Notes
From here things are getting interesting.
Sorry for any mistakes.
Enjoy!
PS 10 – The Performance
The Lancers from Synchro with Crow, Sora and Yugo arrived at the Fusion Dimension in the city near Academia. They decided to separate and find a boat that could take them to the school grounds. That served Yugo just right because he went on his own to find his brothers. The last part of the plan required a lot of acting and there were only so many coincidences someone could take before calling bullshit.
Meanwhile, in the You Show School facilities, Asuka was fighting against Sakaki Yusho's decision of going to Academia and confront the Professor on his own. Suddenly, some students came stating someone who looked like Yuto was turning everyone in the city into cards.
Must be Yuri, it's time to start, thought Yuto.
Asuka and he were going to fight him with just barely managing to convince Yuzu to stay put. After their return, they would see about going to Academia together. Yuto already checked and Yugo (with the rest of the Lancers) were already in Fusion, now only Yuya was missing. Yuto and Asuka left and found Yuri by the harbors about to turn a student into a card.
"Stop!" shouted Asuka.
That distracted Yuri long enough for the student to flee.
"You don't have to do this!" she said, "Academia is wrong, you don't have to fight like this!"
"Eh? Says who? Miss Honor Student" laughed Yuri at her, "you know, there's a big prize for your head, right now. I will deliver you personally to the Professor as a card."
Asuka and he started to duel. Yuto was going to intervene, however, Asuka told him to stay back. Yuri may be his counterpart or whatever, but he was her classmate and she was going to save her classmates from Academia's horrors.
Yugo found them in the middle of the duel.
"Yuto!" he shouted getting closer.
"Yugo, how did you get here?" asked Yuto.
"We managed to make Roger's machine work. All the Lancers from Synchro are here… shouldn't we help her?"
"It's okay," said Asuka, "I can manage." Turning to look back, she was a little surprised of seeing another look-alike of the boys. She already heard from Yuzu about the Professor's plan to capture girls who looked like her and that his friend Yuya had counterparts too, it was strange to see them all together. Think of the devil and he will appear.
"Yuto! Yugo!" shouted the voice of Yuya. He was going towards them being accompanied by Gongenzaka, Sawatari and a tall guy with blond and green hair and dark blue eyes.
Kaito! Thought Yuto. He was one of his friends from the XYZ Dimension.
"Yuya!" shouted Yugo. When Yuya arrived, the synchro duelist gave him a hug which the other one returned.
"Are you okay?" said Yugo, "Where have you been?"
"We were in the XYZ Dimension, but don't worry, everything is different now," said Yuya with a big smile.
"Yuto," said Kaito, "long time no see."
"It's good to see you too, Kaito" said Yuto. "I'm sorry I wasn't with you guys during the—"
"Don't worry," said Kaito interrupting him, "Shun and your friend Yuya explained everything. The XYZ Dimension is different now." He gave him a little smile.
That was strange. Since the war started, Kaito had become a cold-blooded hunter with the only goal of ending Academia.
Something must have happened, thought Yuto. Looking at the rest of the group he noticed someone missing.
"Where's Shun?" asked Yuto.
"He's a little shaken up," answered Yuya, "don't worry, he's in good hands."
"Yugo," said Gongenzaka turning to look at his best friend's Synchro counterpart, "if you're here, what about Akaba and the others?"
"We all came here; we're preparing to attack Academia" said Yugo giving him a thumbs-up.
"Attack Academia?" said the voice of Yuri calling the attention of everyone, "You all are really stupid if you think you can win against us." His duel against Asuka was still going although not in his favor.
"It doesn't have to be about winning," said Asuka, still trying to reach Yuri, "duels are not for fighting wars and causing pain."
"She's right," said Yuya, "duels must be used to bring smiles to people. You don't have to fight." This may be the first time he was properly meeting his Fusion counterpart, but he wanted to save him from Academia and from the Professor. "Whatever the Professor told you is not true!"
Yugo decided to help him.
"Remember what we talked about back in Synchro, you don't have to do this!" The time he was talking about was back when they almost united into Zarc, Yugo had also tried to "convince" the other to leave Academia.
Asuka managed to make a big attack which pushed Yuri to his knees, he only had 400 life points left.
