Cat: Hey hey hey! Chapter 25 here!

Rena: Not much to say here today :P

Cat: Please review! (oh, and favouriting and following would be appreciated too!)

Rena: This story is in Yuzu's POV. Please give me some artistic licence. If i put some stuff that isn't in the anime in here, don't flame. There would be no point in reading, if it was just the anime in words.

Chapter 25- Steadfast Resolve

It was now pitch black as I ran down the many streets of the city, looking for the pompous fusion summoner, who appeared to have been long gone. But that was the problem. Where had she gone? By the way I first saw her, half an hour ago; she was lingering in spots, looking for Yuto and Shun. If she was still, then she would have to be around here. But she wasn't.

"I cannot let you go any further," Yuto said firmly. "I don't want my friend to be interrupted."

Did he mean Shun? And, if he did, what has he doing? Whatever it was, he was too close to Masumi. And her sudden disappearance was beginning to panic me. Last time they met, Shun seemed ready to mop the floor with her. I seriously hoped he hadn't gone through with that.

It was a horrible thought but I silently prayed that, if it was Shun, he had not been 'interrupted' while duelling someone else from LDS. I didn't know why but I really didn't want Masumi hurt. But I also didn't want Shun and Yuto's actions to paint them even more as the bad guys. The real bad guys were… Well, not them.

My legs screaming in agony and my lungs on the verge of collapse, I finally slowed to a stop down the final street where Masumi could have gone, if she was still on foot. There was a possibility that she had taken a bus (there was a stop a while back) or hailed a taxi or LDS had picked her up in one of their many limos.

There were hundreds of possibilities. But I still feared the worst.

'Hey! Good morning, Ruri-neechan! How're you?" Tatsuya waved from across the road, on the way to the Duel School.

'Ruri? Tatsuya, what are you talking about? My name's-'

'Ruri-neechan!' Ayu slipped her hand in mine, as we crossed the road. 'Good morning!'

'Ayu, you too?'

'Ayu! Tatsuya! Ruri-neechan! Wait up!' Futoshi gasped as he desperately tried to run after us, while still eating his breakfast.

'You guys! My name's not-'

'Sora!' The three children waved as the certain-blue haired boy rounded the corner of the street to walk on the opposite side with Tatsuya before they crossed to join us on the pavement.

'Where's Yuya?' Futoshi stared around, the other duellist not in sight. 'Weren't you eating at his house?'

'Yeah, I was but then he broke a bowl, so his mum's getting him to do the cleaning to repay her for it. So, he'll be late. He says that he has your maths jotter, Ruri, but he'll give it back when he arrives.' Sora chewed on his candy bar, then began talking to Ayu before I could demand why they were playing this tasteless prank.

Crossing yet another road, we arrived at the school, to see my dad standing by the doors, waiting to greet us, as usual.

'Good morning, you lot!' he cheered when we finally arrived at the steps. The kids vanished inside the doors faster than I could have imagined.

'Ah, 'morning Ruri,' my dad grinned. 'Thanks for that homework, it was fabulous, as usual! Keep up the good work!'

'Why-?'

But then he was gone too before I could demand an answer. I glanced around, looking for some kind of hint.

'Oi!' a familiar voice screamed from the gates. I smiled and waved when I saw Yuya sprinting through the grounds, trying desperately to make up on the lost time he had while washing dishes.

'Yuya! Boy, am I glad to see you! Are they pulling some sort of prank? They keep on calling me-'

'Ruri,' a sharp voice called from behind me. A pair of golden eyes were boring into mine as I followed the voice to its owner. I stiffened when I realised that it was Shun.

'Ruri! Ruri! You're ok!' Yuto appeared from behind Shun, ran up and hugged me tightly. 'Thank god!'

'Wha- Yuto?! It's me! It's Yuzu!'

'We have to get out of here,' Shun gripped my arm tightly. 'We'll have time for lovey-dovey stuff later.'

Suddenly, we weren't at the school at all. We were in a never ending white space.

'Just say good-bye and we'll go,' Shun snapped, anxious to leave.

'Say good-bye? To who? Where are we going!?'

Yuto gestured towards the figure who was still standing behind me. However, he looked different. His coat was filthy, his shirt torn, his hair a mess and his goggles smashed. He was covered in cuts and bruises, a deep gash above his eye coating his face in a red substance. But he was smiling.

'Yuya? What happened!?'

