Surprised by the sudden hug I looked down to see Ruri hugging me. For some strange reason she also seemed to be tearing up.
"Calm down Ruri. Also"- I said as I tried to escape from the hug- "You can let go now"
"S-Sorry about that"
I wasn't exactly uncomfortable but seeing Shun at the other side of the door I decided to end it. I didn't really know what my exact relationship was with the xyz counterparts so keeping things cordial would be the best.
"And you must be Shun right?" I said as I looked towards the door.
"It's relieving to see you're alive, Raizen. So it's true you lost your memories"
"Yeah I can't remember much from before coming to this dimension. Yuto briefed me on some things but it still feels strange. It's like I know who you are even though I don't remember any interactions we've had"
"That's...I don't know how to put it. But I guess all in all I'm glad you're fine"
"Ha Ha thanks"
"You said Yuto briefed you on our situation right?"
"Yeah, I've heard you're trying to get information from LDS students"
"We're trying to get in contact with Reiji Akaba the son of Leo Akaba and take him hostage" after saying that Shun stood silent for a few seconds.
He turned to Yuto.
"Should we really be involving Raizen here? His lack of memories might hinder him"
"I don't know.."
All three of them turned towards me seemingly to judge my reaction.
I didn't know whether to agree or not at the moment. But I couldn't alienate myself from them.
Could I handle myself? Probably
"Even with my lack of memories I'm still the same person here. So I don't want to be underestimated"
Shun looked at me.
"Heh. Well if you're that confident then let's get going. Don't forget this though" he says as he tossed me a mask. The mask only covered my eyes and nose but it was better than nothing.
Though I guess this was the best they managed to get in the time being.
All three of them put their masks on so following in their steps I put the mask on and followed them out the door.
…
"I know I said you can tag along Raizen but let me and Yuto take care of these duelists" shun said after me trying to insist on dueling.
"Well if you say so I guess I can't go against your word"
"It seems like the memory loss has also made you more reasonable"
He and Yuto activated their duel disks while I stood back with Ruri.
As the LID duelists opposite to us brought out their duel disks and began the duel I watched. As a duelist I didn't have much in terms of experience so seeing the battles helped me in that regard.
Xyz summoning, I should probably start using it shouldn't I?
I looked over to the LID student strawled down onto the floor who Shun then immediately turned into a card. Yuto and Shun worked fast for sure. Until I noticed another LDS student collide into me knocking my mask off.
Before he could escape I caught hold of him and threw him towards Shun who used his duel disk to turn him into a card.
But the strangest thing occurred just then. Yuzu walked in noticing me. I quickly hid my face but it seemed that she already noticed that it was me.
"Raizen that's you isn't it? We've been searching all over for you. Somebody at LID claimed that you and some masked duelist attacked Shingo"- she looked at the people near me as they turned to her with a confused expression- "Who are these people Raizen?"
"She looks just like me.." Ruri said, surprised.
"Raizen you know this girl?" Yuto asked me.
I scratched my head.
"I guess it's time I clear some things up"
"What's going on Raizen explain yourself?" Yuzu said walking up to me.
"I will,Yuto and Ruri can you take off your masks"
Seeing no reason to object the two of them took off their masks.
"Yuya and ME! What's going on here?"
"Now this is going to be difficult to explain but let me start- Then again I think this isn't the best place for conversation"
"Fine then let's head back to Yusho everyone there is worried about you, even the new student keeps asking about you. We had to face off against some LID students because of shingo claiming that you attacked him. "
"Uh Yusho is kinda.. I don't know Yuzu. Any other place will do I don't think I can meet the others just yet"
This was in part due to me not being able to face them and in part due to the bracelets teleportation.
"Why do you have to be so difficult? Fine let's just head on somewhere where there aren't many people"
"Sure lead the way" I said.
Yuzu began to walk forward taking the lead.
"Raizen. I think you owe us an explanation too"
"Don't worry Shun I'll explain everything"
Well everything I can explain anyway.
The five of us discreetly made our way into a hidden alley far away from the site of battle. I leaned back against the cold wall as I took a look at the four people staring down at me.
"Shun Ruri Yuto I'll need the three of you to help while I explain things to Yuzu here" I said as I pointed at her.
They all nodded without any hesitations.
Guess they really did trust me.
"It's hard to explain but we aren't from this dimension" I said.
"When you say this dimension,What do you mean?"
"The place we are currently at is called the standard dimension. The four of us with you are from another place that seemingly transcends space and time. Another world you could say" Shun said
"Another world?"
"Yes, the XYZ dimension. We were forced to flee the XYZ dimension due to an invasion"
Yuzu took a moment to think while the xyz dimension residents looked at me.
"I guess I can accept that explanation for now but why do these friends of yours look like Yuya and Me" Yuzu said as she turned to me.
I guess I'll just play the fool on this point.
"Honestly I'm not sure. The time when I met you and Yuya at the LDS stadium I jumped in to help because you looked so similar to my friends. But I need to say this..I do consider everyone at Yusho a friend. That's why I can't return"
"I guess that clears everything. What are you going to be doing now?"
"That's not up for me to decide. If you want to know you'll have to ask him" I said as I pointed to Shun.
Shun looked at me with a slight tinge of frustration as he scratched his head and turned to Yuzu.
"Don't worry we're not going to let Raizen get in any danger" he said somewhat hesitantly.
"Also try to keep this information to yourself. We have enemies" I said
"So I can't tell anyone at Yusho?"
"You could, but would they really believe you?" I said with a serious expression.
