I remember that in one of the 100 battle achievement trophies, Nozomi at first treated Nanashi like a child before fighting 100 battles alongside Nanashi.

Flynn is something like that, he doesn't mean it, but Nanashi needs to become strong for Flynn to see him as an equal.

We just hope Z-ARC doesn't corrupt that desire like Dagda would.-Lucian Naruto

Yeah, he's not trying to make Nanashi feel inadequate. He's just hyper focused on protecting him and he doesn't see how he's making Nanashi feel (not unlike Issachar). Flynn doesn't realize it's that inadequacy he's making him feel that is driving Nanashi to constantly try to prove himself. I won't say much about how things will proceed but Z-ARC is supposed to be this au's equivalent to Dagda.

Chapter 4 NEUTRAL: Stairway To Heaven Part 1

She took a breath before continuing her way there. She supposed she was being quite reckless herself. Though as long as Flynn was okay in the end that's all that matters.

"Flynn is the hope of humanity so his survival is most vital…I want to help him anyway I can.", Isabeau thought.

Isabeau headed up to Sky Tower and found a barrier blocking her way.

"What's this…?", Isabeau questioned as she tried to get past the Hall of the Dragon.

When she touched the barrier she was sent flying back on her butt.

"There must be some way to break that thing.", Isabeau thought as she rubbed her sore butt.

She materialized Gottoms and had him swing at it. Unfortunately the barrier didn't seem to budge stunning her.

"You've got be kidding me…Gottoms is my strongest monster. What am I supposed to do summon a bunch of them to break it like earlier?", Isabeau said as she sweated nervously.

She wasn't sure she could do that, but she suddenly flinched when she felt the burn of her Signer mark. Isabeau sweated before she looked to her deck and saw Black Rose Dragon glowing. Even now she was still very wary of the dragon, hardly trusting it at all.

"…..", Isabeau didn't know what she wanted to do.

Summoning a bunch of monsters was objectively more draining to summoning one. Her mark was that of the Crimson Dragon's claw. She pondered what exactly that fully meant for her. She had been born with this power for a reason and her dragon only enforced that role. Isabeau wasn't sure if she could break the barrier, but she didn't have much choice. Her heart had a strange beat to it as she stared at the dragon.

So, Isabeau reluctantly materialized Black Rose Dragon. Gottom's seemed wary standing by Isabeau's side. The Signer Dragon fired flames from her mouth which caused a light tremor stunning them. The barrier slowly cracked before it eventually shattered. The plant dragon roared after being victorious over the barrier.

"…..", Isabeau felt relieved that the barrier was gone but wasn't sure if she wanted to do that again.

She quickly dematerialized Black Rose Dragon. Then, she continued forward up the Sky Tower.

In Kinshicho…

Flynn was still rolling around in Nanashi's bed as Asahi peeked in.

"He isn't too tired, right? He's going to be okay?", Asahi asked.

"I'm not exactly a doctor, but he just seems tired to me. He's not super warm so he isn't sick.", Nanashi replied.

Asahi looked over to Flynn's sleeping form. She felt so thankful for everything he's done. Without the Samurai they would have died a long time ago. Flynn's deck was in his deck box on the table and his gauntlet was there too. Nanashi looked over to Flynn's deck.

"Do you know his deck and I guess everyone's deck gives off feelings? The ones that Flynn's give off are always so powerful. I can feel how worried all his monsters are for him.", Nanashi explained as Asahi walked over to his side.

"Really?! When did you gain the ability to do that?", Asahi questioned.

"It was after I got this pendulum. I think it's what's detecting it not me.", Nanashi replied as he touched the necklace.

"What kind of emotions does my deck give off?", Asahi asked as she held it up.

"Annoyance.", Nanashi replied with a smirk as Asahi puffed her cheeks.

"That can't be! You're messing with me.", Asahi replied.

"Ooooh you caught me. Okay they like you though they seem to think of you like a little kid. I don't blame them honestly.", Nanashi replied as he waved his arms.

"Then, I must simply appear adultlike!", Asahi replied.

"I don't think that's possible for you…", Nanashi replied as he sweat dropped.

"I agree…", Navarre added, though Asahi didn't hear him.

Though the thought made Nanashi become more serious as he thought of his dilemma again. He knew that Flynn would never take him seriously until he impressed him. The problem was that he kept fucking it up. Both when he ran recklessly at the transformed Issachar and when he challenged Omega.

"If ye want his acknowledgement ye have to prove ye are even greater than him.", Z-ARC said in his head.

"How am I supposed to do that…? I'm trying, but I keep failing.", Nanashi thought.

