Summary: From one interrogation to the next, Declan now decides to reconvene with the Arc V cast and inform them of several urgent news regarding some specific individuals.

Meanwhile the chaos inside Duel Academy only grows bigger, while in Neo Domino a familiar threat slowly rises from the shadows...

"I'll do what I think is right. I won't do it for you."

Episode 11 - Welcome Back

...

"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?"

...

Author's Note: Sorry for taking such a long time in uploading. I was busy with a lot of things, and I'll still be now that the school year has started. However I will keep repeating this; I have not given up on the story. Hopefully you guys haven't either.

Thanks to everyone who has still stuck by. This chapter in particular will be a treat for those who have waited. A 26k-word treat, to be exact.

Yes I broke the record for the longest chapter for this fic so far, so what? I might do it again, even XD

Enjoy the story, everyone.

...

"Everyone, pardon for the long wait, I had some particular matters to take care of before this one, so I hope you 10 can accept my tardiness", stated Declan.

"It's okay, Declan; We understand that you're busy", Skip responded, Yuzu and Yoko nodding in agreement.

"Say, I've never seen this room before", Yuya stated as he looked around, paying special attention to the purple walls and the giant glass panel to his left.

"Indeed, this room in particular is perfect for private communication. Whatever is said here stays here", explained the CEO as he pushed up his glasses. He then decided to begin his questioning, "Now, the first thing I want to get out of the way is this. How did you guys split into your own counterparts again?"

The 8 counterparts in question looked at each other for a few silent moments, almost as if they waited for someone to speak up. Declan himself didn't mind waiting; He wasn't particularly busy from this point in his agenda.

"...We're not 100% sure how it happened", eventually spoke up Serena. "But, I'm assuming the girl with blue hair had something to do with this."

The blue-haired girl, Declan placed a hand on his chin with interest. She couldonly mean one person.

"She exists, so it is a possibility", the CEO stated.

"Wait a moment, how do you know that?", asked Yuzu with a tilted head.

"I've met her personally, and I have several witnesses of her existence", Declan explained; Being honest about the girl didn't matter as long as he didn't reveal her actual identity. "But, it matters not for us; She combined our realities to save her dimension and now only wishes to live a normal life, so she is not of importance in our topic of interest. Speaking of which:"

Declan stood up from his chair and turned to face the large glass panel, everyone now attentive of his next words. From here the CEO could see the entirety of Paradise City etched out before him.

At that instant he remembered the inter-dimensional war that took place a year ago.

He didn't want an unnecessary repeat of that.

"...Another thing that can explain you six's revival is Zarc and Ray's return", the CEO added, both Yuya and Yuzu's eyes widening.

The D/D/D duelist could feel the shock from his listeners as he turned around, revealing the small smirk he allowed himself, "Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that Claude gave me that interesting bit of information? He was in the same hallway you guys were in, after all; There was no way he wouldn't have noticed."

"You really do have ears everywhere, don't you?", Yuri placed his arms behind his head as he asked amusingly.

"Now, can I confirm that the information Claude gave me is accurate?", Declan asked the pendulum pair.

Both pre-teens nodded in response.

"Good; This means I can proceed smoothly with my questioning", Declan stated mostly to himself. He then asked, "How did you two come to know this? I'm talking about Zarc and Ray's eventual revival."

"Well, we four were all in a sort of dreamscape after seeing that blue-haired girl you mentioned", explained Yuya, also mentioning his dimensional counterparts. "It was then we saw... Zarc himself."

"It was same for us four", Yuzu added, also mentioning the rest of the bracelet girls. "We also saw Ray in a weird dream. It was a very peaceful moment."

"They both told us they would return soon", Yuya stated. "Although from what Yuzu told me, Ray actually took the time to explain things; Zarc kept being cryptic for the most part and didn't seem to care much about us in the first place."

"Is that so?", asked an intrigued Declan, his surprise only noticeable in his eyes. He then turned to Yuzu, "Then do tell; What else did she say?"

"She mostly started with comforting stuff like, 'you four are going to be alright' and 'don't worry about Zarc'", Yuzu reminisced as the rest of the group turned to face her. "But later on she also told us she was going to return."

"Did she say when?"

"Not even she knew."

Declan then leaned back slightly as if thinking about something, before leaning forward and asking, "Did she specify where she was reviving?"

Yuzu shook her head, "She didn't."

No dice there, either. The D/D/D duelist nodded in response. "Alright, a change of questions is now needed. Where did each of you revive and wake up at?"

"I woke up outside the Paradise Hospital", Serena answered.

"Both Ruri and I woke up in Heartland City", Yuto added afterwards, the Lyrilusc duelist nodding in confirmation. "However, we couldn't find Shun on the way here."

Ruri's added sadly, "He's probably worried sick about us."

"I woke up under a bridge back at Duel Academia", a smirking Yuri raised his hand. "And yes, the academy is currently in shambles. Apparently they're arguing about there being two versions of the same school. I didn't stick around to find out what it was about, though."

"I woke up at a Neo Domino City alleyway, in the Topsiders' section", Rin answered. The girl's expression then saddened as she added, "They're still against commoners, however, and I don't know why. I even had to do a bit of running from some security officers..."

"But I'm confused...", Rin admitted as she looked up. "I thought we resolved our differences long ago..."

Yugo clenched his fist as he thought of the impossibly of the situation. And to Rin of all people!

I'll need to have a nice chat with whoever is running the city..., Declan mused to himself as he pushed up his glasses. If I recall correctly the current governor is a wealthy man named Lazar.

He could only imagine how many other commoners would be confused by the societal reversion.

Involvement is messy, but only a minuscule amount is required for increased chances of order.

"...I also saw some unfamiliar buildings on the way here; Those may be from an alternate dimension", Rin finished her part, deciding to change tones from her previous despondence.

Declan nodded approvingly at her response.

Only Yugo remained in answering, the group now turning to look at him as he was the only one left.

"I, uh", Yugo spoke up, "Woke up in a dumpster."

More silence.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Garbage boy", Yuri smirked as he leaned back in his seat.

"Shut up I didn't decide where I woke up, okay!?", shouted Yugo.

"Do you remember which dumpster you woke up at?", pressed Declan.

"Well I saw Serena after I woke up, so it must have been in the same hospital, probably", answered the Synchro counterpart as he rubbed his neck.

"I see; That concludes my interrogation", Declan turned to face the glass wall again. In the distance several blue portals could be seen, however it all strangely looked normal. They looked as if they were always there, as if there was nothing out of the ordinary.

A little unsettling, in his opinion.

"However before you leave; I do have a request that I wish you 10 could help me with."

The group attentively kept their eyes on him.

"It is related to Zarc and Ray."

...

"I'll be going for a ride", Yusei put on his helmet. Both Jack and Crow were looking at him as all three were standing outside the Poppo Time apartments.

"Do you want us to go with you, or are you fine going alone?", asked Crow. "Because we wouldn't mind tagging along."

Yusei stopped moving as he remembered what occurred back in his lab several minutes ago.

...

"Wait a moment, Paradox!", Yusei chased after the time traveler, only to see him facing a familiar indigo Duel Runner outside the building.

And in it were two familiar people, one holding on to the other's waist as the rider stopped the vehicle.

Z-ONE and Antimony.

Crow and Jack were quick to catch up with Yusei, however the Stardust duelist didn't even notice them at first.

He was still awed at the scene before him.

"H-how... how are-"

"Z-ONE, Antimony", Paradox stated with a surprised expression, apparently not even he expected this outcome of events.

"Paradox", spoke up Z-ONE with his usual robotic voice. "Get in; There's a lot I want to talk with you."

"Oh?", asked the time traveler. "Is there a reason?",

"I want to find all Illiaster members and regroup quickly", the cyborg explained. "We still haven't found Aporia; However it won't take long due to the locator chips we implemented inside our cards. We found you using this method, so now only he remains."

"...Well, unfortunately for you I can't join you now", Paradox refused the order. "I have someone I want to find first."

"Are you talking about the blue-haired girl?", asked Z-ONE, everyone except Antimony widening their eyes. Assuming by Paradox's reaction, Z-ONE concluded he nailed the target.

"She exists; I have met her personally", the cyborg smirked lightly. "If you come with me I can give you more intel on her."

Paradox crossed his arms as he silently reconsidered his options.

Yusei meanwhile was still shocked at what was happening. Not only was Paradox alive again, the rest of the Illiaster members were revived. Z-ONE, Antimony; Even Aporia was on his way.

He was speechless at the current events.

"Yusei."

The Stardust duelist looked up to see his friend.

Antinomy.

"I'm glad I can see you again", the Accel Synchro duelist smiled.

Both Jack at Crow then turned to see Yusei silently wipe a tear off his eye. He usually never cried.

"Yeah...", Yusei trailed off as he held back more tears, before turning to face Antimony with a thumbs up.

"...I have a few things to do first, so I can't exactly celebrate our reunion just yet", explained the Accel Synchro duelist. "From what I'm seeing I can assume the rest of Team 5Ds is absent?"

Paradox turned to the trio as Z-ONE did the same.

"...Yeah, we still haven't found them yet", explained Yusei while rubbing his neck. "Akiza is probably still in Germany, and the twins are still nowhere to be found. I don't know where they are."

"I see", muttered Antimony with a hand to his chin. "However if I were to know any better, I'd say that destiny has a curious way of working. I think we're going to reunite with them soon."

"In any case, we have our own agenda to carry out", Z-ONE quickly spoke back up, everyone turning to face him. "Paradox, we're waiting."

The time traveler did not like the way he was given the order, however he had no choice but to comply as he approached the cyborg. His information about the blue-haired girl was too good to refuse.

Paradox sat behind the cyborg as he tentatively grabbed his waist; Being a human had its disadvantages, so he couldn't overestimate his endurance in comparison to his cyborg form.

"We're ready; Antimony, start the Duel Runner", Z-ONE ordered, the Accel Synchro duelist nodded. However before the rider could do anything he was quickly ensnared by a pair of arms.

Yusei's arms.

"...Don't leave us ever again", Yusei stated as he silently weeped to himself.

Antimony was nonplussed for a moment.

However he quickly returned the hug as he responded, "...Don't worry; I don't plan on leaving you again anytime soon."

Everyone else remained silent for a few seconds before Yusei let go of Antimony. The Stardust duelist then gripped his fist as he turned to face both Z-ONE and Paradox, "We may have our differences, and there's a lot of this situation that I still don't know about. But there's one thing I do know for sure, and it's that I definitely want to shape the future with you guys!"

"Yusei...", trailed off Crow.

Z-ONE himself was impressed for a moment, however he eventually responded with, "Hopefully we can work for a better future, however this time with us working together instead of against each other."

Z-ONE then concluded as everyone's attention was turned back to the main Signer, "Until then, Yusei Fudo."

And with that final message, Antimony fully turned on his Duel Runner as the Illiaster trio rode off, leaving Yusei and the rest of the Signers behind at the lab's entrance.

...

"No, I'm fine going alone for now", Yusei answered as he fully turned on his red Duel Runner, the vehicle roaring to life as he gripped the sleek-black handles.

"Then use this if you need our help", Crow threw something at Yusei, the Stardust duelist catching it as he saw what appeared to be a tablet.

"This is...", Yusei trailed off.

A Solid Vision Duel Disk.

"It's my Duel Disk", Crow smirked. He then held up a separate KaibaCorp Duel Disk as he added, "It's my newer one, though; I still have this one for dueling. You can use that Duel Disk to call us if you ever need anything."

"Really?", asked the Stardust Duelist, before flipping around the device and turning on the screen. Upon activation he was immediately hit with a light showing all the features the new Duel Disk had, including a call function that could call other similar Duel Disk users. He could see the names Yuya Sakaki, Sylvio Sawatari, Shun Kurosaki, Shinji Weber, and Jack Atlas go down a contact list.

"This is some amazing technology", Yusei stated as he studied the device in his hand. "And you say this is from the future, correct?"

Both Jack and Crow nodded.

"I see, then I'm excited to see what else the future has to show", smiled the Stardust Duelist as he placed Crow's Duel Disk in his arm, revving up his Duel Runner's engines as the vehicle finally began producing smoke. It was only a matter of seconds before he rode off into the distance, leaving only Jack and Crow standing outside the apartments.

"...Well, nothing gets through Yusei better than a ride, huh?", smiled Crow as his friend nodded in agreement.

"We may have changed, but fortunately Yusei remains being the same duelist he is", Jack noted. Yusei kept focused on the path ahead of him as the King continued musing, "And I have a feeling he's the exact type of duelist we need."

"For what?", asked Crow, turning to look at his friend.

"I don't know for sure, exactly", Jack admitted with crossed arms. "But I have a feeling something major is about to happen. Call it a gut feeling from yours truly."

"I see...", Crow stated with a hand in his chin. "But, at least we three are still a trio capable of handling anything thrown at us! I think we're going to be just fine."

Jack nodded silently before they both stopped talking, only watching the road where Yusei once was.

...

"What is it now, Declan?", asked Yuya curiously as his rival sat back down. "And whatever it is what does it have to do with Zarc and Ray?"

The rest of the counterparts inched closer hear the CEO's answer.

"...The obvious fact is that Zarc's revival could be a big problem, especially if he returns to his destructive personality", began explaining the D/D/D duelist. "What I want you guys to do upon seeing him is to immediately hold him captive in a duel. Winning is not important; The only thing that should matter in that scenario is holding out as long as possible before nearby LEO Corp units arrive and detain him quickly."

The listeners nodded before Declan continued, "Ray coming back can also be a problem, although it has more to do with my father. If we have the misfortune in which she revives on the Fusion Dimension where he is, then not even I know how he will react upon seeing her."

"What I plan to do is to hold Ray at arms' length while I take the time to properly explain her revival to my father", explained Declan with a serious face. "That way I can take care of any... instabilities, he may have."

"In other words, my request to you guys is to remain vigilant of where both Zarc and Ray could revive", continued the D/D/D duelist before speaking into a transceiver. Not long after a pair of guards appeared and gave each individual in the room a transceiver of their own. "If you find either one, then speak into this device. We will be sure to arrive to your location quickly; All transceivers have a locating function that allows us to know where you are."

All 10 individuals nodded one last time as the CEO waved off, "That is all I ask of you; You guys can now leave."

The sound of rain suddenly cracked loudly as multiple drops fell out of the sky.

Declan silently turned to face the glass wall before eventually stating, "...I'll provide you guys with some umbrellas too."

...

A few minutes later and both Yuya and Yuzu were standing outside the building. They were the first ones to get out; The other counterparts were busy sightseeing the corporation's insides.

It was their first time getting back to their individual bodies, after all.

"...Hey, Yuya."

The pendulum duelist turned to look at Yuzu, who in turn was looking at him with a faint blush covering her face.

"What is it, Yuzu?"

The girl in question took a deep breath before slowly looking up, surveying the calm downpour the rain was providing. She took the time to remember everything that happened last year, and all the events after that in which she tried getting used to having 3 spirits inside her mind.

And yet amidst all that chaos was Yuya, who was still her childhood friend above everything. He who shared most of her problems with, including the most vexing ones.

"...To tell you the truth, Yuya; There's something I've always wanted to tell you", Yuzu admitted, Yuya himself having a faint idea of what it could be.

He grew redder as the girl continued, "I'm confident that what I feel is true, especially after the inter-dimensional war which let me think things through. There was just so much happening throughout it all, and yet I reached this definite conclusion when it comes to the two of us."

"Really? And what conclusion did you reach...?", asked a reddened Yuya, slightly raising his hand to reach the girl beside him.

"W-Well, what I've thought about so hardly is...", Yuzu began stammering.

However the pendulum pair were interrupted by the opening of the door, in which both Yuto and Ruri stepped out of.

Both pairs saw each other immediately afterwards.

