The Birthmark's Fate

by Wolfytoki

A young girl named Naomi Kobiyashi is dragged into a war because of her strange birthmark, but it isn't all that it seems. As she is dragged into this war, questions waiting to be answered, trials waiting to be overcome, looking into memories, and even encountering similar people, without knowing this was all because she wears a birthmark. Canon Divergence. OC-insert.

27. Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Battle Royale, part 2

To continue off from the last chapter:

"It's just you two...Yuri and Akemi," Dennis said. The two mentioned people give two different smiles: one filled with coldness while the other with malice.

Akemi pressed her lips together and leaned against the railing.

"Hmm...This place certainly seems interesting" Akemi glanced at the area, knocking at the ice that covered the area.

"If I were to bring a chunk of ice back and hit someone, would the Professor even care?" Akemi took a piece of ice and tested how hard the material was. She wondered if she were to throw this chunk of ice at one of her teachers, would she get detention? Hmm, probably not.

Dennis laughed nervously. "He would, Akemi. Let's focus on the mission first," Dennis rubbed his neck nervously. The trio looked below them to see Yuzu and Naomi encountering the Obelisk Force.

Yuri frowned upon the display, clearly annoyed by the elite force doing his work. "The Professor ordered only me to bring Yuzu Hiiragi. So why is the Obelisk Force here?"

His tone dropped dangerously low, and while it made Dennis shiver in fear, Akemi simply grinned and leaned on his back, caressing his cheek. "Don't feel too bad, darling~ The Professor gave Kori and that brat my mission and didn't even think to tell me," Akemi reassured. "However, I still find it insulting he would give our assignments to low ranks because of a little screw-up."

Dennis wanted to comment on Akemi's words, specifically the last part, because of her recent failure to retrieve her counterparts. But he couldn't get his words out when his throat tightened as the air became hot, rising to a few degrees, which was strange because they were in the Iceberg Zone, not the Volcano Zone.

"Wasn't that little screw-up because of you, my dear? The Professor was displeased when you told him about the injuries you inflicted on your Synchro lookalike," Yuri commented. Akemi pouted, knowing Yuri was right. After her little encounter with Haru, she may have overdone it and caused Haru to gain a few minor cuts and a major one. But honestly, Akemi couldn't help herself, and she tried to hold back but couldn't because she was annoyed by Haru's antics. Honestly, in her defense, she was probably doing Academia a favor. This is how she gets repaid, having her special missions handed to two other people while constantly having to hear from the Professor's mouth because of her mistakes.

If you were to ask Akemi, she felt unappreciated. She wanted a thank you, or else she might snap the next time she's summoned to the Professor's Chambers.

In the middle of her ranting, she didn't hear a crash behind her until one of the voices groaned. Prompting her to turn around.

Revealed two figures to be Halil and Olga. Akemi raised an eyebrow at the duo's unexpected appearance and beckoned her finger for Dennis to come toward her.

"Who are they?" Akemi asked. Dennis gave a humorless chuckle. "Two people who shouldn't be here, Akemi-chan. Ahh, this is going to be so troublesome."

"Ah. I take it those two shouldn't see you with the enemy, or else you'll be exposed," Akemi noted how their appearance irritated Dennis. She figured out it must be due to the espionage mission the Professor had given him.

"You are correct, Akemi-chan. Now we have to take care of these-" Dennis trailed off as he and Akemi saw Yuri walking towards the pair. The two knew that Halil and Olga were unfortunate that they had to run into them. But in the end, this worked out well for them since it didn't take long for Yuri to completely wiped the floor with them and turn them into cards.

The dark blue-haired girl turns her attention back to the ground. When she saw her counterpart and Yuzu defeat the Obelisk Force with ease.

She squinted her eyes and looked closer at her lookalike appearance. The girl had long waist-length green hair and matching green eyes. Akemi pressed her finger against her chin, thinking about which of her counterparts had that appearance.

Then it hit her.

The girl is Naomi Kobiyashi, her Standard counterpart. Akemi pushed Naomi to the back of her mind because she was unimportant. But now Naomi is standing across from her. Just waiting to be taken away. Akemi felt stupid. She pushed Naomi to the side like that. Well, she won't make a mistake next time, that's for sure.

Akemi turned her attention towards the Entermage duelist. "Dennis-chan, can you explain why Naomi-chan is wearing Yuki-chan's clothing?" Akemi questioned.

"That's simple. They switched clothes with each other, and Serena and Yuzu," Dennis answered, "they have the same face as each other that the Obelisk Force couldn't tell the difference. Just like with Yuri and Yuya-kun."

Yuri narrowed his eyes at the mention of Yuya. Like Fusion and the Xyz User, someone else shared the same face as him. Yuri was deeply thinking about scheming another plan for his lookalikes to meet under horrible circumstances just like last time.

But Yuri's attention was turned toward Akemi, who was smiling mischievously. He glanced at her and already knew what she was thinking.

Akemi had a bright gleam in her eyes. She leaned onto Yuri's shoulder and pressed her lips against his ear. "They don't know how I act. Let's do our thing," Akemi cooed.

Since Naomi and her friend Yuzu don't know how she acts, she can play innocent and duel them. Throughout the duel, she can show her true colors.

Akemi and Yuri used this strategy countless times. One of them has to show their true colors initially, while the other has to look innocent on the outside. They usually used this tactic to capture their assignment or just play around with fodders back at Academia. Playing this game is enjoyable for both of them.

Yuri grinned and nodded at Akemi's suggestion. "I take it you want to play innocent," Yuri said, noticing the gleam his girlfriend gets when it comes to people she has never met before. Especially for the naive type, she loves to toy with them the most. Well, he's the same way when it comes to carding people, particularly annoyances like the ones he just faced.

"Yup, and since you already showed your true colors for the two numbskulls," Akemi mentioned, the two carded people in Yuri's hand.

"Alright, however, you have to show me a good performance, or else I won't be so agreeing the next time we play this game," Yuri replied, tapping Akemi on the nose. The girl's coy smile turns sadistic as if she was going to promise pain and suffering.

"Of course. You should know by now, Yuri-kun is that I never disappoint."

Meanwhile, Naomi wiped the sweat off her forehead as she and Yuzu finished the last member of the Obelisk Force.

"That's all of them, Yuzu-chan," Naomi turned to the Melodious User. Yuzu nodded and looked around, hoping to see if Yuya or any other competitors had made it to this area.

But it looks like she and Naomi are the only ones here. "Let's check the other areas to see if anyone is there," Yuzu suggested. Naomi agreed with her idea since there wasn't anyone around. However, her birthmark told a different story.

Suddenly Naomi felt a sense of fear covering her body as the hairs on her neck started to stand up. All of her instincts were telling her to grab Yuzu and run away.

"Look what we have here," a voice said. The two girls turned in the direction of where the voice was coming from and nearly gasped when they saw who it was.

Another person has the same face as Yuya.

The person frowned. "I already know what you are thinking. I am not Yuya, I already have a name, and it's Yuri," Yuri introduced himself as he wiped the dust off his shoulders.

"Yuri," Yuzu repeated quietly.

"Yes. His name is Yuri. It's nice to meet you," another person appeared with a gentle smile.

Naomi's eyes widened when she saw the girl's face. She immediately recognized the girl. She saw this girl in her dreams the night Sora appeared in her life. This girl is her Fusion Counterpart, Akemi Shima.

However, her appearance was different from the last time she saw her. Instead of sky-blue hair, the girl's hair was a dark blue color as she had the same matching eye color. She wore the same uniform as Serena, except her uniform was a dark blue. She had a black fingerless glove on her right hand and black thigh boots.

The more Naomi kept staring at Akemi's smile, the more she felt the need to leave the area as soon as possible. And Naomi wasn't the only one feeling this way. A transparent Eternia appears with a worried look.

"This is bad. Extremely bad. Almost all the pieces are here except for Haru Kobi and the other two counterparts of Yuzu Hiiragi. If the two of Yuya's Counterpart were to meet it and duel, it could cause him to be revived, and the seal would weaken. It will be just like before."

Eternia knew she couldn't directly interfere with human affairs. Still, she has to try something, or else the Standard Dimension will be the first to face his wrath when he arrives. She closed her eyes tightly and clenched her fists.

She has to do something about the current situation, or else history will repeat itself. When Eternia looks at Naomi's glowing birthmark, she gets an idea. It'll be a huge gamble, but she will hope that it will work out in her favor.

Naomi took a step back as the need to escape felt evident. She wanted to grab Yuzu and sprinted away from the pair. She knows her birthmark can't teleport them away like Yuzu can when it comes to people who look like Yuya. They cannot contact the latter because of the jamming in their communications. It's a truly dire situation.

Naomi licked her dry lips to fight off the fear dwelling in her chest. "I know dueling them will be pointless. We will definitely be kidnapped when we're finished, but what else can we do in this situation? Hope for a miracle to happen," Naomi grimaced in her mind. She scoffed at the idea but didn't entirely dismiss it. Maybe the universe will create a phenomenon that will work in her favor. But what kind is what she is hoping for?

Meanwhile, Eternia contacted her sister Chaos Goddess in the Synchro Dimension. She quickly explained the situation to her sister. Luckily, she understood how drastic it seemed.

"Alright, sister, I will do what I can but don't hope it will turn out the way you wanted."

"That's fine as long as it's something."

Chaos Goddess grinned. "Alright then, but just to remind you, you did ask for my help."

A few seconds after Chaos Goddess said those words. She snapped her fingers. Haru, who was dueling against Sector Security, didn't even notice that her birthmark started to glow a yellowish-gold light.

A portal appeared in the sky however, the same portal was underneath Naomi's feet.

Time stopped as the girl slowly looked down and noticed a city underneath where her feet were standing. Naomi paled and tried to grab on to something but found it hopeless when the portal kept pulling her in.

She fell into the portal as she screamed.

"KYYAAAAA!"

"Naomi-chan!" Yuzu yelled as she tried to grab the girl's wrist, but it was too late when the green-haired girl fell into the portal as it closed behind her.

Yuzu looked shocked at the spot where Naomi was standing at. She glanced at her bracelet, wondering if this thing had another ability to teleport her friend somewhere else. She quickly dismissed the thought because of how foolish it seemed. But it wouldn't be the strangest thing she had encountered.

A sigh broke her thoughts. "Ah, I was hoping the four of us could have some fun, but it seemed that your friend had other plans" Yuri gave a faux look of disappointment before his usual expression returned.

"It doesn't matter anyway because, in the end, I will definitely bring you to the Professor. Whether you like it or not, Yuzu Hiiragi."

Yuzu had to fight off the chills down her back and shot a glare at Akemi and Yuri.

"I won't be taken away so easily!" Yuzu declared, taking a step back. She knows Naomi felt something was off about these two Academia duelists. That they weren't like the Obelisk Force, she had just faced. They were on another level, especially the girl who shared the same face as her friend. She emitted an aura different from Yuki and Naomi.

Despite the kind smile on Akemi's face, she was the second most threatening person Yuzu had ever encountered besides Yuri.

Combined, these two people are deadly poison, but they are walking time bombs. Just waiting to explode.

In the Volcano Zone_

Umi was on the way to the Iceberg Area when she was stopped by a shout.

"Hey! You!"

Umi turned her head towards the source of the sound. She stared at the white-clad duelist riding a matching white-colored d-wheel with several gold and black stripes hornet.

Umi looked at the duelist with a dull expression. She proceeded to head towards her destination until the duelist she ignored blocked her path.

"I'm talking to you! Are you from Academia!" The white-clad duelist asked.

"Yes, I am. Why would that be any of your concern?" Umi confirmed the duelist question.

"It is my business when that bastard took Rin away!" the white-clad duelist snapped. Umi felt aggravated by this duelist in front of her that she wanted to dismiss him again. However, he wasn't going to let her until he got some answers about where this Rin person was.

"Fine. How about this Unknown, if you win, then I will tell you whatever you want to know however if you lose, then you become a card," Umi negotiated calmly. Even if she doesn't know who this Rin person is, she can use this duel as a way to relieve stress again. Strange enough, she felt like she would be even more stressed out when this duel was finished.

"My name is Yugo, not Unknown. I will accept your challenge!" Yugo shouted, activating his duel disk on his d-wheel.

Umi smirked and activated hers in response.

"DUEL!" Both junior youths shouted as they each drew their starting hand.

Yugo vs Umi; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each

Turn 1

H:5

"I will take the first turn!" Yugo announced, playing a card in his hand slot.

"I summon Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice" Yugo summoned a purple dice on his field.

Wind/Level 3/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK 300/DEF 1500

"Then when I control a WIND Monster, I can Special Summon Speedroid Taketonborg from my hand" Yugo continued, a small yellow bug-like machine that appeared next to the purple dice.

Wind/Level 3/Machine/Effect/ATK 600/DEF 1200

"I tune my Level 3 Taketonborg to Level 3 Tri-Eyed Dice!" Yugo shouted, tuning his monsters together.

"Cursed blade in the form of a cross, use your power to rend all of our enemies! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 6! High-Speedroid Devil Sword Dama!"

Devil Sword Dama appeared from the portal.

Wind/Level 6/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2200/DEF 1600

"Kendama?" Umi tilted her head at the sight of the monster.

"It's a Devil Sword Dama! Not Kendama!" Yugo snapped at the young girl. Umi blinked and looked at the Synchro Monster, which was clearly a Kendama.

"Tsk. I activate Devil Sword Dama's effect. I banish Taketonborg from my Graveyard to inflict 500 damage to your LP!"

Devil Sword Dama blasted blue lightning toward Umi as the girl shielded herself from the blast. She looked down at the screen and saw her LP had been reduced by 500.

Umi:4000-500=3500 LP

"I set one card and end my turn! Now it's your turn!" Yugo yelled, clearly irritated that Umi called his monster a Kendama when it was clearly a Devil Sword Dama.

Umi narrowed her eyes. "I know the rules," Umi remarked, drawing her card.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I summon Espirit Beast Rampenta" Umi summoned a green penguin monster to her field. After her little setback, she had to return to her original deck, but it didn't matter to her as long as it got the job done.

Wind/Level 4/Beast/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 400

"I activate Rampenta's effect. I banish Holy Spirit Beast Rider Petolphin from my Extra Deck to send a Spirit Monster with the same type as the banished monster to my Graveyard! I send Espirit Beast Petolphin through this effect!"

Rampenta sent a pink dolphin to a purple portal as a girl riding the same pink dolphin went to the banished zone.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Emergency Teleport' to Special Summon Spirit Beast Tamer Wen from my hand! Come forth, Wen!" Umi cried out. Joining the field was Spirit Beast Tamer Wen, wielding a staff.

Wind/Level 3/Psychic/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 1000

"I banish Wen and Rampenta to perform a Contact Fusion!" Umi explained before a shout interrupted her.

"MY NAME IS YUGO, NOT FUSION!"

"I DIDN'T SAY YUGO! I SAID FUSION!"

Umi yelled back with veins popping out of her forehead. She had to take a few deep breaths to calm down before she lost her mind.

"The psychic rider of the sea! The green penguin of the land! Fuse your powers to create a legend! Contact Fusion! The ferocious duo that owns the forest! Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio!"

A more mature Lara and Apelio stormed to the field as the red lion roared toward the Kendama-like monster.

Wind/Level 6/Pyro/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 400

"I set a card! Battle! Destroy that Kendama!" Umi demanded her monster to attack as she ignored Yugo's words about getting his monster name wrong again. She felt a bit of satisfaction when he took damage from the attack.

Yugo:4000-400=3600 LP

The boy regained his balance on his d-wheel from the impact.

"I'll pay you back a hundred times for getting my name wrong and for being part of the place that took Rin!" Yugo declared. Umi frowned at the revelation since this is the second time Yugo mentioned this Rin person was taken away. She didn't hear anything about this, especially from the elite members, excluding Yuri and Akemi.

Maybe those two could inform her about this Rin person, but Umi grimaced because it would mean having to talk with Akemi, which is something Umi wanted to avoid at all costs.

Yugo drew a card for his turn.

Turn 3

H:2-3

"I activate the Spell Card 'Speed Rebirth' to Special Summon Devil Sword Dama back to my field. Next, I activate my Trap Card 'Speed Turn' to change your Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio to Defense Position!" Yugo pointed at the monster. "When I do, that monster loses 500 DEF!"

"I won't let that happen! I return my Fusion Monster to my Extra Deck to Special Summon my banished monsters back to my field! Return Wen and Rampenta in Defense Position!" Umi countered. Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio disappeared as two familiar monsters took their place.

They crouched down and created a shield to protect Umi.

"Then I'll just attack Rampenta! Devil Sword Dama can inflict piercing battle damage!" Yugo revealed that he accelerated his d-wheel, and Umi dodged in time but not quickly enough to save her monster from being destroyed.

She winced due to the damage she had taken.

Umi:3500-1800=1700 LP

"I end my turn" Yugo finished his turn, stopping his bike until he was across from Umi, who recovered from the damage she took.

"That was impressive, but I want to finish this duel to locate my target. I don't need any more annoyances getting in my way," Umi stated. Yugo looked at the girl in anger.

"I don't know who your target is, but I know that you bastards took Rin and are trying to take Haru as well!" Yugo revealed that Haru was being followed by someone with the same face as him, but he had a duel disk whose shape was exactly like the one Umi was currently wielding.

The girl stared but didn't say anything against the boy's words. "I will start my turn" Umi drew her card.

Turn 4

H:2-3

"I summon Spirit Beast Tamer Lara. And through her effect, I can Special Summon Petolphin from my Graveyard" Umi summoned two monsters on her field. One of them was a girl wearing tribal clothing as she wielded a brown staff resembling the sun.

Wind/Level 1/Psychic/Effect/ATK 100/DEF 2000

"I activate Petolphin's effect by banishing a Spirit Beast Card from my hand. I return a monster you control back to your hand! I banish the Trap Card Spirit Beast Ambush to return Devil Sword Dama to your hand!" Umi yelled. Petolphin splashed the waters towards the Synchro Monster, enveloping it in water as it disappeared from the field, leaving Yugo completely defenseless.

"I banish Lara and Petolphin to bring back Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio!"

The two said monsters left the field in a spiral as Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio returned to the field.

"Battle! Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio, attack Yugo!"

"I activate Speedroid Mencoat's effect from my hand! When my opponent declares an attack, I can Special Summon this card," Yugo countered as Mencoat appeared in Defense Position.

Wind/Level 4/Machine/Effect/ATK 100/DEF 2000

Its appearance caused all monsters on the field to be forced into Defense Position except for Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio.

"When Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio attacks, it is unaffected by card effects! So the attack continues!" Umi explained, and just like before, she continued her attack however this time was different.

"I activate my Trap Card 'Spirit Beast Coordination' to destroy your Mencoat!"

The Trap Card shot a yellow beam destroying the machine monster as Umi went for a direct attack. Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio lunged for Yugo, bitting his shoulder, causing him to groan in pain but endure it until the Fusion Monster let go of him.

Yugo:3600-2600=1000 LP

"However, I am not done! I activate the Quick-Play 'Spirit Beast's Mutual Bond' by banishing Wen and the Holy Spirit Beast Rider Apelio to Special Summon a Holy Spirit Beast Rider Monster from my Extra Deck!" Umi remarked, thrusting her hand forward.

Her two monsters left the field in a spiral.

