Welcome back to Chapter 2 everyone! As I promised, this chapter is MUCH longer than the last one with a whopping 6,900 words! This will be my first time writing a duel scene, so if you have any advice for later duels let me know!

Code Geass and Yu-Gi-Oh Arc-V belong to respective owners/companies.

Ch. 2: March Forward, the Resistance meets Zero!

It had taken nearly a month until Zero was actually ready to explore more of the destroyed city. During that time, Zero had accomplished the goals he had first set up, if barely. The city, which Zero had found out was called Heartland, wasn't the best place to do exercise. Varying from the witch hunts against 'Xyz scum', and anyone in general, to the ash covered air that made it difficult to breathe for most. Thankfully, Zero's mask had a filter in it, one of the perks that Zero had prepared for ahead of his first rebellion, it was good to be paranoid sometimes.

Another thing Zero was thankful for was that he didn't have to get any new clothes due to his new found strength. Seeing as how Heartland was destroyed, it would be rather difficult to find new clothes. The masked resistance leader was fine with just wearing his suit and cape thank you. Zero wasn't going to remove his mask and show this world his face, no exception. Even though Nunnally was safe in the other world, his heart ached thinking about his sister, he just wouldn't risk it.

On to other things, Zero had a good grasp about what had happened here in Heartland as well, and everything in general. The reason which could all be thanked by his geass, the power to make anyone obey him without question. A simple command to people on both sides of this 'war', and he had the entire story. A blessing really, seeing as how he was in a different world entirely, Zero had feared that his power would have been nullified.

The children in red, yellow, and blue uniforms were apart of a place called Academia, which was located in a dimension called the Fusion dimension. The others who did not wear such uniforms were from the Xyz dimension, or if they wore a red band somewhere on their body, resistance fighters. Academia had shown up, and began carding people to help create a utopia by uniting all four of the dimensions Synchro, Fusion, Xyz, and Standard. However, Zero couldn't help but see the way they were trying to unite the dimensions was to literally commit a mass genocide and force the other dimensions into coporation.

It reminded him of Britannia, and that didn't put a smile on the masked man's face.

Another thing that caught Zero's interests where the dimensions in general, Fusion, Xyz, and Synchro. All of them were named after the three summoning methods used in duels. Duels seemed to be an equivalent to chess in this word, and although it did fascinate the revolutionary somewhat, it wasn't like a good old game of chess. However, seeing that these duels were used for just about everything from minor disputes to full blown wars, Zero made it paramount that he learned how to play immediately.

That's where the strange device he was given came into play. It turned out to actually be a duel disk, and once it was activated a royal purple blade appeared for a duel. The blade was bent slightly to make the mark of geass more apparent. Though Zero could see it being used as a weapon as well, especially since the edges were rather sharp. The cards turned out to be cards used for duels, and what was on the cards surprised the masked hero greatly.

They were things from his world printed on the cards. Glasgows and Burais being low leveled, Sutherlands and Gekkas needed a sacrifice, while the Lancelot and Guren where advanced summons. That wasn't all, there were knightmares that Zero hadn't even seen before. A giant black and gold flying knightmare called the Gawain caught Zero's interest especially. There were other knightmares like the Shen Hu, Zangetsu, Tristan, Mordred, Vincent, and Galahad that seemed more advanced. Heck, there was even a Lancelot Albion and Guren S.E.I.T.E.N as well. That wasn't even talking about the spell and trap cards that reminded the masked man of home. Camelot Engineering, Gefjun Disturbers, Refrain, Float Packs, there were even cards dedicated to people he knew of as well. Rakshata, Llyod Asplund, Suzaku, Kallen, Todoh, C.C, even Cornelia, Euphy, and Schneizel were in Zero's deck. Surprisingly, geass was also in the masked man's deck as well, Mind Reading, Memory Replacement, Love, Time, Puppetry, and even Zero's own geass of Obedience.

One thing that struck Zero as odd was that the masked man himself wasn't even in this deck. Not a single hide nor hair of the word Zero, although the Shinkiro and Gawain seemed like knightmares that suited him. Zero theorized that the reason why was due to being pulled into this dimension.

