Big thanks to aqua9597, Elbarto4000, Ryujomaru15, dvdryms, Playerhood18, Unknowedz, Ulrich362, Big duels, Yuka Kuroshiro, GamingGuy84, John for reviewing the previous chapter!
Hopefully you'll enjoy reading this chapter.
YUKIYA'S ROOM – KANBARA RESIDENCE – APARTMENT – DEN CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
It's already nighttime, most people already turned off the lights. However, even with the lights out and the others were already asleep, Yukiya couldn't sleep. His mind was too preoccupied by what he overheard this afternoon.
"Speaking about Yukiya, you're not going to tell him?"
"About what?"
"About him being the reincarnation of the Zarc that we knew a year ago…or 15 years ago in this dimension's timeline before being connected to ARC-V."
"Oh, that. I don't think I'll tell him. I told you, right? I want to know Yukiya, not Zarc. I want to know him for who he is now, not because of his past life as Zarc. It's like you said, he is not the Zarc that we knew a year ago."
"Past life as Zarc…" Yukiya murmured while covering his eyes with an arm. He was remembering them again. He was remembering the dreams he saw since a week before Yuya and the others' arrival in this dimension. He continued to have that dream until he met Yuya directly. After that, the dream abruptly stopped. For a moment he thought it was a premonition of him or the sort meeting his new friends, but after hearing Yuya and Yuri's conversation, he started to think more and more.
When he first met Yuya in The Brotherhood's mother computer as Zarc, a sense of longing surged into him and he could sense the same thing from Yuya's eyes. After he logged out from there, the feeling just got even stronger. And then when they met again, Yuya asked him to be his friend with the same face. Once they met in the real world along with the others, he strangely felt like he had known them for long times. Not forgetting that Yuya said things about him like he had known him before they even met. But when Yuya said he reminded him of his friend, Yukiya felt something inside him freezing and pushed him to react negatively to Yuya's remark like he was trying to make it clear he wasn't the friend Yuya was talking about, but immediately after Yuya said he wanted to know him for who he was, that feeling dissipated.
Yukiya had wondered it before, but now he was thinking about it again. Why the name 'Zarc' has always been in his mind? Why Yuya wanted to become his friend this much? Why Yuya talked and behaved as if he knew him even though they just met that time? Why he felt familiar about his new friends in their first meeting? Why he was even dreaming about them before they met like it had truly happened? Why the dream felt so real? With all these questions in his head and the information he overheard, he started placing the pieces together.
"So it wasn't a dream…? It was like some past life memories? That's absurd…is it…?" Yukiya mumbled, covering his entire body with his blanket.
The thought of reincarnation was just absurd. That was what he thought for a second. However, various facts then came. Duel Monster spirits, Yuno's ability to see the future, Apophis, the existence of the original dimension, those weren't exactly normal things or something that can be accepted by a common sense, but yet they were facts. The concept of reincarnation didn't sound so farfetched, especially since times flew differently in this dimension and ARC-V before they were reconnected. He was born in ARC-V and then died and then got reincarnated in the artificial dimension…
"Then…I am a reincarnation of Yuya's friend that he mentioned that time?"
TWO DAYS LATER – CITY SQUARE – AMOSIS CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
"Wow! So this is Amosis?!"
Yuya exclaimed as he and the other counterparts with Yuno, Ryo, Jounouchi, and Kino (wearing clothes that would obscured their identities) watching over them arrived at the said city, admiring the view the moment they stepped foot into the city. They were at the south part of the street that led to the town entrance and exit that has a statue in the middle of the square. North leads toward the castle. The street is lined by residences and a tavern. Among the cobbled streets, there is a mosaic of Alexandria Castle with a star shining above it. When they reached the City Square, there were shops, stalls, and an inn around the square. The ticket office in the middle checks patrons' tickets when they come to see the performance in the main theater building.
"Amosis is one of the cities famous for tourist spot. This city is famous for its street performance and culinary." Yuno explained, smiling in satisfaction at his and Celica's descendants' reaction. To celebrate Yuri and Serena being discharged from the hospital, Yuno decided to take them to a two days trip. He still felt partially responsible for what happened to the two Fusion counterparts, so this was the least he could do to make it up for them. This time, he will watch over them and he had asked several of his men to be on guard from afar without them knowing. He won't let what happened two days ago be repeated again to any of the children. Yukiya was also invited, but he declined because he has a club retreat.
"Hey! Hey! Let's go watch that performance!" Yuya said while pointing at one of the street performers. He didn't wait for their respond and dragged Yuzu with him to the performer despite her protest to wait. Jounouchi followed them, being one of people responsible for watching over them.
"Hey! That meat over there smells delish! Let's buy some!" Yugo pointed at a meat stall with drools coming out from his mouth and then dragged Rin with him there and Kino following behind them.
"They're just like little kids." Serena commented at Yuya and Yugo.
"Indeed. But that's what makes them so cute." Ruri said with a giggle. She then glanced at Serena and noticed something unusual from her Fusion counterpart that she had been wondering since before they departed.
"Serena, you're not wearing your ribbon today?" Ruri finally asked, pointing at Serena's hair that was simply tied with a hair tie.
"I lost that ribbon when being swept by the current. It's nothing really special and it's old anyway, so I don't really mind without it." Serena said. She never remembered how she got that ribbon and always wore it because she felt like wearing it every day. However, it didn't hold a sentimental value or the sort to her.
"But it's a waste…you're cuter when wearing that ribbon. I know! Why don't we buy a new one? There should be one that sells ribbon here!" Ruri suggested, clasping her hands together while looking for shops that look would sell ribbon.
Serena shook her head. "No. It's really fine. Rather than that, I want to eat that." She pointed at a crepe stall nearby. She took Ruri by the hand who then took Yuto's hand and the three walked to the crepe stall. Yuri who has been doing nothing but standing glanced at Serena's back, to be precise her tied hair.
"Do you want to buy a new ribbon for Serena, Yuri?"
Ryo whispered from behind his student, startling the latter who looked behind at him with incredulous eyes.
"What? I never said that–"
"Did you forget our agreement in our last lesson?" Ryo interjected before Yuri could finish, crossing his arms and raised a brow while reminding him of their latest training session. Yuri groaned at the reminder of his latest lost.
"…Never lie to you…" Yuri answered with a pout, making Ryo smiled in satisfaction.
"That shop over there sells ribbon. You can buy it there. If you are too embarrassed to go and buy alone just ask Yuya and Yuzu to come with you." Ryo pointed at a shop behind the ticket stall. It has a pristine white-colored wall and various colorful decorations with accessories on display behind transparent glass. You could see girls or couples inside the shop.
"No way–"
"All right. Let's go. Yuya! Yuzu! Yuri needs your help!" Ryo purposely ignored Yuri's protest, calling out for the two Pendulum counterparts while pushing Yuri towards the shop.
ACCESSORY SHOP – CITY SQUARE – AMOSIS CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
Three minutes later, Yuya, Yuzu, and Yuri were inside the shop, standing the at the ribbon section and started choosing ribbon that they think would fit Serena. Yuri twitched at his mentor who instead coming into the shop with him was simply watching from outside together with the Oracle. From the fact they were making, they seemed to be enjoying to place him in this kind of situation. And as much as Yuri wanted to pay them back, he sadly knew that his skill was still nowhere near the both of them.
"How about this one? Serena often wears red clothes." Yuzu suggested a red-colored ribbon.
"But don't you think it's boring to give her ribbon with color that is the same as her clothes? I think it's better giving her a ribbon with different color for a change." Yuya said while pointing another ribbon with blue color.
