Note: Yes, Yuke separated Yuya and Yuto. Don't worry, it'll be explained in future chapters.
Chapter 26
A Decisive Confrontation
Yuke was standing on top of a building, facing the Sector Security. He was looking at the distance, noticing the sun coming up. He was twirling the picture he had taken from Serena in his right hand and held his Duel Disk close to his face.
"Hehehe! Marvelous! I'm so glad of my Yuke!" Seiko beamed through the line."I knew I could count on you to get the job done and fast!"
"It would seem that Naho was successful in capturing Yuzu Hiragi." Erina added to the conversation they were having on their Duel Disks."She has taken her to Roget's location, as we've planned."
"Excellent! We're inside the Sector Security's Main Bureau, along with Roget. Of course, he doesn't know our plan so he thinks we're helping him to go up against Academia. What an idiot!"
"Hmmm." Yuke hummed without taking his eyes off of whatever he was looking at.
"You've been awfully quiet for a while now. I mean, more than usual and stuff. Are ya depressed or something?" Seiko inquired with her sarcastic tone.
Yuke chose to ignore her taunts and simply shut down the call."I believe it's time for all of us to face the Lancers. The others should be making their way to Roget's location as of now, so I might as well hurry along."
"Ugh... Five more minutes, mom...I'm still not hungry..." Yuya croaked, half-asleeped.
"Come on, Yuya! Get up!" A familiar voice yelled. A voice he only heard inside of his mind with the person he shared bodies with.
"Yuto!" He perked up, almost headbutting the XYZ User.
"Calm down! Yeah, it's me." Yuto formed a smile on his face, sitting down next to his Standard Counterpart.
Yuya sat up as well and looked at the boy intensely before breaking into a hug.
"W-what's this all of a sudden?!" He sounded caught off guard.
Yuya let go and placed his hands on his shoulders."I'm glad...I'm really glad to see that you're okay, Yuto."
"Yeah, honestly, I was getting used to being inside of you." He joked. Both boys broke into laughter but was soon interrupted by a grount.
"Damn...my head hurts..." Yugo grumbled.
"That's..." Yuto stood up as Yuya did.
"Yugo!" Yuya ran over to the Synchronist.
"You're Yuya...aren't you?" He rubbed his head."Wait, you're that guy!" He pointed at Yuto.
Yuto hardened his gaze."Relax. I am not your enemy."
"I know." Yugo nodded in understanding."Yuzu told me everything. I'm sorry for...well...killing you?"
Yuto sighed at the apology."Completely understandable. No apology needed."
"But I'm confused. Where did you even come from?" Yugo scratched his head.
Yuya's lightbulb turn on on instinct."That's right! How are you here?! Like, really here?!"
"Huh?" Yugo cocked his head.
"I don't recall much of your duel with Barrett. Last thing I remember is Yuke appearing out of nowhere and defeating all of us with his dragon. He then somehow forced us to separate."
"What? Separated? I don't get it at all!" Yugo groaned, rubbing his temples.
"Never mind that for now." Yuto intervened.
"Yuke...Serena! They got Serena!" Yuya was more alarmed than ever.
"Yeah...Yuke defeated her and took her away. Then he entered our respective duels and made a move that wiped out all of our LPs."
"That was so heavy power he had. I don't really remember myself, but to think he took everyone out like that..." Yugo admitted.
Yuya turned to Yuto."Serena called him Hiraki..."
Yuto's expression turned to an uncomfortable one."Are you sure? Maybe she was mistaken? I mean, how in the world could someone change as drastically as that? Hiraki did not look like the three of us."
"No. That was Hiraki." Yuya flat out stated."Serena would never confuse someone else with him."
Yugo crossed his arms."But you said he doesn't look like either of us. So how does he look like us now?"
"For now, that's a mystery." Yuto but his thumb on his chin in thought."However, we can say for certain that Academia is involved in that."
"I get it." Yugo nodded."So the three of us are allies, and our enemies are the other two who look just like us."
"For now, that's what we'll go with." Yuto declared.
"You guys done catching up?" A familiar voice spoke up. Sora, who had taken off his jacket and wrapped around his burn arm, was sitting down next to a scared Reira."We have to hurry and catch up with the others. We couldn't save Serena, but we can still save Yuzu."
Yuto walked up to the boy and extended his hand."No hard feelings?"
"Not at all." Sora offered a smile as he accepted the handshake.
"Yuzu..." Yuya grimaced."I wonder if Cody is alright."
"What do you mean?" Yugo asked with concern.
Yuto gave Yuya a nod a talked for him."Before coming here, Yuya asked Cody to take care of Yuzu. But if Yuzu is still being persecuted by the Unifiers of Chaos...Not to sound pessimistic, but it would mean that Cody has been defeated."
"Nah, don't worry about that." Yugo waved his hand dismissively."When I was chasing the smug bastard earlier, I called him. He told me he was chasing some guy who was related to Evan and might have info on where Rin is located."
"Phew. That's a relief." Yuya sighed heavily.
"Still, it's too early to relax. If anyone hated Yuke with passion, is Kyle."
"Kyle..." Yuya repeated."That's true. I believe he also has feelings towards Serena. He would be the first one to try and fight Yuke. But if he came here..."
Reira seemed alarmed by this, as he knew how true those facts were.
Sora noticed the child's worried expression and rubbed his air."It's too early to draw any conclusions. For now, all we can do is speculate on scenarios."
"Hey! You guys in there?!"
"Yuya!"
The voices of Maria and Gongenzaka echoed through the subway while they ran down the set of stairs along with Tsukikage and Tokomatsu.
"Are you guys alright?!" Gongenzaka asked, helping Maria off of his back.
"Hey! Who is that?" Maria pointed at the bluenett.
"Sora!" Gongenzaka exclaimed in shock."And that's..."
"That looks like Yuya!" Tokomatsu pointed out
They rushed towards the others, wasting no time.
"Yuya!" Gongenzaka called out for his friend.
"Yeah! Yuya..." Maria looked at all three boys with a puzzle expression."Yuya...?"
"Oh, sorry." Yuya offered them a smile."They are my Counterparts, Yuto and Yugo."
"Yo!" Yugo waved his hand.
