Chapter 24: Vengeful Hunter
Alright everyone, this wraps up the duel between Kaito and Shun while also revealing what happened to the Resistance that left them so banged up. You'll also get to see who's going to duel next now as well! Not much else to really explain since this was a mostly duel fuelled chapter, as will the next one be. I hope you enjoy :)
(Xyz Dimension: Heartland)
Kaito continued his turn, "Now I attack with Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! Eternity Cipher Stream!" He roared, much to the surprise of everyone else.
"Wait, why isn't he using its effect to take control of Shun's monster?" Shingo questioned.
As the bird was obliterated, Shun covered his face from the leftover debris (Shun LP: 2600). "You guessed my strategy, didn't you?"
"Let me take a wild guess and say one of your facedown cards was Revolution Force. In case I took control of your monster, you could use that card to retake control of it, and then use it to summon Rise Falcon." Kaito summarized.
"Well, Kaito may have become a Terminator, but at least his brain still works fine in that sense." Luna stated.
"No surprise, Kaito always knew how to best counter an opponent's strategy." Yuto voiced, trying to get his mind off what Luna said earlier.
"You may have figured that out, but you still didn't take into account this, Rank-Up-Magic Death Double Force, activate!" Shun called out as a different facedown activated. "Now I can revive my eagle and use rank it up to a monster with Rank 6!" Shun's eagle rematerialized before heading back into the overlay network, "Prideful Falcon! Spread those wings dyed with the blood of heroes, and charge through the path of revolution! Rank Up-Xyz Evolution! Appear now! Rank 6! Raidraptor – Revolution Falcon!" With that, Shun's Raidraptor flew out of the network in a fiery aura, ready to blast Kaito's dragon to bits. "Now with Revolution Falcon's effect, I can destroy Cipher Dragon and deal damage to you equal to half of its attack points!" Its wings extending, the mechanical bird shot at the dragon with volleys of missiles and bullets.
Kaito was unfazed, "I discard Cipher Mirror Shield and send Double Exposure from my hand and field graveyard to prevent the destruction of Cipher Dragon. Then I can also add ½ of the attack of the monster that would be destroyed to my life points." He said as a warrior holding a shield materialized in front of the dragon, its shield blocking all the bullets. The creature then vanished along with Double Exposure into mist, his life pints reviving to 3900. "When Cipher Mirror Shield is sent to the graveyard, I can add one Cipher card to my hand." After adding a new card to his hand, he set it along with another 2 facedowns to end his turn.
Shun began his turn, "Draw!" Adding that card to his empty hand, Shun began his Battle Phase. "Raidraptor – Revolution Falcon, attack Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! Thanks to its effect, when it battles a special summoned monster, that monsters attack and defense becomes 0! With that, it surrounded itself in a dark, navy blue aura and shot towards Kaito's dragon.
Kaito scoffed, "Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Shock, activate!" One of his facedown card lit up, "Now Cipher Dragon can't be destroyed by battle and all face up monsters on the field while this card was activated have their effect negated!" With that, the light of that card disabled the bird's ability, leading it to be easily crushed by Cipher Dragon's claws (Shun LP: 1600). "The rest of Cipher Shock's effect ends this battle phase and also allows me to rank it up to a Rank 9 Xyz Monster!" Kaito called out, too the fear of everyone. "Demon of vengeance, sharpen your hate! Refine both your claws along with your fangs! Form the unmovable god of war, and slice all of our enemies with your blade of wrath to their core! Rank Up-Xyz Evolution! Come forth, Rank 9! Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Blade Dragon!" Kaito roared as his dragon evolved into a larger form of itself, its luminescent wings and body both larger and sharper in features (ATTR:Light/Rk:9/Atk: 3200/Def:2800). "Cipher Blade Dragon can't be used as Xyz material for an Xyz summon, so don't even try it." Kaito snarked.
"No matter what I try, I guess you won't let anyone take away your Cipher Dragon." Shun voiced.
"Of course not, it's all I have left, ever since Academia took my family away and you and Yuto abandoned us." Kaito said quietly.
Shun's eyes widened, "Kaito, we never abandoned you guys, we went to find Ruri, remember? Plus, we have new allies now! Together, we still have a chance to stop Academia!"
"It's because you guys left that they managed to find us." Kaito said, horrifying Shun and causing Yuto to turn to Luna in confusion. "If you're so surprised, let me give you an explanation…
(3 months ago)
"Remember, if there's any true danger, use the duel disks function to teleport yourselves back here at once." Doctor Faker once again lectured.
