We're finally here everyone! The good old chaotic Battle Royale! God I'm so excited and pumped about this! The arc revolving around Standard is going to heading to a close real soon. Let's get started!

Ch.20: Enter the Battle Royale

Fireworks exploded loudly into the slightly cloudy blue sky. The stadium was packed to the brim full of Miami City's citizens excited to watch the incoming duels. A flock of doves flew above and by the stadium as the tournament's contestants were lined up into a single file row. However, there was a certain dark blue haired, yellow eyed duelist missing from the row of duelists.

Zero crossed his arms. "I can't believe he ditched me to fend for myself with Yuya because of yesterday." The masked rebel knew that he would meet Shun in the ruins fields either way, but having to defend himself against Yuya's endless amount of queries was going to be a daunting task at the least.

"Shun didn't come, did he?" Zero's masked violet eyes looked over to Yuzu, Yuya, and Gongenzaka. All sets of eyes were on him, who managed to get the farthest spot away from the group as possible. He didn't want to be mobbed before this battle royale even began.

"No, he didn't." Red eyes tried to bore into Zero's faceless mask, but it was no use. "Where did he go though?" Those scarlet eyes flickered over to some of the other contestants.

The Yusho group wasn't the only one giving Zero their gaze. The Knights of Duels were looking around, searching for something. When they didn't find what they were looking for they zeroed their gaze on the masked man beside them with a glare. The last Ryozanpaku student was also openly glaring at him, most likely planning to go after the masked leader once this entire royale began… The Knights of Duels were looking for Shun most likely, and now since he wasn't here they were going to go after the only other person that supposedly knew him.

Zero.

Which was him.

Zero slouched slightly, irritation and ire radiating from him. "Joy." How is it that I make twice the amount of enemies than I do friends here?

Nico Smiley interrupted the masked man's somewhat brooding thoughts as he appeared in front of all of the contestants. His classic golden mic in hand as he began to do his job and did a quick spin. "Everyone, thank you for waiting!" He threw an arm out to the side. "Right now, a Battle Royale between these 16 Junior Youth competitors will take place!"

All of the contestants sans Zero straightened up in attention at this supposed news. While Zero just put a hand on his hip in complete relaxation, the other's eyes grew wide as they looked at all of the other contestants. Zero's masked violet eyes looked up at the L.D.S tower.

. . .

"A city-wide Battle Royale…" Himika breathed as she looked down into the stadium alongside her son Reiji. "You've really thought this out, Reiji." The woman put a hand on her hip.

"If we broadcast that invaders from another dimension are going to arrive at any moment, the city could dissolve into panic." That was an understatement, and everyone within the room knew it. "So instead, we release the top 16 of the Junior Youth class into the city, and have them take out the enemy in the Battle Royale." Reiji explained, before closing his violet eyes for a swift moment. "Besides, I wasn't the only one to come up with this kind of plan… Zero certainly is, unique, and has quite the talent in both tactical and strategic thinking."

"That man who wears a mask was able to help you in making this plan?" Himaka's voice was full of disbelief. "You're acting too humble now Reiji."

Reiji's frown twitched downwards slightly, but he pushed the comment aside and turned away from the window to face 8 teens. "The ones who will actually intercept the invaders will be these 8. These are the Top 8 of the Youth class. The plan is made even smoother by the fact that all of them are L.D.S." A pair of eyes narrowed at that egotistical remark. The person leaning against the wall with their arms crossed as usual.

"For the honor of L.D.S, and to protect our world, we're counting on you." Himika's clear blue eyes gazed down at the 8 teens without any emotion. Not caring for the fact that 8 children were about to face off in a war that would forever change and scar their lives.

The 8 teens straightened. "Yes ma'am!"

Reiji nodded, violet eyes looked over at the one teen leaning against the wall, whose eyes were momentarily closed. The rest of the room's gaze fell upon the teen as well. "I'm sure you already know, but Shun Kurosaki." Yellow eyes opened to look over at Reiji calmly, with a calculating gaze revealing nothing. "Your orders are to find the fighters with potential among the 15 in the stadium… 14." The CEO quickly fixed his statement since Zero was one of the current fighters down there as well. Seeing the Raidraptor's yellow eyes flicker made him realize that Shun knew that as well. "Find the fighters with potential among the 14 in the stadium who are suitable to join the Lancers to provide for any emergencies."

"So you don't want me to fight the enemy then?" Shun asked calmly, not revealing the anger at the mere idea of letting Academia pass by so easily. Both he and Zero were going to break that order anyway. "I can't promise that." The Raidraptor held a hand out, gesturing to the 8 teens in front of him casually. "If those eight get wiped out, I'll have no choice but to take part."

A teen with dark green eyes and lavender hair glared back at Shun. "You're just a Junior Youth and you're running your mouth-!"

Shun pushed himself off of the wall and began exiting the room, interrupting the teen before he could even finish his sentence. "Do your best to stay alive. I have to meet up with Zero in the ruins section of the Action Field." The doors closed before anyone else in the room could protest or even utter a word.

. . .

"Now then, let's explain the rules!" Nico looked around at the crowd, and held a hand up in the air. The screen used to broadcast the duel had a clock on it as well. "The match will begin promptly at noon! At that time, Action Cards will be spread out! And here is the important part!" Nico leaned in and held a finger up to the camera. Before throwing it out to the side again. "There are Pendulum Cards from the Leo Corporation hidden in the city!"

"What!?" Both Yuya and Zero spoke up in surprise. Reiji certainly didn't bother to tell him about THAT tidbit now, did he? Though, this was a nice interesting turn of events. He could finally get to try out Pendulum Summoning and see how well it worked out.

Nico turned around to face the duelists, mostly Yuya in particular. He held up two fingers. "Though this may not have been possible if Yuya Sakaki didn't give his permission, and help in creating these Pendulums cards alongside L.D.S." The crowd cheered for Yuya, causing the tomato haired teen to blush bashfully for a moment. Zero was just glad that the teen got the credit he deserved. "The competitors must find at least two of them and then duel!"

"Everyone has to get Pendulum cards?" Yuzu repeated numbly. All of the contestants were getting rather excited at the idea of Pendulum Summoning.

