This chapter has been beta'd by MathiasNightlord01


Yuya noted that both his mark and the witch's had stopped glowing when their dragons left the field before looking down to inspect his hand. He smiled as he looked over to his opponent.

"My turn, Draw!"

Yuya - 6

Black Rose Witch - 5

He checked out what he had picked up and began thinking up a strategy to defeat his fellow Signer. Thankfully, the man Yuya had saved seemed to have gotten the two girls to a safe place, away from where they could possibly get hurt by the powers of the two Signers.

"First, I normal summon Performapal Hip Hippo in attack mode."

Everyone watched as a pink hippo wearing a top hat, suit vest and bowtie appeared on the field.

Performapal Hip Hippo: (800/800)

"Next, when I normal summon or special summoned a Performapal monster or monsters, I can now special summon Performapal Helpprincess in attack mode."

A monster that looked like a young girl wearing a magical girl outfit carrying a staff with a winged hand at the end appeared on Yuya's field next to Hip Hippo.

Performapal Helpprincess: (1200/1200)

Yuya smiled before calling out his next move. He may not be able to see his friends and family anymore but he at least had something to remember them by and this next card would always connect him with his father, no matter where he was.

"Next, I activate the effect of Hip Hippo! When this card is normal summoned I can immediately tribute summon 1 Level 7 or Higher monster in face-up Attack Position during my Main Phase, in addition to my Normal Summon this turn. I now sacrifice Hip Hippo and Helpprincess to summon my good friend, Performapal Sky Magician!"

The two monster's vanished as they left the field to bring forth their more powerful comrade. This monster was four eyed masked humanoid wearing a white magician's outfit consisting of a long cape, a feathered wizard's hat, and a jacket that opened at the collar resembling the ace of spades. It also was surrounded by a bluish-white scarf wrapped around it's waist as it floated above the ground and in it's blue gloved hands it carried a chain of four large rings.

Performapal Sky Magician: (2500/2000)

It's appearance reminded those who saw it of a circus ringmaster, readying his troupe for a performance. Yuya looked at the monster fondly as he recalled the memories of when his father summoned this monster during Yusho's pro-dueling days. When Yusho had been carded by Yuri, he had placed several of his dad's cards into his deck as a way of joining his father's strength with his own. He shook his head as he turned his thought's back to the duel.

"Then, I play the continuous spell card, Magician's Right Hand. While I control a Spellcaster-Type monster, each turn I can negate the effect of the first spell card or effect that resolves and if I do or the card doesn't have an effect, I can destroy it. Now I activate Sky Magician's effect! Once per turn, when I activate a continuous spell card, Sky Magician's attack points increase by 300."

Performapal Sky Magician: (2800/2000)

"And to finish off, I'll place two cards face-down."

Two face-down cards appeared on either side of his spell card before Yuya looked back at his fellow Signer in challenge.

"Turn End."

Yuya - 0

Yuya then heard Starve Venom's voice as he waited for his opponent to make her move.

"Not bad Yuya, though I wish to see how strong this Black Rose Dragon really is for myself. As a being born from the power of the Crimson Dragon, she probably possesses great power. Hopefully, she will provide me at least some challenge."

The young duelist gave a slight chuckle at Starve Venom's comment. So he wanted to duel huh? Well that was fine with him as he didn't have many of his usual options. He didn't have many tuners to help summon Clear Wing, Odd-Eyes was viable but wasn't in his hand, and summoning Dark Rebellion was out of the question unless there was absolutely no other option available to him. So Starve Venom was his best bet, especially since Yuya had more ways to Fusion Summon than he did the other methods.

He narrowed his eyes as he waited for his opponent to make her move. Now he would just have to wait and see what this Black Rose Witch could do really do.


Aki's eyes narrowed behind her mask. She didn't recognize any of the cards he was using, and from the looks of it they seemed quite powerful despite their over-the-top appearances. However, his cards were nothing compared to the power of her deck. She stared at him for a moment before initiating her turn, speaking for the first time since the man had arrived her voice somewhat distorted thanks to the mask.

"My turn, Draw!"

Black Rose Witch - 6

Yuya - 0

She looked down and inspected her hand before looking over at her opponent. That spell card of his could be problematic but but her next move should be able to deal with it easily enough.

"Impressive, but I confess myself disappointed if this is all you can do. To start things off, I normal summon the tuner monster Twilight Rose Knight in attack mode."

A blue haired knight in black armor appeared on Aki's side of the field brandishing it's sword as pink rose petals swirled around it.

Twilight Rose Knight: (1000/1000)

Aki smiled behind her mask. Now it was time to teach this guy not to mettle in a witch's business.

"I activate Twilight Rose Knight's special effect! When this monster is normal summoned, I can then special summon a level 4 or lower Plant-Type monster from my hand. I'll use my knight's effect to special summon Lord Poison in attack mode."

