And here we are with Chapter 4 of the Xyz arc. We are getting close to the end of the year and what a year it has been. I started this story way back towards the end of June and what an incredible six months it has been. To those of you that have been with me since the very beginning, thank you for being a part of this experience as well as being patient with the chapters and offering feedback to help me improve as a writer as well as offering ideas that help me out.

I want to give shoutouts to Tony Anderson, mannygamer34, SparkySparkpaw and 115Creator. You four have been incredible and reading your reviews strives me to do better and better every chapter.

Now, let's get on with the chapter.


Chapter 04: The First Base. Sky Pegasus


Resistance Base - Arclight Laboratory

"Welcome to my laboratory. Please, make yourselves at home." Bryon welcomed the Guardians to his high-tech lab full of advanced technology.

"Whoa, talk about major upgrade from upstairs." Jonouchi complimented.

"Our father is a researcher on Parallel Worlds. It was thanks to his research that the Resistance was able to endure for so long." III explained.

"Unfortunately, Academia got their hands on Dr. Faker's research and are using the same methods as us to not only increase their strength but to make people of our dimension join their side out of fear." V added.

"Question. By Parallel Worlds, do you mean other dimensions?" Reiji asked.

"No, these worlds are completely separate from the four dimensions." Bryon explained. "It's from these worlds that the Numbers cards came from as well as the power of Rank-Up and Chaos Xyz Change."

"Wait, so, Rank-Up wasn't originally created in the Xyz Dimension?" Shun questioned.

"The Rank-Up cards that you currently possess were created with the concept of the Parallel Worlds in mind, but when you compare them to the actual Rank-Up, it's nothing more than a poor copy." Bryon explained.

"How many Parallel Worlds are there?" Ruri asked.

"So, far, we have only discovered two." V answered. "The Astral World and the Barian World."

"Astral World." Yuya uttered.

"Barian World." Rio uttered.

"Astral World is a world full of beings that strive to "Rank-Up". In other words, it's full of people that wish to better improve themselves and reach a higher plane of existence." Bryon explained.

"Meanwhile, Barian World uses a power known as Chaos. Chaos is the power of desire created for oneself and a force that drives primitive life to keep on living, to protect others, as well as the heart's ability to keep hoping." Bryon explained.

"That makes sense. When I saw Yuya taken out by that Exodia monster back in Standard and seeing the Obelisk Force threatening my friends. I wanted to protect them and I was able to Chaos Xyz my dragon." Ruri said.

"The same happened to you during your Duel with Misty, right?" Yuya turned to Rio.

"Yeah, I couldn't let Misty go through with her revenge, so I used my brother's monster to Chaos Xyz Change." Rio recalled.

"Chaos is a power that exists within everyone. Everyone has the potential to use its power for whatever purpose that they want, whether it is to help others or achieve their own goals." III explained. "And Academia has been using Chaos to further their plans of dominating the Xyz Dimension."

"With the combination of Chaos from the Barian World as well as the Numbers cards from the Astral World, Academia has been taking over the whole Xyz Dimension, not just Heartland." Bryon showed a map. "They have been able to create seven bases around the world and are using them to further turn people into cards as well as creating new cards to combat the Resistance."

"Nowhere is safe from Academia." Asuka looked at the map.

"That's right. Those that survived are either in hiding or a working for Academia. Heartland is the only place left that has a fighting chance." Bryon closed his eyes and removed his monocle.

"I'm sorry, if I had just stayed here, we wouldn't have…" Shun apologized.

"You are just one man, Shun, not an army. Even if you were here, the best you could've done is save just a couple of people." V spoke.

"Are you calling me weak?!" Shun got angry.

"You're not weak, but you are soft." V said. "You can definitely take out Academia soldiers, but can you turn your Duel Disk against an Xyz Resident that works for Academia, knowing they had no choice but to do it to protect what's important to them?"

"That's…" Shun couldn't answer.

"None of us want to turn against a comrade, not even Kaito, but we have to do whatever it takes to give those who can't fight hope." III said.

