Announcement

A slight format change from now on, one inspired by SakushiRyu's writing; from now on, the OC card list will be divided by the owner of the card, and the card's first appearance in the story proper will be bolded.

Responses to Reviews

Thank you to suppes1, Shrouded Absol, Millenia Lyra Emrys, HunterHQ, RoyalTwinFangs, Above the Winter Moonlight, SolanaLeonhart, Guest, D3lph0xL0v3r, Chozin Yi, , Dinomane, Hzdyte, Goten, Lightning, savagemaster1999, Jigen, streetlife34, FlameFireZero X, Days Future Past, Guest, Sepuku, king, Dyna-mate, Ethan Kironus, pokemonking0924, Portal, Arato Endo, Edgeman, Alien Force, LazinessRules, the dragoon of END, helios darkus, Yugifan101, and Guests for reviewing Chapter 17.

Dinomane: No. Seto Kaiba won't be appearing in Fifth Circuit. And I use Mekk-Knights a lot because they're a cool Deck.

Lightning: Of course it was.

Now, I hope you enjoy Chapter 18!


Chapter 18: Synchronized

"W-Well," Melissa started, having returned to the commentator's booth. "That was definitely a shocking story from Kyosuke Kiryu, but you know what they say: The show must go on!" Dennis chuckled to himself. "So let's keep moving with the last match of the second day! And this match's duelists are… Serena and Tony Simmons!"

Yuji blinked. "Oh. So it's Serena turn now, huh?"

"This is the other girl who shares Hanako's face," Go muttered. "Let's see what she's got."

Yugo groaned. "Darn. I was hoping I'd get to be the one to duel." Then he smiled and looked behind him. "In that case, I'll just keep sleeping on this wonderfully soft bed!"

"Alright, it's up to you, Tony!" Shinji cheered. "Even if Kiryu won't help us, we can still do this! Fire up the Commons and rally them together!"

Yuji watched as the two duelists entered the arena and started their duel. But if he was honest, his mind was distracted.

I'm here for just two things. To see an old friend again, and to find satisfaction.

Yuji frowned to himself. "Kiryu…"

TAP-TAP-TAP

Yuji blinked and turned to the door at the light rapping sound. He stood up from his chair and walked over. "Who is it?" he asked once he was close.

"It's me."

Yuji blinked again. "Tsukikage? Why are you here?"

"Reiji asked me to talk to you. He wanted you to be aware of certain facts."

Yuji frowned and leaned against the wall next to the door. "I see. You lost on purpose, didn't you?"

"Oh?"

"I saw you grab an Action Card at the end. You could have continued the duel, but you let Shinji win. What for?"

"To uncover the truth."

"What do you mean?"

"Reira was originally scheduled to duel against Shinji," Tsukikage explained. "But she was scared and fled to Yuya Sakaki, who was being visited by Chojiro Tokumatsu. Yuya revealed something that Reiji wanted me to look into."

"And that was?"

"Mr. Tokumatsu and Yuya claimed that when people lost in the Friendship Cup, there were sent to an underground labor facility. There, they would work as slaves, disposing of the garbage the rest of the City produces."

Yuji blinked and then frowned. "So that means Gongenzaka, Mr. Tokumatsu, and Lua are…"

"They are fine," Tsukikage assured him. "They are unhappy about being there, but they are safe. And because of their status as Tops, Lua and Katsumi Ishikawa have been given lighter details."

"…I see. Reiji wanted you to investigate the underground facility and make sure the other Lancers are safe."

"Indeed. You do not seem surprised by this situation. I had assumed… well, I had guessed you would have a stronger reaction."

"Go would," Yuji confirmed. "Me? It is definitely horrible, but why should I judge these people by my standards? We are all from other worlds. While their actions disgust me, it is likely normal for them. What good will berating them for their actions do when they don't see those actions as wrong in the first place?"

"…I see," Tsukikage echoed Yuji's earlier remark. "You have thought about this a lot, haven't you?"

"The key to connecting to other people is understanding them," Yuji explained. "Their motivations, their culture, their lives; knowing these is important to forming connections. As someone who has great difficulty connecting to others, I am more aware of these things than others might be."

Yuji turned his head to glance at the door. "That aside, what are you doing here, Tsukikage? I'm guessing you broke out to report the situation in the underground to Reiji. Is there something he needed from me?" His lips formed a small smirk. "Does he want me to lose and join you on your mission?"

"No," Tsukikage stated. "He asked that I make you aware of the situation. Though he did have a request for you."

"A request? Not an order?"

"No."

Tsukikage told Yuji Reiji's request, which left the teen thinking to himself.

"…Alright, I'll do it. But we'll have to hope Serena doesn't lose till then."

"Serena is a strong warrior. She'll do fine."

"I hope so." Yuji frowned as another thought came to him. "Tsukikage, may I ask your opinion on something?"

"Of course. What is it?"

"…Kyosuke Kiryu. What do you think of him?"

The silence in response dragged on for about ten seconds until Tsukikage responded solemnly. "I think that no matter how sympathetic he is, no matter how close he was to the Commons you befriended… those traits do not make what he did any less heinous."

Yuji's frown deepened. "I see. Thank you, Tsukikage."

"You are welcome. I must return to my mission. Good luck, Yuji Kogami."

"You too, Tsukikage."

Yuji turned back to the television in time to see Serena win with Lunalight Panther Dancer. "Guess that settles that," he muttered, walking over to the bed and laying down.

The first round is half over, he thought idly. Of the Lancers, only me, Yuya, Dennis, and Kurosaki have yet to duel. Yuji frowned to himself. We're wasting too much time with this tournament. I'm starting to get stir-crazy. But there's nothing I can do about it from here.

He sighed and looked up as a cart with dinner on it came in. "Might as well keep my strength up." He ate, showered, and then went to bed. As always, he dreamed of flames and screams.


"Everyone! Welcome to the third day of the Friendship Cup!" Melissa cheered. "The City is one! We are all friends!"

Yuji frowned and crossed his arms as he leaned back in his chair. "Is she going to open every day like that?"

"I have to admit, she's a pretty consistent commentator," Go mused.

"Now, let's get started! The first match in today's line-up is… Yuya Sakaki versus Duel Chaser 227!"

Yuji blinked. "Yuya? So it's his turn now."

Go frowned to himself. Yuya. Did you listen to me back then?

"Oh, Yuya's up next," Dennis said with a smile. "Well, he'll get the ball rolling, no doubts there."

"First up, Duel Chaser 227 makes his entrance!" Melissa cheered as said Duel Chaser entered on a Security Duel Runner. "He lost a duel during a pursuit and lost his job as a Duel Chaser. He's lacking quite a bit lately, huh? Now he's stepping up to the challenge as a Commons!"

"That unlucky bastard's here too," Yugo commented with a smirk.

Yuji frowned. "Another Duel Chaser? And this pursuit… it was likely Yugo he was pursuing. If he lost to Yugo, he shouldn't be too difficult a challenge for Yuya."

"Next, Yuya Sakaki makes his entrance!" Melissa said as Yuya entered on the same red Duel Runner he used when he dueled Jack. Unlike DC-227 who had received cheers on his appearance, Yuya was immediately booed by the audience. "Wait a second – booing?! I know he lost to the King, but he's still a participant! Show some respect!"

Go scowled. "These people are far too judgmental. They care only about winning and losing."

"Yuya…" Yuzu said. "My feelings reached you, right?"

Yuya rode to the starting line, but before Melissa could start the duel, he interrupted and revealed the truth about the underground labor facility. That Yuya would reveal this secret didn't surprise Yuji. But Melissa's response did.

"Is there something wrong with that?"

Yuji blinked and narrowed his eyes as the audience's lack of care became even more apparent. "I see… So this is the real face of the Synchro Dimension…"

"What?" Crow muttered, his eyes wide. "Losers are sent underground. But…" His fists clenched and he grit his teeth. "Lua…"

Kiryu frowned. "This underground facility must be where the prisoners from the Facility were taken to," he mused. "Even so, yelling about it won't solve anything, Yuya Sakaki. These people respect only actions. Words are meaningless here."

Go growled. "These people send those who lose here underground? For slave labor?" His scowl turned into a frown. "Divine must have been sent there when he lost to Jack, but he came back. There must be a way back, then. But even so…" His scowl deepened. "This is the City you reside as King over, Jack? Then I'll just topple your throne and take it. As for you, Yuya Sakaki, show me the Entertainment Duel you believe in."


Yuji groaned and rubbed his head. "The hell…?" he muttered. What was that? Near the end of the duel, he'd suddenly got a splitting headache. It had only lasted for a few seconds, but it hurt like crazy.

Yuji blinked and looked at the screen, watching as they carried DC-227 away on a stretcher. "It's a good thing Yuya won," he whispered. "But knowing him he'll feel bad about this. Oh well. He'll just have to learn that this was necessary in the end."

He frowned to himself as his thoughts wandered. Wandered to a specific moment in the duel, when DC-227 had used Polymerization to Fusion Summon a monster called Goyo Emperor.

