Yuzu looked on down at the knocked out Masumi and breathed a sigh of relief. She ran over to her and bent down. Yuzu placed her hand onto Masumi to try and get her to wake up.

"Hey… Masumi… are you okay?" Yuzu stuttered. There was no answer from Masumi but her duel disk lit up.

"Yuzu?! What's happening?" Ray said.

"I… I don't know?!" Yuzu looked at the duel disk and there on the screen was a message saying "Teleport". Yuzu knew what was happening.

She quickly took the duel disk off her wrist and took her deck out. Yuzu looked up and launched the duel disk it over the side of the building. As it dropped down, the duel disk disappeared, the same way in which other Academia students disappeared. Kisara and Ray watched from afar in shock.

"Yuzu… what just happened?" Kisara said.

"Academia teleport their soldiers back to Academia upon losing, I don't know what happens when they get back." Yuzu replied.

"So Masumi is safe?"

"For now… I hope so anyway." Yuzu said.

"But now what?" Ray said.

"We need to get her to Seto." Kisara said. "We can use Kaiba Corp to scan her head and see what was actually controlling her."

"Okay I'll go back to Yuzar and try and stop the signal." Ray replied.

Kaiba and Reiji

Inside a laboratory, Reiji was running tests on the duel disk. He was sat at a computer with a duel disk plugged in. Kaiba had his arms crossed and his eyes closed as he waited for the results.

"So far the tests confirm that the chip is behind the carding." Reiji said. "Without the chip however, the duel disks won't work."

"And you can be sure of this, how?" Kaiba replied with an annoyed tone.

"Because my right hand man Nakajima was turned into a card. I spent ages analysing the card with my staff and those idiots couldn't figure out a way to reverse it. The data pattern is exactly the same compared to another duel disk I scanned from the Xyz Dimension."

"You run a company as well?" Kaiba questioned. "Are you here to steal my research?!" Reiji stood up and turned to face Kaiba.

"A whole world out there is being turned into cards, is that all you can think about?" Reiji replied.

"One report from your goons and you think I'll believe it?"

"Look at your live CCTV footage and see for yourself." Reiji replied as he got back to work on the computer. Kaiba walked to a T.V monitor that was placed on the wall.

"I don't see anything unusual." Kaiba said. However as he continued watching, he saw several duelists trying to take their duel disks off appear on the screen. They were struggling to rip the device off their arm.

"HELP!" one yelled.

"DON'T LET IT HAPPEN TO US!" yelled another. Kaiba's face turned to a face of disbelief as he could see these people actually full of fear.

"What… what are they talking about?" Kaiba said.

"You'll see." Reiji replied. Kaiba continued to watch as each person with a duel disk quickly changed into a card right before his eyes. One by one each duelist would disappear and a card would take their place. "Impossible…"

"Images are facts Mr Kaiba. You are seeing the truth. Your duel disks are turning people into cards." Reiji said.

"I let this happen…." Kaiba stuttered.

"Not you, that girl Masumi. She went into your company and used the situation for Academia. Trust me; I know what that is like."

"How so?" Kaiba questioned.

"My mother was working for Academia and was pulling the strings in my company. She was the one who kidnapped Masumi from our dimension and brainwashed her at Academia." Reiji said.

"So this is your fault!"

"I'm leading the charge against Academia; I cut all ties with her and my father who is the head."

"The head?! Your parents are behind this whole thing?! I can trust you how?!" Kaiba snapped back.

"You have some serious trust issues Mr Kaiba." Reiji stood back up. "I wouldn't be here trying to help you if I was against you."

"Trust must be earned; I trust no-one unless I have approved of them first. Everyone in this company was interviewed by me and I knew they were very loyal after doing so. However I made a big mistake with Masumi. I let the chance of advancing my company's name get ahead of my strict protocols, which is my fault."

"Well now we've concluded that this is entirely your fault, let's get back to business." Reiji replied sternly.

"Your ego really doesn't give me confidence to trust you. You seem to have a big one!" Kaiba said.

"My attitude is perfect, thank you very much." Reiji hit back.

"The only thing your attitude says to me is that you're a spoilt brat who always thinks he is right. Tell me I'm wrong?"

"No you're correct Mr Kaiba." Reiji replied. "But I am always correct in my methods and I turn every situation into one which works for me."

"Well I wonder how your own team feels about that?! Do they approve of your methods?!"

