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 Lance will only answer 3-4 per chapter.

Mindscape: Astral/Barian World

Lance and Astral found themselves standing on a white line which went right down the middle between two worlds. One was a red landscape with a red sky, stone pillars, and red crystals while the other was a blue world with elegant buildings. Astral was looking at the blue world in shock.

Lance looked at Astral. "Astral, you okay?"

"I am fine." Astral nodded. "It's just that place to our left is Astral World, my home."

"You're home?" Lance nodded. "I can see it, but what about the red place to our right?"

Astral looked at the world. "I've seen a world that looks like this before." He sighed and looked at Lance. "I know not why, but after I absorbed Number 96, I learned of my mission to destroy Barian World."

"Destroy a world!?" Lance was wide eyed. "Why destroy a whole world? Are they evil? Even if they're evil, I wouldn't destroy a whole world." He looked at Astral. "Is that a mission handed down by your world?"

"That is why I am here and collecting the Numbers." Astral closed his eyes trying to gleam any new information he could from the Numbers. "I believe, Astral and Barian World are at war; however, I'm uncertain."

Lance shook his head. "I don't know what to make of this; however, if these two worlds are here, then maybe we'll find answers." He looked at Astral. "How committed are you to destroying a world?"

"I am uncertain since I only know of my mission not why it was important." Astral looked around. "You may be right Lance. We may be here to find answers concerning my mission; however, I am curious how these worlds relate to you since this is your journey."

Lance now surveyed the worlds. "Actually, that is a good point. What do these worlds have to do with me?"

This time, two spheres, blue and red respectively, left Lance. Each went to their respective side before becoming beings that looked native to their worlds. These two stared each other down, it was clear they disliked each other, before running at one another.

The Barian had red and orange skin with crimson red eyes and long blue hair with an orange streak. His attire consisted of dark red armor with light red trim and a Barian crystal embedded in the chest piece. He had the same frame and height as Lance.

The Astral being was blue skinned, had short blue glowing hair, and heterochromia eyes. One was ocean blue while the other was forest green. His attired consisted of golden combat robes with light blue trim. Like the Barian, he has the same frame and height as Lance.

"You are human as far as I'm aware, so what is this?" Astral questioned. "I do not believe it is possible for someone to be both Barian and Astral."

Lance started running to meet them causing Astral to follow. "If we go by that logic, this must be what Odd-Eyes and Utopia meant by what I could have become. I think a past life of mine, Draco, could have become either of them, but her became me instead."

"Most intriguing." Astral stated. "Lance, what if the mindscape isn't as we assume it. We assume it's your mind sorting through issues, but if what you said is true, they shouldn't be an issue. Not entirely."

Lance continued running now on course to at least get there before they'd duel. "That's starting to sound like a plausible theory. I think Odd-Eyes and/or Utopia are trying to make me understand your war. They are trying to grant me knowledge."

"Maybe they are trying to enlighten me as well." Astral thought. "My previous memories may have colored my opinion, but now I am an almost blank slate. I have a new way to look at things due to my interactions with Yuma and Lance."

The Astral and Barian beings got to each other first, but Lance was close enough to hear them. They didn't immediately notice him and couldn't see Astral even if they did notice the multi-deck user.

"Barian Emperor, what have you done to our world?" The Astral being asked angrily.

"Our god has decided to destroy Astral World once and for all Astralian lap dog." The Barian declared forcefully. "We will no longer stand by when it is more effective to crush you. As the scout of Barian World, I will begin the retribution for your actions."

The Astral being stepped back. "If a full-on war is what you want, so be it. Master Eliphas will destroy Don Thousand in place of Astral. If he can't, I will. First, I will destroy you. I will secure what Astral World created ages ago."

Barian stepped back onto his own side. "As if your kind can stand up to us. You may be able to rank-up your monsters further, but we understand what it's like to fight under adversity. Prepare to lose."

Lance arrived standing right in the middle, off to the side, of the two beings. "Based on what I heard, you two aren't going to listen to reason, so I'll enter this duel as well to stop the fighting. To stop you two from destroying either world."