A twisted humanoid shaped plant monster with several spikes protruding from its body appeared next to Aki's knight.

Lord Poison: (1500/1000)

The psychic duelist observed her opponent carefully. If he was alarmed by what he was happening, he had yet to show it. Aki frowned a little at this, let's see how long this strong front of his would last when faced with her ace.

"I now tune my level 3 Twilight Rose Knight with my level 4 Lord Poison."

Twilight Rose Knight disappeared leaving only bright lights while Lord Poison faded until only outlines with bright lights inside remained as it was engulfed by a series of green rings. As this was happening, Aki started to chant.

"Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!"

Suddenly, an enormous pillar of bright purple light burst out behind the Black Rose Witch, signaling the arrival of her ace monster. When the light dissipated the black dragon with petal-like wings revealed itself before releasing a mighty roar as small black rose petals swirled around it.

Black Rose Dragon: (2400/1800)

The wind kicked up forcing the two Signers spectators to brace themselves to avoid being blown away. Her opponent however stood his ground with a focused expression on his face without an ounce of fear. Good, it would only make it all the sweeter when she inevitably crushed him. Normally, Aki would wait a while before summoning her ace monster but unlike her other opponents, this one seemed dangerous and his abilities made him a possible threat. She also needed to assess how strong he was and seeing how he fared against her Black Rose was the perfect way to test him.

"I activate Black Rose Dragon's special effect. When I Synchro Summon Black Rose Dragon, it can destroy all cards on the field! Black Rose Gale!"

Black Rose roared as a twister containing rose petals was summoned forth, surrounding the mighty dragon. But appeared her opponent had something up his sleeve.


Yuya smiled. It was a good try, if he hadn't been prepared for something like this he would've been in trouble. He had experienced a slight throb coming from his dragon mark during her dragon's summoning. However, it had ended as quickly as it started. Yuya waved his arm toward the field as his face-down revealed itself in the face of the winds produced by Black Rose's power.

"Trap Card Open! Performapal Sky Ring! If a card or effect is activated that would destroy a card or cards that I control while I control a Spellcaster-Type "Performapal" monster, I can then negate that effect."

The gale surrounding Black Rose Dragon faded away as it's power was stopped in it's tracks. The spectators who had taken cover to avoid the gale breathed a sigh of relief.

Yuya watched his opponent intently, wondering what she would come up with next.


Aki's eyes narrowed behind her mask. So he countered one of her dragon's abilities but that was fine, there was more than one way her dragon could deal with him. It would just take a little trickery on her part to get around that pesky spell card.

"You may have prevented my dragon from destroying my monsters but let's see how you handle what coming. I activate the spell card Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Magician's Right Hand."

A new wind started whipping up as the card targeted her opponent's card and just as she predicted, it's effect activated automatically to stop her spell. Her opponent frowned since he knew that she knew this as he called out it's effect.

"Since you played a spell card, Magician's Right Hand effect activates. Which now negates and destroys Mystical Space Typhoon, to saving my spell card from destruction."

The winds abruptly stopped as Aki's card was negated before it was destroyed. Aki smiled behind her mask. Her plan was going perfectly.

"Now that your spell has used up it's effect this turn, I'm now free to use my other spells. I now activate the Equip Spell, Thorn of Malice! This card can only be equip to either Black Rose Dragon or a Plant-Type monster and the monster equip to it gains 600 attack points, making it stronger than your Sky Magician."

Black Rose Dragon: 3000/1800

Aki then moved to the next step of her ruthless plan to defeat her opponent.

"Now I activate the Spell Card, Book of Moon! This card allows me to target face-up monster on the field and switch it to face-down defense position. I now choose your Performapal Sky Magician."

When the cards effect activated a beam struck Sky Magician forcing it to change modes. Aki smiled as her plan was going perfectly.

"Now I activate my Black Rose Dragon's secondary effect. By banishing 1 Plant-Type monster from my graveyard, I can target one monster on you control and force it into attack position. However, when it does it's attack points are reduced to zero until the end of the turn."

Aki's Duel Disk then ejected Lord Poison from her graveyard as Black Rose Dragon bit down on the spirit of the monster removed from the graveyard destroying it. Then the dragon's appendages glowed with violet light.

"Rose Restriction!"

The glowing appendages the snaked over to her opponent's side of the field, revealing Sky Magician once again as Black Rose Dragon's vines caught it in a strangle hold as it forced the wincing spellcaster into attack position and drained it's power to nothing.

Performapal Sky Magician: (0/2000)

Aki smiled behind her mask as she saw her opponent frown at his monster's predicament. Now it was time to deal some pain! She pointed toward the trapped spellcaster as he called out her order.

"Battle! Black Rose Dragon attack his Performapal Sky Magician! Black Rose Flare!"

