Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 35! I'm certain many of you are surprised to see an update so early compared to the last chapter, but as I stated many times before I have no posting schedule and just felt like getting the next chapter up, so tada. :D
Now, let us begin and start railing on Roger. (You'll see what I mean as you read.)
Ch.35: Lancers Reunited
The rest of the Lancers were only a few minutes walk away from the meeting point when they heard a loud boom. The sound almost being completely muffled out by the concrete of the sewer walls. Seconds after that, the ground gave a great tremor that nearly sent everyone crashing onto the disgusting sewer floor that nobody wanted to land on. Once the ground had stopped shaking, everyone looked up towards the tunnel's ceiling in tense silence.
"What was that?" Sylvio asked first, tone uneasy.
"Sounded like an explosion." Shinji commented. His green eyes looked back the way they had come as if expecting Security to come stomping right around the corner.
"We should get moving." Crow suggested. "That could be a sign that Security isn't too far behind us." Everyone agreed to the suggestion, and the sound of pounding feet echoed loudly through the sewer tunnels. Dirty water and substances mixed with things no one wanted to know splashing loudly in the darkness. The Lancers and their allies most certainly would have been hopelessly lost by now if it wasn't for Yuto's flashlight.
"The meeting point should be somewhere around here." Yuto stated. The Xyz user shining his flashlight over the sewer tunnels ahead of them. "There should be a ladder leading to the exit right around this corner."
"I see it." Shun called out. The Raidraptor ran towards the rusted grimy ladder with a look of clear disgust. "Shine the light up here for a second Yuto. I'll get this manhole cover open." Wordlessly, Yuto did as Shun asked and shined the light up to help his best friend see. A near squeamish expression was on the dark haired duelist's face as he climbed up the ladder and put a hand on the manhole cover. Yellow eyes looked down towards the rest of the Lancers. "Now, once we get out of here Yuzu and Yugo should be above ground, so Yuto, Yuya you'll have to go to the back unless you want to get warped away to God knows where. Everyone else be prepared for the unexpected and for Security to possibly be on our asses."
"Got it." Yuya and Yuto spoke at the same time.
Yuto looked to Yuya, who copied the action, and gave an amused snort before turning to look back at Shun. "God, that's still so weird."
"Yeah. I don't think I'll ever get used to that." Yuya agreed lightly. A shaky smile on his face.
"Who cares about that right now?!" Sylvio butted in, before looking up at Shun with a glare. "Let's just get the hell out of here already! If I have to stay trapped in here for a minute longer I'm going to lose my sense of smell."
"I'm with Sylvio on this one. Can we please hurry this along?" Dennis pleaded. A few stray tears running down his cheeks from the sheer smell abusing his nose.
Shun glared down at Dennis for a second, but wordlessly pushed the manhole cover out of its slot and to the side with a grunt. The sound of cast iron scratching against concrete stone grating on everyone's ears. "Let's go." The words were barely out of Shun's lips before he was out of the tunnel and into the open. With the much cleaner but still polluted air of the City.
"Well, I guess I can add traveling around in a sewer system to my list of weird things I've done with my life." Gongenzaka grumbled, allowing Yuto to pass him so he and Yuya could get to the back before climbing up the ladder next.
"You and me both." Tokumatsu stated, before following Gongenzaka's lead and exiting the tunnel. The older duelist's joints cracking at the action. "I'm just thankful that it's over now."
"Yeah. Even we Commons haven't had to do this before- Ah shit!" Crow began to climb up, but nearly slipped and fell back down if it wasn't for Damon's quick thinking. Dark grey eyes looked down towards the other Synchro citizen in gratitude. "Thanks Damon."
"No probably. In return you can climb a little faster so I can get out of here." The dark skinned duelist suggested, and would have grinned if the stench didn't make his senses cry out in agony.
Shinji was about to go next, but Sylvio quickly changed that plan by pushing ahead to get to the ladder and climb up himself. "Oh thank the Lord! Fresh air how I've missed you so." The purple and cyan haired duelist rolled his eyes at Sylvio's antics, but climbed up wordlessly soon after.
"The air here isn't as fresh as it was in Standard." Dennis commented. The orangette bowed and gestured for Serena to go before him. "Ah, ladies first."
The Academia runaway snorted derisively at Dennis' actions, rolled her forest green eyes, and climbed up the ladder next. "Yeah, whatever. I just want to get out of this dump." Dennis chuckled, and followed her right after.
"I really hope Yuzu is okay." Yuya muttered to himself before finally getting to climb up the ladder to freedom himself. "I can't wait to see her again."
"She's fine Yuya." Yuto said calmly. The owner of Dark Rebellion knew that exact feeling of worry when it came to Ruri and Zero suddenly vanishing to the Standard Dimension. It felt like such a long time since then. "Not only did Zero know she was safe, but Yugo was by her side this entire time. They're both fine, as you're about to find out." Though Yuya couldn't see it, Yuto's mouth twitched into a small smile as a commotion started up above them.
The last two members of the Lancers climbed up from the sewers wiping the dirt and grime off of their hands and onto their pants. Yuya's scarlet eyes instantly zeroed in on pink hair tied up into two pigtails. The Pendulum user came to a screeching halt as he stared, too afraid to take a breath and find out if this was all just some twisted dream. The sight of Yuzu giving Gongenzaka a touching heartfelt hug nearly brought tears to Yuya's scarlet eyes. Gongenzaka himself was actually brought to tears at the reunion and tightened his hold on the Melodious duelist. Yugo nearly tackled Serena to the ground with a cry of Rin before getting punched deep in the gut by the Fusion user herself. An angry and vexed look on her face. Everyone else watched the interaction with warm expressions. Though some looked between Yugo, Yuto, Yuya, Yuzu and Serena with concern and freaked out looks. Shun watched Yuzu and Gongenzaka with an expression that looked like deep longing.
Then Yuto pushed the manhole cover back to its proper place, creating a ton of noise and gathering everyone's attention.
Yuzu and Gongenzaka separated, and periwinkle eyes met scarlet. Tears formed and trailing down Yuzu's cheeks as she spoke hoarsely, her hands held together by her chest. "Yuya."
That broke the spell Yuya was frozen in, and the Pendulum user sprang into action. "Yuzu." The Entertainment duelist sprinted forward towards one of his best and most cherished friends. Someone who was possibly even more than a friend in his eyes. "Oh God, Yuzu!" The two met up, and Yuya wrapped his arms around the pinkette with his own tears finally breaking free and falling from his eyes. "Thank God you're safe Yuzu. I've missed you so much. I was so worried about you."
"I've missed you too, Yuya. So, so much." Yuzu nearly cried, but it was from joy instead of sadness. Her hands tightening their hold around Yuya's waist as she buried her head into his shoulder, body shuddering with her emotions. "I was so scared, but now I'm so happy. I'm so happy to see you again Yuya." Glossy periwinkle peeked up from their place on Yuya's shoulder to look at everyone else with such a grateful expression on her face it felt like a piece of the sun itself. "You, Gongenzaka, Serena, Yuto, Shun, even Sylvio. All of you." Yuzu's breath hitched. "I'm so thankful that you're all here. I'm so happy to see you all again. That you're all okay."
"I promise I'll never let you go again. I won't lose you, Yuzu." Yuya swore. Tomato hair all anyone could see of his face as he buried his face into Yuzu's neck with a shuddering cry of relief.
