#The Claw of Hermos

[yu-gi-poll]

ROUND 1A, MATCH 11 OUT OF 16

Monster Stats & Propaganda Under the Cut:

The Claw of Hermos is used by Katsuya Jonouchi ("Joey Wheeler" in the dub). Though this is technically a spell card, it was used in a way more similar to a monster card hence why it is included. The real reason why it is included is because Mod didn't realize it wasn't a monster until I already made a bracket listing.

Description (according to the anime): Send this card and 1 monster you control to the Graveyard to activate an Equip Spell Card that is a fused version of this card and that monster.

Propaganda:

[None Submitted]

The Fang of Critias is used by Seto Kaiba. Though this is technically a spell card, it was used in a way more similar to a monster card hence why it is included. The real reason why it is included is because Mod didn't realize it wasn't a monster until I already made a bracket listing.

Description (according to the anime): Send this card and 1 Trap Card you control to the Graveyard to Special Summon a fused version of this card and that Trap Card.

Propaganda:

[None Submitted]

[magicgurljhonnie]

Claw of Hermos 🃏🐉

Legendary Knight Hermos

[hoicacti]

Overall s4 thoughts

I have been destroyed emotionally with little hope of recovery

We got more Yami content!!! Yippeee ᗡ:

It was cool. I want to find out more about how the oricalcos works, but that will most likely not happen

It took the final episode for me to realize why Hermos is the claw

It's because Hermos can turn into weapons

Yami and Yugi Ɛ>Ɛ>Ɛ> /p

Jonouchi was rad

I was having trouble taking the fight between Dartz and Yami seriously bc I could only imagine Dartz speaking in his abridged voice

[millenniumdueled]

When the Other Yugi arrives at the Paradias headquarters, it's alone. In his exasperation and grief, he had gone and done exactly what he'd just chastised Kaiba for: running ahead.

The Other Yugi frowns as he steps inside the empty corporate high rise. Speaking of Kaiba, shouldn't he be here by now too? There's no sign of the man. Had he gotten so far ahead? Was he facing Dartz now, alone?

He glances at the deck inside his DuelDisk and shakes his head. If Kaiba were dueling, surely he would play Crittias. As if he did, wouldn't Timaeus react?

Steeling himself, the Other Yugi takes a deep breath and walks across the lobby to the bank of elevators at the back. As he does, the lights above one indicate a car decending from the upper floors, and the Pharaoh braces himself.

But when the doors slide open, he finds neither a monster nor an enemy. Instead, the soulless body of Mai tumbles forward, and Other Yugi's stomach drops as she does.

No. No. Not again.

He lunges forward to try and catch the woman, managing to ease her down to sit against the wall.

How many friends is he going to lose?

"I'm sorry, Mai," mumbles the Other Yugi as he stands and faces the elevator. Empty, save for one fluffy, white feather. Not from a harpy, but from something more angelic.

He squares his shoulders and steps inside. As he faces the panel of buttons, the doors close, and the elevator begins to rise on its own.

The elevator ascends calmly. When he's certain no monsters are going to attack, as they did at Kaiba Corp, the Other Yugi takes that moment to remove the deck from his DuelDisk. He fans out the cards in hand, brows knit tight as he looks them over. He carries other important cards in the box on his belt, and his enemy has seen most of what he's used so far. But as he weighs his options and strategies, his chest feels heavy.

He and his Partner had built this deck together.

They had stayed up late the night before flying to America, testing combo and strategies into the morning hours. They'd both put their Hearts into this deck. And now, it's all he has left of his better half.

He has no right to change it himself.

Ultimately, the Other Yugi returns the deck, unaltered, to its slot just as the elevator stops, and the doors slide open with a ping!

Just as he thought, it isn't the mysterious leader of Doma and Paradias waiting for him on the rooftop, but another, more familiar man.

"Raphael," hisses the Other Yugi.

"I've been waiting for you, Nameless Pharaoh." As he speaks, calmly, Raphael takes a card from his pocket. He tosses it skillfully across the space between them, to be expertly snatched by his opponent.

The Other Yugi's eyes go wide when he realizes what he holds.

"The Claw of Hermos.... You... Took Joey's soul too?!"

