated. The card whose effect was activated is then destroyed and your take 500 life points of damage.”

As Idaten came within swinging distance of Uppercutter, he stepped back from the swing of its trident before getting in close. The boxer then landed a strong uppercut which knocked the warrior off its feet before it was destroyed (Helios 4000/Gilda 3500).

Battlin’ Boxer Uppercutter(LV 4/1600/200)

“Lucky break for you.” Gilda voiced. “As you now control a monster where I control none, I’m permitted to special summon Earth Armor Ninja(LV 5/1600/1200).” A warrior in earthen brown ninja attire appeared.

“Not placing your monster in defense mode?” Helios questioned.

“Defense mode is for the weak.” Gilda retorted.

“Suit yourself.” Helios returned. “One less thing to potentially contend with.”

“Now, I’ll set one card of my own.” Gilda stated. “As I now head into the End Phase, the other effect of Joker’s Knight kicks in. Since it’s in the grave, I can target my light attributed Jack’s Knight and return it to my deck to add Joker’s Knight back to my hand.”

“I see now why she bothered summoning Joker’s Knight to begin with.” Helios drew. “Battlin’ Boxer Chief Second(LV 4/500/2000) now steps into the ring.” A red and grey armored warrior appeared. “So long as he’s out, another boxer can step out to join once per turn. Step on out into the ring, Battlin’ Boxer Shadow(LV 4/1800/1400).” A black armored warrior appeared.

“You now have three monsters; I’m shaking over here.” Gilda voiced sarcastically.

“What I can do with these three is far more than you assume.” Helios stated. “I now construct the overlay network with all three of my level 4 monsters. Step into the ring Battlin’ Boxer Star Cestus(R4/O 3/2500/1600).” A large gold and blue warrior appeared. “Star Cestus will now swing on your Earth Armor Ninja with Stardust Impact!”

Cestus’ right fist glowed gold as it lunged at the opposing warrior.

“You’ve triggered my Battleguard Howling.” Gilda declared. “Since you’ve targeted a warrior of mine, this trap targets a monster you control and deals damage equal to its original ATK. Then, that monster is sent back to hand. In this case it’d be the extra deck.”

Sound waves washed over the charging Star Cestus, pushing him back (Helios 1500/Gilda 3500)

“While I’ll take the damage, Star Cestus isn’t going anywhere.” Helios declared. “I activate my second set card, Forbidden Lance. At the cost of 800 of his ATK, this quick-paly makes Star Cestus is immune to spell/traps.”

Battlin’ Boxer Star Cestus(R4/O 3/1700/1600 effect). “He’s still strong enough to destroy that monster of yours.” Cestus pushed through the sound, landing the knockout blow on Earth Armor Ninja (Helios 1500/Gilda 3400). “That concludes my turn.”

Battlin’ Boxer Star Cestus(R4/O 3/2500/1600)

“I draw!” Gilda looked at what she got. “I now activate Magical Mallet to send itself and Joker’s Knight from my hand back into my deck.” Once the cards were inserted, the deck shuffled.

“Now, I draw two cards!” She smirked. “These two, along with the one I kept, will bring this duel to its end! I summon Battleguard Cadet(LV 1/50/100).” A small, purple oni appeared wielding a large club.

“A level 1 monster?” Helios questioned.

“An oddity this card may seem, it actually fits in nicely with my deck.” Gilda declared. “One thing it lets me do upon being summoned is add Feast of the Wild LV 5 from my deck to my hand.” As the card slotted out, she took it.

“This card doesn’t matter for this turn as I instead use another of Cadet’s effects to tribute him and special summon Battleguard King(LV 8/3000/1100).” A red, monstrous warrior twice the size of either Battleguard appeared wearing purple armor and wielding a massive sword.

“That monster is only 500 ATK more than my Cestus, which is only one third the life points you need to knock me out.” Helios voiced.

“With the only card I’d have had in my hand without Cadet, it’s more than enough.” Gilda declared. “Let’s end this Battleguard King.” King roared as he charged forward. “As I’ve now entered the Battle Phase, I can activate the quick play Psychic Fervor.

I target King with this spell.” (Helios 1500/Gilda 400). “In exchange for losing the ability to attack directly and my life points up to this monster’s current ATK, Battleguard King(LV 8/6000/1100 effect) shall double his ATK until the end of the turn.”

