Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V: The Six Dimensions

by BlaiseCandell

Before the invasion of the Xyz Dimension, scans done by the Fusion Dimension reveal two more dimensions. The Ritual Dimension, and the Link Dimension. Within those two dimensions, Chiaki, Yuji, Miharu and Yuno have their lives turned upside down, and are tossed into a vicious war. Also, why are there five people with the same faces as them?

31. Chapter 31: Measure of a Life

Starting Notes:

Welcome back! This chapter is… very, very focused on duels. Hope you enjoy! In this chapter, we reveal my favouritism towards Yuto, which was never a secret. And we start to move forward into more of the plot.

---

Chapter 31: Measure of a Life

There was smoke everywhere. A house that was burning down. A bucket of water was thrown uselessly onto the flames, as though that might solve anything at all. A howl of fury filled the area—some Commons that had seen the flames and foolishly came closer, thinking that they could steal from the remains, immediately fled away.

"Yusei!" The man outside the burning apartment howled again, the helplessness of his situation making itself clear in his voice. He uselessly threw more water on the flames, but it obviously didn't work—the blaze had already become too large to control. "Yusei! Where are you?"

"He's gone, Kiryu."

The blue-haired man turned around, fists clenched. He aimed a fist straight for the face of the person who had spoken, only for her to grab his arm and stop him.

"I'm not the one you're angry at," the woman said calmly. "He's gone, Kiryu. There is no way that a person could have escaped that—and you know that."

"I won't believe it until I see his body myself," Kiryu said, seething. "What about you? Would you believe it if someone told you that Aki was dead without letting you see for yourself, Sherry?"

Sherry looked at him quietly. "If you charge into those flames, you will die," she said. "As your friend… I cannot allow you to do that. You would do the same thing for me, would you not?"

"This has nothing to do with you!" Kiryu jerked forward, as though trying to break out of her hold. Sherry held firm—and then, Kiryu collapsed against her, a silent sob racking his entire body. His finger brushed against the ring on his right hand. He stared at the burning apartment, at everything that he ever had in his life being turned to ashes in front of his eyes. "Why? Why did this happen?"

Sherry drew him into an embrace. It was clear that she wasn't used to this—she was trying her best to give him some kind of comfort, but there was no comfort, not with Yusei gone, not with his—

"Tell me, Sherry," Kiryu said, a new emotion rising up in his voice—rage. "Who? Who do I have to kill for doing this to us?"

Sherry offered no verbal response. However, there was a clear promise in her eyes when she looked at the burning apartment—housing what was likely to be the remains of her best friend. (Practically her brother.) They would find out. They would find out exactly who had done this. And then, they would—

"Kiryu."

The blue-haired man jerked up. Sherry looked at him expectantly. They had taken the two corridors that would intersect before leading to different rooms, just so that they could talk or check on each other when they were done. (This shouldn't take that long.)

"You got lost in your own head again?" Sherry asked.

Kiryu shrugged. "Just thinking about him again," he said, and Sherry's eyes softened for a brief moment—they were always cold when they looked at anyone else. In a sense, they had filled in the void in each other's lives that had been left after Yusei died—longing for a sense of closeness that they had lost. She had lost her best friend, and he had lost his—

Well, that didn't bear thinking about too much, or he would go mad.

"After we deal with them, we can go back to sleep," she said. "But business before pleasure, as they say."

"... yeah." Kiryu personally couldn't wait to go back to sleep. (He rarely felt like doing anything other than sleeping nowadays—ever since that day, the feeling of grief had been so thick, so poisonous that he could hardly breathe under its smog, let alone think.)

He raised his fist. Sherry returned his fistbump. Then, the two of them had headed down separate corridors.

Seconds later, Kiryu saw the boy with black and purple hair show up in the room. One of the two boys with the same face that had come down here.

"So, are you my opponent?" Kiryu said.

And then, he couldn't help but smirk a little.

Yes, he rarely felt like doing anything other than sleeping. But one of the things that he could still do was dueling. He would never forget how to duel—

After all, dueling was the light that connected everyone's souls.

Isn't that right, Yusei?

"I don't want to fight," the boy said. "But if you're going to kill me, then I will defend myself."

A pacifist, then.

Pacifists are the rot of this society.

"Raise your duel disk then," Kiryu said coldly. "I'll perform your funeral rites."

---

Yuto tensed up.

There was something about this man that radiated danger. Still, though… he had promised Shun that he would make it back. He had promised Ruri that he would save her. He had promised Nue that he would stay safe.

He had made a lot of promises, and he did not intend to break any of them.

[DUEL!]

Yuto Kamisoka: 4000LP

Kiryu Kyosuke: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Kiryu] [H:5]

… they hadn't even bothered trying to introduce themselves, had they?

Yuto examined his hand quickly, before turning to look at his opponent. Kiryu was examining his hand slowly, before he nodded. "I'll send an "Infernity" monster from my hand to the graveyard to Special Summon Infernity Wildcat," he said. In front of him, a demonic-looking red cat with some golden lines across its body appeared. Its eyes were solid, blood red—it had no sclera. Its claws were covered in flames, and it let out a loud hiss.

[Infernity Wildcat (3*/1400/0/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"I will then activate the Continuous Spell, Infernity Launcher. Once per turn, I can send an "Infernity" card from my hand to the graveyard."

Yuto stopped, listening for anything afterwards, but it seemed that was the full effect. So, that deck—

Did it gain its power from the graveyard, perhaps?

"I will then Normal Summon Infernity Conjurer." The final card in his hand was placed down, and a pink-skinned fiend appeared, dressed in a richly coloured red robe, similar to that of a priest—holding a dark blue staff in his left hand, topped with an eerie red crystal. A shaman-like headdress covered the top of its head.

[Infernity Conjurer (3*/1200/900/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"I will tune the Level 3 Wildcat to the Level 3 Conjurer," Kiryu said, sounding somewhat unenthusiastic. "Darkness that lays low any mortal being. Flames that burn through purgatory. Take on the form of the demonic creature, and let no person escape your gaze. Synchro Summon. Level 6—Infernity Doom Archfiend." A tall demon with flame red hair appeared, wearing a purple 'cloak' of tendrils. Two slender white horns curved upwards around its inhuman face, several red eyes glaring forward. Odd grey hands raised in the air, magical circles of red light floating around the creature.

[Infernity Doom Archfiend (6*/2200/1600/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"I will end my turn," Kiryu said. He made direct eye contact with Yuto. "Entertain me, or I'll end your life like a pest."

Yuto took a deep breath, steadying his heartbeat. "I don't exist to entertain anyone," he said. "But like I keep saying, I will defend myself, and I will not die here!"

[Turn 2: Yuto] [H:6]

He drew a card, glancing at it, before nodding. "I will Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales!" He called. A silver set of armour appeared, surrounded by the familiar blue ectoplasm.

[The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales (3*/600/1600/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]

"And then, I can use the effect of The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots in my hand. I'll Special Summon it from my hand!" Dressed in tattered and stitched leather, a blue spirit with beady eyes appeared next to Torn Scales.

[The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots (3*/200/1200/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]

"And I'll use the effect of The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales," Yuto continued. "I'll discard a card and send a "Phantom Knights" card from my deck to the graveyard." He nodded to Torn Scales and Silent Boots, who dissolved into purple light. "I'll overlay the Level 3 Torn Scales and the Level 3 Silent Boots! Phantoms hide within the shadows, tormenting the cruel minds. Appear now, tortured maiden! Xyz Summon—Rank 3, The Phantom Knights of Tortured Chains!"

The feminine grey spirit appeared, blue flames swirling around her as she let out a deathly shriek.

[The Phantom Knights of Tortured Chains (R3/1700/1000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

"Since Tortured Chains was Xyz Summoned, I can add a "Phantom Knights" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand!" Yuto immediately added Fog Blade to his hand. "I'll then activate Phantom Knights' Battalion Charge. Since I control a DARK Xyz Monster, I can Special Summon a "Phantom Knights" monster from my Deck and send a "Phantom Knights" Spell or Trap from my deck to the graveyard. I'll Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak!" The spirit dressed in purple robes with a long red cloak appeared, holding onto a staff, its beady eyes staring at Kiryu, who stared back, seeming somewhat curious for the first time since Yuto had stepped into the room.

[The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak (3*/800/1000/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]

"I will change Ancient Cloak to Defense Position to use its effect. I'll grant Tortured Chains 800 more attack and defense points until your End Phase." The spirit cast some blue flames over to Tortured Chains, who seemed to float slightly higher.

[The Phantom Knights of Tortured Chains: 1700 + 800 = 2500ATK; 1000 + 800 = 1800DEF]

"Attack Infernity Doom Archfiend! Scattered Tatters!" The feminine spirit floated forward, eerily aiming towards Doom Archfiend, shadows and fabric shooting out towards him.

"Since I have no cards in my hand, I can banish Infernity Patriarch from the graveyard to negate the destruction of Infernity Doom Archfiend," Kiryu said. A barrier protected Infernity Doom Archfiend, though Kiryu still took damage.

Kiryu: 4000 - 300 = 3700LP

"I will set two cards and end my turn," Yuto said.

Kiryu looked at him, and then sighed. "You have underestimated me," he said.

[Turn 3: Kiryu] [H:1]

"Draw." Kiryu looked at the card that he drew. "Since I drew Infernity Archfiend and I have no other cards in my hand, I can Special Summon it." An orange-haired demon who looked like a less red version of Infernity Doom Archfiend appeared on the field.

[Infernity Archfiend (4*/1800/1200/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"And I will activate Infernity Archfiend's effect. Since it was Special Summoned while I have no cards in my hand, I can add another "Infernity" card from my deck to my hand."

So his deck worked with having no cards in hand?

"I will then Normal Summon Infernity Beetle." A dark beetle appeared, standing next to Infernity Archfiend, beady green eyes staring at Yuto.

[Infernity Beetle (2*/1200/0/DARK/Insect/Tuner/Effect)]

"Since I have no cards in my hand, I can tribute Beetle to Special Summon two copies of Infernity Beetle from the deck." The beetle split into two. "I will use Infernity Doom Archfiend's effect. I will negate the effect of a face-up card you control, and then since I have no cards in my hand, I can destroy it. Infernal Sealing Flame!" Tattered Chains was destroyed in a blast of flame.

Yuto winced.

"I will tune the Level 2 Infernity Beetle to the Level 6 Infernity Doom Archfiend. Darkness burns in the depths of purgatory. Flames of hell, form the fiendish dragon of punishment! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Void Ogre Dragon!" A large, dark red dragon appeared on the field, the red of its scales close to complete black. It had red orbs scattered around its body, and long silver claws that dug holes into the ground. A long crimson tail slammed against the ground, shaking the corridor.

[Void Ogre Dragon (8*/3000/3000/DARK/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

Yuto looked at it, and took a deep breath.

… oh, this was going to suck.

---

Yuno stumbled into the room, under the piercing stare of the blonde woman from earlier. He smiled awkwardly. The woman raised an eyebrow.

"To think that you can smile at your executioner," she said. "You really aren't from around here, are you?"

"Maybe. Um. I'm Yuno Sugisaki?"

"You're introducing yourself?" The woman blinked. "How naive are you?"

"It's not naivete, it's politeness," Yuno said, sounding probably more glib than he should be. "What's your name?"

"... I'm too old for this," the woman muttered. "Sherry LeBlanc. That's the last bit of politeness that I'm giving to you though."

"Noted," Yuno said, raising his duel disk. The woman nodded at his prompt response, seeming almost approving.

"En garde, Yuno Sugisaki," she said. "I hope that you don't fall too quickly to my monsters' blades."

[DUEL!]

Yuno Sugisaki: 4000LP

Sherry LeBlanc: 4000LP

[Turn 1: Yuno] [H:5]

"I'll start," Yuno said. "I'll Normal Summon Marincess Pascalus." The pink-haired ocean idol appeared on his field, letting out a soft laugh, floating in the air. He exchanged a high-five with her.

[Marincess Pascalus (4*/1200/2000/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"Then, I'll use Pascalus's effect to Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from my hand. I will Special Summon Marincess Blue Tang!" His usual playmaker appeared, looking rather calm as she settled down in the middle Main Monster Zone, to the right of Pascalus.

[Marincess Blue Tang (4*/1500/1200/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"And since Marincess Blue Tang was Normal or Special Summoned, I can send a "Marincess" card from my deck to the graveyard." He dropped Sea Star's card into the graveyard. "Then, by banishing a WATER monster like Marincess Sea Star from my graveyard, I can Special Summon Marincess Springirl!" The pretty woman dressed in dark blue silks appeared, floating in the air like a graceful mermaid.

[Marincess Springirl (4*/1200/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"Cyberse? What's that Type?" Sherry asked, seeming mildly confused.

"Cyberse? Uh—" Wow. How was he going to explain this without sounding like a nutjob? In the end, he just said the truth. "They started out as a promotional card type in my homeland, before they became more common in archetype creation and so on."

"Alright, makes sense."

Yuno grinned, somewhat sheepish but still anticipating how she would respond to his next move. "Open, circuit of the limitless ocean!" Sherry's eyes widened in surprise as the large circuit appeared, floating above Yuno. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are a Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster! I'll set Marincess Springirl in the Link Markers! Shine, beautiful water creature that dwells in the depths! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Blue Slug!" The blue-haired monster appeared, feelers wobbling from side to side.

[Marincess Blue Slug (L1/1500/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↓)]

Sherry stared at him, her suspicion clearly only matched by her confusion about his cards.

"Surprise?" Yuno said with a shrug. "Blue Slug's effect triggers. I will chain Springirl's effect. Since she was used as Link Material, I can send cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard, up to the number of "Marincess" monsters I control! Since I control three of them, I can send three cards to the graveyard!" He milled the top three cards of his deck immediately. "I'll then inflict 200 damage to you for each "Marincess" card sent! I sent three of them there!" Three large bubbles appeared, all of them flying towards Sherry and popping, inflicting a small amount of damage to her with each.