"The matches will be held under the Ante Rule with the Pendulum Cards included!" Nico continued to explain the rules. "The winner then takes the amount of Pendulum cards bet by the loser and acquires them as their own! The time limit is 24 hours! Also, the city will be split into four areas based on the fields in the Field Spell Wonder Quartet! The competitors are free to battle in any of these four areas!"

The screen suddenly began to beep, drawing everyone's attention. The clock was going to hit 12 in around five minutes, and everyone was starting to get pumped. "The starting time is almost among us!" Nico gestured to every contestant. "All entrants please prepare your duel disks!"

While Yuya, Yuzu, and Gongenzaka's duel blades appeared in the standard mode. Zero's mark of geass appeared with flourish, as if the blade itself was alive and flapping its wings like a bird for a moment. The contestants stared down at the masked man's duel disk for a swift moment, before quickly returning their attention back to Nico.

"Battle Royale Mode" The duelist's duel disks spoke up. The crowd was going bonkers, it sounded like they were tearing their own throats out by how loud they were cheering.

Nico gestured to one end of the stadium. "Open the gate!" Shockingly, the entire end of the field, which held a good portion of the crowd, began to rise to allow the duelists passage into Miami City. Everyone narrowed their eyes on the passageway. Meanwhile, one pair of green eyes that belonged to a certain Fusion user were looking into the passageway from the outside of the stadium. "Now then, let's get this started! Duelists locked in battle!"

The entire crowd began to chant as one in pure excitement alongside Nico. "Kicking against the Earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters! They storm through this field! Behold! This is the newest and greatest evolution of dueling!" Zero tensed his muscles, ready to sprint right out of the gate. He wasn't alone, because Yuya, Yuzu, and Gongenzaka were also ready. While a certain Shun Kurosaki was looking up as he listened to the announcements from outside of the L.D.S tower. "ACTION!" Nico snapped his fingers, and the endless amount of Action Cards and Pendulum cards spread across the entire city while it morphed and changed into an entirely different field.

"DUEL!"

'BRIIIING!'

'12:00:00'

Everyone began sprinting forward and out of the stadium. The crowd's cheers slowly fading as the competitors gained distance into the city. For once in his entire life, Zero was actually managing to take the lead and even gain some distance. Weaving around through the narrow alleyways and rooftops also helped separate him from his multiple enemies and shaky allies. The Knights of Duels were trying to keep up along with Yuya and Yuzu for a brief moment, but the knights' armor easily gave them away and slowed them down. While the Ryozanpaku student stayed with him momentarily, he apparently decided to go after someone else, and soon split off in another direction.

"Action Field on! Wonder Quartet, activate!" Nico spoke as the field began to generate around them. "Volcanoes, icebergs, jungles, and ancient ruins oh my! With all four areas set up, the preparations are complete! Just who will come out on top? Who will hold victory in their hands!?"

Once the field was finished forming completely, Zero figured that he was in between the volcano and ancient ruins zones of the Action Fields. It wasn't long till the masked revolutionary was stumbling upon Pendulum cards. A chill went down the masked man's back secretly as he looked at and read the cards and their effects carefully. The people that he knew from his world… They were there. Silently, Zero put the Pendulum cards into his deck each time he stumbled upon some.

Zero was just about to make his way into the heart of the ancient ruins when Nico's voice suddenly spoke up. "Oh! Will the first duel be starting in the volcano area? Ryozanpaku's Ken Usmegi versus Yusho Duel School's Yuya Sakaki! This is the thrill of a Battle Royale!"

Zero grit his teeth behind his mask. "God dammit." Now he had a decision to make. He was in between the volcano zone and the ancient ruins. Zero could either make it to his rondevu with Shun, or help Yuya in defeating the Ryozanpaku student. Though it was only one Ryozanpaku duelist, it only took Isao Kachidoki to make Yuya go berserk with rage and summon Odd-Eyes Hellfire Dragon. Not only that, but it made Yuto rather sick and affected him as well.

"Both players have bet a Pendulum card and have begun their duel!" Nico added in after a few moments of silence. "Entertainment and Martial Arts! Which style will win!?"

"You're not the only one who can use Pendulum Summoning now!" Zero's head snapped up in the direction of that voice. Without even realizing it, the masked rebel had begun to trek back into the Volcano zone to help his tomato haired friend.

"What am I doing." Zero hissed to himself. "It's just one Ryozanpaku student, Yuya can take care of himself anyways!" Though he still trekked forward and crouched behind some of the Action Field's rocky formations to watch the duel. He would only intervene when it was dire, or Yuya was about to lose it. The masked man watched as Yuya was almost pushed into the lava, which most certainly would have been fatal, and Usmegi get the Action Card Yuya was going for. His one monster in Defense Mode getting destroyed in the process.

"I activate the Action Spell Flame Ball!" The Ryozanpaku student held up the Spell card, and played it. Four fireballs were thrown into Yuya's direction, but thankfully missed the Entertainment duelist.

YUYA LP- 4000 = 3800

Yuya shook slightly, the teen biting his lip harshly and almost spilling blood because of it. "It's not over yet. I activate the Spell card Polymerization from my hand!" Usmegi added in.

"Great." Zero spat.

"What's this!? A Main Phase 2 Fusion Summon to follow up a Pendulum Summon?!" Nico spoke. Yuya looked side to side frantically, and began to run away from the field, most certainly searching for an Action Card.

Usmegi laughed, and chased after the scarlet eyed boy with twisted glee. "You won't get away!"

"Think again!" Yuya looked back at the Ryozanpaku student's advancing form, and pushed his legs to go faster. If he had just kept looking for a second longer, he would have seen Zero come out of his hiding place behind the rocky formation. One of the people he was looking for to answer his questions.

Zero was about to make his way forward after Yuya, when he saw a head of bright, curly red orange hair flash by his view on the right. Turning his attention to it he saw another one of the contestants going after the Ryozanpaku student and Yuya.

The contestant wore an orange jacket that only had one long sleeve, and a long sleeved blue collared shirt with a purple bow tie around his neck. He also wore a black glove on his left hand, but not on his right. To finish the look with his green eyes, the duelist also wore long grey pants and red shoes. It was a rather odd assemble of clothing, but one Zero didn't necessarily mind or find bothersome.