Everyone, even the Synchro citizens that have never met Yuzu, grinned at the interaction happening between Yuya and Yuzu. Pride filled everyone's being as almost all of their wayward members were reunited. That is, until Sylvio butt in with a faux pissed off expression and playfully stomped his foot on the floor before pointing at Yuzu. "Hey! What do you mean 'even Sylvio'!? I'll have you know I deserve more respect than that." Everyone looked to the burnette, laughter filled the alleyway everyone was crowded in.
Yugo himself was chuckling, but that was cut off when his aquamarine eyes met uneasy yet stone cold stormy grey. The Synchro user's expression turned from one of relief to one of caution as he gazed towards Yuto with a tense look. That one Xyz user that Yugo remembered catching a glimpse of when he and Yuto first dueled stepping beside the Phantom Knights user and glaring at the banana banged duelist defensively.
"Hey, uh-" Yugo cut himself off with a tired sigh, and scratched the back of his head in a nervous action. Aquamarine eyes flickered towards the darkened stormy night sky that poured down on everyone and soaked them through their clothes and to the bone before looking back to Yuto. "Um. Yuzu told me- She helped me see that, well, that you weren't the one who actually took Rin. Helped prove the words Zero was saying before back at that park were true. So… I'm sorry." The Synchro user apologized, but Yuto's expression didn't change from its blank, neutral look which only served to make Yugo more nervous. "So uh- Are we good? For now at least?"
Yuto's grey eyes narrowed near imperceptibly and remained silent, making Yugo sweat it out before answering. "We're good. All that happened between us was an honest mistake and misunderstanding." A small smile twitched on Yuto's lips before his classic scowl came back, making Yugo's posture relax and a breath of relief escape his lips. "If it's any consolation, I am sorry as well. Both for getting your name wrong and for not understanding your situation."
"Great! That's just- great!" Yugo cheered with a big grin on his face, before it turned into a scowl as well. "But you better not screw my name up again or I'll beat you six ways to Sunday!" The Synchro user emphasized his point by pointing a finger at his Xyz counterpart.
Yuto raised an eyebrow. "Sure. I won't mistake your name again, Yugo." A smirk appeared on the Xyz user's face as he taunted Yugo. "Though, I'd like to see you try beating me 'six ways to Sunday.'"
Yugo spluttered for words for a moment, before he growled and shook a fist at Yuto. "Oh yeah? Is that a challenge? Because I'll gladly accept it and kick your-"
"You guys hear that?" At Dennis' sudden question everyone instantly grew quiet. Posture tensing as ears strained to listen to the noise Dennis was talking about. Quietly, what was at first muffled by the harsh downpour of rain and occasional burst of thunder, the engine of a motorcycle rumbled through the air.
"Sounds like a D-Wheel." Crow piped up. Everyone got into a battle ready position while Yuya made sure Yuzu was behind him.
"Security?" Tokumatsu questioned, duel disk ready and activated for a duel. The sound getting louder and louder as the seconds passed before a black and gold D-Wheel came screeching into the alleyway with a familiar figure riding it. The vehicle slid against the wet cracked road and nearly slammed into the opposing building as Zero barely passed the corner before coming to a halt. Turning his D-Wheel to the side to avoid hitting any of his Lancers.
Zero leaned back on his D-Wheel with a huff of breath. Masked dichromatic eyes looking at everyone and their activated duel disks with an amused snort. "Well then, is that anyway to greet your leader? I expected better reception than this. It was my plan that helped free and reunite you all." Everyone slumped down in relief seeing as it was only Zero, and deactivated their duel disks.
That is, except for the Synchro citizens of the City, who scrutinized Zero's every move with suspicion. "So, you're Zero?" Tokumatsu asked, voice tense. He didn't forget the strange behavior coming from the prison inmates at the Detention Facility.
"That is correct." Zero hummed lightly. The masked man turned his body so both of his legs were on one side of his D-Wheel as he gestured to himself dramatically. "I am Zero."
"I expected you to be bigger, taller." Crow stated. His eyes studied Zero's figure since he couldn't see the masked man's face for a reaction. "Not for you to look like a demented stick."
Surprisingly, it was Shun that snorted in amusement at Crow's comment. "Tell me about it."
"Before we decide to traverse down roads that have major consequences." Zero's voice darkened as he glanced at Shun and Crow warningly. The latter tensing up while the former just rolled his yellow eyes and crossed his arms. "How about we continue these conversations and reunions after we reunite with the rest of our Lancers? You know, when we're all safe from Security's reach, have spoken to the Council of this City, and are indoors and out of the rain." The masked revolutionary deadpanned, and turned to squeeze out all of the water dragging his cape down.
"There are more of you guys still?!" Damon asked incredulously. The alleyway was already rather packed, and frankly it was a miracle none of the boy counterparts have been warped away.
"Yeah. That would be nice." Gongenzaka agreed. The sturdy teen had to move his hair back behind his head because it kept falling down in his face due to the rain.
"I could go for a nice relaxing bubble bath with a cup of hot chocolate." Sylvio hummed happily. The burnette near drooling at the thought of the steamy hot and deliciously warm beverage.
"I'd just like to avoid getting arrested again." Shinji muttered. "If that means we have to follow you guys, then so be it."
"I'd like to not get arrested at all." Yugo turned around and began to head towards his own D-Wheel which had been leaning against the alleyway wall this entire time. "I don't want to get marked right before the Friendship Cup begins."
"All right then, here's how things will go until we get to the Council's building and meet up with Ruri, Riley, Tsukikage, and Akaba." Zero instructed, and everyone piped down to listen to the masked man speak over the pounding rain and thunder. "Yuzu will ride with Yugo like before while Serena rides with me. That way we all know the girls are in safe hands." Yuya didn't look too happy with being separated from Yuzu again, but it was only for a few minutes and he wouldn't be that far behind her and Yugo. "Shun, you'll use your Raidraptors to help carry Gongenzaka, Tokumatsu, Crow, Shinji, and Damon. Yuto, use Dark Rebellion and carry Sylvio, Yuya, and Dennis. I'll take point and lead the way to the Council building since Tsukikage sent me the coordinates."
"Does Reiji even know we're all coming?" Yuya questioned as he walked towards his Xyz counterpart. The latter summoning Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon and climbing onto his neck to prepare for flight. Shun summoned Rise Falcon along with a few extra Raidraptors for everyone to hop on.
"Tsukikage should have informed Akaba about my plans by now, and should be waiting for our arrival." Zero answered Yuya's concerns quickly. Serena wordlessly hopped onto Zero's D-Wheel and wrapped her arms around his waist in preparation for the ride. "Now then, is everyone ready?" The masked man had to speak up loudly over the downpour to be heard by everyone. Once everyone had gotten on their respective rides the rest of his Lancers yelled out confirmation, and Zero revved his D-Wheel's engine. "Then let's get moving before Security tries stopping us." With that, Zero made his D-Wheel lurch forward, and everyone quickly sped off with only one place in mind.
. . .
The City Council's building was on the edge of one of the mainland islands that wasn't actually man made. While the building wasn't as tall as the Security Bureau or the enormous spire that held a duel stadium it was still rather big and luxurious. Blue crystalline windows and designs sparkled and reflected many colors as beams of different colored lights were directed towards the building itself. It practically made the building glow in a rainbow of colors, and even from a glance one would notice that this building had some form of importance.
