Kindred Spirits Part II

by Koros45

A hero from the present once again collides with one from the past as an ancient evil re-awakens. With his priests Seto and Isis at his side, Pharaoh Atem joins forces with Yusei and the former Signers to combat this rising threat.

53. Chapter 52: Dimensional Inversion

Koros45 doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh!, or Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's

Chapter 52: Dimensional Inversion – The Converging Star

Yusei found himself once again in a void, just nothing but darkness and the terrifying thought that he'd be stuck there forever.

Then he looked to his jacket pocket, which was glowing.

Of course, he found a card. He pulled it out and couldn't even make out what it was due to how brightly it was shining. The light surged and then he was transported somewhere else.

He found himself still in subspace, but now he was standing on a giant vanilla rectangle – the card in question. The text on the card was huge, but still legible. Yusei turned as he felt the card's occupant stare at him in shock, her talons raised in apprehension.

"How and why are you here, Yusei?" Harpie Lady's voice rang out.

/

"Thank the Gods you're ok." Airo exclaimed. Once he'd explained the situation, the red haired Harpie wasted no time in doing her best to make him feel comfortable.

"This card is a projection of my soul and inner space." Airo said, gesturing around it as some plant life and fruit from the island he'd found her on sprang up. He heard the ocean in the distance and it was almost as though they were back there.

"Yes, it's similar to the island in that it-" She stopped.

"Sorry, I mentioned this was a projection of my soul. That means that I've invited you inside of it. But - understand that this is a space for my mind. If you stay here you'll have to adapt to that. For starters, my soul-space is housing your soul. This means that I can read your mind if you're not careful. And it's not a place you can stay for long."

"What do you mean?" Yusei asked.

"She stroked the marker on his cheek with a free talon. "This a space for my soul. Very rarely are there cases where two souls can exist in the same mind-space. Eventually we'll either both be driven mad or I'll have to make you leave."

"Oh." Yusei said, suddenly understanding her meaning. He was on limited time.

"You of all people should not have had to suffer such a fate! Not after what he did to Mai! To Jounouchi! I want to tear him apart!" Airo shrieked.

With her increasing volume came a sturdy grip around his waist and Yusei returned it. At the moment it was all he could do.

He was grateful that in this realm she could hear his thoughts. His words did not need to explain when she could experience the thoughts for herself. She slackened her grip when she felt it was painful for him.

"So during the shadow game, the dark half of Malik Ishtar took over your body? That means that a way back is possible." she reasoned.

"Get some rest if you can. Then we'll talk about what we can do to get out of this." The Harpie Lady said.

Yusei found realistically that was a slim chance to do anything. He drifted, unable to sleep, mind plagued with images of what Marik might do while wearing his skin. All he had now was a mind, and here an overactive mind meant he wouldn't rest anytime soon.

"Now we can't have you dreaming with that kind of negativity." Airo said.

Yusei felt the sweet scent of her pheromones intoxicate him again. He was too tired to even question how that worked, mostly just glad that the edge and shock of his predicament wore off quickly as sleep claimed him.

/

"Now . . . how to get you back?" Airo wondered, putting a talon to her chin. He'd woken up but he had no idea how much time had passed. The concept of time here seemed foreign.

"You had my card on you from Mai. Was that all?" She asked.

Yusei frowned and rummaged through his pockets, his eyes widening when he pulled out a few more cards.

"No. There's Old Man Yanagi's Totem Pole card . . . and Jounouchi's Aura Armor trap card. And – wait a second. This one here. I think Atem gave it to me a while ago." Yusei said, showing the Harpie all three cards.

"In that case, it could be a way out. Especially if he gave it to you in that afterlife." She leaned in to glance at the card in question.

"We'll try it. Since I'm what you might call a 'Duel Spirit' in your human tongue, I'll be your familiar on this journey. Just like you used my card to be summoned here, raise that card and do the same." The Harpie said.

"Imagine you are using it as you would in Duel Monsters."

Yusei nodded and raised the card over his head.

Then the world of vanilla and flavor text vanished beneath the two as they disappeared.

/

His mind had become a barren wasteland that even he had been cast out of.

Yusei's spirit was broken. His empty shell lay in a heap of garbage, facing the grey skies with open eyes that could perceive he was alone. No longer with the people he shared his bonds with. The light that he could create with the hopes that others pinned in him – and that he pinned on others – was now absent. He stared blankly into the dead air.

Yusei was looking at his own body from afar, absent from the strong foundation he'd lived in his whole life. He was defying gravity, floating in midair, but could not interact with the world around him in any way. He wore his familiar blue jacket and jeans, with red padding, boots and his t-shirt, but he found he could see through both his clothing and himself when he waved his arms in front of his face.

His physical body lay there, staring into space with a glazed over gaze. From his vantage point, the spectral form panicked and tried to directly reach the body, but to no avail. There was some kind of barrier preventing him from doing so.

A short time later, Yusei heard a scraping noise, followed by the shifting of trash in the distance. Two large purple arms parted aside mounds of bicycle spokes, molded sink tops, out of date computers, and broken down D- Wheels as it waded through the sea of junk to reach Yusei's motionless physical form.

A gray hand placed itself under his shoulder. Then a smaller silver pair of mechanical hands under his head. The gray hand was joined by a second one as it wrapped a thick raggedy scarf around Yusei's neck and waist. It was several sizes larger than practical, but the grey hands took their utmost care in tying the scarf snugly around Yusei's body.

Then two larger hands of different sized cradled his back and legs. Yusei was stunned as three of his favorite cards all bent down to lift him up. Silently, Junk Synchron, Speed Warrior and Junk Warrior lifted the duelist's body from the sea of junk and walked through it with Yusei's fallen form. The sun had just begun to set and shadows cast from the mounds of trash created shade the three walked under.

There were no words, but Yusei could see they carried themselves with a heavy weight. Speed Warrior and Junk Synchron both kept their heads down, Junk Synchron occasionally letting out a low toned grunt. Junk Warrior was completely silent, lenses staring unblinkingly into Yusei's clouded blue eyes. Yusei's incorporeal body followed as he watched them silently carry his own body through the dunes of trash. The heaps of garbage covered the grey landscape, some were as tall as mountains. The only sounds other than a faint breeze was the joints in Junk Synchron and Junk Warriors' bodies whirring and clicking as the two moved in tandem with Speed Warrior.

This was not the same world he lived in. The trash heaps and smoggy sky reminded him of Satellite, but he saw no evidence of humankind besides his own body that his three trusted monsters carried and the wreckage around them. The sheer amount of alien looking wreckage and rusted parts confirmed that. Some kind of alien craft had crashed here, fumes leaking out from the ship's damaged and now rusted exterior. It was an odd puzzle piece amidst the thrown out car chassis, the warped and twisted frames of shopping carts, and even the rare sight of a broken Duel Disk tray or D-Wheel frame – the only evidence that 'here' knew of Dueling.

The three warriors descended from the current pile of scraps and Yusei's spirit saw that this garbage mound was extremely steep. If the three of them fell off, all four bodies would be lost. The sheer amount of junk they'd been climbing on was ridiculously large. It made Yusei wonder just how much wreckage and scraps covered this land.

Junk Warrior grunted and picked up Yusei's body by itself so that Junk Synchron and Speed Warrior would have a better time scaling down the junk pile. The purple Synchro's eyes were dimly lit and it gradually hovered down the slope of trash so that Junk Synchron and Speed Warrior were always in sight. Speed Warrior's lanky frame climbed down first, taking the utmost precaution to be there in case Junk Synchron slipped and fell. None of them could see his spirit like this, and Yusei wished he could give them any kind of sign that he was here.

Junk Warrior landed and Yusei's spectral form could see a gathering of creatures that awaited the procession. Speed Warrior and Junk Synchron returned to carrying his body and placed it on a twisted rectangular plate of metal, just large enough to fit his tall frame. Junk Warrior bent some steel beams and placed them underneath the makeshift cot. Then Yusei saw more hands grab the beams and pick up the cot. There was Junk Warrior's hand, of course, but then he saw there were more. Silently, Nitro, Turbo, Drill, and Road Warrior joined Junk Warrior in carrying the makeshift casket.

Yusei's spirit could see there were several more monsters watching as the warriors walked through the scrapyard. He saw Sonic Chick mourning, burying it's large head in Shield Wing's green feathers. It saw the body the warriors were carrying as Shield Wing did it's best to comfort it's grieving friend.

Of course, there were others. Shield Warrior knelt, keeping his eyes closed and bearing his teeth, keeping his sadness to himself. Effect Veiler was weeping openly as she saw the body, her wings drooping from her grief as she wept on her knees, her face buried in her hands. The other Synchrons could only stare wide eyed at the sight of their summoner in this state.

And much further away there were sounds of battle as the distant forms of Junk Berserker and Junk Destroyer traded blows, masking their sorrow with rage and battle lust.

Eventually the warriors placed Yusei on the ground and stood above him. Junk Warrior turned to the rest of the gathered monsters and put his smaller hand to where his mechanical heart would be. The rest of the monsters were silent, but Yusei could hear the occasional weep. He found he was unable to go back in his body, to open his eyes and tell them all that he was fine.

The bulky warriors backed away from Yusei and Junk Warrior looked to Junk Archer and Junk Gardna, silently watching the procession with the smaller monsters. Junk Warrior nodded to them and Junk Archer lowered it's head.

Then Junk Warrior's eyes glowed a brighter shade of red as it let out a grunt and tore out the rectangular armor plate over its chest. Junk Synchron gave a worried series of squeaks and beeps and tried to run over to it's Synchro counterpart, but Speed Warrior held back the diminutive tuner.

Junk Warrior gave a strained groan as it revealed a glowing green core in the center of its chest, buried in wires and coils, before it yanked out the makeshift heart, still connected by a few winding cables.

Nitro Warrior nodded and roared as it grabbed the it's pectoral muscles near it's collarbone and pulled them open, revealing cybernetic circuitry and a pulsating metal organ within it's right breast. It too glowed green.

There were more grunts now as Turbo Warrior, Road Warrior, and Drill Warrior did the same.

Then Junk Warrior put a hand over it's core and made a fist. Yusei heard a crunching sound as Junk Warrior's eyes dimmed and a surge of electricity flew through it's body. Then there were more of these sounds as the rest of the Synchro Warriors followed suit. Five cores. Five fists.

A slow rust like process drained the color from the assembled warriors, the light fading gradually from their eyes as they all stopped moving. The bright reds that once heralded Turbo Warrior's heroic arrival, and the brilliant gold that adorned Road Warrior's body had vanished. All of them were now the same shade of grey, standing statues with dead eyes of broken glass.

Then he heard the sound. A ping. Two level stars flew out of Junk Warrior's chest and into Yusei's body. Then five from Nitro Warrior, and Turbo Warrior. Thought he was no longer connected to his body, Yusei felt something warm rise in his chest. Four from Road Warrior and three from Drill Warrior flew into him and he suddenly could not see anymore.

It was dark, but he was warm. And he could feel again. A half-congested nose, the familiar feeling of his own mouth, even his heartbeat and the flutter of his eyes moving beneath his closed eyelids. Then felt the sensation of lying on something metal and warped.