Zero stopped staring at his duel disk and deck, and continued walking to wherever he was going. The masked man had this place almost memorized by heart, but there were still some places even he didn't know about. Though, that wasn't the point of this little walk.

The point was to draw out Academia.

So far, Zero had managed to defeat about 27 people without a loss, and each were in a group of three, something that Zero took note of. Once the soldiers had been defeated they had turned into pixels and been transported somewhere, most likely back to the Fusion dimension. Sadly, it seemed that Zero was able to beat them just about as easily as he would have at a game of chess. Dueling almost seemed to just fit with the masked revolutionary, and Zero didn't mind that one bit, it made it easier to reach his goals unlike being a horrible knightmare pilot.

Zero paused when he heard the sound of a building collapsing, along with a few screams. Curious, the masked man quickly and silently made his way over to the scene.

The ground rumbled as Zero could finally see what was causing the problem. Two girls laid scratched and bruised on the rubble of a collapsed building. One had light purple and lilac hair that was tied in light green and orange hair clips, glasses, and blue eyes. She wore a light blue shirt with a darker blue turtleneck, though most of it was blocked by the tan dress she also wore above it. A blue belt that had a golden symbol was around her waist, with two green pouches attached two each side. The girl wore brown tights, white fingerless gloves, torn off blue and white leg warmers and light orange and brown shoes.

The other struggled to get up, and managed to sit up on her elbows, glaring. She had long dark purple hair with magenta side tails that went past her lower back, even with a wing shaped barrette trying to keep it at bay. A cream vest hides a three part lilac underdress. Worn out grey pants and brown boots finished the look. Pink eyes looking towards the group of Academia soldiers that had masks on their faces. A red piece of cloth hung from the two brown belts that was on her waist.

A resistance member along with a civilian maybe? Zero raised an eyebrow in curiosity. And who are these Academia soldiers wearing those ridiculous masks? Nothing like mine own, it's too much for one mask. He clicked his tongue in distaste, and decided to listen in on the conversation they were having before intervening.

"Pathetic, and you call yourself a duelist?" One of the teens with a green gem embedded on their forehead of their mask sneered. "You should have been carded long before now."

"You say we are pathetic duelists." The girl with long dark purple hair spoke in defiance. "Yet you all use the very same deck, your dull and uncreative like your robots." Zero very nearly chuckled and gave away his position at that remark.

The stranger in the middle with a yellow gem in his mask silenced his comrade with a look, before returning his attention to the girl. "Call it what you wish, but we still beat you. Besides, we didn't come here to argue like children. Obelisk Force is better than that." Zero took note of the Academia soldiers calling themselves Obelisk Force, which was most likely an ace team.

The girl with lilac hair hesitantly spoke up, Zero barely able to hear her. "T-Then what are y-you here for?"

This time, the third stranger with a red gem answered. "We're looking for someone, and he's a part of the resistance." Seeing the two girls tense, the man gave a cruel smile. "It's a good thing we ran into you two, and on our first try no less."

"Well, you won't get anything out of us." The first girl snapped.

"We haven't even told you who we're looking for though, or about our deal." The yellow gemed teen smoothly cut in. "You see, if you tell where we can find this person we'll let you two go free for another day."

The dark haired girl snorted, as if what the man said was a joke. "Like we could ever believe someone from Academia."

The green and red gemmed soldiers rolled their eyes, mouths twitching in annoyance. "Says the lost Xyz scum." The green gemmed man spoke.

"Why you!-" The girl tried to get up, but only managed to wince from the pain she had endured from the duel she had lost.

The other girl put a supportive hand on the first's shoulder. "Ruri be careful, you're hurt."

"But they!-" The girl named Ruri started to say, but was interrupted by the Obelisk leader.

"We don't have time for this." The man spat in rising anger and impatience. "We're looking for this man." The yellow gemmed Obelisk member held up a picture, and the two girls gasped in surprise, eyes wide in surprise. "He wears this black crowned mask with purple glass hiding his face, a high collared cape that's black with gold trimmings and red underneath. We suspect he's wearing a royal purple suit with gold trimmings as well, but that's about all we can gather from this man. He wears a black and gold duel disk with a royal purple blade, he duels with a strange mech and seemingly psychic deck. One that we have never heard, both in this dimension and in Academia, his cards are completely new and unique."

