Chapter 42
The Heroes?

"You know, now that we're back in Academia and we're not...well, you know...it feels weird," Wendy admitted as she glanced around the landscape. Dr. Brueno, and Hiraki were closed by, mostly discussing things between each other.

"It's rather strange that we haven't met any sort of security here. No sign of Obelisks Force guarding the coast either." The doctor said, humming to himself.

Hiraki crossed his arms over his chest."Yeah. I imagine they're not aware of us being here. That means they must be focused on something else right now."

"Could it be the Lancers?" Wendy perked up.

"That or some other faction. I remember seeing Kurono and Maria back in Synchro with them. There's also Cody, Kyle, and Yugo. Academia must have their hands full if they're not expecting any more visitors."

"That will work in our favor. Hiraki-kun, leave the reconnaissance part to me. You and Wendy-chan should go look for the others."

"By "others", you mean the other Unifiers of Chaos?" Wendy quirked a brow in confusion.

"Former Unifiers of Chaos." Hiraki corrected after being convinced by Yuke to do so."According to the memories I got from Yuke, there's something suspicious in the building where the Secondary Union students used to live."

"Used to?"

"Seiko must have done something to them." Hiraki said bitterly."When I was Yuke, I passed down by that building to get something, but there was nothing there. There's no time to dwell on that. If we're going to the Professor, we're going to need their help."

"But how do we know if they're even...alive?" She muttered that last part."I mean, when they lost their duels, we suddenly stopped receiving communication from them. How do we know that Seiko didn't just get rid of them, thinking they were no longer useful."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, this is the best plan. Now a finished plan, but it's all we got for now. But are you sure you want to go by yourself Dr. Brueno?"

"I must stop the Doktor. He was manufacturing a parasite capable of controlling someone's mind. Sort of what Seiko did to the others, but more on the brain. He's currently using Ruri and Rin as test subjects. I'm afraid to know what will happen if he gets his hands on Serena."

Hiraki bit his lower lip, swelling the lump in his throat."Alright then. But we'll catch up with you after we're done. Stay safe, alright?"

They watched as Dr. Brueno entered the main building of Academia.

"The Secondary Union building is by the dumpster area," Hiraki said, taking the lead as they walked to the further side of Academia's outskirts.

"Hiraki...the Secondary Union." She paused, not sure how to keep the conversation going."Ho-"

"How was it?" Hiraki rose a brow and chuckled once she nodded."It's unlike you to be so timid, Wendy. Then again, I don't really know the real you that's not chaos influenced. Anyway, it was pretty bad. All students there were ranked below Osiris Red. People in that faction were the people who had no future in dueling, so they used them for other things. I tried getting out of it. Serena would always help me train and get stronger." He said, his eyes sparkling at the memory.

"You really like Serena, don't you?" Wendy leaned forward, hands behind her back.

"Yeah. I love her." He felt funny saying that."You know, after all of this, it feels natural saying aloud. I never thought those words would come out of my mouth again. I confessed, before this whole thing went out of hand, Or well before it got extreme. We never kissed though, if you're wondering."

Both of them shared a quick chuckle. They entered the main building of the Secondary Union and, as expected, found no trace of anyone there."At first, I thought I was an idiot for thinking I had a chance with someone like her. She was always defending me and she seemed too strong and independent. I felt like a complete pushover. A girl, defending me. Not that that's wrong, but I wanted to protect her at least once. I guess I ended up doing the opposite."

"It's not too late to fix that." Wendy grabbed him by the shoulder."I know Serena knows you meant well but things got out of hand. I might not have known her that well, but I know she's waiting for you."

"Thanks, Wendy." Hiraki sighed in relief."I needed that. All of this has been so stressful."

"Tell me about it. I'm in the same shoes as you. I..." Wendy clutched her hand against her chest."I want to save Yuri. I know I messed up when I went away from him but...I want to be there for him."

"Yuri...yeah. I'm sure he's...alright. I mean, maybe he'd resent me for beating up that one time." Hiraki scratched the back of his head awkwardly."Still, though, it's not like Yuri is a saint either. I think he'll forgive you and accept you."

