Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: In a New World Redux

by SakushiRyu

Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V is about to air, and an excited youth can't wait. But when the episode starts, he is suddenly thrown into a Yu-Gi-Oh! series, ARC-V itself! Watch as he makes friends, rivals, and foes in this isekai and discovers his role in a war between dimensions and gods from the past, present, and future! (Rewrite of "Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-V In A New World") (Cover Art made by AiraAura)

15. The City

Here we are...the first chapter of the second season, the Synchro arc! This took a little longer than expected since I also had to write the Opening and the Ending, but I'm glad how the chapter overall ended up being, so I hope you readers will like it as well!

A couple of things about the Opening and the Ending. First things first, I don't own the songs, nor any of the upcoming ones (you know, the usual disclaimer). Then, a thank you to Erik who reviewed it, and to ghost83 who helped me with a certain shot regarding Manek. And now for some details about them: I'm going to repost them every two chapters with updated shots, if any; I divided the Synchro arc into two, so there will be two Openings and Endings throughout this arc, the second Opening obviously being Kirifuda (the same applies for future arcs); I'm going to write both romaji and translated versions of the songs, if any, so you can choose your own way to follow the songs and scenes; lastly, considering how many Monsters Vince has and all that, the Endings will focus on him and his children, while the Openings make sure to focus more on the other characters and events.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!

- In response to Jason's review:

"I'm also working on Overdrive as I write this, so sooner or later that will be finished as well. I sometimes tend to focus more on Redux, but by no means have I forgotten about my other story!"

- In response to Guest's review:

"Well, we're still just at the beginning, and there are many things in store for everyone. Things like that will get clearer as we progress."

- In response to HunterHQ's review:

"Things would've gone much differently then, that's for sure. As for your second point, kinda like what Leo did, giving Academia the Solid Vision so they could destroy the Xyz Dimension and card people there. That last point's an interesting use for it, I'll keep that in mind. Your last review: I actually asked that myself...Leo pretty much had the perfect chance, yet he didn't take it. I'll try to see if I can do something about that in my story. As for the Ritual Dimension, I have no plans for it, sorry."

[Using Anime/Manga Effects.]

---

Third-person POV

In the middle of a galaxy, a trio of young men were standing on a lone platform, which was equipped with modern tech such as computers, keyboards, monitors, even a printer. They weren't wearing any protective equipment like suits, but they had no trouble breathing or standing on the platform. Stars, comets, asteroids, nebulae, and milky ways surrounded them from all sides, but none of them were interested in those beautiful wonders.

"Today, the Lancers are going to head to the Synchro Dimension." one of the three, a young man with long hair and wearing glasses, stated. He placed the sheet of paper he was holding on a nearby table, which was already stacked with neatly arranged piles of sheets, as well as pens and blue highlighters. Each paper was filled with mathematical formulas and long descriptions. "The energy readings spiked up yesterday. I'm ready to bet Demiurge stuffed Vince's Extra Deck with his servants, maybe even added a few to his Main Deck."

"Agreed." a young man with spiky hair frowned. "He's making preparations for his advent."

"Yes." the long-haired man side-glanced at the sheets, eyes narrowed in concern. "The readings have been slowly—but surely—rising ever since they came to this universe. Demiurge is doing the spadework, steadily storing power and summoning his followers one by one."

"I'm surprised a bastard like him could be so efficient." the third of the three, a man with short hair and wearing a mask, scoffed. Summoning all those followers at once would be incredibly strenuous. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the D-Wheel behind him. "I pity the kid... For a selfless and cheerful guy like him to have that monster inside him must be Hell."

"He reminds me of two twins I met before joining you guys." by his smile, the two could tell pleasant memories flooded the spiky-haired man's mind. He always wore that smile whenever he thought of his old friends. "Ah, sorry. I'm getting sidetracked."

"Don't say that. I started it, so the fault's mine." the masked man reassured him. He turned his head to the long-haired man. "No changes to the plan, I presume?"

"None." he confirmed his words. "You two will shelter Vince and any Lancers that happen to be with him. We'll earn his trust much faster this way, as well as gain a more...direct method to supervise Demiurge's movements."

"You make it sound like it's getting boring to hack security cameras and listen to things through Vince's Duel Disk." the masked man chuckled.

"It does, after some time." the spiky-haired man, who's been helping the long-haired man with the said tasks, sighed in exasperation. They knew what they were doing is, in layman's terms, an invasion of privacy, but they couldn't let a monster like Demiurge roam the earth without some kind of supervision.

One of the monitors behind the long-haired man beeped. "The Lancers' meeting has started." he informed the other two while adjusting his spectacles. "Get into position, you two."

"Contact me as soon as you know where Vince'll land." the masked man reminded him, to which he nodded. He took hold of his D-Wheels, and the spiky-haired man did the same to his, which was stationed beside him.

A magic circle with a futuristic design materialized in front of them, and a swirling portal of white energy opened in it. Pushing their D-Wheels along, the two walked through it and left their H.Q.

"This universe's fate rests on our shoulders...our plan mustn't fail." the long-haired man muttered as the portal closed. "Good luck, you two."

---

Opening:

The screen shows the faces of Vince and Yuya from the side, both of them serious as they stare at the sunrise. The camera moves to the right, showing the faces of the following characters in the said order: Gongenzaka, Manek, Sawatari, Dennis who's smiling, Serena, Daphne, Yuu, Tsukikage, and lastly Shun.

The camera turns to show their backs and dashes backwards, revealing they're standing on the roof of the LDS tower. Rays of yellow, green, and blue light cover the screen, and the story's title forms over them in a burst of light.

Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: In a New World Redux

The title dissipates and the camera turns to the left. The rays of light part to reveal a very large city which occupied the entire screen.

(Zokuzoku ippai wakuwaku shōkan)

(Thrilling summons, one after another)

The camera pans to show Vince falling from the sky with a comically shocked expression and frantically waving his hands. When he passes by the camera, Yuya falls next, sporting an excited expression, and Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon materializes under him from a burst of rainbow colors.

(Kono kādo ga yondeiru)

(Are being called forth by these cards)

When he exits the shot, the other Lancers fly down as well: Gongenzaka clings to Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei's back with a nervous expression, Manek is enveloped by a green whirlwind and accompanied by the silhouette of an unknown Monster, Sawatari crouches on one knee on Abyss Actor - Funky Comedian's back, Dennis stands with a confident smirk on Performage Trapeze Magician's namesake with the said Monster, Lunalight Cat Dancer carries Serena bridal-style, Daphne sits on Spiritual Beast Cannahawk's back, Hierophant of Prophecy carries Yuu on his right shoulder, Tsukikage uses a cloth whose ends he tied around his arms and legs in order to fashion himself a makeshift wingsuit to safely glide down together with Twilight Ninja Shingetsu, and lastly Shun stands with his arms crossed on Raidraptor - Rise Falcon's back.

(Dotō no tenkai, yuke, kōka hatsudō! Otanoshimi wa saa kore kara sa)

(Unfolding by leaps and bounds, go, effect activate! The real fun, come on now, has just begun)

Odd-Eyes lands on a highway, and Yuya whips his head around in confusion as a squad of police officers riding D-Wheels come his way, all of them sporting impassive looks. The camera moves upwards, revealing the figure of an ash-blonde-haired man draped in shadows and with chess pieces around him, looking down on Yuya with an equally impassive look.

Yuzu and Serena are shown next, running towards each other as they grasp hands and spin around, the camera slowing down on Yuzu's smiling face. Their bracelets then cover the screen with pink light, and it shatters like glass, revealing the two girls but with their clothes swapped. In surprise, they look at each other, and Yuzu smiles again.

(Chāji shite bonbā! Enerugisshu ni hajimeyō, Surī, Tsū, Wan, Gō!)

(Charge, Bomber! Let's start it energetically, 3, 2, 1, go!)

The Lancers are shown once more: Reiji, Reira, Shun, Tsukikage, Yuu, Daphne, Serena, Dennis, Sawatari who throws his hair to the side, Manek, Gongenzaka, Yuya, and Vince appear in the said order in front of the camera before moving into the background. A yellow line connects them together, forming a diamond-shaped symbol in which the Lancer's logo appears.

(Aa ima tatakai no merodī kanade)

(Ah, now, let's play the melody of battle)

We're back in the large city from earlier. Hexagonal pillars emerge from the ground and then splay out into road sections which connect to each other, sprouting side-guards and Solid Vision bars.

(Hanate monsutā! Mune ni himeta jōnetsu zenbu)

(Unleash it, my monster! All that passion hidden within)

A D-Wheeler wearing a dark gray helmet with a deep red visor races across the newly-formed highway, followed seconds later by a masked D-Wheeler who had Vince in the seat behind him. The Mythorror user glances backwards with an astonished expression as a young woman riding a blood-red D-Wheel and a young man riding a horned D-Wheel speed up and tail them. Yugo who had Yuzu sitting behind him also catches up, and the pink-haired youth glances backwards as Clear Wing Synchro Dragon appears from behind them and flies across the screen.

(Nigenaide kono kizuna wo shinjite)

(Don't run away, believe in these bonds)

Clear Wing's shadow flies over an orange-haired young man who's making repairs on his black and orange D-Wheel in a broken-down district. He stands up and stares in the direction the dragon flew off, bringing a hand to cover his eyes from the sun. He cracks an amused smile.

(Hanate monsutā! Donna monda ashita wa me no mae)

(Unleash it, my monster! Whatever happens, tomorrow is right in front of our eyes)

The scene cuts to Gongenzaka and Sawatari swinging their arms to the side as they summon Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo and Abyss Actor - Superstar respectively. Susanowo's eyes flash red as it slashes at the screen, causing it to change to Serena and Manek Fusion Summoning in sync both Lunalight Sabre Dancer and an unknown Monster. Sabre Dancer spins around and the camera manages to catch a glimpse of her grin before she slashes at the screen, causing it to change to Daphne and Yuu who summon Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio and a never-before-seen 'Prophecy' Monster respectively. The 'Prophecy' Monster raises the bow it wielded and shot an arrow of light at the viewer, ensuing a colorful explosion.

(Hora dodekai ARASHI bachbachi tobashite)

(Hey, a giant thundering storm is rolling forth)

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon leaps out of the smoke, landing on a highway and running on it, followed by a plethora of 'Performapal', 'Magician', and 'Mythorror' Monsters. A smiling Yuya, who had his goggles over his eyes, and Vince were riding the dragon's back, with the latter keeping a hand above his eyes to shield them from the sun.

The camera zooms into Vince's red eye, revealing a ruined wasteland with a purple sky and black clouds. In the middle of it stood a purple silhouette, its only distinctive feature being a red left eye. There's a close-up of its face, and then a red grin with fanged teeth forms on it.

(Supīdo no mukō e!)

(To beyond the speed!)

Different slides are shown in quick sequence: Shun and Dennis Riding Dueling in a stadium, the former glancing backwards with gritted teeth at a giant Monster under Dennis's control, Reiji adjusting his spectacles in the foreground and Leo in the background with his back facing the camera, Tsukikage protecting a scared Reira, a group of five elderly people with the image of a young woman clad in a white uniform and holding up a card above them, another woman wearing a western outfit who winks and points a mic at the viewer, and lastly, a young man with blond hair standing on the same wasteland from earlier. He swipes a card onto his Duel Disk, summoning a wall of fire from which a dragon emerges and roars.

A smiling Vince raises his head, prompting the camera to zoom backwards and reveal the Lancers standing on a highway.

---

Turn 15:

The "City"

---

Sakushi Vincent's POV

Skyscrapers, no matter in which direction I looked. But even those paled in comparison to the pristine white structures rising from the ground and stretching to the Heavens up above. As if that wasn't enough, other skyscrapers made of glass were built on top of them, reflecting the sun's rays in a beautiful show of colors. They looked like castles built for the gods...

"W-Whoa..." was all I could muster, walking to the railing of the highway I'd found myself on after the teleportation concluded. I rested a hand on it and brought the other one to my forehead, shielding my eyes from the sun as I stared at the skyscrapers. The city must look beautiful at night...

"The disparity between poor and rich so distinct." Baphomet commented out of the blue.