Sherry: 4000 - 200 x 3 = 3400LP

"I will then use Blue Slug's effect to add a "Marincess" monster from my graveyard to my hand. I will add Springirl back to my hand, since she was the only applicable target." Yuno pointed to Blue Tang, who turned into a stream of dark blue water, flying into the circuit above as well. "Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are one Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster. I will set Marincess Blue Tang in the Link Markers! Beautiful angel floating through the ocean, ascend now! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Sea Angel!"

The white and orange-themed sea idol appeared with a splash, landing in the Main Monster Zone right behind Blue Slug.

[Marincess Sea Angel (L1/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←)]

"Blue Tang lets me excavate the top three cards of my deck, and then I'll add a "Marincess" card from among them to my hand. I will then use Sea Angel's effect to add Marincess Battle Ocean from my deck to my hand and activate it!" The waters appeared all around them, holograms that added a sense of depth to the empty room. "Now, I will open the circuit for the third and final time this turn! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two or more WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Sea Angel, Marincess Blue Slug and Marincess Pascalus in the Link Markers! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Lovely sea idol arriving for the finale of the performance! Marincess Marbled Rock!"

Marbled Rock appeared, as imposing and mature of a figure as ever. She adjusted her spiky urchin scarf, staring at Sherry, who let out a quiet scoff.

[Marincess Marbled Rock (L3/2500/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←, ↓, →)]

"Activating Battle Ocean's effect. I will equip Marincess Blue Slug and Marincess Sea Angel from the graveyard to Marbled Rock, and she gains 600 attack points for each, along with an additional 200 attack points." The two spheres of water appeared around Marbled Rock.

[Marincess Marbled Rock: 2500 + 200 + 600 x 2 = 3900ATK]

"I will then use Marbled Rock's effect to add a "Marincess" card from my graveyard to my hand." He still hadn't managed to search out Wave, but for now, this should be enough. "I'll set a card and end my turn."

[Turn 2: Sherry] [H:6]

"... interesting."

Yuno felt like he was being stared down by his sister right now—just like how Miyu used to nag at him to clean his room, Sherry also looked like she was about to nag at him to do… something.

"Draw," Sherry said, in lieu of elaborating on what she had just said. "I will Normal Summon Flower of Death - Necro Fleur." A small, withered sapling appeared in front of her, at odds with her elegant demeanour.

[Flower of Death - Necro Fleur (1*/0/0/DARK/Plant/Effect)]

"And then, I will activate the effect of Sage of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sage in my hand. By targeting a monster I control and a card you control, I will Special Summon her. I will choose Necro Fleur, naturally, and Marincess Marbled Rock." In front of her, a woman with the head of a giant blue flower appeared, midnight blue clothes draped over her figure in beautiful layers. She was a sharp contrast to Necro Fleur—far more elegant, and far more suited for her duelist.

[Sage of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sage (8*/2900/0/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"I will then destroy the cards that were targeted!"

"I will activate the effect of Marincess Basilalima in my graveyard," Yuno called. "I'll banish her from the graveyard to negate Marbled Rock's destruction. And then, since she was banished, I can give a monster on the field 600 more attack points! I will choose Marbled Rock!" Fleur de Sage's petals were cast across the field, but while Sherry's own monster was shredded, Yuno's monster was kept safe.

[Marincess Marbled Rock: 3900 + 600 = 4500ATK]

"Impressive numbers, but numbers mean nothing," Sherry said calmly—and she seemed to mean it too, she wasn't just looking down on him. "Since Necro Fleur was destroyed, I will Special Summon Witch of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sorciere from my deck!" A woman appeared, her face surrounded by red and orange fabric that resembled a beautiful flower, tilted sideways. She was wearing an outfit with white fabric around her chest, and a plain pink dress that went down to her feet. In her hands, she was holding onto a gold staff, tipped with a dark red rose.

[Witch of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sorciere (8*/2900/0/DARK/Spellcaster/Effect)]

"Fleur de Sorciere's effect," Sherry said. "I can Special Summon a monster from your graveyard to my field. I would like information on exactly what cards are in your graveyard."

… oh, she got him.

Usually, it wasn't exactly polite to ask to check someone's graveyard in the middle of a duel so duelists, usually just had to go by memory. However, by activating a card that targeted a specific card in his graveyard, she was able to ask for information on the cards that he had milled without sounding rude.

"Marincess Springirl, Marincess Blue Tang, Marincess Pascalus, Marincess Sea Horse and Marincess Crown Tail," he provided, though he was under no obligation to say anything else about them.

"I'll take your Marincess Pascalus then," Sherry said, and Yuno nodded—at least she hadn't taken Crown Tail. The pink-haired water idol reappeared on Sherry's side of the field, seeming rather confused by what she was doing. "This monster cannot attack you directly, and she is destroyed during the End Phase. I will activate the Spell Card, Tuning, to add a "Synchron" monster from my deck to my hand, and then send a card from the top of my deck to the graveyard. And then, I will activate the Spell Card, Pot of Extravagance. By banishing six cards from the top of my Extra Deck, I'll draw two cards. I'll then activate the Continuous Spell, Synchro Dilemma, and the Spell Card, Monster Reborn. I will bring back a monster from my graveyard."

She placed down a card with great force.

"Come—Necro Synchron!" A small, creepy-looking sapling with hollow black eyes appeared.

[Necro Synchron (2*/200/400/DARK/Machine/Tuner/Effect)]

"I'll then use Necro Synchron's effect. I'll increase the Level of a monster I control by 2. I will target Marincess Pascalus." The small sapling leapt over to Pascalus's side, even as the girl moved away in disgust.

[Marincess Pascalus: 4* + 2* = 6*]

"I will tune the Level 2 Necro Synchron to the Level 6 Marincess Pascalus," Sherry declared. Pascalus vanished, returning to Yuno's graveyard. "Body born from speed, the time for revolution has come! Bring victory into my hands! Synchro Summon! Shine, Fleur de Chevalier!" A pink-haired knight appeared, her hair forming a delicate flower. She was wearing a silver helmet that covered most of her face. Her armour left no part of her exposed—she was simply a beautiful, androgynous warrior, stripped of the usual feminine stereotypes of delicacy and weakness.

[Fleur de Chevalier (8*/2700/2300/WIND/Warrior/Synchro/Effect)]

Three Level 8 monsters, huh? Interesting—

"I'll set one card and end my turn," Sherry said.

Yuno blinked.

"No, I haven't misplayed," Sherry said, tilting her head. "Take your turn, Yuno Sugisaki."

There was something very, very odd to what was currently going on. Yuno was slightly wary.

Even so, he drew a card.

[Turn 3: Yuno] [H:5]

"Draw," Yuno said. Still not Marincess Wave… however, by banishing Basilalima, he had strengthened Marbled Rock a little. "I will Normal Summon Marincess Blue Tang again!" That was the card that he had added back with Marbled Rock's effect the previous turn. "I'll use Blue Tang's effect to send another "Marincess" monster from my deck to the graveyard. Then, I'll banish Marincess Sea Horse from my graveyard to Special Summon a WATER monster from my hand to a Main Monster Zone that a "Marincess" Link Monster I control points to."

He reveals another card. "I'll Special Summon Marincess Springirl from my hand. And now, I'll open the circuit of the limitless ocean! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are two WATER monsters! I will set Marincess Springirl and Marincess Blue Tang in the Link Markers! Appear now, colourful idol of the reef! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Marincess Coral Anemone!" One of his most commonly used Link Monsters appeared.

[Marincess Coral Anemone (L2/2000/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←, ↓)]

"Springirl's effect triggers," Yuno said with a wide grin. "I'll send two cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard!" He revealed both cards. "They're both "Marincess" cards, so I can inflict 200 damage to you for each!" Two more bubbles shot across the field.

Sherry: 3400 - 200 x 2 = 3000LP

"I'll then use Coral Anemone's effect. I'll revive Marincess Blue Slug. And they both gain 200 attack points!"

[Marincess Coral Anemone: 2000 + 200 = 2200ATK]

[Marincess Blue Slug: 1500 + 200 = 1700ATK]

"Marbled Rock will attack Chevalier de Fleur!" That was the only unknown monster on the field right now, after all. "Elegant Wave!"

"I will activate my set card," Sherry said, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "Continuous Trap, Pennant of Revolution. At the start of the Damage Step, when a Synchro Monster I control battles, I destroy the opposing monster."

Yuno's eyes widened. His monster was destroyed in an explosion of petals. He grimaced. "I will activate the Trap Card, Marincess Snow!" He called, flipping over a set card. "I'll Special Summon a "Marincess" Link Monster to my field with a lower Link Rating. It will be treated as a proper Link Summon. Float through the water, away from the dangerous predators that seek our trail! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 2! Marincess Sea Butterfly!" The beautiful purple-themed woman appeared, veils swirling around her.

[Marincess Sea Butterfly (L2/1800/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↑, →)]

"I can't use Sea Butterfly's effect, because I don't have a zone that applies." Sea Butterfly was pointing to nothing, while Coral Anemone's Link Marker was occupied by Blue Slug." He glanced at the field. "... I'll move into my Main Phase 2. Open, circuit of the limitless ocean! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are at least two WATER monsters! I will set the Link 2 Marincess Coral Anemone, Marincess Sea Butterfly and Marincess Blue Slug in the Link Markers! Light splits forth through the invitation of the great reef. Unimaginable colours, split-second reflections, all which exist within a second of time! Now, lady of the shimmering waters! Shine forth! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4! Marincess Great Bubble Reef!" His strongest Link Monster appeared in front of him.

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef (L4/2600/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/←, ↙, ↓, →)]

He wasn't completely on the back foot here, but he was close to it.

"Battle Ocean equips Sea Butterfly, Sea Angel and Blue Slug to Great Bubble Reef, and her attack points increase!"

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 2600 + 600 x 3 + 200 = 4600ATK]

"I will set a card and end my turn," he said.

Sherry watched him. "... I see how you duel," she said. "Your dueling is a performance for the sake of yourself." She pinched her nose. "I'll show you my dueling then—a blade aimed true, stronger than yours."

---

Yuto currently had two set cards and Ancient Cloak in Defense Position. Meanwhile, he was facing down Void Ogre Dragon, an enormous red dragon, and two other monsters—Infernity Archfiend and Infernity Beetle.

"Attack The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, Void Ogre Dragon. Infernity Chaos Burst!" A large blast of dark flames shot out at Yuto's field.

"Trap Card, Phantom Knights' Fog Blade!" Yuto called. "I'll equip it to Void Ogre Dragon and negate its effects, while also stopping it from declaring an attack!"

"Since I have no cards in my hand, I can use Void Ogre Dragon's effect. I will negate and destroy your Trap." Fog Blade was incinerated, and Yuto grimaced.

"Trap Card, The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace!" He flipped up his other Trap. "I'll target your Void Ogre Dragon and lower its attack points by 600 while turning its Level to 2. Then, I can Special Summon Lost Vambrace in Defense Position, and "The Phantom Knights" monsters I control cannot be destroyed by battle." The armour appeared on the field, surrounded by blue flames.

[The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace (2*/600/0/DARK/Warrior)]

[Void Ogre Dragon: 3000 - 600 = 2400ATK; 8* → 2*]

"I will stop attacking then," Kiryu said. There was no real point, after all.

"I will move to my second Main Phase," Kiryu said. "It seems that you've weakened my dragon considerably, even if I've neutralised a powerful Trap of yours. I will tune the Level 2 Infernity Beetle to the Level 4 Infernity Archfiend—to Synchro Summon another copy of Infernity Doom Archfiend." The demon reappeared on the field. "And Infernity Doom Archfiend's effect is not a 'hard once per turn'. I will target The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak, negate its effects and destroy it. Infernal Sealing Flame!" Ancient Cloak was wiped off his field immediately. "I will now end my turn."

Yuto glanced at the field. He had barely escaped by the skin of his teeth…

[Turn 4: Yuto] [H:2]

"Draw," Yuto said after a moment. "I'll banish The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak from my graveyard to add another "Phantom Knights" card from my deck to my hand. And since another "Phantom Knights" card was banished from my graveyard, I can revive Torn Scales, but it is banished when it leaves the field." The suit of armour appeared on his field. "I'll then Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves." The pair of black gloves surrounded by blue flames appeared in front of him.

[The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves (3*/1000/500/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]

"I'll then overlay the Level 3 Ragged Gloves and Torn Scales," Yuto called. "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! The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!" The dark knight on horseback appeared, shadows swirling around him.

[The Phantom Knights of Break Sword (R3/2000/1000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

The knight glowed, gaining 1000 attack points since it was summoned using Ragged Gloves as material.

[The Phantom Knights of Break Sword: 2000 + 1000 = 3000ATK]

"I will detach one Overlay Unit from Break Sword to destroy a card I control and a card you control," Yuto called. "I will destroy Lost Vambrace and Void Ogre Dragon! Mutual Destruction!" Both the smaller set of armour and the red dragon exploded, and Kiryu nodded in acknowledgement of the move.

[The Phantom Knights of Break Sword: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1]

Yuto then pointed forward.

"Break Sword attacks Infernity Doom Archfiend! Phantom Sword!"

The other Synchro Monster was destroyed, and Yuto breathed a sigh of relief.

Kiryu: 3700 - 800 = 2900LP

"I will banish Silent Boots from my graveyard to add a "Phantom Knights" Spell or Trap to my hand. I'll then set two cards facedown again. Over to you."

[Turn 5: Kiryu] [H:1]

Kiryu drew a card. "So you draw your power from the graveyard too," he said. "I see." He looked at Yuto's field. "I will Normal Summon Infernity Necromancer." A green-haired creature with a skull on the top of its head appeared, a purple, tattered cloak around it.

[Infernity Necromancer (3*/0/2000/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

"Necromancer changes itself to Defense Position when Normal Summoned. Then, since I have no cards in my hand, Infernity Necromancer can revive an "Infernity" monster in my graveyard," Kiryu explained. "So return to my field—Infernity Doom Archfiend." That demon reappeared on the field for the third time, and Yuto pursed his lips in annoyance. "Infernity Doom Archfiend's effect triggers once again. I will target The Phantom Knights of Break Sword, negate its effects and destroy it. Infernal Sealing Flame!"