'Well, I guess this is good-bye…' Yuya smiled sadly.

'N-No! Yuya, what are you saying!? I can't go with them! I'm not-'

'Sayonara, Ruri,' my best-friend said, waving, before he vanished like a destroyed Duel Monster.

"Yuya!" I screamed, sitting up violently in bed, only to crash into something and end up lying back down, groaning.

"Y-Yuzu," my dad groaned, clutching his head where we had collided. "I was just about to wake you! Why did you have to head-butt me!?"

"Oh… Sorry, dad…" I whispered. It was still pitch black in my room, not even any sunlight shining through the chinks in the curtains. I glanced over at my alarm clock to read it was five o'clock in the morning. "Why are you waking me up?"

"Nico Smiley's down stairs," he muttered, moving aside so I could pull my legs out of the warm blankets and handing me my bundle of clothes.

"Nico Smi-? Like, Yuya's manager?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. "What's he doing here so early?"

"It's Yuya's last match for qualifying for the JYC," he reminded me, as I hurried past him into the landing and locked myself in the bathroom, as he continued to explain through the door. "Nico's preparing a test for him."

"What? During the duel?" I tried to make my words as legible as possible as I brushed my teeth. "Isn't that a big enough challenge?"

"Well… I don't know but Nico wants Yuya to qualify as much as we do, so I think he's in capable hands," my dad mused as I finally emerged from the room ready. "Anyway, we have to go with him."

"'Go with him'? Where?" I sighed, as we descended the stairs, to see the creepy, yellow-and-black suited man had made himself at home, sitting on the sofa and sipping tea.

"That is a very good question, Yuzu-chan," the manager grinned at me, as I descended the final step. "If you would be so kind as to follow me and we'll drive there now."

"But what about breakfast-?" dad whined, as we were both dragged outside to see a limo ready and waiting for us. A chauffer held the door open for us and, ducking slightly, we all slid in. I blinked slightly, adjusting to the gloom, as the vehicle drove off.

I opened my mouth to ask why the car was so dark, but then I saw Yuko hold a finger to her lips and gesture towards three small figures sleeping blissfully in the corner. Under further inspection, I realised that these three people were in fact Ayu, Futoshi and Tatsuya.

"Good morning," I whispered politely, sitting down beside her. "I see you were abducted too?"

"Yep, while I was out walking the dogs and cats," Yuko nodded. "At least Smiley-san let me drop them off at the shelter, so they don't run riot while Yuya's asleep and I'm here."

"What are we doing?" I whispered to Yoko. "Where's Yuya?"

"Hopefully, he's still in bed, sleep-talking about food," she smiled, as she brushed her hair into her usual ponytail. "He doesn't know I've gone. I've left some cold food for him in the fridge though…"

"Where are we going?" I asked, leaning back in my chair, closing my eyes. After that dream, it felt like I hadn't slept a wink.

"Gongenzaka's dojo," Yuya's mother replied, rummaging around in her handbag, placing her hairbrush back and pulling out her usual pink lipstick and mirror, she began trying to apply her makeup in the dim light.

"Gong- Why? We go there all the time! Is Yuya duelling someone from the dojo?" I blinked. "Gongenzaka's already qualified, right?"

Nico shook his head. "No. In fact, he only has one win to go. Just like Yuya."

I sat up straight and stared. "You are not seriously getting Yuya and Gongezaka to duel each other!? They're-"

"Best friends," Nico nodded, folding his arms. "And that's why I've set it up like this. That, and Gongenzaka requested this match himself."

I decided not to pursue the matter. I couldn't change anything now that it had been hooked up as an official match. The boys were best friends and, no matter what the outcome, they would still be friends. Or, at least, I hope they would.

Soon after, the limo stopped and let us out at the bottom of the long, steep climb to our (friendly) rival duel school. Shaking the young children awake, we left the car. The traditional-style building with its traditional means of teaching was by no means a new place for us, but in the sun-rise, it looked different. I didn't have time to admire it before we were all ushered through a side door and up a flight of stairs, into a small room, with a screen in the middle and a person waiting for us.

"Sora!" I cried, as the boy waved to us as we entered. "What are you doing here?"

"Watching the duel, like the rest of you," Sora shrugged, staring down at the screen, showing the empty duel hall, where, I presumed, Yuya and Gongenzaka would be duelling.

"Now, you can watch from this room," Nico grinned rubbing his hands together. "But you have to stay quiet. And now, I shall be leaving you."