Yusei opened his eyes. He saw Junk Warrior's grey frame standing before him, still sparking. Then there were the bodies of the other Synchro Warriors. Yusei tried to move and he heard shouts and squeaks of surprise as his hand raised and his fingers moved. The surrounding group of monsters quickly came up to see him.

He felt a pair of hands on his shoulders as Speed Warrior stood over him, expressionless behind it's visor, yet the squeeze it gave him was one of joy. Then a teary-eyed Effect Veiler wept into his chest. Junk Synchron was at his side, shouting excitedly in a series of beeps. Yusei patted it on the head and managed a smile. Yusei felt a peck at his boots and saw Sonic Chick look up at him with a mixture of mischief and relief.

Behind them, Shield Warrior gave him a nod as it looked proud in a way. In the distance, Junk Destroyer and Junk Berserker ceased their fighting as they looked on at him from afar.

Yusei sat up and looked to Junk Warrior and his comrades.

"Junk Warrior." Yusei said.

He stood, and took a few steps, as half of the monsters in his deck moved to help him. Yusei held up a hand, as Debris Dragon and Junk Collector were enough to support him. Yusei made it to Junk Warrior and raised his arm up, managing to put a hand to the Synchro's chest.

"You can't die here. I can fix you. All of you." Yusei said as he looked to the warriors he'd relied on for so much.

"A duelist's job is to breathe life into their cards, right?" Yusei asked, mostly to himself.

When he was in the Satellite, those cards were all that he had as a duelist.

"I'd be a pretty bad mechanic if I couldn't manage to do that." Yusei said out loud as he gently pried open Junk Warrior's individual fingers to examine the mechanical organ's crushed remains.

As soon as Yusei's gloved hand touched the item, there was a grunt as Junk Warrior's eyes took on a faint glow, purple color returning to Junk Warrior's frame again. Yusei's monsters cheered as Nitro, then Turbo, Road and Drill Warrior's bodies returned to their natural colors.

Junk Warrior removed it's hand from its core and its entire body vanished as it dissolved a translucent green right about five feet in diameter that flew in the sky above Yusei in a circular pattern. Turbo Warrior was next, eyes blazing bright yellow as the red Synchro vanished into another ring that joined the previous one. Then Nitro Warrior looked to the others and they all nodded, Nitro, Road, and Drill Warrior disappearing into three more Synchro rings that joined the pair were already floating in the air.

Then they descended, the five rings lining up so that they were parallel to Yusei. The five rings all fell down his body at equal intervals, and he began to glow orange. Yusei turned to look back to the rest of the monsters staring back at him with a mixture of pride and happiness. Then the expanding pillar of light enveloped him.

/

Yusei felt himself be carried away by the blast of the Synchro summon. Then he was somewhere else.

It was dark and there was nothing but a crack of light from the rubble above to see. A worn down and beaten patch of a concrete bridge hung over him, still usable. The large crack in the center of the bridge was providing his only light source. It was not some mountain of junk. Instead, this was a bit nostalgic. Much like the old, run-down Satellite he used to drive through.

He barely had the strength to stand, let alone walk. He sat up and looked to the ground. A Duel Monsters card greeted him face down. Yusei picked up the card and readied his duel disk.

He played the vanilla monster and the card Mai gave him appeared at his side in a flash of light, with a contradictory expression on her face. A sad-eyed grin. This Harpie Lady, Airo, wrapped an arm around his waist so he could lean on her as he walked.

"You hit rock bottom, huh?" She asked. "Yet you're still moving forward. I knew you would. You took that gambit to use the Pharaoh's card, and it at least sent you here. I mentioned that your monsters said they were from their own dimension, did I not? You got to see it."

Yusei said nothing as he didn't have the energy for it. All he could manage was one step at a time.

"Well if you're moving forward, you're always bound to find something. See? Here's another one of your cherished things." She said as she stopped. Yusei looked up and saw the D-Wheel Rally had christened the "Yusei-Go". It looked worn and damaged just as he was, but it could still run. He didn't question why it was there.

Airo let him go to it and Yusei mounted the bike, fitting on the helmet and connecting his duel disk to turn on the bike. His headlights came on and he was relieved to see ahead of himself. Yusei offered her a helmet and she scoffed at him, crossing her talons across her chest. "I'll do just fine flying, thank you." the Harpie said dryly. Yusei slowly began driving the machine with Airo hovering next to him.

"I saw myself dead. And then – my cards saved me. Airo, where is this?" Yusei thought.

"Your subconsciousness most likely. It probably brought me here after your first stop." The red-haired harpy said with a shrug, then a smirk. "I told you to keep me close."

Yusei heard sirens behind him as Goyo Guardian leapt from the night fog, chain ready to throw at the D- wheeler as they entered the pipeline to the city. Yusei sped up and his Extra Deck shone with a light.

To Yusei's surprise, Nitro Warrior appeared with a snarl, emerald body restored as its engines ignited. The horned monster blasted off to face Gate Guardian. Yusei wanted to turn and help the warrior out, but the Yusei-Go carried on.

The pipeline ended just in time for Yusei to clear it, Airo cursing as she dove behind him to avoid the early morning's garbage from the city. The pair cleared the junk and then they were safe as they got to the end of the pipeline.

The next road took them to the city, before the Satellite Unification Process began, covered in high rise apartments and glittering midnight lights. With a roar, Red Demon's Dragon appeared against the night sky ahead on the path. Yusei's Extra Deck shone again and Junk Warrior boosted forwards to meet the dragon's Absolute Power Force with a Scrap Fist. Yusei heard the two locked in combat as his D-Wheel sped ever forwards.

Now they were in the B.A.D Area. Kiryu was ahead of him, in his old Dark Signer attire complete with short hair, cackling as Ccapac Apu rose above the horizon, descending on Yusei with a giant hand. They were surrounded in the familiar, soul-eating flames of their previous Riding Duel, the infernal fire lighting up the night.

Suddenly another card from Yusei's Extra Deck shone with light and Road Warrior appeared, picking up the entire D-Wheel Yusei was on and hurling it into the air. Yusei gasped as the Synchro pulled the massive piece of road off of it's back and fired a white beam into the sky. The wheels of the Yusei-Go met the beam of light and drove on it like a road. Past the raging Earthbound Immortal. Flying into the air,somewhere else beyond the horizon.

"Think about your journey, Yusei. On this path you tried to make it on your own many times without looking for help. But did that ever really solve anything?" Airo asked.

He remembered the injury he had from Kiryu's duel was due to him trying to take on the Satellite and city's burden all by himself, rushing into the situation just to end up wounded and demoralized.

It was Rally that got his D-Wheel's chip, Yanagi who gave him a friend when he needed one most. It was Aoyama that gave him resolve to finish the duel with Takasu at the Facility. It had been Saiga's belief in him that spurred him away from the third duel with Ushio. Martha and Dr. Smith who'd fixed his broken body. Taka, Nerv, and Blitz to retrieve his broken D-Wheel, not to mention his Satellite friends who, as a whole who helped him construct both D-Wheels.

Then the friends he'd made once he'd made it away from Security. Aki to show him that he still could try and help a friend even if he wasn't at his best. Jack to show him that he needed resolve to win. Crow to tell him not to feel responsible for Zero Reverse. Sherry to give him more incentive to fight Yliaster.

And the teams he'd faced alongside team 5D's in the WRGPX giving them all further experience to face Yliaster as well. Then there was Bruno telling him to surpass his own limitations. And of course Team 5D's entrusting him with all of their wishes gave Yusei what he'd needed to defeat Z-ONE. And at the end of it all, Z-ONE himself chose to die so that Yusei could live. His journey had required to strength of others to get as far as he did.

Yusei looked up. The black of the night sky vanished and above him, Machine Emperor Wisel, Grannel, and Skiel hovered ahead of him in broad daylight. Wisel swinging it's bladed arm down towards Yusei.

Wisel's blade bore down on him and his deck glowed with white as a card Yusei had never used before activated.

'I've got this, sonny!' Yanagi's voice cried out as Totem Pole fired off, blocking each Emperor's attack.

"Yanagi's card!?" Yusei cried as each totem held back the Emperors, who were still pursuing him.

"Your friend's bond exists even when you're in this state." Airo said. "Now see what his help has brought you."

Then a vortex created by Speed Fusion appeared and Draco-Equiste appeared, the fusion monster readying it's spear. The Dragon Knight let out a howl and hurled it's javelin straight at Wisel. Yusei continued onward despite the severe disadvantage the fusion knight was at.

Then the D-Wheel abruptly was in another part of the city. It drove past the facility he'd been kept at. Takasu's Iron Chain dragon faced them now, letting out a shriek as it prepared to attack. The chains on the bulky grey dragon's body reminded Yusei of the cruelty he'd faced in the Facility, and how he didn't have any cards of his own to use against the Warden or his Iron Chain Dragon.

The Dragon in question began to charge the blue energy in it's mouth for at attack – and was subsequently trampled by a horde of monsters, including Exiled Force, The Kick Man, Tri-Horned Dragon, and Rubble King to name a few.

Yusei was shocked as the inmates' monsters made short work of the Synchro dragon, Rubble King riding on the back of Tri-Horned Dragon as the blue normal monster pinned down Chain Dragon along with Himuro's Giant Ushi Oni, Exiled Force, and The Kickman taking turns striking the Synchro while it was down.

"On this path, you were helped by your friends. That's a source of your strength." Airo said as the battle behind him vanished. He saw Himuro giving him the entry card to the bar Bootleg, Team Ragnarok showing him the way to Arc Cradle, Rua and Ruka giving him a place to rest, Aporia showing Team 5D's the weakness to Z-ONE's Temporal Machine Gods, and there was something else as well.

"Signer or not, you've always been the same person. You weren't defined by that mark." She said as Yusei narrowed his eyes to adjust to what was ahead. Hunched over and roaring with golden scales, it was SIN Truth Dragon.

"Paradox!" Yusei thought as he saw not just Atem standing next to him, but also Judai and a spirit form of Yugi as Judai's spirit partner Yubel watched them. The colossal golden dragon that Paradox merged with looked down on the three physically present duelists with a shuddering roar.

Yusei looked down to see himself stand up next to Yugi and Judai, his own resolve had been restored due to their encouragement.

The D-Wheeler and duel monster alike watched the three from afar as the Harpie spoke to him.

"You are strong and it's gotten you far in life, but you're not Jack. You don't desire a road that only serves you in the end, nor could you walk one just for yourself and remain the same." Airo said.

As she spoke, Stardust combined it's attack with Elemental HERO Neos and Dark Magician, obliterating the SIN Truth Dragon and winning the duel.

"But you also got this far by fighting for yourself. Even if you also fought for your bonds while doing that. You're human. You need to look after yourself before you recklessly help others." Airo admonished.

The celebratory image of Yugi, Judai, and Yusei all putting their hands together in a team cheer vanished. Now the path ahead of them was a clear and boundless blue sky.

"You're always had that power inside of yourself, Yusei. You just need to clear your mind to reach it once again."

Ahead of him, Tech Genus Blade Gunner descended, Antinomy's signature card pointing it's bladed blaster in their direction, Antinomy patiently waiting on his long D-Wheel as he silently watched Yusei's D-Wheel approach.

