It's finally done! After days of agonizing writer's block and changes at work and life, I've done it! I needed to really get out some things since this was really a clip show episode. The enemy's deck was the hard part in trying to figure out and thanks to watching some ARC-V, I found the perfect deck! Now enjoy the season finale of the 12 Dimensions!

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Yu-Gi-Oh! GX or any of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise. I do own Claudio Osbourne and the Jukebox Hero Archetype while the other OCs are copyrighted to their respective authors.

Chapter 62: For What's to Come

Back at Duel Academy, a large storm from the failed dimensional merge caused an explosion that was heard and shook the island up. It caused everyone on the island to drop what they were doing and look up at the sky and saw smoke flowing past the forest. The entire island ran past the forest, which led to the ancient Gravekeeper Ruins and was met with a big shock...

Kurogasa, Mikoto, Vincent, Allyson, Jesse, Melody, Reyna, Alexis, Kenji, Syrus, Hassleberry, Chazz, Sam, Atticus, Axel, Fidel, Tetsu, Jim, Yuri, Crystal, Seth Scrapper, Aster, Masaki, and Zane were all sprawled over the ground, groaning in pain...

However, Crystal walked over to three of the duelists that were looking up at the skies with tears in their eyes. Syrus, Reyna, and Melody couldn't keep in their sorrows as they cried for their loves that stayed behind in the other dimension...

Later that night...

Seth and Tetsu were present in Chancellor Sheppard's office. They had discussed the events of the other dimensions with Sheppard, the Duel Academy faculty, Valencia Valtona, Kai Mason and Kal Wilde of the Overseas Academies, and Seto Kaiba. It left a lot of sadness amongst the adult. While Valencia, Fonda, Rachel shed some tears, Kai was trying to fight the sorrow and anger in himself when he heard about Adrian's obsession of becoming a monarch and ultimately dying along with Echo while also trying to erase Tetsu from existence.

Spencer and Sartyr sighed sadly as they lost two of their star duelists and trusted people of the Academy.

Even Crowler, who was once butted heads with the two, felt sadness for the Hero Duelists being gone.

Seto Kaiba was just as stoic as ever, but he also felt remorse at the loss of his students.

Soon, it was left with Kaiba, Sheppard, Seth, and Tetsu to discuss the aftermath.

Sheppard was the first to speak as he reviewed the files of Jaden Yuki, Claudio Osbourne, Bastion Misawa, and Adrian Gecko. "I thought everyone could return home safely... But we cannot sink into despair over the loss of our precious students."

"Without Jaden's and Claudio's sacrifice, along with Mr. Misawa's warning, I and most the students would not have made it back." Seth proclaimed.

"They were the only ones who could have done anything to stop it," Tetsu added.

The Chancellor sighed, "I understand. The grander mystery surrounding Duel Monsters. It may, in part, be the cause of this incident." He then gave the files to Seto.

The owner of the Academy gave the files to Seth, "Put those with the files of the missing students. We'll return to Kaiba Corporation and plan to speak to the parents."

"Yes sir," Seth replied as they left the office. Tetsu bowed to Chancellor Sheppard before leaving as well.

"We'll solve the mystery soon," Sheppard stated "Because our Duel Academia was originally established in order to solve it."

A week had passed at Duel Academy, and while majority of the Academy had moved on from hearing the loss of their best duelists, the ones who were at the other dimensions could not move on.

Despite this, Valencia, Kai, and Kal were able to do their intended jobs in educating the students and evaluating them for the future as per Chancellor Sheppard's and Seto Kaiba's orders. They were able to find the duelists who had the potential to strive and those who needed to improve and reported their findings.

During the week, Zane got the medical attention he needed for his heart problems. Everyone was grateful that the duel was the thing that took his life and not the heart condition. He may have had some relapses, but it was quickly contained and treated. He was now in recovering at a secluded hospital at the island.

However, Jaden and Claudio's closest friends sometimes meet at the Slifer Rec Room to discuss their pasts and how they influenced their lives. They smiled remembering the good times and for that, planned to become better duelists and people due to their sacrifices.

But Syrus and Reyna couldn't help feeling sad as they were the last people to be with Jaden as he stayed behind in his duel with Yubel. It made it worse when they had to tell Allyson why Jaden didn't come back with them. It broke her heart knowing that the duelists she loved was never coming back and not even Jesse could console her.

Melody was the same with Claudio, having managed to overcome the sorrows they faced, but still they couldn't be together after Claudio stayed behind to fight Tragoedia. She kept praying every day, clutching the Dark Magician card she obtained with his help to her heart, hoping he and Jaden would come back.

Elsewhere...

Claudio was floating in a void between dimensions, trying to find Jaden Yuki. He couldn't get the revelation of his duel with Tragoedia out of his head…

He was the reincarnation of the Drowned Emperor, a child of a dying empire whose people were cast into the Sea of Black Tears by fiends. From that event, Trageodia was born and got revenge for the people that summoned him. The demon declared that he was the Emperor's protector and could use his powers to help him grow. Only until the Emperor came of age and could kill the demon, taking the power for himself to stand out on his own.

Realizing that, he saw his own error of tossing him away as the spirit lingered inside the card his father gave him. But before, Trageodia was trying to teach him life's cruelty by taking out the weak during and after Claudio's duels. Claudio threw the card away to protect his older sisters at the time as they wanted to bond with him through dueling.

Somewhere, during those 12 years apart, Trageodia was corrupted by some dark power that amplified his own energy, and somehow met Yubel who was corrupted by the Dark Light and teamed up to battle him and Jaden for revenge.

Now he was hoping to find Jaden and tell him that his side may have been riddled with corruption as well and that Yubel's intentions of love were also warped. Thankfully, the power he obtained from defeating Trageodia was letting him survive the void...

"Jaden!" He called out. "Jaden!"

"Over here!" a voice called back.

Claudio was confused as the voice was not Jaden's, but a female voice. He gasped as he thought the worse and floating towards the voice. He was met with Jaden floating unconsciously with Yubel cradling his body.

"Yubel..." He whispered. "You didn't..."

The demoness held up her right hand and shook her head, "Don't worry; Jaden's alright... He's just exhausted from freeing me of the Dark Light's corruption."

The J-Hero Duelist snapped his fingers, "So it was true..." He then turned to Yubel, "How did he end up this way?"

Yubel retold the events of her duel with Jaden, feeling shame and regret at how she acted and hurt Jaden during it. Still, he smirked at hearing how Jaden used some of Jesse's cards to recreate the monster that saved him and Allyson to fend Yubel off. Finally, when she played Super Polymerization to fuse the 12 Dimensions together, she was thwarted when Jaden used a trap to counter the choices of Fusion Materials. Claudio gasped as Yubel told him that fateful moment...

"Your souls are fused!?" He shouted in shock.

Yubel nodded as she shed a tear, "I don't know how he was able to do that, but I'm grateful for that decision. Even more so that he didn't die during the process..."

"He could've died!?" Claudio shouted again. He then shrugged it off, "Of course he would try something outrageous, he once put the whole world at risk to save Aster and Masaki's lives. But at least that worked out for the better as well..."

Yubel smiled and nodded before addressing Claudio, "From seeing you here, you resolved things with Trageodia as well?"

"Yeah, I fought and killed him..." Claudio sighed sadly, "Just as he wanted..."

"Then you should continue to honor his memory by not moping," the demoness stated, making Claudio look up at her in shock. "You said he wanted to give his life for you to have the power you were destined to obtain. You must continue to live for his sake!"

Letting it all sink in, he nodded firmly.

"Oh..."

Claudio and Yubel looked at Jaden, seeing him stir in his sleep. Yubel then started to vanish.

"Yubel?" Claudio wondered.

"Look after Jaden from the outside," She stated as she vanished back into Jaden's body, who began to wake up.

"Where am I?" the E-Hero Duelist wondered.

"Nice to see you awake from your long nap," Claudio smirked.

"Claudio!" Jaden gasped as he floated up to him, holding the shoulders. "You're alive!"

The Ra smiled, "Yeah, but then again, I can understand you being concerned. Trageodia flat out wanted to hurt me while Yubel just had a twisted way to show you love. But enough about that, how you holding up after fusing with Yubel?"

