I know Ascension of Dragons is doing it (Go read that story as it's an excellent Arc-V Fanfiction), but I'm opening up reviews to any questions you may have for Lance about this story, himself, or his view on what's happening. I'm hoping to get lots of questions and like Ascension, Lance will only answer 3-4 per chapter.
Mindscape: Lance & Astral
Lance found himself standing in the middle of a pitch-black darkness. He could barely see his hand when he stuck it out in front of him. This was rather concerning all things considered. Especially, because no one was with him currently.
"You know, when I heard we were going inside our minds, a vast darkness was not where I thought I'd end up." Lance stated.
Astral appeared, but even his glow did nothing to illuminate the area. "It is not where I thought we'd end up either, but if this can help you become strong enough to get Yuma back, I say we walk in a direction."
Lance looked at Astral. "I want to get Yuma back as much as you Astral, but that doesn't mean we should be hasty. Odd-Eyes and Utopia said something about balancing me out to use my decks." He looked around. "I don't know what darkness has to do with that."
As if to answer his question, in the worst way possible, both Lance and Astral felt multiple, overwhelming powers appear all around them. Light Magic, Dark Magic, Chaos Energy, and raw power raged.
"Astral, do you feel what I'm feeling?" Lance asked.
Astral was looking all around them. "I do. These powers feel as though they far exceed anything the Numbers have offered thus far. That said, I sense a familiar presence among the many. Familiar, yet nothing comes to mind in memory."
Suddenly, despite the darkness, both could see the cause of all this power as humungous behemoths appeared. Lance recognized some of the monster while others were unfamiliar to him. That said, all these powers were intense.
Three of them were Obelisk the Tormentor, Slifer the Sky Dragon, and the Winged Dragon of Ra. A colossal monster, long, red dragon, and huge, golden dragon respectively. The three Egyptian Gods. Another set of three caught his eye.
Uria, Lord of Searing Flames, Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, and Ravel, Lord of Phantasms. All three were fiendish versions of the original gods before they suddenly combined into one colossal monster. Armityle the Chaos Phantom.
Another group of seven were huge black animals with colored lines. A spider, hummingbird, monkey, lizard, killer whale, and condor. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet respectively.
Another monster was smaller than the rest, yet it had two serpent heads coming from its shoulders. Arcana Force EX – Light Ruler. Next, a demonic woman with bat wings behind her were monstrous forms obscured by the darkness.
Then, there was a whole collection of sword shaped monsters. A huge white fiend was the monster familiar to Astral and had been seen by Vega. Number C1000. Then, three monsters that looked like Thor, Odin, and Loki.
Suddenly, the Seal of Orichalcos appeared around every monster granting them a seal on their foreheads. A huge, yellow dragon appeared in the air spreading its wings as every monster became a green ball which floated into the air encircling the dragon.
This dragon roared as a colossal shadow began to descend with Two Supreme King Z-Arcs on either side. A long, red dragon circled around the three of them. The yellow dragon turned into a yellow orb, and it floated up with the green orbs before circling the four monsters.
"Astral, what is this!?" Lance shouted frightened beyond belief.
Astral shared in that feeling. "I don't know Lance, but all of this power is far to oppressive. It's vast. So much power. I don't know what we can do."
Lance was shaking as his fear, in this moment, was worse than his loss to Shay. Worse than any fear he felt as a kid. Not even the comfort of Odd-Eyes Supreme Dragon was anything in the face of all that he'd seen. He wasn't even sure it's power could best most of what they saw.
Mindscape: Temple
Suddenly, Astral and Lance were standings before an ancient temple that looked like it'd just been built. A vast, dense jungle laid behind them. The sky was starting to lighten as it was now dawn. All the monsters were gone.
The two before the temple were gasping for breath. The oppressive feeling and all that power was gone. Almost like it hadn't been there. If not for their memory, the two of them would think it was all some bad dream. That's when Utopia and Odd-Eyes appeared.
"We are sorry you had to see that, but it was necessary." Utopia stated.
Odd-Eyes nodded. "By seeing that, you now understand what you are up against when facing Academia of the Fusion Dimension."