"He has been causing trouble for the Commander-in-Chief's army apparently, so we're going to bring him in for a little questioning." Another Obelisk force member added, a big grin plastered on his face.

"You mean card him." The shy girl nearly squeaked out. "You're going to card him."

"You could say." The Obelisk Force members didn't even deny it.

Ruri crossed her arms and glared at the three Academia soldiers. "Well, you won't be getting anything out of us. If he's kicking your ass well enough, then I'd rather be carded and give this guy a chance at defeating you."

Obelisk Force frowned at the straight out refusal, before the red gemmed soldier spoke with a lecherous smirk on his face. "You may say that now, but we can do many things to you, you know. We'll get you two to open up after we have some 'fun.'"

Ruri and the other girl paled at the man's hints, and Zero decided it was time to intervene before things spiraled out of control.

"That won't be necessary, Obelisk Force." Zero's modulated voice nearly boomed across the destroyed area like gunfire. Both the Academia soldiers and resistance fighters jumped in surprised fright at the man's sudden interjection. The three soldiers looked around wildly, searching for the masked man. Zero smirked, deciding to toy with 'Academia's ace team' before revealing himself.

The others could only watch and wait for the masked man to show himself. The two girls were relieved to have someone help them from the Obelisk scum. The other three teens however, were beginning to get freaked out by this stranger. They could feel the masked man's fierce aura from here, along with it's deadly intent. Each would see small movements from the shadows, but they couldn't tell if it was real or just rising paranoia. Their instincts screaming at them to run away from this man, this alpha.

Zero chuckled from the shadows, seeing the Obelisk Force's rising fear even through their masks, the sweat beginning to appear on the bottom of their faces that was visible. "What's wrong? You act as if you're about to die, like you're seeing a shinigami." Zero paused, thinking. "I suppose you wouldn't be too far off on that assumption, after all."

Zero slowly appeared from the shadows, his faceless and emotionless mask going first, before the masked man completely slulked out of the darkness like a predator studying its prey. He appeared right behind the two girls, which caused the lilac haired girl to give a small scream in surprise and the other to tense up, her mouth opening and closing like a gaping fish. The Obelisk Force turned to see the masked stranger, and stumbled back a couple of feet on instinct. Their shoulder's tense and teeth gritted, trying not to show their fear by making it anger.

"Deciding to force yourself on a woman with the intent to rape her is worthy of a death sentence in my opinion." Zero's voice managed to drop into a hiss. "You three are rather twisted and sick."

The leader clicked his tongue, before raising his Academia duel disk, the others following suit. "That doesn't matter, you're here now. Will you accept your fate and get carded, or will we have to fight you and use force?"

The five teens could feels Zero's mood dropping into icy terrain. Zero himself frowned from underneath his mask. "Fight? No, you don't know what it's like to really fight, but I suppose I can entertain you three with a duel. I need the mental exercise anyway."

Zero's cape blew with the wind that suddenly flew by at that moment, Obelisk Force flinching slightly. The masked man whipped out his black and gold duel disk before attaching it to his arm. The duel disk activated, revealing the royal purple blade that resembled the mark of geass. Obelisk Force activated their duel disks as well, the blades were red and symbolized a sword.

"DUEL!"

ZERO- 4,000 LP

OBELISK RED- 4,000 LP

OBELISK GREEN- 4,000 LP

OBELISK YELLOW- 4,000 LP

"I'll go first." Zero stated, before he drew a card, so far he had a good hand. "I summon Black Knight Glasgow, in attack mode."

A humanoid machine like monster appeared on the field in front of Zero, painted black and silver. GLASGOW LV.4 ATK:1200 DEF:900.

"When one Glasgow has been successfully summoned I can summon another to the field through my hand or deck." With that, Zero pulled a card out from his deck and summoned another Glasgow.

"So, you're going to Xyz summon. You really are just another piece of trash." Obelisk Green snapped, looking at the strange humanoid robots in interest. "The only good thing about you is your cards. I've never seen anything like them, and there not Ancient Gear Golems."

"It would be best not to test me. Unlike what people think, I can have very little patience, especially with duelist like you." Zero returned calmly, almost too calmly. "Besides, I'm not done quite yet."

