Summary: Around the same time Z-ONE chats with Paradox, LEO Corporation CEO Declan Akaba interrogates both Yuma and Don Thousand, as they each have caught his attention in unique ways.
It is then that both unexpected dreams and spirits are revealed...
"My dream is..."
Episode 10 - Spirits and Dreams
...
Both Yuma and Don Thousand each sat in a chair in front of a metallic table, located in a cliche interrogation room inside LEO Corp.
"They gave me a chair too small for my tastes", stated Don Thousand frustratedly with crossed legs. "Or for my actual size, at that matter."
Yuma looked down to see that, yes, despite both individuals given the same chair size, the Barian Emperor was still a large individual.
However before the kid could comment, the door opened to reveal a scarfed teenager with two accompanying guards.
Neither individual said anything as the grey-haired teenager sat down.
"It is a pleasure knowing you two took the time to come here", stated the CEO, looking up to see the two individuals.
"We were forced to come here", responded Don Thousand.
"I'm aware", stated Declan, leaning forward. "I did send you here, after all. Now, enough with the pleasantries."
The CEO then stood up as he placed a hand on his chest, "My name is Declan Akaba, LEO Corporation's CEO and interdimensional traveler. Now, I want the two of you to introduce yourself in the same manner."
"Umm... Yuma Tsukumo, Heartland Academy student, first year", the kid raised his hand and explained timidly.
The CEO then turned to the black alien.
"...Don Thousand, Barian Emperor and ancient deity", the alien declared with a semi-raised hand.
Declan kept staring at the Barian emperor for a few seconds, however.
"What's with the stare?", boomed Don Thousand.
"...Sorry, I just can't take you seriously with that small chair of yours; Let me get you a bigger chair", sighed Declan as he snapped his fingers, two more staff coming in with a large chair in hand. Don Thousand was left with no choice but to stand up as his chair was exchanged for a bigger one, the Barian emperor now sitting down in his new seat as the two staff left just as quickly.
"Thank you", stated Don Thousand.
"You're welcome; Now, since we've introduced ourselves it is time for us to talk a little more, namely about the duel I saw earlier", the D/D/D Duelist explained.
"Wait, you saw our duel?", asked Yuma.
"The alternate Heartland agreed to us installing cameras in exchange of repairing their city", explained Declan. "However since we stopped repairing recently we only managed to install a few. Luckily they were more than enough for us to see this... interesting, little duel of yours."
He then turned to Don Thousand, "What type of cards did you use in your duel? The ones with both the 10,000 and 100,000 ATK, respectfully."
"Oh, you mean my Numeronius monsters?", asked Don Thousand intrigued. "They're my ace monsters, both representing Number 1000."
"Number?", asked Declan.
"He's talking about the Number cards", responded Yuma, the CEO now turning to face him. "They are a series of XYZ monsters with special powers, which can possess a human being upon contact to fulfill their deepest desires. They used to be indestructible to non-Number monsters, however that changed as of recently."
"Is that so?", asked Declan with a hand on his chin. "Where did they come from?"
"They were pieces of Chaos born from the millennial battle between Astral World and the Barian World", Don Thousand answered. "Astral world focused itself in balance and order, Barian world focused on chaos and unpredictability."
"Two worlds at war, you mean?", asked Declan, Don Thousand nodding in confirmation. "And since when did it start?"
"Around my birth", the Barian emperor explained. "It was known destiny that both worlds were to collide eventually, due to their differences in infrastructure."
"And you said you were a Barian emperor", Declan recalled. "Did you have a role in this war?"
The black alien could recall his life instantly in replay, as if it was footage from an old movie.
...
"Why Elise, that's a wonderful dream you have!", smiled the teacher as the blue girl smiled. The teacher then turned to rest of her Astral students, who all sat in a semicircle surrounding her. "Now, is there someone I forgot to call?"
"Uh, miss", raised his hand another Astral student.
"You can call me Ms. Astral, Leo", smiled the teacher.
"Uh, Ms. Astral; Yeah", Leo muttered timidly. "Ms. Astral, you forgot to call on Sir."
"Sir?", asked Ms. Astral curiously. She then remembered immediately afterwards, her curiosity dying out. "Oh, right... Sir."
She then turned to the only kid still sitting in a chair, scribbling away at a piece of paper in his desk. His eyes, unlike the rest of the Astral students, were heterochromatic, of both blue and red.
