Hey everyone. Sorry (again) for the long wait. I've been working a lot on my novel recently and between that, university, and life in general I haven't had much time to work on the fic. That said, I want to say that I will write this fic to completion, however long it takes. I can no longer guarantee regular uploads, but I will write this when I have the chance. So don't worry if you haven't seen a chapter in a while, one will be on the way! Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4 – The Fifth Maiami Championship

"Welcome, one and all, to the Fifth Annual Maiami Championship!"

The words caused a cheer to roar through LDS' main arena, not a free seat to be seen as the event began to commence. Forming a triangle on the top of the stands around the arena were three screens, each projecting a vision of similar arenas in the other three dimensions. From her position waiting in the race that led onto the arena itself, Hazel took in the scene before her as she adjusted the position of the duel disk on her arm. Nico surprised many by staying on as a commentator when Yuya and Yuzu disappeared, but his partnership with Melissa has been fruitful, she thought to herself amongst the crowd of anxious duelists. They seem to complement each other quite well in their styles.

As Nico and Melissa's voice rang through the arenas across the dimensions, explaining the layout of the tournament, Hazel took in the competition around her. There were some faces that she recognised, but there were more that she didn't. A lot of people here must be trying to enter the pro league, she reasoned. There aren't many duelists here that I've done covers on with Christine.

"However, that is where the layout of this tournament will change!" came Nico's voice. "Due to both the Fusion Dimension and XYZ Dimension joining the tournament this year, the process has changed. As you can see on the screens, during the first round, there will be 8 duels per day per dimension between randomly selected opponents, meaning that by the end of Thursday this week, there will only be 32 duelists left standing in each dimension!"

"But the duels won't stop there!" Melissa said, picking up flawlessly from Nico. "After a break on Friday, Saturday picks up the second round, where the 32 remaining duelists will be reduced to 16 will another 8 duels on Saturday and Sunday, with it all leading to the finale on Friday of next week!"

"That's correct, Miss Claire," Nico continued. "With 4 duels on Monday and another 4 on Tuesday, only 8 will be left standing come Wednesday! There, those 8 will be reduced to 4 through another 4 duels, and then Thursday will determine our two finalists for the finale on Friday!"

Murmurs went through the duelists around Hazel as they took in the layout of the tournament, and it did surprise her slightly that the Battle Royale had been left out of proceedings for this year. Well, ratings were down last year, so maybe some of the broadcasters had an influence in that, Hazel thought to herself. Still, it was good to know what she had to do in order to get what she wanted. 6 wins and I'm through, although…

"However, that is just the finale for each dimension!" Melissa announced. "With Fusion and XYZ joining us in this year's championship, we will now have four winners instead of the normal two. Therefore, Saturday of next week, the winner of each dimension will participate in a Battle Royale right here in LDS Arena for the crown! Are you excited?"

A cheer bellowed from the gathered crowd at the announcement. So not only is this the longest tournament so far, but also the largest, Hazel thought to herself. Two straight weeks of Action Duels… I wonder if even the United World had anything quite like this.

"And now, I would like to introduce the brave duelists who have fought their way into the top 64 for our section of this year's Maiami Championship!" Nico said. "Please put your hands together for our competitors!"

Knowing that was the cue to exit, Hazel along with the other 63 duelists left the race and walked up into the stadium itself. The loudest roar yet erupted from the crowd as they did, and the duelists responded in kind, acknowledging the crowd in one way or another. Hazel took in the atmosphere with delight, revelling in it as she waved to the crowd. Why not have a little fun while I can, right? she reasoned with herself. However, even as she was doing this, she has one eye on the viewer's box atop the stands where she knew Reiji Akaba would be looking on, if he was there. Given that the place seemed empty, Hazel's mind turned to figuring out where he could be. No doubt making sure all the dimensions' sectors proceed smoothly. This format for the Championship may have been around ever since after the Arc-V Incident, but XYZ and Fusion are only doing it for the first time. It makes sense.

