Summary: Aoi finally wakes up to see she's in a new place, with both new and old people alike surrounding her. As an assertive individual named Declan Akaba tried to organize everything; The girl is left to wonder how much has changed thanks to her wishes...
"Where... where am I?"
Episode 1 - The Beginning
...
"...Hello again, big brother...", rang out the blue-haired girl weakly, looking up to see her weeping older brother. "...I'm glad I could see you again..."
"AOI!", the man cried again, this time in happiness, while hugging his younger sister. The others surrounding them could only look in happiness.
Another thought crossed Akira's mind as he caught a glimpse of her sister.
"But, Aoi... Aoi what happened to you..?", asked Akira as he took the time to fully look at her. She was bloodied, bruised, and part of her Blue Maiden avatar was reverting back to her normal body.
"It's a long story...", weakly chuckled the blue-haired girl before wincing in pain. She looked down to see her right arm was still missing.
"Aoi, don't move", Akira told her.
The girl did so anyway, managing to sit up to face her brother. She then looked around to see new people surrounding them. The place they were in also seemed unfamiliar.
"Where... where are we?", asked Blue Maiden. Akira looked around and saw he had the same question.
"In a new dimension", answered a familiar, artificial voice. The girl widened her eyes as she looked up to see a familiar individual.
Above the crowd floated a giant machine with dark grey claws, an old face enshrouded from inside the top.
"It's you...", trailed off the marine avatar. "I saw you before in the afterlife."
"...I haven't told you my name yet", stated the machine. "Apologies for that. My name is Z-ONE."
"...Z-ONE?", asked Akira.
"I'm from another dimension, as the majority of people here are", explained the machine, the rest of the crowd now forming an even larger circle to fit the individual. They all then turned to look at each other and confirm the machine's words. At the mention of people being from different dimensions, everyone started to slowly, but noticeably panic.
"But... how?", asked the girl, now standing up using Akira as support. "How come this happened...?"
"Your three wishes", spoke up another familiar voice, making the girl slightly widen her eyes in surprise. "Your three wishes are responsible for this, especially the first and third."
She knew who talked, despite not seeing his face yet. The girl turned to see a familiar, grey-haired hacker walking towards her, confirming her earlier suspicions.
"Revolver!", shouted the girl, before wincing again.
"Calm down, Aoi", the Hanoi leader raised a hand to the girl. "Your injuries are still too great for your body to exert, it's a miracle you're still conscious."
"...Where's everyone else?", asked the girl at Revolver. "Darkness, Jaden, and his other friends?"
"They're not here", explained the hacker, crossing his arms as he continued, "Not everyone was brought here. A few were dropped off at random places, within different corners of nearby dimensions. You never specified where to leave them on your third wish, after all."
"Speaking of, I should add something else", Z-ONE spoke up. Everyone turned to look at him, momentarily stopping their frantic uproar. "Due to your three wishes, primarily on your third, almost everyone who was once dead is now revived, and all nearby dimensions have merged to the point of almost touching each other."
"So that means Jaden is alive...", trailed off Blue Maiden with small hope.
"Unfortunately, this also means that everyone we once tried to get rid of is also alive", stated Revolver. "Lightning, Bohman, Ai, and the others are alive again."
"You mean all the Ignis are back?", asked Akira, finally finding a term he was familiar with.
"Even Aqua?", added the marine avatar.
"Including her."
"I see...", trailed off Blue Maiden with a smile. Her eyes began closing as she added one last sentence, "...I may have caused more trouble for everyone now... but I'm glad I made that third wish..."
"Aoi!", Akira panicked as the girl fell unconscious again.
"She'll be fine", spoke up Revolver, "Although she will need some recovery first". He then looked at Blue Maiden's missing arm.
"A lot of it, in fact", he added. He then asked to the crowd, "Does someone here know the nearest hospital!?"
The crowd seemed uncertain to answer, until a certain hand shot up.
"...I'm assuming this is still Paradise City", spoke up Yuya, everyone turning to look at him. "If it is, then I know a nearby place."
"Yuya!", Yuzu approached him.
"And he won't go alone", spoke up another voice, this time from within the stadium. Everyone turned to see a tall man with red glasses and a scarf, standing proudly from within the entrance.
"Declan!", Yuya stated.