Zero knew who this person was, he made sure to memorize everyone that was left in the tournament. This duelists' name was Dennis McField. The teen ran a Xyz deck called Performage, and was a Dueltainer just like Yuya. He was an exchange student from L.D.S in Broadway.

Zero heaved a sigh, before backing off and walking back towards the ancient ruins zone. "Well then. Yuya should be fine now that he has back up… Now to meet up with Shun."

"Now then, a new development in the iceberg area!" Nico piped up once again, but thankfully this news wasn't as dire as the last one. "Yusho Duel School's Yuzu Hiragi and L.D.S' exchange student, Halil's, duel is starting! Ah! It looks like another duel is starting in the iceberg area!"

"So many duels are already starting right off the bat, and this entire thing just started." Zero huffed a laugh as he finally crossed the barren area between the volcano zone and the ancient ruins.

"What's this! We've got another successful Pendulum Fusion over here too!" Nico screamed suddenly into his mic.

Zero slumped slightly, but quickly straightened out and stretched his arms. "Jeez. All of this Pendulum Summoning is getting me pumped to try it to." Zero looked side to side from within the ancient ruins. "But the one time I want people to find me, no one is there."

"It looks like the two duels in the iceberg area have overlapped! Here it is! A tag duel with Yuzu and Gongenzaka versus Halil and Olga has been confirmed!"

Well then, they're not too hard of a challenge. Perhaps this will be a nice learning experience for those two. Zero hummed.

"There you are."

Zero's faceless mask snapped back to look into familiar molten yellow eyes.

"Shun." Zero greeted calmly, while on the inside he was sighing with relief. The Raidraptor actually managed to get by Zero's detection for a brief moment. Perhaps it was because the two were getting to know each other, and become friends?

Yeah right. Zero would be gone and back to his home world as soon as this was over. It was pointless to truly make friends here.

"I've been waiting for you for a while now." Shun frowned, and made his way over to Zero and passing by him. The masked man wasn't even a step behind him, and the two were walking side by side down the ancient ruins zone. "What was holding you up?"

"I was in between the ancient ruins and volcano zones when I heard about Yuya's duel with the Ryozanpaku student." Zero answered simply, violet eyes scanning the field around him. Was that a flicker of green he saw out of the corner of his eye?

Shun's yellow eyes widened in realization. "Ahh. I see." The rebel looked around the field as well. "You didn't want a repeat of Yuya's second duel happening, so you decided to follow him, correct?"

Zero hummed in confirmation. "Someone else by the name of Dennis McField is watching his duel now. He's a Dueltainer like Yuya himself, so if Yuya needs any help Dennis will be sure to give it."

"I understand." Shun stopped for a second, before he began to walk to the left towards a rather open area of the ancient ruins. "Finally, I've been looking for another one of these damn Pendulum cards since this entire thing started. This place has been rather bare of Pendulum cards."

Zero's frown deepened. He could swear he saw a flash of blue behind one of those pillars. The masked man carefully threw his duel disk out and activated it. "If you wanted a Pendulum card you should have just asked me. I found a bunch of them from between the volcano and ancient ruins." Shun stood up straight, and was also on alert. The Raidraptor also realizing that they weren't alone anymore, and the two resistance fighters quickly stood back to back with their duel disks out and activated. "Besides, we're not alone."

"We've finally found you two. Shun Kurosaki. Zero." The sound of armor clinking against the old stone floors echoed loudly across the mostly silent field. This knight had a dark blue cape on and dark brownish maroon colored hair covering his left eye. Yellow and violet eyes looked between the three Knights of Duels that had surrounded them quietly.

"We shall avenge Charles' disgrace!" The one knight wearing a green cape on his shoulders spoke eagerly. This knight was short dark green hair that was in the shape of a bowl cut.

"Become rust upon our swords!" The leading knight wore an orange cape, and had blue hair that was wrapped around his hair in an intricate pattern that looked like leaves on a crown. Both Zero and Shun turned their heads to address the leader of this pack.

"I see, Knight of Duels." Shun mummered lowly. The three knights quickly closing in a triangle formation towards the two rebels. Their strides calm, confident, and stiff.

"So you want revenge for one of your members defeat at Shun's hands?" Zero drawled on as if in boredom. In reality, he was rather excited at the idea of trying Pendulum cards for once. "I would say that's admirable, but from what I've heard your friend is still alive and perfectly fine. You have no life to avenge or true reason to target us. You're just after us because you're pride has taken a hit by his defeat."

All three knights grit their teeth and glared at the masked man. "We'll see if you still think that way after we've beaten you two in a duel!" All three knights showed their duel disks, activated and ready for battle. "Everyone has two Pendulum cards, so we'll each bet one card for this match!" Shun and Zero nodded, not bothering to answer verbally. With the two rebel fighters still stuck in the center, the duel began.

"DUEL!"

ZERO LP- 4000

SHUN LP- 4000

BRAM LP- 4000

ASHLEY LP- 4000

CARL LP- 4000

"I'll go first." Shun spoke before anyone else could, and began to make his move. "I summon one Raidraptor Vanishing Lanius from my hand." The metallic green and silver bird with yellow joints appeared on the field once more with a loud caw.

RAIDRAPTOR VANISHING LANIUS LV.4 ATK:1300 DEF:1600

"Raidraptor Vanishing Lanius' effect." The metal bird spread its wings as another one began to appear on the field. "When this card is Normal or Special Summoned this turn I can summon another Vanishing Lanius onto the field from my hand."

RAIDRAPTOR VANISHING LANIUS LV.4 ATK:1300 DEF:1600

"I place two cards down and end my turn." Shun finished, his yellow eyed gaze narrowed towards his enemies. "Now make your move, and let's see if you're truly worthy to be called Lancers."

Bram grit his teeth, before making his turn. "I draw! I play the Spell card Polymerization, and fuse together my Beginning Knight along with my Familiar Knight to create a stronger shining armor of justice!" Zero snorted at the words justice, but did nothing else. "Knight beginning his journey, become one with another knight that already has experience!" Bram widened his eyes as the Fusion Summon took place behind him. "I Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Slash the Assault Knight!" This knight was completely covered in light bluish grey armor, and held a huge lavender spear and had a cyan blue shield covering it's left arm. Orange glass allowed the knight to see through it's helmet and battle.