"You mean to tell us that Academia has those cards in their possession?" Lance asked shocked.
"In their possession and with duelists who can make the most of them." Odd-Eyes confirmed.
"In truth, that is only most of the power they possess." Utopia continued. "There is much you haven't seen, but all of it is more manageable than what you just saw."
"How do you know they possess such power?" Astral asked.
"We know because we have felt them in the other dimension and just recently in the Xyz Dimension." Odd-Eyes informed shocking Astral and Lance. "Before you worry, these monsters were not summoned, and it seems as though the owners have no intention of doing so soon."
"They will eventually." Lance clenched his fist. "I have no idea what to do. How can we get Yuma back if Academia has so much going for them?"
"You do it by not fighting alone." Utopia replied. "Neither Odd-Eyes nor I know the full story, but these monsters have had duelist who've stood against them before. Other duelists will rise to meet them provided someone can bring them together.
Provided someone can show those around them of the danger." Utopia continued. "That someone can be you; however, much has happened to the dimensions closest to this one. As such, almost no one in this dimension can leave.
Even those of Link, and Yusei, will find difficulty in doing so. Only those of the Fusion Dimension have any sort of way to travel, and even they are limited in what they can achieve. All that said, starting with your own dimension is not a bad thing."
Odd-Eyes continued. "Especially since your own dimension still faces troubles of its own. Troubles you can put to an end to differently than they were fated to go. All you need to do is find balance with yourself to gain the power to do so."
After hearing those words, gaining some form of a plan, Lance felt better. "If that's what I must do, tell me where to start."
"You already have." Utopia stated. "We devised four stages to your inner balance and power. Each of varying lengths. Seeing what you were up against is stage one."
"Stage two is this temple behind us." Odd-Eyes looked at Lance. "The temple goes as low as it needs to with each floor having someone to confront. Not just anyone. You will confront what you were, who you are, and what you could have been.
"Each of them will use one of the decks you have." Utopia stated. "You will randomly be given one of your decks, in working order, to combat them. You must overcome them to progress. At the end, Odd-Eyes will appear to ask you a question."
"How you respond to that question will determine if your journey ends or if you'll move onto Stage 3." Odd-Eyes stated. "Enter when you are ready as you cannot turn back. Also, know you are more than Link or Lance. That more is connected to who you could have been."
With that, both Odd-Eyes and Utopia vanished.
Lance looked at the temple in a new light. "Confronting who I was, what I am, and who I could have been. I have an idea what some of that could mean." An image of Draco came to mind. "Is it him? Have I truly been out of balance long before Astral?"
Astral looked at Lance. "Are you okay Lance?"
"No matter what happens, I must get past this task. Those powerful cards we saw and based on what Odd-Eyes and Utopia said, there's more trouble than them. Everything we've encountered before the Fusion Dimension proves there's more." Lance nodded. "I'm fine Astral. Let's go."
The multi-deck user walked into the temple with Astral floating alongside him. Behind them the temple sealed shut.
Mindscape: Atop a Cloud
Lance and Astral now stood at the edge of a large, white cloud in the sky. They both looked down at a Roman coliseum on its own island. All around it, there was a crystal-clear blue ocean. The sun shined down on everything.
"Where are we?" Astral asked.
Lance stared down at the building as a silver orb of light came out his back. "I recognize this place."
An exact imitation of Lance, or rather Link, appeared, and he was rather upset. "I'll say I do." Both Astral and Lance looked back at him. "This was the place Zarc and Ray took me when I was younger. It's what inspired me to become a Heroic Challenger user."
Astral looked from Lance to Link. "You look like one another. Is this who you are?"
Astral was uncertain, but Lance turned to face him. "That's not exactly it Astral. I can tell that this is just Link."
Link looked away from Lance troubled. "Yeah, I'm just Link, but you don't like to think of me as you, right Lance?"
"What are you talking about?" Lance questioned unconvincingly. "I already accepted you after my talk with Rio. Lance and Link are one."
Link shook his head as he looked at Lance. "You don't believe that? The knowledge I gave you has only troubled you. In truth, you wish none of this had ever happened. You wish you could only be Lance."
