You Show Duel School - City - Fusion Dimension
Zuzu watched the students dueling under Sora's instruction. Due to being more experienced than all of them and a former top student, Sora was an ideal instructor for them. His helpful advice was seen in the improvement of the students' dueling. It also made Sora get along with the others in no time flat. Zuzu was smiling at Sora making new friends.
"Yuya... I wonder how you're doing right now..." Zuzu wondered. It had been a few days since she last saw him. They were reunited after so long, only to be separated again.
"What's wrong, Zuzu?" Yusho approached her, noticing the lost in thought face she was making. "Mr. Sakaki. I was just thinking about Yuya..." Zuzu leaned on the wall behind her.
"You told me that Yuya was strong enough to be able to unite the entire Synchro Dimension. And he has the Lancers with him. He'll be fine." Yusho assured her with a pat on the head.
"Yes. I know. It's just that... We finally reunited after so long, only to be separated again..." Zuzu then closed her eyes as she remembered the embrace she shared with Yuya when they reunited. The warmth of the boy she loved. "I'm sorry... It's gotta be harder for you... You've been gone for three years."
"It's alright Zuzu, I understand." Yusho assured her.
"Although Zuzu is right. I do miss my family. I was such in a hurry to stop Leo, that I neglected to worry what the consequences would be leaving the day before I was supposed to face the Sledgehammer.
I mean, it wasn't so bad teaching Kite, Saya, Allen, and the others in Heartland, but I sure did miss my home in my dimension.
My hastiness to finish everything caused Yuya and Yoko to go through such hard times. I need to finish this war so I can return to them and make up for all that time I lost with them."
"Mr. Sakaki?" Zuzu called out.
"I'm fine, don't worry." Yusho smiled at Zuzu again to assure her, but she didn't buy it. She didn't have a chance to ask, due to Yusho effortlessly changing the subject. "Zuzu, thank you for looking after Yuya all this time."
"It's not a problem. Yuya's precious to me as well..." Zuzu smiled softly as she remembered all the times she spent with Yuya.
Chuckling, Yusho said as he saw Zuzu's blushing cheeks, "I'm glad to see that you care for Yuya so much Zuzu."
Zuzu's stuttering response at Yusho's indication and her blush reddening like a tomato caused Yusho to become more amused.
Professor's Chamber - Duel Academy - Fusion Dimension
Dennis was in the throne room that housed ARC-V. He respectfully faced the Professor, who was slouching in the throne in front of him, with three others. Beside the Professor, Lady Minerva and Hydromancy were standing on the platform between the throne and the floor. Hydromancy was holding her staff in her left hand while she stood to Leo's left. Lady Minerva stood to his right, her tome on her waist.
The first alongside Dennis was a fair-skinned woman with yellow eyes and long silver hair that hanged over her forehead in a messy fringe and two locks extending to chin length, while the back portion of her hair extended down her back and curled up in a bunch. She wore a sleeveless tight blue coat with a white front that was patterned with vertical lines and topped with purple curves, silver-lined grey shoulder pads over her coat, and black gloves that extended past her elbows. She also wore a lilac skirt with three diagonal black lines on each side over white leggings and black ankle-length heeled boots with silver heels and toes.
The second was a fair-skinned woman with red eyes and long blonde hair that hanged over her forehead in three pointed locks - the central one extended to her nose and the other two to chin length, while the back portion of her hair extended down her back and curved up in a short point. She wore a tight blue coat with a white front that was patterned with vertical lines and topped with purple curves. She donned gold-lined grey shoulder pads over her coat, white elbow-length gloves, and a magenta sash that curved over each of her upper arms and attached to her shoulder pads. She also wore short blue shorts with similar patterning to the front of her coat and black cuffs over white leggings and thigh-high black boots with golden soles, upturned golden toes, and three diagonal magenta lines near each cuff.
The last one was a man that had blue eyes and lined skin on his face, with wild purple hair that reached a third of the way down his back. He wore a red sleeveless shirt with gold collar and armholes over a light purple shirt with tattered sleeves, a green bandanna knotted around his neck, and an orange sash attached to a yellow-lined, maroon section of cloth attached at the stomach. His arms were mostly bare bar charcoal-colored armguards. He also wore dark teal pants, bandages wrapped around his shins, and dark tan socks, with black shoes that have the toes turned up.
Behind Dennis and the others, there were a squadron of Buster Brigadiers and an Obelisk Force squad.
One of the Buster Brigadiers had a different outfit than the others. The outfit was the same as the others in appearance but was colored white with gold accents. The pauldrons were white with gold trimming, with the helmet being added with white fins that went downwards behind the black lighting-shaped horns. The middle of the helmet was the only black part besides the horns. The red eye gems were surrounded with a gold trimming. The right pauldron had a white shoulder cape embroidered with gold accents draping from it. This outfit signified the captain stasis of the squadron. (Note: The outfit was modeled to look like an Obelisk Force uniform designed after Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman. Just as the Buster Brigadier uniform was designed after an Obelisk Force uniform with Buster Blader as inspiration.) From the figure, it was obvious it was a female. The Duel Disk also slightly differed from the other Duel Disks the Buster Brigadiers used, as it had a white screen border.
"I've received a report from Noro that the Lancers are in the Xyz Dimension causing a nuisance. Just enough to set my Arc-Area Project behind schedule. I want you to take care of them. Is that understood?"
"Like, no probs, Professor. We'll mop up the mess." The silver-haired woman assured him. "Y'know, y'shoulda sent us instead of that Aster Phoenix in the first place. But, like, oh, well. We all learn from our mistakes." "Yes, don't you fret. Heartland City will soon be sterilized of that riffraff — right, sister?" The blonde looked at the silver-haired one, who smiled maliciously. "Totes!"
"I should hope so." Lady Minerva replied. "After all, we have the two of you, the notorious Tyler Sister twins, Grace and Gloria, to deal with them. But do not take them lightly. They have proven themselves to be a threat."
"Which is why we're sending this many reinforcements to Commander Phoenix." Hydromancy explained the reason for so many personnel present.