SLASH THE ASSAULT KNIGHT LV.7 ATK:2400 DEF:2000

"I set one card and end my turn." Bram looked over to one of his other friends. "You're up Carl."

"Alright! I draw!" The green caped knight drew his card and made his move. "I play the Spell card Card Finder. I sacrifice one card from my hand to the Graveyard, and I can take any card from my Deck and add it to my hand. I choose to discard Pot of Greed to add Polymerization to my hand!"

"Well, this should be rather dull." Zero droned. It was almost like he was facing against Obelisk Force again, they all had the same deck and did the same thing.

"I play the Spell card Polymerization!" Carl showed everyone his acquired card. "I choose to fuse together my Valkyrian Knight with my Armageddon Knight! Knight that brings about the end of the world! Fuse together with the knight that decides another's fate! I Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 7! Slash the Assault Knight!"

SLASH THE ASSAULT KNIGHT LV.7 ATK:2400 DEF:2000

"I end my turn." Carl finished, before looking over to Ashley. The last knight that was fighting against Shun and Zero.

"This is going to take a while." Zero grumbled.

. . .

GONGENZAKA LP- 200 = 0 LOSER

"Gongenzaka!" Yuzu turned and began to run towards her fallen friend. The giant sturdy teen having fallen over on his back on the icy floor and remained unmoving. At the moment, the two were battling against some of L.D.S' exchange students together after a little bit of icy trouble. The exchange students were Olga, a Synchro user, and Halil, a Fusion user. Olga wore a light blue and white fur coat along with a grey fur hat that had a tail with a white tip in the back. Underneath the fur coat was a blue uniform with white pants and boots, the girl herself had brown and silver hair tied together in two nice long curls on either side of her face.

Grey eyes narrowed as she pointed towards Yuzu. "I activate Iceberg Narwal's effect!" Yuzu stopped, and turned around to face her opponent. "Once per turn, when an effect deals damage, I can deal the same amount of damage to my opponent!" Olga's Synchro monster aimed it's right arm, that had the head of a narwal attached to it, at Yuzu. The ice narwhal's mouth opened, and multiple shots of ice flew forward and at Yuzu. Yuzu blocked her face with one arm, her clothes and hair flying back wildly form the freezing winds and ice passing by her.

YUZU LP- 800 = 200

"Y-Yuzu!" Gongenzaka slowly and shakily sat up from where he was lying when he heard Yuzu cry out.

Once the icy assault stopped, Yuzu turned her head and looked at her fallen friend. "Gongenzaka!"

"I've passed the baton to you!" Gongenzaka spoke swiftly, his form shaking in his struggle to stay sitting up. "Use my Pendulum card…" Grey eyes met periwinkle. "The rest is up to you!"

"Gongenzaka…" Yuzu breathed. "I got it!" The pink haired teen smiled confidently as her periwinkle eyes narrowed in determination.

"What a beautiful friendship! I will learn from this!" Yuzu's second opponent, Halil, spoke up happily. The boy had light cocoa colored skin, and poofy black hair where a small red hat decorated with yellow trimming sat on top of it. The boy had red and yellow robes on and baggy white pants along with black shoes on. "But Yuzu only has 200 Life Points left. It will be over when my turn comes!"

"Not yet!" Yuzu spoke confidently, and turned to face her two opponents once again. Her hand rested on top of her duel disk and deck. "I'll have you witness my show! My turn, I draw!" Yuzu's eyes flickered towards the card she drew, before the Melodious duelist raised both of her arms high up into the arm and stood on her toes. "With my already set White Butterfly and the Scale 9 White Flower, I set the Pendulum Scale!" The two monster's once again rose up in the blue pillars of light. The familiar Pendulum Scale numbers and portal appearing beneath and between them. "With this, I am able to simultaneously summon monsters from Levels 4 to 8!" Yuzu tipped her head down slightly as she threw one hand up into the air. "I Pendulum Summon! Now, you're on stage!" Two monsters appeared form the portal singing a beautiful melody. "Soprano the Melodious Songstress, and Mozarta the Melodious Maestra!"

SOPRANO THE MELODIOUS SONGSTRESS LV.4 ATK:1400 DEF:1400

MOZARTA THE MELODIOUS MAESTRA LV.8 ATK:2600 DEF:200

Yuzu raised one hand up towards Soprano. "If I use Soprano as Material for a Fusion Summon, I can perform the summon without a Polymerization Spell card! I fuse Soprano and Prodigy Mozart!" Yuzu crossed her arms across her chest and took a small bow before throwing them to her sides. The monsters rose up behind her, and began to fuse together in a bright light. "Heavenly chirp and supreme genius! Guided by the baton, gather your power!" Yuzu threw her hands together in a fist in front of herself. "I Fusion Summon!" A flower began to bloom as Yuzu's ace monster appeared. "Now, come to the stage! Sing your song of victory! Bloom Diva the Melodious Choir!" The small, almost angelic looking monster gave a nice small song as it appeared.

BLOOM DIVA THE MELODIOUS CHOIR LV.6 ATK:1000 DEF:2000

"Battle!" Yuzu pointed towards her opponent's field. "I attack Iceberg Narwhal with Bloom Diva!" Ice Narwhal threw his right arm forward, but was stopped by the force used from Bloom Diva's voice as she sang. "Bloom Diva is not destroyed when battling Special Summoned monsters, and negates all damage the player would take! The opponent is dealt damage equal to the amount negated, and the monster that battled is destroyed!" Bloom Diva's scattering flower petals began to glow yellow.

"But I'll still have some Life Points after that!" Olga pointed out.

"Then I play the Quick Play Spell Pianissimo!" Yuzu showed her opponents the card.

"Huh?!"

"I can reduce the Attack of one monster to 100 until the end of this turn!"

"Wh-What!?" Olga stuttered.

BLOOM DIVA THE MELODIOUS CHOIR ATK:1000 = 100

Yuzu pointed up at the sky. "Now, the stage is ready! Bloom Diva, sing with all of your might!" A green wind formed from the Fusion monster's mouth, and destroyed Olga's Synchro monster. "Reflect Shout!" Olga screamed as she was blown away by the fierce winds from Bloom Diva's attack.

