Hey everybody! Welcome to Chapter 4, and OH MAN, is it big! I debated on making this two chapters, but then I was like 'Screw that! I'm too lazy to split this thing up! I had to type and REREAD this entire thing to make sure I didn't screw anything up'. So you guys are getting the whole thing in one package.

"I have an announcement to make!" Italicized stands for a flashback

I wonder what he's up to? Stands for thought

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen!" Is speech through a radio, microphone, or other electronic device.

I just wanted to clear up some confusion and put a reference here in case some people got lost.

Now then, let's see what our masked revolutionary and phantom knight user are getting into now! Trouble most likely, definitely.

Ch.4: Targets and Matches

Yuto woke up the next morning at the resistance base in the Duel Sanctuary in disbelief. Everything after the operation almost seemed like a dream. Hell, the operation with Zero seemed like a dream itself! The operation only seemed to take just under an hour to complete. After they had returned to the safepoint and chatted with their reunited friends Zero gathered them all together.

It was mostly about congratulations to Academia's embarrassing defeat, but some of the stuff the guy said was actually important. Seeing as the operation turned out okay, the others would put their best word in for the masked man. Although, seeing as Kaito was literally the ace of the resistance, Yuto doubted that anyone would complain about this masked man, especially after he showed his worth. With Zero as pretty much the leader, the masked man ordered that the supplies be distributed evenly to the citizens, or survivors, of Heartland.

When they had returned to the base, the resistance's jaws had almost literally hit the floor in shock. They were regarded as heroes to the people when they saw all of the food and medical supplies they had acquired. When Yuto, Shun and the others told the story about how they had gotten these supplies from Academia, the resistance cheered. Morale had reached an all time high from the successful raid against their enemies.

With some help from other people, the resistance had easily stored the extra food and supplies, and Yuto got to get some rest. The Phantom Knights duelist sat up from his bed and stretched. It was still pretty dark out, and Yuto wasn't too surprised by that. As far as the raven haired duelist remembered, he always had problems with sleeping. He would always wake up in the middle of the night, or fall asleep in the afternoon.

Though it wasn't really his fault, Yuto just couldn't help it. The sun made him so sleepy, and it tends to hurt his eyes when it was really bright or hot out. Before the invasion, people would call him an emo or vampire because of it. Though the teen always brushed off the harsh words and bullying because of his difference, so it didn't matter. After the invasion happened, people just called him a ghoul that would wander around aimlessly. In reality however, Yuto just liked to get some space, some time alone since his room was destroyed in the invasion.

Sometimes, when Yuto didn't get a lot of sleep, or good sleep at that, he would wake up and find himself in a completely different place. His friends had seen it happen a could of times, saying that he somehow managed to sleep walk outside. It had them worried, especially when the invasion hit.

The first time it happened after the invasion, his friends had been terrified. Shun almost tearing through the destroyed city to find his childhood friend, and it warmed Yuto's toughened heart at the sight. However, when he did return to the base and Shun saw him, he was NOT happy. Sure the Raidraptor duelist was super relieved that Yuto was alive and not a card, but he was also super pissed at his friend for the scare in the first place.

Now Yuto has to sleep with a lock on his door. It seemed kind of extreme, but seeing as he could be carded while he was sleep walking they didn't want to take any chances.

The black and purple haired teen got up and walked towards his dresser to put on his usual outfit. Sadly, he didn't have any other outfit, but he really did like this look. With that, Yuto put his black cape on his shoulders, unlocked the door, and exited his room.

The grey eyed boy thought back to what Zero said before they left to get back to their base.

"You aren't coming with us?" Kaito raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted to be the leader of the resistance? Wouldn't it make sense that you come back to base with us?"

"I suppose, but I want to get this building up and running. It will make for a good base in due time. Besides, with this mask I won't be able to get the privacy I desire should I stay with you." Zero gestured to his mask. "I am perfectly fine staying here by myself. However, if it won't be too much of a hassle I would like you six to come back here tomorrow at around noon."

"Why? Are we going to go on another operation already?" Shun asked, arms crossed as usual.

"Not quite." Zero smirked underneath his mask and they could feel it. "Let's just say it'll be a surprise. A bit of reorganization may be needed in this little resistance group. That or I just want to get to know this group a little more... I suppose you could say that you're my inner circle now."

Yuto shook his head. That man, he was full of surprises. Yuto wouldn't be surprised if the guy pulled some sort of miracle out of his cloak, because he seemed used to doing such things.

Zero was the literal definition of a mystery. That seemed to be both a good and bad thing. Good because literally no one knew who he was or anything about him, and could use that information against him. Bad because literally NO ONE knew who this guy was, even the resistance. People from within the resistance want to meet with the person responsible for embarrassing Academia. They want to know who he is, and Yuto isn't sure if they'll take no for an answer.

As Yuto began to walk to the entrance of the Duel Sanctuary he didn't notice the shadow watching him, the duelist too into his thoughts to notice. It wasn't until the person put a hand on Yuto's shoulder that he finally realized he wasn't the only one awake. Yuto jumped in surprise, and turned to face the person, duel disk at the ready.

"Hey, chill. It's only me." Shun raised his hands calmly.

Yuto blinked. "Shun?" Immediately, Yuto took off his duel disk as if it was burning him. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that was you."

"I could tell." Shun smirked. "You were so far off in your own little dream world that you didn't even see me walking towards you." Now the yellowed eyed teen's smirk turned into a small frown. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Yuto deflected the question, before sighing. "I couldn't get back to sleep, so I decided to take a small walk to help clear my head."

Shun snorted in amusement. "A small walk? If you're thinking about what happened yesterday you're going to need more than a 'small walk'." Shun looked to the side. "I was thinking about everything that happened as well, couldn't get to sleep because of it."

Now it was Yuto's turn to smirk at his best friend. "Are you so excited to get another mission and kick some Fusion ass that you couldn't sleep?"

Shun looked back at Yuto in surprise. "What? No it's not-" The Raidraptor duelist stopped himself and sighed. "Alright fine, I want to go on another operation. You caught me." The blue haired teen leaned against the wall of the Duel Sanctuary. "It's just-" Shun rubbed his face. "This is the first time we really hit a nail into our enemy. I actually believe that this guy can help us beat Academia, and I want to be apart of that. I want to help as much as I can because I want Heartland to return to what it once was. I don't want anyone else to have to go through what we're going through, or to lose anyone close to them like us."

Yuto looked at Shun with sympathy, knowing how it felt. Both of their parents being victims to Academia's cruelty, and were turned into cards.

Even though he was shorter than Shun, Yuto still put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "I know how that feels Shun. I'm just as impatient as you on this. I want Academia to get the hell out of our dimension just as badly, but we can't exhaust ourselves. If we do, Academia will just card us and then who knows what'll happen. Zero realizes that, so he wants us to rest before we get started on another operation." Yuto tightened his grip on Shun's shoulder. "Besides, Zero wanted us to report back to the museum this coming noon, so it won't be that long now. You should get some rest before then." With that, Yuto released his grip on Shun and turned back towards the Sanctuary's exit.

"And what about you?" Shun asked, watching Yuto leave. "Shouldn't you get some rest?"

Yuto turned, and smiled at Shun's worry. "I just need some time alone right now. Don't worry, I can take care of myself. I have my duel disk and deck with me, so I won't be caught by surprise."

