This, along with another story that was posted around the same time, is another one I have been writing but never got to chapter 10 of it. I want to see your opinion on it and the other one.

There was once a beautiful city with a name lost in time. It was the ultimate combination of technology and nature, beautiful beyond comparison. Birds born from the Solid Vision system soared through the sky and people lived together in harmony and joy.

With such powerful technology it was inevitable that it would be used to make the popular game Duel Monsters even more thrilling.

By utilizing the Solid Vision System, it allowed the players to not only interact with monsters, but with the field itself as if both existed. It made for thrilling and wondrous duels that always had the crowd cheering.

Amongst those duellists was a young man who loved to put on thrilling duels, calling his style of Dueling 'Entertainment Dueling.' Pulling off theatrics, he was a beloved Duellist by all.

However, one day… Things changed.

During one of his duels, he accidentally injured one of his opponents. And it wasn't some minor injury. He impaled his shoulder, possibly injuring his opponent for life.

As expected, the young man was panicked as he hadn't meant to push things that far. But, where he expected to hear booing, he instead heard the crowd cheer for the violence.

Conflict filled him. Yes, the crowd was entertained… But at the cost of someone else's pain.

Hoping it was a one-time occurrence, he dueled the usual way against his next opponent. However, the crowd booed and demanded more violence. Left with no choice, he resorted to more violent measures. He most likely paralyzed his opponent this time.

More and more violent his duels became, more and more pain he put people through, all for the sake of pleasing the crowd.

Confusion and fear were slowly replaced with anger and hatred. Anger at the humans who forced his Duel Monsters to partake in such violent acts. Hatred at the people who demanded more violent duels, when he himself didn't enjoy them. However, he couldn't do anything except keep these feelings bottled up inside of him.

Unbeknownst to him, these feelings created something deep in his subconscious, something dark and vile. It began to form a plan, one that would allow it to gain control of the boy's body and power beyond its wildest dreams.

This creation first began whispering into the young boy's mind, using his own voice, making the boy mistake it as his own thoughts.

You know why they demanded violence. The world was at peace. Humans crave entertainment of any kind and much like the coliseums of the past, people crave violence the most. If they wanted violent entertainment… give them the greatest show ever! But wait until you're on top of the world: when you win the Ultimate Championship.

Manipulated, he let his rage, hatred and malice flow through his monsters, making them destroy everything.

The dark being began whispering once more into his mind.

You aren't invincible. You are still mortal like the rest. Your monsters had to shield you from attacks, sacrificing their lives to protect their master. In order for none of his monsters to ever fall in battle… you have to become one of them! You have to become one WITH them!

He called forth the aid of the great Magician in his deck. And, with his almighty power, the Duellist's four most powerful dragons merged with their master to become an almighty and all-powerful beast.

And like that, the dark personality took over, locking the original's personality deep in its subconscious. It decided to rename itself Z-ARC, as a mockery of his former's personality's name, and to declare he would be the last one standing, hence the 'Z' in its name.

Mixed with his powers and his dragon's, there was no way the original could take over. He could do nothing but watch as the giant dragon brought forth destruction and carnage the likes of which have never been seen.

The original watched from the darkness of his own heart, realizing he was manipulated from the start. He knew now he never wanted to actually hurt people. Even those who demanded more violence didn't deserve to get killed! Maybe if he was strong enough, he could have changed their minds. But now it was too late...

One day, a girl came before them. They recognized who it was. It was their childhood friend and the love of their life. She pleaded with him to stop, to let go of his rage, and to give up his hatred. That humanity still deserved a second chance. She didn't realize that she wasn't talking with him.

The dragon just laughed at him, and then announced how he would enjoy hearing her screams.

And so, the girl was left with no choice.

Using the power of four cards that utilized the natural powers of nature, she not only stopped him, but she split apart the dimensions… And even split apart the two of them into four, sending the four dragons to different dimensions to assure they would never re-join.

He thought this was the end of his story, but as it turns out, it was just the beginning. The beginning of Zarc's story.

Zarc found himself alone in a void. Zarc looked down to see he still had his clothes on.

"Well, that's good at least." Zarc shrugged to himself. "Won't have to be a naked spirit floating in the endless void for the rest of eternity."

