"D-Did ya see that?!" Hassleberry shouted as they had gone outside of the academy, out of breath as Jesse looked back onto the doors. It.. It wasn't Zane.

It couldn't be. He saw that look in his eyes. The way Zane dodged in instinct as his eyes went wide. The way Zane stared at him with such shock. He can tell, Zane didn't do this. Zane doesn't know about the rumors. But, then who?? These duels are real, causing true carnage! What's happening?!

"Jesse...?"

Jesse turned to Syrus, who was staring at the ground in thought. He then looked back at the Academy. "I.. I'm gonna go check on Jaden. That damage seems tough.."

Jesse blinks as he looks back onto the doors. "Now that you think about it, you may have a point.. Let's go."

"Sarge? Ya good, soldier??" Hassleberry barged in with worry as he had noticed how the place looked like a mess. "Yeah, I'm good! The place isn't, though." Jaden spoke up as he looked around. "Geez, what an earthquake."

"Uh.." Jesse trailed off, looking troubled. "It wasn't really an earthquake, partner.."

"What? Then, what was it?"

"Well, Zane and I were dueling-"

"What?!" Jaden jerked up as he looked at Jesse with shock and worry. "You guys didn't-?!"

"No, he didn't use them." Syrus spoke up, knowing what Jaden was afraid of. "But, real damage was being dealt at the Arena. It's a big mess back there."

"Really? But, how?? The Duel Monsters are holograms!" Jesse shrugged, just as puzzled as Jaden is. "I would like to know, too. The only thing I got is that there's rumors of a Psychic Duelist runnin' around."

"Psychic Duelist?" Jaden tilts his head. "Yeah. It's people that can make every Duel Monster real."

"Whoa, so you're saying that's why the Arena was broken??"

"Yeah. But, I saw Zane. I know he ain't one."

"... We dont have to worry about that anymore."

Tbey paused as they looked at Syrus, who walked up to Jaden with a smile. "I.." Jaden blinked as he looked at Syrus with a somewhat surprised look. For a second, he thought he saw something in his eyes. some kind of deep pain, but he couldnt tell if he imagined it or not.

"... I just get the feeling that it's going to get better now."

"That's pretty optimistic of ya, Private." Hassleberry blinked. "Especially cause of what happened earlier.. What makes ya so sure?"

"Uh, I don't know. I just have a feeling, that's all!" Syrus rubbed his head awkwardly, not making eye contact with any of them. He can sense Winged Kuriboh and Ruby Carbunkle staring at him, concerned and suspicious of him.

"Attention all students." The speaker spoke as everyone turned upward to it, much to Syrus's relief.

"Because of the Incident in the Arena, we are now closing the school for the day. Every student must return to their dorms until further notice. I repeat, all students are to return to their dorms until further notice."

Ms. Fontaine checked over Jaden's shoulder for a second time, making sure the bandages were securely wrapped. "Hmm... Luckily, it isnt broken.. But, you would have to let it rest for a bit. So, no dueling."

"What?!" Jaden yelped in horror. "Don't worry, Sarge! It'll be just a quick rest! No need to worry!" Hassleberry tried to reassure him. "Soon, It'll be good as new!"

"But, for how long?! Oh, for Slifer's sake! This is going to be dreadful.." Jaden sunk in despair as Syrus smiled a bit. "It'll be fine, Jay. You just have to chill for a bit."

"Well.. Since you luckily don't have anymore injuries, you guys can go back to your dorms." Ms. Fontaine smiled. "You all just need to take it easy, alright? Oh, and to be careful!"

They nod as they got up to head to their dorms. Jesse waves goodbye as he heads to the Ra Yellow Dorm while Jaden, Hassleberry and Syrus head to the Slifer Red Dorm.

"This is awful... No dueling..?" Jaden whined. "It'll heal fast, you'll see!" Hassleberry pats his back to comfort him as Syrus continued to follow them from behind. He stares at them walking, chatting with another.

This.. This could be the last time he'll ever see them.

Night came.