Yuto nodded, smiling."Hello. Nice to meet you face to face."
Gongenzaka and Maria exchanged looks before realizing what he meant."Oh! You're Yuto! The one who was inside of Yuya!"
"Inside of Yuya?" Tokomatsu scratched his head.
"It's a long story." Yuto said."However, right now we don't have the time for pleasantries."
Yugo put his hand behind his head."That's right. We have to get a move on if we wanna stop the Unifiers of Chaos."
"So that light show just now was them." Tsukikage summarised.
"I-I can't believe it...I believe he turned nighttime into daytime momentarily." Gongenzaka was taken back by the statement.
"No kidding." Maria gulped down."That's some heavy firepower."
"Do not fear. They are indeed strong, but no invincible!" Tokomatsu tried to cheer them up.
Gongenzaka turned to his best friend."So, what happened? Did they..."
Yuya looked down, a look of shame printed on his face."Yes...They took Serena and are on their way to take Yuzu. But...there's something more..."
"There's more?" Maria tilted her head.
"Yeah. Apparently, Serena believed that Yuke is one of your friends, Hiraki." Yuto explained.
"HIRAKI?!" Gongenzaka boomed, nearly startling Maria. Tsukikage, who had his arms crossed, dropped them and could only stare in disbelief.
"Hiraki?" Tokomatsu rubbed his chin.
"W-wait! But that can't be! They look nothing alike, right? I mean, Hiraki has brown hair and Yuke's hair is black! Plus! Their eyes are completely different! He looks more like the three of you than anything."
"However, Serena, who has spent a lot of time with Hiraki, would definitely pick him up from a crowd of people," Gongenzaka explained.
"It would be wise for us to confirm that theory." Tsukikage provided."For now, let us go to Sector Security and catch up with Reiji-dono."
"Yeah..." Yuya frowned."We have to save Yuzu. Sora, you coming?"
"Of course." Sora flashed a smile."We have a common enemy, after all. Besides, I can't let these creeps harm my student, can I?"
Tsukikage and Sora nodded to each other."We will go on ahead. Since you are injured, it is best to let us go in the front."
Sora sighed."You are injured too, you know. I hope that doesn't slow us down."
Tsukikage didn't need to look at SOra to reply."Don't underestimate a shinobi." With that, the both of them dashed out of the subway.
Yuya turned to Tokomatsu."Tokomatsu-san, please take care of Reira!" He pleaded.
"Wait, Yuya!" Gongenzaka took a step forward."If you are going, I, the man Gongenzaka, will go with you as well."
Maria rose her hand meekly."I'd like to stay behind and take care of Reira too. I doubt I'll be of much help right now."
The three Yu boys looked at each other for a moment."Fine." Answered Yuto."But please, be careful. If anything happens, don't forget that there's no shame in running from danger."
"Worry not." Tokomatsu rose a hand."I will make sure no harm comes to them."
Yuya squatted down to Reira's level, patting him on the head."We're heading out. Stay here with Tokomatsu-san. It's safer. When we find your brother, we'll come and get you guys." Reira responded with a nod.
The group began moving out of the subway, leaving only Yugo behind. Yuya and Yuto noticed he wasn't walking with them and turn to his attention.
"Yugo?"
"Sorry, but I can't go with you guys. I have to go find Cody and make sure he's alright." Yugo apologized."But as soon as I find him, I'll catch up with you."
Yuya sighed."Please do. I'm actually worried about him."
Yugo stared at the tomato head in disbelief before breaking into laughter."Really?!"
"Why is that funny?" Yuto rose a brow.
"Because, well, I'm not sure if you guys noticed, but Cody is in love with Yuzu." Yugo bluntly stated.
"Oh, I know that," Yuya responded almost too normally.
Yugo stopped laughing, eyes widened."I figured you would be a little relief he hasn't caught up with Yuzu. I mean, he's your love rival, isn't he?"
"Well, obviously I was upset, but the moment we started dueling, I felt a deeper connection with him. I really appreciate that he took care of Yuzu while I wasn't there." Yuya beamed."So, I am willing to compete with him."
"You know, I'm quite surprised." Yuto chuckled."I am also in a similar situation. Before Makoto turned into...what he is today, made me his rival in order to see who will win Ruri's heart."
"Eh?! You guys have it easy, then." Yugo groaned.
"How come?" Yuya asked."Is there someone else that likes Rin?"
"Yeah..." Yugo grumbled."And you wouldn't believe who is it."
Yugo didn't say anything in return, prompting for Yuto to break the ice."Then, who is it?"
"Evan..."
"Oh, God!" Yuto deadpanned."You really have it rough."
"What's worse is the fact that he keeps calling her his princess. It's creepy!" Yugo grinded his teeth."That's another reason why I have to go separately! I have to find that bastard and punch him a couple of times!" He broke into a sprint and jumped on his D-Wheel."Anyways, I better go! Good luck to you!"
"Good luck to you too!" Yuta waved goodbye. And like that, Gongenzaka, Yuya and Yuto headed out for their mission.
"Come back here, you bastard! Why don't you just stop running away!" Cody cursed at his target.
Daisuke, click his tongue for the fourth time, already tired of the boy chasing after him."Damn, this kid is persisting. And curse Evan for dumping him on me!"
The two youths reached the peak of a hill, reaching a dead end. Daisuke looked around his environment, spotting tables, chairs, and BBQs.
"This must be one of those so-called meet-ups where people enjoy a picnic." He observed."However, this is the end of the path." He looked beyond the safety fence, noticing that there was indeed no longer path to walk on.
"There's nowhere left for you to run." Cody was now walking away from his D-Wheel and heading towards Daisuke, adjusting his Duel Disk in his hand.
Daisuke gave an annoyed grunt."You really wanna do this, punk? I'm telling you, you might regret it dearly."
"You don't scare me! Let's just duel already! And once I beat you, I'll force you to tell me where Rin is!" Cody snarled, activating his Duel Disk.
"Tch! What a pain in the ass." Daisuke activated his Duel Disk.
The rays of the early sun were hitting the sides of their faces as well as birds chirping around.
"Duel!"
Cody vs. Daisuke LP: 4000
"I'll take this show on the road first! I summon Scrap Shielder in ATK position!"