It was at the front of this very building that all of the Lancers finally reunited once more. The group that escaped from the Detention Facility coming to a quick halt once at the front lawn to the Council's building. Duel disks were deactivated and D-Wheels were quickly hidden, and once everyone was prepared to move forward they opened the front doors. The lobby was spacious, extravagantly decorated, and certainly had one feeling as if they were in an actual palace.
In this lobby, waiting by the front desk with a secretary behind it, were the last of the group's missing Lancers. As soon as Shun and Yuto had entered the building, Ruri had cried out their names and ran towards them with a joyous smile on her face. The two boys instantly reacted to hearing the Lyrical Luscinia duelist's voice, and immediately ran forward to meet her in the middle. Both parties quickly wrapped each other up in a hug and whispered words flowed from their lips that nobody could properly discern. Both Shun and Yuto lost their stone cold demeanors and spoke lightly and happily with their wayward resistance member.
"Ruri." Both Shun and Yuto greeted simply, but the way their hug tightened expressed how deeply they had missed her. Neither side cared for Ruri getting drenched by the boys' rain clogged clothes. Their actions speaking louder than any words could. It was obvious that the two Xyz rebels had missed their sister and love greatly.
Ruri smiled gently, happy tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she looked up at the two. That smile turned into a big silly grin. "It's nice to finally see you guys again. I missed you so much, big brother, Yuto."
"So, they were fine after all?" Serena huffed a breath. The Fusion user was finally able to breathe easy now that it was confirmed everyone was actually safe and together again.
Dennis grinned cheekily, and scratched the side of his head with a finger. Bright blue eyes sparkled at finally seeing everyone together again. "Well what did you expect? We're all strong and can take care of ourselves, so it was only a matter of time before everyone reconvened once more." Serena rolled her eyes as Dennis dramatically gestured as he spoke, but the rising grin on her face betrayed how she actually enjoyed his antics.
"It's good to finally see the Lancers reunited once more." Reiji spoke bluntly in the form of greetings. The silver haired duelist crossing his arms and throwing one half of his scarf over his shoulder. "We've been waiting here for you for a while now."
"Reiji Akaba!" Sylvio greeted his leader with a cocky grin and mock salute. To which the latter do nothing except narrow his calculating violet eyes in reply.
"Riley! Tsukikage and Ruri too." Yuya smiled brightly. The Pendulum user was immensely glad that what Serena had seen and said was true. Gratitude flooded his scarlet eyes as he turned to address Tsukikage. "Thank you for taking Riley to safety, for reuniting him with his brother and for getting him out of there when you did." The tomato haired teen's smile faltered a bit at the edges, but in the end held up. "I'm afraid the rest of us were in a bit of a pickle."
The lunar ninja said nothing for a moment, and instead gave a swift nod towards Yuya before speaking. "You have no need to thank me for that. I would have ensured Riley's safety first and foremost in the end anyway. My only regret was that I couldn't help the rest of you lest I blew my cover." Blue eyes reflected the ninja's emotions when half of his face was covered up by his long blue scarf. "I didn't want to risk Riley with Security."
Crow shivered heavily. A fearful expression passing by his face as he growled. "Yeah. Who the hell knows what could have happened to him had Security got their hands on the kid." A grateful look of his own turned to Tsukikage. "Anyone who helps keep children out of Security's clutches is good in my book." Tsukikage merely nodded, before pulling up his blue scarf just a tad higher. Perhaps the ninja was embarrassed or overwhelmed by the attention and gratitude he was getting, and was just retreating back into his figurative shell.
A few steps behind his Xyz rebels, stuck between the empty space of the rest of his Lancers, Zero stood with a small relieved smile twitching on his lips. The rest of the Lancers passed by the reunited pair and focused more on Tsukikage, Riley, and Reiji. Yuya, Yuto, and Yugo being extra careful to stay away from the girls or only pass by them one at a time. Yuya especially made sure to bend down to Riley's height and get in a good few words of greetings, and to truly make sure that the child was okay and unharmed. Worry on Riley's safety having nagged at the back of Yuya's mind since the last time the Pendulum user had seen the child was when he was wrongly arrested by Security.
Zero took in a deep breath and released it, before gathering everyone's attention back towards him with a clap of his gloved hands. "Now that I have everyone's attention once more. I believe we all still have something we need to do." With that, everyone's demeanor once again turned serious. They weren't out of the woods quite yet. The masked man turned to address Reiji. "Have you informed the Council of our incoming arrival?"
Reiji raised an eyebrow at Zero ordering him around like he wasn't a co-founder before he answered. "I have. I've also taken the initiative in informing the Council of our unique situation."
"That we're from a different Dimension and about the incoming war with Academia?" Zero pressed for specifics.
"Exactly that." Reiji pushed his glasses up before he looked to the rest of the Lancers. "They are very interested in meeting you all, so let's not keep them waiting before they decide on something rash."
Zero merely snorted in derision, but didn't object to Reiji's suggestion. "Indeed. Let's move quickly and meet this supposed 'Executive High Council'." That last part was said with clear thick sarcasm and with a sneer on his masked face.
Warily, Yugo eyed Zero as the masked man began to stalk away with Reiji towards the Council. The rest of the Lancers and their allies falling in behind them. "He's not going to get us all arrested, is he?"
"If he does he'll probably just break us out again and escape ten minutes after." Dennis practically skipped down the hallway by his allies. Humming a tune that no one else knew but him.
"From what I've seen from this guy so far. I wouldn't be surprised." Tokumatsu stated lowly as he adjusted his olive-green robes.
"Seems like he's done stuff like this before." Shinji commented. The Synchro user's hands deep in his pockets and he walked. "The whole 'breaking comrades out of prison and being at war' thing."
"That's because he has." Ruri piped up, successfully gaining everyone's attention as she spoke more information on their masked leader. The Xyz female counterpart stayed close to Shun and held hands with Yuto as they walked, content. "Zero himself has told us that he's done this before plenty of times." A sad look flickered across the normally optimistic girl's face. "That he's familiar with war."
"Wait." Sylvio waved his hands in the air frantically as he looked to Ruri with disbelief. "Are you talking about an actual war? You know, ones with swords, bows, and the like?" The burnette paled slightly, and fidgeted with his Lancer band nervously. "Ones with actual blood?" The comment served to make Yuya look extremely uncomfortable, even scared. He, Yuzu, and Gongenzaka were huddled together in their own little happy group close to Dennis, Sylvio, and Serena.
"Zero commented once that getting killed in real life is worse than getting carded." Yuto commented offhandedly. Grey eyes flickered to Yugo for a moment as he relieved that fearful moment in the park. "I for one, have to agree with his words."
"I told you I was sorry about that!" Yugo barked, waving a fist at his Xyz counterpart in frustration. "Why the hell are you looking at me like that when you said you forgave me."
"I really don't blame you for that incident in the park, Yugo." Yuto spoke calmly, though his scowl deepened. "It was obvious something was controlling us both that day, and made us take our duel too far." The Xyz rebel pursed his lips and looked ahead. They were about to enter a room with two giant blue and gold doors blocking their way. "That doesn't mean I didn't think I was going to die then."