"No they do not. They are very annoyed by my methods but as long as I get the results, feelings are irrelevant."

"In a team, feelings are the most important thing; otherwise you don't have a team! I might get angry with my staff sometimes but I always respect them and say sorry afterwards! I am not Kaiba Corp alone!"

"Results are the most important thing. I thought we were alike Mr Kaiba but I now assume that's not the case."

"You mean by my plan to get you to duel me? There's one thing I hate and that is cheats. I cannot stand people who think they can just take what they don't work for. I assumed that you and your group were here to take what wasn't yours, and again I made that as a mistake. But I'm right in one regard, the way you are is due to one thing. You were not taught the meaning of respect and hard work!"

"I inherited Leo Corporation, yes." Reiji replied. "I fail to see how that is relevant though."

"Because I knew a person like you first hand." Kaiba replied. "I had a step-father who didn't care, just like you. He manipulated people to do his bidding. Kaiba Corp used to be a military company until I bought it out thanks to my successful holographic software. That took me years to complete while I and my brother Mokuba were used as test pawns for simulators. The simulators made me very tired but after every day I would continue. I would continue to build my equipment."

"And?"

"He treated his military company as the same way you do, as a god. I saw the staff being treated to abuse from my father by cutting their pay. I saw them getting shouted at every single day. I vowed that the same hope that duel monsters gave me, would help these people as well. I became determined to buy the company!"

"I did read your autobiography back in the hotel; I'm aware that you gained enough investors and took over." Reiji said. "I still fail to see your point."

"My step-father owned 51% of the shares but he gave me 2% as a way to bribe me once I made the holographic technology, I took it, and that was his final mistake at Kaiba Corp. I had convinced the other shareholders to sell me their shares. They hated my father so much that they were willing to give me the shares to change the company and I did. I took over the company and gave them a wage increase for their trust in me. Kaiba Corp had changed. "And with this, I want to tell you that in order to move forward, you need to eliminate everything your father has done and forge your own future."

"Tell me your point?" Reiji replied.

"Don't take your peers for granted. Otherwise they will be your downfall." Kaiba said sternly.

"I shall take your advice but my Lancers are very much behind me." Reiji said. "Now let's get back to work." As Reiji finished his sentence, Kisara and Yuzu had carried Masumi to the lab.

Five Minutes Later

Yuzu and Kisara had filled in the Kaiba and Reiji about the parasite. Reiji and Kaiba had placed her onto an x-ray with a heart monitor attached. The scan proved there was indeed a bug on her brain. Masumi had been restrained, just in case.

"Disgusting." said Yuzu. "And I don't mean the bug. How could someone do this?!"

"Academia clearly isn't messing around." said Reiji.

"Well can't we free her from the bug?" Kisara said.

"It's not that simple." Reiji said. "I nor Kaiba are brain surgeons. I don't even know what this thing is."

"Let's cut the mumble jumble." said Kaiba. "We need to look inside her brain."

"No!" Kisara said. "That could kill her!"

"Well I'm out of options." Kaiba replied. "We have a whole world being turned into cards, why hasn't the signal stopped?!"

"We tried." Yuzar entered the room along with Ray. "We tried everything." he said.

"We pushed all the buttons; I guess Masumi jammed the signal." Ray added.

"Damnit!" said Kaiba.

"Hang on Seto; wouldn't your new duel disk turn you into a card if you put it on?"

"We worked that out." Reiji said. "I removed the chip but the duel disk won't work without it."

"You have no chance." A female voice said. The group turned and saw Masumi was now awake again.

"Masumi!" Yuzu said. "Are you okay?"

"You won't stop Academia, not at all! You might've stopped me from being turned into a card, but Academia will soon arrive and I will contribute my life energy to the Arc Area Project." she replied.

"We will free you!" Ray yelled.

"No, you won't." The group all were taken by shock, Masumi's voice had changed into a male. "Hehehehehehehhe!"

"Who?! What is going on?!" said Kisara freaked out.

"I'm the Doctor! The genius of Academia! I am the mind behind the parasites!"

"SCUM!" Yuzu yelled.

"Well I've certainly rattled the angel. Very impressive as to how you came back from the brink of death in your duel with my puppet." he replied.

"Let her go!" Ray yelled.

"She's severed her purpose. But I can't card her either since her duel disk was sent back without her. So I need to activate the final plan."