"Claude will accompany you with carrying the girl", the D/D/D duelist pointed, referring to Akira's sister. "By the way, I'm assuming that the girl is the one responsible for this? The merging of dimensions?"
Both Revolver and Z-ONE nodded at his question.
"I see; Then a proper interrogation will be required once she has fully recovered", stated Declan as he pushed up his glasses. "In the meantime, though, recovery for the girl is our top priority."
A group of LEO Corporation staff were sent immediately afterwards to carry the girl on a hospital transfer board, both Akira and the Pendulum dimension couple following not too far behind.
"I'm assuming you're this stadium's owner?", asked Revolver at the scarf-duelist.
"More than that", Declan answered, before speaking into a microphone, "Smiley, begin the interdimensional transmission for all four dimensions!"
Now from inside the stadium Smiley scrambled over to the control room, flipping on a few switches until all TVs across the Pendulum, Synchro, XYZ, and Fusion dimensions all connected to the stadium, and broadcasted Declan's live message.
"Everyone from across the four dimensions, this is a message coming from Declan Akaba, CEO of LEO Corporation!", began the D/D/D duelist. "Lend me your attention for a few minutes! As you can see, we have awoken in a similar, but altered dimension than what we're used to, and I can tell this is confusing for some of you. If you are lost, take the quickest route to Paradise City in the Pendulum Dimension, ASAP, and inside LEO's stadium! From there we will reorganize everyone to their respective dimensions and explain everything!"
The broadcast was immediately cut off after that, leaving the stadium in a state of silence for a few seconds. Slowly but surely everyone began conversing again.
Suddenly, another hand shot up, getting both Declan and Revolver's attention.
"What is it?", asked Declan.
"There are a few people here who are certain they aren't from the four dimensions you previously stated", explained a certain spiked-haired duelist. "Where do we go, in that case?"
The CEO narrowed his eyes upon seeing who asked.
Yugi Muto.
"...Remain here, and don't move anywhere", answered the D/D/D duelist. "You are to follow the same instructions as the rest!"
Yugi simply nodded in agreement before reuniting himself with the rest of his group.
"And you two", Declan pointed to both Z-ONE and the Hanoi leader, this time not speaking with the microphone. "I need you two for an interrogation as well, as I assume you two also know what's going on."
"...Very well", agreed the machine, before adding a few seconds after, "However, I do have a requirement."
"What do you wish?"
Z-ONE momentarily studied himself before asking, "Is there a laboratory I could use nearby?"
Declan raised his eyebrow before reaching for a specific card in his pocket, immediately throwing it to Z-ONE afterwards. The machine managed to catch it with its large claws.
"The address can be found in the back", Declan stated. "And don't bother doing anything suspicious, we have surveillance cameras installed everywhere."
The machine nodded before turning to a specific blue-haired man with a red visor.
"You stay here, Antinomy", stated the machine. "I need someone to stay here for intel while I'm gone."
"And what are you going to do?", asked the man.
Upon not receiving an answer, Antimony simply nodded, "...As you wish. Just don't take too long."
The machine then left the stadium afterwards, leaving the blue-haired man to himself.
"Man, this is just crazy", Joey stated as Yugi approached him. "One minute we're watchin' a duel, and the next we're stuck between dimensions again!"
"I guess peace doesn't follow us wherever we go, huh?", stated Yugi with an awkward chuckle, trying to relieve the tension within the group. However, he was soon to notice a troubled face among them.
"What's going on, Bakura?", asked Tea, as she too caught on to what was happening.
"Is he...", trailed off the white-haired teen worriedly. He then looked up to reveal his empty expression, "Is Yami Bakura coming back?"
The entire group went silent at his question.
"That's... a good question", remarked Duke.
"I don't know, to be honest", stated Yugi honestly. "But even if he does, we're here for you, Bakura. You won't be alone against him."
"...Thank you, Yugi", stated the white-haired teen, seemingly satisfied with his answer. "Thank you as well, everyone."
The spiky-haired teen simply nodded in confidence, before turning to see even more people arrive at the entrance.
...
"Just what's going on??", asked Yuma towards a certain green-haired girl. "A bright light shows up, we wake up again, and BOOM! Half of Heartland City is destroyed!"
"I don't really get it, either", stated Tori as she walked alongside the black and red-haired kid. "But... I did see a blue-haired girl before waking up. It was weird, yet I didn't feel any fear when I saw her."
