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Regarding the poll, the deadline is 10th May, Wednesday :D
I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter as well~
YOU SHOW DUEL SCHOOL – UNDERGROUND –FUSION DIMENSION
The man, that Yuzu recognized as Yuya's father and her father's senior, also formed the same expression as her when he saw her face. In his eyes, Yuzu momentarily became a child that he last met three years ago.
"You're…Yuzu…?" Yusho said as the image of little Yuzu superimposed on her before she turned back.
Tears were formed in Yuzu's eyes. It was really him. It was really Yuya's father, the one that both Yuya and herself looked up to as Entertainment Duelist. Without further ado, Yuzu rushed to his side while crying happily.
"Uncle! It's really you!" Yuzu said, kneeling on his side while burrying her face on his arm. "Everyone was so worried about you! Yuya, Yoko-san, Dad…!"
Yusho patted her head gently. "I see. I'm sorry for worrying you all."
"But Uncle, why are you here?" Yuzu asked.
"A lot has happened to me. Before I came here, I went to Xyz Dimension." Yusho answered while remembering Heartland.
"Xyz Dimension? But the Xyz Dimenson was invaded by Academia!" Yuzu asked again.
"You seem to be well-informed yourself…"
Yusho proceeded to tell Yuzu and Sora what he have been doing in three years. How he was originally chosen by Reiji to lead the Lancers but he decided to confront Leo by himself with the protoype dimension transfer device but ended up in Xyz Dimension instead. For three years he became a teacher in Heartland Duel School's Clove Branch until Academia invaded. He became part of a Resistance. However, while he was patroling the area, he met the Commander-in-Chief of Academia and then got transported to Fusion Dimension after he defeated the Commander-in-Chief.
Yuzu then also explained to him how Reiji now was leading the Lancers himself and Yuya was one of the chosen Duelists, which surprised Yusho.
"The Leo Akaba that I knew wouldn't do something like this. As someone who used to work with him, I have stop him…!" Yusho tried to stand, but his right leg won't let him. Two students came, telling him it was the time for his treatment. Yusho excused himself, using his crane to walk while his two students helped him walk.
"His leg became like that in his battle against the Commander-in-Chief." Asuka revealed while looking at Yusho worriedly.
Seeing both Yuzu and Sora were covered in dirt, Asuka allowed them to take a bath, providing them with clean clothes. A few minutes later, Yuzu and Sora came back to the same room, feeling refreshed and wearing new set of clothes. Yuzu was wearing a sleeveless white shirt with a pink pad over her chest and shoulders, a pink skirt and a white belt. She was also wearing a pair of white boots. Sora now was wearing a deep blue jacket with green trim over a white t-shirt and khaki cargo shorts over a long black socks and brown boots.
Asuka patted the table, motioning Yuzu and Sora to sit and she will tell them everything.
"Just why exactly Academia started the dimensional war?" Yuzu asked as she took a seat with Sora.
"Academia students are fighting to create a Utopia of peace for everyone. This plan is called ARC Area Project." Sora answered.
"Yes. The Professor's plan is to bring the four dimensions to create a Utopia. But in reality it's a complete subjugation of the other three dimensions…" Asuka frowned as she explained.
One year earlier, the project was officially announced, and the Commander-in-Chief was chosen following the announcement. Asuka wasn't chosen for the first squadron that was formed, but she had planned to join the forces once the order was given. They were taught that ARC Area Project was doing what was right to save the world. And both Asuka and Sora had the confidence to help fulfil that goal. However, Asuka's friend who was sent to Xyz Dimension revealed that not only Duelists, they also carded civilians be it women, children or elderly, everyone who couldn't fight back. Completely defenseless people.
Her friend was severely traumatized and convinced Asuka to escape Academia together. When they did, however, they were caught by the Juvenille Officers, and her friend was carded in attempt to protect her. Seeing her friend got carded horrified Asuka. Fortunately, she was saved by Yusho who just arrived from Xyz Dimension and told Asuka everything he knew of what happened.
"Everyone here…" Asuka said as she looked at the students who were training across their room. "Are kids who have scars in their heart from being dispatched to the Xyz Dimension."
"Teacher thought he could teach these kids that Dueling is for bringing smiles to people. That's why we created this You Show Duel School."
"How about you?" Asuka directed the question to Sora. "Did something happen in Standard Dimension that you change your mind and switch side?"
"To be honest I still think that what Academia is doing is the right thing… But I don't need a Utopia, if Yuzu and Yuya, if my friends become sacrifices for that…" Sora answered sincerely.
