Big apologies for the wait, but here is the next section of the story. Let's get this chapter started! Woohoo!
Ch. 37: Two Truths and a Couple of Lies
The doors to the lounge in the contestant tower opened with a soft click. All of the Lancers instantly stopped what they were doing and turned to face said doors in wait for a certain someone's arrival. Two High Executive Council security guards entered the room first and scanned the tower's surroundings even though it was already safe. With the lack of danger present the two guards held the double doors open and finally the masked man himself walked through.
Zero walked through the double doors looking as strong as ever. Back with straight posture, chest raised with clear pride as confidence and charisma practically oozed from his being. Short cape trailing behind him in the small breeze as his shoes tapping against the ground clicked out around the silent area. Blank mask revealing nothing, as it should be.
No one seemed to notice the way his hands shook near imperceptibly.
Once he had stepped through the threshold of the tower's lounge Zero idly waved a hand back towards the Executive guards, modulated voice commanding. "Leave."
They didn't need to be told twice. Immediately with Zero's given permission the two guards nearly scrambled back out of the lounge. Closing the doors behind them with a resounding click as they went. Leaving the group of Lancers alone to converse with themselves.
It was quiet throughout the longue. Everyone was staring at Zero, and he was staring back at each and every one in return. No one dared to be the one that spoke up first and broke the silence. Broke what felt like was the last line between tense uneasy calm and the chaotic storm of arguments. Those newest to the Lancers had fear and distrust firmly in their eyes while the oldest members of the Lancers and Xyz Dimension fighters merely stared in confusion, anger, and unease. While fear may have been in their gaze, it was not for themselves and their own being, but for their leader.
Either way, Zero was too exhausted to really dive deep into the emotions he was seeing through everyone's eyes, expressions, and body language.
The masked revolutionary turned on his heel, and began to walk towards the stairs to head towards his sleeping quarters.
The sudden action finally broke the dam of silence. "Where do you think you're going?" Shun was the one to ask that question. The Raidraptor user stepped forward a step. Yet, Zero didn't stop. The masked man continuing to walk towards the stairs unheeded as if he had never heard Shun speak in the first place. "That's it? You're really just going to leave us hanging and act as if none of what happened in that duel happened?"
"Yeah!" Yugo was the next one to speak up. The Synchro user raised a fist as he spoke angrily. "It's about time we got some answers! I've been waiting long enough for answers on who the hell took Rin, and I'm tired of waiting!" As Zero continued walking, having not said anything, Yugo stood up from his seat and stomped over to the man. Getting in the masked man's personal space and poking a finger firmly into his chest. "Hey! Do you hear me talking?! Don't think you can ignore this or try to shove it under the rug you snake! Don't try messing with me. Playing your little mind games."
"Hey, back off." Yuto pushed forward to make Yugo get out of Zero's personal space. Not caring of the fact that he was risking the possibility of being warped away. "You're just upset that he beat Atlas."
"I am not!" Yugo shouted. His anger confirmed that he was indeed upset about it, but that wasn't all. "I'm angry over the fact that this guy has been keeping secrets and hiding things from not just me, but all of us here!" Aquamarine eyes looked around at the room briefly before returning to glare at stormy grey. "One of your own leaders is keeping secrets behind your back, and I don't know if that's okay wherever you come from, but it's not cool with me. I'm sure a lot of people here would like to finally get some damn answers." Now Yugo returned to glaring at Zero who had finally stopped walking towards the stairs, but kept his gaze away from the rest of the group and remained unusually silent. "And I'm pretty confident that a lot of people in this room agree with me even if they won't say it."
The tension in the room tripled and the atmosphere started to get hot with the beginning signs of a fight about to break out showing. Everyone, and quite literally everyone, was staring at Zero in silence, but it was clear that they had agreed to what Yugo was saying. Though Ruri eventually looked down at the ground in shame instead.
Yuto tensed, body tightening like a coiled spring about to break. Grey eyes widening in anger he couldn't even speak through, but there was also a feeling of betrayal. Both from his allies and the person he was choosing to defend from said allies. A small yet sharp pain in the back of his mind started to show, and suddenly Yuto had the distinct feeling that he was forgetting something very important.
"Stop-" Zero started to speak, but for once his voice was quickly overcome by the rest of the Lancers.
"I'm afraid I have to agree with Yugo's words." Gongenzaka stated grimly as his gaze was set in determination. "The time for answers is now Zero. Before someone gets hurt because of the information you refused to share." The Standard citizen turned to look at Yuya and Yuzu with a protective air. "I have friends I wish to protect."
"And I have children I need to get back to." Crow added in.
Seeing everyone making sides, Yuto turned to those he had bonded closest to, Shun, Ruri, and Yuya. Each had clear conflict visible in their gaze and posture. "...What about you three?"
Yuya bit his lower lip as Yuzu silently came over to the Pendulum user's aid and gave support in the form of holding his hand. "I'm sorry." Scarlet eyes truly showed that he truly was apologetic. "But, I just can't risk our safety- Yuzu's safety."
Ruri however, gave a nod towards Yuto and spoke with certainty. "I'm with you Yuto." Pink eyes turned to look at the rest of the Lancers as she spoke firmly. "Give Zero a break. He just got back from the exhibition match, and it's quite clear that the duel was a very tough one."
"I- Ruri." Shun looked down towards his sister with indecision. Molten yellow eyes flicking from her, to Yuto, then finally towards Zero. The masked man remained still and silent since his last attempt at speaking. "... Don't you guys think we've waited long enough?" The Xyz user spoke quietly.
Yuto grit his teeth, and begrudgingly gave his honest answer. "Yes, but-!"
"Then why are we fighting over this?" Dennis questioned over the Xyz user, gaining Yuto's glare. "You yourself even agree that it's time to get some answers."
Yuto spoke lowly, a dangerous tone coming from his voice. "If we push him too far-"
"Too far? We haven't been pushing him enough in my opinion!" Sylvio yelled out. The burnette walked forward this time and pushed Yuto to the side. "Frankly, I'm tired of waiting as well, so what's it going to be Zero?"
"Hey-!" Yuto turned to shout at Sylvio, but the burnette ignored him.
"Are you going to man up and spill, or are we going to have to make you talk?" Zero remained silent, and with it Sylvio's ire reached an all time high. "Well, stop giving us all the silent treatment and speak up." Nothing, and with a silver grey eye twitching in anger, Sylvio reached out and grabbed a bruising hold onto Zero's shoulder before roughly spinning him around to face the Lancers. "ZERO!"
Zero flinched back harshly, a whispered voice choking out. "Stop."
That shut all of the Lancers up real quick.
Sylvio reeled back a few steps as if he had been visibly burned. "...What?" The teen whispered lightly.
Everyone looked at Zero with a different lens now. The way he wasn't speaking and being his usual boisterous self. How he didn't seem to be able to keep his mute gaze on them and off of the floor. Most importantly, how Zero had spoken when he did. How it sounded like he had nearly said please instead of stop. Zero never asked, and it was never nicely if he did. Yet this one, the way he spoke it, he suddenly looked so vulnerable.
Suddenly, everyone was able to see the way Zero's hands shook.
Suddenly realizing what he had done, Zero harshly shook his head and recomposed himself. That bout of weakness was unacceptable. "I am exhausted." Zero spoke harshly, and his modulated voice made it sound worse. "If it will quell your anger and curiosity I will answer some of your questions tomorrow. Once I have fully rested." Finally, Zero lifted his head high and spoke with the same confidence and certainty he always possessed. "Not all of you questions will be answered of course, but I will answer some."