“If you were facing any other monster, you’d have won this duel right here.” Helios grinned. “In the end, you decided to attack Star Cestus.”

“Why is that a bad thing?” Gilda questioned.

“It all begins with his effect.” Helios voiced. “Whenever a Battlin’ Boxer engages in battle, I can detach 1 overlay unit to negate the effects of the opposing monster. Additionally, my monster can’t be destroyed by this battle.”

“Big deal, lame-o!” Gilda called out. “Even with an invincible monster, you’ll still take the damage!”

“Last part of the effect, you are the one who takes the damage I would have from this battle.” Helios informed.

Gilda’s eye’s widened. “What!?”

Battle Guard King swung his club down.

“Star Cestus, Stardust Counter!” Helios exclaimed.

Cestus glowed golden as a shield appeared to absorb the blow before then turning into multiple spheres of light which launched into Gilda (Helios 1500/Gilda 0).

“That’s a knock out.” Helios then walked past the defeated duelist, who had fallen to her knees in disbelief, as the holograms faded. “Now, go tell my mother I’ll see her on my terms.”

Domino City: Morning…
Sunset and Yugi had arrived at the clock, where they agreed to meet up this morning before separating to secure the rest of their needed locator cards, and were now just waiting for a certain blond to arrive.

“He’s running late.” Sunset noted.

“Oh, here he comes now.” Yugi voiced.

Joey was running up to the two of them. “Hey guys, sorry to keep you waiting!”

“I think the person who deserves you apology most is Yugi.” Sunset stated. “He can acquire the three locator cards he needs, but not if there isn’t time enough to do it.”

Before Joey could voice a response, Yugi spoke up with a smile. “Don’t worry, it’s not even lunch time yet. There’s ample time to duel anyone still left in the tournament.”

“Still, Sunset is right.” Joey stated. “I shouldn’t have been running late.” He grinned with a thumbs up. “Next night we all get together; the pizza is on me.”

“Next night we all get together and have pizza will be once Battle City has concluded.” Sunset shook her head. “We won’t get there standing around her longer.”

“Then, let’s get going.” Joey voiced. “Time to finish gatherin’ what locator cards we need.”

Sunset and Joey both took off while Yugi hung back a bit. “I know one of Marik’s hunters are after me, and I’ll be ready for them.”

He then took off, not noticing a bald man with pointed ears and perpetually wide eyes watching him. He was covered in piercings while wearing a black shirt and red pants with yellow suspenders. A green bag was slung across his chest containing his Duel Disk.

He was under Marik’s total control, the man’s voice in his head. “I’m watching every move you make, Little Yugi.”

Kame Game Shop
Tea and Tristan had come to the shop looking for Yugi, only to find Solomon sweeping.

“Ah, Yugi already took off to?” Tea questioned, she and Tristan having missed Sunset at her apartment as well.

“Yes, he wanted to get an early start on the tournament today.” Solomon informed.

“I knew I shouldn’t have let you talk me into stopping by Serenity’s room.” Tea stated, looking at her friend.

Tristan grinned. “Isn’t it important you check in on her?”

“Important I check in on her, not that you flirt with her.” Tea retorted. “At this rate, I’m never going to get to see Yugi, Joey, or Sunset duel.”

“Not true.” Solomon smiled. “I’ll slip on my comfy shoes and help you find them.”

Outside the Museum
Sunset ended up at the museum and stopped to stare at the building. “Could a Battle City competitor have gone in there?”

The hero user decided it was worth at least having a look, perhaps even stopping in to look at those exhibits Ishizu brought in as well. As she climbed the stairs, Bakura, the one from within the ring, stepped out of a nearby alleyway.

He was holding up the Millennium Ring as it pointed him strongly here. “Two Millennium Items are here, huh?” He looked up, only for his gaze to settle on Sunset as she used the hand with the Millennium Scale, in bracelet form, to open the door. “A Millennium Bracelet?”

Bakura shook his head. “No, only seven items were created. She must have somehow gotten one of her own since Duelist Kingdom, only for her own magic to shift its appearance.” He smirked. “With her all alone with one of them, this is a perfect opportunity.”

Bakura walked up to the museum, his prey now being Sunset. In the back of his mind, he had to wonder if his ring had been guiding him to Sunset that day at the warehouse as well? He hadn’t been paying much attention to her given someone had been after the puzzle.