Yusei closed his eyes and breathed. He heard a great roar. A creature made from Stardust, faster than light. Then he felt it's radiance fill his heart. It was all encompassing. Yusei lost track of where he was. Airo had vanished from his side. Blade Gunner was gone as well. Even Antinomy had disappeared

/

The Yusei-Go emerged from the vision. The duelist found himself in the city, and drove his machine down the street, surprised as things looked different. At this point he didn't even question the how and why he had a body and D-Wheel at all – merely glad that they were there. There was no headache, or psychotic spirit in control of his head now, and Yusei was glad to have the space to think and process what was around him.

The biggest relief to see was the huge holographic image of Jack, looking like he did four years ago, with his signature broad white coat flapping in the wind, no doubt from his revival tour as World King.

Yet there was a large detail from the poster that appeared wrong to him. A battle-scarred Red Demon's Dragon was standing behind Jack in the holographic image, one of it's ram horns chipped and broken, and a right arm covered in a demonic looking cast. Orange gashes and marks were all over the dragon's body, including it's wings.

Yusei slowed his D wheel to get a better look at the image. He couldn't explain it other than that it looked fundamentally different. There was something off about Jack in the picture. And that battle scarred Red Demon's Dragon was a far cry from the Red Demon's Dragon that he'd clashed with so many times.

"Mr. Fudo?" A voice called.

Yusei turned to see a limousine riding parallel to his D Wheel on his immediate right. The two of the vehicles stopped for a traffic light and Yusei could see on the passenger side of the luxurious car. A young man was dressed in a fancy suit and tie, smiling as he held up a holoscreen to take Yusei's picture with. The man wore standard attire from a Topsider. The man at first looked happy to see him, but then gasped as Yusei turned to meet his gaze and he saw Yusei's face.

"Marker?!" The man exclaimed, finger twitching in surprise as he pointed to the yellow streak on Yusei's face.

Yusei winced at the statement – the ignorance in those words hurt just as badly as getting the mark burned into his own flesh had. He didn't expect to hear it used that way in public ever again. Not since the city and Satellite reunited.

Suddenly Yusei noticed the crowd of people that must have gathered at his sudden appearance in the city, all looking at him, thumbs scrolling through their own holoscreens and no doubt taking pictures and footage of him with.

"Marker!" "Impostor!" He heard again as more citizens joined the suited man and began to yell it.

The man in the limo looked to his device and then to Yusei. "The marker tracker doesn't match his serial number! This guy can't be Yusei! The D-Wheel's a close resemblance, but look! It's got the right shape but not the right engine! Hey bum, you'd better get a move on! The Tops don't like it when trespassers show up on their turf!"

The intensity of the crowd could cut him if it were solidified. He glanced around and used what little space he had to zoom between the limo and another D-Wheel when the light turned green. Yusei made sure to steer away from the more populated part of the city as his craft avoided as many people as he could.

Then there was the sound of a Security siren and Yusei's fight or flight response kicked in. He immediately drove away from the source of the sound– unsure of his fate if the Security here caught up to him. One thing was certain – this wasn't the city he knew.

The poster of Jack was one thing, but there were some big differences between the two. There was a series of white spires floating far up ahead, arranged horizontally in the sky. The city appeared completely new, as though there weren't any big restoration or construction projects. Yusei found that it quickly became a maze to navigate, especially with the dread that people were out looking for him. He didn't recognize any of the landmarks and imputed a smart-map function into his D-Wheel, automatically making a map of the paths it took as to make avoiding any unwanted run-ins with Security.

Even though Yusei was a free man back in his home City, he still knew that some Security officers still didn't take kindly to Satellite citizens and didn't want to take any chances with them. He had another Security patrol algorithm he'd programmed and hoped that it worked the same way back home as it did in this place. One thing was helpful – his marker didn't match their records, so marker tracking was out of the question.

Yusei could make out flashes of the sirens, but made sure to take as many side streets as he could. Eventually he found himself at a highway exit-point and accelerated as fast as he could, shooting down the lane and slowing to find anywhere he could exit that would lead him away from the extravagant city. Yet he looked ahead and beheld more of the same, a colossal city connected by all manner of superhighways. At best all he could do was find a place to lay low at the moment. He didn't know where to begin. If there was a Jack in this world, would he listen to Yusei's story? And was there a Satellite to speak of? The sheer number of possibilities from those two questions alone made Yusei's head hurt.

The security alarms halted abruptly and he heard a voice on the multi-duel network project from his own Duel Disk that made his blood freeze.

"This is Yusei Fudo. Sorry for the confusion everyone. A Commons is helping me try out a prototype D-Wheel for me. I'll come collect him myself – no need to involve Security in this matter." The voice said in a calm manner.

Hearing his own voice say something like that was alien to him. And more evidence he was in the wrong place.

Suddenly his monitor detected an object speeding his way – and fast. A red blur approached, an almost identical copy of his own machine, with a few altercations to it using the highest level of technology possible. It was the same chrome bike, with the wheels that connected horizontally to the frame of the D-wheel, same red canopy, and same shade of white highlighting the red. Yet he noticed a few key differences. First, there was the duel-disk, accompanying card tray strangely absent from the machine. And second, there was no 5D's logo emblazoned on the craft's side.

"Follow me." The other rider said in his voice. Yusei gave the other person a glace – they had the same blue jacket with red shoulder pads and helmet, with little alterations to it. He didn't get a glance of the person's shirt, but he had a hunch that it would be what he expected.

Yusei complied and noticed that this person wasn't letting him just leisurely follow along – he was driving very fast, the back of the D-wheel now visible for Yusei to see clearly. The thrust module was about the same, but there were a few tweaks to it that Yusei wished he could afford on a good conscious without going into debt. Yusei accelerated to catch up, and found that he could, but it was putting strain on his D-wheel to do so.

The pair of red machines left the denser area of the city and took a winding highway that kept them both away from pedestrians. The area was remarkably empty of other vehicles. The bright sun hung in the sky, yet it made Yusei feel tense.

"You're lucky the Friendship Cup tournament is starting at this time. Security's all there dealing with some other intruders. But whoever you are, I'd like an explanation. Who are you, and why are you impersonating me?" The other's voice rang through his helmet's audio piece.

Yusei found it difficult to answer, yet if this was him then surly he would understand.

"I am Yusei Fudo. Riding Duelist." Yusei said, feeling like whatever answer he gave was risky.

"Riding Duelist. And how does Yusei Fudo the Riding Duelist get a marker?" The other voice said in what Yusei guessed was disbelief.

". . . Trespassing." Yusei said, being as vague as he could. Anything too detailed would likely dissuade the other man – even if it was another version of himself.

"Sounds like you're a repeat offender." The other said.

Now he was potentially in trouble, but Yusei kept going. At this point the story was already ridiculous. "I went there to get Stardust Dragon back. It was stolen and I wanted it back."

"Someone stole Stardust Dragon? Who would do that." The other asked, this time sounding curious, if not still suspicious.

"Jack. He was offered a path to be King of Duelists if he brought my Stardust and his Red Demon's Dragon."

". . . Jack stole Stardust? As in Jack Atlas?" The other voice asked him, putting a slightly different pronunciation on Jack's last name.

"Yes. Before he became King where I'm from, Jack Atlus took it to escape Satellite." Yusei clarified.

"Jack took Stardust. . . And this place, Satellite? What is that?"

It dawned on Yusei that this version of him may not have known about where he grew up. That possibility matched with him asking about the marker, at any rate.

"It's where the city has the . . . lower class citizens work." Yusei answered, feeling both frustration and disbelief that an other version of him wouldn't know about this.

"That's what we call the Bottoms. And what about The Tops in your world?" The voice asked.

The Tops – the richest part of the city. So there was another connection.

"The rich. The privileged and powerful. They live in the city and have happy lives, ignorant of what the people of the Satellite go through." Yusei said, trying not to sound biased in his description.

"And yet you, Yusei Fudo, trespassed to the City despite knowing that it was the wrong thing to do?"

His tone was authoritative and it sounded foreign hearing his own voiced laced with such a tone. Yet it still seemed like an honest question.

"It didn't stop Jack from taking Stardust. Not through a duel, but through putting my friend Rally in danger. It's in the past now, but back then. . . back then I felt I needed to recover it." Yusei explained. The other Yusei's voice made an audible noise, not a chuckle, but some kind of tisk.

"No more questions. We'll figure this out in a duel – then I'll decide whether you're who you say you are, or just a skilled impersonator from the Bottoms – or from the same place as those foreign duelists in the tournament. I'll come to a decision on what to do with you after that. If you put forth a good duel, then I may hear out your answer."

Yusei was going to say something in response, yet the activation of a duel disk cut him off. The other man slowed down and drifted over so that Yusei was finally beside him.

"Duel mode. Autopilot, Stand By." Both D-Wheel's monitors said in different voices.

"Speed World 2 – Crossover Accel Activated." The mechanical voice droned. Yusei had no time to question what this 'crossover' spell was, other than that it apparently combined two styles of dueling into one.

A contraption on the other man's D-wheel flipped open, revealing a deck case. Then a blue laser grid of five rectangular slots appeared. It was a duel disk alright, even if it was one he'd never seen before. Made of translucent blue light emitting from the main body of the disk.

And – now there was no doubt about it – another him raised his visor, glaring at him with his own cobalt eyes on a marker-less face.

"You call yourself by my family's name. So show me whether you're worthy of it."

His name appeared twice on the monitor, as did his face. The absence of a marker the only thing telling the two of them apart. The display showed their places of origin, which Yusei supposed gave his vague story some credibility.

"Riding Duel - !" The other him announced.

" - Acceleration!" Yusei joined in as the game began. His deck began to auto-shuffle before spitting out a hand of five cards.

YUSEI (TOPS) 4000 VS YUSEI (SATELLITE) 4000

"My turn." The other Yusei said as he kept going forwards and drew his first card.

Turn 1: 4000/4000 SPC: 0/0

"I'll start by summoning Gate Warrior."

In front of him, a spherical green robot appeared from a summon circle- with two stubby arms and legs, and a small flat head. The monster's circular blue eyes shone as it fully materialized from the summon (4/0/2000).

The monster floated alongside the riding duelist as it went into defense mode (2000).

"When Gate Warrior is normal summoned, I can put in in defense mode. And once per turn, as long as I control a 'Gate Warrior', I can Special Summon one 'Synchron' monster from my hand." The other him said.

"Warrior? Synchron?" Yusei thought. He expected a deck like his own, but the similarities so far were too close for comfort.

"Through Gate Warrior's effect, appear! Unknown Synchron!" The other him urged.

The large green chest of Gate Warrior opened up, two grey metal plates parting as a small grey machine flew out of it's chest. Unknown Synchron was a dark colored orb with irregular metal plates surrounding a large red eye. Two small antennae were mounted above the singular eye. It zipped around the field briefly before it descended next to Gate Warrior (1/0/0).

Yusei was surprised. Of all the Synchrons, this one was pretty limited. If this world's Yusei was going to Synchro Summon, Yusei expected something unorthodox.