The Signer dragon roared before opened her maw as she blasted a purple flames surrounded black roses toward the helpless Sky Magician.


Yuya gritted his teeth as he was nearly thrown off his feet by Black Rose Dragon's attack on his Sky Magician. The young duelist's side of the field was engulfed purple flame that he swore he could feel the heat from. When the smoke cleared he was surprised to see that Sky Magician was still there, though looking like he had seen better days as his once pristine clothes were now covered in various burn marks. Yuya had fared a little better seeing as he wasn't the main target of the attack, feeling only slightly toasted from the heat brushing over his skin. His life points also took a big hit as they dropped by 3000.

Yuya: 1000

Black Rose Witch: 4000

His experiences had toughened him against such attacks, and it seemed his opponent was taken aback that he'd been able to resist the force of her monster's blast. He imagined that she didn't encounter someone like him often. Though she recovered from her shock quickly before providing an explanation for Sky Magician's survival.

"It seems you really do posses the same powers that I do. Fortunately for you, the effect of Thorn of Malice keeps your monster from being destroyed in battle while it's equip to my monster. Though your Sky Magician looks like he's seen better days."

Yuya smiled, while his life points had taken a huge blow, this duel was far from over. He had been confused for a moment when she mentioned him having the same powers as her, then he remembered Yuto and Kurosaki's ability to give their monsters the power to deal real damage without the aid of an Action Field. He wondered if he had somehow inherited this ability from Yuto during their brief time sharing the same body. He noted to look into it later but for now he had a duel to win. His opponent jerked slightly in surprise as Yuya revealed his second face-down card.

"Spell Card Open! Quick-Play Magic, Damage Draw! When I take 2000 or more in battle damage, I can draw 2 cards from my deck."

Yuya drew two cards from his deck as his opponent watched him silently, most likely thinking about her next move.

Yuya - 2

Black Rose Witch - 2


Aki frowned as she inspected her barely phased adversary. She had never encountered anyone strong enough to endure an attack augmented by her powers with barely any sign of pain or injury. Not even Divine could come out unscathed in their training duels with each other and he was a strong psychic himself. But this guy didn't seem to be effected by her attack at all.

It also irked her that foe didn't even seem rattled by the fact he was losing. That smile he wore on his face made it seem as though he was mocking her. And though this annoyed her, she supposed it didn't matter either way. His monster was still weaker than hers and even after it regained it strength next turn it would still be no match for her dragon. She looked down at her hand and saw nothing further she could use this turn. The Witch looked back toward her at her adversary who was watching her closely.

"Turn end."

Now she would see what his response would be. She was confident in her chances of victory, but she had a strange feeling as she looked back into her opponent's brilliant mismatched eyes. Those eyes spoke nothing but confidence that he could somehow turn this around, and something deep down told her that his confidence wasn't unfounded.


With his adversary's turn ended, Black Rose Dragon's vines relinquished their hold on Sky Magican as it's power was restored back to it's original values without it's previous power boost from it's effect.

Performapal Sky Magician: (2500/2000)

Yuya seeing Sky Magician restored smiled as he began his move.

"My Turn, Draw!"

Yuya - 3

Black Rose Witch - 2

He looked at what he drew before smiling, it was time get some revenge for hurting Sky Magician.

"I'll begin by activating the spell card, Cup of Ace! This card allows me to flip coin and if it's head I get to 2 cards but if it's tails you two draw 2 cards instead."

A coin appeared on Yuya's side of the field before it started flipping. It hit the ground as it landed on heads. Yuya breathed an inner sigh of relief before giving his opponent a roguish grin.

"Since it landed on heads, I can now draw 2 cards from my deck."

Yuya - 4

Black Rose Witch - 2

Yuya looked down to inspect his new cards and his roguish grin grew slightly as he saw exactly what he needed to win end this duel. He looked back over to his opponent, who took a step back as his expression quickly became serious.

"It's seems I underestimated your ability my good lady. I guess it's time to stop playing around and really get serious. First, I activate the spell card, Performapal Bonds! This card allows me to special summon as many Perfomapal monsters from my graveyard as possible while I control at least 1 'Performapal' monster on my side of the field with their effects negated and they are destroyed during my End Phase."

The witch tilted her head a little in confusion but Yuya simply decided to let his moves speak for him.

"And now I special summon Performapal Helpprincess and Performapal Hip Hippo back to the field in attack mode. Return to the field, my faithful monsters!"

The graveyard spot on Yuya's Duel Disk ejected the card before he placed both cards back on his field. Helpprincess and Hip Hippo then reappeared on the field on either side to the battered Sky Magician.

Performapal Hip Hippo: (800/800)

Performapal Helpprincess: (1200/1200)

Yuya then executed to the next stage of his plan.