The Lancers grew quiet at the mention of death, before Yugo bravely broke through it with a growl. "I still need to talk to you and that masked bastard about what happened there, and who the hell really took Rin." Aquamarine eyes glared hotly into the back of Zero's masked head, but the man paid it no heed and threw the doors to the grand enormous room open in a dramatic gesture. "Trust me when I say that, because once this bullshit is over I refuse to wait any longer for answers."
"Tell me about it." Yuya grumbled. The Pendulum user obviously thought back to everything that had happened in the Standard Dimension. At how many times he had crossed Zero's path without answers, and how he was thrown for so many loops.
Yuzu chuckled lightly. "Yeah. You could say we're in a similar boat, Yugo."
The banana banged duelist blinked at Yuya and Yuzu for a moment, before he grinned brightly. "Well, at least I'm not the only one."
"What are you doing here!? You masked menace!" Everyone's attention quickly shifted back towards the arising situation before them.
The room was absolutely enormous, most certainly taking up more than half of the building's structure and room. A blindingly huge crystal chandelier hung at the very top of the room, shining plenty of light down on everyone and making their features clear. The walls were painted a sapphire blue with golden accents, while columns made of marble helped keep the structure upright and stable. From the entrance there was a stairway leading straight down towards a desk with a single chair tucked under it. A few paces in front of that small desk was an elevated section of the room which one could go to from the stairs located on either side of the room. The elevated floor of the room had a huge desk in the shape of a semicircle ring, and sitting in the five luxurious seats were five different people. Their unhappy, even angered expressions and arrogant auras deemed them to be the High Executive Council of the City. All around the sides and corners of the room were guards dressed in starch white suits and blacked out visors over their eyes stationed every other foot or two.
Going from the very left to the right for the Executive Council was an old man with a yellow hate that also had lighter yellow side flaps. A small piece of dark grey hair peeked through on his forehead. The man also wore yellow robes with rubies acting as coat buttons. Next was an old, short, stubby man with small, weirdly placed eyes and light brown hair flattened back. He wore a grey suit coat with an orange dress shirt and red tie alongside pristine white pants and black dress shoes. Situated in the middle of the Council sat an elderly man even older than the rest of the group. His chair was raised just a few inches higher than the others to help show off his status being more important compared to the rest. The old relic's hair was starch white, and he was bald at the top of his head. Many wrinkles, worryingly long white bushy eyebrows, and light golden eyes gleaming with unknown intentions. His robes were mainly white with yellow outlines with a purple robe hidden underneath. The fourth Council member was an old woman with blue and white furred robes. There were no visible wrinkles, although she wore plenty of makeup, and a blue hat with a giant green emerald embedded at its center sat atop her head. Her hair was dark grey and curled up at the sides of her head. The last and final member being on the far right was another old man. He had lots of wrinkles, dark grey hair slicked back, and wore orange robes with red linings.
All five of them were openingly glaring down at Zero, though there was a glint in their eyes that not many could catch or describe flickering through each of their gazes.
"Uhh… What?" To say Zero was genuinely confused and caught off guard was an understatement. Dichromatic eyes wearily glanced towards the stiffened guards as they began to attach their duel disks onto their arms in preparation for a fight. The masked man looked back up to the Council and spoke confidently. One hip jutted out to the side as he spoke humorlessly. "I do believe you were expecting to meet us, were you not?"
"Yeah, them." The Council member on the far right pointed to the big group of Lancers behind him before glaring back down towards Zero. "Not you."
Zero snapped his head towards Reiji, silently demanding an explanation before he voiced his rising anger. "I thought you informed them of us coming." With a simple gesture, the rest of the Lancers silently walked towards one side of the room to watch everything play out.
"I did." Reiji answered back simply, a neutral expression on his face. Though Zero could feel the glare leveled at himself coming from the calm L.D.S president.
"Well then I suppose you just conveniently forgot to mention me, huh?" The masked man spat, his modulator making the sound much harsher. "Oh put those toys away before you end up hurting yourselves. I'm not here to kill anyone." Zero snapped roughly towards some of the slowly advancing guards, making them flinch back and pause. With the guards stalled and tensions temporarily quelled the revolutionary turned his masked head to glare up at the Council. "Since my co-founder seems to have 'accidentally' forgotten to mention me I believe introductions are in order." Zero brushed his small cape dramatically before introducing himself with his usual charismatic flare. "I am Zero. Leader of the Xyz resistance against Academia and co-founder of the Lance Defense Soldiers, or Lancers for short."
"You're also the one who terrorized and burned the penthouse of a casino and destroyed the entire Detention Facility." The short stubby man commented darkly, weary of the dangerous individual before them.
"And I managed to get away with both of those acts scot free, haven't I? Though, that was merely a show of strength." Zero voiced boldly. Any expression hidden under his masked was wiped away seconds later. "We came here looking to protect this Dimension from Academia's incoming invasion, and to gain the Synchro Dimension's support in the Dimensional War." Zero casually took the chair out from under the desk in front of them, turned it backwards, and straddled the seat. His head tilted to the side as he eyed the old senile group of aristocrats before him with a critical eye. "While words have their powers and yield the undeniable, deadly truth. The saying 'actions speak louder than words' is rather important in this society, isn't it?" At the Council's silence, Zero smiled darkly. "A world with the ideal of social darwinism: survival of the fittest. That the strongest and most powerful people get the right to rule and live in luxury compared to those weaker than them, beneath them."
"Why are you here?" The woman voiced out suddenly. "If it is not to threaten us or coerce us into your pocket."
"It's as I have stated just a few seconds prior." Zero raised his hands in a faux sign of peace. "I have no intentions to harm any of you here. My actions have been nothing more than a show of strength to show the power I possess, to help back up my words and beliefs. We Lancers are only here for the Synchro Dimension's alliance in the Dimensional War against Academia and to protect you from their invasion that is certain to happen at some point soon."
At least it didn't look like they were going to arrest him on the spot anymore. In fact, a good chunk of the Council's expressions actually turned into one of being impressed.
"Well then, Zero." The elderly man in the middle spoke up cheerfully. A chuckle escaping the man's lips as his golden eyes stared down towards the masked man with obvious amusement. "You've certainly done a spectacular job at getting our attention. I state that with complete confidence." The man's eyes flickered from the rest of the Lancers that were on silent standby, towards his own Council members. "Your strength and display of power had us worried there for a moment, but it's obvious now that you truly mean no harm."
At the moment at least. Zero grinned to himself darkly. Just wait until I get a shot at you five when everyone's heads are turned. While the masked revolutionary was certain that Roger held more power in this City than the Council these people still held a great influence over it. Unless the Head of Security decided to do something drastic, which Zero was certain the man had a worse case emergency plan, then he and his Lancers were just about golden. Then once we stabilize this Dimension and gather a few more forces we can head to the Xyz Dimension, finally finish the Academia soldiers posted out there, and then strike Academia down at their very core. I'll finally get to focus on going home.
"What we are both saying is true, as I have stated when we first met." Reiji added in simply. The co-founder idly swiping faux dust and lint off of his shoulder.
"Where is our Head of Security?" The Councilman on the very left spoke up suddenly. The man's eyes carefully scanned the room for any sign of the purple wearing green eyed snake. "We asked him to meet us here for this meeting, but he hasn't shown up yet." The relic's eyes returned to glare down at Zero. "Was that your doing?"
