I was so excited to write this chapter that I've been writing bits and pieces throughout the week and now it is ready to be published. Maybe I can make another chapter by tomorrow but no promises since it's night time where I live.

Expect this chapter to be heavy and full of twists and turns.

Anyway, on to the chapter.

Chapter 22: Three Way War!

Main Pillar

To say an organized fight was an understatement to what was happening at the main pillar. While Security and the militia managed to create a defense using Real Solid Vision, the Revolutionists used their psychic powers and their anger to crush through it and they started storming right into the area and climbing the stairs to the main control.

"That's right my comrades!" Divine smiled. "Show them your anger! Crush their spirits! Let them know who the real winners are!" The Revolutionists cheered as they continued to charge.

Some Revolutionists, however, were knocked out and defeated and restrained by Security as some Duelists managed to overpower them despite their guerilla tactics.

"I won't let anyone get to the controls!" Gongenzaka panted as he had Susano-O and Big Ben-K with him.

"Enjoy!" Chojiro knocked more of them back.

"Go! Sun Dragon Inti! Moon Dragon Quilla!" Godwin had his sun and moon dragons' attack.

From the distance, Yuya, Rin and Rua watched the battle continue to unfold. "Dropping entire cities…just for petty revenge…like hell!" Rin ran in front of the boys.

"Hey!" Yuya called out.

"Wait for me!" Rua shouted.

Route to Safe Zone A

"Hurry everyone! Get to the safe zone!" A Security officer tried to get a group of civilians to safety.

"Hey, there's a Security Officer!"

"Get him!"

The officer saw two Revolutionists charging at him. "Damn it!" The officer activated his Duel Disk. "Gate Blocker!" He summoned Gate blocker to protect the evacuating citizens and cut off the Revolutionists.

"Big mistake!" The two charged at the officer and started beating him up with a pipe. The officer couldn't fight back since he used all of his cards to protect the civilians.

"Moonlight Dancer Dragon! Eclipse Cannon!" Serena's dragon knocked out the two Revolutionists. "Are you okay?" Serena knelt down to the officer.

"Y-Yeah…" The officer coughed. "Wait, I know you. You're Serena from Team Guardians. But why would you help me? I'm Security. I'm the enemy."

"I don't care. I don't anyone to get hurt anymore." Serena said. "Besides, this isn't the time for labels, we have to do everything we can to get everyone to safety."

"Heh, here I am being scolded by a kid." The officer stood up. "I can trust you to keep those hooligans away from the citizens. I'll get everyone to safety."

"Yes sir." Serena saluted.

Near Safe Zone B

"Go! Hydra!" Sawatari had his Fusion Monster attack some Revolutionists. "You all have to hurry to the safe zone!"

"Trapeze Magician, help guide everyone!" Dennis ordered as Trapeze Magician swung on its trapeze and created a glittering trail for people to follow. "Hey, Sawatari. Do you really think Yuya and the others?"

"We can't doubt them now." Sawatari said. "We have to do everything we can to help them out and that's getting these people to safety."

"Right." Dennis nodded.

Crow's House

"Come on, guys. We're going to Martha's." Crow got Frank, Amanda and Tanner out of the house.

"Crow, are they really gonna drop the Tops on us?" Tanner asked in fear.

"I honestly don't know, but Rin, Yuya and Rua are doing their part to try and stop it." Crow looked at the direction of the main pillar. "But it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Rin, Yuya, Rua…I better see you after all of this." Crow thought.

Academia Base – Sector Z

Kaiser looked out at the chaos that was unfolding in the city with the stare of a hawk looking for its prey.

"Hey, just thought I let you know that everyone is prepared to retreat if that Zero Reverse happens." Darkness walked up to him.

"I see." Kaiser said. "Then let's use this opportunity to get some hunting done."

"Hunting, huh? You always did like living on the edge. So, who are you going after? One of those girls for the Professor, or one of the other Guardians?" Darkness asked.

"I've had my eye on a certain falcon of lately." Kaiser admitted. "With Yuya Sakaki preoccupied with stopping Zero Reverse and Reiji Akaba out of commission, the next best would be the Xyz Remnant that defeated Sora Shiunin."

"I see…" Darkness crossed his arms. "In that case, I'll help myself in going after one of the girls."

"Remember, they're important to the Professor, so don't go overboard." Kaiser reminded Darkness.

"Overboard? Me? You give me too much credit. I give my prey a choice, after all." Darkness smirked.

Main Pillar

Yuya, Rin and Rua made it to the main pillar where there were already many Duelists from both sides lying down in defeat and exhaustion.

"I won't let you pass!"

All three of them looked up at the pillar to see Gongenzaka fighting off more Revolutionists.

"Gongenzaka!" Yuya was surprised to see his friend back so soon.