"Next I normal summon the tuner monster Tuning Magician in attack mode."

Tuning Magician: 0/0

The small pink-haired spellcaster appeared next to Helpprincess with a determined look on her face as she looked over to see Black Rose Dragon. She then surprised Yuya slightly by giving him a subtle wink that his fellow Signer didn't seem to notice that made Yuya chuckle slightly inside.

"When Tuning Magician is normal or special summoned, my opponent gains 400 life points while I lose 400 points."

Yuya: 600

Black Rose Witch: 4400

When his opponent heard what kind of monster he was summoning, she seemed to instantly be on guard for what was coming next despite it's effect increasing her life points. Too bad he wasn't trying to going to use Tuning Magician for a Synchro Summon like she probably suspected.

For one, none of his monsters were the right level for him to be able to summon Clear Wing. The other reason was that Starve Venom had mentioned earlier, as they were running toward the explosion caused by the Black Rose Witch, that Clear Wing was still resting after expending a lot of her power to create new cards for Yuya to use in this era. The young duelist then spoke out just loud enough so that his adversary couldn't hear him.

"You ready?"

From within Yuya's mind, the Heavenly Dragon of Fusion let out a prideful roar before answering.

"Yes! Let's show this witch what true power looks like!"

Yuya smirked at the dragon's desire for battle as he began his next move. What happened next wasn't something either his opponent or their spectators would expected.

"Now, I play the spell card, Polymerization! This card allows me to perform a fusion summon using monsters from your hand or field as fusion materials. And the monsters I choose to fuse are my dark attribute Performapal Helpprincess and my dark attribute Tuning Magician!

Tuning and Helpprincess looked at each other and nodded before jumping up into a swirling red and blue portal. Then Yuya started to chant much like how the witch had did earlier.

"Magician and Princess! Combine your powers and give life to the lasting predator born from the darkness."

Yuya clapped his hands together as the two monsters were pulled into the darkness of the portal.

"Fusion Summon! Come Forth! Starve Venom Fusion Dragon!"

From within the portal numerous lights began appearing, illuminating the dark silhouette of the monster to whom they belonged to as Starve Venom appeared in all his glory and roared out his arrival to the heavens before taking his place next to Yuya's Sky Magician.

Stave Venom Fusion Dragon: 2800/2000

Yuya then noticed that both his mark and the Black Rose Witch's were glowing again. Then, both dragons roared out in challenge to each other as they faced-off. The wind howled and lightning rained down around the two Signers and their dragons as their audience watched in terrified awe at the power on display.


Aki's eyes widened behind her mask as she felt her birthmark and Black Rose respond to Starve Venom Fusion Dragon's summoning. The summoning method for her adversary's monster was somewhat of a surprise. When she had seen it when it saved the officer, she'd thought it was a synchro monster like her Black Rose Dragon but it appeared that wasn't the case.

It wasn't like it was unheard of for people to still use Fusion Monsters these days. However, ever since the introduction of Synchro Summoning, Fusion Monsters had fallen out of favor due to Synchro Summoning being easier and faster to perform. This would act as a reminder not to underestimate a summoning method just because it was slightly old fashioned. Now Aki wondered just what kind of powers this monster possessed if her opponent was willing to risk his limited amount of life points just to summon it and it looked like she was about to find out.


Officer Kaz and the two women, after Black Rose Dragon's attack on Sky Magician, had finally decided it wasn't safe to be out in the open due to the shockwaves and winds throwing around debris and opted to take refuge from the effects of the battle in a nearby warehouse. From there, they watched from one of the windows that faced the side where the two Signers where fighting.

All of them where surprised when the young man brought out a Fusion Monster rather than the relatively easier to summon Synchro Monster, despite having a tuner monster on his field. But none of them could deny the sheer power coming of the new dragon and wondered how it could help the man snatch victory from what looked like the jaws of defeat.


Meanwhile, Yeager and Inspector Hattori stood watching the duel from the relative safety of the top floor of a nearby apartment building. After the Signers made the first few moves, they had decided it would be best to move some place were they wouldn't be send flying by the winds and shockwaves coming from the two Singers battle while still being able to carefully observe what was happening to include in their reports to Director Goodwin.

Yeager pulled out his holopad and typed in the name of Yuya's monster to see what information he could find it's abilities. He frowned when his search didn't produce any results before returning his gaze back toward the Signer of the Dragon's Eye.

The young man was an enigma wrapped in a mystery and it puzzled him to no end. Where did he come from? Why was he here in Neo Domino City? And why was there no record of his existence anywhere? These were questions that had plagued him ever since he had met the young duelist only a few hours before. Now that he was a confirmed Signer, the need to find answers to these questions just became all the more important.