"I feel so stupid being here. I'll just leave this to the two lovebirds." Yuri said with annoyance. His remark, as he expected, caused the two Pendulum counterparts to blush and let out words of embarrassed denial. Yuri sighed even more. Why didn't they just come out from their friend zone?
"Anyway, I'm out of here." Yuri waved his hand to the two, attempting to leave. Key word 'attempting' as Yuno, before the three of them realized, has disappeared from Ryo's side and appeared blocking Yuri's way.
"You're the one who wants to buy Serena a new ribbon, so you should be the one who stays." Yuno was holding Yuri's shoulders so tightly that the latter couldn't move despite his struggle.
Meanwhile, Yuya and Yuzu were still recovering themselves from Yuri's remark, looking away from each other while trying to hide their reddened face.
"Do the two of us look like that?" Yuya wondered, meekly gazing at Yuzu. He had asked Yuto for advice a few days ago, convening to him regarding his feeling for Yuzu. However, Yuto's advice was simply taking Yuzu on a date of give her a present and then confess his feeling immediately to her. Like he can do that so easily! And to make it weirder, Yuto had a very confident smile that Yuzu would accept his feeling when he gave the advice. How could he be so sure Yuzu would return his feeling?!
"Then, can this be considered a date?" Yuzu thought nervously, covering cheeks with her hands. Her heart was beating fast. Ruri told her yesterday night that she can use this opportunity to get closer and then confess to Yuya. True, she has decided to advance to the next level instead of staying in friend zone, but confession now? And why Ruri made a face that was saying Yuya would be elated and accept her?!
Unable to hold it any longer, Yuya and Yuzu turned to each other again, opening their mouths to speak. However, instead of seeing each other's faces, ribbons were covering pushed to their faces by Yuri who didn't look so pleased.
"Knock it off you two and let's get this over with so I can get out from this place." Yuri told them, glaring at Yuno who was watching with not so innocent smile.
"R-right! I-I think we should go with this one after all!" Yuya said while holding the blue ribbon.
"No. I think we should go with the red one!" Yuzu disagreed while holding the red ribbon.
"Okay, I have watched enough. Yuri, you've been friends with Serena since little, right? You should know what kind of ribbon that would suit her." Yuno finally interfered, getting between the three.
"I never buy something for a girl." Yuri replied. It wasn't exactly true though. When they were little, he made a bookmark made from pressed moonflower petals that he made for Serena but he didn't get to give it to her. Now that he thought about it, the bookmark was still in his childhood notebook that he was still carrying. It was inside his bag.
"It doesn't matter. You know what she likes, right? Just choose the ribbon based on that." Yuno told the confused violet haired boy while pointing the ribbons. He was looking at Yuri with anticipation that made him a little bit uncomfortable.
Yuri sighed in defeat and finally looked at the ribbons. He eyed the ribbon one by one until his eyes stopped at one certain ribbon. It was white colored ribbon with shades of yellow. His hand reached for the ribbon and looked closer, looking at it from every single angle. This was perfect. This would do.
"This one." Yuri said while showing the ribbon.
"This one is pretty. But why this?" Yuzu asked.
"It's a color of moonflower. She always likes them." Yuri answered, recalling their childhood times when they were spending times in the garden, how Serena always took care of the flower bank filled with her favorite moonflower. Without him realizing, his face softened while reminiscing, something the other three noticed.
"If only he's like this from the very beginning, we would have liked him more." Yuzu said quietly to Yuya and Yuno while glancing at Yuri who was paying the ribbon at the cashier.
"Yeah. If he is like this all the time, everyone would have easier approach to him." Yuya agreed, whispering as well.
"When he is like this he is kinda cute. He should stay cute like this all the time." Yuno said with snicker, causing Yuya and Yuzu to giggle as well.
"I can hear that you know." Yuri said sharply, twitching in annoyance. Damn. How could he let his guard down in front of these three? At least it's better than being in front of Yugo.
MAIN STREET – AMOSIS CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
10 minutes later, they gathered together again and headed to the main street to go to the hotel where they will be staying. They already have their eyes and stomachs full from buying foods and various things from the stalls and shops even though they haven't even reached half a day yet.
"Hey, that's…!"
Yugo pointed at a group of students wearing Den Academy uniform gathering in front of the hotel lobby. Amongst the students, they noticed two certain people whom they immediately recognized at first sight. They were standing out in their eyes.
"Yukiya!" Yuya called out to the silvernet.
"Aoi-san!" Ruri called out to the brunet.
Yuya and Ruri were the first to approach the group, followed by the others. The two people whose name were called turned to around to the people who called them and saw Yuya and Ruri coming towards them.
"You're…Ruri…!" Aoi recognized the younger girl. Even though they had only met once, she remembered the girl. For some reason, the girl left a quite impression that she remembered.
"The two of you knew each other?" Yukiya looked between Aoi and Ruri.
"We happened to meet when I distribute the fliers to look for Brother." Ruri said.
"So you're also a student of Den Academy?" Aoi asked. Now that she thought about it, the jacket around Ruri's waist when they first met did look like Den Academy jack uniform.
"You too, Aoi-san. And you're also a member of Duel Club." Ruri said, turning to the group that consisted of eight people who all wearing Duel Disks and converse about Duels.
"Yes. The middle school and high school Duel Club is having a joint retreat. Right now we're going to the Duel Field at the Forest Town." Hosoda, the president of high school Duel Club who was a glasses boy with short hair and thick lips explained as he greeted them.
"So this is where you're having your retreat. It's a coincidence that we're having a trip in this city." Yuya turned again to Yukiya, happy to meet him. When Yukiya said he couldn't come he was disappointed, but now that they were not only at the same city but also staying at the same hotel, they can hang out together when Yukiya has free time from his club.
"Yeah…" Yukiya replied softly. Yuya noticed that he wasn't as energetic as he usually did. There was something bothering him.
"Why don't all of you join them?" Yuno suggested, making everyone turned to him.
"Huh? But this is their club retreat. We wouldn't want to bother them." Yuto said since they were not club members.
"It's fine. The more the merrier. We don't have that many members so having you join us would be good additions." Hosoda allowed them. The other members also didn't have any qualms with eight more people joining them.
"Joining activities like this will deepen your friendship and broaden your horizon. You'll also know more about this city. Come on, I'll handle the luggage and rooms in the hotel." Yuno pulled his descendants and the girls to him, whispering to them so the club members couldn't hear them.
"I have a vision. It's vague, so the only thing that I know is something big will happen around the forest town. I want you to check. If something happen, tell me." Yuno whispered. For once he hoped his vision was having a false alarm. He didn't want to ruin their supposed fun and relaxing trip. Just in case, he had asked Jounouchi and Ryo to watch over them from afar. Yuya and the others nodded in understanding and then turned to the Duel Club.
"Okay, then. If you don't mind with us going." Yuto answered, accepting their invitation.
"Welcome to the Duel Club for the day." Hosoda welcomed them with open arms, which followed by the other club members.
While the club members started a conversation with their temporary members, Yukiya eyed Yuno and his aides. Yukiya was talking to Kino. This morning before he went to where his club was gathering, he did a little hacking on The Brotherhood again. This time he was even more careful, so he didn't think he has left any trace. From that, he learned that Yuno has appointed Kino to go to ARC-V. Since Heidel has appointed himself and his team to go for negotiation, Yuno decided to send some of his men too as neutral faction. Yuya had told him before about the Lancers and the war he was in a year ago. If it was in ARC-V, he'll surely find database about it, and possibly clues about his so-called past life.
