Welcome to Chapter 19! We're almost at Chapter 20, and I feel proud that I've been able to stick with this for so long. I enjoy making this story and you guys liking it so much, so let's not delay this chapter any longer!
Ch.19: Another Counterpart
Zero stood there, in the middle of the stadium, waiting. Ten minutes had already passed, and the masked man was currently drying off from the small thunderstorm that had passed during Yuya's duel. To say the least, he wasn't happy. He was wet, standing in a huge crowd, and waiting impatiently for his opponent to show himself.
Where the hell is Dipper. Zero grounded out to himself. The masked man tapping one foot against the ground with his arms crossed. He knew the Xyz user from the fight between Yusho and L.D.S, so he knew Dipper wouldn't back down from this fight… So where the hell was he?
Finally, after fifteen minutes of patiently waiting, Nico spoke. "Pardon the abruptness, but we have a change of schedule regarding the upcoming third match! Due to the absence of L.D.S' Dipper O'rion, our mysterious masked man Zero wins by default!"
Zero uncrossed his arms, and ruffled his cape for a moment before giving a sigh. "... I suppose it can't be helped. Though…" Zero shook one black gloved hand, water droplets flinging out onto the arena. "I certainly don't appreciate the rain, nor the fact that I've been waiting for fifteen minutes for a duel."
The masked rebel walked back towards the hallway which he came from. His cape somehow still rising to follow him in the action even when it was rained on. His own shoes clicking, echoing off of the walls of the silent and darkened hallway. Zero took out his duel disk, and checked his messages once again.
If it wasn't for the fact that Zero had a duel that was supposed to be happening right now, he would have already been at the hotel. Apparently, Yuto had an attack of sorts from his 'darkness' again. The masked man was thankful for assigning Ruri to stay and watch, because he certainly didn't know that was going to happen. Another thing Zero was thankful for was that Shun had responded to Ruri's call instantly. Unlike the masked revolutionary, the Raidraptor didn't have his duel until way later, almost at the end of Round 2. That wouldn't be happening for a few days.
What was more concerning though, was the fact that Yuto had this attack during Yuya's battle. More precisely, when Yuya had gone into his own possessed rage and summoned Odd-Eyes Hellfire Dragon.
That was VERY concerning.
Because from the way it looked. Yuto didn't even need to be near Yuya or any of his other counterparts to fall into his own darkness. All that needed to happen was one of them becoming enraged enough to unleash their darkness and the Phantom Knights user would be struggling to not join in on the rampage.
Zero shook his masked head, and continued his march towards the exit of the stadium. He wanted to get to his Xyz allies as soon as possible and check up on Yuto.
Though, from the extra pair of footsteps and presence behind him. It sounded like he was going to be delayed for a bit longer.
Zero weaved around the stadium and buildings of Miami City that he had memorized to heart. It was obvious that whoever was following him was good at staying undetected, but they didn't know Miami City as well as he did. In the end, the mysterious stalker was left behind in the maze of alleyways, rooftops, and walls.
Zero decided that he would deal with them tomorrow, for now his friends came first.
. . .
Zero leaned over the railing, watching as Yuzu Hiragi dueled Micky Scarlet. His persona as Lelouch unable to make it today, but the masked man could spend some time watching the duel. What better way to attract his stalkers than being right out in the open.
From the mentions, cameras, and phones directed at him. It certainly wouldn't be long until his stalker found out where he was.
He could feel the intense stare burning into the back of his masked head. His shadow apparently deciding that facing him in public was too much of a risk, and waited for him to go somewhere less isolated in the shadows. But that was okay, Zero worked better in the shadows and alone.
"Reflect Shout!" Yuzu's new ace made her attack on Micky Scarlet's angelic looking monster, and won the duel. The star idol being blown away in the air by the force of Bloom Diva's attack.
MICKY LP- 1000 = 0 LOSER
YUZU LP- 100 WINNER
The crowd went wild for the duel, while Yusho's group was going nuts over Yuzu's win. Masked violet eyes focused mostly on the scarlet eyed teen in the group. Yuya had become very depressed after his duel with Isao. The Pendulum user having a hard time cheering Yuzu on through the battle as his thoughts most certainly drifted off towards what happened with his duel, and everything involving him, Yuto, Sora, and Yugo. Now though, Zero was glad to see his tomato haired friend smiling brightly because of Yuzu's duel.
Zero sighed, before giving a nice long stretch. It wouldn't be long now until Yuya knew the truth. He couldn't keep the tomato haired teen from figuring it out, so it was only a matter of time. The masked revolutionary threw his cape out to the side widely and began to walk away from the stadium. He could feel his stalker moving instantly to follow him.
It was almost too easy. Zero heaved a big breath, and continued down his darkened, isolating path towards his destination.
He would need a good place to duel after all.
. . .
Zero opened the door to the parking lot as loudly as possible. It wasn't that hard seeing as its hinges were rather rusty, and the metal squealed loudly for miles while echoing around the stone walls and floor. The masked man kept the door open as he continued walking towards the exit of the parking lot.
Suddenly, Zero stopped abruptly, and turned back around towards the door only to find nothing. Only the darkness was visible through the hallway, but he knew they were there. He was a master when in the shadows. No one could hide from him.
And they knew that he knew they were there.
"You can stop wasting your time and come out now." Zero almost drawled out, and placed one hand out on a jutting hip. "I know you've been following me since yesterday after my supposed 'match', so don't bother trying to hide and show yourself."
It was quiet, until not one, but two sounds of footsteps echoed in the silence as his stalkers revealed themselves. Mostly. The two wore long trench coats that had big hoods hiding their eyes and most of their face. The first one was big, and even towered over the masked man himself by almost half a head. He had two scars on his chest running in a seemingly X formation, and bulging muscles to boot. There was a dog tag hanging from his neck over a black shirt and pants.
The second shadow intrigued Zero slightly, but he quickly brushed it aside while he examined his enemy. The second figure was most definitely a she, and her trench coat had two big stars on either side of her shoulders. The coat itself blocked out most of her clothes, but Zero could see bits and pieces of indigo and light blue hair poking out from beside her face.
One thing was for certain. These two weren't from the Standard Dimension, and they most certainly weren't from Xyz.
So then they were from Academia.