Inspector Junko Hattori monitored her boss out the corner of her eye while appearing to focus on the duel taking place below them. She had been suspicious about why the Head of the Special Investigations would send one of his own agents to track someone over a case possible trespassing. At first, she had figured that the boy could be a subject of interest who had information on some high-level case her boss was working on, so she accepted the assignment without complaint.

Now however, she knew that there was something bigger going on here. Something involving those glowing marks on Yuya Sakaki and Black Rose Witch's arms. The inspector narrowed her eyes as she focused on the young man's glowing mark.

She had heard rumors and whispers around Security Bureau Headquarters that the higher-ups were heavily involved with something regarding the upcoming Fortune Cup Tournament. The rumors spoke about how the Head of Special Investigations had been tasked by Director Goodwin to identify and locate certain key individuals. The operation and it's ultimate purpose was a complete mystery, even to those agents with high-level clearance such as herself. Now she was aware that the individuals her superiors were most likely looking for anyone bearing these marks, these Signers as her boss had put it. So what are Yeager and Goodwin up to? And why are they so interested in finding these Signers?

The Inspector frowned as she thought about the secrecy involved in the Director's operation. She had never liked Rex Goodwin from the moment she'd first met him after she'd been promoted to Inspector seven years ago. His policies regarding the complete segregation of residents of the Satellite and Neo Domino City, his enriching himself by using his position to curry favor with Neo Domino's elites, and his generally blatant corruption and abuse of power. In short, Rex Goodwin was the epitome of everything that had gone wrong Neo Domino over the last 17 years, ever since Zero Reverse.

Junko quickly buried the memory deep into the back of her mind, forcing herself focus on the events taking place before her rather than remember the tragedy that had taken everything she held dear. For now though, she needed to concentrate on the present, as it looked like something was happening with the Sakaki boy.


Yuya smiled toward his opponent as made his next move. He could feel the power of the Crimson Dragon flow through him through the mark it had bestowed upon him, which unbeknownst to him, was combining with and augmenting something deep within his spirit.

The wind kicked up and patches of ground started to crack around him due to a strong pressure filling the air as Yuya's eyes began to glowing in the darkness. Then his hair stood slightly on end, giving him a more wild and commanding appearance before he was surrounded by a crimson aura of power.

When he spoke his voice remained largely the same though it carried with it a slight undertone that spoke of incredible power. The Black Rose Witch tensed at the sudden unexpected display of power. The psychic duelist now watched had absolute certainly that her opponent possessed some sort of power. Unfortunately, it seemed that power was being used against her.

"Now it's time to begin the final act of tonight performance. I activate Starve Venom Fusion Dragon's effect! If this monster was Fusion Summoned, I can target one special summoned monster my opponent controls, then Stave Venom gains ATK equal to the targeted monster's until the End Phase. And since your Black Rose Dragon is the only special summoned monster you control, Starve Venom's attack points now increase by 3000!"

The Witch seemed to jerk backwards slightly in shock at Yuya's explanation of Starve Venom's power. The fearsome dragon roared, unleashing a powerful shockwave that caused the windows of all the nearby buildings to shatter and the bulbs of the nearby streetlights shatter raining glass down to the street below. The two mouth-like protrusions on the Fusion Dragon's opened, releasing a magenta-colored energy surrounding various spheres of blue light shaped like a massive pair of wings as it powered-up. The display looked breathtakingly beautiful as it did deadly.

Stave Venom Fusion Dragon: (5800/2000)


Aki couldn't believe what she was seeing. The power that her opponent was displaying was far beyond anything she had expected from him, even with the knowledge that he possessed powers similar to her own. Fear began to take root in her mind as she looked upon her opponent and his dragon whose strength greatly surpassed her Black Rose Dragon's.

Then Aki realized with growing horror that she was about to lose. Nothing in her hand could help her prevent Starve Venom from destroying Black Rose, and when that happened she would be wide open for his Sky Magician to attack and wipe out the rest of her life points!

The Black Rose Witch could do nothing but watch as her foe moved to seal her fate.


Yuya narrowed his glowing heterochromatic eyes before calling out his attack.

"Battle! Starve Venom Fusion Dragon attack-!"

His order was abruptly cut short as he clutched his right arm that had suddenly erupted with pain originating from his new birthmark. Across from him the Black Rose Witch cried out as her mark reacted as well. When he opened his eyes after closing them briefly from the pain he noticed something. There drifting among the clouds above the city was the massive form of...

"The Crimson Dragon!? What's it doing here?"

Yuya then noticed that it had appeared above a stadium some distance away before quickly making its way toward himself and the Witch, who had also noticed the arrival of the dragon god who had chosen her to bear its mark. The city was then plunged into darkness.


Back at the Tops Residence, Leo and Luna suddenly jerked awake as their right forearms flashed with pain. When they looked down to see what was wrong, the twins were surprised to find a glowing crimson birthmark. Leo's mark was vaguely shaped like a heart while his sisters resembled a clawed hand.