"Where are you going?" my dad asked, just before Nico slipped out.

"Why, to grab our star, of course!" Nico shut the door and I could have sworn I heard him locking it.

We sat for hours waiting for Nico to arrive with Yuya. Finally, through the speakers, we heard a lot of muffled talking that grew louder and after a few minutes, Gongenzaka burst into the hall, flanked by many of the dojo students, who sat on mats on either side, giving enough room for a duel. Finally, Nico strutted into the hall, with a miserable looking Yuya on his heels.

"Yuya…" I whispered, seeing his depressed expression. This was going to be an extremely difficult challenge for him, to fight Gongenzaka, his best friend, who had been there for him so much in the past.

There were a few minutes of silence, everyone staring at Yuya, who was so pale, I wouldn't be surprised if he knelt over and was sick.

"Have you not steeled your resolve yet, Yuya-kun?" Nico asked from the top of the hall, sitting with Gongenzaka's father, the owner of the dojo. "Well, that's understandable. You have to cut down the man who's had your back all these years. Otherwise, you won't be able to play in the Junior Youth Championship."

I could just see Yuya's red eyes darting from one corner of the dojo to the other, looking for someone. Was he looking for somewhere to escape, or something? Or some sort of comfort? Wait, was he looking for us? Had Nico not told him where we were?

But that wouldn't make sense. Why would Nico go to the trouble of getting us here without Yuya so early in the morning? He was hiding us from him, making the situation Yuya was in even worse. I mentally slapped myself for not realising sooner.

"And, of course, in order to become a pro, you need the strength to fight alone," Nico continued. "Up until now, you have been protected not only by Gongenzaka but by plenty of others. Always being cheered on and encouraged gives you strength. Being a pro means being able to display your own skills even as the away team, even if everyone around you is cheering for the enemy. That is why I had your cheer crew take a leave of absence at this time."

I don't know what irritated me more; being labelled as Yuya's 'cheer crew' as if we were hired to support him or the fact that I could hardly see the screen, due to my dad hogging the seat and staring so close, his nose and the screen were now good friends.

"This is there first serious match together…" he sighed. "Good luck!"

"Yuya…" I whispered, craning my neck so I could see better, hoping he knew that we still supported him, even we weren't there at his side.

"Well then, shall we begin, Master Gongenzaka?" Nico rubbed his hands together, facing the owner of the dojo who was sitting beside him.

The small man stood (not that it made any difference, he was so small). "Duelling is to polish one's soul!" he began as he always did before announcing a match. "Diligently cultivating each other's character while possessing an immovable spirit no matter the circumstances. This is the path our Gongenzaka dojo travels upon! You shall clash with each other fair and square in this fight. And I wish for you to polish each other's souls. Now! Action Field On!"

"He's going through with it," Yoko said, glancing down at her son's face. "This is going to be difficult for him."

"Field Magic! Sword's Graveyard activated!" Gongenzaka's father announced, as the technology began to whir to life, changing the arena entirely to look like… The field Gongenzaka and Yaiba had duelled on, while You Show Duel School fought LDS.

"This is the same field I fought LDS on!" Gongenzaka announced to a very confused Yuya.

"Why pick this one!?" Yuya demanded. "Did you chose it?"

"Yeah, you'll soon understand why," Gongenzaka closed his eyes, grinning. He had something up his sleeve already and he hadn't drawn a single card. "Let's go!"

My stomach lurched as they both activated their disks, beginning the game. Watching someone duel is hard, especially if you're routing for them. But watching two friends duel for keeps is even worse. Even more so when you know that only one would win. No draws or forfeits.

"I'll take the first move," Gongenzaka called. "I summon Superheavy Samurai Kageboshi from my hand! When this card is normal summoned successfully, I can release it and special summon a Superheavy Samurai! I summon Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei in defence mode! I end my turn!"

"A level eight monster right off the bat!" Tatsuya gasped.

"Gon-chan's going all out!" Sora grinned, licking his lollipop. "He's really serious!"

I had to agree with Sora there. He really was being serious. But what sparked this violent change? He and Yuya had been friends forever! They had each other's back, no matter what! Even when Yuya's dad had vanished, Gongenzaka defended him from bullies, even if he ended up with cuts and bruises too.

"Both of their entries rinto the JYC are riding on this duel!" my dad reminded us. "I want Gongenzaka to win because he's been such a big help but… as the principle of our duel school, I should be cheering for Yuya…!"