"Sora…" Yuzu smiled softly at Sora.
Asuka stood, still looking at the students who were training. "My dream is to save as many students from Academia, and eventually Academia itself…"
"Asuka-san, I'll help you achieve that dream!" Yuzu said while taking Asuka's hands into hers.
"Count me in as well." Sora pointed his thumb at himself.
Asuka smiled at the two. "Thank you. The more people we have the closer we can achieve it."
Their moment was interrupted by three students entering the room, one of them was wearing a yellow Academia uniform and covered in bruises.
"What's wrong?!" Asuka asked.
"We are in the middle of escorting this girl here, but we're attacked by Academia Duelist!" A You Show Student said while carrying the injured former female Academia student.
"What?!"
TOWN – FUSION DIMENSION
6 You Show students were lying injured on the ground, grimacing in pain. Their bodies trembling from their injuries. They couldn't move. It was too hard for them to stand. In the end, they couldn't avenge their friend who got carded by the Academia Duelist standing in front of them, emerging victorious. He was too strong for them.
"Hmm…in the end this is the limit of what you all can do."
Dennis commented while holding the student he has carded. Since he has nothing to do, he decided to patrol around the area, investigating the rumoured underground Duel School that was sheltering traitors from Academia. Lucky for him, he caught them on the act and managed to card one of them. Though some of them managed to get away with the escapee while the rest stayed to avenge their friend whom he carded. A stupid choice to do since they were no match for him.
"You guys did your best. But the show has ended." Dennis was about to press the button to card them until…
"Wait!"
Sora, Yuzu, and Asuka arrived, quickly standing protectively in front of their fallen comrades. Dennis widened his eyes a bit at the sight of Sora and Yuzu. He had heard that not only both Yuri and Barrett have failed to capture Yuzu and Serena, their army have been driven out too. He had expected that the Lancers were still in Synchro Dimension.
"So you're here, Yuzu? And the traitor Sora Shiun'in-kun." Dennis smiled at them like a friend would do.
"You guys know him?" Asuka asked Yuzu and Sora.
"Yes. He was sent to spy on us until Kurosaki exposed his true allegiance!" Yuzu revealed, staring warily at Dennis.
"This is a perfect timing then! I can take you to Academia myself, Yuzu." Dennis activated his Duel Disk.
Yuzu was ready to activate her Duel Disk herself until Sora placed his hand in front of her.
"Yuzu, Asuka, leave him to me! You two bring these guys back to the hideout!" Sora told Yuzu and Asuka.
"I have no business with a traitor like you, but with Yuzu." Dennis said in response to Sora's demand.
"Then you have to beat me first. I'll make this clear: I won't let Academia have Yuzu!" Sora activated his Duel Disk, not taking no for an answer. He turned back to Yuzu and Asuka again. "Hurry! I'll catch up with you!"
Yuzu and Asuka nodded, helping their comrades to walk while telling Sora they will be back to help him. Dennis sighed as he watched his prey leaving while Sora stood firm with his eyes focus solely on him. He had no choice in this now. If he knew it would be like this he should have brought several people or Yuri with him.
"Fine then since you insist so much. I feel a bit bad since you saved me before, but you're the one who brought this to yourself by betraying Academia." Dennis relented to Sora's challenge.
"I really don't like being underestimated. I've watched your Duel against Kurosaki, so I know most of your Deck." Sora warned the orange-haired boy.
[DUEL!]
"I take the first Turn! I activate Magic Card: Toypot from my hand! I discard a card per Turn to draw 1 card from my Deck. If it's a Monster, I can Special Summon it, otherwise it's discarded." Sora discarded Furnimal Wing (ATK: 100 / DEF: 100 / LV: 1) and then drew 1 card.
"I Special Summon Furnimal Bear (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800 / LV: 3)!" Sora Special Summoned his pink-colored bear Monster that he just drew.
"And then I activate Magic Card: Fusion! I Fuse Furnimal Bear and Edge Imp Scissors in my hand! Claws of the demon! Fangs of the beast! Become one and reveal a new form and power! Fusion Summon! Appear! Horrifying beast that shreds everything! Death-Toy Scissor Bear (ATK: 2200 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 6)!" Sora Summoned one of his frequently Summoned Fusion Monsters.
"I Set 1 card and end my Turn." Sora concluded.