"...Were we interrupting something?", asked Yuto, sensing that something was currently happening between the two people.

Before Yuya could answer, however, Yuzu spoke up, "Its fine, Yuto. How was the tour?"

"It was decent; I was more or less busying myself with being able to actually walk again", answered the Phantom Knight duelist as he stared down at his feet, as if he couldn't believe he still had them.

"It's been a long time since we've been able to actually feel things, too", the girl beside him stated with wonder as she looked at her hand.

"I can see that", Yuya smiled awkwardly.

"And what do you guys plan to do next?", asked Yuzu.

"We plan to return to Heartland City and reunite with Shun as soon as possible", Yuto answered. "I have a feeling we've kept him waiting for too long; He's probably dying of the anxiety."

"Not to mention the loneliness...", trailed off Ruri despondently.

A few seconds of silence.

"...W-well, let's not forget about keeping an eye out for Ray and Zarc, as well", Yuya spoke up, the pink-haired girl beside him nodding in agreement. "Declan made a huge fuzz about it earlier, so let's not forget about them too."

"That we won't do", Yuto stated before taking out a specific card in his Deck. Dark Rebellion XYZ Dragon. "In the case I catch Zarc, I'll give him a good run for his money."

Yuma was momentarily surprised, however he soon smirked before raising his own Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. "Same here; Let's see who catches him first."

Ruri grabbed Yuzu's arm, the melodic girl looking at her own counterpart with surprise.

"Make sure you be weary of anything, just in case", pleaded the feminine XYZ counterpart. "Take care if you get caught up in a duel with Zarc."

Yuzu responded with a small smile, "Yeah, hopefully you stay safe too". Both girls nodded before Ruri eventually let go of the girl's arm.

"In any case, we have to go", Yuto stated. "So take care, you two."

The pendulum pair nodded as Yuto silently muttered to Ruri that they needed to leave. The girl nodded before they both began walking, eventually disappearing around a corner.

"...Do you think they're going to be okay?", asked Yuzu.

"Yeah, they just got their body back", stated Yuya as he too looked up at the grey sky. He could sense the rain starting to fade away, revealing once again the bright sunny sky before them.

"I don't think they would risk the possibly of losing it again so soon."

...

Serena took the time to silently observe the busy staff hurrying about, the girl herself standing in a corner with crossed arms.

She took the time to properly sort out her feelings about everything that's transpired ever since the inter-dimensional war. Duel Academia, the destroyed Heartland City, the Arc project, Ray and Zarc, the many people turned into cards and their lives ruine-

"Hey."

The girl turned to her left to see a familiar ever-grinning face.

Yuri.

"What do you want?", asked Serena.

"I know I don't usually talk with you, or haven't ever; But I want to start off the right foot with you", explained the Predaplant user as he extended a hand. He then added quickly before Serena could ask anything, "I've seen the other counterparts having some sort of relationship between them, and I while I doubt ours might ever get to their level, I at least want to begin forming the threads for ours."

Serena stared at the hand for a moment, before looking up to see her counterpart. She could tell he was trying to improve himself despite his usual demeanor, especially given the slight cracks in his grinning poker face that gave away signs of awkwardness.

However...

"I can't accept anything for now", admitted Serena as she turned down the offer. She then turned sideways as she explained, "I'm just not ready yet, especially after everything you've done to others."

Yuri slowly retracted his hand as Serena continued, "Even if a year passed, there's still people out there suffering for the damage Duel Academia has done; Damage in which you were a key part of."

"I... see", Yuri stated, his face a weakened smirk as he put his hand back into his pocket.

"But... even I once wanted to join Duel Academia's cause without knowing its true intentions...", the Lunalight user admitted as she recalled hearing Shun's pained speech about Heartland City's fall. "To think that maybe I helped in this somehow... that still doesn't make me feel very well... so at least give me time to rethink my feelings about this, alright?"

Yuri wanted to interject that Serena didn't have to feel like this, especially since she didn't want to uphold Academia's cause upon learning the truth, and in fact wanting to do the opposite.

But Serena wanted space. And he planned giving her some.

"...Alright, I understand what you're saying", nodded the Fusion counterpart, his usual condescension gone in his voice.

Serena nodded silently before both Fusion users looked at the staff silently. Neither of them spoke a word.

"...I know this is a weird question to ask, but do you also have nightmares about screaming people?", asked Yuri.

"...Yeah."

...

"Are you sure you two want to keep walking?", asked Yoko at the pendulum pair. It didn't take long after both her and Skip were outside the building, so it was obvious they would meet up with both her son and his friend.

"It's only going to be a short trip around the park", Yuya tried explaining. "It won't take long."

"Ehh, I'm still not sure about this", Yoko stated uncertainly, before turning to look at her friend. "What do you think, Skip?"

"Well I can't say that I'm fully on board with the idea either", explained Yuzu's father uncertainly. "But if you two can guarantee that you'll be safe, then I'll have no choice but to agree."

"Really?", asked Yuzu.

"But be back in five minutes", added Yoko as she added a safety precaution. "10 at most. Any longer and we'll begin looking for you."

"We understand, mom", nodded Yuya in agreement. He didn't plan on staying for long at the park, anyways; He only wanted a short jaunt.

"Well then, don't forget to call if you need anything!", waved Yoko before both her and Skip turned to leave, leaving only Yuya and Yuzu behind.

After a few seconds passed, the pendulum duelist eventually asked, "So about what you said earlier..."

"Huh?", Yuzu turned embarrassingly. She then scratched her cheek as she stated, "Oh, t-that. Don't worry, it was nothing."

"Nothing?"

The girl nodded meekly.

"...Alright, if you say so", smiled Yuya. There was always a time for everything, he supposed.

"Now let's get going already!", stated the girl as she took a hold of her friend's arm. "We only have a few minutes to walk around, after all, so we better get going!"

Yuya, while first caught by surprise, was quick to grin as he began sprinting, "Then the last to enter the park is a rotten egg!"

"Wait; Hold on Yuya!", Yuzu pouted before running after him, both teens laughing as they ran like never before.

...

"Let go of me, Yugo!", screamed Rin as her friend kept noogying her, both teens moving down a LEO Corporation hallway. It was a miracle they weren't kicked out for horseplay.

The grinning kid didn't budge as he instead said in a sing-song voice, "What's that Rin? I can't heeaaar you-"

However he was cut short with a quick knee to the stomach. The boy kneeled in pain as he grabbed his poor stomach, Rin dusting herself off as she roared, "That's what you get for not listening to me, Yugo!"

"But I thought we were playing around...", trailed off the Synchro counterpart weakly.

"We were, but if I tell you to stop it's for a reason!", Rin chastised her kneeling friend. "Geez, you're always so pushy, you know that?"

"...Yeah, but at least you like it, right?", asked Yugo hopefully.

Rin took a moment to look at her friend's face. It was a grave mistake to do so; Curse Yugo and that stupid adorable grin of his.

The girl's fake pout wobbled as she responded while turning away, "...Sometimes."

"Aye, I'll take that!", Yugo immediately jumped back up with a smile, all his energy seemingly back as he hugged Rin from behind, "Man, did I miss having a body again!"

"Yeah, I wasn't cut out to eternally being a spirit, either", admitted Rin as she let Yugo hug her this time. Her face then shifted into worry as she asked, "But, what about Neo Domino? Out city suddenly reverted to its discriminatory customs all of a sudden."

"Oh, that", Yugo frowned, letting to go the girl. "That just sounds unbelievable. I mean, why would City do that? It just doesn't make sense!"

Rin looked down as she mentally agreed.

"But, even if that was the case, I'm still glad we're here again", Yugo turned to see his friend, Rin looking up to face him.

"I'm glad I can see you like this", he admitted in a smooth voice.

"..."

"..."

The girl reddened before turning away, "...Stop it with the lovey-dovey stuff."

"Aww, but you blushed!", Yugo grinned at his friend, who started walking away faster. "Or was I seeing wrong?"

"Yugo", Rin stated menacingly as she suddenly turned around with a killer aura.

"Okayokayokay, I give", Yugo suddenly surrendered with hands in the air as Rin laughed, the Synchro user himself starting to laugh as well.

The hallway's tension cleared up as both counterparts chucked wholeheartedly.

"Hahahahaha-"

"Hahahaha!"

Rin suddenly gave Yugo a quick peck on the cheek.

He didn't expect that.

"..."

"..."

"WHA-!"

"That's what you get for annoying me", Rin quickly cut him off. She then turned around with a flushed face as she added, "Keep it up and it'll get worse."

The girl then quickly walked ahead of a tomato-faced Yugo. The teen slowly put a hand to where he was kissed.

It didn't take long before he nodded, however. "Yeah!"

...

Shun was still atop his Rise Falcon as he surveyed the once-cloudy sky above him. Sometimes he still awed at the thought of an entire world different to his, yet one that was always next to him.

He gripped his fists.

However the interdimensional war and the destruction of his homeland killed off most of that awe. It was from then on that he saw other places with a weary eye, including other dimensions.

He merely saw them as unfamiliar battlefields for the longest time.

However his eyes weren't everything that was weary. Shun's stomach suddenly started growling from hunger.

"..."

The Raidraptor duelist tried not paying any mind to that; Finding his family was more important.

However his stomach seemed to think otherwise as it growled again, annoying the teen himself as he remembered, I didn't eat anything before seeing Yuya's duel.

Eventually he gave in as he ordered his soaring Duel Monster, "Down". The avian monster immediately followed as it slowly lowered itself, Shun now only being a few feet off the ground before jumping off. He then retreated his Duel Monster back into his Deck before beginning to walk towards somewhere specific:

...

"Are you being serious?", asked Shun incredulously.

Yuya's mom nodded in agreement, "Of course; I don't kid around when talking about others' wellbeing, especially if it's about one of Yuya's friends."

Both were attending one of Yuya's nighttime duels in Paradise stadium, however the Raidraptor duelist was mostly there upon insistence from his friends.

A smaller part of him wanted to see what remained of Yuto.

"Don't think we haven't noticed how you've been acting lately", scolded the mother with her usual maternal voice. She then softened, "Carrying a burden all by yourself is never a good idea, especially when there are others around who are willing to carry it with you."

Shun's eyes widened before he turned away, "I'm fine."

"Oh?", Yoko raised her eyebrows in doubt as she crossed her arms.

"..."

"..."

"...Fine, I do miss them", Shun finally gave in.

He felt a hand on his shoulder. "I know you do, Shun. In fact, we all do. That's why we want to help", pushed on Yoko. "Yuto, Ruri; They wouldn't want you keeping all your problems to yourself. At least try opening up to us a little more."

She could tell the teen wasn't completely satisfied with her speech.

"...I'll tell you what", proposed Yoko, Shun turning to face her. "Whenever you feel hungry, don't mind dropping by my house. I'll cook you anything, free of charge."

"...Really?"

"Of course", smiled the mother, soon adding afterwards with a wink, "It's a mother's job to feed. Just make sure to not come during breakfast if you want to avoid Sora. I've heard you two are still in a small disagreement."

"Oh, that", Shun rubbed his neck as he turned away. "Yeah, we're both fine now, I guess. I still don't fully trust the little shit, though."

"Language", Yoko added sternly.

"Sorry."

...

Shun remembered said past conversation before suddenly finding himself in front of Yuya's house. He had to thank all those annoying sleepovers he was forced to attend in the entertainer's home, as he now knew its location as well as the palm of his hand.

It's one of those things I'll never forget, Shun frowned as he pressed the doorbell. A few seconds after and he saw Yoko open the door, "Shun! You finally came!"

The Raidraptor duelist failed to notice a pair of gasps as he stated, "Yeah, my stomach just wouldn't let me be. And, I thought now was a good time to finally take upon your offer."

"Well, it was about time!", the mother smiled before pulling Shun in, "But never mind that; Come inside, I just finished some soup!"

Shun eventually got a hold of his footing as he followed the mother through the living room. "You know", Yoko stated, Shun turning to face her. "It's quite a coincidence you came at this time, for there's some people who I think you would want to see."

"What do you mean?", asked Shun, both him and Yoko finally entering the dining room. The two people eating at the table looked at them before dropping their spoons in shock.

Yoko then responded, "Well, they are the ones you've been looking for this past year". However before Shun could respond she gestured at the two people, the confused Raidraptor duelist turning to see-

Both a shocked Yuto and Ruri sitting at the table.

...

Yuya took a moment to stare at his pendulum, the duelist himself sitting in a park bench.

He swung it quietly back and forth, back and forth.

Back and forth.

"Yuya?"

The pendulum duelist turned to see his friend looking curiously at him.

"What are you doing?", asked Yuzu.

"Nothing much, just thinking through some things", Yuya stated, before patting the remaining space beside him for Yuzu to sit at. The girl hesitated for a moment before sitting down next to him.

"...You're still thinking about your counterparts?", Yuzu asked.

Yuya nodded before he pointed out, "I've gotten used to them being in my head after a year together. It was awkward at the start, and it remained that way for a few instances..."

Using the bathroom was the first instance that popped into his head.

"But they were very supportive with me. It won't be the same knowing that the only consciousness in my head will be mine", the pendulum duelist finished with a finger to his head.

The girl next to him nodded in agreement, "You know I've also gotten used to the girls too after a few weeks. Their feedback on dueling, teaching skills, fashion choices-"

They both laughed while remembering that day where Yuzu freaked out during mall shopping.

"You were never calm for a second that day, I definitely remember that", Yuya chuckled in reminiscence.

"Yeah, it certainly won't be the same knowing they're not with me anymore", Yuzu smiled weakly. She then looked ahead of her to see the nice flower field ahead of her. Oh, how she loved stopping everything for a moment and just see them.

"Would it be selfish to say that I want them back in my head?", asked the girl as she now looked at him.

"Well, it is weird", Yuya admitted with a chuckle. "But I wouldn't say it's selfish."

TWACK!

"Ow", Yuya barely reacted as he rubbed his head.

"At least be comforting about it!", Yuzu shouted angrily as she gripped her paper fan. Her face then returned to normal as she put her weapon away, "But, I can understand why you think that. You're the only person stuck in a situation similar to mine."

The pendulum duelist was about to ask why she hit him in the first place then considering her answer, but he let it go as he found something else to talk about instead.

"I just realized, too. I don't have the other Dimension Dragons with me anymore", Yuya remembered as he got out his Deck. "The only one I have left is Odd-Eyes."

Yuzu looked at him again, although she also looked at the cards Yuya spread out. They were always with him, even through everything that has happened so far.

"Even Z-ARC disappeared all of a sudden", Yuya stated as he remembered summoning the monster against Yugi. "I'll be honest, I felt some sort of ecstasy when bringing him out. I felt like I was... invincible. At least for a few seconds, and I wasn't planning to harm others, don't worry."

"It's fine; I wasn't thinking you were capable of doing so anyways, even when you summoned Zarc's ace monster", Yuzu explained. "You made sure to keep your feelings under control after the war, and with the help of your counterparts, you even summoned Raging Dragon again in one of your earlier duels."

"Yeah", Yuya nodded as he remembered summoning the monster. It gave him a similar feeling to summoning Z-ARC, just not as powerful. "...By the way, neither Ruri or Serena winced at that, did they?", asked the pendulum duelist worriedly.

"Well, they kinda did at the beginning", Yuzu admitted while remembering their uneasy reactions. "But then I joked about it looking like a big angry fluffy bear and they laughed about it afterwards."

Both duelists chuckled again at that comment. Yuya did admit that Raging Dragon looked like it had fur instead of scales sometimes.

Just a big, red puff-ball of anger.

"Plus, you bringing it out while collected proved that you were in control of yourself; We felt safe afterwards knowing you wouldn't freak out like before ever again", Yuzu smiled warmly.

