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.

29. Chapter 29

Author's Warning: This Chapter and throughout this arc will contain violence and swearing because of Haru.

Arc 2: Synchro Dimension: The One Who Bears The Mark Of Chaos

Nine Years Ago_Commons' Slum_

A five-year-old girl holding her stuffed rabbit in her arms as big, hot tears stream down her small cheeks. She kept sobbing and sobbing until the tears had to stop by themselves.

She just didn't understand...Why?

Why did they just leave her here?

Was it because she messed up?

She promised to do better next time...She promised!

She will never complain about eating her vegetables, studying, or even attending those stupid parties. She promised she won't, so why aren't they coming back for her? She just wants to be in their arms again.

The girl trembled in her spot and clenched her stuffed rabbit tightly, nearly ripping the toy into pieces.

"Mama...Papa...COME BACK! DON'T LEAVE ME!" The girl screamed. A cry full of anguish was ripped off her throat. Soon she fell to her spot, crying to the heavens. The pain in her heart wasn't going to stop anytime soon.

Present Day_Late in the Afternoon_The Day After Naomi arrived in the Synchro Dimension_

Haru's eyes shot open and shot up in her bed. She brushed her brown bangs back. Then she gave a bitter smile and looked out the window in her room.

"It seems like it's going to take a while before I can fully let go of what happened. Ah, that shitty memory just had to come back to bite me in the ass" Haru slapped her cheeks multiple times. She shook her head and grinned widely. "Well, even if it does, I will keep being me! Now it's time to get this damn day started!"

The brown-haired girl jumped out of bed and headed toward the room next to hers. She slammed the door, causing it to fall off its hinges. But it didn't matter to her since she could just fix it again. Like she did the other times when she broke the door, handle...and frame.

Haru glanced at Naomi, still in the clothes, when she fell from the sky. To this day, Haru finds it impressive and wanted to do it herself. Honestly! It would be so cool if she just fell with her d-wheel, smashed into someone's house, and left tracks on their rug. She will spin donuts on their lawn and even carve her name in the dirt with her flames.

But alas, she couldn't, no matter how much she wanted to.

Too bad, it seems like a fun idea.

Haru sighed happily. She put her chin on her hand and poked Naomi's cheek. But the girl wasn't waking up from her sleep.

Haru grinned madly and grabbed the side of the mattress.

She slammed the mattress against the wall with all of her strength, causing Naomi to fall on the bed as the mattress was pushed against the wall, acting as a shield.

The impact of the slam woke Naomi from her sleep as she jumped in her spot. She frantically looks around the room. Confused and angered, looking for the one responsible for waking her up.

She found the culprit grinning at her from above.

"You are finally awake, Micchi! Now get your ass dressed! We got work to do!" Haru ordered. She pulled the mattress down from the rug, noticing a dent in the wall where it was slammed against.

"Huh?" Naomi tilted her head, confused about what was her Synchro counterpart talking about.

"Didn't I tell you! I will show you what my dimension has to offer! Now move your ass, or I'm dragging you to the back and hosing you down!" Haru pulled Naomi by the back of her collar and dragged Naomi to the kitchen.

Haru explained-well ordered Naomi to grab the pot and pan from the cabinet. She took Naomi and pushed her into Yugo's room.

She took the two objects from her Standard counterpart's hand and slammed them together near Yugo's ear. She repeated this motion repeatedly until they heard a groan from the boy.

Haru dropped the objects and pulled Yugo's ear. "BEEP BEEP, YOU SAD FUCK! GET OUT OF BED!" the brown-haired girl yelled at the top of her lungs. She continued to yell at Yugo for sleeping in the bed this late afternoon but didn't add she did the same thing earlier. But at least she didn't change her clothes and went straight to bed. He didn't even bother to take a bath, so he reeks right now.

Yugo slapped his hand against her face.

"I heard you! I heard you! Stop yelling!" Yugo growled, getting up from his bed. Despite having a slap mark on her face, Haru still has a grin.

"If you woke up the first time, then I wouldn't have had to yell like a banshee. It's your fault for being so slow," Haru remarked. Yugo grabbed her cheeks and pinched them.

"No! It's your fault for not respecting a person's sleep!"

Haru grabbed Yugo in retaliation as they fell on the bed, wrestling with each other. The girl took her hand to pinch Yugo's neck hard, causing the boy to yelp. He grabbed his pillow and slammed it against Haru's face resulting in her falling off the bed. Haru quickly recovered from the attack and grabbed the pan to use it as a paddle to slam it against Yugo's backside. Soon after, the two started to wrestle again, except they had a weapon in their hands this time. Hitting and pinching each other till they both fell to the floor out of breath.

Naomi blinked at the fight. She'd witnessed. When it came to the relationship between her counterparts and Yuya's interaction with each other, these two were...interesting, to say the least.

Haru scrambled out of Yugo's hold and stretched her back far enough, her head was touching the backside of her knees, and her hands were around her ankles. She moves into the other room, ready to fix her special lunch for Naomi, unaware of the look she received from the latter.

"WHY IS SHE DOING THAT WHEN SHE HAS A SCAR ON HER STOMACH!" Naomi yelled. Her eyes were the size of dinner plates. Yugo patted Naomi on the back and grinned.

"You'll get used to her crazy antics. Come, let's have some grub" Yugo pushed Naomi towards the table and placed the green-haired girl on the chair.

He started to get the plates, cups, and silverware from the drawers in the kitchen. He placed them on the table.

He took a seat across from Naomi, waiting for lunch. "Oi! Haru, you finish in there! If you don't hurry up, then I get in the bath first!" Yugo called put, leaning against his chair.

As soon as those words left his mouth, Haru arrived at the table with a pot of what it seems to be curry. She serves them on each plate before pouring hot chocolate into the cups, except for Yugo's, who had milk in his glass.

Naomi looks amazed at the dish in front of her. When she leaned closer to the food. It smells so good. She can feel her mouth-watering.

Haru chuckled at Naomi's reaction before taking a seat herself. "Hehe. Impressed by my cooking skills, Micchi!" Haru boasted as she puffed her chest out. "Don't worry. As long as you are in my care, I take good care of you, my minion."

Naomi blinked at the implication of her doppelgänger's words. "Minion?" Naomi repeated. She took another bite of the curry. Although it tasted good, it was very spicy, but it still made Naomi want to eat more of the delicious dish in front of her.

Yugo groaned when he heard those words come out of Haru's mouth. "Don't you start that again! How many times do I have to tell you to cut that Boss crap!" Yugo shoved another serving in his mouth. Haru stuck her tongue out playfully and continued eating her lunch quickly as she down the hot chocolate in one gulp.

"Whatever, I'll just take a bath with the hot water first, loser!" Haru jumped out of her seat and dragged Naomi by her collar, pulling her away from her lunch she hadn't finished.

Geez. First, Naomi had been woken up abruptly, and now she didn't even finish her meal.

Well, Haru did say she would show what her dimension has to offer. Naomi guessed this was one of them.

After the bath, she and Haru changed out of their clothes and into the clothes Haru wore when she first encountered her in the Standard Dimension. While she was given clothes from Haru.

She is wearing a light green shirt dress. The end of the dress had ruffles, and around the midsection of the dress was a satin-linen yellow belt-like sash. She puts on a pair of sandals to complete her new outfit. Naomi put her hair into two low twin-tails with her white ribbons holding them up.

"When we return, I'll wash your clothes with a good scrubbing," Haru offered. Naomi waved her hands. She corrected Haru's words about those clothes that weren't hers when they belonged to their Xyz counterpart, Yuki Shimizu.

Naomi began to describe Yuki's appearance and her personality. Haru immediately admitted she remembered someone with the same appearance as the one Naomi described.

"The cheerleader! Standing on the sidelines, she was also there when that goth emo kid was dueling Gocchi!" Haru placed her hand behind her head. Naomi tilted her head to the side.

"Goth emo kid? Gocchi?"

"Oh, the kid from that strange night never got his name. Gocchi is Yugo, the kid with the hair that looks like a blueberry and banana had intercourse, and his hair is their child," Haru answered bluntly. Naomi sweatdropped at Haru's words. "The kid from last night's name is Yuto, and the cheerleader is Yuki Shimizu, our Counterpart from the Xyz Dimension," Naomi explained further. She realized that Haru called her Micchi, which she can infer is the Mi in Naomi with the cchi added at the end.

"Ah, Yuto. Oh yeah, Gocchi came back early saying that he killed someone and wanted to repent for his actions. Honestly, he looks like someone took his food away from him," Haru mentioned when she woke up early in the afternoon to adjust her deck, and Yugo came back looking devastated. He explained why he was down and commented on how he saw Akemi and Yuri and what they told him about his actions. Haru assured him that it was impossible for him to do that since he could barely hurt a fly. Which wasn't true since he could handle her punches pretty well.

Even so, he still felt guilty about what he's done to Yuto and wanted to make amends but couldn't since Yuto was no longer here.

Haru stared at Yugo's figure, going into his room to take a nap. He just wanted to sleep the guilt away and just lay down. Usually, whenever Yugo takes a nap this late, Haru would wake him up by yelling, but she glanced at his face. She just let him off this one time.

But it seems like the boy's turmoil was noticed by someone else. Naomi can tell by how obvious the emotions in Yugo's eyes were. They shift from anguish and how quickly he would replace the feeling with fake annoyance whenever he was arguing with Haru.

She can tell Yugo sincerely feels horrible about what he has done and how his actions affect the people close to Yuto. Naomi will tell Yugo about Yuto being inside Yuya until she realizes another thing.

"I'm in the Synchro Dimension!" Naomi shouted. She didn't even notice because of how well she was accustomed to her surroundings. She thought it was pretty normal but looking at it now. She was stupid for not even considering the most noticeable difference in the background around her.

"Woah, that took you a minute to figure it out. Impressive, Micchi!" Haru whistled, and she and Naomi arrived at the garage.

Naomi grabbed Haru by her shoulders, shaking her back and forth. She wanted answers! Why was she here when she should be in the Battle Royale?! It didn't make any sense to her!

Haru grabbed Naomi's shoulders as well as proceeded to shake her.

"This isn't the time, Haru-chan! Why am I even here in the first place!" Naomi questioned as she released herself from Haru's grip. The brown-haired girl explained how she fell through the sky, and Haru was there to catch her in the nick of time. She also mentions there was a portal that Naomi fell through.

When Haru was done with her explanation, she had to work on her d-wheel, particularly a part on her thrusters. She didn't look back at Naomi's reaction to the information she was just told her.

"I-I did. I wanted Akemi and Yuri to get away from Yuzu-chan and me... But instead, I was teleported to this place by falling out of the sky because of the portal" Naomi began to recall the events before she arrived here.

One memory at a time, her eyes grew larger. She left Yuzu with them! How could she even do that?! She should have been there to duel alongside instead of running away by herself. Naomi is ashamed of herself.

"I'm the worst" Naomi sat on a chair near a rundown computer. Haru making modifications to her d-wheel but still listens to Naomi and gives her input.

"If you think you're the worst, then that sadistic bitch must be a saint," Haru remarked with venom in her tone. Just talking about Akemi was enough to piss her off to the point she will take it out on Sector Security.

"To be honest, Micchi, I don't think you are a total scumbag. Just a spineless coward that should have fought against those creeps." Those words made Naomi fall off her seat by Haru's blunt words.