Dennis whistled at the Fusion Summon. He had heard of Sora who was one of top students and from that, he knew that the boy's loyalty to their cause was unquestionable. But then why the boy now was here, standing in front of him as his enemy? He will ask that question later.
"My Turn! With Scale 2 Entermage Bubble Gardna (ATK: 800 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 4 / PS: 2) and Scale 5 Entermate Candy Craftsman (ATK: 500 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 2 / PS: 5) to Set the Pendulum Scale! With this I can simultneously Summon Level 3 to 4 Monsters. Pendulum Summon! Come forth!"
Two Monsters appeared on Dennis' Field: Entermate Hat Trickster (ATK: 1100 / DEF: 1100 / LV: 4) and Entermage Flame Eater (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1600 / LV: 4). With two Level 4 Monsters present on the Field, Dennis Overlaid his two Monsters into the Overlay Network.
"Show must go on! Artisan of the air, swing across the stage with grace! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 4! Entermage Trapeze Magician (ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / RNK: 4 / ORU: 2)!" Trapeze Magician emerged on the Field.
"Battle! I attack Death-Toy Scissor Bear with Trapeze Magician!" Dennis declared attack.
"I activate Magic Card: Fusion Cancel! I return Scissor Bear to my Extra Deck and then Special Summon its Fusion Materials back to my Field!" Scissor Bear disappeared from the Field, being replaced with Furnimal Bear and Edge Imp Scissor in Defense Position.
"Then I attack Edge Imp Scissor!" Dennis shifted the attack to Edge Imp Scissor, Trapeze Magician kicked the Edge Imp Monster, destroying it. However, since it was in Defense Position, Sora take no battle damage.
"I Set 2 cards end my Turn." Dennis concluded.
"My Turn! I activate Toypot's Effect! I discard 1 card and draw another!" Sora discarded another Furnimal Wing and drew Furnimal Owl (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 2), which he Special Summoned.
"Since Furnimal Owl is Special Summoned, I can add 1 Fusion card from my Deck to my hand." Sora added the Magic Card Fusion to his hand.
"I activate Furnimal Wing's Effect in the Graveyard! I banish the two Furnimal Wings and draw 2 cards!" Sora drew two cards from his deck. "And then I Release Toypot, allowing me to draw a card!" Sora made his third draw.
"Three draws in one Turn?!" Dennis expressed his surprise.
"From my hand, I activate Edge Nightmate, which let me Special Summon an Edge Imp Monster that was used for Fusion Material from my Graveyard! Come back to me, Edge Imp Scissor!" Sora revived Edge Imp Scissor from his Graveyard.
"I Fuse Furnimal Bear, Furnimal Owl, and Edge Imp Scissor on my Field! Fusion Summon! Appear! Death-Toy Scissor Tiger (ATK: 1900 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 6)!"
"What's the point of Summoning a Monster with lower ATK than my Trapeze Magician?" Dennis asked in mocking tone.
Sora smiled back at Dennis, silently telling him he has a plan. "I activate Death-Toy Scissor Tiger's Effect! When this card is Fusion Summoned, I can destroy a number of cards on the Field up to the number of Fusion Materials used for its Fusion Summon!"
"What!?" Dennis exclaimed.
"There are three Monsters that I used as Fusion Materials! So that means I can destroy your three cards! I choose Trapeze Magician and the Monsters in your Pendulum Zone!" Sora made his choice.
The giant scissor in Death-Toy Scissor Tiger's stomach extended to Dennis' Field and cut the three chosen cards, destroying them.
"Battle! I attack directly with Death-Toy Scissor Tiger!" Sora declared Battle Phase.
Dennis made a shock face as Scissor Tiger rushed to him. But he soon let out a mischiveous smile. "Just joking~ When I'm being direct attacked, I can Special Summon Entermate String Figure (ATK: 0 / DEF: 100 / LV: 1) from my hand!" A clown-like Monster appeared on Dennis' Field.
"This card cannot be destroyed by Battle and I also take no battle damage from it." Dennis explained its Effect. Following the Effect, Scissor Tiger's attack was deflected.
"Sora gritted his candy tight, almost crushing it. "I Set 1 card and end my Turn…"
"Sora-kun, didn't you ask me to tell the Professor that you will definitely fulfil the mission given to you? But yet you betrayed his trust. Why?" Dennis asked the blue haired boy.
Sora went silent for a second before he finally gave his honest answer. "Academia's goal, the Professor's goal is important to me. That was true… But my friendship with Yuya and Yuzu is much more precious to me."
