These three boys have faced many great battles and challenges since there first encounters, but nothing can prepare them for what's to come...
(During his match, Yugo was riding behind Taro from Team Taiyo who grinned while looking back at his opponent. A drop of sweat fell from Yugo's face as he looked up at the large monster on his opponent's field.)
Taro: This is the combined power of Team Taiyo! We'll accomplish our dream using this monster! There is no way you can overcome the power of our strongest monster with your power alone! This is the end for you!
Yugo: You're right...there's no way I can win by myself...but luckily...I'm never alone! The bonds I share with my friends will always give me the strength acquired to win!
(As Yugo gripped his chest, the spirits of Yuya and Yuto appeared next to him.)
(Yuto winced in pain as he barely managed to stay on his D-Wheel. His opponent, Rudger from Team Dark Hunters, laughed maniacally as he looked at the weakened Yuto.)
Rudger: Pathetic! Absolutely pathetic! You have no right to be on this track with me! You are far too weak! Now, prepare to die!
Yuto: You bastard...you won't win...because when facing people who hurt others with their dueling...I never lose! I'll pummel you into the ground!
Rudger: There it is! That vigor! That rage! These emotions will make the conclusion of this duel so much more satisfying! Especially when that conclusion involves you face down on the track!
(Yuto gritted his teeth as the man maliciously grinned at him. But as he closed his eyes, he saw more images of his kidnapped girlfriend, forcing him to open his eyes with an enraged look.)
(Yuya was trailing behind Andre from Team Unicorn on the track. Yuya looked down, gritting his teeth and curling his hand into a fist.)
Andre: Face it, you've lost!
Yuya: I don't care what that situation is...for Crow and Serena...I can't lose here! I will win!
Andre: You can try if you want...but the outcome of this duel is already decided! Go, Thunder Unicorn! Wipe out his life points!
(Yuya's eyes widened as the unicorn sent a lightning blast from it's horn at him. As the blast hit...a large light blinded the field...!)
Beyond the tournament, there was still a greater threat that would push the Lancers beyond their limits in order to stand a chance against them.
(Reiji Akaba defeated a group of Obelisk Force that had intruded the Council's chamber. He turned to the large door of the room as the sound of footsteps echoed throughout the room. Reiji's eyes widened as he saw the man in the black coat in front of him.)
Reiji: You're...Hell Kaiser...!
Kaiser: It's nice to finally meet you, Reiji Akaba.
Reiji: I see...so you were sent to eliminate me, correct?
Kaiser: That's right. As the leader of the Lancers and the son of the Professor, I assume you possess great strength. Let's test that, shall we?
Reiji: If that's the case, I won't back down! I'll defeat you right here!
(Both powerful duelists stared at each other with determined looks as they simultaneously activated their duel disks, getting ready for battle.)
(In an underground tunnel, Yuto and Yugo had their duel disks activated and were facing a certain grinning opponent that shared an identical face.)
Yugo: You grinning bastard! I'll make you pay for what you did to Rin!
Yuto: I'll end you for taking Ruri away from me!
Yuri: HeheheHAHAHA! You guys sure are angry! This duel will be so much fun!
Yuya: GAAAH!
(Yuya yelled in pain as the chains that wrapped around him tightened.)
Barrett: Stop resisting! The strength of my chains binds you and any move you could possibly make! You cannot win this duel!
Yuya: No...I have to save Yuzu and Serena...I have to help Yuto and Yugo...
Barrett: The burdens of your friends are weighing you down! You are an unworthy opponent! Now, accept your defeat!
(Yuya gritted his teeth has images of his friends appeared in his head. One by one, the images turned to black and faded away. He couldn't think about his friends...he could only focus on one thing...winning. A dark aura surrounded him as his eyes glowed red.)
Yuya: GRAAAH! I will defeat you!
(In another location in the tunnel, Serena, Yuzu, Sora, and Reira defeated a squad of Obelisk Force, only for another group of Obelisk Force to replace the fallen ones.)
Sora: ...They just keep coming...!
Reira: Hah...Hah...Hah...
Yuzu: Reira, we are here. You don't have to be afraid.
Serena: We have to keep fighting!
???: Your fight isn't with them...
???: ...It's with us!
(The Lancers turned their heads as they saw two figures walking out of the shadows. One girl with purple hair and another girl with green hair stepped into view, with soulless eyes and Academia duel disks strapped to their arms.)
Sora: They look just like you two!
Serena: That means they are...
Yuzu: Rin and Ruri...!
Rin/Ruri: We will defeat both of you and bring you back with us! For Academia!
Despite the threat of Academia, there was an even greater...darker...threat that was about to make it's appearance...
Yuya: WE WILL BECOME ONE!
Yuto: WE WILL BECOME ONE!
Yugo: WE WILL BECOME ONE!
Yuri: WE WILL BECOME ONE!
Will our heroes prevail? Or will they be annihilated by the forces of evil? Keep reading Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: Altered Destiny to find out! The fun has just begun!
Thank you all soooo much for the tremendous support over the past year. This has been such a fun journey and I can't wait for the future of this story.
One thing I wanted to make clear is that the Academia Invasion won't begin until Round 3 is over. Meaning, there will be 6 more tournament duels before the invasion. I really don't want to spoil Round 3 so I'm not teasing anything about that.
Happy Anniversary! See you guys soon!