"You know about that!?" Jaden gasped.

"Yubel was here taking care of your body until I came around," Claudio replied. "She told me how you extinguished the Dark Light from her body."

"Yeah," Jaden nodded. "I found out about Yubel's past and that she wanted to protect the Supreme King by becoming the form she is now. My past self, the King, promised her his love; that's why she was so crazed when everyone else made me sad."

"So, you did have a reincarnation as well," Claudio stated. "However, Trageodia wanted me to kill him to grow and take in the powers I needed to be the Drowned Emperor." Jaden gasped as he felt bad for Claudio, having to go to that extreme. "Yubel told me to live for him instead of mourning his death." He then laughed, "But then, having to breathe in his essence to take the power, you can say he's within me as well."

"That's true..." Jaden smiled. "But I guess now that we established that we're okay, we can finally go home now!"

"Not yet, Jaden."

"Hmm? Why not?"

"Because if Yubel was telling you the story about how she got corrupted and met up with Trageodia, it means we have one final problem to deal with." He then continued, seeing Jaden trying to wrap his mind around the thought, "Trageodia told me that there was a voice, other than Brightveil, telling them that they would be back with us. I thought Nightshroud would come back, but he's sealed within that card when Atticus was beaten by Kenji during the Shadow Rider battle."

Jaden gasped as did Claudio as they realized who could have done this...

A sinister laughter echoed through the void, putting the Hero Duelists on high alert.

"Finally, you two have figured out the threat placed upon heads," the voice stated. "This will make it more enjoyable to end your lives as I gather your loved ones believe you to be dead already."

"Well, it's time for you to show yourself..." Claudio stated and then shouted the name...

"TWILIGHT!"

The voice echoed in laughter as a grey light appeared above them and took form into a human-like entity. It had gray-colored hair and dark green eyes. He wore a collared blue-green regal cloak, with yellow shoulder pads, and the chest area colored white. However, the 'human' part was solely on the body as the face was more reptilian that human.

"Hello, boys," Twilight announced. "I congratulate you on a most pleasurable showing of your dark powers against your Duel Spirits. It led me right towards the ones who would be King and Emperor..."

"Well, I can't say the same for seeing you again." Claudio scoffed. "The last time we battled, you possessed Jeremy to take my Shadow Charm. What's the matter, looking for revenge?"

"Nothing of the sort," the being of light and dark stated. "Although, it would be nice to destroy you after you stopped me the last time. But to think that the ones Yubel and Trageodia are looking for ARE my prey after all."

"Talk straight," Jaden demanded. "What are you and what do you want with us!?"

"I am a sorcerer who's lasted many generations in pursuit of power to take the dimensions and rule it as my own," Twilight explained. "To do so, I planned on amplifying my powers with the Gentle Darkness that dwells within the two of you." He then smirked. "You can say while the Supreme King wanted to fight the Light of Destruction and the Drowned Emperor wanted to stop the evil dark forces, I was the one who orchestrated the downfall of those empires respectively."

"What!?" the Hero Duelists gasped.

"Oh yes," Twilight continued. "I wanted your past lives to obtain their powers at an earlier time than intended. However, it failed because you had such... Good bodyguards protecting you..." He sneered.

"So Yubel and Tragoedia prevented your plans, eh?" Claudio stated. "Good work, so far..."

Twilight smirked, "But then I thought to sever the bonds between you two and your protecting." He then laughed a bit, "Surprisingly, I didn't have to manipulate anyone or anything to do that as you two children didn't fully grasp their intentions of protection."

The Hero Duelists frowned as the sorcerer continued.

"So, I decided on the next best thing; When Yubel was flown into space, I redirected her capsule away from Neo Space and into Brightveil's galaxy where she was corrupted by the Dark Light. And when Trageodia was drown into the waters, I found a source of Nightshroud's power and directed the demon towards it. Sad that the powers that they were fighting, corrupted them instead. And finally, as you already realized it, I whispered into their ears and said that they would be reunited with their protectors." He then grinned madly, "And do you know how Thelonious Viper found them!?"

The Duelists gasped.

"His tale is so tragic," He continued. "He wanted to return his boy to the land of the living, so I helped him get to Yubel and Trageodia who could fulfill that wish to an extent. So, what if the others he traveled with didn't survive. It led to the demons finding you, helping you unleash your dark powers, and cause chaos throughout the dimensions so that I could step in and finish the job!"

Twilight laughed as the Hero Duelists looked at each other and nodded with firm determination.

"Then we're going to make sure you don't get our powers," Jaden stated, activating his duel disk.

"By shutting you up once and for all!" Claudio shouted, activating his duel disk.

Seeing this, Twilight stopped laughing and frowned. "Very well, but know this..." He then conjured up a tan duel disk that looked like a human puppet wrapped around his left arm and the deck was in the puppet's mouth. Once he activated it, the left arm and left leg of the puppet spread and created the tray for his cards.

"You will die here this day and my plan will come into fruition!" He shouted.

All players drew their opening hands.

DUEL!

Twilight: 8000

Jaden/Claudio: 8000

"You may move first, boys," Twilight announced.

"Fine with me," Jaden shouted, drawing his sixth card. "Come out, Clayman in defense mode!" He announced, playing his monster card and released the E-Hero of Earth onto the field, letting him defend his duelist (4/800/2000) "I end my turn!"

"Then it's my turn," Twilight stated, drawing his sixth card. "I set one monster to end my turn." A Set Monster card appeared in front of him. "I end my turn."

"It's my turn," Claudio announced, drawing his sixth card. "Jukebox Hero Man in the Box in attack mode!" He declared, unleashing the black cloaked bassist onto the field, ready to play. (4/1500/1600) "I end my turn."

"Waiting to see my first move?" the being of twin attributes asked. "Very well..." He then drew his next card. "Let the fruits of my plan come into play."

"What?" the Hero Duelists wondered. They saw that Twilight raised a card and flipped it over before launching into the void.

"First, I activate my Field Spell Curse of the Shadow Prison!" the sorcerer announced as the Field Spell flashed and recreated the field into a desert-like setting inside of a canyon. "You'll find out how dangerous it is as I play Foolish Burial to send my Monster Shaddoll Beast to my Graveyard from the deck!"

"Shaddoll?" Claudio asked as Foolish Burial was revealed to the duelists before vanishing.

"It's nothing I've heard of, either," Jaden wondered as the Monster Card in question flew out of Twilight's deck and disappeared into the sands.

Twilight smirked, "Let's just say it's something fitting for you, Jaden Yuki. But first, I activate my Field Spell's effect. Each time a Shaddoll monster is sent to the grave via card effects, I place a Spellstone Counter on my card for each one sent."

Soon a golden, scythe-like stone embedded itself behind Jaden and Claudio, whom looked cautious at the foreign object. (CotSP: 1StC)

"Then, the effect of Shaddoll Beast activates. I draw one card." Twilight drew his next card. "Now I set one Monster on the field and place two cards facedown."

Three of the sorcerer's cards flew out of his hands and placed themselves on the field and on their respective zones.

"Alright, let's see what I can do," Jaden announced, drawing his next card.

Suddenly, the Spellstone behind the Hero Duelists glowed brightly. It caused the shadows of their monsters to be created. Suddenly, they both groaned at the loss of power. (4/1500-1400/1600), (4/800-700/2000)

"What!?"

"During your turn, your monsters lose 100 ATK for each Spellstone Counter on my Field Spell," Twilight explained. "This is my Field Spell's curse. Where light and darkness are equally devastating; one cannot exist without the other."

Jaden frowned as he looked at his current hand and nodded as he made his move, "I activate the Spell Charge Fusion! I fuse Elemental Hero Clayman with Sparkman in my Hand!"

A fusion vortex opened and took in the two E-Heroes inside it.

"I Fusion Summon, Elemental Hero Thunder Giant!"

Jumping out of the vortex was the bulky giant hero of electricity, charging power within his hands. (6/2400-2300/1600)

"I activate my Trap Card," Twilight announced, revealing his facedown card, "Sinister Shadow Games! By sending one Shaddoll Monster from my Deck into the Graveyard, not only do I gain another Counter for my Field Spell, but I can flip over my facedown monsters and keep it in Defense Position!"