Dennis raised his brow. "So you gave up your loyalty to the Professor for some silly friendship? How pathetic."
"The only reason I was sticking to Academia was because I believed the Professor's goal. Other than that, I have no attachment or whatsoever to Academia. To me, that place was nothing but a prison…" Sora remembered the times he spent there. He and the other students were solely focused on training and didn't have time to make a friend with any of them.
"Yuya and Yuzu gave me happiness, they showed me a fun Duel that I never experienced before! They are my very first friend. And I'm going to give it my all to protect them!"
Dennis stilled as he listened to Sora. He looked down so Sora couldn't see the frown forming on his face. "Prison, huh…"
Sora got that right. He also didn't have any attachment with Academia itself, he was sticking with Academia because he believed in the Professor's goal. During his time there, he never had any fun Duel nor close friends. The very first time he felt fun in Duelling was when he was sent to find Ruri and spying on Xyz Dimension. There, he was captivated by a certain Duelist's Entertainment Dueling. Yusho Sakaki' Dueling. That Duel awakened the entertainment persona inside him. From then on, he pursued to become a great Entertainment Duelist under Yusho's tutelage.
When he found Ruri and the hunting game started, he thought he wouldn't experience such a fun Duel anymore until this time he was sent to Standard Dimension. To his surprise, he met his former teacher's son, Yuya Sakaki, which means that his former teacher was from Standard Dimension. Similarly as his father, Yuya had shown him a great Entertainment Duel. Dueling together with Yuya against Ken and Makoto was the most fun Duel he had since the last time at Heartland. In fact, the Duels he did with Lancers were fun…
"No… everything was done just out of whim. In the end, it's for the sake of the mission. For Academia's goal…" Dennis shook off the feeling. He mustn't let himself becoming sentimental over relationships he made out of whim.
"My Turn! I Summon Entermage Damage Juggler (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4)!" Dennis Summoned a juggler-like Monster to the Field from his hand.
"I activate Entermage String Figure's Effect! I can use it to perform Fusion Summon by Fusing it with other Monster! Acrobat that freely manipulates even the pain! Merge with the infinitely form-changing strings that connect people, and become a new witch that spurs the sky! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 7! Entermage Trapeze Force Witch (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 7)!"
A female trapeze performer-like Monster emerged from Fusion vortex, swirling its staf.
"Hehehe, I'm still an Academia Duelist, so of course I can use Fusion. And then I activate Magic Card: Trapeze Encore! I can Special Summon 1 Trapeze Monster from my Graveyard with its Overlay Units intact by banishing 2 Monsters from the Graveyard! Come back to the stage, Trapeze Magician!" Dennis Summoned back his ace Monster.
"This will be your last Turn, Sora-kun. It's such a shame that we will lose such a talented Duelist like you.
"I activate Trapeze Magician's Effect! I detached all of its Overlay Units to allow Trapeze Magician and Force With attack twice during this Battle Phase!"
"Each of them can attack twice?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Correct! Go, Trapeze Magician! Force Witch! Defeat the traitor with your teamwork!" Dennis pointed at Sora and Scissor Tiger, prompting the two Magicians to move forward to them. "At this moment Force Witch's third Effect is activated! If Entermage Monster I control battles an opponent's Monster, I can lowered that Monster's ATK by 600!"
Scissor Tiger's ATK (1900 = 1300) was decreased by 600 due to the female Trapeze's Effect.
"I activate Trap Card: Death-Toy Festival! When I exactly control 1 Death-Toy Monster and my opponent's Monster attacks, I can negate destruction by Battle and the battle damage I will receive is halved!" Sora managed to prevent Scissor Tiger's destruction, but still received damage from the attack.
SORA LP: 4000 = 1700
"Nice Trap you got there! I end my Turn." Dennis concluded.
"You…you're an Entertainment Duelist like Yuya, right? And I heard you've Duelled together with Yuya before. That doesn't mean anything to you?" Sora asked. While he didn't watch the Duel himself, the way Yuya was talking about Dennis was when someone talked about a fond memory. So when Yuya found out that Dennis was an Academia, Sora could see that Yuya's heart ached.
"Duelling with Yuya-kun is indeed fun, but in the end Academia is more important to me." Dennis answered immediately, voice straight.
"Are you sure about that? Your Duelling is saying otherwise…"
"My Duelling?"
"That flashiness and cheerfulness…those are factors that always appear in Yuya's Duel… We, from Academia, never learned any Entertainment Dueling, all we know is a fierce Duel and our usual hunting game." Sora started to speak while thinking of the difference between Yuya's and Academia's Duelling.