"Linkuriboh, I want you to follow him and do something for me." Yukiya summoned Linkuriboh in its apparition form. He couldn't go to ARC-V himself since it would earn him suspicion. Plus, he didn't want Yuya and the others to find out about this yet. He wanted to make sure of it himself before talking to them. The least he could was sending one of his most trusted monsters.
"Kuri!" Linkuriboh changed its size smaller and slipped itself into Kino's hoodie.
Yukiya gave Linkuriboh one last look before leaving with the Duel Club.
DUEL FIELD – FOREST TOWN – AMOSIS CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
The Duel Field at the forestry area within the city was located between the road that connected to the city square and the road connected to the fortress that was protecting the city, the Amosis Fortress. It was a small dome-like building where necessary facilities from real-life Duel and online Duel were available. It wasn't a place that could be used freely whenever you like, anyone who wants to use it must make a prior reservation. Furthermore, the cost to use the place for a day wasn't cheap either. Den Academy Duel Club could only use the facility once every three months with their club fund.
"I know that everyone must have already known this, but still, we will explain various rules of Duels that we all know before starting our activity." Hosoda officially opened their activity by explaining various rules such as Master Duel and Speed Duel using LCD screen.
While listening, Yuya looked at Yukiya beside and noticed that Yukiya looked quite pale. When they met earlier he was also not as energetic as he usually does. Ever since they left the hospital the day Yuri and Serena regained consciousness, Yukiya was acting not quite himself. Was he exhausted from the recent research to find the cure for the virus that caused people going berserk? Yukiya mentioned he was working together with Lilac's squad in developing a vaccine. Yukiya himself once mentioned if he was too engrossed in his computer-related work, he could spend an entire day inside his room without eating properly, something his older sister and parents often scold him for.
"Yukiya, what's wrong? You don't look well." Yuya finally asked, growing worrier by the second.
"I'm fine. I'm just a little bit sleepy. I didn't get much sleep last night." Yukiya forced a smile. True, he didn't get so much sleep last night, but his main reason was he didn't know how to act around Yuya with all these questions coming into his mind yet he didn't dare to ask the latter.
"Do you want to go back to the hotel and rest? We can ask the club president and I'll take you there." Yuya offered. He placed a hand on Yukiya's forehead to check his temperature just in case. Fortunately, there was no fever.
"This is nothing. I can still go. Everyone has been looking forward to this trip." Yukiya patted Yuya on his back to assure him. It took everything he has to act as if he was okay. He felt bad for lying and making Yuya worried, but he really didn't want to talk about the problem now.
"If you feel tired just tell us, okay?" Yuya said before turning to Hosoda's explanation again.
"Yeah. Thank you." Yukiya smiled at him before turning to the explanation. Until he knew all the facts, he will refrained himself from asking and try to act normally. He will forget about his problem for this one day and have fun together with his friends.
The explanation was not long and only spent around 20 minutes and then they moved to their main activities. The activities were separated into two. First being real-life Duel and second being VR Duel. The club members were required to choose which one they want to do first. Yuya and the others were quick to blend in. While waiting for their turn, Ruri and Aoi were sitting together, continuing their conversation from their last meeting.
"I'm sorry. Even with my brother's connection, we still can't find your brother or even any clue about him." Aoi apologized. Soon after receiving the flier, she called her brother and asked for his help to use his connection to find Ruri's missing older brother. However, days passed, even with her brother's wide connection, they couldn't find any trace of Shun Kurosaki. It was almost like the young man was non-existent.
"It's okay. I appreciate your help. Your feeling is more than enough." Ruri assured the older girl. She was a bit disappointed that even with the Aberforth Enterprise's connection her brother was not found. Either her brother was hidden somewhere very isolated that no one would know or her brother was hiding this track very well.
"How about you, Aoi-san? Are you okay now with your brother?" Ruri asked, deciding to change the subject. There was no use to keep worrying now.
"No. I haven't spoken to him yet. He was busier these days and I have things in my mind." Aoi replied. Her expression was that on confusion.
"You have a new problem?" Ruri asked.
"I won't exactly call it a problem. Rather…I'm just confused about myself…" Aoi trailed off. Ever since her Duel against Canaria, Aoi has been wondering what she truly wanted to do. After their parents passed away, her older brother also felt like a parent to her while she was like an only child. She started Dueling, becoming Blue Angel because she was inspired by the storybook her older brother read to her when she was little. Reading that book inspired to become a hero of her own story and help people. At first it was fun and she was proud of herself as Charisma Duelist. But then her brother became one of Heidel's most trusted men and became overly protective of her. To make it worse, she now was used as some sort of political tool.
"It's scary…having a dream and not chasing it, spending your entire life fooling yourself into thinking that you're helping people and what you have now is enough…" Aoi's face saddened. She felt she has failed herself.
"In that case you need to do the thing that makes you the happiest. If you don't you're only ignoring yourself." Ruri said calmly, making Aoi looked at her.
"This still has something to do with your brother right, Aoi-san? From your story before, I think you've been spending your life trying to live up to what others expected of you while also considering your brother's position in his work. Rio-san and I have already told you that it is precisely because you are family the two of you must speak honestly to each other. But more than that, this is also about what you truly believe." Ruri placed a hand on Aoi's shoulder, smiling encouragingly for the older girl.
"I know it's hard, but if you keep delaying things and let moments pass, you might not get another chance to talk about this. If you put it off, it'll just make things harder on everybody. It might be that nobody likes what you're going to say, but no matter what happens, I'm sure you brother will be on your side." Ruri could tell that despite not related by blood, Aoi has a close relationship with her brother. The way Aoi loving her brother means her brother must have cared for her with love and attention she needs.
"How can you be so sure of that?" Aoi asked.
"Because from the way you talked about your brother, I can tell he cares for you very much." Ruri said confidently.
Aoi blinked at Ruri before her lips curved into smile. "Ruri…you're so mature even though you're younger than me. As the older one I feel ashamed of myself." She said to Ruri in awe.
"This is nothing, Aoi-san. I can say these things only because it was based on my own experience with my brother." Ruri replied modestly.
"You two are becoming close very fast." Yuto said as he offered a water for Ruri, taking a seat beside her.
"It doesn't look the two of you just knew each other." Yuzu added, also offering a water to Aoi who accepted it with gratitude.
"Aoi-san, this is my…youngest twin sister Yuzu. And this is my boyfriend, Yuto." Ruri introduced Yuzu and Yuto, her hand gesturing to the said two.
"It's nice to meet you." Aoi greeted politely.
"It's nice to meet you too, Aoi-san." Yuzu and Yuto said together, bowing politely.
"Thank you for your help in looking for my best friend, Shun." Yuto thanked the older girl.
"I did nothing. I only asked my brother for help. It was my brother's connection who did the searching. And they didn't even find anything." Aoi replied, feeling useless. She truly wanted to help Ruri. She didn't know why, but she took a quick liking for the younger girl. Maybe because she could empathize with her due to their love for their brothers. Speaking with Ruri just now made her like her even more.
"It's the thoughts that count for me. I'm sure Kuro– I mean my brother will appreciate it too if he is here." Yuzu said, hoping Aoi didn't notice her slip. It was difficult to get used to refer Kurosaki as her older brother even though it was only for a front. Fortunately, Aoi didn't seem to notice her slip.
"Enough about that. How about you, Yuzu?" Ruri turned to the pink haired girl beside Aoi, changing the subject.
"About what?"
"Have you confessed to Yuya like I told you to?" Ruri asked, still remembering their conversation last night. The question caused Yuzu to drop her drink and she immediately covered Ruri's mouth with her hand.