Yuya felt his heart clench at that moment. God, she was so adorable sometimes. "And... they don't hold anything against me for using Raging Dragon against them last year, do they?", he asked just in case.

"No, they've forgiven you a long time ago", Yuzu answered with a short nod. "There's no need to worry about that anymore."

"I see...", sighed Yuya in relief, before taking one last look at his Deck. He then put it away in his pocket as he stood up, "In any case, I'll have some Deck reworking to do. Now that the Dimensional Dragons aren't with me anymore, I'll have to find a new way to improve myself and entertain others, especially without their help."

"But, I have a feeling that I can do it", Yuya stated to himself. He then turned around to reveal a light smirk, something that Yuzu blushed to. "After all, I have everyone's support with me!"

...

"...Already leaving?", Yuzu pouted annoyedly, the pendulum duelist himself already leaving. "Geez, never a relaxing moment with you, I swear".

She then smiled to herself before standing up, "But at least don't leave me alone here!"

Yuya then turned his head before smirking, "It's your fault if you get lost."

"Oh is that so??", Yuzu asked before bringing out her paper fan out of nowhere again, both duelists now chasing each other around as they exited the park.

...

"So, where are you going next?"

Serena could hear Yuri ask as he closed the door, the Fusion pair next to leave the building as the Predaplant user approached the girl.

"Honestly, not even I know", admitted Serena with crossed arms. Seriousness was laced in her features. "Unlike the rest of the girls I don't have a place I can call home."

Before Yuri could point out something Serena turned to him, "And no, I don't consider Duel Academia home anymore, and not just because of what you and Leo did to me and the other girls."

"But also...", Serena trailed off as she could only imagine the many terrified screams of Heartland residents as they saw their homes, jobs, friends, families; Everything torn apart from them.

"No, what I was going to point out was that Rin doesn't have a home either", Yuri spoke up, bringing the Lunalight duelist back to reality. "I never bothered to study the Synchro dimension since it wasn't part of my mission, but I could tell not everyone there had a nice and cozy place. Most people I saw on the way there just, slept on the ground sometimes, or had no food to eat!"

Serena looked away as he continued, "In any case, I'm going to go back to Duel Academia. I wouldn't call it my home either, but its the only place I really know. Plus Sora just sent me a text; Apparently even Leo began shouting mid-argument amongst the chaos!"

"Chaos? What chaos?", asked Serena before remembering what Yuri said earlier back at the office:

...

"I woke up under a bridge back at Duel Academia", a smirking Yuri raised his hand. "And yes, the academy is currently in shambles. Apparently they're arguing about there being two versions of the same school. I didn't stick around to find out what it was about, though."

...

"Two versions of the same school...", remembered Serena as she put a hand to her chin.

"And seeing how there's an argument from it, I can assume two different people run each version!", said Yuri excitedly, almost like a little kid. "I don't want to miss it out, especially if it's getting to the good part!"

Serena found it weird how he was growing ecstatic out of something that didn't have to do with violence.

She guessed Yuri just liked chaos in general.

Almost as if on cue, Yuri's Duel Disk rang to life as the Fusion soldier picked it up, revealing the caller to be Dennis himself.

"Oh?", hummed Yuri in interest. "What's up Dennis?"

"You aren't going to believe this, Yuri; They've started throwing chairs!", Dennis spoke amusingly as he spoke what was currently happening inside the academy. "Right now the cafeteria and dorms are a mess, and get this; There's even been a Cyber End Dragon spotted outside the school grounds several times!"

"What!?", to do this both Serena and Yuri shouted.

"Cyber End Dragon?", asked Serena as she stepped in. "You mean one of the most legendary Duel Academia monsters recorded in history?

"Oh, I didn't even know you were there, Serena!", smiled Dennis, before dodging a flying table thrown at him. "But yes! The legend itself is here, although people are commenting that the duelist who's using it looks like he's about to die every 30 seconds."

"In any case, you don't want to miss this Yuri; Hope to see you here!", Dennis did a peace sign before ending the call, Yuri now grinning wildly in celebration.

"Yes! Now this is a change of good news!", celebrated the Fusion soldier before getting out his Deck from his pocket, and searching for a specific card. "Now we just need to get there!"

"...Ah, here it is", Yuri picked up the card he was looking for and put the rest of his Deck into his Duel Disk.

"What are you looking for?", asked a concerned Serena as she stepped closer. Seeing Yuri so excited was starting to scare her.

"This", Yuri raised the card, revealing it to be Violet Flash. "With this we can travel to Duel Academia quickly, remember? Oh wait, don't tell me you don't have your own anymore."

"...I ditched the card after learning Duel Academia's goals", admitted the Lunalight duelist with crossed arms.

"Why, though? It had such a good effect", Yuri stated with a disappointed face before moving on. "Anyways, do you want to go or no?"

"What?"

"I already said that I wasn't going to miss out on whatever's happening at Duel Academia, but are you going to do that?", asked Yuri at a conflicted Serena, before suddenly extending his hand at the girl. "Or do you want to go with me?"

"I, Uhh...", Serena backed off a few steps away, not unnoticed by Yuri. "I don't think-"

It was then that the doors wildly swung open to reveal a happy-faced Yugo and Rin walking outside, once again seemingly a miracle how they weren't kicked out first.

"Yugo, Rin", stated Serena.

"Serena?", asked Rin.

"Yuri?", asked Yugo.

"Garbage boy", grinned Yuri evilly.

"Oh, cut it out with the 'Garbage Boy' crap; It was only one time!", shouted Yugo in frustration as he gripped his own hair out.

Ignoring that, Serena asked Rin a question she had, "Where do you plan going after this? I'm asking you since you're the closest person I have that's in a similar situation than mine."

"Oh, well I plan to go back to Neo Domino", answered Rin, before turning to a bickering Yugo and Yuri. "The place is far from perfect, but it's the only thing I have closest to a home. Plus, me and Yugo still have a dream we want to chase there."

"Really?, asked Serena.

Rin nodded before asking, "But, you said you don't know where to go either. What if you ask Yuzu?"

"Yuzu?", the Fusion asked again as she tilted her head. Now she was even more confused. "And why her?"

"Well, we were stuck with her for an entire year; Maybe she has an answer to your problems in some way", stated Rin as she offered her own explanation. "I am saying 'maybe', though, so that you don't hold me accountable if it doesn't work."

"Don't worry; I won't", Serena grew a small, but warm smile. "I'll see where I'll go after this. But for now I think I have an answer."

"Oh?", asked Rin.

Before she could answer that, however, Serena silently walked to where both Yugo and Yuri were arguing.

"You may be an orphan, but if you ever had a mother I would screw with her just to piss you off!", Yugo pointed at the Fusion soldier angrily.

"Oh, and you kiss your mother with that dirty mouth of yours?", asked Yuri amusingly as he crossed his arms. He then faked surprise before laughing, "Oh wait, I forgot; You don't have a mother either!"

Yugo's face only grew more angrier. "Why you-!"

"QUIET ALREADY, YOU TWO!", Serena stepped in as she grabbed both boys' ears.

"Owowowowowowow!", Yugo winced in pain as he tried grabbing Serena's hand.

"Let go of me, Serena!", Yuri fruitlessly ordered as he also tried letting go.

"It's just that you two can't even stand close to each other for five seconds without arguing!", Serena stated as she forcefully let go of their ears, Yugo now recoiling on the ground like a baby as he grabbed his ear.

Rin had to cover mouth to stifle a laugh as Serena continued, "Have neither of you thought that this makes you two look like children?? Especially since you two are supposed to be talented duelists???"

Yuri sat up while covering his reddened ear as Serena shouted even more, "Think, you two; Think! And try not fighting each other for at least five minutes!"

"Hhrrggh fine, but only five minutes!", Yugo spoke up with a clenched fist.

"Yeah after that it's straight to the boxing gloves!", Yuri smiled maniacally with just as much fervor.

However both were quickly kicked to the stomach by Serena herself as she stated, "The point that I'm trying to make is that you two stop fighting; I'm not giving you two warm-up time!"

"Okay okay I get it, you can stop with the kicking and screaming", Yuri spoke up as he backed away.

"Haha you gave up like a scared chicken!", Yugo pointed at the Predaplant duelist with a laugh.

However Serena quickly turned her head to stare daggers at him.

"On second thought I'll do that too", Yugo retreated as he scooted away.

Rin couldn't take it anymore, the girl suddenly laughing at the three's antics as she dropped to her knees, trying not to choke on herself as she stated, "Ohhhh, I should have recorded the entire thing; All of you guys' expressions were priceless!"

She then pointed at the still-weeping Yugo, "And look at Yugo-!", she suddenly wheezed as she fell to the ground, not even able to speak anymore as she lost it completely.

"Don't make fun of meeeee~!", Yugo whined with watery puppy-eyes as he cradled himself.

At this point even Yuri began chuckling as he stood up, "I do admit that it was humorous, yes". He then turned to Serena as he grabbed his stomach, "Although you kick very hard; Did Leo train you or something?"

"Not himself; He just enrolled me in karate lessons to distract me from joining the war", Serena waved off. She then darkened her expression as she added, "Now don't make me show everything I've learned on you and get along with Yugo!"

"Yeahhhh, no promises there", Yuri trailed off as he felt Serena boil like a kettle, wisely adding immediately afterwards, "But I'll definitely try, indeed I will."

The Fusion counterpart cooled off as she stated victoriously, "Good."

The Fusion pair then turned to see Yugo still cradling himself as Rin tried helping him.

...

Shun couldn't believe what he was seeing.

Both Yuto and Ruri looked at him with shock in their faces, neither of the three people saying a word.

"..."

"..."

"..."

Yoko herself leaned against the wall with a smirk on her face, the woman silently crossing her arms as she thought with satisfaction, Any moment now.

"..."

"..."

"...Yuto?", asked Shun bewilderedly. He then slowly turned his head to her younger sister. "Ruri...?"

"...Shun?", asked Yuto.

"Big brother...?", asked Ruri.

Shun's entire body short-circuited for a moment. He couldn't believe the spirits he was seeing before him.

But they weren't spirits anymore.

"-AAAHHH-"

Both Yuto and Ruri were quickly ensnared by a blinding flash of dark clothes, the two XYZ dimensions individuals turning their heads to see a crying Shun.

"Shun!", both Yuto and Ruri shouted.

"YUTO! RURI!", wailed Shun as he felt a dark, heavy burden suddenly evaporate from his shoulders.

They aren't dead anymore, they aren't dead anymore!

All of his feelings were let out at once.

They aren't dead anymore!

"I finally get-", Shun tried explaining, however he was still choked up in his own tears. "I- I finally get to see you both- again!"

Seeing Shun cry was a surreal sight for the XYZ pair as they were out of words. However Ruri was quick to react as she began crying too, the girl hugging her brother's neck and shouted, "Oh, how I missed you too, big brother!"

Yuto was quick to silently weep afterwards as he too hugged his friend, "I'm glad I can see you again, Shun."

Shun eventually managed to calm down to speak with few hiccups, "I am so glad that I can see you both again... I'm glad I persisted this long for you two..."

Both Ruri and Yuto quietly weeped as they kept listening to him, "The days after the war... they were way too long for my liking, and I felt my hopes begin to wither away... I just wasn't strong enough to move on... not when you two were suddenly taken away from my life, I just couldn't..."

Yoko hummed satisfyingly as she saw the heartwarming scene unfolding before her.

"But... now I don't have to worry about struggling anymore...", Shun's voice began clearing up as he looked up to face both people. "Because the two most important people in my life... they're both back, they're both back for me to hug and embrace tightly."

The older brother trailed off as his face softened into a mix of relief and despondence. He had a calm, gentle expression etched into his face.

"Now I don't have to fear being alone anymore."

He was finally at peace.

"Shun...", trailed off Yuto. "I'm so glad seeing my friend's face too."

"I'm also glad that we can hug each other like this", smiled Ruri; She then looked down to wipe a tear off her face.

Shun took in a moment to see their relieved faces. It was true, they really were alive.

Yoko quietly went over to pick up the empty plates and leave the dining room, Shun himself finally reaching to an end point to his thoughts as he let himself be soaked in this long-lost happiness he felt:

I'll never exchange you two for anything else in the world.

...

Yugo silently stared at his Clear Wing Synchro Dragon as Rin finished helping him stand up.

"...What happened, Yugo?", asked the green-haired girl.

Both Serena and Yuri turned to face the Synchro pair.

"It's just... Man, did Clear Wing get me into a lot of trouble back then", Yugo remembered all of the past events during the war. He remembered his clash with Yuto, his run-in with Yuzu, and the eventual loss of his Duel Runner against a possessed Rin and even his own loss against Yuri.

And being trapped within Zarc...

"This entire time I thought Clear Wing was trying to help me rescue you... when In fact it only wanted to reunite with its dragons", Yugo stated even more, in an uncharacteristically somber voice even. He then looked up to face Rin. "It only wanted to reunite us 4 together."

"Yugo...", trailed off Rin.

"However, I don't care if you have any ulterior motives again", Yugo continued, however this time it was at his own card. "I'll trust you again, regardless of what happens. Plus since Zarc will come back eventually, I don't think you'll have any need to go berserk on me again."

He could swear he heard something from within the dragon.

I'll swear I'll do better this time.

Yugo warmly smiled as his energy returned to him. "Well that settles it!", Yugo smiled as he carefully placed his card away. He then turned to Yuri with a pumped fist, "Lead to us to Academia!"

"...Huh?", asked a bewildered Yuri.

"My bike should still be there, although hopefully not in pieces", Yugo stated before cartoonishly weeping. "But, even if it was, I know me and Rin can just fix it up and get it running again!"

Rin for a moment was shocked, however she quickly nodded in agreement.

Yugo nodded back before turning to face the Fusion pair, "So can you please get us there?"

Both Serena and Yuri were initially silent. However not long after Yuri eventually smiled blissfully as he raised his Duel Disk, "...Very well, just make sure to not get in my way and we'll be fine, Yogurt."

"No, you need to be the one who needs to stay outta my way!", Yugo roared angrily as he stormed over to where Yuri stood. "And my name's Yugo, not Yogurt!"

"Alright alright, now you two hold hands", Yuri instructed at the Synchro pair.

"WHAT??", dropped Yugo.

"What? We need to be in close proximity to make sure we all get there together safely", explained Yuri with a shrug.

"F-fine...", Yugo stammered before tentatively reaching out for Rin's hand.

Rin on the other hand was looking at her childhood friend incredulously, however she was also struggling in giving the teen her own hand.

Serena was about to say something, but Yuri silently put an arm in front of her. She turned to see him having an amused expression.

You sick bastard..., she mentally cursed.

After what one could describe as several minutes later, both Yugo and Rin were finally holding hands.

"So, how does it feel?", asked the Predaplant duelist.

"I guess it's not that bad...", trailed off Yugo as he meekly looked at the ground. Rin looked away with a blush as she nodded in agreement.

"Good", Yuri nodded before finally retracting his arm, and pressing a button on his Duel Disk. All 4 duelists began glowing a soft violet light as Yuri suddenly added, "Oh yeah, I was lying the whole time; You guys can let go now."

"WHA-", Yugo sputtered as he was once again outfoxed. "YOU SON OF A-"

And all 4 disappeared from LEO Corp afterwards.

...

Something that Yuya didn't expect upon returning to his house was not only seeing Yuto and Ruri still in this dimension, but also Shun who strangely, didn't seem as... heavy, serious, as before.

"Glad you came back Yuya, and right on time too!", Yoko smiled as she opened the door, allowing Yuya to come inside. "I was actually about to leave to pick you up."

"Well, at least you don't have to worry about that", Yuya scratched his head before turning to see the other three XYZ Dimension duelists.

"...Feels good to have a stomach again; Doesn't it, Yuto?", Yuya have a smile as he approached the door. Despite the initial silence, Yuto quickly nodded afterwards.