"Regardless, you were worried about your friend. I may not know her name or even who she is. However, I can sense you care about her a lot, that you felt like you had to protect her from them. So, stop beating yourself over what happened," Haru continued giving a thumbs-up sideway.

Her words made her Standard counterpart give a small smile, but she had to open her mouth to ruin the moment.

"But I still think you are a cowardly asshole. You should have fought that bitch and her creep of a boyfriend."

Naomi stood in her seat and glared at Haru's words. Yes, she already heard that she is a coward for running away, but she does have to hear it again from someone who looks like her. Truthfully it stunned her more than when Izumi said her doubts in their first match against each other.

"I-It's not like you duel against Akemi! How did you even get the scar on your stomach anyway!" Naomi retorted.

Haru put her tools down and looked at Naomi's glare with one of her own.

"I did, Micchi. One week before Rincchi was taken away by those scumbags, I met the sadistic bitch for the first time," Haru replied. She recalls the day when her life started to become even weirder than it already was.

One Week Before Rin's Kidnapping_At Night_Haru's Pov_

I was in the kitchen preparing leftovers from dinner to bring to Crow, Amanda, Tanner, Frank, and my brats tomorrow.

When I was ready to pack it all up, I noticed there was no more soy sauce. I tossed everything out of the cabinet on the floors and even ransacked the refrigerator. But there was none.

"RINCCHI, WE ARE OUT OF SOY SAUCE!" I slammed the door to the bathroom Rincchi was in the middle of her bath. She covered herself with the curtain.

"Haru! How many times do I have to tell you to knock first?" Rin pouted, or what it seemed like she was pouting from how whiny her voice was. I told her I didn't care enough to knock and railed her about how we were out of soy sauce.

"Why don't you ask Yugo to get some at the store tomorrow?" Rin asked. I sighed loudly and leaned against the broken door frame.

"That moron is already asleep! I can't wait till tomorrow. I have errands to run!" I explained to Rincchi that I kept yelling at her about the importance of keeping up with food items and condiments around this house of ours.

I kept ranting and ranting until I noticed how quiet Rincchi had become.

"Fine. When I'm finished with my bath, I'll head to the store to get some," Rin mumbled. She pulled the shower curtain away, revealing her troubled face.

That's when it hit me. Rincchi told Gocchi and me about someone who had been following her at night. I thought she was crazy about it and waved it off as her being paranoid because we live in the Slums. But looking at her face made me realize I was being an asshole.

Here I am throwing a fit about some damn soy sauce when Rincchi is actually worried about some creep following her at night.

Damn, I'm a horrible friend. But I knew what I had to do to make this situation better. I spoke out before Rincchi could say anything else.

"You know what, I know the quickest way to the Store anyone. If I leave now, I could just make it before it closes" I rubbed my neck bashfully. Rincchi looked at me in awe, and I continued.

"Just keep an ear out for me when I come back, and if it isn't me, then do not answer it. I'll be back in 20 minutes. Later!"

I lean the door against the frame and head out before taking my sock wallet. I headed towards the garage and started d-wheel, my sweet baby Red Hot.

Honestly, I wasn't kidding when I said I knew the fastest route to the Store. I was able to get my soy sauce and some milk for tomorrow's breakfast before it was closing time. I was driving down the street when I saw a figure standing there just waiting to get hit.

Usually, if I saw someone who I didn't know standing there, I would yell at them and avoid them, warning those idiots if they do that one more time, I will send them flying with my d-wheel. But since it's night time I can't yell. People need their sleep. I will respect that.

Being the person that I am. I just drove past the figure. Only to be sent flying off my d-wheel and landing near a lamppost. I winced and sucked in a breath when I heard a crack in my bones. Yet this pain was nothing compared to what I had just witnessed to my d-wheel.

There was a huge nasty dent on the side where the name Red Hot is, smearing the name to be all messy. My precious d-wheel that Rin and Yugo made for me is all broken.

It's all broken because of...

"I was aiming at you, but to think I missed and hit what seems to be an imitation of a bicycle. Good riddance," the snarky fucking snooty voice mocked what Rin and Yugo made for me for my 9th birthday.

Those words did the trick. I felt a surge of anger towards the person and was ready to punch them across the face, hoping to slam them flying into the ground. But my hits weren't connecting at all. It only pissed me off even further.

"Apologize for what you did! Or else I will rip your damn head off!" I growled but stopped when I saw the bastard's face. Surprised. This person has the same face as me. But she had dark blue hair with small pieces tied with black ribbons and matching blue eyes. She was wearing a military outfit.

Regardless she was still getting a beatdown by the time I was finished with her.

"You really are a crude person. No, you are a mindless monkey who is all talk and no bark" the bitch snapped her fingers together as if she got an amazing idea. "I've decided from this moment forward your name is Incompetent, fitting for someone like you."

Her words made me see red. I can already tell I have veins bulging out of my head and hands, ready to best the everlasting crap out of this person.

I did a backflip and grabbed my duel disk out of my d-wheel. I activated it and got into a stance.

"I don't know who the fuck you are, but you will pay for ruining my precious d-wheel, bitchy clone!" I snarled. The girl glared at me and activated what it seems to be her duel disk however, and it was like a shield and sword.

"It's time to teach you some manner, Incompetent!"

"I like to see you try!"

"DUEL!"

Present Time_Normal Pov_

Haru continued to explain the aftermath of the duel against Akemi, which resulted in a tie. But during the duel against the latter, she received a scar from one of Akemi's monsters across her stomach. To this day, it still hurts as if she was kicked in the stomach repeatedly. But this pain was something Haru had handled before, so it was nothing.

Naomi felt terrible for being upset when Haru was right. She should have fought regardless if she was going to get hurt. She should have stayed in her Dimension.

"Haru-chan... I'm sorry," Naomi bit her lower lip. She couldn't find the words to say to her Synchro counterpart.

"Oh, about my scar that happened months ago before Rincchi was kidnapped. I actually received this same scar from a gang fight a couple of weeks ago," Haru answered, sitting in the same chair Naomi sat in before. The green-haired girl was surprised once again.

"B-But you made such a huge deal about that scar saying Akemi gave you that mark when it was someone else?!" Naomi exclaimed.

"Yeah, that person just put in the same spot as that sadist, and I have a habit of not thinking clearly when I'm pissed off, so I was definitely in the wrong when I attacked that tomato-headed boy you called Yuya, right? By the way, how's he doing?" Haru remembered Yuya's look by how strange it was like his hair.

Like seriously, why a tomato? Well, it's better than having hair that looks like a child whose parents are a banana and a blueberry.

Naomi didn't have an answer because she didn't know what had happened to Yuya and her friends.

"I'm not sure...I was in a Battle Royale, and Academia sent a small army during the tournament to kidnap me, Yuzu-chan, Yuki-san, and Serena-chan. Then, Yuzu-chan and I encountered Akemi and Yuri at night, and you know the rest," Naomi answered truthfully.

She worried about her friends and hoped they made it out in one piece. But since she was in a different dimension, her lingering fear increased with each minute, wondering did they made it out like she had hoped. Or were they gone forever, and Naomi will never see them again.

To make things even worse, Haru voiced her deepest fears out loud. "You folks are dead or even carded, Micchi. If what you said is true, then Academia did what they did to the Xyz Dimension. Completed wiped them off for good" Haru leaned back against the chair, unaware of how cruel her words are and how they affect her Standard counterpart, who's on the verge of tears.

Haru recalled what Yugo had told her about going to the wasteland, the Xyz Dimension, and how he encountered his Xyz double before their second meeting in the Standard Dimension. Haru believed Yugo because she went through the same thing before meeting Akemi.

One day she drove her d-wheel for a test drive on the new parts she bought. Her birthmark glows its signature colors, enveloping her in a speck of light. The brightness of the light was enough to make her shut her eyes tight.

When Haru opened them, she was in another place. When she glanced at her surroundings, she was near an area that seemed to be like a school. The school was surrounded by the ocean. But the place was eerie by how quiet it was.

Haru was going to look closer at the school building, but the same light that teleported her here sent her back to her world. She was baffled and wanted to go back to explore the place. To be honest, she was disappointed. It can't be helped; besides, she was glad to be back in her world anyway.

"To think I went to a strange world the same day I met the sadistic asshole. What a crazy day that was..."

Haru glanced at Naomi, who was frozen in her spot. She was in a state of shock and rising dread that everyone in her dimension had been... Naomi remembered all the faces of the people she encountered but wasn't really close with. Still, their appearance made an impact on her.

Her heart grief for the people she admires, the people she dueled against, the people Naomi met through her duel, and the people she loves so much.

"Okaa-san...Otou-san...Hiiragi-san, Yoko-san, Ayu-chan, Futoshi-kun, Tatsuya-kun, Izumi-san, Hokuto-kun, Yaiba-kun, Masumi-san, Daiki-san, Kaede-chan, Mieru, Eijirou-kun, Riko-chan...Reira-chan, Reiji-sama, Sawatari-san, Kurosaki-san...Serena-chan... Gongenzaka-kun...Yuzu-chan...Yuya-san."

Naomi trembled in her spot and was ready to cry her heart out but was stopped by Haru. The brown-haired girl shook Naomi furiously and smacked her hard on her back, stopping the trembles.

"Stop moping about the past, Micchi! What's done is done! You can't change what you didn't do or did, but what you can do is move forward!" Haru encouraged. She roughly slapped Naomi hard on the back. The impact would've nearly made the girl lose her footing if it wasn't for Haru's grip on her.

"STOP SULKING ABOUT IT! GOCCHI, GET YOUR ASS IN HERE TOO I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN LISTENING TO OUR CONVERSATION THIS ENTIRE TIME!"

Haru turned towards the door, revealing Yugo was there the entire time like Haru said he was.

She released her grip on Naomi and slapped Yugo hard across the back. Sending him flying into the other chair in the garage.

"I don't know if you killed this Yuto person, but if you did, then repent and apologize for your actions. What exactly is sulking and moping about it going to do? Nothing... It will do nothing to bring back Yuto or even show you're sincere about what you did in the slightest! So, snap out of it, punk!"

Yugo shook off the dirt on his suit and was ready to give Haru a piece of his mind. All he wanted was for his friend to be a little sympathetic to his feelings. But he should have known Haru well enough. She is not like that in the slightest. She will call people out on their crap straight to their faces, not caring about whether she intentionally hurt their feelings. That's the type of person Haru is.

Naomi spoke up after wiping her eyes to prevent any tears from spilling. She herself was about to lash out at Haru for being insensitive to her, but she was right.

This is a war. Losses are inevitable during these drastic times. They will lose people they care about, whether they want to or not.

Yuki proved this many times when she cried her heart out to Naomi when she lost the people important to her as well. It still hurt, but she had to move on. She had to shut her emotions off to keep fighting for their sake.

Naomi knew she couldn't do the same thing because she wore her heart on her sleeve. To even think about shutting them to avoid the pain will only hurt her more than before if the pain continues to build up. Right now, Naomi will have to numb the pain so that Yugo won't feel guilty about his actions anymore.

"Yugo-kun...Yuto is alive," seconds after she blurted out those words, Naomi was face to face with the Speedroid Duelist.

Are you sure? Are you serious, Naomi?!" Yugo bombarded Naomi with a series of questions.

