Author's Warning: This Chapter contains violence.

Chapter 26: Battle Royale

Recap: The day has finally arrived. From the message, Yuki-san sent Academia is going to invade to bring back a girl named Serena as well as capture her. Yuki-san states that there is a huge possibility that Yuzu-chan and I will be captured as well due to the resemblance to our counterparts' faces. From those two days, I would know that the Battle Royal will be a war zone for us, 19 competitors.

LDS 2nd Stadium Back Area_Naomi's Pov_

Regarding Yuki-san's message, I sent her information to Yuya-san, Yuzu-chan, and Gongenzaka-kun in our group chat. As I expected, they reacted to my message.

Yuzu-chan: Academia is going to invade our dimension at the Battle Royal!?

Yuya-san: Tsk! To think they are going to do the same thing again as they did to the Xyz Dimension! I won't let that happen!

Gongenzaka: These are the same invaders who were too cowardly to face duelists head-on and decided to plan a sneak attack is unforgivable!

Me: Yes, but most importantly, they are going to be after Yuki-san, Serena, Yuzu-chan and I.

Yuzu: B-But why?

Me: I have no idea why they want to capture us as they did with Ruri-san. But we will not be kidnapped by Academia so the Professor can do whatever he wants! Even if the Obelisk Force comes after us!

Yuya: Obelisk Force?

Gongenzaka: Will these Obelisk Force be just as merciless as the rest of the invaders?

Naomi: Yes, what we heard and seen is that these people will be heartless and do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. So please be on a lookout for these invaders during the tournament but also act normal. And I'm sure Reiji-sama doesn't want people freaking out so please let's keep this to ourselves.

Yuzu: Alright! I won't be taken away by some no-good jerks who think they can do whatever they want! If I see them, I promise I will give them a good beating!

Yuya: Yosh! But Naomi and Yuzu, be careful if you happen to run into them. Be on your guard, and try not to be reckless. If you feel like you are outnumbered, then, by all means, run away until we find you two.

Gongenzaka: Everyone, let's communicate using our duel disk for emergencies. We don't want the enemy to know your location and capture you two.

Me: Thank you for being concern about our wellbeing Yuya-san. Good idea Gongenzaka-kun, meaning the four of us will have to split up, but if we happen to run into each other, then it is just simply a coincidence. Everyone lets survive and please don't get carded by the enemy or in our case, captured.

Yuzu: I won't. I'll see you guys at the Arena!

Gongenzaka: I will fight to not only protect my friends but my father as well! I will never waiver to Academia or their forces! I will show them the absolute defense of my steadfast dueling!

Yuya: Yosh! Let do our best and survive Academia forces. Naomi, Yuzu... I'll say this again, please be careful.

Yuzu: You too, Yuya.

Me: We will, Yuya-san. You and Gongenzaka-kun need to be careful as well. See you all at the Arena.

With the last message I have sent, I turned off my duel disk and took a deep breath. Now since Yuzu-chan and the others have more information about the incoming situation. I don't have any more worries about anything except for their safety and Yuki-san's as well.

I took a deep breath before going back to the Arena as I prepare myself for the incoming event.

LDS_Second Stadium_Arena_Naomi's Pov_

I noticed all the competitors were here except for two people, Shun-san and Yuki-san.

By glancing at each duelist besides the ones I were already acquainted with, there were a bunch of different people whom I've never seen before. Maybe if we weren't about to be in a life-threatening situation, then I could have used this opportunity to meet new people. Well, except for those two from Ryozanpaku School. If I were to make any contact with them, it would be really ugly even though I took aikido, the confrontation will still end up pretty bad. So yeah, I'll avoid them. The announcements have started and just like the message Yuki-san sent, it's going to be a Battle Royal.

"The match will begin promptly at noon! When that happens, there will be some Action Cards spread throughout the field as well as Pendulum Cards!"

Nearly everyone was surprised except for Yuya-san, Yuzu-chan and myself. This is most likely because Yuzu-chan and I have Pendulum Cards but to Yuya-san, he has already overcome the hurdle of the possibility of everyone owning Pendulum Cards by proving to become better at the summoned he created and set a path for them towards the future.

"Competitors need to find two of them and duel. The matches will be held under the Ante Rule with the Pendulum Cards on the line! The winner takes the loser cards from them and acquires them as their own. The time limit is twenty-four hours!"

I narrowed my eyes. "So, we'll be in the city for at least one day," I noted quietly. Nico gave more information about the city being covered with the Action Field Spell: Wonder Quartet. I felt nervous but I knew that I need to stick to the plan we've created and that is act normal and not get captured. Seems pretty easy if you think about it.

Normal Pov_

Naomi nodded at her friends as they nodded in response. They each activated their duel disks and waited for the countdown. Naomi took a couple of deep breaths and gave one last prayer hoping that everything is going to be alright, and it's just Reiji and Yuki being cautious about Academia. That's nothing going to happen during the Battle Royal. However, if it does happen then, she hopes that every single competitor is okay, but most importantly her friends.

When Nico finished, each of the nineteen contestants except for Shun and Yuki ran out the Arena. Naomi and the others separated from each other and went their ways with the plan still in their minds. The time was noon as the whole Maiami City changed into four different locations: Volcano, Ancient Ruins, Jungle, and Icebergs. Naomi was in the Jungle area searching for Pendulum Cards and with the help of Clear Kuriboh, she found two of them as fast as possible. She had Risebell the Summoner and Mandragon. Two Normal Pendulum Type Monsters.

Naomi smiled at the voices and placed them in her Deck. She heard footsteps coming from behind her and she turned around getting into a fighting stance. When she saw the person, who matched Yuki's description in the message the latter sent, Naomi's eyes widened.

"Serena.."

LDS Control Room_

Reiji noticed that Naomi has already encountered Serena as he clicked his teeth. He didn't expect anyone to be encountering Serena so early in the Battle Royal.

"Switch the cameras to someone else who is the Jungle Area!" Reiji commanded, his team immediately switched the feedback to Michio, who happened to be in another place in the forest like area.

"To think Naomi Kobiyashi would already encounter with Serena. However, due to her resemblance to Shimizu. Serena will without a doubt, mistake her for either Shimizu or Akemi Shima," Reiji speculated, "but if it is the first option, then let's hope Naomi Kobiyashi wins the duel."

Reiji thought about the aftermath of Naomi potentially being carded due to having the same face as her Xyz Counterpart. If Yuki happens to find out that Naomi was carded, then the consequences will be drastic for him since it would either lead Serena to become injured or Yuki being carded.

"If she doesn't, then I'm going to have to send them to her location."

Back to the Jungle Area_

"You're Serena, right?" Naomi asked. She was met with a glare. "You're that girl from yesterday! This time I will duel you without any interruptions!" Serena activated her duel disk. Naomi felt tired of being mistaken for her Fusion and Xyz counterpart so many times. That the next person to mistake her for somebody else, then she will immediately introduce herself to fix any further problems whatever her counterparts do in the future.

"Yes, this is Serena" Naomi confirmed her suspicions, especially when Yuki stated in her message that Serena will act hostile towards her since they look similar to each other. Naomi couldn't help but wonder what happened yesterday between the two of them.

She will have to ask Yuki when she sees her again.

"Fine. Let's duel to prove I'm not an Xyz Remnant."

Naomi knew, the faster she agreed, the quicker she can fix the misunderstanding between her and Yuki.

Serena smirked as she stood across Naomi.

Finally, she will be able to her match and prove to the Professor his mistake on not sending her to the Vanguard Squadron.

"DUEL!" Both female junior youths shouted in unison.

Naomi vs Serena; Each 4000 LP; H:5 Each

"I will go first. If that's alright with you," Naomi announced, when she heard no response it made her sweat due to the lack of interaction.

"Alright then," Naomi thought as she looks at her opening hand.

Turn 1

H:5

"I activate the Spell Card 'Foolish Burial' to send a monster to my Graveyard. I choose to send Mana" Naomi sent the declared monster then added two Fairy-Type Monsters to her hand via Mana's effect. "Next, I Special Summon Aretha by banishing Mana from my Graveyard."

The female elf appeared on the field, she had blonde hair wearing a white dress with light-colored accessories and wore white sandals.

Light/Level 5/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 1000

"Due to her effect, I can add a Level 4 or below Fairy-Type Monsters to my hand. Through Marian's effect when this card is added to my hand except by drawing it. She is Special Summon!" Naomi continued her turn. Marian had aqua blue hair tied up in pigtails, wearing a strapless blue dress as the end resembled the head of a jellyfish, blue spiral bracelet, and finally aqua seafoam stockings.

Water/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1200

Naomi added Angelic Fusion to her hand through Marian's effect.

"What are you going to do since you summoned two weaklings on your field" Serena commented, her words made Naomi's left eyebrow twitch. "I activate the Spell Card 'Angelic Fusion' to fuse my monsters together! Maiden of the sea! Maiden of light! Combine your powers into a new kind of hope! Fusion Summon! Appear before us, the goddess of love! Aphrodite!" Naomi summoned Aphrodite to her side of the field.

Light/Level 8/Fairy/Fusion/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 1000/P.S:3

"So you can Fusion Summon. I would expect an Xyz Remnant to despise Fusion Summon since Academia won against your dimension and succeed. But to think you would use the method itself, do you have any pride as a duelist" Serena said in a conceited yet arrogant tone. Her tone and words made Naomi have a vein show on her face. She held it in and started to chuckle. "I see. You may look like my friend but the difference between you two is that she actually uses her brain. While you on the other hand, not only think I am Yuki-san who is from the Xyz Dimension, whose homeland was invaded. But believe Academia won fair and square," Naomi remarked, causing Serena to look at her. "But in reality, they are truly the lowest of the low to attack a dimension where no one would least expect it and to flaunt about their so-called 'success' telling everyone that they fought and won. It's so pitiful it makes me laugh. Truly, Serena-chan you are not only stupid but naive as well."

To say that Serena wasn't furious by Naomi's would be an understatement. "How dare you mock Academia! What Academia did to the Xyz Dimension is noble, and they became victorious! What does a cowardly Xyz Remnant know about us!" Serena growled, she clenched her fist hard to the point it could have been bleeding. "Hurry up and end your turn, so I can finish you to find the others! I'll make you pay by calling me stupid and naive!"

Naomi sighs as she grabs two cards out of her hands and ends her turn. "Honestly, if Yuki-san was here and heard what Serena-chan said. Then I'm pretty sure that she would have a killing intent that could rival my mom's."

"It is now my turn! Draw!"Serena yelled, drawing her card.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Power of the Moonlight' all 'Moonlight' Fusion Monsters gain 500 ATK for each Fusion Monster Material that was used to summon that card. Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Moonlight Crimson Fox and Moonlight Blue Cat!"

Serena's monster was swirled in a vortex, as the latter chanted.

"Tricking its prey in the red moonlight! The cat prowling in the azure darkness! Swarm in a vortex of moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me, beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! Moonlight Cat Dancer!"

A pink-haired mature feline woman wearing blue exotic dancing clothing appears holding twin daggers in her hands.

Dark/Level 7/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000

"Power of the Moonlight's effect increases Cat Dancer's ATK by 1000. Also in addition, when Crimson Fox is sent to the Graveyard by a card effect. Your monster's ATK becomes 0," Serena revealed, the red human-like fox briefly appeared in front of Aphrodite and then turn to dust as the female monster lost her power.

"I summon Moonlight Emerald Bird," Serena summoned, a green-skinned girl wearing a green jumpsuit as she had wings attached to her arms.

Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 1000

"When Emerald Bird is summoned, I can send a Moonlight Monster from my hand to the Graveyard to draw one card. I send Moonlight Kaleido Chick to the Graveyard," Serena sent the declared card and draw her card. She then due to Kaleido Chick's effect, and add the Spell Card Fusion, back to her hand.