"Fusion Summoning…" From the information available to him, Yuji could deduce three possibilities for how DC-227 obtained those cards. One: Security had studied Serena's cards while she was in captivity and reverse-engineered them, like how the Leo Corporation had attempted to do so for Yuji's Cyberse monsters. Two: DC-227 had come into contact with an Academia agent from outside who'd given him the cards, either as a test or a gift. Three: Someone within Security worked for Academia and had given the cards to DC-227 themselves.

The first theory was the most unlikely; Serena had kept her Deck on her just as the others had, and she hadn't mentioned them taking it at any point. The second theory was more possible, but also improbable. As a contestant in the Friendship Cup, DC-227 would have had limited contact with anyone, and while Yuji suspected an Academia agent could get into the penthouse with no issues, he couldn't see why they'd single out DC-227. Which left the third possibility.

"Academia has infiltrated Security," he muttered. "The only questions are how high up the agent is and whether they're alone or not."

Yuji sighed. Speculating at this point would get him nowhere. And considering his own gilded cage, there wasn't anything he could reasonably do.

"I wonder what Go thought of that duel," he whispered in idle curiosity.

Go sighed and fell back on his bed. "Yuya Sakaki," he muttered. "So your belief in your own Entertainment is that fragile, is it?" He scowled to himself. "In that case, I'll just have to hammer it home into your head."


"And now it's time for the next match!" Melissa said. "The Friendship Cup's next participants are Yugo and Bommer!"

Yuji blinked. "Yugo?" His eyes narrowed. "Time to see what that brilliant idiot is really capable of."

"Achoo!" Yugo sneezed. The boy sitting on the Duel Runner rubbed his nose. "Damn it! Am I catching a cold in this place?" He shook his head and grinned. "Never mind that! The moment I've been waiting for is finally here. Watch this, Rin. I'll definitely win and fulfill our promise."

As he waited, he remembered something. "Oh yeah. I should talk about the interdimensional war in Yuzu's place. She didn't do it, so I guess it falls to me."

"Sorry for the long wait, everyone! Your duelists make their entrance! First up is Yugo!" Yugo shot out of the pits and into the air as he cheered. "And next, Bommer!"

Yuji blinked as a loud noise came over the television. "Eh? What's that?" "What's making that noise?" "Wait, can it be-?"

The source of the sound made itself clear when it exited the pits, making most of the stadium gasp in shock. It was by the far the largest Duel Runner Yuji had seen yet, even larger than the one Lotten had been driving. It was shaped like a dragster, with one wheel in front and two wheels on the back, with raised spikes attached to the back and a skull mounted on the Runner's hood.

"Eh?!" Melissa gasped. "W-What is this?! I've never seen a Duel Runner like this!"

"Woah!" Crow blinked. "The hell kind of Runner is that?!"

Shinji stared at the television. "Who is this guy? Where'd he get a Duel Runner like that?"

Just as the Duel Runner was much bigger than Yugo's, the man atop it was larger than Yugo. Hell, he was even taller than Go. He had dark skin, wore a black sleeveless tunic that exposed his abs, along with tanned pants and black boots. The man had long back hair that went down his back and dark eyes, which were covered by a black helmet with horns.

The size difference between the Duel Runners and their riders became even more apparent when Bommer came up to the starting line. Bommer's Duel Runner was at least three times as long and twice as tall as Yugo's.

Yugo looked up at the bike and whistled. "Damn, that's a cool Runner," he said.

Bommer looked down at him. "Tell me, do you desire victory?" he asked.

Yugo blinked. "Well, yeah. Obviously."

Bommer's eyes narrowed. "Then don't hold back. Fight as hard as you can, with your thoughts unclouded."

Yugo blinked again before smiling. "Same to you. Let's give these people a good show!"

"Let's get this started! Action Field, on! Field Spell: Crossover Acceleration!"

"Duel mode, on. Auto-pilot, standby."

The countdown appeared in front of the Runners. "Turbo Duel! Acceleration!" The countdown hit 0, and the Runners shot forward.

"Duel!"

Yugo: 4000 LP

Bommer: 4000 LP

The two charged ahead towards the corner. And while Yugo's Duel Runner was more agile than Bommer's, its engine wasn't as powerful, and Bommer ended up ahead.

"The first corner, and the first turn, are Bommer's!"

The dark-skinned man's eyes narrowed. "My turn! Draw! I summon Spell Reactor-RE!" A mechanical red and pink dragon with bombs attached to its stomach appeared and roared.

Spell Reactor-RE ATK 1200 DEF 900 LVL: 3

"I Set two cards. I end my turn."

"One monster with only 1200 attack points." Sawatari scoffed. "It must have a good effect for him to leave it out there on its own."

"I'm not going to hold back here!" Yugo said. "My turn! Draw! Since I control no cards, I can activate the Spell Card: Speedraw! This lets me draw two cards, then discard a 'Speedroid' monster."

"You fool," Bommer said. "Spell Reactor's effect activates! Once per turn, when you activate a Spell Card, that card is destroyed and you take 800 points of damage!"

"What?" Yugo gasped. The monster dropped some bombs on Yugo, who winced as his Duel Runner wobbled.

Yugo: 4000→3200 LP

"Bommer deals first damage!" Melissa commentated.

"A card that deals damage when Yugo activates a Spell Card," Yuji mused. His eyes narrowed. "That's unlikely to be Bommer's only means of dealing damage."

Yugo grit his teeth but then grinned. "Not bad," he praised. "But I'm just getting started! Since I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Speedroid Terrortop!" A chain of red tops with blades attached to them appeared in Attack Position.

Speedroid Terrortop ATK 1200 DEF 600 LVL: 3

"I summon Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice!" A purple die shaped like a three-sided pyramid with an eye on each side appeared.

Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice ATK 300 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

"Trap activate!" Bommer declared. "Hidden Soldiers!"

"What?" Yugo gasped. "A Trap already?"

"Since you Normal Summoned a monster, Hidden Soldiers allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Dark monster from my hand. Come, Trap Reactor-Y FI!" A dark green humanoid plane appeared in Defense Position.

Trap Reactor-Y FI ATK 800 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

Yugo narrowed his eyes. "Trap Reactor," he muttered. "If Spell Reactor dealt damage from activating Spell Cards, Trap Reactor likely deals damage from activating Trap Cards." He regained his confident smirk. "But that's not going to stop me! I tune Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice to Level 3 Terrortop! Magical sword with the form of a cross. Use your power to rend all enemies! Synchro Summon! Appear now! Level 6! Hi-Speedroid Kendama!" A dark blue machine resembling a cross with a sword attached to its center appeared in Attack Position.

Hi-Speedroid Kendama ATK 2200 DEF 1600 LVL: 6

"You damaged me, so now I'll damage you! Kendama's effect activates! By banishing a 'Speedroid' monster from my Graveyard, you take 500 points of damage! I banish Terrortop!" Kendama blasted Bommer with a bolt of blue energy, making the larger man's Duel Runner swerve.

Bommer: 4000→3500 LP

"Battle! Kendama attacks Spell Reactor!" The Synchro Monster charged the mechanical beast, but Bommer gestured to his field.

"Trap activate! Fake Explosion! This card prevents Spell Reactor's destruction!"

"But you'll still take damage!" Yugo reminded him. The cross struck Spell Reactor and generated sparks that made Bommer wince, but the mechanical dragon remained on the field.

Bommer: 3500→2500 LP

"Fake Explosion's effect then lets me Special Summon Summon Reactor-SK from my hand!" A massive brown humanoid plane appeared in Attack Position.

Summon Reactor-SK ATK 2000 DEF 1400 LVL: 5

Yuji narrowed his eyes. "Three monsters, all Reactors," he muttered.

"Yugo dealt significant damage to Bommer, but Bommer retaliated by bringing out two new monsters! How will Yugo respond to that?"

Yugo smiled. "From the name, this one must inflict damage when I summon a monster. Oh well. I Set two cards. I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card: Reactor Surge!" The card showed Summon Reactor, Spell Reactor, and Trap Reactor, all glowing and connecting with energy. "Since I control Spell Reactor, Summon Reactor, and Trap Reactor, I can draw two cards!"

Bommer drew, then narrowed his eyes and looked back at Yugo. "It's time for me to show you my true strength! Summon Reactor's effect activates! By sending it, Spell Reactor, and Trap Reactor to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Flying Fortress SKY FIRE!" The three monsters broke apart into particles that then merged and glowed before taking a new shape. Yugo gasped as a massive black humanoid airplane with four propellers attached to its wings appeared in Attack Position.

Flying Fortress SKY FIRE 3000 ATK 2500 LVL: 8

"W-What is this?" Melissa gasped. "Bommer has traded his three war machines for one with 3000 attack points!"

Yugo narrowed his eyes. "This thing's one of the biggest monsters I've ever seen. But bigger doesn't mean better!"

"In this case, it does," Bommer retorted. "SKY FIRE's effect activates! Once per turn, I can discard a card to destroy one of yours!" Yugo gasped. "I'll discard Damage Summon to destroy Kendama! Sharp Shooting!" SKY FIRE's belly opened up and dropped several bombs on Kendama, destroying it and making Yugo swerve. When the boy got his Duel Runner under control, he grit his teeth.

"Oh no!" Melissa cried. "Yugo's Synchro Monster is gone! With this, Bommer can attack him directly!"