"D-don't say it so loud!" Yuzu was blushing mess as she frantically looked around to make sure no one other than Aoi heard them.
"From your reaction, you haven't confessed. Even though our walk in the city square was a perfect chance. What's holding you back?" Yuto asked as well, sighing in disappointment. And from this, it means Yuya didn't confess either like he has told him to last night.
"W-what's with you two?! You talked as if everything will be 100% okay!" Yuzu yelled in half-whisper. She couldn't believe these two Xyz counterparts!
"It would be 100% okay because the two of you like each other!" Yuto and Ruri replied in their minds together at Yuzu's retort. Just how much of ditz their Pendulum counterparts are?
"So Yuzu likes Yuya-kun?" Aoi whispered to Ruri.
"Yuya actually also likes her. But as you can see the two of them are so dense because they are childhood friends." Yuto whispered back, forming a circle of three that excluded Yuzu from their conversation.
"It's understandable. That's why they must confess or else they will never make any progress." Aoi nodded in understanding.
"I can't hear what you're saying, but I know that you're talking about me and Yuya!" Yuzu protested loudly without her realizing.
"What about me?" Yuya asked. He approached the four of them after hearing the commotion and his own name being mentioned.
"Y-Yuya! N-no! It's nothing!" Yuzu instantly stood up, her arms flailing and her face red.
Yuto, Ruri, and Aoi sighed. Yuto stood and walked to Yuya. He stopped right beside him and spoke with barely audible voice that only Yuya could hear.
"Stop being a chicken and confess already." Yuto told his Pendulum counterpart, making the tomato-haired boy's cheeks became tinge of pink.
"S-shut up! I-I have my own way and my own time!" Yuya retorted with equally barely audible voice that only Yuto could hear.
Before Yuto could reply, a loud sound caught their attention. They turned to the window that showed the scenery of trees outside and then spotted a thick black smoke that seemed not too far from the Duel Field, which followed by another loud sounds that sounded like explosion.
"Hey? What's with that smoke?" A club member questioned worriedly.
"It might be a fire, let's check it out!" Yugo suggested. This was the good opportunity to make an excuse to go out. He turned to his counterparts and the girls. They nodded. This was most likely the big happening that Yuno told them about.
"Hey! It might be dangerous! Don't!" Hosoda warned them.
"We have to make sure of it first! If it's really a fire, then we need to get out of here!"
ENTRANCE GATE – AMOSIS FORTRESS – AMOSIS CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
Yuya and his counterparts which followed by all club members who were also curious. Once they reached the place where the smoke came from, they were horrified to find the entrance of the fortress in flame with many guards in charge of protecting fort lying on the ground covered in wounds. Some were close to dying and some were already beyond saving.
"Hey! Are you okay?" Yuya noticed a wounded guard who was still alive, writhing in pain. Without thinking and despite his friends' protest, he approached the guard out of concern, checking his wounds. Yuya gasped at the severity of the injuries. He must be taken to the hospital as soon as possible.
"Yuya-kun! Don't be so reckless!" Aoi told him, grabbing him by the shoulder and tried to convince the boy to retreat back but Yuya refused to leave the guards who were still alive. Aoi couldn't blame him for thinking so. She felt sick seeing how severe the guard's injuries and she could understand that he wanted to help, but if they were seen by whoever attack them it will be the end.
"Hey, isn't this dangerous? We have to return to the town and call for help!" A club member said. He was starting to get scared and so did the others.
"What's this? A bunch of brats?"
A group that consisted of four men emerged from the smoke. They were wearing matching dark grey-violet coat with sleeves rolled up to the elbows; with silver lining designs, an emerald turtle-neck shirt underneath, tan bare baggy pants, dark black boots and hand to wrist cover fingerless black gloves with straps. The five of them were also wearing matching Duel Disks with orange-colored energy blades.
"Those clothes! They are mercenaries!" A club member recognized them.
"They did this?!"
"Let's take care of them. We can't afford to have any eye witnesses." One of the mercenaries wearing blue bandana said, prompting the others to turn their attention to the students.
The students all stepped back, trembling in fear as the four men were closing in. They wanted to run, but they were too afraid that they couldn't. And these men were able to defeat all the guards and did this much damage means they were skilled Duelists. They didn't have the confidence to face against them in a Duel that they knew they wouldn't win. However, amongst them, there were people who thought otherwise. Yuya, Yukiya, Yuto, Yugo, and Yuri blocked the other students from the five men's view, facing bravely against them, activating their Duel Disks.
"Guess again, old men." Yuri sneered at the mercenaries.
"All of you go on ahead, we'll buy some time!" Yuto told the other students behind them.
"But it's too dangerous! You're against mercenaries!" Aoi strongly objected. At the same time, she was also shocked and amazed that the five boys were able to stand tall and bravely against men much older and clearly experienced assassins without any sign of fear.
"That's why you must call for help now! Do you think we can outrun them so easily?!" Yugo retorted, pointing towards the way where they came from. Yugo gestured to the girl counterparts to take care of the rest. The girls got what he meant and confirmed it.
"If all of us run and got killed, how can we ask for help? Go and get help now!" Yukiya added. This seemed to have finally convinced the other club members. If they thought logically, it made sense. Even if they run, the men could catch up to them in no time. But if some of them stay and stall some time until they were able to get help, at least not everyone would get killed.
"Let's leave this to them. They can at least hold on until we get help!" Ruri told Aoi and the rest of the club members. They were hesitant at first but begrudgingly relented and started running one by one.
"Hold on until helps arrive, okay? We'll definitely get some help for you!" Aoi told the boys one last time before she left with Ruri and the others, leaving them against the four mercenaries.
"Oh? So you're challenging us? Some cocky brats you are." A man with black bandana said mockingly at the four boys.
"We won't hold back just because you are brats." A man with red bandana said condescendingly.
"By all means please give everything you got. It won't be fun if we defeat you so easily." Yuri mocked back.
"The Duel will follow Master Rule 3, meaning each Duelist has 5 Monster Zone and 5 Spell & Trap Zone. All Duelists cannot attack during their first Turn!" Yuya set the condition before they finally begin the Duel.
[DUEL!]
"I'm taking the first Turn! From my hand, I summon Silent Magician LV4 (ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4)!" Yuya summoned Silent Magician in Attack Position.
"I set 2 cards and end my Turn." Yuya concluded his first Turn.
"Hmph. Summoning a pipsqueak like that. You're lucky we cannot attack on out first or else I would have already destroyed it." Red Mercenary sneered at Yuya's Silent Magician.
"My Turn! Draw!" The moment Red Mercenary began his Draw Phase, Yuya made a declaration of his move.
"I activate Silent Magician's effect! Each time my opponent draws a card; I can place a Spell Counter on Silent Magician LV4 and it gains 500 ATK!" Yuya placed the first Spell Counter on the Magician and increased its ATK to 1500.
"From my hand, I summon Shine Abyss (ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 4)!" Red Mercenary summoned Shine Abyss in Attack Position.
"And then I activate Equip Spell: Mask of Brutality! Monster equipped with this card will have its ATK increased by 1000 and DEF decreased by the same amount! During my Standby Phase, I must pay 1000 LP or else the card is destroyed." Red Mercenary equipped the mask to Shine Abyss, increasing its ATK to 2600 while decreasing its DEF to 800.
"There are 9 of us. You'll lose your LP if you continue to equip that card." Yuri told the red bandana mercenary, although he knew the mercenary must have prepared a backup for this.