"But yet you learned Entertainment Dueling, I can only thing that either you're influenced by Yuya or his father when you were in Heartland…" Since Yuya's father was in Heartland before and until the invasion, Sora thought it was possible for Dennis to meet Yusho.
"You could've just abandoned that Entertainment Dueling afterwards, but you didn't. The fact you still retaining this Dueling style itself is the prove, that it means more than you're trying to convince yourself." Sora said in serious tone without a single doubt in his mind.
Dennis was felt unnerved as the memories he spent with Yusho, Yuya, and the Lancers began to flash in his mind. The happiness, the joy he felt when spending times with them almost overflowing him. No. He must not be swayed. As he said to himself before, those were just things he did out of whim and nothing more.
"Ridiculous. I'm maintaining this Dueling simply because it's easier for me to blend with people, and certainly made the hunting game more fun. Now, as much as I like for us to converse, we can't do this forever. Start your Turn, Sora-kun…" Dennis smiled, but he narrowed his eyes towards Sora.
Sora closed his eyes for a moment before he started again. "My Turn. I activate Magic Card: Furnimal Full Support! By banishing 2 Furnimal Monsters with the same name in my Graveyard, I can make a Monster I control to attack twice! Go! Scissor Tiger!"
"You're going to attack even thought Tiger's ATK is lower than my Magicians?" Dennis questioned.
Sora merely smiled while showing 1 card that he took from his hand, the card that he just drew. "I activate Quick-Play Spell: Death-Toy Ambush! When a Death-Toy Monster that I control attacking a Monster with higher ATK than itself, it cannot be destroyed and the damage that I will receive instead will be inflicted at you!"
Scissor Tiger slashed its scissor to them, causing the two Magicians to let out a cry of pain, but both quickly recovered.
DENNIS LP: 4000 = 2900
"I end my Turn." Sora concluded.
Dennis sighed. He refused to admit it, but the confident look that Sora gave him regarding his Duelling started bothering him. He will end this Duel in this Turn. "Too bad, Sora-kun. This Turn will be the end for you. I will make sure to knock you out before I card you. That way you won't feel a thing."
"He just ended his Turn like that even though my LP is still higher than him and my Monsters are stronger than his." Dennis glanced at where Sora has Set his 2 Reverse Cards, now there was only one card left. "He still has 1 Reverse Card. He ended his Turn that way most likely to attract my Monsters to attack. But due to Force Witch's Effect My Monsters cannot be targeted by any card Effect… Too bad, Sora-kun. This will be my victory."
"Battle! I attack with Trapeze Magician and Force Witch! This is the end for you, Sora Shiun'in-kun!" Dennis declared confidently as his Monsters began to attack.
"I activate Trap Card: Death-Toy March! When exactly 1 Death-Toy Monster I control is targeted for an attack, I can send 1 Death-Toy Monster from Extra Deck to the Graveyard and then Special Summon 1 Death-Toy Monster from my Extra Deck!" Sora activated his second Reverse Card and then sent Death-Toy Scissor Bear to Summon another Death-Toy Monster.
"Show yourself! Wild ghost-cave beast that bares fangs at all! Death-Toy Sabre Tiger (ATK: 2400 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8)!" Sora Summoned a sabertooth-like Death-Toy Monster from his Extra Deck.
"When Sabre Tiger is Fusion Summoned, I can Special Summon 1 Death-Toy Monster from Graveyard ignoring its Summoning condition! Revive! Death-Toy Scissor Bear!" Sora Summoned back Scissor Bear.
Death-Toy Sabre Tiger's Effect activated at this moment, it increased all Death-Toy Monsters' ATK by 400 for each Death-Toy Monsters that he controlled. And then, Death Scissor Tiger's Effect also activated, increasing all Death-Toy Monsters' ATK by 300 for each Furnimal and Death-Toy Monsters he controlled.
Death-Toy Sabre Tiger ATK: 2400 = 4500
Death-Toy Scissor Tiger ATK: 1900 = 4000
Death-Toy Scissor Bear ATK: 2200 = 4300
"He Summon three Fusion Monsters and increased their ATKs all at once?!" Dennis took a step back, shocked by the sudden turn of table. A drop of sweat formed on his face. This was bad. Really bad.
"Sorry, but your Monsters are the ones going to be destroyed!" Sora pointed at Dennis' Monsters as his Death-Toy Monsters were facing the two Magicians. Trapeze Magician was attacking Scissor Tiger while Force With was attacking Scissor Bear.