"Yes, to be precise, he is alive inside Yuya-san," Naomi clarified her words. She saw the guilt wash away as his shoulders relaxed. Yugo smiled when he heard the news. He didn't kill Yuto means Yuri and Akemi were lying to him, and it worked. He would have been playing right in their eyes if it wasn't for Naomi telling him the truth. He feels relieved in some way.

"But isn't Yuya dead- "

"Shut it, Haru. Don't ruin this moment for me," Yugo cut the brown-haired girl off. He will not let her ruin this for him.

Haru sighed and didn't want to get into another argument with Yugo. She let him have this moment but felt peeved when he didn't even thank her for trying to cheer him up.

Well, she can do it again next time.

"Now that's settled. Micchi, remember what I said about the gang fight I was in a couple of weeks ago. The gang I fought wasn't the one I was looking for," Haru mentioned. "The one I'm looking for has that bastard, Syd."

"Syd?" Naomi leaned her cheek against her hand.

"Yeah. That guy is the worst person in the Commons. Taking duel runners from everyone doesn't matter if you are a Common or Top. He and his gang steal them and cause destruction," Yugo explained, releasing his hold on Naomi.

He sat on the chair across from the computer. "That's not all the bastard has done. He killed Robert Pearson all those years ago to steal his duel runner's idea," Haru added, clenching her fist. When she was ten years old, she was devastated when she learned Pearson had been murdered by a gang member.

The Head Lady of the Orphanage, Martha, Crow, and Shinji, stopped her from going after Pearson's killer. That would result in her demise, but she didn't care. She had to avenge the person who helped and took care of her when she needed it the most. She just couldn't let this matter go.

Not even Sector Security cared enough to investigate Pearson's murder and ruled it as suicide. It irritates her because Robert Pearson was a Common. If he were a Top, Security would have cared enough to find Syd and arrest him. Unfortunately, things didn't go her way, and Syd is out on the streets committing crimes, and other people are getting blamed for his crap.

This time there's no way he's getting away from her.

"Yesterday I did some digging of my own and found some info from one of Syd's lackey by beating him to a pulp revealed to me Bolger was the one who put the hit on Pearson" Haru revealed what she found out yesterday when she rode the streets looking for clues and found Syd's member purchasing some goods. She waited until he was alone and smacked him in the kneecaps with a wrench.

Haru asked the person questions about the incident that occurred four years ago regarding Pearson. She had to punch him every time he became smart with her. Nevertheless, he provided her with the answers she needed. He revealed that Bolger pays Syd to get rid of Robert Pearson by any means necessary.

At first, she couldn't believe it, but it made sense because after Pearson died, his research disappeared. One year later, Bolger had a company named Bolger Company that dealt with duel runners and their production. But she couldn't base this just on the lackey's words, so she paid a 'visit' to Bolger herself.

By breaking and entering his home, she found out by tailing the man for hours. She attacked him from behind and managed to tie him to a pole. She interrogated him and demanded if he was the one that ordered the hit on Pearson and took his research.

Bolger didn't reveal anything to her but told her to find out where Syd was if she wanted some answers. So that leads her to where she is today.

Yugo was shocked. He didn't believe a word Haru said. He knew Pearson and Bolger were close friends before the former's death. But if Haru was telling the truth, then there's a possibility that Bolger was the mastermind behind Pearson's death, using Syd to do the dirty work for him instead.

Haru jumped on her duel runner and grinned. "If what Bolger told me is correct, Syd's gang will be targeting the Sector Security headquarters, mainly where the Duel Chasers d-wheels are stationed" Haru got on her d-wheel and started the vehicle to max power.

Naomi felt perplexed by what Haru had just confessed to her about breaking, entering, and hurting someone to avenge someone dear to her whose life was taken away. Weird enough, she found the gesture to be sweet.

"We'll go there first to see what Bolger said is true," Yugo guessed. His guess was correct when he saw the grin on Haru's visage widen.

Yugo had the same grin on his face as he jumped on his d-wheel. He turned on the duel runner, and a pink helmet with a yellow lens came out.

He tossed the helmet at Naomi, and she caught it with ease. She understood exactly what Yugo was trying to tell her, and she got on the back of Haru's d-wheel. Naomi saw two small handles where she sat and gripped them with all her might.

The two turbo duelists accelerated their rides and let the garage leave track marks in the ground.

One of the Common's Streets_At Night_

Naomi looked over in the driver's seat where Haru was sitting at. At first glance, she was scared to be in the same duel runner as her Synchro Counterpart because of her reckless driving skills. She had a habit of crashing into buildings or people. But now Naomi was okay with Haru driving recklessly. Although she still didn't like it. She wished Haru drove more carefully, but it would only prove to be pointless.

Knowing Haru's brash personality despite Naomi being with the brown-haired duelist for a short time.

Naomi kept quiet and didn't let out short complaints. Instead, she focuses on the trembles running through her body.

The trembles weren't like before. They weren't out of grief.

No, she's excited. Her blood pumping and heart racing reminded her of when she was in an Action Duel.

Naomi heard her ears pound as the blood rushing to her head gave her a sense of nostalgia.

She felt like she was home.

"You feeling alright, Micchi?" Haru asked her to focus on the street ahead of her. "Yes. I'm fine, Haru-chan," Naomi replied. She turned her attention to the sky.

Naomi noticed how there were white structures above and across the buildings down here, acting as a reminder for the people who live down here. She wanted to ask Haru what's the big deal regarding the building structures. But doesn't when she sees the livid expression on Haru's face as if the latter is trying to focus on the road ahead of her.

Naomi decided to change the topic and instead ask about Haru's past, mainly about how she met and how close she was to Robert Pearson.

Haru pondered for a moment and decided to reveal her past to Naomi but not too much.

Haru may have given Naomi a nickname as she does for the people closest to her, but despite that, Haru still has her guard up. She lives in a City where you have to be on your feet and not trust everyone you've encountered. They might have bad intentions until they prove otherwise.

Haru had a faraway look but was still focused on the road ahead of her. As she started to remember the events after that painful day.

Nine Years Ago_Commons Slums_

A week passed, and Haru was still in the same place her parents had left her. Despite her being famished with hunger. She decides to wait for them in the same place they left her.

If they come back, she will be a good girl this time. This time she will act like how she is supposed to behave and not complain about her piano lessons, her harsh tutors, and the fancy parties she is forced to go to. She will never complain about them ever again.

This time she will just keep her mouth shut.

Haru ignored all of the stares directed at her and hugged her stuffed animal tighter. Her vision becomes blurry after a while, and she sways in her spot, landing on the hard ground. She doesn't wince at the impact but is starting to feel weak.

Haru figured this was going to be the end of her. No one is going to help someone like her: a Top.

No. Right now, Haru is just like the people she looked at in front of her whenever they passed by. She is a Common. Not that she cares about that, but since she was a Top, like the others that mock the Commons constantly.

Reminding them of their unfortunate situation. Always looking down on the Commons for not being as wealthy and fortunate as them. Whenever they come into contact with a Common, they look disgusted as if being in the same room sickens them to their core.

The Commons faced so much discrimination because of the Tops. So, of course, they won't help someone like her.

Haru is going to die alone, holding her stuffed bunny in her arms, being her only companion in her pitiful situation. Along with the immense heartache she feels.

Just as when Haru is about to close her eyes, she hears a voice.

"Hey, you!"

Haru turned her head towards the source of the sound. She was face to face with a boy who was five years older than her. He had brushy spiked orange hair, a viridian headband, and dark-gray eyes staring directly at her.

"I know you're hungry. Eat this," the boy shoved a can of tuna in her face. By the look on his visage, he didn't give Haru a chance to deny his offer. Haru placed her rabbit down and took the can.

"Thank you very much. But how do I eat this?" Haru asked, tilting the can, and all she saw was a little tab on top of the can.

The boy grinned at her, took the can from her hands, and lifted the tab revealing the food substance. The smell of the tuna entered Haru's nose. She began to drool from the corner of her mouth.

She didn't even bother to wipe her mouth as her stomach grumbled some more. Haru glanced at the orange-haired boy and felt embarrassed by how improper she was acting just by smelling the food displayed to her.

Too bad, she was easy to read like a book because the boy assured her of her behavior.

"It's fine if you want to know how to eat Tuna straight from a can. Just do this," the boy instructed, opening a can for himself and chowing down its contents with just his bare hands.

Haru is taken aback by the action but soon mimics the boy's action herself. Minutes later, she finished the only meal she had in a week. She wants more, but she can't be too greedy and ask for another can of tuna goodness. It wouldn't be right.

Haru took her stuffed rabbit in her arms and waited for the boy to leave her. But surprisingly, he grabs her by her wrist and drags her from her spot.

"I know you've been waiting for your parents, but they aren't going to come back," the boy told Haru, the words she didn't want to hear.

"You don't know that-!" Haru protested the boy interrupted her from defending her parents.

"Yeah. I honestly don't, but if your parents did care about you, then they wouldn't have left you there in the first place," the boy interjected. He didn't mean to sound cruel, but it was the truth. No matter how much this girl tried to tell him otherwise, it was as plain as day that her parents aren't going to come back for her.

Haru whimpered when she realized that the boy was right. She nearly started to cry but was stopped by the boy.

He patted her hair, instantly calming her down. "But if you believe that your parents will come back to get you, then you can stay with me until they do," the boy suggested. Haru nodded her head and realized she had never introduced herself to her savior.

"I would love that very much. My name is Haru Kobi. What is your name?" Haru introduced herself.

The spiked orange-haired boy grinned. "My name is Crow Hogan, but you can call me Crow. Nice to meet you, Haru."

Since that day, Crow and Haru have become inseparable. He taught her how to survive in the slums using limited resources they could find or get their hands on. Along the way, they met a boy named Shinji Weber, who was quick to befriend them.

During that time, Haru spent with Crow. She was taught how to do arithmetic better than she did before with Crow using his Black Feather Deck. Honestly, she prefers this way instead of how she was taught math by her tutor, which she hated. Haru bonded with the two older boys by dueling against them with the "Chaos Synchro" deck she had around the time.

The times Haru spent with Crow and Shinji temporarily healed the pain her parents had given her. Nevertheless, she truly enjoys spending time with them.

Several months had passed since they met Shinji. Haru is waiting for Crow and Shinji to come back with food. After waiting for a long time, she finally saw them, but the boys were accompanied by a man older than them this time. Of course, Haru became skeptical of the man, but Crow reassured her that he could be trusted.

Regardless Haru still kept her guard up around him. The man smiled at her guarded behavior and introduced himself as Robert Pearson. Pearson offered the trio a place to stay as he told the group that they each can fulfill their potential.

He made sure Haru, Crow, and Shinji could do anything without relying on the Tops for help. They can have the skills to be self-sufficient.

During Pearson's teachings, Haru felt like she could make a difference if she put her mind to it. She doesn't have to worry about being useless to other people. She can just be herself. It was all thanks to Pearson for teaching her how to have confidence in her abilities.

Haru wasn't suspicious of Robert anymore and considered him a father figure to her. Although she does have a dad, it doesn't matter since Pearson felt that way about her.

Maybe that's why it hurts so much. Because Haru lost the only person, she ever considered as a father.

Present Time_Commons' Slums_

"Of course, we couldn't stay there, so we had to leave his place as soon as we left. Martha found us and gave us a home," Haru continued her story. Haru recalled when the woman accepted them as her foster children. She took them to the orphanage just like all the homeless children in the Commons who had nowhere else to call home.