OLGA LP- 2600 = 0 LOSER

Halil looked back as Olga was blown away, before quickly turning to face Yuzu once again with an arm raised. "What a beautiful duel!" He gave a small bow with that one arm. "I will learn from this!"

"Now, you're next." Yuzu leaned forward slightly.

Halil tipped his head with confusion. "But Yuzu, you don't have anymore monsters that can attack. This is the end!"

Periwinkle eyes narrowed slightly. "No, I still can!" The Melodious duelist showed Halil another card from her hand. "I play the Quick Play Spell De-Fusion! I return a Fusion monster to my Extra Deck and Special Summon the Fusion Materials used for it!" Bloom Diva backed behind Yuzu, and began to split itself apart until Mozart and Soprano returned to the field once again. "I Special Summon Soprano the Melodious Songstress and Mozarta the Melodious Maestra from my Graveyard!"

SOPRANO THE MELODIOUS SONGSTRESS LV.4 ATK:1400 DEF:1400

MOZARTA THE MELODIOUS MAESTRA LV.8 ATK:2600 DEF:200

"Battle!" Yuzu threw her hand towards Halil. "I attack you directly with Soprano!" The blind singer began to sing loudly, the soundwaves bearing down on the exchange student.

"Oh my God!" Halil cried out and covered his face with his hands from the attack.

HALIL LP- 3900 = 2500

"And finally, I attack you directly with Mozarta!" The Level 8 monster spread her piano like wings, and threw a huge gust of wind at Halil.

The L.D.S student was blown away by the attack as well. "Thank you for the battle! I will learn from this!"

HALIL LP- 2500 = 0 LOSER

YUZU LP- 200 WINNER

Yuzu took a step back, a big smile on her face. "I did it!"

. . .

PERFORMAPAL WHIP VIPER LV.4 ATK:1700 DEF:900

ODD-EYES PENDULUM DRAGON LV.7 ATK:2500 DEF:2000

Darkened, sickly colored red and green eyes flashed by. Shadows and flames licking at the dragon's frame as droll dripped and evaporated from it's menacing maw.

A shaky breath escaped Yuya as his legs buckled slightly. The Entertainment duelist grabbing ahold of his chest with one hand that shook violently. It was getting harder to see, everything was getting slower and turning darker, blacker. Scarlet eyes had widened, shrunk, and shook severely as they began to glow a deadly blood red.

Yuya leaned over himself, trying to catch his breath. But every breath of air he took felt like it was on fire. God, his chest BURNED so badly he wanted to claw the pain out. Red and green hair began to rise slightly as Yuya shook like a leaf.

He couldn't see. Why couldn't he see?

Everything was blurry, black. This darkness frightened him.

He was going to lose it again, this Ryozanpaku student was going to make him go berserk again.

"...uya…"

He could hear his own heartbeat loudly drumming in his ears.

"Yuy…"

Yuya gasped shakily, he didn't want to hurt anyone. He swore that he would NEVER have another duel like the one with Isao Kachidoki ever again!

"Yuya."

Then why was is so HARD to resist hurting that Ryozanpaku student.

"Yuya!"

Slightly glowing blood red eyes widened. Someone was calling his name, the teen slowly turned his widened eyes to meet the person trying to speak with him. They sounded so far away, so echoed.

"Yuya!" Slowly but surely, the person matching the voice appeared in his vision, but he was really blurred out. A male teen with curly orange red hair that went to his chin and a weird orange and blue suit to go with it. His name was Dennis McField, wasn't it? "It's fine." That voice spoke calmly, confidently, without any fear or worry.

Slowly returning scarlet red eyes focused on Dennis and only him. The teen had one finger raised. "Just relax!" The Xyz Performage user spoke calmly towards Yuya. "Yuya."

Scarlet eyes wavered, and narrowed slightly as they returned to their normal size. "D-Dennis…" The Pendulum user straightened up slightly from his hunched form, his hands once again returning to his sides. That pain in his chest was ebbing away now.

"You're afraid it'll turn out like last time. When you fought Isao Kachidoki, right?" Dennis spoke the unanswered question. Clear blue eyes lightened up as the Xyz user leaned back and waved a hand to the side calmly. "But it'll be fine! Trapeze Magician and I are here with you!" Yuya looked over the the Xyz monster that wore a mask and held a trapeze baton in one hand. Scarlet eyes widened as he remembered a couple words from Yuto before both he and Zero had vanished.

'"But it was never meant to be used as a tool for fighting! Our duels were there to make everyone smile and have fun!" Grey eyes softened to a light cloudy color. The Xyz user looked as if he were reliving fond memories.

"Heartland was overflowing with people's smiles." Yuto gave an actual small smile.'

Yuya returned his attention back to Dennis with a happy smile. "Thank you, Dennis!"

Dennis shrugged, you could almost see the Pinnochio nose trying to show itself. "You're welcome!"

Yuya turned back to face his opponent that had almost beat him to half consciousness before. "All right, let's go!" Yuya showed Umesugi a familiar Spell card. "I play the Spell card Monster Mirage! This allows me to change the level and attributes of one of my monsters to match another on the field." Yuya lifted one hand to point at his Odd-Eyes. "I choose to change Whip Viper's Level from 4 to 7, along with changing his attribute into a Dragon type.

PERFORMAPAL WHIP VIPER LV.4 = 7

"With the now Level 7 Performapal Whip Viper and Level 7 Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, I construct the Overlay Network!" The two animals turned into lights that went into the golden vortex in the ground in front of Yuya.

A familiar blast of heat radiated from the Xyz vortex as the demonic dragon began to crawl out and make its reappearance. "Awaken from the depths of your apocalyptic Underworld which you reside in." Yuya's smile turned into a slight smirk, but it wasn't anything like the demonic looks he gave during Isao's duel. "Burn your opponents with your fire!"

Dark iron tipped claws made deep grooves in the rock like last time. Those familiar four wings spread out widely and taking up most of the field on Yuya's side. The wings glowed a much brighter shade of red, almost like Dennis' hair instead of those eerie ones during his second match. The darkened blue orbed chest glowed just a bit lower than Odd-Eyes' blue orb would.

The green and red orbs glowing just as brightly and more healthily than its first terrifying appearance. That vicious stinger flicked behind the dragon and batted the floor for a moment, before finally going somewhat docile.