"Dennis, you are to accompany them to help familiarize them with the Lancers' tactics and mentalities. Understood?" Lady Minerva asked. Dennis confirmed, "Yes, ma'am! Don't you worry, I won't fail another mission! At least, not twice in a row." "I should hope not."
"But please, remind me why you brought Iggy Arlo from the Standard Dimension here?" Hydromancy asked curiously. "I have to get my revenge on Yuya Sakaki. No matter what. And this is my best chance at doing so." Iggy simply replied, which seemed to be satisfactory for her. "Fair enough."
"Captain Perceptra of Sigma Squad." Lady Minerva addressed the female Chaos Inquisition squad captain, who stood at attention. "You're to aid Aster in finally eliminating the Resistance and wrapping up our operations there. Understood?" "Understood, milady!" The captain answered with a salute.
Leo then added another command. "Our Synchro Dimension Division has reported that the Lancers are also still in the Synchro Dimension. Most likely, they were split because of that wormhole that was created by Roget's transporter. If you find either Celina and or Zuzu in Xyz, report immediately and I'll send Yuri there."
Hearing Zuzu and Celina's names, Dennis was reminded about Zuzu and Sora's presence in the Fusion Dimension. "Umm, about that Professor..."
"You're a dueltainer like Yuya, right? And I've heard you dueled with him. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
Dennis felt like the words were stuck in his throat, as Sora's words came back unexpectantly. "What is it, Mcfield?" Leo and the others were confused on why he went silent.
"It... it's nothing. Forget it..." Dennis replied after a few moments of silence. "Very well. You may go now." Leo's dismissal signaled all of them to depart for Xyz.
As they walked to the transporter, Dennis covered half of his face, furrowed his brows, and a drop of sweat formed on his face. "Why can't I say it...?"
Yuri's Quarter - Duel Academy - Fusion Dimension
Yuri was lying in bed, holding his head with both hands. His uniform was scattered on the ground, leaving him in a black shirt and light blue pants. His face was full of sweat, and he was panting hard. Yuri growled as another image like a broken video came into his head.
"What's happening to me? Ever since I got back from the Synchro Dimension, I've been having these headaches with images. They feel like memories, but there's no way I would've forgotten something like them. But they all seem to center around two girls. But I can't see their faces. One has silver hair in a braid and other has a yellow bow in her hair...
Celina...?" Yuri thought for a second. "No. That can't be. We would've remembered each other if we met before."
A knock interrupted Yuri's thought. He sat up, holding his head with his right hand, while the other supported him while he sat. "Who is it?" He asked in an annoyed tone. It was obvious he didn't want to be bothered right now.
"It's me, Yuri."
Hearing that it was the Professor, Yuri quickly got redressed while trying to look normal. Slowly opening the door, he greeted the Professor. "How may I help you, Professor?" Yuri asked politely.
"I've noticed that you're not feeling well after returning from the Synchro Dimension. I'm ordering you to tell me why."
Because Leo ordered it, there was no way Yuri could disobey him. Yuri sighed in defeat and reluctance before answering, "I've been plagued with headaches and have been seeing flashes of images..."
"Images?"
Yuri put a hand to his head as he continued. "They feel like memories... always centered around two girls... I don't know why, but they seem familiar." Unknown to Yuri, as he was explaining, Leo narrowed his eyes.
"Could it be that it's because he met Celina...?" Leo tightened his fist.
"Yuri, I'm ordering that you are to have a medical checkup now. I need you in your best condition to complete the Arc-Area Project."
"...Understood..." Yuri relented to the Professor's order. Leo then motioned Yuri to follow him, which the boy did. As they went to the clinic, Leo briefly glanced at Yuri. "He mustn't be allowed to remember... Not when we are so close!"
Unknown to either of them, Madame Chaos seethed from her quarters as she watched them from her room; hidden by the door so they wouldn't see her. Tightening her right hand on the door handle, she quietly thought with venomous intent from the door opening. "One day... you'll pay for everything you've done to all of us... Professor..." Madame Chaos then quietly closed her door as they faded from her sight.
Head Commander Office - Duel Academy Base - Heartland City - Xyz Dimension
Aster sat his office with clenched fists on his desk as he thought about Yuya. His shoulders and fists shook violently as he reached for the torn half of Smile World on his desk. "There gotta be a reason I couldn't beat that kid!" Aster angrily said to himself. Looking at the card, Aster made a vow. "I will eliminate him. Yuya Sakaki, we have business."
Just then, a duelist in a blue blazer entered his office. "Sir!" "What is it?" Aster questioned.
"The Professor's reinforcements have arrived!"
"What?"
Head Commander Office - Duel Academy Base - Heartland City - Xyz Dimension
Aster arrived in the room where the teleportation device was kept. The device powered down as the duelists that were transported there exited the machine. Dennis was followed by the Tyler Sisters, followed by Iggy, the Chaos Inquisition, and Obelisk Force.
"Well, well, if it isn't Commander Frowny Mcfrowny face." Grace taunted. "Settle down, Grace. A little respect." Gloria scolded.
"What are you doing here?" Aster demanded. Gloria answered, "Commander Phoenix, the Professor has sent us to your dimension to wipe out the Lancers." "How does he know they're here?"
"Simple, Noro told us." Dennis replied, causing Aster to immediately look at the man with a pocket watch, who was trying to sneak away. His cold glare stopped the man as he looked at Aster with a pale face. "Noro... you asked for reinforcements without my permission?!" Aster intensified his glare as he walked over to his second-in-command.
Sweat formed on Noro's face as Aster looked coldly at him. "Y-yes... But I-I thought it was a-a necessary thing to do! After hearing about the Lancers, I thought that it should've been reported that they were here!"
"Permission or not, it was the right thing to do." The interjection from Captain Perceptra got Noro and Aster's attention. "The Lancers are getting on the Professor's nerves, so it was wise to tell him they were here." Aster looked at the woman in a questioning way, confused on why she spoke up for Noro and who she was.