Egyptian Exhibit
Bakura, following his ring, soon arrived within the room containing the stone depicting the Egyptian lives of Seto, Sunset, and Yugi.

“The Pharoh’s tablets are here.” Bakura spoke up, the Millennium Ring falling back around his neck.

Sunset was startled from her contemplation and turned to face Bakura. She almost called out to him, thinking he was the friend she knew, before spotting the Millennium Ring around his neck. She didn’t doubt Tristan, Arctic, and Thunder had gotten rid of it prior.

“With items of this power, especially ones containing consciousness, it was a pipe dream for it to stay gone.” Sunset recognized.

“You know, it’s been quite some time since I’ve lain my eyes on those particular stone carvings.” Bakura’s eye drifted to the bracelet, seeing the hero user glance at her item as well. “I am certain once I’ve claimed all seven items I can unlock the shadow magic it depicts.”

“I know you can’t claim this item without winning it from me first.” Sunset voiced. “The way I see it, we both have something the other wants. Given everything that’s happened prior, there’s only one way either of us can be assured we’ll get what we want.”

“A shadow duel, my ring up against whatever Millennium Item you’ve somehow managed to acquire.” Bakura voiced.

Quite frankly, he didn’t care enough to question how this girl acquired this item nor did he ponder which of the four remaining items it was. That last one would be known to him upon claiming the item himself.

“Given how you keep coming back, I don’t think I should lay even a finger on that Millennium Ring.” Sunset pointed at Bakura. “We’ll Shadow Duel, my Millennium Item against Bakura’s freedom. Additionally, you can’t possess me or my friends as alternatives.”

That was a different ante, though it’s not like Bakura thought he’d actually loose. Even if by some miracle he did, he still had his options. Perhaps if he didn’t, he wouldn’t dream of agreeing to this even with his assuredness of victory.

“I accept your challenge, though this shall be a grave mistake on your part.” Bakura voiced, taking out his deck.

Their respective Millennium Items glowed with a golden light as the room was cloaked in a purple mist. Bakura let go of his deck, seeing it hovering within reach of his hand. Sunset figured the Shadow Game would provide for him to duel as she activated her duel disk.

(Sunset 4000/Bakura 4000)

“I believe I shall start.” Bakura drew. “I set a monster and one face down.” He chuckled. “While this might seem like a simple set up, it’s just the beginning of what will befall you.”

“My turn.” Sunset drew. “I summon Elemental Hero Solid Soldier(LV 4/1300/1100).” A warrior in light gray armor appeared. “When he’s normal summoned, I can special summon any level 4 or lower Elemental Hero from my hand

I choose Elemental Hero Stratos(LV 4/1800/300).” A hero in a blue body suit appeared. “Through one of his effects, I can add any Hero I wish from my deck to my hand.” As the card slotted out of her deck, she snagged it. “Now Soldier will destroy that face down.”

Solid Soldier rushed forward and attacked the face down, which flipped face up to reveal Giant Germ(LV 2/1000/100). It shattered before a purple sphere was suddenly launched into Sunset’s gut, seeing her grip it and stumble back in pain (Sunset 3500/Bakura 4000).

“You’d likely ask what happened if you weren’t dealing with the pain, so allow me to fill you in.” Bakura chuckled. “What you just attacked was my Giant Germ. When it is destroyed and sent to the grave, you take 500 life points of damage.”

Two cards slid out of his deck, so he snagged them before throwing the pair down. “I also then get to special any number of Giant Germs(LV 2/1000/100) from my deck, and I’ll be summoning the two of them in defense mode.

“Figures he’d have cards like that.” Sunset took a deep breath. “If it’s between taking the damage or leaving you with material, I know what I’m picking. Stratos, destroy another Giant Germ.”

Stratos flew at one of the Giant Germs, destroying it. Another purple sphere was launched into Sunset’s gut, seeing her stumble back in pain once more (Sunset 3000/Bakura 4000).

“You sure had something to say, though I imagine that pain might have you rethinking your stance.” Bakura voiced.

“This isn’t my first shadow game, which you should be familiar with.” Sunset retorted. “Just like the one you put all of us through prior, you fight alone while I’ve got all the support I need.”

“That’s funny, I don’t see anyone else here.” Bakura retorted with a smirk.

“They don’t have to be here in person to be by my side now.” Sunset smiled. “Allow me to show you as I now build the overlay network with my two level four monsters.”