"The powerful duo of the beast! The psychic rider of the sea! Fuse your powers to create a legend! Contact Fusion! The ultimate spirit legend! Holy Spirit Beast Rider Gaiapelio!"

Light/Level 10/Psychic/Fusion/Effect/ATK 3200/DEF 2100

From the huge portal, an advanced and more mystic version of Apelio arrived on Umi's field as Yugo's eyes turned into saucers at the size of the monster.

"That thing is huge! What is that!" Yugo exclaimed, pointing at the behemoth. Umi smirked at his reaction.

"This is my trump card Holy Spirit Beast Rider Gaiapelio. Now since it is still my battle phase, I will continue my attack!" Umi pointed at her opponent, and her monster understood as the pair shot Yugo with a beam of different colors.

The Speedroid duelist snapped out of his stupor to dodge the attack that would damage him and his d-wheel. He drove his d-wheel on the walls of the building and the rails on the bridge.

"I banish Tri-Eyed Dice to negate your attack!"

A transparent purple dice covered Yugo in a sheet protecting him and his d-wheel from the beams that would've destroyed what connected him to his precious friends.

"With that, I end my turn" Umi finished her turn. She was able to bait Yugo into using his monster effect in his Graveyard. "Just give up. You may have LP left however you have one card in your hand. I'm sure you don't have any monsters whose ATK or effect can defeat my Gaiapelio," Umi stated "just surrender and become a card. But before you do, tell me where Haru's whereabouts are, and maybe I'll spare you."

Umi negotiated in her last statement. She figured this Haru girl had the same face as her rival, and if her intuition were correct, this Haru girl would be captured anyway. But it wouldn't hurt to get some info from someone close to the girl and use it to their advantage.

Much to Umi's dismay, Yugo didn't say anything but glare at her.

"I refuse to give up. As long as I still have a card in my deck, I will turn this duel around in my favor!" Yugo shouted, "Even if I were to be lost and then be tortured or beaten by you bastards, I would never turn my back on Haru ever!"

The thought of betraying his friend sickens him. He meant every word he said, but that doesn't mean he will surrender the duel because it may look like he has no other options. Unknown to Umi, Yugo has the perfect card to win him the duel. After all, it was the card Haru gave him on his 10th birthday. Now it was time to summon it.

"My turn!" Yugo shouted, drawing his card. When he glanced at his card, he grinned widely.

Turn 5

H:1-2

"I summon Speedroid Bamboo Horse from my hand" Yugo summoned the card he drew during his draw phase.

The card was a small green and white horse monster.

Wind/Level 4/Machine/Effect/ATK 1100/DEF 1100

"Through Bamboo Horse's effect, I can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Speedroid Monster from my hand! Appear Speedroid Quad-Die," Yugo yelled. The dice monster was two orange monsters with four eyes on each side.

Wind/Level 4/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK 400/DEF 400

"I tune my Level 4 Bamboo Horse to Level 4 Quad-Die! Powerful dragon of the unforgiving skies! Strike down in these winds to slash your enemies with its power! Synchro Summon! Level 8! High-Speedroid Kitedrake!"

A blue machine drake with green-colored kited materials wings descended on Yugo's field.

Wind/Level 8/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2800

"Now, when Kitedrake is Synchro Summoned, I can activate one of its effects: I can destroy all cards on the field beside this card or negate all cards effects you control," Yugo continued. "Of course, I choose to destroy all cards!"

Kitedrake swirled around furiously, causing the surrounding areas to shatter because of the intense winds the monster was letting out. The recently summoned monster created a huge whirlwind that enveloped Gaiapelio, destroying the duo monster in one fell swipe.

Umi was left defenseless. She had no card on the field and no card in her hand. She paled, realizing it would be her defeat.

"Battle! High-Speedroid Kitedrake attack my opponent directly!"

Kitedrake flew up in the sky and slammed down against Umi, who blocked the ferocious attack with her bare hands. It proved useless as she fell back and fell unconscious due to the attack's impact.

Umi:1700-3000=0 LP

Before Yugo could ask the unconscious girl for answers, she disappeared from her spot, indicating that she had to return to Academia.

"Damn it! I didn't even get to ask her where they are keeping Rin!" Before Yugo could complain, a light shone from his Extra Deck, specifically from his ace monster, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon.

"Are you trying to lead me somewhere else, Clear Wing?" Yugo muttered. He placed his ace monster back in his Extra Deck slot and drove off. He mindlessly drove to what other places Clear Wing could be taking him. This time, he hopes it leads him to the same person who took Rin away that night. He will make him pay.

In the Jungle Area_At Night_

Gongenzaka was panting as he carried an unconscious Yuya and a frantic Mieru. He kept wondering how did this transpire in the last minutes.

How he had to leave Michio and Teppi to fend off the Academia duelist.

He recalled Michio's words before reluctantly agreeing and carrying Yuya and Mieru to a safe place.

"Teppei-kun and I will buy you some time. Please take Yuya-kun to a safe place," Michio pleaded, not looking Gongenzaka in the eye but keeping them focused on Kori.

"Please, Gongenzaka-kun," Michio added when he didn't hear any footsteps leaving the area but gave a sad smile when he glanced at the Superheavy duelist picking up his friend as Mieru followed them.

"I admire your chivalry to use yourselves as bait, but it will all be for naught. However, I still expect you to give me a fun time," Kori challenged, eyes glinting dangerously. She radiated a dark atmosphere filled with animosity.

"Now, let's dance on this battlefield."

Through the bitter memories, Gongenzaka sensed Yuya regaining consciousness as the Entermate duelist woke up, confused about why he was on his friend's back.

Yuya groaned. "Gongenzaka..why am I on your back? What happened?" Yuya asked. For some reason, he can't recall what happened when he blacked out in the Ancient Ruins Area. Whenever he tried to remember, it was just a blank picture.

Gongenzaka grimaced while Mieru told him what had occurred during his blackout state. She even revealed to the duelist about his body contained two souls and a dark shadow trying to devour the souls. Yuya understood that one of the souls within him was Yuto. But what makes him pale is the dark shadow. He figured out the dark shadow was the same one on that day when he was in his coma. What caused him to feel like his body was being enveloped in the hot, scorching flames?

His heart was devoured by the unknown source, and his body was taken over by this dark shadow. Yet, despite not remembering anything when he blacked out, he remembered the slightest detail that triggered it.

The Heartland Invasion.

Yuto's painful memories of what happened during that dreadful time. The uncontrollable rage.

The bitter sorrow.

The unpleasant smell of burning ash.

He unwillingly remembered all of those memories.

He let the dark shadow control him again. He probably lost control of his actions. He probably hurt someone during his blackout. He probably hurt his friends and didn't even realize he did.

The more he kept lamenting his actions. The more memories were brought back to him. Even though there were fragments, he slowly remembered the events that took place.

There was nothing but darkness in those horrible memories when it happened. And during each of those times, he became one with Yuto for a single moment. Even if it was for a short period, it only enhanced the shadow's influence on him even more.

Yet he saw a glimpse of light at the end of the dark tunnel he was in. Warmth coursed through his body and repelled the darkness and the shadow away.

The light he felt was warm. He felt safe whenever he was near the light. And somewhere in the back of his mind, even if he were to be trapped by the shadow again, she will bring him back to his senses.

He knows this person makes him feel safe. He knows there is only one person who makes him feel this way. He clenched his eyes shut and hoped nothing bad had happened to her.

"Naomi...please be okay."

Yuya jumped off Gongenzaka's back. He asked Gongenzaka and Mieru about what happened to Michio and Teppei. He witnessed the sad looks on their faces as they told him what had happened to Michio and Teppei.

Yuya's face changed to horror at the information, and he turned around to go back to where Michio and Teppei were until a hand stopped him.

"Don't go, Darling! The reason why they did it is because they wanted you to escape!" Mieru cried, "don't let their sacrifice be in vain!"

"Then, am I supposed to leave them behind with that duelist and be carded!" Yuya snapped at Mieru, and Gongenzaka placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Yuya. It pains me to leave them behind as well, but if they didn't do that and you got carded in your sleep, then who is going to protect our friends" Gongenzaka reasoned. Despite feeling useless in the tough situation, he still felt that they could go gather up their allies and avenge the ones that fell. They can turn this situation around with all their powers combined.

They can still survive this.

They don't have to lose another ally.

Yuya was still hesitating to leave Michio and Teppei behind with Kori. He knew, in their situation, that he didn't have much of a choice. He can't just waste the opportunity his friends have left him.

After making a crucial decision, Yuya forced himself to continue on their way toward the Iceberg Area, hoping his friends hadn't been turned into cards.

"Naomi...Yuzu..please be okay when we get there."

Yuya thought about the black-haired Mixed Duelist and prayed for her safety. It was all due to Yuto wishing for his beloved not to be captured by Academia and hoping Shun wins against Sora.

"Everyone, please be alright."

In the Iceberg Zone_At Night_

"Now, Yuzu Hiiragi. You only have two choices: duel one of us or surrender yourself quietly," Yuri stated. "I would prefer the first option to prove you are just like your counterparts, Ruri, Rin, and maybe that gorilla Serena."

Yuzu gasped. "Then you two are the ones that kidnapped Ruri!" Yuzu took a step back when Akemi took a step forward.

"That's right. We also kidnapped Rin-san because the Professor told us," Akemi confirmed she knows there's no point in hiding the truth since it seems Yuzu is the type of person to put two and two together.

"Why does the Professor want me, Naomi-chan, and people who look like us? You can at least tell me that!" Yuzu remarked, "we have no clue. We are just following the Professor's orders," Yuri responded, cracking his neck and itching for a fight.

His smile turned menacing. "If you keep on asking pointless questions, you'll end up like these idiots who got in my way" Yuri threw two cards in Yuzu's direction, and the girl caught them and gasped when she saw them.

The cards were a horrified Halil and Olga. Yuzu looked at the pair with anger burning in her eyes.

"How dare you turn people into cards! What did they ever do to you two!" Yuzu snapped, holding the cards close to her chest.

Yuri shrugged nonchalantly, "like I said before, they annoyed me, and I just took care of them."

Akemi cracked her knuckles and stretched her arm out. "Yuzu Hiiragi-san, I find this chatter pointless. If you want to escape from us, I suggest you activate your duel disk, or else Yuri-san will take you away by force," Akemi warned. She became irritated when Yuzu kept spouting utter nonsense about how wrong it was that they shouldn't turn people into cards.

Like seriously, why did they have to kidnap this one? Honestly, the Professor better explained why they have to kidnap people who look like Serena and herself. She won't be so compliant in following her next orders next time.

Yuzu scoffed at Akemi's words. "Who's going to be taken away?! Like I said before, I won't be taken away so easily!" Yuzu declared, activating her duel disk.

Despite having the same gentle smile on her face, Akemi was grinning wickedly on the inside.

"Then I will be your opponent. Yuri-san, please step back, or else you might get hurt," Akemi advised, she glanced back at him, and he understood her face.

"Akemi. You have to bring her back in one piece, or else the Professor will be really upset with you," Yuri notified, taking a step back.

Akemi waved her hand dismissively. She took out her dark blue duel disk, and a blue duel blade shaped like a sword appeared.

"DUEL!" Both girls shouted as they drew their opening hands.

Yuzu vs Akemi; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each

"You can go first, Yuzu Hiiragi-san," Akemi said, smiling innocently.

"Alright," Yuzu said. She mentally prepared herself for Akemi's power. She doesn't know what type of Deck the girl plays, but she won't let it weaken her will to fight.

Turn 1

H:5

"I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Aria the Melodious Diva and Sonata the Melodious Diva! Echoing melodious voice! Flowing melody! Guided by the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon! Before the song is played! Prelude the Melodious Floral Saint!" Yuzu chanted as Prelude appeared.

Light/Level 6/Fairy/Fusion/Effect/ATK 1900/DEF 2500

"A Fusion Monster with 1900 ATK! Amazing Hiiragi-san!" Akemi praised, smiling even harder.

"I set one card and end my turn" Yuzu finished her turn with a set card.

"Then I will go next," Akemi said, drawing her card.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I set four cards on my field and end my turn" Akemi finished her turn with four set cards.

"That's it?" Yuzu said, surprised.

"I had a bad hand. Now it's your turn, Hiiragi-san," Akemi replied, with her expression not changing.

Turn 3

H:1-2

"It's my turn then. Battle! Prelude attack directly!" Yuzu declared immediately going into her Battle Phase after she drew her card. She still felt nervous about attacking without knowing what kind of set cards Akemi set in her Spell/Trap Zone. However, if she wanted to find out what happened to Naomi, she will have to take a huge risk.

"I activate Fire Hound's effect when my opponent declares a direct attack. I can send this card to the Graveyard to destroy the attacking monster and end the Battle Phase!" Akemi shouted as a fire hound burst into flames. It struck at Prelude, who was now engulfed in flames and destroyed. Yuzu felt the ice crack under her from the impact of the blast.

"When Prelude is destroyed, I can Special Summon a Melodious Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck ignoring its summoning conditions. I choose to Special Summon Meisterin Schubert the Melodious Maestra!" Yuzu yelled Meisterin Schubert appeared.

Light/Level 6/Fairy/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000

"I set one card and end my turn," Yuzu announced. She felt uneasy all of a sudden. She just had a bad feeling that Akemi was up to something. Every instinct in her body told her to run away, but she knew it will be pointless anyway, especially against two people who had given her that aura earlier.

"Then it's my turn," Akemi said, drawing her card.

Turn 4

H:1-2

"I activate the Spell Card 'Cards of Sanctity' we each draw until we have six cards in our hand," Akemi said. She and Yuzu both drew until they each had six cards. "Now I activate one of my set cards 'Card Destruction' now we each have to discard our entire hand however we can draw cards equal to the number we discarded to the Graveyard" Akemi explained as both girls discarded their entire hand and drew a new hand.

"Now Shaddoll Beast's effect activates when is sent to the Graveyard by a card effect. I can draw one card," Akemi said, drawing her card as her smile twitched. "Now, I activate the Spell Card 'Fallen Charity' by discarding two cards from my hand. I can draw three cards."

Akemi discarded two more cards and drew three more as her smile began to change. She inwardly sighed because she realized Yuzu wasn't falling for her trick. That's unfortunate because she was about to enjoy herself, but all good things must come to an end, right?

"Now I activate Fire Pixie's effect that in my hand I can discard a card to Special Summon her from my hand in Defense Position," Akemi said. A girl with blazing red hair wearing a black dress with black sandals as she also had a flame wings on her back.

Fire/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1400

"Now I activate Anemone's effect when she is discarded to the Graveyard by a card effect. I can Special Summon her from my Graveyard also in Defense Position" Akemi added a very similar girl but this time with green hair and matching green eyes, but she didn't have wings on her back. The monster appeared next to Fire Pixies as she smiled softly.

Wind/Level 3/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 900/DEF 600

Akemi turned towards Yuri. "I will have to apologize, Yuri-kun. It seems we picked the wrong person. She and Naomi-chan weren't as naive as we thought, " Akemi said. Yuri waved his hand casually.

"Just make sure you end it with a bang. I want to see some fireworks" Yuri looked at his invisible watch. Ten minutes passed, and Akemi lost her facade. Well in hindsight, she did surpass her latest time of breaking character.

The innocent smile that Akemi wore changed into one full of malice. The sight brought chills down Yuzu's spine as that smile confirmed the bad feeling she'd sensed earlier.

"Now I activate Anemone's effect when she is Special Summoned from my Graveyard. I can inflict damage to you equal to the number of cards in my Graveyard times 300!"Akemi shouted with malicious intent in her eyes. "There are 9 cards, so you take 2700 damage!"

Multiple fire blasts were coming toward Yuzu. She shielded herself but was in immense pain when she received the damage. As the impact of the blast decreased her LP. When the attack was finished, she had bruises all over her body and burn marks on some parts of her clothing.

Yuzu:4000-2700=1300 LP

"Now I summon Fire Angel from my hand."

A girl with white angel wings was wearing a white dress as she had a halo over her head. She had red hair and golden eyes. In her hands, she had a harp which she played when she arrived on the field next to her friends.

Fire/Level 4/Pyro/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?

"Her ATK is unknown" Yuzu whispered as her bad feeling got even more, worse than normal. She felt a sense of dread in her chest.

"Now her effect activates when she is Summoned, I can add a Level 4 or below FIRE Monster from my deck and add it to my hand. I add Fire Fencing Ferret to my hand due to her effect" Akemi explained, showing Yuzu her card.

"Now she is summoned her ATK and DEF becomes 500 times the number of FIRE Monsters that are in my Graveyard. There are 2 so her ATK and DEF become 1000" Akemi added with Fire Angel started to play her harp as she felt her ATK rise.

"Now I'll say this you were a challenge. However, Ruri-chan, Serena-chan, and Rin-chan are more skilled than you! So Yuzu-chan~ bye-bye" Akemi screamed, thrusting her hand forward. "Fire Angel attack!"

"B-But Schuberta's ATK is 2400" Yuzu mentioned backing up. "Fire Angel can attack directly times the number of FIRE Monsters in my Graveyard. So with two direct attacks! You're finished!" Akemi revealed the rest of Fire Angel's effect, surprising Yuzu.

"Here's the first!" Akemi shouted. Fire Angel blasted a fire blast towards Yuzu as the impact collided with her stomach making her skid back from the impact and the pain she was in from the attack she received.

"What was that?! I felt the damage even though this is an Action Field. Why does it hurt so much?!" Yuzu thought, holding her stomach in pain as she got back up. She wouldn't be surprised if she now had a bruise where Fire Angel struck her.

Yuzu:1300-1000=300 LP

"Now, here's the second one! Welcome to Academia, Yuzu-chan!" Akemi shouted with glee noticing it will be her win as Fire Angel blasted another fireball towards Yuzu, who fell back with a cry. The blast collided with her stomach as she was on the floor.

Yuzu:300-1000=0 LP

Yuzu got back on her feet, holding her stomach. She was staggering and noticed her vision started to blurry. She touched the area where Fire Angel attacked her the second time and paled when she saw blood on her hands.

"Now, since you lost, come to Academia Yuzu-chan. Hurry up, the Professor is waiting for us" Akemi started walking closer. Yuzu ran while holding her stomach as she tried to escape Yuri and Akemi. Even though she was injured, she had to escape from them. She can't let herself be captured.

"She ran away" Akemi said, looking over at Yuri.

"I'll take it from here. Just go back to Academia and wait for me there, Princess. I'll retrieve her," Yuri reassured. Akemi kissed Yuri's cheek and walked away.

"I refuse, that last duel didn't satisfy my excitement in the slightest, so I'll just stay for a bit and find some new opponents" Akemi responded, giving a small pout. She still needed to duel someone who would give her at least a small thrill.

Yuri gave a blank stare and sighed. "Then, after you are done with the fodders. Will you go back to Academia and wait for me" Yuri said. Akemi nodded and skipped in the other direction.

Yuri looked back in the direction where Yuzu took off.

"Now, judging by her injuries, it won't be long before I capture her and take her to the Professor. Now let's get to hunting" Yuri started chasing after Yuzu.

Back to the Ancient Ruins Area_7:40 am_

Yuki, Serena, and Eijirou finally arrived at the temple where Yuki had last seen Shun. Much to her dismay, they were too late when they found Shun had lost against Sora and now had fatal injuries.

