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)

16. Advance

Welcome back, everyone. Phew, this chapter ended up being the longest one of the story, so I hope you have your reading glasses ready! That, plus the fact I caught a nasty flu last week were the things that delayed this chapter, but here we are.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!

- In response to Xager-the-Chaos-King's review:

"Oh...well, you do kinda have a point there, so I guess I can avoid reposting the OP and ED so many times. And yeah, Daphne together with Yuu and Manek could've surely done that, but I had to send them to the Facility in one way or another. Somebody will make a comment on that in this chapter by the way, so I hope that will explain their choice."

- In response to Gundam-Knight-Chris's review:

"Well, Demiurge was helping him out, even if doing it in his own barbaric ways, hence why Vince didn't get angry at him. And he was also shocked to see things as Demiurge does for the first time, drawing his attention away from that. And hey, not all gods are arrogants! Demiurge is just a prime example."

- In response to Hexylen's review:

"I may or may not already planned an evolved form for Ereshkigal, and I may or may not chose to base that form too on our beloved goddess from Fate, heh heh."

- In response to Reader2's review:

"Both Vince and Demiurge will be fleshed out further with the chapters to come, so I'm sure that will help you like them more. And yes, I plan on cutting back on the legacy characters, starting from the Xyz arc. I won't make the same mistake I did in IANW."

- In response to LegacySpellsword's review:

"Truth be told, I plan on using Angra since he fits the theme very well. The same doesn't apply to Arjuna and Artemis, although the latter can always appear in Serena's deck since it would fit its theme."

- In response to EternalKing's review:

"The characters speak JP in the story, but when I actually write JP instead of EN I wish to give that full experience, if you get what I mean, hence why I even make them use the OCG name. Although your review made me realize I could tone it down a little and limit myself to key words. A lot of OCs will get development in this arc and in the ones to come, so I hope that will change your opinion on them! As for your last two points, yes, I admit you're right, but I plan to address those things again later in the story."

[Using Anime/Manga Effects.]

---

Sakushi Vincent's POV

"We've arrived."

Ren proclaimed when his D-Wheel came to a stop in front of a run-down, two-storeyed house like the rest around us. Its only distinguishing feature was a garage door right next to the front door, both colored a deep blue. Looking up, I saw two windows and green curtains which were currently drawn.

"Hm?" I quickly glanced to the side at the adjacent window, which belonged to Ren's neighbor. Weird...I could swear I just saw some movement there.

"We're being watched." Nattmara growled, her hunting instincts proving me right.

"After the commotion we've caused, it's no wonder why." Succubus was right. I finally felt at ease when Ren managed to lose Security, but now I was back at square one. He and I were on TV. Everybody in the City knew of us now, not as heroes, but as criminals! What if people report us to get money in return? We should hurry inside before—

"Relax." as if sensing my inner turmoil, Ren spoke up. He unlocked the garage door and slid it up, causing it to creak. "Luckily for us, there are no monitors in this street. Also, we defeated a Duel Chaser, someone who works for Security, the Top's lapdog. We're viewed as idols right now—uh, at least by the Commons. The Tops want us in jail, but those are details."

"Good. At the very least, these 'Commons' know following the strong is wise." Demiurge huffed.

"Then why are they spying on us instead of coming out and praising us?" by her tone, I was sure Fey tilted her head and a question mark popped up beside it.

"They don't wish to get involved with us and be considered fellow abettors," Reynardine explained. To think they would support criminals simply because they defeated someone of the opposite faction...just how far apart were the people of the City from each other...?

Ren pushed his D-Wheel inside, prompting me to follow him. I allowed my eyes to wander while he slid the door back down and parked his vehicle. Oh, the house was much more spacious than it looked from the outside...well, as spacious as it could be, considering all the things in here: a workstation in the corner, scrap parts filling the various shelves in the room, automotive tools on the ground, and two D-Wheels—huh?

"My, my, he's got a second bike?" Hevelius inquired curiously.

"From Master's face, I'd say he knows the answer to that." how right you were, Ereshkigal.

That D-Wheel...that single main wheel, that unusual design, those colors...! Yes, without a doubt, it was the legendary...!

"Did you seriously have to make such a scene?" the owner of the Delta Eagle, Antinomy, entered the garage from an interior door. Ren scratched the back of his head with a sheepish chuckle, causing him to sigh in exasperation.

---

Turn 16:

Advance

---

His appearance left me totally flabbergasted, and I did the only thing I could: stare wide-eyed. He was wearing his iconic Bruno-casual-wear, but had his hair spiked upwards and colored a dark shade of blue, which contrasted Ren's vivid one, and stared at the latter through half-lidded eyes.

No, calm yourself, me! Even Demiurge and a couple of our Monsters were scolding me for making a face that clearly said 'wait, I know you!' Quick, compose yourself and act natural—Agh, Antinomy just noticed it, dammit!

"You look like you've seen a ghost." do you have any idea how correct you are, mister?

"No need to panic, Vince." Ren reassured me and walked over to the T.G. user, patting his shoulder twice. "He's a childhood friend of mine who lives here with me. I have a feeling you will warm up to each other in no time."

"Antinomy." he introduced himself and offered his hand. "We're in this mess together now, so let's get along."

Use this chance to explain yourself! "Y-Yes, agreed!" I wasted no time in equipping a smile and shaking his hand. Childhood friend, huh? Then he's not the Antinomy from 5D's... I presume that stands true for Jack as well, and any other character from the past series. "Sorry, you came out of nowhere and you scared me..."

"Is that so? My bad." the spiky-haired man apologized. "I guess Ren and I will have to get used to a new person living under our roof."

"Sweet, they're letting you stay, boss!" Willauk cheered in delight, a sentiment shared by yours truly.

"No no, I should be the one apologizing." I hastily corrected him to sound as kind as possible to my new housemates. "It's my fault we're wanted by Security, so scold me, not Ren. He had to save me and now I'm even taking refuge in your house..."

"Don't worry about it, Vince." Ren walked back to his D-Wheel and started typing something on its display panel. "Those guys were hardly a challenge for me, both Duel and chase-wise."

"You humiliated Security in front of the entire City." Antinomy smirked a little, having made a great point.

Ren halted for a second, contemplating his words, before moving on. "I got a little carried away, I admit." he sat down at the workstation and turned on the computer. "It's not like they didn't deserve it. But enough of that. You saw it, too, right?"

Hm? What's he...? "I did. Security's D-Wheels got faster. They must've spent a lot for such an upgrade to their engines." Antinomy, on the other hand, had no trouble understanding what he's talking about. "They probably—"

And from there, I comprehended nothing of their words. They spoke of D-Wheel parts, codes, and formulas which meant little to nothing to a newbie like me; it was like listening to them speaking their own language, completely lost in the moment. I felt a little out of place honestly, but I was still interested in the subject as it's connected to Dueling.

"I see we've found ourselves yet another D-Wheel and Riding Duel enthusiast!" Seth noted with a laugh. Well, 5D's Antinomy or not, I wasn't surprised at all by his deep knowledge on the matter.

Having said that, "Xolotl? Tindalos?" I asked quietly, confused by their sudden change of mood. The moment Antinomy appeared, I felt the god become perturbed, and this emotion hasn't vanished yet. It was the first time he reacted to someone in such a way, so I was a little worried. Tindalos was also acting weird, growling angrily at Antinomy. I rarely felt something from them, so that was even more worrying.

"Forgive me, my master, but this man..." Xolotl needed a moment to find the best words to express himself. "I feel something familiar coming from this man, however, I'm unsure what exactly."

Familiar? A connection between Xolotl and Antinomy...wait, Aztec mythology was used in 5D's plot, right? Ah, no, wait again...this Antinomy wasn't related to that world, so that wouldn't make sense. He wasn't even a Signer in 5D's to begin with!

Tindalos stopped growling, but like the god, they didn't calm down either. There's only one thing I know could draw such a reaction from them: the thing they hated the most, time travelers. And Antinomy, who was sent back to the past by Z-ONE, could be considered as such, thus making their reaction plausible. However, the same counterargument still stands: this wasn't that Antinomy, but an ordinary citizen of the Synchro Dimension.

Were these but a simple easter egg...or a reason to be wary of my savior and his friend?

"Ah, Vince...sorry." Ren instantly expressed his and Antinomy's regret when they realized I was still in the same room as them, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"N-No, don't say that, haha." I quickly reassured him. "As someone who's never Riding Dueled before, I'm interested in this myself!"

"I'm glad to hear that. Maybe we could teach you a thing or two then." I nodded excitedly at Antinomy's words. "I'll go grab something to eat and drink. Vince, do you mind lending me a hand?"

"Sure thing! Show the way."

The garage's interior door lead to a narrow entrance hall, which either went towards the front door or a flight of steps. Taking the latter, we headed to the second floor, and I was greeted with the sight of a kitchen combined with a living room, which was also connected to a bathroom and two bedrooms.

"It's small, but it does a great job at offering a cozy mood." Snow pointed out, to which I agreed. I'd turn a house like this into a holiday home without a second thought.

"That's Ren's room." Antinomy pointed in the said direction out of the blue, and then at the couch on the other side of the kitchen-living room. "Since he's the one who saved you, he can take the couch and let you sleep in his room."

Eh!? "How nice of him!" Fey giggled.

"...He's throwing someone else out of their room..." Howard was right! "...Although, his reason for it wasn't incorrect, either..." ah, that's right, too.

"No, no, wait, Antinomy!" I shook my head, prompting him to raise an eyebrow. Man, it felt weird mentioning the name of a past character to actually address them. It's a feeling I won't mind getting used to, though! "As you said, Ren saved me, so I can't just take over his room." I smacked my chest twice with a resolute expression. "I'll take the couch!"

"I support your decision, my lord." Reynardine was pleased with my polite behavior. I barged into the lives of these two with no warning whatsoever, sleeping on the couch was the least I could do. I didn't want to be a bother to them.

"Huh!? That's dumb." Fey deadpanned, puzzled by our words.

"...If that's what you want, very well." knowing he couldn't change my mind, Antinomy eventually shrugged his shoulders. He then moved to the kitchen, extracting a tray, three glasses, and an aluminum bowl from the cupboards and aligning them on the counter while we continued our conversation. "Ren has been like this ever since I met him. In helping others, I mean."

Backstory time! "He has?"

"Yes. You'd never expect to meet someone like him in a city filled with poverty and greed, yet he's standing here right in front of us." Antinomy stated. "It's strange, but the more I think about it, the more logical it sounds. If the Tops are bound together by contracts and money, then we Commons are bound together by emotions. Helping each other and experiencing the same problems are what sew our bonds, despite the fact we're complete strangers."

I was going to ask him how I could help him, but his words caused me to remain rooted on the spot. That...rang a bell. Wasn't I in the same scenario with my Mythorrors? We're currently helping each other, and while they didn't, I experienced their pasts thanks to the Visions. Be that as it may, we were still drawn to each other: I came to think of them as my children, and for some reason, they're happy about that. We came to need each other to feel a special type of warmth and to take a step forward.

So to think all the Commons, or a part of them at least, those who were actually seeking support in bonds, were experiencing a similar thing...left me in shock, although the good type. After all, to know people were supporting those around them and all hope wasn't lost yet made me believe a bright future was waiting for these people. Call it a naïve thought, but you couldn't deny the fact my Mythorrors were slowly but surely obtaining that bright future, so the same could happen to the children of Synchro.

...Sigh, I called the people of a Dimension 'children' again.

"Ren especially puts a lot of importance on helping others." Antinomy's next words snapped me out of my thoughts. He filled the three glasses with plain water and was emptying a bag of chips into the bowl. "He hates abandoning people when he can clearly help them. He saw a kid being picked on by Security and probably intervened without giving it much thought."

I see, that finally explained why Ren saved me! His pride moved him to act, even if he knew doing so would get him targeted by Security as a criminal for absolutely nothing.

"That's all there was to it?" Sidonia giggled, although it was impossible to miss the exasperation in her tone. "With that level of strength you'd think he had brains and an ulterior motive, but he simply acted out of impulse."

Well...she definitely had a point there. His reason for saving me, as well as letting me stay, were based on pretty simple-minded decisions. Now that I thought about it, even Yuzu and Shuzo did a similar thing, letting me stay at their house for simply enrolling at You Show.

Hm? Oi, oi... "It seems these humans are all the same, no matter from which Dimension they come. That annoyingly-loud man and his daughter were like that, too. Hm? Oi, oi..." ah, by the looks of things, Demiurge came to the same realization as me. "Coincidences are creepy, but isn't this taking it too far? Two idiots took in my vessel for a stupid reason and one of them drew a reaction from a god..."

You could've at least avoided calling them idiots! "Demiurge-sama is correct." Balor agreed. "The pattern is suspiciously repeating itself."

"Just what happened to you before summoning us...?" that's a long story, Styx.

"Take the bowl, Vince." Antinomy brought me back to reality for a second time as he took hold of the tray. I did as I was told and we walked back downstairs, right in time to see Ren running a hand through his hair in frustration. "No luck, huh?"

"Nope." Ren leaned back into his seat with a sigh. "This is as fast as our D-Wheels can get with their current engines. We'd have to buy the new, upgraded version to go any faster..."

"Thought so." Antinomy shrugged. "But this should be enough for now. We can buy new engines with the money we'll get by winning the Friendship Cup."

"Friendship Cup?" I parroted in confusion.

Camazotz gagged in disgust. "Is it a tournament? With a name like that, I'm having trouble imagining it." w-well, I agree the name wasn't particularly flashy, but let's not judge a book by its cover!

"It's the largest Dueling tournament in the City." Ren sounded offended, making me panic a little. Dammit, I must've said something strange like I did way back in Standard...! "I won't believe you if you tell me you've never heard of it."

"O-Of course I did!" I exclaimed, imitating his offended tone. "I'm simply surprised you plan on entering! Um...may I know why?"

"Ren and I are going to participate in order to Duel strong opponents and win some money." Antinomy crossed his arms over his chest. They just want to have fun and improve their financial standing, huh? "What about you? Are you going to participate as well?"

I blinked twice. Right, what should I be doing next? Regrouping with the others takes top priority, so entering a tournament sounded like a waste of time. But...on second thought, why wouldn't I enter?

"Well...as a Duelist, I'm always looking forward to finding strong opponents!" I lied with a smirk. "The money sounds great, too. I'm personally a fan of Jack Atlas, so getting a chance to Duel him is the cherry on top!"

"Wait, you also want to take part in it?" Nattmara asked. "That's your plan now?"

"Fighting strong enemies is fun, after all!" Lindworm growled in agreement with Willauk's words.

"No, no, having money will prove useful!" Fey hummed in agreement with Adaro's words.

"I think Sakushi-kun actually wants to use this as an opportunity." in the end, Hevelius was the one who caught onto my plan.