"How could you do this?" asked Yuri under his breath, "Stealing everything from me! You always had it easy, being liked by everyone!" he shouted out loud. She had taken control of his monsters and even sealed his fusion summoning.
"That's the way it's been for us," said Asuka, "having to fight, having to see our comrades stolen and be turned into cards. It's been hard for us. Everyone could feel bad if something precious of them was stolen."
That caught Yuri's attention.
"You seem to understand that, I understand your pain and you don't have to fight anymore. I know you; you think I don't, but I do. You have always been used by the Professor and let me tell you, you don't have to fight anymore. You don't have to make an enemy of everyone." Asuka went close to him and gave him his hand, waiting for Yuri to take it back.
Yuri looked back at her and then beyond her, at the others.
"Can you really?" asked Yuri to everyone, "I have done many evil things."
"Everyone deserves a second chance," said Yuya, "you were misguided by the Professor, you can get away from that!"
Ah, Yuya, even here you are too soft and a naïve guy. But I guess that's what makes you, you.
Yuri took Asuka's hand, but the person he kept thinking about was his little brother. Looking at the group of people at the back, Yuya's smile was the one which make him the happiest.
"Excellent!" said Yuya happily.
"Welcome to the criminal life," said Asuka.
"Yeah, whatever," said Yuri, "I still think you're all crazy fighting Academia."
"Well, pal," said Sawatari, "guess you're crazy too."
"Never said I wasn't before," said Yuri, giving Sawatari a creepy smile that made the other feel a cold sensation through his back.
Yuri and Asuka were about to get closer to the rest of the group when Yuto said:
"I still don't trust you."
"Yuto!" said Yuya, "It's okay, don't be like that."
"Yuya, he could be lying because he's surrounded," said Yuto.
"Yuto," said Kaito, "I think we should give him a try."
"Eh? Kaito, you too?" Yuto was very much surprised, Kaito was the number one hater of Academia, maybe a close second behind Shun, but still.
"The people of Academia are being deceived," said Yuya. "We managed to convince everyone back in XYZ to stop the war. Edo Phoenix and Grace and Gloria Tyler are the ones leading the reconstruction."
"You did?!" said the three brothers and Asuka. The three with surprised faces and Asuka with a big smile.
Yuya, you may be able to stop this war, thought Yuto.
"That's fantastic," said Asuka very excited.
"Well… even if Academia changed back there," continued Yuto, "I don't think we should let him go that easily."
"Then, what do you want me to do to prove my change of heart, emo boy," said Yuri.
"Emo boy—?"
"How about you give us your ace monster?" said Yugo.
"Yugo!" said Yuya, "That's a bit much, don't you think? If Yuri is going to help us, he'll need to be at full power—"
"Stop, Yuya," said Yuri, cutting him off, "it's okay, if that's what it takes for emo boy here and idiot boy here—" pointing at Yugo, "—to trust me, I'll do it."
You could here in the background shouts by both Yuto and Yugo.
A little extra in your performance, don't you think, Yuri? Thought Yuto. He was pretty sure Yuri knew exactly what he was thinking.
"I think Yuto and Yugo are right," said Sawatari, "maybe for a little while until we arrive to Academia. Just to be careful."
"Okay" said Yuya a little unsure and turned to look at Yuri, "I'm sorry about this."
"Don't worry," said Yuri.
"Ok, plant boy," said Yugo, "give me your—"
"As if I'm giving Starving Venom Fusion Dragon to a guy like you."
"What? You little… You do know we have the same fa—"
"You and this guy," Yuri was signaling to Sawatari, "both look like idiots."
"Now who are you calling—!"
"How dare you call the Great Sawatari Shingo a—!"
"You three," now Yuri was gesturing to Kaito, Yuto and Asuka, "all look bossy."
All three gave him angry faces.
Really, Yuri! You're taking it too far, thought Yuto.
"I don't have anything against you, big guy," Yuri said to Gongenzaka, "I just trust a little more in my face, so here, take it Yuya. Keep it safe." Yuri gave his ace monster to his Standard counterpart.
"I'll keep it for you," said Yuya, "when we get to Academia, I'll return it to you."