With what he had wanted to say out of the way, Zero turned around and stalked up the stairs and towards his room.
This time, nobody stopped him.
. . .
Zero nearly slammed his masked head back against the headboard of his bed. Stupid. How could he be so foolish as to show such weakness in front of his allies. Especially in front of those from the Synchro Dimension who were still on the fence about being a Lancer. He didn't know which was worse. Mao appearing and trying to spill the beans on his secret of geass, or slipping up like he did with his Lancers back at the lounge.
Yet, for a moment there, when Sylvio had yelled at him so loudly and forced him to turn around and look him in the eyes…
In his sleep deprived state, Zero saw his father's image circumvent Sylvio's own.
Oh, Zero knew that Sylvio would never hit him. Whether it be against his nature and morals to do so or simply because of the consequences he would gain and fear of should he even try it didn't matter. The burnette simply just wasn't that type of person.
But that's not what his exhausted mind thought at that moment in time.
And now he had practically promised them answers on the next day?
Ohhh, people were going to ask, and talk, and speculate…
"Ugh." Zero groaned softly to himself and tried to rub his face, but couldn't due to his mask blocking the way. "I knew being the one forced to partake in the exhibition match would bring bad news." He tried finding a way around or out of the situation, but his muddled mind came up with nothing.
It was about time he 'opened' up to his Lancers though. Not with everything, but with some bits and pieces.
To his Xyz allies anyway. They had earned it. Unlike everyone else.
Frankly, Zero wasn't sure anyone would ever get the full story so long as he was alive, and even then once he was dead everything would be skewed. Distorted.
Weary eyelids drooped from beneath Zero's mask. Trying to get the sleep he oh so desperately needed, but no matter how hard he actually tried Zero couldn't go to sleep.
He didn't feel safe, and not feeling safe meant there was a danger around them, lurking, waiting. Waiting for them to fall asleep to strike. Take all of their supplies and then off the children, but not before having some fun first of course. Leave the corpses to rot in haunted silence after having some fun with the little crippled girl-
Knock. Knock.
Muddled, half aware dichromatic eyes snapped open and instantly Zero was out of the bed and on alert. Glaring towards the door and the person behind it hotly as he spoke venomously. "Who's there?"
At first, no one answered. As if they were afraid or maybe even embarrassed to, but then after a minute of silence where Zero was almost certain he had scared the person off they spoke. "... It's me."
Serena.
Dichromatic eyes narrowed in suspicion. "What do you want?" Zero spoke curtly. "I'm trying to get some rest as I've so clearly stated back at the lounge."
The otherside of the door was silent again. Serena taking her time to choose her words wisely and to not accidentally set the masked man off. It was clear he was irritable, or at the very least emotionally unstable with his exhaustion and from the day's events. "...Can I come in?" While she spoke the words plainly the way she paused before speaking showed her hesitance. Though she did indeed take the time to choose what she wanted to say, it was still rather blunt.
But it was said bluntness that caught Zero off guard. He was expecting the usual 'are you alright' and 'do you need anything' questions and pathetic attempts of comfort Zero never wanted. No, he was not alright and no he didn't want anything. He would probably never be 'alright' and nothing he could gain would make the trauma he had gained go away.
"It's unlocked." Zero finally stated, much to his own surprised chagrin. He really was losing it today.
The door opened quietly, and Serena didn't say anything as she closed the door again and turned to face him. Forest green eyes filled with emotions and an obvious want to help but not knowing exactly what to do or how to do it.
The two just stared at each other for a while. Silent. Studying each other and determining what to do and what not to do.
"...Did you want something?" Zero finally ground out between his grit teeth. He was tried, and he just wanted to be left alone.
"I didn't think I'd actually get this far to be honest." Serena admitted with a pensive look.
So much like Kallen.
A swift bark of laughter escaped Zero's throat before he could stop it, but he shut it up quickly. "Yes, well. Most don't usually get this far." He conceded before turning away to head towards the window overlooking the City. Looking down at the bright lights and fireworks then blocking the sight by closing the curtains loudly.
"I'm not even going to ask if you're alright, because obviously you're not." Serena spoke through the tense quiet that permeated the air around them. Zero's tense posture went even stiffer as she spoke. "But I'm not here to get answers or ask questions either."
"Then what are you here for?" Zero questioned darkly. The masked leader of the Lancers going to sit on the edge of the bed and cross his legs.
"To be a solid presence." The Fusion user said confidently. Her determination even managed to make Zero somewhat impressed. "A presence that will let you know that you're safe."
Now Zero's laugh was mocking as he spoke with derision. "I don't need comfort." He hissed through his mask. "Nor do I need a guard or babysitter if that's what the rest of the Lancers tasked you to do."
"I didn't say I was here to comfort you." Serena corrected calmly. Though, the fire in her forest green eyes made it clear she wasn't taking no for an answer. "And clearly you can take care of yourself." Finally, the Academia run away showed her impatience at Zero's demeanor by huffing a breath and throwing her arms out to either side. "Look, I'm not here to pester you or ask anything like what the hell is wrong with you. It's clear you've got some major baggage even if it seems only Ruri, Yuto, Shun, and I can see it." She gestured to herself. "I'm just here… to just be here." With that, the girl sat down in the sole chair in the room and crossed her own legs and arms. "Besides, I'm not leaving now that you let me in, so deal with it."
The two glared at each other as silence overtook the room once more. Both sides fighting to make the other yield though neither budged.
With his exhaustion and weakened barriers, Zero broke first.
"Fine." He snapped. Standing up to adjust himself before laying down on the bed fully. His back to Serena as he nearly snarled. "Do what you will, but don't even think of trying to take off my mask or touch me."
"Sure thing." Serena replied back with equal bark. The Fusion user turned to sit sideways on the chair. "I was feeling uncomfortable being all alone in my room anyway. Felt like someone was watching me." Zero wouldn't say it, but that's how he felt ever since they had got here. He felt the same.
With a presence that he did indeed identify as safe, a source of safety, suddenly every bone in Zero's body was weary. His muscles felt like jelly and he couldn't even twitch a finger as darkness started to consume his vision.
Zero fell asleep quickly mere seconds after with Serena falling asleep not far behind. Not a single nightmare causing him to awake in a drenched sweat or ice cold terror. No burning pain in his chest or eyes. Instead, he slept like a rock even past sunrise. The most he had slept in a long, long time.
It was the most peaceful moment of rest Zero had ever had since arriving in the Xyz Dimension all that time ago.
. . .
A new day had begun in the City, and with it the eve of the Friendship Cup was over to bring forth the opening day of the tournament. News choppers flew through the air alongside confetti and party streamers. Things were heating up and people were flocking to the stadium to get a look at the duels that were about to happen today up close and personally.
Meanwhile, the contestants of said tournament were all down in the longue. Most preparing their own breakfasts for the day or idly conversing with each other. The only ones missing were Zero, Serena, Reiji, Tsukikage, and Riley. The latter three went out to speak with the Council while the former two were unknown. The banter and mood of the atmosphere was much lighter and relaxed than last night now that everyone had time to cool off, think, and get some sleep.