Entering the Friendship Cup means I'll meet tons of strong Duelists and even Duel Jack at the end. That last part sounded really nice since I liked Jack, but putting that aside, this was a great opportunity to find new comrades to fight Academia! That's why the Lancers came to Synchro to begin with. On top of that, if I'll appear on TV, finding the others will be a piece of cake!

"You'll be joining us, huh? Good timing." Antinomy commented. In the meantime, Ren took a chip from the bowl that I put on the desk and put it into his mouth by slightly raising his mask with his other hand. "I was going to get an application sheet for us tomorrow morning, so I'll get an extra one for you, Vince."

"Oh, thanks a lot!" I smiled wide, but then a thought crossed my mind. "Wait...this is bad! They won't let us enter if we're wanted as criminals!"

Dammit, there goes my plan! "Actually...Antinomy's 'good timing' was very on point." Ren said once he swallowed. "There are no requirements to enter the Friendship Cup, but that's what's written on paper. There are ways to assure yourself participation according to some rumors."

"Eh?"

"Both Tops and Commons get selected based on their popularity," Ren explained to me. "It's easy for a Top to make a name in this city, but what about us Commons?"

"If these people film chases involving officers and possible criminals..." Snow started in shock, and my eyes widened. No way...!

"That's right." Ren confirmed our theory, anger creeping into his voice. Antinomy slightly lost his cool too, sharing his sentiment and glaring at the ground. "In order to catch some of the spotlight, we Commons must resort to those Riding Duel chases. It's our only way to let those Top bastards know of our existence."

I clenched my fists in frustration. "That's horrible, nya~..." Nekomata muttered. Yeah, it wasn't fair at all. The Commons had to risk being sent to the Facility to get a chance at entering a tournament, while the Tops just had to flaunt their names...!

"In that case, your performance must've shocked them a great deal." Ren chuckled to prove me right. "And as your abettor, I'm sure Security keeps tabs on me, too."

"Meaning our chances at being selected are high." Xolotl summarized. "But the same can't be said about the other man."

Huh? "Wait, that's right!" I pointed at Antinomy in worry. "You weren't there with us back then. No one knows about you!"

"That will be easy to resolve." the spiky-haired man smirked, to which I sighed in relief. Good, he already had a plan. "I'll say I'm a friend of the masked Duelist and the backseat kid who defeated a Duel Chaser and then maybe defeat one myself to prove I'm not lying."

Ren snapped his fingers. "I love the way you think sometimes."

"Does this mean we'll see you ride one of those two-wheeled things, my king!?" oh crap, Seth's correct...I was forgetting about that.

"Um...by any chance..." hearing my voice turn low and nervous, the two glanced at me in confusion. "Are all Duels in the Friendship Cup...Riding Duels?"

"...You've never driven one, haven't you?" I blanched at Ren's question, instantly knowing the answer to my query, and he sighed. "Not that I can blame you. It isn't easy to get your hands on a D-Wheel around these parts."

"Still, you don't have to panic, Vince." Antinomy reassured me. "The Duels are conducted with the D-Wheels set in auto-pilot, meaning you'll only have to worry about not losing balance and falling off. The D-Wheels provided by the tournament to those without one are always of the latest model, and falling off of those is no easy threat."

"Exactly. And hey!" Ren gestured at himself and his friend. "We'll teach you the basics and some tricks to prepare you for the big event."

"Th-That's great to hear!" I quickly bowed to show them my gratitude. Messing up and flying off of a bike moving at high speed should be the least of my worries right now, especially if during a Duel. "I'll be in your care."

"Card games on motorcycles, here we come!" I couldn't help but smile at Adaro's energetic words.

"Rest at ease, my master." Yamatochi spoke up. "I'll pray for your safety when you're riding those fast-moving objects." my heart leaped at his display of concern for me.

"Aren't you a god? Technically, you'd be praying for yourself, right?" I-I don't think he meant it that way, Fey... "In any case, I'll cast some spells to boost your luck and lessen the chances you'll fall off, Master!"

"I can't fall behind when everybody is giving their all to assure my king's safety!" Seth scolded himself out loud before addressing yours truly. "My king, I'll pray and cast protective spells just for you!"

"I can do those and prepare one or two of my good-luck gems I've stored away." albeit it was faint, Ereshkigal's tone carried the message 'heh, try to top that!'

"I'd like to bring something to the table myself, buuut...I believe our sweetheart is at his limit."

Succubus was correct. Ren and Antinomy were looking at the monitor and deciding where to start my 'training', lost in their own world again, which was great, or else they would've seen me turn beat red and cover my mouth with a hand to hide the dumbest smile I've ever made in my life. My children were worried for me and trying to prove who was doing their best at keeping me safe. Ahh...my heart...was about to burst from happiness...!

"I...I need a moment." I whispered to them, trying to calm my frantic breathing.

The next day...

A noticeable number of things occurred since yesterday afternoon. First and foremost, my new housemates fixed my Duel Disk, connecting it to the City's main network and allowing me to make calls and access the internet. I still couldn't contact my comrades as they weren't connected, but it was a good start. The two were confused by my Duel Disk's shape at first, but after lying I brought it for a low price from a scavenger/self-proclaimed engineer, they figured I was tricked and I happily let them believe that.

Moving on, Ren and Antinomy began teaching me basic D-Wheel knowledge, like how to operate it, some of its fundamental components, what's on the display panel, and all that easy stuff. Ren said he and I will conclude that while Antinomy comes and goes with the application sheets, and in the afternoon, I'll do some balance exercises.

Before going to sleep, I researched a bunch of stuff. The Friendship Cup, to keep things short, was an annual tournament held in the City where twenty-four participants gather to Duel and decide who the new Duel King will be. I was confused by the number at first—why not sixteen or thirty-two? —but apparently, it's so there will be three Duelists in the semi-finals.

It used to be sixteen, but since the latest King, Jack Atlas, who's been holding the title for three years now, never Duels out in the open, they decided to change that. We had three chances to see Jack Duel: in the exhibition match and the semi-finals where he Duels a random participant, and in the finals against the last participant with the title of Duel King on the line. They were so thirsty for Jack that they changed the usual flow of a tournament just to see him Duel thrice. Man, these people sure were devoted...not that I could blame them.

That said, the Friendship Cup was created to promote harmony between Tops and Commons, but by the looks of things, it didn't serve its purpose at all in the previous years...but hey, this year might just be the exception! I hope. This city seriously needed more unity between its people.

After that, I tried to see if other characters from the main cast were present in this universe, and much to my delighted surprise, I found Izayoi Aki! Her mother was a prestigious doctor in a Tops hospital, and she followed in her footsteps to become a doctor herself who Dueled in her spare time. Her father, on the other hand, was a friend of someone in the Executive Council and directly worked for them. In short, they're big shots here, and it's safe to say Aki's a normal youth as I found no mentions of Psychic powers on the net. I hope she'll join the tournament and we'll Duel... I'll make sure to make her smile with my Entertainment Dueling!

You'd think the day's over when you go to sleep, but that didn't happen to me last night. I had a new Vision, involving two of my new children, and I was ready to bet the others will come next. If I didn't get ones with Demiurge or his servants yet, I guess that confirmed I'll never get them as they weren't part of "my children"-group.

Ren and Antinomy noticed my mood dropped a little in the morning, so they tried to cheer me up by gifting me Ren's old Riding Duelist attire, which was his first-ever one and kept as a memento. I reassured them I was OK and all that, but they insisted, and I actually needed an outfit since I'm entering the Friendship Cup, so I thanked them and accepted it.

As it held emotional importance to the masked man, I'll take good care of it! It was a white high-collared jumpsuit outlined in green highlights and a dark green torso, paired with gloves, boots, knee and elbow guards colored a slightly darker shade of white. My helmet was the same as Antinomy's but white with a light blue visor, and both had that peculiar EVE insignia on one of their sides. I asked my housemates about it, and they said it's something a friend of theirs drew before leaving the City to study abroad and became their friendship's symbol...

My Duel Monster comrades and I still think it's weird how nice they're being to me simply because Ren's pride urged him to rescue me, but considering the same happened in Standard with Shuzo and Yuzu for other circumstances, we decided to put the theorizing on hold for now and stay alert for anything out of the ordinary.

"Perfect." after leafing through our signed application sheets, Antinomy nodded to himself and placed them in a storage area situated under his seat. "If I see them acting incredulously when I reveal I'm your friend, I won't return as soon as earlier. Keep the news on, or you might just miss my Duel."

"Someone's full of energy today." he smirked at Ren's words and started his D-Wheel.

"Show them what you're made of!" I gave a thumbs up and a smile while Ren opened the garage door.

"Absolutely." Antinomy nodded and left the house at high speed.

"Now then," Ren slid the garage door back down and faced yours truly. "What do you say about a friendly Duel with no Solid Vision? Since we can't leave the house and have little to no room in here, I think that's the best option to go with."

I blinked twice. "A Duel?" where did that come from? "Um, aren't we supposed to finish yesterday's lesson...?"

"Yes, we are." Ren confirmed my words. "But a Duel will shake our brains wide awake and we'll have no trouble focusing. Call it a warm-up before the actual exercise."

"The perfect way to start a new day." Baphomet concurred, but then did a double-take. "If you think of a Duel as a jog, that is."

"I guess so." I told him, and Ren took it as an answer to his statement since he couldn't hear my god. A Duel against Ren, huh...I smiled. He's strong, so this will surely turn out to be a great fight! And it felt like ages since I last Dueled without the Solid Vision. "I'm game."

"Good. Let's use the table upstairs since it's larger than the one down here." Ren pointed at the interior door with a thumb. "I'll turn on the news on my Duel Disk to avoid missing Antinomy's potential Duel."

Following his words, we headed to the second floor and sat down at the opposite sides of the table. One of Demiurge's servants spoke up as we were shuffling our decks and getting ready to start.

"Shouldn't you do something productive with your time instead of playing?" what do you mean, Perses? No, actually...I understand what you meant, but we had a reason to do this!

"What's the harm in this?" thanks, Saleos! The demon chuckled. "Vince-kun and his new friend aren't slackers either, which means a little fun before work won't deconcentrate them later."

Xolotl added, "This is an opportunity to learn more of Ren's battle style, too." exactly.

"DUEL." we declared in unison and drew our starting hands.

Ren: LP 4000

VS

Vince: LP 4000

"If you don't mind, I'll take the first turn." hm? This time, he wants to go first...which meant his deck was versatile when it came to an opening turn. "I summon White Moray."

He placed the said card, which depicted a white ribbon eel, down in front of him.

White Moray: ATK 600 / DEF 200 / LV: 2

"I activate the Spell Card White Circle Reef." Ren stated, moving Moray to the GY and picking up his deck. "By destroying one 'White' Monster I control, I add one Monster with the same name from my Deck to my hand. Next, I activate the Spell Card White Mirror."

He moved the Moray in his GY back to the field, "It lets me target one Level 4 or lower Fish-Type Monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it. Moreover, I can add one Monster with the same name from my Deck to my hand."

"There can only be three copies of the same card in a deck, yes?" Styx didn't sound pleased. "That means this man managed to call them all out quickly with minimal efforts. His control over his servants is praiseworthy."

"What are you surprised about? They're simply fishes." Camazotz scoffed, and I got a sense of déjà vu.

"Oya? Making fun of them for a second time?" Ixtab sighed playfully. "Haven't you learned from your previous lesson it won't end well?"

"If Special Summoned from the Graveyard, I can turn Moray into a Tuner." Ren said, not giving the god any time to retort.

"Even the Main Deck Monsters have that trait?" I inquired in surprise. It wasn't only limited to his Synchro Monsters?

"Apart from one or two, yes." Ren chuckled. He could gather Tuners so easily...it's like the doors to a Synchro Summon were always open for him. "By discarding the two Morays I've fetched, I can Special Summon White Sea Nettle from my hand."

The card showed the image of a sea nettle with long, spiraling, white oral arms, undulating munsell yellow tentacles, and a white bell that had light turquoise trims.

White Sea Nettle: Water / Fish / Effect / ATK: 1800 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 6

"By doing so, Sea Nettle's Level decreases by one for each discarded card, in this case two." he moved his two Monsters to the GY. "I tune the Level 2 Moray with the now Level 4 Sea Nettle."

As he extracted a card from his Extra Deck and placed it down in front of him, 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."

White Aura Dolphin: ATK 2400 / DEF 1000 / LV: 6

I couldn't help but smirk. "Your partner right off the bat, huh?" this will be interesting.

"Sea Nettle's other effect." Ren took hold of his deck again. "Since I used it as material for the Synchro Summon of a 'White Aura' Monster, I can add one 'White' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand. I choose White Spirits."

"That card..." the one which defeated the Duel Chaser.

"...But he has no banished White Auras..." a good point, Howard. "...You're safe for now..."

"I set two cards and end my turn." Ren concluded, followed by a chuckle. "Already wary of White Spirits, eh? I can't say I blame you. As you can see, my deck's complex. I think using complex tactics is a basic Duel strategy since the more distracted and worked up the opponent gets, the more prone they become to mistakes."

Using complexity to your own advantage... Daphne's the same, and I knew that better than anyone, after all, that tactic almost defeated me in our first Duel. Using numerous Special Summons and effects with Ulti-Cannahawk as its core, she cornered me mentally and I panicked at the end. The perfect type of strategy for big brainers like Daphne and Ren, even Reiji.

...Although, now that I thought about it, weren't I the same? My deck also uses numerous Special Summons and effects to build a strong board and pressure the opponent. My eyes widened at the sudden realization that—not to brag of course—I was a big brainer like them, using the same strategy. Wow, the more you know. And more reasons to be glad we're Dueling right now.

"I agree with you, Ren! It's my turn now." drawing my new card, I shot a quick glance at Ren, who crossed his arms on the table and waited for my move, and then back at my hand.

Using all five Summoning Methods in a single Duel might overwhelm him, so I should keep it simple and reveal Pendulum as the only never-before-seen method my deck contains. He, and even Antinomy, will see them anyway in the Friendship Cup, so there's no reason to delay the inevitable. I just hope the reveal I'm from a different Dimension, hence why I have other Summoning Methods, won't damage our growing bond... They're great people, and I'd love to continue hanging out with them in the future.

"I summon the Tuner Monster, Mythorror Ammit."

I placed the said card down in front of me. It depicted the goddess with the forequarters of a lion, the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, and the head of a crocodile. Since no Solid Vision was involved this time around, she growled to announce her presence to me.

Mythorror Ammit: Dark / Fiend / Pendulum / Tuner / Effect / ATK: 0 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 2 / SC: 8

"Ammit?" Ren leaned forward to get a better view of my card. Here comes the obvious question, "A Monster Card that's half green...? Vince, what in the world is that? It's the first time I see something like it."