There Haru met Yugo and Rin for the first time. But she couldn't help but remember her foster father from time to time during her stay there. Much to her luck, he visited the orphanage every day to check how she and the others were doing from time to time.

Honestly, the gesture made her happy and she was glad Pearson was kind to the other kids as he was to Crow, Shinji, and herself. He taught them the same lessons and even told them about his research on constructing d-wheels. Along the way, if they were interested, Pearson taught them the fundamentals of creating their own d-wheels despite not obtaining all the parts for the vehicle. They had few limited resources on hand and found some parts in certain parts of the Slums. They were able to make a prototype duel runner.

Haru still remembered the excitement she felt that day. She also felt delighted that she helped make this prototype with her friends, Yugo, Rin, Gwen, and Shinji. Her foster brother, Crow. Along with the other kids in the orphanage.

It was all because Pearson taught them that the Commons is made of this. This is their potential. That they didn't need money to obtain expensive mechanical parts. They just need to use the materials they already have and make use of them. Even if it gets ruined, they will find a way to use it again. Even if it gets destroyed, they will repair it again and use it again.

"Honestly, he was the best..." Haru finished her tale with a solemn expression. Her words were genuine and sincere. She truly meant every word she said.

Naomi feels extremely touched by the story Haru told her.

"...I understand how you feel..." Naomi had her mother, despite the woman's eccentric personality. Her mother is a caring person who obviously shows affection toward her. Whenever Naomi felt upset because of her ordeal and the bullying she suffered. Chou always brought Naomi's spirit up and brightened her day with her antics.

Chou had never failed to bring a smile to her face. Ever since the moment they had at the hospital rooftop seven years ago. Chou promised Naomi that she would never let her suffer from anything that made her feel depressed and bitter about her unfortunate situation as long as she was still alive.

There were times that promise was broken whenever Naomi felt too dejected about her circumstances. There were times Naomi couldn't even force herself to smile.

Until today, Chou kept her word, making sure Naomi was always in high spirits.

Reflecting on the years, she spent with her mother brought tears to Naomi's eyes. She has no idea if her mother is still alive or if anyone else she cares about is safe. Haru's words rang through her mind as if they were taunting her, but she tuned them out.

She can't lose her composure now.

She will wait until she helps Haru out to let out all of her pent-up emotions until she's done. So, all Naomi can do right now is wipe her tears and hold them together for a bit longer.

Fortunately, it didn't take them long to arrive at the place Bolger said Syd and his gang would be at.

The group parked their d-wheels across from the facility and headed towards the building.

Current Time_One of the Sector Security Headquarters_Haru Pov

Micchi, Gocchi, and I infiltrated the area to see if any of those lapdogs were around. What I mean by lapdogs are the stuck-up Sector Security, Duel Chasers, and other people working for the Tops acting as if they represent justice.

But really, they represent what trash really looks like. Hmph! Justice, my ass.

Luckily, those suckers weren't around; otherwise, they would have a knuckle sandwich and broken kneecaps. Courtesy of my fists and my wrench making sure they have a one-way trip to the hospital in a body bag.

I checked the area and motioned my minions to follow after me. Gocchi made a few comments here and there about why I am leading the way.

We got into another argument that lasted for ten minutes and would have continued if it wasn't for Micchi butting in. While my green-haired clone didn't say anything but kept her guard up.

I don't know how well she can duel since she just watched me and Yuya duel. But I'm sure she is strong. After all, she is my clone! Since she is me, she must be strong!

With her deck, skills, and duel di-

I stopped in my tracks and held my cheeks together. "HOLY SHIT, I FORGOT SOMETHING!" I screamed, looking at Micchi. I can't believe I forgot the most important detail!

"Idiot! We're sneaking in here. Keep your voice down!" Yugo grumbled. But he had a point about our current situation. I calmed down and looked at Micchi.

"We only brought two duel disks with us. We didn't bring another one for Micchi," I explained why I screamed earlier. I waved my hands, worried about my clone's safety.

Micchi blinked once and smiled. Micchi's action confused me until she took out a dark square object. I assumed it was her duel disk from her dimension.

"When I changed my clothes, I put my duel disk in my pocket. Somehow, I knew I was going to need it for a situation like this" Naomi placed her duel disk back in her pocket. I grinned and gave her a thumbs up for being prepared.

"I knew why I chose you as my minion! Good job, Micchi," I said before I could advance footsteps heading towards us.

We quickly ran as far as we could away from the footsteps, and I slammed against the door entering another room. I slammed the door and propped up objects to prevent whoever was chasing us from coming in here.

I saw the targets or, in my words- the two bastards ready for a beating for what they did to Pearson.

This time they will pay!

In Sector Security Area_Normal Pov_

Haru crackled her knuckles and chuckled darkly. "I'm glad I am faced to face with the scumbag and bastard who took my father figure away from me. Honestly, it must be my birthday or Christmas."

Yugo was shocked by Bolger with Syd, but his shock was covered by anger. "Bolger! Why are you working with that bastard who took Pearson away! Did you order him to take Pearson out?!" Yugo questioned. He cracked his knuckles as well, ready to start throwing punches.

Bolger sighed. There wasn't any need for him to hide the truth any longer.

"Yes, I was the one who paid Syd to murder Pearson four years ago," Bolger admitted. Haru and Yugo visibly flinched at the revelation. Truthfully, they wanted to hear that Bolger didn't put the hit on Pearson. That was all Syd's doing, but listening to those words hurt them.

Guess they had their hopes too high for their other former mentor.

Naomi frowned softly and pressed a button on her duel disk without being noticed, praying it was the right function.

"B-But why Bolger! Pearson was your friend! Why did you do it!" Yugo shouted, wanting to get some answers.

"It was because he said no! We had to put our D-Wheel Development Research on hold five years ago because of insufficient funds. People from the Tops offered large portions of cash to help out with our research, but Pearson declined their offer!" Bolger explained.

"Did Crow know anything about this!" Haru asked since Crow was helping Pearson with his project along with Bolger.

"No. Pearson didn't want to tell him, but it didn't change the fact he refused help from the Tops. He wanted to leave his name as the first engineer in the Commons to create what changed dueling for all of us!" Bolger lashed out. He recalled the anger and shock when Pearson refused the funds. He concluded that Pearson just wanted to be arrogant about his research to show the Tops that a Common can produce a product they can spend dollars on.

To this day, it still angered him.

"I have no regrets about my actions! I will be glad to bear the name of a murderer if it means I can protect what I have been building this entire time! It's thanks to me that D-Wheel mass production made it this far!" Bolger declared. Haru saw red and was ready to punch Bolger for what he did but was stopped by Yugo.

"But that doesn't tell us why you team up with Syd!" Yugo questioned the gang member's involvement in Bolger's story. "What was in it for Syd anyway?!"

The lead of the notorious gang member chuckled, irritating the Synchro Pair even further.

"As soon as I did the deed. He promised to send me funds from time to time to keep my mouth shut about his involvement in the incident four years ago. But that was a long and tedious process, so I had to step up the course," Syd said. "I thought about how can I get more money than I already will have from ol' Bolger? That's when it hit me."

Syd motioned to the destroyed duel runners behind them.

"People who do not have the funds to purchase such expensive items will pay the price to obtain them. D-wheels are those rare items besides cards. Therefore, Bolger gives me the information about which d-wheel is rare in the market, and I go after them to either steal them or destroy them."

"If I sell the parts from the destroyed d-wheel to the Black Market. People from the Commons will either pay a lung or a kidney to obtain a part they can never get themselves. And for the Tops who are interested in Riding Duels will have the stolen d-wheel and will pay huge amounts to buy that item," Syd concluded. He even adds to the story he demolishes Duel Chasers' rides because they have parts that are hard to come by. Meaning he will make more money than he ever has in his life.

"Basically, Bolger gave you information about which d-wheel people are willing to buy, and you go after the product. In turn, you get the funds from the purchases of the people who bought the parts or the product," Haru summarized.

She knew she was correct by how Syd laughed maniacally at her words.

Honestly, she just wants to punch his lights out, but that will have to wait since she wanted Bolger to pay.

Yugo was enraged by the words that came out of Syd's mouth.

"You...are stomping on the others' pride and their dreams!" Yugo roared. He felt anger towards Syd for stealing d-wheelers pride, also known as the d-wheel they worked so hard on. He particularly didn't care about the Tops being affected. However, he is still angry at the fact that this person is willing to crush other people's dreams if it means he will become rich.

Words couldn't describe the rage Yugo feels towards Syd. First, he couldn't forgive Syd for taking away his mentor, and now he definitely couldn't forgive him for stealing people's dreams away so easily.

"I will make you pay for your crimes, you punk bastard!" Yugo got out his duel disk and slammed it against his wrist dealer.

Syd snorted, "what an energetic kid," but despite his comment, Syd took out a duel disk and strapped it against his arm.

He walked into another room in the facility but not too far from his objective.

"Boy, you have a nice d-wheel as well. If I win, then your ride is mine to do as I please" Syd mentioned the duel runner he had seen multiple times but didn't bother with the vehicle because of how cheap it seemed. However, now that he has taken a closer look, he wants that ride all to himself.

Yugo's face darkened when Syd brought up his duel runner. If Syd ever put his filthy hands on his beloved ride, Yugo swore he would make the gang leader be in a world of pain.

"If you win this duel! You punk bastard," Yugo retorted. He and Syd drew their opening hands.

"DUEL!"

Yugo vs Syd: 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each

Back to Where Haru and Naomi is_

Haru continued to look at Bolger with an unreadable expression on her visage. Which was strange since Haru is the type of person to show her emotions.

Honestly, the brown-haired duelist was feeling two emotions that collided together: sadness and anger. When Bolger revealed his reasoning for killing Pearson, Haru was sad because she thought maybe Bolger was lying about him hiring a hitman to kill Pearson, but when she found no traces of deception in his eyes, she was heartbroken.

She felt betrayed by her mentor, who took her father figure away from her. Next came anger wanting to beat the everlasting life out of Bolger so badly she could hardly contain herself.

She wanted to scream. She wanted to cry and demand Bolger apologize. But she didn't and calmed herself down when she remembered her vow from four years ago.

Haru promised herself that if she ever finds Syd, she would put him 10ft under, but now Yugo is doing it in her place. Then she is going to have to settle for Bolger and do what she promised to Syd to him.

She will avenge her father figure!

"Let's start! If I win, you WILL repent for your crimes, Bolger!" Haru demanded, taking out her yellow-colored duel disk and slapping it against her wrist dealer.

"Naomi, step back! This is going to get ugly," Haru advised Naomi didn't argue and complied with her lookalike wishes. As she took out her duel disk and sighed in relief when she found she did press the right function on her d-disk in her pocket. Naomi stopped the recording and made another copy of the recording just in case something happened to the original recording.

Naomi's ears perked when she heard more footsteps approaching the area, trying to get inside. She had to do something, or else Haru's efforts would be in vain.

When Naomi looks around the room, she gets an idea. It will take a while, but she is certain she can get it done.

While Naomi started to prevent the Security Officers from entering the room. Haru starts her duel against Bolger.

"DUEL!" Both Synchro Duelists shout, drawing their hands.