Zarc then sighed, his shoulders slouching.

"This is going to be boring." Zarc said as he leaned back with his arms behind his head. "Then again, I deserve it."

"I wouldn't be sure about that." an unknown voice said. "Seeing as we won't be here for very long."

In his surprise, Zarc started looking all over where the voice came from, finally looking behind him. Standing there was blue magician. He recognized this card. This was… "Astrograph Magician."

"Greetings Zarc." the magician nodded

"B-But… How!?" Zarc shouted.

"Simple. You are but a spirit, so it's easy to contact you like this." Astrograph said.

"Okay, that makes… sense. But why are you here?" Zarc couldn't help but ask.

"For you Zarc." Astrograph answered.

"Me?" the duelist asked.

"Yes, for you see. Your battle is not yet over." Astrograph said.

"My battle? With who?" Zark asked.

"With your Darkness." Astrograph said. "Or as he likes to call himself now... Z-ARC"

"No, Z-Arc is done for." Zarc said before becoming sad. "Thanks to Ray's sacrifice."

"The fight may be over for now. But the war isn't." Astrograph said, getting Zarc's attention.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"The other you isn't gone." Astrograph said while trying to find the right phrase. "It lies dormant. In the souls of your counterparts."

"My… 'counterparts'?" Zarc asked with an eyebrow raised and a head tilt.

"Allow me to explain." Astrograph said as he waved his scepter.

The void suddenly lit up as stars appeared around them.

"WOW!" Zarc awed.

He then noticed four Planets.

"What are those?" Zarc asked.

"Those are the four dimensions that your friend created using the Natural Energy Cards." Astrograph answered.

"WHAT?!" Zarc asked.

"They are not this close, but I showed them together to make my explanation easier for you. They're called Standard, Fusion, Synchro and Xyz."

"Why are they called that?" Zarc asked. "I mean the last three seemed to be based on Summoning Methods, but I don't know about 'Standard'."

"Because those are the worlds that your dragons reside in after Ray sent them." Astrograph answered.

"My dragons?" Zarc asked before realizing what he meant. "Ah! You mean…"

"That's right!" Astrograph said, before four dragons appeared on top of each planet. "Odd-Eyes Dragon, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon and Starve Venom Fusion Dragon. The people of these worlds can only summon using the summoning their worlds are based on."

"Not only were the dragons separated but your Darkness and girlfriend were as well." Astrograph continued, making Zarc splutter and blush.

He cleared his throat. "What do you mean?" Zarc asked.

"To make sure your dark self doesn't return, the cards split Z-Arc into four quarters of itself, trapping each one, based on your appearance, in a different dimension." Astrograph started to explain. "But to ensure that the pieces can't find one another, they need a watcher."

"A watcher?" the boy asked.

"Someone to keep an eye on them." Astrograph said. "That is where your girlfriend comes into play."

"Ray? You mean she's…" Zarc asked.

"Alive? In a sense." Astrograph answered. "Her spirit is stored in the bracelets that her counterparts hold. Her body on the other hand was split up like yours was and was reincarnated so to speak."

"Does she have her memories?" Zarc asked.

"Her counterparts do not." Astrograph answered. "But I suspect the counterparts could access them, should all of them be near one another, though for that to happen dimensional travel would have to be possible."

He waved his staff and next to each dragon was a girl and a boy. Zarc widened his eyes as he saw that the boys had the same face as him and the girls had the same face as Ray.

"Alright. So, what's the problem then?" Zarc asked, confused. "It sounds to me that the other me can't get to the other Dimensions and do anything."

Astrograph, instead to answering him, simply waved his scepter again. Bring them to the planet where Dark Rebellion was at and arriving in a beautiful city, though not as beautiful as his own. In the distance, he saw a tower with a heart at the top.

"This is Heartland City, in the XYZ dimension." Astrograph said.

"It's beautiful." Zarc said.

"Yes, it is." Astrograph agreed. "For now, that is."

"What do you mean?" Zarc asked while turning to him.

Once again Astrograph said nothing as he waved his hand. The scene around them blurred until…

"What… the… fuck?" Zarc asked, horrified at what laid before him with wide eyes. The once beautiful city turned to ruins, much similar to the one he caused.