"This is a Pendulum Monster," I explained to him. Showing honesty was the best way to avoid arousing doubt in his heart, so I won't keep secrets from him or Antinomy. "They act like typical Monsters when Summoned, but they come with several, unique perks. When destroyed, released, or used as material, they are added to the Extra Deck face-up instead of going to the Graveyard. The reason why they're half green is that they can be placed in a special Zone called the Pendulum Zone."

I moved Ammit to the said Zone for demonstration purposes. "In this state, they're treated as Spell Cards and unlock their Pendulum Effect, which are written in the rectangle above their Monster Effect one. The number written under the blue and red arrows is their Pendulum Scale, and when both Pendulum Zones are occupied, the owner may perform a Pendulum Summoning and simultaneously Summon Monsters—including the Pendulum Monsters face-up in the Extra Deck—with Levels denoted between the set Scales."

"Waah, you're ruining all the surprises, Master!" Fey wailed.

"But this is for the better." Reynardine, who caught onto my plan, commented.

"Th-That's quite a lot to drain in." Ren admitted with a lighthearted tone, causing me to nod with a chuckle. He did have a good point, I was surprised like him when I first saw this new Method. "Where did you learn all that? To begin with, where did you get those cards?"

"For your first question, I had to learn it all on my own by Dueling others and fleeing the scene to avoid having my cards stolen." I lied and scratched the back of his neck with a sheepish chuckle. "As for your second query...to be honest, I snuck into the Tops area one night to scavenge for food, but ended up finding these guys instead."

I stared at my cards fondly to create a sad atmosphere and fool him, although my expression was everything but a lie. I was ashamed to admit it, but I used this opportunity to caress them with a valid excuse.

"Aww, you're making me blush~." my smile widened at Succubus's teasing. I'd love to say something back, but revealing I can communicate with Duel Spirits was a matter for another day for Ren.

"I see." the said man nodded, and by his tone, I could tell he was smiling under his mask. "It's nice to know you've found yourself a deck that makes you happy."

"Yeah... Ah!" I abruptly shouted when I snapped out of my paternal state. "S-Sorry for ruining the mood like that."

"Don't be. I asked about it in the first place." Ren reassured me with a wave of his hand. "But if you want, you can make up for it by heating things up."

"Right!" my smile returned at that. "I activate Ammit's effect. I discard a card to target one Monster in a Graveyard and banish it, allowing my goddess to gain its Attack until my next Standby Phase. I banish White Sea Nettle from your Graveyard."

(Ammit: 0→1800 ATK)

"A smart decision." Ren pointed out while moving his card to the Banish Zone. "You're diminishing the number of 'White' Monsters in my Graveyard, thus limiting my banishing targets for the resurrection of my 'White Aura' Monsters."

"I see it didn't escape your notice." I said begrudgingly. Of course it didn't; someone of his caliber should perceive that the moment it happens. "I activate the Equip Spell Demon Halberd and equip it to my goddess, increasing her Attack by 700. Moreover, the effects of any Monsters she attacks are negated during the Damage Step only."

(Ammit: 1800→2500 ATK)

"Alright!" Willauk cheered. "It's only by 100, but it's higher than the dolphin's power!"

Yep. "Battle." I pointed at the opposing Synchro Monster. "Ammit, attack Dolphin with Devouring of the Dead."

"I activate the Continuous Trap Synchro Zone." Ren flipped over one of his face-downs. "So long as this card is in play, the attack of all non-Synchro Monsters are negated."

I frowned. "Only Synchro Monsters are permitted to attack...?" unless I destroy that card, I had no choice but to go with my only-using-Synchro-in-this-Duel strategy. "I place two cards face-down and pass."

"Ore no turn." Ren declared. "Draw. Dolphin no kōka. Once per turn, I can target one face-up Monster you control and have its Attack become half its original Attack for this turn. I target your goddess."

My eyes widened in shock. "Since Ammit's original Attack is 0...her Attack becomes 0."

(Ammit: 2500→0 ATK)

"It had an ability like that? Props for winning against that officer without using it!" Seth's praise went lost to our opponent who couldn't hear him.

"Who's side are you on...?" Adaro inquired with an exasperated sigh. Well, it never hurt to show some respect to your foes.

"My king's, of course!" Seth sounded offended his loyalty was just questioned.

"Battle." Ren said. "Dolphin, attack Ammit with White Splash."

"I activate the Continuous Trap Fufluns' Euphoria!" I hastily stated. "Thanks to this card, the first time I would take damage each turn, I gain that many Life Points instead."

My goddess growled in frustration, having no chance to counterattack but simply watch me move her card to the GY. I guess that's a disadvantage of Dueling with no Solid Vision, giving no chance to our Monsters to actually battle.

Vince: LP 4000 + 2400 = 6400

"You converted an instance of huge damage into Life." Ren chuckled in amusement, unbothered by this turn of events. "Well dodged."

"That's not all. Your attack helped me in more ways than that." I boasted with a smirk. "Since Demon Halberd was sent from the field to the Graveyard, you take 400 damage."

"Hoh?"

"I also activate the Trap Card Book of Myths." I flipped over my remaining face-down. "I can use it the moment my Mythorror is destroyed. I now add two Mythorrors with different names from my Deck to my hand."

"So I've triggered three effects by attacking and defeating your Monster, almost as if you've punished me for hurting her." oh...I've never thought of it like that, but that's a perfect way to put it. No one messes with my children and gets away with it scot-free, after all. "The chain resolves."

Ren: LP 4000 - 400 = 3600

"I set a card and end my turn." the masked man concluded.

"A slow start from both of you." Demiurge noted to himself out loud. He then chuckled, content that it's my turn again and that I'm about to corner my opponent. "Why don't you kick it up a notch, my vessel?"

It's rare to see him in a positive mood, so let's try to keep it that way. "Boku no turn, draw." I announced. "I summon the Tuner Monster, Mythorror Baphomet."

Mythorror Baphomet: Tuner / ATK 0 / DEF 0 / LV: 1 / SC: 10

I took hold of a card in my GY. "Baphomet's effect activates on Normal Summon, letting me target Charon in my Graveyard and Special Summon him with his effects negated."

The card showed the image of a pale blue-skinned man with gray eyes, shoulder-length and wavy light brown hair, and a physique so rangy to the point you could see the bones underneath his skin, wearing a dark cloak that had golden trims and golden cuff bracelets.

Mythorror Charon: Dark / Fiend / Pendulum / Effect / ATK: 2100 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 6 / SC: 1

"Charon...the card you discarded in your previous turn." Ren realized.

"Yeah! Now I tune the Level 6 Charon with the Level 1 Baphomet." I moved them to the GY as I chanted. "Queen of the Great Below, heed my call. Ascend from your kingdom and pass judgment upon the unjust earthlings! Synchro Summon. Be free, Mythorror Goddess Ereshkigal."

I revealed the card that depicted the giant, white, human skeleton which lacked her pelvis, legs, and feet, had a lengthened backbone, crimson energy glowing in her skull, rib cage, and joints, wore a white veil and an obsidian crown, and held a deformed spear of energy.

Mythorror Goddess Ereshkigal: ATK 2700 / DEF 1800 / LV: 7

"The attack names and chants build the correct atmosphere, yes, but..." Ereshkigal cleared her throat, unsure how to word her thoughts without offending me.

"They make this awkward, considering all you're doing is placing down cards." Adaro concluded for her, prompting me to click my tongue. It's hard to hold back, they come on instinct!

"What's wrong?" noticing my suddenly bothered expression, Ren tilted his head slightly.

"Ah, no, nothing." I quickly reassured him with a shake of my head and I requipped my smile. "Moving on, I activate Ereshkigal's and Fey's effects. I Special Summon the latter from my hand." my smile widened at the fairy's gleeful cheers of finally being used in a Duel. "If a Mythorror is Special Summoned to my field, I can also call her out to play and make her Level become equal to the Summoned comrade's, in this case six."

Level or Rank, I added in my head but left out for obvious reasons. I placed the said card, which depicted a palm-sized female youth with fair skin, blue eyes, silver hair kept in twin buns that left a bang to fall around each side of her face, two black fairy wings emerging from her back, a black teardrop-shaped tattoo under her right eye, and wearing a black one-shoulder dress with a gray bow tied around her waist and black shoes with upturned blue toes, down in front of me.

Mythorror Fey: Dark / Fiend / Effect / ATK: 0 / DEF: 2100 / LV: 3→7

"I see not all Main Deck Mythorrors are Pendulum Monsters." Ren pointed out.

"Some diversity is always welcomed." I commented. "My goddess's effect resolves. When she's Synchro Summoned successfully, I can Special Summon one face-up Mythorror Monster from my Extra Deck that was used as a Synchro Material to Summon her, in defense mode and with its effects negated. I choose Baphomet."

"So you're all set for a second Synchro Summon." Ren said.

"Correct!" I snapped my fingers with a grin. "I tune the now Level 7 Fey with the Level 1 Baphomet. My patient hunter lurking in the darkness! Feast on those who defy me, and gather their heads as trophies! Synchro Summon! Fly down, Level 8! Mythorror God Camazotz!"

Mythorror God Camazotz: ATK 2800 / DEF 2100 / LV: 8

"When Fey, who was Summoned by her own effect, leaves the field, she's banished."

"2700 and 2800 Attack..." my opponent muttered in concern.

"That's not all. I activate Camazotz's effect!" I stated. "By destroying one other face-up card I control, this god will gain the ability to perform two attacks on Monsters per Battle Phase this turn. I choose to destroy Fufluns' Euphoria, allowing its effect to activate. If it's destroyed on the field and sent to the Graveyard, I can draw a card and gain 500 Life Points."

Vince: LP 6400 + 500 = 6900

Ren hummed. "6900 Life Points, impressive." I rubbed my nose and chuckled, proud I was able to surpass the amount of LP Daphne reached in our last Duel. "Not to mention, three consecutive attacks... Your aim's to empty my Graveyard of 'White' Monsters."

"Actually, I plan to go beyond that." I admitted before aiming a finger at his partner. "Battle! Camazotz, attack Dolphin."

Ren: LP 3600 - 400 = 3200

Instead of removing her card from the field, Ren moved a card from his GY to his Banish Zone.

"Dolphin no kōka." he then declared. "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. I banish one Moray and revive her in defense mode."

"Camazotz will attack her again. Death's Dive!"

The same scene from before repeated itself. "Using her effect, I revive her for the second time in defense mode." hm? Ren's voice...just now, it sounded much more animated than before. Heh, did this mean he's enjoying the Duel? As an Entertainment Duelist, that's great to hear.

"It's Ereshkigal's turn now. Attack Dolphin!"

"Dolphin no kōka."

"The Battle Phase ends...is probably what you're thinking, right? However, I have a surprise for you." I revealed a card from my hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Eschatos Logy! This allows a Mythorror to declare an additional attack during the Battle Phase, at the cost of halving all battle damage you take for the rest of this turn."

"A fourth attack?" by his tone, I was sure Ren's eyes widened under his mask.

"Ereshkigal declares her own second attack. Go, Verdict of the Seven!"

"All the ammunition to keep his servant alive is gone." Demiurge pointed out gleefully. "Can he dodge it or not, I wonder?"

"I planned on saving this for later, but you've forced my hand. Torappu hatsudō: Synchro Hurdle!" a card, which depicted Junk Warrior taking cover behind a wall of Spell and Trap Cards from a crimson energy beam, appeared. "Since my Synchro Monster was attacked, I can destroy up to two other Spell and Trap Cards I control and apply an effect, depending on the number of destroyed cards. I destroy my set card in order to negate this attack."

"Heeh, seriously?" Sidonia said through a sigh.

"After all that, I still wasn't able to defeat her." I smiled in exasperation. But I was able to force him to send White Spirits to the GY, meaning I won't have to fear the same trick he used on the Duel Chaser. "I place one card face-down and pass."

"That was close." Ren breathed out, relieved I had no more attacks to declare. "If it wasn't for my Trap, my partner would've bit the dust. Well done, Vince. Something like this didn't occur for quite some time."

"I feel honored." I allowed myself to joke.

"Ahahaha! I'm really glad I've found someone new who can corner me," Ren explained, and it didn't escape my notice how his fingers twitched, completely giving away the fact he's enjoying the fight. "Although, please, don't tell Antinomy. He'd get mad at me for saying that when I still haven't surpassed him."

My eyes widened. "Surpass?" but that means—"Antinomy...is your teacher?"

"Yes. Both in engineering and Dueling."

"In both, he says?" Balor parroted in surprise, a sentiment shared by yours truly. He then proceeded to say why we're surprised, "If that's the case, how strong is his friend—"

"Seventy-five to zero. That's our score so far." unbeknownst to Ren, he answered Balor's question, and caused the room to fall into an uncomfortable silence. Even Demiurge, who always had a remark up his sleeve, was surprised by those numbers. "Oops. I say that, but the first four Duels were tutorials, so maybe I shouldn't count them..."

I gulped involuntarily. Seventy-one...that didn't make it sound any better! Ren was strong, which went without saying, considering how one-sided his Duel against the Duel Chaser was and that I've yet to see him Dueling with his full might. So a person like him...didn't win even once against Antinomy...!?

"Just how strong is that man...!?" Seth muttered in excitement, a sentiment shared by Lindworm who growled, eager to fight him.

"Pardon me, but I believe this isn't the correct occasion to rejoice about that." Tindalos agreed with Xolotl's words with a low growl.

"Ore no turn. Draw!" Ren began his assault, putting an end to our conversation. "I activate the Spell Card Card of the Pure Sea."

A card, which depicted three White Payaras swimming up towards the viewer from a dark abyss with a card in each of their mouths, appeared.

"I target and return three of my banished 'White' Monsters to the Graveyard, then draw a card from each returned card." Ren stated. "I select my three White Morays, thus drawing three new cards."

I gritted my teeth in frustration. "Vince-sama went through all that trouble for nothing, nya~!?" Nekomata whined.

"It's obvious I'd have a card to return my banished 'White' Monsters to the grave." seeing my expression, Ren chuckled. "Covering a deck's weakness is always important, is what I've been taught. Moving on, I activate the Continuous Spell Whitefish Salvage and use its effect. Only once during a turn, I can target one Fish-Type Monster in my Graveyard and add it to my hand. I return Moray, which I then summon."

After doing so, "Now I tune the Level 2 Moray with Level 6 Dolphin." as he extracted a card from his Extra Deck and placed it down in front of him, he chanted. "Great whale slumbering in the blue abyss, awaken in the deep between life and death. Synchro Summon! Arise, Level 8! White Aura Whale!"

