Here we are. The Yuya and Rio clash is finally upon us. I hope I did good with this chapter as it is a very important one.

So, let's get on with the chapter.

Chapter 23: The Victims of Destiny

Asuka vs Yusho

When the fire and ice storms collapsed, it reached all the way to the beach where the ocean half boiled and half froze.

"Whoo! The clash is upon us!" Yusho cheered at what he was seeing.

"Yuya! Rio!" Asuka cried out. "Hurry up and start your turn!"

"Calm down, let the kiddies have their fun and then we'll see them after they tire themselves out…permanently by that's my preference." Yusho didn't have a single care in the world.

"You know you forfeit if you don't play a card in the next minute!" Asuka pointed out.

"Damn, I hate it when you bring up the rules. Fine. Let's continue." Yusho complained.

Asuka LP: 1800, Hand: 1
Field: Cyber Angel Dakini (ATK: 3700, LV: 8), 2 set cards

Yusho LP: 2300, Hand: 2
Field: Scale 2 Entermate Gongcat

"My turn! Draw!" Yusho drew his card. "With the already set Scale 2 Entermate Gongcat, I set the Scale 6 Entermate Gongcat and the Scale 7 Entermate Treasure Hunter, I set the Pendulum Scale!" Yusho set his scale. Appearing was a man dressed as an explorer.

"With this, I can simultaneously summon monsters from Levels 3 to 5. But first, I Normal Summon Entermate Allcover Hippo (ATK: 800, LV: 3)!" Yusho summoned a brown colored hippo.

"When Allcover Hippo is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon one Entermate monster from my hand! Appear! Entermate Sky Magician (ATK: 2500, LV: 7)!" Yusho summoned his ace monster.

"Now I activate Entermate Treasure Hunter's Pendulum Effect! Once per turn, I can draw one card for every Entermate card on the field! With four Entermate cards, I draw four cards!" Yusho drew four more cards.

"Then, by releasing a non-Pendulum Entermate monster, I Special Summon Entermate Sleight Hand Magician (ATK: 2500, LV: 7)!" Yusho summoned Sleight Hand Magician.

"I could defeat your right now, but Entermate Treasure Hunter prevents me from Pendulum Summoning the turn I use its effect." Yusho revealed. "By discarding an Entermate monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I destroy one face-up card on the field! I destroy Cyber Angel – Dakini!" Sleight Hand Magician destroyed Asuka's Ritual Monster.

"Battle! Entermate Sleight Hand Magician! Direct Attack!" Sleight Hand Magician unleashed a magical blast towards Asuka.

"I activate the Continuous Trap: Limit Reverse! This card lets me Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard with 1000 or less Attack Points! Revive! Cyber Tutu (ATK: 1000, LV: 3)!" Asuka summoned her warrior.

"Then, destroy Cyber Tutu!" Yusho ordered Sleight Hand Magician.

"Quick-Play Magic: Machine Angel Fusion!" Asuka played her set card. "By banishing materials on my field or in my hand, I can perform a Fusion Summon! I fuse Cyber Tutu with Cyber Angel Benten in my hand!" Asuka's Ritual Monster appeared and it entered the spiraling vortex with Cyber Tutu.

"Ballet Warrior! Angel of Benzaiten! Become one within the spiraling vortex and give birth to a new angel! Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 7! Cyber Angel – Sharada (ATK: 2500, LV: 7)!" Asuka summoned a new Fusion Monster.

"A Fusion Monster? I thought you swore never to use them again after you left Academia." Yusho said.

"All that I care about now is getting back to Yuya and Rio!" Asuka shouted. "When Cyber Angel – Sharada is Fusion Summoned using a Ritual Monster, it negates the effects of all face-up cards on the opponent's field! Now you can't use your Monster or Pendulum Effects!" Asuka declared.

"I still have two monsters! Sleight Hand Magician, attack Cyber Angel – Sharada! After it's destroyed Sky Magician can attack you directly and this Duel is over!" Yusho shouted. Sleight Hand Magician and Sharada attacked, but only Sleight Hand Magician was destroyed. "What?!"

"Sharada cannot be destroyed by monsters with the same Attack Points as her, and when she destroys a monster in battle, the opponent takes 400 points of damage!" Sharada sent a blast at Yusho, making him grunt.

Yusho LP: 2300→1900

"Damn you! I set one card and end my turn!" Yusho finished his turn.

"My turn!" Asuka put her fingers on her deck.

Heartland City – Forest

Yuzu was still weak from her Duel with Rio, when she felt someone pick her up. "Who?" Yuzu turned to the one who picked her up.

