Hotel: Quatro's Room

Quatro sat at a desk with his deck and a box of Gimmick Puppet cards. His mind was racing with the thoughts of all his recent defeats and times he was made to look like a fool. Lance butting in and ruining his fan service, his loss to Shark, and Quinton making him look like a fool.

"I'll show them." Quatro thought as he started adjusting his deck. "I'm the strongest duelist of this family. Not Quinton, Trey, or Dos. I'm stronger than all of them! Once I prove that, I will show Shark and that Lace Hogan why they shouldn't get in my way."

Hotel:Private Room

Vetrix was laughing at some cartoons as Dos stood by his side. Trey entered the room and approached the child looking adult.

Vetrix glanced back at him and asked, "Trey, you wish to meet with Lance Hogan?"

"Yes, I do." Trey stated. "I have questions. Dos' powers are strong, and they reduced Lance to a much weaker state; however, he broke out of it. Once he did, there was a powerful intensity in his eyes.

Even before that night, he was able to block a real attack from Quatro using some form of white energy. I must know what the source of his power is, and I won't rest until I've discovered the truth for myself."

"Alright Trey." Vetrix stated.

Dos looked at Vetrix. "Are you certain this is a good idea?"

Vetrix smiled. "It is a marvelous idea Dos. I am quite curious about him myself. Trey, since you find Lance so intriguing, I encourage you to find what you're looking for."

Trey nodded resolutely and walked away.

Tsukumo Residence, Later…

There was a knocking at the door, so Lance answered only to find Rio standing outside with Vega holding her hand. Across the street, Trey walked out onto the roof of a house and looked at them.

Rio was smiling. "Hey Lance, I just got back from the station, and they said Vega isn't missing. Now, thanks to Shark and I's situation, they okayed him to be released into our custody. We just need to sign the papers to legally take care of him. Of course, there will be regular check ins."

Lance smiled. "That's great news." He looked at Vega. "Among everything I've found out, at least a bit of good news comes my way."

Vega jumped at Lance who caught the kid. "Yeah, I get to stay with mom and dad forever!"

"Lance, what did we just hear?" Kari asked angrily from behind him.

Lance turned around, still holding Vega, to see Kari and Haru looking none too pleased. That only increased once they got a good look at the boy in his arms. It was not hard to see that Vega look like Rio and how Lance used to look.

"Lance Tsukumo-Hogan, while that child is adorable, I can't help but notice the similarities." Kari stated angrily. "Did you have relations with Rio at such a young age? You better have an explanation."

Haru smiled darkly at him. "Now Lance, I know you wouldn't want to disappoint your dear grandmother."

Lance could handle one or the other, as far as one set of memories revealed, when they got angry, but two was stretching it. The multi-deck duelist stepped outside in fear. Rio stepped in front of Lance protectively with a slight blush at what they were insinuating.

Even if the idea they were insinuating sounded nice, they were far too young for that. She certainly didn't want Lance to face any repercussions for this. After all, she didn't want to cause him any trouble if she could help it.

"Hold on, this is all just a misunderstanding." Rio bowed. "Please, allow us to explain."

So, Rio and Lance explained how they'd found Vega while excluding a great deal of details. What they mainly told them was that they were walking through the park when they found this child passed out in the grass.

Since it was late, and Lance was worried about the little guy, he'd stayed over with Shark and Rio to make sure Vega was alright. When the child awoke, he took to calling Lance, Rio, and Shark, dad, mom, and uncle respectively. He also had a severe case of amnesia.

"So, you just found this boy, and he sees you as his parents because he doesn't have much of a memory." Kari stated having calmed down.

"I assure you that Lance hasn't done anything to me." Rio stated. "We aren't even dating and only met months ago."

That said, she certainly was interested in dating him, but such things could wait.

"Look, I know this is a lot of responsibility, but Rio just told me this kid isn't reported missing meaning he needs a home." Lance looked at his adopted sibling and grandmother. "Please, allow me and Rio to take care of him."

Yuma stood on the stairs. "I'll help out as his uncle."

Vega stuck his tongue out at Yuma. "Only Shark is my uncle."

Yuma fumed at that. "I just don't get why he can't see me as family."

Kari smiled at that. "I think this kid is already starting to grow on me."

Haru smiled. "Since this little guy needs a home, you two can take care of him."

Rio took the boy out of Lance's hands. "You hear that Vega? We'll be taking care of you from here on out with permission."