"We know." Shun said impatiently, "Don't worry, we'll have Ruri back and safe in no time."
"Good luck guys, I hope you all can keep this place safe until we get back." Yuto said.
"You can count on us." Thomas (aka Quattro) shouted, which Kyoji, Luna, Kaito, Droite, and Michael nodded in agreement.
"Please, we'll have Academia finished by the time you're done." Gauche snarked.
"Best of luck." Yuji and Haruto chimed.
"Safe travels boys." Byron Arclight said.
With that, the 2 stepped on the transporter, and were surrounded by a brilliant white light. When they finally came too, they found themselves of a city…
Meanwhile, back at the underground laboratory, and Byron Arclight were adjusting the energy levels of the machine after its usage was complete. The remaining resistance duelists were conversing with each other. Haruto approached Kaito and asked, "Hey big brother, you sure they'll be okay?"
Kaito patted his brother's head softly and smiled, "Don't worry Haruto, those 2 can handle what's coming."
"As long as they don't do anything stupid." Kyoji muttered under his breath.
Luna looked at him and scowled, "You really think Yuto would mess up."
"Hardly, I've known him the longest out of all of us. Yuto's too level headed to slip up easily." Kyoji then sighed, "It's Shun I'm concerned of."
"Can't argue with that." Luna said.
Droite nodded, "There's a reason we don't let him make the plans." She, along with every other member, held back a snicker.
"Why's that big bro?" Yuji questioned Kyoji, who chuckled.
"Mainly because they involve us suiciding ourselves at Academia's forces with everything we got." Kyoji huffed, causing everyone to laugh.
"Hey what's the problem with that; I'd go up against all of them if I had to."Gauche said, folding his arms
"And that's why we don't let you make the plans either, so we don't have too." Droite smirked while Gauche steamed in fury.
"At least that's better than my brother, who literally tried to chance his way to victory when he already had a workable strategy simply to provide some, 'fanservice.'" Michael threw out, causing Thomas to grab him in a choke hold.
"Oh yeah, well I still won so what?!"
"Only…because…I saved…you." Michael gasped as Thomas finally released him while his face glowed with embarrassment.
"In any case, how are our defenses here and at the Duel Lodge?" Luna asked, trying to bring the conversation to something important.
"We managed to fortify this place well enough to trick metal detectors and heat signatures." Kyoji remarked, "As for the Duel Lodge, the dense foliage surrounding it makes it impossible to find. Academia will just pass over it, not suspecting a thing."
"Food wise, we have enough to last about 1 to 2 months so far, and then we'll see how that plantation thing Orbital did will cook up." Droite noted.
Gauche grinned, "Great, so as long as we play it safe and keep watch, we can win this!"
Naturally at that moment…everything went wrong…
The next thing they all knew, a booming sound erupted from above them, causing the whole room to shake like an earthquake while dirt began falling to the floor. Kyoji screeched, "WHAT HAVE I SAID ABOUT JINXING THINGS!" He then immediately pushed Yuji out of the way of rubble coming on top of them.
Luna looked above in horror, "They found us…but how?"
They didn't have time to think about it as the ceiling began to give way, causing Orbital to form a shield around everyone while they ran out of there. Suddenly, the whole ceiling was torn off and they all looked at the mechanical arm of a massive Antique Gear Chaos Giant. "All right, looks like we found the resistance! Now search within to see if you can find the source of that dimension anomaly!" A duelist in a black jacket commanded.
Recognizing that voice, Thomas attempted to break from the group and attack him, "I finally found that bastard!"
Michael grabbed him, "Where are you going?!"
"To avenge our brother Michael! You keep father safe, I'll take him!" He didn't get the chance as a blast from another Chaos Giant forced him back within Orbital's barrier.
"Orbital, can you get us airborne?" Kaito questioned the machine.
"Sorry Kaito-sama, I'd have to divert power to the engines and wings to do that, and with the barrier protecting us all, I don't have the chance to do that!" The machine responded.
Gauche cursed, "We'll have to create a distraction."
Luna grit her teeth, "I can hold off the smaller hounds, but can any of you guys take their giants?"
"Leave them to me. Alright guys, let's do this!" Kaito roared as they all brought out their duel disks and engaged the Academia army!