"Now I'll tune my two monsters." The other Yusei said.

As he said this, Unknown Synchron turned into a single ring of green light, with smaller rectangular prisms of green interlaced with the standard tuning rings. It looked a bit more stylish than what Yusei was used to.

The other him began to chant and Yusei felt a pit start growing in his stomach. This was going to be quite the spectacle.

"The mysterious star descends with great force! Ride with the light! Synchro Summon! Appear from Beyond, Unknown Warrior!"

The light split apart, revealing a warrior whose body was clad in strips of metallic armor, covering a glowing purple form underneath. It was extremely lanky and mummified in metal bands. Like the Synchron that spawned it, Unknown Warrior had a head with a red eye in the center. The head was humanoid shaped, the metal coating forming a mask of sorts with the crimson eye visible, the red lens circled by a yellow band. Two antennae jutted from the top of the mask.

Unknown Warrior's armor was asymmetrical – the right shoulder covered in an armor plate sporting two spikes, while the left was bare, a glowing purple arm with no surface detail to it and very minor armor. The chest was covered in a breastplate, while the legs were lightly covered on the outside of the thighs. While the right forearm was completely covered, the left was a sinuous flowing tendril of purple energy, ending in a three-fingered claw (5/2100/1600).

To say Yusei was stunned would be an understatement as this Synchro Warrior was one he'd never seen before. He thought of all the Synchro 'Warrior' monsters he possessed. Junk. Nitro. Turbo. Road. Drill. There was a likelihood that this version of him had his own Extra deck full of them – ones he'd never seen before.

"I'll end my turn with that. Let's see what you can do." The other Yusei said as he ended his turn with four cards in his hand.

"My turn!" Yusei declared as he drew a card.

Turn 2, 4000/4000 SPC: 1/1.

He glanced to his Speed Counters, currently only at one, and then to the card he'd drawn.

"I'll begin by discarding a monster to special summon Quickdraw Synchron!" Yusei said.

He discarded a card, and in front of him, a diminutive cowboy robot appeared, mechanical blue body topped with a head covered by a massive, wide brimmed hat with a feather in it, revealing only a large blue eye. This Synchron had a flowing red scarf, two small spurred boots and a pair of pistols (5/700/1400).

"Quickdraw Synchron! Then you also use Synchro Warriors as well?" the other him asked.

"That's right." Yusei said. "I am a Synchro duelist too. Now I'll use Level Eater's effect in my Graveyard. By reducing Quickdraw Synchron's level by one, I can special summon it."

Quickdraw Synchron seemed to twitch for a second as it's level fell (5 → 4). Then a small ladybug with a single yellow star on it's back appeared next to the cowboy tuner (1/600/0).

"And now I'll tune my level one Level Eater with my now level four Quickdraw Synchron, treating Quickdraw Synchron as Junk Synchron for this Synchro Summon." Yusei said, as Quickdraw Synchron split into the more stylish Synchro Rings.

"Clustering stars call upon a new force. Become the path it's light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Appear, Junk Warrior!'

Level Eater's body faded into a single level that was impaled by the spear of light from the summons, the beam fading away to reveal what Yusei had summoned. The purple scrap-work Synchro monster let out a grunt as it clenched it's larger right fist with a surge of electricity, descending to Yusei's field on it's wings, white scarf billowing in the wind as it kept up with Yusei's D-Wheel (5/2300/1300).

It was now the other Yusei's turn to be surprised. "So that monster is Junk Warrior? Such a Synchro Warrior exists. . . A scrap monster counts itself among the honorable Synchro Warriors?" The other him asked.

"'Scrap monster'? Well call it what you like, but Junk Warrior is my go-to Synchro monster." Yusei said. "And now I'll have it attack! Junk Warrior, attack Unknown Warrior! Scrap Fist!"

Junk Warrior's boosters ignited as the robot blasted off, flying in front of Yusei before it took to the skies and flew around in a loop, slamming it's larger studded fist into Unknown Warrior, shattering the other's Synchro. (Yusei (TOPS) 4000 → 3800).

The other Yusei grit his teeth as he sent his monster to the Graveyard.

Yusei frowned. "I'll go to main phase two, and reduce Junk Warrior's level by one to welcome back Level Eater again."

Junk Warrior's level reduced (5 → 4), and Level Eater re-appeared, in defense mode (1/600/0).

". . . turn end." Yusei said, giving his four remaining cards a quick glance.

"My turn. Draw." The other him said as he drew a fifth card.

Turn 3: 3800/4000, SPC: 2/2

"What are these counters?" The markerless him asked.

Yusei was at a loss – what Riding Duelist didn't know about Speed Counters? Yet this was a different dimension entirely. Perhaps here regular spell cards were the norm for Riding Duels.

"Those are Speed Counters. Each duelist gets a new one every turn. The amount of counters you have determines what Speed Spells you can play."

"Speed Spells?" the other him asked.

"Spells that are only used for Riding Duels. " Yusei explained. "Where I'm from, Speed Spells can be used in a Riding Duel. But this crossover version of Speed World has a few effects that you can use Speed Counters for as well. It's following the format of Speed World 2, but seems to be a hybrid of Speed World 1 and 2. You can get rid of four to discard a Speed Spell and deal some damage, seven to draw a card, and you can get rid of ten to destroy a card on the field. But for every increment of one-thousand damage you take, you lose a Speed Counter."

The version of himself from the tops glanced over the card from his monitor. "Interesting effects. But my version of Speed World has no regular spell restrictions." He said calmly.

Yusei looked to the Crossover Accel card and was baffled to see there was indeed no restriction on using normal Spell Cards. That meant that the other him had the edge already as he would not need any Speed Counters to use his most powerful Spells. The other him spoke as he resumed his turn.

"First I'll use Unknown Warrior's effect from the Graveyard. Once per turn, during either of my main phases, if I control no monsters, I can Special Summon it from my Graveyard."

He played the card on his hard light duel disk as he spoke. "Awakening From Beyond!"

A mass of purple mist appeared in front of his D-Wheel, a single red light piercing through it. The form of Unknown Warrior slashed through the mist with it's claw arm, appearing by it's user's side once again (5/2100/1600).

"While Unknown Warrior's attack points might not be very high, it's special ability makes it very useful for a Synchro user." The other Yusei said. "Now let's try out this." He said, playing a card from his hand.

"I'll use the continuous spell – Synchron Command Center."

The other him played a new card, and Yusei could see Road Synchron sitting in a cubicle with a headset, issuing orders to Nitro and Turbo Synchron as they brought the larger Synchron a pen and a clipboard depicted on the card art. In the background Yusei noticed Dash Warrior was sitting outside of the cubicle, waiting to speak to someone.

"Once per turn, I can discard a monster with "Warrior" in it's card name to add a "Synchron" monster with an equal or lower level from my deck to my hand. So by discarding my level four Guarding Warrior, I can add the level three Steam Synchron to my hand."

The markerless Yusei discarded the chosen Warrior to add the specified Synchron to his hand – giving him four cards after he made the trade.

"He'll summon a level eight monster already using Unknown Warrior and Steam Synchron?" Yusei thought to himself. "He's already gotten that many resources."

"I summon Bri Synchron!" the other declared to Yusei's shock. Another one-off Synchron that didn't have it's own 'warrior' counterpart where he came from.

A red humanoid robot appeared, with blocky proportions, and a gold and white trim (4/1500/1100).

"Next, I'll discard my Gear Warrior, and with it's effect I can reduce or increase a monster's level by up to two."

The duelist did and and Unknown Warrior's level adjusted accordingly (5 → 3).

"And now I'll tune level four Bri Synchron to my now level three Unknown Warrior."

Four Synchro Rings from Bri Synchron's body encircled Unknown Warrior, reducing him to an orange outline as the blast of energy surged through the aligned stars and rings.

"At light speed, the blazing determined star emerges from the galactic gale! Ride on the light! Synchro Summon! Be born! Bri Warrior!"

From the summon, a massive robot appeared. It was very humanoid, with a stern expression despite it being made out of metal. Mainly red in color, but with white thighs and waist. Bri Warrior had a pair of large jet wings on it's back, and it's main body, like the Synchron that made it up, was bright red. It had a red helm covering it's metal white face, the shell splitting into three lines that ran down the monster's face, giving it the semblance of a mustache (7/2600/2500).

"Bri Warrior!?" Yusei exclaimed as the monster was again unexpected.

"Bri Warrior's effect cancels out any effects that might affect it from either Graveyard while it's on the field. Therefore it does not get it's effect negated by Bri Synchron's own effect! And in addition, it does not gain the attack boost from Bri Synchron, but it doesn't need it due to it's own effect. With it, I'll take advantage of you controlling multiple monsters." The other said.

"When Bri Warrior destroys an opponent's monster in battle, it gains six hundred attack and can attack another monster!"

Yusei stiffened as his field of two monsters suddenly didn't seem very solid.

"Bri Warrior, attack Level Eater!"

Bri Warrior slammed it's fists together, then brought them apart as red lightning crackled between the fists, solidifying into a massive silver cannon. It was long, menacing, and tapered inwards. The cannon began to hum with a shriek of energy as red particles began gathering at its' tip.

"Fire, J-9 Buster - Galactica Cannon!"

The red particles in the cannon's front expanded with a whirring noise before firing off into a massive stream that incinerated Level Eater.

Bri Warrior's eyes then glowed yellow as it's attack power increased (2600 → 3200).

"And once again, I'll attack! Bri Warrior, destroy Junk Warrior! Fire again! Galactica Cannon!"

A second shot fired at Junk Warrior, who swung it's best fist forward to stop the attack, but was still blasted apart by the red beam until nothing remained (Yusei (Satellite) 4000 → 3100).

Once again, Bri Warrior's eyes lit up as it gained even more attack points (3200 → 3800).

Yusei was flustered as his field was now completely empty of monsters.

"You thought using that Level Eater would give you a barrier monster, but in this case, it just gave me an advantage!" The other him said. "I'll set this card and end my turn."

A single set card appeared on the other's field, leaving him with one card in his hand.

Turn 4: 3800/3100, SPC: 3/3.

Yusei drew into a fifth card and found what he could do next.

"I'll start with the Speed Spell – Vision Wind! Since I have two or more Speed Counters, I can special summon a level two or lower monster from my Graveyard! So be reborn, Level Eater!"

Yusei's insect monster re-appeared on his field (1/600/0).

"And then I release my Level Eater to Advance Summon Salvage Warrior from my hand!" Yusei said.

From the Advance Summon, a bulky and squat blue warrior appeared. He was bald and had lots of muscle mass. He wore an orange worker's vest and had a chain gauntlet on each arm (5/1900/1600).

"Then I'll use Salvage Warrior's effect – letting me summon a tuner from my hand or Graveyard!" Yusei said. "So I'll summon my Nitro Synchron from my hand!"

With a squeak the white and red cartoonish cylinder appeared, making a determined scowl as it landed next to Yusei's speeding D-Wheel (2/300/100).

"And now I'll tune my level five Salvage Warrior with my level two Nitro Synchron."

Both of Yusei's monsters flew higher into the air as they began tuning.