"Actually, I did too", responded Yuma in surprise. "You think this was a coincidence?"
"Of course not; That girl you two lovebirds saw was something probably everyone saw as well", spoke a condescending voice from behind them.
"Oh yeah? Well nobody asked, Shark!", retorted Yuma childishly, Tori silently blushing from the previous remark. "And anyways, did YOU see it?"
"Actually, I did", answered the blue-haired preteen. "She might have to do with what just happened."
"It's just a matter of how...", trailed off Tori.
Kite only remained silent from behind them, troubled with his own personal demons.
...
"Brother, what do you think is the meaning of this?", asked a short, brown-haired girl at her older brother. Both were atop a rooftop in one of Paradise City's buildings. A faint golden rhombus appeared in their foreheads.
"That we were given a second chance", stated the teen, raising a faintly glowing cube with an eye motif.
Master Shadi...
...
"Alright, scarf man, we need an explanation!", pointed Crow at the D/D/D duelist, both Henrietta and a crying Riley standing behind the CEO. "What's this thing about dimensions you were talking about earlier?"
"...What I wanted to state personally was-", began Declan, only to be cut off.
"And what happened to Heartland?", asked a worried XYZ dimension citizen. "Why is the city ravaged all of a sudden!?"
The CEO remained silent in hopes of getting a chance to explain, only to be cut off again by another person.
"And what about my stocks!?", complained a rich-looking Topsider from the Synchro dimension. "I had invested personally on them yesterday with a healthy sum of money and the next day it's all gone!"
"And what's going on with Duel Academia!?", shouted a random Duel Academia student. "All of a sudden there's new people and-"
"Everyone, be quiet already!", Henrietta shouted from behind Declan, stepping beside her son. "From your panicking and shouting, my poor Riley is crying here! Now, I want you people to have the decency to remain calm for at least a minute and listen to what my son has to say, without the ferocity that could wake a baby!"
The entire crowd went silent immediately afterwards.
"Wow, she's one scary woman", Tea whispered.
"...Thank you, mother", stated the D/D/D duelist. "Now, as I wanted to say, there are several problems I'm assuming you guys want me to address."
"Yeah, like about my stoc-"
"Main problems, I mean", Declan clarified with a harsh tone, shutting up the snobby Topsider.
"What's a stock anyway?", Tristan asked Joey. Joey gave a silent shrug as an answer.
"In any case, there's one main thing I need to get out of the way", began the CEO, motioning Smiley to connect all TVs to the stadium again. Upon doing so, Declan cleated his throat.
"Now, all nearby dimensions are interconnected to each other thanks to a series of oversized blue portals, thanks to the intel given to me by LEO security. That means we can travel to nearby dimensions when using them", began explaining Declan. "Of course, the original 4 dimensions that we previously had; Pendulum, Synchro, XYZ, and Fusion dimension; have also gone through a few changes, as me and my corporation have also just confirmed. For example!"
He then asked the crowd, "Who here is the governor of the XYZ dimension's Heartland City?"
There was a momentary murmur from among the large crowd, until a hand rose up almost immediately. Everyone then turned to see what appeared to be a pale blonde man with a dark trench coat.
"State your name", Declan asked.
"Dr. Faker", the man stated, taking a step forward. "I'm the founder of Heartland City and current major."
"It's him..."
"Yeah surprised he'd show up here", Began talking some Heartland City citizens. Weirdly enough, other Heartland City citizens didn't recognize him at all.
"Have you ever heard of a 'Dr. Faker' before?", asked Sayaka at her red-haired friend.
"The name doesn't ring any bells", answered the boy.
"Father, you better know what you're doing", warned Kite at the man with crossed arms.
"Honestly, I don't know what I'm doing", Dr. Faker responded truthfully with a smirk. "But you'll see that your old man is still capable of doing anything."
Declan then motioned for the pale man to join him, to which the Heartland major did so. In a few seconds he stood beside LEO Corporation's CEO.
"Now, everyone who's from the XYZ dimension, gather around in a group directly in front of me", Declan ordered. "The rest, get to the side."
In a few moments, everyone was organized to their respective groups.
"I wonder what's the meaning of this...", whispered Yuma to Tori.