A metallic looking monster appeared on the field, towering over the duelists. Its right arm was holding a shield and was significantly bigger than its left arm.
Scrap Shield Level 4, Earth, Machine, ATK: 2200, DEF: 1500
"That's quite the ATKs for a Level 4 monster," Daisuke stated.
"Yeah, that's why Shielder's ATKs go down by 300 every turn. However, it cannot be destroyed by the first battle."
"Stalling? That won't help you against me, kid." Daisuke rolled his eyes, going back to his manga.
"We'll see about that! I set two cards and end my turn." Cody concluded.
"Then it's my turn!" Daisuke closed his manga dramatically."I draw! From my hand, I Normal Summon Elemental HERO Woodsman!"
A humanoid green monster with a wooden arm appeared on Daisuke's field.
Elemental HERO Woodsman Level 4, Earth, Warrior, ATK: 1000, DEF: 2000
"A hero monster?" Cody scratched the back of his head."To think people like you use that archetype, thinking they're heroes."
"Oh, we are heroes. And you are the villains." Daisuke coldly replied."I set a card face-down and end my turn."
"I'm up next! At this moment, Shielder's ATKs go down by 300!" Cody announced.
Scrap Shielder ATK: 1900
"I draw! I summon Scrap Goblin!"
Scrap Goblin Level 3, Earth, Beast-Warrior, Tuner, ATK: 0, DEF: 500
"Let's go! I tune my Level 4 Scrap Shielder to my Level 3 Scrap Goblin!" Scrap Shielder turned into 4 stars while Goblin turned into 3 rings, surrounding them.
"When a beast and a machine combine into one, a new being will be formed from the scraps of the forgotten tools! Synchro Summon! Descend now, Level 7! Scrap Archfiend!"
Scrap Archfiend Level 7, Earth, Fiend, Synchro, ATK: 2700, DEF: 1800
Cody took a look at his monster and gave a toothy grin."Yes! I feel just like a superhero trying to save the day! I feel so pumped up! Let's go, Archfiend! Destroy his damned tree!"
"How childish of you! I activate my Trap Card, Mirror Gate! When an Elemental Hero monster I control is targetted for an attack, we can switch monsters and damage is automatically calculated!"
Woodsman switched places with Archfiend as the latter punched him with its giant fists, knocking him down.
"I activate my Trap Card, Scrap's Leftovers! During damage calculation, if I were to received damage, I can send a card from my hand to the graveyard to only receive 200 points of damage!"
Cody LP: 3800
"Not bad, for a punk." Daisuke praised him.
"Shut up! I end my turn!" Cody spat at the floor.
Daisuke smirked confidently."At this moment, our respective monsters return to our fields. My turn! At this moment, Woodsman's effect activates! Oncer per turn, during my Standby Phase, I can add a Polymerization from my Deck to my hand! I draw! I activate Polymerization and Fuse Woodsman with Elemental Hero Ocean from my hand!"
Woodsman and Ocean entered a multicolored vortex as Daisuke began to chant.
"Hero that sleeps in the deepest ocean and travels through the forest of knowledge, let mother earth come to life! Fusion Summon! Appear, Level 8! Elemental Hero Terra Firma!"
The new hero appeared on the field, crossing his arms.
Elemental Hero Terra Firma Level 8, Earth, Warrior, Fusion, ATK: 2500, DEF: 2000
"What the hell is that? It looks like an anime villain I used to watch when I was a kid! What was his name again? Fr-"
"I now summon Elemental Hero Heat!" Daisuke interrupted him abruptly.
Elemental Hero Heat Level 4, Fire, Pyro, ATK: 1600, DEF: 1200
"Now, I activate Terra Firma's effect! By sacrificing an Elemental Hero on my field, I can give their ATKs to Terra Firma! Nature Formation!"
Heat turned into fire and was absorbed by Terra Firma as the purple gems on his body changed to red.
Elemental Hero Terra Firma ATK: 4100
"Oh, shit! An ATK of 4100!" Cody yelped in surprise.
"Time for the hero to shut down the evil machines!" Daisuke yelled with sarcasm."Battle! Terra Firma will attack Scrap Archfiend! World One!"
Terra Firma focused his newly acquired power to his right fist and jumped over to Archfiend, punching straight through its head.
Cody jumped back, barely avoiding his monster falling down and exploding.
Cody LP: 2400
"You've activated my Trap Card, Rescue Package! When a "Scrap" Synchro monster I control is destroyed, I can Special Summon a Tuner monster from my graveyard! With its effect, I Special Summon Goblin!"
Scrap Goblin Level 3, Earth, Beast-Warrior, Tuner, ATK: 0, DEF: 500
"Again, resistance." Daisuke sighed, taking a look at his manga."The one who tries to be a hero but will ultimately fail. I will set a card and end my turn! At this moment, Terra Firma's ATK go back to normal!"
Elemental Hero Terra Firma ATK: 2500
"My move!" Cody drew his card and analyzed his hand."I better do some major damage with this! I summon Scrap Vertigo in ATK mode!"
A metallic scorpion with a long tail filled with blades appeared on the field.
Scrap Vertigo Level 4, Earth, Machine, ATK: 1400, DEF: 200
"Vertigo's effect activates! I can target a Tuner monster I control and make its level equal to Vertigo's! That'll make Goblin a Level 4 Tuner monster!"
Scrap Goblin Level 4
"I tune the Level 4 Vertigo to the Level 4 Scrap Goblin! Steel-cord shards of forgotten glory, lingering on in hateful rage, take form and rise from the vengeful darkness! Synchro Summon! Rampage and roar! Level 8! Scrap Dragon!"
Scrap Dragon Level 8, Earth, Dragon, Synchro, ATK: 2800, DEF: 2000
"I set a card face-down! Now, I activate Scrap Dragon's Special Ability! By destroying a card I control, I can destroy a card YOU control! I target your fake hero and my set card!" Cody's set card and Terra Firma vanished from the field.
"Too little too late! I activate my Trap Card, Elemental Mirage! When a monster I control is destroyed by a card effect, I can return all monsters that were destroyed by that effect! Come, Terra Firma!"