Serena was horrified by the cruelty Sora had displayed but went to go check on Shun. Eijirou and Yuki grabbed Shun's arms and wrapped them around their shoulders, acting as his support.

"Move out of my way Yuzu. Let go of that Xyz Remnant, Naomi, and what's your name? Or else the same thing will happen to you," Sora took a step towards them, ready to card Shun until Serena placed her hand in front of the group as she activated her duel disk.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Lunar Eclipse' the Field will be enveloped by darkness!" Serena shouted. A dark cloud covered the group in a thick mist of darkness as they used this opportunity to escape from Sora.

"Shun-kun, hang on! Once we get somewhere safe, I will treat your wounds," Yuki advised the injured male. He groaned and looked at her.

"Yuki" Shun mumbled. Yuki nodded and continued to run despite having Shun on one of her shoulders. Eijirou holds the male up and checks back to see if Sora is following up with them. And unfortunately, due to the boy's skills, he received it wouldn't be too long for him to catch up to the group.

"Let's head for the Volcano Zone. There shouldn't be anyone else there" Eijirou suggested. The girls nodded and headed towards the hot volcanic area. Hopefully, there would be someone who is on their side that can tend to Shun's wounds. They can only hope.

To the Iceberg Zone_In the Morning_

Yuzu kept staggering and stumbling on the ice as she tried to keep her eyes open. She had to use Serena's clothing as bandages for her stomach. But since it wasn't the proper medical treatment, it only stopped the bleeding for a short time. However, it was better than nothing.

"Can you come out now? While I am impressed with your tenacity, I want to complete my mission and go home" Yuri complained he used Starve Venom Fusion Dragon to crush the ice so he could look for Yuzu quicker.

"Hurry up~ hurry up~ and come out Yuzu Hiiragi!" Yuri called out. Yuzu shuddered from his tone and hid under an ice wall. She had to make herself as small as possible.

Yuzu fell to the ground and felt herself losing consciousness because of blood loss. Yuzu kept ripping bandages and tying them to add more pressure as she had to find a way to get out of here so she could figure out where did Naomi go. What happened to her childhood friend? A sense of dread overwhelmed her. What if she was sent to Academia? Then that means she was in the enemy's hand already. That means Yuzu will never see her again. Yuzu clenched her eyes shut at the idea.

"If you can hear me... Please teleport this creep away..." Yuzu glanced at her bracelet and grabbed it tightly. "Yuya...please help me."

Just before Yuri was about to find Yuzu in her hiding spot, Yuzu's bracelet flashed a pink color causing Yuri to disappear within the flash. Yuzu blinked softly and thanked her bracelet for saving her. She knew why it did because that meant Yuya was here.

"YUZU!"

Yuzu nearly teared up when she heard the sound.

"YUYA!" Yuzu shrieked and staggered on her two feet when she saw Yuya along with Gongenzaka, Mieru, and Dennis. She embraced Yuya in her arms and nearly cried on his shoulder.

She sobbed as Gongenzaka and Yuya gave comforting words, and it worked when she wiped her tears away.

Yuya pulled away from the hug and saw bloodstains on Yuzu's stomach.

"Yuzu! What happened to you!" Yuya asked with concern laced in his voice. Yuzu tried to tell him but winced by how much blood she had lost.

"You can tell us later after you get treated by someone who's an expert in treating wounds," Gongenzaka said. Yuzu nodded softly and leaned on the Superheavy duelist as support. Yuya wanted to press on Yuzu for answers, including where Naomi was, but he knew it was not the right time when Yuzu was in critical condition and needed help from someone who could provide her medical help.

"We need to find Yuki. I'm sure she can treat wounds like these. We have to hurry," Yuya suggested to the group while Dennis clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"So, Yuri and Akemi didn't complete their mission," Dennis thought. He had to wait for another opportunity to complete his part of the mission, or else the Professor was going to be disappointed in him. He can't afford that, not when his sister Umi is counting on him.

He sighed in exasperation. He will go along with the situation until the time is right.

"Then let's go to the Volcano Area. I'm sure Yuki-chan is there," Dennis proposed. Everyone nodded and headed towards the molten rock zone, unaware there would be trouble waiting for them.

Jungle Zone_Current Time_

Kori looked at her two newest prizes, captivated by the looks of Michio and Teppei in their card form. Just as Kori was about to proceed somewhere else, a flash of light was behind her as she heard someone humming a song.

Yuri appeared from the flash, confused about how he got here, while Akemi stopped her actions and turned toward her boyfriend and friend.

"Yuri-kun, I thought I left you in the ice zone. What are you doing here?" Akemi asked. "Kori, how's your mission going?"

Kori dismissed the sarcasm in Akemi's voice when the latter mentioned her carrying out Akemi's mission instead of herself. "I'm having the time of my life. I dueled six people, carded five, and managed to create one of my infamous ice sculptures," Kori replied, showing her cards to her colleagues. Akemi whistled and was impressed with her friend was having the time of her life while, on the other hand, she was completely bored. She pouted and whined.

"Lucky~ I want some excitement, and before I forget Yuri-kun, what are you doing here?" Akemi questioned, looking at an annoyed Yuri.

"I have no idea one minute I was capturing Yuzu Hiiragi, and then the next minute I was flashed here before I could realize what was going on" Yuri pondered why he teleported somewhere else when he was so close to capturing his assignment. The thought irked him that he was hindered by an unknown force from not completing his goal.

Kori sighed, unaffected by the aura surrounding her comrade. "Then how about we head over to the Volcano Zone? The remaining Obelisk Force has informed me of Yuki Shimizu-san and Serena-san's location and has located them in that spot together. However, they do not have the whereabouts of Naomi Kobiyashi-san's location."

Akemi snorted playfully. "Oh my, that's easy Naomi-chan has been teleported to another dimension by this," Akemi emphasized, pointing at her birthmark. She explained what happened in the Iceberg Area to Kori, including every detail involving her, her standard counterpart, and Yuzu.

"Clever on her part," Kori complimented, feeling impressed by the information she had just received. Yuri decided to cut the small talk and instructed the others to move towards the hot wasteland. Akemi smirked and hoped that whatever happened, she would enjoy it.

To the Volcano Zone_

Yuki and the others finally arrived at the Volcano Zone. They tried to find a place to rest, but Sora's actions prevented them. The Fuma Clan students known as Hikage and Tsukikage intercepted him, much to their surprise.

Tsukikage turned his attention to the group ushering them to safety while Sora battled Hikage.

"Thanks for saving our lives back there," Eijirou said, sighing softly, and continued to hold Shun by his shoulder.

"It is nothing, Eijirou-dono" Tsukikage responded. He got out his katana when he heard footsteps approaching behind them, revealing them to be Yuya, Yuzu, Gongenzaka, and Mieru.

"Yuya-kun," Yuki muttered, taking the red ribbon off her hair. She let it cascade down her back.

"Yuki, I need you to treat Yuzu's wounds. She's badly injured and needs medical attention," Yuya hastily told her. She narrowed her eyes and glanced down at the area where it seemed Yuzu had lost most of her blood. She lifted her shirt, revealing her stomach had a red slash mark similar to the one she had on her back.

Yuki frowned, and when she was about to take out the medical kit, she cursed under her breath. She didn't take it out of her pocket when she and Naomi switched clothes with each other. So she won't be able to fix Yuzu's or Shun's life-threatening injuries. But at the very least, she can stop the bleeding and wait to treat it until either Reiji's medical team gets here or when she gets the proper equipment to treat their fatal wounds.

"Very well. I am going to need you to check if any enemies are coming in our direction. Because if there is, then we have two injured duelists, and we won't be able to protect them," Yuki instructed the group. She also told them to rip off any pieces of clothing to act as makeshift bandages.

Within a few minutes, Yuki tended to Yuzu's wound on her stomach and any injuries Shun may have received in his battle against Sora and before his encounter with the latter.

"Is there any discomfort with the bandages, Yuzu?" Yuki asked, pulling the girl's shirt down and checking her face for any signs of pain. Yuzu shook her head and thanked Yuki for treating her wounds. She was in slight pain but was better than she had felt before.

"How about you, Shun-kun? Are you feeling any pain?" Yuki asked. Shun shook his head and stood up. He searched for any more duelists affiliated with Academia, excluding Sora. Yuki wiped her hand on her clothes and stood up as well. Mieru noticed something was off with the black-haired girl, specifically her clothes. It wasn't just her. Gongenzaka also observed the girl's appearance and narrowed his eyes.

"Shimizu, why are you wearing Naomi's clothing?" Gongenzaka questioned everyone, excluding Yuzu, Eijirou, and Serena glanced at Yuki.

Before the girl could answer, a thorn whip and flame whip grabbed Yuzu and Serena by their waist and dragged them away.

"Yuzu!"

"Serena!"

Yuya, Gongenzaka, and Eijirou called out as they tried to reach out to the girls, but they were now lifted somewhere and landed in another place.

They got out of their bindings and saw who held the whips in their hands. Yuri and Akemi wore matching smirks. They each activated their duel disks and smirked widely.

"It's time for the hunt, prey."

"Prepare yourself, Serena-chan and Yuzu-chan~."

Akemi gasped as if she had forgotten something important. "That's right before we tussle. I have one more thing to do," Akemi said, whipping her weapon in Yuya's direction, grabbing around his crimson wristband, and lifting him off the ground.

She twirled him around until he collided with Sora, causing them to enter a nearby cave. They crashed on the hard ground, but they were okay except for Yuya with a bruised wrist. Yuya winced, rubbing his burnt wrist as he glared at Sora. He stood up and took a deep breath.

He feels nervous about talking to Sora, a person who has hurt millions of people, but he still considers him a good friend. He wants to confront Sora about what he's doing was wrong. He shouldn't make people suffer. Yuya resolved himself and looked Sora straight in the eye.

"Sora duel me" Yuya demanded. He will remind Sora about the Entertainment Dueling he was taught by his father.

The same dueling that is used to make people smile.

The same dueling that made him want Yuya as a teacher.

The same dueling that made them friends.

Sora jumped back to his feet and met Yuya's glare with narrowed eyes.

"That's fine with me. Besides, it brings a bad taste in my mouth when I remember I lost to you," Sora replied, taking a step back and activating his duel disk. Yuya activated his duel disk in response.

"DUEL!"

Back to where Yuzu and Serena were_

Yuzu felt her wound pulse, but she forced the feeling down. She felt ashamed of herself for running away from these two creeps. She needed to find out what had happened to Naomi. All she knew was that Yuri and Akemi appeared out of nowhere and when they did, the strange-colored portal teleported Naomi to another dimension. They are the reason why she wasn't here anymore.

"Now, Yuzu-chan, since you lost our previous duel, how about we skip this charade and head back to Academia" Akemi mentioned the previous duel they fought and purposely brought up Yuzu losing it. To add salt to the wound, Akemi even gestured toward her wound as if she knew she had hurt Yuzu on purpose.

"I know. However, I can't shake this feeling you two had something to do with Naomi-chan and the portal that sent her away," Yuzu said. The pair raised an eyebrow at her speculation. They even scratched their heads and looked confused about what Yuzu was talking about.

Yuzu became angry about how unconcerned they were acting regarding the matter. She snapped, "Stop playing dumb! You two know what I'm talking about! Where did that portal take Naomi-chan!"

Serena placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's no use, Yuzu. They're the type of people who will use your emotions against you. First, they will play with you in the palm of their hands. Then when the time is right, they will strike and destroy you using your weaknesses" Serena summarized how Akemi and Yuri act. She often fell victim to their twisted strategy, resulting in her defeat. The reason was her short temper whenever one of them mocks her before or during the duel. However, this time she won't be falling for their taunts so easily. She will keep herself together.

Yuzu knew Serena was right but couldn't shake her anger toward the pair. She wanted to get back at them and find the answers she needed.

"Very well, if I lose, I will go back with you to Academia. However, if I win, you will tell me where Naomi is!" Yuzu compromised. Yuri considered his options, even though dueling Yuzu to see her strength firsthand would be interesting. But if this duel becomes a waste of his time, he'll be very upset.

Yuri finally came to a decision and accepted those conditions. Akemi agreed with his choice.

Before they could shout the words that would start the duel, they heard a motorcycle in the distance. The group jumped out of the way when they saw the source of the sound coming toward them as the bike suddenly stopped.

The driver hopped off their d-wheel and threw their helmet on the ground. Yuzu's eyes dilated when she saw the face of the duelist, revealing him to have the same face as Yuya, Yuto, and Yuri. His name is Yugo.

Yugo glared heavily at the pair, most likely at Yuri. "There you are, you grinning bastard! This time I will send you to the ground for taking Rin!" Yugo snarled, activating the duel on his d-wheel.

Akemi lifted her eyebrow. She pointed at Serena. She closely resembled Rin as Yuzu resembled Ruri. "You mean the same Rin standing right next to you."

With those words, Yugo turned his head to Serena. He saw Rin's image instead of Serena's. Due to him not realizing it was actually Serena standing next to him. He ran to her with arms spread wide, ready to hug the girl.

"RIN!"

Serena uppercut Yugo across the face sending him flying into his d-wheel. Yuri and Akemi snorted loudly at the scene. The dark blue-haired girl wished she had recorded the amusing scene with her duel disk recording function, but she didn't. That mishap can be one of her regrets in life, besides all the other things she did that she is not proud of.

Meanwhile, Yugo rubbed his cheek. He felt a bruise and wondered why Rin punched him instead of kneeing him in the stomach as the move would cause him to nearly vomit his food, most of the time when she did it.

"My name is not Rin! It's Serena!"

Yugo rubbed his eyes a couple of times to make sure he wasn't seeing things. And true to her words, he didn't see Rin's image anymore. He even turned towards Yuzu as she got her fan out to smack him just in case he pulled the same thing he did to Serena.

Yugo waved his hand in a surrendering fashion as he got the message, stood up on his feet, and checked for any damage on his d-wheel. After all, this vehicle represents the bond he shares with Rin and his promise to Haru. He can't let anything happen to his d-wheel when it means so much to him.

Yugo turned his attention back to the snickering pair and glared at them.

"How dare you make fun of me for that stunt you pulled! Like I said before, I will kick your ass for taking Rin, for stalking, and for hurting Haru!" Yugo declared once more. The snickering ceased as Yuri's eyes glinted with excitement.

"I hope you can back up your words, Fusion, or otherwise, this duel will be such a huge disappointment," Yuri said, grinning. Akemi chuckled softly and smirked widely.

"Since all the players are ready! Let the game begin!" Akemi announced, snapping her fingers.

All duelists shouted one phrase.

"DUEL!"

Back to where Yuki and the others were. When Yuzu, Serena, and Yuya were taken away by two different types of whips, they were greeted by the Obelisk Force.

"Great, now we have to deal with these guys," Yuki groaned, activating her duel disk. Eijirou, Tsukikage, and Shun followed suit.

"Gongenzaka-san, Mieru-san you two step back. I feel this will get ugly," Eijirou advised Gongenzaka and gently pushed Mieru behind him.

The three Obelisk Force members activated their duel disks in retaliation.

"DUEL!" All six duelists shouted as each team drew their starting hand.

Yuki, Eijirou, Tsukikage, and Shun vs Obelisk Force: Red, Yellow, and Green; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each

Turn 1

H:5

"I shall take the first turn" Tsukikage took the initiative and played a card in his hand.

"I summon Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu from my hand" Tsukikage summoned a ninja-like monster wielding two katanas in his hands.

Dark/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 1000

"I set three cards and end my turn" Tsukikage set three face-down cards on his field and ended his turn. Obelisk Red drew his card.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse my two Antique Gear Hound Dogs! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 5! Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog!" Obelisk Red summoned a two-headed mechanical dog to his field.

Earth/Level 5/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 1000

"I set three cards and end my turn" Obelisk Red finished his turn with three face-down cards on his field.

Shun stepped forwards with a hardened glare on his face.

"To be honest, I'm glad I see you scum are in front of my eyes because I have some pent up anger I need to release," Shun said, nearly revealing all of the tension he has been building up for days that he needs to get out and much to his luck he found the perfect target to release his anger on.

He drew his card with so much force causing the people near him to step back.

Turn 3

H:5-6

"I summon Raid Raptors - Vanishing Lanius and Vanishing Lanius's Effect Special Summon Mimicry Lanius from my hand!" Shun shouted as he summoned the staple monster of his deck to the field along with a yellow and blue mechanical bird.

Vanishing Lanius: Dark/Level 4/Winged-Beast/Effect/ATK 1300/DEF 1600

Mimicry Lanius: Dark/Level 4/Winged-Beast/Effect/ATK 1100/DEF 1900

"Finally, Fuzzy Lanius's Effect Special Summons itself to the field when I control a Raid Raptors Monster! Come forth!" A portal opened up, revealing the third dark purple mechanical bird.

Dark/Level 4/Winged-Beast/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 1500

"Mimicry Lanius's Effect! When this card is summoned or Special Summoned, I can increase all Levels of my monsters by 1. Therefore all of them are now Level 5 monsters!" Shun overlayed his monsters into the galaxy portal.

"Ferocious falcon. Break through this battlefield and spread your wings! Destroy our gathering foes! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 5! Raid Raptors - Blaze Falcon!"

A red mechanical falcon appeared on Shun's field.

Dark/Rank 5/Winged-Beast/Xyz/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 2000/OU:3

"Antique Gear Double Bite Hound Dog's Effect! Place a Gear Acid Counter on a summoned monster you control!" Obelisk Red revealed. A brown gear was now on Blaze Falcon, but Shun didn't mind the counter. He just continued his turn.

"I activate Blaze Flacon's effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can destroy all Special Summoned Monsters you control and inflict 500 damage for each monster destroyed this way!" Shun activated his monster effect. Blaze Falcon absorbed its Overlay Unit and blasted multiple beams toward the mechanical dog obliterating the monster.

The monster turned its attention to the controller and blasted another beam hitting Obelisk Red's shoulder. The man didn't wince at the pain he took.

Obelisk Red:4000-500=3500

Blaze Falcon rise in the sky and dive down, colliding against Obelisk Red, sending him flying landing on his back as the monster return back to its side.

Obelisk Red:3500-1000=2500 LP

Yuki could have seen a smug grin on Blaze Falcon if the monster could make a face like that. She sighed quietly when the monster resembled the way Shun acted.

Reckless and ferocious. Just like a deadly falcon.

"I set two cards and end my turn" Shun concluded with set cards on his field. He heard laughter coming from the other side.

"That was it?" Obelisk Yellow mocked.

"For someone who said who spouted nonsense, it seems you didn't back up your words," Obelisk Green taunted as Obelisk Red stood back on his feet, wiping the dust off his precious uniform.

Shun just stared at them. "Then come at me. When you do, I'll strike back at you ten times harder," Shun challenged, his eyes blazing dangerously.

Obelisk Green smirked. "I'll like to see you try!" He drew his card, starting his turn.

Turn 4

H:5-6

Obelisk Red activated all of his face-down cards one by one. "First, I activate the Continuous Trap Card 'Antique Gear Reborn' to Special Summon Double Bite Hound Dog from my Graveyard with its ATK increased to 1600!"

The fusion dog monster returned to the field. "Next, because of the Continuous Trap Card 'Antique Gear Spark Shot', I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to half of the ATK of the Special Summon Monster however due to the other Continuous Trap Card 'Antique Gear Booster' you take 1600 damage!"