While Zero pursed his lips, it was clear he was giving a serene smile behind his mask. The modulated tone of voice being an obvious tell that he was in a rather jolly mood at the mention of Roger. "Oh, him? He's… busy at the moment." Some of the Lancers not from this Dimension felt just a tiny shred of sympathy towards the man while everyone else had to resist the urge to grin brightly in mischievous pride.
Just then however, the huge double doors burst open with a loud bang. All eyes in the room turned to meet the one responsible for rudely interrupting their meeting.
Roger obviously looked worse for wear, even worse than the drenched Lancers. His normally pristine and well pressed purple suit was clogged with water and dirt and grim scuffing his back, arms, and chest. His pants were also soaked, and the bottoms were completely filthy with the mud and dirty puddles he had to travel through to get to the Council building. The Head of Security was breathing raggedly as he wiped the wet hair clinging to his forehead back to see properly.
All and all, it looked like Roger had gone through watery hell and back.
Zero spun around in his seat to sit in it properly and face Roger. Elbows on his crossed knees and gloved hands casually clasped together. Straight posture and his masked head tilted just a tad to the left in curiosity. Amusement filtered through Zero's modulator as he spoke, dichromatic eyes passing a quick glance over the man's frame. "Oh? Well, I guess he's not as busy as I thought. Though I would expect a man of your caliber to look much more put together in front of your superiors than this. I suppose all of us have our moments in lapse of judgement. Oh well." Roger's normally dull green eyes now sharpened and bloodshot snapped up towards the source of Zero's voice. The man looked like he had gotten whiplash; he turned his head to face Zero so fast. Zero merely grinned down at Roger malevolently and gave a small wave with one hand before returning it to its proper place. "Hello, Roger. It's been a hot minute, hasn't it?"
Roger's stiffened, stone-still posture changed as the man took rapidly increasing steps forward. His arms outstretched in a motion of wanting to wring Zero's neck. The Head of Security's face was nearly turning purple and a vein was seconds away from popping. Incomplete words and expletives barely spluttering past his lips. The urge to murder and intent to kill clear in the man's nearly crazed sharpened green eyes.
Zero merely laughed, tilting his masked head up to laugh at the high ceiling. "What's wrong? Masked cat got your tongue? Don't tell me you got a cold from being out in that rain." He taunted. The Lancers brandished their own duel disks towards the Head of Security in warning with heated glares being directed at Roger's way. He was the source of their trouble this entire time after all.
"Y-You!" Roger clenched his hands into fists, before forcing them down to his sides after passing a quick glance to the rest of the armed Lancers. Darkened, enraged green eyes glared death towards Zero, who was the source of his problems as well. "What are you doing here you damn masked bastard. I was expecting you to be hiding in some dirty cramped hole down in the Common's underbelly below." Said Commons of the City bristled in rising anger towards the Head of Security.
Reiji's eyes went from Zero to Roger in silent calculation as Zero replied. The masked man's arms lifting into the form of a simple easy going shrug. "Why, isn't it obvious? I'm here to talk to the Council, just as the rest of my Lancers and you yourself are here for. Though you're horrendously late." Zero tapped his wrist where a watch would normally lay and clicked his tongue. "Tick tock, Roger. We don't have all day to play your games."
"You're nothing more than a rebellious troublemaker! An insane madman you…" Roger growled lowly in his throat as he cut himself off. If it wasn't for his Lancers being in the same room and only a few mere steps away Zero was positive Roger would have tried killing him by now. Hell, it looked like the man was still considering it a favorable option.
That is, until the Council themselves intervened. "We'll determine if they're troublemakers or not, Roger." The old man with the yellow hat and robes interjected sternly. All five of the Council members were staring down at Roger with scrunched up noses and obvious disgust at the man's state of dress.
"Stand down immediately, Roger." Old woman warned haughtily.
"This is an order." The short, bug eyed member stated disdainfully.
"Correct, chairman?" The Council member with the orange robes with red linings turned his head towards the eldest member in the room.
The chairman himself nodded and hummed pleasantly "Yes. Now, if you please. Let us all return to why we are here."
Roger's gobsmacked expression vanished in a few seconds. The man quickly gathered himself together as much as he could. Hands wiping at his wet and dirtied uniform, squeezing water out as he glared his snake green eyes towards the Lancers. Roger spoke venomously, yet in a calm and refined manner now that he had gotten a hold of himself once more. "These people have incited the Commons and planned to disrupt peace in the City! It's clear from the testimonies of their arrested comrades!"
"Stop messing around!" Sylvio couldn't take this man's presence anymore. Frankly, it was a miracle that he had managed to keep his mouth shut for this long. "We don't know anything about a plan. We escaped the prison by chance! What did you even think we were up to in the first place?!"
"Resisting Security." Roger stated. A sneer twitched on the edges of his lips but otherwise he kept his face neutral. "That alone is an indisputable crime."
"You guys started it first!" Yuya interjected strongly. One hand holding onto Yuzu's own with a tightened grip. Something about the man in front of him didn't sit right with the tomato haired teen. A simple gut feeling that he planned on following, because the look in Roger's green eyes made Yuya feel sick and worried for Yuzu and himself. Though most of those looks were directed at Zero, some of them went to Yuzu, Serena, Ruri, and even he, Yuto, and Yugo. "The moment we arrived in this Dimension we were suddenly surrounded by Security! We were being hunted down and arrested for absolutely no reason!"
"Yeah! Same with Yugo and I!" Yuzu added in. Periwinkle eyes glaring towards Roger. "We weren't going to hurt anyone, and yet you guys still decided to chase us and try to capture us anyway!"
"Dimension?" Roger's expression turned to one of incredulous disbelief before he looked up towards the Council. "Did you just hear that? He just said he 'arrived in this Dimension'. What does he mean by that?"
"Dimension? What is this talk about Dimensions anyway?" Tokumatsu questioned. The kingpin of the now defunct Detention Facility looked towards Yuya and the rest of the Lancers with confusion. The man was stuck in prison and didn't get much of an explanation from Yuya and the others since they were too busy escaping. Though Crow and Shinji at least seemed familiar with this topic they too still had questions on it. Especially since the talk of different Dimensions was actually true.
"Frankly, it sounds like these folks need to be escorted to the nearest insane asylum in my opinion. Yet, if you take their words at face value, that means they came from another Dimension." Roger continued talking up to the Council. The man decided to ignore the rest of the peasants in the room at the moment. "Though, that explains why they can use Summoning Methods not present in our own world." He raised one finger. "Fusion." Serena and Yuzu's faces tensed at the mention of their Summoning Method. "Xyz." Roger raised a second finger, and Shun, Yuto, and Ruri all glowered at the conniving man while Dennis just laughed nervously. "And Pendulum." Roger raised a third and final finger, making Yuya and Sylvio purse their lips. "Do these users of unknown Summoning Methods have a purpose for appearing in the City? I ordered Security to arrest them in order to investigate that."