"Pardon me for not introducing myself first, Commander Phoenix." The Chaos Inquisition squadron captain then saluted Aster. "Chaos Inquisition. Sigma Squad. Captain Perceptra. Reporting for duty, sir! I've been tasked with assisting you with finally ending the Resistance and finishing up our operations here in any way possible."
Aster sighed. "Well, fine. You may proceed with your missions. However, if you find Yuya Sakaki, capture him, no matter what."
"Why sir?"
"For some reason, I can't seem to card the boy. I don't know why, but somehow he seems to be immune to the Human Sealing Technology."
The new arrivals were shocked. "Yuya's... immune to... the Human Sealing Technology?" Dennis asked hesitantly. "Are you, like, sure about this?" Grace asked.
Aster confirmed. "Positive. I carded a member of the Resistance beforehand, so I know the technology was in working condition."
Captain Perceptra then acknowledged the threat. "If the Resistance finds a way to prevent themselves from being turned into cards, it will mean trouble for us." "Then it is imperative that we find and capture the boy, before those pests find a way to harness that ability." Gloria summarized.
Duel Sancutary - Heartland City - Xyz Dimension
Yuya was surrounded by the Resistance members while Shay, Gong, Sylvio, and Celina were watching from the sidelines. All of them were looking at Yuya with anticipation, which made the latter nervous.
"Here goes nothing..." Taking a deep breath, Yuya then extended his right hand towards the cards of Resistance members that they were able to retrieve during the second raid before Duel Academy took them. The cards were enveloped in a bright light, and when it died down, the Resistance members that were turned into cards were back to normal.
The carded Resistance members woke up and looked around, confused. One of them asked, "Why are we in the Duel Sanctuary?"
"They're really back!" The Resistance members who were spectating broke out in joy as they welcomed their comrades back. Yuya smiled in happiness at the reunion, as did the other Lancers.
"Great job, Yuya! But how come you never did this before?" Sylvio asked. Yuya sweatdropped as he held his pendant. "I just found out about this, remember?"
"Since we all tried to use that pendant, it would seem that you're the only one that can use it." Shay commented, as they all remembered the fact. After Yuya turned Allen back to normal, Yuya was bombarded with questions. Revealing that it was his pendant that caused it, they all took turns trying to use it, but to no avail.
"If we only had the tech to do research on it, then we'd be closer to returning all those who were sealed into cards." Celina sighed. Shay then reminded them, "Declan would be able to fix that problem, but he's still in the Synchro Dimension. And let's not forget, we would still need the people who were sealed to return them to normal too."
"That Commander Phoenix that you dueled must have an idea where the cards are and access to a dimensional teleportation device. If we can make him spill everything, we'd be closer to ending this war!" Sylvio confidently said.
Yuya went silent upon the mention of Commander Aster Phoenix. The man had fought his father, so he may have been the last one to see him. "The fact that Aster is looking for my dad means he wasn't sealed." Yuya thought. "But what caused him to hate my dad so much?"
"I'm going out for a bit." Yuya told his friends. "You're gonna go alone? Gong will go with ya!" Gong volunteered. "No. It's alright. I can't be turned into a card, remember? If anything happens, I'll call you." Yuya smiled at his friend in assurance.
Celina then said, "Then be safe. After lunch, we're going out as well. We're going to need to retrieve the cards that the warriors of Duel Academy are carrying. Plus, we need to interrogate them on where their base is."
Shay nodded in agreement. "Be careful Yuya. Call us immediately if you find anything. We're going to try and make a plan on how we're going to retrieve the people who were turned into cards."
As Yuya left, Sylvio, Shay, and Gong joined their Resistance friends. Celina, on the other hand, went looking for Allen. She found him with Saya who told him about what had happened after Aster carded him. "And that's how you were returned to normal. I'm glad you're okay Allen." Saya finished her explanation, but Allen wasn't looking very happy about it. "Yeah..."
Allen suddenly was kicked in the back by Celina, who was twitching her brows in irritation. This surprised Saya, who looked at Celina and then Allen. Landing on his face, Allen looked at Celina with a face of anger mixed with confusion. "Ow! Why'd you do that for?!"
"For what you said before running off." Celina answered, her face void of regret. "I don't know what kind of person Yuya's dad is, and personally, I don't care. But Yuya's a different matter. He's a guy who would never abandon his friends.
Just because he's Yusho's son, means he is the same?" Celina questioned as she grabbed Allen by the poncho and looked at him in the eye. "You should know better than to judge someone based on only their background. So stop judging him before knowing him." Pushing him to the ground, Celina made Allen land near Saya.
"On top of that, from what I heard, Yusho is a wonderful and dependable teacher. If you're his student, then aren't you supposed have more faith in him?" Leaving the dumbstruck Allen and Saya, Celina calmly joined the others, as if nothing had happened.
"Allen... I'm in agreement with Celina." Saya finally spoke up. "Actually, I never thought Yusho Sakaki abandoned us. I don't know why you came to that conclusion in the first place. But putting that aside, you know it's wrong to treat Yuya like a coward without getting to know him. Even if Yusho did abandon us."
Allen opened his mouth to retort, but Saya place a finger on his mouth, silencing him. "Above that, Yuya saved me. He knew if he did that, he would be turned into a card... and returned you from being one yourself."
Saya stood, intending to meet with their friends who were returned to normal. Facing Allen before leaving, Saya then said, "You have to thank Yuya later. Shay and Yuto have placed their faith in him, and I have decided I will too."
Allen was speechless as he watched Saya leave. He leaned on a nearby wall as he watched Saya interact with their comrades that Yuya had freed from being cards. Allen's gaze softened seeing his friends cry tears of joy after returning to normal. Thinking about what Celina and Saya had just told him, he sighed in frustration as he covered his face with his hand.
Streets - Heartland City - Xyz Dimension
"I'm glad that worked! Now we're able to return everyone back to normal." Yuya told Yuto, who smiled in relief. "Yeah. I'm glad that we finally found a way to change everyone back. Now we can save everyone!"