Haru Kobi vs Bolger; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each

Turn 1

"I will take the first turn!" Haru took a card out of her hand and played her card.

"I summon Naturia White Oak from my hand" Haru summoned a tree-like monster to her side of the field in Defense Position.

Earth/Level 4/Plant/Effect/ATK 1800/DEF 1400

"I place three cards face-down and end my turn" Haru concluded her turn with three cards in her Spell/Trap Zone.

"Ho...You didn't Synchro Summon," Bolger said. From when he dueled Haru, she would always Synchro Summon a monster on her first turn until now.

"I know you know my deck like the back of your hand, so I have to switch from my usual strategy if I want to beat you" Haru explained why she didn't Synchro Summon a monster with a higher ATK and DEF, but she knows what she is doing. And she knows Bolger like the back of her hand, so she has an advantage.

"If you think I am the same person from before, you are clearly mistaken," Bolger remarked, drawing for his turn.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I activate the Spell Card 'Insect-Luring Light' on to Naturia White Oak, and since I did, Naturia White Oak will activate its effect," Bolger recalled the card's effect in Haru's deck. The girl clicked her tongue and activated her monster effect.

"I send White Oak to the Graveyard to Special Summon Naturia Rosewhip and Marron from my Deck in Defense Position" Haru summoned two different plant monsters.

Rosewhip: Earth/Level 3/Plant/Tuner/Effect/ATK 400/DEF 1700

Marron: Earth/Level 3/Plant/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 700

"Now, since you control a monster, I can summon Hell Centipede without having to tribute monsters" Bolger summoned a huge red and black centipede monster to his field.

Dark/Level 7/Insect/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 1300

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'One for One' by sending Hell Mimic Worm to the Graveyard I Special Summon the Tuner Monster Death Mayfly from my hand," this time, black and purple mayfly flies down to the field next to Hell Centipede.

Dark/Level 1/Insect/Tuner/Effect/ATK 300/DEF 300

"I tune my Level 7 Hell Centipede with Level 1 Death Mayfly! One born from the darkness of the heart, come forth at the price of the good soul! Synchro Summon! Make 'em bleed, Blood Mephist!"

Dark/Level 8/Fiend/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 1300

Bolger's ace monster makes an appearance Haru narrowed her eyes at the monster, relieved that he still had his ace monster, Blood Mephist, despite him using a deck she had never seen before.

"I activate Blood Mephist's effect! You take 300 damage for each card you control!" Bolger revealed his ace monster effect as Haru quickly opened her set cards.

"Reverse Cards Open! The Quick-Play Spell 'Star Changer' increases Rosewhip's Level by one, making her a Level 4 Monster this turn! Now with my other Quick-Play Spell 'Synchro Dash', I can tune my Level 3 Marron to Level 4 Rosewhip!" Haru tuned her monsters together as Rosewhip turned into rings going passed Marron turning the monster into stars.

"The humble nature of the turtle who suddenly shows its creation of land! Synchro Summon! Level 7 Naturia Landoise!"

A big green-skinned turtle with a forest on its shell was on Haru's field.

Earth/Level 7/Rock/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2350/DEF 1600

"Naturia Landoise's effect can negate Blood Mephist's effect, but that is if you can send a Spell Card to your hand. I can assume you don't correct," Bolger hit the jackpot, Haru grumbled, looking at the last card in her hand. True to his words, she only had a monster card in her hand.

As a result, she took 600 damage instead of 1500.

Blood Mephist opened his mouth and blasted red drops of blood toward Haru. As she winced from the impact, she received but regained her composure. This pain was nothing compared to the pain she experienced with her duel against her Fusion lookalike.

Haru:4000-600=3400 LP

Bolger looked at the last card in his hand and set it on his field, concluding his turn.

The move made Haru unnerved, but she knew if she controlled another monster or card, Bolger would inflict more damage to her LP if she set a card in her Spell/Trap Zone. Regardless she will take that risk.

"It is my turn!" Haru drew her card and played the other card in her hand.

Turn 3

H:1-2

"I summon the Tuner Monster Righty Driver from my hand and her effect Special Summons Lefty Driver from my deck!" In a flash of light, two different colored machine girl holding a screwdriver in their respective hands appears on the field.

Righty Driver: Earth/Level 1/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK 100/DEF 300

Lefty Driver: Earth/Level 2/Machine/Effect/ATK 300/DEF 100

Lefty Driver's effect changed her Level to 3, and Haru took the card she had drawn earlier.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Falling Current' now Righty Driver Level is now a Level 3 Monster" Haru changed the level of her monster.

"At this moment, I activate Blood Mephist's effect! Once per turn, you take damage equal to the number of cards you control times 300! You currently control four so take 1200 damage!" Bolger shouted. Blood Mephist activated his effect, shooting red drops of blood towards Haru, making her wince.

Haru:3400-1200=2200 LP

"No pain, no gain" Haru wiped the sweat off her face and proceeded to tune her monsters together.

"The bird of legend who turned into silver from the sky! Fly to the world! Synchro Summon! Level 6 Metaphys Horus!"

A silver and white-colored bird replaced the two mechanical girls as it flew down to the field.

Light/Level 6/Wyrm/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 1600

"I activate my set card 'Synchro Ejection' to banish Blood Mephist, but you get to draw a card" Haru added her Trap Card to turn into golden rings, causing the monster to disappear from the field, leaving Bolger defenseless.

"Battle! Metaphys Horus attack the player directly!" Metaphys Horus opened its beak and blasted a whirlwind of white towards Bolger. He took the damage head-on but skidded back from his spot.

Bolger:4000-2300=1700 LP

"Now, Naturia Landoise, finish the bastard!"

Before Naturia Landoise could go for an attack, Bolger activates his set card in retaliation.

"I activate my Trap Card 'Hell Summon' to Special Summon Hell Centipede from my Graveyard! Revive my monster!" Bolger brought Hell Centipede back to his side of the field. Haru canceled her attack before she took any more damage as she was forced to end her turn.

"I have to thank you, Haru. Because of you, I am one step closer to my preparations that will lead you to your defeat and end in your life," Bolger stated. Haru glared at the man.

Haru thought Bolger was entirely BS right now, but the man wasn't the type of person to bluff, unlike Crow.

Haru knew she wasn't on her best game, and it wasn't because she had a not good hand. Or is playing a less effective strategy that doesn't deal much damage. No...it was because she had to play against someone she admired.

The more she looked at Bolger, the more she saw he had changed in a bad way. He may have played the same strategy to inflict damage to her LP via card effects, but he didn't have any of his White Warrior cards and instead used cards with Hell in them.

He had changed entirely, but it didn't deter Haru from her goal. She will win this duel not for herself but for Pearson. With her determination strengthened, her posture wasn't tense as it was at the start of the duel.

Bolger observed one of his ex-students and saw Haru had regained her senses. He knew the girl was the type to get overwhelmed by her anger and let it cloud her judgment. Her lousy habits caused her to lose many duels against him in the past.

He wasn't getting sentimental. He was stating facts. That is exactly why he has to cut ties with her and win to move on with his new life, leaving the past behind.

"Now. My turn!" Bolger announced.

Turn 4

H:1-2

He glanced at the card in his hand and took the card he was able to draw, thanks to Haru's effect.

"I have to thank you for giving me a free card, but as I said before, that move will be your downfall!" Bolger declared.

He summoned Dark Spider from his hand in Attack Position.

Dark/Level 1/Insect/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 0

He then plays his drawn card. "I activate the Spell Card 'Hell Gift' to draw three cards, but if I do not summon a Hell Monster, I take 3000 damage."

Bolger drew his cards and looked at the drawn cards.

"When I control two Insect-Type Monsters on my field, I Special Summon Hell Needle Caterpillar!" Just like the other Hell Monsters, this was a caterpillar with a skeleton symbol on its head.

Dark/Level 2/Insect/Tuner/Effect/ATK 1300/DEF 100

"I tune my Level 7 Hell Centipede and Level 1 Dark Spider with Level 2 Hell Needle Caterpillar! Synchro Summon! Level 10 Devil King Super Dragon - Beelzeus!"

Dark/Level 10/Dragon/Synchro/Effect/ATK 4000/DEF 4000

Bolger summoned an enormous purple dragon with yellow eyes and a large mouth grinning madly in its midsection area. The monster had bloodlust surrounding its body, giving Haru chills down her spine by how creepy the monster was.

"Beelzeus' effect changes your monster ATK to 0, and I gain LP equal to the targeted monster's original ATK!" Bolger reveals his new monster effect. Haru paled, realizing if the effect goes through, she will lose the duel.

Thankfully she had a card at her disposal.

Bolger targeted Metaphys Horus and gained 2300 LP, increasing his LP back to 4000 as, in turn, the monster lost its ATK.

Beelzeus blasted dark miasma at the now defenseless Metaphys Horus, melting the Wyrm-Type Synchro Monster at the impact of the unforgiving blast. The collision created explosions in the area, leaving only dust behind.

Bolger was expected to see Haru on the floor unconscious but was surprised when the girl was still standing.

"I... banish Synchro Dash to gain 200 LP..." Haru panted. She glanced down to see her foot was bleeding when she skidded back against one of the destroyed D-wheels as one of its parts slid against her foot as she fell from the explosions.

She winced in pain, but like she said before, this pain is nothing compared to the pain she went through in the past and the pain of losing her father figure.

Haru:200 LP

"I set one card and end my turn. There is nothing you can do, Haru. Your hand is at zero. Your Naturia Landoise has 2350 ATK. Unless you have a card that will take out all of my LP in a single strike, you will not win. You have lost this duel," Bolger stated.

The brown-haired girl simply flipped him off and looked at her deck. She faced worse times when she had to duel to save her brats from unfortunate situations that nearly got her killed. Still, during each and one of those times, she remained victorious. This time will not be any different. She believed in the deck she had when she was younger and built it several times over the years by gaining new cards on the streets and in small-time tournaments.

And in Tops dumpster when they throw away cards because they were deemed useless. But to her, they all had value. Each card she found had a purpose, and she found it each time during a duel.

Besides, she has a card that will guarantee her victory.

Haru placed her fingers on her deck and drew a card, indicating that it was now her turn.

Turn 5

H:0-1

Haru flipped her card and grinned madly. "I said I will make you pay, and now I will!" Haru mentioned her words from before, and now she can uphold her promise.

"I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Synchro's Greed'. I banish Metaphys Horus to draw three cards from my deck!" Haru drew her cards and took a card out of her hand.

"First, the regular Spell Card 'Mini Guts' I send Naturia Landoise to the Graveyard to change Beelzeus ATK to 0 until the End Phase!" The Spell Card blinded the malevolence monster to the ground as it drained all of its energy, enraging the monster.

Haru simply continued her turn and, every now and then, flipped the Synchro Monster off for destroying her monster on the previous turn.

"Now come to the field, Chaos Student!"

Chaos Student looked at the field and was taken aback by the trouble her master got into this time. Well, at least this time, it seemed normal, but it didn't ease her worries in the slightest.

Light/level 2/Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 100

"I activate Chaos Student's effect to Special Summon Black Feather - Calm the Shimmer from my Deck!" Haru shouted. Chaos Student created a portal, and from the portal Calm the Shimmer arrived on the field in Defense Position.