"Your mother cooks very well", he stated.

The pendulum duelist smiled before turning to face Shun, "And you; I haven't seen you be this happy ever since our last duel, Shun!"

The Raidraptor duelist smirked lightly, "Don't test me, Yuya."

Yuya nodded with a smile, before turning to face Ruri, "Take care of your brother, would you? He's acts like a baby sometimes."

"Yuya!", Yoko chided.

The pendulum duelist simply laughed as he shielded himself, "I'm joking, I'm joking!"

Yuto smirked as he looked away, "You aren't wrong, though."

"Yuto!", Shun looked at his friend with a bewildered face.

"Don't pretend otherwise, big brother!", Ruri suddenly hugged Shun from behind, surprising the Raidraptor duelist as Yuto suddenly did the same from the front, all four teens laughing into a wholehearted fit again.

Yuya couldn't help but think as he wiped a tear off his eye, the image of the three laughing XYZ individuals forever etched into his mind:

Smiles sure are beautiful.

...

A sudden flash of light passed through their eyes, and before they knew it, they stood atop the academy island as they all opened their eyes.

"So...", Serena was the first to speak as she shielded her eyes from the protruding sunlight. "We're back in Academia."

"But... I feel like it's changed somehow...", Rin trailed off as she was next to survey the area.

"Hey wait a moment, was that floating island always there?", Yugo pointed to a faraway island showing a dark, abandoned mansion.

Yuri was next to see the myriad of differences in comparison to a year ago. Four yellow pillars, a yellow dormitory, an white dormitory, a small inn, and a large building at the front.

It was an amalgamation of mismatched buildings.

However the next immediate thought was directed at the sounds of Duel Monsters Duel Disks and monsters.

All four of them saw what appeared to be an internal war between two sides of the same coin.

"Attack, Double Ancient Gear Hunting Hound!", ordered three different Obelisk Force soldiers at once, all three mechanical beasts pouncing onto a duelist as their LP hit 0.

"ARHHGHHGGH!"

Winners: Obelisk Force Soldiers

"I... shouldn't have gone first...", weakly trailed off the duelist, however they were quickly caught before they hit the ground.

"Blair! Blair, give me a signal!", Rang out the person who caught the duelist, revealing to be a well-muscled teenager with a dinosaur-themed bandana.

Tyranno Hassleberry.

The muscled student then started shouting, "Requesting backup, I repeat; Requesting backup!"

The three Obelisk Force soldiers were quick to laugh at the spectacle before them, however they were quickly shut up by a large figure covered with Obelisk Blue jackets.

"What is that!?", asked one of the soldiers, the giant itself not saying a word.

"I-I've only heard tall tales about you, but you must be the Duel Giant!", Tyranno snickered as he left Blair in a sitting position, before joining to duel alongside the giant. "Let's sweep up these country mice nice and good, partner!"

However a small figure climbed up with giant, revealing to be a minuscule Ra Yellow student with parted green hair.

"Are you sure you're ready, Beauregard?", asked the small student, the Duel Giant slowly nodding in confirmation. "Alright then", the small student took a deep breath. "Let's get these creeps!"

They also turned to see a pair of girls be defeated by what appeared to be...

Grace and Gloria Tyler.

"Like, none of these duelists have proven to be a good challenge", Grace complained as both losing girls hit the ground; The sisters didn't even notice the arriving group. "Most students just ran away from us!"

"That just means none are worth it", Gloria noted with coldness in her voice, however they were both thrown off by a spear thrown between them.

"What!?", both sisters shouted, before looking up to see a muscled woman land in front of them.

"So, you two also use Amazoness monsters...", laughed the tanned woman as she reached for the spear. She then tore it off the ground with ease before cracking her knuckles. "Unfortunately for you two, there can only be one Amazoness warrior here, and that title is already mine!"

"And what's your deal!?", asked Grace as she immediately raised her Duel Disk. Gloria immediately did the same.

However before the muscled woman even said anything another Ra Yellow student jumped in.

"Tania, I already told you to go even a little slower!", the student stretched his back and did a few stretching exercises. "You know I'm not as physically agile as you!"

"And who are you?", deadpanned Gloria.

"I won't even bother with the name, dear, since most people forget it quickly", the student smiled before getting a Deck out of several in his jacket. He then placed it in his Duel Disk as it whirred to life, the student now joining in with Tania. "I hope you don't mind if I join in, especially since I have no means of refusal."

"Heh, I wouldn't have it any other way if it's with you", Tania smirked as she did the same with her Duel Disk.

"Get ready to regret your decision, fools!", Grace stated as all four prepared to Tag Duel.

The four then turned to the sound of a large explosion, revealing a Cyber End Dragon amidst the smoke.

"...Now that's a shocker", stated the Ra Yellow student.

"That's...", Serena trailed off, before beginning to run in that direction. "Cyber End Dragon!"

"Cyber End Dragon?", Yugo asked in curiosity, both Yuri and Rin immediately catching up to the Lunalight duelist.

All four students quickly rushed through the fainting students and attacking Duel Monsters (Yugo had to dodge an overhead Ally of Justice Clausolas) and saw what appeared to be a dying duelist taking on a scared Duel Academia student.

And above them was...

Cyber End Dragon, Level 10 LIGHT Machine Fusion Effect Monster, 4000 ATK, 2800 DEF

"Beautiful...", Yuri awed with an unsettling smirk. Serena was at a loss for words.

"Cyber End Dragon...", smiled the dying duelist manically, gripping his chest tightly as he slowly raised a finger. He then lowered it forcefully as he shouted, "Eternal Evolution Burst!"

The large machine lowered its three heads as they each shot a sky-blue laser blast, all directed at the same student.

"I-I activate a trap, Storming Mirror Force!", the student quickly shouted as he revealed his set card. "Now a-all of your Attack position monsters are-"

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Cybernetic Zone!", the duelist quickly raised a spell card. Before Mirror Force could even activate, Cyber End Dragon was already gone from the field, blue sparkles now in its place. "This banishes my dragon until the End Phase, to which it returns with doubled ATK!"

"W-what!?", asked the trembling student, before falling on his ass as he saw the large machine monster return to the field, this time twice as large.

Cyber End Dragon's ATK: 4000 - 8000

"8000 ATK!?", asked Yugo.

"That's a large monster!", awed Rin, however she was quick to notice the messy breathing patterns the dying duelist was giving out, before he suddenly collapsed on the ground.

Cyber End Dragon was quick to explode as his turn ended, signaling the duel's abrupt end.

"Cybernetic Zone... destroys the monster banished by this effect during my next Standby Phase...", muttered out the duelist before suddenly being picked up, and carried to a wheelchair.

By a small, blue-haired Obelisk Blue student.

Syrus Truesdale.

"You shouldn't have gone out on your own", stated Syrus as he placed his older brother on the wheelchair. "You know how I feel about you dueling in that condition."

"But... I felt my energy coming back to me", panted the dying duelist with a smile. "Cyber End... all of my Deck... it was ecstatic with me!"

"Zane", Syrus deadpanned.

"..."

"..."

"...Sorry, Syrus", the man eventually lowered his head, Syrus himself not saying anything as he pushed his brother away from the scene. Only a small, "Sorry for the trouble", was muttered by him as he left, leaving all the on-watchers at a loss for words.

"..."

"..."

Neither Yugo nor Rin said a word.

Serena was dumbfounded at the entire revelation of a duelist dying to fight. She'd never come across such a spirit before.

"...I wonder if I can get his Deck if I ask really nicely", Yuri smirked as he held a hand to his chin. "Since he looks like he's about to kick the bucket anytime soon."

TWACK!

Yuri rubbed the impacted area where Serena just slapped him in the head.

"Uncalled for", Yuri pouted.

"Can you be respectful for at least a goddamn minute??", roared Serena before storming off to Academia's entrance.

"...But I was respectful for a minute", Yuri stated with confusion. He then scratched his head. "Did the minute I used for watching the duel not count?"

"She has a point", Yugo coughed as he turned away, Yuri looking at him with an annoyed expression. Before anything could begin, however, Rin quickly pulled away the Speedroid Duelist.

"Let's just go search for our Duel Runner and bounce", ordered Rin, Yugo nodding before quickly running alongside his friend.

Yuri stood still for a few moments before eventually chasing after Serena.

...

"This girl..."

Yuri eventually chased after the girl until they both reached a foyer of sorts, the place turning out to be Duel Academy's entrance.

And in front of them was both Chancellor Sheppard and Leo Akaba in opposing sides.

"Unforgivable", the Chacellor gripped his fists, Alexis standing worried beside him. "It is absolutely unforgivable that you used these bright-minded students for war! They are merely learning kids, not killing machines!"

"I have my reasons to do what I've done", Akaba roared immediately afterwards. "And I still haven't finished my purpose! I still have more to do here, and I won't let a random person get in my way!"

"So you two finally caught up, as well?", Dennis suddenly asked behind both Fusion soldiers, Serena reflexively punching the duelist.

"OW!"

THUMP!

"Sorry!", Serena shouted.

"Nono, it's fine", Dennis waved off as he was helped up by Sora. "I shouldn't have creeped up on you guys, anyways."

"Oh, and if it isn't Sora as well", Yuri smiled pleasingly.

"They've been at this for three hours already", Sora explained as he sat up the Performage duelist. "We still haven't reached a clear winner, but at least it's calmer now than what it has been a few minutes ago."

"Ah, drats", Yuri snapped his fingers. "I missed the main event!"

"Yuri!", Serena roared.

"Oh well, by the looks of how red Akaba is, I'd say we wouldn't have to wait much longer for someone to give in", Yuri noted afterwards, studying the supposed iron-willed professor.

However what happened next threw everyone off guard.

The entrance doors were suddenly swung wildly open.

...

A tall, brown-haired adult with a large, white coat and futuristic duel disk briskly walked to where both Leo and Sheppard were arguing.

Everyone was silent.

And who's this guy?, Yuri thought with intrigue.

"...You", the man began speaking coldly, pointing to Leo Akaba.

BOOM!

Guards immediately exploded through the entrance, rounding up all of the fighting students and breaking up their duels. Helicopters and submarines surrounded the entire island.

Both Duel Academy and Duel Academia students alike were pulled into a large circle surrounding both the man and Leo. Sheppard himself was forced to step down and watch.

Syrus in particular pushed his brother's wheelchair to the front, where they both could see everything.

Zane widened his eyes upon recognizing the man. "That's..."

The entire academy was left in a standstill.

"...You're the director from this school's alternate dimension, aren't you?", asked the white-coat man.

Leo was nonplussed for a moment, however he was quick to nod with a gripped fist. "Yes, I am."

The brown-haired man then revolted in disgust, his Duel Monsters card necklace swinging low from his neck.

The dark, glowing technology he had in his arms and face only accentuated the man's rage. "You... what have you done to my school?"

...

What?

That was the only question everyone could ask.

Alexis' eyes widened, however; It took her a moment, but she also recognized the man. "Is that...?"

"You took a school which was of my creation, desecrate it with the filth of war, and use its students and Duel Monsters to propagate destruction amidst countries", explained the man coldly, Akaba himself at a loss for the young man's ferocity. "Is that what you've done??"

Even so... "Who are you?", roared Leo Akaba.

The man himself's eyes widened, shuddering the large man for a split second. "And even worse, my name is erased from your history... Very well, then let me shout my name and engrave it in your memories; My name is Seto Kaiba, the original founder of this academy!"

He then took a step forward, several of his guards following behind. "And now that I'm here, I'll redirect Duel Academy to its original purpose, and get rid of slithering worms like you! From this point on you're being let go of your position; I'll hand it over to its rightful director, Chancellor Sheppard!"

"What!?", Akaba asked. He then roared, "I refuse to let go of this position, I'm still Duel Academia's-!"

"And who let you say otherwise!", Seto immediately shut him up.

Some of the watchers themselves even started backing down.

Serena has never seen such a ferocious duelist before, and he wasn't even dueling! This was how he normally was!

The guards each took a hold of Leo Akaba's arms.

Seto then stood in front of him, disgust clearly pronounced on his face, "...And even worse, you remind me of my wretched father and his cruel tendencies... To think that low-lives like him still exist and have even infested in my school; Take him away!"

The guards were quick to nod as they began pulling Akaba away, however both were quickly thrown off to the side by a pair of thorny tentacles.

"!"

Everyone turned to the crater of impact in which both guards were passed out on, before turning to see who caused the damage.

And in their sights was...

Predaplant Chimeraflessia, Level 7 DARK Plant Fusion Effect Monster, 2500 ATK, 2000 DEF

"You...", Seto turned to see the duelist wielding the living plant.

"You're the other Duel Academia's founder, right?", Yuri asked, looking at the brown-haired man with a killer expression. "That means that if I defeat you, Akaba won't be taken away?"

...

Serena at this point was dumbfounded, both Dennis and Sora at a loss for words as they both turned to see Kaiba's reaction. It was a grave mistake to do so.

To say he looked pissed was an understatement.

"Do you realize what you have done...?", dangerously whispered Seto at the Predaplant duelist. Even Akaba was shocked as he sat up.

"Yuri...", trailed off Leo.

"If you mean to tell me I have become some rando's enemy, then I'm not surprised", Yuri smirked confidently as he crossed his arms. "This isn't the first time everyone has their eyes on me, anyways..."

He then pointed at Leo behind his shoulder. "You see him? He's quite the cruel man, isn't he? Starting wars and destroying lives. He's been forced to back down this past year to try and fix everything he's caused."

Yuri then turned to Seto, "And yet he's still not finished. You heard him too, right? He still has things to do here. And he may be the worst man on earth, but he gave many of us a purpose here."

He began walking to the side as he added, "And I'm not going to let someone destroy that purpose just because they want to play owner."

Seto simply stared down at the teen in front of him, Yuri not letting up as he stared at the man with the same fervor.

"...Weren't you dueling Yugi earlier?", asked Seto, surprising even Yuri himself.

"Nah, that's Yuya you're talking about", Yuri was quick to put up a smirk. "I'm just his twin."

"I see", Kaiba stated, before turning on his Duel Disk. "Then I hope you don't regret your decision to oppose me, especially since I've already made up my mind to destroy you!"

Yuri simply readied his Duel Disk as the CEO shouted. "I'll make minced meat out of you in just a few turns!"

However what neither duelist expected was the sound of more Academia Duel Disks whirring to life as they slowly joined Yuri.

The first one was-

"Dennis?", asked Yuri.

"What?", smiled Dennis back. "Do you think I was going to let you have your redemption arc all by yourself?"

Sora also joined in with his own Duel Disk as he placed his Deck inside. "He may be a slouch, but Yuri's got a point. Most of us wouldn't even be alive if it weren't for Leo's influence."

Serena turned to see two more Duel Disks activate. Gloria and Grace. "You think we're like, leaving all the fun to you guys?", grinned the silver-haired sister.

"Leo Akaba was a strong professor with an iron-willed demeanor and commanding order", Gloria explained as she set her Deck into her Duel Disk. "He gave so many of us here a reason to fight, to prove Academia's pride!"

Kaiba was at a loss for words. Were they really...?

However before he could speak up, another Duel Disk quickly activated, this time surprising even some of the Duel Academia members themselves.

"Serena...?", asked Alexis.

Serena stood up alongside Yuri.

"Serena...", trailed off Leo, slowly standing up.

"I'm not defending you, Professor", Serena quickly spoke up, the last word laced with venom. She then turned her head. "I won't ever forgive you for what you've done to so many people..."

Burning Heartland City, collapsing towers, Ancient Gear Chaos Giants, Obelisk Force, carded people, the Arc V Project-

A flurry of horrid memories popped up in her head at that point, and yet some other memories proved to be more prominent than the rest:

...