She smiled at that."Yeah. I'm sure that little psycho will ask for something in return though. I guess...we're all monsters in the end, huh?"

Hiraki took a long sigh."Yeah. There's no denying that. We took choices we shouldn't have. We did horrible things while we weren't...fully in control of ourselves. But that's why we were given a second chance. To fix all of that. Now that the Lancers need us, now that Academia is within our grasp. We have to give it our all so we can redeem ourselves and put this damn war to rest."

"You're damn right!" Wendy's spirits seemed pumped up again."Let's find the others so we can get out of here and defeat Academia!"

Hiraki nodded, grateful that he had managed to make her feel better. They reached the end of a corridor that lead to a metallic door. Hiraki frowned, glancing back where they had come from. There weren't any rooms besides this one. in the corridor. If he remembered correctly, this door led to the detention center. He glanced at Wendy, who gave him a nod, then glance back at the door. He turned the nob slowly and steady, slowly peaking their heads inside.

"Okay, what the fuck?" A vulgar voice said."You really should have just opened the fucking door like a damn normal person.

"No way! Is that-"

"GUYS!" Wendy squealed, leaving Hiraki's side.

"Woah there! Easy!" Ace said between chuckles as he and Evan were being hugged to death.

Evan was enjoying the exchange and patted her on the head."I'm glad you are okay, Wendy."

"No kidding. Good to know you're alive and kicking!" Tokomaru grabbed Wendy from behind and spun her around."For a survivor!"

"Tokomaru, put her down." Junpei said without taking his eyes off his nails."The last thing you want is to make the poor girl sick with your stupidity."

"Hahaha! You're right, Junpei!" Tokomaru said, putting Wendy on the floor and completely ignoring Junpei's snarky comments.

"Naho!" Wendy rushed over to Naho, both girls holding hands together.

"I am very happy you are safe, Wendy." Naho said, her voice almost breaking down."When we didn't see you here, we thought-"

"We thought that something had happened." Tariko, who was sitting down on the floor next to Makoto, finished for her."Seriously, man. It's hella hard to keep track of time here, but she told us that you were sent together to beat the Lancers before Yuke."

"And when Yuke didn't appear here and wasn't here when I got here, we knew something was up."Evan explained."I was the last one defeated, after all."

"Indeed. The scent of defeat reeks in this very room." Makoto boomed, earning everyone's attention."We had foreseen that being defeated being the addition to the number of souls in this room."

"Yeah, no kidding." Tariko shuddered, remembering that he was one of the first to go down.

As they caught up with each other, Hiraki stood there, unable to say anything.

"You're not going to say hi?" Kumai's voice echoed in his head."Seriously, you standing is here creepy as shit!"

"It's not that easy," Hiraki replied.

"And why the hell no?!" He demanded, irritation evident in his tone.

"Because he doesn't know them." Yuke chimed in before things became more ridiculous."They were acquainted with me, however, they aren't aware of wh Hiraki is. And vice-versa."

"Big fucking deal! We're basically sharing the same body! We look the same as before!" Kumai complained louder."The only difference is Hiraki's poor choice in haircuts, one eye being a different color, and that he looks more alive than you."

"Yeah, but still-"

"And we're already being looked at like weirdos." Kumai's comment brought Hiraki back to reality.

Ace and Tariko were standing in front of Hiraki looking expectantly.

"You sure this is him?" Ace turned back to Wendy and the others."He does look like him, but then again, there are literally 4 other idiots who share the same face."

"Yup! It's Yuke alright!" Wendy cheerfully replied before scowling."Or at least that's the real Yuke."

Naho hummed to herself, rubbing her chin in thought."I suppose they do share a resemblance. That eye of yours is still crimson."

"Perhaps had a complete personality changed when Seiko first got her hands on him?" Tariko threw his theory out there."I mean, it happened to all of us. Our personalities changed drastically once we came in contact with chaos."

"Yeah, but does fucking chaos change your hair color and make it longer?" Tariko addressed a valid point, looking at Hiraki suspiciously.