Break Sword was incinerated, but Yuto had been prepared for that. "Break Sword's effect triggers in the graveyard. I will revive two "Phantom Knights" monsters with the same Level, and increase their Levels by 1. Phantom Resurrection!" Torn Scales and Ragged Gloves reappeared on Yuto's field in Defense Position, protecting him.

[The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales: 3* + 1* = 4*]

[The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves: 3* + 1* = 4*]

"Your deck is really built around defences, huh?" Kiryu commented. "Fair enough. I will send Infernity Launcher from my field to the graveyard to revive two "Infernity" monsters, since I have no cards in my hand. So return to the field, Infernity Doom Archfiend and Infernity Beetle." Two more monsters appeared on the field. "I will once again activate Infernity Doom Archfiend's effect. I will target Torn Scales, negate its effects and destroy it. Infernal Sealing Flame!" The flames hit Torn Scales again, tearing apart another one of Yuto's cards.

Yuto grimaced. It did not go unnoticed, considering that Kiryu raised an eyebrow.

"I will tune the Level 2 Infernity Beetle to the Level 6 Infernity Doom Archfiend! When the curtain of darkness comes down, the eyes of the underworld will open. Swoop down, darkness, and feed the tortured souls of the restless dead! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Show yourself—Hundred Eyes Dragon!"

A sinister-looking dragon made of black veins and embedded amethyst crystals appeared, leathery wings flapping through the air. Bright red crystals bloomed around it as it slammed its claws against the ground defiantly, letting out a hideous roar.

[Hundred Eyes Dragon (8*/3000/2500/DARK/Dragon/Synchro/Effect)]

"I will use Hundred Eyes Dragon's effect," Kiryu continued. "I will banish a Level 6 or lower DARK Effect Monster from my graveyard and let Hundred Eyes Dragon copy its effects until the End Phase. Dark Mimicry Glare!" He revealed Infernity Doom Archfiend in his graveyard, banishing it. "With the effect of Infernity Doom Archfiend, as copied by Hundred Eyes Dragon, I will destroy Ragged Gloves! Infernal Sealing Flame!" The gloves were incinerated from the inside out with the same flames that had incinerated the rest of Yuto's monsters. "The monster that was Synchro Summoned using Infernity Doom Archfiend as material can attack monsters twice, since it's a DARK monster. Then, with the other effect copied from Infernity Doom Archfiend, Hundred Eyes Dragon deals double damage when battling a monster." He shrugged. "However, it seems that I've wiped out your entire field."

Yuto couldn't help it. He snorted. "Ruthlessly efficient," he said.

"Indeed." Now, Kiryu controlled Hundred Eyes Dragon, Infernity Doom Archfiend and Infernity Necromancer. "It matters little though. Hundred Eyes Dragon attacks you directly."

"Since you declared an attack, I will Special Summon The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring as a monster!" He revealed one of his set Traps. "And your attack is negated!"

[The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring (2*/0/0/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]

Kiryu raised an eyebrow. "Infernity Doom Archfiend attacks your monster."

"I'll activate The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace again!" The familiar Trap Card revealed itself. "My monsters can't be destroyed by battle this turn, Lost Vambrace Special Summons itself and your monster loses 600 attack points!"

[The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace (2*/600/0/DARK/Warrior)]

[Infernity Doom Archfiend: 2200 - 600 = 1600ATK; 6* → 2*]

"But you still take the damage," Kiryu said. "Your card Special Summoned itself in Attack Position, after all." The flames consumed his field, and Yuto's life points fell.

Yuto: 4000 - 1600 = 2400LP

"I'll end my turn. Over to you."

… what an awful situation.

---

[Turn 4: Sherry] [H:2]

Sherry drew a card. Great Bubble Reef was floating on Yuno's field, while on Sherry's field, she had the Continuous Trap, Pennant of Revolution, along with her three 'Fleur' monsters and Synchro Dilemma.

It was a rather imposing field.

"During your Standby Phase, I'll banish a WATER monster from my graveyard to draw a card! And when a card is banished, Marincess Great Bubble Reef gains 600 attack points." Yuno smiled at the card. Marincess Wave. Nice.

[Marincess Great Bubble Reef: 4600 + 600 = 5200ATK]

"I will use the effect of Synchro Dilemma," Sherry said. "I can destroy a card I control to revive a "Synchron" monster. I will destroy Sage of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sage to revive Necro Synchron." The purple monster vanished, replaced with the mechanical sapling. "First, since Fleur de Sage was sent to the graveyard, I can shuffle a monster from my graveyard into the deck, and I can add a Level 1 Plant monster from my deck to my hand. Secondly, since a monster I control was destroyed, Pennant of Revolution allows me to add Liberty at Last from my deck to my hand." She refilled her hand. "I will tune the Level 2 Necro Synchron to the Level 8 Witch of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sorciere. The one who leads the revolution of the people. Crush the foolish oppressors—and declare, with your elegant lance, the execution of all! Synchro Summon! Level 10! Fleur de Baroness!"

A far more fanciful version of Fleur de Chevalier appeared, with a large pink flower for a head, dressed in silver and pink armour that resembled a dress, despite clearly being built for battle. She was seated on a horse dressed in silver armour, blonde mane streaming through the air. She was holding onto a red and silver shield, and a red cape was streaming behind her.

[Fleur de Baroness (10*/3000/2400/WIND/Warrior/Synchro/Effect)]

"While I control Fleur de Baroness, once per turn, I can target and destroy a card on the field. I will target Marincess Great Bubble Reef. Blossoming Execution!" Fleur de Baroness swung her lance through the air, and a burst of petals shot towards her monster.

"I will activate Marincess Wave!" He revealed the Trap in his hand. "I can activate this card from my hand since I control a Link 3 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster! I'll negate the effect of your monster and render my monster immune to your card effects this turn!"

"When you activate a Spell or Trap during my turn, I will negate the activation with Fleur de Chevalier and destroy that card! Declaration of Liberty!"

Oh.

Marincess Wave is destroyed, and Baroness's effect goes through, destroying his monster. It's probably the simplest way that anyone has ever dealt with his field.

"Attack directly, Fleur de Chevalier!"

"I will activate my set Call of the Haunted! I'll revive Marbled Rock!"

"I'll activate Fleur de Baroness's effect," Sherry said, just as merciless as ever. "Once while face-up on the field, I'll negate your effect and destroy your monster. Declaration of Liberty!" The Trap exploded, and Yuno grimaced.

"I'll banish Marincess Crown Tail from the graveyard and negate any damage less than the total Link Rating of Link Monsters in my graveyard! I don't know how many that is, but that's at least 10000!" The attack hit, but Yuno was saved—Sherry didn't seem to have another negate on the field currently, thankfully.

Sherry shrugged. "I'll set a card facedown and end my turn," she said.

[Turn 5: Yuno] [H:4]

"Draw," Yuno said. He was struggling a little, admittedly.

"During your Standby Phase, I'll return Fleur de to the Extra Deck to Special Summon a Level 9 or lower monster from my graveyard. Return to the field, Sage of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sage!" The purple-themed witch appeared, floating next to Fleur de Chevalier. That was a relief. That meant that currently, Sherry had no negates for his field.

He could make a comeback—

And didn't Synchro Monsters have very high Levels?

"I will activate Marincess Dive," he said, revealing the Spell. "I'll Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from my deck. I'll choose Marincess Blue Sunfish." A pretty light blue-haired girl appeared, with seaweed swirling around her hands, wearing a polka-dotted yellow skirt and a blue blouse.

[Marincess Blue Sunfish (3*/1400/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Tuner/Effect)]

"And since Blue Sunfish was Special Summoned, I can Special Summon a "Marincess" monster from the deck in Attack Position. So come, Marincess Angelfish!" One of his Pendulum Monsters appeared on his field, cheerfully winking. "And with Angelfish's effect, I will Special Summon a "Marincess Token" to the field." A small water spirit appeared next to Angelfish.

[Marincess Angelfish (4*/S0/1700/1300/WATER/Cyberse/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect)]

[Marincess Token (1*/0/0/WATER/Cyberse)]

"Open, circuit of the limitless ocean! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are a non-Link WATER monster! I'll use my Marincess Token to Link Summon! Water, flow like humour and shoot into the brightened abyss! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 1! Marincess Clownfish Confit!" The curly-haired girl appeared, orange and white hair parting around her face as she smiled.

[Marincess Clownfish Confit (L1/700/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/→)]

"I'll then open the circuit again! Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are three monsters with different names, including a Link Monster! I will set Marincess Clownfish Confit, Marincess Angelfish and Marincess Blue Tang in the Link Markers! Cybernetic dragon that crosses into reality! Now, infuse yourself with the ocean waves that crash against the shore, and pull the world into your magnetic field! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 3! Magnetic Current Link Dragon!"

The purple and blue dragon appeared with a loud, defiant roar.

[Magnetic Current Link Dragon (L3/2500/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↓, →)]

"A dragon, instead of the odd types of your monsters," Sherry commented. "Out of place, but perhaps still synergistic."

"You sound like a strict teacher," Yuno said with a chuckle. "Or a little like Hitoda, actually."

"Hitoda?"

"A friend of mine. We do the same 'job' of sorts, though she started a bit before me." Yuno shrugged. "But yeah, that's almost exactly what she said the first time that we dueled." He gestured to Magnetic Current. "Magnetic Current has what you would consider a… magnetic personality."

Sherry let out a quiet groan.

"But yes. I'll target a Level 5 or higher monster you control and take control of it until your next End Phase, while granting that monster's original attack points to you as life points! Magnetism Drive!" He pointed to Fleur de Sage. "I'll take control of her!" The purple-haired woman was pulled over to his side of the field.

Sherry: 3000 + 2900 = 5900LP

"And I know that your monster automatically wins due to your Pennant of Revolution," Yuno said. "I'll activate Twin Twisters, discarding a card—" Another copy of Crown Tail fell into the graveyard. "To destroy two Spell or Trap cards you control. I will destroy your set Liberty at Last and your Pennant of Revolution!"

"I will use Pennant of Revolution's effect," Sherry said nonchalantly. "I will destroy Chevalier de Fleur and stop it from being destroyed." She protected the Trap by sacking her own monster mercilessly. "And since a card I control was destroyed, I will add Liberty at Last from my graveyard to my hand."

Huh? Leaving herself open…

"You do have one card left in your hand, Yuno Sugisaki," Sherry said calmly. "But I do not think that's a monster. Am I wrong?"

"... Fleur de Sage and Magnetic Current attack you directly."

Sherry: 5900 - 2500 - 2900 = 500LP

"I'll set a card and end my turn," Yuno concluded. What was this feeling?

Why did he feel like he might actually lose?

---

Yuto drew a card, closing his eyes.

Think.

Currently, Kiryu had a monster that could copy effects of cards in his graveyard, allowing him to abuse the ridiculous effects of his cards. That would be Hundred Eyes Dragon. He still had Necromancer in Defense Position, and Doom Archfiend next to it in Attack Position.

Meanwhile, Yuto just had Wrong Magnetring and Lost Vambrace.

[Turn 6: Yuto] [H:2]

"Draw. I will send Wrong Magnetring and Lost Vambrace to the graveyard to draw two cards with Wrong Magnetring's effect." He swiped up two more cards, glancing at them. "I will banish Fog Blade from my graveyard to revive The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm, who I sent to the graveyard with Torn Scales' effect on the first turn." A helmet reappeared with two small gauntlets, surrounded by the same aqua blue flames of death.

[The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm (4*/1500/500/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]

"I will then Normal Summon The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor." A spirit of blue flame dressed in ice cold blue metal armour and a long faded green cloak appeared.

[The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor (4*/1000/2000/DARK/Warrior/Effect)]

"And I will overlay my two Level 4 monsters!"

Come on, faithful partner. Let's do this.

"Formed from pitch-black darkness, to fight those foolish enough to oppose it with its treacherous fangs! Now, descend! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!"

The black and purple dragon appeared with a ferocious roar, ready to defend Yuto. Hundred Eyes Dragon roared at it, and it roared back defiantly.

[Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (R4/2500/2000/DARK/Dragon/Xyz/Effect) (OU:2)]

"I will activate the effect of Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! I can target a Level 5 or higher monster, and then, by detaching an Overlay Unit, I can halve your monster's attack points and add them to Dark Rebellion's own! I will choose Hundred Eyes Dragon! Treason Discharge!" The lightning bolts attached to Kiryu's monster, weakening it as it let out another roar, sounding infuriated.

[Hundred Eyes Dragon: 3000 / 2 = 1500ATK]

[Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1; 2500 + 1500 = 4000ATK]

"And now, target it again! Treason Discharge!" The lightning bolts shot across the field again.

[Hundred Eyes Dragon: 1500 / 2 = 750ATK]

[Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon: OU:1 - 1 = OU:0; 4000 + 750 = 4750ATK]

"And now, attack Hundred Eyes Dragon! Rebellious Lightning Disobey!" Dark Rebellion charged forward, lightning streaking towards the dragon that had been laid prone on the ground.

"I will activate the effect of Infernity Synchron in my graveyard," Kiryu said. "It's an impressive dragon you have, but unfortunately, it's all brute force and no finesse." He revealed the card. "Once per Duel, by Special Summoning it from the graveyard while I control a Level 8 or higher Synchro Monster and no cards in my hand, I can negate your attack."

A tiny, spherical robot appeared. Some gears dangled off it, attached to the metal shell by thin black wires. It seemed to stumble around for a moment—a little out of place in a deck that seemed to focus on demons.

[Infernity Synchron (2*/0/0/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)]

"Then, I must send a Synchro Monster I control to the graveyard." Hundred Eyes Dragon vanished from Kiryu's field, to Yuto's surprise—didn't he still have Infernity Doom Archfiend?

Yuto grimaced. "I will set two more cards facedown," he said. He was still barely hanging on. Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon returned to its original attack points. It looked at him and nudged his shoulder—trying to reassure him. Yuto nodded. "Yeah, partner… I'll end my turn. Let's do this."