"She's going for another Fusion Summon when her turn comes again. But to power up Cat Dancer to 3400. She plans to inflict a huge amount of damage to my LP," Naomi narrowed her eyes. She prepares to strike back.

"I activate Cat Dancer's effect! By tributing Emerald Bird, Cat Dancer can attack all monsters you control twice. The first time Cat Dancer battles your monster, it is not destroyed however, the second time it is!" Serena revealed, going into her Battle Phase.

"Go Moonlight Cat Dancer attack Aphrodite!"

Cat Dancer got out her dagger, she was heading towards Aphrodite to slash her in half.

"I send Pendulum Kuriboh to the Graveyard to negate all damage I take this turn!" Naomi shouted, Pendulum Kuriboh grew larger as he took the attack and defended his friend from the other fusion monster ferocious yet elegant attack.

"Tsk! However, I can attack again and this time your monster is going to be destroyed!" Serena yelled, pointing at her ace monster to attack Aphrodite again even though she wouldn't be able to deal damage this turn. At least Naomi wouldn't have a monster on her field.

"I send Alice to the Graveyard to negate Aphrodite's destruction!" Naomi sends Alice to the Graveyard, as the young blonde-haired girl wearing a blue dress with a black apron, faintly appeared protecting Aphrodite from attack.

"So you escape that one! It doesn't matter. When Emerald Bird is sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, then I can Special Summon a Moonlight Monster from my Graveyard by negating its effects. I choose to Special Summon Blue Cat in Defense Position" Serena added, a young girl wearing a blue jumpsuit with cat-like features appeared on Serena's field.

Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1200

"I set one card and end my turn! Now come at me!" Serena shouted, Naomi analyze Serena's strategy to be straightforward. To power up your monster that can attack twice this turn and the first time it attacks your Opponent's monster it is not destroyed but the second time it is. Naomi knew if she didn't have Pendulum Kuriboh in her hand, she would have taken major damage this turn. If she didn't have Alice then Aphrodite would have been destroyed. Naomi also concludes that Serena was going for a one-turn kill but failed to do so. In short, a very straightforward strategy like hers can be defeated easily.

"My turn!" Naomi draws her turn.

Turn 3

H:1-2

"I banish both Angelic Fusion and Alice to activate their effects" Naomi started her turn, "first Angelic Fusion allows me to add Marian back to my hand and via Marian's effect I can Special Summon her. When she is Special Summon this way I can add a Spell/Trap Card in my Deck."

Marian appeared back on Naomi's field, as she shielded herself with her arms. Naomi added a card from her deck.

"Next, Alice's effect will inflict damage to you equal to her ATK! So Serena-chan takes 1600 damage!"

Alice appears behind Serena, her eyes are shadowed her hair as she smiles in a creepy like way and then screams out loud. Her voice caused everyone to cover their eyes due to the intensity of the sound she was emitting.

Serena:4000-1600=2400 LP

"So you're using the same strategy as Akemi. Then defeating you will be worth it after all" Serena stated, Naomi frowns as she is being compared to Akemi again but then it makes her curious about her fusion counterpart.

"Let's continue. I activate Sereia's effect from my hand. When I control a WATER Monster I can Special Summon her" Naomi said.

Seraia was a long blue hair mermaid wearing aqua blue mermaid dress with sea accessories across the dress.

Water/Level 5/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2200/DEF 1000

"I choose to make Seraia a Level 4. So now my Level 4 Marian and Seraia I will Overlay!" Naomi shouted, both of her monsters went into the network, creating a stream of light from the portal.

"Slumbering powers of sea and earth, weave the light of new life and come forth! Xyz Summon! Awaken! Rank 4! No.37, Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark!"

A white diamond cracked, transforming into a white hybrid between a shark, dragon, and spider.

Water/Rank 5/Sea Serpent/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 2100/OU:2

Serena now had a grin on her face. "So you finally Xyz Summon. If I defeat you then I can prove to the Professor that I'm stronger than he thinks" Serena said. Naomi sighs as she starts to get annoyed. "She still thinks I'm an Xyz Remnant. Even though I use effect damage like Akemi and I have a Fusion Monster on the field," Naomi scowled in her mind. She notices Aphrodite gives her a kind smiles and so does Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark. Well in his case, a huge grin that showed its teeth.

"I detach an Overlay Unit from Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark to make all monsters you control lose 1000 ATK until the End Phase" Naomi activated her effects, the hybrid shot web towards Cat Dancer and Blue Cat however Crimson Fox appears before the webs to take the hit instead.

"I banish Crimson Fox to negate the damage and we both gain 1000 LP" Serena showed her effect, as her and Naomi was surrounded in green light.

Naomi:4000+1000=5000 LP

Serena:2400+1000=3400 LP

"Then change of plans. I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Light Brilliance' since I control a LIGHT Monster all monsters you control ATK is changed to 0!"

Aphrodite blew flowers towards the Moonlight Monsters that render their powerless.

"Then I activate my set card, Quick-Play Spell 'Fairy Impact' to inflict piercing battle damage to you this turn!" Naomi yelled, then going into her Battle Phase.

"Aphrodite attack Moonlight Cat Dancer!"

Aphrodite creates a whirlwind out of her hands that was heading towards Cat Dancer. A Trap Card appeared in front of Cat Dancer that showed, a yellow moon above an ocean whose waves were swaying back and forth. "I activate the Trap Card 'Luna Light Tides' to negate the attack and to destroy Aphrodite!" Serena countered, saving her ace monster from being destroyed and her LP from hitting 0.

The Trap Card blasted a yellow beam that shot Aphrodite. She screamed in pain and was now destroyed due to the Trap's effect.

"Now since you don't control Aphrodite anymore your Quick-Play Spell Card effect is useless and my monster's ATK returns to normal."

Naomi narrowed her eyes and proceed with her turn. "I banish Aphrodite from my Extra Deck to Special Summon another Fairy-Type Monster when she is destroyed by battle or by a card effect. Appear, Duclina, the Fairy of Autumn!" Naomi exclaimed she summoned another monster to the field.

A tan skin woman with orange hair wearing an orange floral dress appeared with wings on her back that resembled autumn leaves with the color scheme orange and red.

Fire/Level 8/Fairy/Fusion/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2000

"Battle! Duclina attack Blue Cat!"

Duclina blasts a red flame towards the crouched animal creature, as Blue Cat was now burned, and Serena winced from the attack.

Serena:3400-1800=1600 LP

"I move to my Main Phase 2. I activate Duclina's effect to destroy all Spell and Trap Cards you control!" Naomi destroyed the Continuous Spell Card that powers up Serena's monsters tremendously.

"Of course, this is what you would go for" Serena grumbled, "I set one card, and I conclude my turn" Naomi finished her turn with a set card on her field.

"Serena-chan I will admit your strategy is amazing. However, it's dull because of how straightforward it is" Naomi confessed, "what" Serena muttered, with narrowed eyes. "I'll put it bluntly since that is the only way you can understand me. Your dueling is too predictable, after observing your first turn. You power up your ace monster to make sure it inflicts as much battle damage if your Opponent controls as many monsters as they can, which puts you at an advantage. So, by your 'Moonlight' deck tactics you always plan to go for a one-turn kill."

Naomi closed her eyes, "it's a simple tactic indeed. However, it's easy to overcome with the right strategy to overcome decks like yours" Naomi concludes her observations.

Naomi's words made Serena see red, as it reminds her of a certain person that said the same thing about her deck. "How dare you mock my tactics! A duel without any tactic is nothing but a game" Serena scowled, "I'll beat you with my way and continue to do so!"

Naomi simply replies, "then show me your power."

Serena took that as a challenge and draw for her turn.

Turn 4

H:1-2

"I activate the Spell Card 'Lunar Rays' by discarding the Spell Card Fusion to banish Moonlight Monsters on my field and on my Graveyard. I banish Cat Dancer and Kaleido Chick!" Serena cried out, both of her monsters swirled in a vortex.

"The beautiful wild beast dancing under the moonlight! Little bird gliding through the mixed darkness! Swarm in a vortex of moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me! Elegant beast dancing in the moonlight! Moonlight Panther Dancer!"

Serena finished her chant, a mature dark-skinned woman with panther features while wearing a dress appeared on her field.

Dark/Level 8/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2500

"When a monster that is summoned using Lunar Rays I can draw two cards" Serena draw two cards from her deck.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Moonlight Perfume' to Special Summon Blue Cat from my Graveyard," Blue Cat arrived on the field, growling at the White hybrid shark as the latter snarled at her back.

"When Blue Cat is Special Summon, Panther Dancer's ATK is doubled!" Serena yelled, Panther Dancer powered up to 5600.

"Battle! Moonlight Panther Dancer attack Duclina! Panther Dancer is the same as Cat Dancer however I don't need to tribute a monster to activate this effect!" Serena revealed nearly causing Naomi to be taken back.

Panther Dancer slashes Duclina across the chest, making Duclina groan in pain. Naomi winced from the impact.

Naomi:5000-2600=2400 LP

"I activate Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark 's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit Panther Dancer loses 1000 ATK!" Naomi cried out, the white hybrid monster shot webs towards Panther Dancer causing her to be attached by the webs and lose her attained strength.

"Regardless, your monster will still be destroyed. Panther Dancer resumed your attack!" Serena demanded, Panther Dancer's launches another attack on Duclina slicing her in half, as the fusion monster exploded due to impact. Naomi skidded back.

Naomi:2400-1600=800 LP

"Now Panther Dancer attack Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark!"

Panther Dancer slashed the white hybrid in half and kept going until there was a cloud of dust in the jungle area and Naomi activated one of her set cards on the field.

"I activate the Trap Card 'Hallowed Life Barrier' by discarding a card in my hand all damage I take this turn is reduced to 0" Naomi discards a card, a shield of light protected Naomi from the shockwaves of Panther Dancer's attack.

"That settles it" Serena smirked satisfied she defeats an Xyz Remnant who not only Fusion Summons but looks like her childhood friend and rival that's what Serena calls the relationship between her and Akemi.

"I'm still in this game" Naomi reveals she is okay from the Fusion Monster vicious assault much to Serena's dismay. "Tsk! You activated a card effect at the last minute. However, when my turn comes again that's when you'll be finished. Finally, I have proved to the Professor wrong about not choosing me for the Vanguard Squadron" Serena declared, the fierce intensity in her eyes that remind Naomi of Yuzu when she declared her new will when they dueled each other.

"With that, I end my turn" Serena concludes her turn, Naomi started her by drawing a card.

Turn 5

H:0-1

"I activate Hope Woven Dragon Spider Shark 's effect, when he is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard. I choose to Special Summon Duclina!" Naomi summoned, her fusion monster back to the field.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Advance Draw' by tributing Duclina I can draw two cards" Naomi draws her cards by releasing her monster as she played one of her drawn cards.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Fairy's Gift' by discarding Majestic Mech-Ohka. I can draw three cards" Naomi discards her monster to increase her hand size.

"I summon Maris the Water Pixie from my hand."

A girl with overflowing blue hair with blue eyes as she wore a white dress with blue sandals that completed her simple outfit.

Water/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1400

Naomi summoned Maris to her field. "Due to her effect I can draw a card, and if the drawn card is a monster I can Special Summon it, regardless of its summoning conditions."

Naomi draws her cards and flips it revealing the card to be a monster card.

"I Special Summon Luna the Dark Spirit via Maris' effect," Luna appears next to Maris, the latter couldn't help it to notice this woman who has the same name as her friend.

Dark/Level 4/Fiend/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1200

"2 Level 4 Monsters. She is going to Xyz Summon again" Serena observed with narrowed eyes.

"With my Level 4 Maris and Luna, I will Overlay!" Naomi shouted, the two monsters went into the galaxy like portal before it explodes, creating a stream of light.

"Priestess of the ice who leads the souls to the afterlife. Rise with your godly powers! Xyz Summon! Appear funerary maiden of ice! Rank 4! No. 103: Ragnazero!"