"Ye keep going after fish that are way too big. Ye need to pace yourself with weaker opponents to slowly build yourself up to that level.", Z-ARC explained.

"That makes sense, but Boss will hardly let me out to do anything.", Nanashi thought.

There was suddenly a knock at the door grabbing their attention. Asahi was confused to see an old man, but Nanashi recognized him as Odin in disguise.

"It's you. What are you doing here?", Nanashi questioned.

"I can sense you need more training Nanashi. If you want to stand by his side you need to be stronger.", Odin replied.

"Who's this guy?", Asahi asked.

"Oh…He's Odin. Flynn saved him. He promised to train us as thanks but I only got to train with him for a bit before…..You know.", Nanashi explained.

"Ah!!! So he's like a wise old master? Can he train me too?", Asahi asked.

"Ah yes….It's important for the next generation to be strong.", Odin replied.

"So, you can be strong enough to beat the guardian guarding Doomking's seal.", Odin thought, though the others were completely oblivious.

Odin could see Flynn's power was close to fully ripening. After that he would be fully ready to be a powerful host…

"There's no question when Doomking acquires his body after that point he'll truly be unstoppable. Then our plan can progress without a hitch.", Odin thought.

He did admit he saw similarities between him, Doomking, and Vishnu. Of course Flynn was much younger with different experiences which blurred things especially being raised in G.O.D.'s society. He had no doubt that he truly was a part of Doomking. That meant Doomking truly would reclaim his truest power more than any soul devouring could ever accomplish. He would become a true god again…

"It would be nice if I could find my other half. But, that's like finding a needle in a haystack. After all this time I still haven't found him. It's a miracle that Doomking could find his.", Odin thought.

It seemed all far to perfect as everything aligned perfectly for Flynn to be THE ONE. Odin was sure it was fate. Doom Originator had been the most persistent among them in opposing G.O.D. As much as he would love to be the one it felt like very sweet karma for Doom Originator to finally kill G.O.D. after their long history together.

Odin supposed in a way Flynn was a chosen one.

Definitely not in the way the Samurai would have predicted. He could be the foundation for liberating the universe from G.O.D. The elderly spirit was sure that those who followed him would consider that to make Flynn a chosen one of darkness not anything less than the Anti-Christ from their perspective.

After all they did call him Doombringer. That's because they meant it.

Somewhere…?

Isabeau found herself in a weird space with floating tiles. She looked around stunned wondering where she was.

"This is going to be complicated.", Isabeau thought as she had Gottoms jump as he carried her up.

They found a set of three doors which Isabeau assumed she had to go through to progress. When she opened one she saw an angel on the other side.

"Zera…?", Isabeau questioned, seeing the spirit looked familiar.

"Wrong filth…I am the Angel of Zera and I shall exterminate the filth.", the angel replied as he summoned a duel disk of light.

"Duel!/Holy duel!", the two said.

Isabeau LP 4000

Angel of Zera LP 4000

"For the Lord! I draw!", Zera said.

Angel of Zera

Hand: 6

"I shall activate Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen and use its effect to special summon Celestia, Lightsworn Angel.", Zera said.

Angel of Zera

Hand: 4

Celestia, Lightsworn Angel

(FAIRY/LIGHT/EFFECT/ATK 2300/DEF 200/LV5)

Effect: When you Tribute Summon this card by Tributing a "Lightsworn" monster: You can send the top 4 cards of your Deck to the GY, then target up to 2 cards your opponent controls; destroy those targets.

"Then, I shall summon Counselor Lily.", Zera said.

Angel of Zera

Hand: 3

"I shall activate the effect of Guardian Eatos allowing me to special summon her when I have no monsters in the graveyard.", Zera said.

Angel of Zera

Hand: 2

Guardian Eatos

(FAIRY/LIGHT/EFFECT/ATK 2500/DEF 2000/LV8)

Effect: If you have no monsters in your GY, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can send 1 of your Equip Spells equipped to this card to the GY, then target up to 3 monsters in your opponent's GY; banish those targets, and if you do, this card gains 500 ATK for each monster banished by this effect, until the end of this turn.

"I shall activate the effect of Zeradias, Herald of Heaven to add Sanctuary in the Sky to my hand in exchange for discarding him. Now, I shall activate Sanctuary in the Sky.", Zera said.

Angel of Zera

Hand: 1

"I shall tune Lily and Celestia to synchro summon myself.", Zera said.

Angel of Zera

(FAIRY/LIGHT/SYNCHRO/EFFECT/ATK 2800/DEF 2300/LV8)

1 Tuner 1 or more non-Tuner monsters

Effect: This card gains 100 ATK for each of your opponent's banished cards. During the Standby Phase of the next turn after this card was banished: Special Summon this banished card. You can only use the effect of "Angel of Zera" once per turn.