[Turn 7: Kiryu] [H:1]

"Draw," Kiryu said. "… a monster with the name of 'rebellion'… what does that say about you, Yuto Kamisoka?"

Hearing his name from this stranger's lips made Yuto a little more tense. Still though, he responded politely. "I would assume that it means that I want to rebel against others."

"But why? What drives your spirit?"

Yuto gestured to his field. "Those that have fallen and died before I have," he said. "I want to do their memory justice."

Kiryu's gaze seemed to shift. For a moment, Yuto saw a flicker of sheer, incandescent rage, before the man calmed himself, placing a hand on his chest.

"Kiryu-san," Yuto said hesitantly. "Did you lose someone important to you too?"

"… allow me to show you what I lost," Kiryu said. He wordlessly swept up a card from his deck. "I will Normal Summon Infernity Pawn." A purple and grey robot-like monster appeared on the field.

[Infernity Pawn (1*/0/0/DARK/Fiend/Effect)]

Then, I will use Necromancer's effect to revive another "Infernity" monster. I will revive Infernity Beetle."

Why Beetle specifically?

Kiryu held out his hand, snapping his fingers. "I will tune the Level 2 Infernity Beetle to the Level 1 Infernity Pawn, the Level 2 Infernity Doom Archfiend and the Level 3 Infernity Necromancer."

A four monster Synchro Summon?

"There are some cards I have that aren't necessarily 'infernal' in their nature," Kiryu said, sounding somewhat more… alive. He took out a card from his Extra Deck. "Naturally, it's because they weren't my cards initially. Everything I touch burns eventually." He sounded… not empty, but as though he was searching for some level of fulfilment in the words. A person who was tainted by suffering and a boiling fury that longed to consume everything. "So I burn it myself." He held up the card. "Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon, and bring forth the salvation that only exists at the space between the dead and the living! Soar out of purgatory! Synchro Summon! Level 8! Stardust Expiation Dragon!"

Yuto's heartbeat stuttered for a moment.

A white and blue dragon appeared. Its body was primarily white—a white that was blinding to look at for too long, piercing the eyes. The wings were a darker blue-grey, and within them were streaks and sparks of moving white light—stars dancing within its wings. Twin glowing blue rings surrounded its 'hands', shining like halos. There was something intelligent to its eyes as it looked at Yuto, seeming to tilt its head for a moment.

It seemed to peer directly into Yuto's soul—a gaze that could break through any walls that a person built to hide their emotions away.

Yuto looked away. It bothered him.

[Stardust Expiation Dragon (8*/2500/2000/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)]

A dragon so beautiful, so good—

Such a piercing stare.

"You asked me who I lost," Kiryu said slowly. "And to that, I will answer that I lost the kindest, most good person in this entire city." He was looking at the dragon with a wistful look in his eyes. "I was born a Common, and I picked fights with everyone—with Security, with Tops, with other Commons… I wasn't a very kind person. Crow used to tell me off for that."

"Crow?" Yuto echoed. So this man had met Crow before?

"I see that you know him. Yes, I used to run around with that group—Crow, Shinji, Tony, Damon, Naoya, and a few others." Kiryu shrugged. "They're irrelevant to this story though. One day, I picked fights with this really snobby Top, and they hired a group to attack me on my way home. I was injured, and I passed out on the streets. And that was when Yusei Fudo found me." He said the name like something precious. "He dragged me to his apartment and he let me stay there until I was well enough to go. He was intelligent and skilled and so many other things—he could've easily been Duel King instead of Jack Atlas if he wanted to be. He was a Top too, unlike me, so he didn't have anything holding him back, except for the fact that his passion wasn't to stand at the top. It was to bring people together."

---

"Kiryu! You're awake!" Yusei greeted as Kiryu came down the stairs, the blue-haired man nodding to him, before blinking at the sight of someone else in the room. There was a blonde-haired woman sitting at the table where they usually took their meals. The woman was staring at him, examining him with a cold stare.

"Uh, Yusei…" Kiryu gestured to the woman. "Want to introduce us?"

"Yes, Yusei," the woman said, raising an eyebrow. "Want to introduce me to the man who you've been hiding in your apartment?"

Yusei offered a small smile. "Sherry, this is Kiryu Kyosuke. We met a few weeks ago, and he's been a pretty good conversation partner for dueling strategies and D-Wheel upgrades." He turned to Kiryu. "Kiryu, this is Sherry LeBlanc. Her parents and mine were good friends, so we practically grew up together—I'd consider her almost a sister to me."

Kiryu hadn't missed the way that Sherry had flinched at the mention of parents, nor had he missed the past tense that Yusei had been using to describe his parents throughout the time that they had known each other. He got the idea pretty well. This was a person who was very important to Yusei. Thus, being nice to her was a necessity.

She seemed to understand that too. Never mind that she was obviously a Top, from the expensive watch, belt and necklace that she was wearing. Never mind that Kiryu was obviously a Common and even more obviously a criminal, from the mark on his face.

That mattered less than the fact that they both cared for Yusei.

So Kiryu held out a hand, forcing a smile on his face. "I don't know how Tops greet each other, so I hope that you won't get overly offended, your highness," he said sarcastically. It seemed to work, because Sherry smirked in amusement.

"Enchanté," she said. "You've been keeping Yusei busy—I haven't seen him so enthusiastic to talk to anyone in a long time."

"Maybe I'm the one that is too enthusiastic to talk to him," Kiryu said absentmindedly, before immediately freezing—what had he just said? Sherry's wider smirk made him want to crawl in a hole and never come out ever again, but he forced himself to carry on talking. "It's not often that one finds someone as strong as Yusei."

Sherry nodded. "I do agree," she said.

Yusei awkwardly cleared his throat. "I had some ideas on how to upgrade Sherry's D-Wheel, which is why she's here so early today," he explained. "Will you join us?"

Kiryu shrugged. "I guess I can spare some time," he said.

Yusei nodded. He had never been the type to smile a lot, but he certainly seemed relieved that Sherry and Kiryu were getting along, which was stupid. Kiryu would never have done anything to jeopardise their friendship, after all.

---

"And then…" Yuto trailed off.

"… he died because of my own foolishness," Kiryu said. "I moved in with him after a while—it just made a lot of sense." He gestured to his neck, where he was wearing a chain-link necklace with a ring hanging from it. "We had a promise that we would someday leave the city, him and me. A symbol of our bond. But in the end, because I moved in with him, some of the people who I had picked fights with decided that they would set my new home on fire." His voice went up a pitch for a moment—somewhat out of control. "With him in it."

Yuto felt frozen. He didn't know what he could even say to that—what he could say to this awful grief.

"He died because people wanted to taunt me," Kiryu said, with a cold, rising fury. "And if I had never come into his life, he never would have died in that horrifying way. His life would have been far better. And now I'm alive, and he's not, and—I'm not fighting for him because he's dead. I'm fighting for myself because I'm furious and I don't know what to do with my life and—I wish I had never met him because it just killed both of us. We're not the same."

Stardust Expiation Dragon floated behind Kiryu, letting out a soothing growl.

'Expiation.' The need to atone, to make amends for a sin that one has committed. The provision of divine favour. A dragon who helped to appease others, to help them make amends for their mistakes.

"I don't think that his life would have been better," Yuto said after a moment. "After all, no matter how much it hurts to lose them—"

His parents, it had all hurt so much.

"No matter how much it hurts to lose someone, I would never wish that I had never met them," Yuto said honestly. "Every time I lost a comrade or friend, it hurt so much that I couldn't bear it. But I still remember and cherish every moment that I ever spent with them. Those precious memories… I wouldn't ever want to lose them either. I obviously can't speak for your friend, and I don't want to—but without meeting him, would you have been as happy? If you had been the one to die and Yusei had lived on, wouldn't you have wanted him to be happy? To remember you?"

Kiryu stared at him. "... it's a good sentiment," he admitted, despite his clear anger at the thought of it. "But ultimately, naive. What can memories do except torment you?"

He gestured to Stardust Expiation Dragon.

"Infernity Synchron adds a "Infernity" Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. I'll set it face down. Now, attack Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon! Shooting Sonic Flare!" A bright burst of light shot out towards Dark Rebellion.

Huh?

"When Synchro Summoned with at least two Level 2 or lower monsters, Stardust Expiation Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects," Kiryu explained.

… oh. Was this the reason that Kiryu had gone for this roundabout method—emptied his field of everything except for this dragon then? Was it to show him this?

Yuto looked at the dragon, and for a moment, he thought that he might see someone else there—someone behind the dragon.

That's what you wanted. To be hope and protection for those around you, an eternal protection that would never fade…

That was what you wanted to be, Yusei Fudo.

What would you have been like to meet in person?

Dark Rebellion roared, snapping Yuto back to reality.

Yes.

Yes, if nothing else, Yuto understood his own feelings. He understood that he was not wrong in how he felt.

"Memories torment us," he murmured. "But aren't they sometimes the only thing that we can hold onto, when we lose everything?"

He flipped over his set card, just in time to protect Dark Rebellion from the attack. Blue flames surrounded Dark Rebellion.

"Quickplay Spell, The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch!" He called. "I'll Rank Up Dark Rebellion into an Xyz Monster that is one Rank higher!" His faithful partner turned into a dark streak that flew down into the ground where the network had appeared.

"An evolution to your dragon…"

Yuto raised an open palm, as though to reach out to Kiryu—not confrontational, simply seeking peace. A song seemed to sing in his heart, a rhythm that gave him peace. His wrist hurt for a moment, but the pain seemed dull in comparison to the feeling of rightness that was consuming him.

"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!"

The same black and purple dragon burst forth, letting out a ferocious roar. Its body was brighter now—primarily purple, with the black highlighting the cyan and purple parts of its body. White structures covered the dragon like bones, taking the shapes of joints and ribs. Metallic claws raised in the air, glinting.

And then, the dragon's wings burst forth. Beautiful wings of colourful stained glass, taking on all sorts of shapes, casting different patterns of light on the ground. The patterns looked like those of church windows. Despite being a darker-coloured dragon, it looked holy and beautiful.

A dragon that sang a requiem for peace, instead of howling for rebellion.

[Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon (R5/3000/2500/DARK/Dragon/Xyz/Effect) (OU:1)]

"Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon…" Kiryu repeated.

A requiem. A song for the dead.

From wilful rebellion for the sake of defiance, with no greater goal, I have matured into someone who simply wants to honour the dead while I am alive.

"Rank-Up-Magic-Launch attaches itself to Dark Requiem as an Overlay Unit."

[Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon: OU:1 + 1 = OU:2]

Kiryu stared at him. "I end my turn," he said, sounding genuinely curious to see what Yuto would do next.

Yuto was not going to disappoint, naturally.

[Turn 8: Yuto] [H:2]

"Draw!" Yuto drew, before nodding to Dark Requiem. "And now, Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon's effect! I'll target a Level 5 or higher monster you control, detach an Overlay Unit, reduce that monster's attack points to 0, and having Dark Requiem gain attack points equal to that monster's attack points! I'll target Stardust Expiation Dragon! Requiem Salvation!"

"Stardust never protects itself," Kiryu said, looking at Stardust. Yuto couldn't tell what he was thinking. "I will activate the Trap Card, Infernity Break. Since I have no cards in my hand, I can banish an "Infernity" card from my graveyard and destroy a card you control! I will choose Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon!"

"I will activate Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon's effect!" Yuto shouted, far bolder than ever. "During either player's turn, if a card or effect is activated that would destroy a card, I can detach an Overlay Unit from it to Special Summon an Xyz Monster from my graveyard, before negating that effect! Solemn Dark Repression!" He detached the other Overlay Unit from Dark Requiem.

[Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon: OU:2 - 1 - 1 = OU:0]

"I will activate Stardust Expiation Dragon's effect!" Kiryu called, chaining yet another effect to the growing chain. "I will tribute it to negate an effect that would target or destroy another card I control, and destroy the card that activated the effect! Salvation Sanctuary!" Winds swirled around Stardust, before it vanished.

If this worked—

He wanted to protect Dark Requiem so badly. The evolution of his ace. He wanted to protect his monster so much, but he couldn't. Not if he wanted to actually win.

(He had always been so afraid of letting his comrades go alone.)

Dark Requiem roared. A sign of forgiveness.

And so, Yuto let go for just a moment.

The effects all resolved one by one. Dark Requiem's effect was negated, so he couldn't revive it. The stained glass wings shattered. At the same time, Dark Requiem's legacy was clear—it had left Kiryu's entire field empty.

"What will you do now?" Kiryu said—actually sounding enthusiastic. There was something different to his voice now, something that sounded truly alive.

As though Yuto, by meeting him head-on with his opinions, had been able to change his mind.

Yuto had never been able to change anything about the minds of others. He was always too soft, always too gentle. Despite his attempts, he had never been able to get anyone to understand.

And yet, through his own strength and his own convictions, he had changed something.

"What will I do?" Yuto said, holding back the part of him that wanted to get emotional. "I'm going to win! I'll activate The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Burial!" He revealed the Spell Card. "I'll target a "The Phantom Knights" Xyz Monster in my graveyard, revive it, and then Rank Up into a Xyz Monster that is two Ranks higher!" Break Sword appeared on his field, before turning into a dark streak.

Another Rank Up immediately. He had certainly been influenced by Shun, hadn't he?

"Darkness sharpens the blade. Within the shadows of rebellion, rise up with the power of the fallen and crush our foes near and far! Rank-Up-Xyz-Change! Rank 5! The Phantom Knights of Blackened Bayonet!" A tall, dark knight on horseback appeared, holding onto a large gun with a skeletal hand. The man was mostly covered with a dark purple cloak, with its skeletal hands and its blue, spirit-like face being the only parts showing. Blue flames were floating around it. There was a long sword attached to the side of the gun, as the monster aimed it at Kiryu.

[The Phantom Knights of Blackened Bayonet (R5/2500/2000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect) (OU:1)]

"Burial attaches itself to Bayonet as an Overlay Unit! Then, since Blackened Bayonet has another DARK Xyz Monster as an Overlay Unit, it gains 1000 attack points!"