"Then let us take the burden." Yuya offered. "I know this is your fight, but we've seen what Academia is capable of. Even if the chances of losing are 99%, there's still a 1% that we can bet on."

"True. There are some things that you can't measure with science and strategies." Bryon smiled a bit. "Like the limitless potential of humans and the strength of one's conviction in their hearts. Dimension Guardians, will you lend us your power?"

"Of course." Rua agreed.

"Anything to stop Academia." Asuka agreed.

"Well, then, let me show on the intel we have so far." Bryon snapped his fingers and multiple screens appeared around the room.

"So far, the allies we have around the world have managed to gather full intel on four bases, with the other three still pending. Each base is run by a Commander and Vice Commander with only a few soldiers present. And each base is powered by a Numbers card. Take the Numbers card and the base shuts down." Bryon explained.

"Are you sure these are bases? They look more like ruins to me." Sawatari scratched his chin.

"The ruins are full of traps located outside and inside the base. That's why there's only a few soldiers stationed there; they're betting on the traps to let them win." V added.

"So, the game plan is simple. We just storm the bases, defeat the Commander and Vice Commander, and take the Numbers. Sounds easy enough if all of us go together." Dennis said.

"No, we can't all go." Reiji fixed his glasses. "If everyone leaves, then there's nobody left in Heartland to protect. We'll have to divide and conquer. Four teams will head to the ruins, while the rest of remain in Heartland and be on standby once more intel comes on the other ruins and protect the Resistance Base."

"That's true. We can't leave this place unattended. Mr. Arclight's research is important to us." Yuya said.

"So, who's gonna go and who's gonna stay?" Rin asked.


Resistance Base – Hanger

"The base is actually located in a jungle. However, it easily stands out so you should be able to find it in no time." Bryon said.

"Thanks." Crow thanked as he and Shun were on Crow's D-Wheel.

"You should be careful at the Castle Ruins. It's full of traps and other unpleasant things." III advised.

"We'll be careful." Aki nodded.

"Hey, hold down the fort for me, okay?" Asuka looked back at her friends.

"Yes ma'am!" Rua saluted.

"The ruins are actually close to a neighboring city, it's a huge coliseum, you can't miss it." Bryon said.

"Understood." Gongenzaka nodded.

"Hey, since we're there, let's give the people something to cheer up on." Dennis suggested.

"Focus on the mission, Dennis." Gongenzaka scolded.

"The last ruin is called Temple Draghos, as I'm sure that you're aware it mostly involves Dragons." V explained.

"Then this temple is perfect for me." Jack tightened his gloves.

"Tsukikage, I'm counting on you to protect Reira." Reiji looked at the ninja.

"Yes sir." Tsukikage nodded.

"I'm inputting the coordinates for the ruins." Bryon typed on his computer. "Prepare for departure." Each group went to a transporter and prepared themselves.

"Good luck, guys!" Yuzu said.

"Show Academia our power!" Serena added.

"Departing in three…two…one…" Bryon pressed the Enter Key and each team disappeared from the lab.


Africa Jungle

Particles of light appeared in the jungle revealing Crow and Shun. "Oh, good we still have our limbs attached to ourselves." Crow sighed in relief.

"You know this isn't a movie, right?" Shun pointed out.

"Different dimensions…a group of people being heroes…a war between two opposing forces in an insane attempt to unite the world. Our whole life is basically a movie that people would pay to watch." Crow just summed up everything that has happened to them.

"Or illegally download it." Shun muttered.

Crow looked at his screen of the map that Bryon had given him. "Looks like we're very close to the ruins. Let's see what's waiting for us there." Crow revved up his engines and both him and Shun zoomed off.


Academia Base – Underground Temple

Shun and Crow arrived at the entrance of the ruins, but to their surprise, there was nothing advanced about it, it just looked like regular ruins. "Huh? You think Academia would've done something to it to make it their own." Crow looked around.

Shun then saw someone coming out of the temple. "Quick hide." Both Shun and Crow took cover behind some rubble as they saw two Academia soldiers leave the ruins.

