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.

33. Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Breaking In and Breaking Out of the Facility

Recap: This afternoon has been one hell of a ride. First, I met a strange woman again. Second, I dueled my 'mother', who, without a doubt, misplayed during my last battle phase giving the advantage to inflict damage to her. Tsk! Like hell, I ever need help from that woman! Finally, I met the famous international model Misty Lolacchi! Who, I might add, is very pretty and looks like a total badass! I just wished I had dueled her instead of Micchi!

Early Evening_Commons Slums_Crow's House_

Haru and the others finally arrived at Crow's hideout and were greeted by different kids coming out to hug them.

"Haru-nee!"

"Yugo-nii!"

"Naomi-nee!"

Haru grinned and greeted every kid coming toward her. She's relieved that she doesn't see any signs of crying on the kids' faces since their conversation this morning. She grinned even harder and patted each kid coming in her direction on the head.

"I brought you guys gifts courtesy of the famous Misty Lola!" Haru announced. Soon there were shouts and pleads from every direction, begging the tawny-brown-haired girl to show them the gifts she had brought.

"Okay. Okay. I'll show you all the gifts I brought. Let us in the door first" Amanda and Frank grabbed Haru's hand, with Tanner and Ko in tow. Malik and Kit pull Yugo into the house, and Amalia, Emilia, and Akira chat with Naomi. The group headed inside, sitting across from Martha as they watched the children munch on the snacks.

"I have to give my thanks to Misty. These kids needed this to take their minds off what happened to Crow and Shinji," Martha said. "Speaking of which, Haru, how are you holding up?"

The girl swallowed the lump in her throat and placed her hands on the table.

"To be honest... I still want to rush out of here and go to the Facility myself to save Crow and Shinji and kick every butt in that place. But I don't want to cause any more problems for you guys," Haru answered truthfully. "Besides, Micchi has her friends helping out, so I have to believe they will save my brothers and bring them home."

Martha smiled, satisfied with Haru's answer. She couldn't put her finger on it, but it seemed like the girl had changed. She no longer looked tensed. There were still rough edges around her exterior, but it looks like they lessened to a small amount.

"I'm glad. If I had found out you had managed to go in the Facility yourself and cause a ruckus just like you did when you bombed Security Headquarters..." Martha glared, anger seeping into her tone. "You are going to wish they had kept you in there by the time I'm through with you."

The woman's words made Haru shiver and made Yugo and Naomi shake in their seats. The tawny-brown-haired girl shot up from her seat and placed her head on the ground, muttering apologies, and it doesn't seem like she will stop anytime soon. Martha turned her attention to the yellow-green-haired girl.

"Now that I have gotten a better look at you. You really do look like Haru. When the kids told me that they met someone with the same face as you and Yugo, I thought they were hallucinating, but now I see that they weren't," Martha mused.

"We told you!"

"There were these two girls that looked like Rin-nee! A nice one named Yuzu-nee and a scary one named Serena-nee!"

"Reira-chan was always with Yuki-nee, who seemed nice as well!"

"Don't forget about Yuya-nii! I like to see his magic tricks again!"

"I understand what you're talking about! Especially when he and Crow fought about smiles and food!"

"There's was another one name... Sawa... Saru...tori?"

"Sarutori?" Naomi repeated before it came to her. "You mean Sawatari Shingo!"

"Yeah him!" Ko yelled, chewing on another cookie.

"You figured out his name because of that... Scary," Yugo muttered, stuffing his face.

"But to think there are two people who look like Haru-nee is pretty scary to me," Malik shivered, not noticing the dark glare from his older foster sister.

"You're wrong. Three people look like me," Haru muttered, glaring at the floor.

"What did you say, Haru-nee?" Amanda asked. Haru jumped back to her feet.

"Don't mind me. I was just rambling to myself. By the way, isn't it time for you guys' bedtime?" Haru questioned, hearing whines. She chuckled and motioned everyone who had just finished their snacks to clean up and head for the bathroom. She instructed the kids to brush their teeth and reminded them to wash up in the morning. Haru led each kid into their shared room before tucking them into their beds.

"Haru-nee..?" Tanner asked. "Is... Are Crow and Shinji going to be okay? Will we ever see them again?"

The boy asked the question that still weighed on everybody's mind. No one didn't want to say it out loud, or maybe they were too afraid to. But they just had to know.

Haru patted Tanner on the head. She smiled sweetly at the young boy and scanned the room to see the same worried look on the children's faces.

"Don't worry, my minions. Yuya and the others will save Crow and Shinji. You've all met and knew them for a day, but that was enough for you all, right," Haru said. "Just like us, they are fighting a battle to save everyone and to protect whatever it is they want to protect. They won't leave their friends behind, including Crow and Shinji. I will say this again... They will bring them back home to us!"

Haru stood up and placed her hand on the door. "Besides, I'm sure they've already escaped, and those two are probably getting ready for the Friendship Cup to show us they made it out okay."

Akira leaned on his elbows.

"Does that mean you'll also be participating in the Friendship Cup? Are Yugo-nii and Naomi-nee participating as well?" The young boy asked. The mood in the room shifted, and soon everyone started to ask different questions about the incoming event.

"I'll tell you guys everything in the morning, but first, get some sleep. We all had a long day today and need some shut-eye" Haru heard more complaints from the kids, but regardless they still listened to her, and soon there were small noises in the room. Indicating that the kids fell asleep.

Haru quietly checked on the children to make sure they were actually asleep and not faking it like last time. She was satisfied when she heard snores and left the room before turning the lights off.

She sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

"Hey... Whoever is listening up there. Please let those guys rescue my brothers. Protect these kids from getting into any trouble... And make sure Rincchi is doing okay," Haru begged under her breath. She gave one more prayer and headed back to the common room where Martha and the others were waiting for her.

The tawny-brown-haired girl smiled and chatted with the others as a thought lingered in her mind.

"I may not know Yacchi and the others that well, but let those guys make it out of that place in one piece. I don't want to see Micchi upset ever again."

With that thought in mind, Haru cracked a small smile and enjoyed her time with her friends and family.

_Afternoon_Tops Palace_Shimizu Villa_

Meanwhile, several hours ago, before Haru and the others met with Misty, Yuki notified everyone to come to the Living Room.

"Everyone, I have received news from Naomi about Crow and Shinji. Just as I feared, they've been arrested and were thrown into the Facility," Yuki announced, holding the letter Clear Kuriboh had given her moments prior.

"H-How did that happen? When we left, everything was going so well," Yuzu jumped up in her seat.

Serena pondered for a moment.

"Maybe we gained some unwanted attention from when Yuya, Sawatari, Yuki, and I jumped on the limousine's roof. Then they decided to follow us," Serena inferred. "Then, our movements were traced back to Crow and the others."

"It is a possibility, but it is the only one we have right now. If that's the case, then it is our fault Crow and Shinji are in trouble because of what we did," Yuki said. Her blunt words made everyone in the room flinch, and when she realized how harsh her words were, she apologized for being so thoughtless.

"No. You're right, Yuki. Last night when a Security car passed through and was heading towards Crow's house, I considered that they were followed, and now Crow and Shinji paid the price for our recklessness," Yuya mentioned. He stood up with determination swirling in his eyes.

"But that's why we will save them from that place. We won't abandon the people who not only saved us but also welcomed us with open arms!

"Well. It would be selfish if I weren't on board with everyone in this so-called rescue mission of ours," Shingo commented. "Very well. I will lend my help since you guys desperately need it."

Before Reira could have a chance to chime in, a voice prevented her.

"While it is kind of you all for wanting to help these people out. You have to consider that Reira-chan is only a child. If what you told me is correct, then you four are bringing a child into a very dangerous environment that will definitely traumatize her for life. You have to consider her in this rescue mission," Mizuki stated.

The atmosphere became tense, but that didn't break the group's spirit in the slightest.

Reira spoke in a low voice. "E-Even, so I-I still want to help Emilia and Amalia. I don't want them to be sad, but a part of me still wants to be with Onii-sama... And that part keeps telling me to pursue that desire even if it does seem selfish to others."

The young girl ducked her head down, not used to being the center of attention. She felt a hand patting her head, and she turns to see the midnight-black-haired woman smiling at her.

"Reira-chan, to see your brother isn't a selfish desire. It's human nature to have something you want more than anything in your life. I know you two will see each other again because I'm sure he wants to be with you too" Mizuki kept soothingly petting Reira's hair.

"You think so?" Reira asked, her eyes meeting Mizuki's.

"I know so," Mizuki replied. She turned her attention to the junior youths. "After all, it's the same for everyone in this room, right? You all have something or someone you want more than anything else in your life, that were you willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill the desire. However, there will be a time when you will have to choose between your morals and your desire. Usually, you will choose your desire over your morals, but what will the result be when you do? Will your desire hurt people, or will it help them?"

Mizuki scanned the room and saw she had hit her mark, judging how each person's body had become stiff and rigid. She decided to tread her next words carefully.

"Now, let's think about it like this. What if it was the other way around? What if you decided to place your morals over your desire? When you do, will you be honestly happy about your decision? That the choice you made helps other people, including the person who means the world to you? Will you regret making that choice when the time comes?"

Mizuki smiled and took Reira's hand, and just as she was going to leave, she turned back to the group. "If you're going to do this, then you are going to do this right. I'll ask Arata to create a plan to ensure this mission can go as smoothly and quickly as possible and ensure everyone is safe and sound by the time you are finished. In the meantime, you can all think about what I've said, and when I return, we can discuss your next course of action more."

With that, Mizuki left the room with Reira in tow. The young girl looked at the woman, confusion lingering in her eyes.

"Why did you?" Reira asked, trailing off.

"I can already tell they made those kinds of choices in their life," Mizuki replied. "That's why I had to tell them it is fine to choose your desire over your morals, but there is a limit to how much you fulfill those desires every time you are stuck with making those kinds of decisions."

After all, Mizuki experienced this herself countless times, and not too long ago when she wanted her daughter to stay at home until the war was over. She desperately wanted Yuki to be safe and not to be involved in this fight. But Mizuki knew she couldn't be selfish, so she chose Yuki to be free and decided that she would wait for her daughter to return home.

"I hope I wasn't too harsh on them. If I was, I apologize for being insensitive," Mizuki sighed.

Reira shook her head. She didn't sense any negative feelings coming from the group at all that was directed at Mizuki. There were some feelings, but it was mostly directed at themselves.

"Thanks, goddess. I was worried I had accidentally hurt their feelings. Thank you for telling me the truth, Reira-chan," Mizuki thanked the young girl. Reira ducked her head, not used to being praised by anyone else other than her older brother.

"After we find Arata. Let's bake some cookies for us and the others to enjoy later on." The older woman offers her hand, and the young girl takes it with a small smile.

"Alright, Mizuki-san."

Back to the others, they were silent because of Mizuki's words as they began to ponder their choices. Serena was the first to snap out of her stupor. She fumed angrily at the conclusion she came to.

"It's not like every decision we make will end up hurting people. Who does that woman think she is anyway?!" Serena snarled.

"Remember when you first came to the Standard Dimension to find Xyz Remnants was all because you wanted to prove your strength to the Professor so that he can finally put you in the Frontlines," Yuki recalled crossing her arms. "Didn't you card someone in Maiami City by the name of Hokuto Shijima?" Yuki revealed with anger seeping into her tone.

"T-That—" Serena couldn't deny the midnight black-haired girl's words, nor she couldn't retort to them. Still, she tries. "But you probably did the same thing during the war and even when you went to the Standard Dimension with Kurosaki—"

"You are mistaken," Yuki interrupted, cutting Serena's words off. "I don't have the heart to card a living human being. The guilt would consume me, and every day I would ask how do I live with myself knowing I took someone away from this world."

Yuki believed there was a way to return a carded person to normal. However, it still doesn't erase the pain and guilt of erasing a person from existence and trapping them. It creates a scar that you'll have to bear for the rest of your life. That is known as a sin to others and a burden that most people carry with them forever.

"I apologize if I seemed harsh. You were just following your desire to be recognized, but it was directed at the wrong person, and now you're making amends for your actions toward those you may have hurt along the way," Yuki commented, giving a small smile.

Serena felt flustered when she saw Yuki's smile. It reminded her of how Akemi used to smile in the past. Her smile was so pure yet mischievous. Playful yet innocent. Serena was captivated by the smile as she turned her head and frowned. "You need to work on your phrasing, but thanks for the compliment."

Yuki thanked the Moonlight duelist. Yuzu smiled at the interaction and remembered the woman's words, specifically about a person's desire to hurt someone. She turned to Shingo, ready to reprimand him for what he'd done to her childhood friend but found out the boy had disappeared.

Just as Yuzu was about to go search for him, a hand prevented her from doing so. "I'll talk to that idiot. You stay here with Yuki and Yuya" Serena left the room, leaving Yuzu alone with Yuya and Yuki, as the former was occupied with his thoughts.

Although Yuya was in the room, Yuzu felt uncomfortable. She remembers the black-haired girl's words from the previous night. What Yuki said that night still lingered. Judging by her words alone, it seems like Yuki did want to be her friend but was always hesitant to act upon it because of her past. Which gave Yuzu a tinge of hope, but it still made her nervous. She couldn't converse with Yuya because he seemed preoccupied with what was bothering him and barely even noticed the tension in the room.

So she was stuck dealing with this issue on her own. Just as Yuzu was deciding whether to go ahead and speak to Yuki about their previous conversation, the black-haired girl had already decided for her.

"Yuzu... Can you come here for a moment?" Yuki requested, moving to the side and motioning Yuzu to sit next to her, which the girl did in a hurry.

"Yuzu. I'm not the type of person who'll sugarcoat my words when it comes to situations like this one, and it is because of this habit of mine that I have trouble making friends, especially when I say the wrong things sometimes," Yuki began as she looked into Yuzu's eyes. "What I'm trying to say is that while I do seem unapproachable. I am still someone you can talk to if you have something on your mind that's troubling you. Let me become your friend who you can talk to whenever things get too much to handle, just like before" Yuki grabbed Yuzu's hands and smiled. It wasn't like the smile the girl had worn previously. While there were some sharp edges, there was also a hint of softness in that smile.

"I will definitely remember that, and I'm sorry if I was pushy about what I said to you last night. I forgot that you still have scars from what Academia did to you and what happened to you recently. I'm sure you don't want to lose anyone else" Yuzu ducked her head with pink blush dusting her cheeks.

"Thank you for being considerate of my feelings, Yuzu. Regardless I still shouldn't have acted the way I did. For that, I apologize for how I behaved towards you and everyone else last night," Yuki apologized, bowing her head.

