~Eight years ago~
A five-years-old Yuya was sitting on a bridge near his home and crying. He was just teased because he told his friends that he could hear Odd-Eyes's voice. Nobody believed in that, and they kept jeering him until he cried and ran away from them. Yuya couldn't understand why they didn't believe him. He really heard its voice, it even responded them when he tried to talk to it. It was a male voice. Why did nobody believe in him?
"What are you doing here, Yuya?"
Yuya was startled when heard his father's voice from behind. He turned to look, trying to create a smile on his face. "I'm... only go sightseeing a little," he lied.
Yusho sighed and sat down next to his son. "Yuya, you can't mislead me, you know. I'm your Dad, so just tell me what's happening to you, okay?"
The red and green haired child still looked down, keeping silent in a while. Then he hesitantly looked up his father.
"Dad... Do you think Duel Monsters have the spirits?"
Yusho stared at his dear son, saying nothing in a while. He already knew about the special ability of his son. He was surprised and thought it was only his imagination. But when Yuya kept repeating that, he really believed in it. His mother either, although she still had no idea why Duel monsters cards could have the spirits.
"Oh, then that's what's bothering you?" he exhaled and asked, then smiled when received Yuya's nod.
"Yuya, I believe they do, although I've never heard or seen them. But if you hear their voice, it's great. It's a gift from the heaven that you should never ignore. The more you understand the feeling of your monsters, the more you grow up as a Duelist."
"But..." Yuya looked down sadly. "Nobody trusts me. They say I'm crazy and tease me..."
The man shook his head, then held the right hand of his son to force him standing up.
"Yuya, what did I say to you?"
The little boy blinked, confusedly looking up his father. He had no mood to remember anything like that in the current situation. Furthermore, Yusho told him a lot of things.
"When you want to cry, just laugh. It's the way for you to say to them that I don't care about what they say. Not at all. Just focus on your Duels and go straight ahead. Sooner or later, they will have to admit your ability."
Yusho's face softened a bit. "Alright, let's go home. Your Mom is waiting for us."
~o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
Yuya was sitting on the same bridge at that moment, stared up stars in the sky for many hours. Holding his Pendulum tightly in his hands, he felt a strange feeling within himself. Ah, in fact, it wasn't strange at all. He always felt it whenever he heard or mentioned his father.
Realize it, Yuya. Realize it...
"Who!?"
Yuya jumped up as soon as he heard it then looked around. Not seeing anyone, he felt scared. He certainly heard that voice. It was like his own voice but more mature, like his future version. It wasn't the first time he heard mysterious voices: he always talked to his monsters, after all. But this was totally different. He was sure that was human, not monsters.
He kept silent, trying to listen. But it was strange when he could no longer hear it. He sighed and sat up again. Tears flowed from his eyes.
Dad... he thought sadly. Now, where are you? Why don't you contact me? I and Mom remember you very much.
The sound of his Duel Disk dragged him back to the real world. He glanced it, shrugging when the message from his mother. It was late a bit, so his mother was probably feeling worried. He shook his head then go back to his home. Putting the Duel Disk into his pocket, he incidentally opened a photo - Yuzu's photo. He was frozen and couldn't move in a moment.
Yuzu... now, what's happening to you? Are you still fine? Please, Yuzu... go home...
~o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
In the LDS building
Reiji put his elbows down on the table and buried his face in his hands. He felt as if Yuya was still standing in front of him. He still felt the eyes of the younger boy, and that was because of him. He sighed, pretending to do something to his computer although he didn't do anything.
Did I do wrong, Yusho-san? At that day, I shouldn't have asked you about that...
~Flashsback~
Three years ago
Yusho nodded at guards of the lab in the LDS building, then went inside. Seeing him, the young Reiji couldn't hide his confusion.
"What are you doing here, Yusho-san?" he asked. "Your Duel against Strong Ishijima will be stared in one hour."
Yusho only smiled, then glanced at the dimension transfer device that they were trying to restore. "I only want to check it in a moment," he explained. "The stadium isn't too far from here, I can totally be there in time. We make use of time, you know."
"Thank you."