"Bullshit." Zero shot down Roger's words like a hail of gunfire. "If you wanted answers on their Summoning Methods you could have merely watched them duel and observe their actions. Maybe step forward to ask a couple of questions about it, as I'm positive none of my Lancers would have refused answering such simple questions like that. They didn't have to be tossed into prison alongside actual offenders of murder and rape. Where they could have gotten hurt." Dichromatic eyes narrowed as he hissed. Now the aforementioned Lancers were cringing. It was a miracle none of them had gotten hurt, or worse. "If you truly wanted answers they shouldn't have been forced into the adult's section of the Detention Facility and instead went with the other juveniles."
Now even Reiji was openly glaring at Roger at that sudden reveal of information. "You forcefully put minors into prison with adults?" If the L.D.S president had known about that little tidbit of information he would have broken the Lancers out himself.
"From another Dimension… Is that so, Yuya?" Tokumatsu shook his head and decided to tune out the disturbing argument happening between Roger, Zero, and Reiji. The three mentioned people raising their voices as the brewing argument, stinging words, and insults bubbled over. The Council just watched the spat with growing amusement, must to the rest of the Lancer's disgust.
"Yes, it's true. We all came here from another Dimension." Yuya admitted. "We came here from a Dimension called Standard. But, please believe us. We didn't come to this Dimension, to the Synchro Dimension, to cause trouble!" Scarlet eyes turned from Tokumatsu's own shocked expression to Yuzu. "We came here for three reasons. One was to save Yuzu." The grip on their hands tightened. "The second was to gain the Synchro Dimension as an ally, and the third was to fight back against Academia."
"That's right." Reiji's voice boomed out above the rest, causing everyone to quiet down and focus on one conversation again. The silver haired teen pushed up his glasses as he spoke bluntly. "Our aim is not to cause mayhem. We Lancers came to this Synchro Dimension in order to protect it against Academia's invasion. As well as to join forces to win the Dimensional War."
"Lancers?" Crow raised an eyebrow, his grey eyes turned to Yuya. "I think you mentioned something about Lancers back before we got arrested by Security."
"Lance Defense Soldiers." Sylvio boasted like a prideful rooster. The burnette even puffed his chest out as he explained. "The truth is, we're duel soldiers meant to take on Academia."
"A soldier? YOU?" Tokumatsu's voice was filled with obvious doubt. Sylvio turned his head to scowl up at the taller and older duelist.
Roger began to laugh though, and that caused Sylvio to turn his attention back to the political snake called Roger. "What's so funny?!"
"Please excuse me." Roger apologized, but from the look in his eyes it was obvious he didn't mean a single word of it. "But a Dimensional War? And I wondered what excuse you'd say."
"It's no lie, got it?! Listen here." Sylvio stomped his foot onto the ground hard. "You may not believe this, but this world-"
"That's enough. We've already heard all of it from Reiji Akaba." The old man in yellow robes interrupted swiftly and rudely. The Council member raised a hand up to signify for silence, which Sylvio begrudgingly gave by gritting his teeth together.
"Don't forget about me as well, because apparently some important pieces were accidentally left out." Zero drawled in a bored manner. The masked man spinning back around in his seat to straddle it and look up towards the Council members. Roger wordlessly walked up to stand towards the left side of the room and opposite of the Lancers.
"We already know about the Dimensional War." The short bug eyed man spoke up next.
"As well as about the Lancers." The woman in her blue robes spoke up next. Though her snobbish gaze had her nose turned up at the state of the Lancers. It was an absolute downpour out there though, and no one really had an umbrella, so soaked closed and damp hair was to be expected.
"Correct, chairman?" The man in orange robes asked.
"Yes, this talk is over. As well as that argument you three were getting rather heated in." The chairman spoke lightly, his words being final. The man's golden eyes flickered to the Lancers for a moment before looking back to Roger and their co-founders. "They seem healthy and unharmed, so I see no need for that argument to continue."
Do these people really all speak in half sentences? How senile and stupid. Zero glowered up at the Council sitting in their petty crystalline blue seats. Their desks and chairs purposefully elevated higher than everyone else so that they could all look down on them as if they were Gods. How pompous.
"You heard about it?" Roger demanded, anger showing itself and rising once again. "Does the Council really believe such words? Such nonsense?!"
"We do not know if it is nonsense." The man in yellow robes once again spoke.
This time it was the short Council member that decided to speak. "As there are now people who have indeed come from other Dimensions."
"You believe in the existence of other Dimensions, thus you arrested them for investigation, right?" The woman raised in an eyebrow as Roger begrudgingly nodded in confirmation. "I suggest you try and keep your tongue in check around us Roger. While we have tolerated it up until now it's growing rather irritating very quickly." She warned darkly.
Roger grit his teeth, remaining silent until his sharpened green green eyes turned to the Lancers. The snake decided to try a different route. "Their aim. That's to invade our Dimension, isn't it?"
"Wha-!" Yuya nearly sputtered, but managed to catch himself.
"Don't spout such bull!" Sylvio yelled angrily. The burnette clenching and unclenching his fists so that he didn't try anything reckless.
"That is real nonsense!" Gonenzaka bellowed. Yuzu had to place a hand on the side of the sturdy teen's arm to help calm her friend.
"We are not invaders." Yuto hissed darkly. The mere suggestion being an anger button to the Xyz user. "The invaders are Academia!"
"We would know." Shun growled. The urge to unleash his fury in the form of Rise Falcon on Roger rising as he glare molten yellow daggers into the man's head. The tallest Xyz rebel hugging his sister tightly. "It was Academia that invaded and destroyed our home, our lives."
"We came here to protect this Dimension." Zero finally commented lightly yet firmly. "As Akaba has so plainly stated, or did that statement just simply go over your head Roger?"
Roger's expression twitched into one of rage towards Zero for a split second before the man forced a neutral expression on his face once more as he turned to address the masked man directly. "It is Security's duty to protect the City. Not yours, not your Lancers, no one else but ours. You offer for 'protection' against this 'Academia' is unfounded and unwanted."
"Well then, you're obviously not doing a very good job of protecting, are you?" Zero bounced back easily. The masked man looked down at his gloved hand's nails, believing them to be more worthy of his time than Roger. "Though you and your merry band of Security misfits are doing a fine job of segregating and oppressing." The gesture obviously poked the Head of Security, judging from the hackles that raised on the back of Roger's neck.
"Security will determine who you people are." Roger ground out through tightly gritted teeth. His words almost sounded like an incomprehensible hiss. It sounded like a dark promise, like a threat.
"No. That is up to us, Roger." The man who Zero has decided to call yellow robes cut the third rising argument down swiftly.
"In order to do that, the Executive Council will handle everyone present." The stubby short man stated calmly. It was obvious that the group talked over this conversation many times before now to come to such a resolution.
"Everyone?" Tokumatsu piped up, obviously shocked at this revelation. "You doubt me as well? Even though I've been in the Detention Facility for ten years?!"
"There are no exceptions." The woman said. The Council member fluffing up her robes as she readjusted herself in her seat.
"You're kidding!" Tokumatsu unintentionally shouted. The old man's jaw dropping at the news.
"I didn't come from no other damn Dimension." Crow stated firmly. "I have kids down in the Commons that need me! I don't have time for this." The Synchro user yelled up to the council angrily.
"If you are our allies, we would like you to prove that to us." The man in orange robes said placidly. Not caring the slightest on Crow's plight nor for the health of Amanda, Frank, and Tanner.
"Prove? Like how?" Sylvio questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Participate in the Friendship Cup." Reiji revealed, much to just about everyone's shock.