"Man, that guy is making us work to the bone."

"Why do we have to take orders from him, again?"

"All I know is that he's one of the subjects that the Doctor did tests on. And you know the Doctor is the second highest commander next to the Professor."

"But still, what's the point of these bases? Shouldn't we be back in Heartland and turning people into cards? We already have enough powerful cards, so why are we still making more?"

"You'll have to ask the Commander, himself. But he hasn't been in a good mood these days. And trust me, you don't want to see him on his bad side."

"I'll take your word for it. Anyways, I'm hungry, let's head to the city."

The two soldiers exited from the area as Shun and Crow popped their heads out. "Someone in there was an experiment for Academia." Shun looked at the ruins.

"If this Doctor is anything like Roget, it can't be good. Are you sure you can handle it? If that person is a resident of this dimension…" Crow looked at Shun.

"I don't like it but if it's to help get rid of Academia, then I'll do what it takes." Shun answered. "Let's go."


Inside the Ruins

As soon as Shun and Crow walked in, several snakes came after them, however, just like their respective monsters, the Winged-Beast Duelists made quick work of them and reached two different colored walls, red and blue.

"A dead end?" Crow asked.

"No, otherwise why would the walls be different color." Shun then noticed something at his feet. "Hey, Crow. Look." There was a symbol of a Pegasus on a tile.

"Oh, here's another one." Crow saw another tile with the Pegasus on it. Both Crow and Shun looked at each other and nodded and put their foot on the tile.

The entire room shook and a wall dropped down to block the exit and another wall dropped down to separate Shun and Crow. Then, the red wall and blue wall opened in front of them.

"Looks like we have to go our own path." Crow said.

"Yeah." Shun nodded. "Crow, you better not lose."

"Same to you. We have little sisters to get back to." Crow smiled.

"Right." Shun smiled. Both punched the wall that separated them but even so, their fists could still connect. They both walked down their path, Crow on red and Shun on blue.


Red Path

Crow walked along the path as the red flames lit the path for him. "If the one in charge of the temple is a resident of the Xyz Dimension and he was subject to an experiment. There's a high chance that he'll be like Sergey, adding Fusion Summon to his arsenal."

Crow looked at his deck. "I managed to get stronger but I need to be prepared for anything they have up their sleeve." Crow adjusted his cards.

Crow kept walking until he came up to a door. "Okay, let's do this." Crow inserted his deck into his Duel Disk and opened the door.

The room was very open with a staircase leading up to spinning card. "Is that the Numbers card?" Crow looked at it. Suddenly, the card released a bright light, causing Crow to shield his eyes.

When the light died down, appearing in front of him was a man with long blonde hair and wearing silver armor with the shoulder pads like the wings of a Pegasus.

"Who are you?" Crow asked.

"I am the Guardian who protects this ruin's Number, Mach." Mach introduced himself.

"So, you're the Commander?" Crow asked.

"No, the Commander is my Master. He will be dealing with your friend in the Blue Room while I take you on in the Red Room. If you wish to take this Number, you must show me your determination." Mach summoned a Duel Disk on his left arm and deck.

"The longer this base remains, the more power Academia has. I'll take you on and show the power of the Synchro Dimension." Crow activated his Duel Disk.

"Field Magic: Dimension Gates."

Crow's Duel Disk summoned the gates around them.

"Duel!" Crow and Mach declared.

Mach LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Crow LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"I will start us off. My turn! Draw!" Mach drew his card. "I set one monster in Defense Position!" Mach set a monster. "Then, I set two cards and end my turn!"

Mach LP: 4000, Hand: 3
Crow LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"My turn! Draw!" Crow drew his card. "From my hand, I summon Black Feather – Jet the Blue Sky (ATK: 100, LV: 1)!" Crow summoned his monster. "When I have a Black Feather monster on my field, I can Special Summon the Tuner Monster, Black Feather – Oroshi the Squall (400, LV: 1)!" Crow summoned his other Black Feather.