"Argh!" An explosion occurred a few floors below Gongenzaka and Chojiro was blown over the edge.

"Mr. Tokumatsu!" Rua cried out.

"At the speed he's falling!" Yuya's eyes widened since Chojiro was already so high up on the pillar that if he hit the ground…

Rin's felt a strong urge within herself as she saw Chojiro falling and seeing so many other Duelists defeated around her. "No!" Rin raised her right hand and her bracelet glowed and it released a strong wind that stopped Chojiro's fall.

"Whoa!" Chojiro was surprised that his landing was cushioned and comfortable and found himself being lowered gently to the ground before he laid on his back.

"Whoa…" Rua was amazed by what Rin did.

"Did that always happen?" Yuya asked.

"No…" Rin was shocked by what she did, or rather what her bracelet did. It was like it responded to her feelings of not wanting anyone else to get hurt.

"Mr. Tokumatsu!" Rua rushed to the exhausted first Duel King of Neo Domino with Yuya and Rin behind him.

"Kids…it's bad…" Chojiro panted. "Kazama and Mayor Godwin are still…" Chojiro winced as he felt a sharp pain on his side.

"What do we do? We can't leave him here?" Rin asked.

"I'll look after him."

Everyone turned to see Mikage and other first responders with trucks full of medical supplies.

"You're…" Rin's recognized her arresting officer.

"Here." Mikage held out a flash drive. "This will lock the main pillar from being accessed. But you have to get there first in order for it to work. I'll get all the wounded out of here."

Yuya looked at the flash drive before looking at Mikage. He remembered how she brutally defeated the girls. "I don't think I'll ever forgive you for what you did to Rin and the others…but right now the city is more important than grudges." Yuya took the drive.

"Rin, Rua. You two stay down here and help her with the wounded. I'm going up there." Yuya ordered.

"Okay." Rua nodded.

"Be careful." Rin advised.

Yuya nodded and he started heading up the stairs and into battle.

Main Pillar – Middle Area

Kazama held his side as he rested against the railing and he saw Yuya running up the stairs. "About time you showed up hero." Kazama joked.

Kazama looked at his already small deck. He used up most of his cards already. "I'm not Sector Security anymore…but even so, I gotta do my duty to protect kids like you."

"Well, well, well."

Kazama turned to see three Revolutionists.

"Duel Chaser 227…"

"It's payback time!"

"This is for treating us like dirt!"

"My name…is Kazama!" Kazama pulled out a card from his Extra Deck. "And I will protect the future! Synchro Summon! Demon Chaos King!"" Kazama revealed his true ace monster.

Route to Safe Zone C

"Shun! I finished evacuating this side!" Ruri ran up to her brother.

"Good, I just finished up here…" Shun nodded. He looked at the direction of the main pillar. "To think there would be people worse than Academia. Dropping an entire city just for revenge."

"I just hope Yuya and the others are okay." Ruri put her hands in a prayer.

"You should be more worried about yourselves." Shun and Ruri turned to see Kaiser with his arms crossed.

"You…" Ruri's eyes widened.

"Hell Kaiser…" Shun glared.

Kaiser threw his pain amplification device at Shun. "I know you want to defeat me, so I'll give you a chance. That is unless, you're scared, like your pathetic hometown."

"Shun, you know it's a trap!" Ruri said.

"I know…but even so, if I can defeat this guy, we'll gain the advantage over Academia and this way, less people will get hurt by him." Shun said. "You go to the safe zone; I'll catch up to you."

"But Shun…" Ruri wanted to argue but she could see the gentleness in Shun's eyes despite his battle-ready face. "I better see you there." Ruri ran off.

"A simple goodbye. Better that, than a cheesy one." Kaiser activated his Duel Disk.

"It's not goodbye. I will see her again and I'm taking you out!" Shun activated his Duel Disk.

"Field Magic: Dimension Gates." Shun's Duel Disk activated the Field Magic.

"Duel!" Shun and Kaiser declared.

Shun LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Kaiser LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"I'll go first! Draw!" Shun drew his card. "From my hand, I summon Raid Raptors – Vanishing Lanius (ATK: 1300, LV: 4)!" Shun summoned Vanishing Lanius.

"During the turn I successfully summon it, I can Special Summon one more Vanishing Lanius from my hand! And thanks to the effect of the Retrofit Lanius, it can be treated as a copy of a Raid Raptor monster on my field! I Special Summon Retrofit Lanius (ATK: 800, LV: 4) as Vanishing Lanius!"

"Also, Retrofit Lanius can be treated as two materials for an Xyz Summon! I Overlay my Level 4 Vanishing Lanius and Retrofit Lanius!" Retrofit Lanius turned into two purple lights while Vanishing Lanius turned into a single purple light and they entered the spacelike portal.