"I think I'll do just that! Go, SKY FIRE! Attack Yugo directly!" The turrets on the monster's chest and head aimed towards Yugo, who frowned to himself.

"If you're going to bring out your ace monster, then I'll do the same! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card: Arrivalrivals!"

"What?" Bommer gasped.

"This card lets me Normal Summon during the Battle Phase!" Yugo said. "I summon Speedroid Double Yoyo!" Two green discs with blades attached by a single gray center appeared.

Speedroid Double Yoyo ATK 1400 DEF 1400 LVL: 4

"Double Yoyo's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 3 or lower 'Speedroid' monster from my Graveyard. I Special Summon Tri-Eyed Dice!" The purple three-sided pyramid reappeared in Attack Position.

Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice ATK 300 DEF 1500 LVL: 3

Bommer narrowed his eyes. "You brought out monsters to defend yourself? If so, you should have left Tri-Eyed Dice in Defense Position. If SKY FIRE cannot attack you, then it will attack Tri-Eyed Dice!" The turrets shifted to target the Tuner monster, but Yugo just smirked.

"Trap activate!" he declared. "Urgent Tuning! This lets me perform a Synchro Summon during the Battle Phase!" Bommer's eyes widened. "I tune Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice to Level 4 Double Yoyo!" Yugo raised his arm and then brought it forward. "Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings, and strike down your enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" A white and black dragon with blue and green armor and green wings made of crystals emerged from the light and roared in Attack Position.

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 2500 DEF 2000 LVL: 7

"Oh! Yugo brought out a dragon! Level 7 with 2500 attack points! This is undoubtedly his ace monster!"

Yuji blinked and frowned on feeling a slight pressure in his head. And… something else. He looked down at the Deck pouch on his waste, where a small light was being emitted.

Bommer narrowed his eyes. "I see. So your plan was to bring out your ace monster. Not a bad move; SKY FIRE can destroy any card you play during your turn, so you summoned it in my turn. And…"

Bommer looked at Clear Wing's effects, blinked, and then smiled. "Very impressive. Your dragon can negate the activated effects of Level 5 or higher monsters and destroy them. With your dragon out, SKY FIRE's effects are sealed. A very solid move!" His smile turned into a frown. "But you made one mistake! Clear Wing's attack points are still less than SKY FIRE's! SKY FIRE attacks Clear Wing! Death Air Raid!" The turrets on SKY FIRE fired a multitude of bullets at Yugo's dragon.

"I didn't make a mistake!" Yugo declared. "By banishing Tri-Eyed Dice from my Graveyard, your attack is negated!" Bommer blinked as the bullets richoted off a barrier that appeared in front of Clear Wing.

The large man smiled. "Looks like I was wrong; you did have a plan after all. Even so, SKY FIRE still has more attack points than Clear Wing. I'll just have to wait until next turn. I Set one card. I end my turn."

"Yugo managed to Synchro Summon and protect his dragon at the same time! What's next for this exciting duel?"

Yuji pulled his Deck out and blinked at the glowing card. "Viral Dawn…?" he whispered. "What…?"

He blinked again and suddenly he wasn't in his room. He was riding a Duel Runner on the course. He looked up and saw Clear Wing Synchro Dragon above him.

"Clear Wing?" Yuji muttered. "How did I-?"

"You did well to evade me!" He looked forward and saw Bommer looking back. "But unless you are able to capitalize on it, your efforts to defeat me are fruitless!"

Yugo and Yuji smirked confidently. "We'll see about that! My turn! Draw!" Yugo and Yuya frowned at what they saw, but decided it was enough. "I Set one card," they said. "I end my turn."

"Hmm. So that's all you can do? In that case, allow me to make a move! My turn! Draw!"

"Continuous Trap activate!" Yugo and Yuji declared. "Follow Wing! I activate this card by targeting Clear Wing! Now, Clear Wing cannot be destroyed by battle, and if it is attacked by a Level 5 or higher monster, that monster is destroyed, and Clear Wing gains attack points equal to your monster's attack points!"

"What?" Bommer gasped. Then he smiled. "I see. SKY FIRE cannot use its effects to destroy Clear Wing, and now you've made it impossible to destroy in battle. You've created quite a stalemate, haven't you?"

"It might be a stalemate," Yugo and Yuya conceded. "But it won't take me too long to break it!"

"Perhaps not. Of course, a stalemate only works so long as the opponent has no moves to make." Bommer gestured to his field. "Continuous Trap activate! Chariot Pile!" Four-pronged spikes materialized on the wheels of Bommer's Duel Runner. "During my Main Phase, this card lets me inflict 800 points of damage!"

Yugo and Yuji gasped. "However, you can negate this effect," Bommer continued. "All you have to do is Tribute a monster. So, will you do it?"

The three boys grit their teeth. "If I Tribute Clear Wing, SKY FIRE will be able to attack directly," Yuji muttered. Then he blinked. "Wait, I?"

"I choose not to Tribute Clear Wing!" Yugo and Yuya declared.

"Then take 800 points of damage!" Bommer's Duel Runner slowed down until it was parallel to Yugo's. The spikes struck the Runner and sent it spinning until Yugo regained control.

Yugo: 3200→2400 LP

"Fantastic!" Melissa cheered. "Yugo prevented Bommer from attacking, but now Bommer has a way to deal damage each turn!"

"So long as Chariot Pile is in play, you'll take 800 points of damage each turn," Bommer said. "In three turns time, you'll lose. So you better come up with a strategy to defeat me before then! I Set one card. I end my turn."

"Don't worry," Yugo and Yuji assured him. "I'll think of a way. So long as the cards I need come to me, I'll always come out on top! My turn! Draw!"

The boys looked at their card and smiled. "Perfect!" Yugo and Yuya cheered. "I summon Speedroid Razorang!" A monster with a red head and connected to three yellow blades appeared.

Speedroid Razorang ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Razorang's effect activates! Once per turn, I can change Razorang to Defense Position to target a monster and lower that monster's attack points by 300."

Bommer narrowed his eyes. "300 attack points isn't enough for you to overcome SKY FIRE!"

"I know!" Yugo and Yuji said. "I target Clear Wing for Razorang's effect!"

"Eh?" Melissa gasped. "Yugo is targeting his own monster?!"

"Clear Wing's effect activates! Since a Level 5 or higher monster was targeted for a monster's effect, the activation of that effect is negated, and that monster is destroyed Dichroic Mirror!" Clear Wing's wings lit up and blasted Razorang, destroying it. "And until the end of the turn, Clear Wing gains attack points equal to that monster's attack points!"

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 2500→4500

"What?" Bommer gasped.

"Unreal!" Melissa cheered. "Yugo destroyed his own monster to power up his ace monster! And now Clear Wing is strong enough to overcome SKY FIRE!"

"Looks like our stalemate's over!" Yugo and Yuya said. "Battle! Clear Wing attacks SKY FIRE!" Clear Wing gathered green energy in its mouth and blasted the large humanoid airplane, piercing its body. Bommer looked up in shock as SKY FIRE fell down before exploding on the track. The large man rode out of the explosion on his Duel Runner, frowning but still intact.

Bommer: 2500→1000 LP

"I-It's done!" Melissa cheered. "Yugo destroyed SKY FIRE!"

"I end my turn," Yugo and Yuji said. "During the End Phase, Dichroic Mirror's effect ends, and Clear Wing's attack points return to normal."

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 4500→2500

Bommer grit his teeth before smiling. "It's clear I underestimated you. To be able to destroy my SKY FIRE… It seems I can no longer hold back! My turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card: Card of Adversity! Since you control a Special Summoned monster while I control no monsters, I can draw two cards."

Bommer drew and smiled. "I summon Black Salvo!" A black bomb with a face and lit fuse appeared.

Black Salvo ATK 100 DEF 1100 LVL: 3

"Black Salvo's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 Dark Machine monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position with its effects negated. Return to me, Trap Reactor-Y FI!" The dark green humanoid plane reappeared.

Trap Reactor-Y FI ATK 800 DEF 1800 LVL: 4

"I activate Chariot Pile's effect! Will you Tribute Clear Wing to protect your Life Points?"

"No!" Yugo and Yuji declared.

"Then take 800 points of damage!" Yugo swerved to avoid the spikes on Bommer's Duel Runner, but couldn't prevent them from striking.

Yugo: 2400→1600 LP

"Despite losing his ace monster, Bommer remains undeterred and resumes his strategy!"

"Continuous Trap activate!" Bommer declared. "Basara! Once per turn, I can Tribute a monster to destroy a monster with a higher level than it, then inflict 800 points of damage to that monster's controller!" Yugo and Yuya gasped. "I Tribute Trap Reactor to destroy Clear Wing!"

The Trap Card shot a ball of fire at the dragon. "Damn it!" Yuji and Yugo grit their teeth. Then they gasped on spotting something. "An Action Card!" The three boys leaned down and grabbed the card.

Yuzu gasped and her eyes widened.

"Yugo grabbed an Action Card!"

"Action Spell Card: Mirror Barrier!" Yugo declared. "Clear Wing cannot be destroyed by card effects for the rest of the turn!" Mirrors of light formed around Clear Wing and blocked the ball of fire.

Yuzu blinked in shock. "Y-Yuya?"