"I shall end my turn.", Zera said.

"I draw!", Isabeau said.

Isabeau

Hand: 6

"I shall use Reinforcements of the army to add Photon Thrasher to my hand. Then I shall special summon him with his effect.", Isabeau said.

"I shall summon Boggart Knight and use his effect to special summon Fulhelmknight.", Isabeau said.

Isabeau

Hand: 3

"Then, I shall activate the effect of Faultroll to special summon him when I have two or more X-Saber monsters on the field.", Isabeau said.

Isabeau

Hand: 2

"I shall tune Fulhelmknight and Boggart Knight! A warrior clad in the red banner rises to help his comrades! He crushes evil with his overwhelming strength! Synchro summon! Level 7! X-Saber Souza!", Isabeau chanted.

"No matter how many monsters you summon you shall be exterminated.", Zera said.

"We shall see about that. I shall activate the effective of Faultroll to bring back Fulhelmknight. I shall then tune Fulhelmknight and Faultroll! Now, X-Sabers! Lead the way for your great general! His grand sword will slay all evil in his path! Synchro summon! Level 9! XX-Saber Gottoms!", Isabeau chanted.

The knights stood at the ready for her commands.

"I shall activate Monster Reborn to bring back Fulhelmknight again and tune him with Photon Thrasher! Reckless mercenary of lost lands! He comes charging at his enemies fearlessly with his dual blades! Synchro summon! Level 7! Driven Daredevil!", Isabeau chanted.

Isabeau

Hand: 1

Driven Daredevil

(WARRIOR/EARTH/SYNCHRO/EFFECT/ATK 2400/DEF 2100/LV7)

1 Warrior-Type Tuner 1 or more non-Tuner Warrior-Type monsters

Effect: This card cannot be destroyed by battle when attacked by a monster with higher ATK. After damage calculation, if this card was attacked by a monster with higher ATK: Destroy the opponent's monster it battled.

"I shall attack Eatos with Driven Daredevil! Reckless Slash! Not only is he not destroyed but since your monster has higher attack it's destroyed.", Isabeau declared.

Isabeau LP 4000 - 100 = 3900

"Then, I shall attack you with Gottoms! X Great Sword!", Isabeau declared.

The angels field was cleared but thankfully for him he didn't lose any life points because of his field spell.

"Then, I shall attack you directly with Souza! Dual X Tornado!", Isabeau declared.

Zera LP 4000 - 2500 = 1500

"I shall set a card and end my turn.", Isabeau said.

"To think you would fall so far as to harm an angel of the Lord. I shall smite you, filth! For the Lord! I draw!", Zera said.

Angel of Zera

Hand: 2

"I shall set a card and a monster then end my turn.", Zera said.

Angel of Zera

Hand: 0

"I draw!", Isabeau said.

Isabeau

Hand: 2

"I shall activate Pot of Greed to draw two cards.", Isabeau said.

Isabeau

Hand: 3

"I shall summon Fleur Synchron.", Isabeau said.

Isabeau

Hand: 2

"Then I shall activate the effect of White Steed of the Floral Knights allowing me to special summon it when I have a level 2 or lower monster on the field.", Isabeau said.

Isabeau

Hand: 1

"I shall tune Fleur Synchron with my steed! A gallant warrior lady marches forth to battle! Her strikes are as swift as the wind! Synchro summon! Level 8! Chevalier de Fleur!", Isabeau chanted.

The angel looked unamused at this.

"I shall attack your facedown with Gottoms! X Great Sword!", Isabeau declared.

"I shall activate my trap Negate Attack.", the angel countered.

"Not so fast! I shall activate De Fleur's effect to negate and destroy your trap! Whirlwind Counter!", Isabeau countered.

Now the angel was wide open.

"I shall attack you directly with De Fleur! A Thousand Strikes!", Isabeau declared as her monster thrusted her rapier into the angel multiple times.

Angel of Zera LP 1500 - 2700 = 0

"No…No how could I lose to filth…?", the angel replied, seeming to short circuit as Isabeau continued.

In Kinischo…

The teens dueled Odin one at a time using a mat. Navarre watched Flynn who still seemed to be sleeping. He hoped Flynn gets enough sleep so that he doesn't collapse again.

Nanashi had a fire in his eyes. He was determined to get Flynn to take him seriously. To do that he must get much stronger. While he did lose to Odin he was learning more and more which was important. His cards could feel his desire and tried to support him the best they could.

Nozomi was exhausted trying to stop people from crowding Nanashi's room after hearing Flynn was here.

