Alright, so I was looking at the title for this story, and it made me feel somewhat sick. It's horrible. So, I think I'm just going to change it to Arc-V: The Switch. However, if you guys can think of something better, PM me or put it in the Reviews. If I see one that I like I might just make it the title. (With credit for the title idea of course at the beginning of the story.)

With that out of the way, let's jump into the chapter!

P.S. KizauraBoss1, your comment made me laugh. I was sorely tempted to add that in just for shits and giggles.

Ch.32: Security!

"Son of a bitch." Zero swore. The revolutionary shifted his weight so he could pull out the black pocket knife he stole from his pocket. With a twist of his wrist, the blade flicked open and showed its wicked edge.

As Dennis and Gongenzaka began fighting the Security officers whilst taking cover behind the now upturned leather furniture, Shun and Yuto turned to help their fallen leader.

"Here, let me cut you out, it'll be easier and faster." Yuto stated, and promptly took Zero's pocket knife to begin cutting the rope of the net. Shun meanwhile, was quickly picking up as many of Zero's cards as fast as humanly possible. The Raidraptor duelist not caring if they were upside down or face up so long as they went into the pile.

"I can't believe you two waited to tell me of this until they were kicking down the door!" Zero hollered at the two, admonishing them.

They at least had the decency to look ashamed at the statement and worked faster. An apology spilling from Yuto's lips that couldn't be heard over the commotion going on in the penthouse floor.

"You could've told me Security was breathing down our necks at the elevator, and I would have believed you." Zero continued on yelling because it was the only way to be heard and to let out his anger. With an arm free, the rebel leader snatched back the pocket knife and began to cut himself out.

"We could use a little help over here guys!" Dennis cried out as his Trapeze Magician was destroyed by another, stronger Synchro monster. The Performage user retaliated by a Rank-Up Xyz Change that summoned Shadow Maker.

Hearing this, Shun tossed half of Zero's haphazardly collected deck to Yuto. "Pick up the rest of his cards. I'm stepping in."

Yuto almost dropped all of the cards again, but thankfully managed to hold onto them as he gawked at Shun. "Are you insane?! Shun, Raidraptor Rise Falcon will barely fit in the room!"

"Well, unless you want to get arrested by Security." Shun stated sternly as he activated his duel disk, joining in the huge battle going on. "Some risks have to be made. Desperate times, desperate measures."

With that, Shun quickly Xyz Summoned his Raidraptor Rise Falcon. The huge mechanical bird took up a lot of space, and scratched the ceiling as the floor between both sides gained deep trench-like grooves. A shrill shriek from the bird filled the air, causing the thick wall-to-wall windows to crack behind the Lancers and almost shatter.

Another unexpected boost to Rise Falcon's sudden entrance was that it blocked Security from getting anymore pot shots in with those nets. The monster was just too big and clunky to shoot around, and simply tore the nets to shreds with a simple flex of its sharp mechanical wing.

Speaking of nets, Zero just managed to free himself, and threw the torn net off of himself and back towards Security. It actually managed to get tangled up in one of the officer's legs and throw them off balance onto the ground. "Fucking finally." The revolutionary practically spitting venom in his fury.

All of the progress he had made in the Synchro Dimension had virtually been destroyed in five seconds.

Zero took his cards from Yuto's hand. "Thanks." He muttered, but still hissed furiously. "But I TOLD you not to get into trouble, and you went and did exactly that!"

"If you really want anyone to blame for it you can look at Dennis." Yuto growled, angry at this entire situation himself. "He's been practically dragging Gongenzaka and I around into these ridiculous situations that got us in this mess in the first place!" As Yuto flipped over the coffee table to use as cover, and used his Phantom Knights Silent Boots and Ancient Cloak to Xyz Summon Break Sword. Yuto explained how Dennis literally pulled Gongenzaka along and led them into an illegal gambling ring despite both of their protests.

He also talked about Shun and Dennis' duel in said illegal gambling ring.

Zero's fists tightened so much his gloves stretched loudly over the cacophony of noise. "If we don't get caught and arrested by Security. I'm going to utterly ruin Kurosaki and wring Dennis' neck!"

It really sounded like he meant it to.

Unfortunately, any other thoughts of mutilating the orange haired teen came to a halt as one of Gongenzaka's Superheavy Samurai monsters flew past them and crashed into the monster wall. Said wall was utterly destroyed, and Gongenzaka's monster then crashed into the kitchen. Mechanical oil from the monster, gas from the kitchen appliances, and various oils for food scattered across the floor at the destruction.

Zero's blank mask looked to the oil intensely for a moment.

Very flammable oil.

Then the revolutionary looked back to the cracked windows caused by Raidraptor Rise Falcon's screech.

An idea sparked in Zero's mind like a lightbulb.

"Lancers! Roundup around me! I've got a plan." At this statement, all four of the other Lancer's obeyed Zero's orders without question. A plan was better than what they had before, which was certain defeat. With a quick push of the leather couch, everyone was able to hide behind the joint wall and listen to Zero's plan.

"Gongenzaka, Dennis." The two mentioned individuals stiffened in attention. "Keep distracting Security with your monsters. However, make sure to use a monster that can fly." They nodded, before putting their focus back onto the battle. "Shun, get ready to hop onto Raidraptor Rise Falcon's back. You'll need to help Gongenzaka since his monsters don't fly, and when I say 'Mark' I want you to crash through those windows." The masked man pointed one black gloved finger towards the windows damaged before.

Golden yellow eyes widened in understanding at Zero's plan. "You're serious? You realize what you're saying is somewhat suicidal, right?" The Raidraptor tipped his head to the side, showing the nets Security was trying to hit Gongenzaka and Dennis with. "Those things will deactivate our duel disks if we get wrapped up in them, and if we get hit in mid air." The resistance fighter trailed off, not needing to finish that sentence for Yuto and Zero to get the hint.

"Besides, you've never even ridden a flying duel monster before." Yuto added.

"That's not quite true, I have ridden my monsters before." Zero shook his head, mind going back to his second duel with Yuri before it was once again interrupted. "But that was in the heat of the moment." The rebel leader's blank mask looked over to Yuto. "That's why I'll need you on standby. If any one of us falls, your job is to summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and catch them. You both know what you have to do, ready?" Both fighters nodded, serious scowls on their faces. "Good, then get ready."

Shun left the temporary safety of the couch/coffee table wall to sprint towards Rise Falcon while Yuto looked through his extra deck to grab Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Zero looked back towards the chaotic battle that Dennis and Gongenzaka were losing ground in quickly. Then, he looked to the floor where the oil had spilled. Some of it had dribbled down into the grooves Rise Falcon made, but otherwise the time to strike was now.

"Everyone get back!" Zero yelled, shocking the Security officers, but getting an instantaneous reaction out of Dennis and Gongenzaka. The two Lancers threw themselves away as Zero pulled out the lighter he obtained when he first arrived into the Synchro Dimension.

With it, Zero flicked the top open, lit it, and threw the tiny flame down towards the floor.

The reaction was immediate.

Hellish fire roared to life as the oil caught aflame. The kitchen immediately being engulfed by the consuming orange and forcing the Security officers back with a cry of alarm. Some of their clothes caught fire, and they had to roll on the ground to put it out. Following the oil like bread crumbs, the fire rushed down the center of the battlefield and cut the two sides off.