Yuzu waved her hand, telling her she wasn't offended in the slightest by what Yuki had said to her last night. In fact, it now confirmed Yuzu's suspicions of the feeling that Yuki gave off last night. The black-haired girl is both scared and worried. She is concerned about Yuzu's well-being and wants to be there for her. Still, she is also scared that something terrible might happen to her, just like with Ruri, Yuto, and Naomi. Yuki didn't want to repeat the cycle to repeat all over again.

The dual-colored pinkette released one of her hands from Yuki's grip. She patted the top of Yuki's head and returned her smile with one of her own.

"In that case, I will be counting on you if I have something I need to get off my chest like last time," Yuzu continued to pat Yuki's head. "Yuki... you can also talk to me if you ever need a shoulder to cry on or if you ever need a breather every once in a while. I'll have you know I am a very good listener when push comes to shove, and don't you ever forget that!"

The black-haired girl's cheeks became flushed. She wasn't used to being treated like a child, but she didn't mind this kind of treatment.

"Yes, I will be sure to remember that, Yuzu."

Before the girls could enjoy the moment, they heard a noise coming from behind them. The noise was revealed to be Yuya on the ground clenching his chest as sweat profoundly rolled down his face, which was scrunched up in pain.

Both girls immediately went to the boy's side and checked on him. When they touched him, both girls flinched at how hot his skin was. It was almost as if it could melt their hands off if they tried to touch him.

"Yuzu, go in the hallway closet and get the cooling pads. When you open the door, they will be on the third shelf to your right," Yuki ordered. Yuzu doesn't give her time to finish before taking off.

On the way, Yuzu briefly glanced at her bracelet, stunned that it was glowing at a time like this.

"Is it because Yuto is inside of Yuya? Or maybe it's like what happened with Yugo and Yuri during that time?" Yuzu theorized that she remembered the fear she had during the duel, significantly when it was amplified during the part where Yugo summoned his ace Monster—Clear Wing Synchro Dragon, and when Yuri called his ace—Starve Venom Fusion Dragon.

Yuzu absentmindedly ran her hands through her skin, remembering her pain during that time.

She still has scars from the encounter with Akemi. They heat up every now and then, causing her to feel uncomfortable every time she moves, preventing her from making any unnecessary movements. But right now, the pain she was in was nothing compared to the pain Yuya was going through.

When Yuzu finally found the hallway closet and what she'd been looking for, she rushed back to the Living Room. She saw Yuya clenching Yuki's hand in a tight grip. The black-haired girl didn't mind, but her furrowed brows told a different story. Yuzu walked toward the pair. She took a closer look at Yuki and saw her left arm was pulsing. Her face was sweating lightly and tensed from the pain where her birthmark was glowing.

"Are you okay, Yuki?" Yuzu placed her hand on the midnight black-haired girl's shoulder. Yuki nodded and used her free hand to wipe the sweat off her forehead. She patted Yuya's head to help with the pain Yuya must be feeling, but she soon immediately regretted her action when Yuya tightened his grip on her hand, nearly breaking her bones.

Yuzu opened the package, and just as she was about to place the cooling pad on Yuya's head, her bracelet shined along with Yuki's birthmark. The combined lights blind both girls from their intensity as they shut their eyes and back away from Yuya.

Yuya stirred in his sleep as his eyes suddenly shot open, and he sat up, scanning his surroundings. Yuya's eyes met with Yuzu's and Yuki's eyes as confusion swirled in his red orbs.

"What's wrong, Yuzu, Yuki? Why do you two look like you've seen a ghost?" The Entermate duelist questioned the stares directed at him.

Yuzu snapped out of her shock and shook her head. "O-Oh, it's nothing, right Yuki," she turned her head to the midnight-black-haired girl who was hesitant to dismiss what happened moments before.

Thankfully Yuya believed the two girls and stood up as he stretched his body. "I don't know why but I feel so much better than I did before. It was like I had an itch I had to get rid of," Yuya explained, why his shoulders felt so light. "Weird, right?"

"Yes. Very weird," Yuki mumbled. She absentmindedly rubbed her left arm. Just like last time, the pain became unbearable to her, but this time it spread throughout her entire body, causing her to tremble, sweat profusely, her heart to speed up, and finally made her have sharp migraines. Also, her vision was becoming obscured. If Yuzu had come a second later, Yuki would have passed out from the pain she was in.

"But why did this happen? The last time this happened was because Yuya-kun was in that state. Still, this time he seemed to be perfectly fine" Yuki recalled the first time she witnessed this phenomenon during Yuya's duel against Kachidoki when the former lost control of himself and summoned Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, winning the duel. The other time was during the Battle Royale when Yuya was in the same state, but he was more menacing than before and summoned Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon, also winning the duel against the Obelisk Force.

Both instances occurred whenever Yuya wasn't himself. But this time, he was himself. So why was this time different from the others?

Yuki sighed and crossed her arms. She will have to look more into this matter later on, but now she focuses on the current problem concerning Crow's and Shinji's imprisonment. Her gaze shifts to the room, noticing Serena still hasn't returned with Shingo. She couldn't help but wonder what was taking her so long?

_Tops Palace_Shimizu Villa_Garden_

Serena scanned the area and found a familiar face sitting on one of the benches. She walked towards the slumped figure and stood in front of him.

Serena has no idea how to comfort Shingo, but that doesn't mean she won't try.

"Oi idiot. What's wrong with you? Earlier, you stormed out after what Mizuki said. Did she also get to you too?" Serena questioned, getting straight to the point.

"Something like that," Shingo muttered, looking at his clenched fists. Serena huffed and sat down on the bench.

"What if I told you that I did something horrible to someone in the past because of my feelings towards them?"

Serena blinked. She thought about it for a moment before giving her a response.

"It wouldn't matter what you did in the past" Shingo looked at the Moonlight duelist. "What matters is what you do right now."

The Abyss Actor duelist was shaky, and he trembled, trying to find his voice. "I ruined someone's life because of my jealousy towards them. I had everything I wanted at my beck and call, but it wasn't what I wanted. What I truly wanted was familial love. I wanted to be recognized by everyone, especially my dad but at what cost of hurting someone who accepted the real me. No matter how much I wanted to make up for what I did to them, I don't think it would be enough," Shingo explained some more. Serena thought back for a moment when she felt jealous as well. It's an ugly emotion she doesn't like feeling, even if it is by a small amount.

"We are more alike than you think, Sawatari. There was a time I felt jealous towards someone because he could understand what my precious childhood friend was going through at the time," Serena revealed with a distant look plastered on her face.

Shingo was surprised he'd never seen Serena look so… lost. He didn't like it at all. From the short time he had known Serena, she had always been so headstrong and fierce, so seeing her so tame and even anxious didn't suit her.

"In turn, she was able to understand him, which caused them to grow closer while she and I grew further apart until that day happened when I lost her forever. I felt betrayed because she left me behind and frustrated at myself for letting it happen. I wonder what would have happened if I had just tried to understand her more."

Serena rests her cheek in her palm with her arm in her lap. She gave a bitter smile looking at the garden in front of her. The view reminded her of the greenhouse back at Academia. It brought back not-so-pleasant memories of the time. Whenever she and Yuri fought, Akemi would always laugh and force them to get along even when they didn't want to. Serena subtly noticed how Akemi's touches would linger on Yuri's shoulders and comfort him after their fights. At first, Serena didn't care about those touches but looking back on it now. Maybe she should've said something about those small actions. Perhaps if she did, maybe then things would be different for them. Maybe their relationship could have been different from what it was right now.

Serena felt another sigh leave her lips.

"If you're as stubborn as I think you are, then I know you will never give up on your friend, no matter how hopeless it might be to other people," Shingo said. Serena blinked and whipped her head in her comrade's direction. She was ready to snap but found herself speechless by Shingo's next words.

"How do I know? Because you're not the type of person who would let something like that stop you. Unlike me, you still have a chance to make things right. Even if you don't, then you will make a chance for you two to be friends again."

Serena blinked as she slowly processed Shingo's words. She knew that Shingo is right. Somewhere deep inside her heart, Serena never fully accepted how she and Akemi ended. That's why she kept chasing after her. Even if her friend didn't want to talk with her, that doesn't mean Serena will give up on her. Not now, not ever. Serena felt the corner of her lips tug, and she stood up, wiping her skirt. For some reason, she felt better than she did before.

"Sawatari... It's not wrong wanting everyone to recognize your strength. It shows you have potential waiting to be shown to the world," Serena advised, "and when you do, let me know, and I'll be there to support you."

The Moonlight duelist gave a sweet smile causing Shingo's cheeks to be flushed. He definitely didn't expect that at all. He coughed into his fist and stood up from his seat.

"Does it mean you'll always be by my side until that day comes?" Shingo asked. Serena raised an eyebrow, not understanding what Shingo meant by his statement, but regardless she nodded her head. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Of course, idiot. But just to let you know, you may have defeated me during our training sessions, but you won't get lucky the next time we fight. I intend to crush you with my full strength!" Serena declared. Shingo snorted and placed his hand over his chest as he gave a cheeky grin.

"Of course! After all, the one who remains standing on the court is the strongest! And fortunately for you, Serena, you just be happening to be looking at the strongest duelist among his generation!" Shingo boasted. Serena grinned as a competitive gleam twinkled in her green eyes.

"Then I'll be looking forward to our match, Sawatari..."

Soon after, the two returned to Living Room, where the others were waiting for them. Yuki and Yuzu raised their eyebrows at the pleasant atmosphere between the two duelists but decided not to comment.

Arata tapped his foot impatiently. Mizuki chastised him by punching Arata lightly across the shoulder.

"Now, since everyone is present. We can discuss our next course of action," Mizuki motioned to the table with blueprints in front of the group and a plate of cookies, pies, cakes, and glasses of tea. That Sawatari, Yuya, and Serena had no problem helping themselves to the snacks in front of them.

Yuzu felt embarrassed by her teammates' actions. Yuki laughed. The trio's actions slightly amused her. They reminded her of cute little animals eating their food, especially how their cheeks resembled a chipmunk. Mizuki shared the same sentiment as her daughter but to a lesser extent.

"Oh, how cute. Just like rodents," Mizuki complimented. The trio immediately stopped eating the food and was shocked by her choice of words.

"R-Rodents?!"

"H-How?"

"Cute?"

"Mizuki-san is right, excluding Serena. You two are acting like wild animals. At least act like you have some manners, you damn brats," Arata scolded harshly as Shingo and Yuya flinched at the malicious aura oozing from the black-haired man. Mizuki grabbed her husband's ear ignoring the painful yelp the man let out, apologizing for his actions.

"I told Arata about how you guys want to help your friends—Crow and Shinji break out of prison, along with not wanting to get Reira-chan involved, and he came up with this plan" Mizuki placed her finger on the blueprints on the table.

"Here are the blueprints of the Facility from each floor to the cells in each area. If Arata's hunch is correct, then your friends should be in this area where they keep prisoners they have just recently arrested locked in the same cell" Mizuki moved her finger to a different part of the map. The youths had their eyes on where Mizuki was pointing and were awed at the interior layer of the building. There were countless passageways and floors with many people judging from the blueprints below that it would seem impossible to break out.

"You five need to be extremely cautious about the guards and the security cameras in each area of the Facility, meaning every single movement you make will be watched by someone by the time you step foot in this place," Arata warned. "However, these guards can be bribed with rare cards, so you'll have the chance to receive some special privileges. Meaning the rarer the card, the more freedom you'll have in prison but be warned that if you happen to get caught, then no one will be able to save you. In that place, you are on your own," Arata glowered. The Junior Youths nodded at his warnings and glanced at the blueprints on the table. Serena pointed out an area that stood out to her.

"Why is this place labeled Women's Area?" Serena asked her finger on the spot on the other side of the Men's Facility. Mizuki glanced at the area and answered the Moonlight duelist's question.

"They separate the inmates based on gender to ensure no one would step out of line. Think of it as a precaution to ensure they won't try anything funny."

Serena seemed satisfied with the older woman's answer and continued to look through the blueprints with the others. "But the most important and the foundation of this plan is how will you five be able to enter the Facility to escape it?" Arata crossed his arms and leaned against his chair.

"Otou-sama, Yuzu, and I discussed this while Shingo and Serena were away and decided that it would be best to use Yuya-kun and me as bait to get captured. If the others are with us, then the five of us will get captured together," Yuki answered.

Arata frowned but didn't say anything. He's reluctant, but in the end, he has to accept that move is the best course of action to get this mission started.

"But don't worry, Otou-sama, we will be careful, and we will make sure that Reira-chan won't be involved," Yuki added, hoping to assure her father's worries.

All Yuki gets as a response is a nod. But it was enough for her.

"But the question is, how will we escape?" Yuya asked. "Judging by these blueprints alone, there are vents in different parts of the Facility that leads to outside, however. A large body of water separates the two islands from each other. Not including the huge road that leads to the place, so I take it we will be using one of these vents?"

"Good eye. Of course, you'll be taking the vents in the kitchen, which will lead to the deeper parts of the Facility but remember to take a left when you do because if you take a right, then you'll end up on the rooftop," Arata responded. "In the sewer parts of the Facility, there is an area where all the trash goes from the City to that place. But don't worry, that's just the lower layer. Along with Crow and Shinji, you five will be in the upper layer where a passageway leads to what the Commons call the Slums."

Yuzu scanned the blueprints one more time before a smile broke out. "Well, it looks like and sounds like we've got a secured escaped route! Don't worry about Reira. Yuki has already contacted Tsukikage regarding our location and informed him to meet in City Center to commence the operation!"

The young girl gripped her bear and nodded. The five Junior Youths nodded at each other. Their determined eyes shined through. Finally, they were ready to put their plan into action.

The group grabbed all their belongings and said their goodbyes to Arata and Mizuki, thanking them for their hospitality and help. Yuki motioned the others to go ahead without her. Everyone understood and went ahead, leaving the midnight black-haired girl with her parents.

Yuki gave a brittle smile. She doesn't have the right words for this kind of situation, but she doesn't need to since she already told her mother how she felt in the garden. However, unlike nine years ago, Yuki gives her parents the proper goodbye.

"Otou-sama, Okaa-sama. I will definitely come back. If you want to lend me your help once more, then I have no problems in the slightest. So what that being said. Thank you two for everything."

Yuki bowed her head, and when she straightened her back, she found herself enveloped in a pair of arms, embracing her tight. As if she would disappear if they were to let go of her. Yuki returned the embrace before leaving a gift for her father in his pocket and hugged her parents even tighter. Before forcing herself to release her hold, and waved goodbye to her parents and walked toward the others.

"Are you okay, Yuki?" Yuya asked.

Yuki nodded her head.

"Yes, Yuya-kun. I know I will see them again, but who knows what tomorrow will bring for us, so while I am worried that this might be the last time I'll ever see them." She briefly glanced back at her parents before a hand caught her attention.