In the background, the TV was on and broadcasting Melissa Claire as she did a recap of the Friendship Cup's exhibition match before it was time to truly begin the tournament. "The special match commemorating the eve of the Friendship Cup hoo boy was that quite an experience I'll never forget! What an exciting turn of events it was!" The cow girl reporter twirled her microphone staff expertly as she spoke. "We were all certain that the winner would be our Duel King Jack Atlas, and it really looked like the match was his near the end there! Yet, this masked man only going by the name of Zero has somehow managed to turn the tables and end up to be the victor much to everyone's shock. I sure am shocked." Melissa Claire laughed at her own comment. A look of excitement and joy truly on her face. "It seems Zero has acknowledged himself to be a dark horse of sorts, and with the results of the exhibition match it seems the City now has not one but two kings!" Melissa grinned brightly as she leaned in to mock whisper into the camera. "Rumor has it that the masked man is a co-leader of an out of town group called the Lancers, and that he'll be watching over the tournament duels alongside our King Atlas." The screen turned to show bits and pieces of Zero and Atlas duel last night, before turning to show Zero as the winner.
Even through the TV the group could hear the two different cheers coming from the audience as the duel went on.
"Jack! Jack! Jack! Jack!"
"Zero! Zero! Zero! Zero!"
"Jack's seriously strong! I'm telling you." Yugo nearly whined as he gestured madly to the TV. "That match was just a fluke or something."
Shun clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. "That's because you're an Atlas fan. Of course you'd think that."
"It's true!" Yugo growled. The Synchro user almost wanted to throw hands to cement his point but even he could tell that the Raidraptor was just teasing. Much to Yugo's annoyance. "Why don't you try and duel Atlas sometime soon? I'll be grinning the entire time he wipes the floor with you."
"I don't doubt it." Shun stated before taking another bite of his cereal. "From the way he had Zero on the ropes last night? He's got to have skill to back up his bark."
"Not to mention he's kept his title as king for three consecutive years." Ruri commented idly as she sat down with a bowl of cereal for herself. Though hers had blueberries and nuts sprinkled on top. "That's a good indicator to his prowess as well."
"Can we please stop talking about that traitor?" Crow spoke up with a scowl on his face. "Just hearing his name and having to put on a show here for the Tops is souring my mood."
Yugo growled at Crow. "Jack isn't a traitor!"
"Course he is." Grey eyes belonging to Crow narrowed at Yugo as they started to bicker. "He sold out with the Tops once he became 'king'. Not to mention how much of a jerk he turned into while turning his back on us Commons." He spoke the word king sarcastically and rolled his eyes. "You just can't see it because you're an Atlas fan. Your awe of him is misplaced and blinding you."
"Why you-!" Yugo yelled, and started to stand up from his chair to leap over the table to attack the Black Feather user.
"Yugo." The voice of Yuzu Hiragi cut through the argument like the Red Sea parting for Moses. "Behave or else."
"You're not my mom." Yugo shot back towards Yuzu. The Synchro users shoulders hunched and a look of deep longing entered his aquamarine eyes at the thought of a similar looking girl who always acted like the mother he never had. How she wasn't here now to realize their dream and how desperately he missed Rin and wanted to get her back. The banana banged duelist silently sunk down into his seat and messed with the couple of blueberries he had in his bowl with a depressed air. No longer feeling hungry.
Periwinkle eyes grew sad at realizing what had Yugo in a suddenly sad mood. "It's okay Yugo. We'll rescue Rin eventually."
Yuya picked up on Yugo's downed mood as well, and swiftly moved to side with Yuzu and cheer his doppleganger up. "Yeah. You'll see Rin again soon. We'll get you two reunited no matter what." Scarlet looked to periwinkle with untold amounts of love and devotion. "With how I felt when Yuzu vanished back in Standard… I don't know how you've managed to stay so strong without Rin for so long. I wouldn't have been able to stay that determined without any sign of her." The Pendulum user looked back towards Yugo. "You're strong, Yugo."
"I think we've all had that feeling of separation." Yuto stated from his own seat besides Ruri and Shun. "I'm certain we would have done something reckless by now if Ruri had still been missing since vanishing from the Xyz Dimension with Zero." Grey eyes looked to aquamarine in a rare sign of being impressed alongside a good helping of respect. "Despite the fact that you make rather knee jerk reactions and light up like a firecracker real quick you can show patience and restraint when you need to."
Yugo looked at Yuzu, Yuya, and Yuto before a grateful smile appeared on his face. "Thanks guys. I needed that."
"Don't forget we're here too." Dennis put in eagerly. The rest of the Lancers looked at each other and nodded in silent agreement. Light blue eyes crinkling at the happy smile spreading across the Performage user's face. "And the offer goes to anyone and everyone here. Not just to Yugo."
"We're here as well if you ever need us." Tokumatsu crossed his arms. The Synchro citizens in the lounge nodding in agreement as well. "At this rate we're basically a part of the Lancers as well. Whether everyone here really wants to be or not."
At that moment of understanding and camaraderie, the sound of footsteps on the stairs gathered everyone's attention. All eyes turned to Serena, who was retying her hair up into it's usual high ponytail. Forest green eyes looked up to all of the people staring at her and raised a silent eyebrow.
Clearly, they were expecting someone else. A certain masked someone else.
Serena rolled her eyes and continued down the stairs and over towards the bowls and cereal set aside on the cafeteria side of the lounge. "He'll be down in a minute. He just needs a moment." The Academia run away didn't need to say his name since everyone knew who she was talking about.
The masked man himself came down the steps exactly a minute later. The co-leader of the Lancers adjusting the fabric around his collar bone before brushing his shoulders off of mock dust. Masked dichromatic eyes looked up towards the stiffened forms of his Lancers. Though their rightful anger was much better reined in now that everyone had a chance to rest.
Zero exaggerated rolling his eyes before gesturing to the single long table on the cafeteria's side of the lounge. "Everyone sit down and let's get this over with. I want to establish a couple of things before we get started, but otherwise it'll be a free for all to ask what you all want."
It was rather comical how everyone seemed to scramble towards the seats around the table. Going to the ones closest to the seat at the head of the table that Zero was walking to with his usual confident prideful swagger.
After everyone was finally settled in their seats, Zero pulled out his own chair and sat down languidly. The revolutionary raised one black gloved finger. "First things first, and I want to make this rule very clear. I will NOT be telling any of you my identity or anything that could hint to it."
"And why not!" Sylvio slammed his hands on the table, being the first individual to complain and demand why.
"Do you want all of the reasons in chronological order, alphabetical order, or matter of importance?" Zero snapped rhetorically, but he wasn't done. "I'll give you one word as a reason why I shouldn't tell you. Academia." Many of the Lancers shunk at the mention of the enemy in this Dimensional War. "Here's one in two words, Yuri Katsu." Everyone cringed at the Fusion doppleganger's name. "Want three? Jean Michel Roger." The Commons all growled in anger at the man's name. "How about four? The Executive High Council." Zero looked around the room with irritation clear in his body language. He raised a hand up to signify five. "Let's just keep going on with five. That being all of Security. Six would have to be-"
"Okay! Okay!" Sylvio huffed loudly and slouched back in his chair roughly while crossing his arms. Silver blue eyes showing begrudgingly reluctant acceptance. "We get it. You get to keep your name hush hush and all of that."
"What else?" Shun pushed the conversation topic back on track.
"If the questions you have are too personal for my liking I can choose to not answer." Dichromatic eyes looked around the room once more, but no one could tell from his mask. "There are eyes and ears everywhere after all. Wouldn't want an enemy to accidentally stumble upon a weakness. You all know how it is."
