Here you go! Next chapter. Which wasn't easy to write. Trying to tie lose ends and set up for the next events. Which hasn't been easy! Darn it Mira and Kazuma raised an eyebrow at the plans and have been trying to change it. Parents! They parent.

Anyway that aside for now. Warnings: AU, possible OOCness, Shadow Magic! (Only for a moment), mentions of kidnapping and children soldiers, alternate view points.

Hope you enjoy!

(Chapter 4)

Planning a Downfall

Hissing at the feeling of shadow magic healing his hand, Yuuma cursed his life. Dr. Faker and Haruto dead. Kaito lost in battle, according to the few people he ran into.

The remaining people of his life gone. Just what should he do now?

Looking up at the statue of his ace, he felt tears falling down his cheeks. Blinking he reached up with his left hand to brush them away. Feeling the magic reattach his finger he looked back down at the appendage. The only thing which was different was the fact his grandmother's old ring was no longer there.

Clenching and unclenching his hand he tried to see if there was anything else to fix. Finding nothing he leaned back on both hands.

He wasn't welcome here. There wasn't anyone who he could live for here. His family and friends were dead.

Falling onto his back he let himself cry.

Everyone. He let down everyone. Throwing an arm over his eyes he let the silent grief pass through him. He did not know how long he stayed like that. He just knew that when he was done he felt a bit better.

Staring at the ceiling of the dojo he let his thoughts run around wildly. Memories of good times and bad. The echoing of How a Moment Lasts Forever playing in his head.

He wanted his Mom and Dad.

Pink eyes widened before the teen was pushing himself off the floor.

His Mom and Dad! They were still alive last they heard. Just in another dimension. One which focused on...

Fusion summoning.

Pink eyes narrowed. The Invaders came from a dimension which focused on Fusion summoning. They attacked his home. They destroyed everything he loved. Standing before the wooden statues of the ace monsters of every student who graced the Duel Lodge Yuuma made his convection.

He would bring down Duel Academia. No matter what it took. It would not remain standing.

That he swore.

XYZaF

Kaito didn't even blink as another group of Academia soldiers ganged up on him. He merely lifted his disk and began the duel.

He couldn't remember the last time he stopped to properly rest. It was just one duel after another. More and more soldiers carded. No one was spared. And why should they? They took away his home. His Family. They did not deserve mercy.

Kaito wanted to know how Yuuma killed those Obelisks who murdered Kotori. Carding had nothing on a proper dead body, and he was craving a pool of blood at this moment.

He couldn't forgive these monsters who came and destroyed for no reason.

Glancing at the ring on his left little finger he clenched the hand. They didn't even have the kindness to leave a body to bury.

Gray eyes returned to the next set of victims. He would not stop until all of the Invaders were dead.

Of that he was certain.

XYZaF

Allen looked up the stairs before him. He remembered watching Yuuma and his friends race on these stairs. He always wondered how come they would look so relaxed after climbing the many stairs before him.

Clenching his fists he started the climb. He really shouldn't be out alone. But he couldn't bare looking at his comrades at the moment. And the Scouts were insistent that unless someone brought proof that they were not a Fusion hater they wanted nothing to do with them.

Sayaka was back at Camp trying to get everyone packed up and ready to go. They needed a new place and fast.

The orange and yellow haired teen was taking a gamble but he couldn't stop the feeling of doing something to honor the dead duelists who built the Camp. Steeling his nerve he began the ascent to the place he only heard about.

Panting, he stopped at one of the platforms to catch his breath. Turning he looked over the city below him.

Yuuma always did say that Heartland was better from above. Allen could see what he meant. While it hurt his heart to see his home destroyed, he could easy imagine the city in its grandeur from this height. It wasn't a perfect representation seeing he never did see it before, but it was an image which brought a small smile to his face. Turning back around he continued to climb.

He could almost hear Yuuma walking beside him teasing him on being slow. But whenever he looked at either side of him there was no one. Shaking his head he picked up his pace. Until he was at the top gasping for breath. Trying his darnest to get air in his lungs.

Looking up Allen couldn't help but stare.

All those stories about the Lodge and not one of them stood to the real thing. Absent mindlessly he walked closer. There were some broken pieces around, but the building was standing and was in good condition.