"Which is why I have this card with me! I activate Continuous Magic: Masked Doll! I can negate the cost effect of Mask of Brutality!" Red Mercenary negated the LP cost effect of Mask of Brutality, allowing him to keep the Equip Spell without paying any LP.
"I set a card and end my Turn." Red Mercenary ended his turn.
"My Turn! I summon Speed Warrior (ATK: 900 / DEF: 400 / LV: 2)!" Yugo summoned Speed Warrior in Attack Position.
"And then I activate Magic Card: Double Summon! I can Normal Summon monster one more time!" Yugo summoned Tuner Monster Junk Synchron (ATK: 1300 / DEF: 500 / LV: 3) in Attack Position following Speed Warrior.
"I tune Speed Warrior with Junk Synchron! Synchro Summon! Level 5! Junk Warrior (ATK: 2300 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 3)!" Yugo Synchro summoned Junk Warrior in Attack Position.
"I set a card and end my Turn." Yugo concluded.
"My Turn! From my hand I summon Masked Witch Doctor – Cursed Gyura (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 800 / LV: 4)!" Blue Mercenary summoned Cursed Gyura in Attack Position.
"And then I activate Equip Spell: Mask of the Accursed Soul! I can equip this card to my opponent's monster! The monster equipped with this card cannot attack and if the controller controls that monster without any other monsters on the Field, I can attack directly! The controller of the equipped monster also takes 500 damage during each Standby Phase!" Blue Mercenary equipped the card to Yugo's Junk Warrior, sealing its attack and Yugo received 500 damage.
YUGO LP: 4000 = 3500
"I end my Turn." Blue Mercenary concluded.
"My Turn! From my hand, I summon Gagaga Magician (ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4)!" Yuto summoned Gagaga Magician in Attack Position.
YUGO LP: 3500 = 3000
"Since I control a DARK Monster, I can special summon Black Claw Crow (ATK: 900 / DEF: 600 / LV: 2)!" Yuto summoned Black Claw Crow in Attack Position from his hand via its effect.
"And then I activate Magic Card: Shadow Movement! I can copy the effect of a Magic Card in Graveyard! I copy Double Summon to Normal Summon a monster one more time!" Yuto copied Yugo's Double Summon to Normal Summon Magical Undertaker (ATK: 400 / DEF: 400 / LV: 2) from his hand in Attack Position.
"I activate Gagaga Magician's effect! I can change this card's Level to between 1 and 8!" Yuto changed Gagaga Magician's Level to 2.
"I overlay Gagaga Magician, Black Claw Crow, and Magical Undertaker! Xyz Summon! Rank 2! No. 96: Dark Mist (ATK: 100 / DEF: 1000 / RNK: 2)!" Yuto summoned Dark Mist in Attack Position.
"Oh? A Number Monster? Never thought a brat like you has an ultra-rare monster like that. I'm going to take that card once we finished you off." Blue Mercenary looked at Dark Mist with amazement while looking down on Yuto.
"Only if you win that is. I set a card and end my Turn." Yuto finished his Turn.
"My Turn! Draw!" Yellow Mercenary started his Turn. Right after he drew, Yuya made his move.
"At this moment I activate Silent Magician LV4's second effect! During the Standby Phase of my next turn after the 5th Spell Counter is placed on this card: I can send this face-up card with 5 Spell Counters on it to the Graveyard to Special Summon 1 Silent Magician LV8 from my hand or Deck!" Yuya revealed, sending Silent Magician LV4 and its 5 Spell Counters to the Graveyard.
"What?!"
"Appear! Silent Magician LV8 (ATK: 3500 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 8)!" Yuya summoned the adult and powered up version of Silent Magician in Attack Position from his Deck.
"A Monster with ATK of 3500?!"
"And during my Turn…!"
"Don't panic! Don't forget that we still have cards that can beat it."
"Yeah! I summon Holy Doll (ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4)!" Yellow Mercenary regained his composure and summoned Holy Doll in Attack Position from his hand.
YUGO LP: 3000 = 2500
"I set 2 cards and end my Turn." Yellow Mercenary finished.
"Finally it's my time. My Turn! I activate the Continuous Magic: Antique Gear Fortress!" Yuri activated his Continuous Magic Card. With the start of his Turn, Yugo received another 500 damage as he was still in his Standby Phase.
YUGO LP: 2500 = 2000
"Next up I activate the Magic Card: Antique Gear Catapult! When I have no monster on my Field, Antique Gear Catapult can destroy one of my face-up cards. Then, I shall destroy Antique Gear Fortress!" Yuri destroyed his Continuous Magic right after he activated it, surprising the others.
"He destroyed his Continuous Magic right away!?" Blue Mercenary stared at Yuri incredulously.
"So he is just an amateur who talks big." Red Mercenary sneered.
"No. I'm not making any mistake. By destroying a card with Antique Gear Catapult, I can Special Summon Antique Gear Gadget from my deck!" Yuri summoned Gadget in Attack Position from his Deck.
"And when Antique Gear Fortress is destroyed, I can Special Summon Antique Gear Wyvern from my hand!" Yuri summoned Wyvern from his hand in Attack Position.
"When Antique Gear Wyvern is Normal Summoned or Special Summoned, I can add an Antique Gear card besides itself from the deck to my hand!" Yuri added Reactor Dragon from his Deck to his hand, his eyes glinted with excitement.
"All right, here I go… Once per turn, I can treat Antique Gear Gadget as a Gadget monster. I treat Antique Gear Gadget as Red Gadget, and release it along with Antique Gear Wyvern in order to Advance Summon! Come on out! Level 9! Antique Gear Reactor Dragon (ATK: 3000 / DEF: 3000 / LV: 9)!" Yuri summoned Reactor Dragon in Attack Position.
"See? I didn't make any mistake." Yuri said to the mercenaries as he looked at his newly summoned monster.
"I set a card and end my Turn." Yuri concluded.
"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Chosen One! I select one monster card and two non-monsters cards from my hand, place them face-down, and randomly select one. If it is the monster, I can summon it, ignoring the summoning conditions, but if one of the non-monster cards is selected then all cards selected are sent to the Graveyard!" Black Mercenary chose the three said cards and randomly placed them face down. He chose the card on the left and revealed it. Meanwhile, Yugo received another 500 damage.
YUGO LP: 2000 = 1500
"Here it is! I summon Masked Demon Beast – Death Guardius (ATK: 3300 / DEF: 2500 / LV: 8)!" Black Mercenary summoned Death Guardius in Attack Position without tributes thanks to Chosen One's effect.
"Hahaha! Be prepared once my next Turn start! We will obliterate you all! I end my Turn." Black Mercenary declared before ending his Turn.
"My Turn! From my hand, I summon Draconnet (ATK: 1400 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 3)!" Yukiya summoned Draconnet in Attack Position.
YUGO LP: 1500 = 1000
"Since Draconnet was Normal Summoned, I can special summon a Level 2 or lower Normal Monster from my hand or Deck in Defense Position!" Yukiya summoned Bitron (ATK: 200 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 2) in Defense Position from his Deck.
"Come forth, the circuit that will lead to the future!" Yukiya extended his hand at the Link Circuit that appeared above him.
"Arrowhead confirmed. The summoning condition is 2 monsters! I set Draconnet and Bitron on the Link Markers! Circuit Combine!" All of Yukiya's monsters then became one with two of the six arrows. Draconnet went to the Right Arrow while Bitron went to the Left Arrow.
"Link Summon! Appear! Link 2! Honeybot (ATK: 1900 / LINK: 2 / LM: Left, Right)!" Yukiya summoned Honeybot in Attack Position.