Giving them the perfect opportunity.

"Mark! Now Shun!" Zero's modulated voice boomed over the roaring fire and pain-filled or fearful cries from Security. The masked man's persona looking like a demon rising from Hell or the Devil himself from Security's perspective.

With the go ahead, Shun gave a war cry and pushed his Raidraptor forward. Rise Falcon bursting through the cracked glass with a shrill cry as well before expanding its wings and turning back towards their allies. Glass shards raining down on the Security cars and officers below.

"Let's go! Now is our chance to escape." Zero turned away from Security, and sprinted towards the open window. The masked man's half cape rising behind him and following. Yuto on his heels with his own black cape rising from the floor at the sudden harsh winds outside the skyscraper.

With only a single second of hesitation, both rebels jumped out of the broken window, and towards the ground far below.

Glass sparkled and reflected the multiple colors coming from the City's lights, looking like glittering stars.

The wind roared over both of their ears, masked or not, and together, Yuto and Zero activated their duel disks to summon their monsters.

"Come to me! Guren F.E.V!" Zero yelled, grabbing the first airborne monster he saw from his haphazardly collected deck.

"Fangs of pitch black darkness. Rise up and aid me in my time of need! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" Yuto called out, slapping his ace monster onto his duel disk.

While the Guren rose from a blinding light to catch Zero in its huge silver claw, Dark Rebellion flew out from the shadows and had Yuto land on its back. With a single flap of Dark Rebellion's wings, the glass scattered away and hit some of the windows below.

Both monsters flew higher into the air to stay out of Security's reach. Their masters turned to watch Shun wait for Gongenzaka as Dennis resummoned Trapeze Magician and jumped onto its shoulder. Monsters from Security below were flying up to meet the fugitives, but Yuto easily kept them back with Dark Rebellion and his powerful special ability. The Guren placed Zero in its other hand, before using a scatter shot version of the Radiant Wave Surger. The direction of the blast preventing Security's duel monsters and nets from below getting a hit in.

However, the Guren and Dark Rebellion could only do so much at a time.

Security within the hotel sent their Goyo Predators through the flames and towards Gongenzaka and Shun. Rise Falcon unable to do anything except shriek at their attackers lest it compromise its passengers. Yet, there were so many of the monsters that Rise Falcon had no other choice than to break off from Gongenzaka unless they both got caught.

"Damn it!" Shun swore, and quickly ordered Rise Falcon to swoop back around. Gongeznaka turned to face the duel monsters head on without fear, even though he was half a step away from falling out of the window.

"Let's help, Trapeze Magician!" Using its ability to attack twice. Trapeze Magician laughed as it swooped in to distract most of the Goyo Predators. Dennis holding on tightly as the Xyz monster nimbly dodged and swung between the Synchro monsters attacks whilst returning attacks of its own.

However, with more time that passed, the more monsters that began to appear. More monsters than just Goyo Predator, like Goyo King and Goyo Chaser, were beginning to appear in droves. When two fell, four more rose up to take their place.

It was obvious they were beginning to get quickly overwhelmed.

"We need to retreat! Now!" Zero ordered. The Guren F.E.V's Radiant Wave Surger came to a temporary halt as it changed cartridges. "Get away now before we become overwhelmed and come back to rescue the others later."

"What!?" Yuto yelled, completely shocked. "We can't do that! We can't just leave them behind!" Grey eyes looked over to Gongenzaka and Dennis, but the determination and hope he had faltered slightly at the sight of them being swamped with monsters and Security. Gongenzaka, unable to get a Synchro Summon in with the Goyo Predators stopping him, was eventually netted in by Security though he struggled fiercely. Dennis, who had once again entered the hotel in an attempt to save Gongenzaka, was now blocked off by Security's monsters to get back out, and was behind enemy lines.

The fire that Zero had started was beginning to die down. The orange flames instead being replaced by dying embers and thick, dark grey clouds of smoke. While this helped those outside the hotel to escape in the smoke's cover, it didn't help those trapped within.

Rise Falcon was swooping around the hotel altogether, looking for an opening to strike. It was obvious from the way Shun's eyes looked like melting gold that he wasn't happy about their capture either. However, he was better able to see the logic and reasoning behind Zero's words even though he had a temper at times.

Besides, casualties and people being left behind happened a lot back in the Xyz Dimension. This has all happened once before.

That doesn't mean Shun wouldn't take the slightest opportunity to attack and free his comrades.

Dennis was finally thrown off of his Trapeze Magician by a duel canceling net. The ropes wrapping the Performage user up tightly and barely allowed him any movement. His Xyz monster burst into yellow particles with an unhappy frown on its face at the sight.

"Gongenzaka has already been apprehended, and Dennis is too far behind enemy lines to be saved. Unless we want to meet the same fate as them, we have no choice but to retreat and regather our bearings." Zero stated coldly, and ordered his Guren F.E.V to stop its attack and back away from the hotel. With a seemingly consoling and understanding gesture, the huge red knightmare used its silver claw to pat one of Dark Rebellion's shoulders. "Shun!"

The dark haired teen snapped his head over to Zero, and after a moment gave an understanding nod. With a heavy frown on his face and darkened eyes, Shun ordered Rise Falcon to back away from the hotel and towards his freed allies.

Both Gongenzaka and Dennis watched as the three rebels' forms got smaller and smaller the more they backed away. However, both knew that if they had the opportunity, they would come back and save them. They understood that leaving them behind wasn't out of choice, but from necessity.

With serious expressions on both of their faces. They nodded once, steeled for what was to become of them next just as Security officers completely swarmed up their view.

Yuto grit his teeth, eyes tightly shut as he forced Dark Rebellion to follow Zero and Shun into a retreat. With an angry roar towards the darkened sky, his ace dragon did as asked. A flap of its purple staticed wings had Dark Rebellion flying beside the Guren F.E.V and Raidraptor Rise Falcon away from the scene.

"Rest assured, Yuto." Zero spoke softly yet darkly beside the Xyz user. The leader's modulated voice somehow being heard over the wind that tried to take it away. "I swear, we'll get them back."

Shun was a silent storm besides Zero's left while Yuto was more upset with himself and the inability to rescue his comrades and escape together. The chaotic scene behind them fading away quickly, and with it the noise of blaring sirens, flashing lights, and duel monsters.

All that was left was the dark night sky and abject silence except for Rise Falcon and Dark Rebellion's flapping wings and the Guren's whirring mechanics.

Zero turned his blank mask forwards as he spoke out loud to himself. "And I know just where to start." The revolutionary patted the pocket that withheld his recently gotten goods from gambling.

. . .

"Did those two go off on their own again?" A man with spiky orange hair asked, annoyance clear in his tone. The teen was 19, had tan skin, and dark grey eyes. The teen's wild orange hair was held back by a thick leather band that had two metal rings pierced in it along with his ears being pierced and bolts hanging from them. Yellow marks that symbolized the person as a 'criminal' were all over his face

"Yeah." Yuya Sakaki, the Pioneer of Pendulum Summoning and member of the Lancers, answered apologetically with a soft nod. The emotions in his scarlet red eyes showed he didn't approve of his two other Lancer allies going off on their own scouring the City either.

