Disclaimer: I don't own the anything accept the OCs and the storyline. Let's get back into the story shall we?

Morning had soon came, as the sun had started to rise. Rays of light soon reached our red haired boy through the curtains. Dan groans and turns around as the ray of light hits his face, making him hiss a bit and making him cover his face. Moments later, he got up and sat at the side of the bed to stretch and yawn. He got up from the bed and look up at Ruri, who was currently sleeping with a smile on her face. Dan couldn't help but smile, as that cute innocent smile of her would simply make his in day, remove all his worries, ensure him everything would be alright. He wanted to keep it that way, protect her even if it meant giving up his life. Same for Yuto and Shun, as they were all precious to him, and the first people he could really consider family apart from his parents that is...he would do anything to protect them all, as that only gave him a reason to keep moving forward.

Dan shakes his head, getting out of wonderland. "Heh….I really need to stop doing that…" He then looked back at Ruri's sleeping form. "It'd be rude if I woke her up...so I suppose I'll wait for her to get up while I get ready."

Soon enough, Dan grabbed his clothes before walking out the bedroom. He then walked into the bathroom and set his clothes on the hook, before turning the shower on. He got undressed and got in the shower, letting the water rinse over him. He often did this if he was deep in thought, or if he had too much on his mind. In this case, He was thinking about rather to continue searching for this mystery duelist on his own, or take one of the others with him for back up. Part of him was against it, as he didn't want to put the others in harms way since this was his decision to do this, and he wanted everyone to stay out of it. The other part of him wanted to let the others in, as he wasn't sure he was ready to take on this mystery duelist considering part of him was afraid he would lose his deck, but also end in bad shape or worse, since he also heard the other duelist who lost their decks also ended up in critical condition. He would decide what he would do later on, as he realized he had been in the shower for 30 minutes or so. He had hurried up with his shower and quickly got out, then soon grab his clothes off of the hook and got dress.

10 minutes later he was almost fully dress, With his Red hoodie on, black slick pants, with a red scarf on, with red socks. He walked out the bathroom to slip on red yet white shoes when he caught a glimpse of a sleepy Ruri, who was rubbing her eyes trying to stay wake.

Dan had gave her a bright smile, and greeted her. " Well Goodmorning sleep and beauty! Sleep well?" He said in a charming yet sarcastic tone.

Ruri couldn't help but laugh at his comment. It was cute in her opinion, but his smile was also something that never failed to put a smile on her face, because when they had first met, Dan was a completely different person, cold yet silent. He would often have a lost yet empty look in his eyes as if he had been tortured emotionally and he almost never smiled. That was a sight she never wanted or wished to see. She wanted Dan to be happy and cheerful, just like he is today.

Ruri smiled back. "Well good morning to you as well, Prince Charming. You?" She said in an amusing tone.

Dan laughed wholeheartedly as he slipped on his shoes. " You bet! You?"

"Great actually. More so than usual!" Ruri said as she looked at Dan, who looked more than fully ready. "You know, you don't have to wait for me. It'll only take a while for me to catch up."

Dan looked at her knowingly. "Maybe, but I want to really. Otherwise the walk towards our meet up point would be boring as hell." He said, which he really felt it would be.

Ruri sighed but then smiled knowingly. "You are hopeless you know that? But I guess I don't blame you on that. Wait outside then why don't you?, I won't take long if I hurry."

Dan saluted and spoke. "Yes ma'am" as he soon walked away and out the door.

Ruri shaked her head as her smiled never dropped. "I swear, he can be so goofy at times." She said as she quickly picked up her new clothing and walked in the bathroom.

15 minutes later

Dan was currently waiting outside for Ruri, leaning against the side of their apartment door with his eyes closed. Soon enough, he heard a door open up, as Ruri slowly walked out in her usual attire. She wore a wing shaped barrette to secure her haired in two bow shaped pony tails, a white cream vest with an under dress. She looked at Dan and spoke up. "We ready to go?" She asked

Dan looked at her and smiled. "Oh yeah! Born ready."