"I Xyz Summon!" Yuya yelled. His new dragon giving a ferocious roar as it took flight above it's master. "Come forth! Rank 7! Odd-Eyes Hellfire Dragon!" Hellfire's dichromatic eyes glowed brightly. They weren't as sunk back into it's blackened armor like the first time with Isao's duel.

ODD-EYES HELLFIRE DRAGON RNK.7 ORB.2 ATK:3000 DEF:2800

Yuya looked up at his monstrous dragon calmly. His back being turned from Umesugi. The Ryozanpaku student smirked darkly. "So you've finally stepped into darkness! The fact that you summoned that dragon from pitch black darkness is proof!"

"That's wrong." Yuya turned around to face his opponent. His eyes their usual bright and jolly scarlet and a smile on his face. "The fun has just begun!" Yuya pointed down towards Umesugi.

Dennis threw both of his arms up to the side and in the air. "It's showtime!" Trapeze Magician laughed somewhat mischievously as the Xyz monster swopped down and grabbed ahold of his master's hands. "Everyone enjoy! Let's have fun together!" Both the duelist and Xyz monster flew up into the air and spun around above both Yuya and Umesugi. Yuya stared up in awe, the image of Dennis and Trapeze Magician being replaced with his father and ace monster. "And I'll start us off!" Dennis let go of Trapeze Magician, and began to spiral down towards the lava river. Thankfully, his loyal monster caught him in one hand before any true harm could befall Dennis. "I activate Trapeze Magician's effect! By using one Orbital I can target a monster and let it attack twice this turn!" Clear blue eyes looked down at Yuya and his dragon. "I target Odd-Eyes Hellfire Dragon!"

PERFORMAGE TRAPEZE MAGICIAN ORB.2 = 1

Hellfire's dual eyes glowed brightly, and the dragon tipped it's head back and gave a deep roar towards the sky. It was almost like it was saying thank you for the extra attack given to it by Trapeze Magician and Dennis. That, or maybe it was just excited to destroy more things.

Most likely the latter.

"Next is my turn." Hellfire lowered itself, and allowed Yuya to jump up and climb onto it's back. The Entertainment duelist now riding the demonic dragon. Yuya threw a hand forward. "I activate Odd-Eyes Hellfire Dragon's effect!" Hellfire roared, and stretched its wings and flew higher into the air. "By using one orbital it can destroy one monster on my opponent's side of the field, and gain it's Attack Points! Acidic Punishment!"

ODD-EYES HELLFIRE DRAGON ORB.2 = 1

The demonic dragon threw it's tail forward from above it's head and Yuya. That distinctly blood red, acidic smelling like substance flew from its tail before landing all over Umesugi's Fusion monster. The acid reacted and began to melt the monster. The Fusion monster struggled, terrified as it watched itself slowly melting, and was inevitably destroyed. A fierce orange glow wrapped around Odd-Eyes Hellfire Dragon's frame, and the monster once again gave a deep roar as it grew even more powerful. Excitement seeming to run through the dragon's veins.

ODD-EYES HELLFIRE DRAGON ATK:3000 = 6000

In the back of his mind, Yuya began to wonder just why Dennis gave Hellfire another attack since this one attack would finish Umesugi's monster. Though the Entertainment duelist just shrugged it off as an effort to excite the surely watching crowd some more. It was rather difficult to control Hellfire and prevent him from wanting to destroy multiple things around him, or jump into the lava river.

Apparently the dragon played in the lava as if it was a bubble bath, and not something extremely hot and dangerous.

Umesugi grit his teeth and took a knee. Trapeze Magician just barely passed above Yuya and his dragon, sparkles falling behind them as they went. "Yeah!"

"Nice, Dennis!" Yuya cheered up at his partner. "Battle!" Yuya threw a hand forward towards Umesugi. "I attack you directly with Odd-Eyes Hellfire Dragon! Savage Brutality!" Hellfire flapped its wings to gain more distance, before charging straight at Umesugi, who was currently running away to find an Action Card. However, the Ryozanpaku student could never out run a dragon, and was inevitably pushed aside by a whip of it's barbed tail. Umesugi cried out as he was thrown away by the force, and temporarily rendered unconscious from the One Shot K.O.

USUMEGI LP- 4000 = 0 LOSER

DENNIS LP- 2000 WINNER

YUYA LP- 200 WINNER

Hellfire swooped down towards the ground, and calmly landed with his wings still spread widely. Yuya looked around with a big grin on his face as he gave a sheepish laugh, sparkles raining down on the two from Dennis' Trapeze Magician.

"Yuya!" Dennis jumped away from his Xyz monster to stand besides Odd-Eyes Hellfire Dragon and his master Yuya. "You did it, Yuya!" The Xyz user raised his hands up into the air in his excitement. "You really can do it!"

"Yeah!" Yuya gave Dennis a fist pump and a wink, that big grin still on his face. "I pulled off my greatest Entertainment duel!"

Dennies turned around, light blue eyes looking up at his Trapeze Magician. The clown spinning around on his trapeze baton and laughing giddily at the victory. "It's a shame there isn't an audience here with us though…" If only he could hear the crowd going nuts from within the stadium.

. . .

"Gongenzaka, here." Yuzu held out two Pendulum cards towards the Steadfast duelist.

Gongenzaka blinked down at the cards from where he sat. "You're the one who won." He spoke calmly, now recharged and ready for another battle. The sturdy teen turned away from the cards with closed eyes, making Yuzu's periwinkle ones blink. "I can't accept this." Gongenzaka stood to his full towering height.

"But it was a Tag Battle…" Yuzu trailed off.

The black haired teen looked down at Yuzu. "Then I'll just take the one that I bet." He took said card with closed eyes. "There's still much left to do." Gongenzaka smiled down at Yuzu. "Let's both do our best."

"Yeah!" Yuzu grinned. "Let's!"

. . .

Michio walked around the silent jungle, looking around. "Huh?" His eyes fell upon a Pendulum card on the ground right beside the river. The cooking duelist knelt down and picked the card up. "A card in a place like this-? Ahh!" It was as if the card had a mind of its own, and began to try and pull itself away from the famous cooking teen. Thankfully, the orange haired duelist had a good grip on the card. "What is this!?" The teen just now noticed a line attached to the card as it gleamed off of the light.