Yuto turned and finally left the Duel Sanctuary, leaving Shun to go and get some rest as his friend suggested.

Yuto walked through small trails and over rubble. His focus not really on his surroundings and more on his thoughts and past events. Could Yuto trust a man that hides his face, and most of his background at that? Sure, Zero seemed to be hinting at some events in his past, but it didn't seem to be enough for the black caped teen. Zero could be from Fusion for all he knew!

Their duel against Academia however, that seemed to bring a spark of sorts. A duel is the best way to get to know someone, and their intentions. When Yuto watched Zero duel, he saw an anger, a rage that out ranked even his own. However, he was able to control that anger, and even seemed to act noble.

When Academia attacked the masked revolutionary, he took it like a man. Zero wasn't afraid, he didn't back down, and he always got back up. That determination… When one of them was in danger, Zero would turn that attack onto himself instead, and lower the damage. Not only that, but the man was charismatic. He spoke loudly and confidently, showing he believed in every word he said. That dramatic flare Zero possesed, that charisma, it was dangerous. Yuto was certain that the masked man's voice alone managed to win a battle without a single shot.

In some ways, Yuto saw himself in the masked man. Sure, his rage and thirst for revenge was worse than the Phantom Duelist's, but that didn't consume his soul. The masked man acted noble, he gave respect where it was due, and he didn't look down on his allies. He truly seemed to be looking at Yuto and his friends as companions, comrades.

Friends.

What Yuto saw the most though, was a deep sense of loneliness. Being unable to show his face, Zero would never be able to truly gain a friend. The man was always paranoid, and thus, he was alone.

Yuto looked up at the moon that just barely managed to peek through the clouds. Zero was lonely. It didn't feel right to the Xyz user. Yuto set a determined scowl on his face. If Zero would help Heartland be freed from Academia, then Yuto would have no problems with being this masked man's friend.

He would trust him.

"What are you doing here?"

Yuto swerved his head towards the direction of that familiar modulated voice, and stared at Zero's faceless mask.

"Zero?" Yuto looked above Zero to see the museum which Zero resided in. The duelist chuckled. "I didn't realize I was walking over here, sorry about that."

"No, it's fine." Zero waved it off, and the two just looked at each other in silence. "You couldn't get to sleep either."

Yuto tilted his head slightly. "I have problems with sleeping, but what about you? Shouldn't you be resting before our next offense against Academia?"

Zero shook his head. "Yuto." The masked man looked up at the blocked out moon now. "I am a VERY paranoid man. I think about sleeping, and then I feel a knife being leveled at my throat. One could say that I have insomnia because of the horrors that I have witnessed." Zero shrugged. "It cannot be helped."

Yuto frowned at Zero, feeling empathetic. "I'm sorry that you have to go through that."

Zero waved Yuto's concern off, and gesture for the duelist to follow him. "It doesn't matter. I've dealt with this for a very long time now, so it doesn't bother me much anymore." Zero walked into the museum with Yuto following. "You can stay here if you like, just be sure to knock before you enter my office. Be sure to notify your friends if you're going to stay here. I don't want them barging in yelling at me like a herd of angry elephants."

Yuto smirked. "You wouldn't want Ruri to get on you now would you?"

Zero turned to face Yuto one last time, and the man actually shivered. "The thing man must fear the most is a woman's rage. I especially know that." Now Zero faced Yuto fully. "She reminds me of another woman I once knew. She had a spirit made of fire I'll admit that much, and she was rather reckless to."

Zero thought back to the time he last saw Kallen. Back on Shikine Island where she covered his body with her own, as if sacrificing herself for his survival. If Zero managed to get back home and see Kallen again, he would have to talk to her about that behavior.

It also reminded him of someone else.

"You remind me of one of my oldest friends yourself, Yuto." Said teen looked at Zero in shock, and with a chuckle the masked man continued. "He was the very symbol of a white knight. He always fought for justice and for a chance to free his people, even if it was in a twisted way. We were close, him and I."

It was quiet as each person processed this information.

Yuto smiled. "I hope I'll be able to know you that well eventually. If you'll let me, that is."

Zero actually seemed to be surprised by Yuto's words, and he quickly turned around and walked back towards his office. "What? You've got it all wrong, I'm fine with how things are. Now if you'll excuse me, I have plans I need to make and wrinkles to smooth out."

Yuto snickered, it seems he had managed to embarrass the masked hero. The Phantom Knights duelist doubted that such a thing happened very often, so he took it for what it's worth.

With that, Zero and Yuto waited until noon for the rest of their comrades to arrive.

. . .

Zero threw his cape out dramatically as he put his charisma into action. "I'm glad that everyone could join us today." His modulated voice boomed in the museum. "You see, I have a very important mission that we're going to complete today."

Zero gestured to a table that was covered with a cloth, and the group seemed to lean in, interested.

"So what do you have for us this time Zero?" Allen asked. "More cards? Blueprints?"

Zero laughed as he grabbed a hold of the tarp. "I'm afraid not this time Allen. I'm glad to see that you're excited to get on another operation though. I had hope that our little heist would've boosted morale."

Just when Shun was about to ask what was under the tarp Zero removed the cloth to show the group. What they saw really surprised them, because they didn't expect it.

"A chess board?" Kaito raised his eyebrows, before he stared at Zero with a deadpan. "Are you serious."

"Deadly." Zero replied instantly as he sat down on black's side of the board. When the masked man didn't move, the others stepped forwards and around the chess board. "They say that chess is a game meant for kings you know."

"What are you planning?" Shun asked bluntly.

"Everyone here knows how to play chess, correct? I realize that duels are more popular than chess here so some people might not know how to play." Everyone nodded their heads in affirmative, they knew how to play. "Good." Zero crossed his arms. "Each of you are going to play a round against me. Once I defeat you, which I inevitably will, I'll decide which piece fits you best."

"Inevitably?" Yuto narrowed his eyes slightly. "You're rather confident aren't you?"

"Of course I am." Zero gestured for Yuto to sit on white's side, and he did. "I always have to be confident in this business. I have no time to falter, because if I do then everything will fall apart."

"Has that happened to you before?" Ruri asked.

Zero didn't reply, but it was a good enough answer for everyone else. If he hadn't faltered on Shikine Island he wouldn't have gotten transported here and into this mess. He should have just shot Suzaku when he refused, because he knew his friend was too stubborn to change his mind, and he was too dangerous to stay on Britannia's side. That, or use geass like C.C had suggested.

It hurt to even think about killing his friend, it really did. But Suzaku had made his decision, so Zero wouldn't really have any other choice short of forcing Suzaku with his geass. Enslaving his friend like that, the mere thought of doing it made him sick and uncomfortable.

With that, Zero and Yuto began to play their game. After a few moves, Zero picked up his king and moved it forward which surprised the others.

"You're moving your king?" Yuto looked at Zero in confusion.

"If the king does not lead, then how can he expect his subordinates to follow?"

"But if the king gets trapped, you'll lose." Sayaka studied the board carefully.

Zero said nothing, but the others could feel Zero smile. Yuto immediately realized that he was in trouble. Sometimes a happy Zero could be just as dangerous as an angry Zero.

Zero absolutely wiped the floor with Yuto.

In just a few more turns after that, Zero had checkmated the black caped duelist. Yuto had to lean in and study the board carefully to actually believe it.