Dark/Level 4/Winged-Beast/Effect/ATK 600/DEF 1800

This was one of the three cards given to her by Pearson himself. She has another Black Feather card that was given to her by Crow for her 9th birthday. But today, Pearson's cards will guarantee her to win.

Haru clenched her fist and threw it in the air. Her monsters understood the signal and started to tune themselves together. Chaos Student was the rings passing through Calm the Shimmer, turning the transparent bird into stars.

"Pearson...this is for you," Haru mumbled as she chanted. "Darkened winds, reveal your wishes in the chaotic gales! Synchro Summon! Soar! Level 6! Black Feather - Chinook the Current!"

The bird-dragon like creature had scales that resembled black feathers as the feathers were a tinted red color mixing with the black as if the two colors merged together. Below the dragon's stomach were silver claws that extended to the base of the tail. The tail itself had gold and black lines creating a spiral.

Dark/Level 6/Wyrm/Synchro/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?

Bolger is taken aback by the monster's appearance. Through every duel he had against Haru, the girl never had or summoned this card in their duels. So how did she obtain this card?

"W-Where did you get a card like that?!" Bolger questioned Haru and simply looked at Chinook with a fond expression.

"This is the card Pearson gave me on my 9th birthday" Haru started reliving the moments she had on that faithful day.

Five Years Ago_March 1st_Commons Slums_Orphange Area_

Haru was going to help Crow and Shinji with the errands Pearson had for them. But to her shock, they told her they could handle the errands alone.

Haru found their behavior strange but didn't question and deemed it as them just being boys. She tried to go into the garage to work on the d-wheel for her pals Yugo and Rin but couldn't enter the door because Gwen was preventing her.

Haru demanded that Gwen move out of the way, or she would make her move by force. But the light-pink haired girl didn't even budge and continued to stand in Haru's way. As much as Haru wanted to go through with her promise, she didn't want to get yelled at by Martha for starting a fight again, so she backed down and went elsewhere.

It was not as if she didn't like Gwen, but she was starting to get mad. Why was everyone avoiding her today?

Did she set the kiddie pool on fire again? She didn't mean to do it the first time! It was an accident!

Haru knew they wouldn't avoid her for that reason. But it still irritates her.

She started pouting and kicking a can.

"Honestly...what's up with them..." Haru continues to pout, sulk, and continues to kick the can until she sees a familiar face.

She beamed and ran towards the figures. "Hey, Pearson!" She jumps on his back, surprising him, and causing the older male to drop his belongings.

"H-Hey Haru...I thought you were supposed to be with Crow and Shinji running errands," Pearson said, picking his belongings one by one, making sure Haru didn't see what he had dropped earlier.

"I was supposed to, but Crow and Shinji were being all weird and said not too worried about them. Then Gwen wouldn't let me go in the Garage to work on the d-wheel for Rin and Yugo! Speaking of which, I don't know where those guys are?!" Haru ranted. She nearly pulled her hair out, getting more irritated when she remembered all of the previous events.

"Those guys are such A-holes!"

Pearson boop Haru on the nose for swearing-well, nearly saying the swear word. The action calms her down and prevents her from yelling even further.

"Then how about you help me with my errands for today, and I will treat you to whatever you want" Pearson kneeled and patted the girl he saw as a daughter to him.

"Promise," Haru huffed her chest out, crossing her arms. Pearson chuckled and took out his pinky intertwined with Haru's.

"I swear."

Throughout the day, Haru helped Pearson with furthering the d-wheel development and even taught her about the different circuits connecting to a d-wheel to increase its potential.

Whenever they had a break, they would duel each other resulting in Haru losing to Pearson when he Synchro Summons his ace monster Black-Feather Dragon.

Nevertheless, Haru enjoyed herself.

Pearson took the girl back to the Orphanage since it was nearly time for 'that' to start. And along the way, he mentioned the reward he was going to give to Haru later but decided that right now was the perfect opportunity to give it to the girl.

"Haru...I made this for you" Pearson took the card out of his pocket and handed it to Haru.

The card was Black Feather - Chinook the Current.

Haru's eyes sparkled at the gift, and she gently took the card in her hand. She even rubbed her cheek against the card, cooing every once in a while.

"Thanks, Pearson, but why?" Haru questioned, looking at the older man who smiled at her and ruffled her hair, messing it up.

"Happy Birthday Haru..."

Flashback Ends_Present Time_

Back then, Haru was taken aback by the gesture and completely forgot it was her birthday. When she and Pearson returned to the Orphanage, a surprise birthday party was waiting for her. Crow and Shinji got her chocolate cake, and the former gave her one of his cards named Black Feather - Blizzard the Far North.

Rin and Yugo finished creating her d-wheel from back then as she remembered what Yugo had told her a year ago. That he and Rin were creating a d-wheel just for her. Looking back at the finished product proves they put a lot of effort into creating her ride. Gwen gave her the riding suit she wears today, and Martha helped fix any mistakes Gwen might have made when making the outfit. Everyone sang and wished her a happy birthday.

To this day, Haru cherishes the memories of that day. That's why she can't let Bolger and Syd do as they please any longer.

She showed Bolger the determination swirling in her brown eyes.

"I activate Chinook the Current's effect! By removing Naturia Landoise from my Graveyard Chinook's ATK and DEF become the same as the banished monster times 300!"

Chinook opened its beak and dived into a portal dragging the nature turtle out of the cemetery as the monster dissolved into particles going to Chinook's feathers. Turning them to a dark blue color, increasing the monster ATK and DEF by 705000.

"7-7-7-705,000 ATK and DEF!" Bolger stuttered, but he still had a set card on his field.

"Don't even think about it! I activate the Spell Card 'Chaos Strike' now all Spell/Trap Cards you control are destroyed!"

Chinook swung his wings, creating strong gales sweeping up the area and the set card. Naomi finished her preparations just in time to witness the duel's conclusion.

"Bolger...you said Pearson refused the help because he wanted to leave his name as the first Common to create d-wheels, thus Riding Duels. He was prideful or arrogant. You were wrong about that," Haru started, "if Pearson did accept the offer, what would that leave for us-the kids!"

"He taught us self-sufficient skills so we wouldn't have to rely on anyone in this cruel damn world! Pearson knew he would be throwing away his dream if he refused, but he still did it anyway. You know why! Because he is the type of person to think about others before himself! He wanted to pass down his teachings so one day, we would lend a hand to other children who weren't as fortunate as those in the Orphanage! The ones who didn't have a home, food to eat every day, or friends who wouldn't judge you and be there for you every step!"

Haru sniffed and forced herself not to cry but found it useless when she remembered every moment she had with Pearson before he died.

"YOU DESTROYED WHAT PEARSON HAS BEEN BUILDING THIS ENTIRE TIME! THE SELFISH BASTARD IS YOU, BOLGER!"

Haru snapped her fingers together, and Chinook understood. As Bolger was astounded by Haru's words, the hybrid monster blasted a red and black stream toward the chained Beelzeus.

Soon the memories of Pearson rushed to his mind, and the times Pearson talked about the kids in Commons. They had no other mentors, no older figures to look up to besides Chojiro Tokumatsu. Pearson wanted to become a symbol for the kids to give them hope in their cruel society.

"I understand where these kids came from...So the very least I want to do for them is to show their hidden strength without them having to rely on money to make their dreams come true. I want the kids to realize the reason why they were born."

"Pearson...You really did care about the kids," Bolger thought, accepting the blast and his loss. The blast pierced Beelzeus. The impact of the stream of the attack created explosions that struck Bolger, making him scathed and unconscious.

Bolger:4000-705000=0 LP

The duel is over, and Haru looks at Chinook. She remembered comparing Chinook to Black-Feather Dragon because of how similar they looked to each other, but her monster was smaller than the dragon.

Pearson told her they are kind of like parent and child pairs, just like her and him. Proving to Haru that Pearson did see her as one of his family members, specifically if he had a daughter, it would be her. Haru grinned madly at his words and embraced Pearson, calling him Pops every now and then.

Right now, Haru felt her tears drip on the card. She wiped them with her sleeve. "Pops...your feelings reach him, but I ain't done yet. There is still one more bastard to take care of," Haru declared, placing the card back in her Extra Deck Slot and wiping her eyes, making sure there weren't any tear stains.

Naomi ran to Haru and informed her that multiple people were coming from the other side, wanting to get into the area. She created a barrier, but it won't hold for long.

"I see...then it's really a good thing I brought you Micchi. Always thinking ahead," Haru patted the girl's shoulder before grabbing Naomi to the area where Yugo was dueling Syd.

Back to where Yugo at_

Yugo decided to take the first turn before Syd got the opportunity.

Turn 1

H:5

"I will start by activating the Spell Card 'Speedraw' when I control no cards. I can send Speedroid CarTurbo to the Graveyard. I can draw two cards" Yugo sent his chip-like monster to his cemetery and drew two cards.

"When I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Speedroid Beigomax from my hand" Yugo summoned multiple red spinning disks with blades on his side of the field.

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

"Next, when Beigomax is Normal or Special Summoned, I can add a Speedroid Monster from my Deck to my hand. Next, I summon Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice."

Yugo's main signature, Tuner Monster, arrived next to Speedroid Beigomax.

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

"I tune my Level 3 Speedroid Beigomax with Level 1 Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice! The sharp mind of the shadow, cut through this wretched path with your power! Synchro Summon! Level 4! High-Speedroid Brainy Puzzle! "

A blue and black puzzle-like warrior monster wearing a purple scarf replaced Yugo's monsters as it was summoned in ATK Position.

Wind/Level 4/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 2400

"I set three cards and end my turn! Now come at me!" Yugo retorted, finishing his turn.

Syd snorted. "Such an energetic brat" He drew a card for his turn.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I summon Assault Wheel from my hand," Syd summoned Assault Wheel to his field in ATK Position.

Earth/Level 4/Machine/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 0

"He has three set cards on his field. I'll just bait him out to see what they are," Syd observed going into his Battle Phase.

"I open my reverse card! The Continuous Trap Card, 'Speedroid Shuriken Hurricane'" Yugo, activated one of his set cards.

"But your monster will still be destroyed, and you will still take damage, kid!" Syd reminded, smirking but faltering when he saw a grin on Yugo's face.

"That's what you think! I activate Brainy Puzzle's effect! When this card battles a monster, this card's ATK doubles during each Battle Phase!" Yugo revealed his Synchro Monster's effect as Brainy Puzzle shifted and changed his ATK to 2400.

"That's not all! Due to Speedroid Shuriken Hurricane's effect, whenever the ATK of a monster changes, you take damage equal to the change! Eat this!"

The Continuous Trap Card shot three purple shurikens toward Syd, inflicting 1200 damage.

Syd:4000-1200=2800 LP

But Yugo wasn't finished with his attack Brainy Puzzle slashed Assault Wheel to multiple pieces leaving Syd with no monster on his field. Though he only took minimal damage.

Syd:2800-100=2700 LP

Syd wiped his mouth with his arm and noticed there was a speck of blood but dismissed it since it was only a small amount. "This kid is not half bad, but I still have other ways to deal you damage," Syd thought, smirking as he took a card out of his hand.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Synchro Cancel' to return High-Speedroid Brainy Puzzle back to your Extra Deck," a wind came out of the card and removed Yugo's monster from the field, leaving him only with two set cards as his Continuous Trap Card Speedroid Shuriken Hurricane was destroyed via its effect.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Dual Summon' to Normal Summon one more time this turn. I summon Cannon Wheel" Syd continued his Main Phase 2. He summoned another monster to his field.