[The Phantom Knights of Blackened Bayonet: 2500 + 1000 = 3500ATK; OU:1 + 1 = OU:2]

"Attack directly!"

Kiryu spread his arms out, welcoming the attack.

Blackened Bayonet struck forward, the spirits of Dark Requiem and Break Sword appearing behind it for a moment, before it struck Kiryu directly, knocking him back.

Kiryu: 2900 - 3500 = 0LP

Winner: Yuto Kamisoka!

And Yuto… didn't know whether or not he should call it a victory. Was this truly a victory? What had he saved other than his own life?

Then, he heard a laugh. A soft croak of a laugh, but with something restored to it.

Kiryu Kyosuke stood up and held out a hand towards him.

"Well done," the man said, with a genuine smile on his face.

Yuto looked back, and he took Kiryu's hand, shaking it. "… I'm sorry for your loss," he said. "I don't want to be condescending—"

"No, you put things very well. Have some confidence in your own words." Kiryu looked away. "… I, too, think about what Yusei might have wanted a lot. Whether he would have wanted us to walk down this path…"

"You and… Sherry-san, right? What exactly did you do to end up here?"

"Yusei's death was covered up by someone in Security," Kiryu said. "People like to exaggerate that we bombed the Tops out of some kind of loyalty to the Commons, but it's not true. We specifically tried to send a message to the people there that we wouldn't forget—and afterwards, we went after the rest of the people who set fire to my home."

Yuto stared at him.

"Are you judging me?" Kiryu said with a chuckle.

"No," Yuto said honestly. "I just think you're a lot like my best friend and my sister. I… am tired of thinking about revenge. I would much rather be at peace."

"… you're an interesting one. I've seen a lot of idealistic people, but you're different. Your ideals have already been tested." Kiryu lifted a hand, and then he patted Yuto's head for a moment. "Stick to your guns, then. Maybe you'll find a way to resolve things peacefully—the hopeful ones always do."

Yuto was about to say something else, but then he felt a sharp shift in air pressure, and a loud thud could be heard from elsewhere. "What's that?"

"Sherry," Kiryu said, sounding exasperated but fond. "Well, your friend is probably going through it right now…"

---

Around twenty minutes before that, Sherry had begun her next turn. Despite having barely any field presence, she still seemed completely confident. She still had Pennant of Revolution and Synchro Dilemma on her field, but she had no monsters, while Yuno had Magnetic Current and Fleur de Sage on his field, with a set card and Battle Ocean also on his field.

[Turn 6: Sherry] [H:5]

"Draw," Sherry said. "I'll Normal Summon Flower of Death - Necro Fleur again." She revealed another copy of Necro Fleur, the dark, wilted sapling appearing in front of her.

"Why does your entire deck work around a wilted flower when the rest are so…" Yuno took a moment to find the word. "Vibrant?"

"My monsters are based around revolution," Sherry said bluntly. "The wish to change that which is set in stone." She gestured to the card. "It's a symbol, I suppose. This society wants us to wilt with grace, to fade away and stop speaking up, to allow ourselves to be crushed by the injustice that we see and deal with every single day. I imagine that I don't even know half of what they have gone through—I am a member of the Tops, after all. But even so, I refuse. As I once told the person who I care for the most, if they try to kill my spirit, I will only ever bloom into a greater foe."

She clenched a fist.

"I remember thinking that I needed to fight for Yusei. But now I know that the corruption runs far deeper than we thought."

---

There were cheers filling the air. Sherry came to a stop, the wind flowing through her hair. She took a deep breath to pace herself. Above, the screens were displaying her, with her name plastered next to the word 'victory'.

"Sherry! Well done!"

Her parents were there now, both of them smiling at her. Sherry grinned back. She had won one of the most pivotal matches of her life—finally taken her first step to becoming a proper pro-duelist. She absorbed the atmosphere of the crowd, just standing there for a moment, before she was ushered up on stage to receive her medal for winning the first tournament of the year.

Afterwards, she left the stadium, riding around for a while. As she zoomed along another highway, she heard another D-Wheel approaching hers.

She turned around—

"Yusei," she said, a smile coming to her lips.

Her friend caught up to her, smiling as well. "I saw the good news," he said.

"From within the stadium, I assume. I did get you front row seats, after all—I didn't see you afterwards though."

"I didn't want to intrude on you and your parents."

And that—that made Sherry mildly upset. "You're never a burden, Yusei. And you know that my parents love you too. They'd have you over everyday, if they could."

'You deserve better than a cold, empty apartment,' Sherry did not say, but she knew that he had understood what she meant.

To her surprise, Yusei smiled wistfully. "Maybe me," he said. "But not my recent roommate, I think…" He turned to her. "Would you like to come over for breakfast tomorrow? I can introduce you to him."

And that was a surprise. To think that Yusei had managed to make a friend—and make a friend this quickly—

"I'd love to," Sherry said, and she genuinely meant it.

---

"He's dead because of me, Sherry," Kiryu had said, and Sherry had been afraid that he actually believed it. "He's dead, and you should hate me, but you don't."

"There are worse enemies out there, Kiryu."

---

"Some of the other Tops that I have met have told me that I should just keep my head down. Since it doesn't affect me, I shouldn't bother. But that isn't justice. Just because it doesn't affect me, doesn't mean that I should allow this to continue. What about Aki? What about Kiryu? What about all the people who still suffer every single day that they live? That's why I'm down here too. Being a Pro Duelist, I'm too visible of a figure for Security to lock me away forever. So I will keep on protesting, keep being sent back here, and keep leaving once they're forced to let me out."

A spirit that would never wither.

Yuno found himself impressed. And at the same time, sad, because…

This was a sorrow so strong that it had gripped this powerful, ruthless woman by the throat, and sent her spiralling down into this hell.

Sherry gestured to her field. "I will use Synchro Dilemma's effect. I will target Necro Fleur and destroy it to revive Necro Synchron. And since Necro Fleur was destroyed, I can once again Special Summon Witch of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sorciere from my deck!" The vibrant woman reappeared on her field. "I will use Fleur de Sorciere's effect! I'll revive a monster from your graveyard to my field! I will choose Marincess Sleepy Maiden!" The pale monster rose to her field, and Sherry glanced at the card effect that she was now allowed to see.

[Marincess Sleepy Maiden (5*/500/2500/WATER/Cyberse/Effect)]

"... useless to me then, but I have other plans. I'll tune the Level 2 Necro Synchron to the Level 8 Fleur de Sorciere. The one who leads the revolution of the people. Crush the foolish oppressors—and declare, with your elegant lance, the execution of all! Synchro Summon! Level 10! Fleur de Baroness!"

Fleur de Baroness reappeared on the field, just as imposing of a figure as ever.

[Fleur de Baroness (10*/3000/2400/WIND/Warrior/Synchro/Effect)]

"I will then use Fleur de Baroness's effect again. Blossoming Execution!" The blade flashed forward, petals swirling around the woman as they flew forward. "I will destroy Magnetic Current Link Dragon!"

She could negate an effect, right?

"I will activate the Trap Card, Marincess Tidal Wave," Yuno declared. "I'll target and banish Magnetic Current from the field, and then, non-Link monsters all lose 1000 attack points!"

"Intriguing," Sherry murmured. "I won't fall for your tricks though. If I use the negation effect on that, you'll just use Crown Tail's effect in the graveyard again." Magnetic Current faded from the field, and both Fleur de Baroness on Sherry's field and Fleur de Sage on Yuno's field lost attack points.

[Fleur de Baroness: 3000 - 1000 = 2000ATK]

[Fleur de Sage: 2900 - 1000 = 1900ATK]

[Marincess Sleepy Maiden: 500 - 1000 = 0ATK]

"Nah, it's no trick," Yuno said sheepishly. "I just didn't want to see my dragon destroyed. And even if you wanted to, you cannot respond to Tidal Wave while you control a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck."

"... you're odd." Sherry pointed forward. "Destroy Fleur de Sage!" Her monster slammed her lance down.

Yuno: 2400 - 100 = 2300LP

"And since Fleur de Sage was sent to the graveyard, I can shuffle a monster from my deck into the graveyard and add another Level 1 Plant from my deck to my hand!" Sherry revealed a card in her hand. "I will discard Flower of Decay - Fleur de Pourrie from my hand. Since Baroness inflicted battle damage to you, she is now permitted a second attack!" Baroness tossed out a spear, tossing Yuno back.

Yuno: 2300 - 2000 = 300LP

"I'll end my turn with a set card. Marincess Sleepy Maiden is destroyed."

[Turn 7: Yuno] [H:4]

"Draw," Yuno said. "Magnetic Current returns to my field during the Standby Phase." He didn't know what to do though. Sherry didn't return Baroness to the Extra Deck, so she must have been planning to use its negation effect. Meanwhile, Yuno just stared at the field for a moment.

What to do…

"I don't know," he admitted, "if I am capable of defeating you now."

Because as he was…

He wanted to become stronger. He wanted to be able to do more than just bring hope to others—to perhaps save them in some way. However, while Yuno wanted to save people, he wasn't sure if he was capable of acting in a way that would bring down someone else, no matter how cruel they had been.

Was there any other way to solve unfairness, though?

What could he do?

What can you do to save people who are so miserable? When the cause of their suffering is so much wider than you can see or comprehend?

His duel disk beeped. He glanced at it—

He saw what was on it, and he smiled widely.

"Something funny?" Sherry asked, tilting her head.

"No," he said. He rubbed his eyes for a moment. "I'm just… so relieved."

"Relieved?"

"Because there was someone that I lost," he said. "Someone that I've been looking for. And I've been worried about her for so long, but she's alright. And she's been looking for me too."

The screen of his duel disk was revealing an email that had been sent to him. The attachments on it was the map of the entire Facility, along with a few hacking programs that had been thrown together to interfere with cameras, doors that could be locked down, and most importantly, D-Wheels.

And of course, a short message.

'See you soon.'

And there his answer lay.

What did it mean to save someone anyway? Even if he couldn't solve all their problems immediately, he didn't have to.

"I feel awful that the Commons here have suffered," Yuno admitted. "Because I think that everyone deserves to smile, and everyone deserves to be happy. But while I do agree that your society needs revolution, as an individual and an outsider, all I can do is try and lend some care to the people that I can, to bring some smiles and keep people's spirits up. To save people, even though a revolution is important, it's even more important to lend them a place to rest. It's even more important to protect and salvage their hearts and hopes."

"So you believe that protecting their hearts is more important?"

"It may be a bit naive," he admitted. "But without that… can the people here ever heal from their lifelong suffering?"

And not for the first time, he thought about Miharu Kogami, and how much he hoped to truly see her smile someday.

Sherry cracked a smile. "I see," she said. "It is a little naive, but you are not wrong."

Magnetic Current roared. Yuno reached out a hand towards his dragon—and then, there was a flash of light in his mind. He blinked, the shadow of a dragon gliding through his mind.

… I see.

So we agree then.

Sometimes, the best way to save others is simply to give them a chance to rest, before they carry on walking that tiring road that they have decided for themselves.

Sometimes, it is impossible to save someone, and so all you can do is protect them while they learn to stand up for themselves, be a shoulder for them to rest on.

And yet again, some conflicts can only be resolved through fighting properly. With compassion, and yet without holding back one's own power.

"I will Normal Summon Marincess Sea Horse!" The platinum blonde girl appeared, floating next to his dragon. "And now, I will open the circuit of the limitless ocean!"

The large circuit burst forth in front of him.

Yuno nodded to his monsters, his heart feeling rather light.

"Arrowhead confirmed! The conditions are at least two monsters with different names, including a Link 3 or higher Link Monster. I will set the Link 3 Magnetic Current Link Dragon and Marincess Sea Horse in the Link Markers. Water, the lifeblood of the world. Pour forth violently from the skies and waterfalls, and finally come to rest within the beautiful oceans. Now, dragon born from the sapphire waters, raise those claws that tear through storm and deluge, and open up an era of peace! Circuit Combine! Link Summon! Link 4! Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon!"

The dragon that emerged from the circuit still bore a strong resemblance to Magnetic Current—it was very clearly the blue and purple dragon's evolution, anyway. The dragon was slightly larger. Its mostly purple body had darkened slightly, turning to a slightly more blue-purple shade. Its underbelly, however, retained the light purple colour for its scales. Its body seemed to be slightly translucent, slightly see-through, similar to water. The blue structure that surrounded the dragon's skull had also darkened slightly—still a bright shade, however—and the fin-like appendages that the sides formed had expanded, taking on a purple to blue spectrum, like a fish's fins. The blue wave-like lines running through its body had changed to small streaks that emitted a low amount of light, like small ripples within the dragon's body.

Meanwhile, the dragon's wings had changed drastically. The blasters that had been the supporting 'bone' of its wings had changed to a more sleek design, slightly thinner but slightly longer—likely due to the fact that the wings themselves were far bigger. While the wings remained dark blue and metallic, the electronic circuit lines moved to the very top of the wings, connected to the blasters, but fading away slowly as they headed down, disappearing halfway down the wings. The wings themselves gained a shift in colour, dark at the top but slowly lightening the closer to the bottom they were, though they weren't translucent in the same way that the dragon's body was. The dragon's blue eyes were the same that Yuno remembered, and its claws were the same sharp blue that they had always been.

[Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon (L4/3000/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↙, ↘, →)

"… a beautiful dragon," Sherry said. "And, I suppose it's emblematic of your ideals too."

"My wish is to always bring peace to everyone." Yuno said. "Not necessarily for things to stay still, but for people to be able to rest easier, knowing that things can change. That I will make them change, if necessary." He gestured to his dragon. "Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon's effect! Once per turn, if it points to no monsters, I can negate the effects of all Level 5 or higher monsters on the field until the End Phase! Peaceful Wavebreak!" Waves shot across the field.

"I will activate Fleur de Baroness's effect," Sherry said. "I will negate your monster's effect and destroy it."