Sadly…things didn't work out. The sheer number of forces overwhelmed them. Dr. Faker and Byron Arclight were taken out first, later followed by Thomas and Gauche. Worst of them all for Kaito…was Haruto. He had slipped off of Orbital when the robot had finally gotten airborne. Kaito tried to save him, but Academia got him first. Kyoji and Yuji had also disappeared. Following that horrid day, Luna and Michael had gone back to look through the rubble to see if they could be found, but there was no sign of them, likely carded by Academia. As for Kaito, he spent the next month or so stuck in shock. Probably would've been carded had Droite and Orbital not looked out for him. Eventually…they were taken too…
(Back to the Present)
"They said they were after a dimensional anomaly," Kaito finished, "So ironically, we brought about our own downfall when we sent you guys away."
Shun lowered his head, "I'm sorry…Kaito, but please…it wasn't all for nothing. We have new allies now. There's still a chance.
Kaito looked at Gongenzaka and Shingo and scoffed, "If those bumbling idiots are our reinforcements, then we may as well surrender."
Shun chuckled, "I was personally referring to Reiji, Sora, and Crow, but point taken."
"Hey!" Shingo yelled.
Kaito scowled, "It doesn't matter anyway! I don't need comrades, all I need is myself and my dragon's power, with which I'll take away everything Academia holds dear!"
Shun grit his teeth, "I'll prove you wrong Kaito, Reverse card open, Rank-Up-Magic Raptor's Force!" A new face down card revealed itself, "Now I can revive Revolution Falcon and use it to summon a monster 1 rank higher!" As his raptor revived and re-entered the network, Shun chanted once more, "Courageous falcon that leads the flock to battle! Take command and soar into the skies once more, Rank Up-Xyz Evolution! Come forth, Rank 7! Raidraptor – Arsenal Falcon!" With that, Shun landed atop his newest falcon, ready to enter the fray (ATTR:Dark/Rk: 7/Atk:2500/Def:2000).
"I'll use an overlay unit to activate its effect, letting me special summon Raidraptor – Tribute Lanius!" With that, a new bird joined the fray (ATTR:Dark/Lv:4/Atk:1800/ Def:400). "Thanks to Tribute Lanius's effect, now I can send one Raidraptor from my deck to my grave! I'll send Mimicry Lanius to the grave in order to activate its effect, now I can banish it to add Fuzzy Lanius to my hand!" As the new card refilled his hand, he called out, "Fuzzy Lanius's special effect lets me summon it to the field when I have other Raidraptors on the field!" A new Raidraptor took perch next to the other 2 at that moment (ATTR:Dark/Lv:4/Atk:500/Def:1500). "Now I overlay Tribute Lanius and Fuzzy Lanius! Avian hunter of the afterlife, seek the truth with your dark eyes, and grasp glory with your sharp talons! Xyz Summon! Take flight! Rank 4! Raid Raptors - Force Strix!" With that, the 2 monsters transformed into orbs of dark light. Re-entering the overlay network, a new avian foe arose (ATTR:Dark/Rk:4/Atk:100/Def:2500). "Now I'll detach an overlay unit to apply its effect, letting me add a level 4 Winged Beast to my hand, and since the monster I'm detaching is Fuzzy Lanius, that means I can add a copy of it to my hand!" Shun called out as 2 cards came to his hand, "Now I summon both of these Fuzzy Lanius's with their effects!" As 2 more copies of the same bird came out, Shun overlaid them to summon a 2nd copy of Force Strix, before doing the same thing again! "I summon Vanishing Lanius to the field, and then use its effect to summon another Fuzzy Lanius!" As 2 more birds appeared, Shun overlaid them to call his 3rd Force Strix, using an overlay unit to add Booster Strix to his hand while the detached Fuzzy Lanius added another Fuzzy Lanius to his hand. "I'll summon the last Fuzzy Lanius in defense mode, set 1 card, and end my turn."
Kaito drew from his deck and examined his hand and field, 'I need to bat away all those monsters, so what should I do? I have my face down Xyz Reborn I can use to revive Cipher Dragon, but first I'd need to detach it from Blade Dragon. Let's see, with this card in my hand I can expand its effects to take control of up to 3 of his monsters this turn…but even if I destroy his last Xyz monster with Blade Dragon's effect, he'd still have his Revolution Force to Rank up one of them into Blaze or Satellite Cannon, not to mention Booster Strix in his hand will cause me issues. If I use its effect to destroy Revolution Force…he'll still have a remaining Xyz monster anyway. In that case… "This is my best bet! I'll equip Cipher Blade Dragon with Cipher Magnifier! This equip spell will allow me to enhance Blade Dragon's effect to destroy not one…but all cards on your field! So by using an Overlay unit, I destroy all cards on your field, Cipher Blade Slash!" With that the dragon's wings glowed, collecting the light energy with them before shooting them at Shun's flock like they were swords! With that, all of Shun's cards on the field were shredded to pieces.
