Roof of the Hotel, Evening…

Quatro opened the door to the roof where he found Quinton waiting for him. "So, you are actually here."

Quinton replied. "Why wouldn't I be Quatro? You're letting your cocky attitude, need to win, and anger get in the way of the mission. That is why I shall prove you aren't as good as you think."

Quatro grit his teeth angrily. "You do not get to say that when I have all the wins in the tournaments while the rest of you were content to sit on your butts until the World Duel Carnival. I've torn through tournament after tournament."

"That was your own personal goal Quatro." Quinton stated. "We never forced you into those competitions. They were never part of your mission. By the way, how many duelists have you ruined like Shark. That's how your career began, and it's a career fit for a 2nd rate duelist."

Quatro angrily clenched his fist. "I am not a 2nd rate duelist, and I'll prove it right now!"

"We'll see." Quinton stated.

D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

(Quatro 4000/Quinton 4000)

"I'm taking the first turn." Quatro declared. "It's time I show you the value of my fan service! I summon Gimmick Puppet Egg Head(LV 4/1600/1200)." A red egg with long metal limbs and green hair appeared. "By discarding one Gimmick Puppet, my Egg Head can deal 800 life points (Quatro 4000/Quinton 3200)."

"Since I took effect damage, I can special summon Speedburst Dragon(LV 6/2400/600)." A huge, yellow machine dragon with green guns on his shoulder appeared. "Now, you take damage equal to the damage I took,and I gain life points equal to half the damage dealt (Quatro 3200/Quinton 3600)."

Quatro glared at Quinton. "I'll finish my turn by setting one card. Make your move Quinton, so I can defeat you."

"Only a fool thinks they've won before their opponent even has a turn." Quinton drew. "Now I will tribute Speedburst Dragon to summon another Speedburst Dragon(LV 6/2400/600)."

Quatro laughed. "Why would you waste your normal summon for this turn on that move?"

"I did it because Speedburst dragon has another effect." Quinton explained. "Once this card is tribute summoned, I can add two Rokket monsters with different names from deck to my hand. Now I activate the spell Dragon's Mirror.

This fusion spell allows me to take the monsters listed as the material, from my field or grave, and banish them to fusion summon. So, I will banish my Speedburst Dragon on the field and the one in the grave. Fusion summon Borreload Furious Dragon(LV 8/3000/DEF 2500)."

A large, black, light blue, and light orange metal dragon appeared.

"So, you can fusion summon as well as that link summon, and I doubt you've lost your Xyz summon skills." Quatro stated. "Let me guess, your next summon will be Synchro, right?"

"My Synchro monster is unnecessary." Quinton stated. "The two monsters I added are quite necessary. I activate the field spell Boot Sector Launch." The roof became the inside of a futuristic computer. "As you remember, this field spell grants Rokket monsters 300 ATK/DEF.

That said, given my earlier move, you should know that's not all it can do nor all I will do. I use my field spell to special summon Metalrokket Dragon(LV 4/2000/1700 effect) and Silverrokket Dragon(LV 4/2200/400 effect)."

A cybernetic dragon with blue parts appeared followed by a cybernetic silver dragon.

"It's those dragons from last night." Quatro stated.

"Correct." Quinton stated. "Now I activate the effect of my Furious Dragon. Once per turn, I can target a monster I control and one card you control. Both are then destroyed. I choose Metalrokket Dragon and your face down. Now Silverrokket Dragon will attack Egg Head (Quatro 2600/Quinton 3600)."

"Since you just destroyed a Gimmick Puppet by battle, I can banish him to special summon Gimmick Puppet Twilight Joker(LV 8/800/1600) and I'm summoning him in defense mode." A puppet jester with a huge scythe appeared.

"Very well, Furious Dragon will tear through your monster." Quinton declared. "I then set one card."

"Quatro drew. "I summon Gimmick Puppet Terror Baby(LV 4/500/0)." A dark puppet in a baby carriage appeared. "Its effect allows me to special summon a Gimmick puppet from my grave, except terror baby, in defense mode."