"So, where are you going next?"

Serena could hear Yuri ask as he closed the door, the Fusion pair next to leave the building as the Predaplant user approached the girl.

"Honestly, not even I know", admitted Serena with crossed arms. Seriousness was laced in her features. "Unlike the rest of the girls I don't have a place I can call home."

...

"In any case, I'm going to go back to Duel Academia. I wouldn't call it my home either, but its the only place I really know."

...

Serena asked Rin a question she had, "Where do you plan going after this? I'm asking you since you're the closest person I have that's in a similar situation than mine."

"Oh, well I plan to go back to Neo Domino", answered Rin, before turning to a bickering Yugo and Yuri. "The place is far from perfect, but it's the only thing I have closest to a home. Plus, me and Yugo still have a dream we want to chase there."

"Really?, asked Serena.

...

"But... even I once wanted to join Duel Academia's cause without knowing its true intentions...", the Lunalight user admitted as she recalled hearing Shun's pained speech about Heartland City's fall. "To think that maybe I helped in this somehow... that still doesn't make me feel very well..."

"So at least give me time to rethink my feelings about this, alright?"

...

"I... still don't know what do from here", Serena admitted with a softened expression, everyone next to her listening attentively. Even Yuri's face was softened from its previous condescension.

"But, I have a feeling I won't ever know if the only thing I had left was taken away from me", continued Serena. Her face then hardened as she added resolutely, "So I'll defend Academia to its last shreds!"

"Serena...", Leo trailed off, however they were all silenced by Kaiba, "So you lost puppies are defending your rotten doghouse? Is that what you're telling me?"

All opposing Duel Academia members nodded, slowly but surely more of its students joining in support behind them.

By the time they were finished half of the watchers were on Duel Academia's side.

"What? You're saying that you're willing to abandon half of your students based on a selfish decision?", Dennis asked with a wink, Seto's cold eyes immediately on him. "I wouldn't say that's the correct thing to do, is you ask me."

Before Seto could speak, Sora spoke up, "Most of us are actually trying to change here... And you're not giving us a chance first?"

"I've heard enough!", Kaiba was forced to shout, shutting up everyone once again. Even those from Duel Academy were speechless. "My word here is the final word, and I say-!"

The doors opened once again to reveal a figure approaching the group, Seto and the rest of the watchers turning to see who it was.

A cloaked figure approaching the circle.

"No way...", Yuri smiled in awe.

Zane simply smirked lightly.

The man took off his cloak to reveal a familiar, silver-haired pro duelist. He was wearing a professional gray suit, but he was also donning one of Academia's capes.

"Apologies for the interruption", began the figure as he walked to the center. "But I had to make sure my entrance didn't go unnoticed."

"Aster?", asked Alexis.

Aster Phoenix.

"Commander Phoenix-", Akaba trailed off.

"No no, it's just Aster for the moment", spoke up the pro duelist. He then turned to face Seto, "But yes, that was my previous occupation. As it turns out, I am also, one of the few individuals who have merged versions of themselves, so I've seen both Duel Academies with my own eyes. I know what each Duel Academy has going on."

He then pointed at Leo Akaba, "And that means I know for sure what he has going on, as well. He's told me about the plans he's had regarding the restructure of Duel Academia."

"The what?", asked Serena.

"Restructure?", asked Gloria.

"Speak it, prof", Aster threw a microphone at Leo's direction, the man just barely managing to catch it.

Seto was infuriated at his word being delayed, however Phoenix quickly spoke up, "Now I know that you aren't going to like what I'm doing, but have some trust in the man. At least he didn't immediately ruin your academy to the ground."

Leo then dusted himself off as Aster finished, "He's proven himself to be great leader."

Seto stood there for a few moments, his serious face unchanged. Everyone was looking at him for his answer.

"...Fine", gave in the man, taking a few steps to the side. "I have a few minutes to spare. But only a few! I expect you to take this seriously, and not as an opportunity to stall for time!"

Leo nodded before stepping forward a little bit. Aster also stepped to the side and beside Alexis.

"What are you thinking??", whispered Alexis furiously at the pro duelist. "You know what Leo's done!"

"I do, but I also know what he wants to do next", responded Aster. "But he needs to say it first. And look, even his own students are depending on his answer; Don't expect me to just stand by and watch half of the academy I know be destroyed."

Alexis shook her head disapprovingly.

Academia still has an opportunity to redeem itself, mused Aster to himself, sporting a serious face as he watched Leo step to the front, Kaiba staring daggers at the leader. But it first needs to prove itself and survive destruction!

"Ahem!"

Silence.

Everyone turned to face Leo Akaba.

"...I know what I've done well", began the professor. He looked up with a hardened stare. "I'm well aware of what I've done. I've turned an entire organization of young, hopeful students into cruel soldiers, I've destroyed countless lives in the process, and almost did irreversible damage for some families."

A faint image of Ray appeared on his mind.

Followed by the rest the Akaba family behind her; Declan, Henrietta, and even a sleeping Riley.

"However I won't grovel to anyone's feet and say I regret what I've done; I, Professor Akaba, do not regret my actions!", shouted the man, surprising almost everyone watching.

Chancellor Sheppard almost choked, "W-wha-"

Seto narrowed his eyes, "You piece of..."

"But when I say I haven't finished I mean it; I plan to reverse as much of the damage I've done as possible!", clarified the Professor, everyone watching now thrown for a loop. "I said I don't regret my actions, but what I've been fighting for all this time has been an impossibility..."

Another flashback of him hugging his smiling daughter appeared.

"So now that I realized what I've fought for all this time was for naught, I thought of bringing it all back, I've even told Aster the same thing several times throughout last year!", Leo continued, motioning a hand towards the pro duelist. "And this is what I plan."

"First, all military operations will be dismantled from this point onward, same with the Obelisk Blue force!", began the Professor, everyone from Duel Academia gasping.

"Second, all of out resources and energy will go to the complete restoration of the XYZ Dimension's Heartland City!", Leo continued, both Serena and Dennis eyes' widening.

"And third", Leo finished. "I'll convert all military classes and covert them into hobby-oriented courses!"

Silence.

"..."

"..."

"...Really?", asked Seto. "That's your plan?"

Leo nodded in confirmation.

"I see", Kaiba stated way too calmly. He then turned to the other Duel Academia students. "You war-addicted maggots, answer me with all honesty; Are you willing to follow your strong-willed commander, even if he no longer desires to throw you in the trenches? Even if his ambitions don't match the crave of violence and bloodshed you all possess?"

Most of the Duel Academia students squirmed in fear.

"Answer me!", Seto ordered.

More silence.

Akaba could only hope his students' desires matched his own to improve.

"..."

"..."

"..."

After what appeared to be several minutes, a few Duel Academia students began leaving Akaba's side.

"!", Leo raised his head.

He saw how a large portion of his subordinates left the building, most leaving through the entrance. Both the remaining students and Leo grew more hopeless as more of their comrades left.

Seto however looked like he expected this.

To Leo's dismay, even some of the Duel Academia professors and staff began leaving.

Leo could quickly identify one of the leaving professors. "Sanders...?"

The man in question sighed before turning to face the Professor with a stern face. "I was afraid this would happen... that you would ruin Academia's pride like this. Now there's no pride to be a part of anymore."

He then turned to leave as Seto smirked in satisfaction.

A mere dog chained by the lust for pride.

Another man shocked Serena as she too turned to face the individual, "...Barret?"

The blue-haired soldier faced the girl silently.

"You heard everyone... Leo used Duel Academia to give many of us a purpose... But with the repurposing of this organization- that doesn't exist anymore", Barret explained. He then turned to the exit. "I'll go find my true purpose as a soldier... I can only wish you good luck in finding yours, Serena."

Serena was in a loss of words once again as her acquaintance left the building as well.

After it all finished Seto turned to the despondent professor. "And with that two thirds of your children have left you; It seems as if they had a different opinion to your plans. Better plans, if you will."

Leo could only look down as Seto continued, "Why do you think that's the case? It's because you've put them the idea of war in their heads, it's all they know doing."

He then stepped in front of Leo and got very close to him. "You were only ever good at creating barking bulldogs. For sending them over to ruin lives."

A small pause.

"You disgust me."

The man widened his eyes as he momentarily flinched. Seto reminded him too much of Declan, almost like a spitting image.

Except his son pierced others by small, yet precise strikes. This guy charged in with heavy, direct blows.

Gloria herself moved for a moment, however she was quickly grabbed in the arm by Grace.

Seto slowly leaned away from the man. "I think my point has been well-carried across. No one is willing to listen to a sad, pathetic leader like you... That's all you've been this entire time."

"Actually, you forgot to account all of us who are still here."

That irritating voice again.

Seto turned to the voice's originator.

Yuri.

"A lot of us may be gone, but that just means that those who remain are really on board with the Professor's idea", explained Yuri as he paid no mind to the daggers he was stared down with. "There's still people here who are willing to improve themselves, and redeem everything they've done.

Serena herself agreed mentally as the Predaplant duelist continued, "We'll make sure to carry out the Professor's new wishes, even if you think otherwise."

"Or tell me, Seto Kaiba", Yuri stepped forward. "Are you willing to shoot down those willing to become more than what they are?"

This kid...

Seto has never felt such a disgusting feeling roil up in his stomach. Not even Atem made him cringe to this extent.

And yet, even he agreed with the idea of daily improvement, the evolution of humanity to new heights. It was one of his mottos, too; Never settle for mediocrity.

This kid... no, all of those who remained were willing to do just that. Including Leo, who reminded him too much of his father.

"..."

Curse everything...

"...Fine, I won't release you", Kaiba eventually decided, surprising most of Duel Academy. Aster gave himself a small celebration. "I won't dismantle your Duel Academy either. But! I'll let you losers remain here on one condition!"

Seto took a step forward. "All of Duel Academy's ownership titles will go to me, even those from the alternate dimension! And, the minute I become disappointed in your actions, you can consider it the end of your time here as a Professor!"

Seto then asked one last question as he put a foot forward, "Do I make myself clear?"

The remaining Duel Academia members silently nodded in agreement.

"Good", Seto stood up again, before turning to face the still-recovering Leo. "Then my job here is finished. Chancellor Sheppard will be monitoring your actions, as well as sharing the job of Duel Academy's maintenance with you, so that you don't go out playing War all of a sudden."

He then turned to leave as the guards began to do the same. "I'll be keeping my eyes on you."

And with that the doors closed with a final shut, accompanied with a pregnant silence.

"..."

"..."

"...Well", Dennis deactivated his Duel Disk, everyone turning to look at him. "At least the storm's gone."

"Now all we have to do is prove that Duel Academia can still go strong, even without the military firepower", Sora continued as he did the same.

Eventually, all of the remaining Duel Academia deactivated their Duel Disks. They didn't want to fight anymore for the day.

"Aster, Yuri", Leo suddenly spoke up to the two duelists, both turning to look at him. "I have to thank you two for helping me get my point across."

"It was nothing, trust me", Aster shrugged off the professor's gratitude. "But, you'll definitely need to build up that resistance against him if the need arises. You can't let tough people like him stop you."

Leo nodded as Yuri spoke up, "Remember Professor, we all have our eyes on you. Do not disappoint us."

Leo simply nodded. "I won't."

Both Duel Academia students nodded before leaving, now all that was left was to talk to one more person.

"Serena."

The girl turned to look at him.

"Professor."

A tiny portion of Ray was within this girl.

But, she was already gone.

"I know that what I've done is unfixable", the Professor began as he gripped his fist. "I know that nothing will ever return to how it once was, regardless of how hard I try."

The man then closed his eyes, burying the image of Ray forever into the darkness of his mind. "So before you can say anything, I just want to thank you."

Serena did not say anything at all, instead turning away from the Professor.

"...I just did what I felt was right for me. I didn't do it for you specifically."

Leo nodded in acceptance. "That is fine by me". He then stepped away as he told Serena one last thing. "If you ever need me, or Duel Academia, we'll always be here for you with open arms."

He then left through a hallway before anybody else could speak up otherwise.

Everyone turned to see what Chancellor Sheppard had to say about the recent turn of events.

"...Well, it is obvious that Mr. Kaiba's word is final", sighed the large man as he turned to the entrance. "But, maybe that Yuri kid has a point."

The orange sky slowly pierced the window as it illuminated the remaining Duel Academia members. "Those who want to carry the professor's wishes... Maybe they indeed are their last hope!"

...

Unbelievable.

He can't believe he got himself swayed by a few losers' words.

But even in carbon can you form diamonds.

"I suppose there's potential with the remaining Duel Academy I've been so harsh with", Seto said as he stood still. A large KaibaCorp helicopter landed in front of him immediately afterwards. He got on as he added to himself, "I hope they realize I'm holding them accountable for their sappy speech."

He then got his cellphone as he texted Mokuba.

Any developments?

A message notification popped up a few seconds later.

None at all.

Seto cursed to himself before ordering the pilot, "Let's go!"

"Yes sir!", his entire fleet shouted as they prepared to leave the island. To think that he had to waste several seconds of his day just to deal with trash like this. But it needed to be settled definitively, one way or another.

He just chose the less harsher way.

"Still, I can't afford to waste any more time here", stated Kaiba as the helicopter he was in began rising. Every other KaibaCorp vehicle began doing the same. "I still need to relocate Atem and duel him."

That way I can...

He didn't finish the thought, however, as his attention was redirected at a certain pair outside the building:

A green-haired girl and a blue-yellow-haired kid, young teenagers at most, both bickering beside a white motorcycle. They both hopped on the vehicle as the girl hugged the kid, immediately roaring to life as both teenagers were surrounded in green light.

The speeding pair both disappeared afterwards.

At that moment Seto had several questions on his mind. Didn't he just see the pair inside the building earlier?

Both Serena and Yuri' faces came to mind.

...No, they had different-colored hair, plus each pair had different personalities.

Did this mean there were two sets of triplets? That seemed unlikely, but it was the most probable answer.

And how did the pair just suddenly disa...

No, that isn't worth thinking about anymore, Seto shook his head. He has seen enough as is. Pendulum Summoning, alternate dimensions, new potential opportunities and setbacks, enemies and partners:

The CEO had to handle everything neatly one thing at a time.

And my rematch with the Pharaoh is my most important objective, Seto narrowed his eyes as the helicopter finally flew away.

...

A certain Stardust duelist leaned forwards on a bridge railing, staring off towards the orange sunset adorning the dark-blue clouds and accompanying soft-indigo sky.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled what Paradox told him earlier at his lab.

...

"That mysterious blue-haired girl... She's certainly capable of miracles, isn't she?"

...

"My goal for now is to find out what her role is in all this, as I'm convinced she isn't some simple apparition."

...

"And about the actions you've made in efforts to save the future, Yusei Fudo; I still do not trust that you have the potential to avoid destruction. However, I myself have no choice but to try and assist you."

...

"In any case, Yusei Fudo, this won't be the last time we see each other again; I have no choice but to entrust our future to you, after all."

...

Yusei was astounded at the type of change Paradox had to go through to change his opinions, he was sure he had to go through a complete change in thought process.

But that wasn't exactly all in his mind. Yusei then leaned back as he remembered both Z-ONE and...

"Bruno", Yusei stated.

...

"Z-ONE, Antimony", Paradox stated with a surprised expression, apparently not even he expected this outcome of events.

"Paradox", spoke up Z-ONE with his usual robotic voice. "Get in; There's a lot I want to talk with you."

...

"Unfortunately for you I can't join you now", Paradox refused the order. "I have someone I want to find first."

"Are you talking about the blue-haired girl?", asked Z-ONE, everyone except Antimony widening their eyes.

...

"She exists; I have met her personally", the cyborg smirked lightly. "If you come with me I can give you more intel on her."

...

"Yusei."

The Stardust duelist looked up to see his friend.