Fire/Level 2/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 700

Syd finished his turn with a set card. Yugo looked at the monster warily but didn't let it deter him.

"It's my turn! Draw," Yugo yelled, looking at his drawn card and the card in his hand.

Turn 3

H:1-2

Yugo looked at the cards in his hand. He has drawn the Spell Card Speed Rebirth and the monster card Speedroid Taketonborg he added earlier with Beigomax's effect.

With his Spell Card, he can Special Summon Speedroid Beigomax and, through Speedroid Taketonborg's effect to Special Summon a different Level 3 Tuner Monster to bring out High-Speedroid Devil Sword Dama. However, he is still suspicious about Syd's set card and Cannon Wheel's ATK. He tried to think harder about the situation, but it only gave him a headache!

Augh! Screw it! He will just have to figure out something else when the time comes! He needs to focus on the present!

"I activate the Spell Card 'Speed Rebirth' to Special Summon Speedroid Beigomax from my Graveyard!"

Speedroid Beigomax returned to Yugo's field. "When I control a WIND Monster, I can Special Summoned Speedroid Taketonborg through its effect and activate its other effect by attributing Taketonborg. I can Special Summon Speedroid Den-Den Archduke from my Deck!"

The bamboo-copter monster shifted and changed into another monster, but this time, a duke wielded a weapon in his hand.

Wind/Level 3/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1000

"I tune my Level 3 Speedroid Beigomax to Level 3 Speedroid Den-Den Archduke! 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!" Yugo chanted. His monsters tuned themselves together as Devil Sword Dama appeared from the portal.

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

"Kendama?" Syd questioned, and true enough, Yugo had a vein popping out of his head.

"IT IS A DEVIL SWORD DAMA!" Yugo roared, activating his monster, which is usually mistaken for a Kendama most of the time.

"Devil Sword Dama's Effect! I banish Beigomax to inflict 500 damage to you!" Devil Sword Dama blasted a yellow beam toward Syd's chest, striking the male right in the stomach, reducing his LP.

Syd:2700-500=2200 LP

"That hurt, kid. Are you actually trying to get rid of me for your dear old friend's sake?" Syd taunted, rubbing his chest. Yugo narrowed his eyes at the gang member.

"Battle! Devil Sword Dama attack Cannon Wheel!"

"You fell for that! I activate the Continuous Trap Card 'Nightmare Wheel' to prevent Kendama from attacking, and you take 500 damage during each of my Standby Phases" Syd prevented his monster from being attacked and protected his LP. Nightmare Wheel bound Devil Sword Dama onto its wheel, preventing the monster from making any more movements.

Yugo had no choice but to end his turn. But before Syd could start, Yugo spoke about what Syd had said before.

"Earlier, you said, am I trying to get rid of you because of my friend, right" Yugo mentioned. "It's not just for her! I am also doing this because you and Bolger took away someone important to us all because you wanted money-!"

"Is fucking stupid! All Pearson ever wanted was to become the hope for us, Commons children, and you just stomp all over his feelings! Our feelings, as well! Not just us, you stole millions of duel riders in the Slums' dreams with your greed!" Yugo shouted his feelings out. He already couldn't forgive Syd for taking Pearson away. He still damn well can't and never will forgive him for stomping people in the Commons whose d-wheels are now destroyed and gone forever. Their chances of reaching the top are all in shambles, thanks to the scumbag in front of him.

Honestly, if Haru doesn't punch Syd, then Yugo will do it himself.

"For that, I will never forgive you!"

Syd just waved at Yugo and his words. "A kid like you will never understand the hardships of what we, Common Adults, have to go through to make a living. For us, Commons, we shouldn't be allowed to dream. Eventually, you will have to accept the fact of the cruel reality we live in. And how the world actually works, brat."

Yugo stopped in his tracks because of how true Syd's words were. Even at a young age, Yugo knew that his society was ruthless. Being a Common, he suffers from discrimination against the Tops at a very young age. Looked down upon multiple times with sneers.

Tops kids making fun of his deck and Rin's.

Mocking them about not having any parents.

About being abandoned.

He heard the same words Syd just told him from the Tops and their children.

People like him... Commons shouldn't be allowed to dream.

"NEVER GIVE UP, GUYS!"

Yugo snapped out of his state as he remembered an event from ten years ago.

City's Park_10 Years Ago_Normal Pov_

He and Rin were in a park with the other Commons children watching them duel as Tops kids kicked over their cards and messed up the hand-drawn duel mat.

"What's a bunch of Commons street rats doing playing Duel Monsters anyway?"

"Don't your kind know you, no matter what you do, you will never make a difference in the world?

"Just give up. Poor people like you aren't allowed to have dreams anyway!"

Yugo saw Rin and the others have tears brimming in their eyes. He knows he has the same hurt expression on his face as soon as he is about to pick up his cards along with Rin's. He heard someone yelling in the distance.

"HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" A voice stopped him in his tracks.

A girl who was around his age. She had brown hair in a half-up and half-down hairstyle with a yellow ribbon. She had a long-sleeved yellow dress and a huge white ribbon around her yellow dress. Finally, white shoes with tiny yellow bowties on them.

"Why are you being mean to them? They didn't do anything wrong! They were just playing a game, and you ruined it by kicking their cards! Apologize immediately!" The young girl pouted. Her brown eyes had a tinge of anger towards the Tops kids. She stepped in front of Yugo and the others and made sure not to step on their cards.

"I was only telling them the truth about their situation. People like them aren't allowed to drea-" the boy stopped when he got sand thrown in his eyes.

The boy fell to the ground holding his eyes, and every kid saw the girl holding sand in her hands.

"I don't remember there being a rule saying only Tops are only to have dreams. Everyone is allowed to dream, whether you are a Common or a Top! Who exactly made up that ridiculous rule anyway?!" The brown-haired girl growled some more as she threw more sand in the boy's eyes and into one of the Tops girl's eyes and grabbed a water bottle to splash water on the other Top boy's hair. Eventually, getting some sand in his eyes as well.

"WAAH! You ruined my suit!"

"There's sand in my hair and eyes!"

"I-I'm telling my mommy on you!"

The three Top kids run away crying. The girl huffed and wiped her hands together to get rid of the sand, causing her dress to get stains, but she didn't care.

The girl turned towards the group and smiled. She picked up the scattered cards one by one, put them together, and did the same until she had two decks in her hands.

"Please do not give up on your dreams. I am sure they will come true one day if you do not give up. Alright," the girl handed Yugo the two decks. She placed one of her hands on her hips and held her hand up in the sky.

"That's right. As long as you do not give up and keep striving toward your dreams, no matter how painful it gets, they will come true! You can-no. You will make a difference in the world! Next time if people like them repeat those stupid words, just tell them they are wrong because they gave up themselves. And just because they did that does not give them the right to look down on you and your hopes ever again!"

"NEVER GIVE UP, GUYS!"

_Flashback Ends_

Yugo's face broke into a grin when he recalled the fond memory. "Who exactly made up that stupid rule?" Yugo repeated the girl's words back to Syd. "The only reason you are telling me this is because you gave up yourself, right."

When Yugo saw Syd flinch, his guess was spot on. "There are a bunch of people who never gave up on their dreams, and being an ex-Common or Common never stops them. Just because someone defines you as something and tells you how your role is doesn't mean you have to listen to them," Yugo said.

"Someone from back then who right now is a cheeky moron but has the biggest heart told me those words herself. Because of those words, I have hope for not only myself but for the future of my hometown."

Yugo meant every word he said. Although it might seem impossible at the moment, it will take some time, maybe even years. Regardless he knows that one day, it will come true. He can live in a world...in the City where he will never be judged by his status.

Until that day happens, he will never stop fighting for his dream to come true.

Syd snarled and drew his card.

Turn 4

H:0-1

"Now Nightmare Wheel's effect inflicts 500 damage to your LP!"

Yugo is covered in a red aura, and his LP is chipped off by 500.

Yugo:4000-500=3500 LP

"I activate the Spell Card 'Pot of Greed' to draw two cards. Next, I summon a second copy of Assault Wheel from my hand" Syd summoned another Assault Wheel from his hand in ATK Position.

"I tune Level 4 Assault Wheel to Level 2 Combat Wheel!" Combat Wheel became two rings to pass through Assault Wheel.

"The explosion blooms out of season! Carve terrifying tracks into the card wasteland! Synchro Summon! Roar! Combat Wheel!"

Syd's Synchro Monster arrived at the field. The spirit of Combat Wheel passed through Yugo, inflicting 500 off his LP.

Yugo:3500-500=3000 LP

"I activate the Spell Card 'Wheel's Pains' I banish Assault Wheel to change Devil Sword Dama's ATK to 0, and when I destroy your monster, you take damage equal to your monster ATK! Battle Combat Wheel, finish this duel!"

Combat Wheel lung towards the bound High-Speedroid Synchro Monster, but Yugo had other plans in mind.

"I activate my Trap Card 'Barrier Gum' to negate Devil Sword Dama's destruction through battle!" Yugo may have taken damage, but he protected his monster from being destroyed, and his LP took no further damage. Strange that he would run into someone who had a card with the same effect as Mini-Guts. Fortunately, his experience with dueling Rin and Haru so often that he would have card effects to prevent his monster's destruction, thus preventing him from taking any more damage with the Spell Card's additional effect.

Yugo:3000-2500=500 LP

"Tsk! I end my turn." Syd concluded his turn, and Yugo started his turn.

He placed his hand on his deck and drew the cards. When he flipped the card, he was surprised to see a new monster. He had never seen it before, but he was going to use this card to finish the duel.

Turn 5

H:0-1

"I summon Speedroid Domino Butterfly," a black and white-colored domino butterfly arrived at his field in Defense Position.

Wind/Level 2/Machine/Tuner/Normal/ATK 100/DEF 300

"I tune my Level 6 Devil Sword Dama to Level 2 Speedroid Domino Butterfly!" Domino Butterfly tuned with the now free Devil Sword Dama.

"Shine the wings that store the holy light, and strike down your enemies with its radiance! Synchro Summon! Come forth! Level 8! Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon!"

A dragon with pure white crystal wings shot out of the portal.

Wind/Level 8/Dragon/Synchro/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2500

"I activate my Trap Card 'Synchro Strike' now Crystal Wing gains 500 ATK for each Synchro Monster Material that was used to summon it. There were two, so therefore its ATK becomes 4000!" Yugo boosted his evolved ace monster even further, and he wasn't even close to being done.

"I banish Speedroid CarTurbo and Red-Eyed Dice, so Crystal Wing gains 800 ATK until the end of this turn!"

Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon had a white aura as its ATK was now 4800.

"Battle! Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon attack Combat Wheel! Now when Crystal Wing attacks a Level 5 or higher monster, it gains that monster's ATK until the End Phase!"

Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon shot up in the sky as its wings were covered with a white and green wind around its wings. The evolved Synchro dragon's ATK was now 7300.

"Crystallos Edge of Gale!"

Crystal Wing nosedive towards Combat Wheel, striking and destroying the monster in one vicious attack. The moment they collided against each other caused more explosions in the area that Yugo and Syd were in as the impact knocked Syd off his feet. Eventually, he slammed into a wall falling unconscious.