"This is Heartland a few years from now." Astrograph said with sadness in his voice.

"W-Why? What happened?" Zarc asked. "Who did this!?"

"They did." Astrograph answered pointing, also saddened.

Zarc looked to where Astrograph was pointing, seeing a duel between two men in progress. One was dressed in ragged clothing, while the other was dressed in military clothing.

"A duel?" Zarc asked.

"Watch closely." Astrograph advised.

"I Overlay my two monsters!" The Ragged one said, his monsters going into a galaxy-like portal. "Xyz Summon!"

The duel continued, going into the other duelist's turn.

"Alright then. I activate the Spell card Fusion!" the soldier called out.

"Fusion?!" Zarc asked. He turned to look at Astrograph to ask but Astrograph held up his hand to stop Zarc. He looked the duelist in the eyes and shook his head. Zarc understood and turned back to the duel.

Soon, the soldier won the duel.

XYZ: 0 LP

Winner: FUSION

Now that the duel was over Zarc turned to the his magician and asked his question.

"I thought you said people can only use the summoning method of their respective Dimension and that they can't reach the other dimensions?" Zarc asked.

"In theory, yes." Astrograph said. "But if someone was able to find a way to invent Dimensional Travel, it's a different story…"

"I guess that makes sense, yeah." Zarc relented. "But why show me this duel then?"

Before they could answer him, Zarc heard the Xyz user scream, causing him to turn back.

"No please! Stop!" he begged.

"Now why would I do that?" the Fusion user asked sarcastically. "Not when I went through all this trouble."

"But why?!" he shouted. "Why are you doing all of this?! What's even the point of hunting us down?!"

Hunting them down? Zarc thought a little put off. "What does he mean by that?"

"Keep watching." Astrograph said, without any expression in his voice.

"The reason?" the Fusion user asked with a head tilt and a grin on his face. "Because it's fun, that's why."

The Fusion user then held up his Duel Disk and pushed a button on it. A bright purple light shined and when it died down, the Xyz user was gone.

"Hey, where'd he go?" Zarc asked.

"Look at his feet." Astrograph instructed in a sad voice.

Zarc did what he was told and saw a card.

"A card?" Zarc muttered as the Fusion user picked it up.

"And that's one more for my collection." He smirked.

Zarc was able to see the picture on the card and he was horrified.

"He… He turned him into a card!" Zarc looked at his magician. "Why would he do that?! HOW would he even be able to do that?!"

"To answer that question, we must go back to the start." Astrograph said as he waved his hand.

In a flash of white, they had arrived in a park. Zarc looked around and saw everything was fine. Nothing was destroyed.

"This is the Standard Dimension." Astrograph explained.

"But why are we here?" Zarc asked.

"Because of him." Astrograph answered as he pointed to the side.

The human turned to see an old face.

"Leo?!" Zarc gasped, seeing the father of his girlfriend.

"After the dimensions split apart, Akaba Leo ended up here in this one." Astrograph explained.

"How?" Zarc asked. "I mean how is Leo even here to begin with?"

"Didn't you notice?" Astrograph asked, confused. "He was also there before Ray split the Dimensions."

"...I didn't notice." Zarc answered. Truthfully, he was too worried for his girlfriend's safety to notice their surroundings. "Still that doesn't explain why or how he arrived here."

"I'm afraid even I can't answer that." Astrograph answered him. "Either by sheer luck or by Ray's will, I do not know. But his arrival isn't important here. Even though he survived the separation, the memories of his previous life were suppressed in his subconscious."

"Really?" Zarc asked. He felt a bit sorry for Ray's father.

"Yes, but over time he began to remember everything about what happened." Astrograph continued. "Which is what leads us to what you saw."

"What do you mean?" Zarc asked. "How is Ray's dad involved?"

"When he reclaimed all his memories, Akaba Leo made it his personal mission to capture the counterparts of his daughter and combined them to bring her back." Astrograph said. "No matter the cost as you can see"

"No…" Zarc whispered. "No, Leo wouldn't do something like that! I refuse to believe it!"

Astrograph merely sighed, twirling his scepter.

They were in some sort of throne room. In front of them, Leo was sitting on top of a throne. He looked much older, now wearing a purple military outfit, similar to the one he saw before. Behind him was a machine glowing green with multiple cards being absorbed into it.