"Crap, now he doesn't have anything to defend himself with!" Shingo cried.
"Not true, since Arsenal Falcon was destroyed…" Yuto noted while Luna nodded.
"When Arsenal Falcon is destroyed by battle or card effect I can special summon a Raidraptor from my Extra Deck and attach Arsenal Falcon to it as an overlay unit! So come forth Raidraptor – Etranger Falcon!" Shun called out as a new falcon flew out from his deck to catch him while Arsenal falcon rematerialized before turning into an orb of light circling the new bird (ATTR: Dark/Rk:5/Atk:2000/Def:2000).
Kaito was unfazed, "Trap card open, Xyz Reborn! Revive, Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon!" With that, Kaito's old dragon was once again returned to the field, the trap card then attaching to it as an overlay unit. "Cipher Dragon's effect activates, now I use an overlay unit to take control of Etranger Falcon, treat it as another Cipher Dragon, and give it the same attack and defense as said dragon! Cipher Projection!" With that, Cipher Dragon shot rays of light at the bird, causing it to abandon Shun and transform into a more luminescent and obscured version of Cipher Dragon! "Now Cipher Dragon, direct attack!" With that, Kaito's ace lauched a blast of energy from its mouth right at Shun, depleting all of his life points…or at least…all but all of them. "Don't tell me…your other face down was…"
"Yeah, I left Raidraptor – Readiness in my graveyard to reduce all damage done to me this turn 0." Shun stated.
"Fine, I end my turn." Kaito stated, and with that, Etranger Falcon broke free from Cipher Dragon and returned to Shun's field.
"My turn, Draw!" Shun shouted before looking at his new card, smiling. "Etranger Falcon's special effect activates, by using an overlay unit, I can destroy one of your monsters!" With that, it absorbed an overlay unit and converted it into a sphere of dark electric energy, hurling it at Cipher Blade Dragon.
"Continuous trap activate, Cipher Shield! Now not only can my monsters not be destroyed by battle or card effects, but now I can't take effect damage!" Kaito countered, a wall of light defending his monsters.
"In that case I'll equip Etranger Falcon with Raptor's Ultimate Mace, increasing his power to 3000, and then I'll have him attack Cipher Blade Dragon!" As his bird made its way into Blade Dragon's claws, Shun called out, "Thanks to my mace, I can reduce the damage to 0 and add a Rank-Up-Magic from my deck to my hand!" With that his bird was destroyed as a wall formed around Shun while he added a card to his hand. "Thanks to Etranger Falcon's last effect, since it was destroyed in battle I can special summon a Raidraptor monster from my graveyard and attach Etranger to it as an overlay unit, so revive Revolution Falcon!" As the smoke cleared, Revolution Falcon flew down to take Shun atop its back before soaring high into the sky once again.
Yuto's eyes widened, "Revolution Falcon can use an overlay unit to attack all special summoned monsters his opponent control, and thanks to its other effect, if these attacks work its game over for Kaito!"
"Maybe we should let him make the plans more often." Luna noted.
"You can do this Kurosaki!" Gongenzaka shouted while Shingo cheered.
"I'll detach an overlay unit to make Revolution Falcon attack all monsters you control, and then its other effect will make your dragons lose all their power! Let's go Revolution Falcon!" With that the bird caked itself in flames before divebombing at the 2 dragons. When the smoke cleared, both dragons remained along with Kaito (Kaito LP:1900)! "But how!" Shun growled.
Kaito scoffed, "Cipher Magnifier's other effect lets me destroy it in order to reduce the damage to 0."