Vega cheered. "Yes, that means I really can stay with dad and mom forever!"

Lance smiled at that before his eyes caught sight of Trey who instantly hid. "Well, this situation requires me to go out and get a present." He ruffled Vega's hair. "After all, we don't know when you were born, so why don't we make today your birthday?"

Vega looked at Lance happily. "You r mean it?"

Lance nodded. "Of course, I do." He put his hands in his pockets. "It should be something simple, but today is cause for celebration."

Haru nodded. "In that case, I'll bake a cake."

Rio asked, "Mind if I help?"

Haru smiled at her. "I would welcome it dear."

Lance walked past Rio and Vega. "I'll be back soon. Vega, I know you want to come, but you should stay here. After all, you wouldn't want to ruin your mother and I's surprise, right?"

Yuma tried once more to get on the boy's good side. "That's a great idea. Maybe he just doesn't know me well enough. I'm sure once he sees how cool I am, he'll start calling me uncle in no time."

Vega put his finger to the bottom of his eye, pulled it down, and stuck out his tongue. "No way, Uncle Shark says your lame!"

Yuma slouched on the ground sadly causing Kari to laugh "Oh yeah, me and him are going to get along just fine."

Rio and Vega entered the residence as Lance started off down the sidewalk. Trey followed him while attempting to stay hidden.

Hotel: Private Room

"Are you sure it was a good idea to let Trey go?" Dos asked. "According to Quatro and Trey, Lance Hogan's powers are stronger than you realize. What if he doesn't come back?"

Vetrix didn't look at her. "Don't be concerned. Your brother is going to return."

"You are sure of this?" Dos asked.

"Trey is too trusting and loyal to ever leave us." Vetrix replied. "That's just who he is."

Balcony

Quinton/Ryoken stood on the balcony staring out at the city. The actual Quinton and Yuven both appeared as he was alone.

"I can't keep this up much longer Quinton." Ryoken thought. "Once we reach the finals, I'm there to stop your father, not aid him."

"Revolver, are you really just going to let Dr. Faker get away with everything he's done?" Quinton asked. "The reason Vetrix is who he is was because of Faker's actions."

"I didn't say I wouldn't take Faker down, but I'm not going to stand by while you father does something horrible. Two wrongs don't make a right." Ryoken thought. "I think your brother, Trey, knows this as well."

"I have to agree with Revolver."Yuven stated. "If we aim for revenge, it's just going to create a cycle."

Quinton said, "I disagree."

With that he vanished as did Yuven leaving Ryoken alone.

Alleyway

Lance walked down the alley where he dueled Lulu all those months ago before stopping and looking to the roof on his right. "Alright Trey, why don't you come down and face me like a man or should I come to you?"

Trey jumped down and stood across from Lance. "How did you know I was up there?"

"You're not the stealthiest of individuals." Lance replied firmly. "Now, are you here to capture me like you captured my friends and siblings of my enemies?"

"No, I'm not." Trey then bowed. "In fact, I'm truly sorry for everything that happened."

"Really?" Lance felt he was genuine, but it was still strange. "Are you truly sorry?"

Trey looked away sadly. "I've done what I had to." He sighed. "I guess, I just came to think that the best way to duel was to tap into my anger, but then I saw how you truly dueled after breaking free of my sister's control. It made me realize there may be a better way."

Lance wanted to be angry at this guy for many things, but he was just a misguided kid. "Look, there is a lot more to dueling than anger; however, anger doesn't have to be bad. It's how one uses it that determines whether it's good or bad."

"How one uses it?" Trey asked.

Lance walked away from Trey. "The easiest way is to show you through a duel." He turned back to the Arclight. "So, let's duel with nothing on the line but our duelist's pride. Both of us going all out."

"Duelist's pride… Go all out…" Trey looked at his deck before nodding. "Alright."

D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Lance 4000/Trey 4000)

"Since you challenged me, I'll go first." Trey stated. "I normal summon Chronomaly Golden Jet(LV 4/1300/1400)." A golden jet appeared. "I then activate his ability to increase the level of all Chronomaly monsters I currently control by one.

"Since I control a Chronomaly monster, I can special summon Chronomaly Moai(LV 5/1800/1600) in defense mode." A giant, stone head appeared. "Now, I overlay my level 5 monsters to Xyz summon Number 33: Chronomaly Machu Mech(R 5/O2/2400/1500)." A huge, floating city appeared. "I then set one card ending my turn."