Elemental Hero Terra Firma Level 8, Earth, Warrior, Fusion, ATK: 2500, DEF: 2000
"That damn hero is starting to piss me off! Battle! Scrap Dragon, attack his Terra Firma! Scrap Beam!"
Scrap Dragon fired a brown beam of energy from its mouth, destroying the hero.
Daisuke LP: 3700
"Hell yeah! The comeback is starting!" Cody cheered with a fist up.
Daisuke bit his lower lip in annoyance."To think this kid has something like that up his sleeve. Whatever, at least he knows somewhat what he's doing."
"Keep mocking me, why don't you? I set a card face-down! Turn end!" Cody declared.
Daisuke smirked."What a dumb kid. You're that one character in any anime that tries to be a protagonist but inevitably fails. My turn! I draw! I activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn! I call you back, Elemental Hero Terra Firma!"
Elemental Hero Terra Firma Level 8, Earth, Warrior, Fusion, ATK: 2500, DEF: 2000
"You really love that monster, huh?" Cody spat at him."I took him out once, I will do it again! Scrap Dragon and I can't be beaten like that!"
"So it seems, but it wouldn't be fun any other way. I activate the Spell Card, Fusion Recovery! I can add back a Polymerization with a Fusion Material that was used for a Fusion Summon back to my hand! I choose Elemental Hero Woodsman! Next, I activate Polymerization and Fuse Woodsman and Voltic from my hand!"
Woodsman and Voltic were absorbed by a multicolored vortex as Daisuke chanted.
"Two hearts standing strong against adversity fuse to call upon a greater hero! Roaring with the spirit of the Earth, turning the tables on despair! Fusion Summon! Come forth, Level 6! Elemental Hero Gaia!"
A metallic monster appeared on the field, towering above even Scrap Dragon.
Elemental Hero Gaia Level 6, Earth, Warrior, Fusion, ATK: 2200, DEF: 2600
"When this monster is summoned, one of your monsters has its ATKs halved and my monster gains said amount!"
Scrap Dragon ATK: 2800 - 1400 = 1400
Elemental Hero Gaia ATK: 2200 + 1400 = 3600
"Shit!" Cody cursed in his head.'However...if Scrap Dragon is destroyed, I can activate my trap card, which will destroy his monsters and deal damage equal to their combined ATKs!'
"Now, Terra Firma's effect activates!" Daisuke saw a hint of fear appearing on Cody's face."I can tribute an Elemental Hero on my field and give its ATKs to Terra Firma until the end phase! Nature Formation!"
Gaia turned into particles and got absorbed into Terra Firma's body.
Elemental Hero Gaia ATK: 2500 + 3600 = 6100
"Oh fuck! It's a helluva lot stronger than Scrap Dragon!" Cody took a step back."If I get hit by that, I'll lose!
"I told you, you were trying to bite more than you can chew. No hard feelings, kid. You just asked for it. Battle! Terra Firm-" Daisuke stopped for a moment, reaching for his ear."Yeah? Already? I was in the middle of something, you know." He sighed in exasperation."Fine."
All Cody could do was stare at the imponent monster, his hands shaking."E-erh..."
"You got lucky kid. There's something else I gotta take care of, so this little duel can go to shit." He pressed a few buttons on his Duel Disk before his monsters vanished, ending the duel."I gotta say, Evan really rubbed on you. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been as lucky to be alive. Well, peace out."
He turned away and teleported out of the area, leaving Cody sank on his knees. He felt a surge of fury and relief boiling up his core before releasing it all in a scream."AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" He pounded the ground with his fists and hit his head."WHY?! Why was I so powerless?! Again! I was so useless again! If he continued with the attack, he would have finished me off! I'm sorry...Yuzu..." He lowered his head in shame.
'It's okay. You don't have to keep those memories keep eating you from the inside.'
'That's what she said to me when I told her about my past. She opened up my eyes to never let bad memories prevent me from making new ones...' Cody bit his lower lip so hard, it started to bleed. With a grunt, he quickly got up and headed for his D-Wheel, starting the engine."Hell no! No way I'm letting things end like this! I will rescue you, Yuzu, Rin!"
"Wait! Don't go off on your own too!" Maria rushed to Reira, who had run off on his own towards a mob.
Before he could go further, an arm wrapped up around his torso, picking him up.
"That's Kurosaki!" Maria exclaimed, tensing up as she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"And he's not the only one here." Kurono smiled at her. Behind him, was Kurosaki, hands in his pockets and looking at the sky.
"Kurono!" She practically squealed in delight, hugging him."How and when did you get here?!"
Kurono ruffled her hair playfully."Not too long ago, kiddo. I've been sticking around with these two guys for the time being."
Maria chuckled at that. Good old Kurono."So, where are the others?
Kurono shrugged."Just me for the time being. The others should be able to come along with me in a little while. But honestly..." He looked around the area."This is worse than I thought. Here I thought there'd be peace and quiet for a change."
"The Unifiers of Chaos have taken too much terrain." Kurosaki replied."It's worse than last time. This time, we're dealing with the real deal."
Maria looked over Kurono's shoulder and noticed Sawatari covered in bandages."Sawatari-kun! What happened to you?"
"Same thing that happened to the majority of us."Kurosaki answered for him."We've encountered the Unifiers of Chaos. If it weren't for Kurono, we wouldn't be alive to tell the tale."
Kurono shook his head."Don't sound so pessimistic, Kurosaki. That's my job."
They all shared a quick chuckle though silence came in once again.
"Do you think we can defeat them, Kurono?" Maria looked up to the Ritual user.
Kurono looked troubled for a second but nonetheless smiled."Relax. If we all come together as the Lancers, there's nothing that can stop us."
"As the Lancers?" Sawatari rose a brow.
"Are you including yourself in that reference?" Kurosaki asked him.
Kurono nodded."That's right. As of now, I am allied to the Lancers as the Leader of the Militia."
"Hurray!" Maria cheered in excitement."Now there's three of us in the Lancers!"
Kurono's eyes widened a bit at that."Where's my brother? Is he not with you?"
"He must be pursuing the leader of the Unifiers of Chaos." Kurosaki guessed, though deep down he knew this to be true.