"I'm Tuning my Level 1 Jet the Blue Sky with my Level 1 Oroshi the Squall!" Oroshi turned into a single green ring and Jet the Blue Sky flew through it and became one star.

"With the flap of your jet-black wings, conceal yourself within blades of wind! Synchro Summon! Fly in! Assault Black Feather – Sayo the Rain Hider (ATK: 800, LV: 2)!" Crow brought forth a Black Feather monster with a short sword.

"At this moment, I activate Oroshi the Squall's effect! If this card was sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I can target one monster on the field and change its battle position! I choose your set monster!" Crow pointed to Mach's monster. The monster flipped over to reveal a Spellcaster.

"My set monster is Devious Druid Wid." Mach said.

Devious Druid Wid (ATK: 0, LV: 4)

"Next, I activate the Equip Magic: Spinning Blade of the Trailblazer! It raises the equipped monster's Attack Points by 800!" Sayo gained two blades and its power increased.

Sayo the Rain Hider (ATK: 800→1600)

"Take this! Sayo the Rain Hider, attack Devious Druid Wid." Sayo charged and sliced Devious Druid Wid, destroying it and damaging Mach.

Mach LP: 4000→2400

"A Hero of the past once said this. The bond we share with others shall open new paths." Mach spoke.

"Sounds like a good hero." Crow complimented.

"I activate Druid Wid's effect! When this monster is destroyed, I can activate the Continuous Magic: Labyrinth of Decisions from my hand!" Mach activated a Magic Card from his hand.

"Then, I send two cards from my hand to the Graveyard to activate the Continuous Trap: Unfair Treaty!" Mach played another of his cards.

"It is at this moment that these two cards' effects activate! When an opponent's monster battles, the Continuous Magic allows me to pay 600 Life Points and my opponent my discard one card from their hand." Mach revealed.

"So, that's your aim." Crow narrowed his eyes.

"And then, the Continuous Trap: Unfair Treaty's effect activates! With this card, when I activate the effect of my Continuous Magic where I would have to pay Life Points as a cost, you pay those Life Points instead!" Mach revealed.

"I have to pay for it?!" Crow's eyes widened.

"Now, discard your card!" Mach ordered.

Crow gritted his teeth and discarded a card and he was forced to pay the cost of Mach's card.

Crow LP: 4000→3400

"It's not over yet! I activate Spinning Blade of the Trailblazer's effect! Once per turn, I can inflict 400 points of damage times the number of Synchro Materials that were used to Synchro Summon the equipped monster! I used two monsters to Synchro Summon Sayo, so you take 800 points of damage!" Sayo swung the blades and it hit Mach.

Mach LP: 2400→1600

"I set one card and end my turn!" Crow finished.

Mach LP: 1600, Hand: 0
Crow LP: 3400, Hand: 1

"Impressive. You have a strong bond with your monsters." Mach praised. "But you are not the only ones with a strong bond."

"My turn! Draw!" Mach drew his card. "I summon Devious Druid Druise (ATK: 1800, LV: 4)!" Mach summoned another Spellcaster. "When this card is summoned, I can Special Summon one Druid monster from my Graveyard! Revive! Devious Druid Wid (ATK: 0, LV: 4)!" Mach summoned back his first monster.

"Let me show you the Number that you seek to possess! I Overlay my Level 4 Druid Druise and Wid!" Both monsters turned into purple lights and entered the spacelike portal in front of Mach.

"Oh, eternal laborer, now is the time to arise from your ancient sleep! Become the wings that soar through the sky! Xyz Summon! Appear, Number 44! White Winged Horse - Sky Pegasus (ATK: 1800, RNK: 4, OVU: 2)!" Mach summoned a white Pegasus.

"So, that's the Number that powers this base." Crow looked at the steed.

"This Number will impose a new trial onto you! I activate Sky Pegasus' effect! By using one Overlay Unit, I can destroy one monster on the field! I destroy Sayo the Rain Hider!" Crow gritted his teeth.

Sky Pegasus (OVU: 2→1)

"However, if you pay 500 of your Life Points, you can negate the effect." Mach revealed.