"Obscured falcon, raise your sharpened talons in front of adversity, spread your wings of rebellion! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 4! Raid Raptors - Rise Falcon (ATK: 100, RNK: 4, OVU: 2)!" Shun summoned his ace.

"So, you summoned your ace monster on your first turn…" Kaiser observed.

"From my hand, I activate the Continuous Magic: Raptor's Intercept Form! Once during my opponent's turn, this card allows me to swap my monster's Attack and Defense Points during the Damage Calculation if they attack an Xyz Summoned Raid Raptors monster! Meaning Rise Falcon's Attack Points will be 2000!"

"I set three cards and end my turn!" Shun set his entire hand.

Shun LP: 4000, Hand: 0
Kaiser LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"My turn! Draw!" Kaiser drew his card. "Since my opponent has a monster on the field and I don't, I can Special Summon Cyber Dragon (ATK: 2100, LV: 5) from my hand!" Kaiser summoned his machine dragon.

"Then, I summon Cyber Phoenix (ATK: 1200, LV: 4)!" Kaiser summoned a phoenix to the field.

"Next, I activate the Magic Card: Time Capsule! I select one card from my deck and banish it! Then, during my second Standby Phase, this card is destroyed and I add the banished card to my hand!" Kaiser banished a card.

"That must be some kind of Fusion Card." Shun thought.

"Battle! Cyber Dragon, attack Raid Raptors – Rise Falcon! Evolution Burst!" Cyber Dragon fired a blast at Rise Falcon.

"The Continuous Magic switches the Attack and Defense Points of Rise Falcon during damage calculation!" Shun reminded.

Rise Falcon (ATK: 100→2000)

"Continuous Trap: Overlay Breast Armor! If a Raid Raptors Xyz Monster would be destroyed in battle, I can detach one Overlay Unit to negate its destruction!" Shun revealed.

Rise Falcon (OVU: 2→1)

"But damage is still applied." Kaiser reminded Shun and he took damage.

Shun LP: 4000→3900

"At the end of the Damage Calculation, Rise Falcon's Attack Points return to normal." Shun added.

Rise Falcon (ATK: 2000→100)

"Your Continuous Magic can only be used once during my turn. I still have one more monster on my field! Go! Cyber Phoenix, attack Rise Falcon!" Cyber Phoenix attacked.

"Overlay Breast Armor activates!" Shun played his card again and took damage.

Rise Falcon (OVU: 1→0)

Shun LP: 3900→2800

"I set two cards and end my turn!" Kaiser finished his turn. "Honestly, I'm a little disappointed. I expected more."

Shun LP: 2800, Hand: 0
Kaiser LP: 4000, Hand: 1

"Then let me grant your wish! My turn! Draw!" Shun drew his card. "I activate the Rank-Up Magic – Raid Force! It makes Rise Falcon into an Overlay Unit and use it to Xyz Summon a Raid Raptors that is one Rank higher! Rank-Up! Xyz Change! Appear! Rank 5! Raid Raptors – Blaze Falcon (ATK: 1000, RNK: 5, OVU: 1)!" Shun summoned Blaze Falcon.

"I activate Blaze Falcon's effect! By using one Overlay Unit, it can destroy all Special Summoned monsters on the opponent's field and deals 500 points of damage for each one!" Blaze Falcon destroyed Cyber Dragon.

Kaiser LP: 4000→3500

"Blaze Falcon can attack directly! Blaze Falcon! Direct Attack!" Blaze Falcon attacked Kaiser but he didn't flinch and simply brushed his shoulders.

Kaiser LP: 3500→2500

"When Blaze Falcon deals Battle Damage, one monster on the opponent's field is destroyed! I destroy Cyber Phoenix!" Blaze Falcon destroyed Cyber Phoenix.

"When Cyber Phoenix is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can draw one card!" Kaiser drew another card.

"I end my turn!" Shun finished. "How's that?"

Shun LP: 2800, Hand: 0
Kaiser LP: 2500, Hand: 2

"Draw!" Kaiser simply started his turn. "I summon Cyber Valley (ATK: 0, LV: 1)!" Kaiser summoned a small mechanical dragon. "Cyber Valley has three effects. I'm activating the second one! I banish this card and one of my set cards to draw two cards!" Kaiser banished his cards and drew two more.

I activate the Magic Card: Fusion!" Kaiser showed the card that Shun hated. "I fuse the two Cyber Dragons in my hand! Mechanical dragons of evolution! Merge together and become a force beyond these pathetic humans! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Cyber Twin Dragon (ATK: 2800, LV: 8)!" Kaiser summoned a powerful two headed mechanical dragon.

"Battle! Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Blaze Falcon! Twin Evolution Burst!" Kaiser had his dragon attack.