Kurono grimaced."Yu...Or Yuke. I just hope he hasn't gotten himself in a mess like last time."
Kurosaki shook his head."I doubt it. He's stronger than ever before. However, there's something else aiding his strength."
"What? His affection for Serena?" Kurono hypothesized.
"He was used as a test subject for a drug called Formula XV, which increases once's strength to a new level and helps them recover from wounds. Although the first one is temporary, large doses of this could prove lethal."
"What the hell? Then I have to go find him!" Kurono took a step forward but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Please, wait!" Maria pleaded."We have to go find the others!"
"Are you kidding me? We have to go find my brother! No way in hell I'm letting him fight that monster all by himself!"
"That's why we must go to the Palace to meet up with Nee-sama!" Reira surprised everyone."Nee-sama will figure a way out of this! I know he will!
"I'm with him!" Sawatari agreed."I've seen first hand what those bastards are capable of. I hate to admit this, but even I, the Super Ultra Duelist Sawatari Shingo will need help to defeat them!"
Kurosaki rolled his eyes, a small smile appearing on his face."I second the first part. Besides, if we rush in now, we'll be defeated."
Kurono still looked uncertain."I-I..."
"Please, Kurono!" Maria grabbed his wrist."Let's regroup and save Yuzu!"
Tokomatsu wrapped an arm around his neck."Come on now! I'm sure you didn't come all the way here just to be relentless! By looking at you, I can tell you're a calculated duelist who thinks twice before selecting a card! You wouldn't want to change now, would you?"
"Alright, alright! Sheez!" Kurono threw his hands up."Fine, then. You guys win.
This time, the group opted to be discrete and hide in the shadows in order to avoid Security as much as they could. Lucky for them, they hadn't had an encounter with one of the Unifiers of Chaos, so this sped up their search considerably. However, something kept bothering Kurono.
'Kyle...I know you've gotten strong...But now we're facing enemies who are beyond our expectations. Not only that but that bastard Yu is alive after all. To think Academia made up their subject. The ones who we once thought as saviors for bringing that monster down. You probably couldn't resist yourself and are probably tracking him down or dueling him. Just know, baby brother, that I believe in you. Give him hell!'
"We've finally made it this far." Tokomatsu perked his head from the corner of a wall, observing a wall of Security blocking the entrance to the Hall.
"Still though, I didn't expect there'd be this many here!" Maria gulped nervously.
Sawatari rose a thumb up."It's alright, Maria-chan! With Kurosaki, Kurono and I here, you have nothing to worry about!"
"I will castrate you!" Kurono growled, almost reaching for Sawatari's throat comically.
"Just a little more, and we'll let you see your brother." Kurosaki comforted the young boy.
Kurono smirked."That a brother's intuition kicking in?"
"You would know, huh?" Kurosaki mused."Being big brothers isn't easy."
"You can say that again." Kurono huffed."Anyways, we have to find a way to get past them."
"Breaking through that will be a lot of work." Sawatari added."Besides, by then we'll be even more tired."
Tokomatsu rose his fists in the air."Looks like I've got no choice but to go! While I've got them distracted by my Enjoy Dueling, you get Reira and get into the building!" He then dashed away before anyone else could stop him.
"How many times do I have to tell you?!" Sawatari exclaimed, agitated."There's no way that'll work!"
"ENJOY!" The man vigorously yelled, rushing towards Security before being stopped by an explosion.
"I activate Kali Yuga's effect! By using one Overlay Unit, I can destroy all spells and traps from the field." All of a sudden, all traps set by security vanished, leaving them knocked down on the floor.
There, stood Akaba Reiji with one of his XYZ monster at the top of the stairs.
"Nee-sama!" Reira rushed to his brother, giving him a big hug.
Reiji was perplexed for one second, but a warm smile invaded his face"It seems you made it here, Kurono."
"Was there ever any doubt?" He said with sarcasm.
"Must not let Akaba Reiji escape..." Security was beginning to rise up again, activating their Duel Disks.
"Stand down." The Council ordered.
"Even if the city is currently under martial law..."
"You're still not allowed to fight against us Council members..."
"Isn't that right, Chairman?"
"Of course. Since we hold the highest power of authority after all."
"Highest power of authority..." Reiji began."It is true you have the highest power of authority. But if you only use it to protect yourselves, it doesn't have much meaning, don't you agree?"
"We agreed," Gael admitted.
"The invasion of the Unifiers of Chaos has opened up our eyes." Gray provided.
"We've always thought that if we're stable, the city is stable." Azul chimed in.
"But right now, we must focus on our common enemy. Isn't that right, chairman?" Bordeaux asked.
"Indeed." White Takie smiled."We were known to be the foundation of society. However, that has changed since they invaded our world. Stand on the clouds while watching, fearing that our place will be endangered. That is why we have decided..."
Crow offered a hand to the King, Jack Atlas, who had recently woken up from his slumber. After his duel with Tokomaru, Crow saved Jack from falling to the ground and hid in an alley until the latter woke up.
"How are you doing, your majesty?" Crow inquired with a bit of humor.
Jack accepted his hand, getting back on his feet."You are Crow Hogan. How...how did you find me?"
"I was circling around the Duel Palace in search for other people, then I noticed you were dueling on the roof with someone else. That someone is Tokomaru Mairo, isn't he? He's one of the people who disappeared randomly and were never found along with Tatsuyo Komahiro and Junpei Hoshime."
"Right. As much as it pains me to admit, Tokomaru is not the man I once knew." Jack sounded distraught."Whatever they did to him, they changed him completely.
"Academia!" Crow gritted his teeth with fury."Jack, we must stop the riots! Once we stopped that, the Unifiers have nothing left to rely on!"
"You're right. It's time for me, as the King, to take back this city from terror and destruction. As of now, matters such as fame, power, and influence have no meaning. Right now, we all fight as one!"
"Yeah!" Crow gave a toothy grin.
"By the way, what happened to Sakaki Yuya?" Jack looked over his shoulder as he started walking away, Crow following him.
"He's fighting with the Unifiers of Chaos along with his comrades. There's no way they'd let this city go down like that. They're fighting to protect us from Academia."