Return to the field Gimmick Puppet Egg Head(LV 4/1600/1200)." Once again. I use his effect by discarding a Gimmick Puppet monster to deal you another 800 life points (Quatro 2600/Quinton 2800)."

"An interesting combo, but not enough to defeat me." Quinton stated.

"Just you wait because I got a whole slew of new Xyz monsters, and I'm about to summon one by overlaying my two level 4 monsters." Quatro stated.

Quinton appeared next to Ryoken and looked at the monsters as they went into the overlay network. "A Gimmick Puppet that uses level 4 monsters. The only Gimmick Puppet Xyz monster's I know of are the Numbers."

Ryoken thought. "Well, looks like your brother hasn't been slouching in gathering these cards. Up until his many defeats, he's likely thought they weren't needed. Still not a problem. I can handle anything he throws at me."

Quatro continued. "Now, Xyz summon Gimmick Puppet Gigantes(R 4/O 2/0/2000)." A monstrous Gimmick Puppet made from multiple, smaller Gimmick Puppets appeared wielding a scythe. "Now I activate his effect.

In exchange for being unable to attack, except with Xyz monsters, and only being able to special summon Gimmick Puppet monsters, I can detach 2 overlay units from Gigantes to gain control of two monsters on your field. Come to me Sivlerrokket Dragon and Borreload Furious Dragon."

Yuven appeared. "That is a powerful effect."

"Now, I tribute Gigantes to make the two monsters I control level 8." Quatro smirked. "Sorry brother, but you won't be getting them back because I once more reconstruct the overlay network.

Xzy summon Gimmick Puppet Phantom Queen(R 8/O 2/2800/800)." A light blue, female puppet with long, black hair appeared. "This monster's effect can be activated once per turn. By detaching one overlay unit, I can banish a spell/trap you control and deal you 800 life points."

"Yet another Gimmick Puppet monster I haven't seen before, and that effect is powerful."Quinton stated. "With it he can defeat you now."

"That's if he chooses right Quinton, and as much as you may not see it, your brother's unstable. No doubt he'll go for the field spell thinking I need it next turn while ignoring the trap." Ryoken thought.

Quatro did just that. "I'll use her effect to destroy that field spell of yours (Quatro 2600/Quinton 2000). Phantom Queen will now finish this with a direct attack."

"You made a foolish mistake brother." Quinton declared. "I activate Mirror Force. Since you launched an attack, this trap destroys all attack position monsters."

Quatro growled. "I set one card to end my turn." Quinton drew. "I now activate Xyz Reborn allowing me to bring Gimmick Puppet Phantom Queen(R 8/O 1/2800/800) back to the field and Reborn gets attached to the summoned monster as an overlay unit."

"Very well, but it will not help you." Quinton declared. "I summon Gateway Dragon(LV 4/1600/1400)." A tan dragon with a blue portal behind him appeared. "His effect allows me to special summon a LV 4 or lower Dark Dragon from my hand.

I choose Rokket Recharger(LV 4/0/2100)." A dark red and light blue, small dragon appeared. "Now I overlay my two level 4 monsters to Xyz summon Number 9:Borreload Knight(R 4/O 2/2500/2000). A knight decked out in dark red armor with light blue highlights appeared.

Quatro looked at the monster. "So, that is your Number." He shook his head. "It doesn't matter what that thing can do because you're finished Quinton."

"You say that, but this duel isn't over." Quinton declared. "During my Main Phase 1, I can detach an overlay material from my knight. If you're monster has a higher attack, he can attack you directly. Since that is the case, you take a direct attack (Quatro 100/Quinton 2000)."

Quatro growled once more and grit his teeth. "This duel will end next turn Quinton. With this next draw, I secure your defeat!" He drew. "Just what I needed, but first I rebuild the overlay network with Phantom Queen.