"While I control no set cards," Yuno said, "Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon is unaffected by monster effects!" His dragon let out a defiant roar, and the wave hit the field, forcing the horseback knight to back down. "And then, Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon gains 500 attack points for each monster affected by this effect!"

[Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon: 3000 + 500 = 3500ATK]

"I will then activate Mystical Space Typhoon!" The tornado shot through the air towards Pennant of Revolution. Sherry, obviously, could not save her card, since a direct attack on her would still defeat her. So that annoying Continuous Trap was finally destroyed. "I will now have Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon attack your monster! Shifting Tidal Seizure!" The same wires as before shot out towards Sherry's monster, electricity and water surging through the air.

Sherry cracked a smile. "My set card is Liberty at Last," she said. "You win."

The attack hit, Fleur de Baroness was destroyed, and his dragon let out a roar of absolute delight.

Sherry: 500 - 1500 = 0LP

Winner: Yuno Sugisaki!

The holograms faded. Yuno pressed a hand to his chest, taking a deep breath.

"So, you refuse to stay in here?"

"I need to see her again," Yuno said. "And there are things that are far too important for me to do. I can't stay here."

"Be careful not to say that in front of any guards," Sherry advised, sounding rather stern. "If they even see a hint of you trying to escape, they'll drag you into interrogation and then either execute you or stuff you in solitary confinement."

"Will you report me?"

Sherry cracked a smile. "You're an optimistic one," she said, a little more warm now. She clearly didn't trust him, even now, but she was clearly curious. "No. I'd be a hypocrite if I stopped people from getting out."

"In that case, there's no need to worry, right? I just won't get caught." He glanced at his duel disk. "… and with her help, it will be very hard not to get out."

"You just… 'won't get caught'?"

Yuno nodded. Sherry barked out a laugh.

"Well," she said, "you'll need to hold onto your duel disk, I'm guessing." She shrugged. "I suppose that I can try to find out a way for you to keep it. How do you feel about being painted as our training partners for the Friendship Cup?"

"Training partners?" Yuno said with a frown. "Friendship Cup?"

"The tournament that lets Commons or Tops aim for the throne of King of the City," Sherry said. "We of the Sisyphean Wing are the people that would be controversial to execute, despite our crimes, because executing us would expose a lot of awful things about the people in charge. Thus, they parade us out once per year, just to show that we're still alive. They do it by making us participate in the Friendship Cup. Honestly, they're probably hoping that we'll just off ourselves one of these days."

"… oh." Yuno shrugged, deciding that he probably wasn't equipped to handle the sadder parts of that statement. "If it lets me keep my duel disk, then yeah."

"Good."

From the shadows nearby, Yuto and Kiryu showed up. Yuno nodded towards Yuto, glad that his lookalike was alive.

Kiryu looked towards Sherry, who nodded.

"Then," Kiryu said, "we'll help you keep your duel disks. In return, bring results."

He flicked Yuno across the top of his head, a surprisingly gentle motion despite his earlier harshness. How had Yuto changed this person's mind so drastically?

"Show us," Kiryu said, with Sherry behind him—and with the rest of the prisoners and Lancers approaching from nearby corridors, "that those naive ideals of yours can truly make a difference. Otherwise, the next time we see you, we'll finish the job."

He approached the wall, looking distant. He touched the ring around his neck.

"… show me," he continued, barely audible, "that your ideals can bring forth that world that Yusei always dreamed of."

---

They returned to their cells. Sherry had managed to convince the guards to let them keep their duel disks, and it certainly helped that in their absence, Yuya had somehow managed to befriend the boss of the entire Facility, Chojiro Tokumatsu. A single glare from the elderly man had gotten the guards to leave them alone.

So now, they were sitting at a lunch table with the boss of the entire Facility, the rest of their comrades (including Shun, who had been allowed to return to the surface with them under Kiryu's challenging glare) and—oh yeah, four of the five prisoners of the Sisyphean Wing. (Bommer had gone back to rest, but the rest had been too curious about their comrades.)

Which should really be illegal, but a guard had seen the four of them and immediately noped out of there, which was a perfectly understandable reaction.

Even so, it was stressful.

"So, Chojiro-san," Yuno said, to try and dissipate the tension. Next to him, Sawatari dropped his fork from nervousness. "You're also an Entertainment Duelist like Yuya?"

"Indeed!" Chojiro clearly had nerves of steel, because unlike most people at the table, he was not intimidated by the four others there as well. "And I see that you have some entertainment spirit in you as well, young man—perhaps you can indulge me and have a duel with me at another time?"

Yuno smiled. "I'd love to, Chojiro-san," he said. "I'd like to see what your dueling style is like."

Sherry chuckled. "Enjoy Chojiro was one of the most famous duelists in the City, even back when we were kids," she said. "Even now, everyone in the City remembers who he is."

"You flatter me—" Chojiro blinked. "Oh, you're little Sherry! I remember you—you came along with your parents for a sponsorship discussion, correct?"

Sherry smiled pleasantly, despite the sternness from before. "Indeed. I was very excited to meet you back then—I followed all the Pro Duelists back then quite religiously."

"How'd you end up here then?"

Sherry shrugged. "It's a long story. But regardless, it's unfortunately that we haven't met over the last two years, despite both being in the Facility." She glanced at Yuno. "If it's about performing, you won't find a much better teacher than Chojiro-san."

"Thank you, but unfortunately, there's something more important that I need to do."

"That's right," Serena agreed firmly. "We need to esca—"

Yuto shushed her, glancing around.

"You don't want to talk about that here," Misty said with a giggle. "You'll get in trouble. The last person who tried to escape got interrogated and executed. Even thinking about it makes them punish you."

Yuno gestured with a hand. "We'll talk back in the cell," he said, and then he remembered that Shun and Serena would be separated from the rest of them. He patted Serena on the shoulder, giving her a reassuring look. "We won't leave anyone else behind," he said quietly. "Don't worry. We'll all fight to escape together."

Serena nodded, smirking slightly.

"You seem very confident, Yuno," Yuto said. Yuno nodded, making eye contact with him. Yuto nodded, seeming to understand what he was thinking about.

They would escape soon. It would only take a while longer.

---

"You sent them the map?"

"Yes, I did." Miharu turned to Yuzu. "And I have eyes on them through the Security cameras. Don't worry. They're alright."

"Thank goodness," Yuzu said. She glanced towards the orphanage—the two of them were talking about this outside. Neither of them wanted to include innocent people in their rescue attempt, after all, especially since these people actually had lives here that could be ruined by their actions. "When they escape—"

"Yes, Yuzu. I did promise." Miharu glanced at Yuzu. "I'll bring you with me, when it's time."

---

Duel 1 Summary: Kiryu Kyosuke vs Yuto Kamisoka

Duel Format: Normal Duel

Turn 1: Kiryu Kyosuke

Kiryu sends an "Infernity" card from his hand to the GY to Special Summon Infernity Wildcat (3*/1400/0) from his hand. He then activates Infernity Launcher, allowing him to send a "Infernity" card from his hand to the GY. He Normal Summons Infernity Conjurer. (3*/1200/900) He uses his two monsters to Synchro Summon Infernity Doom Archfiend (6*/2200/1600) in Attack Position. He ends his turn.

Turn 2: Yuto Kamisoka

Yuto draws. He Normal Summons The Phantom Knights of Torn Scales. (3*/600/1600) He Special Summons The Phantom Knights of Silent Boots. (3*/200/1200) He then overlays them to Xyz Summon The Phantom Knights of Tortured Chains. (R3/1700/1000/OU:2) With her effect, Yuto adds Phantom Knights' Fog Blade from his Deck to his hand. He activates Phantom Knights' Battalion Charge, Special Summoning The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak (3*/800/1000) from his Deck and sending a "Phantom Knights" Spell/Trap from his Deck to the GY. He changes Ancient Cloak to Defense Position and gives Tortured Chains 800 ATK/DEF. (TPKOTC: 1700 + 800 = 2500ATK; 1000 + 800 = 1800DEF) Tortured Chains attacks Infernity Doom Archfiend. Kiryu banishes Infernity Patriarch from the GY to protect Archfiend. [KK: 4000 - 300 = 3700LP] Yuto sets 2 cards and ends his turn.

Turn 3: Kiryu Kyosuke

Kiryu draws. He Special Summons Infernity Archfiend (4*/1800/1200) from his hand. He uses Archfiend's effect to add Infernity Beetle (2*/1200/0) to his hand and Normal Summons it. Since he has no cards in hand, he can tribute Beetle to Special Summon two copies of it from his Deck. He then uses Infernity Doom Archfiend's effect to negate Tattered Chains' effect and destroy it. He then tunes one copy of the Level 2 Beetle to the Level 6 Infernity Doom Archfiend, Synchro Summoning Void Ogre Dragon (8*/3000/3000) in Attack Position. Void Ogre Dragon attacks The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak. Yuto activates Phantom Knights' Fog Blade, but it is negated by Void Ogre Dragon's effect. Yuto then activates the Trap Card, The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace (2*/600/0) and targets Void Ogre Dragon, changing its Level to 2 and decreasing its ATK by 600, before Special Summoning it as a monster. (VOD: 8* → 2*; 3000 - 600 = 2400ATK) "The Phantom Knights" monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. During his Main Phase 2, Kiryu tunes the Level 2 Beetle to the Level 4 Archfiend, Synchro Summoning another copy of Infernity Doom Archfiend. He uses the effect of the new Infernity Doom Archfiend to negate the effects of The Phantom Knights of Ancient Cloak and destroy it. He ends his turn.

Turn 4: Yuto Kamisoka

Yuto draws. He banishes Ancient Cloak from the GY to add The Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves (3*/1000/500) to his hand. He then Special Summons Torn Scales from the GY since a "Phantom Knights" card was banished from the GY. He Normal Summons Ragged Gloves. He overlays the Level 3 Ragged Gloves and Torn Scales to Xyz Summon The Phantom Knights of Break Sword. (R3/2000/1000/OU:2) Ragged Gloves gives Break Sword 1000 ATK. (TPKOBS: 2000 + 1000 = 3000ATK) Break Sword detaches 1 Xyz Material to destroy 1 card on both players' fields, Lost Vambrace and Void Ogre Dragon. (TPKOBS: OU:2 - 1 = OU:1) Break Sword attacks Infernity Doom Archfiend, destroying it. [KK: 3700 - 800 = 2900LP] He banishes Silent Boots from the GY to add The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring from his Deck to his hand. He then sets 2 cards facedown and ends his turn.

Turn 5: Kiryu Kyosuke

Kiryu draws. He Normal Summons Infernity Necromancer (3*/0/2000), who changes to Defense Position with its own effect. He then uses Necromancer's effect to revive Infernity Doom Archfiend. Infernity Doom Archfiend's effect negates the effects of The Phantom Knights of Break Sword and destroys it. Yuto uses Break Sword's effect to revive Torn Scales and Ragged Gloves, and increase each of their Levels by 1. (TPKOTS: 3* + 1* = 4*) (TPKORG: 3* + 1* = 4*) Kiryu sends Infernity Launcher to the GY to revive Infernity Doom Archfiend and Infernity Beetle. Using the new Infernity Doom Archfiend's effect, he negates Torn Scales's effect and destroys it. He then tunes the Level 2 Beetle to the Level 6 Infernity Doom Archfiend to Synchro Summon Hundred Eyes Dragon. (8*/3000/2500) He uses Hundred Eyes Dragon to banish Infernity Doom Archfiend from the GY and copy its effects. He then negates the effects of Ragged Gloves and destroys it. Hundred Eyes Dragon attacks Yuto directly. Yuto activates the Trap Card, The Phantom Knights of Wrong Magnetring, Special Summoning it as a monster (2*/0/0) and negating the attack. Infernity Doom Archfiend attacks it, and Yuto activates The Phantom Knights of Lost Vambrace, Special Summoning it as a monster and targeting Infernity Doom Archfiend for its effects. (IDA: 6* → 2*; 2200 - 600 = 1600ATK) Yuto, however, still takes the damage. [YK: 4000 - 1600 = 2400LP] Kiryu ends his turn.

Turn 6: Yuto Kamisoka

Yuto draws. He sends Wrong Magnetring and Lost Vambrace from the field to the GY to draw 2 cards. He then banishes Fog Blade from the GY to revive The Phantom Knights of Cloven Helm. (4*/1500/500) He Normal Summons The Phantom Knights of Fragile Armor (4*/1000/2000) and overlays his two Level 4 monsters to Xyz Summon Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon. (R4/2500/2000/OU:2) He then uses Dark Rebellion's effect twice on Hundred Eyes Dragon. (DRXD: OU:2 - 2 = OU:0; 2500 + 1500 + 750 = 4750ATK) (HED: 3000 / 2 / 2 = 750ATK) Dark Rebellion attacks Hundred Eyes Dragon. Kiryu activates the effect of Infernity Synchron (2*/0/0) in his GY, reviving it to negate the attack, and then sending Hundred Eyes Dragon to the GY. Yuto sets 2 cards facedown and ends his turn.

Turn 7: Kiryu Kyosuke

He Normal Summons Infernity Pawn. (1*/0/0) He then uses Necromancer's effect to revive Infernity Beetle. He then tunes the Level 2 Beetle to the Level 1 Pawn, Level 3 Necromancer and Level 2 Doom Archfiend to Synchro Summon Stardust Expiation Dragon (8*/2500/2000) in Attack Position. With Infernity Synchron's effect, he adds a "Infernity" Spell or Trap from his Deck to his hand and sets it facedown. Stardust Expiation Dragon attacks Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, and cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects since it was Synchro Summoned using at least two Level 2 or lower monsters. Yuto activates his set card, The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch. He Ranks Up Dark Rebellion into Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon. (R5/3000/2500/OU:1) Launch attaches itself as an Overlay Unit. (DRXD: OU:1 + 1 = OU:2) Kiryu ends his turn.