"My move then." Lance drew. "Since you control a monster, I can special summon Heroic Challenger-Assault Halberd(LV 4/1800/200)." A warrior in purple armor and wielding a halberd appeared.

"I then normal summon Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blades(1300/1100)." A warrior in a silver suit of complete armor appeared. "With these two level four monsters I build the overlay network.

Xyz summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R4/O2/2500/2000)." A black and purple dragon appeared. "His effect kicks in. I can detach both his overlay units allowing me to cut the current ATK of any monster on your field in half and add it to his. I choose Machu Mech."

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon(R 4/O 0/3700/2000 effect)

Number 33:Chronomaly Machu Mech(R 5/O 2/1200/1500 effect)

"I trigger my own monster's effect." Trey declared. "Once per turn, by removing one overlay unit, I can target a monster you control and inflict damage to you equal to the difference between its original and current attack (Lance 2800/Trey 4000). That's not all as my monster then gains ATK equal to the damage dealt Number 33:Chronomaly Machu Mech(R 5/O 1/2400/1500)."

"A very powerful effect that somewhat countered my own." Lance smiled. "Alright, now I'm getting into this. Allow me to take things up a notch with the spell card Rank-Up-Magic Brilliant Chaos Force.

With this, I can rebuild the overlay network with Dark Rebellion to Xyz summon a chaos monster 1 rank higher. Come forth Dark Rebellion Cxyz Dragon(R 5/O 1/3000/2500)." A mighty Dark Rebellion with chaos energy flowing through its veins appeared.

Trey stared at the monster in shock. "Wow, so that is the apex of your skill?"

Lance smiled. "This is nowhere near all the power I poses, but you should focus on her for the time being. Since this monster has the original Dark Rebellion as an overlay unit, I can detach one overlay unit to reduce the ATK of a monster you control to 0."

"I see, that is a very improved ability." Trey stated.

Number 33:Chronamaly Machu Mech(R 5/O 1/0/1500).

"When this effect works, my Dark Rebellion Cxyz Dragon(R 5/O 1/3500/2500) gains 500 more ATK." Lance declared. "With this ATK, I will attack your Machu Mech."

"My monster can't be destroyed by non-Numbers." Trey declared. "To top it off, I'll activate my face down Nitwit Outwit. By discarding one monster from my hand, your monster's ATK is reduced, and it won't be going back up. I send my second Chronomaly Moai(ATK 1800)."

Dark Rebellion Cxyz Dragon(R 5/O 1/1700/1500). (Lance 2800/Trey 2300).

"I'll admit Trey, that was a pretty awesome move." Lance stated. "I set two cards and end my turn."

Trey felt genuine excitement over this duel. It was so much fun, and it wasn't even over yet. This was something he hadn't felt in ages.

Trey laughed joyfully. "Alright Lance, get ready because I'm not done." He drew. "I activate Rank-Up-Magic Barian's Force to rebuild the overlay network with Number 33 to summon a chaos monster 1 rank higher.

Come forth Number C33:Chronamaly Machu Fortress(R 5/O 2/2700/2000)." The ancient city became a technologically advanced fortress. "When Barian's Force is used for the rank up, I can apply the following effect.

I can take the overlay units of one monster you control, add them to my own, and my monster gains 300 ATK for every unit gained." Number C33:Chronamaly Machu Fortress(R 5/O 3/3000/2000 effect).

"When Machu Fortress is summoned, one of your monsters, Cxyz Dragon, will lose 1000 ATK." Dark Rebellion Cxyz Dragon(R 5/O 0/700/1500). "Since Machu Mech is one of his overlay units, I can detach one overlay unit from Fortress to deal damage to you equal to the difference between your dragons original ATK and current ATK.'

"Not so fast." Lance declared. "I activate my first face down Undying Heroic Sprit. From here on out, once per turn, when I'm about to take damage I can draw a card. If it's a monster, the damage I take is reduced by either the ATK of the monster I draw.

What's more, I can add it to my hand. Should the card I draw be anything else, it's sent to the grave, and I take the damage." Lance drew. "I drew the trap Astral Rebirth. That card is now sent to the grave and I get hit with the full damage (Lance 500/Trey 2300)."

"Since damage is equal to the difference between your dragon's current and original attack was dealt, your dragon is destroyed." Trey declared.

"Not so fast." Lance declared. "Dark Rebellion's Chaos form can't be destroyed by card effects; furthermore, the effect of a card in my grave activates. Since I took damage, I can special summon Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blades(1300/1100) in ATK mode."