Bommer narrowed his eyes. "An Action Card, huh? Then I'll do the same!" Bommer reached up and grabbed an Action Card that passed overhead. If his Duel Runner wasn't so big, he wouldn't have been able to reach it. "I activate the Action Spell Card: Zero Penalty! The attack points of one of your monsters becomes 0!"

Yugo and Yuji gasped. "What?" They looked up as Clear Wing moaned in pain.

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 2500→0

"I activate the Spell Card: Monster Reborn! With this, I'll Special Summon a monster from either of our Graveyards. Come to me, Speedroid Razorang!" The monster with three blades attached to it appeared on Bommer's field in Attack Position.

Speedroid Razorang ATK 2000 DEF 0 LVL: 4

"Hey!" Yugo and Yuya cried out angrily. "Give me back my monster!"

"Battle! Razorang attacks Clear Wing!" The machine charged the dragon. Yugo and Yuji grit their teeth as they moved their Duel Runner up the wall. They reached out and grabbed an Action Card.

"Action Spell Card: Attack Force! Since Clear Wing is battling a monster with higher attack points, Clear Wing gains 600 attack points during damage calculation!"

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 0→600

The attack struck, but Clear Wing remained steady. "Due to Follow Wing's effect, Clear Wing isn't destroyed by this battle!"

"But you will still take damage!" Bommer reminded him as the shockwave of the attack knocked Yugo off the wall and back onto the track.

Yugo: 1600→200 LP

Clear Wing: 600→0 LP

"It seems you're blessed by luck," Bommer conceded. "Even so, Black Salvo attacks Clear Wing!" The Tuner monster charged and struck the dragon in the face. While neither monster was destroyed, Yugo and Yuya still winced from the damage.

Yugo: 200→100 LP

"And now, I'll tune Level 3 Black Salvo to Level 4 Razorang!"

"What?" Yugo and Yuji gasped. "A Synchro Summon?"

"That's right! Mechanized soul, be imparted to the weapons of war and bring about destruction! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 7! Dark Strike Fighter!" Another humanoid plane, this one an orangish-brown and larger than Trap Reactor but smaller than SKY FIRE, appeared in Attack Position.

Dark Strike Fighter ATK 2600 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"Chariot Pile will finish you in the next turn," Bommer said. "I end my turn."

"Yugo managed to survive, but he only has 100 Life Points left! Can he turn this around?"

"Of course I can!" Yugo, Yuya, and Yuji affirmed. "So long as that card comes to me!" They placed their hand on the Deck. "My turn! Draw!" They looked at their card and smiled. "This is it!"

"It doesn't matter what you draw, you cannot defeat Dark Strike Fighter! You'll lose!"

"I will not!" Yugo and Yuji asserted. "Because I have three reasons to win!" Serena and Go gasped. "One: To face off against my hero, Jack Atlas! Two: To find a better life for myself and others! Three: To keep the promise I made to Rin!"

Yugo and Yuya smiled. "So don't worry so much Bommer! The real fun's just getting started!" Yuzu, Sawatari, and Dennis all gasped.

"I activate the Spell Card: Speed Remix!" The card showed Hi-Speedroids Kendama and Chanbara, breaking apart into pieces. "By banishing a 'Speedroid' monster from my Graveyard, two monsters on the field, one on yours and one on mine, have their attack points switched until the end of the turn!" Bommer's eyes widened in shock. "I banish Razorang from my Graveyard to switch Dark Strike Fighter's and Clear Wing's attack points!" The dragon roared and the plane sunk down.

Dark Strike Fighter ATK 2600→0

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon ATK 0→2600

"Battle! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon attacks Dark Strike Fighter!" The dragon rose high into the sky before roaring and diving. Yugo, Yuji, and Yuya shouted as one, "Helldive Slasher of the Whirlwind!" Green winds whipped around Clear Wing as it divebombed the machine and pierced through its body. Bommer cried out as his machine exploded and his Duel Runner screeched to a halt.

Bommer: 1000→0 LP

"It's settled!" Melissa cheered along with the audience. "A grand duel with a continuous back-and-forth! The one who clenched victory in the end is Yugo!"

In his room, Yuji blinked as his senses returned to him. He frowned and pressed his palm against his forehead. "What… what was that?"

"Alright!" Yugo cheered. "I made it through the first round!" He frowned to himself. "I kinda got all fired up, funnily. Ah… huh? I feel like I had something I wanted to say…" He dismissed his confusion with a shrug. "Well, whatever! Must not have been something important!"

"Well done."

Yugo turned to look at Bommer, who had left his Duel Runner. "You fought very well, as a warrior should."

"Uh, thanks I guess."

Bommer narrowed his eyes. "I just realized… your face is very similar to Yuya Sakaki's."

"Uh, yeah. I've been told that before. Never met him though."

"Hmm." Bommer looked up at the balcony of a certain King. "You said you wish to challenge Jack Atlas. That won't be an easy road for you."

Yugo smirked. "Even so, I'll rise to the challenge!"

Bommer nodded. "Hold onto that confidence, and you just might." He turned back towards two men in green jumpsuits. Both were rather big, but even they were short compared to Bommer. "Good luck, Yugo."

Go frowned to himself. "Three reasons," he muttered. "It was like it was Yuji dueling there for a second…" His eyes narrowed. "Who are you, Yugo?"


"Now, let's introduce the duelists for today's third match!" Melissa cheered. "Damon Lopez! And Sergey Volkov!"

Go blinked as one of Crow's friends came out, followed by a large white-haired man covered in yellow marks wearing a green fur-lined jumpsuit. He narrowed his eyes as mutterings broke out among the crowd. "This man seems to have a reputation already. A bad one at that."

Kiryu narrowed his eyes. "Sergey Volkov," he muttered. "Why is he here? That rumor about him working for Roger must be true then." His eyes narrowed further. "Don't get too cocky, Damon. Sergey will turn that around on you."

Yuji heard the announcement of the next duelists but ignored it in favor of frowning at Viral Dawn. What was that? he wondered. It felt like… like I was dueling just now. But how? Yugo was the one dueling, wasn't he?

He groaned and rubbed his forehead. Yet another weird event related to Yugo and Yuya. First the headaches I keep getting, then that feeling I got from their dragons, and now this? What's causing all of this? Yuji's frown turned into a grimace. Of course, it's always possible I'm just going insane. Not a favorable outcome, but who knows?

He shook his head and looked up at the screen, just in time to see Damon push Sergey into a corner. That's Crow's friend who helped us escape the Facility, Yuji remembered. He's probably not as good as Crow or Kiryu, but I suppose I should watch him duel.

Then he blinked as an uproar came from the crowd. Damon had crashed his Duel Runner and fallen off, his Life Points at 0.

"Well, this is…" Melissa said hesitantly. "What do we make of this? I-In any case, the winner is Sergey! He clawed out of a pinch and defeated Damon in a spectacular counterattack!"

Shinji blinked as Damon was carried out on a stretcher. "What happened there, Damon? It looked like you were winning, but then Sergey overcame you." He narrowed his eyes. "Don't worry, Damon. I'll win this tournament and set the Commons free!"


"Well, that aside, it's time for the final duel of the third day!" Melissa said. "The first participant is… Andre!" The Duel Runner that shot out was a white and dark blue model with orange trimmings and a yellow symbol on the hood. The man riding it wore a blue and orange riding suit and had red hair and yellow eyes.

"Andre is a professional duelist from abroad that came here to compete in the Friendship Cup!" Melissa explained. "Let's all give him a warm welcome to the City!"

"A pro duelist?" Go repeated and then smiled. "Well, this should be a good show then."

"And now Andre's opponent! She's the star of Domino Academy, the undisputed Queen of Queens! Give it up for Aki Izayoi!"

The second Duel Runner that emerged from the pits was crimson in color, with a glass hood and two boosters at the end, and two bladewings on either side of the front half. And it's rider…

Yuzu blinked. "She's so pretty…"

Indeed, the woman riding the Runner was beautiful. She was a teenager slightly taller than Crow, with brown almond-shaped eyes and short dark burgundy hair, except for two long bangs that framed her face. She wore a bright red jumpsuit with black sections on her chest, shoulders, waist, and kneecaps, and had a black and dark red helmet with a large visor on her head.

Shinji grit his teeth as Aki Izayoi rode into the arena. "I heard of this girl. Some sort of dueling prodigy from Domino Academy. But every Tops is the same; just another selfish egoist holding their wealth above the Commons' heads."

Most of the stadium didn't hold the same opinion as Shinji, however. If anything, their cheers for Aki were just as loud as their cheers for Chojiro had been.

"Neither of these two are Lancers," Yuji thought aloud, "but one is a pro duelist and the other has her own title. They must each be very skilled."

Andre looked at Aki as she came up to the starting line. "You're sure popular here," he said. "You must be strong to have a title like 'Queen of Queens.'"

Aki turned to him and nodded. "Others seem to think that. And I've heard of you, Andre; a professional duelist who's famous for enacting numerous strategies and able to adapt quickly. If nothing else, I expect this to be a good duel."

"Looks like our participants are ready! As a woman, I'm rooting for you, Aki! Action Field, on! Field Spell: Crossover Acceleration!"

"Duel mode, on. Auto-pilot, standby."