"Don't worry, Yuzu. Daddy's here." Shuzo smiled at his own daughter.

"Dad?" Yuzu was surprised. "What are you?"

"Mr. Kaiba recruited me and a few others to come here and provide backup." Shuzo said. "Jonouchi sent me your coordinates. Don't worry, I'll take you back to the base."

"Dad…Yuya… and Rio…" Yuzu winced. "They're not themselves…"

"Don't worry, Jonouchi is heading there now. He just got a ride." Shuzo assured his daughter.

Heartland City – Expressway

Jonouchi and Akari were on a D-Wheel with Akari supporting Jonouchi as he was still weak from his fight against IV. "Can't this thing go any faster?" Jonouchi complained.

"I would if not for the extra weight." Yoko said.

"I've been cutting back on the sweets!" Akari pouted.

"And it's all muscle!" Jonouchi argued. "Why are we arguing about this?! Yuya and Rio need me! Speed it up!"

"Hold on!" Yoko revved the engine more and sped up towards the fire and ice storm.

Heartland – Byron Laboratory

"Have you seen him?!" Ayu asked.

"No, I can't find him anywhere." Tatsuya answered.

"Where did he go?! It's creepy it's giving me the shivers!" Futoshi shivered.

"You brats had one job and you let him leave!" Kaiba scolded the three You Show kids.

"Really guys." Frank crossed his arms.

"Not cool." Tanner shook his head.

"Ruka's gonna kill you." Amanda agreed.

"Hey! Where's my Red Demon's Noodles!" Jack shouted from his bed.

"Coming, Mr. King, sir!" The three Synchro kids hurried to Jack's hospital bed with his cup ramen noodles.

"Why did I say yes to children coming here?" Kaiba scolded himself.

"Because you have a soft spot for little kids." Kaiba's little brother, Mokuba teased.

"Shut up, Mokuba." Kaiba said.

Yuya's Mind – Tower

Zarc panted as he fell to his knee, exhausted from Dueling twice in a row. "Zarc…" Ray went to her husband. "Are you okay?"

"Almost there…almost…" Zarc panted. "Get ready, Yuto! I'm defeating you next!" Zarc activated his Duel Disk and inserted the last deck he had.

"Wait!" Yuto stopped Zarc. "What do you mean we're counterparts of Yusho Sakaki? I thought we were Yuya's counterparts."

"Adam explained it to us." Ray answered for Zarc. "When the world was split, Zarc's soul was split into four and sealed within the dragons, while mine was sealed within the four bracelets. But Zarc was fused with Yusho and Yusho was also split into four. I don't know how or when he did it, but Yusho used his magic to make you look like our son's counterparts."

"No…we can't be related to that man!" Yuto refused to believe it. "He tried to kill Yuya! We're nothing like him! You're lying!"

"It's the truth, Yuto." Zarc admitted.

"No, I'm not letting you near Yuya! I'm gonna protect him as the eldest brother!" Yuto activated his Duel Disk.

"Let's get this sorry fight over with!" Zarc gritted his teeth.

"Duel!" Zarc and Yuto declared.

Zarc LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Yuto LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"My turn! Draw!" Zarc drew his card. "I summon Gogo Golem (ATK: 1800, LV: 4)!" Zarc summoned a large golem. "I set two cards and end my turn!"

Zarc LP: 4000, Hand: 3
Yuto LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"My turn! Draw!" Yuto drew his card. "I summon Phantom Knights Ragged Glove (ATK: 1000, LV: 3)!" Yuto summoned a ghostly warrior.

"Next, when I have a Phantom Knights monster on my field, I can Special Summon Phantom Knights Silent Boots (ATK: 200, LV: 3)!" Yuto summoned another Phantom Knight to his field.

"I Overlay my Level 3 Phantom Knights Ragged Glove and Silent Boots!" The two monsters turned into purple lights and entered the spacelike portal in front of Yuto.

"Souls of knights who fell on the battlefield. Revive here and now, and become the light that breaks the darkness! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 3! Phantom Knights Break Sword (ATK: 2000, RNK: 3, OVU: 2)!" Zarc summoned a Phantom Knight with a thick sword.

"When Ragged Glove is used for Xyz Material for a Dark Xyz Monster, it gains 1000 Attack Points!" Yuto added.

Ragged Glove (ATK: 2000→3000)

"Battle! Ragged Glove, attack Gogogo Golem!" Break Sword charged towards the golem.

"I activate my Trap Card: Guardraw! This changes one monster on my field to Defense Position and I draw one card!" Zarc drew one card as Gogogo Golem went to Defense Position.