Crow Hogan, leader of the Black Feathers, had appeared in the nick of time along with some other Commons to save Yuya, Serena, Sylvio, and Riley from being wrongfully arrested. However, the group of four were now seen as fugitives, and had to stay low to the ground and hidden lest they be caught and sent to the Detention Facility by Security.

Something that Serena and Sylvio seem to disregard in their search for strong candidates for Lancers and looking for their own. It didn't help that Riley was going to go out there and search as well if it wasn't for Yuya's interception.

Crow wore an orange shirt and a sleeveless brown leather vest over it alongside fingerless gloves. Two thick black bands with studs in them were wrapped around the older teen's forearms. Along with heavily strapped boots, old, roughed up jeans with duel deck pockets and knee pads, and a black belt, it showed that the leader of the Black Feathers didn't have an easy or comfortable life.

Crow growled, one hand curling into a fist to show his frustration at the two younger teens carelessly going out on their own. "Seriously." Crow growled under his breath and was urged to swear, but didn't lest the kids possibly heard it. "How many times do I have to tell them not to move around?! They're going to get us all into trouble with Security if they continue acting so carelessly!"

Yuya looked down towards the floor, vexed by his own allies' stubborn bullheadedness as well. "I really am sorry about all of this." The Performapal user vaguely gestured to the air with one hand, at a loss for words. "I'll talk to them when they get back."

Again. Yuya thought somewhat sourly.

Just as Yuya finished that thought, the front door to the rugged house opened.

"Hey Crow. I brought the things you asked for." Shinji Weber, an adult at 20 years with pale skin greeted Crow. The man had mostly purple hair with blue underneath his bangs and green eyes. While wearing his D-Wheel suit that consisted of various shades of blue and light yellow, Shinji also had brown boots and gloves alongside piercings on his ears. Shinji was also a member of the Black Feathers, and was a good friend of Crow's.

Tucked in one arm, the purple haired duelist carried a brown bag that held various food items.

The small smile on Shinji's face fell into a neutral mask once his green eyes spotted Yuya. "You're still here?"

"Oh, hello." Yuya spoke lightly. "You must be Shinji, Crow's friend." The orange haired duelist had mentioned Shinji a couple times before.

Crow smiled easily. "Yeah, that's him. He helped me save you guys from Security when we first met."

Scarlet eyes looked up into green in gratitude. "In that case, thank you for all of your help before."

"You guys are wanted, right?" Shinji questioned instead. The taller boy walking up to the table and setting down his recently obtained groceries. "Just don't get the kids involved, got that?" His voice became more stern in his second sentence.

Scarlet eyes blinked. "Of course. I'll be careful." Yuya nodded, showing he understood. "I wouldn't want to risk involving the kids in this anyway."

Just as the Pendulum user finished that sentence, the back door opened and three new kids piled into the house from the backyard.

"I'm telling you! That guy with the mask had a glowing red eye! His eyes were red!" The smallest, and youngest of the group at age five cried out in frustration. His tiny arms and fists swinging back and forth in the air as he glared up at an older boy. Tanner, the small boy who wore the yellow rain cap, and had curly cyan green hair underneath along with light brown eyes, was trying to convince the others of what he saw. The same boy who stole food from the small cafe up in the Tops' part of the City.

Frank, the second boy also present during their food theft, rolled his purplish blue eyes. "What you saw was nothing more than your imagination Tanner." The older boy by two years flicked his light grey hat back over his spiky green hair that was fixed into a ponytail. "I didn't see anything of what you're talking about coming from that dude. All I saw was a blank mask, no 'demonic glowy red eyes'." He said that last part whilst using his fingers as quotation marks.

As the two boys continued to argue about a masked man having glowing red eyes. The oldest of the group, a female at the age of nine with puffy burgundy hair and blue eyes, smiled up at Shinji. "Shinji! You're here!"

This caused Tanner and Frank to cut their argument short, and all three of them ran forward to hug Shinji's legs. "Shinji!"

Shinji himself gave a much more easy going smile than before and waved in greetings. "Hey you guys." The man laughed, patting each child on the back before gesturing to his recently obtained food. "Here, I have some treats for you all."

Yuya gave a soft smile as the group interacted with each other. Though, his thoughts soon went back to what Tanner had been saying before, and that smile dimmed somewhat.

The day Frank and Tanner had returned with their ill gotten gains, and had been deeply scolded by it from Crow, Tanner had been talking his head off about a masked man with red eyes. The little boy seemed somewhat awed by what he saw, but from the way his small frame shook he was more terrified by it than amazed.

The only masked man Yuya knew about was Zero, which was all but confirmed when Yuya asked Tanner to describe the man. Not only that, but the little boy went on about how he was with two other people around Yuya's age. One which looked exactly like him, and the other a girl with pink hair in pigtails.

The relief he had felt when realizing that it was Yugo and Yuzu Tanner was talking about was palpable.

If they're with him, then they're safe. Yuzu is here and she's safe.

However, Yuya's thoughts mostly went back to what Tanner kept saying. How Zero had glowing red eyes. No one really took Tanner's words seriously, chalking it up to his childish imagination at the sight of such an intimidating figure. That, and Zero also wore a mask, so how could Tanner see Zero's eyes if he wore a mask?

Then again, no one has seen Zero's face, so it's also likely that Zero could have glowing red eyes. That what Tanner was saying wasn't a lie or from his imagination.

That's ridiculous though. Yuya shook his head, trying to banish these thoughts. Green and red hair flying back and for and getting somewhat frazzled. Zero wouldn't take his mask off in public, so it probably was Tanner's imagination.

Yet, the doubt still lingered in the back of his mind.

As Amanda, Frank, and Tanner accused Shinji of stealing the treats and junk food he had obtained. Shinji turned back to the still opened back door. "Hey, you too. There's plenty, so come on over." Whilst Crow chided the kids at not going to wash their hands first before eating, Shinji handed Riley a donut. The shier child sticking to the door like glue with unsure blue eyes. "Take it as a housewarming gift from us Commons." The man smiled warmly.

Riley hesitantly took the bagged donut without a word, eyes firmly planted on the ground.

Shinji looked like he was about to pat Riley on the head, but thought better of it and turned back towards the door. "Well, I'll be going then."

Crow stood up from his chair. "Sure. Thanks for this man."

"You know I never mind doing this for the kids, Crow." Shinji nodded, but his green eyes soon turned back to Yuya. "I'd be careful if I were you. Security's got their eyes peeled all over the City after what happened last night."

Yuya blinked his scarlet eyes for a moment, before nodding. "Yeah. I got it." What confused the Pendulum user was that they had arrived into the Synchro Dimension two days ago, so what had happened last night to make Security even MORE tense?

"Bye!" Cried Amanda, Tanner, and Frank as Shinji left.

As the kids finished washing their hands and started digging in, Crow looked over to Riley. "Hey, you come over and eat some." Riley hugged his donut and the door tighter, as if he could sink into the wood and away from everyone. "Better be quick, or it'll all disappear because of these little monsters!" Crow's dark grey eyes looked over to his three charges playfully. Each stuck their tongue back out at him in retaliation, making Crow laugh. "Here, come on." The Black Feather leader encouraged more softly, making Riley look down with indecision. "What're you hesitating for?"

"Is that… an order?" Riley spoke so softly, Crow almost missed it, but Yuya was used to the child's soft voice and heard it clearly.