"That's not true." Lance stated uncertainly.
Astral looked at Lance. "Lance…"
"Yes, it is." Link looked at the ground. "You hide how you felt because you didn't want to worry Rio or your friends." He gained a firm look. "Now, you can't ignore me because I'm standing in front of you. When I win, you will no longer be burdened by me."
"But… your…" Lance looked away. "… not… a burden."
When confronted by the truth, you can't even look me in the eyes to tell me such lies." Link activated his gear. "Let's just get this over with already."
Lance's gear activated on its own.
D-pad go
Duel Gazer on
Augmented vision link established
(Lance 4000/Link 4000)
"Link…" Lance clenched his fist. "I'm not…"
"Save it." Link declared. "I don't need to hear any more of your lies. Our souls have been one, so I already know every lie you've told yourself. Now, get ready because I'm going to defeat you. When I win, you won't be burdened again.
"I summon Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000)." A warrior decks out in golden armor appeared. "Since I control a Heroic Challenger, I can special summon Heroic Challenger-Chain Mail(LV 4/300/1800)." A warrior in chain mail appeared. "I set one card."
Lance hadn't drawn his hand and was just looking at the deck. Astral didn't quite know what to do, but he did know the end of the duel should lead to the correct answer. He had that much faith in Lance. Thanks to his time with Yuma, he knew how to at least get there.
Astral floated to Lance's side and put a hand on his shoulder. "You can not let this situation waver you Lance." The multi-deck user looked at the otherworldly being. "This moment. This entire task. It isn't about your friends, Rio, or even Yuma.
It's about you. This is something you must overcome for the betterment of yourself. Weather what you say is true or not, you must duel Link. You can't let your mind deviate from what needs to be done."
Lance looked from Astral to his deck before nodding firmly. "You're right Astral." He drew his starting hand. "Thank you, Astral." He looked at his card. "I see, so I'm using my father's deck" He drew his sixth card before looking at Link. "My move.
I summon Blackwing-Oroshi the Squall(LV 1/400/600)." A black bird appeared. "Since I only control 1 Blackwing monster, I can special summon Blackwing-Gladius the Midnight Sun(LV 3/800/1500)."A black feathered birdman in a silver suit of armor appeared.
"Since I control a Blackwing, I can special summon Blackwing-Bora the Spear(LV 4/1700/800)." A yellow, purple, and red feathered, humanoid bird appeared wielding a drill , Oroshi will give Bora and Gladius a tune up to Synchro for 8.
Synchro summon Blackwing-Silverwind the Ascendant(LV 8/2800/2000)." A thin, completely black feathered, and humanoid bird appeared."When he's Synchro summoned, in exchange for my Battle Phase, I can destroy up to two face up monsters on your field.
They just got to have a lower DEF than Silverwind's ATK. Both your Heroic Challengers are, so they're you think you're safe from damage, think again. I activate Charging Blade and equip it to my Blackwing-Silverwind the Ascendant(LV 8/3600/2000 effect).
On top of that, I can inflict damage to you equal to the number of materials used in his Synchro summon. I used three materials, so you take 1200 damage (Lance 4000/Link 2800). I set one card."
"You may be in the lead, but this duel won't end in your favor." Link declared. "I will defeat you to eliminate the burden I put on your soul."
"Link, you don't…" Lance began.
"I'm taking my turn." Link drew. "I activate Cross Fusion. With this, I can fuse monsters that come from the extra deck; however, since you control a monster from the Extra Deck, I can use monsters in my own Extra deck for the Fusion Summon.
I combine Heroic Champion – Excalibur and Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon to Fusion Summon Dark Rebellion Excalibur(LV 8/7200/0 effect)." A warrior decked out in black and dark purple armor, with a helmet molded into the face of a fierce dragon, appeared.
"When he's summoned, his ATK becomes double the ATK of your strongest monster. On my turn, he can negate every effect on my opponent's field. Now, I will attack Silverwind dealing you massive damage!"