Gogogo Golem (DEF: 1500)

Break Sword made contact with Gogogo Golem. "Once per turn, when Gogogo Golem is in Defense Position, it can't be destroyed in battle!"

"I set two cards and end my turn!" Yuto finished his turn.

"My turn." Zarc put his fingers on his deck. "Yuya…I'm almost there."

Duel Lodge – Stairs

Nash was helping Kaito walk. "Just know that I'm only helping you because you're important to Merag." Nash said.

"I don't care what you say anymore." Kaito said. "It doesn't matter if she's Barian, or if she's Merag. To me, she's Rio. That's all."

Heartland City – Highway

"Yuya is like this…because of me…" Ruri sighed as she held on to Sherry as they rode on the highway. "I have to fix this."

"Don't worry, we'll get there in time." Sherry assured her.

"I'm going on ahead!" Astral flew faster ahead of Sherry and Rio.

Duel Lodge – Side Cliffs

The tension in the area was pressuring for the Guardians as they saw their allies facing each other with pure hatred in their eyes.

"Rio…you're one of them." Yuya glared hatefully at Rio's Barian Emblem.

"My memories were asleep, but now they're awakened." Rio explained. "I'm Merag, the savior of the Barian World that defeated the wicked Don Thousand. And I will protect the Barian World from those who would destroy it. And that includes you."

"You dare stick with them. Those pieces of garbage! Because of them…Ruri…Ruri is gone." Yuya growled.

"What?" Serena was surprised to hear that.

"It's true. We saw it." Rin admitted. "Ruri was killed by the Barians."

"The Emperors will be punished for acting against my wishes." Rio said as she thought about Kaito's body. "You've all overstepped your boundaries, your mission was to make sure that Don Thousand never sees the light of day, all this carnage has contributed to his already weakened seal. You will accept your punishment when this is over."

"Yes Ma'am." Alito, Girag and Misael bowed.

"But Yuya, you're out of control. Look at the damage you have done!" Rio gestured.

"Don't be so innocent, what about you!" Yuya argued. "Barians must die…I'm done with you scum taking everyone I love away from me! That's why I'll make you feel my pain that you will beg for death!" Yuya gained more dragon and demon like features all over his body.

"You've taken the power of the Astral World. Even if they were my allies, anyone with ties to the Astral World will be taken out." Rio changed to her Barian form. "There's only one person that I will kill today…and that's you!"

"Don't get in my way!" Yuya charged towards Rio with his Duel Disk activated.

"I'll stop you!" Rio charged in with her Duel Disk activated.

The blades connected, sending sparks around them. Both of them tried to outdo the others in strength, but they were equal. They stepped back and both of them inserted their decks into their Duel Disks.

"Duel!" Yuya and Rio declared.

Yuya LP: 4000, Hand: 5
Rio LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"My turn! Draw!" Yuya drew his card. "Using the Scale 6 Xyz Magician and the Scale 8 Timegazer Magician, I set the Pendulum Scale!" Yuya set his scale. "With this, I can simultaneously summon Level 7 monsters!"

"Swing, pendulum of destruction! Swing until there is nothing left of this world! Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my servants!" The dark pendulum opened a portal and two monsters came out.

"Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon (ATK: 2800, LV: 7)! Odd-Eyes Wizard Dragon (ATK: 2500, LV: 7)!" Yuya summoned two dragons.

"I Overlay my Level 7 Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon and Odd-Eyes Wizard Dragon!" The two dragons turned into yellow and purple lights and entered the spacelike portal in front of Yuya.

"Dragon with dual-colored eyes! Emerge from the frozen tundra and unleash your wrath! Xyz Summon! Come forth! Rank 7! The dragon with the eyes of ice! Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon (ATK: 2800, RNK: 7, OVU: 2)!" Yuya summoned his first Odd-Eyes Xyz monster.

"I set two cards and end my turn!" Yuya finished his turn.

Yuya LP: 4000, Hand: 0
Rio LP: 4000, Hand: 5

"My turn! Draw!" Rio drew her card. "When my opponent controls a monster from the Extra Deck, I can Special Summon Support Penguin (ATK: 0, LV: 4) from my hand!" Rio summoned a penguin with a wagon full of weapons.

"Next, I summon Blizzard Infernobird (ATK: 1400, LV: 4)!" Rio summoned her winged beast with red armor.

"I Overlay my Level 4 Support Penguin and Blizzard Infernobird!" The two monsters turned into blue lights and entered the spacelike portal in front of Rio.

"Maiden of pure ice. Cross the barrier between worlds and unleash a wave of winter! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 103: Funerary Sub-Zero Maiden – Ragna Zero (ATK: 2400, RNK: 4, OVU: 2)!" Rio summoned her Over Hundred Number.