"Okay…I need to be less reckless with Hunter Fusion and only use it when I need to. Mysterion is strong, but not everyone uses a single type of monster in their deck.", Nanashi thought.

He assumed summoning a bunch of monsters like Flynn was the key to victory, but he didn't consider which cards Flynn chose to summon. The teen noted Flynn often went for Stardust Dragon while going first or seeing a facedown spell or trap to protect his monsters. Not to mention from the footage of the tournament Clear Wing as well because of her protection. Then, when Flynn went second he chose more offensively oriented monsters like Doomkaiser or Felgrand or Catastor.

"I can't believe I never noticed such a thing…The question is who should I summon first? I don't have as many options as Flynn so I should be more cautious. Not to mention Flynn's zombies are constantly resurrecting so he has the luxury to be reckless.", Nanashi thought.

He realized he can't just fully copy Flynn. He needed to find his own way to duel with what he had. His deck was definitely very offensively minded though he added in some disruption so he wasn't dead meat.

"If I draw this ideally I can slow down dark or light oriented decks.", Nanashi thought as he held Koa'ki Meiru Drago.

"Oh! Oh! Nanashi! I forgot I bought booster packs at the new store I told you about! Do you want some?", Asahi said as she pulled a few out.

"Oh wow…Yeah! This is amazing.", Nanashi said, stunned.

She handed him three and she kept three. Out of the first he got another Mystical Space Typhoon which was useful. In the next pack his eyes bulged when he drew Photon Thrasher and then Lightpulsar Dragon.

Lightpulsar Dragon

(DRAGON/LIGHT/EFFECT/ATK 2500/DEF 1500/LV6)

Effect: You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by banishing 1 LIGHT and 1 DARK monster from your GY. You can Special Summon this card (from your GY) by sending 1 LIGHT and 1 DARK monster from your hand to the GY. When this card is sent from the field to the GY: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher DARK Dragon monster in your GY; Special Summon that target.

"Woah…That's so good. I guess you would need more light and dark monsters though.", Asahi commented.

"Yeah…This thing is good enough to shift my whole deck.", Nanashi said.

He looked down at the last one as his heart beated with excitement. Nanashi was glad he at least seemed lucky at pulling these cards. As he looked through it he got a few good spells and traps. The teen held the last one which's back was facing him.

Z-ARC briefly appeared around him as an aura looking down at the card like he knew something. Nanashi flinched when he heard the roar of an unfamiliar dragon. He turned over the last card which was Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos.

Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos

(DRAGON/FIRE/EFFECT/ATK 2800/DEF 1800/LV7)

Effect: If this card is in your hand or Graveyard: You can banish a total of 2 FIRE and/or Dragon-Type monsters from your hand and/or Graveyard, except this card; Special Summon this card. During your opponent's End Phase, if this card was Special Summoned: Return it to the hand. You can discard this card and 1 FIRE monster to the Graveyard, then target 1 card on the field; destroy that target. If this card is banished: You can add 1 FIRE Dragon-Type monster from your Deck to your hand. You can only use 1 "Blaster, Dragon Ruler of Infernos" effect per turn, and only once that turn.

Nanashi and Asahi gasped seeing the secret rare card. It was all shiny denoting its rarity.

"It seems luck is on your side, Nanashi. If you took a few quests you could easily strengthen your deck more.", Odin said and Nanashi nodded.

"Yeah…Though Isabeau told me to watch Flynn. So, I'll start after he's awake.", Nanashi said.

"I'm definitely going to get strong enough to fight by your side. Just watch me, Flynn.", Nanashi thought as he looked over to the sleeping Samurai.

"Those XYZ dimension cards really are good.", Navarre commented, when he looked at the cards Nanashi drew.

"XYZ…", Z-ARC thought, seeming to be thinking about something.

"What is it?", Nanashi questioned.

"Nothing…Just thinking about the future.", Z-ARC replied.

In Shinjuku…

"Now that things have calmed down a bit we can resume trade safely. ", Koshimizu said on the screen.

"Hopefully it will calm down completely when Flynn defeats the rest of the evil spirits.", Fuijwara recalled.

"It's rather unfortunate that our number of duelists available are low. We recognized that after being unable to help Synchro when it was under siege. We have been trying to scope out more promising talent. Unfortunately we don't quite have a Flynn ourselves.", Koshimizu replied.

"I imagine there aren't many people like him. I have only met one other person like him in my life and that was his past life.", Skins chuckled.

"I'm sure we're bound to find a worthy duelist. We are holding various tournaments as we speak to scope them out.", Koshimizu replied.

In the strange realm…

Isabeau dueled through most of the angels. When she got to the final door an angel with blonde hair blocked her path.

To be continued…