"A human." The Barian chuckled. "Please, like you could keep up with a Barian Emperor."

The Astral being had a different attitude. "I know not how you got here human, but do not fight me. The Barian's are in the wrong. Please, join me and I will ensure your safety."

"We're in the wrong?" The Barian chuckled. "That's a laugh when it was your kind who created us." He looked at Lance. "If you both want to take me on, so be it. Come at me, and I will crush you with the strength of Barian World."

"I'm not fighting on Astral World's side." Lance declared. "Like I said, I'm here to stop you two, and the destruction of either world." He looked at the ground. "I only just learned of this war. That said…" he looked up determined. "…I will not allow any world to be destroyed."

"If that is your wish, so be it human." The Astral being said.

Barian being said, "Let's get this underway. There are other Astral beings who must pay for what they've done."

D-pad go

Duel Gazer on

Augmented vision link established

Lance: 4000

Astral D: 4000

Barian D: 4000

"This human is going first." Lance declared as he drew his hand. "Yuma's deck, but not quite. Did my power influence it when it came into my possession?" Astral looked at the cards and sighed before Lance focused.

"Alright, I'll show you the power my friend left me." Lance drew. "I summon Tin Goldfish(LV 4/800/2000)." A red with blue fin machine goldfish appeared. "When this card is normal summoned, I can special summon a level 4 monster from my hand.

I choose Star Drawing(LV 4/1600/1000)." A small spellcaster in white clothing with a green helmet appeared. "Now, I overlay my two level four monsters to Xyz summon Gagaga Cowboy(R 4/O 2/1500/2400) in defense mode."

A cowboy with twin pistols appeared kneeling before Yuma. "When Star Drawing is used as a material, it grants the summoned monster an added effect. If they are successfully Xyz summoned, I get to draw a card.

Now, my Cowboy has a different effect depending on his position. Since he's in defense mode, I can detach one overlay unit to deal 800 life points to my opponent. I'll target the Astral being (Astral D 3200). I'll then set one card."

"You got some skills human, but I'm not stupid enough to think this means you're on my side." The Barian being drew. "Both of you will be crushed! I summon Zombie Master(LV 4/1800/0)." A young-looking zombie in beige and purple clothing appeared.

"I activate his effect allowing me to send a Zombie monster from my hand to the graveyard. Then, I can special summon any level 4 or lower Zombie monster from any graveyard. I'll choose the monster I just sent Gozuki(LV 4/1700/800)."

A black minotaur appeared. "During my Main Phase, Gozuki allows me to send 1 Zombie monster from my deck to the grave. Now, I'll overlay my two level 4 monsters to Xyz summon Zombie Spellcaster(R 4/O 2/2000/1500)." A zombie in magician robes appeared.

"By detaching one overlay unit, I can send a Zombie monster from my deck to the grave. Then, I get to inflict 800 life points to my opponent. I'll target the Astral being (Astral D 2400). I'll end my turn there."

Astral being drew. "Looks like it's my turn, and since I'm the last in the line, I can attack this turn. I'm taking full advantage of this fact. Since my opponent controls a monster, and I do not, I can special summon Dinowrestler Valeonyx(LV 3/1600/0)."

A dino in blue wrestler attire appeared. "I then activate Gilasaurus(LV 3/1400/400) allowing me to special summon him." A small, brown raptor appeared. "When I do this, my opponents are allowed to special summon 1 monster from their grave."

"I'll choose to special summon Star Drawing(LV 4/1600/1000)." Lance declared.

"Thanks to my Zombie monsters, I got something more powerful in my grave." The Barian being declared. "I choose to special summon my Ritual monster Revendread Slayer(LV 6/2400/0)." A zombie in blue hero attire with blades appeared.

"It won't be staying." The Astral being declared. "With my normal summon, I call forth the tuner Dinowrestler Coelasilat(LV 2/100/800)." A yellow dino in blue pants and red trench coat appeared. "Now, Coelasilat will give Gilasaurus and Valeonyx a tune up to Synchro for 8.