"From my hand, I activate the Magic Card: Zero Blade! This makes Ragna Zero attack twice while Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon loses 1000 Attack Points!" Rio's Magic Card made Absolute Dragon weaker.

Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon (ATK: 2800→1800)

"At this moment, Ragna Zero's effect activates! When an opponent's monster's Attack Points are less than its original Attack Points, by using one Overlay Unit, I can destroy that monster!" Ragna Zero charged with her blade as she used an Overlay Unit.

Ragna Zero (OVU: 2→1)

"Xyz Magician's Pendulum Effect!" Yuya shouted. "Once per turn, when a Magic, Trap or Monster Effect targets an Xyz Monster on my field, I negate that effect and destroy it!" Xyz Magician fired a blast at Ragna Zero while forming a barrier around Absolute Dragon.

"From my hand, I activate Ice Spirit's Monster Effect! By sending this card to the Graveyard, my Water Attribute monsters cannot be destroyed by card effects!" Rio protected Ragna Zero from destruction and both effects hit the barriers.

"Battle! Ragna Zero, attack Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon!" Ragna Zero charged into battle.

"Absolute Dragon's effect activates! By using one Overlay Unit, I can negate an attack and summon an Odd-Eyes monster from my hand or Graveyard! Revive! Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon (ATK: 2800, LV: 7)!" Yuya protected his monster and brought out another dragon.

Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon (OVU: 2→1)

"Zero Blade lets Ragna Zero attack once more!" Ragna Zero charged again and destroyed Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon.

Yuya LP: 4000→3400

"Yes!" Alito smiled.

"She got rid of that dragon!" Girag cheered.

"Rio, stop! You don't have to do this!" Serena begged.

"Quick-Play Magic: Rank-Down Magic – Eyes of Rebellion!" Yuya played his set card.

"Rank-Down?!" Rio's eyes widened.

"When an Odd-Eyes Xyz Monster is destroyed in battle, I can activate this card! It Special Summons the destroyed Xyz Monster and use it as material to Xyz Summon a Dragon-type Xyz Monster that has a lower Rank!" Absolute Dragon returned to the field and it entered the spacelike portal in front of Yuya.

"Formed from pitch-black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs! Now, descend! Rank Down Xyz Change! Appear now! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (ATK: 2500, RNK: 4, OVU: 1)!" Yuya summoned Dark Rebellion.

"Rank Down…don't tell me this is the true Rank-Up of the Astral World?" Rio questioned. "I set two cards and end my turn!"

Yuya LP: 3400, Hand: 0
Rio LP: 4000, Hand: 0

"My turn! Draw!" Yuya drew his card. "Magic Card: Treasure Cards from the Heavens! We both draw until we have six cards in our hands!" Both Yuya and Rio drew six cards.

"I release Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon and Advance Summon! Appear! Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon (ATK: 3000, LV: 8)!" Yuya summoned Odd-Eyes Advance. "When Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon is Advance Summoned, it destroys on monster on the field and deal its Attack Points as damage!"

"Stop it, both of you!" Gongenzaka shouted.

"I activate my Trap Card: Diamond Dust! This card destroys all Water monsters on the field and for each one destroyed; the opponent takes 500 points of damage!" Ragna Zero was destroyed and Yuya was hit with ice dust.

Yuya LP: 3400→2900

"Battle! Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon, attack Rio!" Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon unleashed its breath attack.

"At this moment, I activate the Quick-Play Magic: Rank-Up Magic – Barian's Rescue! This card lets me use an Over Hundred Number in my Graveyard as material to Special Summon a Chaos Xyz Monster!" Ragna Zero returned from the Graveyard and soared into the sky.

"Maiden that started from 0. Now is the time to go beyond the beginning and reach the end of time itself! Chaos Xyz Change! Appear! Rank 5! Chaos Number 103: Ragna Infinity, the Funerary Sub-Zero Maiden (ATK: 2800, RNK: 5, OVU: 1)!" Rio summoned her Chaos Number.

"Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon, attack Ranga Infinity!" Yuya resumed his attack and Odd-Eyes struck Ragna Infinity.

"Numbers can only be destroyed by Numbers!" Rio said.

"But you take damage!" Yuya shouted and Rio skid backwards.

Rio LP: 4000→3800

"This Duel is still under my control. On my next turn I'll…" Rio thought.

"Quick-Play Magic!" Yuya shouted, making Rio gasp. "Rank-Up Magic: Hellfire of Destruction! This card ranks up Dark Rebellion into an Xyz Monster that is two Ranks higher! With Dark Rebellion, I rebuilt the Overlay Network!" Dark Rebellion soared into the sky.