With a huff, Yuto got out of his seat. "I can't believe I got beaten that easily."

"Dude, he destroyed you." Allen blurted out in amazement.

"Let me take a crack at him." Kaito grinned as he sat down in the chair now, and helped Zero reset the board. The Cipher user managed to last around 6 minutes before he was cornered and defeated.

"Well damn." Shun stared, blinking to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

"I expected you to be an expert at this game, but not to this extent." Kaito crossed his arms and accepted his defeat graciously.

"Let me give it a shot!" Allen immediately sat down once Kaito had vacated his seat. Allen managed to last 7 minutes before he was defeated. "Woah! I lasted longer than Kaito at least."

"That was a good match." Zero suddenly spoke up, having remained silent through Yuto and Kaito's duel, most likely thinking. "Not a lot of people have managed to last that long against me." Then again, the teen before him seemed to have a genius intellect like himself, but he was no Zero. However, the boy was rash, easy to rile up with his emotions.

"I guess I might as well go next." Sayaka sighed, already expecting defeat. As expected, Sayaka was defeated in a mere 4 minutes. Embarrassed by her loss, the girl began to turn strawberry red.

"It's okay to lose." Zero carefully comforted the girl. "Most people I fight lose at around this time. The fact that your friends lasted longer means they have potential in this game. Chess just isn't for certain people sometimes. I myself, am better at chess than dueling."

That left the two Kurosaki siblings. Ruri and Shun looked at each other, before Ruri decided to go first. The Lyrical Luscinia user lasted 5 minutes before defeat, which left Shun. The Raidraptor duelist sat down carefully, eyeing the board before looking at Zero.

"Take off your bishops. I at least want a chance."

Zero said nothing in reply, and simply took off both bishops before the game began. Surprisingly, Shun lasted around 8 and a half minutes before defeat.

"Hmm." Zero put his head in one hand, his voice sounding intrigued. "Only one person has managed to last as long as you have, and that was only because he kept beating me. Yes, you have a lot of potential." With all of the matches out of the way Zero processed everything that had happened before making his decisions.

"Surprisingly, Shun takes the Queen piece." Zero pipes up. "He managed to last longer than Kaito, and even without my bishops he still managed to do a good job. You were rather resourceful when it came to your pieces and their moves. It isn't dueling, but you learned and adapted fast" The group watched as the Raidrapotor duelist straightened up with pride. "Ruri, you are a bishop piece. The reason you didn't last as long was because you kept moving different pieces around randomly instead of focusing on a plan. Seeing as you were unpredictable, it made it tougher to catch your king and put it in checkmate, just like a Bishop."

Zero turned to Kaito and Yuto. "You two, are knights. Especially Yuto, because you two are unshakably loyal. Knights can jump over other pieces, and move in an odd pattern. Their used because they have a strong offense, and can easily retreat behind friendly lines to rest and recuperate. Allen, Sayaka, you two are pawn pieces."

"What! A pawn." Allen frowned.

"Don't mistake that as a bad thing." Zero ruffled his cape. "Pawns represent the people, they are the largest group, and have the most say. If the people do not like how their king leads they start a rebellion and overthrow him. Not only that, but people can rise in ranks, just like how a pawn can become a queen if it makes it to the other side of the board."

Zero clapped his hands. "I feel like I've gotten to know you all a little better. Dueling may be your way of getting to know a person, but chess is my way. Now that we've gotten that out of the way, we can continue onto our next upcoming mission."

The group seemed to come alive after their embarrassing defeats in chess at that comment, and leaned forward slightly.

Zero turned. "If you all will follow me towards my office, we can discuss more there. This time our mission will be more of a stealthy one, so I'll need people who know how to run around quietly and unnoticed. There are some drives of information I want to gather from Academia, because a person like me thrives with knowledge. A person like me with that kind of knowledge, well, they become dangerous enemies." The masked man chuckled as he lead them towards the museums now occupied office.

. . .

A short, thin man with brown hair and a bowl cut hairstyle walked back and forth impatiently. He wore a navy blue coat with yellow trimmings that was slightly raised off of the floor because of the man's pacing. Underneath the coat the man wore a red waistcoat and high collared black shirt. Twitchy brown eyes stared at the old-fashioned golden watch he had in his hands with rising agitation.

"He's late again!" Mamoru suddenly shouted out of nowhere. "At this rate we'll start running behind schedule, and the Professor will not be happy." Mamoru looked over to one of the Academia students working on a console. "You there!" The student jumped at suddenly being called out, and hesitantly turned to face the watch obsessed man.

"Yes sir?" The Obelisk blue member spoke shakily.

"Do you know where the Commander-in-Chief is?"

The student turned back to his screen, and typed a few words on the keyboard before he replied. "Yes sir, he's about to enter the command room right now sir."

"What! Right now! But-"

The man couldn't finish the rest of his thoughts, and had to promptly force his mouth shut before he said anything that could jeopardize his position. The doors to the command room flew open with a 'whish' and Edo Phoenix stood there confidently, a scowl on his face. Everyone in the room stood up and gave the Commander a salute, before he waved them off and everyone returned to their work.

The Commander-in-Chief sat down on his throne in a calm and collected manner, not caring that he was late or that it grated on the Deputy Commander's nerves.

"How is the Arc-V Project proceeding?" Edo began his usual string of questions when his day on duty began.

"The Project is proceeding as planned at the moment. However, the steady source of energy that was coming from carding people is starting to slow down. I'm not sure there are enough Xyz users for the entire Arc Project sir." A woman spoke up, looking at the calculations with a cold gaze.

"At this rate, we may have to invade another dimension." Edo rubbed his chin, deep in thought before he asked the question everyone dreaded. "And what are your leads on Zero? Has anyone found him?"

It was quiet for a minute, before the woman spoke up again hesitantly. "W-we have been unable to find any hide nor hair of the masked man, s-sir." Edo's scowl turned into an agitated frown. "The last time anyone from Academia has seen Zero was at the raid he commanded yesterday."

"What about the supplies that went missing?"

"Some of the supplies were destroyed from the explosion and fire, but there was still a lot that was marked as missing after we did a supply check." The woman had gained some composure that she had lost. "It's believed that Zero managed to use another team to steal the missing supplies and gave them to the resistance."

"I see, we'll have to ration some food until we're restocked then. How long will it take to restock our missing supplies?-"

"Sir!" Another woman called out suddenly, her entire attention on the screen before her. "I'm getting movement from one of the cameras we stationed around Heartland."

"Show it on the big screen immediately." Edo instantly responded cooly, waving his hand slightly at the command.

The big screen flared to life to show everyone in the room what the camera had managed to catch. A teenager with black and purple hair dazedly walked across the screen. The Academia members gasped in recognition of the duelist. Though most recognized the grey eyed, black caped duelist as one of the members that dueled beside Zero.

"That's-"

"One of the duelists who was with Zero on the day of the raid." Mamoru finished. The teen walked out of the camera's range, and the big screen was quickly turned off.

"Where is this camera stationed?" Edo questioned, his attention solely on the second woman now.

"It was in Sector 14 sir. However, this footage was filmed around forty five minutes ago. I'm sure the Xyz scum is long gone by now, they never stay in one place for very long." The woman hissed in distaste.