Ruri giggles a bit before taking the lead to their rendezvous point. It was somewhat of a quiet walk, as they often spoke up to break the silence but alas when times like this came, it was hard to keep a conversation up. For them at least. Breaking the silence once more, Dan spoke up to break the silence once more.

"So…this mission in specific…what's it about exactly?" He asked?

A worried but determined look came across Ruris face. "Well…it's another feud with Academia but…the way Yuto described it…there's a chance this Mystery Duelist you've been after may be involved in this…." She finished with a bit of worry in her voice.

Dan stopped in his tracks immediately. "WHAT?! Are you sure?!" He said eagerly but also in shock.

Ruri nodded. "Mhm…through it's just a chance through also we haven't heard anything about him stealing decks...there isn't much other than that but he has the abilities to...warp time it would seem….or enter different dimensions…something like that…" She finished unsure what to make of it.

Dan looked at the ground. "So much crap is going on…if that really is the case we're gonna have our hands full...we'll need to play it safe especially if there's a chance we run into the guy." He finished with a worried yet determined look in his eyes.

Ruri simply nodded. "You're right…the fact he's not only a psychic duelist like us but also has the ability to travel through dimensions...it's hard to say if we can beat this guy especially if he's teamed up with Academia"

Dan looked at her. "No…we will beat him…..we have to!"

Ruri look at him and said in thought. "I sure hope you're right Dan…I really do."

When they arrive at a dark alley, with both their duel disk on their waist.

Dan continued walking through the alley and asked. "I know I'm still new to all this but...why do we need our duel disk for?"

"You never know if we might get jumped, especially with all that's going on. We may not be even near academia, let alone in the fusion dimension but we can't take any chances since they could teleport here, anybody could be roaming through here." Ruri responded.

Dan turned serious for a minute before responding back. "Good point…especially if our mystery duelist is up and running."

A voice was suddenly heard "It's about time you two showed up...was beginning to worry there"

Dan smirked a bit. "Hey! We're tougher than we look ya know. I'm sure we could of handled anyone if it came down to that Yuto."

The man named Yuto, who's attire consisted of a punk style outfit, with a dull green formal shirt, and a dark blue tie, as well as a black cape like garment with ripped sleeves and edges plus dark blue pants black boot like shoes,with dark black goggles on his forehead and a red scarf around his neck. he has brown light eyes and black and purple spikes like haired. Lastly he has a mask covering part of his face up to his nose.

Yuto spoke up. "That may be so, but that overconfidence of yours will be your downfall someday with that mindset of yours. Remember who our enemy is Dan, because one fatal mistake and you may find that you shouldn't take things so lightly, because it could affect and harm those around you!"

Dan look in surprised but slowly looked to the ground.

Ruri, not being one to stand around spoke up in Dan's defense. "Yuto don't be so hard on him...you may be right but you don't have to be so harsh about it. We always have each other's back, no matter what! And sure Dan is still new to this but he's one of the strongest duelist I know! He's more than capable of taking care of himself and-"

Dan simply put his hand on Ruri's shoulder. "No Ruri it's…it's fine really. Lets just get this over with." He said walking past Ruri and Yuto. "Where is Shun?" He spoke up again.

"Just up ahead…" Yuto said, trying not to look back.

Dan simply nodded and walk ahead until he was stopped by Yuto.

Yuto handed him a card. "Here…take this if things turn for the worse." He said looking at Dan seriously.

"Yuto…" Dan could only say as he was shocked at what he been given but quickly tucked it in his deck pouch. He then slowly walked out of the alley, until he was completely out of their sight.

Ruri, still deciding to press on the matter spoke up once Dan was out of sight. "Yuto...what was that about? I get Dan can be a bit cocky and reckless at times but...he's always pulled through for us! You remember what he was like when he first joined the resistance don't you?!"

Yuto looks at her with a softer look. " I know Ruri but...there are times where he almost got himself killed or put the team at risk...I'm not trying to be hard on him but...he's gotten too soft Ruri...you know that, and Duel academy can and will take advantage of that softness of his."