The gas dial on Nitro Warrior's head went to red as it then hummed with determination, splitting apart into two Synchro rings that aligned with Salvage Warrior's body.

"Clustering minds will now become a new force! Become the path it's light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Blaze on, Nitro Warrior!"

The green blast of light shot past both Yuseis, revealing the cybernetically enhanced green skinned monster, long horns on it's head, a giant booster jutting out of it's lower back, and two bulky knuckles on each hand (7/2800/1800).

"... Nitro Warrior, huh?" The other him asked. "But Bri Warrior has more attack points."

"True, but Nitro Synchron's effect lets me draw a card since it was used for a Synchro Summon." Yusei said.

He drew – now holding three cards - and grinned when he saw what his newest card was.

"Good." Yusei thought as his deck hadn't let him down. "I'll use the Speed Spell – Angel Baton. If I have at least three Speed Counters, I can draw two cards, then discard one of those cards."

Yusei drew two more cards, Turbo Synchron and Sneak Giant, giving him four. "Then I'll discard my Turbo Synchron as a cost." Yusei explained as he discarded the Tuner, leaving him with three cards.

"Then I'll use Level Eater's effect! By reducing Nitro Warrior's level by one, I can revive it again!" Yusei said, thinking of new tactics. Nitro Warrior's level shifted to six accordingly as Level Eater re-appeared in defense mode (1/600/0).

"And now, Nitro Warrior, attack that Bri Warrior! Dynamite Knuckle!"

With a blast of fire from it's rear booster and arm gauntlets, Nitro Warrior rocketed off to battle with Bri Warrior, fists extended.

"I don't know what your aim is, but Bri Warrior is stronger!" His other pointed out. "Counter with J9 Slasher!"

Bri Warrior nodded at the order, tossing away the cannon and drew a wide, double-edged sword that emerged from the side of its ankle, ready to slice at Nitro Warrior with.

"Nitro Warrior's effect – since I used a spell card while it was on the field, it gains one thousand attack points until the end of that battle!" Yusei explained.

Nitro Warrior let out a growl as it's attack power increased – reflected by his fists glowing green with energy, the surface area of the green fists expanding to break apart Bri Warrior's sword (6/2800 → 3800/1800). Both 'Warrior' monsters collided and shattered from the battle.

He looked at the three cards in his hand, selecting one to use. "Then I'll set this card."

The single card appeared on his field with a hum. "Turn end!" Yusei said.

"I just have to make it through his next turn. Level Eater will give me a defense to protect me from his monster. Then I can use Sneak Giant and Turbo Synchron to call out Turbo Warrior. . ." Yusei thought to himself.

"My turn!" The other Yusei said.

Turn 5, 3800/3100, SPC: 4/4.

The other Yusei had two cards in his hand after drawing.

"First I'll use the effect of Synchron Command Center." He said, gesturing to his continuous spell card.

"I'll discard my level two Medical Warrior to add my level one Changer Synchron to my hand."

Yusei grimaced as he knew just how useful Changer Synchron could be in the right situation – once allowing him to defeat three duelists all in the same turn. Suddenly his defense position Level Eater didn't seem like the sturdiest of defenses.

"Since Medical Warrior was sent to the Graveyard, I gain one thousand life points." The other him said as both he and his D-Wheel glowed in a light green aura briefly (Yusei (TOPS) 3800 → 4800).

"Then I'll bring out Unknown Warrior from the Graveyard again, as I control no monsters. Awakening From Beyond!" The other Yusei declared as he re-played the lanky Synchro Warrior (5/2100/1600).

"Now I summon Changer Synchron!" The other said.

Next to Unknown Warrior, a smaller robot appeared, a tan small body with a large head and angry cartoon eyes. The Synchron had a shift stick one might see in an arcade game coming out of the top of it's head (1/0/0).

"And now I'll tune my level five Unknown Warrior with my level one Changer Synchron!"

The tuner split into the single ring that Unknown Warrior's body flew through as the other Yusei's third chant began.

"The determined raging star appears from the surging lightning! Ride on the light! Synchro Summon! Build up, Changer Warrior!"

The Synchro Summon split apart and from within it, the next warrior appeared. This one was another robot - a sturdy looking brawler, made out of several magnetized and rounded metal pieces. It was mostly orange in color, but kept the tan coloring of it's Synchron counterpart as means to highlight the orange. It's head was small, flat, and covered in a metallic mouth guard. Two yellow eyes blazed with blue pupils, gazing at Level Eater, and a thin red set of mechanical wings kept the monster afloat (6/2200/1200).

"Changer Synchron's effect! I change your Level Eater to attack position!"

Level Eater hovered just a bit higher than usual as it changed it's battle position (1/600/0).

"And then due to Changer Warrior's effect, I target each of your monsters and then switch all of their attack and defense points. And you cannot change your monsters' battle positions as long as my monster is in play! Magnet Storm!"

Changer Warrior grunted and lept into the air as it glowed with a yellow aura that radiated out in waves shaped like it's own body. Level Eater surged with a spark of orange lightning as it was affected by the ability (1/600 → 0/0 → 600).

"I'll use my continuous trap at this point – Warrior's Stronghold." The other Yusei said as his set trap sprang into play.

The image on this card showed Junk Warrior standing next to two other monsters Yusei never saw before – one was a black robot with the features of a jet while the other was a massive warrior clad in shining white and blue armor. The three of them were standing on top of some kind of fort, the warrior in the center folding his arms with pride.

"This trap prevents you from targeting or destroying Synchro 'Warrior' monsters I control with card effects. In addition, you cannot summon a monster that has a higher level than the lowest level 'Warrior' Synchro monster I currently control." The other Yusei explained.

Yusei bared his teeth as now it would be harder to get around his opponent's Synchro monsters.

"With your monster in attack mode, this is as good as a direct attack, and with my Warrior's Stronghold in play, that set card is no threat to Changer Warrior! Now attack, Knuckle Bomber!" His other commanded.

Changer Warrior let out a roar as it pointed both fists at Level Eater, then it's forearms erupted off of it's body, flying straight at Level Eater and shattering the monster as they flew directly towards Yusei.

"Trap card, Defense Draw! I reduce the damage I'd take to zero, then I can draw a card!" Yusei said, his D-wheel still speeding forwards as the rocket arms struck an invisible barrier, bouncing off as Yusei drew.

Then Changer Warrior's arms were re-magnetized by the Synchro and flew back to Changer Warrior, who connected them back to his body using electricity, each forearm connecting to a large silver magnet where the warrior's elbow would be.

"Well nicely done avoiding the damage, but I wonder, can you keep this up?" The other him said. "I end my turn."

He had two cards left in his hand – one of which was the Tuner monster Steam Synchron, Yusei recalled. One his opponent could've special summoned earlier in the duel. That meant he was waiting for the exact moment to use it, which was troubling.

Turn 6, 4800/3100, SPC: 5/5

Yusei drew a card, holding five now, and was glad that Defense Draw gave him what he was looking for the last turn.

"I'll special summon Turbo Synchron from my Graveyard as a cost to Special Summon my level five Sneak Giant from my hand!"

"A special summon as a cost?!" The other Yusei remarked in disbelief as a blocky gray giant made of scrap and pipes appeared on Yusei's field (5/0/1900). It was joined by Turbo Synchron, the small green tuner crouching in defense mode (1/100/100).

"Still – at this moment Changer Warrior's effect activates again! In addition to monsters you controlled while it was summoned, monsters you continue to summon from now on will have their attack and defense points switched as well. Magnet Storm!" His doppelganger from the Tops stated.

Sneak Giant groaned, surging with electricity briefly as it was struck by Changer Warrior's effect (5/0/1900 → 5/1900/0).

Then, Turbo Synchron spun around, disrupted by the effect as it appeared dazed. (1/100/100 → 1/100/100).

"Now I'll tune my level five Sneak Giant with my level one Turbo Synchron! Since your Changer Warrior is level six, I can meet the maximum conditions of your 'Warrior's Stronghold' and respond in kind with a level six Synchro Monster!"

Turbo Synchron split into a ring of light and once again a Synchro Summon occurred as Sneak Giant vanished into the light.

"Clustering Bonds weave a greater force! Become the path it's light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Rev your engines, Turbo Warrior!" Yusei chanted.

The red Turbo Warrior appeared in it's metal coif-haired, truck chested glory, metallic claws spread out as the red and white Synchro monster prepared for battle (6/2500/1500).

"Impressive, but not good enough." The other Yusei said. "Even another Synchro monster can't escape the effect of Changer Warrior! Now target Turbo Warrior with Magnet Storm!"

Changer Warrior's body emanated the waves of yellow light once again.

"Turbo Warrior's effect!" Yusei countered as Turbo Warrior did the same, raising his arms so that his body was a cross, blue waves of light spreading out to counteract and cancel out Changer Warriors' own effect.

"Turbo Warrior is unaffected by the effects of level six or below monsters that would target it." Yusei explained. "He's the perfect candidate to fight your Changer Warrior."

Both emanating auras faded from the respective monsters as Yusei held out his hand. "Battle! Turbo Warrior, attack Changer Warrior!"

Turbo Warrior's booster engines in it's feet ignited as it blasted across the field.

"Turbo Warrior's effect – High-Rate Power! Any level six or higher Synchro monster it attacks loses half of it's attack points!"

"But due to Warrior's Stronghold, surely-" The other Yusei began to speak.

"Turbo Warrior's effect doesn't target, so your Synchro monster is fair game!" Yusei interjected.

Turbo Warrior pointed both it's claws at Changer Warrior and shot a blast of black-purple smoke at it. Changer Warrior roared as it's attack points fell, struggling to no avail (6/2200/2200 → 6/1100/2200).

Turbo Warrior rushed at Changer Warrior, deflecting both of the other Warrior's rocket punches with the large claw gauntlets on his arms.

"Now pierce! Accel Slash!" Yusei commanded.

Turbo Warrior's claw glowed white hot as it stabbed into Changer Warrior, boot thrusters igniting as it charged through the other Synchro and looked away as it's target groaned in pain, before exploding behind it (Yusei (TOPS) 4800 → 3400, SPC: 5 → 4).

As his Speed Counters fell by one, the other Yusei had to adjust to the change in speed, drifting to the side as Yusei was finally able to pass him.

"Wait, how did I just lose that Speed Counter?" The other Yusei asked, glaring.

"This version of Speed World decreases your Speed Counters by each increment of one thousand battle or effect damage you take. Since you took fourteen-hundred points of damage, you lost a counter." Yusei explained, looking back at the carbon copy of himself.

It was eerie, now that he could see the other him from the front. They were literally identical, the marker being the only difference between the two of them. Yusei looked away and put his mind back on the duel at hand.

"But since Turbo Warrior can't be targeted by the effects of level six or lower monsters, I can't use the effect of Level Eater to bring it back." Yusei said, glancing to the single card in his hand. "I end my turn."

Turn 7: 3400/3100 SPC: 5/6

The Yusei from the Tops drew a second card.

"My field is empty, so be reborn, Unknown Warrior! Awakening From Beyond!'

The lanky, masked Synchro monster re-appeared with a grunt (5/2100/1600).