"From the depths of darkness, take the flames of hell and incinerate even the coldest of ice! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear! Rank 6! Dark Hellfire Xyz Dragon (ATK: 3500, RNK: 6, OVU: 2)! Yuya summoned an evolved Dark Rebellion where its purple skin was now burned by the fires of hell and it had red armor all around it.

"What is that dragon?" Misawa was in shock by the dragon.

"This pressure…it's too much…" O'Brien started to tremble.

"Dark Hellfire Xyz Dragon, attack Ragna Infinity! Hellfire Disobey!" Dark Hellfire burned Ragna Infinity despite its icy power and Rio winced as she took damage.

Rio LP: 3800→3100

"Dark Hellfire Xyz Dragon's effect activates! When it inflicts battle damage, by using one Overlay Unit, it can gain Attack Points equal to the damage inflicted!"

Dark Hellfire Xyz Dragon (ATK: 3500→4200)

"Ragna Infinity's effect activates! When one monster on my opponent's field has their Attack changed, by using one Overlay Unit, I can inflict the difference as damage!" Rio used Ragna Infinity's effect and she used her scythe to cut Yuya.

Ragna Infinity (OVU: 1→0)

Yuya LP: 2900→2200

"I'm not done! When I use its effect, Dark Hellfire Xyz Dragon can attack once more! Go! Burn Ragna Infinity!" Dark Hellfire Xyz Dragon struck once more and this time not only was Ragna Infinity burned but so was Rio.

Rio LP: 3100→1700

"I set two cards and end my turn!" Yuya finished his turn.

Yuya LP: 2200, Hand: 2
Rio LP: 1700, Hand: 6

"Hey, hey, let's all settle down!" Sawatari was now really scared.

"Merag, you okay?!" Misael called out as Rio got back to her feet.

"I will stop you, Yuya!" Rio put her fingers on her deck.

"You won't stop me!" Yuya roared.

"My turn! Draw!" Rio drew her card.

"I activate my Continuous Trap: Dragon's Bind!" Yuya played his set card. "As long as this card is on the field, neither of us are allowed to Special Summon monsters with Attack Points lower than Dark Hellfire Xyz Dragon!"

"I activate the Rank-Up Magic – Imaginary Force! This ranks up my Ragna Infinity to a Chaos Imaginary Number!" Ragna Infinity soars into the sky.

"Maiden of ice, go beyond infinity and freeze even time itself! Chaos Xyz Change! Appear! Chaos Imaginary Number 103: Ragna Omega, the Ice Goddess (ATK: 4000, RNK: 10, OVU: 1)!" Rio summoned her Chaos Imaginary Number.

"My god…" Jim was stumped.

"These two are on a whole different dimension." Reiji was starting not to take the pressure anymore. Yuya and Rio were no longer human at this point.

"I activate Ragna Omega's effect! By using one Chaos Overlay Unit, I destroy and banish all cards on the field, Graveyard and our hands and both players take 4000 points of damage!" Rio revealed.

"What?!" Aki gasped.

"But that will take out both of them!" Crow shouted.

"Do it! Ragna Omega!" Rio shouted and her monster created a comet of ice in the sky.

"Counter! Dark Hellfire!" Yuya shouted and Dark Hellfire erupted flames from the ground and ice and fire collided creating a massive shockwave that shook the entire dimension.

Asuka vs Yusho

Asuka LP: 1800, Hand: 0
Yusho LP: 1900, Hand: 1

The shockwave reached Asuka, Yusho and Johan. Asuka turned to see the two storms colliding. "No!" Asuka cried out.

"Oh, man! I'm missing the best part! Oh, well. I can still see their corpses." Yusho shrugged.

"Shut up! Shut up!" Asuka shouted in anger and her eyes changed color from their normal hazel eyes turned to golden.

"My turn! Draw!" Asuka drew her card.

"I activate the Trap Card: Entermate Fusion! This card allows me to perform a Fusion Summon using Entermate monsters in my hand or field by banishing them! I fuse Sky Magician with Entermate Silver Claw!" The two monsters entered the spiraling vortex.

"Magician that soars through the sky! Become one with the prideful silver wolf and give birth to a new power! Fusion Summon! Appear! Level 8! Entermate Beast Magician (ATK: 3000, LV: 8) Yusho brought out a large beast dressed as a magician.

"That doesn't scare me! I summon Blade Skater (ATK: 1400, LV: 4)!" Asuka summoned her warrior on skates. "Then, I activate Dimension Gate's effect! I pay 1000 Life Points to open the Xyz Gate and make Blade Skater's Level equal Cyber Angel - Sharada!"