"Friendship Cup?" More than half of the group of Lancers questioned, obviously not knowing what that was.
Yugo groaned. "How is it that none of you have heard about the Friendship Cup?! Seriously, it's only the biggest tournament in the City!" The banana banged duelist nearly shouted, before he calmed himself. "If it's any consolation, I was already planning on doing that anyway." Yugo's tone turned optimistic and excited as he crossed his arms over the back of his head and slumped against the wall. "Same thing with Yuzu."
"The Friendship Cup?!" Yuya turned to Yuzu in disbelief. "You've already entered into this tournament?!"
"Well." Yugo scratched the side of his head. Aquamarine eyes looking into disbelieving scarlet as he spoke. "It wasn't exactly her idea. I'm the one who entered her into the tournament and got her accepted in the first place, so I guess that's on me."
"Yeah, something which you won't do again with my permission. Right, Yugo?" Yuzu smiled, but that smile was one that held danger beneath its surface.
"Yup! Completely. Totally won't happen again, promise." Yugo laughed sheepishly and scooted away an inch. A horrible imitation of whistling croaking out past the Synchro counterpart's throat as a bead of sweat glided down Yugo's face.
Zero spoke up to explain about the Friendship Cup. "The Friendship Cup is a tournament held in this Dimension, and the current duel king of the tournament is Jack Atlas. The tournament was created to promote harmony between the Tops and Commons when rebellions from the Commons began to grow too out of control for even Security to handle. Though it's obviously a way to keep the Commons settled and under the Top's control." Zero muttered that last part mainly to himself, but everyone still heard it. Said aforementioned Tops and Security glared at the masked man, but Zero continued speaking unheaded. "As for what caused the Commons to start fighting back, that would be you Chojiro Tokumatsu, or Enjoy Chojiro as named by the young generation of duelists during your time." One black gloved hand turned to point at the old kingpin himself.
"What?! Me!" Tokumatsu nearly stuttered at the end, but picked himself up quickly. Another realization hit the old duelist and he whipped his gaze back up to the Council in disbelief. "Wait, don't tell me that we have to participate in this tournament too!"
"There are no expectations." The woman repeated much more sternly.
Tokumatsu turned his entire body to address the Council personally. "I… I can enter the City's largest duel tournament, the one I've heard about for so long?!" The man spoke in a near hushed whisper. Almost as if he was afraid this was all a dream and thus too good to be true.
"I personally would like you to enter as well." The chairman spoke up, causing the others to silence themselves. "The duelist Chojiro Tokumatsu was the catalyst for the formation of the Friendship Cup."
"I really am the catalyst?" Tokumatsu repeated numbly. His head went to Zero, who nodded wordlessly, then back towards the Council.
The chairman nodded as well. "It is as Zero has said. Ten years ago, your arrest led the Commons youth to revolt." He revealed. "In order to control the situation, the Duel Chasers were formed." The Common citizens of the Synchro Dimension all either scowled or sneered as the Duel Chasers were mentioned.
"However, there are only so many Tops in reflection to the Commons." Zero interjected quickly. "A stark difference that, if banded together, could easily overpower and dethrone all of you Tops from your luxurious lives and positions." Zero tilted his mask to the side just a tad, masked dichromatic eyes narrowed. Shinji, Crow, Damon, and Tokumatsu all looked to the masked man with awe at the realization. "That's why you formed the Friendship Cup." While his head was turned to the Lancers Zero's words were directed to the Council.
"That is correct." The chairman agreed simply, before returning to his story. "Disorder only increased as we enforced greater control over the Commons. Ultimately, we came up with a duel tournament to promote harmony between the Tops and Commons. Thus, the Friendship Cup was created. The winner earns the honor of being a shared king for both the Tops and Commons.
"Just like the current Jack Atlas." Zero added in factually. "It's why his face is on practically every billboard in this City. In a way, Atlas is the literal king of this place. If he wanted something he would get it. If he ordered or requested the people to do something they would do it. Well, most would at least." Zero amended his sentence as he saw Crow's enraged expression at the mention of Jack Atlas.
"This is what the Executive Council is aiming for." Reiji put in. The co-founder walked over to lean against the desk they were provided. "The Lancers will participate in the tournament and display their skills as duel soldiers."
"Oh please, quit pulling my leg!" Crow spat, glaring darkly up towards the Council in defiance. "We have no shared king, and I'm definitely not entering this damn tournament! I absoutely refuse to put on a show for you Tops like some sort of demented lapdog."
"Crow…" Yuya trailed off. Worry clear in the tomato haired teen's tone and posture.
Shinji's green eyes finally tore away from Zero's masked face to look at Crow. "Crow, I know how you feel, trust me on that. But if we enter, Frank, Amanda, and Tanner can see that we're all doing well. That we're fine." The Common's green eyes darkened in determination, a rebellious spark being ignited within as he too glared up at the Council. Crow clicked his tongue in aggravation, but otherwise turned his head away from the Council and said nothing.
"Alright!" Tokumatsu crowed excitedly. "Now I can fulfill my promise to the children!" The old duelist threw his arms up into the air as he celebrated this turn of events.
"Alright, Yuya!" Sylvio too was cheering happily at the prospect. Greyish blue eyes turned to meet worried scarlet as Sylvio spoke rapidly. "Let's fire up our audiences of the Synchro Dimension with our Entertainment duel! That, and to finally get a chance to ride on one of those D-Wheel thingies of course."
"The experience is amazing and really fast paced, I can tell you that." Dennis piped up happily. Sylvio whipped his head around to look at the Performage user, gobsmacked.
"You've already ridden one?! Don't tell me you've got a D-Wheel to!" The burnette exclaimed much to Dennis' amusement.
"I understand." Roger turned to face the Council completely. Zero narrowed his masked eyes towards the back of the man's head in suspicion at his suddenly eager behavior. "I agree with their participation in the Friendship Cup as well." The man raised up one finger. "However, I would like to make a proposal."
"Oh great, here we go." Zero drawled. The masked man just knew this 'proposal' most certainly had something to do with him, and that it didn't have the best intentions for his health either. "What do you want?"
"Every year, on the eve of the Friendship Cup, the king carries out an exhibition match." Roger pointed towards the masked man, and Zero nearly groaned in agitation if it wasn't for the fact that other people were present. "How about letting him serve as the opponent?"
"Really?" Zero deadpanned, before standing to cross his arms and jut a hip out to the side. "You do realize I am a co-founding leader of the Lancers, right? I have no intentions of joining this tournament. Why not choose someone like Yuya instead?" The tomato haired teen himself gave a near 'what the fuck?!' kind of look towards the masked man at Zero's suggestion. "He's not only an Entertainment duelist, but he's also the most proficient at Pendulum Summoning seeing as he created the method in the first place unlike what Sylvio wants everyone to think."
"Hey!" Sylvio barked, clearly vexed at the masked man's words. He would have stomped over to the cocky bastard and said more to his masked face if it wasn't for Gongenzaka's steel grip holding him in place and stopping him.