"Eh?" I blinked twice. What was he talking about?

"Below us, my lord." Reynardine's voice was strained, disgusted even, which wasn't a good sign. I glanced in the said direction—and gasped.

Under all that beauty and ambition rested poverty. Broken-down houses and streets were all I could see, reaching the very confines of the city, or maybe even after it, not being able to spot the edges of the city from my current position made it hard to tell. Not a single house came close to the highway's height, like it would be an insult for the poor to attempt to reach the Heavens. I could spot a couple of homeless people too, sleeping on the sidewalk. Or I hope who were sleeping...

My grip on the railing tightened. Was this a society where the poor are exploited so the rich can lead lives of leisure? Where the poor, no matter what, continue to remain poor and the rich, for no reason at all, get richer...!? My amazement from earlier got replaced by disgust, and I glared at the skyscrapers. What did these people have to go through for those to be constructed? The people down below...Yugo and Rin...only they know the Hell they've been through.

"Wait, wait! My king, am I reading that sign behind you correctly?" Seth's excited voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Is that man also a king like us!?"

I raised an eyebrow and turned around, but I was nowhere near ready to see that. Correction, him. The billboard was attached to the side of a building down below, hence why I didn't notice earlier while examining the skyscrapers. After checking left and right, I ran over to the opposite railing with widened eyes.

That spiked blonde hair...those purple eyes...that outfit...that stance...the words under him which read [There is only one King, and that is me!]...

"JACK! ATLAS!?" I burst out, maybe too loudly, with a wide smile. No way! Impossible! Why was he here!? Characters from the previous series also appear in ARC-V!? Not to mention, from the main cast!? Boy oh boy, I don't know what's going on, but that sure got me excited!

"Heeh, an idol of yours?" Saleos chuckled at the face I was making. Idol? I was more of an Aki fan, but Jack was also there in my Top 5 5D's characters!

No, stop! I slapped my cheeks to calm down, focusing back on the matter at hand. It's great to see an old character appear, but I can't let that distract me! We didn't come here to have fun! There are things we must do here!

"My king, you know that human!?" Seth inquired again.

"I sure do! And yes, he's also a king!" hearing what I've said, I did a double-take. "Um, not an actual king like you, but like me...a Duel King!" well, I didn't consider myself a king, but from his perspective, that's the best way to put it.

"What a surprise." Seth breathed out, and man, his excitement was contagious. I was smiling wide again. "To think we would meet another Duel King... Ah, my king, I hope we'll get a chance to fight that man!"

Lindworm growled in agreement. "Me, too!" I shouted again but immediately slapped my cheeks. No, focus!

Demiurge sighed in exasperation. "He still hasn't noticed?"

"Any moment now, your Majesty." Hevelius chuckled.

Hmm? Notice what? I turned my head left and right again, but I still didn't understand what they... Wait. After double-checking for the second time, this time in dread, I finally noticed what was wrong. I bit the collar of my sweatshirt to muffle my scream.

"Why am I alone!?" where were the others!? Did something go wrong with the Dimension Mover!? But Reiji reassured us he had his company's best men develop it! Aaagh, 'best men' my ass!

"Now you're white as a sheet, angry and worried." Ereshkigal sounded surprised. "It's astonishing how many emotions you've experienced in mere...what, two or three minutes?"

"Of course I'm like this now, who knows what happened to the others!" I said and quickly started typing on my Duel Disk. It took me by surprise, but I won't let it get the better of me. All I needed to do was call them and regroup—

[No signal. Please try again later.]

"...Hah?" I managed to wheeze out, staring at my Duel Disk with wide eyes and a nervous smile. I slowly pressed the 'Call' option again, but the same message popped up.

[No signal. Please try again later.]

"Are you flipping serious!?" I took the device off and shook it in the air, in an attempt to calm my nerves since I knew that won't actually help in any shape or form. "Signal? This piece of junk actually needs a signal to make calls!? And why don't I have it!?"

"Could it be because we aren't in Standard anymore?" Xolotl guessed.

"If that would be the case, it doesn't make sense at all!" I whined and put my Duel Disk away.

"Why? Talking to the spirits of a children's card game makes sense?"

"That—" I blinked twice, thinking about Adaro's words. "That isn't a bad point, actually..."

"Seriously! Why do you all sound surprised when I say something intelligent!?" the merman grumbled.

Before anyone could answer him, however, the sound of a siren echoing from the distance caught our attention. Glancing to the side, a man wearing a dark gray police uniform and black sunglasses, riding what I assume was a D-Wheel, was coming my way. I'm getting serious Tetsu Ushio vibes right now...

"This is Security speaking." the man proclaimed as he stopped his vehicle a couple of meters away from me. "Get on the ground and put your hands behind your head. If you resist, I'll be forced to resort to brute strength."

"A-Ah, I'm sorry!" I quickly raised my hands in defense. Why was he saying that? I didn't do anything...except for yelling. To myself. Oh no, did someone make a report an idiot was on a highway shouting stuff to himself!? I can explain myself, officer! "I-I lost my friends and got lost—"

"This is a road exclusive to public transportation," he explained, cutting me off. "For this transgression, you're under arrest."

For the second time today, I turned white as a sheet. "...Hah?" and wheezed out with wide eyes and a nervous smile. Did...did he say I'm under arrest? That's...impossible, right?

"Whoa, not even five minutes into Synchro, and we're already in trouble!" how could you say that so calmly, Succubus!

"P-Please, wait a second!" I raised my voice to get the message through. "I said I got lost! It wasn't my intention to end up here!"

The officer scoffed, not believing the truth. "I'll repeat myself for the last time." he intoned. "Get on the ground and put your hands behind your head!"

You can't be serious! I didn't do anything! I mean, I understand I broke the law by simply standing somewhere I wasn't supposed to, but arresting me was going too far, right!? This is bad...! Were my fellow Lancers having so much bad luck themselves!?

"What's wrong, boss?" Willauk asked in confusion. "If we defeat him, we're good to go!"

"I'm afraid it won't be that easy." Snow interjected. "If we make an enemy out of the local authorities, we'll be hunted day and night as long as we're in this Dimension. It will become extremely hard to complete our mission that way."

Exactly! "But it's not like this worm is giving us an alternative." Demiurge scoffed. "We don't have time to waste in prison over something as stupid as this." dammit, he had a point, too!

VROOM!

As if to put an end to my dilemma, the sound of an engine echoed from the direction the officer came from. Both of us looked that way, seeing a pristine white D-Wheel racing towards us. Its front, which also featured four headlights, was dark green, on its left side it had a triangle with a black outline and the number 102 in it, while both sides had a strange symbol which represented a 'V' encased by two 'E's, one side black and the other white, and under that it even had the name Eve spelled out. It also had a light blue windshield—

"WHAAAA!" I couldn't complete my examination as the driver outstretched a hand and caught me by the arm before they would pass me, dragging me along. He threw me into the gap that was left between him and the back of his seat and I held onto him for dear life as he sped up, leaving the officer in the dust.

"What impeccable timing." Ixtab deadpanned. "You're saved."

You could say that again! I all but screamed in my mind, glad that a benevolent soul came to my rescue. Well, I don't know what the Hell's he thinking, pulling such a dangerous stunt, but at least he pulled me out of that pickle!

"You really are something." a male voice, extremely entertained, suddenly commented. My savior slightly turned his head to glance my way, or at least I think that's what he's doing. The mask he was wearing made it impossible to know.

By his voice, I'd say he's of the same age as Shun...no, probably two or three years older. His hair was a deep blue and styled in a similar manner to Reiji's, with the bangs falling over his face and at the base of his neck—where two long and thin ponytails were tied—being a vibrant yellow. He wore a white jumpsuit and boots that had a slightly darker shade of trims, an X-shaped white belt decorated with light blue studs and the EVE insignia at its front, a two-styled white cape with a dark green interior, and a gray and white mask with that insignia on it.

"It isn't every day you see a Common kid trying to reason with Security." he concluded his earlier statement.

"Common...?" my eyebrows furrowed.

"Hm? You aren't a Common?" the person looked back at the road, driving between a couple of cars that came up. "If you were a Top, then that officer would've obviously treated you differently. At worst, he would've left you off the hook with a simple warning."

Common, and now Top, too? Some sorts of social positions? Did he mean... I quickly glanced at the skyscrapers up above and at the slums down below. No, no way this society was rotten to that point...but at this point, I was willing to believe that was the case. Not only did they have denominations, but the rich were allowed things the poor weren't.

Incredible. I hated this Dimension already. And it happened so fast...

"No, I'm a Common." I lied to the stranger. I then looked him over for a second time. "What about you...? You're quite flashy for a Common."

"Ahaha!" it seems he didn't expect that. He let go of one of the handgrips and waved his hand around. "You're right, but I can assure you I'm a Common myself. I like to look presentable at all times, that's all. The name's Ren, by the way. No need for honorifics."

"He's acting all friendly and stuff, but don't let your guard down, Master." Ereshkigal warned me. "This could all be a ploy."

I nodded. I knew that, but thanks for the heads-up nonetheless. "Feel free to call me Vince, Ren." I smiled at him. "Thanks for the help back there. Although...is it really OK to keep going? We are technically running from the police, right?"

"Don't mind that. Security is just the Top's lapdog. Not to mention, lately, they've been treating us Commons as thorns in their side," Ren explained, prompting me to frown. "If we're caught, we'll be sent to a detention facility for things we didn't even commit. You probably for property damage or something along those lines."

"Damn those bastards...!" I muttered in anger. Who did they think they were? I didn't give a crap if you're the police or whatnot; a title doesn't give you the right to tarnish the truth.

"In this Dimension, justice is...how do you humans put it? All over the place?" I nodded to confirm Yamatochi's words, concurring with him.

The familiar sound of a siren echoed from behind us, putting an end to the conversation. We glanced backwards to see the officer from before tailing us, and he shouted into the mic attached to his helmet.

[The D-Wheel in front, please stop immediately.] whoa, that thing also came with a loudspeaker? [If you stop now, your D-Wheel will be sequestrated, but you'll be free to go. If you don't, you'll be treated as an abettor and sequentially be arrested as well.]

"He caught up to us?" Ren scoffed and turned his head back around. "The speed of Security's D-Wheels didn't use to be that fast...an upgrade? Grab on tight, Vince. I'll try to shake him off."

I did as I was told, and sure enough, Ren increased his speed even further. However, the officer did the same, and we weren't able to lose him. The feeling of the wind blowing in my face and going at such high speed...honestly, it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. I used to hate the idea of riding a motorcycle due to how dangerous they are, but I could get used to this feeling for the sake of Dueling...

Of course, without being chased by the police.

"You won't escape!" the officer exclaimed. He then started typing something on his D-Wheel's display panel. "Coercive enforcement, commence. Field Spell, Speed World Neo, set on!"

[Duel Mode, on. Auto-pilot, stand-by.] his Duel Disk declared and materialized a green energy blade. Seconds later, a purple pulse of light spread across the sky and Ren's own Duel Disk performed the same declaration and action, his energy blade being white.

The Field Spell appeared on Ren's display panel, and I quickly cast it a curious glance—wait, only ONE effect!? It can't be destroyed by card effects? Um, hello, Speed Counters where!? They actually had the guts to remove that? I loved that feature! Ugh, my disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined.

"Troublesome Duel Chaser...he forced me into a Duel." Ren sighed in annoyance. "There's no use continuing this game of tag, then."

[A Duel has commenced. A Duel has commenced. All ordinary vehicles on the route, please evacuate at once.] a loud, female robotic voice repeated over and over as the city underwent a transformation: hexagonal pillars emerged from the ground and then splayed out into road sections which connect to each other, sprouting side-guards and Solid Vision bars.

"Corrupted it may be, but this society sure loves Dueling if they can go this far." yeah, you could say that again, Snow. For a single Duel, they erected a completely new set of roads!

"Hey, Vince." I blinked in surprise. Ren's voice...as well as his posture...they changed. He sounded much more animated than before. He's annoyed he was forced into a fight, yes, but he's also...glad? "I'm a D-Wheel and Riding Duel enthusiast. I hope my performance will amaze you."