A woman wielding twin ice blades in her hands.

Water/Rank 4/Fairy/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 1200/OU:2

"I activate the Spell Card 'Monster Reborn' to revive Duclina!" Naomi revives her monster and proceeds with her next move.

"I activate my set card Quick-Play Spell 'Forbidden Chalice' so Moonlight Panther Dancer gains 400 ATK however her effects will be negated," a beam struck Panther Dancer although it increases her ATK her effect are taken away from her in the process.

"Damn it! Even if you take her effect away her ATK is higher than both of your monsters!" Serena shouted, but felt confused why she saw Naomi smile all of a sudden.

"I activate Ragnazero's effect by detaching an Overlay Unit to destroy Panther Dancer since her ATK is different from her original ATK!" Naomi activated Ragnazero's effect, as the said monster slash her units and blast Panther Dancer that destroyed the monster after it been turned to ice.

Naomi draws a card through Ragnazero's effect.

"Battle! Duclina attack Blue Cat! Ragnazero attack the player directly!" Naomi shouted, Duclina once again burns Blue Cat to ashes. Ragnazero slashes Serena causing the latter to be sent flying into a tree. Serena winched in pain from the impact.

Serena: 1600-2400=0 LP

Naomi deactivates her duel disk and walks over to Serena. She crouches over to where Serena is and notices the girl glares at her.

Naomi smiles and pats Serena on the head. "Bad, Serena-chan. Next time don't assume people are Xyz Remnant just because they Xyz Summon. Okay" Naomi chastised softly. "Stop treating me like a wild animal! If you want to card me hurry up already!" Serena snapped impatiently, waiting for her opponent to card her already since she lost the duel, and having to wait like this damage her pride.

"I told you I'm not an Xyz Remnant so I can't card you, and I won't card you" Naomi reassured. "My name is Naomi Kobiyashi and I'm a resident of the Standard Dimension. So, of course, I would know how to Xyz, Fusion, and Synchro Summon. Also please don't go after the Xyz Remnants until you know the truth about what happened to their homeland."

Naomi stood up on her own two feet and started to walk away from Serena. When Serena saw her retreating figure she couldn't help but see Akemi's figure replaced Naomi's. It reminds Serena of the distance between her and Akemi when it comes to their skills. "Tch...I was this close to being one step closer to my goal. But I'm not going to give up, I will keep getting stronger for my sake and hers as well" Serena mumbles, before standing on her feet. She looks to the screen where it displayed the Volcano Zone. She saw Dennis riding an Xyz Monster as a thought swarm in her mind. "I think I have found my next opponent."

On the way towards the Volcano Zone_

Naomi is currently conversing with her ace monster, Eternia about what just happened in the Jungle Area.

"You look pretty upset back there Naomi. What did she say that offended you?" Eternia questioned, she is curious about why Naomi acted that way as if she was going to severely injure Serena if the latter kept on pressing her buttons.

"Well, that's because she insulted my monsters" Naomi replies with a pout. "You can insult me all you want, but you will not talk bad about my mom, my friends, and especially my monsters. I just reminded her, that's all."

Eternia gave an amused smile. "I figured it had something to do with the way she looks down on Aretha and Marian. They are glad that you got angry for their sake, but next time try your hardest to calm your rage" Eternia advised. "I will, but if something like that happens again then I can't promise it's going to be pretty" Naomi replies. She huffs her chest but still manages to be cautious of her surroundings. Especially since Serena might not be the only person who's not supposed to be a contestant. Then Serena's presence gives Naomi a good reason to be on her guard.

It took Naomi five minutes to reach the blazing volcanic field. She views the entire area as she walks towards the bridge. That's when she sees a boy who was around the same age at her on the other side, with the same maroon red-colored hair and yellow eyes.

Naomi recalls the boy standing across from her is Riko's older twin brother, Eijirou Ando.

"You're the girl that beat Riko-" Eijirou pointed at Naomi who shook her hand.

"That was Yuki Shimizu-san. My name is Naomi Kobiyashi" Naomi cut Eijirou off as soon he was about to mistake her for Yuki.

"Naomi Kobiyashi-san?"

"Yes. I am Naomi Kobiyashi, Eijirou-kun."

"Really, really?"

"Yes. Really, really."

The two of them stare down at each other for a long while until Eijirou broke off the contact, sighing.

"Guess it can't be helped. Well, since I'm here now, I will duel you while betting our Pendulum Cards" Eijirou showed his two Pendulum Cards he found in Volcanic Area. The two cards were Dragodies, the Empowered Warrior, and Dragonox, the Empowered Warrior.

Naomi smirked and showed her recently found Pendulum Cards. She needed to blow off some steam and to get her mind off of Academia related things. Especially since she ran into Serena, she can also use this opportunity to have fun without having to risk her life in the incoming threat.

Both Junior Youth stood on either side of the bridge.

"DUEL!"

Naomi vs Eijrou; 4000 LP Each; H:5 Each

"I'll take the first turn!" Naomi declared looking at her hand.

Turn 1

H:5

"I summon Guiding Ariadne" Naomi started, she summoned a white machine with yellow designs like- woman appeared on the field.

Light/Level 4/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 800/P.S:3

"I set one card and end my turn" Naomi finished looking at her opponent.

"Then it's my turn!" Eijirou declared drawing his card.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I activate the Spell card 'Painful Decision' to send a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my deck to the Graveyard" Eijirou started as a card slide out from his deck, "the card I choose is Level 2 Metalfoes Steelen to the Graveyard to activate 'Painful Decision' additional effect."

Eijirou slid the card into the graveyard slot as he added another card from his deck. "I'm able to add the card with the same name with the one I sent to the Graveyard, so my second Level 2 Metalfoes Steelen is added to my hand" Eijirou explained showing the card.

Naomi's eyes widened when she saw the shown monster was in fact a Pendulum Monster. "He runs a Pendulum based deck?!" Naomi was shocked because there was someone else who owns Pendulum cards besides herself, Yuzu, Yuya, and Reiji. She concludes that Reiji probably constructed the cards for Eijirou. It makes sense since Reiji is the type of person to make cards for someone if it will benefit him in the process. Naomi push these thoughts to the sides and continues with the duel.

"So that's why he sent his card to the graveyard to get another one in his hand," Naomi noted in her mind.

"A Pendulum Monster would go to the Extra Deck unless it was sent to the Graveyard directly from the field, however, since I sent this card to the Graveyard from my Deck it stays there right" Eijirou explained as Naomi confirmed the information was correct from what she remembered from to what happened Yuya and Sora's duel.

"Next I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse my two Metalfoes Goldriver together!" Eijirou said as the monsters swirled into a vortex.

"Two psychic warriors clad in metals! Swirl in a vortex of the intelligence and create a new metal ally! Fusion Summon! Level 1! Fullmetalfoes Alkahest!" Eijirou chanted, as a metallic man wearing a green armor and a green hat while wielding a staff appeared on the field emitting a small blue aura indicating it was in defense mode.

Fire/Level 1/Psychic/Fusion/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 0

"It has 0 ATK and 0 DEF" Naomi said confused but thinks the monster must have some strong effect despite not having any ATK or DEF.

"I set two cards and end my turn" Eijirou finished his turn. Naomi draws her card for her next turn.

H:2

Turn 3

H:3-4

"I-"Naomi started before being interrupted by Eijirou.

"I activate Alkahest's effect during my opponent's turn I can equip a monster they control onto Alkahest!"

Alkahest teleported behind Guiding Ariadne and transformed her into a white shield and was placed onto his arm.

"What!" Naomi gasped as her monster disappeared and now was on her opponent side of the field but into a different form "now Alkahest's effect when it has a monster equipped to him, his DEF is increased by the equipped monster amount" Eijirou added as the Fullmetalfoes monster powered up.

DEF:0+1700=1700

Naomi looked at her hand and saw her options and new what she can do next.

"When my opponent controls and I don't, I can Special Summon Brooke from my hand."

Brooke appears on the field, crossing her arms together.

Earth/Level 5/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 2500

"Brooke's effect allows me to add either a Ritual Spell or a Ritual Monster" Naomi showed the card revealing it to be a Ritual Spell as she activates the card.

"I activate the Ritual Spell 'Primal Cry' to tribute Level 6 Herald the Perfection and Level 2 Herald the Purple Light!"

A shrine appeared as giving a soft glow, multiple colors of light shine upon on the shrine.

"The bright graceful bird of beauty. Be reborn into this new realm of light! Ritual Summon! Appear! Vennu Bright Bird of Divinity!" Naomi chanted a golden bird with beautiful bright accessories in its body as it had a purple cloth around the lower area of the bodies descend on the field.

Light/Level 8/Fairy/Ritual/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2000

"Now I release Brooke to Advance Summon Luna, The Night Pixie from my hand!"

Brooke disappeared in yellow dust as a black hair fairy with pale skin and yellow eyes was wearing a white moon crescent as she had a flora black dress as she appeared on the field.

Dark/Level 5/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 1600/P.S:2

Naomi draws a card from Luna's effect and glances at the card revealing it to be the Monster Card-Mana. She slides the card into her Graveyard slot, and proceeds to add two brand new Fairy-Type Monster to her hand. Through Vennu's effect, she adds Brooke back to her hand.

Entermate Angel Juggler and Rhythm the Fairy Songstress. Two Pendulum Monsters, she received from the same night Yuzu received her Pendulum Cards. These two monsters represent the bonds she shares with her closest friends. By seeing these cards, proves to her that they are somewhere in the Battle Royal, facing a strong opponent but is striving to move forward.

It's because of that fact, Naomi will never give up on her duels. She will try her hardest until the last card is drawn or her LP hits 0.

She turned her focus back on the duel.

"Battle! Vennu attack Metalfoes Alkahest!" Naomi thrust her hand forward. Vennu blasted a green tornado destroying the metallic warrior. However, Eijirou didn't take any damage.

"Now Luna attack-!"

"Trap Card 'Metalfoes Counter' when a card I control is destroyed, I can Special Summon Metalfoes Volflame from my Deck! Appear! My monster!" Eijirou countered. A portal opened up Volflame drives through and protected Eijirou from the incoming attack.

Naomi clicked her teeth and stopped her attack much to Luna's dismay. The night pixie pouts and returns to her place. Naomi gives a reassuring smile.

"I end my turn" Naomi concludes her turn.

"Well, then it's my turn!" Eijirou announced, drawing his card.

Turn 4

H:2-3

"I activate my Continuous Trap 'Metalfoes Combination' when a Fusion Monster is Fusion Summoned, I can target a Metalfoes in my Graveyard whose Level is lower than the summoned monster" Eijirou explained. "Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Metalfoes Fusion' to fuse Metalfoes Volflame and Steelen that's in my hand."

"Another fusion summons, so that's why he activated his Trap Card so he can use it," Naomi thought out loud as she wonders did Eijirou know that he was going to perform another Fusion Summon or was it all plain luck.

"Metals allies' armor which is clad in metal! Swirl in a vortex of the intelligence and create a new metal ally! Fusion Summon! Level 8 Metalfoes Orichalc

Fire/Level 8/Psychic/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2200

A man wearing a golden armor as he wields two fire axes in his hand as he had two like wheels on his back as they were covered in gold.

"Now 'Metalfoes Combination' activates! I Special Summon Metalfoes Volflame from my Graveyard!"

This time a red and green vehicle with fire designs at the end of the vehicle, appeared on the field coming out of the scorching hot lava.

Fire/Level 7/Psychic/Pendulum/Normal/ATK 2400/DEF 2000/P.S:8

"Now by 'Metalfoes Fusion' effect when this card is sent to the Graveyard, I can shuffle this card back to the deck and if I do, I can draw one card" Eijirou added as the card slot out of the Graveyard as Eijirou slide the card back to the deck as it shuffled itself as he drew a card.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Metalfoes Charity' by banishing Metalfoes Steelen from my Graveyard, I can draw two cards" Eijirou draws his cards and plays the one on the right.