"Sayo has an effect that can't be destroyed twice per turn, but that's only by battle. If he's gone…" Crow thought. "I pay 500 Life Points!" Crow decided.

Crow LP: 3400→2900

"At this moment, Sky Pegasus' other effect activates! When the opponent pays Life Points, the same amount is inflicted as damage to him!" Mach revealed.

"What?!" Crow gasped and he was hit by Pegasus and knocked back.

Crow LP: 2900→2400

"With friends…Their inner value will be called to question, once they are separated from each other." Mach quoted.

"What are you talking about?" Crow asked.


Blue Path

Shun continued to walk his path, while being guided by the blue flames. "How long does this path go?" Shun wondered.

He soon entered a room where he saw multiple paintings on it. "What's this?" Shun walked up the wall. "Of course, it's some language I don't know."

Shun looked at the pictures and it showed a hero on a Pegasus going into battle. "I don't know if this is important but…" Shun used his Duel Disk to call the Resistance.

"Shun, everything okay?" Ruri answered.

"For now. But I need to talk to Mr. Arclight." Shun said.

"I'm here, Shun. What's wrong?" Bryon appeared.

"I found this in the ruins, I'm not sure if it's important or not, I can't read it." Shun showed the image.

"Hm…I've seen this language before. Hang on a second." Bryon took out a book and flipped through the pages. "Ah, here we go. Let's see…"

"Long ago, there was a group of brave knights who served a certain land. One of them was a Hero that rode his beloved steed, the Pegasus. The knights, led by the Hero, protected the peace of that country. One day, the Hero left the castle, to go back to his hometown. However, when the Hero was gone, the knights that were left behind overthrew the king and took over the country."

"With their Hero gone, they grew conceited with their own power, and began to deem themselves worthy to be called Kings." Bryon read. "Is there anymore?"

"Yeah, it continues this way." Shun continued walking.


Crow vs Mach

"Battle! Sky Pegasus, attack Sayo the Rain Hider!" Sky Pegasus charged towards Sayo.

"Sayo the Rain Hider cannot be destroyed in battle twice per turn!" Crow shouted as Sayo endured Sky Pegasus' attack.

"But you still take damage." Mach pointed out and Crow grunted.

Crow LP: 2400→2200

"I end my turn." Mach finished his turn.

Mach LP: 1600, Hand: 0
Crow LP: 2200, Hand: 1

"Damn…" Crow cursed. "Sky Pegasus can only use its effect to destroy a monster one more time, but the moment I pay Life Points, he'll inflict the same amount as damage to me. And Numbers cannot be destroyed in battle unless by another Number. And not only that, his Continuous Magic: Labyrinth of Decision and Continuous Trap: Unfair Treaty will deal more damage to me."

"Wait, what am I doing? It's not like me to overthink these things." Crow looked at his deck. "My cards have never let me down, so I shouldn't doubt them now. Come on, guys. Let's show him the strength of our bond."

"My turn! Draw!" Crow drew his card. "I activate the Magic Card: Treasure Cards of Black Feathers! I send one Black Feather monster in my hand to the Graveyard and draw two cards!" Crow drew two cards and he smiled at one of them.

"I activate Spinning Blade of the Trailblazer's effect! Once per turn, you can take 400 points of damage multiplied by the number of Synchro Materials that were used to Synchro Summon the equipped monster!" Crow pointed at Mach. Sayo swung the blades and Mach took damage.

Mach LP: 1600→800

"I summon Black Feather - Etesian of Two Tachis (ATK: 400, LV: 3)!" Crow summoned a Black Feather with two swords.

"When Sayo is Synchro Summoned using Black Feathers as material, it can be treated as a Tuner Monster! I'm Tuning my Level 3 Etesian of Two Tachis with my Level 2 Sayo the Rain Hider!" Sayo turned into two green rings and Etesian flew through them and became three stars.

"Pitch-black gale, become the tailwind that ties our bonds! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Assault Black Feather - Sohaya the Early Summer Rain (ATK: 1500, LV: 5)!" A Black Feather wearing blue armor.