“Wait, what?” Bakura questioned.

He didn’t bother learning everything about his opponents, but he understood enough to know Sunset’s extra deck was all fusions.

“She must have gotten an Xyz monster as a prize in this Battle City Tournament.” Bakura reasoned.

While Sunset collected two Xyz monsters from prior opponents, neither of those were what she intended to summon now. “Gather the flame of your soul on your fists! Xyz summon Battlin’ Boxer Lead Yoke(R 4/O 2/2200/2000).” A larger Battlin’ Boxer within restraints appeared.

“I was expecting to use this on one of your fusions; however, this is too good an opportunity to pass up.” Bakura chuckled. “I activate my face down Torrential Tribute. As you just summoned a monster, this trap will destroy all monsters across our fields.”

“Thanks for getting rid of that last Giant Germ; however, I detach 1 of Battlin’ Boxer Lead Yoke(R 4/O 1/2200/2000)’s overlay units.” Sunset declared. “This prevents the destruction of 1 Battlin’ Boxer monster.”

“How annoying.” Bakura voiced.

“You should also know that by detaching an overlay unit, my Battlin’ Boxer Lead Yoke(R 4/O 1/3000/2000 effect) gains 800 ATK.” Sunset informed.

“Well then, that’s good to know.” Bakura chuckled.

“He seems a bit too confident upon hearing that.” Sunset looked at her hand before plucking a card from it. “I set one card, your move.”

“I draw!” Bakura smirked at what he got. “I now hold in my hand a card whose dark powers are beyond your wildest imagination. In order to play this card, I must first banish three fiend-type monster from my grave.”

“Your Giant Germs.” Sunset realized.

“You’ve caught on.” Bakura chuckled. “Thanks to your assistance, I can summon the beast which will cause your demise. Come forth, Dark Necrofear(LV 8/2200/2800).” A blue fiend took to the field.”

“That monster is only as strong as my Lead Yoke is when summoned.” Sunset noted. “As it stands, he’s eight hundred too strong for your monster to beat.”

“Let’s fix that with Forbidden Lance.” Bakura voiced, as a lance suddenly appeared in Lead Yoke’s hand. “This quick-play makes your monster immune to spell/traps at the cost of 800 ATK, only until the end of this turn though.”

Battlin’ Boxer Lead Yoke(R 4/O 1/2200/2000 effect)

“Unless you got another card to play, all you’ve done now is make their ATK equal.” Sunset pointed out.

“It’s just what I want.” Bakura smirked. “Dark Necrofear, crash with Lead Yoke.”

“I detach Battlin’ Boxer Lead Yoke(R 4/O 1/3000/2000 effect)’s remaining overlay unit.” Sunset declared. “His destruction is prevented once more as his ATK rises another 800.”

Dark Necrofear blasted darkness at Lead Yoke, only for him to power through it and destroy the fiend.

“Just like that, you’ve done exactly as I wanted.” Bakura laughed, worrying Sunset. “I set one card, seeing me enter the End Phase. On a turn Dark Necrofear was destroyed by one of your cards, he comes back to be equipped to any monster you control and turns it to fight for me.”

Dark Necrofear appeared within Bakura’s spell/trap zone before casting its darkness outward. Sunset went wide eyed as her Lead Yoke was awash in dark energy before lumbering over to Bakura’s side.

“What will you do now that your powered up monster fights for me?” Bakura questioned.

“Work with what I have to overcome it.” Sunset drew. “It all starts with my Elemental Hero Shadow Mist(LV 4/1000/1500).” A female warrior in all black appeared. “She’ll immediately attack Lead Yoke.”

Bakura chuckled. “If you wish to hasten your end, be my guest.”

“I’m hastening the end to my victory.” Sunset stated. “I activate my face down Mirror Gate. When a monster you and I control do battle, this card switches control of them before damage is calculated.”

“Worthless, as I activate my face down Destruct Potion.” Bakura retorted. “I now target one monster I control, such as Lead Yoke, and destroy him.” Lead Yoke drank a potion before shattering. “Then, I gain life points equal to what his current ATK was.”

Green particles rained down on Bakura (Sunset 3000/Bakura 7800).

“Now, your field is wide open for Shadow Mist to launch a direct attack.” Sunset declared.

Shadow Mist rushed forward and slugged Bakura across the face, seeing him stumble back (Sunset 3000/Bakura 6800).