"O-Oh..." was all I could say, unsure how to react to his more excited personality. But I was pumped up myself, after all, this was the first Riding Duel I'll get to witness! On top of that, in first person and this close-up!

"Kuh, he's just a human, but he brags like he's some sort of big shot." Camazotz snorted.

Sidonia giggled. "Let's see how disappointing the Duelists of Synchro can be." oi, you two, don't ruin my mood!

The two D-Wheelers rode onto the newly formed road and Ren allowed the Duel Chaser to catch up to him. The moment he did, they sped up in unison, racing towards an incoming corner side-by-side. At the last second, however, the Duel Chaser managed to surpass us and turn the corner for first.

"Riding Duel, Acceleration!" they shouted in unison.

Duel Chaser: LP 4000

VS

Ren: LP 4000

"...He deliberately decreased his speed...?" Howard inquired no one, causing me to blink in confusion. He did? Damn, it completely escaped my notice... Why would he do that?

"Since I turned the corner for first, I'll take the first turn!" the Duel Chaser's words made my eyes widen. Ren's plan was to go second? I see...his deck must be built for going second! "I activate the Spell Card One for One! I send the Monster Card, Stygian Street Chaser from my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon the Level 1 Stygian Security from my hand!"

A small, winged demon with a siren attached to its head and holding a baton and a mic appeared.

Stygian Security: Dark / Fiend / Tuner / Effect / ATK: 100 / DEF: 600 / LV: 1

"Sty...gian?" funnily, the one who spoke up was Styx. If I recalled correctly, those Monsters were indeed named after her.

"By the looks of things, you'd have one or two followers if you were to become a law enforcer." Charon joked, albeit his tone of voice carried no humor.

"Next, I summon Assault Dog!" yet another Monster that dated back to 5D's appeared.

Assault Dog: Earth / Beast / Effect / ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800 / LV: 4

"I tune the Level 4 Assault Dog with the Level 1 Stygian Security!" as the demon's body morphed into a green ring that surrounded the hound and turned it into four stars, he chanted. "Behold! The soul of fortitude which guards peace through this Hellish chaos! Synchro Summon! Appear, Level 5! Goyo Gardna!"

A bright beam shot through the rings, from which a Monster who was a cross between a kabuki actor and a police officer of the Edo period emerged with a dramatic battle cry, wielding a tsukubō and a shield of his size in his hands.

Goyo Gardna: Earth / Warrior / Synchro / Effect / ATK: 500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 5

It shouldn't come as a surprise he immediately went for a Synchro Summon. "I activate Goyo Gardna's effect!" he gestured at the said Monster. "Once per turn, I can target one Monster I control with 1000 or less Attack and inflict you damage equal to its Attack. Of course, my target will be Goyo Gardna itself!"

Gardna banged his shield with his tsukubō, unleashing a sound wave that hit Ren and caused his D-Wheel to wobble.

Ren: LP 4000 - 500 = 3500

"I set a card and end my turn." the Duel Chaser concluded.

"Eeeh, that's all!?" Fey whined. "That wasn't exciting at all! He just did this and that and poof!"

"Boss would've made a much cooler opening move!" why thank you, Willauk! And while it's true he didn't do anything spectacular, he still managed to build a solid defense and damage Ren. A pretty solid first turn in my book.

Ren took hold of the top card of his deck, but before he could continue, a helicopter suddenly rose up beside the road and followed us. Don't tell me...reinforcements!?

"Hello, everyone in the City!" excuse me...what? A young woman wearing a western outfit and talking into a mic was aboard the helicopter, a cameraman filming her. Also, City? This place has the same name as the city from 5D's! "Top reporter from Top City TV, Melissa Claire speaking! You might not believe this, but following last night's exciting chase, we're blessed with yet another Riding Duel this afternoon! I'm pretty sure we just broke a record here!"

Another big shot Duel commentator like Nico? Interesting... And it seems scenarios like these, Riding Duel chases, were a pretty common event. Although, using them to entertain people... I frowned. Seriously, couldn't you find anything better to comment on? People get arrested in these Duels, that's no joking matter. And what if they're real criminals?

"Did it have to be her? Now the entire City will know us." Ren sighed in exasperation.

"Isn't he wearing a mask? Unlike Sakushi, he's still in the clear." a string of agreements followed Balor's words, and I decided to voice his words to Ren.

The D-Wheeler suddenly stiffened. "...You see, I feel uncomfortable when others see my face. I don't mind removing my mask only around a few people, who're my friends." he revealed in a dejected manner. His hold tightened on the handgrips. "They're the only things I have left."

Oh. "I'm sorry. I...shouldn't have probed into the subject." he suffered from severe...ah, what was it called? Dysmorphophobia? Maybe the loss of his parents and other loved ones birthed it. And his words from earlier made much more sense now: anyone wearing a mask would become a suspect, and Ren, who can't do as much as step outside without one, was sure to get targeted by Security.

"What a pathetic man, scared of something as mundane as showing his face to others." one of the latest additions to our team, Demiurge's second Titan, Perses, criticized. It's amazing how the majority of the people from their side were clueless, and those that weren't was because they were puppets with no free will whatsoever.

"Oi, oi, don't pull that face on me." Ren quickly said upon noticing my anxious expression. I felt a little guilty for forcing him to tell me his problems out loud like that. "I don't blame you for asking. Yours was a valid question, and I merely answered it. No hard feelings."

"I...understand. Thanks, both for that and for sharing." I allowed myself to smile again, prompting him to nod and focus back on the road. Finding good-hearted people right after coming to a new Dimension seemed to be my forte. Well, I still shouldn't take for granted he's a good guy, but he sure looks like one.

"Next up, it's the fugitive's turn!" Melissa, who finished recapping what happened in the first turn while we talked, declared. "Let's see what type of Dueling he'll show us!"

"Ore no turn!" Ren grasped the top card of his deck again. "Draw! I summon White Payara!"

A white payara with four light blue eyes and munsell yellow fangs appeared, biting the air furiously in a threatening manner.

White Payara: Water / Fish / Effect / ATK: 500 / DEF: 500 / LV: 2

"White?" I tilted my head to the side, the image of a particular Monster flashing in my mind upon hearing that. "Is your ace Blue-Eyes White Dragon, by any chance?"

"Ahaha! I wish!" I see I don't have to break a sweat to make this youth laugh. "That dragon is a living legend. There's no way I'd have it in my deck. And I was never a Dragon-Type lover, anyway. I'm more of a marine-life guy."

"Heeh, this guy has good tastes!" Adaro chuckled.

"I release Payara in order to activate its effect!" the said fish burst into particles. "I add two other Payaras from my Deck to my hand. Now I activate the Spell Card White Prosperity. Its effect enables me to Special Summon up to three Level 4 or lower 'White' Monsters from my hand with the same name. Arise, my Payaras!"

Two new Payaras appeared on his field from a splash of blue water.

"White Prosperity's effect continues! One of the Special Summoned Payaras becomes a Tuner! I tune the two Level 2 Payaras together!" as the fish's body morphed into two green rings that surrounded the other one and turned it into two stars, he chanted. "Arise from the blue abyss, gluttonous predator draped in white! Synchro Summon! Level 4! White Aura Piranha!"

A bright beam shot through the rings, from which a piranha with crimson eyes and light gray scales under white armor swum out. It gave a loud cry akin to Kamishiro Ryoga's 'Shark' Monsters as it bit the air furiously just like Payara did.

White Aura Piranha: Water / Fish / Synchro / Effect / ATK: 1300 / DEF: 600 / LV: 4

"The fugitive performs a Synchro Summon of his own!" Melissa cheered. "However, this Monster doesn't have enough Attack to oppose Goyo Gardna's 2000 Defense!"

"So many different types of fish, nya~...!" I barely managed to contain a chuckle at Nekomata's words, which suggested she's eyeing Ren's Monsters with a hungry stare.

"What can he hope to achieve with some fishes?" Camazotz scoffed.

"I activate the Spell Card White Assault, targeting Piranha with it." a card, which depicted a shoal of Payaras encircling a Great White in the sea, appeared. "My preparations are now complete. Let's Battle! Piranha, attack his Goyo Gardna!"

"What?" the Duel Chaser frowned.

"Oh my! The fugitive still declared an attack!" Melissa exclaimed with wide eyes. "Which must mean he has a plan!"

"Exactly!" Ren confirmed her words. "If Piranha battles a Monster with higher Attack or Defense than itself, during damage calculation only, its Attack becomes double its current Attack!"

Alright! "Double!?" the Duel Chaser gasped.

(Piranha: 1300→2600 ATK)

"Go! Predator's Fury!" following its user's words, Piranha swum across the field and bit to pieces Gardna's shield, which he attempted to hide behind, and then the warrior himself, causing it to explode with a pained scream.

(Piranha: 2600→1300 ATK)

"Since it was in defense mode, I take no battle damage." the Duel Chaser reminded him. "And if Gardna is destroyed by battle or your card's effect, I can activate its effect to draw a card."

"The Duel Chaser uses his own Monster's destruction to his advantage, drawing a card!" Melissa's smile returned.

"Don't think you're in the clear yet." Ren abruptly declared, ready to reveal his hidden plan. "If Piranha, which was targeted with White Assault's effect, destroys an opposing Monster by battle, I can send another copy of itself from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard to permit it to declare a second attack in a row."

So this exact combo was why Ren wanted to go second. In return for allowing the Duel Chaser to get a head start, he'll easily destroy his formation and go for a direct attack! And if he knew the speed of Security's D-Wheels, he probably knew their Dueling strategies as well, meaning he could foresee what type of opening move his foe will make.

"Camazotz, always eager to make a fool out of yourself." Ixtab sighed in exasperation as the said god's mockery was proven wrong, causing him to hiss at her. Heh, he deserved that.

"Battle!" Ren pointed forward. "Do it, Piranha, attack directly with Predator's Fury!"

With a loud cry, his Synchro Monster swum forward once more, ramming itself into the Duel Chaser and causing him to lose control of his vehicle for a couple of seconds, which Ren exploited to take the lead.

Duel Chaser: LP 4000 - 1300 = 2700

"Well done!" I cheered.

"The fugitive lands a direct attack and is now in front!" Melissa shouted. "Like yesterday's fugitive, he's no pushover either!"

"I set two cards and end my turn." Ren slightly turned his head to address his opponent. "I'll say it this once: now that I've taken the lead, you have no chance of surpassing me nor winning this Duel."

I blinked in surprise. "W-What a serious fellow!" Melissa, also surprised by his condescending words, commented nervously. No one really expected that. "After seizing the advantage, he didn't lose a second to declare it's game over for the Duel Chaser! This just got interesting, folks!"

"Can that human stand up to his big words?" Nattmara scoffed.

"He doesn't look like the type of man who can't." Succubus pointed out playfully, to which I couldn't help but agree. Ren didn't strike as the type of person who says things at random.

"You damn rat...! You're a Common, yet you dare run your mouth like that?" the Duel Chaser took Ren's words personally. And if he was a Common, then what? I highly doubt you'll win this Duel, mister, especially after insulting him just now. "I'll teach you what happens when you make an enemy out of Security! During your End Phase, I activate the Trap Card Descending Lost Star!"

A GY Portal opened beside him, from which Goyo Gardna slowly emerged.

"I target and Special Summon one Synchro Monster from my Graveyard in defense mode," he explained once Gardna fully revealed himself. "However, the Summoned Monster's effects are negated, its Defense becomes 0, its Level is reduced by one, and its Battle Position can't be changed!"

(Gardna: 2000→0 DEF, Level 5→4)

"He refrained from using his warrior as a wall-Monster." Xolotl noted. "He plans to use it for something else, then."

"As Synchro Material." I put in my own two cents.

"Don't forget Piranha's effect." Ren caught onto my—and unknowingly onto Xolotl's—line of thoughts. "He won't have an easy time surpassing its boosted Attack."

"Watashi no turn! Draw!" the Duel Chaser announced. "I summon Jutte Fighter!"

The petit Monster wielding a jutte appeared on his field with a dramatic battle cry.