They siblings looked toward each other before hearing a loud sound coming from outside. They quickly jump out of their beds and rushed toward toward the rooftop terrace. When they finally got there they saw a massive dragon hovering nearby above the Daimon Area. Luna's eyes widened as she realized it was the same being she had seen in her dreams. She turned toward her brother who also noticed the deity matched the description of the Dragon God that Luna had told him about.

"Luna, is that what I think it is? How is this possible?!"

Luna nodded before bring her arm up to eye level. Leo then looked down at his own mark as his sister replied.

"I don't know Leo. Though, I somehow know it has something to do with these birthmarks."

She turned back to look at the entity that had stared frequently in her nightmares.

"Just what is going on here?"


Kaz and the girls looked on in slight fear and awe as they were graced by the presence of the Crimson Dragon, who had finally arrived as it floated above the two Signers as let loose a beautiful echoing cry that reverberated down to their very souls. One of the girls, turned to Kaz hoping he would know what was happening.

"Officer Kazuma, what is that thing?"

Kaz shook his head as he continued to gaze upon the majesty of the primordial deity hovering above the two combatants.

"I don't know."


Yeager frantically opened a channel to Goodwin using his holopad while Junko openly gawked at the sight of the almighty dragon god hovering above them. When the line finally opened, Goodwin immediately barked out a command to his subordinate.

"Report! What's going on?!"

Yeager immediately regained his wits as he quickly informed his boss on the situation.

"S-sir the Crimson Dragon, it's here and it's currently hovering above the two Signers."


Rex nodded when he heard this as he'd watched the deity appear above the duel between Yusei and Jack at the Memorial Circuit Stadium using the Security Bureau's extensive surveillance network. He'd sent over a squad of officers to take Yusei into custody after the giving the good professor the order to shut down the Ener-D Reactor to prevent it from exploding from the massive surge of energy caused by the Crimson Dragon's arrival.

It appeared that the dragon god was revealing itself before the ones to whom it had gifted it's divine might. He broke from his musings to give Yeager his marching orders.

"Yeager, continue monitoring the situation on your end, I've already sent a team to take custody of the Signer who was dueling with Jack at Memorial Circuit. We had to shut down the reactor to prevent another event like Zero Reverse. We're running on backup power at the moment while we wait to bring Momentum back online. When you determine it's safe, I want you to extend invitations to both of them to participate in the Fortune Cup. Then report back to me with your observations."

Yeager nodded from the other end of the line, though he appeared quite shaken by the presence of the primordial deity. Goodwin couldn't blame him really, the man didn't have the same experience Goodwin had when it came to the more supernatural forces of there world. It was one thing to read and hear about the legends, it was another to have their existence so forcefully confirmed personally.

"Orders confirmed Director, continuing mission. Yeager out."

Goodwin pressed a command key, cutting off the communicator. He then then turned his chair around before getting up and heading over to a nearby window where he could see the Crimson Dragon hovering above a section of the city in the distance. The sudden appearance of this unknown Signer troubling as there was no record of anyone bearing a mark representing the Dragon's Eye. There was some vague mentions of a sixth signer bearing a birthmark representing the Heart of the Crimson Dragon but never the Dragon's Eye.

However, Rex was certain his plans were still intact. They just needed a bit of adjusting to accommodate this new anomaly and the Fortune Cup was the perfect opportunity to study the young man and his abilities. Then he could determine what role he would play within Rex's scheme. For now he would just have to be patient and see where things would lead. After all, how did the old saying go? No plan survives contact with the enemy.

The Director smirked as he gazed at the sight of the Crimson Dragon. Soon, it would all fall into place and his ascension to godhood would be assured.


Aki looked upon the magnificence of Crimson Dragon and was captivated by it, though the pain quickly reminded her of that this being was somehow connected to this birthmark of hers. The very thing that had cursed her to a life of solitude and loneliness because of the power it bestowed upon her. Suddenly, a stray piece of debris left over from her rampage flew into her face due to the gale caused by the dragon god's arrival, shattering her mask though thankfully leaving her face untouched. The deity then released a mighty roar before quickly fading away, and with it's departure the pain from her mark slowly faded as well.

Startled by her unexpected unmasking, she looked down to see her mask lying down on the ground in pieces. She then noticed her opponent was looking right at her, seeing her face for the first time. She quickly decided to leave before anyone else identified her.

"You might have won today, but know that the next time we meet, you won't be so lucky."

Black Rose Dragon, sensing Aki's desire to flee swiftly unleashed a cover of flame and flower petals to cover her Signer's escape. Then, while everyone was distracted and blinded, Aki ran toward a nearby series of alleyways. After a few minutes, once she felt she was far enough away, Aki collapsed against one of the alley's walls. She sighed as she slid down the wall before coming to rest on the ground cradling her right arm as the glow from her birthmark quickly faded away.