Turn 8: Yuto Kamisoka

Yuto draws. He activates Dark Requiem's effect to reduce Stardust's ATK to 0. Kiryu activates Infernity Break, banishing Infernity Beetle from the GY to destroy Dark Requiem. Yuto activates Dark Requiem's effect to negate and destroy Infernity Break. Kiryu uses Stardust's effect to tribute itself and negate Dark Requiem's effect, destroying it. Yuto activates The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Burial, Ranking Up Break Sword in the GY into The Phantom Knights of Blackened Bayonet. (R5/2500/2000/OU:1) Burial attaches itself as an Overlay Unit. Blackened Bayonet gains 1000 ATK with its own effect. (TPKOBB: OU:1 + 1 = OU:2; 2500 + 1000 = 3500ATK) Blackened Bayonet attacks directly. [KK: 2900 - 3500 = 0LP] Yuto wins!

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Duel 2 Summary: Yuno Sugisaki vs Sherry LeBlanc

Duel Format: Normal Duel

Turn 1: Yuno Sugisaki

Yuno Normal Summons Marincess Pascalus. (4*/1200/2000) With Pascalus's effect, he Special Summons Marincess Blue Tang (4*/1500/1200) from his hand. Blue Tang sends a "Marincess" monster from Yuno's Deck to the GY. He then banishes Marincess Sea Star from the GY to Special Summon Marincess Springirl (4*/1200/1000) from his hand. He uses Springirl to Link Summon Marincess Blue Slug (L1/1500/↓) to his Extra Monster Zone. Springirl's effect lets him send 3 cards from the top of his Deck to the GY. He then inflicts 200 damage to Sherry for each "Marincess" card sent to the GY. Since 3 were sent, 600 damage is inflicted to Sherry. [SL: 4000 - 200 x 3 = 3400LP] Blue Slug lets him add Springirl back to his hand. He then uses Blue Tang to Link Summon Marincess Sea Angel (L1/1000/←) behind Blue Slug. Sea Angel lets him add Marincess Battle Ocean to his hand. Blue Tang lets him excavate the top 3 cards of his deck and add a "Marincess" card from among them to his hand. He activates Marincess Battle Ocean. He uses Sea Angel, Blue Slug and Pascalus to Link Summon Marincess Marbled Rock. (L3/2500/←, ↓, →) He equips Blue Slug and Sea Angel to her to grant her 600 ATK for each, and an extra 200 ATK. (MMR: 2500 + 600 x 2 + 200 = 3900ATK) Using Marbled Rock's effect, he adds a "Marincess" card from his graveyard to his hand. He sets a card facedown and ends his turn.

Turn 2: Sherry LeBlanc

Sherry draws. She Normal Summons Flower of Death - Necro Fleur. (1*/0/0) She Special Summons Sage of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sage (8*/2900/0) from her hand by targeting Necro Fleur and Marbled Rock to destroy both of them. Necro Fleur is destroyed, but Marbled Rock is not, since Yuno banishes Marincess Basilalima to negate Marbled Rock's destruction and grants it 600 ATK. (MMR: 3900 + 600 = 4500ATK) Since Necro Fleur was destroyed by a card effect, she can Special Summon Witch of the Time Flower - Fleur de Sorciere. (8*/2900/0) She uses Fleur de Sorciere's effect to Special Summon Marincess Pascalus from Yuno's graveyard. She then activates the Spell Card, Pot of Extravagance, banishing 6 cards from the top of her deck and drawing two cards. She activates the Continuous Spell, Synchro Dilemma, and the Spell Card, Monster Reborn, to revive Necro Synchron. (2*/200/400) She uses Necro Synchron's effect to increase Pascalus's Level by 2. (MP: 4* + 2* = 6*) He tunes the Level 2 Necro Synchron to the Level 6 Marincess Pascalus to Synchro Summon Fleur de Chevalier. (8*/2700/2200) Sherry sets 1 card and ends her turn.

Turn 3: Yuno Sugisaki

Yuno draws. He Normal Summons Marincess Blue Tang. He uses Blue Tang's effect, sending another "Marincess" monster to the GY. He banishes Sea Horse from his GY to Special Summon Marincess Springirl from his hand to Marbled Rock's bottom Link Marker. He uses Springirl and Blue Tang to Link Summon Marincess Coral Anemone. (L2/2000/←, ↓) He uses Springirl's effect, sending two cards from the top of his deck to the GY and inflicting 200 damage to Sherry for each "Marincess" card from among them. [SL: 3400 - 200 x 2 = 3000LP] Using Coral Anemone's effect, he revives Blue Slug. They both gain 200 ATK from Battle Ocean. (MCA: 2000 + 200 = 2200ATK) (MBS: 1500 + 200 = 1700ATK) Marbled Rock attacks Chevalier de Fleur. Sherry activates Pennant of Revolution. She destroys Marbled Rock. Yuno activates his set Marincess Snow, Special Summoning Marincess Sea Butterfly (L2/1800/↑, →) from his Extra Deck and treating it as a Link Summon. Moving to his Main Phase 2, he uses his three monsters to Link Summon Marincess Great Bubble Reef. (L4/2600/←, ↙, ↓, →) He equips Sea Butterfly, Sea Angel and Blue Slug to her with Battle Ocean's effect, granting her 600 ATK for each and 200 extra. (MGBR: 2600 + 600 x 3 + 200 = 4600ATK) He sets a card and ends his turn.

Turn 4: Sherry LeBlanc

Sherry draws. During the Standby Phase, with Great Bubble Reef's effect, Yuno banishes a WATER monster from the GY to draw a card. Sherry uses the effect of Synchro Dilemma to destroy Fleur de Sage and revive Necro Synchron. Fleur de Sage lets her add a Level 1 Plant monster from her deck to her hand and shuffle a monster from her GY into her Deck. She then uses Pennant of Revolution's effect to add Liberty at Last! from her Deck to her hand. He tunes the Level 2 Necro Synchron to the Level 8 Fleur de Sorciere, Synchro Summoning Fleur de Baroness. (10*/3000/2400) He uses Baroness's effect to target and destroy Great Bubble Reef. Yuno activates Marincess Wave from his hand since he controls a Link 2 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster. He targets Baroness to negate its effects. Fleur de Chevalier negates and destroys Marincess Wave. Fleur de Chevalier attacks directly. Yuno activates Call of the Haunted to revive Marbled Rock. Sherry negates it with Fleur de Baroness. He banishes Crown Tail from the GY to negate any damage that is less than 1000 x the total Link Rating of "Marincess" Link Monsters in his GY. Sherry sets a card facedown and ends her turn.

Turn 5: Yuno Sugisaki

Yuno draws. Sherry returns Baroness to the Extra Deck and revives Fleur de Sage. Yuno activates Marincess Dive. He Special Summons Marincess Blue Sunfish (3*/1400/1000) from his Deck. He then uses Blue Sunfish's effect to Special Summon Marincess Angelfish (4*/S0/1700/1300) from his Deck. He uses Angelfish's effect to Special Summon a Marincess Token. (1*/0/0) Using the Token, Yuno Link Summons Marincess Clownfish Confit. (L1/700/→) He uses his three monsters to Link Summon Magnetic Current Link Dragon (L3/2500/←, ↓, →) to the field. He uses Magnetic Current's effect to take control of Fleur de Sage and grant Sherry LP equal to its ATK. [SL: 3000 + 2900 = 5900LP] Yuno activates Twin Twisters, discarding a card to destroy Pennant of Revolution and Sherry's set card. Sherry sends Chevalier de Fleur to the GY to protect Pennant of Revolution. Sherry then adds Liberty at Last back to her hand. Fleur de Sage and Magnetic Current attack Sherry directly. [SL: 5900 - 2500 - 2900 = 500LP] Yuno sets a card and ends his turn.

Turn 6: Sherry LeBlanc

Sherry draws. She Normal Summons Necro Fleur. Sherry uses Synchro Dilemma's effect to destroy Necro Fleur and Special Summon Necro Synchron from the GY. Necro Fleur's effect Special Summons Fleur de Sorciere from the deck. Fleur de Sorciere revives Marincess Sleepy Maiden from the graveyard. Sherry tunes the Level 2 Necro Synchron to the Level 8 Fleur de Sorciere, Synchro Summoning Fleur de Baroness again. She uses Baroness's effect to destroy Magnetic Current. Yuno activates the Trap Card, Marincess Tidal Wave, banishing Magnetic Current until the next turn to lower all non-Link Monsters' ATKs by 1000. (FDB: 3000 - 1000 = 2000ATK) (SOTTFFDS: 2900 - 1000 = 1900ATK) (MSM: 500 - 1000 = 0ATK) Fleur de Baroness destroys Fleur de Sage. [YS: 2400 - 100 = 2300LP] Since Fleur de Sage was sent to the GY, Sherry returns a monster from her GY to the deck and adds Flower of Decay - Fleur de Pourrie to her hand. Then, she sends Fleur de Pourrie to the GY to allow Baroness another attack. [YS: 2300 - 2000 = 300LP] She sets 1 card and ends her turn. Sleepy Maiden is destroyed.

Turn 7: Yuno Sugisaki

Yuno draws. Magnetic Current returns to the field during the Standby Phase. He Normal Summons Marincess Sea Horse. Then, he uses Marincess Sea Horse and the Link 3 Magnetic Current Link Dragon to Link Summon Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon. (L4/3000/←, ↙, ↘, →) Hydrostatic Current uses its effect to negate the effects of all Level 5 or higher monsters on the field and gain 500 for each one affected by this effect. Sherry uses Baronne de Fleur's effect, but since Yuno controls no set card, Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon is unaffected by monster effects. (HCLD: 3000 + 500 = 3500ATK) Yuno activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Pennant of Revolution. Hydrostatic Current attacks Baroness. [SL: 500 - 1500 = 0LP] Yuno wins!

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OC Cards:

The Phantom Knights of Tortured Chains

(R3/1700/1000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect)

2 Level 3 DARK monsters

If this card is Xyz Summoned: You can add 1 "Phantom Knights" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. If a card you control is destroyed: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; send 1 "Phantom Knights" card from your Deck to the GY. You can only activate each effect of "The Phantom Knights of Tortured Chains" once per turn.

Phantom Knights' Battalion Charge

(Spell)

If you control a DARK Xyz Monster that was Xyz Summoned this turn: You can Special Summon 1 "The Phantom Knights" monster from your Deck, and if you do, send 1 "Phantom Knights" Spell/Trap from your Deck to the GY. You can only activate "Phantom Knights' Battalion Charge" once per turn.

Stardust Expiation Dragon

(8*/2500/2000/WIND/Dragon/Synchro/Tuner/Effect)

1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters

(This card is always treated as "Stardust Dragon".)

If this card is Synchro Summoned using at least 2 Level 2 or lower monsters, or Special Summoned by its own effect, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects while it is face-up on the field. Once per turn, if a card you control, other than this card, would be targeted or destroyed by a card or effect: You can Tribute this card; negate that effect, and if you do, destroy that card. During the End Phase after you activated this effect, you can Special Summon this card from the GY to the field in Attack Position. This card can be treated as a non-Tuner for the Synchro Summon of a Level 10 or higher Synchro Monster.

Trivia: The Stardust Dragon alternate universe counterpart. While I already said that the protagonists will never show up, and that remains true (Yusei is very, very dead), I decided to have it cameo once with Kiryu. In this universe, Kiryu, Yusei and Sherry were friends, and Yusei never met Crow, Jack, etc, since he was a Top. So after Yusei's death, Kiryu managed to recover Stardust and keep it in his deck as a memento. 'Expiation' is a phrase for the idea of extinguishing guilt, of compensating for something wrong that you did. It carries a biblical context of earning forgiveness from a higher being, or a god. As such, there is an idea of salvation to the word and divine forgiveness, something that contrasts the theme of purgatory that the Infernity monsters have. The Level 2 or lower monsters effect is a reference to Yusei's deck, since Doppelganger, the Synchrons, etc and Junk Warrior are all themed around tiny monsters.

Infernity Synchron

(2*/0/0/DARK/Fiend/Tuner/Effect)

If your opponent declares an attack while you control a Level 8 or higher Synchro Monster while this card is in your GY and you have no cards in your hand: You can negate that attack, and if you do, Special Summon this card from your GY in Defense Position, then, send 1 Synchro Monster you control to the GY. If this card is sent to the GY as Synchro Material for the Synchro Summon of a Level 8 or higher Synchro Monster: You can add 1 "Infernity" or "Synchro" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. You can only activate each effect of "Infernity Synchron" once per Duel.

Trivia: Based on, as you might imagine, Yusei's Synchrons. Also, for a deck so keen to send monsters to the GY, they don't have any graveyard attack/effect negates, which is a bit odd.

The Phantom Knights of Blackened Bayonet

(R5/2500/2000/DARK/Warrior/Xyz/Effect)

2 Level 5 DARK monsters

If this card has a DARK Xyz Monster attached to it as Xyz Material: It gains 1000 ATK. Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; if this card battles a monster this turn, destroy the opposing monster during the start of the Damage Step. If your opponent controls more monsters than you do: This card can attack directly, but if it does, the damage it deals is halved. If this card is destroyed: Special Summon all monsters attached to this card as Xyz Material in Defense Position.

Trivia: As everyone knows, bayonets are the blades attached to guns. As such, this monster has both long range (the direct attack) and close range when the knife is used. (Thus, the destruction effect needing activation while the direct attack is passive.) Also, it's ultimately a very useless weapon, so it has backup weapons, aka its Overlay Units.

Marincess Sea Butterfly

(L2/1800/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/↑, →)

2 WATER monsters

If this card is Link Summoned and you control only WATER monsters: You can Special Summon 1 Link-1 "Marincess" Link Monster from your Extra Deck. (This is treated as a Link Summon.) You can only use this effect of "Marincess Sea Butterfly" once per turn. While you control this face-up card in the Monster Zone or Spell/Trap Zone, co-linked WATER monsters you control cannot be destroyed by card effects.

Marincess Blue Sunfish

(3*/1400/1000/WATER/Cyberse/Tuner/Effect)

If this card is Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Marincess" monster from your Deck in Attack Position. If this card is sent to the GY: "Marincess" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. You can only activate each effect of "Marincess Blue Sunfish" once per turn.