Antinomy.

"I'm glad I can see you again", the Accel Synchro duelist smiled.

...

"We may have our differences, and there's a lot of this situation that I still don't know about. But there's one thing I do know for sure, and it's that I definitely want to shape the future with you guys!"

...

"Hopefully we can work for a better future, however this time with us working together instead of against each other."

...

Yusei took a silent breath before fully standing up, letting the scent of the city cover his senses as he turned back to look at the Neo Domino buildings.

This city... whether it's safe from destruction or not I still can't tell, not even with the Fortune program I set up to manage the Ener-D created by Synchros. What Paradox said may be right; Maybe my job isn't over yet, and maybe I still need to do more protecting.

He then remembered both Z-ONE and Antinomy, and his promise of shaping the future together with them.

But, I wouldn't have it any other way; I'm willing to protect Neo Domino City and its future with my own two hands!

...

"...Don't leave us ever again", Yusei stated as he silently weeped to himself.

...

"...Don't worry; I don't plan on leaving you again anytime soon."

...

Yusei seemed to gain confidence as he then got out his Deck of cards, and I won't do it alone, either; I'll have everyone's-

"Hey, you there!"

An angry voice caught the attention of the Stardust duelist as he turned to see a rich-looking couple, both individuals looking at him in disgust.

"What do you want?", Yusei asked, turning to look at both people.

"What are you doing here in the Topsiders' grounds, don't you know there's an entire section for you commoners!", pointed the suited man angrily.

"The what?", Yusei asked.

"Honey, don't even bother reasoning with him, just let Sector Security handle this creep!", the wife stated as she looked away from the Stardust duelist in repulsiveness. Her husband did as told as he got out a cellphone and spoke into the device, "Yes, I'd like to report a commoner in the Topsider's section, Topsider park; Come here immediately!"

The man then hung up before pointing at Yusei, "That'll teach for trying to play tourist on us! Now turn away from both me and my wife!"

"Wait, hold on; None if you two are making sense!", Yusei spoke up with an outstretched hand, both individuals backing up to distance themselves from him. "What are the Topsiders, and what are the commons?"

However he didn't get an answer as a multitude of Sector Security riders quickly surrounded him, the couple now standing behind an officer as they looked at the Stardust duelist.

"Oh thank heavens you're here, officer!", thanked the suited man's wife as she turned to a Sector Security officer. "Please get rid of the commoner as quickly as possible!"

"Yes, me and my wife want to enjoy a relaxing walk posthaste; We don't want any other commoners in our sight!", added the suited man as he pointed at Yusei.

"Don't worry, we'll take care of this problem as quick as possible. You two enjoy the rest of your evening", smiled the officer with a thumbs up. As soon as the couple turned away and left, the officer looked at Yusei with a serious expression.

"You have to be a special kind of stupid to just come up here to a Topsiders' grounds", stated the officer as Yusei put away his Deck. "You'd really think Sector Security will just let a filthy rat like you roam around here freely?"

"I don't know what the deal is with you guys, but I don't plan to be detained for no reason!", Yusei stated before turning to his Duel Runner only to see it was now in possession of Sector Security.

"I do admit that the runner is nice; Although some random commoner wouldn't be capable of finding good parts like these", said one of the officers as they studied the red vehicle. His fingers trailed through the metal as he whistled, "We could give this to someone who really needs it, like a newbie Tops duelist or something. It doesn't deserve to be in your hands, though, that's for sure!"

"My Duel Runner isn't something you guys can just take away from me!", Yusei clenched his fists, most of the officers now off their Duel Runners and surrounding him. What was going on here!?

"We didn't ask for your opinion, commoner!", one of the officers raised a metal bat at Yusei; However Yusei used his reflexes to grab the weapon and pound it into the man's ribs before dodging the rest of the ambushing officers, hopping onto one of the members' Duel runners and immediately turning it on.

"He's getting away!", stated one of the officers before they all got on their vehicles, save for one who still tended to the injured member.

However Yusei was lucky enough for the vehicle to!start up quickly, the duel runner speeding by before he could even get touched.

Yusei was confused on the situation unraveling before him. What is going on here; Last time I remember being in Domino City there wasn't anymore hate towards Satellite people!I remember all of us working together!

He then accelerated the vehicle as he continued, No, they didn't mention Satellite; They talked about the Topsiders and commoners! It's almost as if they are two different hierarchical groups, groups in which the commoners receive the short end of the stick!

However his musings were brought to a halt as he saw the officers behind him, each now with their Duel Modes engaged. It was a matter of time before Yusei's vehicle was connected to the mode as well.

Did Jack and Crow know about this?, thought Yusei. If so then why didn't they tell me? They surely had a reason not to!

...

"Hey, uh, Jack; Did we tell Yusei about the situation regarding the Topsiders and commons?", asked Crow as both he and Jack tidied up the Poppo Time apartment they lived in. Their owner Zora was still okay, luckily, despite her being initially confused at the new buildings and faces. However it was only a matter of explanation and she let them continue residing here.

"Hmm?"

"You know, about the previous war between Tops and commons, and how it started an entire revolution", Crow explained. "Did we not tell him that?"

"No, I don't think we did", answered the King. "He was still busy thinking to himself, remember? Not to mention both the weird guy who visited us earlier back at the lab and Bruno coming back; That was also on his mind, too."

"Yeah, that masked guy was an odd fellow", mused Crow. "And about Bruno... I'm glad he's a live again, don't get me wrong. But I feel like us not telling Yusei might end up being a problem."

Jack sighed before saying, "Yuya helped alleviate the situation between Topsiders and commons with our duel; It shouldn't be that big of a deal if you're still worried."

"Yeah, I know..."

...

Yusei tried looking around for an escape, however the road he was in forcefully led him to one of the nearby floating Duel Lanes, as a Duel between him and the officers was now about to begin.

"We're not letting you get away that easily!", stated one of the officers before beginning, "My turn!"

Turn 1, Officer 1's Turn, 5 Cards in hand, 4000 LP

-(YuGiOh Arc V: White Hot Fighting Spirit)-

Above the officers and Yusei flew a white-colored helicopter, a cowgirl-themed woman poking out her head and grabbing on to the vehicle as she began broadcasting, "Well it seems like we've got another duel in our hands, this time featuring a group of Sector Security officers surrounding what appears to be a dangerous criminal on the ropes!"

In response to this multiple people began gathering around the giant screens broadcasting the duel, both Tops and commoners alike.

Among the viewers was Chojiro, who was currently taking care of Crow's kids, some familiar and some never seen before. Regardless he took care of them equally.

His attention was soon diverted to the screen upon seeing the five Duel Chasers chasing after Yusei. The new guy didn't seem like a criminal, that's what Chojiro thought, but he couldn't judge people by appearances alone.

And yet the man on the screen had a clear face of confusion.

Unless...

"...Don't tell me Sector Security has fallen back to their old tricks again", sighed the tall man upon realization.

...

"Criminal?", muttered a confused Yusei, taking note of what the cowgirl-themed woman stated. He then turned his head to the officers and stated, "I don't know what's going on here, but I'm no criminal!"

"Shut up commoner; We've been given orders to retain the peace in Neo Domino, especially for the Topsiders!", stated Officer 1 before stating, "I begin by summoning Jutte Lord to the field!"

The officer brought out a dual-sword warrior with blue robes and a painted face as he continued, "I then activate Jutte Lord's effect, letting me bring out another Jutte monster in my hand! Come, Jutte Fighter!"

Next to the warrior appeared a small dark-haired man with glasses as the officer continued, "Now, I'm tuning Level 4 Jutte Lord with Level 2 Jutte Fighter to Synchro Summon!"

Both monsters disappeared into green and blue rings as Officer 1 chanted, "Now appear, Goyo Catapult, in defense mode!"

Onto the field appeared a small, bulky robot of green and blue, the monster now floating in front of the first Officer.

Goyo Catapult; Level 6 EARTH Warrior Synchro Effect Monster; 800 ATK, 2800 DEF

Officer 1 then continued, "And here's Goyo Catapult's effect! I can discard a monster from my hand to deal you 600 damage!"

"What?", asked Yusei.

"I discard Stygian Security!", stated the officer before outstretching his hand, "Fire!"

The robot then launched light projectiles from its hand, the impact blasting Yusei as his life points were chipped.

Yusei's LP: 4000 - 3400

"I now set a card and end my turn!", stated the first officer, bringing his turn to a close as the next officer picked up, "My turn!"

Turn 2, Officer 2's Turn, 6 Cards in hand, 4000 LP

Officer 1's hand size: 1 card

However soon afterwards the first officer spoke back up, "I activate the Trap card, Solemn Wishes! Now we gain 500 LP every time we draw a card!"

Yusei's eyes slightly narrowed.

"I'll do the same thing my bud did last turn; I summon Jutte Lord, followed by Jutte Fighter!", began Officer 2 as he brought out another painted man, accompanied by the smaller man with glasses. "I also tune my Level 4 Jutte Lord with my Level 2 Jutte Fighter!"

6 colored rings once again appeared in front of the officer as he chanted, "Synchro Summon! Come out, Goyo Predator!"

Onto the field appeared a new warrior; This one in particular had a beastly face akin to a demon.

Goyo Predator; Level 6 EARTH Warrior Synchro Effect Monster; 2400 ATK, 1200 DEF

"I then activate my pal's Goyo Catapult ability, allowing me to discard a monster to deal you 600 points of damage!", continued the officer as he discarded Handcuffs Dragon. "Fire!"

The blue-colored robot fired more blasts towards the Stardust duelist, successfully chipping off more of his life points.

Yusei's LP: 3400 - 2800

"I then set a card and end my turn!", concluded the second officer.

Officer 2's hand size: 2 cards

...

At this point everyone in Neo Domino was watching the ongoing duel, even people who weren't from the Synchro dimension at all were watching.

Somehow it was broadcasted throughout all dimensions.

A German airport in particular showed the duel in the large screens available, gathering the attention of several passing people. A familiar red-head among the crowd easily identified Yusei being chased after.

"!"

She began rushing for the plane headed to Neo Domino.

...

"Wait, Jack; Look what's on the screens!",

Crow pointed to a large screen outside the Poppo Time apartments, one which everyone was huddled around to watch. On the screen there showed Yusei being chased after five officers.

"What type of trouble did get into this time?", asked Jack before turning to face his Duel Runner.

Crow suddenly widened his eyes, "No, don't tell me...!"

It was then they both knew what was really happening, both Signers quickly hopping onto their Duel Runners before speeding off.

...

Yusei didn't look behind as the third officer celebrated, "Why, this is going wonderful for us! My turn!"

Turn 3, Officer 3's Turn, 6 Cards in hand, 4000 LP

Officer 3's LP: 4000 - 4500

"I also summon Jutte Lord from my hand, followed by Jutte Fighter!", began the third officer as the two warrior monsters were brought out. "I then tune them together to Synchro Summon!"

A second copy of the beastly warrior appeared as the third officer chanted, "Appear, Goyo Predator!"

"It won't be the same this time, though; I activate my friend's trap, Call of the Haunted!", the third officer activated the second officer's facedown. "This allows me to bring back a monster, to which I choose Jutte Fighter!"

Next to the Synchro beast appeared the familiar man of glasses.

"I then tune Level 6 Goyo Predator with Level 2 Jutte Fighter and Synchro Summon again!", the officer chanted with an outstretched hand. "Appear, Level 8 Goyo King!"

Onto the field then stepped in another cloaked warrior with painted face, however this one was larger and with long, white hair.

Goyo King; Level 8 EARTH Warrior Synchro Effect Monster; 2800 ATK, 2000 DEF

"I then activate Goyo Catapult's ability, discarding a monster form my hand to deal you damage!", Officer 3 continued as he discarded another Stygian Security. "Go, Goyo Catapult!"

Several more blasts hit Yusei as his LP decreased even further, bringing it down to 2200.

Yusei's LP: 2800 - 2200

"I then set two cards and end my turn", finished the third officer as he placed two face-downs.

Officer 3's hand size: 1 card

"You're better off surrendering now and coming with us silently, but if you want to struggle then so be it!", stated the fourth officer before beginning, "My turn!"

Turn 4, Officer 4's Turn, 6 Cards in hand, 4000 LP

"First off, by Solemn Wishes' effect, I gain 500 LP!", began the fourth officer as his Life Points increased to 4500. "I then summon Jester Confit to the field!"

Onto the field stepped in a miniature clown with a mischievous grin.

Jester Confit; Level 1 DARK Spellcaster Effect Monster, 0 ATK, 0 DEF

Officer 4's LP: 4000 - 4500

"I then summon my own Jutte Fighter to the field!", continued the fourth officer, bringing out the same dark-haired man. "Now, I tune Level 1 Jester Confit with Level 2 Jutte Fighter!"

A trio of concentric rings appeared on the field as the officer chanted, "Appear, Level 3 Goyo Defender!"

Onto the field appeared a miniature warrior of painted face and huge green shield.

Goyo Defender; Level 3 EARTH Warrior Synchro Effect Monster; 1000 ATK, 1000 DEF

"I then activate my Defender's effect!", stated Officer 4 with an outstretched hand. "I get to special summon a copy from my Extra Deck!"

A second Goyo Defender then appeared on the field, the fourth officer now raising a certain spell card to his hand, "And now, to ensure the peace within Neo Domino, I'll activate this magic card; I activate the Spell card, Polymerization!"

-(YuGiOh Arc V Sound Duel 4: OST 82)-

Most of the watching crowd was shocked at the use of the card, even the helicopter commentator, Melissa Trail, was nonplussed at the Fusion spell.

"Fusion...?", asked one of Crow's kids in fear, Chojiro shaking his head in disappointment.

"Now, I fuse both Level 3 Goyo Defenders together!", Officer 4 chanted as both Synchro monsters vanished into a Fusion vortex, bringing out a giant purple-haired face-painted emperor sitting on a throne.

"Fuse?", Yusei raised his eyebrows.

"Now everyone bow down to the ultimate authority, Level 10 Goyo Emperor!"

Goyo Emperor; Level 10 EARTH Warrior Fusion Effect Monster; 3300 ATK, 2500 DEF

"Synchros going into Fusion...", muttered Yusei.

He didn't fail to notice the overhead lady's shock to Fusion, either.

"I then activate Catapult's ability again, dealing you 600 points of damage in exchange of discarding a monster!", stated the fourth officer as he discarded a copy of Stygian Security, bringing Yusei's LP down to 1600 points.

Yusei's LP: 1600 - 1000

"I now finish with my turn!", finalized the fourth officer.

Officer 4's hand size: 2 cards

"Then that means I go!", began the fifth and final officer.

Turn 5, Officer 5's Turn, 6 Cards in hand, 4000 LP

Officer 5's LP: 4000 - 4500

"I activate Monster Reborn from my hand to revive my friend's Goyo Predator in attack position!", began the officer. The beastly warrior quickly reappeared on the field as he filled up the last Main Monster Zone available.

Goyo Predator; Level 6 EARTH Warrior Synchro Effect Monster; 2400 ATK, 1200 DEF

"I then activate Catapult's effect, and deal you damage!", stated the fifth officer as he discarded Jutte Lord. "Fire!"

The blue-green robot once again fired at the Stardust duelist, dropping his LP even more.

"Hhhrrgh!"

Yusei's LP: 1600 - 1000

"I now set a card and end my turn!", grinned the officer, filling up the last Spell/Trap Zone available on the field.

Officer 5's hand size: 4 cards

"...A-and with that, the group of five managed to set up an amazing board full of Goyo monsters!", Melissa commented in awe, finally regaining the energy to speak.

She then turned to the singular Goyo Emperor out on the field. "But... I swear Sector Security promised to not use Fusion summoning anymore... So what's really going on?"

...