"Ho ho! I caught one!" Michio looked up to meet the one responsible for this. The line attached to the card came from a fishing line that the stranger used. A big grin on his face as those brown eyes gleamed under the whale hat he wore. The duelist was admittedly chubby, and had a big vest on that had multiple pockets on top of a long sleeved pink jacket.

"You are…?" Michio trailed off, waiting for this person's response.

The other contestant jumped off of the tree branch that he was hiding in and walked over towards the cooking duelist. "My name is Teppei Tairyobata."

"This is some awful hospitality." Micho muttered softly, gesturing to the fishing line attached to the Pendulum card.

Teppei shrugged one hand, the other holding on to the fishing rod. "It's not mean at all, you're the one who fell for it!" Suddenly, the shorter, chubbier man leaned in. "Hmm? Aren't you… that famous cooking duelist?"

Michio smiled at the question. "Nice to meet you, I'm Michio Mokota." The fisherman swore he saw a glint come off from the grin Michio gave. Brown eyes blinked, before a rather sinister grin appeared on his face. Those brown eyes slightly shadowed from his hat as he spoke somewhat evilly. "Hey, I've got something I need your help with…"

. . .

"Thank you, Dennis!" Yuya did a small bow, both of the duelists monsters where now gone. However it was rather amusing to watch Hellfire jump into the lava before he vanished and roll around in it. The audience watching could say the same thing, and even found it somewhat cute. If it wasn't for the fact that Hellfire was a literal demonic dragon.

Dennis winked. "I've always wanted to pair up with you once." The Xyz user's smile widened. "With Yusho Sakaki's Junior!"

Yuya blinked. "Huh? You know my father!?"

"Of course!" Dennis exclaimed enthusiastically, and held one hand against where his heart lay. "He's a duelist I admire!"

Yuya smiled brightly at the news. "Having a Tag Duel with you felt like I was dueling alongside my father!"

Dennis' grin turned somewhat cheesy. "Me too, it was fun! Let's both make sure to make it through this!" He held a hand out towards the Entertainment duelist, and Yuya gladly accepted.

The two shook hands firmly, determined to make it to the Top 8. "Yeah! It's a promise!" Once the two separated, Yuya began to run ahead of Dennis and wave. "Well, I guess I better start making true on that promise of ours! I'll see you in the Top 8 Dennis! If you meet Yuzu, tell her that I'll be in the ancient ruins zone!"

Dennis waved back towards Yuya. "Alright! I'll be sure to tell her Yuya! See you later!"

. . .

SLASH THE ASSAULT KNIGHT LV.7 ATK:2400 DEF:2000

"I end my turn." Ashley spoke.

"Finally." Zero put a hand on his deck. "My turn! I draw!" Violet eyes looked over at the card he drew, and a sick grin twisted upon his lips. "Alright then, I guess it's finally time to see how good Pendulum Summoning really is!"

The masked man held two cards from between his black gloved fingers. "With Scale 3 Knightmare Pilot Suzaku Kururugi and Scale 9 Knightmare Pilot Kallen Kozuki, I set the Pendulum Scale!" The two humanoid monsters dressed in their best knightmare piloting outfits rose up into two pillars of light. Their numbers appeared below them while the portal appeared between them. "With this, I am able to simultaneously summon monsters between Levels 4 to 8! Swing Pendulum! Grant me the blessings of a powerful Summoning Method!" Zero raised both gloved hands towards the portal, his cape rising out at the action. "Appear to the battlefield, my monsters!" Three monsters flew out of the portal, all three of them being mechanical knightmares.

BLACK KNIGHT COMMANDER BURAI LV.4 ATK:1100 DEF:1000

BLACK KNIGHT GLASGOW LV.4 ATK:1200 DEF:900

BLACK KNIGHT GLASGOW LV.4 ATK:1200 DEF:900

While Shun hopped onto one of his mechanical birds, Zero jumped up to kneel down into the Black Knight Burai's awaiting hands. Together, both duelists and their machines sped past the Knights of Duels and deeper into the Ancient Ruins

"Get back here!" Bram yelled, and looked to his fellow knights. "Follow them!" The knights ran after the two resistance fighters, armor clanking loudly and wildly against the stone floors of the Action Field. The knights all skidded to a stop when Zero's two Black Knight Glasgows shot against the stone floor, and caused it to collapse. A new ravine of sorts forming between the rebels and the knights. This prevented the Knights of Duels from giving chase and trapping Shun and Zero into another corner.

Zero's three monster's lined up behind the masked man once he and stepped down from his machine. Shun jumping down from his mechanical bird once it had landed beside them.

"Three level 4 monsters, so that means you're going to Xyz Summon!" Ashley looked between the Pendulum monsters and Zero's recently summoned machines.

Zero looked at them as well. "Pendulum Summoning truly is a dangerous weapon, and it's not that hard to use either." It made the masked leader ponder how long it would take for Academia to find and use it to their own advantage. "I overlay all three of my machines to create an even stronger and deadlier monstrosity!" The three knightmares turned into lights and went into the vortex above and behind Zero. Slowly, a knightmare descended from the smoky vortex and towered behind it's master. Those familiar red eyes gleaming down at all three of its opponents. Zero threw both of his hands out to each side, cape flaring out widely at the action. "Rise from the depths of your slumber with your cold metal and sleek gold! Xyz summon, come forth! Knightmare Gawain!"

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

Even the knights in shining armor couldn't help but quake slightly at how enormous this monster was. The Gawain even towered most, if not all of Zero's other monsters!

"That thing is a beast!" Carl spoke while staring up into the knightmare's eyes.

"You're lucky that I can't attack this turn." Zero piped up. "I end my turn." The revolutionaries' faceless mask looked over at Shun. "I believe it's time for you to finish this, Shun."

Shun didn't bother to acknowledge Zero. "My turn, I draw!" He showed everyone the monster he drew. "I summon Raidraptor Fuzzy Lanius!" This metal bird was painted dark purple and blue with yellow joints, and a green joint in the center of it's chest. The bird had no feet, only it's head, body, tail, and wings.