The Trap Card flashed a dark light onto Twilight's Set Monsters, causing it reveal itself.

"Shaddoll Squamata and Shaddoll Dragon, reveal yourselves!"

An eerie moan erupted from the card as the image came to life. It was a lizard-like armor that had dark smoke inside, making it crouch like a lizard. (4/1800/1000)

A second eerie moan was heard from the second card, letting the next monster appear. It was dark purple, feral-like dragon snarling at the Heroes. (4/1900/0)

But what was puzzling to Jaden and Claudio was that both monsters had purple strings attached to their limbs.

But their attention was averted as another stone erupted from the sands behind the Hero Duelists (CotSP: 2StCs), weakening their monsters further. (4/1400-1300/1600), (6/2300-2200/1600)

"You just made it easier on yourself," Jaden stated. "I can activate Thunder Giant's effect to destroy your monster since it has less ATK than his!"

"But that won't matter as I activate Squamata's Flip Effect," Twilight countered. "I destroy a Monster and I pick Man in the Box!"

Squamata's smoke erupted from the armor crushing the bassist into the sands.

"Then, Dragon's effect will send Thunder Giant back to the Extra Deck!"

Dragon breathed dark mist from its mouth and surrounded the Fusion Monster...

"Not quite," the E-Hero Duelist shouted, playing another Spell card. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Mask Change! I send Thunder Giant to the graveyard to Fusion Summon a Masked Hero!"

Before the mist could overtake the Hero, a Mask was placed over his face and covered him in light...

"Masked Hero Koga, appear!"

Answering Jaden's call, the golden form jumped out of Squamata's smoke and revealed to be the golden Masked Hero, ready to fight. (8/2500-2300/1800)

"Masked Heroes!?" Twilight gasped.

"That's right, I'm using other Heroes as well!" Jaden smirked. "And this one gains 500 ATK for every monster you have!"

Koga's radiance burned brighter as he gained power. (8/2300-3300/1800)

"Nice one, Jaden," Claudio praised, "Now you can overcome his monsters!"

"If only he had an attack," the otherworldly being countered.

"Huh!?"

"Remember, I discarded a Shaddoll Monster when I activated Sjnister Shadow Games," Twlight addressed them, "And it was my Shaddoll Hound! When sent to the graveyard, I can switch the battle position of one monster! I choose Koga!"

Suddenly, the ghost of mechanical dog, being controlled by more strings, pounced the Masked Hero into the sands.

"Damn," Jaden cursed. "I end my turn."

"Don't feel too bad," Twilight stated, drawing his next card. "I was ahead of the curve the whole time. And now it's time for my counterattack!"

Jaden and Claudio braced themselves for what was to come...

"I start with the deadly, Shaddoll Fusion!" the evil being shouted as he raised his hand to show off the Fusion Spell card.

Jaden and Claudio gasped as the skies darkened as fusion portal opened. But instead of something being sucked in, they saw ghosts appearing from the portal. The Hero Duelists were cautious every time one closed in...

"This Fusion card allows me to Fusion Summon for a Shaddoll Fusion Monster," He announced. He then smirked, "However, unlike using cards from the hand or field, since Jaden controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can also use Monsters from the Deck as material!"

"The Deck as well!?"

"I fuse Shaddoll Dragon on the field with King of the Swamp as a WATER Monster from my deck!"

The vortex sucked in the dark dragon along with a swamp-covered fiend, causing a flash of light to erupt.

"Puppet Master of Water! Be born and control the fate of my foes! Fusion Summon! El Shaddoll Anoyatyllis!"

Emerging from the vortex came a ghost-like woman with a face white as snow. She wore a dark purple crown on her hand and dark purple robes that looked like it was made from ice. Inside the robes, her body was clad in purple armor. (9/2700/2000) (CotSP: 3StCs)

Jaden and Claudio shuddered, feeling the power of the Fusion Monster.

"Damn, that's powerful," Jaden stated. "And I don't mean ATK!"

"No kidding," Claudio noted. "Has to be on par with yours in Fusion..."

"Oh, trust me," Twlight sneered, "It has more power than you know! While this monster is on the field, none of us can Special Summon Monsters from the hand or Graveyard with Spell and Trap effects!"

"Oh man, he can still use that Shaddoll Fusion card using materials from the deck if he goes for another Fusion Summon!" Claudio stated.

"Yeah, but we still have other ways of Special Summonings," Jaden reminded him. "So, we can't let that get us down." The J-Hero Duelist nodded. "Not to mention since it's not our turn, Koga's ATK is more powerful since he has two monsters, making his ATK at 3500!"

"But until then," Twilight shouted as he raised his hand, causing Squamata to switch into Attack Position "I have a monster to kill!"

"With a weaker monster!?"

"I activate my second facedown card," Twilight countered, revealing his last card on the field, "Rising Energy! I send another from my hand to the graveyard to power up my monster's ATK by 1500 for the turn!" He discarded another card, causing Anoyatyllis to power up. (9/2700-4200/2000) "Since I discarded Shaddoll Hedgehog to my graveyard, I gain another counter for my Field Spell (CotSP: 4StCs), and I activate that monster's effect! I add another Shaddoll monster from my deck into my hand!"

Another card appeared into his hand, keeping the number at two.

Jaden braced himself for the attack to come.

"Anoyatyllis, attack Koga!"

The crystallized puppet waved her strings, lacing it with crystal and pierced through the Masked Hero, shattering him to pixels.

Twilight: 8000

Jaden/Claudio: 7300

"Next, Squamata attacks directly!"

The Hero Duelists used their duel disks to block the possessed armor's fog, coughing from the effects.

Twilight: 8000

Jaden/Claudio: 5500

"I end my turn here, causing my Trap's effect to cease!" Twilight concluded as Anoyatyllis powered down. (9/4200-2700/2000)

"My move," Claudio announced, drawing his next card. "Since I can't Special Summon using Spell and Trap effects, I'll have to get crafty." He then made his move, "I'll activate my Graceful Charity!" He announced as he drew out three cards and discarded two of his overall hand. "Next, I'll activate the effect of an old favorite! Jukebox Hero Rush the Beat from my hand!"

As he discarded the card, the image of a drummer wearing a black beanie, t-shirt and jeans appeared making a drum solo. (4/1100/1800)

"When discarded, I can Special Summon another Jukebox Hero from my graveyard!" He continued. "And after using Graceful Charity, I just put one inside that can put the pain on your monster!" His graveyard flashed, causing him to retrieve the card. "Come out, Jukebox Hero Coheed Cambria!"

The drummer's image brightened the field, and morphed into Claudio's favorite monster who strummed his double-neck guitar. (8/3300/3000)

"And I think this monster is counted as Special Summoned from a Monster effect!" Jaden smirked.

"However, you still lose 400 ATK from your monster since my Field Spell contains 4 counters!" Twlight reminded him as Coheed Cambria felt the field draining some of his power. (8/3300-2900/3000)

"No big, I also summon Jukebox Hero Tom Sawyer!" Claudio continued as the spear-guitar wielding warrior flashed onto the scene as well. (4/1900-1500/1000) "But now it's time to get the power back with the Continuous Spell, Rock of Ages! With this on the field, all Warrior-Type Monsters gain 200 ATK for each Jukebox Hero on the field!"

Once the card was inserted, the glowing rock appeared behind Claudio and erupted green flames that had the souls of people energizing the Jukebox Heroes with many cheers. (4/1500-1900/1000), (8/2900-3300/3000)

"He's got his power back!" Jaden smirked.

"Now attack his Squamata!" Claudio shouted, "Go Tom Sawyer!"

Tom Sawyer roared as he jumped high into skies and jammed his spear into the ghost armor, shattering into the pixels.

Twilight: 7900

Jaden/Claudio: 5500

"Now for the finale! Coheed Cambria, attack Anoyatyllis!" the J-Hero Duelist as his Hero strummed a wild melody that caused the El Shaddoll to scream in pain, sinking her into the sands.

Twilight: 7300

Jaden/Claudio: 5500

"Nice one, Claudio!" Jaden cheered. Claudio grinned as he flashed a peace sign towards his partner.