Xyz summon Gimmick Puppet Necro Queen(R 9/O 2/3500/0)." A huge puppet made of stone and with a large blue door for a chest appeared. "I then activate Attack Gimmick granting her 500 ATK and if she destroys your monster, you take your monster's ATK as damage."

Quinton looked at Quatro. "Let's see it Quatro."

The fact that nothing he did ever faced Quinton this entire duel, only made Quatro angrier. "I'll show you. I'll show you everything! Necro Queen destroy Borreload Knight and end this duel." The attack went through, but Borreload was still standing (Quatro 100/Quinton 500). "What!?"

Quinton looked at his brother. "You're worse than a 2nd rate duelist Quatro. If you hadn't let your anger cloud your judgment, you'd have remembered that only another Number can destroy a Number through battle.

That said, even if you used a Number, as long as Number 9 has overlay units he can avoid destruction by battle once per turn. You lost this duel from the start no matter what new cards you had because your anger prevented you from truly synchronizing with your deck."

Quatro started at Number 9 in shock. "Impossible."

"It's very possible and more hopeless than you know." Quinton stated. "My knight, even when he has no units, can just add two monsters from the grave as his units upon your attack meaning there was no way you were destroying my monster through battle."

Quatro fell to his knees. "I lost again."

Quinton drew, but it didn't matter what he got. "I detach another overlay unit from Number 9 allowing me to launch a direct attack and end this duel (Quatro 0/Quinton 500)."

The monster's vanished as Quatro was knocked onto his back. "I… I lost."

Quinton walked over and stood before him. "You did because your anger is out of control Quatro. The sad thing is, there was a time where it wasn't. There was a time when you dueled with honor and respect.

Ever since father returned, and we swore vengeance, you let it consume you." Quinton left him there as he walked towards the stairs. "My advice, revaluate who you want to be before your skills completely deteriorate."

Quatro stared up at the sky saying nothing as Quinton walked inside.

Hallway of the Hotel

Lance walked with Trey as they approached the room of his family. The multi-deck holder had a card shaped present in his hand which he now tucked away on his person.

Lance then noticed that his new friend was nervous, so he put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "No matter what happens in there, I have your back."

Trey smiled and nodded becoming more assured of himself. "Yeah."

Trey opened the door and they walked into a quiet apartment before walking towards another doorway which Trey threw open. Inside Vetrix was still watching cartoons while Dos stood next to him. Dos turned to them while Vetrix did not.

"You…" Dos looked at Lance. "What are you doing with my brother?"

Trey stepped in front of Lance. "He's helped me see the light Dos. What we've been doing is wrong. The people we've become are wrong. I won't stand for it anymore."

Vetrix addressed him. "Oh, you surprise me Trey. Such a blatant act of betrayal that jeopardizes our promise to take down Faker. I wouldn't have expected it from you."

Trey held firm. "No, this isn't a betrayal by any stretch of the imagination. This is me realizing the truth. This is me taking a stand for who we used to be as opposed to who we are now. Most of all, this is not me saying I won't fight Faker, but I won't fight him for revenge."

"Really, if not for revenge, what?" Vetrix asked.

"I will fight Faker to ensure no one else has to end up like us." Trey stated.

"Trey, you must not speak to Vetrix like that." Dos stated. "Everything he has done is in pursuit of fixing what Dr. Faker did to not only him but our family. Are you really going to turn your back on us?"

"As I said, I'm not turning my back on you. I'm taking a stand for who we were." Trey stated.

Vetrix turned his chair around and clapped as he laughed. "Oh Lance Hogan, I was interested in you before, but to see what you were able to do to Trey. It only makes me that much more interested. That said, since you two are here, we might as well take your Numbers."

Quinton/Ryoken walked into the room. "Don't even think about it Vetrix. At least not here."

"Ryoken, what are you doing!?" Quinton demanded angrily.