"Why, if you're a co-founder for the Lancers then surely you must be strong." Roger said lightly, mockery hidden under his words and tone that made Zero want to bristle. Yet, the masked teen didn't give Roger the satisfaction in showing any reaction. "Unless you're really afraid to lose, you should have no problems accepting this challenge." Roger grinned. "Besides, with this exhibition match the king can help verify your true strength. If you manage to somehow pull a draw, then that speaks wonders about you and your Lancer's potential, if not-" Now Roger's dull green eyes gleamed in dark amusement. "Well then, you tried your best and we can all simply move on knowing that you and your team are subpar."
"That seems acceptable. What do you think chairman?" The man in the orange robes asked, and everyone turned to look at the old fossil for his decision.
"Yes, that's fine with me." Golden eyes turned to look at both Reiji and Zero. "What about you two?"
"I have no objections." Reiji stated simply. His voice and tone gave nothing away though his violet eyes were directed at Zero as he spoke bluntly. "Zero should have no problems with it either."
Meanwhile, Zero was subtly glaring at Reiji for figuratively throwing him under the bus. Bastard. You don't answer for me. The Standard pro duelist was really grating on Zero's nerves. Yet, if he backed down here it would be seen as a sign of weakness. It was something he couldn't afford.
Instead of letting his anger show, Zero barked out a single swift laugh. The noise showed absolutely no amusement as Zero spoke darkly. "Well then, how about I do you all one better, and bet on it?" The rest of his Lancers barring Reiji were all looking at Zero as if he had lost his mind.
"Welp, that's it. Zero's gone and finally lost his marbles." Dennis mumbled under his breath, but the room was so quiet everyone still heard it.
Zero chose to ignore that and continue speaking. It was obvious from the way that the Council leaned forwards in their seats and from Roger's intrigued expression that they were waiting for him to continue. "I'll duel Jack Atlas, that's obviously going to happen either way even if we don't bet on it. However if we do bet…" Everyone could feel the malicious grin spreading across Zero's masked face. "If I win the duel, everyone that is within the Lancers and is an ally to the Lancers will get to stay together, and be allowed to roam freely, unrestricted." Dichromatic eyes darkened into a glare while Zero's grin was still on his face. "I know you force your Friendship Cup competitors to stay in their rooms until they have to duel, but once I win that will be changed immediately. You'll also look out for my Lancers and keep them safe and unharmed to the best of your abilities throughout this entire tournament. That goes for our allies as well, everyone you see here will be included into the terms of this bet." Masked gloved hands gestured out towards all of his Lancers and their Synchro citizen allies. Technically, everyone here was a Lancer whether they wanted to be or not. Of course he'd have to reiterate that multiple times though unless the Council suddenly 'forgot' his terms like how Reiji 'accidentally' forgot to mention him being a co-founder. Yeah right. Zero rolled his masked eyes.
He wouldn't be surprised if the Council was actually senile enough to forget, unlike Reiji.
"And?" Roger leaned forward slightly with his hands clasped behind his back. Green eyes sharply narrowed towards Zero. "What happens if you lose?"
That grin was back on Zero's masked face. The co-founder of the Lancers threw both of his hands out to either side of him as he spoke bluntly. "If I lose my duel to Jack Atlas I will remove my mask, reveal my identity, and allow myself to be arrested by Security and forced into solitary confinement. This incident, of course, would have me lose my place in the Lancers as the co-founding leader, which I'm sure you would be very happy about, Akaba." Zero's modulated voice drawled, and he exaggerated rolling his eyes again just so Reiji could know he was doing it.
"What?!" Everyone on the Lancers barring Akaba exclaimed, obviously shocked right off of their feet.
"That seems a little drastic, don't you think?" Yugo nearly stumbled, but righted himself to look gobsmacked towards the masked man. "All of that for a bet?"
"No way." Yuya breathed. Wide scarlet eyes looking towards Zero in disbelief. Yuzu silently tightened her hand with the Pendulum user's own to help ground him.
"Absolutely not, Zero!" Both Yuto and Shun bellowed out angrily. The two Xyz rebels stepped forward, but the rest of their advance was stopped when Zero silently raised a hand up towards them.
"This is not your decision to make, but my own." Zero replied firmly, shooting down anyone's arguments with that blunt statement. The masked man's head was still tipped up towards the Council. "While I myself won't be entering the tournament I have no qualms with doing the exhibition match. Do you agree to these terms?"
Roger openly sneered at the masked man, gaining some of the Lancers' ire, before he spun back around to face the Council with a faux cheery expression. "I have no arguments against this bet."
"What if it's a draw?" Serena asked suddenly. "Is the bet off then?"
Zero scoffed. "Please, I see a draw as a loss. Therefore the bet will go into the opposing party's favor." The masked man held his hands behind his back as he grinned. "I accept nothing short of victory."
After a bit of consideration and whispered talking, all of the Council turned back to face the newcomers to their Dimension. "We do not mind these terms either. Though we ask that your Lancers' freedom be contained to the Friendship Cup's building only."
"They get two hours to wander outside of the building when they ask. That's all I'm willing to budge on." Zero stood his ground, one hand raised to almost shake someone's hand when it was obvious he couldn't reach them. "Do we have a deal?"
The Council spoke to themselves quietly once more before looking back again. Some clearly had sour expressions on their faces as the woman spoke up. "That is satisfactory."
"Brilliant." Zero clapped his hands together, his tone cheery when he really wasn't happy with having to duel in the first place. That devilish grin softened to a smaller smile that made Zero's aura all the more creepy. "Shall we be off then? We must get ourselves situated into the tournament's building while I have a duel to prepare for tomorrow."
No one else spoke up except for Roger. The Head of Security opened his mouth to speak. "I ha-"
"Great! Then let us all be on our way." Zero interrupted Roger and spun around on his heel to begin stalking away from the Council building. The masked man's head turned to address all of his Lancers, a raised eyebrow behind his mask. "Well, aren't you all coming? We have quite the task ahead of us we must prepare for." Zero ignored Roger's sputtering words, and left the room right after.
The rest of the Lancers looked towards Roger with sneers and cheshire-like grins. The Head of Security's face turning red once again in his building rage at being so blatantly interrupted and ignored. Everyone, barring Tsukikage, Riley, and Reiji began to walk towards the doors with a satisfied air around them. The second co-founder to the Lancers having a few more topics to discuss with the Council while Riley and Tsukikage just wanted to stay by his side.
Sylvio himself grinned cheekily towards Roger and spoke haughtily. "Get shot down, you old crazy coot!" With that, the rest of the Lancers and new members were gone. Off to prepare for this new task and to take on the Friendship Cup.
This chapter is 24 pages long and 11,800 words. No action in this chapter unless you like politics, but that'll change in the next chapter I assure you. :3
I feel like I'm bashing on Reiji really hard and I feel bad about it, but dammit he and Zero ain't friends in the slightest. So a bad guy I shall make him look like and a dick he shall be! Though when I first watched the Arc-V series I did see him being a bit of a jerk, and not in the cool Kaiba type of way!
I tried to find the names of the High Council, but I came up blank. Though they only really come up in like two episodes and are background background characters I don't really see a reason to come up with names for them. They'll be discarded soon enough and be gone completely when we move on from the Synchro Arc. Unless you guys know their names you can PM me or send it in a Review and I'll add it in.
As always, leave a REVIEW, Favorite, and Follow the story. I'll be seeing you all sometime in the future~! Happy incoming New Year's you guys. Let's hope 2021 is better than 2020! -MoonlightWright