"Hmph." Zero crossed his arms, hip still jutted out to the side. "I was wondering when the Professor was going to send his soldiers after me. It was only a matter of time since Sora Shiunin managed to get away alive and with his memories intact." Invisible violet eyes narrowed, and Zero slowly pulled out his duel disk. "Now then. Shall we get to the bottom of this. The real reason as to why we are all here?"
The girl smirked, before grabbing ahold of her trench coat and lifting it off. The Academia soldier throwing it away like trash to the side. The girl had a special red Academia jacket and skirt on. That big yellow star on both of her shoulders still. She had a black shirt underneath, and multiple brown belts were wrapped around her hips and one around the side of her chest. There was a yellow ribbon tying her long indigo blue hair up into a ponytail, and green eyes glared into Zero's faceless mask.
Zero's breath escaped him at the sight of that eerily familiar face. One he saw every day on two other people's faces, and another time when that same face was on Revival Zero's list. "You're Serena Akatsuki." He didn't state it as a question, because he knew it was a fact.
The girl flinched back slightly, surprised that this masked man knew her name since this was her first time out of the Fusion Dimension. Out of Academia and the Professor's overprotective watch in general. "How the hell do you know who I am!" Serena took a couple steps forward, acting as if she was about to beat the shit out of him instead of duel.
"That's a question we'll be finding out soon, Ms. Serena. However, I'd like to ask that you leave it to me." The first, burly man spoke up, and soon threw his own trench coat off to the side as well. The man had the same color of cyan green hair as Jeremiah Gottwald in his home world. One brown eye glared down at the masked man, while the other was covered in a huge burn scar and a black eye patch.
Serena tipped her head down slightly to narrow her gaze at her bodyguard. "Stay out of this, Barrett!"
The newly named Barrett shook his head. "The duty given to me by the Professor is to protect you from any sparks that may fall upon you." That brown eye narrowed. "And to take back any masked vigilantes to Academia alive, by force if necessary." Zero saw Serena snarl slightly from the corner of his eye, her lip twitching in restrained anger. Serena's glare never left as she returned to Barrett's side, if super reluctantly.
"This Professor you speak of is Leo Akaba, correct?" A new voice spoke from the side, and everyone looked over to see a tall, lanky, silver haired teen with violet eyes under red glasses leaning against one of the many stone pillars. His red scarf flaring out to either side of him while almost falling to the floor.
Serena and Barrett's eyes widened, and the girl turned back around to face Reiji. The tense silence coming from those words was thick. "Do you work for him as well? Are you an Xyz resistance fighter!"
Reiji pushed his red glasses up, his violet eyes dimmed and uncaring. "If so, then you two are…" The CEO of L.D.S walked over from his spot to stand beside Zero.
The masked man himself snorted. "Somehow I'm not surprised by you being here… How long have you known about these two?"
Reiji casually put his duel disk on and activated it. "About as long as you, Zero."
"And Dipper?" Zero asked, putting some pieces together about his supposed duel. "Was he turned into a card."
It wasn't a question. "Unfortunately, yes." Reiji replied smoothly. "That was the reason as to why he never showed up for your duel."
"I figured. These two have been trying to tail me since then, so they were probably targeting Xyz users before they found I was here." Zero brushed off one shoulder as if dust was on it. "Do you want this duel or no? Because I can fight him as well." The two geniuses watched as Barrett slowly put his duel disk on, and activated it. Serena having calmly walked over to lean against one of the many parked cars to watch.
Reiji looked down at his white duel disk. "Seal off this area. Do not let anyone in here until I tell you otherwise." With that, Reiji threw out his activated duel disk with its red blade towards Barrett and the two began to duel.
"DUEL!"
REIJI LP- 4000
BARRETT LP- 4000
Zero frowned. "Really." He didn't appreciate being locked in here. At all. "I don't exactly desire being stuck in here with two enemies of Academia. Both of which are desiring to kidnap me."
"First to strike takes the advantage!" Barrett seemed to ignore what Zero was saying, and Reiji seemed to be doing the same thing. Now Zero understood why Shun didn't like Reiji even more than before. "I'm going first. I activate the Continuous Spell Beastborg Polymerizer! Once per turn, I can Fusion Summon a Beastborg monster!"
"As I expected…" Reiji's own violet eyes narrowed in complete focus on the duel.
Zero huffed, not even bother to speak to the two duelists anymore, and walked over to lean against the same car Serena was. The Academia soldier obviously didn't like that, and activated her own duel disk with a smirk. "I'll be sure to defeat you, and then bring you back to Academia and the Professor!"
Zero's geass was really tempting now. He almost gave in and used it to, but he just barely held back.
"I fuse Panther Warrior and Dark Sentinel from my hand!" Barrett continued. "Ferocious black panther and guardian of sacred darkness. Merge as one and let forth your valiant roar! I Fusion Summon!" Barrett threw his hands together in one fist out in front of himself. "Come forth. Beastborg Panther Predator!" The monster was half living and half machine. While the living half was just Panther Warrior, the other half was a mechanical version of it painted cyan green and white.
BEASTBORG PANTHER PREDATOR LV.6 ATK:1600 DEF:2000
"I activate Panther Predator's effect!" Barrett wasn't done. "Once per turn, I can deal damage equal to half of Panther's Attack to my opponent!" The Fusion monster threw a red beam at Reiji from it's chest, and the CEO had to lift his duel disk and use the blade to block the strike. The light forced Reiji to close one eye and squint the other.
REIJI LP- 4000 = 3200
"I set two cards and end my turn." The military man finished.
"He's already steadily wearing down his opponent's Life Points from the first turn. A by-the-books strategy." Zero muttered, his attention focused on both Serena and Reiji's duel. "I wonder how long he'll really last."
"My turn. I draw!" Reiji spoke calmly, even after taking 800 points of damage.
Zero looked back at Serena, who still had her duel disk activated, and was advancing threateningly. Zero sighed. "You really want to fight me?" Zero lifted up his own duel disk again, the mark of geass appearing once more. "Well fine then, let's go!"
SERENA LP- 4000
ZERO LP- 4000
"DUEL!"
"Ladies first." Zero bowed dramatically, and Serena snorted in distaste at his actions.
"Whatever." Serena spat. "I'm not going to mess around with you and chit chat! I play the Spell card Polymerization!" The Fusion counterpart held up two monsters. "I choose to fuse Lunalight Blue Cat and Lunalight Purple Butterfly!" The two monsters began to fuse together in a bright light behind the Fusion user. "Blue cat that prowls through the darkness! Butterfly with violet poison! Spiral into the moon's gravity and become a new power!" Serena threw her hands together in one fist. "I Fusion Summon! Appear and come forth! Beautiful beast that dances in the moonlight! Lunalight Cat Dancer!"