"Now I have to get rid of the most troublesome card on your side and how I'm going to do that is by activating the Spell Card 'Parallel Twister' by destroying Metalfoes Combination I can destroy a card on the field and the one I choose is your Vennu, Bright Bird of Divinity!" Eijirou declares as a wind blew his Trap Card away and Naomi's Ritual Monster off the field leaving the latter nervous.

"Since Metalfoes Combination went from the field to the Graveyard, I can add a 'Metalfoes' monster from my deck and add it to my hand" Eijirou informed as a card slot out as he added it to his hand and showed it to his opponent. "The card I added is Metalfoes Ironslicer."

"He completely planned this...By taking my monster in the beginning and Fusion Summoned twice as he took advantage of destroying his Continuous Trap and added a Metalfoes Monster by his hand through his trap card effects when they are destroyed. He has skillful just like Yuki-san and Izumi-san, but I still won't give up" Naomi thought bracing herself.

"I activate Metalfoes IronSlicer from my hand! By returning Volflame to my hand I can Special Summon this card!"

Eijirou summoned a yellow-haired female wearing orange-clad armor as she rode a black bicycle that had sword attached to the wheels.

Fire/Level 2/Psychic/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 1000

"Ironslicer's effect allows me to Fusion Summon to using monsters I control and, in my hand, including this card without having to use a Fusion Spell Card!" Eijirou shouted, as his monsters fuse together in a portal.

"A Fusion Summon without a Fusion Spell Card just like Blue Nyx and Yuzu's Soprano effect" Naomi noted, she was worried about the monster the boy would summon to worsen her situation.

"Psychic warriors clad in metals! Infinite monsters from beyond! Swirl in a vortex of the intelligence and create a new metal ally! Fusion Summon! Level 6! Metalfoes Mithrilium!"

A purple-haired person wearing a red and silver metal armor with wings appeared next to Orichalc.

Fire/Level 6/Psychic/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 1000

"Mithrilium's effect shuffles my two Goldrivers back to my Deck and returns Luna back to your hand!"

Mithrilium blasted multiple beams towards Luna, the girl screams and disappears from the field. Leaving Naomi without a monster to defend herself.

"Crap," Naomi grumbled, glancing at her set card hoping it will save her from the attacks.

"Battle! Mithrilium attack Naomi Kobiyashi directly!" Eijirou shouted, declaring an attack.

Mithrilium once again blasted a beam towards Naomi who dodges at the attack but saw her LP go down on the screen.

Naomi:4000-2600=1400 LP

"Now Orichalc finish this duel!"

"I'm not done yet!" Naomi shouted, flipping her set card revealing it to be Eternia calling multiple friends to her side.

"Quick-Play Spell 'Fairy's Calling' I Special Summon Tualatin in Defense Position!"

Light/Level 8/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2500

Tualatin shielded Naomi from the attack that would have wiped away all of her LP in a single strike.

"Orichalc's effects when Metalfoes monster attacks a Defense Position monster they can inflict double piercing battle damage onto my opponent" Eijirou revealed causing Orichalc to slash Tualatin repeatedly, but the monster wasn't going to back down from the relentless attacks.

However, it was thanks to Tualatin that Naomi didn't take major damage, but her monster was still destroyed after the ferocious attacks placed on him. She thanked him for protecting her.

Naomi:1400-600=700 LP

"I notice you didn't use Action Cards even though they were around you" Eijirou observed, he recalled he noticed three Actions Cards near Naomi, but the girl didn't go for a single card.

"I can say the same for you. Are like Izumi-san who doesn't like to use Action Cards" Naomi remarked, she noticed the same thing about her opponent.

"You are partially correct, but I just simply choose not to those cards especially if they don't turn well in my favor" Eijirou replied, he remembered a point in time when he was in a duel and ran into many Action Traps that nearly cost him the duel. So ever since then, he won't be too reliant towards those Action Cards.

Naomi nods and understands where Eijirou is coming from. She had the same problem and witness her friends running into Action Traps or even Action Spell cards that would purposely reduce your LP.

She always wondered in the back of her mind whenever Yuya duels does the Entermate Duelist needs those cards to win the duel, or was he just really lucky. But fortunately, it seems he doesn't rely much on those Action Cards like he did in the past. To her, it showed that he improved on his skills greatly.

"I end my turn. But be careful because I'll be ending this duel in my next turn so choose your moves carefully Naomi" Eijirou warned as Naomi nodded at the warning as she prepared herself to draw.

Turn 5

"I need to draw that card to summon that monster and end this duel in an OTK" Naomi thought placing her hand on the deck and drawing the card as a green stream of light emitting from her.

H:4-5

Naomi looked at the card and flipped it seeing it was a Spell card 'Pot of Extravagance' and she sighed in relief before activating it.

"I activate the spell card 'Pot of Extravagance' by randomly banishing three monsters from my Extra Deck I can draw one card!" Naomi hopes she didn't banish the monster she needed to win, or otherwise she was going to lose this duel because of her somewhat bad luck.

She draws her card and smiles.

"Everyone! Are you ready!" Naomi called igniting cheers from the crowd. She grabs her two Pendulum Cards and shows them.

"Now I set Scale 2-Entermate Angel Juggler and Scale 10-Rhythm the Fairy Songstress to set the Pendulum Scale!" Naomi said setting the cards as her duel disk as the two blue pillars showed up.

In one blue column was a mature woman with white hair wearing a black top hat with a red ribbon as she wore a renaissance dress with long red sleeves as she had a black corset that had white frills down her thighs. As she wore orange and grey stockings with black boots, and below her was number 2. The other blue column was a young girl with pink cotton hair with a wing clip with a blue feather as she wore a long sleeves sky blue princess dress as she had a cotton collar on, and white strap heels as behind her back were white angel wings as she held a harp in her hands. Below her was the number 10.

"Now I can summon Level 3 through 9 all at the same time! Shine so everyone can hear your voices across the heavens! Pendulum Summon! Naomi chanted as her birthmark glowed green. "Come forth! My monster friends!"

"Level 7 Athena, the fairy warrior! And Level 7 Guardian Angel Joan!"

A woman who resembles Athena appeared on the field as she wore archangel clothing with a golden silk as she had a two-sided spear in her hand and a golden shield in the other. The other one was a mature woman wearing a golden dress.

Athena: Light/Level 7/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 1800/P.S:1

Guardian Angel Joan: Light/Level 7/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2000

Naomi smiled as her monster evolution and remembers Eternia's words that some monsters in her deck evolved into Pendulum Monster and it was because of Naomi's progress to become stronger to evolve into a new person. So, her will to evolve caused some monsters to evolved into Pendulum Monsters in response to her will, and to gains new monster friends who represent the bond that she has with her loved ones.

"I'm really lucky to have friends like you guys" Naomi thanked as she heard Athena and Joan responded to her feelings "we're really grateful to have such a kind master like you Naomi."

Naomi smiled as she raised her hand. "I will now overlay Level 7 Guardian Angel Joan and Athena, the Fairy Warrior!" Naomi shouted creating the network as both of her monsters turned into yellow balls of energy.

"The fairy of the night, emit your brilliance across the world! Xyz Summon! Rank 7! Umblina, The Bright Fairy!" Naomi chanted as a mature woman with a strapless white dress with a jewelry sash on her stomach as she had a purple silk sash across her chest as she wore white evening gloves with white straps heels. Her hair was a blonde color as it was in a bun held up by angel wings accessory as she opened her purple eyes and gave a wink before being surrounded by two golden lights rotating around her.

Light/Rank 7/Fairy/Xyz/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000/P.S:2

"A Pendulum-Xyz Monster" Eijirou gasped in surprise "that's right, and it's because of the bond that I have with my friends that I was able to create this monster" Naomi answered, it was before Yuya's duel against Gongenzaka that this monster appeared in her Extra Deck. She tried to figure out why did this monster hybrid showed up in the first place until she recalled the time she spent with Yuki, Yuto, and even Shun as well. Just like the monster's name, the card shined in a bright white light as it resembled the light that was taken away from Heartland by Academia. However, with these cards, Naomi will make sure the city that her Xyz Counterpart and her friends love will retain its brilliance once again after this war was over. That is a promise Naomi intends to keep.

"I activate Umblina's effect I can detach one Overlay Unit to destroy Level 5 or higher monsters that you control," Naomi said as Umblina released a bright yellow light before she absorbed one of her Overlay Unit. She threw yellow lights at the two Metalfoes Monsters.

"What!" Eijirou shouted surprised by the monster's effect.

"Bright Brillance!" Naomi shouted as Umblina destroyed Metalfoes Orichalc and Mithrilium. She caused them to turn to dust by her light.

"Now since I did, I can inflict damage for the original ATK of the monsters that were destroyed by this effect!" Naomi added winking as Eijirou blushed a pink color on his cheeks by Naomi's cuteness.

"Since Orichalc ATK was 2800 and Mithrilium ATK was 2600 you take 5400 damage Eijirou-kun!" Naomi yelled igniting the effect to go through.

Umblina shot streams of light towards Eijirou as he was blasted off the ground from the effect damage while in the process making light shower for the audience.

Eijirou:5400-4000=0

"Yeah!" Naomi cheered, before giving a wink face. "That's it, everybody!"

In the LDS Stadium_

"Kobiyashi just won her duel and ended with her famous idol duelist style with a little bit of entertainment style" Nico announced, "my cute daughter is so excellent, so amazing, so cute!" Chou cooed waving her glow sticks. "That brings shivers~" Futoshi cheered doing his signature move shaking his body back and forth along with Chou constant screaming as the others sweat-dropped at their antics.

In the Volcanic Zone_

"Here both of these Pendulum Cards that I wagered" Eijirou recalled handing Dragodies, the Empowered Warrior, and Dragonox, the Empowered Warrior to Naomi as the girl smiled as she received the cards. "Thank you Eijirou-kun, I hope we can duel again sometime in the future," Naomi said smiling as the boy was flustered again "o-of course but this time I'll beat you!" Eijirou declares, coughing in the other direction to hide his blush. Naomi pressed her lips in a straight line. She wants to tell Eijirou about the possible invasion but wonders can she tell him. She comes to a decision and warns Eijirou to watch out for suspicions people during the Battle Royal. Much to his confusion, he presses Naomi to further elaborate on what she was talking about. But all Naomi could is warn him to stay on his guard and to avoid people whose duel disk are like a shield-shaped and its glow was shaped like a sword.

With those words, the two of them went on their separate ways. Naomi prays for Eijirou's safety. She continues to walk around the molten area until she sees Yuzu, Serena, and a fallen Dennis.

"Yuzu-chan why are you with Serena? What happened to Dennis-san?" Naomi questioned, she noticed Serena getting into fighting position. Naomi turned around, and when she did, she gasped at who she saw.

Several Moments Ago_In the Ancient Ruins Area_

Yuki leaned against a pillar to witness Shun defeating the Knights of Duels. She decides to stand on watch from the sidelines, she then sees Yuya approaching Shun. Yuki knew that the latter would confront the former about having Yuto's ace monster Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. She understands because if she was in his shoes and didn't know anything about what happened to their friend. Then she would have been very upset about the situation. It didn't help the situation when she didn't tell him what happened as a result of her being in a state of depression.

Nonetheless, Yuki told Shun that Yuto is fine. She was grateful that Shun didn't press the matter any further, but informed her that he will confront Yuya about what truly happened that night. Which she allowed him to one condition: that he will listen to what Yuya has to say before jumping to conclusions. Shun agreed to her condition and waited for Yuya to arrive in the area.

However much to her dismay, the two boys' conversation was interrupted by a purple slash. Yuki saw the Knights of Duels using a duel as an excuse to hurt Shun on purpose knowing that if he does join the duel, he will receive the 2000 LP intrusion penalty.

