Chapter 25: Friendship?
Setting: Episode 63-64
Recapping Raito: On my way back to Yuya and the others, I was spotted by not one but 4 Duel Chasers. In the middle of the Duel, Akaba Reiji suddenly appeared and called for me to stop. Then, he reveals that something is going on with the Executive Council. Right now, all the Lancers have been assembled. We're going to find out what happens next.
The Lancers, with Crow and Shinji, were all escorted by the executive officials to the room where the Executive Council is located. It was a ridiculously large room and they were all greeted by the sight of 5 rather elderly people sitting in crystal chairs. They themselves were the Executive Council. There, Kurosaki, Gongenzaka, and Dennis were already there.
Yuya: Gongenzaka!
Gongenzaka: Yuya!
Gongenzaka ran over to bear hug Yuya.
Gongenzaka: You're safe! I, the man, Gongenzaka, was worried about you! I thought I'd never see you again.
Dennis: Gon-chan, he needs to breathe you know.
After Dennis made him realize that he's shortening Yuya's life with his hug, Gongenzaka let go.
Serena: You're here too? Kurosaki?
Kurosaki: Yeah, we were arrested in the Underground Dueling Arenas. But, Akaba Reiji knew where we were and got us out to rendezvous with you guys.
Serena: That's great to know. (smiling)
Kurosaki: You've got a cheery attitude there.
Serena: Well, it's true I'm in a good mood despite all this. (blushing)
Kurosaki: Finally dating Raito or what?
Serena: H-how did you know? (surprised)
Kurosaki: My past experiences with Yuto and Ruri. You two aren't really that different honestly.
Raito: Well, we're all here. Now what?
Meanwhile, Jean-Michael Roger, the director of Security arrived in the building via riding a limo there. He got out of his limo outside the building and quickly made his way in. He was upset that his plans were blocked by the only ones with higher authority than them, which were the Executive Council. He was allowed in the room due to his position as Director of Security. When he entered, the Lancers were surprised to see him there, especially Raito.
Raito: Roger! What are you doing here!?
Roger: I am the Director of Security. You wouldn't think I'm allowed to-
White Taki: Roger, I would advise to not speak in such a manner towards us.
Roger immediately stopped after hearing his superior. White Taki is the old man in the white outfit with white hair.
Roger: That old man! To think THIS would happen!
Roger clears his throat to explain himself and what he "thinks" the Lancers are doing.
Roger: My apologies. Please allow me to explain. All of these people were targets for arrest due to disturbing the peace of this city.
Crow: Peace? There IS no peace at all in this City!
Shinji: The only ones disturbing the peace is Security and the others! Don't screw with us! We Commons are suffering every single day because the Tops are the money hoarders of this corrupt City!
Roger: Coming from the Commons huh? Nothing but mere finger pointing and false blames. You are all accountable for your actions. Security acknowledges that and punishes the criminals.
Raito: Security has put countless innocents in prison! Two of my friends were almost part of those innocent victims!
Roger: Raito-kun you and your comrades have resisted and hid from Security for quite some time now. Cowering in fear of justice. That itself is a crime.
Yuya: That's because you started this whole thing first! The moment we arrived here in this dimension, we were suddenly surrounded by Security.
Roger: Dimension?
Roger then turns to the Executive Council.
Roger: Did you just hear that? He just said they arrived here from another dimension.
Raito: I can back up his statement! The moment I arrived here. I was teleported in a random place. It just so happened to be a Tops villa! Roger! You KNEW I was from another dimension.
Roger: Teleportation? Now you're just spewing nonsense. You are all troublemakers up to no good. Seeking to undermine the Tops due to your jealousy of their wealth? Is that not the result of the Commons not actually trying to earn their way to the top?
Raito: He's lying…in that prison Facility…
Flashback to Chapter 20…
Roger: The thing is…
Roger got out a remote that turned off the surveillance camera to Raito's cell off.
Roger: I put you in this special confinement cell for a reason.
Roger saw that there was no one else around and so he starts explaining about his true motives.
Raito: A reason?
Roger: Yes. You oppose Academia don't you?
Raito: How do you know that?
Roger: Because I too am from the Fusion Dimension.
Raito: What!?