A pink feline, female figured monster danced onto the field. She wore a long flowing seafoam green dress along with skin tight black tights that turned pink near the top of her shoulderless dress. There were golden rings around the cat's ankles and wrists, and she had long dark pink hair that went all the way to the floor. A giant purple hat sat on top of her head, and a purple and orange mask covered the top of her face.
LUNALIGHT CAT DANCER LV.7 ATK:2400 DEF:2000
"I set one card and end my turn." Serena finished, and smirked over at the masked man. "Let's see what you can do. I've heard a lot about you from the other students at Academia, and if you're as big of a challenge as they say. Then the Professor will have no choice but to acknowledge me once I drag you back to his feet! He'll finally send me out to help defeat the rest of the Xyz fighters!"
"Really. So all of this is to prove yourself to the Professor that you can fight." Zero mused. "How pointless. Do you even know what Academia is doing in the Xyz Dimension?"
"Of course!" Serena snarled. "We're fighting to help reunite all the worlds and create a paradise! For that reason I will defeat you, so that our goals can be reached! Now hurry up and take your turn!"
"Well then, you don't seem to have the entire picture. My turn, I draw!" Zero drew. "I summon a Black Knight Glasgow from my hand!" The mechanical war machine raised it's machine gun in the air once it was summoned.
BLACK KNIGHT GLASGOW LV.4 ATK:1200 DEF:900
"When I successfully summon one Black Knight Glasgow I can summon another from my hand or Deck. I choose to summon one from my deck!"
BLACK KNIGHT GLASGOW LV.4 ATK:1200 DEF:900
"I set one card and end my turn." Zero finished, which surprised the indigo haired teen facing against him.
"That's it!?" Serena barked. "Are you mocking me with your pathetic move!" She growled. "I'll make you pay! My turn, I draw!" She showed the masked man a card. "I activate the Spell card Lunalight Perfume! I target one Lunalight monster from my Graveyard and Special Summon it! I choose to Special Summon Lunalight Purple Butterfly!" The female figured butterfly with huge blue and black wings appeared. She had short purple hair, long knee high purple boots, and half an orange mask covering her left eye.
LUNALIGHT PURPLE BUTTERFLY LV.3 ATK:1000 DEF:1000
"I activate Lunalight Cat Dancer's effect!" Serena gestured to her Fusion monster. "I can tribute 1 Lunalight monster and attack all of your monster's twice! The first attack does not destroy your monsters, but the second one surely will! I tribute Lunalight Purple Butterfly to allow Cat Dancer to attack your Glasgows twice each!" The Academia soldier threw a hand out directly at Zero. "This is the end for you! Now pay the price for underestimating me by losing!" Serena's feline Fusion monster began to sprint over towards Zero's side of the field with her lethal figure and power.
"Not quite." Zero threw a hand out. "I activate my Trap card Geass Time Stop! By paying half of my Life Points. I can forcibly end your battle phase and summon one monster from my hand regardless of its summoning conditions." Zero hunched over slightly as a huge chunk of his Life Points was taken.
ZERO LP- 4000 = 2000
A red aura surrounded their field, and suddenly a strange machine standing on four legs with a huge cannon attached to it appeared in front of Cat Dancer. The Lunalight monster was spooked, and made a quick retreat back to her master's side.
TUNER RAIKOU LV.3. ATK:600 DEF:400
"A tuner!" Serena paled slightly. "Y-You tricked me!"
"Not at all." Zero disagreed. "You simply underestimated me, and now you will pay the price."
"There's nothing in the database saying you can Synchro Summon though!" Serena berated. "And why would you sacrifice so much of your Life Points for it! If you're from the Xyz Dimension then you should only be able to Xyz Summon!"
"You're mistaken about that as well Ms. Akatsuki." Zero spoke up abruptly, and Serena leaned back when he said her last name. "You misunderstand a rather important fact about me… I'm not from the Xyz Dimension."
"What-!" Serena cut herself off, completely caught off guard. "If you're not from the Xyz Dimension. Then why are you trying to fight us! Why are you the one leading the resistance!"
"I doubt you would really believe me if I were to tell you." Zero spoke impassively. "However, I do know someone-"
"I, using Scale 1 D/D Philosopher of Prophecy Galilei and Scale Scale 10 D/D Philosopher of Prophecy Kepler, set the Pendulum Scale!"
"What!?" Zero snapped his head back towards Reiji, and was shocked to see two monster's rising up in two pillars of blue light. A portal appeared in between the two Pendulum Monsters, and their Scale Numbers appeared beneath each monster. "He's already perfected making Pendulum Cards!"
"With this, I am able to simultaneously summon monsters from Levels 2 to 9!" Violet eyes widened. "Grand power which shakes my very soul! Arise with me and give birth to a new light that rends the darkness! I Pendulum Summon!" Reiji threw his arm out, his monster cards in that hand. "Come before me, my monsters!"
"Prideful Knight D/D Proud Chevalier!" A monster with long blonde hair and shining white and black armor appeared. A long black and red scarf flared to the floor rather similar to Reiji's. The knight held one long sword in one hand.
D/D PROUD CHEVALIER LV.5 ATK:2000 DEF:700
"Vessel of disaster, D/D Pandora!" A lady with a long red cowl and metal sheets covering her face appeared. She had green arms with multiple golden bands, and the rest of her lower body was sealed inside a purple and golden chest that had a huge lock at the front.
D/D PANDORA LV.5 ATK:1700 DEF:2100
"Pendulum Summon!?" Barrett was cut off guard by this new Summoning Method as well.
"There's still more!" Zero couldn't help but notice that most of Reiji's monsters were focused on legends, myths, or greek mythology in general. Reiji threw his hand forward towards his monsters. "I overlay D/D Proud Chevalier and D/D Pandora!" The two went into the vortex in the ground in purple light. "Hero of legends, pierce through all things with your profound justice! I Xyz Summon!" A single golden eye glowed as Reiji's monster appeared. "Come forth, Rank 5! D/D/D Tell, the Marksman Lord!" This monster had a long green robe, red shirt, and black armor on his arms and legs. Three arrows pierced out of his chest, while his right hand was turned into a golden crossbow with a snake's head at the end.