"Now, everyone from the XYZ dimension, raise your hand if you know Dr. Faker", continued the D/D/D duelist, pointing at a smirking Dr. Faker.
A good percentage of the group raised their hands.
"Wait, not everyone is raising their hands...", immediately noted Caswell to Bronk.
"But that should be impossiba'!", responded Bronk. The boy then took a moment to study those who didn't raise their hand. He didn't recognize a single face among them. "Or... is it?"
Declan simply smirked at the revelation, this was going as he predicted. "Now, everyone who has never heard of him, raise your hand."
This time, another decent percentage raised their hand. It was a 50/50 of the results, or 60/40 for more accuracy.
"I'm starting to think that the Faker guy is just pretending to be major", tried whispering the red-haired kid to Sayaka, although both Declan and Dr. Faker managed to hear the remark.
"Allen, at least show some respect!", urged the girl.
"Now, I am sure that the results have you confused", stated Declan at the crowd. "Is Dr. Faker the major or not the major?"
Upon some more murmuring, Declan continued. "The thing is, it's both!", answered the D/D/D duelist, surprising even the Heartland major himself.
"Wait, what?", asked Dr. Faker.
"You see, here we have two different versions of Heartland City!", continued the CEO with his explanation, outstretching his arms. "We have both a version of Heartland City that is familiar with the Heartland City's founder, and another who has never even heard of his name!"
"Then... wait a moment", Dr. Faker spoke up with a doubt, Declan turning to face him. "You mean to tell us that there are two versions of Heartland City, from alternate universes?"
"Indeed", nodded the D/D/D duelist with a small smirk. "In fact, this also answers another question you guys have."
Alternate universes, huh..., thought Kite to himself. It may answer a question he had.
The crowd began discussing amongst themselves again until Henrietta cleared her throat.
"Now, the half that know Dr. Faker are probably confused about how the city is suddenly ravaged", added Declan. "You see, our version of Heartland City participated in a dimensional war from a year ago. Reparations are still taking place, but it was temporarily halted because of budget issues."
"A war...?", asked Yuma.
"So that's why Heartland City looks destroyed", noted Tori.
"Now, in terms of who is responsible for its destruction, we need to clarify one more thing first", Declan continued, "Who is Duel Academia's principal?"
"Wait, isn't the Academy's principal supposed to be Declan's dad?", asked Sayaka. "Then shouldn't he know the answer already?"
Surprisingly enough, a different hand raised up from within the far right side of the crowd, a different crowd from Heartland City's.
"Step up to the front, next to me!", ordered Declan.
The man who raised his hand began walking, making his way through the crowd until he revealed himself.
"Wait, that's...", a Duel Academy student said.
I knew it; A completely different person, Declan mused with a smirk. He then spoke up, "Now, state your name!"
"My name is Chancellor Sheppard, and I am the Chancellor of Duel Academy", introduced himself the man. "As the principal, it is my duty to fully know what has happened to Duel Academy here, even if its a Duel Academy from another reality."
The large man then stood next to Declan, the front part of the stadium now having 5 individuals.
"My father is the principal of Duel Academia in our universe", Declan told Chancellor Sheppard without the microphone. "He'll tell you more about what happened a year ago, I'll just have to set up a meeting with him first."
The Duel Academy chancellor nodded, before Declan spoke back up with his microphone, "Again, another example of two different versions of the same thing. First we had the XYZ dimension's Heartland City, and now we have the Fusion dimension's Duel Academia! In short, some dimensions have ended up merging thanks to certain circumstances."
Suddenly, an unexpected hand was raised.
"Yes?", asked Declan.
"There are a few people here who have memories of both dimensions", stated the voice.
"Wait, Kite?", asked Dr. Faker. "You have memories from both dimensions?"
The Galaxy-Eyes user simply nodded silently.
"Actually, I have memories from both Duel Academies as well", raised up another hand, everyone turning to see a blonde girl.
"Alexis Rhodes?", asked the Chancellor in surprise. "You also have memories from both dimensions?"
"Yes, Mr. Sheppard", answered the girl.
Interesting, mused Declan to himself before speaking up, "In any case, this must mean that there are others out there who have memories from two similar but different realities."
Crow momentarily widened his eyes as he knew Declan was right. He didn't even notice he had both memories until now.
"Wait, the guy's also talkin' about us!", Joey stated.