"You negated all the effects on my field; however, I have the Quick-Play spell, Black Feather Damage Banish, in my hand. With this, the damage I'd receive from one attack or effect is cut in half (Lance 400/Link 2800).
Now, I can special summon any monster from my Extra Deck that has an ATK equal to or lower than the life points I'd have lost ignoring their summoning conditions. I choose Blackwing-Full Armor Master(LV 10/3000/3000)." A humanoid bird in thick purple and gray armor appeared.
"I set one card." Link stated.
Lance drew. "Since I control A Blackwing, I can special summon Blackwing-Harmattan the Dust(LV 2/800/800)." A long legged, small bird appeared. "With the special summon of exactly 1 Blackwing, I can activate Black Return.
With this, I target a monster you control, gain life points equal to its ATK, and return that monster to your hand. In this case, Dark Rebellion Excalibur will be returned to the Extra Deck (Lance 7600/Link 2800)."
"I'm not out of this yet." Link declared. "I activate Astral Rebirth to bring Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 1/2000/2000) from my grave to my field." A mighty warrior decked out in red armor and with a huge blade appeared. "Astral Rebirth then becomes an overlay unit."
"I will destroy Excalibur with Full Armor (Lance 7600/Link 1800) before ending my turn." Lance declared.
Link drew. "I banish Astral Rebirth from my grave to draw two more cards. Then, I'll activate Xyz Reborn to once again bring Heroic Champion-Excalibur(R 4/O 1/2000/2000) to the field and Reborn gets attached as an overlay unit.
He won't be staying because I'm activating Rank-Up-Magic King's Legacy. By targeting a Heroic Champion-Excalibur I control, I can rebuild the overlay network with that very monster. Xyz summon Heroic King-Arthur Pendragon(Rank 8/O 2/3500/3000)."
A young man with flowing blond hair and adorned in silver and red armor appeared wielding the true Excalibur. "I then activate Magnum Shield and equip it to Heroic King-Arthur Pendragon(Rank 8/O 2/6500/3000 effect).
This grants him an ATK increase equal to his original DEF. I'll then summon Heroic Challenger-Ambush Soldier(LV 1/0/0)." A warrior in silver armor and with a sword on their left hand appeared.
"I activate his ability to tribute him in exchange for two Heroic Challengers from my grave or hand. I choose to return Heroic Challenger-Spartan(LV 4/1600/1000) and Heroic Challenger-Chain Mail(LV 4/300/1800).
They won't be staying because I'll use my level four monsters to construct the overlay network. Xyz Summon Heroic Champion-Durendal(R 4/O 2/2600/2400)." A warrior decked out in golden armor appeared.
"Now, I detach one overlay unit from Durendal allowing him to attack twice this turn. First, Arthur will destroy Armor Master (Lance 4100/Link 1800). Durendal will attack you directly (Lance 1500/Link 1800). With his final attack, you're finished.."
"I activate the graveyard effect of Black Feather Damage Banish. By banishing it and halving my life points, I can negate the damage I'd take from one attack (Lance 750/Link 1800)." Lance countered.
Link closed his eyes. "I end my turn."
Lance drew. "I activate Blackwing Draw allowing me to banish Blackwing Synchro monsters from my extra deck. I then get to draw one card for every two Synchro monsters banished by this effect. I'll banish ten, so I can draw 5 cards."
"Since I control no monsters, I can special summon Blackwing-Gofu the Shadow(LV 5/0/0)." A chained Blackwing appeared. "Now that I control a Blackwing, I can special summon a second Blackwing-Bora the Spear(LV 4/1700/800)."
A yellow, purple, and red feathered, humanoid bird appeared wielding a drill spear. "The same effect applies to Blackwing-Gale the Whirlwind(LV 3/1300/400)." A small Blackwing with dark black feathers on the body and green feathers around the head appeared.
"Gofu and Gale will double tune Bora to Synchro for 12." Lance declared causing Link to grit his teeth frustrated. "Synchro Summon Tyrant Black-Winged Dragon King Crow(LV 12/4000/4000)." A huge, black winged dragon appeared blocking out the sun.
Link held out his hand. "I activate Karma Cut. By discarding one card, your Synchro will be joining it's friends in banishment."