"They feel the same way. But they know that they will see you again once all of this is over," Reira assured her older sister figure. It did the trick when Yuki relaxed and smiled. The older girl patted Reira on the head. The group proceeded to leave the estate but not before saying their goodbyes one last time. They head towards the City Center with their comrade waiting for them.

Arata looked at his daughter's retreating figure and held in his tears. He knew this would happen sooner, but he still couldn't help but feel emotional about her leaving again. He ran his fingers through his hair and ushered Mizuki into the house while rubbing her back to comfort her.

Arata sat Mizuki on the couch when he knew she was on the verge of crying. He then offered to fix her his special tea blend to ease her pain. Just when he was about to enter the kitchen, he felt something in his back pocket and took it out, only for him to look at it in surprise.

"This deck," Arata mumbled, clenching the deck, and soon the memories of when he used this deck all came flooding back to him. He wondered why would his deck come back to him after he had given it to his daughter... Suddenly Arata remembered Yuki's words before her departure.

"If you want to lend me your help once more, then I have no problems in the slightest."

Arata gripped the deck hard when he came to a realization. He firmly nodded, understanding what his daughter was trying to tell him. She was going to need his help. Even if Yuki didn't explicitly mention why she would still need his help, Arata had an idea that it had something to do with the war. If his hunch is wrong, he will still help his daughter no matter where he is.

This time he will be there to help his daughter.

_Afternoon_City Center_

Yuya and the others arrived in the City Center, scanning their surroundings to locate Tsukikage.

"What's taking Tsukikage so long?!"Shingo whipped his head towards Yuki. "You did inform him we're coming to meet with him, right?"

The midnight black-haired girl stared at him and sighed. "Yes. I did, but I remembered he is the type to remain hidden from the public's eye to avoid any unwanted attention drawn to him. Be patient. I'm sure Tsukikage-san understands the importance of our mission and knows that we are on a tight schedule."

As soon as Yuki said those words, a flash of blue quickly appeared and disappeared in a blink of an eye, leaving the group in disarray when they saw Reira missing. Serena calmed the others to assure them that Tsukikage must've taken Reira to where Reiji was.

"I'm glad. I thought Reira-chan had been taken away by ghosts, never to be seen again, and trapped in the unknown until we found a way to free her," Yuki commented, ignoring the stares.

"Don't say such scary things!" Shingo screeched, shaking.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but Sawatari is right! Stop being so scary, Yuki!" Yuzu joined in shivering. However, Serena was unaffected and was confused by Shingo's and Yuzu's reactions.

What Yuki had said was pretty much tame in comparison to what she had heard before. Serena rolled her eyes and huffed in annoyance. "Cowards."

While the others were too wrapped in their antics, Yuya covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. What Yuki had just said reminded him of Naomi whenever she would write morbid words on her notebook because it was the first thing that came to mind, much to Yuzu's dismay.

Just thinking about Naomi made Yuya frown. Yuya knew Naomi was safe with Yugo and Haru, but he couldn't help but feel unease. He knew the reason behind his uneasiness was because he was separated from Naomi. To Yuya, it felt unnatural.

The Entermate duelist ran his fingers through his hair and let out a shaky breath to cool down his nerves. Now wasn't the time to be getting second thoughts. He has a mission to do.

"Come on, everyone. Now that we know Reira is safe with Reiji, we can proceed with the next phase of our operation," Serena announced. "Remember, failure is unacceptable!"

Yuzu regained her composure and slapped her cheeks. "Serena's right. Yuki and Yuya, we are counting on you two to get arrested." She suddenly cringed at her wording and didn't have time to correct herself, but the pair cut her off as they understood what she was trying to say.

With that, Yuya and Yuki walked around the City area, chatting about various topics they could think of as they headed towards the Slums area. Yuki briefly glanced back and saw a Sector Security trailing behind them, watching their every move.

"They're too obvious. Does Sector Security really believe we don't see them following us?" Yuki drawled, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. Yuya chuckled at her tone and leaned in her direction, lowering his voice.

"Maybe they aren't used to people actually noticing them in plain sight. Besides, people usually tend to overlook certain things in front of their eyes."

Yuki chuckled lowly and knew Yuya had a compelling point. Sometimes, she accidentally overlooked certain places before her despite having good eyesight.

"Well then, that's all the more reason to keep a close eye on them, right? Who knows when they'll jump out and attack us?" True to Yuki's words, Sector Security sprung from their spots and surrounded the duo, all armed with their duel monsters blocking each escape path.

"WE HAVE YOU TWO SURROUNDED! NOW SURRENDER QUIETLY AND DO NOT TRY TO RESIST!"

Yuya and Yuki shot a glance at each other and nodded. They put their hands up in a surrendering fashion, and before they knew it, they were being thrown into the back of Sector Security's van with glowing red handcuffs on their wrists. The door behind them slammed shut, and various male voices could be heard from the other side of the door. However, the two captured duelists sat down next to each other and smiled.

"It's ShowTime!"

Meanwhile, Yuzu, Serena, and Shingo watched their friends taken in the back of the Sector Security van from a secluded street corner. The trio nodded at each other and waited to do their part of the plan.

Yuzu took the blueprints from her pockets and placed them to show the others. "Originally, they were supposed to get captured at a different location, but that's okay since we expected something like this would happen. Fortunately for us, we are near one of the routes that lead to the Facility."

Yuzu gathered the blueprints and led the others to a maintenance hole not too far from their location. Shingo covered his nose from the wrenching smell coming from below and forced himself not to vomit.

"Disgusting! Absolutely disgusting!" Shingo muttered, climbing down the ladder, trying his hardest not to breathe in the revolting stench coming from below.

"Suck it up, Sawatari!"

"I can't help it! It really stinks down here!"

"I know that, but you don't see me complaining!" Yuzu snapped, holding her nose. In her other hand was her duel disk being used as a flashlight. "The quicker we leave this place, the quicker we can get to the Facility in time before the sun sets!"

The trio ventured through the depths scanning the area fearlessly despite encountering different non-mentionable animals in their paths. Regardless they still carried on with their mission.

Eventually, they managed to get to where they needed to be but were met with a wall blocking their path literally.

"They must have known about this place for a long time to create precautions to ensure no one else can escape or enter the Facility," Serena concluded, placing her hands on the wall. "However, judging by how sturdy the wall is and the decomposition of the stone, then..."

Serena pulled back both hands, turning them into fists, and took a deep breath to gather her strength towards her core. She smashed her fists against the wall, immediately creating small cracks within the stone. Soon, the cracks on the wall started to align with one another, forming huge cracks that eventually crumbled from the pressure. Soon enough, the wall collapsed, leaving small rocks in its wake.

Serena released the breath she'd held in and wiped her hands, ignoring the stunned looks behind her. She turned around slightly, tilting her head towards the shocked pair, wondering why were they staring at her?

"Th-That was amazing, Serena... I'm honestly speechless," Yuzu stuttered.

Serena shrugged, relaxing her hand "it was nothing. Since I wasn't a regular student, thanks to Leo Akaba, I was admitted to a special program to work on my physical strength to defend myself against people bigger than me. At first, I thought it was a waste of time, but eventually, I enjoyed it, especially when I used those sessions as a way to work out my… issues I had at the time."

Yuzu decided it was a good idea to drop the matter when she detected a trace of underlying fury in her counterpart's words. She turned her head towards Shingo and couldn't believe her eyes. Was that a faint blush she saw on Shingo's cheeks?!

Yuzu rubbed her eyes, and when she opened them, the blush remained on the Abyss Actor's cheeks. Yuzu couldn't believe her eyes at what she was witnessing but soon snapped out of her trance.

"I don't have time for this! I'll have to wait when we're not on a time-limit mission to tell him what I wanted to say back in Yuki's house" Yuzu slapped her cheeks lightly and proceeded to move on ahead.

Moving on the path they were headed, the Melodious duelist glanced at the map once more and led the others to a different area from before, only this time, they heard noises heading towards their direction.

"Wait a minute, this that what I think it is…?" Shingo asked instinctively, taking a step back. His suspicions were confirmed by the sound of rushing water coming from the end of the tunnel he and the others were standing on.

The trio paled at the sight of a large body of water heading in their direction, and they ran as fast as they could with Shingo in the front. He saw from the corner of his eye a flight of grab bars.

"This way!" Shingo shouted, sprinting, grabbing onto one of the bars, and quickly climbing up the bars. He looked down and sighed with relief when he saw Serena and Yuzu holding on to the bars as well to prevent them from being swept away by the rushing water.

The Abyss Actor duelist saw a small passageway across from the corner of his eye from where the bars were. It made him curious since the small passage wasn't on the map. "Hey Yuzu, there's a small passage just to the right of us. Shouldn't we take it to avoid getting into other accidents while we're down here?" Shingo advised. The pinkette started to consider his words and knew that Shingo had a point. If they want to make it to the Facility in one piece, then it would be best for them to take the safest route.

"You do have a point there, Sawatari. Let's hope this tunnel leads us to where we need to be," Yuzu said. The trio climbed the grab bars and perched on the passageway's ledge before proceeding into the small tunnel.

The pinkette looked at the map and sighed with relief when she saw she and the others were still on the right track. If everything goes according to plan, they should arrive in approximately one hour.

With those calculations in mind, Yuzu hoped that Yuya and Yuki didn't mind waiting a bit longer for help, didn't get into any trouble, and were alright.

_Late Afternoon_The Facility_

Yuya and Yuki arrived at the Facility and were split up. Whether they were split up due to gender or any other circumstances, they'd already expected this would happen and just let themselves be led to their separate ways without causing a fuss as they briefly nodded at each other.

Yuki was taken into a room with a medium-sized refrigerator, a coffee machine, and a big TV screen on a large-sized stand across from the bed. She glanced at the camera in the upper right of the room.

Yuki sat on the bed and looked at the decks in her hands. "Even though this is a jail room, it looks quite friendly."

Yuki raised an eyebrow at the tv and the coffee machine. "I have to ask, what's the purpose of the coffee machine and the television?" Yuki asked. Despite her words, Yuki stood up, walked toward the devices, and frowned.

"I know it's not the right time to ask this, but do they have any tea here?" Yuki opened the refrigerator and beamed when she found what she was looking for. Yuki looked at the coffee machine and became perplexed by the function of the device.

"I've never made tea this way before, so I hope it turns out well…" Yuki started the preparations. She felt something poke her arm as she waited for the tea to finish brewing. She gazed down and smiled at her duel spirit No.63: O-Shamoji Solider staring at her.

"Fufu… The answer is no, Shamoji, and I won't change my mind no matter how much you beg me," Yuki replied with a teasing smile. O-Shamoji Solider made a distraught face and brought out its chopsticks to poke Yuki again. The midnight black-haired girl dismissed the assault with a wave of her and heard the timer ringing alerting her that her drink was finished.

Yuki poured the contents into a mug and enjoyed the calming taste of the warm tea. She looked at O-Shamoji Solider again and rested her cheek against her hand. "Are you still upset over the fact that I refused to share my tea with you?" Yuki asked. "Or maybe you're upset about me returning my Blue-Eyes deck to their rightful owner?"

Yuki knew she had hit her mark when her duel spirit frown deepened. She then pulled O-Shamoji Solider into a hug, hearing protests to be released. "Shamoji, they wanted to be reunited with Otou-sama and used properly in battle. I have to admit it did hurt having to let them go, but I think it's better this way rather than ignoring their wishes. The same goes for you and the others. I don't want you to feel like you're forced to be with me. If you want to be free and happy somewhere else, then you have my blessing to go."

Yuki jumped when she felt a scaled claw on her head. She glanced up and saw her ace monster staring down at her, and not just him but all of her monsters appeared as well.

"Yuki, you don't have to worry about any of us leaving you. I swear we will be by your side even if time were to stop one day or even if the world ceases to exist. We will always be with you," Thunder End Dragon vowed. Every monster agreed with his words.

"We love you so much, Yuki/Yuki-sama/Yuki-dono!"

"Um! We love you so much that we gave you the ability to teleport!"

Cold silence filled the room in response to Dark Magician Girl's words as the female magician suddenly realized her slip-up and tried to fix her mistake. "Wh-What I meant to say was we created new cards for you" Dark Magician Girl's eyes shifted, not wanting to meet anyone's eyes at the moment.

"…What?" Yuki asked in a curious tone. There wasn't a hint of anger in them. She was genuinely curious about what Dark Magician Girl had said. "The ability to teleport?"

Yuki recalled the three previous times she did teleport. The first instance was when leaving the Synchro Dimension when she was five years old, and the second time was when she arrived in the Standard Dimension a couple of weeks ago before meeting Shingo and Yuzu, and the third time happened after her duel with Shingo. "I see."

"So you guys are the reason why I gained the ability to teleport. But how is that possible?" Yuki questioned, shifting her gaze down at the strange mark on her left forearm. Strange enough, she always had this mark on her forearm, but it soon became visible around the age of nine. Yuki wanted to know the reason why she was gifted with this strange mark in the first place.

The duel monsters looked conflicted with Yuki's question. As much as they wanted to answer her question, they couldn't, not because of the rules but it was because of something else. They turned to see Thunder End Dragon's stance on the matter. Just like them, he was conflicted but knew it was time for his master to know the truth about her birthmark.

"Yuki, your birthmark and your lookalikes' birthmark were created by Horakhty, the Creator God of Light, by using the powers of the Egyptian Gods— The Giant Divine Soldier of Obelisk, The Winged Divine Dragon of Ra, and The Sky Dragon of Osiris. She used those three because they represent the strongest manifestation of duel monsters' wills in a positive sense."

Yuki processed the information and was surprised by what she had just heard. "But I thought the Egyptian God Cards were just a legend since no one has ever heard of them?! And Horakhty is, in my terms, a mother or a God to all of you since she is the Creator God of not only you guys but to these Egyptian Gods as well!"

Her master's words amused Pure Maiden. "The reason why you never heard of them is because the Xyz Dimension has no record of the Egyptian Gods ever existing due to the method used to summon them. If I were to guess, I believe that the Standard Dimension has information about them since they need tributes to be summoned," Pure Maiden explained in more detail.

"However, Yuki, to prevent your birthmark from being affected by negative forces, Horakhty also used the powers of her counterpart, the leader of the Three Phantasms, the Chaos Phantasm Armityle, since that monster is a strong representation of duel monsters' wills in a negative sense. So by using her along with Raviel, Lord of Phantasms, Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder, and finally Uria, Lord of Divine Flames, and by fusing these eight powers, created a mark that abides by the wishes of the possessor. It's up to that person if they want to destroy or save the world," Thunder End Dragon finished.