"Uh, Sir", Ms. Astral called out, the kid silently turning to look at her. Recently the kid began growing itchy black spots on his skin, quickly making him the outcast of the class. "What is your dream for when you grow up?"
"My... dream?", wondered the kid, tilting his head to the side. He then scratched his neck as he turned to the piece of paper he was scribbling in. In it was a drawing he made of his favorite monster, an imaginary friend he called 'Numeronius'.
The kid had no aspirations ever since he grew the itchy black spots. No, he's never had any even before that. Ever since he was a kid he could recall being the 'different' one, mostly for thinking on feelings and not logic, mostly for being the impulsive one and unpredictable. Not even his parents fully appreciated him.
He was always known for being chaotic.
"I...", trailed off the kid, staring at the piece of paper in hopes for an answer. He didn't find any.
"..."
"...Well, if you ever find something, make sure to share with rest of the class, okay?", smiled Ms. Astral before turning to the rest of the students to tell them astory.
The heterochromatic kid wasn't satisfied with that answer. Turning to a new piece of paper, he began scribbling away, determined to come up with a dream.
...
"I was banished into the Barian World for my ideas regrading Chaos", explained Don Thousand as he looked at seemingly nothing, instead focused on his past as both Declan and Yuma listened attentively. "As a result, I became determined to destroy Astral World, and thus started the war between both worlds soon after."
"I... see", stated Declan as he readjusted his glasses, the reflective surface gleaming momentarily as the CEO asked. "Has anything major happened with the Numbers?"
"Well... the war between Astral and Barian world was heavily involved with Number cards", Yuma explained, looking down at his feet. "I was involved in it too."
"Oh? But weren't the Number cards capable of possess people?", asked Declan.
"There are exceptions to it", the kid responded. "Like if you're protected by something. For example, the key my father gave me protected me from the cards as I used them."
"Really?", asked Declan, before looking at the strange pendant Yuma had on his chest. If he didn't know any better, the D/D/D duelist would say that it resembled Yuya's pendulum.
Speaking of...
"Claude, are Yuya and the others still waiting?", asked Declan, turning to the man behind them.
"Yes sir; They're waiting patiently for your arrival", confirmed the CEO's assistant.
"Good", stated Declan, before turning to face both Yuma and Don Thousand again. "You've said the Number cards have changed", stated the CEO. "Can any normal human posses them now?"
"I'm... actually not sure, I haven't tested it yet", Yuma stated. "In fact, I don't have any Numbers anymore; I've lost them after that blue-haired girl... Wait, the blue-haired girl!"
"Hmm? What about her?", asked Declan.
"There's a chance she's the one behind the Numbers disappearing. I've seen her in my dreams, behind the collapsing Door and-", Yuma trailed off before standing up and asking. "Is there a chance she knows about the Numbers too?"
Both Declan and Don Thousand stayed silent.
"...She knows about the Numbers; She's faced them when she dueled against me", Don Thousand explained.
"Wait what!?", Yuma asked, now turning to the alien. "And when did you face her?"
"You remember how nearby universes collapsed and joined together?", asked Don Thousand, turning to face the kid. "As it turns out, she fought an alternate version of me, a younger version to be exact. My Numeron Network then was not as strong, but it functioned well enough to search the Numeron Code."
"But!", Don Thousand raises his finger, interrupting something Declan was about to ask. "None of her three wishes had anything to do with the Numbers; The cards disappearing had to be an unplanned side effect and nothing more!"
"Three wishes?", asked Yuma.
"So your testimony coincides with Revolver's", stated Declan with interest, both XYZ Dimension residents turning to look at him.
""'Revolver'?", questioned the kid again.
"One of the blue-haired girl's friends", explained Don Thousand.
"He explained that after defeating both Don Thousand and another individual on a 2v1 duel, she used the Numeron Code to grant three wishes."
"The first; To restore the collapsing dimensions", began Declan with one pointed finger. "The sudden appearance of blue portals was destabilizing the dimensions, thus the reason why Don Thousand began searching for the Numeron Code much faster than intended."
"I can confirm that deduction", the black alien nodded.
"The second", Declan continued with two fingers. "To tank with her brother again. This one had no effect; Presumably because he was dead at that point."
"Oh...", Yuma trailed off with a sympathetic expression.
"The third wish; To revive everyone", Declan finished. "This is the most important one, as this means even those we fought to kill are now back."