"No," Raphael corrects firmly. "He lost to Mai Kujaku."

"Then why did you take her soul too?!"

"She turned against our Master Dartz. Something about that boy gave her a change of heart. Her purpose was served, anyway. She wanted to give you that card, since it's useless to me, the least I can do is honor that wish."

The Claw of Hermos trembles in Other Yugi's hand. "Doesn't your heart hurt, Raphael?"

Raphael is silent.

"Joey, Mai, Rex, Weevil, my Partner..... Even your allies have lost their souls now!! You preached about the value of your monsters lives, you fought to keep them alive at all costs. But what about your friends?!"

"I told you before, Nameless Pharaoh. There is darkness in the hearts of humans, and a power greater than you can comprehend that wants to erase it. Their sacrifices will bring about a new world, a better world."

"You can change the world without destroying it. There's light in our hearts, too!"

"It's too late to stop it now." As he speaks, slow and solemn, Raphael turns his head upwards, towards the sky above, where something seems to move and writhe. A band of inky darkness, a ribbon of void-like shadow, blocks out the stars as it snakes across the night sky.

"What is that?" the Other Yugi gasps.

"The great beast that will bring about the birth of our new world. The god Leviathan that you have been destined to resurrect through your sacrifice, Nameless Pharaoh. You should feel honored, to know your soul will awaken such a powerful entity."

Other Yugi takes a step back, in awe of the shadow that circles overhead. The ribbon of shadow seems to stretch for miles, with no clear sign of a beginning or end, as it blots out the stars.

How can Raphael speak of darkness in the hearts of humans, when this great darkness hovers right over them?

Other Yugi returns his focus to his enemy as Raphael approaches him, removing the deck from his black DuelDisk as he does. The Pharaoh narrows his eyes as he does the same, cautiously though.

"You can try to give me that card again, but I won't use it."

"I know."

The Other Yugi watches him closely as they swap and shuffle each other's decks well. A clean, fair fight.

But as Raphael returns to his side of the roof, the Other Yugi has to try again.

"We don't have to do this, Raphael. You don't have to do this. It isn't too late to save everyone, we can face each other as true Duelists, not like this--"

Though Raphael's gaze is determined as he sets it on the smaller man, Other Yugi swears there's some kind of sorrow there.

"Duel, start."

[capucapo]

Into the Storm

Storms berrate the helicopter as it draws near, towering waterspouts reaching into the dark clouds like pillars of the Parthenon. Rain swirls around them, flashes of lightning threten to blind the pilots, all while something darker than the clouds snakes throughout the sky.

The chopper shakes with turbulence, but the Other Yugi pays it little mind as he sits with his rival. In a rare moment of cooperation, they compare their decks, discuss their strategies, try to form a battle plan to save the world.

Finally, a geat tower appears through the wall of dark clouds and rain, a spire of white stone rising from the black, tumultuous sea. Mokuba, hanging on to the back of Isono's co-pilot seat, gasps as it comes in to view. He calls out for Seto to look, finally daring to interrupt the Duelists' conversation.

Somehow, the pilots manage to brave the winds and land atop that massive structure, before an intricate and ornate temple.

Without hesitation, Seto Kaiba and the Other Yugi exit the helicopter and approach that temple, both determined to bring this Armageddon to an end. Though Tristan and Téa both hesitate at the entrance, Mokuba marches in right behind his brother.

The temple feels ancient and brand new all at once, with all its long, stone hallways and intricately carved snake motifs, and not a speck of dust. It almost feels unreal, like a sophisticated movie set, or something in a theme park. But the oppressive feeling that permeates the air in this place is very real, making Mokuba's hair stand on end and his chest feel tight.

Seto tells him to stay close, and Mokuba wishes he could laugh. As if he could stay any closer. No, he doesn't plan to fall more than a step behind.

The group enters a massive chamber, dimly lit by standing torches but otherwise empty. The walls, floor, and ceiling of this room are carved in thousands upon thousands of perfect rectangles, each filled with the image of a different human being.

Téa gasps as she realizes what these tiles depict.

Mokuba feels his stomach sink.

The walls of this chamber stretch up, up, up into shadow, to a peaked ceiling too dark to see. And every inch of those walls is tiled in trapped, human souls.