"And now, just as a reminder, Junior and Junior Youth matches will be taking part on the other arenas over the course of this tournament, so be sure to check those out during the breaks between duels!" Melissa announced. "Now, who's ready to see the first duel of the tournament?"

Another roar of excitement from the crowd. "The contestants will be chosen at random from the 64 standing before you," Nico explained as the screens flicked over to show a picture of each contestant flew by as if on a wheel. "This means you won't know who you're dueling until just before it begins!"

Unless you're one of the final few, Hazel thought to herself. "Alright, let's see who our first contestants are for the Pendulum Dimension!" Melissa declared, and the wheels began to slow until they eventually rested upon two faces. "The first duel has been decided! Wildcard entrant Hazel Bennet will be facing off against You Show Duel School's shooting star, Tatsuya Yamashiro!"

Tatsuya? While Hazel was initially surprised to hear his name, after giving it a moment's thought she realised that such a thing should've been expected of the boy. He may still only be 14, but he's a genius duelist. That much was obvious when I spoke with everyone at the school after Yuya and Yuzu's disappearance. As the other duelists left the arena, she eventually found herself alone with Tatsuya opposite her.

"Miss Bennet," Tatsuya acknowledged. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Same to you, Tatsuya," she said back. "Your parents push you into this?"

"Yusho, actually," the blue-haired boy replied. "He said I was ready."

"Well, I wish you good luck," Hazel said before starting up her duel disk.

It's no co-incidence I'm taking part in the first duel, Hazel thought to herself as the final preparations were made for the start of the duel. Reiji wants to see how I handle the pressure of being the opening act, how I perform, how I duel. I've no doubt that he knew I'd spoken to You Show Duel School either, so he's probably trying to turn that against me. If I win, Tatsuya doesn't advance. She couldn't help but be slightly impressed by the mind games that Reiji was trying to play with her, but she knew that she couldn't allow that to cloud her judgement. There's only one thing that'll help me get the answers I want, and that's winning these duels. I'm sorry, Tatsuya.

"And now, to play the Action Field!" Nico said, the Action Field Card spinning above the two duelists before coming to rest on a chosen field. "Action Field: Foolish Forest – Baal Chechen, activate!"

Hazel jolted as she felt herself rise into the air on top of a piece of rock, and she quickly realised that the rock she was standing on was floating in the air, connected to others via vines and other foliage. It's a floating forest, she thought to herself in wonderment as the Action Field completed its appearance. We're going to have to jump around to find actions cards, or risk running along the vines between rocks to do so, she thought, peering down at the impossibly long drop below them. I'll never be able to figure out how they render the field into the ground…

"Now everyone, join me in beginning the first duel of this year's championship!" Nico declared.

"Here we go," Hazel whispered to herself.

"Duelists locked in battle! Kicking the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters!" Nico and the crowd chanted, their voices overflowing with excitement as their cry filled the stadium. "They storm through this field! Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of Dueling! ACTION…"

DUEL!

As the crowd began to cheer again as the Action Cards floated onto the field, Tatsuya's face appeared above Hazel's Duel Disk. "Do you want the first turn, Miss?" the teen asked.

"No, you go ahead," she replied, scanning her surroundings.

"As you say," came the boy's reply.

"And it seems Tatsuya will be taking the first turn in this duel!" Melissa declared excitedly. "From the You Show Duel School, this is Tatsuya's first appearance in the Maiami Championship! What kind of duel will he show us today?"

Action Cards, Hazel thought to herself, already jumping off the rock she was standing on onto a vine, which thankfully held her weight. In these duels, you just never know when an Action Card might come in handy. I need to find one…

"From my hand, I summon Deskbot 004! (Lvl:4/ATK:500/DEF:500)," Tatsuya said from somewhere on the field. It was impossible to tell given the thickness of the intertwining vines that spread throughout the field. "I then set one card face down. Turn over!"

There, Hazel noted, leaping from the vine she was running along to a rock beside it, picking up the Action Card that lay upon it and adding it to her hand, noting that the card was themed to the field itself. They've kept that theme, I see, she thought, before fulling stopping to take in the two cards that Tatsuya had played. So that's why he asked if I wanted the first turn. It seems his hand is set to react to my plays rather than start them himself… I'll have to be wary of that.