The three trap cards blasted the damage toward Shun as he was pushed back, hitting the building behind him if it wasn't for Gongenzaka, who helped him by using his body weight to make sure he didn't hit the building. Then he could've gained more injuries.

Shun thanked the Superheavy Samurai Duelist for his noble action.

He turned back to the three duelists and saw his LP go down.

Shun:4000-1600=2400 LP

"Don't rest too easy. I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse my three Antique Gear Hound Dogs! Mechanical hounds who carry on the ancient spirits! Flock together and become one with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!"

A blue triple-headed mechanical dog appeared on Green's field.

Earth/Level 7/Machine/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1000

"Battle! When Triple-!" Obelisk Green started before being interrupted by a shout.

"I activate my Continuous Trap Card 'Barrier Ninjitsu of Gathering Shadows' I pay half of my LP to end the Battle Phase!" Tsukikage activated one of his set cards. The wind blasted from the card and enveloped Tsukikage in a whirlwind.

He gained minor injuries from the harsh wind, but it's worth it as long he can protect his comrades.

Tsukikage:4000/2=2000 LP

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Antique Armageddon Gear' and end my turn" Obelisk Green emptied his hand and concluded his turn.

Eijirou tapped on the screen where the Continuous Spell Card was shown. He narrowed his eyes and became more on guard.

He drew his card and added the card to his hand. Eijirou sighed and hoped this strategy would prevent his friends from receiving any more damage from their opponent's cards effect.

Turn 5

H:5-6

"I activate the Spell Card 'Unexpected Dai' since I control no monsters I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Normal Monster from my deck! Appear! Metalfoes Goldriver!" Eijirou shouted from the portal. A man with a green motorcycle vehicle wielding a flame sword rode on the other side.

Fire/Level 4/Psychic/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 1900/DEF 500/P.S:1

Eijirou turned toward Shun and apologized for his next action. "I activate the Spell Card 'Metalfoes Fusion' to fuse Metalfoes Silverd and Steelen! Metals allies' armor which is clad in metal! Swirl in a vortex of the intelligence and create a new metal ally! Fusion Summon! Level 8 Metalfoes Orichalc!"

Fire/Level 8/Psychic/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2200

A man wearing golden armor wielded two fire axes in his hand. He had two like wheels on his back as they were covered in gold.

"Through Metalfoes Fusion's effect, this card is shuffled back to my deck, and I can draw one card" Eijirou draws his card.

"First, I set a card. Then I activate the Spell Card 'Parallel Twister' to destroy my send my set card to the Graveyard, and when I do, I can destroy a card on the field," Eijirou pointed to the Double Bite Hound Dog. A twister sweeps the card and the dog away from the field.

"Now, because of your Continuous Spell Card's effect, you take 1600 damage!" Eijirou shouted. A stream of lightning blasted down and strike Obelisk Red down. The man screamed but held his ground against the attack.

Obelisk Red:2500-1600=900 LP

Eijirou added Scale 8-Raremetalfoes Bismugear to his hand and placed it in one of his Pendulum Scales.

"I activate Bismugear's Pendulum Effect to destroy Orichalc!"

The green armored male on a vehicle shot a beam towards Orichalc. He caught it with ease and just before he left the field. He tossed one of his axes toward the Continuous Spell Card Antique Armageddon Gear, causing the card to disintegrate into small pieces.

Eijirou set a card directly from his deck and even checked what he set. He gave a lopsided grin at the set card. "I can play this card when Goldriver is destroyed, but I am worried about Tsukikage-san and his LP if he continues to play his Continuous Trap Card" Eijirou glanced at Tsukikage's batter figure yet he noticed the determination blazing towards the enemies in front of them despite witnessing his older brother being carded by Sora. He wasn't going to give up no matter what.

"Very well, I will trust him" Eijirou set a card in his Spell/Trap Zone.

"Battle. Goldriver attack Obelisk Red directly!" Goldriver drove his vehicle towards Obelisk Red, nearly running him over and smacking him down with his flame sword, leaving him to be unconscious. When he fell, he teleported back to Academia.

Obelisk Red:900-1900=0 LP

"Even though I didn't want to pull such cowardly tricks, I had to get rid of that guy's annoying cards. Now I am done with my turn," Eijirou finished his turn.

"Hmph. I thought all duelist in the Standard Dimension was naive, but you know how to act on the battlefield. You have my praise," Obelisk Yellow commented. Eijirou glared and scoffed at the man's words.

"I rather jump off a cliff than hear those words from you scumbags."

Obelisk Yellow clicked his tongue and started his turn. His lips curved into a dark grin when he drew his card.

"This is the end of the line, you pests," Obelisk Yellow declared, and the group kept their guard up even more.

Meanwhile, Shingo was informed by Reiji about his plans involving the Lancers and was given another chance to prove himself. Of course, he took it along with a new deck called Abyss Actors, which perfectly suited his taste. He is the star of the stage, after all.

Shingo was so in his thoughts and boasting about his new deck he didn't even notice that he was walking right into an ice wall.

"Who put this ice wall here? I thought I was in the Volcanic Area!" Shingo grumbled, rubbing his bruised nose, and groaned in pain at how sore it felt.

Suddenly a breeze ran down his back. He felt his heart stop beating and felt chills down his spine.

"Fufu...I didn't think I would have another opportunity to duel someone. Today is really my lucky day" Kori chuckled softly and leaned against Shingo's back.

The boy screamed at her sudden intrusion and moved away from the girl. Who clearly does not know the concept of personal space.

Kori continued to giggle and activated her duel disk. Even though she wanted to card him on the spot, she felt like she would enjoy herself even more if she were to duel him. She definitely will not let this opportunity go to waste.

"Now, the only way to escape from my ice wall is to defeat me. However, if you lose, you turn into a card. Now, do you accept those terms?" Kori stated, standing in her spot, waiting for Shingo's next words.

He huffed and activated his duel disk. "Humph. You are going to regret challenging the great New Neo Shingo Sawatari-sama to a duel!"

Kori stared at him and snorted. Yep, she will definitely enjoy herself more than she thought she was.

"DUEL!" Both youths shouted as they each drew their opening hands.

Back to Shun and the others' duel.

Turn 6

H:5-6

"I activate the Spell Card 'Antique Gear Fusion' to fuse Antique Gear Golem and my two Antique Gear Gear - Ultimate Pound together! Fusion Summon! Level 9! Antique Gear Megaton Golem!" Obelisk Yellow summoned a gigantic machine humanoid monster with multiple hands and legs. The monster caused havoc once it descended on the field.

Earth/Level 9/Machine/Fusion/Effect/ATK 3300/DEF 3300

Both members of the resistance narrowed their eyes at the monster. Memories began to resurface, recalling the destruction caused by the enormous monster in front of them. They know the chaos this monster can cause along with the others. They have to stop it now.

"When Antique Gear Megaton Golem is Fusion Summoned using Antique Gear Golem and Gear Golem - Ultimate Pound, it can attack many times during the battle phase. I used one Gear Golem and two Gear Golem - Ultimate Pounds. Therefore I can attack three times during this battle phase," Obelisk Yellow explained. He took a card out of his hand.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Cyclone' to destroy the Continuous Trap Card Barrier Ninjitsu of Gathering Shadows."

A whirlwind blasted the card off the field, leaving Tsukikage with two of his face-downs. The male had no choice but to activate his other set card, the Continuous Trap Card 'Ninjitsu - Technique of the Cicada Shell', to prevent Shingetsu from being destroyed by battle.

"Battle! I will attack Twilight Ninja - Shingetsu first!" Obelisk Yellow declared his vicious attack.

Megaton Golem launched its fist at Shingetsu. The monster swung another fist down, wanting to crush the ninja into millions of pieces. However, the ninja monster used its weapon to defend itself from the brutal attack. Tsukikage stumbled in his place because of the tremors that were caused by the impact.

Tsukikage:2000-1800=200 LP

Obelisk Yellow turns his attention to Shun. He directed his monsters to crush Blaze Falcon by sending a missile annihilating the bird to smithereens.

Shun:2400-2300=100 LP

Shun skidded back and activated one of his set cards. "Reverse Card Open! The Quick-Play Spell 'Rank-Up Magic: Raptor's Force' uses the destroyed Blaze Falcon as material to Rank-Up!" Blaze Flacon flew into the portal.

"Prideful falcon. Spread your wings, dyed in the blood of heroes, and charge through the path of revolution! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Come forth! Rank 6! Raid Raptors - Revolution Falcon!"

Dark/Rank 6/Winged-Beast/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 3000/OU:1

A gray and black mechanical falcon with outstretched wings, surrounded by a purple Overlay Unit, descended on the field.

Now Yuki was the target of the next attack. She knows they will go for her next, but fortunately, fate is on her side.

"I activate Swordsman of Revealing Light's effect! When you declare a direct attack, I can Special Summon this card from my hand!" Yuki shouted. She summoned a blue-armored male holding the light blade in his hands.

Light/Level 8/Warrior/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 2400

He crouched down, defending Yuki from the attack. Thankfully he was in Defense Position, so Yuki didn't take any damage from the attack.

"Doesn't matter if you dodge that one. I activate the Spell Card 'Antique Gear Explosive' by destroying Antique Gear Megaton Golem to inflict 1650 damage to that boy!" Obelisk Yellow ignited a card from his hand. Megaton Golem turns to shards and blasts toward Eijirou.

He blocked the shards with his arms and gasped when he felt the pieces drive into his skin. Droplets of blood fell on the floor. He forced himself to pull the shards out and try not to cry out in pain. He had to rip out pieces of his clothing and wrap them around his bruised arms. Thankfully, he learned to do it himself by seeing Yuki create so many bandages out of their clothing. Because somewhere in his mind, he knew something like this would happen.

Eijirou:4000-1650=2350 LP

"Finally, I activate the Spell Card 'Monster Reborn' to revive my Antique Gear Megaton Golem from my Graveyard. I now end my turn" Obelisk Yellow concluded his turn.

"It's my turn! Draw," Yuki announced briefly, glancing at her hand.

Turn 7

H:4-5

She had two cards Reiji created specifically for her. However, she noticed a card she had seen before. It was during the time when she and Naomi switched places, and afterward, she saw the card in her Deck.

But she ignored it because it wasn't the right time to use the monster. But now, she saw the same monster wanting to lend her a hand. To give her its strength. To help her get out of this crucial situation.

Very well, she won't deny its wishes any longer.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Extra Deck Draw' I can draw cards equal to the monsters Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. There are three monsters, so I can draw three cards" Yuki drew her card. She then took two out of her hand.

"I set Scale 1-Dragonpulse Magician and Scale 8-Dragonpit Magician on the Pendulum Scale!" Yuki cried out, placing her cards in the Pendulum Zones.

"I activate Dragonpulse Magician Pendulum's Effect! By discarding Blue-Eyes Reborn Dragon, I can destroy a monster you control. I choose to destroy Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog!"

Dragonpulse Magician swung his sword and threw it toward the three-headed mechanical dog, annihilating the monster from the field.

"Now I can Special Summon monsters whose Levels are 2 through 7! Pendulum Summon! Descend on the battlefield!" Yuki shouted. She summoned Tin Goldfish and Chocolate Magician Girl.

Tin Goldfish: Water/Level 4/Machine/Effect/ATK 800/DEF 2000

Chocolate Magician Girl: Water/Level 4/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1000

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Return of the Dragon Lords' to Special Summon Blue-Eyes Reborn Dragon from my Graveyard." The white and blue scaled dragon with crystal blue eyes appeared on Yuki's field.

Light/Level 8/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 3000/P.S:9

"Through Blue-Eyes Reborn Dragon's effect, I can Special Summon a Blue-Eyes Monster from my hand, Deck or Graveyard. However, the moment I activate this effect, Blue-Eyes Reborn Dragon cannot attack. Appear Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon!" Yuki Special Summoned Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon from her Deck.

Light/Level 8/Dragon/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000

"When Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon is summoned, I can target 1 face-up monster you control to negate its effects! I choose to target Antique Gear Megaton Golem!" Yuki shouted Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon shot a beam toward the mechanical monster dulling its color.

"With my field, I can Xyz Summon Aegaion the Sea Castrum and No.60:Pure Maiden. However, with Aegaion's effect, there is a chance that the random monster's ATK will be low even with Double Projection's effect. There will be a risk if I leave them with a single LP during this Battle Phase, then Tsukikage-san and Shun-kun will be.." Yuki quietly observed her options and forced herself not to show any hint of worry about her allies. She contemplated her options and the risk of the effect they would have. She decided to seal her love, pain, and grief away until a memory resurfaced on the night.

Flashback_Three Days Ago_At Night_

After a strange turn of events, Yuki decided to take a shower and get some rest for tomorrow. After a long time, she'd just finished taking a shower and was drying her hair. Yuki was about to go to bed until she noticed a card on her bedside table. She picked up the card and examined it. When she saw the name, she inhaled sharply.

"This card...Why do I have a card like this at the worst timing?"Yuki muttered and kept staring at the card. She figured this was another strange event after the one she had just experienced moments ago.

The more she kept glancing, the more memories of Yuto kept resurfacing. Yuki was about to throw the card on the floor until she heard its voice calling out to her.

Telling her that they want to help her fight for what she believes in.

They want to be her strength.

They don't want to remind her what she lost but reassure her that she doesn't have to lose anyone else again.

They will ease her pain whenever she needs it.

Yuki ran her fingers through her hair. "Ah, I am such a mess after all. I already made my decision, but it seems that the world is against it" Yuki mumbled, laying down on the bed.

She glanced at the card for a couple of minutes and sighed softly. "Alright then, I will not use my personal feelings as an excuse not to use you in battle."

Yuki's lips curved into a small smile. Even though she had a rough day, she still managed to give a smile full of warmth, even if it was by a small amount.

"So, with that being said, I will be counting on you.."

"Thunder Rebellion Xyz Dragon."

Flashback Ends_

Yuki raised her hand. "I will overlay with my Level 8 Blue-Eyes Solid and Reborn Dragon!"

The two monsters shot up in a vortex, and a rain of light shot out.

"The machine that rises from the depths of the sea! Show off your ammo to our enemies! Xyz Summon! Rise again! Rank 8! Aegaion the Sea Castrum!" Yuki shouted.

Water/Rank 8/Machine/Xyz/Effect/ATK ?/DEF 3000/OU:2

From behind her was a huge blue fortress monster that spread across the area, knocking the buildings down and even destroying parts of Kori's ice wall.

Its guns were pointed at the opposing side, ready to fire at will.

"T-That monster is bigger than Megaton Golem?!" Eijirou exclaimed, eyes turning to saucers. He felt overwhelmed by the size of the monster and was glad Yuki was on their side. He was glad he mistook Naomi for her, or else he would have been in the same situation as the Obelisk Force. He dodged a bullet right there.

Yuki continued her turn, turning toward her opponents. "I detach an Overlay Unit to banish a random monster from your Extra Deck, and Aegaion's ATK is equal to the monster's ATK banished by this effect!" Yuki snapped her fingers.

One of Aegaion's cannons blasted toward Obelisk Green, specifically his Extra Deck, as the gigantic machine monster was covered in a green aura. Its ATK changed to 1400.

Just as she feared, Aegaion's ATK is not high enough to take out either one of the Obelisk Force members' monsters or their LP. Yuki clicked her tongue and proceeded.

"Now I will overlay with my Level 4 Tin Goldfish and Chocolate Magician Girl!"

The two monsters entered the galaxy portal as lightning struck down in the middle.

"Born from the treacherous thunder! Fight with your bright fangs against all who dare to oppose you! Xyz Summon! Descend! Rank 4! Thunder Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" Yuki shouted.

A monster greatly resembled Dark Rebellion appeared on the field. However, its fangs were white, just like its claws. The color of its body was a blue and grey color, and its eyes were the same color as Dark Rebellion.

Dark/Rank 4/Dragon/Xyz/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2500/OU:2

Shun's eyes widened when he saw Thunder Rebellion on the field, and for a brief moment, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon replaced the figure.

"Wherever you are, Yuto. You are still supporting us in these dire times," Shun muttered. He softened his eyes but quickly narrowed them. This wasn't the time to be getting sentimental, not when there were enemies that needed to be taken care of.

"I activate Thunder Rebellion's Effect! By detaching an Overlay Unit, to target Antique Gear Megaton Golem to reduce its ATK to 0, and Thunder Rebellion gains ATK equal to the monster targeted by this effect!" Yuki revealed.

Thunder Rebellion shot yellow lighting toward Megaton Golem. The monster was bided by the chains, shocking the monster if it made any slightest movement. Slowly, the trapped monster felt its power leaving as it was transferring to Thunder Rebellion Xyz Dragon. Increasing the Xyz Monster ATK to 6300.

"Additionally, if your monster's ATK is changed to 0 by this effect, then your monster is destroyed!"

When those words left Yuki's mouth, Thunder Rebellion grabbed the chains that bound Megaton Golem together and blasted more electricity toward the mechanical humanoid monster. Annihilating Megaton Golem into a pile of ashes.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Barbaric God Barrage' to detach all of Aegaion's Overlay Units so my monster can attack twice during this turn" Yuki activated the card in her hand. She entered her Battle Phase.

"Battle! Thunder Rebellion Xyz Dragon attack Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog! White Lightning of the Disobey!"

Thunder Rebellion Xyz Dragon is enveloped in a flash of bluish-white lightning surrounding his body. The dragon shot up in the sky and dived down, colliding his sharp fangs against the Fusion Monster. Destroying the monster on impact, explosions occurred in the area.

Antique Gear Triple Bite Hound Dog and its controller flew into the railing. Eventually, the monster was obliterated, and Obelisk Green vanished with his LP hitting 0.

Obelisk Green:4000-4500=0 LP

"Now, Aegaion the Sea Castrum attack directly!" Yuki thrust her hand outwards. The final Obelisk member paled but realized something.

"Y-Your monster ATK is only 1400. Even with two direct attacks, I will still have LP left-."

"There is no next turn!" Yuki interjected coldly, playing the last card in her hand.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Double Projection' now. During this turn, my Aegaion's ATK is double! Therefore, their ATK is now 2800! Now you will lose this turn! Fire Aegaion!"

The gigantic blue machine monster got out two cannons and prepared to launch an attack. It directed the cannons at Obelisk Yellow and then blasted two white beams hitting the male, smoke filled the area, and nearly everyone covered their eyes to shield themselves from the dust.

When the attack was finished, the smoke left the area, revealing Obelisk Yellow was shot in the stomach twice in the same place.

The male felt immense pain and fainted on the ground. He left the area in the same way as his comrades.

Obelisk Yellow:4000-5600=0 LP

Yuki turned to an injured Eijirou, Shun, and Tsukikage. "I will patch any injuries you've got during the duel however once I have. We have to support everyone else who is currently dueling," Yuki stated. Even though she wanted to check up on Yuzu and Serena, who were currently dueling two members of Academia, she was more concerned about the injuries Shun and the others received. Much towards the former since she had just patched up his face and previous wounds he'd received before this duel.

"Thank you for your concern Yuki-dono. However, I will be alright. I have just minor injuries. They're not serious" Tsukikage assured them he must go where Serena and Yuzu were. He must see his mission to the end.