Jutte Fighter: Earth / Warrior / Tuner / Effect / ATK: 700 / DEF: 900 / LV: 2

"Jutte Naito no kōka hatsudō!" the said Monster pointed his namesake at the opposing Synchro Monster. "Once per turn, I can target one Monster you control in attack mode and change it to defense mode!"

Wait, his random effect was conveniently exactly what he needed!?

"Oops...I've jinxed it." Ren whispered in surprise, followed by irritation. "Wait. That effect is hardly used, which is why I forget about it in the first place, and it turned out useful right now against me?"

"Exactly!" I shouted, sharing his sentiment and glad to know we were thinking the same.

"Oi, you lawbreakers, don't ignore me!" a sudden shout, almost childish, echoed behind us. I glanced backwards, seeing Jutte Fighter waving his namesake around in frustration. "Submit quietly at once!"

Oh...um... "Such a loud voice for a tiny man." Sidonia couldn't help but annoy him further, prompting him to grit his teeth in anger and start yelling profanities. Coco roared back, angry he was using such language near youngsters like Nekomata and Aylith's Infant children.

Confused by the scene, Piranha actually sweatdropped and curled itself up, displaying its 600 DEF to all viewers.

"The Duel Chaser found a way to circumvent Piranha's effect!" Melissa exclaimed, unaware of what actually transpired. "On top of that, he controls a Tuner Monster! What Monster will he Synchro Summon, I wonder?"

"I tune the now Level 4 Gardna with the Level 2 Jutte Fighter!" as the petit human's body morphed into two green rings that surrounded the warrior and turned him into four stars, he chanted. "You who bares the fangs of a wild beast, seize your prey! Synchro Summon! Level 6! Goyo Predator!"

A bright beam shot through the rings, from which a Monster with bestial features, clad like Gardna in clothes that were a cross between a kabuki actor and a police officer of the Edo period, emerged with an inhuman roar, brandishing his jutte.

Goyo Predator: Earth / Warrior / Synchro / Effect / ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 6

I frowned. "Not Goyo Guardian, but Goyo Predator?"

"It has an effect suited for the situation." Ren revealed. Bummer, I was kinda hoping to see Guardian in first person...although, I just arrived here, I'll surely get that chance later on.

"That body, that scent...the warrior must be part yōkai." Snow remarked. Oh, talk about interesting hidden lore! "One of his ancestors must have married a yōkai."

"An obake, I'd guess." Yamatochi added.

"Battle!" the Duel Chaser gestured in our direction. "Goyo Predator attacks White Aura Piranha!"

Spinning the wire his jutte was attached to to gain momentum, Predator threw his weapon at Piranha, piercing its body and causing it to explode.

"The fugitive's Synchro Monster also bites the dust!" Melissa reported. "Luckily for him, as it was in defense mode, he takes no damage!"

"Is that woman only capable of stating the obvious or what?" Demiurge grumbled in a low tone.

"At this moment, Goyo Predator's effect activates." the Duel Chaser smirked for the first time in this Duel. "Only once during a turn, I can Special Summon to my field a Monster it destroys by battle and sends to the Graveyard, at the cost of halving any battle damage a player takes involving it!"

My eyes widened. "I see, that's the effect he was going for...!" Guardian had more ATK, but could only revive defeated Monsters in defense mode. He's aiming for a direct attack!

"That won't happen." the Duel Chaser's eyes widened as well as Ren spoke up. "If Piranha is destroyed by battle or your card effect and sent to the Graveyard, by banishing one other Water Attribute Monster from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon it back to my field!"

After removing a Payara from his GY, Piranha swam out of a GY Portal that opened beside Ren with a loud cry.

"Moreover, if Summoned this way, Piranha becomes a Tuner." Ren added, prompting his foe to gasp and me to fist pump. Way to go!

"Amazing! The fugitive revived his Synchro Monster before the Duel Chaser could steal it!" Melissa was shocked as well. "As a Tuner to boot! He's set and ready to go for his next turn!"

"It seemed he slipped up, but he's still in the lead." Seth chuckled. "Heh, he's staying true to his words! Not bad for a human!"

"Damn Common...!" the Duel Chaser muttered begrudgingly. "I set a card and end my turn!"

"Let's end this." oh-ho, Ren wasn't holding back at all. A good call, considering real reinforcements could arrive any time now. "Ore no turn! Draw! From my Graveyard, I activate White Assault's effect. By banishing the White Aura Piranha in my Graveyard, I can set this card, at pact I banish it when it leaves the field. Next, I activate it, targeting Piranha with it!"

"So it will attack again if it wins a fight." Willauk summarized.

"I summon White Moray!" this time, a white ribbon eel materialized on my savior's field with a short cry.

White Moray: Water / Fish / Effect / ATK: 600 / DEF: 200 / LV: 2

"Battle!" Ren threw his arm to the side. "Piranha, time to get your revenge. Attack Goyo Predator! Its effect activates, doubling its Attack! Predator's Fury!"

(Piranha: 1300→2600 ATK)

Predator spun his weapon around as Piranha swum towards him, and once it got close enough, he swung it to the side. The Fish-Type Synchro Monster easily dodged it with a barrel roll and sunk its fangs into Predator's torso, causing him to explode with a pained cry.

Duel Chaser: LP 2700 - 200 = 2500

(Piranha: 2600→1300 ATK)

"Don't get cocky, you damn rat! Torappu hatsudō: Synchro Spirits!" the Duel Chaser quickly declared. "By banishing Goyo Predator from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon its Synchro Materials from my Graveyard!"

Two GY Portals opened in front of him, from which Goyo Gardna and Jutte Fighter emerged in defense mode.

"Delaying the inevitable." Demiurge sighed in his usual disappointed manner, and this time, I found myself agreeing with him. It's clear who'll be the winner of this Duel. "Luckily, I learned to avoid getting my hopes up for those who look like cannon fodders."

"The Duel Chaser straightens his defense!" Melissa, on the other hand, and maybe since she was the commentator of the situation, praised our opponent's play.

"You'll survive, huh? I thought of defeating you using a different strategy anyway, so everything's still within my calculations." Ren whispered to himself before raising his voice. "Battle! Piranha, thanks to White Assault, attacks Gardna for a second time!"

Having learned from his previous defeat, Gardna tried to use his tsukubō to defend himself this time, but Piranha effortlessly bit the weapon in half and then the warrior himself.

"No regrets!" the Synchro Monster shouted in a dramatic fashion as he left the field.

"You should, actually!" Jutte Fighter corrected him, even if he couldn't hear him.

"Gardna's effect activates, letting me draw a card!" the Duel Chaser stated.

Ren gestured at his second fish. "The turn Moray is Normal Summoned, it can attack you directly. Do it, now!"

"What!?" the Duel Chaser gritted his teeth as Moray swum around his Tuner and rammed itself into him.

Duel Chaser: LP 2500 - 600 = 1900

"Torappu hatsudō: Urgent Tuning!" Ren declared, prompting his foe to gasp. "Using Monsters I control, I perform a Synchro Summon! I tune the Level 2 Moray with the Level 4 Piranha!"

As the fish's body morphed into four green rings that surrounded the other one and turned it into two stars, he chanted.

"Arise from the blue abyss, and protect the vast sea you live in! Synchro Summon! Level 6, and my partner! White Aura Dolphin!"

A bright beam shot through the rings, from which a dolphin with six light blue eyes and light turquoise scales under white armor swum out, letting loose of a graceful cry as it followed Ren's D-Wheel.

White Aura Dolphin: Water / Fish / Synchro / Effect / ATK: 2400 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 6

A Synchro Summon during the Battle Phase... I see, if the Duel Chaser hadn't set Synchro Spirits, Ren would've won thanks to triple consecutive direct attacks with Piranha, Moray, and Dolphin. Damn, he was really close to winning there!

"A white dolphin..." Styx, who I could feel was somewhat on the edge ever since Ren's debut and especially now that Dolphin appeared, muttered nervously. "Demiurge-sama, they..."

"Ara? Being reminded of people from the past?" Ixtab's mischievous words betrayed her serious tone. Oh, that would certainly explain why Styx's been feeling like that so far.

"You've been speaking out of line quite frequently in my presence." Demiurge growled back.

"I'll consider watching my tongue, your highness." Ixtab mocked, clearly uninterested in the god's opinion.

Melissa commented on something during their exchange, which went lost to me. "Battle!" Ren cried out after that. "Dolphin, attack Jutte Fighter! White Splash!"

Followed by another cry, his dolphin fired a stream of water from its mouth and destroyed the human Monster.

"That's the end of my turn." Ren concluded. "I'm fairly disappointed by your performance so far. Since your D-Wheels got an upgrade, I thought you'll prove to be a challenge, but apparently, I was wrong. Are you even serious about capturing us?"

"Why you...!" the Duel Chaser fell for his words, allowing his temper to get the better of him. "I'll arrest you, be it the last thing I do, damn rat! Watashi no turn! Draw! I activate the Spell Card Monster Reborn, Special Summoning Goyo Gardna from my Graveyard once again!"

"Oi, oi, that guy crosses the boundaries between life and death for the third time?" Supay inquired in shock as Gardna reappeared again. Summoning a Monster from the GY didn't mean much to a Duelist, but it wasn't the same to a Monster.

"I activate its effect!" the Duel Chaser stated. "By targeting itself, you take 500 damage!"

"Taste my revenge, lawbreaker!" Gardna banged his shield with his tsukubō, unleashing a sound wave that hit Ren and caused his D-Wheel to wobble.

Ren: LP 3500 - 500 = 3000

"I banish Stygian Street Chaser from my Graveyard in order to activate its effect!" the Duel Chaser shouted. "I target the Level 2 Tuner Monster, Jutte Fighter in my Graveyard and Special Summon it as well!"

The said Monster jumped out of a GY Portal and followed his user in the air.

"I tune the now Level 5 Gardna with the Level 2 Jutte Fighter!" as the Summoning sequence went on in the background, the Duel Chaser chanted. "Armed with that ancient and profound justice, become the evildoers' downfall! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Level 7! Goyo Samurai!"

A bright beam shot through the rings, from which a man clad in a sleeveless, burgundy samurai outfit decorated around the shoulders with thick white and red ropes emerged. He also wore kabuki face paint and his arms were painted white with red lines over them, and he held a weapon in his hands that seemed a cross between a katana and a jutte.

Goyo Samurai: Earth / Warrior / Synchro / Effect / ATK: 2700 / DEF: 2200 / LV: 7

"The Duel Chaser continues to evolve his Synchro Monsters!" Melissa cheered. "Will he finally manage to turn the situation in his favor!?"

"I equip Goyo Samurai with the Equip Spell Goyo Arrow!" a futuristic gatling gun materialized in front of his Monster, which he seized under his left armpit. "And I activate its effect! You take damage equal to the equipped Monster's Level times 100! Fire!"

With a dramatic battle cry, Samurai unleashed a rain of bullets at us, but Ren managed to skillfully evade them all.

Ren: LP 3000 - 700 = 2300

"Battle!" the Duel Chaser threw an arm forward. "Goyo Samurai attacks White Aura Dolphin!"

"Justice!" the samurai exclaimed in English as he dashed forward. Dolphin fired another stream of water, but the opposing Synchro Monster neatly bisected it along with Dolphin, ensuing a large explosion that made Ren's D-Wheel wobble.

Ren: LP 2300 - 300 = 2000

"At this moment, Goyo Samurai's effect activates!" the Duel Chaser stated. "Twice during a turn, I can Special Summon to my field a Monster it destroys by battle and sends to the Graveyard, at the cost of negating its effects!"

"This time it negates its effects..." I muttered in concern. "This is bad. If that goes through, a direct attack from Dolphin would...!"

"Relax." Ren reassured me. "Dolphin has the same effect as Piranha. If destroyed by battle or my opponent's card effect and sent to the Graveyard, by banishing one other Water Attribute Monster from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon her back to my field as a Tuner!"

After removing a Piranha from his GY, Dolphin returned to his side with some low clicks of gratitude and joy. So that Monster's a female, huh? Heh, Ren did say she's his partner; it's no surprise she'd receive the special treatment.

"The fugitive was able to evade the Duel Chaser's stealing-effect for a second time!" Melissa pointed out.