Unfortunately for them, she didn't care about the penalty.

"Then I will just have to teach you three no-good bastards a lesson!" Yuki declared, her white duel blade out.

"INTRUSION PENALTY! LOSE 2000 LP!"

Yuki's duel disk gave her light shocks, but they were harmful to her considering half of the monsters in her deck use lightning attacks.

Turn 4

H:5-6

"I activate White Dragon's chick effect from my hand, when I control no monsters, I can Special Summon this card" Yuki said a small blue-eye white dragon appeared on the field.

Dragon/Level 1/Dragon/Effect/ATK 800/DEF 500

"Now I activate its effect, I can tribute this card to Special Summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Deck" Yuki tributes the small dragon into its larger form as the said dragon roared when it appeared on the field.

Light/Level 8/Dragon/Normal/ATK 3000/DEF 2500

"I activate the Spell Card 'Ancient Rules' to Special Summon another Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand."

Another Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared on the field roaring next to its twin.

"Now with my 2 Level 8 Blue-Eyes White Dragon, I will overlay!" Yuki shouted with both of her monsters going into the network. "Made from thunder itself! Crash down and strike down everything in your path that dare stands in your way! Xyz Summon! Show yourself! Rank 8! Thunder End Dragon!"

Light/Rank 8/Dragon/Xyz/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2500/OU:2

Yuki motioned towards the three same Slash the Assault Knight that was on Ashley, Carl, and Bram's field.

"I detach an Overlay Unit to destroy all monsters my opponent controls! Since we are in a Battle Royal Mode all of you are my opponents!"

Yuki turned towards her ace monster. "Thunder End, if you can please." He knows what Yuki wants from him and he agreed with a savage grin.

He destroyed one of his Overlay Units, the whole area was covered in white lightning shocking everything in its place. All of Slash the Assault Knights was enveloped by the lightning and paralyzed from the intensity as they all vanished from the field leaving the Knights of duels defenseless.

"Next I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Overlay Rage' since Thunder End Dragon activated his effect and destroyed three monsters by his effect. He can attack three times" Yuki explained, taking a card out of her hand.

"Then I equip Thunder End Dragon to the Equip Spell Card 'Xyz Unit' through this card's effect. He gains ATK equal to his Rank times 200! He's a Rank 8 Monster so he gains 1600 ATK!"

Thunder End Dragon powered up and unleashed more lightning towards the three frightening males. Who clearly understands the situation that's in front of them.

Yuki snapped her fingers together, and Thunder End Dragon launched his signature attack but held back enough to cause fear into the Knights of Duels so they won't pull the same cowardly act again. And if they happen to do it again then he can't make any promises it will be pretty, the next time.

Bram:4000-4600=0 LP

Ashley:4000-4600=0 LP

Carl:4000-4600=0 LP

"Repent for your actions scumbag" Yuki glared at the fallen man covered in bruises as her ace monster huffed in agreement. Before she could walk away, an unknown force caused her to collide into a pillar.

Thankfully, Thunder End Dragon was there to catch her from falling into the ground. "Are you okay Yuki?!" Thunder End asked with concern laced in his voice.

Yuki nods her head and turns her attention towards the force that caused her to slam on the hard pillar. When she saw the source, she narrowed her eyes.

"You..."

Back to the Volcanic Area_

Naomi saw her opponent from the first match of the Junior Youth Championship Umi Hojo, appeared with these strange looking men wearing the same blue uniform as she appeared in different clothing. Naomi remembered from Yuki's message that these strange looking men are the Obelisk Force.

"Umi-chan why are you with the Obelisk Force? Naomi asked confused taking a step back when a grin formed on the girl's face.

"I'm disappointed that you saw me like this, but it's time to tell you the truth. I am part of Academia Naomi Kobiyashi-chan" Umi revealed, "and my mission is to capture you and bring you to the Professor."

Umi recalled the mission the Professor gave her, an hour ago.

Fusion Dimension_Academia_Professor's Chamber_One Hour Ago

Umi kneeled in front of Leo Akaba, she held in her excitement. That today is the day she is going back to the Standard Dimension to complete the assignment the Professor has given her. That assignment is to capture Naomi Kobiyashi.

"Umi Macfield, I expect Naomi Kobiyashi to be brought back in once piece. She must not be harm" Leo ordered, narrowing his eyes at the last statement. "However, you will not be going alone on this assignment."

Leo snapped his fingers and six members of the Obelisk Force showed up. Another girl who was a year older than Umi showed up.

She has white hair with blue highlights and crystal blue eyes. She wore a white jacket is worn over a black shirt with a blue-collar. She wears a blue skirt held up by a brown belt, and she wears dark blue boots. Umi's eyes dilated by the girl's appearance. This girl is Kori Mizugochi, one of the elite duelists in Academia. To think she was also ordered to come to the Professor's Chamber like her. But it was to be expected, she is an elite duelist after all.

"While Kori Mizugochi, your assignment is to capture Yuki Shimizu. She is to be unharmed and brought back here in one piece or else there will be consequences" Leo added, Kori simply smiled.

"I understand Professor. If I happen to come across her then I will bring her back alive, and the same thing goes for Naomi Kobiyashi" Kori answered with a cold smile.

"They will be brought back here. No matter what."

Standard Dimension_Battle Royal_Volcanic Area_Present Time_

Yuzu took a step towards Naomi and placed an arm in front of her. "I won't let Academia have Naomi-chan! If you want her then you are going to have to get through me first!" Yuzu shouted, activating her duel disk. Umi stared and activated hers in the process.

It was really a pain to duel someone she doesn't want to. Especially small fries she can handle. But it seems like she doesn't have a choice in the matter.

Before they could start the duel, smoke was thrown in their faces causing the girls to cough.

Suddenly Umi was surrounded by four people who were a year older than her. They all activated their duel disk.

Umi glared at the spot where Yuzu, Naomi, and Serena was and clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Hey! You three go after them now!" Umi shouted in pure anger, that she was hindered again, but this time by these four boys and decided to take her anger out on them.

"Yes, mam!" The three Obelisk Force disappears from their spots, and Umi turned her attention back to the four boys in front of her.

"I'll teach you punks about getting in my way!" Umi snarled, as her eyes flashed dangerously.

To the Ancient Ruins Area_

"Kori Mizugochi" Yuki glared at the one who sent her flying. Kori bowed her head and gave a smile.

"Hello there Yuki Shimizu-san, now let's go back to Academia before someone gets hurts" Kori smiled, but to Yuki, her smile had a hidden meaning.

"To let you know that person won't be me by any chance."

Just like before, smoke covered the area as the two girls covered their eyes. Yuki felt herself being carried in someone's arms.

When the smoke clear, Kori was surrounded by a group of four boys, and one of them was Yu Sakuragi.

"We won't let Academia have their way. We will stop you right here" Yu declared, Kori gave a chuckle and shook her head.

"Ah...I was hoping to avoid unnecessary damage to noisy bystanders but it can't be helped," despite being surrounded Kori felt amused by the situation around her.

Her smile turns cold, and her eyes flashed. "It seems I have to teach you boys a lesson in manners. Give me the best you got" Kori warned, a dark blue aura enveloped her as she unleashed a blizzard freezing the ruined area. "Because I am not going to hold back."

Back to the Volcano Area_

Naomi and Yuzu dragged an unwilling Serena away from the area. But the latter kept struggling until they stopped and unleashed their hands on her jacket's sleeves.

"What was that for?!" Serena yelled, at the two girls. "I could have to handle her perfectly! Why did you two get in my way!"

Yuzu glared right back at Serena. "We were trying to help you, Serena. If you and Umi are from the same place then you know what Academia did to the Xyz Dimension, right" Yuzu said. Serena scoffed in retaliation from Yuzu's words.

"Of course. Academia won against the Xyz Dimension with pride. I don't know what sob story the Xyz Remnants told you but they are all lies" Serena replied, Naomi, sighs.

"Serena-chan...what Academia did to the Xyz Dimension was-"

Before Naomi could continue to tell Serena what her dimension truly did to the Xyz Dimension again. She was interrupted by a rough voice.

"There's Serena-sama, Naomi Kobiyashi-sama, and Yuzu Hiiragi-sama."

The three girls turned around towards the source and got their duel disks ready. It was the Obelisk Force, Umi was with. The three men with the same uniform with different colored gems on their helmet: green, yellow, and red.

"Now come back to Academia peacefully Serena-sama," Obelisk Red said, "the same goes for you two as well. Naomi Kobiyashi-sama and Yuzu Hiiragi-sama."

Serena narrowed her eyes. "If you want me to come back then you are going to have to do it by force!"

Naomi leaned on Yuzu, "let's help Serena-chan. The faster we take these guys out, the faster we can tell Serena-chan the truth" Naomi whispered. If they tell Serena what really happened then the girl might be on their side and fight against Academia. And they need to contact Yuya and Gongenzaka and hoped they are still alive.

"That sounds like a good plan" Yuzu agreed.

"Very well. If you three lose then you will return back to Academia" Obelisk Yellow stated, as him and his comrades activated their duel disk.

"If we lose" Naomi pointed out, preparing herself to duke it out against the three men.

"DUEL!"

Naomi, Yuzu, and Serena vs Obelisk Force: Green, Yellow, and Red; 4000 LP Each; H:5 Each

Turn 1

H:5

"I will go first" Naomi declared, playing a card.

"When I control no monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon Madolche Puddincessoeur from my hand!" Naomi summoned, a younger version of Puddincess.

Earth/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 1400

Naomi Special Summons Puddincess from her Deck and due to Puddincessoeur effect, Puddincess' Level was reduced by one.

Earth/Level 5/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1000

"With my Level 4 Puddincess and Puddincessoeur, I will Overlay!" Naomi yelled, creating her network.

The sweet queen who rules over the magical dolls! Bring joy to the world! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Madolche Queen Tiaramisu!" Naomi chanted, Tiaramisu appeared with two orange overlay units swirled around her.

Earth/Rank 4/Fairy/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2200/DEF 2100/OU:2

"I summon Madolche Magileine from my hand" this time Naomi summoned a small girl with purple hair wearing a purple dress and had a witch hat on while holding a fork in her hand.

Earth/level 4/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 1200

"When Magileine is Flip or Normal Summoned, I can add a 'Madolche' Monster from my Deck to my hand. I add the Tuner Monster Madolche Mooilk to my hand, and due to its effect I can Special Summon this card from my hand."

A white-haired girl wearing a cow-like pattern dress, she had a brown horn. She was holding a tray in her hands.

Earth/Level 3/Beast/Tuner/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 800

"I tune my Level 4 Magileine with Mooilk! Sweet Empress of the magical's dolls! Bring joy and peace to your kind! Synchro Summon! Appear! Level 7, Madolche Vanilla Empress!"

A white-haired woman with brown eyes wearing a white dress with blue and red frills at the bottom. She had blue ribbons around her wrist, she wore white heels covered with sweets at the bottom. She wields twin swords whose handles were covered in dark chocolate substance.

Earth/Level 7/Fairy/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2100

"I set two cards and end my turn" Naomi finished her turn with two face-down on the field.

Yuzu glanced at Naomi, the latter gave a reassuring smile to ease Yuzu's worries.

"It's my turn!" Obelisk Green starts his turn.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I summon Antique Gear Hound Dog!"

Earth/Level 3/Machine/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1000

A green mechanical dog appeared on the field.

"When you control a monster, you take 600 damage via Hounding Dog's effect!" Obelisk Green activates his effect, Hound Dog shot flames towards Naomi. But Vanilla Empress protected Naomi from the flames.

Naomi:4000-600=3400 LP

"Thanks, Vanilla Empress" Naomi smiles despite taking some damage.

"Battle! I attack her directly!"