"Raptor's Intercept Form switches Blaze Falcon's Attack and Defense Points!" Shun reminded Kaiser of his Continuous Magic.

Blaze Falcon (ATK: 1000→2000)

"But you don't have Overlay Units, so you can't use your Overlay Breast Armor!" Kaiser pointed out and Blaze Falcon was destroyed.

Shun LP: 2800→2000

"Quick-Play Magic: Rank-Up Magic – Raptor's Force! When an Xyz Monster on my field is destroyed by battle, I can Special Summon it and use it as Xyz Material to Xyz Summon a Raid Raptor's monster that is one Rank higher!" Shun revealed and Blaze Falcon returned and soared into the sky.

"Prideful falcon. Spread your wings, dyed in the blood of heroes, and charge through the path of revolution! Rank Up Xyz Change! Appear! Rank 6! Raid Raptors - Revolution Falcon (ATK: 2000, RNK: 6, OVU: 1)!" Shun summoned Revolution Falcon.

"When Revolution Falcon is Xyz Summoned using a Rank 5 or lower Raid Raptor's monster as Xyz Material, I can target one Special Summoned monster my opponent controls and destroy it! Then, the opponent takes damage equal to half of the destroyed monster's Attack Points!" Revolution Falcon flew in the air and dropped bombs.

"The effect of the banished Cyber Dark Aura activates!" Kaiser revealed.

"What?! A card that can activate when banished?!" Kaiser was surprised.

"When this card is banished, all Cyber monsters on my field cannot be destroyed by card effects!" A dark aura protected Cyber Twin Dragon from being destroyed. "But in exchange, I must discard half of my deck." Kaiser took half of the cards in his deck and sent them to the Graveyard.

"You were being too hasty to defeat me." Kaiser narrowed his eyes.

"What?" Shun questioned.

"Revolution Falcon has 3000 Defense Points. While you would have lower Life Points had you not used Raptor's Intercept Form on Blaze Falcon, you would have the chance to use it on Revolution Falcon as Cyber Twin Dragon can attack twice per turn." Kaiser lectured.

"Damn it…he's right. My Life Points would've been 1000, but I still would have a chance to stop his attack." Shun hated to admit it but Kaiser was right.

"To me, you are nothing more than an amateur! Cyber Twin Dragon, attack Revolution Falcon!" Cyber Twin Dragon attacked Revolution Falcon.

"I activate Overlay Breast Armor's effect! I use one Overlay Unit to negate Revolution Falcon's destruction!" Shun used his Trap.

"But the damage goes through!" Kaiser shouted as Shun was knocked off his feet.

Shun LP: 2000→1200

"I set one card and end my turn!" Kaiser finished his turn.

"Damn it…he's strong…he's nothing like those other soldiers…" Shun thought as he glared at Kaiser.

"How pathetic." Kaiser insulted. "I'm not even serious yet!"

"What?! He's not serious…" Shun then saw Kaiser tower over him, looking at him with full intimidation and bestowing fear. "I…I'm…" Shun saw his hand shaking.

"Now, begin your last turn!" Kaiser ordered. "At least make it entertaining."

"I can't believe this…I'm…I'm scared! I…" Shun stepped back.

"Running away? Just like your comrades." Kaiser stepped forward. "I thought you would give me more of a challenge like Kaito Tenjo!"

"Kaito…you fought Kaito!" Shun's eyes widened.

"Kaito is just one of the few people that I want to Duel to the death." Kaiser revealed. "Yuya Sakaki's a threat to Academia's goal. And Reiji Akaba is the son of the Professor, whose skills are better than the elites. You, because you are the leader of the Spade Branch of the Resistance. And Kaito…" Kaiser pulled a card out of his coat and it showed a boy with long blue hair and glasses with a suffering look on his face. "He carded by little brother, so I paid him back by carding his entire family!"

Kaiser's fighting spirit was so overwhelming that Shun's feet turned to jelly. "This is…Hell Kaiser…"

Main Pillar – Middle Area

Yuya fought off many Revolutionists that were trying to get in his way before he made it to the middle area where he found a very weak Kazama. "Kazama!" Yuya ran to him.

Kazama weakly opened his eyes and he saw Yuya. "You…made it…Hey, is Mr. Tokumatsu…"

"Don't worry, he's okay." Yuya assured him.

"Good to know…I wouldn't forgive myself if something bad happened on my watch." Kazama coughed harshly.

"Hey, don't talk." Yuya said.

"It's…it's really bad up there." Kazama warned and he grasped Yuya's hand. "Yuya. Promise me. Don't let our efforts…be for nothing."

Yuya nodded and held Kazama's hand with both of his. "I won't."

Kazama chuckled. "You're a good man…I wish…I could've seen you and the others…change Neo Domino City." Kazama's hand fell out of Yuya's.

"You still can. I'll get you down…" Yuya offered.