"Oh god. Leo, what have you done?" Zarc said, getting on his knees before he realized something. "Wait, what would happen to Ray's pieces if they were fused together?"

"They will cease to exist." Astrograph simply said.

Zarc's eyes widened in horror.

"N-Nani? You mean… They'll die?! But why?! Why would Leo do something like that?! To kill four girls that have the same face as his own daughter?!" Zarc demanded.

"That's just it. To him, they aren't his daughter." Astrograph explained. "To him… they aren't real people, just four pieces of an incomplete puzzle that he needs to put together."

Zarc is horrified at what he hears as he turns to look at said man.

"He knows he can't do it himself, so he plans to gather an army to carry out his dirty work for him." Astrograph continues. "He figured out how to travel to the other dimensions, and he left his new life behind, arriving at the Fusion Dimension. There he manages to amass a gathering, claiming that he wants to create a utopia for all the dimensions by fusing them all together. A few years later, he makes them invade the other dimensions with Xyz being the first one, has them turn the people into cards to fuel his machine that will fuse Ray's counterparts together as well as the Dimensions. To Academia, this project is known as Arc Area Project. For Leo, it is called the Revival Zero. Both have similar but very different goals."

"Sadly, he has been blinded by his own stupidity. By allowing the counterparts to travel between Dimensions, your counterparts can come across one another and should they duel, they can absorb one another. If all four are absorbed, Z-ARC will return." Astrograph finished.

Zarc continues to look at the man who will soon bring terror to the dimensions as he clenches his fists, then turns towards his magician.

"How do I stop him?" He asked. Who he was referring to, Leo, or Z-ARC, was unclear, but it didn't matter.

"Sadly, we can't stop him from starting his invasion." Astrograph explained.

"What? Why!?" Zarc asked.

"Zarc, time is a very fragile thing, something that shouldn't be tampered with." Astrograph explained. "Imagine time being a river, with only one straight path. If undisturbed, its image is clear. It's how I'm able to show you all of this. However, if you place a single pebble, it will ripple, obscuring its image entirely. If a large pebbles is placed, the river can turn into a raging tsunami and consume everything in existence. For example, you were not even supposed to come back from this place, destined forever to wander the void."

"Creepy fate aside…" Zarc said, shivering at what would happen to him. "Then why are you helping in the first place?"

Astrograph sighed. "Let's call it redemption."

"Redemption?"

"Like yourself, I was corrupted by Z-ARC's. So were most of your monsters." He explained. "I was lead to believe humanity need to pay for their sins. My brother, Chronograph Magician, tried to warn me and stop me. That no human and Duel Monsters should merge, or something horrible beyond our comprehension would be unleashed. As you can see, I did not heed his warning."

"You have a brother?" Zarc asked.

"...I had a brother." He answered. "After Supreme King Dragon Z-ARC was formed, he killed my brother, the only one that could stop him. Luckily, he was able to transfer his powers to me, which allowed me to speak with you."

"I'm… sorry." Zarc apologized. If he had just stopped his other self's creation, none of this would have happened. He was too weak and fell for-

"Stop that." Astrograph Magician interrupted him. "You tormenting yourself in this place is exactly the opposite of what I want you to do."

"Okay." Zarc said, before slapping his cheeks. "So I guess we're on the same boat, then?"

Astrograph nodded. "Correct." He said. "As I was saying before, we can't change certain events, otherwise the entire fabric of reality could collapse."

"Damn." Zarc cursed. So many innocents lives were going to be lost. He sighed. "Rather than focus on what we CAN'T do, let's focus on what we CAN do."

"Naturally, you must stop the resurrection of your other self." Astrograph started. "I'm sure you also want to stop Akaba Leo ambitions, correct?"

Zarc clenched his fist. "Even if those girls are a fragment of Ray and even if fusing them together would bring her back, I refuse to sacrifice someone's life in exchange for another." He said. "I know Ray feels the same, so I will save them as well."

"Very well." Astrograph said. "The best way to do all of this would be to infiltrate Academia, the place where Akaba Leo has set base. You can save three of the counterparts from the get go."

"All right, let's do this!" Zarc said.