Crow gave a deep belly laugh at that. "Is that an order?" The orange haired teen asked rhetorically. "You've been here for two days and that's the first time you've said anything. Well, to me at least." Dark grey eyes looked down to Riley's with mirth. "Alright then, here's an order." With that, Crow patted the boy's shoulders and encouraged him forward towards the sink. "Go wash your hands before you eat."

While Riley didn't smile, he did give a swift nod, eyes filled with determination, and ran over to the sink to wash his hands.

It was progress, and that was enough.

With the children distracted and out of ear shot, Crow spoke to Yuya quietly. "Why is he so timid?"

Yuya furrowed his eyebrows, eyes still directed towards Riley as he answered. "I don't know. He's been like this since I've first met him."

Crow pursed his lips and crossed his arms. "He's just a kid. It's okay to move around freely." Now Yuya directed his scarlet eyes towards Crow, the latter still staring at the children as a group. "If he made a mistake, he can just pay more attention in the future."

Yuya looked down towards the ground. "I want to put a smile back on his face." The tomato haired teen looked back up as Riley began eating the donut he was given. "Not just Riley though. I want to make everyone in the world happy with smiles."

"Hmph." Crow smirked as he closed his eyes. "Happiness is having a full stomach." Dark grey eyes opened to look back at Yuya. "You don't get it at all."

Yuya pursed his own lips, which looked like a small pout. The Entertainer duelist narrowing his scarlet red eyes. "Smiles are symbols of happiness!"

"Will smiles fill your stomach?" Crow asked rhetorically, now turning to completely face Yuya in challenge.

"If you're not smiling, it doesn't matter how much you eat. You can't say you're happy." Yuya stated firmly. "That's just loneliness." Now Yuya was completely facing Crow.

Dark grey eyes narrowed as well now. "First, you gotta fill your stomach! Smiling comes second." Crow advanced half a step and spoke like it was fact.

Yuya grit his teeth, and inched forward just a step. "That's not it!"

Crow put both of his hands on his hips and he spoke. "No offense, but those are the words of someone who's well-off."

"What did you say?!" Yuya leaned forward. "A full stomach obviously isn't enough!" This ridiculous argument finally caught the attention of everyone else in the room, and all heads were turned towards the duo.

"Nope! First you gotta fill your stomach!" As Riley continued eating his donut, Amanda, Frank, and Tanner were looking at the ongoing argument with blank faces. "That takes priority!"

"That's not so!"

"Alright then." Crow smirked, and his eyes went over to the watching audience. "Hey, you guys are happiest when you eat your fill, right?" Now Yuya looked over to the four children. "Hey, say something! What about you, Riley?"

Riley blinked, and looked up at the two older teens with shock. "It's smiling! Right, Riley?" With that, Yuya gave a super happy smile.

Crow grit his teeth at Yuya's actions. "It's food to fill your stomachs!"

"Smiles!"

"Food to fill your stomach!"

"Smiles!"

"Food!"

"Smiles!"

"You just don't get it!"

"Same to you!"

Now the other three children were looking at Yuya and Crow with deadpan expressions. Riley, meanwhile, was looking on with confused fascination. As if something like this had never happened to him before and he was lost.

Crow straightened up. "Fine then, let's settle this like true men and duelists with a duel. You fine with that?"

Yuya did a fist pump. "That's what I was gonna say. I'll show you the Entertainment Dueling my dad perfected!"

Sitting at the table just a few feet away, everyone but Riley gave an exasperated sigh. Riley himself was just looking back and forth between everyone, but mostly Yuya and Crow.

. . .

"He's quite the celebrity, isn't he?" Sylvio asked Serena. Both of them were looking at the multiple posters that had Jack Atlas on them.

"I'm looking forward to seeing if he lives up to his reputation." Serena stated. Her duel disk strapped to her arm in preparation for battle.

The two rebellious Lancers were currently out and about in the City, close to the Top's section of the area. At the moment, they were sneaking around a small alley that had construction materials strewn about it.

Just as they finished speaking, they had to hide behind the alley wall as two Security cars passed by.

Serena narrowed her forest green eyes as they both watched the cars turn away. "Security is getting tighter the closer we get to the center of the City."

"Yeah." Sylvio stated casually, hands in his pockets as he looked around a little bit more. "Sure looks like it. I'm hungry too, shall we head back?"

"For now, it would probably be for the best." Serena agreed with a nod, and turned to leave when one of the billboard screens suddenly changed from Jack Atlas' face. The indigo haired girl turned to look up at what was on it when her eyes widened. "That's-"

"Hm?" Sylvio turned his head to look up at what Serena was seeing as well, only for his own eyes to widen.

On the screen showed fived wanted posters. Two of them held Gongenzaka and Dennis' faces, which were crossed off. However, the other three showed none other than Zero, Shun, and Yuto's faces. All three of which were still wanted and had bounties on their heads, Zero's being the most priciest one. The screen then changed again to show a video of the rebels escaping from the Talisman Casino, which occurred just last night.

"Well I'll be-" Sylvio breathed, watching as his Lancer allies pulled off the miraculous escape with only a few casualties. A smirk twitched onto the Abyss Actor's lips. "What a flamboyant escape Zero has managed to pull off alongside Yuto and Shun. I wouldn't have it any other way with them."

Serena narrowed her eyes, lips pursed. "Well, at least we know that they're in the Synchro Dimension as well." Once the video finished, the screen went back to the wanted posters, before changing to Jack Atlas once more. Once it was over, the Academia runaway turned to face Sylvio as she walked. "We need to let Yuya and the others know of this. Let's go."

The smirk wiped itself off of Sylvio's face as he nodded. "Right behind you."

What they didn't know, was that a Security car had been tailing them this entire time.

. . .

"Food!"

"Smiles!"

The argument between which was better was still going on back at home base with Yuya and Crow. The children were gathered together on one side of the backyard, chip bags in hand, ready to watch the spectacle. Riley was hugging his purple and white bear in one arm as they watched.

"There's no helping it." Frank said as he ate another handful of chips.

"They won't get anywhere like this." Tanner stated solemnly as he took a chip and ate it as well.

"They're so immature." Amanda sighed.

CROW LP- 4000

YUYA LP- 4000

"DUEL!"

"Field Spell, Cross Over." An automated voice from Yuya's duel disk spoke, and suddenly blue platforms and Actions Cards appeared randomly around the field.

"I'll take the first move!" Yuya gave an exuberant bow and spoke loudly. "Ladies and gentlemen! Henceforth, my trusty monsters will treat your eyes to a Pendulum Summon!" The children cheered, wanting to see this new Summoning Method as quickly as possible. "If I accomplish it magnificently, please give me a round of applause!" Yuya waved, before showing everyone two cards from his hand. "From my hand, I set Scale 1 Stargazer Magician and Scale 8 Timegazer Magician on the Pendulum Scale. This allows me to summon monsters from Levels two through seven at the same time." Yuya's go to magicians rose up into their separate blue pillars.

"Awesome!"

"Hurry! Hurry!"

Riley looked up at the Pendulum Summon with awe.

"Swing, Pendulum of my soul! Draw an arc of light across the ether!" Yuya smirked, and raised one hand up towards the opening portal in the sky. "I Pendulum Summon! Come to me, my monsters!" Three monsters went through the portal and joined Yuya's side of the field. "First up, Performapal Silver Claw!" The wolf howled up towards the sky.