So this is what made the air feel so heavy with dread.

Out of the rows and rows and rows of poor, unfortunate souls, somehow the Other Yugi finds that one in particular almost immediately. His eyes widen as he calls out for his Partner and races ahead impulsively, and the rest really have no choice but to follow.

Until an echoing voice stops them in their tracks as they reach the center of the expansive hall.

"You've kept me waiting, Nameless Pharaoh, Seto."

Who is this guy to use his first name, anyway?

"Still, my god feels blessed that those with strong souls have finally arrived. And you brought your friends for dessert, too. Good. My god is very hungry."

The torches flare, flooding the room with bright light. Finally, Dartz shows himself, appearing from the dim shadows as if by magic. Or some cheap parlor trick, as Seto would say.

Mokuba steps closer to his brother.

Yugi starts to argue with Dartz, to launch some speech about the value of these lives and souls, but Seto cuts him off. "You know there's no point to arguing with him, Yugi. You know what we came here for." Straight to the point, as always. Unwavering and confident as he readies his DuelDisk.

Mokuba feels a hand on his shoulder. "C'mon," Téa urges him away from his spot at Seto's side. He glances back up at his brother, with his own determined glare fixed on his enemy. Reluctantly, Mokuba follows the cheerleaders to the sidelines.

He had told Crowley he preferred his role as support. But when there's no computer to hack, no plane to save, nothing to sabotage or investigate or DO except watch and cheer, he feels helpless. Maybe if he played Duel Monsters more, he could fight too. Maybe if he wasn't so afraid of being the hero, he could have taken that Claw of Hermos when Joey fell. Maybe he could be helpful. Useful.

The Duel begins, and Seto goes first. By the end of his turn, he already has one Blue Eyes White Dragon on the field, and Mokuba feels his spirits lift a little. Yugi's first turn ends with Black Luster Soldier at the ready, and the teenager cheers.

And then Dartz begins his turn. Unfortunately, he had a fortunate opening hand as well.

He activates the Seal of Orichalcos.

A gust of wind snuffs the torches, leaving the chamber illuminated only by the teal light of the Seal of Orichalcos. The air, already thick with the anguish of countless trapped souls, feels suffocating. The temperature drops.

Across the playing field, the expression on Dartz's face changes, his lips curling back in a snarling grin. His mismatched eyes narrowed, fixating on the Duelist's with what could only be described as bloodlust.

Mokuba feels that hope fade as quickly as his brother had summoned his first dragon.

[redeyesandchilifries]

[ "Sorry, it's like you said! I just don't know when to give up, heh!" Joey jokes, in spite of the fact that he very nearly did give up on this duel.

But... he really doesn't have a whole lot of options. While he was able to have a great second wind, Mai hadn't really lost her lead. Not only is she a stronger Duelist than she used to be, not only is her deck more powerful, but she's so much more ruthless and cunning. Joey was a little surprised he was able to fake her out with Neko Mane King.

I could lose. I could seriously lose. Mai... I have to get through to her! I can't let her do this! C'mon, Heart of the Cards... I need your help to save her. I believe in you, so give me this chance! PLEASE!

As Joey reaches for his next card, his deck begins to glow. Caught off guard, he freezes, staring, and next thing he knows he's encased in a pillar of light. Without warning, he's transported away from Industrial Illusions HQ, floating in a bubble of light. He sees two other light bubbles, and they zip through an impossible world of floating islands, waterfalls, and rainbows. His bubble and one other fly into a castle fitting for this fantasy land.

The bubbles pop, and it's Yugi that's in the castle with him. His friend is... floating? While Joey falls to the floor. "Whoa! Hey, where are we? Where's Mai? Did... Did the duel end...?" Joey scans the area around them. "Uh... We sure ain't in Kansas anymore, eh Yug?"

Yugi explains where they are like he's been here before. Which... he kind of has, hasn't he? The world where Duel Monsters are real and alive. The world where he found and freed Timaeus.

And, Joey realizes, the world where a dragon waits for him. Gargantuan and covered in crystals, an impossible sight that he never could have come across before. Yet, somehow, a sight that is deeply familiar, like running up to the door of an old friend's house.

"Joey, draw the sword."

"Huh!?"