Synchro Summon Dinowrestler Giga Spinosavate(LV 8/3000/0)." A large, white dino appeared. "I'll set one card before activating Giga's effect to destroy one monster my opponent controls. Revendread Slayer is that target. Then, Spinosavate will attack Zombie Spellcaster."

"I activate a second effect of my monster." The Barian Being declared. "Since Zombie Spellcaster has overlay units, I can banish a Zombie monster from my grave to prevent his destruction. So, I'll banish that Slayer you destroyed."

"You still take damage (Barian D 3000)." Astral being declared. "I will set two cards."

Lance: 4000

Astral D: 2400

Barian D: 3000

"My move." Lance drew. "First, I will detach my Cowboy's last overlay unit to inflict another 800 life points to the Astral being (Astral D: 1600). Next, I build the overlay network with my Gagaga Cowboy to Xyz summon a monster 1 rank higher.

Come forth, Gagaga Heavy Assault Cowboy(R 5/O 1/1900/2600)." A red headed cowboy in black attire with two large guns appeared. "I detach Gagaga Cowboy from this monster. Normally, this would decrease a monster's ATK/DEF by 1000; however, material matters.

Since I detached Gagaga Cowboy, the opponent is instead dealt 1000 life points. I choose Barian being (Barian D 2000). Now, I'll normal summon Gogogo Golem(LV 4/1800/1500)." A large golem appeared.

"I'll overlay Gogogo Golem with Star Drawing to Xyz summon Zubaba General(R 4/O 2/2000/1000)." The warrior decked out in white and gold armor with a huge blade appeared. "Since Star Drawing was used, that's another draw for me. I then detach one overlay unit.

By detaching that overlay unit, I can attach a warrior from my hand to my General increasing his ATK by the ATK of the equipped monster. I equip Dododo Buster(1900)." Zubaba General(R 4/O 1/3900/1000 effect). General will then attack Giga Spinosavate."

"Like the Barian Emperor's monster, my dino has a protection effect." The Astral being declared. "If my monster would be destroyed, I can substitute his destruction with another card I control.

Even if I will take the damage, I'll have one of my face down cards destroyed instead (Astral D 500). The card I sent was Astral Rebirth which I can now banish to gain 2000 life points (Astral D 2500)."

"Then, I'll set another three cards ending my turn." Lance declared.

"It's my move then." Barian drew. "I activate Fusion Substitute, which always acts as a Polymerization, to combine my Zombie Spellcaster on the field with the Vendread Chimera in my hand.

Both of them are Dark attribute monsters, so I Fusion Summon Starving Venom Fusion Dragon(LV 8/2800/2000)." A poisonous purple dragon appeared on the Barian's field and roared at both the being's opponents.

"When Starving Venom Fusion Dragon(LV 8/6700/2000) is summoned, he gains ATK equal to the current ATK of one special summoned monster on my opponent's field. I'll target Zubaba General. Now, I will attack said General."

"I activate my face downs, Damage Diet and Bye Bye Damage." Lance countered. "The first allows me half all damage I take this turn. The second prevents my monster from being destroyed and you take double the damage I'm taking as effect damage."

Barian was shocked. "I lost to a human!?"

Barian D: 0 (Loser)

(Lance 650/Astral D 2500)

The Barian being was knocked onto his back before fading away.

"He faded?" Lance questioned. "Does that have to do with him not really being part of me or is this something else?"

Astral was curious about this as well; however, he was also impressed by the maneuvers that Lance played. "Lance has had full control of this duel from the beginning. It's most impressive, but considering where things stand, I hope he can continue to play well."

Lance moved to stand across from the Astral being as said being was most impressed. "You're stronger than either of us thought human, but I will give you one chance. Surrender this duel, and I will protect you from the other enemy.

Well, I will protect you regardless, but it would be easier if you stood down. You could even help us fight them off if you wish considering your great skill." He looked at Lance almost pleadingly. "Please, the Barian is gone, so there is no need to fight."

"You know what, I'll give up if you answer my questions, and I find the answers to be reasonable. Sound good?" Lance questioned.