White Aura Whale: Water / Fish / Synchro / Effect / ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8

"From the dolphin to the whale?" Styx sounded shocked. "His Synchro evolved?"

"My Synchros remain in continual flux. I dubbed it 'Reincarnation Synchro'." for being the one who invented it, Ren's pride was evident in his words. "Whale no kōka! If this card is Special Summoned, I can destroy all Monsters you control. Life Purification!"

I moved my two gods to the GY. "What a monstrous effect." Reynardine muttered in concern.

"But it didn't render me defenseless." I reassured him, which also served as an interjection to Ren. "Since Camazotz was destroyed, I can activate his effect to Special Summon one Level 5 or lower Mythorror who's face-up in my Extra Deck or in my Graveyard, and this turn, it can't be destroyed by battle or your card effects. I Special Summon Ammit from my Extra Deck in defense mode!"

"I activate the Equip Spell White Scales and equip it to Whale." he revealed a card which depicted white fish scales glowing brightly at the bottom of a dark abyss. "Battle. Whale, attack Ammit. Thanks to its effect, if it attacks a Monster in defense mode, you take piercing damage! Great Tusk!"

Vince: LP 6900 - 800 = 6100

"White Scales' additional effect." Ren declared. "Since the equipped Monster's attack concluded, I can target one Spell or Trap Card you control and destroy it, and if I do, you take 800 damage. Your set card is history."

At least I was able to protect Ammit... I reasoned with myself as I moved the set Elysian Fields to the GY.

Vince: LP 6100 - 800 = 5300

"I set a card and end my turn." slowly but surely, I was getting the gist of his playstyle. He relies on effects that involve Monsters with the same name or that allow him to easily gather low-Leveled Monsters and Tuners to fuel his Reincarnation Synchro. His Spells and Traps boost the strength of his assaults and ensure survivability.

It's a straightforward strategy hidden under a complex exterior. It...did remind me of Ren. He was surrounded by question marks when I had first met him, but by slowly finding out the type of person he is, I could see he's a simple and straightforward guy who loves D-Wheels and Riding Dueling. Heh, a fitting deck for him.

"Boku no turn!" I stated while drawing. "I activate the Spell Card Eternal Ouroboros. With the power of eternity residing in an ouroboros, I can Special Summon one Mythorror from my Graveyard by paying Life Points equal to its Level times 100."

I returned Camazotz's card to the field.

Vince: LP 5300 - 800 = 4500

"However, the revived Monster's Attack and Defense become 0, and his effects are negated."

(Camazotz: 2800→0 ATK, 2100→0 DEF)

"Oya? Going for a Level 10 Synchro?" Ren cocked his head to the side.

"You got it in one." I grinned wide. "I tune the Level 8 Camazotz with the Level 2 Ammit. My prideful Windmaid soaring in the sky. Hoist up the squall of anger, become the storm that blows away all opposition! Synchro Summon! Descend, Level 10! Mythorror Titaness Aura!"

I placed the said card down in front of me, which depicted a beautiful young woman with fair skin, a scar starting at her forehead's left side and running over her right eye to her right cheek, a crimson line tattooed across her nasal ridge, cold green eyes, a flat chest—she once compared her breasts to Artemis's, stating hers were better and then got in trouble for it, so I thought it was worth mentioning; don't think I was checking her out, got it!?—and luscious green hair that reached her bare feet and had wing-shaped bangs at either side of her head. She wore a simple, snow-white peplos, and sat atop a lion-shaped cloud, holding a spear enveloped by raging winds.

Mythorror Titaness Aura: Dark / Fiend / Synchro / Pendulum / Effect / ATK: 3300 / DEF: 2500 / LV: 10 / SC: 1

"A Synchro-Pendulum Monster...?" Ren noted warily.

Demiurge admitted Yuya's Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon intrigued him, and as I expected, he altered his three Titan servants into hybrids, thus creating his own Pendulum-infused Extra Deck Monsters at the first opportunity he got. It's Demiurge we're talking about, the god who always wants to stand at the top. And you bet he bragged like there was no tomorrow when he revealed them to me.

"Now then, human, let me punish this man for opposing us." Aura urged me.

As you wish! "Battle. Aura, attack Whale! Raging Tempest!"

"Torappu hatsudō: White Line!" Ren abruptly declared. "I change your Monster to defense mode! Moreover, I take no effect damage for the rest of this turn!"

"That won't happen in Aura's presence. I activate my Titaness's effect!" I interjected. "Once per turn, during the Battle Phase, when a card or effect is activated, I can negate that activation and destroy that card! By doing so, Aura gains 500 Attack until the End Phase!"

(Aura: 3300→3800 ATK)

Ren: LP 3200 - 1000 = 2200

"Aura's other effect activates," I explained. "If she destroys an opponent's monster by battle, I gain Life Points equal to half that Monster's Attack or Defense, whichever is higher. Cruel Breeze!"

"I chain Whale's effect to that." Ren stated. "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 it back to my field as a Tuner. I banish one Moray and revive it in attack mode!"

The chain resolved with Ren's effect coming first and then mine.

Vince: LP 4500 + 1400 = 5900

"My Reincarnation Synchro is absolute. Whale no kōka!" Ren gestured at my field. "Life Purification!"

"I won't allow it!" I dropped the remaining card in my hand in the GY zone. "I activate Mythorror Adaro's effect in my hand, discarding him so 'Mythorror' cards under my control can't be destroyed by your card effects this turn."

"Finally! It felt like ages since I last used that ability of mine." Adaro giggled. "I know I didn't actually use it, but you get what I mean."

"...Humph, a nice counter." I nodded in thanks to my opponent's praise.

"Yours was too, Ren. I end my turn! Aura's effect expires, and her Attack returns to normal."

(Aura: 3800→3300 ATK)

"Ore no turn, draw!" the masked man announced. "I banish White Spirits from my Graveyard to activate its effect, targeting Whale for it. For the rest of this turn, my target gains 1000 Attack!"

My eyes widened in surprise. "It also had a Graveyard-effect?" talk about annoying.

(Whale: 2800→3800 ATK)

"Its strength surpassed Aura's." the said goddess growled in anger at Supay's words.

"Battle!" Ren exclaimed. "Whale, attack Mythorror Titaness Aura! Great Tusk!"

Frowning, I could nothing but add her to my Extra Deck face-up.

Vince: LP 5900 - 500 = 5400

"For me to be defeated this easily...! Human, are you half asleep or something!?" Aura suddenly yelled in frustration, prompting me to blink twice. "Not once did I lose while following Demiurge-sama's orders. Learn to do better than this!"

E-Eh!? It's my fault you lost!? No, actually...she had a point, but there was nothing I could do about it. This was a game, and in a game, one must follow the rules. I couldn't just say "No, I refuse to remove Aura from the field" and continue playing!

"Blaming the vessel for your loss? How pathetic." at least Perses was defending me in a way.

"At this instant, I activate two effects," Ren explained, tapping his Synchro Monster twice. "The first: because Whale destroyed your Monster by battle, it can make a second attack in a row."

He then removed a card from his GY. "The second: because Whale destroyed your Monster by battle, I can banish White Scales from my Graveyard and allow it to make an additional attack during this Battle Phase."

"Two more attacks?" I inquired, and when I realized my field and hand were empty and I had no GY-effects to use, I blanched. N-No way. I—"I lost...!?"

"Battle." I gasped at Ren's declaration. "Whale attacks you directly twice."

Vince: LP 5400 - 3800 = 1600 - 3800 = 0

Winner: Ren!

"Vince-kun..." Snow whispered in concern, not expecting me to lose, but I was too lost in my racing thoughts to answer her.

I lost. It was my first Duel in the Synchro Dimension, yet I already lost. It's true that my opponent was Ren, who had just revealed to be an extraordinary Duelist and paled in comparison to Antinomy, but that didn't consent me to lose! How was I supposed to carry out my mission as a Lancer and protect my children when this was all I could muster?

I didn't want to cover behind Demiurge, either. I couldn't expect him to save me whenever I challenge a strong opponent. What if he runs out of energy and we can't swap places? What if my opponent is someone like Reiji, who can stand his ground even against a god? I lose, and get carded or sent to the Facility!?

I won't accept that. Not when there are those who need me—

"Vince!" a sudden shout brought me back to reality, and I turned to Ren who was standing beside me and resting a hand on my shoulder. I didn't notice him standing up or saying anything before that shout... "I'm well acquainted with the frustration you're feeling right now. But don't lose focus like that."

He gestured downwards with his head, and when I looked, I saw my tightly clenched fists on the table. I hissed in pain as I uncurled them, revealing my bloodied palms. Dammit, I was so distracted by my thoughts I didn't notice I was digging my nails into my skin, either.

Coco growled, worried about my current state, to which I lightly shook my head. "I'm fine." I reassured him, as well as my other children who were worried, and turned to Ren with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that..."

"Oi, don't say that." he comforted me with a soft chuckle and a pat on the shoulder. "Since we finished here, how about we head back downstairs and finish yesterday's lesson?"

I nodded. "I'll meet you there." Ren took his deck and Duel Disk and went to the garage while I went to the bathroom. I washed my hands and even splashed some cold water on my face to cool my head. Overreacting like that will change nothing; I must remember Reiji's words.

Strong emotions aren't enough to survive. Whether I accept a loss or not doesn't matter, but what does is the fact I must grow stronger. For the sake of those who need me. I glanced at my cards, which were still spread out on the table. They're helping me harden my heart and teaching me how to sense the auras of Duel Spirits every day, and while I wasn't making huge leaps, they'd always reassure me I was getting closer and closer to my goals.

What about Dueling? It's true my deck's strong, which Reiji pointed out himself, but having strong cards doesn't make someone automatically strong. One must learn how to draw out that power, how to pair it with other cards, and how to defend themselves with it. I had no problems learning how to use my and Demiurge's cards, but what if there was more to it? Like a weakness or a cool combo I didn't spot yet...? How could I—

Wait. My and Demiurge's card...my and Demiurge's... "That's it!" my eyes widened as realization hit me. I turned to my reflection on the bathroom mirror, knowing I was staring right back at the god inside me. "Demiurge!"

"Ugh, I have that horrible feeling where you're about to ask me a favor." he sighed in irritation, prompting me to chuckle. Got it in one! "What is it?"

"You said you permit me to use a few of your cards and servants in order to teach Reiji what true strength looks like...but as you can clearly see, I wasn't able to draw out Aura's full potential in that Duel. If I can't even defeat my first opponent here in Synchro, what hopes do I have in fulfilling your request? That's why I want to ask you to teach me how to use well your cards, so I can avoid another loss in the future and do as you wished."

"...It's clear you're attempting to sweet talk me into helping you, but sadly, you made a good point that I cannot overlook." I mentally struck a guts pose at his words. Heh heh, I knew saying it like that will work! "Maybe I could give you a hint or two about your own cards while we're at it."

"Viiince! Quick, Antinomy's Dueling live!"

"Really!? Coming!" I shouted and rushed down to the garage with my cards and a happy smile. For the sake of those who need me...I'll become strong!

---

Serena's POV

(...The next day...)

"You guys...you were captured, too?"

Was the first thing I found myself asking the moment the cell's door was closed behind me by the prison guard and I noticed who's my cellmate, as well as the people in the cell opposite to ours. Daphne said nothing in response, while Yuu scratched the back of his head with a sheepish chuckle, and Manek leaned against the wall in the corner of our cell.

"It seems none of us had much luck." I added with a sigh and sat down on the bed opposite to where Manek's standing. No, on second thought, there were moments where my group was favored by good fortune, especially when Crow came in clutch and saved us from Security. "For how long have you been here?"

"Two days." Yuu replied with a frown. "It was just the three of us when we got here, then Security suddenly popped up and attacked us. We managed to defeat them, but reinforcements arrived seconds later, and we decided to surrender."

My eyes widened. "What?" my surprise didn't originate from hearing someone of Daphne's and Manek's caliber surrendering to those Security weaklings. Even if a strong Duelist were to fight cannon fodder, a horde of them would be troublesome to deal with. They'd tire you out and force you into submission. Academia used this type of strategy on numerous occasions to defeat the most infamous Resistance members, as well as strong Defectors.

I was surprised by what he had said before that. "The same thing happened to us." Yuu's eyes widened at my words. "They were accusing us on false pretenses, saying we were wanted since the night before we arrived. But when we were overwhelmed, a local group of D-Wheelers rescued us, assuming we were fellow Commons attempting to rescue a defenseless kid from Security."

I stopped when I realized what I'd said. "Ah, sorry. You guys probably don't know about the Commons and Tops situation if you were locked up in here."

"On the contrary." Daphne corrected me, taking a seat on her own bed with a frown. "This is the place where the hate of the Commons towards the Tops is at its strongest. People express that hatred on a daily basis here, so finding that out is no arduous task."

Ah, that made sense. "Then that saves some explaining."

"And?" at Manek's question, I crossed my arms to avoid clenching them in a display of anger and guilt, in other words, of weakness. "How were you caught?"

I wished to avoid mentioning that...heck, even avoid thinking about it. It annoyed me, it angered me, and it made me feel guilty. After all, it's because of me and Sawatari that our hiding place was found and that we were captured, moreso mine since that blonde idiot was spurred by my rebellious actions, if not he would've stayed put too.

Barrett always scolded me for being impatient, which I won't deny. I won't deny that Crow's and Yuya's plan to stay hidden until things calm down was justified, either. But there's a difference between slow progress and no progress whatsoever. This wasn't a vacation trip; we're here for a reason, and we can't afford to take things slowly. I won't take back my words, and I still think my decision was correct.

Too bad you did a horrible job at covering your tracks. an irritating voice from the back of my head pointed out. I bit the inside of my cheek to avoid making a face.

"An ambush." I said, plain and simple. "When we realized we were surrounded, it was already too late. I was captured alongside Yuya and Sawatari, as well as the leader of the group who saved us and one of his comrades. Reira was also with us, but when Security attacked us, I saw Tsukikage slip in during the confusion and take her away."

"He must have been searching for us under Akaba Reiji's orders, and coincidentally crossed paths with you right at that moment." Daphne theorized, to which I agreed with a nod. More than likely, those two were together when they arrived here.

"If Reira's with the President-san and Tsukikage, there's no need to worry about her safety. Or any of their safety, for that matter." Yuu's grip on the cell bars suddenly tightened. "That leaves only Vince in the dark..."

Vince, huh...? "I don't think we should worry about him." Manek reassured him. "He was probably saved by that Common in a similar fashion to Serena's group. Knowing his personality, I'm sure he already became friends with his savior. And for all we know, he might've found Reiji's group along the way, but that's just pure speculation."

Agreed with both points. Vince's capable of standing on his own feet considering his strength and personality. Although... "Aren't we missing somebody?" I pointed out, glancing at Yuu with furrowed brows. "Gongenzaka, Dennis, and Kurosaki. What about them?"