"Actually, you're right", Tea agreed.
"If that's the case, then we must give this an official term", stated Declan as he took a short pause before continuing, "We'll call this phenomenon a Dimensional Recollection; In other words, when a person receives memories of their lives from two separate dimensions. This event is to be studied carefully later on."
"But for now!", he added. "We'll reorganize everyone into their respective dimensions! Everyone from Paradise City in the Pendulum dimension, form a group in the far right!"
One group was formed.
"Those from the Fusion dimension's Duel Academia, form a group in the far center!"
Another group was formed. There was a hesitant pause, until those from Duel Academy also joined.
"Wait, I don't see Jaden anywhere...", noted Alexis. In fact, there were a lot of people from the original Duel Academy that were absent.
"Those from the Synchro Dimension's Neo Domino City, form a group into the far left!"
"'Neo Domino City'?", asked Duke. "Did he get the name wrong?"
They weren't the only ones in confusion, as a separate group eventually formed in the front right.
"Oh, what is this?", asked Declan.
"We're from Domino City", Yugi explained. "But not exactly from 'Neo' Domino City."
"Is that so?", mused the D/D/D duelist, momentarily grabbing his chin. "Very well, if that's the case, then I want those from Domino City to form a group of their own!"
It didn't take long for said citizens to do so.
They must be from the dimension the King of Games was from, Declan recalled. He then took the time to notice how the Yugi he was seeing right now looked a little different from the Yugi that Yuya fought against.
Did the dimensional scramble affect him?
It doesn't matter for now, Declan mused, as he continued, "Those from Heartland City, form a group into the front left! And the rest form a group in the center!"
Again, a bit of crowd shuffling, until almost everyone was at their groups.
"Alright, those who are from Paradise City can leave now, those who remain at the center, state which city you're from!", continued the D/D/D duelist.
"We're from Den City", spoke a citizen.
"Den City?", asked Declan. He then added, "Very well; Is the rest of the group here also from Den City."
Upon receiving multiple nods, the CEO took a small breath. Looks like he was done organizing the groups, for the most part.
...
A few moments afterwards, Declan finished organizing all the people from inside the stadium into their respective groups, including those from Den City. He even made sure to do a few rounds outside the stadium to gather those outside back in.
"I can't even understand what's happening anymore", Weevil stated with crossed arms, now inside the stadium.
"Me neither, not with all this dimension crap the guy's been talking about", Rex added beside him.
"Now that we have our respective groups organized, and hopefully any lost individuals have found where they belong, I want you all to return to your respective dimensions", Declan ordered. "Those who don't know where to go will stay here for a few moments; LEO Corporation staff will personally guide you to your correct dimension."
Once people began moving, Declan spoke into a walkie talkie, "Father, I'm assuming you're back in Duel Academia, yes?"
"Indeed. A few things have changed here and I need to reorganize the academy, why?", asked Leo, the D/D/D duelist's father.
"I have an individual here who claims to be Duel Academy's chancellor; Our version of Duel Academia has merged with an alternate version, that's why things have changed", explained Declan. "I want you to halt reorganization until he arrives."
"...Very well, I trust that you aren't lying", Leo agreed. "But state me his name and appearance."
"Chancellor Sheppard; a large individual with a burgundy-colored uniform", Declan described. "And a sense of responsibility."
"I see", Leo stated. "Bring him to me at once."
Declan then turned off the walkie talkie before turning to Chancellor Sheppard, "You're free to accompany those who are going back to Duel Academia, over there at the far center. I also want to add that we sometimes refer to the place as the 'Fusion Dimension', based on its predominant Fusion summoning method."
"Summoning method?", asked the Chancellor. "You mean there's more than Fusion? I thought there was just Fusion summoning..."
Declan momentarily widened his eyes. So this alternate Duel Academy is unfamiliar with the rest of the summoning methods...
"...My father will explain you the rest", Declan returned to his usual expression. "He's bald, and wears a purple-colored uniform with a serious tone. He's our version of Duel Academia's leader. You should be able to recognize him when you see him."
The chancellor nodded, before turning to join Duel Academy's group.
"I hope you don't mind if I walk with you, Alexis", Chancellor Sheppard said as he approached the blonde girl. "But you're the only one I recognize from the group so far."
"No worries, Mr. Chancellor", smiled the girl.