Looking around he narrowed his eyes at the ropes around some of the trees. They looked like warding ropes. But why would they be here?

Carefully he opened the door and entered the Duel Lodge.

It was cleaner than he was expecting. Taking off his shoes he went further in. Opening doors carefully and looking into rooms.

Until he found the dojo. Statues of many different duel monsters stood around the edges. Proud and protective.

Allen could see why Yuuma loved dueling here. He would have too.

Noticing a slip of paper near one of the statues, the warrior with four wings and two swords at its sides, he carefully walked over. Taking the paper he couldn't help but look around him with a mixture of sorrow and awe once he read the words.

"I don't know if anyone would read this. But on the off chance I am writing it.

This is the Duel Lodge. My home away from home. It is one of the safest places in Heartland. Not only because it is on top of the mountain. But because the wards I have put up, and the Dueling system within. My sister was wonderful at her work. No matter what it was.

I have been coming up here the past few weeks trying to get everything ready for Camp to move up here.

This is what is left to do:

Fix the water pipes leading into the kitchen.

Find more heaters or blankets.

Fix the lock on the pantry.

Build another toilet outside.

Make a shoe cubby.

Get telescopes and binoculars.

Put down a Sulk-Re-Da to kill any vehicle around the Lodge.

Find an old Litter Bot."

Green eyes looked down at the writing once more. He knew Yuuma's handwriting quite well. Seeing how many notes were passed to him when the Scout didn't want to bring too much attention to them.

Like Yuuma in his red vest and white pants didn't get enough attention. Or the mere fact that it was Yuuma who was standing there. Brown Scout bag at his side, white hood pulled up to hide his hair, pink eyes glowing out from the shadow under the hood speaking of stories untold. Sliver pendent hanging from his neck glinting in the sunlight while long fingers clutched onto it.

Shaking his head Allen pulled himself away from that day. When Yuuma found him dying of thirst and saved his life. When he found out about the Camp and Scouts. About the people who weren't duelists and still fought. It was though he was listening to a fairy tale. But it was all true, even Yuuma being one of the founders, which he really did think was boasting at first.

Looking around the dojo he thought back to the list Yuuma left. Only the last two points didn't make much sense. What was a Sulk-Re-Da? And why would they need an old Litter Bot? But the rest, that they could do. Turning he gazed up at the warrior. Smiling he folded and tucked the note into a pocket.

He would not lose it, and he would not let Yuuma's hard work be in vain.

XYZaF

Sayaka covered her mouth as she read the note. Tears forming at the corners of her eyes, she fought back the sobs which wanted to break out.

Yuuma was already working on a safe place for everyone before he was killed. That was what he been hiding from everyone. No doubt he wanted to surprise Haruto, who wanted to see the Lodge in person after hearing so many stories about it.

Pressing the note to her chest, Sayaka tried to calm her breathing. She could see Yuuma standing on the rocks which was all which remained of the old park. His red and black locks hidden under his hood. Hands stuffed into his vest pockets. A song pouring out of his lips. No words, just notes which created a haunting, yet soothing melody. The brown bag beside the rock, a few sticks poking out along with a few other things.

She could see him turning around, a large smile on his face as he met her eyes. Sayaka could never forget the words he said that day.

"Bringing smiles is all well and good. But you can do that in many ways. Why not forge your own path? To the Sky." A hand was lifted to the blue abyss above. "Or to any place you wish to reach."

It was against what she envisioned for the person who didn't like Sakaki Yusho even more than Allen did. He was merely making a suggestion and let her move as she wished, never bringing it up again.

Blue eyes looked up at the cloudy sky above her. She was a coward. That was one of the reasons she never dared to try follow where Sakaki-sensei revealed with full effort. It was also the reason why she never dared to make her own path.

She wasn't Yuuma or Kotori. Who went off building their own road to follow.

Closing her eyes, she dared to say the words which went against everything she thought she knew.

"Kattobingu da watashi."

She could still aim to entertain. Still make people smile. But she would do it her way. She would reach for the sky.

And once she reached it she would turn and thank the teen who taught her there was more than one way to hope.