Tatsuya – 4000 LP/Hand – 3/Field – Deskbot 004, one face-down

Hazel – 4000 LP/Hand – 5(1 Action Card)/Field – nil

"My turn!" Hazel called, drawing a card. Deskbot 004's effect would normally be a problem. Fortunately… "Now I, using the Scale 1 Ember Lizard and the Scale 8 Ember Soldier, I set the Pendulum Scale!" she said, catching a glimpse of Tatsuya to her upper right as she continued to move around the field. There you are. "Pendulum Summon! Appear, Ember Monkey (Lvl:2/ATK:0/DEF:0) and the dragon with eyes of the eternal blaze, Flare-Eyes Ember Dragon! (Lvl:7/ATK:2500)."

"A monkey in DEF and your ace," Tatsuya commented to Hazel from above her duel disk. "Is that all, Miss Bennet?"

"Not a chance," she replied. "Ember Monkey's monster effect activates!" Hazel declared, using a vine to swing to a large rock platform, her dragon and monkey of similar design following her there. "If Normal or Special Summoned, I can summon as many copies of itself from my deck! Appear, two more copies of Ember Monkey (Lvl:2/DEF:0)."

"Did you forget about my monster's effect?" Tatsuya asked, coming to a rest on a rock platform above Hazel's, the tiny robotic monster next to him.

Hazel shook her head. "I activate Action Magic – Entwining Vines!" she said, playing the card. "This negates 004's effect and halves its ATK and DEF!"

Vines sprouted from the ground at Tatsuya's feet, wrapping themselves around the tiny robot and making it even smaller as they did so. Looking at Tatsuya himself, the boy seemed relatively unfazed, and as Hazel looked closely, she recognised the Action Card resting in his hand. Must've found it when he was running around, she surmised. Between that and his face-down, I have to be careful.

"What a move by Hazel Bennet!" Nico commented from the sidelines as the crowd watched like hawks. "Deskbot 004 would normally prevent her from attacking, but now he's vulnerable. What will You Show's rising star do?"

"It's time to battle, Tatsuya!" Hazel declared, raising a hand to point at the giant charcoal dragon that sat behind her. "Flare-Eyes Ember Dragon, attack Deskbot 004! Blaze Reckoning!"

"I chain Gravity Bind!" Tatsuya countered, revealing the trap. "All Level 4 and higher monsters cannot declare an attack!"

And his Deskbots can get around that… "Clever move, Tatsuya!" Hazel said in acknowledgment. "I set one card face-down and end my turn!"

Tatsuya – 4000 LP/Hand – 3(1)/Field – Deskbot 004, Gravity Bind

Hazel – 4000 LP/Hand – 1/Field – Flare-Eyes, Ember Monkey x3, one face-down/PZ – Lizard, Soldier (1/8)

I can't afford to stay still, Hazel thought as her turn finished, rushing off to the right and sliding down a vine into a tree. If I can find another Action Card, I might be able to use that to my advantage. For now, though, I can only wait and see how Tatsuya plays this one out.

"My turn!" Tatsuya said as he drew a card, his face appearing once again above Hazel's duel disk as they moved apart. "And now, I hope everyone is watching! This turn will be the final turn!"

"After blocking an attack from Hazel's ace monster, it seems Tatsuya is declaring his victory now!" came Melissa's voice, echoing around the stadium. "Show us what You Show Duel School can do, Tatsuya!"

"First off, I summon Deskbot 002 (Lvl:2/ATK:500/DEF:500) from my hand," Tatsuya began as he ran around the Action Field, a small, green and yellow, pen-wielding robot appearing beside him. "This monster boosts all other Machine-type monsters on the field by 500 ATK and DEF, and so Deskbot 004 now has 750 ATK and DEF. But that's not all it can do! When special summoned, it can also search out any other Deskbot card from my deck!"