"As I control a Cyberse Monster, I can special summon Back-Up Secretary (ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800 / LV: 3) from my hand!" Yukiya summoned Back-Up Secretary in Attack Position.
"I activate Quick-Play Spell: Virus Scan! I can target a Spell or Trap activated by my opponent that affecting opposing monsters!" Yukiya chose Mask of the Accursed Souls that equipped to Yugo's Junk Warrior, destroying the ugly mask and freed Yugo and his monster from its curse.
"Thanks Yukiya. I owe you one." Yugo thanked the silvernet.
"No problem at all. I set a card and end my Turn!" Yukiya replied to Yugo and then finished his Turn.
"Now is the start of the real battle!" Black Mercenary exclaimed with bloodthirsty grin.
"This won't be even a match. It will be a one-sided massacre." Red Mercenary stated, eyeing their five opponents with his hands itching to kill them.
"Is that all you have to say?" Yuya questioned calmly, confusing the four mercenaries as he began his Turn.
"Battle! I attack Death Guardius with Silent Magician!" Yuya declared his first attack.
BLACK MERCENARY LP: 4000 = 3800
"You fall into my trap! At this moment I activate Death Gardius' effect! When this card is sent from Field to the Graveyard, I can equip Mask of Testament to 1 monster on the Field!" Black Mercenary took out and activated the Spell Card that was treated as an Equip Spell and then pointed at Silent Magician.
"Mast of Testament allows me to take control of a Monster my opponent controls!" Black Mercenary declared as a horned skeleton-like mask appeared and lunged towards Silent Magician
"Unfortunately for you, Silent Magician is unaffected by any kind of Spell Cards and when targeted by Spell Cards it can destroy it instead!" Yuya revealed as Silent Magician pointed its staff at the incoming mask, basking it with its light magic that negated Mask of Testament's activation and destroyed it.
"What?! Black Mercenary exclaimed in shock and then glared furiously at Yuya.
"I set a card and end my Turn." Yuya concluded.
"My Turn! Battle! I attack Back-Up Secretary with Shine Abyss!" Red Mercenary declared his attack, pointing at the female monster that Yukiya was controlling.
"I activate Trap Card: Mask of Weakeness! I can activate this card during Battle Phase to decrease the attack of the opposing Monster by 700!" Red Mercenary tried to decrease Back-Up Secretary's ATK to 500. However,
"Honeybot's effect! Monster pointed by its Link Arrow cannot be targeted by card effects or destroyed by Battle!" Yukiya revealed, protecting Back-Up Secretary with Honeybot's bees blocking Shine Abyss' strike.
"But you'll still take damage!" Red Mercenary reminded.
YUKIYA LP: 4000 = 2600
"I end my Turn. Stay calm. We got this." Red Mercenary concluded while calming his comrades.
"My Turn! Time to payback for equipping that ugly mask on my monster! Battle! I attack Cursed Gyura with Junk Warrior!" Yugo declared his attack, pointing at Blue Mercenary's monster.
"Trap Card: Negate! I negate your monster's attack!" Blue Mercenary opened his facedown card, effectively stopping Junk Warrior's attack. However, Yugo already anticipated that.
"Trap Card: Junk Bullets! When a Junk Monster I control failed to inflict damage, I can inflict its ATK as damage to my opponent!" Yugo opened his facedown card, allowing Junk Warrior to inflict damage equal to its ATK. Junk Warrior dashed forward, striking the shocked Blue Mercenary.
BLUE MERCENARY LP: 4000 = 1700
"Heh! Take that! Didn't expect it, right? I end my Turn." Yugo stuck his tongue out, feeling satisfied with his counter attack.
"Why you…! Now you've done it! My Turn! From my hand, I summon Holly Doll!" Blue Mercenary summoned Holly Doll in Attack Position from his hand.
"And then I activate Ritual Spell: Ritual of the Masked Demon Beast! I tribute Cursed Gyura and Holly Doll! Ritual Summon! Appear! Level 8! Masked Demon Beast - Masked Hellraiser (ATK: 3200 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 8)!" Blue Mercenary summoned Masked Hellraiser in Attack Position.
"Battle! I attack Junk Warrior with Masked Hellraiser! Finish that damn brat once and for all, Hellraiser!" Blue Mercenary pointed at Yugo's Synchro Monster as Hellraiser shot its thick black energy blast.
"I won't let that happen! Trap Card: Half or Stop! During my opponent's Battle Phase, he must choose between halving all of his monsters' ATKs or end the Battle Phase!" Yuya activated his first facedown card. With this, regardless of Blue Mercenary's choice, Yugo won't be harmed.
"Whichever effect he chose, Yugo's Junk Warrior won't be destroyed and Yugo will survive this Turn." Yuto remarked.
"Nice safe, Yuya." Yuri praised the Pendulum counterpart.
"I already expected that! Trap Card: Dark Illusion! When a Magic or Trap or monster effect is activated that targeting a DARK Monster, that effect is negated and the card is destroyed!" Yellow Mercenary opened his facedown card, intending to destroy Yuya's Trap with his own.
"Too bad, but I'm one step ahead of you!" Yuya grinned triumphantly as he opened his second facedown card. "Trap Card: Counter Counter! I negate the activation of a Counter Trap Card and destroy it!"
"You little runt…!" Yellow Mercenary glared angrily at Yuya. So the brat has some brain in him.
"Now, choose! Which effect is it?!" Yuya demanded to Blue Mercenary who was gritting his teeth in frustration. It wasn't an option. If he halves his monster's ATK of course his monster will be destroyed and he will suffer more damage.
"…I end the Battle Phase…!" Blue Mercenary reluctantly ended his own attack.
"I end my Turn…! Damn! Damn! Damn!" He concluded while cursing and stomping his feet to the ground furiously.
"My Turn! Battle! I attack Hellraiser with Dark Mist!" Yuto declared his attack, pointing at the Ritual Monster as Dark Mist moved forward.
"I activate Dark Mist's effect! When this card is battling an opponent's monster, I can detach an Overlay Unit to halve the ATK of a Monster my opponent controls and this card gains ATK equal to lost amount!" Yuto targeted Hellraiser, halving its ATK to 1600 and increasing Dark Mist's ATK to 1700. Dark Mist used its claws to skewer the Ritual Monster, destroying it.
BLUE MERCENARY LP: 1700 = 1600
"I activate Quick-Play Spell: Enlightened Mist! When a DARK Monster I control inflicts damage to my opponent, at the end of Damage Step, my DARK Monster can attack one more time!" Yuto activated his Magic Card from his hand, allowing Dark Mist to attack again. He pointed at the defenseless Blue Mercenary. His Field was wide open without any facedown cards and his LP was only 1600.
"This is the end for you." Yuto stated, directing Dark Mist to make its second attack on the blue bandana mercenary. Dark Mist once again moved forward, this time its sight set on the controller of Hellraiser it has destroyed seconds ago. Dark Mist used the back of its hand to throw the mercenary away, depleting his entire remaining LP.
BLUE MERCENARY LP: 1600 = 0
"I set a card and end my Turn." Yuto finished. One down three to go.
"Urgh…! Don't underestimate us you brats!" Yellow Mercenary yelled furiously as he started his Turn.
"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Mask of Resurrection! I can special summon a DARK Monster from Graveyard and equipped this card to that monster!" Yellow Mercenary opened his last face down card and then revived Death Guardius in Attack Position.
"Battle! I attack Honeybot with Death Guardius!" Yellow Mercenary declared attack on Yukiya's Link Monster. Death Guardius crushed Honeybot with its hand to the ground, destroying it.