RAIDRAPTOR FUZZY LANIUS LV.4 ATK:500 DEF:1500

"Three more Level 4s…" Bram trailed off, his teeth grit.

Shun raised a hand up towards the sky. "I overlay my Level 4 falcons to summon an even stronger bird of prey!" Shun's birds turned into light and went down into the vortex. A bigger bird soon rushed out of the vortex and up into the air. "Obscured falcon. Raise your claws sharpened by adversity! Spread your wings of Rebellion! I Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank four! Raidraptor Rise Falcon!" The giant mechanical falcon gave a piercing cry as the monster flew down beside its master.

RAIDRAPTOR RISE FALCON RNK.4 ORB.3 ATK:100 DEF:2000

"This damned bird!" Bram swore, he knew what was going to happen, and could do nothing to stop it except look for an Action Card alongside the other knights.

However, they were stopped from advancing by Zero's behemoth of a monster blocking their way. This left the knights and their monsters stuck between the huge Xyz monster, and the freshly created ravine.

"This is Checkmate." Zero spoke darkly beside Shun. The two exchanged a quick nod. "Finish them."

"Gladly." Shun almost sneered, but resisted and kept his cool and collected mask. "I activate Raidraptor Rise Falcon's effect! This monster can attack all Special Summoned monsters on the field. By using one Orbital, it gains Attack equal to the total Attack of all of my opponent's Special Summoned monsters!"

RAIDRAPTOR RISE FALCON ORB.3 = 2

"But all of our monster's were Special Summoned!" Ashley pointed towards Zero. "Even his Knightmare Gawain was Special Summoned! You'll end up taking him down as well!"

RAIDRAPTOR RISE FALCON ATK: 2400 + 2400 + 2400 + 2700 = 9900

Shun made a gun like gesture with two fingers, and pointed them at the three Knights of Duels. "Battle!" Yellow eyes widened. "Raidraptor Rise Falcon! Rend and tear all! Brave Claw Revolution!" The bird lit on fire like the mythical phoenix, and flew high up into the air with a loud screech of battle.

"I activate the Continuous Quick Play Spell Absolute Defense System!" A pink hexagonal barrier wrapped around the Gawain, shielding it from Rise Falcon's attack. "This prevents my monster from being destroyed, and negates any damage that I would take!"

"Not way!" Bram took a step back. "They had this entire thing planned from the start!"

Once Raidraptor Rise Falcon was satisfied with the height it had gained beside the clouds. The bird of prey crashed down onto the Knights of Duels alongside their monsters. Shun didn't blink once as all of the fire and power rained down on his opponents.

The knights screamed as all three were thrown back against the ground. Their armor clanking loudly throughout the Ancient Ruins, and remained stationary after the attack was over. The three knights having gone unconscious.

BRAM LP- 0 LOSER

ASHLEY LP- 0 LOSER

CARL LP- 0 LOSER

SHUN LP- 4000 WINNER

ZERO LP- 4000 WINNER

Shun pointed over at the three knights, usual frown on his face. "These are not fit to be Lancers." With that, the Raidraptor duelist turned around and walked away from his three defeated foes.

"Hmph." Zero turned his masked head away from the Knights of Duels, and caught up with Shun as they both walked away from the victorious duel. Somehow, Gawain and Rise Falcon had managed to retrieve their rightly won Pendulum cards without harming or crushing the unconscious duelists. "Marvelous job, my Gawain."

Shun gave a swift pat on Rise Falcon's head, before both monsters were turned into yellow particles since the duel was finished. Shun scowled once his falcon was gone. "I hope that not everyone in this tournament is as weak as they were."

"I would have to hope the same, because this world will be in deep trouble if not." Zero agreed calmly as they walked towards a hallway of sorts that had multiple columns supporting the roof, there weren't any walls. "I'm rather certain that at least Yuya, Yuzu, and Gongenzaka will be prime duelists capable for a spot as a Lancer."

"That will depend on if they survive the Battle Royale or not. That, or if I get a chance to duel them myself and see their potential. Especially Yuya's."

. . .

"Yeah! Great job Shun! Zero!" Two resistance fighters cheered as one while they were cuddled together on the couch. Both having managed to watch their comrades win their duel flawlessly.

Yuto gave a quick stretch, the Phantom Knights duelist finally able to stand on his own two feet without wobbling too badly. "Shun and Zero did a rather amazing job working together in that duel with those three knights, huh?" Grey eyes looked down at Ruri, the Lyrical Luscinia duelist was laying right beside him until he stood up.

"Yeah." Ruri nooded, a soft smile on her face. "I'm so glad that they're alright. Those knights weren't very chivalrous now were they?" Pink eyes softened. "They should be taught a lesson from a true knight." Yuto raised an eyebrow. "I happen to know a knight whose better than all of the rest. One that knows the meaning of chivalry, honor and kindness."

Yuto gave a gentle smile back towards Ruri, and he sat back down to lean over Ruri. Their eyes never leaving each others as they filled with emotion. "Really? And who would that be?"

Ruri draped her arms around Yuto's neck. "It's you silly. Always you." The two teens leaned in towards each other, closing the distance slowly but surely.

Their lips just brushed each other.

BANG!

Both Yuto and Ruri flinched as the door was tackled down and hit the floor loudly. The two resistance fighters separating from each other to look at what had caused it.

Grey and pink eyes widened and shrunk back, shaking slightly as three people spilled into the room.

It was Yuto that spoke first, a nasty scowl and stormy grey eyes giving the three intruders a death glare. Ruri hid behind her boyfriend slightly in fright, though she quickly put her duel disk on and activated it alongside Yuto's.

"Obelisk Force!"

WHHHHAAAAAT! Oh snap that's VERRRRY bad isn't it? What are Yuto and Ruri going to do!? It seems Academia has finally arrived and is interrupting the Battle Royale as Reiji had planned. Man, they were interrupting a MOMENT! How the hell did they find Yuto and Ruri in the hotel room anyway!?

I'm so proud of myself for making it to 20 chapters! 21 if you wanted to include the Interlude. Either way I'm so proud! Sorry for the somewhat late post, I've been a very busy bee indeed. This story must go on though! I don't plan on moving on to another story until this one is completed!

Be sure to leave a review!

The only way to find out what will happen next is by reading Chapter 21! -MoonlightWright