"Don't be shy, if you want to use it, go ahead. I'm sure you're wonderful at fusion summoning," said Yuri giving Yuya a playful smile.
"Ok!" said Yuto drawing everyone's attention, "We need to go back to—"
He got interrupted by the sound of an explosion. Everyone looked in the direction of the mountains where smoke was coming from.
"That's the location of You Show!" said Asuka.
"Dennis must have found it," said Yuri now drawing everyone's attention to himself, "I was supposed to be a decoy to attract strong duelists."
"What?!" said Yugo, "Couldn't you have said that a little sooner!" Yuri just shrugged.
"We better get there!" said Yuto, "Yuzu is there."
"Yuzu!" said Yuya.
"Wait!" said Asuka before anyone started to run, "If the school were to ever be discovered, the plan was to meet by the harbor. Maybe the students will be there."
"Then we better split up," said Kaito.
"Kaito is right," said Yuto, "Yuri, you go to the harbor."
"Eh? Why?" Yuri wasn't the only one surprised by that exclamation.
"Academia doesn't know about you defecting," explained Yuto, "we need to keep it a secret. You must not be seen."
Yuri's eyes opened in understanding.
"Good thinking, Yuto," said Kaito.
"If Yuri's going there, I'll go too," said Yugo, "to keep watch over him."
"I don't need you watching over me," said Yuri with a bored expression.
Yugo was about to retort when Asuka interrupted him.
"I'm going too, that way the students will recognize me."
Kaito decided to accompany them too. Then, Yuya, Yuto, Gongenzaka and Sawatari went one way and Yugo, Yuri, Kaito and Asuka went another. Yugo was supposed to meet with the rest of the Lancers by the harbor in an hour. With him being there, he could also inform them of his reunion with Yuto and Yuya's group, and Yuri's change of heart.
Yuya's group was the one who found Yuzu in the city. She was surrounded by Academia students, with Dennis leading the attack. After watching them arrive he took his leave to the harbor. They weren't able to stop him because of the other duelists' forces. Yuto, Sawatari, Gongenzaka and Yuzu started to fight against them.
Yuya was busy fighting Kachidoki Isao, who had come to the Fusion Dimension looking for a rematch with him and take revenge for his lost back in the Maiami City Tournament. Even though Kachidoki didn't have the intention to make it fun, the duel was very entertaining for all the people there. Yuya just had the ability to make people stop and stare. He managed to win and this time Kachidoki enjoyed himself as well, understanding the meaning of dueltaining.
"Yuya, you really are an entertainment duelist to an idiotic level," said Yuto fondly, remembering all the things his little brother used to do to make them smile and enjoy duels.
Everyone got together when suddenly Yuzu took Yuya's hand and started to run.
"Yuya! We need to go!" she said.
"Eh? Yuzu? What's going on?" said Yuya being followed by the others.
"Your dad is here!" said the girl.
Yuto noticed they were going in the direction of the harbor.
"What! He's here!" Yuya was very much surprised to hear that and started running alongside his friend, instead of being pulled. They arrived a little too late because the boat with Yuya's dad was long gone.
Inside the boat, Asuka, Kaito and a very surprised Yugo reunited with Yusho.
This must be dad from this universe! Thought Yugo, he looks and acts the same.
The reunion was cut short with the appearance of Dennis. He challenged Yusho to a real duel, considering the last one they tried to do had been a decoy. Yugo was going to take his challenge, however, Kaito beat him to it saying it was fair, as he had also been a student of Yusho back when he was in the XYZ Dimension. Yugo thought it was a funny duel; Dennis wanted to entertain and acted in an over dramatic fashion and Kaito looked the most unperturbed person ever with the same expressionless face. It was hilarious. Kaito's bad acting abilities were nothing compared to his dueling ones because he managed to win the match.
Then, Dennis told them the locations of Ruri and Rin before turning himself into a card. Yusho and Kaito tried to stop him, but he saw himself with no other way out as everyone thought of him as a traitor, which was stupid because the rest of the Lancers would have accepted him right back. They had already forgiven Serena, Sora and even Yuri. Yugo really hated Akaba Leo in that moment.