"I understand, but still, make sure you get proper medical care for those injuries. Okay, Tsukikage-san," Yuki firmly instructed the Ninjitsu duelist that he would get the proper medical treatment he needed. Tsukikage agreed to her request. He left the area and headed in the direction where Yuzu and Serena were taken.

The Mixed Deck duelist started to re-bandage Shun's wounds again to make sure his previous ones didn't open up during the duel. Fortunately, it seems that he only received minor damage, so his wounds weren't life-threatening in comparison to Eijirou's injuries on his arms.

Yuki took the bandages Eijirou did on himself and patched him up nicely to stop the bleeding for the time being. When Yuki was finished, she asked if Eijirou was in pain.

"I'm fine, Yuki. To be honest, I'm more worried about Yuya and the others," Eijirou said as he stood up.

"That's right. Darling was taken away into that cave. We have to go check on him," Mieru interjected, concerned for her crush.

"Understandable. We should split into two groups," Yuki proposed "one group goes with Tsukikage-san to check on Yuzu and Serena, while the other group goes to where Yuya-kun is."

The group was split up into three sections. The ones that will go to where Serena and Yuzu are would be Shun and Yuki. The ones that will go to the cave where Yuya is dueling Sora will be Gongenzaka and Mieru, while finally, Eijirou will check to find more people in the Volcano Area that they may have missed. The group nodded at each other as they took off toward their destination.

Eijirou walked around the Volcano Area and noticed something strange about the land. The sight completely stood out as he had one question in his mind as he walked towards the structure.

"Why is there an Ice Wall in a Volcano Zone?"

To where Shingo was Currently At_

Shingo Sawatari vs Kori Mizugochi; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each

Turn 1

H:5

"I shall take the first turn" Kori bowed her head. She summoned a monster on her field.

"I summon Snow Dragon."

A medium-sized blue dragon made out of shaved ice with red eyes appeared.

Water/Level 4/Dragon/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 1400

"I set these two cards, and my turn is finished" Kori concluded her turn before setting cards on her field.

"Now it's your turn Shingo Sawatari-san" Kori turned her attention to her opponent. Shingo scowled and drew his cards.

"I'm glad you know who I am because I want you to engrave the name of the great Shingo Sawatari-sama who defeated you in this duel!" Shingo shouted, and Kori gave a cold look.

"If you can make it past the first turn."

Shingo was shocked by how cold the girl's words were and why he saw the female monster smiling behind Kori. Shingo wiped his eyes and brushed the idea to the side. He must be seeing things. That's it! He was being delusional, that's right.

Shingo looked at his hands and already knew what to do.

Turn. 2

H:5-6

"I set Scale 1-Abyss Actor - Devil Heel and Scale 8-Abyss Actor - Funky Comedian on the Pendulum Scale! With this, I can Special Summon Monsters whose Levels are 2 through 7!"

Shingo sets his Pendulum Scales as two monsters in pillars with numbers under them.

"Come to my side! Abyss Actor - Big Star and Abyss Actor - Wild Hope!"

Big Star arrived, posing on the field while Wild Hope got out its weapons.

B.S: Dark/Level 7/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 1800/P.S:3

W.H: Dark/Level 4/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1200/P.S:2

"Through Big Star's effect. I can add an Abyss Script Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I add the Spell Card 'Abyss Script - Rise of the Demon King' which I activate!"

A Spell Card appeared on Shingo's field, in which the card's image looked like a storybook in which a demon comes out. Kori looked at the card in amusement.

"Since I control a Level 7 or higher Abyss Actor, Snow Dragon is destroyed, and your set card on the left is destroyed!"

A speck of purple dust blasted Kori's field, but the latter still kept a smile on her face. She raised her hand.

"When Snow Dragon is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard. I can place an Ice Counter on a monster you control, so Big Star gains an Ice Counter," Kori explained. Big Star's feet were frozen in ice. The monster tried to budge but couldn't move its legs.

"However, I have two attacks. With this, you're finished!" Shingo pointed out. He first declared Wild Hope to attack Kori.

The monster moved close to her range and shot multiple times in her direction, but she dodged every last one without gaining a scratch. When the attack was finished, she wiped the dust off her clothes and smiled.

Kori:4000-1600=2400 LP

"Big Star, attack her directly!"

Since the monster couldn't move, he blasted a purple beam toward Kori. However, she pressed a button on her screen as an ice wall protected her from the beam.

"I activate my Trap Card 'Ice Protection' the battle damage is reduced to 0, and Wild Hope gains an Ice Counter as well," Kori stated. Wild Hope was in the same condition as Big Star. Each of the monsters tried to budge out of its binding.

"W-What's with these Ice Counters?!" Shingo exclaimed. Before sneezing, he felt cold for some reason.

"Let me explain, Shingo Sawatari-san. Monsters with Ice Counter cannot change their battle positions. So, your monsters will be stuck in the same state for all eternity," Kori added. She gave a closed smile. For some reason, Shingo saw the same monster behind her however the aura increased. He started to feel chills down his spine.

"I set two cards and end my turn" Shingo ended his turn, shaking. Kori started her turn by drawing a card.

Turn 3

H:2-3

Kori saw her drawn cards and played them. "I activate the Spell Card 'Cup of Ace' I will flip a coin. If it lands on heads, then I will draw two cards however if it doesn't, then you draw two cards."

Kori got out a coin and flipped it high in the air. Shingo felt sweat running down his temple because he knows the odds won't land in his favor.

Kori grabbed the coin and landed on her right palm. She revealed the result of the coin toss to be: heads.

"I shall draw two cards. Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Eternal Blizzard' during your turn, your monsters' ATK and DEF are changed to 0, and their effects are negated as long as they have Ice Counters. Of course."

The Continuous Spell Card blasted a cold wind, causing Shingo to shiver even more. He wished he should have brought the warm jacket his papa had bought him.

"Tsk! If only I get rid of these stupid Ice Counters, then I wouldn't be this cold" Shingo whined, glancing at his monsters. He was worried about how they were feeling, but Kori's next words made him extremely concerned for his monsters.

"I also activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Cold Perfume' now monsters with Ice Counters have to attack. Now I Special Summon Cold Enchantress by tributing Big Star since he has an Ice Counter" Kori continued her turn.

Big Star froze and turned into an ice shard as he shattered. His shards caused Shingo to be hurt by how sharp the shards were. "The damage felt too real! Like back then with that silent mouse lookalike!"

A white-haired with white eyes woman wore a dress made out of ice from the remaining shards. She held an ice harp and smiled coyly at Wild Hope.

Water/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 1500

If the latter weren't so cold to his bones, he would've gone and flirted with the female monster.

Cold Enchantress blew a cold wind and froze Wild Hope to a crystal. Shingo looked surprised but grumbled when he realized that it must be due to these Ice Counters.

"Next, I summon Ice Priestess."

However, this time, a young girl with a similar appearance to Cold Enchantress had twin fans in her hands.

Water/Level 4/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 1200

"When Ice Priestess is summoned, I can add a Level 4 or higher WATER Monster from my deck. I choose to add Ice Priest, who I Special Summon due to his effect!" Kori added this time. She summoned a man with white hair and blue crystal eyes. He wore a white yukata-like garment and had a talisman on his hips.

Water/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 1200

"Battle. Ice Priest, attack Wild Hope if you want," Kori instructed her monster, who replied with a nod.

The monster blasted cold winds coming towards a frozen Wild Hope.

"I activate the Trap Card 'Abyss Actors Back Stage' since I have Devil Heel and Funky Comedian in my Pendulum Zones! I can add two Abyss Actors to m-" Shingo shouted.

"No you won't" Kori interrupted the duelist.

Ice Priest froze the recently activated card. The card was shattered, and Shingo had more injuries from the real-life battle damage he was receiving.

"Ice Priest's effect negates any Spell or Trap Cards you activate once per turn. So, this will be the end of you, Shingo Sawatari-san," Kori explained with a smile.

However, Shingo replied with a grin. "I somewhat figure that your monsters would have an effect like that, so I am glad I activated that card instead of this one! I flip over my other Trap Card 'Abyss Actors' Stage Fright'!"

The Trap Card showed Big Star sweating as the curtain covered him to prevent him from being embarrassed.

"Since Wild Hope is still on my field! Your attack is negated, and the battle phase is over!"

A wall acting as a curtain shielded Wild Hope from the attack blocking Ice Priest from attacking further. Kori raised an eyebrow and started to chuckle.

"You are an amusing individual. Even though fate is against you. Shingo Sawatari-san, you continue to fight against me" Kori praised the boy by clapping her hands.

"That's right! Even if the universe is against the new neo Shingo Sawatari-sama, I will still fight to the end!"

Shingo puffed his chest in pride despite him shaking like a chicken. He refused to give up. He wanted to prove his worth and join the Lancers so people could look at him differently. Even if he acted like an idiot, he would not stop fighting to be recognized by others.

Kori started to laugh until she had tears in her eyes. "I changed my mind. I won't card you anymore because I have something better planned for you."

Shingo stepped back when he felt Kori looking at him as if she was looking at him like how a predator looks at his prey.

"And that is," for once, Shingo regrets having a big mouth.

Kori's eyes glowed a blue color, as well as her monsters. Shingo felt his heart speed up, the feeling he had earlier increased, and the chills down his back wouldn't stop shaking no matter how much he forced himself to stop.

"I'll turn you into one of my ice sculptures and keep you that way for all eternity. You'll be one of my precious dolls when this duel ends. So, please prepare yourself for when that happens, Shingo Sawatari-kun~."

Back to where the Counterparts were_

Yuzu, Serena, and Yugo vs Yuri and Akemi; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each

"Prey gets to go first" Yuri motioned to the group across from him.

Akemi noticed the silence and saw that no one was about to take the first turn.

"I can't be helped. I will take the first-" Akemi was interrupted by Serena yelling and playing a card.

Turn 1

H:5

"I won't let you do that! I activate the Spell Card 'Moonlight Fusion' I fuse Moonlight Yellow Marten and Moonlight Black Sheep!" Serena yelled. Her two different colored monsters fuse in a portal.

"The marten leaping across the darkness! The beast lurking in jet black darkness! Swarm in a vortex of moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me, beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! Moonlight Cat Dancer!"

A pink-haired mature feline woman wearing exotic blue dancing clothing appeared, holding twin daggers.

Dark/Level 7/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 2000

"Through Yellow Marten's effect when she is sent to the Graveyard by a card effect, I can add a Moonlight Spell/Trap Card from my Deck to my hand" Serena added a card to her hand. She set it with another card to her field.

"I place these two cards face-down and end my turn! Now come at me, Akemi!" Serena declared while Akemi gave her signature smirk.

"I would honestly love to, but there are two more people I have to get through before me, and you can tango. So be patient, Serena-chan~" Akemi glanced at her hand and then back to her three opponents.

"Just like Fusion over there. How's your day been, Fusion-san?" Akemi asked, overjoyed when she heard those famous words.

"My name is Yugo! Not Fusion!" Yugo snarled. Yuri looked like he was surprised even though he wasn't.

"I thought this entire time your name was Fusion! Are you telling me that I was wrong this entire time!" Yuri turned to Akemi, "then that means he doesn't even use Fusion just like his name. Ah, that's so tragic."

Akemi placed a hand on her heart and shed fake tears. "I know, darling. I'm tearing up just from hearing this. I feel bad for Fusion-san."

Yugo snapped with a few veins popping out. "Stop screwing around, grinning bastard! You and your twisted girlfriend have a poor sense of humor!" Yugo snarled, drawing his card from his deck.

Yuri changed back to his regular manner. "Yes, we are humorous people, unlike you, who is a constant living joke just like a certain-" Yuri started.

"Incompetent," Akemi finished as both of them had a certain gleam in their eyes.

Yugo was about to snap again, but Yuzu interrupted him.

"Yugo, please concentrate on the duel. If you fall for their tricks, they win," Yuzu encouraged, snapping Yugo from his enraged state. If Yugo continues to act like this, then he could make mistakes that will cost him and them the duel.

Yugo took a deep breath and calmed down. That's right. He can't lose his composure, not when he's finally facing the people who took Rin away. He must win the duel for her sake and Haru's as well.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I continue my turn. I activate the Spell Card 'Speedroid Scratch' by sending Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice to my Graveyard. I can add Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice to my hand," Yugo said. He sent his monster and added another one. Then he picked up a card from his hand slot.

"I summon Speedroid Bamboo Horse from my hand," Yugo summoned small green and white horse monster.

Wind/Level 4/Machine/Effect/ATK 1100/DEF 1100

"Through Bamboo Horse's effect, I Special Summon Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice from my hand" Yugo summoned a yellow dice with red eyes on his field.

Wind/Level 1/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK 100/DEF 100

"I tune my Level 4 Bamboo Horse to Level 1 Red-Eyed Dice! Synchro Summon! Feel the pulse of this swordsman's soul! Come forth! Level 5! High-Speedroid Chanbarider!" Yugo shouted.

His Synchro Monster was summoned from a stream of light, his sharp blade ready to attack the people in front of him.

Wind/Level 5/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 1000

"Oh, a toy~" Akemi squealed and held her cheeks. She now understood why Yuri said Yugo was childish, and the reason why was because of the monsters that resembled toys in the boy's deck. Specifically, toys kids play with. She found it to be very adorable.

"This is why you're my favorite idiot, Fusion" Akemi waved her hand, blowing a kiss. Yugo shivered in disgust.

"I set two cards and end my turn" Yugo concluded his turn with two set cards.

Yuzu took the next turn, and she drew a card.

Turn 3

H:5-6

Yuzu flinched when she made slight movements regarding her stomach area. She had to be careful or otherwise. Her recently patched treated wound would hurt again.

Yuzu was on her guard regarding the blue-haired girl and her companion.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Solo the Melodious Songstress and Tamtam the Melodious Diva!" Yuzu played her drawn card, fusing her monsters in a different colored vortex.

"Echoes of the soul! The flutter of angel's wings! Guided by the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon! Sing your song of victory! Bloom Diva the Melodious Floral Saint!" Yuzu yelled. She summoned a young girl wearing a white floral dress as she came out of a pink flower.

Light/Level 6/Fairy/Fusion/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 2000

"Tamtam's effect when this card is used as Fusion Material, I can reduce Bloom Diva's ATK by 500 to inflict 500 damage to you" Yuzu inflicted 500 damage to Akemi, decreasing the dark blue-haired girl's LP by 500, but at the cost of Bloom Diva having 500 ATK.

Akemi:4000-500=3500 LP

The girl smirked and wiped the dust off her coat. "You inflicted the first blood. Impressive Yuzu-chan" Akemi stared at Yuzu. She figured this was payback for hurting her in their last duel. But it didn't matter to Akemi anyway since she was going to make sure Yuzu was severely injured and that she won't have a chance to run like last time. She will retrieve her.

"I set one card and end my turn" Yuzu finished her turn. She had a bad feeling just like last time however, this time, she was prepared to fight back against Akemi. Yet she felt a sense of unease when she looked at Yuri.

"Finally, since all prey went first, it's time for the hunters to start!" Yuri announced, drawing his card.

Turn 4

H:5-6

Seconds passed since Yuri drew his card, but the boy wasn't making any moves.

"From all that talk before, it seems you can't do anything with your current hand!" Yugo said, and Yuri chastised his lookalike.

"Tsk tsk. I'm not like you, Fusion. I have multiple strategies I want to use, but I am choosing the most that will satisfy me," Yuri remarked. He continued to observe his hand and came to a decision.

"I'll go with this one. I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Seed Cannon Salvo' by sending Predator Plants Cordyceps to the Graveyard to inflict 300 damage to my opponent" Yuri pointed his finger at Yugo, promoting the card to blast at Yugo.

The card blasted multiple vines. They shot out and smacked Yugo across the stomach sending him flying and hitting a wall.

Yugo:4000-300=3700 LP

"Yugo!" Yuzu yelled in concern for the Speedroid duelist.

"I'm fine. That hit was nothing but a scratch," Yugo groaned, getting back up.

"Is that so? Very well then, I just have to step up my game, Fusion" Yuri commented.

"Because of Seed Cannon Salvo's effect, all monsters you control have their ATKs decreased by 600."

Vines wrapped around Cat Dancer, Bloom Diva, and Chanbarider, trapping them and absorbing their powers, weakening the monster's ATK to 0, 1800, and 1400.

"Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Predator Plast' by revealing Predator Plants Ophrys Scorpio, Sarraceniant, and Sundew Kingii to place Predator Counters on all monsters on the field."

With those words, a small green plant attached to the monster's hands while Yuri smirked widely.

"I summon Predator Plants Sundew Kingii from my hand," a green frilled neck lizard appeared on the field, hissing at its prey.

Dark/Level 2/Plant/Effect/ATK 600/DEF 200

Akemi called the creature over to her and stroked its head in a motherly fashion.

Yuzu, Serena, and Yugo shivered. "You actually like that thing!" Yugo exclaimed, taken back by the affection Akemi was giving the lizard.

"It's hard to find someone who shares your tastes. Fortunately, Akemi does when it comes to our similar hobbies and taste in monsters," Yuri mentioned, placing his hand on his cheek, reminiscing but focused on the duel.

"For instance, Sundew Kingii's effect can fuse monsters in my hand, field, or my opponent's monsters with Predator Counters, just like Cat Dancer and Bloom Diva, for instance."

"What!" Yuzu gasped. Serena clenched her fist tight because it meant she and Yuzu were defenseless.

"By using Sundew Kingii's effect, I fuse it with Bloom Diva and Cat Dancer together! Beautiful lizard with an addictive scent! The dancer of the darkness! The singer of the dull light! Become one and give birth to a new hazard from your deadly petals! Fusion Summon! Manifest now! Predator Plants Triphyovertum!" Yuri chanted, clasping his hands together.

Sprouted from the field was a gigantic hybrid between a plant and a three-headed dragon.

Dark/Level 9/Plant/Fusion/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 3000

The Fusion Summoned Monster roared, causing the three duelists to skid back by the intensity.

"Triphyovertum gains the original ATK of all monsters with Predator Counters. Currently, there is only Chanbarider, so Triphyovertum's ATK is now 5000."

Serena clicked her tongue in annoyance. She couldn't use her set card since it required her monster to be destroyed, but since it left the field. It was completely useless now.

"Celina, was it? Or was it Serena? Doesn't matter, I will attack you directly" Yuri snapped his fingers together, and Triphyovertum blasted multiple demonic seeds toward Serena. Before it could hit her, causing her to be severely injured and lose the duel. Yugo activated his set card.

"Trap Activate! 'Re-Dice' I choose Clear Wing Synchro Dragon in my Extra Deck, and I can Special Summon Red-Eyed Dice in my Graveyard. I can roll a dice, and Red-Eyed Dice Level becomes the result however, if I can't Synchro Summon the chosen monster, then all monsters I control are destroyed!" Yugo explained. The yellow cube appeared on the field along with six-sided dice.

"Relying on luck to win. Sounds just like you, Fusion" Akemi taunted.

"Shut it! Luck is also part of dueling! Now roll the dice!" Yugo responded. The dice rolled a couple of times before stopping at a number.

The result of the dice roll was 2.

"Here we go! I tune my Level 5 High-Speedroid Chanbarider to the now Level 2 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice!"

The cube monster turned into two rings as it passed through the single-blade monster. A stream of light passed through the rings.