YUKIYA LP: 2600 = 1200
"Don't even think you're safe yet! I activate Magic Card: Mask of Despair! By tributing another monster I control, my monster can attack one more time!" Yellow Mercenary released Holly Doll and declared his second attack, pointing at Yukiya's Back-Up Secretary with Death Guardius. Now that Honeybot was destroyed Back-Up Secretary can be destroyed and Yukiya's LP was already at 1200. There was no escaping this.
"You won't get your way! I activate Trap Card: Gate of the Mist! I can halve the ATK of an attacking monster until the end of Battle Phase!" Yuto opened his facedown card, halving Death Guardius' ATK to 1650. As the result, the damage Yukiya took once Back-Up Secretary was destroyed was lessened, allowing him to survive with enough LP.
YUKIYA LP: 1200 = 750
"Thanks Yuto." Yukiya thanked the Xyz counterpart.
"Don't mention it." Yuto replied.
"Tsk! You're really annoying brats! Stopping one after another when I'm so close! I end my Turn!" Yellow Mercenary concluded. They were supposed to be professional mercenaries, professional assassins, so how come they got cornered by a bunch of runts?!
"Fufufu. You don't look well, old men. Do not worry. I shall grace with you a lesson and then you can take a proper rest like our friend over there." Yuri taunted, pointing at the unconscious Blue Mercenary, making the three remaining ones growled. Yuri giggled in amusement at their reaction.
"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Antique Crest. I can increase the ATK of an Antique Gear Monster I control by 800." Yuri increased Reactor Dragon's ATK to 800.
"And now, Battle! I attack Shine Abyss with Reactor Dragon! When Reactor Dragon attacks, until the end of Damage Step the opponent cannot activate Monster Effects, Magic, or Trap Cards." Yuri declared, motioning his mechanical dragon to attack. Reactor Dragon opened its mouth and shot reddish pink blast towards Shine Abyss, burning the mercenary's monster.
RED MERCENARY LP: 4000 = 2800
"Oh. My turn is not over yet! If Reactor Dragon is Advance Summoned by releasing a Gadget, I can attack a second time!" Yuri revealed. He could sense fear and nervousness from Red Mercenary who now has nothing on his Field. How pitiful.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to attack you for now. I'll let the others to do it. Instead…" Yuri's eyes shifted to the Black Mercenary, grinning elatedly that gave the targeted mercenary a cold shiver. His LP was exactly at 3800, the same as his mechanical dragon. He was so done for.
"Reactor Dragon, attack him directly!" Yuri declared at one of the defenseless mercenaries. Reactor Dragon used its tail to strike the black bandana mercenary on the side of its abdomen, throwing him away together with the rest of his LP.
BLACK MERCENARY LP: 3800 = 0
"And with this I end my Turn. Now there are only the two of you left." Yuri smirked at the remaining two mercenaries, the ones with red bandana and yellow bandana. He turned to Yukiya and Yuya. The rest is up to them.
"My Turn! I activate Magic Card: Space Crusade! I banish a monster in my Graveyard to special summon a Link Monster from my Graveyard!" Yukiya revived Honeybot in Attack Position.
"What's the point reviving that Monster? It only has 1900 ATK. You can't destroy Death Guardius and even if you attack me directly, my LP still remains." Red Mercenary pointed out, dismissing the Link Monster.
"I wonder about that." Yukiya smirked quite smugly. "Monster summoned through Space Crusade's effect will gain the ATK of the monster banished to summon it." Yukiya added Back-Up Secretary's ATK to Honeybot, increasing its ATK to 3100.
"An ATK of 3100?!" Red Mercenary paled. Now Honeybot's attack was higher than his own LP.
"Battle! I attack directly with Honeyboy!" Yukiya pointed at the Red Mercenary, delivering the finishing blow to the mercenary. Honeybot sent Red Mercenary sprawling back with its strike, rendering him out cold as his LP was reduced to 0.
RED MERCENARY LP: 2800 = 0
"Finish this, Yuya." Yukiya told the Pendulum counterpart who nodded back.
"My Turn! I attack Death Guardius with Silent Magician!" Yuya immediately declared attack at the last remaining monster on the opponent's Field. Silent Magician pointed its staff at Death Guardius, blinding the DARK Monster and destroyed it without a trace with its shining magic of light.
YELLOW MERCENARY LP: 4000 = 3800
"Next I activate Trap Card: Prophecy of a Future King! When a Magician-Type Monster I control destroyed a monster by Battle, it can attack again and double the damage!" Yuya opened his last facedown card, allowing Silent Magician to attack again. Silent Magician once again moved its staff and unleashed its magic, taking down the last of the mercenary for good.
YELLOW MERCENARY LP: 3800 = 0
"Finally it's over." Yuya sighed in relief.
"They put up quite a fight but still no match for us. Even when we were using these dummy Decks." Yuri said while looking at his Deck.
To make sure their identities, as Zarc and the Phantom Dragons won't be exposed, Yuno gave Yuya, Yuto, and Yugo dummy Decks that they could use as a decoy in case they must duel in front of people who must not know about their identities. Yuri already has Honor Student Deck, a Deck given by the Professor to selective few of students who earned the honor student status that he always kept as he had taken quite a liking to the Deck as Academia Duelist, while Yukiya used a Deck he built together with Sara to keep their LINK VRAINS identities a secret. They weren't a bad Deck. In fact, they were powerful Decks. But for them, using their original Decks they have built themselves were still the best.
"The five of you did a splendid job." Jounouchi emerged from the forest path with Ryo behind him. The two of them were wearing Duelist police uniform so their identities as main members of the Brotherhood won't be found out.
"How about everyone? Are they safe?" Yuya asked. Even though they have blocked the mercenaries, he was still worried about their friends who have escaped.
"They are fine. They are already at the hotel and the guards will arrive in a minute. We also have informed your friends that you're safe but are being questioned first as eyewitnesses." Jounouchi explained, assuring them all.
"Let's go back. Yuno and your friends have been waiting for your return." Ryo told them.
True to his word, a minute later, the police came and took the four mercenaries into custody. Jounouchi and Ryo went with the story that they arrived just in time before Yuya and the others were defeated by the four mercenaries. They offered to escort the five boys out of the fortress and took them to questioning, while in reality Jounouchi and Ryo merely escorted them back to the hotel and had written fake testimonies from them that would be handled by Yuno later.
THE BOY'S ROOM – HOTEL – AMOSIS CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
Once they arrived at the hotel, they were greeted by their friends who turned out have been too worried to be relaxed and have been waiting for them in the lobby. They were quickly surrounded by their friends who were concerned for them, pulling them into tight hugs and scolding for their stunt. Yuya and the others must once again assure them that the help they have called arrived on time to save them and they were unharmed. Yuya and his counterparts couldn't relax yet, however, as Yuno took them to the room. It was clear that Yuno was displeased by something. The girls, curious, followed them and waited in front of the boys' room.
"I have specifically told you to inform me first before taking action and not to be reckless." Yuno eyed each of them with stern eyes that made them didn't dare to speak.
"Especially you, Yuya." Yuno turned to the Pendulum counterpart. "I understand that you are concerned for the injured guards, but by carelessly went into the scene you have not only revealed your presence known to the mercenaries, but also your friends."
"I'm sorry…" Yuya bowed his head in shame and regret.
"I hope you won't repeat this again in the future. That's all that I have to say." Yuno ended his scolding with that and leave the room, not saying any more words.