Reiji appreciated. To be honest, if it wasn't due to Yusho, he didn't know if he could survive until then. When his father disappeared, he didn't know what to do except crying and trying to hold his mother's dress. However, she was shocked because of that either, so she couldn't take care of him normally. He was totally alone until Yusho found him. Yusho introduced Reiji to Yuya, hoping talking to another child would make him feel better.
Many years passed, when he incidentally went to the Academia and discovered what Akaba Reo wanted to do, he was depressed again. It was even worse when he disappeared. As a habit, he came to Yusho again.
The middle-age Entertainer comforted Reiji and promised he would do anything he could to prevent that crazy plan. He was the one who told Reiji about forming Lancers, they couldn't let themselves fall into the passive situation. He always stayed with Reiji and never abandoned him.
Reiji was positive if he hadn't got Yusho, LDS wouldn't be able to exist. Although he wasn't a businessman, he could still give Reiji advice in controlling LDS. His mother needed a considerable amount of time to recover, so he almost had to do everything himself.
"P-President!" a man yelled in the panic. "There is something happening to the dimension transfer device!"
"What!?"
Reiji paled, then immediately ran to the computer. He didn't need to know so much to realize that its data was disappearing slowly.
"Someone affected our dimension transfer device with a computer virus," he informed. "I'm trying to stop it, but it's spreading so quickly. At this rate, we will lose the control of it soon."
Yusho bit his lips. He felt guilty when told Reiji to not save any record about it. He thought Reo could leave someone in this dimension as a spy, and if they could use the data for their own purpose, it would be a disaster. Then leaving no mark was their best choice.
But it looked like he mistook. Everything was even becoming more chaotic. Having no record, it meant they had nothing to restore the device. He didn't really have time to hesitate anymore.
"Can we still leave with that transfer device?" he approached the man and asked.
"Y-Yeah," the man nodded. "But the part that can decide where we would go to was already destroyed. Nobody can know where you will end up if you use it."
The Entermate user stared at the device in a moment, then narrowed his eyes. "Alright, I'll go."
"Yusho-san!" the young CEO was startled. "What are you saying? You need to go to the stadium right now. Your Duel is going to start."
Yusho shook his head. "We have no time, Reiji. If we lose this chance, who knows how long we will need to spend to have another one. About the Duel, I'm sorry, but I'll certainly come back and have a rematch with Strong Ishijima." He looked straight at Reiji, firmly saying.
Reiji sighed and looked down. He knew Yusho was right, but even so, it was still too hard for him and Yuya. He didn't even need to imagine to know that Yuya would be teased very much when his father disappeared right before an important Duel.
"Reiji!"
Yusho's voice quickly dragged the DDD user out of his own thought. When he looked up, he realized Yusho was already in the dimension transfer device.
"Take care of Yuya for me. If he's teased because of me, please defend him. I count on you."
Reiji nodded, watching the door of the device was closed. Right later, the middle-age man disappeared in bright light. Biting his lips, he could only hope that Yusho would go to the Xyz dimension.
Don't worry, Yusho-san, Reiji thought. I'll protect Yuya until you come back. I won't certainly let anything hurt him.
~End Flashback~
Reiji shook his head, opening the folder where he saved the information of Lancers Selection. He had no time to waste. Academia could attack this dimension anytime. Only a few days later, Maiami Championship would be opened. Glancing at Pendulum cards beside him, he nodded. It was lucky when they could perfect them in time. He looked at some names to choose the one who would test them before they could use them officially.
"Sawatari Shingo..." he whispered at himself. He knew that boy so clear - an idiot the one who always yelled at anyone that his father was the mayor. He wasn't a bad Duelist, but he was too far to be called a strong Duelist either. Anyway, Reiji would choose him. With his personality, he wouldn't question too much.
~o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
Some days later
Yuya leaned against one of the walls of LDS's hall, staring up the sky. He waited for the Maiami Championship in a long time, but at this moment, he didn't have any excitement at all. Because his important ones weren't here - his father and Yuya. Without them, winning in any tournament was meaningless.
Especially Yuzu.
"Hey, Yuya!"
Yuya shook his head, turning to look at his friend Gongenzaka with the most normal face that he could create. Like him, his tall boy waited for this too long. But there was still something different. "Hey Gongenzaka, are you ready?" he asked, trying to smile.