Makoto, Evan, and Ace looked at each other."I mean, shit. It did to us. That Chaotic Mode changed our skin color and hair. Not to mention our eyes."

"I believe we should let him talk already, you mongrels." Junpei coughed loudly, silencing everyone in the room."Seriously, are all Fusion and XYZ people this dense?"

"Glad to see some things don't change." Ace grumbled under his breath."Asshole."

"I am Hiraki Sotari." Hiraki began, pacing in the middle of the room."As you might notice, I don't exactly look the same as I did back then when...I was Yuke. Yuke is with me. Inside my head. I'm the original personality that was inhabiting this body before Academia messed with my brain and allowed Yuke to be created. Or so I think. I want answers from the Professor himself."

"Fuck man." Tatsuyo scratched his head upon hearing that.

"You were experimented on?" Naho looked horrified."To the point where your personality...no...to the point where another you were created?"

"So you and Yuke are basically the same person." Tokomaru assessed the information."That would connect some dots. He never told us about himself and refused to tell us what or who he was."

"Fucking bald man." Ace kicked the wall in rage."Not only does he alter people's brains but he also changes them?! Fuck!"

"And that's why we're here." Hiraki took over the conversation again."Wendy and I came with Dr. Brueno. He's helping us. He's pretty much the one who put my psyche back together but that's beside the point. We came here looking for you guys because we need all the help we can get to fight Academia. Right now, the Lancers are inside giving it their all to win this war. We messed up big time and put them through hell, so this is the least we can do to atone for our sins."

The former Unifiers of Chaos whispered amongst themselves. To say the looked unsure was a great understatement.

"Yeah, I don't know about that." Ace spoke for them."There's no reason for us to get involved in this anymore."

"We had our chance at victory and failed." Evan said with a sad smile."We are far too gone to deserved redemption. If anything, damnation is heaven compared to what we deserved."

"Not to mention that we took great loses during this whole thing." Naho confessed bitterly."Although it wasn't favorable for anyone, we were bested fair and square."

Everyone else seemed to share the same opinion. Even Junpei had opted to bite his tongue down and simply close his eyes. Wendy and Hiraki looked at each other worriedly.

"Guys, come on..." Wendy pleaded, walking around her teammates."You can't just give up like this! We have to go out there and help!"

"Is there even anything we can do?" Tariko shifted on his spot, unsure."I entrusted my will to the Lancers. If anyone can win, it's them. We are merely pushovers at this point."

"Ironic how we were a formidable force and now we're reduced to pesky duelists." Evan swirled a bang of his hair with his finger."Frankly, the best thing we can do now is stay here."

"Come on!" Hiraki shouted, stomping his foot hard on the ground."Are you guys really going to give up just like that?! We're the Unifiers of Chaos, aren't we?! That must still mean something! Aren't you mad that Seiko manipulated our lives and the Professor saw through all of this?! We were fucking puppets!"

"What the hell do you know?!" Ace pushed Hiraki against the wall."You weren't there?! You're not Yuke, right?! So what the fuck kind of right do you have to be spouting all this bullshit about not giving up? For you to have changed into him, you must have given up, right?! You damn hypocrite."

"Now, that's enough!" Tokomaru grabbed Ace and effortlessly dragged him away from Hiraki."He's been through a lot too!"

"Bullshit!" Ace retorted, doing his best to escape the muscular man's grasp.

'Morality sure is low, huh?' Kumai laughed dryly.

'Hiraki, switch with me. If it's me they hear talk, they'll be willing to listen.' Yuke suggested. Hiraki sighed in relief, allowing Yuke to take control of the body.

Hiraki's eyes were not both crimson, symbolizing the change in control."I am disappointed in what I'm seeing right now. Truthfully, I expected more out of you people."

Everyone gasped, looking directly at the eyes of the individual standing in front of them. Ace spat on the floor and rushed at him."Stop messing with me, you BASTARD!"

Yuke caught the punched and brought Ace closer to his face."Pull it together, Ace. Is this what I can expect from the second in command? You are destroying yourself. You are stronger than this." Yuke lowered his fist, shifting his gaze to the rest of the group."You all are."