Dennis clenched his fists. He looked at the cards in his hand, and nothing that could help him from getting out of this situation. The only thing left was… Dennis gritted his teeth in frustration. Damn it. This was the only way out for him. One that he didn't like but has no choice to do.
"I activate Trap Card: Mirror Damage! When 1 or more Trapeze Monster that I control attacks, I can inflict the total ATKs of the Trapeze Monsters that attacking as battle damage to both player!" Dennis activated his last-ditch Trap Card.
"What?! Then that means–"
Before Sora could finish his exclaim, their Monsters clashed, creating an explosion and strong shockwave that blew both Duelists away and all of their LPs were depleted.
SORA LP: 1700 = 0
DENNIS LP: 2900 = 0
The area was covered in smoke and dust from the impact. Dennis coughed while looking for any sight of Sora. When the area was finally cleared, Sora was nowhere to be seen. Dennis clicked his tongue. The boy was really fast to take the opportunity. No, partly was also because he let his guard down. Patting his clothes from the dust, Dennis decided to return to Academia. He must report to the Professor that Yuzu was in this dimension. That way he will dispatch a squad to look for her and the traitors, and…
"The fact you still retaining this Dueling style itself is the prove, that it means more than you're trying to convince yourself."
Dennis stopped his track when Sora's words replayed in his mind. It wasn't difficult what the boy was trying to tell him. He could guess it perfectly right. The boy was clearly implying that he was in self-denial at the moment. The more Dennis thought about it, the more he felt unease.
"No…I'm not… That's not the case at all…"
DUEL LODGE – HEARTLAND CITY – XYZ DIMENSION
Right now, Yuya was wondering if he was dreaming. Why? Because he was at a park. A one pretty park that he had never seen before. He was supposed to be at Heartland, but now he was at an unknown part. If it wasn't a dream, he didn't know what else. Also, his body was moving by itself. When he saw his arm, he was wearing a Duel Disk that seemed much smaller than his own. When he activated it, the disk has curled with a pattern on each side. The attire he was wearing was also different. He was wearing a sleeved black shirt, a brown pants, and a pair of brown gloves.
He then took out a card. Odd-Eyes Dragon. The card that Yuya used to have before it evolved into Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. He then placed it on his Duel Disk, Summoning the red dragon. When Odd-Eyes materialized, his eyes widened and his mouth gaped in astonishment.
"I can touch it…" He said as he touched Odd-Eyes' head, and then he touched more when Odd-Eyes moved its head in response. "I can really touch it…"
"This is amazing!" Beyond happy, he hugged Odd-Eyes, startling the dragon, but the dragon didn't reject the hug. "It's real… Awesome…!"
"Before I can only listen to your voice. But now, we can do Duels together. For real!" He smiled so wide that his cheeks almost hurt. He just couldn't hide his happiness for finally able to interact with his Monsters.
"We have a lot of training to do from now on. The others also feel the same way." He placed his hands on his waist and huffed, looking at Odd-Eyes. "Let's do our best together, Odd-Eyes."
And responding to his words, Odd-Eyes roared softly before the dragon rubbing itself again to his hand.
Yuya opened his eyes. He saw a ceiling. He was back in his room at the Duel Lodge in Heartland. His friends were sleeping comfortably beside him. Due to the lack of room, the Lancers must share one place to sleep.
After the encounter with Kaito, Yuya, Serena, Gongenzaka, and Sawatari were escorted to the Duel Lodge, a dojo that served as hideout for the Resistance after their previous base were taken over. Not only the Resistance, the refugees also took shelter in this place, including the mother and her two sons that Yuya and the others have helped before. They were in the middle of queing for dinner.
They started their brief meeting with self introduction, starting from the boy who came with Shun to stop Kaito, Allen Kozuki, and then the becspectacled girl, Sayaka Sasayama, who was distributing the dinner until Allen told him to rest since she has done her shift yesterday. Seeing Yuya and Serena's resemblance with Yuto and Ruri, Allen momentarily tought that they were in fact the said two people, especially since Yuya has Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Yuya contemplated on telling them that although not physically, Yuto was here with them, inside of Yuya, but the Phantom Knights user talked him out of it since they won't understand. Fortunately, Shun was quick to clear up that matter. Not only that, the Raid Raptors user has acknowledged Yuya as his comrade, which was a relief for both Yuya and Yuto.