"I can't hold off any longer Quinton. Not after seeing what this reduced Quatro to. Through him I've seen his stain in you, Dos, and Trey. Now that Trey is breaking away, I will do the same. You don't like it, tough. Vetrix needs to be opposed." Quinton/Ryoken looked at Vetrix.

"If you want mine, Trey's, and Lance's Numbers, you'll earn them through the final rounds of the tournament. Should you refuse, you and Dos will have to duel all three of us. Don't bother summoning Quatro because I've already defeated him."

"Oh, this is quite interesting." Vetrix laughed. "Very well, you three may walk, and I will wait to take you all out at the tournament. Go before I change my mind in playing this game."

Quinton walked out with Trey stunned that their brother would do that. This did not prevent Lance and Trey from following him.

Vetrix looked at Dos. "Will you betray me like your two brothers?"

Dos shook her head firmly. "No, I won't Vetrix. I don't know what got into those two, but I'm still with you. I will make certain they see the truth."

"Good, then go collect Quatro from the roof." Vetrix turned back to his cartoons. "I want to make certain he hasn't betrayed me as well."

Dos nodded. "Yes, father." She walked from the room. "I can't believe Lance managed to turn Trey of all people away from his family. My former little brother must be mad at me and decided to get revenge.

That doesn't explain why Quinton would do the same? Something big must have happened last night for him to turn on us. My family is falling apart. After I found out I wasn't really Talia, I was so happy to be accepted by them. Now, I'll have to fight them."

Roof

Dos walked onto the roof only to find Quatro's D-pad and gazer lying on the ground. Her brother and his deck were nowhere to be seen. Dos walked over and grabbed the items before looking around.

"Quatro to?" Dos took off her mask and looked at the sky. "Damn it, everything was just fine before we targeted Lance and his friends. Now, everything is falling apart."

Street outside the Hotel

Trey, Lance, and Quinton walked outside with the youngest Arclight now looking at his older brother. "Quinton, why did…"

"For much the same reason as you Trey." Quinton stated. "It just took seeing the state Quatro was reduced to for everything to sink in. Revenge isn't the answer, and it never will be. Especially if it turns us into what we became."

"So, what will you do now?" Trey asked.

"If that's your way of asking me to come with you, I can't." Quinton shook his head. "I don't belong where you're going at this time, but you should definitely go. I'm not certain what father will do, and I'll feel better if you're with Lance and his friends than I."

"Alright big brother." Trey stated. "I'll stay with Lance and his friends; however, you need to be careful wherever you're going. I know you're a strong duelist, but if father comes for you himself before the tournament, I'm not certain you can beat him."

"Don't worry Trey, I have friends of my own that I'll be staying with." Quinton stated. "Until then, Trey." He started to walk away before glancing back at Lance. "Oh, and Hogan. My friends and I will be interested to face you in the tournament. I hope you don't let Vetrix, Dos, and Quatro distract you because I want to see just what you're made of."

Lance had a great deal of respect for this man. It took a lot of strength to break away on your own. Granted, Quinton was likely guilty of the same things as Trey, but you couldn't forgive one person and not do the same for the other when they've both done the same things.

"Please, Vetrix is the farthest thing from my mind." Lance stated. "Even if he were in the forefront, he'd just be a motivator like the real challenges I'll be expecting to face. I'm talking about before your group ever came into the picture."

"That's good." Quinton walked off. "Take care of Trey for me."

"You got it." Lance turned to Trey who was watching his brother walk away. "We should get back before they send out search parties for me."

Lance was only half joking.

Trey nodded a little solemnly. "Yeah."

Lance said, "I know it may sound hollow coming from me, but you've done what is right. Doing what's right usually isn't easy, but it should be worth it in the end."

Trey nodded. "Despite how I may feel about everything, I do feel like a huge weight I've been carrying is off my shoulders."

Lance nodded and they walked away together.

Heartland Tower:Basement

Organization walked into the basement of the building and into a small room in which he closed the door. The Barian then sat down, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes. Almost immediately, he glowed with white and red energies.