XYZaF

Pink eyes looked around curiously. So this was the Fusion Dimension. A long black cloak covered the teen from head to toe. Making sure nothing was easily recognizable as something from Heartland.

Looking down at the note in his hand, Yuuma tried to plot a route in his head. The museum was very helpful with finding his parents. Thankfully they were still known to be living. Though they were in hiding.

Huffing, the teen rolled his eyes. His parents were always getting into trouble. Stepping into the shadows he gave a cautious look over the populace. He thought the people of Heartland were bad when Duel Academia first attacked, but seeing where those soldiers came from makes him even more determined to make the institution fall.

There was no doubt that the Academia was the reason people moved silently and joylessly. A single mention of dueling made people wince. And the soldiers walking around, teenagers among adults, were given wide paths to walk through.

If any parent lived in this city and saw their child walking by, they said nothing.

Slipping out of the shadows, Yuuma moved with the crowd. He wasn't the stealthiest but he was able to get around without gaining much attention. It wasn't easy, but with months running around the ruins of Heartland avoiding soldiers had given him a lot of practice.

Moving down the street was the easy part. It was leaving the crowd to go to the run down side-street which was the hard part. There was no way he could easily think of slipping into it. So he basically just went for it, hoping and praying that no one would question it.

Not looking back, because that causes people to think you are up to something, Yuuma walked down the dirty and drab street. The few people there were also covered in cloaks, much to Yuuma's relief. He didn't look too out of place. Heck most people didn't even look up as he past. Only the few store vendors glanced up at him.

It was quiet with only the sounds of people walking, coughing, and muttering softly to the vendors. There were not any animals in the street. Not even a rat or cat, which was surprising seeing how often those animals take over the streets.

By the time he found the small shack he was looking for, he was on edge. Fusion was far worse than Heartland's now destroyed red district. The only reason he knew that was due to getting lost too many times on the rooftops.

Softly he knocked on the door. A few moments later it creaked open and a familiar sight of orange hair and purple eyes came into view.

Yuuma couldn't help but feel overwhelmed at the sight of his mother. Smiling he lifted his hood just enough for her to see him.

"Hi, Mom."

XYZaF

Mira couldn't believe her eyes. Her baby boy was standing on her doorstep. Without a second thought she dragged the teen into the house and shut the door. Wrapping her arms around Yuuma she let herself sag with relief.

She had been so worried when she heard that the Academia attacked Heartland. And now she had one of her babies in her arms safe and sound. The feeling of her husband joining the hug wasn't unexpected. After all Yuuma's hood fell off once she dragged her baby into her arms.

"Thank goodness."

Feeling her son return the hug made her clutch on tighter. To the boy's dismay.

"Mom! Air!"

Kazuma laughed as he tightened his grip as well, causing their child to try to push them off while being smothered into his mother's shoulder.

A few moments later the two adults relaxed their hold. Much to the relief of their child. Taking a deep breath, Yuuma looked up at his mother with a sad yet happy look. Worried Mira asked the question all mothers asked to such a look.

"What's wrong?"

Pink eyes closed as the boy took a breath and said words which crushed the relief within her heart.

"Akari and Gran-gran are dead."

XYZaF

The shack never had felt so oppressive with silence before. When it was just him and Mira, Kazuma never thought much about silence given how often he would break it to talk about just about anything to his love.

But now, with his son hiding in a corner black cloak hiding his body from view, and the weight of the words spoken not a half hour ago still sinking in, the archaeologist couldn't help but think of it. For the years he and his wife has been trapped in this dimension due to an artifact having a spell on it which either of them noticed, he had missed so much of his family's life. It had been a pain which hung on his shoulders for a long time, and now it was trying to choke him.

He never got to see his daughter achieve her dream of being a reporter. He never got to see his son take after Mother in dueling. Never got to see if Charlie got the message about his daughter. Never met any of Yuuma's friends. Never got to embarrass the two of them while having their grandmother smile at the scene before her.

So many little things which were missed. All because the Academia attacked his home, and destroyed its own dimension so he couldn't get home.