"He has Steam Synchron in his hand, so he can immediately special summon it now. I'll expect a level eight Synchro monster. I'd best be cautious." Yusei thought as he braced for Steam Synchron's summon.

"And now I'll summon out my Hyper Synchron!"

Yusei froze at that name. He only used that particular Synchron in a handful of situations, but they were all important ones involving Stardust Dragon and making it to be nigh invulnerable by battle. If that other him had a 'Hyper Warrior' in his Extra Deck that reflected the abilities of a level four tuner such as Hyper Synchron, Yusei imagined it must be ridiculously strong.

The bulky blue Hyper Synchron appeared, the robot sported a powerful set of arms and chest were contrasted by two squat, stubby legs, and a large thruster pack on it's back (4/1600/800).

"Tuning, level five Unknown Warrior with level four Hyper Synchron!"

"No way! A level nine Synchro monster?!" Yusei said aloud.

The Synchro monster in question leapt through the tuning rings created by Hyper Synchron's vanishing frame as another chant began.

"The shining star of bravery lights its way through space! Ride in the light! Synchro Summon!-"

Massive parts of machinery melded together and shifted around from within the fading Synchro Summon, a mass of separate machines forming a backpack, and an upper and lower body, all uniting solidly as the figure descended from the pillar of light.

"-Stand tall! Hyper Warrior!"

Hyper Warrior's appearance was very close to Hyper Synchron's - the Warrior retaining the chest of three gold panels that looked almost like human chest muscles, and the blue color scheme was still there, although now with white highlights and black covering on it's stomach, forearms, and thighs.

This warrior in question was much larger than it's tuner counterpart and had broader shoulders, arms, and legs now in proportion to the rest of it. The golden headband that Hyper Synchron had had now warped into a golden crest of two wings that shone on Hyper Warrior's forehead, the red gem still at center of the accessory. The summoned monster's frame glistened in the sun (9/3000/2900).

That was not all to Hyper Warrior however, as thrusters in it's legs and on it's rectangular winged backpack let it take to the skies. It looked down at Turbo Warrior, and Yusei knew that he was in for a devastating attack.

"Now, since Medical Warrior was in my Graveyard when I performed a Synchro Summon, I can banish it to gain five hundred more life points." The other Yusei said as he glowed with a green aura yet again (Yusei (TOPS) 3400 → 3900).

"He summoned a powerful monster and recovered more life points. Amazing." Yusei thought, in awe of this other Synchro deck he was facing.

"Now for my main action this turn. Battle Phase! Hyper Warrior, smite Turbo Warrior with your blade of courage and judgment!"

Hyper Warrior let out a roar as it turned around to make eye contact with Turbo Warrior before it leaned back and the three panels on it's chest opened up, folding out to reveal a green mass of energy inside of it. Hyper Warrior groaned with effort, fingers shaking as something appeared from the opening.

A golden hilt slowly emerged from the green ether inside of the Warrior's chest. Hyper Warrior grabbed it with both hands, and grunted as it pulled the handle free from the opening and up to the skies, chest closing up as he then pointed the hilt downwards at Turbo Warrior.

Then the hilt flashed and a massive green blade of jade crystal solidified from it, further exaggerated by Hyper Warrior's pose as it grabbed the hilt with both hands. It brandished the large sword with it's blade pointed forwards. From that angle it looked as big as the world itself.

"Dynamic Blade- Sunrise Slash!" Yusei heard his own voice cry out as his other declared the attack.

Hyper Warrior fell from the sky with the sun at it's back, bringing a two-handed slash into Turbo Warrior. Turbo Warrior groaned in pain as the blade ruptured from Turbo Warrior's left shoulder, then down and across its chest all the way down to its hip. The two halves disconnected from the horizontal slash, parallel to one another.

Hyper Warrior turned away once it followed through with the slash, boosting back to the other Yusei's field as Turbo Warrior exploded (Yusei (Satellite) 3100 → 2600).

Yusei grunted as the explosion caught his D-Wheel and his life-points fell. It wasn't enough to shave off a speed counter, but it still felt very powerful. He'd need some very good cards to counter that latest monster.

"That will end my turn. But since you can't target or destroy my Warrior due to my trap card, you'll be hard pressed to climb over three-thousand attack points." The other said.

Yusei moved to his next turn despite this. It was a difficult situation, yet that was when he worked the best.

Turn 8: 3900/2600, SPC: 6/7

"Draw!" Yusei declared, smiling when he saw the familiar speed spell. Paired with the card in his hand, it was a very good combo.

"I'll play this! My second Angel Baton! First, I'll draw two cards, then I discard one!"

Yusei did so and discarded his Quillbolt Hedgehog, but then found his hand was still lacking.

"Then I'll move to use Speed World 2 – Crossover Accel's effect. I'll reduce my counters by seven to draw another card."

Yusei's D-Wheel slowed rapidly as he drifted to the right, letting his other pass him by (SPC: 7 → 0).

"Why would you do that? Is your deck really that poorly constructed that you need to rely on an outside field spell to win?" The other asked over the helmet feed as more and more distance was created between the two. Yusei frowned.

"No. This is just me pushing myself to my limits. Speed World is a double-edged sword. This draw could be a high cost speed spell and I may have dug my own grave reducing my counters to draw it out."

Yusei paused for a moment to look behind him at Hyper Warrior. "Regardless, your Hyper Warrior is demanding my deck give it an answer right now. If I don't do that, all of my speed may as well be nothing!" Yusei said, looking back to his deck and hoping he'd get another answer.

"Now, draw!" He yelled, pulling the top card from his deck with fervor.

They were leaving the highway now, going down some winding roads into a smaller part of the city. They passed by a subway station and then several restaurants. Yusei saw they were being watched with some interest by the citizens, the other Yusei's bluff that they were testing out a prototype seemed to be holding up.

Yusei turned the card over and felt a jolt of excitement – it was a fighting chance.

"I'll summon my Synchron Explorer!" Yusei said.

In front of him a dark red spherical robot appeared with stumpy thin arms and practically nonexistent legs. Paired with a small head with two tiny lights for eyes, it wasn't a very intimidating monster (2/0/0).

"My Synchron Explorer lets me revive a 'Synchron' monster in my Graveyard but I have to negate it's effects." Yusei explained.

With a chirp, Quickdraw Synchron leapt out of the hole on Synchron Explorer's chest (5/700/1400).

"So you're going to try and summon a level seven monster to fight Hyper Warrior?" The other Yusei asked. From the view screen, Yusei saw the other him had his same poker face he did.

"I'll use Level Eater's effect again! So I'll reduce Quickdraw Synchron to a level four monster once again." Yusei stated. His Synchron beeped (5 → 4), and then Level Eater re-appeared yet again (1/600/0).

"Next, here's Quillbolt Hedgehog's effect." Yusei said. "Since I control a tuner monster, I can revive it, but it will be removed from play when it leaves the field!"

With a determined squeak, Quillbolt Hedgehog was summoned, a small dark yellow rodent with a thick mane of fur, two shining green eyes, and a pair of large screws jutting out of it's back (2/800/800).

The other Yusei was impressed. "Interesting. So with one monster, you summoned three more. But I wonder, can they create a Synchro to match my level nine Hyper Warrior?"

Yusei frowned. It was true that with that permanent trap card still in play he had very limited options. Junk Gardna, Archer, Destroyer, and Berserker all targeted the opponent's cards. In this case, they weren't the answer he was looking for. No, it would take something greater. In this case, he'd have to match power for power.

"I'll tune my level two Synchron Explorer and my level two Quillbolt Hedgehog with my now level four Quickdraw Synchron." Yusei stated as his three monsters took to the air and began tuning.

"Clustering friendships form a new horizon! Become the path it's light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Dash onward, Road Warrior!"

The level eight Synchro monster descended from the summons, gold gleaming armor shining in the sun's light. The tall Synchro's red eyes gazed upon Hyper Warrior, and Road Warrior descended behind Yusei, giving him a measure of courage as he faced down the level nine Synchro monster (8/3000/1500).

"It's true, I don't have a level nine Synchro Warrior to match Hyper Warrior's level. But Road Warrior also has three thousand attack points." Yusei stated.

The other him narrowed his eyes. "Will you try for a tie, and then keep your Level Eater? If you do that, then Unknown Warrior will be ready for you."

"I'll do more than that. Road Warrior's monster effect: Once per turn, I can special summon a level one or two warrior or machine monster from my deck!"

Road Warrior pulled off the massive grey set of track that doubled as wings from it's back, readying the structure.

"And I'll use Road Warrior's effect to special summon Boost Warrior from my deck!"

A green ray of light shot from the track of road, causing a squat warrior to appear, clad in blue armor and a brown helmet (1/300/200).

"Boost Warrior gives all Warrior type monsters I control three hundred extra attack points!" Yusei declared.

Boost Warrior let out a low groan as it's own attack points increased (300 → 600), and next to it, Road Warrior did the same as it re-connected the piece of track to it's back (3000 → 3300).

"Battle! Road Warrior, attack Hyper Warrior! Lightning Claw!"

Road Warrior's hands ignited with electricity, one claw clashing with Hyper Warrior's blade, and the second claw cutting through the other's side.

Both monsters passed each other, and then Road Warrior stood tall as Hyper Warrior's sword shattered, and then it was next to break apart into fragments of light (Yusei (TOPS) 3900 → 3600).

"Then I'll set one card." Yusei said, the solitary set card appearing on his field. "And that's my turn." He said, leaving a card remaining in his hand.

"I admit, I had my doubts, but you've overcome even my Hyper Warrior. Even if I still don't believe you're another Yusei Fudo, I can't deny that you're a good duelist." The other Yusei said, an edge of disbelief in his voice.

"This is getting exciting. I never would imagine that another me existed and that he had a whole different assortment of 'Warrior' Synchro monsters." The other him chuckled briefly.

"But that doesn't mean this is over by a long shot! This duel is just getting started! My turn!"

Turn 9: 3600/2600, SPC: 7/1

"Draw!" The other Yusei said, and then he looked up to Road Warrior and had a half grin on his face. "Interesting. Now I'm in the same position you were in a turn ago."

To this, Yusei was silent.

"But luckily for me, you don't have a copy of Warrior's Stronghold to restrict my own card effects." The other him said.

"First, I'll activate the spell card – Junk Trader. By tributing my Synchron Command Center, I can draw two new cards!"

The markerless Yusei sent his continuous spell to the Graveyard and drew, giving him three cards in his hand.

"Furthermore, when my Synchron Command Center is sent to the Graveyard, I can send a 'Synchron' monster from my deck to the Graveyard as well. So I'll send my Scarred Synchron directly to the grave."

He discarded the Synchron in question, a monster who's stats Yusei barely noted as it was sent (2/700/400), it looked like a toy warrior with a chip of wood missing from it's face, clad in a white robe.

"And then I'm sure you're expecting me to revive Unknown Warrior, but for now I'll do something else." The other him said.

"Since I control no monsters, I can special summon Jump Warrior from my hand!"

The warrior in question appeared, a lanky robot of crimson, who's head was a fireman's hat with a single blue mono-eye underneath it, and a black bodysuit of leather covering any parts of it's body that the metallic plating didn't cover (3/1200/1400).