PERFORMAPAL SILVER CLAW LV.4 ATK:1800 DEF:700

"Next, we have Performapal Warrior Tiger!" A tiger that stood up on two feet in a red marching band suit appeared with a growl.

PERFORMAPAL WARRIOR TIGER LV.4 ATK:1700 DEF:500

"And last but not least, the star of the show, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!" Yuya's ace monster appeared onto the field with a loud roar towards the heavens. Dichromatic eyes looking down at its next opponent across the field.

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

"Wow! That's so awesome!"

"Three monsters at once!"

"Amazing!"

The kids all cheered and smiled whilst stuffing their faces with snacks.

"In the blink of an eye, my Pendulum Summon made smiles bloom on the faces of these three children!" Yuya gestured to the small audience. Then bowed as the children all cheered.

"Hmph. That's just a little bit of reception." Crow smirked widely and confidently.

"With this I end my turn!" Yuya gestured over to Crow. "The first act has ended!"

Just as the first turn ended, Serena and Sylvio walked onto the scene and saw the duel. "They're dueling?"

Sylvio chuckled and smirked as well, eyes narrowed as he analyzed the beginnings of the duel. "They got up to something interesting in my absence."

"Shouldn't we tell them what we've discovered?" Serena asked.

"Now, let's not interrupt their duel." Sylvio shook Serena's concerns off with the wave of a hand. "We have plenty of time to tell them. I wanna see how Yuya will make this duel shine." Sylvio's smirk turned into a cocky grin. "Although, he would never be able to shine as much as I do."

"Right." Serena deadpanned. Her tone made it obvious how much she believed that statement.

"Let's get this hungry duel started then! My turn!" Crow drew a card and began. "When there are no cards on my field. I can Special Summon Black Feather Gust of the Headwind from my hand!" A man with bird-like features including claws, wings, and blue and green feathers appeared.

BLACK FEATHER GUST OF THE HEADWIND LV.2 ATK:900 DEF:1400

"Next, when there's a Black Feather on my field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand." Crow waved a monster card in the air before summoning it. "Show yourself! Black Feather Oroshi of the Squall!" A small black bird with cyan feathers around its face, an orange beak, and a huge red wattle flew onto the field.

BLACK FEATHER OROSHI SQUALL LV.1 ATK:400 DEF:600

"Next, I release Oroshi of the Squall and Advance Summon Assault Black Feather, Kunai of the Drizzle!" A bird with dark green feathers and some mechanical parts and armor appeared onto the field.

ASSAULT BLACK FEATHER KUNAI DRIZZLE LV.5 ATK:2100 DEF:1600

"Even without Pendulum Summoning, calling out a bunch of monsters is a simple feat!" Crow stated. His own side of the field as an example of that as Crow grinned. "If you're going to use Pendulum Summoning. I might as well go ahead and use Synchro Summoning as well!"

Yuya's red eyes widened in surprise, and then confusion. "But there aren't any tuners on your field, unless you have something else up your sleeve?"

Crow grinned eagerly. "That's right. Don't underestimate my Black Feathers! I activate Kunai of the Drizzle's effect!" Crow threw a hand out towards his Level five monster. "When I Advance Summon this card by releasing a Black Feather, I can treat it as a tuner monster!" Kunai of the Drizzle gave a loud cry before turning into five green rings. "I tune my Level 2 Gust of the Headwind with my Level 5 Kunai of the Drizzle!" Crow's second monster jumped up into the rings, and turned into two blue stars to give birth to a Level seven Synchro monster. "Spread your jet black wings, and storm forth in tandem with the roaring thunder! Slash apart the lightning!" Crow grit his teeth with determination. "I Synchro Summon! Cascade! Assault Black Feather Raikiri of the Storm!"

The powerful Level seven monster had a wing made from metal and steel, while the other was natural dark navy blue feathers. Half of the monster was mechanical while the other was biological, whilst the lower half of the monster was covered in robes. A bird-like helmet with a huge yellow beak acted as the Synchro monster's helmet.

ASSAULT BLACK FEATHER RAIKIRI STORM LV.7 ATK:2600 DEF:2000

"Yeah Crow! Nice Synchro Summon!" Frank cheered.

"But Pendulum Summoning is pretty cool too." Tanner cheered as well.

Any further thoughts and speculations on whose side the children were on came to a screeching halt at the sound of tires coming to a shrieking halt. The smell of rubber burning on the cracked road hit the air as Shinji barely stopped before hitting the fence with his D-Wheel.

The older boy raised his visor to give everyone a seriously grave look. "It's Security!" The purple haired duelist revved his engine, ready to book it at a second's notice. "Run! We're surrounded!"

"Surrounded?!" Yuya blinked, form immensely tense at the news of Security finding them.

Serena's frown deepened, forest green eyes narrowed as she searched the area around her. "Were we followed?"

Sylvio looked up towards the buildings, and gawked at the sight of multiple Security officers indeed surrounding them. "Look out!" The Abyss Actor barely managed to intercept a net shot directed towards Serena before collapsing to the ground all tangled up.

"This is bad!" Crow raised one arm to protect his face as another net surrounded his upper body and cancelled out the duel

CROW LP- 4000 D.N.F

YUYA LP- 4000 D.N.F

"Crow! Sylvio!" Yuya ran forward, going to help Crow when another net tangled around the Performapal user as well. Both side's monsters vanish in a burst of unhappy yellow particles. "Dang!" Yuya grinded his teeth together, and tried to break the net around him with his fingers, which unfortunately wouldn't work.

"Dammit!" At the sound of Security cars closing in, Shinji growled and sped away from the scene in hopes of getting away. However, another Security car came from nowhere and cut the older boy off, forcing Shinji to stop lest he crash his D-Wheel.

There was no escape.

"Let me go right now dammit!" Serena swore. A Security officer wrenching her arms behind her back painfully and slapping a pair of cuffs onto her wrists. The Fusion user tried to turn her head to face the officer, until a flash of blue caught her vision over by the children. Her eyes looked over to spot none other than Tsukikage grabbing Riley's waist, before quickly vanishing from the scene unless he got spotted as well.

During the entire time, his eyes bored into hers.

Riley was safe.

Yet, that didn't extend to the other children. The three cowered away from Security in fright even as Frank and Amanda put themselves in front of Tanner. As two officers grew closer to the terrified children, they bunched together with nowhere to run.

"Riley? Where's Riley." Yuya asked, head swerving back and forth in search for the smallest Lancer in a wild panic even as an officer slapped cuffs on his wrists and began dragging him away from the scene.

Crow had to be forced onto the ground, head planted into the gravel by one officer's hand as the other cuffed the older teen. Dark grey eyes darkened as he spoke with an aggressive bite. "Don't you DARE touch the children!"

"Riley? Riley where are you?" Yuya called out. His voice becoming more frantic each second Riley wasn't found. "Riley? RILEY!" The young tomato haired teen was like a bucking bronco he struggled so much to get free.

"Shut up and stop your struggling you filthy Common!" The Security officer detaining him snapped, finally having enough with Yuya's struggles. The officer pulled an arm back, and slugged the teen in the face with an elbow to silence him.