The tall teenager nodded, then went to him on his heavy sandal. "I miss Sora. It's an innocent and strong boy. I wanted to Duel him badly."
"Me too. But we have to accept it. His parents ordered him to go home immediately."
Saying that, Yuya clenched his fist beneath his sleeves, trying to keep calm. I will never forgive you, Sora. If you hadn't informed Academia about Yuzu, she wouldn't have been taken away. The bastard!
"It's bad, Yuya," Gongenzaka said sadly, "Yuzu can't participate in this tournament with us."
"Yeah," Yuya nodded, trying to smile. "But it's really a luck for Yuzu. I didn't expect that she would get the full scholarship for a training course at American. It's so great. She can participate in the next tournament, although this is really sudden a bit. "
It was right. To prevent everything from becoming chaotic, Reiji and Yuya decided to hide the truth about the disappearance of Yuzu. There were only five people knew the truth: Reiji, Yuya, Dennis, Shuzo and Yoko. Others simply thought Yuzu was sent to American for a Dueling training.
"Hey, Yuya!"
The boy with the red and green hair turned to look when heard the familiar voice. He nodded when saw Eiko, but right after, he was frozen when saw the girl with the short green hair. He was so shocked that he couldn't say anything.
"Y-Yuzu?" Gongenzaka was confused. He thought Yuzu was being in America. Why was she...?
"She isn't Yuzu, Gongenzaka-kun," Eiko shrugged, replying. "She's Hiiragi Rin, one of her distant relatives. Rin is learning in the LDS's branch in America and just return to here for the tournament."
"I see," Gongenzaka nodded. "Then that's why she looks like Yuzu."
Meanwhile, Yuya only stared at Rin, saying nothing. However, he felt more comfortable a bit. Not only Eiko, even the Synchro girl was here either. It meant Professor lost one of his pawn for his crazy plan. And it also meant... Yuzu would be safer.
"Anyway, let's go, Yuya," Gongenzaka said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. We need to go to the stadium now."
Yuya nodded. With the disappearance of Yuzu and Sora, he was the only member of You Show Duel School in Junior Youth class. Looking at children were standing near him, ones who were going to Duel in Junior class - Tatsuya, Ayu and Futoshi, he sighed. He didn't dare to imagine what would happen if they knew Yuzu was actually kidnapped.
"Have a look here!" the voice of the female reporter with the orange hair could be heard in the whole of Maiami city through large screens. "Today, this city's greatest event, the Maiami Championship, is finally about to begin! To say the least, Maiami City is home to the developer of the Real Solid Vision System, the pinnacle of the Dueling industry itself, Leo Corporation! This tournament has gained attention as one of the world's largest, drawing in competitors around the globe!"
She turned to look at the camera when she finally arrived at the stand of the stadium, showing excitement when it was already filled. Then she blinked a few times when heard cheers of the crowd and widened her eyes when saw Akaba Reiji. "Reiji-sama! It's Reijii-sama!" she excitedly shouted. "The main sponsor of this tournament and the current President of Leo Corporation, Akaba Reiji-sama has made an appearance! And in person as well!"
Reiji calmly raised his right hand to greet everyone, although as normal, his face showed nothing. Meanwhile, Reira, his adopted brother, was scared and held his teddy bear tightly. He wasn't used to appearing in front of a crowd.
Yuya was stopped on his way when heard Reiji's name. He turned to stare at the large screen on the wall of LDS's hall. Reiji was one of the rare ones who knew the Maiami Championship this time wasn't a normal tournament. The Synchro dimension was already attacked, and nothing could guarantee that the Standard dimension could be safe until the tournament ended. They weren't allowed to lose their focus.
"Let's go, Yuya," Gongenzaka urged. "We need to appear there in a couple of minutes."
"Yeah," Yuya nodded. But at right that moment, he hit a tall and scary boy. His widened when realized that boy - Ankokuji Gen, the one who used to deride and mortify him for his father. When he didn't still know how to react, that boy spoke up first.
"It's been a while, weakling!" He smirked. "It was before an important tournament, so I was certain you'd run away. Just like your old man."
"What are you saying?"
