(Chapter 7: The Dust Settles)

Surprise everyone, told you I'd have this out soon. This one is shorter than the last one. There is no dueling in this one, it pretty much gets everything set for the Synchro Dimension Arc, which will start in the next chapter or the one proceeding it. I've hinted at some of the events that will happen in the future, so try to see if you can spot them and figure out what might happen. I hope you enjoy.

(Standard Dimension: Yuya's house)

As Yuya stared at the spell, Smile World, he couldn't help but feel as though a part of his life had been turned upside down. Following gaining Yuto's dragon, Yuya theorized later on that he had somehow gained Yuto's soul, due to how Mieru Houchun had told him of there being 2 souls within his body, along with a strange darkness that threatened to consume him. Sora had eventually come back, this time under orders to take back a girl that resembled Yuzu, Serena. She looked so much like her that even Yuya had been caught by surprise, as apparently they had swapped clothes to ward off the Obelisk Force. Yuya had been scared that Yuzu had been carded, but after some strange advice of Reiji. Speaking of Reiji, Yuya didn't know what to think of him.

As it had turned out, Reiji had been aware of a possible Academia invasion, and the Maiami Championship had been nothing but a ruse to ward out duelists strong enough to fight back. The rest had been carded by the Obelisk Force. To say Yuya was outraged would be an understatement. So many people had been carded just to get duelists who could actually put up a fight; Yuya had wanted no part of this. He had tried to duel Reiji as a means of making him repent, however, even after using his own, Yuto's and the new dragon he'd created from them, Odd-Eyes Rebellion Dragon, he had failed completely. Worse yet, Yuya could tell that Reiji had been holding back, meaning he still had a long way to go before reaching Reiji's level. Though he didn't like it, he agreed to join the Lancers group; himself, Gongenzaka, Dennis, Shingo, Kurosaki Shun, Serena, Tsukikage, Reiji, and even Reiji's younger brother Reira.

The events had left scars on Yuya, and after facing his mother, he realized he had lost part of his smile as well. However, now he had it back along with even new inspiration. Smile World, was a card his father had used to calm others and help everyone to enjoy dueling the way it should be. Now Yuya had to do the same in this war he was entering. He didn't want to forget his smile, and he wanted others to smile to. He swore to himself that he'd make sure that Academia learned what dueling was truly meant to be, and he swore that he'd make both his mother and father proud.

Just then, the door to his room opened and a girl with indigo hair wrapped by a yellow bandana appeared. "Yuya, it's time to get going. Reiji and the others are leaving soon."

Yuya smiled, "Okay Serena, better get going."

Serena scowled and left, leaving Yuya curious, running to catch up to her, "Is something wrong Serena?"

She didn't even turn to face him, "I'm fine, let's go."

As they walked to the LDS tower they heard a familiar voice, "Darling, wait!"

Yuya sighed as he turned to face Mieru, who was running towards them. Ever since he'd defeated her, she had formed a crush on him and insisted on calling him darling, much to his annoyance. "What is it Mieru?"

"I wanted some of the upper echelon psychics to take your aura, just to see whether or not you'll be in too much danger." Mieru stated with a concerned expression.

"Fine…let me send a message to Gongenzaka about it. Why don't you come to Serena?" Yuya said while he sent a message to Gongenzaka via duel disk.

Serena shrugged, "Fine, what do I really have to lose."

With that they went to where Mieru lived where one of her teachers awaited. "I see you've brought friends Mieru."

"Yes Sensei, I was hoping if you could provide some warning of the dangers that they may face in the war."

The lady removed her hood and beckoned for Yuya and Serena to come closer. She then held Yuya's wrist and grimaced. "You have a very rough path ahead of you, my dear child. Your wishes are noble and pure, but war is not. You will experience terrible tragedy, one that will shake your very soul. However, there is a chance of your survival and fortune." With that she let go and Yuya pulled back, alarmed at what she may have meant.

The lady then suddenly turned to Serena and her expression turned to horror, then to grief. With that the oracle hugged Serena tightly, terrifying everyone; Serena pushed her off yelling "What's this all about?!"

The woman collected herself, "My apologies, but it seems that you may have to suffer the most in this war. Well, after him of course."

"You mean Yuya?" She stared at the boy standing next to her.

"No, the other one." The lady replied in a grave tone. "He stands on a cliff overlooking eternal damnation and insanity. However, you may be able to save him from the void, but you do not have too much time."