"Hey!" Serena yelled, trying to lunge forward and attack the offending officer that hit Yuya. Rage clear in her darkened green eyes. "Don't you dare hit him you damned coward! If you want to fight someone then fight me you bastard!"

Sylvio, who was now also cuffed, also growled. "He can't even defend himself, bastard." The Abyss Actor's Security officer then proceeded to pick up Sylvio and drag him away. The burnette for his part, was kicking and struggling like a worm in hell. "Hey! Let go of me! Who do you think I am?!" Sylvio grinded his teeth and spat venom towards his offending officer. "Damn it! Do you know what will happen when I tell my father, you-!"

"Shut up and just get ready for transport!" The Security officer yelled back interrupting the ranting teen.

"Crow!" Frank, Tanner, and Amanda all cried out in unison and in fear.

At their cries, the orange haired Synchro user raised his head despite being held down. "You better not touch those kids or I fucking swear you'll regret it!" Crow hollered, before being forced to stand and walk towards a prisoner's truck that had just pulled to a stop on the road. The Common watched as Sylvio was thrown in there first, and then Shinji on top of the Abyss Actor. "Get your hands off of the kids!"

"Yeah yeah whatever." The officer pulling Crow along growled. "They're not on the list of fugitives anyway, so as long as you fellas play nice, and they don't come after us or try to resist, they'll be fine." The officer then began to drone on about the 'right to remain silent' even though there was no point to it anymore and was just standard.

If anything, it irked Crow even more.

Once Crow was thrown in, squashing Sylvio into the back even more, Yuya and Serena were also tossed into the back of the truck. The thick steel doors closed with a resounding thud and turn of a lock and bolt.

Yuya managed to stay on his feet, and turned to prevent Serena from falling before sprinting to the closed doors. "Please! Wait!" The Pendulum user crashed his shoulder into the steel door, regardless of the undoubtedly painful bruise that would form later on. "Riley. Where's Riley!" Yuya went from the door when it wouldn't budge over to the barred windows. "Riley, where are you?! Riley?!" Scarlet eyes searched frantically, but couldn't spot the boy or his bear anywhere.

"CROW!" Frank, Amanda, and Tanner all screamed, tears running down each of their cheeks as they watched their parent figure get brutally tossed around and arrested for the slammer. Tanner was clutching onto Amanda's vest like a lifeline, shaking with untold amounts of fear as she clutched back, attempting to give some form of comfort.

"Stop. Don't get any closer!" One Security officer yelled down at them harshly in warning, terrifying them even more.

Crow grit his teeth, but looked out of the second window to speak to them. "Grr, don't worry about me you guys! Just make sure to take care of yourselves and eat properly! I'll get out of here and back to you as fast as I can!" The truck lurched forward, sending all of its occupants besides the Security officers in the front crashing to the floor.

"Crow!" The kids screamed once more, but their voices and crying quickly faded away as the truck grew further and further away from them and closer to the Detention Facility.

"Damn it!"

"Crow! Give us back Crow!"

"Cr…"

Then they were gone. Just like that.

The windows within the truck were suddenly sealed off when metal sheets rose up, blocking any view of the City and leaving the five in a small metal box.

"Hey! You can hear me can't you?!" Yuya went from the sealed window he had been looking out of to the front of the truck. Cuffed wrists chafing as he banged against the metal. "Stop! I'm begging you!"

Crow grit his teeth, massaging his forehead with his cuffed hands before looking back up into Yuya's panicked red eyes. "Calm down Yuya."

Scarlet zeroed in on calmer dark grey. "But Riley! I have to find Riley!"

"You don't need to worry about Riley, he'll be fine." Serena stated. The Fusion user having taken a deep breath, and sat down on the bolted metal stools proved for them. "I saw Tsukikage slip in during the confusion and take him away. He's safe and with Reiji now."

"What?!" Yuya exclaimed. "Tsukikage did?..." Yuya looked down to the floor of the truck and heaved a huge, tired sigh. "At least he's safe from Security and with someone he knows. That's all that matters." Yuya said softly as he sat down between Serena and a grumbling Sylvio. Crow and Shinji sitting on the other side of the truck.

"It's one less thing to worry about, which I believe is good." Crow gave a half smile before turning to Serena again. "This Tsukikage person." Crow leaned forward in his seat as he spoke. "He came from another Dimension like you guys, right?" The story the Lancers told him when they first introduced themselves still sounded ludicrous and insane, but perhaps it held some merit now.

"Yeah." Serena nodded. Everybody calming down once more now that all of the action is over. "Tsukikage must have been searching for us and Riley under Reiji's orders."

"Well, they certainly found us at the worst possible time." Sylvio griped. The teen crossing his legs and putting his cuffed wrists on top of them. The Abyss Actor looking to glare up at the small camera installed into the back of the truck. "Clearly this is a mistaken arrest!" The burnette got so close to the camera he blocked out everything else. "Wait till my father finds out about this! Your careers as 'Security officers' are over!" When Security didn't say anything back, Sylvio raised his cuffed arms. "I know you can hear me, you bastards!"

"You need to calm down as well." Serena stated. The girl looked at Sylvio from over Yuya's shoulder.

"How's your cheek feeling kid?" Yuya looked into Shinji's concerned green eyes, before he felt the right side of his face. Already, a dark purple bruise was beginning to form along his cheek and jawline from the hit he received.

"I can't believe those bastards actually hit you." Sylvio growled hands clenched into fists in an attempt to release some of his anger at the sight.

"Let me take a look." Serena didn't wait for a response, and instead turned Yuya's face to her direction. Scarlet eyes widened, before Yuya directed his gaze to the metal wall as Serena examined the bruise. A light pink dusting his cheeks as he thought about Yuzu replacing Serena.

They both cared about his well being.

God, he missed Yuzu badly.

Finally, Serena released Yuya from her grasp and sat back. "He should be fine. He'll be sore, but it's nothing more than a bad bruise." Shinji nodded, not satisfied that Yuya was hit in the first place, but glad that it wasn't anything worse.

"I'm really sorry about this Shinji. You only got caught because you came to warn us." Crow apologized to his friend.

Shinji did nothing but give a small smile. "It's nothing. We at least managed to avoid getting the kids captured." The purple haired adult spoke optimistically.

Crow bit the inside of his cheek in a show of worry. "I hope they don't resort to stealing food again."

"Our friends on the outside will look after them." Shinji looked at Crow. The latter nodded to show he had heard.

"Where are they even taking us anyway?" Yuya asked finally, snapping out of his thoughts once more.

"Hmph." Shinji looked up towards the ceiling as he spoke. "If Security captures you and takes you in a car it can only be one place. The Detention Facility."

As Shinji and Crow explained just what the Detention Facility was, Yuya, Serena, and Sylvio became more and more tense. The atmosphere in the back of the truck dropping with each detail added between the two Commons.

"From the way you describe it." Sylvio spoke hesitantly. "You make it sound like its hell."

Crow grimaced. "That's because it kind of is." The Abyss Actor paled slightly at Crow's words. "More than half of the people there have been wrongfully arrested or thrown in there just because of how corrupt the system is. There are some who've lost hope in there, and there are some that have adapted or conformed to the Detention Facility's rules to survive. Then there are those who are truly corrupt and evil people, who really deserve to be in there."