Yuya asked back, clenching his fist. He couldn't stand it when others said about his father like that.
"I'll never accept that someone like you beat Strong Ishijima!" Ankokuji continued. "I should probably crush you right here and prove what a pushover you really are."
"Tch..."
Yuya gritted his teeth. However, before Ankokuji could do anything, Gongenzaka grabbed his shoulder to stop him.
"Players can enter the stadium in a moment. All competitors, please line up in front of your respective team placards."
The voice of the female reporter resounded. Ankokuji glared at them, then left away annoyingly.
"Try to stay in the tournament until I crush you," he added.
~o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
The main MC of the Maiami Championship, Nico Smiley appeared on the stage of the stadium. He raised his left arm up to attracted the attention, then began his speech.
"Everyone, we apologize for the long wait! The once a year festival for Duelists, the Maiami Championship has begun! I, Nico Smiley, will be running you through this opening ceremony!"
The crowd cheered up excitedly. All of them were waiting for Duels - no more. It wasn't strange.
If only they knew what would happen in the tournament.
"Now then, let the entrance procession begin!"
With angels were created by holograms, players began entering the stadium. As normal, LDS was the first team - they were too strong, the last tournament, they won all classes. Ones who followed them were Ryouzanpaku, a school with the cruel playstyle that others felt worried when dueled against. Then Knight of Duels, an international team from overseas; Surprise School, a school who specializes in Trick Dueling; the school for active idols who are learning Dueling, Duel Girls Club.
And finally, You Show Duel School with Yuya and three children entered the stadium as well. While walking, Yuya looked up Reiji, who was sitting on a chair above them with his mother and Reira, then nodded. He promised that he wouldn't make Reiji disappoint. He would try his best in Duels and look for the best Duelists for their Lancers Selection. Understanding his meaning, Reiji nodded back. Although he was having another concern what he didn't have the time to say to Yuya yet.
"Next, we'll be conducting the oath of fair play! The player's representative this year is..." Nico Smiley stopped in a moment, then pointed at Yuya and continued, "You Show Duel School's Sakaki Yuya-kun!"
Yuya was startled when heard his name. To be honest, he didn't even know why Nico said his name since he was losing in his own thought. "E-Eh? Me!? Why me!?"
"Yuya-niichan will conduct the oath of fair play?"
Children surprisingly repeated, incidentally saying to Yuya what was happening. However, that only made Yuya confused more.
"W-Wait a second!" he stammered. "No one told me about thi-"
Before he could finish his sentence, two men had grabbed him and drag him to the stage then dropped him, making him fall down. Nico Smiley stooped and looked at him. "Yuya-kun, this is another step forward as an Entertainer. Now, if you will..."
Yuya scratched his head and stood up, trying to hide his sigh. He wasn't here to say that oath, he was only here to Duel. But looked like he had no choice.
"Then... well..." he said, turning back to the crowd then raised his right arm up. "O-Oath of fair play!"
Of course, everyone was shocked and fell down because of that. "Yu-Yuya-niichan..." Ayu facepalmed.
"You're way too hyped up..." Futoshi commented.
Even Reiji couldn't hide his shocking face. What are you doing on the Earth, Yuya?
"E-Etou..."
Yuya was really confused. Was he doing everything wrong? Why did everyone react like that? The heck, what should he do?
"Yuya, get it together!" his mother's voice sounded from the stand. "Everyone is watching you, the son of Sakaki Yusho!"
"Mom..."
Yuya whispered. In a moment, a lot of things returned to his mind, especially the faces of his father and Yuzu. "Make everyone smile..." he repeated under his breath. "That's what you want, right, Dad? But the current me is..."
He shook his head, closing his eyes in a moment. What am I thinking? I've been waiting for this in a long time, haven't I?
The young Entermate user opened his eyes, smiling a bit. Then he looked up the stand and began his speech.
"Everyone, please listen to me."
The crowd fell into the silence right later. They curiously looked at him, wondering what he would say, although most of them didn't think that he could say something cool.
"I guess many people of you know, I'm Sakaki Yuya, the son of Sakaki Yusho, the pioneer of Entertainment Dueling. Everyone admired him because he always brought smiles to everyone."