Ruri wanted to speak but was at a loss of words as she knew he was right. "...that's…"

Yuto spoke again. "I'm not trying to say it's a bad thing but...we've babied him too much, and this mission could decide everything, even the faith of our homeland, even much more...so we can't afford for him to slip." Yuto then turn around and walked towards where Dan went.

Ruri simply followed him, trying to clear her head and prepare herself for what comes next.

Dan had finally walked out the dark alley and caught a glimpse of Shun, Ruris Big brother and another one of his closest friends.

"So Dan….it's been a while. How ya been?" He asked, with little to no enthusiasm in his voice.

Dan smiled a bit and spoke up. "Good I suppose….but judging from the look in your eye I guess you have something to ask me…" He said knowingly, as Shun would often give a serious yet distanced look if something was on his mind.

Shun nodded. "Mm-hm…I want to know why you are so interested in finding out who this mystery Duelist is….You say he has the ability to make damage real, when me, Yuto, and Ruri are capable of doing the same….so apart from the fact he's taking people's decks, why are you so bent on finding him?" Shun asked seriously.

Dan looked to see if Yuto or Ruri was around "I haven't told the others this yet but….it's more than that….if the rumors are true then….he has the ability to-" before he could finish he soon felt a huge explosion behind him and the shockwave pushed him to the ground, while Shun jumped back and shielded his face.

Dan quickly got back to his senses as he got up to see not only Yuto standing Ace, Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon summoned out, with Ruri on top of it as well, but he also saw a man with a white vest and pants on, wearing a white helmet covering his face. He appeared to be riding a duel runner that for the most part, just like his attire, was white, with a few stripes of blue and yellow. Only thing you could see from his face was blue bangs, with a couple strands of blue dark haired. Behind him were 6 other duelists who wore blue vest with hoodies covering their forms with blue and white duel disk equipped to them. What was most noticeable was one other figure on top one of surrounding building that were crumbling, was what looked like to be a girl with a red robe on covering most of her body, with the only thing being noticeable were her 2 strands of light blue haired, and 3 purple bangs, along with her dark emotionless green eyes.

Dan simply looked at her for what seemed like minutes, as she did the same, both had looks of determination and hatred. For Dan it was a first, as he had just met her for the first time, yet something about her threw him off, but he could not describe it. As the building she was on collapsed, He continued staring at her As he watched her landed her fall until he was brought out of his own world as Shun pushed him out the way, from another explosion caused from Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, as it clashed with Clear Wing Synchro Dragon.

Ruri quickly jumped off of Dark Rebellion xyz Dragon, trying to avoid getting caught in fight between the two dragons. She easily landed her fall as she came face to face with the 6 obelisk duelist. She activated her duel disk, putting in her deck, and drawed, summoning Her Cyber Dragon Nova.

Shun quickly got up looking at Dan, activating his Duel Disk, inserting his deck and quickly drawing, summoning his Ace. "XYZ Summon! Rise Falcon!" He called out, as a mechanical turquoise bird appeared, with four wings, tiny T-Rex like arms, and overall had a T-Rex like body. "Now is not the time to be messing around Dan and get moving! We need to help Ruri!" He said, as he soon jumped onto and ordered Rise Falcon to attack the obelisk blue reinforcement. The obelisk blue all summoned What looked Like to be ancient gear soldiers as they all charges toward Shun and Ruri with their monsters.

Just as Dan had activated his Dueling Disk and inserted his deck to go help Shun and Ruri, he to noticed to the red robed women standing 12 feet away from him, and when he did, she sprinted to a nearby forest.

Dan, not being one to let her get away, run after her. "Hey! Get back here! You aren't getting away that easy!"

Ruri quickly avoided her attention from the battlefield and caught a glimpse of Dan our suiting the Red robed girl. "Dan!"

Shun quickly Attacked the obelisk blue with his Rise Falcon and looked at Ruri with a serious look. "Don't lose focus Ruri! Dan can hold himself just let him do him and focus on these obelisk!"