"This is going to be difficult." Yuya added in, hands brushing against his injured cheek as he spoke. "We'll have to stay together and close as much as possible."

Shinji nodded at Yuya's words. "You three stick close to us and we'll watch out for you. We've got some people on the inside that owe us some favors or are allied with us to help." His green eyes looked back up into the camera watching them. "I have a feeling Security isn't going to make your stay at the Detention Facility easy. If anything, it's going to be extra rough for you."

"Then they'll probably put them in with the adults." Crow grit his teeth. "We'll have to be extra vigilant then. There are some sick bastards in there that I know will try to take a pass at any of you, and certainly not in a good way."

Yuya and Sylvio paled even further.

"We might not be going in this alone either though." All eyes went to Serena as she thought, her legs crossed at the ankle. "When Sylvio and I were out searching the City we found out Zero, Yuto, Shun, Dennis, and Gongenzaka are here in the City as well."

Yuya's eyes widened. "Gongenzaka is here?!"

Serena pursed her lips. "They were being chased down by Security as well. Zero, Shun, and Yuto managed to escape, but Gongenzaka and Dennis got caught by Security."

Sylvio's eyes also widened in understanding. "So that means they're probably somewhere in the Detention Facility as well."

"Right." Serena nodded. "At the very least we'll run into them once we arrive."

If Zero was attacked last night, what happened to Yugo and Yuzu? Yuya thought, concerned now. Serena didn't mention them, so maybe they weren't there when Security came knocking… I hope.

"Wait, you mean that incident last night?" Shinji straightened in his chair. "Those people who jumped out of the window of a SKYSCRAPER are your ALLIES?"

Yuya answered this time with a firm nod. "Yes. They're all a part of the Lancers. Zero, the masked man, is one of our leaders, or co-captain I suppose." The teen furrowed his eyebrows. "Reiji and Zero are still butting heads over that."

"You realize they have bounties on their heads now, right?" Shinji asked somewhat rhetorically. "Bounty hunters, Tops, AND Commons will be after their heads now that they've got a price." He growled somewhat in agitation. "Anyone will do just about anything for money."

"I don't understand something." Crow spoke up now, a confused expression on his face. "You guys never did anything wrong though, right?" All of the Lancers shook their heads no. "I expected as much. So if you just arrived here, why are you guys being hunted down? From the way this is going it looks like someone is having Security hunt down you Lancers specifically."

"Maybe because we came from another Dimension?" Sylvio spoke, though it was more of a question.

Everyone's, even Crow's, eyes widened at that statement and realization.

"Oh." Sylvio blurted out.

The rest of the trip towards the Detention Facility was silent.

. . .

Yellow eyes peeked out of some closed blinds uneasily once a few Security cars passed by the window. After a few minutes and the cost was clear, Shun sighed and backed away from the window towards some comfortable lounge chairs to sit. The Raidraptor sat down beside his longtime friend Yuto, who was hunched forward with his hands between his legs in deep thought.

The three Xyz rebels were forced to abandon the Tops' part of the City and hide in the Common sectioned areas. Bounty hunters constantly on the prowl alongside Security. Hell, they couldn't even trust the poor and beaten Commons to hide them in spite due to the price on their heads.

However, as soon as they had escaped the hotel and landed on the roof of another Zero was already looking at his duel disk and searching for their next base, if only temporarily. The group having to dodge and weave between patrols and groups of hunters whilst keeping a constant eye out for anything unexpected. Their vigilance and sticking to the shadows growing tiring after doing so nonstop for hours, but they all pushed through.

Once Zero had seemingly found what he was looking for, they were on the move once more towards the even harsher Common areas. Some of the more seedy people skulked around at all hours of the day until they finally arrived at a single floor, somewhat boarded up building.

It looked as if it was ready to collapse on the outside, but once they managed to pick the lock and get inside the building it looked much more secure. Though the health conditions and regulations for the building were questionable, it was probably the best any Common could get without resorting to extremely illegal means.

"I can't believe we had to leave them behind." Yuto muttered finally in the overwhelming silence. Dust visible and thick in the light peeking through the blinds of the windows floating gently in the air. "They're a part of our team, a part of the Lancers. We should have tried to help rescue them then retreat and save our own skins."

"You know that just can't happen, Yuto." Shun chided gently. The Raidraptor knowing how Yuto felt when situations like this happened. It was tough on the Phantom Knight user when they had to abandon an ally in difficult moments. "Things just happen, and our circumstances during that event couldn't have been worse. Hell, we're lucky to have been able to escape when we did instead of Security pursuing us like Ancient Gear Hound Dogs."

Both cringed as they recalled those mechanical barks and snarls while metal fangs nipped at their heels, eager for blood.

"I know." Yuto sighed, sounding like he had aged five years in five seconds. "I had just hoped that once we got an alliance with the Standard Dimension that-" The eggplant haired duelist rubbed dust out of his eyes. "That nothing like this would happen again."

Shun placed a consoling hand on Yuto's shoulder and spoke in a whisper. "This is war, Yuto. Scenarios like that are nothing more than fairy tales. The good news is that they were only captured, not carded." Yuto tensed immeasurably at that prospect. "We can still get them back."

"...People are going to die soon, aren't they?" Yuto asked hoarsely, skin almost as pale as a ghost. "The friends that we've made on the Lancers, and those we'll gain along the way… Some of them are going to die because of this war."

Shun said nothing to that, he didn't need to, and together the two surviving Xyz rebels sat in the dark room in silence. The Raidraptor finally lowering his arm to instead copy the position Yuto was in.

.

.

.

"I think Dennis is the second Academia spy." Yuto whispered. Even though they were alone, and no one else was nearby to hear, the atmosphere was too heavy to speak in anything but a whisper.

"Hmm." Shun nodded, yellow eyes glued to the floor as he spoke. "I think you're right. When I dueled him in the gambling ring before Security interrupted us." Shun's eyes narrowed as his mind went back to that moment. "The way he fought so harshly, how he was prepared for my own harsh counterattacks… That wasn't learned at L.D.S." The Raidraptor stated. "Sure, Reiji seems to be prepared for every scenario, but he's a literal genius like Zero."

"..." Yuto sighed through his nose, before giving a tired groan and dragging a hand down his face. "We'll have to ask Zero for his opinion, but I'm positive he's the Academia spy as well..." The Xyz lookalike leaned back into his chair to look up at the slightly water damaged ceiling. "God, I'm so tired."

"You and me both… You and me both." Shun repeated softly, still staying hunched over. "We've already started down this path. We're already halfway there. We can't stop now." Shun's expression tightened, although Yuto couldn't see it. "Not when we're this close. Not when the risks to losing are so dangerous." At this, Shun's yellow eyes finally turned to look up at Yuto. "Just fight with me a little longer, Yuto. We're getting closer, making progress, and once we finally win and Destroy Academia, you can truly rest."

"We'll all be safe." Yuto closed his eyes and sighed again, but nodded. "All of us." He emphasized again.

"Right."

A few minutes after that was spent in complete, yet companionable, silence. That silence was soon interrupted when a door near the back of the house opened and their leader quietly stepped out. The rebel leader kept the door open, but blocked the entrance view with his frame.

The air around the masked vigilante seemed to weigh even more than it did around Yuto and Shun. A tired, burdened modulated sigh escaped past Zero's masked lips.