The countdown appeared. "Turbo Duel! Acceleration!" The two runners shot off as the timer hit 0.

"Duel!"

Aki Izayoi: 4000 LP

Andre: 4000 LP

The two headed towards the corner, Andre slightly ahead. "Oh, looks like the first turn will be Andre's!"

Aki narrowed her eyes and pressed a button on her Runner. The back boosters lit up, propelling her forward.

"Eh?" Melissa gasped. "Aki's installed an overboost function!"

Andre gasped as Aki sped past him and took the corner. Then he smiled crookedly. "I'm only used to seeing that in the pro circuit," he muttered. "She must be taking this even more seriously than I thought."

"The first corner goes to Aki!"

"My turn!" Aki declared. "I summon Witch of the Black Rose!" A short girl with long purple hair wearing a black, purple, and white dress and wielding a staff appeared.

Witch of the Black Rose ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

"Witch of the Black Rose's effect activates! When it is Normal Summoned, I can draw a card, and if that card is not a Monster Card, Witch of the Black Rose will be destroyed." Aki drew, then said, "The card is Dark Verger, a Monster Card, so Witch of the Black Rose stays on the field. Next, I activate the Spell Card: Seed of Deception! This lets me Special Summon a Level 2 or lower Plant monster from my hand. Come, Dark Verger!" A dark green plant with two eyes on its leaves appeared in Attack Position.

Dark Verger ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"I tune Level 4 Witch of the Black Rose to Level 2 Dark Verger! Ruler of the secluded castle, let your flowers bloom in the presence of your authority! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Queen of Thorns!" A woman in a green and red dress covered in leaves and vines emerged from the light in Attack Position.

Queen of Thorns ATK 2200 DEF 1800 LVL: 6

"While Queen of Thorns is on the field," Aki continued, "we must pay 1000 Life Points to Normal or Special Summon a monster from the hand, unless the monster we're summoning is a Plant monster."

Andre grit his teeth. "Oh!" Melissa cheered. "Aki Synchro Summoned on the first turn. And her Synchro Monster is quite troublesome!"

"Since this effect is a cost instead of damage, it can't be negated like effect damage," Yuji noted. "Against a Deck that relies heavily on Special Summoning from the hand, it would be deadly." His own Deck was among that number; he was slightly relieved he wasn't facing Aki. An effect like that would be debilitating for him.

"I Set two cards. I end my turn."

"Aki created a strong lead for herself," Melissa said. "How will Andre overcome this?"

The man smiled. "Not bad. You've clearly got a clear strategy. But there's always a way to break through! My turn! Draw! I summon Rescue Cat!" A white cat wearing a hardhat appeared and meowed.

Rescue Cat ATK 300 DEF 100 LVL: 4

"Queen of Thorns' effect activates!" Andre grimaced as a green light appeared around him.

Andre: 4000→3000 LP

"Rescue Cat's effect activates!" Despite the damage, the man continued on. "By sending it to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon two Level 3 or lower Beast monsters from my Deck with their effects negated!" Aki gasped. "Come, Mine Mole and Uni-Horned Familiar!" The cat disappeared, and in its place, a mole with a pickaxe and hardhat and a quadrupedal beast with a single horn appeared, both in Defense Position.

Mine Mole ATK 1000 DEF 1200 LVL: 3

Uni-Horned Familiar ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"Queen of Thorns' effect requires me to pay 1000 Life Points to summon from the hand, but it doesn't stop keep me from Special Summoning from the Deck!" Aki grimaced at Andre's words. "I tune Level 2 Uni-Horned Familiar to Level 3 Mine Mole! Thunder galloping through the heavens, cross with the fierce gale, and appear forth from the world of illusions! Synchro Summon! Level 5! Neigh, Thunder Unicorn!" A blue horse with an orange mane and tail emerged from the light in Attack Position. Yellow markings covered its body and a horn shaped like a lightning bolt emerged from its forehead.

Thunder Unicorn ATK 2200 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

"Amazing! Andre has answered Aki's Synchro Summon with his own Synchro Monster!"

"As Mine Mole was used to Synchro Summon a Beast Synchro Monster, I can draw a card." Andre drew, then said, "Thunder Unicorn's effect activates! Once per turn, one of your monsters loses 500 attack points for each monster I control until the End Phase!" Aki gasped.

Queen of Thorns ATK 2200→1700

"The turn I activate this effect, only Thunder Unicorn can attack. Battle! Thunder Unicorn attacks Queen of Thorns! Thunder Spear!" The beast's horn elongated as it charged the woman on Aki's field. The horn pierced Queen of Thorns, destroying her and making Aki wince.

Aki Izayoi: 4000→3500 LP

"I Set two cards. I end my turn."

"Aki gained an early lead, but Andre has pushed past her!"

Aki narrowed her eyes. "Your reputation as a pro duelist isn't exaggerated, I see. I'd hoped you would lose more Life Points to Queen of Thorns' effect, but you managed to keep it to only 1000." She smiled. "It seems I can't hold back in this duel. My turn! Draw! I summon Evil Thorn!" A plant with a spiked seed attached to it appeared.

Evil Thorn ATK 100 DEF 300 LVL: 1

"Evil Thorn's effect activates! By Tributing it, I can inflict 300 points of damage to you!"

"What?" Andre gasped and then winced as Evil Thorn exploded and shot needles at him.

Andre: 3000→2700 LP

"And then, Evil Thorn's effect lets me Special Summon up to two Evil Thorns from my Deck. But in this case, I'll only need one!" Another Evil Thorn appeared in Attack Position.

Evil Thorn ATK 100 DEF 300 LVL: 1

"The Evil Thorn Special Summoned by this effect cannot activate its effects this turn," Aki continued. "But I can use it for this! I activate the Spell Card: Fragrance Storm! By destroying a Plant monster I control, I can draw a card. And if that card is a Plant monster, I can then reveal it to draw another card. I destroy Evil Thorn!" Her monster shattered as Aki drew. "The card I drew is Rose Princess, a Plant monster! So I draw another card!"

Aki drew again, then gestured to her field. "Trap activate! Synchro Spirits! This Trap Card banishes a Synchro Monster from my Graveyard. And then, if all the monsters that were used for its Synchro Summon are in the Graveyard, I can Special Summon them. I banish Queen of Thorns and Special Summon Witch of the Black Rose and Dark Verger!" The short girl with purple hair and the dark green plant with eyes appeared in Attack Position.

Witch of the Black Rose ATK 1700 DEF 1200 LVL: 4

Dark Verger ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"I tune Level 4 Witch of the Black Rose to Level 2 Dark Verger! Hunter of splendid thorns hidden in the sacred forest, with your whip of punishment in hand, come forth now! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 6! Splendid Rose!" A blonde man wearing a two-tone green tunic with plant whips on either side of him emerged from the light in Attack Position.

Splendid Rose ATK 2200 DEF 2000 LVL: 6

Andre's eyes widened. "A new Synchro Monster?" Then his eyes narrowed. "Impressive. But Splendid Rose's attack points are equal to Thunder Unicorn's."

"Then allow me to change that," Aki said. "Splendid Rose's effect activates! By banishing a Plant monster from my Graveyard, one of your monster's attack points are halved until the end of the turn!"

"What?"

"I banish Evil Thorn to halve Thunder Unicorn's attack points!" Splendid Rose's tentacles ensnared the blue unicorn.

Thunder Unicorn ATK 2200→1100

"Battle!" Aki declared. "Splendid Rose attacks Thunder Unicorn!" The blonde man created a thorn-covered whip in his right hand and struck Thunder Unicorn with it, destroying it and making Andre wince.

Andre: 2700→1600 LP

"Splendid Rose's additional effect activates! If it attacked during the Battle Phase, I can banish a Plant monster from the Graveyard to halve its attack points and allow it to attack again! I banish my 2nd Evil Thorn!"

Splendid Rose ATK 2200→1100

"Battle! Splendid Rose attacks you directly!" The blonde man leapt into the air and dived at Andre, who gestured to his field.

"Trap activate! Battle Instinct! Since you attacked me directly, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Beast monster from my hand in Attack Position. Come, Nimble Momonga!" A brown and white flying squirrel appeared and screeched.

Nimble Momonga ATK 1000 DEF 100 LVL: 2

Aki narrowed her eyes but continued. "Splendid Rose attacks Nimble Momonga!" The kick struck the squirrel, destroying it.

Andre: 1600→1500 LP

"Nimble Momonga's effect activates! When it is destroyed by battle, I gain 1000 Life Points and can Special Summon two more Nimble Momongas from my Deck in face-down Defense Position!" Two Set cards appeared on Andre's field.

Andre: 1500→2500 LP

"And Nimble Momonga's isn't the only effect I can activate! Since my Beast monster was destroyed by battle, I can banish Rescue Cat and Thunder Unicorn from my Graveyard to Special Summon Yellow Baboon, Archer of the Forest!" A massive yellow armored baboon wielding a bow-and-arrow appeared and roared in Attack Position.

Yellow Baboon, Archer of the Forest ATK 2600 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"Amazing!" Melissa cheered. "Andre regained Life Points, Set new monsters, and even Special Summoned a powerful new monster!"

"So this is how pros in the Synchro Dimension duel," Go mused. "Not bad."