"They're here, too, actually." I blinked twice at Daphne's words.

"What...? They were captured? When?"

"Last night," Yuu explained, making me blink again. So the day before yesterday, yesterday, and today Lancers were captured...one day after the other, huh. What a coincidence. "Apparently, they were ambushed in an underground Dueling arena by Security. They're in the men's prison cell section, apart from Kurosaki, who's in solitary confinement."

"You should've seen him." Manek let loose of an amused smirk. "It was only his first day here, but he already got into a fight with ten or so other prisoners, and was sent straight there. He beat them all to a pulp."

I rolled my eyes. "Honestly, that doesn't come as a shocker." considering his temper and all that.

"I still think what Hashima did tops that..." Yuu sweatdropped.

"Hoh?" I eyed the brown-haired youth curiously.

"It was a reasonable course of action, but by the looks of things, nobody seems to agree with me." the person in question sighed, closing her eyes and crossing her arms under her chest. "On our first day here, we discovered who the boss of the prisoners is, obvious from the food he was eating during lunch, which was much more exquisite than ours. So after asking for confirmation, I challenged him to a Duel."

"...Hm-hmm, a good choice." I commented with a nod. Manek's amused smirk didn't vanish, while Yuu's eyes widened and started mumbling incoherent words, but I didn't pay them any mind. I would've done the same as Daphne: defeat the boss in order to take over their position, securing myself a hefty advantage.

"See? I told you it made sense." Daphne opened her eyes to look at Yuu. Seriously, why were our logical actions or comments drawing such confused reactions?

"O-OK, but you could've avoided dumping your food and tray on top of his table!" the lavender-haired youth exclaimed. No, that would rile him up so he'll commit a mistake. "He got so mad he looked like he was going to attack you or order the other prisoners to do it in his stead instead of accepting your challenge...!"

"Daphne would've won the fistfight either way if you ask me...and we were there to help her." Manek pointed out. Yeah, Daphne would've put all those self-defense lessons to good use. "In the end, Chojiro lost to Daphne, but the inmates refuse to accept her as their new boss. Although, they show some respect to her now, even Chojiro."

Tch, what a pain. "Still better than nothing." I reasoned with myself and shrugged. "I'm guessing Yuya and the others were sent to the men's prison cell section as well... Wait."

"You noticed it yourself, right?" Daphne inquired upon seeing me frown. "We four were placed in special confinement, probably because they want to interrogate us for first."

She gestured with her head to a door that had a small window on it at the end of the corridor, which lead to the interrogation room if we take her words for the truth. That said, they could've asked the other inmates what it was, and it made sense to interrogate newly arrived prisoners, so she's surely correct. Apart from that and our cells, there was nothing else on this floor, except for an elevator and stairs that went either up or down.

"It's weird they didn't do that yet, but you could explain it by saying they waited to capture four of us and then get over with it." Daphne continued, now frowning too. "But why didn't they bring Noboru or Mackfield here and instead waited for you?"

They should've been put in special confinement prior to me since they arrived first, yet they weren't. Not even one of them. Instead, I was, but why?

"They didn't even bother putting two males and two females in the cells, even though they make a distinction between men's and women's prison cell sections." Yuu added. "They let us mix together only during lunch, which is also weird because we're in special confinement..."

"But apart from lunch, we aren't allowed to leave our cells. They don't force us to work as they do with the other prisoners, either." Manek interjected. He then sighed. "This prison is quite bizarre to say the least."

"Not just the prison, but the owner's actions as well." I remarked, annoyed that all we could do was speculate. "Since we were spotted the moment we got to Synchro, it's safe to say they saw us appear through hidden monitors. And literally 'appear', considering we teleported here. Then they saw us Duel, and so on...so what made them wait specifically for me?"

"The three of us is one thing..." Yuu said. "We were the first ones to be captured, so they put us here without a second thought. As for Serena..."

"There's one thing that sets you apart from us. You and Kurosaki, to be exact." I raised an eyebrow at Daphne's words. Me and Kurosaki...? "Your Duel Disks."

My eyes widened. "That's right." Yuu did the same. "Yours have a different model from ours. Because Kurosaki was placed in solitary confinement, his spot was passed over to you...although, why would a Duel Disk's model make such a difference? Even ours is different from that of Synchro..."

"You didn't forget what I said in Standard, right?" Manek asked. "That there's a chance the Chief of Security is from Fusion?"

"That's right...!" it was only a theory, but there were many factors pointing at it! If the Chief was from Fusion, seeing my Duel Disk must've been a shocker, hence why he was waiting specifically for me. And someone from his homeland takes precedence over a Duelist from Xyz, since there's a chance he could mistake me for an undercover agent, which means putting Kurosaki in solitary confinement was of little importance.

We're in the Facility, which is under the absolute control of the Chief of Security. He can take it easy and interrogate four of us at a time, it's not like we could simply waltz out of here or cause trouble. We're literally in the palm of his hand. What a predicament...!

"We need to inform the others." I urged them, hating the feeling of being at the enemy's mercy. Who wouldn't? "And leave this place as soon as possible."

"Easier said than done." Manek frowned. "We only have our cards to help us in this hellhole... Wait." he brought a hand to his chin as he made a thoughtful expression, drawing our full attention. "If the Real Solid Vision is adjusted correctly, they can damage buildings and structures, right?"

"Yes." I nodded. "That's how Academia destroyed Heartland in the first place."

The actor/Duelist suddenly grinned, clearly suggesting he just got an idea. Good, we're getting somewhere. "Oi, you!" he called out at the guard stationed next to the elevator, holding out a card between the cell's bars. "I'll give you a Blood Mefist if you bring me two Duel Disks."

"What!?" the fool exclaimed, rushing over to see with his own two eyes the offered card and make sure our comrade wasn't lying. "Th-That's a super rare card!"

"Then be quick." the guard scrambled away at Manek's words, prompting me to roll my eyes. To let a prisoner boss you around simply by raising a valuable card...a fool through and through.

That said, "Cards are the same as a Duelist's soul." I admonished our comrade. "I understand the gravity of the situation, but to throw them away so uncaringly is still wrong."

"Don't misunderstand. I do treasure my cards." Manek fully turned towards me and raised his free hand. He then performed some sort of magic trick, making a second Blood Mefist appear in it. "I was going to give that guard a fake copy, which can't even be used in a Duel."

Oh...well, it's nice to see he wasn't one of those Duelists. "How do you have a fake copy of one of your cards?" I cocked my head to the side in confusion.

"I asked Reiji to make them for me," Manek explained. "Keeping in mind we were going to the Synchro Dimension, I thought it would come in handy to have fakes in case we'd have to trick someone. It seems my premonition wasn't wrong."

"Luckily, it wasn't." Yuu concurred with a relieved smile. "In a place like this, where cards are currency and can be used to bribe the guards to be treated better, it's a godsend." right, the guard who took me here did mention something along those lines.

The guard returned seconds later with two Duel Disks in his hands, which he gave to Manek in exchange for the fake Blood Mefist.

"Pleasure doing business with you." Manek's grin widened as the guard walked off, literally drooling at his payment. Sigh, how did he even obtain this job...?

"What's your plan, Wierrd?" Daphne inquired as she stood up and went to stand beside Yuu.

The person in question sat down on the floor and began tinkering with a Duel Disk. "We need to Duel." I blinked in surprise, quickly scanning our shared cell. Hmm, on a closer look, for a two-personed cell, it wasn't small to the point where we couldn't Duel with Solid Vision... "Serena, you need to bring out one of your Fusion Monsters. I noticed your Cat Dancer holds daggers, so if we Duel and you Summon her, she could cut down the wall or bars and allows us to escape."

"A forceful breakout, huh?" Daphne's eyes narrowed. "I didn't get the chance to verify that during my Duel against Tokumatsu Chojiro with all those eyes on me."

"But I doubt that will work." I grabbed the other Duel Disk and activated it, entering its main system. I found exactly what I had expected. "This thing's hologram mass is very low, and the function to raise it has been locked. Not to mention, these must be connected to the Facility's network, meaning they can be deactivated remotely."

"Even then, you could still give it a try." Yuu suggested, to which I nodded.

"Besides, it's better than doing nothing." Manek voiced my exact thoughts. He then jumped to his feet with an excited smirk. "We still have two hours until lunch, after all. Let's go!"

"DUEL!" we shouted in unison and stood on opposite sides of our cell.

Manek: LP 4000

VS

Serena: LP 4000

"Don't mind if I go first. My turn! I activate the Continuous Spell Double Driver!" a card, which depicted a bizarre belt that featured two slots absorbing the glowing silhouettes of two Dopants, appeared. "So long as I control this card, I can only control one 'Memory Duo' Monster. But in exchange, I can, once per turn, Fusion Summon one 'Memory Duo' Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by using Monsters from my hand or my field."

I frowned. "A Continuous Spell with a Polymerization-like effect?" Yuu sounded surprised, and for a valid reason. "Barrett's Beastborg Fusioner worked the same way..."

As well as Reiji's Dark Contract with the Swamp King. I added in my mind. What a troublesome card right from the get-go...

"Using Double Driver's effect, I fuse Dopants of Heat and Metal from my hand!" Manek's Monsters turned into red and blue energy respectively, which then spiraled into a portal as he chanted. "Time to have hard steel be heated up in a forge! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Memory Duo: Heat and Metal!"

A warrior clad from head to toe in armor, half of its body colored red while the other silver, and with a staff attached to its back emerged from the portal, accompanied by—what was that musical genre's name? Stone and roll...? Ah, wait, I know!—rock and roll music and a metallic synth sound effect.

Memory Duo: Heat and Metal: Fire / Warrior / Fusion / Effect / ATK: 3000 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8

"3000 Attack, huh...?" Daphne's eyes narrowed. He wasn't pulling any punches it seems, not that I mind.

"Due to his effect, Heat and Metal is also a Dopant. I set one card and end my turn." Manek concluded. "Show me what you got, Serena."

"I will. Watashi no turn!" I began my turn with a draw. "Since you're the only one to control Monsters, I can Special Summon Lunalight Deer from my hand using its effect, alongside a Level 4 or lower 'Lunalight' Monster from my Deck. Come forth, Deer, Emerald Bird!"

A gray-skinned young woman with short, pale brown hair that covered its eyes, two deer horns sprouting from its head and a tail from its waist, and wearing a crescent-shaped moon mask over its eyes and a light brown butler's suit appeared.

Lunalight Deer: Dark / Beast-Warrior / Pendulum / Effect / ATK: 1600 / DEF: 100 / LV: 5 / SC: 2

Deer then clapped its hands twice, urging a dancer wearing an emerald green bird and moon-themed bodysuit to appear on my field with a soothing giggle and twirl.

Lunalight Emerald Bird: Dark / Beast-Warrior / Effect / ATK: 1200 / DEF: 1000 / LV: 4

Emerald Bird suddenly waved a hand at my opponent, catching his attention. They just stared at each other in silence for a few seconds, before Manek spoke up. "No, Emerald Bird, I only know how to waltz, salsa, and square dance." he said with an apologetic tone.

This guy...! "Woah, he just talked with Serena's Monster." Yuu pointed out with an impressed tone.

"I guess he did." Daphne shrugged, not paying too much mind to that. "It's hard to tell when we can't hear or see them for ourselves."

If he, or anyone else for that matter, could interact on a different level with Duel Monsters than us was of no interest to me. What annoyed me was him getting distracted during a fight! He's plainly insulting his foe this way, not to mention digging his own grave! I'll talk some sense into him with this Duel.

"Emerald Bird's effect!" I continued from where I had left off. "If this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can send one 'Lunalight' card from my hand to the Graveyard to draw one card. I discard Crimson Fox and draw! At this moment, the effect of Crimson Fox which was sent to the Graveyard by a card effect activates!"

Heat and Metal grunted as it fell to one knee. "I can target one face-up Monster you control and change its Attack to 0 for the rest of this turn. Obviously, I target your Fusion Monster!"

(Heat and Metal: 3000→0 ATK)

"From 3000 to 0. Well done." Daphne praised my play.

"And taking into account her multi-attack strategy, that's a lethal move." as someone I've already Dueled in the past, Yuu caught onto my plan with no problems.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card Polymerization from my hand, fusing my two Monsters!" as they turned into red and blue energy respectively and spiraled into a portal, I chanted and clasped my hands together. "Clever beast of the moonlit forest! Feathers which paint the night sky green! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth, beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Lunalight Cat Dancer!"

Dancing her way out of the portal was my feline Monster clad in a moon-themed outfit and holding a dagger in each of its hands.

Lunalight Cat Dancer: ATK 2400 / DEF 2000 / LV: 7

"Not a bad Monster, but mine is better!" Manek interjected. "Due to his other effect, my Heat and Metal can't be destroyed by battle."

"That won't change a thing." I scoffed. "The effect of Emerald Bird which was sent to the Graveyard by a card effect activates! I can target one Level 4 or lower non-Emerald Bird 'Lunalight' Monster that is banished or in my Graveyard and Special Summon it in Defense Position with its effects negated. Resurrect, Crimson Fox!"

The young woman with crimson fox features and wearing a moon-themed bodysuit backflipped out of a GY Portal and landed before me with a charming battle cry.

Lunalight Crimson Fox: ATK 1800 / DEF 600 / LV: 4

"Now I activate Cat Dancer's effect! By releasing Crimson Fox, Cat Dancer can attack all Monsters my opponent controls twice each this turn, and they won't be destroyed by the first attack!"

Crimson Fox burst into particles, which then surrounded Cat Dancer and caused her sashes to light up.

"Serena's sure-kill pattern." Yuu commented warily.

"If both attacks hit their marks, Wierrd will run out of Life Points." Daphne added.

"Battle!" I pointed forward. "I attack the weakened Heat and Metal with Cat Dancer!"

"I activate the Continuous Trap Memory Trade!" a card, which depicted Dopants of Heat and Metal walking past each other and high fiving as if tagging out, appeared. "Once per turn, during your Battle Phase, I can target one Dopant I control and reveal one Dopant from my Deck with the same Level. By doing so, I can shuffle my target into the Deck and Special Summon the revealed Monster!"

I gritted my teeth. "What?" that's how he'll dodge my attack...!?

"I target Heat and Metal and have him switch places with Duo Dopant - Double!"

Following Manek's words, his Fusion Monster was enveloped in white light and morphed into a warrior clad from head to toe in armor, half of its body colored cyan with torn cloth wrapped around it while the other black adorned with spikes, and a voice announced [Double!] as it struck a pose in front of its user.

Duo Dopant - Double: Dark / Warrior / Effect / ATK: 2500 / DEF: 2000 / LV: 8

"Double's got 2500 Attack, while your Cat Dancer has 2400." the actor/Duelist pointed at our respective Monsters to articulate. "You're 100 short." yes, thank you for stating the obvious.