Hazel knew what was coming immediately. "Don't tell me…"

"I activate the spell card Machine Duplication!" Tatsuya declared, activating the spell. "Since Deskbot 002 has 500 or less ATK, I special summon two more to my field! Appear, Deskbot 002!"

As Hazel found another Action Card, two more of the green and yellow robots appeared beside Tatsuya. Not good, she thought. Between the searches and the boosts, he's put himself into a formidable position. This was what he was aiming for all along. Hazel found herself smiling a little. He was most certainly Yusho's student.

"Now, along with the Deskbot 005 and Deskbot 006 that I've added to my hand, all 3 Deskbot 002's have 1500 ATK, and 004 now has 1750 ATK!" Tatsuya announced. "Finally, using the Scale 10 Deskbot 005, and the Scale 1 Deskbot 006, I set the Pendulum Scale! With this, I can summon Deskbot monsters of Levels 2 through 9! Pendulum Summon! Appear, Deskbot 003! (Lvl:3/ATK:500 - 2000/DEF:500 - 2000)."

I knew it, Hazel thought as she came to stop as the bottom of the tree, Tatsuya now above her on a different rocky outlet. Beside him now, joining his four compatriots, was another yellow and black robot of similar design to the others, only wielding a pencil on a holster on one arm, with the other arm wielding a glowing yellow ruler like a blade. He could've played that differently and ended up with 009 instead, but he chose to play around his Gravity Bind to keep me under its effect. Well played, Tatsuya. Well played.

"Deskbot's greatest strength is in their unity!" Tatsuya said. "They help each other grow stronger through their bonds, and this bond will help me win this duel! Deskbot 003's effect activates! This effect boosts the ATK and DEF of one monster I control by 500 multiplied by the number of Deskbot cards I control. Since I have 7, 5 monsters and the two Pendulum Zones, that's a 3500 boost, which I give to himself, giving him a grand total of 5500 ATK!"

The crowd went crazy as the small robot grew in size until it stood high over the field, having gone from tiny to gigantic as a result of the boosting capabilities of the other monsters. Tatsuya looked assured of his victory, but as she stood there watching the spectacle, Hazel remained unworried. An impressive display, to be sure, but I know your deck, Tatsuya, she thought to herself. This is what your monsters do, and I made sure I was prepared.

"What an impressive display from the young duelist!" Melissa's voice cried. "And yet his opponent remains unfazed! Is there more left yet to this duel?"

"Let's find out," Tatsuya said with a smile. "Battle! Deskbot 003, attack Flare-Eyes Ember Dragon! Metal Engravement!"

"I activate the trap card, Rememberance!" Hazel countered, revealing the trap. "I tribute Flare-Eyes Ember Dragon!"

"What's this? She's tributing her ace monster?" Nico's voice said in confusion.

"By doing so, I destroy all monsters on your field whose attack is higher than the tributed monster," Hazel announced. "So, say goodbye to your Deskbot 003!"

"You knew this was coming, didn't you?" Tatsuya wondered aloud.

Hazel nodded. "Large attack is what your deck does best, Tatsuya," she said. "Flare-Eyes! Destroy Deskbot 003!"

Everyone in attendance watched on as Hazel's dragon burst into flame, roaring as it ascended and dove straight into Deskbot 003's chest like a fiery lance, taking both itself and its opponent out in an explosion of fire and metal. Don't worry, my friend, you'll be back to fight soon enough, Hazel thought to herself.

"You've evaded losing this round, but that doesn't mean you're free from damage just yet, Miss Bennet!" Tatsuya said, brushing aside the loss of Deskbot 003 and moving on immediately. "I attack your 3 Ember Monkeys with all of my Deskbot 002's!"

"When it leaves the field, Ember Monkey deals 200 points of damage to you," Hazel said as they were destroyed simultaneously. "Take 600 damage, Tatsuya!"

Balls of flame shot forth from the monkeys before their forms disappeared, but Tatsuya brushed it off. "Don't think you're safe just yet," he said. "Since Deskbot 004 can't attack, I'll switch him to DEF (1750), but that's not all! I overlay two of my Deskbot 002's!"

"What did you say?" Hazel said in shock.