Syrus got up, previous had pretended to head to bed early. He peeks over at Jaden's bed. The brunette is sound asleep, sometimes muttering about trap cards or Elemental Hero Flamewing. He checks if Hassleberry is awake. Nope, he's asleep as well.

Perfect.

He slowly got out of bed and quietly gets his jacket on, before making his way to the door.

"Wait!"

Syrus freezes like a deer caught in the headlights. He turned to Jaden, eyes wide.

"I play my trap..! Called Hero Signal..."

He almost sighed in relief, thankful that the brunette was only dreaming. Oh, thank Ra. Without wasting time, he snuck out of the dorm and closes the door.

As he begins walking to the White Dorm, he can hear Dragonroid following him.

Are you sure about this? I mean.. How will we even leave? She asked, her tail drooping onto the ground.

"I don't know.. But, I can't stay here.." He sighed, only for UFOroid to come out and protest in beeps.

Syrus, he has a point.. Dragonroid said. What about Jaden and everyone..?

"Guys, you know what would happen. Jaden would stop me for sure. And.. You saw what happened. That duel.. That level of destruction.. That was because of me!"

He takes a deep breath, feeling his hands shake as he tries to hold back his tears. "... I don't want them hurt.. It's for the best that I leave."

Dragonroid and UFOroid looked at eachother. UFOroid beeped softly at her and she nods. There's no changing his mind.

.. Alright. Whatever you need to do, we got your back! She smiled.

"Thanks.."

With that, they returned to his deck and he continues on his way. The more he gets closer, the more his heart races. Reconizing the lushful grass and foliage, his nerves spike in anxiety. He looks up upon the White Dorm, the moonlight glistening on the pristine roof.

He walks around, remembering where Zane's Dorm window was. It was by a tree, since that's how Jaden followed Blair when she broke in. He takes a deep breath, and proceeds to try and climb the tree.

His foot slipped, causing him to yelp as his arm caught the thick branch in time. Syrus gulped as he carefully gets up.

Whew...

Now, he has to get to that balcony. Slowly inching closer, he took a deep breath, before bracing himself and hopping onto the balcony. He winced at the somewhat clumsy landing, but luckily didn't make much noise.

He looks inside, seeing Zane asleep. He can feel his gut coil in fear. Even before he was like this, Syrus usually kept his distance from Zane's room. Much less steal from him.

But, he has to. He made a promise. He can't just ignore their pain.

Syrus looked at the Balcony door and quietly opened it. Huh. He's surprised it isn't locked.

He slowly sneaks in, keeping a close eye on his older brother. He knows Zane isn't particularly a heavy sleeper, so he needs to be extra careful. Going to his deck that rested on the dresser, he looks into it.

He begins seperating all the Cyberdarks from the Cyber Dragons, putting them in seperate piles. While doing this, he sensed a familiar presence.

You came..

"Of course I did." He whispered. "We have to hurry. Zane can wake up at any-"

Syrus??

He blinked, hearing a different metallic voice. He turns to see Keel and surprisingly, Cyber Dragon behind him. Keel turns their head to Cyber Dragon, lowering their head with a hiss as Syrus stared up in awe.

This is Cyber Dragon? Woah.. Seeing him up close really makes him seem so tall and intimidating. Never had he felt so small.

Syrus, what are you doing?

Helping us leave..

Keel hissed, glaring at Cyber Dragon.

Cyber Dragon growled at Keel, towering over the other dragon with anger.

I wasn't asking you, I'm asking Syrus. Now, quiet.

Cyber Dragon then lowered his head to Syrus, sounding more gentle than when talking to Keel.

Syrus, what are you going to do?

"Uh.. I'm gonna take them and leave." He said timidly. "I.. I'm dangerous now.."

What? Cyber Dragon backed up in shock. No, don't. She thought you were- No. Syrus, you can't. Just calm down. Maybe tell your brother-

His brother? The man who almost killed him?!

Keel hissed angrily, snarling at Cyber Dragon. The metallic serpent growled at them in fury.