Asuka LP: 1800→800

Blade Skater (LV: 4→7)

"I Overlay my Level 7 Cyber Angel – Sharada and Blade Skater!" The two monsters turned into yellow and brown light and entered the spacelike portal in the ground.

"Angel that can silence the roars of battle! Appear now and help us ease the pain of both ally and enemy! Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 7! Cyber Angel – Pax (ATK: 2800, RNK: 7, OVU: 2)!" Asuka summoned a Cyber Angel wearing a white robe with her hands in a prayer.

"I activate Entermate Beast Magician's effect! When my opponent Special Summons a monster, I can inflict damage equal to the Attack Points of the Beast-type monster that was used as Fusion Material! You take 1800 points of damage! Yusho smiled.

"As long as Pax is on the field, any damage dealt to me is negated!" Asuka shouted in anger as Pax protected her.

"Next, I activate Pax's effect! By using one Overlay Unit, I can reduce the Attack Points of all monsters on the field to 0!" Asuka shouted and Pax used an Overlay Unit to make herself and Entermate Beast Magician weaker.

Entermate Beast Magician (ATK: 3000→0)
Cyber Angel – Pax (ATK: 2800→0)

"Battle! Cyber Angel – Pax, attack Entermate Beast Magician!" Asuka ordered and Pax sent out a blast from a prayer and Beast Hand Magician retaliated with a magic blast.

"You've become desperate." Yusho grunted as his monster was destroyed, until he saw that Pax was still on the field.

"What?! How?!" Yusho gasped.

"Like Cyber Angel – Sharada, she can't be destroyed by monsters with the same Attack Points as her! And then, after she conducts battle, by banishing a Cyber Angel monster in my Graveyard, she can attack one more!" Asuka shouted.

"But she still has 0 Attack Points!" Yusho pointed out as Pax fired another attack at Yusho and it made contact.

"After the Damage Step, the opponent takes the Attack Points of the banished monster as damage! I banished Sharada, so you take 2500 points of damage!" Asuka shouted. "This is for the Dragon Soldiers!" The blast expanded and Yusho was blown away.

Yusho LP: 1900→0

Winner: Asuka Tenjoin

Johan was freed from his prison and he saw Asuka approach the defeated Yusho. She reached down and grabbed Yusho by his neck and started to squeeze. "Blink once for no and twice for yes. Do you regret killing Yuto, Yugo and Yuri?" Asuka asked. Yusho only blinked once.

Asuka got angrier and increased her grip on Yusho's neck. "Do you have any love for either Yuya or your wife?" Yusho only blinked once.

Asuka loosened her grip a bit, making Yusho gasp for air but she didn't let go. "It doesn't matter what tricks you pull. We're always gonna stop you!" Asuka declared.

"You can stop me. But can you stop her?" Yusho asked. Asuka increased her grip once more, making Yusho suffocate.

"For…Yuya…" Asuka kept squeezing Yusho's neck as he kept choking and gasping for air before the light in his eyes died out and his body stopped moving.

Asuka's eyes changed back from gold to hazel and she stood up. "Asuka…" Johan walked up to her.

"We need to get to Yuya and Rio…they're more important than me." Asuka said.

"I'll take you there." Durbe landed with a tired Manjoume.

"Tenjoin…" Manjoume tried to act cool.

"Please…" Asuka bowed to Durbe. Durbe nodded and he took the three Fusion Dimension residents away as Yusho's dead body was now being washed by the currents of the ocean.

Yuya vs Rio

The fire and ice clash finally died down and it revealed that both Yuya and Rio were still standing.

Yuya/Rio LP: 0

"They don't have any Life Points left." Edo said.

"But the Duel isn't over." Dennis noticed.

Two identical cards appeared on Yuya and Rio's field. "Trap Card: Ace Calling." Yuya spoke.

"When our Life Points hit 0, we are allowed to Special Summon one monster from either our decks or Extra Deck." Rio said.

"The Duel continues so long as the ace monster is on the field." Yuya said.

"Furthermore, we're allowed to return all cards banished to our deck, shuffle and draw one card." Rio said as both she and Yuya shuffled their decks and drew one card.

"Appear! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (ATK: 2500, LV: 7, PS: 4)!" Yuya summoned his ace monster.

"Appear! Number 94: Princess of Polar Ice, Crystal Zero (ATK: 2200, RNK: 5)!" Rio summoned her ace.

Yuya and Rio roared and they both charged at each other with Odd-Eyes and Crystal Zero charging too.