However, the praise was shattered by Twilight's laughter as the skies darkened.

"Impressive," the being of Light and Darkness stated. "You were able to harm me and vanquish my El Shaddoll a turn after it being summoned." He then grinned, "All within my calculations!"

"What!?" Jaden shouted.

"When my El Shaddoll Anoyatyllis was sent to the graveyard, I gain a Shaddoll Spell or Trap card!" He then held his right hand, making a card materialize inside it. He then turned it around. "Shaddoll Fusion!"

"But there's a problem with your card," Claudio stated. "You can Special Summon using monsters from the deck if I only have Special Summoned monsters on the field!" He then smirked. "So, I'll set one card facedown and then the side effect of Rush the Beat returns Coheed Cambria to my hand during the End Phase"

Coheed Cambria bowed as he vanished back into his partner's hand, leaving Tom Sawyer by himself. (4/1900-1500/1000)

"Nice, he can only use monsters in his hand now," Jaden noted.

"My turn," Twilight announced, drawing his next card. "First, I activate the Scroll of Bewitchment and equip it to your monster! Making it a FIRE Monster!" Claudio looked confused as Tom Sawyer gained a fiery aura. "Now I'll admit this, I only have one Monster in my hand; the Shaddoll Monster I retrieved from my Hedgehog. However, I still intend to Fusion Summon!"

"How if you only have one monster!?" Claudio shouted.

"There are other ways the Fusion Summon," Jaden noted, causing Claudio to turn to him. "Remember, I can Fusion Summon by using monsters in the graveyard and even if they are banished."

"Oh yeah," the J-Hero sighed. "Even Zane used ways of cards of just bringing them out to the field without Fusion Materials. Even fused Monsters already in the Extra Deck."

"But there's another way," Twilight stated as he activated his Spell Card, "Shaddoll Fusion activates!"

Once again, the haunting fusion vortex appeared in the skies...

"I fuse Shaddoll Falco in my hand along with... Tom Sawyer as an FIRE on your side of the field!"

The Hero duelists gasped as a dark aura surrounded the J-Hero, absorbing him into the vortex along with a dark version of Gusto Falco.

"How can you do this!?" Claudio shouted.

"By utilizing my Field Spell's third effect!" Twilight explained. "When Fusion Summoning for a Shaddoll Monster, I can remove three Spellstone Counters to use face-up monster on your side of the field as Fusion Material! So, I fuse these two Monsters to Fusion Summon!"

The vortex flashed and unleashed another monster that slowly descended onto the field. Also, three of the stones behind the Hero Duelist vanished. (CotSP: 1StC)

"The passion and ferocity of the Fire! Engulf the world in your rage! Fusion Summon! El Shaddoll Grysta!"

The monster was revealed to be an armored warrior on fire with gems embedded in the armor and a golden mane of hair on top. He made a giant roar as purple strings were (7/2450/1950)

"As you can see, I can also use cards that function as much as Super Polymerization," Twilight stated at the boys' silence, "Also the discarding of Shaddoll Falco not only adds a Spellstone Counter to my Field Spell, but Falco sets itself from my graveyard!"

Falco appeared from the skies and descended onto the field before being replaced by a Set Monster. Also, another stone landed behind the Hero Duelists. (CotSP: 2StCs)

"Now to exact pain upon on you both," the sorcerer said darkly, "Grysta, attack them directly!"

The armored puppet master unleashed wings of fire from his back and created a large bird from it, launching at the Hero Duelists.

"I activate the Trap Card, I Need a Hero!" Claudio shouted, revealing his facedown card, "I can now Special Summon a Jukebox Hero at the cost of his attack this turn!" He then played his favorite card. "Return to the stage, Coheed Cambria!"

The signature monster of Claudio returned, ready to defend his partner. (8/3300-3500/3000)

"Call of your attack," the J-Hero Duelist smirked.

"I think not," Twilight grinned, "Your Special Summoning has activated the effect of Grysta! By revealing my Shaddoll Core, I can negate your Special Summoning and destroy it!"

Coheed Cambria was suddenly struck by Grysta's purple strings on his muscles, making him cry out in pain. Then, he was engulfed in flames that turned him into ashes.

"No!" Claudio cried.

"Let me finish the pain!" Twilight shouted as Grysta's flames continued towards the Hero Duelists, blasting the ground in front of them and sent them flying into the skies screaming.

Twilight: 7300

Jaden/Claudio: 3050

Once done, both boys landed on the sands.

"He can... stop... Special Summonings... of all kind..." Jaden groaned.

"Even use... our monsters... as Materials for Fusion Summoning..." Claudio groaned as well.

"And that's not all!" Twilight announced as he and Grysta followed them. "After negating your Special Summon, I sent my Shaddoll Core to the graveyard. By doing so, I add Shaddoll Fusion back into my hand!" He then revealed the named Spell inside his hand.

Jaden then got back up with Claudio following suit.

"Your Special Summonings will be stopped and your Normal Summons will not be enough," the sorcerer announced. "You are powerless!"

"It's my turn," Jaden announced, drawing his next card. "First, I recover my Charge Fusion!" He stated as the discarded Fusion Card had ejected from the graveyard. He then took another card to play. "I summon Elemental Hero Bubbleman!"

The E-Hero of Water descended onto the field. (4/800-600/1200)

"Since there's no other cards on my field, I can draw two cards." He stated as he drew his cards. "I set one card facedown to end my turn."

"My move," Twilight announced, drawing his next card. "First, I reveal my Shaddoll Falco!" The Set Monster turned vertical and flipped over to reveal the dark shadow of the Gusto Monster. (2/600/1400) "Once Flipped Summoned, I can Special Summon another Shaddoll monster from my Graveyard in the Set Position. And I can think of nothing more than my El Shaddoll Anoyatillis!"

The Hero Duelist gritted their teeth as they saw the ghost of the Water-themed puppet master appear before a Set card took over her form.

"Next, I reveal it with my Book of Taiyou I just drew!" He continued as Anoyatyllis revealed herself once more. (9/2700/2000)

"Time to die!"

"I reveal my Trap, Hero Ring!" Jaden countered, revealing one of his facedown cards. "This protects an Elemental Hero from Monsters with 1900 ATK or more!"

"Good luck in trying to stop me!"

"My move," Claudio announced, drawing his next card. "I activate my Spell Legacy of a Hero! I can draw three cards from my deck since there's at least two Level 4 or higher Hero Monsters in our graveyard." He drew out his three cards. "I summon Jukebox Hero Jovi in defense mode!"

With a strum of strings, Jovi appeared, kneeing with his guitar. (3/1300/800)

"I end my turn with two facedown cards as well." 'I just need to get to my next turn, and then I can stop this crazy mess!'

"All you can do is cower at my feet with mediocre moves," the sorcerer chuckled. "And to think you destroyed your inner demons recently!"

"But I digress," Twilight continued as he drew his next card. "I set one card facedown and end my turn."

Jaden looked towards Claudio's field and noticed what his partner was trying to do, 'Alright, time for our comeback!' He then drew his next card. "I activate my own Legacy of a Hero!" He announced, drawing three cards. He then played one, "Next, the Spell Heroes' Unity! The next time I Special Summon a Hero Monster, it'll gain 1000 ATK!"

Twilight smirked as Jaden was about to play another card, 'You haven't learned anything...'

'Jaden's going for it,' Claudio thought with an inward smile.

"Next, I activate another Mask Change to transform another Hero!"

"You forget Anoyatyllis' will stop you from using that card!" Twilight stated.

"And I activate Forbidden Chalice!" Claudio shouted, revealing one of his facedown cards. "This negates that Monsters' effect and gives it 400 ATK!"

Anoyatyllis screamed as she was drenched with the chalice's water, draining her inner strength yet increasing her ATK. (9/2700-3100/2000)

"Oh, and as for the monster I sending to the graveyard, I'll send Jukebox Hero Jovi to the graveyard!"

"What!? Not Bubbleman!?" Twilight shouted.

Claudio smirked, "Yeah, because it works on all Heroes! Didn't think he'd use it on mine, did you!?" Jovi's guitar was replaced with a glowing mask. He looked back to Claudio and nodded before donning the item, illuminating his body.