"No. We don't." Yuya stated, but crossed his arms and leaned on the table causing his cheeks to be smushed. "But we understand." Scarlet eyes looked around at the rest of his Lancer companions, and after a moment everyone gave a nod in agreement. Though some were begrudgingly giving after most of the group nodded.
"Perfect." Zero clapped his gloved hands together before placing his clasped hands onto the table top calmly. "Then ask away."
Instantly, Yugo was standing up out of his seat as he shouted. "Tell me everything about the person who took Rin!" Everyone respectfully went silent at the banana banged duelist's declaration. "I've waited long enough for you to answer, so tell me who really took her!"
Zero's eyes had widened at Yugo's sudden outburst, but seeing the burning fire of determination in those aquamarine eyes told Zero that he couldn't keep the information from Yugo any longer. Despite the reason being they didn't have time to explain and difficult circumstances before. "Alright, I will." Yugo quickly sat down, and his entire focus was on Zero as the masked man began to explain. "The person who took Rin is your Fusion Dimensional counterpart Yuri Katsue. The Professor who runs Academia apparently tasked him with the mission of kidnapping anyone that looks like her and wears a bracelet similar to her own." Yuzu, Ruri, and Serena all looked down at their bracelets in unison. "Rin was his first target while Ruri was going to be his second, but my interference prevented him from reaching her."
"What's he look like?" Yugo continued to question. The sharp focus on the normally loud mouthed individual was somewhat concerning to those around him.
"He's around your age obviously." Zero started. "Similar facial structure and build. Has purple hair with two strands sticking up with pink streaks in it and underneath the purple. Has pinkish magenta eyes with pink eyebrows and wears a unique Academia uniform that's mainly purple with yellow highlights alongside a red jacket thrown behind his back to act rather similar to a cape of sorts. Any further questions?"
"You got any idea why the Professor is after Rin and the other girls?" Yugo continued with the offer. "Why kidnap Rin and not me as well?"
"That's actually a rather good question." Zero muttered to himself. "I have theories ranging from the simple possibility that the Professor is a pedophile to the more gruesome worry of possible cloning and experimentation."
That didn't make Yugo feel any better. In fact, it did the opposite judging from the way Yugo paled so much it looked like he was going to pass out. "Oh God, Rin."
"Why didn't he take the opportunity to kidnap you as well? I have no idea." Zero stated. Placing one gloved hand under his chin in thought. "It could be the female doppelgangers have something the males don't. Though, that's only a theory and nothing concrete."
Yugo grit his teeth, nearly making them crack from the rage he was trying to control with deep even breathes that made him look like a bull about to go on a rampage. "Where can I find him? This Yuri. How do I get him to talk and take me to Rin when I do find him, because I will find him and make him pay for taking Rin!"
"The most obvious place to find Yuri would be at Academia itself, but seeing as we have yet the time to update your duel disk with the ability to cross Dimensions nor do we have the coordinates to the Fusion Dimension that isn't a possibility we can choose just yet. Even if we did, you would probably be outnumbered and overpowered before even reaching Yuri." Zero took out his Deck and began to shift through the cards he was so familiar with. "The next best bet would be when he's on his mission." Dichromatic eyes looked straight into aquamarine and Zero stopped shuffling through his cards. "Stick with either me or one of the girls and he'll come to you eventually. Just make sure you don't do something rash that you'll end up regretting once you do find him, because I doubt anything short of death could keep you from finding Yuri. Not after how he's wronged you and Rin."
Yugo looked shocked, possibly even frightened at Zero's warning of not doing anything he would regret. As if implying that Yugo would kill Yuri in his fit of blind rage. The Synchro duelist grew a light, sickly green pale around the gills at the implication and went silent.
"I don't care what methods you use to make Yuri 'talk', but I doubt he'll be easy to crack unless you resort to rather cruel methods." Zero stated near lazily. As if torture wasn't a horrible topic or suggestion. The Lancers around the table looking frightened at Zero's easy demeanor to the topic. "Next question anyone?"
"What the hell was that thing on your D-Wheel? The one that stayed even after the end of the duel." Shun made sure to be the first one to speak up after Yugo. His voice firm and making sure it could be heard over everyone else's questions. Yellow eyes narrowed darkly into molten slits that showed he wasn't taking a no on this question as an answer.
"The question is more of a who rather than what." Zero started off simply. The terrorist taking a deep breath to relax his stiff shoulders. If he wanted to keep his Lancers together he needed to be honest and answer some of their questions. They were willing to compromise on not finding out his identity yet, and so he needed to give something of equal value in return. Information. "To be straight to the point what you all saw yesterday was the spirit of a long since deceased enemy of mine."
"A spirit?" Shinji reeled back at that. Disbelief clear in his eyes. "You've got to be joking."
Crow leaned his head on his hand, elbow on the table as he raised an eyebrow and asked. "Care to explain that a little further? Like, who exactly he is."
Zero tilted his head to the side in thought, then shrugged and complied to Crow's request. "His name was Mao, and he's been dead for around half a year if my calculations are correct. He came from overseas with the intent to harm. His target being mainly me." The masked man raised a hand for silence. "To get right down to it, he was an absolute psychopath who jumped right over the line of sanity and down the deep end. He got in the middle of one of my rebellions during the war I was fighting at that time, and he only had eyes on me and what I was keeping from him. Otherwise, if he had got what he wanted from me without fuss he probably would have left just as quickly as he suddenly barged in."
"What did he want?" Yuzu asked softly. Everyone quieting down at the tale Zero was telling. Of interactions that happened in the past.
"A girl I was hiding from the… oppressive government at the time. Though you could call her a witch more than a girl she was one of my biggest backers and allies. She went by the name C.C, and Mao was absolutely obsessed over her. He wanted her and wouldn't take no for an answer. Much like a child after their favorite toy really." Zero replied back honestly.
"If he was just a regular guy." Yuto spoke up now, grey eyes reflecting a fear he didn't know where it was coming from. "Besides being nuts of course, then what was with his eyes? They were glowing red and had that strange symbol in them that replaced his pupils."
"..." Zero was silent for a long time after that. The table stayed eerily quiet at the question Yuto asked. Finally, Zero leaned forward on the table and spoke. "Tell me, do all of you here believe in the supernatural?"
At the unexpected question, everyone reeled back. Some with confusion while others were just caught off guard. Yugo answered with annoyed aquamarine eyes. "Well, seeing as trans-dimensional travel and different Dimensions actually exist I'd have to say yes."
"Not to mention the question about us all having the same face." Serena added in sternly. Her hands tightening into fists as she spoke. "That alongside our bracelets, the dragons, and this supposed spirit that's not only haunting Yuya, Yuto, and Yugo, but also actually seeing a spirit in the flesh in the form of Mao. Yes. I believe we can all firmly say yes to that question." Forest green eyes looked into Zero's blank mask. "What's the point of this question?"
"Going a bit deeper into that." Zero continued unheeded. "Do you all believe in magic?"
"...What kind of magic?" Dennis finally asked. "Like, magic tricks? Or-"
"I'm talking about magic more connected to things like psychics. Seeing into the future and the like." Zero specified quickly to Dennis' question.
Now some looked unsure. "I'm with Serena on this." Gongenzaka crossed his own set of sturdy arms. "What are these questions for Zero?"
"That point I'm trying to make here is that Mao wasn't normal even if you disregarded his rather crazy and murderous tendencies." Zero looked up from the table to eye each and every individual to speak with dark certainty. "Mao had the ability to read minds."
Everyone needed a moment to take that declaration in, before speaking in unison. "What."
"That's bull." Sylvio glared at Zero darkly.