Roger: Yes, I was an agent sent by the Fusion Dimension to find out about this place. I rose in the ranks of the police force, also known as Security here, and became the director. And I've heard about you just like everyone else of course. You ran away from the Xyz Dimension as you thought carding people were wrong.
End flashback.
Raito: You're lying! In that prison Facility, you told me-
Roger: Told you what? Care to present proof?
Raito stopped after he realized Roger DID turn off the security camera at the time.
Raito: I could say that Roger intentionally stopped the feed but since he has such high power. I doubt…
Raito's thought process was stopped after Roger gave another statement.
Roger: Though, if you guys came from another dimension. It would explain the unknown summoning methods. Fusion.
This earned reactions from both Raito and Serena
Roger: Xyz.
Kurosaki and Dennis reacted their own ways.
Roger: and Pendulum.
This earned a reaction from the Pendulum founder, Yuya.
Roger: Do these users of unknown summoning have a purpose for appearing in the City? The reason why I ordered Security to arrest them is to investigate that.
Sawatari then stepped in.
Sawatari: We're Duel Soldiers to take on Academia! We're in no way of causing trouble!
Roger: Duel….Soldiers?
Roger laughed before being stopped by Akaba Reiji, who opened a door to the room with Tsukikage beside him.
Reiji: That's right.
Sawatari: Akaba Reiji!
Yuya: Tsukikage!
Reira's eyes widened when he saw his brother again.
Reira: Brother…
Reira quickly ran over to hug his brother.
Reira: Brother!
Reiji: I'm glad you are okay Reira. I knew you would survive.
Reira lets go so that Reiji can step forward and give his statement.
Reiji: We Lancers came to this Synchro Dimension in order to protect it against Academia's invasion as well as to join forces to win this dimensional war.
Shinji: Lancers huh?
Sawatari: Yeah. Lance Defense Soldiers.
Gael: That's enough. We heard everything form Akaba Reiji.
Gael, the EC (Executive Council) member in the yellow outfit with purple hair spoke.
Gray: About the dimensional wars.
Gray, the man with wide eyes and gray outfit spoke.
Azul: As well as the Lancers.
Azul, the woman with blue hair and outfit spoke.
Bordeaux: Correct, Chairman?
Bordeaux, the man in the orange outfit with long black hair spoke.
White Taki: Yes, the talk is over.
Roger: What? Does the council believe such words from outsiders. This nonsense.
Gael: We don't know if it's nonsense.
Gray: As there are now people who have indeed come from other dimensions.
Azul: You believed in such thing and tried to arrest some of them for investigation right?
Roger quickly thought of something else.
Roger: Their aim…
Sawatari: Tch. He's still going on?
Raito: Won't you just shut up already?
Roger: Their aim is to invade our dimension isn't it?
Yuya: Wha-
Gongenzaka: That's nonsense!
Yuya: We're not invaders!
Sawatari: The invaders are Academia! We came here to protect this dimension!
Raito: That's right! Even Akaba Reiji said that!
Roger: It's Security's duty to protect. Not yours.
Shinji balled up his fist at that statement.
Shinji: Stop with that bull! Security has done anything BUT protect! You people are nothing but a bunch of corrupt devils!
Crow: Shinji…
Roger: Security will determine who you-
Gael: No, this will be up to us.
Gray: In order to do that, the Executive Council will handle everyone present.
Azul: No exceptions.
Bordeaux: If you are our allies, we'd like you to prove that to us.
Yuya: Prove?
Sawatari: Like how!?
Reiji: Participate in the Friendship Cup.
Yuya: The Friendship Cup?
Raito remembers how Yugo mentioned the Friendship Cup before.
Raito: The largest Duel Festival in this City right?
Yuya: Raito? How-
Raito: Yugo told me.
Reiji: Yes. The Friendship Cup. It's what the Executive Council is aiming for. For the Lancers to participate in the tournament and display their skills as duel soldiers.
White Taki: The Friendship Cup was formed when one man became the catalyst.
Yuya: Catalyst?
White Taki: The duelist Tokumatsu Choujiro's arrest led the Commons to revolt against us. In order to control the situation the Duel Chasers were formed. However, disorders only increased as we enforced greater control. Ultimately, we came up with a duel tournament to promote harmony between the Tops and Commons. That is the Friendship Cup. The winner earns the honor of being a shared King for both Tops and Commons.
Raito recalls Yugo telling him how Jack Altas was the king right now.