"So that explains why Don Thousand is still alive in my universe...", Yuma said as he turned to the alien.
"Correction; Our universe", the black alien pointed out. "Remember that the girl also unified all dimensions using the blue portals."
"Yeah...", Yuma stated. "So, this happened because the girl wanted to prevent the dimensions from self-destructing. That's why several universes have merged."
"Indeed", Declan stated. "However it is not necessary to find her; She has no further plans other than to pursue a normal life. If she were to be exposed to the public then said goal would vanish."
"I understand", Yuma stated before leaning back into his chair. "But still, there's just so much happening. The Numbers, the blue-haired girl, Revolver, Don Thousand, our universe..."
The kid rubbed his eyes as both individuals looked at him.
"...I can understand how this can be overwhelming for you", stated Declan, moving his glasses upwards again. "You've just participated in a war recently, and all for the Numbers you've once had to disappear."
"Even so, I have no choice but to stand up, dust myself off and continue", Yuma stated with a clenched fist, catching the D/D/D duelist off-guard. "I'll just have to do what I've always done; To protect Heartland City with my Kattobingu spirit, and the bond I share with everyone!"
"Oh?", asked Declan, before lowering his face with a sigh. Yes, this kid indeed reminded him of Yuya.
...
"Yuya, are you sure you're ready?", asked Declan one last time as he turned to look at Yuya, the rest of the Lancers doing the same as they looked at the pendulum duelist.
They were about to go after Fusion Dimension's Duel Academia, and the card in their hands was the dimensional gateway.
The CEO understood how Yuya lost one of his dearest friends to Academia, so he would understand how pressured the kid currently feels.
"I.. I'm still scared of what is on the other side", Yuya admitted as he looked down, however with a swing of his pendulum he continued, "But this fear will come to pass, and swing into confidence; Just like it always has. My father taught me that good and bad swings back and forth, just like a pendulum."
The rest of the group kept listening silently as Yuya now looked up at Declan, "So, I'll use this fear to drive forward! Yes, this is my spirit; I'll rescue Yuzu and protect our dimension!"
Declan only looked at the kid for several more seconds before smirking, "If you say so. Now, Lancers; Remember to strike hard!"
The rest of the group, including Yuya; Nodded confidently before holding the card before them.
"To save our dimensions!"
...
Yes, this kid reminds me of a younger Yuya, Declan mused as he studied the kid's spirit. I wonder how they would interact if they were to meet.
In any case, he had one more doubt to clear up.
"Yuma, can you tell me what that pendant of yours is made of?", asked the CEO, the kid now looking at him curiously now that he used his name. "Or where did you get it from?"
Don Thousand eyed the kid silently.
"My dad gave it to me when I was little", Yuma stated as he lifted the Emperor's Key. "It's from Astral World."
"I see. That clears up all my questions", Declan concluded as he stood up. "You two can now leave; Claude will guide the way."
His assistant then approached him as he went to pick up both Yuma and the alien, however not before the kid spoke up, "Wait a minute."
"Hmm?", asked Declan.
"Why... why are you doing this?", questioned Yuma. "I'm not talking just about the questions. Why did you want to know about us? Why did you even have cameras installed in Heartland City?"
"...I made it my responsibility after the interdimensional war to prevent another one happening, for the sake of 4 universes' worth of people", the CEO declared. "The situation hasn't changed, even if several more universes were added."
He then added resolutely, "I'll do my own type of protection with this manner."
Yuma was surprised by the D/D/D duelist's answer.
The CEO's face formed into a light smirk as Declan asked, "You didn't expect that answer, did you?"
Seeing the kid didn't respond, Claude led the two out the room, leaving the D/D/D duelist on his own.
...
"He's sure taking a long time", Yuya stated as he swung the pendulum pendant he carried in front of his face, two more people with similar faces looking at him.
One of them spoke up, a dark-cloaked kid with dark hair; Yuto, "Why would you think he called us here?"
"Probably something relating to Zarc and Ray", spoke up the other kid, a uniformed individual of purple hair. Yuri. "They are coming back, after all."
"But can we really say for sure that's the case?", asked a green-haired girl, the rest of the group looking at her. Rin. "It could be a shared dream, for all we know."
She then asked at the four kids in front of her, "Didn't you four also share something like that a year ago every time Yuya went berserk?"
Yuya's eyes widened at the remembrance of those events.