D/D/D TELL THE MARKSMAN LORD RNK.5 ORB.2 ATK:2300 DEF:2000
"Pendulum into Xyz!?" The burly soldier couldn't believe what he was seeing through his one eye.
"Tell, the Marksman Lords effect!" Reiji looked over at his monster. "If I have taken damage from a Covenant card this turn. I can use one Orbital and lower an opponent's monster's Attack by 1000 and deal 1000 points of damage!" Marksman absorbed one of his orbitals, and turned it into a lightning bolt arrow ready to fire in his crossbow. The golden snake's eyes glowing as it was ready to fire.
Barrett grit his teeth, some sweat going down his face. "So this is why he took that damage!"
D/D/D TELL THE MARKSMAN LORD ORB.2 = 1
"Piercing Arrow!" Marksman fired, and one arrow turned into two. The first went into Barrett's resummoned Fusion monster Beastborg Panther Predator. While the other one went straight towards Barrett himself. The Academia soldier dodged the arrow, but the explosion caused him to fall backwards and catch himself with a flip.
BARRETT LP- 3600 = 2600
BEASTBORG PANTHER PREDATOR ATK:3000 = 2000
"Of course, I will also be using the remaining Orbital!" The Xyz monster's last orbital flew into his crossbow, and was ready to fire once again. "Piercing Arrow!"
D/D/D TELL THE MARKSMAN LORD ORB.1 = 0
BEASTBORG PANTHER PREDATOR ATK:2000 = 1000
BARRETT LP- 2600 = 1600
Beastborg Panther Predator cried out as the arrows pierced his mechanical side. Meanwhile, his master simply took the electrical arrow out of his shoulder, and crushed it within his fist with only a wince.
"I'm not finished yet! I use Covenant with the Swamp King's other effect! I can Fusion Summon a D/D monster by banishing materials from my Graveyard!" Reiji added.
"What!?" A single brown eye widened.
"I banish D/D Proud Chevalier and D/D Pandora from my Graveyard and fuse them!" The two monsters rose from the Grave to perform one last Fusion Summon. "Proud Knight, be absorbed into the crucible of disaster! Be reborn into a true king!" Violet eyes widened behind red glasses. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth! Ruler who carries the glory of God! D/D/D'Arc, the Oracle Lord!"
A female monster wearing white armor with gold trimmings appeared. She held one thin long sword in hand, and had a giant pair of blue and orange wings sprouting from her back. There were also two more wings on the side of her head that seemed to act like ears as well.
D/D/D'ARC THE ORACLE LORD LV.7 ATK:2800 DEF:2000
Reiji pointed towards Barrett. "Battle! I attack Predator Panther with D/D/D'Arc the Oracle Lord!" The Fusion monster spread her wings, and grabbed her sword with both hands.
"I won't fall that easily!" Barrett leaned forward. "I activate the Trap card Beastborg Medal of Honor! It destroys a Beastborg Fusion monster and Special Summons its Fusion Materials from the Graveyard!" One brown eye looked at his Fusion monster. "I destroy Panther Predator!" The monster was destroyed into golden sparks, and soon formed into its two Fusion Materials. "Then, I Special Summon Panther Warrior and Dark Sentinel!"
PANTHER WARRIOR LV.4 ATK:2000 DEF:1600
DARK SENTINEL LV.4 ATK:1500 DEF:1800
"Next, I activate the effect of the Trap card Beastborg Medal of Honor!" The buff soldier threw a fist forward. "Both players are dealt damage equal to the total Attack of the monster Special Summoned by its effect!" A red and yellow color began to merge together and create an explosion.
"What the hell!" Serena backed away slightly. "That thing will take us all out!"
"A damn suicide bomb." Zero really hated when people played those moves.
One brown eye looked between Zero and Reiji. "With these 3500 points of damage, I'll take you both out with me!" The explosion began to draw closer to all four of the duelist. Zero abandoned his duel in favor of survival for the moment, and quickly tackled Serena to the ground to help protect her from the flames, smoke, and possible debris. His cape covered them both while flapping wildly from the wind.
Reiji's glasses reflected the light from the explosion, hiding his violet eyes. The CEO stood calmly at the incoming explosion. "I won't let you." He pushed his red glasses up slightly. "I activate D/D/D'Arc the Oracle Lord's effect!" Red eyes narrowed slightly as the female monster reached a hand out and began to absorb the explosion. "I negate your effect damage and then gain Life Points equal to that amount!" The yellow flames soon turned into a purple energy as the Fusion monster lifted it up into the air. "Life Elation!"
Reiji smirked. "I gain 7000 Life Points."
REIJI LP- 200 = 7200
"Impossible…!" Barrett wheezed, and could only watch as Reiji's monster quickly sped forward towards him.
"Resume battle!" Reiji ordered his monster, and pointed a single finger at the Fusion soldier. "Go, D'Arc! Oracle Charge!" The D/D/D monster's sword glowed a bright purple as she flew forward towards Panther Warrior. She impaled the panther in the chest, and it was soon destroyed. Barrett raised a big arm to shield his face.
BARRETT LP- 1600 = 800
"This will finish it! I attack Dark Sentinel with D/D/D Tell the Marksman Lord!" The male Fusion monster smirked widely, and the snake's eyes on his crossbow glowed a bright red as it was loaded with an arrow. "Forbidden Break Shot!" The arrow turned blue once it was fired, and suddenly disappeared.
"It vanished!?" Barrett looked around for the arrow, but then his monster suddenly malfunctioned and exploded. The Fusion user didn't expect this, and was completely blown away and took a harsh tumble across the concrete ground.
BARRETT LP- 800 = 0 LOSER
REIJI LP- 7200 WINNER
Carefully, Zero finally got off of Serena. The Fusion counterpart too surprised and shocked that the masked man was willing to risk his life and protect her to do anything more then watch and stand up herself.
"Incredible." Serena breathed. She had never seen anything like this. "What even is a Pendulum Summon!"
"The newest evolution in dueling." Zero answered her, and the Fusion counterpart of Yuzu and Ruri turned her attention back to the masked man she was dueling. His faceless masked was tipped towards her. "Shall we continue our match, or no?" He looked over at the downed Barrett. "You're outnumbered now, but I suppose you can always leave." Serena took a few steps back at Zero's words. He was right, at the moment she was outnumbered, and both her enemies were very skilled at dueling.