"Final… plan?" Kisara stuttered.

"Remember, you caused this to happen!" The Doctor said. His voice faded and Masumi fell unconscious. At that moment, Masumi's heart monitor started to increase.

"What's happening now?!" said Kaiba as he looked at the monitor.

"It can't be! They are going to blow up her brain!" Reiji yelled. "No evidence left behind!"

"NO!" Kisara yelled. "Do something!"

"I…. I don't know!" Kaiba yelled.

"Reiji?!" Yuzu pleaded.

"I…. don't know either." Reiji said with a lack of confidence.

"Damnit!" Yuzar said. "We need a miracle!"

"And we will get one." Yuzu said. She clenched her fist and her bracelet lit up. Yuzu shut her eyes and then opened them. Her eyes had become pink tinted.

"Yes we will!" Ray also had changed. Her eyes had turned blue.

"What is this?" Kaiba said.

"This… this is their inner power." Reiji replied in awe.

"We've grown stronger as our bonds continue to break the ancient seal we placed upon ourselves." Yuzu said.

"Our bonds will bring peace to the five dimensions." Ray replied. "Staring here with my sister Ciel."

"And my sister Maria!" Yuzu replied. Each held out their hand and they both glowed. After a few seconds, everyone looked at the live scans of Masumi's head and they could see the bug weaken its grip.

"No way…." Yuzar said. The parasite floated in the air and dissolved. Ray then pointed her hand to a desk and the parasite reappeared. It landed dead on the table.

"The girl is now free." Yuzu said. "We're are still not strong enough yet to fully speak but you Lancers and our reincarnations must stop Academia. They broke the peace and forced us out into the open."

"The dragons must not return." Ray said. Yuzar had a cold streak hit him. The girl's eyes returned to normal.

Academia – Leo Throne Room

Leo was on his throne and there before was a kneeled Marina before him and Edo on a holoscreen. Edo was in his grey suit while Marinna was in her purple coat which went slightly over her legs.

"Commander Edo. My patience is wearing away; you must break into that dome Reiji built!"

"It's impossible sir! We have tried everything!" Edo replied with a panicked tone.

"Well maybe a new Commander would find a different way?" Leo said.

"No sir! Please!"

"Very well, you have twenty-four hours before I send a squad to turn you into a card." Leo replied firmly.

"Yes sir." Edo's holoscreen disappeared.

"Marinna." said Leo. "Three years ago when I arrived in this world to form Academia, I knew from the very moment I saw you duel on the streets to fund the orphanage, that you were a top duelist."

"Thank you sir." she replied.

"You were placed into Obelisk Blue and quickly passed your exams; your progress to Ritual Commander is amazing. I expect that to continue when you invade there later today." Leo said.

"You will not be disappointed Professor."

"I hope not. I want you to be successful like Ryo and not Edo." Leo said. "Failure is not tolerated and you should know that."

"No sir. But rest assured that since I was appointed commander of the Ritual Invasion, I've been working harder than ever. I've made sure the squad is fully prepped and ready to go. My experience in the Xyz Dimension made me better than ever under Commander Ryo." Marinna replied.

"Good, you come highly recommended from him. Now go and sort out your squad." Leo said. Marinna got up and walked off. Leo had another holoscreen come on. "Himika, is the kid ready yet?"

"Reira is nearly prepped to go to Ritual to bring Reiji home." Himika said.

"Make sure it happens."

"Did you appoint your final Commander yet Leo?" Himika asked.

"The final Commander role is vital. That's our Fusion Dimension invasion. All those who will not join us will perish, including that scumbag Yusho… wherever he is. I made sure we got an excellent candidate." Leo said. "Taking him from Xyz will shock everyone."

Academia Courtyard

Marinna stood above a hundred Obelisk Blue students on a stage in the Academia grounds. She had her arms behind her back and looked on proudly.

"Welcome to my squad. I know many of you are ready to invade a second dimension after coming back from Xyz. Commander Ryo is a legend but his style is… let's say a bit wilder while mine is different. I believe in hard work and respect. You will respect one another as a team. We shall support each other on the field. We shall turn every single member of Ritual who hasn't fell already into a card."

"Yes ma'am!" said the group in unison.