"Literally like a double-edged sword," Yuki muttered. "No wonder this strange mark is powerful because it was created using the powers of light and darkness."

"Which is why I'm going to need your help to fully utilize the gift you and the others have given me. Especially now since I've learned I could potentially destroy the world if I were to use this power carelessly" Yuki gave her duel monsters a closed-eyed smile and raised her hand. "So, with that being said, will you teach me how to teleport to prevent my body from tearing apart?"

Hearing various cheers coming from her duel monsters, Yuki laughed and turned to look at Thunder End Dragon's grin but noticed how it was forced. She felt that her ace monster either left out an important detail or didn't tell her the whole story about her birthmark but ultimately decided to drop the matter when she remembered the conflicted look the dragon wore. So instead, she decided to focus on O-Shamoji Solider, who'd disappeared. She looked around the room and found no trace of the peculiarly shaped duel spirit anywhere. Yuki instantly remembered that this wasn't the first time her duel spirit left to do whatever it pleased, and whenever that happened, they always returned to her. She returned to her thoughts concerning her birthmark, specifically its negative portion.

"Whenever I gave into my rage, there would be these thoughts telling me to defeat my enemy, even if it meant killing them. It was bone chilling and frightening to hear such thoughts, let alone give into them," Yuki pondered, furrowing her eyebrows. "But as long as I keep calm and remember my loved ones, then I won't give into the darkness however, what really concerns me is the strange phenomenon whenever Yuya-kun is in that state. Is my birthmark's negative portion reacting to the dark shadow that lies within Yuya-kun? If so, why? The only reason this phenomenon even occurred was due to Yuto-kun being absorbed into Yuya-kun, no perhaps it did happen again but just on a lower frequency. So whenever someone with Yuto-kun's face appeared, and they so happened to summon their ace monster that represents their corresponding dimension, then the pulse gets stronger each time. Since Yuto-kun is inside of Yuya-kun, the pulse became even stronger since it would mean Yuya-kun and Yuto-kun combined into one. I also have to consider that my birthmark and others were created using Horakhty, Egyptian Gods, Armityle, and Three Phantasms."

Yuki's hands became clammy, and she trembled in her spot. She was almost too afraid to continue her thoughts about the matter, but she didn't want to push this matter away any longer. "Which would mean before the merge even happened, my birthmark reacted to Yuto-kun's rage when he encountered Yugo in Heartland. But it wasn't painful as it is now, but even so, a tiny portion caused a reaction that is terrifying, to say the least. Then what happened at the Battle Royale is likely because the shadow inside of Yuya-kun at the time resonated with the dark powers of Three Phantasms and Armityle and possibly even before we left my house, before the Battle Royale, and before Yuya-kun's match against Kachidoki. Which brings up these questions?…."

"Has the shadow been inside of Yuto-kun and Yuya-kun this whole time? If that's the case, then who exactly is this shadow?"

Just moments before Yuki entered her room in another area of the Facility Yuya was pushed into a shared cell as he scanned the room and found the two duelists he was here for.

"Crow! Shinji!"

The Black Feather and the Bee Force duelist were surprised by Yuya and wondered what was he doing here? The Entermate duelists smiled sheepishly and told the duo how he got here. When he was finished, he was met with surprised faces coming from Crow and Shinji as the former face contorted to rage and put Yuya in a chokehold.

"You cheeky brat! It's not your appearances that's similar, but it's your recklessness as well!" Crow growled, grinding his knuckle against Yuya's temple. "Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if you and Yugo were actually long-lost siblings!"

"Ouch! That hurts Crow!"

"It's supposed to hurt! The only way I can get you to stop being reckless is by drilling it into your skull!"

Watching the two specifically at Yuya, Shinji was in complete disbelief. Why would Yuya go that far for someone he'd just met in a day? It didn't make sense to him.

"Why..?" Shinji said in utter shock. "Why would you go that far for us? We had only just met yesterday, and if you're trying to pay us back for rescuing you from Sector Security, then—"

"Yes, that's partially true, but the main reason we wanted to help you is because the others and I felt responsible for getting you and Crow arrested in the first place," Yuya replied. "When we heard from Naomi about your situation, we knew we had to do something to get you out, even if it meant being arrested."

By hearing Yuya's response, Shinji was completely stunned. He was found speechless. At first, Shinji didn't trust Yuya and his friends and became cautious of them. He didn't want Yuya and the others to drag Crow and the kids into whatever they'd gotten themselves into. But ironically, now they're the ones who dragged them into their mess.

Crow grinned at his childhood friend's reaction, and just as he was about to comment on it. A loud voice interrupted him.

"YUYA! I AM DEEPLY MOVED BY YOUR SELFLESS ACTIONS, AS EXPECTED OF MY BEST FRIEND!"

Suddenly, Yuya was pulled into a bone-crushing hug as he looked at the person holding in a death grip. "Ngh! Gongenzaka! What are you doing here?"

"I can answer your question, Yuya."

Another familiar voice was revealed, Dennis, who walked towards the group with his signature grin. The Entermage duelist then told the group about how after he and Gongenzaka dueled, they were scouted by a promoter named Gallager, who took them to an Underground Dueling Area where they met Shun. Dennis continued going into details about how he challenged Shun to a duel, only for the riding duel to be interrupted by Sector Security storming the Area, thus leading them to be arrested and placed in the Facility.

"And before you ask, Kurosaki managed to cause trouble on his first day by fighting ten other prisoners and was sent to solitary confinement," Dennis added.

"While Gon-chan became the mini-boss by helping these two gentlemen when things were starting to get a little out of control and not wanting him to take all of the spotlights, I also offered my help as well."

"By using your cards," Yuya interrupted, causing Gongenzaka to grimace. Yuya reassured his childhood friend that he wasn't mad at him. "You did it to help someone in need. Because of how this prison works, you were forced to use your cards as payment."

"But as much as I want to change this system, we don't have any time to waste here" Yuya was freed from Gongenzaka's hold. "If everything goes as planned, then we have a chance for a grand surprise."

Dennis understood what Yuya was trying to say and snapped his fingers, his expression full of awe. "Ah, I see..! Amazing Yuya!"

"Well, Yuki's parents helped us out greatly when we told them. Honestly, despite how frightening Arata-san was, he's actually a nice guy" Yuya chose his words carefully, not wanting to gain unnecessary attention from the other inmates and prison guards.

"Yuki? Oh! You mean the girl who kept smiling eerily when you guys stayed at my place," Crow perked up.

"To think you've met the girl's parents you've kept eyeing. I have to say I'm impressed Yuya" Crow teased as he grinned at Yuya's reaction finding it so fun to tease.

"HUH?! It's not like that! I was just worried about her, that's all!" Yuya stuttered, trying to cool down his blushing cheeks. But it was futile, judging from the look Crow and Dennis gave him.

"To think you would like someone who's already in a relationship?! Yuya, you sly dog!" Dennis mischievously grinned.

"Now that you've mentioned it, Shimizu kissed Yuya's forehead during the Battle Royale" Gongenzaka said. "The only reason why I didn't question her actions is because I initially thought she was Naomi at the time and because you didn't push her away when you were possessed. But to think you would court someone else when you already have someone you like is disrespectful to Shimizu."

The Steadfast Duelist shook his head and crossed his arms.

Yuya's face flushed a dark shade of red. Before he could stop himself, he yelled. "That's exactly why I didn't push her away because she looked like Naomi!"

Realizing what Yuya just yelled out, he slapped his hands over his mouth. He looked away from the others, knowing full well the looks on their faces. Crow and Dennis both had shit-eating grins plastered across their faces holding in their laughter.

"Is that so~"

"Don't worry, Yuya. I'll keep your little crush a secret."

Yuya slammed his burning face into his hands and whined. Fortunately for him, a bell rang, indicating dinner time, ceasing all teasing. Shinji motioned the others to follow him, Crow and Dennis exchanged looks like they wanted to continue their teasing, and Gongenzaka shot them a look, effectively shutting their next words down. Their words died down, but they still had teasing grins on their faces.

Unbeknownst to the group, a peculiarly shaped duel spirit watched the group from the sidelines. Well, it didn't matter since other people couldn't see them anyway, but they still wanted to ensure they were hidden from sight. O-Shamoji Solider followed the group into the Canteen and scrunched their face in displeasure when they witnessed other inmates bullying Yuya and the others. They let out a snarl and threw their chopsticks, stabbing three to four inmates in either their hands or feet, especially the inmate who attempted to try to trip Yuya.

They smirked proudly at their work and kept their weapons in their hands just in case they had to stab another inmate in their hands or, preferably, their eyes.

O-Shamoji Solider followed the group even as they were forced to clean the bathrooms. Eventually, sometime after cleaning, the Lancers and co were called out by a guard who took them to a lavish room with a man sitting on top of a large object covered in a tarp, which made the odd-shaped duel spirit curious but not enough to explore the container.

They decided to return to Yuki when it seemed Yuya and the others were no longer in danger, but just as they were about to leave, they heard the guards muttering to each other.

"Did you hear the news?"

"What news?"

"You know the one about Director Roget coming to visit the girl in the special confinement either tonight or early in the morning? You know, the one who talks to herself."

"Oh yeah, should we let Chief Takasu know about the news, or is he busy stuffing his face to even care?"

"He already knows, but he says he's going to be busy catching some rats, whatever that means."

O-Shamoji Solider tuned out the rest of the guards' conversation and rose an eyebrow at the last phrase. They wondered if the men could be talking about Yuzu and the others in the sewers. If so, they needed to head over there to help them out.

They won't let Yuki lose any more people she cares about. Not if they have anything to say about it. With that, the duel spirit disappeared.

_Early Evening_Facility's Sewers_

Yuzu, Serena, and Shingo finally managed to get out of the Commons Slums' sewers area and found themselves to be in a different area. Serena scanned the area and saw three different tunnels. She remembered this area was divided into sections that led into the Facility.

"We should split up to cover more ground," Serena suggested. "It would be better since it seems there might be cameras detecting our movements, so at the very least, one of us will be caught on camera while the others can sneak past and head to where Yuya and Yuki might be locked up."

Yuzu chewed her lower lip at Serena's plan and nodded her head. While she was worried about Serena, she knew her counterpart could hold her own from what she'd seen earlier and during the Battle Royale. "Yeah, you do have a point. Just remember what we have to do, and let's not waste anymore time rescuing our friends."

Serena and Shingo nodded. The trio went into the three tunnels, each one taking a different path from the others.

Yuzu took the tunnel from the far left. She felt something in her pocket, revealing it to be a small handheld device with a red button in the middle. She looked confused as to why she would have something like this in the first place but pushed those thoughts aside and placed the device back in her pocket. When Yuzu took a sharp turn to the left, she encountered men wearing black and red colored armor all in a pile. They seemed to be unconscious. Yuzu decided not to question it, especially when she saw a chopstick in one of the armored man's red goggles. She took off and saw a ladder leading up to the next floor, but Yuzu looked at the ventilation shaft.

If she remembered correctly, the ventilation shaft led to the Woman's Side of the Facility meaning Yuki should be in one of these cells in that area waiting for her. Nodding in determination, Yuzu began her path and started to climb.

Back to where Shingo was, he took the tunnel in the middle and saw a pathway leading upwards.

He grinned and took the pathway, and along the way, he questioned why wasn't there a single guard in this area? It felt off to him that there wasn't anyone patrolling this area. He quickly shrugged off his paranoia and proceeded to head up the pathway. If only Shingo had paid attention to his instincts, he would've seen the bruised and battered bodies of Arrest Corps in different places where he was and a strange-shaped duel spirit brandishing their chopsticks.

Meanwhile, Serena, after jumping through all the large iron pipes and making multiple turns, finally made it to the upper part of the underground area and was in to be some kind of control room.

She saw images displayed in different parts of the Facility and saw Yuki in a room, Shingo emerging from a toilet which she grimaced in disgust, Yuya with Crow and Shinji along with Gongenzaka and Dennis, and Shun sitting in solitary confinement. But out of all the images displayed, one screen wasn't shown.

Before Serena could question the strange occurrence, she turned around with her duel disk activated. Standing across from Serena was Chief Takasu sporting a disgusting face, almost as if he was staring at a rat.

"Well, looks like I finally caught one of these vermin trying to escape my Facility. I don't know how you got past the Arrest Corps, but you're gonna wish you hadn't!" Chief Takasu activated his duel disk, and suddenly a red cord shot out, attaching itself to Serena's duel disk, forcing it to activate and causing Serena to click her tongue.

"Here I was trying to avoid being caught, but as I thought, sneaking around like this doesn't suit me at all" Serena muttered, getting into a defensive stance.

"DUEL!"

Serena vs Takasu; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each

Turn 1

H:5

"I will take the first turn!" Serena shouted before Takasu had the chance.

"I summon Moonlight Emerald Bird," An emerald-skinned color girl wearing gymnastics clothing with moon designs on it and wings on her arms.

Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 1000

"When Emerald Bird is summoned, I can send one Moonlight Monster from my hand to my Graveyard to draw one card. I send Yellow Marten via this effect, whose effects activate when it's in the Graveyard. I can add a Moonlight Spell or Trap Card from my deck to my hand" Serena drew her card and added a card to her hand.

"I activate Yellow Marten's other effect to bring Emerald Bird back to my hand to Special Summon this card from my Graveyard in Defense Position. However, when it leaves the field, it is banished," Serena explained as replacing the bird monster was a yellow-skinned girl with marten-like attributes.

Dark/Level 4/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 800/DEF 2000

"Now I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse Moonlight Black Sheep and Moonlight Emerald Bird!" Serena shouted, her two monsters fused in a spiral.

"The beast lurking in jet black darkness! The bird flying in the green wilderness! Swarm in a vortex of moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! The beautiful wild beast dancing under the moonlight! Moonlight Cat Dancer!"

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

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

"Because of Black Sheep's effect when it's used as Fusion Material returns to my hand. I set two cards face-down and end my turn," Serena concluded her turn.

"A monster with 2400 ATK and two set cards. I wonder what those cards could be?" Takasu commented, eyes glancing at the camera behind Serena before returning to his hand.

"My turn! Draw," Takasu announced, placing his drawn card in his hand.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Level Limit - Area B' now all Level 4 or higher monsters are changed to Defense Position" Takasu activated a card. Soon Cat Dancer was forced to crouch down next to Yellow Marten.

"Next, I activate two more Continuous Spell Card called 'Poison Chain' and 'Paralyzing Chain.' Next, I summon Chain Coil."

A small yellow machine with orange gloves on its hands joined the field.