Zarc vs Yuto

Zarc LP: 4000, Hand: 4
Yuto LP: 4000, Hand: 2

"My turn! Draw!" Zarc drew his card. "I summon Hope King, Onomatopoeia (ATK: 1500, LV: 4)!" Zarc summoned a small warrior with a sword. "Onomatopoeia's effect! Once per turn, I can Special Summon a Zubaba, Gagaga, Gogogo or Dododo monster from my hand! Come forth! Gagaga Magician (ATK: 1500, LV: 4)!" Zarc summoned a magician.

"I Overlay my Level 4 Gogogo Golem and Gagaga Magician!" The two monsters turned into purple and brown lights and entered the spacelike portal in front of Zarc.

"Hero that shines light in the depths of despair, arrive in our world and give everyone the feeling of hope! Xyz Summon! Appear! Number 39: King of Wishes, Hope (ATK: 2500, RNK: 4, OVU: 2)!" Zarc summoned a large warrior.

"Next, I activate the Magic Card: Onomatopoeia Assistance! By releasing a Zubaba, Gagaga, Gogogo or Dododo monster on my field, one Xyz Monster gains the release monsters Attack Points until the End Phase! I release Onomatopoeia that's treated as that monster and add its Attack Points to Hope!"

Hope (ATK: 2500→3500)

"Battle! Go! Hope, attack Break Sword! Hope Sword Slash!" Hope swung its sword and destroyed Break Sword and damaging Yuto.

Yuto LP: 4000→3500

"I activate Break Sword's effect! When its destroyed, I can Special Summon the monsters used as material and have them treated as Level 4!" Yuto brought back Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots.

"I set one card and end my turn! At this moment, Hope's Attack Points return to normal." Zarc finished his turn.

Hope (ATK: 3500→2500)

Zarc LP: 4000, Hand: 1
Yuto LP: 3500, Hand: 2

"My turn! Draw!" Yuto drew his card. "I Overlay my Level 4 Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots!" The two monsters entered the spacelike portal again.

"Formed from pitch-black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs! Now, descend! Xyz Summon! Appear now! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (ATK: 2500, RNK: 4, OVU: 2)!"

"Thanks to Ragged Gloves' effect! Dark Rebellion's Attack Points increase by 1000!" Dark Rebellion gained power.

Dark Rebellion (ATK: 2500→3500)

"Battle! Dark Rebellion, attack Hope! Revolt of the Lightning, Disobey!" Dark Rebellion charged.

"I activate Hope's effect! By using one Overlay Unit, it can negate a monster's attack! Moon Barrier!" Hope formed a shield to protect itself.

"Reverse Card, open! Berserk Lightning, when an Xyz Monster's attack is negated, this card negates the effects of all face-up cards on the opponent's field and allows the Xyz monster to attack once more!" Yuto shouted.

"Go! Dark Rebellion, attack Hope once more!" Dark Rebellion struck Hope and destroyed it.

Zarc LP: 4000→3000

"Since it negated the effect, Hope was destroyed by a non-Number." Zarc grunted.

"I'm not done yet! I activate the Quick-Play Magic: Rank-Up Magic – Phantom Knights Launch! This lets me Special Summon an Xyz monster that is one Rank higher!" Dark Rebellion soared into the sky.

"From the depths of purgatory, dedicate to the unsinking souls your song of rebellion! Appear and let it echo forevermore! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Appear, Rank 5! Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon (ATK: 3000, RNK: 5, OVU: 3)!" Yuto summoned Dark Rebellion's evolved form!

"Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon! Direct Attack! Requiem of Disaster Disobey!" Dark Requiem charged towards Zarc.

"From my hand, I activate the effect of Gagaga Gardna! When I'm attacked directly, I can Special Summon this monster! Come! Gagaga Gardna (ATK: 1500, LV: 4)!" A warrior with a shield appeared and took the hit and Zarc was blown off his feet.

Zarc LP: 3000→1500

"I end my turn!" Yuto finished his turn. The entire tower shook once more and Yuya's cry echoed once more.

Zarc LP: 1500, Hand: 0
Yuto LP: 3500, Hand: 2

"My turn! Draw!" Zarc drew his card. "I activate the Magic Card: Final Hope! By paying 1000 Life Points, I Special Summon Hope from the Graveyard and this card becomes its Overlay Unit! Revive Hope (ATK: 2500, RNK: 4, OVU: 1)!" Zarc brought back Hope.

Zarc LP: 1500→500

"I activate the Continuous Trap: Phantom Fog Blade!" Yuto played his set card. "As long this card is on the field, Hope cannot attack! I will protect Yuya!"

"If you want to protect him, then let me, his father through! Hope! Chaos Xyz Change!" Zarc shouted.