He stopped in a moment when heard the murmur from the crowd. He bit his lips. He wished nothing but saying the truth, that his father wasn't a coward like they thought, in fact, he was a hero who risked his own life to warn about the war and try to stop it. Fortunately, he managed to prevent himself. It wasn't time to say that.
"And like everyone knows, three years ago, my father disappeared right before an important Duel. They called him a coward and furthermore, they teased me. They laughed at my face whenever they had a chance. I tried to avoid, but failed. Then I... began practicing the Entertainment Dueling of my father, to prove them my father's dueling wasn't wrong. But year to year, I realized that the more I practiced it, the more I went away from the Dueling's nature. I only used to it to counterattack ones who teased me, not because I wanted to talk to them or brought smiles."
The murmur totally vanished. Eyes simply focused on Yuya. They didn't expect he could be that sincere when he was stating in an important event, and they knew he didn't still finish yet.
"That is the reason I join in this tournament. It is probably unfair a bit to my father, but I want to say to all of you that I will not duel for my father's honor. I'll give up clearing the name of my father right here. I still want to become an Entertainment duelist, but since this moment, I'll be only here for myself and look for the true meaning of Dueling. I want to regain it, the smile from the bottom of my heart. I want to enjoy Dueling again."
When Yuya finished his speech, the whole stadium was silent in a moment. Then everyone began clapping, showing they were cheering him up.
"Yuya..." Yoko whispered under her breath. "I guess you grew up a bit, huh? Now, show me what you can do, and pass your father. It isn't the problem about winning this tournament or rescuing Yuzu-chan, if you keep chasing after your father's illusion, you can't succeed."
Reiji stared at Yuya and clapped. Although his face was still emotionless, he felt something changing from Yuya.
But Yuya, are you really ready to do what you say? Or exactly, do you realize the real feeling that you give your father yet?
After finished his speech, Yuya returned to his original place. Looking at LDS's students, he smiled when saw Eiko. I was worried you would miss this tournament, he thought. It's lucky when you managed to fix your dimension transfer function on your Duel Disk in time.
"Now then, we will announce the first matches!" Nico Smiley excitedly exclaimed. "All competitors, please put your registration card into your Duel Disk."
Yuya took his registration card out of his pocket and stared at it in a moment. He had to admit that even after his own speech, he couldn't still focus on Duels. It's okay, I can think about them later, he sighed, reminding himself.
"The registration card receives communication from the Tournament Operator's computers, and will guide you to your opponent," the main MC explained while Yuya and other players continued putting their cards into their Duel Disks. "And of course, it will update when you qualify for the next round of the tournament."
Yuya stared at the screen of his Duel Disk, waiting for his opponent. He blinked when saw the image of Sawatari Shingo. He used to meet that boy a few times when he came to LDS for Reiji's plan. To be honest, he didn't like that Sawatari. In his eyes, that boy was only an idiot who always yelled his father's name all times. Oh, it was the son of the mayor.
Anyway, I should still test him a bit, Yuya thought. I can't evaluate his dueling skill through how he behaves. If he had qualified to appear here, he can't be too bad.
"How about you, Yu-"
Yuya asked unconsciously and looked aside, only to remember Yuzu wasn't there. She was already taken away to Academia. He bit his lips, trying to not cry. Seeing that, Eiko sighed and went to him while she was holding Rin's hand tightly. The Synchro user was still feeling confused when she had to try to behave normally.
"Yuzu will be safe," she whispered, trying to not let Gongenzaka and children hear what they said. "Rin is safe right here, we will keep an eye on her and guarantee she will be safe until the tournament ends. If Professor doesn't have all girls, he won't do anything to them. Furthermore, our Fusion counterparts are staying in the Xyz dimension."
"What are you saying?"
Yuya blurted loudly, urging Eiko to motion him to keep silent. "We'll talk when we're more private," she whispered.
However, it was enough to make others startled and immediately went to them. "Hey Yuya, what's up?" the Superheavy user worriedly asked.
"Ah it's nothing," Eiko hurriedly interfered. "I only say to him that I will Duel against Mieru. Everyone rumors she has the ability to prophesy, and Yuya is shocked by that."