Trey said, "It won't matter once my monster gains ATK equal to the damage dealt Number C33:Chronamaly Machu Fortress(R 5/O 2/5300/2000 effect). This means I have all the power needed to end this. Machu Fortress attack Lance's dragon and end this duel!"

"That ability helped more than you know." Lance declared. "Because I now control a Heroic monster, I can send Heroic Challenger-Swordshield from my hand to the grave negating all battle damage I'd take this turn. Unfortunately, my dragon is still destroyed."

Trey smiled. "You purposely used Thousand Blades to set up that combo, didn't you?"

Lance nodded. "A great duelist needs to plan, or they lose too early."

Trey chuckled. "Alright, then I'll just set this last card in my hand and turn it over to you."

"If I draw just what I need, I won't need Astral Rebirth's graveyard effect." Lance drew. "Just what I needed. I first activate the effect of my Thousand Blades. By discarding one Heroic card, I can special summon a Heroic monster from my deck.

I choose another Heroic Challenger-Thousand Blades(LV 4/1300/1100. Now I normal summon Heroic Challenger-Support Bow(LV 1/500/200)." A man decked out in leather armor and holding a wooden bow appeared.

"His effect allows me to target a monster on the field and make every monster I control the same level. I target Support Bow turning every monster I control to level 1. With 3 level 1 monsters I build the overlay network. Xyz Summon Number 54: Lion Heart(R 1/O 3/100/100)."

A mighty, humanoid lion appeared.

Trey stared at the monster. "A rank 1 Number. It must have a powerful effect."

"You're right about that." Lance declared. "Number 54, attack Trey's Machu Fortress."

"I'm not going to give you a chance to use that monster's effect." Trey declared. "I activate Stone Bola. Since you're launching an attack, I can target your monster, negate the attack, and he can't attack next turn."

"Nice try, but I counter with my own face down Xyz Reflect. When my Xyz monster is targeted by an effect, I can negate it, destroy the card, and you take 800 life points worth of damage (Lance 500/Trey 1500).

Now for the kicker. Number 54 can't be destroyed by battle so long as he has overlay units. By detaching one of those units, you take all the damage I would have taken from this battle. This is over!" Lance declared.

Trey's eyes went wide. "He has the same effect as Chrononaut!"

Lion Heart punched Machu Mech before both monsters were repelled, and all the damage went to Trey (Lance 500/Trey 0). Trey was blown onto his back by the resulting attack. Lance approached Trey and held out a hand which the Arclight was hesitant to take.

He eventually did let Lance help him up. "You're quite the duelist Trey, and I'm glad we got a chance to have a genuine duel rather than the tag team duel last night."

Trey genuinely smiled at that. "It was a very enlightening duel. Not to mention, more fun than I've had in a long-time."

Lance let him go and put his hand in his pockets. "You know, you aren't the bad person I thought you were, and I'm betting your family isn't either." Trey looked down. "Look, when two duelist duke it out with their best, they can form a bond.

Maybe…" The multi-deck duelist shook his head. "Maybe things don't have to be the way they are." Trey looked up at Lance. "Based on what Rio said, I can guess your siblings, and you to an extent, have lost your way.

The fact that Talia is involved only makes it more apparent. If you tell me what's going on, maybe the two of us can help save our family." He held out his hand. "After all, Talia is my sister as well, so that makes us family by extension."

Trey looked at the offered hand. "Could it really be that simple? Could you really help my family return to normal?"

Lance kept his hand extended. "It may not be simple, but we won't know if it'll work unless we try."

"You'd really be willing to accept me as I am? As a friend after everything my family has done?" Trey questioned.

"Come on man, my arm is getting tired." Lance stated. "You're a good guy who's just misguided, and I'm betting it's the same for your family. I forgive you and them. Through our duel, I've seen who you are and would be glad to be your friend."

Trey smiled and began to tear up. "Lance." He took the offered hand. "Alright, I'll accept your help."

Lance put his hands in his pockets. "Hey, no crying on me now Trey." He walked past the guy. "Now come on, if I'm going to help you, I must understand. Let's go to a nearby café and you can tell me what's up."

Heartland Café

Lance and Trey sat across from each other with tea and pastries.

Lance sipped his tea as Trey looked at the table. "My family and I were once so close…"

Arclight Mansion, Years Ago…

Quinton looked out the window of the mansion at the snow falling while Quatro and Trey were laughing on the couch together. Victoria sat by a window in the corner staring forlornly out at the snow.