The Obelisk member's eyes widened, even through his flimsy mask and ruby eyes Zero could tell. "I activate the spell card 'Black Knight Backup'. This spell allows me to summon another monster regardless of its summoning conditions as long as it is the same level as one of the monsters currently on my field. I choose to summon Black Knight Commander Burai, in attack mode."

Another humanoid mech appeared beside the other two, but this one was different. It was less clunky, but not by much, and was also painted black. However, this one had a golden headpiece on its head that seemed to resemble a samurai's helmet. BLACK KNIGHT COMMANDER BURAI LV.4 ATK:1100 DEF:1000

"Three level four monsters, so that means." Obelisk Red spoke in shock.

"Yes." Zero spoke, his modulated voice seemed to get louder. "I overlay all three of my monsters to build the overlay network!"

A golden vortex appeared under the three machines. The Glasgows turned into a red light, while the Burai turned into a black light, all three lights diving into the vortex to make a strong monster.

Zero raised his hand up towards the sky as it turned black, hiding the monster from few. Zero's cape billowing wildly from the wind that whipped around the field. "Rise from the depths of your slumber with your cold metal and sleek gold! Xyz summon, come forth! Knightmare Gawain!"

What all five spectators saw, was a behemoth. It would have towered over all five of them combined, and still be taller by a good few feet. The knightmare was mostly black and gold, with a maroon like pack on it's back that had six rods and green lights at each end that acted like a flotation device which kept the beast in the air. The Gawain slowly descended to land in front of its master, easily towering the masked man while making him even more intimidating at the same time. Mechanical ruby eyes glowed down at the Obelisk force as if they were insects.

KNIGHTMARE GAWAIN RNK.4 ORBS:3 ATK:2700 DEF:2000

"An Xyz summon, and on his first turn?" Ruri stared at the monstrosity before her in awe, she had never seen anything like it.

"What is that thing!" Obelisk Red cried out, staring at the Gawain in fright. "I've never seen anything like it."

"And you won't see anything like it again either." Zero interjected, lowering his hand to grab two cards from his hand. "I place two cards down and end my turn."

"My turn then, I draw!" Obelisk Yellow, who had been quiet until now, drew before a sick smile spread across his face. "I summon Antique Gear Hound-Dog in attack mode!"

A robot dog with two large bottom fangs appeared on the field and roared at the Gawain. ANTIQUE GEAR HOUND-DOG LV.3 ATK:1000 DEF:1000

"Once per turn, if my opponent controls a monster, this card deals 600 points of damage!" Yellow threw his hand forward, and Antique Hound-Dog breathed fire that headed directly towards Zero.

Zero raised his hand. "I activate the trap card, Gefjun Disturber. This trap negates any effects on all of my opponent's monsters for the rest of this turn. However, if I am to keep my trap card, I will have to sacrifice 500 life points at the end of every turn."

Small circular devices surrounded the entire field, and emitted a green light all at once that made Antique Hound-Dog's attack vanished in a puff of smoke.

Obelisk Yellow clicked his tongue. "A good card, but you're only stalling the inevitable." The soldier pulled out a familiar spell card. "I activate the spell Polymerization from my hand. I fuse the Antique Gear Hound-Dog on my field with the two I have in my hand."

The Hounds turned into red, blue, and yellow lights that swirled together to form a fusion monster. "Mechanical hounds who carry out the ancient spirits. Flock together and become one with a new power!" Yellow threw his hands together in a fist in front of himself. "I fusion summon! Come forth, level 7, Ancient Gear Triple Bite Hound-Dog!"

A mechanical dog with three heads appeared, two head on its shoulders. All three heads roared as one towards the Gawain. ANCIENT GEAR TRIPLE BITE HOUND-DOG LV.7. ATK:1800 DEF:1000

"I place two cards down and end my turn." With that Obelisk Yellow place two cards down.

"My turn! I draw!" Obelisk Green drew a card.

"At this point and time I pay 500 life points to keep Gefjun Disturber on my field." Zero interrupted, and winced slightly from the loss of life points.

ZERO- 4000 = 3500

"I use Polymerization to fuse three of the Antique Gear Hound-Dogs in my hand. I fusion summon, level 7, Ancient Gear Triple Bite Hound-Dog!" Another triple headed beast appeared on the field and gave a mechanical growl.