"No, you have to keep going." Kazama refused. "The people of the city…are paying attention to you now…You have to keep…showing them that change is a good thing…That the future…can be brighter than the present…"

"Kazama…" Yuya uttered. He then felt Kazama put a hand on his head.

"Yuya…I believe…that you can stop this…I entrust my future to you…" Kazama's hand slipped from Yuya's head and laid on the side while the light in Kazama's eyes disappeared.

Yuya lowered his head and moved his hand to close Kazama's eyes. He saw Demon Chaos King on the ground and picked it up.

"There he is!"

"Let's mutilate him!"

The ones that attacked Kazama before returned and were ready to get revenge. Yuya released dark aura around him and Odd-Eyes and Clear Wing appeared and knocked all three of them off the edge and to the ground below.

"I won't let them get away with this…" Yuya opened his eyes and his left eye was green as tears went down his face.

Main Pillar – Ground

"That's the last of them!" An officer reported to Mikage.

"Good work." Mikage thanked. An explosion then alarmed her and the others as it was getting worse.

"I can't stay here anymore. I have to help." Rin said.

"Me too. I have to do my part in this too." Rua agreed.

"Just be careful, both of you." Tokumatsu advised.

"Normally, I wouldn't let children enter a battlefield, but I'll make an exception this once." Mikage sighed.

"Thank you." Rin thanked as she and Rua ran up the stairs.

Near Safe Zone D

"You all finished?" Jonouchi asked as he, Asuka, Rio and Yuzu met up.

"Almost, we just need to get to one more area." Yuzu answered.

"Okay, let's—" Jonouchi was about to give a plan when he got hit by a blast.

"Jonouchi!" Rio ran to him. Asuka and Yuzu were about to follow when a wall of fire blocked them off.

"Argh…that smarts…" Jonouchi winced.

"Sorry about that, but I have a mission to fulfill." Emerging from the fire was Darkness.

"You again…" Jonouchi glared.

"As much as I want to prove who the superior Red-Eyes Duelist is, I have to take Yuzu Hiiragi into custody."

"Do you think I'll go with you willingly?" Yuzu glared.

"Will you if I ask nicely?" Darkness played around.

"Not a chance!" Yuzu said.

"Well, it's not like you can defeat me." Darkness said.

"I won't let you lay a hand on her!" Asuka stood in front of Yuzu.

"Hm? That outfit…why are you on the other side? Why did you betray us?" Darkness asked.

"That's not the Duel Academia I admired. Duel Academia is supposed to be a place where we can make our dreams a reality, but Leo Akaba took that away from us and corrupted the entire student body!" Asuka said.

"Asuka…" Yuzu looked at the Guardian.

"Asuka…" Darkness uttered her name like it was familiar to him. "Well, then if you're so adamant in protecting her, I'll take you both on myself. Oh, and I have something special to show you." Darkness held up a deck.

"That's!" Asuka's eyes widened.

"Yep, it's the Valedictorian Deck, given only to the top student in the graduating class! And this is my original Red-Eyes Deck. So, which one should I use to take you both out?" Darkness asked.

"You should already know the answer." Asuka narrowed her eyes.

"You're right…since Jonouchi also uses Red-Eyes, you probably know the weakness of the style. So…I'll use the Valedictorian Deck." Darkness put the deck in his Duel Disk and it shuffled and activated his Duel Disk.

Yuzu and Asuka activated their Duel Disks with Yuzu's activating the Field Magic. "Field Magic: Dimension Gates."

"Show me what you've got." Darkness grinned.

"Duel!" Darkness, Yuzu, and Asuka declared.

Darkness LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Yuzu LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Asuka LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"I'll go first! Draw!" Yuzu drew her card. "I summon Opera the Melodious Diva (ATK: 2300, LV: 4)!" Yuzu summoned Opera. "Then, I set two cards and end my turn!"

Darkness LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Yuzu LP: 4000, Hand: 3
Asuka LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"My turn! Draw!" Darkness drew his card. "Hm…I think I'll start with this card! I activate the Field Magic: Supreme King's Castle!" The area around them changed into a dark castle.

"Then, I activate the Magic Card: Dark Fusion!" Darkness revealed his card.

"Dark Fusion?" Yuzu questioned.

"I've never heard of that card." Asuka's eyes widened.

"I Dark Fuse the Elemental Hero Featherman and Burst Lady in my hand! Hero of Wind! Hero of Fire! Give in to the darkness of your heart and create a powerful fiend! Dark Fusion! Come forth! Evil Hero Inferno Wing (ATK: 2100, LV: 6)!" Darkness summoned a female hero.

"Battle! Inferno Wing, attack Opera! Inferno Blast!" Inferno Wing fired a ball of blue flame.