Uh oh, he's going to snap!

"What should I do-!" he started screaming, before I whipped out my fan at the speed of light and smacked him across the face, sending him flying.

"Keep it down!" I hissed. "Don't yell! What'll you do if Yuya hears us!?"

"That's right!" Ayu backed me up. "Nico told us to watch here quietly."

"Sorry…" he moaned.

"I wonder how Yuya will respond to Gon-chan's fighting spirit!" Sora said from behind me. "This is gonna be fun!"

"Pitying your opponent so much is the same as disrespecting them!" Gongenzaka shouted suddenly through the screen. We all hurried back to see Yuya back at square one, looking like he wanted to forfeit.

"I'll say this again Yuya! It's because you're my best friend that I'm going to beat you with all my strength! You should throw away all those meaningless feelings and face me with all your might!"

So, because they were best friends, Gongenzaka had arranged this? I shook my head, wondering why boys were so weird.

"My turn!" Yuya pulled the card out of the holder. "Draw! I summon Entermate Silver Claw!"

Yuya then jumped on the wolf's back and they were off, shooting around the field, through all the standing katana, picking up cards.

"I activate Action Card: Extreme Sword! This increases Silver Claw's attack by 1000! I activate Action Card: Oversword! Silver Claw's attack increases further by 500!"

"He's going on the offensive!" Sora chuckled.

"Yuya-niichan is duelling like he normally does!" Tatsuya cheered.

"But even with those power ups… Silver Claw's attack is only 3300! It's not enough to bring down Big Benkei's 3500 defence points!" I whispered.

"Battle phase!" Yuya announced. "Silver Claw, attack Big Benkei!"

The wolf shot towards the bigger and stronger monster, getting closer and closer.

"Yuya, what are you doing!?" I hissed.

"At this moment, Silver Claw's effect kicks in! Its attack increases by 300 until the damage step!"

"It's higher than Big Benkei now!" Tatsuya grinned.

"By sending Superheavy Samurai Soul Fire Armour from my hand to the grave, I activate its monsters effect! It negates Big Benkei's destruction!" Gongenzaka cried, as the attack was nullified and the wolf returned to Yuya. "When its destruction is negated by this effect, the attack points go down by 800!"

"Silver Claw and the action card's effects wear off, and Silver Claw's attack returns to normal." Yuya sulked. "I set one card! Turn End!"

"Well done, Noboru!" Master Gongenzaka shouted. "As expected of the successor of my dojo! Pierce through the JYC with your steadfast duelling!"

"You're getting ahead of yourself, father," Gongenzaka smiled. "The match has only just begun and I haven't exerted my full strength! Here we go! My draw!"

Gongenzaka tore the card out of the holder and stared down at it. I took one look at his face and I knew Yuya was in trouble.

"Watch this father! This is the new Steadfast duelling I aspire to create! I summon the level two tuner monster-"

Did he say tuner!?

No way!

He wasn't going to-!

"-Superheavy Samurai Horagai!" Gongenzaka raised the card above his head, so that everyone could see that he wasn't bluffing.

"A tuner monster?" I said weakly. When did Gongenzaka get that?

It was a rare sight, but Sora looked completely shocked. "You don't think Gon-chan's going to-?"

"Do a synchro summon…?" dad finished the boy's sentence, looking grim.

"No way!" the three younger kids cried.

"I tune my level 8 Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei with my level two Superheaby Samurai Horagai!"

I watched in awe as the small monster turned into two glowing circles, enveloping Gongenzaka's ace monster and turning it into a massive white light.

"Synchro Summon! Now come before us! Level 10! Superheavy Koujin Susano'o!"

"My goodness!" Nico stared, as Gongenzaka's father gasped, looking like he was on the verge of a heart attack.

"He really…" I said weakly as we all stood in the hidden room in shock.

"Did it…" Sora ended my sentence.

"Was the reason he went out of his way to pick this field was for this?" my dad asked.

"Here I come, Yuya! The serious match has finally begun!" Gongenzaka shouted. "Prepare yourself!"

Yuya stood on his side of the field, not prepared at all.

In fact, he looked like he wanted to cry.

Cat: So, whaddya think? Please indulge me!

Rena: So, todays question:

Did anyone see that synchro summon coming a mile off?

Thanks everyone, you guys are my life xx

-animewatchers186