"With that, I set one card and end my turn."

"I pay 500 more life points to keep my Gefjun Disturber on the field." Zero spoke again.

ZERO- 3500 = 3000

Obelisk Green crossed his arms, a confident smirk on his face. A nod towards Obelisk Red let Zero know what their plan was.

"So, you're going to summon a Triple Bite Hound-Dog as well I presume?" Zero drawled.

Obelisk Red growled. "You may be smart, but even you can't take us three on by yourself. I draw!" Red drew. "I use Polymerization to fuse my three Antique Gear Hound-Dogs in my hand. I fusion summon, level 7, Ancient Gear Triple Bite Hound-Dog!"

All three dogs surrounded the sole goliath of a knightmare and barked. However, the Gawain seemed to be unaffected at the intimidation tactics.

"I end my turn."

Zero scoffed. "Predictable. You each made the same move, how stale. If it weren't for my trap card you would have probably tried to deplete my life points to zero by effects only."

"You talk down on us, yet you're the one losing. You have lesser life points, and only one monster."

"That may be true, but I only need one monster to defeat you."

Obelisk force laughed. Some had to cluck their stomachs they were laughing so hard. "You." Obelisk Green took a breath. "You think rather highly of yourself, don't you?"

"No, I have the skill to back my words as I will now show you. However, your arrogance will be your downfall, along with your dull techniques. I draw!" Zero drew a card, and motioned to his trap. "Since I did not pay 500 life points, Gefjun Disturber is destroyed and goes into the graveyard."

The trap shattered into a million pieces as Zero put the trap into the grave. "I activate the spell 'Knightmare Upgrade'. This spell doubles the attack of one of my monsters, I choose the Gawain."

GAWAIN ATK:2700 = ATK:5400

"5400 attack." Red said in shock.

"Battle!" Zero shouted with a swipe of his cape as he pointed to the first Hound-Dog. "I activate Gawain's special ability. By discarding one orbital, my Gawain can attack my opponents twice!"

"I activate my trap!-"

"That won't work." Zero snapped. "When the Gawain enters battle while using its special ability, traps and spells will have no effect!"

"Then that means!" Obelisk Yellow spoke, but he couldn't finish his sentence as his body shook.

"That you all lose. Checkmate." Zero finished for the Academia soldier, before throwing his arm out towards the three teens. "Go, my Gawain! Hadron Cannon Blast!"

Two compartments on both of the Gawain's shoulders opened with a hiss, revealing two cannons that began to charge with dark red energy. The dogs backed away wearily, but still crouched down to protect their masters even though it was pointless.

The whirring of energy reached an all time high, and then the Gawain fired.

It was monstrous. Two solid beams of dark red descended upon the Obelisk force like a red devil. Slowly, yet quickly at the same time, the beams made a sweeping motioning across the Obelisks side of the field. The dogs exploded in an orange fire that scattered across the open space. The two girls behind Zero had to shield their face from the bright explosions that echoed across the area.

OBELISK YELLOW LP- 4000 = 0 LOSER

OBELISK GREEN LP- 4000 = 0 LOSER

OBELISK RED LP- 4000 = 0 LOSER

ZERO LP- 3000 WINNER

Embers rained down softly, the popping from fire filling the air. The Gawain vanished since the duel was over, and Zero casually walked over to the downed Obelisk force. Three pairs of red eyes watched in mounting terror as Zero stepped over burning embers and debris to meet them, unable to move too much because of their duel. Until finally, Zero's faceless mask bore down on all three of them from just a foot away.

"Next time you desire to duel me, be wary. I could have killed you with that blast, but I held back. Tell Academia all about me if you like, because I will hunt you down like the Devil itself. However, from here onward you will heed one thing." Zero paused in his speech as a slot in his mask parted open, revealing a red eye with the mark of geass on it. "You will not use dueling for violence anymore."

Even though the Academia soldiers had their masks on, it didn't stop Zero's geass. The command implanted itself into their brains, and red rings surrounded the three soldiers eyes as it took effect.

The three teens nodded dumbly. "Yeah, we won't hurt anyone anymore with our dueling."