Green declared an attack on Yuzu who was defenseless. "Tsk! Cowards!" Serena growled when they would attack someone without a monster than someone who controls one.

"When Antique Gear Hound Dog attacks you cannot activate any Spell or Trap Cards!" Green revealed. Yuzu glance at a card in her hand and quickly activates it.

"I send Giocoso to the Graveyard to reduce the damage to 0!" Yuzu saved herself just in time as Giocoso blocks Hounding Dog from touching her master.

"Tsk! I set two cards and end my turn!" Obelisk Green finished his turn, and just before Yellow could start his turn Serena draws her card.

"I will go next!" Serena shouted, playing her drawn card.

Turn 3

H:5-6

"I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Moonlight Blue Cat and Purple Butterfly!" Serena cried out fusing her monsters together. Naomi glances at one of the set cards on their opponent field.

"They must have something to counter Serena-chan's deck" Naomi noted quietly.

"The cat prowling in the azure darkness! Butterfly with violet poison! Swarm in a vortex of moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me, beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! Moonlight Cat Dancer!"

A pink-haired mature feline woman wearing blue exotic dancing clothing appears holding twin daggers in her hands.

Dark/Level 7/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000

"I summon Moonlight Kaleido Chick," Serena summoned Kaleido Chick to her field.

Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 800

"I tribute Kaleido Chick, so Cat Dancer can attack your monsters however they are not destroyed the first time but the second time they are!" Serena yelled, Kaleido Chick disappeared, and though her effect Serena added the Spell Card Fusion back to her hand.

Just before Serena could go through with her attack, but was stopped by a shout.

"That won't work! I activate the Trap Card 'Fusion Dispersal'" Green revealed much to Serena's confusion.

"Fusion Dispersal?" Yuzu repeated, she clicked on the card on her duel disk and read the effects. When she was finished her eyes widened. She turned towards Serena in concern.

"Moonlight Cat Dancer returns back to the Extra Deck, and the monsters that were used to summon it is Special Summoned back to your field! Serena-sama you take damage equal to one of the Fusion Monster Materials' ATK!"

Blue Cat and Purple Butterfly return to Serena's field.

Blue Cat: Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1200

Purple Butterfly: Dark/Level 3/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1000

The Trap Card blasted a yellow beam, and Serena skidded back due to the 1600 damage she just took.

Serena:4000-1600=2400 LP

Naomi's suspicions were correct with Yellow's next words. "We know everything about your deck. There's nothing you can do" Yellow snickered, Serena, glanced at her cards and picked one up. Now looking back on Naomi's words, not only was her strategy beaten again but her deck was revealed and the enemy knows every single card in her possession. However, there is still one thing she can do.

"I set one card and end my turn" Serena finished her turn.

"My turn!" Obelisk Yellow draws his cards.

Turn 4

H:5-6

"I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse my three Antique Gear Hound Dogs! Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits! Flock together and become one with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!"

A blue triple-headed mechanical dog appeared on Yellow's field.

Earth/Level 7/Machine/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1000

"Battle! When Triple-!" Yellow started before being interrupted by a shout.

"I activate my set cards! First, the Quick-Play Spell 'Effect Shut' to negate Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog's effect, and second the Trap Card 'Doll's Play' so you cannot activate any card effects during this battle phase!" Naomi cards shot a beam towards the tripled headed monster effectively destroying it as well as sealing Obelisk Green's other facedown.

Serena glanced at Naomi who saved her monsters from being destroyed and her from taking minimal damage.

"Good play Naomi Kobiyashi-sama! I set two cards to end my turn!" Yellow snarled, Naomi narrowed her eyes when one of the members said her full name for the third time.

"How do you know my name?" Naomi asked, "it's obvious the Professor ordered us to not only bring back Serena-sama but you, Yuzu Hiiragi-sama, and Yuki Shimizu-sama as well" Obelisk Red answered. Yuzu and Naomi narrowed their eyes.

Their early suspicions were correct, and now they have to make sure they win this duel against them or otherwise Serena, Yuki, and they will be going to Academia against their free will.

"That's not going to happen because you three are going back empty-handed!" Serena replied with narrowed eyes.

"She's right. I don't know why the Professor would want us, but we refuse to be taken away so easily! Now it's my turn!" Yuzu draws her card and placed it in her hand.

Turn 5

H:4-5

"I activate the Spell Card 'Fourth Movement' when I control no monsters, I can Special Summon 4 Level 4 or lower Melodious Monsters from my Deck, however, the monsters Special Summoned by this effect will have their effects negated, their ATK and DEF changed to 0!" With those words, Yuzu special summoned, Lyra the Melodious Songstress.

A green hair woman wearing a blue dress with a single wing on her back.

Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1300/DEF 1600

"Hemiola, Sonata, and Opera the Melodious Diva."

Hemiola appears alongside Lyra.

Light/Level 3/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1000

Sonata started to sing when she shows up next to her friends.

Light/Level 3/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 1000

Finally, Opera appears beside them with a smile on her face.

Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 1000

"I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Lyra and Hemiola together! Harmonies of the harps! Gentle rhythm! Guided by the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon! Sing your song of victory! Bloom Diva the Melodious Floral Saint" Yuzu chanted, Bloom Diva appears on Yuzu's field.

Through Lyra's effect, she adds Soprano to her hand and proceeds to summon the added monster.

Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 1400

"Soprano's effect allows me to Fusion Summon using monsters I control without having to use the Spell Card 'Fusion'! I fuse Soprano and Sonata!"

Yuzu cried out as her monsters swirled into another vortex.

"Angel's song! Flowing melody! Guided by the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon! Now come here to the stag! Melodious Maestra-Meisterin Schubert!"

Light/Level 6/Fairy/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000

Meisterin Schubert arrived from the portal, and Yuzu knows what she was going to do next.

"I can target the three Antique Gear Hound Dogs as well as the Spell Card Fusion in your Graveyard so Meisterin Schubert gains 200 ATK for each card banished this way!" Yuzu pointed at Obelisk Yellow's Graveyard. Meisterin Schubert blasted a multicolored beam at the ground as her ATK increased to 3200.

"Battle! Meisterin Schubert attack Antique Gear Hound Dog!"

Meisterin Schubert blasted music notes towards the rusted dog, causing explosions to resonate in the Volcano Area. Obelisk Green skid back due to the damage he took.

Obelisk Green:4000-2200=1800 LP

"However, I still have LP left!" Green reminded. "Not for long!" Yuzu activates a card from her hand.

"Quick-Play Spell 'Melodious Octave' Bloom Diva gains ATK equal to the number of Melodious Monsters times 200! There are four so Bloom Diva gain 800 ATK!"

The floral saint was covered in a yellow aura as her ATK increased to 1800. The same amount as Obelisk Green's LP.

Bloom Diva blasted a green tornado causing Obelisk Green to be thrown off his feet as he fell to the floor. His LP was depleted.

Green:1800-1800=0 LP

Green vanishing from the area in blue light, the remaining two members look back at Yuzu.

"With that, I end my turn" Yuzu concludes her turn. Naomi compliments Yuzu for taking out a member reducing their opponents.

"Don't get cocky, little girls! It's my turn!" Obelisk Red shouted, drawing his card.

Turn 6

H:5-6

"I activate the Spell Card 'Antique Gear Double Imitate' to Special Summon Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog from Yellow with its effects negated!" Red shouted Triple Bite Hound Dog appeared on his field.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog and Hounding Dog! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 9! Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog!"

A purple reddish mechanical rusted hound appeared on his field when the monster roared the girls covered their ears because of the screeching noise.

Earth/Level 9/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2000

"When this card is Fusion Summoned all of your LP is halve!"

The Fusion Monster blasted four yellow beams towards Naomi, Yuzu, and Serena. All of them skidded back and winced through the pain they felt.

Naomi:3400/2=1700 LP

Yuzu:4000/2=2000 LP

Serena:2400/2=1200 LP

"Battle! Serena-sama will this your LP will be reduced to 0!"

Ultimate Hound Dog shot a beam towards Blue Cat and just before the attack could connect. Naomi activates a card from her hand.

"I activate Madolche Jeldoggo's effect to switch your attack target to Vanilla Empress!"

A blue jelly dog-like creature moves the attack to Vanilla Empress.

"Vanilla Empress' effect allows me to banish Mooilk so she gains ATK equal to Mooilk" Naomi increased her monster's ATK to 3500.

"Counter it Vanilla Empress!"

Vanilla Empress slashed the beams and lungs towards the rusted dog. She creates multiple slashes across its bodies and even slices the heads completely off.

Obelisk Red:4000-700=3300 LP

"You've managed to escape that as well, but when my turn comes again. You will be finished!" Red declared before setting a card on the field.

Before Naomi could start her turn Obelisk Yellow cards were activated.

"I activate the Continuous Trap Card 'Antique Gear Reborn' to Special Summon Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog with its ATK increased by 200" Obelisk Yellow revived his comrades' monster on his field. The summoned monster ATK was now 3000.

"Now I activate my other Continuous Trap Card 'Antique Gear Spark Shot-!"

"I won't let you do that! I activate my Counter Trap Card 'Moon Counter' since I control a Moonlight Monster! Your Trap Card is negated and destroyed!" Serena saved herself, Naomi, and Yuzu from taking major damage if that card effect would have gone through.

She remembers a certain duel when Akemi faced against the Obelisk Force for fun and recalls the three Continuous Trap Cards deadly combo, the men possessed around the time. However, her friend proved to be the winner with her deck's strategy to inflict effect damage above 1000. Serena may not have known all the cards in the Obelisk Force deck but she knows that combo at least. Besides, she can use this duel not to counter the Trap Card they have specifically for her next time.

"Thank you, Serena-chan., I promise I will end this end on my turn" Naomi smiled at Serena and thanked her for her efforts. She promises she won't let them be in vain.

"Go for it Naomi-chan!" Yuzu gave a thumbs up, Naomi nods and turns her attention back to their opponents.

"That won't happen! I activate the Continuous Trap Card 'Fusion Trench' now only Fusion Monsters can attack this turn!" Obelisk Red shouted, but that didn't faze Naomi in the slightest.

"My turn" Naomi draws her card and smiles. This duel has now reached its conclusion.

Turn 7

H:0-1

"I activate Tiaramisu's effect. By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can shuffle Magileine and the Trap Card Doll's Play back to my deck to shuffle the two Continuous Trap Cards Fusion Trench and Antique Gear Reborn back to your decks. Now they are removed from the field."

Tiaramisu waves her staff and creates a wind that sweeps up the two cards as the only things left of the field was a 3000 ATK Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Madolche Present' to tribute Tiaramisu to draw two cards" Naomi continued with her turn as her Xyz Monster vanished, and she draws two cards.

"Then I activate the Spell Card 'Magical Dolls Fusion' by returning Tiaramisu and Madolche Jeldoggo back to my respective decks! I can fuse them together!" Naomi cried out, her monster swirl in a portal.

"Queen of the sweets! Energetic fluffy dog! Combine your powers into a new kind of hope! Fusion Summon! Descend! The knight of the magical dolls! Madolche Devil's Knight!"

From the portal, a red-haired male with white eyes wearing a suit of armor, he had black cake at the ends of his torso. He wields a gigantic javelin with a peppermint handle.

Earth/Level 8/Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 1500

"Through Devil's Knight Effect Madolche Monster gains 800 ATK and DEF!"

Devil's Knight strikes down as him, and Vanilla Empresses powered up to 3300 ATK and 2300 DEF respectively.

"Battle! Vanilla Empress attack Antique Gear Ultimate Hound Dog!"

Vanilla Empress created a gigantic slash mark slicing the rusted dog in multiple places. The places scatter, hitting the surrounding areas.

Obelisk Yellow:4000-300=3700 LP

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Madolche Strike' now you take damage equal to Vanilla Empress' ATK times 2000!"

Naomi activates her final card in her hand. The Spell Card blasted a stream of white annihilating Obelisk Yellow LP as well as sending him flying.