"Wait, Serena." Green eyes looked over behind Zero to face Reiji's stoic violet ones. "Yes… You're not Yuzu Hiragi." The differences between the two had become more prominent now.
"Yuzu Hiragi?" Green eyes had softened in curiosity.
"A person in this world who looks much like you." Zero added in, helping Serena with her confusion. This caused the Fusion counterpart to turn her attention back to the masked man. "Some would say that you're twins, because you can certainly pass off as them."
"Yes. But, let's leave aside explaining why you look alike for now." Reiji interjected calmly, Serena's green eyes now narrowing. "Before that…"
"And you are?" The female Fusion user questioned.
"Reiji Akaba." A frown twitched across the CEO's lips. "Leo Akaba's… son. Do you not remember? I've met you before." Violet eyes flickered down at the bracelet Serena wore on her right wrist. "At the Fusion Dimension. At Academia."
"Ohh." Zero quirked an eyebrow. "So you have been there before… I figured."
Reiji continued anyway despite Zero's words. "You were the duelist Leo Akaba had his eye on the most there. And now, you have appeared in our world. For what purpose?" Serena's eyes narrowed even more, and they looked directly at the masked revolutionary. "Did you improve your skills under Leo Akaba's guidance and get sent here as the vanguard for an invasion?"
Serena grit her teeth. "This has nothing to do with Leo Akaba!" She snarled and raised a fist. "I came to this world of my own will! Not under anyone's orders." The indigo haired duelist took a step forward. "I remember you as well."
"I believe I am missing some very vital context here. Would anyone care to explain?" Zero asked, and once again leaned against a car.
"Three years ago, you crossed dimensions and came to our world." Serena began. "As I saw many of my comrades getting their chance on the front lines, I was left to live a suffocating life trapped in that strict castle!" She pointed at the CEO. "Ever since you appeared three years ago!"
Violet eyes narrowed. "These last three years, I have been making preparations to crush Leo Akaba's ambitions. That is also why I have become the President of the Leo Corporation in his place. I have worked towards finding and training duelists with potential." Reiji explained. "All of it is to protect this city, this land we live in… Do you not wish to join me?"
"Join?" Serena tilted her head.
"Yes." Reiji nodded. "To protect this place together from Leo Akaba and Academia."
"Don't be ridiculous." She snapped. "I only came here because I heard there were remnants of the Xyz forces here." The Fusion user looked over at Zero again. "And when I had heard that HE was here, leading them as well." She lifted her head up and seemed to look down at the masked man. "They must be quite skilled if they could defeat an agent from Academia."
"If they weren't as skilled as you had hoped then I would have taken care of them." Zero played with his white cravat for a swift moment. "I would have helped them become better."
"If I can defeat you, I can make Leo Akaba acknowledge my abilities!" She picked up a card hidden in her back pocket. "But my first target was a complete disappointment."
"That's because he wasn't from the Xyz Dimension." Zero crossed his arms now. "He wasn't an Xyz resistance fighter, because he lived here, in Standard." Serena threw the card that turned out to be Dipper at Reiji. The CEO caught the card, and carefully deposited it into his white pants pocket. "The boy you targeted, Dipper O'rion, wasn't the one you wanted."
"Well then, who else is an Xyz resistance fighter!?" Serena snapped again. "The Xyz duelist who defeated Academia's agent!" Little did anyone know, Shun had just finished defeating his opponent who was a member of the overseas school Knight of Duels. The other knights having watched the Raidraptor's duel, and where glaring down at the Xyz user who had defeated their friend.
"You think I would sell out my comrades like that?" Zero huffed a laugh. "How unsophisticated."
"Then I'll search on my own." The Fusion user turned, and began to walk away. "I'll find your comrades eventually."
"If you cause a disturbance in this town…" Reiji threatened lightly. "I will not be able to overlook it." The Fusion soldier turned her head back slightly. "Even if you did not come here on Leo Akaba's orders. If you refuse to join with me, then I'll consider you an enemy."
"I won't let you!" Everyone looked down at the ground where Barrett had once laid unconscious. The burly man activated something on his duel disk, which caused the screen to trun red and blinking.
"What did you just do?" Reiji demanded.
"Shit." Zero cursed, knowing exactly what was happening.
"With this, I have told Academia exactly where we are." The big soldier could say no more, because he was soon returned to the Fusion Dimension in a bunch of blue particles.
"Forced return, huh?" Though she spoke calmly, there was concern in Serena's green eyes.
"Forced return?" Reiji repeated.
"Eventually, pursuers from Academia will come to bring me back." It sounded like she didn't like that too well. "Just like what you saw three years ago." Reiji ducked his head slightly at the insinuation. "When that happens, it will cause more than just a disturbance." Green eyes looked down at the ground, fists clenched. "But I won't let them catch me!"
She raised her duel disk once again towards Zero. Their battle may have been interrupted, but it was never finished. "Once I defeat you, those other Xyz duelists, and my pursuers… Leo Akaba will have no choice but to acknowledge my abilities! I end my turn!"
"Right." Zero stood up from where he was leaning against the car, and put one hand on his deck. "My turn! I draw!" He drew a card, and went straight into action by throwing a black gloved hand forward. "I choose to tune my Level 3 Raikou with my Level 4 Black Knight Glasgow!" The two monsters turned into bright red stars and green rings. A beam of red light bursting through the rings as the Synchro Summon began to take place.
A giant, silver clawed hand burst out from the red destructive beam. "Break free from the chains of oppression that bind you down! Prove your strength through this battle and become a feared icon that symbolizes death!" Zero raised a hand, cape flaring behind him like wings spreading to fly. "I Synchro Summon!" The silver claw flexed slightly, before a red machine hunched over against the ground in front of it's master. "Come forth! Level 7! Guren !" The machine looked like it's stronger, higher level counterpart. Though this machine had no wings, along with no green glass on it's chest.
GUREN LV.7 ATK:2500 DEF:2200
"I'll be sure to finish this quickly." Zero showed a new Spell card. "I activate the Spell card Geass Soul Transfer!" As soon as this spell was activated, Zero's Glasgow was destroyed in a blast of yellow particles. "I tribute one of my monsters on the field, and can take control of a monster on my opponent's side of the field!"
"What!" Serena flinched back in surprise.
"I choose to take control of Lunalight Cat Dancer!" The female feline hunched over, trying to fight back to power though it was useless. Eventually, Serena's monster succumbed to the power of geass, her monster's eyes having turned red with a red aura surrounding the monster's frame. The graceful feline graciously danced over to Zero's side, leaving Serena's field completely open for attack.