Wrapping an arm around his wife he placed his head on hers. Watching sadly as his son hid under black cloth. Mira's attempts to drag him out of the corner had failed so far. Yuuma didn't feel right being around them at the moment. For some reason the boy seemed to blame himself for the death of his sister and grandmother. Something they knew wasn't true. The Academia was heartless and cruel. Taking children away from their parents and forcing them into soldiers at a young age. Draining away resources and shutting down all communication to the rest of the dimension. No, Yuuma was no where near being responsible for the death of their family.

There was only so much a thirteen year old could do after all.

XYZaF

It was a hard few days before Yuuma felt comfortable enough with his parents to tell them just what happened in Heartland, how he got to Fusion and why. To say the least they didn't like the reason.

"Absolutely not! You are not going ten meters near that school young man!"

Kazuma Tsukumo wasn't one to raise his voice, but there were exceptions to everything.

Such as the harsh look on Mira Tsukumo's face. Normally she was a calm and smiling woman, but the words she just heard took that demeanor and ran with it.

"Kazuma. Ten meters is to close. A hundred kilometers at least. And your Father is correct. You are not joining Duel Academia in a mad scheme to bring it down."

Yuuma looked down at the black cloth covering his lap, not responding to their words. Especially seeing he knew they weren't done yet.

"There is another school. It is working on defeating the Academia. You should go there if you want to do something here. What was it called again?" Kazuma turned to his wife.

"You Show Duel School I think."

The teen's head snapped up at that.

"NO!"

Brown and purple eyes blinked in surprise at the response.

"I will not work with Sakaki! He is likely of helping with the attack on Heartland! Never mind he abandoned his students back at Heartland three months before the Invasion!"

Pink eyes glowed with anger.

"Akari and Gran-gran didn't trust him. And either do I. Is there proof that he is any better than the Academia?"

The two adults shared a look. They never really looked into it. No one did, it was a Dueling school so no one thought much about it.

"I will be joining Duel Academia. I will shake its roots and make it fall down to the ground. I need to. So many have suffered due to it. I can't sit back and do nothing. And I am not joining You Show Duel School."

Mira sighed as she looked at her son. She knew this stubbornness, after all he got it honestly from both sides of the family.

"Little Horse, I understand that you want to do something. But it does not have to be that. If you don't trust You Show Duel School, then you don't have to join. However. Handing yourself over to the enemy in an attempt at infiltration is not a good idea."

The teen clenched his hands as he bowed his head.

"I need to help. It is risky. It is a stupid idea. But darn it all!"

Frustrated and determined pink eyes looked up at them as Yuuma looked up once more.

"I need to try! Nothing else seems to be working! We don't know what is going on inside, we have no information on their plans or moments! We need someone inside!"

Kazuma sighed.

"But that person should not be you."

Cheeks puffed out as Yuuma huffed and crossed his arms.

"I am capable of it. I am not worthless nor helpless."

Mira and her husband shared a look before the woman got up and walked over to her son. Sitting next to him she wrapped her arms around him.

"We don't doubt that Little Horse. We just don't want to lose you too."

Pink eyes looked up at the woman. Confusion floating in them for a moment before drifting away. Leaning into his mother he sighed.

"I understand."

Mira and Kazuma smiled.

If the two of them still think Yuuma isn't going to do it they are so wrong. It is the main plot point I am trying to get to! GAH! Why must I be so insistent in trying to keep people in character?!

*Sighs.* Oh well. Just means more chapters and scenes that's all.

As for Allen and Sayaka I had fun coming up with how they met Yuuma. They will be popping up more later but not as much as Kaito or Yuuma who are the focus of the story.

As for using "watashi" instead of "ore", Japanese gender thing. Girls typically don't use "ore" but "watashi" when talking about themselves.

Yes, I am a deep lover of Kattobingu. I see it as a healthier motto than "Eago" which has more group think in it. While Kattobingu is to challenge yourself and take risks. To keep moving forward even if you fall. In ZeXal we see that people adopt the idea and follow it in their own way. Thus it is less cult like.

My ramblings about Kattobingu aside. Up Next! Kaito meets a rouge duelist on a war path similar to his own. The Scouts help rebuild the Duel Lodge. Memories of times passed are shown. And Hope is rekindled in a teen's heart after the tragedy.

So Forward!