"Yuke..." Naho covered her mouth, unable to say another word.

"Holy fuck, it is him." Tatsuyo gulped.

"Everyone, I want to ask you for forgiveness." His features softened, but still keeping his sharp gaze."I completely overlooked your feelings during this whole thing and simply used you for a goal that was not even ours to begin with. But you had all different reasons for joining. And now you have reasons to fight against it." He shifted his gaze over to the Synchro group.

"Tokomaru, you wanted to be someone other than Jack's mechanic and helper. But we all know that you are more than that. You are his best friend and you are an important person in his life and the life of the citizens of Synchro."

Tatsuyo gulped as Yuke was facing him and Junpei."I know there's bad blood between you two. But all of that can be fixed. Tatsuyo, you might not think yourself much of a fighter, but you have your worth in the botany area. You are a very important person for us. Junpei, it's true that your methods and reasons are questionable at best, but then again, we are all on the same boat. Instead of looking down on the Commons, help them grow. Use your wealthy to make them shine just as much as the Tops do."

He then went over to the XYZ group."Naho. You care deeply for your friends, don't you? You are very elegant and I can tell that you enjoy making others feel the same way. Tariko. You are a noble swordsman that fights with honor. That is an incredible value and rare value to have. Makoto. You want to save Ruri, right? We can still do that. You can get her and your friends back."

"And now, you guys." Yuke looked over to the former You Show students."You guys were with Academia before. And defecting from it proves that you wanted something better. Keep that close in your heart. As I have said before, we all have our reasons to fight. As for me, I want to help Hiraki and his friends to return to their normal lives and pay for my acts. That and...find the secret of my existence. For that, I want you to follow Hiraki as you would follow me. I have no right in further using his body like I once did, so I am asking you to please...do this for me."

A pregnant silence filled the room. Everyone was taking their time absorbing the information. Tokomaru erupted into laughter as he began clapping. Yuke was dumbfounded. Out of all reactions he had anticipated for them to have, he hadn't seen this coming. Soon enough, everyone was clapping and whistling.

Yuke let Hiraki take control back, not putting the boy in a very awkward situation.

"Well, guess I was right after all." Ace walked up to Hiraki and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. Due to Hiraki being considerably taller, they were in a crooked position.

"Huh?" Hiraki was baffled at what was happening. One moment they were sulking around and now they're all laughing?

"I wanted to see if you were the real deal, so we came up with a surprise plan just now while you were waiting at the door." Ace said with a smirk."Turns out you really are Yuke. I mean, I heard Yuya and Yuto were sharing bodies, so this isn't as crazy as that. Fucking door opens from the outside. And "second in command" my fucking ass. Tell Yuke that he sucks at sugar coating."

"But now that's settled." Evan walked up to the pair, glancing back to his friends."I believe we should strategize."

"We all have our main priorities right now." Hiraki began, folding his arms under his chest."But phase one is the same as everyones. We have to make a safe path to the inside of Academia and get in through there."

"Agreed." Makoto nodded."I believe we should rush through it. I do believe that at this point, our position has been most likely compromised. I will go to where Ruri and Shun are. As we all know, the girls are being controlled by the Doktor, who is using some sort of parasites to feast on their brain."

"An extreme way to put it, but yes." Evan sighed."Yugo was about to duel link before I was teleported here. I don't know if that kid has it in him to beat her in these conditions."

"And I want to...rescue Yuri..." The orange-hair girl began receiving odd stares from the group, causing her to grit her teeth."Yes, I want to fucking save Yuri! Suck it up!"

"Alright, fine. Jeez..." Ace muttered under his breath."Edo is with Yugo must likely, so he's in good hands. But if you want to go, Evan, go. Wendy, I don't know if going by yourself is a good idea. Remember that the Professor considers all the girls as precious. So we keeping you close with us will foil his plans, no matter what."

"I'll go with her." Evan volunteered."Yuri-kun is in with terms with me. At least out of all of us present."