Shun cursed, "I activate Rank-Up-Magic Skip Force and target Revolution Falcon, letting me rank it up by 2 ranks to form and Rank 8 monster! Dauntless falcon. Hoist up the flame of anger, become the flash of light that burns the land to ash! Rank Up Xyz Change! Soar! Rank 8! Raid Raptor - Satellite Cannon Falcon!" In a flash, Revolution Falcon re-entered the overlay network and came back as the much larger Satellite Cannon Falcon (ATTR:Dark/Rk:8/Atk:3000/Def: 2000). "Now I banish Skip Force and a Force Strix from my graveyard to revive Etranger Falcon, turn end." With that, his previous falcon reemerged once more from the underworld.
Kaito drew his card, "This duel ends now, I activate Cipher Etranger's effect which lets me attach it to Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon! Now I use an overlay unit from Cipher Dragon and take control of Etranger Falcon, letting it become one of my Cipher Dragons! Cipher Projection!"
As Etranger Falcon came to Kaito's field under Cipher Dragon's spell, Shun called out, Satellite Cannon's effect activates, now I use an overlay unit to weaken a monster you control by 800 attack points, and I can apply it equal to the number of Raidraptors in my graveyard, so I'll weaken all of your monsters and bring them down to 0!" With that, the bird launched cannon blasts at all 3 of Kaito's dragons, bringing them down to nothing.
Kaito scoffed, "When Cipher Etranger goes to the graveyard, I can add a Cipher Spell to my hand…I add Rank-Up-Magic Cipher Ascension…and activate it!" With that, the card appeared on the field, wrapping Cipher Dragon in a golden glow. "Galaxy shining in the darkness, transform the demon of revenge and make it my very servant! Descend, Rank 9! Neo Galaxy –Eyes Cipher Dragon!" To the horror of Shun, Galaxy Eyes Cipher Dragon returned, this time with 3 head instead of 1 (ATTR:Light/Rk:9/Atk:4500/Def:3800). "I activate Neo Cipher Dragon's special effect, and use an overlay unit to take control of Satellite Cannon, make its name Neo Cipher, and give it its attack points!" With that, Neo Galaxy-Eyes shot bursts of light that absorbed the mechanical bird and twisted it into a distorted replica of Kaito's dragon! "Battle! Neo Galaxy-Eyes Cipher Dragon, attack Kurosaki directly! ULTIMATE CIPHER STREAM!" With that, the 3 heads of Kaito's upgraded ace blasted away at Kurosaki, knocking him down to the ground like nothing (Shun LP: 0).
Kaito then slowly approached Shun, "Are you ready to repent?"
Yuto ran down towards them, swiftly followed by Luna, "Kaito, stop! This isn't going to solve anything!"
Shun simply looked at Kaito before saying, "I'm sorry Kaito." He then closed his eyes and resigned himself to whatever fate would give him. He had been selfish in the past, and now his failings had broken his friend, he had no right to defend himself.
Kaito merely eyed Shun, not knowing what to do…when suddenly a large crashing noise roared, and a mechanical hound leaped forth to pounce on them. Acting on instinct, Kaito grabbed Shun and jumped out of the way, attempting to outrun the hound! Yuto, Luna, Shingo, and Gongenzaka grabbed the family and pushed them out of harm as even more Antique Gear forces surrounded them.
Luna snarled before taking out a spell, "Field Spell, Level Denial, activate! Now all monsters with levels cant attack!" With that, and aura surrounded them all, one which the Antique Gear monsters could not penetrate. "That will buy us some time, but not much."
Shingo whined, "How the hell did they even find us?!"
"Oh I don't know? It couldn't have been the screaming, monster battling, summoning, and explosions Kaito and Shun were causing." Luna snarked, eyeing Shingo with disdain.
Shun got on his own two feet and rolled his eyes, "So now this is our fault?"
"Why didn't you just try to stop us then?" Kaito asked, rather annoyed now.
"Because trying to get you 2 to stop dueling is like trying to convince Academia what they're doing is wrong!" Yuto laughed.
"That's not true, Sora did change?!" Yuya argued in his mind.
"He may be one of the rare, few exceptions Yuya." Yuto replied.
Luna looked at him with a concerned face, "Who's Yuya, why are you talking to yourself, and who are you talking about?"
'Shit!' Yuto cursed under his breath, "Long story, not important right now. I'll tell you later after we somehow get out of this mess alive."
"Indeed, we'll tell you all about my good friend later. I Gongenzaka, believe it's best to get back to the task at hand!" Gongenzaka said, arming his duel disk.
"This is the end for you Resistance duelists!" With that, they all turned around to see a tall man with dark, navy blue hair, and a black leather outfit that doubled as an officer's uniform. "With this, nothing shall stand in Academia's way."