"Let's go back to Academia, that duel has me exhausted." Obelisk Green stated in a daze.

"I'm with you on that." Obelisk Yellow answered, and with a few clicks on their screens, each Obelisk force member turned into particles and retreated to Academia.

The remaining three people were silent as the fire popped and began to die, the flames mostly replaced with smoke. The two girls managed to stand, if shakily, and began to process everything that had just happened while Zero waited for them to speak. Zero turned to face the girls, and accidentally made the girls jump slightly. Seeing the masked man's power had made the two girls hesitant to talk. After a few minutes of silence between each other, Zero finally decided to break the silence.

"Are you two alright? I would like to hope that you aren't too injured." The masked man decided to ask that question first to seem noble. Although he did worry about their health slightly.

"We'll be fine, we just need a bit of rest." Ruri gestured to her bruised self, eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you for helping us when you did. I don't want to think what would have happened if you hadn't arrived."

Zero tilted his head in acknowledgement. "It was nothing, they were looking for me after all. You wouldn't have been in such a situation if I hadn't decided to fight Academia."

"No, but we would have gotten carded instantly though, so I still thank you for your help." The dark purple haired girl did a small bow in thanks, before wincing slightly.

Zero immediately took notice. "You seem to be more hurt than you think."

"It's nothing." Ruri insisted stubbornly.

"I'm sorry to ask this, but who are you?" The girl with glasses asked curiously.

"You may call me Zero." The girls looked at the masked man in even more curiosity. "May I ask who you are?" The masked man deflected their question.

"Oh, right." The lilac haired girl pushed her glasses up on her nose and spoke shyly. "My name is Sayaka Sasayama, and my friend here is Ruri Kurosaki."

Zero nodded his head in greeting, before he looked around the destroyed area. "I would like to continue this chat some more, but it would be better to find some cover first in case any Academia soldiers decide to show up." Zero walked towards Heartland Tower, motioning the two girls to follow behind him with a hand gesture. "If you would follow me please. I'll escort you two somewhere away from here. I'm sure all this smoke and fire is getting to you after all, and dueling more Academia students doesn't really seem pleasant to me right now."

Sayaka and Ruri looked at each other, before they both nodded and followed beside the masked revolutionary. It was mostly silent during the journey, and rather difficult due to Zero never using the roads or trails made after the first wave of invasion. Once Zero had finally stopped, the two girls looked around, taking every detail in to make sure this wasn't a trap.

"I know this place." Sayaka finally realized where Zero had taken them. "This is Heartland's Museum, or, it was until the invasion."

The museum had classic marble columns at the front, with a double door entrance, the inside casted in shadows. The power was cut off ever since the invasion, and the entire place was almost too dark to see without a flashlight. The building had two stories, and had creamed colored walls with dark brown tiles.

"You are correct Sayaka." With that, Zero entered the museum with a whip from his cape. "You see, Academia decided to leave most of the artifacts and exhibits here, though some have been destroyed due to the destruction that occurred from Academia's invasion. Deeming them unworthy for Academia's might. I however, find this place rather educating, and I find gathering knowledge to be a nice hobby of mind. This place is rather interesting to someone like me." During his speech, Zero gestured to some of the artifacts that had survived Academia's invasion. "Not only that, but this place actually has rather strong infrastructure, so it's mostly safe to roam around here without fear of falling debris. A good place to stay."

The two girls took note of that, but Sayaka took note of one other thing.

"You're speaking as if you've never been here before." The girl pointed out. "So, you're not from around here, are you?"

Zero paused, debating on answering that question. "... You are correct in assuming that. I'm not from around here."

Then Ruri took a defensive position. "Then you could be from Fusion."

Zero raised an eyebrow from behind his mask at the girl's sudden aggression. "Maybe, but if I was from Academia I would've had you two carded by now. Unlike the supposed 'ace team' of the Fusion dimension, Obelisk Force, I don't like toying around with my food. Trust me when I say I wouldn't of bothered to bring you here if I was from Fusion." Zero waved off the girl's paranoia. "Besides, I used an Xyz summon. From what I've gathered from this little dispute, Xyz users don't use Fusion summoning and Fusion users don't use Xyz summoning."