"Transform Summon! Masked Hero Acid!" Jaden announced as the dark blue masked warrior appeared, aiming his cannon-like gun at Twilight. (8/2600-2400/2100) "And remember Heroes' Unity gives him 1000 ATK!" Acid's armor brightened. (8/2400-3400/2100)

"But that will mean you lose your monster!" Twilight laughed as he revealed another copy of Shaddoll Beast in his hand. "I reveal a Shaddoll card in my hand to activate Grysta's effect! Acid is no more!"

The burning El Shaddoll roared as it extended his puppet strings toward Acid...

"Time for my shine!" Claudio grinned as he revealed one of his facedown cards, "I reveal the Trap, Sonic Scream! When a Jukebox Hero is in the graveyard, the moment you activate an effect, I negate it!"

"WHAT!?" the Sorcerer shouted as guitar solo wailed from the Trap Card and smashed into Grysta's strings, disintegrating them.

"Also," Jaden smirked, "When Acid's Special Summoned, I can destroy all Spell and Traps you have on the field and all your monsters lose 300 ATK! Including your Field Spell!"

Acid raised his gun into the sky and fired many bullets, creating a dark cloud that loomed over the entire field. Then, the cloud let lose acid rain upon the field, melting the canyon and the Spellstones along with Twilight's facedown card. Then, Grysta, Falco, and Anoyatyllis screamed as they felt the burning liquid on their bodies. (7/2450-2150/1950), (9/3100-2800/2000), (2/600-300/1400)

"And since your Field Spell's gone, our Monsters' ATK will go back to full strength!" Jaden continued as the Heroes returned to full power. (8/3400-3600/2100), (4/600-800/1200)

"Now I attack both your monsters!" Jaden shouted. "Acid, attack Anoyatyllis now!"

The Masked Hero charged up his gun and aimed it at ice-robed ghost and blasted it to many shards, causing the sorcerer to groan from the loss in points.

Twilight: 6500

Jaden/Claudio: 3050

Twilight quickly recovered as he saw his Fusion Monster Card slid into his graveyard, "The effect of Anoyatyllis activates, adding Shaddoll Core to my hand from the graveyard!" He stated as he took out the named Trap Card from his discard slot.

"Bubbleman, take out Falco!" Jaden continued as the water E-Hero aimed the blaster on his arm and shot a powerful stream of water, shattering the corrupted Gusto to pixels.

Twilight: 6000

Jaden/Claudio: 3050

"Next, I set one card facedown to end my turn." Jaden concluded, he then turned to Claudio. "Thanks for the save..."

"No problem," Claudio replied. "I just want to get out of this mess, so we can go home."

"I hear ya," the E-Hero Duelist nodded as Acid powered down from the Spell. (8/3600-2600/2100)

"But don't think you'll have that luxury," Twilight scoffed as he drew his next card and then played his signature spell once more, "I use Shaddoll Fusion!"

The Hero Duelists sighed as they saw the ghostly vortex appear over the dimension.

"I fuse Shaddoll Beast and King of the Swamp from my Deck since you control Special Summoned monsters!" the light and dark being announced as the two-mentioned monsters appeared overhead. The swamp covered fiend appeared along with a corrupted lion with many purple strings attached to its body. Once inside, a light flashed...

"The young woman corrupted. Its companion mindless. Guide their souls to my hand and defend me! Fusion Summon! Come forward, El Shaddoll Wendigo!"

Appearing from the vortex was a child-like woman dressed in a dark purple kimono and carried a scepter that had a jewel-encrusted turtle on top. With her was a demonic dolphin with a dark blue face-mask. Like the rest of the Shaddolls, many strings were attached to their bodies. (6/200/2800)

"Looks like he has a wall going on," Claudio stated.

"Shaddoll Beast's effect activates," Twilight continued. "Since it was sent to the graveyard by a card effect, I draw one card." He drew his next card. "I end my turn."

'Just a single Fusion Monster against Jaden's Acid?' Claudio wondered as he drew his next card. 'I bet if I defeat this monster, he'll get that Shaddoll Fusion back.' He then looked as his overall hand. 'But to get out of this jam, I'm going to have to fight it.'

He then activated the card he drew, "I activate the Spell Crazy Train! By returning three of my Jukebox Heroes from my Graveyard to the deck, I can shuffle the deck and then draw another two cards!"

Coheed Cambria, Rush the Beat, and Tom Sawyer all ejected from Claudio's graveyard, letting him shuffle those monsters back into his deck and then he drew his two other cards.

"Nice..." He muttered, "I set one card facedown." A set card appeared by his feet. "Next, I'll summon Jukebox Hero – Cool to the field in defense mode"

Soon, a brown-haired man in the same attire as Jukebox Hero Armstrong except he had a sliver drum set accompany him and twirled two drumstick in his hands. (2/1000/150)

"And he's a member of a punk rockin' band," He said as he held up another card, "Which also relates to this card, because with Cool's summoning, I can summon Jukebox Hero American Idiot!"

In another flash, a white blonde man appeared with the same attire as Cool and Armstrong except his black shirt was sleeveless and he carried a white bass guitar. (4/1700/100)

Seeing what was about to unfold, the Slifer quickly called out...

"Hey Claudio," Jaden called out, causing the Ra to look his way, "I can tell you still got some Fusion Monsters in that deck of yours. So, let's show him your power over it!"

"Got it," Claudio nodded as he waved his hand over Jaden's facedown card, letting it flip over, "I activate Jaden's Set card, Charge Fusion!"

"What!?" Twilight gasped as the fusion vortex appeared in the sky. "But you..."

"I know, I've been in the Synchro craze for a while, but some of my guys are still antsy to get into some Fusion action once more!" Claudio stated as he took out the last monster from his hand. "I fuse Jukebox Heroes Armstrong, Cool, and American Idiot!"

The three mentioned J-Heroes appeared in the sky...

"Time for Jukebox Hero Punk Revolution!"

The trio started rocking out as they were pulled into the fusion portal and started spinning them around, picking up speed until they were nothing but a blur. Minutes later, they started to slow down to a stop revealing a new look. Armstrong had gotten a haircut, but kept his same attire. American Idiot now wore an orange jumpsuit and carried an orange bass guitar, and finally Cool wore a yellow jumpsuit and played on a blue drum set. Each of them now sported guy liner and mascara. (10/3500/3200)

"And since Rock of Ages is still on the field, our guys gain 200 ATK for my Jukebox Hero on the field," He stated as the glowing rock behind him powered up, answering Punk Revolution's call. (10/3500-3700/2500), (8/2600-2800/2100), (4/800-1000/1200)

"That's enough to beat his monster and take out the rest of his Life Points," Jaden cheered.

"Oh, he's got more to worry about," Claudio grinned, seeing Twilight's face grow confused. "Jukebox Hero Cool has a Special Ability when he's sent from the field to the graveyard during a Fusion! I select one monster other than a Jukebox Hero and Twilight will get damaged by their current ATK!" He then turned to Jaden's Masked Hero. "And I think Acid with 2800 ATK will do just nicely!"

The J-Hero duelist raised his duel disk, seeing his graveyard glow blue and resonate with Acid. Suddenly, a large cymbal shot out of the Duel Disk and hit Twilight in the chest, making him cry out and clutch the pained spot.

Twilight: 3200

Jaden/Claudio: 3050

"Now let's end this!" Jaden shouted.

"Punk Revolution, destroy Wendigo with 21st Century Breakdown!" Claudio commanded.

Armstrong snapped his fingers, signaling Cool to slam his left drumstick into one of his cymbals, cracking it and sending it into the air. Then, he used his right drumstick to swing the cymbal at Wendigo's face. She ducked in the nick of time, but failed to see Armstrong and American Idiot right in front of her. With one strum each of their guitars, an ear-splitting shockwave hit both human and dolphin.

However...

They saw a thin barrier covering the El Shaddoll monster before Punk Revolution returned to Claudio's side.

"What!?" Claudio gasped.

"Wendigo's effect," Twilight stated, "During any turn, I can select one monster the field and make it unable to be destroyed in battle against a Special Summoned Monster. Naturally, I chose my own Monster and apart from Bubbleman, you cannot destroy my monster with your best monsters."