"Battle!" Zero demanded, and threw both of his hands forward. "I attack you directly with Guren and Lunalight Cat Dancer!" Zero's machine sped forward and flexed its claw towards Serena.
The girl's own monster not far behind the Guren, her claws ready to attack. The Fusion user was so shocked that she couldn't activate her Trap card in time to stop the attacks. The Gruen leaned its clawed hand back, before throwing it forward and a red energy bubbling forward. The Fusion user cried out as she was sent back, but was soon stopped when Lunalight Cat Dancer attacked her from behind and nicked a bit of her jacket. The force of the attacks sent Serena onto the floor as her Life Points depleted to zero. The Academia's soldier's duel disk having it's screen cracked from the force.
SERENA LP- 4000 = 0 LOSER
ZERO LP- 2000 WINNER
Zero put his duel disk away, and stepped forward towards Serena. The masked rebel crouched down, masked violet eyes looking down at the girl's barely uninjured form. However, he knew from experience how much a duel can tire a person out.
"Do you need help up?" Zero asked politely, holding a hand out that was almost instantly smacked away. It vaguely reminded him of Yuya's hand being smacked away by Isao.
"Like hell! I can get up just fine on my own!" Serena snapped, and soon did a backflip away from the masked man and stood to her full height. She was definitely angry, judging from her clenched, shaking fists, and gnashing teeth. "I'll swear I'll get you this time!" She pointed at Zero. "Duel me again!" Her duel disk activated once again.
"Eh?" Zero slumped slightly. He'd just beaten her, and she was asking for a rematch already!? "Are we really going to keep doing this."
"Of course! I won't stop fighting you until I finally defeat you!" Serena spoke heatedly. "I refuse to leave this place with such a loss on my shoulders!"
"Jeez, you people from Fusion are so stubborn." Zero spoke bluntly. "I'm not going to keep dueling you over something like that." He turned to Reiji and began to walk back the way he came. "Care to lift the lockdown in this area? I desire to get back to my hideout and communicate with my allies."
"Hmph." Reiji lifted his duel disk from his forearm to beside his ear. "It's me. Gather the top brass as quickly as possible. Also, undone the lockdown on this area. The problem has been settled."
"What!" Serena yelled, and began to stomp towards Zero. "Like hell this matter has been settled! You're going to duel me again! Then once I defeat you I'll bring you back to Academia and Leo Akaba where he'll make you tell the location of your Xyz allies!"
"I'm not going to become a glorified present for that bastard just to help you get his attention." Zero snapped back, really annoyed at this rate. "Besides, that man is nothing more than a cold hearted dictator. I have no idea why you want him to acknowledge you so much. Why you want a psychopath's respect so badly eludes me."
That wasn't true. He knew exactly what it was like. He used to have to fuss over his multiple half brothers and sisters over the throne in Britannia. To gain their father's attention and good graces, only to later plan on stabbing him in the back to gain the throne and title as Emperor later on. He never thought he would be thankful for his banishment from Britannia until that realization hit him one day at the Kururugi Shrine.
"Then tell me why you lead the resistance if you're not from the Xyz Dimension!" Serena rapid fired Zero with her questions. "Why do you resist our efforts to try and reunite the worlds into one! Into one world where it will be a paradise!"
"Geass: Time Stop, activate." Zero spoke tonelessly, even through his voice modulator.
"Wait!" Serena threw a hand out to stop Zero from escaping, but it was too late. The next minute Serena blinked, Zero was gone.
. . .
"Next up is the Duel News!" A lady on the TV began to report enthusiastically. Gathered around the little resting area was the Yusho group. Starting from the very right was Yuya on a couch, going from his left was Yuzu, Principal Shuzo, Yoko, Fredrick, Allie, and then finally Tate. Lelouch unfortunately having to call in saying he was having problems with his father more than usual, and therefore was extra busy. "After intense battles over the past few days, in the Miami Championship Junior Youth Class, Round 2 has finished and the Top 16 have been determined. Now then, let's get right into introducing those players!"
All of the kids leaned in slightly towards the TV. "Here it comes!" Shuzo spoke excitedly.
"Our first player is Yusho Duel School's Yuzu Hiragi!" A picture of the pink haired teen was shown on screen, and Shuzo went crazy with pride. This resulted in Yuzu slapping her father on the head with her fan. "And from the same Yusho Duel School and Entertainment Duel style. Making a name with his Pendulum Summoning, Yuya Sakaki!" This time the tomato haired teen's picture came up. This also caused Shuzo to crow with pride, and get smacked on the head again with Yuzu's fan.
Yuya rubbed the back of his head abashedly. "He defeated two firece opponents. L.D.S' Sylvio Sawatari in the first round and Ryouzanpaku's Isao Kachidoki in the second!" Yuya dimmed slightly as he remembered his horribly violent duel with Isao. I'll never have a duel like the one with Isao again. I need to have a duel that the players and audience can enjoy like the one I had with Sylvio.
Yuya looked up at the hand being offered to him, and looked up even more to meet Yuzu's periwinkle gaze. "We're rivals now that we've come this far." She smiled. "As representatives of the Yusho Duel School, let's aim for the top with our Entertainment dueling!"
Yuya smiled back, and accepted Yuzu's hand before standing up. "Yeah! Your duel in the Second Round was really good! I'll do my best to have a duel like that again!" Scarlet eyes lit up. "The best Entertainment duel!" Yuzu nodded, and the two firmly shook hands once more.
Shuzo threw a fist up in the air, tears streaming down his face as he yelled. "This is youth!" That fist turned into a finger pointing over at the two teens. "Youth put into duels! Aim for the top!"
"You're too loud, Principal!" Frederick plugged his ears and sweatdropped at the sight of Shuzo's over enthusiastic cheering.
"They're still not done introducing all of the players…" Allie deadpanned, watching the scene with unamused eyes. Shuzo was quickly slapped on the head with Yuzu's fan once again for his behavior.
. . .
"And after the overseas team, Knight of Duels, is Kirigakure Cooking School's Michio Mokota!" The picture changed from the three knights dressed in real armour to the cooking duelist that had once battled Yuya before the tournament. "Teppei Tairyobata, the Fishing duelist! His word is 'big haul!' Good luck getting a big catch!"