Jack didn't answer. He closed his eyes in thought, recalling his duel with Yuya.'Sakaki Yuya...do you now have what it takes to overcome chaos?'
Sora and Tsukikage LP: 0
Winner: Seiko
"My, what a poor performance that was," Seiko whined."I mean, you guys barely even lasted a few turns!"
"What power..." Tsukikage clenched his sides in pain."What was that monster..."
Sora wasn't doing much better either."It's the second time today that I've been treated like a ragdoll. You guys mind giving me a break?"
Seiko covered her mouth, giggling."Anyways, now nothing is preventing us from taking Yuzu away, right, Roget?" She looked behind her and saw Roget chuckling, holding Yuzu by her cuffs.
"Indeed. Let us go. I've stopped all elevators but one so we can move on faster." He started walking away.
"Let's go, boys and girls." Daisuke, Irina, and Lumi appeared from the hallway, ignoring the two defeated duelists and moved about with Seiko.
"So, when are the boys coming? I figured they'd be here already?" Lumi pondered, a finger on his chin.
"Oh, you know how they are! They prefer to wait until the last minute to make cool entrances! It works every time." Seiko beamed, shifting her gaze to Daisuke."So, handsome, what's about Evan?"
"I lost him after some Synchro kid began chasing after me. From what I collected, Evan had another pursuer from the Synchro dimension, but this one was attracted towards Yuri."
"Oh well. I'll handle him later." She waved dismissively. Seiko noticed that Yuzu and Roget were arguing about their beliefs and what not before he aggressively shoved her against the wall.
"How dare you say that! Your friends that came here were defeated before your very eyes!" He exploded in rage.
"But we'll win!" She shot back, turning to Seiko."My friends will never lose to what you guys represent!"
"Oh, but you're wrong, darling." Seiko wagged a finger."The majority of your friends have been wiped out already, though not carded. What hopes do they stand now? Even Serena has been defeated!"
"Oh? You think we're defeated? It's a real shame you still see what you only want to see."
Reiji, Reira, and a wounded Tsukikage stood in front of the group."Seiko."
"Ahhhh! My Reiji! I'm so glad to finally see you again!" She squealed in delight, hugging herself.
Reiji looked away for a second, regaining his composure."I'm afraid to say that you won't have your way."
"Ah! If it ain't the Professor's children!" Lumi mused."The leader of the Lancers themselves!"
"Akaba Reiji..." Roget growled, releasing his grip on Yuzu.
"Roget, you allying yourself with the Unifiers of Chaos only proves that you're trying to shelter your ego. You plan to use her as a shield on your negotiations with Academia, and on the off-chance that you would need to flee, you would use her as a trade to clear your name for betraying Academia. It was only to protect yourself. But I do wonder why the even allied themselves with you."
"Beats me!" Seiko shrugged."I'm sure here for the fun, my love. What Yuke does is completely up to him. Though, if I'd had to guess, he's just having shits and giggles with this whole ordeal!"
"Then, that also makes you as responsible for this, Roget. As the Director of Public Security, you are responsible for aiding them in putting this city in chaos!"
"Screw you! What makes you talk as if you know anything! I have not lost!" He turned around, making sure to have Yuzu in his grip.
Reiji focused his attention on Seiko, who had sparkles in her eyes."Go on, I'm just an observer in all of this. We will not intervene further...maaaaaaybe..."
"Very well. Reira, stay with Tsukikage!" Reiji then broke into a sprint, passing by Seiko who watched him go all the way.
"Nee-sama!" Reira helped Tsukikage follow Reiji.
Irina turned to her sister, slightly worried."Are you sure letting them go is a good idea? We could easily capture Yuzu in an instant."
"Yeah, but where's the fun in that? Besides, this is all going according to my plans. Let's follow them."
The trio followed Reira to a room, which he was shoved out of by Reiji himself.
"Oh? It looks as though they're about to duel." Daisuke observed, reading his manga.
Tsukikage stood in front of Reira protectively."I will not let you harm Reira-dono!"
"Relax, ninja boy!" Lumi cackled."Like Seiko said, we're just observers at this point!"
"Not to mention we're not the ones you should worry about. The real threat is just about to get here, after all!" Seiko let out a sardonic grin.
Evan scanned the streets from above the roof of a building. It was now daytime and chaos had died across the city ever since Jack Atlas gave a speech.
'Right now, I am no longer a King, but one of you! As such, we must not fight each other any longer and fight as one! Our world is in danger thanks to a group of renegade duelists called the Unifiers of Chaos! They are the caused by today's atrocities along with Roget himself! However, we are not alone in this battle! The Lancers are fighting to protect us even though this is not their homeworld! Sakaki Yuya along with his comrades are fighting for the sake of stopping the Dimensional War! Now, what say you?! I say we unite as one and abandon any conflict we've had before this day! A City full of equality!'
Evan recalled those words once more, smirking."Jack Atlas...an interesting fellow indeed. Thanks to him, the guys no longer have any power over the people here. It's as if they truly had discarded all conflicts and are moving as one. Impressive. Now, let's see..."
Evan typed a few keywords on his Duel Disk to display the activity of his ex-companions. Although he can see theirs, they cannot see his due to him hacking into their network and turning off the signal."What's this? Tatsuyo and Junpei are here?! Not only them, but all of them are also here in this precise moment..." He looked over the distance, noticing smoke coming out from the Sector Security."The final showdown between the Lancers are the Unifiers of Chaos is about to begin..."
Seiko had listened to Reiji's speech about him not being allied to Akaba Leo. To her, this was a sign of him completely cutting ties down with his father. She had opted to stay silent during the speech, although she was engulfed in happiness that he had become a man with integrity and full of confidence as opposite as before. As promised, they were watching his duel against Roget from afar until the very end where Roget realized he couldn't beat him and escaped with Yuzu down an elevator. However, they immediately abandoned the facility, knowing that the end has yet to come.
'I can hardly wait to see what happens next!' She jumped up and down. Right now, they were walking down the streets of the City.
At last, Jack Atlas had appeared after calming down the riots in the city. To say the least, this was a let down for Seiko. She had thought this man would have been dead after his encounter with Tokomaru or at least with a broken spirit. But on the contrary, he looked ready to go against just about anyone. He used his monster to destroy the elevator and cause both Yuzu and Roget to fall down, a mistake on his part. But as all fairy tales stories go, Yuya saved the damsel in distress from a fall to her death.