Claudio cursed lightly as he signaled the end of the turn.

"And with this, my wall is secure," Twilight noted as he drew his next card. "After all, the only way you're going to defeat me is to get past a monster who can withstand attacks against any of your Fusions or Synchro Monsters. Now I can plan my return to power by activating Pot of Greed!"

The grinning pot appeared as the sorcerer drew his cards.

"Now I set one card facedown to end my turn," He concluded. "Try getting through me now..."

"With pleasure," Jaden stated as he prepared to draw. 'But I need to draw something to get through... But Bubbleman is the only one who can destroy him, but he's too weak.' He then eyed Wendigo, 'And at the most part, Special Summoning a monster will make that thing invulnerable.'

"Then stop thinking and draw," Yubel stated. "Don't forget, we're all in this together..."

Jaden smiled as he drew his next card. He grinned at his find and made his move, "First, I summon Neo-Spacian Air Hummingbird in defense mode!" In a flash, the red-clad Neo-Spacian appeared, crossing her arms in defense. (3/800/600)

"He may only have one card, but I'll help," Air Hummingbird announced as she created a flower from Twilight's only card and drained the nectar from it. Jaden and Claudio felt energy returning to their bodies.

Twilight: 3200

Jaden/Claudio: 3550

"So, that was your move?" Twilight wondered.

"Here's MY move," Jaden continued, playing another card. "I activate the Spell Form Change! I return Acid back to the Extra Deck and transform him into another Masked Hero!"

Acid removed his mask, causing his whole body to glow. His first mask was then replaced with a darker one and placed it over his face, creating another set of armor...

"Now I summon Masked Hero Anki!"

Once done, the new Hero was clad in black armor that looked monstrous with the red claws on his hands and boots. Covering his shoulders were bronze armor plates. His mask now had a white horn it and looked as if it had four eyes peering out. (8/2800/1200)

"Even if you could power up your monster, the fact remains that your new Masked Hero is a Special Summoned monster," Twilight pointed out.

"Then check out his effect," Jaden smirked, "Instead of battling a monster, he can attack you directly with half his ATK!"

The sorcerer gasped as Anki leapt over the El Shaddoll monster and slashed him with both of his claws. Twilight grunted in pain.

Twilight: 1800

Jaden/Claudio: 3550

"Alright," Claudio cheered. "With only his defense, he can't stop us now!"

Jaden nodded, "I set one card to end my turn!"

Twilight recovered from his attack and glared at the Hero Duelists, "I hope you've enjoyed that... That will be the last time you deal pain to me!" He then drew his next card. "I activate my facedown card, Shaddoll Core!"

The facedown card quickly revealed itself, showing that it was a Trap card.

"This Trap Card instantly becomes a Monster card," Twilight explained. "And when it's used as Fusion Material, it can be any Attribute I choose if another Shaddoll Monster is used!"

Soon, the Trap card unleashed ghost-like heads that moaned and snarled out at the Hero Duelists. (9/1450/1950)

"Oh great, I don't have anything to stop his Fusion," Jaden growled.

"Then let Shaddoll Fusion activate!" Twilight shouted as the ghostly vortex appeared in the skies...

"Not so fast," Claudio shouted as he turned to Jaden, "Use my card!"

Jaden nodded as he activated it, "Alright! I use Claudio's Magic Drain Trap to negate it!"

Twilight frowned as he looked at the only card in his hand and then looked at his fading fusion vortex before making his choice...

"I set one card to end my turn..." He concluded as a facedown card appeared at his feet, letting fusion vortex disappear.

"It's time to end this," Claudio shouted as he drew his next card. "I summon Jukebox Hero Manson!" He announced playing the pale-skinned singer, raising his microphone. (4/1500/1200)

"Now then, I attack your Shaddoll Core with Manson!" He announced as Manson prepared to sing...

"Reveal facedown card," Twilight shouted as he showed off a Quick-Play Spell, "El Shaddoll Fusion!"

"El Shaddoll Fusion!?" the Hero Duelist shouted.

"That's right, you're not the only ones who can use multiple Fusion cards," the sorcerer announced as he raised his hands, creating another fusion vortex. "However, this may only use my own monsters on the field to do so. However, the monster you're about to see will be your undoing!"

El Shaddoll Wendigo and Shaddoll Core were both being absorbed into the vortex...

"I now fuse El Shaddoll Wendigo and Shaddoll Core as a LIGHT Monster to Fusion Summon the monster that keeps all my others in line!"

Soon, a large figure descended towards the field from the vortex...

"Creator of the shadow puppetry, unleash your strings upon my foes and direct their fates! Fusion Summon! Arise! El Shaddoll Construct!"

The Hero Duelist gasped as they stared up at a tall female humanoid monster with a robotic appearance and many purple strings stretching out from its body! She was clad in armored, purple coat that shined brightly. (8/2800/2500)

"Behold! The creator and puppeteer of all Shaddoll!" Twilight announced, "When successfully summoned, I can send any Shaddoll monster I choose to the graveyard from my deck! And this time I'll send Shaddoll Falco to the graveyard!" He slid the monster from his deck to the graveyard. "Meaning, I can Set it on the field!"

Falco reappeared on the field before becoming a facedown card.

"Also, Core's and Wendigo's effect goes off," He continued as he retrieved two more cards from his graveyard, "I can add Shaddoll Fusion and Shaddoll Core from their effects respectively to my hand."

"Alright, I'll stop my attack," Claudio grunted as Manson lowered his microphone. "And I'll end my turn."

"It's cool, bro," Jaden assured him, seeing the look on Claudio's face. "We got two monsters that can stand up to that thing. Not to mention Anki can attack directly for the win!"

Twilight smirked as he drew his next card, "Pitiful mortals... Let me put you out of your misery..." He then revealed his Shaddoll Fusion card. "I activate Shaddoll Fusion, fusing Shaddoll Falco on the field and Shaddoll Beast from the deck!"

The fusion vortex absorbed both creatures...

"Puppets who share the same fate, unite under the darkness and breathe new life! Fusion Summon! Fly forth! El Shaddoll Winda!"

Appearing from the vortex was a horrifying dragon-like bird puppet being ridden by a green-haired, dark sorceress clad in dark purple robes and cape. She carried a small scepter. But what Jaden and Claudio noticed was the strings attached to both bird and sorceress were now being pulled by Construct! (5/2200/800)

"She really does control them!" Jaden gasped.

"Falco and Beast now activate their effects!" Twilight shouted as he drew another card and caused Falco to reset itself on the field. Once he saw his drawn card, he grinned again. "Time to die! I activate the Spell Forbidden Substance on Construct, letting it attack twice this turn!"

Construct's face turned pale blue and her eyes opened to show off the blank stare.

"Now attack both Anki and Punk Revolution!"

"WHAT!?" the Hero Duelists shouted as majority of Construct's strings lashed out at their targets. But what happened next horrified them...

The strings pierced straight through the Masked Hero's and the Jukebox Hero's bodies, shattering them into pixels! The force of the attack caused the Hero Duelists to block with their disks, trying to withstand the power.

"But how!?" Claudio shouted.

Twilight's eyes flashed as he explained, "During the Damage Step of battle, any Special Summoned monsters that fight Construct are automatically destroyed! Once again, you're way behind!" He then snapped his fingers as Construct controlled Winda. "But now suffer as Winda attacks Jukebox Hero Manson!"

The demonic bird unleashed purple flames that blasted Manson into pixels. The pain then translated into a burning aura that made the Hero Duelists feel the same.

Twilight: 1800

Jaden/Claudio: 2850

"Damn..." Claudio growled. "With that… Construct out..."

"Yeah..." Jaden breathed, "Now we're really in trouble..."

"It's your turn, Jaden," Twilight taunted as he signaled the end of his turn.

Jaden staggered to his feet, drawing his next card. "First, Charge Fusion returns to my hand." He stated as the named Fusion card appeared in his hand. "Then, I'll set a card to end my turn."

A facedown appeared at the Slifer's feet.

"Now it's time to die," Twilight announced, drawing his next card. "First, I Flip Summon Shaddoll Falco!" The small, corrupted falcon returned to the surface to have its strings pulled by Construct. (2/600/1400) "It's effect activates, setting El Shaddoll Wendigo from my Graveyard!"