"How was your duel with that Knight of Duels fellow Shun?" Zero asked his Raidraptor ally, the tall teen having stayed away from the L.D.S tower in favor of spending time with Yuto and Ruri. This was also to make sure that if Yuto freaked out again, Shun would be close by to help prevent his childhood friend from being injured.
"Pathetic." Shun responded instantly with one word. "It was so easy, if it wasn't for the fact that I couldn't attack on my first turn it would have been a One Turn K.O." Yellow eyes flickered over to Yuto in the living room from where both he and Zero sat in the dining room.
At the moment, Yuto was resting on the couch, completely exhausted. The Phantom Knight's duelist looked rather pale though, as if experiencing a nightmare. Ruri's presence was rather helpful though, the Lyrical Lusinca duelist carefully stroking her fingers through Yuto's long black and purple hair and scalp. It made the Xyz user relax tremendously, and actually get some good sleep.
"I'm glad he's doing better." Zero sighed, watching the two interact. "I couldn't make it back in time because of my duel in the tournament…"
"Nonsense." Shun shot Zero's words down with a wave of his hand. "It couldn't be helped, circumstances we're just against you is all. None of us have any hard feelings against you, or Yuto." He must have been talking about the bandage wrapped around Ruri's head. The younger Kurosaki sibling having fallen and hit her head rather harshly against the coffee table's edge, and ended up bleeding from the wound it created. It wasn't anything too bad, nor could it be worthy to cause a concussion, but it had both Shun and Yuto in a panicked frenzy. Yuto couldn't stop apologizing once he had snapped out of his possessed daze and regained his common sense and sight. The Phantom Knights user feeling so guilty and horrible for causing harm to his girlfriend, not that Shun hopefully knew.
"Did anything else happen to him while I was away?" Zero interrogated Shun further.
"Nothing so far." Shun looked back at his masked leader. "He'd break out into cold sweats sometimes after the first fit, but that was it. He's getting better."
"That's good, because we'll need everyone in top shape before the Third Round of the tournament ends… Or most likely, before it begins." Zero's voice dropped and turned rather grave in tone.
Shuns straightened. "What's up? Is it Academia."
Zero nodded. "You're correct." The masked rebel noticed Shun's hands tense into fists, and raised a black gloved hand. "They don't know about where Ruri is at the moment, but we may have a bigger problem at hand… I found another counterpart."
Yellow eyes widened. "Which one. For Yuto or for Ruri?"
Zero pursed his lips, though Shun couldn't see the action. "One of Ruri's counterparts." Now Shun's shoulders were tense. "She's from the Fusion Dimension, and she's looking for both me and you." He pointed one black gloved hand back towards the two love birds on the couch. "Them as well." Shun looked as if he could murder at those words. "However, I don't think she knows the entire picture, or what exactly is truly going on around her."
The dark blue haired teen narrowed his yellow eyes and tilted his head slightly. "What do you mean by that. She's from Academia! Of course she would know what is going on!"
"Not if she was kept inside Academia's walls. Locked away from the outside world and it's information." Zero rebuked, and steepled his fingers. "She asked me some questions that proves just how naive she is about the real world… I believe it would be imperative that you two meet."
Shun snorted at that, his voice full of contempt. "You're joking." At Zero's continued silence Shun leaned forward across the dining room table. "You're joking… Dear God you're actually serious about this."
"Yes, indeed I am."
"You do realize I might turn her into a card, regardless of how much she looks like Ruri or her importance to Revival Zero, right?" Shun raised one eyebrow. "She's from Academia. That's all that really matters to me."
"As long as you try to communicate with her, try and tell her your story about the Xyz Dimension then I won't mind. If she tries to card or capture you, then by all means duel her and card her." Zero shrugged. "In my opinion, the best way to prevent Revival Zero is by removing one of the pieces… Permanently." He could see how Shun was going to react, and quickly spoke up first. "However, I'm willing to hold back and try to keep everyone alive and safe."
"Hmph." Shun crossed his arms. "Good thing to, because I would certainly kick your ass if you pulled anything with Ruri."
"Trust me. As an older brother myself, I know." The two looked back at the TV screen in the living room that was playing the Duel News.
"Next we have Gongenzaka Dojo's Gongenzaka Noboru!" The sturdy, red bandanna wearing teen appeared on the TV. "Refining his Steadfast dueling style, he's one of the tournament's dark horses!" Gongenzaka's picture changed into a shot of Shun Kurosaki in the duel arena. "And another one of those dark horses is L.D.S' Shun Kurosaki!" All of the resistance fighters turned their attention to the TV at Shun's name. "His shocking first round victory over Yusho Duel School's Sora Shiunin is still very clear in all of our minds!"
"I don't think anyone could forget that duel even if they wanted to." Ruri muttered to herself, but everyone still heard it.
"And I'm sure a lot of people wish they could forget it." Zero added in.
"Shun also took his second match with a one-sided victory. I wonder what kind of duel he'll show us in the Third Round?"
"One that'll have explosions, that's for sure." Zero took his hands away from the table to prevent them from getting hit. Shun's hand instead hitting the table and missing the masked man's fingers. "Nice try, but that was predictable."
The new anchor woman leaned in towards the camera. "However, I think we all know of one man that's taking all of the world's attention. Our mysterious masked man Zero!" The TV switched to a fuzzy shot of the masked man. "Apologizes for the photo's quality, but this is all we can really get of the masked man himself. While he didn't get a chance to duel in the Second Round because of his opponent's absence, he certainly showed us his skill in the First Round. This man also seems to have a connection with Shun Kurosaki, but that's all we can really find out about him besides his alias being Zero! Everyone will be sure to keep an eye out for this king of dark horses throughout the tournament, because he's beginning to look like a crowd favorite and likely champion as the days pass by!"
The lady leaned back into her chair. "Tomorrow, we'll finally have our match to determine the Top 8." Multiple faces of the duelists still in the tournament began to flash by. "I hope all of our competitors will fight with no regrets tomorrow!" After that, everyone lost interest in the TV as the woman began to speak of the weather.
Zero crossed his arms behind his masked head. "So… Reiji is going to begin the Battle Royal field tomorrow for the Third Round, correct?"
Shun nodded, his demeanor serious once again. "That's right." Yellow eyes looked out the window. "He'll be turning the entire city into one giant Action Field, and that's where we'll make our stand against the incoming Academia forces… They'll be coming in soon won't they?"