Marincess Angelfish

(4*/S0/1700/1300/WATER/Cyberse/Pendulum/Tuner/Effect)

Pendulum Effect: Once per turn, if a WATER monster you control is sent to the GY, except by battle: You can send 1 WATER monster from your hand to the GY; draw 1 card.

If this card is Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Marincess Token" (Cyberse/WATER/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) to your field in Defense Position, and if you do, this turn, if you Link Summon a "Marincess" Link Monster, you can gain LP equal to its ATK. You can only activate this effect of "Marincess Angelfish" once per turn.

Marincess Clownfish Confit

(L1/700/WATER/Cyberse/Link/Effect/→)

1 non-Link WATER monster

This card cannot be destroyed by battle. You can Tribute this card; target 1 non-Link monster in your GY, Special Summon it. You can only activate this effect of "Marincess Clownfish Confit" once per turn.

Magnetic Current Link Dragon

(L3/2500/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↓, →)

3 monsters with different names, including a Link Monster

Once per turn: You can target 1 Level 5 or higher monster your opponent controls; negate its effects, then, place that opponent's monster in a Main Monster Zone this card points to and take control of it until your opponent's next End Phase, and if you do, your opponent gains LP equal to the original ATK of the targeted monster. If this card is sent to the GY: You can Set 1 Trap from your GY to your field. It can be activated this turn.

Marincess Tidal Wave

(Trap)

You can banish 1 WATER monster from your field until the next Standby Phase; all non-Link Monsters on the field lose 1000 ATK, then, if you control a Link-2 or higher "Marincess" Link Monster, you can Special Summon 1 WATER monster from your GY, but its ATK becomes 0, and it cannot be destroyed by battle this turn. If your opponent controls a monster Special Summoned from the Extra Deck, they cannot activate cards or effects in response to this effect.

Flower of Decay - Fleur de Pourrie

(1*/0/0/DARK/Plant/Effect)

If this card is Normal Summoned: You can add 1 Level 2 Machine Tuner monster from your Deck to your hand. If a "Fleur" monster you control inflicts battle damage to your opponent: You can send this card from your hand to the GY; that "Fleur" monster can declare a second attack this turn.

Trivia: Pourrie is the feminine form of 'rotten' in French, and well, considering that I already explained Sherry's deck as 'making something vibrant emerge from a state of rottenness', I figured I should give her something to go with the theme.

Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon

(L4/3000/WATER/Dragon/Link/Effect/←, ↙, ↘, →)

2+ monsters with different names, including a Link 3 or higher Monster

Once per turn, if this card does not point to any monsters: You can negate the effects of all Level 5 or higher monsters on the field, and if you do, this monster gains 500 ATK for each monster affected by this effect until the End Phase. If you control no Set cards, this card is unaffected by your opponent's monster effects. You can only activate 1 of the following effects of "Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon" each turn, and only once per turn.

- If your opponent activates a monster effect: You can target that monster; negate that effect, and if you do, take control of that monster and place it in a Main Monster Zone that this card points to, and then, gain LP equal to its ATK.

- If your opponent activates a Spell/Trap card or effect that would target or destroy a monster you control: You can target that card; negate that effect, and if you do, gain 500 LP for each monster that this card points to.

Trivia: Hydrostatic comes from the word for a liquid at rest. Rest, peace, etc—I wanted the word to symbolise that sense of peace, the shoulder that Yuno wants to lend to others. Also, it's a nice contrast to 'magnetic', without the ideals being complete opposites. The reason why it does not start with the same letter as the base form dragon is because Greedy Venom doesn't either, and I wanted to balance out both sides. The effects are obviously based off both the idea of forcing the opposing monsters to rest/not act, and the desire to act on the behalf of others. The negation effects (that were not used here since it didn't make sense thematically in the duel) granting the LP to Yuno and not his opponent shows the shift from the desire to make his opponent happy to an acceptance that in war and conflict, sometimes one cannot make everyone happy. It doesn't mean that he'll stop trying, but it's a sign of his maturity. Obviously it's 3000 ATK to match Crystal Wing and Dark Requiem, and the Link Arrows reference Marincess Wonder Heart, which is far more aggressive in an archetype that is not exactly based on aggression, and Borreload Dragon, to reference how his evolution is brought forth in a fight against an initially antagonistic character from a series (5Ds) who is driven by their grief/loyalty to their parents and remains somewhat morally grey throughout. The design changes also reference Yuno understanding worlds outside of his own, becoming less mechanical and more organic.

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Different Card Effects from TCG:

Hundred Eyes Dragon - TCG effect! But it doesn't have the final effect that adds an Earthbound Immortal, since Kiryu isn't a Dark Signer here.

Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon - Anime effect.

The Phantom Knights' Rank-Up-Magic Launch - Anime effect, but as a Quickplay Spell as per TCG.

Phantom Knights' Fog Blade - Fully the TCG effect! The reason why I have to mention it here is because I said it wrong in a previous chapter, but yeah, TCG is just less situational anime.

Raid Raptors - Phantom Claw - Has a parentheses effect that treats it as a "Phantom Knights" card, since the OCG name doesn't have Phantom Knights in it.

Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon - Anime effect.

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End Notes:

I'm pretty sure that everyone already predicted what the two duels here would be. Yup, Yuto vs Kiryu and Yuno vs Sherry, because look at their decks. *gestures to Phantom Knights and Infernity* How could I not. Look at them. *screeches like a bird* Sorry, but I've been looking forward to this duel for months. I also purposely gave Kiryu a kind of underwhelming Turn 1 so that I could lull everyone into a false sense of security. :D I was going to do that with Sherry too, but uh—no. Letting Yuno have space to breathe meant that the duel wouldn't last that long, nor would it pressure him the way that I wanted him to.

I could write entire essays about the two duels here in this chapter, because they are probably two of the duels with the most symbolism in this entire fic. I'll just give some short pointers though. (Short, I say, after writing tons of words below. Feel free to skip past the next few paragraphs if you're not interested!) I decided to give Kiryu Hundred Eyes Dragon, but not as a Dark Synchro Monster—I don't intend to include Dark Synchros at all, but it works so well. No Duel Dragon/Signer Dragon lore exists in this story at all, because that would cause a lot of issues. They're just really powerful monsters. The 5Ds characters aren't the protagonists, the counterparts are. Still though, we do get a Stardust Dragon retrain, because 1) I love Stardust Dragon and 2) it came naturally considering how Kiryu's character turned out in my planning. In this fic, I wanted to explore the idea of Kiryu being the one to accidentally cause Yusei's death instead. Having Yusei in their background also gives him and Sherry, two very similar characters, a chance to bond. (Also, yes, there is some background Aki/Sherry, purely because I do like the ship, more on that next time.)

Kiryu bringing out Stardust is his attempt at refuting Yuto's attempt to connect with him. I always enjoyed that Yuto was simultaneously the most angry counterpart and the one that had the most to mourn. However, I thought that Dark Requiem being born from his compassion rather than his anger was more fitting to the card. I'll quickly point out that Stardust Expiation Dragon and Dark Requiem Xyz Dragon have 'Salvation' in the name of one of their effects, and their effects mirror each other, because they both negate destruction. The fact that Dark Requiem and Stardust are both taken out in the same chain is Yuto acknowledging his own grief and his own wish to honour others, and trying to use it to connect with Kiryu on some level. And when Kiryu chooses to tribute Stardust himself instead of allowing it to be destroyed—because either way, Stardust would have left the field—it's him finally acknowledging Yuto's efforts, and letting go of some of his self-hatred. Stardust is as much a representation of Kiryu's lingering guilt as it is of his self-hatred—it's not a symbol of hope in the slightest for Kiryu, who no longer has the hope to believe that things can change. It's the last vestiges of Yusei's hope that have become Kiryu's guilt.

I am glad that Yuya didn't use Dark Rebellion against Chojiro, because that way I don't have to touch that duel, and I can finally introduce Dark Requiem. So yeah, to those who asked earlier in reviews, Dark Requiem remains Dark Rebellion's evolution, because while Arc Rebellion is an amazing card, it isn't quite as symbolic as Dark Requiem is. Plus, Arc Rebellion is Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon's counterpart, so it's a bit different from Dark Requiem. *shrugs* I just prefer symbolism over having to update to modern cards.

Next, Yuno vs Sherry. Sherry is a very vengeful character in canon, as we all know—and here, this is a Sherry who never lost her parents, but lost someone else who she treasured, and also went to extreme measures to avenge him. However, she was paired up with Kiryu, who was just as extreme of a person, and thus, unlike 5Ds, she never stopped before it was too late. I wanted Yuno, whose whole mindset has been that he wants to make people happy, to come face to face with a sorrow that was so strong that he realises that he can't fix things immediately. That he needs to give the person time to breathe, time to heal and time to recover. I also, of course, related it back to his relationship with Miharu, because the similarities are uncanny. Originally, his opponent was Misty, but I swapped her and Sherry because I preferred the duels going this way, and it fit better. The cyclical nature of her dueling (cycling out Necro Fleur and Baroness over and over) is similar to how Kiryu's deck keeps looping Doom Archfiend—showing how they're still stuck in the same cycle of fighting fruitlessly, despite everything.

Hydrostatic Current Link Dragon takes the stage alongside Dark Requiem! I said everything I needed to say about that card in the chapter itself and the trivia part up above. Of course, I also think it's a good time to finally have Magnetic Current evolve properly. :) Hydrostatic Current's evolution here mirrors Yuno's growing understanding of the world, and at the same time, him growing to acknowledge that he can't fix all problems, and that's fine. Yuno's ace bringing him victory while Yuto's ace brings the conditions for his victory without being the final attack is intended to show the difference in their attitudes—namely, that at this point, Yuto is still far more content to support others, while Yuno fights directly. *points to the fact that this is Yuto's first individual duel in this story* One of the bigger symbolism moments that I did like in the duel but probably won't come across is that Sherry keeps on setting Liberty at Last, but she never actually gets to use it. It's the sense that while she keeps on fighting, she doesn't actually believe that she can change things. There's a lot more stuff to say here, but I'll stop it here. If I ever decide to break it down more, I'll probably do it at the end of the Synchro Arc.

Ultimately, the two duels are also trying to deconstruct Yuto and Yuno's views, mirroring Yuya's ideals being questioned by Jack and Chojiro. The difference is that both of them are far more self-assured than Yuya is, so they manage to pick themselves back up far more easily. Let's go Yu-boy parallels!

Why did I choose to focus on Yuto specifically in the Facility arc, you might ask? Because I had time to do it, and it fit in logically. Like I always say, this fic is an ensemble fic. Since I kept Yuto alive, I wanted to do something with him—I wanted to let him grow into an actual person. And besides, having Yuto see people who are also rebelling in different ways (i.e. Shinji vs Kiryu) it lets him have a bit more introspection towards himself. It didn't make sense to focus on Yugo during this arc even though I wanted to, but don't worry, I'll give him screentime once I can.

I do acknowledge that the Misty and Bommer duels were a bit shorter than usual in the last chapter. Truth be told, it was simply because I didn't have a proper duel outline for them, whereas Shun, Yuto and Yuno's duels have been rotting in my folder for a month now. Originally, this arc was based purely around those three and it was just one chapter, but I decided to give Dennis some character development and dragged Mion along for the right for foreshadowing. Maybe at some point I'll go back and revise them, but honestly, I don't feel like it, especially since my laptop is broken. Hope that I made up for it in this chapter though.

However, I would like to make something very clear now, before I get your hopes up. While I will certainly introduce quite a few legacy characters and give them some level of plot relevance, these characters will not become main characters. Their main purpose is worldbuilding, a small amount of fanservice and helping the cast to grow. So while these characters may show up a few times, most of them won't become part of the main cast.

Review responses!

To DSpaceZ, that was exactly the feeling I was hoping to invoke. After all, suspense is important, and I love making people wait! *gestures to Empty Abyss* If that wasn't obvious already. Yeah, I love Melusine and Echidna, but since I'm going to give Misty at least one more duel, I decided to let her use Hydra, to show her sneakiness. Yeah, I never intended to use Bommer/Greiger for too long, since he's already been used quite a lot by other fics. I did read your review about possibly using the maniacal version of Kiryu, and in a very early draft, that's how this duel turned out. However, in the end, I decided for this instead of the Dark Signer version. In a sense, Kiryu wasn't betrayed by anyone here—he's just trying to live in the only way he knows how. So while he's not broken, he's certainly caught up in a sense of longing. Baronne de Fleur is a card that I personally abuse a lot, so I apologise, but I love it. :)

To T.V. 2000, oh, I definitely don't intend to portray Dennis as 'in the right'. You guessed right on Yuto vs Kiryu though, hope you enjoyed!

To HunterHQ, yeah, I'll try to do Misty more justice the next time I have her duel. As I explained, my technological difficulties made this really hard to write. In the end, it was more that any Lancer would destroy Bommer, so I had to give him slightly different cards.

To naminexriku2468, I'm declining to confirm for Dracoslayer, since unlike Solfachord, there's actually a chance that it can logically be used in the context of the story. I will say though that I really don't like the archetype, since I've never seen it used well in a fic. I won't comment on Sergey for now, but I'll once again remind everyone that the matchups in the Friendship Cup are not fixed to canon. Glad you enjoyed.

To LHOCIN, nice to see you again! Yeah, I really wish that Dennis had been built-up more concretely as a character before he faced Shun, because we could've had a duel as good as Shun vs Sora if that was the case, especially because we all know that Dennis caused Ruri's kidnapping. For people's reaction to the war, you'll have to wait a while. Glad you enjoyed Dennis, and hope you enjoyed this chapter!

To HunterHQ, I don't intend to use any Rush Duel cards at all, purely because I'm not familiar with Rush Duel. No comment on Yusho.

To phantomdragons, I'm definitely giving him more Fusion Monsters, cause it's a shame that he never got more. Aki… definitely doesn't know about Divine's death. That'll be interesting. Yugo is definitely getting a very different arc from his canon arc, lmao, and that's all I'll say about that. Thanks for the review.

I can't believe this note is so long. I blame it on the fact that I've been waiting for this chapter for three months.

Feel free to drop a review!