After a good 15 minutes, the Barian opened his eyes. "I see… How interesting that there would be dueling energy located just outside this dimension. It must be strong for me to have felt it before ever searching for it."

By Organization's thoughts, it was clear that Don Thousand had slipped into more control. He knelt on the ground as he let the white and red energy separate between his two arms before clapping them together and touching the ground.

Almost immediately a red circle appeared followed by a white circle around it and a red and white circle around that. Organization stood up and walked out of the room before sealing it tight. No need for anyone to enter before his powers worked their magic.

"This should take a little less than a week to complete." Organization thought. "More than enough time to reveal myself as the new head of this tournament and prepare for the finals. Talia, next time you will be the one defeated."

Park

Quatro ran along the streets more confused than he's ever been in his life. His anger was rising and falling as he processed every defeat with the words people spoke to him. He wasn't even quite sure why he ran.

All he knew was that he had to get away. He eventually tripped and ended up falling into the grass. The Gimmick Puppet Duelist got to his hands and knees before he just stayed there not really feeling like moving as his mind continued to process things.

Taiki was jogging through the park when he noticed Quatro staring off into space on his hands and knees. "Hey, isn't that the guy that almost hurt Caswell and later had a hand in kidnapping people." He got out his deck. "Maybe I should take him down in a duel."

He stopped as he noticed that Quatro was starting to shake, and there were tears. "I don't know… I don't know what to do." He punched the ground. "I don't know what to do! I don't even know who I am!"

Taiki looked at his deck, sighed, and put it away. "Well this is bound to be something, but I can't leave anyone like this no matter what they've done." He walked over and knelt beside Quatro putting a hand on the guy's back. "It'll be okay."

Quatro looked back at Taiki in shock, but he didn't revert to his persona around most anyone else. The gymnast helped Quatro up and led him out of the park.

Abandoned Warehouse

Ryoken/Quinton walked into the warehouse to find Sam and Yusaku sitting on the furniture they managed to find shortly after arriving in this dimension. Back before he'd ever joined up with Quinton's family.

Yusaku stood. "Is something wrong Revolver."

"No Playmaker." Ryoken stated. "I just couldn't take being under Vetrix any longer. Now, I'm going to rest and let Yuven explain things."

Ryoken was replaced by Yuven who stood there confused. "Uh, I didn't know he was going to turn it over to me." He looked at Yusaku and Sam. "Hey guys."

Sam smiled and ran over to the guy hugging him. "I'm so glad to see you Yuven!"

Yuven smiled as well and hugged her back. "Yeah, I've missed you Sam. Ryoken and Quinton, to an extent, are good company, but they can't replace you."

Yusaku crossed his arms. "Was it really as bad as Ryoken said?"

Yuven and Sam pulled apart. "The Arclight family are coming apart, but Dos and Vetrix are still just as committed as the first day the promise was made." He rubbed the back of his head. "That's not all I have to report on. A lot has happened."

Sam nodded. "Some things happened on our end as well, but first you two are sitting down because dinner is almost done. We can discuss things on full stomachs."

"Yes, it's been so long since I've actually gotten the chance to eat." Yuven nodded. "I'm totally on board."

Yusaku nodded. "Very well, we will eat before we share what we have to explain."

Tsukumo Residence

Lance walked in followed by Trey which utterly shocked Yuma, Rio, and Vega while Haru and Kari were looking at them.

"Sorry I was gone for so long everyone." Lance looked at Yuma, Rio, and Vega. "I ran into a little trouble until my friend here was able to direct me towards a place that sold what I was looking for."

Haru smiled. "That's nice Lance, but who is your friend?"

"This is Trey, and I ran into him at the café." Lance stated. "Turns out his family's out of town for a while, and the kindhearted numbskull felt bad going to anyone for a place to stay. Now, I'm hoping he could stay here until the finals as his family will be back to compete."