Aki's eyes narrowed. "He's as good as his reputation suggested he would be. To reduce the damage and bring out a monster with 2600 attack points during my turn… I'll have to stay on guard this turn. I Set one card. I end my turn, and during the End Phase, Splendid Rose's attack points return to normal."

Splendid Rose ATK 1100→2200

"You're pretty good, Ms. Izayoi." Andre donned a confident smirk. "But I think it's time I put an end to this! My turn! Draw! I Tribute my two Set Nimble Momongas to Tribute Summon Behemoth the King of All Animals!" A massive pink quadrupedal beast with horns and purple fur appeared and roared.

Behemoth the King of All Animals ATK 2700 DEF 1500 LVL: 7

"Behemoth's effect activates! As it was Tribute Summoned, I can return Beast monsters from my Graveyard to the hand equal to the number of monsters I Tributed. I return a Nimble Momonga and Uni-Horned Familiar to my hand. And now, I activate the effect of Unicorn Knight in my hand! By Special Summoning one of my banished monsters, I can Special Summon Unicorn Knight! Return to me, Thunder Unicorn!" The blue unicorn reappeared and was accompanied by a man in blue and red armor wielding a two-pronged spear. Both monsters took their places in Attack Position.

Thunder Unicorn ATK 2200 DEF 1800 LVL: 5

Unicorn Knight ATK 1800 DEF 900 LVL: 4

"Andre has brought out four monsters, three of which have over 2000 attack points! How will Aki overcome this challenge?"

Aki grit her teeth. "Battle! Behemoth attacks Splendid Rose!" The monster roared and charged Aki's Synchro Monster, but the girl gestured to her field.

"Trap activate!" she declared. "Rose Blizzard! Since you're attacking my monster, that monster is changed to Defense Position and its attack is negated!" Behemoth pulled back as its battle position changed.

"A good counter, but can you keep it up? Yellow Baboon attacks Splendid Rose!" The large baboon pulled back its bowstring and let loose. The arrow pierced Splendid Rose, destroying it and making Aki wince.

Aki Izayoi: 3500→3100 LP

"Trap activate!" Andre declared. "Howl of the Wild! Since my Beast monster destroyed your monster by battle, you take 300 points of damage for each Beast monster I control! I control three, so you'll take 900 points of damage!" The card blasted Aki with energy.

But the girl just smirked. "You mean you will," she countered. "Trap activate! Nature's Reflection! For the rest of the turn, any effect that would inflict effect damage to me instead inflicts that damage to you!"

"What?" Andre gasped as a barrier appeared around Aki. The energy struck the barrier, then rebounded and hit Andre, making him wince.

Andre: 2500→1600 LP

Andre grimaced and then smirked. "Clever girl. But let's see you handle this. Thunder Unicorn attacks you directly! Thunder Spear!" Thunder Unicorn galloped towards Aki, its horn elongating. Aki grit her teeth but sped up and leaned over. Andre gasped on seeing what she was going for.

"An Action Card!" Melissa cheered. "Go for it, Aki!"

The young woman grabbed the card and then played it. "Action Spell Card: Miracle! One monster cannot be destroyed by this battle and the damage I take is halved!"

"But you don't have a monster to target with that card!" Andre pointed out.

"I don't," Aki agreed. "But you do! I target Thunder Unicorn!"

"Eh?" Melissa gasped. "Targeting the opponent's monster?!"

Two barriers appeared, one around Aki and the other around Thunder Unicorn. The Synchro Monster's horn struck the barrier, and while Aki winced and her Duel Runner wobbled, the damage wasn't too severe.

Aki: 3100→2000 LP

Go smiled. "A very clever move," he praised.

"She didn't have any of her own monsters, so she instead targeted Andre's monster," Yuji said. "She's good. Maybe one of the smarter duelists here."

Andre smiled. "Not bad. Even so, my turn isn't done. Unicorn Knight attacks you directly!" The armored man charged Aki, and this time struck true, making her cry out in pain and her Duel Runner spin out before she managed to get it under control. In the time it took to do so however, Andre managed to pass her.

Aki Izayoi: 2000→200 LP

"I Set one card. I end my turn."

Aki breathed a sigh of relief. "That was close. I managed to survive. But even so…" She looked back and furrowed her brow. "He has four monsters, three of which are very powerful. How am I supposed to beat those…?"

"Do your best, Aki-senpai!"

"You can do it, Aki-neechan!"

Aki gasped and looked into the stands. A group of people, some children and some teenagers, and all wearing a blue or red jacket, had formed their own group and were cheering as loud as they could.

Crow gasped. "Those kids…"

Andre looked up and followed Aki's gaze. "Who are those children?" he asked. "They are students, aren't they?"

Aki smiled. "Yes; they are students at Domino Academy, where Katsumi, Sherry, and I attend." As they turned onto the long side of the course, she closed her eyes. "Me and the other top two students decided to enter this tournament and promised to meet each other at the end. Katsumi failed to keep that promise. But I will not!" She opened her eyes. "I will win this duel! My turn! Draw!"

Andre smiled. "Your determination is admirable, but how do you plan to get around this field?"

"Like this! Since you control a monster and I don't, I can Special Summon Rose Princess!" A pink-skinned woman in a red dress with rose petals for hair appeared in Attack Position.

Rose Princess ATK 1200 DEF 800 LVL: 3

"When Rose Princess is Special Summoned by her effect, she is treated as a Tuner monster! And as I control a Plant Tuner monster, I can Special Summon Dark Verger from the Graveyard!" The two-eyed plant reappeared in Attack Position.

Dark Verger ATK 0 DEF 1000 LVL: 2

"And now I summon Wall of Ivy!" A bramble of thorns materialized on Aki's field.

Wall of Ivy ATK 300 DEF 1200 LVL: 2

Aki's eyes widened as she raised her arm. "I tune Level 3 Rose Princess to Level 2 Dark Verger and Level 2 Wall of Ivy!" Her monsters turned into three rings that encased four stars. Light surged through the rings as Aki chanted.

"The autumn gale that sets roses abloom! Bring about a never-ending twilight!" She brought her hand down. "Synchro Summon! Appear now, Level 7! Black Rose Twilight Dragon!" The dragon that emerged from the light had black skin with red ridged plating with pinked clawed feet, along with a slight pattern at the base of its neck that was shaped like a spaded tail. Its wings and chest were made of large pink rose petals, and its black tail was covered in red thorns, as were six vines that emerged from the sides of its body. Four trails of roses fell back from the dragon's head, and its eyes had yellow sclera, rimmed by red with red irises and black pupils. The large dragon roared as it was summoned in Attack Position.

Black Rose Twilight Dragon ATK 2400 DEF 1800 LVL: 7

"Woah!" Melissa gasped. "Aki's summoned a powerful Synchro dragon!"

"Black Rose Twilight Dragon's effect activates!" Aki declared. "When it is Synchro Summoned, I can target and destroy cards on the field up to its Synchro Materials!"

Andre gasped. "Black Rose Twilight Dragon had three Synchro Materials, so I can destroy three cards! Rose Repulse!" The dragon breathed pink flames at Behemoth and Yellow Baboon, making them disintegrate. Andre winced as his Set card was likewise destroyed.

"Black Rose Twilight Dragon's additional effect! Once per turn, by banishing a Plant monster from my Graveyard, one of your monsters' attack points becomes 0 until the end of the turn!"

Yuji's eyes widened. "That's a powerful effect…"

"I banish Dark Verger to change Thunder Unicorn's attack points to 0! Rose Bind!" The two vines on the dragon's underside lashed out and ensnared Thunder Unicorn, which cried out in pain.

Thunder Unicorn ATK 2200→0

"Battle! Black Rose Twilight Dragon attacks Thunder Unicorn! Twilight Rose Requiem!" The symbol on the dragon's chest lit up red as red flames gathered in its maw. The dragon blasted the flames at the trapped unicorn, consuming it. The flames continued on to Andre, who screamed in pain before his Duel Runner gave out.

Andre: 1600→0 LP

"The winner is Aki Izayoi! Way to go, girl!"

Aki stopped by the pits and took her helmet off. She looked up and saw her classmates and juniors cheer for her. She couldn't help but smile.

"I can see why you're called the 'Queen of Queens.'"

She turned to look at the approaching Andre. "I've dueled pros with less skill than you," he praised. "If you want, I can introduce you to some sponsors outside of this City."

Aki smiled back. "Thank you for the offer." Her smile disappeared. "But won't you find it hard to find sponsors while you're…"

"In the underground?" Andre shook his head. "I'm not going there."

Aki blinked. "Eh?"

"What, you think they can just send people underground willy-nilly?" Andre smirked. "I'm not just a pro duelist, I'm on a team of pro duelists. Our reputation is known all across the continent. If they tried to send me underground, the City would have hell to pay from the outside, and the Administrative Council won't want that."

Andre shook his head. "No, I'll be watching the rest of the Friendship Cup with my teammates. I wish you luck in your future battles." He extended his arm.

Aki smiled and shook it. "You as well. I'd like it if you'd come back and give me a rematch one day."