The conversation then changed to the Resistance's situation, or to be precise of what happened during Shun and Yuto's absence. The Academia had launched another full-scale attack that nearly completely decimated the Resistance both from the Spade branch and Clover branch. The attack forced them to relocate to the Duel Lodge. Not only that, one of the victims of the attack were Kaito's family, explained Kaito's hatred and separation from the Resistance. Both Shun and Yuto lamented at the fact that they were not there to help their comrades when needed.
Within that time, Yuya also acknowledged one of his greatest flaws, realizing he was still too immature and naive. He admitted he was being selfish, kept on trying to go about his way by attempting to force open Kaito's heart while he didn't understand Kaito's sadness and pain. He now recognized that by acting this way, he won't be able to reach anyone's heart, let alone be able to help those who have been hurt to smile again.
However, the biggest news for Yuya was his father, Yusho, turned out used to be a teacher of Heartland Duel School's Clover branch, teaching Sayaka, Allen, and Kaito during the peaceful days of Heartland. Three years he went missing and it turned out that he was in different dimension? No one would've ever thought of that. Just when he was happy that he found a clue about his father, Allen angrily told them that Yusho has abandoned them, since all of a sudden he just disappeared.
Of course Yuya didn't believe that was the case. Just like he never believed that his father ran away from Strong Ishijima. There must be a reason why his father went missing. No matter what happened, he will trust his father.
He sat up when he saw not only his ace card but also his pendant was shining.
"Are you okay, Yuya?" Yuto asked.
"Yeah…I'm just having a strange dream. And Odd-Eyes and my pendant are…" Yuya answered while looking at his card and pendant that was shining dim before it slowly returned to normal, surprising the boy.
"This has happened before…" Yuya said, still looking at his card and pendant.
"Yeah. After I was defeated by Yugo, both our dragons' cards were shining, and then I'm inside you now." Yuto recount.
"Now that I think about it, this pendant was what changed my cards into Pendulum Cards." Yuya revealed. When his pendant shined before and changed his card into Pendulum Cards, he didn't really remember and he didn't think much about it until now. Both Odd-Eyes and his pendant weren't just some ordinary card and necklace.
"What's that?" Serena turned to Yuya while rubbing her eye.
"Sorry, did I wake you up?"
"No. I was having a strange dream and woke up." Serena sat up from her futon.
"We're the same then. I also have a strange dream." Yuya chuckled at the coincidence.
"Your card and pendant were shining…" Serena returned to the subject that caught her interest.
"Yeah. This actually not the first time. It happened before but even I don't know the reason why. But I do know it's connected with Yugo, Yuri, and their dragons as well." Yuya explained.
"Don't forget my bracelet and Yuzu's. My bracelet always shines when something strange happen to you, Yugo, and Yuri. And Yuzu's bracelet transported you or them when you're in vicinity." Serena reminded as she was looking at her bracelet with questions in her mind.
Serena turned to Yuya again while showing her bracelet. "It can't be a coincidence. There has to be connection."
"The principal said that Yuzu already has that bracelet since she was born, but never gave a clear answer where did she got it. How about you? Where did you get that bracelet?" Yuya asked.
Serena shook her head. "I don't know myself. As far as I can remember, I always have this bracelet and never even think of taking it off or throwing it away. I feel this is important to me for some reason. I can't explain it…"
"How about your pendant? Where did you get it?" Serena asked back.
"From my father…or so I thought. At least that's what I always believed so… But now that I know it's not an ordinary pendant, and with yours and Yuzu's bracelets, maybe that's not the case…" Yuya extended his pendant to Serena.
With Yuya's permission, Serena took the pendant into her hand so she could take a closer look. At first glance this was just some kind of an ordinary necklace, the same as her bracelet before it was shining.
"Pendulum… cannot swing with malice alone… It's also born from purifying power…" Serena suddenly said.
"Huh?" Yuya blinked hearing Serena's words. The girl also didn't seem to realize it herself.
"Oh, no, it's just... I think it've heard that in my dream. I don't really remember what that dream is though. But I feel it's important to remember it." Serena told Yuya.
A normal person will most likely just shrug something that came from a dream as mere superstition, but with all the recent visions, dreams, and the most convincing was able to hear his Monsters' voices that proved Duel Monsters have souls, Yuya wall all ears of the same thing. And this came from Serena who never joked, so he could take her words.