"Then here's my Steam Synchron!"

With a loud whistle of a train, the Synchron in question finally appeared. A squat machine that bore a strong resemblance to a locomotive. It's front was charcoal grey, the front part of the train giving the tuner a bit of a gut. Two half-moon eyes looking tiredly out from under a golden smokestack that doubled as a hat. Two large golden shoulder pads tapered out to connect two rails to a backpack on the small Synchron's body (3/600/800).

"And of course, I'm tuning my level three Steam Synchron with my level three Jump Warrior!"

"The hidden star emerges from the expanding nebula! Ride the light! Synchro Summon! Strike now! Steam Warrior!"

The next Synchro warrior to appear was of course, a blocky train themed warrior – yet this one also had knightly features about it. A metallic grille, for instance, covered where a mouth would be, and the knight's armor was both grey and black, with gold accents. It carried a long rifle in it's left hand and a plume of smoke constantly poured from it's helmet (6/2400/2000).

Steam Warrior descended, letting out a grunt as it stared down Road Warrior.

"Steam Warrior's effect – once per turn, I can banish a monster on the field with an equal or lower attack to Steam Warrior, so I'll banish your Level Eater! Steam Bullet!"

Steam Warrior fired, and the insect monster vanished as the rifle struck true, sending up a plume of smoke where it hit, enveloping Road Warrior and Boost Warrior in the fog.

"But that's just the beginning. This effect also then destroys any monsters whose original attack was lower than the banished monster's." His other said as the smoke cleared, both Road Warrior and Boost Warrior looking worse for the wear.

Boost Warrior suddenly exploded, Road Warrior's own attack points suffering as a result (3300 → 3000).

"And in addition, Steam Warrior then reduces any other opposing monster's attack by the amount of the banished monster's original attack points!"

Road Warrior let out a groan as it's attack points fell a second time (3000 → 2400).

"Now battle! Steam Warrior, attack Road Warrior! Steam Rifle!'

Steam Warrior fired off several shots as Road Warrior countered with a beam of lighting from one of it's claws. Road Warrior was struck by the bullets as Steam Warrior's body was hit by the lighting.

Road Warrior's cry could be heard as Yusei's biggest Synchro Warrior exploded. Steam Warrior's body crackled and hissed as the lighting damaged it, the warrior groaning from the after effect of the attack.

"How come it wasn't destroyed?" Yusei asked as he sent his own monster to the Graveyard.

"Simple." His other said. "The turn that Scarred Synchron is sent to my Graveyard, a monster I control can't be destroyed by battle, and it's attack points become equal to those of the current attack target. But that's a moot point in this case."

"I'll set this and end my turn." The other him said.

"Then at your End Phase, I'll use my trap card, Crush Star!" Yusei countered. "When you destroy a Synchro monster I control, I can summon one of it's Synchro materials from my Graveyard, then summon a monster from my hand! So come out, Quickdraw Synchron! Tuning Supporter!"

Yusei's trap card sprung up, and for yet another go-round, Quickdraw Synchron appeared (5/700/1400), Tuningware leaping beside the cowboy themed tuner (1/100/100).

"Impressive! Going from a powerful Synchro to setting up the summon of another! I'd expect nothing less from myself! But with Warrior's Stronghold still in play, can you do anything to counter my Steam Warrior?" His other asked.

"Let's find out!" Yusei dared as he began his next turn.

Turn 10: 3600/2600, SPC: 8/2

Yusei didn't even look to his next card as he gestured to his field.

"Level one Tuning Supporter is tuned by level five Quickdraw Synchron!"

"Clustering powers will turn into a spear that pierces the earth. become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Break it apart, Drill Warrior!"

The brown armored robot with drills for legs, shoulder pads, and a larger one on it's right arm appeared, white scarf flapping behind it as it descended to be level to Yusei's D-Wheel (6/2400/2000).

"Drill Warrior? So you do have a level six Synchro monster worthy of facing Steam Warrior and testing the limits of my 'Warrior's Stronghold' trap card!" The other him remarked.

"And you should know Drill Warrior's effect." Yusei responded. "Once per turn, I can halve Drill Warrior's attack points to allow for a direct attack. Furthermore, I can discard a card to banish Drill Warrior until my next Standby Phase and-"

"-Yes, you can recover a monster." The other Yusei said, reading Drill Warrior's description on his monitor.

"Well in that case, I'll stop that recovery strategy preemptively and move to plan B. I'll activate my trap – Synchro Pride. This tributes my Steam Warrior as a cost, but due to that, I can send all monsters on your field to the Graveyard, and you can't Summon anything else this turn." The other him said.

"In that case, I'll still get Tuningware's effect! Since I used it to Synchro Summon, I can draw a card!" Yusei retorted even as he moved Drill Warrior's card to his own Graveyard.

Yusei drew his next card as Steam Warrior vanished and then Drill Warrior shattered. Yusei frowned. "Not good." He thought. "I can't just keep trading monsters like this."

Then he looked to his hand. "And at this rate, I can only react to whatever he does next."

"I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn!"

Two set cards appeared – the only thing remaining on Yusei's current field.

"Synchro Pride has another effect! At the End Phase, I can send a tuner monster from my deck to the Graveyard. So I'll send my Lighting Synchron to my Graveyard." The other him said.

Turn 11: 3600/2600, SPC: 9/3

The other Yusei drew and looked to his hand, grimacing.

"Well it looks like I'll have to swallow my pride after all and use Speed World's draw effect – seven counters to draw another card!"

His counters fell as he drew (Yusei (TOPS) SPC: 9 → 2).

". . . Then I'll set two cards as well."

The same hum was heard by both duelists, the four set cards creating just as much palpable tension as

the sheer amount of brawling Synchro warriors did earlier.

The other Yusei had one card left in his hand when he said "I end my turn."

Turn 12: 3600/2600, SPC: 3 / 4

Yusei drew, his eyes widening as Effect Veiler's smile greeted him on her card art.

He felt shame as his hand didn't give him anything else to summon, and he wasn't about to waste Effect Veiler as a defensive wall.

"I'll use this trap card – Synchron Jamboree!" The other him said after about ten seconds passed of nothing.

The card art depicted various Synchrons Yusei recognized. Turbo, Steam, Nitro, Junk, and Mach Synchron among them – having an office party.

"This trap can only be used during the Main Phase One or Two of a turn, and I cannot conduct my Battle Phase on the turn I use it. Furthermore, I cannot perform any Special Summons from my Extra Deck this turn, other than Synchro Summons. It lets me summon as many "Synchron" monsters as possible from my Graveyard in defense position with different names, then I can draw a card for each one. Additionally, they are banished at the End Phase." The other Yusei said.

"So welcome back Unknown Synchron! Bri Synchron! Changer Synchron! Hyper Synchron! And Steam Synchron!"

The five respective Synchrons all swarmed his other's field as the Yusei from the Tops of this city drew five new cards, giving him six cards in his hand.

"Just what I was waiting for!" Yusei countered as one of his own two trap cards sprang up by his D-Wheel.

"Talisman of Reversal! I can only use this trap card when you add cards to your hand outside of your draw phase! It lets me draw the same amount of cards that you did!" Yusei said, as Effect Veiler was now happily joined by five other cards.

"Just like someone from the Bottoms, piggybacking off of the hard work of the Tops!" The other Yusei muttered.

"Yet - despite where I come from, you've vowed to see this duel through!" Yusei retorted. "This card's effect is only as strong as the card it's countering! Drawing five cards at once isn't something that a Satellite native would dream of with their own cards, but by replicating your effect, I arrive at the same result as one from the Tops!"

"So you're saying that if I'd gained less, you would as well? Well if you're so ready to counter my actual strategies with cheap talk and replications, counter this! Trap card, activate! Synchro's Victory!"

A trap card sprang up showing various Synchro Warriors in a stout battle formation.

"Synchron Jamboree requires I banish the respective monsters during my next End Phase, but I think I'll use them for something better! Synchro's Victory lets me tribute them all as a cost, then I can special summon Synchro "Warrior" monsters from my Graveyard equal to the number of "Synchron" monsters that were sent from my field! So I'll use it to revive all five of my Synchro Warriors!" The other him declared.

"What?!" Yusei said in surprise, even as he activated another card. "Even so, I'm not done countering you just yet! Trap card, open! Trick Mirror!" Yusei said.

"This trap card steals the effect of your Synchro's Victory and let's me use it for myself! Since five Synchrons were sent to the Graveyard, I'll use their power to revive my own five sleeping Synchro monsters!'

"What?!" The other him uttered in wide-eyed shock as his trap Synchro's Victory flew to the other side of the field, as it superimposed itself on top of the art of Trick Mirror.

Yusei's duel disk automatically shuffled his Graveyard, spitting out all five chosen targets neatly on top of each other, letting him pick up all of them at once.

"That's just insulting, but you're not the only one here with counter plays!" The other him said. "I'll discard my Replay Warrior in response! This monster lets me re-use a card effect that's original target or targets were changed by your effects - and this time I don't have to pay a cost!".

"Still, it's my turn! So return! Junk Warrior! Nitro Warrior! Turbo Warrior! Road Warrior! Drill Warrior!" Yusei exclaimed, placing his monsters on his duel disk in one motion as his five Synchro Warriors appeared on the field simultaneously in a united front.

The other him's Graveyard ejected the five chosen Synchro monsters and he played them on his light projected duel disk in the exact same fluent motion.

"Revive! Unknown Warrior! Bri Warrior! Changer Warrior! Hyper Warrior! Steam Warrior!"

The other him's battalion of Synchro monsters appeared behind him, and both gangs of five Synchro Warriors stared down the other, ready for battle.

"We'll decide whether you're really Yusei Fudo or not after we conclude our Synchro War!' The other him declared. "And by taking Synchro's Victory with your Trick Mirror, you've also inherited it's drawback! You can't conduct battle the turn it's used!" His other said.

Yusei looked to his hand. "In that case I'll just skip the Battle Phase all together and set four cards face-down!"

The other Yusei narrowed his eyes as four set cards appeared on his opponent's field.

"Turn end!" Yusei said as he was certain the next turn would decide the entire course of the rest of the duel.

/

/

/

This chapter was extremely long. It was also one of the most intense duels I've ever written and I hope that it was enjoyable and scripted well. There was a lot of imagery I wanted to describe as best as I could. I've had this specific duel in my head ever since the Synchro Dimension arc in ARC – V was a thing. So, finally getting to write the first part of this duel feels awesome. There's more to follow in the form of a made up card gallery and some other notes below on the original cards.

Made up cards:

Main Deck Monsters:

Gate Warrior

A spherical green robot with two stubby arms and legs, and a small flat head. It has small blue eyes and the grey gate on its chest can call out other monsters, similar to Synchron Explorer.

4/0/2000, WIND

Machine/Effect

Effect: When this card is normal summoned, it can go into defense mode. Once per turn, you can Special Summon one 'Synchron' monster from your hand. You can only use each effect of 'Gate Warrior' once per turn.

Gear Warrior

A spindly warrior made out of gears and thin strips of metal.
EARTH, 2/400/1000

Effect: You can discard this card from your hand to reduce or increase a monster on the field's level by up to two. You can banish this card from your Graveyard to reduce or increase the level of a monster you control by two. You can only use one effect of 'Gear Warrior' per turn, and only once per turn.

