"The source of darkness? Is it me?"
Joey looked at Beckas, bewildered and confused.
"Yes, Joey Boy." Beckas' expression was serious. He leaned forward and asked in a deep voice.
"Have you recently... been in contact with entities from other dimensions?"
Joey froze, suddenly realizing.
Oh, right. The Darkness of the Universe, the source of the power of darkness... could it be referring to the Overlord?
If that's the case, then it's true. He had not only been in contact but was now living with that source day and night. He also knew that the Overlord had entered Judai's body.
"Well... I guess you could say that." Joey looked toward the heavens.
"We have confirmed that it is a very dangerous entity." Beckas said, "If you know what the source is, or who it is, please be sure to cooperate with our work.
Because this is related to the safety of the world."
Joey pondered.
If it's about the safety of the world, he understands. He knows how dangerous that entity called the Overlord is; such a vast darkness ranks among the most formidable of any villains he has encountered in his lifetime—and Joey, in his lifetime, indeed claims to have seen a lot of grand scenes and events.
However...
"But if you know who that person is." Joey raised his head and said, "The next step would be to use extraordinary measures to control him, or even eliminate him, right?"
"Only under necessary conditions, but...yes."
Beckas did not shy away, speaking candidly.
"We must consider world safety."
"Is that so... Well, it's understandable." Joey nodded, "Alright then. If I find out any information, I'll contact you immediately."
But Beckas did not accept this statement, and his remaining eye squinted even tighter.
"You're refusing to cooperate, Joey Boy." He said, "You are trying to protect that person. Why?"
Joey was silent for a moment longer.
Then he spread his hands helplessly.
"Alright, since you know...yes." Joey said earnestly, "I've learned in depth, so I trust that kid; I know he wouldn't be a threat.
And there's another thing you should know, Beckas...
He maintained this serious expression, pausing for several seconds.
Then he suddenly broke into a grin.
"In the lifetime of the great Joey, I've never done anything to betray a friend."
Beckas looked at him emotionless for a moment.
Then he sighed lightly, brushing aside the long hair covering half his face.
"Well, I thought you might say that. Indeed, Joey Boy, you've already been infected by the 'Darkness of the Universe'."
"What?" Joey mumbled, "I'm not infected by anything..."
As he spoke, there was a metallic clink. Joey turned to the sound and saw that all the windows and doors in the castle room simultaneously dropped with heavy metal, enveloping the entire room like armor plate, airtight and even mosquitoes couldn't fly out.
Joey stood up abruptly.
"Beckas, what does this mean?"
At this point, Beckas also stood up, leisurely walking to the opposite side, and wore a Duel Disc he had pulled out from who-knows-where.
"It means you won't be leaving here today, Joey Boy."
Joey only then realized something: "Wait, are you really Beckas?"
"Of course, genuinely. Just having obtained some brand new perspectives." Beckas said indifferently, "And now, through a duel, I will share these perspectives with you as well."
"Tch, it looks like we need to fight. That's just as well."
Joey also unfolded his Duel Disc.
"You were bad enough before, Beckas, but at least normal compared to now. Let me wake you up with a duel."
"Heh." Beckas sneered, "During the Duel Kingdom era, I didn't take you seriously; you were merely an accessory to Muto Yuugi, an insignificant sidekick.
From Duel Kingdom to now, the gap in our strength hasn't changed; let me show you."
"Duel!"x2
[Joey, LP 4000]
[Beckas, LP 4000]
"I'll go first, draw card!"
Joey slapped a Monster Card onto his Duel Disc.
"I Normal Summon 'Legendary Black Stone'!"
The black stone emitting a dark red glow was summoned to Joey's field, with an interior that faintly ripples like molten lava.
[Legendary Black Stone, Attack Power 0]
"True Red-Eyed Black Stone, it's a rather precious True Red-Eyed Card Set." Beckas smiled approvingly, "You haven't wasted time over the years, Joey Boy."
"Then I'll use 'Legendary Black Stone' as a sacrifice, to activate its effect!" Joey said, "This card as a sacrifice can Special Summon a 'True Red Eye' Monster below Level 7 from the Card Deck!
Appear, my soul, the legendary black dragon that creates infinite possibilities—
—True Red-Eyed Black Dragon, summon!"
Like the eruption of long-accumulated anger deep in the earth's crust, uncontrollable lava surged like raging waves, as though the primal roar of the earth.
Scorching streams danced in the air, crashing to the ground with a thunderous sound, scattering burning fragments everywhere. The roiling lava coalesced and shaped into dragon's claws. Dense lava formed into jet-black scales, a long tail snaked out, its dark surface seemingly carved with the flow path of molten rock. Massive bone wings spread slowly under the baptism of magma, seemingly forged from flames.
True Red-Eyed Black Dragon descends!
[True Red-Eyed Black Dragon, Attack Power 2400]
"True Red Eye, the legendary dragon stands tall no matter how much time passes." Beckas paused, smiling, "But if I recall correctly, it should be Ryuzaki Boy's soul, right?"
"Ah cough cough cough..."
Joey coughed, indicating let's not bring up this topic.
Yes indeed, although now his summon phrase calls it his soul, True Red Eye was originally Ryuzaki's soul. He defeated Ryuzaki—then world runner-up—on this very island and seized True Red-Eyed Black Dragon.
Since then, True Red Eye carries Joey's legacy.
"Set a card face-down, and end my turn!"
"My turn, draw card."
Beckas drew a card, revealing a somewhat dangerous smile after glancing through his hand.
"Back in Duel Kingdom, we never faced each other directly, didn't we? Well, it should be considered a stroke of luck for you, Joey Boy..."
Joey remained silent.
This can't be argued against easily. At the time, he was still a rookie, while Beckas was the final boss. Not only did the Game have a hard time against him, even Kaiba lost to him, and his soul was once extracted by Beckas.
Though back then Beckas had the Thousand-Year Eye, now he's lost that source of main power. And now he himself is no longer the same as before.
"Today we'll make up for the missed opportunity to clash back then..."
Beckas revealed a card in his hand.
"Activate Continuous Magic 'Cartoon Kingdom'!" (Original version)