"That's why we're here. The last dragon chose you!"

"M-Me!? Really...?" Well, he literally has no reason to not believe Yugi. So much of their lives are already unbelievable.

After only a moment's hesitation, Joey tightly grips the handle of the blade poking out of the dragon's paw. A wave of energy flows through him.

"Whoa, I heard somethin'! Someone talking? From the sword..."

He tries to pull, but it only cracks the crystals surrounding the blade. Of course it wouldn't be easy; nothing in his life ever has been. So he grabs with both hands and heaves, fighting to pull the blade free. The crystals splinter, crumble, and the sword slips free. As the dragon wakes, light forcing more crystals to shatter, Joey calls out.

"I know your name...! You're... Hermos!"

The dragon, Hermos, bursts free from its crystal prison. Joey has a brief moment to see it free, letting out a triumphant roar, before he blinks and is back inside the I2 HQ, facing down Mai once again.

It's disorienting, to say the least. Was it all a dream? Joey glances back at Yugi. No... No, they really were in the world of Duel Monsters and Nameless Dragons, weren't they? Well. Not so nameless anymore.

The others' shouting snaps him back to reality. Still, he feels electric, like when the sword pulsed its energy through him. "I draw..." He swipes the card free from his deck, somehow already knowing what he's going to see. "The Claw of Hermos! Please, Hermos, lend me your strength!"

I will get through to you, Mai. Me and Hermos, we'll do it together. ]

[sketchyonlooker]

What the Doma?! ::

(( Will be updated as more story-related posts appear ))

Yugi / Other Yugi's Side (millenniumdueled)

Awakening the Dragons: Timaeus

Day of Judgment (Pt. 1) (Yugi vs Raphael)

Day of Judgment (Pt. 2)

Day of Judgment (Pt. 3)

Other Yugi vs Weevil

Other Yugi vs Yugi - (Pt. 1)

Other Yugi vs Yugi - (Pt. 2)

Other Yugi vs Yugi - (Pt. 3)

Other Yugi vs Raphael - Rematch (Pt. 1)

Other Yugi vs Raphael - Rematch (Pt. 2)

Kaiba's Side (blueeyesking)

Press Conference

Pegasus Returns?! Duel, Kaiba-boy! (Pt. 1)

Not a Rematch- a Duel for Revenge! Alister Revealed! (Pt.2)

Come out, Critias! (Pt. 3)

Stop Bragging >:| (lol)

Joey's Side (redeyesandchilifries):

Summoning: The Claw of Hermos

Joey vs Rex Raptor

Prelude :: Joey vs Valon

Joey vs Valon

Sketchy's Side (sketchyonlooker):

What the Doma is Going On?

The Case of Akazawa Shiho (DMGBeloved)

[pen-and-umbra]

Hermo

“And who are you, the proud Lord said

that I must bow so low?

Only a cat of a different coat,

that's all the truth I know.

In a coat of gold or a coat of red,

a lion still has claws.

And, mine are as long and sharp, my Lord

as long and sharp as yours.

And so he spoke, and so he spoke,

that Lord of Castamere,

but now the rains weep o'er his hall,

with no one there to hear.

Yes, now the rains weep o'er his hall,

and not a soul to hear.”

[mediocredoots]

What headcanons do you have for Critias and Hermos?

Only have a few maybe sorta?? lol I really disliked the waking dragons arc so I try to make it more enjoyable for myself with stupid silly things. ie hermos & critias having the opposite dynamic of kaijou. I imagine all 3 legendary knights are childhood friends/rivals?

Despite critias looking exactly like kaiba I think it'd be pretty cute if he was the crybaby of the group growing up & a biter ( since the card is the fang of critias ) which is pretty cornered beastly thing to do so he'd prob get picked on by hermos who probably fights with a little more finesse & uses his claws when in dragon form? which is also ironic in itself when he looks like jounouchi?

[usefulygocards]

[Monster|Effect|Fusion] Warrior/Light [★4] 1500/1600

Must be Special Summoned with "The Claw of Hermos", using a Warrior monster. If this card is Special Summoned: Target 1 other face-up monster on the field; equip this card to it. While this card is equipped to a monster by this effect, negate the first effect activated by your opponent during each Battle Phase, also, after that, the equipped monster can make a second attack during this Battle Phase.