Kaito roared, "You bastard! Come down here and duel me one on one right now!"
Alarmed by Kaito's even greater rage, Yuto turned to Luna, "Who is that guy?"
Luna shivered with dread, "The general of Academia's forces, and the one who defeated and carded Christopher and Thomas Arclight."
Yuto merely looked up at the man with fear, Christopher Arclight, the Spade and Clover Branch's dueling instructor, and possibly best duelist in all of Heartland, even Kaito never being able to beat him. There was another teacher of Kaito's who he said was even better than Chris…but still, this General standing above him surpassed even Chris! His old rival, Thomas, had also been felled by him. Suddenly, the true feeling of being out of his own league dawned on Yuto, and remembering glimpses of Yuya's last duel with Yuri, he could only utter, "We're screwed."
Kaito snarled, "What's wrong you coward, come down here and fight me yourself!"
One of the Obelisk Force member was fuming, "How dare you speak to General Kaiser in such a tone!"
He was held back by Genral Kaiser himself, who looked down at Kaito, "Very well, I accept your challenge. It will just be the 2 of us, no outside help for either of us. If you can defeat me, I'll call off my forces and leave. Hope that your friends there can survive the Obelisk Force's assault in the meantime." With that he beckoned Kaito to come up to him. Seeing Kaito do just that, the general activated his duel disk, "RSV system, battle field, Cybernetic Wasteland, activate!" With that an aura of light surrounded both Kaiser and Kaito, both arming their duel disks, ready to fight!
"Before I avenge the fallen, would you mind telling me who you are?" Kaito questioned.
"I am Academia's General, Ryo Marufuji. You may call me Kaiser Ryo, in the final moments as to where you stand." He said with a stoic expression.
Outside, the rest of the group looked at the Obelisk Force surrounding them. Arming their duel disks, they all stared down the Obelisk Force surrounding them. Looking at the woman and her children, Yuto said, "Stay close to us, we'll keep you safe." He then turned around and roared, "Bring it on Fusion scum!"
Fanmade OC Cards
Cipher Mirror Shield (ATTR:Light/LV:4/ATK:0/DEF:1800) - When a Cipher monster you control would be destroyed by battle or by card effect, send this card in your hand and one face up Spell or Trap card on your field to the graveyard instead, then gain LP equal to half of that monster's attack points. When this card is sent to the graveyard, add on "Cipher" card from your deck to your hand.
Cipher Magnifier (Spell:Equip) - Equip this card to a "Cipher" Xyz monster on your field. If the equip monster were to activate an effect that requires detaching an Xyz material and target a card on the field, change that effect to as many cards on the field as possible. Once per turn, if the equipped monster battles an opponent's monster that has greater ATK, you can make the battle damage 0.
And that wraps up this chapter, so yeah, ironically, when Yuto and Shun traveled to Standard to save Ruri from Academia, they accidentally sold out their whole team in the process. Kind of sad and ironic really. To be fair, no one knew that. Also, Kaito doesn't really blame Shun and Yuto, deep down he understands, but he's still really pissed off, especially because he actually had an argument with Shun right beforehand. Luna personally doesn't blame either of them (though Luna could really never bring herself to blame Yuto for anything). Also, in my story, Ryo is leading the army hear and has already carded 2 powerful members of the Resistance. I did that so he'd be built up as a more intimidating sort of force for the Resistance and Lancers to overcome hear, especially since Edo's major achievement in the anime was really tying with Yuya (although to be fair, since most other duelists ended up getting wiped out by an evolved form of one of the 4 dragon's in the very first episode it's shown, the fact that he tied is actually quite an achievement). Things will start to slow down a bit following the next chapter and I will take the time to provide more world building as well as introduce the Fusion dimension. In case anyone was missing Yuri, don't worry, he'll come back, but you see, this is the part were the story is beginning to ramp up. All the previous chapters and the Synchro arc could be finished rather quickly because in reality, they wouldn't really provide much bulk of the achievements besides foreshadowing Yuri's scheme and Aki's intorduction. Other than that, everything in canon went similarly, minus Synchro's ending, and I feel here is where the plot will come into play. The chapters will be much more back to back as well since I'm going to be ,managing event in the Fusion Dimension, then back to the Xyz Dimension. I'll handle that struggle as best as I can, but for now, please await Kaito and Ryo's duel, and I'll be back soon! :)