At the apartment building, Yeager grinned as he looked down at his holopad. He had been fortunate he had been able to use the device to capture a photo of the Witch's face. Which he then used in conjunction with the Security Bureau's facial recognition software to finally put a name to the face of the elusive Black Rose.

Izayoi Aki, 16 years old, daughter of prominent independent congressman Hideo Izayoi, who represented Neo Domino City in Japan's House of Representatives and his wife, Setsuko Izayoi. Attended Neo Domino City Duel Academy where she received high marks in all areas of study before disappearing after a series of incidents where her opponent's ended up hospitalized after dueling her forced her to return home. Currently suspected to be a prominent member of the Arcadia Movement.

It would a slightly delicate situation, considering the Goodwin's mysterious arrangement with Sayer, the leader of the Arcadia Movement. Though he figured he'd be able to get the young woman's invitation to her, as Sayer most likely would wish to showcase the power of the Arcadia Movement by using the girl's formidable powers. Now he just had to approach Sakaki Yuya and convince him to participate in the upcoming event.

Junko surveyed her boss out the corner of her eye while appearing to still be focused on what was going on below them. When she'd heard the words 'Zero Reverse' her investigative instincts instantly snapped into overdrive. What was Goodwin talking about? Wasn't Zero Reverse supposed to be a natural disaster caused by massive tectonic shift? The way the director had spoken about the event made it seem as though it was caused by something unnatural, something man made.

The Inspector clenched her teeth as her blood boiled at the thought. If what she suspected was correct, then that meant the story the public had been told about the tragedy 17 years ago was all one big cover up. Though what cover up was meant to hide was the question and it seemed the Director was somehow involved. Junko's eyes flashed with absolute fury at the thought that someone was responsible for all the pain and suffering that she and everyone else had endured because of that one event.

She brought her hand up to clench around a small locket hanging on her neck, where she kept the pictures of her late husband and child who she'd lost that day. The agent quickly schooled her features so that her superior didn't see the effect that the Director's words had on her. As she turned her gaze back toward the young man she'd been ordered to watch, she focused on his right arm as the glowing mark began to fade away. Junko vowed to herself here and now that she would find the truth about what happened that day, and when she did, she would bring whoever was responsible to justice. And she would start by finding out just what Goodwin wanted with this boy and those like him.


Yuya blinked as his vision cleared showing that his opponent had fled, his dragon mark had faded, and the power he had felt during the duel had faded with it. Unknowingly returning his features to normal. Starve Venom, seeing that their foe had escaped roared with rage at being denied his chance to do battle with Black Rose Dragon.

"Cowards! You never be able to hide from my wrath! Come back and fight me!"

As the Starve Venom began to fade from the physical plane, the fearsome turned toward his new partner.

"Yuya, when we find them, make them regret their foolish actions here today. No one runs in the middle of a battle with me and gets away with it!

With his piece said, Starve Venom faded completely back into the spirit realm. As he turned to leave, he saw none other than Yeager standing before him with an amused grin on his face. Yuya sighed. Great, this just what he needed. He noticed that the wounded officer and the girls were headed in their direction followed by a woman he didn't recognize. Yeager polite coughed bring Yuya's attention back to high-ranking security official.

"I admit Yuya-san, I hadn't quite expected to meet you again so soon. Though I must admit that was I was quite impressed by that display you gave us. I never suspected you capable of such things"

Yuya frowned, this didn't sound good.

"Am I in trouble Yeager-san?"

The official blinked a little before he shook his head.

"Relax Yuya-san, your not in any trouble. I daresay it's actually quite the opposite. The man you saved earlier was one of our undercover officers who was investigating the recent attacks in the area by the Black Rose Witch, and for that I thank you."

Yeager-san surprised the young duelist by giving him a deep bow, a sign of respect. He then rose before reaching into his coat and producing an envelope identical to the one he had given to the twins earlier that day. Yuya's eyes widened slightly at the gesture. Yeager seeing this quickly moved to explain.

"I've spoke to my superiors, and they agreed based on my report that we should invite you to participate in the Fortune Cup in thanks for protecting one of our finest officers."

Yuya's eyes narrowed. He wasn't quite sure he believed the reason for Yeager extending the offer from his superiors. While he respected the fact that Yeager did seem to genuinely care about what happens to his subordinates, Yuya also figured he had been watching and probably had seen the Crimson Dragon as well. However, if declined the invitation, Yuya had a feeling that the officials superiors would attempt something to force him to accept their offer, like throwing him in the Facility for trespassing until he agreed to their wishes.

After a moments hesitation, Yuya reached out and accepted the invitation.