"Spread those wondrous and beautiful wings! Strike down our enemies at the speed of light! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon arrived at the field, roaring at Triphyovertum.

Wind/Level 7/Dragon/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000

With the dragon's appearance, Yuzu and Serena's bracelet blinked faintly as Akemi's birthmark started to throb. Akemi subconsciously started to grip her arm, but she didn't show that she was in pain. This is due to the pain endurance training she experienced when she was younger.

While Yuri smirked maliciously.

"It's strange. Just seeing that dragon makes me want to destroy it and everything else! So much I won't be able to take it!" Yuri's eyes dilated.

"Triphyovertum effect destroys a monster that was Special Summon from the Extra Deck! Destroy that nuisance and continue your attack!" Yuri continued his turn.

Yugo thrust his hand forward, "when a Level 5 or higher monster activates their effect! That monster's effect is negated and destroyed!"

"Dichroic Mirror!"

The crystal on Clear Wing's wings reflected a white light covering Triphyovertum. The plant-dragon hybrid roared and disintegrated into dust.

"Now, since Clear Wing destroyed your monster, it gains ATK equal to the destroyed's monster original ATK. Triphyovertum's ATK was 3000. Therefore, Clear Wing's ATK becomes 5500!" Yugo saved Serena from the attack, destroyed Yuri's monster, and increased his ace monster ATK.

"Thanks, Yugo," Serena said, showing gratitude towards Yugo's actions. If he hadn't activated his Trap Card, Serena would have suffered major damage and lost the duel.

Yugo grinned sheepishly. "It's no problem. Just happy to help."

He became serious and turned his attention back to Yuri. "Now you've lost your monster! The quicker you end your turn, the faster I can kick your ass for taking Rin!" Yugo's eyes shined a green light.

The action was noticeable to Yuzu, especially when the tone in Yugo's voice darkened. She glanced at her bracelet and Serena's. She saw that they were blinking pink and blue-purple light faintly. She felt unnerved by the action and tried to force down the feeling of dread in her chest. She felt that it wasn't only because of this duel.

It was something different...something sinister.

"Only a setback. I set one card and end my turn" Yuri concluded his turn, turning his attention to Akemi.

He's curious about why she has a curious expression on her face. Well, he can ask her about it later.

"Clear Wing Synchro Dragon...For some reason, I know I have seen you somewhere else before. But to think I get another opportunity to face you in battle, and now that I know your effect, I will take you down," Akemi noted quietly. She drew her card, but just as she was about to play it, she looked at Yugo.

"So Fusion. You traveled dimension to get Rinrin back and prevent the incompetent from being captured, then that would mean you probably encountered your other lookalike," Akemi mentioned. Everyone except Yuri looked at the dark blue-haired girl in confusion. They wondered why would she bring up something like that now.

"That means you encountered your counterpart of the Xyz Dimension, but I have to ask what happened to him? I figured since Yuki-chan was in danger, he would be the first person to come to her aid. However, it seemed like he vanished from this world," Akemi continued placing her finger on her cheek. She brought up some things about what happened to the boy. But she also wanted to start her assault by targeting a person with the smallest temper besides Serena.

Unfortunately for Yugo, he happened to be that person.

"I wonder whether it has to do with what happened that night," Akemi pondered, "when you reencountered him, you didn't listen to him as he explained that he wasn't the person who took Rinrin away from you, and not only you forced him to duel against you. But you probably put him in a hospital using your dragon."

Yugo flinched as memories from that night resurfaced. What he did, who he faced, and how he acted. He remembered it all. He tried to recall what happened when he blacked out however it was still blank for him. Yet he remembered one important fact: he did hurt someone.

Akemi smiled in satisfaction with how Yugo reacted to her words. She needed only one more push to send him over the edge. Then she showed a hurt expression and cried fake tears.

"I was just rambling, but to think you did such a horrible thing proves you took someone's life."

Akemi wept and turned away.

"You killed an innocent person, Fusion! How could you do that to that poor boy!" Akemi got out a tissue and wiped her tears away.

"You took that boy away from his family, friends, and lover if he was in a relationship. I'm so disappointed in you."

Yugo took a step back and pointed his finger at the pair.

"I-It's both of your faults! If you hadn't taken Rin away that night and threatened to take Haru, I wouldn't have to-!"

"So that gives you the right to kill an innocent person who had nothing to do with you and your business. That's pretty heartless, Yugo-kun," Akemi interrupted the Speedroid duelist, cutting him off.

"To think you would defend yourself and say your actions are just because someone you care about was taken away from you" Akemi looked disgusted. "So you felt the need to take his life away so that his loved ones could feel the pain you felt when Rin was taken away. I got to say that out of all the things I've heard in my life, that's got to be the cruelest thing I have ever heard," Akemi finished.

Akemi's words struck Yugo. His throat felt dry. He couldn't speak even if he wanted to. He started to sweat bullets, and he became out of breath.

What if Akemi's words are true?

That he really did kill that person during his blackout?

But if he did, he could never take that person someone's life back. He may take Rin back, but he can never bring someone back from the dead.

"I-I d-di" Yugo forced himself to talk, but the guilt in his chest prevented his body from speaking any further.

Yuzu found herself becoming angry with Akemi. "How could you say something like that to him? I know what he did was wrong, but look at it from his perspective! He thought he was fighting the person who had his friend. He was just doing what he thought was right!" Yuzu defended Yugo.

Even though Yuzu felt what Yugo did was completely wrong, that doesn't give Akemi the right to reprimand the boy for his actions.

"So killing someone because you think you're actions towards them are justifiable gives you the right to do it," Akemi responded, "if the world were like that, then there wouldn't be any punishment handed out to the criminals, and there would be chaos in the world."

Akemi snorted and continued her turn before the timer ran out. After all, the fun was about to begin.

Turn 5

H:5-6

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Fire Shower' now all effect damage you take is double, and now I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Fire Hand and Cyber Esper" Akemi's monsters fused in a portal of red and blue.

"Machine that reads minds, monsters covered in flames! Combine your different powers in order to create a legend! Fusion Summon! Descend legendary flame beast! Blaze Fenix the Burning Bombardment Bird!"

Blaze Fenix descended from the sky, howling as his flames melted the glass and the surrounding areas.

Fire/Level 8/Pyro/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2300

"Blaze Fenix can inflict 300 damage for each card on the field, there are currently 8, so someone takes 2400 damage!" Akemi shouted. Yugo, despite feeling guilty, activated Clear Wing's effect.

"Dichroic Mirror."

Clear Wing destroyed Blaze Fenix, but Akemi expected that he would.

"Now you used Clear Wing's effect and increased its ATK to 5300. I can use my other monster's effect" Akemi stated as she picked up a card in her hand.

"When a FIRE Monster is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Cataclysmic Scorching Sunburner from my hand!" Akemi summoned a red-skin-like deity to her field in Attack Position.

Fire/Level 8/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 200

"Then I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to half of the ATK of the destroyed monster. Blaze Fenix ATK was 2800, so I can inflict 1400. However, a lucky person will take the 2800 damage because of Fire Shower's effect," Akemi pointed at Serena.

"Serena-chan, take 2800 damage!" Akemi shouted. Cataclysmic shot red flames towards Serena as she dodged the assault to prevent her from taking major damage, although her LP suffered greatly.

Serena:4000-2800=1200 LP

"When I inflict effect damage, Fire Shower gains one counter," there was a single fireball hovering over the field, and Serena glared at the ball. She knew exactly what would happen if Akemi sent the card effect to the Graveyard.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Shaddoll Fusion' to fuse Shaddoll Beast and Fire Hound that's in my deck!" Akemi revealed.

"How can you perform a Fusion Summon from your Deck!" Yuzu questioned her opponent, and Akemi pointed at Clear Wing.

"Because if my opponent controls a monster summoned from the Extra Deck, I can use monsters in my Deck as Fusion Materials," Akemi explained. She thanked Yugo for his efforts. It made him feel even more down that he unintentionally helped his opponent.

"Monsters of the shadows bound by the strings! The fierce dog of wild flames! Combine your powers in order to make the puppet of flames!" Akemi shouted, doing her fusion pose as her aura intensified, causing flames to spread throughout the area as it created a person.

"Fusion Summon! Level 7! El Shaddoll Grysta!"

A blond-haired knight appeared on the field. Red strings sprouted from his back as he wore a metal mask with a horn sticking out on the right side of his face.

Fire/Level 7/Rock/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2450/DEF 1950

"By Shaddoll Beast's effect when it sent to the Graveyard, I can draw one card," Akemi added as she drew the card and smirked widely as she saw what she drew.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Desire' by banishing the first ten cards in my deck face-down. I can draw two cards."

Akemi showed a portal where her banished cards reside as two figures descended from the banished portal.

"When Flame Priestess is banished by a card effect, I can inflict damage to my opponent equal to her ATK which is 1800 however, Fusion-san will take 3600 damage!" Flame Priestess chanted some words under her breath as a magic circle appeared below Yugo's feet. Suddenly a torrent of fire shot up where the boy was standing and enveloped him in flames.

He screamed in pain from the hot, scorching flames burning his body. Clear Wing had to flap his wings to douse the flames burning Yugo's skin. Luckily, the attack was over, but Yugo managed to get out of the flames with burns on his clothing and injuries where the burns were.

Yugo:3700-3600=100 LP

"He was brought to 100 LP already?!" Yuzu uttered in shock. Serena narrowed her eyes.

"Of course he was. That is Akemi's strategy effect damage above 1000. She can bring her opponent's LP to 500 in one turn depending on which strategy she used" Serena summarized her friend's Deck strategy and became annoyed that she didn't have a card to negate the damage in her hand. Otherwise, she would have repaid the favor, saved Yugo's LP, and prevented him from taking physical pain.

Through her effect, Flame Priestess was on Akemi's field.

Fire/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1400

"I activate Fire Priest's effect when this card is banished by a card effect. I can inflict damage to you, Yuzu-chan, equal to his DEF" Akemi said as a man in a monk outfit blasted a red ball of flame toward the Melodious duelist.

Like Yugo, Yuzu was covered in flames as they burned some parts of her clothing and created burn marks on the exposed skin, but maybe to her luck, the flames could stop her wound from bleeding out.

When the flames were finished, Yuzu was in the same state as Yugo as she staggered, maintaining her balance.

Yuzu:4000-3000=1000 LP

Like Flame Priestess, Flame Priest appeared on Akemi's field in Defense Position.

Fire/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1500

Yuri clapped, impressed by Akemi's moves. "The total damage you inflicted during your turn was 6600 however if Blaze Fenix's effect went through, then the damage would have been 9000. Are you purposely trying to hold back?" Yuri told the blue-haired female duelist.

He noted that Akemi was holding back and was showing mercy to their opponents because, usually, that move would have depleted all of their LP if she had one of her special cards on her field to inflict more damage. This was the least damage she had ever inflicted during a duel. So he concluded that the girl was holding back.

Akemi just grinned and set a card on her field.

"I set a card and end my turn. I will give you a hint about my set card. I can use it to negate Clear Wing when the cute dragon activates its effect or use my amazing ace monster, El Shaddoll Grysta, to negate a Special Summon," Akemi informed. She waved her only card in her hand, taunting the three duelists.

"This card will decide your fate. Whether you want to lose the next monster, you Special Summon or Fusion, lose his ace monster leaving him defenseless. This choice is all yours~."

Akemi pointed at Serena with a vicious grin. "So, Serena-chan~ you decide what happens next!"

She then laughed, holding her stomach because she found the situation amusing.

Back to Shingo's duel against Kori_

Shingo felt taken back but somehow knew the girl wasn't telling a joke. She was deadly serious. Regardless, he won't go back on his word. He has no cards in his hands, but he feels like he can make a comeback to last for about two more turns, at least.

Turn 4

H:0-1

"It's my turn! Draw" Shingo glanced at the one card that could change the tides, and when he saw the card, he had a huge grin. It was the monster card: Abyss Actor - Mellow Madonna.

"Lady Luck has finally smiled on me! With my current Pendulum Scales, I will Pendulum Summon! Come down, my actors! Return from my extra deck, Big Star! Appear, Mellow Madonna!"

A woman in a long-sleeved black dress appeared next to Big Star.

Dark/Level 7/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 2500/P.S:0

"I activate Big Star to add the Continuous Spell Card 'Abyss Script - Abysstainment' and activate it!"

Kori clicked her tongue in a taunting manner. "Shingo Sawatari-kun, I activate Ice Priest's effect to negate your Continuous Spell Card's effect and negate it."

Shingo grinned and planned his next attack. "When an Abyss Script Spell Card is activated through Mellow Madonna's effect. I can Special Summon Pretty Heroine from my Deck, but she is returned to my hand during the End Phase!"

Mellow Madonna sang a song and created a portal. From that portal was Pretty Heroine as she laughed and posed.

Dark/Level 4/Fiend/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 1000/P.S:2

"Through your Continuous Spell Card's effect, Wild Hope has to declare an attack. Wild Hope, attack Ice Priestess!" Shingo declared an attack. He knows he will take major damage since Wild Hope's ATK is 0. But it will be worth it if everything goes according to plan.

Ice Priestess slashed Wild Hope multiple times, Shingo felt the shards pierce his skin, but he held his ground.

Shingo:4000-1400=2600 LP

"But Pretty Heroine's effect lowers Cold Enchantress's ATK by 1400, so her ATK becomes 600!" Shingo pointed at the frozen seductress. Pretty Heroine slashed the other monster, creating a cloud of yellow dust as the woman felt weakened.

"Mellow Madonna attack Cold Enchantress!"

Mellow Madonna sang a song that caused a shockwave to shatter the frozen woman into shards. Kori stepped back due to the damage she had taken.

Kori:2400-1200=1200 LP

"Pretty Heroine attack Ice Priestess!"

Pretty Heroine slashed Ice Priestess in half as Kori's LP lowered some more.

Kori:1200-300=900 LP

"Now I activate Devil Heel's Pendulum Effect! By returning Mellow Madonna to my Extra Deck. Ice Priest loses 1800 ATK!" Shingo yelled. Devil Heel shouted, causing everyone to cover their ears.

Ice Priest felt himself become weak as he kneeled to the ground.

"Now you're finished with Ice Priest ATK at 600! Big Star has 2500 ATK! You will run out of LP!" Shingo yelled. He was ensured that he would win until he noticed something on Kori's field.

"Ice Priestess's effect allows me to banish this card from my Graveyard to end the Battle Phase, and Big Star gains an Ice Counter!" Kori saved herself and her monster from being taken out.

"When Cold Enchantress is destroyed, I can add a Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand" Kori selected her card and added it.

Shingo clicked his teeth as he was forced to end his turn, and he returned Pretty Heroine to his hands.

"That was truly impressive, besides two other people. You've brought my LP to a red. So I will praise you for your efforts," Kori clapped again. Shingo scowled.

"Usually, I love it when people praise me, but when it comes to you. I don't want to hear another compliment," Shingo remarked.

"Too bad it's going to be the last praise you will ever hear again," Kori said, drawing her card.

Turn 5

H:1-2

"I activate the Spell Card 'Ice Placement' to put an ice counter on Ice Priest!" Kori froze her monster, much to Shingo's confusion.

"Then I activate the Spell Card 'Frozen Fusion' to fuse using monsters with ice counters on either side of the field! I fuse Ice Priest and Big Star!" Kori yelled. The two monsters turned into shards of ice and fused in a portal.

"Tsk! She used my monsters as material! Now I'm left defenseless!" Shingo grumbled. He had no monsters left to protect him. Now his only hope was to find an Action Card.

"Star of the performing arts, become one with the frozen priest and create an eternal ice land! Fusion Summon! Descend on this frozen and vast world, Ice Empress!"

A woman wearing crystal blue battle armor wore an ice cape on her shoulders. She had blue gauntlets on her arms and leg braces. She wore blue glass heels and had white hair and white eyes. She had a crown made out of crystal bones. Finally, she wielded a rapier in her hands.

Water/Level 8/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000

Kori walked over to where she saw a strange card and picked it up, much to Shingo's dismay.

"Hmm. I activate the Action Spell 'Flame Ball' I inflict 200 damage to my opponent!"

A flame ball struck Shingo, but fortunately, he got out of the way before it could inflict pain on him.

Shingo:2600-200=2400 LP

"This is the end! Ice Empress attack Shingo Sawatari-kun directly!"

Just as when Kori was about to declare her attack that would make her the winner, a sound was heard.

The field disappeared along with the Ice Empress.

"TIME IS UP FOR THE BATTLE ROYALE!"

Kori sighed because she didn't get her prize but was now satisfied with how the duel could have ended in her favor. She teleported back to Academia, leaving an injured Shingo alone. Shingo fell to his knees and started to shake. If it wasn't for the timer, he could have been turned to ice. Not being able to see his papa or his friends ever again. He swore to have his rematch against Kori one day. Somehow, he knows he will.

A few moments back, during the counterparts' duels_

"I won't be afraid to take that chance!" Serena shouted, drawing her card. She stared at the sky when there were three counters in the sky.

"Because of Fire Shower's effect, Akemi can inflict 500 damage for each counter. There are currently three, so she can send it anytime to inflict 1500 damage to our LP. With the way things are, she can take one of us out. But she's just playing with us as she sees fit," Serena analyzed in her mind. She only had one option: to defeat Akemi in a One Turn Kill.

"Before I start my turn, I activate my Continuous Trap Card 'Moonlight Serenade Dance'" Serena flipped her set card, revealing it to be Blue Cat as her shadow was Cat Dancer.

Serena drew her card for her turn.

Turn 6

H:2-3

"I activate the Spell Card 'Moonlight Perfume' to Special Summon Cat Dancer back to my field. I then activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Moonlight Cat Dancer and a second copy of Moonlight Black Sheep!" Serena fused her monsters again in a vortex.

"Beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! The beast lurking in jet black darkness! Swarm in a vortex of moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Come to me, elegant beast dancing in the moonlight! Moonlight Panther Dancer!" Serena finished her chant, and a mature dark-skinned woman with panther features while wearing a dress appeared on her field.

Dark/Level 8/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2500

"Now I activate Moonlight Serenade Dance's effect! Since Panther Dancer was Fusion Summoned, she gains 500 ATK for each Monster on your field," Serena pointed at Akemi. "In addition, I can Special Summon a Moonlight Token to your field, and since you control another monster, Panther Dancer's ATK becomes 5300!" Serena summoned a token resembling a Blue Cat.

"Battle! Moonlight Panther Dancer attack-" Serena declared an attack targeting El Shaddoll Grysta. Yuri opened his set card with a playful smirk.

"I'll make sure you won't be able to use your legs! Trap Card 'Ridicule World' all monster gains 100 ATK! However, if monsters' ATK is higher than their original ATK, they can't attack. So you won't be able to use your legs now!" Yuri taunted, dark spheres with maniacal smiles rising from the shadows mocking the monsters. They made the scenery a dark shadow of hell they couldn't escape. The monsters the three duelists controlled ATK increased by 100. However, they found themselves in a jam. They were stuck and couldn't move their bodies.

Yuzu shivered from the thick atmosphere, even though Yuri's Trap Card had a similar effect to Smile World except for smiles and light. The whole area was filled with dread and horror. She was getting chills from witnessing the sight.

Serena had no choice but to end her turn. She glanced at Yugo, who was still upset from what Akemi had said earlier.