"I find that rather hard to believe as well." Tokumatsu agreed while he rubbed the short stiff hairs on his chin.
"Now hold on a second guys-" Yuya added in. The tomato haired teen intervening at the argument that was rising from underneath the surface.
"You want to know why his eyes are red?" Zero tightened his hands into fists on the table top. The gloves stretched at the action as Zero suddenly stood up from his chair and roared. "You all came yelling into my face demanding answers! You asked for the truth and I am giving it to you." He growled and looked at his Lancers. "Everyone in this room knows I am not one to make idle jokes and false stories just for the hell of it. I'm straightforward, cold, and harsh in my honesty when I have to be." Zero sat back down roughly, pushing himself away from the table and crossing his legs. "You can choose to not believe me if you want, but just know you all asked for it. Asked and demanded for the truth, and now I am giving it to you uncensored."
Zero brushed the fabric, lightly touched the red symbol between his collar bones. Everyone's eyes widening in unison as they made the connection between the red symbol of a bird in flight that was stitched onto Zero's suit to the one they saw in the duel last night multiple times.
"Geass." Zero spoke up forcefully through the shocked silence. His voice like thunder rolling across the plains. "The ability to make any one person's wish come true in the form of a power you most desire through your personality. Tailored perfectly to fit you, who you are as a person, and your needs. Whether that be through controlling a person's will, their mind and body, to see into the future, to make a person feel pain or pleasure when nothing is actually happening, to see illusions… To read the minds of people around you." Dichromatic eyes grew hazy as he thought back to his life before ending up in the Xyz Dimension. "To live forever if you master it, evolve it into something more to where other geass users won't even affect you… It's different for every person, and the smarter and stronger of will you are the more sophisticated the power gets and the more restrictions there are."
"How do you know all of this…" Ruri whispered to Zero. Her pink eyes still stuck on the symbol integrated into her leader's suit.
"Who else? C.C." Zero answered instantly. "She's the one who gave Mao his power when he was just a child through the form of a contract. She is much, much older then she looks."
"So, Mao could read minds." Seconds after Yuto said that, realization snapped into his eyes and horror grew on his face. The Xyz rebel's face paled drastically as he looked to Zero quickly. "Does that mean you-"
"Even I was not exempt from it." Zero stated neutrally. "Yes. Mao could read my mind. Everything and anything I knew and thought, he knew. He knew my name and identity. All of my strategies he could counter as easily as breathing by just reading my own mind to find the best solution."
"All of your weaknesses and secrets. He knew them just like that. Who you're related to, family you hold dear that could be used against you." Ruri said hoarsely. Everyone looked horrified at the thought of a complete stranger suddenly knowing everything and anything about you. Even the dark parts you wanted no one to find out. "Dear God."
"There were restrictions to his powers too though. For one thing he had lost control of his geass, and so he couldn't turn it off no matter how badly he wanted to." Zero tilted his head lightly to the side as he spoke. "That, and he could read everyone's thoughts at once within a certain spherical range of approximately five hundred meters. Let it be said again that he couldn't turn his geass off." Ruri put a hand over her mouth at the realization.
"No wonder he went nuts." Crow grit his teeth. "To have to listen to everyone's idle thoughts from so far and not be able to turn it off? I would go crazy too."
Zero spoke idly. "Either way. Mao knew too much. He was too much of a threat to let slide by, so I did what I always do to threats too dangerous to let live." Zero grinned behind his mask. One filled with ice and malice. "I killed him."
That was a lie, C.C killed Mao. Finished the job she should have done when she realized Mao would never grant whatever her wish was.
"K-killed." Yuya's scarlet eyes were small with fear. Near speechless. "Y-you- but- why!?"
"Mao got all that he deserved." Zero gripped the sides of his chair. The wood creaking in his anger. "He did exactly what you are all thinking. He used those I cared for to get to me. Screwed them over and hurt them with his twisted words and power rather than with physical violence. He wanted to blow up an entire school full of children as revenge against me when I outsmarted him the first time and got him filled up with lead he somehow managed to survive through." That little tidbit still had him stumped to this day. "No one, and I mean no one. Messes with those I hold dear to me. Not unless they want to end up dead." Zero hissed darkly through his mask. A side of fierce protectiveness sharpening his voice's edge like a blade.
"So what? He's haunting you now?" Shinji questioned incredulously.
Zero shrugged. "Apparently. This is the first time something like this has ever happened to me, so I'm just as surprised about it as you all are. I'm just better at moving on about it."
"Should we be concerned?" Shun tapped a finger on the table as he asked the question. Yellow eyes staring into masked dichromatic ones. "Should we be concerned about these 'geass' users? Will they get in the way of us defeating Academia."
Zero shuffled to get in a more comfortable position in his seat. "No." Everyone sighed in relief. "No they won't be a bother. Not here. Not in this situation."
"Okay, now here's my next question." Shun continued. His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Do you have this geass power?"
The atmosphere took another dive at the question. Nobody even thought about asking that question or thought about Zero possibly even having that power. Not even considering it until Shun said those words.
"No. I don't." Zero stated calmly. His arms folding on the table again as he continued. "Though, C.C offered to give me geass through the form of a contract. I refused. After seeing what became of Mao when he lost control of his geass? I'm glad I refused."
"Sounds like the Devil." Sylvio shuddered and rubbed his arms. "Making deals and stealing souls through the form of contracts and giving dark powers in return. Sounds like she's turning people into demons." Everyone fidgeted in their seats as they chewed on the thought. Faces pale with worry and fear clear in their eyes.
"No wonder you were so accepting of Aura's talk back during the Battle Royale in Standard." Gongenzaka muttered softly. "You've already dealt with something supernatural."
Zero decided to not refute that comment. It wasn't completely far off the mark if the masked man thought about it. Seeing as what he had done with his own geass and what Mao had done. Yes, geass was a rather dark, corroding power. While C.C was a monster for giving a child such power to toy with Zero found that he was worse then the witch because of the ways he was using his own geass she had given him.
"Anything else any of you would like to ask me?" Zero asked plainly. Fingers tapping the table in a rhythm. "Let's move this topic of questioning to the side for now since the tournament is going to start soon."
In the background, Melissa took that exact moment to begin the introductions to the Friendship Cup. "Today our audience of over twenty thousand is just bursting with excitement at the Duel Palace! It goes without saying that it's finally the opening day of the largest duel festival in the City, the Friendship Cup! Continuing my live coverage from the festival's spectacular eve. I, Melissa Claire will now swoop down upon the grounds!" The reporter jumps from the plane she was in, sky diving into the field. "Here we go! The City is one! We are all friends!" She pulls a parachute with the words 'We are friends!' in rainbow colors and makes a perfect landing into the center of the field much to the audience's enjoyment.
"Right." Tokumatsu turned from the TV everyone stopped to stare at to look at Zero. "What's this war you're talking about while talking of Mao?"
Zero stiffened as sharply as his voice was when he snapped. "I'm not answering that. Next question."
"Is it connected to the Dimensional War?" Crow continued on that line of talk with a raised eyebrow.
"No. This war is completely unrelated to the one Mao had interfered with. Next question." Zero ground out, and everyone decided to drop that line of questioning for now.
"Why don't you trust us?" Yuto asked that next. The look on his face remained stoic to most, but to those like Shun, Ruri, and Zero they could see the genuine hurt lurking within. "You've hidden all of this from us even after all that we went through. I can understand why you would keep this all a secret at first since we were all just strangers, but why not mention this after the Lancers formed? Is it something we did wrong? Some test we failed in your eyes that made you keep silent?"