"He was one of the members that help Zero during the raid." Edo hummed, mostly to himself. Those around him recognized that the teen was in deep thought, and did not disturb him any further. "Perhaps if we capture his ally, Zero himself will show up to retrieve him. That, or will make this Xyz user tell us Zero's identity and go after him that way." The Commander looked up again. "What is the name of that rebel?"

The only reply was the swift typing of keys, before he received a curt reply from the male Mamoru had questioned earlier. "I've managed to identify him as Yuto Raiden. He is a member of the resistance that you had us look into a while back when he defeated a group of Academia students alone. He uses a Phantom Knights deck that has a special card called 'Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon'. As far as we know at the moment, there is only one card of this Dark Rebellion."

"So he has a special card, like how Zero has a unique deck. Perhaps they are connected in some way, and Yuto knows who Zero is." Edo shook his head to clear his thoughts. "I want this guy captured and brought in, ALIVE. I want both Zero and Yuto brought into custody alive, do you understand me?" Edo glared at each Academia member carefully, making sure he got his point across.

"Yes sir!" The students saluted and shouted as one.

With that Edo relaxed in his chair and pondered. What was he doing, all by himself? Academia students know to travel in groups of three, surely he knows that. So why risk going around Heartland all by himself?

"I want guards to be put on alert for a full twenty four hours. I have a feeling we're going to be having unwanted guests soon."

. . .

"Are you sure that this is a good idea Zero." Kaito immediately put his hands in a calming gesture at the stares he'd gotten from that comment. "It's not like I'm doubting the guy and his intelligence. He's a literal genius. It's just that last time you had a distraction, something to keep most of Academia busy. This time your going to completely surrounded on all sides with no ability to get back up."

"I have to agree with Kaito on that." Shun added, arms crossed. "We won't be able to get in there and help you if things take a turn for the worse."

Zero nodded in understanding. "I understand that you all fear for our safety, and I greatly appreciate that. However, this mission strictly requires stealth, something that I found only two people here are fairly acquainted with. Myself and Yuto." Zero gestured to himself and the Phantom Knights duelist respectively. "Frankly, if I may be honest. Allen is a loud mouth, which I am quite familiar with by the way, Sayaka is too hesitant and frightens easily, you and Kaito are too reckless for this, and you wouldn't accept Ruri coming on this mission. That only leaves me with one other option, and I need someone to watch my back while I extract the information from their mainframe."

"Wait." Ruri sat up straight now, as she had previously been day dreaming seeing as the plan didn't involve her. "I'm not apart of the mission solely because my brother said no?"

Zero looked between the two Kurosaki siblings. "Shun would get too anxious with you being in the middle of Academia's grasp and do something reckless, so I'm afraid I had to sideline you on this operation. I apologize for that Ruri."

Pink eyes narrowed towards yellow. "I want in on this operation."

"Ruri it's just as Zero said-"

"I don't need to be babied by you Shun. I can protect myself!" Ruri interrupted her brother. "What Zero said just shows that you're way to overprotective of me."

"I don't want you to get carded like most of Heartland, you know I care about you deeply."

"But I don't need you to hover over my shoulder 24/7! You were never this protective of me before the invasion."

"Well, I never had to worry about a group called Obelisk Force trying to rape my little sister!" Shun snapped, and the room immediately grew so tense you could touch it. Ruri looked at her brother with a hurt, and disbelieving expression.

"How-"

"I'm afraid we're going to have to cut this short." Zero interrupted, modulating voice booming through the tense silence. The two Kurosaki siblings glaring at each other as if trying to form laser beams from their eyes. "You two are going to have to settle this problem when the mission is over. I don't want Yuto to be distracted by this. Ruri, you're going to stay behind."

"But I-"

"Do you want me to make that an order? Because I can." Zero stopped the purple haired girl right in her tracks. "I don't intend to insult you, or hurt your feelings because of this Ruri. It's just that circumstances dictate you stay behind. You'll be able to help us with the next mission, I promise you that much."

Ruri moved her mouth, words trying to spill from her lips, but she remained silent. Finally, with an irritated huff, the girl stood up and walked out of the office in frustration.

Zero looked at Shun, who had a look of regret in his eyes. "I believe you should let her cool off before you talk to her. It's imperative that you two get this dispute settled, and fast. We need a team that functions together smoothly, and we need it now more than ever."

Shun said nothing but nodded, showing that he had acknowledged the masked man before the Raidraptor duelist walked out of the office himself. The tall teen desiring to let off some steam himself from the sibling argument.

"They've never had an argument as bad as that one." Yuto commented, eyes still on the door.

"They'll get it settled. For now, worry about our upcoming mission." Yuto looked at Zero and nodded.

"What was it I heard you say Zero? 'Allen is a loud mouth?'" Allen spoke calmly, before he practically yeled the last part at Zero's face. "What do you mean I'm a loud mouth!"

"You kind of just proved his point there Allen." Sayaka laughed at the display, and Allen grew a little flustered at the sight.

Zero raised an invisible eyebrow at Allen's reaction. What's this I see here? "To be frank Allen. The last resistance I was apart of had a red head on their team as well, two redheads in fact. However, this one always enjoyed to state the obvious and yell out stupid things. I'm sure it grated on everyone's nerves at least twice." Although at the moment, Zero would take Tamaki's rambling any day than being literally thrown down the rabbit hole of dimensions.

"Anyway, we're going to enter Academia's command center in around two hours, so I'll explain this quickly so we can get there on time. We'll go to the back entrance that is used as an emergency exit. There should be a guard posted there, but I've done a quick patrol run on the base and found that this guy falls asleep on his patrols often. We take care of the guard, and once he's knocked out you'll take his access passes, everything he has except for his duel disk and deck. I don't care if you take flavored chewing gum for all I give a damn, just make sure you get his passes. Because if this plan does go to hell they're the only things that are going to get us out, otherwise we'll be trapped inside."

Yuto swallowed, and nodded his head. "Everything will become easier after that. We get into the Data Room reserved for the command consoles and I'll download everything on this flash drive here." Zero casually flipped a flash drive, that was unusually big for its purpose, between his fingers. "This one stores more than the usual flash drives. This thing can store at least one Petabyte of information." Zero hid the flashdrive from view by putting it in a pocket hidden under his cape. "We get in that Data Room, steal as much information as possible, and then get out. I'll sift through the information when we get back here as soon as possible, got it?"

"Yes Zero." Yuto tilted his head slightly. "Although, I'll admit when I say you stick out like a sore thumb with that costume. How do you manage to stay 'stealthy' when you go around dressed like that."

Zero smirked underneath his mask. "That, my friend, is a secret that I'll never tell."

Then again, it helped when you had the power of geass when you were spotted, but they would never know that.

. . .

Zero and Yuto stood a few yards away from the back entrance of the command center for Academia in the Xyz Dimension. Both of their bodies were tense at the upcoming mission they were about to do, and from all the chaos that was eventually going to happen.

With his luck, Zero just knew that something was going to happen.

The masked man said nothing, and looked to his 'Partner in Crime' as Kaito had called them before they left. No words were said, only Yuto nodding that he was ready to start the mission. That was all Zero needed before they both carefully walked out of cover and crept towards the unsuspecting guard. The guard himself was just about to fall asleep, when he felt a sudden pain in the back of his neck and saw black.