"Sorry…but…can you guys leave me alone for a second?" Yuya asked Yukiya and his counterparts who didn't say anything and agreed to do as he asked. They knew Yuya really need this.
Once alone, Yuya covered a part of his face with his hand. Yuya couldn't retort what Yuno said. If he hadn't approach the injured soldier like that, he and his friends who were hiding wouldn't have been found out by the mercenaries. They were fortunately safe this time, but if he did something like that again there was no guarantee they would be okay. He should have taken his friends' safety into more consideration.
"Don't be too hard on yourself, Yuya."
Yuya nearly jumped from his bed when Yuzu came in with a worried smile. She sat beside Yuya on the bed. For a moment, none of them said anything. They spent around two minutes in silence until Yuya finally broke it.
"Am I…being that reckless…?" Yuya wondered out loud, not particularly asking Yuzu. "If Yukiya and the others weren't there or any of you…maybe everyone would have been killed…because of me…"
Yuzu placed her hands behind Yuya's head and pulled him closer to her. Her chin rested on his head while Yuya was surprised by the gesture but didn't make any move, simply looking down.
"Yuya. You're soft-hearted. Sometimes too soft-hearted. Even though you know something is hard, you just can't let it go. Without you knowing you'll be burdened with needless worry. That makes me and the others not wanting to rely too much on you because we think you might get hurt. But your sincerity made it difficult not to." Yuzu told him as she pulled him closer.
"You don't think very highly of yourself, but I think that's just how you express the desire to be better. You always put everything you have into what you do. Your kindness this time may almost put everyone into danger, but at the same time you have also prevented the mercenaries from getting into the fortress. If you have stayed silent and wait, maybe there will be more casualties from the people inside the fortress." Yuzu continued, finally pulling him into a hug. She patted his back to ease his worry, which seemed to do well as Yuya's body no longer stiff.
"You think so?" Yuya asked. Strange. Just hearing her words lifted up his mood. He felt better. Her mere presence was comforting and he didn't mind staying like this for a long time.
Yuzu pulled away from him so she can smile at him.
"Yeah. That's the part about you that I really love." Yuzu said sincerely with affection brimming from her bright smile.
The two of them were smiling at each other happily until Yuya realized something. It was then everything came into a freeze as Yuzu's words sunk into Yuya's head. Did he just hear what he heard? Yuzu at first was confused by Yuya's shocked expression until she processed her own words and finally realized what she has said. Red colors started to spread from their cheeks while they were looking at each other in confusion mixed with embarrassment.
"Yuya! Yuzu! Let's have a dinner!" Yukiya barged into the room, followed by the other boys and girls. They stopped whatever they were doing when they saw Yuya and Yuzu who were in their still frozen state with crimson red faces.
Before anyone could say anything, Yuzu dashed out from the room as fast as she could, prompting her counterparts to follow her in tow. The rest of the boys, on the other hand, stayed in the room, gazing at Yuya with questioning looks that were asking 'what happened?' Yuya was too embarrassed to say it out loud so he said it in a whisper so little that they must leaned closer to hear what he was saying. Yuya's story, as expected, turned them into a blast
"She confessed to you?! For real?!" Yukiya asked excitedly.
"N-no! We're not sure yet it's a confession…!" Yuya tried to calm them down. It could be just Yuzu's way of saying he loved that part of him as a human being or friend in general.
"Are you an idiot?! That's a love confession alright!" Yugo interjected.
"What did you say then?" Yuto asked, looking at Yuya expectantly.
"Err…you came before I could even say anything." Yuya said, earning him a shared faces of disappointment.
"I'm going to call her here again and you're going to give her a reply!" Yukiya energetically stuck his head to outside the door, ready to make his way to the pink haired girl with Yugo.
"Hey, Yuzu!" Yugo shouted in hope Yuzu would listen. Their rooms were not so far away after all.
"Stop that! Saying it now would be far too embarrassing!" Yuya begged while holding the two by their waists.
"Then text her! Call her!" Yukiya suggested, pointing at his Duel Disk.
"I-if I'm going to confess my feeling I want to do it directly…!" Yuya insisted. It would have been rude to Yuzu to reply through text or call.
"Then go to her room and give her the reply!" Yuto urged the shy Pendulum counterpart.
"Hug her or better yet kiss her!" Yugo encouraged further.
"And then engage in an impure adult relationship. We are in a hotel after all." Yuri suggested teasingly.
"No, no, and especially the last one is a NO! We are still 15!" Yuya protested insistently particularly at the implication in Yuri's teasing. The four counterparts let out sounds that resembled a whine and pout.
"Good-for-nothing-slacker." Yukiya sent the first arrow to Yuya.
"Chicken." Yugo sent the second arrow to Yuya.
"Procrastinating normie." Yuri sent the third arrow to Yuya.
"Shut up! I especially don't want to hear it from you two!" Yuya retorted again while referring to Yugo and Yuri as the said two.
"Okay, that's enough. Give Yuya a room you three." Yuto told the other three who apparently downright ignoring him.
Before Yukiya and his two counterparts could push him further, Yuya was saved by the arrival of Rin. They turned serious when they saw the worried look on her face. She grabbed Yugo by the arm and pulled him while gesturing the others to come with her as well.
"T-there's a big problem at the lobby!"
LOBBY – HOTEL – AMOSIS CITY – CANTIDEL EMPIRE – ARTIFICIAL DIMENSION
When Yuya and the others arrived at the lobby, the other girls were there surrounding Aoi together with the other club members who were still hanging out there. Facing them were a group of seven officers who seemed ready to raise their Duel Disks for a fight. From their emblem, they were officers under orders of a noble from the noble faction who was most likely in charge of this city or at least has an authority. Yuya and the others didn't waste any more seconds to join their friends.
"What happened here?! What are you planning to do?" Yuya questioned the officers, not intimidated by their presence and offensive stance.
One of the officers, who seemed to be the one leading the group, stepped forward. He took out a paper he was carrying in his pocket jacket and showed it to them. It was an arrest warrant.
"Aoi Zaizen, you are under arrest for trespassing into the city's fortress and hired mercenaries to steal military secrets!" He announced, making it clear to everybody.
All club members, especially Aoi herself, were shocked by the announcement of the arrest. They all looked incredulously at the arrest warrant shown by the captain. This was absurd.
"What?!"
Underground Prison – After Aoi is falsely arrested by a noble faction who wishes to turn the tide of the cold war, Yuya and his friends are determined to rescue her. As the prison is heavily guarded by guards and electrical barrier, they split into two groups.
First of all, I hope Yuya x Yuzu in this chapter is good enough for now. It's been a while since I wrote about them. Out of everyone, they haven't made a progress in the previous chapters so that's why I included it in this chapter.
Similarly as Yusaku's reason why he has a dummy Deck, I also gave the Yu5 dummy Decks. I have already said before that I won't include the previous YGO Protagonists into this story, so at the very least I include their Decks to be used as decoys for the boys when they can't use their own Deck. I excluded several cards though, making it less powerful than the originals for a reason. For Yuri, however, I decided not to give him Judai's Deck because I think Academia's Honor Student Deck fits him more as Academia Duelist and I personally wanted to write him using that Deck like he did in Episode 123-124 since I didn't get to write him using that Deck in Bonds of Pendulum. Since these are only dummy Decks, they won't use it often, so don't expect them to use the Decks more in future chapters. They won't be themselves if they keep using Decks that are not their own.
Also, I choose to use the previous Master Rule to make it easier for me write, with addition of Link Monsters can be used in this.
Sorry for any error, it will be fixed later together with Custom Cards and changes in several card effects.
Please don't forget to review this chapter!