"You fool! You think the same trick would work twice?" I gasped at our foe's words, while Ren simply hummed in confusion. "Goyo Samurai's effect continues! As I wasn't able to steal your Monster, you take 1000 damage!"

The warrior swung down his katana-jutte, unleashing an energy slash which washed over us and made Ren grunt in pain.

Ren: LP 2000 - 1000 = 1000

"His Life is now higher than Ren-kun." Saleos remarked begrudgingly.

"Goyo Samurai's other effect!" the Duel Chaser grinned maliciously. "Once per turn, if you take damage by its effect, it can make a second attack on a Monster in a row!"

My eyes widened. "What!?" this guy could do more than just steal control of the enemy!?

"This time, he'll be the one to declare an additional attack?" Ereshkigal asked in surprise.

"What a twist!" Melissa shared her sentiment. "The Duel Chaser uses the fugitive's effect to his advantage! Let's not forget that Goyo Samurai's first effect can be used for a second time this turn. If the fugitive revives his Monster, then he'll lose because of effect damage, but if he doesn't, then he'll lose because of a direct attack from his own partner!"

"That's correct! You have no way of dodging this!" the Duel Chaser laughed. "Sink into that blue abyss you talk of, damn rat! Battle! Goyo Samurai attacks Dolphin!"

"Ah! What a tragic conclusion this Duel ended up having!" Melissa gasped.

"Me? Sink?" Ren, however, remained completely unfazed. I smiled in relief. This means everything's still within his calculations! "Are you sure about that?"

Melissa's eyes widened even further. "What!?" the Duel Chaser gasped.

"Torappu hatsudō: White Spirits!" a card, which depicted Dolphin staring at the viewer with her eyes glowing as the ghostly forms of three Piranhas cried out behind her, appeared. "I banish the remaining Piranha from my Graveyard!"

After doing so, I yelped as he spun his D-Wheel around so he could face his opponent. "Thanks to that, the attacked Dolphin's Attack is increased by 1000 points for each banished 'White Aura' Monster until the end of this turn!"

The same scenario depicted on his Trap was recreated, and Dolphin let loose of a loud cry as her eyes began glowing.

(Dolphin: 2400→5400 ATK)

"Alright!" Willauk, Fey, and I all cheered in unison.

"5-5400!?" Melissa was having a hard time believing this. "It's even higher than the Attack of the fugitive's dragon from last night! Unbelievable!"

"Y-You...kept that card...for this exact moment!?" the Duel Chaser realized his plan. "So it would gain 3000 Attack and be enough to defeat me during my own turn!?"

"I told you you're fighting a losing battle." Ren reminded him and aimed a finger at him. "Go, my partner! Put an end to this...with White Splash!"

"Filthy lawbreaker!" Samurai yelled in anger and released another rain of bullets from his gatling gun, but Dolphin had no trouble evading them with a couple of barrel rolls.

She proceeded to spin her body and release water from her mouth, enveloping her body with it and turning into a spiraling water projectile. The samurai swung his sword once she got into his range, but it shattered into pieces like glass and his body was pierced by Dolphin's attack.

The Duel Chaser screamed in anger and pain as his Synchro Monster exploded, and steam was emitted from his D-Wheel's front, causing it to spin out of control and come to a stop.

Duel Chaser: LP 1900 - 2700 = 0

Winner: Ren!

"I...I'm completely shocked, folks! Yet another Duel Chaser, the star of Security, was defeated by a fugitive!" Melissa remarked while Ren turned his D-Wheel back around and sped up. "On top of that, he stayed true to his words! Not once did he allow the Duel Chaser to surpass him, and in the end, he won! During his opponent's turn to boot! What a Duelist!"

"He shows potential like that actor from Standard." ooh, that must mean something if coming from Demiurge!

"Hold on tight." I blinked twice at Ren's words. Looking past him, I gasped when I saw what he was talking about: up ahead, a Security truck was parked sideways on the highway so our road would be blocked, and several officers were standing in front of the said truck next to their own D-Wheels.

"Th-They sealed you off, nya~!?" Nekomata gasped.

"Dammit, we still aren't in the clear...!?" I frowned and did as I was told.

"Security is persistent to the point of being annoying." Ren sighed in exasperation. He then revved his engine, and much to my surprise and horror, used the road's side-guards to rocket us into the air. I...ahem...screamed through the entire thing—but I'm sure anyone would've done the same, right!?

In any case, we landed on the ground without breaking anything—phew, what a relief!—and Ren wasted no time in driving away from the area at maximum speed, leaving the officers to scramble after us. Looks like Melissa was only interested in the Duel, seeing as her helicopter didn't pursue us. So...that ended pretty well, didn't it? We're free!

I just hope the others didn't run into problems like I did...

---

Unknown POV

(...When Vince arrived, at the same time...)

[Chief, there seems to be a situation...]

I sighed through my nose in exasperation as one of my technicians addressed me out of the blue through a voice comm. It's unbelievable how many problems have been sprouting up since last night's fugitive made a scene. The Security H.Q. was continuously abuzz with commotion; Commons were routing left and right, while Tops made repeated calls about the 'rats' in their surroundings acting 'suspiciously'.

All of them, uncivilized monkeys. "They should learn to grow up." I whispered before replying to the call. I did order them to worry about the minor reports, so I hope this was worth my patience. "I'm listening."

[The monitors in Districts D8 and E4 recorded people materializing out of thin air.]

I felt my stomach drop. No, it can't be...did Akaba Leo finally make a move!?

My task was to travel to this Dimension and secure myself a solid foothold as a member of its society, one that could easily manipulate it, all to ensure Academia's conquest would run smoothly. But after seven months I cut ties with those fools.

Unite the four Dimensions? Strive for a utopia? Pray tell, why should I give a damn?

Truthfully, I didn't expect things to go so well. Those old geezers of the Executive Council were easily swayed by the Real Solid Vision system. Hah, it didn't even take me a week to become the Chief of Security, only a couple of days! I'm in control here; I call the shots here; no one can run away from me here.

That's when I decided I'll become this Dimension's ruler. This will become my kingdom. A bald man, who's as self-seeking as me, won't be the boss of me. For two years and five months, I've been diligently moving my pawns so that my plan would come to fruition. Then why...why did Academia come now!? Couldn't they have waited one or two more months, when my plan would be completed!?

No, Jean Michel Roget, stop. Calm down, and think. I scolded myself when I realized my breathing got frantic. I took a deep breath and then exhaled. There are three other Dimensions out there. First, I must make sure they really are from Fusion.

"Show me the tapes. Now." I intoned to let the idiot on the other end know I wasn't joking around, which worked perfectly since two different recordings appeared on my screen seconds later one after the other.

Three soldiers in E4, while three others with a child in D8, both in the Commons area. I narrowed my eyes in frustration. It won't be easy taking care of them when they're split up like this... On top of that, who said they're the only ones? Who knows how many others came here but we didn't catch on tape...!

I gritted my teeth. Dammit, what a horrible situation...! What should I do? Capture them? If I attack them, I could provoke Academia's wrath and kick-start a full-blown invasion! Letting them roam free wouldn't solve anything, either...but it could give me some time to rush my plan into realization.

[Chief, the faces of two of these people match the mug shots.] the camera zoomed on the face of a green-and-crimson-haired boy—wait, a tomato? What in the world...?—and an indigo-haired girl and the mentioned mug shots also appeared beside them.

"So we've found them..." but none of this makes sense. I added in my mind. After the fracas they've made last night, it would be a wise move to swap them out for new agents, yet here they were. A simple change of wardrobe won't erase them from our memories; Academia knew that, but still sent them back? Why make them leave in the first place, then?

I activated the audio recordings. [Teleporting across Dimensions sure ain't pleasant.] I blinked in shock at the first thing I heard. The technicians who choose to turn on the audio recordings and hear this will think these people were crazy. But I knew better.

I listed all the luxuries which came with my job in my early reports to Academia. They know I have eyes and ears—almost—everywhere in the City. So why did that idiot say that out loud? Not only him, but others were also mentioning the word 'Dimension'. These people weren't trying in the slightest to hide their true identities from me...

Academia...didn't use to be sloppy like this. Did things change? No, that was a stupid thought. But this...didn't feel like Academia I used to know at all.

Wait. "Zoom on their Duel Disks." the technician did as he was told. I almost laughed out loud at what I saw: the girl from last night was wearing an Academia model Duel Disk, while the others a different model from Synchro's. Academia never dispatched undercover agents without a Duel Disk that matched the Dimension's model.

That sealed it: apart from the indigo-haired Defector, they weren't from Fusion. But if not, then from where? Xyz or Standard...? And how did a Defector, if she even was one, join their ranks?

I must find out their origins and motives. "They're the fugitives from last night. By the looks of things, their comrades are with them and they put up a light show for us. Please secure both parties immediately."

[Yes, Chief. However...another problem sprung up.] ugh, what now? [There's an escaping D-Wheel currently on Highway No. 14. Duel Chaser 372 is in pursuit—]

"I'll leave that in your care, then. Use last night's strategy if you must." I interrupted him. I had better things to worry about than another chase. "But I want results this time. It goes without saying if you fail, you and Duel Chaser 372 will be fired."

That clearly flustered him. [Y-Yes, Chief!] see to it, idiot.

As the Duels progressed, I was more and more assured my assumption was correct. The use of different Summoning Methods, this Action Field of theirs, their clear inexperience in battle except for two of three of them... Definitely not from Academia. I'll capture them and interrogate them all at once!

---

Third-person POV

(...When Vince arrived, at the same time...)

"Yeah, 'my company's best men' was a failure." Manek growled in a low tone, annoyed by their current predicament. They were all fine and ready to proceed with their mission, but the Dimension Mover separated him, Yuu, and Daphne from the other Lancers. What a pain.

"This is the Synchro Dimension...?" Yuu wondered while staring at his surroundings in awe. They really did it: they crossed Dimensions! He and Daphne were also annoyed by the inconvenience, yet Yuu couldn't help himself but let his eyes wander around. "There are more cities above this one?"

"Apparently, yes." Daphne raised her head to stare at the skyscrapers up above. Her eyes narrowed as gears began turning in her head. "Those areas look more advanced than these down below. Probably harder to afford, too."

"So we ended up in the slums...?" Yuu caught on her line of thought. His eyes narrowed in confusion. "Is it just me, or the difference is way too evident?"

"I don't mind sightseeing, but guys?" Manek gestured around them. "We've lost sight of Reiji, the blue ninja, Mr. tower, emo-wing, and used-orange-noise-maker."

Yuu shot him a flat side-stare. "Manek..." he didn't say anything in response to Yuu's scolding tone, prompting the lavender-haired youth to sigh. Unlike the big majority of the people of their Dimension, he didn't admire Manek simply for his acting or Dueling, but also for his strong and friendly persona and charisma. That said, he couldn't let him address their comrades like that.

"We're also missing Vince, Reira, Sawatari, and Sakaki Yuya." Daphne listed, earning a surprised glance from Yuu, which went lost to her since she started walking away from the two. He didn't expect her to understand the nicknames so quickly...it seems he sold her short. "We must hurry and regroup without delay. Who knows what awaits us in this Dimension."

"Finding tomato-head, banana-peel, Vince, and Reira will be easy." Manek rolled his eyes and went after her, followed by Yuu. "We just have to make sure not to attract any unwanted attention. Let's avoid the Chief of Security Yugo mentioned for as long as possible."

Daphne nodded. "Yes. In the meantime, keep your eyes open for any spots where we could spend the night." while she was specialized in assassination, she was trained for survival all the same. It seems all the harsh and irritating lessons of Sanders will be finally put to good use.

"Before we move on, should we reclassify Yuu's and my Dimension as the Pendulum Dimension?" Manek suggested out of the blue. "Reiji told me some time ago we could technically consider it the Ritual Dimension if we didn't have access to all the Summoning Methods. But since we do and Pendulum Summoning was born there, it would make sense, right?"

"I...never considered that." Yuu admitted and pondered about it. He eventually nodded. "Yes, I think you have a good point."

"Why does that matter at a time like this?" Daphne shot the two a perplexed stare.

Manek simply shrugged, prompting her stare to turn exasperated. The actor/Duelist then examined their surroundings carefully for the first time since arriving here. "Think this Dimension has Kozmo Wars?"