The guard slumped in his chair, his chest moving slowly as a sign that he was still alive. With that out of the way, Yuto searched the guy while Zero kept a keen eye out for any sudden uninvited guests. Once Yuto had found the cards he flashed them into Zero's view, and quickly opened the back door to the command center. The two sprinting into the building, capes flaring behind them as the door closed quietly on its own well oiled hinges.

The hallways were mostly empty, which alarmed the two intruders slightly, but they didn't have much time to work with and had to brush it aside. They would stumble across the occasional student, and with the help of geass. They answered their questions instantly before they were knocked unconscious and hidden from view.

For once, I'm actually thankful to my past self for working out when I first arrived here.

Zero shivered. That experience was something he NEVER wanted to deal with ever again. It was almost a living hell for the masked man who almost had the figure of a girl. Though he didn't really seem to gain any muscle, it was mostly lean. However, Zero had never been able to run or do things like this before, and he had to admit that he liked it.

He would never admit that to Suzaku, or Todoh seeing as they both tried to get him into exercise and failed miserably.

Back to the present, the two had managed to slip into the Data Room after a couple more questions. The two worked quietly, Zero kneeled down before one of the giant machines, and literally took out a sleek, advanced looking laptop along with his flash drive. Working quickly, Zero plugged in a wire, and then plugged the laptop into the mainframe and typed quickly, fingers seemingly flying over the keys as they worked. Once that was done, Zero plugged the flash drive into the laptop, and it began to extract all of the data used ever since the literal beginning of the invasion.

"I know we shouldn't talk." Yuto whispered into Zero's masked ear. "But I have to ask, how in the hell did you get a laptop AND manage to bring it here intact?"

"I found this baby in one of the supply crates we looked at before we shipped them to the resistance. I just simply swiped it and well, you know the rest." Zero replied just as quiet, even with his modulated voice.

In reality, the masked man had geassed an Academia student to give him the laptop and flash drive no questions asked. Though Yuto would never know that.

Then the room turned red, and a shrill alarm started blaring.

"Shit!" Yuto cursed, taking out his duel disk and attaching it onto him arm, ready for a battle. "I just had to open my damn mouth."

"They probably found one of the unconscious bodies, or someone woke up and set off the alarm." Zero tapped the laptop, urging it to go faster. "I'm almost done, and then we can get out of-"

Speakers suddenly blared loudly out of nowhere, forcing Yuto and Zero to wince from how loud it was, before someone started speaking. "Well well well, look what the cat dragged in. I have to say that I expected Yuto to show up, but the infamous Zero himself? You surprised me there. However, that just makes my job easier."

"How the hell does he know my name?" Yuto scowled.

"This is bad." Zero unplugged the laptop and flashdrive from the mainframe, and quickly put both away before standing. "I got what we needed. Now let's-"

"I'm afraid you can't leave just yet, Zero." The voice replied snidely. "You see, I have some questions for you, and you're going to answer them. Whether I have to beat them out of you or not. Not only that, but you have some very classified information on your hands, I can't just let you leave. So I'm afraid that I'll have to take you into custody." The voice started yelling now, as if he was talking to everyone and not just the two intruders. "Everyone within the Academia command center, hear me! We have intruders in our mist, and they must be incapacitated and captured! By order of the Commander-in-Chief, Zero and Yuto are to be brought to me, ALIVE. They are currently in the main Data Room for the command center, stop them and bring them to me, now!"

"Shit." Zero slipped a curse, before he looked around wildly, and found a camera staring straight at them, as if taunting the two rebels. "Fuck! How could I miss something as simple as that!"

"Forget about that Zero, we need to go!" Yuto grabbed Zero's forearm, and they both sprinted out of the room and down the hallway. The two backtracking to where they first entered. The sound of Academia students not far behind them.

What was once empty now seemed to swarm with the colors of red, yellow, and blue Academia uniforms. Looking back, Zero could easily say that it looked like a tsunami of people were behind him and Yuto. Although this didn't compare to the girls that would chase him back at Ashford, it still made the masked man thankful for his increased stamina.

Some students suddenly cut off their escape, and blocked the way forwards from an intersection. The Academia soldiers raised their duel disks in preparation of a battle, but it never happened.

Zero and Yuto never stopped running, not for a second lest they get swallowed by the horde behind them. Instead, Yuto jumped against the walls and hurdled above the students. While Zero dropped down and slide underneath them, right between their legs, and they both continued running. Their capes rose to the motion, blinding the blockade of students and surprising them.

When their vision had been restored the Academia students couldn't even think before they were tackled to the ground by the sheer amount of people chasing after the rebel and masked revolutionary. The tsunami having to stop from the giant bundle of Academia arms and legs that blocked their way towards the escaping intruders.

. . .

"What do you mean they're getting away!" Edo yelled in rising anger. "What are those idiots doing!?"

"Zero and Yuto managed to get past a blockade of students, which caused the others to crash into each other. They had to stop lest they trample over and injury their fellow allies." The first woman replied in similar agitation.

"At the moment, Zero and Yuto are heading back to where the first entered, which was the emergency exit of the command center." The male spoke immediately after.

"At this rate, Zero and Yuto are going to get away." The second woman spoke sadly. "There are no other students able to reach them in time, and those that should be there are currently unconscious or unable to battle."

Edo grit his teeth, and everyone could hear how his teeth grinded against each other in a fit of rage. Making a rash decision, the Commander-in-Chief turned around and started speed walking towards the exit of the throne room.

"W-Where do you think your going Commander!?" Mamoru spoke incredulously. "Your soldiers need you to lead them."

"Isn't it obvious?" Edo turned to glare at his Deputy Commander. "I'm going to face Zero myself, because the only way to get it done right apparently is to do it yourself." With a flick of his cloak, Edo bolted out of the room and sprinted towards the emergency exit. The Commander-in-Chief equipped his duel disk along with a two little surprise for his targets.

. . .

The emergency exit burst open with a loud bang as the door hit the wall. Zero and Yuto emerged from the exit in a flurry of motion. The two looked back to see that no one had followed them since they duped them back at that intersection. They then looked at each other, adrenaline coursing through their veins from the chase.

Yuto was the first one to laugh, and Zero wasn't that far behind them. There close encounter making them slightly light headed.

"I can't believe we just did that." Yuto breathed out a sigh. "I mean, holy shit! We just outran a literal horde of Academia soldiers!"

"I'll admit, I've never done something like THAT before." Zero breathed, starting to get tired from all of the running and unwanted surprises. The two stopped for a quick breather, Zero hunching over and taking deep breaths. "Thanks for stopping."

"It's nothing." Yuto watched Zero with a bemused expression. "You mean you've done something similar to this before? You've been chased by a horde?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I've had to go through that experience." Zero huffed, thinking back to Ashford Academy.

"How on Earth did you survive the invasion if you're already this tired?" Yuto had to ask.

"Don't get on me for that." Zero snapped, his breathing just now starting to even out. "I already had people before you snap on me for the same reason. It just wasn't, huff, necessary before." Zero clenched his fists. "Although, this wouldn't of happened if I hadn't been so stupid. It was foolish of me to think that there wouldn't be a camera in the Data Room. I can't believe I fell for something like that, I should've made an EMP or something."

"Woah." Yuto waved his hands. "Woah woah woah. Hold on a second. We still made it out, AND with what we wanted, the mission was a success." Yuto went to Zero's current eye level so that he could look the masked man in the eye. "Besides, mistakes like these just prove that you're human, so it's okay."