"He managed to survive her assault..." you, too, Yuu.

But you're both sorely mistaken if you thought I was done. "I end my Battle Phase. And then do this!" I revealed two cards from my hand. "I, using the Scale 1 Lunalight Wolf and the Scale 9 Lunalight Lamb, set the Pendulum Scales!"

I placed the cards on the ends of my energy blade, causing the word [PENDULUM] to flash between them and two pillars of blue light to appear on my left and right. The first pillar contained a young woman with wolf features wearing a moon-themed bodysuit.

Lunalight Wolf: Dark / Beast-Warrior / Pendulum / Effect / ATK: 2000 / DEF: 1800 / LV: 6 / SC: 1

The second pillar contained a light brown-skinned young woman with crimson eyes, puffy brownish pink hair, and lamb features such as ears and a tail, wearing a half-moon-shaped mask over its left eye and a moon-themed bodysuit.

Lunalight Lamb: Dark / Beast-Warrior / Pendulum / Effect / ATK: 1000 / DEF: 1500 / LV: 4 / SC: 9

"I can now simultaneously Summon Monsters from Levels 2 to 8." here comes my very first Pendulum Summon. "My Monsters, under the moon goddess's guidance, gather by my side! Pendulum Summon! Resurrect from the Extra Deck, Deer! And then from my hand, come, Lunalight Tiger!"

A portal opened between the two pillars, and two beams shot out of it before landing on my field, revealing Deer and a female youth with tiger features and wearing a moon-themed bodysuit.

Lunalight Tiger: Dark / Beast-Warrior / Pendulum / Effect / ATK: 1200 / DEF: 800 / LV: 3 / SC: 5

"Why bother?" Manek raised an eyebrow. "Even if you Summon new Monsters, you can't attack anymore this turn."

"Don't underestimate me. Attacking isn't all that I can do." I warned him, causing him to furrow his brows. I'll have you pay for your mistake! "Tiger no kōka! If this card is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add one 'Polymerization' Spell from my Graveyard to my hand. I select Polymerization, which I then activate!"

As my three dancers turned into red, blue, and yellow energy and spiraled into a portal, I chanted and clasped my hands together once more.

"Beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Clever beast of the moonlit forest! Talented hunter garbed in yellow! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth, fierce beast that prowls in the moonlit night! Lunalight Jaguar Dancer!"

Front flipping and landing on my field in a crouched position was an olive-skinned woman with a toned physique, jaguar ears, tail, arms, and legs, unruly black hair that had pale yellow tips, which paired well with its fur of the same color, and reached its back, covering its eyes. It wore a dark yellow bodysuit that left its sides and a small portion of its cleavage exposed under an opened brown sleeveless overcoat with a furry interior, and golden jewelry adorned its legs, arms, and ears. It stood up and slung the crescent halberd it held over its shoulder, ready to fight.

Lunalight Jaguar Dancer: Dark / Beast-Warrior / Pendulum / Fusion / Effect / ATK: 2600 / DEF: 2800 / LV: 9 / SC: 7

"A Fusion-Pendulum Monster...?" Yuu said in surprise.

"She's adapting to the situation." it's as you said, Daphne. I didn't want to use this move on my first turn, but unfortunately, Manek forced my hand. Now then, let's clear up his field, shall we?

"The effect of Jaguar Dancer, which was Fusion Summoned with three Fusion Materials, activates." I threw an arm forward. "I target two cards you control and destroy them! Vanish, Double, Memory Trade! Moon Harvest!"

The axe blade attached to Jaguar Dancer's weapon glowed with yellow energy, and it swung it to the side, releasing a crescent-shaped energy wave that slashed through the stated cards. Double cried out in pain as it and Memory Trade burst into particles.

The wave even hit the cell bars, but it broke apart without causing any damage whatsoever. "As I expected, this won't work..." I muttered begrudgingly. We should try to hit harder. "Because I destroyed two cards this way, I can draw a card. I set a card and end my turn."

"My turn!" Manek announced in English. "Draw! I activate Double Driver's effect. By destroying itself, I can target two Dopants in my Graveyard and Special Summon them with their effects negated. Revive, Heat, Metal!"

His Continuous Spell burst into particles, conjuring a GY Portal from which his Monsters emerged in attack mode.

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

Dopant of Metal: ATK 2700 / DEF 2000 / LV: 7

I frowned. It had an additional effect like Reiji's Dark Contract with the Swamp King? If I knew, I would've destroyed that instead of Trade...! Sigh, no use crying over spilled milk, though.

"I play the Spell Card Memory Fusion." a card, which depicted the Double Driver with six different colors flying towards it, appeared. Green, yellow, and red were coming from the right to it, while purple, silver, and blue were coming from the left. "Through its effect, I can Fusion Summon one 'Dopant' or 'Masked Warrior' Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck by shuffling Monsters from my hand or my field into the Deck. I fuse Dopants of Heat and Metal again!"

As they spiraled into a Fusion Portal, Manek chanted, "Time for a heated encore! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Memory Duo: Heat and Metal!"

His Fusion Monster from earlier reappeared, displaying its 3000 ATK with a loud battle cry.

"Memory Fusion's effect continues," Manek explained. "For each Monster I used as Fusion Material, I can draw one card, in this case two!"

After doing so, "With the presence of a 'Duo' Monster on my field, I can activate the Spell Card Memory Gadget - Stag Phone!" a card, which depicted a mechanical, black and red stag beetle in what I assumed was its base form in the foreground and its phone form in the background, appeared. "I can target one Monster you control and destroy it! With only one dancer on your field, my target should be obvious."

"A cheap trick! I activate Crimson Fox's effect!" I exclaimed the moment that stag beetle shot out of his card enveloped in flames and flew at my Fusion Monster. "When a card effect that targets my Lunalight is activated, by banishing this card from my Graveyard, the activation of that card effect is negated and we each gain 1000 Life!"

The spectral image of Crimson Fox materialized in front of Jaguar Dancer and used its own body as a shield, which exploded in green particles when the beetle struck it.

Serena: LP 4000 + 1000 = 5000

Manek: LP 4000 + 1000 = 5000

"Well dodged." Daphne praised me. "However, the fact her Monster has less Attack still stands."

"Battle!" Manek cried out. "Memory Duo, attack Lunalight Jaguar Dancer! Metal Branding!"

Heat and Metal took hold of its staff as its tips lit up with flames, and charged forward. My dancer replied in kind, clashing in the middle of the cell with a loud CLANG, but neither of them yielded.

Jaguar growled in an animalistic fashion before jumping back twice and swinging her crescent halberd at its foe, spinning around to gain some momentum. Heat and Metal leaned its body backwards to dodge the strike, but Jaguar immediately spun around again, swinging its feet at it this time around, which it parried with its staff.

The Memory Duo planted its weapon on the ground and used it to perform a 360 jump around its axis, kicking my dancer in the hip and sending it flying against the wall, where it exploded into a shower of particles and made me flinch due to the shock waves.

Serena: LP 5000 - 400 = 4600

"That didn't inflict any damage, either..." Yuu frowned upon noticing the wall was perfectly fine.

"So my plan is a bust." Manek sighed in defeat, although with a smirk. "In spite of that, what do you say about continuing the Duel, Serena? It would be boring to end this Duel with a cliffhanger."

"On that, we can agree." there wasn't anything else we could try to escape this hellhole at the moment, so instead of throwing in the towel because our main plan didn't work, might as well finish what we started. Moreover...

You and Serena should be greedier and think more for yourselves!

Vince's words echoed in my head, and I bit the inside of my cheek again. I...didn't want to stop this Duel. Manek's strong, like Vince and Reiji, and I want to fight him. I want to see how strong he is and how far he can push me. Back at Academia, even if I Dueled the strong ones, things didn't change; I still felt...this unexplainable emptiness in my chest.

When I fought Vince, I was glad because I had found somebody strong after a long time. But only in the following days did it occur to me that maybe...the reason why I felt that way, why I grinned while Dueling...was because Vince and Reiji managed to fill that emptiness, even if it was just for a moment. And the same applied to Manek.

Pathetic. Prioritizing your emotions over your mission is unacceptable. that irritating voice scoffed in disgust, and a part of me concurred. The rest said, But you're stuck here with nothing else to do. Might as well keep yourself entertained and in tiptop shape.

Giving more importance to those words, I focused back on the Duel just as Manek made his next move.

"Heat and Metal's effect! Once per turn, if he destroys an opponent's Monster by battle, he inflicts you damage equal to that Monster's original Attack or Defense, whichever is higher!"

"What!?" I gasped as Heat and Metal swung its staff to the side, unleashing a wave of flames at me and prompting me to grit my teeth in discomfort. Well, I was used to this type of pain thanks to all those Hound Flames I suffered in the past.

Serena: LP 4600 - 2800 = 1800

"He cut past half of her Life with a single effect..." Daphne noted observantly.

"And reversed the tides again." Yuu added.

"Before I end my turn, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Twin Twisters." Manek stated. "I discard the last card from my hand to destroy your set Scales!"

I frowned as Wolf and Lamb were destroyed by two twisters that appeared under their feet.

Matters not; I didn't need Pendulum to beat you! "Watashi no turn! Draw!" I announced. "I activate the Trap Card I've set on my field, Lunalight Revival Fusion!"

A card, which depicted the silhouettes of Cat Dancer and Crimson Fox glowing with blue and red light and spiraling towards each other from the bottom and the top respectively, appeared. Their outstretched hands touched at the middle of the picture, creating a bright purple glow.

"During my turn only, if my opponent controls a Monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, I can banish one Lunalight from my Graveyard and send another one from my Deck to the Graveyard or face-up to my Extra Deck in order to perform a Fusion Summon," I explained and then threw an arm to the side. "I banish Cat Dancer from my Graveyard and send Blue Cat from my Deck to the Graveyard!"

As they spiraled into a Fusion Portal, I chanted and clasped my hands together, "Beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Blue cat that prowls through the darkness! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth, elegant beast dancing in the moonlit wilderness! Lunalight Panther Dancer!"

Leaping out of the portal and gracefully landing on my field was a dancer with panther features and a mischievous grin, one that matched Cat Dancer's own, albeit had more cruelty to it.

Lunalight Panther Dancer: Dark / Beast-Warrior / Fusion / Effect / ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2500 / LV: 8

"This time it's a panther...?" Manek raised an eyebrow. "What does she do?"

"Panther Dancer can attack all Monsters you control, twice each." I replied. "That of course means they won't be destroyed by the first battle."

"Cat Dancer's effect, but without a cost to pay?" Yuu's eyes widened. "But her Attack is only 2800. It isn't enough to defeat Heat and Metal..."

"Yet." Daphne corrected him.

"Exactly!" I confirmed her words. "I activate the Spell Card Luna Light Perfume! I target one 'Lunalight' Monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it. Come back, Blue Cat in defense mode!"

The female youth with feline features and wearing a moon-themed bodysuit backflipped out of a GY Portal and landed on one knee in front of me with an excited and childish battle cry.

Lunalight Blue Cat: ATK 1600 / DEF 1200 / LV: 4

"I see! Her plan is to...!" Yuu recalled this combo from our last Duel.

"Blue Cat no kōka o hatsudō!" I gestured at my girls. "If this card is Special Summoned, I can target one Lunalight I control and double its Attack for this turn! I target Panther Dancer!"

"Is that so?" Manek smirked, unfazed by the blue aura which enveloped my Fusion Monster and caused its grin to widen.

(Panther Dancer: 2800→5600 ATK)

"Battle!" time to end this! "I attack Heat and Metal with Panther Dancer! Vicious Claw!"

With a giggle, Panther unsheathed a crimson claw from the skin between its knuckles on each hand and ran across the field, swinging them down at its foe. Heat and Metal raised its staff in a vain attempt to block the attack, but it was sliced to pieces by the dancer's claws, unleashing a shock wave that sent Manek stumbling backwards.

Manek: LP 5000 - 2600 = 2400

"The second and final attack!" I aimed a finger at him. "Go, Panther Dancer! Attack Heat and Metal with Vicious Claw!"

"I activate the effect of the Continuous Trap Curse of Old from my Graveyard!" Manek quickly stated as Panther fired two energy slashes with a swing of its arms. "If my Dopant is attacked and my Life Points would drop to 0, I can banish this card and send that Monster to the grave to end the Battle Phase!"

"What did you say!?"

Much to my stupor, the energy slashes tore through his Fusion Monster and caused it to explode with a pained cry, but the shock waves that would've hit Manek were blocked by the spectral image of his Trap, which depicted the silhouette of an unknown Dopant looming over a rapidly aging Dark Magician, Baby Dragon, and a turtle Monster I've never seen before.

"That's the card he discarded with Twin Twisters." Daphne noted.

"Which means he expected this to happen...!" I gritted my teeth in frustration, but it was soon replaced by glee. Good...that's how someone of his caliber should Duel. If he wasn't able to do this much, he'd have no business being a Lancers to begin with. "I end my turn with a set card! Blue Cat's effect expires, and Panther Dancer's Attack returns to 2800."

"My turn!" Manek declared with a grin. "Draw! I activate the Spell Card Card of Demise! It lets me draw from my Deck until I have five cards in my hand, at the cost of sending all the cards in my hand to the Graveyard on my fifth Standby Phase after its activation."

"Just my luck..." I cursed my luck as he refilled his hand, although my next thought sounded more enthusiastic than I would've preferred it to be, What will he do now?

"I activate the Spell Card Monster Reborn." and I soon got my answer. "We should all be familiar with this card, so without further ado, let's welcome Duo Dopant - Double back to the stage!"

The said Monster emerged from a GY Portal in front of him, arms crossed over its chest and in attack mode.

"I activate Double's effect, targeting your Panther Dancer for it!" his warrior gained a purple aura at those words. "Once per turn, during either player's turn, I can target one face-up Monster you control and have Double gain its name and effects until the end of this turn!"

"Even if you do that, Double doesn't have enough Attack to defeat Panther Dancer." I reminded him.

"Then it's a good thing she wasn't my aim to begin with." my eyes dilated in surprise. Don't tell me...! "I equip the Equip Spell Memory Gadget - Bat Shot to Double!"

A black and blue digital camera materialized beside his Monster, which then reshaped itself into a mechanical bat and perched itself on Double's shoulder.

"I use its effect." Manek gestured at the bat. "Once per turn, I can apply one of two effects, and I choose the first. This turn, the equipped 'Duo' Monster can inflict piercing damage!"

Dammit, my hunch was correct! "He plans to attack Blue Cat twice using Panther Dancer's copied effect." Daphne came to the same realization.