Daphne couldn't contain a sigh at that question. "Why are the Lancers filled with strange people...?" at least she worded it so she's a part of that 'strange people'-group.

"Um, we heard you, Daphne..." Yuu pointed out but immediately sweatdropped as she showed him a wide smile filled with sarcasm, an expression he never thought she would pull.

"That was my intent." she said.

"Strange is the comparison to the being's standard day-to-day life." Manek interjected.

"You don't need to tell me." Yuu frowned at that. "I honestly don't think this can get any worse..."

The sound of sirens echoing from the distance put a stop to their conversation. A police car appeared at the end of the street, both in front and behind them, parking sideways so their paths would be blocked.

"This is Security. You have been completely surrounded." an officer declared upon stepping out of the vehicle behind them, followed by another one. From the car in the front, on the other hand, three officers revealed themselves. "You're under arrest! Surrender quietly or we'll seize you by force!"

Manek and Daphne blinked twice. "Eh?" Yuu took a step back in confusion. "S-Seriously?"

"Yuu?" the actor/Duelist slowly turned to the lavender-haired youth with a raised eyebrow. "If you're about to verbally or mentally jinx something and you realize it's a jinx, instantly stop. It lessens it by a lot."

"I-I didn't expect it would throw the local authorities at us!" Yuu whisper-shouted. He then addressed the officers with a pleading tone. "Pardon me, but we think you got the wrong people. Or, in the very least, could you please explain yourselves better—"

"Who do you think you're talking to, brat!?" the same officer interrupted him, earning a surprised stare from Yuu, while glares from Manek and Daphne. The clothing he wore was slightly different from the other officers, signaling he was the captain of the squad. "You lot have been wanted in the City since last night! Enough talk! This is your last warning!"

"Last night? We just got here...!" Yuu whispered in exasperation. This was a Serena-and-Barrett situation all over again. Was it a trend for people of the other Dimensions to ignore sound judgment and pursue the innocent?

"Attempting to reason with them won't work." Daphne noted in chagrin. "Especially if the first thing he does is throw insults. Let's end them quickly and run away."

"Yeah, before reinforcements come." Manek agreed with a nod. "I'll take care of the boss."

"Then leave these three to me." Daphne turned towards the officers in front of them.

Yuu's eyes widened. "Three in one go? Are you sure, Daphne?" but the Duel already started, prompting him to frown. He's sure she knows what she's doing, but that's still dangerous... "In that case, I'll worry about the last one."

"You three honestly believe you stand a chance against Security?" the captain snorted.

Manek simply sighed. He could already tell this will be an easy win. "Well, at least it's up against a corrupt justice system." he reasoned with himself.

"Corrupt? Big words coming from a lawbreaker. And a brat on top of it!" with a smirk, the captain activated his Duel Disk. "Security will teach you justice, kid!"

"Hindsight is twenty-twenty." Manek scoffed and did the same.

[Field Spell, Crossover.] his Duel Disk announced, causing blue platforms which had a pink glow surrounding them to materialize around them.

"DUEL!" the two declared in unison, and at the same time, Action Cards scattered around the field.

Security: LP 4000

VS

Manek: LP 4000

"It's showtime!" Manek revealed two cards from his hand to his opponent. "I, using the Scale 3 Dopant of Bird and the Scale 9 Dopant of Yesterday, set the Pendulum Scales!"

He placed his cards on his energy blade, causing the word [PENDULUM] to flash between them and the two pillars to appear around him, containing the Monsters that resembled Bird and Yesterday Dopant.

"Pendulum?" the captain scowled. "And that Field Spell you activated at the beginning of the Duel... What in the world are those?"

"Pendulum Monsters and Action Dueling," while explaining, Manek grinned. "What they do is allow a player to...well," he brought a finger to his right eye, pulling down his lower eyelid and then stuck his tongue out. "Of course I'm not telling you! That would be telling your boss about our strongest weapons."

"What!?" the captain gritted his teeth in anger. "First you use some kind of cheat, and now you mock me!? Do you have any idea how long you'll stay in jail for, brat!?"

"Cheat? Why are you jumping to weird conclusions?" Manek sighed. "Let's move on. Swing, my Pendulum of memories! Bring forth my allies onto this stage! Pendulum Summon! Appear, Dopant of Heat!"

A portal opened between his two pillars, and a single beam shot out of it before landing on his field, revealing the Monster that resembled Heat Dopant riding her signature bike.

Dopant of Heat: ATK 2400 / DEF 2000 / LV: 7

"You Summoned a high-Level Monster with no releases!?" the captain gasped.

"Now, time for the fun part." Manek grinned anew. "I activate Heat's effect! Only once during a turn, she can hit you with 1000 points of damage! Go!"

The female Dopant aimed a hand at their foe, unleashing a ball of fire from her palm that hit the Security officer in the chest and made him wince.

Security: LP 4000 - 1000 = 3000

"A lucky shot..." the captain muttered.

"Will this next one be lucky too, I wonder?" his eyes widened at Manek's words. "I set one card and end my turn. Yesterday's Pendulum Effect activates! I select one 'Dopant' Monster's Monster Effect that I activated this turn and repeat it. Obviously, I select Heat's effect!"

Yesterday brought her hands together, conjuring a magic circle with a clock design in front of her. The same scene from earlier then repeated itself.

Security: LP 3000 - 1000 = 2000

"Half of my Life Points gone in the first turn...!?" the captain clutched his chest in pain.

[A Duel has commenced.] a loud, female robotic voice abruptly informed them, putting a momentary halt to their Duel. [A Duel has commenced. All ordinary vehicles on the route, please evacuate at once.]

Hexagonal pillars emerged from the ground and then splayed out into road sections which connect to each other, sprouting side-guards and Solid Vision bars.

"What is this?" Manek raised an eyebrow.

"The Chief granted his permission for another Riding Duel...?" the captain eyed the newly-formed roads suspiciously. He shook his head and focused back on the matter at hand. "Prepare yourself, brat! Watashi no turn! Draw! I summon Vigilante Zeni!"

A petit Monster wearing a coin as an eyepatch and wielding a jutte appeared with a shout.

Vigilante Zeni: Earth / Warrior / Effect / ATK: 1600 / DEF: 1200 / LV: 4

"Vijirante Zenī no kōka hatsudō!" the captain stated. "By turning its Attack to 0, I can Special Summon one Level 3 or lower 'Vigilante' Monster from my hand. I summon the Tuner Monster, Vigilante Gata!"

(Zeni: 1600→0 ATK)

A small, humanoid robot with sirens attached to its body appeared next.

Vigilante Gata: Earth / Warrior / Tuner / Effect / ATK: 800 / DEF: 800 / LV: 3

Manek's grin returned. "A Tuner, huh? Activating the Continuous Trap Crazy Discord!" a card, which depicted multiple Dopants fighting each other as if it's a free-for-all, appeared. "While I control a Level 6 or higher Monster, neither player can Synchro Summon! Also, if that Monster is a Dopant, this Trap can't be destroyed by card effects!"

"Tch, an anti-Synchro effect?" the captain gritted his teeth. Surely no one imagined Manek walking into the lion's den without a counterstrategy or two, correct? "I set three cards and end my turn...!"

"My turn!" the Dopant user announced. "I draw!"

"Torappu hatsudō: Damage Diet!" his foe immediately interrupted him. "All effect damage I would take this turn is halved! How about that!? Now your combo won't deplete my Life!" moreover, my set cards are Urgent Tuning and Defense Draw! he thought with a smirk. He can't defeat me through battle, either!

"Then I'll simply deal damage until I do." Manek stated, prompting shock to replace the captain's smug expression. "I play the Spell Card Magic Planter, sending the Continuous Trap Card, Crazy Discord to the Graveyard to draw two cards! Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Dark Room of Nightmare!"

"If I recall correctly, each time I take effect damage, that card inflicts me 300 damage...!" the captain's eyes widened. "You use a Burn Deck!?"

"Who knows. For this Duel, this is the strategy I decided to go with." Manek told him. "I activate Heat's effect!"

Following his command, Heat struck their foe with another ball of fire. A beam of yellow energy then shot out of Dark Room of Nightmare, hitting the Security officer in the chest and making him gasp.

Security: LP 2000 - 500 = 1500 - 150 = 1350

"I summon the Tuner Monster, Glow-Up Bulb!"

A round-shaped Monster made of dirt with an eye in its center and a flower on its 'head' materialized on his field.

Glow-Up Bulb: Earth / Plant / Tuner / Effect / ATK: 100 / DEF: 100 / LV: 1

"A Tuner? You're going to Synchro Summon?" the captain muttered. "You didn't remove Crazy Discord just to draw a few cards, you say...!?"

"I tune the Level 7 Heat with the Level 1 Glow-Up Bulb!" as the plant's body morphed into a green ring that surrounded the Dopant and turned her into seven stars, he threw an arm to the side. "Synchro Summon! Come forth from the edge of despair! Blood Mefist!"

A bright beam shot through the rings, from which a fiendish Monster clad in a black and blood-red cloak and holding a staff with a skull attached to its tip appeared. Thunder cracked behind him in a dramatic fashion as he chuckled eerily and floated above his user.

Blood Mefist: Dark / Fiend / Synchro / Effect / ATK: 2800 / DEF: 1300 / LV: 8

"Blood Mefist!? That's a super rare card!" the captain protested, having a hard time believing what he was seeing. "How come you have it, Common scum!?"

"It's a common card from where I come." Manek tilted his head in confusion. "Now, allow me to pull you into even deeper despair! I use Blood Mefist's special ability! Once per turn, you take 300 damage for each card you control! I count four!"

Mefist fired a sphere of purple energy from his hand and Dark Room of Nightmare another yellow beam, ensuing a miniature explosion as they hit the captain.

Security: LP 1350 - 600 = 750 - 150 = 600

"I-Impossible!" the captain exclaimed, this time in fear. "I...I am going to lose!? To a brat!?"

"Time for the finale!" he yelped when Manek aimed a finger at him. "I end my turn! Yesterday, you know what to do!"

The said Monster brought her hands together and shot her own ball of fire together with Dark Room of Nightmare's energy beam, creating another explosion which sent the Security officer flying to the ground and knocked him unconscious.

Security: LP 600 - 500 = 100 - 150 = 0

Winner: Manek!

"Alright!" Manek cheered and struck a guts pose. "I won that without taking a single point of damage! Although, it was against a pretty lame opponent... That said, how are the others doing?"

Turning his head in Yuu's direction, Manek watched the conclusion of his comrade's and the officer's own Duel.

Current Duel status:

Security - LP: 1700

Hand: 1 card

Field: controls 1 Marksman Heiji Type 0

Marksman Heiji Type 0: Earth / Warrior / Synchro / Effect / ATK: 2400 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 7

Yuu - LP: 2800

Hand: 0 cards

Field: controls 1 Empress of Prophecy and 1 Set card

Empress of Prophecy: Light / Spellcaster / Xyz / Effect / ATK: 2000→2300 (per own effect)/ DEF: 1700 / RK: 5 / OVU: 1

"It's over, Common brat!" the officer slid a card from his hand into his GY slot. "By discarding a card from my hand, I activate Marksman Heiji Type 0's effect! I target and destroy your Empress of Prophecy, as well as deal 400 damage to you!"

"Not if I have something to say about it! I activate the Quick-Play Spell Spellbook of Sapience!" a card, which depicted Fool of Prophecy with his eyes closed and holding his glowing Spellbook as two wings, one with white feathers and the other with black ones, sprouted from his back, appeared. "By targeting Empress, for this turn, it—I mean, she becomes unaffected by the effects of non-Spellcaster-Type Monsters!"

The officer gasped. "What!?" Heiji fired a round of electrified coins from its palm at the female Spellcaster, but a transparent barrier formed around her, deflecting them.

To be honest, Yuu was still having a hard time believing all the things Vince had told him when they went to lunch together with some of the other Lancers. The fact that Duel Monsters weren't simply cards, but actual living beings with souls and all that... And not only him, but Manek had that ability of his as well...