"Who are you talking about?" The question poured from the mouths of both Yuya and Mieru.

"I believe that's not something for me to talk about. Serena knows of whom I mean." The lady then turned towards the girl. "Don't you?"

Serena turned around, "I didn't come here to waste my time. Let's go Yuya, the Lancers are waiting." With that she stormed out of the house and towards LDS tower, leaving Yuya scrambling to catch up. On the inside she was horrified at what she had heard, but she tried to deny it. She had no true friend in Academia, yet whenever she looked at Yuya, she just kept on seeing his face over and over. Serena pushed it aside, she had moved on from him. She couldn't care less about…

(Fusion Dimension: the Professor's Chambers)

"Yuri, am I hearing you correctly?" Leo Akaba said with a scowl.

"Absolutely, Professor, you have my duel disk to verify." Yuri said kneeling before him, both angered and nervous.

"So, to recap, you found Yuzu Hiragi, dueled her, were within an inch of winning, and then her bracelet lit up and you were teleported back here."

"I know it makes no sense Professor, I'm struggling to make sense of it as well."

"That still doesn't excuse the fact that you failed to capture Yuzu Hiragi." The man had a rather disappointed look on his face.

Unknown to both of them, a young boy with blue hair was watching them from outside the room. "So Academia is also after Yuzu. Why are we hunting her?" The boy whispered with a nervous expression.

"Between this and Serena's escape, now the Arc Area Project is being held back. We cannot let that happen." The Professor spoke in an authoritarian voice.

"Forgive me Professor, I promise; I will see to it that both are brought here. You have my word."

Leo Akaba sighed, "Very well Yuri, dismissed." With that the young man rose and made for his quarters. Sora sprinted put of sight so as to avoid suspicion while also wondering about this 2nd person he had just seen that resembled Yuya.

I can't let the Professor hurt Yuzu or Yuya, but how can I leave Academia? Sora continued thinking as he ran down the halls of the military school.

Meanwhile, once Yuri had entered his room, he was unable to hold back the rage within him and yelled, "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!" Sitting on his chair he removed on his deck and spoke bitterly to his dragon. "You know something, don't you? You know why I was teleported, tell me now!"

"I can't Yuri…I don't know?"

"Don't lie to me Starve Venom. You know the reason why I was teleported away. You have some knowledge of why there are 4 of me and 4 of Serena. Why don't you just tell me?!" Truth is Yuri was near tears. He had trusted his cards with his life and now it seems they were hiding the truth from him, the truth which could save him.

The card seemed to glow with sadness and it telepathically replied, "I'm sorry, I just can't. There's more to it than what you believe. Telling you may end you."

"In case you may have forgotten my days are already numbered. The Professor probably has my name on a list of people to eliminate, I'm dying from the inside out, and if I were to continue failing the Professor may hold me back. That would prevent me from ever finding Yuya and Yugo. JUST TELL ME WHAT IT IS ALREADY!"

At that moment Yuri felt a loud pang go off in his heart, causing him to grip his chest as his mind flashed; he was now tangled in several roots and vines of ivy. They were squeezing him, so hard it seemed like his heart would burst. His mind returned to reality and he began to cough and hack on the floor, to the point that he coughed up blood.

"Yuri! Hold strong alright!" He felt his dragon roar within his mind.

Finally gaining control of himself, Yuri sat up on the floor and let himself sink into the side of his bed. He stared at his now bloodstained hand stating, "I'm holding up as much as I can, but without my doppelgangers I won't last. Can I count on you to help me find them?"

In response his deck lit up, affirming to Yuri that his deck would stand by him to the end. Deciding to get some rest, Yuri picked himself up and threw himself on his bed.

(Standard Dimension)

"Serena, hold up!" Yuya shouted as he tried to keep up with her.

"Just speed up!" Serena hollered as she looked back to glower at Yuya, not noticing where she was going before...

"Oof!" The man in the top hat said, falling over. "My word, what's the rush young lady? You're running like you're a part of the marathon." With that, he got back up on his feet and helped Serena up, "Wait, is that you Yuzu?"

"Sorry Reichter-san, her name's Serena!" Yuya said, panting as he reached them. "Apologies, we were just running to LDS's tower..." Yuya stated while picking up the man's hat.