Haru smile. "Of course, he can stay Lance."

Kari nodded. "Well, you two arrived just in time since dinner is ready. A little after we'll have cake."

Lance walked over to Yuma and Rio. "Better hurry you two because I am starving."

They both looked at each other while Vega moved to stand close to Lance and glare at Trey who seemed a bit uncomfortable.

"Jeez, what's up with all of you?" Kari asked.

Lance sighed, "Yuma's just sour because Trey kicked his butt in a duel."

Yuma reacted in his usual way. "We haven't even dueled before."

Considering she couldn't get answers, Rio just ended up moving to sit next to Lance while Vega sat on his other side leaving Trey to sir near Haru and Kari.

"Yuma, stop fuming over there and sit down." Kari ordered.

Yuma joined them, grumbling to himself while the group ate dinner.

Yuma's Bedroom(Attic)

Lance explained everything that really happened to Rio, Vega, and Yuma from him noticing Trey to leaving the hotel where Trey's family was. While he talked, Trey was fascinated by the room which contained treasures Kazuma Tsukumo brought home.

"Okay, I now understand things, but why didn't you tell us about Trey earlier?" Rio asked.

"I thought to many people would end up scaring him off, so I went it alone since he seemed focused on me." Lance stated.

Then Yuma noticed Trey putting on a mask, so he walked over. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?"

Trey took the mask off smiling. "Sorry, I just got absorbed into all these neat artifacts and couldn't help myself. This collection is incredible. Reminds me of my deck in a way."

"It's fine." Yuma sighed. "You honestly remind me a lot of my father. He was really into all this stuff. Every adventure he went on, he always came back with something cool."

Trey nodded. "Wow, it sounds like he really loved adventure."

Yuma laughed. "Yep, just like me."

As they continued to talk, Rio looked over at Lance. "You know, I think I see it now. He's not as bad as I thought, but do you really forgive him?"

Lance shrugged. "Frankly, there are people out there who've done far worse to me than Trey and his family. Not to mention people more worrying than them as well. So, I do forgive him. It's not like he was the one to regress me in that duel."

Rio noticed that he seemed kind of down at that statement, so she put a hand on his back. "If you can forgive him, I guess I can to."

Vega looked at Trey before nodding. "Alright, I'll forgive him to."

Lance ruffled the little guy's hair before handing him the present. "Why don't you open your present before we head down for cake."

Vega smiled and grabbed it. "You really got me a present?"

Lance chuckled. "Just because I used giving you a birthday as an excuse to get away, doesn't mean we can't make it true."

Rio smiled at that. "Go on and open it."

Vega tore the wrapping off and opened the box to reveal Red-Eyes Flare Metal Dragon. "An Xyz Red-Eyes!"

Lance nodded. "Thank your mother. It was her idea; I was just the one tasked with finding it."

Rio looked at Lance shocked before Vega hugged her. "Thank you, mom!"

Rio hugged him back. "Your welcome."

Lance winked at Rio and nodded before mouthing, "I knew how much this would mean to you."

Rio smiled and mouthed. "Thank you."

Vega then hugged Lance. "Thank you for finding it, dad."

Lance picked him up. "No problem." He looked at Trey and Yuma who were still chatting about artifacts. "Alright dorks, we're heading down for cake."

The multi-deck duelist walked to the ladder with Yuma shouting, "We are not dorks!"

"Is that bad?" Trey asked.

"Well no… yes…" Yuma rubbed his head. "Look, it depends on who you are."

Astral watched them from above. "Observation 15: With some understanding, even your enemies can become friends. Observation 16: Humans can face great adversity yet smile."

Outside the Tsukumo Residence: Roof

Yugo looked at the Tsukumo Residence while holding a teleportation orb. "I just have to wait for Yuma Tsukumo to be away from a majority of them." He looked at the orb. "I hope that's soon because people are waiting for me back home."

He went back into hiding nearby where he could keep an eye on the place.