It wasn't totally a lie since Eiko would really Duel against Mieru as what she showed others. Of course, she had no idea to lose something as destiny. She would pass that young fortune-teller.
"I'll Duel right after the opening ceremony," Futoshi was excited. "Aww, I want to have a shivering Duel."
"We'll watch you," Yuya said, petting the boy's head. "Try to win."
"Yes, Yuya-niichan."
Futoshi grinned then quickly ran to the dueling area for the Junior class, where he would Duel. Yuya bit his lips, glancing at Gongenzaka. He needed to talk to Eiko and Rin privately, but if his tall friend was there either, it would be hard a bit.
Gongenzaka patted the back of his frozen friend. "Hey Yuya, let's go, or we will miss Futoshi's Duel."
"Y-Yeah."
Yuya said awkwardly then followed his friend. Eiko narrowed her eyes, sighing. She totally understood why Yuya convinced them to hide the truth even with his own friend, but everything was too far. It was right when they hid it to children - they were too young to understand or keep secret, but Gongenzaka needed to know the truth, he, Yuya and Yuzu were best friends.
Yuya chose a seat on the stand and sat down. He stared at Futoshi when the little boy was preparing to Duel, but in fact, he was looking at nothing. He was afraid of talking to Gongenzaka, he could blurt something that he wasn't allowed to say.
"I think we should let him know the truth."
Eiko softly said, sitting down next to Yuya. Yuya turned to look at her surprisingly. Was she joking? They couldn't...
"What truth? Are you hiding something from me?"
Gongenzaka asked confusedly. He knew recently Yuya kept behaving strangely, but he simply thought he was worried so much for the tournament while Yuya wasn't with him. But looked like it wasn't all.
"Should we really speak the truth?" Yuya hesitantly asked back. He didn't want to let his friends worry more than they needed. He thought it would be better if they thought Yuzu was learning in America.
Eiko nodded. "Yuya, your friends are always with you. You don't need to stand everything alone."
"But..."
"No buts," Eiko firmly said, then looked at Gongenzaka. "I'm sorry for hiding you, but Yuzu isn't in America now. She was kidnapped."
"What!?" the tall boy was startled, staring at Eiko without blinking. "Yuzu was kidnapped? What do you mean?"
Eiko bit her lips, then began telling Gongenzaka everything that she knew. The more he listened to her, the more he was shocked. He couldn't believe what the girl with orange hair said. It was too strange, but... it was logical either.
"I know it's hard a bit for anyone to believe, but it's the truth," Eiko added, then glanced at Rin. "This girl isn't Yuzu's relative or something, she's only a girl from the Synchro dimension who somehow looks like Yuzu. Professor wants to get her, that's why we take her here temporarily to protect her."
Yuya nodded to confirm Eiko's story. Then he looked at her when suddenly remembered something. "Did you say you found our Fusion counterparts in the Xyz dimension?"
Eiko nodded. "When I finished fixing the dimension transfer function, I went to the Xyz dimension to look for the bracelet girl as Reiji told me. But when I came there, I learned that that girl was already taken away. But instead of that, I met the boy who kidnapped her and his sister." She shrugged, taking a deep breath. "Oh, you can't believe who they are."
"Don't tell me..." Yuya widened his eyes when began realizing something.
"Yeah," Eiko nodded, "they're Yuri and Serena, ones who we used to see in the folder Revival Zero that Akaba Reo left."
Yuya was shocked. He stared at Eiko in a while to guarantee she was joking with them. Then he sighed and looked at Gongenzaka, who was still shocked because of the sudden story. "I think you understand this, but please keep this as a secret. We aren't allowed to let everyone scared too much. If those guys really come, our mission is to defeat them secretly."
"Y-Yeah," Gongenzaka nodded, then turned to look at Futoshi and his opponent. But to be honest, he didn't still totally understand what was happening to them.
(TBC)
~o0o0o0o0o0o0o0~
Note: As you can see, I changed Yuya's speech. It can probably perfect for canon!Yuya, but here Yuya has a different background, so that speech no longer fits him. I don't know if you like it or not, please tell me what you think.
The next chapter, we'll welcome the debut of Neo Sawatari-sama. I'm sorry for hiding him this long XD