"Tch…dammit!" She cursed as she knew her brother was right, and had continued her attack with her Ace monster, hoping that her best friend wouldn't do anything too reckless.

To where Dan is

Dan didn't stop for a minute. His only focus was on stopping this girl and getting answers regarding the mystery duelist he'd heard about. He wasn't gonna die, he wouldn't let harm's way come to his comrades, and he certainly wouldn't be a burden to those around him. He continued chasing after her until he saw her jump into a nearby bush, and when he had jump after her, when he had landed, he caught glimpse of a small field of nothing but grass, with the trees and bushing on their right. Just as he was taking in his surroundings, he heard the girl across from him speak up.

"Now then, without all that fighting going on, there won't be any distractions. Shall we begin?" She said as she raised her duel disk.

Dan simply smirked. "Oh really….you couldn't duel me back there? Afraid my friends would gang up on you?" He asked a bit cocky.

The robed girl simply stared blankly at him, a serious look on her face. "Of course not...I just want to crush you without any distractions. Before we begin I'll at least be courtesy and give you my name….my name is Serena." She said calmly.

Dans smirked never left his face, as he slowly began raised his duel disk. "Heh….the names Dan Akatsuki, and you'll remember it when I'm finished with you! But enough talk, it's time for action!" He said as both him and Serena both rose their Duel disk completely and look dead at each other.

Dan LP: 8000

Serena LP: 8000

"Duel!" Both Dan and Serena shouted as they each drew 5 cards from their deck.

Serena spoke up "ladies first! Draw!" She then drew a card, quickly look at it then back at Dan. "And I'm gonna destroy everything you fight for and represent! I start by summoning my Moonlight Blue Cat from my hand in attack mode!

A blue haired cat like humanoid creature soon appear to field and meowed. (Atk: 1600/Def: 1200)

"I'll end my turn with a face down." She said as she put a face down on the field. She continued on. " I recommend you don't take me lightly, otherwise you might regret doing so."

Dan smirked. " Trust me I won't! And I won't go easy on you just because you're a chick! Draw!" He drew and look to see he had drawn his Winged Kuribon. He smiled wholeheartedly. "Heh, hey there Kuribon! It's been awhile hasn't it partner?"

The picture of winged Kuribon simply winked, agreeing with him. Dan laughed a bit. "I'll save you for later. Right nows not your time to shine unfortunately."

Serena growing slightly irritated at this spoke up. " Tch hurry up and make your move! So scared you need to talk to yourself?"

Dan, turning slightly seriously, spoke up. "Heh be careful what you ask for, you might just get it! I'll start by summoning my The Six Samurai- Zanji!" He said as he summon Zanji.

A samurai, with a dark orange shogun suit on, with silver silves on, and a white shiny blade, was summoned to the field. (Atk: 1800/ Def:1300)

"And I'll start by having him attack your Moonlight Blue cat! Go Zanji!" Dan said as his Samurai Zanji, quickly speed towards her Blue cat.

Serena revealed her face down. "Not so fast! I activate my trap! Moonlight elegancy! During the battle phase if a Moonlight monster is targeted, the battle phase immediately ends" soon afterwards, Zanji returned to Dan's side of the field as he growled.

Dan put down 3 face downs. "Well then, I guess I'll end my turn by putting down 2 face downs"

"I expected more than that, especially from someone apart of the Resistance! My turn now, Draw! And I summon my Moonlight Crimson Fox!"

A red Crimson like fox humanoid monster made it's way to the field. (Atk: 1800/ Def: 600)

Serena spoke up once more revealing a spell card"And I'll then use the spell card, polymerization! I'll then fuse my moonlight blue cat on the field with my moonlight purple butterfly from my hand to create a new being! Blue cat that prowls through the darkness! Butterfly with violet poison! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Moonlight cat dancer!" She changed as a women with a mask on, with a turquoise and red dress that came down to her feet was summoned on the field. (Atk: 2400/ Def: 2000)

Dan looked slightly startled. "Fusion summon already…?" He said

Serena look fiercely at him. "That's right! And I'll start by attacking your samurai Zanji! Go Moonlight Cat Dancer!" She declared, as moonlight dancer jumped towards Zanji. "Also when Monlight Cat Dancer attacks, she can inflict an extra 100 points of damage!" Serena Added in.