Syd:2200-4800=0 LP

"Yahoo! I did it!" Yugo jumped in the air and had to do a backflip because of his joy.

He stopped his actions when he realized his surroundings. "Crap, that's right. I have to go check on Haru and Naomi" Yugo ran back to the area they arrived in only to find twenty Sector Security members on the floor and thirty members with expendable batons in their hands. Naomi had a temporary staff in her hands, ready to defend herself, while Haru got her wrench out and a switchblade in her right hand.

Yugo is stunned by the scene in front of him. But he doesn't question it until he and the others are far away. Yugo put his duel disk away and cracked his knuckles.

"I'm glad you join the party, Gocchi! Now let's bust these suckers' heads open!"

With those words, Haru lung toward the armed men as Naomi was behind her to watch her lookalike back. Haru slammed her wrench into one of the Security officer's face-well his eye, and when he was stunned, Haru kicked him hard in the back. She slashes another officer's face. Soon she knew him hard in the gut and jumped on his back to give herself a boost.

Just as she was about to hit with one of the batons from behind. Naomi shielded Haru from the attack, swirling her weapon downward to slam it against the two officers' heads. She then swung her weapon up and swirled it again, but this time, she slammed her spear against the five officers' stomachs. Naomi backflipped to give herself some distance away from the men. She lunged her weapon towards one of the officers' stomachs hard, knocking them down on the ground as she followed behind Haru.

Yugo wasn't going to let himself be outdone by Haru and Naomi. He uppercuts one of the officers in the chin. He punched him in the stomach, knocking him back as the officer collided back towards his colleagues. Yugo roundhouse kicks an approaching officer in the chin sweeping them off their foot as they fall to the ground with a hard thud.

Fortunately, the others behind the officer fell like dominoes. Yugo ran behind the two girls and broke the control panel, forcefully slamming the doors and locking the injured officers inside the area.

Haru whistled and grimaced about her bleeding foot but pushed through the pain.

"Nice job, Micchi! Good ass-kicking skills, Gocchi!" Haru runs towards the way they sneak in, but now they have to make a break for it, or else they will have to deal with more Sector Security.

"Are you sure you are okay with them knowing our identities? Or leaving any evidence behind?" Naomi questioned Haru grinned, holding a device with a red button in her hands.

Yugo looked closer at the device and paled. "D-Don't tell me...Gwen."

Haru nodded and looked back to early in the morning when she went by Gwen's place and asked-demanded for a device that would explode all of the data from the cameras in the places she infiltrated. Luckily for her, Gwen being the brainiac scientist-mechanist she is made a device just for that specific purpose.

Haru pushed the red button on the device. One by one, all the cameras exploded in the Sector Security Headquarters, causing explosions in the building to erupt. The trio ran out of the building so they wouldn't be caught in the explosions. Haru leading the group slammed against a door that led them to an area near where they parked their rides.

Haru put Gwen's device in her pocket and dashed to her duel runner. With her minions following behind her. They only saw three Duel Chasers near the premises when they were noticed by the group. Naomi threw her spear-like javelin, courtesy of her ace monster throwing her weapon multiple times, and Naomi was able to copy her move.

Naomi made sure she didn't hit the officers, only hitting the wall, distracting them for a brief moment so Haru and Yugo could attack simultaneously, knocking the officers off their rides and rendering them unconscious.

Haru grabbed the spear and wiped Naomi's fingerprints off with one of the unconscious officers' gloves before breaking the weapon in half with her hand.

"Now, let's escape!" Haru jumped on her ride, and this time, Naomi jumped on the back of Yugo's d-wheel, fearing her Synchro counterpart might be even more reckless with her driving since they were trying to escape from the burning building.

"Gocchi...Attach-Detach mode" Haru accelerated her ride, and soon a pair of small pipes came out of the front of the red-colored duel runner.

Yugo nodded and flicked a switch on his d-wheel with the twist of a handle. He drove in front of Haru's as the pipes attached themselves inside the thrusters of his white hybrid vehicle. Once there was a clicking noise from the two pipes locking themselves in the thrusters. Haru turns on another mode to ignite the accelerators and thrusters to maximum power, causing the heat up tremendously.

The heat pools out from the thrusters. A small flame came out. As soon as Haru accelerated her duel runner, the flame grew even larger, speeding up the two vehicles attached to each other. Naomi squealed and gripped the handles even harder. Her knuckles were turning a white color. She shut her eyes and chanted quietly for the rush to be over, but it was only just the beginning of the ride.

The accelerating increase by the second, Haru being behind Yugo, swirled her ride as, in turn, his ride swirled, and she flipped a switch from the side of the tires of her duel runner was two grappling hooks. They shot out and pierced a nearby building, reeled the two vehicles off the ground, and swung them in the sky. They were very close to the buildings and were above the highways. That, in turn, was above the Common Slums. Every minute was thrilling for the riders except for one person who was scared out of their mind.

"KYAAAAA!"

"HELL YEAH!"

"PREPARE TO LAND RIGHT NOW!"

Haru turned the switch off for the grappling hooks to detach from the building. The moment they did, they fell from the sky as their tires kept moving against the harsh winds. Both expert riders controlled their rides and didn't force their tires to move in a way that would damage their vehicles even more especially if they didn't land in a precise way at the exact moment when they landed.

The gravity from the ground was pulling them down, but the two had fast reflexes and was able to land safely on the ground. Yugo breathed a sigh of relief and detached himself from Haru's d-wheel.

"Now, where to next, Haru?" Yugo questioned, driving beside the brown-haired duelist. The girl rubs her chin as if she has a beard and thinks of a response.

"Go wherever the wind takes us," Haru joked. Yugo chuckled at her suggestion.

"I'm fine with that, but Naomi isn't looking too good," Yugo motioned at the girl behind. Her face was a sickly color. Naomi looked like she was actually going to throw up.

"Ah...well, I know someone who can take care of her and look after my bleeding foot. Follow me!" Haru sped up, and Yugo followed behind her with a worried and confused expression all over his visage.

"What happened to your foot?!"

"Don't worry about it," Haru replied, snorting.

They took a path directed off the highway and into the City. They passed by a couple of buildings along the way and stopped at a lavish house in the Tops Area but secluded from the other residents' homes.

Yugo carried Naomi on his back. Haru checked to see if any more Sector Security was patrolling the area, but it looked like the coast was clear.

Haru rang the doorbell several times, and soon, a person answered the door. The person who answered the door looked to be 19 years old. She had an average height with fair skin, brown eyes, and dark burgundy colored hair. Her hair is chin-length with elbow-length bangs that frame the side of her face. Her front bangs are pushed back with a black headband with a small rose symbol at the end.

"Can you help us, Izacchi?" Haru asked, lifting her bleeding foot to the older girl. Aki sighed softly but smiled gently at the others.

"Haru, how many times do I have to remind you to call me Aki or Dr. Izayoi?" Aki opened the door, and Yugo placed Naomi on the couch. Aki instructed Haru and Yugo to hide their d-wheels out of sight so they won't be confiscated by Sector Security.

Aki started to tend to Haru's foot and checked to see if any pieces of metal were stuck in the wound. Luckily, she didn't find any and prevented more blood from seeping out of the wound. Aki cleaned the wound with warm soap and water. Finally, she applied antibiotic creams to prevent the risk of infection and wrapped the foot with bandages.

Haru lifted her bandaged foot and grinned at the work Aki performed. "Good job, Dr. Aki," Haru complimented Aki, who giggled at the girl's enthusiasm. She checked on Naomi, briefly surprised by how her face resembled Haru's, but was concerned with the girl.

"Yugo…Can you boil some water on the stove? The stovetop kettles are in the cabinet under the sink," Aki instructed. She gently placed her hand on Naomi's forehead, and it didn't seem the girl felt hot, but she looked utterly worn out.

Aki wondered what could have happened to cause this young girl to look sick.

Then it hit her. "Haru…...what were you doing today?" Aki questioned. Haru froze and whistled in another direction.

"W-Well, I was driving recklessly as usual. Micchi got motion sickness from my driving...You know this and that..." Haru continued to whistle to herself. What she told Aki wasn't a complete lie. But it wasn't the truth either.

Aki narrowed her eyes at Haru's attempt to avoid the truth and decided to drop the subject and tend to Naomi. But in the morning, she will force the truth out of Yugo and Haru through other means. Yugo announced the water had finished boiling, and Aki went into the kitchen to take out a Ginger Tea box. She took a teacup from the cabinets, poured the powder into the cup, and added the water soon after. She stirred the mixture together and brought it near Naomi.

"Please drink up. This tea will get rid of your nausea and reduce any pain you are currently feeling" Aki cooled down the steaming tea and placed the cup in Naomi's hands.

The young girl carefully drinks its substance, and soon enough, her skin returns to its natural color. She no longer looked sick and relaxed against the couch. "Thank you very much, Dr. Aki," Naomi expressed her gratitude as she continued to drink the tea until there was no more in her teacup.

Yugo grinned and smacked Naomi across the back, nearly causing her to fall off the couch and drop the cup.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Naomi. Sorry for not being careful" Yugo apologized for the events that happened prior, and he apologized for both himself and Haru.

"Next time, be more careful..." Naomi hissed, not used to being smacked around and nearly falling off her seat.

Haru jumped next to Naomi and soothed her back to apologize for being reckless earlier with her driving. The girl now saw she could trust her lookalike completely. Not only did Naomi help Haru settle the score and avenge Pearson, but she also kicked major ass during the fight against Sector Security.

Her Standard counterpart has Haru's trust and respect.

Aki giggled at the trio's interaction and informed them that they could spend the night, but in the morning, they would have to tell her what they'd been doing before arriving at her house.

The trio complied with Aki's wishes, had blankets and pillows and picked their sleeping spots in the living room. With Yugo taking a full couch alone, Naomi and Haru share the other couch.

Soon enough, all of them went asleep, utterly unaware of the events that would take place the next day.

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Oc Cards

Haru:

• Black Feather - Chinook the Current

Dark/Level 6/Wyrm/Synchro/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?

1 Tuner + 1 Non-Tuner Monster

You can banish a monster card from your Graveyard if you do, this card ATK and DEF become equal to the banished monster's ATK and DEF x 300.

• Synchro Dash_Quick-Play Spell

Immediately after this effect resolves, Synchro Summon 1 Synchro Monster using monsters you control as Material. When your LP would hit 0 from damage, you received from your Opponent (by battle or by card effects) after damage calculation gain 200 LP at the cost of banishing this card from your Graveyard.

Yugo:

• High-Speedroid Brainy Puzzle

Wind/Level 4/Machine/Synchro/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF /2400

1 Tuner + 1 Non-Tuner Monster

When this card battles this card, ATK doubles during each battle phase. Once Per Turn, During the battle phase, when this card battles a monster, your opponent controls; they have their effects negated. When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can special summon a Tuner Monster from your Graveyard.

Syd:

•Wheel's Pain_Spell

Banish a Monster with Wheel in their name. During this turn, Monsters your Opponent; their ATK becomes 0 until the End Phase. If that monster is destroyed: your Opponent takes damage equal to that destroyed monster's ATK.

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AN: Here's the start of the famous Synchro Arc starring Haru Kobi! I have introduced another Legacy Character, which is the excellent Aki Izayoi. There will be another legacy character introduced, but it will not be revealed until later in the chapters. Now let's continue to rev it up in Synchro!