"Maybe, but you could still be a spy." Ruri insisted with narrowed eyes.

Now Zero raised both eyebrows. "Ruri, with this face." Zero gestured to his masked face. "No one would trust me in general. No, I keep my identity a secret from everyone. In return, I'll never gain everyone's full trust. A double-edged sword, but one I use nonetheless." Zero turned around, his cape spinning to follow his actions. "Anyway, oneward with the 'tour'. I want to get you two patched up before you move along."

Ruri and Sayaka followed, but now both girls stayed a few paces behind the masked man. Their eyes looking towards the shadows and corners, as if searching from someone that wasn't even their. Their paranoia amused the masked man, but he couldn't blame them for it.

War changes people, he knew that very well.

Zero trekked up the stairs and went straight to the museum's head office. The masked man held the door open for both girls with a dramatic bow, before he walked right up to the big wooden desk and sat down in the black leathered rolling chair. He didn't even waste a second before he reached into one of the wooden drawers and pulled out a medical first aid kit.

Zero opened the case and turned it around to show it to the two girls. "I doubt you'd trust me enough to tend to your wounds. After all, you just met me, so you two can get yourselves patched up. Would you like to work in silence, or do you want to have a talk now?"

"I don't mind talking to you while we get patched up." Ruri grabbed some rubbing alcohol along with a few cotton balls, her eyes focused on the task set before her.

"Yeah. I'm okay with it too." Sayaka spoke quietly. Zero couldn't help but note that this girl reminded him a lot of Nina Einstein from the student council at his school, Ashford Academy. The green haired girl was more shy than Sayaka, and smarter at that. Zero could see a genius rather well, he was a genius himself after all. Back to the point, Zero noted how Sayaka let Ruri do most of the talking. Only pointing out a few points or commenting with a few words.

"Alright then." Zero put his elbows on the wooden desk and put his chin on both of his hands. His shoulders hunching and his cape draping across his form to hide his figure even more. "You two are from the resistance that has been set up to combat Academia and make them retreat back into the Fusion Dimension, correct?"

The two girls also grew serious, though Sayaka hissed slightly from the sting that came from the rubbing alcohol. They both nodded silently.

"I figured. I notice that resistance fighters wear red scarves somewhere on their person, as seen by the red scarf on your belt." Zero gestured to the red piece of cloth that drooped towards the floor. "Let me ask you this though. Do you have any way, or any plan, that could make Academia leave?"

"Of course we have a plan!" Ruri snapped irritably.

"Do you?" Zero questioned. "What is it?"

Ruri opened her mouth, but paused, and then closed it again with an annoyed look on her face.

"As I thought." Zero muttered mostly to himself. "You don't have a plan. What you've been doing is good though, you've been helping the civilians get to safety, to find sanctuary. I admire that out of a team. However, you've grown so used to Academia's presence that you've just gotten used to battling them and living to fight another day. If you want Heartland to return to its former glory, you have to step up. Take up a sword and MAKE them leave, don't settle with this life."

"That's all easy to say, but more difficult to back up." Ruri clenched her fists, knuckles turning white at Zero's words, even if they were slightly true. "Especially when you have that mask over your face."

Zero couldn't help it. He laughed.

Ruri reeled back in her chair, a shocked look on her face that gave way to rage. "You dare!-"

"I'm afraid you have my amusement mixed up with something else." Zro interjected swiftly, raising a hand as a calming gesture. "It's just that I'm getting a bit of deja vu right now."

That was an understatement, this meeting was going almost exactly as it had back at his dimension. When he had first met Ohgi and that others sans Kallen, and how they had questioned him and who was behind that mask. It looked like Zero would have to give these people some proof at his sincerity.

"You mean you've done this before?" Sayaka asked hesitantly, not wanting to get in the middle of these two.

Zero nodded. "I am familiar with this scenario, with war." The temperature in the room seemed to drop a few degrees after those words. "Though this is nothing like true war I-"

"True war!" Ruri screeched, scrapping her chair on the floor as she stood up to look down at the masked man. "Do you not see what has happened around you! Our entire home has been destroyed because of this damned war! No, you don't know what it's like. What this war-"

"Sit down." Zero hissed. Ruri flinched in surprise at the man's tone. The masked man himself stood up to his full height, just barely taller than the female duelist but it felt taller. Sayaka shrunk in on herself, a bundle of nerves as Zero's maskless face bore down on both of them.