Earth/Level 3/Machine/Tuner/Effect/ATK 1100/DEF 1600

"As long as this card is on the field, a Chain Monster I control gains 300 ATK and DEF. Of course, I choose to have Chain Coil gain 300 ATK and DEF" Takasu revealed his monster powers up its ATK and DEF to 1400 and 1900.

"I set two cards face down and end my turn" Takasu smirked at Serena's confused face. "Now Poison Chain's effect activates! Since I didn't declare an attack this turn, you have to send each card from your Deck to your Graveyard for every Chain monster I control, and since I only control one, you get to send one card to your Graveyard."

Serena clicked her tongue and reluctantly sent her card to the Graveyard slot. That's when she felt a course of electricity electrocute her. Serena gasped in pain, confused by the sensation she had just felt.

Serena:4000-300=3700 LP

"Oh, I forgot to tell you that every time you lose your LP, you get a little shock but don't worry, the same rule applies to me as well," Takasu said. Serena rolled her eyes at the man's obvious lie. It wasn't just that Serena noticed how he looked at the cameras behind her just before he glanced down at his cards.

"I'm guessing that your Paralyzing Chain's effect inflicts 300 damage whenever a card I control is sent to the Graveyard, correct" Serena shook the dust off her jacket as she relished the shocked expression Takasu wore across his visage. "I have a friend who used the same card with a different lockdown strategy to inflict damage to my Lifepoints. However, instead of wasting my time trying to shut me down gradually, she would inflict major damage onto me in two turns, but I will commend you for at least trying to be a challenge."

Serena inwardly smirked when she saw a vein exploding on her opponent's forehead.

"You fuckin' brat! Don't look down on me just because the Director has his eyes on you," Takasu snarled. Serena arched an eyebrow at his words.

"The Director?" Serena muttered. "Does he mean Jean-Michel Roget? But what does he want with me?"

Serena clicked her tongue, trying to rack her brain over why Roget would keep his eyes on her. She came up with different reasons, but since she had no other information to back up her findings, she had to dismiss each one.

"Whatever. It's my turn," Serena announced, drawing her card.

Turn 3

H:2-3

Serena briefly turned her head to glance at the beeping camera directed at her. She frowned and turned back to the set cards on her field.

"I know two of his set cards had to do with the ones on my field. Even so, I will overcome this challenge! So my next move will be..!" Serena revealed her drawn card.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Moonlight Hunt' since I control a Moonlight Monster. I can inflict damage to you equal to that monster's ATK. I choose Cat Dancer. Therefore, you take 2400 damage!" Serena yelled out. Cat Dancer smirked as she threw her twin daggers toward Takasu, inflicting major damage onto him. The man winced from the real-life damage he took but was relieved he didn't feel any electricity shocking him.

Takasu:4000-2400=1600 LP

"That's not all! I'm allowed to add a Spell Card with Fusion in its name. I will add the Spell Card 'Gift of Fusion' and activate it!" Serena slammed her added card on her duel disk. Suddenly there was a beam of light that destroyed the feline monster.

"Due to Gift of Fusion's effect, by destroying Cat Dancer, I can destroy Spell and Trap Cards equal to the Fusion Materials used to summon Cat Dancer. I used two therefore, I destroy Level Limit - Area B and Paralyzing Chain!" Serena explained a specter of Cat Dancer shot from the Graveyard and destroyed the two cards on the field.

"Because Cat Dancer was destroyed, I activate the Trap Card—"

"Not so fast! At this moment, I activate the Continuous Trap Card 'Chain Burst' now, whenever we each activate a Trap Card, we each take 1000 damage," Takasu revealed. Serena wasn't fazed about what she had just heard.

"Doesn't matter! Like I said before, I was interrupted. I activate the Trap Card 'Moonlight Reincarnation Dance' to add the Tuner Monster Moonlight White Mouse and Moonlight Brown Squirrel!"

Serena added her cards to her hand and flinched at the damage she took from the Continuous Trap Card's effect. In addition, shockwaves pierced her nerves, but Serena stood her ground.

Serena:3700-1000=2700 LP

"This pain is nothing compared to my training in Academia. I summon Moonlight Brown Squirrel" Serena panted. A brown-skinned girl sporting squirrel-like features jumped on the field.

Dark/Level 3/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1400

"Brown Squirrel's effect allows me to perform a Fusion Summon by using monsters I control or in my hand as Fusion Materials, including itself! So I fuse Brown Squirrel, Black Sheep, and Yellow Marten!" Serena chanted as her three monsters swirled into a vortex.

"The beast lurking in jet black darkness! Agile creature jumping in the brown darkness! The marten leaping across the darkness! Swarm in a vortex of moon's gravity and revive with a new power! Fusion Summon! Powerful beast dancing in the moonlight fields! Moonlight Sabre Dancer!"

A mature feline monster wearing a black and hot pink dancer's outfit with golden accessories wielding twin swords in her hands.

Dark/Level 9/Beast-Warrior/Fusion/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2600

"Heh. I activate my Trap Card 'Pitfall of Naraka' to destroy Sabre Dancer and banish it from the field," Takasu shouted, activating his set card. A hole was underneath Sabre Dancer. The monster fell into the hole and was disintegrated into particles. Takasu winced at the damage he took, but it didn't erase the joy he felt.

Takasu:1600-1000=600 LP

Takasu laughed manically about Serena losing her monster and immediately thought that she was done for. But the look on Serena's face told a different story.

"Too bad for you... I already expected you to have something like that, so I prepared ahead of time!" Serena declared, pressing a button on her duel disk.

"I banish Brown Squirrel from my Graveyard to Special Summon Cat Dancer from my Graveyard!"

Moonlight Cat Dancer jumped from the portal, performing her signature dance while striking a pose. All joy ceased from Takasu's face, and now it was Serena's turn to smile.

"Battle! Moonlight Cat Dancer destroys Chain Coil! Full Moon Cresta!"

Serena immediately went into her Battle Phase, not wasting any more time, and flipped over her last set card on her field.

"Trap Activate! 'Moonlight Waltz' now Cat Dancer gains 1000 ATK until the End Phase!" Serena winced at the damage she took from Chain's Burst's effect and proceeded with her attack.

Serena:2700-1000=1700 LP

Cat Dancer emitted a blue aura as she smiled coyly and blasted a yellow moon-shape beam towards the small machine monster obliterating it in a matter of minutes. Takasu flew back from the shockwaves and landed harshly on his back, rendering him unconscious.

Takasu:600-2000=0 LP

Serena deactivated her duel disk and left the video surveillance room.

"I could have won using another method, but I guess I'm still a bit reluctant about using other summoning methods besides Fusion," Serena said and took a sharp left turn.

Meanwhile, near the special confinement cell, O-Shamoji Solider returned to Yuki and placed themselves on her lap.

"Good job for your hard work," Yuki praised, giving the duel spirit a soft smile. She hummed when she heard the duel spirit give her a brief report on the current situation regarding the others.

"Oh my, I hoped you didn't cause any brain damage to those foolish souls who tried to hurt my friends. If so, we should expect some hostility from ghosts who want to break our spinal cords or even break every bone in our body as a sign of repentance," Yuki sighed, leaning her cheek against her palm. Her words made every duel monster grimace and shudder in disgust.

"Yuki, not now." Thunder End Dragon scolded. His master chuckled at his reaction and the disturbed looks on the other duel monsters' faces.

"But to think Jean-Michel Roget is stopping by the prison just to talk to me makes no sense whatsoever," Yuki said. "There must be something different motive or something else we're not seeing."

The midnight black-haired girl released another sigh and reluctantly decided to push the topic to the back of her mind until she got more information concerning Roget's motives.

"Oh, that reminds me, Shamoji, you've mentioned everyone's location in the Facility; however, where exactly did you know who went?" Yuki brought up not wanting to reveal anything the security cameras might pick up from her words. The duel monster spirit moved their chopsticks around in difficult ways for other people to comprehend, but Yuki immediately understood what O-Shamoji Solider was trying to tell her.

"Ah, I see. I have faith she'll make it to the meeting place in one piece. After all, I did train her, you know."

_Early Evening_ Facility's Women's Side_Forbidden Area_

Yuzu stumbled, trying to find her way through the area. She maneuvered through the area and tried to remember her exact location. She knew she was in the Facility, specifically the Women's Side, but she didn't know exactly where. As Yuzu continued to move about aimlessly in the area, she wondered why there weren't any guards or any inmates in this area.

Yuzu soon remembered from the map there was a Restricted Area on the Woman's Side of the Facility. She was certain that's where it was based on the security in this part of the section.

It made Yuzu hesitate about whether or not she should continue venturing. Still, she soon remembered the mission and continued onwards despite not knowing why this place was called the Restricted Area.

After a few moments of wandering, Yuzu stood in front of a large black steel door. She scanned around the area, and suddenly the door opened. Yuzu stepped inside, and the door slammed shut once she was on the other side. It took her a moment to calm her beating heart down and proceed. Fortunately for her, there were lights, so she could see where she was going, but unfortunately, they did nothing to dispel her fear.

"Stay calm, Yuzu. It's just your nerves playing tricks on you, making you feel delusional," Yuzu continued to move. "Besides, you've seen some repulsive things just moments before you arrived here! There's nothing to be afraid of in this—"

Out of nowhere, a skull head rolled out, causing the Melodious duelist to shriek as she kicked the skull head back to where it came from. Yuzu shivered and instantly regretted her decision to take this path. Maybe she should've switched with either Shingo or Serena, especially with the latter, since the Moonlight duelist seemed like the type not to be affected by these sorts of things.

Regardless Yuzu continued down the path, hoping it led to another place in the Facility. But to her disappointment and shock, she saw a tall young man with spiky silver hair and pale skin sitting on top of a mountain of skeletons. He looked at her with lifeless silver and purple eyes. He took one look at her and tilted his head in curiosity.

"I wonder how a young lady such as yourself ended up in a place like this?" The different eye-colored man questioned. He shrugged, leaning back against the skeleton. "Well, I guess it's none of my business anyway, but I feel bad for someone as young as yourself. From the moment you stepped into this place, you're luck ran out."

"Wh-Why?"

"Of course, little lady, it means you been sent to die here. Anyone who's been sent down here has to be sentenced to death," the silver-haired man answered calmly, shocking Yuzu as she glanced at the skeletons and back to the man.

"D-Did you kill them..? Did you kill all of these people?" Yuzu asked, covering her mouth with her hands.

"No, I just dueled them, and if they happen to lose, they get sent somewhere else to be executed. When their execution is finished, they deliver their skeletal remains back to me," the man answered, picking up a skull head and effortlessly crushing it. "However, I truly feel bad for every poor fool who gets sent here only to die. after all, I've been in their shoes."

The silver-haired man stepped down from the mountain to activate his duel disk. "Now, let's not waste anymore time and start our duel, young lady."

Meanwhile, with Yuya and the others, after the duel, Yuya had with Chojiro Tokumatsu with the Entermate duelist being in the older man's good graces. They met up with Shingo after the boy took a brisk shower to eliminate the foul smell. The Abyss Actor duelist happily munched on the food provided for him, told the others as discreetly as possible about his journey getting here, and mentioned splitting up with Serena and Yuzu before arriving here.

"I hope your friends didn't run into him. If they did, I'm sorry for your loss" Tokumatsu frowned.

"Wh-What are you talking about, Tokumatsu-san?" Yuya asked

"It happened five years ago, right after I was arrested and was sent here. I heard various rumors about a certain man who was locked up on the Woman's Side in the Restricted Area of this place," Tokumatsu revealed. "Some say this man worked directly with the Director of Sector Security—Jean-Michel Roget. Other says he's a lone wolf. But out of all the different rumors I've heard, one thing always came up: if you happened to come across him, you'd be forced to duel, so turn the other way because if you don't. you'll just be signing your death certificate."

"W-Wait, does that mean?!" Yuya paled, hoping his fears were proven wrong.

"The man who is the center of all these rumors. The one who you should avoid at all costs. His name is Minato Fukumoto, and around here, they call him the "Harbinger of Judgment.""

In the Restricted Area, Yuzu felt her sweat dripping down her temple. Her nerves were shaking badly, and she wanted them to stop, but they wouldn't listen to her. But she doesn't blame them after hearing Minato was going to sentence her to death if she lost the duel made her frightened.

However, if Yuzu wanted to get out of this place and reunite with Yuya and the others, she would have to fight for her life.

With her resolve renewed, Yuzu put on her duel disk and activated it. She forced herself to smile.

"Let's have an enjoyable duel."

Minato didn't say a word as he put on his duel disk and activated it.

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

Turn 1

"May I take the first turn?" Yuzu asked. The dichromatic male waved his hand dismissively. "It won't matter anyway since the result will be the same no matter who I've faced," Minato answered.

Yuzu smirked. "We'll see about that."

She looked at her opening hand and picked out a card.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Melodious Fusion' to fuse using monsters in my Deck. With its effect, I fuse Elegy and Aria!"

Elegy and Aria briefly appeared on the field and disappeared into a vortex.

"Echoing melodious voice! Songs of strength! Guided by the baton, assemble your power! Fusion Summon! Before the song is played! Prelude the Melodious Floral Saint!"Yuzu chanted as Prelude appeared in Defense Position.

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

"Because of Prelude's effect, I can Special Summon Shopina the Melodious Maestra from my hand, and because of Shopina, I get to add Aria back to my hand, whom I also summon to this stage!" Following Yuzu's words, Shopina and Aria appeared together. They sang together in harmony, creating a peaceful atmosphere in the area.

Shopina: Light/Level 7/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 1700

Aria: Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1200

"I'm not done! Next is the Quick-Play Spell 'Voice Strike'. Since all three of my monsters didn't declare an attack this turn, I can inflict 800 damage to you for each of my monsters!" Yuzu activated another card. This time the image of the card was Aria and Sonata singing as their sound waves were a mixture of different colors.

"I control three, so you'll take 2400 damage!"

All three maidens started to sing, and soon major shockwaves started to erupt from them, shaking the ground underneath the two duelists. With his passive expression, Minato stood his ground and waited for the shaking to come to a full stop.

Minato:4000-2400=1600 LP

The shaking finally ceased, and Yuzu was satisfied. She took her final cards from her hand, placed them in her Spell/Trap Slot, and ended her turn.

Turn 2

H:5-6

"My turn. " Minato doesn't look at the card he'd drawn and slams the card down. "I activate the Field Spell: Otherworld - The "A" Zone. Now, whenever you battle against an Alien Monster, your monsters lose 300 ATK and DEF," Minato explained. The scenery changed to one that resembled a sci-fi movie.

"Let the assault start. I summon the Tuner Monster Alien Ammonite to my field" a blue sea-like monster with claws appeared on Minato's field.

Light/Level 1/Reptile/Tuner/Effect/ATK 500/DEF 200

"When I summon an Alien Monster, I can Special Summon Alien Dog from my hand." Soon a blue alien-like dog with green eyes appeared on the field next to Ammonite.