"Also, you said you have memories from the alternate Duel Academy; Do you mind if you were to tell me if anything important happened there?", asked the man.
The girl's face momentarily turned dark for a moment, before she spoke, "...Very well, but it isn't going to be a nice story, Mr. Chancellor."
"No worries, I'm ready."
Meanwhile, back at the main entrance, Declan turned to Dr. Faker, "You're also free to leave, your group should be the one at the front left."
"Is there anything important I should know about the alternate Heartland City?", asked the pale man.
"Not that I haven't already said, at least for now", explained the CEO. He then remembered something, grabbing the pale man's shoulder.
"What is it?", asked Dr. Faker.
"...The ones who destroyed our Heartland City, it was our Duel Academia", explained Declan, the major having a nonplussed expression. "But the war is already over, so I trust that you won't declare another one."
The major then silently nodded a few seconds after before turning to reunite with Kite, who was now holding Hart's hand.
"I'm scared, big brother", trailed off the smaller kid, trembling with fear. "Things have suddenly changed and it's all confusing..."
"Don't worry, I'm here for you", Kite crouched down to Hart's level. "And I always will be."
The small kid wiped the tears from his eyes, before he saw something odd on Kite's wrist.
"...Wait, big brother, what's the red scarf you have in your arm?", asked Hart, pointing at his older brother's red cloth with concern. "Are you hurt?"
Kite looked at his arm for a moment, before looking back at Hart and explaining, "Don't worry about that; It's just a gift I got from my friends."
"You mean Yuma and the others?", asked Hart hopefully.
Kite simply smiled at the remark. Upon seeing Hart's smile, he couldn't bring himself to tell him the truth just yet. "Yeah."
Both brothers then hug each other, Dr. Faker watching the whole exchange silently. After a moment, Kite caught a glimpse of his father, before reverting to a neutral expression and standing up again.
"Father", stated Kite.
"Kite, I'm going to need you to describe what happened in this alternate Heartland, as you're the only only know who has seen both sides", explained the major. He knew what to expect, but he'd rather have his own son confirm his knowledge. "And this isn't optional either, as the first thing I want to do when we get back is reorganize everything."
Kite simply clicked his teeth before beginning to walk, "It's not going to be a happy story. I'm going to tell you later."
Dr. Faker was about to respond when he realized why Kite was silent now. The older brother wanted to wait until Hart was out of hearing distance.
Which meant what happened was indeed bad.
"...Very well", agreed the pale man before walking behind both Tenjo siblings.
Meanwhile, Declan turned on his walkie talkie again, this time issuing out an order, "LEO Corporation's Outer Guide Unit, this is Declan Akaba speaking. I require for all units to guide the groups outside the stadium into their respective dimensions. There are also two new dimensions who have appeared recently..."
Domino City's Dimension and Den City's dimension...
"...So I want two new units to accompany me. I want to return the new groups back to their respective dimensions personally", Declan finished, before turning off the walkie talkie a second and final time. He then looked up at Henrietta, "Mother, I need you to go back to LEO Corporation and regulate Paradise City in the meantime."
"As you wish, son", Henrietta said before leaving the stadium, cradling the small Riley in her arms.
"...I can tell this isn't going to be easy", Declan said to himself a few moments after.
However, Revolver heard him, and responded, "That's why I want to propose you something, as your intel about the other 5 dimensions is rather useful to me."
"Is that so?", asked Declan.
"Indeed", nodded the Hanoi leader.
"Then what's your proposal?"
"...Let's exchange information, about everything that we know concerning the other dimensions", Revolver explained. He then added after a few seconds of silence, "But first, I'll have to introduce you to a group of my own."
...
"So a war destroyed Heartland City", Tori noted as the XYZ dimension group finally returned to their dimension. The original Heartland citizens could only survey their once-proud city with despondency. "It looks so sad..."
"You could say that again", responded Cathy.
"...Well, at least we won't have school, right?", offered Yuma, before being bonked in the head by her sister.
"Be quiet Yuma, this isn't the appropriate time for your childish remarks!", barked out Yuma's sister.
"Geez; Chill out, Kari, I was just trying to improve the mood!", Yuma weakly defended himself, before getting scolded even more by her sister. Tori simply sighed in response.
Now's a good time to reunite with mom..., was all the girl thought before beginning to search for her parent.