"Very well human." The Astral being stated. "Ask away, and I shall do my best to provide answers."

"How did Astral World and Barian World come to be?" Lance questioned.

"Astral World created Barian World." The Astral being declared.

"You created the world you're currently at war with?" Lance asked confused.

The being nodded. "Thousands of years ago, the beings of the merged world purged their chaos to Rank-Up beyond it. The energy didn't vanish instead becoming Barian World. In the end, for Astral World to Rank-Up any further, Barian World, our chaos, must be destroyed."

"Why can't your two worlds exist as they are?" Lance questioned.

"We tried. Once Barian World was formed, and our chaos expunged, we left it alone. Don Thousand and the Barians struck first. We were just defending ourselves. Even after defeating them, The Barian Emperors, likely created by Don Thousand, appeared. No doubt it was so they could take on his powers and continue his mission of destruction." The Astral Being informed.

"Wait, if you created Barian World, that means Don Thousand, the Barians, and those Barian Emperors were your creation." Lance stated.

"More than our creation human." The Astral being informed. "They were once Astral Beings themselves with more only being created as others have been unable to rid themselves of their chaos. To begin with, we lost about 100,000 Astral beings."

"100,000 souls, and more since then." Astral was shocked. "How could they be so cruel?"

"Astral, we don't…" Lance thought to him.

Astral looked at Lance and shook his head sadly. "These words he speaks are true. Even if I don't remember it, my very being tells me they are correct."

Astral being continued. "Now, the war has gotten to the point that we had to send Astral to earth so that he could collect his missing Numbers. The 50 lost in his climatic battle with Don Thousand because we fear he has returned. With him, may come the destruction of our world.

This time, Astral World will destroy Barian World. Not only to stop Don Thousand, but to save our decaying world. When Barian World is destroyed, Astral World will Rank-Up and flourish. No longer decline. So, what say you human?"

Lance looked at Astral. "Astral, this is your world and your war before it was mine." He sighed reluctantly. "What do you think?"

Astral looked at Lance before thinking of Yuma. "Yuma would not have accepted this. He'd have said there was some way both worlds could exist or some way both people could live. I know not what my memories were, but what I want now is to save both people.

That wasn't the mission given to me, but it is the mission I choose to undertake now. It's why I want to find the Numbers. Lance, I can't do it alone." He gave the multi-deck user a smile. "Will you help me achieve this new goal?"

Lance smiled. "Astral, of course I will help you, but just know that I won't allow you to turn away from that path now. Once we've committed to this, I won't allow for the destruction of an entire race."

"Understandable." Astral stated. "If I did turn away from this decision, I'd want you to stand in my way. Now, as Yuma would say, Let us High Five the Sky!"

Lance nodded firmly before looking at The Astral being. "This duel will continue because I'm standing by my earlier statement. Both worlds can somehow exist."

"That is a shame." The Astral being drew. "It is my turn, and I shall try to end this quickly. I activate my Giga's effect to destroy your General."

"I counter with my Xyz Reflect." Lance stated. "Since you're activating an effect that targets an Xyz monster I control, that effect is negated, the negated card is destroyed, and you take 800 life points."

"I use Giga's effect to have my second face down be destroyed rather than my Giga (Lance 650/Astral D 1700)." Astral being countered. "I then set one card before having Dinowrestler Giga Spinosavate attacks your Gagaga Heavy Assault Cowboy."

"I activate the effect of Rainbow Kuriboh in my hand." Lance countered. "Since you're attacking, this monster can be equipped to Spinosavate preventing him from attacking."

"Very well, then I end my turn." Astral being declared and Lance drew. "Since it's your turn, I'm ending this duel with Jurassic Devastation. This card destroys every monster on the field and deals damage to the monster's owners for every card they controlled."

"I activate my last face down Xyz Block." Lance countered. "By detaching my General's last overlay unit, I can negate the effects of one card on your field. I choose Jurassic Devastation!"

"Impossible." The Astral being declared.