"I activate my trap card! Samurais half token! With this. If a Six Samurai monster I control is targeted, I take half the damage I would originally take! He finished explaining as Zanji was slashed in two as he exploded, some of the smoke and shock-wave pushed Dan back.

Dan: 7350 LP

Serena: 8000 LP

Serena continued on. "And I'm not done yet! I'll have Crimson fix attack you directly! She said, as Crimson fix charges at Dan and slashed at his chest, sending him back 4 feet hitting the ground.

Dan: 5550 LP

Serena: 8000 LP

"Hmph! Pathetic! I'm hardly getting started and yet you're already in the ground….ill set one face down card and end my turn." She finished, setting a face down card.

Dan slowly got back up rubbing his check. " Don't count me out yet, I'm just getting started. Draw!" He looked at the card he drew and smirked. "Yes! Payback time, and I'll start by I activating the spell card the warrior returning alive! To bring back Nisashi!" Dan said as Nisashi quickly returned to the field. Next I'll summon my Six Samurai-Kizan from my hand in attack mode!" He said as he soon summoned a Black suited shogun samurai with sword to the field. (Atk: 1800/ Def: 800)

"And since I have another six samurai monster with a different name he's considered a special summon" he said with a little smirk on his face.

"Two monsters with the same level...that means…" Serena said as she quickly caught on.

"You guessed it! With my level four Kizan and Nisashi I build overlay the network! Ruler Of The Swordsmen, Come forth and bring honor to your clan! Xyz Summon! He said with a serious intense look. " Destroy all that walks in your path! Shadow of the Six Samurai Shien!" A samurai wearing a purple cape, with red armor underneath and black pants and a long sharp shining blade was summoned to the field.

"And Now I'll start with having him attack your Cat Dancer! Slice and Dice!" Dan commanded as his Samurai Shien jumps up and came down to slash at her Cat Dancer.

"Like hell! I activate my trap card, Mirror force! If a monster declares an attack I can use this card to destroy it automatically!" Serena said as she flipped over her face down.

" Sorry but I my Samurai isn't going anywhere that fast. I activate my face down! Musakani Magakami! I can activate this if my opponent activates a trap or spell card, and negate it's effect!

Serena growled as she watched as her mirror force was destroyed, and Dan's monster come down towards Cat Dancer. "Even so...due to my Cat Dancer effect she cant be destroyed by battle"

Dan smirked widened. "Not after i play this! I activate Divine Wrath! With this, if my opponent has a Monster effect activated or active, I can discard 1 card in my hand and destroy it." Dan explained as he discarded one of his two cards as A Divine blast was shot, destroying Cat Dancer.

"My Cat Dancer…." Serena's gasped and grunted as she watched her monster exploded into pixels, and Dan's smug smirk just served to irritate her further.

Dan finished her mid-sentence. "Has finally bit the dust. Now back to business! I'll have my Six Samurai Shien attack your X Crimson Fox now!" Samurai Shien jumped into the air, but then quickly descended back to the ground as he cut Serena's monster in two, causing it to explode making Serena shield her face with one arm fighting the shockwave and pressure.

Serena: 7300 LP

Dan: 5550 LP

"and I'll have my Kizan attack you directly! Let Her have it!" Dan commanded as Kizan jumped into the air to attack Serena Directly.

"Heh…and with Zanjis effect, Whenever I have 2 or more Six Samurai monsters I control on my field, his attack and defense increases by 300!" Dan chuckled.

Kizan was engulfed in a yellow aura as it grew stronger. (Atk: 2100/ Def: 800)

"What?!" Serena watched as Kizan growled as it powers up and went down, slashing down in her causing yell in pain as she staggered, managing to stay on her feet.

Serena: 5200 LP

Dan: 5550 LP

"Heh…not so pathetic now am I? I set one face down on the field and end my turn! How's that for a comeback?"