Medical Warrior

2/700/400 LIGHT

Warrior/Effect

Effect: If this card is sent to the Graveyard, gain 1000 Life points. When you perform a Synchro Summon and this card is in your Graveyard, you can banish it to gain 500 LP. You can only use each effect of 'Medical Warrior' once per turn.

A turquoise warrior with a soft oval body and limbs. It has the appearance of a paramedic and carries an emergency medical kit with it.

Guarding Warrior

A knight themed warrior with a large shield split in two halves on its' arms. It connects the shields to block attacks.

4/1500/200

Effect: If a card you control would be destroyed by a card effect: negate that effect that would destroy it, and if you do, Special Summon this card from your hand. Your opponent can only target this face-up card you control for attacks.

Jump Warrior

3/1200/1400 FIRE

If you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. If you would take effect damage, you can banish this card from your Graveyard to take no damage for the rest of the turn (including battle damage).

Description: A thin robot of bright red. It's head is fashioned after a firefighter's helmet, and has a single blue eye inset it. It has a black under-suit the same as Speed Warrior's.

Replay Warrior

3/0/1700

A lime green warrior with tank treads on its shins and arms. In one hand it holds a television monitor that is wired to its stomach. It has a VCR in its chest, and is using it to rewind a VHS tape inside of it.

(Quick effect) If a card effect you activated this turn was disrupted or changed by your opponent's card effect, you can discard this card from your hand to re-apply that effect if conditions are appropriate, treating this card as cost for that effect.

Scarred Synchron

1/100/500, EARTH

Warrior/Effect

Effect: If this card inflicts battle damage to your opponent, you can Special Summon one Warrior type monster from your hand. The turn this card is sent to the Graveyard, one monster you control cannot be destroyed by battle.

Description: A wooden carved figure with a visible chip in its' face. Its' face is very serious and it wields a small dagger.

Lighting Synchron

3/1200/1000, LIGHT

Warrior/Effect

Effect: You can banish this card from your Graveyard to target one face-up Synchro monster you control. This turn, double any battle damage that monster deals to your opponent.

A small robot warrior wearing a white mask and covering most of its' body with a tattered cloak. It wears a full white suit underneath the cloak.

Spells:

Junk Trader

Card description: A Tune Warrior handing the destroyed and broken parts of Gaia Knight – Force of the Earth to a Scrap Recycler in exchange for some shiny bolts and screwdrivers.

Effect: Tribute a Face-up Continuous Spell card you control to draw two cards. You cannot send a Continuous Spell card that you activated this turn.

Synchron Command Center - Continuous Spell Card

Description: Road Synchron sitting in a cubicle with a headset, issuing orders to Nitro and Turbo Synchron as they brought the larger Synchron a pen and a clipboard depicted on the card art. In the background Dash Warrior is sitting outside of the cubicle, waiting to speak to someone.

Card Text: Once per turn, you can discard a monster with "Warrior" in it's card name to add a "Synchron" monster with an equal or lower level from your deck to your hand. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can send a 'Synchron' monster from your deck to the Graveyard.

Traps:

Warrior's Stronghold – Continuous Trap Card

Description: Various Synchro Warriors including Junk warrior standing on a fort with the sunset sky to them.

Effect: Your opponent cannot target or destroy "Warrior" Synchro monsters you control with card effects. In addition, your opponent cannot Summon a monster(s) with a higher level than the lowest level 'Warrior' Synchro monster you control.

Synchro Pride – Normal Trap Card

Description: Stardust Dragon's form made of blue particles of light flying by Judgment Dragon and Dark Armed Dragon, destroying them both.

Effect: Tribute a Synchro monster you control. If you do, send all of your opponent's monsters to the Graveyard. Your opponent cannon Summon monsters for the rest of the turn.

Synchron Jamboree – Normal Trap Card

Effect: Description: Several 'Synchron' monsters having an office party.

Activate during the Main Phase of either player's turn. Special Summon as many 'Synchron' monsters with different names as possible from your Graveyard in defense position, then if you do, draw a card for each. You cannot perform any Summons from the Extra Deck this turn, other than Synchro Summons. The monsters summoned by this effect are banished from your field at the End Phase.

Synchro's Victory – Normal Trap Card

Description: A battle-scarred Lightning Warrior, Scarred Warrior, and Mighty Warrior resting amid a setting orange sun. Lightning Warrior raises his hand to the skies in victory. In the foreground of the card, parts of a robotic opponent lay torn apart and scattered around.

Effect: Tribute as many 'Synchron' monsters as possible from your field, and if you do, you can Special Summon an equal amount of Synchro 'Warrior' monsters from your Graveyard.

Extra Deck Monsters:

Unknown Warrior

5/2100/1600, DARK

Synchro/Warrior/Effect

5/2100/1600

Once per turn, if you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card from your Graveyard. If you do this, you can only Special Summon Synchro Monsters from your Extra Deck for the rest of the turn. You can only use the effect of 'Unknown Warrior' once per turn.

Description: A warrior whose body is clad in strips of armor, covering a glowing purple form underneath. Unknown Warrior has a red mono eye in the center and two antennae. Its armor is asymmetrical – the right shoulder covered in an armor plate sporting two spikes, while the left is a glowing purple arm with no surface detail to it and very minor armor. While the right forearm is completely covered, the left is a sinuous flowing tendril of purple energy, ending in a three-fingered claw. It uses this arm to grab and attack enemies with.

Synchro chant: "The mysterious star descends with great force! Ride with the light! Synchro Summon! Appear from Beyond, Unknown Warrior!"

Effect name: Awakening From Beyond!"

Attack name: Mystery Strike!

Bri Warrior

7/2600/2500, EARTH

Warrior/Synchro/Effect

Effect: This face up card is unaffected by card effects that activate in the Graveyard(s). When this card destroys an opponent's monster in battle, it gains six hundred attack and can attack another monster on the field.

Description: A red and white humanoid Super Robot. It has a red helm covering it's metal white face, the shell splitting into three lines that run down the monster's face, giving it the semblance of a mustache.

Synchro chant: "At light speed, the blazing determined star emerges from the galactic gale! Ride on the light! Synchro Summon! Be born! Bri Warrior!"

Attack name: "Fire, J-9 Buster - Galactica Cannon!" - A massive silver cannon Bri warrior summons at will. It fires a large red beam of energy that can consume and break down its enemies with.

Changer Warrior

6/2200/2200, DARK

Synchro/Warrior/Effect

'Changer Synchron' + one or more non-tuner monsters

Effect: Target each of your opponents' monsters on the field and then switch all of their attack and defense points. Any monster(s) your opponent summons get targeted by this card's effect, and if it resolves, have their ATK and DEF points switched. Your opponent cannot change their monster's battle positions as long as you control this face-up card, except by card effects.

Description: A robot made out of orange and tan metal parts, magnetized together in a humanoid shape. It can use its magnetic powers to detach parts of its' body to attack enemies with.

Synchro chant: "The determined raging star appears from the surging lightning! Ride on the light! Synchro Summon! Build up, Changer Warrior!"

Attack name: "Knuckle Bomber!"

Effect name: "Magnet Storm!"

Hyper Warrior

9/3000/2900 LIGHT

Synchro/Warrior/Effect

'Hyper Synchron' + one or more non-tuner monsters

Effect: Once per duel, during either player's turn, (quick effect), if you have less life points and cards on the field than your opponent, you can banish this card from your field or Graveyard to Special Summon one Dragon-Type Synchro Monster from your Graveyard or banished zone. This Summon is treated as a Synchro Summon. That summoned monster gains eight hundred attack points and cannot be destroyed by battle. The monster Summoned by this effect must first have been properly Synchro Summoned.

Description: A Super Robot with blue and golden armor, with Hyper Synchron's basic featured amplified into a much larger and stronger body. It flies on a pair of rectangular metal wings.

Synchro chant: "The shining star of bravery lights its way through space! Ride in the light! Synchro Summon! Stand tall! Hyper Warrior!"

Attack name: "Dynamic Blade – Sunrise Slash!"Effect name: "Eternal Brave Soul! - Dragon Heart!"

Steam Warrior

6/2400/2000, WATER

Warrior/Synchro/Effect

'Steam Synchron' + one or more non-tuner monsters

Effect: Once per turn you can banish a face-up monster with a lower level then this card. If you do this, destroy all monster(s) with equal or lower ATK as the banished monster, and if you do, all other monsters your opponent controls lose ATK equal to the ATK of the banished monster's.

Description: A black and grey armored knight, with golden accents. Its body is train themed and as wields a long rifle. It attacks firing bullets that leave a plume of smoke where they hit.

Synchro Chant: "The hidden star emerges from the expanding nebula! Ride the light! Synchro Summon! Strike now! Steam Warrior!"

Attack name: "Steam Rifle!"

Effect name: "Steam Bullet!"

Edits: I gave Steam Warrior an additional effect here that's not on the card text. I have omitted it for a few reasons. 1. It's very similar to the PSY-Frame Archetype as a friend pointed out and 2. It messes with the duel's structure if I keep it. As it's not stated on the card in the notes, I omitted it from the story.

Card Shout-outs and some notes:

Shout-outs:

Most of the made up 'Warrior' Cards in this chapter are references to various anime (mostly Mecha).

Unknown Warrior didn't have any particular inspiration, however, the red mono eye is reminiscent of a Zaku from Mobile Suit Gundam, but really it was just meant to emulate the look of 'Unknown Synchron'.

Bri Warrior is a direct shout out to Galaxy Cyclone Braiger, a mecha anime from the 80's. It's kind of meta since Bri Synchron is more or less a Braiger shout-out by card, but it's criminal there was never a 'Warrior' Synchro card officially produced to make a finer point on this.

Changer Warrior is a shout-out to Go Nagai's robot Kotetsu Jeeg, from a mecha anime of the same name from the 70's about a robot that combined from magnets and could break apart into modules or swap out it's parts to deal with various situations.

Hyper Warrior is a clear shout-out to Sunrise's Braves / Yuusha series like Brave Exkaiser, Bird of the Sun, Fighbird, and King of Braves, GaoGaiGar. I felt that Hyper Synchron always looked like a chibified Brave and if any of the 'Warrior' monsters in question for this Yusei used a sword, it would be this one since I'm not using Seven Swords Warrior (as that's a manga card). I tried to describe the pose it did before it attacked as the famous Obari Sword Pose, or Sunrise Pose, referenced in a lot of anime, recently in SSSS Gridman.

Steam Warrior is like Unknown Warrior, just a logical extension of the "Synchron" that I built on. And I gave it a gun just because a sword or axe seemed too generic.

As for the duel and cards, I had a lot of fun making them all and tried not to make them too broken – Synchron decks are always gimmicky and I wanted to reflect that in this other Yusei's deck. If you want to use these cards in your own stories, I would appreciate giving credit where it is due. At some point Konami may decide to make real 'Warrior' counterparts to the other Synchrons so until then I hope you all got a kick out of my interpretations of these possible cards. And, as always, thank you for reading.