"What?!" Yuto gasped.

"When my Life Points are lower than 1000, I can Chaos Xyz Hope!" Hope flew into the sky.

"Warrior of hope, envelop the power of Chaos and unsheathe your sword to slash through even lightning! Appear! Chaos Number 39: King of Wishes – Hope Ray (ATK: 2500, RNK: 4, OVU: 2)!" Zarc Chaos Xyz Changed.

"I activate my Trap Card: Overlay Armory! This card becomes an Overlay Unit to an Xyz Monster on my field!" Zarc gave Hope Ray another Overlay Unit.

Hope Ray (OVU: 2→3)

"I activate Hope Ray's effect! By using any number of Overlay Units, its Attack Points increase by 500 while the opponent's losses 1000!" Zarc revealed. "Overlay Charge!" Hope Ray absorbed power while making Dark Requiem weaker.

Hope Ray (OVU: 3→0, ATK: 2500→4000)
Dark Requiem (ATK: 3000→0)

"Battle! Hope Ray, attack Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon! Hope Sword Chaos Slash!" Hope Ray unsheathed both of its swords and cut down the dragon, while sending Yuto flying away.

Yuto LP: 3500→0

Winner: Zarc Ryuga

"Yuya!" Zarc quickly ran past the defeated counterparts with Ray behind him.

Yuya vs Rio

Both Yuya and Ray kept fighting back and forth as both Odd-Eyes and Crystal Zero remained on the field. Both monsters were tired, but they couldn't stop as their masters wanted to stop the other.

"I will kill you and the Barian World!" Yuya roared as he was bloodied and bruised.

"To protect my world, you have to die!" Rio's Barian Form was gone but she still had her tattoo all over her body.

"Odd-Eyes!" Yuya roared and Odd-Eyes was forced to attack.

"Crystal Zero!" Rio roared as Crystal Zero charged once more.

At that moment, Jonouchi, Yoko and Akari arrived. "Stop!" Jonouchi shouted.

Durbe, Asuka, Johan and Manjoume also appeared. "Don't do it!" Asuka cried out.

Yuya's Mind – Top of the Tower

Zarc and Ray arrived at the top where Yuya was all alone. "Yuya…" Zarc walked towards his son.

Yuya turned his head and his eyes widened. "Dad…" He then saw Zarc crying.

"I'm so sorry, my son." Zarc said. "I put you through so much pain. You have suffered so much because of my mistakes."

"Everyone is suffering…I can't help anyone…I can't help even myself." Yuya cried and he released a shockwave, shattering glass everywhere, forcing Zarc and Ray to protect themselves. "It's all my fault!"

"Yuya…" Zarc winced as he got cuts all over his body, but he kept walking.

"Get away from me! I'm a curse!" Yuya cried.

"Not this time…" Zarc kept getting cut and he was skidding back until Ray caught him.

"Yuya, we're here for you!" Ray shouted.

"Get away! Get away!" Yuya cried.

Yuya vs Rio

"Odd-Eyes! Incinerate everything!" Yuya roared as Odd-Eyes charged with him.

"Crystal Zero, we're killing them now!" Rio declared as she and Crystal Zero charge.

Jonouchi was running towards Rio. "Damn it!"

Asuka was running towards Yuya. "I won't make it!"

Yuya and Rio were almost at each other and were ready to strike each other once more along with their monsters.

Yuya's Mind – Top of the Tower

Zarc and Ray kept getting closer as Yuya ran out of space to get away. "Stop it! Stop it!" Yuya cried. "Just leave me alone!"

The ceiling of the tower collapsed and a large piece of rubble headed for Yuya.

"Yuya!" Zarc and Ray jumped towards their son and hugged him and braced themselves from the rubble.

"No!" Yuya cried as he saw his parents about to take the hit for him.

Yuya vs Rio

Contact was made, but everyone, especially Yuya and Rio were shocked by what they had done.

Odd-Eyes and Crystal Zero's attacks hit a familiar mechanical dragon while an arm bearing the Heart of the Crimson Dragon took the blades of Yuya's and Rio's Duel Disk.

"What are you two…thinking…" Rua said with tears in his eyes.

And that is the end of Chapter 23. What did you guys think of the chapter? Let me know in the reviews.

With only six weeks left until the end of the school year, we should be able to get back to frequent chapters.

Anyway, thanks for reading and I will see you next time.

Preview: The clash between friends has created an opportunity for Leo Akaba to arrive in person with another group of soldiers. But before he could kill Yuya, Hell Kaiser appears and demands that all four dimensions to take a look at his final Duel.

Next Time: Kaiser's Final Duel and Message For All!