Meanwhile, in the harbor Yuya, Yuto, Yuzu, Gongenzaka and Sawatari were trying to find a boat, instead they found Yuri hiding by some cargo boxes.
"Yuri!" said Yuya, "What are you doing here? And the others?"
"Yuya!" shouted Yuzu taking his arm and pulling him towards her, "Stay back! He's a member of Academia."
"Wait! Yuzu!" said the other back, "He's our ally. He changed to our side."
"Eh?" the girl was surprised at hearing that. The last time she saw Yuri, he tried to kidnap her and the last time she heard about him, he was carding people. Not the best impressions, really.
"I changed sides," said Yuri, "Yuya and Asuka made me see the errors of my ways."
"I didn't actually—"
"Your kindness made me see the light, Yuya" said Yuri with a charming smile meant to embarrass the dueltainer.
Yuya blushed a little. Yuto just thought his brother was being an idiot and decided to intervene before he started saying even more ridiculous things.
"It's okay, Yuzu" said Yuto, "he really is on our side, he even gave us his ace monster to prove it."
"Well… if you guys say so," Yuzu wasn't a 100% convinced, maybe she had to give him a chance the same way she gave Sora and Serena.
"Back to business," said Yuto, "where are the others?"
"They boarded the boat," he said, "I decided to stay, that way I could conceal myself from Academia as I saw Dennis getting inside too."
"How do we know what you're saying is the truth?" asked Sawatari, "You could as well have turned them into cards."
"He's saying the truth," said a new voice.
Everyone turned in the direction of the voice and found Reiji with the rest of the Lancers and Crow.
"Reiji! Crow!" said Yuya looking at Crow who was giving him a smile.
"Hey, Yuya!" said Crow, "You doing fine?"
"Sora! And even Serena!" said Yuzu.
Indeed, with the rest of the Lancers were Sora and Serena too, "But how? You were captured back in Synchro."
"We'll have time for explanations on our way to Academia," said Reiji adjusting his glasses.
"You have a ship?" asked Yuto.
He nodded and everyone moved.
On the way to Academia they all exchanged stories.
Reiji told them that back in the Synchro Dimension, the people were working in reconstruction efforts after the almost revolution and the riots caused by the Commons and Security. With the Tops and Commons system abolished, there was a lot of work to do. Using Sora's duel disk, they modified Roger's machine and managed to come to Fusion. Crow was convinced by the kids, Chojiro, Shinji and Jack to accompany them and help, as a way to thank them for everything the Lancers did for them back in Neo Domino City.
After arriving in the city, they separated to find a boat or ship that could transport them to Duel Island, the place where Academia was located. The plan was to meet by the harbor in an hour, then head to Academia. During the search, Tsukikage found Serena in the woods, whom after learning of their plan decided to unite forces with them. They returned to the harbor and saw Yugo with one of his counterparts, a boy and a girl ("The counterpart was Yuri," explained Yuto, "the girl was Tenjouin Asuka, a former Academia duelist and the guy was Tenjou Kaito, a friend of mine from the XYZ Dimension."), then three of them boarded the ship and one of the counterparts stayed behind. The rest they already knew.
Next came Serena, she told them that by the time she was taken back to the Fusion Dimension by Barrett, the drug was almost out of her system, so she managed to knock the guy out and get out of the island. Since then, she has been attacking the supply routes of Academia. She thought about joining the runaways' students of You Show School, but decided against it. That place was already full of wanted people and with her the price over them would surely increase. Her story then united with Reiji's.
Yuzu and Yuto told everyone that back in the Synchro Dimension, the portal which absorbed them transported them to the Fusion Dimension. They were spotted and persecuted by Academia's guards, but Asuka saved them. She took them to the hidden school of You Show which was being managed by Yuya's father, Sakaki Yusho. They explained it was a wanted group consisting of students who defected Academia and wanted to learn the true meaning of dueling.
A little bit earlier, Yuto and Asuka went to confront Yuri who was dueling You Show students and turning them into cards. At the moment they didn't know it, but Yuri was meant to be a decoy so Academia could attack the school. During the duel, Yugo, Yuya with the rest of the Lancers and Kaito arrived. With Yuya and Asuka's words, they managed to turn Yuri to their side.