"It seems the teen from You Show has a surprise in store!" Nico declared. "Show us your strength, Tatsuya!"

"XYZ Summon!" Tatsuya called. "Appear, Rank 2! Sky Cavalry Centuarea! (ATK:2000/DEF:0)."

The swirling pool of golden light exploded forth to reveal a purple and white centaur. With golden hair on its head and tail and brilliant white and purple wings protruding from its back, the beast wielding a spear of some kind along with a purple and black spherical shield that had a red gem in the centre.

"Since when could you XYZ?" Hazel asked curiously.

"I've been keeping it a secret for a while," Tatsuya admitted. "I wanted to keep it a surprise for as long as I could in the tournament, but I figured now was a good time to use it. I set one card face-down, Miss Bennet! Your move!"

Tatsuya – 3400 LP – Hand (1)/Field – Sky Cavalry Centaurea (2 mat), Deskbot 002, Deskbot 004, Gravity Bind, one face-down/PZ – Deskbot 005, Deskbot 006 (1/10)

Hazel – 4000 LP – Hand 1(1)/Field – nil/PZ – Ember Lizard, Ember Soldier (1/8)

"I draw!" Hazel declared as she did so. Glancing at her card, she immediately began to see a path to victory. I'm sorry, Tatsuya. "First of all, from my hand, I activate the effect of Ember Spirit! Since I control no monsters and you do, I can special summon it from my hand! Come, the Tuner monster, Ember Spirit! (Lvl:1/ATK:0/DEF:0)."

"Wait, a tuner?" Tatsuya said as the fiery yet ethereal appeared beside Hazel. "But that can only mean…"

"Using the already set Scale 1 Ember Lizard and Scale 8 Ember Soldier, I Pendulum Summon!" Hazel called. "Appear, dragon with eyes of the eternal blaze, Flare-Eyes Ember Dragon! (Lvl:7/ATK:2500)."

"I don't believe it!" Melissa commented. "First Tatsuya surprised us with Pendulum XYZ, and now we're about to see Hazel pull off a Pendulum Synchro? What a way to start this year's Maiami Championship!"

"I now tune my Level 7 Flare-Eyes Ember Dragon to my Level 1 Ember Spirit!" Hazel chanted. "Soul of the flame, cleanse the dragon of the blaze with your power! Shine forth with your radiant, fiery splendour! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 8! Pure-Eyes Ember Dragon! (ATK:3000/DEF:2500)."

From the flash of light descended a white-dragon akin to the shape of Flare-Eyes. However, gone was the charcoal body, and in its place stood radiant white scales, split only by the black lines that traced the body like veins, going through the back, arms, legs and wings and pulsating with life. A reminder of what she once was, Hazel thought to herself as she looked deep into the glowing white eyes of her dragon. The crowd, too, seemed to be in awe of the beast, as silence fell before the crowd erupted once more into cheers at the arrival of the new beast.

"Pure-Eyes Ember Dragon's effect activates!" Hazel declared as it landed beside her. "When summoned, in exchange for losing the ability to attack directly this turn, she can destroy all spell and traps you control, including cards in your Pendulum Zones! Go, Righteous Tempest!"

Pure-Eyes roared as Hazel finished her sentence and began flapping her wings, causing a heavy wind to immediately encompass the field. Tatsuya could do nothing as Gravity Bind, his face-down, and the two Deskbots in his Pendulum Zones were wiped from the field.

"I'll admit, I wasn't expecting that," Tatsuya said. "But Pure-Eyes can't win you this duel."

"Maybe not alone, but I've yet to finish," Hazel retorted. "I activate the effect of Rememberance in my graveyard! By banishing it, I can special summon one Ember monster from my face-up Extra Deck or graveyard! Return, Flare-Eyes Ember Dragon! (Lvl:7/ATK:2500)."

"Two dragons…" Tatsuya whispered as the black dragon re-emerged.

"Pure-Eyes second effect then activates!" Hazel said. "Once per turn, I can special summon one Level 4 or lower Ember monster from my deck! Appear, Ember Tiger! (Lvl:4/ATK:1500/DEF:1200)."