Zero straightened his posture. Fingers clasped together once again on the table. "... You know I am not a very trusting person Yuto. I have… problems when it comes to trust. I admit that much though begrudgingly." The masked man thought back to Suzaku, and the burnette's determination to catch and even at times kill him. "... Recent events have made this issue more… prominent of a feature to my personality."
Everyone eyed each other with silent conversations going around the table.
Yugo leaned back in his chair, kicking back until the back two legs of the chair were the only ones on the floor still. "Yeah okay, but why not give us some information about yourself? I still don't really understand that. I mean-" Yugo raised his arms to gesture around the area. "Is a name drop really that bad? That hard?"
"A 'name drop' you say?" Zero's clasped hands dug into his own flesh as they tightened. The brittle smile behind his mask was one of sick amusement. "Yes, you could say a name drop is very disastrous for someone like me." Dichromatic eyes darken as that brittle smile grew into an unsteady grin. "Name drops from where I come from get you killed by an assassin hired by the upper nobility and royal-" Zero ground to a halt, and everyone could see the way he nearly physically clammed up.
What the hell is wrong with me?! These past few days have been slip up after slip up! Why?! Get yourself together dammit! Zero chastised himself harshly. Nails digging through his gloves and into the skin and flesh underneath.
Almost instantly, Shun straightened up like an arrow. Yellow eyes were so wide they almost threatened to pop out of his sockets as puzzle pieces clicked into place within his mind. "No way." The Raidraptor's posture and gaze was burrowing into Zero's. "No fucking way."
"... Shun." Zero glared back just as harshly as he was cursing himself out mentally. The revolutionary's infectious charisma transforming into a terrifying beast filled with murderous threat.
"What?" Yuya looked between Zero and Shun wildly. Red and green hair moving rapidly as scarlet eyes watched the two have a suddenly very strained standoff right there at the table. "What is it? What's going on?"
"You- You're really-" Shun shut his mouth with the sharp click of teeth. The Xyz user biting the inside of his cheek to quell his need to exclaim what he had just found out to everyone else.
The ability to go horseback riding with seemingly years of experience. The way Zero spoke and gestured so articulately. The way some of Zero's small and even big gestures screamed a life rolling in money at some point at least. Why Zero had such a hard time trusting people while always having to put on a mask. Why the revolutionary acted like a doll on strings sometimes more than an actual human being. The way Zero could be strong, charastmaic, and warm with his words but then turn into a cold, brutal cunning snake the next second like a switch had been flipped.
It all suddenly made sense as to why in Shun's mind.
"Shun?" Yuto and Ruri looked to their friend and older brother respectively with worry. "What did you just find out?"
Yellow eyes looked into masked dichromatic ones. The urge to spill what he had just learned was a fierce one. "Knowledge is a very dangerous thing to have, Shun. A dangerous weapon." Zero said warningly.
"Woah… was that a threat?" Dennis whispered quietly to the side. "Did he just threaten Shun?" Now everyone was starting to grow alarmed.
The Raidraptor straightened even more, anger burning in his molten yellow eyes as he took Zero's words just like Dennis had. Then, after a few seconds of silence, Shun took in a deep breath and relaxed his stiff posture. The Xyz user rethinking Zero's words, and in a twisted way Shun could see that while Zero was warning him to not tell anyone else what he was thinking he was indeed right. Zero had confirmed his suspicions in a way others saw it as a threat.
Shun huffed, and leaned back into his seat as far as he could. "Alright, fine." The Raidraptor user glared still as he spoke hotly. "But we are definitely having words about this later. In a more private setting."
Zero nodded stiffly, but he relaxed in his seat as well. "Very well. I would rather we talk about that later on anyway."
"What just happened?" Crow looked between the two with obvious suspicion. "Something just went on between you two. What was it?"
"What does he know that we don't? What did Shun just realize?" Gongenzaka questioned as well.
"It's nothing." Shun stated firmly.
"But-!" Sylvio butted in with a raised fist.
"I said it's nothing! Now drop it!" Shun snapped his head over to glare at Sylvio as he snarled. The Xyz user's nails digging into skin as fists clenched tightly. A drop of blood fell from his hands and onto the table. The Raidraptor user turned to glare at the rest of his allies. "We're moving on to a different line of questioning. Now someone ask something before the tournament starts. They're already doing the participant introductions."
It was true. Melissa could be heard over through the TV as she spoke. "I've totally got it going on! With this electric energy, let's quickly introduce the 16 duelists participating in this year's tournament! First up is this person!" The woman pulls a bunch of flash cards out from her suit. "Already we've got one of the members of these Lancers that Zero has put together. A greenhorn amongst his fellows we've got Yuya Sakaki!" A huge holographic display of Yuya appeared within the stadium and the crowd cheered.
"Hey!" Yuya exclaimed with embarrassment. "I am not a greenhorn!" A few chuckles filtered out through the group with the funny light hearted moment.
As Gongenzaka was being introduced next Shinji turned to Zero next. "You say we outnumber the Tops practically ten to one." The Common's green eyes narrowed. "If someone were to lead them then technically we Commons could overcome Security and beat the Tops, right?"
Zero tipped his head lightly to the side. "You're talking about a revolution."
Shinji nodded once in confirmation. "You've obviously fought in war and battled before. You're familiar with revolutions and change. I'm just curious to see if it's possible if someone from the Commons could do something similar."
"Oh, that wouldn't be very hard. To start a war, a revolution here. The City is already so close to the brink of breaking out into chaos by itself all that's needed now is an instigator." Zero said that so idly and calmly it was a bit disturbing. "With the statistics between who is a Top or a Common being so drastically different I'm certain that if you're people had someone good enough to lead them then the Commons could easily overpower the Tops. Even if they're not as good as I would be."
Shinji's eyes widened, and a glimpse of some fierce emotion entered their depths. The Common set his jaw as dark determination entered his gaze.
Tokumatsu spoke up next. No one noticed the change in Shinji's demeanor at Zero's confident answer. "Yes, but there's one thing that's been on my mind that won't go away for a while now." The older duelist eyes narrowed in hard distrust. "What happened to the prisoners and guards in the Detention Facility?"
Zero was really hoping they had just forgotten about that with everything else that had happened recently. Apparently Tokumatsu hadn't while most everyone else did. That or it just wasn't on the top of their lists of questions.
Thankfully, or maybe in an act of poor fortune, the question was disregarded when the holographic form of five figures appeared in the middle of the lounge. Zero's gaze instantly snapped to the sight of the five Executive High Council members as he growled darkly. "What do you five want?"
Everyone turned in their seats to look at the Council members with equal amounts of shock and frustration. They just had to interrupt at the time Zero was actually opening up and answering their questions.
"Ah why Zero. We're here to check on you and see how you are doing after that rather… intriguing exhibition match." The head of the Council spoke light heartedly. Easy-going nature blocking out the manipulative beast beneath for most. "And, as we have arranged with your bet, your Lancers-"
"And our allies." Zero reaffirmed hotly. He wasn't in the mood to deal with these fossils, and he wanted them gone as soon as possible. Or, as gone as he could make them until he managed to find the opportunity to use his geass on them.
The old man chuckled. "Yes, yes. Your Lancers and their allies will be placed under safe custody, and will remain in the contestant tower throughout the entire tournament." His golden eyes flickered with trouble. Something Zero immediately caught on to even with the fact that the Council were speaking through holograms. "Though, should your Lancers manage to lose their matches they will have to be kept inside the tower for the rest of the tournament without access to the outside world."