"But you could have gotten hurt, or worse, carded." Zero finally relaxed. "I don't think I could live with that, you remind me so much of Suzaku." Though Zero did feel slightly bitter at the thought of his old friend being on Britannia's side. Yuto was different, for the sole fact that he didn't have a twisted sense of morals at least. "You're so much like him, yet so different. You don't doubt me, or are suspicious of my intent or who I am. You're, my first real friend here I guess"

Zero didn't really want to admit that Yuto was becoming his first real friend here, but he did. He didn't know WHY he told Yuto that, but he did. There was something about the Phantom Knight duelist that just made Zero think Yuto could understand his circumstances. That Yuto could understand what made Zero, well, Zero. It made the masked man feel like he was getting used to this life, and eventually he wouldn't want to leave to go back home. Zero immediately mentally roundhouse kicked that thought out of an imaginary window. Screw that, he had to get back to Nunnally, and he will eventually.

But for now, it was time to get back into the present.

Which the events that were about to happen made the masked revolutionary wonder WHY they stopped running just OUTSIDE of the command center?! That made him feel even more foolish.

A glowing, red chain whipped and rattled through the air, alerting Yuto and Zero of its presence. Unfortunately, they couldn't react to the incoming projectile in time. The chain wrapped around Yuto's arm, and connected with his duel disk, forcing it to turn on and enter a duel.

"What the hell?!" Yuto spoke incredulously, and tried to pry the chain off of his arm, only to get a shock in return for his attempts. The black and purple haired duelist winced at the pain that coursed through his body from the sudden shock. "What is this!"

"Yuto!" Zero called out, concerned for the rebel duelist at his sudden pain.

"That's about as far as you two will get, Zero, Yuto." A familiar voice called out, and the two resistance fighters looked up to meet the voice. A teen with grey hair and sharp blue eyes glared at the two from across the empty field.

"You! You're-"

"The Commander-in-Chief of Academia's Xyz Forces, Edo Phoenix." The Commander answered for Zero. "And you two aren't going anywhere."

"What is this!" Yuto raised his arm, rage in his grey eyes. He pulled at the chain, but it would break. Edo pulled his arm back roughly, and Yuto went flying forward from the motion. His arm being pulled at an awkward angle, but thankfully nothing was broken. Though, the chain rubbed against Yuto's skin and started to irritate it, leaving some burns.

"You're going to duel me Yuto." Edo commanded, duel disk at the ready. "You're not going to run, and you're not going to refuse."

Zero glared at Edo. "So, now Academia's forcing people to enter a duel. How-"

Yuto and Zero didn't even have time to say anything as Edo silently pulled out a strange looking gun and fired it at the masked man. Zero tensed, before a modulated scream tore through his throat as a ton of volts passed through his body. Yuto's eyes turned to pinpricks at the sight of his newfound friend literally being electrocuted, before Zero collapsed onto the ground.

"Zero!" Yuto crouched down beside the masked individual. His cape covered most of his body, but it didn't block the smell of burnt flesh from Yuto's nose. The chained duelist gagged, almost wanting to puke at the smell, his nose twisting in disgust. Zero didn't reply, he was too focused on trying to maintain his breathing. Shaky gasps and attempts for breath was the only reply Yuto got, and it made Yuto clench his shaking fists.

Carefully, Yuto turned Zero onto his side, to help the masked man breath better. Before he stood up to his full height to level an enraged glare at the Commander-in-Chief. "Do you realize what you just did? You just electrocuted a man, a human being! You could've killed him!"

Edo scowled at Yuto. "He's still alive, so he'll be fine eventually. But that doesn't matter right now." Edo raised his duel disk again as he hid the gun. "Duel me now, and if you win you just might go free for another day. Or will you refuse, and run away like a coward, leaving Zero to fend for himself?"

Something inside Yuto cracked, a deep rage that even he didn't realize he possessed, but he immediately repaired that crack and buried it deep inside himself. For some reason, he KNEW instinctively, that if he let that inner beast out, it would only make the situation a hundred times worse.

That didn't stop Yuto's eyes from glowing a malicious violet in his pupils. "You, who have no regard for life." Yuto growled, and raised his duel disk. "Fine then! I'll battle you, and you'll regret ruining so many lives here. You and Academia will learn to fear us Xyz users!"

His demeanor has changed. Edo leaned back slightly from the intense aura that surrounded the Xyz user. His eyes, what the hell is wrong with his eyes?!

"DUEL!"

YUTO LP- 4000

EDO LP- 4000

"I'll go first, I draw!" Edo drew, looked at his hand, and began his turn. "I summon Destiny HERO-Decision Guy from my hand!" A monster that had orange frills on the side of his head appeared on Edo's side of the field. It wore a greyish purple and green suit that had red and yellow lines over it. It wore a red and yellow mask on its face.

DESTINY HERO-DECISION GUY LV.4 ATK:1600 DEF:1000

"I end my turn." Edo suddenly stated, slightly surprising the Phantom Knights user.

That monster must have a good effect if that's all he's doing. I suppose there's only one way to find out what it is. Yuto thought to himself.

"I draw!" Yuto drew. "I play the spell card Allure of Darkness. I banish one DARK attribute monster from my hand and draw two more cards." Yuto banished the Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, and drew two more cards.

"I summon the Phantom Knights Shield in Defence mode." A blue specter with red eyes appeared on the field carrying a round bronze shield.

PHANTOM KNIGHTS SHIELD LV.2 ATK:300 DEF:400

"When Phantom Knights Shield is summoned onto the field, I can summon it's counterpart, Phantom Knights Sword as well." Another specter appeared, carrying a slightly rusted longsword.

PHANTOM KNIGHTS SWORD LV.2 ATK:400 DEF:300

"So, you have two monsters with the same level. Do you plan to Xyz summon?" Edo looked at the two monsters carelessly.

"You bet!" A vortex appeared underneath the monsters as Yuto raised his arm. "I use Phantom Knights Sword and Phantom Knights Shield to build the overlay network! I Xyz Summon! Rank 2, The Phantom Knights of Cursed Javelin in Attack mode!"

From the vortex came a monster that had a skeleton head with big fangs for a face. The Xyz monster wore ragged armor, and carried a javelin and shield that had skulls on it. Two blue spectral flames were on each shoulder.

THE PHANTOM KNIGHTS CURSED JAVELIN RNK.2 ORB.2 ATK:1600 DEF:0

"Before I battle I play the spell card Phantom Knights Resurrection! This allows me to bring a Phantom Knights monster back from the grave onto the field. Come back to me, Phantom Knights Sword!

PHANTOM KNIGHTS SWORD LV.2 ATK:400 DEF:300

"Battle! I now use Cursed Javelin's effect! By discarding one orbital, Destiny Hero-Decision Guy loses all of his attack, and Javelin gains all of that lost attack." Yuto threw a hand out towards his monster.

PHANTOM KNIGHTS CURSED JAVELIN ATK:1600 = 3200

"First, I attack Destiny HERO-Decision Guy with my Phantom Knights Sword!" The specter flew towards the defenceless Destiny Hero. With quick precision, the specter slashed its sword through the opposing monster, bisecting the creature before it shattered. The wind caused by the attack ruffled Edo's cloak, but otherwise he did not react to the damage except with a smirk.