"Still, I have wonder what else my pendant can do... Before I just thought it was a gift from dad, but now we know it's something extremely special." Yuya said to no one in particular as he looked at his pendant with a smile.
"By the way, are you alright?" Yuto asked, concerned. Yuya looked back at his xyz counterpart. "Just a little tired, why?"
"I'm thinking you may be feeling the side-effects of using that power. It may exhaust you if you use it too frequently." Yuto stared at Yuya's face and checked for any signs of exhaustion.
"I'm fine Yuto. Really. I'll take plenty of rest after this." Yuya's thumbs up while smiling wide assured his lookalike.
"Just be careful. You can count on the rest of us to help." Yuto would've patted Yuya's head upon seeing Yuya's smile, if he still had a physical body. So for now, smiling back was good enough.
Suddenly, a loud explosion followed by smoke came from just up ahead.
"Was that Kite?" Yuya asked Yuto. "Probably. Let's go!"
When Yuya arrived, he found that their hunch was right. Kite had just defeated three Fusion Dimension warriors. Near them, Yuya noticed ten cards lying on the ground. The count was six adults and four children. "Guess Kite must've run into them after they were turned into cards."
When Kite attempted to turn the Fusion Warriors into cards despite their pleas, Yuya took immediate action. "Stop it, Kite!" Yuya grasped Kite's hand as he was about to press the button.
"You again. Don't get in my way!" Kite slapped Yuya's hand away and pointed to the cards on the ground. "These guys just turned those people into cards after they were begging to be spared, and now they have the nerve to do the same thing! They deserve to get what's coming to them!"
Yuya just walked over to the carded people and kneeled. He repeated what he did before, as a bright light enshrouded them and blinded Kite and the Duel Academy warriors. When they opened their eyes, they were shocked to see the people were back to normal.
"No way... he turned them back?!" The Duel Academy duelist with a yellow blazer uttered in disbelief. "They've found a way to restore the people we carded?!" One of the red Duel Academy warriors added.
Kite was staring wide-eyed at the scene as Yuya tried to calm down the family who were thanking him while happily crying. After calming them down, Yuya then turned to Kite again.
"Kite, I finally found a way to restore the people that were sealed. Now all we have to do is retrieve the cards and then we can save them!" Yuya told Kite, who was still a bit surprised.
"I know that if we leave these guys alone, they'll probably do the same thing. But we can't duel down to their level. So please Kite, come back and help us."
"Not happening. These guys will do the same thing even if you can turn people back to normal! They deserve their fate!" Kite glared at the Duel Academy duelists as they cowered before him.
"Dueling is for fun and to make people smile! Isn't that what my dad taught you?!" "Your... dad?" Kite was confused by what Yuya meant. Then he remembered what Shay had said when he told him to trust Yuya. His last name. "Wait... you're the son of Yusho Sakaki?!" When Yuya nodded in confirmation, Kite's eyes grew bigger.
"I thought he was related to Mr. Sakaki, but I didn't realize he was his son! Come to think of it, he never talked much about his own family. So does that mean Yusho Sakaki came from another dimension?"
"You don't think that my dad ran away like Allen does, do you?" Yuya hesitantly asked.
"Of course not!"
Kite's quick reply startled Yuya. Kite realized how quickly he had answered. Turning his head away from Yuya, he muttered softly. "I never thought of him like that...
I always thought of him as a teacher who was bright as the sun." Kite confessed to Yuya, who was surprised at how Kite spoke about his father. "His radiance shined through everyone. His dueling entrancing everyone around him, awing both duelists and spectators alike. I was able to become the best in Clover, partially thanks to him. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have grown so much alone - "
Kite then gasped as he realized what he just said. "I couldn't grow so much alone...? Did I just...?"
"Kite..." Yuya seemed to understand Kite's confusion and the contradiction he just made. "Kite said he doesn't need others, but he just told me that he couldn't grow so much alone without my dad. Could it be that..."
"I finally found you, Yuya Sakaki!"
Yuya and Kite were on guard, covering the civilians the moment they heard the voice. But when Yuya looked in the direction of who it was, he gasped.
"Remember me, Yuya? 'Cause you better believe I haven't forgotten you! It is time... for payback!" Iggy Arlo stood on top of a ruined building with a squad of Duel Academy warriors, terrifying the civilians.
"Iggy Arlo?! I haven't seen you since our crazy duel in the Arc League Championship! What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to make things right, Yuya." Iggy's eyes narrowed as he remembered. "After you beat me, nothing has been the same. Especially at my school. I had the stink of defeat on me. No one wanted anything to do with me. So I turned inward and began to train, letting the pain of losing fuel me through the long nights. But my focus was lacking... that is, until..."
"If you really want another chance at Yuya, you'll need to find him first. And I can help." Iggy then remembered how Dennis came to the school while he was training at night and offered him a chance to find and duel Yuya.
"Dennis brought me to the Fusion Dimension, and gave me the chance to find you. And now that I have, I'm going to finally prove who the best duelist truly is!" The Duel Academy squad behind Iggy advanced on the civilians.
Yuya gritted his teeth and growled. Kite looked at the people Yuya freed as the parents hugged their children in fear. He got a sense of déjà vu as he remembered how his family got carded.
The bitter memories of how frustrated he was and the self-hatred of his inability to protect them were interrupted when Yuya told him, "Kite, you protect them. If it's you, I know you can keep them safe." Kite stared hard at Yuya before looking at the civilians, who wordlessly pleaded him to help them. The children's cries were just like the children that often watched him dueling, cheering him like he was their hero.
"Stay behind me and don't move!" Kite ordered them as he got into his battle stance. They did as he told them. Yuya and Yuto smiled at the scene.
"Alright. C'mon, let's do this, Iggy!" Yuya told the fallen ace of Bandit Warrior Academy, who just smiled and leapt down from the building. As soon as he landed, he activated his black-trimmed dark yellow Duel Academy Duel Disk's violet blade and assumed his battle position.