"Sir, Sector Security are using Fusion monsters again", Claude noted to the D/D/D duelist as his assistants typed away in front of the giant screen.

"Is that so?", asked Declan, momentarily looking back at the screen. Whoever they were dueling against seemed to be losing, so he didn't matter too much.

He'll keep tabs on him just in case, though.

"...It seems I'll really need a talk with whoever is currently in charge of Neo Domino", sighed Declan.

...

Yusei, meanwhile, was surveying his options, looking at the five starting cards in his hand.

The odds are stacked against me; The five officers have a full board while I've only got 1000 LP.

He then silently drew a card. But I've got no choice to create a counterattack with the cards I've been given! "My turn!"

Turn 6, Yusei's Turn, 6 Cards in hand, 1000 LP

Officer 1's LP: 4000

Officer 2's LP: 4000

Officer 3's LP: 4500

Officer 4's LP: 4500

Officer 5's LP: 4500

Officer 1's hand size: 1 card

Officer 2's hand size: 2 cards

Officer 3's hand size: 1 card

Officer 4's hand size: 2 cards

Officer 5's hand size: 4 cards

Officers' fields:

2800 DEF Goyo Catapult

2400 ATK Goyo Predator

2800 ATK Goyo King

3300 ATK Goyo Emperor

2400 ATK Goyo Predator

3 face-down cards

Yusei looked at the new card in his hand.

"This card!"

Alright, with this I can Synchro Summon into-!

"I now activate the Continuous Trap, Discord!", spoke up the fifth officer, revealing the last set facedown card. "Now neither player can Synchro Summon monsters!"

"What!?", asked Yusei.

-(End of OST)-

"And now the officers have locked the criminal out of any Synchro summoning strategies!", stated Melissa, temporarily holding on to her hat to prevent it from flying off.

"No Synchro summoning...", stated Yusei to himself before checking out his cards. Nothing in my hand that can destroy Spells and Traps!

Then for now... I'll have to use a different tactic!

A few seconds of silence before Yusei finished, "I set both a monster and a card and end my turn!"

Yusei's hand size: 4 cards

"It would be better if you gave up, when our turn comes you'll be nothing but scrap metal!", the first officer stated.

Yusei couldn't help but agree with them, it'll be a miracle if he survives all five turns!

"Now who said you rats will be getting a turn?"

Another familiar voice.

Yusei opened his eyes and turned to his side to see-

"You're-!"

"Shut it, Yusei; I'm not doing this to help you!", clarified the grey-haired man with a closed fist. He then turned to face the Goyo monsters, "But, seeing a board almost full of Synchros is sickening, like a spreading virus infecting everything in its path!"

He then drew a card as he grinned maniacally, "Good thing I've always wanted to be a plague doctor!"

"Primo!", Yusei finally shouted.

"And he's not alone!"

Two more people suddenly joined in behind Primo, one being a red-haired kid riding on a scooter of some sort, followed by a large, bulky man with half of his body inside a large Duel Runner.

Lester and Jakob.

"It's Illiaster!", Yusei shouted. "You guys are alive!"

"We were given orders by God to come aid you, strangely enough", pointed out Jakob, referring to Z-ONE like he usually did. "And like Paradox, we were also given human flesh to sustain us."

"And I even started to like my unnatural strength as a robot...", Lester pouted.

He quickly turned to Yusei with a mischievous grin, "But, now that we're here helping you, I'd say it's a good idea to cause some ruckus, don't you think?"

Yusei was dumbfounded at the revelation, at everything; Really. Paradox, Sector Security, Topsiders, commons, Illiaster:

No, he'll have all the time in the world to sort that out later, right now was a different matter.

The Stardust duelist smirked as a single thought cane to his mind, for now, using all the help I can get is good enough!

"Yeah, let's have some fun!", Yusei responded with a thumbs up, Lester doing the same before turning back to face Primo.

Turn 7, Primo's Turn, 6 Cards in hand, 4000 LP

-(YuGiOh 5Ds: Light and Dark)-

INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000 LP

A short spark momentarily ran though the grey-haired man as he clenched his heart.

"Gahhh!"

Primo's LP: 4000 - 2000

"So there's an intrusion penalty for joining duels", cursed a panting Primo before looking up, "But, seeing the despair painted on you five's faces will be worth it! I'll start by summoning Meklord Nucleus Infinity Core to the field!"

A small robotic orb with red and green lights appeared on the field, and in front of Primo's Terrible Omen.

Meklord Nucleus Infinity Core; Level 1 DARK Machine Effect Monster; 0 ATK, 0 DEF

"And then I activate its special ability, letting me add a Meklord Spell/Trap upon its summon!", continued the Wisel duelist as he added another card to his hand.

"I then activate Dark Hole, allowing me to destroy all monsters on the field!", laughed Primo, all of the officers gasping in shock. "Now, bury all those filthy Synchros into the ground!"

A large black hole appeared in the center of the dueling arena, sucking in every monster present.

"Our monsters!", the fourth officer shouted.

A few seconds later and the field was entirely clear of monsters.

"Well color me shocked; I don't know what's happening here but it seems the criminal is being helped by a trio of troublemakers!", Melissa commented in clear shock. She then turned her attention to Primo. "And one of them has already wiped the board clean!"

"Alright, that oughta put those peasants in their place!", Lester celebrated with a gripped fist.

"However it is too soon to declare victory just yet", Jakob added.

"I activate my Trap, a second Call of the Haunted!", spoke up the third officer, clicking a button on his Duel Runner. "This revives a monster from the graveyard! I'll revive Goyo Emperor with this effect!"

The large emperor rose in the way between the speeding Primo and the quintet of officers.

Goyo Emperor; Level 10 EARTH Warrior Fusion Effect Monster; 3300 ATK, 2500 DEF

"Tch; A Fusion monster", Primo clicked his teeth. He then outstretched his hand. "But Infinity Core has another ability. I can Special Summon a Meklord Emperor monster from my hand or Deck when it's destroyed by a card effect!"

"You mean...!", Yusei asked.

"Here it comes!", Lester giggled in celebration.

The road in front of Primo split itself to reveal a glowing ring, one in which a white, pristine robot slowly ascended from. A glowing green orb was situated inside its chest cavity, it's robotic face now producing a spinning-red infinity sign inside.

Both the officers and Melissa overhead gasped in shock, the humanoid machine now raising its arm to reveal a steel sword engraved in his hand.

"Appear, Meklord Emperor Wisel!"

Meklord Emperor Wisel; DARK Level 1 Machine Effect Monster; 2500 ATK, 2500 DEF

"That thing...", one of the officers stated.

"A Level 1 machine monster with 2500 ATK?", asked one of the other officers uneasily.

"Why, it seems the troublemaker now summoned his own ace monster!", Melissa shouted.

"Do you feel a shadow of doom closing around you five?", asked Primo as he sped up his Duel Runner. The cameraman redirected the screen to glacé at the large, futuristic machine. "Because that is the shadow, that my Meklord Emperor Wisel is casting!"

Yusei on his part was weirded out to find comfort in seeing the white-steeled machine again.

But I don't see a reason to complain!

"W...Well even with that robot of yours, it still doesn't match up to Goyo Emperor's 3300 ATK!", One of the officers shouted.

"Oh I don't have to worry about that", Primo grinned unnervingly before revealing another card in his hand. "You remember Infinity Core's first effect? It let me add a Meklord Spell or Trap card to my hand."

The officers grew uneasy as Primo shouted, "Which I now activate! I activate the Continuous Spell, Meklord Assembly!"

The card was revealed face up on the field as Primo explained, "And similar to Infinity Core, Meklord Assembly lets me add a Meklord monster from my Deck to my hand!"

"The card I add is this one; Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato!", Primo revealed the monster he added. And he won't stay in my hand either; The Double Summon I now activate lets me Normal Summon twice this turn!"

"Now appear, Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato!", Primo placed the card on his Duel Disk, bringing out another white robot almost the size of Wisel.

Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato; Level 4 DARK Machine Effect Monster; 1200 ATK, 1800 DEF

"And now I activate Obbligato's effect!", Primo outstretched his hand again. "It can destroy itself to bring out two Meklord Army monsters from my Deck in Defense position!"

Obbligato shattered into pieces as two light-blue rays sprout out from Primo's deck, both light rays hitting the road to reveal two miniature versions of Wisel.

Meklord Army of Wisel; Level 4 DARK Machine Effect Monster; 1800 ATK, 0 DEF

Meklord Army of Wisel; Level 4 DARK Machine Effect Monster; 1800 ATK, 0 DEF

"Those are...", Yusei was about to speak up, but Primo quickly shouted, "And there's more! Since a Meklord monster I control was destroyed, Meklord Assembly lets me destroy a Spell or Trap card on the field!"

"What?", asked the third officer.

"And I think I'll use it to destroy that Call of the Haunted of yours!", Primo pointed at the Continuous Trap, both miniature Wisels releasing a light-blue energy blast that blew the Trap to pieces.

"And don't think I'm not aware of Call of the Haunted's setback!", Primo laughed. "When it leaves the field, the monster that it revived goes along with it!"

The singular Goyo Emperor that remained on the officer's field was once again shattered pieces, leaving the squad of 5 defenseless.

"Our field!", the second officer panicked.

"It's empty once again!", Melissa shouted.

"GO, Meklord Emperor Wisel!", Primo ordered, the robot in front of him raising its sword. "Give these puny humans a taste of their own Momentum! STAINLESS STEEL SLASH!"

The white robot lowered its sword down the fourth officer, bringing down his LP to 2000 as his Duel Runner almost spun out the dueling track.

"Gaaaaaaahhhhhhh!"

Officer 4's LP: 4500 - 2000

"Alright, now that's a clean hit!", Lester gripped his fist.

"But now I get to activate my other Trap, Damage Gate!", the third officer spoke up again. "Since damage was dealt, I get to revive a monster who's ATK points are less than or equal to the damage received!"

"So with this I'll revive Goyo Predator!", the officer brought back the beastly warrior in Defense position.

Goyo Predator; Level 6 EARTH Warrior Synchro Effect Monster; 2400 ATK, 1200 DEF

"Tch; You've proven to be more annoying than I thought", Primo clicked his teeth in disdain. To think the officers would still have at least one Synchro monster out on the field. Sector Security officers are putting up a lot more fight nowadays.

"...Well that doesn't matter much, anyways", Primo spoke lowly. "Obbligato's last effect from the graveyard deals 100 for each Meklord monster out on the field."

Wisel launched a rapid blast from its face, piercing the first officer as his LP dropped.

"Ggh!"

Officer 1's LP: 4000 - 3700

"I then set a card", Primo finished. He then turned his head, "Lester. It's your turn."

"Well don't mind if I do", Lester sped up the mini-skateboard he was in.

Turn 8, Lester's Turn, 6 cards in hand, 4000 LP

Primo's hand size: 2 cards

INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000 LP

"Hhrrgghh!"

Lester gripped his heart as a small electric current coursed through his body.

Lester's LP: 4000 - 2000

"Lester!", Yusei shouted.

"I'm... fine, you big worry-wart...", Lester weakly grinned. He then turned to the lone Goyo Predator out on the field. "...Why do they even give out shocks as punishment?"

"Probably to demotivate people from butting into duels", Jakob pointed out calmly.

"Like that will ever stop us; I also begin my turn by summoning a Meklord Nucleus Infinity Core into the field", Lester grinned as he also brought out an egg-shaped device.

Meklord Nucleus Infinity Core; Level 1 DARK Machine Effect Monster; 0 ATK, 0 DEF

"And just like Primo, Infinity Core lets me add a Meklord Spell or Trap card to my hand", Lester continued as his Deck pushed out his desired card. The small Illiaster member then revealed it to the officers, "However this time I add something different; Meklord Fortess!"

"I then activate the Field Spell I just added, which protects our Meklord monsters from all players' Synchro Monster effects!", Lester continued as he placed the card on his Field Spell slot, a large machine hologram appearing behind him. "I then activate Meklord Assembly's effect, letting me discard a card to destroy a monster I control!"

"I discard Meklord Astro the Eradicator from my hand", Laster discarded a Trap card from his hand, sending it to the graveyard slot. "And destroy my Infinity Core!"

The small machine was destroyed once again, however the officers knew well it wasn't leaving without doing anything. "And now its effect activates,letting me Special Summon a Meklord Emperor monster from my Deck or hand. And this time, I'll bring out my own Meklord ace, Meklord Emperor Skiel!"

Similar to Primo, a large glowing ring appeared in front of Lester, however this time a sleek, dark-blue-machine rose from the ring, revealing itself to be an avian-like monster.

Meklord Emperor Skiel; Level1 WIND Machine Effect Monster; 2200 ATK, 2200 DEF

"Another Level 1 machine monster...", the first officer stated.

"And now I'll show you the true power of the Meklords; I activate my Skiel's effect!", Lester raised his arm. "It lets me steal a Synchro monster from my opponent's field and equip it to my own Emperor!"

"WHAT!?"; the officers shouted, before seeing their Goyo Predator being grabbed by several glowing whips. It was then absorbed inside Skiel's core, the sleek machine itself growing in size.

Skiel's ATK: 2200 - 4600

"Oh, I forgot to mention; Skiel gains ATK equal to the ATK of the absorbed Synchro monster!", Lester shouted as the officers backed down in fear.

"What are those monsters...?", the fourth officer asked.

"It seems as if the trio's terror has finally been revealed; A series of machine monsters that steal Synchro monsters!", Melissa commentated, the watching crowd talking about.

Some of the kids Chojiro was taking care of hid behind him.

"There, there", Chojiro patted some of the kids' backs comforting. However he couldn't help but keep his eyes to the screen. Who were these new people?

"And now, I attack the fifth officer directly with Meklord Emperor Skiel!", Lester pointed at the shocked officer, the machine above him immediately zoning in and launching a laser blast that pierced the officer.

"Gghhhhghh!"

Officer 5's LP: 4500 - 0

A small explosion immediately covered the area of impact, the officer flying out of the vehicle and into the ground.

"Gahaha! 1 down; 4 more to go!", Lester laughed in anticipation, scaring the Sector Security officers even more.

"That means my turn is next", Jakob suddenly sped up, drawing a card as he began his turn.

Turn 9, Jakob's Turn, 6 cards in hand, 4000 LP

Lester's hand size: 4 cards

INTRUSION PENALTY: 2000 LP

A small shock ran through the man's body, however he didn't react at all to the small pain coursing through his body.

Jakob's LP: 4000 - 2000

"I'll begin my turn by bringing out a third Meklord Nucleus Infinity Core", Jakob brought out the small white machine once again. "And I activate its effect; I add Meklord Factory to my hand."

He then grabbed a different card in his hand before sending it to the graveyard. "I then discard a card from my hand to activate Meklord Assembly's effect. I destroy my own Infinity Core."

The small device once again blew up as Jakob outstretched his arm, "Infinity Core's effect activates. I now Special Summon my own Meklord Emperor."

Yet another glowing ring appeared in front of the Illiaster member, this time bringing out a grand, orange machine from inside.

"Appear, Meklord Emperor Granel!"

Meklord Emperor Granel; Level 1 EARTH Machine Effect Monster; 0 ATK, 0 DEF

"Granel's immediate effect activates; Its ATK becomes equal to half my LP", explained Jakob as his ace monster flowed in a soft yellow aura.

Granel's ATK: 0 - 1000

The officers found no joy in the monster's low ATK, however; They knew Jakob still had something in mind.

"...Yusei", asked Jakob.

"Yeah?"

"...What is your facedown card?"

The Signer found himself temporarily speechless.

However for now he had to trust in what his unexpected helpers were planning. "Give and Take."

"I see", Jakob turned his head. "Then good fortune smiles upon us! I activate Yusei's Trap, Give and Take!"