"Alright. What about you, Yuke? You don't mind that I call you Yuke, right?" Evan addressed his doubt."I mean, it'll feel weird calling you anything else."

"You guys can call me whatever makes you comfortable." Hiraki answered."I'll go meet up with the Lancers and get Serena and Yuzu out of there. Then, hopefully, we can all meet at the Professor's throne." He began walking toward the door, looking over his shoulder."You all know the plan. Let's get moving." Hiraki began running, being followed by his former teammates. They made a quick run out of the Secondary Union building, only to be met with an unexpected welcome party.

A vast number of people wearing black tuxedos were surrounding the building. They all had crimson eyes but seemed like they weren't completely in their right mind. They activated their Duel Disks and began summoning Ancient Gear monsters.

"Shit, there's too many of them!" Tariko cried out in shook.

"Yeah..." Even Junpei seemed uneasy.

"So, this is what happened to all the people from the Secondary Union, huh," Hiraki observed with a sad look in his eyes. He recognized a few people in the crowd. People he used to go to class with. He bit his lower lip, almost breaking some skin."Let's do this, guys! Unifiers of...NO! UNIFIERS OF ORDER! GO!" All 10 members activated their Duel Disks, summoning their strongest monsters.

"Crystron Quariongandrax!"

"Naturia Leodrake!"

"Dragunity Knight - Barcha!"

"Sacred Noble Knight of King Artorigus!"

"Madolche Puddingcess Chocolat-a-la-Mode!"

"Origami Odimia!"

"Evilswarm Ouroborus!"

"Vision HERO Adoration!"

"Misfortune Magatsu!"

"Harvoc Nova Ritual Dragon!"

All monsters appeared on the field, creating a powerful aura that sent back many of the Ancient Gear monsters and Hunting Hounds, Meanwhile, the now called Unifiers of Order had begun running through the black-clothed army. "Guys! Make sure you only knock them out!"

Tokomaru was making quirk work of the students, throwing them around like a wrestler. Wendy and Naho had opted for staying together, bashing any enemy that would come near them. Tariko was using his Duel Disk as a blade, sticking his opponents down. Evan and Yuke were in the lead, followed by Evan who was keeping his distance from the group.

Meanwhile, a battle in the sky was going off. Harvoc Nova was firing blasts at every Wyvern coming its way while being assisted by Odimia and Barcha. Leodrake was devouring Hunting Hounds kike chew toys while being backed up by its Synchro allies. Just then, more enemies arrived to the battlefield, This time the Obelisk Fore. These were summoning powerful fusion monsters. Advanced Hunting Hounds along with a couple of Chaos Ancient Gears and Ultimate Ancient Gear Golems.

"Fuck! We have to take those Chaos Ancient Gears down or we will fucking die here!" Evan cried out as he was fighting two Obelisk Force Members.

"Leave them to us! Remember the plan!" Tokomaru roared as his Crystron was wrestling against a Chaos Giant."Wendy, Evan, Yuke, and Ace! You go ahead! Makoto, go with them too!"

"Alright!" Hiraki beckoned his 4 other allies to follow him.

"Well, look at me, letting these vermin take my spotlight." Junpei let out a dry chuckle.

"Aw, come on, don't think about it like that." Naho came from behind him and saved him from being struck on the back."I see you smiling."

"Shut up." Junpei shook his head.

"ALRIGHT EVERYONE! WE HAVE TO BUY THEM AS MUCH TIME AND MEET UP WITH THEM! LET'S FUCKING DO THIIIIIIIIS!" Tokomaru roared, followed by everyone else present.

"Alright! That would be the last of their defenses." Hiraki observed as he saw no one left in front of them"Alright. Ace, you're going after the Doktor, right? We'll meet up at the Professor's throne. Evan, keep a close eye on Wendy."

"You better be careful too, okay?" Wendy yanked Hiraki's arm, pouting."You're going by yourself too after all."

"Nah, I count for 2, remember?" Hiraki shot back with a toothy grin, pointing at his crimson eye.

"3, asshole!" He heard Kumai yelled but ignored him.