Serena growled as she spoke up. "Don't get to confident! Draw!" She looked at what she drew and smirked at it. "I'll by using the spell card pot of greed! Now I can draw two cards!" She soon enough drew two cards from her deck

"I'll then be summoning my Moonlight White Rabbit to the field in defense mode!" She said as a humanoids women with Green and white skin, and a huge rabbit like hat covering her head was summoned to the field. (Atk: 800/ Def: 800)

Serena continued on. "And whenever she's nor normal summoned, I can special summon a monster from my graveyard! And I'll be choosing my Moonlight Blue Cat!" Moonlight blue cat then returned to the field and cutely meowed.

Serena smirked and continued on "Next I'll activate Fusion Recovery, which allows me to return one fusion type monster material and a polymerization from my graveyard and add it to my hand." She quickly recover her purple butterfly and polymerization to hand from her graveyard.

"Now! I'll start by fusing my Purple butterfly and Blue Cat to bring back yours truly! Fusion Summon! Moonlight Cat Dancer!" (Atk: 2400/ Def: 1800)

Dan with growled a bit. "Just when I got rid of her too…"

Serena continued on "Now! Cat Dancer! Attack his Kizan!" She said as Cat dancer sprinted towards Kizan." Also due to one of Cat Dancers affects I can inflict an extra 100 points of damage to your life points!"

Cat Dancer slashed clawed Kizan as he yelled before exploding, forcing down back a few feet. Dan was knocked back once more from the shockwave but quickly catches his fall.

Dan: 5150 LP

Serena: 5200 LP

Serena put down a face down. "I'll put down and face down and leave it at that for now."

Dan chuckles as he got back up to his feet. "You're not bad there Serena...you not only managed to chunk a good portion of my life points at practically the beginning of the duel but you also managed to bring out your Cat Dancer back...if we won't enemies I might of fallen for you." He complimented.

"Hmph...flattery isn't gonna save you. Besides I'm only here for one reason." She said staring at done with a hard look in her face.

"Then what are you here for…?" Dan said in curiosity.

"It's none of your concern, especially an XYZ Remnant like you! If you're going to make your move then do it! Otherwise, i'll hurrily put you out of your misery!" She said slightly angrily.

"Tch…fine then! My draw!" He drew as he looked at a card he drew which was "Return of the Six Samurai"and looked down. "Dammit...with her Cat Dancer on the field there isn't much i can do with her effect...She can't be destroyed in battle…tch she has a face down too..." He wondered in thought.

He Looked down as his Winged Kuribon card that spoke up and smiled " Heh...just hold on tight girl...you'll get you shine time soon enough." He said in thought as spoke out loud. "Now, Shadow of the Six Samurai Shien! Attack that Cat Dancer!

Shadow of the Six Samurai soon enough sliced down on cat dancer as she yell out in pain, as a shockwave blew hitting Serena who was shield herself once more.

Serena: 5100 LP

Dan: 5150 LP

"And I'll end my turn with that." Dan said, ending his turn as Samurai Shien returned to his side of the field.

Serena glared at Dan as she prepared to draw. "My turn now…Draw!" She yelled as she looked at what she drew and looked back at Dan. "And It looks like your luck has officially ran out now."

Dan looked nervously as he glared back with some intensity in his eyes. "Yeah? Well don't count me out so soon...because I won't fall so easily, especially to a fusion user."

"Heh…keep telling yourself that fool. You're be dead after your next turn." Serena said with a sadistic smile.

Well gonna end the story here. I'd add more honestly since it since bland to stop here but got a Crap Ton of work to finish up sooooooo yeah .

Another thing is since Ruri has barely made an appearance in the anime, and we have no idea what her deck is like, let alone seen her duel in person yet, ill be doing my own take on that part, and she'll be using a cyber dragon deck, as for the fusion cards in it, i'll expand more on that in future chapters! ^^

Anyway Hope you enjoyed this chapter, Hopefully next one will be out next week or so. Reviews would be greatly appreciated. ^^

Chris Out!