"It's time to end this." Lance declared. "Zubaba General destroy Spinosavate (Lance 650/Astral D 800). Now my Heavy Assault Cowboy will attack you directly ending this duel (Lance 650/Astral D 0)."

The Astral being was knocked onto his back before fading just like the Barian being.

Lance sighed as his gear deactivated. "That was close." He turned to Astral. "Hey, are you okay Astral? Is what that Astral being said really true?"

"As I said, I feel as though everything it said was true." Astral looked to both worlds. "I was serious when I told you I wanted to save both worlds. I should be asking if you're okay with this and me. I must have agreed with what Astral did once.

After all, the way he talked made it sounds like I was a hero to them. Someone who protected what Astral World had done. That said, when they mentioned Don Thousand, I felt the desire to protect before it was overridden by my disgust at what had been done."

"Look Astral, maybe you were okay with what Astral World had done before, but now you're not. I chalk that up to your experiences. I know you well enough to know that you won't turn your back on helping both worlds survive even after getting your memories back.

For the record, I don't think Astral World is completely at fault. A whole race expelling this chaos from themselves had to be a choice they made. The Astral being said it best himself. Those that could not were banished to Barian World.

That means they tried to do what you guys did and failed. In the end, the true people that started this weren't Astralians or Barians. It's the fault of what both were before. Now, you and I have a chance to stop this war which sounds like it's been going on for a long time."

Astral nodded. "Well, it appears it is now my turn to thank you, Lance. We will find some way to save both worlds. At the very least, the people."

"That's the spirit." Lance stated before the doorway appeared ahead of them on the white line. "Come on, let's see what else this place has in store for us."

They moved on together leaving the recreations of Barian and Astral World behind them.

Heartland City, Night…

Nelson ran along the streets extremely worried. He's first gone to Caswell hoping he could help locate Cat. When he arrived, he found that the guy's home was a grassy lot. At first, he thought he had the wrong address. After all, Nelson was greatly concerned. It's not impossible.

So, he ran to the nearest, open business and asked for directions to the Francis' home. The people inside said they never heard of them. So, he went to every nearby, open business only to find that anyone he asked had never heard of them.

He eventually decided to move onto Cat, found that the mansion was just a grassy lot as well, and repeated the process he had for Caswell with the same results. He decided then to move onto the Kastle residence hoping Rio and Shark were still there.

He eventually stopped before the home, catching his breath, and looking at the building hopefully. "It's here. It's still here!" He ran up to the door and banged on the door. "Shark and/or Rio, please tell me you're here!"

He continued to bang on the door and shout until Shark eventually threw open the door. The guy had bed head and was dressed in a shark decorated tank top and pants.

Clearly, the shark duelist was upset he'd been woken up. "What are you doing Nelson? Do you have any idea how late it is?"

Nelson stepped back holding up his hands. "Sorry Shark, but Caswell and Cat have seemingly disappeared off the face of the planet, and I was worried the same had happened to you guys."

Shark wiped his eyes now a little more awake. "What do you mean they vanished?"

Rio came down holding a sleepy Vega. She was about to yell at Nelson for walking the kid when she heard what he said.

"Yeah, what do you mean they're gone?" Rio asked.

"You two actually remember them." Nelson shook his head. "Let me start at the beginning. My Constellar deck was replaced with Cat's deck after some darkness enveloped it. I thought this meant Cat was in trouble.

That's why I went to get Caswell since he was the closest to my family's apartment, but when I arrived, it was a grass lot. I tried asking people where he was since I thought I got the address wrong. Turns out, no one seems to know who him or his family were.

I then went to Cat's place, but it to was gone. When I asked around, again, I got the same results as Caswell. No one seemed to remember there was a mansion in the first place. You guys were the next closest, so I came here."

Vega looked from Rio to Shark. "You don't think dad has vanished to, do you?"

"Not just him, but Yuma might be gone as well." Shark stated.

"Don't forget Tori." Rio walked to the doorway. "Give us some time to get dressed, and we'll try to help you sort this out Nelson."

Nelson sighed relieved that he didn't have to do this alone anymore. "Thank you."

Shark closed the door, so they could get dressed.