"Why is he attacking even though Opera is stronger?" Yuzu thought. "I activate my Trap Card: Falsetto! When a Melodious monster on my field is targeted for an attack, this card destroys the attacking monster and I gain Life Points equal to the destroyed monster's Attack Points!" Yuzu played her set card.

"Because Inferno Wing was Fusion Summoned through Dark Fusion, she cannot be destroyed by Magic or Trap cards!" Darkness revealed. "Also, I activate the effect of Supreme King's Castle! Once per turn, if a Fiend-type monster battles an opponent's monster, I can send one Evil Hero monster from my deck or Extra Deck to the Graveyard and my monsters gains 200 Attack Points times the Level of the monster that was sent there!" Darkness revealed.

"What?!" Yuzu gasped.

"I discard Evil Hero Malicious Edge from my deck to the Graveyard. Malicious Edge's Level is 7, therefore, Inferno Wing gains 1400 Attack Points!" Darkness discarded one Evil Hero.

Inferno Wing (ATK: 2100→3500)

The blast increased in size and it burned poor Opera and Yuzu screamed as she felt her skin on fire.

Yuzu LP: 4000→2800

"Yuzu! Are you alright?!" Asuka got worried.

"Y-Yeah…" Yuzu stuttered. Honestly, she wasn't really okay. The attack really did hurt her, way more than what she was used too.

"Oh man, I can feel the fire from here." Rio started to sweat.

"Darkness is dangerous…I was just barely able to defeat him last time." Jonouchi admitted.

"Inferno Wing has another effect! When it destroys a monster in battle and sends it to the Graveyard, the opponent takes damage equal to the Attack or Defense Points of the monster destroyed and it's the higher value!" Darkness revealed.

"Which means…2300 points of damage!" Asuka's eyes widened.

"Hell Backfire!" Darkness shouted and Inferno Wing burned Yuzu and she screamed once more in pain.

Yuzu LP: 2800→500

"In just one turn, he almost took Yuzu out." Rio got worried.

Yuzu fell to her knees and panted. "Wh-What is this pain? This…this is unlike anything I've ever faced…" Yuzu trembled. "Dueling…is supposed to be fun…but…is it supposed to hurt this bad?"

"This is bad." Asuka looked at the trembling Yuzu. "That attack has really damaged Yuzu both physically and mentally." Asuka looked at Darkness. "This man is not an ordinary Duel Soldier…he's super strong."

"I set one card and end my turn." Darkness finished his turn. "At this moment, Supreme King's Castle's effect ends and Inferno Wing's Attack Points return to normal.

Inferno Wing (ATK: 3500→2100)

"Supreme King's Castle's effect can only be used once per turn." Asuka looked at her hand. "The only ways that I can get through that effect is if I summon two powerful monsters and force him to use it once, or get rid of an Evil Hero without battling it."

An explosion caught her and the other's attention and she saw the main pillar was getting more damaged.

"You better hurry and defeat me if you want to help them." Darkness advised.

"I'm worried, but I'll just have to trust that Yuya, Rua and Rin can take care of Divine and Shinji. Right now, I got to do my part and help Yuzu." Asuka thought as she put her fingers on her deck.

"My turn! Draw!" Asuka drew her card with determination.

Tops Section A

Aki was running through the streets as other Tops were evacuating the area. "You need to get out of this area! You need to get as far away from the Tops and Commons Area! Go to the Duel Palace or High Councilor building! Anywhere that's not towered by the Tops!" Aki warned.

"Hey, you're the Senator's Daughter!"

"Senator Izayoi!"

Some Tops called on Hideo and he turned along with his wife and their eyes widened when they saw Aki. "Aki!" Both parents ran to their daughter and embraced her.

"Mama. Papa." Aki teared up before remembering what was at stake. "It's not safe here. You have to get out here."

"Aki, slow down." Hideo held her gently. "We're already starting the evacuation, but it's a big area."

"You should get out of here." Setsuko advised. "We will take care of the—"

"I need to get to Penthouse 10! My friend's sister is in a coma and she's there all alone! I have to get her to safety first!" Aki ran past her parents towards the penthouses.

"Dear, did you hear that?" Setsuko turned to her husband.

"Yeah, that's my girl." Hideo smiled.

Aki continued running and she saw some Revolutionists ganging up on a bunch of kids. "You leave them alone!" Aki brought out more monsters to knock the enemy out.

"Teppei, are you okay?"

"No, Patty. My ankle is twisted."

"Sly, help me—argh."

"Bob, stop. You already hurt your wrist."

Aki saw that the kids were covered in dirt and scratches. "Here climb on." Aki turned her back and knelt down. "I'll give you lift."

"Evacuation is this way!" Hideo shouted.

"Everyone, go this way!" Setsuko called out.