"Oh great, more problems," Jaden sighed as Wendigo appeared on the field before being replaced as a Set card.

"Now to unleash my most powerful Fusion card," the sorcerer proclaimed as he played his drawn card, "I activate the Equip Spell Nephe Shaddoll Fusion!" The spell image appeared behind Falco, turning its aura into dark brown.

"An Equip Fusion!?" Jaden gasped.

"With Nephe Shaddoll Fusion I can make the Equipped Monster another attribute," Twilight explained. "I have chosen EARTH. Then, I can Fusion Summon the Equipped Monster along with my facedown Wendigo for another Fusion Summon!"

Falco turned into a fusion vortex that quickly absorbed Wendigo.

"Armory of the ancients, become my defense to strengthen my powers! Fusion Summon! Arise El Shaddoll Shekhinaga!"

Soon, another doppelganger of Construct appeared. Only this time, it was connected to many castle fragments and had a white-colored robe around its body. The strings were then attached to Construct. (10/2600/3000)

"Three monsters!?" Claudio gasped. "Oh man, this isn't going to be good!"

"Wendigo's effect activates adding Shaddoll Core to my hand," Twilight announced, revealing the Trap Card he chose. "And now the game is over! With Winda on the field, you could only Special Summon 1 monster per turn. With Shekhinaga, the moment you Special Summon a Monster, I can discard Shaddoll Core to negate the Special Summon!"

"It's not over!"

"Then let's test your faith," Twilight shouted, "Shekhinaga, attacks Air Hummingbird!" The stone Shaddoll controlled its castle fragments, crushing down the Neo-Spacian to pixels. "Now then Construct attacks you directly!"

The many strings launched themselves at the boys, whipping and piercing their skin in unforgivable pain.

Twilight: 1800

Jaden/Claudio: 50

Once done, they were both on their hands and knees, trying to struggle back on their feet...

"Groveling before your deaths?" Twilight stated as Winda began to float towards them. "You shouldn't have..."

"It... isn't... over..." Jaden moaned.

"Oh... it is..." the sorcerer said menacingly. "See you in the afterlife!"

As Winda's dragon prepared to devour them, a bright flash engulfed the Hero's duelists side of the field. Twilight covered his eyes from the light, but smirked knowing that he had won.

"My work is finished..." He stated as he prepared to float away.

"No, it's not!"

"WHAT!?" Twilight shouted as he turned around and noticed that El Shaddoll Winda had vanished. "HOW!?"

Jaden grinned weakly as he revealed his facedown card… De-Fusion!

"You used it on Winda!?" the sorcerer gasped in disbelief.

"Because Winda... stops many Special Summons..." Claudio stated as he got to his feet.

"And he's going to need it..."

"But you only have one card when you draw for your turn!" Twilight stated.

Claudio drew his next card and grinned as he activated it, "Let's see what Card of Demise says!"

Twilight growled as the J-Hero Duelist drew out five cards.

"I activate the Spell Ancient Rules to Special Summon Jukebox Hero Roadie Riggs from my hand!" He announced as he brought out his signature Roadie. (8/2500/2000)

"Fool!" Twilight shouted as he discarded his Shaddoll Core, "I activate Shekhinaga's effect to negate the Special Summoning and destroy your monster!" Riggs screamed out as the El Shaddoll's strings pierced through his body, shattering him to pixels. "Then Shaddoll Core lets me add Shaddoll Fusion into my hand!"

"Well, I'll let my Roadie make an encore by using Monster Reborn to Special Summon him," Claudio grinned as he used his second Spell Card to revive Riggs once more. (8/2500/2000)

"Damn!" Twilight cursed. "But your monster will not be able to destroy mine since you Special Summoned him! Construct will kill your monster!"

"Not without this!" Claudio shouted as he revealed his next card, "I activate the Pick of Destiny and equip it to Riggs!" As Riggs took his flying-V guitar off his back, the demonic pick appeared his left hand. "And since you've been paying attention to what's been going on, when Riggs attacks he'll negate your monster's effect and cut their ATK in half!"

"No!"

"Rock 'em!" the Ra cheered as Riggs played a wild solo that caused Construct's strings to diminish (8/2800-1400/2500) Then, Riggs continued and summoned down lightning bolts that shocked the weakened El Shaddoll monster and exploded into pixels.

Twilight: 700

Jaden/Claudio: 50

"I end my turn with a facedown card." Claudio concluded, inserting his last card.

"We're almost done," Jaden cheered.

"Yeah, but I'm having a habit of not finishing the show," Claudio sighed. "But at least I got the big threat off the field..."

"NOT BY A LONG SHOT!" Twilight roared, snapping the next card off his deck. Once he saw it, he snarled as he played it "I activate Card of Burial Magic, banishing El Shaddoll Fusion, Nephe Shaddoll Fusion, and Pot of Greed to draw two cards!"

The three Spells appeared behind the sorcerer and merged into two new cards.

"Now I activate my own Monster Reborn to revive Construct!" He roared as the puppeteer of the Shaddolls returned to the field. (8/2800/2500) "And to think, I can just kill your monster with its effect since your monster was Special Summoned!"

Construct's strings began to reach for Riggs...

"This is where I stop you from rushing the stage..." Claudio stated as he revealed his facedown card. "I activate the Trap Surprise Union! This let's me equip a Union Monster from my deck to an appropriate monster on my field."

However, instead of choosing one himself...

He saw Ophelia jump out of nowhere and cut apart the strings meant for Riggs.

"And thanks to the effect of Union Monsters, Ophelia takes the fall instead of your target!"

Ophelia turned to Riggs and Claudio and gave them a heartwarming smile before she vanished into the graveyard.

"Damn," Twilight frowned as he inserted his last card into his disk. "It's your move." He then eyed Jaden, 'You'll make your last mistake if you decide to use your Neos to try and win the game...'

"Here we go," Jaden said as he drew his next card, "It's all on me!" He looked at his card and then activated it. "I activate Hero's Comeback! With this card, I can remove a Spell Card from our Graveyard to activate its effect. So I'll choose Claudio's Card of Demise!"

He drew out his five cards and saw a familiar strategy that made him smile.

"Jesse, Allyson, thanks..." He said as he made his move, "I activate the Spell Card Fake Hero to Special Summon Neos!" He announced as his Hero of Neo-Space appeared on the field. (8/2500/2000)

Twilight smirked as he revealed his facedown card, "Foolish! I activate the Continuous Trap Card, Traitor Fog!"

A haunting moan was heard as the Trap Card flashed and unleashed a dark fog that surrounded Neos, who looked confused.

"What's this?" Claudio wondered.

The sorcerer grinned, "When a Monster is Special Summoned to your side of the field, I can take control of that monster for as long as this card is on the field!" Neos growled in despair as he was grabbed by the fog and pulled over to Twilight's side. He was then restrained by his arms and legs, trying to struggle. "Now you're only able to watch as you end your pathetic turn and I can destroy you both."

However, his declaration fell on deaf ears as Jaden continued.

"I summon Elemental Hero Prisma!" The crystallized E-Hero made his appearance staring at Twilight. (4/1700/1100)

"Hmm?" Claudio wondered.

Jaden smirked at Claudio as he continued his move, "I use Prisma's effect! By showing you a Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck, I can send one of the Fusion Materials into the graveyard and have Prisma take on the name of that Material!"

He then took out his Extra Deck and showed off his Rainbow Neos.

"Of course, you still have Jesse's deck!" Claudio realized.

"That's right," Jaden shouted. "I send Rainbow Dragon from my deck to the graveyard so that Prisma to take on his name!"

Prisma's body glowed into a bright light that blinded everyone as the Hero's form had grown to immense heights. Once the light was over, Rainbow Dragon appeared in all its glory.

"But you won't be able to take on that monster's ATK," Twilight protested. "And you won't be able to revive it from the graveyard!"

"Don't need to," Jaden stated. "Just like Claudio used his Pick of Destiny, I'll use my own card to finish what he started!" He then discarded one of his cards and revealed his last card. "By discarding one card, I activate Super Polymerization!"