"I was once Obelisk Blue and I worked my way up. You've all passed your exams but now comes the important part, the real life work!" Marinna added. "Yes this dimension cannot turn you into a card unlike Xyz, but failure in this dimension will result in your carding regardless. In fact, there is more pressure to get the job done since this world is behind on the times. Thanks to our brainwashed solider Masumi, many have already fallen and our intel in Ritual is more detailed than ever. I will now hand you over to one of my field commanders, Gloria Tyler." Gloria made her way up to Marinna and a slight blush came onto their faces.

"Thank you Commander Marinna. Now our job is a bit more complex this time around. Yuri, one of key parts of the Arc Area project was sent to this dimension due to the traitor that is Mina in Synchro. Our job is to card Ritual and also retrieve Yuri. We assume his duel disk is damaged as we only were able to find a weak signal, he might not be able to return home." Gloria said.

"Yes ma'am!"

"I handpicked some of you since you match the Commanders description. We shall not let her or the Professor down. We will not let our utopia be a distant dream; we shall make it come even closer!" Gloria yelled which made the crowd cheer. Marinna stepped forward.

"You've all seen the main targets for this world." Marinna said. "Seto Kaiba is the main threat from within the Ritual residences. You shall leave him to us higher-ups. Your job is to card the weaklings below, understood?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Finally, you know what Yuzu looks like as well as Ray. You know what Yuzar looks like and of course Reiji! You shall leave them also to the higher-ups. If you see them, contact me! They are strictly above your dueling level!"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Good! Dismissed. Now prepare to leave in thirty." Marinna and Gloria walked off the stage. The many Obelisk Blue students walked off and begun to talk to each other. Marinna and Gloria walked to the side where Serena and Grace were waiting. Serena had a sad face on.

"Impressive speech girls." Grace said. "Almost makes me jealous I'm not coming."

"You had your time in Xyz." Gloria replied. "I'm sure once the Synchro invasion begins they'll find you a role… until then you're stuck with the training of the Slifer Reds!" she teased.

"Don't remind me!" Grace hit back in annoyance. The two sisters walked off, leaving Serena and Marina.

"Serena, we will find Yuri." said Marinna.

"I know but…. you and Yuri are precious to me. We grew up together and now… you two could both be gone." Serena said.

"I'm not going anywhere! I vow to return and not as a card!" Marinna said. "Anyway your dueling has been improving under my teachings."

"But not enough to take on that Yuzu girl….!"

"No your skills are still lacking." Marinna said. "You will come to Ritual as a way to find Yuzu but you will also be a vital asset to-"

"Thinning the herd? I know… I shouldn't be out there. The battlefield is only for Obelisk Blues and I'm stuck as a Slifer Red… do you not know how many people I hear in the corridors saying that I'm worthless bar my role as a angel?"

"You're not worthless Serena; this whole project is you for and Yuri."

"We don't even know what our roles are!" Serena said. "The Professor has said nothing to us since we were kids!"

"Serena!" said Marinna in a shocked tone. "You cannot question the Professor! His will is law!"

"I know, it's just annoying!" Serena replied.

"Well don't say that to his face. No-one bar the true higher-ups know but this man brought us law and order, we cannot question his judgement." Marinna replied in a sad tone. "You're lucky that you don't have a parasite in your mind, otherwise you would've been brainwashed to serve for us. The Doctor monitors all the students' minds."

"Well lucky anyone past Obelisk Blue doesn't have one… I know what you think of Gloria… the Doctor wouldn't want to see that…." Serena teased.

"I think of her as nothing but a friend!" Marinna replied in a stern manner.

"I'm sorry to bring it up again…." Serena said as she hugged her friend.

"Stop it Serena." said Marinna. "We can't show emotions." Serena quickly broke the hug. "You might be special but you still should know your place. On the battlefield we are nothing but colleagues, understood?"

"Yes Marinna."

"No." Marinna said with a firm tone.

"Yes ma'am!" Serena replied.

"Since you've come on well with your training, I have a surprise for you anyway." Marinna said. "Look behind." Serena turned around and she saw Grace and Gloria coming out with a yellow Academia outfit.

"No way…." Serena said.

"Yes way. It's all yours, Ra Yellow Serena."

"I… thank you Ma'am." Serena replied. "Can I ask one more thing before we deploy?"

Marinna's Dorm

Inside the castle was Marinna's room. Marinna's room was fairly blank bar the needed furniture. In the middle of the room was Serena on a stool in her new uniform. Grace had scissors out.