"No, you do NOT know what true war is like. Your home may have been destroyed, and your people turned into cards, but at least YOU can find a way to turn them back!" The masked man snapped viciously. "THEY get a second chance at life. Real war doesn't allow that mercy, that blessing. If you die, then you STAY dead. You don't get a second chance at life, or a chance at being revived because you were turned into a card." Zero leaned towards Ruri slightly. "So don't, under ANY circumstances, say that I do not know what war is like."

The small standoff lasted for a minute, the tension rising during that time, before Zero finally sat back down in his chair calmly. The room returning to a more manageable temperature. "If you would please sit back down. I would like to finish this little talk and send you on your way. Little misunderstandings happen at times, and this is no different. After all, I want the resistance to be my ally, not my enemy like Academia."

Carefully, Ruri sat back down and Zero continued. "Now then, to the point of this little chat. I want you and the resistance to join me, or let me join you either way, as a leader, or CEO."

"You're kidding." Both Ruri and Sayaka exclaimed in shock, surprised at the man's daring.

"I'm afraid not. We both want Academia driven out of Heartland, and the Xyz Dimension entirely. The best way to do that it to team up and work together. All I ask is a semblance of your trust, and in return I will give you results."

"How can I trust you with our base of operations, with my team. I hardly even know you." Ruri frowned, but it wasn't as obvious as before.

"You don't have to decide on it now, or by yourself for that matter. I want you, and any number of your members to meet me back here at this museum tomorrow at midnight. I'll show you my prowess in a little operation." Zero suddenly stood up again, and walked over to the door, opening it for both girls. "Now that that is over with. I believe it is time for you to depart."

Ruri and Sayaka looked at each other again, before standing and following behind Zero to the museum's entrance.

"How do we know this won't be a trap?"

"You're quite the skeptical and paranoid one, aren't you?" Zero stared at Ruri. "I don't blame you. Having to grow up and adapt to a world like this." Zero gestured outside. "I can only say that you have my word that it won't be a trap. Otherwise, it'll be up to you to believe me or not, but that doesn't mean you HAVE to come tomorrow. If you and your team truly wish it, you can decline my offer. I will understand, and won't give you hard feelings for it."

The three teens looked at one another, before Ruri raised her hand towards the masked man.

"I suppose that it's worth a shot. I'll try to get some of the others to join me, but don't put too much hope on how many may show."

"Your attempt to try is all I ask. Thank you." Zero and Ruri shook hands, before he did the same thing with Sayaka and pointed outside. "Well then, I suggest you better hurry back to your base. I'm sure your other members are getting worried about you."

No more words were exchanged, and Ruri and Sayaka left. Zero turned around, and went back into the shadowed museum to the office they had just used. Carefully putting the medkit back into the drawer, Zero sat back down into his chair and crossed his arms.

Everything is proceeding as planned, although there were a few hiccups it wasn't anything that could really phase the plan. Now all I have to do is get their trust, and I believe this 'little' operation will do it.

With that, Zero pulled out blueprints to a popular Academia base used to store food and other medical supplies. The blueprints handed over gladly by a geassed Academia student, and study the layout, the guards, their hours, everything.

It didn't pass Zero that he was beginning to have problems with his geass. For one, his geass passed through Obelisk Forces masks, something that couldn't of been done before as exploited by Mao. Zero quickly brushed off the madman and focused more on his plans and geass. It was getting harder to turn off, and at this rate Zero wouldn't be surprised if he had ended up like the chainsaw maniac. Being unable to turn off his geass no matter how hard he tried.

That just made wearing his mask even more paramount.

Zero decided to brush his problems with geass off for now and completely focus on the blueprints before him. After all, he had a job to do, an operation was coming up, and he had some people he needed to impress and gain their trust.

Zero smirked before giving a light sigh, excited at the upcoming battle, it would be interesting.

It felt nice getting back into routine.

There it is! I feel much better at how this chapter turned out than the last one, so that gives me a smile. Comment if there are any mistakes, and with that I'll see you all in Chapter 3!