[yugioh-rare-pair-poll]

Hermos really needs someone dig his claws into... if you get what I'm saying. ;)

Put down your choice for that kind of fun in the Yugioh Rare Pair Poll!

[yu-gi-poll]

(Click the image + open image in new tab for better quality!)

Thank you to my sister @marwamarwa for making the bracket image! It took a lot of work & I really appreciate it :)

This will be a 128-contestant, single-elimination tournament. The bracket will be split into four sets, each comprising of 16 polls that will last a week. Each set, aside from being shown in the above image, will be listed below alongside the date it'll be posted. When the polls come out, I'll link them below.

Match-ups written out below the cut:

ROUND 1A

Will be posted on Thursday, 10/12, with all 16 polls being queued for between 12 PM and 2 PM EST.

Kuriboh vs. Sangan

Kuribabylon vs. Kuribandit

Kuriboh Brothers vs. Silent Magician

Dark Magician vs. Dark Magician Girl

Magician of Faith vs. Witch of the Black Forest

Pumpking the King of Ghosts vs. Maha Vailo

Great Mammoth of Goldfine vs. The Snake Hair

Man-Eater Bug vs. Morphing Jar

Diabound Kernal vs. Divine Serpent Geh

Guardian Eatos vs. Guardian Dreadscythe

The Claw of Hermos vs. The Fang of Critias

The Eye of Timaeus vs. Timaeus the Knight of Destiny

Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon vs. Obelisk the Tormenter

Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon vs. Blue-Eyes White Dragon

Ancient Dragon vs. Dragon Master Knight

Black Luster Soldier vs. Magician of Black Chaos

ROUND 1B

Will be posted on Saturday, 10/14, with all 16 polls being queued for between 12 PM and 2 PM EST.

Flame Swordsman vs. Jinzo

Gilford the Lightning vs. Gearfried the Iron Knight

Alligator's Sword vs. Rocket Warrior

Beaver Warrior vs. Catapult Turtle

Baby Dragon vs. Time Wizard

Red Eyes Black Dragon vs. Thousand Dragon

Psychic Armor Head vs. Red Eyes Black Dragon Sword

Air Fortress Ziggurat vs. Chaos Emperor Dragon- Envoy of the End

Castle of Dark Illusions vs. Labyrinth Wall

Gate Guardian vs. Shadow Ghoul

Relinquished vs. Thousand-Eyes Restrict

Illusionist Faceless Mage vs. Legendary Fiend

Toon Dark Magician Girl vs. Toon Summoned Skull

Giant Soldier of Stone vs. Summoned Skull

Celtic Guardian vs. Breaker the Magical Warrior

Curse of Dragon vs. Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress

ROUND 1C

Will be posted on Monday, 10/16, with all 16 polls being queued for between 12 PM and 2 PM EST.

Dragon Lady vs. Dragon Piper

Kung Fu Nyan Nyan vs. Thunder Nyan Nyan

Kunoichi Ayame the Ninja Girl vs. Ninja Master Shogun

Insect Queen vs. The Legendary Fisherman

Prinzessin vs. Thorn Princess

Hexe Trude vs. Globerman

Harpie Lady vs. Valkyrie Brunhilde

Harpie Lady Sisters vs. Harpie's Pet Dragon

Cyber Harpie Lady vs. Amazoness Chain Master

Cure Mermaid vs. Injection Fairy Lily

Darklord Marie vs. St. Joan

Shinato, King of a Higher Plane vs. Exodia Necross

Exodia the Forbidden One vs. Winged Dragon of Ra

Right Arm of the Forbidden One vs. Slifer the Sky Dragon

Holding Arms vs. Holding Legs

Agido vs. Mystical Beast of Serket

ROUND 1D

Will be posted on Wednesday, with all 16 polls being queued for between 12 PM and 2 PM EST.