"I hope you know what you're doing." Yuto said worryingly. Yuya then activated his Duel Disk's yellow blade. "Yeah, me, too. And I guess we're about to find out!"
GENERATING ACTION FIELD: CROSSOVER
[Let's duel!]
"I'll go first. I'll activate the spell card Polymerization! With it, I'll fuse Kaiki the Unity Star(ATK: 1000/DEF: 2100/LV: 5) and Hayate the Earth Star(ATK: 2100/DEF: 0/LV: 5)." Iggy did multiple martial art poses as he chanted. "And now from these two... will come one... and will come with your deservingly painful defeat! I Fusion Summon... Idaten the Conqueror Star(ATK: 3000/DEF: 2200/LV: 10)!"
"He played that in our last duel!" Yuya breathed. "Then I'll place one card facedown and end my turn." Iggy then taunted Yuya with a beckoning hand gesture. "You disrespected me in our last duel, but I'm the one who will humiliate you this time."
Yuto emerged from Yuya with a puzzled face. "What happened between the two of you?" "Iggy was the most brutal person in the Championship until he faced me." Yuya sadly lowered his head. "I lost control and became worst than Iggy ever was.
But that was then." Yuya's face became full of determination. "I draw! I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale 3 Xiangke Magician(ATK: 2500/DEF: 500/LV: 7/PS: 3) and Scale 8 Xiangsheng Magician(ATK: 500/DEF: 1500/LV: 4/PS: 8)! I'm taking control of this duel, starting now! I can summon monsters from levels 4 through 7, all at the same time! Swing far, pendulum. Carve the arc of victory! My monsters are ready... to swing into action!
Earn your stripes, Performapal Salutiger(ATK: 1700/DEF: 500/LV: 4)! Snap to it, Performapal Whip Snake(ATK: 1700/DEF: 900/LV: 4)! Drum it up, Performapal Drummerilla(ATK: 1600/DEF: 900/LV: 5/PS: 2)!"
"Wow! He summoned so many monsters all at once!" The oldest boy of the group commented. The only girl of the group squealed, "Those monsters are so cute!"
Yuya clutched his pendant. "Iggy wants payback, and I don't blame him. Because I was fueled by rage and went overboard. I can't be like that again, and I won't! As long as I keep dueltaining!"
"Next, I overlay Performapal Salutiger and Whip Snake!" Salutiger and Whip Snake turned into yellow energies that entered the Overlay Network. "Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons! I Xyz Summon... Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/RK: 4/OU: 2)!"
Iggy just smirked. "And like in our first duel, by using one overlay unit, the attack points of your Idaten are zip-zapped in half! And then Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon gets charged up with those attack points!"
Idaten the Conqueror Star(ATK: 3000 = 1500/DEF: 2200/LV: 10)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 2500 = 4000/DEF: 2000/RK: 4/OU: 2 = 1)
"This is how you beat me last time, but... this time will be very different and all thanks to my fusion monster! Since it lost attack points, I can resurrect Kaiki the Unity Star back from the graveyard!" Iggy's smile faded as he clutched his face with his right hand as a purple aura painfully drained 500 life points from him.
IGGY LP: 4000 = 3500
"Uh, you okay?" Yuya asked in concern. When Iggy revealed that his face had dark colored markings. "Yeah, no. Not okay!"
"You're going to fall hard, Yuya, and I'm going to enjoy watching it. By paying 500 life points, Kaiki lets me Fusion Summon without Polymerization!" Yuya was surprised. "No!" "Yes! And now that's precisely what I intend to do, Yuya!
I fuse Kaiki the Unity Star and Idaten the Conqueror Star! So bear witness, Yuya, as my two monsters combine and become legend!" Kaiki had a weird circle behind it when it was sent to the Fusion Vortex as Iggy assumed a fighting stance. "Show yourself, Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 12)!"
"Three heads, four arms but no attack points?" Yuya was perplexed on why Iggy summoned a monster like it.
"That's hardly a concern because with Shura in play, the attack points of all other monsters on the field become zero!" Shura's lower arms came together in a channeling pose and emitted waves that lowered Yuya's monsters' attack points to zero.
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 4000 = 0/DEF: 2000/RK: 4/OU: 1)
Performapal Drummerilla(ATK: 1600 = 0/DEF: 900/LV: 5/PS: 2)
"You're kidding me!" Yuya looked at his monsters in surprise. "No, Yuya, it's as real as it gets. When our monsters battle, they gain attack points equal to their levels times 200. But your dragon is an xyz monster, and xyz monsters don't have levels. So from here on out, its attack points will be zero! In other words, your dragon's just had its wings clipped.
Of course, due to Kaiki's curse, there's a price I must pay for utilizing these most magnificent powers. When I have a fusion monster, I take 500 points of damage during each of my turns." A ghostly image of Kaiki with its magic circle behind appeared behind Iggy. It was as if it was haunting and possessing him.
Iggy clenched his right hand into a fist as he continued. "But that's a price I'll gladly pay because, I'd do anything to make you suffer as I have! You don't know what it's like to hurt every day." "You're wrong!" Yuya retorted. "I don't think so, Yuya! But you will!" Iggy pointed at Yuya as he smiled malevolently.
"Oh, man! Iggy isn't joking. He's willing to hurt himself just to hurt me more. He's out of control like how I was during our first duel. I have to show him there's a better way because I failed to show him that before." Yuya clenched his right fist as he remembered his failure to help Iggy.
Raising his hand to Xiangke Magician, Yuya yelled, "I activate Xiangke Magician's Pendulum Ability! It abracadabra's Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's rank into a level!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 0/DEF: 2000/RK: 4 = LV: 4/OU: 1)
"It has a level instead of a rank?!" Iggy was surprised that Yuya had a countermeasure for his monster's special ability. Kite was also surprised at the move, as he took a glance at the duel after defeating one of the Duel Academy duelists.
"Although... its level is so low that it can't destroy Shura anyway!"