By no means was he saying they're lying. It's just that, as someone without that ability of theirs, he didn't fully digest this new knowledge yet. But he wants to. He wants to honor the Monsters that helped him come this far. And what better way to start than using 'he' and 'she' pronouns, as well as protecting them whenever he can?

"That's not all!" Yuu informed his foe. "Since I targeted an Xyz Monster, Sapience becomes one of Empress's Overlay Units! Thanks to her effect, as the number of Overlay Units attached to an Xyz Monster I control increased to two, Empress gains an additional 300 Attack!"

(Empress: 1→2 OVU, 2300→2600 ATK)

"Heiji doesn't have enough Attack to defeat it anymore...!" the officer gritted his teeth in frustration. "I end my turn!"

"Ore no turn!" Yuu drew his new card and played it without sparing it a glance. He already knew what it was thanks to Empress's effect he had used in his previous turn, rearranging the top cards of his deck. "I activate Rank-Up-Magic Prophecy Force!"

A card, which depicted Hierophant of Prophecy raising Spellbook of the Master towards the viewer as it was covered in yellow and purple flames, appeared. Hierophant's eyes were glowing yellow and purple as well, and his robes glowed dimly as they underwent a transformation.

"Through its effect, I can Xyz Summon one 'Prophecy' Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck that's one or two Ranks higher than a Spellcaster-Type Xyz Monster I control by using it as material!" Empress turned into a yellow beam that entered a swirling galaxy, from which a pillar of light shot out as Yuu chanted. "Teacher of wisdom who reached new heights! With your magic, help others cross the bridge between deity and humanity! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Come, Rank 7! Hieron the Great Hierophant of Prophecy!"

To emerge from the portal was Hierophant of Prophecy, albeit with longer hair and tied into two ponytails with small, magic circles of light that acted as clips. He wasn't wearing his headdress anymore, instead, it got fused with his golden staff that had white and black gems decorating it, and his robe turned white with a black interior. Magical letters of an unknown language were engraved on the long strips of cloth attached to his robe and staff, which pulsed both with Light and Dark Magic.

Hieron the Great Hierophant of Prophecy: Dark / Spellcaster / Xyz / Pendulum / Effect / ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2600 / RK: 7 / SC: 10

"So what if it evolved?" the officer scoffed. "Even if you destroy Heiji Type 0, its effect will revive its Synchro Materials from the Graveyard. Not to mention, I have plenty of Life Points to spare!"

"No, you're wrong on both accounts." Yuu's calm words made his foe gasp. "Hairon no kōka! By using the Spellbook of Sapience Overlay Unit, for every three 'Spellbook' Spell Cards in my Graveyard, one card you control is destroyed. Moreover, the effects of the chosen cards can't be activated in response to this effect's activation nor after their destruction!"

"What!?" the officer took a step back in shock.

"I currently have Spellbooks of Sapience, Power, and Secrets in my Graveyard!" Yuu listed as Hieron's eyes started glowing yellow and purple. "I destroy Heiji Type 0! Sefer's Supreme Magique!"

Pointing his staff at the sky, Hieron unleashed a wave of magical letters from its gems, encasing the chosen target in a sphere of said letters. Heiji groaned in pain through the whole thing, but once the sphere disintegrated, the Marksman was nowhere to be found.

"Battle!" Yuu threw an arm forward. "Go, Hieron! Attack him directly!"

Spellbook of the Master materialized in his ace's free hand, which he then opened and turned page after page at great speed. Two lightning bolts shot out of the book, one yellow and the other purple, striking the Security officer and knocking him out cold.

Security: LP 1700 - 2800 = 0

Winner: Yuu!

The lavender-haired youth sighed in solace once the Duel concluded. Looking at his ace, he gave a thumbs up and a smile, which Hieron acknowledged with a nod of his head and a smile of his own, before vanishing. Yuu was glad Monsters gain a sense of self during Action Duels; it made moments like these meaningful, especially now that he knew Duel Spirits were real, even if he didn't have the ability to interact with them.

"Manek, you've also finished your Duel?" Manek nodded to Yuu's question, prompting the two males to turn their heads in their remaining comrade's direction.

Current Duel status:

Security #1 - LP: 1500

Hand: 0 cards

Field: controls 1 Vigilante Zeni

Vigilante Zeni: ATK 1600 / DEF 1200 / LV: 4

Security #2 - LP: 2000

Hand: 0 cards

Field: controls 1 Assault Dog

Assault Dog: ATK 1200 / DEF 800 / LV: 4

Security #3 - LP: 400 (Current turn player)

Hand: 1 card

Field: controls 1 Marksman Heiji Type 0

Marksman Heiji Type 0: ATK 2400 / DEF 2000 / LV: 7

Daphne - LP: 3400

Hand: 2 cards

Field: controls 1 Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin

Ritual Beast Ulti-Pettlephin: ATK 200 / DEF 2800 / LV: 6

"Heiji - Taipu Zero no kōka!" Security #3 exclaimed. "By discarding a card from my hand, I can target and destroy one Monster you control, and if I do, you take 400 damage! Take this!"

Heiji fired a round of electrified coins from its palm at the Fusion Monster, but neither them nor Daphne bat an eyelid. "Too shallow." she commented. "Ulti-Pettlephin can't be destroyed by card effects due to its effect."

"What did you say!?" the officer could do nothing but watch as the coins halted midair in front of the Fusion Monster and fell to the ground. "You annoying little...! I end my turn!"

"Shall we put an end to this?" Daphne inquired, making her foes take a step back in intimidation. "Watashi no turn, draw! I summon Ritual Beast Tamer Lara!"

The female youth with orange hair, clad in green clothing and black gloves and stockings and holding a staff in her hands appeared with a giggle.

Ritual Beast Tamer Lara: ATK 100 / DEF 2000 / LV: 1

"Lara's effect activates upon Normal Summon, enabling me to revive a Ritual Beast from my Graveyard." the brown-haired youth gestured to the side. "I target Winda in my Graveyard and Special Summon it!"

Lara waved her staff at her user's command, conjuring a GY Portal beside herself from which the female youth with long green hair and holding an ornate staff emerged.

Spiritual Beast Tamer Winda: ATK 1600 / DEF 1800 / LV: 4

"I banish Ulti-Pettlephin, Lara, and Winda, and fuse them!" her Monsters turned into red, blue, and yellow energy respectively, which then spiraled into a portal as she chanted and clasped her hands together. "Tamed beast storing eternal grace. Gain the tamer's wisdom and the beast's power, and become God's divine emissary! Contact Fusion! Appear, my ace! Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio!"

The towering lion whose body seemed fused with plant life and had two flaming horns and Lara on its back emerged from the portal with a resounding howl.

Ritual Beast Ulti-Gaiapelio: ATK 3200 / DEF 2100 / LV: 10

"Battle." Daphne pointed forward. "Ulti-Gaiapelio attacks Vigilante Zeni! Chosen Guidance!"

With a wave of her staff, Lara invoked a wave of pristine light from the sky which washed over Security #1 and his Monster, causing the latter to vanish in a burst of particles and the former to fall to the ground, unconscious.

Security #1: LP 1500 - 1600 = 0

"H-However, your turn is now over, and—"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card Ritual Beast's Assault!" a card, which depicted Ritual Beast Ulti-Cannahawk and Hermit of Prophecy performing a synced magic attack on a group of small imps that wore demonic masks on their faces, appeared. "This turn, Ulti-Gaiapelio can attack all monsters my opponent controls, once each!"

"No way!" Security #3 cried out in dread.

"Go! Ulti-Gaiapelio attacks Assault Dog! Chosen Guidance!"

The flames surrounding Gaiapelio's horns shot forward, encompassing Assault Dog and causing it to explode with a pained howl. Security #2 also cried out as he was sent flying, landing against the side of a house, unconscious.

Security #2: LP 2000 - 2000 = 0

"The last one! Ulti-Gaiapelio attacks Marksman Heiji Type 0! Chosen Guidance!"

Following Daphne's words, Gaiapelio shredded its last opposition with a swipe of its claws, ensuing a second explosion and knocking the remaining officer out cold as well.

Security #3: LP 400 - 800 = 0

Winner: Daphne!

"Whoa..." Yuu whispered, astonished by his comrade's strength. He knew she was strong, but it still came as a surprise upon seeing it in first person. Not to mention, she held her ground so well against multiple opponents...and finished them so quickly, too!

"I see you've finished your own Duels." Daphne's words snapped him out of his trance. "Let's hurry. We must leave this place immediately."

"Agreed." Manek nodded.

"Don't take another step!" a sudden voice exclaimed, followed by a group of officers rushing into the street, sealing off both exits once more. "You're surrounded! Get on the ground and put your hands behind your head!"

"If anything, these people are fast..." Daphne scowled at their predicament.

"What do we do...?" Yuu asked in a low tone, not liking the direction this way going. They were surrounded by a dozen officers—one, two...eleven, twelve... he's at sixteen and still counting!—he doubted they could hold their ground against so many. And additional reinforcements could very well be on their way.

"They are too many. We can't take them on as we are." Manek admitted begrudgingly. He stepped forward and did as they were ordered, followed seconds later by Yuu and Daphne.

SLAM!

"Great..." Yuu muttered in frustration as an officer closed the backdoor to the Security truck they were placed in. "We just got here, but we already have a serious problem on our hands."

"Take them to the Facility." the three overheard an officer addressing the driver. "We'll start searching for the new fugitives."

"Sir, H.Q. has just sent us the mug shots!" a different voice announced. "Here they are."

Manek raised an eyebrow and peeked outside between the backdoor's bars, catching a glimpse of the mentioned mug shots.

He frowned in surprise. "But that's..." the truck drove off with no warnings whatsoever, causing Manek to lose his footing and fall backwards on his butt.

"What did you see?" Daphne inquired.

"Thanks for your concern." Manek stood up with a groan and sat back down on his seat. "The fugitives they were talking about...one of them was Vince. He was riding a D-Wheel with a masked person."

"Eh? Vince was?" Yuu's eyes dilated a little in shock. "He also got into trouble?"

"Looks like it." Manek nodded. He then sighed in exasperation. "He escaped, huh? At least he's having better luck than us."

---

Ending:

I Believe In Us (Arknights Soundtrack)

We find ourselves in a dark ocean, slowly sinking down further and further into the cold abyss, staring at the surface of the water where a single ray of light was shining through. Bubbles suddenly float upwards, followed by a hand that stretches out in a futile attempt to reach the light.

(Every time I find my fire, somehow I'm starved for air)

The camera pans to reveal Vince's face, his eyes glazed over as he stares back at the viewer on the verge of falling unconscious, bubbles escaping the corners of his mouth from time to time. The shot doesn't move as he continues to sink into the abyss, getting further away from the camera.

(But when I'm stuck in the mire, I know I've nothing to fear)

Now from a distance and from the side, we continue to watch Vince sink. He's inside the ray's light, but the longer he descends, the further away he gets from it. His hand remains outstretched towards it.

(The candle of hope has been lit for so long)

An unrelated still image suddenly forms on Vince's left. It has hazy, white corners, giving the impression it was a Vision of a forgone memory...or maybe a possible future? It shows Nokk, his body not covered by seaweed, sitting on top of the rock in the middle of his lake. Adaro is sitting on his left, while on his right, a small Mythorror fairy is floating, both of them sporting goofy grins with closed eyes as they poke each individual cheek of the aforementioned water spirit, who just stares at the viewer with an exasperated pout.

(Sometimes it's hard to cope, feels like I've lost my way)

The Vision disperses into nothingness and gets replaced by a new one on Vince's right. It shows a forest covered in snow, with Snow glancing backwards at a group of stone soldiers she's leading and grinning as he holds sheets filled with haikus. Amongst the soldiers, there's one possessing distinctive features and giving Nekomata, who's blushing slightly and throwing her hands up in the air while smiling wide, a shoulder ride.

(I'm slowly losing control, my heart is heavy these days)

The same scenario from before repeats itself. The new Vision shows Willauk walking by the side of his lake and laughing with his eyes closed. On his left shoulder sits Nattmara, sporting a ghost of a smile, while on his right shoulder sits Succubus, who's also laughing and pointing at something up ahead of them.