"You got it in one! Battle!" Manek exclaimed. "Double, attack Blue Cat! Thanks to his new effect, she won't be destroyed by this battle, and you'll take piercing damage due to Bat Shot's effect!"

Bat Shot flew across the field and stopped in front of Blue Cat who struck a cute pose, naively believing it was going to snap a simple picture. A bright flash then came from its lens, momentarily blinding Blue Cat and me and causing it to yelp in shock and dejection while I gasped in irritation.

Serena: LP 1800 - 1300 = 500

"The second attack!" following its user's command, Double unleashed a gust of wind from its right hand in my direction.

"I won't fall so easily! Torappu hatsudō: Faithful Instinct!" a transparent barrier formed around me, protecting me from the wind. "By banishing a Beast-Warrior-Type Monster from my Graveyard, the damage I would take is reduced by that Monster's Attack or Defense! I banish Emerald Bird with 1200 Attack!"

With another yelp, Blue Cat was blown off its feet and exploded in a shower of particles midair.

Serena: LP 500 - 100 = 400

"She survived!" Yuu cheered.

"Panther Dancer has an effect that increases its Attack by 200 until the end of the Battle Phase if it destroys an opponent's Monster by battle." I revealed begrudgingly.

"So that effect now activates and Double becomes stronger." Manek clicked his fingers.

(Double: 2500→2700 ATK)

But it changes nothing. "You're 100 short." I used his own words from earlier.

"Yeah, luckily." I blinked twice. What did you say? "Don't hesitate, Double! Attack Panther Dancer as well!"

My and Yuu's eyes widened. "What?" Daphne asked in confusion.

Panther's grin widened further as purple energy began accumulating in its hand, forming a miniature black hole which it fired at Double. The warrior jumped and performed a kick to disperse it, a moment that my dancer used to its advantage to quickly sneak up behind it and pierce its claws into its back. With a pained grunt, Double exploded and bathed the cell in smoke.

Manek: LP 2400 - 100 = 2300

(Panther Dancer: 2800→3000 ATK)

He wasn't the type to lose his mind; he had a plan! "With Memory Duo: Heat and Metal in my Graveyard, I can activate this card from my hand." once the smoke cleared, Manek revealed a card from his hand. "Torappu hatsudō: Free your Heat!"

A card, which depicted Memory Duo: Heat and Metal dashing towards an unknown Dopant with the tips of its staff bursting with flames, indicating it was about to finish said Dopant off, appeared.

"If my 'Duo' Monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard," he explained. "I can Special Summon up to two Dopants with different names from my Deck or Graveyard with their effects negated. Join us on the stage, Utopia, Cyclone!"

A fiery portal materialized on his field, from which the stated Monsters emerged and struck their respective poses.

Dopant of Utopia: ATK 3000 / DEF 3000 / LV: 8

Dopant of Cyclone: ATK 2800 / DEF 2000 / LV: 8

"You deliberately sacrificed your Monster to create this situation...!?" I took a step back in disbelief. Such a reckless tactic this late in the Duel...I didn't want to, I really didn't want to, but I couldn't stop myself from grinning.

Stop it. This isn't like you. This isn't you. Duel Soldiers aren't allowed to treat a Duel like a game; this goes against your philosophy, your life. It's blasphemy. You're a disgrace. You're—

"Free your Heat's effect isn't over yet." I snapped to attention at Manek's words. "For each Summoned Monster, you take 1000 damage!"

Effect damage, a safety measure in case I had something else to protect myself from battle...! I thought in amusement as the two Dopants struck a combined pose and a stream of fire erupted from under their feet, washing over me.

This was a good Duel, Manek Wierrd. You've definitely earned your place among the Lancers.

I stumbled against the wall with a gasp and my legs gave away, and I fell to the ground in defeat.

Serena: LP 400 - 2000 = 0

Winner: Manek!

"Both of you were amazing!" Yuu cheered, clapping his hands for emphasis, while Daphne gave a simple nod of agreement. Well, at least I went down fighting...

"You're good." I raised my head to look at a smiling Manek, who was offering me his hand.

"...Likewise." I admitted and took his hand, standing up. The same guard from before returned, and we handed over our Duel Disks.

"If you destroyed Double Driver with Jaguar Dancer's effect, I would've had to use a different strategy." the actor/Duelist said. Yeah, that would've changed the entire flow of the Duel...maybe even assure me victory. "Not to mention...if you could interact with Duel Spirits like I do, you'd be much stronger and handier with your cards."

"That—" to disagree came on instinct, after all, Duel Spirits are just a fairy tale. However, on second thought, weren't he and Vince the living proof of his words? So I shrugged in response. "Who knows. If the day comes where I can see Duel Spirits with my own eyes, then we'll know for sure."

I didn't actually mean it, but Manek apparently took my words seriously. "When you do, you'll be filled with excitement and wonder."

What a childish thing to say. "Whatever..." I rolled my eyes.

The next day, at night...

"Last time we talked, you said Academia was noble. What are your opinions now?"

When Manek asked me that, I was sitting on my bed with my cards scattered on the mattress and devising new strategies, even ones meant to counter Manek from what I've seen yesterday, and I froze. I side-glanced at him, noting he wasn't looking at me, but at our comrades in the opposite cell instead.

Today at lunch, Yuu offered to bring our trays back to the counter when we finished eating, and some prisoners took advantage of the fact he was alone and cornered him. Seeing the commotion, Daphne walked over and inquired what they were doing with a deadly glare, scaring those spineless fools away. Later in the day, Yuu requested self-defense classes from Daphne if she was up for it, to avoid another situation like that, and she accepted. Having someone who couldn't protect himself on the team would be a hindrance, was what I—and surely her, too—thought.

Manek chose this moment to ask me that because they're distracted, huh? I...hate to talk about this, but building trust inside your team is essential, and he did win yesterday's Duel, so I'll close an eye on it this once. And it's not like I didn't share this with someone already...

"Academia repaid my services and devotion by feeding me lies," I explained while packing my cards away. "But thanks to Vince and Yuzu, I've seen Academia's true colors. I'll give it my all as a Lancer to set things right and stop Academia..." the grip on my cards tightened as anger crawled into my voice. "Even if it means fighting those I've trusted."

Manek continued to silently watch Daphne and Yuu training. "...We wouldn't have met if the Dimensions were kept a secret from one another." he eventually sighed and turned to face me, sitting on the side of his bed. "Serena...everything happens for a reason. In fact, do you know the reason why the old, seemingly useless cards are still printed and being distributed?"

"...Because useless cards don't exist?" I raised an eyebrow, unsure why he brought that up. And I answered truthfully: depending on the situation, every card has a purpose.

Sure enough, Manek nodded. "Yeah. They're merely waiting to be used again in a new way. One time, before Reiji used his 'D/D' cards, he Dueled me using a card called Birthright. He used it with a Gemini deck and won. What I'm trying to say...is that your past doesn't define who you truly are."

Wait, was he trying to cheer me up like Vince does with philosophical words? Sigh, someone new to add to the list, which only consisted of Vince and Reiji so far, but still. That said...why did it feel different from Vince's? And on second thought, even Reiji's was different from the Mythorror user's.

Was it maybe because of their expressions? Vince always sported that annoyingly compassionate face when he tried to comfort me and Daphne. Manek and Reiji, on the other hand, had this stoic expression that made it hard to know what they're actually thinking, which I personally preferred. I hate it when others pity me, after all.

"...I guess you're right." I sighed as well, contemplating his words. "But that's what you think. Not everybody thinks like that, a prime example being Kurosaki."

He shrugged. "Then stop focusing on him and focus on yourself. He doesn't trust you yet because of his past involving Academia." that...I didn't actually mean that as a counterpoint since I don't care whether Kurosaki acknowledges me as a Lancer or not, but Manek had a point there too. Kurosaki had a reason to hate me, but that won't stop me from following the path I believe is right. "Look, I may not know what is the best course for you. However, I know that you're confused due to your own childhood being turned around and broken in every direction."

My eyes widened as he hit the bull's eye and his eyes softened. "Just...be yourself and do what you think is the best for you."

Those eyes...is he talking from experience? I found myself thinking, suddenly intrigued by his past. "I understand. I'll do my best."

"That's all I ask for." Manek smiled and leaned back a little, placing his arms on the bed to sustain himself. He sounded glad I'll listen to his advice. "Say, what kind of movies do you have in the Fusion Dimension?"

"Movies?" I blinked twice before recalling our conversation from Standard when Yuzu and I were swapping clothes. "Ah, right, you're an actor, aren't you?"

"Yeah. My Monsters recommended it as you already know, and when I discovered I'm gifted at it and that the pay's good, I decided to continue being one." he raised his gaze at the ceiling as it turned grim. "Say, Serena...did you ever want to get the attention of someone, only to fail despite gaining something out of it?"

"Yes." I answered without missing a beat, maybe even too quickly. I knew that feeling quite well. "Even though I was at the top of my classes and I could best a few of Academia's elite Duelists, the Professor never acknowledged my strength..."

"The Professor? Well, try your parents." Manek's dejected chuckle made me frown. "My mom and dad...I was supposed to follow in their footsteps and become a doctor. They wanted me to work in the medical field like them, but I wanted to be something more. You know, evolve further?"

He lowered his gaze this time, now staring at the ground. "Sadly, a few years before all of this craziness happened, I was kicked out. I ended up living in an apartment on my own."

I see...so my hunch from earlier was correct. He and I went through similar things in the past. "I'm sorry for what happened." I said my condolences. How could I cheer him up...? That gloomy expression of his was so annoying; it made things awkward. "But thanks to that sacrifice, you're now a famous actor in your homeland, and we met each other."

Manek shrugged. "I had to do something." damn, it didn't work, huh...? Guess it's time to change the subject.

"You asked about movies, yes?" he looked at me as I said that. "Apart from those shown to us in class, I haven't seen any."

"Hmm, those do count, but the movies I'm talking about are the ones made to entertain many people with a huge spectrum of ages."

"Then I'm of no help." I shook my head. A question then arose in my head, which I wasted no time in voicing, "Why? Is it important?"

"Just trying to know what the culture in Fusion is like." Manek shrugged. Oh, so it wasn't related to our current predicament or mission. "You see, movies heavily influence the society they're shown to."

"Ah..."

"Compare the Standard Dimension with Synchro." noting my confused expression, Manek tried to aid me with an example. "If there's a slum-like setting with many people, then the location actually exists and it isn't computer-generated. If the graphics of a science fiction film are great, then the editing technologies are amazing."

My eyes widened. He's saying...one could learn new information about a Dimension through the movies they have!? I never imagined movies could be used in such a way...well, don't judge a book by its cover, they say.

"In other words, you want to know what's different between Fusion and the other Dimensions?"

Manek nodded to my question. Yes, it all made sense now: he wanted to know more about his foe, and I, a person born in the Fusion Dimension, could give him the information he seeks. Meaning this was related to our current mission...as expected of someone like Manek. I was an idiot to believe it was simply a random question meant to kill time.

"Sadly, I don't know what movies there are in Fusion. I don't even know if we have a cinema." I muttered with a frown. "In all honesty...I've never seen how the Fusion Dimension is outside of Academia. How incompetent of me."

"Hey, don't sweat it." Manek reassured me with a smile and a wave of his hand, which didn't really solve the problem, but at least it made my frown vanish. "After all this is over, how about I take you to a cinema in Standard to watch a movie? No Duels, no fights, just relaxing and being ourselves. You up for it?"

I blinked in surprise. Then again, slowly. A promise...with me? I...ahem, I didn't expect that. As much as it pains me to admit it, this would be the first promise I make with someone. I didn't make one with Barrett either, although, in his case it's because the occasion never actually presented itself. H-How should I answer? I'm completely in the dark here...

"I...I'd like that." I said eventually, causing Manek to smile wide. Oi, what's with that face!? I won't hesitate to punch you if you're making fun of me!

"Then it's a promise." he jumped to his feet and stretched his limbs. "Right, it's about time to set the plan into motion."

Wait...what did he say? "Plan?" I echoed in confusion.

"I have come to rescue the imprisoned heroes." a familiar voice abruptly declared, and its owner walked up to our cells with a mischievous grin, spinning a set of keys in his fingers and holding a sack in his other hand.

I jumped to my feet in surprise. "Dennis!" Yuu exclaimed in shock and relief.

"Yes!" the orange-haired youth exclaimed in English with a chuckle. He placed the sack on the ground, which opened a little to reveal it contained our Duel Disks, and moved to open our cell doors. Finally, freedom!

"A prison break?" Daphne asked the obvious as we equipped our Duel Disks.

"Mm-hmm." Dennis's grin widened and pointed towards the stairs with his thumb. "Gon-chan and Kurosaki ran ahead to clear a path for us. Shall we?"

"Let's." Manek agreed with a nod, and Dennis lead the way.

"Why didn't you tell us about your plan?" I inquired with a glare, angry that they'd keep something so important a secret from us. Were they underestimating us?

"We wanted to, at lunch." Dennis admitted as we passed another group of unconscious guards. At least we won't have to worry about these weaklings. "But after Yuu and Daphne returned to our table and you three started a conversation, we didn't get the chance."

I glanced at Manek accusingly, to which he raised his hands in defense. "Sorry, I was talking to my Monsters after we returned to our cells, and it slipped my mind." I sighed in exasperation. It's not like knowing would've made such a big difference, so I guess I'll close an eye on it this once.

We eventually reached the Facility's sewer area, ending up at the bottom of a tower-like building where we reunited with Yuya, Sawatari, Chojiro, Gongenzaka, and Kurosaki. They were Dueling three heavily-suited officers, and it was currently the Raidraptor user's turn, who took advantage of all the Special Summoned Monsters they controlled through Raidraptor - Rise Falcon and swiftly OTKed them. We then moved to a large opening of the sewers, regrouping with Crow and his comrades as well.

"If everything goes well, the welcoming party should be arriving around now." Damon brought a hand above his eyes as he stared at the opposite bank. A light suddenly flashed in the dark there, proving his words correct. "Alright, it's Tony!"

"Let's jump!" Shinji instructed us, excited to escape from this place. "If we get to the opposite bank, we can escape!"

"Wait!" Manek quickly spoke up. "Couldn't we just engage in an Action Duel and use our Monsters to get to the other side before forfeiting the Duel? I mean, it covers more ground and allows us to regroup at a later point in time." hm, he had a point there.

"That could draw unwanted attention," Crow explained. "Better keep it safe and swim in the dark."

He also had a good point... Manek didn't look too happy about it though, but seeing people were already diving into the water and swimming to the other side, he didn't retort and did the same. We were halfway there when searchlights lit up one after the other on the bank, prompting us to stop in our tracks.

Dammit, we were so close, too! I gritted my teeth in frustration as they shoved a handcuffed Tony forward, who started apologizing to Crow and the others.