Obelisk Yellow:3700-5300=0 LP

"Just like I promise I will finish this duel. I will banish Madolche Strike so Devil's Knight can attack twice!" Naomi reminded her promise. The last member froze and realize there was nothing he can do.

Devil's Knight shot its weapon towards Obelisk Red, nearly missing him by an inch, and then he went up to the member and punched him hard in the gut.

Obelisk Red:4000-3300-3300=0 LP

The girls won the duel and saw the two members of the Obelisk Force vanished the same way Obelisk Green did.

Yuzu and Naomi smiled at each other as Serena looks away. She recalls what occurred during the duel. If one of the most elite squadrons of Academia can pull such underhanded tactics then who's to say that Academia really did invade the Xyz Dimension and even treated it as a hunting game.

"Come on let's go somewhere else where we can talk" Yuzu suggested. Naomi nods and hopes to contact the others but just before she was about to take a step forward.

She fell over and gripped her left arm in pain. Naomi's birthmark was glowing and throbbing. It was as if the sensations were even stronger the last time this happened. "Naomi-chan! What's wrong?!" Yuzu got down and checked to see if Naomi had gotten any injuries during their previous duel. But all Yuzu saw was nothing. Not even a single scratch. However, she notices how badly the girl's birthmark was throbbing immensely.

"What's exactly is going on with your birthmark?" Yuzu asked Naomi couldn't even answer because of the intense pain she was in. Even Serena checked the glowing birthmark and found out it was throbbing, and the latter's veins were turning red on her arm.

Yet unbeknownst to the two girls, was their bracelets as they were flashing faintly.

Back to the Ancient Ruins Area_

Yuki stares at the person holding her, revealing to be Tsukikage.

The ninja placed her on the ground when he made sure the area was safe, and there were no enemies after them.

"Thanks, Tsukikage-kun, but I will be fine but I am worried about Naomi. Please keep an eye on her" Yuki begged. She was concerned about her Standard Counterpart especially now that there are strong enemies except for the Obelisk Force, after her and the others. Tsukikage nods and disappears from his spot.

Yuki turns her attention towards Yuya and notices the boy was acting strange. She watches him go against the Obelisk Force and was about to go help him out until she felt pain in her right shoulder. She grimaces when she realizes she must have hit the pillar harder than she thought she had.

"Crap. Even if I wanted to

help Yuya-kun I'll just be in the way" Yuki grunted, she held her bruised shoulder and sees Gongenzaka and a young orange-haired girl holding a crystal apple. She decides not to question why was the girl here in the first place. Can't she see that she will be in danger if she stays? Yuki wonders if the girl was brave or foolish to come here.

Yuki limps towards the pair until she feels a sense of dread in her chest. She pants harshly and holds herself up against a street pole. She feels her left arm was on fire even though it wasn't. It was as if the dread she felt from before was steadily increasing and she wasn't able to breathe properly. She looks at her birthmark glowing and throbbing. And all she wants to know is how to make the pain stop or why she was in pain. However, her questions cannot be answered and she falls off the pole.

Gongenzaka heard a thud coming from behind him and saw a body on the ground. He rushes towards the figure, revealing a familiar face. Yet her face was scrunched up in agony.

"Naomi! Naomi! Pull yourself together, Naomi!" Gongenzaka shook Yuki but didn't get a response from the injured girl.

"Damn it" Gongenzaka cursed at the dire position he was in. On one hand, a very strange Yuya is facing against the Obelisk Force alone, while on the other hand, Yuki who he assumes is Naomi, is in pain. As much as he doesn't want to leave his friend to take care of the enemies alone. He had to make sure the wounded girl was alright.

"Yuya! I don't know what happened to you but win! Because Naomi is in pain and needs to be treated immediately!" Gongenzaka called out. An enraged Yuya glanced over, even though it was supposed to have the opposite effect, seeing Yuki in her state only fueled his anger even more.

After that, despite taking damage through Antique Gear Hounding Dog's effect and receiving two direct attacks. Yuya in his rage-filled state not only summoned his ace monster, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, but also Yuto's ace monster, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Finally, he finished the duel as well as the Obelisk Force with The Supreme King Black Dragon - Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon.

Yuki felt sweat running down her temples, and it seemed that the pain wasn't going to go away any time soon. She kept pondering what can she do to bring Yuya back to his senses.

It seems like a familiar voice heard her pleads. Yuki tries to make out what the voice was trying to tell her.

"Go near him...I will do the rest..."

Yuki groaned as she tried to sit up. "Naomi! You have to lay down. You are in no condition to be getting up" Gongenzaka ordered, trying to push Yuki back down, but the girl wasn't going to sit back and let Yuya continuing to rampage in his current state. Not if she can do something about it. If what the woman's voice said was true then she can snap Yuya and Yuto, who is probably inside the former, back to normal.

The group heard a pillar breaking as it was going to land on Yuya who didn't notice the pillar going to fall on him. Gongenzaka saw it and ran towards Yuya, taking the fall instead of his friend. It didn't help when Yuya starts to growl and frantic from underneath Gongenzaka.

"Hurry and go get help!" Yuki shouted to a scared and frantic Mieru, "Move and get someone to help him!"

Thankfully, Mieru got the message, Yuki stumbled towards the boys despite the pain in her arm pulsing continuously. She felt exhausted from the unknown cause she's feeling. She prays that Mieru gets someone soon because if she doesn't then there's no telling what will happen to Gongenzaka, Yuya, and herself. Specifically, since Kori is in the same area as them.

Yuki hopes her prayers are answered, and they were. Ten minutes later, Mieru arrived with Teppei and Michio. They moved to the Jungle Area where the boys all held an enrage and violent Yuya down.

But the furious Entermate duelist kept punching the group who were trying to hold him down. Mieru explained to the group with her crystal apple that Yuya contains two souls within himself. There was a dark shadow covering the two souls. Yuki's eyes enlarged because it seemed Yuya was right about Yuto being inside of Yuya.

However, before Mieru could explain even more. Her crystal apple broke in the middle nearly causing everyone to back away from the shattered object.

Yuki frowned and moved towards Yuya placing her hands on each side of his cheek. She forces him to look into her eyes. Much to his and everyone's confusion, she gives a smile.

A one full of life, gentleness, and kindness. In her eyes, she sees a frantic Yuto looking back at her in astonishment. In Yuya's eyes, he sees Naomi giving a warm smile. For a split second, the figures were replaced with a woman with long purple hair, but her face remained hidden. A man with grey hair as his face was hidden.

In that single moment, Yuki pressed her lips against his forehead, unaware she was being watched by onlookers. She left a lingering feeling on his forehead. Her birthmark was giving a soft white glow, calming the boys from their enraged state.

Slowly but surely warmth was coursing through his body. He stops rampaging and stops emitting the malicious aura. His eyes stopped glowing as he closed them, indicating that he was now asleep.

Yuki released her lips and glanced at her birthmark which had now stopped glowing and throbbing. She felt much better than she did moments before. She remembers something like this had happened before, and it was during Yuya's duel against Kachidoki. He was in the same state when he summoned Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. She thinks there is a connection between whenever Yuya is that state then she will feel the same pain she felt minutes ago. You know who else will feel the same pain, Naomi.

Yuki feels even more worried about Naomi. She hopes Naomi is okay but with the amount of pain she just felt. Then what Naomi is experiencing must be ten times worse than what she just went through.

Yuki was so deep in her thoughts she didn't hear Mieru yelling at her.

"H-How dare you to kiss darling precious forehead, Naomi Kobiyashi!" Mieru stuttered, her face flushed due to her anger. But Yuki just gave her a blank stare and turned her attention to the rest of the group.

"Watch over Yuya. I'll be in the Iceberg Area" Yuki informed the group but mainly Gongenzaka.

She quickly runs towards the other side of the forest to head towards the cold land.

Gongenzaka looks back at the spot where Yuki was as a thought came in his mind.

"Was that Naomi just now?"

Gongenzaka dismissed the thought because of the black-haired girl's behavior was different from Naomi's. However, her appearance specifically her face was similar to his friend's. He remembers how Naomi said there was someone named Yuki who looks just like her. If what the girl's words said were true then Yuki could also be in trouble as well.

Gongenzaka clenches his fist hard enough to nearly cause blood to show. He feels useless for not preventing Yuki from leaving, and now Yuya was unconscious due to an unknown spirit possessing him earlier. To make matters worse he cannot contact Naomi or Yuzu to warn them about the invaders they mentioned in their chat before this Battle Royal happened.

Gongenzaka strongly hopes his friends are unscathed when this invasion ends. He hopes that they are safe somewhere in these four zones.

To the Volcanic Area_

Umi panted as she finished her last opponent. She glanced at the four cards on the floor containing the four boys who dared to stand in her way. She's glad that she was able to release her pent-up anger towards the fallen youths.

She wipes her sweat and figures the Obelisk Force failed, and now her assignment is somewhere in this bizarre place. But it doesn't matter since Kori is somewhere in this place and is looking for them.

Umi couldn't help but feel bad for the poor unfortunate souls who run into Kori. If the rumors about the latter were true then those people are in for a hell of a storm.

To the Ancient Ruins Area_

Kori wiped the dust off her jacket and cracked her neck. She just finished her last opponent whose name was Yu Sakuragi, right? Well, it didn't matter to her anyway.

"Well since Yuki Shimizu-san has moved to another area, but the question is which area?" Kori tapped her finger against her lip. She considers there are three more areas she can check out to for her target. She also considers Umi could be one of the three areas besides the one she is currently in.

Kori sighed but decided to settle it with a coin flip. If it lands on heads then she will go to the Iceberg Area, but if it lands on tails then she will go to the Jungle Area. She takes out her coin and flips it in the air.

She catches the coin revealing the result of the coin toss: tails. Very well she will head towards the Jungle Area.

"Well I enjoyed our little time together, but it looks like fate has other plans for me" Kori waved her hands. "See you again Yu Sakuragi-san."

Kori walked out of the field and turned her attention back to the frozen sculpture that greatly resembles Yu.

"Whenever you defrost sometime soon."

To the Iceberg Area_10 minutes Ago_

Yuzu carried Naomi who fell unconscious due to the immense pain she felt. Yet the collapsed girl kept sweating bullets in her sleep and kept tossing her head. Serena kept checking Naomi's birthmark but found the odd pulsing mark wasn't stopping for even a second.

She found it strange that something this small is causing this much pain to Naomi. Serena continued to examine the mark while Yuzu wiped the sweat off of Naomi's forehead and tried to calm the suffering girl calm in her state.

Serena tensed up when she heard footsteps approaching them. She activated her duel disk and got in a fighting stance.

"Hello is anybody there" Eijirou called out. He looked down and noticed the situation from a glance. He even turned his attention towards Serena but mainly her duel disk. As its shape and blade exactly matched Naomi's description of the invaders.

"Y-You are from this so-called Fusion Dimension! Why are you here in our Battle Royal!" Eijirou questioned, getting ready to duel until Yuzu stopped him.

"W-wait a minute! Serena is being chased by Academia herself!" Yuzu stated quickly before the situation becomes even worse.

"She is?" Eijirou tilted his head in confusion. He asked why would someone allied with this so-called Academia be chased by their own allies.

"It's because I didn't follow the Professor's orders" Serena answered. "The Professor" Yuzu and Eijirou repeated. "Yes, at Academia the Professor orders are absolute however I broke that rule to prove my worth" Serena continued her tale. Serena told them her jealously of the duelists that we're able to join the frontlines of the Xyz Dimension and even be part of the Vanguard squad. She had to stay behind countless times because the Professor ordered her to, but she refused and headed to the Standard Dimension to look for the Xyz Remnants.

"W-Wait Xyz Dimension? Standard Dimension?" Eijirou asked completely confused about what Serena was saying. Yuzu explained to Eijirou about the whole story about the four dimensions including Academia and the invasion they launched on the Xyz Dimension.