"Yuzu!" Yuya was holding onto dear life to Yuzu, as if afraid she was going away again."You're safe now, Yuzu!"
Yuzu slowly opened her blue eyes as they softly landed on Yuya who looked about ready to burst into tears."Yuya...?"
With a sigh of relief, Yuya hugged Yuzu tightly."Yuzu!" He gave up to his emotions and let the tears fall down his cheeks."I've finally found you...we've finally did it...Yuzu..."
"Yuya...I-"
"Cody is alright. Yugo told me he's just chasing a guy that could lead them to Rin!"
Yuzu smiled, closing her eyes."I'm glad..."
Kurono folded his arms and smiled."Well, that's a happy ending for ya."
"No kidding." Maria agreed, turning to Jack."Thanks for coming to our help, Jack Atlas, Crow."
"It was nothing." Jack held a hand up."I could not just sit idly aside while I let you do all the fighting. It's not fair, is it?"
Every Lancer was glad of the outcome. Some of them were in tears while others just chuckled at the sight. This was a calming moment for them. Although, Roget had still not given him.
"Damn you..." He grumbled, barely managing to get a hold of a platform as he was falling.
"Roget!" Kurosaki and Kurono shouted in unison.
Roget mustered all of his strength to get himself up, but a foot landed hard on his right hand, breaking some of his fingers.
"HYAAAAAAAAAAAA!" He shouted in agony, supporting himself with only one hand.
"Is that...?" Kurono felt a chill down his spine as his gaze landed on someone with black hair and a suit. It was Yuke.
"You have disappointed me for the last time, Roget." He droned, a bored expression glued to his face."You had one job, but it seems as though it was far too much for your capabilities."
"You...!" He shrank in fear."Don't do it, please! I did everything you asked me!"
Yuke nodded."Indeed. But you are of no use any longer. So long, traitor." With a hard stomp, Yuke broke Roget's remaining fingers as the latter let go, falling to his demise.
"Wh-what?!" Sawatari voiced everyone's feelings."Why would he..."
"As I feared, the Unifiers were merely using Roget for their own agenda." Reiji explained, not daring to look away."So you are Yuke, the leader of the Unifiers of Cha-"
"Yu!" Kurono boomed, stepping forward."You damn monster! How dare you come back to life?!"
"Oh? Another person who claims I've done something wrong before? Quite interesting indeed." He observed.
Maria gasped."Another one...? Does that mea-"
"Yes, I've encountered a similar duelist a while ago. Kyle Asayi. He fought valiantly to prevent me from capturing Serena, but naturally, I was too much for him to handle." He noticed their expressions and elaborated."Fear not. He has not been carded, as most of you here who were mercied. He's merely unconscious somewhere else."
Sora put a hand on Kurono's shoulder."Yuke, I want you to answer me this. Was what Serena said true? Are you really Hiraki Sotari?!"
"Hiraki?" Yuzu shifted her gaze to the young man in black."Wait, what do you mean?"
"Oi! What are you talking about?" Kurosaki asked."Hiraki was captured by Academia."
"Not only that, I, the man Gongenzaka, know Hiraki like the back of my palm! There's no way that's him!" Gongenzaka remarked.
Sawatari wiped some sweat from his forehead."Although, you can't deny that his voices sound just about the same, but just a bit deeper."
"Oh yeah! I really hadn't thought of that!" Maria exclaimed in realization.
"I'm so lost right now." Crow sighed in defeat.
Reiji pushed up his glasses. He could feel the stared that Yuke was giving him, but the thought at the back of his mind was eating him alive."I see. So that's what they did."
"Huh? What do you mean?" Kurono inquired incuriousness.
Just then, Yuto landed in front of Yuya, surprising the whole group."I believe I know the answer to that as well."
"You!" Sawatari pointed at him, hiding behind Gongenzaka, his cheeks flustered.
Kurosaki ran up to his friend, embracing him."Yuto!"
Yuto didn't know what to do in this situation so he just hugged him back."Hey there, Shun. I was inside of Yuya, like he told you, but Yuke separated us somehow."
"Yuto, I'm sorry! Tariko, Naho...and even Makoto...they're...!"
"I know. But right now, we have to focus on what's ahead. We'll bring them back when the time is right."
"Bring them back? Does that mean your friends are along the Unifiers of Chaos as well?" Jack went over to the XYZ duo, Crow following him."A friend of mine is also among them."
"That's right. There are also two other people that had been reported missing with them too." Crow supplied.
"Your friends are among the Unifiers of Chaos?" Tsukikage probably had a confused expression.
"So what does that mean? Why are your friends with them?" Sawatari scratched his head.
"I believe it's brainwashing." Reiji answered."Academia has captured two girls from their respective dimensions. It's not too odd to believe that they've captured duelists from there as well and brainwashed them. If I had to guess who it was, it was probably Seiko."
"Seiko..." Yuya breathed.
"The day I went to Academia, she was there. We've acquainted with each other, but I haven't seen her since today. To think she was capable of doing that to the human mind." He narrowed his eyes.
"I see." Gongenzaka said."So Yuto's and Jack's friends were captured and brainwashed and are now fighting them in the name of Academia."
"Does that mean they did the same to Hiraki?" Sora let go of his lollipop.
Reiji shook his head."I'm afraid it's more sinister than that." He locked eyes with Yuke."It's safe to assume...they did human experimentation on him..."
"What?!" Everyone shouted.
"Impossible!" Kurono growled in fury."I know what that monster looks like!"
"However, it makes perfect sense." Reiji's voice was breaking down."Hiraki was an orphan who doesn't remember anything about his life before he was 7. And how old was Yu when he attacked your Dimension?"
"He was..." Kurono didn't want to answer.
"7." Maria's expression turned to pure horror.
"So let me ask you this, Yuke. Do you remember anything else about your life? Are we in the wrong?"
Yuke took out a card from his pocket and showed it to them."Is this the confirmation you are looking for?"
"That's Hiraki and Serena's picture!" Yuzu shouted, breaking away from Yuya's embrace."No! You sent Serena to Academia!"