"Oya, oya, I heard there was a Duel tournament in the Facility tonight, but did I mistake it for a swim meet?" someone among the officers spoke up with a haughty tone. "Ah, pardon my rudeness. I should've started with this: I am the man in charge of order in this City. I am the Chief of Security, Jean Michel Roget. We finally meet, everyone."

The eyes of every Lancer widened at that title. "What?" I asked in shock. The person we suspect to be from the Fusion Dimension was right in front of us...!

The officers fished us out of the water and were handcuffing us one by one before throwing us into a Security truck. I glanced at Manek, who was standing next to me, right as an idea crossed my mind.

"Oi, Manek." I whispered, catching his attention. "Can't you find out something about him through his Monsters?"

Manek turned his head to Roget, silently staring at him for a couple of seconds. "No luck." he finally said, now frowning. "His Monsters are keeping themselves hidden from us. Or maybe he doesn't have his deck on his person."

"Tch." great, that didn't work...

A new light suddenly flashed on us, and an aircraft descended from the sky, landing some meters across from us. Roget sported a calm expression the entire time, maybe even annoyed on a closer look, but when the aircraft's back hatch opened and a young woman stepped out of it, he choked on air.

"They sent out Valkyrie?" he wondered in a low tone.

The person in question had fair skin and bright pink hair tied into a high ponytail, wearing a gray high-collared shirt and a black necktie under a white suit, which had a black belt strapped right below her breasts. She also wore white pants, black combat boots, white gloves, and white glasses with green shades.

"It's been a long time, Chief of Security." the so-called Valkyrie greeted him with a nod. She then extended a hand towards us. "These people are to be handled by the Executive Council per their consensus. Please, hand them over immediately."

The Executive Council...? They stand above Security, don't they? I narrowed my eyes at her words. What business would they have with us...?

---

Fan-made Cards:

Ren:

White Sea Nettle (Water/Fish/Effect/ATK: 1800/DEF: 2000/LV: 6)

If this card is in your hand: You can discard up to 2 other Fish monsters; Special Summon this card, and if you do, lower its Level by 1 for each discarded card. If this card is used as material for the Synchro Summon of a "White Aura" monster: You can add 1 "White" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. You can only use each effect of "White Sea Nettle" once per turn.

Synchro Hurdle

Normal Trap

If your Synchro Monster is attacked: Destroy up to 2 other Spells/Traps you control; apply 1 of these effects, depending on the number of destroyed cards.

1: Negate that attack.

2: End the Battle Phase.

You can only activate 1 "Synchro Hurdle" per turn.

Card of the Pure Sea

Normal Spell

Target up to 3 of your banished "White" monsters; return them to the GY, and if you do, draw 1 card for each returned card. You can only activate 1 "Card of the Pure Sea" per turn.

White Aura Whale (Water/Fish/Synchro/Effect/ATK: 2800/DEF: 2000/LV: 8)

1 WATER Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner WATER monsters

If this card is Special Summoned: You can destroy all monsters your opponent controls. If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can activate this effect; it can make a second attack in a row. You can only use these previous effects of "White Aura Whale" once per turn. If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage. If this card you control is destroyed by an 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.

[Trivia: I altered this card's manga effects to keep them more contained. Ren will use this version of Whale for the rest of the story.]

White Scales

Equip Spell

Equip only to a Fish Synchro Monster. If it attacks an opponent's monster, after the Damage Step: You can target 1 Spell/Trap your opponent controls; destroy it, and if you do, inflict 800 damage to your opponent. If a "White Aura" monster you control destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can banish this card from your GY; it can make an additional attack during this Battle Phase. You can only use each effect of "White Scales" once per turn.

Vince:

Mythorror Ammit (Dark/Fiend/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 2000/LV: 2/SC: 8)

Pendulum Effect: You can only Pendulum Summon "Mythorror" monsters. This effect cannot be negated. You can target other face-up Spells/Traps on the field, up to the number of "Mythorror God" monsters in your Monster Zones; destroy them, then banish this card. You can only use this effect of "Mythorror Ammit" once per turn.

Monster Effect: This card is also treated as a Beast monster while on the field. Cannot attack your opponent directly. Once per turn: You can discard 1 card, then target 1 monster in a GY; banish that target, and if you do, this card gains its ATK until your next Standby Phase.

Mythorror Charon (Dark/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1500/LV: 6/SC: 1)

Pendulum Effect: You can only Pendulum Summon "Mythorror" monsters. This effect cannot be negated. Once per turn: You can target 1 "Mythorror" monster in your GY or that is banished; shuffle it into the Deck.

Monster Effect: This card is also treated as a Psychic monster while on the field. If you have 2 "Mythorror" cards in your Pendulum Zones: You can target 1 "Mythorror" monster in your GY or face-up Extra Deck with a Level/Rank between (exclusive) your Pendulum Scales; Special Summon it in Defense Position. You can only use this effect of "Mythorror Charon" once per turn.

Mythorror Fey (Dark/Fiend/Effect/ATK: 0/DEF: 2100/LV: 3)

This card is also treated as a Fairy monster while on the field. If this card is used for an Xyz Summon of a "Mythorror" monster, you can treat it as 2 monsters. If a "Mythorror" monster is Special Summoned to your field: You can Special Summon this card from your GY (if it was there when it was Summoned) or hand (even if not), but banish it when it leaves the field, also its Level becomes equal to that monster's Level/Rank. You can only use this effect of "Mythorror Fey" once per turn.

Mythorror Titaness Aura (Dark/Fiend/Synchro/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 3300/DEF: 2500/LV: 10/SC: 1)

Pendulum Effect: You can only Pendulum Summon "Mythorror" monsters. This effect cannot be negated. Once per turn, if a "Mythorror" monster(s) is Pendulum Summoned to your field: You can target 1 of those monsters; until the End Phase, all monsters you currently control gain ATK/DEF equal to that target's Level x 100.

Monster Effect: 1 "Mythorror" Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner Synchro Monsters

(This card is also always treated as a WIND "Mythorror Goddess" monster.)

Must first be Synchro Summoned. If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: Gain LP equal to half that monster's ATK or DEF, whichever is higher (your choice, if tied). You can only use each of the following effects of "Mythorror Titaness Aura" once per turn.

- Once per turn, during the Battle Phase, when a card or effect is activated: You can negate that activation, and if you do, destroy that card, and if you do that, this card gains 500 ATK until the End Phase.

- If this Synchro Summoned card is destroyed: You can target 1 "Mythorror" card in your Pendulum Zone; Special Summon it, but negate its effects, then place this card in that Pendulum Zone.

[Trivia: in Greek mythology, Aura was the Titan goddess of the breeze and fresh, cool air of the early morning. Concept credit goes to mekyaku.]

Manek:

Double Driver

Continuous Spell

You can only control 1 "Memory Duo" monster. During your Main Phase: You can Fusion Summon 1 "Memory Duo" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials. You can destroy this card, then target 2 "Dopant" monsters in your GY; Special Summon them, but negate their effects. You can only use 1 "Double Driver" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Memory Duo: Heat and Metal (Fire/Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2000/LV: 8)

"Dopant of Heat" + "Dopant of Metal"

(This card is also always treated as a DARK Pyro "Dopant" monster.)

Cannot be destroyed by battle. Once per turn, if this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to that monster's original ATK or DEF, whichever is higher (your choice, if tied).

Memory Trade

Continuous Trap

Once per turn, during your opponent's Battle Phase: You can target 1 "Dopant" monster you control; reveal 1 "Dopant" monster in your Deck with the same Level as that target, and if you do, shuffle that target into the Deck, then Special Summon the revealed monster.

Duo Dopant - Double (Dark/Warrior/Effect/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000/LV: 8)

(This card is also always treated as a WIND Fiend monster.)

Cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. Once per turn (Quick Effect): You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; until the end of this turn, this card gains its original name and original effects.

Memory Fusion

Normal Spell

Fusion Summon 1 "Dopant" or "Masked Warrior" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters from your hand or field as Fusion Materials, but shuffle them into the Deck, then you can draw 1 card for each monster used as Fusion Material (max. 3). You can only activate 1 "Memory Fusion" per turn.

Memory Gadget - Stag Phone

Normal Spell

If you control a "Duo" monster, activate 1 of these effects.

- Add from your Deck to your hand, 1 card with "Duo" in its text, except "Memory Gadget - Stag Phone".

- Target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy it.

You can only activate 1 "Memory Gadget - Stag Phone" per turn.

Curse of Old

Continuous Trap

(This card is also always treated as a "Dopant" card.)

At the start of the Battle Phase: All monsters your opponent controls lose 200 ATK/DEF for each "Dopant" card you control. If your "Dopant" monster is attacked and the battle damage from that battle would lower your LP to 0 while this card is in your GY: You can banish it and send that monster to the GY; end the Battle Phase.

[Trivia: the unknown Dopant which appears in this card's art is Old Dopant.]

Memory Gadget - Bat Shot

Equip Spell

Equip only to a "Duo" monster. Once per turn: You can select 1 of these effects to apply.

- The equipped monster can inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent this turn.

- It becomes the Main Phase 2, then look at all Set cards your opponent controls.

Free your Heat

Normal Trap

You can activate this card from your hand if "Memory Duo: Heat and Metal" is in your GY. If a "Duo" monster you control is destroyed and sent to the GY: Special Summon up to 2 "Dopant" monsters with different names from your Deck and/or GY with their effects negated, and if you do, your opponent takes 1000 damage for each monster Summoned this way. You can only activate 1 "Free your Heat" per turn.

[Trivia: the unknown Dopant which appears in this card's art is Money Dopant.]

Serena:

Lunalight Deer (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1600/DEF: 100/LV: 5/SC: 2)

Pendulum Effect: You cannot Pendulum Summon monsters, except "Lunalight" monsters. This effect cannot be negated. You can target 1 other face-up "Lunalight" card you control; destroy it, and if you do, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Lunalight" monster from your hand or Deck. You can only use this effect of "Lunalight Deer" once per turn.

Monster Effect: If only your opponent controls a monster: You can Special Summon both this card (from your hand) and 1 Level 4 or lower "Lunalight" monster (from your Deck). You can only use this effect of "Lunalight Deer" once per turn.

Lunalight Lamb (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Pendulum/Effect/ATK: 1000/DEF: 1500/LV: 4/SC: 9)

Pendulum Effect: You cannot Pendulum Summon monsters, except "Lunalight" monsters. This effect cannot be negated. You can target 1 "Lunalight" monster you control; if it attacks a Defense Position monster this turn, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent, and if it does, gain LP equal to that amount. You can only use this effect of "Lunalight Lamb" once per turn.

Monster Effect: If this card is in your GY or face-up Extra Deck: You can banish it; Special Summon 1 "Lunalight Token" (Dark/Beast-Warrior/ATK: 2000/DEF: 2000/LV: 4). You can only use this effect of "Lunalight Lamb" once per turn. A "Lunalight" Fusion Monster that was Fusion Summoned using this card as material can inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent if it attacks a Defense Position monster.

Lunalight Jaguar Dancer (Dark/Beast-Warrior/Pendulum/Fusion/Effect/ATK: 2600/DEF: 2800/LV: 9/SC: 7)

Pendulum Effect: You cannot Pendulum Summon monsters, except "Lunalight" monsters. This effect cannot be negated. Once per turn: You can target 1 "Lunalight" monster in your GY or Banish Zone; Special Summon it, but it cannot attack, also destroy it during the End Phase.

Monster Effect: 2 or 3 Special Summoned "Lunalight" monsters

If this card is Fusion Summoned: You can activate 1 of the following effects, depending on the number of Fusion Materials used to Fusion Summon it.

2: Target 1 "Lunalight" monster in your GY or Banish Zone; Special Summon it, but destroy it during the End Phase.

3: Target 2 cards your opponent controls; destroy them, and if you do, draw 1 card, but if not, this card gains 1400 ATK until your next Standby Phase instead.

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 "Lunalight Jaguar Dancer" once per turn.

Lunalight Revival Fusion

Normal Trap

During your turn, if your opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck: Fusion Summon 1 "Lunalight" Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, banishing 1 "Lunalight" monster from your GY and sending 1 "Lunalight" monster from your Deck to the GY or face-up Extra Deck as Fusion Material. You can only activate 1 "Lunalight Revival Fusion" per turn.

---

As always, a big thank you to ghost83, the creator of Manek's fan-made cards and who helped me write the scenes that have his OC in them.

I think everything pretty much speaks for itself, so these ending notes won't be long. Unlike in the previous version, I chose to avoid having Antinomy introduce himself as, and act as, Bruno since it didn't play an important role in the grand scheme of things. Instead, he acts like himself from the very beginning, making it easier for you readers to see the kind of character he'll be in this story. Now...I'm not saying he isn't 5D's Antinomy, but neither that he is. I want to give him more depth this time around, so you'll have to find that out for yourselves.

I made a lot of changes to how the Facility works for convenience's sake, so I hope Serena's part of this chapter hit much deeper than before and managed to please everyone. The same goes for Vince's, of course!

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!

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Two cards appeared on the screen before turning around, revealing Lunalight Panther Dancer and Duo Dopant - Double. They suddenly glowed, and Serena and Manek emerged from them respectively.

"Thanks for everything you did while we were in the Facility, Manek." the female youth crossed her arms over her chest. "For that Duel...and your words. Ah, it's not like I was in need of encouragement or a promise to make with someone, but I deeply appreciate it."

"Really? Well, I had fun." smiling at Serena's inner tsundere, Manek shrugged. "I'm eagerly waiting for the chance to Duel you again."

"The same." she nodded firmly, and let loose of an impish smirk. "However, I'm warning you I'm not the type of Duelist who loses to the same opponent twice."

"That remains to be seen." Manek equipped the same smirk before turning to the viewers. "Here's the Secret of the Chapter, everyone! Some of you may already know this, but I'm also a singer."

"Eh?" Serena blinked twice and stepped closer to the male youth. "You can...sing?"

"Yeah." Manek stated, surprised by her expression of genuine curiosity. "It was in my contract requirements, actually."

Serena stepped back and stared in silence at him for a couple of seconds, prompting him to sweatdrop. "You must be proud, singing isn't an easy task. Could you...try singing something for me?"

Manek blinked. Then again, slowly. He then turned his head to the side, hiding his face from Serena and the viewers. "There's a time and place for everything." he scolded her in a low tone. "Now's not that time."

The indigo-haired youth tilted her to the side, confused by his sudden change of mood. She leaned a little forward, catching a glimpse of his face, and her eyes widened.

His cheeks...are pink. This isn't the first time I see someone blushing, but...to see Manek from all people being shy...it's unusual. But not in a bad way? What a weird feeling.

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