Trey looked back at Victoria and frowned. "Big sister, is everything okay?"

Victoria looked at Trey and offered him a warm smile. "I'm sorry to make you worry about me Trey. It's moments like these than make me miss the memories I once had. It makes me wonder if my family is out there wondering where I am."

Trey got up from the couch and walked over to her. "Well, you do have us." He hugged her. "We're not wondering where you are because you're always right here."

Victoria smiled and hugged Trey back. "Yes, I suppose in that regard I am quite lucky."

Quinton said, "I know what always cheers you up dear sister." He walked away from the window. "Later, you and I can give Quatro and Trey more lessons on dueling."

Trey and Quatro looked at their older siblings hopefully.

"Is that a promise?" Quatro asked.

Victoria stood. "Only if you two continue to behave until father returns. I may enjoy teaching the two of you, but that does not mean I want father to come home to the two of you bickering."

Trey smiled. "I promise we'll be well behaved, right Quatro?"

Quatro nodded. "For sure."

Café: Present

"…The day we swore to get revenge on Dr. Faker, was the day everything changed." Trey stated. "It's like we all became different people. If you're wondering, Victoria later revealed the truth that she hadn't forgotten anything. That day, she was thinking of you and your family."

"In the end, she's assured you that you're her brother." Lance nodded. "While that does sting, I won't deny that she sounded happy to be with you guys. If that makes her happy, as her brother, I won't take that away from her. Anyways, why do you want revenge against Faker?"

"You've met Vetrix, correct?" Trey asked to which Lance nodded. "Vetrix is actually my father Byron Arclight."

Lance was shocked. "No way, that kid is actually Byron!?"

Trey nodded. "He was close friends with Kazuma Tsukumo and Dr. Faker. Together, with Zach and Quinton, they were trying to find the doorway to another world; however, Faker betrayed both Kazuma and my father sending them to another world.

That other world distorted my father's form, and the time in that world imbued him with the need for revenge. When my father told us about this, we all swore revenge against Faker for what he did to our family. My father isn't the same man he was, but I still love him as my father."

"I see." Lance nodded. "The answer is simple."

Trey looked at him. "It is?"

"Trey, you're someone who clearly loves his family with all his heart, so show them that heart. Take a stand against how they've been handling their fight against Faker." Lance stated. "Show them that they shouldn't duel for revenge, but to stop Faker.

Anyone who would sacrifice their friends like him is either doing something bad or is misguided just like your family. Either way, you have the heart and skills to do it. All you need is the strength to stand for the people your family were as opposed to what they've become."

"Your words are inspiring, but I'm not sure if I can do it." Trey stated. "My family means everything to me, so could I really stand against them?"

"You can because you know the actions your family are taking aren't right." Lance stated. "I can see that now. If you do this, you wouldn't be alone. I'll come with you to confront them. If they won't listen, then meet them in the finals. My friends and I will back you there."

Trey looked at the sky and pictured his family as it was. "Stop Dr. Faker not for revenge, but to stop him from making mistakes like us or stop him from doing something terrible…"

"Together, we can bring your family back and stop Dr. Faker for the right reasons." Lance stated. "We can duel them and not take the actions they've taken to achieve their goals. Sometimes to be loyal, you need to show your family the light as opposed to the darkness. What do you say?"

Trey looked at Lance and nodded. "Since you are offering me your help, I will offer you mine. Like friends would do, right?"

Lance chuckled. "If you're insistent on it, but I think I have a few more problems than you do." He shook his head. "It's honestly a long story that we don't have time for right now." He stood. "Anyways, if your family won't listen, you can stay with Yuma and I until the finals."

Trey smiled. "Thank you, Lance."

Lance smiled. "First, I need to get a birthday present for my son." He noticed Trey's face shift to shock. "I found him in the park. He has no memories and isn't missing, so Rio and I will be taking care of him."

"Oh, okay." Trey decided to change subjects and stood. "Well, let's go.

Hotel: Balcony

Quatro threw open the door to the balcony causing Quinton to turn and looked at him. "Can I help you Quatro?"

Quatro held out his deck. "I've been improving my deck Quinton, and I'm confident I can defeat that deck of yours. That is why I'm challenging you to a duel right now. No, I will not wait for the finals of the World Duel Carnival to settle this."

Quinton walked over to him. "If that is your wish, you can meet me on the roof."

The Rokket duelist walked past the Gimmick Puppet user and out the door to the hallway.