"Well?" Shun stood once more whilst Yuto only looked up into Zero's blank mask. "What's the verdict? Are we staying or going?"

It was silent for a few seconds before Zero spoke. "We may stay." Both Yuto and Shun's shoulders relaxed only a fraction. "However, once our business is finished here we must leave immediately. With the funds I've provided for him and his team they'll keep quiet. It's more money compared to our bounties by a longshot anyway."

"At least it's some good news." Yuto broke the all consuming silence once more with optimism that wasn't in his voice nor in his eyes.

"While we're virtually confined into this building, and the underground lab leading to the abandoned subway system, we can plan on how to free our captured comrades from the Detention Facility." Zero stated before someone, obviously male, spoke quietly on the other side of the door. The revolutionary turned his head to address what they were saying.

"So a jailbreak then? Sounds like fun." Shun smirked, but everyone could tell he was tired. They had been on the run all night and late into the day. The last time anyone had slept was nearly 30 hours ago.

"Basically, that's what we'll be doing." Zero agreed quietly, mostly listening to the other person speak. Once they were done, Zero nodded. "Alright, we're sticking to the underground lab. Security is most certainly going to be busting the door to this building down, so we'll need to be hidden until the day we move out."

Yuto and Shun nodded in understanding, the former finally standing as both walked to the door. "Is our host going to introduce himself, or would he like to remain anonymous for his own safety?"

"Actually, I would like you guys to meet him." Zero had a tired smirk under his mask as he opened the door all the way. "He is going to be the one mostly building my D-Wheel after all, with some help."

A teen around 19, almost 20, years old stepped out into the light to greet Yuto and Shun. The teen had tan skin, with black hair and gold highlights alongside royal blue eyes. The teen was wearing a long sleeved blue jacket with a collar and amber gems embedded into the coat at the shoulder, neck, elbow, and ends. Under the jacket was a sleeveless black shirt with a red symbol on it, and he wore brown gloves with amber gems at the wrist starting just below the elbow. Finishing the look was black jeans with amber knee pads, a belt with two deck holders, and motorcycle boots that went halfway up his calf. The teen also has a criminal mark on the left side of his face from a presumably 'illegal' crime.

"You three are a very interesting bunch to say the least." The teen stated, royal blue eyes filled with exhausted mirth.

"Likewise." Shun grumbled, but nonetheless held his hand out towards the strange. "The name's Shun Kurosaki, he's Yuto Raiden." Yellow eyes narrowed as he observed the man before him. "What's your name?"

The man grinned. "Name's Yusei Fudo." Yusei accepted Shun's handshake with a firm grip, instantly getting some brownie points from the Raidraptor. "Let's get started on that D-Wheel now, shall we?"

"Gladly." Zero's modulated voice spoke up once greetings were all finished. The revolutionary taking his haphazardly collected deck out from his pocket to begin organizing it once more. Shun and Yuto moved forward, following Yusei over to a trap door hidden in the storage closet, which left Zero in the back.

The masked man closed the doors behind him, alongside the trap door once everyone was safely down and everything was locked up. After a few minutes of walking, the rebel leader finally noticed something, and furrowed his eyebrows in rising confusion.

All the cards in his regular deck were there, so he put them back inside his duel disk. However, Zero's concern lay within his extra deck instead.

"Shit." Masked dichromatic eyes counted and recounted his cards three times before Zero looked up to Yuto and Shun. "Do you guys have any of my cards in your pockets after what happened with Security? I'm missing one. It's a Level eight Fusion monster from my extra deck."

Shun and Yuto exchanged looks, weary concern clear in their eyes and furrowed eyebrows as they began to search their person for any of Zero's cards.

Shun shrugged uselessly after a few minutes. "I don't have it. Yuto?"

As Yuto continued looking through his pockets, Zero began to search through his own as well in case he misplaced it. His own black gloved hands searching much more frantically than Yuto's.

Yusei raised an eyebrow and turned back towards the group of three. "Is something wrong?"

"Maybe." Zero growled. "Dammit, where is it!"

"I'm sorry Zero." Yuto shook his head. "I don't have it." Grey eyes looked over to Shun. "You don't think it was left at the casino, do you? I didn't see any other cards left on the floor."

Shun gave a sour look. "We didn't exactly have time to give it a thorough check with Security on our ass. Though from the looks of it, it's possible."

Zero flexed his hands, clenching them into fists and unclenching them to tame his anger. "Let's just hope that nobody found it and took it, or that it's burned like most of the floor. Otherwise, we might be in trouble." Zero clicked his tongue as thoughts whirred through his mind a mile a minute. "I'll have to go back and pick it up later once things have died down."

While Shun and Yuto didn't say anything in response, they heard and understood. Soon, everyone was walking again towards the hidden lab with a much more tense pace. Even Yusei seemed to realize that what they had just learned was rather dire, and wisely kept silent.

Zero's restless rage could be felt from the Detention Facility.

And it had to be that one as well.

. . .

"The five we have captured will be arriving shortly." Roger spoke to someone through his computer. The Head of Security looking at each photo of the five recently captured fugitives. "Among them, put the girl who used Fusion Summoning into special confinement. Once she's settled in I'll come to investigate." Roger highlighted the photo of Serena and placed it in a red box to show her importance whilst he gazed at the rest. "You can treat the others like the rest of your prisoners, but make sure they're separated from each other when it comes to cells." Dull green eyes narrowed. "Lock them up and keep an eye on them."

"Understood." The chief of the Detention Facility quickly ended the call after he received his orders.

"We have plenty of time." Roger smiled creepily, his dull green eyes looking down at the card he was holding in his hand. "I'll investigate each one of them thoroughly." The purple border of the duel monster card making it unique, at least, in the Synchro Dimension. "And once we obtain Zero and capture his band of rebel misfits…" Roger's smile soon turned into a full blown grin that was near maniacal as his dull green eyes sharpened.

LANCELOT CONQUISTA LV.8 ATK:2900 DEF:2500

"We'll have a nice long chat."

Ha ha! How's that for posting? This chapter was around 11,500 words long and 29 pages. In return for not posting in April, I've posted two in May, and good golly do we have some revelations in this chapter. We got some action, got caught up with Yuya and their group, Yusei was introduced to the story (I can hear the cheering now), and now Zero's missing a powerful Fusion monster. I certainly enjoyed writing this chapter and the ending for the last. This is one of the first moments I thought of when I began to type this story. (Though I'll admit I think the very first version of it was Zero and co attending a masquerade before Security comes in and they jump out the window. I'm happy with this version too.)

Pay attention to some of the items Zero obtained at the beginning when they first arrived at the Synchro Dimension. They'll become important details later on in the story.

I feel like I made Raidraptor Rise Falcon flex on Security, and I love it. Also, the ages for Crow, Shinji, and the three kids wasn't really specified in Arc-V, so I'm going to age them myself. Crow will be 19 here in the story as he was once back in 5Ds. I'm making Shinji 20, Tanner 5, Frank 7, and Amanda 9. Which side are you guys on? Food or Smiles? That entire argument made me laugh, I had to add it in.

Anyway, leave a REVIEW, Favorite, or Follow the story!

With everything I believe I wanted to be addressed, taken care of. I'll be seeing you all in the next chapter! -MoonlightWright