"Looks like our duelists are parting on friendly terms!" Melissa said as Andre was led away. Unlike the other defeated duelists, he wasn't led to an elevator. Instead, he was guided to the pits, where he would then be taken to a special viewing seat reserved for Team Unicorn. "What a way to end the third day of the Friendship Cup!"

Yuji leaned back and frowned. "Four duels left," he muttered. Out of the Lancers, only himself, Dennis, and Kurosaki had yet to duel. That left five other people.

Whoever my opponent will be, it doesn't matter, Yuji thought. I will win.


In another room in the Duel Palace, a man smiled down at a pair of cards he'd been given.

"Perfect," he said giddily. "With these, I'll crush that kid I'm up against tomorrow. And once he's done with, it's on to Onizuka. And after him, Atlas. I'll finally pay this world back for the way it treated me!"


Yugo vs. Bommer

At the start of the Duel, the Field Spell Card Crossover Acceleration is activated, as per the rules of an Action Duel and a Turbo Duel. It will allow the players to use Action Cards, but they may only have one in their hand at a time.

Turn 1: Bommer

Bommer Normal Summons Spell Reactor-RE (1200/900/3). He Sets 2 cards. Bommer ends his turn.

Turn 2: Yugo

Yugo draws. As he controls no cards, he activates the Spell Card Speedraw, which lets him draw 2 cards, but then he must discard 1 "Speedroid" monster. He draws, then discards Speedroid Taketomborg. Since Yugo activated a Spell Card, Spell Reactor's effect destroys Speedraw and inflicts 800 damage to Yugo (Yugo: 4000→3200 LP). As Yugo controls no monsters, he Special Summons Speedroid Terrortop (1200/600/3). He Normal Summons Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice (300/1500/3). As Yugo Normal Summoned, Bommer activates his Set Trap Card Hidden Soldiers, which lets him Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Dark monster from his hand. He Special Summons Trap Reactor-Y FI (800/1800/4) in Defense Position. Yugo tunes Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice to Level 3 Terrortop to Synchro Summon Hi-Speedroid Kendama (2200/1600/6) in Attack Position. Yugo activates Kendama's effect, banishing Terrortop from his GY to inflict 500 damage to Bommer (Bommer: 4000→3500 LP).

Kendama attacks Spell Reactor. Bommer activates his Set Trap Card Fake Explosion, which prevents monsters from being destroyed by this battle. The attack continues (Bommer: 3500→2500 LP). Fake Explosion's effect then lets Bommer Special Summon Summon Reactor-SK (2000/1400/5) from his hand in Attack Position. Yugo Sets 2 cards. He ends his turn.

Turn 3: Bommer

Bommer draws. As he controls Spell Reactor, Summon Reactor, and Trap Reactor, he activates the Spell Card Reactor Surge, which lets him draw 2 cards. Bommer activates the effect of Summon Reactor to send it, Spell Reactor, and Trap Reactor to the GY to Special Summon Flying Fortress SKY FIRE (3000/2500/8) from his Deck in Attack Position. Bommer activates SKY FIRE's effect, discarding Damage Summon to destroy Kendama.

SKY FIRE attacks Yugo directly. Yugo activates his Set Quick-Play Spell Card Arrivalrivals, which lets him Normal Summon 1 monster. He Normal Summons Speedroid Double Yoyo (1400/1400/4). As Double Yoyo was Normal Summoned, Yugo can Special Summon 1 Level 3 or lower "Speedroid" monster from his GY. He Special Summons Tri-Eyed Dice (300/1500/3) in Attack Position. A replay occurs and SKY FIRE attacks Tri-Eyed Dice. Yugo activates his Set Trap Card Urgent Tuning, which lets him Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster using monsters he controls. Yugo tunes Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice to Level 4 Double Yoyo to Synchro Summon Clear Wing Synchro Dragon (2500/2000/7) in Attack Position. A replay occurs and SKY FIRE attacks Clear Wing. As Bommer declared an attack, Yugo activates the effect of Tri-Eyed Dice in his GY, banishing it to negate the attack. Bommer Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 4: Yugo

Yugo draws. He Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 5: Bommer

Bommer draws. Yugo activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Follow Wing, targeting Clear Wing to do so. Clear Wing cannot be destroyed by battle, and if it is attacked by Bommer's Level 5 or higher monster, that monster is destroyed and Clear Wing gains ATK equal to that monster's ATK. Bommer activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Chariot Pile. He activates its effect, which inflicts 800 damage to Yugo unless he Tributes a monster. Yugo does not, so he takes the damage (Yugo: 3200→2400 LP). Bommer Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 6: Yugo

Yugo draws. He Normal Summons Speedroid Razorang (2000/0/4). He activates Razorang's effect to target 1 monster on the field, change Razorang to Defense Position, and lower that monster's ATK by 300. He targets Clear Wing. As a monster effect was activated that targeted a Level 5 or higher monster was activated, Yugo activates Clear Wing's effect, negating the activation of Razorang's effect, destroying it, and then gaining ATK equal to Razorang's ATK until the end of the turn (Clear Wing: 2500→4500).

Clear Wing attacks and destroys SKY FIRE (Bommer: 2500→1000 LP). Yugo ends his turn, and Clear Wing's effect ends (Clear Wing: 4500→2500).

Turn 7: Bommer

Bommer draws. He activates the Spell Card Card of Adversity. As Bommer controls no monsters and Yugo controls a Special Summoned monster, Bommer draws 2 cards. Bommer Normal Summons Black Salvo (100/1100/3). As Black Salvo was Normal Summoned, Bommer can Special Summon 1 Level 4 DARK Machine monster from his GY in Defense Position with its effects negated. He Special Summons Trap Reactor (800/1800/4). Bommer activates the effect of Chariot Pile. Yugo refuses to Tribute a monster, so he takes 800 damage (Yugo: 2400→1600 LP). Bommer activates his Set Continuous Trap Card Basara. He activates its effect, Tributing Trap Reactor to destroy 1 monster on the field with a higher Level, then inflict 800 damage to that monster's controller. He targets Clear Wing, but Yugo finds and activates the Action Spell Card Mirror Barrier, preventing Clear Wing from being destroyed by card effects for the rest of the turn. Bommer finds and activates the Action Spell Card Zero Penalty, targeting Clear Wing and making its ATK 0 (Clear Wing: 2500→0). Bommer activates the Spell Card Monster Reborn, which lets him Special Summon 1 monster from the GY. He Special Summons Razorang (2000/0/4) from Yugo's GY in Attack Position.

Razorang attacks Clear Wing. Yugo finds and activates the Action Spell Card Attack Force, which increases Clear Wing's ATK by 600 during damage calculation as its battling a monster with higher ATK (Clear Wing: 0→600). The attack continues, but Clear Wing isn't destroyed due to Follow Wing's effect (Yugo: 1600→200 LP) (Clear Wing: 600→0). Black Salvo attacks Clear Wing, but Clear Wing isn't destroyed (Yugo: 200→100 LP). Bommer tunes Level 3 Black Salvo to Level 4 Razorang to Synchro Summon Dark Strike Fighter (2600/1800/7) in Attack Position. Bommer ends his turn.

Turn 8: Yugo

Yugo draws. He activates the Spell Card Speed Remix, which lets him banish 1 "Speedroid" monster from his GY, then target 2 monsters on the field, 1 that Bommer controls, and 1 that Yugo controls. He banishes Razorang and targets Dark Strike Fighter and Clear Wing. Dark Strike Fighter's and Clear Wing's ATK are switched until the end of the turn (Dark Strike Fighter: 2600→0) (Clear Wing: 0→2600).

Clear Wing attacks and destroys Dark Strike Fighter (Bommer: 1000→0 LP). Yugo wins.


Aki Izayoi vs. Andre

At the start of the Duel, the Field Spell Card Crossover Acceleration is activated, as per the rules of an Action Duel and a Turbo Duel. It will allow the players to use Action Cards, but they may only have one in their hand at a time.

Turn 1: Aki

Aki Normal Summons Witch of the Black Rose (1700/1200/4). As Witch of the Black Rose was Normal Summoned, Aki can draw 1 card. If that card is not a Monster Card, Witch of the Black Rose is destroyed. Aki draws Dark Verger. Aki activates the Spell Card Seed of Deception, which lets her Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower Plant monster from her hand. She Special Summons Dark Verger (0/1000/2) in Attack Position. Aki tunes Level 4 Witch of the Black Rose to Level 2 Dark Verger to Synchro Summon Queen of Thorns (2200/1800/6) in Attack Position. While Queen of Thorns is on the field, each player must pay 1000 LP to Normal Summon or Special Summon a non-Plant monster from the hand. Aki Sets 2 cards. Aki ends her turn.

Turn 2: Andre

Andre draws. He Normal Summons Rescue Cat (300/100/4) (Andre: 4000→3000 LP). Andre activates Rescue Cat's effect, sending it to the GY to Special Summon 2 Level 3 or lower Beast monsters from his Deck, but their effects are negated, and they will be destroyed during the End Phase. He Special Summons Mine Mole (1000/1200/3) and Uni-Horned Familiar (0/1000/2), both in Defense Position. Andrew tunes Level 2 Uni-Horned Familiar to Level 3 Mine Mole to Synchro Summon Thunder Unicorn (2200/1800/5) in Attack Position. As Mine Mole was used as Synchro Material for a Beast Synchro Monster, Andre draws 1 card. Andre activates Thunder Unicorn's effect, selecting Queen of Thorns. Queen of Thorns loses 500 ATK for each monster Andre controls until the End Phase (Queen of Thorns: 2200→1700) and no other monster can attack except Thunder Unicorn.