“1000 life points is barely anything up against what I gained.” Bakura chuckled.

“You’re about to lose the rest of what you just got as I activate the quick-play Mask Change.” Sunset retorted. “By targeting my dark attributed Show Mist, I can conduct a fusion summon for any 1 dark attributed Masked Hero in my extra deck.”

“So, this is what that archetype she wanted does.” Bakura thought.

“Appear from the void, Fusion summon Masked Hero Anki(LV 8/2800/1200).” Darkness appeared on the field, from which emerged a hero decked out in full on dark brown armor. “As Shadow Mist was sent to the grave, I can add any Hero I wish from my deck to the hand.” As the card slotted out of her deck, she snagged it. “Now Anki, attack Bakura with Void Punch!”

Masked Hero Anki threw his fist into a portal. It then opened in front of Bakura before said fist slammed into his face, knocking him clean off his feet (Sunset 3000/Bakura 4000).

From his place on the ground, Bakura laughed at her futility. “Well done, you managed to get my life points back to where they started.” He began to rise to his feet. “All this effort, yet you haven’t achieved a thing.”

“All you’ve done is 1000 of my life points, and that was just at the beginning while I nearly took what could have been all of yours without that trap.” Sunset retorted. “If you ask me, I think it’s clear which of us is closer to winning. I set two cards.”

“Allow me to correct any thoughts you had of victory!” Bakura drew. “I activate Graceful Charity, allowing me to draw three cards before then having to discard two.” He drew and discarded before smirking. “Now, it’s time to end this!

First, I shall return my three banished Giant Germs to my deck as the cost needed to special summon Curse Necrofear(LV 8/2800/2200).” A blue fiend whose body was more ethereal than Dark Necrofear appeared.

“All that monster does is tie with Anki, hardly the end of this duel.” Sunset noted.

“That is where my second card comes in, Change of Heart.” Bakura stated. “Until the end of this turn, your Masked Hero Anki shall serve me just as your Lead Yoke did prior. Between these two monsters, it is the end. Anki, attack with Void Punch.”

“Not so fast!” Sunset called out. “I activate my face down, A Hero Emerges. Now, you must select one card from my hand. If it’s a monster that can be special summoned, I can do just that. Anything else goes to the grave.”

“You’re really leaving it up to luck?” Bakura questioned.

“Wouldn’t dream of it with you.” Sunset retorted, holding out her two cards. “Both cards I currently hold fit this traps requirement.” She nodded. “It’s just up to you which one I summon.”

“Very well, I select the right card.” Bakura voiced.

“You just choose Elemental Hero Prisma(LV 4/1700/1100), which will come out in defense mode.” Sunset declared, as a warrior made of crystal appeared kneeling before her.

“I’ll now have Anki destroy your Prisma, Void Punch.” Bakura declared, seeing Anki punch into a portal which then appeared in front of Prisma to shattered him with the emerging fist. “Curse Necrofear will now attack you directly.”

Necrofear held out an arm, shrouding Sunset in dark energy that had her crying to in pain and brought her to her knees (Sunset 200/Bakura 4000).

“Now, you’re not getting Anki back as I still have my normal summon.” Bakura informed. “I’m using it to tribute him for a monster I’ll be setting face down on the field. How does it feel having been brought to your knees?

What’s more, you have one set card, one card in your hand, and one draw in the face of all that I have still in store for you. You’re also left with a handful of life points to work with while I’m still full. Soon, I’ll win while you’ll be consumed by the darkness.”

“You talk too much.” Sunset voiced, slowly rising to her feet and putting her hand on her deck. “So long as a duelist has life points, the tides of any duel can be decided by one draw.” She grabbed at the first card. “Given what’s at stake, I believe in my deck will guide my victory.”

“Please, what could you possibly pull to turn anything around?” Bakura questioned.

Sunset drew before looking at the card and smiling. “Allow me to show you just what I drew to not only turn this duel around but claim victory. I activate the card I set on my last turn alongside A Hero Emerges, Polymerization!”

Bakura’s eyes widened. “She set that spell last turn to ensure I could only select from monsters in her hand through that trap of hers. Wait, what did she just draw that goes with whatever monster I left her?”

“Now, I fuse Elemental Hero Striking Sparkman and Masked Kid, which can act as a substitute for one named fusion material. In this case, it’ll be Flame Wingman. I summon forth a hero who cuts through the darkness with his radiance. Fusion Summon Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman(LV 8/2500/2100).” The hero wearing silver and gold armor appeared, glowing.