"Well then, it's a good thing I can use Xiangsheng Magician's Pendulum Ability! Now Dark Rebellion Dragon's level becomes the same as Shura's!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 0/DEF: 2000/LV: 4 = 12/OU: 1)
"And now it's time to tussle! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, attack Shura!"
"We'll see about that!" Iggy growled as he began to rush for an Action Card.
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 0 = 2400/DEF: 0/LV: 12)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 0 = 2400/DEF: 2000/LV: 12/OU: 1)
Yuya also ran for an Action Card. "And now I'll play Drummerilla's ability! It drums up my dragon's attack points by 600!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 2400 = 3000/DEF: 2000/LV: 12/OU: 1)
"No!" Iggy then saw an Action Card and knocked Yuya in the air as he swiped it.
Kite saw this as he finished defeating the Fusion Warriors. "He uses a method like that, and he's calling Yuya unfair? What a jerk!" Kite narrowed his eyes at Iggy as the fusion duelists ran away.
After getting the Action Card, Iggy did a backflip to where he was previously. "I play the Action Spell Choice Choice! I can choose to prevent my monster from being destroyed or cutting the damage I take in half! So I choose to save my Shura!" "You're gonna hurt yourself again!" Yuya exclaimed. The two monsters collided, but neither was destroyed. Iggy covered himself with his left arm as he received the damage.
IGGY LP: 3500 = 2900
As Dark Rebellion landed, Yuya concluded his turn. "Now that the battle's over, my dragon's power up, powers down." "As does Shura's."
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 2400 = 0/DEF: 0/LV: 12)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 3000 = 0/DEF: 2000/LV: 12/OU: 1)
"So, you though? Is that the best you've got?" Iggy questioned Yuya.
"Nah, my best is way better. You just wait." Yuya said as he set a card. Looking at Dark Rebellion, he apologized. "Sorry pal, but now your level changes back into a rank."
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 3000 = 0/DEF: 2000/LV: 12 = RK: 4/OU: 1)
"My draw!" Right after Iggy drew, he screamed in pain as his body became covered in markings that were similar to the ones on his face.
IGGY LP: 2900 = 2400
"500 points of damage never felt so good!" Iggy then smiled, despite the pain he felt.
"Iggy, you aren't looking so great." Yuya said in concern. Iggy smiled as he looked at his right hand and retorted, "Who cares how I look when such power flows through me! Power I'll use to defeat you!" Iggy let out a maniacal laugh as Yuya looked at him in concern.
"I equip Shura with Shooting Star Sword! So now, when Shura destroys a lower level monster in battle, Shura can attack again!" Iggy gave Shura a glaive that it twirled around in its upper right hand before brandishing it toward Yuya's monsters.
"Oh, no!"
"Now let's get to the good part! Shura, give Drummerilla a beat down!" Iggy's order motioned Shura to jump into the air, charging at Drummerilla.
"The only way out of this is to get an Action Card!" Yuya ran looking for one, but Iggy wouldn't allow it to happen. He charged at Yuya yelling and kicked him to the ground as he used him as a springboard to grab an Action Card on top of a pole. "I'll be taking this!
And now, due to Shura's special ability, our monsters gain attack points equal to their level times 200!"
Performapal Drummerilla(ATK: 0 = 1000/DEF: 900/LV: 5/PS: 2)
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 0 = 2400/DEF: 0/LV: 12)
Realizing he couldn't stop the damage, Yuya raised his arm to his Performapal. "Okay Drummerilla, it's time to drum up some attack points!"
Performapal Drummerilla(ATK: 1000 = 1600/DEF: 900/LV: 5/PS: 2)
"Good thing I snagged this then! The Action Spell Charge Recklessly! It raises Shura's points by 600!"
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 2400 = 3000/DEF: 0/LV: 12)
YUYA LP: 4000 = 2600
"You're looking a little worse for wear, Yuya, and things are only gonna get worse!" Iggy commented as Yuya braced himself from the destruction of his monster.
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 3000 = 0/DEF: 0/LV: 12)
"Since Shura is equipped with Shooting Star Sword, it can now attack again! And attack it will! And while my Shura gains 2400 points, your dragon gains none!"
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 0 = 2400/DEF: 0/LV: 12)
Yuya scrambled for an Action Card. When Iggy tried to stop him, he was immensely surprised when he was blocked by Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. This allowed Yuya to get the Action Card he needed. "I play the Action Spell Restore! Thanks to its help, I can restore my dragon's attack points!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 0 = 2500/DEF: 2000/RK: 4/OU: 1)
"Whoa! It's back to full power now!" One of the civilians commented.
Iggy retrieved another Action Card that was nearby him. "In that case, I play the Action Spell Double Attack! Now Shura's twice as strong!" The power boost extended Shura's glaive.
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 2400 = 4800/DEF: 0/LV: 12)
Yuya jumped among the boards and spotted another Action Card. As he jumped for it, he fell just short of it. Fortunately, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon used its body as a higher platform, so Yuya was able to get the card. "I activate Evasion, so my dragon's able to dodge your attack!" As Shura closed in on Dark Rebellion, the dragon dodged the attack by flying it and Yuya to the side.
"Blast it! Your turn!" Iggy cursed.
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 4800 = 0/DEF: 0/LV: 12)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 2500 = 0/DEF: 2000/RK: 4/OU: 1)
Dark Rebellion lowered Yuya to the ground as it landed. At the same time, the children were amazed with Yuya's duel.
"Okay, I draw!" Yuya saw he drew the Performapal he needed. "First I'll start by bringing the beat back from my Extra Deck! Nice to see you again, Drummerilla! And I'll add a little flare with Performapal Pyrobster(ATK: 0/DEF: 180o/LV: 4)!"
"Wait, how could he summon that ape again?" The one of the children wondered. "A pendulum monster is sent to the Extra Deck when its destroyed, so it can be revived again." Kite explained. "Really?! That's so awesome!" The oldest child's comment caused the children to cheer for Yuya.
The way the children cheered for Yuya caused Kite to remember better times. The times when the children wore big, happy, sparkling smiles whenever they watched him and Shay duel, looking at them like heroes. Warm feelings started to form as Kite reminisced the time he had with his family, friends, and the children he laughed and smiled with.