"You idiots better stay alive, got it?" Ace said as he began jogging away."I don't feel like dying a second time."

"Let's go, Wendy.." Evan and Wendy shared a quick nod before going their way. Hiraki began running around the place,, looking for where they kept prisoners.

"Are you sure Serena is there? You saw her being taken away!" Kumai reminded Yuke, giving him a sassy look.

Yuke merely grunted and turned away from him."We should have asked Dr. Brueno for further instructions."

"Even if we did, they must have moved here somewhere else. If he defected Academia, they must have thought of moving her away so he wouldn't know where she is."

"So why the hell are we going to the cells? We were there before, right?"

Hiraki stopped in his tracks, not daring to say a word."I guess...I forgot?"

"And you forgot too!" Kumai pointed dramatically at Yuke who had a light blush on his face.

"Stop right there, Yuke." An authoritative voice called out from behind them. Barret came out from the shadows, his everlasting scowl on his face."Or should I call you Hiraki?"

"Barett!" Hiraki took a step back.

"You've got some nerve, kid" Barret said, taking a threatening step forward."You became gutsier than the last time I saw you. Although your face surely is offputting."

"Why are you..."

"Am I here? Surely you must know that after you butted into my Duel that time against Yuya Sakaki and got me sent here, injured. It took me a while to heal up, but now I'm back in action. The question is, why are you here? I was informed that you were defeated by the Lancers."

"I came to rescue Serena." He quickly replied without missing a beat."And end this damn war once and for all! This is madness."

"You came to rescue Serena-sama, huh?" Barett said with an incredulous tone."As you know, I've raised Serena-sama as best as I could and made her the warrior that she is today. At first, I didn't like it, you know? I was a soldier, not a babysitter. But I saw potential in her." He smiled, enjoying the trip down the memory lane."She was a stubborn one, that's for sure. But...son enough I grew attached to her. In a way where only a parent and a child can relate. I'm a single man due to my life as a soldier, so I never had time to settle down. I suppose you can say that she is like a daughter to me."

"Barett..."

"And then you came along, distracting Serena from her duties." He gave him a glare."You were clumsy, weak, and a cry baby. It's beyond me why Serena-sama even gave you a chance. But I changed my mind as time passed. I saw how determined you were to become a better duelist." His features soften."And above all, I saw that you wanted to protect her. But that led you to the wrong path and you corrupted yourself. You were the one who sent her back here after all." He clenched his fists tight."I didn't know that you were Yuke at first. No one did. But once word got out, I started to resent you."

"You mean that...you wanted Serena to escape?"

"I did. The Professor has the two girls who looked like her trapped like rats. I didn't want that to happen to her. So when I found out it was you who did it, I began thinking that maybe you were not what I had expected. Or so I thought. You coming here right now lets me now that you have your heart in the right place, kid. At this point, only you can save Serena from the Professor's clutches." Barett walked up to Hiraki and placed his hand on his shoulder."You've come a long way kid. And if you make it through this, I'll give you my blessing."

"J-j-jeez...why do you have to put it like that?" Hiraki did a poor job of hiding his blush. He felt Barett pushing him along."Barett?"

"Go rescue my little girl." He said with a sincere smile."I'll cover your back, so don't mess this up."

Hiraki was speechless but nodded. He knew he had to keep going and was running out of time."Thank you, Barett! I swear I'll save Serena no matter what!"

Barett watched as Hiraki disappeared, turning on a corner."I know you will kid. Well, why don't you two come out?"

On cue, Irina and Lumi came into view.

"A touchy moment, really." Lumi cackled, activating his Duel Disk."What do we do to traitors again, Irina?"

"We end them." She said cooly.

Barett took a long sigh, removing his jacket."Before you get to in-law and Serena...you will have to get through me!"

Sorry for the short chapter folks. Been busy with making sure I passed this semester. Online school sucks. Anyway, this is a bridge between the arc before and the final one, as we approach the final stages of the story. Now that the Unifiers are back in business, things will go in different ways from what you might expect. Stay tuned to find out more!