"When Sohaya the Early Summer Rain is Synchro Summoned, I can Special Summon one Assault Black Feather Monster in my Graveyard! Return to the field, Assault Black Feather – Sayo the Rain Hider (ATK: 800, LV: 2)!" Crow brought back his first Assault Black Feather.

"And just like Sayo, if Sohaya the Early Summer Rain is Synchro Summoned using Black Feather monsters, it can be treated as a Tuner Monster. I'm Tuning my Level 2 Sayo the Rain Hider with my Level 5 Sohaya the Early Summer Rain!" Sohaya turned into five green rings and Sayo flew through them and became two stars.

"Spread your jet-black wings, and storm forth in tandem with the roaring thunder! A slash of lightning! Synchro Summon! Cascade, Assault Black Feather - Raikiri the Sudden Shower (ATK: 2600, LV: 7)!" Crow summoned his first ace.

"I activate Raikiri the Sudden Shower's effect! Once per turn, it can destroy cards on the field equal to the number of Black Feathers on my field! I destroy Sky Pegasus!" Raikiri charged towards Sky Pegasus.

"I activate my Trap Card: Holy Shield! This card negates one monster on my field from be destroyed by a card effect!" A shield of light protected Sky Pegasus.

"I couldn't destroy your monster, but I will still win this Duel!" Crow smiled. "Raikiri's Attack Points are 2600 and Sky Pegasus's Attack Points are 1800. The difference is 800 which is the same as your Life Points!"

"Go! Raikiri, attack Sky Pegasus!" Raikiri charged towards Sky Pegasus and struck it with its sword.

"Holy Shield's other effect activates! By banishing this card from my Graveyard, I gain 500 Life Points for every Magic and Trap Card on my field! With two Magic and Trap Cards on my field, I gain 1000 Life Points!" Mach quickly used his card to gain Life Points and endure the damage.

Mach LP: 800→1800→1000

"At this moment, the Continuous Magic: Labyrinth of Decisions and the Continuous Trap: Unfair Treaty activate their effects! With this, you pay 600 Life Points and discard one card from your hand!" Crow sent his last card in his hand to the Graveyard and he was forced to pay Life Points.

Crow LP: 2200→1600

"Then, Sky Pegasus's effect activates! When the opponent pays Life Points, the same amount that they paid is inflicted as damage!" Sky Pegasus hit Crow, sending him skidding back.

Crow LP: 1600→1000

"I end my turn." Crow finished.


Blue Path

"Here's the next part, sir." Shun showed the next area.

"Yes, now…" Byron cleared his throat.

"Hearing about the knights' rebellion, the Hero rushed back to the castle. Then the Hero appealed to them. Saying all that time, they had their hearts filled with justice, and tried to make them remember their bonds as comrades that fought together. But his former comrades, turned their swords against the Hero."

"The Hero could not kill his comrades. He kept refusing to fight back and thus was struck down by the swords of his own comrades. Then suddenly, his beloved steed Pegasus stood in front of the knights, trying to protect his master. With its life forfeit, it was trying to protect the Hero."

"The rest is damage." Shun noticed. "What happened next?"

"I'll tell you what happened next."

Shun turned towards the next room and waiting for him inside was…

"No way…you're…" Shun's eyes widened.


Crow vs Mach

Mach LP: 1000, Hand: 0
Crow LP: 1000, Hand: 0

"My turn! Draw!" Mach drew his card."I use one Overlay Unit to activate Sky Pegasus' effect! I destroy one monster on the field, but in exchange, you are allowed to pay 500 Life Points to negate this effect.

"You know I can't do that." Crow said. "The moment I pay Life Points, Sky Pegasus will inflict the same amount as damage."

"Then begone! Sky Pegasus, destroy Raikiri the Sudden Shower!" Sky Pegasus destroyed Raikiri.

"It's over! You fail the trial! Sky Pegasus! Direct Attack!" Sky Pegasus charged towards Crow.