"And why is that?" Zero crossed his arms and nearly growled. "Please, explain to me why you think you can bend the rules on the bet that I won."
It was the woman that spoke up this time. "Chief Roger of the Security Bureau seems to regard you all with hostility. You especially, Zero."
The man wearing the yellow robes narrowed his eyes towards the masked man. "Although, with what you did to the Detention Facility is any indication. He has a right to be fearful of you roaming around freely without restrictions."
Was it wrong that Zero's only response was to merely beam in pride at his actions? Probably.
"We don't know when Security will attack if your losing competitors get to roam around the City freely at those times." The shortest of the Council members added in this time. "Since they would have lost their matches they are not deemed as important enough to send guards to watch them."
"Of course they're not." Zero griped sarcastically. "Thankfully, my Lancers can take care of themselves and pull through when in a tough rut."
"But against an entire force of Security?" The man in the orange and red robes questioned. One eyebrow raised in clear doubt. "I doubt even you could make a miracle out of that. No, keeping them confined in the contestant tower is safer for everyone here. This is all in order to keep you and your group of Lancers safe after all. As per your own bet's requirements."
"I don't know." Zero hummed to himself. "I can think of a few more scenarios and plans that have a good chunk of the Security force drowning at the bottom of the ocean this City resides beside and even over at times." Everyone, even the Council grew uneasy at the way Zero was clearly thinking and planning of so many people's demise. Strategizing ways to end people's lives in the blink of an eye without much care or heart.
"That is messed up." Yugo piped up momentarily through the meeting between Zero and the Council.
The old man shook himself free of his stupor to speak as if Zero and Yugo hadn't spoken. "My fellow council member is right. You may feel a little restricted, but please conduct yourselves freely in this building." The old man grinned lightly.
"Yeah, only a little restricted." Zero barked sarcastically once again. What he really wanted was to wring the Council's neck.
The woman spoke up again. "You should also be informed that Rejij has decided to add Riley in as a participant in the tournament. We have no complaints about it, but figured you should know of the child's participation in the Friendship Cup since he is a part of the Lancers."
"Reiji said what!?" Yuya shouted in disbelief.
Anger flared through Crow's eyes. "Making a child duel in a tournament like this? That damned bastard." Crow growled angrily. Hands turning into fists in mounting rage. "Especially since it's going to be obvious strings will be pulled from Roger and Security. This is probably the worst moment to put a child in an adult's tournament."
"I don't care." Everyone gawked at Zero as he said those words with such coldness it made snow look warm in comparison. "I've told Reiji that Riley is his responsibility and that he has to watch over the child. What becomes of Riley and if he turns into a monster because of it will be his fault and his alone. I won't take part in it." Zero crossed his arms behind his masked head. "Now then, is that it or do you five have something else you'd like to say to me? If you hadn't noticed we were in the middle of something."
"There is one more thing actually." The chairman put in this time. "We would like you to watch over the tournament's duels alongside Jack Atlas." At Zero's silence the old geezer continued his explanation. "With Atlas' defeat in the exhibition match the City sees you as a second king since the duel wasn't official. You yourself have proclaimed to be a black king of sorts, and as with Friendship Cup traditions the king has to watch over the tournament's duels to see the contestant's potential and-"
"I get what you're insinuating." Zero interrupted quickly and waved one hand to the side idly. "I'm guessing I don't have much of a choice in this since you're asking so nicely and so close to the introductory match." The Council merely grinned or smiled back innocently. Zero rolled his dichromatic eyes before standing. "Send some Executive guards over to escort us."
"Us?" The man in the yellow robes raised an eyebrow.
"Yuto. Ruri." The two mentioned individuals stiffened to attention at the call of their names from Zero. "They will be accompanying me to this 'throne room' of sorts. As bodyguards of course."
"But they're contestants to the tournament." The short Council member objected.
"Then this will be their two hours out of the building for today, and then I'll switch with people who have already passed through round one of the Friendship Cup." Zero replied simply. The masked man stood and promptly walked through the holographic display of the Council. The holograph cutting out right after showing the Council was done talking and was gone. "Hurry and do what you two need to do and gather what you need. We'll be heading out very soon."
"Right." Both Yuto and Ruri spoke at the same time and nodded. The two looked at each other and smiled lightly before going off to get a few things, use the bathroom, and smuggle a few snacks.
"So you're leaving? Just like that?!" Yuzu asked, surprised at how quickly Zero moved with the motions.
"Well, they demanded that I watch these duels, so what choice do I have if we want to keep good relations?" Zero asked rhetorically as he went towards the double doors of the lounge to leave.
"So this Q and A session is over, I gather?" Serena asked as she stood up from her seat as well. Zero merely nodded and hummed in affirmation. "Alright, but humor me with one last question."
Zero raised an eyebrow. "Alright, shoot." While he was slipping up a lot in his efforts to keep his secrets close to his chest lately the masked revolutionary felt somewhat obligated to give Serena a chance to say her piece.
"Why wear the mask?" Serena asked, and everyone paused to listen at the question. "What encouraged you to choose a mask like that? Why not go with a hood or something more simple and less noticeable?"
Zero nodded in what could have been interpreted in approval to Serena's question. "Why do I wear this mask?" He repeated, as if tasting the words on his tongue while thinking of a response. "I wear this mask to protect those around me. To keep my family safe. Though, if I did have the power of geass." Everyone looked uncomfortable at the mention of the corrupted power. "Know that it would just be another reason why I firmly wear this mask. It's never to protect myself, but to keep you all safe from me. As for why do I choose to wear a mask like mine?" The masked leader of the Lancers grinned widely. "Why, if I'm going to do things so remarkable it's considered miracles. If I'm going to make history and change fate by leading the Lancers I should do it while wearing a mask everyone will remember even to their deathbeds."
"Alright, we're ready to head out, Zero." Yuto came back down from the stairs leading to his room with Ruri right behind him. Both had their duel disks attached to their forearms and the bands denoting their status among the Lancers and Xyz resistance on.
At that moment things changed. It was so sudden and unexpected everyone stopped what they were doing to watch.
Immediately, the first thing the Lancers all noticed was the way Ruri, Serena, and Yuzu's bracelets all started to glow and blink at slow intervals. Zero quickly hollering for all of the male lookalikes to back away from each other, which they complied with swiftly. No one wanted to be warped away especially with the Friendship Cup right on their heads.
The next thing anyone noticed was the strange glowing light coming from Yuto's deck. The Xyz rebel raised concerned yet curious eyebrows as he took his Extra Deck out and shuffled through the cards to get to the one that was glowing all of a sudden. Stormy grey eyes widened in surprise. "Dark Rebellion?"
The Xyz dragon card was currently glowing brightly in the rebel's hand. With a silent question coming from Yuto's gaze directed at Yuya and Yugo. The other two male counterparts dug into their own Decks and took out their respective dragons.
All three of them were glowing, and the blinking coming from the bracelets got brighter but remained at the same slow pace. A loud jingling sound echoed out everytime the lights blinked on the girl's bracelets.
"Okay. What is happening right now?" Sylvio broke the confused silence with his usual finesse. "Why are they doing that?" The burnette gestured to the cards and bracelets.
"You think I have any idea?" Serena snapped at the burnette before returning her attention back to her bracelet. "This has never happened before."
"All the warning I got was a bright shining light before someone was warped away." Yuzu stated as she too looked at her wrist.