Quiet! I know these boys much longer than you've had!

Yet, you did nothing!

I couldn't! They didn't have the ability to hear me! At least, until now..

Syrus, just. Go to your mother.

Syrus blinked, confused about what Cyber Dragon was talking about. What? Why his mother?

She will help you. Trust me, I know.

If she would even believe him.

Quiet! Cyber Dragon snapped at Keel, who hissed in retaliation.

"G-Guys, stop fighting..!" Syrus begged, trying to quell their anger to eachother. "H-He's gonna-!"

"Who's there..?!"

Syrus froze. His blood turned to ice. His eyes wide with fear as he felt the room begin to lose whatever warmth remained in it. His head to turned to stare at his brother in the eyes, petrified by his fierce, Turquoise glare.

"Syrus?!" Zane asked, first stunned. His eyes dart to see Syrus messing with his deck as anger boiled. "What are you doing?!"

Run..!

Syrus stared at him, silent as a mouse.

SYRUS, RUN!

He was snapped out of his petrification and backed away, grabbing the Cyberdarks and immediately running to the balcony. Zane in response, got up immediately and gave chase. Syrus sprints out, barely dodging his grasp and crashing onto the ground. He didn't process his pain as he immediately got up and zooms out.

He can hear Zane in pursuit, yelling out his name as it only fueled his speed. Crap, what does he do?! What can he do?! He's so stupid, why wasn't he more careful?! He can't duel his brother, especially when he's like this!!

Syrus, listen to me! Keel hissed urgently.

I know a method. I remember hearing about it years ago.. Doing this can protect you!

"What?!" Syrus replied as he tries to lose Zane in the forest. Making many turns and trying to hide in the shadows, he wonders if he finally lost him.

Syrus hides behind a tree, catching his breath. He sighs.

"... I... I think we lost him."

He's nearby, Syrus.

The Ra Yellow duelist yelped at the sound of Cyber Dragon's voice, then covers his mouth as footsteps crunched the grass and branches. He can tell that Zane is hunting him down. He can't get found out. Oh god, he can't. Panic seeps into his very being as he can feel his heart racing. His vision was narrow and blurring, despite having his glasses on. It feels difficult to breathe as his nerves scream that he will surely meet his end.

Syrus, calm down! Cyber Dragon spoke, lowering his head to his level. Just-

Silence! Keel roared at Cyber Dragon, who hissed at them.

Syrus? I know what to do. Activate your duel disk.

"I-I can't duel him..!! Not again..!!" He gasped, feeling his body tremble as flashes of electricity flooded his mind.

And you won't. But for me to protect you, You need your duel disk.

Syrus shakily got his duel disk activated, placing his deck inside as he can feel the bitter cold seep through his jacket and chill his spine.

Alright. Now, activate Polymerization.

What are you..?

Cyber Dragon questioned as his eyes narrowed, before hearing another duel disk activate as another Cyber Dragon appeared. Crap.

There's not much time left! Activate Polymerization!

"O-Okay!" He places the card in the spell slot, as the spell appeared and began to glow.

Syrus felt his panic spike to ungodly levels as the Cyner Dragon slithered to their location, followed by footsteps.

Don't worry, it'll be okay! I'll protect us.

Cyber Dragon was beginning to catch on what Keel was about to do.

NO, WAIT-!!

It was as if Keel had shot themselves right into the Ra Yellow duelist, as light beamed and cracked around them. The light glitched out and shot at everything with fierce rejection. A scream was heard as the sky begin to shatter and crack, leaving open gaps of strange darkness around the island. The impact destroyed Zane's Cyber Dragon as the older Truesdale was pushed back by the gust of wind.

Then, all Zane saw was light until the darkness of night settled in. The sky grew a lurking purple and red hue, seeping from the shattered cracks on the sky and around the island.

Somewhere, eyes opened as they sensed a sudden disturbance. The Gentle Darkness was breaking. The worlds are beginning to seep in eachother.

What...?

What is causing this? They hissed.