EDO LP- 4000 = 3600

"Now, I attack you directly with my Phantom Knights Cursed Javelin!" The monster rushed forward.

"Not so fast! I activate Destiny HERO-Dynamite Guy's effect from my hand and send it to the graveyard! When I have lower Life Points than my opponent, I can negate battle damage and deal both players 1000 damage!" Edo discarded his monster to the graveyard.

Suddenly, the chain wrapped around Yuto's arm began to buzz with high voltage electricity. The duelist looked down at it just in time to receive the shock of his life. The electricity crackled across Yuto's body, eliciting a scream of pain from the rebel fighter.

YUTO LP- 4000 = 3000

Yuto's body BURNED, but he did not falter. His stood strong, and glared at Edo, eyes glowing brightly. "You use such dirty tricks during our duel, and you dare call yourself a duelist!"

Edo ignored Yuto and continued with his plan. "At the same time, I activate Decision Guy's effect! On the turn it was sent to the graveyard, if I take any effect damage, I can return it to my hand and negate the effect damage against me!"

Yuto grit his teeth, trying to tame his anger. He managed to rein it in, although it was starting to get difficult.

Thankfully, it was at that moment Zero finally broke from his shocked state.

The masked man rolled onto his back, gaining the attention of Yuto and Edo. "Fuck." Zero couldn't help but curse, his modulated voice managing to catch Zero's hiss of pain. Even through his mask, Zero's voice sounded scratchy and raw. "Ugh… Ow."

"So he awakens." Edo gritted his teeth.

"Zero!" Yuto felt that strange rage lessen slightly, but he ignored that in favor of checking on his ally. "Zero, can you move?"

What's going one with his eyes? Why are they glowing?

Zero stilled for a moment, worrying the black caped duelist at his silence, before he answered. "I can't, I think that electricity temporarily paralyzed me. I can literally only twitch my fucking fingers, and it's making me pissed." Zero growled through the numbing pain in his body as he tried to move.

Zero's faceless mask looked up at Yuto, an action that made Zero's neck burn from the electricity. "What did I miss? Besides being electrocuted and smelling like I'm being cooked alive, along with relearning how to breathe properly?"

Yuto gave a small relieved smile at Zero's chatter, he would be fine eventually. "Well, I have to duel this bastard before we can go." Yuto pulled on his chain again slightly and glared at the Commander-in-Chief.

"Speaking of which, we still have a duel going on. So either make your move or end your turn!" Edo snapped, messing with something on his duel disk.

Zero seemed to be the one to figure out what he was doing. "Shit, he's calling for reinforcements." The masked man tried to sit up, but only managed to twitch. "Yuto, hurry up and finish the duel so we can get the hell out of here. Before it's too late."

"Got it." Yuto nodded, and put his full attention on the duel again. "I set two cards down and end my turn. At this moment, Cursed Javelin's effect ends and his Attack points returns to normal."

PHANTOM KNIGHTS CURSED JAVELIN ATK:3200 = 1600

"My turn! I draw!" Edo looked at his hand, before he smirked. "I activate the Spell card Polymerization from my hand! I fuse Destiny HERO-Decision Guy and Destiny Hero-Drill Guy from my hand!" A red and blue light appeared, and began to fuse together to create one monster. "Become one now and reign over this dark future! I fusion summon! Come forth! Destiny HERO-Dystopia Guy!"

DESTINY HERO-DYSTOPIA GUY LV.8 ATK:2800 DEF:2400

"I activate Dystopia Guy's monster effect! I can deal damage to you equal to his fusion material, Decision Guy's Attack!" Edo threw his hand forward, and Dystopia Guy mimics the action. "Go! Squeeze Palm!" Yuto covered his body with his cape, the clothing absorbing most of the damage as the Phantom Knights duelist skid back slightly.

YUTO LP- 3000 = 1400

"That's not all! I equip the spell card Delay Armor to Dystopia Guy!" A blue net made of energy attached itself to Edo's monster. "I now attack Phantom Knights Cursed Javelin! Dystopia Blow!"

Yuto's monster crouched down defend it's master, but was consumed in the oncoming explosion. Yuto cover his face incase of any scattering debris as he lost more lifepoints, his body being shocked once again.

YUTO LP- 1400 = 200

"I now activate Delay Armor's effect! I destroy Phantom Knights Sword whose Level is lower than Destiny HERO-Dystopia Guys and deal 500 damage to its controller! This duel is over!" Yellow lasers suddenly started to fire at Yuto's other monster.

"I activate the trap Damage Polarizer!" Yuto quickly activated one of his traps to prevent his defeat. "This negates any effect damage I would take, and we each draw one card." This allowed Yuto's Phantom Knights Sword to remain on the field, for now.

Edo clicked his tongue in distaste, desiring to end the duel there. "I set one card and end my turn."

With Edo's onslaught now over, it was finally Yuto's turn. "I draw!" Yuto kept a mask on his face as he stared at his hand. "I play the spell, Mystical Space Typhoon, and destroy your Delay Armor." The little machines exploded into tiny yellow particles, and was forced to head in the graveyard. "I set Phantom Knights Sword in Defence mode." The specter kneeled, showing that it had switched to Defence mode. "Then, I set three cards face down, and end my turn."

"That's it?" Edo spoke mockingly. "Your supposed to be strong, but I guess that was hoping for too much. I draw!"

At this moment, Zero was finally able to sit up, though he had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep quiet. This doesn't look good, but Yuto has some face downs. He'll at least be able to survive until his next turn. If he loses- Zero closed one of his eyes, trying to block out the pain. I'll have to duel, even in this condition, I refuse to let him become a damned card!

"First, to get rid of your facedowns. I play the spell, Heavy Storm, this destroys all spells and traps on the field." Although Edo lost his trap card, Yuto's field was now practically empty.

"Battle! I attack Phantom Knights Sword with Destiny HERO-Dystopia guy!" Dystopia guy opened a compartment on the palm of his hand, and Phantom Knights Sword was sucked into the windy vortex and destroyed. However, the Phantom Knight was in Defence mode, and Yuto received no damage. Edo picked up another card from his hand. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Powered Charge, this gives my monster an extra 200 attack points and allows him to attack once again." Edo pointed towards Yuto. "Go Dystopia Guy, finish him!"

DESTINY HERO-DYSTOPIA GUY ATK:2800 = 3000

"Yuto!" Zero cried out in alarm.

"I activate the Spells, The Phantom Knights of Shadow Veil. When an opponent's monster declares a direct attack, and these cards are sent to the graveyard, I can special summon them to the field." Three specters riding horses with lancers appeared on the field in Defence mode.

PHANTOM KNIGHTS OF SHADOW VEIL LV.4 ATK:0 DEF:300

Though one of the specters were destroyed, two still remained in Defence mode. Each specter willing to lay down its life to protect their master. Zero sighed with relief at Yuto's close call.

Edo clenched his fists in frustration. "So you survived for one more round, it doesn't matter. I end my turn."