Yusei's card wasn't flipped face-up as Jakob explained, "I can choose a monster in my opponent's graveyard, and Special Summon it to their field in exchange of raising one of my monster's levels by the revived monster's amount!"

"I revive your Goyo King in Defense position!", Jakob pointed to the ground as Granel used its whips to raise Goyo King from the ground.

Goyo King; Level 8 EARTH Warrior Synchro Effect Monster; 2800 ATK, 2000 DEF

"And I raise Meklord Emperor Wisel's level by 8!", Jakob pointed to the white robot, increasing its level from 1 to 9.

Wisel's Level: 1 - 9

"So with another Synchro monster out on the field, the trio can use their monsters' Synchro-absorption effects again!", Melissa commented worriedly.

"That's not what I'm planning; I activate Lester's Meklord Astro the Eradicator from the graveyard!", Jakob outstretched his hand. "I can banish this card to destroy a Synchro monster my opponent controls, and deal damage to my opponent equal to its ATK!"

"WHAT!?", the officers shouted.

"Eradicate, Granel!", Jakob ordered his machine as it raised its laser cannon at the Synchro monster. It soon fired a blue blast, destroying the defending Goyo King and causing another mini explosion.

"GAGGHH-!"

Officer 4's LP: 2000 - 0

Another officer rolling on the ground and a broken Duel Runner.

"And now, Skiel attacks directly!", Jakob continued as the sleek machine fired a similar blast, this time depleting all of the second officer's Life Points.

"AAAAHHHHHHH-"

BOOM!

Officer 2's LP: 4000 - 0

Another small explosion soon filled the area, both Yusei and the Illiaster members swerving their Duel Runners to dodge the falling officer.

"Woohoo!", Lester celebrated.

"Now that's how a real turn is made!", Primo cheered on with a gripped fist.

"And with that the trio have gained the upper hand; Only two officers remain, the criminal might win the duel!", Melissa commented in awe.

Yusei was about to thank the unlikely saviors before suddenly being interrupted by a flurry of sirens, both him and the Illiaster members seeing the road be blocked by a line of officers and cars.

"We are going to ask you to stop your Duel Runners right this instant!", rang one of the officers in a loudspeaker.

"Oh, blocking our path? I guess we're going bowling today!", Primo shouted.

"No wait!", Yusei suddenly stopped the vehicle, the three members turning around to see what he was doing.

"Yusei!", shouted Jakob.

"What are you doing!?", shouted Lester.

After a few seconds the Satellite native fully stopped the Duel Runner, the man raising his hands in resignation as he slowly parted away from the vehicle.

A few seconds later and a pair of officers tackled the duelist to the ground.

"Yusei!", all three Illiaster members shouted.

"And you three; Step out of the vehicles as well!", the loudspeaker officer added, one of the other members raising a Deck of cards. "I have the criminal's Deck!"

...

"None of his Synchro monsters are registered in the Sector Security database", one of the officers studied the pack of cards as Yusei was led to a Security car.

"What were you thinking, Yusei!?", Primo asked as all three members were handcuffed. He would be strangling the Signer if it weren't for the restrictive metal in his arm. "I go through the trouble of saving you and go through this humiliation just for you to give up at the end!"

"...There's a reason why they're arresting me, despite me not having done anything", Yusei spoke up, the surrounding officers looking at him. "I'm convinced being taken to the source will tell me why."

"Yeah yeah, you can speak loud and bold words, but that's all a commoner can do", one of the officers stated as another member punched Yusei in the gut. The officers gave each other a short nod as they pushed Yusei inside the Sector car.

"That is enough rough-handling, you rookies."

The officers turned their head, all three Illiaster members doing the same.

To their direction was a larger fleet of Sector cars, the helicopter lights shining down on a certain man standing in the center.

Tetsu Trudge.

...

"Trudge?", asked Yusei as the man began approaching the officers.

One of the officers quickly stepped in. "You stop right there, only Sector Security-!"

"Sector Security Commissioner", Trudge raised his badge, shutting up the officer as he continued walking. "I can get any one of you twerps fired if you don't do as I say here."

"But, this guy called you Trudge", the loudspeaker officer motioned to Yusei. "We don't a Trudge in our systems."

"Yes we do, in fact!", spoke up another voice, this time a blue-headed woman stepping out of the car.

"That's...", Primo squinted his eyes.

Mina Simmington.

"And I'm not alone", she said, stepping aside to let the next individual come out. "I know I'm not registered in your system either, but he can most definitely attest to our importance!"

The officers gasped at the next figure to come out of the car.

A rather short, clown-faced individual.

And the Major of Neo Domino City.

"Lazar!", Yusei shouted in disbelief.

"I'm really sorry for the confusion Yusei", Lazar ran up to the detained criminal and bowed several times, shocking most of the officers. "You can't believe how- LET HIM GO ALREADY- You can't believe how packed today's headquarters were; I had employers and workers from both dimensions and it took the entire afternoon to sort it all out; I'm really sorry."

"It's fine, I knew I would have gotten answers eventually", Yusei stretched his arms as he was let go. "Can I also have my Deck back?"

Lazar motioned one of the officers a short nod, the man immediately understanding it and handing over the stack of cards to Yusei.

"Alright, we can begin clean-up!", Lazar snapped his fingers, the officers on his side nodding orderly before retrieving the injured dueling officers and broken Duel Runners. Trudge went with them to supervise clean-up, followed by a short glance from Mina at the two individuals before chasing after the Commissioner.

"Hey Lazar, there's something else I also want to ask you", Yusei spoke up, the major looking up to face him.

"What's the deal with Topsiders and Commons?"

Lazar's eyes widened momentarily.

"What?", he asked.

"I was arrested for trespassing a Tops area as a common", Yusei recalled the last events. "Care to explain what's happening?"

The major was at a loss of words, instead turning his head away to run his neck. Yusei raised his eyebrows.

"Lazar?"

"Erm, look Yusei, there's a misunderstanding happening around here", the major raised his hands. "I don't know how this happened, but it shouldn't have in the first place. I reinstated Sector Security a few days ago to keep watch of crime, but we resigned from any tensions between Tops and commons a year ago. I have no idea how this happened, honest!"

Yusei seemed to not be believing it for a moment, however before he could speak otherwise he was interrupted.

"Yusei."

He turned his head to see both Jack and Crow on their Duel Runners.

"Jack, Crow", Yusei took a step.

"We're really sorry for not telling you about the situation happening a year ago", Crow began apologizing. "About the Topsiders and Commons."

"We should have told you just in case, but we didn't think it was important because it already passed", stated Jack.

"And plus, you were still thinking about Bruno and...", Crow added before feeling Yusei pat his shoulder.

"It's fine, we all make mistakes sometimes", Yusei smiled. His face then turned serious as he turned to face Lazar and the officers, as well as the three Illiaster members.

Primo had crossed arms and closed eyes. "I'm expecting a thank you and an apology for making us go through so much."

Yusei, even though he was still confused at the impossibility of seeing what was before him, managed to make a soft smile. "Thank you guys. Seriously."

Primo opened his eyes. The other two members gave the Signer full attention.

"I still don't know how this is possible. How any of this is happening", Yusei explained. "It might be because of the blue-haired girl. It might be from some other miracle. But, if what you guys want is to shape the future, then let's at least do it together!"

Silence.

Crow looked like he wanted to say something.

"...That's what you're gonna ask; Really?", Primo questioned indignantly. "Like we would need help from you Synchro suckers."

Before Yusei could speak up, Jakob raised his hand, "But, we were given no alternative. God requested specifically for us to help you."

"God?", Yusei repeated. "You mean Z-ONE, right?"

Jakob nodded. "We haven't seen him personally, but we know he exists. He can give us orders through mental command."

"That's how we got the orders", Lester added in his usual snarky tone. "So you guys can't refuse our help! The order's set in stone!"

Yusei nodded. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"And what about Aporia?", he then asked. "Have you guys seen him?"

Jakob shook his head.

"Not a single hair", Primo answered.

"Z-ONE did say you guys' cards had a special coating", Yusei recalled what the cyborg stated. "So it's safe to say he might show up sooner or later."

"Hopefully so", Jakob stated. "We have to reconvene as quickly as possible to organize ourselves and plan ahead."

All three members then turned on their respective vehicles.

"Until then, Yusei Fudo", Jakob saluted. "Do not get yourself in danger."

"I'll try not to", the Signer rubbed his neck. Primo clicked his teeth.

The large Illiaster member nodded, before all three members turned to depart, making almost no noise as they left the scene.

"..."

Crow decided to speak up a few moments afterwards, "Well, today was a lot to deal with, wasn't it?"

Yusei turned to face him, "...Yeah, I think I had enough of a ride for a day". The man then headed to his Duel Runner, which Trudge was holding beside him.

"We managed to recover this at the scene", Trudge explained as he let go of the vehicle, stepping aside to let Yusei grab ahold of the red runner. "Mina is still handling the officers."

The officer then handed Yusei his red helmet, "On behalf of Sector Security, we're really sorry this happened."

"It's fine", Yusei put on his helmet. He then got in his Duel Runner, "I just hope you guys are going to do the correct thing from now on."

"I'll do my best", bowed Lazar once again.

Yusei nodded one last time, before turning to both his friends, Crow, Jack.

"Let's go", he simply stated, before turning on his vehicle and departing the dueling area. Both his friends did the same thing in silence.

And in a matter of seconds only Sector Security's remnants remained on the dueling lanes.

...

It was already well past the beginnings of nighttime. The news of Sector Security's crude revival quickly spread throughout Neo Domino City. Some were appalled, others were angry:

Most were disappointed.

Those from even the other dimensions could see the news, surprisingly enough.

Declan replayed the duel again and again; On repeat on the large screen in the room.

"Interesting", he stood up to leave, Claude following him close behind. "Only someone with the knowledge of other dimensions could have done this."

Those on Hanoi's yacht were also seeing the news broadcaster on Genome's computer.

"It seems one of the dimensions is already busy", mused Dr. Genome, Akira already putting on his suit.

"We have to depart, Aoi; It's getting late", stated the older brother.

"I'm right behind you", the girl ran up the brother, before turning to Jaden. "Do you mind sleeping on our couch for tonight?"

"Not really", Jaden rubbed his head. "I'm fine anywhere."

He then turned back to the computer screen showing Yusei.

He'll probably be fine, Yubel rang in his mind.

"I know", Jaden grinned to himself. "That City of his is concerning, but he'll be okay. That's just how Yusei rolls."

Baira looked at the teenager with a weird face.

"He does that sometimes", Aoi sweat-dropped. She then took Jaden's hand, "Come on, let's go already!"

"Alright alright!", the red-jacket duelist laughed as they both left the boat's insides.

A few seconds after and Ryoken walked over to the computer screen, looking at the duel rider with a yellow mark down his face.

"Yusei..."

Tomorrow was scheduled to be a press conference in the morning, one which Lazar agreed to participate on. He saw it as the perfect opportunity to address the issues surrounding Sector Security, and the plans he has to solve said issues.

...

Meanwhile the moon was already high up in the sky in Paradise City.

"What a day", the pendulum duelist suddenly spoke up, Yoko turning to look at him.

Yuya and the others were outside the darkened house, Yoko in particular helping the XYZ trio by packing up some bags with food and clothes inside.

"What a day indeed", Yuto added as Ruri turned to look at him. "I still can't believe this is all happening."

He then looked at his friends, who all had calm, relieved looks on their faces.

"But I'm not complaining", he turned his head down with a smile.

"Thanks for helping us out, Mrs. Sakaki", Ruri thanked with a soft voice.

"I promised Shun I would help him with anything", the mom simply waved off as she closed the last of bags. "That includes taking care of you two, as well."

"And plus, how can I resist helping out a bunch of cuties?", joked the mother while sticking her tongue out.

"I am not cute", Shun crossed his arms.

"You keep telling yourself that", Yoko handed the last of bags. "That should be the last of them; You guys are good to go."

"Thank you once again, miss", Ruri bowed one last time. She then accompanied both Shun and Yuto, who were already walking.

Yuto passed by Yuya. "Be cautious, Zarc can be anywhere."

"I know", Yuya nodded.

Yuto nodded silently, before turning to leave as well.

"..."

Shun then walked up to say something to Yuya, however he was interrupted by a sudden green lightning strike in the distance.

"...Didn't it rain already?", turned Yuto, however both he and the rest realized it was no normal strike.

The strike was still present, harsh winds shooting out everywhere as a cyclone of clouds appeared overhead.

"What is...?", Ruri asked.

However both Yuto and Yuya knew well.

"Zarc", both pre-teens ran at the same time, headed in the direction in which the lightning strike was in. Both Yoko and the other XYZ individuals quickly followed.

...

"AH!"

Yuzu quickly woke up from her sleep, her bracelet glowing a strong light of pink for a moment before calming back down.

A few deep breaths before seeing the window outside, the green lighting strike still as prominent as ever.

"Yuya", she merely stated before putting on her shoes, dashing out of the room and past a shocked Skip.

"Yuzu were are you going?", asked the father holding a glass of water, the girl not turning to look at him. "Yuzu? Yuzu!"

The man ran after the girl, who in turn was headed towards the park.

Paradise Park.

...

A few seconds later and Yuya arrived to the park's center, followed by both Yuto and the rest chasing him. However he was already beat by a few people.

Declan

Yugo

Yuri

Rin

Serena

"So that was the annoying sensation in my head", Yuri said with distaste. "Didn't let me sleep at all."

"Little crybaby", rang out Yugo.

"It seems he's already here", Declan stated before turning on his Duel Disk.

Yuya quickly did the same as he got the device out his pant bags, however a voice quickly called out to him. "Yuya!"

The duelist turned to see a running Yuzu still in her pajamas, followed by a tired Skip.

"Give me a moment", Skip raised a finger as he painted heavily.

"How did you...?", asked Yuya.

"The lightning strike woke me up", Yuzu stated before raising her arm with the bracelet. "This was glowing brightly, too."

"So it's what I think it is", Yuya stated, turning back to the large thing in the center of the strike.

It looked like an egg-shaped stone, however the "stone" was a large, black material covering itself.

Wings.

More specifically, dragon wings.

The green lightning suddenly dissipated, letting everyone surrounding it have a clear view of the object.

Serena turned on her Duel Disk, followed by Yugo, and tentatively, by Rin.

"Zarc!", Declan stated. "We have you surrounded from all sides; Do not make it harder for yourself and turn yourself in peacefully!"

The large black wings began shifting, the atmosphere suddenly growing heavy. All the Yu-boys felt a small chill run down their spine.

The bracelet girl's faces grew more serious.

Skip looked worried, Yoko looked neutral.

The wings shifted even more, before silently unfurling themselves to reveal a scaly-faced Yuya inside. The demon looked at the others silently with calm, yellow-glowing eyes

Zarc.

"We'll only give you five seconds, Zarc!", Declan shouted, several of his guards quickly surrounding the demon.

However the Supreme King didn't react to this at all, instead raising his finger in front of his mouth in a shushing motion.

"Silence", the winged demon ordered with a low voice. He stepped aside to reveal someone else behind him, his dark wings still covering her gently. Surrounding her was a small field of flowers. "She's still sleeping."

Gasps.

Declan's eyes widened behind his glasses. "That's..."

Yuya and the others let out a small gasp, the girl slowly opening her eyes as she sat up. She saw a pair of dark wings, quickly followed by...

I see.

I came back.

"Where...", asked Ray, gently rubbing her head as she slowly stood up. Everyone else looked like they were seeing a ghost. "...Where am I?"

Author's Note: What a way to end the chapter. I already have the rest of Act 1 planned out, hopefully you guys are looking forward to it.

What do you think of the story so far? Are there any questions you want to ask? If so then leave them in the comments, I'll be glad to read them and answer. Until the next entry, however; I'll see everyone later!