"They will." Zero looked up at the ceiling. "Their main priority will be to recapture Serena first since she's apart of Revival Zero. Going from there they'll probably go after Yuzu Hiragi and Yuya Sakaki next since they already know their face." He sighed. "Once those are crossed off they'll come after me to get to you, Yuto, and most importantly, Ruri."
"That is if that bastard won't be going after her." Shun spat.
"Hmm?" Zero looked over at Shun's angered face. "Who are you-" Zero cut himself short as he remembered a certain powerful Fusion user sent to capture Ruri in the first place. "You're talking about Yuri, Yuto's Fusion counterpart."
"Yes I'm talking about him!" Shun snapped, but quickly apologized since he was surrounded by friends, not enemies or strangers. "Sorry. Just remembering the bastard's face makes me want to hit something, preferably his face until it turns black and blue."
"I understand." The masked man wanted to do the same thing with his father back in his world. "Though, he doesn't know where Ruri is at the moment because she's hiding. If he does find her he'll have to deal with Yuto first… Both scenarios would be VERY bad. However, to even get to them he'll have to come to me." One black gloved hand gestured to himself. "That in itself is a can of worms that can be put off to the side temporarily. His first target will either be Serena or Yuzu. Academia's Obelisk Force will be more focused on Serena, and they will just get in Yuri's way. So then that leaves him with Yuzu."
"You think he can get away with it?" Shun questioned lowly. "At kidnapping Yuzu in the middle of a tournament?"
"It's very possible, and rather likely." Zero begrudgingly conceded. "However, I doubt Reiji would just stand there and let it happen. He knows just about as much as we do in Revival Zero, and he knows about Yuzu's importance to the project and to Leo Akaba." A smirk crossed Zero's face, and Shun could feel it. "He'll keep Yuzu safe if only to spite his bastard of a father."
"Alright then, what's our plan for tomorrow?" Shun got up and began to make some coffee. "Yuto and Ruri are going to be staying inside the hotel, hidden. But what about us? Academia's going to be after your ass and riding your cape the entire way of this damned tournament. I don't exactly feel like running in without a much needed plan." Once the coffee was done the Raidraptor sat back down and gesture to Zero. "Can you hand me the sugar?"
"Please, what do you take me for. Suicidal?" Zero clicked his tongue. "I'm not stupid." The masked man leaned to the side and grabbed the glass shaker containing the white sugar and slid it over to Shun. "Here."
"You can surprise me sometimes." Shun remarked, earning a small punch on the arm. The Raidraptor pour a good quantity of the white powdery substance into his drink, and began to stir it with a spoon. "Thanks."
"Anyway." Zero resettled himself back on his seat after both hitting Shun and giving him the sugar. "We're going to meet up at a location, and after that we'll move around sporadically and take down any Academia soldiers we see. They're not too difficult to beat once you get to know their decks and weaknesses. They all have the same deck after all. The only real problem are those who have unique decks, like Yuri and Serena. Otherwise, Obelisk Force and most of Academia's soldiers won't be a problem."
Shun made an affirmative sound as he watched his coffee become lighter from the sugar. "Doesn't sound to bad. The Action Field is going to be based off of four different environments from what I've gathered from Reiji. The volcano field, ice field, jungle field, and ruins." Shun tapped his spoon before placing it down and taking a nice long drink.
Shun jolted in his seat, and tensed up tremendously all of a sudden.
"We'll meet at the ruins then, and move on to the jungle field from there." Zero nodded, and gave a rather devious and evil grin from under his mask that even Yuto could feel from within his dreams. "How's your drink by the way? I hope the salt that I may have switched into the sugar container gives a nice flavor to it."
Shun didn't bother to answer, instead he just stood up abruptly and rushed his way over to the sink. Pouring out his coffee and spitting out the big gulp he took while also cleaning his tongue and mouth with water.
Zero leaned back in his chair and sighed, listening to Shun's coughs and gags as if it was music. "Ha… Revenge really is the greatest treat."
. . .
"You said you wanted to go to Standard again, correct?" The Professor of Academia spoke down at a short teenage boy from within his chair in the throne room. The machine with a bunch of cards glowing a nice light green behind him, casting the older man into shadows.
"Yes, sir!" Sora Shiunin spoke enthusiastically, and never took his sight off of his superior. "There are Xyz remnants in Standard! Zero is there!"
"Hmph… I will grant that wish." Leo conceded, and the candy addict's emerald green eyes shone fiercely at the second chance.
"Thank you very much!"
"However, you will not be going alone this time." Violet eyes narrowed. A familiar group with blue uniforms and masks on their heads marched out from their hiding places behind the pillars of the throne room. They looked straight at the Professor and saluted as if in the military. "I will have you go with them."
"Obelisk Force?!" Sora spoke with soft disbelief before turning his head back to the Professor.
"Finding the Xyz remnants in only a secondary objective… mostly." Leo spoke up once again, and two holograms with two different people appeared on either side of the Professor. "Your primary objective are these two."
Sora blinked at the first person he saw. "Yuzu!"
"No, she is Serena." Akaba corrected coldly.
"Serena?" Sora questioned, confused. "But no matter how I look at her, she's Yuzu… Why?"
"You have no need to know that." Leo spoke threateningly, in a subtle warning that snapped Sora back into his military mode while he looked at the second person. "However, this second person will be a little bit more... troublesome. You're rather familiar with him, but the masked man is as slippery as a snake. I only need him for information… Some very vital information which he has stolen, and will delay our plans until we have captured him."
Emerald eyes glared into the holographic picture of Zero. "I understand, sir. I won't let you down."
"See to it that you don't." Leo said cold-heartedly. "Your objective is to capture Serena and Zero and bring them back to this world." Leo Akaba laid out the goals for Sora and his group of Obelisk Force. "You are authorized to engage the local duelists in combat in order to accomplish this."
Leo Akaba's violet eyes narrowed. "You must bring Serena back, and bring Zero to me at my feet!"
Oh boy. That ending doesn't sound too good. Zero and Shun better be prepared for the incoming invasion from Academia! Serena's last name is Akatsuki, which stand for moon during its lunar eclipse. Which I honestly found to be perfect.
Reijis finished his side of the field, and Yuya and Yuzu are in for one hell of a shock during the Third Round. This is going to be VERY chaotic, I'm being honest to God here when I say that. I suppose the only way to find out how chaotic it will be is to see in Chapter 20! -MoonlightWright