Eijirou's eyes enlarge as the size of saucers. He turned his attention back to Serena. Completely shocked about what he just heard, but what stood out was that Serena wanted to prove the same person that attacked an innocent dimension, all for the sake of peace. Complete nonsense if you asked him.

"You wanted to become part of that no-good group!"

Serena scoffed. "Yes to prove my strength however I will not believe a word you say until I see for myself what exactly those duelists did during the invasion" Serena stated, even though she heard the same story three times she wanted to see for herself the events that transpired during that time.

Yuzu realizes there are two people who can make Serena see the truth because they were right there went it happened. "The Xyz Remnants you are looking for is Kurosaki and Yuki. If you want to know the truth then go to them" Yuzu informed her Fusion Counterpart about the two residents of the Xyz Dimension.

"I know Yuki Shimizu, but I will keep an eye out for Kurosaki" Serena nodded. Yuzu smiled softly and turned her attention back to Naomi.

"But now we have to find out what is causing Naomi to be in so much pain?" Yuzu continues to wipe the sweat, and she strokes Naomi's forehead to calm the pained girl down in her sleep.

"Do you have any idea what triggered her pain?" Eijirou asked, observing the throbbing mark. He winced by how red Naomi's veins are and swallowed when he sees how red her mark was.

"It looks like she probably hit something poisonous, and it's suffering from its effects" Eijirou suggested.

"No, we didn't encounter anything like that. She was fine one minute ago, and then she just fell over in pain holding her arm" Yuzu answered.

She was concerned about Naomi, and she felt helpless. Yuzu couldn't do anything to ease the pain a little. All she can do is watch her friend suffer. To make things worse than they already are. She couldn't contact Yuya or Gongenzaka to tell them their location. And it doesn't help her that Academia is pursuing Naomi, Serena, and herself, and with Naomi's current condition. They will be losing stamina in the process because they had to duel the forces Academia sent. And depending on how many people, they will become exhausted themselves. If that happens then they won't be able to protect the sick girl.

Yuzu hoped for a miracle to happen right now. Someone to help them out or one of their friends to come to where they are. Fortunately, a miracle happened.

Naomi's birthmark stopped pulsing and glowing. It seems the girl was feeling better because of how relaxed she is. Naomi's opened both of her eyes and took a glance at her surroundings.

"Yuzu-chan... Eijirou-kun...Serena-chan" Naomi blinked sitting up. Yuzu had tears pool in her eyes, she embraced Naomi confusing the latter in the slightest.

"I'm so glad you're feeling better...I was so worried Naomi" Yuzu cried on Naomi's shoulder. The Fairy-Type duelist smiled and hugged her friend back.

"Sorry, I worried you" Naomi apologized for being sick out of nowhere. She thanked Serena and Eijirou for looking after her along with Yuzu. Naomi looks down and notices her mark which gave her so much pain is now giving a faint glow.

It tells her one thing. Yuki is nearby. True to her words, the black-haired girl showed up with Tsukikage.

When Yuki's eyes locked with Serena. There's was so much tension in the air, that you will have to cut it with a knife. Tsukikage got in Yuki's line of vision and reminded her what Reiji instructed. The Mixed Deck duelist clicked her teeth and looked somewhere else. Tsukikage checks the area for enemies approaching in their direction.

Eijirou decides to cut the tension. "Okay, let's get straight to the point. Yuki-san since you were there during the invasion can you please tell Serena-san about what Academia did" Eijirou summarized. Yuki narrowed her eyes and glared at Serena.

"So you want to know what Academia did correct" Yuki stated when she sees Serena nods. Yuki glares deepens "very well, I will show you what your school did to my homeland."

Yuki's birthmark flashed a bright white light enveloping the group as they covered their eyes.

When they opened their eyes, the first thing they notice was flames covering the area. Naomi frowned softly when she glanced at her surroundings. She recognized this place when it occurred during Sora's duel against Shun.

This place was Heartland...on the brink of its destruction.

The sky was covered with gray from the fumes of the burning rubbish. The group heard screams filled the air as they saw people running away from Academia soldiers. They heard glass being smashed from the tall buildings as they fell from the ground. When someone walked in their direction, they just passed through them.

"We are simply observers here. They can't see us, but we can see them. Everything you see here is based on my memory of what happened that day" Yuki explained.

The group heard more explosions and screams rang in the area. Naomi closed her eyes tightly and waited until the memory stopped to open them. This is her third time seeing this sight and she still doesn't like it. She hopes she doesn't have to see it ever again. Naomi forces herself to block out all of the screams and focus on Clear Kuriboh calming her down with his reassuring words.

Eijirou turns to see a huge building falling, but what shocked him was that the building was falling on a young girl.

All he could do is helplessly watched the building crushed the young girl. He felt like throwing up when he saw blood-forming from underneath the building. He forces himself to look in the other direction.

He prays for the young girl to be alright and that he didn't want to think about the possibility of her being... dead. Just like the others, he continues to watch the destruction of Heartland as he hears more pleads and scream in the air.

Yuzu gasped when she saw a plane hit by a beam from one of Academia's student monsters. It was sent spiraling out of control as it was enveloped in flames. But fortunately, Yuto's ace monster, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon prevented from crashing straight to the ground. Out of nowhere, Yuto was sent flying a few meters away.

It was revealed to be one of the members who used their monster to attack the boy from behind. Even though the Phantom Knights user was fine despite taking a huge hit from the blast. Yuzu saw a huge gash wound on his upper left arm, where his red scarf is usually tied at. She notes that he uses the material as a bandage to patch the wound, and has worn the material like that ever since.

Yuzu heard someone crying, and turned her head in the direction of the source. Yuzu saw Ruri crying tears as she holds Shuns unconscious form. Yuzu shakily takes a step forward towards the pair and sees Shun got a concussion from what occurred moments ago. She focused on how Ruri's face looked similar to hers just like how Naomi said she does. But she pushes the thought down when Shun doesn't respond to his sister's pleads to wake up.

Yuzu feels herself tearing up at the sight and fears what if that happened to her dad. He receives an injury that could have caused him to be in a coma, just like Yuya. Or even worse.

While the attention of the others was somewhere else, Serena felt everything she's been taught has been a lie. That Academia didn't fight honorably during the invasion but the opposite. She feels like a complete fool.

Finally, the memory stopped, and they return back to the ice-covered field.

Hearing it and seeing it were two very different things. Yuzu gasped when she remembers every horrific image now engraved in her brain. Yuzu felt more tears pool in her eyes. She felt bad for the citizens of Heartland. Now she figures out why Yuto didn't want her to Fusion Summon in the first place. It was because Academia used Fusion as a weapon to cause so much pain and sorrow to them. They turned the dueling they loved so much into a weapon. They made created their homeland a living hell for them. Just like how Shun said they did.

She feels a hint of anger towards them when she remembers how they treated the whole thing as a game. They took many innocent people's lives without a hint of remorse. They just smiled evilly throughout the whole time.

They even kidnapped Ruri from her homeland. Yuzu felt determined to save her Xyz Counterpart and to restore her homeland back to the way it was.

Eijirou swallowed the lump in his throat. What he just witnessed was horrifying. He shudders and thinks what if Academia invades his homeland just like they did with Heartland. They would show no mercy to anyone as long as they complete their goals. Then his mom, dad, and his younger twin sister, Riko will be in serious trouble. They could either be carded, severely injured, or worse...be killed.

He remembers the little girl who was crushed by the building. He shudders and wonders what if that was Riko. What if she was crushed by a building taking her life away. To never see her parents again. To never be able to live her life because it was taken away from her too soon.

The more Eijirou recalls the horrific scene, the more he holds the urge not to vomit. But he fails and throws up on the floor. He had to lean against a wall to support himself and to recollect his thoughts.

While the citizens of Maiami City were in shock. Serena was affected more by the revelation.

She couldn't believe what she saw. No, she still couldn't believe it, but it was the truth no matter how much she tries to deny it. The duelists that were deployed to Xyz Dimension acted like wild animals. They didn't act honorably in the slightest.

They targeted whoever they encountered and mercilessly carded anyone in their way. They destroyed, crushed, annihilated anyone. They didn't care who it was: children, adults or the elderly. They still crushed them.

Serena felt disgusted with herself and ashamed of her previous actions. She wanted to prove her worth that she was willing to do anything to accomplish that goal. But now what's the point if she was proving her strength to the wrong people. She doesn't want to be affiliated with Academia any longer. Especially if they are dishonorable to treat the invasion as game as ruthless crushed innocent civilians besides duelists.

Serena wants to change herself now that she knows the truth. She doesn't want to end up like them, she wants to become a better person who still has her honor.

It took a couple of minutes for the group to recollect themselves and to regain their composure.

"Now we have to find Shun-kun and the rest of the participants," Yuki said, "to see what kind of plan we can come up to fight against the invaders and survive in the process."

"Yes. I agree with your plan but there is a slight flaw Yuki-san" Naomi pointed out. She reveals to Yuki about Umi's presence and her mission to capture her. Not much of a surprise, Yuki also reveals a girl named Kori who also is here to capture her.

"Academia's main goal is to bring back the bigger threat meaning they would want to capture Serena-chan and Yuki-san" Naomi deduced. Yuzu got an idea.

"Then how about we switch clothes" Yuzu said, "me and Serena, Yuki and Naomi-chan. Besides, we have the same face, so I'm sure they won't be able to tell the difference."

Naomi and Yuki found truth in Yuzu's words since they also switched clothes and pretend to be the other for one day. And no one suspected them when they switched places except for Sora. So, they took a chance that it will work again, even if it would be for a short time.

"Fine! Let's do this!" Serena pulled up her shirt much to Yuzu's confusion. "W-Wait!" Yuzu prevented Serena from stripping in front of Eijirou, much to the girl's confusion. Yuki shot him a cold glare, and the Metalfoes duelist took that as a hint to go somewhere for the time being.

The girls hide behind a rock and proceed to switch clothes with their respective counterparts.

Naomi was in Yuki's clothes however, she wore her hair down and wrapped her white ribbons around her wrists. The sleeves successfully hid the hair attachment. While Yuki wore Naomi's clothes but she used her red scarf to create makeshift ribbons to tied her hair up in twin-tails like how her Standard Counterpart wore her hair.

They kept their duel-disks. Yuzu and Serena switched clothing however they kept their hair accessories and their duel disks as well.

"Eijirou, you can come back now. We're finished" Yuki called the boy back as he kept his eyes closed and even covered them with his left hand to make sure he can look before removing his hand. He took a peek and sighs in relief. Good, they are decent.

"Shun-kun was in the Ancient Ruins area last time I've checked so who's going with me" Yuki looked at the group, and surprisedly Serena raised her hand.

"I will accompany you to find Kurosaki!" Serena left no room for any arguments, Yuki stares at her for a long while. Yuzu, Naomi, and Eijirou sweat dropped from their temples at the strong hostility they felt coming from the black-haired girl. It seems like knowing Serena was allied with Academia still angered Yuki despite having an empty expression. Yuki stares in the other direction.

"Do whatever you want..."

"Then I'll go with Yuki and Serena to make sure they don't go at it" Eijirou volunteered, he glanced towards the mentioned girls. Even though the tension between the two girls was one-sided, Eijirou still felt the need to make sure they don't fight with each other at a time like this.

"Thanks, Eijirou" Yuzu bowed her head. The Standard Counterparts went in one direction while Yuki and Serena went in the other with Eijirou following behind them.

Unknown to the group, Dennis was behind an ice wave on top of a building, listening to their conversation, this entire time. Just as he was about to move, a light shines behind them. He turns his head towards the light and smiles.

"It's just you two...Yuri and Akemi," Dennis said. The two mentioned people give two different smiles: one filled with coldness while the other was filled with malice.