Yuto narrowed his glowing eyes. "There won't be a next turn, because I plan to finish this now! I draw!" Yuto raised his hand. "I overlay my two Phantom Knights of Shadow Veil to Xyz Summon!" A dark black and purple beast stirred from the vortex that was formed. "Formed in the pitch black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs. Now descend! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"

Both Zero's and Edo's jaws dropped open in shock at the dragon. Dark Rebellion had glowing yellow eyes, which made its slick black and dark purple scales more pronounced. The dragon also had skeleton like wings. Purple electricity was charged, and occasionally flickers between the beasts wings. Two long, black mandibles protruded from Dark Rebellion's chin, and the dragon screeched loudly into the grey, smoke covered sky.

DARK REBELLION XYZ DRAGON RNK.4 ORB.2 ATK:2500 DEF:2000

Yuto showed everyone a card from his hand. "From my hand I activate Rank-Up-Magic, Phantom Knights Launch! Using this card and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon as materials, I can Xyz summon a monster that is one rank higher!" Dark Rebellion was covered in a black goo that began to harden and crystallize around its body. It almost looked like the lightning dragon was going through a metamorphosis of sorts.

"From the depths of purgatory. Sing the song of rebellion dedicated to the restless souls! Let it echo for all eternity and appear! Rank up, Xyz Change! Come forth! Rank 5! Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon!"

The crystalized material began to crack, until it shattered into a million pieces, leaving the evolved dragon in all of its glory. Dark Requiem had multiple glowing magenta orbs on its wings and arms. A sharp, bone like material that acted like armor covered its entire body.

DARK REQUIEM XYZ DRAGON RNK.5 ORB.2 ATK:3000 DEF:2500

"What!" Edo stepped back in shock.

"Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I use one Orbital, and until the End Phase I can reduce a level 5 or higher monster's Attack to zero and add the lost amount to Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon's Attack!" Dark Requiem Dragon ate one of the two orbitals, and the orbs on its wings began to glow in multiple dark colors. "Requiem Salvation!"

With a mighty roar, dark tendrils shot out of the orbs and wrapped around Dystopia Guy. The fusion monster could only struggle as all of its attack points were stolen, and given to the enormous dragon. Dark Requiem spread its wings, feeling the power from the extra attack points.

DESTINY HERO-DYSTOPIA GUY ATK:2800 = 0

DARK REQUIEM XYZ DRAGON ATK:3000 = 5800

"How foolish." Edo snapped. "When Dystopia Guy's Attack is modified, its effect will activate! Destroying the opposing monster, and giving Dystopia Guy the monster's original Attack Points!"

"Then I use another of Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon's Overlay units and activate another one of its effects. I special summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, and negate the effect of Dystopia Guy!" Dark Rebellion rose from its shadowed grave to stand by its bigger and stronger counterpart.

DARK REBELLION XYZ DRAGON RNK.4 ORB.2 ATK:2500 DEF:2000

"Dammit!" Edo swore.

Edo took a few more steps back, and with no traps on his field, was unable to do anything. Yuto pointed at Edo, and leveled an enraged glare towards the Commander-in-Chief. "I'll make you pay for what you did to Zero, what you did to Heartland! Battle! I attack Dystopia Guy with Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon!"

The dragon gave a loud war cry as it flew up into the sky. The grey clouds parted to let the sun through, and Dark Requiem spread its wings. Colorful patterns exactly like stained glass, like one would see in a church's windows, grew and shone brightly with the sun. Zero could feel his jaw hit the bottom of his mask in awe at the majestic sight.

"This is the end, Edo!" Dark Requiem Dragon swooped down, its mandibles ready to destroy anything in its path. "Go, Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon! Requiescent Disaster Disobey!"

Edo looked at his hand, staring at a certain spell. "Dammit, it looks like I have no choice. I play the Quick-Play spell, Chosen One's Penalty. I give up all but 50 Life Points to pick any card I want from my deck." Edo winced as he lost Life Points.

EDO LP- 3600 = 50

"Now I send Destiny HERO-Dynamite Guy from my hand to the graveyard to activate its effect! When my Life Points are lower than my opponent's, battle damage is negated and both players receive 1000 points of damage!"

Yuto reeled back. "What!"

"It's a literal suicide bomb." Zero grit his teeth, just now managing to stand.

All three duelists watched as Edo monster, a humanoid figure with red eyes and fire for most of its body, appeared in front of Dark Requiem. The dragon continued its attack regardless, and the incoming strike caused a huge explosion that made smoke stretch across the battlefield.

All three people cried out, each being flung back by the enormous explosion. Edo hit the back of Academia's command center harshly, causing the commander to slump down. Yuto and Zero were sent for a spin, and were thrown back a couple yards into the oncoming rubble. The masked man had some of the debris crumble on top of him, but Yuto only received a few bruises and scrapes. Thankfully, that damned red chain had vanished since the duel was now over. Though Yuto didn't notice that his eyes had returned to normal as well, or that they had changed at all for that matter.

EDO LP- 50 = 0 DRAW

YUTO LP- 200 = 0 DRAW

Yuto sprung up, and immediately went into action. Kneeling beside the rubble, the Phantom Knights duelist quickly removed the rubble off of Zero. With some effort, Yuto managed to help Zero stand.

Wrapping one of his arms around Yuto's shoulder, Zero sighed heavily. "Let's get the hell out of here, before reinforcements arrive and we're surrounded."

"I'm with you on that one. I'm exhausted." Yuto panted slightly, the duel and electric shocks he gained had worn the teen out.

"I can understand that feeling." Zero cringed, feeling his muscles scream in discontent at the movement he was making at the moment.

When the smoke had completely vanished, Zero and Yuto were long gone. Academia students had arrived to see their Commander-in-Chief slightly injured, a small concussion brought from slamming against their command center. Quickly, they had taken Edo to the medical ward to get a check up.

Dammit! Edo REALLY wanted to hit something. I had them, I HAD THEM! And they still escaped from my grasp! I'll have to report this to the Professor, those two are more dangerous than ever with that information! The Commander-in-Chief clenched his fists in his rage. When I get them next time. I won't fail! Even that damned Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon won't surprise me!

Both sides desperately needed a break as each returned to their base of operations, injured and exhausted.

HOLY CRAP, I went above and beyond this chapter! My fingers are on fire from the amount I had to type this time! A literal 11,500 words! I'm proud of myself, and in two days as well! I'll probably be going a little slower now after this one, because it kind of wore me out. But with the power of Youtube and Google I managed to power through! HA HA!

I decided to give Yuto a last name. From what I looked up, Raiden is the name of a Japanese myth god of thunder, meaning 'thunder and lightning'. I found it to be absolutely perfect seeing as Dark Rebellion uses literal purple lightning in his fights. I had to, it literally fits perfectly.

I also referenced when Zero had to rescue Suzaku in this one, can you find where its referenced? Yes, I understand that during the chess matches Allen and Shun lasted for a long time. But give me some credit, Allen managed to make those boots for Yuya, the dude had to at least have some intellect. Also, I decided to end this duel in a draw, a VERY familiar draw at that, for the sake of Edo. I feel that some of the characters that were from others series kind of got screwed over, I feel Edo is one of them. The dude literally tied once, and lost all of the rest of his duels. It makes you wonder how he got to be Commander-in-Chief, so I decided to give him his tie now. Wonder what'll happen when he meets Yuya? I'm wondering what Zero will find on that flashdrive he stole, or if he'll find anything at all since he was literally electrocuted out of a duel.

If you see any mistakes, comment and tell me about them. Otherwise, that's it and I'll see you all on Chapter 5! WHOO! -MoonlightWright