Light/Level 3/Reptile/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 1000

"Because of Alien Dog's effect, all face-up monsters you control gain two A-Counters," Minato explained. Alien Dog spat out its bone, and suddenly six small pink goo aliens with two different colored eyes attached themselves to Aria, Prelude, and Shopina. Causing all three monsters to look at the tiny creatures in dismay as they each tried to get them off them.

Yuzu grimaced at the sight.

"Great, just great."

"That shouldn't be your only concern. Next, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Mysterious Triangle' to destroy your-" Minato was interrupted.

"Not so fast! I activate my Trap Card 'Melodious Ballad'. During this turn, Shopina and Prelude cannot be destroyed by battle or by card effects!" Yuzu countered, protecting two of her monsters.

However, Minato still didn't look fazed at all. "Then I will destroy Aria the Melodious Diva by this effect."

The card shot a beam eliminating Aria from the field, and Yuzu winced from the shockwaves.

"I'm not finished. The rest of Mysterious Triangle's effect activates. I now Special Summon Alien Buster from my deck," Minato continued. This time a purple and green-skinned alien monster descended on the field.

Light/Level 4/Reptile/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 1500

"I tune my Level 4 Alien Buster and Level 3 Alien Dog to Level 1 Alien Ammonite. Terrestrial being from another dimension! Rain down on this planet and take over this plane. Synchro Summon. Descend Level 8 Cosmic Beast Veret!" Minato chanted. His three monsters disappeared from the field, and soon a new monster shot down onto the field.

The monster had green and yellow skin adorned with blue armor. It was equipped with blue claws on its wrists.

Light/Level 8/Reptile/Synchro/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 1500

"When Cosmic Beast Veret is Special Summoned, all Alien Monsters I control gain 400 ATK and DEF" Minato revealed his summoned monster powers up.

Yuzu felt nervous about the situation but calmed down. Her monsters can't be destroyed by battle during this turn.

"I activate Veret's effect. I banish Shopina from the field, and you take damage equal to her ATK. Since this effect doesn't destroy her, Melodious Ballad can't protect her."

Veret grinned savagely and struck Shopina across the chest, sending her flying to the cosmos. The monster wasn't finished as he turned his attention to Yuzu and slashed her.

Yuzu dodged the slash at the last minute and was lucky not to receive any more physical damage than she already had.

Yuzu:4000-2300=1700 LP

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card ''A" Cell Breeding Device', place this set card, and end my turn. At this moment, Cosmic Beast Veret's additional effect activates. I set a Spell or Trap Card directly from my deck" Minato looked through his screen and chose a card. He set the card with another card in his hand and wiped his shoulders. He looked unbothered by the look Yuzu was giving him.

"Don't tell me you expected me to hold back just because you're a girl. If that's what you thought, you are completely mistaken," Minato stated. Yuzu shook her head.

"No, it's not that at all. I want to know why are you doing this? What drove you to the point you want to use dueling to kill someone?" Yuzu asked in a sorrowful tone. "What was the reason behind this slaughter of hundreds, no possibly thousands of people?!"

"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT!" Minato shouted, his words echoed throughout the area.

"I never wanted to be the reason why many of these people lost their lives, but the responsibility was forced on me the moment I stepped into this place! The more I kept doing what was demanded

of me, the more they demanded! Before I knew it, I was drowned in the public's senseless greed for victory and violence."

Minato chuckled bitterly. "The same concept is applied to dueling. The more you want to satisfy people with your dueling, the more it will consume you to follow their wishes to ensure their cheers never turn into jeers. To always remain victorious no matter the cost."

Yuzu froze as she subconsciously took a step back. Her fingertips started to tremble. It was almost as if she had heard those words before but couldn't remember where. Her eyes briefly glanced at the pink jewel on her bracelet, flickering rapidly, and soon images assaulted her mind. Pictures of wounded people on the street, people with missing limbs, and deceased people missing body parts. The images vanished, but fear still overwhelmed Yuzu's very being.

"This is the same fear I felt during the Battle Royale when I got dueled Yuri and Akemi without Serena and Yugo." Yuzu recalled quietly. Minato continued with his story.

"My girlfriend always told me a story about a man who wanted to make people smile with his dueling. He brought thrills and excitement to the crowd until one day, he accidentally hurt his opponent, and instead of screams, the crowd cheered and demanded more violence. They demanded the man to continue to hurt his opponents. They kept demanding that he keep winning, even if it meant killing his opponent. One day when the man rose to the top, he repaid the people who kept demanding from him by slaughtering every duelist, every individual with his dragons."

"W-Why?" Yuzu choked out, fighting the fear enveloping her entire body. In another place, in the Facility, Serena hunched over, trying to stop the tremors from taking over her body.

"What is this feeling? Why am I afraid?"

Serena looked at the purple gem on her bracelet, flickering, and clenched her trembling hand to stop her nerves from shaking. She forced herself to continue onwards despite the heavy feeling in her chest.

"Because he wanted to keep his audience satisfied. He wanted to make sure they were happy with the violence he provided, which cost them their lives."

"But I have to ask you a question, young lady, why are you afraid" Minato pointed out Yuzu's behavior. "Do you perhaps know this man, or have you met him before?"

"I-I haven't" Yuzu wasn't confident about her answer, and she doesn't know why. She knows for sure she hasn't met the man Minato described anywhere in her life, so why?

Why… did Yuya's face pop into her mind? Why does the thought of him bring her fear instead of the comfort she felt when she thought of him? It didn't make any sense to her.

Yuzu furiously shook her head. "I won't let that happen to him! I won't let Yuya turn out the same way the man did!" Yuzu said with determination. With those words, Yuzu drew her card to start her turn.

Turn 3

H:0-1

Yuzu glanced at her drawn card and smiled. Now it was time for her comeback.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Stage Swap' I send Prelude to the Graveyard to Special Summon Bloom Diva from my Extra Deck with this summon being treated as a Fusion Summon! Sing your song of victory! Bloom Diva the Melodious Floral Saint! " Yuzu slammed the card. A portal was behind Prelude. She skipped toward the vortex and, in an instant of different colors and flowers, was none other than Bloom Diva in her glory.

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

"At this moment, I activate the Trap Card 'Harmony's Gift' when a LIGHT Monster from the Extra Deck leaves the field. I can draw until I have five cards in my hand!" Yuzu drew her cards and scanned each card before giving a brief nod.

"I can't rush in there recklessly and attack with Bloom Diva. He has two set cards on the field. If I do attack, I'm sure it will backfire on me," Yuzu observed. "My best bet is to summon 'that' monster to defend myself for the time being."

Yuzu nodded, satisfied with her decision, and took a card out of her hand.

"When I control a Melodious Monster, I can Special Summon Arioso the Melodious Diva from my hand" appearing on the field was a mature yellowed-haired woman adorned with a red floral dress.

Light/Level 5/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 1200

"Due to Arioso's effect, I can Special Summon another Melodious Monster from my Deck. Appear on the stage! The Tuner Monster Rondo the Melodious Diva!"

This time a small female monster was wearing a blue dress with red frills at the end. She had music designs on her hands and feet.

Light/Level 1/Fairy/Tuner/Effect/ATK 200/DEF 200

"Tuner?" Minato raised an eyebrow and then questioned. "Synchro Summon?"

"Of course, if I want to defeat you, I'm going to do it by using the same summoning method as you," Yuzu replied, grinning cheekily.

"But I'm not done. I activate the Spell Card 'Song Tuning' now Rondo has become a Level 3 Monster! Now the preparations are complete. I tune my Level 5 Arioso to Level 3 Rondo!"

Rondo jumped in the air and turned into rings. She passed through Arioso, turning her into stars as a stream of light passed them.

"Sorrowful songs of strength! Rise up and play your songs throughout the heavens! Synchro Summon! Descend! Level 8 Mahlerna the Melodious Conductor!"

Light/Level 8/Fairy/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2900/DEF 1000

When the steam of light disappeared, a woman appeared. She had wavy gray hair tied into a bun with a black music note hairpin. She was adorned in a purple dress with a dark blue slash across her waist and black heels with music notes on her ankles. In her hands were a book and a baton.

Yuzu looked at her screen and thought about her options.

"Bloom Diva's effect can inflict damage to him, but I'm still wary of those set cards but with Mahlerna's effect depends on the monster that she battles. If that monster has a high ATK, then I can send it to the Graveyard, but if that monster has a low ATK, then I can inflict battle damage and effect damage. So with Rondo's effect, that can halve Veret's ATK and negates its effect. I can inflict 1400 battle damage plus an additional 1500 effect damage."

"If one of his set cards does protect his Synchro Monster from destruction, then I'm sure he will use its effect to banish Mahlerna to inflict 2900 damage to me, but I already have it covered with the card in my hand. This formation is perfect! Now let's see if everything goes as planned," Yuzu finished her thoughts.

"I activate Rondo's effect from my Graveyard to negate Cosmic Beast Veret's effect and halve its ATK to 1500!" From the portal, Rondo rose to the surface and blasted sound waves toward Veret, making the monster helpless and weak.

"Battle! Mahlerna the Melodious Conductor, attack Cosmic Beast Veret!"

Mahlerna read from her book and sang her breath, and soon after, black waves burst out from the baton slamming right into Veret. Minato saw the scene and tapped his screen.

"Trap Card 'Alien Pod' all damage I take this turn is reduced to 0" Minato may not have protected his monster, but his LP was still intact.

Yuzu clicked her tongue. "Well, there goes that plan."

Yuzu looked at her two cards and set them. She will have to bet on these two if she wants to survive.

"Your movements are obvious," Minato stated, confusing Yuzu. "Judging from what I read on Bloom Diva and Mahlerna on their effects, your plan was to take out all of my LP in one attack if Mahlerna's effect did go through," Minato observed. His eyes were calculating and cold. At first, they reminded Yuzu of Shun and Reiji, especially the former, but now Minato's eyes reminded her of how Naomi looked seven years ago. It made Yuzu nearly cry when she remembered those times, but now things are different.

"But unfortunately for you, I had an inkling that was the case which is why I prepared my Trap Card. While I have to say I am impressed you thought such a well-out plan, but in the end, it will be all for nothing," Minato narrowed his eyes. Yuzu hitched her breath but stood her ground.

"You're not the one to decide if it will be all for nothing!" Yuzu countered. "As long as you and I are alive, we can make a comeback in dueling and life as many times as we possibly can!"

"How can you be so sure about that? What if you already gave up trying to find a purpose for your existence?" Minato's eyes were desperate, almost as if he wanted to believe in Yuzu's words but couldn't.

"Then find someone to live for. If you don't have someone to live for, then chase after the dreams you once had when you were a child. If you can't remember, be selfish and live for yourself," Yuzu advised.

There was absolute silence in the area. Not a single sound could be heard until Minato broke it.

"You said that your name was Yuzu Hiiragi, correct? Well, Yuzu, if you manage to survive this turn, I will consider your words," Minato said.

Before he began his turn, he motioned to his Graveyard slot.

"I banish Alien Pod to banish Alien Dog from my Graveyard to draw three cards" Minato drew his cards and drew an additional card for his Draw Phase.

Turn 4

H:3-4

"Now "A" Cell Breeding Device puts 1 A-Counter on your monster. I chose Mahlerna" more pink slimes popped out from the card and attached themselves to Mahlerna.

"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Alien Sacrifice' by tributing Mahlerna. I get to draw three cards" The Synchro Monster vanished from thin air, and Minato drew three more cards from his deck.

"I activate the Spell Card 'Snake's Rebirth' I banish Alien Ammonite to Special Summon Alien Buster, but I'm not finished. I chain the Quick-Play Spell "A" Cell Scatter Burst' to destroy Buster, so Bloom Diva gains 6 A-Counters because of Alien Buster's effect when he is sent to the Graveyard along with "A" Cell Scatter Burst's effect."

Six pink slimes attached themselves to the Fusion Monster, much to her dismay.

"Don't worry. They won't be on there for too long. I activate Alien Overlord's effect from my hand. I remove 2 A-Counters from Bloom Diva to Special Summon this card!" Minato summoned a grotesque monster wearing black and red armor with six arms on his field.

Dark/Level 6/Reptile/Effect/ATK 2200/DEF 1600

"I activate Alien Overlord's additional effect! Now Bloom Diva gains another A-Counter!" Yuzu grimaced at the sight of all five slimes on her ace, but she still maintained her composure.

"Now I summon Alien Telepath," Minato added as a new monster joined the field.

Fire/Level 4/Reptile/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1000

"Now, Alien Telepath's effect allows me to remove an A-Counter from Bloom Diva to destroy one of your cards." Minato pointed to the card on the left of Yuzu's field as Alien Telepath destroyed the card into a pile of ash. The pink-haired girl clicked her teeth in annoyance.

"Crap. That was the Trap Card 'Angel's Blessing' to reduce any effect or battle damage. I would've taken this turn to 0!" Yuzu groaned and glanced at the card in her hand and field. "Looks like I'm going to have to bet on these two."

"Now, to finish the job, I activate my Continuous Trap Card 'Mass Hypnosis' to take control of Bloom Diva. Now come to my side!" Minato shouted. The pink monster's eyes turned red as she moved to the opposing field to join the others.

"Oh, come on!" Yuzu complained, remembering how Dennis did the same thing of taking control of her ace monster like it was nothing. She has to get cards to protect her monsters from being banished and targeted by card effects.

"Battle. Bloom Diva, attack your former master directly!" Minato commanded the brainwashed Fusion Monster. Bloom Diva wasted no time in unleashing her attack on Yuzu. Suddenly there was dust in the area blocking Minato's vision. He closed his eyes and waited for the LP meter to reach 0 for Yuzu.

"Are you sure about that?!"

Minato's eyes shot open. He saw the cheeky smile on Yuzu's face.

"I activate my Trap Card 'Melodious Rhythm Change' I target a Melodious Monster on my field to return Bloom Diva to my hand, or in this case, my Extra Deck to Special Summon a Melodious Monster from my hand!" Yuzu shouted her Trap Card and brought Bloom Diva back to where she belonged but also negated the attack and saved her LP from hitting 0.

"Come forth! The solemn maestra of the fallen snow! Wind Witch - Bloom Bell!" Yuzu chanted. A blue-eyed woman with white and green hair is wearing a pink witch outfit with green sleeves. She rode a broomstick and held a wand in her hand.

Wind/Level 8/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 2000

"When Wind Witch - Bloom Bell is summoned, you take 800 damage for every LIGHT Monster in my Graveyard. There are four monsters in my Graveyard. Therefore, you take 3200 damage!"