"I guess you make a fair point.." she said sighing and letting her hands hang by her side, "If the four of you maybe came back to Yusho and explained your situation-"
"Yeah that won't be happening let's go Raizen" Shun said as he walked away.
"Wait you still haven't answered why you turned those people into cards"
Yuto and Ruri looked towards me but then quickly followed after Shun.
I turned my back to Yuzu.
"I'm Sorry, this conversation is over" I said as I began to walk away.
…
The four of us began walking as Shun took the lead. But we were stopped by three duelists with varying summoning styles. Masumi, Yaiba and Hokuto.
'So they're here'
I thought I had changed the plot but some things seem to still seem to loop back to their normal flow. Or maybe this was just an anomaly.
"Wait here you three I'll take care of these LDS duelists"
"Shun don't be reckless let me he-"
"No Yuto stay back. Just be sure to keep Raizen and Ruri are safe"
Saying that Shun leaped into the battle which went the same way as it did in cannon.
After the duel was done with Reiji arrived along with some other LID staff members.
"Are you the son of Leo Akaba?"
"Yes I am," Reiji says as he adjusts his glasses.
Shun then activated his duel disk once more.
"I've been waiting for this moment"
"Why are you doing this?"
"To stop your father's attack on my homeland"
"So you plan to use me as a bartering chip, sorry but that won't work"
"What do you mean?"
"My father doesn't really care for me, but let's leave that aside. I'm fine with dueling you but I have a condition"
"A condition? What kind of condition"
"I want you to duel in the Miami championship. I'm sure it will be helpful to the both of us. Also those people behind you are also duelists?"
"No! Don't involve them in this,"
"Shun-"
"Yuto don't. I can't let you guys get roped up into this. Just let me do this"
"Strange you say that since I remember seeing that duelist in the LDS duel school" Reiiji said as he pointed to me.
"Hmm so you were the one who made Sawatari steal the pendulum cards from Yuya"
"That's an interesting claim for sure but I have no Idea what you are talking about" he adjusted his glasses with a slight hint of a smile.
"You were watching the duel between me and Shingo weren't you? Seeing me pendulum summon that time must have etched it into your memory"
"You aren't wrong about the fact that I watched the duel but the pendulum summon you performed wasn't the only thing that surprised me"
"What do you mean?"
"The moment you synchro summoned we noticed a spike detected in our machines noting the high energy that was produced which we only observed in anomalies. Hence we've been tailing you since then"
"So I led my comrades into a trap huh. Well it doesn't really matter we were going to be coming here why bring that up? Are you creating a task force specifically to deal with your father but you need to see how good we are in battle first"
Reiji seemed irked by that statement. He seemed to freeze up thinking of what to say next with his hand placed on his chin. The other LDS members also seemed on edge as their hands seemed to move towards their duel disks.
Getting something right once could be a coincidence. The second time, people start to get apprehensive.
Though this might backfire in a way if Reiji starts to suspect that I might have been sent by Leo.
"Actually, Yes, That's why, I want the four of you to take part in the tournament"
Guess he's decided to come clean
"Shun if what he's saying is true then we should cooperate"
Shun seemed hesitant at Yuto's suggestion to cooperate
."Don't worry I'm sure it will be fine. I'm sure Reiji Akaba here is trustworthy if not then we'll just take him out"
I said as I extended my hand out to Reiji.
"What's your name"
"Raizen"
"Ok then Raizen. I'll keep my eye on you" Reiji said as he shook my hand.
…
"What do you mean Ruri and I cannot participate in the Miami championship?" Yuto asked.
It had been a few hours since our meeting.
We were back at the place Yuto and I stayed at with Ruri and Shun tagging along
Having no more LDS members to combat, we were free to roam the city since Reiji took care to stop the LDS duelists who were targeting us.
But we still needed to be careful fusion duelists would be arriving here which would definitely be a problem.
Also speaking to Reiji was strange. The guy definitely intimidated me but since I basically knew his character there wasn't anything unexpected that could happen.
Though I needed to tone down the cockiness I displayed while talking to him. Otherwise he just might figure out that I'm all talk and no game.
"That's what Reiji said," I said, passing along the message.
"Did he at least give a reason as to why we can't participate?" Ruri asked, also curious.
"You remember that girl Yuzu who looked like you?"
"The pink haired girl from before. Yeah why did she look so similar to me?"
"There's a boy who looks similar to Yuto named Yuya. And he's pretty famous you could say"
"So since we look similar to those two we can't participate. What kind of logic is that?"
"Well we can't do anything about it can we. So for the upcoming days I would like the two of you to help me improve my dueling"
"So you want to duel us to prepare for the tournament, Sure I don't mind," Ruri said.
"Well it's not like I have any other choice. Though I'll be glad to help" Yuto said.
"I'd like also like you to help me too Shun"
"Sure I've also been waiting to see how strong you've grown since we last met. Lets see if you match up to your prime" Shun answered with a smirk.
With that last remark Shun and Ruri decided to head to their own room which was across the hall.
'Good I seemingly managed to convince Yuto and Ruri not to take part in the tournament'
While speaking to Reiji I mentioned that Yuto and Ruri were important and that they shouldn't appear in public for reasons. Luckily Reiji listened to my suggestion and allowed me to let them opt out.
Now why did I do this? To keep them out of the Obelisk Force and Fusion Duelists sight.
I don't expect this to be a viable strategy but it should help me keep them out of immediate harm.
I had strong opponents that I could duel.
So now all I needed to focus on was becoming a stronger duelist..