"I was turning into particles being warped into the Standard Dimension when mine activated." Ruri said somewhat sourly. "Was a rather terrifying experience in case anyone was curious."
"The dragons. They're all calling out to each other, just like back at the park." Yuya spoke softly as he came to the same conclusion Zero had just reached.
"Yugo's dragon is responding now too." Zero added in with his gaze directed at Yugo and his Clear Wing Synchro Dragon.
"What! You're kidding me." Yugo looked at his dragon. "Come on Clear Wing!"
"Is that bad?" Gongenzaka asked the question everyone was thinking first. "Correction, just how bad is that?"
"Not too good." Zero answered honestly. "But so long as nothing more happens it's a harmless discovery, and frankly I don't understand the circumstances surrounding this situation completely either. So it's difficult to really say if this is a bad development or not." The masked man hummed. "Maybe it's because all of the dragons are so close to each other, and with that close proximity the bracelets were set off to give a warning of sorts?"
"I'm pretty positive this is a bad development." Dennis said clearly. Blue eyes going from Zero to the female counterparts.
"Either way, we can't do much about it." Zero turned back towards the double doors and opened them. Two Executive guards stood at attention waiting. "Let's go Yuto, Ruri. Be careful to go around the others and stay apart until we leave the tower." Yuto and Ruri did as they were told and slowly yet carefully made their way across the room towards Zero.
"You think it's because Atlas has a dragon as well?" Tokumatsu questioned lightly. "Sure he doesn't look like the boys, but that dragon is a rather fierce one in battle."
"Jack is definitely strong." Yuya agreed. The tomato haired teen staring down at his Odd Eyes Pendulum Dragon with newfound determination at the mention of Jack Atlas and the Friendship Cup ending it's introductions of the participants.
"I'm not sure, but it is a possibility we can't ignore." Zero spoke as he turned to see the rest of his Lancers. Dichromatic eyes locking onto Yuya's scarlet and understanding what Yuya was thinking instantly.
The Pendulum user wanted to beat the Friendship Cup and Atlas so that the City can regain it's 'smile'.
Perhaps a boost in motivation, even if it wouldn't be interpreted that way, was in order to help the young duelist become better.
"At the state you're in now. With your current skills in dueling." Zero spoke directly at Yuya as he talked. His certainty and facts were cold and harsh. "I doubt you will be a match for Atlas, or me."
Yuya looked genuinely hurt by that comment. Yuzu stepped forward to glare at Zero. "Hey! You don't need to be so mean and say it like that. Of course Yuya has a chance, and I believe that he can help bring back this City's smile if he tries hard enough." The tomato haired teen looked at Yuzu with clear gratitude in his eyes.
"Hmph maybe, but what if he doesn't? What if he fails?" Zero spoke back without hesitation. "What if he can't stop the Dimensional War or bring 'smiles' to the City's people like this. As the way he is now? What if what he has now isn't enough? What then?"
"I-" Yuya looked down at his dragon again. "I don't know."
"I'll tell you." Zero spoke resoundly. "Get better. Get stronger in your dueling. Create better strategies and even learn more Summoning Methods." He looks around at the rest of his Lancers. The Xyz rebels especially. "I've said it before with my Xyz allies. To learn a new Summoning Method will not only make you stronger, but unpredictable. So learn, and evolve, Yuya." The masked man looked back at Yuya directly. "Some people simply lack the ability to adapt and change, to evolve like I can. But if you can learn to harness it, to use it correctly…" Dichromatic eyes narrowed behind Zero's mask. "You'll become quite the challenge, because I see plenty of potential in you. Don't waste it."
With those words Zero spun around on his heel and strode right out of the room. Yuto and Ruri jogged a few steps to catch up alongside the extra guards the Council had sent. Everyone left in the lounge looking back at Zero's retreating frame in shock and contemplation until those double doors closed.
Zero ignored the way his chest had burned and was slowly beginning to subside as they got farther and farther away from the rest of the Lancers and closer to the Friendship Cup's stadium and throne room.
. . .
"Following Shinji Weber, Crow Hogan here is also from the Commons!" Melissa Claire spoke up as she finally finished introducing all of the participants. It was quite a full list this year. "Will they follow in Jack Atlas' footsteps and become stars? Or will they choose a more mysterious and cold hearted role like Zero?
The holographic figures of the contestants went around in a circle with the stadium from the very top left being the first introduced participant all the way around to the top right being the last. The order went from Yuya, Gongenzaka, Sylvio, Shun, Serena, Yuto, Riley, Dennis, a Security officer, Shinji, Crow, Tokumatsu, Damon, Tony Zomboni, Sergey Volkov, Yugo, Yuzu, and finally to Ruri.
"What is she saying? The current Atlas isn't a Commons." A female Tops spoke with clear confusion.
"Yeah, as long as he keeps winning besides that slip up in the exhibition, Jack is one of us Tops!" A male Top sitting besides the woman added in. "Obviously that mask Zero wears threw our king off, but he won't fall for it again.
Meanwhile, with most of the stadium's population being the Commons. A teen with shaggy brown hair leaning against the railing spoke in clear disgust. "Jack? He's a traitor who sold out to the Tops! Hell, Zero has only been in one duel and he's proved to be a better hero to us Commons than Jack ever was!"
"Huh?! Watch it there!" Another Commons teen with spiky black hair butted in. "Jack is still the hero of the Commons! Zero is a dangerous psychopath! Didn't you see that monster he summoned at the end?!"
"Oh? You wanna go?!" The first teen got up in the second's face and spoke aggressively.
"What did you say?!" The second Common teen demanded. Getting up in the first teen's face in a similar display of aggression. The fighting quickly spread until the entire stadium had erupted into infighting with each other. Much to Melissa's helpless despair.
"That's all for the introductions of our nineteen participants, but…" The crowd infighting soon started to overcome Melissa's commentating. "Hey, you guys aren't listening! Come on everyone! Remember this tournament's slogan? 'The City is one! We are all friends!' Isn't it?" The crowd ignores her however, and continues fighting, much to her agitation. The reporter stomps the ground with one heel before stalking off to the commentator booth. "Geez... alright fine! We're running out of time anyway, so I'm just gonna go off!" The woman took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing as if the stadium filled with people weren't at their own companion's throats. "And so, it's time for the duels to begin! Amongst these nineteen, the ones who have the honor of the opening match is…" The holographs of the participants all vanished until only Gongenzaka's and Crow's forms remained. "Crow Hogan and Gongenzaka Noboru!"
While some in the crowd cheered, most were still fighting with each other.
"Come on you guys!" Melissa yelled out to the audience.
. . .
As he was being escorted towards the D-Wheel garages Crow spoke. "Jack's watching too, right?" The Common asked, and looked down to a familiar boy servant and guide within the tower, who nodded.
"Yes sir. Atlas is watching this alongside Zero." Sam answered back meekly. Getting straight to the point before falling silent once more.
The orange haired duelist looked down the hallway. Rising determination to fight and stick it to Atlas and the Tops fueling him alongside the need to show Amanda, Frank, and Tanner that he was alright.
With that, the Friendship Cup had officially begun. It's first match just mere minutes away.
Ohhhhhh, wasn't that interesting. We got someone telling both truths and critical lies while a certain Raidraptor friend of ours has finally figured out a big piece of information pertaining to Zero. Wonder what he'll do with it?
As always, leave a REVIEW, Favorite, and Follow the story. I'll be seeing you all later~! -MoonlightWright