They heard the explosion of the hideout of You Show and decided to separate, the contingent plan of the school was to meet by the harbor if something were to happen. Yugo, Asuka and Kaito went there and the rest of them went to save any student who had not managed to escape. That was where they found Yuzu, surrounded by Academia duelists being led by Dennis. He didn't stay for the battle and after a wonderful duel between Kachidoki and Yuya (Reiji was surprised at hearing Kachidoki had come to the Fusion Dimension in his pursue of revenge against Yuya), the battles stopped and they came to the harbor, only to find the ship long gone. Not much later was the moment Reiji's team found them.
Lastly, Yuya, Gongenzaka and Sawatari told them that the portal transported them and Kurosaki to the XYZ Dimension's Heartland City. It was a constant battle against the Fusion Dimension forces while they tried to gain the trust of the Resistance (who was almost at the point of extermination) and protect an almost lifeless city. They fought a lot of powerful duelist like the Tyler sisters, however, it was the duel between Yuya and Academia's Supreme Commander, Edo Phoenix, which turned the tides in their favor. The people were so inspired that Academia stopped the invasion altogether.
"What?!" shouted Serena who couldn't believe it, "Yuya, you're really something else."
"You defeated Edo Phoenix!" said Sora in Yuya's face. Edo wasn't a second-rate duelist; he was probably one of the best students of the school (maybe even better than him, not that he could admit it) and Yuya managed to defeat him.
"Wow, Yuya!" said Crow, "Your dueling knows no boundaries!"
"I knew your entertainment dueling could stop the war," said Reiji.
Reira even had a very noticeable hopeful glint in his eyes looking at Yuya with marvelous wonder. Yuto and Yuri were probably the proudest of them all, not that anyone could see it in their faces. Yuya for his part was happy and a little embarrassed. He usually loved the spotlight, even fought for it, but with everyone praising him like that, his ears and face were turning as red as his hair.
"It was everyone's effort that managed to stop the war!" he said, trying to stop the praises, "Kurosaki even got hurt."
"Is he alright?" asked Serena.
"He's fine," said Gongenzaka, "he's being looked at by the medical officers from Academia. He'll probably join us when he's feeling better."
"We still need to talk about Akaba Leo's plan," said Reiji.
That shut everyone up.
"This question is for the people who until recently formed part of Academia, what do you know?"
"Not much," said Yuri with a bored expression, "with the Professor it was a relationship of doing what he said because he said it, no questions asked."
"He's right," said Serena, "we don't even know why he wants me or Yuzu and the other two girls."
Yuzu was also thinking about it too. Maybe she and the other three were related to the Professor's plan in some way? Now that she thought about it, her bracelet hadn't been releasing light since some time, even if Yuya was with one of his counterparts… maybe her theory was wrong and it wasn't for that..?
"What everyone is told in Academia," started to explain Sora, "is that he plans to unite the four Dimensions with a plan called ARC Area Project. To accomplish it, we needed to invade the XYZ Dimension."
"That's what Edo told us too," said Yuya. "He also told us they are turning people into cards to collect them as life energy. When the dimensions unite people are supposed to return back to normal."
"There's also another plan," said Reiji suddenly. Yuto and Yuri were surprised at hearing that.
Is it possible he knows about Revival Zero? Thought the two of them.
"Three years ago, I visited Academia and met Serena."
"I remember, you saved me from some guards," she said.
"Yes," said Reiji, "although, in the end they captured us, and I was sent back to the Standard Dimension. It was at that moment, that I learned of the existence of the four dimensions and that my father was planning something. I found some of his research back in his old lab, it didn't make a lot of sense, but I uncovered something called Revival Zero."
He knows! Thought the brothers.
"What does it mean?" asked Yuzu.
"I didn't entirely understand its meaning," said Reiji, "the folder only contained files on two persons, Serena… and Yuri."
Everyone turned to look at Yuri with either astonished or worried expressions.
"Umm," said Yuri who had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"That's the reason," continued Reiji, "why I believe Yuto, Yugo and Yuya are connected to the plan as well."
"No!" said Yuzu with a fearful expression.
"You don't think it's a coincidence we all look the same?" asked Yuto.