Raito: And that's the Jack Altas I've heard about?
White Taki: That's correct.
Crow: What shared king? There's no way I'm doing this! I refuse to put on a show just for the Tops!
Shinji: I know how you feel but the Commons will also be watching as well. We should show them how we're like. How us Commons can stand together. Plus, Frank and the others will know we're okay.
One of the executive officials remembered them mentioning the kids and responded.
Official: Don't worry. We've sent another official to notify the kids about this situation. Right now, they are safe in their homes. He reports they are not supervised via their request. They're home by themselves right now.
Crow: By themselves!?
Shinji: Crow, you know them better than anybody. They'll be fine.
Crow could not help but feel very worried about the children.
Sawatari: Alright! It's settled! Let's fire up the crowds of this dimensional with our entertainment duel!
Yuya: More importantly, we have to find Yuzu soon.
Roger: Oh?
Yuya and Sawatari turned their attention to Roger.
Roger: Hiiragi Yuzu is indeed your comrade?
Yuya: How do you…
Raito: Yuya remember.
Yuya: Eh?
Raito: She was with me once. She didn't get arrested at all. I touched base with her today to reclaim my D-Wheel, she's fine. That pursuit and Akaba Reiji finding me happened right after I visited Yugo and Yuzu.
Roger: I'm sure you'll see her again. She is an important duelist who's also participating in the Friendship Cup.
Yuya: Yuzu's entering the Friendship Cup?
Raito: Is Yugo in it as well?
The rest of the Lancers were shocked to hear that. Especially Serena and Yuya.
Roger: The answers to both of your questions is yes.
He then turns to the Executive Council.
Roger: I understand. I also agree for their participation in the Friendship Cup as well. However, I would like to make a proposal.
Gael: A proposal?
Gray: What is it?
Roger: Every year, the day before the Friendship Cup starts, the King carries out an exhibition match. How letting him serve as the opponent?
Roger points to Raito who was surprised instantly.
Raito: Me?
Azul: Why him?
Roger: I investigated him personally before he escaped. I think his skill as a duelist will be bet fitting to entertain the crowd. I believe he has the most to prove to you guys.
Raito gave him sort of a dirty look after hearing that statement.
Raito: You're pretty sketchy….
Bordeaux: I see. Is that acceptable, Chairman?
White Taki: Yes, that's fine. What about you?
White Taki looks at Reiji, awaiting his answer.
Reiji: I have no objections.
White Taki: And you?
White Taki then looks at Raito, looking for his consent as well. Raito gave it a thought and realize if he says yes, it may strengthen the relationship between Synchro Dimension and the Lancers.
Raito: Okay. I'll do it. I'll face Jack Atlas.
White Taki: Alright. It's settled. Please escort them to our occupied rooms.
Yuya: Huh?
It was then that everyone was being led by the officials to the rooms they'll be staying in.
Raito: What's the meaning of this?
Yuya: Where are you taking everyone?
Gael: Don't worry. We have no intention of harming them or putting them in any danger.
Gray: They are participants in the Friendship Cup as well.
Azul: They are technically fugitives but they are heroes as well.
Bordeaux: As long as they keep winning. Correct, Chairman?
White Taki: Yes. We will look after them as guests. As long as you keep winning.
Yuya: As long as we keep winning?
They were all being escorted one by one, each leaving a message for Raito.
Gongenzaka: Everyone will be watching. I know you, the man Raito, can do it.
Sawatari: Show our strength to everyone in the Synchro Dimension!
Crow: Listen, this isn't the Jack Atlas you know! This one's a traitor. Go crush him for me!
Shinji: You have the true strength of the Commons.
Kurosaki: As well as the feelings of us Xyzians!
Dennis: Go on and put on the greatest show!
Serena: I know you can do it, my love. I'll see you soon. (smiling)
Yuya: Win! Raito!
Raito: Everyone...thank you. I'll do my best.
A/N: In the next chapter, Raito is the one to take on Jack Atlas. Will Jack take down the skilled Blue-Eyes user? Or will Raito pull off another remarkable win? Also, there will be 3 impactful things to be revealed in the next chapter as well. One of them, the fate of Chojiro Tokumatsu himself. Please let me know if I'm sorta rushing because I intend not to. I do plan for this fic to finish at around 40-50 chapters.