"Now, we need to create a new Deck." Astrograph said, much to the confusion of the teen.

"Why not use my own deck?" Zarc asked.

"Haven't you noticed?" Astrograph asked him.

"Noticed what?" he asked back.

The only response the monster gave was pointing at his deck holder… or rather lack of one. When the duelist looks, he freaks out.

"What the?! Where's my deck?!" Zarc asks as he searches his whole body.

"I'm afraid your own original Deck has been sealed away in your counterparts as well." Astrograph explained. "If they become one, the Deck could be brought back, but most likely it will be in the possession of your alter ego."

"Damn that bastard!" Zarc cursed. "Is there anything he won't steal!?"

"Before we create your Deck, there is something you should know about a power your enemy will create soon." Astrograph Magician explained. The scenery changed around them again. This time they were in a stadium, watching a boy duel. Zarc recognized him as his Standard Counterpart.

"I, using the Scale 1 Stargazer Magician and the Scale 8 Timegazer Magician, set the Pendulum Scale!" The boy said as his magicians appeared. "With these, I can now summon Monsters between Level 2 and 7 at the same time!"

"What is happening!?" His opponent yelled in shock

"Swing, Pendulum of the soul. Draw an arc of light across the ether! PENDULUM SUMMON! Come forth, my monsters!"

A portal opened between the two magicians, with three beams of light coming out, with Odd-Eyes looking a bit older, a mix between a sword and a fish that suspiciously looks like Elvis and a purple snake with a top hat.

(LV2 Fish/Effect/Water ATK:600 DEF:600)

(LV4 Reptile/Effect/Earth ATK:1700 DEF:900)

(LV:7 SC:4 Dragon/Pendulum/Effect/Dark ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000)

"What is this?" Zarc asked, confused, before turning to Odd-Eyes, who had changed forms. "Odd-Eyes has evolved?"

"This is Pendulum Summon, a power Z-ARC created in the moment one of your counterpart's spirit was at its weakest." Astrograph Magician explained. "This power can evolve beyond our imagination. To fight it, we must create a power that can rival it."

"Can you?" Zarc asked.

"Yes, but no."

"Huh?" The boy was confused.

"Zarc, there are many more Dimensions than these ones I have shown you. For example, in one of these, Duel Monsters is but a casual game for some people. Duel Disks don't even exist and I believe they even made a show about it." Astrograph explained.

"Woah..." Zarc said, shocked and wondering what type of world it would be like.

"I have traveled galaxies in span of a second in search for a power and I found one. Its name is Link Summon."

"Link Summon?" Zarc repeated the name. "What's it like?"

"Well you see…"

*One Hour Later*

"And that's about it." Astrograph finished explaining.

"Ok, that was a lot of information to process at once." Zarc said, rubbing his head.

"Do not worry, you will get the hang of it soon enough." Astrograph said. "Now for your Deck. Any preferences?"

Zarc thought for a bit. "Honestly, the only choices I have is access to all Summoning Methods and that they are Dragons." He said, shrugging. "I like Dragons, okay?"

"I am not judging." Astrograph Magician said before closing his eyes and raising his palm, an orb of light appearing on it. The orb dissipated, revealing a Deck of cards. "Here you go."

Zarc looked through the cards. "Rokket, huh?" He looked at the Extra Deck monster and he instinctively knew which was the ace. "Borreload Dragon."

In his mind he heard a large roar, making Zarc smile. "Thank you Astrograph." He thanked his friend.

"Very well. I shall begin the ritual now." Astrograph Magician said, a large magic circle appearing beneath him. "I wish you luck on your journey, Zarc."

"You talk as if you're not coming." Zarc joked, but his grin disappeared. "Y-You're coming right?"

"I'm sorry, but my soul is bound to this place." Astrograph answered.

"But I can't do this without you!" Zarc said, tears forming in his eyes. "After all, you were-"

"Only one of us can leave and it has to be you. I enjoyed our time together. Goodbye, Zarc." He said, a small tear in his eye

The Magic circle opened a portal beneath Zarc's feet, making him fall.

Zarc reached his hand out towards his monster, screaming out his name. "ASTROGRAPH!"

And then everything went white.

Check my profile to how these stories will be updated.