"No, I don't."
That ended the conversation and everyone separated into smaller groups to converse. Yuzu wanted to talk to Yuya whom she hadn't had the chance to properly speak with in a long time, but he went in the direction of Yuri who left the group the moment the talk was dismissed. A little disappointed, she went to talk with Gongenzaka and Sawatari instead.
Yuya found his Fusion counterpart at the back of the ship talking with Yuto. He was quickly spotted and both turned to look at him with surprised faces.
"I'm—," started to said Yuri when he was cut off by Yuto.
"I'm leaving, you two can talk."
"How did you know I wanted to talk to Yuri?" asked Yuya.
"Let's call it a sixth sense," he gave him a kind smile and left them alone.
It was a little quiet at first because Yuya didn't know how to say what he wanted to say. He met the other one today and he kind of made him nervous.
"You… get along with Yuto?" asked Yuya. It wasn't what he actually wanted to say, maybe some little small talk would make him less nervous.
"He's alright, I suppose," said Yuri, then he remembered he shouldn't appear close to the XYZ duelist and clarified. "He was asking me about his friend, Ruri."
"I see."
The silence started again. He wasn't like his older brother with his immeasurable patience and told the other:
"Whatever you have to say, spit it out."
Eh?! Thought Yuya a little surprised by the outburst.
"I— I wanted to return Starving Venom Fusion Dragon," said Yuya taking out the card.
"Oh," said Yuri completely caught off guard by that. He thought Yuya was going to ask him more questions about Academia, Revival Zero or the time they accidentaly met almost two years ago. Thinking a little, the pendulum duelist probably didn't remember it.
"I don't think anyone still thinks you're a spy; you should take—"
"Keep it," said Yuri before the other could finish.
"Eh? But it is your ace monster!" said Yuya.
"Take it as a token of our friendship," said Yuri not meeting his brother's counterparts' eyes.
Yuya didn't know what to say. He suddenly remembered something Yuri said during his duel against Asuka.
You always had it easy, being liked by everyone!
"Unless you don't want to be friends," said Yuri unexpectedly shy, "I would under—"
"I want to be your friend!" The unexpected shout made the fusion duelist jump a little.
Yuri turned to look at him and saw Yuya giving him a big smile.
Oh? Just as stupid…! Stupidly kind and naive as my Yuya, he thought. Yuri gave him a little smile in return.
"Ah! When you smile like that you don't look so scary" said Yuya.
"…oh?" said Yuri with a rapidly increasing too nice smile, "Yuya, what do you mean by that?"
"I— I mean," said Yuya quickly trying to explain himself, "usually you have a look which says, "get out of my space!", but I don't think you're actually like that… or maybe a little bit, But! I think under that you're a good person who likes to take care of others." He now hoped the other one didn't take it in a bad way.
Yuri got quiet after his babbling.
"I suppose you're not that wrong, I do like plants."
"Really?" asked Yuya, grateful Yuri opened up to him.
"You think it's girly, right?" asked Yuri.
"No, flowers are pretty," said Yuya, "I don't judge things like that. My monsters are cute animals after all." He took out the rest of his deck and showed it to him.
Yuto was listening from a hidden place. The moment he saw Yuya nervously approaching them, he knew he wanted to speak to Yuri. He let them be for a while; Yuri was the only one that didn't had the chance for a one-on-one with this Yuya. It was stupid and painful to get to know him because they knew they were getting attached, but the need to see their brother was stronger.
At the moment of truth, they will not hesitate.
Author notes
*Yuri has joined your party*
In the anime, I always thought if there was a moment for him to change sides, it should had been in his duel against Asuka/Alexis. He also likes to mess with his brothers. XD
RIP Dennis, he's the only one I didn't know how to incorporate correctly. His presence was going to mess up the brothers' plan. It is kind of a relief for me because there is a big cast already.
They are all together! From here on, we're going to my favorite part of the story :D
Sorry if anyone wanted to see the XYZ arc, because none of the brothers are with Yuya, it basically stays the same.
The reason why I have a "recap" inside this chapter of stuff that just happened is because this was supposed to be divided in two, the second part was going to be kind of boring, so I just left it together like one.
Thanks for reading!