Marshmallon vs. Watapon

Petit Dragon vs. Shining Friendship

Flying Elephant vs. Zera the Mant

Barrel Dragon vs. Metalzoa

Machine King vs. Robotic Knight

Axe Raider vs. Orgoth the Relentless

Alpha the Magnet Warrior vs. King's Knight

Beta the Magnet Warrior vs. Queen's Knight

Gamma the Magnet Warrior vs. Jack's Knight

Knight of Twin Swords vs. Reflect Bounder

Cosmo Queen vs. Mystical Elf

Musician King vs. Trap Master

Black Tyranno vs. Serpent Night Dragon

Poison Butterfly vs. Parasite Paracide

La Jinn Mystical Genie of the Lamp vs. XYZ-Dragon Cannon

Glassman vs. Gearfried the Swordsmaster

[twisted-art-wounders]

YGO AU Leviathan Rising

The Pharoah has managed to call all three dragons to the duel will it be enough to stop Leviathan?

Chapter 25 Awaken Hope

Thanks to the magic card “Legend of Heart” all three of the legendary dragons regained their true forms as knights whose powers came form the light within the heart. Together Timeaus, Critas, and Hermos managed to shatter the three seals of Orichcalos and deal damage to Orichalcos Shunoros.

“Our bond of absolute!” Hermos called out

“The dark seal doesn't effect us!” Critas added.

“I'll repay you for this scar you gave me! And free my master form your control!” Timeaus pointed directly at Leviathan, the god sneered and chuckled.

“That's some big talk coming form three pitiful lizards! Especially you Timeaus! You really think you can defeat me?! You still can't stop Orichalcos Shunoros! And I have over 10,000 life points! You'll never take Yugi away form me!” Levi shouted glaring daggers at Timeaus.

Timeaus in turn returned the same amount of anger towards the Great Beast; his scared eye still shut but even with only one eye open his intent was still there.

“I promise to free my master form you're control! And together we will stop you form achieving your wish, Leviathan!”

--

Back in the void; Joey and Yugi sat together and waited, the anticipation and anxiety of hoping for the Pharaoh's victory over the great beast loomed all around them. As more bubbles of humans souls continued to drift down towards Leviathan's waiting eye to be eaten.

Yugi looked so worried so anxious about everything going on and Joey would see it. He'd known Yugi for a long time now and he knew when Yugi would get lost in his own head replaying his fears over and over again. This time he didn't just see it in his fidgeting movements, but he could see it in his apprentice too; claws growing form his nails and his eyes where flashing form purple to gold to red.

Joey needed to cut the tension before  things got out of hand. A distraction! Something to keep his mind off what was happening even for a little it so he asked.

“So what games did you play with him?”

Yugi blinked and looked at Joey now his mind wasn't quite there before but now he had his attention.

“S-Sorry?” Yugi stuttered a bit while speaking.

Joey decided to repeat himself gently, he knew Yugi responded better when he felt safe. “What games did you and uh Levi play together? In your soul I mean.”

“H-how did you know we play games?” Yugi asked a bit confused.

“Well you've told me before that inside of your soul is like a big room full of games and toys right? And I figured if you're stuck in your own soul you'd play games. And if this Levi guy is attached to you and you could speak to him you'd totally play games together am I right?” Joey smiled warmly to smaller boy who nodded and blushed again.

“Y-yeah we played all kinds of games! Puzzles and board games and of course duel monsters. In fact that's actually how I got him to give me some control before.” Yugi said while pushing one of his gold bangs form his cheek and tucking them behind his ear.

“Gain control?” Joey raised an eye brow.

“Yeah, kinda like how I let the other me have control over our body when we duel. But instead it's my solid soul self as the body. It's hard to explain...But basically I negotiated for about an hour of freedom if I won our duel.” Yugi turned and faced Joey now keeping his legs crossed.

“So why didn't you try and contact us if you had control?” Joey asked again trying to find some form of comfort in his bubble but it was hopeless.

“I wanted to but Raphael wasn't going to have that...plus I did promise Levi I wouldn't do that and I couldn't break my promise to him...not on purpose...” Yugi looked away sorrowfully.

“I was hoping maybe I could convince Levi to trust me enough to find someway to get him to change his mind about everything...but I think I just made things worse. He's obsessed with me now and he wont stop until he has me all to himself...”

“Well too bad he's gonna have to learn to share ya Yug. Guess your sweetness is just too good to share huh?” Joey winked trying to get Yugi to smile a bit, Yugi chuckled a little.