"NO!" Twilight gasped as the powerful fusion vortex appeared over the field.

"With this, I can fuse Prisma as Rainbow Dragon on my side of the field with the card I just took, Elemental Hero Neos!"

Neos broke free of Traitor Fog, making it shatter to rubble, and landed on the dragon's back as they flew up to the vortex, causing the great fusion to take hold once more. Twilight could do nothing but watch as the new Fusion Monster descended from the vortex. Neos, now a towering giant, wearing the Rainbow Dragon as its armor and giving off an incredible aura. (10/4500/3000)

The being of light and darkness backed away in terror as they also saw Jaden's and Claudio's eyes, making him scream.

He saw that both boys' eyes went heterochromatic as Jaden's eyes were now Yubel's and Claudio's eyes went pitch black in his left and dark yellow in his right. And he looked behind them to see the spirits of both Yubel and Trageodia backing up their partners.

"But those two..."

"You must be seeing things," Claudio smirked. "Trageodia IS dead, but his spirit lives on..." He then raised his guitar. "In my heart and in my music!"

"And Yubel's right where she belongs," Jaden added with a smile. "Bonded to my soul, so that she'll continue to watch my back."

Both Duel Spirits glared at the otherworldy sorcerer.

"Now I activate Rainbow Neos' first effect," the Slifer announced, turning to Claudio, who nodded along with Riggs prepared to make his move. "'I'm sending Roadie Riggs to the graveyard to shuffle all Monsters you control to the Deck, or in your case, the Extra Deck!"

"NOOO!" Twilight shouted once more as Riggs vanished into a bright light that was absorbed into Rainbow Neos. The armored monster then created as white orb and threw it at both El Shaddoll Monsters, absorbing their bodies before fizzling out.

"NOW FACE OUR DARKNESS!" the Hero Duelists announced as their eyes flashed again, giving Rainbow Neos an added boost. "RAINBOW NEOS, ATTACK TWILIGHT DIRECTLY!"

Neos charged up his hands with the seven colors of the Rainbow. Once fully charged, he thrust both hands at Twilight and engulfed him with twin beams that blasted his body into the skies, making him scream out in pain as his battle was done...

Twilight: 0

Jaden/Claudio: 50, Winner

Once done, Jaden and Claudio calmed down from their powered surges and stared up at their foe as he began to perish.

Twilight chuckled softly as he felt his body glow golden. "So, it has been decided..."

The Hero Duelists frowned as all the cards vanished from their side of the field. "What do you mean?" Jaden asked.

"You think that defeating me, you've secured the safety of the 12 Dimensions?" the sorcerer smirked weakly. "You are dead wrong..."

"What!?" Claudio gasped.

"By having our battle here, between the 12 Dimensions, we have made them unstable," Twilight explained. "The balance between Light and Darkness has broken, now humanity's time of this world will soon be over... The return of Nightshroud and Brightveil is inevitable and the world must go into the Darkness or the Light!"

"Those two are coming back!?" Jaden shouted.

"As long as a speck of darkness is around, Nightshroud will be there," the sorcerer grinned. "And thanks to my power, Brightveil's fate will now intertwine with his as I carried the last speck of Dark Light and amplified it. You know the old saying: 'Where there is light there is darkness. Light begets darkness, and darkness is drawn to light.' You will never be rid of them; you can't destroy them for long. Think about why Nightshroud was able to return to the one with the Darkness Dragons; think about how Brightveil continued to cause war with her pulses." He then widened his eyes, "And let's not forget how the two of them were able to manipulate Trageodia and Yubel respectively when coming into contact with their energies!"

The Hero Duelists looked to each other while Yubel appeared with a somber look on her face.

"It has begun!" Twilight shouted. "From this moment forward, the world as you know it will cease to exist! Enjoy the war and survive, if you can!"

The sorcerer cackled as his body finally succumbed to breaking down into golden particles, scattering throughout the void.

Needless to say, the Hero Duelists were left speechless after what they've heard. Despite everything they did to send their loved ones and allies back to their homes, and fight the one who orchestrated the descent of Yubel and Trageodia, the battle was not over and they were placed in a lose-lose situation the moment their duel with Twilight started.

"Well, it looks like we'll have the battle our past selves, Yubel and Trageodia have been building up for," Claudio stated.

"It still sucks that after everything we did, our world's in danger more than ever" Jaden sighed. "And the duels have all been games for vengeance, betrayal, and to gain power over everything... There's no more fun in them..."

"I know what you mean," the J-Hero Duelist said as he floated on his back, "Sure, we're Heroes today... But it looks like we're living the near-tragic ones where every single day people are in danger and we must prevent it. At least our friends can have fun, if you think about it... But…"

"Yeah," the E-Hero Duelist frowned, "We need to make sure they can have it... By taking down Nightshroud and Brightveil, no matter what they throw at us and keep them from hurting everyone. It's the best way to make amends for all the despair we've brought them."

"Yeah, we basically tore them apart with our decisions," Claudio stated. "We've gotten our power... For so much pain in the process..." He then turned to Jaden. "We should go home and prepare for the upcoming threat and no doubt we've got our girls crying over what we had to do."

Jaden gave a sad smile. "Yeah, we should..."

Soon, the void vanished and the two of them were engulfed in a light orb...

Back at Duel Academy, Reyna and Syrus were on a cliff looking up at the stars. The days were rough on them as the person they looked up to wasn't around. They also felt bad about Allyson and Melody, losing the boys they loved for reasons unknown. After all the mess about the Supreme King and Drowned Emperor, they fully understood what Jaden was saying before he left.

"Jaden and Claudio were leaving to grow up," Reyna stated. "That's why Jaden was saying before he left."

"But they went through so much anguish to get there," Syrus also realized. "We promised to watch them..."

"But we never understood what they were experiencing..."

The two of them gasped as they turned to see Melody and Allyson walking up to them with sad smiles on their faces.

"Melody, Allyson," Reyna said.

"We decided to come up and escape all the people who didn't go with us trying to grieve with us," Allyson stated. "They didn't understand how much we were hurting. It was then I thought about you two since you were there with Jaden during that last duel."

"And to think," Melody smiled, "I always talked about how Claudio helped me out of my shell, so I couldn't understand the pain he went through when he needed to evolve."

"Then we better hope those two come back so that they know how we feel," the female Hero Duelist stated.

Everyone nodded. Suddenly, a bright red star zoomed across the skies.

"A shooting star!" Syrus gasped.

Soon, everyone begun to clutch their hands together in prayer and closed their eyes and wished as hard as they could...

"Please bring Jaden and Claudio back!"

They were quickly brought out of their prayers when they saw that the star was flying out of control and was heading straight for them!

The four of them screamed as they scrambled and ducked out of the way. The star curved upwards and then headed to the side of the Academy building and crashed!

*KABOOM!*

Overcoming the shock, the four of them ran towards the impact and dashed through the forest. Once there, they saw the smoke and had some déjà vu on how they returned to the dimensions. It was then they had a revelation...

"Are they...?"

"I hope so..."

Two figures walked out of the smoke, a little worse for the wear due to their clothing, but physically fit and fine.

"Hey there guys!"

"Who's up for a late-night concert?"

Syrus, Reyna, Allyson, and Melody gasped happily at the two returning boys and ran to them all while shouting...]

"JADEN!"

"CLAUDIO!"

And it's over, folks! SEASON THREE IS IN THE RECORD BOOKS!

I'm sorry for all the delays, quite frankly the loss of season 2 did hold me back some along with the changes at work, but y'all know that! However, I planned on uploading this after re-editing all of season 2 so I can stop those copyright violations. But now, I should be safe as long as I keep at it.

But keep in mind, season 4 won't be posted until I finish posting season 2 since I don't want to be torn again between two stories.

Thank you to everyone who's stuck with me so far and being patient with me and please believe it that season 4 will be that home run we all need.

I will close a lot of stuff that's been needing attention such as Jachin's alter ego and his torment of Xiu Zhen, all the third-years will get their closure chapters (looking forward to doing Syrus' on a personal note!), and finally, as you have read, I'm bringing back Brightveil in order to give her some duels.

Please Review! Tell your friends! See you in season 4!