Bloom Bell took her wand and blasted a wind towards Minato. The man quickly took a card out of his hand and activated it.

"Not so fast! I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Alien Shield' to reduce the effect damage to 0!" Minato once again protected his LP. Yuzu clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Should've seen that coming," Yuzu mumbled under her breath.

"There's no point in attacking since Wind Witch - Bloom Bell's ATK is higher than both Overlord and Telepath even if Otherworld - The "A" Zone does decrease its ATK," Minato frowned. He took his card and placed it face-down while ending his turn.

"Good job surviving this turn. Lady luck must be smiling down on you," Minato commented. Yuzu rolled her eyes playfully.

"Please, out of the both of us, you're the lucky one, Minato-san. If you didn't have that card, then I definitely would have won the duel," Yuzu remarked, pouting. She then smirked.

"However, this is the final turn of this duel!"

After she declared those words, Yuzu drew her card, and a glint shimmered in her blue orbs.

Turn 5

H:0-1

"I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Fortissimo' so Bloom Bell gains 800 ATK until my next Standby Phase however, as I said before, the duel is ending this turn! Now I activate Bloom Bell's additional effect by targeting Mahlerna and Arioso in my Graveyard, this card gains their ATK until the End Phase!" Yuzu revealed a blue aura surrounding the witch monster.

"Arioso's ATK was 2000, and Mahlerna's was 2900 plus an additional 800 means.." Minato trailed off.

"Bloom Bell's ATK becomes 8300!" Yuzu finished. Her monster's strength powered up as her wand started to glow a green color, along with Yuzu's bracelet, which flashed colors of pink and green.

"Battle! Wind Witch - Bloom Bell attack Alien Telepath!"

Bloom Bell pointed her wand, and a torrent of wind shot out from the wand heading straight for Telepath. "Even if Bloom Bell's ATK decreased by 300, it would still be enough to destroy Alien Telepath," Yuzu smirked inwardly, only to curse under her breath when she saw the unfazed expression on the man's face.

Minato activated his set card before the attack could connect.

"I activate the Trap Card 'Detonate Circle' to banish Alien Buster, and we both take 1700 points of damage due to Detonate Circle's effect!"

The Trap Card shot out Alien Buster, who exploded into small pieces hitting the surrounding parts of the area as those parts leek acid on the walls and floors. Minato clicked on a card in his Graveyard as a shield protected him from the acid coming toward him. Yuzu shielded herself from the attack only to find Bloom Bell protecting her from acid. She thanked the monster and looked down at the screen in shock and dismay.

Yuzu:1700-1700=0 LP

Minato:1600 LP

"H-How?" Yuzu stammered when she saw she had lost the duel when it was supposed to be a tie. How come she was the only one to lose LP?

"Simple. I activate the rest of Alien's Shield effect by banishing this card. I take no damage," Minato explained.

Yuzu frowned at the explanation, her fists clenched in frustration because she had lost the duel and failed to regain Minato's smile.

Yuzu sighed but managed to give a small smile. "Minato-san... One day maybe not today or tomorrow, but I'm sure you will regain your happiness when that day comes. Keep living for your tomorrow," Yuzu said. The dichromatic male pondered over her words and decided he would keep living for Misty's sake.

"Come, Yuzu, I'll take you where you need to be" Minato walked towards the door adjacent to the pile and pushed it open. "If we take this pathway, we'll eventually reach the upper layer of the Facility."

"Thanks, Minato-san, but what about what comes after?" Yuzu asked, earning a raised eyebrow. "I'm talking about the conditions we placed before the duel started! Aren't I supposed to be sent away to be killed since I lost the duel?"

"Oh, you're talking about that."

Minato shrugged his shoulders. "I will tell them that I lost the duel."

"Th-that's it?! What if they don't believe you and check the cameras!" Yuzu spluttered, earning another shrug from the older man irritating her.

Minato stopped and smiled faintly at the Melodious duelist finding her reactions amusing.

"Why indeed? Who knows but let me ask you this question?" Minato said. "Why would I kill the person who gave me my life back?"

Yuzu is surprised by Minato's words. She thought she had failed at bringing back the man's former self but seeing the sparkle instead of the dullness in Minato's eyes proved her wrong. Just as she was about to follow Minato, he spoke again.

"Earlier, when I told you that story, I noticed you were shaking in fear, but what was the reason behind your fear?" Minato said with a gloomy smile.

"Was it from experience? If so, were you there when he slaughtered everyone" Minato's eyes narrowed. "Or perhaps your instincts were screaming at you, telling you to fear this man even though you have never met him. If so, you shouldn't doubt your instincts, Yuzu."

Yuzu nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. A comfortable yet tense silence filled the area as the pair continued to walk towards their destination as the younger girl still had questions weighed down in her mind she couldn't shake no matter how hard she tried, particularly one question kept showing up.

Exactly what instincts were telling her to be afraid of Yuya?

Finally arriving at the upper layer of the Facility, specifically the Canteen area, Yuzu saw Serena along with the others.

Yuzu ran towards the group, who looked relieved to see she was still okay. When her eyes met Yuya's, she turned away, breaking eye contact but soon scolded herself. She promised herself that she wouldn't let Yuya end up as the man did in Minato's story.

"So, what's the plan now?" Yuzu asked, seeing the different inmates carrying various items.

"We're going to throw a spectacular duel tomorrow after breakfast. Initially, we were going to commence the plan tonight, but we figured this way is better since we can set up properly and cover all of the grounds Arata-san said to watch out for," Yuya explained.

Yuzu turned to her Fusion counterpart, "you agreed with this plan, Serena?"

"I was outvoted, and no matter how compelling my points were, I was shot down," Serena grumbled, crossing her arms.

"I'm pretty sure I can guess what Serena's points were," Yuzu muttered. "But to be honest, I'm exhausted from the trip. Do we have to go to the Women's Side or the special confinement where Yuki is currently staying?"

"It would be safer for you two young ladies to stay with the other women inmates, but I'm also worried they might harm you two as well," Tokumatsu commented. "Even though I'm No.2, I'm not permitted to go anywhere near the special confinement area. There is Minato, however… His place isn't exactly comfortable."

"I guess these two can stay with me for tonight. I hope you two like sleeping on a pile of skeletons" Minato shrugged his shoulders as he saw a look of disgust and awe coming from Yuzu and Serena.

"If we are going to go back down there. Can we at least get some pillows and blankets?" Yuzu asked. Shinji and Crow retrieved some comfortable blankets and pillows from their cell. They soon returned with the materials and handed them to Yuzu, making her stumble into a table and causing the remote to fall out of her pocket.

The older pair apologized to the young girl. Crow saw what fell on the ground and was about to pick it up until he saw what exactly Yuzu had dropped. He immediately backed away and pointed at the small device on the floor.

"W-Why do you have one of her inventions?!" Crow shrieked, promoting Shinji to see what the fuss was about until his eyes also landed on the device. Just like his adopted brother, he backed away from the device.

Yuzu placed the material on a nearby table and picked up the remote, not understanding Crow's and Shinji's reactions. "Why are you two so afraid of a small device?"

"Because that small device nearly caused a blackout to happen! Which might I add lasted for a whole week!" Crow grumbled.

"An entire week?!"

"Yeah. Even after Martha scolded her, Gwen continued to create inventions that would blow up or cause something else to explode," Shinji added. "Usually, it would be the latter. Either way, we should still be careful."

Crow's eyes narrowed, and he took the remote out of Yuzu's hands as he suddenly remembered what this particular invention actually does. "Wait a minute, Shinji. If my hunch is correct, I think this little guy might be helpful for our mission tomorrow."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"I hope the word EMP rings any bells" Crow's eyes sparked a mischief gleam in them, and if that wasn't enough, a wicked smile took root in Crow's features. Understanding the underlying tone in his foster brother's words and facial expression, Shinji sported a matching grin.

Yuzu didn't question the menacing grins and slowly stepped away. She scoped around the Canteen until her eyes rested on Serena and Dennis sitting at one of the tables. She briefly wondered what the two of them could be talking about over there and was about to head over to their table but stopped in her tracks when she saw the enraged look on Serena's face.

Upon seeing the expression on her Fusion counterpart's face, Yuzu sat at the table with Yuya and the others and proceeded to eat dinner's leftovers while retelling what happened during her duel with Minato. As Yuzu continued eating her meal, she thought more about how lifeless Minato's eyes looked and how they reminded her of how Naomi looked during that time.

Remembering that time and the other dark times they faced made Yuzu determined never to let her precious friend go through that horrible experience again and not just her but other people going through the hard times. If there is something—anything she can do to change their situation or even lend them a hand, then she will do so without any hesitation.

Meanwhile, with Serena sitting across from Dennis, she crossed her arms and glared at the redhead.

"Are you still upset I didn't take our duel seriously, Serena? I honestly had a bad hand, so please stop glaring at me," Dennis whined, leaning against his hand.

His words only made Serena glare harder, and Dennis sighed in resignation.

"First, I am displeased at that sorry excuse of a duel knowing your capabilities Dennis. I honestly don't care what your reason was, but if you still remember the kind of person I am, then you should've known that I wasn't going to let you get away with underestimating me," Serena responded. "Secondly, did you defect from Academia as I did after learning about their horrible deeds?"

Dennis cynically smiled and leaned his head in the other direction. "Who knows, Serena? Who exactly knows?"

His mocking expression infuriated Serena, but she quickly calmed down and remembered why she wanted to talk with him.

"But why? After hearing what they did to the Xyz Dimension—Heartland, you still want to ally yourself with them?"

"Didn't you used to say that you always wanted the Professor to acknowledge your efforts? Don't tell me that all changed because you had a change of heart" Dennis chuckled, but his laughter was filled with acid. He'd soon dropped his arm. "But we're not talking about you. We're talking about why I am still affiliated with Academia. You wanna know why Serena."

Dennis slowly took off the black glove with his right hand revealing burn scars on the back of his left hand. Serena didn't flinch nor lower her gaze at the gruesome scar.

"On that day, I almost lost my little sister. You remember that day very well, don't you, Serena? The screams in the crowd, the smell of burning ash, and the sinister expression Akemi had as she stood on top of a mountain of injured duelists" Dennis went on rubbing the scars with his right hand. "No matter how much we want to forget what happened that day, we can't, and thus our relationship changed for the worst. The infamous misfits all split up because of her."

After a few moments, Serena gathered her thoughts and spoke. "You have a point, Dennis. No matter how much we want to forget or pretend to look the other way, we can't because no matter how hard we try to, it won't change what happened, and I'm not going to sit here and tell you to forgive Akemi for what she'd done to you and Umi and to tell you to forget the pain you two endured."

"However, what you're doing won't make Umi happy. Does she know that her older brother, her role model, is lying about his true identity to his comrades and dishonoring her wishes?" Serena knew she had hit a nerve when Dennis' smile became sharp.

"You're playing a very dangerous game here, Serena," Dennis said.

"I don't play games. I'm just stating the obvious," Serena replied, crossing her arms. "You need to hear it from someone who was close to you to tell you what you're doing is wrong and wants you to make the right decision before it's too late to redeem yourself."

"No matter how much you tell yourself what you're doing is all an act. You genuinely enjoyed hanging out with the Lancers, but you refuse to admit it is just cowardly," Serena said without missing a beat.

"If you're so sure that you know my feelings as well as you think you do, then let's make a bet," Dennis suggested with a cold smile. "I know someone like you doesn't like to play games because they are pointless, but surely you can partake in this one. If I manage to get caught, I will officially join the Lancers to stop Academia however, if I manage to play my part all the way to when we reach Academia or even the Fusion Dimension."

Dennis' smile dropped completely as the tone of his voice changed. "I want you to return to Academia, no questions asked."

Serena's neutral face didn't change, and she considered the options, especially if she lost. "Those conditions do seem fair, but if you even try to pull something or even cheat you're way out of this deal, then it's off" Serena reached her hand out for Dennis to take. The Entermage duelist said nothing and shook the Moonlight duelist's hand. With no more words needed to be said, Serena left the table, but her eyes lingered on Dennis' figure.

Serena vowed to reclaim those days when the six of them could laugh again just like they used to. "But even if I can't, or it's already too late, then let's start over again from the beginning," Serena added, walking to Yuzu. Soon the two young girls walked with Minato holding the pillows and blankets in their hands, and headed back to the Forbidden Area.

_The Next Day_Morning_Facility_

In the special confinement, Yuki had finished her meal and was drinking her tea. O-Shamoji Solider informed her by overhearing the guards' conversation that Jean-Michel Roget was coming, making Yuki keep her guard up.

Yuki thought about the questions Roget probably wanted to ask her and how she would answer every single one without sounding suspicious. Perhaps she'll use this meeting to see Roget's true intentions.

After an hour had passed, Yuki heard a commotion coming from the other side of the Facility perking her interest. She couldn't investigate because she was confined in her cell, so she sent O-Shamoji Solider to investigate the commotion. As Yuki waited for her duel monster spirit to return, she felt unease for some reason.

"Roget was supposed to be visiting my cell sometime soon, so why is he late? Could it be because he heard the commotion and decided to investigate, or perhaps another matter caught his attention? If it's the former, I hope the others didn't get caught," Yuki speculated. "But if it comes to that, then maybe..."

Yuki looked at her birthmark and nodded with determination. She briefly knew how to teleport since she had done it before. Although those previous times were by accident, she has the gist of how it works.

"Now, all that's left to do is to wait" Yuki closed her eyes and started to meditate, and soon all of the other noises began to quiet down.

Meanwhile, with O-Shamoji Solider, they watched as many inmates cheered on the spectacle before their eyes. They observe the bright show and sparkle, the various monsters performing on a grand stage. In the corner of their eyes, they spotted a male inmate with criminal marks on his face who smiled wickedly.

The duel monster spirit briefly heard the sound of wood breaking in a certain area, and unfortunately, Yuya was about to land in that spot with his Entermate Discover Hippo! Without wasting any more time, they quickly moved through the crowd and took out their chopsticks, and threw them to where Discover Hippo was just about to land, causing the pink hippo's feet to fumble and move away from the area just in time to prevent Yuya from gaining any injuries.

Luckily everyone thought it was part of the show and continued to cheer for the duelists on stage. That's when Yuya snapped his fingers. Suddenly, the lights shut off, and each surveillance camera was destroyed one by one, causing each inmate to spiral out of control.

Taking advantage of the situation, the duel monster's spirit leaped around the area until they heard sounds coming from the kitchen, specifically the vents, and that's when they had a distinct idea of where the others were heading.

Without wasting any time, O-Shamoji Solider disappeared, ready to lend their help to the Lancers.

With Serena and the others, after spending time crawling through the vents and making left turns, they ended up in the underground area of the Facility. It was different from the underground area Serena was in moments before she arrived at the Facility with Yuzu and Shingo.