She could tell the boy was having an emotional turmoil. She doesn't know if Akemi is lying or not, and she doesn't know anything about Yugo since this is her first time meeting him. However, he needs to focus on the duel if he wants to survive and find his friend.

"Yugo, right. I don't know you, and I don't know what happened in your situation, but if you have any pride as a duelist, you'll fight!" Serena shouted, grabbing him by the collar and shaking him.

"Get it together, Yugo!"

Yugo's eyes widened. "Those were the same words Rin told me that day," Yugo mentioned. After the tournament, he participated in his dimension in the Commons and got a participation prize, bath towels. At the same time, Haru won a third-place trophy during the time. Rin scolded him and told him those exact words.

He tried to shake the guilt towards what he did to Yuto. He decided to get his act together and continue the duel.

He can just ask Akemi if he really did kill Yuto that night. He can't keep worrying about what he did in the past. He needs to worry about the now.

He took Serena's hands off his collar and thanked her for snapping him out of his sorry state. Serena's response was she was returning the favor of when he saved her, so with this, they are even.

Yuri sighed at how Yugo snapped out of his pitiful state. He was actually enjoying Yugo's pathetic expression.

"Akemi, I guess your tactic failed this time," Yuri said. Akemi's lips curved into a grin, not showing that she was upset.

"Don't worry. I've already implanted guilt in Fusion. He might have overcome the pain for now however, he still has a long way to go before the seed of regret takes over his body" Akemi assured that Yugo would feel remorse again, especially if he were to run into Yuki.

Yugo turned towards the pair. His spirit has been renewed. "This time, I will kick your asses for taking Rin, threatening Haru, and for that dirty trick you pulled!" Yugo declared once more drawing his card.

Turn 7

H:1-2

"Battle! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, attack that grinning bastard directly!" Yugo commanded his ace monster. Clear Wing flew into the sky and launched down toward a defenseless Yuri. The latter yawned and took a card out of his hand.

"When you declare a direct attack, I can Special Summon Predator Plants Sarraceniant and direct your attack to it!" Yuri summoned a green sarracenia ant on Yuri's field in Defense Position.

Dark/Level 1/Plant/Effect/ATK 100/DEF 600

Clear Wing destroyed the monster easily, and Yuri didn't take any damage since his monster was in Defense Position. "Sarraceniant's Effect destroys that monster that destroyed it in battle. However, Clear Wing's effect will have to activate on response," Yuri added with a smirk. Yugo gritted his teeth and was ready to counter the effect with his dragon however, Akemi activated her set card.

"We got you! Counter Trap Card 'Destruction Jammer' by discarding Shaddoll Dragon to negate and destroy Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Akemi countered.

"Like hell, I will let you destroy my monster! I activate my Counter Trap Card 'Miracle Cool Mirror' I banish High-Speedroid Chanbarider to negate Clear Wing's destruction this turn!" Yugo countered. A flash of blue lightning covered Clear Wing as it protected itself from being covered in flames. Yet its effects are still negated, and Akemi was able to destroy Serena's set card, Moonlight Reincarnation Dance, due to Shaddoll Dragon's effect.

"They knew Yugo would activate Clear Wing's effect, and Akemi played the Trap Card she mentioned a few turns ago. They completely sealed him off and played with us," Yuzu noted. Akemi was never going to use her monster's effect to negate Panther Dancer summoned. She was actually waiting for Clear Wing to activate its effect. Yuzu frowned at how strategic the dark blue-haired girl was. No wonder she's an elite from Academia. She got that title with her skills and tactics.

"Since Sarraceniant was sent to the Graveyard, I can add a Predator Card from my deck to my hand. I add the Continuous Spell Card Predator Lair. Now end your turn Fusion-kun" Yuri taunted his Synchro Counterpart, who growled and set a card on his field.

Yuzu drew a card and looked at her hand.

Turn 8

H:2-3

"I summon Soprano the Melodious Songstress," Yuzu said. Soprano appeared in her field in Attack Position.

Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1400/DEF 1400

"Like your Sundew Kingii's effect, Soprano can also fuse using monsters I control or in my hand, including this card!" Yuzu revealed she fused Soprano and Mozarta.

"Genius of excellence! Angel's Song! Guided by the baton, gather your power! Fusion Summon! Appear on the stage, the teacher of change! Meisterin Strauss the Melodious Maestra!" Yuzu chanted. Her beautiful fusion monster replaced Soprano.

Light/Level 8/Fairy/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2100/DEF 1900

"I activate my set card 'Melodious Song of Divine Punishment' to inflict 800 damage to Akemi's LP since I only control one Melodious Monster on my field," Yuzu pointed at Akemi. A lightning bolt shot out of the card and pierced Akemi on her shoulder. The latter simply smiled, indicating that she didn't feel any pain in the slightest.

Akemi:3500-800=2700 LP

"Meisterin Strauss' effect can destroy a Special Summon Monster you control a inflict damage to your LP equal to the monster's ATK. I choose Cataclysmic Scorching Sunburner for this effect to go through!"

Meisterin Strauss sang a song causing Cataclysmic Scorching Sunburner to be tired from the song. The monster fell asleep and disappeared from the field, and Akemi was covered in a red aura. She glanced down and stared at her LP, which was 100.

Akemi:2700-2600=100 LP

"This is your payback Yuzu-chan. I'm impressed" Akemi praised the pink-haired girl for bringing her LP to 100. She figured Yuzu wasn't done yet.

"Meisterin Strauss also has an additional effect. She gains 400 ATK for each Special Summoned monster on the field. There are currently seven monsters, so her ATK is increased to 4900!" Yuzu shouted. Meisterin Strauss grabbed her flute and powered herself up tremendously.

Yuzu had already decided what opponent she wanted to attack to deal damage and cause them to lose, but for some reason, her gut was telling her to attack Yuri before the feeling she felt came true. Like last time.

Yuzu pointed at the Predator Plants User. "Meisterin Strauss attack Yuri directly!"

Meisterin Strauss blew into her flute, and purple soundwaves headed towards Yuri. They were about to collide with him, but a flame hound protected him and dispersed the waves.

"I banished Fire Hound, so the battle phase ends" Akemi saved Yuri from losing. But she knew that Yuri probably had something in his hand or Graveyard to prevent him from Meisterin Strauss' attack, but she had to repay the favor when he saved her from Serena's attack.

So it was like a win-win for her.

Yuzu gritted her teeth and reluctantly finished her turn.

Thump Thump

Thump Thump

Akemi heard Yuri's ace monster heartbeat wanting to come out. Usually, when she heard the monster's pulsing heartbeat, it filled her with excitement, but how come it brought her an alarming feeling this time?

Yuri grinned savagely when he heard his ace monster's heartbeat. "I understand you want to fight as well, Starve Venom! Then destroy them to a pile of ashes" Yuri's eyes turned purple slits.

Turn 9

H:3-4

He drew his cards with so much force. His excitement spiked greatly when he heard his dragon wanted to have so much fun. He couldn't wait to summon it and destroy his opponents. "My turn!" Yuri announced, pointing to his Continuous Spell Card. "I send Predator Plants Stapelia Worm to the Graveyard to inflict 300 damage to Serena!"

Serena forced her body to move despite being filled with an unknown dread. She dodged the plant-like bullets and only received a scratch on her arm.

Serena:1200-300=900 LP

Yuri chuckled. All monsters on the field except the ones Akemi controls all lost 600 ATK.

Clear Wing:2500-600=2100 ATK

Panther Dancer:5300-600=4700 ATK

Meisterin Strauss:4900-600=4300 ATK

"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Predator Lair,' but I won't stop there! I summon Predator Plants Spino Dionaea from my hand" Yuri activated a Continuous Spell card resembling purple vines crawling around a room. Multiple Predator Plants were in the room devouring their prey. A green monster combining a plant and a spinosaurus shows up on Yuri's field.

Dark/Level 4/Plant/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 0

"I banish Cordyceps from my Graveyard to Special Summon two Level 4 or lower Predator Plants in my Graveyard, and Special Summon them. I target Stapelia Worm and Sundew Kingii for this effect!" Yuri continued.

Both declared monsters arrived on the field in Defense Position.

Stapelia Worm: Dark/Level 4/Plant/Effect/ATK 100/DEF 2000

Yuri pointed at Meisterin Strauss, "your monster gain ATK for each Special Summoned monster on the field, right" Yuri mentioned with a fake innocent look. True to his words, Meisterin Strauss's ATK increased. But as soon as her ATK changed, Stapelia Worm devoured the Melodious Fusion Monster in one fell swoop. Yuzu gagged and apologized for not protecting Meisterin Strauss from the hideous hybrid plant monster.

"I activate Sundew Kingii's effect to fuse itself and Stapelia Worm!" Yuri yelled, his monster fuse in a portal of green and blue.

"Two beautiful flowers with an insect-alluring fragrance! Now become one, and from the hell beneath your petals! Give birth to a new terror! Fusion Summon! Appear! Poisonous dragon with hungry fangs! Level 8! Starve Venom Fusion Dragon!"

Yuri finished his chant, clasping his hands together as from the portal. Starve Venom Fusion Dragon roared and melted the surrounding areas with its acid.

Dark/Level 8/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2000

With the Starve Venom Fusion Dragon appearing, the atmosphere became tense. Akemi recognized the pulsing blue veins on her left arm. She grabbed her bulging arm and inwardly showed she was in pain.

Yuzu's and Serena's bracelets blinked continuously. The girls looked at their glowing accessories. Yuzu paled because of the horrible feeling she sensed earlier. She feared this feeling had something to do with Yuya as well. Yuzu expected the bracelet to teleport Yuri away since Yugo is also someone who shares the same face as Yuya. But now, it wasn't working for some reason.

"Yuya...I hope wherever you are. You're safe," Yuzu thought, praying for the Entermate duelist's safety.

Unbeknownst to her, Yuya held his chest and had a black aura surrounding him. His eyes glow menacingly, scaring Sora due to his sudden state.

Things turned for the worst when Yuri's and Yugo's glowed purple and green. Their aura turned menacing as they were enveloped in the same dark aura. Their dragons were in the same state.

"We will...become..."

"One again..."

"We will...become...one again."

"We will become one again."

"WE WILL BECOME ONE AGAIN!" Both junior youths shouted. Harsh winds blew out and caused the girls to skid back from the blast. Yugo snarled menacingly at Yuri.

"You will become one with me!"

Yuri stuck his tongue out and laughed maniacally. "No, you will become one with me! You can't activate your dragon's effect, so I can use my monster's effect!"

"Starve Venom Fusion Dragon effect when its Fusion Summon gains ATK equal to all Special Summoned monsters on the field!" Yuri revealed Starve Venom Fusion Dragon roared dangerously as its power skyrocketed to 9600.

"9600 ATK and now Clear Wing's effect is sealed. Yuri can target a monster on the field and use its effect," Serena muttered, displeased with how things were looking for them.

Yuzu looked around the field and hoped to find some action cards that would be their only hope in this hopeless situation.

"I target Panther Dancer so Starve Venom can use her effect to attack every monster twice, but the first time they are not destroyed however, the second time, they are. Isn't that correct, Serena" Yuri turned his attention towards Serena, who flinched at his dark tone.

Yuri snarled at the two girls. For some reason, he seemed more irritating than ever and wanted to destroy them quickly. So he does that when he snaps his fingers, and Starve Venom spreads its extra mouths sprouting from its back and tails. The mouths on the monster's back lunged toward Panther Dancer. The woman slashed every mouth. Yet, in the end, it was devoured effortlessly as the mouth that demolished the female monster burped, satisfied with the meal it had received.

Serena lunged at Yuzu, saving her from the tail coming in her direction and getting minor cuts, but it was alright. Yuzu quietly thanked Serena for saving her life. However, they both lost the duel. The good thing to her was that the mouth heading toward her lost its meal and seemed upset. Yuzu took this as a win despite having to lose the duel.

Serena:900-4900=0 LP

Yuzu:1000-9600=0 LP

"Now it's me, you, and Akemi. Now Starve Venom Fusion Dragon attack Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!" Yuri shouted with glee. Yugo snarled and activated his set card.

"Card open! The Continuous Trap Card 'Burning Sonic' to negate your attack! In addition, Clear Wing gains 500 ATK increasing his ATK to 3000!" Yugo countered. Yuri tutted at his actions.

"You have to do better than that Yugo if you want to defeat me," Yuri taunted, pointing at his Continuous Spell Card as he sent it to the Graveyard.

"Now, because of Predator Lair's effect when it's sent to the Graveyard, your Clear Wing ATK is changed to 0!"

Pink plants vines wrapped around Clear Wing however, they were burned by its touch, confusing the girls except for Akemi, who was shell-shocked by her boyfriend's behavior. Even though he acted like her, it was like he had become a wild animal. He was ready to devour its prey ruthlessly until he satisfied his urge to feast just like Starve Venom Fusion Dragon.

"I send Burning Sonic to the Graveyard to switch the effect to this card instead of Clear Wing" Yugo protected his monster by banishing Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice from his Graveyard. Yuri activated another card from his hand.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Predator Prime Fusion' to fuse Starve Venom and Spino Dionaea together!" Yuri added, Starve Venom and Spino Dionaea in a portal.

"Poisonous dragon with hungry fangs! Sweet smelling flower that invites the abyss! Now become one and indulge in whatever pleases you! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 10! Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon!"

Although an evolved form of Starve Venom, the dragon's body was a light turquoise color with dark blue lines across its scales. The monster was equipped with fewer mouths on its back and wings however, to make up for its numbers, they were still as ferocious as ever.

Dark/Level 10/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK 3300/DEF 2500

"Continue from where Starve Venom left off, Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon!" Yuri shouted with glee in his tone. "Eliminate him so we can become one!"

Yugo took out his last card from his hand. "I Special Summon Speedroid Mencoat from my hand in Defense Position. Now all monsters you control are changed to Defense Position!" Yugo saved his ace monster again with card effects, but Speedroid Mencoat appeared on his field in Defense Position.

Wind/Level 4/Machine/Effect/ATK 100/DEF 2000

Serena, Yuzu, and Akemi were amazed by how Yugo was countering Yuri's moves, especially Akemi. She thought there was no one well except her that could dodge Yuri's move. And collide against the Predator Plants duelist in a back-and-forth fashion. To her, it was almost as if Yugo somehow knew all the cards in Yuri's deck and knew how to counter against all of them.

It was as if he was dueling against himself.

Yuri laughed, and if his eyes weren't glowing, he definitely would have shown his dilated, slitted eyes. He was having so much fun. This was the thrill he sought when it came to facing strong opponents. However, he will end up victorious.

He took out the last card in his hand and activated it. "Quick-Play Spell 'Dark Revival' I banish Spino Dionaea from my Graveyard to revive Starve Venom Fusion Dragon! Since it's still my battle phase, I can still attack!" Yuri reminded. He cackled madly and thrust his hand out.

Starve Venom Fusion Dragon grinned madly and charged toward Clear Wing Synchro Dragon. The Fusion Dragon launched an all-out attack with its mouth ready to rip the dragon apart, limb from limb.

Just before...

Just a second before the attack can connect...A loud voice was heard from the speakers.

"TIME IS UP FOR THE BATTLE ROYALE!"

The action field disappeared, as did the monsters, yet the boys still didn't return to normal. They were enraged by the announcement that interfered with their duel.

"How dare they get in the way of my duel. I'm constantly being hindered from returning to my former glory! How dare they!" the boys growled in unison. They had a malicious black aura surrounding their bodies, increasing by the minute.

Akemi had enough and walked toward Yuri, not caring about his state. She wasn't going to let Yuri rampage here when he could take it out on the scrubs in Academia.

She pressed her lips against his harshly. She grabbed his cheeks and deepened the kiss, not caring if people saw her. Her kiss seemed to work when the aura faded away into the sky. His eyes stopped glowing, and he fainted in her arms. Akemi looked at the trio as her lips curved into a grin.

"This win goes to Yuri-kun and me. So just to let you know that if we do cross paths again. I would advise you to go in the other direction," Akemi warned, teleporting back to Academia with her glowing birthmark. "Because if you ever see our faces again, especially mine, then I will not let you get away from me so easily. I will hunt you down to the ends of the earth even if it means I have to search in hell to catch you, then I will."

Before she disappeared, holding Yuri, she said these words.

"Remember this. I always capture my prey. I always will."

Serena took those words as a threat and prepared herself for the next time she reencountered Akemi and Yuri.

Yuzu glanced at Yugo, noticing he wasn't moving and still had that same look on his face when the phenomenon happened.

Yuzu wondered what can she do to return Yugo to normal. She can't kiss him like how Akemi did to Yuri. It would be like betraying her feelings toward Yuya. She just won't do it. She thought she could smack him with her paper fan to snap him out of his enraged state.

But it seemed like faith had other plans since Yugo got on his d-wheel, started the vehicle up, and drove away in a flash of green light, nearly blinding the girls.

The girls blinked at the spot Yugo was at and nearly passed out from the pain they endured from the duel. They may have barely survived, but they felt this wasn't over yet, especially that strange erratic behavior that overcame the boys. They knew this was the beginning of something else.

Minutes later, Shun and Yuki found the pair with severe burn marks on parts of their skin. Their clothes were charred in some areas that exposed some body parts. Yuki grimaced at the sight. Since it wasn't the same injuries as before, she couldn't do anything to lessen the pain. She and Shun carefully picked the girls up and carried them on their shoulders, supporting them.

They eventually met up with Eijirou, who gave Shingo a piggyback ride. They noticed that the boy was shaking tremendously.

"What happened to him?" Shun asked with a raised eyebrow towards the shivering boy. Eijirou shrugged, having no clue what had happened to the male. When he arrived at the Ice Wall that vanished in thin air, he found Shingo shaking in his spot. When Eijirou approached him and shook him. Despite being in a hot area, the boy felt cold and still hasn't recovered from the cold chills going down his body.

"I-I-I r-r-r-ran i-i-into a-a g-g-g-girl name K-K-K-K-Kori Mizugochi...A-A-A-Academia duelist," Shingo stuttered. He tried to get warm, but nothing seemed to be working.

Shun, Yuki, and Serena narrowed their eyes at the information. "Kori Mizugochi is one of the most dangerous elite duelists in Academia. There was a rumor that if you lose a duel against her, you turn into an ice sculpture for all eternity," Serena revealed, "she also participated in the invasion on the Xyz Dimension. I heard she turned some people in the Xyz Dimension into ice sculptures or gave them severe frostbite."

"It's the truth. I found some innocent civilians either in the same state as him or have been turned into ice just like my comrades from the Resistance," Shun confirmed. Whenever he was out patrolling the area at night, he saw his ally's figures trapped in ice. From what Serena informed them, if you were to encounter Kori, you would face severe hypothermia or be turned into a statue. Either way, both options do not sound pleasant in the slightest.

"Fortunately for us, the Battle Royale is over, and Yuzu, Serena, and..." Yuki trailed off. She didn't know Shingo's name. Even if she did, she must have a good reason why she forgot it in the first place.

"M-m-m-my name is S-s-s-s-s-Shingo S-S-S-S-Sawatari" Shingo introduced himself as his teeth clenched together and squinted his eyes when he saw Yuki. He immediately recognized her from the encounter in the warehouse.

"I-I-It's you-!"

"Huh?" Yuki turned her head confused, wondering what Shingo was talking about.