Thunder Unicorn attacks and destroys Queen of Thorns (Aki: 4000→3500 LP). Andre Sets 2 cards. Andre ends his turn.

Turn 3: Aki

Aki draws. She Normal Summons Evil Thorn (100/300/1). She activates its effect, Tributing it to inflict 300 damage to Andre (Andre: 3000→2700 LP), then Special Summon up to 2 copies of Evil Thorn from her Deck in Attack Position. She Special Summons 1 Evil Thorn (100/300/1). Aki activates the Spell Card Fragrance Storm, which lets her destroy 1 Plant monster on her field and draw 1 card. She destroys Evil Thorn and draws. As she drew Rose Princess, a Plant monster, she reveals it to Andre to draw an additional card. Aki activates her Set Trap Card Synchro Spirits, which lets her banish 1 Synchro Monster from her GY, and if all the monsters that were used to Synchro Summon that monster are in her GY, she can Special Summon them. She banishes Queen of Thorns to Special Summon Witch of the Black Rose (1700/1200/4) and Dark Verger (0/1000/2), both in Attack Position. Aki tunes Level 4 Witch of the Black Rose to Level 2 Dark Verger to Synchro Summon Splendid Rose (2200/2000/6) in Attack Position. Aki activates Splendid Rose's effect, banishing Evil Thorn from her GY to halve Thunder Unicorn's ATK until the end of the turn (Thunder Unicorn: 2200→1100).

Splendid Rose attacks and destroys Thunder Unicorn (Andre: 2700→1600 LP). Aki activates Splendid Rose's effect, banishing Evil Thorn from her GY to halve Splendid Rose's ATK and let it attack again (Splendid Rose: 2200→1100). Splendid Rose attacks Andre directly. As Aki declared a direct attack, Andre activates his Set Trap Card Battle Instinct, which lets him Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Beast monster from his hand in Attack Position. He Special Summons Nimble Momonga (1000/100/2). A replay occurs and Splendid Rose attacks and destroys Nimble Momonga (Andre: 1600→1500 LP). As Nimble Momonga was destroyed by battle and sent to the GY, Andre gains 1000 LP (Andre: 1500→2500 LP) and Special Summons 2 copies of Nimble Momonga from his Deck in face-down Defense Position. As Andre's Beast monster was destroyed by battle, Andre activates the effect of Yellow Baboon, Archer of the Forest in his hand, banishing Rescue Cat and Thunder Unicorn from his GY to Special Summon it (2600/1800/7) in Attack Position. Aki Sets 1 card. She ends her turn, and Splendid Rose's effect ends (Splendid Rose: 1100→2200).

Turn 4: Andre

Andre draws. He Tributes 2 Nimble Momongas to Tribute Summon Behemoth the King of All Animals (2700/1500/7). As Behemoth was Tribute Summoned, Andre can return Beast monsters from his GY to his hand equal to the number of Tributed monsters. He returns Nimble Momonga and Uni-Horned Familiar to his hand. Andre activates the effect of Unicorn Knight in his hand, Special Summoning it by Special Summoning 1 of his banished monsters. He Special Summons Thunder Unicorn (2200/1800/5) and Unicorn Knight (1800/900/4), both in Attack Position.

Behemoth attacks Splendid Rose. As Aki's monster was selected as an attack target, Aki activates her Set Trap Card Rose Blizzard, which changes Behemoth to Defense Position and negates the attack. Yellow Baboon attacks and destroys Splendid Rose (Aki: 3500→3100 LP). As Andre's Beast monster destroyed Aki's monster by battle, he activates his Set Trap Card Howl of the Wild, which inflicts 300 damage to Aki for each Beast monster Andre controls. Aki activates her Set Trap Card Nature's Reflection. For the rest of the turn, any effect damage Aki takes is dealt to Andre instead (Andre: 2500→1600 LP). Thunder Unicorn attacks Aki directly. Aki finds and activates the Action Spell Card Miracle, targeting Thunder Unicorn. Thunder Unicorn cannot be destroyed by this battle and the battle damage is halved. The attack continues (Aki: 3100→2000 LP). Unicorn Knight attacks Aki directly (Aki: 2000→200 LP). Andre Sets 1 card. He ends his turn.

Turn 5: Aki

Aki draws. Since only Andre controls a monster, Aki Special Summons Rose Princess (1200/800/3) from her hand in Attack Position and treats it as a Tuner monster via its effect. As Aki controls a Plant Tuner monster, she activates Dark Verger's effect in her GY, Special Summoning it (0/1000/2) in Attack Position. Aki Normal Summons Wall of Ivy (300/1200/2). Aki tunes Level 3 Rose Princess to Level 2 Dark Verger and Level 2 Wall of Ivy to Synchro Summon Black Rose Twilight Dragon (2400/1800/7) in Attack Position. As Black Rose Twilight Dragon was Synchro Summoned, Aki can target cards on the field, up to the number of Synchro Materials, and destroy them. Aki targets and destroys Behemoth, Yellow Baboon, and Andre's Set Mirror Force. Aki activates Black Rose Twilight Dragon's effect, banishing Dark Verger from her GY to change the ATK of 1 monster Andre controls to 0 until the end of the turn. She targets Thunder Unicorn (Thunder Unicorn: 2200→0).

Black Rose Twilight Dragon attacks and destroys Thunder Unicorn (Andre: 1600→0 LP). Aki wins.


Bommer:

Reactor Surge Normal Spell Card

If you control "Summon Reactor-SK", "Trap Reactor-Y FI", and "Spell Reactor-RE": You can draw 2 cards. You can only activate "Reactor Surge" once per turn.

Yugo:

Speed Remix Normal Spell Card

Banish 1 "Speedroid" monster from your GY, and if you do, target 1 face-up monster you control and 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; switch the ATK of those targets until the end of this turn. You can only activate "Speed Remix" once per turn.

Aki:

Black Rose Twilight Dragon

Attribute: DARK Type: [Dragon/Synchro/Effect] ATK 2400 DEF 1800 Level: 7

1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters

This card's name becomes "Black Rose Dragon" while it is on the field or in the GY. When this card is Synchro Summoned: You can target cards on the field, up to the number of monsters used as Synchro Material; destroy them. Once per turn: You can banish 1 Plant monster from your GY and target 1 monster your opponent controls; change that monster's ATK to 0 until the end of the turn.


Chapter Preview

Next time on Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: The Fifth Circuit. Chapter 19 – Hatred and Apathy


Question of the Chapter

What do you think would be better: A crossover between Trails of Cold Steel and High School DxD, or one between Trails of Cold Steel and RWBY?


Author's Notes

Ah, the life of a troll. So many people thought Yuji would gain Synchro Summoning, but it's never that easy, is it? No, the title referred to Yugo synchronizing with Yuji and Yuya when he dueled Bommer.

I was excited to bring Bommer, or Greiger in the dub, into this fic. I was inspired by his appearance in OPFan37's ARC-VOC story, but I was really curious how he would do against Yugo. And he managed to put up a good fight. Thank you to SakushiRyu for going over and giving advice for this duel, as well as the next one.

Now, some people wanted me to write Sergey's duel with Damon or Serena's duel with Tony, but I didn't see the point. Also, I just didn't have time, wanted to limit this chapter to two duels, and wanted to move on. So instead, we got Aki Izayoi's, or Akiza Izinski's, debut in Fifth Circuit, where she beat Andre from Team Unicorn.

Aki's personality in this fic is sort of a fusion of her personalities from the manga and the WRGP arc of the anime; she's the number one student at Domino Academy, is known as the Queen of Queens, and is seen as a kind, big sister figure to most of the students there. She's probably the single nicest Tops in the story. She does NOT have psychic powers, but instead has a new version of Black Rose Dragon and got a win against Andre, who is a part of Team Unicorn in this story but participated as an individual in the Friendship Cup. I used him for her opponent because I felt Aki was slighted in the 5D's anime when she fought him and this is her revenge duel. As for Andre not going underground, I thought that foreigners, particularly foreigners with powerful connections, like a pro team of Turbo Duelists, would be exempt from that rule, as forcing them into slave labor could send a bad message to outsiders, and I'd like to think the Administrative Council isn't that stupid. At least I hope so. Will Jean and Breo appear later? Maybe, but they won't be dueling.

I know I said I would release this chapter with Chapters 48 & 49 of Hidden Memories, but I decided that since I'm releasing those two at the same time, along with two profiles, I could release this one early. And for all those wondering when Yuji duels, don't worry; he's dueling next chapter. After that, there's one more chapter of the preliminaries, and then we'll take a side trip to the Xyz and Fusion Dimensions to see how Hanako and Ryoken are adjusting. Or rather, how much Hanako is panicking and how many people Ryoken is currently curbstomping.

Thank you for reading Chapter 18 of Fifth Circuit! Please tell me what you thought of the duels and answer the QOTC. It may very well impact what kind of story I write after my VRAINS/Persona 5 fic.