"Come on, stay with me." Aki carried Teppei on her back while the others followed beside her. "It's okay. I won't let anyone hurt you." Aki said.

"Teppei!"

"Bob!"

"Sly!"

"Patty!"

The parents of the children quickly hugged them while Aki gave Teppei over to his parents. "You'll be okay now."

"Thank you." Teppei thanked.

"Okay. Penthouse 10." Aki got back to her mission and ran back to the penthouses.

Above a Security helicopter observed the damage and Roget was inside. "Security is still evacuating citizens, Director! I will go ahead and take us back to base."

Roget looked out the window and he saw Aki running through the area. "Wait, there's something I need to do in this area."

"Sir?" The officer looked back in confusion.

"If I remember correctly, her powers are able to heal others…" Roget had a smile. "If I can harness that power for my own use…yes…I'll be hailed a hero."

Penthouse 10

Aki opened the doors to the penthouse and entered. "Ruka! Ruka! Ruka!" Aki opened the doors, trying to find one where Ruka was. Finally, after opening the fifth door, she found her, still asleep.

"Ruka…" Aki ran up to her and she was about to pick her up when she suddenly found herself in an abyss. She then heard crying and saw Ruka crying into her knees. "Ruka?"

Ruka looked up to see Aki. "Who are you?"

"I'm a friend of Rua's. My name's Aki." Aki knelt down to her.

"Rua…" Ruka looked down. "It's all my fault."

"Huh?" Aki tilted her head in confusion.

"Even though I've been unconscious, I could still see what was happening outside." Ruka answered. "Rua gave up his status for me. He's fighting to change the city for me. I've been nothing but a burden on him. Even now…Rua's fighting with his life on the line just for me and I..."

"Hey, you're not a burden." Aki put her arms around Ruka in a comforting embrace. "Even if you're not beside him, you're giving Rua the strength to do what he has to do. He is able to be brave thanks to you."

"And he's not alone. He's with a great group of friends too. In fact, one of them is my best friend." Aki thought of Yuya.

"What's gonna happen to our home?" Ruka asked.

"Nothing is gonna happen to it." Aki smiled. "Because home is not a place…it's the people who love you…family…friends. And you'll meet them soon, I promise."

"Okay…" Ruka smiled.

Aki then found herself back in the room and she looked down on the sleeping Ruka, who was smiling peacefully. Aki smiled and picked her up. She headed to the front door where it was opened by Roget.

"Hello, Black Rose Witch." Roget smiled.

Aki narrowed her eyes and held Ruka close to her as some officers entered and surrounded her. "Roget…"

"Before you say anything else, take a good look at the situation." Roget advised. Aki looked around her and there was no way to escape, especially with a frail girl like Ruka.

"For Roget to come after me…I see, so that's what you're after. As I thought, you only care about yourself." Aki realized Roget's aim. She looked down at Ruka before smiling. "How about a proposition?"

Roget smiled as he knew the outcome. He gestured Aki to follow the group where the helicopter was waiting for them.

Main Pillar

More Revolutionists were knocked down as Yuya kept making his way through. "How are we losing to just one man?" A Psychic Duelist complained.

"Surround him!" Three of them surrounded Yuya in a triangle.

"Wind Witch – Cyclone Dragon!"

"Power Tool Revolution Dragon!"

Rin's and Rua's ace monsters appeared and knocked down two of the Duelists while Clear Wing got rid of the last one. "About time." Yuya smiled.

"Sorry we're late." Rin apologized.

"Everyone got away?" Yuya asked.

"Yeah, everyone's clear now and…we saw Kazama." Rua admitted.

"Yuya, do you really think we can still…" Rin looked at Yuya.

"We will…" Yuya said with determination. "Everyone's fighting to save everyone, we have to do our part." Rin and Rua nodded and they both kept running up.

Main Pillar – Near the Top

Godwin panted as he faced Shinji and Divine. They had Machine Emperor Master and Ultima on their field while Godwin still had Sun Dragon and Moon Dragon.

"It's over, old man. Our revolution is almost fulfilled." Shinji smiled.

"We'll let you live if you surrender." Divine said.

"No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it." Godwin drew his last card. "I will not bow, but I'm afraid this is the end for me. Elder brother, give me your strength!"

"I release Sun Dragon Inti and Moon Dragon Quilla!" Roget released his monsters. He then roared as his body started getting muscular and the dark symbol of a bird appeared on his back.

"Even if it kills me…for Rua and Ruka…" Godwin's muscles ripped through his suit and purple marks appeared on him. "I will not give up! Descend before us! Earthbound God Wiraqocha Rasca!" A giant condor appeared over the city.

Roget's Helicopter

"Sir, look!" An officer pointed to the left and Roget saw the Earthbound Immortal. "That's Mayor Godwin's monster, we're saved!"