“Well Joey he's been fed nothing but negative emotions and pain since his inception. So I guess once he'd been shown kindness and compassion he liked it so much he wants more of it. Like trying ice cream for the fist time and finding it so delicious you want it all to yourself.” Yugi rubbed his stomach a little.

Joey licked his lips a bit and sighed “Oh man don't mention sweets! I could eat a mountain of ice cream right now...”

Yugi laughed a bit making Joey smile wider; he knew he could cheer him up.

“Well that's the thing you know? While a mountain of ice cream sounds great to eat alone, it's nothing compared to sharing it with your best buds! plus much less of stomach ache in the end.” Joey chuckled but Yugi's face lit up a little as if something had just clicked in his mind.

“Yeah...maybe just maybe...Levi needs to learn how to share...” Yugi was still lost in his own thoughts when a blinding light eliminated the area a large tare has opened up in the void.

“Wow! What is that?” Joey yelled as he Yugi and Kaiba started to glow and where soon pulled into the tear.

--

This was it; Timaeus the Knight of Destiny had destroyed Leviathan's ultimate monster Divine Serpent Geh, a feat no one would have believed was possible especially Leviathan. The god stood aghast as his monster was destroyed and duel was now over, he lost...

“N-no...it can't be!”

“It is Leviathan! You've lost our duel and now you're going to keep your end of the bargain and free everyone you've captured here!” Yami yelled out only making Leviathan chuckle under his breath and slowly lock eyes with him.

“YOU made a deal with Dartz not me. And we are far form done your highness.” Levi spat out that last word before lifting his right hand, the claws on his finger tips grew out an inch with a teal glow surrounding them. He turned around and quickly slashed at the air making a portal that floated before him.

He took one last look at the pharaoh before jumping into it. Yami could only hold out a hand and tried to yell for him to stop before the god was gone. He growled a little but his attention was pulled towards the three knights that stood in front of him.

“The beast may have gotten away but we can still bring back our masters!” Timeaus said looking at his fellow knights who nodded to him before lifting a free hand each. Their hands started to glow as their powers allowed them to make a connection into the open portal, it reached deep within the heart of the beast where the souls where kept.

“Wow what is that?” Joey asked as he saw his orb start to glow, Yugi blinked as he looked over and saw that Kaiba's orb was glowing as well.

“I don't know...” Yugi looked down and saw he too was glowing, it felt like he was being called for.

Slowly one by one Joey, Kaiba and Yugi were pulled form the void and sent back through the portal, back towards their respective bodies. One orb flew directly to Kaiba's body while the other made it's way to Joey's back on the helicopter.

All except for Yugi who upon reaching the portal face smacked right into it like a bug hitting a windshield. Yami Yugi's eyes widened as he rushed over to the portal yelling

“Yugi!”

Yugi shook his head and stood up just in time to see Yami Yugi on the other side of the portal, his heart skipped a beat as he felt tears well up in his eyes.

“Other Me!”

Yugi reached out but found the face of the portal was solid like glass. His hands pressed against the portal face as hard as he could but it wouldn't budge. Yami Yugi's face was puzzled he didn't understand he put his own hand to the portal face only to find it can go through uninterrupted.

Timeaus looked at fellow knights who returned the look to him, they knew what was happening but how could they explain it to him?

“Master...” Timeus started

“What? I don't-” Yami Yugi was about to finish his sentence only to hear a voice behind him speak.

“Yugi?” Tea had just woken up form being knocked out and saw Yami Yugi in front of the portal with Yugi on the other side. Tears filled her eyes as she stumbled to her feet and ran towards him, Yami Yugi had seconds to step aside and allow her through.

“Yugi! I can't believe it's really you!” she exclaimed and leap towards the portal that held her long lost friend in it, and just like Yami she was able to pass through it with no effort. With her arms wrapped around Yugi's upper torso she squeezed him tightly making it hard for Yugi to breathe.

“I...can't...breathe!” Yugi said breathlessly but still quite happy to see and feel her again. Just as soon as she was up so was Tristan who saw the sight and came over as well, followed by Joey who entered and room running towards his friends.

“Yugi! We did it we're back!” Joey yelled and pilled onto the group of 4that held onto the small frame of Yugi and where all partly inside the portal.