"Well..."
However before he could say anything else the door opened to reveal a certain CEO at the other side.
"Is that...?", asked a purple-haired girl wearing a sand-colored dress. Ruri.
"Seems so", another similar-faced girl responded with crossed arms. Serena.
"Yes, I'm finally here", stated the CEO, revealing to be Declan Akaba. The man himself then sat down his office chair as one of his assistants closed the doors, leaving behind the group of 11 and only the group of 11:
Yuya Sakaki
Yuto
Yugo
Yuri
Yuzu Hiragi
Serena
Ruri Kurosaki
Rin
Yoko Sakaki
Skip Boyle
And now, himself.
The 4 boys sat on the room's left couch, joined by Yuya's mother. The 4 girls sat on the right couch, joined by Yuzu's father.
"Now...", began Declan, everyone still looking at him. "Shall we begin our talk?"
...
"How did it go?"
Paradox turned his head to see none other than Antimony waiting outside the room, both Illiaster members alone in the hallway as the time traveler fully closed the door behind him.
He just finished his tea talk with the cyborg.
"We caught up on everything", Paradox explained. "It is truly a miracle to see we're all alive again."
"I see", stated Antimony with a hand to his chin, almost as if studying him. It is then that Paradox suddenly recalled Z-ONE's words:
...
"You were always the most direct person of the group. Everyone else held at least some level of caution when interacting with you, you know that?"
...
Paradox sighed as his hand left the doorknob, Antimony himself raising an eyebrow.
"What happened?"
The blonde looked at him.
"...Do you think I'm capable of going back to my old ways?"
Antimony leaned against the wall.
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean", Paradox stated, pointing an accusing finger at the Accel Synchro duelist. "Do you think I would still try to erase Duel Monsters, despite Yusei Fudo showing the possibility of a hopeful future?"
"..."
Antimony looked to the side as he remained silent, seemingly thinking on how to arrange his answer.
Paradox made sure to take note of that before the Accel Synchro duelist finally spoke up, "Even if you tried to erase Duel Monsters, time travel would be an impossibility here, and even if it was possible, you'd know there would be at least one person out there who would try to stop you. And I'm no exception."
Paradox only looked at the other Illiaster member incredulously.
So he didn't even give me a direct answer...
"...I'll go find the blue-haired girl Z-ONE was talking about", Paradox changed the conversation as he passed by Antimony. The Accel Synchro duelist didn't once drop his gaze as the time traveler continued, "Once I get my answers, I'll see what I do from here."
Antimony was surveying his options. He could stop him here and now, but he thought maybe it was best for him to see the future for himself.
"...The girl is from neither Neo Domino nor its past universes, to find her you'll have to travel to one of the newer dimensions", Antimony pointed out.
To this Paradox stopped walking. He's probably helping me in order to let the future convince me.
The time traveler then turned his head back to glance at Antimony.
"Thank you."
In any case, I'll accept his help for now.
The time traveler then walked away as he turned his head again, this time his eyes peeled forward and only forward.
"...Remember to wear a helmet; The loud sounds can affect our ears and we're not cyborgs anymore", Antimony pointed out one last time before turning to face Z-ONE's room.
"The mask I carry is more than enough!", Paradox responded. The Accel Synchro duelist shook his head with a smirk as he opened the door and finally entered the room.
Meanwhile he recalled what he told both Jaden and Aoi back at LEO Corporation's entrance:
...
"Things around here are about to change drastically, from what I can tell. There's a lot I don't know about what will happen next, in fact, but I know this for sure. Whatever you guys decide to do, I trust that it will be the correct decision."
...
Even if Paradox is thrown into the mix, my support for you two will not change, Antimony mused with a smile as he turned to face Z-ONE, the room back to its virtual appearance. The virtual sky outside showed the same yellow color and flying birds.
I entrust you two to also show everyone a bright future!
Author's Note: Chapter 10 completed! With this we're more than halfway done into the first act; Just a few more chapters after this and the first part will be completed! Oh man, am I so excited for that!
Also, I've decided to add summaries at the beginning of each chapter and act, so start back at ACT 1 and read each summary from there; That way both new and returning readers get caught up with the story! I hope you guys like this decision!
Again, leave any question or doubt you have in the comments; I make sure to read these constantly as I edit the story. Thanks again everyone for reading in and until the next entry, I'll see everyone later!