"Next, I'll once again use Xiangke Magician's Pendulum Ability to change Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon's rank into a level!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 0/DEF: 2000/RK: 4 = LV: 4/OU: 1)
"And just like last time, thanks to Xiangsheng Magician's Pendulum Ability, my dragon's level becomes the same as Shura's
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 0/DEF: 2000/LV: 4 = LV: 12/OU: 1)
"Yeah, same move as last time. And what good did it get ya?" Iggy retorted.
"It got me the chance to do this. By using one overlay unit, Shura's attack points are cut in half and then my dragon gains them!"
"But half of nothing is still nothing! So your dragon doesn't gain a thing!" Iggy asked. "That's true, but I've got something else planned!" Yuya told him.
"Something else?"
Yuya then glanced at the civilians watching the duel. "I don't know if this will stop Iggy, but I don't want these people to only feel pain from dueling. I need to remind them that dueling is to bring smiles and happiness, not fear."
"I now activate Performapal Pyrobster's special ability! I change Shura's level to the total of the two Performapals' levels in my graveyard!"
"Hmm, I see. So you used an overlay unit because you needed another Performapal in your graveyard!" Iggy guessed.
"That's right. And now the combined levels of the Performapals in my graveyard add up to, wait for it..." The spirits of Salutiger and Whip Snake entered Pyrobster's ammunition. "Wait for it..." Pyrobster the loaded its cannons and shot them into the air and created a firework that was in the shape of the level that Shura became. "Eight!"
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 0/DEF: 0/LV: 12 = 8)
Iggy growled and started running for an Action Card.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, it's the moment you've all been waiting for." The civilians were drawn in, curiously wondering what was next while the children cheered. Kite then saw Yuya superimposed with a familiar image of a person he knew. He then uttered that person's name. "Mr. Sakaki?"
"It's now showtime! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon attack!" "Due to my Shura's special ability, your Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon is 800 attack points stronger than it now."
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 0 = 1600/DEF: 0/LV: 8)
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 0 = 2400/DEF: 2000/LV: 12/OU: 0)
"Not just 800! Drummerilla's drum rolling 600 attack points Dark Rebellion's way!"
Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(ATK: 2400 = 3000/DEF: 2000/LV: 12/OU: 0)
Iggy started looking frantically for an Action Card. "Blast! To survive, I'll need to find an Action Card! But there isn't one in sight!" Iggy halted upon that realization. "Still, I must get my revenge! I must do something!"
"Time for Plan B. I play a trap! Radiance of the Forbidden Spell!" Iggy declared as he descended between the batting monsters. "But to activate it, I must pay half my life points!"
IGGY LP: 2400 = 1200
The ground glowed as the trap's effect began. As the ground exploded, Iggy explained the effect. "Now all open Zones on my field can no longer be used, but my monster gains 800 attack points for each of those Zones!"
Shura the Combat Star(ATK: 1600 = 4800/DEF: 0/LV: 8)
Yuya braced himself as the ground exploded, leaving him and Iggy each standing on a column.
YUYA LP: 2600 = 800
"And now that this battle's over, all your monsters are switched to Defense Mode, but my Shura is destroyed." Yuya's Performapals were shocked as the effect made them go on the defensive, and Shura vaporized itself.
"You know, Yuya, this is more than just our last match. I doubt you recall, but we've crossed paths, and I've despised you ever since!" Iggy's claim surprised Yuya.
"It was years ago. I was headed to my duel school when I saw you training. You were so happy, so full of joy. I was jealous, Yuya!" Iggy flashed back to when they were children and he saw Yuya training with his father on a riverbank as Ryozan Godagawa led him to the Bandit Warrior duel school.
"But I will be jealous no more! Because if I can't have joy, you can't either!"
"But you can have it!" Iggy furiously rebuffed Yuya's claim. "Your words lie!
Radiance of the Forbidden Spell has another effect! After the battle ends, we both take damage equal to the number of Monster Zones that I can no longer use times 500!"
"Say what?!" Yuya and the others were shocked. "That's 2000 points of damage per duelist!" A civilian commented. Kite added, "They'll both lose!"
"This is what it's come to, Yuya! If I can't win, then neither can you!" The pillar that Iggy stood on began to crack. When it crumbled apart, Iggy fell manically laughing into the pit.
"Iggy!" Yuya called out in concern, before his own pillar collapsed too. "Yuya!" Kite called out as Yuya began to fall as well.
"No Iggy! I'm not going to let it end like this! I activate my trap, Acrobatic Tower!" Yuya tributed his Pyrobster to activate his trap. Lights then rose from the abyss, which turned into their monsters that were sent to the graveyard. Idaten caught Iggy, while Dark Rebellion caught Yuya on its back.
The girl of the group chuckled in relief as she said, "All right!" Kite also breathed out a sigh of relief without realizing it.
The monsters that belonged to their respective duelists landed by their owners' sides. "What are you doing?" Iggy asked as he landed. "You said that we take damage after the battle ends, but by playing my trap, I'm continuing the battle!" Yuya raised his hands as all the monsters became lights that were colored to their attributes.
A tower with a black and blueish-green spiral pattern with a five-pointed star on top rose from the hole. Then various sized balls with cartoonish versions of the monsters' faces stacked on top of it.
"What is that?" Iggy asked, looking at the wobbling tower as his marks disappeared. "A wobble of wonder, Acrobatic Tower." Yuya replied.
"I took all our monsters in our graveyards and fields, that's nine of them if you're counting, and stacked them up into a tower! Look at those nine balls balance precariously! Don't tip over!"
The spotlight shone on Yuya and Iggy as Yuya explained Acrobatic Tower's effect.
"Now comes the fun part. We both draw two cards from our deck. If either of us draws a monster card, we gotta place it on top of this wobbly tower. If it wobbles too far and drops on top of one of us, then that unfortunate fellow takes 200 points of damage for each monster!"