"Not a problem my boy, I've already heard the news." With that, Reichter was handed back his old hat, and at that moment, Serena couldn't help but notice the similar hair he had with Yuya, except his was black on top and silver on the bottom.

"Are you related to Yuya by any chance?" She asked bluntly, causing them both to sigh.

"For the last time, I did not have an affair with Yoko Sakaki before or after she married Yusho, I hadn't even met her until after Yuya was born." Reichter stated in a wary tone. "My name's Reichter, creator and CEO of The Reichter Corporation, and partnered with the Leo Corp."

"He worked with my father and Reiji's father to produce real Solid Vision." Yuya explained to Serena.

"Yes while Leo corp reached the peak of the gaming world and Yusho created Entertainment Dueling, I strive to use the technology to solve the world's pollution and food crisis. Sadly for me, there's still a good deal of politics and conversation on whether it can be trusted to everyone." The man then placed his hat back on, "But enough of that, let's relax, I was on my way to LDS tower to wish you all good luck before you left. Why don't we all walk together?" With that, he grasped both of their hands and they strolled to the tower. Though Serena was never comfortable with most people, let alone new people, the confidence and kindly attitude of the old man, and Yuya's faith in him, ultimately made her give way.

When they finally reached the top where Reiji and the rest of them were waiting, Reichter greeted them all, "Reiji, I wish you all safe travels on your journey to Synchro." With that, they all looked at him, prompting him to look surprised, "What you didn't tell them?"

"That was my mistake, but yes. I have reason to believe, that the white rider that dueled Yuto from before is with Yuzu." Reiji stated, "And before you ask Yuya, I was watching on security camera. You can ask Shun, he was watching as well." He said while Reiji nodded, "However, based on new events, he may not be our enemy."

"So you're saying Yuzu may be in the Synchro dimension?" Yuya asked Reiji.

"I have a hunch that she's there. It's part of the reason why we're going to go there." Reiji replied.

Upset over this, Shun snapped, "What about Ruri, I say we just teleport right into Academia and storm the place."

"And that is why you're not making the plans Shun." Reiji fixed his glasses, "We may be strong, but don't let your desire to save your sister blind you to the fact that we are not strong enough to face Academia head on right now." He then made a concerned face, "I'm sorry, but if we were to do that, eventually they'd overwhelm us, and the next your sister would see you she'd see a card of you."

Serena then crossed her arms, "Is that why we're going to Synchro."

Turning to her, Reiji replied "Indeed, I have a feeling that the Synchro dimension is not our enemy. If we can gain there support, we may be able to conscript more duelists to our cause so that we can visit Heartland and liberate it from Academia's hold. Then we can travel to the Fusion dimension and bring an end to the war."

With a confident expression, Shingo laughed, "Well then let's do it. It's time we show the dimensions some real entertainment. Right Yuya!"

"Sure Shingo, let's do it."

A bit separate from the rest of the group, Dennis grinned to himself. If what they say is true, then I may be in position to find Yuzu, and help deliver her and Serena to the Professor. I'll play along for now. Then later when I'm alone I'll radio in Yuri to help clean house.

"Something funny Dennis?" Gongenzaka questioned after seeing the man smile.

"No, I'm just thinking of getting in on the action too. That's all."

"If everyone's ready, take these cards and place them in your duel disk. They will teleport us across the dimensions and into Synchro." Reiji then handed them all the same cards. He then turned to Reichter, "Well Reichter, I guess this is goodbye. Hopefully, we'll return triumphant."

Reichter nodded, "Good luck my young friend."

As he placed his card into his duel disk, Yuya thought about the possibility of finding Yuzu in the other dimensions and made a promise to himself, not knowing that a certain boy resembling him in the Fusion Dimension was thinking the same thing.

'Yuzu…wherever you are…I promise I'll find you, I can't believe I lost you…I swear I'll find you again…I swear I'll kill/save you, Yuzu.'

With that, the boy of Standard disappeared to save his loved ones while the one from Fusion left to see his Professor, ready to ask for the hunt he craved.

That wraps this chapter up, the next chapter will have Sora and Yuri teaming up to hunt the Lancers, so get ready, because our next stop is the Synchro Dimension. BTW, I have a challenge for anyone reading this. I challenge you to look up the theme of Infinite of SOnic Forces on Youtube and try to see how that song pertains to this story, because trust me, it's a lot more than an edgy song, at least in this fanfiction:)