"That's still not enough," Tatsuya noted. "No matter what monsters you attack with, you don't have enough damage on board to win!"

"Not yet," Hazel said. "I activate the spell card Suprembercy! I tribute all monsters besides Pure-Eyes to give their ATK to her for the rest of the turn! Flare-Eyes, Ember Tiger, loan Pure-Eyes your strength!"

"Unbelievable! Hazel Bennet has managed to raise her Synchro monster's ATK to 7000!" Nico cried as the dragon grew larger, dwarfing the players as it now stood large enough to Hazel only came up to the dragon's knee. "Is there any way Tatsuya can survive with no traps left to defend himself with?!"

"Battle! Pure-Eyes Ember Dragon, attack Sky Cavalry Centuarea!" Hazel declared. "Luminous Cascade!"

As Pure-Eyes readied a breath attack, Tatsuya took action. "I activate Action Magic – Earthen Might!" he said. "This raises Sky Cavalry's ATK by the number of monsters on the field x500, meaning it now has 4000 ATK! Not only does that mean I'll survive, but Pure-Eyes will be removed from the field by Sky Cavalry's after battle effect!"

Hazel sighed. "I'm sorry, Tatsuya, but this is really the end."

"What do you mean?" Tatsuya asked, his voice cracking slightly.

"I chain the Action Magic – Judgement Thorn!" she responded. "This negates and destroys your Earthen Might!"

"No!"

Thorns erupted from the ground and shattered the rock armour that had surrounded Sky Cavalry Centaurea, reducing its ATK from 4000 back to 2000. With 5000 damage about to strike, Tatsuya could only brace himself as a beam of white flame erupted from the mouth of Hazel's dragon, engulfing the entirety of Tatsuya's field as it did so, his Life Points dropping to 0 by the time the attack had stopped. Once the flame was gone, Tatsuya was all that remained, the smoke billowing from his clothes the only sign that he had been struck.

"What an unbelievable finish to the very first duel of the tournament!" Melissa cried as Pure-Eyes, along with the field itself, disappeared altogether, the crowd itself roaring louder that Hazel had heard it do. "Despite mounting a huge offensive, wildcard Hazel Bennet countered like a pro and won the duel in a single strike without taking a single point of damage!"

"Having defeated Hokuto Shijima to qualify for the tournament, she could prove to be a dark horse in the days to come!" Nico declared. "And while Tatsuya's journey ends here, he represented You Show Duel School magnificently. Everyone, give it up from Tatsuya Yamashiro and Hazel Bennet!"

As the crowd roared once again, Hazel headed over to Tatsuya, who was brushing himself off. "You alright?" she asked caringly. "I wasn't sure how bad that attack would be."

"I'm fine Miss Bennet, honestly," Tatsuya answered with a smile. "I knew I was getting in over my head."

"Not the case," she replied. "One card was the difference between who won that duel. A little more practise and, come next year, I reckon you'll go far in that tournament."

"You really think so?" Tatsuya asked.

Hazel put a hand on his shoulder. "You're still very young, Tatsuya. You've got a lot of growing left to do yet."

"Yuya defeated Reiji when he was my age," Tatsuya commented. "I guess people felt like I was on his level."

"Yes, well, Yuya is most definitely one of a kind," Hazel said, earning a knowing chuckle from Tatsuya. "Look, don't compare yourself to him, alright? Yuya and Yuzu were unique. There's no one like them, and there never will be again. You're strong as it is, I'd hate to face you in a year's time."

"Thank you, Miss Bennet," Tatsuya said. "Now I'd better leave you before the reporters swamp us. I'm sure they all want to talk to you after all."

As if on cue, reporters began to make their way from the sidelines onto the arena towards where the duo stood. Preparing herself to be answering questions instead of giving them, Hazel's mind found itself drifting back to Reiji Akaba, whom she was certain had paid close attention to the duel. I hope you were paying attention, she thought to herself. You haven't seen anything yet.

Coming Soon - Red Dragon Rising