"I'm afraid not." Roget closed his eyes.

"What?" The officer asked.

"That monster takes the life force of the Duelist that uses that card. It's the reason why it was forbidden to be used." Roget explained.

"But even so, it could stop the enemy, right?" The officer asked in hope.

"Master and Ultima are the best Machine Emperors in the world, even against a God, machines continue to evolve. And if you can make a god bleed, the people would lose faith in them." Roget said.

Wiraqocha Rasca was then shot down by the two Machine Emperors and disappeared. "For now, take us back to base, we have already finished our detour."

"Yes sir." The officer complied.

In the back, Aki looked out the window. "I'm sorry, everyone. The rest is up to you." Aki looked behind her to reveal that she was handcuffed.

Main Pillar – Near the Top

Rua, Yuya and Rin kept running with Rua in the lead as he got worried when he saw Wiraqocha Rasca. He soon stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Godwin on the ground with his right arm severed.

"Grandpa!" Rua cried and ran to him with Yuya and Rin behind him. "Grandpa! Hang in there! Grandpa!"

"Rua…" Godwin weakly opened his eyes.

"Grandpa, don't talk…we'll get you help." Rua started to tear up. "You'll make it…you have to…"

"It's okay, Rua…" Godwin said. "I didn't have much time left anyway…summoning Wiraqocha Rasca used the last of my life energy…"

"Shut up! Shut up!" Rua shouted. "You're not gonna die! I'm not gonna let you die! You can't die! You can't…" Rua got angry.

"I don't want to keep you here for long…Gongenzaka…even with Dark Synchro…" Godwin coughed. "Besides, I have something to tell you, Rua."

"I said shut up! Just stop talking—" Rua cried before a hand rested on his shoulder.

"Rua." Yuya spoke softly. "Please, listen to him. His last words…"

Rua felt another hand on his shoulder and turned to Rin who had a sad look on her face, which made Rua calm down and look at his grandfather.

"Rua…I told you that your parents were always away on business, that was a lie." Godwin revealed. "The truth is…they died when you were born. Your father had an incurable disease…and your mother…she died a while after she gave birth to you and Ruka."

Neo Domino Hospital

Godwin watched as his adoptive son and daughter-in-law looked at their twin babies.

"They're so cute…"

"Yeah, you did great Eurea…"

"Thank you, Aporia, but…I don't think…"

"Yeah…I don't have much time left either…"

"Hold on, I'll go get the doctors!" Godwin was about to call.

"It's fine, Father." Aporia stopped him. "I'm finally ready…to rest…"

"But…your children…" Godwin said.

"I don't want to leave our children either, Father." Eurea spoke. "But…we're really tired…"

Baby Rua opened his eyes and he saw Aporia. "Hey, buddy…I'm your father…Listen, Papa and Mama have to go away for a while…so you have to take care of your sister. I know it's gonna be hard, you're gonna face a lot of hardships and you might give in to despair. But even in the depths of despair, there's hope. Grab that hope, gather your courage and fight through that despair. Do that, and you can do anything."

Aporia reached out his finger and baby Rua grabbed it with both his hands. Aporia smiled and looked at his wife and she smiled as well and both closed their eyes as the heart monitor gave a flat line.

Main Pillar – Near the Top

"Your father…and your mother…they really loved you…and they believed that you could do anything…just don't give into despair…" Godwin coughed before reaching into his pocket and pulled out an envelope.

"Read this…when you change the city…" Godwin gave it to Rua. "You'll understand…then…" Godwin closed his eyes and took his last breath.

"Grandpa…" Rua teared up.

Rin pulled Rua into a hug and comforted him by rubbing her hand through his hair and let him cry. "We can't let them get away with this." Rin looked at Yuya.

"They won't…" Yuya pulled out the Demon Chaos King card. "They had no right to take their future…" Yuya and Rin glared at the top, where the ultimate battle was to take place.

And done. Wow, it really hurt me to write some of this down. But this is war, and there will be losses on both sides. And it is with those losses that our heroes have to buckle down and do whatever it takes to protect their friends and change the Synchro Dimension.

To those of you wondering, Aporia was in his Primo age when he passed away instead of Jose and the woman Eurea, was Aporia's lover that was shown in Aporia's flashback when giving into despair of losing someone he loved. Also, Aporia was adopted by Godwin, so they're not biologically related.

Thanks for reading. Let me know what you think of this chapter in the reviews. Any questions you can PM me and I will answer as soon as possible.

Preview: Yuya, Rin and Rua confront Divine and Shinji at the Top of the Main Pillar to stop them from crashing the Tops into the Commons. Meanwhile, Asuka fights back against Darkness to protect Yuzu while Shun is consumed by fear due to Hell Kaiser's power.

Next Time: Defeat Hatred! Hope vs Despair!