"So then it all comes down to these draws." Iggy smiled. "Sounds like fun. Let's do it.
On three." Yuya was glad Iggy accepted it and they both drew on the count of three. Meanwhile, Kite was seeing Yusho's image within Yuya. The way the duel was progressing was like Yusho's. Suspenseful anticipation of the gamble's outcome and that signature catchphrase. All of it was like his teacher's dueling style.
Yuya and Iggy both drew their cards and Yuya explained, "We show our cards by sending them to the graveyard." Both of them sent the card they drew to the graveyard.
"All right, it's time." Yuya's stirring up the excitement was coupled with the cards exiting their graveyards and being stacked on the tower. "My first monster is Performapal Hip Hippo(ATK: 800/DEF: 800/LV: 3)!" "Mine's Hayate the Earth Star!" Hip Hippo balanced Hayate on its right arm as it stood on its left leg, like they were acrobats.
The monsters then turned into balls, like the ones under them. "My Hippo's level 3, so it's a tiny ball. But Hayate's level 5, so it's a big ball.
That tower's not looking too steady. Looks like it's heavy on your end!" They once again sent a card to the graveyard.
"My second monster is Big Bite Turtle(ATK: 800/DEF: 1200/LV: 3/PS: 3)!" "And mine is Tenma the Sky Star(ATK: 2100/DEF: 0/LV: 5)!" Tenma stood on one foot similar to Hayate on Bit Bite Turtle's shell before they turned into balls.
The tower began to wobble frantically. "Whoa! The tower's really movin' and groovin' now! I don't see how it can keep steady and straight!" Yuya commented.
"All that sway's about to come into play!" The total levels for each players' monsters were added up. Yuya had the total of 6, while Iggy had a total of 10. "Uh-oh! Looks like it's heavier on Iggy's end!" Iggy took a step back as the balls fell towards him. "So 13 monsters are about to drop, plop, and pop!
That's a wrap!" Yuya announced as he took a bow towards the group. Once the tower fell on Iggy, a pink explosion with confetti was created. The children cheered while the adults smiled in amazement. Kite was just astounded as he began to remember one of Yusho's duels.
IGGY LP: 1200 = 0
Iggy sat up as he recovered from the impact of the tower. "I've... failed." Iggy didn't get a a chance to be depressed due to Yuya extending his hand to him.
"You haven't failed. You had fun!" Yuya reassured him. "Had fun?"
Iggy then realized that the civilians weren't just applauding Yuya, it was directed to him too. "And look, everyone else did too!"
This was a new feeling for Iggy. It was warm and familiar at the same time.
Iggy took Yuya's hand to help him stand up, as opposed to last time when he slapped it away.
"Iggy, I don't know exactly what you went through. But I can understand what it feels like." This surprised Iggy.
"It can be... painful to gain power. The cost for it could mean we lose a part of ourselves. I can't imagine anything worse than giving into your worst side." Yuya remembered all the people he had hurt when he was filled with rage.
Yuya then remembered how his mother, Zuzu, and all those who had helped him get a hold on himself. "But having people to lean on helps. No matter how many times I fell into despair, anger, or lost myself, I always had friends who helped me stand up again.
Iggy, don't close your heart off to everyone. There's no shame in making mistakes or having a loss. Because they're learning experiences that everyone must have. It's how we get stronger and better.
Accepting them is how we truly get stronger. Don't let the opinions of others cloud your perception. You forge your own path."
Kite was listening as Yuya as he talked to Iggy. It brought a memory of him and Yusho before the invasion.
Past - Park - Heartland City - Xyz Dimension
Kite and his family had gone out on a family outing in the park where he normally dueled Shay. Coincidentally, Yusho had just finished a dueltaining show in the park. Noticing him, Yusho walked over and talked with Kite.
"You have a very lovely family, Kite." Yusho complimented as he watched Kite's little brother play with their father, while their mother got lunch ready.
"Thanks. I love hanging out with my friends, but I enjoy time with my family even more." Kite replied as he waved at his little brother.
"Yes. There's nothing better than spending time with family." Yusho agreed, oddly with a sad smile. "Kite, do you cherish your bonds with your family and friends?"
"Of course I do." Kite was confused by the sudden change in topic.
"When you find yourself in a bind, don't forget you have them to help you. Having people that care about you to help you is the most important thing to remember. 'Cause then you're never truly alone." Patting Kite's back, Yusho took out a photo of him, Kite, and the rest of the Spade Branch.
"Never let go of those you care about. Or else, we'll come to regret it when we lose them. Some have only realized that when they have already lost them. Don't let that happen to you."
Present - Streets - Heartland City - Xyz Dimension
Kite remembered the importance of that moment now. "That's right. I didn't start avoiding them because I worked better on my own, it was to shield myself from the pain of losing them like I did my family. I was afraid of feeling that pain."
Kite then remembered what Shay, Celina, Yuya, and Yuto said about having friends and about his family. He then smiled and chuckled softly at his own foolishness. "They might've been right. I was grieving so much I forgot how precious those memories were to me. They're proof of the duelist and person I've become."
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Captain Perceptra appeared behind Yuya, and karate chopped him unconscious on the shoulder. "Looks like I was right to keep an eye on you, Iggy."
The sudden appearance of the Fusion Warrior captain caused Kite to be on guard again. No sooner had Perceptra knocked Yuya unconscious, a jeep filled with Duel Academy duelists appeared. The fusion duelists wore red and blue uniforms. Five of them kept Kite from approaching Yuya while two others escorted Iggy back to the jeep, with Perceptra carrying Yuya on her shoulder following suit.
"Hold it! What are you going to do with Yuya?!" Kite questioned as he watched them bring Yuya into the jeep. Perceptra answered as she climbed into the car, "He's got an appointment with Commander Phoenix. You five! Clean up this mess, then meet us back at the base."
"Roger!"
Kite was in a bind. If he went after Yuya, the civilian group would be turned into cards again. In the end, he could only watch and yell the name of the person who was his teacher's son be carted off in the jeep as it left.
"YUYA!"