"Are you sure?" Grace said. "I don't think a haircut is needed…."

"Just do it." Serena said. "I want a new start! I will bring down the other girls!"

"Okay." said Grace as she begun cutting away. "Now then… which Yu-boy would you date?"

"Excuse me?" said Marinna as she and Gloria watched.

"Come on… we're off duty." Grace said.

"Yes… for ten minutes." Gloria said. "Why do we need girly chat…."

"Because we do! For me after hearing about them from the intel… Yuzar's ego is a problem but he's attentive to the people he wants. Yuya seems to be very charismatic and seems to be a good boy… I like him. Yugo seems to be childish but I bet he treats the girls well and must be delicate inside."

"Grace… please stop." said an embarrassed Gloria.

"No! Yuto is a serious person but he must be a great guy and cares deeply for those he loves. But then Yuri…. what about him Serena?" Serena's face went slightly red.

"He's…. a friend!" Serena said proudly.

"Well at least someone sees him as that. He's not human… he's more like a hybrid between a mutant lizard and an Ojama!"

"Watch it…." said Serena.

"Okay! Calm down! I'm down now anyway." Grace replied as Marinna handed over a mirror to Serena.

Serena looked into it and the hair was shorter all around. Her hair was now too short to have her ponytail put backup. Her bangs still existed however. Serena took the yellow band which was in her hair and tied it around her arm.

"Very nice." said Marinna.

"Hang on… you didn't answer my question." Grace said to Gloria and Marinna. "Which boy would you two like? Yuri is of course Serena's one true love." The two looked at each other.

"We don't know!" Marinna said.

"We have an important job now!" Gloria replied.

Courtyard

Marinna was once again on the podium and everyone looked on at her with Gloria behind with her other field commanders.

"Our citizen moles have returned to Fusion, everyone left in Ritual is a target. Don't let me down." Marinna placed her right arm in front of her body as if she was holding a duel disk. Everyone else repeated her position."Gloryon the Academia!"

"Glory on the Academia!" the army repeated.

"Glory on the Academia!" Marinna chanted once more.

"Glory on the Academia!"

"NO!" yelled a male voice. Everyone looked and saw a young male almost crying. "NO! I didn't want to come here!"

"Excuse me solider?" Marinna said as she pointed at him.

"I don't want to fight! LET ME OUT!" The boy begun to run away.

"I'll contact the Doctor." Gloria said.

"No, we need to make him an example. Make sure the others are watching." Marinna replied. She placed her purple duel disk on and quickly ran after him.

"GET ME OUT!" The student made his way to some gates which were locked. Two Obelisk Force soldiers stepped in front. The boy stopped and was frozen in fear. Marinna appeared behind him.

"Traitors are not welcome here." Marinna said. "On your knees!"

"But… miss…."

"ON YOUR KNEES!" The two Obelisk Force members grabbed him and forced him down.

"Please…." the boy said as he looked up with a devastated face.

"No excuses." Marinna said as she showed no mercy in hitting the carding button on her duel disk. The male yelled as he was turned into the card. Marinna turned back and walked towards the group. "That will be you if you dare to question The Professor! Understood?!"

"Yes ma'am!" shouted the army.

"Good!" Marinna said. "Open the Ritual portal!" she yelled. A blue portal begun to form in front of the gate. The students all begun to prepare themselves. "Remember, this is what you were born to do. This is all for our utopia! GO FORTH!"

Yes ma'am!" shouted the army as the portal fully formed.

"GO!" Each student walked in an orderly line as they passed into the portal. Marinna, Gloria and Serena stayed back until everyone else had gone.

"You're sad?" Gloria said to Marinna. Marinna's face had indeed turned into one of despair.

"I'm as loyal to Academia as anyone but…. carding a kid just feels harsh." Marinna said.

"But you told me that we can't show emotions?" Serena questioned.

"Which is why this conversation is over." Marinna replied. "Now go!" Serena and Gloria both looked back and walked into the portal. Marinna walked forward and took a breath before passing through as well.

A/N

And the Ritual invasion begins! Thanks to Rom for ideas such as Serena's change and Grace shipping. Thank you for reviews.

jalen johnson – No Jack and Crow will not appear as they were used a lot in the show.

Royal2 – Thank you, take your time with it. No rush.