(The candle of hope has been lit for so long)

The Vision gets replaced by one that shows Huldra and Reynardine picking up blackberries from a small shrub in a forest. The faerie is holding up a berry and seemingly explaining something about it to Ereshkigal and Shadow who were standing behind them, attentively listening to him and each of the two carrying a basket that was already halfway filled with fruits and mushrooms.

(And it's burning out, yeah it's burning out)

A Vision featuring Lindworm and Orthrus appears next. They're playing tag without a single care in the world on an open field, blessed with a beautiful clear sky. Taking cover under the shadow of a tree in the distance was a crown-wearing Mythorror, watching the two play with a smile and patting a crocodile-like Monster which is peacefully sleeping next to him on the grass.

(When everything is spinnin' out of control, I can barely sleep with all this weight on my soul)

The same scenario from before repeats itself. The new Vision shows Xolotl, Seth, and Yamatochi sitting in a circle formation around a campfire in the middle of a desert at night. Yamatochi's pouring sake from a tokkuri in the tiny cup Xolotl's holding, notwithstanding the fact the Aztec god is trying to convince him with a wave of his free hand he's had enough for tonight. Seth, meanwhile, has an arm wrapped around Xolotl's neck and is laughing, raising his cup at the sky and displaying he's clearly drunk.

(I try to let it be...I try to let it be but I can't let it go, no I can't let it be)

The Vision gets replaced by one that shows a headdress-wearing Mythorror and Baphomet having an intense conversation with each other, although, the smiles on both of their faces make it clear it's an enjoyable talk for both parties. A ferryman Mythorror's also present, silently listening to the two. Unbeknownst to them, there was another Mythorror listening on from around a corner in the distance, a certain Titaness to be exact, unsure whether to join them or not...

(If there's any hope even just a glimmer I'll be holding on, cos I believe in us,)

A Vision featuring Tindalos and a crocodile-headed Mythorror appears next. The two are sound asleep next to one another in a marshland, taking cover from the burning sun under the shadow of a Mythorror tree-like Monster.

(When these times get tough...and it feels like everything's come undone)

The same scenario from before repeats itself for the last time. The Vision now shows Aylith crouching down and tending to one of her Infant children who's crying and holding his right knee, having just tripped while playing. Her Adult children are playing with the other Infants, giving them shoulder rides and showing them cool attack moves. Coco's also present, albeit he's experiencing a crisis as the two Infants he's carrying in his arms were trying their best to remove his cloak from his face, much to his displeasure.

(It's so hard to change this road we're on, I'll be keeping faith, and take it day by day)

By now, Vince's completely outside the ray's light and reached the seabed, gently falling on top of it and kicking up some sand. The camera focuses on his face again, but he continues to simply stare at the viewer. The shot turns to Vince's POV again, and as he stares at the now distant ray of light, the ghostly image of a human child forms in front of him, smirking wide at him with closed eyes and a small blush.

(Maybe someday soon we'll find the way, we can place our hope in a better day)

We watch Vince wake up from this dream in surprise, now staring at the ceiling. He's in a rundown house, lying down on a sofa with a blanket draped over his body and his hand clutching his deck. He suddenly smiles, yet his eyes tear up, and he tightens his grip on his beloved children.

(I believe in us)

---

Fan-made Cards:

Duel Chaser:

Stygian Street Chaser (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 1400/DEF: 0/LV: 4)

Gains 300 ATK for each monster your opponent controls. You can banish this card from your GY, and if you do, target 1 Level 2 or lower Tuner monster in your GY; Special Summon it, but this turn, it cannot be Tributed and you can only use it as a material for the Summon of a Synchro Monster.

Goyo Gardna (Earth/Warrior/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 2000/LV: 5)

1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner EARTH monsters

Once per turn: You can target 1 monster you control with 1000 or less ATK; your opponent takes damage equal to that target's ATK. If this card is destroyed by your opponent's card: You can draw 1 card. You can only use this effect of "Goyo Gardna" once per turn.

Goyo Samurai (Earth/Warrior/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2700/DEF: 2200/LV: 7)

1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner "Goyo" Synchro Monsters

You can only control 1 "Goyo Samurai". When this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the GY: You can Special Summon that monster to your field with its effects negated, but if you do not, inflict 1000 damage to your opponent. You can only use this effect of "Goyo Samurai" twice per turn. Once per turn, if your opponent takes damage by this card's effect: It can make a second attack on a monster in a row.

Vince:

Mythorror Titan Perses (UNKNOWN)

EFFECTS UNKNOWN

[Trivia: in Greek mythology, Perses was the Titan god of destruction. Concept credit goes to mekyaku.]

Ren:

White Payara (Water/Fish/Effect/ATK: 500/DEF: 500/LV: 2)

You can Tribute this card; add up to 2 other "White Payara" from your Deck and/or GY to your hand. You cannot Special Summon monsters during the turn you activate this effect, except Fish monsters. You can only use this effect of "White Payara" once per turn. If this card is Special Summoned from the GY: You can treat it as a Tuner this turn.

White Prosperity

Normal Spell

Special Summon up to 3 Level 4 or lower "White" monsters from your hand with the same name, and if you do, you can treat 1 of those monsters as a Tuner this turn. You can only activate "White Prosperity" once per turn.

[Trivia: In IANW, this card was known as "White Portal". Since Prosperity already did a similar thing to Portal, I decided to alter its effect instead of making a new card altogether.]

White Aura Piranha (Water/Fish/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 1300/DEF: 600/LV: 4)

1 WATER Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner "White" monsters

If this card battles a monster with more ATK or DEF than this card's original ATK, during damage calculation only, its ATK becomes double its current ATK. If this card you control is destroyed by your opponent's card and sent to your GY: You can banish 1 other WATER monster from your GY; Special Summon this card, and if you do, it is treated as a Tuner.

White Assault

Normal Spell

Target 1 "White Aura" monster you control; this turn, if it destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can send 1 monster with the same name as that target from your Extra Deck to the GY, and if you do, it can make a second attack in a row. You can only activate "White Assault" once per turn. Except the turn this card was sent to the GY: You can banish 1 "White Aura" monster from your GY; Set this card, but banish it when it leaves the field.

White Spirits

Normal Trap

If a Fish monster you control is attacked, during the Damage Step: Banish 1 Fish monster from your GY; your monster gains 1000 ATK for each banished "White Aura" monster, until the end of this turn. You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 Fish monster you control; it gains 1000 ATK, until the end of this turn. You can only use each effect of "White Spirits" once per turn.

Manek:

Crazy Discord

Continuous Trap

While you control a Level 6 or higher monster, neither player can Synchro Summon, and if that monster is a "Dopant" monster, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects. If you do not control a Level 6 or higher monster, destroy this card.

Yuu:

Spellbook of Sapience

Quick-Play Spell

Target 1 Spellcaster monster you control; it becomes unaffected by the effects of non-Spellcaster monsters until the End Phase, also attach this card to it as a material if it is an Xyz Monster. You can only activate 1 "Spellbook of Sapience" per turn.

[Trivia: "Traces of the wicked magic that changed Mat into La Mort laid dormant inside him, even after the ritual Hieron and Trice performed on him in order to exorcise it. Now, at long last, Mat mastered both the holy and the wicked magic inside him...]

Rank-Up-Magic Prophecy Force

Normal Spell

Target 1 Spellcaster Xyz Monster you control; Special Summon from your Extra Deck, 1 "Prophecy" Xyz Monster that is 1 or 2 Ranks higher than that monster you control, by using it as material. (This is treated as an Xyz Summon. Transfer its materials to the Summoned monster.)

[Trivia: "A part of the magic resting in Spellbook of the Master got transferred into Mat when it overtook him, thus greatly weakening it. Aided by the other staff members of La Maison, Hieron became the first mage to wield Spellbook of the Master without falling prey to its wicked magic...]

Hieron the Great Hierophant of Prophecy (Dark/Spellcaster/Xyz/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2600/RK: 7/SC: 10)

Pendulum Effect: You can only Pendulum Summon Spellcaster monsters. This effect cannot be negated. You can target 1 "Spellbook" Spell in your GY or Banish Zone; return this card to your Extra Deck face-down, and if you do, add that target to your hand.

Monster Effect: 2 Level 7 Spellcaster monsters

You can detach 1 material from this card; for every 3 "Spellbook" Spells in your GY, you can destroy 1 card your opponent controls. The effects of the chosen cards cannot be activated in response to this effect's activation nor after their destruction. If this card in the Monster Zone leaves the field, except as material: You can place it in your Pendulum Zone. You can only use each effect of "Hieron the Great Hierophant of Prophecy" once per turn.

[Trivia: "Hieron's new self after learning how to use Spellbook of the Master. He became a "pontiff", the builder of the bridge between deity and humanity...]

Daphne:

Ritual Beast's Assault

Quick-Play Spell

Target 1 "Ritual Beast Ulti-" monster you control: This turn, it can attack all monsters your opponent controls, once each.

[Trivia: "With newfound determination and with the aid of the staff members of La Maison, the Ritual Beasts launch an assault on the Arrogant Kaesar's ground troops. This time...they won't lose!]

---

I can't believe we're finally in Synchro...and things will keep getting better and better! I'm really interested in your opinions about the Opening and the Ending, so let me know what you readers think of them. Hanate isn't too different from its original version which I admit, but things will go differently from Kirifuda and onward, and it's not like my Hanate doesn't have its own peculiarities. I Believe in Us is the perfect song for the "Vince and his Mythorrors" of this arc's first half, and there's no way to change my mind on that. Not to mention, the "Seen so much fear and pain" that comes right after that fits Vince perfectly!

Vince, who ended up on his own, will have quite a different journey in comparison to his fellow Lancers, like Manek, Yuu, and Daphne for instance who're already sent to jail and will thus meet up with Yuya and the others there. This little detail is also referenced in the Opening, where Vince doesn't get to "glide" down at the beginning and is later seen with Ren and other unknown characters instead of being with his comrades.

Speaking of Ren, those who've read the ARC-V manga surely know who he is. We also get a small scene with him and his teammates at the beginning, meant to foreshadow multiple things. This Ren won't be exactly the same as his manga counterpart, as you'll find out the more we progress. This also applies to his teammates, maybe with the exception of a certain spiky-haired man who'll be introduced in the next chapter...

Now, about Roget's scene...in IANW, I planned to have Serena tag along with Manek and co. so Roget has a reason to target them. But at the last second, I removed her since she's an important piece to Yuya's own trip, but I forgot Roget would then have no reason to target Manek, Yuu, and Daphne...which is why I decided to explain that here with that scene. I hope it clears that up, as well as give some good screen time to Roget!

As a final note, Goyo Predator, Magic Planter, Glow-Up Bulb, and Ren's 'White' cards use their actual effects for convenience sake and will continue doing so unless stated otherwise.

Reviews really make my day and it's a great way to communicate with you readers, and maybe find out errors I can avoid making. Please review, and with that said, here's the chapter's last scene!

---

Two cards appeared on the screen before turning around, revealing White Aura Dolphin and Goyo Samurai. They suddenly glowed, and Ren and an angry Duel Chaser launched out of them respectively while riding their D-Wheels.

[Come back here, you lawbreaker!] the Duel Chaser screamed into his loudspeaker. [I may be a one-time and completely unrelevant character, but that gives you no right to turn me into a laughing stock of this story!]

"Your pride certainly matches the importance of your character..." Ren said in a low tone to avoid further provoking his foe and thus having to listen to his rambles. He then glanced at the viewers and did a two-finger salute. "I'll leave this in your care, reporter."

The two sped off, and a new character twirled into the shot with an excited smile.

"Heard you loud and clear, mysterious fugitive-san!" Melissa exclaimed. "The closure to today's events, the Secret of the Chapter! Ren's favorite dish is the grilled branzino with cilantro-mint relish, and he's more than content with plain water when it comes to drinks. I admit I've never tried that dish before and now I'm a little curious in it...so I'll be on the lookout for it the next time I eat at a restaurant!"

She then winked and pointed her mic at the viewer, just like she does in the Opening. "See ya all in the next chapter! Top reporter from Top City TV, Melissa Claire, signing out!"

The screen faded into black, followed by the words [To Be Continued...].