"F-f-f-from that t-t-t-time at the W-W-Warehouse! Y-y-y-you have the same face as the s-s-s-s-silent mouse" Shingo affirmed his words. Yuki understood what Shingo meant when he saw her. On her third day since arriving in the Standard Dimension, she encountered Yuzu. She dueled and won against a pompous, arrogant boy in a Warehouse where his little groupie was watching from the sidelines. In the aftermath of the duel, the boy had small injuries due to taking a direct attack from her ace monster, Thunder End Dragon, as she lost her cloak from the attack. Revealing herself afterward, the boy fainted, and his group took him to the nearest hospital.

The boy from before was Shingo.

"Oh."

"T-t-t-that's all you have to say to me," Shingo grumbled, hoping to hear an apology from the girl. But the latter wasn't concerned and turned her attention towards Shun.

"We need to meet up with the others," Yuki instructed. She adjusted Yuzu on her shoulder, prompting the girl to adjust to the position and occasionally asking the Melodious duelist if she was feeling okay seeing her noticeable injuries. Yuzu assured the others she was okay despite showing signs of pain.

With her assurance, Yuki continued to walk. The group met up with Yuya, Gongenzaka, Mieru, and, surprisingly, Dennis, who was missing during the whole ordeal.

Yuki narrowed her eyes when she locked eyes with him. She tried to recall where she had seen him before. But right now, her mind was drawing a blank. She will have to investigate him later when treating her allies' injuries.

Yuya saw Yuzu, and she was even more injured than before. She seems to have burn marks on her body as parts of her clothes have been burned. It seems that she wasn't the only one in the same state. He turned to Serena, who looked slightly better but still had apparent injuries. He saw Shingo, skin slightly blue and shaking on Eijirou's back. The latter had bandages on his arms soaked with a red substance.

Even though seeing multiple people have different wounds on their bodies except for Gongenzaka, Mieru, Yuki, and Dennis. He was searching for one person in the crowd.

Only one person.

But there wasn't a single sign of her.

There wasn't a single sign of Naomi.

"Yuzu, where is Naomi?" Yuya asked. He noticed his friend flinched when she heard their childhood friend's name.

"She's not here, Yuya," Yuzu answered, looking down.

"What do you mean she's not here?!" Yuya exclaimed, ready to press Yuzu for answers until a voice was heard in the air.

"I saw all of your duels. I have to say I'm impressed with the results you have shown me," Reiji commented, arriving on the scene. "You truly are the Duel Warriors I am looking for. You are the Lancers."

Everyone looked at the bespectacled male in shock, except for some people who knew what Reiji meant by his words.

Yet it didn't help lessen the pain and the loss caused by the damage Academia inflicted on them today. It didn't help in the slightest.

During the time when Naomi fell through the portal. As the golden circular portal closed from behind her.

Eternia was fuming with an uncontrollable rage. "What in the name of the three Egyptian Gods were you thinking?!" Eternia yelled. She was filled with malice towards Chaos Goddess. She worried about her master, who was falling from the sky!

"But sister, didn't you say that "it's fine as long as it's something," Chaos Goddess recalled her sibling's words. Her playful tone didn't ease Eternia's mood. It only made it worse.

Eternia huffed and resisted the urge to strangle her sister with her bare hands or her pendulum necklace. Either way, she was going to severely hurt her sister at this rate.

"Yes, but I thought you would have targeted our brother, Grysta, because he was RIGHT THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED!" Eternia hollered, raising her voice at her last words.

Chaos Goddess huffed. "Sister, I know that spineless bastard was there, but I don't want him and his spoiled master in my dimension. Especially not after what she did to Haru."

Chaos Goddess mentioned Haru's previous encounter with her Fusion Counterpart. Let's just say it didn't end well. Not only did Akemi give Haru a scar on her stomach, but she also burned the streets in the Synchro Dimension into burnt rubber. Destroying the already ruined streets of the City. Not to mention Akemi insulted her in front of her face. So yeah, Chaos Goddess wasn't a huge fan of her brother, and his master would be a huge understatement.

"Besides, look where I opened the portal to," Chaos Goddess pointed to a screaming Naomi. Eternia wanted to save her master from falling to her demise but was frozen with fear. She shut her eyes and forced herself to go down there and catch her.

Until out of nowhere, a familiar bike caught Naomi just in the nick of time. Eternia let out a shaky breath, relieved Naomi was safe. Chaos Goddess let out a smug grin. "See now. This is why you should trust me more, sister. I may be mischievous sometimes, but I know what I'm doing."

"I may not care for my master as you do with Naomi Kobiyashi, but I don't want anything to happen to her," Chaos Goddess thought. She and Eternia disappeared and returned to their respective owners' decks. To watch the scene unfold in front of them.

Naomi felt dizzy as the adrenaline she felt before left her body. Her ears finally stopped ringing as her throat became horse from all the screaming she did when she fell literally from the sky. She felt her backache from whatever saved her from her fall. Nevertheless, she was grateful for the hard object she landed on. Otherwise, she could have been in a more serious condition and gained more injuries. So, she felt somewhat lucky in a strange way.

When Naomi turned her head to show gratitude toward the person who saved her, she noticed one familiar detail about the vehicle she was on. It was the same color her Synchro counterpart rode that night.

The rider wore the riding suit color scheme just like Haru did that night. Naomi's vision started to become blurry because of her exhaustion. She had a headache from the sudden rush of blood flowing through her body. However, despite all of this, she managed to ask a single question.

"I-Is that you, Haru...?"

The rider grinned widely. When she turned around and locked eyes with Naomi, behind her red visor, was a pair of brown eyes brimming with excitement.

"Of course it is! Who the hell did you think it was?! Don't be stupid, Micchi!" Haru huffed her chest out. Despite her harsh words, she still had a grin on her face. She was glad she listened to the voice in her head telling her to catch the falling object in the sky. But who would guess that the falling object would be a person?

A person that Haru has met only once but left an impact on her.

"Well, it can't be helped. I'm not smart either. But who cares about having a brain or not!" Haru added, driving on the highway. Naomi felt dizzy and tired. She felt her exhaustion pull her into the darkness. She entered the world of dreams but still heard a voice in the distance.

"When you wake up, Micchi, I will show you how crazy and amazing my hometown is. We will go on tons of adventures and even run from the police. So brace yourself for whatever you're about to witness."

"But as for right now...Welcome to the Synchro Dimension!"

---

Oc Cards

Naomi:

• Magical Dolls Fusion_Spell

You can Fusion Summon 1 'Madolche' Fusion Monster, using monsters in your field or in your Graveyard by shuffling them back to the Deck. If your Opponent controls an Extra Deck Monster, then you can use monsters from your Deck as Fusion Materials.

• Madolche Strike_Quick-Play Spell

Whenever your Opponent takes battle damage involving a 'Madolche' Monster; your Opponent takes damage equal to the ATK of 'Madolche' Monster that battle plus 2000. You can banish this card, so 'Madolche' Monster that battled can attack again.

• Madolche Mooilk

Earth/Level 3/Beast/Tuner/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 800

If this card in your possession is destroyed by your opponent's card (by battle or by card effect) and sent to your Graveyard: shuffle this card into your Deck. When this card is returned to your Hand by a card effect: you can Special Summon this card from your hand. If this card is added to your hand except by drawing it, you can Special Summon this card your Hand.

• Madolche Jeldoggo

Earth/Level 3/Beast/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1000

(Quick Effect): When your Opponent declares an attack, you can discard this card to switch the attack target to another monster you control. When your Opponent's monster declares an attack; you can banish this card to end the Battle Phase.

• Madolche Vanilla Empress

Earth/Level 7/Fairy/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2100

1 'Madolche' Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner Monsters

When this card is Synchro Summoned: all Spell/Traps your Opponent controls are shuffled back into the Deck equal to the 'Madolche' cards in your Graveyard. During the Battle Phase; When this card battles you can banish a 'Madolche' Monster from your Graveyard, and if you do, this card gains ATK equal to the monster banished by this effect. If this card would be destroyed you can banish a 'Madolche' card from your Graveyard to negate this monster destruction.

• Madolche Devil's Knight

Earth/Level 8/Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 1500

2 'Madolche' Monsters

When this card is Fusion Summoned: you can Special Summon a 'Madolche' Monster from your Graveyard with its effects negated, if you do, you can inflict damage to your Opponent equal to Special Summoned Monster's ATK. All 'Madolche' Monsters you control gain 800 ATK and DEF. When this card is face-up on the field: any Monster sent to the Graveyard is banished instead.

•Fairy's Calling_Quick-Play Spell

You can Special Summon 1 Level 6 or higher Fairy-Type Monster from your Deck. However the monster Special Summoned by this effect, will have its effects negated and their ATK will be changed to 0.

• Rhythm the Fairy Songstress

Light/Level 4/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?/P.S:10

Pendulum Effect:

Once per turn; when a Fairy-Type is special summoned: the Special Summoned Monster can make a second attack during each Battle Phase. In addition, they can inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent.

Effect:

Cannot be Normal Summon. When you would take effect damage from your opponent's card effect you can Special Summon this card from your hand. (The ATK and DEF of this card become equal to the effect damage your opponent inflicted on you.) Every time your opponent inflicts effect damage, the ATK and DEF of this card increase. Once per turn: during either player's turn; you can inflict damage to your opponent equal to this card ATK x200. This card can't be destroyed by battle or by a card effect.

•Entermate Angel Juggler

Light/Level 6/Fairy/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 2500/P.S 2

Pendulum Effect:

Once per turn, when an attack involving a monster, you control an opponent monster. You can activate this effect, that monster you control cannot be destroyed by battle, and the battle damage you take is halved.

Effect:

When this card is attacked by your Opponent's Monster, you can activate this effect; this monster's ATK is equal to the attacking monster. When this card is destroyed you can place this card in your Pendulum Zone.

• Umblina, the Bright Fairy

Light/Rank 7/Fairy/Xyz/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000/P.S:5

Pendulum Effect:

Once per turn; when your Opponent declares an attack on a Monster you control: you can tribute one Fairy-Type Monster, and if you do, the Battle Phase ends.

Card Text:

2 Fairy-Type Level 7 Monsters

If you can Pendulum Summon Level 7, you can Pendulum Summon this face-up card in your Extra Deck. During either player's turn, you can detach one Xyz Material so monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle or by card effects. Once per turn, you can detach one Xyz Material to destroy monster(s) that your opponent controls that's a level 5 or higher, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the original ATK of the destroyed monsters.

Yuzu:

• Fourth Movement Quartet_Spell

When you control no monsters, you can Special Summon 4 Level 4 or lower 'Melodious' monsters from your Deck; however monster that Special Summon by this effect has its negated and its ATK/DEF reduce to 0. You can banish this card from this Graveyard to Fusion Summon while using 'Melodious' Monster in your Graveyard or Deck.

• Lyra the Melodious Songstress

Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1300/DEF 1600

When you control a 'Melodious' monster you can Special Summon this card from your hand. Special Summoned 'Melodious' Monsters you control cannot be targeted with card effects. When this card is sent to the Graveyard, you can add a 'Melodious' Monster with the same Level as this sent card from your Deck.

• Melodious Octave_Quick-Play Spell

Target 1 'Melodious' Monster you control, and it gains ATK equal to the number of 'Melodious' Monsters that's in your Graveyard X 200.

Akemi:

• Fire Hound

Fire/Level 4/Beast/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1000

(Quick Effect): When your Opponent declares a direct attack, you can send this card to the Graveyard to destroy the monster and end the Battle Phase. During the Battle Phase: You can banish this card from your Graveyard to end the Battle Phase.

• Fallen Charity_Spell

You can discard two cards in order to draw three cards from your deck.

• Fire Angel

Fire/Level 4/Pyro/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?

This card cannot be Special Summoned. When this card is Normal Summon: You can add a Level 4 or lower FIRE Monster from your Deck and add it to

your hand. After this card is Normal Summoned: its ATK and DEF becomes 500 x the number of FIRE Monster in your GY. During the Battle Phase, this card can attack directly times the number of FIRE Monsters in your Graveyard.

• Fire Pixie

Fire/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1400

Cannot be Normal Summon/Set. You can only Special Summon this card from your hand by discarding a card from your hand. (Cannot be special summoned any other ways). Twice Per Turn; When this card is on the field, any effect damage you take from card effects becomes 0. This card cannot be destroyed by battle.

•Anemone

Wind/Level 3/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 900/DEF 600

When this card is discarded to the Graveyard by a card effect, you can special summon this card from the Graveyard. When this card is special summoned from the Graveyard: it can inflict damage to your opponent for each card in your Graveyard x 300. You can banish this card from your Graveyard in order for any card effect damage you take, you gains LP equal to the damage you would have taken.

• Fire Shower_Continuous Spell

Any Effect Damage your Opponent takes becomes double. Each time your Opponent takes Effect Damage place 1 Fire Counter on this card. You can send this card to the Graveyard to inflict 500 damage to your Opponent for each Counter that was on this card.

• Flame Priestess

Fire/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1400

(Quick Effect): When this card gets banished from a card effect you control; you can inflict damage to your Opponent equal to this monster's original ATK. If you do, you can Special Summon this card from your banished zone. If this card would be destroyed by battle then you can send a monster from your Deck to the GY to negate the destruction.

•Flame Priest

Fire/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1500

(Quick Effect): When this card gets banished from a card effect you control; inflict damage onto your Opponent equal to this monster's original DEF. If you do Special Summon this card from the banished zone. If this card gets destroyed by card effect, you can add a spell/trap card from your deck to the hand to negate the destruction.

Serena:

• Power of the Moonlight_Continuous Spell

During your Battle Phase, all 'Moonlight' Fusion Monster you control gain 500 ATK for each Fusion Material that was used for that Fusion Monster. You can send this card to the Graveyard in order to Fusion Summon a 'Moonlight' Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck by banishing Monsters in your Graveyard.

• Lunar Rays_Spell

You can discard the Spell Card 'Fusion' to activate this card effects. You can banish Fusion Materials on your field and Graveyard to Fusion Summon a 'Moonlight' Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck. When the Fusion Monster is Summoned: You can draw two cards.

• Luna Light Tides_Trap

When your opponent declares an attack on a 'Moonlight' Fusion Monster you control you can negate the attack, and if you do, destroy the attacking monster.

• Moon's Counter_Counter Trap

Activate only when you control a 'Moonlight' Monster. Negate the activation of a Spell Card, Trap Card, or Monster's effect and destroy that card.

Kori:

• Ice Protection_Trap

When you would take battle damage involving a monster, your opponent controls the battle damage is reduced to 0. Your opponent monster gains an Ice Counter.

• Cold Perfume_Continuous Spell

Monsters with Ice Counters who are ATK Position will have to declare an attack during the Battle Phase.

•Eternal Blizzard_Continuous Spell

During your Opponent's Main Phase: Monsters with Ice Counter(s) will have their ATK and DEF is reduced to 0, and their effects are negated until the End Phase.

•Frozen Fusion_Spell

You can Fusion Summon 1 Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck while using Ice Counters on either side of the field. During the end phase: when the fusion summoned monster would be destroyed by battle or card effects, you can banish this card from your graveyard to negate the destruction

• Cold Enchantress

Water/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 1500

You can Special Summon this card by tributing a Monster with an Ice Counter on the field. When this card is Special Summon this way you can place Ice Counters on Monsters your opponent controls. When this card is destroyed you can add a Spell/Trap Card From your Deck and add it to your hand.

•Ice Priestess

Water/Level 4/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 1200

When this card is Summoned or Special Summoned, you can add a Level 4 or higher WATER Monster from your Deck to your hand. (Quick Effect): During the Battle Phase when Monster you control is being attacked, you can banish this card from the Graveyard to end the battle phase and if you do the attacking monster gains an Ice Counter.

•Ice Priest

Water/Level 6 /Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 1200

When this card is added to your hand by a card effect: you can Special Summon this card from your hand. Once Per Turn: When your Opponent activates a Spell/Trap Card, you can negate the activation and destroy that card. When this card leaves the field by a card effect: you can place Ice Counters on Monster(s) your opponent controls.

• Ice Placement_Spell

You can an Ice Counter on a monster on either side of the field.

•Ice Empress

Water/level 8/Spellcaster/Fusion/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000

2 Monsters with Ice Counters

You can Fusion Summoned this card with the materials above. (Cannot be Special Summoned by any other ways)

During the turn, this card was Fusion Summoned; you can place all Ice Counters on cards your opponent controls, and if you do, you can destroy all cards with Ice Counter. This card gains 200 ATK for each Ice Counter that was destroyed.

Yuki:

•Overlay Rage_Quick-Play Spell

Target an Xyz Monster you control; when you detached an Xyz Material from an Xyz Monster you control to activate its effect; the targeted Xyz Monster can attack for every monster that was destroyed by their effect. Card effects cannot be activated by the time you activate this card.

•Blue-Eyes Reborn Dragon

Light/Level 8/Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 3000/P.S:9

Pendulum Effect:

Once per turn: When a Monster on a Field activates its effect, you can negate the effect, and if you do, Special Summon this card from your Pendulum Zone. Then you can place one Pendulum Monster from your Deck in your Pendulum Zone.

Effect:

Once Per Turn: you can Special Summon a 'Blue-Eyes' Monster from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard. This card cannot attack for the rest of this turn when you activate the effect.

• Thunder Rebellion Xyz Dragon

Dark/Rank 4/Dragon/Xyz/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2500

2 Level 4 Monsters

Once per turn: You can detach an Xyz Materials from this card in order to target a Level 5 or higher monster your opponent controls, and if you do its ATK is reduced to 0, and this card gains that monster's original ATK. If a monster's ATK is reduced to 0 by this card effect, that monster is destroyed. Even when the target is sent to the Graveyard, this card ATK stays the same until the End Phase of the turn you activated this effect.

Shingo:

• Abyss Actors' Stage's Fright_Trap

When your opponent declares an attack when you control an 'Abyss Actor', you can negate the attack and end the Battle Phase.

Eijirou:

• Metalfoes Charity_Spell

Banish 1 'Metalfoes' Monster from your Graveyard; draw two cards from your hand.

•Metalfoes Ironslicer

Fire/Level 2/Pyshic/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 1000

You can Special Summon this card by return a card you control to your hand. When this card is Special Summon you can Fusion Summon 1 FIRE Monster by using monster you control and your hand as Fusion Monster Materials, including this card.

Yuri:

• Predator Lair_Continuous Spell

All 'Predator Plants' Monster you control gain 500 ATK. (Quick Effect): You can send this card to the Graveyard to change all ATK of Monsters your Opponent controls to 0.

• Dark Revival_Quick-Play Spell

By banishing a Level 4 or lower DARK monster from your Graveyard; you can Special Summon a DARK Fusion Monster from your Graveyard. The monster Special Summoned by this effect can inflict piercing battle damage.

Yugo:

•Speedroid Quad-Die

Wind/Level 4/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK 400/DEF 400

When your opponent would activate a monster effect: you can banish this card from your graveyard to have the monster's effects negated. (Quick Effect).

---

Author's Note: Now, since the Standard Arc is finished, let's head towards the Synchro Dimension! The next Chapter will be a small filler, but it does have something to do with the story. Also, I have decided to do the first four chapters over again to improve them and to make changes to any other chapters. So that might take a while, but regardless it will get done~ Now, see you next time.