Yuya's mouth was open, but he couldn't formulate words. Yuto noticed this and felt as connected as ever to him."I can't accept that Yuya's childhood friend is the same monster as the one who eradicated an entire dimension!"
"He's not!" Reira remarked."Serena received a message from Kyle that said "He's not the real one"!"
Reiji was amazed at the crucial information his brother just gave them."Knowing Kyle indeed fought Yuke and lost, that means he was referring to him."
"In other words..." Sawatari gulped.
"In other words, he's not the same Yu who destroyed my home." Kurono closed his eyes."That's a relief. I didn't want Hiraki to have been the one to do that and then fight alongside him without knowing. Still, how can there be a fake Yu?"
"We cannot say for certain that he's completely fake. But we can safely assume that Academia performed human experimentation on Hiraki and changed him to be like this."
"Is that even possible? To change a human to that extreme?" Gongenzaka asked his leader.
"I'm afraid so. Akaba Leo has the sophisticated technology enough to perform such a feat. But to think he'd do something so inhumane...it's unforgivable!"
Yuya stood up, determination in his eyes."Hiraki! If you're in there, please, you must stop this! This has gone far enough!"
Yuke put the card away and looked at his Standard Counterpart as if he was talking nonsense."Are you finished playing detective? Speaking in hypotheticals is pointless. Your end is near."
With that, every Unifier of CHaos appeared in the blink of an eye behind Yuke."You took long enough."
"Sorry, Yuke-dono. But we kinda got lost in this place." Tariko apologized.
"Tariko, Naho, Makoto!" Yuto called out to his friends.
Makoto spat at the floor, folding his arms."I believed that you were not amongst us, Yuto. What, pray tell, are you doing here?"
"So, Yuke, you weren't kidding when you said you split them apart." Naho mused, satisfied with the outcome.
"Jack! You're still alive! Then again, I will never believe that Jack Atlas would give up that easily!" Tokomaru laughed.
"So, you beat the King, and now you're the King?" Junpei said with disgust in his voice."It appears I'll have to beat you to reclaim that title."
"Now, now, let's not fight each other." Tatsuyo got in between them.
Crow bit his lower lip."No doubt about it. They are the ones who went missing a while ago."
Sora looked up to see Ace, staring daggers at him. Evan was a mess himself; his jacket was torn on the right side and his fedora was no longer with him."You bastard! Don't think you're off the hook just yet!"
"Just my luck..." Sora groaned, displeased.
"Kyahahaha! Yuyaaaaa~! This time, I'm gonna slaughter you!" Wendy hissed venomously.
"She looks exactly like me! Is she my counterpart, like Serena?" Yuzu wondered.
"A shame that Evan is no longer with us," Yuke spoke.
"Who cares about that loser?" Ace clenched his fists."We'll find him and make him pay!"
"Nevertheless, you all seem to fail to realize something. Perhaps I'm another person within your friend's body, but I am a person above all. I know what I want and how it must be achieved. This world will end and a new one will take its place. That's the Utopia we seek. A world succumbed by Chaos!"
"No! You're wrong! Hiraki is inside of you! Hiraki, please, answer me!" Yuya pleaded.
"Enough with the nonsense. I am not Hiraki Sotari. I am Yuke. And as such, I will make sure to bury you along with this facility." Yuke began walking back."Roget didn't build this device with the sole purpose of returning to the Fusion Dimension. It was also to move the City across dimensions in case of Academia's attack."
"What?!" Jack cried out.
"Move the entire City?" Crow couldn't believe it.
Yuke began hacked into the computer and began programming the system."It would be boring to duel you all and card you. We've already beaten you. So, I will grant you a death in the void of dimensions." Yuke pressed a final button, initiating the teleportation system."
The power created by the machine was so strong that it began creating turbulence throughout the whole area.
From the outside, Evan observed a bright light enveloping the Security Headquarters."What's happening over there? I better get home before this gets out of hand." With that, Evan teleported back to the Fusion Dimension.
Meanwhile, a portal had opened up in the air, swallowing everything in its path. The first one to go was Yuzu, followed by Yuya.
"Hey! Our pray is getting away!" Wendy whined.
Gongenzaka, Yuto, Kurosaki, Kurono, and Sawatari held onto Yuya, refusing to let go.
Yuke moved swiftly behind them, delivering a kick to Sawatari's back and making them lose their balance and entered the portal.
"Let us go!" Yuke jumped inside the portal, followed by everyone else from the Unifiers of Chaos. After the last one entered, the portal close. Leaving behind Jack, Crow, Maria, Reira, Tsukikage, and Reiji.
Daylight hit Yuke's eyes as he woke up. He sat up and scanned his surroundings, noticing he was back in the Fusion Dimension.
"Ah, you woke up, my Yuke-kun." Wendy mused from beside him."I wasn't expecting you'd be such a heavy sleeper. Everyone else already left."
He scanned the area, noticing he was indeed outside of Academia's main doors. He counted among his peers, taking note that only Wendy, Tariko, Makoto, and Naho remained there.
"The teleportation device must have malfunctioned drastically. I suspect it threw all of us into different dimensions but failed to do its original objective. A shame. Now we must search for Yuzu Hiragi again."
"No need to worry about that, Yuke." Naho dismissed the thought."Tatsuyo, Tokomar, and Junpei already headed for the XYZ Dimension along with Ace. Tariko, Makoto and I will search this Dimension as well."
"And we will search the Standard Dimension! Just you and me, Yuke-kun!" Wendy gleefully claimed.
"That reminds me, Yuke." Naho folder her arms over her chest."If I'm not wrong, I recall you were having a conversation with the Lancers before we came in. Do you mind if I ask you what you were talking about?"
"Oh yeah, I'm curious about that too, Yuke-dono." Tariko admitted.
Yuke looked over to the sea, giving his back to his comrades."Nothing. Nothing important."
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of the Synchro Arc. Hope you enjoyed it and get ready because the XYZ Arc is going to be lit and just wait for what I have in store for Fusion. Please, remember to review, favorite, and like if you enjoy the story. Right now I'm working on a few drafts for a My Hero Academia fanfiction I have planned, so look forward to that.