"This isn't the same sewer area we took to get here," Serena observed. "Did we make a wrong turn somewhere?"

"No, but sometimes the water from the ocean comes in and floods this area which lasts for a day or so," Minato answered. "But luckily for us, this way leads us directly outside. All we have to do is jump down, swim across, and we'll be free."

"Finally, I can get back to the kids. They must be worried about me," Crow said. "Especially the brat who probably said something stupid about me being locked up."

Shinji placed a comforting hand on his foster brother's shoulder. "In that case, make sure you clench your teeth when you see her. You know how she gets."

Yuzu looked around and noticed they were missing some people.

"Where are Yuya, Gongenzaka, Sawatari, Dennis, and Tokumatsu-san?" Yuzu asked, not spotting her friends and comrades.

"Now that you mentioned it," Minato said, looking around, not finding his friend.

"Dennis said he was going to rescue Yuki from the special confinement, and Gongenzaka was going to rescue Kurosaki from solitary confinement," Crow answered.

"Good, but what happened to Yuya, Sawatari, and Tokumatsu-san?" Yuzu asked in a worried tone.

Serena slapped her hand against her forehead. "Don't tell me..! That complete moron took the wrong way and is possibly on the Roof!"

Serena removed her hand, revealing a scowl, and she started to crack her fingers. "When I get my hands on him, I'll wring his scrawny neck."

The others took a step back at the vicious aura oozing from Serena, and Yuzu hoped that her friends didn't run into any trouble.

Meanwhile, on the Rooftop, Tokumatsu watched Yuya and Shingo argue with each other.

"Arata-san told us we needed to take a left to end up where we needed to be," Yuya said. "So why did you turn right instead of left, Sawatari?!"

"It's not my fault! It was dark in the vents, and I made one small mistake! Besides, how could you remember what that scary man said after what he did to us?!" Shingo protested, crossing his arms.

Yuya sighed. "You're overreacting, Sawatari. What Arata-san did to us wasn't that bad."

"W-Wasn't that bad! I knew you were an idiot, but I didn't think it was this bad! He must've hit you way too many times if you think what he did to us wasn't that bad!"

Tokumatsu watched the argument with amusement dancing in his eyes. "Even though this isn't the time to be fooling around. I just wished I had some popcorn to enjoy the show."

"Unfortunately for us, we can't waste anymore time on foolishness like this," a voice cut in, causing Tokumatsu to jump in freight from Yuki's sudden appearance.

"W-Where did you come from?"

"I was testing something out, and before I realized it, I found myself standing next to you," Yuki answered with a neutral face.

"I would like to remind a certain idiotic duo that we don't have all day for this kind of nonsense, so I would appreciate it if they stop before someone gets hurt" Yuki's tone made the two boys cease their arguments in a matter of seconds.

"Sorry."

"My bad."

Yuki accepted Yuya and Shingo's apologies. "Now, please hold onto me because this will be a bumpy ride," Yuki instructed. Although they were confused, the male duelists did what they were told and placed their hands on Yuki's arms and shoulders. And soon, their bodies began to be enveloped in white light, and soon enough, they vanished from the rooftop.

Out of nowhere, Yuki and her group reappeared, surprising Damon with her sudden appearance.

"Ah! It's you, Haru! So you finally got caught after all," Damon commented with a teasing grin.

"You have the wrong person—" Yuki was interrupted again as she suppressed an annoyed sigh.

"But I sure hoped your twin sister didn't get caught in your and Yugo's shenanigans," Damon continued. "With all the posters you've been putting up and constantly beating up Sector Security, it's no wonder you got arrested."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind next time" Yuki no longer had the energy to correct the older man as she was physically drained from teleporting herself twice and three other people in one go.

Yuki managed to slip away from the conversation and saw Dennis with Shun and Gongenzaka.

"There you are, Yuki-chan! I wondered where you went since you weren't in the special confinement cell!" Dennis whined. "You made me worried about you!"

"Sorry."

"So cold!"

"Anyways, Shun-kun, what took you and the others so long? Did you get lost on the way hers?" Yuki ignored Dennis and turned her attention to the Raid Raptors duelist.

"No, we ran into trouble on the way here and had to fight some group called the Arrest Corps. Naturally, we defeated them, but when they tried to overwhelm us with numbers and brute force," Shun explained, nudging his red scarf, a familiar duel monster spirit popped out. "That's when this guy saved us and took them all out with his chopsticks."

O-Shamoji Solider blushed shyly at the compliment and moved over to Yuki to hide their blushing face away from nosy eyes. Their actions intrigued Yuki to tease them, but she decided now was not the time.

"The moment we swim across the bay, we'll be free. Is anyone getting cold feet?" Minato asked, turning his attention to the group and feeling someone nudge his shoulder.

"You'll finally be reunited with your special lady Minato. Are you scared to see her again?" Tokumatsu asked in a concerned tone.

The spiky silver-haired man nodded. "Yes, it's been more than five years since I last saw her. I'm sure she'll either kill me or kiss me, and I'm hoping for the former," Minato answered. Satisfied with his answer Tokumatsu jumped from his spot and landed in the bay. The others soon followed him.

It seemed they were about to make it until multiple lights shone on them. Multiple Sector Security cars and vans were on the other side, almost as if they were waiting for them.

A figure revealed to be Jean-Michel Roget smirked sinisterly at the group.

"How were we found out?!"

"How did our plans get leaked?"

Roget stepped to the side, revealing a smirking Syd holding a beaten-up, bruised Tony by the scruff of his collar.

"It was hard at first, but when I started to rip out his nails, he started to squeal like a pig," Syd snickered cruelly. The Commons growled at the person who harmed their friend while the others glared at the man who cruelly hurt Tony and took joy in it.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Syd. As promised, I will ensure your participation in this year's Friendship Cup" Roget turned towards the group and ordered his men to retrieve the group from the bay.

The others were handcuffed and thrown into the Security van except for Minato, who stepped in and took a seat next to Tokumatsu.

"Guess I have to make Misty wait another ten years. I hope she hasn't moved on and met someone else."

"When it comes to your special lady, you let your true colors show, Minato."

"Don't be jealous because I have someone, and you don't monkey face."

"M-Monkey face?!"

"Damn it, now, at this rate. I won't be able to get back to the kids!"

"Don't worry, Crow. We'll have another opportunity. Just be patient."

Officers restrained Yuki, Yuzu, and Serena as Roget took in their similar features, especially Yuzu and Serena.

"You three should thank your lucky stars that you don't have to meet the same fate as them," Roget said.

The three girls glared at him before they were placed into another vehicle. A large white helicopter hovered and landed on the ground. Two men wearing white suits come out of the helicopter.

"Security Director Jean-Michel Roget, Executive Council demands that you hand over the escaped inmates to them."

"That I cannot do. These individuals are a threat to society and must be dealt with at once" Roget shook his head. "Not only have they caused such a commotion to the Facility, but they have caused many bombing attacks which, may I add, destroyed one of my headquarters, and they also—"

Roget's rant was interrupted by multiple hologram figures wearing different colored robes.

"We'll be the ones to judge if these individuals are as guilty you say they are," Gael stated.

"Director Roget, bring the escaped inmates to the Executive Council Hall immediately," Azul demanded.

"This is an order you cannot disobey," Gray added.

"Are those our orders, Chairman?" Bordeaux turned towards an elderly man wearing a white robe who had a smile on his face.

"Yes, they are," White Taki said. "I'm looking forward to seeing the people he was talking about."

The five holographic figures disappeared as Roget clicked his tongue in annoyance. He begrudgingly ordered his men to transfer Yuya and the others into the helicopter but kept them handcuffed.

"Crow, Shinji, Minato-san, and Tokumatsu-san, do you guys know who those people were?" Yuya asked quietly.

"This is the first time I've ever seen them in person," Tokumatsu answered.

"To be honest, I thought they were a rumor the Tops created to scare us, Commons," Shinji scowled.

"Same here," Crow added.

"Those five people are the Executive Council. They represent the highest authority in the City, and whenever they give an order, it's absolute," Minato explained. "After all, they're the ones who made me the Facility's executioner."

"So what you said before," Yuzu recalled what Minato said during their duel.

"… the responsibility was forced on me the moment I stepped into this place! The more I kept doing what was demanded of me, the more they demanded!"

"Was all true" Minato finished Yuzu's sentence with a dark look as he could tell they were close to the Executive Council Hall. "Especially when they told me to eliminate anyone causing trouble in the Facility and explicitly stated "anyone with sentences of more than 20 years deserves death"."

"But some of those people were sentenced with false charges!" Yuya said with utter shock.

"Exactly. Don't let their appearance fool you. Those individuals only care about maintaining our glorious system's peace and ensuring it stays that way."

Minato's reply made the atmosphere tense, but there wasn't anything they could do about it and a sudden change in their situation. The group unanimously decided to prepare themselves for what was about to happen when they finally arrived at the Executive Council Hall and were escorted into the premises.

---

Oc Cards

Yuzu:

• Stage Swap_Spell

You can target a 'Melodious' Fusion Monster you control: Special Summon a 'Melodious' Fusion Monster with the same Level as the monster you control. Send the targeted monster to the Graveyard.(This Special Summon is treated as a Fusion Summon).

• Song Tuning_Spell

Target a 'Melodious' Monster you control. Choose a Level and the targeted monster becomes that Level until the End Phase.

• Voice Strike_Quick-Play Spell

When a 'Melodious' Monster(s) you control didn't attack this turn; inflict 800 damage to your Opponent for each monster you control that didn't attack.

• Melodious Ballad_Trap

During this turn, Special Summoned Melodious monsters cannot be destroyed by battle or by card effects.

• Harmony's Gift_Trap

When a LIGHT Monster from the Extra Deck leaves the field: you can draw card until you have five cards in your hand.

• Angel's Blessing_Trap

Any Effect and Battle Damage you take this turn become 0.

• Arioso the Melodious Diva

Light/Level 5/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 1200

When you control a 'Melodious' Monster you can Special Summon this card from your hand. If you do, you can Special Summon a 'Melodious' Monster from your Deck.

• Wind Witch - Bloom Bell

Wind/Level 8/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2600/DEF 2000

(This card is always treated as a 'Melodious' Monster).

If this card is in your Hand or Graveyard: You can tribute two Fairy-Type Monsters from your field to Special Summon this card. When this card is summoned: inflict 800 damage to your Opponent for each LIGHT Monster in your Graveyard. Once per turn: you can target two Monster in your Graveyard and until the End Phase this card gains ATK equal to the targeted monster's ATK.

• Rondo the Melodious Diva

Light/Level 1/Fairy/Tuner/Effect/ATK 200/DEF 200

When you control no monsters, you can Special Summon this card from your hand. And if you do, Special Summon a 'Melodious' Monster from your Graveyard with its effects negated. You can banish this card from your Graveyard to negate 1 face-up Monster your Opponent controls effects and that monster's ATK is halved until the End Phase of this turn.

• Mahlerna the Melodious Conductor

Light/Level 8/Fairy/Synchro/Effect/ATK 2900/DEF 1000

'Rondo the Melodious Diva' + 1 or more non-Tuner Monsters

All effect and battle damage you take is changed to 0. When this card battles a monster(s) whose ATK is higher than this card, then you can send that monster to the Graveyard before damage calculation. When this card battles a monster(s) whose ATK is lower than or equal to this card, you can inflict damage to your Opponent equal to their monster's ATK.

Minato:

• Alien Sacrifice_Spell

You can tribute a monster with A-Counter(s) from anywhere on the field: draw 3 cards.

•Alien Shield_Quick-Play Spell

All damage you take from card's effect is reduced to 0. If you do, banish a monster with an A-Counter on the field. You can banish this card from your Graveyard to reduce the damage to 0.

•Snake's Rebirth_Spell

Banish a Reptile Monster in your Graveyard. If you do, Special Summon a Level 4 or Lower Reptile Monster from your Graveyard.

• Alien Pod_Trap

Reduce the damage you take this turn to 0, and if you do, you can banish a 'Alien' Monster from your Graveyard to draw cards equal to the banished monster's Level.

Detonate Circle_Trap

Banish a 'Alien' Monster in your Graveyard; each player take damage equal to that monster's ATK or DEF(whichever one is higher).

• Cosmic Beast Veret

Light/Level 8/Reptile/Synchro/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 1500

1 "Alien" Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner "Alien" Monsters

When this card is Special Summoned: all "Alien" Monsters you control gain 400 ATK and DEF. Once per turn: you can banish a monster with an A-Counter, and if you do, your Opponent takes damage equal to the banished monster's ATK. (If a monster with A-Counter battles an 'Alien' Monster, it loses 300 ATK and DEF for each A-Counter during Damage Calculation only.) During the End Phase: you can set a Spell or Trap Card directly from your Deck.

Serena:

• Moonlight Brown Squirrel

Dark/Level 3/Beast-Warrior/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 1400

Once per Turn: You can Fusion Summon 1 'Moonlight' Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck, using monsters in your hand or you control as Fusion Materials, including this card. You can banish this card from your Graveyard to Special Summon 1 'Moonlight' Fusion Monster from your Graveyard.

• Moonlight White Mouse

Dark/Level 2/Beast-Warrior/Tuner/Effect/ATK 300/DEF 200

Effects will be revealed later on...

•Moonlight Hunt_Spell

You can inflict damage to your Opponent equal to the ATK of a 'Moonlight' Monster you control. If you do, add a 'Fusion' Spell Card from your deck to your hand.

• Gift of Fusion_Spell

Destroy a Fusion Monster you control: you can destroy Spell and Traps Cards your Opponent controls equal to the Fusion Materials used to summon the destroyed Fusion Monster.

• Moonlight Waltz_Trap

When a 'Moonlight' Fusion Monster attacks your opponent monster, that Fusion Monster gains 1000 ATK until the End Phase.

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Author's Note: Finally, after a long hiatus, here is chapter 33!

For those who don't know the creator of Yu-Gi-Oh! Kazuki Takahashi is no longer in this world. When I first found out, I couldn't believe it, and I was shocked and sad because Yu-Gi-Oh was one of the shows I watched growing up, and to find the person who created my childhood is gone was a huge shock. Then I started reading his Afterword, published on April 14th, 2004, on how he was thankful for those who have participated in this journey when Yu-Gi-Oh! The manga started on September 30, 1996, and finished on March 8, 2004.

Reading that Afterword made me a little happy because I am glad he knew how much his work affected us and how much we enjoyed being part of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise. It was like his message got across, and I am glad he knew that his works were enjoyed and loved by so many people.

Rest in Peace, Kazuki Takahashi, and Thank you for everything.