"The bonds with my Black Feathers don't just exist on my field! I activate the Counter Trap: Black Feather – Back Flash! I can only activate this card when my opponent declares a direct attack while I have five or more Black Feathers in my Graveyard! This card destroys all monsters that my opponent controls!"

Six Black Feathers appeared behind Crow and they charged towards Sky Pegasus and they overpowered the steed's charge and destroyed it. "Even if my Black Feathers are destroyed and are in the Graveyard, as long as they're together, their bond will overcome any power no matter what!"

"So, this is your bonds…" Mach smiled. "I end my turn."

"My turn! Draw!" Crow drew his card. "From my Graveyard, I activate the effect of Black Feather – Vayu the Battlefield Standard! If this card is in my Graveyard, I can banish this card as well as any number of monsters in my Graveyard to perform a Synchro Summon!"

"I'm Tuning my Level 7 Raikiri the Sudden Shower with my Level 1 Vayu the Battlefield Standard!" Vayu turned into a single green ring while Raikiri flew through it and became seven stars.

"Back and red wings that contain dreams, appear before us with the inherited powers of your comrades! Synchro Summon! Soar! Assault Black Feather – Dark Hurricane Dragon (ATK: 2800, LV: 8)!" Crow summoned his dragon.

"Battle! Dark Hurricane Dragon! Direct Attack! Take the full power of our bonds! Noble Hurricane Stream!" Dark Hurricane Dragon unleashed its breath attack and knocked Mach off his feet and crashing into the ground.

Mach LP: 1000→0

Winner: Crow Hogan

"You have overcome the trial…" Mach stood up. "Your belief in the power of your bonds will definitely be enough to overcome any threat. I hope…that you can save my master."

"Master?" Crow questioned.

"Yes, the Commander of this base. He's, my master. But his heart and his mind have been tainted by a dark power that has been enhanced with the power of Chaos." Mach's body glowed.

"Mach!" Crow was surprised by what was happening to Mach.

"Please, return me, the noble steed back to the Hero of Legend." Mach's body disappeared and the Number card appeared in Crow's hand. "You were…a Duel Monster Spirit?"

"Man, the world is bigger than I thought. The Four Dimensions, the Duel Monster Spirit World, and now the Astral World and Barian World. Are there more worlds out there that play a part in ours?"

Suddenly the room shook and a door opened in front of Crow. "If I faced the Vice Commander, then Shun must be facing the Commander. I don't doubt his strength, but just to be safe." Crow ran ahead in hopes to catching up to Shun.


Blue Path

"What are you doing here? You were turned into a card! The Resistance told me…" Shun looked at the person approaching him.

"This world doesn't matter to me. All that matters is the protection of the Barian World." The person was a boy with glasses and short, gray spiky hair. He wore a black vest over a white shirt, black pants and a crystal on his right wrist and a scarf tied around his neck.

"Barian World…" Shun repeated.

The boy pulled out a cube with a red sphere in it. "What is that?" Shun questioned.

"This is your final battlefield! Barian's Sphere Cube!" The boy tossed the cube into the air and a red sphere shattered the cube and it engulfed both Shun and the boy inside.

"Hey, what are you doing?!" Shun was shocked that he was floating inside of the sphere.

The boy then let out a roar and his whole appearance changed and it shocked Shun. The boy was no longer human. His skin was that of a wisteria color, he had two blue markings on the sides of his face and silver armor plating with blue gems covering different parts of his body, with an emblem found on the right side of his chest.

"What are…Who are you?" Shun asked.

"I am the Barian World's White Shield, Durbe!" Durbe introduced himself. "One of the Seven Barian Emperors!"


And that is the end of Chapter 4. What did you all think of this chapter? Let me know in the reviews and if you have a question, feel free to PM me and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading and I will see you next time.


Preview: Using the power of Chaos that was given to him by Academia and fueled with rage against the Resistance for looking down on him and his comrades, Durbe launches relentless attacks against Shun. Despite having gotten stronger, Shun's tactics are overpowered by Durbe's Number. But then, someone unexpected comes to Shun's aid.

Next Time: The Hero of Legend, Durbe