Mokuba and Kaiba had both woken up and where watching the event take place before noticing Yami Yugi stood on one side of the portal while the other Yugi was inside the portal still. Form what he understood Yami Yugi was only a soul and has to possess Yugi's body to have a physical form, but there was the other Yugi standing in the portal and not in his own body? What was going on?

Tea and the others pulled themselves away form Yugi who was happy to have some air again, but before he knew it Tea had taken his hand and pulled him towards the portal face again.

“Come on! What are you waiting for lets-” she stopped as she felt Yugi's hand slip form her own the moment she stepped outside of the portal. She looked back to see Yugi still standing inside the portal, she looked down at her hand again then reached for his hand again.

“Huh?” she took Yugi's hand again and tried to pull him but again his hand and body where stopped by the portal's face. Both Joey and Tristan looked confused as they watched Tea try again only for the same result. It was only then they noticed Yami Yugi on the outside of the portal and both had the same confused expression between each other.

“How come the Pharaoh is out here?” Tristan asked Joey who shrugged.

“This isn't adding up...He should have gone back to his body right?” he starched his head a bit before being startled by Tea's voice.

“Come on...this isn't funny! What's going on?” her voiced started to sound desperate now as he tried again and again, each time she failed more tears built up in her eyes as she looked at Yugi's hand in desperation.

Yami Yugi closed his eyes and looked away he already knew the answer but was scared to tell her.

Everyone else looked on as Tea continued only to have Yami put a hand on her shoulder and start to pull her away. She rolled her shoulder and snapped a glare at him with tears running down her face, her eyes widened as she finally really saw Yami Yugi was there at her side. Her lower lip quivered a bit as she finally realized what was happening but she didn't want to believe it.

“Stop it! Stop standing there and help me!” she yelled at Yami then looked at the others desperate for them to come and help her. She felt like everyone had gone crazy why weren't they helping her?

“Come on you guys! Just-” she started to speak only for a soft voice to call to her making her snap her head back towards the portal. Yugi stood looking at her his orchid eyes shining brightly but with sadness filling them.

“Tea, I... I can't leave...”

Those words broke her, like a glass shattering on the ground she felt all her emotions hit all at once, tears just couldn't stop streaming down her cheeks.

“Is that it? We came all this way...we lost so many people...you-you're right here and we can't set you free?” Tea was shaking and held herself tightly looking down before screaming out loud.

“WHY?! This isn't fair! You're right there! The Pharaoh won! Why can't we have you back!?”

Yugi once again answered ever so sadly.

“Yes...he did win...but I'm still bound to The Great Leviathan...I'm part of him now...I can't just walk out of my own soul...”

The realization fell on all of them now as the room grew heavier with emotion; they'd gone through so much fought so hard was this where it all ended? Yugi could feel the despair in the room he was growing stronger form it so that meant so was Levi...

Yugi gathered up all her courage and spoke loudly again.

“Come on you guys! You came all this way just to help me and the others! Just because I'm stuck doesn't mean we can give up! If we can stop Leviathan then I can be set free again and we can save everyone else! Don't give up!”

Tea wiped the tears form her eyes, her face was still red form yelling, but she started to clam down enough to really let Yugi's words and his smiling face give her hope again.

Joey gave a thumbs up “Yugi's right! With me and Kaiba back we can use our dragons to help put that scaly serpent in his place!”

“You're right Joey! Yugi I promise we'll take down Leviathan and set you free, no matter what!” Yami Yugi smiled towards his partner.

“Humh! I don't need any help taking down that over grown lizard. Just stay out of my way.” Kaiba barked making Joey fume a bit and made everyone else roll their eyes.

The rooms tone changed once again now with renewed hope, only to be interrupted by an earthquake. In that moment everyone's attention was now set to what was happening outside.

“What is that?” Joey yelled.

“Leviathan! He's not finished yet!” Yami Yugi growled

Kaiba wasted no time heading towards the exit followed by Mokuba, The others followed after him all except Yami who looked towards the door then back at Yugi.

Yugi looked back at him and said

“Hurry! I don't know what's planing but we have to stop him!”

[crownofautumnleaves]

The Claw of Hermos + Fusions + Materials

[real-life-pine-tree]

My first Hermos fusion!

[bluecube92]