"Once per turn, I can activate one of Tyrant Black-Winged Dragon King Crow(LV 12/3500/4000 effect)'s effects. By putting a wedge counter on him, which decreases his ATK by 500, that card is negated. Now, I activate another of his effects.
With it, I draw seven cards, shuffle them back in, and for every Blackwing among those 7 Tyrant gains 500 ATK and extra attacks." He drew and revealed his hand showing five Blackwings, one trap, and one spell before shuffling them back in.
"5 Blackwings equals 2500 ATK for my monster." Tyrant Black-Winged Dragon King Crow(LV 12/6000/4000 effect). "Considering you have Durendal out, I don't need to worry about Arthur. King Crow destroy Durendal (Lance 750/Link 0)."
Link fell to his hands and knees as the monsters faded.
Lance took a deep breath. "He was tough."
Astral nodded. "Based on how you spoke about him before, I'm not certain you'd have won if he had a deck utilizing all the summoning methods. No matter how you view Link, he is part of you, and that part maybe why you've advanced as quickly as you have in dueling."
At that moment, Link crying caught their attention, and the two of them heard Link's voice in their head. "I can't do anything right. I couldn't save my world, I couldn't save Zarc, and I couldn't protect Ray. In the end, I lost them and everything I knew.
Even then, with nothing left to lose, I couldn't free Lane. All I've ever been is a burden. My brother was forced to take care of me while those who fought saw me as the hope in defeating him. All they did was waste their time training me. All I've done is hurt Lance. I'm a failure."
Lance looked at Link uncertain what to do.
Astral decided to put his two cents in. "Lance, I'll admit I don't know much of anything, even with the memories I've acquired, but maybe it's because I want those memories back that I can speak on this situation.
You seem to think Link isn't part of who you are, but this place undeniably proves that assumption inaccurate. He came from you. Your soul. Maybe he has burdened you, but surely that is not all he's done for you."
Lance looked at the ground before sighing and walking over to Link. "Damnit, it hurts to face yourself. Even some small part of yourself." Link looked up at him as Lance came to stand before him. "I knew you weren't lying Link, but I was ashamed that I didn't want to admit it."
He shook his head. "No, not just ashamed. It felt like, I was betraying everyone I've come to love. The thought of accepting you made me think I wouldn't belong with them. In the end, you're as much part of me as Lance is. You always have been.
When you get down to it, you're me and I'm you." Lance reached out his hand and Link took it allowing himself to be helped up. "After dueling you, I realize I can't deny any part of myself. I realized that accepting you isn't going to distance myself from those I love.
It'll give me the strength needed to protect them." He let go of Link. "In the end, we both got regrets, but since you're me, I know we care about everyone we've met after whatever Ray did. With knowledge of our past, we can better protect those we have now."
Link wiped his eyes before smiling. "Thank you, Lance." He started to turn into a green sphere. "I'm glad we will no longer be burdened."
Link entered Lance, and the multi-deck user put his hand over his chest closing his eyes. "I'm glad I won't be burdened anymore either." Astral floated behind Lance who turned to him. "Astral, thank you."
"Why are you thanking me? I was not much help in that duel you had." Astral stated.
"True, maybe I won't need your help like Yuma did; however, the moral support you provide was essential for me overcoming what I've hidden." He looked at the blue sky above. "I'm talking about beyond these tasks.
I'm not certain what the future holds, but you and I, with everyone we've come met, can face it. All of you backing me up will give me the strength to push past things and inspire me to keep moving forward."
Astral looked at Lance. "Observation Number 17: Those you've met can give you the strength to push past adversity. They will make you stronger."
The temple doorway appeared across from them; however, neither Lance nor Astral could see what was on the other side.
"Looks like we get to continue." Lance looked at Astral. "You ready to go?"
Astral nodded. "Yes."
Lance and Astral walked through the doorway.
B-baller125: Will we get to see Yuven duel and synchro Yuya duel
Quillion9000: First, I appreciate your review. Second, Yuven will duel during the WDC's next round, and Synchro Yuya will show up sometime after the Barians.