Bakura could only stare in utter disbelief. “This can’t be happening!”

“This monster has two effects, but the most pertinent is he’ll gain 300 ATK for each Elemental Hero in my grave.” Sunset informed. “I count six in Solid Soldier, Stratos, Shadow Mist, Prisma, Striking Sparkman, and Masked Kid, which counts as an Elemental Hero.”

“1800 extra ATK!” Bakura exclaimed.

Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman(LV 8/4300/2100)

“Shining Flare Wingman, attack Curse Necrofear with Solar Flare!” Sunset declared.

Shining Flare Wingman punched clear through the fiend; the damage Bakura sustained sending him skidding along the ground until he hit a wall back first (Sunset 200/Bakura 1500).

“Now, his secondary effect kicks in to deal you damage equal to the ATK your monster had on the field!” Sunset exclaimed.

Flare Wingman moved to stand before Bakura, emitting a brilliant light which had him screaming in pain (Sunset 200/Bakura 0).

Sunset was left panting as she stared at her opponent. “Now, fade back into whatever darkness you came from for good this time. No more returning.”

“Oh, the Shadow Game you set forth was quite clear.” Bakura voiced, as he, the Millennium Ring, and his deck glowed. “You’ve removed me from Bakura; however, I am darkness itself. I won’t fade into it nor is this the last you’ve seen of me.”

He then proceeded to laugh, it echoing within the room until the Millennium Ring and deck the spirit of it had used were gone. Bakura’s body slumped forward before hitting the ground with a thud. With the spirit gone, Sunset followed suit as she passed out.

Minutes later, Ishizu walked into the room to survey the scene as her Millennium Necklace glowed. “This certainly narrows down the potential pathways of the future.”

America: Graveyard, Night…
The door of a mausoleum opened from within as out stepped Pegasus’ body into the night air. He tucked a deck of fiends into his suit pocket while the Millennium Ring hung around his neck. A far more devious smirk adorned his face than Pegasus ever made in his life.

“Just as I told that fool, this will not be the last she or any of them see of me.” Bakura thought. “Since Pegasus no longer needed this body, I knew it’d be a good idea to impart part of my soul within.”

Flashback
“I am the one who will possess all the Millennium Items.” Bakura approached the defeated man “I will use their combined might to shroud the world in eternal darkness. Now, you have lost, so I shall take your Millennium Eye while passing judgement.” He crouched down and extended his hand, which was cloaked in darkness. “I’m sending your soul to meet the reaper, death.”

Graveyard
Bakura walked through the graveyard, all the while laughing as his work was far from done.

Author's Note

Day 2 of Battle City kicks off with Helios taking on Gilda, though I don't think there's much I got to explain they're beyond the fact this is obviously one of the duels without a locator card. Moving onto Sunset vs Yami Bakura, which is another case of no locator card.

For as intimidating as this Bakura is, he's not a great duelist. His only confirmed win is against Bonz, who may I remind you was beaten back in Duelist Kingdom by a Joey Wheeler who had been psyched out by a loss to Seto Kaiba. Here's the thing about that.

The fact this Bakura keeps coming back is kind of Sunset's undoing here. If she'd dueled a straight up Shadow Game, loser goes to the Shadow Realm, this Bakura would have been potentially done for. In this universe, the Millennium Puzzle was never smashed.

Yami Bakura didn't even get to lay a finger on it here. If Sunset had dueled a normal Shadow Game, what little he left inside Pegasus' vacant body wouldn't have been enough. Due to this Bakura always coming back, it shifted Sunset's ante.

As for him taking over Pegasus' body, the man's soul is gone. As for how he got out of the mausoleum, we've seen he can make his cards real. With what dark magic he has, he likely sealed it back up. This also provides a reason why Bakura is going to be out of the story.

He is now using the body of a man who essentially seen as dead, who I also believe he couldn't pass himself off as. As such, he'll need to maneuver around carefully and work on things as arcs play out before reappearing as the villain of the Pharoh's Memory arc.

Duels before the Top 16: 12

With these last three chapters, it's focused on Yugi, Sunset, and Joey. From here, you won't be seeing them until all other duels I need to get through are done. That's seven of the remaining twelve duels where the focus shifts to the other characters in this tournament.