While Yuya was thinking about his pendant and dragon, Serena's thought was floating elsewhere now that she has said what she wanted to say to Yuya. Ever since her arrival in this dimension, she felt out of a place. Unlike Yuya, Gongenzaka, and Sawatari, she was a former Academia Soldier, a fact that they haven't revealed yet to the Resistance. Was it really okay for her to be here? Did she has the right to be here? While these people here were struggling to keep living from their limited resources, Academia were laughing and celebrating thinking they were heroes.
And another thing, there was also Sayaka. The glasses girl was avoiding her. Whenever their eyes met by a chance, Sayaka always quick to turned her eyes away. When she approached Sayaka when something was needed, the glasses girl kept her head down, never facing her and always make sure that whatever the needed thing was, it was finished immediately so the glasses girl could leave. While Sayaka clearly didn't seem uncomfortable around her, Serena couldn't sense any hostility from Sayaka either. Because she looked like Ruri? Since Sayaka and Allen refered Shun on first name basis, that must mean that they were also a close friend of his sister, Ruri.
"It must be hard to see someone who looks like your close friend is here but your own close friend is still in the enemy's clutches…" Serena thought sadly.
"You're okay?" Yuya asked, noticing the look that Serena made.
"…Yuya, do you think it's okay for me to be here?" Serena finally asked after hesitating for a bit. "I know that there's not really any point to think about this now. I should just focus on trying to right the wrong that Academia made… But still…"
"Not all Academia are bad, right?" Yuya answered simply, surprising Serena. "You and Sora now are our friends. That shows that Academia can change if we show them the right path. People can change…"
"Yuya…"
"You can prove yourself that even though you're formerly Academia, you are our comrade now, by fighting together with us and protect people." Yuya gave Serena one of his bright smile, which Serena couldn't help but return with her own smile.
"Me aside, you do know it won't be easy to change the Academia…" Serena told him.
Yuya nodded in agreement. "I know. But still, when the chances came, I'll show them. I'll show them that Dueling is more than just a fight…"
"But it can also be fun and happy." Serena finished what Yuya was going to say. "I understand a bit what you're trying to accomplish since my Duel with Yugo. That's right, Duel can indeed be fun. Everyone in Academia just never experienced it…"
"Thanks, Yuya. I feel a bit better now. Let's go back to sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow." Serena lied back to her futon while bidding Yuya a small good night.
Yuya was relieved now Serena felt assured even if it's just a bit. He was glad he could eased some of her worries. The tomato headed boy lied back to his futon and closed his eyes. The moment he did so, however, he didn't realize his pendant was shining again. And Serena's words repeated itself in his mind as he slept…
Pendulum…cannot swing with malice alone… It's also born from purifying power…
NEXT CHAPTER PREVIEW:
In attempt to convince Kaito to come back to Resistance, Shun duelled him, but he lost. Serena revealed her former affiliation with Academia to protect Shun from being carded, enraging Kaito who unleashi his anger and hatred to her. Yuya intrude the Duel, allowing Yuto to take over in order to reach Kaito's heart.
FANFIC ORIGINAL CARD MEMO:
TRAPEZE ENCORE: You can Special Summon 1 Trapeze Monster from your Graveyard with its Overlay Units intact by banishing 2 Monsters from the Graveyard
DEATH-TOY FESTIVAL: When you control exactly 1 Death-Toy Monster and your opponent's Monster attacks, you can negate destruction by Battle and the battle damage you will receive is halved
FURNIMAL FULL SUPPORT: By banishing 2 Furnimal Monsters with the same name in your Graveyard, you can make a Monster you control to attack twice.
DEATH-TOY AMBUSH: When a Death-Toy Monster that you controls attacking a Monster with higher ATK than itself, it cannot be destroyed and the damage that you will receive instead will be inflicted to your opponent.
MIRROR DAMAGE: When more than 1 Trapeze Monster that you control attacks, you can inflict the total ATKs of the Trapeze Monsters that attacking as battle damage to both players.
And I changed some OCG Effects, one example is like Death-Toy March, for convenience sake as always.
First of all, sorry for skipping many things, but we thought we should just summarize some things that were already shown in the anime so the chapter won't be too long.
So sorry if this Duel is boring. We're ran out of ideas how to make Sora vs Dennis Duel. If we get new idea, we'll make sure to fix the Duel in this chapter and let you all now.
We decide to add another power for Yuya's Pendulum Pendant other than changing normal cards into and creating Pendulum Cards. You'll see the new power we add in chapter 13 or 14.
About next chapter previews, do you prefer that I include the next chapter title or without title?
Please review :)