"I thank you and your superiors for the offer. I'll sure you'll not be disappointed."

Yeager nodded before turning around and addressing the unknown woman and the officer Yuya had saved as the group finally reach them.

"Inspector Hattori, our business here is concluded. Officer Kazuma, return to headquarters and have the medical staff take a look at your injuries. Also, as of this moment I'm taking over the Black Rose investigation. When your finished at medical, report to your captain to receive your new assignment. dismissed."

Both his subordinates nodded while the other Yuya and the girls looked on. Yeager and the now identified Inspector Hattori then headed off toward the street as a limousine pulled up. The driver exited the vehicle and opened the door for his boss to get in. Once his employer and his associate was inside, the driver quickly reentered the vehicle before driving off. Leaving the undercover officer with Yuya and the girls.

The man turned and offered Yuya his hand.

"Thanks for the save back there, I thought I was a goner for a moment there. Kazama Soichi's the name, though everyone just calls me Kaz for short."

Yuya smiled as he shook the man's hand. This guy seemed like a good person in Yuya's book, especially considering how he had apparently been dueling to try and protect the girls from the Black Rose Witch.

"Sakaki Yuya. You should probably go get those injuries looked at before you keel over. Do you need help getting there?"

The Duel Chaser shook his head at the question.

"Don't worry about it. I'll just use the radio on my duel runner to have one of my colleagues to come pick me up. I'll be watching for you at the Fortune Cup. I'd wish you luck, but I don't think you'll need it after what I just saw."

Kaz chuckled before turning around and walking away to where he had stashed his hidden duel runner.

"See you around kid."

Yuya watched as the man disappeared into the darkness of a nearby alleyway. A few minutes later the three teens would hear the thundering roar as Kaz started up his Duel Runner's engine. Meanwhile, Yuya turned over to the girls who were observing him with curiosity.

"You two ok?"

The two blinked before realizing they were staring as the one with strawberry-blonde hair quickly introduced herself.

"Yeah, were fine thanks to you. My name is Mika Rhodes."

The wild raven haired girl grinned as so looked a Yuya up and down, obviously like what she saw there.

"And my name's Kenzan Tera, though you can call me Tera, Yuya-kun."

Yuya smiled at the friendly greeting though was a little unnerved by Tera's wandering eyes and it seemed she wasn't the only one, as Mika slight tint to her cheeks.

In the back of his mind, he could've sworn he heard the Four Heavenly Dragon's laughing about their partner being checked out like a stallion would be by a couple of mares.

"Pleased to meet you, though I should probably go. It's getting late and I have to find someplace to crash for the night."

He was about leave when he felt a hand his shoulder. He turned around to see Tera standing there.

"Wait a minute Yuya, if you need a place to stay you can stay with us for the night. It's least we can do after you helped save our skins back there."

Tera turned to her friend who hesitated for a moment before nodding. The raven haired girl grinned as she swiftly latched onto Yuya right arm.

"So how about it Yuya, wanna come over to our place for the night?"

Yuya blushed at the girl's forwardness as he tried hard not to think about wear his arm was located before looking back toward Mika.

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother..."

Mika smiled at Yuya's question before turning her eyes toward her best friend and giving her a sly grin as an positively devious thought passed through her head. She walked over toward them before taking Yuya's other arm, Tera smirked as her friend friends teasing of the guy between them. Yuya's face was flushed as he tried hard not to think about were his arms where.

Both girls saw this and thought his attempt at chivalry was rather cute. Most boys their age would've tried to take advantage of the situation, though it appeared that he was made of stronger stuff than the majority of the guys they knew from school. A big plus in their books. Mika smiled as she looked into the young man's brilliant mismatched eyes.

"Of course, now let's get out of here shall we? It's getting rather late and I don't know about you two but I'm beat."

Yuya didn't quite know how he'd gotten himself into his current situation, as he was promptly lead back toward the Mika's car with both girls hanging on each arm. And he wasn't certain how much more this teasing he could take. He was slightly relieved when they'd let go once the trio had finally reached the car only for his relief to vanish as Mika's car turned out to only be a two-seat convertible. Which meant that...

"Oh would you look at that, looks like well have to share a seat Yuya!"

He looked over an saw Tera give him smile that positively angelic, though Yuya realized it really wasn't.

The whole ride over to the girls place, Yuya forced himself to think about anything other than the beautifully girl sitting on his lap. Which was hard considering how she was leaning back on him so close he could smell her perfume. The entire time he heard the laughter Four Heavenly Dragon's echoing in his head.


Performapal Bonds

Card Type: Spell Card

Property: Quick-Play

Effect: When you control at least 1 "Performapal" monster. Special Summon as many "Performapal" monsters from your graveyard. 'Performapal' Monsters summoned by this card's effect are negated. Destroy them during the End Phase.